Award-Winning Social Business SATO Launches Innovative Sanitation and Hygiene Solutions in the Philippines

Manila, Philippines – SATO, the social business part of the LIXIL Group, has just launched in the Philippines, bringing its innovative, aspirational and affordable sanitation and hygiene products to consumers and institutions in rural and peri-urban areas who need off-grid solutions. On May 17, 2023 at Okada Manila, SATO introduced its product line to decision makers, business leaders, and potential partners in the country. 

The launch coincides with the brand’s 10th anniversary and is aligned with SATO’s purpose to empower people to have a better life, every day, and enjoy a brighter future, through innovative sanitation and hygiene solutions. The launch in Southeast Asia is another step towards achieving LIXIL’s goal to improve the lives of 100 million people by 2025.  

 

SATO’s sanitation and hygiene products offer a practical and affordable solution to around 7 million Filipinos who still open defecate or use unimproved toilets. In addition, more than 20 million people have inadequate hand washing facilities at home, according to WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (JMP). 

The new range of products will also be instrumental in supporting the country as the Philippine government works to attain Zero Open Defecation (ZOD) status and achieve universal access to safe and adequate sanitary facilities by 2028.  

 

Durable, affordable, water-saving and accessible, the SATO range is manufactured in the Philippines by Manly Plastics, the largest provider of end-to-end plastic solutions which has been operating in the country for more than 59 years. With capabilities spanning from mold engineering to fabrication, mass production and more, Manly, is a reputed and trusted name that has globally partnered with companies to manufacture and supply plastic parts and products.

For SATO, Manly will manufacture toilet solutions, including the SATO pan, stool, I-trap, and a hand washing station, the SATO Tap that allows handwashing with as little as 100 ml of water. The toilet solutions feature the trap door technology developed by SATO that reduces odor, keeps insects away and saves water, thus delivering freshness, comfort, and safety to households and institutions that do not have access to running water and sewer systems. The products can be used in off-set settings or direct pits, to serve customers who want to build their first toilet or improve an existing one. 

“The launch in the Philippines is a proud moment for SATO and LIXIL as we serve more consumers and institutions and expand our reach and impact into a new region. SATO solutions are already making a difference in the life of millions across the world as the brand works with partners who believe in our mission of sustainable and safely managed sanitation and hygiene” - Says Suguru Sakata, Leader, Asia, SATO

Jonathan Co from Manly  elaborated about the partnership, saying: “Simple solutions can create a large impact. We are thankful to LIXIL for bringing SATO Toilet; this is a much needed hygiene solution for the country, and at the same time, it will help the economy by choosing to manufacture locally, creating jobs for our citizens. We are committed to helping LIXIL make SATO toilet solutions a success in the Philippines. SATO is a great example and that’s why we are proud to add this innovative and affordable range of sanitation and hygiene solutions to Manly’s portfolio of offerings to its many customers.”

About SATO

We are SATO, part of LIXIL, an award-winning social business that has positively impacted the lives of more than 35 million people across 44 countries. Our purpose is to empower people everywhere to live a better life, every day, and to enjoy a brighter future through innovative sanitation and hygiene solutions. We do this by designing affordable, sustainable, and accessible products based on the specific wants and needs of our customers. We are proud of our impact and aim, with LIXIL, to improve 100 million lives by 2025 through sanitation and hygiene.

LIXIL Showcases its Four Power Brands at the 26th Kitchen & Bath China 2021, Shanghai

LIXIL, maker of pioneering water and housing products, with its four major brands; American Standard, GROHE, INAX, and LIXIL Kitchens, showcased a comprehensive display of the latest technology and innovative products at Kitchen & Bath China 2021. Presenting the latest concepts and designs, the four brands unanimously conveyed LIXIL’s commitment to making better homes a reality for everyone, everywhere.

The first day of the exhibition witnessed the unveiling of the four booths of the brands followed by a press conference where leaders from LIXIL International (LI) include leader Bijoy Mohan; leader for fixtures Shinji Ito, leader for fittings Thomas Fuhr, and leader for global design Paul Flowers, along with LIXIL leaders from Asia including leader for LIXIL global design team- LIXIL Asia, Antoine Besseyre des Horts, connected virtually with the media and partners. Leader of LIXIL Water Technology- Greater China Adele Tao, along with her team spearheaded the conference revisiting LIXIL’s success in the past decade.

2021 is an important milestone for LIXIL as it marks its 10-year anniversary. Formed in 2011, LIXIL was created through a merger of five of Japan's most successful building materials and housing companies – TOSTEM, INAX, Shin Nikkei, Sunwave, and TOEX. These global brands are now a part of LIXIL’s brand offerings alongside American Standard and GROHE. Sharing a similar heritage and providing an enriched product mix, these brands enable LIXIL to cater to different consumers' lifestyles and aesthetic pursuits.

Bijoy Mohan, Leader, LIXIL International said: "While each of our brands has its own unique personality and strengths, together they provide us with an unmatched offering and ability to meet the full scope of consumer preferences and needs. We are proud to bring more innovations to our consumers while celebrating the 10th anniversary of the founding of the LIXIL Group, during KBC 2021, one of Asia's leading kitchen & bathroom trade shows."

Over the years, LIXIL has adopted a multi-brand and multi-category strategy in Asia equipping it to cater to the needs of different products for different consumer groups. It is through this reliability provided by a complete portfolio of leading products and quality services, that LIXIL’s combined strengths are widely recognized by our customers and end users.


“We have learnt a lot from dealing with this unprecedented pandemic and it’s great to see that markets are now slowly getting back on track. The ongoing pandemic has led to a growing demand for better hygiene products and solutions, and with consumers spending more time at home, the demand for home spa experiences have also gradually increased. As a purpose-driven company, we will lead the way in introducing innovative and novel products to meet consumer demand. With China hosting the KBC this year, reaffirms our belief that the industry globally is making steady progress on its way to recovery.” said Satoshi Konagai, Leader, LIXIL Water Technology- Asia Pacific.

Innovation and consumer centricity are at the core of every offering at LIXIL. The organization continuously observes and gathers consumer insights to understand the deep-seated and even unarticulated needs of consumers. With the new normal, consumers are now paying even more attention to hygiene and well being which has increased the overall demand for products and technologies like touchless faucets and IoT enabled solutions.

“Our strength lies in being ahead of the curve in innovation. Being a global organization also gives us an edge over others, as we can utilize the best of talent and technology in R&D, design and marketing from across the world. LIXIL has responded to this major macro trend of health, well being, and multi-purpose living spaces by focusing on retail and accelerating development for touchless faucets and flushing, antibacterial finishes, water filtration, bidets, and shower toilets.” highlighted Satoshi.

Recently, LIXIL opened a new state-of-the-art design facility in Singapore (relocated from Thailand). This is one of the 6 LIXIL design centers across the world and the only one in Asia outside of Japan. LIXIL continues to invest in the Asia Pacific region to enable the overall development of the industry through innovation.

Key highlights from LIXIL’s brands at KBC include:

American Standard will showcase “Purposeful Designs for a Comfortable Living”, with shower toilet solutions such as E-Lite Shower Toilet and Smart-Air E-Bidet, which feature purposeful functions for a comfortable and hygienic bathroom experience. This year, GROHE will communicate the message on how the brand is “Shaping the Future of Water” in the industry. GROHE SPA will be launched as an independent luxury brand, showing its first two collections that deliver “Health Through Water” to luxury homes and hotels.

INAX will present “Light and Shadow, Caring for You Day and Night”, featuring the S600 LINE inspired by Japanese architectural practices to create spaces of unparalleled beauty through the masterful use of light and shadows. LIXIL Kitchen this year, with the concept of Human Fit Technology and Living Fit Design, will create the most suitable for Oriental elegant kitchen, bringing Japanese aesthetics into the Chinese kitchen life. With a full set of high-end series of products LIXIL Kitchens is ready to create a unique culinary art space within your homes.

GROHE Dual Tech Honors First Internationally Certified Students

Leading global bathroom and kitchen solutions brand GROHE recently awarded its first batch of students who have completed the International Certification module at the GROHE Dual Tech, a training facility made possible through the partnership between GROHE and Don Bosco Youth Center. A total of 42 graduating students passed the International Certificate on GROHE Standards assessment exams, validating their technical competence in plumbing. GROHE also inaugurated the newly-constructed public restroom in St. John Bosco Parish Tondo. Photo shows the first batch of internationally certified students with: (Top row, center, L-R) GROHE vice president training & management development Timo Kurz, GROHE management board member Michael Mager, and global product manager Manfred Kuehn; Don Bosco Tondo Rector Rev. Fr. Gaudencio Carandang Jr., SDB, Don Bosco Mondo e.V deputy director corporate cooperation Dr. Susanne Franke, Lixil Philippines general manager Alpha Ang, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) director Rev. Fr. Manuel H. Nicolas, SDB, (2nd row, center, L-R) German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (G-PCCI) Dual Training and Education director Tobias Petersen, and STEAG State Power Inc. CEO Bodo Goerlich, (3rd row, center, L-R) Wilcon Depot senior executive and vice president Rosemarie Ong, PCCI president Bing Limjoco, Salesian Society of St. John Bosco-FIN Province Planning and Development officer Rona Aurea Palma, (Bottom row, outer left) Lixil Philippines marketing manager Emily Besavilla, (Bottom row, center, L-R) K+12 project coordinator Andreas Dernbach, Lixil Philippines assistant country manager Joralyn Ong, and (Bottom row, outer right) GROHE brand manager Arian Zaragoza.