• New, intelligent technologies and trend-setting innovations have shaped the year 2017
• 2018 has started out to be promising as well: Among other things, the introduction of 3D printing is planned

GROHE, the world’s leading provider of sanitary fittings, continues to fully count on its innovative strength in 2018. In the upcoming months, among other things, the plans are to expand the production of fittings to the 3D printing pro-cess and to implement first test prints in a pilot project. In March, GROHE will launch its third ceramic line. In addition, GROHE is working on numerous product innovations in light of the 2019 ISH.

An insight into GROHE's strategy, especially as a pioneer in the field of digitalization, will be given on January 31st, at the summit meeting of world market leaders in Schwäbisch Hall, Germany. GROHE CEO Michael Rauterkus will address the topic “Water as a resource in times of digitization”. Another highlight in the spring is the participation of GROHE in Design Week in Milan, Italy.

Setting New Standards for the Smart Home of the Future at ISH
GROHE's projects seamlessly continue the innovative approach of the year 2017. At the ISH in Frankfurt am Main, the world's leading trade fair for bathroom, heating and air-conditioning technology, GROHE presented numerous outstanding new products. For example, Sense and Sense Guard: With this intelligent water control system, GROHE is setting new standards for the smart home of the future. The system allows early detection and prevention of water damage.

Another highlight of the ISH was the presentation of the new GROHE shower toilet. Sensia Arena is now the shower toilet with the most numerous awards and has already received 14 design awards. Last year, GROHE successfully completed its development into a full-service provider for the bathroom. In October, with Bau Ceramic, the first of three ceramic lines was launched on the market.

Expansion of Capacities at the Production Sites
New products, new product categories and a strong demand on the market continued to help the brand grow last year. Accordingly, GROHE has invested heavily in its production sites. In September, GROHE commissioned its expanded electroplating facility at the Lahr plant in Germany, where it increased its capacity to chrome plates plastic components such as showerheads by up to 70 per cent. In Thailand, GROHE opened a new zinc manufacturing facility in November one of the most sustainable plant of its kind in Southeast Asia, creating 800 new jobs. Supported by its strategic partner, the Japanese corporation LIXIL, of which GROHE has been part since 2014, GROHE expanded worldwide; sales increased in 2017 for the seventh year in a row.

Prestigious Awards Confirm GROHE's Course
Even outside of the sanitary sector, GROHE's work was also widely recognized last year. At the beginning of 2017, the provider of sanitary fittings received the CSR Award of the Ger-man Federal Government for its responsible and sustainable commitment. In the summer, the US business magazine FORTUNE included GROHE in its “Change the World” ranking as a brand that is changing the world. 2017 was also a record year for the GROHE design team: In total, GROHE received 62 design awards.