New
Rules on Electrical Work in the Home - In Force from 1st January 2005
New
building regulations aimed at curbing the unacceptable number of deaths,
injuries and house fires caused by faulty electrical installations, came
into force on 1st January.
The new rules affect anyone considering electrical work in the home, including
DIY enthusiasts. Failure to comply could lead to householders being required
to bring the work up to standard and may make it more difficult to sell
their homes.
Minor jobs like replacing sockets and light switches in low risk areas
will not be affected. However anyone thinking of, for example, carrying
out electrical work in kitchens, bathrooms or outdoors or adding new circuits
to any part of their house will have to get building control involved.
The alternative is to get the work carried out by a suitably qualified
electrician.
The key question for householders is who will be carrying out the work.
If it is themselves, a friend or relative then they will have to notify
the local authority building control department unless only minor work
is involved. An alternative is to employ someone who is registered with
a 'competent person' scheme.
The ODPM leaflet 'New rules for electrical safety in the home', explains
the options and how to go about finding a 'competent person' in your area
in a clear, easy to read style. You can view it online at http://www.odpm.gov.uk/electricalsafety
and hard copies are available from local authorities and competent person
scheme operators.
The changes bring England and Wales further into line with Scotland where
Building Regulations already address electrical safety issues.
ELECSA
Approved by ODPM for Defined Scope Scheme under Part P
ELECSA
has been granted approval from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister,
for a further area of activity within the new requirements surrounding
domestic electrical arrangements in England and Wales and set out in Building
Regulation P and its supporting Approved Document.
As
of the 1st January 2005, it has become necessary for all installations
of notifiable electrical work in domestic dwellings to be certified as
being in compliance with this part of the regulations.
ELECSA is operating the Full Competency scheme for electrical contractors
operating against the industry's Minimum Technical Competence (MTC). This
scheme is designed for contractors whose main business is electrical work.
However there are many other firms whose main activity is something else
but who carry out some electrical work in connection with that. Examples
include kitchen and bathroom fitters and security system and garage door
installers.
The new 'defined scope' scheme will allow these firms to register and
become approved for the particular type of work they do. The scheme will
provide householders with the assurance they need to ensure that the contractor
they employ is competent and that Part P has been complied with.
Commenting on the 'defined scope', ELECSA General Manager Julian Carter
said 'This is a positive step forward to help raise the integrity of the
electrical contracting industry and protect consumers. We are pleased
to be playing a part in this process'.
As with the full scope scheme, the British Board of Agrement will be providing
assessment services to ELECSA for the new defined scope scheme.
Discount Price - ELECSA has announced that until the end of January 2005,
the price for registration and assessment has been discounted to £400
(+ VAT).
Installers already registered with ELECSA should enter their registration
number and password, they will then be taken to the registered users section
of the website.
Further information on the ELECSA scheme and application packs can be
located on their website at http://www.elecsa.org.uk,
tel: 0870 749 0080 or email: mailto:fallain@elecsa.org.uk.
Help
the Tsunami Victims with your Old Mobile!
Victims
in tsunami-stricken areas are set to receive a helping hand through the
recycling of old mobile phones and printer cartridges.
The recent earthquake off the coast of Sumatra has led to an estimated
150,000 deaths, with thousands more injured or forced to flee their homes
- and leading recycling company Eurosource has launched a nationwide appeal
to help.
The company, which specialises in running charity recycling appeals, has
pledged to swap old mobiles and printer cartridges for cash which will
go straight to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC). This umbrella
organisation is responsible for co-ordinating the UK's national appeal
in response to major overseas disasters.
If you received a new mobile phone for Christmas, you have the power to
help by simply donating your old one to the appeal. And if you work in
an office, don't bin those old cartridges - they too can help.
John Speake, chairman of Eurosource, said: 'This is the biggest earthquake
for 40 years, causing a tsunami which spread thousands of kilometres and
left a massive path of destruction.
'Images of the disaster have shocked the people of the UK, and I am inviting
them to help by donating items which are often regarded as rubbish. Don't
bin your old phones and cartridges - send them to us and we'll ensure
that cash from each item recycled goes straight to the DEC.
'Eurosource specialises in raising money for charities, and has raised
almost £1.5million since its inception in 1999. This sum has been
shared between reputable charities including Marie Curie Cancer Care,
the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation and the Royal National Institute
of the Blind, and I hope that we can have as much success bringing in
funds to donate to the DEC.'
Different mobiles and cartridges are worth different sums of money depending
on various factors, like model, age and condition. Eurosource has created
a dedicated website where you can find out which mobiles and cartridges
can be recycled, and how much will be given to the DEC for each one -
http://www.recyclingappeal.com/tsunami.
If you want to help the Tsunami Recycling Appeal, all you have to do is
call 08712 50 50 50 for a freepost bag. Drop your old phones and cartridges
in the bag and pop it in the post - easy!
As well as helping this worthwhile cause, you'll be helping the environment
by preventing these items from ending up in landfill sites where they
can cause pollution. So what are you waiting for? Phone for a freepost
bag today.
£100m
Distribution Centre for Wolseley UK Means Product Expansion, Improved
Customer Service and Reduced Costs
Wolseley
plc, the world's largest specialist trade distributor of plumbing and
heating products and a leading supplier of building materials to professional
contractors, announces a £100 million capital investment programme
for its UK distribution network.
Wolseley's investment in its supply chain and distribution centre network
has been an important factor in driving growth and margin improvement,
particularly in the UK and USA, in recent years. As the Group's experience
of supply chain management for the building materials sector has increased,
the distribution strategy has evolved to the extent that new distribution
centres have increased in size and have benefited from increased automation.
Wolseley companies have also been able to benefit from best practice sharing
in developing their infrastructure investment. Wolseley's announcement
for the UK on 10th January is the next step in that process and is an
important part of the European supply chain strategy.
Furthermore, this investment also marks the continuation of Wolseley UK's
restructuring and rebranding programme, announced in spring 2004, which
is streamlining the company's operations and maximising the efficiencies
across all seven of its operating brands - Plumb Center, Build Center,
Hire Center, Climate Center, Parts Center, Pipe Center and Drain Center.
The initial plans include building a new 340,000 sq ft (31,586 m2) national
distribution centre in Leamington Spa, on a site adjacent to Wolseley
UK's new headquarters, and to opening another regional distribution centre
in the north west of England in 2006/7. Building work in Leamington Spa
will commence as soon as planning permission has been granted, with the
expectation that the new national distribution centre will open by the
summer of 2006.
The new national distribution centre will serve all of Wolseley UK's brands
working alongside the company's existing regional distribution centres
in Melmerby (North Yorkshire), Worcester and Marston Gate (near Milton
Keynes) plus local bulk distribution sites across the UK.
The additional distribution network capacity will assist in meeting the
growing demand for Wolseley UK's services through all of its brands, across
all industry sectors. The new distribution centre network will enable
a wider range of products to be held, provide better service to branches
and customers and lower costs through a fully integrated supply chain
and improved logistics management.
The £100 million cost of the programme will be met from Wolseley's
existing resources with the bulk being incurred in the next three financial
years. The programme is expected to benefit earnings in the year ending
31st July 2006 and thereafter.
Charlie Banks, Group Chief Executive of Wolseley said:
'This £100 million infrastructure investment demonstrates a long-term
commitment to growing our business and sharing best practice across the
Group. Our distribution centre network and supply chain management in
the UK and USA have been an integral part of Wolseley's success and we
are confident that they will provide us with a competitive advantage in
the future. This investment will allow us to continue to meet rising customer
demand while helping eliminate inefficiency from the construction supply
chain.'
KBSA
Announces Resignation of National Chairperson
The
KBSA has announced that Jane Cheel, owner and managing director of Underwood
Kitchens, has stepped down as national chair with effect from January
1st, 2005.
Jane says: ‘I am very sorry that I cannot fulfil my full term as
national chair but my own business commitments have changed over the last
six months and I need to focus on the growth and expansion of my company.
I remain committed to the KBSA and hope to be able to return to an active
role sometime in the future.’
KBSA chief executive Graham Hayden expressed his regret to be losing Jane.
‘I am personally very sorry that Jane is unable to continue with
the KBSA chair position. In her time in the role she has had a major positive
impact on the KBSA.’
Tony Nicholas, managing director of Nicholas Anthony and chairman for
Region 6 (London & Home Counties) and current national vice chair
will assume the role of acting chair until a new appointment is made.
New
Year, New Product Range for Franke
Franke,
the manufacturer of kitchen sinks, has announced its plans for 2005 include
extending its product range with at least 15 new additions.
Full details will be released during the course of the year but product
manager John Swain says the new additions to the range will increasingly
position the sink as the focal point of the kitchen.
During 2004 Franke launched a number of innovative kitchen products including
the Sorter waste organising system and the Little Butler, which delivers
hot, filtered water straight from the tap.
John says that 2005 promises to be one of the most exciting years in the
company’s history.
He said: ‘Franke invests significant sums in research and development
worldwide every single year. This allows us to develop market-leading
products and continue to offer new choices to customers.’
Tel: 0161 436 6280
Web: http://www.franke.co.uk
Inspiration,
aspiration, knowledge and trend spotting - all can be found together within
the seminar programme on offer at Bathrooms and Kitchens EXPO during 8th
- 10th May 2005 at London's premier exhibition venue, ExCeL.
Running throughout the three days of the show, the seminar theatre is
set to be a hotbed of topical debate and inspiration. Sunday 8th May offers
a programme not to be missed by bathroom and kitchen retailers with TV's
Naomi Cleaver kicking off the show, swiftly followed by Skillsmart Retail's
top tips on how to maximise showroom and window displays. ICI Dulux shares
its colour expertise and Franklite Decorative Lighting rounds off the
day by presenting a real business opportunity for retailers with a look
at the latest regulations in lighting, which now prevents homeowners from
fitting their own lighting.
The exhilarating programme of the following two days begins with an interview
with design guru Sebastian Conran on the latest trends in bathroom and
kitchen design. Flying in from Italy, Alessandro Finetto, studio design
leader of Whirlpool Europe will give us a taste of built in design for
appliances.
Customer communications consultant and ex Housebuilders Federation marketing
director, David Mote poses the question 'Do kitchens and bathrooms really
sell houses?' and Joe Simpson editor of Tile and Stone Journal chairs
a panel of experts on tiles who will battle out their views on tiles.
Other topics give a nod to colour and lighting, smart controls and designing
for the infirm and disabled.
'Bathrooms and Kitchen EXPO is the UK's premier trade show for the market
and this seminar programme has been designed to reflect the hot topics
and latest trends in the market. The speakers are all genuine experts
in their field and we are confident that all delegates will go away enriched,
empowered and entertained by every seminar.' comments event director Richard
Dray.
The full seminar programme can be viewed on http://www.bkexpo.co.uk
where you can schedule your place and register for free tickets to the
show.
£250K
to Tackle Manchester's Fridges
Efforts
to clear Manchester's scrap fridges have recently been given a boost as
Environment Minister Elliot Morley announced that the Government is to
contribute £250k towards a clean-up fund.
Around 100,000 fridges are currently awaiting treatment and safe disposal
at four sites around Manchester after the site contractor went into liquidation.
The Environment Agency has been working with Defra, landowners, local
authorities and MPs to set up a clean-up fund to raise the revenue needed
to clear the sites.
To date, 40,000 fridges have been cleared from the sites, and with the
money allocated recently the Environment Agency are working to clear the
remainder.
Elliot Morley said: 'This is an exceptional and isolated case. Defra has
stepped in to help clean up the site as the risk of polluting the environment
and threat of more fires are very real. I would encourage other relevant
stakeholders to support the fund so the site can be cleared quickly and
in an environmentally sound way.
'The situation in Manchester is by no means representative of the situation
across the country. We throw away 2.3 million fridges a year and have
capacity to treat 3 million, indeed the backlog of fridges in most cases
have been cleared with fridges being treated straight away without the
need of storage.'
Bill Darbyshire, the Environment Agency's Environment Manager for North
Manchester, said: 'Thanks to the efforts of all parties we are now in
a position where positive action can be taken to clear fridges from all
the former Britannia sites in Manchester.
'This is excellent news for the environment and should ensure that every
single fridge is disposed of safely and properly.'
Four
Seasons has launched its drive to develop closer relationships with serious
kitchen retailers with the introduction of four brand new fascias, new
cabinetry, accessories and a full marketing support package for 2005.
Designed to update Four Seasons’ collection of 18mm quality kitchens
for the New Year, the new doors have been developed in-line with the latest
and most fashionable kitchen trends. Styles now available include the
Dorchester solid pippy oak door with shaker styling and the Denver, which
is a retro looking maple saponetta with veneered finish.
In
pale oak, Newhaven (pictured) is a simple paper wrapped door with French
cut inlay detail around a shaker centre panel. The fourth new fascia,
Shaftsbury, is in classic ivory and features a raised centre panel with
substantial pewter handles, oversized cornice and pelmet.
New accessories increase the design flexibility of the range for retailers,
offering more options for consumers to individualise their kitchens. Amongst
some of the new features available in ivory, natural oak and pippy oak
are a fireplace mantel, floor columns, oversized cornice and pelmet and
tongue and groove panelling. Spice drawers are also available in the same
finishes plus maple and beech.
Cabinetry has also improved in specification with the availability of
a new bridging unit and soft close mechanisms to doors and drawers. A
selection of worktops is available in an array of finishes, including
wood effect, granite effect and high-gloss laminates.
The range is supported by a new-look colour brochure, which has over 70
pages and a strong lifestyle feel to it for use as a sales tool. Four
Seasons’ logo has also been redesigned to reflect the new approach
for the brand whilst a dedicated consumer friendly website www.fourseasonskitchens.co.uk
has been launched to further support retailers and reach consumers.
Chairman for Bernstein Group Holdings, Bill Gleave commented:
'We are keen to speak to as many serious kitchen retailers as we can about
how we can support them and work together in business over the coming
year.
'Over the past 12 months we have invested heavily in improving the Four
Seasons product range, our customer service offer and delivery times through
our nationwide network of distributors. We have already seen an increase
in business as a result and are confident that we can offer retailers
an accurate and reliable service going forward'.
Retailers interested in finding out more about how to become a Four Seasons
dealer should contact Four Season’s new business development manager
Will Bamford on 07903 870469. Alternatively, retailers can call Bill Gleave
direct on 07903 870497.
Hotpoint
Launches Schools Cooking Challenge
Hotpoint
has launched a Schools Cooking Challenge. Supported by the Design and
Technology Association (DATA), the programme connects the national curriculum
and healthy school meals and has already gained an enthusiastic response.
The Challenge, commencing in January 2005 is designed for Year 10 pupils.
The task of the Challenge will be for pupils to develop a healthy school
meal that fulfils nutritional requirements and can be made in a school
canteen. Those pupils whose coursework goes through to the final will
attend a 'cook off' at the BBC Good Food Show in November 2005. Hotpoint
will be giving pupils the opportunity to win cookers for both their homes
and schools' food technology departments as part of the Challenge.
Left
to Right: Colm Carty from the Curriculum Division of the DfES; Jan Hemlin,
representing DATA and Food Technology teacher; Clare Allen, Hotpoint Marketing
Communications Manager; surrounded by pupils from Whitesmore School
Neil
Tunstall, Hotpoint Marketing Director, comments: ‘We are pleased
to be supporting such a worthwhile campaign. Helping school children to
understand what constitutes a healthy meal is a valuable exercise and
as the brand leader for appliances in the UK we feel it is important that
we are involved’.
Hotpoint Trade Brochure Line 0870 777 6485 or visit http://www.hotpoint.co.uk
For further information on the Hotpoint Schools Cooking Challenge please
contact Chris Vaughan on 01572 770414 or visit http://web.data.org.uk/data/secondary/Hotpoint.php
South
Lanarkshire Places £70m Contracts for New Kitchen and Bathroom Units
for its ‘HomeHappening’ Programme
South
Lanarkshire Council announced on 6th January that it has placed orders
– worth up to a maximum of £70m – for the supply of new
kitchen and bathroom suites as part of its ‘HomeHappening’ housing
improvement programme.
‘HomeHappening’ is the five-year £144 million flagship
housing investment programme designed to significantly improve the quality
of life for council tenants and local communities throughout South Lanarkshire.
Following a detailed best-value appraisal of tenders by its Housing &
Technical Resources, the Council has awarded a five-year £30 million
contract for the supply of these fittings to the Symphony Group plc (for
kitchen units) and with Jewson Graham (for bathroom & sanitary ware).
South Lanarkshire Council has also awarded a £40 million contract
to Campbell Construction Group (CCG) to install these fittings into council
houses. CCG will be working alongside – and in partnership with –
the Council’s own internal Building Services to fit these new kitchens
and bathrooms.
Eddie McAvoy, Leader of the Council, said:
'Given the scale and scope of the HomeHappening investment programme,
it is essential that South Lanarkshire Council gets value for money and
that our tenants get quality fittings and installations, so we were delighted
to have received a total of 12 bids for these high-quality and high-profile
supply contracts.
'The main aim of the HomeHappening programme is to raise the standard
of the housing stock while at the same time also generally improving environmental
amenities in South Lanarkshire. Another core benefit is the economic boost
to the area as our partners recruit skilled workers and apprentices over
the duration of this five year programme.
'We are confident that these contracts lay the firm foundations for a
successful partnership and for delivering housing improvements to improve
the quality of life for tenants in South Lanarkshire'.
In addition to replacing 25,000 kitchens and 22,500 bathrooms, a number
of fabric upgrades, environmental improvements and other works are also
programmed into the HomeHappening plan between now and 2009. Tenants are
able to choose from a range of quality kitchen- and bathroom-ware from
the Council partners under the ‘HomeHappening’ brand.
Alan Kinnes, Symphony’s Social Housing Sales Director, commented:
'We are delighted to be supplying Symphony kitchens for this major partnership
contract with South Lanarkshire Council. We are also sure that the tenants
will enjoy the benefits of our Tenants’ Choice package which gives
a wide range of options on doors, worktops and accessories.'
CCG managing director Alastair Wylie commented:
'CCG is delighted to be involved as main construction partner in South
Lanarkshire Council’s visionary programme of improvement works.
HomeHappening is a mould-breaking project that will provide real enhancements
to tenants’ living conditions in a fast and effective way.
'In recognition of the scale and nature of the planned investment, CCG
has established a new local base and dedicated project team in South Lanarkshire
to take forward the delivery of the installations. In addition, the HomeHappening
project will allow us to bolster our staff training programme, create
new apprenticeships - in addition to the 82 craft apprentices we already
employ in key trades - and provide sustainable job opportunities in the
area.'
At Jewson and Graham, Michael Murdie, Partnering Manager, and Alex Inglis,
Contracts Manager Scotland, jointly commented:
'Not only are Jewson and Graham delighted to be a supplier to the
HomeHappening programme, but we have also created a new and dedicated
delivery team – which complements our existing Public and Social
Housing sector unit - to work in partnership with South Lanarkshire
Council to help ensure tenants receive both a quality service and quality
product.'
Broughton
Crangrove and Galley Matrix Launch Xpelair Hoods
Broughton
Crangrove and Galley Matrix have launched an exclusive range of cooker
hoods and splashbacks by Xpelair.
The extensive range of Xpelair hoods include something to suit pockets
and kitchen styles from the standard white or brown wall mounted, 3-speed
hood with slide controls to more glamorous models such as the 90 cm island
hood in stainless steel and glass with electronic touch control and twin
halogen lights. The latest chimney styles feature contemporary box hoods
to flat and curved glass versions.
‘Our appliance business is based on quality, leading brands and we
are pleased to add Xpelair, which is such a renowned and respected brand,
to our portfolio’ explains Allan Nutter, Commercial Director. He
continues, ‘The range is based on some of the best selling styles
and finishes and the quality is second to none. This is a quality product,
priced extremely competitively and is supported with a 12 month guarantee
and Xpelair’s after sales service network.’
Pricing is offered in two formats. The first is attractive trade pricing,
when purchased separately and the second is a discounted ‘pack price’
when any of the 14 hoods and/or 5 splashbacks are purchased with one of
a selection of built in oven and hob combinations. Allan Nutter explains,
‘An integrated cooker hood, when sold with an two piece pack (oven
and hob) can be purchased for just £19.99 or with a splashback for
a total of £25!’
These great deals on these exclusive Xpelair cooker hoods from Broughton
Crangrove and Galley Matrix can be delivered with a combination of any
other kitchen appliances, furniture or sanitaryware from the company’s
ranges, the very next day.
For more information and to bag your bargain, contact your Area Sales
Manager or call Broughton Crangrove and Galley Matrix on 0870 60 60 601.
DiLusso
Continues to Move Forwards
Kitchen
and component distribution company, DiLusso Distribution, continues to
expand and kicks off 2005 with four new 26-ton vehicles to add to its
existing fleet.
Managing
Director Alan Sheldon says that supply and service are as key to their
operation as are the quality and range of their products. ‘We made
sure that we got the specification of the new trucks absolutely right
for both our present and future requirements’ he explains.
The new trucks, all decked out in DiLusso's new livery, are ERF 6x2 rear-lift-axle
ECT rigids with 380bhp engines and sleeper cabs. They are all pre-prepared
for drawbar operation as capacity requirements increase.
The new vehicles were officially handed over and photographed at the prestigious
Salford Quays development before being immediately deployed on their nationwide
distribution and delivery function.
DiLusso will ensure the vehicle fleet is kept fully occupied as the company’s
product development programme for the new year continues to grow with
additions to the extensive carcase range and a number of new doors being
launched. ‘The market is ‘hungry’ for quality new designs,
colours and finishes and DiLusso is at the forefront of these developments.
‘Our customers not only expect us to help them lead in terms of design
and quality of products, but to service them at an equally high level.
The new additions to our fleet represent a significant investment in this
area’.
Tel: 0161 230 0700
Panel
distributor James Latham Plc is offering decorative laminates by Formica
for the first time, through its newest depot at Gateshead.
A wide selection of Formica’s surfacing materials is available for
customers, helping to provide a durable finish for flat panels, suitable
for demanding environments such as hospitals and catering areas.
With 80 decors to choose from in 3050 x 1220, and 30 types in 3660 x 1525,
this range is expected to be a real success for James Latham’s Gateshead
depot.
Latham’s group panel products director, Chris Sutton says, ‘Our
new depot has allowed us to significantly extend and expand our product
offering, and we are looking to increase our stocks of the Formica ‘Fundamentals’
range even further at Gateshead, helping to bring two well established
companies together.’
Product samples and brochures are available on request by contacting the
marketing department on 0116 257 3415. Alternatively, visit the James
Latham website at http://www.lathamtimber.co.uk
or e-mail mailto:marketing@lathams.co.uk.
Fagor’s
Royal Inauguration for State-of-the-Art Production Plant
The
King and Queen of Spain, their majesties Juan Carlos and Sofia, have officially
opened Fagor’s massive new state-of-the-art Garagarza production
plant in Mondragon, northern Spain, in a ceremony held on 9th December.
Having undergone an investment of over 68.5 million euros, the plant will
produce more than 2.7 million domestic appliances annually, and is one
of the most modern facilities of its kind in Europe. Covering an area
of 70,000sq.m, the Garagarza facility will be able to produce 800,000
washing machines, 750,000 hobs, 654,000 ovens and 520,000 dishwashers
per year.
A key aspect of the investment is the expansion and modernisation of the
dishwasher plant, which has more than doubled in size and incorporates
new leading-edge technology. Among the innovations is a revolutionary
Expander machine, used in car production but not previously seen in domestic-appliances
manufacturing. The Expander operates at much higher pressure than previous
machinery, giving bending capacity for radii down to 3-4mm compared with
19mm before, and also retaining the stainless-steel’s strength –
resulting in more robust and longer-lasting tubs. The machinery can be
operated by just two people, and produces up to 110 dishwasher tubs per
hour.
Fagor has also introduced a quality carousel – an advanced quality
control system that enables Fagor to identify any production defect and
to rectify it immediately.
In addition, washing-machine production has benefited from a 17.5 million
euro investment to produce a brand-new line of advanced energy-efficient
and recyclable products, and an eighth assembly line has also been added.
The opening ceremony was also attended by the head of the Basque government,
Juan Jose Ibarretxe; the chairman of Fagor’s MCC parent group, Jesus
Catania; and the general manager of Fagor Electrodomesticos, Pablo Mongelos.
For information on any of Fagor’s products, call the UK sales office
on 0207 354 0044, or email mailto:sales@fagorappliances.co.uk.
Jacuzzi
Brands, Inc. Dedicates State-of-the-Art Manufacturing Facility in Malta
On
January 6th Jacuzzi Brands, Inc. dedicated its recently expanded state-of-the-art
manufacturing facility in the city of Marsa in Malta. The plant manufactures
a new line of Aegean® stainless steel kitchen sinks, which are sold
under the Astracast® brand name. Jacuzzi Brands Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, David H. Clarke, and The Honourable Austin Gatt LL.D.,
the Minister of Investments, Industry and Information Technology of Malta,
presided over the official inauguration.
Donald C. Devine, Jacuzzi Brands President and Chief Operating Officer,
commented, 'We were honoured by the presence of Honourable Mr. Gatt at
the dedication of our expanded manufacturing facility. We are also grateful
for the government's support of this initiative, which included a substantial
investment in the land that enabled a doubling of the plant's floor space
and strengthened the existing infrastructure.
'Over the last 12 months, Jacuzzi Brands has invested approximately $4.5
million in new technology, tooling and processing equipment in the Malta
plant, improving capacity by more than 50%. These improvements have led
to greater efficiencies and material utilisation at the plant. The facility
is expected to enhance the Company's competitive position and generate
$10-$15 million in incremental stainless steel sink sales in each of the
next two years.'
Jacuzzi Brands' expansion of the plant is in direct response to a worldwide
increase in demand by consumers for stainless steel sinks, especially
in Europe. Astracast®'s strength in composite sinks provided a platform
from which the Company can further expand its brand into stainless steel.
The Company's engineering team also developed a unique manufacturing process
that combines the benefits of mass production with those of customer-specific
mold customisation.
In September 2004, the Aegean® models were launched into U.K. mass
market channels. In November 2004, an expanded Aegean® line was introduced
in Spain, Greece and France. In 2005, Astracast® expects to enter
the U.S. home centre channel, and also introduce products for the U.K.
and European high-end market.
Mr. Devine concluded: 'Malta's established marine transportation infrastructure
enables us to efficiently serve Europe, Asia and the United States. The
country's productive, highly skilled work force is one of the nation's
key natural resources, yet the cost of labour here is significantly less
than in other parts of Europe. These factors, along with Malta recently
joining the European Union, allowed us to profitably undertake this expansion.'
About Astracast
With facilities in Birstall, U.K. and Malta, Astracast® is the sink
category leader for Jacuzzi Brands, manufacturing composite, acrylic,
ceramic and stainless steel sinks for Astracast® in the U.K. and Europe
and for the Jacuzzi® and Eljer® brands in the U.S. The Malta facility
now includes a contemporary, free-flow style showroom displaying the full
product line of Astracast®, which will be used as a showcase for customers
worldwide.
Web: http://www.jacuzzibrands.com
Indesit
Company in China for First Acquisition with New Name
Indesit
Company has set its sights on China and opens 2005 with a new acquisition,
its first after the name change, entering an agreement with WLS (Wuxi
Little Swan Company), China’s leading white goods producer in the
washing segment, to set up a joint venture in which Indesit Company will
hold a 70% stake.
The operation will involve an initial investment of $10m to start up dishwasher
production at the existing Wuxi plant, mainly for export in the opening
phase of the project, by the end of the second half of 2005. After successfully
creating industrial districts in Lipetzk in Russia and Lodz in Poland,
Indesit Company is expecting to generate the same sort of industrial development
in China too, now one of the world’s most competitive countries and
one of the biggest markets for household appliances.
Drawing in part on the experience of associated company Merloni Progetti,
which has built twenty five industrial plants in China over the last twenty
years, including the Wuxi plant itself, Indesit Company has won a solid
reputation in the country, so much so that 'Ariston' in China is a synonym
for refrigerator.
Indesit Company, the new name of Merloni Elettrodomestici as of 1st January
2005, has been listed on the Milan Stock Exchange since 1987, with a market
share of 15.8% in the large household appliances segment, 20 thousand
employees, 19 production plants, sales of over €3bn and annual production
of 14 million appliances under its European brands Ariston and Indesit
and regional brands Hotpoint (UK), Scholtès (France) and Stinol
(Russia).
Web: http://www.indesitcompany.com
Saint-Gobain
Acquires Swiss Bathroom Distributor and Strengthens European Leadership
Saint-Gobain’s
Building Distribution Division has announced the acquisition of the Swiss
company Sanitas Troesch, the leading distributor of bathrooms for professional
trade customers and number two distributor of kitchens in Switzerland.
Formed from the 1991 merger of two family-run companies Sanitas and Troesch,
respectively founded in 1911 and 1912, the group has achieved high levels
of profitable growth over the last ten years, fueled by both organic and
external expansion.
Sales for Sanitas Troesch in 2004 are expected to come in at CHF 474 million
(€308 million), up 6.7 % on 2003. The group currently employs over
720 people in 26 branches located across Switzerland.
This acquisition, which will have a positive impact on the net income
of the Saint-Gobain Group (after interest costs and tax) from as early
as 2005, is a further step in the drive to develop the Building Distribution
Division’s specialised business lines. As well as strengthening the
Division’s leadership in the European bathroom market, the acquisition
will provide the Group with a solid base on which to develop its various
other businesses in Switzerland.
The completion of the transaction is subject to the approval of the relevant
competition authorities.
Sales for Saint-Gobain’s Building Distribution Division in 2004 are
estimated at €13.6 billion. The Division currently has more than
58,000 employees and a network of over 3,300 sales outlets located in
19 countries. Saint Gobain is the leading distributor of building materials
in Europe and its main brands are Point.P, Jewson’s, Raab Karcher,
Dahl, Lapeyre, and La Plateforme du Bâtiment. In bathroom distribution,
its main specialised brands are Cedeo in France, Lapeyre, Graham’s
in the UK and Dahl in Scandinavia.