Great People

History + Innovation + People

GWA Group has a long history of dedication to innovation which goes all the way back to 1886. We are proud of our Australian and New Zealand heritage, innovative spirit, iconic market-leading brands such as Caroma, Methven, Dorf, and Clark, and importantly - our inclusive culture. We're committed to creating an environment where our people can bring their true selves to work and have the opportunity to thrive and grow. We embrace diversity, nurture inclusivity and prioritise wellbeing for a truly caring culture which is embodied by our cultural pillars: We are One Team, We are Customer Focused, and We Care for Each Other. We live these values daily, to us they are more than just words, they are our way of life.

Water Sustainability

Our commitment to water sustainability, customer first values, and community engagement creates a ripple effect of positive impact - we design our products with the goal of protecting essential water resources for future generations.

With a focus on water conservation, our team of experts is committed to creating innovative, high-quality solutions for varied markets including residential and commercial spaces that support and promote sustainability.

Some of our best-known innovations include:

• The first one-piece plastic cistern which Caroma produced in 1956.
• The world-first dual-flush toilet developed by Caroma in 1980 (which saved approx. 32,000 litres of water per household due to change in full flush/ half flush technology).
• FastFlow?, a unique technology patented by Methven in 1995 to solve unequal water pressure in homes.
• Satinjet?, a luxurious showering experience developed by Methven in 2004 using colliding twin jets of water which creates optimum water droplet size and pressure, with over 300,000 droplets per second. The result is an immersive, full-body shower sensation that transforms your regular shower into an experience like no other.
• Smartflush? technology by Caroma, which in 2005 won the Australian International Design Award and Home Beautiful Product of the Year and reduces water usage to 4.5 litres per full flush.
• AuraJet? launched by Methven in 2015 which delivered our most advanced, invigorating shower experience ever.
• Smart Command?, a comprehensive intelligent solution for commercial bathrooms which Caroma launched in 2018. These intuitive products incorporate the latest in touch-free technology enabling building managers to monitor water use in real time and make smarter decisions that reduce maintenance costs and improve hygiene and up time.
• VJet? launched by Methven in 2018 allowing you to activate a seamless spray transition from a firm, invigorating shower spray to a gentle enveloping warmth.

Our People

We recently caught up with Nicole Staples our Experience Centre Manager at Caroma on the Parade in Adelaide.

You’ve been with the company for a while—how have you seen the Customer Experience Centre change over time? What’s been the biggest shift?

When we first launched Caroma on the Parade in 2017, our vision was to create a consumer-driven space – a sanctuary where mum and dad renovators could receive expert guidance. Our inhouse design team was dedicated to help clients navigate spatial planning and product selections, ensuring a seamless and inspiring experience for their renovation or build.

Over the past 7 years, we’ve witnessed an organic evolution of this model, transforming Caroma On the Parade into a more strategically holistic experience centre that serves both industry professionals and end-user consumers.

What began as a design consultation hub has grown into a dynamic space that sets a new benchmark for customer experience.

Today, our service offering extends far beyond interior design consultations and product selections. We now host a diverse range of industry events, specialised merchant and plumber training sessions, commercial design consultations, and tailored selection processes for home builders. It has been this strategic shift that has allowed us to remain successful in an ever changing and currently challenging market.

We talk a lot about putting the customer first—how do you see that come to life in the centre, and what do you think makes the biggest impact on the customer experience?

Caroma on the Parade has always been a customer centric space, and while our strategy has evolved over the years, our commitment to our customers has always remained at the heart of what we do. We strive to deliver an unparalleled level of expertise, service and experience to all who walk through our doors.

As a business, we recognise that while the world is becoming more digitalised, there are markets where nothing can replace the power of human connection. In our space, face-to-face interactions continue to have a profound impact, fostering trust, confidence and a truly personalised experience.

I witness this firsthand every day at Caroma On the Parade – whether it’s one of our design team guiding a homeowner through their renovation journey or a collaboration with other industry professionals, the meaningful connections we create within our space leave a lasting impression.

How has your role evolved since you started? What have been some of the biggest lessons or moments that have shaped you as a manager?

My role within Caroma on the Parade has continuously evolved over the years, adapting alongside our growing strategy and shifting business needs. When we first opened, we operated with an incredibly lean team – just the two of us, meaning much of my work was deeply entrenched in the business rather than on it. This was a shift from my previous roles and pushed me to work to scale the business, allowing us to expand our team and enabling me to transition back into a management position I was more familiar with.

Seven years on, the work has paid off. Our team has nearly tripled in size, and we now generate over four times the revenue per month compared to when we first opened. However, the journey has not been without its challenges.

Being on maternity leave when COVID hit meant that when I returned, I was met with an entirely new way of working – one where face-to-face interactions, something I had always valued, were suddenly removed. Adjusting to virtual meetings, online consultations, and a hybrid work environment required a significant shift in both my leadership approach and day-to-day operations.

What kind of support have you had from the business to grow in your role? Are there any standout moments where you’ve really felt backed or empowered?

I’ve been fortunate within my role, having been entrusted with both autonomy and support to drive this business unit to success. I’ve been essentially given the keys and backed to make strategic decisions that drive Caroma on The Parade to success.

Our team operates with a philosophy that nothing is off the table; as long as we can justify the return on our ideas.

This culture of innovation has allowed me to grow as a manager and has been instrumental in Caroma On the Parade’s ability to thrive in an increasingly challenging retail environment.

What excites you most about the future of the centre? Any ideas or opportunities you’d love to explore to take the experience to the next level?

I think that we have a built a solid foundation at Caroma on the Parade for sustained growth, setting our own benchmark for impactful customer service at the brick-and-mortar level.

When I look to the future and think about where our space can go, my mind gravitates towards technology, innovation and training. How can we continue to evolve this space to elevate face-to-face industry and consumer interactions to the next level?

Whether it’s embedding our Caroma Age Lab program into our SA event schedule, allowing us to showcase our Care Products alongside the extensive research that informs their design to highlight the innovative thinking behind our solutions; or integrating a 3D AI-powered design tool into our Bathroom 101 Hub.

Imagine a client selecting a product in our showroom and instantly seeing it transposed onto their plans in real time – bridging the gap between imagination and execution. ?The potential to merge hands-on expertise with cutting-edge digital solutions is immense.

Interested in joining us?

We can’t wait to meet you! All our roles are advertised on our Careers Page, and you can also find them here on LinkedIn and on Seek.

See a role but not sure you ‘tick all the boxes’? Don’t let that put you off applying - we’re always keen to hear from enthusiastic, talented people and we truly value passion, potential, and a willingness to learn.