A brave and calculated business decision gives rise to an enduring and solid collaboration.
It was a shared vision of offering premium European bathroom and kitchen solutions that brought Philippine-based Kuysen Enterprises, Inc. and German brand Hansgrohe together. Just recently, they celebrated their thirtieth year of collaborating and delivering quality designs.
But how did two companies from the opposite sides of the globe meet, and why did they want to break into a then-American-influenced Filipino market for interiors?
In the late 90’s, both companies saw themselves as underdogs in the market. Demand for interior designs and materials influenced by American trends was strong; Kuysen was then a small start-up importer and distributor in Caloocan, while Hansgrohe carried only European designs.
Perhaps it was this common denominator that allowed the German brand to trust the local newcomer. In retrospect, Hansgrohe and Kuysen look at the partnership as a calculated decision; a commitment that needed trust, grit, and patience.
Theirs is a collaboration that has paid off—one that has lasted for three decades and counting. Both companies acknowledge that they could not have done it alone.
From left: Micah Gonzales, Assistant Manager, Hansgrohe Philippines
Sandra Brand, Area Sales Manager for Emerging Markets, Hansgrohe;
Martin Low, Managing Director of Southeast Asia Team;
Jensen Go, President, Kuysen;
Marleen Uyecio, Vice President for Creatives and Design, Kuysen;
“A big part of our success should be attributed to our industry partners, the local architects, designers and property developers who welcomed the challenge to adopt Hansgrohe designs and European specifications. These industry partners propelled Hansgrohe into becoming the luxury household name in the country that it is today,” noted Jensen Go, President of Kuysen.
There are a few innovations that kept Hansgrohe top-of-mind for a mid-high to luxury market: the ceramic disc cartridges, or the engine found in every faucet, which continue to be made in the Hansgrohe factory in Germany; and the durable finishes of a Hansgrohe faucet.
Hansgrohe faucets at the Kuysen Design and Experience Center
At that time when options were limited to the usual American bathroom styles, Kuysen introduced Hansgrohe into the Philippine construction industry, broadening the range of choices with a host of products with sleek, minimalist, and contemporary designs.
“As we celebrate 30 years of our partnership with Hansgrohe, we are even more resolute in bringing innovative and exemplary products that the Filipino homemaker truly deserves,” concludes Go.
To know more about Kuysen, visit their official website. For the latest updates, follow their social media pages on Facebook and Instagram at @kuysenofficial.
