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THE K&BZINE ISSUE 20 26th September 2003
Kitchen
Showcase Report - Part 2
Last week's report on the Kitchen Showcase was published
a day after the event - something a weekly email newsletter can always
do, of course. However, our report was by no means exhaustive and we put
out a call for additional response from exhibitors and visitors to the
show, which we publish here. One thing I would say - no-one has yet had
a bad word to say about it. What's up with you - are you all on happy
pills?.
[More
on this Story]
Trading
Update is the Tops for Tile Company
Topps Tiles, the UK tile and wood flooring specialist, announces continued
strong trading and confirms that profit before tax for the sixteen month
period ending 27 September 2003 is now expected to be in the region
of £23 million, which is 10% ahead of market expectations. As
Topps Tiles has changed its financial year end, an estimate is also
given for the trading 12 months to 27 September 2003 and profit before
tax is expected to be in the region of £18 million.
[More
on this Story]
Notices
from The Insolvency Courts, August-September
The following Notices have been posted from the Insolvency Courts relating
to Kitchen, Bathroom and Bedroom companies during the months of August
and September
[More
on this Story]
Chill
Out Indoors
Fridges
and freezers aren’t just great for keeping food fresh. Follow these
hints and tips from Electrolux to make what's left of this Indian summer
really cool.
[More
on this Story]
Christmas
is Coming, so Keep your Drawers Warm!
Bosch
is introducing new built in warming drawers just in time for the Christmas
period. These drawers can provide vital extra capacity all year round,
but you'll be thanking yourself if you can get them in before the hordes
descend during the festive season
[More
on this Story]
Blum
Reports 2003 Interim Turnover up 6.3%
At
the close of the business year on 30th June 2003, Julius Blum GmbH attained
a group turnover of 590.6 million euros (last year’s result was 555.4
million euros). This is an increase in turnover of 6.3% (last year’s
increase amounted to 9%). Thanks to its consistent orientation towards
important world markets in the field of industry and trade, the company
still, however, exported 96% of its products
[More
on this Story]
Premium
Appliance Brands Limited Appoints a National Distributor for the ATAG
Brand in the UK
Premium
Appliance Brands Limited (PAB), the new white goods marketing company
created by former Stoves Marketing Director, Guy Weaver, has appointed
Allied Manufacturing Company as a national distributor of ATAG products
in the UK.
[More
on this Story]
OFT
Refuses to Renew Credit Licence of Stockport Trader
A
Stockport-based home fittings trader, Mr Kenneth Ellis, operating under
the name Choice K.B.B. (Choice Kitchens Bedrooms Bathrooms), has had his
application for a renewal of his consumer credit licence refused.
[More
on this Story]
KBSA
Member Completes Rational Kitchen for Avantgarde Customer
The
Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association has worked with a KBSA
retailer, Design Matters of High Wycombe, Bucks to complete a kitchen
for one of Avantgarde’s customers left in the lurch when the London
based business went bust last year.
[More
on this Story]
Showrooms
Key to Water Front Expansion
Ernie
Pallas, formerly Commercial Director at Deva, has been appointed Sales
Director at Water Front with a key objective of developing sales to the
contract market through retail and merchant showrooms.
[More
on this Story]
Waterline
Builds the Bathroom Business
Waterline
has announced two new initiatives to develop sales of its Bathroom Furniture
Collection, which the company says is now one of the most comprehensive,
competitively-priced, off-the-shelf Collections available..
[More
on this Story]
Aquafun
at HE Olby
The
newly opened HE Olby bathroom showroom, based in Lewisham, South London,
provides a good environment in which to view the new Aquafun cabin from
Hansgrohe. HE Olby has been offering Hansgrohe products for 10 months
and the latest addition to the showroom is eye-catching and highly functional.
[More
on this Story]
New
Mouldings Service as Production Increases at John Boddy Timber
As John Boddy Timber continues to increase the range of products available
to customers from the Riverside Sawmill in Boroughbridge, it has for the
first time moulded products to order following the installation of a 6-head
throughfeed Wadkin moulder
[More
on this Story]
Worktops
- Orama Reveals what the Market wants
Orama,
the independent manufacturer of kitchen and bathroom worksurfaces, has
completed the first phase of its initial market research project into
the UK's purchasing chain for worktops. Having invested heavily in finding
out the current and future trends in kitchens and worktops, Orama is confident
that it is poised to take advantage of its initial findings about worksurfaces.
[More
on this Story]
Wolseley
plc Announces Record Results, but Currency Fluctuations Take 5% off Bottom
Line
Currency
translation reduced Wolseley group sales by £393.8m (4.9%) and group
trading profit by £21.7m (4.7%). In constant currency terms Group
sales were up 8.5% and Group pre-tax profit, before goodwill amortisation,
up 9.4%. After the currency translation effect, Group sales were up 3.2%
to £8.2bn (2002: £8.0bn); Group pre-tax profit, after goodwill
amortisation, was up 3.7% to £426.0m (2002: £410.7m).
[More
on this Story]
Wolseley
Completes US Acquisition Spree
Plumbing
and heating products distributor Wolseley has paid £14 million for
three North American businesses. In a full year, these acquisitions will
add a further £37 million ofsales. Goodwill related to these acquisitions
is estimated to be around £5.8 million.
[More
on this Story]
FMB
Launches Search for 'Heaven Sent' Builders
The
FMB is taking its campaign to counter the national media's negative image
of builders to new heights with the launch of the Master Builder of the
Year Awards, in association with Nissan Motor (GB) Limited. The FMB is
asking homeowners and commercial clients who are in seventh heaven about
their completed building work to vote for Britain's best builder.
[More
on this Story]
Electrolux
will make Provision for Loan Guarantees within Professional Laundry Equipment
Electrolux
will make a provision of EUR 32m (approximately SEK 290m) in the third
quarter of 2003, referring to previously issued loan guarantees for launderette
operators in Germany. The launderettes are experiencing financial difficulties
due to weak market conditions, and Electrolux may be required to fulfill
its guarantee commitments
[More
on this Story]
Poggenpohl
Design Centres open in Ascot, Guildford... and San Francisco, Taipei,
Vienna...
Poggenpohl
stated its intent to raise the bar in international kitchen studios with
the +STUDIOCONCEPT programme for Poggenpohl Design Centres in 2000. The
company reinforced the message with Europe's largest Poggenpohl Design
that opened in London in February 2002
[More
on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 19 19th September 2003
Concrete
May Not be the New Marble but it's Very Trendy
Deane Thomas, of Quality Marble explained the introduction of Concrete
to the company's already extensive range of granite, marble, limestone,
slate, quartz and terrazzo worktops.
'Actually, Concrete can be whatever colour you'd like it to be. You can
choose plain colours or different colour combinations or leave it in its
natural state. If you are feeling particularly creative, you may like
to add other materials to it as a feature. We have produced Concrete with
inlays of natural stone, metal, glass, fossils and even seashells for
some of our particularly inspired customers', he explained.
[More
on this Story]
Mirari
Brings European Influences to Kitchen Showcase
This year's Kitchen Showcase exhibition featured the first ever kitchen
collection to combine four different European design styles. The Mirari
collection was shown for the first time at the event being held at Kitchen
Showcase. Designed and manufactured by UK kitchen giant The Symphony
Group, Mirari was originally launched this Spring.
[More
on this Story]
Charles
Yorke unveils Rio at Kitchen Showcase
Visitors to Kitchen Showcase were the first to see the latest design
from bespoke kitchen specialist Charles Yorke – Rio, which was
created for the show. A relative newcomer, although part of the Symphony
Group, Charles Yorke made its debut as an exhibitor and will also be
appearing at the new Autumn Ideal Home Show.
[More
on this Story]
Glossy
good looks from Charles Yorke’s Valencia
Bespoke kitchen specialist Charles Yorke has come up with a brand new
way to give delicate timbers a French polished look, which is tough enough
to withstand the wear and tear of a working kitchen. This development
is used in the new Valencia range, which features high gloss bird’s
eye maple doors and drawer fronts framed with American black walnut
[More
on this Story]
Smeg
Cements Design Credentials at Kitchen Showcase 2003
Italian appliance manufacturer Smeg took an active part in the first Kitchen
Showcase Exhibition. Out of twelve kitchens designed by a creative collaboration
of influential manufacturers and designers, three featured Smeg's 'signature'
products: the AAA rated UKSTX2-2 fully integrated dishwasher, the FPD34
fridge freezer, and the latest version of Smeg's best selling 100cm wide
'Opera' Range Cooker, the A2-5.
[More
on this Story]
Corian
and Zodiaq Provide Top Surfaces at Kitchen Showcase
Corian, the original solid surface made only by DuPont, offers a wealth
of options for the kitchen. As a high-performance worksurface, Corian
creates beautiful, durable countertops that are not only hygienic and
easy to maintain, but also can be customised to create unique design schemes.
[More
on this Story]
Orama
Mirror Finish Reflects Good Taste
and No Ripples
Orama, the independent manufacturer of worksurfaces and associated decorative
products, introduced a new-to-market mirror flat finish for its latest
gloss and silk worksurfaces, in the new Ardesco range of kitchen worktops.
Until now, the UK has suffered from surface ripples on worksurfaces which
are produced in the manufacturing process (known as telegraphing).
[More
on this Story]
lnnotech
Drawer Systems - Innovative and Useful
Innotech drawer systems featured in a number of the kitchen sets at the
Showcase, including the Smaart set pictured below - which is so new that
there were not even any brochures available - which offered shapely curved
lines, a bright laqueured acrylic finish and an equally curvy Corian worktop,
the combination of which, according to David Masters, had attracted a
good deal of interest.
[More
on this Story]
Showcase
is Ideal Launch Platform for Borma in UK
The Kitchen Showcase saw the introduction of Ideal-Standard's Borma division
of luxury kitchen taps. Borma was founded in 1845 in the town of Horsens,
in Denmark and has become known over the years as Scandinavia's top manufacturer
of quality kitchen taps.
[More
on this Story]
Visitors
Take the Springflow Taste Test
On
the Astracast Springflow booth visitors were challenged to 'Taste the
Difference' between ordinary tap water and Springflow filter tap water.
Those guessing correctly had their names entered into a draw to win Dinner
for two at the world famous Waterside Inn, at Bray in Berkshire.
[More
on this Story]
Mereway
Monza Balances Neutral Colours and Clean lines
To meet the Kitchen Showcase theme for 'cutting edge design' Mereway presented
New Monza, a premium high gloss painted lacquered door which has been
introduced to meet the increasing trend towards neutral colours and minimalist
clean lines.
[More
on this Story]
Glass
and Stainless Steel Amana Fridge Freezer Steals the Show
Maytag UK, the American refrigeration specialist showcased the Amana brand
of genuine American refrigeration at the Kitchen Showcase. The originators
of the American fridge freezer with an established appliance business
spanning almost 100 years, Maytag remains an innovator in the world of
American refrigeration today.
[More
on this Story]
A
Touch of Flamenco from +Segmento
Poggenpohl showed the star of its 2003 product range and ad campaign,
the Spanish Red and stainless steel +SEGMENTO at Kitchen Showcase
[More
on this Story]
Slovenian
Appliance Manufacturer Employs Italian Style Guru
Gorenje, the Slovenian appliance manufacturer that 'took Germany by storm',
has now launched its Pininfarina range of appliances into the UK
[More
on this Story]
Making
a Meal for Cancer Support could win you a Kitchen
The Kitchen Alliance's involvement with 'Make a Meal for Marie Curie'
is explained by James Herriot of the Callerton Kitchen Company, a founding
member
[More
on this Story]
Smarten
up the Kitchen with Powerdesk
PowerDesk UK Limited, the intelligent furniture system, in association
with The Callerton Kitchen Company, leading designer and manufacturer
of kitchen furniture introduced the PowerDresser at Kitchen Showcase 2003
[More
on this Story]
Blum
Identifies Storage Space as Major Consumer Issue
Blum has developed and manufactured advanced fittings for kitchen and
cabinet furniture since its founding 51 years ago and, in particular,
over the last 30 years their products and innovations have set the trends
for modern furniture design and functional performance
[More
on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 18 12th September 2003
Aga
Foodservice Group Profits Slide 6% in First Half but Outlook is Good
Figures
issued last week for the interim results of the Aga Foodservice Group
show a 6% decline in profits from £11.6m in the same period last
year to £10.9m. Sales of the Aga branded cooker, which go for at
least £3000 each, are steadily improving and the company says it
will sell 10,000 this year (last year it sold 9,000). Good results from
the UK were marred by poor performances from mainland Europe, which showed
a profit of only £1m on turnover of £29m and the USA, which
posted profits of £1.4m on a turnover of £41m.
[More
on this Story]
AGA
Acquires Northland-Marvel for $21 Million
Aga
Foodservice Group plc has acquired Northland-Marvel, the US manufacturer
of high-end professional style refrigeration kitchen appliances for
both the domestic and commercial markets, for $21 million (£13.3
million) in cash. The acquisition will enable Aga Foodservice Group
to offer dealers and consumers a range of cookers and fridges comparable
to that of the established US market leaders.
[More
on this Story]
Merloni
Aims to Dominate European Market through UK
In
a recent article in the Financial Times, Andrea Guerra, chief executive
of Italian domestic appliance manufacturer Merloni - Europe's third
biggest - has stated his intention of overtaking the company's two rivals
Electrolux and Bosch/Siemens (BSH Group). At the moment, Merloni commands
15% of the European market, with Electrolux and BSH each on 17%.
[More
on this Story]
Sale
Agreement for Saint-Gobain Terreal
Compagnie
de Saint-Gobain confirms that it has recently signed an agreement to sell
its subsidiary Saint-Gobain Terreal to a financial company controlled
by the Carlyle investment fund. Under the agreement, Terreal - a terracotta
tile and brick manufacturer - is valued at euro 514 million
[More
on this Story]
Electrolux
Signs Agreement to Divest its Shareholding in Vestfrost A/S
Electrolux has signed an agreement to sell its shares in the Danish company
Vestfrost A/S to the Esbjerg Group in Denmark. The Esbjerg Group will
thereby increase its shareholding in Vestfrost from 50% to 100%. Vestfrost
manufactures and sells refrigerators, upright freezers and chest freezers.
In 2002, sales amounted to approx DKK 1,100m and the number of employees
was 1100.
[More
on this Story]
In-toto
at Chalfont St. Peter for Sale
Ever
fancied running your own kitchen showroom? Now's your chance. In-toto's
kitchen showroom at Chalfont St. Peter is for sale. It is at an excellent
location in the heart of this affluent area. Many displays have been recently
refitted and the business is set to thrive under the right person.
[More
on this Story]
GMD-Giardina
take Quantum Lead in Wet Finishing Curing with MOS Technology
GMD-Giardina’s
main principal has taken a world lead in curing technology with the registration
of the new MOS system of microwave technology.
[More
on this Story]
Hoffmann
Face-Frame System at the Core of Maldene
While Steven Hall’s workshops situated in the Somerset
village of Pilton may have started as a pine furniture manufacturing outfit,
he readily admits that he hardly ever works in pine any more. Rather his
chosen timbers – or those of his customers – are oak, maple
and beech. This is because Steven Hall has successfully expanded his business
by moving almost exclusively into the area of subcontracting the manufacture
and construction of bespoke face-frames for in-frame kitchen designs that
many kitchen manufacturers now require but find so problematical.
[More
on this Story]
Sigma
3 Advert Cleared by ASA
A
complaint, objecting to a regional press advertisement for kitchens company
Sigma 3 of Pontyclun, Mid Glamorgan was not upheld, according to published
details from the Advertising Standards Authority. The complainant challenged
the claim 'Over 90% of Sigma 3 customers consider they get good value
for money'.
[More
on this Story]
Procurement
Partnership Concluded Between Villeroy & Boch and GranitiFiandre -
First Collection at 'Cersaie 2003'
Villeroy
& Boch's new, exclusive collection of technical tiles in a natural-stone
look will be presented to the public for the first time at 'Cersaie 2003'.
It is the result of an extensive cooperation between two of the world's
leading tile manufacturers, Villeroy & Boch and GranitiFiandre.
[More
on this Story]
Architectural
Firm Bolles & Wilson Wins Kaldewei’s Architecture Competition
The
internationally acclaimed firm of architects Bolles & Wilson, Münster,
have won the Kaldewei architecture competition; the winning design is
for a new Competence Centre which will be built on the company grounds
around the Kaldewei Villa.
[More
on this Story]
FMB
Survey Highlights Four Years of Continued Growth for SMEs -
but Skills Shortage Continues to Hamper Further Growth
Business
for the UK's small and medium-sized builders grew for the sixteenth successive
quarter according to the Federation of Master Builders' (FMB) 'State of
Trade Survey' for the second quarter of 2003.
[More
on this Story]
Maytag
UK's Neptune Laundry - Great Profit Opportunities
Retailers
looking for great profit opportunities, differentiators at the point of
sale and dedicated marketing support in American laundry need search no
further. Maytag UK delivers the whole package, with tried and tested success
with the all American Neptune.
[More
on this Story]
Whirlpool
Home Appliances Announces Second Annual Search For Unique Cake Recipes
Whirlpool®
Home Appliances announced on September 8th the kickoff of its second-annual
AccuBake Unique Cake Contest, a search for America's classic and unusual
family cake recipes
[More
on this Story]
NKBA
and NARI to Partner at K/BIS and in Legislative Initiatives
The
National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) and the National Association
of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) have reached an agreement for NARI to
be a 'presenting partner' at the Kitchen/ Bath Industry Show (K/BIS) and
its concurrent educational programme next April in Orlando
[More
on this Story]
THE K&BZINE ISSUE 17 5th September 2003
Swift
Appointment by Brandt Freestanding
Having
already enjoyed a successful working relationship with Swift Electrical
for the past three years selling the Brandt built - in range, the distributor,
which has a large customer base and good understanding of the brand, was
appointed Brandt Freestanding distributor as from 1st September 2003.
[More
on this Story]
Fisher
& Paykel AGM Points to Growth in US and Europe
The Annual Meeting of New Zealand appliance company Fisher & Paykel
took place on 11th August, and the chairman noted the outstanding financial
results for its first full year as a separately listed company, reporting
profit after tax of $73.5m. During this year, the company achieved the
milestone of selling over one million appliances in a 12 month period.
[More
on this Story]
Snaige
Announces 14% Boost in Half Year Profits and Completion of Russian Fridge
Plant
In
the first seven months of the present year Lithuanian fridge manufacturer
Snaige achieved a turnover of over 158 million litas. According to final
data from January-July 2003 Snaige achieved a turnover of 158,779 million
litas – 10.1 percent higher than during the same period of last
year .
[More
on this Story]
ASA
Investigates Complaint
Following
a complaint by Alliance Interiors Ltd of Lanarkshire, a local newspaper
advert on behalf of Ecosse Solid Surfaces Ltd of Dumbarton was investigated
by the Advertising Standards Authority on two counts. One complaint was
upheld, the other dismissed
[More
on this Story]
World
Snooker Announces Tour Sponsor
Global
electronics manufacturer LG Electronics has announced its sponsorship
of World Snooker’s premier circuit. The LG Electronics Tour will
comprise seven events – the LG Cup, British Open, Travis Perkins
UK Championship, Welsh Open, European Open, Irish Masters and Players
Championship. The total prize fund for the seven events will be £3.5million.
[More
on this Story]
Housing
- it’s Still a Case of not Good Enough – says BMA
President
of the Bathroom Manufacturer’s Association Martyn Denny said that
for him the results of the long awaited English House Condition Survey
2001 held good news and bad.
[More
on this Story]
The
Amana Alaska Struts Haute Couture
Not
every refrigerator can attract the attention of the fashion world and
it's not possible for just any refrigerator to wear an original design!
The Amana Alaska has been 'dressed' by internationally renowned fashion
designer, Nicole Miller. She has worked with silk, satin, cotton and even
chocolate with the Amana Alaska being the latest addition to her portfolio.
[More
on this Story]
Miele
Appliances Come Top in National and International Surveys
In
a recent washing machine test conducted by Germany's leading consumer
watchdog Stiftung Warentest (StiWa). Miele's W 435 Plus WPS was awarded
a first-place 1.8 on the German school-system scale ranging from 1 to
6. In all, 12 frontloading washing machines with spin speeds up to 1500
rpm were tested.
[More
on this Story]
Only
the Best for Southampton Bathrooms
Purchasers
of prestigious homes in Southampton are allowed to personalise their bathrooms
and showers using their choice of Marbrex decorative panels from Swish
Building Products. Once reserved, purchasers can choose from a range of
quality Marbrex finishes in the bathroom and shower areas, installed by
HBS Shower Installations.
[More
on this Story]
Wood
Machine Maker Carves Out Exports Market
Wood
machine manufacturer, The Air Press Company, is branching out into new
overseas markets and has won £22,000 worth of new overseas business
with help from Trade Partners UK - the government network that gives UK
companies a head start with trade and investment overseas.
[More
on this Story]
Mirari
Brings European Style to Kitchen Showcase 2003
This
year’s Kitchen Showcase exhibition will feature a kitchen collection
which combines four different European design styles. The Mirari collection
will be shown for the first time at the event being held at London’s
Business Design Centre from September 11-13. Designed and manufactured
by UK kitchen company The Symphony Group, Mirari was originally launched
this Spring.
[More
on this Story]
Planit
to Present Workshops at Kitchen Showcase
Software
provider Planit International will be offering retailers an opportunity
to find out at first hand just how the latest Planit Fusion release could
benefit their business, at a new exhibition, Kitchen Showcase, which will
be held at London’s Business Design Centre, September 11-12, 2003.
[More
on this Story]
LG
Art Cool in Bathroom Romp...
LG
distributor Diffusion recently supplied two Art Cool blue units to one
of its more unusual sites - a retail ‘bathroom boutique’. Airbath,
based just outside Leeds, is a very up-market retailer designing and selling
bathroom suites at prices of around £10,000. Some have even cost
more.
[More
on this Story]
Small...
but Perfectly Formed!
One
of the keys to success for independent manufacturing retailers is the
ability to be flexible. As was proved by Bespoke Kitchens & Bathrooms
in Newark when asked to design and install a functional fitted kitchen
into a tiny space within a £10k budget.
[More
on this Story]
A
Food Waste Disposer is a Green Product and a Great Opportunity for the
Kitchen Trade!
Following
the launch of a quarter of a £million marketing campaign in March
2003, In-Sink-Erator has recently recorded its most successful period
of trading in the UK. The campaign, which focuses more heavily on the
consumer and today's changing lifestyle than ever before, has been received
enthusiastically by distributors and retailers, as well as the trade and
consumer press
[More
on this Story]
Fresco
Provides Ultimate Flexibility in the Kitchen, says PWS Distributors
The Fresco door from PWS creates a façade of simplicity and minimalism.
The square profile slab door design and clean brilliant white finish provides
a door which is understated yet stylish
[More
on this Story]