Lecico Bathrooms, winner of KBBFocus 2024 UWLA Sustainability Initiative Award, is blazing a trail when it comes to bringing innovative sustainable solutions to market – Sally Smith talks to MD Antony Thompson to find out more.
Lecico UK is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lecico Group, a global organisation headquartered in Egypt that predominantly manufactures and supplies ceramic sanitaryware to 50 countries around the world, employing 6,000 people. The UK business was established 30 years ago and has historically been strong in the commercial sector, and more recently the company has moved into the specification and retail sectors with more contemporary ceramic designs alongside new complementary categories, including bathroom furniture and brassware.
"It’s certainly a great honour to be recognised by the industry for our sustainability initiatives and forward-thinking partnerships. It’s verification we are on the right path," says Antony Thompson.
Thompson has been MD since 2018 and he is clear sustainability is an integral part of how he runs all parts of the business. "The question we ask ourselves when it comes to bringing new products to the market is; can they save either water or energy? Can it be made from a recycled material in some shape or form?"
This mindset applies to both the company's own manufactured products as well as products it distributes to the market. Thompson explains: "We are aiming for all toilets that we bring to the market in the future to be flushing less than 4 litres with leak-free mechanisms. We will achieve this by focusing on converting some of our existing stock as well as developing our new products to flush on less than 4 litres."
This is certainly an ambitious objective – typically flushing is between 6 to 9 litres. Nevertheless, Thompson realises the ultimate sustainability goal is out of his control. "What we can’t get around is consumers pressing the button twice or flushing more than they need to, but if we at least have these products, people can make a conscious decision."
When it comes to partnerships, Thompson seeks out owners of businesses that have a similar mindset to Lecico – entrepreneurial and innovative, especially when it comes to sustainability. "We are looking for people who want to grow their business and want to work with people that are likeminded," he says. Two key partnerships for Lecico are Propelair, who produce an innovative water-saving low-flush toilet, and REPEAT Materials®, who make shower trays and panels from recycled material that can be recycled 7 or 8 times in its life.
Thompson does admit there are challenges ahead if the demand for innovative sustainable bathroom products is to grow and become a viable commercial sector.
"I think at the moment there is definitely a conceptual appetite for sustainable bathroom products but we haven’t really seen a significant uptick in demand yet. Everybody wants to do it and they know it’s the right thing to do, but people actually making that leap of faith is much harder to achieve. We just have to be patient and be one of the companies that stand there ready to help when required. In the same way Government legislation has done with cars – by setting a point in time when every manufactured car has to be electric or hydrogen – why can’t similar legislation be brought in to make it more attractive to use sustainable products in the bathroom sector? Nothing will focus minds on sustainability more than it being a legal requirement."
Thompson’s focus for 2025 will be building on the company's success. "Twenty-five per cent of our focus will be on developing new and innovative sustainable products to bring to the market and we’re actively seeking new collaborative partnerships in 2025 – so do give us a call," he says.
