History

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• About Nobia
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• History

Nobia was originally a division of STORA (now Stora Enso) where the operation comprised doors, windows and kitchens, and a wholesale business for building materials. The company was formed in 1996 when Industri Kapital (now IK) bought Nobia and shifted the focus to kitchens.

Several strategic acquisitions then took place, of which Novart and Magnet entailed a breakthrough in the Finnish and UK markets, and Poggenpohl gave Nobia a leading position in the most exclusive segment.

2010 − In February, Nobia presented a new organisation and work method for the Group. Production and sourcing are co-ordinated with the purpose of leveraging Nobia’s size, while the Group’s brands are positioned to satisfy customer requirements more clearly. The new organisation in April 2010 signalled the start of a several-year change process, which will lead to a stronger Group. The objective is to increase both profitability and growth by fully capitalising on Nobia’s economies of scale in the market, the supply chain and Group units for IT, HR and Finance. The change process is expected to take place between 2010 and 2014.

Later in February, Nobia announced that Pronorm, and its ownership share in Culinoma in Germany, had been divested to DeMandemaker Groep (DMG). The transaction was part of Nobia’s strategy to focus on attractive customer offerings, clear brands and a more efficient supply chain with fewer and larger plants.

In April, Morten Falkenberg was appointed new President and CEO. Morten Falkenberg took office in October.

2009 - The kitchen market in Europe remains very much under the influence of the deep recession and Nobia’s earnings decline sharply. In the midst of the crisis, Nobia focuses on reducing costs and strengthening the cash flow. We gather our strengths and seize the opportunity to think differently. The decision is made to implement strategic and organisational changes beginning in 2010 to create long-term profitability and growth.

2008 - The latter part of the year is dominated by the financial crisis and uncertainty, which reduces demand for kitchens at the end of the year. Consequently, Nobia reports negative growth for the first time since 2003. The company merges business units and enhances the efficiency of its supply chain.

2007 − Culinoma is formed in February as a joint-venture company with De Mandemakers Groep in the Netherlands. During the year, Culinoma becomes the leading kitchen retail chain in Germany with 79 stores after the acquisitions of Plana, Marquardt and Asmo. A decision is also made to increase the pace of store establishment within the Magnet, Hygena and Poggenpohl concepts.

2006 marks the ten-year anniversary of operations under the name Nobia. The acquisition of Hygena of France confirms the significance of the specialised kitchen studio network, which to date numbers about 650 Nobia-owned or franchised outlets in total. Influencing the offer – the content, design and exposure of the kitchen concept in a store – is a major determinant for profitability and growth. The Group represents one of Europe’s leading kitchen companies. Net sales reach SEK 15.6 billion and the number of employees 8,000.

2005 − The business is organised into three geographic regions: UK, Nordic and Continental European. Nobia acquires leading Austrian kitchen manufacturer EWE-FM.

 2003/2004 − Combined acquisition efforts and organic growth pave the way for profitable growth, the Group’s fourth strategy cornerstone. It is also realised that lowering costs refers to all purchasing and not just production, changing the name of the cornerstone to low product cost. Operations in the German business unit Goldrief are discontinued. Nobia acquires Gower, a leading British manufacturer of flat-pack kitchens. At year-end 2004, Nobia’s net sales are SEK 11.3 billion and employees number 6,000.

2002 − Nobia is introduced on the Stockholm Stock Exchange. Net sales increase to SEK 9.6 billion and employees number 5,900. Efforts continue to further concentrate core business operations, with additional non-core businesses divested.

2000/2001 − Keen focus on establishing a core business while lowering production costs and broadening market coverage, which paves the way for two more cornerstones of the Group’s strategy − low production costs and multiple brands and channels. Door and window manufacturers are sold off, as well as Swedish wholesale operations. By acquiring German Poggenpohl, Swedish Myresjökök, Norwegian Norema, Danish Invita and British Magnet, presence in the European kitchen market is greatly reinforced.

1999 − The profitability trend continues and Nobia makes a strategic decision to focus on kitchens and expand outside the Nordic region. The kitchen industry in Europe is fragmented and Nobia sees opportunities for a company with the capacity to lead its consolidation.

1997/1998 − Nobia improves its margins by rationalising production, increasing brand recognition, improving efficiency and reorganising the business. The company can report a profit in 1997. Nobia begins focusing on the kitchen business and in 1998 acquires Novart, Finland’s leading kitchen manufacturer.

1996 – Nobia is formed by Industri Kapital through a buy-out from STORA. Unprofitable export operations are discontinued and a strategic focus on core business is initiated, along with business units' decentralised responsibility for profitability. Kitchen sales amount to about SEK 1.5 billion and include brands such as Danish HTH, Norwegian Sigdal and Swedish Marbodal.