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THE K&BZINE ISSUE 119 28th October 2005
ALNO
Opens Luxury Kitchen Showroom and Contracts Centre in Sevenoaks
ALNO yesterday (27th October 2005) opened a new luxury kitchen showroom
and contract sales operation in Dunton Green, near Sevenoaks, Kent. The
25,000 sq ft centre, which was opened by John Kinder, managing director
of ALNO (UK), houses two distinct operations. ALNO at Sevenoaks is the
company's second UK flagship store and displays over 15 fully fitted kitchens
in a 3,000 sq ft showroom. The store has been created to showcase the
best in kitchen design and innovation from ALNO.
[More
on this Story]
Maytag
Contuinues to Suffer as Market Shifts
Maytag Corporation reported on 21st October third quarter
consolidated net sales of $1.26 billion, up 6.5 percent from net sales
of $1.19 billion in the same period last year. Reported net loss for the
third quarter was $18.2 million or 23 cents per share, compared with net
income of $7.5 million, or 9 cents per share, a year earlier.
[More
on this Story]
lmproved
Q3 Profit for Nobia, but UK 9% Down
Nobia's
third quarterly profit showed improvement despite a weak trend on several
key markets. Progress on the Nordic market remained positive. Demand grew
by an estimated 6 per cent during the first nine months of the year compared
with the corresponding period last year.
[More
on this Story]
Wolseley's
£140m Acquisition of Encon, a UK Distributor of Insulation
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 on 24th October that, since the last acquisition
update on 18th October 2005, it has completed a further two acquisitions
including the acquisition of Encon, a leading distributor of insulation
products in the UK.
[More
on this Story]
Russians
Unveil Radiator Monument
Energy workers in Russia have marked the onset of the country's severe
winter - with a monument to the world's first radiator. The sculpture,
of a cat lying on a windowsill over a heater, was unveiled at a power
station in the city of Samara, south-east of Moscow.
[More
on this Story]
KBB
and Expotile 2008 are Moving.....
KBB
incorporating Expotile, the kitchens, bathrooms and tiling industry event,
will be held at a different time of year from 2008. The event will continue
to be a part of The Interiors Event in January 2006, but the biennial
event will move to the 9-12 March in 2008.
[More
on this Story]
Bristan
Starts Building New Tamworth HQ
As Bristan is putting down new foundations for company growth through
its sales and product development activity, the physical foundations
of Bristan's future growth are already going in. To facilitate growth
in the company the long-awaited, new Bristan Group Headquarters in Birch
Coppice, Tamworth, just a few miles from the current Bristan site, is
now well underway.
[More
on this Story]
J&J Ormerod Launches Entry-Level eco Kitchen Range
J&J
Ormerod PLC will be launching its new eco kitchen range at KBB 2006.
These new entry level kitchens will enable kitchen retailers, builders'
merchants and contractors to offer the quality of kitchen associated
with J&J Ormerod and its existing Colonial kitchen brand at a competitive
price.
[More
on this Story]
Zip
HydroTap Launches in Triple Style
In
a series of high profile launch events this month, Zip Heaters (UK)
Ltd unveiled its new HydroTap - the kitchen appliance that instantly
delivers both freshly filtered boiling and chilled water from the same
unit.
[More
on this Story]
Consumer
Microsites Boost Belling's New Advertising Campaign
Belling has launched a new consumer advertising campaign aimed at appealing
to a new younger generation of Belling users and designed to drive customer
pull through for retailers. The latest adverts can be spotted over the
next few months in woman's national consumer titles.
[More
on this Story]
Hotpoint
7kg Washer £2m TV Ad Campaign
Hotpoint
and Ariel launched their latest high profile TV advert on 15th October,
which is set to run till the end of the year. The £2 million ad
campaign showcases Hotpoint's new 7kg Ultima washing machine with a clear
message that together with Ariel, Hotpoint makes laundry life easier.
[More
on this Story]
3,040
Students from 88 Countries Compete for Electrolux Design Lab Award
The
design competition, Electrolux Design Lab, has attracted a total of
3,040 design students from 88 countries around the world. The contest,
entering its third consecutive year, is designed to encourage students
from around the world to design household appliances for the future.
[More
on this Story]
Clyde,
Ohio - Chosen for New Manufacturing Site
Fisher
& Paykel Appliances is to locate its new manufacturing facility in
the United States in Clyde, Ohio. In July this year the Company announced
that it would be relocating its Smart Drive clothes washer line that is
currently located in Cleveland, Australia and a motor manufacturing line,
located in Auckland, New Zealand, to a North American site.
[More
on this Story]
Fusion
Four - The New Hydromassage System from Victory Spa
Victory
Spa has announced that all its products will now incorporate 'FusionFour'
technology - the bringing together of four performance features. Victory
Spa has worked with physiotherapists to develop its FusionFour system,
which is built around four principles with the object of providing a healthy
massage.
[More
on this Story]
Lathams
Goes with the 'Flo'
A young furniture designer recently got a helping hand from James Latham,
when the timber distributor supplied a selection of panel products for
his cutting edge table. Philip Inchley's 'Flo' table was designed with
modern day living in mind, as it is Suitable for multi-purpose use, such
as dining, work and play.
[More
on this Story]
Trade
Mouldings Launches Quality PVC 5-Piece Doors
Following
a £1.5 million investment in a factory extension and state-of-the-art
production line, the producer of wrapped mouldings and pressed kitchen
and bedroom doors, Trade Mouldings, says that it has now become the
UK's first manufacturer to produce exclusively PVC 5-piece kitchen
doors.
[More
on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 118 21st October 2005
Whirlpool
Corporation Reports Record Q3 Sales Results
Whirlpool
Corporation yesterday announced third-quarter 2005 net earnings of $114m,
or $1.66 per diluted share, compared to $101m, or $1.50 per diluted share,
in the same period last year. The results included two non-recurring
items: a $9m gain from the sale of a business, and operating income was
reduced by approximately $6m from a fire at a major distribution centre
in the U.K.
[More
on this Story]
New
Centralised Warehouse for GDHA
Glen
Dimplex Home Appliances has announced plans to open a major new, distribution
centre in the Midlands to handle its Stoves, Belling and New World brands.
Construction has already started on the site of the 40,597 sq m (437,000
sq ft) warehouse, based at the Trentham Lakes development in Stoke-on-Trent,
due for completion in April 2006.
[More
on this Story]
Hotpoint
and Underwood Kitchens - A Prestigious New Partnership
Hotpoint
has announced a new trading partnership with Underwood Kitchens. The prestigious
kitchen company selected Hotpoint's top-of-the-range appliances to complement
its hand-crafted kitchens.
[More
on this Story]
Major
Report on UK Bathroom Market from AMA
A
major review of the UK Bathroom Market has been published by AMA Research.
The report is informed, comprehensive and up-to-date, and represents an
aid to sales and marketing professionals involved in the industry.
[More
on this Story]
Shower
Manufaturers Avoid a Soaking
Showers
are one of the most dynamic sectors in the plumbing industry. Keeping
ahead of the field demands timely knowledge of the opinions of installers
and so business research specialist, B2B International, runs a twice-yearly
survey.
[More
on this Story]
UK
Dealers Visit Alno Hausmesse to View 2006 Product
Alno (UK) has hosted the first of two dealer visits to its 2006 Hausmesse
at the company's headquarters in Pfullendorf, Germany. Alno premier
dealers and contract partners from all over the UK returned enthused
by the new ranges and innovations they had seen.
[More
on this Story]
Aqualux Celebrates Successful First Year Since MBO
Staff
from Aqualux, the manufacturer of bath screens and shower surrounds,
joined in celebrations at Alton Towers to toast the successful first
year of the company's Management Buyout. The West Midlands based business,
which employs over 250 people, underwent the Management Buyout in August
2004 and has since enjoyed significant growth with an annual turnover
in excess of £30 million.
[More
on this Story]
Bath
Sale @ Ideal Standard Gives Retailers a Fresh Start to the Year
In
a fresh attempt to boost bathroom trade over the traditional post Christmas
sales period, Ideal Standard will be supporting retailers by launching
an extensive bathroom promotion early next year.
[More
on this Story]
New
Commercial Manager Appointed as Husbands Expands
Birmingham
based Husbands - the UK manufacturer and supplier of food service and
passenger lifts - has expanded its management team following record levels
of business. Simon Morgan moves from Worcester & Midland Cold Stores
in Worcester where he was sales development manager to join Keith Holmes
who acquired Husbands 18 months ago.
[More
on this Story]
Italian
Innovation takes Showering to a New Level
Tecnoglass
is a new product from Italian shower manufacturer Cesana. Tecnoglass is
one of a range of shower products Cesana plans to launch in Britain later
this year.
[More
on this Story]
Stoves
Sponsors UKTV Food ‘Cooking With Passion’ Season
In
a first for Stoves, the brand is sponsoring a season of programmes entitled
‘Cooking with Passion’ on leading cooking channel UKTV Food.
A series of sponsorship idents, have been designed to raise awareness
of its new range cookers and Genus oven.
[More
on this Story]
Clearwater
MD Selected for Top US Marketing Scholarship
The managing director of bath manufacturer Clearwater Collection Limited
was one of five businessmen selected to take part in a top US marketing
scholarship programme. Darren Allison spent a week in Illinois at the
Kellogg Graduate School of Management on a business marketing strategy
programme.
[More
on this Story]
KBSA
Teams Up with Top Self Build Show
The
Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association has teamed up with the
National Homebuilding & Renovating Show 2006 to offer its members
special discounts should they decide to take a show stand.
[More
on this Story]
Orama
Confirms Bodel as Sole Distributor of Maia in Northern Ireland
Orama, the Derbyshire-based independent manufacturer
of worksurfaces and associated decorative products has announced a new
agreement which sees Bodel Distributors Limited having exclusive distribution
of the Maia range of solid worksurfaces throughout Northern Ireland.
[More
on this Story]
Using
Pricey 'Point-of-Sale' Credit from Retailers Could Mean Money Wasted
Alliance
& Leicester has warned those looking to carry out home or lifestyle
improvements, that they could be paying through the nose for 'point
of sale' finance, and potentially wasting over £5,300 if they
do not try and sniff-out a good deal.
[More
on this Story]
Indesit
Co. Opens Russia’s First Logistics Pole
On
4th October 2005 Indesit Company opened a logistics pole in Lipetzk,
Russia’s first and the biggest in the white goods industry in Europe.
Key figures at the event included Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov
and Vittorio Merloni.
[More
on this Story]
Glass
- A Clear New Fashion Trend for Kitchens and Bathrooms
Glass
is setting new trends in contemporary kitchens and bathrooms for use
as upstands, splashbacks and as one-off larger panels according to Häfele's
Ray Fisher.
[More
on this Story]
Wolseley
- £87m Spent on Eight Acquisitions Since 1st August 2005
Wolseley
plc, the world's largest specialist trade distributor of plumbing and
heating products to professional contractors and a leading supplier
of building materials, has issued an update on acquisitions made.
[More
on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 117 14th October 2005
Capital
FM DJ Teams up with Ideal Home and Bathstore.com to Get Makeover
To
promote the Autumn Ideal Home Show, which continues until this Sunday,
Capital Radio DJ Richard Bacon is giving you an intimate chance to makeover
his home life. The weekday afternoon show - the Go Home Show - will be
transmitted live from the Ideal Home this Friday in association with bathstore.com.
[More
on this Story]
New
Training Role for Bathroom Professional
Richard
Moss is leaving his position as communications manager at Ideal Standard
to take up the role of Marketing and Training Manager for bathroom trade
body, the Bathroom Manufacturers Association.
[More
on this Story]
New
Business Development Director For Lec
Leading cooking manufacturer Glen Dimplex Home Appliances has announced
the appointment of Robin Tillbrook to the role of business development
director to drive the newly acquired Lec Refrigeration business forward
and re-establish this well-known brand in the marketplace.
[More
on this Story]
Swiss
Sailing Team Delighted To Have Franke On Board
The Franke Group has announced an 'Official Supplier' agreement with the
Swiss Sailing team, Alinghi. In 2003 Alinghi won the America’s cup
- the most prestigious yachting trophy in the world and brought it to
Europe for the first time ever.
[More
on this Story]
Chocolate Fountain 'Set to Cause Panic
Buying'
Mistral UK has this week supplied Curry’s with the Bellini chocolate
fountain, which is expected to be an instant sell-out with Christmas shoppers
wanting this year’s must-have item.
[More
on this Story]
Feast
of Events for Chocolate Lovers
'It’s
always rather exciting when Aga launches a new colour – but this
time it’s doubly so as the colour in question is Chocolate.' says
the company.
To celebrate the launch, there is a whole host of chocolatey things
going on from 1st October through to 18th November 2005.
[More
on this Story]
More FREE Part P Seminars by ELECSA and Industry Experts
If you have missed your chance to book onto one of
the FREE Part P evening seminars that was organised by ELECSA held in
July, August and September 2005, you have another opportunity in October
and November.
[More
on this Story]
KBSA
Lightens up Part P at its Regional Meetings with ELECSA
Have
you got a date ear marked in your diary to attend a KBSA regional meeting?
If not, you may want to because ELECSA has teamed up with KBSA to offer
information and advice on Part P at the following KBSA regional meetings:
[More
on this Story]
Whirlpool
Launches Ignis in the UK
Whirlpool
UK has announced the launch of the new Ignis product range to the UK built-in
appliance market. The brand is positioned to target the entry level segment
of the market and gives Whirlpool a clear two brand strategy to establish
Whirlpool UK's strength in this key market.
[More
on this Story]
LG
Announces 7 Year Sponsorship Deal with British Gymnastics
LG
and British Gymnastics recently announced a seven-year sponsorship deal
where the new range of LG Direct Drive washing machines become the 'British
Gymnastics National Sponsor' and 'Sponsor of the British Rhythmic Gymnastics
Squad'.
[More
on this Story]
Ormerod
Sole UK Distributor for Servis Built-in Range
J&J
Ormerod PLC, the independent UK manufacturer and distributor of quality
kitchens and bedrooms, has announced its collaboration with Servis a
specialist in quality appliances, to become sole national distributor
of the Servis Built-In range within the United Kingdom.
[More
on this Story]
Bureau
Veritas Provides Support with WEEE RoHS Regs
Bureau
Veritas Consumer Products Services (BVCPS), global specialist in product
testing, inspections and auditing services, is offering a system to help
its customers ensure compliance with the stringent new 2002/96/EC Waste
Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and 2002/95/EC Restrictions
of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directives.
[More
on this Story]
TV
Chef has His Say with The Cannon Product Development Team
TV
Chef, John Burton Race who endorses cooking brand Cannon, spent another
day this month at Cannon's cooker factory in Blythe Bridge, Staffordshire
to share his creative thoughts with the Product Development and Marketing
teams.
[More
on this Story]
Special
Deals on Insurance for KBSA Members
Members
of the Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association can benefit from
special deals on insurance for business purposes, thanks to partnerships
between the association and two leading insurance companies.
[More
on this Story]
House
Beautiful Awards 2006
The
heat is now on to enter the annual House Beautiful Awards 2006 and
be recognised as the best of the best in the homes industry. 'At House
Beautiful magazine we value excellence, and our annual awards aim
to honour outstanding products, ranges and services – it’s
your opportunity to be recognised in the following categories':
[More
on this Story]
Matrix
Becomes Largest Supplier of SieMatic Kitchens in South East
Matrix
was established three years ago and has rapidly become the largest supplier
of SieMatic Kitchens in London and the South East. Its owner, Graham
Barnard, has over 20 years experience designing and installing top quality
kitchens.
[More
on this Story]
SEB
- Growing Sales in the Third Quarter
SEB
Group consolidated
sales for the third quarter 2005 were up by 1.7% at constant scope of
consolidation and exchange rates. This satisfactory performance was
achieved in an economic environment that continued to vary from one
region to another.
[More
on this Story]
Emerson
President James G. Berges to Retire
Emerson,
parent company of InSinkErator, announced on October 10th that President
James G. Berges will retire from the company effective November 1st,
2005, to pursue a number of personal interests outside of Emerson. Berges,
58, has been with Emerson for nearly 30 years.
[More
on this Story]
Homag
Group Sells IMA to Financial Investor
As
of October 31st, 2005, ownership of Homag Group AG subsidiary IMA Klessmann
GmbH passes to financial investor ADCURAM Industriekapital AG in Munich.
This sale represents the last stage of a restructuring process initiated
at the beginning of 2004.
[More
on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 116 7th October 2005
100%
Design Hits the Spot
100% Design and its sister events 100% Detail and 100% East have attracted
outstanding audiences this year. As a pivotal partner in the burgeoning
September London design calendar, 100% Design once more stood at the epicentre.
Visitor numbers remain consistent (35,209) with an increase in the amount
of professional visitors.
[More
on this Story]
Quooker,
the Boiling-Water Tap, Launched at 100% Design
The
hot news from Holland is a true (100ºC) boiling water tap. Tea or coffee
is available instantly at a turn of a handle from the Quooker boiling-water
tap. At 100% Design Quooker officially launched the new tap in the UK.
[More
on this Story]
SieMatic
at 100% Design
New
at 100% Design, SieMatic and Matrix
Kitchens showed the SieMatic SL505 kitchen in Truffle Brown Pine - 'a
new world of colour and materials, together with the straight-lined 'puristic'
architecture, creates a modern, elegant kitchen of timeless appeal', the
company said.
[More
on this Story]
Second
Year in a Row for Axor at 100% Design
Following the successful debut at 100% Design last year Axor, the designer
brand from Hansgrohe, exhibited its latest bathroom brassware created
in collaboration with internationally renowned designers, with highlights
including the Axor Starck X range - the latest collection from legendary
designer Philippe Starck.
[More
on this Story]
Clean & Fresh Designs at 100% Design from Ideal Standard
Reflected at this year's 100% Design, Ideal Standard's ongoing vision
is to propose and offer individually designed shower and brassware products
as well as complete bathroom and sanitaryware solutions through developing
partnerships with renowned designers such as Robin Levien RDA and more
recently Pearson Lloyd.
[More
on this Story]
Magnet
Drawn to In-Sink-Erator
In-Sink-Erator
food waste disposers are now available at Magnet stores nationwide.
Realising the rising popularity in food waste disposers, Magnet now
stocks four different models of In-Sink-Erator in each of the company’s
200 stores across the UK.
[More
on this Story]
KBSA
Corporate Members Networking Opportunity
The next Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association corporate member
networking event and dinner takes place at Ansty Hall in Coventry on November
10th. The event begins at 4.30pm, when corporate members are invited for
a glass of seasonal cheer, then there will be presentations.
[More
on this Story]
Launch
of Britannia's New XG Proves Success with Press and Retailers
Range
cooker specialist Britannia launched its new XG range cooker at Twickenham
Rugby Stadium - and the event proved a huge success, with a good turnout
of both press and retailer visitors.
[More
on this Story]
Ideal
Standard Shows ‘Independence’ by Winning Elle Decoration's
Design Award
Ideal
Standard has announced further recognition of its design led strategy
in recently winning the Best in Bathrooms category in the ELLE Decoration
Design Awards 2005.
[More
on this Story]
PAB
Streamlines Cookers Range
Following
the acquisition of Bernstein Holdings Group's appliance division in January
2005, white goods company, Premium Appliance Brands has refreshed and
revitalised the Cookers range of built-in appliances, ready to launch
to the market this month.
[More
on this Story]
RH
Morton Completes on Schedule for the Opening of Fifi & Ally
RH
Morton, bespoke kitchen and catering equipment supplier, has completed
the final touches to Fifi and Ally, Scotland's quirkiest new fashion and
lifestyle concept, incorporating patisserie/cafe bar, The Cupping Salon
which launched its new Flagship store in Princes Square on Thursday 29th
September 2005.
[More
on this Story]
Ainsley
Harriott Backs Hotpoint Schools Cooking Challenge
Hotpoint
Schools Cooking Challenge has gained the support of a top celebrity chef
to encourage healthy eating within Secondary Schools. Ainsley Harriott
is backing the campaign developed in conjunction with the Design and Technology
Association, by officially judging the final.
[More
on this Story]
Tretzo
Bathrooms Furnish New Developments in the UK & Ireland
Ireland’s
leading bathroom furniture manufacturer Tretzo is blazing a trail
in various locations in the UK and Ireland. It is currently providing
the luxury bathroom furniture for Victoria Mills bordering Saltaire
World Heritage Site.
[More
on this Story]
Whirlpool's
Prêt-à-Porter Awarded Good Housekeeping Institutes Accreditation
The
Good Housekeeping Institute has subjected the Whirlpool Prêt-à-Porter
to a selection of tests covering performance, ease of use, design and
clarity of the included instructions and has passed it on all counts.
[More
on this Story]
Electrolux
Back on TV .. not Once, but Twice
As
part of a £5 million Marketing investment, Electrolux Group is
launching two major new television advertising campaigns, which will
be on air during October and November 2005.
[More
on this Story]
The
World Toilet Summit
Over
400 international delegates from the US, Europe, Australia and the Far
East gathered in Belfast's Waterfront Hall last week (26 -28 September)
to attend the 2005 World Toilet Summit. Belfast is the first city in
the western world to have played host to the International Summit, as
previous summits have been held in Singapore, Beijing and Taiwan.
[More
on this Story]
Motorway
Toilets Capture Ultimate Accolade
Moto
Hospitality has won the Overall Winner's Trophy in the 2005 UK Loo of
the Year Awards competition, sponsored by Armitage Shanks. The company
achieved 31 x 5 Star and 21 x 4 Star Awards for its 52 service areas
throughout Britain.
[More
on this Story]