Ideal Standard focusing on Serving Professionals with Water Expertise

Ideal Standard, one of the leading providers of innovative bathroom solutions operating across Europe, Middle East and Africa, had a strong presence again this year at ISH 2017, in Frankfurt, Germany (HALL 3.1, Booth C11). ISH, the World’s Leading Trade Fair for The Bathroom Experience, Building Services, Energy, Air Conditioning Technology and Renewable Energies, which was held at Messe Frankfurt’s Exhibition Centre, was a great platform for us to show an impressive display of our latest product launches and innovations, as well as – and this is very important - introduce our new strategy.

For more than 100 years, Ideal Standard has shaped the sanitary industry with leading innovation. Products like the single-lever tap, the rimless toilet or the ultra-flat shower tray were pioneered by us. We are uniquely positioned with deep-rooted engineering and manufacturing expertise in the Ceramic as well as in the Taps & Fittings product categories, providing high-quality residential, commercial and healthcare bathroom solutions.

As shown by our recently published preliminary 2016 financial results, Ideal Standard is on a growth path. Sales reached €739m in 2016 and reported EBITDA results grew by 14% to €81m. As we continue to advance the company, we are building on a strong legacy and are investing in further growth and value creation for our customers.

Professionals are at the heart of the sanitary industry. If you’re an architect, contractor or plumber, in a company big or small, you want solutions to meet your needs. Your clients ask you for better sustainability and enhanced experience; great design with great functionality. That’s why we’re making it our mission to Serve Professionals with Water Expertise. And we’re investing heavily in new products and ways of working, with a full pipeline of innovation ahead.

Connected Intelligence

Global megatrends have a significant impact on the use of our most precious resource, Water. Demographic changes, the need for greater sustainability, the fight against infection in healthcare environments and the increasing digitalisation of our lives require more holistic solutions. Solutions Ideal Standard makes possible through what we call Connected Intelligence.

Our next wave of innovations addresses these global megatrends. Our residential bathroom solutions provide unprecedented convenience & flexibility, our commercial solutions stand out with cost efficiency and durability and our healthcare solutions look deeper into infection control and provide uncompromising hygiene.

But we invest in more than just product innovation. We are creating a different experience of doing business with Ideal Standard, making it easy and convenient to connect with us, across categories, through enhanced digital interfaces and value added service. Helping our professional customers advance their business, this is what Connected Intelligence means for Ideal Standard. To connect them with solutions that respond to their challenges and meet their needs, that make more effective use of water, are easier to install, more durable or use innovative materials and shapes.

Largest investments in 10 years

As a company, we realize that corporate strategies can’t just be mission statements. That’s why we have committed significant resources to the implementation of our strategy and are making the largest investment our business has seen in ten years.

Over the course of the next three years, we will invest considerable funds in three specific areas that truly add value for our customers: Investments in manufacturing technology and production capacity to ensure we can support our customers’ growth; investments in product innovation to help our customers differentiate and respond to their client needs; and investments in Customer Service, with a particular emphasis on digital tools like Building Information Modeling (BIM) which will drive significant improvement in building efficiency.

Innovation stream at ISH

Continuing on our strong innovation legacy, Ideal Standard premieres a number of innovative product solutions this year at ISH:

Intellimix is a touch-free tap delivering both soap and water from a single device, saving more than 50%  of water and soap and at the same time providing a never seen before user hand-washing experience and intuitive user interface. Intellimix sets a new benchmark in total cost of ownership and sustainability.
After years of clinical research we launch a powerful combination to fight against the spread of bacteria in healthcare environments. The Markwik 21+ tap in combination with the Contour 21+ basin reduces splashing by more than 90% through its patented Hydrofin at the base of the basin. The unique combination of materials used and internal water flow design of our Markwik 21+ tap, as well as its fully demountable components, guarantees bacteria are eliminated.
Excellent for both residential and hotel applications, Connect Air is our newest launched suite consisting of ceramics, furniture, bathtubs and shower trays, featuring our award winning revolutionary Aquablade® flush technology that sets unprecedented standards in toilet hygiene and water efficiency.
As another ideal addition suitable for the residential and hotel area, we introduce our new Ipalyss™ vessel range featuring Ideal Standard’s latest innovation in ultra-thin ceramic material, Diamatec. This patented new material was developed using a unique blend of specially refined materials, resulting in exceptional robustness that allows designers to achieve the near impossible: extremely thin, straight edges that are extremely robust and durable. The striking aesthetics of our Ipalyss™ range were developed in collaboration with the award-winning British designer, Robin Levien and his design studio Studio Levien.

Commenting on today’s news, Torsten Türling, Chief Executive Officer of Ideal Standard International: “This year’s ISH is not like any other exhibition. It represents a milestone in the evolution of our company. We present our sharpened long term strategy that represents what we stand for as a company. Our path forward is clear: making significant investments in growth, focusing on the needs of our professional customers and driving innovation through Connected Intelligence. I am also grateful for the trust and support from our investors, who are as confident as we are in our future and have provided additional funding to grow the company. Ultimately for us it’s all about delivering value for our customers.”