LIXIL Corporation, the parent company of GROHE, has announced the decision by Jonas Brennwald, leader LIXIL EMENA, to leave the organisation. Bijoy Mohan, leader LIXIL International (pictured above), will step in concurrently as interim leader for EMENA.
Mohan will continue to deliver the company’s commercial strategy in the region with its tailored GROHE product and service portfolios. Jonas Brennwald (pictured below) will remain with the company for the next few months to support the transition.
LIXIL Enema Jonas Brennwald
“I would like to thank Jonas for all his contributions to the company and the GROHE brand over the past 12 years. He was pivotal in developing our end user-focused Go-to-Market strategy that is unique in our industry and a clear commitment to our customer base.
Despite the challenging market environment our entire industry is facing, we are confident that our differentiated product and service offering around GROHE Professional, GROHE QuickFix and our sub-brand GROHE SPA provide the best possible support for our B2B partners and an attractive proposition to consumers,” commented Bijoy Mohan, leader, LIXIL International.
“I am particularly looking forward to leveraging the skillsets and capabilities developed in EMENA around the GROHE brand to focus even more on tailored approaches to address global markets for the brand, which is undoubtedly one of the growth and innovation drivers for LIXIL globally,” Bijoy Mohan added.
HiB has announced its innovative, illuminated bathroom mirror, Cassini, has been selected as a finalist in the SBID International Design Awards, in the KBB product category.
The SBID International Design Awards is renowned for recognising and celebrating inspiring global design talent across various categories. Cassini’s inclusion as a finalist in the KBB product category is a testament to its exceptional design functionality, innovation, creativity and technical execution.
Evaluated by a panel of distinguished, industry-leading experts, success in the awards programme signifies the highest level of skill and professional mastery within the interior design profession.
Steve Kaye, marketing director at HiB said: “Cassini is one of our latest bathroom mirrors to be released to the market and has already proved a popular choice with our customers. Cassini offers a striking contrast to the ultra slim aesthetic which has become common place in bathroom mirrors over recent years and is inspired by a combination of the mid-century and the organic design style, rejecting straight edges in favour of a deep illuminated border that accentuates its curves.
“We are delighted that it has been shortlisted in the SBID awards. It is a huge achievement for our in-house product design team, who work incredibly hard to develop solutions that not only look stunning in the bathroom but also feature important functionality and features.”
The next stage in the SBID award selection process is a public vote, which accounts for 10% of the overall results. Voting is open now and will close on 11th September.
As part of ‘Always working with Wellbeing in mind’, leading KBB distributor, PJH has treated its 600-strong workforce to its twice yearly ‘PJH Get Together’ event, this time centred around a sizzling summer barbeque celebration theme – with the sun making a rare appearance too!
With employee health and wellbeing a priority for PJH, the company hosted eleven events across its nationwide network of offices and distribution centres. Hosted by PJH CEO, Richard George, each regional ‘PJH Get Together’ allows every member of staff the opportunity to have a relaxed catch-up and chat, as well as mix with other departments to connect informally.
From Glasgow to Greater Manchester to Enfield, colleagues were treated to VIP brunches, lunches, and dinners to enjoy a delicious spread of BBQ food and drink, and even the appearance of an Ice Cream Van at some sites!
Richard George delivered an informal and engaging business update, followed by a Q&A session, leading up to the highly anticipated raffle. Plenty of prizes were up for grabs, with the chance to win hampers, afternoon tea, an extra days’ holiday and gift vouchers.
“It’s great to get everyone together like this and celebrate the hard work and dedication from all”, explained Richard. “Our Get Togethers are an integral part of PJH’s wellbeing employee benefits which includes focusing on the social wellbeing of every member of staff. It’s a terrific opportunity for us all to enjoy meeting colleagues from other departments and learn a bit more about how the business is doing. The raffle also went down very well and we had some delighted prize winners!”
With shapes modelling a dewdrop, the new Antao collection by Villeroy & Boch transforms the bathroom into a space which invites nature and mindful moments.
The collection, which includes washbasins, baths, furniture, mirrors and taps, is all inspired by nature. With the German design duo kaschkasch, Villeroy & Boch has encapsulated a peaceful mood that makes the bathroom a welcoming haven for relaxation. All items in the collection, which has won international design awards, coordinate perfectly and come together in a complete design concept.
The quest for a perfect shape, with a natural rather than perfectionist look, was the starting point for Antao. The ultimate inspiration for the collection, the dewdrop, provides a common theme linking all elements: from ceramic to bath, furniture, mirrors and taps. Its shape is most clearly recognisable in the surface-mounted washbasins: organic with a slight asymmetry, and completely harmonious and balanced.
Just like in nature, where no two dewdrops are the same, a separate shape has been developed for each washbasin size in the Antao collection. The Antao taps also pick up on the dewdrop theme with soft contours and a unique shape, ideally complementing the collection with 11 different models in the finishes of Chrome, Matt Black and Brushed Nickel.
As well as classic white in a matte or glossy finish, the ceramic also comes in the on-trend matt colours of Matte Black, Almond and the new shade of Morning Green. These mellow, earthy colours convey a sense of peace and relaxation in the bathroom.
Antao furniture coordinates perfectly with the ceramic elements in the collection while at the same time adding its own special highlights, with high-quality natural materials, textured fronts and a harmonious selection of colours. As well as high-quality painted surfaces in mellow, natural trend colours, the Antao furniture programme also includes real wood furniture in Honey Oak and Warm Walnut as well as an elegant natural stone panel in real Botticino marble.
Another highlight of Antao is the free-standing bath. The bath naturally reflects the theme of the collection: a subtle asymmetry makes the designer piece an eye-catching feature that also meets the very highest requirements in terms of ergonomics and functionality.
To accompany, the organically shaped Antao illuminated mirror, in three different versions sets, the perfect mood in the room with atmospheric background lighting – via touch-sensor or optionally with smart ZIGBEE control.
Family-run, independent online tiles specialist Hyperion Tiles offers homeowners and designers expert cloakroom design advice to create the wow factor. This area can often be overlooked, however, a cloakroom can add value to your property if you decide to sell and is one of the key rooms a guest is likely to visit.
Director Richard Skeoch explains: “You don’t spend much time in your cloakroom, so this space can give you the chance to experiment with bold colours, patterns and textures, and if your guests are going to see it, you can certainly justify making this an enjoyable space to visit.”
Richard’s top tips on how to create a super-stylish cloakroom are:
* Tiles make a fantastic option as they are easy to clean and can be ultra-durable * If you’re keen to make your space feel bigger, choose light, neutral tile shades, which will reflect light * Experiment with a wall mural or create a feature area behind a basin or as a backdrop for a WC * Consider mosaic tiles, because these can be easier to fit into awkward spaces, such as around pipes * Pick a statement mirror, perhaps with illuminated or magnifying options, and use it help maximise the light *Get your artificial lighting right and work through your needs – do you require task, ambient, accent or decorative or perhaps a combination? * Add suitable cloakroom accessories – shelves, bins, towels, towel rails and plants
The climate crisis being experienced across Europe means the need to focus on water waste critical, says Yvonne Orgill, MD at the Unified Water Label Association, as World Water Week gets underway (20-24 August).
The world experienced its hottest day ever recorded in July, breaking the global average temperature record set in 2016, with average global temperature topping 17C for the first time, according to EU climate monitoring service Copernicus.
August brought violent storms across northern Italy, which prompted the president, Sergio Mattarella, to join counterparts from Spain, Greece, Croatia and Slovenia in demanding urgent action from international leaders to tackle the climate crisis. “There is no more time to waste, no more time to compromise for political or economic reasons,” they wrote.
In Spain, the driest start to a year was registered in the first four months of 2023 since records began in the 1960s, with Catalonia and southern Spain’s Andalusia being the most affected. This led to Catalonia’s authorities imposing new water usage restrictions on 22 villages around the Darnius Boadella reservoir in northeastern Spain, as the aquifer supplying it is almost empty.
Yvonne Orgill MD at UWLA, says, “Our water efficiency message is now absolutely critical. Industry must come together with governments to communicate the need to be water-wise and reduce waste if we are to have any impact and reduce the hardship that will result from severe water shortages. We hope that people can now see that the dangers of warming our planet are no longer something distant, it’s here and now and affecting every region in the world.
“The industry has a smart solution in the Unified Water Label, which is being driven and supported by 70 % of all major brands. More and more companies across Europe are coming on board, displaying the Unified Water Label, and making it easier for consumers to make environmentally friendly choices.
“The Unified Water Label Association is committed to driving home the water efficiency message, encouraging everyone in the supply chain to support us by highlighting the label and the products that carry it, to ensure more of these products are used in the home. We are also working to help consumers understand that they can choose products that fit with their lifestyles, and that they can change behaviours to use products with more awareness.
“Those interested in supporting the UWLA or joining us to embrace a cleaner, greener bathroom revolution can find out more by visiting the website www.uwla.eu.”
A new Water Regs UK survey has exposed concerning health issues among plumbers nationwide. The data highlights the challenges faced by these professionals and calls for urgent industry-wide solutions to safeguard their well-being.
The survey findings reveal that a significant percentage of plumbers are grappling with various health problems. An alarming 73.2% reported joint aches, closely followed by 69.3% experiencing back pain.
Work-related stress was identified as a major concern, affecting 44.4% of respondents. Additional health issues reported include dry skin (33.2%), trapped nerves (29.8%), repetitive strain injury (23.4%), hearing loss (17.6%), and vertigo or other hearing problems (5.4%).
These statistics underscore the need for plumbers’ to prioritise their health and take appropriate steps to access help.
Julie Spinks, Managing Director at Water Regs UK recommends that plumbers first port of call should be their GP: “ “Plumbers provide a vital service helping others. It’s important that they take time to look after themselves too and seek help when they need it.”
Plumbers can approach their GP for a health check and many practices provide this support. Alternatively, those with private medical insurance can often arrange a health check through their provider, although additional fees might be incurred.
The survey’s standout statistic of 44.4% of plumbers experiencing work-related stress calls for particular attention to their work-life balance and mental well-being.
The plumbing profession demands physical exertion and imposes high-pressure situations, leading to significant mental strain. It is crucial to address the impact of work-related stress on their mental health.
Water Regs UK also emphasises the importance of implementing ergonomic practices and adopting appropriate tools and equipment to minimise physical strain associated with plumbing tasks.
Prioritising occupational health and safety enables plumbers to perform their duties more comfortably and reduces the risk of injury.
Water Regs UK remains committed to championing the welfare of plumbers in the UK. Collaborating with industry stakeholders, the organisation will develop strategies that prioritise the health and well-being of these vital professionals.
Cyncly lent its support to a stalwart of the Virtual Worlds team as he took on a mountainous fundraising challenge recently. Business development manager David Roberts took a break from his day job to climb Snowdon to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association in memory of his brother Glyn.
After months of preparation, David, together with several other friends and family members took on the trekking challenge, splitting into two teams to mountain climb or complete a strenuous walk along the Thames on 1st July.
David took the Llanberis Path to reach the summit of Wales’s highest mountain, some 1,085 m above sea level. He was spurred on by his Cyncly colleagues and customers who added to the donations, helping David not only reach the top of the mountain but also beat his fundraising target of £5,000.
Reaching the top, David commented: “Well, we did it! Conquered our fears and anxieties by working together and proving that ‘Ain’t no mountain high enough’ nor Thames walk long enough to keep us from reaching our fundraising target for the MNDA. Thank you so much to everyone who donated, wished us luck, and supplied blister plasters – we could not have done it without you.”
To satisfy the increasing demand for luxurious countertop washbowls, Bathrooms to Love, from PJH, has introduced a new design-led range of stone and marble-effect ceramic vessel basins to its collection.
Sleek with sculpted curves, the OTTO and HAKU ranges join Bathrooms to Love’s growing choice of contemporary washbowls, chosen for their designer-inspired looks and quality finish which complement perfectly its equally popular modular furniture collection.
Influenced by the trend for using natural materials and themes in the bathroom, OTTO features a sophisticated marble-effect finish and is available in a white or grey marble, whilst in contrast, HAKU boasts a flawless pebble-like, stone finish.
Smooth, streamlined basin curves follow the organic theme, offering a choice of round or curved rectangular shaped bowls, including an unslotted waste. The round HAKU model has a diameter of 400mm (height 150mm), and the rectangular OTTO model measures 460mm (W) x 330mm (D) x 130mm (H). The range includes a Lifetime Guarantee underlining its high quality and durable design.
The new OTTO and HAKU designs join an already inspiring collection of washbowls that includes a selection of resin and ceramic models in a range of colours and styles to offer stockists an unrivalled choice of beautiful basins. Team with wall-mounted or tall basin mixer taps, also from Bathrooms to Love, as well as modular basin units, to help create eye-catching statement looks (as pictured).
The perfect centre-piece for a showroom bathroom display, why not add the OTTO and HAKU feature washbowls to your bathroom furniture displays now?
Packaged with comprehensive retailer sales support from PJH, including display deals, marketing collateral, POS, virtual showroom, the PJH Partners Portal™ and Next Day Delivery, the new OTTO and HAKU ranges are available to order now.
The three new tap collections from Duravit – Wave, Circle, and Manhattan – offer new Bronze or Polished Gold finishesat an attractive price point.
This wider range provides added value to architects and developers with sustainable features such as FreshStart, MinusFlow, and EasyClean. Duravit’s Best Match, a proprietary configurator, helps users select the best combination of tap and ceramic for each bathroom.
Functionality and sustainability The washbasin taps are available in sizes S and M and include energy and water-saving features such as MinusFlow (flow limited to 40% = 3.5 l/min) and FreshStart. With FreshStar, cold water flows at the start and hot water is only added when the user deliberately moves the handle to the left. These systems limit the energy-intensive production of hot water.
The thermostat taps have HeatLock scald protection, and all the washbasin taps feature an EasyClean aerator, where dirt and limescale can be rubbed off the silicone nozzle with a finger. The new tap collection comes with a five-year guarantee and a 15-year availability guarantee for spare parts.
Faucet applications for the whole bathroom
The washbasin mixers are offered in three different spout heights (S, M, and Highrise) with variants such as concealed mixer, three-hole tap, and pillar tap.
Wave, Circle and Manhattan also provide solutions for any installation scenario in other bathroom areas, such as the bidet, shower and bathtub.
Users can choose between single-lever mixers, thermostat taps, and surface-mounted and flush-mounted solutions for the shower area and bathtub.
The Wave and Circle ranges feature a rim-mounted tap fitting, and the shower systems come with showerheads and height-adjustable hand showers, offering practical solutions for retrofitting.
The Duravit BlueBox® is a universal installation system for various tap designs (lever mixers or thermostats) and can be used for concealed installation. This allows the design decision to be taken even after installing the primary set.
Wave – gently dynamic
Wave (pictured above) is contemporary and youthful with a slim, cylindrical base. It is available in Chrome, Matt Black, and three additional scratch-resistant and durable PVD surfaces – Brushed Stainless Steel, Brushed Bronze, and Polished Gold.
Starck T accessories and matching accessories from the whole portfolio complement the range. Showerheads, outlet fittings, furniture handles, actuator plates, and siphons are also perfectly coordinated with the tap finishes. For the first time, Duravit can offer an entire colour-coordinated bathroom fit-out with no compromises.
Circle – simplicity all round
Circle (pictured left) is a minimalistic design for modern bathroom ranges. The Circle range is available in Chrome and creates a harmonious overall picture when combined with accessories from the D-Code series.
Manhattan – precise edges
Pictured top – the cube is the defining design element of the Manhattan range and is available in Chrome and Matt Black. The Karree accessories series is a suitable accompaniment to this range.
