AUSTRIA - The Blum Group recorded a total of 2,376.75 million euros in turnover from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021.

This marked growth is an increase of 24.7% or 470 million euros on the previous year. The unforeseeable surge in demand for furniture caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an above-average increase in turnover for the fittings manufacturer from Vorarlberg.

“The crisis has prompted people all over the world to attach more importance to their homes. At the same time there has been a shift in private consumption – away from traditional leisure time activities to investments in home improvements, for example in kitchens and furniture,” says Philipp Blum, Managing Director of Blum, explaining the development.

Although furniture stores had to close their doors for long periods of time during the lockdowns, the demand for furniture and interior refurbishments increased dramatically all over the world.

In the past financial year, investments worldwide totalled 259 million euros, 176 million of which in Vorarlberg. Despite the challenging times, Blum consistently invests in the expansion of buildings, machinery and facilities. “It was thanks to long-term planning that we were able to respond as well as possible to the unexpectedly strong growth in demand,” says Managing Director Martin Blum.

The high market demand in the kitchen and furniture industry as well as in other industries has led to shortages in raw materials such as steel. “Unfortunately, our customers are currently also having to wait longer for our products,” says Martin Blum.