news ‘HiB’ rebrands to ‘hib.’ after 35 years in business
THE BATHROOM supplier formerly known as “HiB” has announced an ambitious rebrand as part of its 35th anniversary celebrations, and will now be known as “hib.” going forwards. According to the company, the brand
evolution stands for “Home of Inspiring Bathrooms”. As part of the rebrand, the company is even changing the pronunciation of its name, which now rhymes with “nib” or “bib”. In addition to its refreshed brand
identity, hib. says it is also debuting a new retailer-first approach. This will involve rolling out new in-store displays, enhanced POS materials, and an upgraded retailer portal to order and check stock. hib. has also developed a new retail handbook
and consumer lifestyle brochure, which the company says will be able to provide retailers with the tools they need to drive sales. hib. says that part of the reason behind its rebrand is the evolution of consumer habits, with shoppers wanting to invest in lifestyle, ambiance and personal well-being. As such, it is also launching a new consumer-
focused social media campaign, encouraging homeowners to
competition in
#feelbathroomfabulous. The company believes that with the
bathroom sector
intensifying, brands must do more than simply offering quality products. In its own words, the company believes businesses should “inspire, engage, and create desire”.
1810 to return reps to the road Rob Ginsberg, CEO of hib., commented: “This
rebrand is more than just a visual refresh; it’s about clarity and alignment as a business so that we can make the best decisions for our customers. “For 35 years, hib. has led the way in bathroom
innovation. Now, we’re pioneering a new era where style, emotion, and technology come together to transform everyday spaces.” Ginsberg also spoke to kbbreview exclusively
about the relaunch, saying he had “never been more excited about the business than I am today”. He also explained that although this relaunch marks a bold evolution for the company, it is only the first step in a much larger long-term plan.
• Read more about hib.’s rebrand and future plans in our full interview with Rob Ginsberg on page 43.
Carron Bathrooms acquired by Brand K Group
UK RADIATOR and bathroom supplier Brand K Group has acquired Carron Bathrooms, marking the group’s ninth acquisition. Brand K bought the Carron business from long-term shareholders John
Hewitt and David McMorrine. According to the company, the senior management team, including managing director James McMorrine, operations and finance director Jane Miller and technical director Gavin White, will reportedly remain in place to continue to lead and grow the business. In addition, the business will benefit from David McMorrine’s continual ongoing support as a board consultant. Kartell UK, the distribution division of the Brand K Group, says it will partner
THE NEWLYappointed MD of 1810 Company/Schock says he will shake-up the company’s sales efforts by getting representatives back on the road, following his predecessor’s decision to reduce the sales force last year. Speaking exclusively to kbbreview at the MHK Living & Style show in Berlin
(pictured), Bernhard van Ommen revealed one of his first priorities in the role was to build up the company’s sales team to further support retailers. He explained: “Last year, the decision was made to transition to a remote
sales team, removing in-person representation, besides three RSMs. However, we are looking to change this, as I believe in being a close partner to kitchen retailers and having feet on the ground. Building strong, personal relationships is key because, ultimately, people buy from people.” Last year, Gareth Williams, the former chairman of 1810 Company and
Schock, introduced a significant change to the company’s sales approach, replacing all but two of its on-the-road sales reps with a remote sales team, which was seen by some in the industry as a controversial choice. Reflecting on last year’s strategy, van Ommen said: “While it had its
advantages and helped us maintain a healthy business during a very challenging 2024, my approach is to be a close partner to our customers. That means having a strong presence on the ground to truly understand their needs. We’re a people-driven industry, so being face-to-face is essential.”
4 kbbreview May 2025
with Carron moving forwards as its key distribution partner, offering it the support of its UK-wide next day delivery fleet. Alex Norford, CEO of Brand K Group, commented: “Carron has an
exceptional reputation within the UK industry for the quality of its products and everyone at the group is looking forward to welcoming the team to grow and develop the company further. We now offer a one-stop solution across bathrooms and radiators from our stable of British brands.”
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64
