Interview: hib. CEO Rob Ginsberg – In challenging times we accelerate progress

Times may be tough but hib. is busy investing in innovation and growth – CEO Rob Ginsberg tells Amelia Thorpe why it's a strategy that has always worked.

In the year that bathroom accessory specialist hib. celebrates its 35^th anniversary, CEO Rob Ginsberg says that he’s harnessing those years of experience to drive the business forward. "The trading environment is soft, but we’ve been through difficult economic cycles before – including the recession of 2007-2012 and the Covid period – and the one thing we do during slower periods is to step on the gas," he says. "During all the Covid lockdowns, for example, we were one of the very few who kept all of our sales managers and had product launches (virtually), which made a big difference afterwards – and now all the product innovation and brand work we are doing will have a positive impact for us in the months and years ahead."

In April, hib. unveiled a ‘Feel Bathroom Fabulous’ rebrand, followed by a raft of new product releases through the year and the launch of hib.pro, a new community platform for professional installers. "There are more new products coming out this autumn and in spring 2026, including more mirrors and cabinets, which will take design innovation to the next level," he says. "We will also be developing new categories in the next 6-12 months."

Established in 1990 by Rob’s father, chairman Warren Ginsberg MBE, hib. remains a family-owned company, employing some 130 staff split between its distribution centre in Tamworth, Staffordshire and office in North London. Rob, 48, has been with the company since 2002. The company has always been known for mirrors and mirror cabinets and has pioneered industry first innovations such as steam-free mirrors, colour-changing technology and Bluetooth-integrated cabinets. It now also offers bathroom furniture, ventilation, lighting, brassware and basins in a portfolio totalling some 500 products. "Our annual turnover is about £30million," he adds.

Rather than a one-stop-shop approach, Ginsberg says the focus has always been – and will remain – niche. "I believe that our customers want to be working with people who are experts in their field," he says. "It is difficult to be a master of everything and we prefer to focus on depth of range, innovation and quality that stands out – in mirrors and mirror cabinets, for example, you’d be hard pressed to find a deeper range." This, he says, applies not just to number of models, sizes and colours, but also by stock of every spare part required for that product.

And where will growth come from in this challenging economy? "There’s always market share to be had," he says. Currently 95% of hib.’s sales are through bathroom showrooms. "We will be looking for more independent retailers, developing relationships with the installer market and the project sector, and enhancing existing relations with greater support – we want to support our partnerships with the best service we can give them," continues Ginsberg, who cites improved customer training and support initiatives, from design software to communication tools.

"Our heritage has always been delivering innovative, inspiring products and that is the core of our brand mission," he says. "We need to evolve that and continue to shout about it – and show how our products enhance people’s everyday life."