“At the end of this investment we will have more freedom as far as exports are concerned. The upholstery plant [which is already functional i.e.] was too small and we used to conduct many of the operations elsewhere, which entailed high costs. Now we will be able to cut costs. We have more external orders,” says Cristian Rusu, manager of the Rus Savitar – Casa Rusu group.
Rusu explains that the company’s exports are low at present, with Rus Savitar’s annual exports amounting to up to EUR3 million and accounting for less than 10% of the turnover. Rus Savitar has three furniture plants.
Last year the company announced it would invest in modernizing and in expanding its upholstered furniture plant in Timisoara, a project co-funded with European funds.
The project is conducted through the Operational Program “Increase of Economic Competitiveness” 2007-2013, with the non-repayable funds amounting to 8.06 million lei (EUR1.8 million).
Following the investment, the plant will have over 7,000 sq m and a production capacity of over 10,000 of furniture items per month.
Currently the total number of employees of Rus Savitar is over 900 and total investments have exceeded EUR20 million.
Rus Savitar posted a turnover of RON63.4 million (EUR15 million) in 2011, according to Finance Ministry data. Rus Savitar has also developed its own store chain, under the name Casa Rusu.
Recently Casa Rusu representatives announced that this year they would invest EUR2 million in expansion, with Casa Rusu to open 10 stores of its own and another 8 through franchisees.
According to Finance Ministry data, retailer Casa Rusu recorded a RON44 million (over EUR10 million) turnover in 2011.
(English version by Daniela Stoican)