CONFORMED

Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 6-K


Report of Foreign Issuer
Pursuant To Rule 13a-16 Or 15d-16
Of The
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the month of September 2008

  Commission File Number 1-11854

NATUZZI S.p.A.
(Translation of Registrant's name into English)


Via Iazzitiello 47
70029 Santeramo, Italy
(Address of principal office)

(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.)

(Check One) Form 20-F   X        Form 40-F       

(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.)

(Check One) Yes           No     X     

(If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b). 82-___)


Exhibit 99

Natuzzi’s Board of Directors Announces Second Quarter and First Half 2008 Consolidated Financial Results, and Targets of 2009–11 Business Plan

SECOND QUARTER 2008 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

SANTERAMO IN COLLE, Bari, Italy--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Board of Directors of Natuzzi S.p.A. (NYSE: NTZ) (‘Natuzzi’ or ‘the Group’), the world’s leading manufacturer of leather-upholstered furniture, today presented the second quarter and first half 2008 consolidated financial results.


Aldo Uva, Chief Executive Officer of the Natuzzi Group, commented: “The sales increase achieved versus the same period of last year and the much better EBIT result versus the previous quarter are a great accomplishment considering the current market conditions. However, we can not be happy for the overall result.

We still have a lot of work to do to make our Group “lean” and to increase dramatically our level of service to the markets while drastically reducing costs.

We remain committed in restructuring our sales and operating activities through a new brand strategy that will address different consumer’s segments and geographic areas, with a special focus on the emerging markets like Brazil, India, Russia, China and Middle East. At the same time we are speeding up new plans to achieve a drastic cost reduction in the area of operations and staff. A first clear step in this direction has been the introduction of a new organization model which is more consumer oriented and capable to move with great efficiency and effectiveness.

As for the 2008 fiscal year, we expect to keep increasing our top line in the region of 10 percent to about 700 million euros and to reduce the overall losses versus last year.

I am also pleased to announce that the Board of Directors examined the strategic guidelines supporting our new business plan covering the three-year period 2009 through 2011. Our declared goal is to achieve 1 billion euros of net sales in 2011with an EBIT of 15 percent. A bold target supported by a focused plan that the management is working on and that will be ready for the Board approval in October. The new plan has been called: 11-1-15”.

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL RESULTS

NET SALES

During the quarter ended June 30, 2008 total net sales for the Natuzzi Group were at EUR 168.8 million, up 3.9 percent from EUR 162.4 million reported in the second quarter of 2007 and unit sold were up by 2.7 percent with respect to the same period of last year. Considering the first semester of 2008, Group’s total net sales were up 8.0 percent at EUR 341.6 million, and unit sold were up by 9.2 percent over the same period of 2007.

In second quarter 2008, upholstery net sales increased by 2.1 percent at EUR 147.9 million and other sales (principally living room accessories and raw material produced by the Group and sold to third parties) were up by 19.4 percent at EUR 20.9 million compared to last year same quarter.

For 2008 second quarter, upholstery net sales decreased 7.4 percent in the Americas at EUR 45.3 million, whereas upholstery net sales increased in Europe by 4.4 percent at EUR 89.9 million and by 28.3 percent in the Rest of the world at EUR 12.7 million over second quarter 2007.

In the three-month period ended June 30, 2008, leather upholstered net sales increased by 5.7 percent at EUR 133.8 million, whereas fabric upholstered net sales were 23.0 percent down at EUR 14.1 million as compared with 2007 second quarter.


Total net sales for the Natuzzi branded products during 2008 second quarter were at EUR 93.7 million, decreasing by 1.2 percent compared to the previous year same quarter, whereas total net sales for the Italsofa products increased by 8.2 percent at EUR 54.2 million over the same period of last year.

GROSS & OPERATING RESULTS

For the three-month period ended June 30, 2008, the Group reported a gross profit of EUR 48.2 million, 6.6 percent up from EUR 45.2 million reported in the prior year quarter. As a percentage of sales, gross margin increased at 28.6 percent from 27.8 percent reported in the previous year second quarter.

For the quarter ended June 30, 2008, the Group reported a EUR 5.1 million operating loss versus an operating loss of EUR 9.2 million in 2007 second quarter.

FOREX AND TAXES

During the second quarter of 2008 the Group had a net foreign exchange gain of EUR 5.1 million from a net foreign exchange gain of EUR 0.6 million in last year comparable quarter. Income taxes for the second quarter of 2008 were EUR 1.4 million.

NET RESULT AND GROUP EARNINGS PER COMPANY’S SHARE

For the quarter ended June 30, 2008 the Group reported net losses of EUR 2.4 million, or EUR 0.04 losses per share (ADR), compared to net losses of EUR 4.2 million, or EUR 0.08 losses per share, in the second quarter of 2007.

Considering the six months ended June 30, 2008 the Group reported net losses of EUR 25.9 million, or EUR 0.47 losses per share, as compared with net losses of EUR 9.0 million, or EUR 0.16 losses per share, in the first semester of 2007.

SECOND QUARTER 2008 CONFERENCE CALL

Pasquale Natuzzi, Chairman of the Board, Aldo Uva, Chief Executive Officer, Salvatore Gaipa, Chief Financial Officer and Nicola Dell’Edera, Finance Director, will discuss financial results, followed by a question and answer session, in a teleconference at 10:00 a.m. New York time (3:00 p.m. London time – 4:00 p.m. Italian time) on Thursday September 4, 2008.

For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations Dept.

 

Corporate Press Office

Tel.: +39-080-8820-812 Tel.: +39-080-8820-124
Fax: +39-080-8820-241 Fax: +39-080-8820-508

E-mail: investor_relations@natuzzi.com

 

 

E-mail: relazioni.esterne@natuzzi.com


ABOUT NATUZZI S.P.A.

Founded in 1959 by Pasquale Natuzzi, Natuzzi S.p.A. designs and manufactures a broad collection of leather-upholstered residential furniture.

Italy’s largest furniture manufacturer, Natuzzi is the global leader in the leather segment, exporting its innovative, high-quality sofas and armchairs to 123 markets on 5 continents.

Since 1990, Natuzzi has sold its furnishings in Italy through the popular Divani & Divani by Natuzzi chain of 119 stores, and 1 Natuzzi Store. Outside Italy, the Company sells to various furniture retailers, as well as through 192 licensed Divani & Divani by Natuzzi and Natuzzi Stores.

Natuzzi S.p.A. was listed on the New York Stock Exchange on May 13, 1993. The Company is ISO 9001 and 14001 certified

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements in this press release other than statements of historical fact are “forward-looking statements”. Forward–looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and therefore you should not place undue reliance on them. These statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including risks that may not be subject to the Group’s control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. These risks include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in exchange rates, economic and weather factors affecting consumer spending, competitive and regulatory environment, as well as other political, economical and technological factors, and other risks identified from time to time in the Group’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, particularly in the Group’s annual report on Form 20-F. Forward looking statements speak as of the date they were made, and the Group undertakes no obligation to update publicly any of them in light of new information or future events.

- Tables follow -


NATUZZI S.P.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Earnings for the quarters ended on

June 30, 2008 and 2007 on the basis of Italian GAAP

(Expressed in millions of EUR except per share data)

 
  Three months ended on   Abs. Diff. % Over   Percent of Sales
  30-Jun-08   30-Jun-07   (Under) 30-Jun-08   30-Jun-07
Upholstery net sales 147.9 144.9 3.0 2.1% 87.6% 89.2%
Other sales 20.9 17.5 3.4 19.4% 12.4% 10.8%
Total Net Sales 168.8 162.4 6.4 3.9% 100.0% 100.0%
Purchases (74.3) (71.9) (2.4) (3.3)% (44.0)% (44.3)%
Labor (26.4) (26.6) 0.2 0.8% (15.6)% (16.4)%
Third-party Manufacturers (4.7) (3.8) (0.9) (23.7)% (2.8)% (2.3)%
Manufacturing Costs (10.8) (11.0) 0.2 1.8% (6.4)% (6.8)%
Inventories, net (4.4) (3.9) (0.5) (12.8)% (2.6)% (2.4)%
Cost of Sales (120.6) (117.2) (3.4) (2.9)% (71.4)% (72.2)%
Gross Profit 48.2 45.2 3.0 6.6% 28.6% 27.8%
Selling Expenses (41.8) (42.3) 0.5 1.2% (24.8)% (26.0)%
General and Administrative Expenses (11.5) (12.1) 0.6 5.0% (6.8)% (7.5)%
Operating Income (Loss) (5.1) (9.2) 4.1 44.6% (3.0)% (5.7)%
Interest Income, net (0.1) 0.3 (0.4) (0.1)% 0.2%
Foreign Exchange, net 5.1 0.6 4.5 3.0% 0.4%
Other Income, net (1.0) 1.8 (2.8) (0.6)% 1.1%
Earnings (Losses) before taxes and minority interest   (1.1) (6.5) 5.4 83.1% (0.7)% (4.0)%
Income taxes (1.4) 2.2 (3.6) (0.8)% 1.4%
Earnings (Losses) before minority interest   (2.5) (4.3) 1.8 41.9% (1.5)% (2.6)%
Minority Interest (0.1) (0.1) 0.0
Net Earnings (Losses) (2.4) (4.2) 1.8 42.9% (1.4)% (2.6)%
Earnings (Losses) Per Share (0.04) (0.08) 0.04
Average Number of Shares Outstanding*   54,853,045 54,824,227
(*) Net of shares repurchased
 
             
Key Figures in U.S. dollars (millions) Three months ended on Abs. Diff. % Over
    30-Jun-08 30-Jun-07   (Under)
Total Net Sales 263.8 219.0 44.8 20.5%
Gross Profit 75.3 60.9 14.4 23.6%
Operating Income (Loss) (8.0) (12.4) 4.4 35.5%
Net Earnings (Losses) (3.8) (5.7) 1.9 33.3%
Earnings (Losses) per Share (0.06) (0.11) 0.05
Average exchange rate (U.S. dollar per Euro)   1.5625   1.3484    

NATUZZI S.P.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Earnings

for six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 on the basis of Italian GAAP

(Expressed in millions of EUR except per share data)

                   
Six months ended on Abs. Diff. % Over Percent of Sales
  30-Jun-08   30-Jun-07   (Under) 30-Jun-08   30-Jun-07
Upholstery net sales 301.6 281.0 20.6 7.3% 88.3% 88.9%
Other sales 40.0 35.2 4.8 13.6% 11.7% 11.1%
Total Net Sales 341.6 316.2 25.4 8.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Purchases (155.9) (158.8) 2.9 1.8% (45.6)% (50.2)%
Labor (55.3) (51.4) (3.9) (7.6)% (16.2)% (16.3)%
Third-party Manufacturers (9.6) (7.7) (1.9) (24.7)% (2.8)% (2.4)%
Manufacturing Costs (22.4) (19.1) (3.3) (17.3)% (6.6)% (6.0)%
Inventories, net (6.2) 12.9 (19.1) (148.1)% (1.8)% 4.1%
Cost of Sales (249.4) (224.1) (25.3) (11.3)% (73.0)% (70.9)%
Gross Profit 92.2 92.1 0.1 0.1% 27.0% 29.1%
Selling Expenses (86.7) (85.7) (1.0) (1.2)% (25.4)% (27.1)%
General and Administrative Expenses (22.8) (23.5) 0.7 3.0% (6.7)% (7.4)%
Operating Income (Loss)   (17.3) (17.1) (0.2) (1.2)% (5.1)% (5.4)%
Interest Income, net (0.2) 0.9 (1.1) (0.1)% 0.3%
Foreign Exchange, net (4.9) 1.0 (5.9) (1.4)% 0.3%
Other Income, net (1.3) 2.8 (4.1) (0.4)% 0.9%
Earnings (Losses) before taxes and minority interest   (23.7) (12.4) (11.3) (91.1)% (6.9)% (3.9)%
Income taxes (2.4) 3.3 (5.7) (0.7)% 1.0%
Earnings (Losses) before minority interest   (26.1) (9.1) (17.0) (186.8)% (7.6)% (2.9)%
Minority Interest (0.2) (0.1) (0.1)
Net Earnings (Losses)   (25.9) (9.0) (16.9) (187.8)% (7.6)% (2.8)%
Earnings (Losses) Per Share   (0.47) (0.16) (0.31)
Average Number of Shares Outstanding*   54,853,045 54,824,227
(*) Net of shares repurchased
 
             
Key Figures in U.S. dollars (millions) Six months ended on Abs. Diff. % Over
    30-Jun-08 30-Jun-07   (Under)
Total Net Sales 523.4 420.5 102.9 24.5%
Gross Profit 141.3 122.5 18.8 15.3%
Operating Income (Loss) (26.5) (22.7) (3.8) (16.7)%
Net Earnings (Losses) (39.7) (12.0) (27.7) (230.8)%
Earnings (Losses) per Share (0.72) (0.21) (0.51)
Average exchange rate (U.S. dollar per Euro)   1.5321   1.3300    

       
GEOGRAPHIC BREAKDOWN
                                 
Sales* Seat Units
Three months ended on

Abs.

% Over Three months ended on

Abs.

% Over
    30-Jun-08 30-Jun-07

Diff.

(Under)

30-Jun-08 30-Jun-07

Diff.

(Under)
Americas 45.3 48.9 (3.6) (7.4%) 285,409 286,402 (993) (0.3%)
% of total 30.6% 33.8%     43.7% 45.0%    
Europe 89.9 86.1 3.8 4.4% 315,810 311,475 4,335 1.4%
% of total 60.8% 59.4%     48.3% 48.9%    
Rest of the world 12.7 9.9 2.8 28.3% 52,374 38,522 13,852 36.0%
% of total 8.6% 6.8%     8.0% 6.1%    
TOTAL 147.9   144.9   3.0   2.1% 653,593   636,399   17,194   2.7%
* Expressed in millions of EUR
                                 
 
BREAKDOWN BY COVERING
                                 
Sales* Seat Units
Three months ended on

Abs.

% Over Three months ended on

Abs.

% Over
  30-Jun-08 30-Jun-07

Diff.

(Under) 30-Jun-08 30-Jun-07

Diff.

(Under)
Leather 133.8 126.6 7.2 5.7% 585,794 549,118 36,676 6.7%
% of total 90.5% 87.4%     89.6% 86.3%    
Fabric 14.1 18.3 (4.2) (23.0%) 67,799 87,281 (19,482) (22.3%)
% of total 9.5% 12.6%     10.4% 13.7%    
Total   147.9   144.9   3.0   2.1% 653,593   636,399   17,194   2.7%
* Expressed in millions of EUR
                                 
 
BREAKDOWN BY BRAND
                                 
Sales* Seat Units
Three months ended on

Abs.

% Over Three months ended on

Abs.

% Over
    30-Jun-08 30-Jun-07

Diff.

(Under) 30-Jun-08 30-Jun-07

Diff.

(Under)
Natuzzi 93.7 94.8 (1.1) (1.2%) 314,050 325,701 (11,651) (3.6%)
% of total 63.4% 65.4%     48.0% 51.2%    
Italsofa 54.2 50.1 4.1 8.2% 339,543 310,698 28,845 9.3%
% of total 36.6% 34.6%     52.0% 48.8%    
TOTAL   147.9   144.9   3.0   2.1% 653,593   636,399   17,194   2.7%
* Expressed in millions of EUR

GEOGRAPHIC BREAKDOWN
                               
  Sales* Seat Units  
Six months ended on  

Abs.

% Over

Six months ended on

 

Abs.

% Over
  30-Jun-08   30-Jun-07

Diff.

(Under) 30-Jun-08   30-Jun-07

Diff.

(Under)

Americas

94.9 95.4 (0.5) (0.5%) 593,291 545,154 48,137 8.8%
% of total 31.4% 34.0%     43.2% 43.4%    
Europe 179.7 165.6 14.1 8.5% 668,433 631,559 36,874 5.8%
% of total 59.6% 58.9%     48.7% 50.3%    
Rest of the world 27.0 20.0 7.0 35.0% 110,495 79,787 30,708 38.5%
% of total 9.0% 7.1%     8.1% 6.3%    
TOTAL 301.6   281.0   20.6 7.3% 1,372,219   1,256,500   115,719 9.2%
* Expressed in millions of EUR
                               
 
BREAKDOWN BY COVERING
                               
Sales* Seat Units  
Six months ended on

Abs.

% Over Six months ended on

Abs.

% Over
  30-Jun-08 30-Jun-07

Diff.

(Under) 30-Jun-08 30-Jun-07

Diff.

(Under)
Leather 272.5 246.7 25.8 10.5% 1,228,951 1,084,874 144,077 13.3%
% of total 90.4% 87.8%     89.6% 86.3%    
Fabric 29.1 34.3 (5.2) (15.2%) 143,268 171,626 (28,358) (16.5%)
% of total 9.6% 12.2%     10.4% 13.7%    
Total 301.6   281.0   20.6 7.3% 1,372,219   1,256,500   115,719 9.2%
* Expressed in millions of EUR
                               
 
BREAKDOWN BY BRAND
                               
Sales* Seat Units  
Six months ended on

Abs.

% Over Six months ended on

Abs.

% Over
  30-Jun-08 30-Jun-07

Diff.

(Under) 30-Jun-08 30-Jun-07

Diff.

(Under)
Natuzzi 180.7 175.8 4.9 2.8% 618,935 611,049 7,886 1.3%
% of total 59.9% 62.6%     45.1% 48.6%    

Italsofa

120.9 105.2 15.7 14.9% 753,284 645,451 107,833 16.7%
% of total 40.1% 37.4%     54.9% 51.4%    
TOTAL   301.6   281.0   20.6 7.3% 1,372,219   1,256,500   115,719   9.2%
* Expressed in millions of EUR

 

NATUZZI S.P.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet as of

June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 (Expressed in millions of EUR)

 
      30-Jun-08   31-Dec-07
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents 70.0 87.5
Marketable debt securities 0.0 0.0
Trade receivables, net 107.5 117.7
Other receivables 47.5 47.8
Inventories 101.2 107.3
Unrealized foreign exchange gains 3.1 0.9
Prepaid expenses and accrued income 1.9 1.8
Deferred income taxes 0.9 1.1
Total current assets 332.1 364.1
Non-Current Assets:
Net property, plant and equipment 228.9 235.9
Treasury shares 0.0 0.0
Other assets 13.8 17.3
  Deferred income taxes 0.0 0.2
TOTAL ASSETS 574.8 617.5
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Short-term borrowings 6.4 7.6
Current portion of long-term debt 0.5 0.3
Accounts payable-trade 67.3 89.3
Accounts payable-other 27.9 29.2
Accounts payable shareholders for dividends 0.6 0.6
Unrealized foreign exchange losses 0.0 0.0
Income taxes 1.2 1.6
Salaries, wages and related liabilities 23.7 17.5
Total current liabilities 127.6 146.1
Long-Term Liabilities:
Employees’ leaving entitlement 32.7 33.3
Long-term debt 3.5 2.1
Deferred income taxes 0.0 0.0
Deferred income for capital grants 12.6 13.3
  Other liabilities 10.9 10.9
Minority Interest 0.3 0.2
Shareholders’ Equity:
Share capital 54.9 54.8
Reserves 42.3 42.3
Additional paid-in capital 8.3 8.3
Retained earnings 281.7 306.2
Total shareholders’ equity 387.2 411.6
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 574.8 617.5

 

NATUZZI S.P.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

as of June 30, 2008 and 2007 (Expressed in millions of EUR)

     
30-Jun-08 30-Jun-07
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings (losses) (25.9) (9.0)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 15.0 14.8
Employees' leaving entitlement (0.6) 0.4
Deferred income taxes 0.4 (5.5)
Minority interest (0.2) (0.1)
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets 0.1 0.0
Unrealized foreign exchange (losses) / gain (2.2) 3.2
Deferred income for capital grants (0.5) (0.5)
Change in assets and liabilities:
Receivables, net 10.2 2.2
Inventories 6.1 (12.9)
Prepaid expenses and accrued income 0.0 (2.0)
Other assets 0.4 2.8
Accounts payable (21.9) (2.6)
Income taxes (0.4) (3.3)
Salaries, wages and related liabilities 6.2 0.7
    Other liabilities

 

(0.1) 0.1
 
Total adjustments 12.5 (2.7)
 
NET CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES (13.4) (11.7)
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
Property, plant and equipment:
Additions (7.0) (13.0)
Disposals 0.2 0.4
Government grants received 1.4 0.0
Marketable debt securities:
Proceeds from sales 0.0 0.0
Purchase of business, net of cash acquired 0.0 0.0
  Disposal of business 1.1 0.0
NET CASH USED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES (4.3) (12.6)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Long term debt:
Proceeds 2.0 0.0
Repayments (0.4) (0.3)
Short-term borrowings (1.1) 7.2
Capital Injection 0.5 0.0
Dividends paid to shareholders 0.0 0.0
  Dividends paid to minority shareholders 0.0 0.0
NET CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES 1.0 6.9
  Effect of translation adjustments on cash (0.8) 1.3
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (17.5) (16.1)
  Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the year 87.5 128.1
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF THE PERIOD 70.0   112.0

CONTACT:
Natuzzi S.p.A.
Investor Relations Dept.
Tel.: +39-080-8820-812
investor_relations@natuzzi.com
or
Corporate Press Office
Tel.: +39-080-8820-124
relazioni.esterne@natuzzi.com


CONFORMED

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

NATUZZI S.p.A.

(Registrant)

 

 

 

Date: September 3, 2008

 

 

By: /s/ SALVATORE GAIPA

 

Salvatore Gaipa