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THE K&BZINE ISSUE 186 30th March 2007
Fagor
2006 Results Show a Positive Viewpoint for the UK
At
its annual Press Conference in Bilbao, Fagorelectrodomesticos
Group (the parent company of UK subsidiary, FagorBrandt UK) presented
its financial results for 2006, announcing profits of €12
million.
[More
on this Story]
BMA
Welcomes New Member Mayfair Taps & Showers
Leeds-based
shower and tap manufacturer Mayfair Taps and Showers is the latest
company to join the Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA).
[More
on this Story]
Lathams
Advances with LG HI-MACS®
LG
HI-MACS® Natural Acrylic Stone™, the solid surface product
distributed exclusively in the UK by James Latham, continues to
grow in popularity and has recently been used in a kitchen showroom
display in Peterborough.
[More
on this Story]
Magnet
Reveals Regional Differences in Kitchen Tastes and Styles
It
seems that the North-South divide is greater than ever, certainly
in terms of style choices. New research by kitchen expert Magnet
into buying patterns across the UK reveals our choice of kitchens
and buying behaviours differ depending on where we live.
[More
on this Story]
PJH
Partners April Showers & Adds Exclusive 'Meko' Range
Bathroom
distributor, the PJH Group, has teamed up with shower manufacturer,
April Bathroom Products, to offer a new collection of semi-frameless
enclosures - the MEKO range - exclusively to PJH Group customers.
[More
on this Story]
Rak
Ceramics and Smaltochimica Set Up Rak Chimica
Rak
Ceramics and Smaltochimica have set up a new joint venture company
called Rak Chimica for the production of chemical auxiliaries
for the ceramic industry.
[More
on this Story]
Complaints
Against Alan Ford t/a Kitchens UK Upheld
Three
complaints objecting to a National press ad and an insert in a
magazine, for kitchens from Alan Ford t/a Kitchens were upheld
on all of the five objections according to information published
by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).
[More
on this Story]
Deva
Presents Salesperson of the Year Award
Brassware
supplier Deva has named Steve Cave as its Salesperson of the Year
2006. Directors and Senior Management used a variety of factors
including sales performance to select Steve as the outright winner.
[More
on this Story]
Victoria
& Albert Announces New Director
Freestanding
bath specialist Victoria & Albert has announced the appointment
of Nick Portlock as Group Sales & Marketing Director.
[More
on this Story]
Consumer
Credit Complaints - Are You Protected?
If
your firm is one of the 100,000+ firms that holds a Consumer Credit
Act Licence in the UK, and you have not already taken steps to
prepare for the new rules you will be in danger of breaking the
law after 6th April 2007, and facing costs of up to £100,000.
[More
on this Story]
Rearo
Helps Renovate Puffer
Glasgow
manufacturing company Rearo Laminates is playing a part in the
renovation of one of the last steam puffers still in operation.
[More
on this Story]
ROM
Aqua Named Latest RAK Ceramics Distributor
RAK Ceramics has announced that Irish distributor ROM Aqua is
adding the RAK range to its extensive sanitaryware portfolio.
[More
on this Story]
G
& G gives Retailers Focus
It
may have taken a long time coming but many top kitchen manufacturers
are finally persuading retailers who carry their displays that
fitting out and propping the kitchen interiors offers them major
sales advantages.
[More
on this Story]
The
Perfect Solution for Busy Lifestyles
One
out of every six people in the UK works in excess of 60 hours
per week according to a recent Government survey.
[More
on this Story]
The
Seven Wonders of Chesterfield Road
FMB
member, Distinction Property Services of Bristol, has completed
its seventh building project in the same street in less than three
years.
[More
on this Story]
Conference
to Explore Advantages of Reusable Transit Packaging
The
advantages of adopting reusable packaging for goods in transit
will be explored at a major new industry conference organised
by WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) in conjunction
with the British Furniture Manufactures Association (BFM).
[More
on this Story]
ukfirst
Lean Manufacturing Workshop in Cardiff
ukfirst
is to run a free workshop for members of the timber, furniture
and affiliated trades on 18th April 2007 in Cardiff.
[More
on this Story]
Aga
Foodservice Launches Environmental Code
Following
the publication of the Government's draft Climate Change bill,
Aga has responded by publishing a draft Environmental Code for
the foodservice industry.
[More
on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 185 23rd March 2007
PWS
acquires UK Marble
On
12th March kitchen component distributor PWS acquired UK Marble, an independent
stone fabricator and supplier based in Hereford. PWS will utilise the
acquisition to secure a stronger foothold in the granite market, allowing
for greater sales penetration in the South of England.
[More
on this Story]
Candy
and Alladino Create Argentine Subsidiary
Candy Group and Alladio (José M. Alladio y Hijos S.A), the largest
washing machine manufacturer in Latin America, have signed an agreement
to produce Candy topload washing machines in the Luque factory (Córdoba
province) in Argentina.
[More
on this Story]
Bosch
to Focus on Speed for 2007
This
year, the focus for Bosch is on speed, efficiency and performance. As
life speeds up, so is the requirement for washing machines and dishwashers
to turn things round more quickly.
[More
on this Story]
Designers
Urged To Enter KBSA Awards
The
KBSA is urging all designers to note the closing date of 1st May for their
2007 Design Innovation Awards entries.
[More
on this Story]
Wolseley's
Interim Results Show Good UK Performance
Wolseley,
the world's largest specialist trade distributor of plumbing and heating
products to professional contractors and a leading supplier of building
materials and services, today announces its interim figures.
[More
on this Story]
Fisher
& Paykel Opens New Facilities
Fisher
& Paykel Appliances has moved to new headquarters, showroom and logistics
centre in Milton Keynes and invites all retailers to the company’s
open days from Tuesday 17th April till Friday 20th April.
[More
on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 184 16th March 2007
Record
215,000 visitors go to ISH
ISH
2007, The World's Leading Trade Fair for the Bathroom, Building
Services, Energy, Air Conditioning Technology and Renewable Energies,
set a sensational visitor record with 215,378 people having made
their way to Frankfurt Fair and Exhibition Centre from 6 to 10
March (2005: 192,187).
[More
on this Story]
Top
70 KBB Manufacturers Companies Feeling the Pinch
A
group of lean, fit and relatively small companies are taking the
kitchen, bedroom & bathroom manufacturers industry by storm
and showing the bigger players how it’s done. That’s
according to business analyst Plimsoll Publishing.
[More
on this Story]
Herefordshire
and Worcester Find a Waste Solution for a Rubbish Problem
Herefordshire
Council and Worcestershire County Council have found a unique
solution to reducing the amount of kerbside waste collected in
their area - food waste disposers.
[More
on this Story]
Taylor
Woodrow keeps Diglis Basin Development Eco-friendly with InSinkErator®
Taylor
Woodrow, one of the UK’s leading housing developers, is set
to install more than 400 InSinkErator® food waste disposers
in a new development at Diglis Basin in Worcester.
[More
on this Story]
The
New Rimless Pan by Twyford Bathrooms
The
creation of the rimless pan has been driven by HTM64 (Healthcare
regulations). The old regulations (1995) required a perforated
box rim or a rimless pan. Changes in the 2006 regulations (driven
by a need to reduce infection and hidden dirt traps) now specify
rimless only.
[More
on this Story]
Cevisama
Achieves Growth
Cevisama
2007, the Spanish ceramic tile and bathroom furnishings exhibition
that ended on 10th February in Valencia, has reported very positive
overall attendance figures.
[More
on this Story]
Money's
No Object!
Customers
are no longer concerned about budget when it comes to bathroom
furniture, according to new independent research from Shades...
[More
on this Story]
Colour
- The New White in Bathrooms!
Many
people heaved a sigh of relief when they finally stripped out
their Avocado Green or Chocolate Brown bathroom suites, so much
the style statements of the 60's and 70's, and installed the ‘must
have’ white fittings of today.
[More
on this Story]
Broughtons
Introduces New Range of Mira Showers
Broughtons,
the sanitaryware division of Broughton Crangrove Galley Matrix
has strengthened its portfolio with the addition of the latest
Mira showers, Coda, Element and Silver.
[More
on this Story]
Imperial
Splendour at Harrods
Luxurious
handcrafted bathroom sanitaryware from British manufacturer, Imperial
Bathrooms, features in the newly opened specialist bath shop -
Ella Jade - located in Harrods, the most famous department store
in the World.
[More
on this Story]
50%
Increase in Press Coverage for KBSA
The
value of editorial press coverage for the Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom
Specialists Association rose by over 50% in the six months from
July to December 2006, according to recent figures released by
the Association.
[More
on this Story]
Aga
Foodservice Group Wins Contracts Worldwide
Aga
Foodservice Group is winning gold medals and setting a new personal
best by signing major contracts with some of the largest sports
stadiums across the globe.
[More
on this Story]
TC
Sets the Standards in 2006
Traditional
and Contemporary Bathrooms (TC), based in Wakefield, has just finalised
its fiscal year, reporting growth of 98% and sales exceeding £16m.
The company operates from a purpose built 140,000 square foot warehouse
& distribution facility, employing over 120 people and covers all
areas of the UK and Northern Ireland via independent retail showrooms
with over 30 dedicated delivery vehicles.
[More
on this Story]
Kitchen
Retailer Tests his Showroom DDA Compliance the Hard Way...
Steve
Root of Roots Kitchens Bedrooms Bathrooms of Faversham has been unexpectedly
putting his firm's disabled access facilities to test recently, as he
recovers from a broken bone in his foot!
[More
on this Story]
Servis
Launches Competition to Encourage Youngsters to Think Green
As
the deadline to be part of a WEEE compliance scheme looms, Servis has
announced the launch of a design competition to encourage children and
art students to express their feelings about tackling climate change.
Budding artists will be set the challenge to design the exterior of a
fridge freezer with an illustration that expresses what being 'green'
means to them.
[More
on this Story]
Record
215,000 visitors go to ISH
ISH
2007, The World's Leading Trade Fair for the Bathroom, Building
Services, Energy, Air Conditioning Technology and Renewable Energies,
set a sensational visitor record with 215,378 people having made
their way to Frankfurt Fair and Exhibition Centre from 6 to 10
March (2005: 192,187).
[More
on this Story]
Top
70 KBB Manufacturers Companies Feeling the Pinch
A
group of lean, fit and relatively small companies are taking the
kitchen, bedroom & bathroom manufacturers industry by storm
and showing the bigger players how it’s done. That’s
according to business analyst Plimsoll Publishing.
[More
on this Story]
Herefordshire
and Worcester Find a Waste Solution for a Rubbish Problem
Herefordshire
Council and Worcestershire County Council have found a unique
solution to reducing the amount of kerbside waste collected in
their area - food waste disposers.
[More
on this Story]
Taylor
Woodrow keeps Diglis Basin Development Eco-friendly with InSinkErator®
Taylor
Woodrow, one of the UK’s leading housing developers, is set
to install more than 400 InSinkErator® food waste disposers
in a new development at Diglis Basin in Worcester.
[More
on this Story]
The
New Rimless Pan by Twyford Bathrooms
The
creation of the rimless pan has been driven by HTM64 (Healthcare
regulations). The old regulations (1995) required a perforated
box rim or a rimless pan. Changes in the 2006 regulations (driven
by a need to reduce infection and hidden dirt traps) now specify
rimless only.
[More
on this Story]
Cevisama
Achieves Growth
Cevisama
2007, the Spanish ceramic tile and bathroom furnishings exhibition
that ended on 10th February in Valencia, has reported very positive
overall attendance figures.
[More
on this Story]
Money's
No Object!
Customers
are no longer concerned about budget when it comes to bathroom
furniture, according to new independent research from Shades...
[More
on this Story]
Colour
- The New White in Bathrooms!
Many
people heaved a sigh of relief when they finally stripped out
their Avocado Green or Chocolate Brown bathroom suites, so much
the style statements of the 60's and 70's, and installed the ‘must
have’ white fittings of today.
[More
on this Story]
Broughtons
Introduces New Range of Mira Showers
Broughtons,
the sanitaryware division of Broughton Crangrove Galley Matrix
has strengthened its portfolio with the addition of the latest
Mira showers, Coda, Element and Silver.
[More
on this Story]
Imperial
Splendour at Harrods
Luxurious
handcrafted bathroom sanitaryware from British manufacturer, Imperial
Bathrooms, features in the newly opened specialist bath shop -
Ella Jade - located in Harrods, the most famous department store
in the World.
[More
on this Story]
50%
Increase in Press Coverage for KBSA
The
value of editorial press coverage for the Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom
Specialists Association rose by over 50% in the six months from
July to December 2006, according to recent figures released by
the Association.
[More
on this Story]
Aga
Foodservice Group Wins Contracts Worldwide
Aga
Foodservice Group is winning gold medals and setting a new personal
best by signing major contracts with some of the largest sports
stadiums across the globe.
[More
on this Story]
TC
Sets the Standards in 2006
Traditional
and Contemporary Bathrooms (TC), based in Wakefield, has just finalised
its fiscal year, reporting growth of 98% and sales exceeding £16m.
The company operates from a purpose built 140,000 square foot warehouse
& distribution facility, employing over 120 people and covers all
areas of the UK and Northern Ireland via independent retail showrooms
with over 30 dedicated delivery vehicles.
[More
on this Story]
Kitchen
Retailer Tests his Showroom DDA Compliance the Hard Way...
Steve
Root of Roots Kitchens Bedrooms Bathrooms of Faversham has been unexpectedly
putting his firm's disabled access facilities to test recently, as he
recovers from a broken bone in his foot!
[More
on this Story]
Servis
Launches Competition to Encourage Youngsters to Think Green
As
the deadline to be part of a WEEE compliance scheme looms, Servis has
announced the launch of a design competition to encourage children and
art students to express their feelings about tackling climate change.
Budding artists will be set the challenge to design the exterior of a
fridge freezer with an illustration that expresses what being 'green'
means to them.
[More
on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 183 9th March 2007
ISH
presents 'The Bathroom Experience'
All the latest trends in bathroom design can be seen at ISH -
currently taking place in Frankfurt, Germany (6th to 10th March).
'The Bathroom Experience', which presents a host of designs revolving
around bathing, is comparable only with the big furniture fairs
in terms of the quality of ideas for interior design. We feature
innovations from Duravit, Hansa, Hansgrohe, Gustavsberg, Kludi,
Brandoni, BWT, Grohe, Vitrabad, Hoesch, Keramag, Mastella, Neoqi,
Ottone Meloda, Pressalit, Regia, Sicis, Samo, Teuco, THG and Villeroy
& Boch.
[See
ISH Pictures Here]
Last
SaieDue Before Launch of MADE Expo, Milan
SaieDue
Living, the international exhibition of architecture, interior
finishings, renovation and building technologies, will be held
for the last time in the Bologna exhibition centre from 13th to
17th March.
MADE Expo (Milano Architettura Design Edilizia) will be held in
the modern Rho Pero exhibition centre from 5th to 9th February
2008.
[More
on this Story]
LG
HI-MACS® Goes from Strength to Strength for Lathams
James
Latham, the UK timber and panel products distributor, had reason
to celebrate recently after scooping an Excellence in Achievement
award from LG Chem Europe in recognition of sales of its solid
surface product, LG HI-MACS®.
[More
on this Story]
Promotion
Follows Merlyn's Record Expansion
Shower
enclosure manufacturer Merlyn Industries UK Ltd, has enjoyed record
growth in 2006, seeing impressive expansion in the business, both
in profit and organisation.
[More
on this Story]
IceKing
Announnces Cool 6% Sales Increase
IceKing
has announced an increase in sales for 2006 of 6%. Following the
launch of the A++ energy rated range, the CLM210, CLM310 and CLM410,
IceKing has been at the forefront of chest freezer producers for
energy efficiency for over a year.
[More
on this Story]
Whirlpool
Receives Energy Star® Sustained Excellence 2007 Award
Whirlpool
Corporation announced on 1st March that it will receive the 2007
ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year Award for Sustained Excellence
from the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency.
[More
on this Story]
Knowledge
Pays Off for Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom Retailers
Knowledgeable
staff, a friendly approach and membership of a trade association
are the three most important factors when choosing a kitchen,
bedroom or bathroom retailer, according to the latest research
from the KBSA (Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association).
[More
on this Story]
Servis
Launches Competition to Encourage Youngsters to Think Green
As
the deadline to be part of a WEEE compliance scheme looms, Servis
has announced the launch of a design competition to encourage
children and art students to express their feelings about tackling
climate change. Budding artists will be set the challenge to design
the exterior of a fridge freezer with an illustration that expresses
what being 'green' means to them.
[More
on this Story]
CCS
Helps KBB Businesses Bounce Back from Black Horse Pull-Out
Home
improvement finance specialist Consumer Credit Solutions (CCS)
is being quick to step in to help kitchen and bathroom companies
bounce back from the withdrawal of Black Horse Retail Finance
from the off-trade home improvement market.
[More
on this Story]
De
Dietrich Upgrades its Home Demonstration Offer
For
over 25 years De Dietrich has promoted its home demonstration
service as a genuine added value aspect to the sale of its premium
appliances.
[More
on this Story]
De
Dietrich Offers Free Pan Set
De
Dietrich is offering a free 16-piece set of cleverly designed
Fagor saucepans and accessories (worth £59.99 per set) with
the purchase of any induction hob from its 2007 range until 31st
May 2007.
[More
on this Story]
Which?
Helps Thousands take on Banks - More and More People are Reclaiming
Charges
New
figures out on 7th March show that more and more people are using
Which? to help claw back unfair bank charges. ‘A total of
262,400 template letters and factsheets on reclaiming bank charges
have now been downloaded from our bank charges site.’
[More
on this Story]
FIRA
Launches New Online Specifiers' Guide - Designed to Make Life
Easy
FIRA
(Furniture Industry Research Association) has launched a new online
specifiers' guide, which is designed to help specifiers determine
what standards apply to specific office and contract furniture
applications.
[More
on this Story]
Ongoing
Investment in Homag at NESP
The
progress of NESP - North East Sheets & Panels Ltd - has been
notable in a relatively short period. Started by MD Chris Mountain
in 1998, NESP - North East Sheets & Panels Ltd - was formed
to distribute products to the kitchen and bedroom manufacturers
in the North of England, Scotland and Yorkshire.
[More
on this Story]
Reliability
is the Key for Selecting Boere
When
T&N Joinery set about looking for a new widebelt sander to increase
its capacity the company did its research with some care. Primarily it
was looking for a machine that would be versatile, flexible, offer consistently
high quality results and above all guarantee long term reliability.
[More
on this Story]
Top
Tips from Electrolux Floorcare's Expert Elizabeth Farmer on Keeping the
Cleaning Under Control
Electrolux
has a wide range of cleaners - robot cleaners, bagless models which clean
their own filters, uprights that are powerful and easy to use - like the
Loopie - models for homes with Pets, homes with stairs, those who want
huge dustbag capacity, and those who want neat, effective secondary cleaners,
handheld vacs or stylish looking rechargeables.
[More
on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 182 2nd March 2007
Cosentino
Appoints Christophe Gontier as MD of its UK Operation
Cosentino,
the manufacturer and distributor of quartz stone surface,
Silestone, has appointed Christophe Gontier as managing
director of its UK subsidiary, with a view to expanding
its UK and Ireland network.
[More
on this Story]
Britons
Spend Most on House Renovations
House-proud
Britons spend the most in Europe on renovating and cleaning
their homes, a recent report says. Soaring property prices
are encouraging people to splash out on sprucing up their
houses, according to market analysts Datamonitor.
[More
on this Story]
Image
Directors Take Increased Shareholding
Image
Showers' Managing Director John Kelly has expanded his
shareholding in the company to become the majority shareholder.
Irish Sales Director John Thompson has also increased
his shareholding and continues as Sales Director.
[More
on this Story]
Twyford
goes Rimless!
‘The
Hospital’ Private Members Club in Covent Garden,
London, provided the venue for the launch of the world's
first rimless toilet was launched last week by Twyford
Bathrooms.
[More
on this Story]
Zip
HydroTap 40% More Energy Efficient than a Kettle
Newly
commissioned technical research has revealed that the
Zip HydroTap, the first tap of its kind in the UK to deliver
freshly filtered chilled and boiling water from the same
unit, is 40% more energy efficient than a traditional
kettle and over 12% more energy efficient than other similar
alternatives.
[More
on this Story]
BMA
Chief Speaks at PMI in April
Yvonne
Orgill, Chief Executive of the Bathroom Manufacturers
Association (BMA), will speak at the spring meeting of
the American Plumbing Manufacturers Institute (PMI) in
the USA.
[More
on this Story]
RAK
Ceramics Recruits for Future Growth
Sanitaryware and tile manufacturer RAK Ceramics UK has
announced the appointment of Charles Down as Sales Director,
in advance of a host of entire product ranges being launched
at EXPO along with a major recruitment drive.
[More
on this Story]
Aqualux
Website is a Big Hit with Google
Aqualux
has proved its new website is a big hit as www.aqualux.co.uk
reaches the first page of the world's leading search engine,
Google.
[More
on this Story]
New
Tool Removes Gamble from Company Acquisitions
A
new commercial tool is set to transform the way companies
go about acquiring other businesses, according to its
developers.
[More
on this Story]
Tab
UK is Pioneering New Technology to Support its Shower
Enclosure Distributors
A new online issues management system is being pioneered
by Tab UK, supplier of quality shower enclosures, steam
rooms, hydro-massage units and bathroom furniture, to
enable distributors and retailers to have instant access
to its stock levels and delivery times.
[More
on this Story]
Electrolux
Launches Reality Show on the Web
The kitchen has in recent years transformed from what
used to be a separated closet to prepare food, into the
social hub of the home.
[More
on this Story]
Waterline
Brings Spring Show to You
Waterline
invites you to 'see all that's new in kitchen design for
2007' at The Spring Roadshow, which is touring six venues
during April and May.
[More
on this Story]
Recovery
in Turkish Tile Exports
According
to information provided by the Turkish ceramic tile manufacturers'
association, 2006 could see the industry recover the losses
it sustained in 2005 in terms of tile exports.
[More
on this Story]
Ceramica
Imola Experiences Growth
Cooperativa
Ceramica di Imola has launched an investment programme
totalling 130 million euro over a period three years with
the objective of increasing its output in Italy.
[More
on this Story]
Buying
Dishwashers Cuts Costs for Consumers
Servis
is advising retailers to encourage consumers looking to cut costs
when refurbishing their kitchens to buy dishwashers. Apart from
the obvious aesthetic benefits of having matching kitchen appliances,
consumers need to be made aware of the cost and energy savings
of using a dishwasher.
[More
on this Story]
Galley
Matrix Launches Candy Trio
Galley Matrix, the kitchens division of the national distributor
Broughton Crangrove, has recently introduced Hoover Candy to the
company's portfolio. This introduction brings the Hoover Candy
brand to a wider retail audience.
[More
on this Story]
Spring-Cleaning
Hints & Tips from Electrolux
When
it comes to cleaning the home, it's all very well wiping down
work surfaces and clearing cupboard clutter but what about getting
to grips with the cooker, oven, hob, fridge, dishwasher and washing
machine? Don't neglect your appliances, as they also need some
care and attention to keep them working like new.
[More
on this Story]