p16 BKU-NOV21 BKU HiB Q&A_bku 31/10/2021 15:55 Page 16
Q&A BKUQ&A Meet the Sponsors
In our third feature this month speaking to our BKU Awards sponsors, we’re delighted to hear from major supplier to the industry HiB.
Tell us about your company HiB is a major supplier to UK and Irish bathroom retailers and is a market leader in bathroom mirrors, cabinets, accessories and furniture. With more than 30 years of experience in the industry, the company is renowned for providing innovative, creative solutions which make bathrooms beautiful and significantly improving the lives of retailers, partners and the wider community.
Why was it important for you to sponsor an award this year? We have long understood the importance of the BKU Awards and the role they play in highlighting deserving companies who have gone above and beyond to provide quality products and fantastic customer service. The BKU Awards are chosen by people
working within the industry and we are proud to sponsor the New Bathroom Retailer of the Year Award, which recognises the achievements of new businesses.
What lessons do you think can be drawn from the pandemic? How will they inform your plans going forward? At HiB, the pandemic forced us to pull forward our plans to further improve our systems and infrastructure to allow us to operate in a more digital and remote environment. The work we have done to support retailers and end users through investment into our internal infrastructure
and on our website and social media platforms, has put us in a great position to expand and enhance our offering in the future.
As we look back now on the events of the past 18 months, how proud do you feel a) to have come through; and b) to be part of such a resilient sector? We’re incredibly proud and fortunate to be in such a resilient sector that has been able to survive the many challenges that have arisen through the pandemic. Despite a great deal of uncertainty and concern during the initial lockdowns, the staff at HiB and those working in the wider bathroom industry showed great resolve and determination to continue operating and providing the best possible service to customers.
What is the driving factor behind your brand’s success? Our company vision, to be the leading supplier of innovative, creative solutions that make bathrooms beautiful, while also making a substantial difference to the lives of our people, partners and the world we live in, is central to everything we do at HiB and is the driving force behind our strategy and success. We believe in providing products that are different and answer a genuine need. We also understand that having a great relationship with retailers and our partners, offering the best possible customer experience, is the best way to ensuring success.
Where do you see challenges for your business this year and next? With sales continuing to grow, our main aim is to continue investing in our operations and systems and developing processes and procedures to help us fulfil orders efficiently and with ease. We have already invested in additional space, equipment and software to facilitate the growth we have already seen and as we approach 2022, plans are in place to continue that business development even further.
What are the big trends for 2021? In 2021 we saw the Neoteric trend become increasingly popular. Bold, dramatic and inviting, it pairs contemporary features with hints of neo- classical design that make it a timeless look. Ideal for small and larger spaces alike, the trend uses moody greens and blues, large patterns and brushed brass brassware to create that feeling of opulence.
What are the best things about working in the sector? The people and the community within the bathroom industry are fantastic. There is a real enthusiasm for providing great customer service and as an industry that revolves around people, there is a real opportunity to build relationships, network and support one another towards further growth and success.
16 BKU NOVEMBER 2021
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