Gulf Construction Online - Hot solutions for hospitality sector

Bathrooms & Water Heaters

Industrial-size water heaters ... increasing demand.

Hot solutions for hospitality sector

Ariston is gearing up for greater vibrancy in the construction industry by responding to the key requirements of some of its major market segments, – hotels, villas and palaces.

01 December 2004

With the Middle East’s hotel sector poised for greater growth, Ariston is preparing for a huge spike in demand for products from its comprehensive range.

Ariston, which supplies water heaters manufactured by the Italian (Merloni TermoSanitari) MTS Group, provides hotels in the region with products including instantaneous water heaters, solar water heaters, industrial heaters, gas heaters and storage water heaters.
Regional manager Alberto Torner says: “The hotel sector in the Middle East is extremely vibrant and Ariston has been able to secure a significant share of the emerging market, thanks to its reputation of supplying top-of-the-range, reliable products, backed with a full maintenance programme. Presently the hotel sector contributes to about 30 per cent of Ariston’s annual regional turnover.
“In the past four years alone, the tourism sector in the GCC has experienced a huge boom with the number of hotels surging 54 per cent to 1,500 hotels compared to less than 900 hotels in 1998. Experts in the region expect further growth of up to seven per cent annually for the tourism sector in the region. Also, the region is tipped to see the number of hotels exceed 2,200 during the next seven years,” says Torner.
To supply any goods or service to a world-class hotel group, it is necessary to deliver quality, reliability and durability. “Just as hotel developers look for the best in tiling, kitchen fittings, swimming pools and furnishings, they also look to secure the best and most reliable water heaters,” says Torner.
“Hotel operators know that it is unacceptable to have a guest complaining that there is no hot water for a shower. By selecting products from a reputable organisation, satisfaction can be assured.”
The key to securing deals with hotels lies in understanding the importance of quality and service for the developers. “The quality of the product, after-sales service and maintenance are always a concern to hotel operators. At Ariston, we provide first-rate service and products that are backed by a planned maintenance scheme. Also, we offer a comprehensive after-sales service. With a team of experts always on call, hotels can rely on around-the-clock service to assist with any emergencies,” he says.
Ariston has secured many impressive contracts in the hotel sector – including the Grand Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton, Fairmont, Le Meridien, Sofitel, Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, Dusit and Shangri-La.

The price advantage
Another key market for Ariston products is the luxury villa sector.
“Today, owners of luxurious villas and palatial palaces in the Middle East are increasingly choosing to install industrial-size water heaters to ensure the non-stop supply of hot water, simplify maintenance and reduce power bills,” says Torner.
“For many years, home-owners in the Middle East have relied on small water heaters – ranging from 50 to 80 litres – in each of their bathrooms and kitchens. However, with the increasing awareness about the high-price of excessive power consumption and the maintenance benefits of using one large industrial-size water heater, we are witnessing a boom in demand for products ranging from 200 to 500 litres,” he says.
“With multiple small heaters, positioned in different rooms around the house, it is more difficult to maintain a check on performance. But with one large unit, it can be monitored more easily,” he says.
Torner continues: “The Gulf is witnessing one of fastest rates of population growth, which means there is phenomenal demand for new houses, office buildings, shopping malls and hotels. With thousands of new buildings to be constructed in the next few years, there is a huge opportunity for Ariston to grow in this market. We are proud to be supplying water heaters to some of the region’s most ambitious public and private sector developments under way.”
Ariston – which has supplied water heaters to some of the innovative and huge housing projects in Dubai including Arabian Ranches, The Meadows and The Springs – is positioned as a leader in the field and expects to experience further growth thanks to the Middle East’s burgeoning residential construction sector.
Further driving Ariston’s popularity in the Middle East is its comprehensive after-sales service. “A fully trained technical service team is available to help customers care for their products. Our research shows that correct care can extend the life of a heater by between 10 and 20 years,” says Torner.
“When it comes to water heaters, decision-makers on projects know that Ariston provides first-rate service and products that are backed by a planned maintenance scheme. Supplying customers with an ongoing maintenance solution reduces the risk of customers having to replace a product – which can be costly,” Torner points out.
Ariston’s success can be attributed to its ability to provide customers with high-quality products that are backed with a guarantee of quality and durability. MTS, which invested euro 44 million ($59 million) in 2003 on product and process development and managerial systems, is dedicated to consistently introducing new and innovative ideas.
The company exhibited several of its innovative products and technologies at the recently concluded Big 5 show.
The products on display included instantaneous water heaters, solar water heaters, industrial headers, gas heaters and storage water heaters. The company aims to provide tailored solutions to Middle East customers.
The MTS Group is represented in the region by the Paul Weil Company.