We are in the process of creating innovative products for smart bathrooms.

Ramesh Baliga

- CEO, Watertec India

Watertec's end-to-end bathroom solutions have internal designs that consist of scientifically formulated raw materials that are anti-fungal, anti-bacterial & anti-odour in nature while having external designs that promote ergonomic and minimal touch usage.  “Watertec aims to tap the intelligent bathroom segment by introducing a host of new product lines,” says  Ramesh Baliga, CEO, Watertec India. Excerpts from the interview…

Could you brief us on the core strength and competencies of Watertec?

In one line - Uncompromising Quality and Constant Innovation.

Watertec was envisaged with the mission to replace basic metal products available in the market with superior quality engineered polymer products in an affordable cost, yet that would be durable. While doing so, we have emerged to become a leading brand in this segment. Watertec's innovation-based business model ensures that the products evolve according to the market needs and demands. For instance, during the Covid situation, the company came up with the 'H2O Philosophy' in our product range, that promotes health, hygiene and original designs.

How do you assess the market potential for premium bathroom fittings, from smart building segment?

The market potential for premium bathroom fittings is going to have good opportunity days ahead. The entire housing lifestyle is currently moving towards a segment which is called smart home system. We are in the process of creating innovative products in coming days for smart bathrooms. We have already designed the basin taps and also the WC area. We are now working towards the shower area. Now the potential will be for mid high-end upwards and this is actually contributing to almost 40% of our market segment. A proper bathroom faucet, sanitary ware, showers with technically sound features and after sales back up will always have potential in near future in the country.

Could you brief us on your latest range of AI enabled smart bathroom solutions for the Indian consumers?

The current Covid and post Covid scenarios poses a new challenge to the bathroom and the plumbing industry. There is an all-important stress and priority focus on healthy, hygiene, touch-free and self-cleaning, AI controlled, IoT connected products. The market's demand is such that bathroom and plumbing solutions should not only meet these basic requirements but also are complimented with comfort, convenience, flawless performance, premium designs and long-lasting finish. Plus, these should look good and ooze luxury. At Watertec, we are aiming to deliver exactly this. But being pandemic proof is not just the privilege of the HNI customer. As a brand, we are catering to all parts of the spectrum from luxury to the affordable luxury without compromising on the quality of innovation.

How do you assess response for the new range?

The product which we have recently launched has been well accepted by the clients. Our motto and principles have always been to provide products which are a source of aspiration to both affordable segment and mid segment. Here we are catering to customers of all segments in the country. This product is not only sound, but also very strong in the features. We are moving towards less maintenance, durable products which the customer care is actually aspiring for.

How has the pandemic impacted the designs of innovative products in this space?

Technologically-enabled, smart toilets can actually play an important role in monitoring health at hospitals and home. Toilet seats that measure blood oxygenation levels, heart rate and blood pressure to signal when someone is at risk of congestive heart failures are being researched and developed. While these have yet not entered mainstream for regular commercial use, sensor-enabled toilets equipped with LED lights, Bluetooth, built-in Amazon Alexa, where you can inquire about the weather, play your favourite tunes, hands-free, motion activated and heated lids, are already here.

What are the trends in the materials used for bathroom fittings?

The latest trend in bathroom fittings are our innovative products that are hygiene focused and comes conceptualised from the raw material we use. Also, the AI-enabled system that enhances lifestyle and also provides a comfortable, hygienic experience to the user. The bath area is no more a functional one. People have moved into aesthetics and also ease of use products. We have the following trends in our range of products

- Intelligent Bathrooms - a wide range of sensor faucets that runs on solar energy, cisterns with inbuilt air purifier, beaulet closets with a wide range of AI features installed, urinals that are waterless and flush plates that are sensor driven.

- Cisterns that are anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-odour that keeps the air fragrant and the knobs are treated with special coating to enhance hygiene in the bathroom.

- Concealed Flush Valve - corrosion proof, self-closing cartridge with the outer body made of high quality - NSF approved UPVC resin ensures reliable continuous operation, its concealed shut off provision releases the ideal amount of water resulting in water saving and minimises noise and splash in the water flow for added privacy.

- Single Lever Diverter - the concealed body of our bath and shower mixer is made of CPVC over moulded with ABS. Uncontaminated lead-free water flow paths is ensured and provides for minimum and maximum flow of clean and hygienic water.

- 2 in 1 Wall Mixer - The CPVC body over moulded with ABS provides protection from heat and does not transfer heat to the outer part or knobs of the wall

What is your outlook for the next couple of years?

From delivering more than 25 mn bath fittings annually, to inventing and patenting super seal technology that is capable of withstanding 200,000 cycles with minimum life of 6 years, Watertec has achieved several milestones. The company is further planning to invest in the development of three more plants in the year 2021-2022 in Gujarat, Odisha & Coimbatore. It also has plans to invest in its own twenty-four showrooms that will focus on educating the customers about the company's product offerings rather than just product promotions. Watertec will also provide skills training to students, plumbers and technicians to increase the awareness of various new products, installation and servicing.

The markets now are slowly developing into hygiene focused, easy to use, maintenance free, touch free bath rooms in the smart homes. The industry should be able to grow about 13-15% in coming years and we would be matching that growth rate for our companies too. The customer is looking for quality brand with quality service back up, both pre and post sales which will motivate company like ours to provide good innovative, affordable products to the markets in coming period.

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