Weekly
Email News for the Kitchen, Bathroom and Bedroom Industries
30th March 2007
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This
spring, Gorenje is launching a
new range of designer household appliances, called the Gorenje Ora-Ïto
Collection. This trendy range of appliances from Gorenje is designed
and autographed by the world-famous young designer, Ora-Ïto
More
here:
For customers after the ultimate in healthy cooking methods, ATAG
offers its new SX111M steamer in the company's premium built-in stainless-steel
Magna range
More
here:
A
system exclusive to Gaggenau facilitates
steam extraction with optimum efficiency. ‘No other hood works
more quietly while delivering the same performance,’ says the
company
More
here:
Fisher
& Paykel
now offers ice and water dispensing models within the company’s
range of Active Smart™ stainless steel refrigerators
More
here:
IDS
has added to its extensive portfolio of decorative surfaces with the
launch of the Alloc Wall & Water tile system that is suitable
for bathrooms, wetrooms and even kitchen splashbacks
More
here:
British
supplier of hi-tech surfacing and edging materials to the furniture
industry, EDP, has introduced
a colour matching service for foils and edgebanding in association
with the company’s principals Pentadecor and Probos
More
here:
The
latest new effect, Lissa B, to be added to the Cova
Press range, is a bleached oak, created to satisfy market demand in
this colour
More
here:
The
solid surface for the kitchen and bathroom sector, LG
HI-MACS®, is now available in a further 14 colour decors
aptly called Volcanics
More
here:
Merlyn
Industries UK Ltd
has introduced a dramatic black granite effect tray. ‘Offering
urbanity and glamour, the black granite effect tray creates an alluring,
serene showering experience,’ says the company
More
here:
The
Tangent range of bathroom brassware from Marflow
is firmly targeted at the 'designer bathroom' market and includes
the luxury features that discerning buyers are seeking
More
here:
The
new rectangular 1600 x 800mm low level tray combines style with practicality,
and is designed for use with a wide range of shower enclosures, including
Aqata's popular Minimalist range
More
here:
Shower
environment manufacturer, Coram Showers,
has launched a new square shaped bathscreen, which has been specially
designed to combine contemporary style and completely leak-free performance
with fast and accurate installation
More
here:
PWS
has moved into in-frame kitchens following its launch of the Milton
collection. Old meets new with Milton, taking inspiration from traditional
in-frame craftmanship but bringing it up to date with the latest
features
More
here:
The
new Espoo/Kolari kitchen from national kitchen specialist In-toto
makes the most of the current trend for sophisticated, contemporary
kitchens in fashionable neutral colours of cool grey and warm cream
More
here:
Following
the popularity of the Kubus Stainless Steel undermount sinks, which
offer consumers sleek, symmetrical sinks in a range of sizes, Franke
has developed new Fragranite models
More
here:
In
the wake of the recent commercial integration between Pegler
and Yorkshire, a number of new
products are already starting to become available, including the
new Peglerfill combined bath filler and overflow system
More
here:
Drummonds
has added to its handmade sanitaryware collection with the introduction
of the Magma vanity basin
More
here:
Two
new freestanding metal basin stands – Eos and Jet – have
been introduced to Imperial Bathrooms’
best-selling Westminster sanitaryware range
More
here:
A
team of 17 Eurobath employees
have been accepted into the Great North Run and will be running
the 13.1 mile course through Newcastle on the 30th September
More
here:
In April 2007 Joe Levin, Managing Director of The
Capital Group Ltd, will take on the extreme physical
challenge of an expedition to the North Pole in support of the MS
Society
More
here:
A
charity ball and golf tournament, organised by Tom Coughtrie who
heads up ALNO Contracts Scotland,
raised over £50,000 for the Ayrshire Hospice last week
More
here:
PWS
has put the spotlight on waste management in the kitchen, extending
its bin range to respond to the growing consumer demand for improved
waste control
More
here:
MJK
Exports
is offering a 7 piece bathroom accessory set of solid brass construction
More
here:
Supplier
of quality bathroom products, HiB,
has introduced two attractive and practical cabinets to the company’s
extensive collection
More
here:
With
cues drawn from the symmetry and beauty of a DNA strand and
engineered to heat the largest of spaces, Speira from Aeon
Radiator Heaven is a sculptural installation designed to be
centrally mounted in modern open plan rooms
More
here:
DEVI's
latest digital timer thermostat model, the devireg 535, features
a floor sensor plus a room sensor in a single unit that can
regulate either all types of room or floor temperatures - or
a combination of the two
More
here:
Cooperativa
Ceramica di Imola has launched an investment programme
totalling 130 million euro over a period three years with the objective
of increasing its output in Italy
More
here:
British
Ceramic Tile (BCT Ltd) has teamed up with Topps
Tiles to produce a new Baroque print tile
More
here:
SleepForm offers a temperature
controlling Outlast layer, which 'keeps customers cool while
they kip - at prices that won't have them waking up in a
sweat'.
More
here:
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Fagor
Sees Potential in UK
Good news this week for Fagor, now the
5th largest appliance manufacturer in Europe, having posted profits
for 2006 of €12
million. Perhaps more importantly, the group - one of the world's largest
co-operatives - reports that investment in new technology and resources
for 2006 amounted to a whopping €130
million, and we should see some results of this spend in the UK this
year (see News).
A timely reminder this week from Marc Egerton, MD of Credit Complaints
Ltd, who warns: 'If your firm is one of the 100,000+ firms that
holds a Consumer Credit Act Licence in the UK, and you have not already
taken steps to prepare for the new rules you will be in danger of breaking
the law after 6th April 2007, and facing costs of up to £100,000.'
(see News)
With
less than 7 weeks to go before BK Expo, which runs from 13th
- 15th of May at the Excel Exhibition Centre in London's Docklands,
we continue our preview of what some of the major exhibitors are launching.
This week's additions include Aeon Radiator Heaven, Cosentino,
Gaggenau and Sanicor. Our full list of Product Launches is
here,
while the Exhibitor List is here.
If you haven't yet sent us details of your stand presentation, please
send words and images to thekbzine@btinternet.com.
PS: A
team of 17 Eurobath employees have been accepted into the Great
North Run in aid of the Macmillan Cancer support charity. To sponsor
the team please contact Jemma Coles on 01934 745157.
If you do not already receive THE K&BZINE on a weekly basis, subscribe FREE OF CHARGE here
KBSA
Workshop at BK Expo
The Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association
(KBSA) will host a workshop for retailers on promoting the benefits of
consumer protection at Bathroom and Kitchen expo, which will be held at
Excel, London from 13-15 May.
More
on this Event:
BMA
Workshops at BK Expo
The
Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA) is to host a series of four workshops
and seminars for Industry professionals at this year's Bathroom and Kitchen
Expo, Excel, in London from 13th through 15th May.
More
on this Event:
Cevisama
Achieves Growth
Cevisama
2007, the Spanish ceramic tile and bathroom furnishings exhibition that
ended on 10th February in Valencia, has reported very positive overall
attendance figures.
More
on this Event:
ISH
presents 'The Bathroom Experience'
A staggering 215,378 visitors turned up to ISH which took place in Frankfurt,
Germany earlier this month. We feature innovations from Duravit, Hansa,
Hansgrohe, Gustavsberg, Kludi, Brandoni, BWT, Grohe, Vitrabad, Hoesch,
Keramag, Mastella, Neoqi, Ottone Meloda, Pressalit, Regia, Sicis, Samo,
Teuco, THG and Villeroy & Boch.
[Read
the Rest Here]
Waterline
Brings Spring Show to You
Waterline invites you to 'see all that's new in kitchen design for 2007'
at The Spring Roadshow, which is touring six venues during April and May.
More
on this Event:
New
Blum Products at New Look Interzum
The 2007 edition of Interzum (Wednesday May 9th to Saturday May 12th)-
the world's largest trade fair for the furniture industry - will be all
new. New dates, new hall and facilities, new products and innovations.
‘None newer and more innovative than some of the products from the
world leader in fittings technology,’ says Blum.
More
here:
Grand
Designs Live 2007
Grand
Designs Live (ExCel, 8th - 10th June) offers four shows for the price
of one plus a unique shopping experience: GRANDBuild, GRANDGardens, GRANDInteriors,
GRANDKitchens+ Bathrooms and is supported by Design Shopping Arcade.
More
here:
Ben
De Lisi at B&K Expo
Renowned
fashion designer, Ben de Lisi is confirmed to take part within the seminar
programme at the premier trade show for the bathroom and kitchen industry,
Bathroom & Kitchen EXPO (13-15 May, ExCeL London).
More
here:
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.
More
here:
Bristan
has unveiled its new and improved product guide and retail price list
for 2007 which now encompasses shower enclosures and decorative heating.
More
here:
Starting
as it means to go on - with a full-bleed image showing the new Senesi
range - Shades' new 2007 brochure
reflects the up-market quality and contemporary feel of the products it
promotes.
More
here:
Homag
UK has published the 4th issue of the company’s popular
newsletter (available on request).
More
here:
‘The
Complete Buyers Guide To Temperate & Tropical Hardwoods & Softwoods
2007’ is the latest and even more comprehensive publication from
John Boddy Timber.
More
here:
Whirlpool
has produced a guide; ‘The Cool Way to 5 A DAY’ which provides
hints and tips to keep fruit and vegetables in superb condition all week
to help you get your 5 A DAY everyday.
More
here:
The
new Tuscan brochure from IDS showcases
the company's top-end range of solid wood worksurfaces.
More
here:
Stone
company, Kirkstone Quarries has
appointed Winnie Cheung as manager of its London showroom. An experienced
retail manager Cheung spent many years in the fashion industry, based
in Hong Kong, as a buyer for designers such as Dolce & Gabbana,
and Karl Lagerfeld.
More
here:
Shower
pod designer and manufacturer, Coram Shower
Pods has expanded its sales team with the appointment of
three new sales agents, Graham Bolding, Sheila Everett and Gordon Swan.
More
here:
Sanitaryware and tile manufacturer RAK Ceramics
UK has announced the appointment of Charles Down as Sales
Director.
More
here:
PWS
has appointed David Smillie as Worksurfaces Technical Sales Manager,
responsible for the sales development of the PWS worksurface portfolio.
More
here:
Just
Trays,
the UK shower tray manufacturer, has recently undergone a rebrand to result
in a new logo and updated website, which has been developed to reflect
the progress of the company whose product family includes the JT Ultra
Cast™, the JT Merlin™ and the JT40™.
More
here:
The
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy
(DOE) have named the Aga Foodservice Equipment division of the US Aga
Foodservice Group as an ENERGY STAR Manufacturing Partner
of the year.
More
here:
The
new Hoover Vision One HOD7715 dishwasher
has won the Waterwise Marque for water efficiency.
More
here:
ATAG,
the built-in Dutch kitchen appliance brand, has just launched its
first website designed for UK retailers and consumers alike.
More
here:
Aqualux
has proved its new website is a big hit as www.aqualux.co.uk reaches
the first page of the world's leading search engine, Google.
More
here:
As
of March, 1st, 2007, Electrolux
brings an Italian family from Cagliari, on the island of Sardinia,
to the forefront of the web. The family will be filmed by 3 webcams
for 16 hours every day in their kitchen
More
here:
A
new online issues management system is being pioneered by Tab
UK to enable distributors and retailers to have instant
access to its stock levels and delivery times.
More
here:
FIRA
(Furniture Industry Research Association) has launched a new online
specifiers' guide, which is designed to help specifiers determine
what standards apply to specific office and contract furniture applications.
More
here:
Roman,
the UK shower manufacturer, has put all its company van drivers
through the Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving (SAFED) for Vans course.
38 members of staff in total have participated in the course.
More
here:
Developer
of design and visualisation software for the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom
and home improvement markets, Planit International,
is extending its support to customers by offering a new training
course.
More
here:
Richard Place
sales@thekbzine.com
The
New Electrolux Intensity™
The
new Electrolux Intensity™ is so powerful it can
lift FIVE sixteen pound bowling balls off the floor!
As well as unrivalled suction power, its design and
compact size means easy storage and carrying.
[More
on this Product]
Fagor
2006 Results Show a Positive Viewpoint for the UK
At
its annual Press Conference in Bilbao, Fagorelectrodomesticos
Group (the parent company of UK subsidiary, FagorBrandt UK)
presented its financial results for 2006, announcing profits
of €12 million.
[More
on this Story]
BMA
Welcomes New Member Mayfair Taps & Showers
Leeds-based
shower and tap manufacturer Mayfair Taps and Showers is the
latest company to join the Bathroom Manufacturers Association
(BMA).
[More
on this Story]
Lathams
Advances with LG HI-MACS®
LG
HI-MACS® Natural Acrylic Stone™, the solid surface
product distributed exclusively in the UK by James Latham, continues
to grow in popularity and has recently been used in a kitchen
showroom display in Peterborough.
[More
on this Story]
Magnet
Reveals Regional Differences in Kitchen Tastes and Styles
It
seems that the North-South divide is greater than ever, certainly
in terms of style choices. New research by kitchen expert Magnet
into buying patterns across the UK reveals our choice of kitchens
and buying behaviours differ depending on where we live.
[More
on this Story]
PJH
Partners April Showers & Adds Exclusive 'Meko' Range
Bathroom
distributor, the PJH Group, has teamed up with shower manufacturer,
April Bathroom Products, to offer a new collection of semi-frameless
enclosures - the MEKO range - exclusively to PJH Group customers.
[More
on this Story]
Rak
Ceramics and Smaltochimica Set Up Rak Chimica
Rak
Ceramics and Smaltochimica have set up a new joint venture company
called Rak Chimica for the production of chemical auxiliaries
for the ceramic industry.
[More
on this Story]
Complaints
Against Alan Ford t/a Kitchens UK Upheld
Three
complaints objecting to a National press ad and an insert in
a magazine, for kitchens from Alan Ford t/a Kitchens were upheld
on all of the five objections according to information published
by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).
[More
on this Story]
Deva
Presents Salesperson of the Year Award
Brassware
supplier Deva has named Steve Cave as its Salesperson of the
Year 2006. Directors and Senior Management used a variety of
factors including sales performance to select Steve as the outright
winner.
[More
on this Story]
Victoria
& Albert Announces New Director
Freestanding
bath specialist Victoria & Albert has announced the appointment
of Nick Portlock as Group Sales & Marketing Director.
[More
on this Story]
Consumer
Credit Complaints - Are You Protected?
If
your firm is one of the 100,000+ firms that holds a Consumer
Credit Act Licence in the UK, and you have not already taken
steps to prepare for the new rules you will be in danger of
breaking the law after 6th April 2007, and facing costs of up
to £100,000.
[More
on this Story]
Rearo
Helps Renovate Puffer
Glasgow
manufacturing company Rearo Laminates is playing a part in the
renovation of one of the last steam puffers still in operation.
[More
on this Story]
ROM
Aqua Named Latest RAK Ceramics Distributor
RAK Ceramics has announced that Irish distributor ROM Aqua is
adding the RAK range to its extensive sanitaryware portfolio.
[More
on this Story]
G
& G gives Retailers Focus
It
may have taken a long time coming but many top kitchen manufacturers
are finally persuading retailers who carry their displays that
fitting out and propping the kitchen interiors offers them major
sales advantages.
[More
on this Story]
The
Perfect Solution for Busy Lifestyles
One
out of every six people in the UK works in excess of 60 hours
per week according to a recent Government survey.
[More
on this Story]
The
Seven Wonders of Chesterfield Road
FMB
member, Distinction Property Services of Bristol, has completed
its seventh building project in the same street in less than
three years.
[More
on this Story]
Conference
to Explore Advantages of Reusable Transit Packaging
The
advantages of adopting reusable packaging for goods in transit
will be explored at a major new industry conference organised
by WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) in conjunction
with the British Furniture Manufactures Association (BFM).
[More
on this Story]
ukfirst
Lean Manufacturing Workshop in Cardiff
ukfirst
is to run a free workshop for members of the timber, furniture
and affiliated trades on 18th April 2007 in Cardiff.
[More
on this Story]
Aga
Foodservice Launches Environmental Code
Following
the publication of the Government's draft Climate Change bill,
Aga has responded by publishing a draft Environmental Code for
the foodservice industry.
[More
on this Story]
BK EXPO 2007
Exhibitor List here
Product Launches here
Neff
Shows Off New Cooking Range At EXPO 2007
Pride
of place on stand H21 will be given to Neff's pioneering
new compact cooking collection featuring two brand new steam
ovens: new Steamer model B8732 and a new advanced combination
model, CircoSteam oven B8762. This is the first time that
these new models have been on show in the UK.
[More
on this Exhibitor]
Ophuis
Introduces Easy Lift to the UK
Ophuis
Engineering has developed an Easy Lift device for kitchen
worktops and other difficult lifts such as cooker hoods.
The Tillium can install a 600 pound worktop in the kitchen
without losing any of its stability.
[More
on this Exhibitor]
Win
a £10K Holiday with Qx
Qx Bathrooms will also be offering something
extra to visitors this year. The Bathroom Showroom Makeover
Competition will be promoted in a visual feature with the opportunity
to win a holiday of a lifetime to Sandy Lane Hotel in Barbados.
[More
on this Exhibitor]
HomePro
+ FairTrades
HomePro's
presence at this year's Bathroom & Kitchen Expo will be
in the guise of group companies HomePro Insurance and
FairTrades - respectively Britain's leading provider
of Insurance Backed Guarantees (IBGs) and foremost multi-trade
association.
[More
on this Exhibitor]
Aeon's
Speira Provides Focal Point for Architectural Spaces
With
cues drawn from the symmetry and beauty of a DNA strand and
engineered to heat the largest of spaces, Speira from Aeon
Radiator Heaven is a sculptural installation designed
to be centrally mounted in modern open plan rooms.
[More
on this Exhibitor]
Cosentino
Presents New Silestone Ranges
Cosentino
will be presenting its range of Silestone quartz worksurfaces
at stand L40 at B&K Expo 2007. Silestone is unique as it
exclusively contains Microban - an in-built antibacterial agent
that inhibits the growth of bacteria.
[More
on this Exhibitor]
Gaggenau's
New Cooking & Cooling Collections
Luxury
built-in appliance specialist Gaggenau
will be showing off its new cooking & cooling ranges for
the first time and is teaming up with well-known retailer Nicholas
Anthony Kitchens & furniture manufacturer, Poggenpohl.
[More
on this Exhibitor]
Sanicor
Launches New Range of Corin Showerbaths
Specialist
in design and manufacture of showering area products, Sanicor,
will be launching a new collection of showerbaths under its
Corin brand.
[More
on this Exhibitor]
It's
your Reputation on the Line
The
last KBSA Corner talked about the Farepak fiasco and how lack
of consumer protection when a company collapses can create
even more negative headlines. Some retailers, however, are
still fighting shy of offering extensive insurance cover to
their customers because of misguided fears of the cost and
administration they would incur and the impression it gives.
[More
Here]
BMA
Goes from Strength to Strength
The
membership of Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA) continues to
grow with more quality manufacturers expressing an interest in joining
the association than ever before. The BMA already represents 87 per
cent of bathroom manufacturers trading in the UK and with Deva Taps
and Mayfair Taps & Showers joining recently, this figure more realistically
sits closer to 90 per cent of the UK bathroom manufacturing industry.
[More
Here]
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