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THE K&BZINE ISSUE 193 25th May 2007
Candy
Sweetens Appliance Range with New Products for 2007
The
Hoover Candy Group introduced the new range of smart design, smart technology
Candy household appliances at the company’s annual Centres of Excellence
Conference this month.
[More
on this Story]
KBSA
Survey Reveals Kitchens and Bathrooms are Most Important Rooms in the
Home
According
to research recently carried out by the Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists
Association (KBSA), 70% of people questioned would spend money on their
kitchen before putting their house on the market.
[More
on this Story]
KBSA
Membership for all New Mobalpa Dealers
KBSA
corporate member Mobalpa has embarked on a commitment to the KBSA that
all new Dealers who sign up to the Mobalpa network will take on board
KBSA membership as part of their contract.
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on this Story]
Lawcris
Celebrates 25 Years of Service
In
2007, Lawcris is celebrating serving the panel industry for quarter of
a century. To mark the occasion, throughout the year, the company is aiming
to raise £25,000 to be shared between five UK charities - Leukaemia
Research, the NSPCC, Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Wakefield Hospice and Macmillan
Nurses.
[More
on this Story]
Magnet
Opens Doors to New Training Academy
Magnet
is launching a new Training Academy in Darlington. The move demonstrates
its commitment to staff development and expert customer service in all
its 190 trade and retail stores.
[More
on this Story]
Maytag
Opens New Showroom
Maytag
UK, the manufacturer of aspirational lifestyle household appliances, has
announced the opening of its newly refurbished showroom at its Surrey
headquarters.
[More
on this Story]
Secrets
of Prosperous Companies Revealed
A
new league table from leading financial analyst Plimsoll Publishing aims
to provide an answer to that age-old question in the Kitchen, Bedroom
& Bathroom Manufacturers market: Why do some companies fail and others
prosper?
[More
on this Story]
Siemens
World Class Appliances Now Available on Planit Fusion
Planit
has extended the capabilities of its Fusion design and visualisation system
to provide instant access to Siemens’s world-class kitchen products
and household appliance catalogues – all from a single source.
[More
on this Story]
Sweet
Sensation for In-toto Showroom
In-toto kitchens in Leamington Spa recently enjoyed a successful 'Chocolate
& Orange' event to celebrate the unveiling of the company’s new
look showroom.
[More
on this Story]
Strata
Tiles is Named Supplier Of Excellence
Strata Tiles has been named as a supplier of excellence by leading architect,
John Cooper Associates. Grayshott Spa, designed by John Cooper Associates
has been awarded an architectural merit by the Royal British Institute
of Architects (RIBA).
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on this Story]
Whirlpool
Corporation Wins Golden Halo Award
Whirlpool
Corporation was honoured on 17th May with the 2006 Cause Marketing Golden
Halo Award for Business during the fifth annual Cause Marketing Forum
conference.
[More
on this Story]
Jasper
Morrison in Stock at Ideal Bathrooms
Ideal
Bathrooms has taken delivery of the new Jasper Morrison collection from
Ideal Standard and product worth £200,000 is now in stock ready
for delivery to retailers across the UK.
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on this Story]
American
Appliances Cooks Up a Storm to Celebrate 20th Anniversary
'American
Appliances celebrated its 20th anniversary on Saturday 12th May with some
of the finest chefs and wine experts around at the company's showroom
in Woodford Green, Essex.
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on this Story]
Anthony
Mullan Moves up a Gear with Weeke CNC
High
quality kitchen maker Anthony Mullan Furniture has recognised major production
benefits since investing in an entry level Weeke CNC machining centre
from Homag UK.
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on this Story]
50
Year Anniversary for KBSA Member Dewhirst Kitchens
A
KBSA retail member is celebrating fifty years of business and over twenty-five
years membership with the Association, reaping the rewards of increased
customer satisfaction that membership brings.
[More
on this Story]
Furniture
Industry Sustainability Programme (FISP) Membership Doubles!
Recent
workshops have seen a doubling of full members of FISP and the first two
Associate Members joining. FIRA will be working closely with Midas House
Furnishers Ltd and Commodore Kitchens Ltd to improve their environmental
impact and assist them in working towards sustainable development.
[More
on this Story]
Geberit
Sells PVC Piping Business
Effective
as of 1st July 2007, the Geberit Group is selling its entire PVC piping
business in the UK to Polypipe. The selling price is GBP 42.5 million.
[More
on this Story]
Hammonds
Invests in Nesting Technology from Homag
British
bedroom furniture manufacturer Hammonds has installed a Homag BOF 722
CNC twin table router with fully automated loading, feeding and off-stacking
to produce wardrobe doors and other components using the nesting principle.
[More
on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 192 18th May 2007
Poggenpohl
Expands its Retail Network
Poggenpohl
is going from strength to strength in the British Isles with the launch
of eight new specialist Poggenpohl studios in the second half of 2006
and four more planned for early 2007.
[More
on this Story]
Stone
Theatre Under New Management
The
distinctive Stonetheatre retail outlets of UK Marble Ltd, with locations
in central London and Cirencester, have been purchased by Donovan Collier,
previously a director of UKM.
[More
on this Story]
Number
Crunching at KBB
KBB
incorporating Expotile will take place from 2-5 March 2008 and already
looks set to be an extremely successful event. A key event in the industry
calendar, KBB inc. Expotile is a must for both the retail and contract
markets and in 2008 will be positioned adjacent to the new launch of HPE,
Heating and Plumbing Event.
[More
on this Story]
DTI
Appoints VCA As Enforcement Body For WEEE Regs
The
Science and Innovation Minister, Malcolm Wicks, today announced the appointment
of the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) as the enforcement body for
the distributor obligations under the Waste Electrical and Electronic
Equipment (WEEE) Regulations.
[More
on this Story]
More
Hype For HIPS
'The
political battleground rumbles on in the run up to the launch of mandatory
Home Information Packs on all residential properties on 1st June 2007',
writes Angela Hesketh, Head of Residential Property at Homeplus.
[More
on this Story]
Technology
Now in Place for Energy Performance Certificates
The
very last pieces of the jigsaw are falling into place for the introduction
of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) in England and Wales on 1st
June.
[More
on this Story]
William
Ball Reveals a New Star in its Midst
As
part of its on-going business development, William Ball has appointed
a new star player to its management team - Larry Zalcman.
[More
on this Story]
Ideal
Standard Reinforces Leadership Team
Ideal
Standard, a leading provider of bathroom and kitchen solutions has appointed
former Shires Operations Director Michael Leaf to head up the acrylics
and wellness and Irish divisions.
[More
on this Story]
New
Sales and Marketing Director at Building Adhesives
Tile
adhesive and grout manufacturer, Building Adhesives has promoted Paul
Harris to the position of Sales and Marketing Director.
[More
on this Story]
Mermaid
Re-launches Website
As
part of its ongoing development of the Mermaid brand, Norske Interiors
U.K. Limited has re-launched its website. The new site is aimed at dealers
and customers, and can be viewed at www.waterproofwallpanels.co.uk
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on this Story]
KBSA
Sponsors Grand Designs Award
The Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association (KBSA) is sponsoring
the Grand Designs Kitchen Award 2007. Entries have already closed for
this year and the award winners will be announced at the awards ceremony
on 8th June, which will be held at Excel London Docklands.
[More
on this Story]
Mercury
Wins Major Award for Thermastone
Mercury
Appliances has won Gold in the 20th Annual Excellence In Design Awards,
for the company’s Thermastone range cooker. Entered into one of
seven categories, entrants were evaluated by an independent panel of
three experts in the field of design.
[More
on this Story]
Back
to the Future at In-toto National Meeting
At
this year's National Meeting, In-toto reviewed achievements over the last
twelve months and announced future plans for the continued development
of the UK independent fitted kitchen franchise.
[More
on this Story]
OFT
Launches Market Study into Personal Current Accounts
The
OFT has launched a market study into personal bank current account pricing,
alongside a formal investigation into the fairness of charges for unauthorised
overdrafts and returned items.
[More
on this Story]
Reusable
Furniture Packaging Boosts Profitability
Manufacturers,
retailers, packaging and logistics specialists met on 24th April to discuss
how the DIY and home furnishings sector can boost business and reduce
its environmental impact by reducing, reusing and recycling packaging.
[More
on this Story]
Pro
Publishing Launches New Consumer Kitchen & Bathroom Magazine
Launching
in May 2007, Utopia Kitchen & Bathroom Magazine is a new monthly consumer
title. Utopia will appeal to AB 30-55 year olds, including homeowners
with a high disposable income, independent professional women, interior
design professionals and architects/specifiers.
[More
on this Story]
Tab
UK Guarantees Delivery
Tab
UK can now guarantee delivery within 72 hours on over 95% of orders for
shower enclosures, steam cabins, hydro-massage units and bathroom furniture.
[More
on this Story]
HSE
Warns of Rogue Gas Installers
The
Health and Safety Executive is keen to remind anyone having gas work carried
out that they use a CORGI registered installer.
[More
on this Story]
The
AEG-Electrolux Noise Report
A new Noise Survey commissioned by AEG-Electrolux has
revealed that the vast majority of consumers across Europe say it was
a mistake not taking more consideration of the noise an appliance makes
at the time of purchase.
[More
on this Story]
Homag
Expands Sales and Service across Ireland
After
10 years of successful growth and an expanding customer base in the whole
of Ireland, Homag has moved to restructure and expand the company’s
sales and service operations.
[More
on this Story]
Snaige
AGM Reports Good 2006
The
annual general meeting of Snaige shareholders approved the company‘s
financial statements for year 2006.Retained earnings at the beginning
of the year - LTL 55 772 622 (EUR 16 152 868). Net profit for year 2006
is LTL 10 659 081 Lt (EUR 3 087 083).
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on this Story]
Saint
Gobain makes Acquisitions in Italy and Spain
A
good debut in 2007 for Saint Gobain Building Distribution division, the
European leader in the distribution of building materials and the leading
world distributor of ceramic tiles.
[More
on this Story]
Linde
Launches Eco-Friendly Dry-Cleaning Brand
The
Linde Group is to roll out its Fred Butler® brand across Europe -
offering dry-cleaning services based on an eco-friendly process that uses
carbon dioxide.
[More
on this Story]
Carpets
Make a Comeback
Carpets
are making a big comeback, if the demands of customers of Housing Units
are anything to go by.
[More
on this Story]
Adopt
Policies or Face the Consequences
A
landmark ruling in an industrial tribunal that recently made national
headlines should serve as a warning to employers across the region, warns
lawyer Roscoe Fernandes of Freeth Cartwright LLP.
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on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 191 11th May 2007
Premium
Appliance Brands Turns Up the Heat
Warrington-based
kitchen appliance designer and manufacturer, Premium Appliance Brands,
has announced an impressive £20.8m turnover in its fourth year as
market challengers to the white goods sector.
[More
on this Story]
Franke
Sinks and Taps on Planit Software
Planit International is now featuring a selection of Franke sink and tap
models on its kitchen design software – adding another dimension
to its ability to produce realistic visuals for customers.
[More
on this Story]
Built
in Bonus for Siemens Appliances
Following
the success of similar online promotions, Siemens this week launched another
Purecard promotion to reward its loyal dealers for sales of any combination
of three or more Built in appliances.
[More
on this Story]
Althea
Bathrooms - First Choice for Firstmove
Firstmove
Developments Ltd was established in Chesham, Buckinghamshire in 2002 and
is the latest of many new homes builders to select Italian bathroom products
from specialist importer and distributor, Althea UK Ltd.
[More
on this Story]
Coram
Enters the Retail Market
Coram
Showers has launched Acora, a new retail range of shower enclosures and
bath screens that combine elegant, contemporary design with smooth operation
and watertight performance.
[More
on this Story]
REHAU
On-Line Ordering Helps Morris Furniture
The
Morris Furniture Group, which uses REHAU as its main supplier of edgeband
for its Office and Homestyle Kitchen divisions, has switched to on-line
ordering via the new REHAU customer portal accessed from the company's
website.
[More
on this Story]
Easa’s
Evo is NAIDEX Product of the Year
Northern
Ireland based accessible showering manufacturing company EASA has been
awarded the NAIDEX 2007 Product of the Year Award at the UK’s number
one event for homecare, disability and rehabilitation for its design-led
range of accessible shower units, EVO.
[More
on this Story]
Cooking
Up a Treat to Celebrate 20th Anniversary
American
Appliances will be serving up an Open Day treat on May 12th when the company
celebrates its 20th anniversary with some of the finest chefs and wine
experts around at its showroom in Woodford Green, Essex.
[More
on this Story]
BCGM's
New Returns Policy and Customer Charter
Broughton
Crangrove Galley Matrix (BCGM) is committed to service excellence. Since
the appointment of Simon Macklin, Customer Service Director, BCGM has
set the benchmark for service in the distribution industry.
[More
on this Story]
Clearwater
Collection Wins Contract in Middle East
Freestanding
bath manufacturer Clearwater Collection has won another major contract
in the Middle East, to supply the first three phases of a luxurious villa
project in Abu Dhabi.
[More
on this Story]
Electrolux Looks for Green Solutions for the year 2020
Electrolux
Design Lab 2007, for its fifth annual competition, invites design students
from around the world to present solutions for the home of the future.
This year's task is to come up with ideas for eco-friendly and sustainable
household appliances and solutions for 2020.
[More
on this Story]
Global
OEM Corporation
Mike
Campbell, European Commercial Director for Global OEM Corporation considers
the developing Asian approach to the UK bathroom product market.
[More
on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 190 4th May 2007
Venesta
is First Company Sold by American Standard Bath & Kitchen
American Standard, world leader in the ceramic sanitaryware sector, announced
at the start of 2007 the intention to break up the three divisions of
activity and to sell the Bath & Kitchen division by the start of the
Autumn. The first sale concerned Venesta, a UK commercial washroom systems
business with annual sales of approximately $62 million.
[More
on this Story]
American
Standard Reports First-Quarter Results
American
Standard Companies Inc. announced on April 19th first-quarter net income
per diluted share of 84 cents in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles (GAAP). Sales from continuing operations, which include Air
Conditioning Systems and Services and Vehicle Control Systems, were $2.166
billion. Sales for Bath and Kitchen were $657.9 million.
[More
on this Story]
Franke
Tours The UK With Waterline Roadshow
Franke is currently touring the country as part of the Waterline Roadshow
which aims to bring new products to kitchen retailers' doorsteps. The
roadshow is currently at Castle Donnington, Derbyshire, and over the next
few weeks will be at Sandown Park Race Course, Surrey, Cedar Court Hotel,
Bradford and Tatton Park, Cheshire.
[More
on this Story]
PWS
Appoints New MD
As
part of the company’s continued and ambitious sales growth PWS has
appointed Martin Elgood as Managing Director. Effective from 1st May 2007,
his brief extends to the management of PWS' sister company Danesmoor UK.
[More
on this Story]
Big
Names + Big Lorries = Even Bigger Presence for GDHA
GDHA's
entire fleet of distribution lorries and engineer vans have been given
an eye-catching livery makeover, incorporating the latest Stoves, Belling,
New World and Lec logos and photography to create real impact on the roads
and ensure complete continuity for all of the brands - from advertising
through to after sales.
[More
on this Story]
Bathroom
Buying Top 10
Helping builders merchants get to grips with their customer's
needs when it comes to fitted furniture shopping, Shades recently commissioned
a nationwide survey, with some very interesting results.
[More
on this Story]
William
Ball's New Retail Showroom
William
Ball has announced the opening of a new retail showroom at its UK headquarters
in Grays, Essex. Packed with displays revealing the very latest in fitted
furniture trends, the new showroom is designed to inspire potential customers
- showcasing the full design potential of William Ball's collections.
[More
on this Story]
Leisure
Announces New Distribution Partnership
Leisure,
BEKO plc's branded range of kitchen appliances, has secured a key contract
with JP Distribution, one of the UK's most high-profile and prolific distributors
of kitchens and appliances to independent kitchen retailers.
[More
on this Story]
The Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA) was one of the sponsors at this year's Waterwise Water Efficiency Conference - The Economics of Water Efficiency in the Natural and Built Environment - which took place as part of World Water Day between 21st and 22nd March 2007.
Broughtons
Introduces Jasper Morrison
Broughtons,
the national distributor of sanitary ware and bathroom furniture has introduced
Ideal Standard's latest designer suites to its portfolio.
[More
on this Story]
Foresight
Design Conference: Housing from Heaven
CMPi,
organiser of The Interiors Event, has set up a partnership with Johnny
Grey, designer, cultural influencer and author to establish a programme
of conferences in the design and construction sectors of the industry.
[More
on this Story]
Chartley
Aiming High with Gessi Brassware
As
sole distributor throughout the UK of luxury Italian tap manufacturer
Gessi, Chartley Brassware of Stone, Staffordshire has appointed Helen
K Marketing to work with the media to increase the profile of this successful
partnership.
[More
on this Story]
REHAU
Rewards Design Excellence
Edgeband
and furniture component specialist REHAU is supporting excellence in design
and creativity by sponsoring the 2007 Open Exhibition for artists in Herefordshire.
[More
on this Story]
HSE
Issues Gas Fitter Warning
On 24th April the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
warned Cumbrian businesses and residents to check that gas workers are
appropriately accredited by CORGI before allowing them to carry out gas
fitting or repair work.
[More
on this Story]
Masco
First Quarter 2007
Net
sales from continuing operations declined nine percent, with North American
sales declining 15 percent and International sales increasing 21 percent.
In local currencies, International sales increased 10 percent compared
with the first quarter of 2006.
[More
on this Story]