The German firm of Schlosser, producing bathroom fittings last week announced its entry into the Sri Lankan market.

"We produce angle valves designed to save water", says Joachim Gloth, the visiting Export Director, Schlosser Armaturen, Eine Starke Group.

Future user demand could very likely be that water could be a serious competitor to fuel and automobile gasoline because impending global shortage of water is now a very real possibility, he said.

"There are already countries, particularly Australia with sparse natural precipitation which have had to resort to re-cycling of water", he noted.

The question was asked -- In such eventualities would Schlosser maintain consumer demands for purity and volume and satisfy extreme user load? Schlosser products are so designed to accommodate such extremes and simultaneously preserve designed perspectives for such stress situations, Gloth responded.

Angle valves produced by his company ensure further economizing on water usage that each minute flow is economized to saving components of approximately 35%, he said.

One minute usage could result in out-flow of about 40 liters, but Schlosser saves at least 15 liters in out-flow. Stemming from such technology, it could be said that proven savings of 60 cubic meters per annum are distinct possibilities, he explained.

He suggested these were not merely ball – park figures, but factual results of clinical tests. A family of five could save 350 liters per day, subject to efficiency of Schlosser fittings, mainly angle valves.

Why Sri Lanka which is an extremely small market? Is it a waste of time? Certainly not. Sri Lanka is expanding its commercial activities. The country is at peace. Peace dividends will be at this point in time will not be distinctly measurable but opportunities will present themselves, and to pre-empt such future possibilities Schlosser’s entry was now important, Gloth said.

Rohan Jayasinghe, Managing Director, Premium (Pvt) Ltd., a subsidiary of Premium International, the local agents handling Schlosser products in Sri Lanka, said peace prospects have had a positive impact. The tourist trade, for instance, will open out and expand for construction of a substantial number of new hotel rooms. Considering technological standards of Schlosser, this company is not wasting its time in entering the Sri Lankan market.

Gloth said Schlosser products contain pre–installed material that fit German standards known as DR (De-sensification Resistance Brass Material).

"Brass is the end result of mixtures of copper and zinc and durability and efficiency are conclusively proved".

Could his products compete with Chinese manufactured brands usually marketed at half the price? Schlosser guarantees are for a period of 10 years. This means that even after that period, only malfunctioning components need be replaced. Most other products necessitate replacement of the entire unit, which is costly.

"You would get quality and value reasonably priced. More importantly, all products carry the DIN certificate or German Industrial Norm certification, issued by the German Government that carries the stamp of a standard product and also DVGN certification - German Authorities for Gas and Water. Our company is a family concern started about 75 years ago. That tradition is an inclusive stamp of high standards that are competitive, and priced to fit market conditions", he noted.

Jayasinghe said they have identified 50 trade outlets around the country, and end first quarter 2010, dealer network would expand to 330.