Ex-Sanitec appointment ‘coincidence’ states Ideal Standard

Former Sanitec executive vice president
Anna Burns joins Ideal Standard

Ideal Standard has denied the recruitment of a former Sanitec executive vice president is linked to a potential acquisition of the Swedish bathroom giant, stating it is ‘coincidence’.

Anna Burns, formerly executive vice president of product line management and innovation at Sanitec, has been employed by Ideal Standard, in a project-based role, working on the trade side of the business.

At Sanitec, Burns was responsible for product design, development and portfolio management across the group and was in charge of an 18-strong team. Prior to her position at Sanitec, Burns has also held a number of senior marketing roles at Sanitec-owned Twyford Bathrooms.

Most recently, she was employed by radiator manufacturer Stelrad, where she held the position of marketing director. There she was charged with spearheading the introduction of brands and product ranges for merchants and specifiers.

According to the news agency Reuters, Sanitec has been put up for sale by its private equity group owner EQT, for an estimated 1Billion Euros.

Although it remains to be confirmed, Reuters claims Ideal Standard Bain Capital is through to the second round of the bidding process for Sanitec.

However Ideal Standard would not be drawn on any comment about the potential acquisition of Sanitec.

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Sanitec for sale

Private equity company EQT has appointed UBS to help dispose of the Sanitec Group, which includes Twyford Bathrooms in the UK.

Reuters has stated that a sale of the Sanitec Group could fetch up to €1billion for the Swedish private equity company.

Sanitec has 20 production sites in Europe and had net sales amounting to €777m in 2010 and employs 7,500 people.

It is not known whether Sanitec will be sold as a group or split up in a sale, nor is it understood if any interested parties have already been identified.

The sale of Sanitec could attract interest from other private equity-owned bathroom product groups and trade competitors, such as the likes of Roca, Toto or Kohler.

Marketing manager of Sanitec-owned Twyford Bathrooms, Mark Winfield commented: “We’ve been aware, for some time, that the company was being built up into an efficient organisation to be sold.”

And he added that for the Twyford Bathrooms business, “nothing has changed”.

EQT bought Sanitec in 2005 from private equity company BC Partners, which also owns German shower and tap manufacturer Grohe.

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Things that make you go mmmm…

Editorial Assistant Britta O'Boyle takes her pick from the high fashion interior show, that is, 100% Design

Contemporary interiors exhibition 100% Design always manages to showcase something a little daring, edgy, and potentially price prohibitive. Even during these tough economic times, there was no exception to this rule. In fact the talking point of the Capital’s cutting-edge interior show was ‘the world’s most expensive kitchen’ (allegedly). This claimed many national news and blog headlines, so it's such a shame that kitchens had very little representation - with only two suppliers to view. In fact, the show could easily have benefitted from more bathroom suppliers too, with just a handful taking the chance to exhibit. But those who did take space, at 100% Design, displayed some very desirable designs. After all, what else would you expect from a show that 'interviews' its exhibitors and rejects those that don't quite make the mark? 

We’ve hand-picked 'six of the best' kitchen and bathroom exhibitors, at the show, which we think could tempt designers’ taste buds and their clients wallets!

PRICE IS RIGHT: Marazzi teamed up with Sub Zero and Wolf appliances to display the world’s most expensive kitchen, costing around £300,000. The limited edition Coloesseo Oron kitchen is one in a series of ten ‘no expense spared’ kitchens. Designers can choose from 24 carat gold leaf, crocodile embossed leather, metallic gloss chameleon lacquers, Swarovski crystal lights and Venetian inked stained gold glass finishes.

STEEL APPEAL: Componendo showcased selected console units from its collection of stainless steel bathroom furniture. All the products are bespoke, with the surface of the steel protected with a treatment against finger prints and water residue. Venti (shown) is available with a choice of six basins from flush-welded steel to inset Corian or freestanding glass and a choice of glass top and optional lacquered finishes.

MUSIC SOUNDS BETTER WITH YOU: The Touch Multi-Media Shower (MMS) from VADO took centre-stage of its stand. The Touch MMS takes certainly showering one step further with features including MP3 player input, speakers, and illuminated multi-function showerhead. It was joined by a range of mid-market taps and shower valves.

SO SOLID CREW: Adding to its Brionne solid surfacing range, Hanex introduced two new patented effects, featuring clear acrylic chips in the solid surface. Helsinki and Olso bring the total number of solid surfacing to 12, in a palette of 100 designs. The Hanex palette offers finishes including plain colours, sparkling and natural stones, as well as translucent finishes which can be back lit.

BREAKING THE BORDER: Twyford Bathrooms showed its Moda Rimfree WC, which it claimed to be the first rimless WC for the domestic market. It is designed to be ultra-hygienic and easy to clean, as there is no rim for germs to hide. It features self-draining jets at the back of the bowl to release water which flows around the entire inside of the pan and operates with a 4/2.6 litre flush.

FRENCH CONNECTION: Swedish supplier Stalson introduced the Paris range of taps made from stainless steel and designed by Simon Gourde. The taps comes in large or small versions and in a choice of mirror polished or matt brushed finishes. Paris brassware also comes with water-saving aerator nozzles.

For more product trends, news and industry views, see the next issue of Kitchens & Bathrooms News