Eastern Europe, Russia Produce Big Gains for Roc-lon®
April 14, 2005
BALTIMORE, Maryland — "Sales of Roc-lon® blackout have increased 10-15 percent each year since we started marketing to the Russian and Eastern European markets four years ago," said Tanya Shcherbina, director of Eastern European sales for Rockland Mills Inc. for the past four years.
Her territory includes Eastern Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States (the name given to the former Soviet Union Republics in 1991), and Baltic Countries.
"Russia is changing," Shcherbina said. "There are 75 new hotels going up in Moscow alone. Rockland plans to be in every hotel."
Mark Kresel, executive vice president, Rockland Industries, added that Rockland has no real competition in that region.
"Other companies in Germany and Spain who produce blackout are too expensive since the dollar is so low against the euro. They sell their product for 35 euros per meter while we sell Roc-lon at $5-10 a meter," said Kresel.
"We have developed great partnerships with distributors of upholstery and drapery fabrics in this growing market," he continued. "The Roc-lon brand is widely recognized by designers, distributors and retailers. They use the logo in magazines and in trade shows."
Roc-lon's buyers have shown great enthusiasm for the product, according to Kresel.
"They are adapting these products to the new hotels built in the Western style and realize the need for blackout for a better night's sleep. We're even selling blackout to train transportation companies and airlines so conductors and pilots can work effectively at night."
Russian and Eastern European buyers have even been finding new uses for Roc-lon.
"It's used in casinos. Some companies are turning Roc-lon into roller blinds with printed face for residential use. We know of two companies in the Ukraine that do digital printing on Roc-lon for the decoration of offices and casinos. Roc-lon is also used for banner cloth that is digitally printed with different patterns as well as for signage in retail malls," Kresel said.
Shcherbina notes that the product has strong distribution in Europe. "We're represented in Russia in Moscow, St Petersburg; Sochi—a beautiful resort area on the Black Sea; Kiev, the capitol of Ukraine; Slovenia; Croatia; Warsaw, Poland; Prague, Czech Republic; Romania; Bulgaria and the Baltic Countries."
Her territory includes Eastern Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States (the name given to the former Soviet Union Republics in 1991), and Baltic Countries.
"Russia is changing," Shcherbina said. "There are 75 new hotels going up in Moscow alone. Rockland plans to be in every hotel."
Mark Kresel, executive vice president, Rockland Industries, added that Rockland has no real competition in that region.
"Other companies in Germany and Spain who produce blackout are too expensive since the dollar is so low against the euro. They sell their product for 35 euros per meter while we sell Roc-lon at $5-10 a meter," said Kresel.
"We have developed great partnerships with distributors of upholstery and drapery fabrics in this growing market," he continued. "The Roc-lon brand is widely recognized by designers, distributors and retailers. They use the logo in magazines and in trade shows."
Roc-lon's buyers have shown great enthusiasm for the product, according to Kresel.
"They are adapting these products to the new hotels built in the Western style and realize the need for blackout for a better night's sleep. We're even selling blackout to train transportation companies and airlines so conductors and pilots can work effectively at night."
Russian and Eastern European buyers have even been finding new uses for Roc-lon.
"It's used in casinos. Some companies are turning Roc-lon into roller blinds with printed face for residential use. We know of two companies in the Ukraine that do digital printing on Roc-lon for the decoration of offices and casinos. Roc-lon is also used for banner cloth that is digitally printed with different patterns as well as for signage in retail malls," Kresel said.
Shcherbina notes that the product has strong distribution in Europe. "We're represented in Russia in Moscow, St Petersburg; Sochi—a beautiful resort area on the Black Sea; Kiev, the capitol of Ukraine; Slovenia; Croatia; Warsaw, Poland; Prague, Czech Republic; Romania; Bulgaria and the Baltic Countries."
