Sofa – Ekornes® Collection

In recent years, a series of new sofas has been added to the Stressless® range of products. As a result, no new models were included in the ordinary sofa collection in 2006, and the number of models has been reduced over the past two-three years. However, in 2007 a new model, the Ekornes® Classic was introduced.

In 2006, exports accounted for some 64.7 per cent of sales revenues. The largest export markets are the USA at NOK 49.0 million (down 18 per cent), and Central Europe at NOK 43.2 million (down 7.5 per cent).

Production

Ekornes Møbler AS operates three production units located at Stranda, Grodås and Hareid. Previously, the company only manufactured sofas within Ekornes® Collection (fixed-back sofas). In February 2005 Ekornes started production of a Stressless® sofa model called Paradise at the Hareid plant. After a short period, demand was such that it took up the vast majority of the plant’s production capacity. After Stressless® Wave was also added in January 2006, the Hareid plant became a production unit for Stressless® sofa.

This means that at present the Ekornes plant at Stranda is the sole manufacturer of traditional sofas, and wooden components are produced at a specialist facility at Grodås in Hornindal.

Ekornes Møbler AS also has a considerable manufacture of components for Stressless®, mainly at the Grodås plant, but there is also some manufacture in Stranda.

At Ekornes Møbler AS, Hareid division, the company has made significant investments in automated transport systems over the past two years, and at the beginning of 2007, the enterprise is in the final phase of this investment.

At the end of 2006, Ekornes Møbler AS at Hareid had 261 employees, or 247 full-time employees, which is seven more than the previous year. Capacity utilisation and earnings at the three facilities have been good.