As trade show ISH in Frankfurt, Germany comes to a close tomorrow, KBBDaily.com rounds up some of the innovations unveiled by Grohe, Ideal Standard, Hansgrohe and Laufen.
Grohe: launch of ceramics, pre-tax profits up 6% in 2014
Grohe took over the Forum Hall at this year's event to unveil a range of products, including its first range of ceramic products, the new Essence and Eurosmart tap lines for bathrooms and kitchens, and the new Grohtherm 1000 thermostatic shower mixer. It also showcased the Grohe Rainshower shower system with SmartControl technology.
Speaking at the show, CEO and chairman David Haines said of the new products: “We always call it German engineering and Japanese technology – and that's a good match.” From April, Haines will take the helm at Lixil Water Technology Group – a new company created by Japanese bathroom giant Lixil Water Technology Group, which acquired Grohe last year.
Haines, who will be succeeded by Grohe AG chief sales officer Michael Rauterkus, also revealed Grohe Group's pre-tax profits in 2014 increased by 6% in all four regions compared with the previous year.
Ideal Standard: launch of 'revoluntionary' AquaBlade flush technology
Ideal Standard presented its new AquaBlade flush technology, which it says is 'the most significant development since the invention of the flush toilet in the 19th century'.
The system features ‘Microslot’ technology – which provides water flow from the top of the bowl on every flush and covers every inch of the ceramic, to keep the toilet bowl clean. The company said: 'AquaBlade washes 100% of surfaces beneath the slot, and cleans every part including the back of the WC, ensuring you can enjoy a pristine bathroom.'
Although Ideal Standard said it plans to launch AquaBlade across several of its collections, the first range to be equipped with it will be Tonic II, its new luxury showroom range, which will be available from the Summer. The range was created by German design studio Artefakt, and includes contemporary ceramics, fittings, furniture, and bathtubs.
Hansgrohe: Select technology unveiled in kitchen mixers for first time
Other highlights include:
- Rainmaker Select range of overhead showers – the Rainmaker Select 460 features three spray modes and a 46cm spray disc; the Rainmaker Select 580 3jet is 58mm in diameter, does not have a shower arm and is installed flush with the wall.
- ShowerTablet Select 700 – a two-in-one shower control and glass shelf, which offers storage space, and a concealed connection between the shower control and the overhead shower.
Laufen: new washbasins, bathtubs and modular furniture system
Laufen returned to ISH with a stand across two levels, including a 300m2 space on the ground floor to showcase products, as well as a bar, restaurant, lounge area and meeting zone on the upper level. The new products include:
- Val by Konstantin Grcic – a new series of washbasins and bathtub, featuring ultra-thin profiles.
- The INO series by Toan Nguyen, pictured – features two new countertop washbasins, a half-inserted washbasin, and freestanding bathtub in two different versions. In addition, Laufen unveiled a new collection of furniture by Nguyen.
- Kartell by Laufen – features new sizes for the washbasin mdd from SaphirKeramik, which Laufen says have been created to 'satisfy the requirements of small spaces and a wall-mounted rimless WC'.