Clearwater keeps buoyant in recession by extending range

The UK’s leading freestanding bath manufacturer Clearwater has added 10 new designs to its range as a response to an increase in demand over the past few months.

Clearwater expects to have sold approximately 20,000 units by the end of this year; only a slight drop compared to the days before the credit crunch first taking hold.

Darren Allison, Clearwater’s Managing Director, used the credit crunch and the subsequent recession to refocus the business which is now beginning to pay dividends.

He said: “The severe effects of the credit crunch took everyone by surprise, but it allowed us to look at the business and our product range to see what was working and what wasn’t.

“Out of that came the setting up of a nationwide distribution and dealership network, a more effective marketing campaign and 10 new product lines.

“We are confident that 2010 will see our sales exceed 30,000 units because we have witnessed that people are starting to spend again. While property sales are starting to creep back up, we also have found that many homeowners are opting to stay put and are carrying out improvements on the homes; which generally means a new bathroom and/or kitchen.”

The new additions to the Clearwater range includes a traditional double-ended Edwardian-style, the Classic, which is 1500mm in length and has been designed to fit in to any-sized bathroom, including an en-suite.

There is also the 1700mm one-piece cowboy bath, the Serendipity, designed for those wanting a really deep bath, and the Vizion which has an Art Deco design but with a contemporary feel having squared corners but with a rounded inner.

Darren Allison added: “Our range of freestanding baths now numbers 45, but we are planning a very big and exciting addition to the collection for the New Year.”

The new baths are: Teardrop, Petite Nouveau, Classic 1500, Orion, Vizion, Liberty, Small Teardrop, Serendipity, Mystique and Rimini.