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THE K&BZINE ISSUE 68 23rd September 2004
100%
Design: Tenth Edition of UK’s Premier Contemporary Design Event
2004
sees the tenth edition of 100% Design and visitors will be able to view
the work of hundreds of contemporary interiors companies, from innovative
young designers to influential international manufacturers. We preview
some 25 companies in the Kitchen and Bathroom sector.
[More
on this Story]
Ideal-Standard
Previews Top Designers at 100% Design
Ideal-Standard
has been a regular exhibitor at the 100% Design exhibition since the late
nineties. For the 2004 exhibition Ideal-Standard will feature a selection
from its portfolio of future bathroom ranges, from the pens of some of
the finest designers in Europe.
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on this Story]
POD:Life
Launched by LG at 100% Design
Come
along to the LG HI-MACS stand at 100%
Design and view a new concept in lifestyle – POD:Life. Pod:life is
a ‘bolt-on’ property-enhancing solution that provides functional
design for your bathroom, kitchen, gymnasium or wet room.
[More
on this Story]
Kohler
Debuts at 100% Design
Kohler
will be making its debut appearance at 100% Design with a range of iconic
products including the sok overflowing bath with chromatherapy, Purist
Laminar mirrored cabinet and Paradox Wet Surface basin.
[More
on this Story]
LG
Electronics Bowled Over By ICC Champions Trophy
LG
Electronics continues to build on the success of its global association
with cricket through its successful sponsorship of the ICC (International
Cricket Council) Champions Trophy 2004, in which England displayed a brilliant
performance this week to beat Australia for the first time in six years
and set up a potentially thrilling match at the Oval on Saturday against
the Windies.
[More
on this Story]
Convincing
Six Month Results - at Hansgrohe AG, Growth Continues
Once
again for the sixth year in a row, Hansgrohe AG, international provider
of technical plumbing appliance products and state-of-the-art design-oriented
bathroom solutions, is continuing down its path of growth.
[More
on this Story]
Falcon's
Infinity Fryer takes Sting out of Rising Gas Prices
William
McGrath, the chief executive of AGA Foodservice says that the new 'revolutionary'
Falcon Infinity Fryer would 'halve the running costs' for fast food chains.
The fryer uses one-third less oil than conventional fryers and the company
has already signed a deal with Whitbread, which owns Beefeater, Pizza
Hut and TGI Friday.
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on this Story]
Franke
Achieves 30% Improvement in First Half of 2004
The
Franke Group achieved net sales of CHF 816.3 million in the first half
year of 2004. This corresponds to an increase of +CHF 93.6 million or
13% compared with the previous year. Operative results (EBITDA) have improved
by more than 30% compared with the same period of the previous year.
[More
on this Story]
Dumping
Allegation Upheld in Australia
Fisher
& Paykel Appliances Limited has announced that Australian Customs
has found that washing machines exported to Australia from Korea by LG
Electronics Inc, were considered to be dumped.
[More
on this Story]
Hettich
Gets off to a Good Start in 2004 - Exchange Rates Stifled Growth in 2003
Hettich
Group turnover totalled approximately 530 million euros in 2003, the same
figure as in the previous business year. The company states that despite
a weak German economy, it was possible to maintain sales at the previous
year's level as business abroad had risen to 55 per cent.
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on this Story]
Lathams
and Howden Flamebreak Agreement
Timber
and panels distributor, James Latham, has signed a trading agreement with
Howden Joinery for the supply of the high quality Flamebreak lightweight
door blanks.
[More
on this Story]
Masco
Corporation Declares Increased Quarterly Dividend and Increases Earnings
Guidance
Masco Corporation announced an increased quarterly dividend of $.18 per
common share -a 12.5 percent increase The Company also announced that
its third quarter results to the end of August have exceeded its expectations.
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on this Story]
Mayfair
Brassware - ‘Excellence As Standard’
Founded
in 1985, Mayfair Brassware has built a reputation both here in the UK
and Internationally for service and quality that is synonymous in our
industry. This reputation and business principle is the fundamental driver
that underpins all the commercial activities of our UK and International
operations.
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on this Story]
Premises
to Prosper With for Aqualisa
Aqualisa,
the award-winning designer and manufacturer of showers and bathroom brassware
has officially opened the doors to its newly extended and refurbished
flagship premises in Westerham, Kent.
[More
on this Story]
Astracast
Now Available to the Housebuilder from On Site
The
PJH Group’s housebuilding division, On Site has announced it will
be adding a new range of kitchen sinks and taps from appliance brand,
Astracast, to its comprehensive appliance portfolio.
[More
on this Story]
Inaugural
Visit to Viking Europe for UK Retailers
A
hand-picked group of UK kitchen retailers recently travelled to Viking
Europe to celebrate the official opening of the appliance company’s
Strasbourg based headquarters, showroom and culinary arts theatre.
[More
on this Story]
Full
On De Dietrich
De
Dietrich has secured placement for its DOD348 double pyrolytic double
oven and DTI309 induction hob to be used on the set of BBC2's new primetime
food and cookery show, 'Full on Food'.
[More
on this Story]
Microcad
Adds Features to Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom Software
Developer
of CAD software, Microcad Software UK, has released Autokitchen 7 (AK7),
the latest version of its Autokitchen package.
[More
on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 67 17th September 2004
Kitchen
Showcase 2005: Bigger and Better at New London Venue
Kitchen
Showcase, the UK’s only trade event focusing solely on the finest
in modern kitchen design, marks its third anniversary with a new venue
and more exhibitors than ever. Kitchen Showcase 2005 will be staged at
London’s historic Alexandra Palace on 9, 10 and 11 of June.
[More
on this Story]
Strong
Interim Results for Qualceram Shires plc Herald £2m Investment in
the UK
Bathroom
manufacturer, Qualceram Shires plc, has announced interim results for
the six months ended 30th June 2004 that show strength despite price competition
across all markets, with an increase in Group turnover of 8% to Euro 52.9m
compared to Euro 49.2m in 2003.
[More
on this Story]
ASFI
now Offering Employment and Health & Safety Law Consultancy Service
ASFI
– the Association of Suppliers to the Furniture Industry Ltd - is
enhancing the service to its clients by working in partnership with business
advice experts Croner Consulting to offer employment and health &
safety solutions.
[More
on this Story]
Adminex
Oasis Appoints Adlington Plumbing as Distributor for Midlands and West
Country
Adminex Oasis has appointed Adlington Plumbing of Anderton (near Chorley)
as distributor of its sanitary ware and accessories for Birmingham, Shropshire,
Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Cheshire, Lancashire (including Manchester
and Liverpool), Leeds and Sheffield.
[More
on this Story]
Glen
Dimplex Cooking Appoints First Channel Manager
Cooking
appliance specialist, Glen Dimplex Cooking has appointed Jason Richardson
as Channel Manager for its Multiple Electrical Retailers, as part of its
more focused approach to customer account and channel management.
[More
on this Story]
Electrolux
Named One of World's Top 20 Sustainable Stocks
For
the third straight year, Electrolux has been listed as one of the world's
leading sustainable stocks by The Progressive Investor newsletter. SB20
companies are chosen by an expert panel based on financial strength combined
with an analysis of environmental and social performance indicators.
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on this Story]
Premium
Appliance Brands Appoints National Distributor for ATAG Brand in UK
Premium Appliance Brands Limited (PAB), has appointed Galley Matrix as
a national distributor of ATAG products in the UK. From September onwards,
Galley Matrix will stock and distribute the full range of ATAG appliances
imported by PABL.
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on this Story]
Maytag
UK's New Service Vehicles
Maytag
UK has a new fleet of customised vehicles for the company's service engineers.
The new fleet of Nissan Primastars are liveried in silver complete with
black and coloured signage.
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on this Story]
Roman
Transport Fleet Delivers more than 20,000 Products in August 2004
Roman's
fleet of 16 trucks hit a delivery landmark in August 2004 by shipping
more than 20,000 products to its network of retailers in the UK in a calendar
month.
[More
on this Story]
Furniture
Giant bids Farewell to Wakefield Man after over 20 years’ Service
Colleagues
at kitchen, bedroom and bathroom furniture giant Symphony, bid farewell
to Don Abbott of Wakefield, recently, after more than 20 years’ service
with the firm.
[More
on this Story]
Runnymede
Hotel & Spa uses John Sydney to Upgrade Bathrooms
The
UK's largest family run and owned hotel group has recently undertaken
a major refurbishment project at its four star Runnymede Hotel & Spa
at Egham, Surrey. John Sydney was selected and specified to supply Elite,
one of its contemporary bathroom brassware designs.
[More
on this Story]
On
Site adds LG Refrigeration to Housebuilding Range
Continued
success of On Site, the UK distributor and installer of kitchen appliances
to the housebuilder, has led the one stop shop to extend its range to
include refrigeration products from LG Electronics.
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on this Story]
Whirlpool
Settles Ispat Surcharges Suit
Ispat
Inland Inc. said on Wednesday 8th September that it and appliance maker
Whirlpool Corp. had settled their ongoing legal battle over price surcharges.
[More
on this Story]
Trade
Mouldings Looks Back on Two Years of Expansion and Success
It
was directly after the ASFI show in 2002 that Trade Mouldings officially
opened its new 25,000 square feet distribution and warehousing centre
at Rochdale in West Yorkshire. Since that time Rod Bairstow and his growing
team have more than fully vindicated the trust that the Trade Mouldings
main factory in Cookstown, Northern Ireland put in him and the project.
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on this Story]
See
and be Seen – from the 'Think Tank' to Commercial Production
Kitchen manufacturer Poggenpohl commissioned a project study by Visionlabs,
the design think tank at the University of Wuppertal. In Germany, Visionlabs
is a unique model for cooperation with the industry and is offered each
winter semester to students majoring in industrial design.
[More
on this Story]
Workloads
Up Again Helped by Drive for Home Improvement says FMB
The
results of the FMB's latest State of Trade survey of the workloads of
small and medium sized builders (SMEs) appear to confirm that an Englishman's
home really is his castle. Eight out ten builders (81%) reported that
workloads in the second quarter of 2004 increased or remained the same.
[More
on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 66 10th September 2004
Plumbing
Fittings Cartel Gets Heavy Fine from European Commission
The European Commission has announced the imposition of a fine of Euro
44.98m on IMI in relation to its former copper tube business, which was
sold in 2002. This is part of a wider 222.3m euro (£151m) fine on
Europe's main makers of copper plumbing pipes for fixing prices and dividing
up the market. IMI will assess the possibility of appeal following receipt
of details of the decision.
[More
on this Story]
Merloni
Elettrodomestici to become Indesit Company
Indesit
Company is to be the new name of Merloni Elettrodomestici. On 6th September
an ordinary meeting of the shareholders in Fabriano approved the new company
name, which will come into force as of January 2005.
[More
on this Story]
Lanzet
Kitchens' New Team Labelled 'Ones to Watch'
Lanzet,
the Reading based contract kitchen producer, is expected to produce compelling
growth results after being bought for an undisclosed sum by a new management
team headed by former Merloni Domestic Appliances Managing Director John
McDarren.
[More
on this Story]
New
Divisional Structure within Sanitec: Ceramics, Acrylics & Enclosures
and Wellness
Sanitec's
Supervisory Board has decided to divide its two business segments Bathroom
Ceramics and Bath and Shower Products into two divisions: Ceramics, Acrylics
& Enclosures (CA&E) division and Wellness division.
[More
on this Story]
SEB:
Slower First Half - Full-Year Objectives Maintained
In
an economic environment that remained persistently difficult in Europe
but generally more vigorous in the rest of the world, Groupe SEB maintained
a historically high level of operating margin and continued to reduce
debt.
[More
on this Story]
Completion
of Brooks Acquisition in Ireland and Update on other Acquisitions
Wolseley
plc, the world's largest specialist trade distributor of plumbing, heating
and building materials products announces an update on recent acquisition
activities.
[More
on this Story]
Showerlux
Enjoys Record Bath Sales
Bathroom
specialist Showerlux reports that it is enjoying unprecedented success
in the UK bath market after recording its best-ever monthly sales.
[More
on this Story]
Maytag
UK Celebrates Interim Results
Maytag
UK continues to drive and extend its influence in the appliance industry
since its entry into the UK market four years' ago.
[More
on this Story]
Hotpoint
Given Superbrand Status
Hotpoint
has been awarded the prestigious Superbrand status. The award was announced
at the Tribute Event that recognised the UK’s most exceptional consumer
brands.
[More
on this Story]
Planit
Announces Major Donation and Sponsorship for Kitchen/Bath Education in
USA
Software
provider Planit International has announced a $4 million donation and
a $12,000 sponsorship deal with the Centre for Kitchen & Bath Education
and Research (CKBER) in the USA.
[More
on this Story]
Merloni
Demonstrates its Commitment to Cooking
Merloni
Elettrodomestici UK, manufacturer of UK appliance brands Hotpoint, Indesit
and Cannon saw an impressive turnout from retailers at the company’s
recent cooking launch. Merloni announced its new Cooking Strategy at the
Oxo Tower restaurant in London.
[More
on this Story]
Homag
Achieves Sharp Rise in Orders with Further Expansion in China
The
global economic recovery under way in the mechanical engineering sector
since the beginning of the year is showing clear signs of kicking in for
the Homag Group AG.
[More
on this Story]
What’s
New in the Showering World?
'Bathrooms
are no longer just functional areas, but places where people unwind, relax
and ease away the stresses of the day. Showers and showering accessories
have to reflect those expectations in both looks and performance.' says
Martyn Denny, President of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association.
[More
on this Story]
Pfleiderer
on The Move
Pfleiderer
Industrie Ltd has moved from its Chalfont St. Peter headquarters to new
premises in Macclesfield, Derbyshire. This is a convenient location for
motorways and is in the centre of the UK, giving executives easier access
to all customers.
[More
on this Story]
New
Cheshire Showroom Specifies All Ardesco Worksurfaces
A
new Cheshire kitchen and interiors showroom has recently opened and specified
all worksurfaces from the new Ardesco range by Orama, the independent
manufacturer of worksurfaces and associated decorative products.
[More
on this Story]
BMA
Membership Continues To Grohe
The
Bathroom Manufacturers Association, the trade association representing
manufacturers of bathroom product throughout the UK recently announced
the joining of its newest member, Grohe Ltd.
[More
on this Story]
Workloads
Up Again Helped by Drive for Home Improvement says FMB
The
results of the FMB's latest State of Trade survey of the workloads of
small and medium sized builders (SMEs) appear to confirm that an Englishman's
home really is his castle. Eight out ten builders (81%) reported that
workloads in the second quarter of 2004 increased or remained the same.
[More
on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 65 3rd September 2004
AGA
Acquires French Rival, Le Cornue, for 5.1m Euros
Aga Foodservice Group plc, known for its kitchen equipment, has acquired
La Cornue, the prestigious French range cooker business from its US parent
company, the engineering group Nortek Inc.
[More
on this Story]
Valadares
Heads for the UK Bathroom Market
European
sanitaryware brand, Valadares, is looking to expand its UK presence. With
more than 80 years manufacturing experience, Valadares says that it is
one of the leading lights in sanitaryware in the world.
[More
on this Story]
Get
Ahead in the Bathroom and Kitchen Business...Get a Qualification
Bathrooms
And Kitchens Magazine has announced the launch of the first, nationally-recognised
qualifications in bathroom and kitchen retail.
[More
on this Story]
New
'Reflections' Bathroom Showroom Launched
A
new 'Reflections' bathroom showroom opened on Saturday 14th August 2004
at the Showground Business Park, Bridgwater.
[More
on this Story]
Nobia:
Demand Remains Healthy, with 10% Growth in First Six Months
Nobia held its annual capital markets day recently. The programme's focus
is on organic growth including a look back at the company's performance
as well as a closer look at the Group's strategies for creating organic
growth.
[More
on this Story]
My
Dream Kitchen goes Direct!
Kitchen
Studio in London is going direct to the customer. Armed with superior
brand products, My Dream Kitchen is looking for ‘kitchen showcases’
to help with the company's expansion plans.
[More
on this Story]
The
Bathroom Manufacturers Association holds its Fourth Annual General Meeting
The
Bathroom Manufacturers Association at its fourth AGM unanimously supported
the appointment of President Martyn Denny of Aqualisa and Vice President
Ted Goold of Masco for a second year of office.
[More
on this Story]
Leading
Industry Suppliers Book for ASFI 2004
By
visiting the UK’s largest and most important furniture supplies event
in October, visitors will see the latest innovations from across Europe.
The revamped show has over 140 companies exhibiting at this major exhibition.
[More
on this Story]
Ben
Bailey at Purchasers’ Disposal
Ben
Bailey Homes is installing In-Sink-Erator food waste disposers in 100
new apartments in order to help purchasers manage their waste more efficiently.
[More
on this Story]
Moulinex
Takeover Gets Green Light from French Finance Minister
The
French Minister of Economy, Finance and Industry authorised on Monday,
16th August 2004, the partial takeover of Moulinex's assets by SEB.
[More
on this Story]
Rudolf
Miele Dies, aged 74
After
a short, serious illness Rudolf Miele died on August 19th at the age of
74 in his hometown of Gütersloh, Germany..
[More
on this Story]
Miele
Invests EUR 135m, Biggest for Five Years, Despite Static Turnover
During
business year 2003/2004 (ending June 30th) Miele, the domestic appliance
manufacturer, invested EUR 135 m (previous year: EUR 126 m) in expansion
of the company.
[More
on this Story]
From
Tallinn to Novosibirsk – Poggenpohl goes East
Poggenpohl
Möbelwerke GmbH reports that it has been able to achieve pleasingly
stable development in its markets. The subsidiary of the Swedish Nobia
group noted a significant increase in incoming orders in the first half
of 2004.
[More
on this Story]
Brandt
Extends Free Two Year Guarantee
Brandt,
the mid market appliance brand is extending its consumer promotion - a
free two-year guarantee on all current built - in products until 31st
December 2004.
[More
on this Story]
De
Dietrich Extends Free Two Year Guarantees
De
Dietrich is extending its offer of free 2-year guarantees on all consumer
purchases until 31st December 2004.
[More
on this Story]
Pegler
Helps to Rebuild British Presence in Iraq
Pegler
is making a contribution towards the return to normality in Iraq. It is
one of the many UK companies answering the call for vital components to
get the diplomatic areas of Baghdad and Basra up and running again.
[More
on this Story]
Sanitec
Interim Financial Report January - June 2004
Sanitec has published its Interim Financial Report for the period January-June
2004. Operating profit for the first half of the year increased to EUR
35.6 million or 7.4% of net sales compared to EUR 28.7 million or 5.9%
in the prior year.
[More
on this Story]
Another
Legal Win for PWS’ Croft Oak
PWS
has successfully concluded its legal action against J & J Ormerod
to protect its intellectual property rights in its Croft Oak door range.
[More
on this Story]
LG
Electronics Posts Record Sales for Second Quarter of 2004
LG
Electronics posted record sales in the second quarter of 2004 despite
the sluggish domestic economy.
[More
on this Story]
DuPont
Team Recognised for Electrical Safety Contributions in US
According
to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the rate of electrical burn injuries
in the United States (U.S.) construction industry plummeted 75 percent
between 1996 and 2002.
[More
on this Story]