Weekly Email News for the Kitchen, Bathroom and Bedroom Industries
15th August 2003
http://www.thekbzine.com

The smooth, oval lines of the Ascania from Armitage Shanks create a modern, Zen-like effect in the bathroom
More here:

The White & Silver range designed by architect David Chipperfield for Ideal-Standard came to market at the end of May
More here:

---

---

Bushboard is launching Nuance Bathroom Work Surface designs this summer. Bushboard has increased the flexibility of these designs by adding size alternatives as well as a new enlarged cistern cover
More here:

'The unique design of the Torbeck EcoFil provides improved flushing efficiency with an almost silent fill action and is extremely compact.' says the company.
More here:

'Twenty 20' is the latest collection from Sottini, created by Stefan Eckstein, one of Europe's modern masters of ceramic design.
More here:

---

Stoneham kitchens has announced that its new brochure contains six new kitchens, as well as new colours and products for existing ranges
More here:

Cheshire-based sink specialist, Reginox UK announces the next addition to its RegiLux range of stainless steel sinks, the RL 210S
More here:

Danny Prentice of Prentice Furniture is passionate about the final quality of his kitchen fascias. Whether rustic oak with all the character of pippy knots, splits and whirls, or mellow maple and fine grained ash - all components have to be finished to perfection.
More here:

Bushboard's Options Range offers customers 46 worktop laminate designs along with 10 splashback designs to match
More here:

With the unveiling of its new range of kitchen worksurfaces, Axiom has introduced the ‘County’ Style selection
More here:

PWS has extended its portfolio of added-value accessories with the addition of Soft Stop, which works with the Dispensa V larder systems
More here:

---

Minimalist, contemporary, modern-rustic and traditional are the design trends behind the launch of four taps from PWS
More here:

Trevi Showers has launched Strada, a range of ABS capped shower trays that offer a variety of new benefits and features
More here:

The tough, non-slip Durastone Showertray range from Polypipe Bathroom & Kitchen Products recently received a major upgrade.
More here:

The Io, a new contemporary bridge mixer, has joined The Perrin & Rowe Kitchen Collection.
More here:

---

GE Consumer Products has added a front clad stainless steel option to a selection of GE American fridge freezers
More here:

De Dietrich has introduced its 2003 built - in range of cookers, the highlights of which are as follows:
More here:

A hood is an essential element of any modern kitchen. Whether included as a design statement or discrete and unobtrusive, each Brandt hood is efficient and functional
More here:

De Dietrich has introduced its 2003 built - in range of freezers, the highlights of which are as follows:
More here:

Exact heat when and where you want it is provided by the PIE 645E induction hob from Bosch.
More here:

New World is extending its contemporary Vision collection with the launch of a 90cm stainless steel range cooker, the DF90
More here:

Where Does the Buck Stop with Health & Safety?
Corporate manslaughter is notoriously difficult even to prosecute, let alone convict. When negligence in the workplace leads to injury or death, the families of the victims deserve an explanation at the very least and most would settle for an apology rather than a six figure bankroll. However, in these litigious days, an apology is an admission of guilt which lawyers will naturally make the most of.

SUBSCRIBE FREE!
If you do not already receive THE K&BZINE on a weekly basis, subscribe FREE OF CHARGE by putting your email address here and clicking 'subscribe'

---

Training and technology were the hot topics among members of the Decorative Plumbing & Hardware Association (DPHA) as the association kicked off its first annual conference, held recently.
More here:

Following its recent partnership with the Royal Institute of British Architects, brassware specialist, Deva has announced the availability of a new CPD seminar focusing on the specification of taps and showers for architects and specifiers
More here:

Stroud College is the latest in a string of UK courses being flooded by white-collar workers wanting to become plumbers.
More here:

Part M of the Building Regulations concerns access and facilities for disabled people, including requirements regarding sanitary conveniences. Anna Burns, marketing manager of Twyford Bathrooms, looks at how it makes provision for those with special needs.
More here:

 

 

---

THIS WEEK'S NEWS

Whirlpool Corporation Sues LG for Technology Patent Infringement
 Whirlpool Corporation has announced that it has filed a patent infringement suit against LG Electronics, Inc., and the South Korean company's U.S. affiliate, LG Electronics USA, Inc. The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, maintains that several LG clothes washers recently introduced into the U.S. infringe two patents secured by Whirlpool in 1993 to protect innovative washing technology.
[More on this Story]

---

---

Electrolux signs agreement to divest shareholding in Vestfrost
Electrolux has signed an agreement to sell its shares in the Danish company Vestfrost A/S to the Esbjerg Group in Denmark. The Esbjerg Group will thereby increase its shareholding in Vestfrost from 50% to 100%..
[More on this Story]

Fisher & Paykel Appliances Enter Into Global Alliance with Whirlpool Corporation
 Whirlpool Corporation and Fisher & Paykel Appliances have announced the formation of a global strategic alliance involving the two major home appliance manufacturers. 
The scope of the alliance involves a wide range of cooperative activities between the two companies.  Initially, the alliance will focus on global sourcing of major home appliances, as well as the sharing and co-development of product technology.
[More on this Story]

Blum consolidates its position on global markets
At the close of the business year on 6 June 2003, Julius Blum GmbH attained a group turnover of 590.6 million euros (last year’s result was 555.4 million euros). This increase in turnover of 6.3% (last year’s increase amounted to 9%) . Thanks to its consistent orientation towards important world markets in the field of industry and trade, the company still, however, exported 96% of its products. Blum products are regularly delivered to more than 70 countries worldwide..
[More on this Story]

Maytag's Second Quarter Sales and Earnings on Target
Maytag Corporation announced its second quarter sales and earnings were down versus a year ago, but in line with management and Wall Street expectations. Maytag reported second quarter consolidated sales of $1.163 billion and operating income of $51.4 million. Reported net income was $25.2 million, or 32 cents per share. Included in these results were after-tax restructuring charges of $18.8 million, or 24 cents per share, for the closing of the company's manufacturing plant in Galesburg, Ill., and a salaried work force reduction implemented during the second quarter.
[More on this Story]

American Standard Reports Record Second-Quarter Sales
American Standard Companies Inc. has announced record second-quarter earnings of $1.83 per diluted share, up 7 percent from second quarter last year. These earnings are consistent with the company’s April estimate for the quarter of $1.78-$1.88. Sales were a record $2.265 billion, up 9 percent from a year ago. Net income rose to $133.9 million, up 6 percent. .
[More on this Story]


Is Talking To Your Washing Machine The First Sign Of Madness?
Not with Electrolux voice-controlled appliances A new prototype voice-controlled washing machine was recently unveiled by Electrolux engineers. The new appliance will allow people to operate the washing controls through vocal commands and is a response to consumer demand to make household appliances even easier and more convenient to use.
[More on this Story]

Expansion at Waterline for new product lines
National distributor Waterline has announced major expansion of stockholding capacity to accommodate new additions to its portfolio of top kitchen brands. The company has acquired an additional 45,000 sq ft at the Newport Pagnell head office site to stock cookers from new suppliers Rangemaster, the complete offer from Candy – again, a new brand for Waterline - plus the entire range of Hotpoint appliances.
[More on this Story]

HPS taps into success with Deva
Southern-based heating & plumbing merchants, and Deva customer, HPS, is currently celebrating the completion of its first year of business, having enjoyed outstanding growth and sales throughout the south east, thanks to the help and support of brassware specialists, Deva.
[More on this Story]

President changes at Bathroom Manufacturers Association AGM
The Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA) held their third AGM at Federation House, Stoke on Trent at the end of June. Along with the regular business of the Association was also the election of a new President for the next two years.
[More on this Story]

First Showroom in the Algarve for Nolte
Nolte’s contract division continues to expand both at home and overseas. The latest development in this expansion is in the Algarve where they have secured exclusivity with well established Ishtig – a company supplying a one stop shop for both developers and private clients
[More on this Story]

Abacon supplying advanced Löwer technology
UK supplier of finishing and abrasive solutions – Abacon of Sheffield – has teamed up with two world leaders in this field: Löwer machinery of Germany and their existing principal SlipCon of Denmark to offer an entirely new quality level of finishing options..
[More on this Story]

---

K&BZINE SPECIAL FEATURE

Fagor - a 45-Year old Spanish Co-operative at the Apex of the Free Market
Back in 1956, five young engineers from the polytechnic school in the Basque town of Mondragûn in Spain founded a co-operative to produce small household appliances. Today, as Fagor Electrodomèsticos, it is part of the largest co-operative in the world: Mondragûn Corporaciûn Cooperativa (MCC) - the number-one business in the Basque Country and the eighth largest in the whole of Spain.
[More on this Story]

---

MISSED LAST WEEK'S K&BZINE? IT'S HERE

We have also archived items from the following Channels: Bathroom Products, Kitchen Products, Appliances and People.

ADVERTISERS