TOKYO, Oct. 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- LIXIL Corporation
("LIXIL"), a global leader in housing and building materials, products and services, today announced that it has received a grant
from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support the expansion of its SaTo ("Safe Toilet") business activities, providing
affordable, aspirational solutions to people that lack access to proper sanitation.
SaTo products are designed to improve the user experience and safety of open-pit latrines. They are refined yet affordably
priced and simple to install. They utilize an airtight counterweighted trap-door to prevent odors and the transmission of
disease. First developed by LIXIL's American Standard Brands with previous support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation,
over one million units are currently in use in over 14 countries, starting with Bangladesh and
now including the Philippines, India, Uganda, Kenya and Haiti.
Kinya Seto, LIXIL President and CEO, said, "As the global leader in sanitary ware, LIXIL is
uniquely positioned to contribute to tackling global sanitation issues through innovative products and a sustainable business
focused-approach. LIXIL has set a goal to improve sanitation for 100 million people by 2020, and SaTo products will play a
leading role in reaching this target. We look forward to now increasing SaTo's presence in regions like Sub-Saharan Africa and
South Asia, where these products can make a meaningful difference."
Jim McHale, Ph.D., Vice President, LIXIL, and General Manager of the SaTo business unit,
commented, "SaTo products offer a simple and affordable solution that can help improve the lives of people in low-income and
off-grid areas suffering from poor sanitary conditions. We are now accelerating the scaling-up of the SaTo business, using the
expertise we have developed in Japan, the U.S. and globally, to tackle poor sanitation. I would
like to thank the Gates Foundation for its support, which will help us improve access to SaTo products in developing countries
worldwide."
Brian Arbogast, Director of the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Program at the
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, said, "Inadequate sanitation is a pressing global problem, adversely affecting the health
and prosperity of billions of people in low-resource setting. We are honored to partner with LIXIL to explore and scale
innovative product solutions that will expand sanitation access and improve outcomes for the poorest and most vulnerable around
the world."
During the SaTo development phase, engineers underwent a number of technological design iterations and field tests similar to
designing high-end toilets, including computational analyses of flushing and fluid mechanisms. The SaTo series today consists of
several variations, adapted to suit local practices, cultures and regulations. This is the third grant provided by the Bill &
Melinda Gates Foundation for the development of SaTo products.
International Contact
Public Affairs Division, LIXIL Corporation
John Short / Masako Takada / Kai Maraun
pr_global@lixil.com
Tel: +81-3-6268-8801
Contact in U.S.A.
Nora DePalma
O'Reilly DePalma
For LIXIL Water Technology Americas, American Standard, DXV
(770) 772-4726
nora.depalma@oreilly-depalma.com
About LIXIL
LIXIL Corporation is a global leader in housing and building materials products and services. The foundation of
LIXIL's success is our constant investment in technological innovation to improve the way we live. Delivering core strengths in
water, housing, building and kitchen technologies, our brand portfolio businesses LIXIL, GROHE, American Standard Brands and
Permasteelisa are leaders in the industries and regions in which they operate. LIXIL produces some of the world's most
fundamental and innovative products and services, and our solutions are an integral part of some of the world's most iconic and
cutting-edge living and working spaces. Operating in more than 150 countries, and employing more than 80,000 people, we bring
together function, quality and design to make people's lives better, and more delightful – wherever they are.
About LIXIL Group
LIXIL Group Corporation (TSE Code: 5938) is the listed holding company containing LIXIL Corporation, LIXIL VIVA
CORPORATION and LIXIL Housing Research Institute, Ltd.. The Group, which is led by President and CEO Kinya Seto, is involved in a broad spectrum of housing-related businesses, ranging from the manufacture and
sales of building materials and housing equipment to the operation of home centers and a network of homebuilding franchises, and
comprehensive real estate service. LIXIL Group Corporation posted ¥1.85 trillion in consolidated sales in FYE March 2016.
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SOURCE LIXIL Corporation