Individuality instead of Compromises

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Steel enamel specialist BETTE is constantly pushing the envelope.

By Bette for

Bette

January 14, 2014 | 11:00 pm CUT

In charge: managing partner Thilo C. Pahl is the fourth generation of his family to head Bette GmbH & Co. KG

"As our more than 600 bath, shower tray and washbasin models go to show, the things we provide as standard are considered custom solutions elsewhere. When we talk about individualisation, we mean genuine production specialities that nobody else offers," says a confident Thilo C. Pahl. The young managing partner succeeded his father Fritz-Wilhelm Pahl a good two years ago. At the time, free-standing baths were becoming an increasingly important theme and made-to-measure solutions for the bathroom were starting to play a crucial role.

Slenderised: the drastically reduced wall of the "BetteArt" model is captivatingly thin (30 mm). An outlet fitting was specially developed for the narrow space between the apron and tub

The finished result: when you run your hand over its edges and surfaces, the tub feels as if it is made of one single piece

In the meantime these special requests from customers, which have to be made exclusively by hand, have become an important second pillar of the company's business. With around one thousand available colours and a wide-ranging spectrum of models and sizes, individually customised baths, shower trays and washbasins mean one thing above all else: the craftsmanship of the Bette experts has to be deployed on a made-to-order basis. The inner tub and apron are precision joined and welded and manually aligned with the stabilising substructure of the free-standing baths.

Hand-crafted: a welder at work on the "BetteStarlet Oval Silhouette" model. The free-standing top-end bath is even available in two colours on request

Sleek: once machined, the steel workpiece shows no visible welding joints. It is this perfect steel surface that guarantees perfect enamelling

Refined: the "BetteStarlet Oval Silhouette" bath – seen here being hand-enamelled – comes in for careful treatment during the production process

Because these monoliths are becoming increasingly popular, this mixture of high-tech production and subsequent artisanship is a labour-intensive process. And as with all Bette products, skilled handling of the material is crucial: the steel bathroom items have to pass through the 30-metre-long kiln in one piece. They are visually, haptically and functionally enhanced with a glass-like enamel finish at a temperature of approx. 830 degrees.

Trim: despite the virtual absence of a classic rim, the "BetteLux" bath is perfectly stable. A masterpiece!

Sculpted: in 2011, "BetteCubo Silhouette" was presented with the "Design Plus" award by Frankfurt trade fair ISH

The finished Bette products offer a compelling level of quality, design and sustainability. They are a worthwhile investment for customers who, right from the start of their bathroom renovation or new build project, opt for a premium product made of a special material – and for individuality instead of compromises. For Bette, the high standard of its design is always uppermost. With its steel-enamel products, the company is a player in a market where the theme of wellbeing through water is playing an increasingly important role. A bathroom object that adapts not just to customers' needs but to the prevailing design parameters as well will find its optimal place in any bathroom. UB