Head of Design Paul Flowers hands over trophy to next award winner

Cairo, Egypt, 2nd of September 2012: Last year a dream came true for Paul Flowers, Grohe AG's Senior Vice President Design, and his team, when they were named "red dot: design team of the year". Having held this award for one year, the company's head of design passed the trophy on to Michael Mauer& Style Porsche at the red dot gala held on July 2, thereby inducting another renowned company in the illustrious list of winners of this prestigious award.

"We look back on a highly successful design year," says Paul Flowers. "Being named Design Team of the Year motivated and inspired us to continue doing our utmost to live up to the high expectations of our customers. The list of award winners comprises a highly exclusive circle of companies. We feel honoured to be part of it and I am very happy to pass on the baton to a distinguished designer of Michael Mauer's calibre."

Coveted award

One of the most coveted awards in the international design community, the "red dot: design team of the year" accolade is unique in the world in that the award organisers do not invite submissions or entries from designers or companies. Rather, prospective award winners have to attract the expert jurors' attention through the consistency and excellence of their design work as well as their entrepreneurial vision. Given that this award can significantly enhance a company's design reputation, it is coveted by professionals across all industries.

Says Paul Flowers: "In recent years our company's design expertise has already been highlighted by numerous awards bestowed on GROHE in the area of product design, but this award has taken it all to a higher level. Our project partners, in particular, have increasingly come to perceive us as a manufacturer of designer products, resulting in our faucets and showers being specified for a growing number of unique architectural projects around the globe."

In designing its products, GROHE exclusively relies on its in-house design studio. The team based at the company's corporate centre in Düsseldorf not only creates the company's products but also makes sure that anything from packaging to web content shares the brand's unique look and feel. Leading and inspiring the worldwide sanitary industry with is unique collections, GROHE has garnered a string of internationally renowned design awards in recent years.

-Ends-

About GROHE
Grohe AG is Europe's largest and, with a market share of roughly eight percent, among the world's leading manufacturers of sanitary fittings. As a global brand for sanitary products and systems, GROHE sets standards in quality, design, technology and sustainability, providing water to perfection.

With its headquarters in Hemer and Corporate Center in Düsseldorf, the company currently employs some 5,400 people worldwide, including 2,400 in Germany. In 2010, the company's kitchen and bathroom fittings and showers, automatic fittings for the commercial and contract sectors, and installation and flushing systems generated sales of EUR 980 million.

GROHE has six production plants, of which three are located outside Germany, namely in Portugal, Thailand and Canada. The company currently generates 80 percent of its sales outside Germany.

Since July 2011, GROHE has held a majority interest in Chinese market leader Joyou following the successful completion of a public tender offer. GROHE subsidiary Joyou Grohe Holding AG holds 57.2%.

GROHE Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East & Africa
PO Box 27048
CY-1641, Nicosia, Cyprus
Internet: www.grohe.com

For more information, please contact:
Carol Menaw
Memac Ogilvy - Egypt
Tel: + 202 3848 0202
E-Mail: carol.menaw@ogilvy.com

© Press Release 2012