Please click on 'THE K&BZINE' links to view the whole issue, or on 'more on this story' just to see that particular story:
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 99 27th May 2005
AMDEA
Exhibition Shows Ingenuity and the Value of a Global Market
The AMDEA 2005 Domestic Appliance Show has been dubbed an 'invitation
only show'. A total of 1,696 visitors attended the three day event, 74
per cent of which were pre-registered. The remaining 26% probably managed
to find the show under their own steam (some possibly via publicity on
The K&BZine?). We visited the show and found much of interest, not
least the range of giant washing machines on display: a 7KG from Beko,
an 8.5KG from Hotpoint and a whopping 9KG (with a UK largest 41cm diameter
opening) from Bosch. We also got a sneak preview of Bosch's new VIVA 'budget'
range, which seems to be aimed at well off young people.
[More
on this Story]
Retailers
Losing up to £20m on Returns – ‘Enough Product to Fill
the M20,’ says AMDEA
Electrical
retailers are losing around £20m a year by taking back in excess
of half a million major appliances as Returns from disgruntled or feckless
customers. And most of the problem is due to their poor handling of products
or trading policies. Returns are now running at an average of 3.5% of
sell-in, a survey by manufacturers trade association AMDEA reveals. But
levels at some of the large retail chains are significantly higher.
[More
on this Story]
Indesit
Reports Sales Down 8.5% in Q1
Indesit Company has approved the consolidated figures for the 1st quarter
2005, which closed with sales of €668m, a gross operating margin
of 10.1% and net operating income of €28m. Traditionally a low season,
the 1st quarter was also penalised by the difficult situation affecting
the entire sector and persistently strong pressure on prices.
[More
on this Story]
Scottish
Freezer Firm Norfrost in Administration
NORFROST, the privately owned Scottish freezer firm has called in the
administrators and laid off half its workforce. The company, the UK's
only manufacturer of chest freezers, borrowed £1.2m a year ago from
Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise to stay in business, but debts had
spiralled out of control and Norfrost's lack of cashflow meant a complete
overhaul of the business was now needed to save it.
[More
on this Story]
Britons
Throw a Third of Food in the Kitchen Bin
According
to the latest BBC research around one third of food grown for human consumption
in the UK ends up in the rubbish bin. With the government facing EU fines
if waste to landfill isn’t significantly reduced, these latest figures
will place greater emphasis on homeowners to deal with their left over
food in a more environmentally responsible manner.
[More
on this Story]
Hell's
Kitchen Finance Deals could Burn a Hole in Your Pocket
Alliance & Leicester Personal Loans has warned people looking to spice
up their kitchen that expensive kitchen dealer finance could be on the
menu this Bank Holiday weekend. Alliance & Leicester urges people
to look around for a good finance deal, or risk burning a hole in their
pockets by wasting up to £1.2 billion.
[More
on this Story]
Fagor
UK Appoints New Business Development Manager
Fagor UK has announced the appointment of Graham Gleave as Business Development
Manager, with responsibility for contract business development and development
of key accounts in the South. He joined Fagor on 23rd May. Graham formerly
spent a number of years with Maytag UK, where he held various positions
including national accounts manager, national field sales manager and
ultimately sales director.
[More
on this Story]
Zanussi-Electrolux
and Ariel Capture Wimbledon Crowds with Championship Whites Campaign
A
humorous poster campaign will keep ’Zanussi-Electrolux and Ariel’
top of mind amongst some half million Wimbledon fans who will be pouring
through tube stations between 20th June and 3rd July.
[More
on this Story]
Classical
Woodworking Machinery at Homag Open House
Homag
U.K. will host its June open house on Monday 6th and Tuesday 7th June.
Machines which will feature strongly will be from Martin’s range
of classical woodworking machinery - including the all new T92 throughfeed
moulder series.
[More
on this Story]
RB
Farquhar Outsources Manufacturing
RB
Farquhar, based in Huntly in Aberdeenshire, said it was likely to cut
80 posts after deciding to switch manufacturing to the Czech Republic.
The company makes prefabricated buildings and bathroom and shower pods.
[More
on this Story]
Hoover
May Move Scottish Jobs to China
Nearly
90 jobs at Hoover's vacuum cleaner plant in Scotland are under threat
after the owners announced they might switch production to China. Hoover
is now in a 30-day consultation on the future of the staff at the factory
in Cambuslang, South Lanarkshire.
[More
on this Story]
Jacuzzi
Brands Announces Sale of Eljer
Jacuzzi
Brands, Inc. announced on 20th May that it has entered into an agreement
to sell its Eljer Plumbingware business to an affiliate of Sun Capital
Partners, Inc. The transaction is expected to close by the end of Jacuzzi
Brand's fiscal 2005 third quarter ending July 2nd, 2005.
[More
on this Story]
The
Emerald Isle Enamoured with Ardesco from Orama
Orama,
the independent manufacturer of worksurfaces and associated decorative
products, has chosen Irish distributor Potter Cowan to supply its Ardesco
range of worksurfaces across Northern Ireland and Eire.
[More
on this Story]
Shires
Bathrooms at The Chartered Institute of Housing Conference and Exhibition
Shires
Bathrooms is to exhibit at The Chartered Institute of Housing Conference
and Exhibition as part of the company's ongoing strategy to develop
its services in the social housing sector, from Tuesday, 21st to Friday,
24th June at the Harrogate International Centre.
[More
on this Story]
Myson's
Hi-Tech System Extends Through Towel Warmer Range
Myson,
the designer heating specialist has extended its APM system into the
majority of its towel warmer range. Having originally designed APM (Auto
Power Management) as part of the company’s Petite kitchen rail,
APM™ has now been registered as a trade mark in the UK and Europe.
[More
on this Story]
J&J
Ormerod PLC Announces BLUMOTION to be Fitted as Standard on all Colonial
Kitchen Ranges
J&J
Ormerod PLC, the independent UK manufacturer of quality kitchens and
bedrooms, announced on 20th May that the BLUMOTION mechanism by Blum
is to be fitted as standard on all J&J Ormerod Colonial kitchens.
[More
on this Story]
Moores
Also Offers Blumotion
'What
goes on behind closed doors? Quite a lot when it comes to a Moores kitchen.
Homebuyers are more aware than ever of changes in the kitchen market
and expectations are high.
[More
on this Story]
John
Boddy Timber - Underpinned by Certification
Never
before in the timber trade has Certification, Accreditation and adherence
to Standards been more important. The UK and the World are fast waking
up to the issues of the Environment and Sustainability.
[More
on this Story]
Cosma
from EDP - The Focal Point
European
Decorative Products' chief handle principal is the prominent Italian
design and manufacturing house Cosma. ‘At Cosma the art of handle
design reaches its zenith
[More
on this Story]
AEG-Electrolux
Supports
Project:LIFE
- David Wilson Homes
AEG-Electrolux
part of the Electrolux Group, the producer of powered appliances for
kitchen, cleaning and outdoor use supports David Wilson Homes pioneering
Project:LIFE to discover how houses need to be designed in the future.
[More
on this Story]
Bisazza
Expands Indian Manufacturing Facility
Italian
glass mosaic company Bisazza is planning to ramp up capacity of its
manufacturing facility in Kadi, near Ahmedabad, India, to one million
square metres from the existing 400,000 square metres.
[More
on this Story]
Whirlpool
Corporation Honours Top U.S. Suppliers
Whirlpool
Corporation announced on May 18th the annual roster of the company’s
leading U.S. suppliers. They were acknowledged that evening at
a Supplier Performance Awards Banquet at Lake Michigan College’s
Mendel Centre in Benton Harbor.
[More
on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 98 20th May 2005
Maytag
Corporation to Be Acquired by Ripplewood for $2.1bn
Maytag Corporation announced today that it has entered into a definitive
agreement by which an investor group led by private equity firm Ripplewood
Holdings LLC will acquire all outstanding shares of Maytag in a cash merger
for $14 per share. Maytag UK has welcomed the move.
[More
on this Story]
Masco
Bathroom Group Moves Forward
At a presentation made during the recent BK EXPO exhibition, Steve Lee,
chief exec of Masco's UK Bathroom Group announced a restructuring, or
rather 'consolidation' of this division around existing brands Bristan
and Heritage. To drive the UK business further, a major investment is
being made in a 220,000sq ft 'Masco Experience Centre' on the site of
Bristan's Tamworth HQ.
[More
on this Story]
IKEA
Enters Final Phase of Installer Recruitment with 'A Licence to Drill'
Kitchen
installers around South and West London are now firmly in IKEA’s
sights as the Swedish furniture giant puts the finishing touches to its
national kitchen installer recruitment programme with two £1 million
contracts up for tender.
[More
on this Story]
Ceramica
Dolomite lets you ‘Invest in Your Nest!’
‘Invest in your nest!’ is the latest tip from TV's best loved
interior design duo, Justin Ryan and Colin McAllister. Speaking at this
year's Bathroom and Kitchen's Exhibition in London, Justin and Colin advocated
their continued love for the Ceramica Dolomite bathroom collection
[More
on this Story]
Make
Space for the 'Must Have' Toilet!
Pipped to the number one slot by the quirky Scissor Sisters and the revolutionary
iPOD, Ideal Standard's ground-breaking
Space Toilet took a proud seat at number 5 in the nation's Essential Top
50.
[More
on this Story]
CaesarStone
in – CaesarStone out
Having
recently gained the sole importer and distributor rights in the UK and
Ireland for CaesarStone, Ebor Equipment has just taken delivery of the
first consignment of stock at its distribution centre in Rochdale. The
huge container arrived with a supply of Ebor’s range of 24 stock
colours and finishes of CaesarStone slabs.
[More
on this Story]
CMP
to Sponsor Launch of KBB National Training Group
CMP Information Ltd, organiser of next year’s KBB
exhibition at the NEC in Birmingham, is to sponsor the official launch
of the Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom National Training Group during the event.
[More
on this Story]
Schmidt
Demonstrates Virtuosity with Aquilon
Aquilon Brilliant is the new range from Schmidt, France's leading kitchen
manufacturer. Sweeping, clean lines in a variety of gloss surface finishes
create stark architectural styles with a combination of broad low drawers
and towering cupboard units.
[More
on this Story]
New
Research Highlights Storage Needs in British Bathroom
A
recent research project undertaken jointly between Blum and Shades parent
company Masco highlighted just how important storage is in the British
bathroom, thereby underlining the need for bathroom furniture to be incorporated
into bathroom design.
[More
on this Story]
MFI
Complaint About B&Q Advert Fails to Move ASA
Three
out of the four complaints made by MFI about an advert for B&Q fitted
kitchens failed to be upheld by the Advertising Standards Authority.
The national press advert compared the prices of B&Q fitted kitchens
against those from MFI.
[More
on this Story]
Häfele
- From Nowhere to Here in 25 Years
Häfele
UK, brand dedicated supplier of furniture fittings, components, decorative
accessories and also now appliances, celebrated the company’s 25th
anniversary in April 2005. Managing Director Mike Smith and his team
have taken the Häfele presence in the UK from zero to a turnover
approaching £70 million in a quarter of a century.
[More
on this Story]
New
Resopal Worktop Main Distributor
Decorative
Products Ltd, based in Wigan, has been appointed as a new Main Distributor
for the Resopal range of worktops. Decorative Products was established
in 2004 as a specialist distributor for kitchen components and flooring
products servicing the north west of England and has built a significant
reputation for a reliable and friendly service.
[More
on this Story]
Caretakers
Delivers Fragile & Awkward Goods 'Home from Home'
The
growing demand for home delivery has led logistics management company
Caretakers to expand its servicing of this market. Home delivery is
of particular benefit in the transportation of fragile and awkward goods,
a service in which Caretakers specialises.
[More
on this Story]
Electrolux
- Tackling Noise on the Home Front
What better time to highlight the problem of noise in the home than
during noise Noise Action Week 23-27th May. Recently introduced are
the new AEG-Electrolux F80860 Quietest Ever Dishwasher and the Electrolux
Ultrasilencer Quietest Vacuum Cleaner in the UK.
[More
on this Story]
Successful
Launch into New Financial Year for Homag Group AG
The
Homag Group AG in Schopfloch sailed into the new financial year on a
rolling tide, with increases in both orders received and turnover for
the first quarter of 2005.
[More
on this Story]
Dual
Flush Syphon to Energise the UK
In
recent years, much has been written about the water-saving properties
of dual flush WCs. Recent research by environmentally conscious manufacturer
Thomas Dudley Ltd suggested that if just half the UK population used
dual flush toilets, the water saved would fill Lake Windermere in just
over three years.
[More
on this Story]
Trade
Mouldings - Mouldings to Match
One
of the UK and Ireland's original manufacturers of wrapped MDF furniture
components, Trade Mouldings of Cookstown, Northern Ireland, says that
it continues to lead in this sector in terms of product quality, diversity,
capacity and service.
[More
on this Story]
Maytag
Declares Quarterly Dividend
The
Maytag Corporation board of directors declared on May 12th a quarterly
dividend of 9 cents a share on the firm's common stock.
[More
on this Story]
Whirlpool's
Charles Jones Wins Fast Company Design Award
Charles
Jones, Whirlpool Corporation’s vice president for global consumer
design, has been named by Fast Company magazine as its 2005 'Impact
Player,' as well as one of five 'Masters of Design' for guiding the
company in 'cultivating a distinctive branded look and feel that better
differentiates its product lineup' from the competition.
[More
on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 97 13th May 2005
DMG
World Media Expands Kitchens And Bathrooms Portfolio
On the first day of BK EXPO dmg world media announced the acquisition
of the Bathrooms & Kitchens portfolio from Quantum Business Media
Ltd. This portfolio includes, the biennial Bathrooms & Kitchens Expo
(May 8-10, 2005 at ExCeL); the prestigious annual Bathrooms & Kitchens
Industry Awards, Bathrooms & Kitchens magazine; the annual Bathrooms
& Kitchens Directory and the Bathrooms and Kitchens website.
[More
on this Story]
Jacuzzi
Brands Announces Q2 2005 Financial Results - and Sells Rexair
Jacuzzi Brands, Inc., announced on 10th May earnings for the second quarter
ended April 2nd, 2005. Net sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2005
increased 1.4% to $337.6 million from net sales of $332.9 million for
the second quarter of fiscal 2004. Operating income for the fiscal 2005
second quarter increased 18.3% to $21.3 million.
[More
on this Story]
Jacuzzi
Brands Announces Sale of Rexair
Jacuzzi
Brands, Inc. announced on 9th May that it has entered into an agreement
to sell Rexair, Inc. to Rhone Capital LLC in a transaction valued at $170
million.
[More
on this Story]
Maytag
UK Announces New Sales Director
Maytag
UK, the American appliance specialist has announced the appointment of
a new member to the management team, Julie Blaylock, Sales Director.
[More
on this Story]
Villeroy
& Boch Sales up 1.2% in 2004
When
compared with prior-year figures of Euro 948.6 mill., Group sales recorded
an absolute rise of 1.2% to Euro 959.9 mill.. Following structural adjustment,
consolidated sales rose 3.7%. The Villeroy & Boch Group recorded sales
increases in virtually all foreign markets.
[More
on this Story]
Free
Top of the Range Cookware from De Dietrich
De
Dietrich, the premium appliance brand is offering a free six piece pan
set with every induction hob purchased until 30th June 2005.
[More
on this Story]
BMA
Launches Dedicated Training Micro Web Site
The
Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA), the trade association which
represents 87% of bathroom manufacturers trading in the UK, has announced
that its dedicated training micro web site has gone live.
[More
on this Story]
Clearshield
- The Clear Option on Aqata Shower Enclosures
The
difference is clear for customers of Aqata Shower Enclosures opting for
Ritec’s award-winning ClearShield™ protection system on their
shower glass.
[More
on this Story]
Rayburn
Meets 2005 Building Regs
Rayburn
says that its central heating range cookers are fully compliant with new
Building Regulations ADL1. The Entire collection of Rayburn central heating
range cookers are not affected by amendments to the Building Regulations
Part L which came into force in April.
[More
on this Story]
Architects
and Designers Demand Style when it Comes to DDA
Bathroom
brand Waterbury says that it works hard to ensure that the company has
a stylish range to suit every scenario and its Proteus range is testament
to this.
[More
on this Story]
New
Jet System Technology Brings More Consumer Benefits
The
biggest news on the technology front for Zanussi-Electrolux is the major
development and enhancement of the ‘Unique and Patented Jet System'
which will now be available across the whole Zanussi-Electrolux washing
machine range.
[More
on this Story]
DuPont
Announces Availability of PFOA Emissions Reduction Technologies
DuPont
announced on 6th May that it will provide critical technologies to reduce
emissions of PFOA royalty-free to others in the fluoropolymer industry,
which is used in the cookware industry.
[More
on this Story]
Candy
Wins Tile of the Year!
One
of The Candy Tile Co's recently launched ranges of UK designed wall
tiles - Satins, has won the prestigious Tile Association 'Wall Tile
of the Year' award.
[More
on this Story]
Apollo
Chemicals' Tacky Approach to Innovation Wins Award
Apollo Chemicals Ltd scooped a prestigious Queen's Award for Innovation
for its Fastack adhesive. A specialist supplier to the furnishing industry,
Apollo manufactures a range of adhesive products.
[More
on this Story]
Property
Ladder of Success for Venetian
Venetian Bathrooms has received a surge of inquiries following a brief
appearance on popular Channel 4 series 'Property Ladder'. 'It was a
fleeting glimpse of some Venetian branded point of sale in the showroom,
but that's all it took to get the phones ringing and an increase in
hits on the Venetian pages of our website,'
[More
on this Story]
Groupe
SEB Finalises Lagostina Acquisition
Groupe
SEB confirms that it has signed the final agreement to acquire Lagostina,
the leading Italian producer of stainless-steel cookware. Negotiations
for the agreement were announced last 24th February.
[More
on this Story]
Nobia's
2005 Annual General Meeting
The
Meeting established that the dividend for 2004 would be SEK 3.00 per
share. The record date for the right to receive the dividend is 2nd
May 2005 and payment is expected via the Swedish Securities Register
Centre (VPC) on 6th May 2005.
[More
on this Story]
Decisions
of the Snaige AB AGM
The
annual general meeting of Snaige AB shareholders held on April 27th,
2005 passed the following decisions: To approve the Report of the board
of Snaige AB on the operation of the company in 2004.
[More
on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 96 6th May 2005
'Go
Create' - Ideal-Standard Launches New 'Everyman' Collection at BK EXPO
When Ideal-Standard identified a market need for a new collection with
'everyman' appeal it turned once again to the most successful bathroom
designer of the age - Robin Levien. The company and the designer have
an association spanning 20 years with a level of success that has produced
business growth for each of those years. So, when Ideal-Standard asked
Robin Levien to 'go create' a new mass-appeal bathroom range, 'create'
he did!
[More
on this Story]
KBSA
Teams Up With First National To Offer Finance Deals
The Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association has joined forces
with First National Consumer Finance Limited to offer association members
a selection of special finance deals for their customers.
[More
on this Story]
Wisborough:
Two Years on and Still Going Strong
Wisborough Kitchens (UK) Ltd is a family run business which specialises
in the design and installation of quality kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms.
[More
on this Story]
AMDEA
2005 Domestic Appliance Show Acclaimed a Success
The
AMDEA 2005 Domestic Appliance Show has been acclaimed a success by the
exhibitors and organisers. ‘Since they're the same people, we can
assume that's an accurate assessment,’ said AMDEA Director General
Peter Carver.
[More
on this Story]
Shareholders
of Baxi Group Announce the Acquisition of the Heating Division of Roca
for €200m
The
shareholders of Baxi Group have announced the acquisition of Roca Heating,
the market leader in residential heating equipment in Spain and Portugal,
in a €200million deal.
[More
on this Story]
Historic
Family Firm, Eliton Kitchen Furniture, Launches in the UK
Eliton Kitchen manufacturer, established for 30 years in Greece is bringing
its expertise to the UK. Eliton Kitchen Furniture is the leading manufacturer
of quality kitchen furniture and wardrobes in Greece. With three large
kitchen showrooms in Athens and a second base in Cyprus, Eliton says that
it has a firm foundation to emerge in the UK as a quality Kitchen manufacturer
without the quality price tag.
[More
on this Story]
Sales
Up 3.4% for Fagor in FY2004
The
Spanish appliance manufacturer Fagor Electrodomésticos has announced
a boost in sales for the financial year ending 31st December 2004. At
a high-profile press conference held on 13th April 2005 at the Bilbao
Fine Arts Museum, Pablo Mongelos (Director General of the Fagor Electrodomésticos
Group) revealed that sales of Fagor products grew to almost 941 million
euros in 2004, an increase of 3.4% on the previous year - in spite of
the large increases in the cost of raw materials and components experienced
during 2004.
[More
on this Story]
Synergy
Kitchens Launches with 'Better For Less' Message
A
new kitchen offer is set to open up an additional avenue for retailers.
Synergy Kitchens, established by Jonathan Hurst, says that it plans
to provide independent retailers with an offer that, to date, has only
been available to national outlets that have a direct supply relationship
with manufacturers.
[More
on this Story]
Brandt
UK Connects to Enhanced Service
As
part of an on-going programme of improvements, Brandt UK has centralised
its external service, spare parts and accessories offer by affiliating
with Connect Distribution Services. This means that for both Brandt
and De Dietrich, premium appliances now come with a premium service.
[More
on this Story]
Senior
Appointments Made at lndesit Company
Indesit
Company UK recently announced that John Morrissey has joined the company,
taking on the role of Commercial Director. In this role, John will be
responsible for all sales activities for both freestanding and built
in-appliances for the white goods manufacturer.
[More
on this Story]
Symphony
Secures New Contracts on Home Ground
Fitted
furniture supplier Symphony has secured major new contracts to provide
quality kitchens for council homes across the City of Leeds. The planned
maintenance and new-build work is part of the Council's bid to ensure
that all its properties satisfy the government's Decent Homes Standard
by 2010.
[More
on this Story]
Groupe
SEB Finalises Acquisition of Panex in Brazil
Groupe
SEB announced on 3rd May that it has signed the final agreement to acquire
Panex, Brazil’s leading cookware manufacturer. Panex markets a
wide range of frying pans, pots and pressure cookers
[More
on this Story]
Dornbracht
Culture Projects with New Programme Focus: Performances
After
seven years, Dornbracht—producer of high-quality design bathroom
fittings, accessories, and interiors—takes its cultural engagement
to a new discipline. And the name reveals the intention of the new programme
focus: 'Performances'.
[More
on this Story]
Introducing
the AEG-Electrolux ‘Centres of Excellence’ Network
Electrolux
Major Appliances has announced the launch of a New Trade Initiative
to Deliver 'Best in Class' Customer Service and reward retailers who
show loyalty and commitment to the AEG-Electrolux Brand.... the new
AEG-Electrolux ‘Centres of Excellence’ Network launched from
May 2005
[More
on this Story]
Electrolux
AGM Re-elects Board and Proposes Dividend
The Annual General Meeting of AB Electrolux was held on Wednesday, April
20, in Stockholm. Peggy Bruzelius, Aina Nilsson Ström, Hans Stråberg,
Barbara R. Thoralfsson, Michael Treschow and Karel Vuursteen were re-elected
to the Board.
[More
on this Story]
Bemis
Promotes Awareness for Beating Bowel Cancer
Toilet
seat giant, Bemis, is taking the bottom line very seriously with the
launch of its brand new seat the Awareness. The
Awareness seat is being launched in conjunction with UK charity Beating
Bowel Cancer and a donation from every seat sold will be given to the
charity.
[More
on this Story]
Hardex
and Fab & Fix Move Premises
Owing
to continued success in their respective industries, Fab & Fix and
Hardex have moved premises to accommodate their expansion. Both companies
are now housed in a new 25,000 sq ft unit in Coventry, with a new showroom
to demonstrate both Hardex's variety of Kitchen, Bathroom, Bedroom and
Office furniture fittings, and Fab & Fix's suited range of Window
and door hardware.
[More
on this Story]