By Keri Algar in Perth
PERTH, WA: “The best parties are always in the kitchen,” said ABC radio personality James Lush as he introduced over 100 retailers to the new first-class BSH (Bosch and Siemens Home Appliances) showroom in a gala event in Perth last night.
The doors were opened by the company’s gracious Australian managing director, Mark Saunders, who said “the Perth showroom — not just another showroom — has without a doubt set a benchmark compared to the Melbourne showroom; it is very high end.”
Saunders thanked the various retailers for their “support in the past, and in advance, support in the future”. He also thanked his BSH colleagues for their “gritty determination” in ensuring this “milestone event for BSH in Western Australia”.
The showroom, dubbed by BSH as a brand experience centre, dedicates its space equally between the two brands and showcases a cross section of every appliance range currently available in Australia.
Inside the new Bosch showroom in Perth.
While Bosch currently has more market presence in Australia than Siemens, Saunders told Current.com.au that he expected the premium brand — Germany’s number one for inbuilt appliances — to soon gain momentum on Australian shores, especially from consumers with an appreciation for innovation.
Saunders also announced that the evening’s unveiling was “just the start of a major roll out campaign”: a Sydney brand centre will be unveiled in spring this year, to be later followed by Brisbane, so that “BSH is adequately represented in terms of brand showing around the country”.
Lisa Hansen designed the opulent centre with the express purpose of displaying BSH products in a way that offers functionality. The centre’s primary role is as a training facility for sales staff. Many retailers Current.com.au spoke with said this is essential for providing the best customer service they can for their customers.
“We need our sales staff to have a solid understanding of how products work so that they can genuinely recommend the most suitable appliance to a customer; good customer service is so important,” said one dealer.
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Spiros Scafidas, the general manager of Kitchen Headquarters, a five-month old premium kitchen dealer in Perth, said he was particularly impressed with the showroom, saying that it would be valuable for training his staff and developing a more effective relationship with BSH.
Consumers are also able to interact in the centre, by appointment. Builder Paul Serra of Averna Homes said this allowed him to offer his customers a ‘real life’ experience whilst building homes from conception to completion. Averna Homes uses Bosch in its elite homes (approximately $500,000) and Siemens in premium homes (approximately $800,000).
“Using the two families has allowed us to avoid problems across appliances,” said Serros.
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