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THE K&BZINE ISSUE 110 26th August 2005
Whirlpool
and Maytag Sign Definitive Merger Agreement
Whirlpool Corporation and Maytag Corporation have signed a definitive
merger agreement in which Whirlpool will acquire all outstanding shares
of Maytag in a cash and stock merger valued at $21 per share. One
half of the per share consideration will be paid in cash and the balance
in a fraction of a share of Whirlpool common stock as described below.
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on this Story]
Producers
Welcome Delay to Waste Electrical Recycling Law to June 2006
REPIC, the not-for-profit recycling body set up by 51 of the UK's leading
electrical goods producers, has welcomed the government's announcement
of a delay to the implementation of the EU Waste Electrical and Electronic
Equipment (WEEE) Directive until June 2006.
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on this Story]
ELECSA
Teams up with Industry Experts to Deliver Free Part P Seminars in September
If you have missed your chance to book onto one of the free Part P evening
seminars that were organised by ELECSA held in July and August 2005,
you have another opportunity in September.
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on this Story]
Jacuzzi Brands Announces Third Quarter 2005 Financial Results
Jacuzzi Brands, Inc. announced on 11th August operating results for
the third quarter ended June 30th, 2005. Net sales for the third quarter
of fiscal 2005 increased to $334.2 million from net sales of $331.3
million for the third quarter of fiscal 2004. Operating income for the
fiscal 2005 third quarter decreased to $34.0 million from operating
income of $41.1 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2004.
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on this Story]
More
Trade Visitors Tap into Online Resources
A Franke survey has revealed that the number of trade visitors looking
for brochures online has nearly doubled in the last two years. The sink
manufacturer has added new features to its site over the period in order
to make access to brochure materials more convenient.
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on this Story]
In-toto
Celebrates 25 Years in Style
In-toto
celebrated its twenty fifth anniversary in style this summer with a weekend
of fun in London. Forty franchisees and their partners stayed at the Waldorf
Hotel, enjoyed a meal at the Savoy and saw 'Chicago' at the Adelphi theatre.
For the energetic, this was followed by a late night session at the Café
de Paris. Participants took a late breakfast the next day, then a cruise
on one of the large Thames party boats before making their way home.
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on this Story]
Retaining
the Sparkle of Glass in the Bathroom
A
brand new shower screen sparkles, but that clean glass look can soon vanish
in the harsh environment of a bathroom – unless it is protected.
Hard water, high humidity, soap and shampoo can all take its toll on the
glass, leading to surface damage and discolouration. However, with the
application of Ritec’s ClearShield technology, the company says that
the glass will remain pristine for longer.
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on this Story]
One
Month Until Awards Entry Deadline
Retailers
and designers have less than one month to submit entries for the 2006
Bathrooms And Kitchens Industry Awards. The deadline for completed entries
is 23rd September 2005.
Every year, the Industry Awards recognise the talent and business acumen
of designers and retailers working in the bathroom and kitchen industry.
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on this Story]
Blanco
UK Announces Exclusive Sales and Marketing Agreement with Gutmann
With
immediate effect, the sales, marketing and distribution of Gutmann, the
cooker-hood range hand-crafted in Germany, will be handled by Blanco UK
in the UK and Ireland. The range complements the current range of Blanco
cooker hoods.
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on this Story]
Gorenje
Joins KBSA as New Corporate Member
The
Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association has welcomed Slovenian
appliance manufacturer Gorenje as a new corporate member. Gorenje recently
launched a new range of built-in products, including a coffee machine,
microwave, induction hobs and touch control ovens, and earlier this year
it previewed to the industry a new refrigeration range to be launched
this autumn.
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on this Story]
World’s
First Frost Free Chest Freezer Electrolux ECS3070 is Which? Magazine
Aug 05 Best Buy
Electrolux
ECS3070 is the new Best Buy in Which? Magazine August 05 issue. The
magazine reports, 'We put the Electrolux 3070 through our usual rigorous
tests and it excelled at all of them, becoming the highest scoring
freezer we’ve tested in a long time.
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on this Story]
AME
Designs User-Focussed Sinkware Collection for Astracast
Sheffield-based
industrial design consultancy, AME Design has devised the new Echo range
of stainless steel sinks for kitchen sink, tap and accessory manufacturer
Astracast (part of the Jacuzzi group).
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on this Story]
D.A.D
Announced as First UK Distributor of Mistral Range of Small Domestic
Appliances
Domestic
Appliance Distributors (DAD Ltd) is the first national distributor of
the Mistral range of small domestic appliances.
As from August, DAD will distribute the mid-market range, which includes
espresso machines, kettles, toasters and sandwich toasters, to independent
electrical retailers across the UK.
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on this Story]
Introducing
Opticolour - The New Alternative to Tiles
Opticolour
is a new range of toughened glass walling from Interior Glass Solutions
(IGS). This new alternative to tiles is available in a range of colours
and effects and is completely waterproof. It’s easy to clean and
involves no grouting (so it doesn’t suffer from dirt and mould),
and can be further enhanced with lighting.
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on this Story]
De
Dietrich Extends its Free Six Pan Offer for Purchases of Touch Control
Induction - and now Vitro
Following
a successful response to its initial promotion, De Dietrich has extended
its free six pan offer on all touch control induction as well as vitroceramic
hobs until 30th September 2005.
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on this Story]
New
Design Focus for Burbidge
Burbidge
has recently undergone an in-depth review and improvement programme
in conjunction with The Design Council. Ben Burbidge, managing director,
comments: ‘We recognise that the kitchens industry is very much
a 'fashion-led' and as such we need to ensure we are in the best position
to reflect upcoming fashion trends in the kitchens and bedrooms we design.
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on this Story]
Blum:
Innovations Generate Impulses for Growth
The
2004/2005 business year of Julius Blum GmbH finished on 30th June. Gerhard
E. Blum, managing director and co-owner of the manufacturer of fittings,
told representatives of the business press in Hoechst, Austria, that
Group turnover amounted to 821.1 million euros (in comparison to 694.2
million euros in the last financial year).
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on this Story]
Emerson
Achieves Third-Quarter 2005 Earnings Per Share of $1.00
Emerson
announced on August 2nd that net income for the 2005 quarter ended June
30th, 2005 totalled $358 million, or $0.86 per share, an increase of
6 percent versus the prior year period. The results included a tax charge
of $58 million, or $0.14 per share, related to the one-time opportunity
during 2005 to repatriate approximately $1.3 billion at a favourable
tax rate
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on this Story]
Accreditation
is a Reality
The
majority of us scorn any mention of Public Sector accreditation as a
marketing ploy but how many of us actually understand what it means,
why it is needed and how it can increase opportunities? The UK Trades
Confederation investigates...
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on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 109 5th August 2005
American
Standard Achieves Record Sales And Earnings
American Standard has announced record second-quarter sales, net income
and earnings per diluted share. Earnings were 95 cents per diluted share
in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), up
30 percent from 73 cents a year ago.
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on this Story]
The Bathroom Manufacturers Association at their fifth Annual General Meeting held 12 July 2005 at the Priest House on the River, Castle Donington, Derbyshire unanimously elected Ted Goold, Masco as their President for 2005/06.
Fashion Meets Technology at Science Museum
LG Electronics invited customers as well as journalists and press at the launch of a stunning new range of vacuum cleaners into its digital appliance collection. The event took place in the Science Museum and the first part of the evening consisted of interactive product demonstrations and hands on experience.
Wynn Las Vegas Equipped with 4800 Dornbracht Fittings
The world’s most expensive casino hotel opened at the end of April after a 30-month construction period. At the Wynn Las Vegas, the focus is on luxury. The guest rooms, suites and villas have been equipped with 4800 fittings by Dornbracht. Guests at the opening of the 2.7 billion dollar hotel included Donald Trump, Elizabeth Taylor and Steven Spielberg.
J&J Ormerod Installs New Machinery for Curved Wood Panels
J&J Ormerod PLC, an independent UK manufacturer of quality kitchens and bedrooms, has installed a €1.5 million machine especially designed for cutting unusual shapes in wood. Current developments in the kitchen industry demonstrate a trend towards curves in wood panels.
Miele
Washing Machine World Cup Endurance Test
By the time the winner of next year's football world cup is known, a Miele
washing machine will also be close to the finishing line. The challenge
is a 10,000-hour endurance test broadcast live by webcam on the Internet
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on this Story]
Energy
Bill Benefits Maytag and Consumers; Promotes Efficient Appliances
Maytag could earn tens of millions of dollars in federal tax credits thanks
to a provision included in the federal energy bill that was sent to the
President's desk today. The energy bill will help expand U.S. sales of
super-efficient clothes washers, refrigerators and dishwashers.
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on this Story]
Sink supplier Rieber announces that the respected distributor Noyeks Newmans in Dublin has been appointed to represent it in Ireland. Noyeks Newmans has 4 depots across Ireland and will be exclusively carrying the banner for the Rieber range of products
OGC
Appoints Williams
Williams has won an OGC Buying Solutions contract to supply refrigeration.
The contract means that purchasing professionals in government and across
the public sector, including healthcare, education, social services, HM
Prison Service and the MOD, will be able to access the complete Williams
range
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on this Story]
The
Stars Behind Stoves Range Cookers Hand Assembled Perfection
One of the teams of nine experts who hand assemble Stoves brand new range
cookers has taken centre stage in the latest adverts designed to demonstrate
the steps taken to ensure the exceptional build quality of the product
range.
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on this Story]
New
Consultative Approach Supports Stockists
Bathroom,
Kitchen and appliance specialist, Hopkinsons Fourways, has fine tuned
its sales strategy in response to continuous customer research, its
ever-increasing product portfolio and the dynamic nature of the industry.
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on this Story]
Maytag’s
Grand Designs
Maytag
UK’s appliances have recently had the opportunity to grace the
architectural splendour of the home of John Cadney, whose beautiful
family home was featured on Channel 4’s Grand Designs programme.
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on this Story]
Young
Designer Karen Nets Top Award
Nottingham
Trent University student Karen Babel won the Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom
Specialists Association-sponsored New Designers award for her innovative
design for a bookcase which converts into a double bed!
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on this Story]
Electrolux
Fashion Award to be Introduced at Prêt à Porter Paris®
100th edition
Electrolux, the world's largest producer of powered appliances for kitchen,
cleaning and outdoor use, accomodates the marriage between functional
and fashionable. Keeping a finger on the pulse, the company is to introduce
an Electrolux Fashion Award at the Salon de Prêt-à-Porter
Paris® 100th edition, September 2-5. The award will be given to
the fashion brand that best reflects the appliance company's own brand
promise to 'make life a little easier and more enjoyable'.
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on this Story]
New
Base For Clearwater Ireland
Clearwater Ireland Ltd, the Irish branch of Clearwater Collection Ltd,
has moved to new premises. The new base at Balloo South Industrial Estate
in Bangor, County Down, provides more than 5,000 square feet so that
a full range of Clearwater products is always in stock.
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on this Story]
Broughton
Crangrove Launches Gustavsberg Bathroom Range in the UK
Broughton Crangrove Galley Matrix (BCGM), British distributor of quality
brands, has widened its extensive range of bathrooms. Exclusively available
in the UK through BCGM, the Gustavsberg bathroom range includes baths,
sanitarywear, furniture, brassware, steam cabins and showers.
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Saiedue
Living: More and More International
According
to the organisers, the twenty-fourth edition of Saiedue Living, the
International Exhibitions on Architecture, Interior Finishing, Building
Renewal and Technologies held from 16th to 20th March 2005 at the Bologna
Trade Fair Centre ended with exceptional attendance figures.
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on this Story]
Preparations
for the First Deutsche Ausbaumesse in Full Swing
The
preparations for the première of the Deutsche Ausbaumesse in
Nürnberg from 27-29 April 2006 are in full swing. Well-known companies
have already registered to exhibit. Companies can take advantage of
the early booking discount until 15th September this year.
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on this Story]
Accreditation
is a Reality
The
majority of us scorn any mention of Public Sector accreditation as a
marketing ploy but how many of us actually understand what it means,
why it is needed and how it can increase opportunities? The UK Trades
Confederation investigates...
[More
on this Story]