Ambient foresees 105m-euro sales

Ambient Sibiu, a construction materials distributor, estimates turnover worth 105 million euros for this year, up 35% on 2005.

“This year, we will open four commercial centres in Targu-Mures, Baia Mare, Ramnicu-Valcea and Gheorgheni, and these will boost our sales,” says Cristina Giurca, the commercial manager of Ambient Sibiu.

The company last year registered turnover worth 78 million euros, up 5% on 2004, when it amounted to 74.1 million euros. In 2005, the company invested seven million euros to open a luxury commercial centre in Cluj through Ambient Cluj, part of Ambient group.

Moreover, the company will open a commercial centre with an 18,000 square metre area in Targu Mures, in April.

“Last year”s increase in turnover was due to the investments made by the company, namely investments for the opening of several commercial centres in Alba Iulia, Cluj-Napoca and Bistrita-Nasaud, as well as five new Ambient stores countrywide,” Giurca specified.

The sales increase was generated by the development of outlets, as well as of the construction materials distribution network.

The best-selling products were ceramic plates, sanitary ware and sanitary installations, thermo and sound insulating materials and thermal devices, according to company officials. Imports doubled last year from the previous year, reaching 14 million euros, says Giurca.

Ambient representatives forecast the construction materials market will witness an increase of around 10% this year. “The Romanian constructions market has seen extremely rapid growth recently, which led to a complex offer of solutions and materials,” Giurca feels.

The Casa Ambient brand was launched in April 2002 by the parent company, Ambient Sibiu, and comprises two concepts: Ambient Structuri, a centre for large construction materials, and Casa Ambient Finisaje. The Ambient group is a Romanian entity owned by businessman Ioan Ciolan.

Other Romanian store networks with a regional presence are Dedeman Bacau, Grony and Midway Craiova and Givada Bucharest, Stelcati Constanta and Tiger Amira Oradea, all of them posting turnovers worth tens of millions of euros.