COBURG, FDR — Mollino changed its management and its business model two years ago and this has led to a sales increase to about $10 million in sales according to Joe Moran, founder of the company in 1999.

In order to join the top ranks of European wholesalers, Mollino is now targeting sales in the $40 million range within five years according to Moran.

The line is priced from three to six Euros per meter and Moran says Mollino is taking business away from other wholesalers selling poorly styled Chinese wovens. The key for Mollino was to add fashion goods, leaving the competition in the dust, he said. 

A two year old management team is headed by Alexandra Matosoglu, a designer and merchandiser focused on innovation and Ralf Ploetner, originally a lawyer, and then managing director since 2011. He is focused on Mollino’s increasing business and expanded global sourcing with strategic planning and control.   

Also about two years ago, the Mollino fabric line was completely changed over from a European converted print line to Chinese wovens in contemporary patterns. About 60 very focused, recolored prints remain from what were over 600 designs, Moran said.

With different brands, the group is also represented in the EU with four fulltime sales people; Asia, and Middle East and has its own facilities in China, for purchasing and quality control.  Moran has also channelled promotional dollars previously spent at trade shows into direct advertising. He feels he is getting more mileage out of this effort.

Mollino is located in the heart of Germany’s upholstery industry, about one hour from Nuremberg. Since its founding, Mollino has developed into an international company with one million meters of stocked items in the 30,000 square foot warehouse and more than 2000 customers worldwide, Moran said.  “We offer more than 2,500 different products with two main collections a year,  Moran added. The core business is with furniture manufacturers in Germany, Austria, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. Alexandra Matosoglu and Ralf Ploetner

A new website showcases a   selection of contemporary styled fabrics and corporate identity of the company www.Mollino.de.