Simon-Kucher Reports Revenue Rise, Plans to Hire 200

German-based product, pricing and marketing strategy specialist Simon-Kucher & Partners has announced a 13.5 percent revenue rise for 2014, to EUR 172m, and says it has ambitious plans for this, its 30th anniversary year, including revenue of more than EUR 200m and the hiring of 200 new employees.

Simon-Kucher says key growth areas in 2014 were the banking, health and consumer goods / retail industries, particularly in Germany. Co-CEO Klaus Hilleke says the Spanish market is also strong for the company and promises to gain momentum as well as being useful for its close economic relations to Latin America. Along with Co-CEO Georg Tacke, Hilleke said the firm had 'reached all of its 2014 targets, and in some segments even over-performed'.

The firm, which reported first half revenue growth of 14 percent six months ago, added 70 employees worldwide in 2014, to reach its current headcount of 760, and last month elected eight new partners, including three women and adding to 65 existing partners.

Last month also saw the establishment of an international Board, developing global corporate strategy and overseeing its implementation. The two CEOs are joined on this by seven partners from four countries: Kai Bandilla (France), Andreas von der Gathen, Rainer Meckes, Dirk Schmidt-Gallas (Germany), Joerg Kruetten (Luxembourg), Juan Rivera and Matt Johnson (USA).

The hiring program for 2015 will include 120 employees outside Germany: the firm now has 29 offices in 22 countries, and is planning to open another in Stockholm towards the end of the year.

Web site: www.simon-kucher.com .