Grohe has posted further strong figures for the first nine months of 2010 in terms of both sales and earnings.

At the end of the company's third quarter, sales were up 20% on the same period in 2009 to €726 million (£615m). EBITDA increased 37% to €144m (£122m).

Grohe AG says it is Europe's largest manufacturer of sanitary fittings with a market share of roughly 8%. With its headquarters in Hemer and corporate centre in Düsseldorf, the company currently employs some 5,000 people worldwide, including 2,300 in Germany.

It had total sales in 2009 of €826 million (£700m). The company generates 80% of its sales outside Germany.