As part of an ambitious five-year growth plan to double the size of the business, leading manufacturer of showers and taps, Hansgrohe is investing more than £5m into its UK subsidiary.

The investment sees it focus on increasing employee numbers across all functions, enhancing marketing programmes and developing a UK specific product roadmap, culminating in the creation of a new, purpose-built head office in Warwickshire.

Having outgrown its existing facilities in Esher, Surrey, the move to the Tournament Fields development to the south-west of Warwick, plays a key role in the company’s growth plans and ambition to become a complete bathroom provider. The new head office is in excess of 40,000 square ft and is more than double the size of its existing facilities.

Expected to be fully operational from July 2023, the new location has easy access from the M40, making it ideal as a central hub for its office and distribution activities. It brings the business even closer to customers with more opportunities to interact face-to-face through a state-of-the-art showroom and training facility, supported by a customer services operation and strong stock availability, all under one roof.

The architectural and design community is already well-served through Hansgrohe’s contemporary ‘Water Studio’ in Clerkenwell, central London, and this facility will remain in place to ensure designers and specifiers have access to products and expert advice in the southeast too.

The new head office in Warwick will include almost 5000 square ft of dedicated showroom space to showcase its portfolio of high-quality, water efficient showers, taps, and accessories.

To strengthen its offering to the trade, the site will also see an expansion in training facilities for its installer customers, with the addition of an Installer Academy, providing enhanced access to technical expertise and hands-on, practical experience.

The company is providing roles for everyone who currently works at the Esher site and comprehensive support has been put in place to assist employees during the transition.

Jay Phillips, managing director of Hansgrohe UK&I, commented: “This is an incredibly exciting time for everyone associated with Hansgrohe UK&I. We have ambitious plans to take Hansgrohe forward in the coming years, and the investment in this state-of-the-art new head office is a vital part of making this a success.

“Having everything available under one roof, from a spacious showroom and training, to warehousing and distribution, will ensure we’re able to best meet the needs of our busy customers and support them with their business. This also reinforces our goal to be the ‘easiest to do business with’ partner and will further improve our already high levels of stock and service.

“Our people are a huge part of our plans and we’re looking forward to them joining us on this journey. We’ll continue to operate from our Esher site to ensure there are no disruptions to service during the transition period. We plan to be fully operational by summer next year with the showroom and Installer Academy designed and built specifically for the needs of the UK market.

“We have a great brand and products, and an amazing team here at Hansgrohe UK&I, and now we will have an ideal new head office we can all be proud to call our home.”

For further information on Hansgrohe and its wide portfolio of products visit
https://www.hansgrohe.co.uk/

“Having everything available under one roof, from a spacious showroom and
training, to warehousing and distribution, will ensure we’re able to best meet the
needs of our busy customers and support them with their business. This also reinforces
our goal to be the ‘easiest to do business with’ partner and will further improve our
already high levels of stock and service.
“Our people are a huge part of our plans and we’re looking forward to them joining
us on this journey. We’ll continue to operate from our Esher site to ensure there are
no disruptions to service during the transition period. We plan to be fully operational
by summer next year with the showroom and Installer Academy designed and built
specifically for the needs of the UK market.
“We have a great brand and products, and an amazing team here at Hansgrohe
UK&I, and now we will have an ideal new head office we can all be proud to call
our home.”
For further information on Hansgrohe and its wide portfolio of products visit
https://www.hansgrohe.co.uk/

“Dictated by budget and norms of taste, the decor of hotels is usually left to chance,” says Coates. “Add AI to the hospitality industry and the problem worsens; the ‘experience’ will overtake any style or sensitivity in design.”  

In this irreverent and iconoclastic keynote, legendary British architect and designer, Nigel Coates, argues for the designer to practice psychiatry in absentia, using design as a vehicle to persuade, inspire and empower the visitor.

Last year, HIX welcomed over 3,500 guests and 200 exhibitors for a showcase of the latest and greatest in hotel design and experience.

New this year is Collection, a curated edit of of 30 leading brands serving up a taste of their latest ranges in a space served by its own ‘mini-bar’ and curated playlist. Elsewhere, the Workshop Lounge allows guests to meet our expert speakers following sessions of an expanded talks programme exploring the latest hotel trends.

The Passmore Group – a Yorkshire based family run business for over 50 years – is the latest retailer to join the Kbsa.

Offering a fully project-managed design and installation service, the Passmore Group is home to More Bathrooms, More Ability, More Kitchens, More Bedrooms and More Build and is the Yorkshire regions most trusted and experienced home improvement company.

Established in 1965 by husband-and-wife team, Brian and Kathleen Passmore, it is now owned by their two sons, Tony and Steve, who is joined on the board of Directors by Vicki Roberts.

Tony Passmore, Chairman at Passmore Group said, “The Kbsa offers us the opportunity to reinforce our credentials with customers and highlights our commitment to professionalism alongside our core values of trust, care, respect, passion and above and beyond.”

Kbsa national chair Richard Hibbert says, “I am delighted to welcome Passmore Group into the Kbsa. Membership growth continues to be strong in 2022 as we drive forward our ambitious plans for growth.”

Tom Reynolds, chief executive of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association shares his thoughts on water-saving progression in the UK.

As the cost of living crisis bites, households up and down the country are looking for ways to reduce monthly outgoings. As we head into winter, more and more people are resisting the temptation to heat their homes as they usually would.

The awareness to reduce our energy consumption is very high, but can we say the same for water? In addition, are consumers fully informed about the energy needed to heat water for baths and showers and where savings can be made?

I’ve spoken numerous times about the UK’s water scarcity challenges and the ongoing efforts by bathroom manufacturers to include integrated water-saving technology in their products. Many products are on or close to market, from recirculating showers and flow regulators to forced-air toilets. Adoption of these products, however, does take an industry-wide awareness effort from manufacturers, retailers, designers and installers.

The BMA commissions Opinium Research bi-annually to provide insights into our sector, and in the latest report collated in July 2022, they looked at showers and the cost of living. The results highlight that when thinking of buying a new shower, price (56%) is the most important consideration for the public. Energy efficiency (49%) and water efficiency (43%) were also important.

More than half (51%) of the British public say their attitude to reducing water use has changed due to the rising cost of living. This grows to 71% of 18-34-year-olds. When asked what they think a reduction in the frequency or duration of showers would cause, 58% believe it would save the amount of water they use. Other knock-on effects include saving money on energy bills (51%) and energy used (48%). The same amount thinks it would save on their water bills (48%).

This research shows a desire from the public to include water-saving measures. While we welcome this, we know this ‘desire’ urgently needs to become a reality to save water and reduce bills.

The BMA secretariat recently attended a meeting organised through the Future Homes Hub to assist in gathering evidence for their project on water efficiency. Many diverse opinions were aired, yet there was a recognition that although manufacturers see a rise in interest in low-use water products, the uptake is disappointing. Ultimately, bathroom fittings can be hyper-efficient, but how they are used and what is expected of them must be understood. Consumers must use water-efficient products as they were designed to be used.

The adoption of water-saving products, using them properly, and reminders about water-efficient behaviour will rely on the continued efforts of our entire sector. This includes designers, and I would encourage them to spark the conversation with customers – highlighting the benefits to their pockets long term and their environmental footprint.