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THE K&BZINE ISSUE 123 25th November 2005
What's
in Store for Kitchen Design?
'As
the oldest established kitchen manufacturer and retailer in the world,
Poggenpohl has seen a whole host of trends come and go, from cork flooring
and tiled work surfaces to serving hatches and cathedral arched doors.'
says Martin Gill, Managing Director, Poggenpohl UK.
[More
on this Story]
New
Managing Shareholder for Rieber
Max Maier the designer of the stunning Rieber Waterstation is now the
new managing shareholder of the company Rieber. Having worked alongside
Rieber for many years in the capacity of industrial designer, Max has
now increased his involvement with the sole intention of restoring Rieber
to the forefront of sink design.
[More
on this Story]
ELECSA
Urges Electricians & Tradesmen to Remind Homeowners about the House
Sellers’ Pack
With
the Home Information Packs (sometimes referred to as the Home Sellers'
Packs) becoming compulsory in England & Wales in 2007, ELECSA is urging
electricians and tradesmen who carry out electrical work in dwellings
to remind homeowners about the need to prepare.
[More
on this Story]
KBSA
Makes Plastic More Flexible for Members!
The
Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association has joined forces with
Barclaycard Merchant Services to provide preferential debit and credit
card transaction processing deals for members.
[More
on this Story]
Prince
Edward Switches on J&J Ormerod's New BIMA Machine
J&J
Ormerod PLC, the independent UK manufacturer of quality kitchens and bathrooms,
recently received Prince Edward at its headquarters in Bacup, Lancashire
to honour its contribution to the new sports hall for Bacup and Rawtenstall
Grammar School.
[More
on this Story]
Bosch,
Siemens and Miele Washing Machines Top Which? Best Buy Guide
'Our
Best Buy models give great results and their makers have proven track
records for reliability.' says Which? in its updated report on washing
machines, which looks for ease of use, efficiency and value for money.
[More
on this Story]
Roman
Expansion Continues with New Tray Plant
Roman Ltd has unveiled its new shower Tray Plant, which forms the next
stage in growth at its County Durham manufacturing base. Roman recognised
the need for such a facility in response to customer and retail demand
for low level trays. This followed the release of the award winning
Wetrooms range launched at Expo 2003.
[More
on this Story]
Two More Showrooms for
In-toto Kitchens
In-toto, the fitted kitchen franchise, has just opened showrooms in
Stirling and Canterbury, giving forty-five nationwide. The franchisee
for Stirling is Lawrence Christie, while Canterbury's franchisee is
Richard Blunt.
[More
on this Story]
Hot
Competition for Next Years' B&K Awards
Having announced the nominees for 2006's hottest bathroom and kitchen
awards event, it looks like there will be some serious in-house rivalry
as two leading kitchen and bathroom companies - Ripples and Houseworks
- prepare to compete against their own colleagues to become the best
in the UK.
[More
on this Story]
KBSA
Corporate Members Networking Forum
The
Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association corporate members networking
forum was well attended by more than 50 corporate members, publishers
and journalists who where welcomed with a welcoming glass of warm punch
at Ansty Hall in Coventry on November 10th.
[More
on this Story]
Electrolux
Researches Style
Recent
research by Electrolux and Future Foundation Group confirms the democratisation
of design – i.e you don’t have to belong to an elite social
group to be stylish! So with good design truly available to everyone how
does this affect how people feel, think and consume? The report reveals
some very interesting facts.
[More
on this Story]
SEC
Clears Whirlpool Share Registration
Whirlpool
Corporation and Maytag Corporation announced on 21st November that the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has declared effective Whirlpool's
registration statement on Form S-4 covering the share portion of the
consideration to be issued to Maytag's stockholders upon completion
of the proposed merger.
[More
on this Story]
Maytag
Announces Organisational Changes
Arthur
B. Learmonth, President of Maytag Services business unit, is promoted
to the position of Acting President for Maytag Appliances business unit.
David R. McConnaughey, 49, Vice President, Maytag All-Brand Service in
Maytag Services, is promoted to the position of Acting President, Maytag
Services, replacing Learmonth.
[More
on this Story]
Wolseley:
£7m Spent on Two Further Acquisitions
Wolseley
plc, the world's largest specialist trade distributor of plumbing
and heating products to professional contractors and a leading supplier
of building materials, announced today two further acquisitions.
[More
on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 122 18th November 2005
KBB incorporating Expotile 2006 has announced the involvement of Poggenpohl at the event next year. Poggenpohl will be exhibiting in the exclusive Kitchen Gallery area, a section within the show that will display a host of high-end kitchen manufacture. Poggenpohl will not only feature within the Kitchen Gallery along with other kitchen manufacturers such as Bau-for-mat, Brookmans and Alno, but will also feature in one of the entrances to the event.
Wolseley
AGM Statement: 'No Significant Change'
Wolseley plc, the world's largest specialist trade distributor of plumbing
and heating products to professional contractors and a leading supplier
of building materials, held its Annual General Meeting today in London.
At the meeting, John Whybrow, Chairman, will make the following comments
to shareholders:
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on this Story]
A
Fresh New Look for KCA
KCA
has been busy celebrating 12 years of successful business. Established
in 1993, the family run company has rapidly grown to become a leading
interior design and kitchen installation consultancy. To mark this occasion
and to reflect the success of the company, KCA has modernised its corporate
image; reinforcing the company’s core values and emphasising its
product focus.
[More
on this Story]
Join
the GDHA Elite Club to Boost your Business
Glen Dimplex Home Appliances has launched a new Independent Support Package,
designed specifically to help independent retailers drive sales and maximise
profits. In addition to the standard support package for independents,
the new GDHA Elite Club is available for retailers who stock at least
six Stoves, Belling or New World products, two of which must be range
cookers, and offer a Corgi registered installation service.
[More
on this Story]
CMP
to Sponsor the Bathroom Academy
CMP
united business media, has become the first sponsor of the Bathroom Manufacturers
Association's initiative to build a virtual bathroom academy to raise
the standards of knowledge within the Industry and recognise the skills
attained.
[More
on this Story]
Electrolux
Design Lab 2005 Award Goes to Students from Singapore
Electrolux
recently presented its third Design Lab Award to Airwash, a waterless
washing unit. Students from leading schools of design in over 88 countries
participated in the competition. Entries were received by more than 3,000
students in all continents, all competing to create the most outstanding
new appliance concept for the home of 2020.
[More
on this Story]
Electrolux
& Future Foundation Research Reveals What We Do in Our Kitchens!
The kitchen is quite literally the heart of the modern home. It is a
social space for interaction with family and friends and much more than
a place for cooking and eating, as the chart below shows. The four most
common activities in the kitchen, apart from preparing food, are holding
family discussions, entertaining guests, talking to children and relaxing.
[More
on this Story]
Two KBSA New Corporate Members
The Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association has recently welcomed
two new corporate members, Bauformat Kuchen, German kitchen specialists
since 1929, and Tapworks, UK manufacturer and distributor of ion exchange
domestic water softeners.
[More
on this Story]
Imperial
Bathrooms Puts on The Ritz in New Luxury Homes
Imperial Bathrooms’ expansive range of luxurious and stylish bathroom
products has helped bring period authenticity and decadence to a prestigious
development of new homes by award-winning housebuilder, Roland Jones
Homes.
[More
on this Story]
Siemens's
Advertising Campaign Scales New Heights
In the run up to Christmas, leading kitchen appliance manufacturer Siemens
is introducing a new quartet of advertisements promoting selected freestanding
products. The four new executions focus on a dishwasher, washing machine,
tumble dryer and Porsche breakfast set, all projecting Siemens as the
best of its kind in that particular product group.
[More
on this Story]
NKBA
Announces Sponsors for New Professional Resource Library
The
National Kitchen & Bath Association has just announced sponsors for
its new professional resource library. Through the sponsorship programme
over $500,000 has been raised for the development of a new professional
resource library.
[More
on this Story]
Maytag
Enters into $600 Million Credit Agreement
Maytag
Corporation announced on November 10th that it has entered into a new
$600 million, five-year, senior-secured revolving credit agreement.
The new credit facility replaces the existing $300 million revolving
credit agreement.
[More
on this Story]
Maytag
to Close Florence, S.C., Laundry Facility
Maytag Corporation announced on November 7th that it expects to close
the Florence, South Carolina, laundry plant, early in the first quarter
of 2006. The shutdown will impact approximately 60 employees. 'Closing
a plant is never an easy decision,' said Steve Ingham, Maytag senior vice
president - supply chain. 'Unfortunately, we have too much laundry manufacturing
capacity and we need to reduce it.'
[More
on this Story]
Maple
Industries t/a Kitchens Attracts Complaint
Four
public complaints from Berkshire, Fife, Mid Glamorgan and Nottinghamshire
objecting to a magazine ad for Maple Industries t/a Kitchens, Oldham,
Lancs were upheld according to information published by the Advertising
Standards Authority (ASA).
[More
on this Story]
Tim
Hart-Woods Opens Third Kitchen Symphony Studio on Costa del Sol
Symphony is celebrating ex-pat demand for all things British, with
the opening of a third kitchen studio on the popular Costa del Sol,
through retailer Tim Hart Woods. Tim has created another flagship
studio in prestigious Puerto Banus, to add to the success of his established
outlets in Fuengirola and Calahonda.
[More
on this Story]
How
Not to Decorate Opts for Symphony in Battle for Good Taste
Channel
Five's flamboyant interior design and property gurus Colin McAllister
and Justin Ryan have teamed up again with fitted furniture expert
Symphony for the new series of How Not to Decorate.
[More
on this Story]
Miele
Tops Which? Best Buy Guide to Dishwashers
'All
our Best Buy models are excellent at cleaning, drying and leaving
dishes smear-free. They must also be a brand with a sterling reputation
for reliability' says Which? in its updated report on dishwashers.
[More
on this Story]
Wolseley:
£7m Spent on Two Further Acquisitions
Wolseley
plc, the world's largest specialist trade distributor of plumbing
and heating products to professional contractors and a leading supplier
of building materials, announced today two further acquisitions.
[More
on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 121 11th November 2005
BCT
Gets Wet - Courtesy of The Hemingways
Wet is a new collection of wall tiles designed by award winning creative
couple Wayne and Gerardine Hemingway exclusively for British Ceramic Tile
(BCT) Ltd and manufactured under licence by them. It will be available
from Focus, Topps and selected independent retailers.
[More
on this Story]
Bathroom
Manufacturers Tune into the Consumer
The
UK bathroom association, BMA, recently held its 5th annual conference
at Fawsley Hall, Northamptonshire, under the theme 'Tuning into the Consumer'.
In his opening speech the BMA president, Ted Goold, spoke of the downturn
in consumer spending in the UK and its impact on the bathroom Industry.
[More
on this Story]
Lucite
Price Increase in Strategy of Re-investment
Lucite
International, the world's largest producer of Methyl Methacrylate (MMA),
will increase the price of Lucite, its sanitary-ware brand of cast acrylic,
by €130 per tonne from 1st January 2006. The increase is necessary
to support the Company's strategy to re-invest in the long-term development
of the Lucite business
[More
on this Story]
New
Copper Company Set to Shake Up the Interiors World
Richard
Tyzack - founder and director of Brass & Traditional Sinks - has announced
the launch of Eclectica. ‘Dedicated to the creation of individually
alluring items for the home that cannot be produced on a mass scale, Eclectica
is a treasure trove for those who appreciate the appeal of natural and
unique products.’ Says Richard.
[More
on this Story]
ELECSA
Helps Electricians Find Out What Part P Involves
Still
standing on the Part P fence because you are worried about the assessment!
ELECSA is inviting elearicians and tradesmen the chance to have a trial
run of the assessment to find out exactly what it involves.
[More
on this Story]
Matki
Announces New Brand Ambassador - David Gower
Matki
Showering has announced a new brand ambassador - the renowned England
Cricket Captain David Gower OBE - supporting the Matki EauZone shower.
‘This integrated shower and wet room provides the ultimate solution
for today's cutting edge bathrooms,’ says the company.
[More
on this Story]
The
Maytag TriLogy Impresses Which?
The
Maytag TriLogy has impressed Which? Magazine in a recent product review.
It is quoted that, 'The TriLogy was impressive in our extensive temperature
tests and is easily a Best Buy.
[More
on this Story]
Orama and William Ball Bringing European Style to the UK Market
Orama,
the independent manufacturer of work surfaces and associated decorative
products has teamed up with William Ball, manufacturer of exclusive
fitted furniture, to offer a new walnut style worksurface.
[More
on this Story]
Fisher
& Paykel a UK 'CoolBrand'
The
global organisation that promotes itself as the independent arbiter
on branding - SuperBrands - has released the United Kingdom's much anticipated
CoolBrand Leaders for 2005, and making the list for the first time is
intelligent appliance brand, Fisher & Paykel.
[More
on this Story]
Poggenpohl
Gains Official Recognition as a CoolBrand
Kitchen
manufacturer, Poggenpohl, has been awarded CoolBrand status by the Coolbrands
Council, the independent authority on branding. It is an honour bestowed
on only an elite group of brands, with fewer than 5 per cent of those
initially considered qualifying for the status each year.
[More
on this Story]
New
Research from Electrolux & Future Foundation
'We
know what we want – we are just not sure how to achieve it –
which would explain our love affair with the home interest and lifestyle
magazines – and our dependence on advice from friends,' comments
Paul Flatters of Future Foundation.
[More
on this Story]
Hoffmann
Success Leads to Expansion in the UK
The
success of the Hoffmann system for creating permanent, accurate, fast
and secure joints in most areas of furniture and joinery production
has led to the UK Hoffmann Machine Company needing to move to new and
larger premises.
[More
on this Story]
Latham's
LG HI-MACS Range takes Centre Stage at Pentagon
James
Latham's Natural Acrylic Stone™ solid surfaces range, LG HI-MACS®,
has taken centre stage in a new, state of the art kitchen showroom in
Jersey. LG HI-MACS® 'Volanics' are displayed at Pentagon, the largest
independent merchant on the Channel Island, which is showcasing the best
in new products for the kitchen.
[More
on this Story]
Mark
Wilkinson Commissions New Model of HMS Victory
In
celebration of the bicentenary of the British Fleet's victory at the
Battle of Trafalgar, English designer Mark Wilkinson working with
author & model maker Martin Saville, have produced a 1:48th scale
model of Nelson's flagship HMS Victory.
[More
on this Story]
Wolseley:
£94m Spent on Two More Acquisitions
Wolseley
plc, the specialist trade distributor of plumbing and heating products
to professional contractors and a leading supplier of building materials,
announced on November 2nd two further acquisitions.
[More
on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 120 4th November 2005
Masco
on Downward Trend but £200m Cost Cutting Measures in Place
Masco
Corporation reported on November 1st that net sales from continuing operations
for the quarter ended September 30th, 2005 increased six percent to a
record $3.4bn compared with $3.2bn for the third quarter of 2004. Income
from continuing operations for the third quarter of 2005 was $262m compared
with $289m m for the comparable period of 2004. Operating profit margins
were 13.9% in the third quarter of 2005 compared with 15.4% in the third
quarter of 2004
[More
on this Story]
Wolseley
Acquires William Wilson for £81m
Wolseley
plc announced on November 1st that it has acquired William Wilson Holdings
Ltd, a leading distributor of plumbing, heating and electrical supplies
in the UK. The acquisition provides Wolseley UK with a substantial entry
point into the electrical market.
[More
on this Story]
Wolseley
plc - Record $1.2 billion Private Placement
Wolseley
plc, the world's largest distributor of heating and plumbing products
to professional contractor markets and a leading supplier of building
materials, announced on 19th October that it has, in principle, raised
$1.2 billion through a private placement of fixed and floating senior
unsecured notes
[More
on this Story]
AMTECH's
Part P Software for Contractors Endorsed by ELECSA
ELECSA
announced on 1st November that it has associated with market leader AMTECH
Power Software to fully endorse its Part P software. This has been designed
for ease of use by Engineers and Contractors who need to meet the requirements
of Part P.
[More
on this Story]
BMA
Attends Commons Launch of New Water Body
Yvonne
Orgill, commercial director of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association,
along with technical director Mike Rymill, attended the House of Commons
launch of new water advisor body - Water Wise, which has been set up by
the water companies.
[More
on this Story]
Richard
Moss joins BMA as Education Supremo
One
of the Industry's keenest proponents of qualifications, education and
training over the years, Richard Moss, has taken the position of Head
of Education and Marketing for the Bathroom Manufacturers' Association
(BMA).
[More
on this Story]
AMA
Report on Builders & Plumbers Merchants Market - UK 2005
AMA Research has published a comprehensive review of the UK Builders
and Plumbers Merchants Market. The report is informed, incisive and
up to date, looking in detail at the industry trends to date, as well
as future opportunities and threats.
[More
on this Story]
New Essentials Value Appliance Offer from Waterline
Waterline has launched the new-look, new-specification Essentials range
of built-in appliances, which says the company, sets new standards for
the entry price-point sector. Offering angular styling in stainless
steel for the latest contemporary look, Essentials is 'the complete
solution for an economy kitchen fit.'
[More
on this Story]
Geberit's
Investment in Retail
Geberit has introduced a specialist sales team to call on retailers
to develop awareness, increase displays and staff knowledge on Geberit
bathroom related products. This sales team has selected around 50 Specialist
retailers and is planning to have 100 by the end of this year.
[More
on this Story]
Maytag
UK's Latest Promotions
Maytag
UK is supporting the launch of its new 60 series laundry and dishwashing
appliances with consumer promotions from now until the year-end.
[More
on this Story]
Grab
Yourself a Bargain
Shower
surround and bath screen manufacturer, Aqualux aims to make the run up
to Christmas a little easier by offering trade promotions on three of
its most popular products.
[More
on this Story]
WEEE
Directive: How Will it Affect Plastic Components
In
August 2005 the implementation of Directive 2002/96/EC on the collection
and recycling of waste from electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)
was postponed until next year. Producers will soon have to finance the
collection, treatment, re-use, recovery and environmentally sound disposal
of WEEE. What does this mean for plastics producers?
[More
on this Story]
OFT
Urges SMEs to Come Clean and Fix the Fixers
Businesses
involved in price-fixing, market-sharing, bid-rigging or other cartels
can wipe the slate clean and remove the risk of severe penalties, says
the Office of Fair Trading.
[More
on this Story]