increase by some 2 400 to 18 800, of which some 6 100
are employed in Switzerland. Of the total complement,
some 32 per cent are involved in manufacturing, including
product design and development, some 43 per cent in
distribution, including the Group's own retail stores, and
25 per cent in after-sales service and administration, both
in the Maisons, in the regions and at the centre. It has
been a very successful but demanding year for everyone in
the organisation. All of the Maisons, regional and central
teams have shown themselves to be totally committed to
Richemont during the year and I would like to express
my gratitude to all our employees for their enthusiasm
and contribution to the good results that we have been
able to report.
GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
COMPAGNIE FINANCIÈRE RICHEMONT SA
GENEVA, 22 MAY 2008
rolled out the pilot Richemont Enterprise Resource
Planning IT System across the North American market.
Key store openings in the region during the year included
the first North American boutique for Jaeger-LeCoultre
in Boca Raton, Florida and IWC's first boutique in the
region in Las Vegas.
it provides to the Maisons during the year. Montblanc
and Van Cleef & Arpels were fully integrated into the
established Richemont structure in terms of warehousing,
local distribution and customer service. For Alfred Dunhill
and Chloé, the distribution platform was restructured within
the standard Richemont shared service framework,
improving service levels and optimising efficiencies.
responsibility issues amongst Richemont staff in Japan,
with presentations including the risks posed by global
warming. Within the Japanese service platform, a
harmonised approach to human resources has also
been implemented, which should lead to improved
career opportunities and mobility of people between
the Group's businesses.
Magnificent necklace Eclat
in white gold with diamonds
(total carat weight 58,75 carats)
and Montblanc diamond of
6,12 carats