Welcome to THE K&BZINE News Archive: October 2004

 

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THE K&BZINE ISSUE 73 29th October 2004

Management Buy Out for Aqualisa
Close Brothers Private Equity (CBPE) announced on Friday 22nd October that it has backed the management buy-out of Aqualisa, a leading supplier and distributor of domestic showers in the UK. Aqualisa is being acquired from Baxi Holdings Ltd. (Baxi), the European heating products manufacturer.
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The Design Awards 2004
As we reported last week, The Design Awards – in association with Kitchen + Bathroom Designer – took place in the fascinating surroundings of The Brewery, Chiswell Street. We feature a full list of the winning designs.
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Merloni Sales up 6.5% and Operating Margin at 8% in 3rd Quarter 2004
Merloni Elettrodomestici expects to close 2004 with a substantial increase in sales volumes and market shares and with profit margins in line with expectations.
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Prodi, Belka and Marzano Open Merloni's New Refrigerator Plant in Poland
The President of the European Commission Romano Prodi, the Polish Prime Minister Marek Belka and the Italian Minister for Productive Activities Antonio Marzano, together with Vittorio Merloni, opened Merloni Elettrodomestici’s new refrigerator production plant in Lodz, Poland.
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Nobia Reports Q3 Profits up 59%
Nobia has announced that organic growth was 11 per cent for both Q3 and for the first nine months, with net sales rising by 26 per cent to SEK 2,707m (2,144) in Q3 and by 23 per cent to SEK 8,487m (6,896) for the first nine months. Profit after financial items soared by 59 per cent to SEK 553m.
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Nobia Appoints New Business Unit Manager for Magnet
Nobia has appointed Preben Bager as its new Business Unit Manager at Magnet in the UK. Preben is currently the Business Unit Manager at Danish HTH, which is part of the Group. He replaces Gary Favell who has decided to resign from Magnet.
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John Sydney Capitalises on Luxury New Build Sector
John Sydney’s growth in the luxury new build sector continues apace. Its latest project is the new development of luxury, residential apartments at 55 Holmes Road, Kentish Town in the centre of London.
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Blum Moves Storage and Planning to the Front of the Agenda
It is now a number of years since Blum’s independent international survey revealed that 66% of new kitchen buyers were dissatisfied with the amount of storage space available after their kitchens were installed. At the time Blum identified this as the most challenging aspect of kitchen design that would become a major sales feature in the future.
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Pegler Working in Partnership with the London Borough of Newham
Pegler ‘Leger’ design taps are to be installed in the 53 homes that make up The London Borough of Newham ‘Austin Court’ – one of the council’s existing tower blocks - as part of its programme to bring all the homes in the area up to the Government’s ‘Decent Homes Standard’ by 2010.
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Linda Barker Opens Jacuzzi® Bathroom Studio at Leekes
It's not everyday that you get some professional design advice for free, not least from one of the country's top TV interior designers, but that's exactly what Leekes customers in Melksham were treated to recently.
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Topps Tiles Plc Pre Close Trading Update
As the tile and wood flooring specialist went into its close period for the 53 weeks ending 2nd October 2004, the Board of Topps Tiles Plc announced that the Company has continued to enjoy buoyant trading conditions with like for like sales growth of in excess of 20 per cent.
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KBSA Offers Employment Law and Safety Advice Service
Members of the Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association are now able to take advantage of an employment law and health and safety consultancy service, thanks to the association’s ongoing partnership with business advice experts Croner Consulting.
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Major Retail Credit Provider joins KBSA
Major retail credit provider Cetelem is the latest company to join the Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association as a corporate member.
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James Latham Acquires North East Panels Business
James Latham, which has been established for almost 250 years and now has nine distribution centres around the UK, has acquired the Gateshead sheet material and fabrication arm of FH Thompson & Sons Ltd.
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ldeal-Standard Teams Up with Top Design Agency Pearsonlloyd
Ideal-Standard says that it is dedicated to offering the latest in bathroom and shower design and over the years has worked with top designers across the globe. The latest collaboration is with award-winning London agency Pearsonlloyd.
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Sharp Electronics (UK) Ltd Attracts Complaint
A complaint objecting to a national press advertisement for an air purifier issued by Sharp Electronics (UK) Ltd of Newton Heath, Manchester was upheld according to published details from the Advertising Standards Authority.
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Fifth International Hettich Furniture Design Competition 2005
Hettich International is inviting entries for the fifth International Furniture Design Competition, the objective being to stimulate the world's rising generation of designers to formulate their creative ideas and turn them into imaginative products.
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Sanitec Prepares to Start Production in the Ukraine
Sanitec Corporation plans to start acrylics production in the Kiev region of the Ukraine in 2005. At the moment, Sanitec has a sales office in Kiev and regional representatives in four other locations throughout the country.
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THE K&BZINE ISSUE 72 22nd October 2004

Fisher & Paykel Buys US Appliance Company for $33m
Fisher & Paykel has acquired Dynamic Cooking Systems, a US manufacturer and distributor of cooking appliances. The factory is located close to FPA's main US sales and distribution facilities in Irvine, California. DCS has been acquired from a private equity investor and the original founders of the business for US$33m. FPA anticipates investing a further US$9.7m in new manufacturing plant and equipment and US$12m in working capital for DCS through to December 2005.

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Airbath Posts Losses as Aquabeau Fails to Deliver, and New CEO Steps up to the Plate
The challenging trading conditions referred to in the interim results announced on 15th December 2003 continued from the third quarter into the fourth quarter of the financial year under review in both Aquabeau and Brampton Housewares. This was exacerbated in the case of Aquabeau by an ineffective implementation of its sales and marketing strategy..
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Electrolux Reports 17% Drop in Sales for Q3, but Announces Increased Brand Building Expenditure
Net sales for the Electrolux Group in the third quarter amounted to SEK 29,588m as against SEK 30,387m for the same period in the previous year. The decline is attributable to changes in exchange rates and divestments, while the trend in volume/price/mix was positive.The Group's spending on brand-building was approximately SEK 100m higher than in the third quarter in 2003.

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Maytag Turns the Corner in Q3 With Positive Results from 'One Company' Strategy
Maytag Corporation yesterday reported third quarter consolidated sales of $1.19bn, down 3 percent from sales of $1.22bn in the same period last year. Net income for the third quarter of 2004 was $7.5m, compared with $36.6m or 46 cents per share a year ago and an improvement over the second quarter's net loss of $41.1m or 52 cents per share. Included in the third quarter are restructuring and related charges for the Galesburg closure and 'One Company' reorganisation, as well as a gain from the sale of a Canadian warehouse.

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American Standard Reports Earnings Up 29 Percent
American Standard Companies Inc. announced on October 18th record third-quarter earnings of 71 cents per diluted share, up 29 percent from third quarter last year. Third-quarter sales were $2.396 billion, up 7 percent from a year ago, and net income rose 27 percent to $156 million. Third-quarter earnings include operational consolidation expenses of $7 million or 2 cents per diluted share net of taxes, primarily for Bath and Kitchen.

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CDA Scoops £500,000 Order from China
Domestic appliance manufacturer the CDA Group, has beaten competition from market leaders to secure a £500,000 order from China. Months of negotiation followed a trip to China by Managing Director lan Kershaw, who is naturally delighted to win this business.
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Burbidge Invests £350,000 to Improve Flexibility
Burbidge, the UK’s leading manufacturer of kitchen frontals and accessories, has invested over £350,000 in improving production facilities and processes in order to enhance its service to customers.
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Daval Furniture to Launch Kitchen Collection
Daval Furniture, one of the United Kingdom’s largest independent manufacturers of bedroom, bathroom and home office furniture is about to launch its new kitchen collection.
Established in 1978, Daval is looking forward to using its experience to meet the challenges of the kitchen market. Preparations for the kitchen launch began last year and were led by a period of investment.

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Homestyle Admits to Challening First Half in AGM Statement
At this week's Annual General Meeting of the Homestyle Group plc, David Brock, Chairman, made the following statement to shareholders prior to the Company entering its close period on 30th October, 2004.'The first half of the year has been a very challenging period for the Company. We have undergone a significant level of management change and undertaken a fundamental financial review which has resulted in the Group restructuring its balance sheet and refinancing its debt. However, we now believe that the business is properly focused to carry out its commercial strategy.
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Ongoing Success means Two New Merchandisers Appointed for Axiom Brand
Formica Limited has announced that is has appointed Sarah Bamford and Richard Crisp as Merchandisers for the Axiom range of worktops and splashbacks.
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Falcon's Infinity Fryer Rocks
Hard Rock Cafes are home to some classic equipment - usually memorabilia adorning the walls. However, the world’s first Hard Rock Bar in Bristol, a brand new leisure concept, has just recently installed a ‘new classic’ piece of equipment in the kitchen - the revolutionary Infinity fryer from Falcon
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THE K&BZINE ISSUE 71 15th October 2004

Mixed Picture in Third Quarter for SEB, but Sales Rise in UK
SEB consolidated sales for the first nine months of 2004 totalled €1,542m, including a first-time contribution of €16.8m from All-Clad, consolidated over two months. At constant scope of consolidation, sales amounted to €1,525m, a decline of 3.5% at current exchange rates and 1.9% at constant exchange rates. The currency effect, mainly due to the dollar, impacted sales by a negative €26m.

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Housebuilding 2004 Features Strong Kitchen and Bathroom Contingent
Housebuilding 2004 was part of a programme of events in September at the Business Design Centre, forming a new industry-wide initiative. Over 100 companies exhibited in an event which grouped Housing Market Intelligence Conference and launch of the accompanying HMI Report, together with the national Housing Design Awards. Several kitchen a bathroom companies were present.
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It's Finnished! Myson's £18 Million Nordic Investment Bears Fruit
Myson’s new Gateshead factory, developed following an £18 million cash injection from Finnish-based parent group Rettig was officially unveiled to customers, clients and the media on October 12th, 2004.
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National Training Group Announces First Series of Nationwide Training Seminars
The Kitchen, Bathroom and Bedroom National Training Group (KBB NTG) has announced details of a series of five seminars which will held around the UK from the end of October until mid November.
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Consumers Wise Up to Energy Efficient Appliances
Energy efficiency has become hugely important to consumers choosing cookers according to new statistics. A survey by Lofra of over 200 homeowners found that people valued energy efficiency over oven size, dual fuel options and even aesthetics.
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Manufacturers Back New Trade Show - Major Brands are all in as Space is Snapped Up
Brands representing over 80% of the Domestic Appliance market are already fully committed to The AMDEA Show (NEC 24-26 April 2005), with a number shortly to make their final decision.
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Pyrolytic Package from Fagor UK
Fagor UK says that with its new pyrolytic package, you can bring all the benefits of pyrolytic cleaning to your customers at previously unheard-of prices.
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New Australian Distributor for Planit
Software provider Planit International has announced that a new partner has joined its worldwide distribution network. An agreement has been signed with Solspec, a company based in Sydney Australia.
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KBSA Supports Woodstock Furniture Customers
The KBSA is working with the appointed receivers of kitchen retailer Woodstock Furniture to try to help customers who have been affected by the closure of the business on Thursday 7th October.
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Sealy 'backs' Backcare Awareness Week
Sealy, the Cumbria-based bed manufacturer is supporting Backcare Awareness Week, which runs from 11 to 17 October to support the theme of 'Posture and Back Pain'.
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Louis R. Hughes to Leave the Electrolux Board of Directors
Louis R. Hughes will leave the Electrolux Board of Directors and take on a new role as Chief of Staff for the Afghanistan Reconstruction Group.
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10 Years of Impulse Purchases
Impulse Bathroom Products Limited is celebrating the start of its 10th year of selling an ever-expanding range of sanitary ware in the UK. To mark the event Impulse is planning a number of events and promotions to celebrate this and to reward those employees and customers who have helped to firmly establish a secure foothold in the UK market.
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Chilterns Distribution Supplies Hotpoint Built-In to New Studio Design Showroom
Chilterns Distribution Ltd has supplied Kitchens @ CMK's new showroom with the latest Hotpoint Built-in appliances. Based in High Wycombe, the launch of CMK's re-located showroom was officially held on 25th September, opened by The Mayor of High Wycombe, Margarete Draper.
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New from Homag – BOF211 Venture 12 CNC Processing Centre
New from Homag and seen for the first time at Woodmex, is the BOF211 Venture 12 CNC router and processing centre. The BOF211 Venture 12 has a console workpiece clamping station with LED positioning indicators which is a unique feature to the Homag Group.
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Fowler & Co Relies on John Boddy Timber for Specialist Supply
It’s difficult to define what actually constitutes the concept of ‘design’. Even the various dictionary definitions aren’t able to completely focus on what it is. But occasionally with a completed product it is possible to identify design at the highest level. Such products and completed projects can be viewed in the brochures and on the website of one of Britain’s most interesting furniture and interiors manufacturers, Fowler & Company of Portslade in East Sussex.
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THE K&BZINE ISSUE 70 8th October 2004

Safety Notice Concerning AEG and Electrolux Touch Control Ceramic Glass Hobs
The Electrolux Group requested on 2nd October that owners of the touch control ceramic glass hobs listed below should contact them regarding a potential safety issue. In certain circumstances, these hobs could remain switched on, even if the hob main ‘off’ switch has been pressed. This could lead to an injury or a fire if any items are left on the hob.
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KBSA Supports Pennybee of Wimbledon Customers
The KBSA is working with the appointed receivers of kitchen retailer Pennybee of Wimbledon Ltd to try and help customers who have been affected by the closure of the business on Monday 27th September. Pennybee of Wimbledon, which has eight branches in total, is a KBSA member and so customers who paid a deposit of no more than 25% have been advised to claim under the associations' insurance backed ConsumerCare Deposit Protection Scheme.

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A Fitting Recommendation from Ney
After two years successfully developing NEY's burgeoning PVC foil sales, Martin Ney has taken charge of a new corporate move into cabinet hardware and fittings. Ney has been appointed sole UK distributor for Samet.
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Gfk Confirms Hotpoint as Brand Leader in Built-In Cooking
August Gfk figures have confirmed Hotpoint as the new brand leader in built-in cookers holding a 9.2% volume share, and joint number one in hobs taking 9.5% of the retail market in August.
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Nolte is Spot on with Magellan Homes
Nolte Kitchens' Spot and Credo are the latest ranges to be chosen by Magellan Homes for the company’s Parc Mont development in Leeds.
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Poggenpohl Changes to Water-Based Paints for Satin Lacquered Fronts and Presents Mineral Beige
In the kitchen, high-quality lacquered fronts are enjoying increasing popularity. Poggenpohl’s range includes a wide selection of surfaces in different finishes and textures. The fronts in satin lacquer are available in expressive colour shades such as Spanish red or saffron yellow.
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Hotpoint Re-Launches Incentive Scheme with New 'R£AL D£AL' Programme
Hotpoint has launched its new incentive scheme 'R£AL D£AL' to kitchen retailers. This new programme has been developed to help Hotpoint Built-in retailers earn back real money for their support and brand loyalty.
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Daval Furniture joins the KBSA as a Corporate Member
Independent furniture manufacturer, Daval Furniture Ltd has joined the KBSA as a corporate member. Established in 1978, Daval Furniture manufactures high quality bedroom, bathroom and home office furniture, which is sold through a network of independent retailers across the United Kingdom.
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New Waterline Bathroom Furniture Offer
Waterline has announced changes to the Bathroom Furniture Collection to offer faster installation times and include new WC pan and cistern designs. All carcases in the standard size and ES (small depth, narrow width) ranges are now supplied assembled (rigid).
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The Sparkle Oven Cleaning Co. Attracts Complaint
A complaint by OvenClean, objecting to a leaflet, for oven cleaning services issued by The Sparkle Oven Cleaning Co. of March, Cambridgeshire, was upheld in two of the three objections according to published details from the Advertising Standards Authority.
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International Luxury Hotel in Athens - Bathrooms Fitted with Dornbracht
One of the 'Official members of the Hospitality Network for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games' was the extensively renovated five-star luxury hotel Arion Astir Palace. The Arion’s bathrooms were all fitted with high quality designer fittings by Dornbracht.
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WHAT WE SAW AT 100% DESIGN (Part II)

Colourwash Hit Cutting Edge at 100% Design
Colourwash is one of London's premier bathroom suppliers, with six showrooms in London, and is exhibiting for a second year running at 100% Design. Visitors were especially impressed with some of the firm's quirkier products, such as the 'Foozball Fun Basin', a sink which also doubles as table football!

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Hot Designs from Radiating Style
Radiating Style has launched further additions to its collection. ‘Both the Massimo and the Motif are imposing statements in any modern living area, re-confirming the fact that radiators are now taking on a new dimension in the home.’ says the company.
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Formica Limited Launches ‘Design a Laminate’ Competition at 100% Design
Formica Ltd launched the Formica® Design a Laminate Competition 2005 at 100% Design. This open competition challenges entrants to develop surface designs appropriate for production in high pressure laminate and offers the chance for them to become part of an interior design classic. So get inspired and get creating.
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Take A Look Beneath the Surface of LG Hi-Macs®
LG Chem says that interior spaces have seen a revolution since the introduction of its Hi-Macs® Natural Acrylic Stone™ solid surface products due to its cutting-edge aesthetics and extreme versatility. LG and its strategic partners have established LG Hi-Macs® as a major brand within the growing surfaces market and the entire product range has gone from strength to strength.
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Shape, Sound, Space and Solidity: Dody Nash for DuPont at 100% Design 2004
DuPont demonstrated the benefits of the high-performance surface solutions DuPont™ Corian® and DuPont™ Zodiaq® in a ‘Gallery’ created by Dody Nash at 100% Design 2004 in London. Inspired by the ‘grace and solidity’ of Zodiaq® and the ‘tactile, technically astonishing properties’ of Corian®, Nash, whose background is in opera design, conceived a space in which shape, perspective, sound, colour and texture all played dramatic, interconnecting roles.

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dline Announces Variations to its ‘C’ and ‘U’ Shaped Lever Handles
Thirty years after their introduction, dline’s classic Knud Holscher designed ‘C’ and ‘U’ shaped lever handles are now available in two new variants labelled as ‘C2’ and ‘U2’.
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THE K&BZINE ISSUE 69 1st October 2004

Increased Material Prices Cause Downward Revision of Electrolux Group's Earnings Outlook for 2004
Electrolux's operating income for 2004, excluding items affecting comparability, is expected to be somewhat lower than previously stated. The outlook for Group earnings was unchanged in the half-yearly report 2004 with the addition of the risk that higher costs for steel could have an increasingly negative impact on income for the second half of the year.
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LHC Seeks Feedback for its Forthcoming Kitchen and Bathroom Replacement Bulk Quotation Arrangement
LHC is a local government consortium, established in 1966 to help its public sector users to achieve better value for money. The current LHC arrangement for kitchen units and worktops (the value of orders for which has risen over the past four years from £6m to over £8m) is due to be terminated in a year’s time, and LHC is therefore conducting a review of users and the industry on the use of the arrangement to date, potential for the future and industry provision.
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VitrA Relocates Furniture Factory and Launches New Bathroom Suite
Reflecting the growing presence and importance of bathroom furniture in its comprehensive product portfolio, VitrA has relocated its dedicated furniture factory and launched a new furniture focused suite.
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On Site Adds Complete Prima Range to Appliance Collection
One stop shop, On Site, the UK distributor and installer of kitchen appliances to the housebuilding industry, has extended its top brand range, to now include its complete collection from own-brand, Prima.
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Rangemaster's Quality Backed by Two Year Guarantee
Rangemaster, an Aga company, has backed its products’ quality by launching a two year guarantee with the entire range cooker collection.
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Be Ready to do Business when Part P Comes into Effect. Register with ELECSA by 1st October 2004
ELECSA is urging everyone - sole traders and larger electrical contractors alike - who undertake domestic electrical installation work which falls under the scope of Part P (Electrical safety in dwellings), to submit their completed registration forms before 1st October 2004.
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Dualit Products Make Their Stage Debut
A range of Dualit products has taken centre stage at a new play at The Old Vic in London. The Dutch play Cloaca by Maria Goos is directed by Kevin Spacey and stars Hugh Bonneville, Adrian Lukas, Neil Pearson and Stephen Tompinkson with an impressive supporting cast of Dualit products.
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New Dishwasher Inner Cabinet Production Line at Miele's Bielefeld Plant
On September 8th, the new line for the production of dishwasher inner cabinets officially came on line at Miele's Bielefeld plant. At the heart of this new facility is a patented hydroforming method used to expand and sculpture a cube representing five of the six sides of the inner cabinet.
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WHAT WE SAW AT 100% DESIGN (Part 1)

Lefroy Brooks Makes Historic Contribution to Bathroom Design
Visitors to 100% Design were the first to see the new 1950's Bel Air brassware and sanitary ware collection from Christo Lefroy Brooks which is to be officially launched soon after the show. lnspired by American 1950s style and cutting edge Chevrolets, the Bel Air range expresses the retro nostalgia still shared by many.
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All-Glass Heaters and feonic Sound from Preedy
Prefit, part of Preedy Glass, is distributing new all-glass, German-manufactured heaters for use in bathrooms, conservatories and other domestic living areas. Also on show at 100% Design was the feonic system of transmitting sound through glass, which created a great deal of interest.
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Progetti Italiani Brings Art Back into Tiles
Progetti Italiani’s hand-painted ceramic wall tiles are designed by some of Italy’s leading contemporary artists. Progetti was at 100% Design last week for its first ever show, and all products on show formed part of the company’s launch range - a fusion of contemporary design and traditional materials.
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Whirlpool Europe Unveils 'In.Kitchen' - Visionary Design Concepts of Built-In Kitchens
Earlier this year Whirlpool Europe unveiled a series of built-in kitchen concepts entitled ‘in.kitchen: design landscapes for a new built-in experience’ at the company's 15th anniversary celebration in Cannes and Nice, France. This was on show in the UK for the first time at 100% Design.
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A New Generation of Grab Rails from d-line
Architectural hardware manufacturer, dline, has extended its bathroom fittings collection with the addition of a useful grab rail, offering the collection greater appeal to a wider customer base.
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New Image Transfer Technology can make DuPont™ Corian® into a Work of Art
The sculptural and translucent qualities of Corian® have inspired many creative applications...and now, thanks to new digital printing techniques known as ‘image transfer by sublimation,’ Corian® can become the ‘canvas’ on which to reproduce a personal artistic vision.
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No Ordinary Stand for C.P. Hart at 100% Design
C.P. Hart displayed the new Poggenpohl +Integration kitchen in high-gloss black – the first time it has been on display anywhere since its launch in Milan earlier this year. Following 100% Design, the kitchen is now displayed in the flagship C.P. Hart showroom in Waterloo.
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