Weekly Email News for the Kitchen, Bathroom and Bedroom Industries
8th April 2005
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As the popularity of induction hob cooking continues to grow at pace, Stoves says that it has incorporated the UK's only induction hob range cooker into its Sterling collection, adding even more versatility to its new, stylish range cooker package
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The specialist in genuine American refrigeration, Maytag brings to the market a new range of refrigeration. ‘Not only does this new range look iconic and professional it has intelligent technological advances to match.’
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Celebrating 25 years in the UK and Ireland, De Dietrich has introduced its expanded 2005 built – in range, the highlights of which are as follows:
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With its Ardesco range of worksurfaces, Orama, the independent manufacturer of worksurfaces and associated decorative products, says that it is bringing new ideas, style and innovation to the UK kitchen market
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PWS has introduced the Evoline socket, which offers a solution to bring power and telephone points to difficult situations. Suitable for island units and particularly areas that are awkward to access, the socket port provides a flexible and unobtrusive power supply
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Fresh, light and natural are words that PWS says sum up Gullwing Oak, with the simple Gullwing styling creating a modern yet timeless look
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William Ball has introduced the wonder of walnut to its portfolio of contemporary kitchens
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Uform, Irelands biggest distributor of kitchen doors and accessories, has just launched its new ranges, featured as ‘eight’ kitchen combinations
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Poggenpohl's +Segmento in horizontal light oak with stainless steel gives a modern take on a traditional theme without the drawbacks associated with using open grain or untreated wood
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Bushboard has added three new designs to its Prima collection: both Perlato Granite and Natural Block Walnut create the right look to mirror natural materials at a fraction of the cost
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For couples who have different opinions about the perfect shower, whether it's warm or hot with light or heavy water massage, Jacuzzi Summer Rain II is the first shower to meet the individual choices of a couple
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The new glass shower head from Crosswater is now available from bathroom showroom and online retailer, Boundary Bathrooms
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The new Swiss Pro from Franke will not disappoint today’s discerning buyer. With a 70cm high J Spout, the Swiss Pro towers above the bowl and offers consumers the chance to make a real design statement in their kitchen
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Ideal-Standard's latest addition is the Joy shower enclosure, designed to cater for a wide range of tastes and budget options
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Splash distribution, exclusive distributor of Alape bathroom products, announces the addition of the WT.RX washstand to its portfolio
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Armond has announced the launch of its new Stock Range. The Armond Stock Range comprises two designs, the Quayside collection and the Docklands collection
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‘Designed by Anna Dabrowski at Studio Levien in London, The Bath represents the ultimate in freestanding luxury bathing.’ says Ideal-Standard
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Jacuzzi has unveiled a new series of whirlpool baths - Alpha, Gamma and Sigma - that were designed in conjunction with Pininfarina, legendary for Ferrari car designs
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Appliance Market Gets Hotter
With only weeks to go before the AMDEA show (at the NEC Birmingham from the 24th to the 26th of April), the appliance market remains as hot as ever. Indesit has bought the remaining bit of Hotpoint to make it 100%, and Fagor, the Basque manufacturer has emerged as the bidder of Elco Brandt, which includes the De Dietrich subsidiary.

Visit The Tile Association website at www.tiles.org.uk and you can win £100 to spend on tiles. Just fill in a short questionnaire and your email address will be put into a prize draw.
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With an increasing number of people tapping into the internet to find out more about a product they plan to purchase, Franke has launched an online survey to look at how its site could be improved to better meet visitors’ needs.
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Five Electrolux products including the Ergorapido 2 in 1, Oxy3 system vacuum cleaner and the AEG-Electrolux Favorit 84985 Vi 90cm dishwasher have been recognised for their excellence in product design at the 50th red dot design awards.
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Aqualisa’s Axis Digital shower triumphed at this year’s Homes & Gardens Classic Design Awards, held on Thursday, 10th March at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London.
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Yvonne Orgill Commercial Director of the BMA talks about how the newly appointed Training Co-ordinator will help further the implementation of the BMA’s Bathroom Education Initiative.
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K/BIS Moves to Las Vegas
More than 900 kitchen and bath companies will showcase the latest products and cutting-edge design ideas at the sold out Kitchen/Bath Industry Show & Conference (K/BIS), May 9-12, 2005 in Las Vegas.
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Miele at K/BIS
Miele, a specialist in advanced appliance technology and design, is showcasing four of its premier kitchen appliances in the NextGen Demonstration Home during the International Consumer Electronics, National Associations of Broadcasters and Kitchen & Bath Industry tradeshows in Las Vegas.
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James Latham at the Surface Design Show
For the first time, UK panels distributor James Latham exhibited its popular LG HI-MACS® portfolio last month at the 2005 Surface Design Show.
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Electrolux Ideal Home
Wickes Home Improvements Centres and Electrolux Major Appliances teamed up to show a stunning array of kitchens at last month’s Ideal Home Exhibition.
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Siemens Ideal Home
At this year's Daily Mail Ideal Home Show at Earl's Court in London, a selection of Siemens built-in appliances starred in the kitchen of the Venetian show house within the central Mediterranean living village.
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Trade Partners Given Special Section at AMDEA Show
A special section of The AMDEA Show is being created for trade partners offering services to the industry. Domestic and General and BEAB are the first to take stands at the show, being held at the NEC on 24 – 26 April this year.
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Exposure to Experts at EXPO
Inspiration, aspiration, knowledge and trend spotting - all can be found together within the seminar programme on offer at Bathrooms and Kitchens EXPO during 8th - 10th May 2005 at London's premier exhibition venue, ExCeL.
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Interclima + Elec home&building 2006
Reed Expositions France has changed the dates for Interclima + elec home&building and Idéo Bain, which will be held at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles.
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Brands representing over 80% of the Domestic Appliance market are already fully committed to The AMDEA Show (NEC 24-26 April 2005).
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Epoc Messe Frankfurt, Dubai, has finalised its plans for ISH Kitchen and Bathroom Gulf.
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Interbuild 2006 - The Building Show takes place at the NEC in Birmingham from April 23 to 27.
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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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PRODUCT OF THE WEEK

New Mirrored Glass Finish makes Style Statement for Siemens
Kitchen appliance manufacturer Siemens has introduced a new collection of premium priced built in cooking appliances in an original and distinctive black-mirrored glass finish.
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KBSA CORNER...

Part P Training And Assessment From Niceic Domestic Installer Scheme
The KBB industry has welcomed a programme of assessment and training, launched by the KBSA, which offers retailers a clear route to self-certification under the requirements of the new Part P legislation.
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Fagor Bids for ElcoBrandt Group
The Spanish appliance manufacturer Fagor Electrodomesticos has made a binding offer to the Dutch company Elco Holland BV (a subsidiary of the Israeli company Elco Holdings Ltd) to acquire its 90% stake in Elco France BV. The proposed acquisition would see De Dietrich and Brandt UK becoming subsidiaries of the Basque manufacturer. De Dietrich's MD Christophe Gontier said it was 'business as usual' and his priority was hitting sales targets for the month.
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Fagor, Elco's partner in Elco Brandt, Ready to Buy out Owner
A month after Elco Holdings announced its intention to sell Elco Brandt, its subsidiary in France, the firm said this week that it has an offer. Elco, which is controlled by Gershon Salkind, said it wanted to obtain a company valuation of 150-200 million euros for the French company. This week it said its partner in Elco Brandt, Fagor, which owns 10 percent, is offering to buy its share for 162.5 million euros.
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CaesarStone Chooses Ebor
CaesarStone, the world’s foremost producer of quartz surfaces, has chosen Ebor Equipment, the supplier of machinery, tools and consumables for the stone industry, as its sole importer and distributor for the UK and Ireland.
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Wolseley plc - Creation of North American Structure and Change in Board Responsibilities
Wolseley plc, specialist trade distributor of plumbing and heating products and a leading supplier of building materials to professional contractors, has announced the creation of a new North American structure and a change in Board responsibilities.
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Uform Opening New Doors
Uform was established in 1993 by the Donnelly family to manufacture and supply kitchen doors and components. The company quickly experienced growth through ongoing research, development and expansion of its product offering at the same time as satisfying customers with ongoing quality and on-time deliveries.
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Shires Bathrooms' New Brand Strategy Enchances Product Range for Retailers
Bathroom manufacturer, Shires Bathrooms, has implemented a new brand strategy in order to reinforce the overall product range for the retail sector, giving an enhanced core product and creating an even stronger 'Shires Bathrooms' brand.
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KBSA Announces Part P Training and Assessment from NICEIC Domestic Installer Scheme
The KBSA has announced details of a programme of assessment and training, which offers retailers a clear route to self-certification under the requirements of the new Part P legislation.
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Reflections Showroom puts Contestants in Soapy Situation
Local customers enjoyed opening celebrations at the new Reflections bathroom showroom recently, including a most unusual quiz - the contestants had to stand in a shower cubicle and answer soapy questions.
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Lathams Takes the Lead On on FSC in Central Africa
James Latham has declared its support for Congolaise Industrielle des Bois (CIB), a forest operation in Congo Brazzaville, by signing a contract to stock the first FSC certified wood from a large sawmill operation in Central Africa.
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FRANKE COMMENTS

Curtain Call For Changing Rooms
But What an Impact it’s Had on our Industry
There’s some debate whether Changing Rooms marked designer brilliance or decorating disaster, but there’s no doubt that the programme gave the home improvement market a real makeover. Changing Rooms, which was the first show of its kind when it appeared on screens in 1996, regularly attracted ten million viewers and saw neighbour battle it out against neighbour in a contest of plaster, plywood and paint.
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MACHINERY MATTERS

Mark Cooper Cabinets ‘up for’ the new Hoffmann
Mark Cooper Cabinets, based near Shrewsbury in Shropshire, is an established company of 20 years standing supplying top quality products to individual customers at the top end of the market. The company is primarily a kitchen maker but also supplies bespoke designs for bedrooms, bathrooms and some home office products.
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