KBzine: your kitchen and bathroom industry news - first
27th January 2012
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 International News
Products Glimmers of hope for remodelling in the US in 2012
"We're beginning to see some hopeful signs in the economy, and the housing market is finally starting its slow recovery," says Eric S. Belsky, managing director of the Joint Center. "That should prove helpful for home improvement spending as the year progresses."  Furniture retail quality group publishes Flammability Best Practice Guide The Furniture Industry Research Association has announced the publication of a new best practice guide for flammability testing of upholstery on behalf of the Furniture Retail Quality Group, the technical committee representing all major UK furniture retailers. The new guide - FIRA-FRQG F001: 2011 - has been developed by FRQG to fulfil four major functions:  Deva Lace and Adore with Enviro-Klick help reduce water consumption
Enviro-Klick technology can achieve a substantial reduction in water consumption, compared with a standard tap. From the off position, the lever handle is moved to the 'reduced flow' mode, which delivers 80% less water than a standard tap cartridge. This equates to just 1.8 litres a minute at 0.5 bar, offering the greatest savings of all similar technology currently available. Gender differences using technology highlighted by survey
A study of 2,000 adults found while most blokes can comfortably 'drive' a string of household electrical gadgets a few of them regularly prove to be a step too far. A quarter of men admitted they had no idea how to use their washing machine and a similar number were clueless when it came to using the grill or oven. KitchenAid introduces downdraft hood
Rather than sitting above the hob, the KitchenAid retractable KCDD 9010 downdraft hood is installed behind it. Suitable for any kind of hob, it slides up into position only when needed, resting invisibly below the worksurface at other times. This design innovation creates a new sense of space in the kitchen, giving users the freedom to achieve the state-of-the-art interior they desire. MX DuraStone shower trays - leading the way in shower tray technology
DuraStone shower trays incorporate all the benefits of the latest materials and technologies in producing probably the most sophisticated and versatile low profile shower tray in today's market. The tray's construction consists of a 2.2mm ABS acrylic capped shell that is filled with a mineral stone resin mix. The monocoque construction is then completed with a 2mm ABS embossed base that helps adhesion when installing.
The DuraStone shower tray incorporates the added benefit of torsion beams, creating rigidity to the overall tray structure. At 60% lighter than a traditional stone resin tray, DuraStone complies with the HSE regulations for a one-man lift. Manufactured to BS EN14527:2006, these trays are made using WRAS approved Phthalate free materials. FilterFlow Taps from Franke come in five styles
The Franke FilterFlow system separates water into different channels allowing the tap to dispense hot, cold, mixed or filtered variations via three levers. The system is protected by a robust stainless steel housing for reassuring durability. Lakes Bathrooms moves to new premises Continued growth for shower specialist Lakes Bathrooms has seen the company relocate to new, significantly larger premises. The move doubles the space to a total 60,000 square feet and consolidates its four existing Gloucestershire sites into one much larger head quarters. Still based at Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire, Lakes Bathrooms is now adjacent to the M5 motorway, in a modern, two storey building that combines mixed office and warehouse space. The new three acre site accommodates a showroom which displays a full range of the manufacturer's shower enclosures and associated products: the Coastline Collection, the Classic Collection, shower trays and the Safety and Comfort range. Whirlpool's fridges add healthy trade-up opportunity for retailers
All the air in a Whirlpool fridge passes through the high-tech Microban anti-bacterial filter. Microban is the world leader in anti-bacterial air filtration designed to reduce bacteria, odours and mould in the refrigerator. This ensures mould and odours cannot survive to cause a harmful build up of bacteria, which means Whirlpool's fridges stay hygienic for longer, offering the enterprising retailer a valuable sales tool. NKBA elects 2012 president & executive committee The US National Kitchen & Bath Association has announced the election results for the 2012 NKBA Executive Committee, which will be led by 2012 President Alan W. Zielinski, CKD of Niles, IL.
John K. Morgan of Glyndon, MD will serve as President-Elect, while John A. Petrie, CMKBD of Mechanicsburg, PA becomes Vice President. Carolyn F. Cheetham, CMKBD of Red Deer, AB, Canada was elected Treasurer and Clay Lyon, CR has been elected to serve as the 2012 NKBA Secretary. David Alderman, CMKBD will serve as Immediate Past President. Designer predicts bathroom trends for 2012 As 2012 fast approaches, Ideal Standard International designer Robin Levien gives his bathroom predictions for next year: Vintage 2012 We are living through uncertain times once again and this creates insecurity. This insecurity translates into nostalgia for a supposedly better time. This time is usually the 'vintage era' of the mid-20th century and will impact the bathroom through optimistic splashes of colour or fabrics and even bold geometric patterns to brighten up bathrooms. Is this Britain's oldest working fridge?
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Welcome to the
The Government is committed to reducing the UK's carbon footprint dramatically over the coming years and one of the biggest challenges it faces is dealing with our ageing housing stock. Figures show that 70% of the country's existing residential property will still be inhabited in 2050 and that 91% of all UK homes would benefit substantially from improvements in energy efficiency. The country's least efficient properties were predominantly constructed prior to 1920 and these currently make up 15% of UK homes but actually account for 23% of total notional C02 emissions. Delegates at yesterday's Retrofit 2012 conference, heard that while solutions to finance (through the Government's imminent Green Deal) and technology (though a plethora of innovations to make households more energy-efficient) are emerging, policymakers have yet to engage with the third key element in the retrofit challenge - human behaviour! Apparently innovations can actually work against energy and cost-reduction objectives... Research presented at the conference showed how residents in energy-efficient houses were more likely to take resource-inefficient baths rather than showers, in the belief that anything they did would be energy efficient because of the type of house they inhabited! There's still a lot to be accomplished then in terms of education, despite the technology being readily available... And my goodness is it available! My inbox has been swamped in recent weeks with details and images of the most energy-efficient, gorgeous items, all destined for launch at KBB Birmingham from March 4th -7th. I hadn't planned to begin KBZine's rolling show preview for a few weeks but the conference programme has been finalised and such is the calibre of what is being showcased, that I couldn't hold off any longer and just had to share them. The first few - and the conference programme - are featured below. If you're exhibiting at the Show and want to share your innovations with our readers, please send me your news without delay! Yours,
Jan Hobbs
 This Week's News
Ultima Furniture Systems takes over Matchmaker Kitchens Longstanding cabinet manufacturer Ultima Furniture Systems has today announced that it is taking over the Matchmaker Kitchen brand. Family run business Ultima has been producing high quality glued and dowelled cabinets for almost 30 years and has acquired the rights to manufacture and supply the Matchmaker kitchen range. Retrofit 2012 conference finds that policymakers have yet to engage with human behaviour The University of Salford Retrofit 2012 conference concluded yesterday with a detailed focus on the challenges of the large-scale behaviour change needed in the UK if the Government is to achieve its carbon reduction targets. 350 delegates attended the second annual conference - the only major conference on reducing fuel poverty and making our homes more energy-efficient - which brings together academics, the construction industry and the housing sector.  Belling announces centenary plans for 2012
As part of the celebrations, Belling will unveil the Centenary Collection - a suite of specially designed products, plus a calendar of events for retailers, customers and employees. With the help of Belling employees and Facebook fans a Charity of the Year will also be selected, to be supported by 12 months of fundraising activity. Symphony 'Inspire' kitchen product supplier for TV advertising
When the American based company needed an inspirational kitchen space to shoot its new TV advertising campaign, Symphony's 20,000 sq ft purpose-built facility, known as 'Inspire by Symphony', proved the perfect backdrop. Insinkerator UK tops leaderboard! InSinkErator UK - a business unit of the world's largest manufacturer and inventor of food waste disposers - has been awarded the '2011 Emerson business leader award for outstanding performance in 2010/11'. The award comes after the UK business unit not only outperformed many other Emerson European companies but also the wider market in general, with significant sales increases of 50% over the last two years. Anna Ryder Richardson and Gerd Bulthaup to speak at kbb Birmingham
Anna Ryder Richardson has been announced as one of the keynote speakers of this year's programme. As one of the country's best loved interior designers and currently working within the sector as a design consultant for Magnet, Anna is perfectly placed to discuss the latest news and developments in kitchen design. Anna will be join the show on Monday 5th March, curating much of the day's programme, managing the Q&A sessions and presenting her own seminar. Showerwall unveils major design update to its waterproof wallpanels
The Showerwall brand of waterproof wallpanelling is being relaunched with a major design update to its winning product offer. Partnering the with Essentials Bathroom range, the 90sqm stand will be resplendent with stylish ideas for bathroom retailers. There are nine new colours, boosting the range's design palette to 33 laminates overall. The new colours respond to the ongoing popularity with consumers for natural materials in stone, marble and metallics which balance up-to-the-minute styling with commercial versatility. Mereway and EQ Software launches Trend Interiors into Virtual Reality
A new concept from Mereway Kitchens, developed with EQ Software, that will enable independent retail partners to go 'head-to-head' with the likes of B&Q and Howdens, is to be unveiled at kbb Birmingham. The new Trend Interiors range has been designed for those aspiring to the 'look' in terms of quality and style, but with an affordable price tag, opening up a new potential customer base for Mereway and for its specialist retailer network. Ellis Furniture creates wow factor with the Cube with chrome bracket
The Cube range features a broad, 600mm single drawer unit, and a very cleverly designed chrome bracket, which can be configured in a variety of ways to maximise the space available. Shaws of Darwen launches new tap range: 'Shaws by Perrin & Rowe'
Products from both companies are sold side by side and more often than not, installed together in luxury hotels, resorts, spas and private homes all over the world. It was a natural step for Perrin & Rowe to produce an exclusive range of Shaws branded taps and in return for Shaws to develop an exclusive range of 'Perrin & Rowe by Shaws' fireclay kitchen sinks. KMT becomes exclusive distributor for Lakes Bathrooms Shower enclosure specialist, Lakes Bathrooms, has announced the appointment of KMT Wholesale as the exclusive distributor for its products in Eire. KMT now stocks a complete range of Lakes Bathrooms' showers, including the new Coastline Collection, launched earlier this year. KMT serves merchants and retailers supplying the bathroom and kitchen market in Eire, with Ian A Kernohan representing Lakes Bathrooms in Northern Ireland. From its south eastern headquarters in Thomastown, County Kilkenny, KMT delivers ex-stock to all 26 counties in the Republic of Ireland. Vado donates money to WaterAid
WaterAid was the chosen charity this year due to the obvious connection with water. Jim Williams, Vado's Managing Director, continues: "Vado is delighted to support WaterAid and its efforts to provide access to safe drinking water in 27 different countries across Africa, Asia, the Pacific region and Central America". FIRA and The Furniture Ombudsman visited by the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers
The visitors met with FIRA Chief Operating Officer and WCFM Liveryman Jonny Westbrooke, as well as Kevin Grix, Head of The Furniture Ombudsman and WCFM Freeman. KBSA welcomes two new Board members
Graham Ball, chief executive officer of the KBSA, says: "This is a voluntary position that helps shape the direction and the future of the KBSA, so we're delighted to find two such excellent people to fill the roles." The KBzine Archive Search We keep an extensive archive of news stories and product information that have featured in past issues of The KBzine. If you would like to run a search of the The KBzine web site using the search tool below please just go ahead by entering in the name of the person, product or company or any other key words that you are looking for. How to contact us at The KBzine:
Jan Hobbs
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 REQUEST THE KBZINE HERE The KBzine is broadcast every Friday. You may receive it FREE each week by clicking the link above. Recent News
Soapbox: Graham Ball discusses National Training Group Graham Ball, Acting Chair, KBB National Training Group discusses some misconceptions regarding the role of the National Training Group in the KBB sector There appears to be a lack of knowledge amongst some blogtwitbookers about the role of the NTG in today's KBB markets, so let me give them some relevant facts. PJH Group announces major new distributor partnership with Franke PJH has become Franke's newest UK national distributor, supplying the entire Franke range of over 700 products, from stock, from 1st February 2012. The addition of the 700+ Franke product portfolio to PJH's kitchen sink and tap range presents customers with a partnership of market leading excellence. Duke of Gloucester meets Ellis Furniture apprentice
Whilst on official engagements in Yorkshire, The Duke, a former architect who now represents The Queen at royal engagements, requested a visit to the college after learning of numerous national and international accolades the students have secured. V-Zug joins KBSA as corporate member
As a member, V- Zug agrees to adhere to the association's strict guidelines, which is to ensure a high level of service in the areas of design, supply and installation. The KBSA has more than 300 fully accredited, independent kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and home office retailers across the UK. Trading tough at Topps but plans to expand continue At Tuesday's Annual General Meeting of Topps Tiles, Michael Jack, Non-Executive Chairman announced that whilst trading conditions remain tough, the group is going ahead with its plans to open a further five stores this year.
"Trading conditions remained tough throughout our first quarter," he said. "Against this backdrop, like for like revenues across the first 13 weeks of the financial year decreased by 4.2%. In the context of the previously reported 6.9% like for like decline during the first seven weeks of this period we are assured by our performance over the quarter as a whole and encouraged by the progress made in the last six weeks' trading. A slice of success for Mereway!
As part of the celebrations, the 220 strong workforce shared a specially baked kitchen-shaped cake to mark this special event in the company's history. Leading organisations unite to demand Government tackles late payment Several leading organisations have joined together to urge the Government to tackle the growing problem of late payment in order to help small firms survive, grow and drive economic recovery. The industry bodies, including those representing UK-based suppliers, have written to the Business Minister, Mark Prisk, to call for a plan of action to address late payment, which decimates small firms' cash flow. BMA announces dates of 2012 conference The Bathroom Manufacturers Association has announced that this year's Bathroom Conference will take place on 9th Otober at the Crowne Plaza, Heythrop Park, Oxfordshire. "Don't miss this year's event which promises to be an early sell out," warns Yvonne Orgill, Chief Executive of the BMA. "Make a note in your diary!"
T: 01782 747123 New project will give boost to manufacturing A new Foresight project investigating the future of manufacturing out to 2050 was launched this week by Business Secretary Vince Cable. The two-year project will call on industry and academic expertise from the UK and abroad to look at the long-term picture for the manufacturing sector, investigating global trends and drivers of change. It will explore how the UK can maximise these opportunities and provide an evidence base to help policy-makers navigate a challenging and uncertain future. Soapbox: The demand is there but the will to invest is not Steve Macdonald, marketing director of Hoover Candy, shares his views on the pent-up consumer. He argues that the will and need for consumers to invest in new kitchens is there but unless the industry can make it comfortable to pay for their investment, they will remain 'pent -up'. "Mintel's recent report tells us that 15% of respondents advised that they would like to refurbish their kitchen but can't afford to. Equally there are more people wanting to upgrade, but they are being extremely cautious about the risk of overspending as they wait to see what happens with the economy. Mayor unveils strategy to deliver thousands of new homes and jobs for London
Speaking at the National Housing Federation, the Mayor set out the details of his revised housing strategy, which outlines how he will take on new housing powers secured in the Localism Act, tackle Londoners' housing needs and deliver 55,000 affordable homes over this investment round. This includes a significant proportion of family-sized housing with new homes designed to the Mayor's larger space standards. People
Hafele welcomes new product manager
Bringing with her 18 years of industry knowledge, Tracy will play a key role in the development and introduction of new products as well as support Area Sales Managers and Customers alike. Hafele is an internationally established family business founded in 1923. As an innovator of functionality, Hafele is one of the leading international companies for the furniture industry, architects and planners, joinery and related trades supplying furniture fittings and architectural hardware as well as electronic locking systems in more than 150 countries worldwide. Literature
Amica launches brand new built-in catalogue
Amica's brand new built-in catalogue bucks the A4 trend at a user-friendly 18 x 18cm and contains stand-out high-gloss product imagery as well as specifications, dimensions and feature explanations; all packed into an easy-to-read format on 46 neat little pages. |
