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THE K&BZINE ISSUE 44 26th March 2004
BSH
Opens Two New Production Plants in the USA
Following
the start of construction in February 2002 and investments totaling around
$200m for the expansion of the local facility, US-specific home appliances
bearing the Bosch and Siemens brands have now started to roll off the
production line in New Bern, North Carolina. On March 9th BSH Bosch und
Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH opened two new production plants in New Bern
in the State of North Carolina, after a construction period of 18 months.
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Aga
Foodservice Reports £35.9m Pre Tax Profit for 2003
Aga
Foodservice Group PLC, the manufacturer of cookers, reported satisfactory
trading at the start of 2004, with UK consumer activities strong and the
US improving slowly. However, the group warned markets across its foodservice
activities remain mixed. It reported a pretax profit before goodwill of
£35.9m, up from £34.1m the previous year. Sales grew by 18.8%
to £392.4m, up from £330.3m the previous year.
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on this Story]
Fisher
& Paykel Announces Forecast Profit Upgrade
The
Directors of Fisher & Paykel Appliances Holdings Ltd have upgraded
the Company's forecast result for the year ending 31st March 2004 to between
$80m and $85m after taxation. Previous guidance on the result had been
for a similar performance to that of the $73.5m last year
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on this Story]
Wolseley
Announces 22% Increase in Pre Tax Profit for First Half
Wolseley
announces another set of record first half results, the eighth consecutive
year of improvement, despite challenging business conditions in a number
of markets. These results reflect strong organic growth and the additional
contribution from acquisitions. Each of the principal businesses increased
market share. Benefits have also been gained from the restructuring of
certain activities within the Group which have improved market focus and
increased operational efficiency.
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on this Story]
Interim
Pre Close Trading Update from Topps Tiles
Topps Tiles, the UK’s largest tile and wood flooring specialist,
is pleased to announce continued strong trading. Like for like sales are
in excess of 20% and profit before tax for the six month period ending
3rd April 2004 is now expected to be in the region of £15 million,
significantly ahead of market expectations.
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on this Story]
Orama
Takes Lead in Design and Innovation with the Launch of its Advanced Surfaces
Centre
On
23rd March Orama, the independent manufacturer of worksurfaces and associated
decorative products, annnounced a new initiative, which the company says
is set to transform the way it brings new products to market. The Advanced
Surfaces Centre (ASC) acts as a model design lab and has been launched
to turn new ideas into surfaces solutions by transcending the gap between
design prototypes and the full scale production of original products.
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on this Story]
Roman
Links up with Alfix to Help Installers Create the Perfect Wet Room
Following
the introduction of its Wetrooms range of doors, panels and low-level
shower trays in 2003, Roman Ltd is working closely with Alfix (UK) Ltd,
a leading supplier of sealing and fixing products, to provide installers
with guidance and information on the techniques and materials required
to achieve the waterproofed floor and walls that are essential for the
creation of a successful wet room
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on this Story]
New
Improved Franke Website Follows Customer Survey
Last
summer Franke invited customers to take part in a website survey*, designed
to show how www.franke.co.uk could be improved to better meet user needs.
The results of that survey have been analysed and the site developed accordingly.
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Merloni
- Net Profits up at €126 Million. Dividend Rises to €0.361
At
a recent meeting , the board of directors of Merloni Elettrodomestici
reviewed the consolidated financial statements for 2003, which closed
with net profits of €126m (up 16% on €108m in 2002). The Board
will recommend to the shareholders a dividend pay-out of €0.361 per
ordinary share, an increase of 12.1% on the previous year (€0.322)
and of €0.379 per savings share (€0.34 the previous year), payable
as of 27th May.
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Maytag
Corporation in USA Creates Separate Appliance Services Business Unit
Maytag Corporation announced on 23rd March that its Maytag Services consumer
in-home appliance repair operation will become a separate business unit
within the company. The newly formed Maytag Services business unit remains
part of the Corporation's Major Appliances financial reporting segment,
along with Maytag Appliances and Maytag International.
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on this Story]
Masco
Corporation Raises First Quarter Earnings Guidance and Declares Quarterly
Dividend
Masco
Corporation announced on March 18th that the Company's first quarter sales
and operating earnings are exceeding its expectations as the Company continues
to gain market share in many of its businesses. The Company now believes
that its first quarter 2004 earnings from continuing operations, excluding
the charge and gain discussed below, will approximate $.42 to $.44 per
common share compared with its previous guidance of $.36 to $.38 per common
share.
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Miele Did Introduce First Cat and Dog Vacuum Cleaner says ASA
A
complaint, objecting to an advertisement for Miele Company Ltd of Abingdon,
Oxfordshire was not upheld according to published details from the Advertising
Standards Authority. Dyson Ltd objected to the Advertising Standards Authority
(ASA) about an advertisement that was headed 'The first vacuum cleaner
specifically designed for cats and dogs'
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on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 43 19th March 2004
Sanitec
Corporation to Focus on Core Business - Evac sold to Zodiac Group
Sanitec Corporation has signed an agreement with the French Zodiac Group
to divest its Evac Environmental Solutions business. The debt free purchase
price is EUR 60 million, payable in cash by the Zodiac Group. Sanitec
intends to use the net proceeds from the transaction for early repayment
of its senior bank debt..
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on this Story]
John
Kinder Becomes Sole MD of Alno (UK) Ltd
Following the departure of Alno (U.K.) Ltd.'s joint managing director,
Eugene Rembor, John Kinder has been appointed sole managing director of
the company. John Kinder was managing director of Wellmann (U.K.) Ltd
and its franchise subsidiary In-toto up to the take over of Wellmann GmbH
by Alno in July.
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In-toto
Performance Awards
In-toto's performance shields were presented at its recent two-day national
conference. In-toto at Edinburgh, with a seven-figure turnover was the
top invoiced account and In-toto of the year. 'This was a tremendous achievement
based on a good mix of retail and contract sales' explains marketing Director
David Watts.
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on this Story]
FdF
Adds Norcool Products to its Domestic Collection
FdF (Fourneaux de France), already well-known for its semiprofessional
range cookers and extraction hoods, has been appointed the exclusive UK
agents for Norcool, European manufacturer of advanced refrigeration products.
This means that FdF is now a major player in the domestic appliance market,
with a complete collection of 'cool solutions' to complement its cooking
and extraction products.
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on this Story]
Homag
Open House to Feature Production Cell Techniques
Homag
U.K. will host an open house exhibition at the company’s Castle Donington
headquarters on April 22nd, 23rd and 24th. The latest technology from
Homag Group members will be on ‘live’ display as well as joinery
technology from specialists Martin and Joos.
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on this Story]
James
Latham’s Flooring Division Goes from Strength to Strength
Six
months on from its launch, James Latham says that its specialist flooring
division is going from strength to strength, increasing its product offering
and securing a number of lucrative contracts. The division was set up
last summer to provide customers with a ‘one-stop’ shop, supplying
everything that shop fitters, specialist flooring contractors and timber
merchants need.
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on this Story]
Falcon
Appliances Introduces Free 3 Year Guarantee
'Falcon
prides itself on high performance, durability and excellence in design.
To reinforce this message and to demonstrate just how confident we are
with the product quality and performance Falcon Appliances is launching
a three year parts and labour guarantee', explains Falcon's Clare Harris.
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on this Story]
Strong
Impulse to Enter Commercial Market
Better
known for its sanitary-ware for new build and refurbishment projects,
Mandarin Building Products is now highlighting it's extensive range of
specification products aimed at the commercial market. Low level pan for
children; cloakroom basins, urinals; cleaner sink; semi-recessed basins
and big sinks suitable for washrooms and laundry use are now available
from selected stockists.
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on this Story]
Slight
Increase in Dornbracht Orders
Aloys F. Dornbracht GmbH & Co. KG, international manufacturer of high
quality designer fittings, accessories and interiors, is reviewing the
last business year. The weakness of the domestic market and the dollar,
combined with falling sales in the USA, is countered by the overall favourable
development in foreign business. With a 2.2% increase in received orders,
the company still faced a slight drop of 0.5% on a total turnover of 119.8
million euro in 2003 (2002: 120.2 million euro).
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Bemis
Europe Expands Hotel Line
Bathroom accessories manufacturer Bemis Europe has added to its Bravo
Suite line to appeal to the hotel sector. The range is a complete collection
of accessories in polished chrome-plate. The combination of contemporary
style and nostalgia gives a simple look a modern twist suitable for any
bathroom.
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on this Story]
Intatec's
Anti Scald Minimalist Shower Valve meets with Approval of Governments
New 'Make Bath-Time Safer' lnitiative
lntatec
Limited has introduced the lntaflo Minimalist which is claimed to be the
only minimalist style shower valve with TMV3 approval.
Stuart Gizzi, lntatec 's managing director said: 'More and more families
see the bathroom as a focus of the home where the emphasis is on high
class design and top quality fittings. More importantly, the bathroom
should be a place where all the family can bathe and shower in comfort
and safety.
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on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 42 12th March 2004
Major
Report on the UK Bedroom Furniture Market 2004
Household penetration levels of fitted bedroom furniture were estimated
to be around 12% in 2003, with forecasts expecting a steady rise to reach
around 14% in 2007. Compared with penetration levels forecast for fitted
kitchens of around 69% and fitted bathrooms of 62% in 2007, there is considerable
scope for future development in bedroom furniture, as the trend towards
smaller new builds in the housing sector and the shrinking size of bedrooms,
require more emphasis on space-saving storage solutions.
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on this Story]
Poggenpohl
Reports Sales Increase and Appearance at Eurocucina
Kitchen manufacturer Poggenpohl Möbelwerke GmbH concluded the fiscal
year 2003 with a sales increase of 10% and an improvement in the result
which 'surpassed all expectations'. The Continental Europe Division (which
includes Poggenpohl as well as the companies Goldreif, Pronorm and Optifit)
increased their EBIT margin from 3.3% to 4.3%, primarily due to Poggenpohl.
'Despite a difficult market environment in Germany and the Netherlands,
we increased the result for continental Europe by 22%', explained Poggenpohl
CEO Elmar Duffner.
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on this Story]
Maytag
UK Launches Speedy Drinks Cooler
Maytag UK launches in to the world of small appliances with another first.
The originators of the American fridge freezer with an established appliance
business of almost 100 years, and the innovators in the world of American
refrigeration launch the unique and patented Maytag Handy Chiller..
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on this Story]
CDA's
Space Saving, Freestanding, Stainless Steel Combinations
Launched
this month from CDA are three space saving, freestanding, stainless steel
combinations, which should appeal to those who like cutting edge design.
Being freestanding also means that when you decide to move on they can
simply be packed up, and go with you. Combinations as seen here include
a microwave and dishwasher, coffee machine and storage drawer, and range
oven and dishwasher.
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on this Story]
Ardesco
Goes Regional with Premier Forest
Orama, the independent manufacturer of worksurfaces and associated decorative
products, has concluded a distribution agreement for its Ardesco range
of worksurfaces with Premier Forest Limited. This new association will
see Orama leveraging Premier’s extensive supply and channel network
to reach specialist KBB traders and retailers in major conurbations across
the Midlands, North West, South of England and Wales..
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on this Story]
New
purpose-built headquarters for Arrow
Arrow Distributors is enjoying its early days in its new purpose-built
headquarters and national distribution centre following a successful relocation
which took place a few weeks ago. The new headquarters at Woodbury Lane
provides the convenience of being situated near Junction 7, on the M5
in Worcester. The new location only a few miles from the original premises
makes the headquarters ideal for motorway access and delivery throughout
the UK, continuing Arrow’s already proven national distribution service..
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on this Story]
Diamond
for Glen Dimplex Cooking Competition Winner
A
Durham business man is celebrating after he was selected as the winner
of a prize draw held by Glen Dimplex Cooking at this year's KBB Show.
Glen Dimplex Cooking had an excellent response to the competition, and
Peter Robinson, managing director of Kitchen World Ltd, won a magnificent
diamond sourced by a master jeweller after his name was chosen at random
from the many entries.
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on this Story]
KBSA
Message Reaches Record Number of Consumers
The
latest figures released by the KBSA’s press agency CDC show that
the KBSA message continues to reach a record number of consumers. Total
circulation for 2003 has reached 16million; this equates to a readership
of around 48m. The value of the coverage in the consumer magazines for
the last six months of 2003 has increased by 40%. The equivalent advertising
cost (how much the coverage would have cost if it had been bought as advertising
space) is up from £42,000 to £59,000 for the six months ending
Dec 2003.
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on this Story]
Barwick
Announces New Range from Laufen
Spring 2004 sees the launch of Pro, the new range from Laufen, which will
be distributed by Barwick within their delivery area. Pro is a significant
new collection of Basins, WC's and Bathroom furniture, designed to offer
a multitude of solutions for the modern bathroom. Pro was developed after
careful and exhaustive research to offer a single integrated concept where
each product design is linked to all others within the programme..
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Completed
Acquisition by Nobia Holdings UK Ltd of Gower Group Ltd
The manufacture and supply of rigid and flat-packed kitchen units in the
UK is fragmented. Post-merger (following Nobia's acquisition of
Gower) the combined share of supply will be 15 per cent (increment 7 per
cent). Barriers to entry are low and imports appear to provide a
competitive constraint on UK manufacturers. Consequently, the OFT does
not believe that it is or may be the case that the merger may be expected
to result in a substantial lessening of competition within a market or
markets in the UK..
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on this Story]
Wilsonart Opens Showroom
at County Durham HQ
The opening of a new 'in-house' showroom at the Company's Shildon (Co.
Durham) Headquarters is more evidence of the strategy to review and enhance
the level of service that Wilsonart provides for its customers. Aimed
primarily,at the Worktop market, the showroom, strategically located within
the factory, provides many of the answers to the questions raised by customers.
It encompasses a wide variety of the products and support elements currently
available in the various 'Worktop Collections' - including large 'finished
samples and edgings, plus sample chips, point-of-sale material and colour
swatches.
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on this Story]
Joint
Venture in Air Conditioning Appliances: BSH Takes over Fedders Shares
BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH is reinforcing its position
in Europe, the largest market for mobile air conditioning units. With
effect from the end of 2003, BSH took over 50% of the shares previously
held by the US Fedders Corporation. 1998 saw the two companies set up
a 50:50 joint venture to develop and manufacture indoor air conditioning
units in Estella, Spain.
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on this Story]
Rayburn
Saga Finally Boils Down to Removal
An interesting case picked up by the consumer watchdog 'The Crusader'
at the Daily Express on February 26th concerned a Rayburn 480K combined
heating and cooking boiler. Bought in 1994 for £3,500 by a Cumbrian
woman who was promised 25 years of trouble free service by her retailer,
the appliance failed after 10 days and went on to be a constant problem.
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on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 41 5th March 2004
Nobia's
Focus on Flat Pack Kitchens Bears Fruit in 2003 Results
The
Nobia Group maintained organic growth in the 2003 financial year, with
no significant contribution yet from the acquisition of Gower (acquired
in December for £60.4m), and despite the write down from the proposed
closure of German kitchen company Goldreif. The UK operation had organic
growth of 6 per cent and the Nordic operation, 5 per cent. The organic
growth is mainly the result of Nobia’s focus on the DIY segment and
on expanding and modernising the store network. Sales in the Continental
European operation fell organically by 4 per cent. Flat pack kitchens
increased to 11 per cent of Nobia’s total sales, compared to 8 per
cent for the same period the previous year
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on this Story]
Lofra…Cooking
on Gas at New Location!
Lofra,
Italy’s leading cooker manufacturer, has more than doubled the size
of its UK sales and distribution centre. The recent move to premises on
the outskirts of Birmingham follows a year on year growth of 52 per cent
in 2003, resulting in the need for both a larger and combined sales and
distribution facility.
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on this Story]
Saniflo Stretches
its Legs Again in TV Ad Campaign
Saniflo will be reinforcing brand awareness throughout March thanks to
a 30 second TV advertisement campaign. Commencing 5th March the ad is
being screened throughout the London ITV Region (Carlton, LWT and 5) and
Granada regions, targeting more than a third of the UK’s adult population.
The 30 second commercial will run throughout the month in conjunction
with a 10 second 'reminder' version.
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on this Story]
Mandarin:
Dispelling the 'Cheap China from China' Myth
Mandarin
Building Products says it is a measure of quality, design, service and
value when a distributor goes from a standing start to leading supplier
in a mere seven years. Having knocked the 'cheap china from China' quip
into a cocked hat Mandarin Building Products has established itself as
a supplier to merchants and distributors who want a quality product that
they can sell, and sell at a profit.
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on this Story]
Falcon
Appliances Chills Out at the National Homebuilding & Renovating Show
Falcon
Appliances
- an AGA company - says it will make the coolest of impressions at the
Homebuilding & Renovating Show 2004 (4th - 7th March, NEC, Birmingham)
where it is showcasing its new range of products. New for 2004, Falcon
Appliances has introduced a wine cooler, and an ice maker to its product
portfolio.
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on this Story]
Rangemaster
Breaks the Ice at Homebuilding & Renovating 2004
Rangemaster - an AGA company - is featuring new products at the National
Homebuilding & Renovating Show 2004 (4th - 7th March, NEC, Birmingham
Stand 616 Hall 9). Taking pride of place on the stand are the new Rangemaster
wine cooler and ice maker. Both products have been designed to complement
Rangemaster range cookers to give that branded and coordinating kitchen
look.
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on this Story]
Hüppe
& RSJ Ltd - A Winning Team
RSJ
Associates Ltd has been the sole agents for Hüppe in the UK and lreland
for 12 years, building Hüppe over that time into a successful shower
enclosure brand in the British Isles.
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on this Story]
ASFI
2004 - October 10th– 13th, NEC, Birmingham, UK
ASFI took a small information booth at the recent ZOW show in Germany.
There was exceptional interest shown in ASFI 2004 due to take place in
October, which it is hoped will continue to produce significant bookings
for the ASFI Sales Team. European companies are eager to reach the UK
market and exhibiting at ASFI is an ideal way of achieving this. There
was also much interest from buyers planning to attend ASFI 2004 as visitors.
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on this Story]
High
Tech Investment by Instarmac Group
Since
the beginning of 2004 adhesives and grouts manufacturer, the Instarmac
Group plc, has been busy building, installing and commissioning a brand
new £500,000 paste plant at its manufacturing unit in Tamworth.
The new resource, scheduled to be fully operational in early March, will
provide Instarmac with a state-of-the-art manufacturing capacity for its
Ultra range of ready-mixed wall tile adhesives.
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on this Story]
Storage
Solutions from East Coast Fittings
Modern
furniture designers and manufacturers have come to expect from suppliers
that they not only provide products but ideas and solutions as well. Not
many suppliers, however, are in a position to provide such a complete
service through restricted portfolios and/or untrained sales staff.
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on this Story]
Whole New Meaning to TV Dinners with LG's TV Fridge
TV
dinners will now be moving back to the kitchen thanks to LG's TV fridge
(GR-G217BTBA), a stylish built-in side-by-side fridge freezer which incorporates
an LCD TV on the outer door. Not only does the GR-G217BTBA feature a built-in
13" flat screen TV, but also has the latest refrigeration technology.
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on this Story]
Whirlpool
Corporation Reiterates 2004 Full-Year Earnings Guidance
On
February 25th, Whirlpool Corporation reiterated its 2004 full-year earnings
guidance of $6.20 to $6.35 per share. As previously disclosed, the
earnings guidance includes the company's planned and currently projected
expenses for raw materials.
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on this Story]
Schott
Achieves Operating Plus in 2002/2003 - Emphasis on Reorganisation of Global
Company Group
Change
will continue to be an important aspect for the Schott international technology
group in the current 2003/2004 fiscal year (to September 30th). At the
group’s annual results press conference in Frankfurt am Main on February
17th, 2004 the new Chairman of the Board of Management Dr. Udo Ungeheuer
indicated that structural reorganisation was to be speeded up. He referred
in this connection to the 'biggest modernisation process in the corporation’s
history ever'. The objective of the measures that have been introduced
is to improve international competitiveness and to create the prerequisites
for a stable growth in sales and profits.
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