Press Centre
The World of Swarovski
For over 100 years, Swarovski, the brand synonymous with ingenuity, poetry, and technology, has developed its supreme mastery of precision-cutting, to become the world’s leading producer of cut crystal, genuine gemstones, and created stones. The family company has remained fully independent since its foundation in Wattens, Austria, in 1895.
Over the course of its history, Swarovski has produced innovations and inspired creative trends in fields as varied as jewelry, fashion, accessories, lighting and interior design, culture, and industrial research and development. The company draws its richness of expression from the cultural heritage of central Europe and its talent for forging links between the arts, science, and economics. Today, the name of Swarovski stands for exacting workmanship, quality, and creativity all over the world.
SETTING THE STANDARDS FOR SUCCESS
As a result of its corporate philosophy, Swarovski is the market leader in a wide variety of fields:
• Precisely cut crystal elements and semi-finished products
for the fashion, jewelry, and design industries
• Crystal jewelry, crystal objects and crystal accessories
• Crystal chandeliers, lights, and lighting systems
• Genuine gemstones and created stones
As of 2007, Schonbek Worldwide Lighting Inc., a leading specialist in the design and production of exquisite crystal chandeliers, lights, and lighting systems, has been part of the Swarovski company.
Within the expanded field of crystal, Swarovski developed products that have now established themselves as independent brands:
• Precision optical instruments (SWAROVSKI OPTIK)
• Grinding and dressing tools (Tyrolit)
• Road safety products (Swareflex)
THE WORLD OF SWAROVSKI
A WORLD OF CREATION
The collections produced by Swarovski and Atelier Swarovski continually reflect the spirit of the times: they include jewelry, fashion accessories, watches, home accessories and crystal objects, as well as crystal chandeliers and lighting systems. Their expressive power is rooted in the creativity of the Swarovski design team, as well as the contributions made by leading international designers.
A WORLD OF INSPIRATION
With SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS – loose crystal elements and crystalline semi-finished products – Swarovski has supplied and inspired the fashion, jewelry, and accessories industry for many years. SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS can also be found on design pieces in the fields of home decorations, light design, architecture, and interior fittings. The innovative Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED™ retail concept acts as a platform for exclusive jewelry and accessories collections by renowned designers using SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS. Under the SWAROVSKI GEMS™ name, Swarovski offers precisely cut genuine gemstones and created stones. The ever-growing range boasts a fascinating refractory effect through masterful faceting.
Swarovski continually works with international designers, and helps them to express their creative talent. For many years, Swarovski has played an indispensable role in haute couture. This long-standing creative partnership with the fashion world spans from Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli to the icons of today’s catwalk. Thanks to Swarovski’s ongoing commitment in the fields of research and innovation, there really are no limits when it comes to designing with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS and SWAROVSKI GEMS™.
A WORLD OF IMAGINATION
Mysterious, original, and captivating, Swarovski Kristallwelten pays homage to crystal as a medium of imagination. In 1995, on the centenary of the company’s founding, Swarovski commissioned Austrian multimedia artist André Heller to portray crystal in all its incredible facets. He came up with Swarovski Kristallwelten and its fantastical chambers of wonder in Wattens, the home of the company. Within the exhibition, concert and event center, artists such as Jim Whiting, Fabrizio Plessi and Brian Eno offer an individual interpretation of the elegance of crystal. With more than nine million visitors, Swarovski Kristallwelten represents one of Austria’s most popular attractions.
SWAROVSKI IN NUMBERS
December 2011
Turnover:
Swarovski Company: 2.22 Billion Euro
Swarovski Group: 2.87 Billion Euro
Employees:
Swarovski Company: 26,140
Swarovski Group: 31,458
SWAROVSKI COMPANY:
Production locations in 8 countries:
Austria, China, Czech Republic, India, Jordan, Liechtenstein, Thailand, USA
Global distribution network in 42 countries:
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Macao, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, UK, USA, Venezuela
Retail:
1218 Swarovski-operated Boutiques
1000 Partner-operated Swarovski Boutiques
SWAROVSKI GROUP (consists of Swarovski Company, Tyrolit, Swareflex, and SWAROVSKI OPTIK):
Production locations in 19 countries:
Argentinia, Austria, Brazil, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Jordan, Liechtenstein, Mexiko, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, UK, USA
