In the southern hemisphere, South African acrylic bath factories now threaten their domestic rivals, capitalizing on far lower labour costs than mass producers in the UK, but without the language barriers and time zone differences of the Far East.

Portugal has seen dramatic consolidation as a producer of brassware, with only the more automated manufacturing facilities having survived the onslaught from Far Eastern competition and the smaller factories having been merged or closed. And in Eastern Europe the focus is seemingly on wooden products like bathroom furniture and on metal accessories, whilst the Middle East now rivals China for low-cost sanitaryware. But Italian products, particularly those with innovative design, are once again in fashion.

Unusual designs in pottery are satisfying the retailer’s hunger for ‘something different’ at the top end of the market. The Italians have always lead the way in bathroom design, and have now succeeded in reducing their unit costs in order to compete with the Chinese. So distributors with strong Italian connections, such as our own longstanding relationship with Paini near Milan, are well positioned in a UK market which seeks the ultimate combination of style, design and effective pricing.

For further information, please contact 01845 578089 or visit www.plumbingimports.com

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