Press
News - Archiv
29 June 2009
20 Years EMD AG: The combined strength of independent
Trading Companies in Europe
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Leading
associated group of independent trading companies, active
since 1989
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Longstanding plans for a handover of EMD senior
management now in place
As part of its General Assembly in Berlin on 26.6.2009 EMD
AG celebrated its 20 year anniversary. The largest
associated group of independent trading companies in Europe
was founded in 1989 with the aim of giving its members clear
competitive advantages through multinational procurement and
the coordinated distribution of goods across Europe, thereby
strengthening the position of independent traders against
chain stores and retail groups. Of the more than 20 European
alliances founded around 1990 four are still active in the
market today. EMD has not only been able to maintain its
position as the leading organisation for small and
medium-sized
businesses but also to extend it. Operating originally in 7
European markets, EMD today has a presence in 19 countries.
In the Europe-wide market, with a volume of around €1,400bn,
EMD today has a sales potential of just under €110bn. From
the very beginning its focus has been on contracting with
multinational and national manufacturers of branded products,
on joint procurement of private label products and in
developing and implementing exclusive Eurolabels. More than
200 agreements with supplying industry and 2008 as the best
year in history in benefits for the members of EMD are proof
for that acceptance and at the same time challenge for the
future.
EMD is bound by the motto "the Power of Partnership" in its
planning and trading. The group's strength is the commitment
of its members to contribute to joint projects their
potential, their volume of goods traded or their diligence
in contracting. Based on this joint strength EMD presents
itself to the branded products industry and to private label
producers as a professional, powerful partner whose central
coordination role is recognised in the European trading
community.
The 20 year anniversary coincides with longstanding
strategic plans for a handover of EMD senior operational
management. As has been already announced, Dr. Peter Hampl
is transferring the reins to Philippe Gruyters after 19
years of service to the company. The 45 year old Belgian was
previously CEO of the Dutch holding company of Aldi Nord.
With Philippe Gruyters, the responsibility for the further
development of EMD will continue in the hands of an
established expert in European trade.
Important and long-lasting decisions have been taken during
this general assembly within the company’s governance rules.
From now on the Presidency of the Board will change every 2
years. As first rotation step Euromadi Ibérica’s CEO Jaime
Rodriguéz Bertiz handed over Presidency to Markant Germany’s
CEO and Delegate of the Board, Stefan Feuerstein. Also at
the general assembly, Dick Roozen (CEO of Dutch EMD-member
Superunie) was elected as additional vice president.
Riccardo Francioni, CEO of ESD Italia, will remain in his
function as vice-president of EMD.
Under the lead of the new Managing Director Philippe
Gruyters, EMD will further tighten the links to its members
by streamlining information flows and decision-making
processes. By that, effectiveness and result-orientation of
projects will increase. The clear commitment of the members
to the central project management of EMD and the consequent,
measureable implementation of activities will convince brand
manufacturers of the importance and the advantages of
cooperation on a European level. With new participants and
members, market potential will further increase. In the
fields of trading and private labels, EMD also recognises a
huge potential that will be exploited using its highly
efficient state-of-the-art procurement system. The necessary
steps towards this goal have almost completely been taken.
To optimize processes and to develop additional market
opportunities in the common procurement of goods, EMD
focuses on intensifying the know-how transfer between its
members. With its openness for active and powerful trading
companies, EMD is unique among European trading groups.
Based on these foundations the next 20 years will continue
to see EMD rigorously pressing ahead with its role - to
combine the strengths of autonomous independent trading
companies in Europe.
Enquiries:
Menedetter PR
Mag. Robert Bauer
Tel.: +43/1/533 23 80-19
bauer@menedetter-pr.at
EMD - THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIP
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