Weekly Email News for the Kitchen, Bathroom and Bedroom Industries
2nd June 2006
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Baumatic
says that even heat distribution just got even more precise with the
addition of an integral turntable to the company’s new B240 built-in
oven
More
here:
A
range of 'super quiet' dishwashers is being launched this month by
Zanussi-Electrolux under the banner
'The Appliance of Silence'
More
here:
The
new Amana 3D has sleek, elegant
lines available in a combination of designs and materials to please
the most discerning consumer and a 'must-have' product for retailers
to display
More
here:
Belling
has launched six new 90cm range cooker models in two different styles
following in-depth research into consumer requirements
More
here:
Range
cooker specialist Britannia has
introduced two new hotplate options for the recently launched XG range
cooker, which includes a dedicated grill compartment as well as two
other grills
More
here:
Traditional shapes and designs aren’t always savvy with space, so Aqualux’s new Augmented Quadrant shower enclosure is a suitable shape for fitting units around it
More here:
Roman
Limited,
the UK shower manufacturer, has unveiled a new high quality collection,
the Roman Sculptures range
More
here:
HSK
says that the Edition Kienle Walk-in solution can transform your bathroom
into an oasis of relaxation. ‘No moving parts, any handles or
doors, just sumptuous elegance combined with strong design lines.’
More
here:
The
name Chill is an appropriate title for the new brassware range from
Bristan as it is certainly ice
cool in appearance
More
here:
A
new swing-out pantry unit from Häfele,
by the makers of the company’s popular Vario-Corner unit, introduces
large scale and very easily accessible storage for cans, bottles,
jars and packages in tall cabinets to heights of 1700mm to 2150mm
More
here:
The
Gallery has added three new colour choices to its collection
of gloss doors. The popular Boston range has been expanded to include
black, red and latte options to the existing white and vanilla
More
here:
Corners
can create problems in kitchen planning, and are often associated
with being difficult areas in the design. PWS
says that it has addressed this awkward area by introducing a corner
door solution
More
here:
Stoneham's
Knole kitchen combines Maple with North American Black Walnut. The
gentle and elegant tones of the Maple frames are starkly beaded
with the American Black Walnut to frame bird's eye Maple centres
- all translated across the units and accessories
More
here:
New
Lava Stone is one of the latest contemporary designs to be added
to the Mermaid waterproof wall panels range from Norske
Interiors
More
here:
Crosswater
says that as design is at the heart of all Crosswater products,
it is no surprise that the new Mini range has not compromised style
for size
More
here:
Imperial
Bathrooms’ range of traditional cast-iron and bateau-style
baths has been further extended with the introduction of three new
hand-crafted, hand-finished roll top contemporary offerings
More
here:
Ideal
Standard has announced the availability of its MOMENTS
bathroom suite in the UK. MOMENTS is a fully integrated bathroom
collection, created by the award-winning German design studio ARTEFAKT
More
here:
Egg
Bath is the latest addition to the expanding Vado portfolio by Eurobath
More
here:
The
boldness and simplicity of Art Deco design is the primary source
of inspiration for Imperial Bathrooms’
new Astoria Deco sanitaryware
More
here:
In
response to the increasing number of local authorities implementing
recycling schemes through segregated household waste collection, East
Coast Fittings has introduced a range of in-cabinet segregated
waste bins
More
here:
Scott
Brothers Ltd
is launching new and improved versions of its range of Pack-Mate compression
bags
More
here:
Well
known for its gadget trays, cutlery inserts, drop down assortment shelves
for under wall units, G&G has
recently launched a number of flexible and versatile systems for base
unit drawers
More
here:
Häfele's
portfolio of cabinet handle styles for UK furniture makers and interior
fitters is Britain's largest from a single source
More
here:
In
response to growing consumer demand for larger bathroom mirrors, Utopia
is introducing two new designer options
More
here:
This summer sees the launch of the minimalist model of the Discus
radiator from Radiating Style,
following the trend for adding accents of colour into the home
More
here:
After
a century and a half, MHS
now sells its own popular Hot Box but it is remarkably different
from its original namesake
More
here:
A
simple way to save energy in the home is provided by the electric
radiator from the Corner Fridge Company,
which offers an economical and stylish method of heating all
rooms - without affecting air quality
More
here:
Roman,
the UK shower manufacturer, has created a state-of-the-art
Showroom at its County Durham base to showcase its products
and to also act as a Training Facility
More
here:
Members
of the WPG - Women in Plumbing Group - were recent attendees
of one of Aqualisa's
popular shower training courses
More
here:
The launch of four new training courses and the continued
expansion of its support infrastructure are the latest
initiatives from Planit International
More
here:
PWS
has recently introduced a range of travertine wall tiles. The range
has been launched to complement PWS' new stone flooring range, to
offer a wider selection of surfacing solutions for the kitchen
More
here:
Saint-Gobain
Glass has launched SGG FEELING
- the specialist glass wall tile range - in the UK, from spring
2006
More
here:
Whirlpool
Corporation
profoundly believes in the principles of corporate social responsibility
(CSR).
More
here:
Granada Material Handling (Granada), one of the nation's leading material handling solutions specialists, is the sole UK distributor of Fezer VacuPowerlift handling units.
More here:
AMA Research has published its latest review ofthe 'Bedroom Furniture Market - UK 2006' report. The report is informed, comprehensive and up-to-date, and represents an aid to sales and marketing professionals involved in the industry
More here:
Bring
me Sunshine
Well, something a bit closer to summer has finally arrived, and the
weekend looks to be set fair. Things are also looking sunny for Franke,
who has just reported double digit growth in its consolidated financial
results for 2005. Arbonia-Forster, Kermi's parent company
is also upbeat, although only signalling single digit growth with the
continuing poor performance of the German market. BSH, meanwhile,
reports sales up 7%, of which nearly 80% was outside Germany, and has
been awarded the accolade of Euronics 'white goods supplier of
the year 2006'.
It's not too late to enter the KBZine's Franke Fantasy World Cup
Football. Details are below, or here,
and we urge all football fans to enter this very easy competition, it's
fun and you could win prizes! Also, could any of you who sent entries
in prior to last Tuesday please resend, as it appears that the designated
email account rather dragged its heels in being set up! Thanks.
Oh, one more thing! Grand Designs opened this morning at London
Excel and carries on until Sunday, and it has a special Kitchens and
Bathrooms section.
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Broughtons
Takes to the Road
Broughtons,
the specialist bathroom brand from Broughton Crangrove, takes its
latest bathroom suites to the retailers.
More
here:
Kitchen
Showcase 06 in Partnership with Gaggenau
Gaggenau,
Europe's foremost manufacturer of luxury built in appliances for the domestic
kitchen, has joined forces with Masterclass Events ltd, organisers of
Kitchen Showcase 06, to deliver the largest UK event in 2006 dedicated
entirely to kitchen design.
More
here:
Find
it at 100% Design
100%
Design,
the leading contemporary design show established in 1995, continues to
be the one stop shop for architects, interior designers and specifiers
to source international contemporary design. An impressive list of over
450 UK and international exhibitors will exhibit at Earls Court 2, London
from 21-24 September.
More
here:
Making
a Meal out of Grand Designs Live
Grand
Designs Live organisers are working closely with the pick of celebrity
chefs to create a show-stopping feature - the 'Celebrity Chefs' Surreal
Meal'.
More
here:
1st
VDA Bathroom Forum
On
1st June 2006, the first Bathroom Forum of the Association of the German
Sanitary Industry (VDS) will take place in the Side Hotel in Hamburg.
More
here:
Clearwater
Makes a Splash at K/BIS
The
recently established American arm of Clearwater
Collection, Clearwater USA exhibited a selection of its free
standing baths at K/BIS in April, and gained outstanding feedback.
More
here:
Cesana
Makes a Statement at Salone Del Mobile
Italian
shower manufacturer Cesana exhibited its range of stylish, contemporary
showers at Salone del Mobile, the International Kitchen and Bathroom exhibition
in Milan last month.
More
here:
Britannia
a Hot Hit at Homebuilding & Renovating
Range
cooker specialist Britannia was extremely pleased with the results
from the Homebuilding & Renovating Show held at Birmingham's NEC earlier
this month.
More
here:
More Events here
Premium
brand De Dietrich has launched its
2006 brochure with a range of new products available as of 1st May 2006.
More
here:
First impressions are always the most important, which is why Heritage
Bathrooms is launching its most stylish brochure ever.
More
here:
Fitted
furniture manufacturer, Shades, has
unveiled its latest lifestyle brochure that reflects the company's new
upmarket look.
More
here:
White-goods
company Premium Appliance Brands Ltd
(PAB) is welcoming three new staff to its head office to strengthen
the corporate arm of the business.
More
here:
Pronorm,
the German rigid kitchen furniture manufacturer, has appointed Richard
Turner as the Area Sales Manager for the South West region.
More
here:
Franke,
a leading kitchen systems manufacturer, has appointed a new assistant
logistics manager, Lynne Woodward.
More
here:
PWS
has announced three key appointments to its external sales team.
More
here:
Fisher
& Paykel
has announced that Andrew Smith has been promoted to Sales Manager in
UK.
More
here:
Flair
International has set up a UK dedicated sales team, headed
by Sales Director Andrew Bullingham.
More
here:
Leon
Bruchez has been appointed by Homag U.K.
as area sales manager for the Midlands area.
More
here:
Gorenje
has
launched two Premium Touch fridge-freezers, crystallised with Swarovski
- one with 7,000 hand-embedded crystals (on sale in Harrods) and the other
with a mere 3500 glass 'jewels'.
More
here:
Clearwater
Collection, the manufacturer of luxury handmade freestanding
acrylic baths, is bathing in success because its Bateau bath is being
featured in a major advertising campaign.
More
here:
Aqualux
is
inviting its trade customers to share in its success by offering a promotion
on its award winning Walk-In with Wet Room option.
More
here:
HomePro
Insurance
- one of the UK's leading providers of Insurance Backed Guarantees (IBGs)
- has introduced a dedicated warranty product for the kitchen, bathroom
and bedroom retail installation sector.
More
here:
Range
cooker specialist Britannia has launched
a new sales promotion, which offers customers free accessories with range
cookers sold between May 1st and July 31st.
More
here:
A
£2 million Zanussi National
Consumer Press Campaign supporting the Zanussi-Electrolux kitchen appliance
range will commence on 18th May '06 and is part of a wider £10 million
marketing investment the Electrolux Group is placing across its' brand
portfolio this year.
More
here:
Clearwater
Collection,
the manufacturer of luxury handmade freestanding acrylic baths in Europe,
has achieved the internationally recognised quality accreditation, ISO
9001.
More
here:
The
Sorter waste management system from Franke
has recently achieved a Red Dot Award for design excellence.
More
here:
The
new Blumotion controlled closing
system for cabinet doors on the hinge has won the Design Zentrum Nordrhein
Westfalen ‘red dot’ Award.
More
here:
Following the European Product design award for Kermi's
top of the range Toca Shower Enclosure range last year the company has
announced two further awards for the new Credo Towel Radiators launched
at the recent KBB Exhibition.
More
here:
A
new survey conducted by Zendor,
the Manchester-based fulfilment expert, reveals that less than one
fifth of the UK's top e-retailers promote a retail trust mark for
'safe Internet shopping' on their websites.
More
here:
The
‘Choose your ideal cooker’ page is part of the new Britannia
website and makes searching for a range cooker very easy.
More
here:
Franke,
the kitchen systems manufacturer, recorded over 100,000 visitor
sessions on its new look website last month.
More
here
Grand
Designs Live Birmingham, 6-8 October 2006 at the National
Exhibition Centre, Birmingham.
More
here:
Grand
Designs Live 2006, 2-4 June, ExCel, London.
More
here:
100%
East returns to the Truman Brewery, from 21-24 September
2006.
More
here:
Epoc Messe Frankfurt, Dubai, has finalised its plans for ISH
Kitchen and Bathroom Gulf.
More
here:
TheK&BZine Team:
Richard Place
sales@thekbzine.com
MISSED LAST WEEK'S K&BZINE? IT'S HERE
FRANKE FANTASY FOOTBALL
Enter
Now! It's Fun and There are Prizes!
The World Cup is almost
upon us and this time around Franke has added to the excitement by sponsoring
The K&BZine's very own World Cup Fantasy Football competition. Called
Franke Fantasy Football, the rules are simple, entry is easy and free
and the prizes are well worth it - 1st prize is 4 tickets to see a Man
United game of your choice – and 2nd prize 2 tickets for a Man
United game.
[More
Here]
PRODUCT OF THE WEEK
Ideal
Standard UK Launches Washpoint
Ideal
Standard has announced the launch of Washpoint, a new collection
created to bring up-to-the minute design and style to the
mass market. Designed at the Milan-based Ideal Standard
Design Centre, headed by Ideal Standard art director Marc
Sadler, Washpoint is a versatile collection that offers
the total bathroom solution from WCs, bidets and basins,
to baths, accessories and matching furniture.
[More
on this Product]
Franke
Group 2005: Renewed Double-Digit Growth
The Franke Group increased its net sales in 2005 by +20.3% to
CHF 1,959.0 m. The operating result (EBITDA) increased by +11.4%
to CHF279.2m and consolidated cash flow by +33.2% to CHF 245.8
m. Consolidated profit reached CHF153.6m - an increase of +89.6%
over the previous year.
[More
on this Story]
Grand
Designs Live Grand Opened Today June 2nd at 10am
Grand
Designs Live, the event that 'changed the face of the home show
industry last year' is back at London's Excel and throughout
the three-day event, 2-4 June, over 500 exhibitors will be showcasing
some of the latest products and innovations.
[More
on this Story]
AFG
Signals Impressive Growth Plan
Dr.
Edgar Oehler, President and CEO of AFG Arbonia-Forster-Holding
AG (AFG) recently presented the third annual report since taking
over the helm at AFG.
[More
on this Story]
BSH
on Course for Further Growth
For
BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH, 2005 brought further
consolidation of its position as market leader in Western Europe
and a larger market share in virtually all countries where it
is represented worldwide.
[More
on this Story]
BSH
is European Supplier of the Year
At
the annual conference of Euronics International, Europe's leading
buying group in consumer electronics, held in Cologne on 16th
May, Bosch Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH, (BSH), was awarded the coveted
accolade of 'white goods supplier of the year 2006'.
[More
on this Story]
Indesit
1st Quarter 2006 Figures Approved
Meeting
in Fabriano, the Indesit board of directors approved the consolidated
figures for the 1st quarter, which closed with sales of €695.8m
(up 6.4% on 2005) and an operating margin before restructuring
costs of €36m (up 16.7% on 2005).
[More
on this Story]
Gorenje
Launches New Expanded 'Built-In' Kitchen Range
Gorenje,
the Slovenian kitchen appliance manufacturer, has launched its updated
and expanded 'Built-In' range of quality kitchen appliances.
[More
on this Story]
Sleeping
Giant is Ready to Roar
Tap manufacturer Mayfair Brassware says that it is now actively
ensuring its name is taken to a wider audience. Since its formation
in 1988, Mayfair Brassware has become an established supplier
in this market sector, and the company is determined that its
name becomes a part of the everyday language in bathrooms and
kitchens brassware.
[More
on this Story]
Ashley
Targets Ireland
Sanitaryware
manufacturer Ashley Bathrooms has appointed Newry-based RomAqua
as Irish distributor for the brand. The announcement comes at
a time of steady growth for Ashley, which has invested in the
company’s own manufacturing plant in the potteries, Stoke-on-Trent.
[More
on this Story]
Fisher
& Paykel Refrigerators Give you Five Years Peace of Mind
For
the first time ever Fisher & Paykel is offering consumers
throughout the UK an extended warranty on refrigeration products
purchased between 5th June and 31st August 2006.
[More
on this Story]
Origin
Worktop Range Wins Award
Origin
~ the new laminated chipboard worktop range from Spain has just
been awarded the prestigious FIRA Gold Award for Product Excellence.
[More
on this Story]
Grand
Designs for Genus in Cedia Installation
The
Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA)
has selected Stoves' Genus oven for the kitchen of its House of
the Future, one of the star attractions at this year's Grand Designs
Live exhibition which takes place from 2nd - 4th June at Excel
in London.
[More
on this Story]
UN
World Environment Day 5th June 2006
'Small
promises make a big difference: fit a Blanco Filtrafresh tap to
save water and reduce rubbish' says Blanco.
• Since the beginning of April nearly 13 million people have
had a restriction placed on their water supply.
• The UK's love of bottled mineral water accounts for around
half a million tonnes of rubbish each year.
[More
on this Story]
New
Sliding Door Closure System for Walk-In Closets from Häfele
A
new sliding door system from Häfele principal Hawa for glass
or timber doors is ideal, according to architectural glass products
manager Gary King, for increasingly trendy walk-in closet or storage
facilities for kitchens, bedrooms or bathrooms.
[More
on this Story]
American
Standard Appoints John Rietveldt VP, Bath and Kitchen, Europe
American
Standard Companies Inc. announced on May 23rd the appointment
of John Rietveldt as vice president and general manager for its
Bath and Kitchen business in Europe, which is based in Brussels,
Belgium.
[More
on this Story]
Roman
Plans for Showering Designs of the Future
Roman,
the UK shower manufacturer, has recently opened a new state-of-the-art
Design Centre within its manufacturing plant.
[More
on this Story]
Sunday
Mirror Votes Prism Top Tap!
Bristan
has once again hit the headlines - this time with its flagship
Prism tap, which was voted one of the UK's top kitchen taps by
the Sunday Mirror.
[More
on this Story]
Miele:
World Wash Champions for Figo, Raúl & Co.
All
German hotels providing accommodation for teams taking part in
the 2006 World Cup currently have all hands on deck. At the newly-opened
'Eleven' sports hotel in Marienfeld, Westfalia, where the Portuguese
national team will be staying. Miele laundry machines will be
providing service to the 'Seleccão' – and many other
national teams – during the World Cup.
[More
on this Story]
Tradesmen
Urged to Help Local Groups Improve Community Venues Through New
Scheme
Decorators,
jobbing builders and contractors are being asked to consider donating
a day or two a year to help local groups refurbish their facilities,
as part of a nationwide initiative launched by Dulux Decorator
Centres.
[More
on this Story]
Part
P Training And Assessment For KBB Industry From NICEIC Domestic
Installer Scheme
The
KBB industry has welcomed a programme of assessment and training,
launched by the KBSA, which offers retailers a clear route to
self-certification under the requirements of the new Part P legislation.
'This legislation has created havoc in our industry and I am delighted
that the KBSA has been able to offer a solution that will help
retailers comply and get back to running their businesses,' says
the KBSA.
[More
on this Story]
Bathroom
Manufacturers Welcomes New Supporters
I have a number of new businesses to welcome into the
association this week and people to thank for their support
of the initiatives that we are leading. The BMA has had
three new members join us since the kbb2006 exhibition
and two significant new Corporate Sponsors for the Bathroom
Academy.
Ted Goold – President BMA
[More
Here]
Are
Award Events Worth the Effort?
Awards
are glamorous, exciting and fun, but when the glittering ceremony
is over and the trophies have been received some may question,
'is it all worth it?' Ten years ago there was only one set of
awards for the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom industry, today
we have at least six if you include those run by consumer magazines
that also cover design in the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom
industry.
[More
Here]
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