2006
has been another record year for built in appliance brand, Neff.
Even before the end of year results are finalised, the company has announced
an impressive 11% increase in appliance sales over 2005.
In a year when the market itself did not show significant incremental
growth, Neff has continued to blaze a trail by launching new appliances,
supported by consistent advertising and PR for maximum consumer impact.
Specifically,
Neff has augmented its award winning built in cooking ranges with popular
'add-ons', such as new American style fridge freezer K3990, a trio of
range cookers (single, double and triple cavity versions), plus a built
in coffee centre for the ultimate luxury in the domestic kitchen.
In addition, Neff Sales Director Mike Jarrett (pictured) attributes his
team's success to the recent introduction of the 'MasterPartner®'
scheme for premier retailers.
Comments Mike: ‘This year we have signed up almost 200 elite Neff
dealers for our exclusive 'MasterPartner®' reward scheme and there
is no doubt that this has contributed to our record sales results.
'Neff 'MasterPartner®' is unique in the very high level of support
it offers to our specialist kitchen retailers and we have invested heavily
in this new initiative to underline its importance to us’
Adds Mike: ‘In June 2007, we will be inaugurating our first award
ceremony for Neff 'MasterPartners®'. This is designed to give well-deserved
additional credit, publicity and support to those retailers who have worked
hard to fulfil all the criteria during the first year of this scheme’
Other factors influencing Neff's record sales results include the opening
of a new showroom and training centre at the company's head office in
Milton Keynes in spring 2006.
To date, over 200 retailers and studio staff have visited the showroom
to enhance their product knowledge and get some hands-on experience of
the Neff cooking range.
In 2007, Neff plans to increase the field sales force to accommodate the
additional sales growth expected by the brand over the next 12 months.
Web: http://www.neff.co.uk
Not
So Happy New Year in the KBB Manufacturers Market
2006
has been a highly competitive year for the kitchen, bedroom & bathroom
manufacturers industry, although some companies have been enjoying historically
high margins. But 2007 promises even tougher times, according to David
Pattison, senior analyst with Plimsoll, one of the leading business performance
analysts in the UK, France and Japan. His findings are based on Plimsoll’s
Portfolio Analysis – Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Manufacturers.
No-one looking at the kitchen, bedroom & bathroom manufacturers market
over the past 12 months could describe it as a comfortable environment.
While growth was a modest 2.6%, roughly in line with inflation, around
half of the of the 280 companies monitored by Plimsoll saw a fall in sales.
This indicates that much of the growth is being shared by a select band
of firms. The effect has been that the industry has begun heading in a
new direction, and the companies which have found themselves lagging behind
have been slow to recognise this.
In 2007, this trend is set to continue. 'I see growth in the coming 12
months remaining in the 2 to 3% slot, with the small group of market leaders
again capturing the lion’s share and the others increasingly playing
catch-up.
'Overall margins in 2006 were 3.1%, with some companies enjoying a record
20% or more. But I believe these margins will be squeezed in 2007, and
at least a third of companies in the sector will lose money. In common
with the OECD, I don’t see interest rates having a major impact.
'This, of course, will have an effect on directors’ fees. Where these
increased, it was well above the rate of inflation in 2006, averaging
24% on the previous year. Things will be tighter between now and next
December.
'One interesting aspect of the year has been the number of newly appointed
directors. In the past 18 months, 82 have taken up new posts. If they
start to have an impact on company performance in 2007, competition could
be even more intense.
'Salaries in the industry have risen again, and the average now sits at
£23200 - up 8% on the previous 12 months.This has largely been productivity
driven, with sales per employee increasing from £87000 to £88700,
so it is fair to say staff have earned the extra rewards. Sadly, however,
I think 2007 will see a wave of job losses, forced by modest growth combined
with rising costs and, ironically, even better productivity. I would not
be surprised to see as many as 1000 jobs being cut.
'Finally, the Plimsoll Portfolio Analysis –Kitchen, Bedroom &
Bathroom Manufacturers indicates that a small number of companies have
a large amount of cash at their disposal. This, combined with the small
amount of organic growth in the market, will allow some of them to consider
acquisitions in 2007. In the report, I have selected five companies I
think will be taken over during the coming year.'
The complete Plimsoll publication contains an individual analysis of each
of the 280 companies in this sector and sets out their challenges for
the next 12 months.
Copies are available from http://www.plimsoll.co.uk,
by emailing c.sherwood@plimsoll.co.uk or by calling 01642 626400 and quoting
reference PR 12. Readers of the KBzine are offered the special price of
£300 instead of the usual £350.
Bathstore
Head Office Opens in Watford
Bathstore,
the country's largest specialist bathroom retailer, has selected Watford
as the site for its new European head office. The grand opening took place
at 1pm on Thursday 7th December with the unveiling of a commemorative
plaque by Rob Marchbank, CEO Wolseley Europe, Bathstore's parent company.
The glass fronted office in Clarendon Road, marks the start of a massive
expansion programme for the company, with 100 store openings planned by
the end of 2007. The Watford office will bring together marketing, purchasing
and IT teams to ensure that Bathstore can provide a fast, coordinated
service to its stores and customers.
'We looked at all our requirements - size, access, location and personnel
potential - and Watford ticked all the right boxes', said Bathstore's
Managing Director Wayne Lysaght-Mason. 'We are looking forward to a successful
future in Watford, and across the country with our existing and new stores.'
Bathstore says that it 'lives and breathes stylish bathrooms and makes
dream bathrooms an affordable reality (Bathstore was the first retailer
to sell a roll top bath for less than £1000 and now has one available
for just £399)'. Bathstore sources all its products directly from
its factories allowing it to sell at prices 20-30% lower than equivalent
competitors' products. In fact, Bathstore is so confident that its prices
will be the lowest that it has just introduced a 'price promise' guaranteeing
that if customers can find a better deal elsewhere for the same product
they will beat that price’.
'Customers need to produce a written quotation of the better price for
the same product. The pledge is valid for 30 days after the order date
and excludes any sale or promotional offers run by Bathstore or its related
companies.'
Web: http://www.bathstore.com
Tom
Kowalski, finance director of furniture and beds retailer Homestyle has
agreed a takeover by its main shareholder in a deal which values the Warrington-based
firm at up to £326.4m, but which has been described as 'a face saving
exercise' by one analyst.
South
African furniture group Steinhoff, which already has a 61 per cent stake
in Homestyle, is offering a cash or shares alternative to investors for
the remainder of the business. It will pay 100p in cash, or 0.736 of its
own shares, for each Homestyle share.
Steinhoff, which owns the Relyon brand and has several factories in the
UK, made its move after regulators threatened to de-list Homestyle because
less than 25 per cent of its shares were in public hands.
The £2.8bn-turnover group, which is quoted on the Johannesburg Stock
Exchange, rescued Homestyle in 2005 with a £100m refinancing deal,
when it took a majority stake.
The lifeline was brokered by Homestyle finance director Tim Kowalski.
He said today the takeover offer was a good deal for shareholders, and
said no job losses among the group's workforce of 3,300 were envisaged.
Homestyle operates 170 Harveys furniture stores and almost 400 bed shops
trading as Bensons, Sleepmasters and The Bed Shed. It turned over £507m
in the 61 weeks to July 1 and posted pre-tax losses of £25m.
In a trading update last month, Homestyle said Harveys was still finding
the retail climate tough while the rejuvenated beds division was back
on course for expansion under a new management team.
Steinhoff is seeking to grow its business in the UK and experts do not
rule out the group making further acquisitions in the sector, then returning
to the stock market here in a few years' time.
The takeover deal is expected to be completed in mid-February.
Homestyle chairman Donald Macpherson said: 'While progress is being made
in improving many areas of our business, restoring acceptable levels of
performance across the Homestyle Group is a long-term project and we believe
profitability will be restored more rapidly under the ownership structure
proposed by Steinhoff.'
Seymour Pierce analyst Richard Ratner said: 'One can only conclude that
the offer is simply a face-saving exercise, as we believe that our reduced
forecast (prior to the bid) of £6 million, which was almost £10
million lower than the house broker's forecast at the time, might prove
to be elusive.'.
WEEE
Directive Finally Gets Deadline
Producers
of electrical goods will from July 2007 be required to meet the environmental
costs of dealing with waste products under new rules published on December
12th.
Laying the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations
before Parliament, Science Minister Malcolm Wicks said:
'Electrical waste such as toasters, fridges and washing machines are a
growing environmental problem here in the UK with over 2m tonnes being
dumped in landfill last year alone. There is currently no incentive for
those that produce them to care about the life cycle of their products.
These regulations will mean they can no longer shirk this responsibility.
'When I announced the clear implementation timetable in the summer it
was to give business as much time as possible to prepare. Some responsible
producers are already factoring the cost of recycling their product into
the design process and recognise that caring about what happens to the
goods they sell needn't cost the earth.'
Following extensive consultation, Malcolm Wicks delivered on December
12th the commitment to introduce practical regulations to implement the
WEEE Directive in the UK. All companies who import, manufacture and rebrand
electrical and electronic equipment will have to finance its treatment,
recovery and environmentally safe disposal. It recognises that this is
the responsibility of those who produce the goods, and supports broader
Government initiatives for dealing with waste that focus on producer responsibility.
By 15th March 2007 producers will need to join an approved producer compliance
scheme to ensure that they are able to comply with the Directive from
1st July 2007. The regulations will:
* Enable consumers to dispose of their electrical waste free of charge
at accessible and appropriate places. Consumers will start to see changes
from July 2007, with new signage at their local council refuse centres,
in shops, and on new electrical products.
* Give distributors the choice of how to meet their obligations under
the Directive by either joining the Distributor Take-back Scheme (DTS)
or by offering customers in-store take-back.
* Allow existing relationships currently managing electrical waste to
continue. This is consistent with the Government's overall approach to
regulation, which is to be as 'light-touch' as possible.
* Enable any operator of a designated collection facility (DCF) to arrange
with a producer compliance scheme (PCS) to have the electrical waste deposited
at their site taken away for treatment and recycling by that PCS, free
of charge.
* Allow for and encourage the re-use of equipment after it has been discarded
where possible.
* Allows for the continued collection of old equipment at the same time
of delivering new goods by retailers, and some producers.
Also announced on December 12th, was the appointment of Valpak Retail
WEEE Services as the operator of the Distributor Take-back Scheme (DTS)
funded by £10m from retailers. The scheme will establish a network
of designated collection facilities where consumers can get rid of their
electrical waste. The money will primarily be paid to local authorities
to assist in the improvement of civic amenity sites so that electrical
waste can be separately collected there.
Web: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/topics/electrical/pdf/weee-batrrt-guidance.pdf
New
Standards for Water Efficiency in New Buildings
Proposals
for minimum standards of water efficiency in new homes and new commercial
buildings in England and Wales were published for consultation on 13th
December.
This meets the commitment made by Government Ministers earlier this year
to bring forward proposals to underpin the voluntary standards for water
efficiency in the Code for Sustainable Homes.
Angela Smith, Minister for Sustainable Buildings said:
'This is an important step in transforming the way we use water in the
home and the workplace. By installing products such as low flush toilets
and water efficient taps in new homes we could reduce household consumption
by 15-20 per cent.
There will be equivalent savings in new offices and shops from reductions
in the everyday uses of water there.
'These are relatively cheap and effective ways to reduce water demand.
These regulations will ensure that water efficiency becomes the norm in
all new homes and workplaces'.
Minister for Climate Change and the Environment Ian Pearson said:
'Protecting the long term sustainability of the water supply needs joined
up action from Government, businesses, water companies and consumers.
These proposals are not about cutting back on the essential water we need,
but minimising the water we needlessly waste. They will support the wider
programme of efficiency measures under consideration by the Water Saving
Group.
'Setting minimum standards for new buildings will not deliver all the
savings we need to make, but will provide a strong signal to consumers
and to manufacturers of water appliances, fixtures and fittings that they
have a role as part of that joined up action, and that we all have a responsibility
to find ways of using water wisely.'
The consultation seeks comments on the Government's proposals in five
areas:
* Whether a performance standard for the water efficiency of a whole building
is preferable to setting standards for categories of fixtures and fittings
to meet the objectives;
* What the level of performance standards should be to support transformation
of the market for water efficient fixtures and fittings;
* Whether additional measures are needed for high water use fixtures and
fittings;
* Whether the Building Regulations are the right mechanism for delivering
these changes; and
* Whether and how we should set performance standards for residential
institutions, such as hospitals or schools.
The consultation will last for 12 weeks and will close on 9th March 2007.
BMA
Welcomes New Member Deva Taps
North
West-based manufacturer of taps and showers Deva is the latest company
to join the Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA) after attending the
BMA Inaugural Conference themed 'Precious Water - Water Pressures' held
in October 2006.
Deva
Tap md Robert Pryde says: ‘Deva is delighted to be part of the BMA
and the huge opportunity it offers for us to continue our success. As
we grow, so do the opportunities and challenges, which arise within our
industry. An industry body with the knowledge and resources of the BMA
is invaluable in that quest.
‘Our innovation programme has gained momentum over the last two years
and we hope to be an inspiration to others within the association, whilst
learning from the vast experience of its members. As Deva ventures into
new markets, links with other manufacturers and suppliers that the BMA
provides will be absolutely vital. We view the sincere relationships,
which can be formed between the numerous players within the market with
great affection - that has never been more apparent than in the past year
with the impact of the copper and zinc situation on our businesses and
associated relationships.
‘More specifically, the BMA is renowned for taking a lead where legislation
and relevant environmental trends are concerned. With, increasingly, global
factors affecting both supply and demand within our markets a united voice
is more important than ever for the successful development of Britain's
Bathroom Industry.’
Pryde went on to express his approval of the BMA's marketing and training
initiatives such as the WaterHog website and the Bathroom Academy, adding
that the BMA has something to offer the entire Industry, from manufacturers
through to consumers.
In welcoming Deva Taps, BMA chief executive Yvonne Orgill says: ‘We
are very happy to welcome The Deva Tap Company to the BMA. We're looking
forward to Deva's contribution and forging a close relationship.
‘Deva is committed to providing excellent customer service and support
and is exactly the type of company the BMA is proud to be associated with.
‘We have a very strong, dedicated membership representing more than
80 per cent of the mainstream bathroom business undertaken in the UK.
Our members are very supportive of the BMA initiatives and their input
is invaluable.’
Tel: 01782 747123
Email: karen.myles@bathroom-association.org.uk
Web: http://www.bathroom-association.org
To contact Deva Taps write to nikki.grounds@devatap.com
or call 01942 687 209
Steve
Cox joins Utopia Furniture Ltd
Ian
Hall and Dave Conn, Joint Managing Directors and co owners, have announced
the appointment of former Jacuzzi UK Managing Director Steve Cox as their
new Managing Director of Utopia Furniture Ltd.
A
joint statement released this week read:
‘We are delighted that Steve has agreed to join our business as he
brings with him a wealth of skills and experience from within our industry
and indeed he is well known to the majority of our existing customers.
Steve has joined with the intention of leading the Directors in the acquisition
of our controlling interest, which receives our full support and discussions
are underway with Private Equity Providers to achieve this aim.
‘We have decided to spend more time with our families enjoy our separate
interests and at the same time we will still be involved with the business
focussing on specific projects’.
The joint statement continued:
‘We have spent 18 years developing our business and have had great
success largely due to the loyalty and commitment of our employees and
indeed our business partners which we wanted to protect. Supporting Steve
and the Directors, along with Private Equity provision, will allow us
to achieve this and we look forward to working with the team on their
exciting plans for the business. A trade sale would not have necessarily
provided this continuity’.
Utopia has enjoyed significant growth since its formation over 15 years
ago and has been a dominant player in the bathroom furniture market for
many years holding a market leading position. The continuous investment
in the Utopia brand has been rewarded with a comprehensive network of
business partners, throughout the UK.
Steve Cox commented:
‘I am delighted to be involved in this initiative and look forward
to working with Ian, Dave and the team in delivering the business plan.
This is a fabulous business and provides an excellent base on which to
build for the future. Having spent 13 years in the industry I know the
majority of the existing Utopia customers really well and have always
admired the Utopia brand along the way.`
‘Ian and Dave will work with the team focusing on specific projects
and their knowledge and experience will be invaluable to me in the early
days. Having known them both for over ten years will clearly be a great
help.’
Web: http://www.utopiagroup.com
As
Landfill Charges Loom, Stainless Steel Sinks Provide Recyclable Option
Whilst
most householders know that card, paper and plastic can be recycled, how
high is awareness of the recyclability of larger household items? In the
kitchen for example, a stainless steel sink is 70% recyclable, and an
old sink is widely accepted by local authority recycling centres as part
of their scrap metal collections.
The Blanco range of stainless steel sinks is widely available, and includes
a great variety of models designed to appeal to all sectors of the market;
from the BLANCOPLUS inset sink options at the low end, including a classic
one and a half bowl configuration, to the cutting edge BLANCOZEROX undermount,
with its zero radius corners and X patterned base, and also includes a
range of design-led sinks for overmounting, such as the BLANCOCLASSIC
M1820.
Keeping stainless steel at the heart of the company’s sink production
is just one aspect of Blanco's ongoing environmental commitment, which
also includes constant revision of production and distribution processes.
For further details of the full range of Blanco products, log onto http://www.blanco.co.uk
For further information, and details of local stockists, please contact
Blanco Limited, Oxgate Lane, London NW2 7JN.
Tel: 020 8450 9100
Email: salesdesk@blanco.co.uk
Anti-Scald
First for Housing Developer?
A
housing developer has teamed up with Staffordshire based thermostatic
control specialist Intatec to provide what they believe is the first complete
housing development in England to have anti-scald devices fitted as standard
in their bath and shower rooms.
Bath
time scalding causes 570 serious injuries and amazingly 20 deaths every
year. Every bath scald could be avoided with the use of an anti-scald
valves, a device that is plumbed directly into the bathroom. Regulations
are in place in Scotland that compel new homes to be fitted with the valves
which blend hot and cold water together to achieve a safe temperature.
In England the regulations have yet to be introduced, although standard
installation of anti-scald or ‘thermostatic valves’ is increasingly
being regarded as best practice.
Cynthia Fisher, speaking on behalf of manufacturer Intatec said 'Making
sure that hot bath water is at a safe temperature is as easy as turning
on the tap when you have an anti-scald valve fitted. I think it’s
going to give the families who will be living in these new Newlyn Homes
one less hazard to think about. People expect the latest safety equipment
to be built in to their cars, so why not expect it to be built into their
homes too? Thermostatic control makes showering and bath filling more
convenient as well as safer.'
Newlyn Homes Land Director Roger Blackburn agreed 'We’re building
in quality as standard, so it’s only natural to build in safety as
standard too and for the minimal extra cost, anti-scald bathrooms should
be on every house builder’s specification list. Anti-scald valves
will remain on the standard features list of all our new homes.'
The anti-scald development is at Albrighton in Shropshire, where the first
occupiers have already moved in are enjoying hot water at safe temperatures.
Plumbers, merchants or families with enquires about anti-scald bath and
shower equipment for their homes can visit http://www.anti-scald.co.uk
Marflow
Brassware Hits the Silver Screen
The
St James collection of bathroom brassware from Marflow Engineering has
taken a starring role in a new award-winning film that's hotly tipped
for next year's Oscars.
The
classic styling of the St James collection provided the perfect period
feel in the new Dutch World War Two blockbuster 'Zwartboek' ('Black Book')
by Paul Verhoeven, maker of 'Basic Instinct' and 'Robocop'.
Marflow's Dutch distributor International Bathrooms was chosen as the
exclusive supplier for all bathroom suites for the movie, which won Best
International Film at September's Venice International Film Festival and
is nominated for Best Foreign Film in the forthcoming Academy Awards in
February 2007.
'Zwartboek' has already entered the history books as the most expensive
film ever made in Holland, at 55 million euros, and has been sold to more
than 50 countries worldwide.
It tells the story of Jewish singer Rachel Stein, whose family is killed
by the Nazis just before the liberation of Holland in 1944. Rachel joins
the resistance, vowing to find the man responsible for the death of her
parents.
The St James collection is one of Marflow's most popular ranges, and appears
in 'Zwartboek' in the scenes of the German headquarters. Inspired by the
very best in classic Victorian design, the collection includes a wide
range of authentically styled showerheads and valves, taps, mixers and
bathroom accessories. Crafted from hand polished brass and finished in
chrome, antique gold or bright nickel, the collection uses the finest
English porcelain to help create a stunning overall look.
The St James collection is the company's best selling export product and
can be found in homes and hotels in over a dozen countries. With the release
of 'Zwartboek', its international credentials are set to increase even
further.
Web: http://www.marflow.co.uk
Maytag
Extends Capital Bonds Promotion to March 31st 2007
Maytag
UK is kick starting the New Year by extending its Capital Bond Incentive
promotion for retail staff.
Originally part of Maytag's autumn promotion in 2006, the Capital Bonds
incentive promotion has been extended until the end of March 2007. Retail
staff have the additional opportunity of incentives worth up to £75
for each sale on various Admiral and Maytag refrigeration and the Maytag
Drying Cabinet.
Marketing Manager for Maytag UK, Stuart Frost remarks, Capital Bonds are
a great way for the team to earn superb rewards for their sales effort.
These flexible rewards are valid in most of the UK's high street top fashion
and home retailers, hotels, restaurants and even leisure pursuits from
green fees to bungee jumps. So there is an incentive there for everyone.’
Capital Bonds may be earned on:
* Admiral fully clad stainless steel side-by-side, SAC224GB
* Maytag's three-door TriLogy
* Maytag's SOV225GB side-by-side (pictured) and
* Maytag Drying cabinet
To continue your scheme or sign up contact your Area Sales Manager or
call Leigh Spiking at Maytag UK. And for latest version of Maytag's quarterly
marketing communication, 'Outlook' telephone 01737 231269 to find out
more.
Web: http://www.maytag.co.uk
GE
offers a wide choice of refrigeration technology and it has recently developed
a new range to suit individual lifestyle needs - 'Fusion by GE'.
The company says that Fusion has generated great interest from the kbb
market with many retailers wanting to showcase the latest GE innovation.
Left
to Right - Matt Jinks, GE -UK & Ireland Commercial Director, Oliver
Wicksteed, Biasco Joint Managing Director and Gary Rowlands, Joint Managing
Director, Biasco
GE
has now announced that appliance company Biasco has become the first official
retailer to display GE Fusion. As a leading white goods manufacturer,
GE is constantly developing its product ranges to ensure it offers new
innovations for both trade and consumers.
Biasco's Joint Managing Director Oliver Wicksteed says ‘We are extremely
pleased to be the first official Fusion retailer. As a leading retailer,
we place great importance on offering our customers a wide range of kitchen
appliances and Fusion is a unique product that completes our product offering’.
Neil Jaques, Marketing Manager of GE Appliances explains, ‘GE's main
focus is to bring to market the latest styles and offer all our customers
the widest refrigeration choices. GE and Biasco has built a strong trading
alliance and its new showroom and head office is the ideal platform to
showcase Fusion.’
Tel: 01908 366363
Web: http://www.lsy-appliances.co.uk
Carron
Phoenix Holds Two Day Product Launch Event for Distributors
Carron
Phoenix recently held a two-day product launch event for its distributors
to unveil several new sink and tap additions to its portfolio.
More than 60 people from Carron Phoenix's UK & Irish distribution
network attended the event held at company's manufacturing headquarters
in Falkirk.
The company unveiled two premium inset sink ranges, Isis and Zeta, both
of which are positioned at the mid to upper end of the company's sink
offer.
Added to that was a range of modern classic sinks in ceramic which can
be inset or undermounted, a new line in waste disposers, plus two new
taps Reno and Zeta, the latter being designed to complement the new Zeta
sink range.
The afternoon launch was followed by a dinner in the splendid Grand Hall
at the historic Stirling Castle.
In true Scottish tradition, haggis was ceremoniously piped to the dinner
tables and guests were entertained by a falconry display and a stirring
military bagpipe band within the castle courtyard.
The next day, guests went for a round of golf or a visit to the famous
Glenturret distillery.
Says Neil Clark, sales & marketing manager at Carron Phoenix:
‘Zeta and Isis are major new lines for us and the combination of
work and entertaining is always a very pleasurable way to do business
with our customers.’
For more information on Carron Phoenix's sink and tap products, call 01324
638 321 or log on at http://www.carron.com
CMPi,
the organiser of KBB, the UK trade exhibition for kitchens, bedrooms bathrooms
and tiles, is launching a new event for the heating and plumbing industry.
HPE, Heating and Plumbing Event, will take place from 9-12 March 2008
at the NEC, Birmingham.
HPE is a natural extension to the success of KBB, providing visitors with
the functional and technical back end products such as boilers, pumps,
radiators, pipes, valves, control panels and components. Providing a key
event for the industry including heating and plumbing installers, local
authorities, merchants, house builders, contractors and developers, HPE
will benefit from an already existing audience as well as new visitors
from the plumbing and heating community.
Along with the leading companies in the industry, HPE will feature a full
seminar programme, a series of demonstrations and training sessions, providing
visitors with a complete experience.
With 15 months to go until the show, over 500m2 has already been allocated.
If you would like to exhibit at HPE 2008, please contact Sam Cande, Event
Manager on +44 (0)207 921 8438. For more information, please visit the
website
http://www.heatingandplumbingevent.co.uk.
Glen
Dimplex Home Appliances Supports Customers throughout Christmas
To
make sure Christmas remains as trouble free as possible, customers can
rest assured that Glen Dimplex Home Appliances' Customer Care centre will
be on hand to deal with any cooker questions or problems arising over
the Christmas period.
As part of the company's comprehensive customer service package, staff
will be available at their Customer Care centre until 1pm on Sunday 24th
December, Christmas Eve, to answer queries on GDHA appliances and over
40 engineers will be on hand to attend call outs for all cooking appliance
brands.
The call centre and engineers will also be available between 9am and 5pm
on 27th and 28th, 9am and 4pm on Friday 29th December, and between 9am
and 2pm on 30th December. Normal service hours resume on Tuesday 2nd January.
Earlier this year, GDHA announced how the company had been awarded the
prestigious D&G Total Excellence & Quality Award for excellence
in customer care for the second year running with the highest scores in
the Award's history.
Following £2.5 million investment in customer services and people,
GDHA hopes that the support from this dedicated team will ensure that
everyone has a merry Christmas and a very happy New Year.
GDHA customer services can be contacted on the following numbers:
0871 2222502 - Stoves
0871 2222503 - Belling
0871 2222504 - New World
0871 2222505 - Lec
Miele Appliance Catalogue Added to Planit Fusion System
Close
collaboration with Miele has resulted in the addition of the company’s
comprehensive home appliance catalogue to Planit International’s
Fusion design and visualisation system.
Complementing the Miele kitchen range, which has been available on Planit’s
advanced kitchen, bedroom and bathroom design system since 1998, the new
appliance catalogue contains fully specified images of everything from
cooker hoods, hobs, combi ovens and dishwashers, to refrigeration units,
coffee makers and washer dryers from the extensive Miele range.
By using Fusion’s advanced graphics and visualisation tools, Miele
appliances – along with kitchen products in the customer’s required
surface finish, texture and colour – can be quickly selected and
positioned within the overall design, to produce photo-realistic kitchen
layouts in moments.
'The addition of the appliance catalogue builds on the strong relationship
we have built up with Miele over the past eight years,' says Planit’s
managing director Alastair McPheat. 'During this period, it has grown
into a mutually beneficial partnership. On one hand, we work closely with
Miele to incorporate its comprehensive product range within the Fusion
system. On the other, Miele both recommends the use of Fusion to its dealers
and employs our benchmark design software within its projects department
to produce the kitchen layouts included in its own customer proposals.'
Kaz Miles, marketing executive at Miele, agrees. 'This new development
benefits dealers and consumers alike by combining the latest in computer
aided design technology with the renowned quality and longevity of Miele
products. Customers are not only able to see exactly how their kitchen
will look, but can also evaluate any number of design alternatives with
just a few clicks of a mouse.'
Following its launch, regular updates of the Miele data file can be downloaded
by Fusion users directly from Planit’s website using ‘live’
on-line technology. Planit’s retailer’s package also includes
extensive technical support, backed by a series of specialist training
courses that enable users - from novice to experienced kitchen planners
– to maximise the return on their Fusion system investment.
With around 80% of all contract kitchens and more than 50% of all retail
kitchens in the UK now designed using Planit software, Fusion has established
itself as the KBB sector’s most widely used CAD design and visualisation
package. This powerful, yet easy-to-use system has been developed by the
sector’s only Microsoft Certified Partner and incorporates presentational
quality, superior photo-realistic graphics and industry-leading customer
management tools. Planit Fusion Live is fully Windows® XP compliant
and is the system of choice for major kitchen suppliers.
Tel: +44 (0)1233 635566
Web: http://www.planitsoftware.com
Whirlpool
is supporting the 5 A DAY Just Eat More (fruit & veg) programme with
the creation of ‘The Cool Way to 5 A DAY’, a guide to help Britons
eat their 5 A DAY, everyday. It is the first major white goods company
to become a 5 A DAY partner, and Whirlpool is producing the guide to support
its fridge & freezer range. Working with leading nutritionist, Luci
Daniels, it contains simple recipe suggestions and examples of portion
sizes.
The guide provides hints and tips to keep fruit and vegetables in tip-top
condition and at their most vitamin potent for the maximum amount of time,
all year round.
It looks at how you can enjoy fresh and frozen food via the many fridge
& freezer functions which keep natural produce at its best; such as
the 6th Sense temperature control, No Frost systems and fast freeze option.
The intelligent 6th Sense technology constantly monitors, adapts and controls
temperature changes from door openings so the temperature is restored
fives times faster than a conventional fridge and unnecessary energy surges
are prevented.
Ray Isted, Brand Marketing Manager at Whirlpool UK commented:
'Whirlpool is really pleased to be part of the Department of Health’s
5 A DAY programme, we want to help 5 A DAY educate people about fitting
fruit and vegetables into their busy lives. Clever use of space in the
fridge & freezer products, with improved storage and better temperature
management, can make it easier for people to achieve their 5 A DAY with
food looking and tasting better for longer.'
Web: http://www.5ADAY.nhs.uk
Web: http://www.whirlpool.co.uk
Servis
UK Engineers take New Machines for a Spin
Those
on the road this month may see Servis UK engineers testing the spin on
more than just washing machines.
The Company has updated its fleet of engineer vans, taking delivery of
25 new vehicles from Vardy Contract Motoring.
Gill Hewitson (pictured with Lyndon Stokes, Business Development Manager
for Vardy Contact Motoring), Servis UK Marketing Manager, comments;
'With the vans branded with the up-to-date Servis and Electra logos, the
new identity is reflected throughout the business, from the products and
literature all the way through to engineers' vehicles.'
After sales service is a top priority for Servis UK, which offers a 1
year labour and 5 years parts guarantee on all products across the Servis
and Electra brands.
For further information regarding Servis tel: 0121 568 8333 or visit http://www.servisuk.co.uk