Wanda Group, the British underfloor heating expert, has expanded its headquarters in Caldicot, Wales, as a strategic move to kickstart a series of new business developments scheduled for 2024.

Nestled conveniently off the M4 corridor, the headquarters is situated just 30 minutes from Bristol and under an hour’s drive from Cardiff. The expansion encompasses a host of exciting additions and investments that will reinforce Wunda Group’s commitment to innovation, the local community, and sustainable British manufacturing.

Wunda’s new state-of-the-art demonstration centre, featuring an underfloor heating space equivalent to the footprint of four average homes, has been unveiled as the highlight of this move. This innovative space will serve as a year-round showcase for Wunda’s cutting-edge systems, building on the success of the Wunda Demonstration Centre unveiled in early 2023.

This new demonstration centre aims to demystify underfloor heating installation, emphasising the cost, energy, and time-saving benefits of Wunda’s Rapid Response® and WundaSmart systems. It will also seek to educate customers on the accessibility of underfloor heating as a DIY product. Four demonstration tables take the customer through the underfloor heating journey from delivery to an installed product and a member of staff will be on hand to answer questions ranging from what floor finishes are compatible to installation specifics as well as the kind of savings homeowners can expect to see.

All products are designed and developed by Wunda’s internal R&D team and with a strong emphasis on “British Made” Wunda Group’s manufacturing capabilities have also undergone significant expansion.

Tom Edmunds, general manager at Wunda Group, shared his insights on the expansion:

“Our core mission has always been to revolutionise the way that we heat our homes. The energy and cost of living crisis have accelerated the need to look at real, tangible ways to reduce bills in the short, mid, and longer term. Our recent expansion is the start of a major new chapter in our growth and investment story. The demonstration centre will allow us to have a year-round showcase of the systems our R&D team so passionately develops; enabling us to share our fantastic products with potential customers and tradespeople alike.”

The expansion also includes a move to larger office facilities, where the whole team will now operate from one location. Designed to foster collaboration, creativity, and efficiency within the growing Wunda team and streamline operations as production increases. To support staff in their transition to the new location, Wunda is providing transportation from the old office space to the new location.

The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom Installation has reported Hansgrohe is its latest KBB brand to become a corporate sponsor of the institute. The bathroom and kitchen company pledged its support to help work on building a sustainable workforce and improving education, standards and compliance in the KBB installation sector.

With its brands AXOR and Hansgrohe, the Hansgrohe Group is a family business founded in the Black Forest, Germany, in 1901. It is known for its long-lasting, high-quality products and for how seriously it takes its responsibility towards people and the environment. The 120-year history of the company is marked by innovations, such as the first hand-held shower with multiple spray types, the first pull-out kitchen mixer tap, and the first wall bar to hold a hand-held shower. In 1990, the Hansgrohe Group founded the UK subsidiary, which currently employs around 90 staff in the office and in the field, and recently invested more than £5m into its UK business.

Julie McLean, marketing director for Hansgrohe UK said: “The UK KBB installation sector is vital to manufacturers like us. That’s why so many of our product innovations are linked to benefits for installers – from our spare parts guarantee to ‘fit and forget’ designs that help ensure a quality finish and longevity for their customers. We are therefore delighted to support BiKBBI in its important work championing installers, retailers and the KBB industry, and the significant contribution they play in the wider economy.”

BiKBBI CEO, Damian Walters said ‘2023 was an extremely active year for the institute as we continued our work education, standards, compliance and sustainability – all of which are fundamental to the future of the installation community that serves the KBB sector. It is vital that we collaborate with the wider industry, so to start 2024 by welcoming Hansgrohe, a much-respected business and brand, on board as a corporate sponsor is a real highlight for our organisation. It is also a significant step in our quest to garner support from more manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and retailers, all of whom are reliant on installation at some point in the cycle, as we work towards closing the communications gap, improving the skills shortage and ultimately building a sustainable workforce.

‘We are thrilled to have Hansgrohe supporting the work that we are doing to drive positive change in the KBB installation sector and very much look forward to working with the team and supporting them as they embark on an exciting phase within their business.’

Shower designer and manufacturer Roman Ltd has announced the transformation of its Head Design Centre. Following a series of minor updates over the past two decades, the showroom has undergone a comprehensive refurbishment, showcasing various new features and advancements.

Providing a comprehensive overview of the company’s shower solutions, the redesign highlights Roman’s expertise in solid surface moulding and fabrication and integrated furniture capabilities. Roman is displaying its upgraded and relaunched Solid Surface Anti-Slip Gel Coat Shower Trays and Infinity Slate Trays. Over 40 display bays clearly highlight all aspects of Roman’s manufacturing capabilities.

This makeover signifies a milestone for Roman, demonstrating their dedication to creating inspiring spaces that reflect the latest in sustainable bathroom design. The upgraded Design Centre serves as a hub for industry professionals, architects, and design enthusiasts, offering a first-hand experience of Roman’s unparalleled craftsmanship.

David Osborne, chief executive officer, commented: “We are excited to share our latest transformations. The Roman team looks forward to engaging in conversations within the retail, design and project sector, welcoming both old friends and many new faces.”

Severe droughts in the Catalonia region of Spain have led to the government declaring a state of emergency. New measures introduced in response to the worst drought on record in the area include a ban on residents washing their cars and filling up empty swimming pools.

Yvonne Orgill MD at UWLA says, “This is a disastrous situation so early in the year, and makes our water efficiency message absolutely critical, not just for Spain but for the UK and Europe.

“After the exceptionally hot summers last year, people are going to be fearful of another year of hardship.  The local emergency restrictions in Catalonia such as a sharp reduction in the use of water for crop farming and industry, alongside the capping of water supplies per inhabitant per day, will impact everyone on a daily basis.

“These type of measures are only going to become more frequent unless people begin to take seriously the dangers of warming our planet, recognising that it is not something that will happen in the future but is here and now, affecting every region in the world.

“The need to use water wisely becomes more important every year, which is why the UWLA is committed to raising awareness of the Unified Water Label, and the benefits it can bring for water efficiency in the home.

“The Unified Water Label is a smart tool that provides a means to identify water using products with a common label that offers clear, concise and easy to understand messaging about water and energy usage.

“The bathroom industry is taking action, working in partnership with us to bring about change. In the UK we have support from across all sectors, manufacturers, retailers, installers and government bodies.

“Innovative products developed to use less water and energy, without any loss of performance, are displaying the Unified Water Label, and making it easier for consumers to make environmentally friendly choices.

“The Unified Water Label Association is dedicated 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.

“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.”

Photo by Oleksandr Sushko on Unsplash