Sara Establishment for Trading, a leading trading company in the Middle East, has supplied the Grand Hyatt project with sanitary ware, bathtubs and mixers.

The Dubai-based company specialises in sanitary ware, ceramic wall and floor covering, chinaware and gift items, and for the Grand Hyatt project it supplied products with a distinctly German flavour: Activecare and Ceramicplus sanitary ware from Villeroy & Boch, Kaldewei bathtubs and mixers from Grohe.

Engineer Khawla Hassan of Sara Establishment, who was incharge of the Grand Hyatt project, says: "Villeroy & Boch Ceramicplus is the first ceramic material to have a unique dirt-repellent surface, which banishes virtually all unsightly traces from the bathroom. Whether in the wash basin or the WC, water forms droplets and runs off, taking dirt and lime with it. It is also much easier to clean.

"Villeroy & Boch Activecare is an advanced ceramic glaze which automatically prevents the build-up of bacteria.

"It is all down to the small quantities of silver contained in Activecare. The silver ions are evenly distributed throughout the glaze and on its surface, effectively inhibiting the accumulation of germs."

Grohe is the world's leading supplier of a complete range of water technology products and systems, which cover all aspects of domestic water installation and the economical and ecological utilisation of water, setting the quality and performance standards for the rest of the industry, adds Khawla.

Kaldewei porcelain enamelled steel - guaranteed to last 30 years - has been designed specially for use in hotels and other heavily frequented facilities and as well as being hygienic and easy to care for, is also extremely wear-resistant, she says.

"The project was a nice reward for our dedicated company as it had helped us to improve our understanding of how to deal with big projects," says Khawla. "We enjoyed working on this project as everyone at the site was very professional and there was good cooperation between all those who were involved with this project."

Sara Establishment constantly introduces new products and accessories to meet the needs of the region's growing market. Established in 1967 and with 20 showrooms and eight warehouses in the Middle East, the company has grown to become a leader in the market and one of the best suppliers of quality European bathrooms and tiles in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Syria.

Sara's business is characterised by an emphasis on marketing, technology and customer service, according to Raed Arafat, projects manager. Central to its success is its ability to establish and maintain a relationship with both customers and suppliers.

The company has highly qualified staff, each with more than 10 years experience and its showrooms are managed by efficient, highly motivated and dedicated team who work closely with leading consultants, architect and contractor, he says. Prestigious projects furnished by Sara in the UAE include the Madinat Jumeirah Resort (phases I and II), the Jumeirah Islands, Crown Plaza Hotel, Holiday Inn Bur Dubai, the Metropolitan Palace, Rotana hotel, Jebel Ali hotel, Oasis Beach Hotel, Metropolitan Apartments, Citibank (all in Dubai), Ajman Kempinski and Khalifa Tower in Abu Dhabi.

Sara's product portfolio consists of European bathroom suites, whirlpools and shower cubicles. Floor coverings come in a variety of ceramic, mosaic and terracotta. Products are selected primarily from the leading European manufacturers, including Villeroy & Boch, Grohe mixers, Gardinia Orchidia tiles from Italy, Jado mixers from Germany, Italgraniti tiles from Italy, FIR mixers from Germany, Saime porcelain tiles from Italy, Viega fittings (Germany) Inda accessories from Italy and Kaldewei bathtubs.

"Our products offer best value for money and are consistent with our established standards of quality and finish," says Arafat. "The market in Dubai is very vibrant and under the leadership, vision and guidance of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, we will continue to offer successful solutions in order to meet the challenges of the market."