Meet the experts

Louise Pitt, marketing and CRM manager, Geberit Gulf
Louise Pitt serves as marketing and CRM manager for Geberit in the Gulf regional office. Based in Dubai, Louise ensures the desired Geberit brand image is maintained across the region by developing and coordinating the marketing strategy — a position she has held for more than five years.

Toni ElKadi, head of projects — Middle East, Duravit
Since 2006, Toni ElKadi, along with 5,800 other employees worldwide, is implementing the Duravit idea of “living bathrooms”. During this time, he has taken over several responsibilities within the company, starting as business development manager. Since 2015, he has taken over as Duravit head of projects Middle East.

Jane Jacobsen, marketing executive, Aliaxis MEA
Jane Jacobsen is in charge of group’s marketing for the Middle East and Africa region. Some of her key responsibilities are to increase brand presence and brand awareness in the GCC and Africa markets, and to reach out to industry professionals with group’s wide range product portfolio.

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Karen Chung, marketing manager, Kohler EMEA
Karen Chung manages the marketing for the Europe, Middle East and Africa region for Kohler. Karen has previously worked as a product and brand manager in Whirlpool and Simmons. She graduated from the Oklahoma City University with an MBA in international business.

Sophay Young, senior project design consultant, Sanipex Group
Sophay Young has been with the group for more than seven years and is senior project design consultant for Bagnodesign/Sanipex Group.

Adnan Nalwala, executive director, Akar Technical Services and Natural Stone Company
Adnan Nalwala overlooks the operations of the Natural Stone company, one of the biggest in the GCC region in terms of size (spread over 25,000m2) and product offering.

Q. What are some of the latest products you have launched in the market?

Louise Pitt: New for 2016 is the Geberit Monolith sanitary modules for WCs that are alternatives to an exposed cistern. In addition, the company has launched several new actuator plates and redesigned quite a few of its existing range. We have also launched the Alpha 8CM cistern and flush actuator plates. These cisterns are equipped with a high-end flush valve and a top fill valve. The Alpha actuator plates come in five designs in four different finishes: white alpine, bright chrome-plated, matt chrome-plated and jet black and are made of high quality plastic.

Toni ElKadi: The new “c-bonded” version, as Duravit calls this technology, involves connecting the ceramic washbasin to the surface of the vanity unit — to create a perfect whole. The material thickness of the washbasin is hidden from view. Moreover, the “c-bonded” solution does not just look good, but DuraCeram, the patented special ceramic, is particularly wear-resistant. The large shelves at the sides are practical and the smooth, surfaces are also quick and easy to clean.

Jane Jacobsen: Due to a growing interest of acoustic and lighting standards, Aliaxis has launched a wide product portfolio offering hotel operators everything from plumbing to bathroom solutions. The dBlue acoustic drainage pipe systems diminishes flowing water sounds within guest rooms to the minimum while Sanit’s light-sensor push plates within the bathroom facilitates interior designers with lighting effects.