American Standard has announced record second-quarter sales, net income and earnings per diluted share. Earnings were 95 cents per diluted share in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), up 30 percent from 73 cents a year ago.
Second-quarter earnings included a benefit from tax items of 14 cents per diluted share, which was partially offset by operational consolidation expenses of 7 cents per diluted share.
Excluding the tax items and operational consolidation expenses, adjusted earnings were a record 88 cents per diluted share, 16 percent higher than second quarter last year. For the quarter, sales were $2.76 billion, up 7 percent from a year ago. Net income rose to $207.9 million, up 30 percent on a GAAP basis and up 16 percent excluding tax items and operational consolidation expenses in 2004 and 2005.
'Overall, we had another very good quarter, driven by Air Conditioning Systems and Services and Vehicle Control Systems. As we expected, Bath and Kitchen performance continued to lag,' said Fred Poses, chairman and chief executive officer. 'We’re encouraged by our healthy market fundamentals, our increasing ability to close the gap between rising commodity costs and our prices, as well as our promising new product pipeline in all businesses.
BATH AND KITCHEN sales rose 2 percent to $648.9 million. Segment income was $35.6 million, down 30 percent compared with last year. The segment income reduction resulted from the negative impact of commodity cost increases including energy, foreign exchange, investments in the business and ongoing production issues, although segment income benefited from previously announced operational consolidation actions.
'These factors will continue in the second half of the year,' said Poses.
The negative foreign exchange impact resulted from a change in the value
of the Mexican peso and the Brazilian real that increased the company’s
manufacturing costs for products sold in the U.S. Excluding second-quarter
operational consolidation expenses of $13.9 million, adjusted segment
income was $49.5 million.
During the quarter, Bath and Kitchen showcased new products at major trade
fairs in Las Vegas, London and Moscow. Among its new products in the U.S.,
Bath and Kitchen introduced new models of the popular Champion® toilet,
the FloWise™ water-saving toilet, a kitchen workstation, various
faucets and vanities, and Tetsu, a modular furniture and storage solution
for the bathroom. In Europe, Bath and Kitchen introduced five ceramic
suites and three wellness shower lines, and in China, the business launched
a water-conservation product line.
The
Bathroom Manufacturers Association at their fifth Annual General Meeting
held 12 July 2005 at the Priest House on the River, Castle Donington,
Derbyshire unanimously elected Ted Goold, Masco as their President for
2005/06.
A full agenda for the day included the election of 2 Vice Presidents to
support the President and secure a firm succession role for the future.
Members elected Alan Brown, Twyford Bathrooms as 1st Vice President and
Roger Wilson, Kohler Mira as 2nd Vice President. Members agreed that the
Centre of Excellence whose prime objective is to steer the Marketing and
Training initiative, should be included within the Association Constitution
as a 4th Product Group, thereby allowing Industry supporters to strengthen
the BMA Training initiative as Associate Members.
Ted Goold commented that he looked forward to working with the Vice Presidents
together with the Management Committee and with the continued support
of the full membership the BMA will continue to develop initiatives for
the benefit of the UK bathroom Industry and to go from strength to strength.
The AGM agenda also included presentations from David Went an Attorney
with Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen and Hamilton and Sarah Northam from the Office
of Fair Trading, who each gave an insight into the UK and European Anti-trust
regulations, boundaries and consequences for manufacturers and Trade Associations.
Both presentations stressed the importance of company's who are active
in the EU complying with the competition laws and outlined the severity
of the penalties for non compliance.
BMA member and past President, Roger Cooper, Ideal Standard UK Ltd presented
a 'State of Trade' report based on the BMA consolidated statistical data.
David Osborne, Roman Ltd and Chairman of the Centre of Excellence Product
Group gave members a flavour of the activity of the Marketing and Training
working groups.
Richard Moss, Ideal-Standard UK Ltd also the chair of the Training Working
Group led discussion on the implementation of the Centre of Excellence
Business Plan whereby members supported the further development of the
BMA Generic Industry Guides and the BMA Merit Award.
For further information on the BMA, membership and the BMA Merit Award
please visit www.bathroom-association.org
or contact info@bathroom-association.org.uk
Fashion
Meets Technology at Science Museum
LG
Electronics invited customers as well as journalists and press at the
launch of a stunning new range of vacuum cleaners into its digital appliance
collection.
The event took place in the Science Museum and the first part of the
evening consisted of interactive product demonstrations and hands on
experience using three different 'home environment areas' – living
room, kitchen and bedroom.
Every single customer had the opportunity to discuss with our training
team and account managers and most of them tried the product themselves.
The atmosphere was friendly and relaxed offering an excellent opportunity
for networking with all the participants, discussion and feedback with
regards to the displayed product and the event itself.
The second part of the evening was highly expected by everybody –
a warm greeting by James Jeong to all the participants followed by a
stylish fashion show - LG Delightfully Smart fashion competition invited
first and second year fashion students to create designs that have been
inspired by the forth coming next generation LG vacuum cleaner –
The Cyking.
Twenty designs were short listed from four colleges around the UK including London College of Fashion, University of Westminster, Middlesex University and Ravensbourne College. The designs appearing one by one on the catwalk were complimented by visuals of the features and technologies that actually inspired the outfit – an exciting way to present the USP’s of the products and catching full attention of the audience.
An expert panel of judges from the world of fashion: Katie Greenyer,
Creative Director Red or Dead, Becky Taylor, Fashion Consultant from
New magazine, The fantastically talented Javine, Cover Girl Sophie Anderton
and our president, Mr. James Jeong analysed, deliberated and selected
the creation that best translates the features of the Cyking into an
inspirational and functional outfit.
The winning design was modelled by super model Erin O’Connor on
the Cyking catwalk at the Science Museum and the lucky student designer
- Ms. Alexandra McDonald received LG products and £1,000 prize
money. Also there were 4 runners up that received £ 500 each and
LG products. We were all pleasantly surprised by the amount of work
and excellent concepts the students proposed for this competitions and
LG is proudly to be a great supporter of the young talents and rising
stars of the UK fashion.
Wynn
Las Vegas Equipped with 4800 Dornbracht Fittings
The world’s most expensive casino hotel opened at the end of April
after a 30-month construction period. At the Wynn Las Vegas, the focus
is on luxury. The guest rooms, suites and villas have been equipped
with 4800 fittings by Dornbracht. Guests at the opening of the 2.7 billion
dollar hotel included Donald Trump, Elizabeth Taylor and Steven Spielberg.
Owner Steve Wynn has been active in Las Vegas for forty years. The casino
hotels Bellagio, Mirage and Treasure Island were also created under
his leadership.
Dornbracht fittings eMote, Tara, Tara Classic, Meta.02, Meta Pur and
Yota were chosen for the bathrooms in the 2716 guest rooms, suites and
villas, and for the wellness area. As well as standard fittings, Dornbracht
also manufactured a number of variants in accordance with the client's
wishes. Thus, for instance, some designs were supplied in two colours
- the bodies with a brushed chrome surface, and air jets and levers
in brushed brass. Furthermore, the 4-hole bath rim fitting in the Yota
series was supplied with Tara Classic side pieces.
Dornbracht
has been supplying special designs such as these internationally for
over twenty years. The Iserlohn works has a separate department with
sole responsibility for the x-tra Service. The range of services include
customised sizing, such as longer or shorter outlets, special finishes,
special surfaces for complementary products, maintaining the value of
Dornbracht classics, and laser technology lettering for projects, for
example, hotel logos. Precise craftsmanship in the transformation of
existing components leads to products that are individually tailored
to the client's request: genuinely made-to-measure.
The USA, an important foreign market for Dornbracht, has a turnover
of approx one-sixth of the company's sales in 2004. The most sold fittings
series in the USA - apart from the design classic Tara - are MEM, introduced
in 2003 and Madison, notable for its traditional design.
The casino hotel is totally tailored to luxury. As well as Chanel, Oscar
de la Renta, Cartier, Manolo Blahnik and Louis Vuitton boutiques, Wynn
is the only casino in the resort to offer its guests its own 18-hole
golf course. There is also a Ferrari - Maserati dealership. Artists
whose works are on display in the neighbouring art museum include Van
Gogh and Picasso.
http://www.wynnlasvegas.com
J&J
Ormerod PLC, an independent UK manufacturer of quality kitchens and bedrooms,
has installed a €1.5 million machine especially designed for cutting
unusual shapes in wood. Current developments in the kitchen industry demonstrate
a trend towards curves in wood panels. Responding to these trends, J&J
Ormerod is one of the first companies in the kitchen market to employ
such equipment. Richard Proctor, Sales Director of J&J Ormerod explains: 'The revolutionary BIMA P480V instrument by IMA, the German supplier of quality machinery, comes as part of a major investment policy, which builds on an existing relationship with IMA. Indeed, this is the fifth installation of a large piece of IMA's equipment at J&J Ormerod within the last few years.'
Kitchen cupboard doors have traditionally curved from left to right. However, the new BIMA P480V now enables J&J Ormerod to create doors, which are curved from top to bottom.
Previously, this could only be done by using a number of different machines, thereby leading to increased production costs. With this groundbreaking equipment costs are significantly reduced while product quality is improved.
The newly installed BIMA also enables kitchen manufacturers to work with the new semi-solid thicker panels with honeycomb centre that prevailed at the LIGNA show in Hanover.
In addition to the BIMA P480V, J&J Ormerod has installed a new packaging machine.
Combining the new €1.5 million BIMA with its established heritage and expertise, J&J Ormerod is ideally positioned to provide customers with an impressive range of high quality and practical kitchens.
For further information on J&J Ormerod's kitchen ranges, please contact J&J Ormerod directly on 01706 877877 or alternatively email Natalie Peters on npeters@jjoplc.com
Miele
Washing Machine World Cup Endurance Test
By the time the winner of next year's football world cup is known, a Miele
washing machine will also be close to the finishing line. The challenge
is a 10,000-hour endurance test broadcast live by webcam on the Internet
(www.miele-wm-dauertest.de).
The machine is already under starter's orders and will run and run and
run, paced by a tumble dryer, 24/7, until the marathon is over.
Such an extreme test, though, is nothing new to Miele machines. But it
is the first time such an endurance test has been run in full view of
the web community. In Miele's endurance test racks at the company headquarters
in Gütersloh, Germany, 185 washing machines and tumble dryers run
under surveillance until 5000 programme cycles have been completed. Given
the length of a full programme on a washing machine, this equates to approx.
10,000 operating hours. For tumble dryers, the figure is approx. 7500
h. On a machine used on average five times per week, this corresponds
to a life expectancy of 20 years. In reality, Miele machines have frequently
been proved to last far longer.
The washing machine in the current 'world cup' endurance test is to undergo
a particularly strict test regime: It will run in the 'Cottons 60°C'
programme, in other words at an elevated temperature and with a high spin
speed of 1600 rpm. The machine also features the large Miele honeycomb
drum with a maximum load capacity of 6 kg. The corresponding dryer, also
with a 6 kg honeycomb drum, will pace the washing machine through its
ordeal. The machines will only be given a short break when the laundry
load is renewed once a week. The washing and drying load consists of standard
Terry towels.
Miele expects this public online endurance test to focus attention on
the fact that the most durable washing machines and tumble dryers are
built in Gütersloh. And to prove its own confidence in its appliances,
Miele will not switch the machines off after 10,000 operating hours. Instead,
they will be left to run, possibly until the next European Championships
in 2008.
Ready, steady, go: Dr. Markus Miele presses the
button starting a gruelling marathon for a Miele washing machine and its
running mate, a tumble dryer. While the one is expected to clock up 10,000
hours of washing, the other will dry for at least 7500 hours. This equates
to a product life of 20 years. A
routine test for Miele, but live on the Internet (www.miele-wm-dauertest.de)
for the very first time.
Maytag could earn tens of millions of dollars in federal tax credits thanks to a provision included in the federal energy bill that was sent to the President's desk today. The energy bill will help expand U.S. sales of super-efficient clothes washers, refrigerators and dishwashers.
Maytag Chairman and CEO Ralph Hake said, 'The appliance manufacturers' tax credit will support our future product innovations and is expected to have a positive impact on the company's overall financial performance. In addition, the energy bill is a winning proposition for both the consumers and the environment.'
The provision was first introduced in the Senate by Senators Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas, and in the House by Congressmen Jim Nussle of Iowa and John Tanner of Tennessee. Maytag has manufacturing operations in Newton and Amana, Iowa, Searcy, Arkansas and Jackson and Cleveland, Tennessee.
Hake noted, 'We commend our congressional sponsors for their leadership and dedication to energy efficiency and applaud the Congress for meeting the President's deadline.'
The credit, which applies only to U.S. production, provides manufacturers with a credit of $50 to $175 for each super efficient appliance produced in excess of a rolling baseline. The baseline is the average number of qualifying appliances produced in the previous three calendar years. The maximum credit for each appliance manufacturer is $75 million over a two-year period beginning in 2006. Maytag could earn tens of millions of dollars in tax credits depending on future production levels and ability to utilize tax credits.
'Maytag has been a leader in promoting the appliance manufacturers' tax credit for more than five years,' said David Steiner, vice president, government affairs. 'It will encourage further development of new energy- efficient, environmentally-friendly appliances and will also help support American appliance manufacturing jobs.'
Also included in the energy bill is a provision adopting federal energy and water efficiency standards for residential-style commercial clothes washers. The new standard, for the first time, will require certain clothes washers to meet water efficiency requirements at the federal level.
Other provisions include expanded programs for state-sponsored incentives, including authorization of up to $250 million over five years to provide rebates to consumers purchasing energy efficient appliances; educational programs to inform owners of coin-operated laundries, multi-family housing and other sites where commercial clothes washers are located about the new energy and water efficiency standards; and authorization to establish energy efficiency standards for refrigerated beverage vending machines.
Maytag Corporation is a $4.7 billion home and commercial appliance company focused in North America and in targeted international markets. The corporation's primary brands are Maytag(R), Hoover(R), Jenn-Air(R), Amana(R), Dixie-Narco(R) and Jade(R).
Sink
supplier Rieber announces that the respected distributor Noyeks Newmans
in Dublin has been appointed to represent it in Ireland. Noyeks Newmans
has 4 depots across Ireland and will be exclusively carrying the banner
for the Rieber range of products including the Waterstation and design
leading Avant Garde range.
Their four showrooms are supported by a comphrensive sales force who will
be ensuring nationwide coverage and provide a 1 to 2 day delivery time
commitment to customers. 'We are delighted to have such a well known and
well established company representing Rieber in Ireland,' says Sigi Herring
Marketing Manager for Rieber, 'Noyeks Newmans have been in business for
over 20 years and their customer commitment is second to none. Expansion
into Ireland is just a small part of our overall strategy to enhance and
reinforce the Rieber brand, we are looking forward to a long lasting and
profitable relationship with them, Ireland is a very exciting market undergoing
many changes with the increase in consumer confidence now demanding only
the highest quality of products,' he added.
Rieber has never before been sold exclusively in Ireland and this appointment
provides a huge opportunity for this forward thinking and innovative company.
Rieber pride themselves in their real customer care, high quality ranges
at affordable prices and a structured support initiative for all their
outlets.
For further details please contact: Noyeks Newmans in Ireland on Tel 00353
1 8443500
www.noyeksnewmans.com
Williams has won an OGC Buying Solutions contract to supply refrigeration. The contract means that purchasing professionals in government and across the public sector, including healthcare, education, social services, HM Prison Service and the MOD, will be able to access the complete Williams range via the OGC procurement and advisory service. The contract, number A517560/C, covers bothe commercial and medical refrigeration, including coldstores and mortuary stores, racking, water chillers, multidecks and Glycol systems.
Aside from conventional cabinets, Williams can also offer exterior coldrooms and a complete range of blast chillers to OGC purchasers. And the company is fully equipped to handle any queries regarding HACCP regulations.
Malcolm Harling, Sales Director, believes that Williams award winning Glycol remote refrigeration systems are set to have a big impact in the public sector. 'These systems are already proven in the private sector, where their speed, energy saving, safety and low running costs are delivering huge benfits, ' he says. 'Glycol can make significant savings to refrigeration costs in larger kitchens such as in hospitals, prisons and universities. With our close links with Falcon Foodservice Equipment we can now offer both hot and cold solutions to the public sector.'
Williams products are already popular with buyers throughout the public sector and the company has developed several speciality ranges, such as drug cabinets for healthcare. However, this is the first time that the company has been awarded the official OGC seal of approval.
One of the teams of nine experts who hand assemble Stoves brand new range cookers has taken centre stage in the latest adverts designed to demonstrate the steps taken to ensure the exceptional build quality of the product range.
This
dedicated team, who both assemble and meticulously check every finish
and function of the Sterling, Richmond and Gourmet range cookers, will
be the face of the new advertising campaign that will run throughout 2005.
Each of the three new range cooker collections is being assembled at the Stoves factory in Prescot.
Jayne Hall, marketing director for Stoves comments:
'The latest Stoves range cookers have been developed to be the best and strongest yet and the dedicated build teams are obviously the most fundamental part of the process. They ensure that these truly British built products meet the most stringent criteria and we are glad they were only too happy to be involved.'
Rigorous testing has been key to the development and construction of these three new range cooker collections which even includes the casing shaken to a force of 3G.
Two additional adverts complete the campaign and focus on other aspects of the build quality and the rigorous testing programme developed by Stoves to ensure that each of the cookers can withstand the toughest domestic use. The second advert depicts a teenager standing by the Richmond range cooker to reflect how the doors are study enough to be 'teenager proof' and the third shows each detail of the Gourmet being checked to the nth degree.
Extending the quality assurance further, five-year parts and one-year labour warranties have been added across all Stoves products to give added peace of mind for the end user.
For further information on the new Stoves range cooker collection and other Stoves appliances contact 0870 458 9663 or visit www.stoves.co.uk
Masco
Group Net sales in the Second Quarter of 2005 from continuing operations
increased nine percent, with North American sales increasing 10 percent
and International sales increasing six percent. Second quarter net sales
in North America benefited from strong housing starts and improved retail
sales. In local currencies, International sales increased two percent
compared with the second quarter of 2004.
Sales of assembled cabinets, installation services, paints and stains
and windows were particularly strong in the quarter.
Key retailer sales from continuing operations improved significantly from
recent quarters to an increase of 10 percent in the 2005 second quarter
compared with a two percent decrease in the first quarter of 2005 and
a 14 percent increase in the second quarter of 2004.
Sales by segment in the 2005 second quarter versus the 2004 second quarter
were:
* Cabinets and Related Products sales increased 13 percent;
* Plumbing Products sales increased five percent;
* Installation and Other Services sales increased 11 percent;
* Decorative Architectural Products sales increased 12 percent; and
* Other Specialty Products sales increased four percent.
Income from continuing operations was $274 million compared with $294
million for the second quarter of 2004.
In accordance with SFAS No. 144, 'Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal
of Long-Lived Assets,' the Company has accounted for the 2004 dispositions
of Jung Pumpen, The Alvic Group, Alma Kuchen, E. Missel and SKS Group,
and the 2005 dispositions of Gebhardt Consolidated and the GMU Group as
discontinued operations.
Gross margins were 29.4 percent in the 2005 second quarter compared with
31.8 percent in the second quarter of 2004. Operating profit margins,
as reported, were 14.1 percent in the second quarter of 2005 compared
with 15.6 percent in the second quarter of 2004. Excluding the pre-tax
income regarding the litigation settlement of $3 million and $7 million
in 2005 and 2004, respectively, operating profit margins were 14.0 percent
in the second quarter of 2005 compared with 15.4 percent in the second
quarter of 2004. Operating profit margins in the second quarter of 2005
were adversely impacted by increases in certain operating expenses, including
increased commodity, energy and freight costs, as well as product mix.
The Company is pursuing a variety of initiatives to increase operating
income, including sourcing programs, the restructuring of certain of its
businesses (including consolidations), manufacturing rationalization,
headcount reductions and other profit improvement programs. As previously
disclosed, the Company believes these initiatives will reduce annual costs
by $200 million by the end of 2007.
New
Consultative Approach Supports Stockists
Bathroom,
Kitchen and appliance specialist, Hopkinsons Fourways, has fine tuned
its sales strategy in response to continuous customer research, its ever-increasing
product portfolio and the dynamic nature of the industry.
Now
supplying products to a growing customer base, currently in excess of
5,000 independent retailers and merchants nationwide, Hopkinsons Fourways
has re-structured its field sales team with the goal of providing a more
consultative approach to customers from each area manager. The company
has invested greatly in transferring its previous 'Bathroom & Kitchen'
sales managers, into specialised 'Bathrooms' and specialised 'Kitchens/Appliances'
consultants.
The move of having one representative dedicated to either area, will provide
stockists with a more focussed and consultative approach - aiding and
supporting stockist success in a growing and fiercely competitive market.
Currently being rolled out throughout the country, Hopkinsons has embarked
on a continuous programme of specialist training for all sales consultants,
involving key manufacturers the company distributes for. Personnel are
also attending regular sales conferences, tailor made to develop individual
skills and knowledge of the current bathroom, kitchen and appliance sectors.
From merchandising to technical expertise, sales intelligence statistics
to market trends, Hopkinsons aims to ensure every customer receives the
most pro-active and professional advice from its sales managers, from
a continuously evolving service.
Sales director, Steve Johnstone, says: ‘One of our main objectives
is to assist stockists in making their businesses a success - and as the
market continues to change at great pace, we must ensure we remain proactive
and listen to our customers. Whether it's bathrooms, kitchens or appliances,
sales advice needs to be targeted, realistic and results-driven - and
this is what we intend to achieve.’
Tel: 01204 707070
Web: http://www.hopkinsonsfourways.co.uk
Maytag
UK’s appliances have recently had the opportunity to grace the architectural
splendour of the home of John Cadney, whose beautiful family home was
featured on Channel 4’s Grand Designs programme.
John’s
masterpiece was built in the Weald of Kent. Hard work, long hours, determination
and sheer British grit brought this project to fruition and cemented the
dream of a home for the family, which they had longed for, for nearly
two decades.
John’s profession as a designer and maker of fine furniture meant
that natural choice of building material would be wood, which brought
with it the advantage of empathising with the magnificent surroundings.
John was determined, as well, to deliver environmental considerations
and a house that would be solid and built to last and give dependable
performance. This is the philosophy John adopted throughout the project
and extended to every part of the build, including the household appliances.
‘This is our dream come true and we wanted everything within the
house to echo the same sentiment. We were looking for appliances that
would be easy to use and maintain, give us good, lasting performance.
Maytag’s matching washing machine and tumble dryer are a super addition
and absorbs not only the family’s wash load with ease, but is perfect
for a family of equestrians. The huge capacity is able to cope with washing
everything including the muddy horse blankets, which it does really speedily
too. And the huge stainless steel range cooker just adds that bit of flair
and competence to the kitchen and being straightforward to use means we
get great results every time. Maytag’s appliances have delivered
contemporary technology with the built in assurance of a trouble free
and relaxed lifestyle with their American credentials,’ says John
Cadney.
Tel: 01737 231 000
Web:
http://www.maytag.co.uk
Young
Designer Karen Nets Top Award
Nottingham
Trent University student Karen Babel won the Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom
Specialists Association-sponsored New Designers award for her innovative
design for a bookcase which converts into a double bed!
Karen
won £1,000 and judges KBSA Managing Director Graham Hayden, Bathroom
+ Kitchen Designer Editor Grahame Morrison and Natalie Kelly of Essential
Publishing all agreed that her design was simple, practical and very effective
in maximising use of space.
‘This was an excellent design from a talented young designer,’
said Graham Hayden. ‘Karen has advised us that she will be using
her prize money to invest in the product itself and we will be circulating
her details to our corporate members to see if any may be able to help
her, both with developing the product and her future career in design.’
Karen said: ‘Space is so vital in people's homes and I wanted to
come up with a way of incorporating two pieces of furniture. The most
unused space in anyone's home is vertical space and I wanted to make the
most of that. As well as being a great-looking bookcase, it offers a comfortable
night's sleep as a bed.’
The bed-case was created by Karen as part of her BA (Hons) Furniture and
Product Design degree course at Nottingham Trent University, and the design
attracted considerable attention during the New Designers Show in London.
‘It was really enjoyable to watch people looking at the bookcase
design and then watching their faces when I told them it turned into a
bed - they looked so surprised!’, said Karen. ‘I must have done
around a hundred demonstrations during the show week.’
Picture: Graham Hayden, managing director KBSA, with young designer Karen
Babel
Electrolux Fashion Award to be Introduced at Prêt à Porter
Paris® 100th edition
Times
are changing; the stereotype housewife is practically extinct, clothes
designers explore into interior decoration and white goods are not always
white, but have become fashion statements.
Modern times have witnessed an evolution in the role household appliances
play in our lives. Much alike fancy design, people express their identity
through their choices of batterie de cuisine. Trendy household appliances
are acquired for visitiors to admire as much as for their actual functionality.
Electrolux, the world's largest producer of powered appliances for kitchen,
cleaning and outdoor use, accomodates the marriage between functional
and fashionable. Keeping a finger on the pulse, the company is to introduce
an Electrolux Fashion Award at the Salon de Prêt-à-Porter
Paris® 100th edition, September 2-5. The award will be given to the
fashion brand that best reflects the appliance company's own brand promise
to 'make life a little easier and more enjoyable'.
‘Anyone who takes fashion and design seriously wants to be able to
manifest their personal style in the home, so naturally household appliances
need to follow the current trends,’ explains Ulrich Gartner, VP Communications
at Electrolux Major Appliances Europe.
Getting closer to the fashion industry, Electrolux will further explore
the nature of design as interpreted by the fashion world. The Salon de
Prêt à Porter Paris® offers the company a platform for
further driving co-operation with, and getting inspiration from, leading
designers in the clothing industry.
‘We are all influenced by the way fashion trends develop. Further
strenghtening our relations with the fashion industry and having insight
into future desing trends is essential to Electrolux to ensure we are
able to meet our consumer's expectations head-on’ concludes Ulrich
Gartner, VP Communications at Electrolux Major Appliances Europe.
Electrolux will divulge further information about its planned activities
over the months preceding the Salon de Prêt à Porter Paris®.
Tel: 08705 950 950
Web: http://www.electrolux.co.uk
New
Base For Clearwater Ireland
Clearwater
Ireland Ltd, the Irish branch of Clearwater Collection Limited, has moved
to new premises.
The
new base at Balloo South Industrial Estate in Bangor, County Down, provides
more than 5,000 square feet so that a full range of Clearwater products
is always in stock.
‘The move to larger premises was necessary to keep up with increasing
demand within Northern Ireland for our products,’ says Clearwater
managing director Darren Allison. ‘The retail sales network there
is ever-increasing.
‘Our new base is in an excellent location and retailers are more
than welcome to visit the premises at any time.’
Clearwater is a manufacturer of luxury handmade freestanding acrylic baths
and each product comes with a lifetime guarantee.
Clearwater Collection Limited combines traditional shape with cutting
edge design to create baths. The company exports to 25 countries and numbers
celebrities amongst its clients (Paul McCartney, Victoria and David Beckham
and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi).
Broughton
Crangrove Launches Gustavsberg Bathroom Range in the UK
Broughton
Crangrove Galley Matrix (BCGM), British distributor of quality brands,
has widened its extensive range of bathrooms.
Exclusively
available in the UK through BCGM, the Gustavsberg bathroom range includes
baths, sanitarywear, furniture, brassware, steam cabins and showers.
BCGM are looking to appoint a network Gustavsberg dealers in exclusive
areas, based on individual towns.
'This new range of bathroom product is an exciting step forward for BCGM'
said business development manager Stuart Davis.
'Appointed dealers that display the range will be supported with excellent
offers, marketing support, enhanced terms and pricing. Gustavsberg product
has a dedicated brochure and price list, and will be stocked and available
on 'daily basic' delivery to most areas.
'Gustavsberg has been manufacturing bathroom product in Sweden and Germany
since 1825, and has a large share of the Nordic bathroom market. This
range makes Scandinavian bathroom style and quality available to UK customers
at affordable prices. Initial customer response has been very positive,
confirming that Gustavsberg will further enhance our offering in the marketplace'.
Businesses interested in becoming appointed Gustavsberg dealers should
contact Stuart Davis on 07714 361629.
Websites:
http://www.broughtoncrangrove.co.uk
http://www.galleymatrix.co.uk
Saiedue
Living: More and More International
According
to the organisers, the twenty-fourth edition of Saiedue Living, the International
Exhibitions on Architecture, Interior Finishing, Building Renewal and
Technologies held from 16th to 20th March 2005 at the Bologna Trade Fair
Centre ended with exceptional attendance figures.
In five days, 130,071 trade professionals visited the show, an increase
of 6.51% compared to the 2004 edition and up 10.41% over the 2003 edition,
with similar products on display. The figures represent +35.1% (+36.52%
compared to those for 2003) if we consider the 12,084 visitors from abroad.
The expansion of the Bologna Trade Fair Centre, with the construction
of two new exhibition halls 16 and 18, made it possible to streamline
layouts and visits to the show, to the satisfaction of both exhibitors
and the public. Coverage of the entire trade fair centre, as well as the
construction of an additional exhibition hall, 21 bis, led to a total
of 164,000 square metres of exhibition space. A fourth entrance was added
to the trade fair centre in the north, and proved to be the preferred
entryway to the new exhibition areas 16 and 18.
The companies - exponents of some of the world's best production in terms
of doors, windows, curtain walls, floors, wall coverings and stairs, systems
for exploiting renewable energy sources, technologies for building renewal
and maintenance, machinery for door and window frames, ecological solutions
for construction, intelligent systems and home automation, fastening tools
and systems and products for security - obviously took full advantage
of the opportunity for visibility offered by SAIEDUE LIVING by investing
in communication and transforming the five days of the show into essential
moments: introducing new products to a global public, finding new markets,
new distribution methods, and consolidating or improving their position
in every market segment.'
Judges welcomed the special events of the twenty-fourth edition of SAIEDUE
LIVING. The walls and façades of VERTICALIA interested visitors
with the rich technological, material and expressive nature of the 120
installations on display. The original installation by the studio Origin
Designers 6R5 Network was much appreciated. A path made up of two large
rings offered various points of view of the vertical dimension of living
space. The use of natural materials and attention to function are the
fil rouges that characterised the work of the architects coordinated by
Laura Villani. Michele De Lucchi presented an exhibition hall for a masterpiece,
with the walls covered with raw wood to prime the soul for contemplating
large works of art. Shigeru Ban did the paper house, designed to host
refugees from the earthquake that struck the Japanese city of Niigata
on 23 October 2004. Matteo Thun presented the warm house, a house where
the walls envelop those who inhabit it in a warm embrace thanks to the
pipes hidden in the dirt walls, which become immense and comfortable backrests.
An international reference point for planners and engineers, designers
and businesses in the industry, SAIEDUE LIVING 2005 organised a dense
array of shows, conventions and workshops alongside the exhibition. Important
industry associations, leading publishers and the big names in architecture
were brought in to enliven a convention schedule brimming with over 60
appointments, covering all of the latest topics in the field. Ecology,
security and energy savings were the most widely discussed issues.
A major new development awaits professionals in 2006: Saiedue Living will
move the opening to Tuesday 14th March and close on Saturday 18th March,
and the Bologna Trade Fair Centre will be the place to celebrate the important
milestone of 25 years of business.
Preparations
for the First Deutsche Ausbaumesse in Full Swing
The
preparations for the première of the Deutsche Ausbaumesse in Nürnberg
from 27-29 April 2006 are in full swing. Well-known companies have already
registered to exhibit. Companies can take advantage of the early booking
discount until 15th September this year. The Deutsche Ausbaumesse Essen-Nürnberg
is a cross-trade event that combines the Holzbau und Ausbau and Stuck-Putz-Trockenbau
trade fairs and the large congresses, the German Structural Timber Building
Congress, the Congress on Building Finishing and the German Tiling Congress.
The Deutsche Ausbaumesse is the only exhibition for the finishing trade
in Southern Germany next year.
'The aim of this exhibition initiative is to bundle events and forces
to make a contribution to cutting the exhibiting costs of the building
supply industry,' says Walter Hufnagel, Member of the Management Board
of NürnbergMesse. 'The Deutsche Ausbaumesse also takes into account
the recognisable market trend towards cross-trade full services,' continues
Hufnagel.
New exhibition committee: Deutsche Ausbaumesse geared to market situation
At their initial meeting in Baden-Baden at the end of May, the member
companies of the new exhibition committee described the Deutsche Ausbaumesse
project as a 'sensible and logically consistent step'. The exhibition
committee thinks 'the combination of closely related trades on the visitors’
side, the clear positioning of the exhibition and the concentration on
initially three days of exhibiting is a good exhibition concept that is
geared to the difficult market situation'.
The following companies are members of the exhibition committee of the
Deutsche Ausbaumesse: BayWa, EGGER Holzwerkstoffe Brilon, Erlus, haubold-kihlberg,
LAFARGE DACHSYSTEME, Mafell, Pavatex, Rettenmeier Holding, ROTO BAUELEMENTE,
SAINT-GOBAIN ISOVER G+H, Velux Deutschland and Xella Trockenbau-Systeme.
Focus on wood construction, roofing, plastering and dry construction
The main product segment of the first Deutsche Ausbaumesse covers materials,
products and systems for wood construction, roofing, plastering and dry
construction. The spectrum of products is supplemented with tools and
machinery, services, software and technical information for the finishing
trades. A new feature at the exhibition is the special show 'Building
Services for the Finishing Trade', which presents selected systems for
building services, e.g. for decentralised air conditioning, ventilation,
sanitary engineering and heating.
This broad range of products not only makes the Deutsche Ausbaumesse very
interesting for contractors carrying out carpentry, wood construction,
dry construction and roofing work. Architects, engineers, builders’
merchants and public developers can also source information about new
finishing products and trends at the trade fair. 'As far as the number
of exhibitors and visitors is concerned, we expect about 350 exhibitors
and some 25,000 visitors at the première of the Deutsche Ausbaumesse,'
forecasts Roland Kast, Project Manager at NürnbergMesse. The German
Structural Timber Building Congress, the Congress on Building Finishing
and the German Tiling Congress take place at the same time as the exhibition.
Partners of the Deutsche Ausbaumesse
The first Deutsche Ausbaumesse Essen-Nürnberg is supported by powerful
partners like the European Federation of Timber Construction, Bund Deutscher
Zimmermeister (BDZ), Verbände des Bayerischen Zimmerer- und Holzbaugewerbes
(VBZH), Landesverband Bayerischer Bauinnungen (BBV, LBB, VBB) and Fachverband
Deutsches Fliesengewerbe.
More information about the Deutsche Ausbaumesse is available on
the Internet at http://www.deutsche-ausbaumesse.de.
The
majority of us scorn any mention of Public Sector accreditation as a marketing
ploy but how many of us actually understand what it means, why it is needed
and how it can increase opportunities? The UK Trades Confederation investigates...
It is a fact that Local Authorities are now in the process of auditing
their supplier databases which could mean new openings for small suppliers.
Long gone are the days when supplier contracts were won over a game of
golf and a transparent system means the Public Sector marketplace is not
just for the 'fat cats'- everyone can have a slice of the cake. The Public
Sector Authority marketplace is worth £140bn per year in supplier
contracts, making this one of the largest buying sectors in the UK.
So, if you want to continue working within Public Sector or want to get
a piece of the action it is important to be aware of the opportunities
now available with Local Authorities because of the recent Central Government
recommendations:
* Local Authorities must thoroughly audit their supplier database
* Suppliers now have to undergo an extensive vetting procedure
* A mixed economy of service provision, with ready access to a diverse,
competitive range of suppliers providing quality services, including small
firms, social enterprises and minority businesses and voluntary and community
sector groups
This means smaller local suppliers now have the chance to compete alongside
the larger national supplier who, because of the economy of scale, can
provide the same services cheaper. However it doesn't matter whether you're
the local florist or a gardener, you have to make sure your company complies
with the necessary guidelines to work in Public Sector and this is where
the accreditation process comes in.
The burning question everyone asks is, 'Do I need to be accredited?' The
answer is up to the discretion of the Local Authority who is advertising
the tender as to whether they will carry out the auditing process internally
or use a recognised independent external accreditation specialist. Unfortunately
if the Local Authority requires you to be accredited through an independent
body, it means a fee will be involved. This may seem unfair as some SMEs
will have no choice but to pay to become accredited to work with that
particular Local Authority, but there are a number of huge advantages.
Firstly, you only have to go through the audit once, whereas if you are
not accredited, you have to go through the same checking and form filling
every time a tender is issued. This means you can target a greater number
of tenders more effectively without all the paperwork for each submission.
Secondly, accreditation means visibility as you will appear on preferred
suppliers list which will increase your chances of being invited to tender.
However regardless of who carries out the audit, either an independent
accreditation body or the Local Authority internal auditing department,
you will be asked to supply evidence of the financial strength of the
company, relevant insurances, health and safety, equal opportunities policies
and a number of references.
The estimated value of the contract will determine the tender procedure,
including how it is advertised, how many suppliers will be asked to quote
for the contract and what level of vetting is needed. For example low
risk supplier contracts (up to £5k approx) which could include day-to-day
supply services, may not be advertised and will be awarded on a 'best
value' basis. Therefore it is important that these suppliers have presence
online to fall in line with the Government e-procurement initiative 2005
that requires electronic trading to reduce expenditure. These types of
suppliers may still be audited either internally or at first level entry
by an accreditation body, which will be cost effective to the supplier
and gain them visibility on a preferred suppliers list.
Suppliers who provide products or services at a more strategic level or
have an ongoing commitment or project at a slightly higher risk level
(up to £25K approx) may be required to submit more details for the
audit and a written quotation. Suppliers will need to be accredited at
second level entry which requires a more robust equal opportunities and
financial check. Again, these types of contracts may not be advertised,
therefore accreditation is advantageous in giving the supplier more visibility.
Contract values over £25K are most likely to be advertised with
a formal tender. Suppliers, contractors or consultants will be required
to be accredited to the highest level entry if the auditing process is
not done internally. As a high risk category a stringent evaluation will
be carried out involving a significant number of checks.
Assess the type of tender you want to apply for by visiting your Local
Authority's website where there will be a business procurement guide.
Also, the approved accreditation bodies will be able to advise you on
what standard of accreditation is required as they will be working the
Local Authorities. There are also a number of journals and local publications
that will advertise tenders and indicate the qualifying details. You can
also gain more information by attending Local Authorities Supplier Briefing
Sessions.
Finally, if you become accredited it can increase your business with the
Public Sector marketplace but remember it is not an automatic key; you
will still need to market yourself and be proactive in seeking tenders.
For more information about free first level accreditation though UK Trades
Confederation membership visit http://www.uktc.org