Kitchen and Bathroom News @ The K&BZine

When Ideal-Standard identified a market need for a new collection with 'everyman' appeal it turned once again to the most successful bathroom designer of the age - Robin Levien. The company and the designer have an association spanning 20 years with a level of success that has produced business growth for each of those years.

So, when Ideal-Standard asked Robin Levien to 'go create' a new mass-appeal bathroom range, 'create' he did!

Robin Levien presenting Go Create at the Ideal Standard pre-launch presentation at Gainsborough Studios in North London. The new concept in bathroom suites - the company's biggest launch for a decade - will be officially launched to the trade at BK Expo

For many designers, the highly priced and often more indulgent designs are easier to create although they don't necessarily achieve viable levels of sales. An 'everyman' design with wide appeal that offers architects, interior designers, developers and consumers simple but beautiful everyday objects can be a far more difficult task.

Levien achieves this by keeping a finger on the pulse of the British 'psyche', it is a rare ability that Robin has in abundance. It enables him, when working with Ideal-Standard, to deliver bathroom products perfectly attuned to the desires of the majority and not simply that small niche minority.

Everyone's Innovation
In this case, Robin's answer has been to design a trilogy-range that satisfies the desires for greater individuality and allows everyone to build their own level of style and to show flair and individuality by making informed choices from an eclectic menu of easy-living shapes put together in three distinct styles.

The overall range is called 'Create' and it offers a buffet menu of core ingredients to which customers can add their own toppings or flavours from three collections named Edge, Drift and Square.

Here's how the overall Create concept works. The customer may choose the structure of their bathroom first, or they may choose the 'look' - Create makes it easy, whichever way the bathroom is planned. Create offers a series of core products - WC suites, bathtubs and storage furniture - from these core products customers can define the structure, function and type of bathroom they want.

Starting with the toilet bowl. Create offers three choices - a close coupled version, wall hung and back-to-wall. There is also a matching bidet if lifestyle demands.

The next 'structure' piece is the bath. The choice of bath is dependent upon the size of the bathroom, plus, the needs of the household that will use the bathroom. For instance a young family may have a need for over-bath showering, where the bath has dual purpose of bathing and showering. Create offers four baths - two rectangular baths - 170cm long by 70cm and 75cms wide respectively - plus an Idealcast shower-bath and a corner bath with a 'second-person' recess for those who wish to bathe together.

The third core product in the Create range is the collection of storage furniture. Again, personal preference and family makeup will help to decide whether storage is wanted and whether the styling calls for a mix of wooden furniture with ceramics or will this be a simple ceramic-based room. Structurally speaking, Create provides a diverse range of bathroom furniture, which can be either fitted or free-standing. The storage furniture can be combined with classic semi countertop basins and the back-to-wall WC combination, Create has some new styles of furniture though, including an original free-standing pedestal unit as well as a range of contemporary, wall mounted, drawer units designed to carry the vessel basin.

Once the structural elements of the bathroom have been completed, the customer can then move into defining the design flavour of their bathroom, initially by employing Create's extensive array of basin shapes.

'Go Visit' at BK EXPO.

KBSA Teams Up With First National To Offer Finance Deals

The Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association has joined forces with First National Consumer Finance Limited to offer association members a selection of special finance deals for their customers.

First National has been involved in the home improvement market as a lender for more than 25 years and is well established as a point of sale finance provider for customers of many leading home improvement companies throughout the UK.

'We are very pleased to be able to offer our members these excellent finance packages courtesy of First National,' said KBSA operations manager Lucinda Kenny.

'We know First National to be totally dedicated to helping their intermediaries achieve a higher level of business performance. An approved finance package from First National is a tremendous sales tool and KBSA members will be able to choose from three deals devised especially to suit their specific needs.'

'Our ongoing success within the home improvement market is underpinned by the strong relationships that we build with our intermediaries, particularly by understanding their needs and providing the levels of support required for their businesses,' added Pras Desai, client development executive for First National.

'We have a dedicated office-based account management team focused on providing an efficient and hassle-free service – the experts are just a phone call away!'

Three packages are available from First National for KBSA members (interest bearing accounts, option accounts and interest free accounts) – all members keen to obtain detailed information should contact Lucinda Kenny at KBSA head office, telephone 01905 621787.

First National has more than half a million customers and lends £1.5 billion per year. It is part of GE Consumer Finance which offers finance solutions to more than 110 million customers in 42 customers around the world.

Wisborough: Two Years on and Still Going Strong

Wisborough Kitchens (UK) Ltd is a family run business which specialises in the design and installation of quality kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms. Proprietors Steve and Frances Gosine say that although their core business is kitchens, 'more than half of our clients have had more than one room from us and more than two thirds of our business is through recommendation'.

Little surprise then, that suppliers and customers alike were concerned to become aware of some mischief making by competitors in the area who sought to capitalise on the publication of the date for a Final Creditors meeting of the defunct company Wisborough Kitchens Ltd, the assets of which the Gosines bought from the liquidator as the basis of their business.

Steve and Frances Gosine of Wisborough Kitchens (UK) Ltd

'We hoped to benefit from retaining the Wisborough Kitchens name, and didn't expect that competitors would try to claim we had gone bust when details of the Final Meeting was published, two years after the event'

The Gosine's business is very much their own incarnation: they design and make soft furnishings, including curtains, blinds and cushions in house, and provide plastering, decorating and carpet services Their projects range from replacing a worktop to the complete refurbishment of a house.

'We only provide products and services of the highest quality and pride ourselves in providing one of the most comprehensive services available anywhere', Steve says.

'Our business philosophy is to provide a unique service that offers clear differentiators from our competition. We work hard to design rooms that are as individual as our clients themselves, and by doing so have found that clients sell our services for us.

'Our suppliers also work hard with us to exceed our client's expectations,' he adds.

Their ambitions are to grow the business steadily and build upon the good reputation they have established. They are also looking to acquire a complementary business in the next few years which will bring more services in-house and expand their current offerings even further.

If you would like to find out more about the services offered by Wisborough Kitchens (UK) Ltd, talk to Steve on 01403-701111 or check their website at: http://www.wisboroughkitchens.co.uk.

The AMDEA 2005 Domestic Appliance Show has been acclaimed a success by the exhibitors and organisers. ‘Since they're the same people, we can assume that's an accurate assessment,’ said AMDEA Director General Peter Carver.

There was broad agreement by exhibitors, visitors and other professionals who came through the doors that this was the best looking trade show of its kind for many years. ‘Classy,’ was how one exhibitor described it. ‘Everyone deserves a big pat on the back for delivering such attractive stands - the whole thing looked really good,’ she said. Reported one visitor: ‘It was very impressive without being over the top.’

A total of 1,696 Visitors attended the three day event. Just over 74 per cent of them were pre-registered, mostly in response to rifle-shot marketing by exhibitors to their customers. Each retailer may well have received several invitations direct from their suppliers.

‘Our unique approach worked,’ said Mr Carver. ‘We targeted exactly the people we wanted to attend the Show. We had no timewasters at the NEC this year - everyone said how happy they were with the high quality of the visitors.’

34.9 per cent of visitors were proprietors; 14.7 percent were store managers; and 11.6 per cent were buyers. The spread over the three days was fairly even: 24.1 per cent on the first; 26.7 on the second and 21.6 on the third. ‘Our total footfall was 1,739 - we had quite a few repeat visits on the Tuesday,’ said Mr Carver.

Business profile of visitors was: built in 71.2 per cent; small appliances 55 per cent; floor care 45.8 per cent; and brown goods 36.3 per cent. ‘There's a message here for all of us. Some significant players may have missed out by not showcasing their products at the NEC,’ said Mr Carver.

The largest number of visitors came from London and the South East - 34.6% of the turnout. 22.4% came from the Midlands, and 28 visitors came from Scotland, 37 from Northern Ireland and 32 from Ireland.

AMDEA Major White Goods Committee Chairman John Graham said: ‘We broke the mould at this Show. No one had tried anything like it before. We had a modular design scheme which kept all our costs below comparable Shows - but every stand looked completely different.

‘The Show was designed to make the product the focal point and make it easier for visitors to see the product and have one-to-one discussions on the stand. We didn't advertise it, but used personal contact with all of our customers, the result of which was a most acceptable attendance level.. And the end result was a show with a very business-like hum about it - and good results were achieved by everyone.

‘We have delivered what the retail industry have been telling us they wanted. We will now get our heads together to discuss holding another show along the same lines,’ he said.

Tel: +44 (0)20 7405 0666
Email: mailto:info@amdea.org.uk

Shareholders of Baxi Group Announce the Acquisition of the Heating Division of Roca for €200m

The shareholders of Baxi Group have announced the acquisition of Roca Heating, the market leader in residential heating equipment in Spain and Portugal, in a €200million deal.

The move is in line with Baxi Group's strategic intent to create a European Group, offering a broad range of space and water heating products for most residential and commercial applications. It gives Baxi Group a leading position in the only major boiler market in Europe where it is currently unrepresented and will increase its annual total boiler sales by 19% to 975,000 units per year.

Roca Heating had sales of €232 million in 2004, employs 550 people and manufactures heating products including boilers and radiators at its factories in Barcelona and Madrid. Spain is one of the fastest growing heating markets in Europe benefiting from a high level of new residential house build, and a growing trend for first time installation of heating in existing properties.

The expansion into the Spanish market adds to Baxi Group's strength across Europe. The Group is the UK market leader, and also has significant market shares in Germany, France, Italy and other Continental Europe territories. It employs more than 5,100 people (excluding the Roca deal) across Europe, with production facilities in the UK, Italy, France, Germany and Denmark and a newly opened facility in Turkey. It is also expanding into new markets with a direct presence in Russia and China, and joint venture partnerships in developing locations such as Turkey, Romania, the Czech Republic and Argentina.

Mark Edwards CEO of Baxi Group commented: ‘We are delighted to have the opportunity to invest in the Iberian Peninsula. Roca is the leading brand name in Spain and Portugal and the acquisition is in line with the Group's objective of increasing its presence in the major European markets. This is a very complementary acquisition for the Group and strengthens our ability to operate on a truly European scale.’

Completion of the transaction is subject to its clearance by the competition authorities in Spain and Portugal, and is expected to take place by July 2005, with financing led and arranged by The Royal Bank of Scotland plc.

Eliton Kitchen manufacturer, established for 30 years in Greece is bringing its expertise to the UK.

Eliton Kitchen Furniture is the leading manufacturer of quality kitchen furniture and wardrobes in Greece. With three large kitchen showrooms in Athens and a second base in Cyprus, Eliton says that it has a firm foundation to emerge in the UK as a quality Kitchen manufacturer without the quality price tag.

Generations of skilled artisans have worked in Athens for Eliton to produce quality furniturie for over 30 years. Brothers Stavros and Thassos have built on the legacy of their father to expertly manufacture and distribute kitchens and bedrooms from Eliton's 12,000 m2 privately owned factory near Athens. The company uses state-of-the-art technological equipment coupled with an expert workforce to produce quality furniture that does not carry a premium price.

Kish Agravat new M.D. of Eliton UK says,`I have many, many years of kitchen experience here in the UK; I know the difference between quality and superficial appearance. I'm delighted to represent a firm that produces beautiful, expertly crafted furniture which is also reasonably priced.'

Email: mailto:info@eliton.gr
Web: http://www.eliton.gr

The Spanish appliance manufacturer Fagor Electrodomésticos has announced a boost in sales for the financial year ending 31st December 2004.

At a high-profile press conference held on 13th April 2005 at the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum, Pablo Mongelos (Director General of the Fagor Electrodomésticos Group) revealed that sales of Fagor products grew to almost 941 million euros in 2004, an increase of 3.4% on the previous year - in spite of the large increases in the cost of raw materials and components experienced during 2004.

The international market now represents 40.4% of Fagor's total sales, and the company employs more than 6200 people - an increase of approximately 5% on 2003.

For information on any of Fagor's advanced range of built-in and freestanding appliances, call the UK sales office on 020 7354 0044, or email mailto:sales@fagorappliances.co.uk

A new kitchen offer is set to open up an additional avenue for retailers. Synergy Kitchens, established by Jonathan Hurst, says that it plans to provide independent retailers with an offer that, to date, has only been available to national outlets that have a direct supply relationship with manufacturers.

Hurst already supplies major UK retailers and wholesalers with kitchen components and fascias through RTM Kitchens, the company he established in 1996. He has now launched Synergy Kitchens in a bid to offer independent retailers a range of quality kitchens to suit all tastes and budgets, available on an everyday low price philosophy.

Jonathan explains, ‘The kitchens market is no longer production-led, due to the availability of product from so many different sources. Synergy has established partnerships with selected manufacturers worldwide, enabling us to buy large volumes of both the core materials and additional components at extremely competitive prices. This opens up a new market for independent retailers, allowing them to compete ‘head on’ with the major multiples.

‘Synergy's core proposition is simply 'better for less' - we can offer the independent the same products and cost savings currently only available to the nationals.’

Synergy's launch offer is a collection of 24 kitchens ranging from traditional to contemporary, carefully chosen by Hurst to reflect both market trends and individual lifestyles. The range also includes 'Simply Shaker', a hand-painted Shaker kitchen that will be available in a choice of over 20 colours, and Jonathan is confident that Synergy will be offering one of the most comprehensive range of flat pack kitchens available.

All kitchens in the Synergy collection feature SuperCab™ cabinets, offering strength and durability, in addition to optional extras such as 'soft close' drawers and doors.

Jonathan's key objective is to establish a national retail base for the Synergy range by selling it into selected independent retail outlets that are prepared to offer the full range, and he already has a number of outlets on board.

‘We're looking to establish relationships with independents that can clearly see the benefits of Synergy's volume-orientated, better for less offer,’ says Jonathan. "We're prepared to tailor our future range to meet their requirements and we're in the process of planning a series of regional design forums at which we will be inviting key retailers to put forward their views and suggestions’.

For more information or for a copy of the Synergy Kitchens brochure, tel: 01260 280002.

As part of an on-going programme of improvements, Brandt UK has centralised its external service, spare parts and accessories offer by affiliating with Connect Distribution Services. This means that for both Brandt and De Dietrich, premium appliances now come with a premium service.

By working with Connect, service, spares and accessories can be ordered from one central location. The new service partner has 120 qualified service agents throughout the UK who have been undergoing specialist training since March and it will ensure the time between placing a service call to completion will be handled with promptness and efficiency. Furthermore, as a full range of spare parts and accessories will be stocked in the UK and not in France, they can be despatched by courier within 24/48 hours, subject to stock availability. Booking service calls and spare parts ordering will be available 7 days a week either by telephone or online. Call answering statistics show that currently 87% of calls are answered within 30 seconds.

By having parts stocked in the UK, and being linked with a professional repair service, the process will be simple, whether for customers wanting a service call, engineers obtaining spare parts, or dealers requiring accessories. The target is 80% first time fix, and 90% within 7 days of the initial call. Having one central location will result in an improved and effective solution for the end user.

From 1st May: Brandt and De Dietrich Customer Service: 0870 060 3230.
Spare parts and accessories: 0121 766 5414 or mailto:sales@connect-distribution.co.uk

Indesit Company UK recently announced that John Morrissey has joined the company, taking on the role of Commercial Director. In this role, John will be responsible for all sales activities for both freestanding and built in-appliances for the white goods manufacturer.

John returns to Indesit Company from Hoover Candy Group where he spent four years as Managing Director, Group Sales and Marketing. Before this appointment, John held a number of roles within Hotpoint, firstly as National Sales Manager and then as Sales Development Director before becoming Senior Commercial Director in 1998. John was promoted from his role at Hotpoint to become Group Commercial Director at parent company, GDA in 1999.

The company also announced that Jeanette Jones has been appointed Channel Director - Built-In for Indesit Company UK. Jeanette will be responsible for consolidating Hotpoint's position as the number one built-in appliance brand in the UK as well as supporting the growth of the company's other brands.

Jeanette has worked for the company for over ten years in a variety of roles and is currently the Category Manager - Built-In.

John Morrissey, Commercial Director, Indesit Company UK, said:
'The opportunity to work for the number one white goods company in the UK was an opportunity too good to miss. Indesit Company has some great brands and I am delighted to return to the company where I have spent much of my career.'

Jeanette Jones, Channel Director - Built-In, Indesit Company UK, said:
'This is a great opportunity as Indesit Company achieved the largest growth in UK Built-In markets in 2004 - 25% above our nearest competitor. We have great brands and great product that consumers love and trust.'

Marco Marini, Managing Director, Indesit Company UK, comments:
'In the past year we have communicated a clear brand strategy for Hotpoint and Indesit. The appointment of John and Jeanette is intended to ensure we implement this strategy effectively across all channels with a special focus on independent retailers. Indesit Company will provide our customers with the best support to develop our number one position in the UK by optimising the major investments we have made in after sales care and logistics.'

Fitted furniture supplier Symphony has secured major new contracts to provide quality kitchens for council homes across the City of Leeds.

The planned maintenance and new-build work is part of the Council's bid to ensure that all its properties satisfy the government's Decent Homes Standard by 2010.

For Leeds South Homes, Symphony has secured a five year contract to supply more than 13,000 new kitchens, as part of a refurbishment programme, working in partnership with contractors Kier, Lovell, Bullock and Frank Haslam Milan. The company is also working with the Belle Isle Tenants‚ Management Organisation and Kier on an extensive maintenance programme for empty properties.

Leeds South's Chief Executive Gwen Smith comments: 'Everyone in south Leeds has the right to live in a decent home. We're extremely pleased that staff at Symphony will be joining a dedicated team here on a series of major improvement schemes in the future.'

Symphony is also undertaking a programme of maintenance and refurbishment of kitchens for Leeds West Homes and is contracted to carry out pilot schemes in Leeds East and Leeds South East. All the projects operate under ALMO (Arms Length Management Organisation) agreements and tenants are assessed under the Decent Homes Standard.

Leeds City Council‚s Director of Neighbourhoods and Housing, Neil Evans, comments:
'Leeds City Council is committed to ensuring that everyone in the city lives in a decent home by 2010. The awarding of this contract goes a long way towards improving peoples‚ homes and ensuring that we reach our goal.'

Symphony‚s Director of Social Housing, Alan Kinnes, adds: 'Our Tenants‚ Choice package, which ensures that Leeds Council residents have input and choice on the design and look of their kitchens, is a fundamental part of this project and feedback from tenants has been very positive.'

Symphony is the leading kitchen supplier to the social housing sector, supplying some 10,000 kitchen units every week for local authority and housing association developments across the UK.

All Symphony products meet BSI Kitemark and are certified to BS6222 Part 2 Level H specification: testimony to their meeting the requirements of structural strength, durability and long service.

Tel: 0870 120 8000

Groupe SEB announced on 3rd May that it has signed the final agreement to acquire Panex, Brazil’s leading cookware manufacturer.

Panex markets a wide range of frying pans, pots and pressure cookers, most of which are manufactured at its plant in São Bernardo, near São Paolo. It is extensively present in the Brazilian market through highly regarded brands and reported 2004 sales of around €35 million.

Financed by local currency debt, the acquisition will have only a very limited impact on Groupe SEB’s financial situation.

This new acquisition reflects Groupe SEB’s assertive strategy of consolidating its leadership positions in every product category on every continent and in every market segment. In the cookware business, it fits seamlessly with the recent acquisitions of All-Clad in the United States and Lagostina in Italy.

With a competitive production plant, product lines adapted to local needs, brands widely recognised both in Brazil and in the rest of the Mercosur region, and a broad, efficient distribution network, Panex, along with Arno, will enable the Group to become the major participant in the South American small domestic equipment market.

The transaction should be closed by the end of May.

After seven years, Dornbracht—producer of high-quality design bathroom fittings, accessories, and interiors—takes its cultural engagement to a new discipline. And the name reveals the intention of the new programme focus: 'Performances'. The temporary and situation-oriented character of a performance, the singularity of the event, its clearly-defined transience were pivoting points in the development of the new concept with which Dornbracht underlines its engagement for and its discourse with the arts.

With 'Performances', Dornbracht offers the arts a public event space. A space in temporary use, a public park, an off-location unexpectedly staging live art that is immediately touching and stimulates collective desires. In contrast to the 'Statements' projects that stage a unique cultural event once a year, the Performance concept focuses on an activist, direct, presence-oriented momentum.

Within the company's 'Statements' projects 1997-2004, Dornbracht regularly presented artists, photographers, authors, musicians, and designers with free interpretations of the topic 'Water, Cleansing, and Rituals'. These projects were made accessible to the public in exhibitions and are documented in outstanding catalogue editions.

A novelty is that the 'Performances' are documented in parallel on the Net. All 'Performances' shall be presented in detail on http://www.cultureprojects.com both before and during the actual event.

Performance 1 took place on April 13th, 2005, in Milan in occasion of the Salone del Mobile.

Performance 1 was 'Dendron' by Mark Jarecke who studied with the legendary Merce Cunningham. The dancers' outfit was created by the avant-garde designer Maria Cornejo from New York whose asymmetrical cut has been celebrated for years in the French fashion magazines Purple and Self Service. With 'Dendron', Jarecke completed a trilogy of choreographic works that explore the dynamic link between architectural and emotional environment.

Besides the choreographer Mark Jarecke, the dancers Netta Carnit Yerushalmy, Andrea Nicole Johnston, and Molly Kathleen Poerstel participated in the event. The musician Jonathan James Moniaci catered for live sound and mixing.

Electrolux Major Appliances has announced the launch of a New Trade Initiative to Deliver 'Best in Class' Customer Service and reward retailers who show loyalty and commitment to the AEG-Electrolux Brand.... the new AEG-Electrolux ‘Centres of Excellence’ Network launched from May 2005

‘The AEG-Electrolux consumer looks for perfection in their appliances in terms of design, performance and results. However, they also expect more informative sales people, more understanding about the appliances and what best would suit their requirements, more choice and service from a retailer or kitchen showroom.

The creation of a network of Unique Premium Stores in terms of service, promotion and range reprentation, will reap rewards for both the retailer in terms of business development and the consumer who seeks a service second to none.’ comments Electrolux UK Brand and Marketing Director, Andy Mackay.

The initiative starts early in May 05 in line with the AEG-Electrolux dual branding product launch. The Centres of Excellence are an exclusive AEG-Electrolux network of outlets and the new centres will benefit from:

– A Unique 2 Year Parts and Labour Guarantee Scheme on all AEG-Electrolux Appliances
– Hero Models (Built in and Free Standing) supported by 5 Years Guarantee.
– 'Sporting a New Name' Sales Incentive Package
– Bespoke, Tailored Product Training
– 'Centre of Excellence' Endorsement including POS, Advertising Templates, and Signage
– Website Acknowledgement & Banner advertising

The AEG-Electrolux Brand is supported by a £1 million National Press Campaign running throughout the year, focusing at peak selling points of Spring & Autumn .
For more information on becoming a AEG-Electrolux Centre of Excellence contact the AEG-Electrolux Trade Sales Desk (contact details below) .

Trade Sales
Freestanding: Tel: 08705 650 650 Fax: 01753 872 571
Built-In: Tel: 08705 822 886 Fax: 01753 872 403

Toilet seat giant, Bemis, is taking the bottom line very seriously with the launch of its brand new seat the Awareness.

The Awareness seat is being launched in conjunction with UK charity Beating Bowel Cancer and a donation from every seat sold will be given to the charity.

Beating Bowel Cancer's mission is to raise awareness of the symptoms of bowel cancer and help dispel the embarrassment surrounding bowel cancer.

Bowel cancer is the second biggest killer in the UK, however, if caught early the disease is usually curable and Bemis hope by promoting the symptoms on every Awareness seat more lives can be saved.

Tony Leech, sales director at Bemis, said: ‘We wanted to start working with a national charity in order to allow us to give something back. Given the nature of our business Beating Bowel Cancer seemed the obvious choice especially when you realise just how curable this cancer is if caught early enough.

‘The Awareness seat is due to be sold in DIY stores across the UK I am hoping we can raise a really worthwhile amount of money for the charity and also at the same time increase awareness of bowel cancer.

‘We have included a leaflet on bowel cancer symptoms in every Awareness box, namely, change of bowel habit, rectal bleeding, unexplained anaemia (found by your GP), a lump or mass in your tummy (felt by your GP), persistent, severe abdominal pain, which has recently started - So the message is don't die of embarrassment - talk to your GP’

For more information on the Bemis Awareness toilet seat contact Tony Leech on 01282 438717 or for further information on Beating Bowel Cancer visit http://www.beatingbowelcancer.org or call 0208 892 5256.

Owing to continued success in their respective industries, Fab & Fix and Hardex have moved premises to accommodate their expansion.

Both companies are now housed in a new 25,000 sq ft unit in Coventry, with a new showroom to demonstrate both Hardex's variety of Kitchen, Bathroom, Bedroom and Office furniture fittings, and Fab & Fix's suited range of Window and door hardware.

The companies will be hosting a number of customer days to launch the new showroom and introduce people to the staff, although customers are urged to drop in and look round at any time.

Managing Director Phil Freeman said 'We firmly believe that our growth and success is due to our close relationship with our customers, along with our unique product ranges.'

Directions and a map can be found on either company's website: http://www.hardex.co.uk
http://www.fabnfix.co.uk

To book an appointment with a sales representative, call the office on +44 (0)2476 585785.

In accordance with SFAS No. 144, ‘Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,’ Masco Corporation 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.

First Quarter 2005
* Net sales from continuing operations increased six percent with North American sales increasing six percent and International sales increasing five percent. In local currencies, International sales increased one percent compared with the first quarter of 2004. Quarterly comparisons are challenging since net sales from continuing operations increased a strong 19 percent in the first quarter of 2004 compared with 2003.

* Sales in the new construction market of installed products, assembled cabinets, and windows were particularly strong in the quarter.

* Retail sales of paints and stains, faucets and cabinets were
lower-than-expected.

* Key retailer sales from continuing operations decreased two percent in the 2005 first quarter compared with a strong 20 percent increase in the first quarter of 2004 compared with 2003.

* Sales by segment in the 2005 first quarter versus the 2004 first quarter were:
• Cabinets and Related Products sales increased eight percent;
• Plumbing Products sales increased three percent;
• Installation and Other Services sales increased ten percent;
• Decorative Architectural Products sales were flat; and
• Other Specialty Products sales increased seven percent.

* Income from continuing operations was $212 million compared with $241 million for the first quarter of 2004.

* Earnings from continuing operations were $.48 per common share compared with the Company's guidance of $.44 to $.47 per common share and compared with $.52 per common share for the 2004 first quarter.

* Results for the first quarter of 2005 benefited from other income of $.06 per common share, principally net gains from the sale of financial investments and tax benefits of $.02 per common share related to the adjustment of estimated tax accruals, principally for actual tax results of International operations, which offset realised currency translation losses of $.02 per common share. The first quarter of 2004 benefited from other income, principally net gains from the sale of financial investments, of $.07 per common share and income related to the Behr litigation of $.03 per common share.

* The Company previously announced, in the first quarter of 2004, the planned disposition of several European businesses that were not core to the Company's long-term growth strategy. First quarter 2004 results included an after-tax charge of $.16 per common share to reflect those businesses expected to be divested at a loss. During the first quarter of 2005, the Company completed the disposition process with the additional sale of two of these businesses, Gebhardt Consolidated and the GMU Group, realising an after-tax net gain of $.04 per common share. Including the results of the European businesses disposed, which have been treated as discontinued operations, net income for the first quarter of 2005 increased to $231 million compared with $168 million for the 2004 first quarter; earnings for the first quarter of 2005 increased to $.52 per common share compared with $.36 per common share for the 2004 first quarter. Total net proceeds for the dispositions completed in 2004 and 2005 aggregated $282 million.

* First quarter 2005 results were adversely affected by lower-than-expected consumer spending impacting certain of the Company's products sold through retail markets, product mix, as well as recent increases in commodity, energy, and freight costs, much of which have not yet been recovered due to the lag in implementing selling price increases to customers.

* Gross margins were 28.3 percent in the 2005 first quarter compared with 30.3 percent in the first quarter of 2004. Operating profit margins, as reported, were 11.6 percent in the first quarter of 2005 compared with 13.8 percent in the first quarter of 2004. Excluding the income regarding the litigation settlement of $2 million and $21 million in 2005 and 2004, respectively, operating profit margins were 11.5 percent in the first quarter of 2005 compared with 13.0 percent in the first quarter of 2004. Operating profit margins in the first quarter of 2005 were adversely impacted by increases in certain operating expenses, including increased commodity, energy, and freight costs, as well as lower-than-expected sales volume to the retail markets.

* SG&A expenses as a percent of sales, including general corporate expense, were 16.8 percent in the first quarter 2005 compared with 17.3 percent in the 2004 first quarter.

* General corporate expense was 1.5 percent of sales in the first quarter of 2005 compared with 1.3 percent in the comparable period of 2004.

* Inventory days were 50 days at March 31st, 2005 compared with 49 days at March 31st, 2004.

* Accounts receivable days at the end of the first quarter were 51 days compared with 53 days a year ago.

* Accounts payable days at the end of the first quarter improved to 37 days from 36 days a year ago, as the Company continues to negotiate more favorable supplier terms.

* Working capital at March 31st, 2005 (defined as accounts receivable and inventories less accounts payable) improved to 18.0 percent of the last twelve months' sales from 18.5 percent a year earlier.

* The Company's tax rate was 32.4 percent for the first quarter of 2005 compared with 36.3 percent for the comparable period of the prior year. The decrease in the tax rate was due to the adjustment of estimated tax accruals principally for actual tax results of International operations. The Company estimates that its effective tax rate for the full-year 2005 should approximate 35 percent.

* At the end of the quarter, the Company had a strong balance sheet with over $1 billion in cash and marketable securities and $2 billion in unused bank lines.

* In the first quarter of 2005, the Company generated approximately $69 million of cash from the net sale of financial investments and $63 million of net cash from the disposition of two European businesses.

* Debt as a percent of total capitalisation was 46 percent at March 31st, 2005 compared with 47 percent at March 31st, 2004.

* For the twelve months ended March 31st, 2005 and March 31st, 2004, return on invested capital (as reported) was 11.6 percent and 11.5 percent, respectively. For the twelve months ended March 31st, 2005 and March 31st, 2004, return on invested capital (as reconciled) was 12.7 percent and 11.6 percent, respectively. The Company continues to believe that it will achieve its 15 percent return on invested capital goal by the end of 2006 and 18 percent by 2010.

* During the quarter, the Company repurchased approximately 13 million common shares. The Board of Directors authorised the repurchase of up to an additional 50 million shares of common stock, replacing the Company's previous authorisation. The Company had approximately 47 million common shares remaining under the new repurchase authorisation at March 31st, 2005.

* The Company's diluted common shares for purposes of calculating earnings per common share were 443 million for the first quarter of 2005 compared with 468 million for the first quarter of 2004.

* During the quarter, the Board of Directors increased the quarterly dividend by 11 percent, from $.18 to $.20 per common share, marking the 47th consecutive year in which dividends have been increased.

Full-Year Outlook
* If higher energy costs and recent trends indicating lower consumer confidence and the related slowing in sales of certain retail products continue, the Company believes that full-year results may be nearer to the low end of its previously provided earnings guidance range for continuing operations of $2.40 to $2.50 per common share.

* The Company's guidance is based on housing starts approximating 2004 levels, no additional share repurchases beyond the 13 million common shares repurchased in the first quarter of 2005, modest margin improvement in the second half of 2005, reflecting selling price increases offsetting rising commodity costs, and anticipated income from financial investments. The guidance also assumes no further significant commodity cost increases.

* Based on current business trends, the Company anticipates that second quarter 2005 earnings from continuing operations will be in a range of $.58 to $.62 per common share compared with second quarter 2004 earnings of $.65 per common share which included $.04 per common share of previously disclosed other income, principally net gains from the sale of financial investments.

* The higher commodity costs experienced late in 2004 are continuing in 2005 and are having an adverse impact on first half results. The Company is continuing to implement additional price increases for a number of its products and believes that by the second half of 2005 most of these commodity cost increases should be largely offset.

* The Company expects to return a minimum of $1 billion annually to shareholders, on average, over the next several years through share repurchases and dividends as part of its ongoing commitment to value creation. In 2004 and 2003, the Company returned $2.3 billion, in aggregate, to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends. In the first quarter of 2005, the Company returned $545 million to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends.

* Based on the current market price for the Company's common stock, diluted common shares for the computation of earnings per common share at April 1st, 2005 are 437 million. This excludes the impact of any second quarter repurchases of common stock.

AMA Research has published a 7th edition of the 'Kitchen & Bathroom Distributors Market UK 2005', incorporating original input and primary research, it represents a comprehensive, informed and unique review of this market and is good value for money at £595.

The report is over 120 pages and covers an influential but low-profile channel in detail. The kitchen and bathroom distributor market is substantial at over £800 million turnover at distributors prices in 2004.

In 2003, the kitchen and bathroom sectors remained buoyant and continued to experience relatively healthy levels of growth. This was partly due to house price inflation acting as a positive driver for a number of consumer durable markets, supported by high levels of mortgage advances for home improvements.
Additionally, the housing market continued to perform well during 2003 and the level of new house build completions increased slightly, both factors supporting the market.

A further factor influencing the market has been the continued growth of the self-build sector, where high quality fittings tend to be installed. The builders/owners in this sector often demand higher value products and fittings, which are differentiated in terms of style and performance and this can offer opportunities for the distributors and their customers.

In 2004, rising interest rates and further speculation of a significant fall in house prices dampened consumer confidence somewhat, and this had a knock on effect on consumer spending.

There has been increased pressure on pricing and margins in the market over the past 2 years due to the growth of the DIY multiples in the bathroom sector, in addition to the growth of imports. However, the distributors have in general managed to maintain margins by offering more own branded ranges, and increasing service levels.

In addition to these issues, one of the most important factors has been the continued focus on design and trading up in terms of kitchen and bathroom fittings. To satisfy this there has been an increased number of products made available to satisfy the demand, allowing the distributors to add value by stocking a comprehensive range of products and brands particularly niche and specialist varieties.

The distributor market is relatively fragmented, as local suppliers can offer a competitive edge by creating loyalty through fast, efficient service and knowledge of the customer requirements. However, there are a number of national operations and large regionals, many of which have grown share through a combination of organic growth and acquisitions.

The leading company is The PJH Group, which operates through Hopkinsons Fourways. The company is traditionally strong in the kitchen appliance and furniture sectors and is also leader in the bathroom market.

The national distributors now account for 59% of the market, led by PJH, followed by Broughton Crangrove, Mark Two and Waterline. Other major nationals are PWS, BDC, Ideal, Allied, AHED, Arrow, Maurice Lay and Galley Matrix.

The key distributors in the kitchen sector include PJH, PWS, Mark Two, Waterline, Allied, BDC, Broughton Crangrove, Stearn, William Ball, Galley Matrix and Arrow. In the bathroom and shower sector the key companies are PJH, Mark Two, Ideal Bathrooms, Broughton Crangrove and AHED.

The larger regional distributors account for around 32% of the market while local distributors are estimated to have declined to account for some 9%.

Bathroom products continue to account for the greatest share of distributors' business with 38% followed by kitchen furniture with 27%, shower products, kitchen appliances and others. Within bathroom products, baths and sanitaryware take the largest share with 48%, followed by accessories and brassware.

The bathroom and shower sector has maintained share due to the fragmented nature of retail distribution in this sector. In addition, the significant width of product range in many bathroom products, in particular brassware and accessories, further justifies the distributors' role. However, certain products such as sanitaryware and brassware have experienced marginal decline in value over recent years, largely as a result of cheaper imports.

In the kitchen appliance sector, distributors still only account for a small share due to the dominance of the electrical multiples. However, there has been an increasing demand for larger, higher value kitchen appliances such as ‘Range’ cookers and larder fridges etc, allowing the distributors to maintain share of the freestanding market.

The kitchen and bathroom distributors have two major customer groups, the kitchen and bathroom retail specialists which account for 46% of the distributors sales and the builders merchants with 33%. Others include DIY outlets, other retailers such as department stores, electrical independents and contractors.

The kitchen and bathroom retail specialists have benefited from increased replacement levels and the trend of trading up in recent years to higher quality and niche products, and higher levels of service, which are key characteristics of the specialist sector. However, those retailers competing in the economy sector remain under pressure.

In common with the kitchen and bathroom distributors, builders’ merchants are comprised of nationals, large regionals and local merchants. It is the smaller and medium sized merchants who tend to purchase from kitchen and bathroom distributors. However, this sector of the merchant industry is declining as the major regionals and nationals take share and an increasing number of smaller merchants purchase direct, often using buying groups to get better terms.

A list of around 200 kitchen and bathroom distributors in the UK also available.
AMA Research has published the new UK Kitchen Designers & Installers –Database for 2005, which is available to purchase immediately on CD Rom or by E-mail for £450. Focusing on companies which specialise in the design and installation of Kitchen Furniture and Appliances, the database provides valuable sales leads for any company targeting this £500+ million sector.

The database includes:-
* Over 6,200 Independent Kitchen Design and Installation Companies, with full address details.
* Over 6,200 Telephone Numbers.
* Database represents well over 80% of the fitted UK Kitchen Furniture market.
* Brand New Database, published in February 2005.

'All AMA Research mailing lists and databases are produced in-house by our own research staff ensuring that the information provided is accurate, comprehensive, relevant and as up to date as possible. The majority of our databases are updated in association with our existing market research reports, providing a more relevant and accurate listing. AMA Research also publish 100+ page reports on UK Kitchen Furniture, Domestic Kitchen Appliances and the Kitchen and Bathroom distributors market.'

Every company on the list was collated by AMA Research in February 2005.

Web: http://www.amaresearch.co.uk