July 22, 2020

The Franke Group is bundling its strengths in the segments of food preparation, cooking and exhaust air purification for domestic kitchens, and is gradually merging its Faber Hoods & Cooking Systems and Franke Kitchen Systems divisions with immediate effect. The new division will be operational as of January 1, 2021. The aim is to consolidate and further expand Franke’s leading market position in these areas in the long term. As a result of the organizational adjustments, there will be a personnel change in the Franke Management Board.

The Franke Group Board of Directors has decided to combine its core competencies in the areas of food preparation, cooking and exhaust air purification for domestic kitchens and to merge its two divisions Faber Hoods & Cooking Systems (Faber) and Franke Kitchen Systems. The organizational adjustments will take place gradually with immediate effect. The new division will be operational on January 1, 2021.

Barbara Borra, President/CEO of Franke Kitchen Systems and Franke Management Board member, will assume responsibility for the new division. The chemical engineer joined the Franke Group in her current position in January 2019 and was previously CEO EMEA at Fontana Group. Prior to that, she worked at Whirlpool for ten years, including as Vice President of the Global Food Preparation Category and as General Manager for the Chinese subsidiaries.

As part of these changes, Ettore Zoboli, president/CEO of Faber and Franke Management Board member, has decided to leave the Franke Group at the end of August 2020 to take on new challenges.

“With Ettore Zoboli we are losing a manager who has positioned Faber very successfully in the global market over the past six years with flexibility, commitment and strategic vision. He has thus contributed substantially to the very good results and rapid growth of the division. We are parting company by best mutual agreement and would like to thank him for the excellent cooperation and high engagement and wish him all the best both professionally and privately,” said Patrik Wohlhauser, CEO of the Franke Group.

“The merger is the next logical step to further consolidate and expand our leading global market position in the areas of food preparation (sink and tap) and cooking (extractor hood and hob) for both Franke and Faber brands. By joining forces, we will be able to make even better use of our know-how, experience and complementary skills in the future. This will help us to deepen existing customer relationships and win new ones, for example through stronger innovation, an attractive range of selected products or simpler sales and service structures. And as an OEM manufacturer of extractor hoods, we will offer even better solutions for specific customer needs, backed by cutting-edge technology and in-depth industry knowledge. Our customers are our partners. That’s why we do everything in our power to constantly develop ourselves further. Only then will we be able to create real added value for our customers and secure our own long-term business success”.