The three major international fragrance brands: IFF, Givaudan and Firmenich have already entered the Chinese market.
IFF is a well-deserved international fragrance leader. Its total sales in 2000 reached US$1.9 billion, and its products accounted for 21% of the world's spice market share. IFF currently has 72 offices in 42 countries and 42 development laboratories around the world, with approximately 6,000 employees.
Givaudan: Perceiving Creativity
Givaudan ranks second in the world after the American IFF Company. It is a dynamic, traditional company with rich experience. The company is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and has branches in more than 40 countries around the world. In 1999, Givaudan's annual sales reached 2.2 billion Swiss francs, and in the first half of 2000, it had completed sales of 1.2 billion Swiss francs. Givaudan has 5,000 employees worldwide, 85% of its products are sold domestically, and 15% are sold to foreign markets.
The company can produce more than 300 kinds of fragrance raw materials. In the chemistry department of the Dübendorf (near Zurich) research center, it continuously develops and studies new fragrance molecular structures. In the search for more powerful chemical structures, the company's belief is: "Stronger aroma, simpler structure."
Firmenich: Centennial Fragrance
As a family company, another Swiss company (FIRMENICH) has been passed down to the fourth generation. The company has 74 offices or agents in 52 countries around the world, with approximately 4,000 employees. Sales have grown for ten consecutive years. By the end of June 2000, annual sales reached 100 million Swiss francs, with a growth rate of 22% within a 12-month statistical period. Firmenich now launches its e-commerce (SALES.COM). This is a first-of-its-kind electronic trade for synthetic fragrances that will provide a dynamic and effective program placement system and convenient online (ON-LINE) product and sample management form. This network is now available to many customers service, it will also expand more functions.
The company is founded on technology. It invests heavily in new technologies every year and develops many patents every year. The company currently has 800 patents in execution, the highest among all fragrance companies. In the past, one or two special products won the Industrial Invention Award and the Special Technology Award every year. The combination of technology and creativity is a major factor in Firmenich’s long-term growth. Furanones and microencapsulation technology make people easily associate it with Firmenich.