4th September 2023 | IN EXPERT INSIGHT | BY SBID ShareTweetPinterestLinkedIn Nick Taylor, Head of Residential at Zip Water UK, and Daniel Heath, National Residential Sales Manager at Zip Water UK has given their insights into the industry. Zip is the drinking water pioneer. For 75 years, it’s poured passion, expertise and innovation into all its drinking water solutions to create quality products that people trust. Zip doesn’t just redesign, it revolutionises. It constantly strives for the best, developing world-class technology that supports health and wellbeing, enhances the everyday experience and commits to a greener future. The Zip HydroTap is the ultimate in luxury home appliances. Designed to upgrade your lifestyle, it’s a health-boosting, time-saving, space-saving and planet-saving marvel, transforming ordinary tap water into something extraordinary. What are the origins of the brand? Here at Zip Water, we are the creator of innovative drinking water systems that deliver water at its best. Founded in Australia in 1947, we initially specialised in water heaters for sinks and baths before expanding into drinking water. In 1975, we launched the world’s first on-wall boiler and over the following decades saw fast and unrivalled product innovation. Zip established a base in the UK in 1991 and in 2012 brought another world-first to the market; a never-seen before boiling, chilled and sparkling instant drinking water tap. Today in the UK, we have remained steadfast as a leading innovator and the luxury brand for homes where quality and design are a must. Our flagship product, the Zip HydroTap, is also considered the world’s most advanced drinking water system for the workplace, and can be found in countless office buildings throughout the world. How do your products and services enhance interior design projects? Beautiful kitchens require beautiful products, and with our premium HydroTaps you can have both style and functionality. With a range of styles to choose from, including the elegant Arc or contemporary Cube, the interior designer can choose the design that perfectly complements any kitchen interior. Plus, with a choice of seven finishes, the HydroTap will effortlessly match the personality of the home they’re working on. Interior Designers can be rest assured that with Zip systems, they’re not just recommending the most stylish filtered drinking water product, but the very best in terms of functionality too. Their customers will love the advanced filtration, intuitive command centre and safety functions. Zip Water Zip Water What value does your specialist sector add to the industry? At the heart of our brand are three important values: We are committed to delivering the best quality drinking water – at home, at work, or on the go – thanks to our advanced filtration system. We are committed to continuous innovation, constantly developing and improving our energy efficient, user-friendly and user-safe technologies. We are committed to creating sustainable solutions, helping customers to eradicate their reliance on single-use plastic water bottles. Our range of drinking water systems and hot water solutions also support a variety of sustainable building accreditations and standards. How do you work with interior designers? The team here at Zip Water are true consultants, and we are fully equipped with the tools, resources and knowledge to allow us to support designers closely. We have a range of accredited CPDs that can help designers demonstrate their commitment to the ongoing learning and professional practice of interior design. We also have a showroom in Clerkenwell and encourage designers to visit or bring their clients to experience the products. We have developed a ‘Specifier Portal’ which enables designers to log on and download product, installation and technical information, as well as BIM files and spec sheets. We have a hands-on team who are available for in-person, virtual or phone consultations. What has been your most significant company highlight or success from the past year? Zip products are tested to the highest standard. We have recently been awarded with WRAS approval on our HydroTap G5 range. The Water Regulations Approval Scheme, WRAS for short, is a certification body for plumbing products and fittings that aims to demonstrate which materials are compliant with regulations and bylaws throughout the UK. As a market leading brand it is important to us that we maintain extremely high standards and ensure our products are compliant with regulations. WRAS approval means that the customer can have complete faith and peace of mind in every system we produce. Zip Water Nick Taylor - Head of Residential, Zip Water UK What are the latest trends you’ve noticed in your client’s requests? In recent years we have seen the design of a kitchen develop from a practical space to a highly personalised, multi-use space. The kitchen is the ‘heart’ of the home and now more than ever we are seeing zonal areas within kitchens, such as areas for storage, cooking, preparation, cleaning, dining, entertaining and innovative spaces for family life. Zip has a range of HydroTaps that don’t have to be installed over the sink. By installing with an integrated or stand alone font, the HydroTap can be installed in other parts of the kitchen. The HydroTap has been installed in a dedicated drinks zone and bars, next to hobs as part of a cooking set up, to breakfast bars and vast kitchen islands. We have even seen HydroTaps installed in home cinema rooms, games rooms and bedrooms. How do you see the interior design industry evolving in the year ahead? Due to economic and cultural shifts in recent years I think we are going to see more multi-generational homes, where two or even three generations live together under one roof. Or similarly in apartment blocks, there will be more multi-use communal areas. This will definitely impact interior design trends, as the interactions with – and uses of – spaces will need deeper considerations. Is there anything new you are excited to be working on? Zip is now on its 5th Generation of HydroTap and we continue to design, develop and innovate new products. For example, we have recently added Steritouch antimicrobial material to the water path of our systems to enhance the hygiene credentials of the range and have added new aerators to create an improved flow of chilled and sparkling water. What does being an SBID Accredited Industry Partner mean to you? For us here at Zip, SBID is the perfect partner. As the manufacturer of an industry leading product, we need to work with other industry leading bodies who align with our values. A Zip HydroTap is the aspirational product of choice, designed and perfected for truly incredible homes. Outstanding design in the residential market is something we know the SBID network of interior designers are truly spearheading, so we are match made in heaven! Daniel Heath - National Residential Sales Manager, Zip Water UK About Zip Water Experience water at its best with the ultimate in luxury home appliances. Zip Water are manufacturers of the iconic Zip HydroTap – a revolutionary drinking water appliance offering the very best in filtered boiling, chilled and sparkling water; designed to upgrade your lifestyle. A health-boosting, time-saving, space-saving and planet-saving marvel, the HydroTap transforms ordinary tap water into something extraordinary. 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