RAJA plans to increase turnover to more than 500 million euros

The French concern RAJA – the parent company of the Czech company Rajapack s.r.o. based in Říčany u Prahy – achieved a record result in the last financial year 2011: the total turnover of the concern increased to 408 million euros. The RAJA Group has thus achieved its target of economic growth, which it intends to maintain in 2012. In the next two years, RAJA plans to increase its turnover even further thanks to new projects and to achieve a turnover of EUR 500 million in 2014.

“Despite the less than optimal economic situation, we are striving to further develop our business activities and improve our customer service. To do this, we will take advantage of new opportunities and resources”, explains Danièle Kapel-Marcovici, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Raja Group. “In our growth strategy, we are emphasizing 3 important elements: we want to take full advantage of the potential of the main European markets, as well as to take advantage of the existing opportunities to attract new retailers of packaging materials. Finally, we will continue to actively develop our business in new markets where we have already expanded in the recent past.

Strong growth and increasing financial performance
With total sales of €408 million, the RAJA Group increased its growth in 2011 by 36% compared to the previous year. The largest contributors to this result were the growth in turnover of RAJA’s French and Rajapack subsidiaries, as well as the total turnover of Cenpac, which was acquired by RAJA in 2010. Overall, the Group achieved 12% growth.

All business areas of the Group, which currently consists of 17 subsidiaries, contributed to this more than satisfactory result. Cenpac’s turnover reached 128 million euros, while RAJA’s turnover in France rose by 8.5% to 155 million euros. For the current financial year, the RAJA Group is forecasting growth of between 7% and 8%.

New management concept for the Group
As of June 1, 2012, a new leading organization of the RAJA Group was created. The aim is to adapt to the size, diversity and international expansion of the Group. For this reason, a Group “Executive Management” consisting of four RAJA directors was established. Danièle Kapel-Marcovici herself remains Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Group and retains overall management of RAJA in France.

Sales strategy focused on professional solutions
The Group will continue to strive to expand its product range to be able to offer packaging solutions to all segments of industry and commerce. In addition, the sales strategy for packaging technology and machinery will be strengthened to help larger companies increase the efficiency and productivity of their internal packaging processes.

In addition, the number of the Group’s wholesale customers is increasing at European level. In order to meet their specific requirements even better, RAJA has increased the number of sales staff in external locations. These packaging specialists offer customers individual management and tailor-made service.

Expansion to Sweden and Slovakia
Acquisition of the Norwegian market leader in the trade, POST-EMBASSY and the establishment of Rajapack in Denmark, RAJA took the first steps to open up the Scandinavian market. In 2012, the Group plans to enter the Swedish market by opening a Rajapack branch in Sweden. Expansion into the Slovak market is also planned for the end of 2012.

Emphasis on the environment
In June 2011, RAJA obtained ISO 14001 certification in France. This certification confirms the Group’s commitment to the environment and is being implemented in all Group companies in the medium term. The RAJA Group thus supports its progressive environmental policy. Customers will find high quality solutions that are also environmentally friendly.

Internal environmental principles:

• Offering eco-friendly alternatives for the vast majority of products in the range.
• Buying from suppliers who are committed to environmental ethics and sustainability. 95% of suppliers come from Europe.
• Streamlining the environmental impact of the environment through. reducing the weight of catalogues.
• Training employees on the company’s environmental practices with regard to energy consumption.

About RAJAPACK s.r.o.

Rajapack s.r.o. is the Czech branch of the RAJA concern. This international group of French origin offers more than 500,000 customers high quality packaging solutions in the field of packaging, shipping, transport and storage. In 2010, the company achieved an annual turnover of over 300 million euros, in 2011 this figure rose to 408 million euros. The RAJA Group has 10 logistics centres throughout Europe with a warehouse area of 160,000^m2 and employs more than 1,300 people. Rajapack’s current product range already includes more than 4,500 products at the best value for money. The company, based in Říčany near Prague, emphasizes high quality goods, professional service, environmental protection and individual customer care for wholesale customers.

Media contact:

Ing. Radoslava Střípková

E-mail: rstripkova@rajapack.cz