Annually, Hansgrohe Africa joins forces with the Absa Cape Epic as the official shower accessories sponsor. Currently in its third year running, all the riders and crew members who partake in the exhilarating eight day event have the pleasure of using the shower trucks at the end of a long day.
The Hansgrohe shower trucks are equipped with EcoSmart overhead showers to ensure a 75% water saving.
Says Anthony Mederer, managing director of Hansgrohe South Africa, “The Absa Cape Epic is the most amazing mountain bike race in the world and we are thrilled to be a part of the action again. One of our main objectives other than providing the riders with a shower at the end of each stage – was to illustrate how using the EcoSmart overhead showers could save water on a big scale event without jeopardising the quality of the showers, but still heightening the experience.”
Hansgrohe prides itself on its eco showers as there is no compromise on shower pleasure. The EcoSmart shower has a 3:1 ratio of air and water ensuring water consumption is cut dramatically.
Only one refill now required
Riaan Binneman, logistics manager of the Absa Cape Epic, explains: “In the past, the water for the shower trucks would need to be replenished three to four times per day to ensure every rider gets a shower at the end of each stage. This has been minimised and only requires one refill, making our logistical load lighter and the showering process easier for everyone involved.”
Hansgrohe South Africa is also a proud sponsor of four rider teams at the Absa Cape Epic made up of Amanda Brookes, Robert Vogel, Dennis Mack, Dudley Turner, Desmond Smith, Leon Tobias, Dan Forsyth and Duane Searle.
Sustainability is one of Hansgrohe’s most important objectives. It not only refers to the handling of water and energy, the reduction of CO² emissions, but also about the sustainability of the company as a whole. Values like innovation, a high degree of staff and customer awareness, reliability, honesty and a flat hierarchy.
Sustainability into action
Sustainability is firmly anchored in the company culture as well as all other aspects of the business. Be it water-conserving products and relevant technologies, the quality of the materials and the manufacturing processes. Work and health protection as well as social responsibility – the training and development of staff form part of core sustainability credentials. Sustainability is more than a buzz word; the brand has put in place concrete objectives firmly rooted in the business plan.
Among them is the reduction of CO² emissions by 20 per cent by 2014. Cutting back on the use of hazardous materials by 10 per cent and significantly reducing the number of accidents in the workplace resulting in time loss due to injuries. In addition to this Hansgrohe aims to reduce the water consumption of products during production by 10 per cent within five years. More importantly also improving the employability of its staff which will always be its key objective.
Compliance & objectives aligned
Within the framework of a steering committee the pivotal issues have been worked out with all the relevant departments. Hansgrohe’s sustainability management encompasses the tasks of environmental and quality management as well as safety at work and dove-tails directly with the steering committee.
Implementation
- In 2010 Hansgrohe launched a new standard of hand-basin mixers with its innovative aerator; it reduces the flow rate of water by a further 30 per cent to about five litres per minute. With this the water flow of these fittings is about 65 per cent less than conventional hand-basin mixers without an aerator
- Hansgrohe produced educational material with the title “Water = Future” which was distributed in 14 000 schools in Germany. With fund-raising campaigns and events, Hansgrohe also got involved in restocking the Kinzig with salmon.
- A joint project developed together with the University of Education in Freiburg is aimed at securing employability on a sustained basis. This is partly about comprehensive health management comprising training in ergonomics, nutrition, jogging or Nordic walking courses. Older members of staff especially can benefit from a further education programme tailored to their needs. The shared exchange of know-how between younger and older colleagues is a key aspect.
In its ongoing efforts to firmly entrench its green credentials in all that they do, Hansgrohe looks to partnerships with key designers, invest in thorough research to ensure that sustainability is not another tick box but is incorporated from conceptualization to end product.
Liz says
Your statement “Currently in its third year running, all the riders and crew members who partake in the exhilarating eight day event have the pleasure of using the shower trucks at the end of a long day” is misleading.
The ABSA Cape Epic’s partnership with Hansgrohe is in it’s 3rd year. The race, however, is in its 11th year.
THhnk you Liz for that correction.