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THE K&BZINE ISSUE 90 18th March 2005
Hotpoint
Voted Britain’s Most Trusted Appliance Brand for 5th Consecutive
Year
Hotpoint
has been voted the Most Trusted Brand of Kitchen Appliance for the 5th
consecutive year in the annual nationwide survey conducted by Reader's
Digest. Hotpoint is one of only a handful of brands to receive a Trusted
Brand accolade every year since the awards inception.
[More
on this Story]
Iconic
Design goes Underground
Interior design experts, Justin Ryan and Colin McAllister have
been showcasing the most innovative of Ideal-Standard bathroom designs
in a most unusual setting at this year's Ideal Home exhibition. The show
features four authentic show homes including strangely enough a cave home,
one of the trendiest living spaces currently to hit the Mediterranean.
[More
on this Story]
Siemens
Stars in Venetian Show House at 2005 Ideal Home Show
At this year's Daily Mail Ideal Home Show at Earl's Court in
London, a selection of Siemens built-in appliances are starring in the
kitchen of the Venetian show house within the central Mediterranean living
village. Designed by Interior Designer, Maggie Colvin, the Venetian show
house gives visitors to the show the opportunity of tasting Mediterranean
life.
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on this Story]
Bathroom Manufacturers Association Joins University Project
BMA
President Martyn Denny and Richard Moss of Ideal Standard, represented
the Industry at the Kitchen and Bathroom Conference held in conjunction
with both Lancaster and Manchester Universities at the end of January.
The two day conference debated Papers, which were presented by delegates
from Finland, Holland and Denmark as well as the UK, on the practices,
economics and hardware of the kitchen and bathroom.
[More
on this Story]
Victoria
& Albert Baths Announces Middle East Launch at ISH Dubai
British freestanding bath manufacturer, Victoria & Albert,
has chosen ISH Dubai to mark the company’s launch in the Middle East.
Seven baths from the exclusive classic and contemporary ranges are on
display from May 15-17, 2005 at Stand KB801, Hall 6 of the World Trade
Centre, Dubai.
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on this Story]
Lofra
Turns Up the Heat on Safety
With statistics from the Royal Society for the Prevention
of Accidents (RoSPA) revealing that the almost one in ten accidents in
the home occur in the kitchen, safety is high on the agenda for kitchen
appliance manufacturers. Cooker company, Lofra, has introduced a number
of safety features in its latest range, including hob indicator lights,
triple glazed oven doors, reinforced oven shelves and rear vents.
[More
on this Story]
Complaint
Against Energy Saving Trust Poster Not Upheld
A
Complaint to the Advertising Standards Authority from a member of the
public in Scotland objected to a poster that promoted an energy saving
logo on electrical appliances. The advertisement showed a photograph of
a woman in a shop that sold white goods; she was on her knees with her
head inside a washing machine.
[More
on this Story]
Homes
& Gardens Classic Design Awards Win for Axis Digital
Aqualisa’s Axis Digital shower triumphed at this year’s
Homes & Gardens Classic Design Awards, held on Thursday, 10th March
at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London. Axis Digital was the recipient
of the ‘Readers’ Award’ – securing its success from
votes cast by readers of Homes & Gardens magazine and via an interactive
‘voting wall’ at The Victoria & Albert Museum.
[More
on this Story]
KBSA
Adapts to Meet New Challenges
The
board of directors of the KBSA has announced changes to the operational
structure of the association in order to prepare for future growth and
development. Lucinda Kenny, operations manager, will take full responsibility
for the management of head office and the support services of the association.
Graham Hayden will concentrate on representing the association at government
level and progressing industry issues, such as the new Part P legislation,
WEEE directive, Quality Scheme and introduction of 3 way consumer cover.
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on this Story]
Waterfront
is Latest KBSA Corporate Member
The
Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association has welcomed another
corporate member aboard this month – high quality bathroom accessory
supplier Waterfront.
[More
on this Story]
Aqualux
Signs on the Dotted Line
Aqualux
has become the latest member to join the Bathroom Manufacturers Association
(BMA) as part of its commitment to deliver excellence within the industry.
[More
on this Story]
Llandaff
Laminates Takes on Indesit Built-In
Llandaff
Laminates, one of South Wales' leading distributors of worktops, kitchen
furniture and appliances, is now stocking Indesit built-in appliances.
[More
on this Story]
Geberit
Fulfills Tall Order in Docklands
Washrooms on each of the 33 storeys which make BP1 one of the
largest buildings in Docklands, have been installed using the top of the
range Geberit Duofix frame system for wall mounted sanitaryware.
[More
on this Story]
Contented
Customers… More Sales
It’s
not everyday that attractive and decorative porcelain tiles, the substrate
to which they are bonded and the adhesive used to apply them are asked
to withstand the heavy trafficking, wear and tear subjected by tyres
and vehicles. But this was exactly the specification for the new showroom
flooring recently installed at Listers Chrysler Dealership in Coventry.
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on this Story]
Sanderson
Launches New Chelsea Harbour Showroom
Sanderson
has announced the opening of a new showroom for 2005 situated within
the existing Zoffany showroom at Chelsea Harbour Design Centre. Visitors
were invited along to the showroom during its inauguration at London
Design Week to see the new collections for Spring/Summer 2005
[More
on this Story]
Jacuzzi
Brands Completes Sales of Investment in Polyair and Plant
Jacuzzi
Brands announced that it has completed the sale of its convertible note
receivable from Polyair Inter Pack for $4.625m. The convertible note
represented part of the proceeds from the May 2003 sale of its non-core
swimming pool & equipment business. The Company also announced the
February 2005 sale of its Plant City, Florida facility for $3.0m.
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on this Story]
Alstons
Install First Ever Hot Foil Transfer BAZ from Homag
Part
of the Alstons Group, Ipswich-based Alstons Cabinets is a manufacturer
of bedroom and living room furniture for the general market. The company’s
widely distributed designs and styles have always been universally popular
and distributed through a variety of independent and other specialists
outlets including household name mail order firms.
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on this Story]
Electrolux
Board Proposes Performance-Based Long-Term Incentive Programme
The
Board of Directors of AB Electrolux has decided to propose that the
Annual General Meeting on April 20th, 2005, approves a performance-based
long-term share programme, substantially identical to the programme
approved for 2004. The programme covers less than 200 senior managers
and key employees.
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on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 89 11th March 2005
Unique
Venue to Preview Neff's 2005 Collection
Built-in appliance specialist Neff recently unveiled 'Evolution 2005',
a new cooking collection for 2005 and beyond. Against the backdrop of
'The Concept Centre', a unique venue in Bedfordshire, Neff created a purpose
built exhibition to showcase the new look range.
[More
on this Story]
Electrolux
Takes Lead in Built-In Cooking says GfK
The latest GfK* audited Major Domestic Appliance (MDA) sales figures for
January 2005 reveal a significant market volume growth of 12.1% over the
same month last year. The data, which notably includes the period from
Boxing Day 2004 through to late January 2005, suggests that it was not
all doom and gloom in the high street.
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on this Story]
Maytag
Emphasises 'Faster, Leaner' Organisation at Investors Conference
Maytag Corporation reaffirmed its business strategies
and guidance on March 7th during the 26th annual Raymond James Institutional
Investors Conference in Orlando, Fla., saying that Maytag is a much different
company than it was a year ago.
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on this Story]
BMA
Training: Acting on Initiative
Yvonne
Orgill Commercial Director of the BMA talks about how the newly appointed
Training Co-ordinator will help further the implementation of the BMA’s
Bathroom Education Initiative.
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on this Story]
KBSA
Chief Executive Joins Design Awards Judging Panel
Kitchen
Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association chief executive Graham Hayden
is to be a member of the judging panel for the new National Home Awards
2005.
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on this Story]
Strong
Growth Boosts Laufen's Profits
Sanitary-ware manufacturer Laufen has announced substantial growth from
2003-2004. 'Continued investment in product development, distributor relationships
and new acquisitions is undoubtedly the foremost reasoning behind the
fantastic year-end statistics.'
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on this Story]
Zeyko
Joins KBSA as Corporate Member
One
of Germany’s top kitchen industry brand manufacturers has joined
the Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association as a corporate member.
[More
on this Story]
Maple
Industries t/a Discount Kitchens Direct Attracts Complaints
Complaints
objecting to a magazine advertisement for Maple Industries t/a Discount
Kitchens Direct of Oldham, Lancashire were upheld in all three of the
objections according to published details from the Advertising Standards
Authority.
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on this Story]
Hotpoint
and Westbury Work Together
Hotpoint
and Westbury Homes have strengthened their relationship, with a new housing
development in Longlevens, Gloucester. Hotpoint enjoys a strong relationship
with Westbury which has developed since it was initiated in the early
1990s.
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on this Story]
Homecare
Expands to Offer Total Bathroom Solutions
Homecare,
one of the largest independent home improvement centres in the country,
has recently expanded its showroom to offer an enhanced selection of bathroom
solutions to customers.
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on this Story]
A
Top Timber Offer from PWS
PWS is offering a 10% discount on bespoke timber worksurface orders placed
between 1st April and 31st May 2005. The promotion applies to the complete
range of 12 timber species.
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on this Story]
Villeroy
& Boch: Improved Sales and Result in 2004
The
Villeroy & Boch Group announced its first provisional figures for
2004 at 'Ambiente', the international consumer-goods trade fair in Frankfurt.
[More
on this Story]
Indesit
Company Presents New Built-In Collections
In
response to a significant growth in the built-in market, Indesit is adding
to its existing range with a new collection of products which were launched
in February 2005.
[More
on this Story]
New
Dates for Interclima and Idéo Bain in 2006
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]
Lathams
Provides Coordinating Portfolio of Products with Kolorband
Timber
and panel distributor James Latham is supplying a successful range of
coordinating products in the form of Kolorband, a portfolio that links
concept and creation for a design solution.
[More
on this Story]
Trade
Mouldings Presents New Styles from Stock
Door
and component supplier, Trade Mouldings, has launched a new range of
solid and foil wrapped doors which are now held in quantities in stock
for immediate dispatch from the company’s distribution centres.
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on this Story]
Miele
Takes Appliance Design To The Next Generation
Miele,
a specialist in advanced appliance technology and design, is showcasing
four of its premier kitchen appliances in the NextGen Demonstration
Home during the International Consumer Electronics, National Associations
of Broadcasters and Kitchen & Bath Industry tradeshows in Las Vegas.
[More
on this Story]
Jacuzzi
Brands, Inc. Appoints Young & Rubicam Brands Global Agency of Record
Jacuzzi Brands announced recently that Young & Rubicam
Brands - including Y&R, Burson-Marsteller and Wunderman and mediaedge:cia
- has been selected as its global agency of record for Jacuzzi®
and Sundance® branded products.
[More
on this Story]
Villeroy
& Boch Receives Highly-Esteemed German Industry Innovation Award
for 2004
The
world's first innovation award, 'the German Business Innovation Award',
was won in 2004 in the 'medium-sized business' category by Villeroy
& Boch for its 'NewWave' cup design and production techniques.
[More
on this Story]
Eighty
Three Companies Attend Homag CNC Event
A
total of eighty three of the UK and Ireland's most progressive furniture,
joinery and shopfitting firms at all levels attended three days of demonstrations
of CNC and associated machinery at the Homag U.K. open house exhibition.
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on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 88 4th March 2005
Major
Report on the Bathroom & Shower Products - Focus On Housebuilding
Market UK
A
major review of the UK Bathroom & Shower Products Market - Focus On
Housebuilding UK 2005-2008, has been published by AMA Research. The report
is informed, comprehensive and up-to-date, and represents an aid to sales
and marketing professionals involved in the industry.
[More
on this Story]
Visit
Bathrooms & Kitchens EXPO for the Chance to Win a Weekend Break to
lreland
Bathrooms
& Kitchens EXPO has teamed up with London City Airport to offer visitors
not only an easy way to travel to the exhibition in May but also the chance
to win a weekend break at the luxurious Marriott Druids Glen Hotel &
CountryClub in County Wicklow, Ireland.
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on this Story]
Experience
Hotpoint at 2005 Launch
Hotpoint's
new Experience range was showcased at a launch event held at the Cumberland
Hotel, London. Complementing Hotpoint's collection of built-in appliances,
the Experience range is available in two finishes: Stainless Steel and
Titanium Glass.
[More
on this Story]
Indesit
Company Presents New Built-In Collections
Indesit
Company’s 2005 ‘Experience’ launch event held at the end
of February, the first since the company name change from Merloni Elettrodomestici
to Indesit Company, demonstrated its commitment to the built-in sector.
[More
on this Story]
Hundreds
of Unveilings at AMDEA Show - New Product Bonanza at the NEC Next Month
Over
300 new products will be launched at The AMDEA Show next month –
most of them not previously seen by retailers, even at manufacturers’
private presentations. More than 20 Brands will be on view and practically
all of them have announced that they will use the Show as a launch platform
for new product ranges.
[More
on this Story]
Shires
Bathrooms and HPS Form Strong Business Partnership
Bathroom
manufacturer, Shires Bathrooms and independent merchant, Heating Plumbing
Supplies (HPS) have pooled their knowledge of the bathroom sector to form
a business partnership whose aim is to offer improved customer service
and easier product selection.
[More
on this Story]
Franke
Launches Online Survey to Find out More about Customers’ Needs
With
an increasing number of people tapping into the internet to find out more
about a product they plan to purchase, Franke has launched an online survey
to look at how its site could be improved to better meet visitors’
needs.
[More
on this Story]
Broughton
Crangrove and Galley Matrix Announce New Appointments
Alan
Penny has been promoted to Brand Director, to lead the teams at Broughton
Crangrove and Galley Matrix. Alan took up his new post on the 1st March
2005.
[More
on this Story]
Colin
and Justin ‘Trade Up’ with Ceramica Dolomite
Ceramica
Dolomite has teamed up with TV house designers, Colin McAllister and Justin
Ryan for a number of projects, the first of these being to create a consumer
advertisement for the expanding bathroom brand.
[More
on this Story]
Massive
Industry Support for New National Training Group
The
newly-formed Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom National Training Group convened
to outline its initial objectives this month and members reported huge
support from the KBB industry.
[More
on this Story]
KBSA
Supports New Quality Scheme
The
KBSA has announced it will support the government’s proposed new
Quality Scheme, which may be launched this spring.
[More
on this Story]
Barwick
Expands Product Portfolio with Acova Trade
Bathroom
distributor Barwick has expanded its product portfolio with Acova Trade,
a comprehensive new range of room heating radiators from manufacturer
Acova.
[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
[More
on this Story]
Häfele
goes to Town
Although
better known in furniture assembly fittings, Häfele’s more
recent expansion into the fast growing architectural ironmongery sector
for building and construction has led to the opening of a dedicated
new sales office to serve the Greater London area.
[More
on this Story]
Graham
is Pilkington's Sales Champion
The
Pilkington's Tiles Group has appointed as group sales director the man
who managed its strategy for and successful development of the distribution
and multiple retail sectors.
[More
on this Story]
Lathams
Meets International Standard
Timber
and panel distributor James Latham has been awarded an internationally
recognised standard for all of its UK depots.
[More
on this Story]
Record
Sales for Chartley
Chartley
has announced a record month for sales in January 2005 of Ovale &
Rettangolo products. These designs by Prospero Rasulo were launched
at KBB2004 and are sold exclusively via carefully selected choice retailers
throughout the UK.
[More
on this Story]
Electrolux
Household Appliances Honoured with Six Good Design™ awards
Kitchen
appliances from the Electrolux Group have been honoured with six prestigious
Good Design awards, one of the oldest and most important design competition
worldwide, established by the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture
and Design in 1950.
[More
on this Story]
Masco
Corporation Business and Financial Highlights
Masco
Group net sales from continuing operations for the first quarter
increased 10 percent to over $3.0bn, primarily from organic growth,
with North American sales increasing eight percent and International
sales increasing 17 percent.
[More
on this Story]
Schott
Expects Marked Increase in Profitability for 2004/2005 Fiscal Year
International
technology group Schott returned to profitability during the past fiscal
year 2003/2004 ending September 30th. The company is again expecting
a significant profit growth for the 2004/2005 fiscal year.
[More
on this Story]