KBzine: your kitchen and bathroom industry news - first
11th May 2012
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 International News
Products BMA's WEPLS 'Water Label' is adopted in Europe
A single Water Label for taps, shower valves and shower heads moves a step closer. Trade Associations from a number of European countries representing the tap, shower valves and handsets industry, together with major European manufacturers, have completed the first phase in the development of a single Water Label for bathroom products.  10 kitchen and bath trends and treatments to inspire The National Kitchen & Bath Association reveals the prevailing trends seen in the 2012 NKBA Design Competition Out of the nearly 500 designs submitted to the 2012 NKBA Design Competition, rose some presiding themes. Fixtures, finishes, materials, colour palettes, technology, shapes, focal points and overall geometry are a few among the complex considerations that talented creative-thinkers factor into their plans when generating a room design. Be inspired and enjoy examples of ten trends and treatments to inspire!  LDL launches new, large capacity Wesco waste system
Luxury bed-maker wins Queen's Award for Excellence
Brussels is to push for EU-wide minimum wage Yesterday, the European Commission proposed the introduction of a minimum wage in countries such as Germany - which doesn't at present have one - and raise wages where they are considered too low, according to a draft seen by EurActiv.
Having a job will not necessarily ward off poverty in Europe, argues the organisation, pointing out that some 8% of European workers are having to survive on wages that keep them below the poverty threshold. Intelligent building technology from Hafele
This clever system consists of receivers and wireless transmitters allowing it to be retro-fitted into existing buildings with minimum fuss. Signals are transmitted via radio to each individual receiver, perfect for installing onto glass, furniture or where a lack of cabling would normally prevent the fitting of controls - such as a kitchen island for example. Gira Radio Bus is the perfect solution for any renovation and modernisation project. T: 01788 548811 Franke inspires customers with a new app
The celebrity experience section provides images from the Franke celebrity campaign featuring Heidi Klum - including 'behind the scenes' footage Ecobuild unites global sustainable built environment community with over 57,000 attendees
Ecobuild, the world's leading event for sustainable design, construction and the built environment, brought together more than 57,000 industry professionals last month at London's ExCeL. Over the three days visitors explored the products, services and innovations from more than 1,500 exhibitors including world-renowned organisations, Schueco, E.ON, Saint-Gobain, BASF, Kingspan, Vaillant, and Worcester Bosch. In addition to the industry's heavy-weights, visitors were also able to explore up and coming companies in the exclusive entrepreneur's zone, Green Shoots. NKBA announces the 2011/2012 Student Design Competition winners The US National Kitchen & Bath Association has this week announced the 10 winners of the 2011/2012 NKBA Student Design Competition, which offers more than $10,000 in scholarships and prizes. The winners will be awarded at the NKBA Design Competition Awards event nextTuesday, April 24th at the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) held at Chicago's McCormick Place This prominent industry event will also recognise the professional designers who created the best kitchens and baths of the past year. The event is an exclusive event available only to the press, top designers, and select industry insiders. |
Welcome to the
I'm going to keep this leader short as this week's KBZine is being broadcast from Amsterdam, where we've been producing a daily e-zine for a show in another sector - and frankly we're both exhausted! Having done the whole show in high heels (and a fair bit of walking in the evenings) my feet are aching badly and the last thing I want to do is sit at the desk in my hotel room... I need to put my feet up - and fast. Interestingly, although I said the show we're covering this week is in another sector, we have come across some great new products that will sit quite nicely in KBZine We'll be bringing you news and pictures of these over the coming few weeks. Yours,
Jan Hobbs
 This Week's News
Are you ready for an inspection? Following recent news that the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) is launching a series of surprise inspections on high risk work environments, workplace equipment provider Slingsby has compiled a checklist to help businesses stay on the right side of the law. Lee Wright, Marketing Director of Slingsby explains: "Although this latest crackdown is predominantly aimed at building sites, it's worth remembering that despite the HSE facing significant cutbacks, any business can still be inspected at anytime. Sometimes notice will be given but in many cases inspectors will turn up unannounced and they have the right to enter the workplace, look at all work activities and examine how health & safety is managed within the business. They can also talk to employees, take photographs and remove Symphony evolves Gallery kitchen collection
Marking Symphony’s intentions to make Gallery the most flexible kitchen range on the market today, the new additions are not only practical and environmentally friendly, but extremely stylish and affordable too.  The Kitchen & Bedroom Showroom, Bournemouth, 'very responsible' The Furniture Ombudsman has highlighted The Kitchen & Bedroom Showroom as a kitchen retailer that is acting as a very responsible retailer within the Bournemouth area. Kevin Grix, Head of The Furniture Ombudsman, commended The Kitchen & Bedroom Showroom for working in a way which puts the consumer first, saying: Ian Kershaw appointed TTA Chairman
Currently the Director of Tiles UK, one of the leading ceramic tile distributors in the UK, Ian has over 20 years of experience within the tile industry. Karonia launches new Mistral brochure
Mistral is a completely solid, enhanced acrylic which, as it has no substrate, can be shaped and curved to meet the most adventurous of design briefs without the need for specialist tools. Offering the consumer the look of natural quartz and stone combined with the practicality and convenience of a manmade material, it is tough, hygienic and can be replenished if necessary, making it particularly suitable for kitchen and bathroom use. Building contractor fined after carpenter's fingers severed A Tower Hamlets-based building contractor has been fined after a worker's hand was severely injured by an unguarded power tool. A prosecution by the Health & Safety Executive was brought after the incident in October 2009, when the self-employed carpenter was working on the refurbishment of flats.  Leisure Sinks range installed in Stratford Halo Project
Euroline sinks, Aquadisc 2 and Aquaflux taps were supplied by Croydon-based Price Kitchens, a manufacturer supplying the contract housing market, to the project contractors, Ardmore Construction.
On The Level has designed and developed a range of special 'formers' (underfloor shower trays) to complement the new Geberit Duofix drain system, resulting in an ultra smooth wet room design. LDL introduces large capacity Peka ‘Mullboy Big’
The fixing system for the new bin can be mounted on the left or right wall of the cupboard so that there is no strain on the door’s hinges. Different bag sizes up to a circumference of 110cm may be used and are kept firmly in place by the sturdy overflow ring. Gorenje sponsors BTCC Pro racing driver
Gorenje’s sponsorship is for the 2012 season of BTCC, and sees the brand’s logo on Andrew’s Honda Civic NGT (next generation touring car), the garage boards, hero cards, posters and race truck. These will be clearly visible to both race visitors and television viewers, providing superb visibility of the Gorenje name. Unveiled at kbb 2012, the easy to navigate site presents the entire LDL stock range of over 3,500 products in a readily accessible format, allowing customers to order online, view their order history and current balance, and check stock. New product innovations are highlighted prominently on the site and there is also an e-gallery so that images can be downloaded for use on retailers’ own websites or in their promotional material. For user convenience, technical information and product installation videos can also be accessed via the site, along with a section dedicated to clearance items. Commenting on the new site, Matthew Lord, managing director, said “The launch of our new interactive website will greatly facilitate access to our vast product range and will allow retailers to present products to their customers in the showroom. With our next day delivery promise, a customer can visit their local showroom to order in the knowledge that the item will be delivered direct to their home the following day.” 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
Revealed: the biggest secret In the bathroom industry
Bathroom Brands Group, in its current form, dates from 2011, when CEO Patrick Riley brought together the European Bathroom business and the Crosswater Group. Last Wednesday, in Jersey, the Channel Islands., the Group - notably the third largest selling bathroom and shower products in the UK - unveiled its newly built head office and conference facilities at the marina in St Helier and announced a new member of the team.  Applications for ‘2012 Architect in the House’ initiative, now open Property owners across the UK are being invited to sign up for the 2012 Architect in the House initiative, devised by housing charity Shelter and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and sponsored by insulation specialist Rockwool. The popular UK-wide scheme provides the public with hour-long consultations with RIBA Chartered Architects who donate their time for free, in exchange for a £40 suggested donation to Shelter.  Leading UK bathroom supplier enters Forum’s late payment Hall of Shame
A leading UK producer of bathroom products has been entered in to the Forum of Private Business’s late payment ‘Hall of Shame’ after it increased its payment times from 30 to 60 days. It has also introduced an accumulation period for invoicing which can add up to another 30 days to the process – taking it to as much as 90 days for payments to suppliers to clear. CCS passes £60 million in Q1 2012
Consumer Credit Solutions the home improvement market credit broker, achieved over £60 million of approved loans during the first quarter of 2012. The spectacular figure puts the business on track to achieve a quarter of a billion pounds of approved loans in 2012. Previously CCS achieved its best ever trading quarter in Q4 2011, managing an approved lending figure of just over £51 million for homeowners. This coincided with its best ever October with £18.9 million of approved loans. In total the company managed over £200 million of approved loans during 2011. Tile Depot has been confirmed as the newest member of The Tile Association. With TTA's membership rapidly expanding, companies operating within the wall and floor tile industry continue to see the importance of being a member of an organisation which promotes professionalism and technical standards in the tiling industry, as well as providing technical support to both members and their customers. "Tile Depot is proud to be a member of the Tile Association, as its expert advice and support to the tile industry are invaluable," says Tile Depot's Managing Director Danny Steptoe. New homes figures reveal continuing public/private sector divide Figures released today by NHBC have shown the gap between private and public sector registrations to build new homes in the UK continues to widen, with social housing showing a 54% decrease for March 2012, compared to March last year (2,460 - 5,330). TTA Awards: a night to remember
Rangemaster and Articad: design online for the world renowned range cookers
FIRA members WCFM Sustainability Award success
Marketing
Symphony's Spring Promotion shows support for retailers
Until July this year, up to 50% off will be applied to selected bathroom and bedroom ranges and over 50% off will be given to selected Gallery kitchen ranges, offering retailers a much needed, recession-beating boost. Literature
Innovative price pledge coincides with new product book
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