The Hansgrohe Group has reported a record €1.528 billion in sales, up 11.9%,  despite a “difficult” economic environment.

It has also reported record operating profit of €261.6 million, an increase of 4.8% compared to the previous year.

Speaking at bathroom trade fair ISH 2023, chairman of the Hansgrohe Executive Board Hans Juergen Kalmbach said : “With a very good balance sheet in 2022, we are continuing our successes of the past years.”

Sponsored Video

Lauren Goodbrand of Kitchens International on winning the Kbsa Concept Designer Award 2024

He added: “It is once again due to the flexibility of all our employees worldwide that such good results were achieved.

“On behalf of my colleagues on the Executive Board, I would like to express our gratitude to the international Hansgrohe team.

“In particular, the COVID situation in China with the lockdown in Shanghai, the war in Ukraine, and the resulting effects, especially on the supply chains, have laid great demands on us.

“However, with our proverbial Hansgrohe team spirit, we managed to absorb the external influences in such a way, that we were able to offer our market partners the best possible service.”

The growth in 2022, which was even higher than the company’s own forecast, was based on increases in all regions, including its native Germany, with foreign business up 13.9%.

Hansgrohe Group also increased the number of employees, with 266 people, bringing the total to 5.639 people worldwide.

“Due to our strong growth, we have created over 500 new jobs, particularly at our German sites in 2021 and 2022,” stated Hans Juergen Kalmbach.

“Despite particular challenges due to the pandemic and our exceptional order intake, our teams succeeded in onboarding our new colleagues and integrating them in their respective areas – in addition to their day-to-day work.”

In 2022, the company invested €89.2 million, up on €51.3 million in 2021, with the largest share spent on a new factory in Serbia.

With this site, the Hansgrohe Group aims to strengthen its European manufacturing network, with the first fittings to be manufactured at the plant in mid-2023.

The company modernised its production factory in Schiltach, and converted its Alpirsbach site into an innovation park.

Hansgrohe also invested in capacity expansions and automation in both production and assembly areas, tools for new products, and also in information technology and the security of digital processes.

In addition, the investments included the implementation of the Hansgrohe sustainability strategy from production to product development.

Hansgrohe sites have been climate-neutral since 2012 and having converted all production sites to green power, climate neutrality has been achieved in all global sites in terms of emissions and energy consumed.

As part of its sustainability strategy, Hansgrohe is equipping all water-bearing products with water-saving technologies by 2030 within its ‘Eco 2030’ initiative.

Having set “ambitious” goals for the current year, Hans Juergen Kalmbach stated: “2023 is one of the most difficult financial years to forecast.

“Inflation, war, geopolitical risks and dismal economic outlooks are not making life easy for any of us.

“And it is precisely at this time that we want to usher in changes under the motto ‘Celebrate Change’.

“These will further secure the success of the Hansgrohe Group in the medium and long term.”

ISH 2023 has seen the company introduce sanitaryware and bathroom furniture to its brands for the first time.

“This is our response to the wishes of our customers, who demand holistic bathroom experiences from a single source,” explained Hans Juergen Kalmbach.

“With pioneering product innovations and inspiring presentations, we are once again living up to our reputation as an industry driver in innovation, design, quality and sustainability.”

The Black Forest-based company designed its ISH exhibition area based on the theme “reduce – re-use – recycle”.

It features Hansgrohe Group’s “Green Vision”  showcasing a bathroom using 90% less water and energy, therefore producing 90% less CO2-emissions that result from heating the water.

Commenting on business over the coming year, Hans Juergen Kalmbach states: “Even if the forecasts for 2023 predict weaker growth, the Hansgrohe Group will be well positioned for the coming years.

“We will offer the best possible service in the interests of our customers, as well as develop sustainable products in order to successfully serve the international markets and gain further market share.”

The Hansgrohe Group has been established since 1901 and manufactures Axor and Hansgrohe brands.

It provides showers, taps and now sanitaryware and bathroom furniture to over 150 countries, with its brands and products winning numerous awards, including more than 700 design prizes since 1974.