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Newly appointed Hansgrohe CEO Siegfried Gaensslen outlines the firm's plans for the future and explains how its products can help you meet sustainability standards.

What products and services does Hansgrohe provide the MEP sector?

The company offers bathroom mixers, shower systems, valves, kitchen mixers and water recycling systems under four brand names - Hansgrohe, Axor, Pharo, and Pontos.

Through the Cyprus office we offer training for specifiers, installers and sales representatives, plus pre-sales consultancy and after-sales service.

In which Middle East countries does the firm operate?

The firm has two offices in the Middle East: the headquarters for the Middle East and Africa region is in Nicosia, Cyprus, there is also a Dubai office that serves the UAE and Gulf region.

We also have sales representatives in Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Lebanon, Jordan, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Yemen and Saudi Arabia.

Does the firm have any plans for expansion?

We are currently planning to expand in Saudi Arabia. In addition, we are continuously improving the level of our presence throughout the Middle East in general by increasing the quality and breadth of our distribution; increasing the level of knowledge of sales representatives; creating market awareness of products; and taking part in major events that are related to water products.

Our next step is the strategic implantation of a regional warehouse or assembly plant, which will be under discussion over the next two years.

What changes do you plan to implement now you are chairman of Hansgrohe?

In terms of the Middle East I will be particularly focusing on three areas. The first of these will be to improve forecasting in order to cope with the highly fluctuating order intakes from the region that can affect the company's regular production processes.

Second, the firm will be focusing on the special product needs of the region, such as non-thermostatic mixers, longer spouts and more voluminous mixers. Finally, we will be seeking to improve the time to market of our products.

What are the firm's major targets for the short and long-term future?

Our major target is to introduce new products and services such as the greywater recycling system Pontos into the Middle East. This will require adjustment of the Pontos settings to suit the region's climate and water conditions.

We would also plan to form and train an installation team for the product, which would involve hiring professional plumbers for the installation and after-sales services.

Two subsidiary firms are also planned to be introduced in India and South Africa that would report directly to Hansgrohe Germany.

What water conservation products does the firm offer in the Middle East market?

For the pre-planning and early construction phase, the Pontos greywater recycling system can be implemented. This is currently only available in Europe but is due to be introduced in the Middle East to meet market demand.

Renovation and retro-fit low water use shower solutions are offered for existing buildings solutions. In addition, an aerator fitted in all Hansgrohe basin mixers as standard reduces the water use by 50% while providing a 7.2litre/minute flow rate.

How can Hansgrohe products help MEP professionals to meet sustainability standards?

Hansgrohe complies with several sustainability rating systems including BREEAM, Green Star and LEED. By using the firm's water saving products in bathrooms, 19% of the minimum LEED requirements, which is equal to five points out of the minimum 26 points required for LEED certification, can be achieved.

Do the products need any special treatment or coatings to cope with the environmental conditions in the Middle East?

Hansgrohe chrome-plated products are not affected by the local conditions. Any special finish products such as those made from ABS or brass will be chrome-plated then passed under a plating technique called physical vapour deposition (PVD) to ensure corrosion resistance and long life.

On which Middle East projects are the firm's products currently being applied?

In the UAE our products are being used in several projects including the Burj Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, Shangri-la Abu Dhabi and Oceana. In Qatar they are installed in Qipco Tower - The Tornado and Aspire Tower; in Oman, projects we are involved in include the Nizwa University.

What are the latest developments that the company has made in order to assist MEP professionals better?

We have up-dated our regional website (www.hansgrohe-mea.com), to enable MEP professionals to access technical details, dimensions and installation manuals for the various product ranges.

Users can also request a seminar or small presentation of general technical information on a particular product from a project consultant at the head office.

Moreover, we have on-line training courses that cover the design of shower systems. These account for issues such as fluid mechanics and pumps and waste requirements.

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