As part of what it describes as “an ambitious five-year growth plan to double the size of the business,” Hansgrohe is investing more than £5m into its UK subsidiary.
The investment sees the leading taps and showers manufacturer “focus on increasing employee numbers across all functions, enhancing marketing programmes and developing a UK specific product roadmap, culminating in the creation of a new, purpose-built head office in Warwickshire.”
Having outgrown its existing facilities in Esher, Surrey, the move to the Tournament Fields development to the south-west of Warwick “plays a key role in the company’s growth plans and ambition to become a complete bathroom provider.” The new head office is in excess of 40,000 square ft and is more than double the size of its existing facilities.
Expected to be fully operational from July 2023, the new location has easy access from the M40, making it ideal as a central hub for its office and distribution activities. Furthermore, the company says the move will bring the business “even closer to customers with more opportunities to interact face-to-face through a state-of-the-art showroom and training facility, supported by a customer services operation and strong stock availability, all under one roof.”
The architectural and design community in particular is said to be already well-served through Hansgrohe’s contemporary ‘Water Studio’ in Clerkenwell, central London, and this facility will remain in place to ensure designers and specifiers have access to products and expert advice in the south east too.
The new head office in Warwick will include almost 5,000 square ft of dedicated showroom space to showcase its portfolio of high-quality, water efficient showers, taps, and accessories. To further strengthen its offering to the trade, the site will also see an expansion in training facilities for its installer customers, with the addition of an Installer Academy, providing enhanced access to technical expertise and hands-on, practical experience.
Jay Phillips (pictured), Managing Director of Hansgrohe UK&I, commented: “This is an incredibly exciting time for everyone associated with Hansgrohe UK&I. We have ambitious plans to take Hansgrohe forward in the coming years, and the investment in this state-of-the-art new head office is a vital part of making this a success.
“Having everything available under one roof, from a spacious showroom and training, to warehousing and distribution, will ensure we’re able to best meet the needs of our busy customers and support them with their business. This also reinforces our goal to be the ‘easiest to do business with’ partner and will further improve our already high levels of stock and service.”
The company is providing roles for everyone who currently works at the Esher site and comprehensive support has been put in place to assist employees during the transition.
Jay added: “Our people are a huge part of our plans and we’re looking forward to them joining us on this journey. We’ll continue to operate from our Esher site to ensure there are no disruptions to service during the transition period. We plan to be fully operational by summer next year with the showroom and Installer Academy designed and built specifically for the needs of the UK market.
“We have a great brand and products, and an amazing team here at Hansgrohe UK&I, and now we will have an ideal new head office we can all be proud to call our home.”
