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THE K&BZINE ISSUE 166 27th October 2006
CEO
Hans Stråberg Comments on Electrolux Q3
'The
result for the third quarter increased by 10%, which is largely
in line with our expectations. However, this does not mean that
I am satisfied.
[More
on this Story]
Whirlpool
Reports Record Q3 2006 Third Quarter Revenue
Whirlpool announced record 2006 third quarter
net sales of $4.8bn. Sales increased 35% from the previous year,
reflecting both the acquisition of Maytag and continued strong
demand. Excluding the Maytag acquisition, net sales increased
approximately 8%.
[More
on this Story]
ATAG
is Back in the UK
ATAG
is set to become a premium player in the built-in appliance market
place in the UK. The brand is to re-enter the market during the
fourth quarter of 2006 and will be offered exclusively to the
Kitchen Specialist.
[More
on this Story]
BSH
Commission New Line for Washing Machines in Nauen
BSH
is commissioning a new production line for washing machines in
Nauen, Brandenburg. Regarded as the most modern in Europe, the
line will produce over a half million washing machines a year.
[More
on this Story]
New
Business Development Director for ArtiCAD
ArtiCAD
Ltd announces that Daniel Allerton has been promoted from National
Sales Manager to the position of Business Development Director,
and has joined the company’s Board of Directors.
[More
on this Story]
Gear
Up for New Consumer Credit Regime, KBSA Advises
The
Kitchen Bedroom Bathroom Association (KBSA) is advising its retail
members to be aware of the provisions of the new Consumer Credit
Act 2006, which comes into force next Spring.
[More
on this Story]
Lucite
to Raise Price of Lucite® Cast Acrylic
Lucite®,
the world’s leading brand of cast acrylic for the sanitaryware
sector, will be subject to a price increase of €190 per tonne
from 1st January 2007.
[More
on this Story]
Plimsoll
Names KBB Industry Winners
The
UK’s most successful kitchen, bedroom & bathroom manufacturers
companies have been named as part of a special study by industry
analysts Plimsoll Publishing Ltd. These outstanding companies
have been grouped into five different areas of financial success.
[More
on this Story]
Distributor
Qualitex Launches Showroom Makeover Competition
Qualitex
Ltd (founded 1991) a premier distributor of bathroom and associated
products (including Kohler, Merlyn, Royo, April and Clearwater
baths) has just announced that it is launching ‘The Qualitex
Showroom Makeover Competition’, an initiative developed to
reward excellence in Bathroom Showroom Design.
[More
on this Story]
A
Little Something for the Weekend from Stoves and Lec
Products
from both Stoves and Lec have been placed on set for a brand new Sunday
morning entertainment show on BBC2 called 'Something for the Weekend'.
[More
on this Story]
Victoria
& Albert Bath Chosen for Hit Movie
Specialist
manufacturer, Victoria & Albert Baths has been celebrating one of
the company’s baths appearing in an award winning international film.
[More
on this Story]
De
Dietrich Induction Hob is Ideal Home's 'Best Buy'
Featuring
a guide to hobs in its November edition, Ideal Home, Britain's highest
circulation glossy home interest magazine credited the De Dietrich DTI304J
induction hob as its 'Best Buy'.
[More
on this Story]
In-toto
Visit to Germany is Great Success
Seventy
franchisees and In-toto staff visited the headquarters of parent company
Wellman at Enger in Germany this month to view the new kitchen collections
for 2007.
[More
on this Story]
JJO
Invess in New Production Facility
J
& J Ormerod Plc (JJO plc), the independent manufacturer of quality
kitchen and bedroom furniture continues to forge ahead by investing in
the latest technology in kitchen manufacturing.
[More
on this Story]
Orion's
Recipe for Success for Major Kitchen Supplier
Orion
Packaging Systems (UK) Ltd has clinched a major six-figure deal to supply
automatic packaging and materials handling equipment for a new production
line for Lancashire based Bernstein Group Holdings
[More
on this Story]
Publication
of Sanitec's Financial Information
Sanitec is since April 2005 under 100% private ownership, and therefore
has very limited financial publication obligations. For the time being,
Sanitec will not publish any interim or annual reports.
[More
on this Story]
AND
FINALLY...
Top
Drawer Autumn 2006 Tops Visitor Figures
Top
Drawer Autumn 2006, (10-12 September, Olympia, London) wrapped up
the autumn buying season with an unforgettable show and an increase
in visitor numbers as buyers flocked to source the latest gifts for
the Christmas season and beyond.
[More
on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 165 20th October 2006
New
Whirlpool Distribution Centre at Aylesford
Whirlpool
has announced its successful move into a new distribution centre
at Aylesford, Kent. After the distribution centre located at Paddock
Wood Kent was destroyed by a colossal fire last summer, Whirlpool
was keen to find a site in the same area and retain the company’s
local workforce.
[More
on this Story]
Aqualux
Takes on the Competitive Edge
Aqualux, the UK manufacturer of bath screens and shower enclosures,
is leading the fight against anti-competitive business. 20 members
of the Aqualux team are to participate in an online training course
run by the Bathroom Manufacturers Association.
[More
on this Story]
Laufen
Fights the Copy-Cats
The
influx of copy sanitaryware being imported into the UK from Asia
over the last 12 months, has left Laufen Bathrooms AG from Switzerland
together with its subsidiary Laufen Ltd with no option but to
take robust steps to protect the designs in the famous Il Bagno
Alessi range of sanitaryware of which it is the exclusive licensee.
[More
on this Story]
Jacuzzi
Responds to Shareholder Suits Regarding Proposed Merger
Jacuzzi
Brands, Inc. announced on October 18th that the Company and each
of its directors have been named as defendants in two purported
stockholder class action lawsuits filed on October 13th, 2006
in the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware.
[More
on this Story]
Baumatic
on 'The Box'
Italian
appliance manufacturer Baumatic has unveiled its first national
television campaign in the UK, with ads running throughout October
during prime time slots on UK Style, Living and ITV2.
[More
on this Story]
BBC
Good Food Show Chooses Whirlpool
Whirlpool
has been chosen to supply products for use in the demonstration
theatres at the NEC Birmingham and London Olympia BBC Good Food
Shows in November.
[More
on this Story]
Electrolux
Design Lab 2006 Selects its Nine Finalists
Electrolux,
the household appliance specialist, has announced that it has
selected nine finalists for this year's Design Lab competition.
Amongst the selection is Royal College of Art student Kleber Puchaski
who has designed the Electrolux Hydrosphere which allows food
to be freshly grown in the home.
[More
on this Story]
Niagara
Promotion at Broughtons
Broughtons,
the national distributor of bathroom sanitary ware and furniture, recently
launched the Niagara® bathroom brand, part of Jacuzzi UK, one of the
largest bathroom manufacturers in the country, as a new brand offering
for the company's retail partners.
[More
on this Story]
A
Clean Sweep for Miele
Miele
sweeps the board in the latest Which? test report on vacuum cleaners,
with Miele models out performing all other brands tested to secure the
top five places in the performance testing tables.
[More
on this Story]
Prestigious
New Showrooms for Premier
Peterborough-based
Premier Kitchens & Bedrooms has relocated to the city's prestigious
Hampton area, with new 15,000 sq ft premises that encompass showroom,
office and warehousing facilities all under one roof.
[More
on this Story]
Aqualux
Scoops a Double in Business Awards Shortlist
Aqualux,
the UK manufacturer of bath screen and shower enclosures, is celebrating
after reaching the shortlist in two categories at the Best of the Black
Country 2006 Business Awards.
[More
on this Story]
PJH
Group Honoured in Times Top Track 250 League
Kitchen
and bathroom distributor, the PJH GROUP, has achieved a place on the prestigious
Sunday Times HSBC Top Track 250 League Table, as revealed in last weekend's
Sunday Times, making it one of the biggest mid-market private companies
in Britain.
[More
on this Story]
Wolseley
plc Acquisitions Update
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 9th October four further bolt on acquisitions
for an aggregate consideration of £111 million.
[More
on this Story]
ALNO
Unveils 2007 Range at Hausmesse Combining Glamour with Practicality
Germany's
largest kitchen manufacturer, ALNO opened its doors to dealers and partners
from all over the world at its Hausmesse this week. Over 40 of ALNO's
premier dealers from the UK and Ireland attended the Open House event
hosted by managing director, John Kinder.
[More
on this Story]
Victoria
& Albert Launches in Australia
Freestanding
bath manufacturer Victoria & Albert has announced the launch of
Victoria & Albert Pty in Australia. This wholly owned company based
in Sydney New South Wales will be run along the same lines as V&A's
two other highly successful satellite sales and distribution operations
based in South Africa and the USA.
[More
on this Story]
AND
FINALLY...
Top
Tips from Electrolux Floorcare’s Expert Elizabeth Farmer
Electrolux
has a wide range of cleaners - robot cleaners, bagless models which
clean their own filters, uprights that are powerful and easy to use
– like the Loopie – models for homes with pets, homes with
stairs, those who want huge dustbag capacity, and those who want neat,
effective secondary cleaners, handheld vacs or stylish looking rechargeables.
[More
on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 164 13th October 2006
Jacuzzi
Brands to be Acquired by Apollo for $12.50 Per Share
Jacuzzi
Brands, Inc. announced on 11th October that a definitive merger
agreement has been signed under which affiliates of private equity
firm Apollo Management L.P. will purchase Jacuzzi Brands in a
transaction having a total value of $1.25 billion, which includes
the assumption of outstanding debt approximating $260 million,
net of cash.
[More
on this Story]
Large
Jacuzzi Brands Holder ‘Vehemently Opposes’ Buyout Deal
In
an amended 13D filing on Jacuzzi Brands Inc., 23.6% holder Southeastern
Asset Management responsed to the 10th October Apollo Management
buyout news. Southeastern said, ‘Our initial reaction to
today's announcement is that we vehemently oppose this transaction,
because the $12.50 price is completely insufficient.’
[More
on this Story]
New
Appointments at Electrolux
Magnus Yngen has been appointed head of Electrolux Major Appliances
Europe. Mr. Yngen previously held the position as head of the
Group's global floor care and small appliances business. Johan
Bygge, current head of Electrolux Major Appliances Europe and
Asia Pacific, will now focus on his role as head of Major Appliances
Asia Pacific.
[More
on this Story]
D.A.D
Wins Distributor of the Year Award
D.A.D,
the Gloucester-based domestic appliance distributor, has been
voted Distributor of the Year by the Sirius Buying Group of independent
retailers.
[More
on this Story]
British
Ceramic Tile Ltd Concludes New Investment for Growth
BCT
Ltd has successfully concluded a substantial capital investment
from Stephens Investments Holdings, a family owned investment
business. The investment will principally finance the extension
of BCT’s Devon based manufacturing facility, trebling production
in order to cope with increasing demand for BCT’s branded
product lines.
[More
on this Story]
Steaming
Offer from Aqualux!
There's now 100 more reasons to buy an Aqualux steam cabin as
the UK's leading manufacturer of bath screens and shower enclosures
launches its best ever promotion. The West Midlands based company
is giving away £100 of Love2shop vouchers with every steam
cabin purchased.
[More
on this Story]
KBSA
Saves the Day for BKB Customer Left High and Dry
When
KBSA member BKB Home Improvements of Peterborough went into receivership,
customer Robert Brown assumed that was the last he would see of
the 25% deposit he had put down on his new dream £10,000
bathroom.
[More
on this Story]
Pegler
Products Pass the Test
Pegler
continues to send out products for external testing, but has also developed
an in house testing facility. The new facility has required £1/4
million of new investment, with a host of new equipment, developed specifically
to test Pegler's diverse range of heating and plumbing products.
[More
on this Story]
Glide
Proves a Hit with Plumbers
Glide,
the latest enclosure to be launched by Showerlux, the shower enclosure
manufacturer, has been extremely well received by plumbers and installers.
[More
on this Story]
Daryl
Continues Successful Mira Collaboration with Launch of Indigo
Premium
showering products brand, Daryl Showering, is further strengthening its
collaborative portfolio with Mira Showers by launching the Indigo Quadrant
enclosure and Magna digital showering system - the second offering in
the brands' successful joint venture.
[More
on this Story]
Opticolour®
Selected for Luxurious Mayfair Development
Opticolour
Ltd has recently installed its opticolour® coloured glass wall coverings
in the entrance foyer and several bathrooms of a luxurious property development
in the heart of London's Mayfair.
[More
on this Story]
Miele
Honours Women of Courage
Miele
Chief Executive, Simon Grantham, attended the prestigious Prima High Street
Fashion Awards at the London Hilton on Park Lane to present the 2006 Woman
of Courage award, which honours inspirational women who have fought against
breast cancer.
[More
on this Story]
Kitchen
Made from Recycled Plastic Gets Interest from UK Universities
The
company behind the UK’s first recycled kitchen, Milestone Design
based in West Yorkshire, has received its first orders. Launched at the
beginning of August, the kitchens contain solid board made from recycled
plastic. The worktops are made from vending-machine coffee cups; the doors
from yoghurt pots.
[More
on this Story]
Businesses
Confused by New Fire Law
Businesses
and organisations across England and Wales are in confusion over new
fire safety legislation. The new fire prevention and protection law
(affecting all non-domestic premises) changed on 1st October, making
existing Fire Certificates defunct.
[More
on this Story]
October
is US National Kitchen Bath Month
National
Kitchen Bath Month in the USA is an important time of year when kitchen
and bathroom industry professionals, students and consumers across the
country promote awareness and excellence in design.
[More
on this Story]
AND
FINALLY...
AEG-Electrolux
- The Quiet Kitchen
An
AEG-Electrolux kitchen means virtually silent cooking, cooling and
washing. AEG-Electrolux offers products far quieter than average -
right across its ranges. The company says that it also offers the
quietest dishwasher in the world - the AEG-Electrolux F80860 (just
41dB).
[More
on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 163 6th October 2006
UK
Kitchens Companies See Values Increase
The
challenge for any business leader is to increase the value
of their business. This is the basis of a new study by
industry analyst Plimsoll Publishing which has, for the
first time, looked into the valuations of the UK's largest
100 Kitchens companies.
[More
on this Story]
Symphony
Obtains Costs and Damages from Omega Plc and Graham Brand
UK
fitted furniture supplier Symphony has accepted an out
of court settlement in which Omega and Graham Brand gave
certain undertakings in a court order and have paid over
£70,000 in costs and damages, in a case alleging
misuse of confidential information and database infringement
against Omega and its Sales Director Graham Brand.
[More
on this Story]
Broughtons
Launches Niagara® Bathrooms
October
1st saw the Broughtons launch of Niagara® bathrooms.
The Lancashire based distributor of bathroom sanitary
ware and furniture, has announced the arrival of this
premier brand from Jacuzzi UK.
[More
on this Story]
Franke
Cooks Up a Storm on BBC2
Franke makes a star appearance on a new BBC cookery programme
this Sunday, 8th October, at 10am. Something for the Weekend,
on BBC2, features the recently launched ultra-low profile,
superslim Laser sink and the minimalistic Eiger tap in
Chrome.
[More
on this Story]
Only
Four Days to go until Grand Designs Live NEC 2006... Marvel
at Miniature Monuments!
Join
the throngs of visitors expected at the first Grand Designs
Live NEC exhibition, and see the world's smallest house,
a sculpture of the iconic Huf Haus, smaller than the full
stop at the end of this sentence.
[More
on this Story]
Dynamic
Space Sends Sales Soaring at Fordham Kitchens
Mark
Fordham, owner of Fordham Kitchens says that the installation
of Blum storage solutions into his display units based
on the planning concept of Dynamic Space® has directly
benefited his sales to the tune of 40 per cent.
[More
on this Story]
SMART
Results = Strong Growth
Business
and operational management software solution provider
SMART has announced successful year-end results for 2006.
SMART is also celebrating in 2006 its fifth anniversary,
a benchmark of its continued success in the KBB industry.
[More
on this Story]
Celebrate
Success with Aqualux
Aqualux
is toasting the success of its two exclusive new product ranges,
Elite Classic and Elite modern, by giving away £20 of Threshers
vouchers with every purchase.
[More
on this Story]
Walk-through
to the Wow Factor
Aqualux is offering a four in one promotion on its newly launched
luxurious Walk-through. Not only is the UK manufacturer of bath
screens and shower enclosures giving away a free Walk-through
POD - it is also offering free installation.
[More
on this Story]
Great
Savings on Maytag's Laundry this Autumn
Maytag
UK is launching into the autumn with a range of generous deals,
savings and incentives to support retailers in the run up to Christmas.
[More
on this Story]
Miele's
Free Warranty Promotions Are Back
To
help retailers boost their sales this autumn, Miele is repeating
its successful warranty promotions on a wide range of washing
machines and dishwashing appliances. The popular 10 and 5 year
warranty promotions are being supported by striking advertisements
in quality newspapers.
[More
on this Story]
Electrolux
Increases Sponsorship of Luton Town FC
Electrolux
has announced that the significant investment in the Luton Community
with its sponsorship of Luton Town Football Club will continue
into 2007 and 2008.
[More
on this Story]
Starring
Role for Sexy In-toto Kitchen!
An In-toto kitchen, which appeared on set at the Abbey Theatre
in St.Albans, did not exactly steal the show, but certainly attracted
plenty of attention, according to Stage Manager Michael Pagan.
[More
on this Story]
KBSA
Continues to Achieve Good Media Coverage
Recent
figures released by the Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists
Association show that it has benefited from another successful
six months of positive media coverage.
[More
on this Story]
New
Factory is the EU's Largest Water Softener Manufacturer
The
UK is now home to EU's biggest manufacturer of domestic water
softeners, following the grand opening on Saturday 30th September
of Harvey Water Softeners' new Castle Works in Surrey
[More
on this Story]
Crown
Imperial Makes Big Changes to its Bedroom Furniture Offering
Continuing
to provide bedroom concepts to the industry, UK manufacturer Crown
Imperial has made substantial changes to its bedroom pricing structure
with many products being reduced by up to 21% or price frozen
until April 2007.
[More
on this Story]
Drummonds
Adds a Big Helping of Glamour to Decorex 2006
Luxury
interiors specialist Drummonds says that it attracted a huge amount
of attention at Decorex with interior designers, architects and
members of the general public flocking to the two stands.
[More
on this Story]
Whirlpool
Announces Changes at Several Facilities in North America
Whirlpool
Corporation announced on October 3rd a series of changes to several
of its North American manufacturing facilities. The changes
are part of an ongoing comprehensive worldwide effort to optimise
the company's regional manufacturing facilities
[More
on this Story]
It's
a Wrap at Sheridan Thanks to Orion
A
UK manufacturer of work surfaces has been so delighted with the
company's investment in state of the art stretchwrapping technology
from Herefordshire-based Orion Packaging Systems (UK) Ltd that
it has purchased another machine within just months of the first
one.
[More
on this Story]
AND
FINALLY...
Loo
School! - Heritage Encourages Students to go 'Potty' over
Science
As
part of an initiative to give young people hand's on experience
of the science behind sanitaryware, Heritage Bathroom has
invited local students to create their own mini WCs at its
ceramics division in Brighouse, West Yorkshire.
[More
on this Story]