Ideal Standard

Overview

A new company, known as Ideal Standard International, was formed in 2007 by the sale of the bath and kitchen products businesses of American Standard Companies for $1.745 billion to Bain Capital Partners. The North American and Asian operations of American Standard were sold to Sun Capital and Lixil Group respectively, with the European and Latin American operations retained as Ideal Standard.

The company was then restructured, implementing cost-cutting measures, as well as moving some of company's production facilities to Asia and Eastern Europe – a new production site was opened in Bulgaria. The acquisition by Bain Capital was facilitated by Credit Suisse and Bank of America; the creditors subsequently struggled to dispose of their debt.

The restructuring program was complete in 2011, but the company made a loss in 2012 due to poor sales, the following year, they reduced the workforce by 250 and further restructuring was proposed in 2014, including a debt for equity swap with bondholder Anchorage Capital. In 2014 the EU competition commission approved Anchorage Capital becoming joint owner of the company together with Bain Capital.

Products

the company was headquartered in Belgium, and had over 10,000 employees. Its products include bathroom fittings including bathrooms, sanitary ware, and showers, sold under brands including Armitage Shanks, Ceramica Dolomite, Porcher, and Vidima. Since 2018 the creative direction for Ideal Standard has been led by designer and architect Roberto Palomba, along with his studio, Palomba Serafini Associati.

Acquisition

In September 2023, it was announced Ideal Standard had been acquired by the Mettlach-headquartered ceramics manufacturer, Villeroy & Boch for €600 million. The transaction was completed in March 2024.

References

References

1. "Opinion of Mr Advocate General Gulmann - IHT Internationale Heiztechnik GmbH and Uwe Danzinger v Ideal-Standard GmbH and Wabco Standard GmbH.". European Courts Reports.
2. (1902). "Ideal Boilers, American Radiators". American Radiator Company.
3. (1918). "(American Radiator Company)". Everybody's Magazine.
4. (31 Oct 2007). "American Standard Companies Announces Completion of Sale of Bath and Kitchen Business to Bain Capital".
5. Hagerty, James R.. "Japanese Toilet Maker Lixil Buys American Standard". online.wsj.com.
6. (20 March 2009). "Ideal Standard sponsor Bain hires financial adviser as 2007 LBO falters". FT.com.
7. (8 May 2013). "RPT-Fitch Downgrades Ideal Standard International SA to 'CC'".
8. (20 November 2013). "Ideal Standard to cut 250 jobs across Europe as it looks to 'restructure cost base'".
9. link. "Bain's Ideal Standard Said to Offer New Terms for Restructuring". Luca. Casiraghi. (2 May 2014)
10. (20 March 2014). "M.7206 BAIN CAPITAL / ANCHORAGE CAPITAL / IDEAL STANDARD". EU Competition Commission.
11. "About the Company".
12. (6 November 2025). "Roberto Palomba continues design role with Ideal Standard".
13. "Villeroy & Boch Acquires Ideal Standard".
14. (August 2025). "Villeroy & Boch completes acquisition of Ideal Standard". Trade Arabia.