Designer and manufacturer of leather-upholstered home furniture, and Italy’s largest furniture manufacturer, Natuzzi S.p.A., has reported third quarter 2006 total net sales of €158.5 million ($202 million), a 7.7% increase compared wit the same quarter last year. The company reported net income of €0.8 million versus net losses of €2 million reported in the same quarter in 2005.

During the quarter, upholstery net sales reached €142 million, up 8.8%. The number of seats sold increased by 10%. Leather-upholstered furniture net sales were €123.4 million, up 11.7%, whereas fabric-upholstered net sales fell 7% to €18.6 million. During the quarter, net sales for the Natuzzi branded products increased by 2.8% to €83.8 million, and by 18.8% for the Italsofa products at €58.2 million. Other sales (principally living room accessories, and raw materials sold to third parties) decreased 1.2% to €16.5 million over the third quarter of last year.

For the first nine months, total net sales increased by 13.1% to €542.4 million ($675.6 million) and the company sold 2,236,121 seats, 11.4% higher than the same comparable period last year.

Founded in 1959 Natuzzi exports its products to 123 markets on five continents.