The Aga can meet forecasts as sales get seasonal lift

The Aga Sagas of novelist Joanna Trollope have become essential reading for millions.

The company behind the iconic cast iron Aga cookers yesterday said it was on track to meet forecasts for this year after a seasonal pick-up in sales.

Although Aga Rangemaster warned that its markets were tough and uncertain, the company said it was encouraged by another successful year for Rangemaster cookers as owners upgraded their models and burner systems.

However, this was offset by a further decline in volumes of its all-in-one cooker-boiler brands, Rayburn and Stanley, although the Leamington Spa-based company hopes to reverse this trend next year as a new range of boilers is completed.

Chief executive William McGrath said he was encouraged by the performance of the company's brands during the key autumn selling period.

He added: "Recent research we commissioned shows range cookers are on trend and aspirational and for many move the heart of the home from the living room to the kitchen.

"As we are focused on range cookers and kitchen living these trend lines provide confidence in our prospects."

Rangemaster has been the main contributor to the group during 2010, with cooker volumes up 5 per cent and exports now accounting for 25 per cent of sales.

Products that complement the cooker account for 30p in addition to every 1 of revenue in the UK from sales of Rangemaster cookers. The UK generated 62 per cent of sales in the half-year, with 23 per cent coming from Europe and 15 per cent from North America and the rest of the world. Aga said it expected to achieve record stove volumes in Ireland, despite the country's economic crisis.

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