Press releases

Personnel change – New Country Manager for OBI in Russia

Wermelskirchen, October 25th, 2007- The new country manager of OBI in Russia is Thorsten Vogt.

Since 2003 is OBI operating in the Russian market. OBI currently runs 11 stores in Moscow, in St. Petersburg as well as in Nizhny Novgorod, in Kazan and in Ekatarinburg. Four years in Russia, OBI is the undisputable market leader with abroad regional coverage. Intention for the future is to increase and consolidate the leadership of OBI in the market by means of an intense program of new openings.

The 39 year old Thorsten Vogt worked before successfully for other international retail companies abroad such as Real Russia where he last was Managing Director.

Company portrait

OBI is the leading brand in the German and European DIY retail sector. Apart from Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Poland, Hungary, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Russia, OBI is also present in Italy, Austria, Switzerland and Croatia. OBI is the fourth largest DIY retailer in the world and employs more than 38.000 people worldwide. The OBI stores recorded in fiscal year 2006/2007 an overall sales worth EUR 5.8 billion. The share of foreign sales was 33 %. According to a survey by the TNS Infratest institute, OBI is among the best-known brands in Germany with a supported brand awareness in july 2007 of 97%.