Weekly
Email News for the Kitchen, Bathroom and Bedroom Industries
18th May 2007
Links
Not Working? Go to http://www.thekbzine.com
Replacement cooker sales continue to drive opportunities for helping
consumers 'trade-up' their kitchen appliances and Stoves'
extensive collection of 500mm, 550mm and 600mm freestanding cookers
offers something to suit all cooking requirements
More
here:
Sharing the same mark resistant stainless steel finish and professional-style
handle, Baumatic says that its
new Pythagora P630 oven and 12 place warming drawer is a match made
in heaven
More
here:
Electrolux
is introducing its latest built-in compact range ovens to the UK in
May 07. The appliances, designed to meet consumer demand for highly
specified, designer products for space-challenged kitchens, are just
38cm high
More
here:
Windswept
landscapes and years of exposure to the natural elements have inspired
CaesarStone's luxurious new Viento
texture and colour palette
More
here:
Selected
to suit the company’s 18 kitchen units, DK
Distribution offers a selection of 14 exotic 40mm bull-nosed
worktops including some dramatic new finishes.
More
here:
REHAU
has expanded its portfolio of RAUKANTEX edgebands with a new range
of embossed finishes
More
here:
At
this year's Bathroom & Kitchen Expo, Coram
Showers launched Acora, its stylish new retail range, which
was showcased at the event alongside the company's latest shower enclosure,
tray, bath screen and shower pod designs
More
here:
Reginox
UK
has launched the RFF 22, a new mixer filter tap that will complement
both modern and traditional kitchens alike
More
here:
Something new and different from Hudson Reed
is the Cera brassware collection, adding elegance to the modern bathroom
More
here:
Inspired by the movement of water, the Wave and Surf ranges are sleek
and stylish additions to the Mayfair
portfolio
More
here:
Caple's
Torino stainless steel 'Belfast' style sink provides a contemporary
take on a traditional style, and is suitable for today's minimalist
kitchen designs
More
here:
In
response to the growing demand for walnut kitchens, Burbidge
has introduced Odessa – a contemporary range of kitchen frontals
and accessories in American black walnut
More
here:
Rigid kitchen furniture manufacturer Pronorm
has unveiled its latest offering for the contemporary kitchen market
with its Wallis Plum
More
here:
As the name suggests, the concept behind the new Fusion Collection
from East Coast is one of combining
elements together through the themes of coordination & contrast
in order to inspire stunning design
More
here:
The new Sophie bathroom collection from William
Ball adds natural warmth and beauty as well as stylish
storage
More
here:
Ideal Standard has announced the launch of its new Imagine
collection. Milan-based designer, Ronen Joseph, creator of the collection,
was inspired by geometric forms, called trapezoids which are reflected
in the structure of the ancient Egyptian pyramids
More
here:
Specialist Italian bathroom products importer and distributor, Althea
UK Ltd, has launched its new CENTO range of sparkling
white sanitaryware
More
here:
It seems the pull of pewter knows no bounds when it comes to the success
of PWS' handle portfolio. So much
so that a further 23 solid pewter designs have been added to PWS' new
collection
More
here:
Häfele's
Vario Corner is now available with base panels in white-finished wood
laminate and also glass
More
here:
Whether
you want to ‘refresh’ your existing bathroom, or ensure the
finishing touches to your new bathroom, Eurobath
introduces five new accessory ranges; Shama, Life, Level, Square &
Baskets
More
here:
Miller
from Sweden
has announced the new 'Full Fix' system for Montana bathroom accessories,
for a firm and trouble free installation
More
here:
MHS
says that admirers of modern art will be delighted at the
possibilities presented by the Boreas. It looks like a piece
of sculpture but is, of course, a stylish radiator
More
here:
Jaga
Home Heating has unveiled the Geo Horizontal designer
radiator
More
here:
Tuscan
Foundry's Victorian cast iron ElectRad radiators
were used in the refurbishment of Esher Place, owned by the
Electrical Trades Union, Amicus
More
here:
Hudson Reed
has launched a new radiator and heated towel rail brochure with
a 25% promotional discount for orders placed before 30th June
2007
More
here:
To
support its ever-expanding network of stockists, British bathroom
manufacturer, Imperial Bathrooms, has unveiled a series of
display boards featuring the company’s distinctive range of
antique crackle-glaze wall tiles
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:
Bed manufacturer Silentnight
is reaching out to children by launching a nationwide
search to find up and coming authors to write a
brand new bedtime story, which will be published.
More
here:
Back
to Normality
BKExpo 2007, which closed on Tuesday,
was a nice looking show, if quite a bit smaller than 2005, and well
attended, although numbers are certainly down on 2005. Because it was
a smaller show, visitors were leaving around 4pm, which left some standholders
twiddling their thumbs until closing time. That said, there was plenty
to see and lots of new stuff on offer, which we shall be showing over
the next few weeks.
In the meantime, exhibition junkies can console themselves with the
fact that Grand Designs Live is only a month away, then we have
Interbuild in October and KBB incorporating Expotile
is a mere 10 months away. Additionally, Foresight Design Conferences
is staging a one day seminar: 'Mapping the Future Kitchen' at RIBA,
London on May 23rd.
Back in the 'real' world, meanwhile, the rumbling over Home Information
Packs (HIPs) and Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) for
domestic dwellings goes on. For all its green credentials, this government
is looking to leave behind a very environmentally unfriendly mountain
of paperwork and beaurocracy. In another great piece of joined up thinking
from HMG, today it has been announced that the VCA (The Vehicle
Certification Agency!) has been appointed to oversee WEEE regs
(more on all this nonsense below).
• Finally, if you fancy a bit of a chuckle on this Friday afternoon,
you might want a quick look at this clever piece of viral advertising
on YouTube. It's a slightly naughty way of promoting 'Ladies Only Loos'
on Silverjet's London to New York service - apparently the only
airline to have them. It's here
If you do not already receive THE K&BZINE on a weekly basis, subscribe FREE OF CHARGE here
Kitchen
Sales / Designer
Crabtree
Kitchens, designers and makers of bespoke kitchen furniture,
require a kitchen sales / designer who will bring energy and enthusiasm
to developing and expanding the local market in Bristol.
More
here:
Foresight
Design Conferences
Mapping
The Future Kitchen - With an Eye to Happiness: RIBA, London May 23rd 2007:
‘We have asked six experts from different fields to explore new social
trends, the future possibilities of technology and current design research
to help the industry renew the idea of the kitchen.’
More
on this Event:
Franke
Tours UK With Waterline Roadshow
Franke
is currently touring the country as part of the Waterline Roadshow which
aims to bring new products to kitchen retailers' doorsteps.
More
on this Event:
Re-inventing
Expotile
With
the increased focus on tiling in the UK market, Expotile will build
on its previous success and produce an event that not only reflects this
boom, but also reveals its own brand identity within KBB, the UK's largest
trade exhibition for kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms.
More
on this Event:
Kitchen
Pavilion Success for KBSA
The
KBSA has reported that the first ever Kitchen Pavilion at the
Homebuilding and Renovating Show at the NEC, was a great success and proved
to be a key destination for the 46,564 visitors during the four days of
the show.
More
on this Event:
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:
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:
Northern Ireland based accessible showering manufacturing company EASA
has been awarded the NAIDEX 2007 Product of the Year Award at the UK’s
number one event for homecare, disability and rehabilitation
[More
here]
British
sanitaryware manufacturer Twyford Bathrooms
has been awarded the prestigious Waterwise Marque for the Galerie Eco-Flush,
a new dual flush that operates on 4/2 litres of water, as opposed to current
legislation that requires 6/4 litres for flushing.
[More
here]
Shires,
the UK bathroom manufacturer, has recently expanded its marketing team
with strategic thinker Daniel Reeves.
More
here:
Peter
Coatham has joined the Ideal Bathrooms
sales team as an Area Sales Manager for the beautiful and thriving areas
of South Wales and the South West of England.
More
here:
To
keep pace with its packed product development programme, PWS
has appointed designer Lizzie Beesley to strengthen the company's design
capabilities.
More
here:
Merlyn's
expansion continues with appointment of Roy Walker as Northern Regional
Sales Manager for Vivid.
More
here:
As part of the company’s continued and ambitious sales growth PWS
has appointed Martin Elgood as Managing Director.
More
here:
Jamie
Moul has just been ranked top amateur English golfer in the R&A World
Amateur Golf Rankings and is set to go right to the top. In his short
sporting journey, Intatec has backed
him all the way.
[More
here]
GDHA's entire fleet of distribution lorries and engineer vans
have been given an eye-catching livery makeover, incorporating the latest
Stoves, Belling, New World and Lec logos and photography.
[More
here]
Norske
Interiors U.K. Ltd has
announced the launch of a dealer portal for its range of Mermaid
wall panels. The facility is the latest addition to its updated
website.
More
here:
Crabtree
Kitchens
has announced that its web site has been completely re-designed
and re-launched and has been given a vibrant fresh new contemporary
look.
More
here:
National
kitchen products distributor, DK Distribution
has published a new, high quality 24-page brochure featuring many
new products.
More
here:
Packed with the latest in lighting products, JCC
has just released the New Additions catalogue.
More
here:
Following the launch of its re-designed Premier range, Coram
has produced a comprehensive new-look brochure, which for the first
time brings together all of its shower enclosure and bath screen
ranges.
More
here:
Leading with new products from its contemporary hb range, followed
by more traditional designs for those seeking period perfection,
Heritage Bathroom's new
lifestyle brochure offers something for all.
More
here:
Stevenage-based
ukfirst, established by FIRA
(Furniture Industry Research Association), with support from the
DTI, to assist UK furniture organisations to achieve world class
performance has delivered a five day team leader training programme
for first line managers.
More
here:
SUBSCRIBE FREE!
If you do not already receive THE K&BZINE on a weekly basis, subscribe FREE OF CHARGE here
Richard Place
sales@thekbzine.com
Perfect
Time for Washrooms
Water
and energy conservation are high in the public perception
at the moment, and establishments with washroom facilities
are increasingly expected to provide a better, cleaner
and greener experience. A new generation of self closing
pillar tap from Inta can help make that happen.
[More
on this Product]
Poggenpohl
Expands its Retail Network
Poggenpohl
is going from strength to strength in the British Isles with
the launch of eight new specialist Poggenpohl studios in the
second half of 2006 and four more planned for early 2007.
[More
on this Story]
Stone
Theatre Under New Management
The
distinctive Stonetheatre retail outlets of UK Marble Ltd, with
locations in central London and Cirencester, have been purchased
by Donovan Collier, previously a director of UKM.
[More
on this Story]
Number
Crunching at KBB
KBB
incorporating Expotile will take place from 2-5 March 2008 and
already looks set to be an extremely successful event. A key
event in the industry calendar, KBB inc. Expotile is a must
for both the retail and contract markets and in 2008 will be
positioned adjacent to the new launch of HPE, Heating and Plumbing
Event.
[More
on this Story]
DTI
Appoints VCA As Enforcement Body For WEEE Regs
The
Science and Innovation Minister, Malcolm Wicks, today announced
the appointment of the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) as
the enforcement body for the distributor obligations under the
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations.
[More
on this Story]
More
Hype For HIPS
'The
political battleground rumbles on in the run up to the launch
of mandatory Home Information Packs on all residential properties
on 1st June 2007', writes Angela Hesketh, Head of Residential
Property at Homeplus.
[More
on this Story]
Technology
Now in Place for Energy Performance Certificates
The
very last pieces of the jigsaw are falling into place for the
introduction of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) in England
and Wales on 1st June.
[More
on this Story]
William
Ball Reveals a New Star in its Midst
As
part of its on-going business development, William Ball has
appointed a new star player to its management team - Larry Zalcman.
[More
on this Story]
Ideal
Standard Reinforces Leadership Team
Ideal
Standard, a leading provider of bathroom and kitchen solutions
has appointed former Shires Operations Director Michael Leaf
to head up the acrylics and wellness and Irish divisions.
[More
on this Story]
New
Sales and Marketing Director at Building Adhesives
Tile
adhesive and grout manufacturer, Building Adhesives has promoted
Paul Harris to the position of Sales and Marketing Director.
[More
on this Story]
Mermaid
Re-launches Website
As
part of its ongoing development of the Mermaid brand, Norske
Interiors U.K. Limited has re-launched its website. The new
site is aimed at dealers and customers, and can be viewed at
www.waterproofwallpanels.co.uk
[More
on this Story]
KBSA
Sponsors Grand Designs Award
The Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association (KBSA)
is sponsoring the Grand Designs Kitchen Award 2007. Entries
have already closed for this year and the award winners will
be announced at the awards ceremony on 8th June, which will
be held at Excel London Docklands.
[More
on this Story]
Mercury
Wins Major Award for Thermastone
Mercury
Appliances has won Gold in the 20th Annual Excellence In Design
Awards, for the company’s Thermastone range cooker. Entered
into one of seven categories, entrants were evaluated by an
independent panel of three experts in the field of design.
[More
on this Story]
Back
to the Future at In-toto National Meeting
At
this year's National Meeting, In-toto reviewed achievements
over the last twelve months and announced future plans for the
continued development of the UK independent fitted kitchen franchise.
[More
on this Story]
OFT
Launches Market Study into Personal Current Accounts
The
OFT has launched a market study into personal bank current account
pricing, alongside a formal investigation into the fairness
of charges for unauthorised overdrafts and returned items.
[More
on this Story]
Reusable
Furniture Packaging Boosts Profitability
Manufacturers,
retailers, packaging and logistics specialists met on 24th April
to discuss how the DIY and home furnishings sector can boost
business and reduce its environmental impact by reducing, reusing
and recycling packaging.
[More
on this Story]
Pro
Publishing Launches New Consumer Kitchen & Bathroom Magazine
Launching
in May 2007, Utopia Kitchen & Bathroom Magazine is a new
monthly consumer title. Utopia will appeal to AB 30-55 year
olds, including homeowners with a high disposable income, independent
professional women, interior design professionals and architects/specifiers.
[More
on this Story]
Tab
UK Guarantees Delivery
Tab
UK can now guarantee delivery within 72 hours on over 95% of
orders for shower enclosures, steam cabins, hydro-massage units
and bathroom furniture.
[More
on this Story]
HSE
Warns of Rogue Gas Installers
The
Health and Safety Executive is keen to remind anyone having
gas work carried out that they use a CORGI registered installer.
[More
on this Story]
The
AEG-Electrolux Noise Report
A new Noise Survey commissioned by AEG-Electrolux
has revealed that the vast majority of consumers across Europe
say it was a mistake not taking more consideration of the noise
an appliance makes at the time of purchase.
[More
on this Story]
Homag
Expands Sales and Service across Ireland
After
10 years of successful growth and an expanding customer base
in the whole of Ireland, Homag has moved to restructure and
expand the company’s sales and service operations.
[More
on this Story]
Snaige
AGM Reports Good 2006
The
annual general meeting of Snaige shareholders approved the company‘s
financial statements for year 2006.Retained earnings at the
beginning of the year - LTL 55 772 622 (EUR 16 152 868). Net
profit for year 2006 is LTL 10 659 081 Lt (EUR 3 087 083).
[More
on this Story]
Saint
Gobain makes Acquisitions in Italy and Spain
A
good debut in 2007 for Saint Gobain Building Distribution division,
the European leader in the distribution of building materials
and the leading world distributor of ceramic tiles.
[More
on this Story]
Linde
Launches Eco-Friendly Dry-Cleaning Brand
The
Linde Group is to roll out its Fred Butler® brand across
Europe - offering dry-cleaning services based on an eco-friendly
process that uses carbon dioxide.
[More
on this Story]
Carpets
Make a Comeback
Carpets
are making a big comeback, if the demands of customers of Housing
Units are anything to go by.
[More
on this Story]
Adopt
Policies or Face the Consequences
A
landmark ruling in an industrial tribunal that recently made
national headlines should serve as a warning to employers across
the region, warns lawyer Roscoe Fernandes of Freeth Cartwright
LLP.
[More
on this Story]
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]
Growth
and Cover for Businesses
Nick
Egdell, Managing Director of HomePro, looks at the nature
and benefits of Insurance Backed Guarantees: Offering home
owners Insurance Backed Guarantees (IBGs) as part of a package
of works is a superb means of enhancing their confidence -
and a powerful marketing tool when it comes to increasing
quote acceptances.
[More
Here]
The
K&BZine Search Engine
Just
type in your search term and hit the button to search over 700 pages
on The K&BZine website.
We
have archived items from the following Channels: News,
Appliances,
Awards,
Bathroom
Products, Events,
Kitchen
Products, Literature,
Marketing, People
and Taps
& Showers.
BK EXPO 2007
Exhibitor List here
Product Launches here
Should
you wish to submit editorial to THE K&BZINE, please email Debbie
Schwarz or telephone 0208 656 9878, mobile 07889 664061
Editorial is FREE OF CHARGE but may be edited to house style. An image
manipulation charge may apply.
Write to us at:
The K&BZine, PO Box 1488, Croydon CR9 7WH
ADVERTISERS
Should
you wish to advertise on THE K&BZINE, please
email Richard Place or telephone
020 8404 3825, mobile 07962 370808
A Ratecard is viewable on this link: http://www.thekbzine.com/RateCardKB/RateCard.html
Copyright © 2004/7 Zenius (Croydon) Ltd.
Permission to use any of the material contained in this EZine should be obtained from Zenius (Croydon) Ltd.
IF
YOU HAVE BEEN SENT THIS EMAIL BY A COLLEAGUE,
PLEASE CLICK THIS LINK TO SUBSCRIBE