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THE K&BZINE ISSUE 245 27th June 2008
Roca
Group to Open at Imperial Wharf
Roca has purchased commercial premises comprising 11,917
sq ft (1,107 sq m) at Imperial Wharf, the award-winning new mixed used
development, for the company's new international flagship showroom which
will exhibit a range of high-quality products.
[More
on this Story]
tactile
by Studio Conran Launches
Studio Conran has created a new collection of wall and
floor tiles in association with UK tile manufacturer British Ceramic Tile
Limited.
[More
on this Story]
New
Showroom for Victoria & Albert Premium Dealer
Antibes, Richmond and Amalfi baths from Victoria &
Albert have been selected by Yorkshire Design Associates for the prestigious
Lapicida showroom near Harrogate.
[More
on this Story]
Metal
Industrie's Delaubrac Ovens are a Recipe for Success
Metal Industrie of France, a kitchen manufacturer, designs
the Delaubrac collection of ovens for both home and professional use.
The company, which is already well established internationally, is now
seeking further distributors.
[More
on this Story]
Kubek
Pine (Malta) Ltd
Kubek Pine (Malta) Ltd was established in 2000 and is
located on the Island of Malta. The company manufactures and exports solid
pine furniture which is constructed to the highest standards to provide
quality, durability and beauty.
[More
on this Story]
BCG
Appoints New Managing Director
Bathroom,
kitchen and heating distributor BCG, formerly known as Broughton Crangrove
Galley Matrix, announces its new managing director, Chris Honer.
[More
on this Story]
Duravit
Obtains Majority Holding in Tunisian MTC
In early May Duravit took over a 51 per share in Manufacture
Tunisienne de Céramiques (MTC) and its brand Artica. MTC was founded
in 1965 and has a production facility in Bizerte, north-west of Tunis,
where it started making sanitary ceramics in 1967.
[More
on this Story]
Man
at the Top
Mr.
Jan Klomp has been appointed as the new Group Managing Director for Imperial
Bathroom Products Ltd., which includes the responsibility for UK distribution
company Impulse Bathroom Products Ltd.
[More
on this Story]
Use
Big Brand Promotions to Harness TrustMark Awareness
With the installation arms of major home improvement
companies - such as Homebase and Magnet - now having been accredited by
TrustMark, and heavily advertising the fact; the time is right for all
home improvement businesses to ride this promotion.
[More
on this Story]
Time
to Shine at the 'William Ball Oscars'
There was plenty to celebrate at the recent William
Ball Awards ceremony, held aboard the prestigious Sunbourne luxury yacht.
Moored alongside the Excel Centre in London's Docklands, the awards ceremony
was held in conjunction with the Grand Designs Exhibition, which took
place in May.
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on this Story]
InSinkErator
Celebrates 70 Years in Business
Not many 70 year olds can claim they have been environmentally
friendly since birth. However, InSinkErator – the company founded
in 1938 to sell food waste disposers – is the exception to the rule.
[More
on this Story]
BCG
'XLs' in Annual Customer Survey
Bathroom, kitchen and heating distributor BCG XL reports
a healthy increase in customer satisfaction and loyalty, following its
annual Customer Survey.
[More
on this Story]
Stevens
& Jubb Appoints Network of Sales Representatives
Stevens & Jubb has appointed a national network
of sales representatives. Led by industry specialists, the new eight-strong
team will work with independent bathroom retailers throughout the country.
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on this Story]
Bill
Gulliver, 1936-2008
The FIRA is very sad to report the death of colleague
Bill Gulliver on 24th June. He was 71. Many in the industry - particularly
anyone involved in the technical aspects of furniture design and performance
- knew Bill, who joined FIRA in 1973.
[More
on this Story]
Blum
Amongst Top Patent Applicants
Every
year, ‘Statistik Austria’ ranks Austrian companies according
to the number of patent applications they file. Blum has always ranked
amongst the top companies in the past few years, and this remained the
case in 2007.
[More
on this Story]
SMART
Launches KPI Generator
The
KPI Generator was officially launched and released at KBB2008 but was
being Beta tested in a dozen SMART installations around the country for
up to six months.
[More
on this Story]
Camelot
House Selects Mermaid
One
guesthouse in Worthing has been awarded its four-star rating, after the
owners made the decision to undertake some renovations in preparation
for the new Visit Britain grading system.
[More
on this Story]
Furniture
Manufacturers Told: 'It's Time to Clear the Air!'
The
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is targeting North East furniture manufacturers
to raise awareness of the health risks associated with wood dust and woodworking
in general.
[More
on this Story]
New
Postforming Developments from Homag
Homag has made enormous progress in the development
of postforming techniques to improve the appearance of furniture edges
in line with modern demands reports Homag's Markus Kostenbader.
[More
on this Story]
Sorted!
Brabantia Helps You Recycle - In Style
Managing
your domestic waste and separating everything for recycling isn't everyone's
idea of a great night in, but in our increasingly environmentally conscious
world, it is a domestic task that's taking on much greater significance.
[More
on this Story]
Viridian
Solar Measures up the Benefits
Results
from the most rigorous UK test of any solar water heating system have
been announced. When asked about the energy savings from their products,
many solar water heating suppliers offer vague answers, and with good
reason - as Viridian Solar has recently found out. Proving the benefits
scientifically is time consuming, difficult and expensive.
[More
on this Story]
Tennis
Aces Serve up Ace Whirlpool Appliances for Habitat for Humanity UK
Ahead of Wimbledon, rising tennis starlet Agnes Szavay
and the latest Russian tennis success Maria Kirileko from the Sony Ericsson
WTA Tour arrived in Peckham, London to help deliver Whirlpool products
to be installed in the new Habitat for Humanity (HfH) homes.
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on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 244 20th June 2008
Merger
between ATAG Europe B.V. and Gorenje Group
On
the 11th June 2008 it was announced that ATAG Europe B.V. has merged with
Gorenje, a manufacturer of mainly large household appliances in Slovenia.
Gorenje is quoted on the Ljubljana Stock Exchange, employs 11.500 people,
is represented in 65 countries.
[More
on this Story]
Consolidation
Ahead as KBB Manufacturers Hit the Danger List
If
you want confirmation of how tough the market is, then look no further
than the latest findings from industry analysts Plimsoll Publishing Ltd.
The company's latest report confirms that zero growth, sliding profits
and escalating debts have pushed a third of the UK Kitchen, Bedroom &
Bathroom Manufacturers industry to the brink of failure.
[More
on this Story]
Miele
Triumphs For Second Time At Which? Awards 2008
Premium
domestic appliance brand, Miele has triumphed at the Which? Awards 2008
by winning the 'Best Domestic Appliance Brand' category for the second
year running. The win comes after scoring more Best Buys than any other
brand across ten domestic appliance groups.
[More
on this Story]
New
Service Manager For BSH Home Appliances
The
customer service division of BSH Home Appliances has appointed Mr. Steve
Clarke as its new UK Service Manager. In his new role at BSH, Steve Clarke
is responsible for the entire field service operation and all back office
support for the Bosch, Siemens, Neff and Gaggenau brands in the UK.
[More
on this Story]
PWS
Boosts Template and Fit Teams
Gearing
up to the launch of its £10m dedicated granite manufacturing plant,
PWS has enhanced its template and fit service to satisfy the growing demand
for its bespoke worksurfaces.
[More
on this Story]
AEG-Electrolux
Laundry Campaign finds London is Loudest
A
recently concluded advertising campaign conducted by AEG-Electrolux for
its Silent Laundry products shows that there are surprisingly high average
noise levels in London, Berlin, Madrid, Brussels and Milan.
[More
on this Story]
Two
Leading Brands One Unbeatable Offer
Ideal
Bathrooms has launched a unique promotion in conjunction with Showerlux
and Ideal Standard giving a free Simplicity shower tray with selected
Glide enclosures which include Pivot, Bi-fold, Quadrant and Slider doors.
[More
on this Story]
LG
Hi-Macs® 'Anne' Table
After
success at the Milan Furniture fair, 'Anne' table will soon be in your
living room! Contained within this contemporary rectilinear side table,
is the ghost of its past, a 1730 Queen Anne side table.
[More
on this Story]
Symphony
takes Kitchen Design to a New Level
Symphony
has taken kitchen design to a new level - Code Level 6 to be precise -
by supplying the kitchen for the revolutionary Barratt Green House.
[More
on this Story]
Design
Originality Shows in Mark Wilkinson's New Shan Gara Kitchen
Style
abounds in the new Shan Gara kitchen by Mark Wilkinson, delicate Oriental
shapes bring an air of tranquility, doors in coloured veneers, mirrored
glass and luxury Vellum, hidden wall units that pull forward in use and
a fully accessible walk-in larder.
[More
on this Story]
Get
The Big Brother House Look
Big
Brother has returned to TV screens with a completely new-look house. Try
these ideas from leading furniture retailer, mfi, to recreate winning
looks at home.
[More
on this Story]
KBSA
Sponsors Grand Designs Best Bathroom Range Award
The Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association (KBSA) supported
Channel Four's Grand Designs Awards by sponsoring the Award for Best Bathroom
Range 2008, which was won by 'The Muse Collection' by Matteo Thun and
Antonio Rodriguez with Ceramica Catalano.
[More
on this Story]
ABC's
Audit Confirms Success of kbb Birmingham
Despite
some exhibitor concerns that footfall at kbb Birmingham 2008 was down
compared with the 2006 event, the official audience figures independently
audited by the ABC confirms that 19,150 people attended the exhibition,
which is up on the attendance at the 2006 show.
[More
on this Story]
Fareham
Branches Out
The
timber and panel products distributor, James Latham, has announced the
latest stage of development at the new Fareham branch, Matrix Park. From
July 2008 it will offer additional timber and panel products including
hardwoods and joinery softwoods.
[More
on this Story]
Why
Energy Labelling is Important - How
Upgrading your Fridge can Save up to 800 Euro
Energy efficiency is the main or an important criterion when buying an
appliance for between 60 and 99% of European consumers according to a
recent survey by Electrolux. But consumers struggle with the energy labelling
- and who can blame them when A is no longer top of the league.
[More
on this Story]
Brand
New Cristadur - Only Available in the UK from Schock
Since
the 'composite sink' was first introduced a number of years ago, Schock
GmbH says that it has, through a range of sinks manufactured from the
highest quality composite materials, become renowned as a leader in this
rapidly growing marketplace.
[More
on this Story]
Global
Player Takes to the Field Ahead of 2012
Supporting
the Anglo-Polish connection, Amica, which provides a comprehensive range
of free-standing and built in kitchen appliances across 40 countries worldwide,
is one industry leader that has gone the extra mile by sponsoring a fixture
between two youth teams from the UK and Poland respectively.
[More
on this Story]
Inspirational
Design Projects from KitchenAid
KitchenAid
has worked with four leading designers to create four 'cooking concepts'
that look to the future of the home kitchen and how it can evolve.
[More
on this Story]
Furniture
that's Fitting from Mereway Bathrooms
Mereway Bathrooms has made a huge impression this year with
another exciting and successful Spring product launch now under their
belt. All new products were carefully selected and designed to support
bathroom retailers and emerging market trends, with Mereway offering a
further extensive range of fitted furniture with real feature and class.
[More
on this Here:]
Indesit
Hosts the World Bank's 7th Knowledge Economy Forum
Day
2 of the 7th Knowledge Economy Forum, organised by the World Bank, was
held on Wednesday 18th June in Indesit Company headquarters in Fabriano
(Le Marche).
[More
on this Here:]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 243 13th June 2008
Official
Opening for The Waterhouse Bathroom Showroom
The Waterhouse has announced the official opening of its bathroom
showroom in Newcastle. The new showroom offers a comprehensive range of
sanitaryware, bathroom furniture and tiles from luxury bathroom manufacturer,
Villeroy & Boch.
[More
on this Story]
New
UK Home for Viking Appliances within Waterline Group
Waterline Group has been appointed by Viking Europe as sole
importer of appliances for mainland Britain. Supported by Waterline Group
resources, Viking UK will develop the market for this international iconic
brand, celebrated for its Professional range cookers.
[More
on this Story]
Let
the Music Play with Franke
Win an iPod Nano just by answering a simple website survey!
Taking no longer than five minutes to complete, the questions in the Franke
website survey are designed so that Franke can collate feedback on the
company's comprehensive website, ensuring that visitors can use it effectively.
[More
on this Story]
Zenith
Feels the Bluestone Effect
A
Milford Haven-based kitchen company is the latest local firm to benefit
from ‘The Bluestone Effect.’In a contract worth over £100,000,
Zenith Interiors has designed, supplied and installed all the kitchens
for Bluestone’s 24 Skomer lodges, the three-bedroom flagship model
in the Bluestone range of luxury accommodation.
[More
on this Story]
Cooking
Up a Partnership - Glen Dimplex and the WI
Merseyside-based Glen Dimplex Home Appliances, manufacturer
of Stoves, Belling, New World and Lec home appliance brands, has joined
forces with the UK’s largest women’s organisation – the
Women’s Institute - in a new long-term partnership agreement aimed
at getting more people cooking.
[More
on this Story]
Fifty
Sabaf Rings Burn at Same Time on Vulcano Maxi Hob by Nardi
It was at Milan's Museum of Science and Technology: 50 rings
burnt simultaneously for 30 seconds, thus setting a Guinness Word Record
for 'The most rings on a hob'. 50 Sabaf Serie II rings were on the Vulcano
hob made by Nardi to celebrate its 50th anniversary. 'Each ring was like
a birthday candle, lit altogether to enter history.'
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on this Story]
Hertfordshire
School Wins BMA Competition
A class from St Margaret’s School in Hertfordshire has
beat more than 20 other South East and Home County infant schools to win
the Bathroom Manufacturers Association's (BMA) How To Wash competition.
[More
on this Story]
Maytag's
Summer Refrigeration Promotion
Maytag's recently issued summer newsletter, Outlook, features
the brand’s summer promotion - a 5-Year Parts and Labour warranty
on all Maytag refrigeration. The promotion starts on 1st July and runs
until the 30th September 2008.
[More
on this Story]
Utopia
Cad Programmes Updated
Utopia Bathroom Group Ltd has announced that the entire, recently
expanded product range is now live on the Planit Fusion and Logicom Virtual
Worlds programmes.
[More
on this Story]
Ideal
Home Highlights Fagor Freestanding Dishwasher
The market leading consumer title, Ideal Home has featured
the freestanding Fagor 1LFU-19SX in its Busy Woman's Guide
to Dishwashers.
[More
on this Story]
Metropolitan
Success for RAK Ceramics
One year on since its launch, RAK Ceramics reports that its
Metropolitan range has proved to be such a great success with consumers
and designers alike resulting in a radical ramping up of production at
the factory.
[More
on this Story]
Sovereign
Service Steps Up
Sovereign Appliances, the domestic appliance brand for freestanding
and built-in home products, announces enhancements to its after sales
service.
[More
on this Story]
Annual
Bathroom Conference Website Launched
Organiser
and host of the Annual Bathroom Conference, the Bathroom Manufacturers
Association (BMA), has launched a new website covering the event.
[More
on this Story]
Addspace
Adds Space with Aisle-Masters
It's a case of doubles all round for Rotherham based furniture
manufacturer Addspace: The company has doubled in size since it was established
four years ago, and it has created 50% more storage space in its warehouse
by replacing counterbalance trucks with 3 Aisle-Master articulated forklifts.
[More
on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 242 6th June 2008
Vance
Miller Fined 90,000 and Given a Six Month Suspended Sentence
Kitchen supplier Vance Miller has again been found in
contempt of court after Manchester County Court yesterday fined him 90,000
and gave him a six month sentence suspended for two years. The sentence
follows action taken by the OFT after Mr Miller breached a Stop Now Order
granted by the Court in April 2002 for the second time.
[More
on this Story]
Ikonic
New Deal for Deva
Deva,
one the UK's largest suppliers of bathroom and kitchen taps, showers and
bathroom accessories, has announced a new partnership with award winning
executive house builders, Wainhomes.
[More
on this Story]
ALNO's
Scottish Contract Division Scoops Two Awards
One
of Scotland's premier housebuilders, CALA Homes has awarded the Scottish
division of ALNO Contracts two prestigious awards.
[More
on this Story]
Home
& Garden Show Celebrates Record Visitor Numbers
More
than 10,000 people visited the Home & Garden Show 2008, held over
the weekend at Chester Racecourse. Visitors explored cooking, gardening
and interior design zones, each with famous names presenting demonstrations.
[More
on this Story]
HSK
Relocates
After
five years of unprecedented annual growth in the UK market, HSK has relocated
its entire operation to a new office in Church Broughton, Derbyshire.
[More
on this Story]
James
Latham's 1.5 Million Investment
The timber and panel products distributor, James Latham,
is making significant financial investments in new sites during 2008.
[More
on this Story]
Moben
Kitchens Falls Foul of ASA
A complaint, objecting to a magazine advertisement for
HF Group Acquisition Co Ltd t/a Moben Kitchens was upheld according to
published details from the Advertising Standards Authority.
[More
on this Story]
New
Kitchen & Bathrooms Showcase at Interbuild '08
A
new Kitchens & Bathrooms Showcase will bring together suppliers and
buyers in an inspirational and informative setting at Interbuild 2008.
[More
on this Story]
KBSA
National Conference and AGM Announced for 2008
A
date has been announced for the 2008 Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists
Association AGM. The event will take place at the National Self Build
and Renovation Centre which is located in Swindon on Thursday 10th July.
[More
on this Story]
Abode
Interactive Website
Abode
has been designing the company’s distinctive ranges of kitchen taps
for over five years and the natural progression beyond this was to 'make
a splash' into the bathroom taps and showers market.
[More
on this Story]
Alick
Kerr - Severn Valley Rally
Scottish
junior rally driver Alick Kerr got his Fiesta Sporting Trophy Campaign
back on track with a very sensible and solid finish on Saturday's Severn
Valley Rally.
[More
on this Story]
New
Consumer Protection Regulations
The
KBSA has welcomed the new regulations on consumer protection introduced
by The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR)
on 26th May as good news for specialist retailers.
[More
on this Story]
New
Laws to Crackdown on Cowboy Tradesmen
If
you want to find a tradesman that you can trust, you now have more protection
following the news that the Government is cracking down on rogue tradespeople.
[More
on this Story]
Whirlpool's
Mike Thieneman to Retire
Whirlpool
Corporation announced on June 5th the retirement of executive vice president
and chief technology officer Mike Thieneman, effective June 30th, 2008.
The company plans to name a successor at a later date.
[More
on this Story]
Waterwise
Research
Research
released by Waterwise on 5th June states that the average family's annual
water consumption results in as much CO2 as two transatlantic flights.
[More
on this Story]
BSH
Sponsors Lanzet's Constructive Challenge
Kitchen
appliance group BSH Home Appliances Ltd recently sponsored one of the
49 teams successfully taking part in the UK Construction Industry's annual
charity fund raising event.
[More
on this Story]
Huge
Demand for Thug-Proof Toilets
Demand
for vandal-resistant toilets is rising so fast that Wallgate, the sanitaryware
specialist, has created 20 new jobs at the company’s Wiltshire plant
after agreeing a 300,000 pounddeal for the supply of new casting machinery.
[More
on this Story]
Homag
CNC Open House
Homag
will be hosting a special open house exhibition focusing in the latest
developments in CNC technology from July 9 - 11.
[More
on this Story]
Brits
Urge Government to Make Us Greener
New
research from Worcester, Bosch Group, manufacturer of sustainable high
efficiency heating and hot water solutions for the home, has found that
almost 70% of us are calling for more education when it comes to things
like saving energy.
[More
on this Story]
Smeg
Cooker is Which? Magazine 'Best Buy'
The
SUK62CMX5 electric double oven Concert Cooker with ceramic hob from Smeg
'topped the charts' in the May issue of Which?, when the highly trusted
publication put twenty four free standing cookers through their paces.
[More
on this Story]
Elica
is the Top All-Italian Company in the Top 50 'Best Places to Work in Europe'
Elica, in terms of company climate, is one of the best
companies in Europe. After the recognition awarded by the Best Workplace
in Italy 2008 jury in the Italian classification of Great Place to Work,
where Elica came in fourth.
[More
on this Story]