Crystal clear versatility Franke Water Systems

CRySTAL CLEAR vERSATILITy

Franke Water Systems is a global leader in the design and manufacture of kitchen products and solutions for a broad range of industrial applications. It is the world’s biggest supplier of stainless steel sinks and also leads in washroom and foodservice systems. Franke has seen expediential growth during the last few years as a result of its ground-breaking products and versatile solutions, as Philip Yorke reports.

The Franke Group is based in Aarburg, Switzerland and employs over 12,000 people worldwide. In 2017 the Franke Group recorded sales of more than CHF2.5 billion. The company was founded by Herman Franke in 1911 and began life as a sheet metal business.

Following an economic upturn in the industry and construction sector in the 1920s the company expanded to include sanitary installations, oven tops and dormer windows.

During the 1950s the business expanded rapidly and the construction of complete kitchen systems began. This strategic move led directly to its global domination in this key business sector. Today the company sets the standards for the industry in its many operations thanks to its on-going investments in new product development and process technologies.

New synthetics capability

The Franke Group recently consolidated its global synthetic sinks production in its Franke Kitchen Systems division, with a new state-of-the-art production facility and competence centre located in Strecno, Slovakia. The total investment in the construction of the new site amounted to around CHF 42 million. Full production commenced on 28 June 2018.

With the new synthetic sinks facility, the company will improve its distribution and logistics globally, thereby providing considerable benefits for its broad customer base. Capacity and efficiency gains in the production process will also help this fast-growing division to achieve even greater flexibility, faster response times and a broader product range.

Franke Group CEO Patrik Wohlhauser commented, “There is a clear market trend towards coloured sinks, which is reflected in our sales figures, which are posting double-digit growth rates. Coloured sinks made from the Fragranite and Tectonite composites are therefore a strategically important product segment for Franke Kitchen Systems.”

Four times better

When Franke Water Systems launched its Omni-4-in-one tap it set new standards in convenience and efficiency in the modern kitchen. This high-tech tap offers filtered, 100C boiling, filtered cold and mains hot and cold water at the turn of a lever. This premium solid stainless steel 4-in-one tap also provides perfect tasting water for hot drinks and obviates the need for bottled water. It will also dispense eight cups of boiling water at less than one penny a cup, or fill two large pans. Its triple safety action with optional child clip to prevent accidental operation, plus its cool-touch chassis, means that it is a very safe appliance to use.

Steve Rutter, Marketing Operations Manager at Franke said, “We know from our research that customers value products that are genuinely lifestyle enhancing and Omni means they can have the best of both worlds with combined filtration and boiling water functions. Our Omni range includes many patented features and moves tap innovation and technology to the next level, with its exceptional functionality at a very attractive price.”

Staying with modern taps, Franke’s latest specialist range of Crystallo taps also feature a beautifully designed unit, which gives it the unique

versatility to suit both traditional and contemporary kitchen designs. This elegant mixer tap features upright paddle levers and a popular U-shaped spout. The spout sits flush with its slim cylindrical body to give it a distinctively angular, yet streamlined design. In addition, the spout is moveable making it ideal for use with a double sink unit.

Building on core strengths

Franke Foodservice systems is a leading global supplier of modern kitchen equipment and related systems. This important division of the Franke Group recently strengthened its pole position by acquiring Facility Solutions Inc., a leading project management firm that that serves the national restaurant and retail chains in the US. The newly acquired company will continue to serve its customers from its offices in Michigan, thus complementing Franke’s own business in supporting large-scale facility improvement programs for global restaurant brands.

“FSI’s business mirrors our own in many ways,” said Thomas Campion, Franke Foodservice Systems CEO. “Not only do they manage complex, high-risk rollouts of new menu and service platforms for the world’s biggest foodservice brands, they’ve also become a trusted partner that works closely with their customers from initial planning to close-out.”

Facility Solutions handles all aspects of nationwide roll-outs from in-store surveys and site preparation to execution timelines, client approvals and the full management of contractors.

Harmonious design

Best known for their high-tech sinks and taps, Franke has now added hobs, ovens and more cooker hoods to their product portfolio, with a new collection called, ‘Frames by Franke’ Frames by Franke is an ultrafunctional, complete kitchen system offering 36 sinks, taps, hoods, hobs and ovens. This is a unique, stand-alone collection.

What makes this collection so different is that all products enjoy the same design style and footprint so that it is possible to achieve a perfectly streamlined and coordinated design-look throughout the kitchen layout with the added assurance of maximised performance. Ergonomically, all products are designed to work together seamlessly to optimise workflow around the kitchen.

For further details of Franke’s latest innovative products and services visit: www.franke.com