More deeply the company which employs 1

This is a new that delight the nostalgic photo: Leica is back in business. The prestigious camera manufacturer has just released annual results - its fiscal year ends March 31 - promising. Thus, the German mark has made a turnover of EUR 158,2 million, an increase of 18 over a year. A performance which certainly enjoys a favourable comparison effect - 2009 sales were collapsed by 14 as a result of the crisis, - but which are nevertheless significant in the long term, since it was a decade that the income of the Group had not reached this level. "We have done our best figure of the century, it is very encouraging," gives the "Echos" Rudolf Spiller, Chairman of the Board.

Jewellery technology

Especially, this recovery is profitable: the group identified a net result of EUR 3.2 million, against a loss of 5.2 million the previous year. "We have consolidated our sales while reducing our costs", explains Rudolf Spiller. Launched in May 2009, a programme of cost reduction, called Leica more, to save EUR 17 million, including by "optimizing logistics and labour costs.

More deeply, the company, which employs 1.058 employees, is passed back to the offensive in three new products: M9, the S2 SLR and the compact X 1. Novelties that have experienced an explosive start and who represented more than 50 of the sales of the group. In fact, it has small technological jewels. S2, a reflex for professionals, is marketed in the price of 18,000 euros, while the M9, the latest addition to the mythical range created in 1954 and adulated by the reporters, sells 5.500 euros. "We have ruptures on the M9", said Stéphane Manara, Director of sales for Western Europe.

A beautiful contrast to a group that is dedicated to oblivion with the explosion of digital. "People often say that we have missed this turn." "In fact, when looking in detail, we were the first on the market", said Rudolf Spiller. In fact, as early as 1996, Leica was the S1, a digital camera with a sensor of 75 million pixels. Las, this technological feat has never been marketed on a large scale, and the Group was then quick to turn the page of the silver.

It was only in the course of recent years that Leica has invested heavily in digital. First by investing 8 of its turnover in research and development, in keeping with its policy of innovation. Then by building a partnership with Panasonic to take advantage of the know-how of the Japanese optical and image processing. What give rise to different lines (C - Lux, D - Lux, V - Lux) more public digital compact (from 550 euros). "We clearly remain a premium brand, but without being inaccessible", judge Stéphane Manara.

Own shops

This top range positioning allow Leica resist Asian behemoths - Canon, Nikon, whose qualities of aircraft continue to advance Unlike our competitors, we are present on one market, one of the cameras, which gives us a unique know-how." "And then, Leica is a brand with one hundred and sixty years of history, the last European manufacturer in the sector", said Rudolf Spiller, which promises a strategic announcement by the end of the year. The redesign of its distribution model should, to accelerate. Addition of "corners" in stores, Leica has intensified its own shops network, which currently has 20 stores. 15 Openings in the world are planned in the coming months.