When Hans Grohe founded a metal spinning workshop in the small town of Schiltach in Germany’s Black Forest back in June 1901, he could hardly have imagined that the three-man business would become one of the world’s leading manufacturers of sanitary ware.

In fact today, 115 years later, Hansgrohe SE with more than 3800 employees, 34 subsidiaries and 21 sales offices, is considered one of the most successful companies in the international sanitation industry.

“115 years of pioneering spirit, dedicated employees and highly innovative products have made Hansgrohe – The Original – strong,” Thorsten Klapproth, Chairman of the Executive Board, explained on the occasion of the 115^th anniversary of the founding of the company.

Thorsten Klapproth.

He went on to say, “We now want to continue to grow from a position of economic strength and work together to reach new heights.” The figures for the early months of the current year confirm that this trend is set to continue in 2016.

In fact, order intake from both domestic German and international markets is even greater than the all-time high reported the previous year. The company, whose turnover in 2015 rose by 10 percent to EUR 964 million, is therefore poised to achieve new record sales and earnings. “We have our sights firmly set on the one-billion Euro sales mark,” Thorsten Klapproth emphasised.

Growing together with its staff

“We benefit from the qualities that have distinguished and made Hansgrohe strong since its founding 115 years ago,” says Klapproth.

“Firstly, Hansgrohe has a deeply rooted culture of innovation, is uncompromisingly committed to quality that focuses on products that consistently provide customers with a higher level of added benefit, and on production processes that continually boost efficiency and productivity. Secondly, our marketing strategy is based on systematic internationalisation, which goes as far back as 1907, when the company first started exporting. Thirdly, we benefit from the exceptional commitment and flexibility of our employees – whom we know we can always count on,” Thorsten Klapproth continued.

Paving the way for the industry

To this day, Hans Grohe’s pioneering spirit and enthusiasm for the element of water continue to inspire and influence the mixer and shower specialist. This enables Hansgrohe SE to continually set new standards and to be an industry trendsetter in the international bathroom and kitchen sectors.

The company’s innovations range from the shower bar (1953) to the world’s first showerhead with adjustable spray modes (1968), to technologies such as water-saving aeration (2004) and the control of water flow at the touch of a button (2011).

With the launch of “Allegra” in 1984, the Schiltach-based company was the first to make kitchen mixers with pull out sprays marketable.

Hansgrohe Headquarters, Schiltach.

“Innovation has always been our top priority. But it’s also clear that we never pursue innovation purely for its own sake. We design and develop new products that delight our customers because they offer true added value,” says Thorsten Klapproth. The global player from the Black Forest also sets industry standards when it comes to design – a result of its longstanding collaboration with internationally acclaimed design greats such as Phoenix Design, Philippe Starck, Antonio Citterio, Jean-Marie Massaud, Patricia Urquiola, the Bouroullec brothers, Front, Nendo and Barber & Osgerby.

Hansgrohe SE ranks 10^th among some 2,000 listed companies in this year’s International Forum Design (iF) ranking of the world’s best companies in the field of design. With 860 points, the Schiltach-based mixer and shower specialist takes the lead surpassing famous brands such as Apple, Daimler and Nike, while maintaining the number one position in the iF sanitation industry ranking.