It is a known fact that Covid has rewritten the rules of the game for the entire hospitality industry. Thomas Stopper, Vice President Asia, Hansgrohe feels that the daily shower has become a special moment in the daily routine and the bathroom becomes a feel-good oasis and rest area from everyday life. Giving a touchless experience through its faucets is the name of the game.

Stopper was speaking at the virtual panel discussion organised by BW HOTELIER – and Hansgrohe on "Design- Innovation to Conservation". The third episode of the weBBlast series, was titled ‘Where Innovation Meets Emotion’. 

Giving a global perspective on the faucets and showers industries, Stopper revealed, “Due to Covid-19, the home is getting more and more important for people. When you are stuck at home, you get a lot of time to rethink on how you decorate your home. Therefore, Covid-19 can be seen as the originator of many trends. Hygiene in public and private spaces is becoming more and more important.”

Founded in 1901, in Schiltach, Germany, Hansgrohe is one of the world’s largest shower head, hand shower and tap suppliers, with a headcount of more than 5,000 people. With 34 companies and 21 sales offices all over the world, it is one of the few global players in the sanitation industry. It has supplied its products to more than 140 countries, including India.

Talking about its product line he added, “If you look, for example, at our product categories, faucets are gaining importance because it allows for touch-free operations especially important in public places. Then for private spaces, there is much more need for washing your hands now than in the past. So, we see the trend from the consumers’ side as more towards the expression of their individuality. For manufactures like us, it is important to offer our designers and customers, hospitality partners, opportunities to deliver customised solutions to meet their present needs.”

On how the company is reinventing itself after witnessing the changes in its consumers’ behaviour, Stopper revealed, “An experience means something different in different parts of the world. In Asia, it is much more on the aspect of beauty for both men and women. Therefore, investment in beauty solutions in India is different than in Europe or other countries.   Also, water quality is a different topic in Asia. So, more and more companies are looking into this and combining this with products and solutions and also shower technologies that help you cope with water pressure.”