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THE K&BZINE ISSUE 155 28th July 2006
GE
unveils NEW Headquarters and Showroom
GE Appliances has opened its new UK Headquarters and showroom
in Milton Keynes. Easily accessible, the new HQ and showroom is
ideally located just over Junction 13 off the M1 from London or
North (J14) and will showcase the latest GE products.
[More
on this Story]
Help
Consumers Save £2.5 Million A Week on Water Bills
British consumers are wasting around 420 million litres of water
a day*, working out at approximately £2.5 million per week,
by not replacing their out-of-date WCs with more water-efficient
options.
[More
on this Story]
Hans
Stråberg's Comments on Electrolux Operations for the First
Half Year 2006
During
the first half year we have continued to focus on our strategy
including strengthening our brands, successful marketing, extensive
product innovation and cost reductions. Through our strategy we
have been able to mitigate significant raw material price increases.
[More
on this Story]
PURMO
Wins Contract with Meadgate
PURMO
has provided 400 Compact Radiators for Badgers Meadow in Penard,
Swansea, a new housing development by luxury housebuilder Meadgate.
The distinctive countryside style housing with traditional thatched
roofs is located in a highly sought after
[More
on this Story]
Latest
Version of ArtiCAD includes Crestwood Wirework
The
companies say that a partnership between computer-aided design
software specialist, ArtiCAD Ltd, and Crestwood Fittings, a supplier
of high quality components to kitchen manufacturers and retailers,
is 'destined to take the world of kitchen design by storm'.
[More
on this Story]
New
Members Terms and Conditions from the KBSA
The
KBSA has introduced a set of standard terms and conditions for members
that has been created in conjunction with advice from the Office of Fair
Trading (OFT). ‘We have been working with the OFT for some time and
we are delighted that we are able to offer these comprehensive terms and
conditions,’ says KBSA operations director, Lucinda Kenny.
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on this Story]
Wolseley
Acquires DT Group for £1,353m
Wolseley today announces that it has signed an agreement, conditional
only upon regulatory approval, to acquire DT Group (formerly known as
Danske Traelast), the Nordic region's leading distributor of building
materials, from CVC Capital Partners. .
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on this Story]
Get
SMART in Bathrooms
SMART over the last five years has taken the KBB industry to new heights
with its powerful business and operational management system, leading
the technology revolution for increased business growth and efficiency.
SMART's focus this month is how to 'Get SMART in Bathrooms'.
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on this Story]
A
Greener Way to Dispose of Grease
Caterers using enzymes to dissolve their grease, before disposing of it
into the sewers, need to learn that this is an environmental hazard. Grease
Guardian works with several collection partners to offer an environmentally
friendly option.
[More
on this Story]
Roman
Becomes the One-Stop-Shop for Wetrooms
Roman,
the UK shower enclosure manufacturer, has become a one-stop-shop for everything
concerning trendy wetrooms. The County Durham-based firm says that it
brought the wetroom concept over from Scandanvia three years ago.
[More
on this Story]
Jacuzzi
Brands Names Alex P. Marini President and CEO
Jacuzzi
Brands, Inc. announced on July 18th the appointment of Alex P. Marini
as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective August 31st, 2006.
Mr. Marini will succeed David H. Clarke, Jacuzzi Brands' Chief Executive
Officer, who is retiring.
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on this Story]
The
Silent House Intruders
80%
of British households could be at risk from spreading allergy related
diseases according to new research by LG. The research has shown that
a staggering one fifth of people in Britain don't even vacuum their home,
adding to the increasing risk of disease especially amongst children.
[More
on this Story]
MasterClass
Conference 2006: Green Fusion
The
National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) has announced the lineup
of industry professionals presenting at the third annual MasterClass Conference.
To be held August 17th and 18th in Montreal, Canada, MasterClass Conference
2006: Green Fusion will focus on the growing trend of incorporating Green
Design principles into innovative and efficient kitchen and bath designs.
[More
on this Story]
Ebor
Holds CaesarStone Open Day
Ebor
customers were invited to attend a CaesarStone open day last month.
Fabricators from up and down the country travelled to the company's
Rochdale based head office, where CaesarStone Technical Advisor, German
Shayder, provided fabricating demonstrations.
[More
on this Story]
Bill
Cleyndert Equips with Homag
From
the company’s five acre site in Norfolk Bill Cleyndert & Company
Ltd supplies a worldwide client base with joinery and furniture products.
Founder Bill Cleyndert has, over the last 20 years, assembled a team of
skilled craftsmen to undertake bespoke projects.
[More
on this Story]
FIRA
Runs Upholstery Awareness Course
Following
the huge success of previous courses, FIRA is running a unique one day
course to help producers, suppliers, retailers and importers understand
the complex areas of cover performance and fire safety requirements for
upholstery.
[More
on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 154 21st July 2006
Whirlpool
Corporation Expands Amana Manufacturing Operations
Whirlpool Corporation announced yesterday an expected investment
of up to $11 million for the expansion of its Amana, Iowa-based
refrigeration operations. This investment will support product
innovation and increased manufacturing capacity for bottom freezer
refrigeration and is expected to create up to 400 new jobs in
Amana over the next 24 months.
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on this Story]
Nobia:
Continued Profit Growth
During
the second quarter, kitchen company Nobia increased its net sales
by 27 per cent to SEK 4,288 million (3,367). Organic growth amounted
to 8 per cent. Profit after tax increased by 44 per cent and earnings
per share amounted to SEK 4.66 (3.27).
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on this Story]
Electrolux
and Sharp in Collaboration to Develop and Manufacture New Appliances
Electrolux
and Sharp Corporation have entered a collaboration to develop
a new range of mid-sized frost-free refrigerators. This project
is part of a broader strategic collaboration within major appliances
between the two companies.
[More
on this Story]
Servis
Heads for the Competitive Market with a New Look
White
goods manufacturer Servis has revealed it's new look in time for
its attack on the competitive mid-market. The new colours echo
the company's fresh and modern business, but sticks to the simple
style that you would expect from the well organised manufacturer.
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on this Story]
New
Power at Sovereign Showers
Sovereign
says that it has always been a name synonymous with quality shower enclosures
at affordable prices, but following a buy-over by private investors in
November 2005, the company says that it is now poised to take the market
by storm under the leadership of Gary Finan, its recently appointed new
Managing Director.
[More
on this Story]
Planit
International Strengthens Customer Support Team
Developer
of design and visualisation software for the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom
and home improvement markets, Planit International has strengthened its
customer support team with three new appointments at its Ashford, Kent
headquarters.
[More
on this Story]
Burbidge
Invests in Highly Advanced PDA Technology
Kitchens
frontals and accessories manufacturer Burbidge has further demonstrated
its commitment to customer service by investing in highly advanced PDA
(Personal Digital Assistant) technology to enhance communication between
its sales team and retailers.
[More
on this Story]
Effective
Protection from Bacterial Infection is Now on Tap
You
only have to pick up a newspaper or turn on the television to read and
see an increasing number of reports concerning hospital infections and
so called super-bugs.
[More
on this Story]
William
Ball Breaks into Bathrooms
With
a well established reputation for providing high quality furniture solutions
within the kitchen, office, living room and bedroom, William Ball is now
expanding its interiors commitment into the bathroom - the final splash
into providing furniture for the entire home.
[More
on this Story]
Upbeat
AGM for Bathroom Manufacturers
A
packed audience of members and guests attended the Annual General Meeting
of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association in July. During the association's
recent AGM, held at the BPMF Club in Stoke, BMA President Ted Goold presented
the first Bathroom Academy 'Certificate in Bathroom Studies' to Richard
Clarke.
[More
on this Story]
IDS
Invests in New Mechanical Handling Machinery at its Nuneaton Hub
Dubbed
Operation Barge, IDS has invested £300k at its Nuneaton branch in
new specialist mechanical handling equipment for worktops which will reduce
damage, improve Health & Safety and operational efficiency.
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on this Story]
Image
has Successful First Half
Image
Showers says that it has had a very positive and extremely successful
first half to 2006. The company began the year firing on all cylinders
with a new brochure, newly designed products, recently appointed sales
team and the KBB exhibition about to begin.
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on this Story]
Wolseley
plc - Pre-Close Period Trading Statement
Wolseley
plc, the world's largest specialist trade distributor of plumbing and
heating products to professional contractors and a leading supplier of
building materials, issues its regular trading statement for the 11 months
to 30th June 2006, prior to entering its close period.
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on this Story]
Grand Designs Live has just expanded! Publishing group and exhibition organiser, Media 10, and FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide have announced a new sister event, Grand Designs Live NEC, which has been launched to meet increased demand from exhibitors and visitors outside London and the South East.
Long
Term Satisfaction with the Volkswagen Transporter
Domestic
appliance manufacturer, Miele, has been using Volkswagen vans since the
early 1960s when the company first started trading in Britain. Today it
operates a fleet of 86 Transporter vans, which are crucial to the company's
nationwide maintenance and repair service.
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on this Story]
Roman
Welcomes Holy Visitor
One
of County Durham’s largest manufacturing plants welcomed a Provincial
Mother, all the way from Sri Lanka. to talk about the company’s fundraising
efforts to support the Tsunami victims.
[More
on this Story]
New
Chair for TTA
David
Forbes, Joint Managing Director of the Nicholls & Clarke Group of
Companies, has taken over from Brian Newell as Chairman of The Tile Association.
David has been a TTA board member since the association’s formation
and is the 4th Chair. He will serve for two years.
[More
on this Story]
Twyford
Bathrooms Installed at the House of the Future
Twyford
Bathrooms has been selected as a supplier to the Osborne Demonstration
House at the BRE (Building Research Establishment) Innovation Park at
Garston, Watford.
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on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 153 14th July 2006
Wee
Problems at McDonalds and Wembley
As we gear up for the summer silly season,
the newspapers are plumbing the depths for news stories. This
week, two major stories involve bathrooms: Wembley has returned
hundreds of toilets to the manufacturer, because of a 'marketing
malfunction', and a fast food outlet has had to remove mouth shaped
urinals after an American customer was 'shocked'.
[More
on this Story]
UK
First Hits Stockists' Shelves
At first it was the shower curtain that Aqualux banished from
the bathroom, now it could be the actual bath as the leading manufacturer
of shower enclosures and bath screens officially launches its
patent pending 'Walk-through' onto the market.
[More
on this Story]
Planit
International Rewards Design Innovation
The
speed, flexibility and productivity of Planit International's
Fusion software is being highlighted through a monthly competition
open to all users of the design and visualisation CAD system.
[More
on this Story]
Lights,
Camera, Action for Latham
The
UK timber and panel products distributor, James Latham, has provided
materials for houses featured on ITV's 'Honey I Ruined the House'.
[More
on this Story]
Tavistock
Appoint ROM Aqua as Sole Irish Distributor
Tavistock,
a manufacturer of bathroom furniture and accessories has appointed ROM
Aqua as its sole distributor for both Northern Ireland and the Republic
of Ireland.
[More
on this Story]
KBSA
AGM and Design Innovation Awards Evening a Huge Success
The
second KBSA Design Innovation Awards was declared a huge success by all
of those who attended the presentation ceremony and awards dinner on 6th
July. The awards were presented at a glamorous dinner following the association's
AGM at The Radisson SAS Hotel at Stansted Airport.
[More
on this Story]
Operations
Director Appointed at KBSA
Tony
Nicholas, Chairman of the KBSA has announced that Lucinda Kenny has been
appointed Operations Director for the KBSA with immediate effect.
[More
on this Story]
Graham
Hayden Retires from KBSA
KBSA
members and guests joined KBSA Director Graham Hayden at the KBSA AGM
and Design Innovation Awards to mark his retirement from the Association
after 10 years as Chief Executive and more recently Managing Director.
[More
on this Story]
PWS
Second Nature Dealer Wins KBSA Retailer Excellence Award
Elite
Interiors of Stanley, Co Durham scooped the KBSA Retailer Excellence Award
at the recent KBSA Design Innovation ceremony.
[More
on this Story]
Kitchen
Retailers Vote For Britannia
Range cooker specialist Britannia Living received the Supplier Excellence
Award 2006 from KBSA Chairman Tony Nicolas during an awards dinner on
July 6th, 2006.
[More
on this Story]
Franke Sponsorship of KBSA Creates A
Fizz
Franke added a fizz to the proceedings of the KBSA Annual General Meeting,
providing the drinks reception prior to the gala dinner and sponsoring
The Wine Tower Bar.
[More
on this Story]
Britannia's
Brand Is Increasing Its Appeal
First half year figures show that consumers' interest in Britannia is
increasing. The first six months of 2006 saw enquiries for brochures increase
by 25% compared to the same period in 2005. Moreover, unique visitors
to the website increased by 25% over the same period.
[More
on this Story]
Roman
Reaches Record-breaking Sales
Roman
has broken all its own records and achieved the highest month of sales
in the company’s 21-year history. A key factor which has encouraged
and stimulated Roman’s continued growth is the company's constantly
developing marketing strategy.
[More
on this Story]
Miele recently sponsored a one day Sales course in an effort to support the Kitchen Bedroom and Bathroom National Training Group. The course was attended by 12 delegates from a number of KBB specialists.
Much
Interest for Blum at Kitchen Showcase
The
Blum stand at the recent Kitchen Showcase event held at Olympia in London
proved to be a major attraction.
[More
on this Story]
Mobalpa
Looking for Partners
Mobalpa
reports that the recent Kitchen Showcase Exhibition was a success. The
company is looking for companies to partner it in supplying the Mobalpa
brand range of kitchens and accessories.
[More
on this Story]
Roman
Provides Showering Solution for Ben
Roman,
the UK shower manufacturer, has provided a perfect solution for a young
cerebral palsy sufferer.
[More
on this Story]
Independent
Retailers Get the Inside Scoop on Shades
Shades
Bathroom Furniture recently held its first ever dedicated customer training
day, which combined serious product training alongside some competitive
fitting fun!
[More
on this Story]
Homag
Edge Improvement Allows Chipboard to Replace MDF Panels
The
new Homag edge improvement technique now offers a way of counteracting
rising raw material costs in many areas of cabinet front production.
[More
on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 152 7th July 2006
Any
Old Baths Out There? The Search is on for the UK's Oldest
Bath
A
traditional roll top bath is often the popular choice
for those preferring the classical touch but perhaps you're
one of the few Brits who's holding onto a truly authentic
'old' bath. Ideal Standard would like to offer you a chance
to exchange 'old for new' with a brand new replacement
bathroom suite worth £1700.
[More
on this Story]
BCGM
Reviews Customer Satisfaction
Broughton Crangrove Galley Matrix (BCGM) has conducted
a national survey of its product and services in an effort
to understand and satisfy the needs and wants of their
customers in greater depth.
[More
on this Story]
Laufen
Team up With CALA Homes Scotland
Dedicated to providing high quality sanitary ware to the
property and development market, manufacturer Laufen is
delighted to have successfully secured a three year commitment
with CALA Homes Scotland.
[More
on this Story]
RAK Ceramics Open Tenth
Tile Plant
RAK Ceramics have started commercial production at their
latest tile plant, the MC9, the company's tenth plant
at their United Arab Emirates headquarters.
The new plant at Ras Al Khaimah is one of the most modern
ceramics factories in the world.
[More
on this Story]
De
Dietrich Offers Free Fagor 16-Piece Pan Set
De
Dietrich is offering a free 16-piece set of Fagor saucepans
and accessories with any purchase of a touch control induction
hob from its 2006 range until 30th August 2006.
[More
on this Story]
Planit
International Strengthens Export Sales Team
Planit
International has underlined its commitment to expanding export
activities with the appointment of an international direct sales
manager.
[More
on this Story]
JJO
Announces Agreement with Software Specialist 20-20 Technologies
J&J
Ormerod PLC (JJO plc), the independent UK manufacturer of quality
kitchens and bedrooms, announced on 30th June an agreement with
20-20 Technologies Inc., the computer-aided design and sales software
specialist, to bring the latest in design software to JJO plc's
kitchen retailers across the UK.
[More
on this Story]
William
Ball Cracks the Contract Market
Following
substantial success in the contract market, William Ball is expanding
its contracts department with the opening of two new dedicated
offices.
[More
on this Story]
Miele's
Free Warranty Promotions are Back
Back
by popular demand, Miele is running its successful warranty promotions
on a wide range of washing machines and dishwashing appliances
this summer to help retailers boost their sales.
[More
on this Story]
The
House in the Hill with a Kitchen Fit for a King
Currently
the co-owner of the Eriska Hotel, Spa and Island, Bebbo Buchanan-Smith
is making his home in the Eriska Hills – quite literally!
With the final special touches being put in place to the large
kitchen, by kitchen and catering equipment supplier RH Morton,
the house will soon be inhabitable.
[More
on this Story]
GDHA
Announces 2006 Independent Retailer Roadshow Dates
Glen
Dimplex Home Appliances is gearing up for a series of summer roadshows
aimed at providing its independent customers with an informative
insight into new innovations and developments from the company.
[More
on this Story]
Shades
Joins with Persimmon to Create New Concept in Bathroom Storage
In
recognition of the increased consumer interest in bathroom design
and the desire for more stylish interiors, Persimmon Homes has
joined forces with Shades Furniture to create a new bathroom concept,
which puts the main focus on storage.
[More
on this Story]
Showers
Workforce Studies with BMA Bathroom Academy
When
David Osborne, the managing director of shower enclosure and tray
manufacturers Roman, presented the BMA Bathroom Academy training
programme to his workforce, 19 of them enrolled.
[More
on this Story]
Launch
of Major Fabric2Furniture Initiative
The
FIRA National Furniture Conference on 13th July 2006 sees the
public launch of ukfirst's Fabric to Furniture (F2F) Project in
conjunction with LERC, Cardiff University's Lean Enterprise Research
Centre.
[More
on this Story]
Processing
of Aluminium Edges on Furniture Workpieces
Over
recent years, the demand for an economic solution to the edging
of kitchen workpieces with aluminium edges has been on the increase.
This trend was particularly evident at the International Furniture
Fair in Milan.
[More
on this Story]
In-toto
National Meeting is Great Success
The
independent fitted kitchen specialist, In-toto kitchens held its
2006 National Meeting at the DeVere Belfry Hotel in the Midlands
with a theme of 'Going for Gold'.
[More
on this Story]
DIPP
into East
After
launching in 2005, 100% East returns to the creative hothouse
the Truman Brewery, from 21-24 September 2006.
[More
on this Story]
Drought-Busting!
- Call to Make New Homes Water-Efficient
Water-saving
technology exists which can cut water consumption in homes by
up to 40% and which could play a crucial role in the drought-hit
South-east and areas undergoing massive house-building programmes.
[More
on this Story]