Hansgrohe products support reconstruction efforts after flooding in the Balkans

Frank Semling, member of the board at Hansgrohe SE, was in charge of the donation campaign.

The German-based company supports people in the region with 1,000 bathroom mixers — Frank Semling, member of the board at Hansgrohe SE, was in charge of the donation campaign. Photo courtesy of Hansgrohe SE

Hansgrohe SE has provided practical help to the Balkan region of Southern Europe after the biggest floods of the century hit Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia in mid-May. During the past weeks, 1,000 bathroom mixers were delivered to the crisis area where they are distributed to the affected private households by aid organizations, such as the Red Cross.

Frank Semling, member of the board at Hansgrohe SE, was in charge of the donation campaign together with Dirk Rennau, area sales manager Southeastern Europe at Hansgrohe SE. “The news about the flooding has affected us strongly. Hansgrohe has had ties to the region for many years — not in the least because we have our own employees there. They have given us first hand reports of how badly people are affected by the disaster,” explained Semling.

“It was important for us to provide quick and unbureaucratic help with our own products. We had our faucets delivered directly to Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia with trucks. That means they were immediately available for reconstruction work and could be installed on short notice,” said Rennau.

New bathrooms ensure hygienic conditions

Once the water recedes, flooded areas often see outbreaks of diseases such as typhoid. One of the objectives of the aid organizations is therefore to improve the hygienic conditions for the numerous victims. “This also includes providing people with fully functioning bathrooms again. With our mixers for wash basins and showers, we help people to cover at least part of the costs for equipping their new bathrooms,” Semling explained.