ECULLY, France–North American sales for Groupe SEB’s businesses totaled $139.1 million in the first quarter, up a scant 0.6 percent from the first quarter of 2007.
While observing that the North American performance was mixed, a Groupe SEB statement said first-quarter U.S. revenues rose “in a satisfactory way ... despite a tightening economy and lackluster consumer spending.” The company said its T-Fal unit led the way thanks to its move toward more upmarket products, and to the establishment of Mirro Wearever as an entry-level brand. In addition, the Rowenta unit enjoyed a good first quarter thanks to sales of its steam generators.
Groupe SEB added that revenue for the Krups unit contracted in the first quarter, in spite of a strong March keyed by the introduction of the BeerTender home draught-beer maker. Sales for All-Clad were also slow in the first quarter, although March sales were “fairly encouraging,” the company said.
Worldwide, Groupe SEB’s first-quarter sales rose 18.2 percent to $1.1 billion.