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 76 26th November 2004
IKEA
Steps up Kitchen
Installation
Programme - £0.5m Contracts going Begging UK-Wide
Kitchen
installation contracts worth hundreds of thousands of pounds a year are
still up for grabs after specialist firms failed to come forward for the
lucrative pieces of business. Even after advertising the tenders, IKEA's
12-strong UK store network is still searching for local partners for its
kitchen installation package which plans to kick off in January 2005.
[More
on this Story]
Chinese
Sign Agreement to Fight Counterfeiting - UK to Take Lead Role in Special
Protocol
The
UK is taking the lead role in a unique joint initiative by European and
Chinese manufacturers to stop the flow of copied or counterfeited product
and breaches of intellectual property rights. A formal Protocol agreeing
to combat the problems was signed at a special ceremony during a mini-summit
in Brussels of Chinese and European Commission officials.
[More
on this Story]
Bathrooms
and Kitchens EXPO set to ExCel
Bathrooms and Kitchens EXPO 2005, the UK's premier trade show for the
bathroom and kitchen industry is set for another successful show with
more exhibitors than ever before signed up to exhibit. Bathrooms and Kitchens
EXPO will once again be held at London's ExCel exhibition centre on the
8-10 May 2005.
[More
on this Story]
Bathrooms
and Kitchens Awards Announces the 2005 Finalists
The
prestigious Bathrooms and Kitchens Magazine lndustry Awards will once
again be celebrating the achievements of its sector at London's Grosvenor
House Hotel on the 1st February 2005. The premier awards for the bathroom
and kitchen industry has been rewarding excellence in retailing and design
for eleven years.
[More
on this Story]
KBSA
Launches New Industry Awards
The Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association is set to launch
a new series of awards to recognise and reward the best designers, retailers
and suppliers in the interiors business. The awards will be sponsored
by some of the most well respected companies in the industry and the inaugural
awards will take place at a special ceremony on June 16th, 2005.
[More
on this Story]
Maytag
Invests in its Dealers with Training and Product Showroom
American
appliance manufacturer Maytag has made a significant investment in its
future with the makeover of its new showroom at its UK headquarters in
Redhill, Surrey.
[More
on this Story]
‘People
Make the Difference’ says BGH
Investment in people and putting the best team behind the brands is the
way forward according to Bernstein Group Holdings (BGH). The Bolton based
kitchen manufacturer has this month announced the final member to join
its experienced sales and marketing team, further to a six month recruitment
campaign geared toward making it easier for customers to do business with
BGH at all levels.
[More
on this Story]
Time
is Running Out - Sign up for Part P with ELECSA Now
ELECSA is urging electrical contractors who undertake electricai installations
in dwellings to register with the scheme immediately so that they are
ready to do business when Part P comes into effect on 1st January 2005.
[More
on this Story]
Franke
Group Bowled Over by UK Website
The
Franke UK website has been recognised as the most successful within the
Franke Group. In a recent internal survey, the UK website was marked against
20 other countries’ sites, including USA, Germany and China, and
came top of the group in all areas.
[More
on this Story]
Wolseley
AGM Statement Indicates Steady Progress
Wolseley plc, the world's largest specialist trade distributor
of plumbing, heating and building material products, held its Annual General
Meeting on November 18th at 12 noon. At the meeting, John Whybrow, Chairman,
made the following comments to shareholders:
[More
on this Story]
Nobia
Acquires the Leading Austrian Kitchen Manufacturer EWE-FM
Nobia
has acquired EWE-FM, Austria's leading manufacturer of rigid kitchens
in the middle to upper segment. The company supplies kitchens to kitchen
studios and furniture stores. Around 75 per cent of EWE-FM's sales are
in Austria and the remaining 25 per cent are in southern Germany, northern
Italy, Switzerland and the CEE countries.
[More
on this Story]
Vaillant
Group Gains Italian Heating Market Leadership with Majority Stake in Hermann
SRL
To
strengthen its heating technology business, the Vaillant Group acquired
another 33 per cent of Italian manufacturer Hermann SRL, in which it has
had a 33 per cent interest since its acquisition of the Hepworth Group
in 2001. The purchase price was €20 million on a cash and debt free
basis.
[More
on this Story]
Maytag
UK Hosts European Meeting
The
UK arm of US appliance giant Maytag was the recent host of a meeting between
its European distributors and customers. More than 30 attended the meeting
at Maytag UK’s and Maytag International headquarters in Redhill,
Surrey, from all over Europe and even as far away as Israel.
[More
on this Story]
Shadow
Minister Visits Armitage Plant
Lichfield
MP Michael Fabricant, the shadow minister for Economic Affairs visited
the sanitaryware factory at Armitage recently, to inspect the latest casting
methods that have made this factory the most efficient in the world.
[More
on this Story]
Ritec
Checks in to Sanderson Hotel
Shower
cubicles in the chic Sanderson Hotel in London’s West End have been
restored to their original pristine condition by Ritec’s ClearShield
system. The refurbishment project at the lavish urban retreat involved
renovating and protecting sandblasted glass shower cubicles in 150 rooms
using Ritec’s award-winning technology.
[More
on this Story]
London
Design Museum Chooses Ideal-Standard
The
London Design Museum, on the South Bank of the Thames has chosen the multi
award winning Ideal-Standard Newson range for the washrooms in its newly
opened Design Museum Space, the function room with a balcony opening up
to views of Tower Bridge, the Tower of London and Foster's 'Gherkin'.
[More
on this Story]
International
Recognition for Manchester Kitchen Specialist's Design Skills
SieMatic
is one of the world's leading manufacturers of high quality kitchens,
with established subsidiaries in over 53 countries. Celebrating its 75th
anniversary in October 2004, the company used the occasion to identify
individuals across its global dealership network that had contributed
to its success, and Manchester dealer Stuart Frazer scooped two awards.
[More
on this Story]
Improved
Customer Service is Achieved with Launch of New Shires Bathrooms 'Retail'
Price List
Bathroom
manufacturer, Shires Bathrooms, has launched a new format retail price
list in a bid to offer greater convenience to its retailers.
[More
on this Story]
Maytag
Corporation 2004 Analyst Conference
Maytag
Corporation held its 2004 Analyst Conference on Friday, November 19th,
2004. During the conference, Maytag updated members of the investment
community on its business operations and plans for the future.
[More
on this Story]
Electrolux
Will Close Cooker Factory in Reims, France
In
July 2004, Electrolux announced that it was investigating a possible closure
of the cooker factory in Reims, France. The decision has now been taken
to close the factory at the end of the first quarter 2005.
[More
on this Story]
Festive
Show Proves Success for Underwood
The
Spirit of Christmas show at Olympia earlier this month proved a huge success
for Underwood Kitchens, sponsor of the event’s Celebrity Cookery
Theatre.
[More
on this Story]
Brand
& Deliver: Mereway Invests in Logistics!
Following
the success of the Mobile Showroom, Mereway Bathrooms has announced the
arrival of the company’s first dedicated branded delivery vehicle
to assist in its logistical operations.
[More
on this Story]
Four leading manufacturers of electrical and electronic appliances, Braun, Electrolux, HP and Sony have recently set up the first ever pan-European take back and compliance scheme for waste from electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). To administer the pan-European scheme, the companies have established the limited company ERP SAS
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 75 19th November 2004
European
Commission Investigates Bathroom Fittings Sector
Following press inquiries, the European Commission’s
spokesperson for Competition has confirmed that, on 9 and 10 November
2004, Commission inspectors, assisted by officials from the national competition
authorities of the Member States concerned, launched simultaneous unannounced
inspections at the premises of some of the major European manufacturers
and importers of bathroom fittings in Austria, Belgium, Germany, Italy
and Netherlands.
[More
on this Story]
Masco
Corporation Comments on European Union Inquiry
In response to a number of investor inquiries, Masco Corporation issued
the following statement on November 12th: 'The Company has learned that
European governmental authorities are investigating possible anticompetitive
business practices relating to the plumbing and heating industry in Europe.
These inquiries appear to involve a number of European companies, including
certain of the Company's European manufacturing divisions and a number
of other large businesses.
[More
on this Story]
Sphinx
Investigated by the European Commission
The
European Commission published on the evening of November 11th a statement
regarding its launch of investigations relating to allegedly suspected
cartel arrangements between some manufacturers and importers of taps,
mixers, showerheads and other bathroom fittings in Austria, Belgium, Germany,
Italy and the Netherlands.None of the Sanitec Group companies and business
units were the subject of this inspection, with the only exception of
Koninklijke Sphinx B.V. in the Netherlands.
[More
on this Story]
Tretzo
Seeks Distribution Partner
Tretzo,
Ireland’s bathroom furniture manufacturer, is seeking independent
distribution partners in the Midlands & Southern England. The company,
a favoured supplier to Jacuzzi UK and Shires Bathrooms, is currently working
with Althea UK in the North and Delphi Distribution in Scotland.
[More
on this Story]
Roundhouse
Expands into Trade Sales
Bespoke
kitchen manufacturer Roundhouse Design is to offer its quality kitchen
furniture to selected trade outlets. Established over eight years ago,
Roundhouse Design operates from four London showrooms, manufacturing and
distributing from its plant in the Midlands. Roundhouse is now to expand
its horizons by looking for selected regional dealers through which to
sell the company’s product.
[More
on this Story]
Kitchen
Buyers Tap into Franke Website
A new report from Franke has shown that over 90 per cent of people visiting
its website are planning a new kitchen and not just buying a sink. And
with over half a million visitor sessions between October 2003 and October
2004, there is a huge opportunity for retailers who have registered their
details on ‘Find a Franke Dealer’ to capture customers at the
planning stage.
[More
on this Story]
Masco
Corporation Business and Financial Highlights
Masco
Corporaton's income from continuing operations for the third quarter was
$289m compared with $258 million for the third quarter of 2003net sales
from continuing operations for the third quarter increased 12 percent,
primarily from organic growth, with North American sales increasing 11
percent and International sales increasing 20 percent.
[More
on this Story]
Organisational
Changes and New Appointments at Electrolux
President and CEO Hans Stråberg has announced organisational changes
within Electrolux white-goods operations, the purpose of which are to
take further advantage of the Group's global position. A new global white-goods
leadership team will be established, which will focus on increasing the
integration within branding, design, product development, manufacturing
and purchasing; these areas provide considerable global opportunities.
[More
on this Story]
Maytag’s
Dedicated Focus on Dealers
Maytag
UK, the American appliance specialist, is continuing the evolution of
customer care and its commitment to dealers with the implementation of
a new department based at its headquarters in Redhill, Surrey.
[More
on this Story]
European
Recycling Platform (ERP) Establishes first pan-European WEEE Compliance
Scheme
Four
leading manufacturers of electrical and electronic appliances, Braun,
Electrolux, HP and Sony have recently set up the first ever pan-European
take back and compliance scheme for waste from electrical and electronic
equipment (WEEE). To administer the pan-European scheme, the companies
have established the limited company ERP SAS
[More
on this Story]
Reflections
Showroom Opens with Music and Champagne
The
new Hove branch of Reflections, the bathroom and kitchen showroom, opened
its doors to the public last weekend with music from Southern FM, prize
giveaways and Champagne for all.
[More
on this Story]
CDA
Full of Eastern Promise
Domestic
appliance manufacturer CDA Group has beaten competition from some of the
world’s biggest brand names to secure a first major contract in China.
Around £500,000 worth of appliances will be provided for exclusive
apartments in Shanghai. This will include more than 1,600 ovens and around
800 dishwashers.
[More
on this Story]
Maytag
Announces Buoyant Third Quarter Results
As
we first reported in The K&BZine on 22nd October, Maytag UK, the premium
manufacturer of American appliances, has announced buoyant third quarter
results. Sales are up 14% year on year, which is an impressive increase
given the challenging market conditions.
[More
on this Story]
Alliance
Unveils ‘Aspirational’ Highlife Bathrooms Range
A
month after announcing its launch into the UK bathrooms market, Alliance
Sanitary Products has unveiled its first products. Aimed at the aspirational
consumer, the Highlife Bathrooms Collection is a niche range of contemporary,
high quality sanitaryware, furniture, towel warmers, taps and mixers sourced
from leading manufacturers around the world.
[More
on this Story]
G&G
Mobilise Internal Organisation
The
growth in kitchen designers and manufacturers now fitting out their drawer
interiors with flexible organisational systems, increases month by month.
‘The main UK (and international) protagonist of these bespoke products
is the Manchester-based designer and manufacturer G&G Products, now
supplying in excess of 80% of the UK market alone.’ says the company.
[More
on this Story]
Belling
Launches New DB Style
Cooking appliance manufacturer, Belling, is launching its two new db1000
and db900 range cookers. Combining ergonomic design with the latest technology
and practical functions, the two new db collections update Belling's popular
db2, db3, db90 and db92 models.
[More
on this Story]
Investment
in Paste Plant Speeds up Distribution from Instarmac
A
manufacturing capacity of up to 2,500 packs per eight-hour shift, created
as a result of the recent commissioning of Instarmac’s new £500,000
paste plant facility at its Tamworth premises, is enabling the adhesives
and grouts manufacturer to meet many orders directly from manufacturing
output, rather than from stock.
[More
on this Story]
Five
Specialist Divisions Now Under One Roof
The new bespoke headquarters building totalling some 7, 500m2 in all at
Hitchin is an exciting development for Dorma UK Limited in a number of
ways. The three-storey office and adjoining warehouse houses all the main
operating divisions and distribution under one roof for the first time.
[More
on this Story]
Miele
Steam Cooker Leaves Competition Standing
Miele's
DG 4000 steam cooker was selected as 'Best buy' by the Dutch 'Consumentenbond'
consumer magazine. Seven built-in appliances were tested and the DG 4000
achieved the best result with 74 points. The 'Consumentenbond' survey
is the first major international comparative study of steam cookers.
[More
on this Story]
Hannes
Wettstein: Ever-Changing Sculpture Showcases Multi-Faceted Materials
At
the 10th ‘Designer's Saturday’ held in Langenthal, Switzerland,
November 6th 2004, Swiss designer Hannes Wettstein, joined forces with
DuPont™ Corian® and DuPont™ Zodiaq® to showcase a stunning
new functional sculpture.
[More
on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 74 5th November 2004
Alno
to Streamline UK Operation
Germany’s largest kitchen manufacturer, Alno announced a number of
changes to its UK business in line with the group's European operational
strategy. From the end of 2004, the order processing function will be
centralised at Alno’s factory in Pfullendorf, Germany.
Alno's UK showroom will remain in Hanworth, Middlesex until December 2005
when the property lease ends. The company intends to open a prestigious
flagship showroom in central London during 2005.
[More
on this Story]
Change
of Administration for Pyram
Pyram,
the French kitchen and bathroom manufacturer has announced a change of
administration in the United Kingdom.
Mo Tarkian, the current agent, has retired and his company, Cuisine Pyram
Ltd, has ceased trading. His connection with the Pyram product is therefore
at an end. Marketing and representation within the UK will now be carried
forward by the agency partnership of Mike White and Keith Brisley.
[More
on this Story]
Masco
Reports Record Third Quarter and Increases Earnings Guidance for 2004
Masco
Corporation reports that net sales from continuing operations for the
third quarter ended September 30th, 2004 increased 12 percent, primarily
from organic growth, to a quarterly record $3.2 billion compared with
$2.8 billion for the same period in 2003. Sales of assembled cabinets,
installation services, windows and plumbing products were particularly
strong in the quarter.
[More
on this Story]
Finalists
Announced for Eleventh Annual Bathrooms And Kitchens Industry Awards
Following
three days of intensive judging at the prestigious Royal Institute of
British Architects (RIBA), in London, the finalists of the 11th Annual
Bathrooms And Kitchens Industry Awards have now been announced. The national
awards programme features 10 categories, which recognise and reward excellence
in design and retail.
[More
on this Story]
Trade
Appliances Wins £40,000 in DTI backed Awards
Nottingham
based online appliance retailer, Trade Appliances, has been named the
national winner of the sixth DTI / InterForum E-Commerce Awards 2004,
sponsored by The Royal Bank of Scotland Group, for the innovative way
in which it has applied technology to advance its electronic trading and
supply chain efficiency.
[More
on this Story]
Broughton
Crangrove Moves to new 100,000sq ft Premises
Broughton Crangrove, distributor of quality brands, has been storming
ahead with successful promotional and incentive campaigns over the last
half decade resulting in a move to new premises. In September, Broughton
Crangrove moved to a new state-of-the-art building on the Network 65 Business
Park in Burnley, Lancashire. Providing a 100,000 sq.ft of office and warehousing.
[More
on this Story]
Major
Report on the DIY Multiples Market- UK 2004
A
seventh major review ofthe UK DIY Multiples Market has been published
by AMA Research. The report represents an informed and comprehensive review
ofthis fast changing £7+ billion market and is fully updated for
2004, containing information on activities within the market during 2002/2003
and incorporating original input and primary research.
[More
on this Story]
Barwick
to Distribute Vectaire’s X-Mart Range
Barwick
has announced its immediate appointment as distributor for Vectaire’s
X-Mart range of axial extractor fans. This introduction adds a new dimension
to Barwick’s portfolio and gives bathroom retailers the opportunity
to add further value to their bathroom sales.
[More
on this Story]
Hibberd
Distribution Wins Clayton Homes Contract
Clayton
Homes Ltd, winner of the Built-In Quality Volume House Builder Of The
Year Award 2004, has appointed Blackpool based Hibberd Distribution Ltd
to supply and install the complete kitchen package for its latest development.
[More
on this Story]
Hotpoint
and Ariel Join Forces with £1 Million TV Ad Campaign
Hotpoint's
new endorsement of Ariel has been kicked off with a £1 million TV
ad campaign, launched on 16th October. The ad's message is that there
is no better combination at cool temperatures than Hotpoint and Ariel.
[More
on this Story]
Impulse
Products for Upmarket Development
Prestigious
house builder, Silver Homes, located in the South of England, enjoys a
reputation for building beautiful executive homes in prime locations.
[More
on this Story]
Waterbury
Lands Prestigious Listing with Manchester Store
Bathroom
accessories brand Waterbury has landed another prestigious listing this
season - with leading Manchester home furnishings retailer Housing Units.
[More
on this Story]
Sanitec
Strengthens its Position in the Middle East
Sanitec
Group has been strengthening its sales significantly in the Middle East
in 2004 and will continue throughout 2005. 'We believe the Middle East
to be the dominant export region in 2007.
[More
on this Story]
105
Poggenpohl Luxury Kitchens for Manhattan Tower
Poggenpohl’s
American kitchen experts in New York City are fitting out 105 apartments
in a new 53-storey high-rise building at the heart of Manhattan with lavish
luxury kitchens.
[More
on this Story]
Steam
Cooker adds Quality to Life
'Purchasers
of Miele steam cookers are extremely satisfied with their product and
use it regularly. Hardly anyone would like to do without their steam cooker
again', a recent survey of Miele customers a few months after purchase
revealed.
[More
on this Story]
Texluce
Comes to Lathams
A
new concept for interior design is arriving at James Latham in the form
of new panel product, Texluce, from Italian processor Piarottolegno.
The UK panel and timber distributor is exclusively supplying this product
across all its depots, after maintaining a long-standing trading relationship
with the family-run manufacturer.
[More
on this Story]
Icebox
Display Offers
In
an effort to drive display sales of the Icebox entertainment unit, Beyond
is offering free installation and a free CCTV camera with every Icebox
ordered for showroom displays.
[More
on this Story]
DIY-ers
Go Round the Bend!
Britain's DIY-ers are going round the bend, or at least they should be
according to leading psychologist, Dr David Holmes of Manchester Metropolitan
University. In a man-made world of sharp edges and straight lines, it
seems that adding a few more curves to our environment could make us more
productive and efficient.
[More
on this Story]
Romans
Build their Empire on Mercedes
Two
brothers have taken the plunge and started up their own business selling
bathroom suites and equipment - with a little help from Mercedes-Benz.
[More
on this Story]