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THE K&BZINE ISSUE 181 23rd February 2007
Young
Blood Changing the Face of Industry
A
wave of new appointments at the top of the UK’s largest 275
kitchen, bedroom & bathroom manufacturers companies is set
to prompt a radical change in their behaviour and put even greater
pressure on those with ageing boardrooms. That’s the view
of Plimsoll Publishing, the industry analyst which has a track
record of predicting business trends in the UK, France and Japan.
[More
on this Story]
Roman
Invests in Customer Relationships
Roman,
the UK shower manufacturer, is set to open a new Customer Relationship
Facility where customers can contact Roman with; sales orders,
to find out about promotions, order queries, installation questions,
technical enquiries and to generally receive any help and advice
needed. The new facility represents over £100,000 worth
of investment.
[More
on this Story]
Planit
Presents Fusion Software at Waterline's Showcase Events
The
quality, speed and ease of use of Planit International’s
Fusion’s design and visualisation software will be demonstrated
once again as the only CAD vendor to participate at Waterline’s
annual Showcase events.
[More
on this Story]
BMA
Sponsors Waterwise Conference
The
Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA) is one of the sponsors
at this year's Waterwise Water Efficiency Conference - The Economics
of Water Efficiency in the Natural and Built Environment - to
be held as part of UNESCO's World Water Day on 21st and 22nd March.
[More
on this Story]
Foresight
Design Conferences - Fostering a Cultural Renaissance across Boundaries
Johnny
Grey and CMPi have set up a partnership, Foresight Design Conferences
to exchange knowledge and foster a cultural renaissance to the
design world. In a sector which is becoming increasingly sophisticated,
staying on top means deepening knowledge and embracing change.
[More
on this Story]
JJO
PLC Announces Strong Business Growth in 2007
J&J
Ormerod plc (JJO), the independent manufacturer of kitchens and
bathrooms, has announced that its business is growing from strength
to strength, with a healthy leap of 54 new retailer accounts for
the kitchen business opened in the last quarter.
[More
on this Story]
New
In-toto Showroom
Kitchen specialist In-toto kitchens has recently opened a new
showroom in Norwich, with a special launch event. The Lord Mayor
of Norwich, Councillor Felicity Hartley officially opened the
showroom, which is situated at 154 Dereham Road, Norwich.
[More
on this Story]
Symphony
Scoops National Award from David Wilson Homes
Symphony has scooped top honours at the David Wilson Homes Construction
Supplier Awards, being named National Group Supplier of the Year
2006.
[More
on this Story]
Exceptional
Colour Matching from EDP
British
supplier of hi-tech surfacing and edging materials to the furniture
industry, EDP, has introduced a colour matching service for foils
and edgebanding in association with the company’s principals
Pentadecor and Probos.
[More
on this Story]
kbbreview
Industry Awards Announce 2007 Winners
In
the week that Helen Mirren took home a well-deserved BAFTA - the
UK's bathroom and kitchen industry had its own special night as
the kbbreview Industry Awards took place on Monday 5th February
at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.
[More
on this Story]
Planit
Users Feature Prominently in kbbreview Industry Awards
Winners
of the 2007 kbbreview Industry Awards held at the Grosvenor House
Hotel, London on 5th February, included a significant number of
users of Planit International’s Fusion design and visualisation
software for the kitchen, bathroom and home improvement markets.
[More
on this Story]
No
Shutdown for Ideal Standard Bulgaria
The
American Standard plant in Sevlievo will not be shut down, Bulgarian
economy minister Rumen Ovcharov was assured last Wednesday by
David Modi, vice president of the U.S. parent company, and by
Krasimir Kopchev, executive director of the local unit.
[More
on this Story]
Marflow's
English Style Books in at Philadelphia Hotel
A
popular east coast US hotel is giving its customers British bathroom elegance,
refurbishing all of its suites with Marflow Engineering's St James range
of brassware. The Windsor Hotel in Philadephia has chosen the traditional
Victorian-inspired design to add the finishing touch to the new Italianate-style
marble and English cherrywood bathrooms.
[More
on this Story]
Marbrex
gives New Apartments the Finishing Touch
Fully-fitted
bathrooms at a prestigious development of 30 luxury two-bed apartments
in Worsley, near Manchester, have been completed using Swish Building
Products low-maintenance Marbrex wall-covering range.
[More
on this Story]
Felsted
‘Very Happy’ with Hoffmann
Started
18 years ago as a general joinery company Felsted Cabinets was formed
nine years ago as owner Steve Tooley found the demand for the company’s
bespoke kitchen and bedroom furniture soon became the main and finally
exclusive product line of the company.
[More
on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 180 16th February 2007
Buildstore
opens in Swindon
A
new centre that gives the building trade, including merchants,
direct and year-round access to thousands of people undertaking
self build or renovation projects opened in Swindon last Friday.
[More
on this Story]
Burlington
Graces Main Showpiece at Buildstore
Natural
slate roofing and natural stone flooring from the UK producer,
Cumbria-based Burlington, adorns both the exterior and interior
of the Potton Show House – one of the main showpieces at
the recently opened National Self Build and Renovation Centre
in Swindon.
[More
on this Story]
Masco
Expects Bad First Quarter, and Uncertain 2007
In
its full year and Q4 financial statement, Masco reported rationalisation
of its Plumbing Products segment. The Company originally estimated
that costs and charges for profit improvement programs related
to its Plumbing Products segment would approximate $70m compared
with the actual charges of $39 million.
[More
on this Story]
Electrolux
Year - End 2006 Report
'Our
strategy is working', says Electrolux CEO and President Hans Stråberg.
'The Electrolux strategy of developing new, innovative products,
building a strong brand and creating a competitive cost foundation
is beginning to yield results.'
[More
on this Story]
Xtra
Sales Boost for Aqualux
Aqualux
has proved a little extra goes long way as sales of its recently
launched Aqualux Xtra range have already exceeded sales targets.
[More
on this Story]
Premium
Appliance Brands Shortlisted for Product Manufacturer of the Year
Premium
Appliance Brands was yesterday unveiled as one of four finalists
in the Product Manufacturer of the Year category at the Fast Growth
Business Awards 2007.
[More
on this Story]
Planit
Fusion System Includes Bosch Appliance Catalogue
Planit
International has extended the capabilities of its Fusion design
and visualisation system to provide instant access to Bosch's
household appliance catalogues, from a single source.
[More
on this Story]
Symphony
Scoops National Award from David Wilson Homes
Symphony has scooped top honours at the David Wilson Homes Construction
Supplier Awards, being named National Group Supplier of the Year
2006.
[More
on this Story]
National
Sales Manager Appointed at Althea
Italian
bathroom products supplier, Althea UK Ltd, has announced the appointment
of Barbara Holmes to the position of National Sales Manager.
[More
on this Story]
Lance
Gillett is Bristan Group's new Finance Director
With
financial experience earned via a wide range of companies from
around the globe - including Rhodia, Royal Worcester, Seiko and
US GAAP - the Bristan Group says that its newest recruit is perfectly
poised to ensure its secure future moving forwards.
[More
on this Story]
PJH
Teams Up for Conference
As
part of its ongoing commitment to training and development, kitchen
and bathroom distributor, the PJH Group, has kicked off 2007 with
a national sales conference for its retail and builder sales team
divisions.
[More
on this Story]
Fantastic
Opening Event at In-toto
Kitchen specialist In-toto kitchens recently opened a new showroom
in Portsmouth, with a two-day opening event. The Lord Mayor and
Lady Mayoress of Portsmouth, Councillor Fred Charlton and Mrs
Margaret Charlton officially opened the showroom, which is situated
at 30 Landport Terrace, Southsea.
[More
on this Story]
New
Year Appointments at Rearo Laminates
Rearo
Laminates Ltd has announced a number of new appointments designed to boost
the expansion of its operations throughout the UK.
[More
on this Story]
Wolseley
plc - Acquisitions Update
Wolseley
plc, trade distributor of plumbing and heating products to professional
contractors and a supplier of building materials, announced on February
13th four further bolt on acquisitions for an aggregate consideration
of £13 million.
[More
on this Story]
Winners
of the 2006/07 NKBA Student Design Competition
The
National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) has announced the winners
of the 2006/2007 NKBA Student Design Competition. Winners will be officially
recognised at a special awards ceremony to be held in May at the Kitchen/Bath
Industry Show & Conference (K/BIS) in Las Vegas, Nevada.
[More
on this Story]
Court
Hearing Sanctions Scheme of Arrangement 15th Feb-2007
The
Steinhoff Board has announced that the Court sanctioned the Scheme to
implement the recommended acquisition by Steinhoff International Holdings
Limited and Steinhoff Europe AG (together, 'Steinhoff') of the minority
shareholdings in Homestyle, at the Court Hearing held on 15th February.
[More
on this Story]
AND FINALLY...
Perfect
Pancakes with Whirlpool
Millions
of homes across the country will be heating up their frying pans and keeping
the lemon and sugar at hand to enjoy Shrove Tuesday on 20th February.
Follow the tips from Whirlpool below to indulge in a great British tradition
and create perfect pancakes:
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on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 179 9th February 2007
Gaggenau
Introduces New Generation of Appliances
At
a sumptuous two day event in London this week, appliance maker
Gaggenau, part of the BSH Group,
wowed over 200 guests from all over Europe with its latest generation
of cooking and cooling appliances.
[More
on this Story]
American
Standard to Separate its Three Businesses
American
Standard Companies Inc. announced on 1st February that its board
of directors has completed a strategic review of the company and
unanimously approved a plan to separate its three businesses this
year. This will involve both the spinoff of WABCO and the sale
of Bath and Kitchen before the end of this year.
[More
on this Story]
American
Standard Achieves 8% Sales Growth in 2006
American Standard has announced its Results Summary for 2006,
First Quarter results for 2007, and estimates for the rest of
the year, ‘We had a good year,’ said Poses. ‘Earnings
for the air conditioning and vehicle control systems businesses
were powerful enough to overcome lower earnings in our bath and
kitchen business.'
[More
on this Story]
Expansion
for Italian Bathrooms Specialist
Althea
UK Ltd has relocated from its original Bradford premises to a
new office, showroom and manufacturing complex in Dewsbury, West
Yorkshire.
[More
on this Story]
KBSA
Calls for Award Entries
The
Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association has launched
its Design Innovation Awards for 2007 and is calling on all designers
to enter.
[More
on this Story]
Apollo
Completes Acquisition of Jacuzzi Brands, Inc.
Jacuzzi
Brands, Inc. announced on February 7th that affiliates of Apollo
Management, L.P. (‘Apollo’) have completed the acquisition
of Jacuzzi Brands.
[More
on this Story]
Doruk
Company and Süsler Brand Profile
Established
1947 in Eskisehir by Metin Sürel and still in the ownership
of the family until the acquisition by Candy Group, Doruk Ltd.-STI
remains a market-leader in Turkey with Süsler-branded household
appliances.
[More
on this Story]
Magnet
Invests £1M and Cooks Up 40 more Jobs in Darlington
Kitchen
company Magnet has invested £1 million at its site at Allington
Way, Darlington, creating another 40 jobs. Magnet has expanded
its activity to encompass the warehousing and distribution of
joinery products. This is in addition to its Kitchen manufacturing
and distribution operation.
[More
on this Story]
Sales
Up by 29% at Reginox UK
Sinks,
taps and accessories manufacturer, Reginox UK, is celebrating
its best year to date with 2006 sales up by 29% in comparison
to 2005. Dave Mayer, Reginox UK's sales and marketing director,
confirmed that the company has had its most successful year since
it was formed in 1999.
[More
on this Story]
RAK
Ceramics Enjoys the Sweet Smell of Success with New HQ
RAK
Ceramics has moved UK headquarters to an enlarged complex based
in Petersfield, Hampshire - for the first time putting all RAK
UK's facilities under one roof.
[More
on this Story]
FagorBrandt
UK Promotes Richard Walker
David
Cohen-Skalli, managing director of FagorBrandt International Operations
has announced the promotion of Richard Walker from marketing director
to sales and marketing director for FagorBrandt UK.
[More
on this Story]
KBB
Industry's Highest Award for Mark Wilkinson
Designer
Mark Wilkinson was presented with the Special Achievement Award
for his work in developing fitted furniture design, manufacture
and retailing, at the kbbreview Industry Awards.
[More
on this Story]
In-toto
Opens Swindon Showroom
Kitchen
specialist In-toto has recently opened a new showroom in Swindon.
Situated in the heart of Old Town, Swindon, the new showroom occupies
a very prominent spot, where its large glass double-frontage has
been grabbing the attention of passers by.
[More
on this Story]
Berkley
Homes & Eurobath
Berkley
Homes has started Phase 3 of the West 3 Loft Apartments Acton Vale London
and with it has teamed up once more with Eurobath taking Mix2 for the
stunning transformation of the Whitehall style building.
[More
on this Story]
Homag
Open House - March
Homag
will host its first open house of 2007 with a special focus on CNC technology
and in particular nesting as a system of production. The dates are March
13 - 15.
[More
on this Story]
Complaint
Against Electro Warm (UK & NI) Ltd Upheld
A
complaint objecting to a leaflet for Electro Warm (UK & NI) Ltd storage
heaters was upheld on all of the three objections according to information
published by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).
[More
on this Story]
Nobia
Joint Venture Acquires Chain of 38 Kitchen Specialist Stores
Nobia
AB of Sweden and De MandemakersGroep Holding BV of the Netherlands have
formed a joint venture for the purpose of developing a leading position
within the kitchen retail market in Germany.
[More
on this Story]
Nobia:
Earnings Per Share Rose by 34 Per Cent
Sales
for kitchen company Nobia increased during the fourth quarter 2006 by
23 per cent to SeK 4,056 million (3,291), at the same time as operating
profit rose by 23 per cent to SeK 347 million (281).
[More
on this Story]
Whirlpool
Corporation Reports Record Results
Whirlpool Corporation announced on February 7th 2006 annual earnings per
share from continuing operations of $6.35 per diluted share compared to
$6.19 per diluted share in the previous year. Annual sales of $18.1 billion
increased 26 percent from the prior year.
[More
on this Story]
1000
Strong Network Of Inspirational Women Entrepreneurs
One
thousand female entrepreneurs will be recruited to help and inspire more
women to set up their own business, Industry and Regions Minister Margaret
Hodge announced on 7th February.
[More
on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 178 2nd February 2007
Heated
Towel Rails are 'In Vogue' in Afghanistan
A
Black Country manufacturer of heated towel rails and radiators
is going global - with help from UK Trade & Investment.
Vogue UK, of Strawberry Lane Industrial Estate, Willenhall,
specialises in luxury, hand crafted products, mainly for
hotels and residential apartments.
[More
on this Story]
Kitchen
Companies Fined for 'Silent Calls'
Ofcom
has imposed financial penalties on four companies under
section 130 of the Communications Act 2003. Penalty notices
have been issued to Bracken Bay Kitchens Ltd, Space Kitchens
and Bedrooms Ltd, Toucan Residential Ltd and Carphone
Warehouse plc, for making an excessive amount of silent
or abandoned calls.
[More
on this Story]
UK
Insolvencies In The Fourth Quarter 2006
There
were 3,194 company liquidations in England and Wales in
the fourth quarter of 2006 on a seasonally adjusted basis.
This was a decrease of 1.4% on the previous quarter and
a decrease of 0.1% on the same period a year ago.
[More
on this Story]
Electrolux
Awarded EU Sustainable Energy Award
Electrolux
has received the prestigious Sustainable Energy Award
in Corporate Commitment Category from the European Commission.
The award recognizes the company's ongoing efforts to
reduce energy consumption of products, factories and services.
[More
on this Story]
FagorBrandt
UK Appoints ASK as Distributors for the North
FagorBrandt UK has appointed ASK Distribution as the North
of England distributor for its De Dietrich and Fagor brands.
In what is an exclusive manufacturer deal for the company,
ASK will be actively promoting its association through
local marketing drives to kitchen specialists and housebuilders
[More
on this Story]
Grohe
Bolsters Team with UK Product Manager
Grohe, the luxury shower
and tap manufacturer, this week announced the appointment
of Paul Davis to the newly created role of UK Product
Manager with immediate effect.
[More
on this Story]
Burbidge
Wirework Collection with 20% Discount Until May
Kitchen
frontals and accessories manufacturer, Burbidge, has expanded
its wirework collection with the introduction of a new
range of high specification internal accessories from
exclusive German manufacturer Vauth Sagel.
[More
on this Story]
BMA
Hosts Series of Workshops at B+K Expo
The
Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA) is to host a
series of four workshops and seminars for Industry professionals
at this year's Bathroom and Kitchen Expo, Excel, in London
from 13th through 15th May.
[More
on this Story]
Ben
De Lisi Talks Fashion and Design at B&K Expo
Renowned
fashion designer, Ben de Lisi is confirmed to take part
within the seminar programme at the premier trade show
for the bathroom and kitchen industry, Bathroom &
Kitchen EXPO (13-15 May, ExCeL London).
[More
on this Story]
Galley
Matrix Invests in Amana
Galley Matrix, the kitchen division of the Lancashire
based distributor Broughton Crangrove, has a range of
Amana, genuine American refrigerators available for the
discerning retailer.
[More
on this Story]
DEVI
Develops a New Relationship
DEVI
has a new distributor for the devimat warm floor system,
Craven Dunnill and Co Ltd, which covers the North Midlands.
The 2005 winner of the Tile Association Excellence in
Distribution Award is one of the UK's leading distributor
of ceramic tiles.
[More
on this Story]
Roman
Sculpts the Complete Showering Solution
Roman has developed integrated water delivery into its
UK manufactured Roman Sculptures Walk-in enclosure. The
shower valve has been redesigned to allow it to be bolted
through the main glass panel of the enclosure.
[More
on this Story]
InSinkErator®
Achieves Record First Quarter Sales in 2007
InSinkErator®,
the UK and world’s leading manufacturer of food waste disposers,
has achieved record sales of food waste disposers in its first
quarter results for the 2007 fiscal year, showing a 25 per cent
increase on last year.
[More
on this Story]
Wolseley
Shares Rising Despite Weak Housing Market in US
Shares
in Wolseley, the plumbing and building materials supplier, have
gone up by 25 per cent in the past six months yet it has recently
cut 2,000 more jobs in the US. A housing slump there has hurt
sales, depressed prices and hit earnings.
[More
on this Story]
Whirlpool
Completes US Hoover Sale to Techtronic Industries
Whirlpool
Corporation announced on 31st January that it has sold the US
Hoover floor-care business to Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. (TTI)
for approximately $107 million in cash following the expiration
of a regulatory review process.
[More
on this Story]
Saint-Gobain’s Construction Products sector is strengthening its position in emerging countries, thanks to six acquisitions completed over the last few weeks in South Africa, Algeria, Turkey and Argentina.
HL
Display Acquires Display Team Oy
Swedish HL Display AB (publ), a supplier of in-store communication
and merchandising solutions for the retail trade, announced yesterday
the acquisition of Display Team Oy, a privately owned company
based in Helsinki, Finland.
[More
on this Story]
The
Importance of Website Evolution for Online Retailers
With
web technology evolving at an unprecedented rate, it is important
for all retailers to ensure they are up to speed with the latest
trends and developments in order to optimise their e-commerce
efforts. Zendor, the Manchester-based multi-channel retail expert,
has identified four key areas which retailers should keep in mind
when building on their online proposition:
[More
on this Story]
Covermyfurniture.Com
- Change the Look of your Home
It
is a fact that the success of recycling is of utmost importance
to our society and to make it really work, everyone needs to participate
and do their bit. With kerbside recycling schemes being rolled-out
across the UK, we are all becoming more aware of the need to partake
in the three 'R's: reduce, reuse and recycle.
[More
on this Story]