Williams
New MD at Bristan; Lee Moves Up
Finance
Director Roger Williams (pictured) has been promoted to the position of
Managing Director of the Bristan Group and took over the role from Steve
Lee last month.
Steve has moved into the role of Chief Executive of the Bristan Group
and will, in his new position, continue to be heavily involved in the
business, particularly in the areas of sales, marketing and product development.
The change will, however, allow Steve more time to spend on developing
the new Bristan Group premises, which is scheduled to be completed next
year, and further integrating the Masco bathroom brands.
Roger has been Finance Director since 1996 and has been pivotal in the
development and success of the business to date and will work closely
with Steve moving forward in helping to implement the integration of the
Masco bathroom brands.
Roger was part of the original Bristan management buy out (MBO) team and
helped to secure financial backing from 3i and he was also a key protagonist
in the sale of Bristan to the Masco Group in 2002. More recently Roger
has spearheaded the implementation of a new business system at Bristan.
The new IT system has enabled Bristan to grow efficiently and to provide
a much faster ordering system for its customers. The system also needed
to be one that could integrate with other Masco brands, but critically
would grow with the business to ensure that moving forward the company
is able to offer a fast, efficient and quality service to its customers.
Roger comments: ‘I am delighted to be working at the helm of Bristan,
and at such an exciting point in the company's development. In my time
at Bristan I have seen the company go from strength to strength with a
growth pattern that has outstripped other brands in the industry and this
is a strong testament to the dedicated team that work here. I will be
building on this strong heritage and helping to steer the company forwards
to maintain this success, but ultimately to ensure we deliver to our customers
products, service and backup that is second to none.’
LG
Opens Window to the Future in Harrods
LG
Electronics is partnering with Harrods to demonstrate the future of technology
that will enrich people's lifestyles. The room, called the 'LG i-Gallery',
displays innovative, inspiring, imaginative and infotainment technology
such as a gold 71" plasma screen, a 5 mega pixel mobile phone and
a vacuum cleaner that does the vacuuming for you. There is even a completely
wireless 15" LCD TV.
One of the main features of the new 'LG i-Gallery' will be the LG Eye,
an experience that provides dramatic and inspiring views of some of the
world's finest cities through 10 panoramic high definition plasma TV 'windows'.
LG
is set to launch its top-of-the range built in appliances in the UK in
2007. Already in high demand in Germany, the Korean electronics company
will give consumers the chance to experience its built in oven, hob and
hood as part of its Harrods showcase.
The LG Stainless Steel Built In Oven has been designed with luxurious
simplicity. Inside the professional finish that boasts a digital display
operating in 11 languages, the oven uses a combination of sheath, halogen,
and ceramic and convection technology to achieve both traditional and
microwave heating that is second to none.
The advanced technology provides a wealth of additional features including
60 automatic cooking menus so you can impress your dinner guests without
sweating over the recipe book, a ‘speed grill’ and ‘speed
roast’ ideal for shortening preparation time and three easy-clean
features including the full glass internal door and a pyrolytic self-clean.
Woo-Hyeon Hwagn, Vice President, Living Overseas Sales Marketing said,
'We are really excited about introducing the built in appliances range
to the UK market. This new range combines exceptional design with some
of the most exiting developments in cooking technology and is aimed at
the new breed of style-savvy homeowners that are looking for kitchen specifications
that reflect their lifestyles.'
If
you enjoy listening to the radio while you’re cooking or watching
TV while you’re eating, the launch of the new LG TV Side-by-Side
fridge freezer (Product code: GRG217BTJA), is perfect for you. It has
a high quality LCD TV with full connectivity to DVD, VHS and a TV cable
aerial (PAL-1, SECAM, PAL BG tuner type) providing all round entertainment
for your dining experience. 'The TV Side-by-Side is the ultimate domestic
appliance for young professionals'.
The purpose of the 'LG i-Gallery' is to give people a window into the
digital future and demonstrate ways in which LG is at the forefront of
developing the necessary technologies to achieve this. LG's goal is to
be one of the top three consumer electronics companies in the world by
2010 and it sees this area as demonstrating to the public that it has
the products and technologies to get there.
‘LG is very excited about the new 'LG i-Gallery' in Harrods,’
said James Jeong, President LGE UK ‘LG is developing a wide range
of products that will enhance everyone's lives and this new room is the
ideal way of showing everyone the great work that we are doing. In particular
we are very happy to be doing so in Harrods, which is the perfect place
for these products to be showcased.’
LG chose Harrods because it is the London's premium retail establishment
and is part of a growing partnership between the two companies. LG will
also be displaying some of these products as part of the famous Harrods
Christmas window display. In addition, LG will provide Harrods with over
100 large TV screens for the company’s new digital signage strategy
which will see new interactive adverts in place of the traditional poster
sites. LG has also signed a sponsorship deal with Fulham Football Club
earlier this year.
The 'LG i-Gallery' was opened on Thursday, 1st December for the public
to view the products and LG will keep the room in Harrods for one year.
The room is situated on the 3rd floor and is most easily accessed through
door 10 on Hans road.
Web: http://www.lge.co.uk
Clean
Cooking with Fagor's Pyrolytic Oven Range
Fagor
UK has launched three new electronic single ovens featuring advanced pyrolytic
self-cleaning, under the company's Advanced Cooking Generation banner.
Perhaps
the most aesthetically striking of the three models is the 5H-760 B, finished
in white glass with inset stainless steel. Featuring seven cooking programmes,
the 5H-760 B has illuminated retractable controls and an electronic stop/start
timer.
There are two modes for pyrolytic cleaning: Eco, and normal. With Fagor's
special Eco function, if the oven is not very dirty, pyrolytic cleaning
takes place at a significantly lower temperature in order to save energy.
In addition, Fagor's Pyro-System enables pyrolytic cleaning to take place
with the shelves remaining inside the oven.
To ensure complete safety, the 5H-760 B also features cool-door triple-glazing
and an automatic door lock when pyrolytic cleaning is taking place.
The 5H-760 B is also available as the 5H-760 N in black glass with stainless-steel
handle and controls, and the 5H-760 X in stainless steel with black inset.
To complete the picture, all three models merit an A rating for energy
use under the Energy Labelling scheme - the highest achievable rating,
and particularly impressive for a pyrolytic oven.
For more information on the Fagor Group or on any of Fagor's range of
built-in and freestanding appliances, please call the UK sales office
on 020 7354 0044, email sales@fagorappliances.co.uk,
or visit http://www.fagor.com/uk.
Smeg
Launches 'Linear Series' of Cooking Appliances
Smeg
has launched a new group of ovens and hobs that add a distinct new style
to the Italian appliance brand's portfolio.
Smeg's Linear Series exploits the minimalist fashion aesthetic of today,
combining sleek geometric lines with stainless steel and glass and in
the case of the SC110, given a distinctive signature via the new transparent
control knobs that illuminate when switched on.
Smeg's
Linear range incorporates geometric lines and steel and glass finishes,
it also features suspended gas hobs (right) which maximise the cooking
space
The
Linear Series consists of two electric multifunction ovens and five gas
hobs. The SC110 oven has ten functions (one model variation offers a 'pizza
function' with an authentic pizza stone integrated into the base of the
oven) while the SC100 range offers its owners a choice of seven functions.
Both models feature an 'all glass' fascia panel and door that sits flush
with the kitchen cabinetry without a surrounding trim or frame - the glass
door spans the 'full width' of the appliance. There's a choice of finish:
black, stainless steel or crystal white.
Two 70cm, one 72cm and two 90cm gas hobs in stainless steel with cast
iron pan stands and transparent control knobs make up the Linear Series
hobs range. In a radical design move, the 72cm model, the PTS725, features
cast iron pan stands that are 'suspended' above the hob and which span
the entire surface of the hob in order to maximise use of its full width
and depth. Other Linear Series hobs harmonise the sleek lines of the modern
kitchen by resting flush with worksurfaces.
K&BZine
sales director Richard Place expresses interest in a pink dishwasher
Smeg
appliances are available from department stores, quality kitchen studios
and electrical retailers nationwide. Consumer readers requiring further
information can call Smeg's Consumer Brochure Hotline on 0870 990 9908.
Trade enquiries only should call Smeg (UK) Ltd on 01235 828300. Smeg's
website is http://www.smeguk.com
Hurry
– Get a Free 'Periodic Inspection' Assessment with ELECSA Before
Xmas
Across
the industry, it is generally agreed that an above average knowledge of
electrical installations is required to carry out Periodic Inspections,
usually gained through years of experience. ELECSA announced on 1st
December that it is offering assessments of competence for its full scope
scheme (level A) registered electricians and installers to undertake Periodic
Inspection and Testing as an optional extra Assessment.
The process will involve the contractor either having a periodic assessment
added to his surveillance visit or having a stand alone assessment. In
addition to the requirements of Part P, the following is required for
a Periodic Assessment:
1. City & Guilds 2391
2. Guidance note 3 – Inspection & Testing (IEE)
3. A minimum of 2 periodic inspection reports for review
4. A site visit will be made where a full and comprehensive Periodic Inspection
has taken place
Electricians and installers who are already registered with ELECSA for
Part P and agree to receive their surveillance before the 1st January
06 will be offered a FREE Periodic Assessment as part of a pilot programme.
This free periodic assessment will be offered only to ELECSA registered
installers under scheme level A on the basis that they can be assessed
along with their surveillance visit by the 31st of December 2005. From
January 2006, ELECSA’s Periodic Assessments will be in full operation
and the costs below will apply.
ELECSA charges for Periodic Assessments:
1) Existing ELECSA Registered Scheme A companies:
Periodic Assessment - £300 +VAT
Periodic Assessment together with annual Part P surveillance visit - £550
+VAT
2) New ELECSA registrants:
Part P Assessment + Periodic Assessment - £600 +VAT
3) Notification of either Part P job or Periodic Inspection - £1.50+VAT
Once assessed and approved for Periodic inspection and testing, the company
will then be able to notify ELECSA of work undertaken in the same way
as with Part P, with the exception that ELECSA will not notify Building
Control as Periodic Inspections are not controlled under Building Regulations.
Annual Surveillance visits will be required.
As Gary Stevens, Assessment Manager, ELECSA, said 'With the advent of
the Home Information Pack (sometimes referred to as the ‘Home Sellers
Pack’) in 2007, the demand for Periodic Inspections will increase.
ELECSA is therefore offering this service to help prepare companies registered
on its scheme level A to benefit from this increased business opportunity.'
For further information on the Periodic Assessments and the ELECSA scheme
generally, please go to http://www.elecsa.org.uk.
You can contact the ELECSA Registration Team by phone on 0870 749 0080
or email enquiries@elecsa.org.uk.
Roaring
Success of BMA Generic Industry Guides
The
Bathroom Manufacturers Association's generic industry guides, which are
designed to help everyone in the bathroom industry to make a more disciplined
study of their profession, are proving a roaring success with over thirteen
thousand downloads of the Guides, since May.
Training Manager Richard Moss says, ‘the BMA began this initiative
around 20 months ago, with the formation of a working group to determine
what level of training and education our industry needs. The working group
formulated a three year plan, the first step of which was to create a
series of Generic Industry Guides that can be freely downloaded from the
BMA web-site.
‘The guides were circulated to the technical and training departments
of the BMA membership for ratification and were posted on the web-site
in May. In the first five months up until October 2nd we were delighted
to register 7,400 downloads of the guides. Moss says, ‘with people
reading the guides in such numbers - and the start-up of a testing scheme
to judge how useful they are being - the BMA can safely claim that one
of the primary objectives of raising standards within the bathroom industry
is underway.’
In the last two months the numbers of downloads has grown exponentially,
Moss says, ‘from October 2nd to December 2nd a further 6,500 downloads
have taken place, that's a phenomenal number and underlines the demand
from people within the bathroom industry, for this kind of study material.
In total 13,614 downloads of industry guides from the BMA web-site has
taken place since May 2005!’
On top of this success, the BMA has now formed a Virtual Academy and its
CPD specialist and training coordinator Phil Lumley is piloting a testing
programme to give recognition to industry members, who study the guides.
A number of people are involved in the pilot scheme, which will to test
their knowledge of the guides, and confirm their usefulness in the working
environment. This group includes people working for shower manufacturer
Triton, plus William Wilson (part of Wolseley) and the showroom staff
from the Wilky Group, which is incentivising those members of its staff,
who successfully complete the certification tests. The Generic Industry
Guides are open to anyone and are intended to be used by any stakeholder
for the industry and pilot-scheme registrations have been received from
individuals working in the bathroom media, from PR and from training.
Richard Moss says, ‘we are well aware that the work we are doing
around the Generic Industry Guides is in its early stages and are determined
to take our time and test everything thoroughly. We have done the research,
consulted the membership, written the fir of the guides and formed the
links that we need with other interested industry and education bodies
so, the industry can see this is as a solid beginning.’
The BMA is the trade association for bathroom manufacturers. Its authority
is underlined by a membership that represents 87% of the mainstream bathroom
business undertaken within the UK. In its role as the voice of the UK
bathroom industry, the association has prepared a series of Generic Training
Guides to help people gain a clearer understand of products such as shower
controls, shower enclosure, shower trays, sanitaryware, brass fittings
and baths.
For more information on the Generic Industry Guides visit: http://www.bathroom-association.org
To register to study and test yourself on the guides contact: phil.lumley@bathroom-association.org.uk
In-Toto
Shows 'Britain's Worst' How it Should be Done
Channel
5's 'Britain's Worst' series is now focussing on builders. Three bad builders
are put through their paces on various tasks, with a flat bed truck for
the 'most improved'. In-toto kitchens, as one of Britain's best, was invited
to show how a small kitchen installation should be done.
One of In-toto's professional installers based at In-toto's Cheam showroom
fitted sink and cabinet, wall unit, cornice and trim, tiles, Duropal breakfast
bar and flooring within three hours to In-toto's usual impeccable standard.
Then the builders had their turn, using identical components.
Presenter Quentin Wilson's illuminating yet humorous commentary pointed
out where each went wrong, comparing the job to In-toto's example.
Graham Russell, In-toto's marketing manager, said 'we were pleased to
be able to demonstrate how kitchens should be fitted and were surprised
at some of the less orthodox techniques used by the contestants. It goes
to show that it really does pay to use a genuine expert!'
Web: http://www.intoto.co.uk
Roman
Holiday at KBB Exhibition
Roman
Limited, the UK shower manufacturer, is offering visitors to the January
KBB exhibition a weekend break for two in the historic city of Rome. Roman
will be running two prize draws, one for members of the press and another
for retail and contract market.
The Italian capital is a beautiful city steeped in history with a modern
cosmopolitan feel and, of course, any trip to Rome wouldn’t be complete
without a visit to one of the world’s most religious sites, the Vatican
City.
Next month’s KBB Exhibition, at the NEC from 22-26 in Birmingham,
will have Roman’s biggest-ever stand, showcasing phase one of the
brand new Roman Sculptures range as well as many other items from its
exciting collection of enclosures, trays, valves and accessories.
Anyone visiting Roman’s stand, C59 in hall 20, will be able to fill
in a competition entry form and post it in the box provided.
The lucky winner will be announced at 2pm on the final day of the exhibition.
They will be awarded holiday vouchers which can be redeemed against the
trip to Rome.
During the four-day exhibition, visitors will also be among the first
to see Roman’s brand new additions to its Orbital range. The Orbital
Range currently comprises Quadrants which create maximum showering area,
while using minimal wall space. The ultra modern Orbital Sliding Door
and the watertight Orbital Bath Enclosure will also be on view.
Roman will also display other enclosures as well as shower trays, the
Roman Waterfall collection of shower heads and thermostatic valves, and
its range of designer accessories.
Roman’s marketing director, David Osborne, said: 'As Roman has the
biggest showering stand at the exhibition, we thought we would celebrate
this by giving a member of the press and a retailer or contractor who
visits our stand something special. We will be displaying our largest
collection of new products at the NEC and there will be something there
to suit everyone, with Roman staff on hand to talk in-depth about these
and all our other products.'
Flower
Power Set to Draw KBB Visitors!
One
visitor to KBB 2006 will go home with a most exclusive bath - if he or
she is the lucky winner of a competition being run by exhibitor Victoria
& Albert.
Manufacturer
of freestanding baths Victoria & Albert commissioned artist Beverley
Fry to paint one of the company’s latest models, a Sorrento bath,
in her trademark floral style and the bath will be the prize in a visitor
draw run at the company's stand during the exhibition.
Any bathroom retailer ordering a Victoria & Albert display bath will
automatically be entered into the competition and the prize bath, painted
in Beverley's trademark floral style, will then serve as an eye-catching
showroom centrepiece.
‘We wanted to offer a really unusual prize for one lucky visitor
to our stand KBB 2006 and decided Beverley's fabulous painting style would
really complement one of our Sorrento baths,’ said Victorian &
Albert Baths Group managing director Joe Matthews.
‘The Sorrento is a modern sit tub based on the traditional Japanese
'Sento' public bath - two people can share a luxurious bathing experience
- and our prize Sorrento will be completely unique thanks to its distinctive
Beverley Fry design.’
Beverley Fry has been painting professionally since 1983. She has staged
numerous group and one-woman exhibitions in London, Paris, Dublin and
the USA and works from her 'Fry on the Wall' studio just outside Much
Wenlock in Shropshire. Her paintings have been accepted by the Royal Academy
and are in the collection of the Duchess of Kent.
‘Flowers are a colourful feature of my work, last year Andrew Lloyd
Webber selected a huge poppy painting for the Daily Mail's 'Not the Turner
Prize' exhibition held at the Mall Galleries,’ said Beverley.
‘I think my floral painting lends itself perfectly to the Sorrento
- the lucky winner will get a luxury bath and beautiful painting all in
one!’
Victoria & Albert's stand is E59 in Hall 20.
Indesit
Board Approves the Results for 3rd Quarter 2005
The
board of directors of Indesit Company recently approved the consolidated
figures for the 3rd quarter, drawn up to international accounting standards.
Ebitda is in line with expectations and sales in line with the same period
in 2004, confirming a recovery with respect to 1st quarter 2005 in spite
of very weak demand, especially in the UK.
The Board also reviewed the Company’s three-year industrial plan,
which focuses on product innovation, with the launch of new high value
added product (the first, the Aqualtis washing machine, was on 29th October)
and increasing investments in communication to support ongoing brand building
activities.
Particularly significant will be the cost cutting measures, at all levels.
In addition to the strong drive to improve efficiency in terms of sourcing
and structural costs, there will be further redistribution of production
capacity between Western and Eastern Europe in line with sales volumes
in those regions. By the end of 2008, the Company aims to generate 40%
of its sales in Eastern Europe (34% today), while production in Eastern
Europe is expected to reach 45% (28% today).
Thanks to these initiatives the Company envisages that sales volumes in
the three-year period 2006-2008 will grow at an average 3-4% against an
estimated market rate of 2-3%. Ebit is expected to be 15-20% a year over
the same period.
Key results in 3rd quarter 2005
Sales: €829.1m (€835.8m in the same period in 2004).
Ebitda: €64.8m (€92.4m in 2004).
% over sales: 7.8%.
Ebit: €28.5m (€55m in 2004).
% over sales: 3.4%.
Profits before tax: €21.1m (€43.2m in 2004).
Net profits: €10.2 m (€27m in 2004)
The Board also approved the 1st half report to 30th June 2005, the figures
for which were drawn up in accordance with international accounting standards,
so are not comparable with those disclosed on 3rd August 2005. Annexed
to the 1st half report is a First Time Adoption (FTA) statement prepared
in connection with the transition process required for the first full
consolidated financial statements using IFRS standards. The 1st half and
3rd quarter reports, together with the relevant reconciliation accounts,
are available to the public at Company headquarters and at Borsa Italiana
as of 28th October, when they were also published on the Company’s
website - http://www.indesitcompany.com.
New
Design Heralds Success for Contract Kitchen Venture
Carleton
Furniture Group Ltd recently commissioned Yorkshire based brand and design
agency 10, to design the first ever brochure to promote its contract Kitchen
range.
The
‘A la carte’ kitchen range has to appeal to varying clients
and customers, so the brief was explicit - to ensure the new brochure
and image was eye catching, innovative and stylish.
The new brochure for Carleton Kitchens, sister to the Wilkinsons and Lucas
furniture brands, has already been deemed a success, as initial sales
have so far exceeded the budget.
Phil Rhodes, General Manager for kitchens at Carleton Furniture commented,
‘We have an excellent relationship with 10, and feel very comfortable
giving them a new brief, confident that they will understand the concept
that it has to encourage new sales’.
Carleton Furniture Group Ltd. is a UK manufacturer of both office and
residential furniture. It produces and fabricates all furniture components
in-house under stringent quality control for the veneered and laminated
panels, still in the hands of time-served cabinet makers, using the traditional
skills passed on from one generation of Carleton's craftsmen to the next.
Natalie Barton, Account Executive of 10 commented ‘We are thrilled
that our design for the new brochure has had such an instant success’.
Picture: Phil Rhodes, General Manager for kitchens
at Carleton Furniture and Natalie Barton, Account Executive of 10
Church
Conversion Heats Up, Thanks to Myson
Myson
is counting its blessings after being chosen not only to have its products
sold in a unique new showroom, but also to heat the outlet, which is being
converted from an old Methodist Church.
While the company’s Towel Warmer range is to be made available to
the public at the new Midlands showroom, ten of Myson’s new Hi-Line
Super are being installed to heat the 280 sq m showroom.
Aquatherapy
Showers and Bathrooms is converting a 100-year-old former Methodist Church,
in Redditch, into a showroom and offices, where top of the range products
will be on show.
Aquatherapy took over the building at the start of the year, after the
Evesham Road church merged with a neighbouring congregation, and hopes
to open the converted building in the late summer.
While the church is a listed building, Aquatherapy has had an extra floor
put in, so that the building can also house office space.
The Myson Hi-Line Super has been created with increased output ranges,
making it suitable for large areas such as showrooms.
The new Hi-Line range products have a sleek and more compact look, sit
high on walls, making them ideal for installation above the doors of shops
or other commercial applications.
Two versions of the Hi-Line Super have been developed, giving different
power outputs. The Super 25-18 has a normal fan speed output of 5.0kW
and a boost fan speed output of 7.5kW, while the Super 29-20’s fan
speed outputs are 6.0kW and 8.5kW.
The controls offer variable fan speed, as well as 'summer', 'off' and
'winter' settings. They are wall mounted and can either be recessed, or
surface mounted. While supplied together with the main unit, the controls
can be situated at a convenient position for easy access.
Darren Feasey, Myson’s product manager for the Hi-Line range, said:
'Commercial properties such as this are an example of the type of venue
the Hi-Line Super was designed for. I think it says a lot about how well
the Myson name is respected by retailers such as Aquatherapy that not
only do they wish to sell our products, they also choose the Myson name
when they want to heat their premises.'
Jamie Emmerson, director of Aquatherapy Showers and Bathrooms, said: 'We
want our new showroom to be about the best of bathrooms, and that includes
heating. We know Myson best through its range of bathroom products, which
is why we know we are getting quality with the Hi-Line Super convector
providing warmth for our customers and staff.'
Picture:
Jamie Emmerson, director of Aquatherapy Showers and Bathrooms (left) and
Mark Hill, Myson’s area sales manager
Stoves
Makes its Television Debut with New Advertising Campaign
Stoves
is launching its first ever television advertising campaign in a bid to
maximise exposure for the brand and generate consumer pull-through in
line with Glen Dimplex Home Appliances' comprehensive support package
for its trade customers.
The
Genus and Range cooker commercials will start on 19th December to support
Stoves' sponsorship of UKTV Food's 'Cooking with Passion' season and will
run on Channel 4 nationally over Christmas and the New Year. In addition,
from December to February they will also air on various satellite channels
including E4, UK Style, and Discovery Home & Health.
Set in the cookery section of a library and bookshop; as well as in a
cookery school, the Genus commercial underlines the revolutionary nature
of the product. It shows the recipes effectively being rewritten; as the
cookery times are corrected to account for the fact that food can be cooked
up to four times faster in Genus than in a conventional oven with no need
for preheating and without compromising the quality of the end result.
In
line with Stoves' sponsorship of UKTV Food's 'Cooking with Passion' season,
the range cookers advert depicts people who are clearly passionate about
food and communicates the enjoyment that can be gained from cooking with
Stoves' stylish range cookers. Colourful and lively, it presents the products
in a contemporary and aspirational environment to maximise their appeal.
Jayne Hall, Marketing Director for Stoves, comments: 'This campaign is
designed to take the Stoves brand to the widest possible audience and
has been carefully developed to position Stoves as the brand of choice
for consumers and ensure it stands out from the competition. The adverts
clearly communicate key values at the heart of the Stoves brand and will
appeal to serious cooks and style-conscious consumers alike.'
The television advertising campaign will reach an estimated 6.3 million
ABC1 adults and is part of a £2 million investment in marketing
by Glen Dimplex Home Appliances aimed at promoting Stoves products and
driving sales for its trade customers.
The television campaign will be supported by an extensive programme of
internet and home interest press advertising to promote product information
and specification details to prospective customers and create optimum
opportunities for the brand.
Tel: 0870 458 9663
Web: http://www.stoves.co.uk
De
Dietrich Offers Free Casserole Dishes
From
1st December 2005 until 31st March 2006, premium appliance brand De Dietrich
is offering the opportunity to claim two free casserole dishes for end
users who buy an oven plus one other appliance from the 2005/6 range.
These
cast line non stick casserole dishes are good for healthy fat free cooking
while at the same time, easy to handle as they are very light. They have
detachable handles for flexibility.
This promotion is available to participating dealers. Leaflets are available
from De Dietrich Area Sales Managers or from Brandt UK Marketing.
De Dietrich Sales (Trade) 01256 308 067
Email: sales@fagorbrandt.com
Web: http://www.dedietrich.co.uk
Tara
Fittings in the World’s Leading Luxury Hotels
Dornbracht,
the international manufacturer of designer fittings, accessories and interiors,
is continuing to expand in the high-priced hotel segment. The list of
references in the hotel industry ranges from fitting out the designer
hotel Q! in Berlin, the InterContinental Düsseldorf, the Mandarin
Oriental Cancun in Mexico, the Conrad Hilton Tokyo and the Four Seasons
Biltmore in California to the Al Fattan Marine Towers in Dubai. Throughout
2005 Dornbracht continued to be involved in a number of internationally
renowned hotel projects.
For
years Dornbracht has been addressing bathroom rituals, developing concepts
and designs that re-functionalise the bathroom as a consciously experienced
living space. Dornbracht presents the bathroom as an immaterial luxury:
a place that encourages the user to rediscover body, mind and spirit.
Hotels are not just functional places that provide overnight accommodation
away from home; rather, they are places of relaxation, for gathering new
impressions, and meeting places for different cultures. In hotel planning,
more and more space is being given to the bathing area as a place to withdraw,
transforming it into a private spa.
In Moscow in July of this year, the Swissotel Krasnye Holmy opened in
the new Riverside business district close to the oldest part of the town.
The
cool, factual architecture of this new construction - its 34 floors make
it the highest hotel in the city - is a striking feature of the impressive
new building. The 235 guestrooms and 28 suites, the largest measuring
155 m2, contain state-of-the-art technology in elegantly understated,
contemporary interiors.
The highlights in the rooms are the luxuriously fitted private spas, which
take up one-third of the total area. Both the glazed rain shower and the
free standing bath invite guests to relax.
Washstands, baths and showers all have Dornbracht fittings from the Tara
and Tara Classic series.
Artistic freedom rules in the recently opened Puerta America in Madrid,
a designer hotel in an entirely new dimension. Designed by 19 architects,
artists and designers from a total of 13 countries, the Puerta America
is an intersection of different cultures, design and architectural concepts.
Although the central division of the individual floors is identical, the
designers were given free rein in designing the room concepts.
This
resulted in a new interplay between materials, shapes and colours to stimulate
every one of the guests' senses. Spanish fashion designers Vitorio &
Lucchino and designers Javier Mariscal and Fernando Salas all used Dornbracht
Tara fittings in their rooms.
In the philosophy of the Hotel Sezz in Paris, luxury is seen primarily
as a plus in service and space. In the opinion of the owner Shahé
Kalaidjian, the conventional structures of the design and running of a
hotel are obsolete. Thus, for instance, the Sezz does not have a reception
area, but provides each guest with a personal assistant instead. The Sezz
is entirely in the classic tradition of French 'savoir vivre'.
The luxurious interior appeals with its understated shapes. The design
of the bathroom is also dominated by the archetypical lines of Tara by
Dornbracht.
Both the Tara and Tara Classic series have been designed by Sieger Design.
Information on the various hotels is available at:
Swissotel Krasnye Holmy: http://moscow.swissotel.com
Puerta America: http://www.hotelpuertamerica.com
Hotel Sezz: http://www.hotelsezz.com
Further information on Dornbracht and Dornbracht products is available
at http://www.dornbracht.com
Complaint
Against AquaSoothe Ltd Not Upheld
An
industry complaint objecting to a magazine ad for 'Britain's best bathlift'
from AquaSoothe Ltd, Sale, Cheshire was not upheld according to information
published by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).
Complaint:
Care Knight objected to a magazine ad that showed a woman in a bath fitted
with a bathlift. Text stated 'NEW EASY-BATHER - AS SEEN ON TV Make bathing
easy with Britain's best bathlift. Lowers you to the bottom of the bath
and lifts you gently up again Fitted in minutes - no wiring Rechargeable
battery powered Seating band retracts into slimline case after use Easy-grip
hand call'. Care Knight said the use of 'best' was misleading, because
it was not a direct quote from any source or industry accredited body
and they believed it misleadingly implied Aquasoothe were the market leaders
when that was not the case.
Adjudication:
Complaint not upheld
Aquasoothe said they prepared the ad in accordance with the CAP Code with
advice from the CAP Copy Advice team. They said the advice they had received
was that the use of 'best' in this particular ad would be regarded as
their opinion.
'We considered that readers would interpret '... Britain's best bathlift'
as an objective claim. We noted that text below the claim listed several
features of the bathlift, including 'Lowers you to the bottom of the bath
and lifts you gently up again', 'Rechargeable battery powered' and 'Seating
band retracts into slimline case after use'. We considered that readers
would interpret '... Britain's best bathlift' as meaning that, because
it offered the listed attributes, the bathlift was the best available.
Because we understood that the advertised bathlift had all the listed
features and no other bathlift offered that combination of features, we
considered that the claim was justified.
'We investigated the ad under clauses 3.1 (Substantiation), 7.1 (Truthfulness),
8.1 (Matters of opinion) and 19.1 (Other comparisons) but did not find
it in breach.'
New
Electrolux Research Reveals ‘What’s Cooking’ in UK Kitchens
Clearly
the need for kitchens to fulfill social and culinary roles in the home
has implications for design. To understand more about what people need
and want from their kitchens we looked at how people are cooking and entertaining
at home today.
More people are entertaining at home today than in previous years, but
spend less time preparing food - only 13 minutes per day compared to 60
minutes in the 1980s.
This would seem to suggest that consumer interest in food and cooking
is declining but research from the Future Foundation and Electrolux suggests
the opposite.
Future Foundation’s 'Changing Lives' survey indicates that UK consumers
cook between 6 and 10 meals per month from fresh or raw ingredients.
All age groups, apart from 16 to 24 year olds, cook a meal from fresh
or raw ingredients at least twice as often as they eat ready meals or
take aways.
This is supported by pan-European research by Electrolux, which shows
that the UK is second only to Sweden in Europe, when it comes to the consumption
of fresh ingredients for daily cooking. According to Future Foundation
research almost 25% of UK adults appear to have an active interest in
food, claiming to look through magazines and books for recipe ideas at
least once a week, and 17% say that eating good food is 'their best description
of luxury'.
Gastronomic Globalisation
The desire for individualism and new experiences is driving consumer interest
in international food. Food is an easy way for people to experience new
cultures and 60% of UK adults agree that they like to try food they haven’t
eaten before. UK consumers are particularly adventurous compared to other
European countries, and eat a wide variety of international dishes including
Chinese, Indian, Thai and pasta. Electrolux describes this growing interest
in international food as 'gastronomic globalisation'.
The global influence in UK kitchens is also influencing the appliances
that we own and aspire to own. Research by Electrolux in Europe shows
that UK kitchens have more specialist appliances for international cooking,
such as woks, teppan yaki grill plates, and rice steamers, than other
countries.
Gourmet and Pressure Cooks
Future Foundation and Electrolux has identified two different modes of
cooking for consumers: Gourmet and Pressure cooking.
The first mode, 'Gourmet Cooking', is about cooking as a leisure activity
and usually takes place at the weekend or during the week when entertaining
guests. Gourmet Cooks are actively interested in cooking and enjoy the
preparation process. They will shop around for fresh and authentic ingredients
and prepare meals from raw ingredients. For Gourmet Cooks part of the
pleasure of cooking is socialising and entertaining, so they want their
kitchen and the food they cook to be an expression of their own interests
and individualism. The Gourmet Cook needs a kitchen equipped with a range
of specialist appliances – juicers, woks, blenders, rice steamers,
spice grinders – for when they are cooking from scratch and entertaining.
'Pressure Cooking' on the other hand, is about maximising efficiency &
minimising the time involved in food preparation. Pressure Cooks want
convenience and speed, so they need a kitchen that is equipped with labour
saving devices – fridge freezers for storage, microwaves for reheating
and a dishwasher to minimise time spent cleaning up.
Both 'Gourmet' and ‘Pressure’ cooking are not mutually exclusive
modes of cooking and most consumers will switch from one to the other,
usually depending on whether they are cooking as a chore during the week,
or cooking for leisure at the weekend.
The two different modes therefore make very different demands when it
comes to kitchen design – kitchen equipment needs to meet the needs
of both – from the convenience of microwave cooking and fast freezing
to the ability to store fresh food for longer (like AEG-Electrolux Longfresh
fridge freezer) and more specialist features on cooking appliance –
like multifunction ovens, wok burners, steam ovens etc.
Whirlpool
Enters Into $2.7 Billion Credit Facilities
Whirlpool
Corporation announced on December 6th that it has entered into an amended
and restated $2.2 billion, five-year revolving credit agreement, with
$1.2 billion immediately available and $1.0 billion available upon final
clearance of the Maytag Corporation acquisition by the Antitrust Division
of the Department of Justice.
Whirlpool also has entered into a new $500 million, 364-day revolving
credit agreement with a one-year term-out option, which will be available
upon final clearance of the Maytag acquisition by the Antitrust Division.
The credit facilities replace the existing $1.2 billion revolving credit
agreement. The credit facilities were co-arranged by J.P. Morgan Securities
Inc. and Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
'These agreements put into place the financing arrangements necessary
for us to complete the acquisition of Maytag,' said Roy Templin, executive
vice president and CFO. 'The credit agreements provide us with substantial
flexibility.'