what’s news Dear reader,I am writing these lines after attending a new edition of the ISH Frankfurt tradefair just a few days ago, this being the most important meeting point for the Contents P. bathroom sector worldwide. Once again, this has been a unique occasion to analyze the situation and trends of the sector and the position of our brand in the market. And I must say that the sensations are very positive… In general, I would highlight two key trends within the sector. On the one hand, the progress in offering greater comfort to users, at all levels: design, Roca in the world functionality, user-friendliness, sustainability, integration of technology… To Roca begins its activity in Indonesia 3 do this, products and solutions are being developed that slowly expand The Pritzker prize winner Shigeru Ban gives a jumpthegap(t® alk) to nearly every segment, seeking as well greater integration with all other elements within the bathroom space or the home. A second trend is the in Barcelona 4 focus on service by applying the “shopping experience” concept, which Madrid, Sofia, Istanbul and São Paulo also host jumpthegap(t® alk) 5 implies being closer to customers and users at every stage of the value The Torres brothers entrust Roca with the restrooms chain: in the search for information and the moment of purchase – either of their new restaurant 6 through digital platforms or in physical stores–, but also in the installation, use and after-sales service. Each step is an opportunity to prove quality and The president of Croatia visits Roca’s factory in Zaprešic´ 8 excellence to continue gaining the trust of thousands of users all around 100 years of design in a book 8 the world. The centenary celebration program has been awarded As already mentioned, the sensations after our return from ISH are three international prizes 9 positive. These two trends have been a priority for Roca for years, with the development of solutions that, if I may say so, position us as one of the benchmark brands in the sector. We just have to look at the novelties Trade Fairs and Events presented at ISH: the integration of the exclusive In-Tank® technology (WC Roca showcases its latest advances and trends at ISH 2019 10 without cistern) in the In-Wash® Roca smart toilet, allowing for a more The novelties for the Brazilian market are presented spacious bathroom space, less water consumption and easier installation; at Expo Revestir 11 or the shower trays in the new Senceramic® material, which combines the well-known benefits of vitreous china with an anti-slip texture and an Roca returns to Mosbuild as the main collaborator extra-slim design. As for service, the RocaProtect® platform resorts to in the sanitary ware section 12 the potential of the Internet of Things (IOT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve the management of facilities, encourage savings and increase New Products customer satisfaction. Two Roca collections awarded for their design 13 These examples are proof of our ongoing eagerness to continue moving forward and responding to the needs of increasingly informed and more Cratos, Roca’s new vitreous china shower tray, manufactured demanding users. This vocation for innovation is a historic value of in Senceramic® 14 our brand, as found in the book Roca. 100 years of design, which we The new product finishes fill the bathroom space with color 15 renovate every day in our direct contact with the professionals of the sector (architects, designers, interior designers, etc.) through the activities held Roca Gallery at the Roca Galleries. Today, we add a new communication channel with these professionals thanks to the digital platform rocagallery.com, which in The presentations of rocagallery.com bring together renowned its first months of existence has already consolidated as the leading content personalities from the architecture and design sectors 16 platform for many of them. Roca Barcelona Gallery 18 Once again, I need to mention the work of the We Are Water Foundation, Roca Madrid Gallery 20 whose recent actions during World Water Day demonstrated the importance of a new water culture to achieve fairer and more egalitarian societies. Roca Lisboa Gallery 22 Assuring the availability of water and the access to better sanitation for all is Roca London Gallery 24 one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which we have Roca Shanghai Gallery 26 fully integrated in Roca in order to take maximum care of the planet with Roca Beijing Gallery our day-to-day activity. 27 You will find detailed information of all these topics and many more in the following pages of this new edition of What’s News. We Are Water Foundation The We Are Water Foundation collaborates with United Nations We hope you will find them interesting, to provide visibility to the SDGs 28 A World Water Day focused on raising awareness and getting to know the reasons for the lack of access to safe water 29 The iAgua awards recognize the work of the We Are Water Foundation with four prizes 30 Two projects completed that bring water and sanitation to two regions in Mauritania and Uganda 31 Carlos Velázquez Featured personality Roca Group Corporate Marketing Director Shigeru Ban 32