When the highest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, recently opened, it incorporated more than more than 5,000 fittings from Hansgrohe AG. The approximately 2,716-ft. skyscraper, designed and built by architect Adrian Smith, features wash basin mixers from the Axor Starck collection. Considered a "vertical city," the building is a mixed-use space with private and corporate residences, a hotel, an observation deck and is surrounded by an extensive park.

Despite the economic crisis, Hansgrohe has maintained its foothold in the Middle East market. "This is why we were able to acquire numerous projects in the United Arab Emirates even during the crisis year of 2009, such as the ones in Masdar City along the new Formula 1 track in Abu Dhabi," said Siegfried Gänßlen, chairman of the management board of Hansgrohe AG. "We anticipate further great potential in this region, and consequently Hansgrohe will be opening a new subsidiary in Abu Dhabi later this month, as well as a new flagship store in Dubai—not far from the Burj Khalifa."