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

Weekly Email News for the Kitchen, Bathroom and Bedroom Industries
14th May 2004
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New to the aggressively priced Essentials brand of appliances from Waterline is the 900 ELSS double built-in electric oven in stainless steel.
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lndesit has introduced the Evolution WIE 157 S silver washing machine, designed to give the 21st century consumer a more stylish aesthetic combined with practical programmes
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Candy has introduced a Pyrolytic self-cleaning, multifunction electric oven to the built-in Plan Collection of flat front, sleekly-styled cooking appliances
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LG Electronics has introduced 95 models for the side-by-side refrigerator 2004 series, which are equipped with a linear compressor made possible through the energy-saving technology in Korea
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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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Alno has introduced Picture Line, a new kitchen range that allows the customer the ultimate in personalising their kitchen
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When it comes to choosing that most essential of items in the kitchen - the humble sink, CDA offers a comprehensive range of sinks to suit all applications and differing tastes
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Orama says that its mirror flat gloss laminates, part of its Ardesco range, are among the most fashionable and durable worksurfaces of their kind
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DiLusso Manufacturing and its specialist division, DiLusso Distribution has received a good reaction to its Richmond design
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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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The new Meta.02 accessories complete the minimalistic programme for the bathroom by Dornbracht, the international manufacturer of designer fittings, accessories and interiors
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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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Pegler reports that there has been a warm response to new luxury taps ranges unveiled for the first time earlier this year.
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Want to add a touch of colour to your bathroom brassware? then look no further than the new Amena range from lmperial Bathrooms
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The contemporary Murano Waterfall mixer tap from German manufacturer Hansa is now available from Deep Blue
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Aqualux, the shower enclosure company, recently launched its new collection of steam cabins
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Mira's Advance ATL thermostatic electric shower is the first to receive the BEAB CARE mark for all showers in the range
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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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Vogue UK, manufacturer of heated towel rails and designer radiators has recently unveiled its follow up to the successful Nexus range - Nexus Grand
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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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A busy few weeks
April went out with - some would say - more of a whimper than a bang, as Interbuild finally closed its doors on April 29th. The show actually did better than expected in attracting over 50,000 visitors and some 1,600 exhibitors. Below, we report on the sparse but quality bathroom content of the show. As has been noted elsewhere, the plumbing and heating, electrical, kitchen manufacturing and appliance elements were either dead or non-existant.

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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.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) have named Maytag Corporation a leader in energy efficiency by honouring the company with a Product Campaign Award.
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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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Broughton Crangrove has appointed Wayne Stew as Area Sales Manager, responsible for South Wales, Wiltshire, Bristol and Gloucestershire.
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Aqualux, the shower enclosure company, introduces its national sales team with the appointment of new faces to provide cover to the whole country
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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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Crosswater's 2004 collection is presented in a 116-page full colour brochure with two new ranges and over 45 new products.
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Hepplewhite, is investing in further marketing to help the company's retailers, with the launch of its first mini brochure
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The newly launched freestanding full colour brochure from lndesit is designed to act as a clear, easy to understand selling tool to both retailers and consumers.
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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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Fisher & Paykel Appliances, New Zealand's leading manufacturer and marketer of household appliances, has become the Premier Sponsor of the Silver Ferns and Netball New Zealand.
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Homag U.K. reports that its recent open house exhibition at its Castle Donington headquarters was the most successful in the company’s history
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The winner of the Geberit Terrain 'Go all Terrain' promotion has been presented with his star prize - a Mitsubishi L200 4WD all terrain vehicle
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lndesit has launched new point-of-sale material designed to support the introduction of its new range of washing machines and dishwashers, available to lndesit retailers.
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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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However, one can never completely write off the behemoth which is Interbuild. The organiser, EMAP, now own 100% of the show (having purchased the remaining 50% from Montgomery) and will be looking at ways to rejuvenate some of the flagging sections of the show before 2006. While the kitchen arena seems to have gone in other directions, not least the excellent Kitchen Showcase (in London this July), bathrooms could yet make a comeback at Interbuild, as the report below suggests.

This week we saw two examples of the innovation and commitment in the KBB industry, with an interesting, if somewhat avante garde product launch - an interior domestic garden - from SMEG, and the opening of Grohe's new Design & Technology Centre in Barking. Both these stories are covered below.

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

SPECIAL FEATURE

Burbidge: A Traditional Company at the Cutting Edge of Design
Although well over a hundred years old, Coventry based Burbidge & Son now dominates the kitchen component market (of which it claims a 20% share) by offering traditional and 'nostalgia' suites alongside cutting edge designs in aluminium and stainless steel and trendier woods such as pippy oak.
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THIS WEEK'S NEWS

Grohe Opens Design & Technology Centre
Grohe UK Ltd yesterday opened a prestigious, 400m2 Design & Technology Centre at its Barking headquarters. Reflecting Grohe's position as a global brand, the new Centre will enable Grohe and all its customers - retail, installer, building/specifier and architects - to maximise their understanding and use of the company' s products.
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SMEG Enlists Support of Matteo Piano to Create Indoor Gardens
When Architect Matteo Piano and Smeg put their heads together to think of a new addition to Smeg's household range, a domestic greenhouse was the natural choice. As a home for plants, a greenhouse immediately ties in with the rest of Smeg's product for the home. The link is further reflected by the Home Garden's design in the shape of a house with roof and two side entrances.
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KBSA to Support Kitchen Showcase
The Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association will be supporting the second kitchen showcase exhibition, which will be held at The Commonwealth Institute Galleries on 1-3 July. The KBSA will have a trade stand on the 1-2nd July and will then participate in the Kitchen Clinic on the consumer day, 3rd July.
‘We are delighted to be able to support this exhibition,’ says KBSA Chief Executive Graham Hayden.
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UK Logistics Company Opens Trade Link with Libya
A UK company has despatched a shipment of kitchen fittings valued at £200,000 to Libya, thanks to the Sales Leads Service of UK Trade & Investment - the government organisation that provides support services for UK companies trading overseas.
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Management Buy Out Secures Future of Kent Based Aquadart
Dartford based business Aquadart has successfully been acquired following an MBO assisted by Europe's leading business finance specialists, NMB-Heller, and advised by Grant Thornton Corporate Finance.
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New Designer Kitchen Furniture Range Launched by Moda Cucina
New UK-based company Moda Cucina is putting the finishing touches to plans for the nationwide launch of its range of designer kitchen furniture.
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Pegler Supports Local School’s Engineering Status
Pegler, manufacturer and supplier of taps, mixers, showers, heating controls and valves and fittings to the sector – based in Doncaster - is joining in the on-going celebrations that Ridgewood School in nearby Scawsby has been awarded Engineering Specialists School Status.
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Victoria & Albert Smashes Sales Record
Specialist freestanding bath manufacturer Victoria & Albert is celebrating a record 1st quarter in 2004. Following KBB this year the company reports that sales of its expanding range of contemporary and classic baths have rocketed. March saw the best sales ever by a clean 40%, with turnover up by over 100% on the end of 2003.
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Wolseley UK Site Visit for Analysts and Investors
Wolseley plc, the specialist trade distributor of plumbing, heating and building materials products, is hosting a visit for analysts and investors to some of its UK operations.
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INTERBUILD NEWS

Interbuild 2004 'Dispels the Myths'
'The true value of Interbuild was highlighted last week when the many sections of the building and construction industry joined forces at the NEC. Just short of 50,000 visitors attended the UK's premier construction event and it is predicted they will have generated business worth millions of pounds for the 1,600 exhibitors'.
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Aqualux Added Energy to Interbuild 2004
Aqualux, the shower enclosure company, added Energy to the Architects Pavilion at Interbuild. Energy, a new collection of shower enclosures has been introduced to meet consumer demand for contemporary designs. Features include easy clean, limescale resistant glass, wall-clamping system (patent pending) and integral features such as shelves and towel rail.
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Triton Cleans Up as Lone Bathroom Brand
Lorna Fellowes, Managing Director of Triton, accepts that the Interbuild of 8-12 years ago has probably gone forever, with more shows across Europe taking up companies’ marketing budgets. However, Interbuild still serves a valuable niche in attracting builders merchants and electrical wholesalers.
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ArtiCAD Returns to Interbuild After 10 Years to Launch new Bathroom Software
Bathroom, Kitchen, Bedroom & Study CAD specialists, ArtiCAD, was back at Interbuild for the first time in 10 years demonstrating design, pricing & ordering system for Developers and Builders Merchants. Just released in time for Interbuild, ArtiCAD Version 11 has a new Bathroom system.
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wedi Builds on Tilebacker Success to Launch New Products
wedi Systems used its appearance at this year's Interbuild to launch a number of innovative new products such as tile covered loungers and steam rooms, in a determined effort to build on its success with the now well known Tilebacker Board. Managing Director Ian Fyfe said that he was pleased at the level of interest from fixers, contractors and architects.
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Stelrad Launches New Towel Rail Designs
Stelrad Radiators has launched a new range of deluxe towel warmers that will provide a stylish approach to space heating for any home or commercial building. There are three designs available within the new range - the Como, Lecco and Bergamo.
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Simply Washrooms Debuts at Interbuild
A comprehensive product range, including wash basins, urinals and general washroom accessories made its first public appearance at this year's Interbuild. According to Managing Director, Lindsay Walsh, 'Although Simply Washrooms is a new brand, our trading pedigree dates back more than 30 years.
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Thomas Dudley Conceals Cistern Full of Fish
Thomas Dudley exhibited at Interbuild 2004, and featured the revolutionary Vantage concealed cistern and others from the range, also wall-hung sanitaryware supports and the new Dudley Hydroflo QUIET inlet valves. There was also an interactive installation and demonstration area (and a see-through glass cistern full of goldfish - the biggest selling item according to one wag on the stand!).
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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.
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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.
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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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