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THE K&BZINE ISSUE 87 25th February 2005
Glenn
Dimplex Acquires LEC
Glen
Dimplex has acquired Lec in a strategic move to enter the freestanding
refrigeration market. The acquisition will increase the company’s
brand portfolio, which includes specialist cooking names Stoves, Belling
and New World, and enable Glen Dimplex Home Appliances to strengthen its
total appliance offer.
[More
on this Story]
Masco:
Sales up 14% for 2004, Profit Margins Down 1%
Masco Corporation reports that net sales from continuing operations for
the year ended December 31, 2004 increased 14 percent, primarily from
organic growth, to a record $12.1 billion compared with $10.6 billion
for 2003.
[More
on this Story]
Ideo
Bain Moves to new January Slot
Reed Expositions France has changed the dates for Interclima + elec home&building
and Idéo Bain, which will be held at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles.
[More
on this Story]
Sanitec
Co-operates with Ceramics Producers in China
Sanitec Corporation has signed a Letter of Intent with the Taiwanese HoCheng,
one of the biggest ceramics producers in the area. The agreement comprises
project management and technical support to the construction of an acrylic
bathtubs production plant, to be located nearby Shanghai.
[More
on this Story]
SEB
Acquires Lagostina
Groupe SEB confirms that it has entered into negotiations, on an exclusive
basis for two months, with a view to acquiring a majority interest in
Italian company Lagostina. Due diligence is underway to determine the
final offer and the exact terms of the acquisition.
[More
on this Story]
Mark
Wilkinson is PWS’ Expert Witness
PWS has successfully concluded legal action against Collier Kitchens,
Montreux International and Frederick Collier in the Republic of Ireland
in defence of its rights of the Croft Oak design. The action was brought
to defend PWS’ unregistered design rights under European Community
Law.
[More
on this Story]
William Ball's Commitment to Customers
At a series of seminars held recently at William Ball’s headquarters
in Grays, Essex and Haydock, Merseyside, the company presented its plans
for the future to its core customer base. In total over 200 customers
turned up and were treated to a day of events.
[More
on this Story]
De
Dietrich Launches Consumer Advertising Campaign
To celebrate both its 25th anniversary in the UK and
Ireland together with the launch of its expanded new range, De Dietrich
is running a heavyweight press advertising campaign and - for the first
time - using national newspaper weekend supplements as well as its traditional
schedule of quality home interest magazines.
[More
on this Story]
Pick
& Pack Services Now Offered by Caretakers
For
the movement of fragile or awkward bathroom and kitchen goods, such as
worktops, shower enclosures and profiles, you need someone who’ll
‘handle with care’. The services offered by logistics management
company, Caretakers, have been extended to encompass the full range of
warehousing facilities, including pick & pack.
[More
on this Story]
Hoffmann
-Application Diversity
There are not many companies in the woodworking and furniture manufacturing
sectors who are not aware of the Hoffmann system for creating secure,
accurate and permanent joints using their unique dovetail keys.
[More
on this Story]
Bauformat
Announces 'Triple Whammy'
Bauformat
has just announced a 'Triple Whammy' of Spring promotions helping Bauformat
dealers to maximise on sales.
[More
on this Story]
Energy
Promotion Unfair to Indies - EST Should Change Rules Says AMDEA
Appliance
manufacturers have told the boss of the Energy
Savings Trust that the multi-million pound campaign promoting
energy efficient products will only cause frustration to the customers
of several thousand independent retailers.
[More
on this Story]
Franke
Sets up a Subsidiary in Japan
Franke
Coffee Systems Japan Ltd, which was set up in Tokyo in December 2004,
has started operating. For the first time Franke is represented in Japan
by its own sales and service company for professional coffee machines.
[More
on this Story]
Dual
flush WCs: Water Saved Could Fill Lake Windermere
Over
the last 35 years, the UK has displayed a huge and seemingly unquenchable
thirst for water. This has been fuelled by the rising number of homes
which has grown by over 30% since 1970. This trends looks set to continue
with the new ‘Homes for All’ initiative.
[More
on this Story]
East
Coast Fittings - 25 Years of Growth
UK
manufacturer and supplier of quality furniture fittings and components,
East Coast Fittings marks its 25th
year in business with a major expansion of its production and distribution
facilities following the company’s recent move.
[More
on this Story]
World's
Largest Kitchen & Bath Event is Moving to Las Vegas
More
than 900 kitchen and bath companies will showcase the latest products
and cutting-edge design ideas at the sold out Kitchen/Bath Industry
Show & Conference (K/BIS), May 9-12, 2005 in Las Vegas.
[More
on this Story]
The
NKBA Announces 2005 Student Design Competition
The
National Kitchen & Bath Association's (NKBA) Endorsed Programs department
recently announced its schedule of competitions for students to enter
in 2005 and 2006.
[More
on this Story]
‘Exceptional’
DiscMaster at Polished With Pride
When
the name of the company is ‘Polished With
Pride’ it tells you something about its obsession with
finish and confidence in its reputation.
[More
on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 86 18th February 2005
Nobia
Reports Higher Profit Margins in 2004 Results
Nobia's
net sales reached SEK 11,337m, a climb of 22 per cent compared with last
year (9,273m). Sales growth was generated equally by acquisitions and
organic growth. lntegrating the UK business, Gower, and three Poggenpohl
stores in the UK contributed to the sales growth from acquisitions in
2004.
[More
on this Story]
Indesit
Sales up 5.6% for 2004 but Pre-Tax Profits Dip
2004
was another year of growth for Indesit with sales of Euro 3,175m and operating
profits of Euro 248m, both figures slightly up from 2003. Pre-tax profits
dipped slightly at Euro 185m, down from Euro 197m in 2003. Vittorio Merloni
remained upbeat: ‘For a year marked by fierce competition and instability
in currencies and raw material costs and by the arrival of the new CEO
Marco Milani half way through the year, I’m satisfied with the results
achieved and optimistic about the future’.
[More
on this Story]
Häfele
Appointed UK Distributor for Gorenje
The
publication by Häfele of the second edition of its Space Aid for
Kitchens catalogue heralds the Rugby company’s move into the kitchen
- and lifestyle - appliances marketplace. A key element of the move, according
to sales director Ray Fisher, is the appointment of Häfele as UK
distributor by Slovenian appliance manufacturer Gorenje.
[More
on this Story]
Trade
Partners Given Special Section at AMDEA Show
A
special section of The AMDEA Show is being created for trade partners
offering services to the industry. Domestic and General and BEAB are the
first to take stands at the show, being held at the NEC on 24 – 26
April this year. The special section will be an added attraction to dealers
attending the show.
[More
on this Story]
‘8’
of the Best from Uform
Uform,
Irelands biggest distributor of kitchen doors and accessories, has just
launched its new ranges, featured as ‘eight’ kitchen combinations.
[More
on this Story]
Lofra
Announces New Distribution
Italian
range cooker manufacturer, Lofra, has appointed M&M Kitchen Accessories
as its new distributor for Northern Ireland. The Lofra range will complement
M&M Kitchen Accessories’ existing portfolio.
[More
on this Story]
Victoria
& Albert’s Taylor to Move to North America
The
British freestanding bath manufacturer, Victoria & Albert Group, has
targeted North America to produce significant sales growth in 2005 following
another record trading year throughout the world.
[More
on this Story]
De
Dietrich Offers Free 2 Year Guarantee on all Products Throughout 2005
To
celebrate its 25th Anniversary in the UK, De Dietrich is offering a free
2 year guarantee on all products in its new 2005 range – for the
whole of 2005.
[More
on this Story]
Maytag
UK is Number One in Premium Refrigeration
From
January to December 2004, Maytag UK was, by value, the number one player
in the over £1500 sector for side-by-side refrigeration. Maytag
UK leads the way outselling its nearest competitor two to one.
[More
on this Story]
Aqualux
Fulfils South African Order in Record Time
Aqualux,
the bath screen manufacturer, has scooped a deal to supply over 3000 of
its products to a major supplier of shower surrounds in South Africa.
Aqualux was able to supply its Energy Collection and Walk in Shower within
a month of the order being placed.
[More
on this Story]
Jacuzzi
Teams with Pininfarina to Create Morphosis® Line of Whirlpool Baths
Jacuzzi,
known for originating hydrotherapy, announced a new initiative called
Morphosis and unveiled a new series of whirlpool baths - Alpha, Gamma
and Sigma - that was designed in conjunction with Pininfarina, the Ferrari
car designer.
[More
on this Story]
A
New Era for Lathams at Gateshead
Timber
and panel distributor, James Latham’s newest depot at Gateshead is
already proving to be a success with significant sales growth achieved
in the depot’s first three months of trading.
[More
on this Story]
Franke
Sets up a Subsidiary in Japan
Franke
Coffee Systems Japan Ltd, which was set up in Tokyo in December 2004,
has started operating. For the first time Franke is represented in Japan
by its own sales and service company for professional coffee machines.
[More
on this Story]
Dual
flush WCs: Water Saved Could Fill Lake Windermere
Over
the last 35 years, the UK has displayed a huge and seemingly unquenchable
thirst for water. This has been fuelled by the rising number of homes
which has grown by over 30% since 1970. This trends looks set to continue
with the new ‘Homes for All’ initiative.
[More
on this Story]
East
Coast Fittings - 25 Years of Growth
UK
manufacturer and supplier of quality furniture fittings and components,
East Coast Fittings marks its 25th
year in business with a major expansion of its production and distribution
facilities following the company’s recent move.
[More
on this Story]
World's
Largest Kitchen & Bath Event is Moving to Las Vegas
More
than 900 kitchen and bath companies will showcase the latest products
and cutting-edge design ideas at the sold out Kitchen/Bath Industry
Show & Conference (K/BIS), May 9-12, 2005 in Las Vegas.
[More
on this Story]
The
NKBA Announces 2005 Student Design Competition
The
National Kitchen & Bath Association's (NKBA) Endorsed Programs department
recently announced its schedule of competitions for students to enter
in 2005 and 2006.
[More
on this Story]
Homag
Group Registers Above-Average Benefit from Market Recovery
The
Homag Group AG benefited from the worldwide woodworking machine market
recovery during 2004 with a marked increase in sales and a gain in market
share.
[More
on this Story]
The
Board of Electrolux has Decided on De-Listing from NASDAQ
The
Board of Directors of AB Electrolux has decided to delist the Group's
American Depository Receipts (ADRs) from the NASDAQ Stock Market in
the US.
[More
on this Story]
Sanitec
International S.A. Commences Offer to Purchase
Sanitec
International S.A. announces the commencement of a cash tender offer
and solicitation of related consents (together the 'Offer') relating
to all of the Company's outstanding 260,000,000 9% Senior Notes due
2012.
[More
on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 85 11th February 2005
Saluting
the Stars of Kitchens and Bathrooms
The
annual Bathrooms and Kitchens lndustry Awards organised by Bathrooms And
Kitchens Magazine have taken place in a spectacular display of the industry's
achievements. The evening ceremony was presented by award winning comedian
Jimmy Carr, at The Grosvenor House Hotel in London on 1st February 2005.
[More
on this Story]
Smeg
Celebrates Six Nation Rugby Tournament with Special Edition Retro Refrigerator
Smeg
is celebrating the Six Nations Rugby Tournament with the release of a
‘special edition’ version of its FAB28 retro style refrigerator.
The FAB28ER4 features a hand painted door bearing the distinctive English
Rose and England Team colours. Smeg has done this under license from the
Rugby Football Union.
[More
on this Story]
Tebisa
UK Launch
Intaglio
in conjunction with Tebisa, one of Europe’s major tap designers and
manufacturers for over 30 years, has chosen to launch a range of brassware
via a distribution deal with Robert Lee (London) Ltd. Tebisa, is looking
for a limited number of specialist retailers in selected exclusive areas
to act as stockists.
[More
on this Story]
American
Standard Delivers Strong Fourth-Quarter, Full-Year Operational Performance
American
Standard Companies Inc. announced on February 1st record fourth-quarter
and full-year revenues, as well as record net income and earnings per
diluted share before a non-cash charge covering estimated payments for
pending and future asbestos-related claims.
[More
on this Story]
Wolseley
plc - £33 Million Spent on Four New Acquisitions
Wolseley
plc, the world's largest specialist trade distributor of plumbing and
heating products and a leading supplier of building materials to professional
contractors, provides an update on recent acquisitions.
[More
on this Story]
De
Dietrich Introduces New Concepts for 2005
To celebrate its 25th anniversary in the UK and Ireland, De Dietrich is
launching a new range, expanding its offer of non pyrolytic ovens, in
order to make the De Dietrich quality available to a wider audience.
Dishwashers have also been upgraded; most of them are AAA rated and feature
ICS programmes.
[More
on this Story]
Active
Kitchen Whisks Up a Storm on Shrove Tuesday
On Tuesday 8th February even the worst cooks among us couldn't resist
the temptation to visit the kitchen to dig out a whisk, a mixing bowl
and a frying pan.But this year, owners of the Active Kitchen, a concept
developed by sink manufacturer Franke and kitchen accessory manufacturer
WMF, saw a marked difference in the way they prepared their pancakes.
[More
on this Story]
Pennybee
Consumers Benefit from KBSA Protection
The
KBSA is pleased to report that all of the Pennybee customers who fulfilled
the criteria of the KBSA deposit protection scheme are now having their
contracts completed or have had their deposits returned.
[More
on this Story]
Kohler
Provides Attendees the Best Seat in the House at New York's Fashion Week
Kohler has announced its first-ever sponsorship of Olympus Fashion Week
and marks the occasion with the introduction of the Purist Hatbox toilet.
[More
on this Story]
Fisher
& Paykel Appliances Trading and Earnings Update
Fisher
& Paykel Appliances Holdings Ltd advise that net profit after tax
for the year ending 31st March 2005 is now forecast to be between $63m
and $68m. This is down approximately 14% on the previous guidance given
of between $75m and $78m.
[More
on this Story]
Laufen
Becomes a Member of The BMA
On
the 1st January 2005, prestigious sanitary-ware manufacturer Laufen officially
became a member of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association.
[More
on this Story]
Bauformat
Upgrades its Furniture and Releases 2005 Brochure
Bauformat
which has had a presence in the UK since 1974, has upgraded its furniture
to include the latest Blum Full extension soft close drawer system, in
Champagne metallic finish and all sink base units now come with protective
bases as standard specification at no extra cost.
[More
on this Story]
LG
Sponsors Masters Snooker Tournament
LG
will be sponsoring the Masters Snooker Tournament to be held at Wembley
Conference Centre from 13th - 20th February.
[More
on this Story]
Jacuzzi
Brands Announces First Quarter 2005 Financial Results
Jacuzzi
Brands, Inc., a leading global producer of branded bath and plumbing
products for the residential, commercial and institutional markets,
announced on February 9th earnings for the first quarter ended January
1st, 2005.
[More
on this Story]
EQT
Private Equity Funds to Acquire Sanitec Corporation
On
4th February the private equity fund EQT IV ('EQT') signed an agreement
with Sanitec International S.A., a company controlled by BC Partners
advised private equity funds, to acquire all shares in Sanitec Corporation,
the Finnish parent company of the Sanitec Group.
[More
on this Story]
Villeroy
& Boch Strategic Reorientation in the Tiles Division
In
the wake of the strategic reorientation of its Tiles division, lifestyle
company Villeroy & Boch presented a broad spectrum of new products
with a strong emphasis on design at Bau 2005.
[More
on this Story]
Tretzo
Wins High Spec Stirling Contract
Bathroom
furniture company Tretzo, with its distribution partner Delphi Distribution,
has won the contract to provide fittings for 27 luxury homes near Stirling
for developer JAD Homes.
[More
on this Story]
New
Cheshire Showroom Specifies All Ardesco Worksurfaces
A
new Cheshire kitchen and interiors showroom has recently opened and
specified all worksurfaces from the new Ardesco range by Orama, the
independent manufacturer of worksurfaces and associated decorative products.
[More
on this Story]
Victoria
& Albert Targets Export Sales Growth
Specialist
UK freestanding bath manufacturer Victoria & Albert is gearing up
for major export growth around the world. Expansion of the international
sales & marketing team is well underway.
[More
on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 84 4th February 2005
De
Dietrich Celebrates 25 Years in the UK
De
Dietrich, the kitchen appliance brand, celebrates its 25th anniversary
in the UK and Ireland during 2005. To start the celebrations, it is launching
a new expanded range of products, which were showcased at an all day event
in London, on 28th January.
[More
on this Story]
Maytag
Reports Loss for 2004 After Restructure
Maytag
Corporation reported on January 28th fourth quarter consolidated sales
of $1.16 billion, down 8.4 percent from sales of $1.27 billion in the
same period last year. Net loss for the fourth quarter of 2004 was $14.1
million or 18 cents per share, compared to net income of $23.9 million
or 30 cents per share a year ago.
[More
on this Story]
Maytag
UK Announces New Marketing Director
Maytag
UK, the premier American appliance manufacturer has announced the appointment
of a new Marketing Director, Mat Morrison-Clarke. Mat has been working
as a consultant to Maytag on various business development projects.
[More
on this Story]
Radio
Interview Signals Growing Interest in Food Waste Disposers
Food
waste disposer manufacturer, In-Sink-Erator, made its radio debut last
week when BBC Essex invited sales and marketing director, Ashley Munden,
on to the Dave Monk Show to talk food waste.
[More
on this Story]
Saint-Gobain
Acquires W.A.W – A-Keramika, Leading Distributor of Tiles and Sanitary-Ware
in Slovakia
Saint-Gobain's Building Distribution Division
has announced the acquisition of the W.A.W - A-Keramika Group, the leading
distributor of tiles and sanitary-ware in Slovakia and number 2 in the
Czech Republic.
[More
on this Story]
Groupe
SEB Plans to Reorganise Manufacturing Operations in Germany
Groupe
SEB has informed employee representatives of a plan to reorganise the
Rowenta Werke iron production facility in Erbach, Germany.
[More
on this Story]
Utopia
Introduces New Consumer Enquiry Procedure
With
calls to the Brochure Hotline running at an all time high, Utopia has
invested heavily in improving the information given to callers and also
the way in which this is presented.
[More
on this Story]
Water-Efficiency
Report: Schools Make Savings with ES4
A recent report published by Southern Water, East Sussex County Council
and The Environment Agency demonstrates the benefits of achieving water-efficiency
through the installation of low-flush WCs. Toilet flushing accounts for
up to a third of total domestic water consumption.
[More
on this Story]
Cannon
Range Cooker Makes its TV Debut
Cannon's
Professional 1000 range cooker is making a regular appearance on Channel
Four's TV series 'Return of the Chef'. Following the life of renowned
chef John Burton Race, the new series sees John setting up his new restaurant,
The New Angel
[More
on this Story]
Biggest
ever CNC Show
Homag
U.K. will host its largest ever dedicated exhibition of CNC machining
centres and routers for three days from February 15 - 17 at the company’s
Castle Donington demonstration facility.
[More
on this Story]
Added
Comfort from Instarmac
In
addition to a number of important developments recently introduced by
the Instarmac Group plc concerning its range of adhesives and grouts,
the Tamworth based manufacturer has now established a lifetime guarantee
for its entire Ultra range of products.
[More
on this Story]
Indusvent’s
Super-Blower Copes with Browns' Expansion
Browns
2000 of Cramlington near Newcastle is a UK supplier of quality wrapped
doors and components to the kitchen and bedroom sectors. Built on a partnership
of 20 years standing, Peter Brown then incorporated the company in the
year 2000 and has, since then, embarked on a remarkable process of expansion
and growth.
[More
on this Story]
Potter
Founds New Company which is ‘All Set to Revolutionise the Writing
of Sales Proposals.’
Sales
staff will no longer have to face hours of work preparing sales proposals
– thanks to the launch of a pioneering web-based system. The ProposalGENie,
the first system of its kind, allows sales staff to produce proposals
of consistently high quality in minutes.
[More
on this Story]
New
Location Announced for Expotile 2006
In response to the success of Expotile 2004 and the recent industry research
undertaken by CMP Information Ltd and the Tile Association, a new location
has been confirmed for the 2006 event. The show will continue to take
place every two years and will be relocated to hall 19 of the NEC Birmingham,
situated right at the very heart of KBB.
[More
on this Story]
Bathrooms
& Kitchens EXPO 2005 Seminar Programme Confirmed
The organisers of Bathrooms & Kitchens EXPO have announced the complete
seminar programme, for 2005's unique bathrooms and kitchens trade exhibition
to be held at London's premier venue, ExCeL, from 8-10 May.
[More
on this Story]
AMA
Report on the UK Shower Market
A
review of the UK Shower Market by AMA Research shows that in 2004, the
interest rate increases and the slowdown in the housing market influenced
the shower market with lower growth levels. However, compared with other
consumer durables sectors, the shower sector continues to perform well
with comparatively high growth rates.
[More
on this Story]
Part
P Scheme from the BRE
BRE
Certification has received Government approval to run a Competent Person
Self-Certification Scheme for Part P, which has been developed in collaboration
with the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) and with the support
of the Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE).
[More
on this Story]