It is Ariston now !
BUSINESS AND TRAINING 19
Edited by
Rory Macnamara
Plumbing Africa ( PA ) sat down with Wayne Vertue ( WV ), country director , at the Ariston launch to get some background to what it was all about .
PA : We have established that Wayne started with the Group as sales manager in October 2016 . He joined from another Italian multinational company and has risen to country director of Ariston .
WV : I feel very honoured that I have been able to move up the ranks which is testament to the group ’ s belief we are promoting from within .
PA : So Wayne , what is this impressive event all about tonight ?
WV : It is the official brand launch statement , so for us that means our locally produced range of geysers is now going to be branded as an Ariston product . For the last few years , we have had dual branding with HeatTech and Ariston . Up to now we have been importing certain ranges such as the “ Point of Use ” and gas water heaters from our Ariston international factories and the time is now right to accelerate the next level of growth by promoting the Ariston brand and the qualities we can extract from our global procurement network and our international manufacturing expertise .
PA : What are the main supply channels Ariston follows ?
WV : Our marketing strategy is very clear . We support chain merchants , DIY retailers and the independent plumbing merchants . To us geysers are a commodity product and a product required by every South African . While they are not present in every home , this is something that we must rectify . Hot water is not a luxury but a necessity .
PA : SA suffers from this malaise called load shedding or blackouts or power outages – difficult to tell the difference sometimes . What innovation will Ariston bring to provide some comfort to the homeowner and the market generally ?
WV : We will be launching mid 2023 the new Evacuated tube solar system . Currently we have a new Thermo DR solar system which addresses the renewable energy demand . In the last two years we introduced a new gas instantaneous product . As the consumer is looking for more and more ways of ensuring hot water , we have a product range that is battery operated . So , when power is down the consumer can still enjoy the comfort of hot water .
Ariston
Wayne Vertue .
PA : For SA development are you referring to the Affordable Housing market ?
WV : Indeed , we will work with our partners in supplying the needs of any of the contract requirements for such projects . This is a growing market , and we will support contractors in providing new and innovative products especially now that we have multinational backing .
PA : You have many customers waiting for you so would you like to wrap up ?
WV : We are glad of the support from IOPSA and the registration body , both of whom we work with , as well as Plumbing Africa particularly for its compliance stand which is really important to us . At the end of the day , we are all about ensuring the end user gets a fair deal . We support this with education by training plumbers to ensure the highest quality installations . We also see this as giving back to industry , so they know they have a partner in us to assist them by providing the best installation . PA
PA : Where will the company be operating beyond our borders ?
WV : We are already in the sub-Saharan areas in Namibia , Botswana , Eswatini and as far afield as Malawi . Further growth is developing the Zambian and Zimbabwean markets . We see great opportunities both across our borders and in SA .
“… and the qualities we can extract from our global procurement network …”
January 2023 Volume 28 I Number 11 www . plumbingafrica . co . za