Mediobanca prize for most dynamic medium-size companies: awards made

At a meeting held today, the technical committee responsible for awarding the Mediobanca 2009 prizes, which is made up of independent members, decided to award the prize for the junior category (50-499 staff and turnover of €50-290m) to Faber Industrie and for the senior category (more than 499 staff to Geox. The awards were made on the basis of reviews of the results and profiles of the companies compiled by the Research Department of Mediobanca, which carried out indepth analysis, in conjunction with the companies themselves, of their respective organizational structures, governance, market positions and competitive advantages. Following the first stage of selection a total of 17 companies were identified and 11 were then admitted to the two short lists (six for the junior class and five for the senior class) and reviewed by the technical committee.

Faber Industrie has its registered office at Cividale del Friuli in the province of Udine, produces unwelded gas cylinders, recorded turnover of €135m in 2007, up 142.1% compared with 2004, and has 444 staff; further growth in sales was achieved during 2008.

Geox has its registered office at Biadene di Montebelluna in the province of Treviso, produces and sells footwear and items of clothing, recorded turnover of €770m in 2007, up 126.5% compared with 2004, and has 3,543 staff; further growth in sales was achieved during 2008.

The prizes will shortly be awarded by the Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of Mediobanca at a conference during which the senior management of the two companies will present their respective business histories.