This month we learnt more about the German family-run company Bette. Their Specification Manager, Jacob Allan, tells us more.
How would you sum up your company in three words?
Innovation. Excellence. Flexibility
How long has the company been established and how long have you been working for them?
Bette was established in 1952, so has a lot of experience in the creation of glazed titanium-steel bathroom products. I joined the team 6 months ago.
What is your role at the company?
Specification Manager
What is the best part of the job?
Working with interior designers, architects, developers and hotel groups – giving them the information to help them create the best bathrooms possible. I also enjoy taking customers to our factory in Germany. They get to see what makes Bette so different and it’s a great chance to get to know customers better.
Do you have a best-selling product?
Our best-selling product is our BetteStarlet glazed titanium steel baths range, because we offer so many different options to suit a wide range of bathroom designs.
Which projects featuring your brand are you most proud of?
Because of the huge range and flexibility of our designs and the durability of Bette glazed titanium steel we see Bette used in many stunning projects. We have recently supplied our baths and shower trays for the new Standard Hotel in London. We can’t wait to see this project finished! If their New York Hotel is anything to go by, this one will be amazing!
What has the most influence over your product design?
We are always looking to push the boundaries of what can be achieved in bathroom product design and create products that look beautiful and are also a joy to use.
Do you have a favourite new product this year?
I love the new BetteStarlet Spirit bath, with its super-slim rim. I also love the new ‘effect’ colours we have just launched. Bette has always been able to create products in a huge range of colours, but these take colour to the next level.
How do you promote your brand to make sure it stays in the mind of your buyers/consumers?
We get featured editorially in a lot of the media – from national consumer media to those read by architects and designers. We also invest in advertising, social media and events.
The design calendar seems to grow every year. Do you have a favourite interiors/design exhibition?
Sleep is a great event for us, as it attracts visitors that are important to us.
How do you see your company evolving over the next few years? Do you have any plans you can share with us?
We will continue to push the boundaries of what can be achieved in bathroom product design, all the time making sure that our products are beautiful, durable and a joy to use.
Your designs are never ordinary, which of your innovative products are you most proud of?
I love the BetteLux Shape and the BetteLoft Ornament baths and their matching basins. They both really show how we push boundaries – they are eye-catching, but so comfortable too. I also love our BetteFloor flush-to-floor shower area in glazed titanium steel, as it creates a contemporary shower area that is beautiful, durable and easy to clean.
Who do you design your bathrooms for? How would you describe your customer?
Our customers are those looking for a beautiful bathroom in the best materials with attention to detail.
You take your role in creating sustainable and environmental products seriously.
Yes, Bette, has a strong story to tell on sustainability. Our glazed steel baths, shower trays and washbasins use only natural materials in their production, and are so durable that they come with a 30 year warranty. When Bette products do, eventually, reach the end of their life, they are also 100% recyclable. We have invested in energy-efficient manufacturing and create 2/3 of our own energy requirements from renewable sources. We are proud that our range is certified ISO 14025 to the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) relating to materials and products.
Many thanks for taking the time to answer our questions Jacob! It’s been great learning more about Bette.
For more information on Bette visit their website www.bette.de
