Learn
how to Build a Bathroom in 48 hours at Interbuild 2004
A Birmingham construction company is set to launch a building system that
allows homeowners to build an extension in a single weekend. Tyseley-based
RCS launches its Pyro-Foam Pod system on to the market at Interbuild,
the UK construction industry's premier trade event, which takes place
from April 25 to 29 at the NEC. And Sales Manager Ian Leedham has plenty
of evidence to back up the speed claims of adding an extra room to a house.
'Bathrooms are currently being installed by AEP Construction at a rate
of one per day for Sutton Council in Surrey,' he explained.
'They are fitted out the following day, resulting in a complete, fully-functioning
new bathroom in less than 48 hours.'
Pod rooms arrive in flat-pack panels and can be carried into the property
through the front door.
The base structure comes with it - eliminating the need for concrete floors
- and the panels are then locked together.
Once the roof is dropped on and secured the whole building process is
finished and the structure fully waterproof.
Pyro-foam Pods come in a range of different finishes to match existing
brick-work and are extremely resistant to fire.
The Pyro-foam used in their construction has been developed over the last
seven years and has the best insulation value for any product of an equivalent
thickness on the market.
'In short they give excellent standards of fire protection, provide insulation
levels that are simply not achievable with traditional materials and also
save substantially on costs,'added Ian.
'They make it so easy to add any type of room to a house, bedroom, kitchen,
office, gym or anything else and come with so many advantages that we
have high hopes that following the launch at Interbuild, our system will
take off in a major way.'
RCS is one of more than 1,200 exhibitors at the 50th Interbuild, which
will unite all sections of the UK's building and construction industry
under one roof.
Entry is £20 per person but free for anyone who preregisters either
at www.interbuild.com, or by calling 0870 429 4558, or by texting "IB
<your full name>.<company name>" to 88600.
Poggenpohl
Acquires Retail Outlets in London
Poggenpohl
UK has acquired three of its largest and longest established studios in
London. These showrooms are the cornerstone of Poggenpohl's UK presence
and represent sales of some five million pounds, which puts them among
the ten biggest Poggenpohl studios in the world.
'The top end of the UK kitchen market is London-centric, London is where
trends begin. Our decision to purchase these studios recognises their
strategic importance to our business. These studios also provide us with
an opportunity to 'lead from the front' in terms of UK retail development.
We can demonstrate rather than dictate new ideas to our current and future
retail partners throughout the country, said Elmar Duffner, Business Unit
Manager of Poggenpohl.
Since 2001, Poggenpohl has reduced its authorised UK outlets from around
60 to just 22. The policy is quality before quantity, a focus on excellence.
Poggenpohl's 'Studioconcept' - a global blueprint for showroom layout,
ambience and standards is being introduced throughout the UK Poggenpohl
Design Centre network, bringing them in line with over 250 other Poggenpohl
studios throughout the world. In 2003 Poggenpohl had a strong sales and
results development, for one thing UK sales of Poggenpohl kitchens rose
by close to 40%.
The three studios are: the Finchley Road landmark Norman Glenn Kitchens,
Ultimate Kitchens (Pimlico) and Wigmore Kitchens (W1).
Web: http://www.nobia.se
Financial
Apathy Lets Fraudsters Cash In
Over eight milliion people in the UK would willingly disclose the exact
combination of personal details a fraudster needs to commit identity fraud
to an unknown cold caller, according to a new report from Experian. One
in seven people wouldn't notice if up to £500 disappeared from their
bank balance, the report adds.
• Men are more gullible than women. 22 per cent of men, compared
with 15 per cent of women, were willing to give out this information to
an unknown cold caller - that's over two-thirds more men than women.
• The over 65s are the most trusting age group, with a third being
prepared to give details out to a cold-caller. The 25-34 years age group
was the least gullible (13 per cent).
• A high proportion of respondents would reveal the two pieces of
information `most wanted' by identity thieves: their mother's maiden name
(20 per cent) and their date of birth (46 per cent).
Getting the Balance Right
• One in seven people wouldn't notice if up to £500 disappeared
from their bank balance. While around 80 per cent of people feel they
could correctly estimate their bank balance to the nearest £100,
14 per cent admitted up to £500 could go missing without them even
noticing and 3 per cent could only estimate to within the nearest £1000.
• Women are better at estimating their bank balance - 85 per cent
to the nearest £lOO as opposed to 79 per cent for men.
• One in three people feel apprehensive when checking their bank
balance or credit card statement, with 5 per cent admitting to feelings
of outright fear.
• Women and young people are the most apprehensive or worried when
checking their balance.
Vital Statistics
• One in ten people in the UK are at risk from Bin Raiders - fraudsters
that trawl for personal documents in rubbish bins. 11 per cent admit to
simply throwing financial documents in their bin without shredding or
even ripping them up, putting themselves at serious risk. Less than half
(45 per cent) follow recommended best practice for storing and managing
important financial documents at home.
The Regions Uncovered
• Those living around the Scottish Borders keep a very close eye
on their bank accounts - 100% claim to know their balance to nearest £lOO!
Londoners are far more relaxed about such things - 23 per cent could not
say what their balance was to the nearest £100.
• Londoners (13 per cent) are the least likely to tear personal documents
up before throwing them away - and risk falling victim to bin raiders.
Whereas people living in the South West are the most likely to destroy
their documents (94 per cent).
• The people most apprehensive about checking their bank balance
live in the northern reaches of Scotland (35 per cent) and Lancashire
(34 per cent).
• The highest proportion of people that feel 'worried' about how
much is in their bank account live in the North East (9 per cent) and
the least likely to feel this way are those in Wales and the West (2 per
cent).
• Incredibly, 17 per cent of Londoners could only estimate their
bank account to the nearest £500, which means that much could potentially
go missing before they noticed.
• Disorganised Lancastrians are the least likely to have a system
for storing or managing their financial documents, at 14 per cent. Super
efficient residents of the North East, hawever, are the most likely to
look after their books with 93 per cent of respondents claiming to have
a system in place.
Download the PDF here.
Cifial
Designer Receives Stamp of Recognition
Carlos
Aguiar, creator of exclusive designs of bathroom fittings for Cifial,
has been honoured in recognition of his work by having one of his designs
used on a national postage stamp in Portugal.
Two ranges within the Cifial portfolio, the Sail and Technovation have
been designed by Carlos who has won awards for these creations in many
countries.
Chris Newbery, Managing Director of Cifial UK said: 'Apart from the taps
already designed by Carlos, he will unveil a new collection of bathroom
sanitaryware for us, to be launched mid-year. This range will be aimed
primarily at the discerning consumer, aspiring to the ultimate in bathroom
design.'
He continued, 'we are also launching a selection of design-led taps to
co-ordinate and complement this latest collection of sanitaryware with
its solid outlines and simplistic appeal.'
Tel: 01933 402008
Web: http://www.cifial.co.uk
Geberit
AGM Points to 7% Growth in UK
At
the company's annual employee presentation, Geberit detailed its programme
for growth 2004. Group Vice President, Randolf Hanslin outlined Geberit
Groups impressive global growth of over 7% with the UK company showing
an 8% increase on sales of Geberit sanitary systems and Geberit Terrain
above and below ground drainage products together with a very strong performance
in southem Ireland.
UK Managing Director Chris Bayliss viewed the many changes over the last
three years of company development which includes an investment of over
£9 million in all areas ofthe business from manufacturing to IT,
HR and logistics to meet the needs of a company geared to customer service.
A key feature of the days events is a presentation of long service awards
and the much-coveted 'best team member' awards. During the last 12 months,
four members of the company reached their 25 years service, three achieved
the 30 year mark, one more reached 35 years and the company's longest
service member has no less than 42 years service. And four long service
employees retired, with, between them, 119 years service.
The 'best team member' awards go to the single person in each of the 15
teams covering the company's activities who, in the judgement of their
work colleagues, have contributed most to the performance of the team.
Sales Director John Halliday reviewed some of the highly prestigious projects
for which Geberit has been specified for 2003/04. These range from private
housing projects using the Duofix frame system for wall hung sanitaryware
to commercial applications of Geberit's HDPE pipework system and the Geberit
Terrain drainage and rainwater ranges.
Concluding the presentation Chris Bayliss summarised aims and objectives
for 2004 focusing on sales growth based on innovative products supported
by dedicated and committed customer service. He outlined the improvements
in efficiency brought about by investment coupled with employee input
in all sectors of the company's activities and the groups aims to be the
first choice in drainage and plumbing solutions.
Tel: 01622 717811
Web: http://www.geberit.co.uk
Wide
Ranging Changes to Hotpoint Product Line-Up
Following
our report in last week's K&BZine, Hotpoint is not only unveiling
a refreshed and re-launched brand identity but a whole new line up of
feature-led co-ordinating freestanding appliances too. The company says
that new aesthetics seen across all product groups combine with features
that bring benefits to real lives.
Washing Machines
Four ranges of new washing machines are designed to meet the needs of
different life stages; First Edition - the practical, value for money
solution for first time buyers, Aquarius - designed to keep pace with
the speed of family living, Aquarius+ - even more features for those looking
for a second or third generation machine, and Ultima - the ultimate premier
range for those that demand high-style and high-substance. Its highlights
include; A wash A+ energy and A spin performance, LCD displays and Super
Silent operation.
Dryers and Washer Dryers
Seven new tumble dryers, four 6kg vented from Aquarius and Aquarius+ and
three 7kg condenser dryers from Ultima and Aquarius each provide an array
of trade-up time and money saving features and benefits. Equally, five
new washer dryers each with a 5kg wash and dry programme from Aquarius,
Aquarius+ and Ultima collections add up to at comprehensive dryer line-up.
Highlights include; a Woolmark approved hand wash wool programme, Set
and Forget Drying and up to 24 hour time delay.
Dishwashers
Three new Hotpoint ranges; Ultima, Aquarius and Slimline each featuring
a line-up of labour saving features and benefits designed to meet the
challenge of real lives. Highlights include: Duo Wash - wash delicates
and heavy soiled items together, AAA wash, dry and energy performance,
Fast Wash, Half Load and room for nine entire place settings in the 45mm
Slimline.
Refrigeration
Hotpoint was the first to market with Microban® Antibacterial Protection,
it is now on the entire Hotpoint Future refrigeration range - Microban®,
built in to the fridge liners, inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria
and reduces odour for the lifetime of the product. Highlights also include:
Big Bin freezer basket, deep door storage, five bottle wine racks and
split shelves for tall items.
Cooking
New 60cm cookers later this year join the existing line-up of 50cm and
90cm models. Highlights of the new range will include; ceramic hobs including
halogen cooking zones, Smart Cook Timer, flexible shelf setting along
with stay-clean catalytic liners.
Hotpoint Trade Information Line: 08709 060060
Hotpoint Consumer Information Line 08701 506070
Web: http://www.hotpoint.co.uk
KBSA
Supports Formation of International Kitchen and Bathroom Association
The
Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association has supported the launch
of an international kitchen and bathroom association, The International
Kitchen Bathroom Association, which was formed in Chicago on 5th April
2004.
The KBSA was represented at the meeting to establish the association,
which was hosted by the NKBA and attended by twenty-five attendees. The
meeting included representatives from Australia, New Zealand, Turkey,
Germany, Italy, Canada as well as Southern and Northern America.
‘The time is now right for the formation of this association,’
says KBSA National Chairman, Mark Buchanan.
‘We have enjoyed close links with the North American association,
NKBA for many years and are fully supportive of this world wide alliance.’
The mission statement of the newly formed IKBA states that the association
will promote professionalism within the kitchen and bath industry and
will share information and resources on a global basis.
ElcoBrandt
Secures its Position as the Leading Appliance Manufacturer in France
GIFAM
has announced that in 2003, the total market for sales of household appliances
(in volume terms) constituted 12,580,000 of which 16.6% (2.082 million)
were brands within the ElcoBrandt stable: De Dietrich, Brandt, Sauter,
Thomson and Vedette. This represents a year on year increase of 0.8% and
strengthens the Group's domination in this area with the highest market
share.
GIFAM (Groupment Interprofessionnel des Fabricants d'Appareils d'Equipement
Menager) is the French professional association that monitors actual sales
of household appliances in France.
ElcoBrandt has placed full page advertising in France to announce its
premier status and to thank its dealers for putting it in this position.
Tel: 01256 308 067
Email: mailto:builtinsales@elcobrandt.com
Web: http://www.dedietrich.co.uk
M2
Encore Launch
Launched some four years ago, and following the launch of the M3 range,
the M2 Collection has now become known as M2 Encore, and comprises a selection
of the best selling products from the M2 Collection. The M2 Encore and
M3 ranges have been designed to complement each other and generate even
more opportunities for retailers to meet their customer's needs.
'M2 Encore retains many of the old favourites while maintaining the traditional
brand values that have always been associated with M2 products. These
are to achieve the highest standards of product build, value for money,
ease of installation, good trade margins and an after sales service for
which the company is renowned.' says the company.
ML
Systems Appoints GMD-Giardina in the UK
Industrial
Humidity Control company ML Systems of Denmark, has appointed finishing
specialist GMD-Giardina as its exclusive agent and distributor for the
UK. ML Systems specialises particularly in advanced humidification control
systems for applications in a variety of industries and is the first international
producer to be HACCP certified for Environmental Health.
Controlled, year-round, production environments is fast becoming a vital
factor in manufacturing success and the performance of many materials
in various industries depends on their being stored and used in optimally
controlled internal climates.
GMD-Giardina is a leader in advanced finishing and curing application
systems and acquisition of the ML Systems agency offers a new dimension
to providing complete production solutions for the company’s customers.
ML Systems has humidification installations across the world from small
workshop interiors to entire industrial turnkey complexes. The company’s
systems are used by industries as diverse as furniture, window & door
manufacturing, plastics, printing, board and panel production and for
botanical solutions.
ML Systems says that it needs to work with highly capable technical partners
in each market and that GMD-Giardina’s qualifications in this respect
stand out from the rest.
Several installations have already been sold into the Wooden Door/Window
Industries.
Tel: 01529 240788
Email: mailto:enquiries@gmd-giardina.com
New
Super Finishing Demonstration Facility at Abacon
Sanding,
abrasives and finishing expert Abacon has established a new and permanent
demonstration and testing facility at the company’s Sheffield workshops.
The designated area has been fitted out with a fully working model of
the DiscMaster finishing sanders from Löwer in Germany for whom Abacon
is the exclusive UK agent. Already a number of major joinery companies
have made use of the facility to conduct exhaustive tests on product samples.
‘The
advantages all of them have quickly realised is that the machine is equally
adept at pre-sanding and denibbing both raw or painted and lacquered workpieces.’
says the company.
‘So fully assembled components like raised and fielded doors can
be prepared in one pass. This is due to the unique combinations of abrasive
actions that are simultaneously effected. The DiscMaster will sand raised
fibres flat in the most complex of mouldings and is precisely effective
on routed MDF panels or with constructed hardwood components like oak
or maple doors.
‘The DiscMaster is one of Löwer’s latest innovations and
features a combination of both sanding discs and sanding rollers equipped
with brush-backed abrasive strips slotted into special SlipCon hubs.
‘The rollers and discs are applied to the workpiece as it moves under
them on a powered feed belt and the discs actually oscillate across the
face of the workpiece to ensure an absolutely complete contact coverage
with the workpiece. At the same time all four edges are perfectly sanded
and because the movement of the strips is both across and with the grain
the final finish is exemplary. In fact the effect on sharp edges is to
‘soften’ them rather than damage them as can often happen when
using the more conventional giro ‘flapper’ type machines. It
will also access very deep moulds.
‘Tests have shown that the uniformity created on the component surface
creates ideal conditions for the final application of paint or lacquer.
Interestingly, it is also exceptional at creating an optimum surface for
foil wrapping or pressing after the sprayed glueline (automatic or manual)
has been denibbed.’
The Löwer machines already in service have also yielded significant
results in terms of labour saving, quality consistency and heightened
productivity as this traditional ‘bottleneck’ area of the finishing
process is eliminated.
The machine is a throughfeed design with a fixed feed height a speed of
3 – 15m/min for components up to 1350mm wide and up to 120mm high.
The disc station swing easily out of the side of the machine for rapid
changing and the closed construction makes for efficient extraction and
a clean environment for a superb finish.
Various roller/disc configurations are available as are a number of technical
additional options like a vacuum system for small workpieces, motorised
rise and fall of the discs, electronic displays, blowing and antistatic
devices and a PLC control including memory for setting recalls.
Abacon says that for furniture components like profiled panels and complex
frames the DiscMaster is the most complete solution available. As Abacon
has also been able to demonstrate, companies who have held back for long
periods of time from automating this part of their finishing process because
of prohibitive machinery costs now have a much more affordable option
which can demonstrate realistic payback performance. Abacon welcomes visitors
to test sand components or to have a full demonstration. The bay is also
fitted with one of the smaller Löwer throughfeed sanders designed
specifically for finishing complex linear mouldings and components.
Tel: 0114 2562266
Web: http://www.abacon.co.uk
Smart
House Now Reality in Germany -Communication-Enabled Miele Domestic Appliances
Available Countrywide
Miele
recently staged the launch of a comprehensive in-house communication system
combining powerline communications and RF transmission. This new offering
goes by the name of Miele@home InfoControl and is available in Germany
through authorised Miele dealers together with communication-ready domestic
appliances.
Dr.
Eduard Sailer, management board representative of Miele & Cie. KG
(Gütersloh) stressed at the launch ceremony that Miele not only puts
its name on the line when it comes to the quality and durability of its
appliances but equally so vouches for the longevity and reliability of
its home networking products.'Quality and sustainability are high on Miele's
agenda', explained Dr. Sailer, 'and Miele@home is no passing fad. It is
a cleverly thought-out, holistic and future-proof concept: Miele@home
InfoControl is an initial product offering which opens the window to the
world of the networked home.'
During the course of the year, Miele will be launching further communication-enabled
appliances onto the market. These models will be fully compliant with
the European Konnex communication standard. This means that, in time,
other electronically controlled machines and equipment around the home,
such as heating systems, home security, lighting and roller blinds, will
be able to hook up to the Miele@home system. 'Short-lived go-it-alone
ventures by individual manufacturers are not compatible with Miele's company
philosophy', said Dr. Sailer. And that is why Miele has opted for the
most widespread and least complicated of home networking systems, by capitalising
on a network which already exists and to which all appliances and systems
are connected.
Miele's new smart domestic appliances come either communication-ready,
already prefitted ex works with a communication module, or are pre-configured
so that retrofitting means nothing more complicated than slotting a module
into a cartridge. These communication devices enable domestic appliances
to send information into the domestic power supply where it is 'harvested'
by a base station, a 'grey' box plugged into a vacant wall socket anywhere
in the home. Once gathered, data from appliances is then relayed on to
the mobile receiver using radio-frequency technology. The selling price
for a Miele@home InfoControl set consisting of receiver unit and base
station is EUR 270. A retrofittable communication module is available
for less than EUR 100.
Miele@home
InfoControl speaks 11 languages, always knows the precise time and fits
into any pocket. Its main job, though, is supervising up to eight domestic
appliances at once. The read-out on this conveniently sized unit measuring
only 5.5 x 6.5 cm is able to display programme stati, durations, operating
prompts and error messages from 'broadcasting' appliances. The oven reminds
the cook, for example, that the Sunday roast needs basting. The steam
cooker chirps in when the side dishes are ready. The hob unit reminds
its owner that it is really high time to switch that ring off as there's
nothing cooking, and the freezer can voice its annoyance at having its
door left wide open.
Within a dwelling, the InfoControl base station is able to transmit to
a mobile receiver within a radius of 50 m. The base station is also able
to receive a remote master time signal from the atomic clock and distribute
the correct time to all appliances via the power line. This considerably
simplifies matters when it comes to putting clocks forward and back in
spring and autumn respectively. When plugged in to a wall socket anywhere
in the home, the plug-and-play base station recognises appliances feeding
data into the powerline network virtually automatically. It is possible
to connect several mobile receiver units to one base station so that more
than one person can keep abreast of 'what's cooking' simultaneously. Miele@home
InfoControl comes replete with a wall bracket. Alternatively, the integrated
belt clip allows it to be worn on the body, where it is on hand at a moment's
notice. The same belt clip allows the unit to stand securely on a flat
surface.