SATO is a multinational social business that offers sanitation and hygiene products.
History
SATO was launched in 2013. The business is part of LIXIL, an organisation founded in 2011 through the merger of five Japanese building materials and housing companies, and other international brands.
SATO launched the first toilet pan in Bangladesh in January 2013. As of March 2023 SATO has operations in India, Bangladesh, Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Philippines, and Indonesia.
In 2016, SATO initiated the sale of its water-saving toilets in India. Subsequently, in 2020, the company commenced manufacturing the SATO Tap within India. As of 2022, SATO launched the SATO Tap for commercial distribution in the country .
In 2022, SATO announced plans to upgrade toilets in 43 schools in Kenya.
Partnerships
SATO has established collaborations with USAID and UNICEF. as well as a partnership with FINISH Mondial, which aims to improve access to safe sanitation and promote hygiene practices in low-income countries, accelerating the achievement of SDG6 across Africa and South Asia.
Awards and recognition
2017 - SATO Toilets Named a Finalist in Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas Awards 2018 - Won Innovation of the Year at Ethical Corporation Responsible Business Awards 2018 - Good Design Award 2018 - Red Dot Award 2018: Honourable Mention for SATO 923W model 2019 - The Index Project Award 2020 – Time – The Best Inventions of 2020 - for SATO Tap 2021 – SATO Tap named as Finalist in Fast Company's World Changing Ideas Award in Developing-World Technology category