Reporting from ISH 2019, Frankfurt
EXCLUSIVE
Flair Showers, the Ulster shower door business that went into administration in 2012, has rebranded and relaunched in the UK.
Showcasing at the ISH trade fair in Frankfurt for the first time, the brand was keen to position itself as a leading Irish manufacturer of luxury shower enclosures, wet rooms and bath screens.
Speaking to kbbreview at its stand, managing director Martin Murphy (pictured), who bought the business out of administration with his two brothers, said Flair, which was established in 1952, always had an excellent name and reputation, but was a victim of the financial crisis and the subsequent downturn in the Irish economy between 2009 and 2012.
“We have invested heavily in research and product development and refreshing the company’s brand, logo and image and now we are ready to come to the UK with a premium range of products and we want to partner with premium retailers to sell through.”
Murphy, who together with his family, is the owner of plumbing and bathroom manufacturing businesses in Ireland, said Flair showcased its award-winning frameless ORO shower-door collection at the Sleep + Eat show in London in November last year and feedback had been “positive”.
He said the business was targeting the hospitality industry and high-end residential developments, but would provide products to architects and specifiers through its retail merchants.
Iulia Cochior, head of export sales, told kbbreview at the show that currently Italy is Flair’s biggest export market, with dealers in the “aggressively competitive market” praising the “high quality and aftersales support” that Flair offers.