Andrea Sasso appointed new CEO of Marazzi Group

Andrea Sasso, 47, has been appointed Marazzi Group's new CEO, taking over from Maurizio Piglione, who has stood down after successfully completing his job of reorganising and revitalising the group during a difficult period for the market.

The new CEO will work alongside the group's chairman and major shareholder Filippo Marazzi, who remains a unique point of reference and strategic guide. Sasso will have the task of continuing the growth process already undertaken by the group, combining its focus on Europe with exceptional development in the Russian and American markets.

Sasso, who has a degree in Economics and Business from the Polytechnic University of the Marche and also studied on the INSEAD International Executive Programme (Fontainebleau and Singapore), leaves his previous position since 2007 as CEO of Elica Group, a world leader in the kitchen extraction hood sector. His past experience also includes roles of increasing responsibility at Gruppo Merloni Elettrodomestici/Indesit Company from 1990, ultimately Chief Operating Officer and Chief Commercial Officer, and at Pirelli Tyre, where he served as Country Manager Italia.

 "In spite of the crisis that has struck our sector and the economy as a whole, our group has continued to grow and consolidate its position in international markets by focusing on quality, innovation and training," said Filippo Marazzi. "Our most sincere thanks go to Maurizio Piglione for the work he has done since joining us in 2009. We wish him all the best with his career and future managerial challenges."

The results achieved by Marazzi are clearly demonstrated by the figures for the first half of 2012, which reveal a further strengthening of market share, revenues and profitability. Consolidated half yearly turnover totalled 428 million euro (+2.5%) while EBITDA reached 69 million euro (+6.2%). These positive results are largely due to strong growth in Russia (+18%) and in the United States (+15%), underscoring the success of the ongoing internationalisation strategy long pursued by the company, which now generates 80% of its turnover outside Italy.