- Japan-based LIXIL Corporation plans to establish LIXIL Water
Technology Group for its global sanitary ware business led by David
J. Haines as CEO
- LIXIL Water Technology sales will be about USD 6 billion, with
earnings of around 10 percent operating profit and around 27,000
employees worldwide
- GROHE, American Standard, DXV, JOYOU and LIXIL/Inax remain
independent global brands within LIXIL Water Technology Group
- Pending regulatory approvals, effective April, 1, 2015.
TOKYO/LUXEMBOURG (November 4, 2014) – Today Tokyo-based LIXIL
Corporation announced a new global operating model with four core
technology business units to further globalize the business. The
most notable change will be the creation of LIXIL Water Technology
Group (LWTG), which integrates the worldwide sanitary ware business
of the LIXIL Group, including the GROHE Group and American Standard
Brands, effective April 1, 2015.
This move will create a global market leader and the largest
platform in the international sanitary ware market with sales of
around USD 6 billion and earnings of around 10 percent operating
profit, as well as some 27,000 employees, sales offices across 150
markets and about 50 production facilities globally.
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David J. Haines, Chairman and CEO of the GROHE Group will take over
as CEO of LIXIL Water Technology Group in addition to his
responsibilities to date. He will be supported by a seasoned
management team that includes American Standard Brands President
and CEO Jay D. Gould and Gould’s leadership team.
The GROHE, American Standard, JOYOU and LIXIL/Inax brands will
remain independent and their own proven management teams will
continue to run their businesses and organizations. Going forward,
LWTG will establish four sales territories of Japan, EMEA, the
Americas and Asia with primary responsibility for the different
brands. Further developments will be announced in due time.
According to Yoshiaki Fujimori, President and CEO of the LIXIL
Group, “This decision strengthens our global sanitary ware business
and links our leading brands in all important regions of the world
into a powerful and highly efficient global unit, particularly in
purchasing, production as well as research and development. We are
proud to be creating a new global market leader under the
leadership of David J. Haines.”
“LIXIL Water Technology Group will be the key innovative player in
the sanitary industry, with strong brands and excellent positioning
in a rapidly changing global market,” Haines said. “Our unique
product portfolio enables us to offer complete bathroom solutions.
With our internationally experienced management team, we will lock
down profitable and sustainable growth and lead the consolidation
drive in the sanitary industry.”
“This is excellent news for our business partners and customers
across North America,” Gould said. “The new operating model
maximizes the use of great global talent, as well as investments in
technology leadership and innovation."
The LIXIL Water Technology Group is one of the most important
pillars of the new structure of LIXIL, recognizing the importance
of innovation and technology leadership to deliver consistent
profitable growth. Other technology business units include LIXIL
Housing Technology, LIXIL Building Technology, and LIXIL Kitchen
Technology.