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Still Time to Register for BK Expo: but Seminars Filling up Fast

Each industry has its own calendar of events, and for bathrooms and kitchens there is no exception. In this growing sector the high point of the year falls on May, 8-10th. BafhroomS & Kitchens EXPO is the only show of its kind this year and places are being taken fast.

Held at ExCeL, visitors who have not yet done so will have to register very soon in order to ensure they receive their free entry badge and pocket preview before the event. This will secure entry to the show avoiding those long queues.

While an abundance of product launches are the main focus of any exhibition, the serious commercial focus of Bathrooms & Kitchens EXPO is embodied in the strength of a varied seminar and workshop programme, its ethos firmly set on training and development in association with the AoC.

Places for seminars are rapidly being taken, with names such as Naomi Cleaver, Sebastian Conran and Alessandro Finetto drawing large numbers. The popularity of the separate workshop programme is underpinned by their RlBA CPD accreditation.

There are two ways to register for the show, the seminars and workshops. The most tempting of these is online at www.bkexpo.co.uk, where all new registrations will be entered into a prize draw. This headline-grabbing draw offers visitors the chance to win a weekend in Ireland, County Wicklow, at the Marriott Druids golf hotel.

Alternatively visitors can call 01923 690685 to register by phone.

AMDEA Show is a Sell-Out - Hundreds of New Products Fill Hall

On 24th January 2002 nine Member companies of AMDEA met over dinner at a Buckinghamshire golf club and agreed to organise and provide initial financing for a unique trade exhibition for the domestic appliance industry. Exactly 39 months later, to the day, the AMDEA 2005 Domestic Appliance Show will open its doors at the NEC.

Cynics said the appliance trade association would never be able to create the first inclusive trade exhibition for nearly 30 years. But on Sunday 24th April the 3-day Show will open with 22 brands and four trade partner companies filling Hall 12. By the end of March, late comers hoping for discounted prices had to be turned away for lack of space.

‘We had some people who didn't realise this was a manufacturers' show organised by the manufacturers,’ said AMDEA Director General Peter Carver. ‘We were working to strict budgets, and there never were going to be any last minute cheap deals.’

Launching the Show took rather longer than the pioneer manufacturers originally envisaged: it was initially scheduled for Spring 2003, then 2004 - and then delayed another year to make sure all the design and marketing operations were properly in place.

‘But the original concept adopted at that meeting over dinner has remained largely unchanged,’ said Organising Committee Chairman Steve Holton, Strategic Development Director of BSH Home Appliances. ‘We have an inexpensive but very elegant and flexible Show design scheme, which ensures each brand can shine but none of the larger companies can overshadow smaller players. Strict rules prohibiting 'showboating' and lavish hospitality during show hours mean that none of the expensive additional costs of other trade shows are being incurred here.
‘The exhibitors are highly satisfied with the result, and the visitors - our retail customers - are very pleased that, for the first time for decades, they have a representative trade show. Well over 80 per cent of the UK market is going to be on show here at the NEC,’ added Mr Holton.

Brands on display in Hall 12 are: Atag; Beko; Bosch; Brandt; Cannon; Candy; De Dietrich; Electrolux; Fisher & Paykel; Gorenje; Haier; Hoover; Hotpoint; Indesit; In-Sink-Erator; Leisure Flavel; Lofra; Neff; Siemens; Vestfrost and Whirlpool - and a mystery totally new brand being revealed as the show opens.

Coming up for 400 new products will be on show - large numbers of them have not even been seen at manufacturers' private shows.

Trade partners at the Show are ASTABEAB, the UK Safety Approvals body; Distributor CDS; Domestic and General; and REPIC, the manufacturer-owned WEEED Compliance Scheme company established last year by AMDEA.

Focal point of the Show is a Business Centre for the exclusive use of Exhibitors, each of whom has a designated table for discussions with their customers over refreshments.

Pre-registrations for the Show are just under 2,000 - around 500 more than for the last appliance show held at NEC. Walk-in visitors are expected to more than double this attendance.

‘And the quality is good, too,’ observed Mr Holton. ‘Forty per cent are owners of their business; 50.4% are independents and 10.9% multiples; 82.7% sell built in; and 8.8% are kitchen specialists. We're taking care to cater for them all on our stands.’

Opening times of the Show are:

Sunday 24th April and Monday 25th April: 10 am to 6 pm
Tuesday 26th April: 10 am to 4 pm

http://www.amdea.org.uk/show-2005

SEB First Quarter: Challenging in Europe, Good Growth in North America

Consolidated sales for the French small appliance manufacturer SEB for the three months ended 31st March 2005 rose slightly to €484.9m, including sales from All-Clad, consolidated since August 2004. At constant consolidation scope and exchange rates and using 2004 accounting standards, sales were down 1.2%. The early-year business environment was marked by fierce competition and very uneven, with sluggish consumer spending in Europe contrasting with stronger growth in other regions. Competition remained fierce during the period. Entry-level products manufactured in Asia and sold through fast-growing discount retail chains increased their market share, especially in industrialised countries. The currency context remained generally unfavourable and again had a negative impact on sales—notably because of the dollar—although much less so than in 2004.

In France, the decline in sales was mainly due to heavy promotional costs for cookware associated with Chandeleur (Candlemas), a day that the French traditionally celebrate with crepes. These costs, which were much higher than in 2004, are deducted from sales under the new accounting standards. Early-year sales were also slow for irons and vacuum cleaners, following a satisfactory prior-year performance. Sales of hair dryers, steam generators, pressure cookers and espresso coffee makers were strong, however, enabling notably Krups to win back market share.

Sales were also down almost everywhere else in the European Union, reflecting both persistent difficulties in Italy and a cyclical downturn in a few countries that registered strong growth in 2004, such as Spain, the United Kingdom and Portugal. In addition, reported sales in these latter countries were penalised by high prior-year 1 st quarter comparatives. On the other hand, sales bounced back in Germany , thanks to specific, targeted promotional campaigns with a number of retailers, and were satisfactory in Scandinavia.

In North America, following a difficult 2004, the new year showed encouraging signs of growth. In the United States, sales were up 65.3% with All-Clad and 9.3% excluding All-Clad, which contributed €19 million to the total. This upturn, following two years of decline, reflected a stabilisation in T-FAL sales, as expressed in dollars, a turnaround in business of the Krups brand, led by new products launched in late 2004, and a confirmation of Rowenta’s momentum, driven by the successful launch of new-model irons and hand steamers. Moreover, it has to be stressed that All-Clad sales increased by 15% during the quarter.

In South America, macroeconomic indicators continued to trend favourably, enabling Groupe SEB to make further inroads. In Brazil, sales were buoyed by the introduction of new products such as blenders, dry and steam irons, and personal care appliances, while rapid expansion continued in Argentina and Venezuela.

In the other countries, sales increased in nearly all markets, notably in Southeast Asia, where the recent start-ups in Thailand, Taiwan and Singapore produced results, in Japan, where the Group gained market share, in Turkey, that still enjoys high growth potential, and in Central Europe, where Groupe SEB further strengthened its positions.

Wolseley plc - £37 Million Spent on Three New Acquisitions

Wolseley plc, the world's largest specialist trade distributor of plumbing and heating products to professional contractors and a leading supplier of building materials, provides an update on recent acquisitions.

Since Wolseley's interim results announcement on 21st March 2005, an additional three distribution businesses in Europe and North America have been acquired for an aggregate consideration of approximately £37 million in cash.

These acquisitions bring Wolseley's total spend on acquisitions, including debt acquired, since the beginning of the financial year, to approximately £259 million. In total, the eighteen acquisitions completed to date are expected to add approximately £487 million to group turnover in a full year. Goodwill related to these eighteen acquisitions is estimated to be around £87 million.

Details of the additional three acquisitions are set out below.

European Distribution
In April 2005, Tobler in Switzerland acquired Niklaus Energie - und Gebaudetechnik AG ('Niklaus'). Niklaus is a distributor of plumbing and heating products to the trade and a specialist distributor of insulation and ventilation products, supplying heating systems to commercial construction projects. Niklaus operates from six branches across Switzerland and achieved sales of CHF33.7 million (£14.9 million) in the eighteen months to 31st December 2004 and had net assets, excluding net debt, of CHF9.1 million (£4.0 million) at that date.

North American Plumbing and Heating Distribution
In April 2005, Ferguson agreed to acquire substantially all of the assets of Full Service Supply Inc. ('FSS'), subject to assignment of certain customer contracts. Headquartered in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, FSS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kennametal Inc., primarily focused on delivery of Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO) supplies to customers in the manufacturing sector. It serves more than 100 customers across 33 states in the USA and one province of Canada. In the year ended 30th June 2004 FSS had sales of $138.5 million (£74.1 million) and net assets, excluding net debt, of $47.2 million (£25.2 million) at that date. On completion, which is expected in May 2005, FSS will operate as part of the Ferguson Integrated Systems division.

US Building Materials Distribution
In April 2005, Stock Building Supply acquired the trade and net assets of Davidson Industries Inc ('Davidson'). Davidson is the leading fabricator and distributor of lumber products, building materials, value-added components and millwork in the greater metropolitan area of Indianapolis. Operating from two branches, Davidson supplies customers with complete housing packages, roof and floor trusses and engineered wood products. It had sales of US$65.5m (£35.0 million) for the year ended 31st December 2004 and net assets, excluding net debt, of $19.7 million (£11.7 million) at that date.


Charlie Banks, Group Chief Executive of Wolseley said:
'I am very pleased with these new deals which takes our acquisition spend so far this year to £259 million. These bolt-on acquisitions will further strengthen our presence in Europe and North America, and they support our strategy of growing the business through acquisition and organic growth.'

KB Industry Enters Times Rich Lists

With half a dozen or so individuals in the recently published Times Rich List who made their money in the double glazing market, one would expect a few names from the kitchen and bathroom sectors to begin making an impact in this annual measure of personal or family wealth.

Sure enough, the top two are the Topps Tiles partners Stuart Williams and Barry Bester (pictured), who rank Nos 701 and 785 repectively, with alleged fortunes (based mainly on the net worth of the company) of £70m and £62m. Topps Tiles virtually doubled its interim profits to £15.2m, not bad for a company set up with £5000 from the sale of Barry's wife's hairdressing business in 1984.

Third highest individual is another new entry Doug Gregory, who owns the Leeds kitchen and bedroom furniture maker Symphony. He ranks at No 874 with a personal fortune according to The Times of £55m.

Putting these newcomers in the shade somewhat is Ireland's Dr Martin Naughton, who chairs and owns Glen Dimplex since buying out his partner Lochlann Quinn a couple of years ago. At No 9 in Ireland's Top 250 (up from No 10 last year), The Times estimates his personal wealth to be £460m. His ex-partner Lochlann Quinn, meanwhile, is at No 42, with a purported £149m.

In another survey carried out by The Sunday Times, which tracks the top 100 most profitable companies in the UK, two shower manufacturers have made this year's list. Coming in at No 20 with an 80% rise in profitability from the previous year is Daryl Industries, the Liverpool based manufacturer of shower cubicles and screens, with models such as the Hydra and Minima. It was founded in 1967 by chairman Melville Bernstein and achieved profits of £3.9m in 2004.

Just making the list, meanwhile, is yet another shower manufacturer Matki, whose founder Per Mathiesen set up shop in the West Country after seeing 'proper' showers in hotels abroad. He initially made an American shower system under license but since 1980 Matki has developed its own range. The company increased profits by 47% a year to £6.1m in 2003.

Carron Phoenix Strengthens Distribution Network

Carron Phoenix has further strengthened its UK distribution network with the appointment of two new distributors. Both companies are a good strategic fit and complement the existing distribution network, ensuring nationwide access to the full Carron Phoenix sink and tap portfolio.

For the Northern Ireland market, Carron has partnered with distributor A B Briggs who has a strong reputation for retail distribution. The company has also appointed Ian Molloy Distributors, based in Northampton, who offer a dedicated regional focus.

For more information on Carron Phoenix's sink and tap products, call 01324 638 321 or log on at http://www.carron.com.

Double Investment in Customer Service

Bradford-based bath manufacturer Clearwater Collection has made a double investment in customer service. Clearwater has created a new service team and appointed a new service manager, Peter Armstrong, to head it up.

Peter, from Keighley near Bradford, has 23 years of experience in the bath industry and has been involved in all aspects of production. He moved into customer service six years ago.

Peter’s job is to manage the service team, which is predominantly road based. Team members Andy Pyrah and Perry Cooper cover the whole of the UK, solving customer’s problems and servicing baths while Jackie Levi is based in the office as a point of contact for customers.

Managing director Darren Allison said: ‘The new service team is an important tool with which to continually improve customer service. Having people like Perry and Andy on the road enables us to respond quickly to a customer’s needs.

‘Peter’s appointment is integral to the team’s success. His wide range of experience in the industry will help us to remain at the top of our game in customer service.’

Tel: 01274 738140

Mayfair Moves to New Warehouse

'With the growth that we as a business have been experiencing during the last 18 months we have decided the time was now right for us to move to a new purpose built 25,000 square foot warehouse complex’, stated Andrew Green, managing director at Mayfair, Andrew continued, ‘we have simply outgrown our current unit and have set out to build our own new premises, I am pleased to say they are now almost complete and we will soon be ready to move in. We will have the latest computerised warehousing and stock control systems and a purpose built state of the art customer showroom and exhibition centre.

'Recent announcements from our key customers however have meant that this warehouse is now simply not big enough and I have now secured more space on our new site, which will see us construct an annex of a further 10,000 square feet on this site' stated Andrew.

‘To visit our showroom or become a stockist of Mayfair products please contact Bobby Moore our Internal Sales Manager on - 01757 228421.’

Fagor Targets Independents and Kitchen Specialists with Late-Spring Specials

Fagor is underlining its support for independent retailers and kitchen specialists with a promotion focused on the company’s advanced Innova built-in product range. The message is: come and ‘Profit with Fagor’.

Running from May 1st to July 31st, the promotion focuses on the Innova H-196 CX stainless-steel eight-function multi-function single oven, the 70cm-wide 3FI-5 GL ST X/NAT five-burner stainless-steel gas hob, and 90cm-wide 4CFB-90 X stainless-steel chimney hood.

'Please contact your Fagor or distributor account manager for the superb display and ‘sales-out’ prices.' says the company.

Add-on options are available at equally attractive prices in the form of the FU-3611 IT double-A-rated built-in washing machine, the FUS-3611 IT built-in washer-dryer and the VFU-75 IT built-in dishwasher.

‘Fagor’s strategy is to offer products with a blend of advanced technology, high quality, style and value for money – which you’ll discover puts other manufacturers firmly in the shade, especially in terms of your opportunity to make money! Profit with Fagor.’ says the company.

‘You won’t believe how much margin you can make when you take on appliances featuring the Fagor logo – what’s more, your customers won’t be disappointed either.

‘Strong point-of-sale and merchandising material is available, as well as powerful support from our office staff, field sales managers, logistics and after-sales service teams to complete the picture. In fact, you’ll start to wonder why you haven’t talked to us before.’

To find out more about Fagor’s built-in Innova products, the full range and the sensational spring promotion, call Fagor UK’s sales office on 0207 354 0044, or email mailto:sales@fagorappliances.co.uk.

‘You’ll have to be quick though – orders in connection with this promotion must be placed by the end of July.’

New National Distributor for Resopal Worktops

Blackheath Products Ltd., based in Halesowen, has been appointed as a new National Distributor for the Resopal range of worktops.

Blackheath Products Ltd. is a leading distributor of decorative laminate and kitchen products in the Midlands with a well established and respected reputation as a specialist distributor of kitchen worktops. With a turnover of over £16 million and with 60,000 square feet of modern distribution and storage space the introduction of the full range of Resopal worktops will further enhance the choice of designs to Kitchen Studios, Builders & Plumbers Merchants and DIY stores in England and Wales. Chairman Ian Foster points out 'the launch of Resopal worktops brings a new dimension to our worktop offer. A fit-for-purpose range of designs supported by the world’s leading laminate producer creates a confidence that in Resopal we have a exciting product for the future.'

The Resopal range of worktops consists of 34 effects, from granites and stones to woods and abstracts, incorporating some of the industries most advanced technology. The new Resopal Gloss Finish, available in six natural granite effects, provides a depth and character to the design while offering an increased resistance to the everyday wear and tear of the laminate surface. In contrast, the combination of Resopal’s smooth texture with five Melange designs recreates the appearance and touch of solid surfacing products at a fraction of the cost.

Full details of the Resopal range of worktops are now available from;

Tel: 0121 561 4245 (Kitchen Products)
Email: mailto:sales@blackheathproducts.co.uk
Web: http://www.blackheathproducts.co.uk

Lofra Range Cookers Chosen for Exclusive Bristol Development

Stainless steel range cookers from Lofra have been chosen by housebuilder Cabot Homes for installation in a new development of luxurious three storey villas in Bristol.

The property developer selected Lofra’s dual fuel, double oven range cookers and stainless steel cooker hoods for its Malvern Court development to complement the contemporary design of the villas’ stylish kitchens.

Nick Birch commercial manager at Cabot Homes commented: 'With all our developments, we pride ourselves on ensuring that every element of the design is executed to the highest standards, and the best appliances are specified.

'A range cooker was the obvious choice for Malvern Court, and Lofra’s selection stood out from the crowd because they offered immediate aesthetic appeal combined with functionality at a competitive price.'

The new villa kitchens will feature Lofra cookers and hoods alongside marble worktops and high gloss white door cabinets with stainless steel bar handles.

Lofra’s range cookers provide a dual fuel hob with 4 gas burners and an innovative touch control dual zone ceramic plate. The hob also incorporates a practical one- hand electric ignition and heavy duty pan supports.

The cookers feature a multifunctional oven with 9 cooking options, and a smaller conventional oven. Both ovens include an oven light, a rotisserie and a digital programmer, as well as rear exhaust vents to prevent cooking smells and steam from entering the kitchen.

Safety features, such as triple glazed oven doors and telescopic sliding shelves are incorporated, and the option to remove the internal glass door makes them easy to clean.

Lofra offers a range of free standing gas, electric and dual fuel range cookers.
For further information on the Lofra range, call 01675 479 600.

Inspired Design at Ebury Meadows

Family owned kitchen design specialist, Colliers in Worthing, has won a contract with development company Ebury and Stone to design and install six luxury Poggenpohl kitchens at Ebury Meadows in West Chiltington, West Sussex.

Each individually designed kitchen features fully integrated Miele appliances, including five-burner gas hob, oven, plate warming oven, microwave, dishwasher, larder fridge and freezer, with a washer and dryer installed in a separate utility room. Durable Corian® worktops complement the finely crafted Poggenpohl units.

The exclusive Ebury and Stone development comprises one detached 4-bedroom bungalow and five detached 5-bedroom homes, which range in price from £775,000. The properties have been built to the highest possible criteria and are offered for sale with the option of a complete interior design service.

Commenting on the contract win, Jason Collier, Senior Designer and Director at Colliers, said, 'We share a similar philosophy to Ebury and Stone with a focus on personal service and uncompromising values. This combination ensures that their homes offer prospective buyers the utmost in style and luxury. We are delighted to be associated with such a prestigious local development.'

For further information about Poggenpohl please call 0800 298 1098 or visit http://www.poggenpohl.co.uk.

Ebury and Stone is a family-run business offering construction, refurbishment and interior design services to prestigious clients all over the world. Additional information is available from the website http://www.ebury-stone.co.uk.

Electrolux Fridge helps Land Mine Clearance Trial

In addition to storing food, Electrolux fridges have also been used for such quirky things as storing photographic film or chilling an eye liner pencil ready for sharpening, but now an Electrolux fridge is playing a key role in a new process being trialled to clear land mines.

'Clear-a-land-mine'1 has developed a new system for clearing land mines without exploding them. Using this process the mines are quite literally 'dissolved' in the ground resulting in far less risk to those employed in clearing them. The unique and simple process involves the mixing of everyday materials that separately are non-explosive and inert but when mixed together will produce a special type of very powerful 'firework' which burns out the landmine in situ. Given that this process may be undertaken in temperatures of up to 45 degrees, the water used to mix the plaster of Paris must be chilled which is where the Electrolux fridge becomes involved.

The land mine clearing factory has been cleverly designed to fit in a 20ft x 8ft x 8ft shipping container which means it can be easily shipped to wherever it is required. The container is currently at Royal Military College of Science (RMCS), where it is being put through its paces by CAMEO - a global landmine clearing charity. It is then planned to ship it to Cambodia to start the process of clearing mines.

Anthony Husher from CAMEO and Clear a landmine says ‘If these trials prove to be successful as we believe they will, we hope to secure funds to develop a number of land mine clearing container factories, to speed up the clearing process. The process that has been developed, together with these container factories, will have the added benefit of providing local employment and adding to what are often struggling economies. Cool water, provided by the Electrolux fridge is a vital part of this process.’

Tel: 08705 950 950
Web: http://www.electrolux.co.uk

Norske Interiors’ Mermaid Fitter is Fit for the Job

Now available to bathroom retailers is an all-inclusive order and fit service for new orders of Mermaid waterproof wall panel displays for showrooms.

Norske Interiors can save retailers the inconvenience and cost of organising their own installations by sharing the experience and expertise of its specialist installer, John Webster. With the all-in-one service, retailers can be sure to receive Mermaid displays that are quickly and professionally fitted to the correct standard. Showrooms can now display Mermaid panels to their full potential in any of the colours and textures, all expertly constructed with neat joins and colour co-ordinated profiles.

Mermaid panels are made with a water-resistant plywood substrate and a high performance laminate finish. Together with the new fitting service that operates across virtually all of the UK, Norske Interiors can also support dealers by advising which decorative laminate colour of Mermaid panel achieves the most success in showrooms.

Tel: 01472-240832
Email: mailto:sales@norske-int.co.uk

F.G. Parker Expands Capacity with New Holzma

Dorset-based wrapped mouldings and component manufacturers F.G. Parker has significantly increased its capacity and output with the recent installation of the latest Holzma HPL510 automatic beam saw from Homag U.K.

The company's expanding customer base and nationwide service to the furniture industry - particularly the KBB sector - has seen demand for its products sharply increase as it continues to offer a quality product, matching facility and delivery service.

‘To achieve this’ explains MD Tony Parker, ‘our production facilities have to be right up there - the very best.’

F.G. Parker started producing MDF profiled and wrapped products in 1981 (the company was actually established in the 1950s), following the purchase of its first Holzma beam saw to dimension and strip cut particle board sheets on a volume basis. Although Tony Parker carefully researched the entire beam saw market at the time, the superior Holzma design and engineering convinced him down that route and his subsequent experience has established his loyalty and admiration of the make since then. The new and state-of-the-art Holzma HPL510 (the designation refers to the automatic rear feed and lift system), is F.G. Parker's Holzma beam saw.

Tony Parker explains that the company operates in an intensely competitive market and that product quality and ability to supply consistently are fundamental to success: ‘Our saw, you could say, is the heart of our production - all other processes flow down from the cutting of the substrate sheets. We look for absolute and consistent dimensional accuracy as well as perfect quality of cut. Without these two elements we cannot produce the quality that establishes our reputation.’

Tony Parker has always admired Holzma's engineering approach to beam saw design and construction. In particular the company’s tried and tested (patented) mono-rail saw carriage guidance system that ensures perfect alignment of the main and scoring blades to deliver that perfect cut at the beginning and end of every shift.

But his latest HPL510 Holzma offers a whole lot more.

In F.G. Parker's 20,000 square feet production facility employing 15 people on the workshop floor, some 20 tons of MDF are strip cut in a single shift per day. This Holzma 510 replaced a very modern Holzma HPL22 that was installed in 1994. So how has the changeover to this new saw resulted in an effective 50% increase in linear meterage capacity for moulding production?

Well, Holzma's 510 series beam saw is what the company describes as ‘The New Dynamic’ and is arguably itsr most 'intelligent' saw yet. Remaining true to its core engineering principles, it encompasses a variety of new technologies and systems that give it unprecedented flexibility, capacity and speed. Contactless magnetic encoding to assess the position of the program fence ensures infinite accuracy and combined with the 'shark's fin' side pressure device, dimensions are guaranteed. Statistics like a 125mm saw blade projection, 150m/min saw carriage speed and 80m/min program fence speed speak for themselves. All these combine with an automated electronic system that optimises all movements and cycle times ...and one starts to see where F.G. Parker is starting to achieve its production gains.

Another important function for the extremely heavy (up to 60mm thick) MDF boards being cut is the integral turntable on the main bed for achieving head cuts and trims without re-loading the saw.

The huge capacity boost that the new Holzma HPL510 has delivered to the Bridport workshops of F.G. Parker has also allowed the company to both continue and expand its much sought-after cut-to-size panel service including MFC sheets where quality of cut is equally crucial. This is a growing aspect of the business.

Tony Parker stresses that the other aspect of his long involvement with Holzma machines has been the exceptional service, advice, support and back-up he has been able to rely on with confidence. He says that the professionalism and proficiency of the Homag U.K. engineers who installed and commissioned the new saw in a very tight time window was ‘superb’. Homag U.K.'s Paul Ambrose has worked with Tony Parker over many years and believes that it is important to grow aware of customers' requirements and future needs in order to keep growth and progress smooth.

The new Holzma may be the heart of the F.G. Parker factory but there are a number of other stalwart Homag Group machines crucial to the process that have given exceptional service - three Friz profile wrappers for instance.

Tony Parker says that, ‘while our core business is in wrapped profiled products - including accessories - we also have a membrane pressing capability for KBB doors and drawerfronts and one or two other strings to the bow - more boards for the Holzma to cut!’

Tel: 01332 856500
Email: mailto:sales@homag-uk.co.uk
Web: http://www.homag-uk.co.uk

Sanitec's Acquisition by EQT Completed

The sale of Sanitec Corporation to the private equity fund EQT IV ('EQT') was closed on Monday 11th April 2005 following customary approvals by relevant competition authorities.

EQT signed the agreement with Sanitec International S.A., a company controlled by BC Partners advised private equity funds, to acquire all shares in Sanitec Corporation on 4th February 2005. Sanitec Corporation is the Finnish parent company of the Sanitec Group.

As of Monday's closing of the transaction, Mr Lennart Sundén follows Mr Rainer Simon as new President and CEO of Sanitec Corporation. 'I am very excited about this opportunity to work for a company such as Sanitec, which is leader in its market, and look forward to working together with all its employees to further enhance Sanitec's market position and profitability', Mr Sundén says.

Web: http://www.sanitec.com

Indesit Company Ups its Hotpoint Stake to 76%

Indesit Company has acquired a further 8% of GDA (Hotpoint), worth US$ 57,120,000, following General Electric's exercise of a put option under the 'put and call' agreement of June 2002.

Indesit Company's total interest in GDA has thus risen to 76%.

Change in Segment Reporting as of 2005

As of the first quarter of 2005, the Electrolux Group's reporting structure has been changed to comprise Indoor and Outdoor Products instead of as previously Consumer Durables and Professional Products.

Indoor Products comprise operations in appliances and floor care products, as well as the professional operations in food-service equipment and laundry equipment. Outdoor Products comprise garden equipment for the consumer market and professional outdoor products.

There are no changes of the individual segments other than for the Rest of the world segment which will be divided into Latin America and Asia/Pacific.

Web: http://www.electrolux.com

NKBA Chief Executive Officer Announces Resignation

National Kitchen & Bath Association Chief Executive Officer, Larry Spangler, has announced his resignation. 

During the past two years as CEO, he was responsible for the implementation of the Association's strategic goals and objectives, which serve as a benchmark for NKBA's commitment to industry-wide leadership and education. Prior to moving into his role as CEO, Spangler served as the Director of Marketing for the Association, where he was responsible for the day-to-day management of both consumer and trade marketing campaigns, internal publications and the oversight of the Kitchen/Bath Industry Show & Conference (K/BIS). 

Jeff Cannata, CMKBD, NKBA's 2005 President commented, 'We as an organisation appreciate Larry's efforts, determination and solid commitment to the NKBA, its goals and objectives. The Board of Directors, membership and staff wish Larry much success in his new endeavors.'
                                           
NKBA is a non-profit trade association that has educated and led the kitchen and bath industry for more than 40 years. With nearly 30,000 members and growing at more than 6 percent this year, NKBA's mission is to enhance member success and excellence by promoting professionalism and ethical business practices, and providing leadership and direction for the kitchen and bathroom industry.

For more information or to become a member please visit http://www.nkba.org.