The Franke Group has acquired Nokite EcoSmart Water Heating Systems (Guangdong) Co., Ltd., a leading Chinese stainless steel kitchen taps and accessories manufacturer. This acquisition will strengthen Franke’s Home Solutions division, enhance its focus on intelligent kitchen systems and water treatment, and expand its product portfolio globally.

With over 20 years of experience, Nokite is a pioneer in stainless steel taps in China, employing approximately 150 people. The company’s innovation and engineering expertise will complement Franke’s growth in the kitchen taps sector, especially with the regulatory shift towards eliminating lead, which is expected to drive demand for stainless steel solutions. Nokite’s expertise is seen as vital to Franke’s strategic objectives in the global market.

Franke Group, headquartered in Aarburg, Switzerland, acquired 100% of Nokite from KWC Group, a subsidiary majority-owned by Equistone Partners Europe. Financial details of the deal remain undisclosed.

Barbara Borra, CEO of Franke Home Solutions, commented: “Nokite’s engineering capabilities are crucial to enhancing our product offering. Their expertise in multifunctional taps aligns well with our strategic attention to the growing water treatment and purification market, driving further our commitment to high-quality, intelligent kitchen solutions.”

The acquisition will enable Franke to leverage Nokite’s production capacity and boost value creation, contributing to its continued growth.