French crystal maker Lalique, a subsidiary of perfume bottle and cosmetic container producer Pochet, has launched a new collection of crystal vases and revamped its retail outlets in order to raise profitability, it was reported Nov/04. Despite generating an average annual turnover of EUR 75M, Lalique has been loss-making for the last three years. Nevertheless, company management is optimistic about its recovery. Aiming for a return to profit in the short term, Lalique has created the Black Collection, a set of five black crystal vases in a limited edition of 999 units of each model. Jewellery output at the company's plant in Alsace, eastern France, has increased through the purchase of a new 180kg kiln. The Alsace plant, employing 270, manufacturers 450,000 crystal units/year, 250,000 of which are jewellery. The company generates 80% of turnover outside France.
