IN BRIEF

■ Showering space company

The Shower Lab has appointed British architect, author and TV presenter Laura Jane Clark as its brand ambassador. Known for presenting the BBC Two and Netflix series Your Home Made Perfect and Channel 4’s Ugly House to Lovely Home, Laura Jane Clark has also appeared on George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces. Read more at www.rdr.link/KAP001

■ German kitchen manufacturer Sachsenküchen has appointed Euromobel as its UK and Ireland representative. Established in 1908, Sachsenküchen is based close to the city of Dresden and is certified as a CO2 neutral manufacturer by the German Furniture Quality Association (DGM). View the story at www.rdr.link/KAP002

■ Parent company of AEG and Zanussi, Electrolux Group has published its 2022 Sustainability Report, which reveals the company is three years’ ahead of its plan. In 2018, Electrolux Group was one of the first 100 businesses to set its global science-based climate target and it has exceeded its sustainability goals for a third consecutive year. The latest report also shows the Group is not only one of the first 100 business globally to meet their goals, but is three years’ ahead of plan. See the story at www.rdr.link/KAP003

Kristine Skauge and Chris Dodds join team Grohe names UK head in new senior leadership line-up

Bathroom and kitchen brand Grohe has appointed Kristine Skauge as new leader for the UK, succeeding Matt Brown who has been in charge of the business since 2021.

Skauge will be responsible for managing the Grohe brand and its sub-brands Grohe Spa, Grohe Professional and Grohe QuickFix.

Coming from within the Grohe business, following a 10-year rise through the ranks, she most recently led the brand’s marketing efforts across the Middle East and North Africa region.

Skauge has also held senior posts within Grohe’s marketing functions in Northern Europe, spearheading the planning and implementation of major marketing strategies and initiatives.

Prior to joining the company, Skauge was product manager for Citroen and responsible for its portfolio in the Norwegian market.

Grohe has also appointed Chris Dodds as its UK commercial leader, who will steer strategy across multiple sales channels and report to Kristine Skauge.

He brings a wealth of industry experience to the role, having most recently held the position of managing director at Davroc, an independent distributor of bathrooms.

Previously, Dodds has held senior posts in sales and management at Coalbrook and Ideal Bathrooms.

Kristine Skauge said: “The UK has always stood out to me as a particularly exciting, fast-paced, multi-channel market and I look forward to continuing to build on the good work of my predecessors and the current leadership team.”

Ambition for machinery to go online in 2024 RAK Ceramics invests $14m in sanitaryware production

RAK Ceramics aims to begin installation of the new machinery in 2023, with the ambition of going online in the first half of 2024.

It will boast the capability for future conversion to hydrogen fuel and waste heat recycling.

Once operational, RAK Ceramics reports it will maximise production efficiency and realise “significant” savings in both energy consumption and carbon emissions.

role to play on the global stage to make the industry more sustainable.

“This investment and the launch of this project in our sanitaryware business truly anchors our commitment to sustainability and our drive to long-term value for our stakeholders.”

Abu Dhabi-headquartered bathroom, tiling and panel manufacturer RAK Ceramics has announced a $14 million (USD) investment in its sanitaryware production line in the UAE.

It is upgrading the facility with the latest kilns to elevate the sustainability of the company’s sanitaryware manufacturing.

Additionally, the process allows for an enhanced yield during production, reducing waste and increasing capacity.

Commenting on the investment, group CEO of RAK Ceramics Abdallah Massaad said: “As a responsible manufacturer and as the fourth largest ceramics player in the world, we have an important

“For this year, we aim to stimulate sustainability further through our functions and businesses, as we establish a clear commitment to prioritise and support sustainable investments, and we are currently working alongside experts in the field to help us in our sustainability journey.”

The company has outlined its 2023 priorities, implementing a sustainability strategy for the shortto-medium term, which incorporates further ESG practices.