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

Weekly Email News for the Kitchen, Bathroom and Bedroom Industries
11th June 2004
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Watch your favourite Olympic sport this summer in the kitchen with CDA's new T250 15" built in flat screen TV
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Hotpoint now has Microban® Antibacterial Protection across its entire Future refrigeration range
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New to the ATAG product line-up is the FG1O11L range cooker. The 1000mm wide dual fuel range cooker has a five burner gas hotplate
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Combine a glass of chilled wine with your favourite TV programme with 'CoolMedia' from Siemens
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New from CDA is the sleek, slimline, CD940 90cm built under, single oven, in stainless steel
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Indesit's latest addition to its built-in range is the FG10 K single gas oven completing a strong built-in package for retailers
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Spring 2004 saw the launch of Pro, the new range from Laufen, which will be distributed by Barwick within the company’s delivery area
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'A multitude of cutting-edge wash station solutions can be created easily and affordably with VitrA's versatile and interactive Matrix system.' says the company
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Dornbracht, the international manufacturer of designer fittings, accessories and interiors, highlighted the continued development of MEM at this year’s SHK in Essen
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With the Missel compact elements senior, washbasins, WCs, and bidets can be installed at the height that elderly and handicapped people prefer
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Thanks to the Success of its 'Four-Leaf-Clover' Minipool, Teuco has announced the launch of three new panelled additions to its 'Wellness' range
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Kohler introduces rejuvenating BubbleMassage airjet technology to its Experience and ProFlex whirlpool bath collections
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The Largo is the latest in a line of products from Franke UK which the company says are changing the way sinks are used in the kitchen
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Easycadplus, the UK support partner for Kitchendraw, launched a new add-on for Kitchendraw at the end of April
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With a menu of timber, composite stone, granite and stainless steel, the surfacing solutions offered at PWS create endless combinations to mix materials
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According to the initiators at Julius Blum, manufacturer of fittings in Austria, a new word has been added to furniture industry terminology: Blumotion
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Following the success of its top end Arundel Pippy Oak kitchen, Burbidge has introduced Amberley, a foil wrapped design that makes the Pippy Oak finish more widely accessible
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Kohler has introduced Verity kitchen sinks that provide consumers with the timeless charm of an apron-front sink in the sleek, minimalist style of stainless steel
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Miele says that its kitchen design harmonises with open plan design. In this case what is normally stored in wall units is displayed on two shelves with indirect lighting
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Nolte's Star range of kitchen furniture is now available in two new colours: Sand Beige and Sepia Brown
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Alira by Grohe is a one-lever sink mixer tap incorporating technology that enables the user to control both water temperature and water flow single-handedly
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The new Premier Range of contemporary showers from NewTeam is now available
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Abode's filter kitchen taps Gosford and Atlas were launched recently with a 1000 unit trade promotion offering displays of the new Abode Aquifier water filter system to showrooms
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Abode has recently introduced seven new mixer tap products
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Designed with a particular emphasis on modern, minimalist styling by Christian Bjorn Design and the Vanberlo Studios, the Børma 'A' collection consists of six different ranges
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Roman and Aqualisa have developed a complete all-in-one shower system, the Roman TSC (Total Shower Concept)
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Triton’s T100E Care is an electric shower designed specifically for the local authority and care markets
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Lower, sleeker and more streamlined than standard shower trays, Hüppe has recently launched the Purano tray
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Vasco’s newest radiator, Carré, a product which is based on symmetry and balance, is now available in three new models: the Carré Bathroom, Half Round and Quarter Round
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Imperial Towel Rails has introduced two new multi rails to its new range of contemporary radiators
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Imperial Towel Rails has introduced a new collection of contemporary radiators to reflect the growth in consumer demand for modern style radiators
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Instarmac Group's new 'Ultra Tile Adhesive and Grout Product Guide' clearly details specific products for walls and floors, in dry and wet conditions, internally and externally
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Candy has launched a range of new tiles to enhance the existing ranges and add to the collection.
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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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Fitted furniture experts, Hammonds, unveiled a new range of furniture recently at the ldeal Home Show
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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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The K&BZine - Now With Added Functionality
This week we have introduced a couple of new features, in the continuing attempt to improve our offering to readers. Although all of our published material is archived and can be searched for manually (see bottom of page), this week we introduce The K&BZine Search Engine, which is powered by the mighty Google, indexes over 600 pages from the K&BZine website and can be used to find specific or generic products, company names, individual names etc etc. We hope you find it useful.

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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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EXPO 2005 Exceeds Expectations - Already!
With just under a year to go Bathrooms and Kitchens EXPO 2005, the UK trade exhibition for the bathrooms and kitchens industry, is already exceeding all expectations. More space has been reserved at the 2005 EXPO than the total sold at the 2003 exhibition.
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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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Don’t Miss Out on the Largest Furniture Supplies Event in the UK
In a change to recent years, ASFI will be taking place in October in 2004. By visiting the UK’s largest and most important furniture supplies event ASFI 2004, visitors will see the latest innovations from across Europe.
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More Exhibition info at bottom of page.

Whirlpool Corporation was honoured recently by merchandising giant, Sears, Roebuck & Co., with a total of six 'Partners in Progress' achievement awards
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As a winner in the Product Design section of the Industrieforum Design (iF) in Hanover, Homag has been awarded the highly coveted iF-Design Prize for its new Optimat edge banding machine KAL 310.
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Hotpoint has been voted the most trusted large appliance brand for the 4th year running by Readers Digest.
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Carron Phoenix has produced two new brochures detailing its full portfolio for sinks and taps, as well as a revised retail price list.
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Mandarin China Building Products, UK distributors for the Impulse range of bathroom sanitary ware, has launched a new catalogue for 2004.
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Vasco has launched a new edition of its catalogue, VASCO Home: 'A simple, yet stylish brochure that perfectly radiates the atmosphere which Vasco products create.'
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VitrA's Arkitekt range of contract bathroom and washroom products is detailed in a new, easy-to-use reference brochure.
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Paul Eaton has joined Orama in the newly created position of technical manager, and Mark Hibbert as operations manager.
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Whirlpool Corporation announced on May 4th that David R. Whitwam, the company’s chairman and chief executive officer since 1987, intends to retire effective June 30th, 2004
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Aqualux, the shower enclosure company, has announced that Karen Pickering MBE, the official 'face' for the company, has successfully qualified for the GB Olympic swimming squad that will be competing in Athens this summer.
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Maytag UK is embarking on a major brand building exercise, working with the creative agency ARC, part of the Publicis Groupe.
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HomePortfolio selected the Miele built-in Coffee System to be its 'Product of the Day' for April 26th, 2004
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London Remade has launched its new redesigned website. It now has a fresh, modern look and user friendly feel with a wealth of information on recycling and London Remade initiatives.
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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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At Eurocucina in Milan Miele showcased four fascinating kitchens.
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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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'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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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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We also introduce two new regular editorial features to the Centre Column. 'Product of the Week' will feature a different new product every week which particularly catches our eye as something innovative, interesting, practical or beautiful. Our first Product of the Week - the Franke hands-free Sorter system - certainly scores on three out of four of those.

Another new editorial feature being introduced this week is 'Machinery Matters', which will highlight the important role of production equipment - and the people who operate them - in making innovative new products possible.

Just for good measure, this week we also have a new article in the KBSA Corner and an updated list of Company Notices, in addition to the usual News content.

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. Details can also be found on our ratecard, which is here.

Email Maria or telephone 00353 51877972

The K&BZine Search Engine: Just type in your search term and hit the button to search over 600 pages on The K&BZine website.

PRODUCT OF THE WEEK

Franke Sorts Things Out in the Kitchen
Sink manufacturer Franke has designed a hands-free Sorter system which will make under-sink waste management more convenient. It is expected that demand for this product will continue to grow as councils across the UK introduce waste separation schemes in order to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill.
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MACHINERY MATTERS

Hoffmann Essential to Unique Product Construction
Sometimes things do go wrong with furniture – especially fragile items like sliding glass or mirrored doors which are particularly susceptible to breakage either during delivery or installation – or even in use. Nowadays many fitters throughout the UK and Ireland are experiencing a new situation when called out to repair a broken glass panel – no longer is an entire new door required, rather they are able to easily unassemble the frame, insert a new mirror or glass sheet and re-secure the frame in place.
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COMPANY NOTICES

Notices from The Insolvency Courts, April - June
The following Notices have been posted from the Insolvency Courts relating to Kitchen and Bathroom companies from April to June 2004. Some of the recent companies include JB Kitchens, Kitchens & Bathrooms by Daysh, Broadfield Bathrooms, Olivers Bathrooms, Visage Kitchens, Liberty Kitchens, Medway Bathrooms.
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THIS WEEK'S NEWS

Maytag Announces Major Restructuring and Lowers Earning Expectations
Maytag Corporation announced on June 4th a comprehensive business restructuring that consolidates the Hoover Floor Care, Maytag Appliances and Corporate Headquarters organisations. The 'one-company' transformation is designed to achieve market-focused speed of execution, to improve Maytag's competitiveness and to achieve an 8 percent operating profit margin goal in the first quarter of 2005. The company also lowered its earnings expectations for the second quarter and full year 2004.
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Groupe SEB buys All-Clad Group from Waterford Wedgewood for $250m
SEB is purchasing from Waterford Wedgwood its US-based cookware subsidiary All-Clad. The transaction is expected to close within 60 days, subject to approval by Waterford Wedgwood shareholders and by the Federal Trade Commission. .
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GROHE Products in Seven out of Ten Stadiums at European Football Championship 2004
Seven of the ten stadiums hosting EURO 2004 are new. The other three arenas have been renovated. They will host 1.1 million visitors who will watch the 31 matches. Seven of the ten stadiums were counting on the expertise of water technology specialist GROHE when equipping the sanitary facilities.
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Could your Bathroom and Kitchen Designs Win you £500?
The Bathrooms And Kitchens Industry Awards are searching for up and coming talent, with the Student Designer Award for Bathrooms and the Student Designer Award for Kitchens. Entries are being called from universities and colleges across the UK to recognise, and financially reward, the best young kitchen and bathroom design skills in the country.
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Planit Announces Further Improvements in Service and Suport
Software provider Planit International has announced a new service offering which will provide its’ customers with more information and a faster more efficient support service. The ‘Data Guarantee’ service will ensure that any corrections, updates or remedial amendments to the range of catalogues that are maintained by Planit will benefit from a defined and guaranteed turnaround service.
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Aquatec Water Softener Leaflet Attracts Complaint
A complaint, objecting to a leaflet for Aquatec RainSoft (Bristol) Ltd - a water filter company - that comprised a household water survey and sample bottle, was not upheld in three of the four objections according to published details from the Advertising Standards Authority.
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Oliver Heath Unveils the World's First Recycled Kitchen
Designer and BBC Changing Rooms presenter Oliver Heath unveiled the world's first recycled kitchen brought to you by WRAP (the Waste & Resources Action Programme) at the ldeal Home Show. 'lt doesn't look like rubbish .... But it is' said Oliver. 'The sleek and stylish kitchen units, the cutting-edge flooring and the fashionable accessories all owe something to your household dustbin.'
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East Coast Fittings offers Customers new Advantage Strategy
The re-location of East Coast Fittings – supplier of premier furniture fittings – to a new 60,000 square feet facility has enabled the company to devise a strategy which it says is directly advantageous to its customers nationwide.
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Thermic Closed Measuring Cabin for Accurate Heat Emission Measurements
Thermic has brought into use a new measuring laboratory - with an investment of 12 million BEF - in which the heat emission of radiators can be measured in accordance with the current European standard EN442.
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Majority of Home and Garden Retailers have yet to Offer Online Shopping Despite Buoyant Market
Research carried out by Zendor, the fulfilment and e-business expert, shows that only a quarter of home and garden retailers have a transactional website in the UK. This is despite recent predictions by the Interactive Media in Retail Group (IMRG) that by 2009, a quarter of all UK purchases will be carried out online or via a mobile device. The IMRG also claims that a further 20% of all purchases will be influenced by online research.
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XDeep Refrigeration from Bosch
This year, Bosch is developing the top freezer sector with X-Deep - a roomy, extra deep top fridge freezer. It's 70cm deep, 70cm wide and 185cm high. The extra 10 cm in depth is vital for providing 25% extra shelf space, making this a real family sized appliance.
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More than Skin Deep with New Solid Surface Airspas - The V&A 02 Collection
Victoria & Albert is launching its solid surface Quarrycast™ freestanding airspas. Available from July 1st, the new V&A 02 Collection is made up of the Capri 02 and Monaco 02 which both feature a powerful 750w air system.
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Fisher & Paykel Appliances - Changes in Distribution
Fisher & Paykel Appliances is positioned to increase its number of retail stores in the USA, while change in New Zealand is also imminent.
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KBSA CORNER...

WEEE- It’s Closer than We Think
New legislation always creeps up on an industry, especially when compliance means introducing changes to procedures and systems that could also cost money. The WEEE (Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment) directive, which is due to become law this August is no exception.
[More Here]

SPECIAL FEATURES

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.
[More on this Story]

Armitage Shanks Discusses the Revised Part M and it's Radical Affect on Hotels
Armitage Shanks believes it is important to advise hotel owners of radical changes in the Building Regulations and explain how these changes will significantly affect hoteliers. The new Part M of the Building Regulations came into effect on the 1st May 2004. The new standard is not just about access for disabled people but now covers access for everyone.
[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.

SUBMITTING EDITORIAL

Should you wish to submit editorial to THE K&BZINE, please email Debbie Schwarz or telephone 0208 656 9878, mobile 07889 664061

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Should you wish to advertise on THE K&BZINE, please email Maria Esnouf or telephone 00353 51877972 or email Tony Higgin or telephone 01923-461527, mobile 07977-981753.

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