Gulf Construction Online - Free-standing baths make a splash

Bathrooms & Water Heaters

Clearwater's latest range includes Plus stainless steel/acrylic baths.

Free-standing baths make a splash

01 December 2004

IN a bid to boost its Middle East presence, the UK-based Clearwater Collection put on display its hand-made baths at the recent Big 5 construction exhibition in Dubai.

At the show, visitors got to see first-hand the innovative range of bath systems that included the freestanding models such as Plus stainless steel/acrylic baths (ideal for contemporary bathrooms), the extra-large Luna for what the company describes as the “ultimate leisurely soak”, the Orient in its wooden cradle, among others.
Clearwater – Europe’s leading manufacturer of top-of-the-range freestanding acrylic baths – has recently supplied baths for several luxury developments in the Middle East and Africa region, including the Shangri-La in Dubai and Kempinski hotels in Tanzania and Zanzibar.
Late last year, the company has inked new business deals worth £250,000 ($470,494) in the Middle East. Apart from the Shangri-La deal, Clearwater is also supplying baths to other leading hotels in the region, including the two new five-star hotels in Dar Es Salaam; and a new 200-bedroom hotel in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Says managing director Darren Allison: “We are delighted to have tapped into the Middle Eastern market. Freestanding baths are a new concept to the Middle East market where they have become an enormous hit. Clearwater contemporary baths seem to fit perfectly with the interior design of new luxury hotels throughout Asia and the Middle East.
“We have been enjoying consistent overseas success as the growth of new Western-style luxury hotels in Africa and Asia has increased demand for stylish freestanding baths. The fact that Clearwater now exports to over 23 countries worldwide is a tribute to the quality we can produce in Bradford.”
Clearwater manufactures handmade, luxury free-standing acrylic baths in contemporary and traditional designs. The company has recently introduced a pioneering spa bath system that utilizes air instead of water to create the bubbles.
Clearwater has opened up a new factory in Bradford, which is more than twice the size of its original premises. The new factory boasts 38,000 sq ft of factory space and 3,000 sq ft of office space. The expansion will also allow Clearwater to have a 1,000 sq ft in-house showroom and will mean that Clearwater can now double its production figures.”
“This expansion will allow us to achieve controlled growth ensuring we stay ahead of overseas competition and, what is more, take them on in their own back yard.”
This competitive advantage is partly down to Clearwater’s product development programme. Investment in this means it can to produce a new model in three weeks, from design to manufacture. This can take up to two years with other larger manufacturers, he says.
Since it began manufacturing in 1999 Clearwater has been going from strength to strength and is now Europe’s largest manufacturer of handmade freestanding baths.
By constantly reviewing its manufacturing processes, the company has managed to shave off unnecessary time and production costs, giving it an edge over its competitors.
Clearwater also claims to be among the first companies to use the innovative double-skinned acrylic method of manufacturing baths. “This method involves making both the inside and outside of the bath using vacuuming forming techniques. The baths are then specially treated and hand-finished ensuring the highest quality,” he explains.
The company currently turns over £5.5 million and intends to employ nearly 100 people by the end of the year.