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Session Details

GROHE X Panel Talk

Training for a better future - GROHE launches its GIVE Program for aspiring plumbers

Given the shortage of skilled installers in the sanitary sector, it is more important than ever to make training for plumbers more attractive. To help improve training facilities, GROHE initiated its “GROHE Installer Vocational Training and Education” (GIVE) program. Within a state-of-the-art training environment, students can benefit from the brand’s vast expertise – from creating a uniformed approach with modern equipment to training material and a written examination that sets new industry standards. In this panel talk, you will get to know how GROHE wants to reach up to 5,000 students with its GIVE program, excite more women for the profession and support also young people in underserved communities in obtaining a good perspective for the future.                                         

December 7, 11-11.30am (CET)

Experts on stage

Jonas Brennwald
Jonas Brennwald

Jonas Brennwald

Leader, LIXIL EMENA

Jonas Brennwald has managed various sales regions for GROHE since 2012, most recently as Chief Sales Officer. Since 2019 he is part of the board as Co-CEO Grohe AG and became Leader LIXIL EMENA in 2020. In his role he is responsible for the commercial aspect of the business for the GROHE brand in EMENA, incorporating LIXIL's global expertise and values. Before his career at LIXIL EMENA, he held numerous management positions at major brands, including Mars, Ecolab, Goodyear Dunlop and Dorman.

Becky Bates
Becky Bates

Becky Bates

Installer

Becky Bates lives in Wales and has been working as an installer for over a decade now. Growing up in her father's workshop, she discovered her enjoyment of handcrafted work. Throughout school and moving onto further education careers, male-dominated fields like construction were not advised to Becky as a viable career. Despite all the challenges, in 2010 she opened her own business in general plumbing and bathroom renovations. She advocates that students should be introduced not only to an academic career, but also to the option of a skilled trades education.

Christopher Penney
Christopher Penney

Chris Penney

Leader, GIVE Program, LIXIL EMENA

Chris Penney is the Leader of the GIVE Program, LIXIL EMENA and has been working for the GROHE brand for 4 years. He started as a UK Training Manager where he was involved in the product training of all UK employees, distribution customers, installers and students. For the last 18 months, Chris has been responsible for the GIVE Program. During this time he has created a new training concept for plumbing students and young installers to help to train or retrain people from all backgrounds.

Timo Kurz
Timo Kurz

Timo Kurz

Leader Training, LIXIL EMENA

Working for 15 years at GROHE, Timo held several roles within the organization. He started in the HR department and gained HR experience in operations and also as a business partner for the Eastern European sales team. After his move to marketing Timo is responsible for all product training activities, both offline and online. He sets the strategic direction of the GIVE program and is happy to present an outlook on what is coming up next.

Manfred Kuehn
Manfred Kuehn

Manfred Kühn

Trainer, LIXIL EMENA

Manfred Kühn is working for GROHE for 30 years. He started his career in the German sales department and then moved into the training team for the German market. Now he is a product trainer for the EMENA region and responsible for designing and building the GIVE Program training racks next to his product training tasks.

Hosted by

Susanne Schoene
Susanne Schoene

Susanne Schöne

Moderator & Journalist

Susanne Schöne draws on her extensive experience of over 1,800 events and show presentations and 8 years broadcasting for Germany’s foremost live news channel (N24/Welt) as well as Germany’s best known entertainment channels PRO7 & Sat.1. What is the key to her natural and engaging presentation style? “Intense preparation is vital for a successful show. When I’m familiar with the precise wishes, interests and goals of the client can I (re)present them convincingly.” Susanne Schöne studied journalism and psychology at the TU Dresden.