Luxury Institute Survey: Wealthy Consumers Rate Newport Brass, Hansgrohe and California Faucets the Top Luxury Bath Fixtures Brands of 2007

Wealthy consumers rated Newport Brass a solid first place as the most prestigious luxury bath fixtures provider in the 2007 Luxury Brand Status Index (LBSI) survey from the independent New York-based Luxury Institute (www.LuxuryInstitute.com). Hansgrohe and California Faucets placed second and third respectively.

Wealthy owners tell why they recommend Newport Brass:

--  "Newport Brass is simply a high quality, unique product and I would
    recommend it because it is very stylish and luxurious."
--  "I own it.  It's really nice and unusual. People ask me where I found
    my faucet handles."
--  "I have Newport Brass fixtures in two bathrooms and am very happy with
    them."
    

"Interestingly, the results of the survey show that the winners, which compete against many quality brands, are chosen more by customer experience than the product itself. Our surveys show that the wealthy, as much as any other group, embrace the referral power of the Internet. However, in a world where so many ratings are available online, many of them dubious, cautious wealthy consumers and luxury executives alike rely on our impartial surveys to understand the collective voice of high net-worth consumers," said Milton Pedraza, CEO of the Luxury Institute.

Brands rated, in alphabetical order, included: American Standard, California Faucets, Chicago Faucets, Delta (Brizo), Eljer, Elkay, Franke, Grohe, Hansgrohe, Jacuzzi, Kohler, Moen, Newport Brass, Peerless, Price Pfister, Toto, and Waterworks. A summary of this survey is available to members of the Luxury Board (www.luxuryboard.com), the first online community for luxury professionals, executives, and entrepreneurs.

The proprietary Luxury Brand Status Index (LBSI) survey is the only measure of the reputation of leading brands among wealthy Americans. A national sample of 1,600 wealthy American consumers, with an average income of $313K and average net worth of $3.3 million, was surveyed online. Results are weighted to match demographic and net worth profiles of the audience according to the latest Survey of Consumer Finances from The Federal Reserve.

About the Luxury Institute

The Luxury Institute is the uniquely independent and impartial ratings and research institution that is the trusted and respected voice of the high net-worth consumer. The Institute provides a portfolio of proprietary publications and research that guides and educates high net-worth individuals and the companies that cater to them on leading edge trends, high net-worth consumer rankings and ratings of luxury brands, and best practices. The Luxury Institute also operates the Luxury Board (www.luxuryboard.com), the world's first global, membership-based online community for luxury goods and services executives, professionals and entrepreneurs. To reach the Luxury Institute, please call 646-792-2669 or go to www.luxuryinstitute.com.