THE K&BZINE - Your Kitchen & Bathroom Industry News First

Weekly Email News for the Kitchen, Bathroom and Bedroom Industries
7th May 2004
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Indesit has added to its built-in collection with a revised range of hoods, dishwashers and a ceramic hob. The Built-in range from lndesit covers all areas of cooking, cleaning, cooling and washing
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Among the range of hobs CDA has introduced for 2004 are these stylish models. Differing in design, the Picazzo X4 and the CD91 are both made to the same high standards and quality
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The Brandt CFA361 'A' rated stainless steel fridge freezer is designed for those who wish to make a statement in their kitchen, at an affordable price
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Hotpoint is introducing an extensive new collection of 60cm cookers this summer to further strengthen its cooking offering. Designed specifically for the UK market, gas, electric and dual fuel models bring together new styling and user-friendly features
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The new American Food Centre from Waterline is a quality, budget-priced, fully clad stainless steel side-by-side fridge-freezer.
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A new lighting option for kitchens is now available with Wellmann's illuminated shelves
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New to the Franke Professional Collection of well-priced sinks, taps and accessories is the GAK 611 white ceramic inset sink
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Hettich says that kitchen furniture must adapt to the user – not the other way round. Unimpeded and fast access to cabinet contents is essential, as is themed organisation into separate function zones that provide an uninterrupted workflow
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Coombe Abbey was the setting for Carron Phoenix’s major product launch for 2004. Against a backdrop of 12th century tradition, Carron Phoenix hit a top note of modern design with its new offering of sinks and taps
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Ariston has given its Europrisma unvented multipoint water heaters a contemporary new look. All models in the range have stylish new casing combining curved contours with an attractive blue and white colour scheme
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A modern, high gloss design, Alnosign has introduced a third contemporary colour, vanilla, to the range, which also offers white and arctic grey
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Sottini has recently launched the Oracle Shower Bath, an addition to the company’s Oracle bathroom range
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IQ is a range of vanity basins and brassware by Ideal-Standard and Jado. Part of the Art, Design and Sculpture 2004 collection, IQ brings a new dimension to Ideal-Standard with the introduction of single and double bowl slab basins
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'The Tri-Shell from Thomas Dudley Ltd is the market-leading, toughest heavy-duty plastic cistern.’ says the company
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Haro Sanitary currently produces and distributes anti-bacterial treated toilet seats in its product range 'CareLine'
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Roca Ltd, manufacturer of contemporary European style bathrooms has launched new sanitaryware, furniture, slim line basins plus new additions to the Aquakit Hotels collection
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Kohler offers a broad range of bathroom brassware, from the traditional to the contemporary and iconic and has recently launched three new ranges
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Pegler has launched the Peglertherm 402UA which includes two angle combination valves
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Hansgrohe says it has once again broken the mould with the introduction of Raindance
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Cone from Ideal Standard is a new range of bathroom brassware and accessories designed by Robin Levien RDI
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Gnutti Ltd manufactures 'Caress' and 'Boater' shower roses in Italy. The company says that because they are made of stainless steel AISI 304, they are hygienic and durable
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Radiator and heated towel rail manufacturer Aestus has launched new variations to its Jazz collection of radiators and heated towel rails and two new heated towel rails to accompany the existing Unotech and Tubold ranges
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Radiator and heated towel rail manufacturer Aestus has announced the launch of its new collection of radiators known as Collection Inox
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Vasco says that its design credentials are fully apparent in the company's range of 'all electric' radiators
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Divine Art & Craft Ltd is a glass tile company that manufactures a range of handmade 100% glass tiles
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As trends have moved towards all things organic, demand for natural stone related products has risen dramatically and as a result, Instarmac Ultra Stone Fix was specifically designed to meet these customer needs
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Laura Ashley has launched a new range of ceramic wall tiles, manufactured under licence by British Ceramic Tile
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'At every TTA Gala Dinner we 'pass the pot' for those less fortunate than ourselves. In 2003 we collected over £800 was collected for The Lighthouse Club.' says the TTA
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Following on from the enormous success of its pink Aga, the company is supporting the Lavender Trust’s Lavender Week
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Hotpoint has announced a year-long partnership with the charity ChildLine, as overall sponsors of ChildLine's 18th birthday campaign - 'Safely to 18'
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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.
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Record Profits and Reconstruction
Having announced record profits (some 22% up in the half year to January 2004), with some of its success being attributed to a consolidation of its distribution in the UK, Wolseley plc has now announced a further restructuring plan. This time it involves administration, with eleven regional offices being amalgamated into a super centre at Warwick, while retaining the old Ripon office.

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Exhibition List
For upcoming exhibitions in the UK and the rest of the world in the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom markets.
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Kitchen Showcase 2004: Registration Now Open!
For professionals involved in the manufacture, design, specification, sale or procurement of kitchens and related products, there’s only one place to be this July. Kitchen Showcase 2004 at the Commonwealth Institute, Kensington, London.
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Miele presentation at Eurocucina
Forget reason and common-sense and allow yourself to be carried away by your emotions: That dream came true at Eurocucina in Milan where Miele showcased four fascinating kitchens, which all throw conventional wisdom to the wind to offer planners with a creative bent unique styling options.
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More Exhibition info at bottom of page.

Kitchen manufacturer Stoneham Plc has had its ISO9001/2000 European Quality Assurance certification verified following a stringent audit by the accredited agency TRADA
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The April issue of Your Home, the high circulation home interest title, featured an editorial on 'Why Pay More' for kitchen appliances
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Roman Ltd won the Gold Award for Best Bathroom Product for its low level shower trays from the company's Wetrooms Range at the House Beautiful Awards on 11th March.
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Airbath Group plc, the specialist manufacturer and designer of baths and bathwares, has announced John Parkinson's appointment as Executive Chairman
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Distributor Broughton Crangrove is strengthening its team with the appointment of Jim Thomson who takes on the role of Logistics Manager.
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PWS has announced the promotion of Steven Campbell to Area Sales Manager for the East Midlands
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Mandarin Building Products, the UK distributor for the Impulse range of sanitary ware, has announced the appointment of James Abrams as a Sales Agent.
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Kinedo is the new name by which Blanc Shower products is being marketed in the UK. As part of its re-branding, Kinedo has published a new 28 page colour brochure detailing its ranges of quality shower products.
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Astracast has produced a new brochure -if you think you know the company's range of products then 'Take another look'.
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Bathroom manufacturer, Shires Limited, has completed a six month project to update its Shires Bathrooms Specifiers Manual
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It's not every day that you get professional design advice for free, not least from one of the country's top TV interior designers. That's exactly what guests to Crosby Homes' development on the Wirral were treated to recently
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Orama, the independent manufacturer of worksurfaces and associated decorative products has commissioned a custom-built mobile display vehicle in which to take the new Ardesco range on the road
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Maytag UK has just announced its trade and consumer promotions for spring 2004
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The BBC's Doctor Who surprised everyone on the Roman stand at KBB, when his Tardis materialised as a new Orbital shower.
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CreatingBetterHomes.com, the onIine exhibition for home improvements and building products has been given a radical virtual refit
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The new TTA website is proving popular. It was the star attraction on the TTA stand at Expotile where members were able to check out the link to their own websites.
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The NVQ qualification for showroom staff was put together by The Tile Association and the Association for Ceramic Training & Development and is supported by the DTI.
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A series of support seminars run by Planit International, the industry software provider, have proved so successful that the remaining dates for October are all fully booked.
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The Federation of Master Builders has warmly welcomed the announcement by Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Andrew Smith, to provide £3m in funding for the Worker Safety Advisers scheme
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Heppelwhite says that it's new Panorama Collection is proving to be a hit with retailers who recognise the growing demand for contemporary bedroom furniture.
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Under the Commonfield Contemporary Door and Slide & Store brands, Commonfield Services Ltd is a core producer of folded steel and extruded aluminium framed sliding doors, now incorporating a choice of diffuse, coloured glass options.
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Dynamic Space® was on the booth of fittings manufacturer Julius Blum at ZOW 2004.
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The second Idéo Bain attracted 250 French and international exhibitors, who occupied over 30,000 m2.
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BolognaFiere and CMP Sinoexpo organise Expo Build China and Ceramics, and Tile & Sanitary Ware China, both held annually in Shanghai in April.
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Epoc Messe Frankfurt, Dubai, has finalised its plans for ISH Kitchen and Bathroom Gulf.
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The Salone Internazionale del Mobile (14 - 19 April 2004) for Italian and internationally made kitchen furniture.
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The 6th China International Building & Decoration Fair will be held from 6-9 July, 2004 in Guangzhou .
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ASFI the UK furniture supplies event is being re-launched for 2004
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Other news this week shows that KBB companies continue to prosper and grow: Merloni reports a 9.2% increase in operating margin for the first quarter, while Masco reports a massive 65% rise in operating income for the same period. In the UK, Alno has appointed three more kitchen outlets, bringing its total to 38, while Swift has signed up as a distributor for Kermi.

Interbuild, by the way, actually turned out better than anticipated in terms of visitor numbers, with a record high of around 50,000 expected to have made the trip to Birmingham last week. More on this next week.

Debbie Schwarz,
Publisher
debbie@thekbzine.com

Maria Esnouf, (pictured right) will be pleased to talk to anyone about the benefits of advertising on The K&BZine.

Email Maria or telephone 00353 51877972

THIS WEEK'S NEWS

Eleven Regional Offices to Close as Wolseley Consolidates Head Office into Two UK Centres
Wolseley plc, the world's largest specialist trade distributor of plumbing, heating and building materials products, announces the consolidation of the head office operations of its UK business, Wolseley UK. Wolseley UK plans to consolidate its offices into two UK centres.
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Merloni First Quarter Sales up 3.9%, Operating Margin up 9.2%
Merloni Elettrodomestici growth continues into the first quarter of 2004, closing with sales up 3.9% and operating margin up 9.2% against the first quarter of 2003. These results reflect good sales performance in all markets, innovative products that offset falling prices across the market and tighter cost control.
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Alno Appoints Three New Specialist Kitchen Showrooms, Bringing Total to 38
Alno has appointed three new specialist showrooms, bringing the total number of Alno outlets to thirty eight plus John Lewis Partnership department stores. Bradbury's of Exeter displays exclusively Alno kitchens and is located on Exeter's Matford Park.
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Masco Corporation Reports Record First Quarter and Increases Earnings Guidance for 2004
Masco Corporation has reported net sales from continuing operations for the first quarter ended March 31st, 2004 increased 19 percent to a first quarter record $2.8 billion compared with $2.4 billion for the first quarter of 2003. Income from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2004 was $241 million compared with $158 million in the first quarter of 2003.
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Arrow and Kermi get Straight to the Point
Having established a reputation for providing a high level of service Arrow has decided to strengthen its Shower Enclosure programme and has teamed up with Kermi UK in a quality based partnership supplying and fitting Kermi’s full range of products. Kermi products will be displayed in the new showroom facility at Arrow’s head office in Worcester.
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BC Partners May Soon Choose Buyer for Grohe
Buyout firm BC Partners may decide soon on a bidder for Grohe, the bathroom fixture maker which has been valued at up to 2.0 billion euros ($2.36 billion). BC Partners got final bids for the German business in March from Bain Capital, CVC and a joint bid from Texas Pacific Group and the private equity arm of Credit Suisse, sources said.
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East Coast Fittings are North, West and South
One of Britain’s emerging suppliers of fittings and components to the furniture industry held its first sales meeting in the new facility at Gaddesby near Rearsby in Leicestershire to advance a nationwide strategy for the future.
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John Sydney Goes to the Top at the Hyatt Regency
John Sydney has reached the top at the luxurious four star Hyatt Regency Birmingham hotel. The company has supplied its prestigious range of Elite basin mixers and shower equipment, which have been fitted into the opulent Presidential, Executive and Junior Suites at the hotel in a major refurbishment project. The Elite range is made from solid brass and is supplied with the ten year John Sydney guarantee.
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Whirlpool Corporation Declares Quarterly Dividend; Four Directors Elected to Board
Whirlpool Corporation’s board of directors, meeting in regular session on April 20th in Chicago, declared a quarterly dividend of 43 cents per share on the company’s common stock. The dividend is payable June 15th, 2004, to holders of common stock at the close of business on May 20th, 2004.
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New Kohler Bathroom Lavatories Challenge Traditional Uses of Materials to Create Pieces of Functional Art
Kohler Co. introduces a new category of Kohler products called Nature’s Chemistry™ that transform indigenous materials, like metal, glass, clay and stone, into evocative fixtures for the kitchen and bathroom while retaining intrinsic properties.
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Pool Savings with wedi
Sally Anderson Ceramics Ltd, the designer of hand painted tiles for swimming pools, has discovered that wedi Systems Tilebacker Board not only keeps the company's intricate and beautiful designs securely fixed in place, but also brings another very significant benefit to its customers which could cut their pool room heating costs by two thirds.
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Ideal Stelrad Heating System Specified for Bellway Homes Development
Bellway Homes made full use of Ideal Stelrad’s ‘one-stop-shop’ approach when deciding which type of heating system should be installed in one of the company's luxury apartment complexes in North Lanarkshire, Scotland.
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Stoneham Invests in Storage System from OHRA
Kent-based Stoneham Kitchens has turned to German specialist OHRA to provide a solution to extend the external storage of its raw materials.
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Maytag's Amana® Brand Celebrates 35th Anniversary of Commercial Microwave
Hailed 35 years ago as a technological breakthrough, the Amana microwave is now a staple appliance in foodservice kitchens around the world.
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Williams Refrigeration and Falcon Foodservice Announce Strong Global Prospects for 2004
Williams Refrigeration and Falcon Foodservice Equipment, both part of the Aga Foodservice Equipment (AFE) Group, announce a strong global position as the companies further expand in the global market place in 2004.
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Bathrooms and Kitchens Magazine Launches Product Innovation Awards
Bathrooms And Kitchens Magazine is set to recognise and reward exciting and imaginative product design, with the launch of its Product Innovation Awards at the Grosvenor Hotel, London on 1st February 2005, at the 11th annual Bathrooms And Kitchens Industry Awards.
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KBSA CORNER...

International Kitchen and Bathroom Association will be Good for UK
The recent launch of an international kitchen and bathroom association, The International Kitchen Bathroom Association (IKBA), should be welcomed in the UK as it is sure to benefit the future development of our industry.
[More Here]

COMPANY NOTICES

Notices from The Insolvency Courts, January - March
The following Notices have been posted from the Insolvency Courts relating to Kitchen and Bathroom companies from January - March 2004. Some of the recent companies include D&P Home Improvements of Readingh, Lakeland Design Profiles of Preston, Flu-Care Ltd of Bristol, Concept Kitchens (Leyton), RDM Fabrications of Chingford, Thames Fitted Furniture of London E17, Mr Wilson's Kitchen Store, Manchester.
[More Here]

SPECIAL FEATURES

National Charity Works with Trade Partners to find Solution to Bath Water Scalds Affecting Young Children
Child Accident Prevention Trust, the Thermostatic Mixing Valve Manufacturers’ Association (TMVA) and BuildCert recently launched a new generation of thermostatic mixing valves, TMV2, at a seminar in London.
[More on this Story]

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Archive Section

We have archived items from the following Channels: News, Appliances, Awards, Bathroom Products, Events, Kitchen Products, Literature, Marketing, People and Taps & Showers.

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