THE K&BZINE ISSUE 232 28th March 2008
Aqualux
shows off 'Super Models'
Aqualux is washing away the myth that luxurious bathrooms
are only for the rich and famous with the launch of a new advertising
campaign to promote its new range of products that will transform the
wet room market.
[More
on this Story]
Get
Out of the Bargain Basement and into Bond Street
It's time to splash the cash, that's the message from
leading Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Manufacturers industry analysts
Plimsoll Publishing and their annual acquisition survey. The study looks
at the fortunes of 265 kitchen, bedroom & bathroom manufacturers companies.
[More
on this Story]
Franke
Launches New Web Presence
Fresh from an impressive and eventful KBB 2008, Franke
presents a redesigned website to accommodate the new and exciting products
available and reinforce the company's status as the leading kitchens systems
specialist.
[More
on this Story]
Wayne
Hemingway to Speak at Annual Bathroom Conference
Wayne Hemingway MBE, who created the iconic Red or Dead
fashion brand with his wife Gerardine, is to speak at this year's Annual
Bathroom Conference 'Sustainable Solutions - Awareness, Engagement &
Action' on 14th October at The Marriott Forest of Arden Hotel & Country
Club in Warwickshire.
[More
on this Story]
PAB
Launches 'Cuisina by James Martin
Warrington-based appliance company, Premium Appliance
Brands has teamed up with one of the UK’s most high profile chefs;
James Martin to create a range of design led cooking appliances.
[More
on this Story]
Exclusive
Partnership For Showerlux And Whittington's
Whittington's Bathroom Studio has signed an exclusive
agreement with Showerlux to join the bathroom manufacturer's UK network
of elite independent bathroom retailers and showrooms.
[More
on this Story]
'Green'
Budget Pale but Must Start Somewhere, says BMA
The Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA) is disappointed
by the 'paleness' of Alistair Darling's so-called Green Budget: the Chancellor
failed to offer any fiscal incentive to encourage energy or water efficient
improvements to the existing housing stock, or indeed a reduction in the
rate of VAT for energy and water efficient products.
[More
on this Story]
Neff
Is 'At Home' With Jamie Oliver And Royal Worcester
Built in appliance brand leader Neff has teamed up with
Royal Worcester and Jamie Oliver to offer a 16-piece starter set* from
Royal Worcester's new 'Jamie at home' dining collection free to all consumers
purchasing selected oven and dishwasher models from Neff's 2008 range
during the promotional period.
[More
on this Story]
Housebuilder
opts for Low Volume Flushing from [tc]
Strata, one of the UK’s leading designer homebuilders,
is continuing to break new ground by encouraging water conservation in
all its developments. With its sights firmly fixed on sustainability,
Strata has introduced low level flushing WCs.
[More
on this Story]
New
Ownership of Brass & Traditional Sinks and Eclectica
Richard and Sarah Tyzack, founders of Brass & Traditional
Sinks and The Eclectica Partnership, have sold both companies to entrepreneur
Stephen Thompson for an undisclosed sum.
[More
on this Story]
Trade
Depot Invests In Planit Fusion
Planit Fusion - the leading design and visualisation
software for the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and home improvement industries
- is providing Trade Depot with a seamless and efficient tool to offer
a flexible quality design service.
[More
on this Story]
HPP
Brings Blum's Perfect Motion to the UK
Furniture component supplier, HPP, has been selected
to be one of the first UK stockists of Blum's SERVO-DRIVE system.
[More
on this Story]
More
A's For Prima
The PJH Group has re-launched its Prima Appliances Home
Collection by enhancing the portfolio with an extended new choice of appliances
as well as an improved level of energy efficiency ratings across the range.
[More
on this Story]
Roca
UK Improves Training and Holidays
Roca UK, one of the leading manufacturers and designers
of bathroom products, has exchanged its traditional employee leave and
absence management system for a more efficient online alternative.
[More
on this Story]
WD
Bathrooms - Big Move in Sheffield
Due to the continuous expansion of WD Bathrooms, the
company has recently moved to a new and improved building in the original
site at Hydra Business Park based in Sheffield.
[More
on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 231 14th March 2008
Twyford
is First Major Bathroom Manufacturer to Partner Planit Fusion
Planit International has incorporated
the entire Twyford Bathrooms catalogue into its Fusion design and visualisation
software, underlining the company's investment in this fast-growing area
of the KBB market.
[More
on this Story]
Lifetime
Achievement Award to Robin Levien
Ideal Standard International, a leading
provider of bathroom solutions, has announced that Robin Levien (pictured
right), Non Executive Design Director, has been awarded the prestigious
Lifetime Achievement Award at this year's Homes & Gardens Classic
Design Awards.
[More
on this Story]
Dutch-Design
Consumer Advertising Campaign Breaks
Dutch-Design,
the alliance between design-led Dutch appliance brand ATAG and Keller
Kitchens, brings a powerful and complementary blend of brand strengths
together.
[More
on this Story]
A
New Era for Shaws of Darwen
Shaws
of Darwen, the Lancashire based fireclay ceramics manufacturer has restructured
its management team to work with newly appointed General Manager, David
Dare.
[More
on this Story]
Magnet
goes Wilde
National
kitchen retailer Magnet has teamed up with popstar and green-fingered
Mum-of-two Kim Wilde to front its 2008 PR and marketing campaign.
[More
on this Story]
Showerlux
Delivers at the Double
As
part of its commitment to provide its customers with a first class service
offering, Showerlux, the manufacturer of bathroom products, has introduced
major improvements to its distribution service.
[More
on this Story]
Whirlpool
Presents GREENKITCHEN
Whirlpool
Europe has unveiled a kitchen eco-system concept delivering ecological
benefits of adapting, reducing, recycling. Through an integrated use of
appliances, the concept takes its model from the cycle of nature, optimising
the use of heat and water with processes that increase energy efficiency
up to 70%.
[More
on this Story]
Kitchen
Retailer Cooks up Parliamentary Discount
Leading
kitchen retailer County Kitchens & Bedrooms is offering a special
Parliamentary discount to Members of Parliament after it was disclosed
that they are allowed to claim up to 10,000 pounds for a new kitchen for
their second homes.
[More
on this Story]
Important
Safety Notice for Electrolux, AEG and Zanussi Dishwashers
Electrolux plc has today requested that
owners of dishwasher models listed below should contact them regarding
a potential safety issue. The reason is that a component used in the product
could potentially cause overheating or in worst case a fire.
[More
on this Story]
kbbreview
EXPO Proves Twice as Attractive
With
two great events under one roof, kbbreview EXPO and the kbbreview Awards,
London's ExCeL looks set to be at the heart of the bathroom and kitchen
industries for 2009.
[More
on this Story]
New
Showroom Set to Cause a Stir
A
new look apartment style showroom at Laings' headquarters in Inverurie
is nearing completion and will be launched on Saturday 29th of March with
the well known interior designer and television presenter Anna Ryder Richardson
in attendance.
[More
on this Story]
State
of the Art Machinery Comes to British Ceramic Tile
As
part of its ongoing multi-million pound factory expansion, tile manufacturer
British Ceramic Tile has invested in a state of the art piece of machinery
- a Continuous Ball Mill.
[More
on this Story]
Burlington
Helps Deliver Five Star Luxury
The
inherent beauty and design capabilities of one of the world’s most
sought after finishing materials, Burlington stone, are perfectly exemplified
within two of London’s luxury five-star Radisson Edwardian hotels
- The Mayfair and The Sussex.
[More
on this Story]
Electrolux
Survey into Home Entertaining
Electrolux
has just published the findings of its 2007 Kitchen Report; the most comprehensive
European survey into entertaining guests at home: 11,000 people across
11 countries took part.
[More
on this Story]
HSK
/ Schulte - UK Relocation
As
from Monday 17th March 2008 HSK / Schulte will officially open its new
UK office in Derbyshire. Address and contact details are as below.
[More
on this Story]
KBB SHOW REVIEW
More reviews of product launches from the KBB Show 2008 can be found here.
KBB
- A Stunning Exhibition!
Following months of hard work, the first
edition of KBB incorporating HPE and Expotile as a stand alone event was
an absolute success, says organiser CMP. With over 400 exhibitors, KBB
has proved to be inspirational by the various collections and innovative
designs on offer, making it the UK's largest trade exhibition dedicated
to the kitchen, bedroom and bathrooms.
[More
on this Story]
A
New Twist on Designer Radiators from Aeon Radiator Heaven
Aeon Radiator Heaven launched its Twister
designer radiator at KBB held at the NEC, Birmingham. In what is a world
first, the nine flat fronted stainless steel tubes have been twisted along
their entire 1.5 and 2 metre lengths, having been mirror polished on one
side and finished in brushed satin effect on the other.
[More
on this Exhibitor]
KBB
Produces Dramatic Results for Baumatic
Given the dramatic effects of its Tango dance duo, live
cookery demonstrations and of course an array of new appliances, it's
no surprise to hear that this year's KBB exhibition was a massive hit
for Baumatic.
[More
on this Exhibitor]
Coram
Showers at KBB 2008
Shower enclosure designer and manufacturer, Coram
Showers, has used KBB 2008 to launch the Acora Continental Collection,
a new selection of retail enclosures and wet room panels. In addition,
the event provided an opportunity for the company to showcase a range
of innovative prototype products.
[More
on this Exhibitor]
RAK
Stateside Style
Called The American in deference to its extra big dimensions,
RAK Ceramic's new one-and-a-half bowl fireclay sink is especially
spacious internally.
[More
on this Exhibitor]
Roman
Experience - a Show-Stopping Success
For showering manufacturer Roman, KBB
2008 was a great success. Roman launched and previewed a large number
of new products which were extremely well received by all.
[More
on this Exhibitor]
Utopia
Strengthens Fitted Range
Utopia Bathroom Group Ltd used the recent
KBB exhibition to introduce significant additions to its range of fitted
furniture. Brand leaders in this sector, Utopia launched a new contemporary
doorstyle, Sienna, and various new natural finishes.
[More
on this Exhibitor]
First
Class Glass - Crystal Clear Sink Solution at KBB 2008
Franke
has become the first major sink manufacturer to introduce a glass and
steel sink that is set to take 'doing the dishes' to another level. Glass
is one of the latest and most innovative materials to hit kitchens in
recent years, and is now widely used on worktops and splashbacks.
[More
on this Story]
Black
Magic for Clearwater at KBB
Freestanding
bath manufacturer Clearwater Collection says that it stole
the show at this year's KBB exhibition with its Desire bath...in black!
[More
on this Story]
'A
Very Successful Show for De Dietrich Kitchen Appliances Ltd.'
New
company, De Dietrich Kitchen Appliances Ltd. showcased both
De Dietrich and Fagor Appliances for the first time together at KBB 2008.
Richard Walker, sales and marketing director for De Dietrich Kitchen Appliances
says: 'We made a significant investment into the show, and it really achieved
the best response we could have hoped for.'
[More
on this Story]
TV's
Amanda Lamb Unveils New Silestone Life Colours at KBB Show 2008
The presenter of TV's 'A Place in the
Sun', Amanda Lamb unveiled the new Silestone Life Colours for Cosentino
at the KBB Show 2008.
[More
on this Story]
DK
Distribution Experiences 'Superb' Response at KBB
DK Distribution, one of
Britain's premier kitchen products and components distributors, says that
the company experienced an extremely successful show at the recent KBB
after exhibiting on its largest ever stand.
[More
on this Story]
Slide
& Store - A New Concept in Storage Solutions
Commonfield Contemporary Doors
has launched the Slide & Store bedroom furniture system featuring
a selection of decorative glass from AGC Flat Glass UK.
[More
on this Story]
RAK
Class Glass
Add a burst of colour into the bathroom
with RAK Ceramic's new Crystal range - now with new photographic
feature tiles depicting colourful images inspired by nature. As well as
60cm x 30cm wall tiles, the collection features 7.4cm x 60cm strips for
creating inspirational design statements.
[More
on this Story]
Axiom
by Formica New Range Refresh Launched at KBB
Axiom
by Formica, the premium kitchen worktop collection launched its new design-led
range refresh exclusively at KBB at the NEC, Birmingham. Formica has introduced
three new textures into the Axiom range: Lustre, Riverwash and Finewood.
[More
on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 230 7th March 2008
Special
Achievement Award for Roger Cooper
Ideal Standard International, a provider of innovative
and design-driven bathroom solutions, has announced that Roger Cooper,
Vice President, of its West Europe region, has been awarded the prestigious
special achievement award at this year's KBB Review Industry Awards Ceremony.
[More
on this Story]
AEG-Electrolux
A Rated Condenser Dryer Wins Prestigious Environmental Award
The Lavatherm T59800 Condenser dryer by AEG-Electrolux
was awarded the KBBReview Industry Award for Environmental Innovation
this week. This award is specifically for products that provide tangible
environmental benefits without depriving the consumer of any usability
or performance that they have come to expect in their everyday life. The
Lavatherm T59800 illustrates this perfectly.
[More
on this Story]
Mark
Wilkinson Wins UK Award for Customer Service
Mark
Wilikinson is seen as one of the finest designers in the kitchen industry,
but the success of his enterprise is not down to design skills alone as
the company illustrated when it won the UK award for Best Customer Service
at the Kitchen & Bathroom Industry Awards.
[More
on this Story]
Amana
BXM Wins 'Product of the Year' Award
The
genuine American made Amana BXM refrigerator has won the Get Connected
Magazine's Product of the Year Award. The Amana has been recognised, once
again, for its stunning concept combining practicality and versatility
with stylish good looks.
[More
on this Story]
BCG
Re-joins the KBSA
Broughton Crangrove Galley Matrix the national distributor
of bathroom, kitchen and heating products announced at KBB2008 that it
will rejoin the KBSA. Sales Director Chris Honer said: 'We recognise the
important role that the KBSA has in promoting and supporting the specialist
retailer and we are pleased to be able to be part of this as a corporate
member.'
[More
on this Story]
Brits
Swap Sex Drives for Hard Drives
Sex drives are being swapped for hard drives as a quarter
of British couples admit to sleeping separately on a regular basis. According
to the results of a survey by The Sleep Council for National Bed Month
(March), the British bed is in danger of becoming more of a communications
hub than a place for sleep as eight out of 10 people boot up a variety
of hi-tech gadgets before bedtime.
[More
on this Story]
Domestic
Bedroom Furniture Market - UK 2008-2012
A
new AMA report provides a detailed review of a market under pressure.
The UK Bedroom Furniture market was estimated to be worth approximately
520m (MSP) in 2007 representing approximately 13% of the overall Domestic
Furniture market.
[More
on this Story]
ATAG
Announces Direct Home Delivery
ATAG UK has announced the introduction of its Direct
Home Delivery service with immediate effect. The new service is offered
on ATAG's large appliances such as the company's range cookers, American-style
refrigeration and extractor hoods that are over 1000mm wide.
[More
on this Story]
Servis
Reassures Aftercare Top Priority
Servis
has announced plans to overhaul its aftercare service due to recent complaints
concerning long delays for engineer call outs and spare parts being fitted.
[More
on this Story]
New
Siematic Dealer Opens in Leeds
A new 22,000 square foot luxury furnishing company has
opened its doors in Leeds, offering homeowners in the city and surrounding
area an unparalleled range of design led kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms
and furniture.
[More
on this Story]
Theobalds
Celebrates 30th Anniversary
2008 sees Theobalds celebrating its 30th anniversary
in business. Starting from humble beginnings in an oast house in 1978
in Leeds village in Kent, the company has grown from strength to strength
to become a leading distributor of kitchens, bathrooms and appliances.
[More
on this Story]
RAK
Leading the UK in Fireclay
RAK Ceramics has announced that it's now officially
the largest manufacturer and supplier of fireclay sinks in the UK. Just
seven years after the first RAK Ceramics Fireclay sink was produced, the
company is celebrating the fact that it is now the UK's leading fireclay
supplier.
[More
on this Story]
Ideo
Bain 2008
interclima+elec and Ideo Bain set a record for visitor
numbers, with 107,688 visitors, including 15,304 members of the general
public and 92,384 trade visitors (+ 9.5%).
[More
on this Story]
Ambiente
Report
There were five days of sunshine over Frankfurt Fair
and Exhibition Centre and five days of high spirits at Ambiente. By the
time it closed its doors the international consumer-goods fair in Frankfurt,
had once again attracted almost 150,000 visitors.
[More
on this Story]
Historical
Colours in Kitchens Continues To Grow
Classic
crisp clean lines combined with calming historical colours continues to
be the trend in kitchens according to handcrafted kitchen manufactured
Cotteswood of Oxfordshire.
[More
on this Story]
HTH
Takes Over Franchise Stores in Copenhagen
HTH is to take over franchisee Niels Wahl's network
of seven kitchen stores in the Copenhagen area. This takeover will come
into effect on 29th February 2008 when Niels Wahl retires.
[More
on this Story]
Reduce
Furniture's Carbon Footprint
FIRA
is to launch a comprehensive carbon footprinting system developed specifically
for the furniture industry in partnership with leading environmental consultants
Best Foot Forward.
[More
on this Story]
The
Clive Christian Home Showroom Officially Opened
For
30 years Clive Christian has pioneered what is now known as the 'super-kitchen'
- the love affair with Clive Christian's designs' usually starts here.
Now with the opening of The Clive Christian London Home Showroom - it
is the beginning of the 'super-home.'
[More
on this Story]
Wigan
Firm Wins Top Export Award
A
water purifying company from Wigan has just won the region's top export
award from UK Trade & Investment (UKTI). Atg Willand - now trading
as atg UV Technology - has won the overall North West Passport to Export
Award 2007 in recognition of its achievements in the export market.
[More
on this Story]
Upward
Trend Continues for Screwfix
Fourth quarter results for Screwfix showed sales growth
of 24.0% to 110m in the 13 weeks ending 2nd February, 2008. The company,
which had a 2006/2007 turnover of over 300m, has continued its UK Trade
Counter initiative with an additional 13 outlets being opened during the
quarter (100 opened as at end February, 2008).
[More
on this Story]
Renewable
Solution for 'Factory of the Future'
One of the World’s most renowned centres for manufacturing
research has chosen heat pumps to provide space heating and hot water
for its iconic new ‘Factory of the Future’ in South Yorkshire.
[More
on this Story]
Electrolux
Environment Report 2007 - 2400 Consumers Surveyed
This
report presents highlights of a major study sponsored by Electrolux, which
questioned over 2400 people in Europe and North America about their attitudes
and behaviour towards the environment.
[More
on this Story]
Prison
Cell Toilets and Showers to get Water Control System
Inmates
and prison staff at the category B Lewes Prison will benefit from a new
toilet and washroom control system from March 2008.
[More
on this Story]
Government
Toilet Plans: All Cisterns Go
Local
councils will be encouraged to do more to halt the decline of the great
British public loo and to adopt pioneering new approaches to boost access
to public toilets across the country.
[More
on this Story]
Sagetech
Improves Deliveries with Web Service from
Sagetech Industries has seen real improvements in reliability
and customer service after moving to a NetDespatch online booking and
tracking service to manage its deliveries.
[More
on this Story]