Weekly Email News for the Kitchen, Bathroom and Bedroom Industries
15th December 2006
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It's a fact that the best parties end up in the kitchen and judging by the ongoing popularity of PWS' wine racks this trend looks set to continue!
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PWS' new glass door range unites the essential modern elements of sleek looks with a highly reflective surface
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Two new door designs have been introduced by UK manufacturer Trade Mouldings. The new doors are the latest additions to the 25 kitchen and 10 bedroom doors that Trade Mouldings hold in stock
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The Year Ahead

As we approach the end of 2006, we find some conflicting views about what sort of year it was for the KBB market. It was certainly challenging for everyone, and clearly some have fared better than others. Neff reports that it has had a record year, with sales up 11%, not least because of its innovative MasterPartner scheme for premier retailers, and last week we heard that Premium Appliance Brands made it into this year's Sunday Times Fast Track 100 league table.

Some bathware companies are gearing up for a strong 2007: VitrA continues its assault on the UK, aiming to be in the top three next year, while Wolseley subsidiary Bathstore continues to expand, opening its brand new HQ in Watford last week and announcing that it plans 100 store openings by the end of 2007.

Bedroom and furniture giant Homestyle, meanwhile, has agreed to a 'face-saving' takeover by its principal shareholder, Steinhoff, which says it will take a long term view of the group's potential.

Elsewhere, industry pundit Plimsoll warns of a tough year ahead, with only 2-3% growth overall and increasing dominance by the market leaders.

So, whatever kind of year you have had, all at The K&BZine wish you a peaceful and happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year. We will be back in your inboxes on Friday 5th January.

Vinnie Evans has joined Carron Phoenix as the new Area Sales Manager for London, Northern Home Counties and East Anglia.
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International bathroom brand, VitrA, has announced the appointment of Erol Donmez as Managing Director of its UK and Eire operations.
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Holland's leading appliance company, ATAG, has announced the appointed of Ellis Bardsley to Business Development Director for the UK.
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Bristan has appointed two new Area Sales Managers to its nationwide sales force. Stephanie Wright become Area Sales Manager for the West Midlands, Paul Barnes will be covering his home turf as North West Area Sales Manager.
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Tab UK has recently appointed a new agent, Simon Hearn, to provide a focused sales service to bathroom retailers and distributors for Tab UK shower enclosures, multi-function steam rooms, hydro massage units and contemporary bathroom furniture.
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J&J Ormerod, kitchen and bedroom manufacturer, has appointed John Pollitt as national sales manager.
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Daryl, has held a celebration to bid a fond farewell to a retiring member of staff, John Kenney
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Roman, the UK shower manufacture, won recognition from Designer magazine for the company's recently launched Roman Sculptures Collection of top-end shower enclosures.
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Indesit Company, Europe's no. 2 and the world's no. 5 white goods maker, has come through the Australian Standard Tests brilliantly, winning five stars in the Water Rating, with Aqualtis, the latest of the Ariston washing machines.
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Aqualux has proved only the best will do as the company celebrates scooping 'Business of the Year' at the prestigious 'Best of the Black Country Awards'.
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PRODUCT OF THE WEEK

New Wet Room Showerheads
To complement its designer collection, Smart Showers has introduced the Charade range of showerheads for the wet room.
Charade creates harmony of style, quality and performance and is a solution for both high end domestic and commercial applications.
[More on this Product]

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KBSA CORNER...

Money for Nothing?

Hot on the heels of the launch of the KBSA's new ConsumerCare Plus package - a product designed to provide improved protection for customers' money - comes a news story which proves just how important schemes such as this could prove to be.
[More Here]

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THIS WEEK'S NEWS

Another Record Year for Neff
2006 has been another record year for built in appliance brand, Neff. Even before the end of year results are finalised, the company has announced an impressive 11% increase in appliance sales over 2005.
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Not So Happy New Year in the KBB Manufacturers Market
2006 has been a highly competitive year for the kitchen, bedroom & bathroom manufacturers industry, although some companies have been enjoying historically high margins. But 2007 promises even tougher times, according to David Pattison, senior analyst with Plimsoll
[More on this Story]

Bathstore Head Office Opens in Watford
Bathstore, the country's largest specialist bathroom retailer, has selected Watford as the site for its new European head office. The grand opening took place at 1pm on Thursday 7th December with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque by Rob Marchbank, CEO Wolseley Europe, Bathstore's parent company.
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Homestyle Agrees Takeover
Tom Kowalski, finance director of furniture and beds retailer Homestyle has agreed a takeover by its main shareholder in a deal which values the Warrington-based firm at up to £326.4m, but which has been described as 'a face saving exercise' by one analyst.
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WEEE Directive Finally Gets Deadline
Producers of electrical goods will from July 2007 be required to meet the environmental costs of dealing with waste products under new rules published on December 12th. By 15th March 2007 producers will need to join an approved producer compliance scheme to ensure that they are able to comply with the Directive from 1st July 2007.
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New Standards for Water Efficiency in New Buildings
Proposals for minimum standards of water efficiency in new homes and new commercial buildings in England and Wales were published for consultation on 13th December.
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BMA Welcomes New Member Deva Taps
North West-based manufacturer of taps and showers Deva is the latest company to join the Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA) after attending the BMA Inaugural Conference themed 'Precious Water - Water Pressures' held in October 2006.
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Steve Cox joins Utopia Furniture Ltd
Ian Hall and Dave Conn, Joint Managing Directors and co owners, have announced the appointment of former Jacuzzi UK Managing Director Steve Cox as their new Managing Director of Utopia Furniture Ltd.
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Stainless Steel Sinks Provide Recyclable Option
Whilst most householders know that card, paper and plastic can be recycled, how high is awareness of the recyclability of larger household items? In the kitchen for example, a stainless steel sink is 70% recyclable, and an old sink is widely accepted by local authority recycling centres as part of their scrap metal collections.
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Marflow Brassware Hits the Silver Screen
The St James collection of bathroom brassware from Marflow Engineering has taken a starring role in a new award-winning film that's hotly tipped for next year's Oscars.
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Maytag Extends Capital Bonds Promotion to March 31st 2007
Maytag UK is kick starting the New Year by extending its Capital Bond Incentive promotion for retail staff. Originally part of Maytag's autumn promotion in 2006, the Capital Bonds incentive promotion has been extended until the end of March 2007.
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GE & Biasco Fuse Partnership
GE has announced that appliance company Biasco has become the first official retailer to display GE Fusion. As a leading white goods manufacturer, GE is constantly developing its product ranges to ensure it offers new innovations for both trade and consumers.
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Carron Phoenix Holds Two Day Product Launch Event
Carron Phoenix recently held a two-day product launch event for its distributors to unveil several new sink and tap additions to its portfolio.
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Heating and Plumbing Event
CMPi, the organiser of KBB, the UK trade exhibition for kitchens, bedrooms bathrooms and tiles, is launching a new event for the heating and plumbing industry. HPE, Heating and Plumbing Event, will take place from 9-12 March 2008 at the NEC, Birmingham.
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Glen Dimplex Supports Customers throughout Christmas
To make sure Christmas remains as trouble free as possible, customers can rest assured that Glen Dimplex Home Appliances' Customer Care centre will be on hand to deal with any cooker questions or problems arising over the Christmas period.
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Miele Appliance Catalogue Added to Planit Fusion System
Close collaboration with Miele has resulted in the addition of the company’s comprehensive home appliance catalogue to Planit International’s Fusion design and visualisation system.
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The Cool Way to 5 A DAY
Whirlpool is supporting the 5 A DAY Just Eat More (fruit & veg) programme with the creation of ‘The Cool Way to 5 A DAY’, a guide to help Britons eat their 5 A DAY, everyday.
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Servis UK Engineers take New Machines for a Spin
Those on the road this month may see Servis UK engineers testing the spin on more than just washing machines. The Company has updated its fleet of engineer vans, taking delivery of 25 new vehicles from Vardy Contract Motoring.
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