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'Operation Church' Raids Kitchens

Operation Church was a major multi agency enforcement operation targeting Maple Mill trading as 'Kitchens' on Cardwell Street in Oldham. More than 130 police and trading standards officers raided the premises in the early hours of Wednesday 29th November 2006.

Four people linked with Vance Miller's cut-price kitchen company were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud: a 41 year old man from Ramsbottom near Bury; a 30 year old woman, also from Ramsbottom; a 26 year old woman from Milnrow near Rochdale; and a 42 year old man, also from Milnrow.

Kitchens is the single most complained about independent trader in the UK. Trading Standards Officers handle between 60-100 complaints a week about the activities of the firm.

Two firearms were found at Maple Mill, which are currently being forensically examined, along with other evidence.

An estimated 15,000 people have been conned out of millions of pounds over the five years the kitchen firm has been trading under various names from the Maple Mill site.

Kitchens, Britain's fourth largest supplier of kitchens, sold hundreds of cheap deals a week through newspaper adverts, turning over tens of millions of pounds a year.

But people found they were delivered incomplete, poor quality kitchens, often long after the date agreed. They were locked into unfair contracts and struggled to get through to the company to raise their concerns.

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is awaiting evidence gathered from the raids to assess whether they are in a position to shut the company down.

The Head of Trading Standards in Oldham, Tony Allen, advises all consumers 'not to deal with Vance Miller and Kitchens of Maple Mill, Cardwell Street in Oldham as there is a high probability of consumer detriment, misrepresentation, fraud and problems with transactions with this firm.' In 2002, the Office of Fair Trading gave Vance Miller the country's first Stop Now order, telling him to stop his rogue trading practices or face prison.

He ignored the warning and spent five weeks in jail for contempt of court, reduced from nine months on appeal. The order is a lifetime ban and the judge indicated a heavier sentence would be given if Miller flouted the order again.

Although he ran previous firms from the Maple Mill address under names including Craftsman Kitchens and Direct Kitchens, he has disputed claims that he runs Kitchens.

The Office of Fair trading will have the power to stop Kitchens trading if it is found that Miller was indeed in charge and the firm's practices flouted the Stop Now order Miller signed.

An OFT spokesman said: the matter is complicated. 'The company can carry on trading unless we gather sufficient evidence to prove Miller's involvement and unfair practices.' 

ALNO Wins £1m Contract from Berkeley Homes

The Southern Contracts Division of ALNO has been awarded a £1m contract by Berkeley Homes to provide the kitchens for its prestigious 'City Quarter' development. Located adjacent to the Square Mile, London's thriving financial district, the City Quarter scheme will comprise a collection of luxury apartments and penthouses. Aimed at discerning individuals and couples aspiring to the ultimate London lifestyle, City Quarter benefits from the area's plethora of bars and restaurants as well as excellent transport links.

The 'City Quarter' development in Leman Street, E1 combines a striking mix of contemporary architecture with the restoration of a magnificent Victorian Grade II listed warehouse. There will be 1,2 & 3 bedroom apartments as well as 2 & 3 bedroom penthouses available.

Dean Williams, contracts manager for ALNO Southern Contracts Division said, ‘This is a significant contract, providing kitchens for a flagship scheme for one of the UK's most prestigious developers. There were three other kitchen companies on the short list, but I think our established relationship with Berkeley Homes and reputation for providing quality product and a first class, professional design and installation service won through.’

City Quarter apartments will feature ALNOChic in vanilla gloss with 78mm thick dark wood worktops while the Pent Houses will be finished with top of the range ALNOSign in white high gloss completed with 50mm black granite.

The project is due to begin in December 2006 and is scheduled to be completed within 18 months.

For more information about ALNO Contracts visit http://www.alno.co.uk and click on the link for UK Contract Division.

Thanks a Million!

The Bristan Group has announced its millionth order since installing its IFS computer systems

Keeping tight control on all aspects of ordering, packaging, purchasing and delivery is light work for the Bristan Group since it installed its IFS computer system in July 2004. Now the company is celebrating its millionth order since establishing the system, and announces that it cannot be more pleased with the success of IFS.

Helping to streamline its dispatch operations and manage stock and material supplies more efficiently, the IFS system has made a massive impact on the company's day to day business. Such is its success within the group that A&J Gummers also embraced IFS this year, and Heritage is due to launch in April 2007.

‘Everyone has really taken to the IFS system, and we are delighted to announce our millionth order processed using IFS. By operating all aspects of our business using one fully-integrated system we have been able to seriously improve our supply and service to customers and ensure the entire company is run as one, smooth ship,’ explains Steve Lee, md of the Bristan Group.

Tel: 0870 4425556
Web: http://www.bristan.com

Franke Fantasy Football Winners Enjoy Great Day Out

The winners of this summer's Franke Fantasy Football in The K&BZine enjoyed a day out at Old Trafford last week when they went to see Manchester United take on Chelsea in the top of the table Premiership clash. Phil Down (40) is pictured on the right with son Daniel (14) and brothers in law Declan Feeney (far left) and Simon Hargreaves outside the ground just below the famous statue of Sir Matt Busby.

Phil won the tickets by selecting a world cup fantasy team in the kbzine's competition, sponsored by Franke, which ran throughout the tournament held in Germany this summer. Phil's team, helped by stars such as Ronaldinho and David Beckham, won the competition by just one point, which gave him first prize of 4 tickets to any Old Trafford game of his choice.

‘The match to choose was obvious,’ said Phil as he waited for the game to kick off. ‘As soon as the fixtures came out this was always going to be one of the biggest games of the season. Now I'm here I'm even more excited. Dan has talked of nothing else for the last 2 weeks! A big thank you to Franke for giving us the chance to be here.’

Phil was satisfied by the result which finished 1-1 after United took a first half lead. ‘The atmosphere was fantastic and the quality of the players in real life is unbelievable’ he said. ‘One way or the other, we saw the champions today.’

‘Lets hope it's United’ added Daniel.

As the winners left the ground they were delighted to be presented with Old Trafford souvenirs by Franke representative Dave Horton

Wolseley Annual Statement 'Broadly in Line'

Business conditions in the Wolseley plc's principal markets outside the USA have been broadly in line with comments made in the Preliminary Results statement for the year ended 31st July 2006, issued on 25th September 2006. In the USA, the Group has seen a further softening in the US housing market and also weaker lumber prices than originally expected. This has impacted sales and profits from the US Building Materials business ('Stock') in the three months of the financial year to 31st October 2006. In response to the slowing market, a significant programme of cost reduction has been implemented. Elsewhere, the Group has benefited from high rates of organic growth in the US Plumbing and Heating business ('Ferguson'), the contribution from acquisitions, including DT Group and also from improving trends from a number of European businesses including the UK and France.

After currency translation and including the effect of acquisitions, Group revenue for the three months to 31st October 2006 was up by more than 15% on the corresponding period in 2005, including around 5% organic growth. Trading profit was up by around 9%. In constant currency, revenue and trading profit would have been higher by around 4%.

Group profit before tax and amortisation of acquired intangibles for the three months to 31st October 2006 was up only marginally as a consequence of the higher interest charge relating to the recent acquisition spend and increased interest rates.

In Europe, revenue and trading profit in sterling, including acquisitions, increased by more than 30% in the three months to 31st October 2006. Excluding DT Group, European revenues and trading profit were up by around 20% and 10%, respectively.

Wolseley UK, including Ireland, achieved double-digit revenue growth, including good levels of organic growth, reflecting generally improving trading conditions across most brands. The trading margin was slightly lower as a result of slightly more aggressive price competition and the company's on-going investments in people and new branch openings.

In France, good levels of organic revenue and profit growth were achieved and sales trends continued to improve.

Trading in the Nordic region by DT Group in its first month of Wolseley ownership was encouraging and exceeded expectations.

In Central Europe, each of the Group's businesses showed positive revenue growth, despite most markets remaining broadly flat. The businesses in Switzerland and the Netherlands continued to show good increases in trading profit.

Outlook
In the USA, the housing market is expected to continue to soften into 2007, but with significant regional variations. As the year progresses, the relative performance of Stock should improve as the housing starts and lumber/panel price comparators become more favourable and the benefits of the cost reduction programme are realised. The RMI and commercial and industrial markets are expected to continue to improve. Ferguson should increase its market share and achieve good levels of organic growth.

In the UK, recent sales trends support the Group's view that there will continue to be a gradual improvement in the RMI and housing markets, as the financial year progresses. Growth in the French RMI market is likely to remain modest, although sales trends are expected to continue to improve. The outlook for the markets in which DT Group operates remain positive. In Central Europe, most of the Group's businesses should continue to show some progress in generally flat markets.

The Board remains confident of the Group's ability to outperform the markets in which its principal businesses operate. The Group will continue to manage its cost base in response to prevailing market conditions in order to maximise profitability. The Board continues to expect the Group to make progress for the current financial year as a whole but the first half is likely to be the most challenging.

Indesit Company Innovation Wins an Award in Australia

Indesit Company, Europe's no. 2 and the world's no. 5 white goods maker, has come through the Australian Standard Tests brilliantly, winning five stars in the Water Rating, with Aqualtis, the latest of the Ariston washing machines.

The first washing machine to be accorded five stars, the Aqualtis was received enthusiastically by the Australian market, where it was launched in September.

Thanks to its synthesis of all the most advanced technologies and functions, the Aqualtis passed the tests conducted in the Vipac Engineers and Scientists laboratory in Melbourne, a certified member of the N.A.T.A. (National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia). It thus proved itself to be the washing machine that's most sensitive to the need to conserve water resources, for which the Australian government has been campaigning for years. In its effort to raise public awareness, the Government has also been offering incentives, to the tune of between 150 and 200 AUS dollars for purchasers of washing machines with at least 4 stars in consumption tests.

The new generation technology that enabled Indesit Company to score maximum points in the stringent Australian tests are the SuperEco system, which signals when the cycle selected allows savings in energy and water of up to 10%, thus entering energy class A+, and the Mini Load function, for everyday washing, which makes it possible to achieve excellent results even with small loads, saving up to 25% water and 40% energy.

Developed with advance innovation criteria and designed by Makio Hasuike, the Aqualtis is the first standard size washing machine to offer the performance of a large size model (up to 7.5 kg) whilst showing the utmost respect for the environment.

Innovation and energy saving are nothing new at Indesit Company of course. The Company has always been focused on developing products that make as little impact on the environment as possible:

- in 2000, the Company was given a Galaxy Energy Award for its excellent record in energy efficiency;
- in 2002, the Company received an Ecohitech Award in the 'environmentally friendly'category for its capacity to combine high technology with energy efficiency;
- in 2005, it won a Plus X, the coveted German award, for its technological innovation and environmental care;
- in 2005 it also received the British Home Innovation Award for technological innovation and environmental care with its drawer fridge and Experience oven, by Ariston;
- and the Extendia line fridge received a Grand Prix de l'Innovation.

The five-star Water Rating given to the Aqualtis is yet another major acknowledgement of Indesit Company's environmental commitment and of the high innovative capacity of the product, which is appealing to consumers all over the world. Success is also being enjoyed by the advertising campaign that launched it.

The Aqualtis TV commercial, ‘Mondo Sommerso’, won:
- a ‘Leone d'Oro’ at the 53rd Cannes International Advertising Festival;
- a gold in the TV commercials category at the Adc*e Awards in Barcelona;
- a gold at the Shark Awards Festival;
- a gold at the prestigious New York Festivals - International Advertising Awards 2006;
- and a gold in the Home-Furnishings/Appliances category at the London International Advertising Award.

In the film, the imagination of child transforms the original shaped hatch of the Aqualtis into a window on a huge, enchanted undersea world inhabited by quilts that look like gigantic rays, scarves like jellyfish, shirts that wave like seaweed and jeans that look and swim around like sharks.

Recipe For Uncertainty In UK KBB Industry

A study of the UK’s leading kitchen, bedroom & bathroom manufacturers companies has shown that few are fully in control of their overall business strategy.

The survey – by business analysts Plimsoll – indicates a remarkable inconsistency in the companies’ commercial and financial behaviour. Very few of the kitchen, bedroom & bathroom manufacturers firms planning to come out on top in 2007 in terms of profit and sales will actually achieve their goals.

David Pattison, senior analyst on the project, says: 'In today’s highly competitive kitchen, bedroom & bathroom manufacturers market you cannot sit still for a minute. If you have seen sales increase this year and good profits, there is a fair chance that next year you will not be able to maintain it. Likewise, if you did not increase sales this year you are going to have to set a priority of trying to grab some growth in the next trading period.'

The survey comes a year on from a previous Plimsoll study of the kitchen, bedroom & bathroom manufacturers market. The company, based in Stockton-on-Tees, is one of the leading business performance analysts in the UK, France and Japan. More than 16,000 customers worldwide rely on its highly detailed and up-to-date reports to allow them to make swift, well-informed evaluations of a wide range of commercial sectors. The company takes its name from the Plimsoll line, the safe loading line mechanism developed in the 19th century to ensure that ships stayed afloat.

Last year, Plimsoll carried out a survey grading each company based on how successful they were performing on two fronts:

1) In the market based on their sales and commercial success.
2) Their overall financial strength, taking into account profitability levels and the level of debt carried by these companies.

This year, Plimsoll has revisited and updated the analysis to see how the companies have coped with another year of competitive trading. The findings show that more than half of the 285 companies analysed have changed strategy in the last 12 months- and not all by choice.

Winners
Of the 111 winners last year, 48 have retained their winning status. 50 are new to the Winners category, having switched strategy since last year.

Losers
Of the losers last year, 42 have found themselves in this less than prestigious category for a 2nd year. More worryingly for the industry, they have been joined by 31 other new ‘losing’ companies.

Chasers
Of the 45 companies awarded this status last year, 19 continue with their pioneering strategy. They have been joined by another 20 companies, bringing the total number of chasers in the industry to 39.

Sleepers
Last year Plimsoll ranked 61 companies as sleepers. 18 of these continue to preserve financial strength at the expense of sales growth, and they have been joined this year by 57 other companies who have switched strategy.

Said David Pattison: 'What this analysis is clearly saying is that, in a very competitive market, of the companies planning to be a winner by the end of 2007, few will actually achieve their goal.'

The Plimsoll Portfolio Analysis- Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Manufacturers is aimed at anyone who has a commercial interest in doing business with a kitchen, bedroom & bathroom manufacturers company.

Copies are available direct from Plimsoll Publishing Ltd, at http://www.plimsoll.co.uk, or by e-mail at c.sherwood@plimsoll.co.uk, or call 01642 626400 quoting PR11.  

Readers of the KBzine can purchase the Plimsoll Portfolio Analysis- Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Manufacturers for £300 instead of the usual £350.  

Heathrow Terminal 5 Specifies Vitra

International bathroom brand, VitrA continues to build its contract presence in the UK having been selected by BAA to provide sanitaryware solutions to Heathrow's new Terminal 5 (T5) project.

VitrA has produced a bespoke new range of sanitaryware for over 600 washroom facilities, including what is believed to be the world's first fully DDA compliant special needs WC - a one piece ceramic back-to-wall pan with minimal fixing holes.

Because there is no product on the market that meet current DDA regulations (minimum projection of 750mm and height of 485mm), VitrA took elements of its current Matrix range and worked closely with T5's design manager, Kay Greetham to develop the special needs WC.

Philip Baker, VitrA's contracts and specifications manager led the project: 'VitrA created a one piece mould with smooth sides and minimal fixings, resulting in a stylish and safe WC for accessible users.'

In addition to the special needs WC, T5 specified VitrA's Syphonic urinal with integral infra-red sensor, which reduces water usage by up to a third.

VitrA also collaborated with Greetham to design bespoke wall-hung basins for the washrooms - the K1 600mm basin for standard washrooms, and the K2 which has the same design lines but a shorter projection, for the accessible washrooms.
Designed to offer the individual user a feeling of personal space, the stylish basins are complemented by an individual mirror, recessed shelving unit for passengers to store grooming items such as toothpaste and lotions, and a coat hook.

Kay Greetham, design manager at T5 said: ‘We found VitrA to be extremely flexible in responding to our brief and happy to work with us to push the boundaries of product design.’

For further information about VitrA's contract ranges or to speak to a member of the contract team, telephone 01235 750 990.

The Welsh Decide on their Favourites

Christmas is likely to be one of the only times of year that the people of Wales turn off the television and open their homes to friends and family to host dinner parties, according to a recent survey.

Sigma 3, who carried out the survey into Wales' socialising and eating habits discovered that almost half of the Welsh public only had people around for dinner once a year, with a massive thirteen per cent admitting to never hosting a dinner party.

The Welsh kitchen manufacturer and retailer ran the survey in conjunction with 'This is my favourite...' Week (11-17th Nov), a campaign aimed at raising money for BBC Children in Need, through encouraging people to host dinner parties and buying a book of recipes donated by famous celebrity chefs.

Sigma 3's marketing manger Paula Morris says: ‘Not only is the perfect dinner party about what to eat but it's also about who to invite, and even though very few people seem to be holding dinner parties, when we asked them who they would invite to a dinner party, we found that over a quarter of Welsh people would rather have dinner with superstar singer and film director couple Madonna and Guy Richie than their own native choir girl Charlotte Church and rugby ace Gavin Henson.’

Other famous couples people would happily entertain around their dining room table were Elton John and David Furnish, Jordan and Peter Andre, Kate Moss and Pete Docherty.

The survey, carried out across the four Sigma 3 showrooms in Wales, including Newport, Swansea and two in Cardiff, also revealed Welsh Lamb to be a firm favourite for a home cooked meal, with the Italian option of spaghetti bolognaise coming a close second and fish and chips, Cawl and Coq au Vin in joint third place.

Ms Morris continues: ‘I would love to cook dinner for Neil Jenkins and Stephen Jones so they could give me the inside info on Welsh rugby. I can't imagine not sitting down with friends and family on a regular basis, I don't think the dining room in my house goes unused for more than two weeks.

‘It's a shame we've become a nation of tele addicts who prefer to eat their dinner in front of the TV rather than talking and enjoying each others company around a dinner table.’

The New Face of AFG Begins to Take Shape

Three months after the groundbreaking ceremony on July 11th, 2006, another milestone in the history of AFG Arbonia-Forster-Holding AG was reached with the laying of the foundation stone for the new Corporate Centre.

Dr. Edgar Oehler, AFG's President and CEO, welcomed numerous representatives from the cantonal and municipal authorities, planners, media types and a delegation from the general contractor in charge, Karl Steiner AG Zurich/St. Gallen, to the Winzel field in Frasnacht/Steineloh (Thurgau) on the outskirts of the city of Arbon at the start of the construction site.

The symbolic burial of a box with building plans and photos from AFG's past, current documents etc. formed the highlight of the foundation stone ceremony.

Building work is progressing well and things are running to schedule. The Corporate Centre will therefore be ready for occupation from the end of October 2007. The new building will be opened officially on March 1st, 2008.

After AFG had purchased several parcels of land from the former landowners during 2006 in an area zoned for agriculture - there were around 13 hectares in total - a large portion of it was rezoned for industrial use. The construction permit for the new Corporate Centre was issued on July 3rd, 2006, some 18 months after the project was first presented to the Thurgau government at the beginning of 2005.

If you now stand near the excavation edge of the largest construction site in Arbon, it soon becomes clear what's been done in the months since the groundbreaking ceremony on July 11th: a total of around 45,000 m2 of soil was dug so that the level of 14 meters below the former level was achieved for the three planned basements. Ingenious planning was needed for this. The large skip trucks drove onto the building site at 1-minute intervals. A truck was allowed to stay on the building site for a maximum of five minutes on average in order to avoid falling behind on the ambitious building and time schedule.

Foundation stone as further milestone
The excavation work for the new Corporate Centre was completed recently. A ceremony was held on October 16th, 2006 to celebrate the laying of the foundation stone for the new building. The formal ceremony involving the foundation stone took place following brief speeches by among others the Thurgau government council member and head of the building department Hans Peter Ruprecht as well as mayor Werner Minder from Roggwil SG.

A box with building plans and photos from AFG's past, current documents etc. was buried. The box was then fixed in the ground using a concrete mixture and covered with a sheet of metal. This symbolic act represents a further milestone in AFG's history. The foundation for both a representative head office and an administration building has therefore been laid and will represent the sites in eastern Switzerland, Upper Thurgau and the city of Arbon. Progressive internationalisation of the multi-million business will ultimately only be crowned with success if there is a strong and solid basis in Switzerland, emphasised CEO Dr. Edgar Oehler.

Saving energy and costs with AFG products
According to Edgar Oehler, the new Corporate Centre should also become a showpiece for cutting-edge and energy-saving construction thanks to high-grade, innovative quality products preferably from the AFG product range. AFG has developed solutions that lead to clear-cut savings in energy consumption with no loss of comfort and quality.

The AFG innovations should pay off thanks to greater comfort at work, more elegant and sturdier constructions and savings in energy and costs. It is not without reason that AFG is launching a wide-ranging energy-saving campaign in the coming weeks. It will shortly inform all interested parties, among them institutional and private home owners as well as real estate managers, about it in detail with a special brochure, various ads and not least via its employee and customer magazine AFG WORLD. The new Corporate Centre will also be symbolic for this forthcoming campaign.

Stoves and Belling Celebrate the Success of the BBC Good Food Show 2006

The BBC Good Food Show was a big success this year for brands Stoves and Belling, with an impressive stand, consumer offers and lively demonstrations of the Genus oven by The Big Chef, Peter Osborne.

The five day show opened on Wednesday 22nd November at Birmingham's NEC, with huge demand for tickets meaning that Saturday quickly sold out. Showcasing a selection of appliances from range and freestanding cookers to built-in ovens and hobs, Stoves offered visitors the chance to see for themselves the quality food Genus delivers in a fraction of the time, with cooking demonstrations throughout the show.

Visitors to the stand could also enter the free prize draw to win one of 5 Baby Belling Pronto table top induction hobs.

Still seen as the crème de la crème of cooking exhibitions, the BBC Good Food Show provides an excellent opportunity for both brands to heighten awareness and generate consumer pull-through. Louise Morris, Marketing Services Manager for Glen Dimplex Home Appliances, comments:

'This show seems to get better every year and we have received a strong response from the public. The Big Chef Peter Osborne was a great asset this year and his cooking demonstrations proved popular and allowed the lifestyle benefits that Genus has to offer to really stand out from the crowd.

'With 40 different products on display, Stoves and Belling have both reaffirmed their status as leading cooking brands and the retail results will no doubt speak for themselves.'

HomeStyle Complaint Not Upheld

A complaint objecting to three radio ads for HomeStyle, Glasgow was not upheld according to information published by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

Ad
Three radio ads for a kitchen and bedroom supplier.
a. One ad made the claim ‘a company like Homestyle ... who trusts you enough not to ask for any money until the installation is complete not a penny ... ‘.
b. The second ad made the claim ‘ ... we wont ask for any money at all until the installation is complete not a penny ... ‘.
c. The third ad made the claim ‘ ... HomeStyle wont ask you for so much as a penny until the installation is complete ... ‘.

Issue
A listener objected that the claims in all three ads were misleading, because they were only applicable to those who took up the company's finance option and not cash sales.

BCAP Radio Advertising Code: 2 – 3

Response
HomeStyle confirmed that the ‘not a penny’ offer was open both to financed sales and to cash sales. They sent five copies of signed contracts, showing a cash payment method, as support for the claims.

Assessment
Not upheld

The ASA considered that the examples of signed contracts showed that the offer was available to cash purchasers as well as financed. Although we were concerned by the complainants experience, we concluded that the ad did not mislead.

We investigated the ads under CAP (Broadcast) Radio Advertising Standards Code section 2 rule 3 (Misleadingness) but did not find them in breach.

Action
We asked HomeStyle to ensure that potential customers were given the correct information about their offers in future.

Trading Standards joins Forces with UK's leading Trade Association

Brighton & Hove, Bedfordshire and Slough Trading Standards have all partnered with a leading trade association, UK Trades Confederation (UKTC) to develop their directory of reliable and ethical traders. The scheme aims to 'stamp out' rogue traders and increase business for reputable traders in these regions.

Reputable traders in Brighton & Hove, Bedfordshire and Slough can expect to be contacted by a representative from UKTC who are looking for new recruits to the scheme. Applications to the scheme will then undergo a company audit by Trading Standards who will complete the registration. Successful applicants will benefit from increased business from the directory that services local consumers.

As part of the partnership agreement, UKTC will pay membership fees of successful applicants to the directory if they also become members of the UKTC. By becoming a member of the UKTC traders will benefit from a free fully functional e-commerce website and email facilities plus many other valuable business benefits.

Iain McDonald, Managing Director of UKTC comments:
'The objectives of the directory are two-fold. Firstly, it is hoped to 'stamp out' the rogues and incompetent businesses that exploit consumers. Secondly, it will support and increase business for the reliable and ethical traders that operate in these areas.'

For further information contact The UK Trades Confederation on 0800 018 4442 or email mail@uktc.org visit http://www.uktc.org

Foster Chooses Sabaf for the Alessi Designed Cooktop

As part of the national and international supply agreements witnessing SABAF an increasingly major role among producers of household appliance parts, the company from Ospitaletto (Bs) has announced a new collaboration with Foster, a specialist in the production of built-in gas cooktops, that after first using the I Series burners in the '80s, and then the II Series in the '90s, is now going to install the III Series burners.

The new cooktops, an integral part of the LACUCINAALESSI project designed by architect Alessandro Mendini, involve the installation of last generation SABAF burners, the IIl Series, a concentrate of technology, design and performance awarded the 2005 Intel Design Prize for the ‘friendly product’ category.

SABAF's III Series burners were designed with an eye to not only performance and style, but also environmental impact. Burners now available on the market offer parameters of efficiency (seen as actual gas heating power yield) and carbon monoxide emission in line, on average, with the limits set by current regulations (demanding an efficiency of over 52% and carbon monoxide emission no higher than 0.10%).

The new III Series burners were specifically designed to increase efficiency and therefore require shorter operating times, significantly reduce pollutant release, with considerable advantages for the environment and the kitchen air itself.

The results of tests carried out in SABAF labs show an efficiency of 66%, i.e. over 26% compared to current regulations requirements, and at least 18% over other burners currently on the market. That means, for example, that in order to bring to boil 10 litres of water we will need much less time and much less gas, and therefore release much less pollutants into the atmosphere.

Foster and Alessi chose also SABAF for its burners performance, thanks to a manufacturing experience that produced the previous versions, with a direct impact on the final consumer:

– over 15-20% power: the ratio between maximum and minimum power for the same diameter burner was increased, providing greater flexibility of use
– Flames more tilted upwards: to allow the use of small pots on powerful burners.
– New burner fixing system: the cap and gas ring are firmly fixed to the cooktop and, due to their rounded shape, are faster and easier to clean, as in glass ceramic cooktops. At the same time, however, they are easily removed without requiring any tool, for a more thorough cleaning.

Web: http://www.sabaf.it

Electrolux Design Lab Competition 2006 Promotes Healthy Eating Habits

Design students from around the world created inspiring household appliance solutions for food preservation and storage that promote healthier eating habits for 2016.

Electrolux selected nine Design Lab finalists in this year's fourth edition of the global competition. An internationally-renowned jury will judge the household appliance entries in Barcelona and select one winner, which will be announced at a press conference today (December 1st, 2006).

The design students come from leading universities in Mexico, USA, Brazil, Thailand, Germany, Turkey, Singapore, UK and China (finalists' names and universities on page 2). The names of the products are Nutry Print, Fit Snack Joy, Hotpod, Vessto, Organic Cook, Vege, Nevale, Hydrosphere and SpiceHood.

The Electrolux Design Lab challenges students to meet the highest international standards in future appliance design, bringing together the creativity of promising design students from around the world. Submissions have come from students in 37 countries.

With obesity as one of the greatest public health challenges of the 21st century, this year's Design Lab 2006 entries encourage healthier eating habits by enhancing availability and creating easier access to healthy food at home.

'Electrolux has a long history of generating pioneering and award winning designs and innovations. Design Lab takes one step into the future and allows Electrolux to seek new solutions that create wow-effects,' says Electrolux Design Director, Henrik Otto. 'There are many students around the world with fresh ideas on how we can design household appliances for the future, and this competition gives Electrolux the opportunity to spot young, talented designers.'

A jury of internationally-renowned members from the design community will judge the final entries and select one winner based on the following criteria: design, innovation, functionality, and aesthetics.

Jury members include the two world leading designers Humberto Campana and Fernando Campana, chef Tetsuya Wakuda, NASA Space Architect Constance Adams, and Electrolux Design Director, Henrik Otto.

Finalists of the Design Lab 2006 competition are:
· Eduardo Altamirano Segovia (Universidad La Salle, Mexico)
· Jonathan Assaraf (Savannah College of Art and Design, USA)
· Clayton Tolomiotti Resende (School Positivo University Centre, Brazil)
· Teeravit Hanharutaivan (King Mongkut's Institute of Technology
Ladkrabang, Thailand)
· Christian Jung (HFG Pforzheim, Germany)
· Metin Kaplan (Istanbul Technical University, Turkey)
· Brian Chuan Chai Law (National University of Singapore, Singapore)
· Kleber Puchaski (Royal College of Art, UK)
· Yirong Yang (Southern Yangtze University School of Design, China)

In 2005, the Design Lab award went to Airwash (Singapore), a waterless washing unit that uses negative ions, compressed air and deodorants to clean clothes, while featuring an intuitive, ecological and sleek design.

More details on the Electrolux Design Lab, at http://www.electrolux.com/designlab

UK Consumer Credit Facility Targets Home Improvement Market

Retailers in the home improvement industry have been reaping the rewards of a new credit facility which has given their customers unprecedented spending power.

Bankbuster - recently launched by independent finance specialists Consumer Credit Solutions (CCS) - currently provides the lowest unsecured loan rate in the UK. It is available to all sizes of retailers and offers an impressive 4.9% APR with extended payment terms up to 120 months.

Andy Wallace, Managing Partner and founder of CCS, is delighted with the way the finance package has been received by retailers and customers alike. ‘This is one of our most exciting products ever. Retailers like it because it is easy to set up and only requires them to make a modest subsidy contribution - much cheaper for instance than with traditional interest free credit, with the added selling appeal of longer repayment terms.

‘The product is also proving popular with consumers,’ he added. ‘It is actually cheaper than most peoples' mortgage rate and has none of the associated set-up costs. Therefore, for what is often a relatively small monthly instalment, people can access greater amounts of finance than they might initially have budgeted for.’

CCS is able to offer such advantageous terms to retailers because of its considerable market experience in the home improvement sector and high volume turnover with some of the UK's leading credit and finance houses. This enables the company to secure the best possible finance deals for its clients, which they in turn can offer to their own customers.

As well as arranging individual finance deals, CCS also offers retailers a comprehensive support package, including ongoing account management, advice on how to promote the available credit products, advertising, and on-site training on how to complete and process credit applications.

What sets CCS apart from other lenders is that it offers consumer credit packages to all sizes of business - from the independent home improvement companies to major national players. This is one of the selling points that have given Bankbuster such a wide market appeal.

Croston Conservatory and Window Centre - based in Leyland, Lancashire - has been offering Bankbuster to its customers since the product's launch and is delighted by its impact on sales.

‘We had never really explored the consumer credit market in the past because we thought it would be too complicated and time consuming,’ explains Croston's Sales Director, John Latimer. ‘However, CCS introduced us to Bankbuster, which has been simple to manage and a highly effective way of boosting sales.

‘Most of today's home improvement projects represent big financial investments so being able to access the lowest repayment rates on the market over a prolonged period of time has proved very popular with our customers. In some cases it has made the difference between people getting the product they really want as opposed to the one they thought they would initially be able to afford,’ he said.

After only eight years' of trading, CCS has carved out a substantial niche for itself in the national home improvement sector, handling an annual credit managed programme in excess of £100million. Its customers include household names such as Everest Windows, Hammonds Furniture Ltd and Betta Bedrooms.

Retailers wanting to find out more about Bankbuster and CCS's other credit services should visit http://www.creditsolutionsgroup.co.uk or call 0845 120 6666.