From 2 to 4 November 2022 LIXIL’s competence centre for GROHE showers and shower systems in Lahr, Germany, was the venue for the WorldSkills 2022 Special Edition in Plumbing and Heating. As global industry partner to WorldSkills, the GROHE brand co-hosted the international industry competition. Following three intense days, Florian Bliem (Austria), succeeded over 19 peers from all around the world and returned to Austria as acting world champion in plumbing and heating.

Celebrating Young Talents: Co-hosted by GROHE, WorldSkills Special Edition crowned World Champion for Plumbing and Heating

• WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition in Plumbing and Heating celebrated young talents from 20 countries
• As global industry partner to WorldSkills, the GROHE brand works to increase opportunities in plumbing for young people around the world
• Expert panel on Vocational Training in Times of Climate Change highlighted importance of plumbing profession in tackling climate change

Düsseldorf, 9. November 2022 – From 2 to 4 November 2022 LIXIL’s competence centre for GROHE showers and shower systems in Lahr, Germany, was the venue for the WorldSkills 2022 Special Edition in Plumbing and Heating. As global industry partner to WorldSkills, the GROHE brand co-hosted the international industry competition. Following three intense days, Florian Bliem (Austria), succeeded over 19 peers from all around the world and returned to Austria as acting world champion in plumbing and heating.

“I am really proud of the young talents in our industry. We have witnessed so much passion, enthusiasm and dedication to their work at the WorldSkills Special Edition in Lahr. All contestants can be very proud: they represent the future of our industry,“ commented Jonas Brennwald, Leader LIXIL EMENA.

Supporting Young Talent Top of the GROHE Brand Agenda

As acting co-host of the event, GROHE was able to leverage its experience in training and education to support young professionals in starting their careers. In many regions of the world, the sanitary brand already operates the GROHE Installer Vocational Training and Education Progam (GIVE). Through the program, GROHE supports schools in creating a state-of-the-art training framework by installing modern training facilities and providing learning material and experienced technical trainers.

“Our role as global industry partner to WorldSkills complements our existing efforts to promote the plumbing profession to a wider audience. Our industry offers so many opportunities for young people around the globe who cannot only make a living but make a positive impact with plumbing for a sustainable future,“ continued Brennwald.

Sanitary Industry Offers Many Opportunities for Young People

With the shortage of skilled installers in the sanitary industry, it is more important than ever to showcase the manifold opportunities in the industry. Together with different partners on various levels, GROHE seeks to create the foundation for young talent to be able to build for a prosperous future. This is why GROHE, a leading global brand for complete bathroom solutions and kitchen fittings is active in promoting awareness for the plumbing profession.

“We are happy to call the GROHE brand our global industry partner. Together we have managed to create a fantastic WorldSkills Special Edition, which will be an unforgettable life-time experience for our contestants. Looking ahead, we will continue our joint efforts to make the plumbing and heating industry ever more attractive,“ said Hubert Romer, Managing Director and Official Delegate of WorldSkills Germany.

Plumbing plays a key role in fighting climate change

One of many highlights was the exclusive panel on “Vocational Training in times of Climate Change“. Hubert Romer, Managing Director and Official Delegate of WorldSkills Germany, Dave Viola, CEO of the International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) and Thorsten Sperlich, Leader Environmental Communications at LIXIL discussed the challenges and opportunities for young people as they enter the industry. With increasing demands on sustainable product solutions to tackle climate change, the skill-set for plumbers has changed. Today’s generation will be at the forefront of the industry’s efforts to build for a sustainable future.

WorldSkills Special Edition 2022 in Lahr a Huge Success

In total, more than 1,000 visitors have come to see the competitions in Lahr, Germany. Next to the competition, guests had the chance to explore the GROHE brand via the GROHE Professional product portfolio that was showcased on the GROHE X Motion and the GROHE GIVE Trucks. The “Try a Skill“ area invited visitors to build their own GROHE handshower under professional supervision. Following three intense competition days, the young contestants and their teams celebrated the closing of the event, which culminated in the annoucement of the winners. Gold – Florian Bliem – Austria, Silver – Tom Pean – France, Silver – Marton Offner – Hungary, Bronze – Tai-Yu Chen – Chinese Taipei.

+++ Notes to Editors +++

• For further information and press material, please see this link.
• For the full recording of the panel discussion “Vocational Training In Times of Climate Change”, please see this link.
• For further information on WorldSkills International, please see this link.
• For further information on IAPMO, please see this link.

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About GROHE

GROHE is a leading global brand for complete bathroom solutions and kitchen fittings. Since 2014 GROHE has been part of the strong brand portfolio of LIXIL, a manufacturer of pioneering water and housing products. In order to offer “Pure Freude an Wasser”, every product is based on the brand values of quality, technology, design and sustainability. Portfolio highlights such as the GROHE Eurosmart line or the GROHE thermostat series as well as groundbreaking innovations such as the GROHE Blue water system are the perfect embodiment of these values. Focused on customer needs, GROHE creates life-enhancing and sustainable product solutions that offer added value for consumers. To make everyday work easier for its professional partners, the brand also offers a comprehensive range of services, including the GROHE + loyalty program and GIVE – a training program for the next generation of installers.

With water at the core of its business, GROHE contributes to LIXIL’s corporate responsibility strategy with a resource-saving value chain: from CO2-neutral* production, water- and energy-saving product technologies, the removal of unnecessary plastic in the product packaging, all the way to the launch of Cradle to Cradle Certified® products. With the hybrid communication ecosystem GROHE X, the brand provides further impulses for the industry. Whether digitally on the brand experience hub, physically or hybrid in the GROHE X Brand & Communication Experience Center in Hemer, Germany or on the road with the GROHE X Motion Trucks, the brand connects people to enhance LIXIL’s purpose to “make better homes a reality for everyone, everywhere”.

*includes CO2 compensation projects, more on green.grohe.com

About LIXIL

LIXIL (TSE Code 5938) makes pioneering water and housing products that solve every day, real-life challenges, making better homes a reality for everyone, everywhere. Drawing on our Japanese heritage, we create world-leading technology and innovate to make high quality products that transform homes. But the LIXIL difference is how we do this; through meaningful design, an entrepreneurial spirit, a dedication to improving accessibility for all and responsible business growth. Our approach comes to life through industry leading brands, including INAX, GROHE, American Standard and TOSTEM. Approximately 55,000 colleagues operating in more than 150 countries are proud to make products that touch the lives of more than a billion people every day. Learn more at www.lixil.com

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