Wedi and Hansgrohe join forces to develop the French bathroom recessed market

While the built-in is highly developed in neighboring countries (approximately one in two bathrooms), it represents a real development opportunity on the national territory which could lead manufacturers to double their turnover. There are currently 1 in 10 renovated bathrooms that include a built-in solution, or only 10% of the market, despite obvious benefits for both installers and individuals.

To simplify and extend the use of concealed installation throughout the value chain, from the distributor to the private individual, wedi and Hansgrohe rely on the complementarity of their products, which together, create a real constructive system for a waterproof shower. , quick to install, and attractive.

An innovative and 100% waterproof construction system

By teaming up, wedi and Hansgrohe combine the strengths of their two solutions to offer a design and waterproof package.

Founded 37 years ago by Helmut Wedi, master tiler who gave it its name, wedi has become an essential brand and leader in the wellness and bathroom design market. Its ready-to-use construction materials, its elements for walk-in showers, and its design modules are recognized today for their tightness, reliability and quick and easy installation. Wedi products are lightweight, clean to cut, and easy to handle when installing a shower. The material of the panels, extruded polystyrene, allows 100% waterproofing of all wedi installations.

For its part, Hansgrohe has been shaping the world of the shower for over 120 years. True to its DNA, the group is unanimously recognized for its shower comfort. The result of a total envelopment, a regularly enriched range of jets, a wide choice of design and the guarantee of a lasting investment through a product tested in the factory that will last through the years. On the assembly side, the Hansgrohe iBox Universal recessed body ensures worry-free site management: suitable for all walls between 58 and 105 mm, it guarantees perfect tightness via its completely hermetic rubber gaskets at the 4 connections , and can be re-used for an evolution of the shower via 200 sets of finishes available.

New business opportunities for artisans

Faced with changes in the market, wedi and Hansgrohe are innovating in order to offer products that correspond to the needs and reality on the ground of artisans to help them enhance and boost their activity. The two manufacturers note that the current shower market no longer allows craftsmen to showcase their skills. The most popular solution, the shower column, visible, simple and not very technical to install for an experienced handyman, has trivialized the know-how of professionals. The recessed fitting, promoted by the partnership between wedi and Hansgrohe, puts the skills of the installer back at the heart of the installation and broadens its business opportunities. These solutions require know-how and perfect mastery, almost inaccessible to those who are not in the business. This added value allows professionals to regain healthy margins, to enhance their workforce and their products, while upgrading their facilities.

The modular partition: A joint innovation awarded at the Remarkable Bathrooms 2020

To go further, the two manufacturers have launched a product pre-assembled in the factory, with their two combined solutions: the modular partition with integrated iBox. The multilayer pipes are directly integrated into the partition for ease of installation: the intervention is limited to the hot / cold water connection. The installation of the modular partition is done in 90% less time compared to conventional methods which use masonry or plasterboard. The installer is assured of a fast, long-lasting and high added value installation. Thanks to its accessible and easy installation, the product is open to all types of installers regardless of their training.

Lift the brakes with distributors, craftsmen and individuals

To democratize the use of recessed fittings, wedi and Hansgrohe want to make it easier to sell and use.

On the installers side, the brakes are mainly the fear of a water leak and a damaged bathroom. Through their respective training centers of 250m2 for Hansgrohe in Antony (92) and 150m² for wedi in Lyon, practical training is offered which will allow craftsmen to have the right reflexes for a fast, waterproof and high quality installation. Step-by-step implementation manuals will complement the tools made available to professionals in January 2021.

For the distributor, recourse to the built-in can mean complex costing to perform, with a long list of references to include in a quote. To meet this challenge, Hansgrohe provides recessed sales training through its sales team. By relying on a selection guide, exhibition hall sellers will be guided through user benefits, key costing steps, an à la carte product selection tool, or more simply 15 packs can be ordered in a single reference.

And finally, this program would certainly not have the same results without the launch of a recruitment offer, intended to gradually take over from the shower columns. This is how Hansgrohe offers packs from € 579, the price of a column in the pro network, to encourage transfers.

The recessed, an aesthetic solution for individuals

Recessed solutions make it possible to create elegant and minimalist bathrooms by highlighting the tiles, which have been the real highlight of the bathroom for several years. The built-in is also more easily modular and allows the arrangement of the shower to be adapted to the constraints of the bathroom for an aesthetic rendering suited to the wishes of consumers.