Estap, a Slovak producer of steel enameled bathtubs, shower cabinets and jacuzzis reported a gross profit of 3 million Slovak crowns ($75,000) for the first half of 1999. From January to June, the company churned out 35,000 bathtubs worth 60 million crowns, up from 31,800 tubs during the same period in 1998.
The company places about 70% of its output on foreign markets, mostly in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Ukraine, Italy, France, England, and Finland. Estap used to export 25,000 enameled bathtubs to Russia annually, but when crisis struck the Russian market, the company was forced to develop other markets instead. Estap now exports to Syria, Lebanon, and Israel instead.
Estap was established in 1991, and distributes its products through its Bratislava wholesale warehouse and dealers throughout Slovakia. Its products are also a part of the assortment of the Baumax international retail chain.
