Kitchen and Bathroom News @ The K&BZine

The fourth annual House Beautiful Awards were held at Madame Tussauds on Thursday March 9th. Co-presented by House Beautiful acting editor Sandy Cadiz-Smith and prime time TV Garden Designer, David Domoney, the event celebrates the outstanding products, ranges and services in the homes industry.

The Silver and Gold winners of eleven of the categories were selected by members of a judging panel of industry experts and celebrities including: Jeff Banks, Linda Barker, Justin Ryan and Colin McAllister, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, John Burton-Race, Ann Maurice, David Domoney, Sandy Cadiz-Smith and the House Beautiful editorial team.

The top accolade, in the category of Product 2006, was specially chosen by Sandy and the editorial team from all the new ranges, services and products that have been launched over the past 12 months and the winner was The Gatsby Summer Palace and Round Collections of Mirrored Furniture by Laura Ashley

House Beautiful acting editor, Sandy Cadiz-Smith comments, ‘The House Beautiful awards are bigger and better than ever. We were delighted with the amount of entries and the atmosphere on the night was electric as guests waited to hear if they had won. The House Beautiful Awards are the ‘Oscars’ for our industry.’

· Appliance Innovation of the Year
Gold Award: Genus – Stoves
Silver Award: Titanium Range of Appliances - Whirlpool UK Ltd

· Best Bathroom Product

Gold Award: Luxurious Walk-in Surround with Wet Room Option – Aqualux (pictured)
Silver Award: Rossini Bathroom Collection – B & Q

· Best DIY or Decorating Product
Gold Award: Pro-Aqua Varnish – earthborn
Silver Award: Autotape – Black & Decker

· Best Flooring Range
Gold Award: Life Collection – Brintons Fine Carpets
Silver Award: Wenge Perspective Tropical Wood Range – Quick-Step

· Best Furniture Range
Gold Award: MFI & The Chair Company – MFI
Silver Award: Highline Wardrobe System – Sharps Bedrooms

· Interior Collection of the Year
Gold Award: Darkness & Light ‘New Deco’ - John Lewis
Silver Award: Mahina Fabrics – Harlequin Fabrics & Wallcoverings

· Kitchen Range of the Year
Gold Award: Manhattan Kitchen – Wickes
Silver Award: Kitchens – Ikea Ltd

· PR Company of the Year
Gold Award: Grylls & Reade
Silver Award: Hillgate PR

· Best Advertisement of the Year
Gold Award: Quick.Step Laminate Flooring – Quick.Step
Silver Award: Aqualux Exhilarating Surroundings - Aqualux

Tile Association Annual Day is Poorly Attended

The annual Tile Association day, giving companies an opportunity to showcase their latest products to the Kitchen and Bathroom trade was held at The Building Centre in London last week and although a bit thin on the ground, what was on show was both innovative and attractive.

Mapei was exhibiting its new Ultraflex S2 Mono adhesive, the first ever single part class S2 adhesive, offering high performance and flexibility when laying floors. Also being shown was the Ultracolor Plus, a grout available in 26 colours. Ultracolor Plus contains anti mould compounds, which help prevent mould building up in wet environments, a particular issue for showers and wet rooms.

BAL was also exhibiting a multicoloured grout called BAL Microcolour (pictured), an addition to its Microban range which inhibits the growth of bacteria. Initially designed for use in hospitals and care homes, BAL is finding an increasing demand for home use as people become increasingly hygiene conscious. Microban has been shown to be effective against 99% of bacteria, including the ones causing most cases of food poisoning and tests show that the grout remains effective for at least 10 years.

Nicholls and Clarke was showing a wide range of products from tiles to boxing in products. The highlight was the panel of live tiles that seem to change colours as you look from different angles. Made in The Czech Republic, the tiles are available in 2 different designs and a range of colours.

Also impressive were N&Cs shower trays and wall boxing systems, made of a polystyrene type material. The material is incredibly light yet very strong and simple to cut to size with a Stanley knife. When put in place the material can be tiled directly on to. This should help cut shower and wet room installation time dramatically, especially when only one individual is doing the work.

Hopefully future events will have better support in what is still a growing area of the KB market.

http://www.tiles.org.uk

Franke Expands UK Head Office

Franke, the world's leading kitchen systems manufacturer, has more than doubled the size of its UK headquarters.
The company has moved into larger offices within the same building in order to accommodate a fabulous new showroom which showcases the new range of appliances, including ovens, hobs and hoods, as well as an extensive range of sinks and taps.

Franke has also created a state-of-the-art training facility which can be used by sales teams and distributors for product workshops or seminars.

John Swain, product manager for Franke UK, commented: 'With the launch of the new appliance range as well as a host of new sink and tap designs it was important that we had a showroom large enough to accommodate a good range of all these products.

'The additional office space has also enabled us to create a super training facility where we can hold workshops to train our sales teams and distributors on new products.'

http://www.franke.co.uk

Kitchen Showcase 06 - The Only UK Event Dedicated to Kitchen Design Gets Bigger

27th June 2006 will be the opening day of the UK's only design focused exhibition and conference dedicated entirely to kitchens, Kitchen Showcase 06.

With more stunning kitchen designs than ever before and a new product showcase, Design Additions, Kitchen Showcase 06 will be the largest and best event since its launch in 2003. To accommodate its growing exhibitor list, Kitchen Showcase 06 will be held at a new, prestigious venue, Olympia 2, London between 27th and 29th June 2006. More than 2000 design professionals will visit the show with an exclusive audience of consumers expected on the closing day when doors are opened to the public.

This year's show will deliver over 20 kitchen room sets exhibiting latest designs from a wide cross section of design led kitchen manufacturers. Many designs will be exhibited for the first time having been created specifically for the show; others will come direct from Eurocucina in Milan. Exhibitors confirmed to date include Mirari, Charles Yorke, Zimmer, Cuisina, Remp, >Rational<, Dada, Allmilmo, Parapan, Living in Style, Callerton, Mobalpa, Vama and Linea Quattro.

Many exhibitors are returning to the show for the third time. James Herriott of Callerton is one such as exhibitor who joins the show again because it ‘... provides the industry with a unique platform to parade all the latest ideas and concepts in kitchen design to inspire designers and consumers alike. The same size pre built room-set for all, provides a level playing field and doesn't favour those with the deepest pockets, so encouraging the smaller innovative British companies to participate alongside the multi nationals’.

As the biggest show to date, Kitchen Showcase 06 will see more manufacturers exhibiting than ever before. Sub-zero, will be exhibiting for the first time. Juliet Raine explains why they have decided to join the show. ‘We are delighted to be exhibiting at Kitchen Showcase 2006 in partnership with Living in Style. This show is the most innovative, well thought out event which attracts excellent clients such as architects, specifiers and house builders - exactly the type of market we are keen to work with’.

Launching for the first time in June will be Design Additions, an extension to Kitchen Showcase with over 40 companies displaying unique product ideas and design innovations. Open to the Trade on the first 2 days, this section of the show will support the main purpose of Kitchen Showcase, to inspire visitors through a multitude of new design ideas and products.

As in previous years, the Masterclass conference will run alongside the exhibition for Trade visitors on 27th and 28th June. The conference remains dedicated to promoting discussion of key issues relating to Kitchen design in the UK and will this year bring together a mix of leading Industrial, Product and Award Winning Designers as well as Design commentators through an inspirational and wide ranging speaker programme entitled 'Perspectives on Design'.

Confirmed speakers at Masterclass include:
* Roberto Palomba, Palomba Serafini Design - one half of the design partnership behind Schiffini kitchen and the new Palomba bathroom range from Laufen
* Kevin Rice, BMW Design - presenting his view on where kitchen brands can learn from the car industry
* David Fisher, Seymour Powell - designer of the stunning new Mercury range cooker
* Erik Demmer, Erikd Demmer Design - upcoming German industrial designer
* Makio Hasuike, Makio Hasuike Design - possibly Japan's best known industrial designer working with kitchen products

‘All 3 elements of Kitchen showcase, the highly designed kitchen room sets, the new and innovative Design Additions section and the Masterclass conference undoubtedly make Kitchen Showcase 06 the largest exhibition dedicated entirely to Kitchen design in the UK,’ say the organisers. ‘The 2500 audience including Architects, Interior Designers, Kitchen Retailers, Property Developers and consumers will experience much more than an exhibition. Kitchen Showcase 06 will be an ideas forum dedicated to inspiring visitors through every aspect of the show.’

Web: http://www.kitchen-showcase.co.uk

The latest version of Häfele's Vario-Corner - the prize-winning wire based pull-out storage unit that makes practical storage sense out of intractable base unit corner cupboards - is proving massively successful, according to sales director Ray Fisher.

He reports that two 40ft trailer loads of the corner units are coming into the Rugby warehouses daily from German makers Vauth Sagel - Häfele are exclusive UK distributors. Sales are currently running at something over 600 units per week.

Ray Fisher says: ‘no-one wants to get onto their hands and knees in the kitchen, peering into corners to check out the contents of their cupboards. So they are buying - or specifying - our Vario-Corners in ever increasing numbers.’

Häfele's latest Vario-Corner unit is the best, he says, in terms of quality and functionality, that Häfele has offered to date. The mechanism is on ball bearing slides and the frame elements are in silver epoxy coated tubular steel for easy-on-the-eye durability. Door heights of 450mm and 500mm can be added to standard 600mm sizes and soft-close mechanisms can be deployed in the interests of operational precision.

Storage baskets are in chrome plated wire steel - easy to clean and hiding nothing. Twin door mounted baskets are each 305mm deep and 450mm wide for two-tier storage and the trailing cupboard baskets are even bigger - 370 x 450mm.

‘Vario-Corners are here to stay,’ according to Ray Fisher. ‘At the rate these are selling today - and figures are rising all the time - pretty soon there won’t be a new kitchen specified in the land without one of our Vario-Corners in the layout.’

Tel: 01788 542020
Email: ray.fisher@hafele.co.uk

The Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association met thousands of consumers looking to install new kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms at the National Homebuilding & Renovating Show 2006, which took place at Birmingham's NEC, from March 2nd to 5th.

‘We were delighted with the fantastic response from visitors to our stand at this exhibition,’ said KBSA Operations Manager Lucinda Kenny.

‘These shows are hugely popular with self-builders and renovators, so most visitors are serious about going ahead with their project and looking to invest in the very best appliances and furniture for their new homes.

‘We gave away more than 2,500 copies of KBSA literature, including our magazine, The Specialist over the four days and spoke with many people about the benefits of using a KBSA retailer.

‘We also negotiated a special discount for those members who exhibited at the show and we have had tremendously positive feedback from those that attended. It is part of our marketing strategy to attend more consumer shows in 2006/07 and we will be looking at other opportunities to do this later in the year.’

The Homebuilding & Renovating show was first established in 1992 and since then it has grown into one of the most successful shows of its kind.

There are six shows in total, which now include the National Show at the NEC, which is the flagship event, plus major events at ExCel in London and SECC in Glasgow as well as three smaller regional shows.

Planit International, the developer of advanced CAD software for the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom sector, has appointed Alastair McPheat as its Managing Director.

Mr McPheat brings more than 30 years hands-on industry experience to the post, including the past nine in senior sales and management positions at Planit. In his new role, he will be responsible for the continuing growth of Planit International in both home and overseas markets, as well as the company's strategic direction and profitable future development.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr McPheat said: 'During the past 21 years, Planit International has established itself as the UK's dominant supplier of computer aided design and sales systems to the furniture industry. Today we are more than just an IT supplier, we are a leading developer of sophisticated business development tools. These are backed by a highly-motivated, customer-focused support team - enabling design professionals to dramatically increase their profitability through the creation of photo-realistic, accurately-costed room designs in minutes.'

'We also have a strong management team and I believe we are excellently placed to capitalise our software's technical superiority and the financial strength of Planit Holdings as we continue to grow our world-wide business over the coming years.'

Biographical notes on Alastair McPheat
Born in Birmingham, Alastair McPheat trained as an interior designer. His early career focused on designing and selling high value equipment with specialist retailers in Yorkshire and London. In 1978, he moved to Foster Beard - later to become Blanco UK - where he held a number of sales and marketing positions. He joined Planit international as National Accounts Manager in 1997 and within three years had progressed through National Sales Manager to become Corporate Business Manager with responsibilities for accounts such as MFI, John Lewis and Wickes.

In 2002, he was appointed Sales Director and two years later was appointed President of Planit Design USA, accountable for the company's development in the American market.

Married and currently living in Ashford, Kent, Alastair McPheat lists fast cars and fine wines among his leisure interests.

About Planit International Ltd.
Based at Ashford in Kent, Planit International is a developer of advanced design and visualisation software for the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and home improvement markets. The company is a principal member of the Planit Group and the sector's only certified Microsoft® Partner. Its flagship product, Planit Fusion Live is fully Windows® XP compliant and incorporates a comprehensive range of customer management tools, superior graphics and presentational quality.

Tel: +44 (0)1233 635566
Web: http://www.planit.com

Plumbers Poised to Score with Showerlux - Calling all Footie Mad Plumbers…

Showerlux is helping plumbers and installers get in the mood for this summer's Football World Cup with the launch of a promotion to introduce its new signing - Showerlux SLX valves.

A direct mail campaign to 15,000 plumbers and installers across the UK will give recipients a chance to enter a prize draw to win a fantastic home entertainment system. Perfect for watching all the nail-biting action, be it another hat trick by Michael Owen or, heaven forbid, another penalty shoot out, the first prize includes a 42" Hitachi HD Ready Plasma TV with Dolby surround sound and stand. Ten runners up will win a SLX concealed valve with rise rail and handset which they can sell on to their customers.

Each mailing offers the chance to enter the competition but plumbers and installers can increase their chances of winning by picking up additional entry forms at trade counters every time they purchase a Showerlux SLX valve before 31st May.

The Showerlux SLX range offers the complete showering solution. The valve system is designed to complement Showerlux's current enclosure and shower door ranges such as the original walk-in enclosure, Urban, curved Eden enclosure or new Linea glass door collection. The distinctive valves are engineered from brass with a high polished chrome finish and suit all UK plumbing and pressure systems.

Easy to operate, the SLX range is thermostatically controlled and has comprehensive safety features including an anti-scald feature with a built-in temperature stop of 38C - which can be over-ridden should a customer desire.

The SLX valves come with the option of concealed or exposed installation, with a choice of either a riser rail and adjustable handset or large overhead deluge shower.

All the instructions required for installation and further details on the valves are included in a handy reference guide contained in the direct mailing.

Plumbers can also read about the various options available with the SLX systems and the reasons why they should be recommending them to their customers. The guide also features stylish photography and a product overview of the range. Many consumers turn to their plumbers for advice on the most suitable valves and this handy guide arms plumbers with all the information they need.

Danielle Lillis, Marketing Manager at Showerlux comments, 'We have launched the free prize draw to give installers and plumbers the chance to enjoy the World Cup in style and to reward them for their continued loyalty to the Showerlux brand. The accompanying guide to our SLX Valves provides vital information on the benefits of the range and will ensures that both plumbers and installers are well equipped to make informed recommendations on the purchase of a complete showering solution from Showerlux'.

For further information on the Showerlux SLX Valves range or the promotion contact Showerlux sales now on 02476 88 25 15.

The eye-catching Victoria & Albert hand-painted prize bath which caused such a stir at KBB 2006 is now in situ at its new showroom home in Islington.

The bath, a V&A Sorrento specially decorated as the prize in a competition for visitors to the freestanding bath manufacturer's KBB stand, was won by Steve Hinton, managing director of J & W Hinton Ltd in Islington, and now has pride of place in the company's showroom.

Steve, a Victoria & Albert approved stockist, says the bath is proving a real talking point amongst visitors to the showroom: ‘No-one's seen anything quite like this,’ he said.

‘Customers are fascinated by the combination of the Sorrento's distinctive design and the fabulous artwork by internationally renowned artist Beverley Fry.’

Beverley visited J & W Hinton Ltd to see the unique bath in its new home earlier this week.

Picture: From left, Victoria & Albert sales support manager William Watkins, artist Beverley Fry, J & W Hinton Ltd financial director Annette Hinton and J & W Hinton Ltd managing director Steve Hinton.

Roca has recently launched a raft of new products. These include a new suite, bath, basins, brassware and furniture.

The new Hall suite, designed by Ramon Benedito, is an attractive and compact suite. There is a choice of 6 basins, a semi-pedestal and a range of contemporary furniture. Hall is available in both floor-standing and wall-hung options making it suitable for any size or style of bathroom.

Amongst a host of new basins recently launched was the Alice 600mm basin (below left)with built-in upstand, which cleverly conceals the taps pipework.

Also launched was the ultra-curved Bol basin in the new Argenta finish (above right). The company says that this new ceramic finish is highly resistant to wear and complements the round curves of the basin.

Kendo is one of the new brassware ranges, a comprehensive range of mixers are incorporated in this series including thermostatic fittings. 'Sculptural and abstract in shape, Kendo emphasises Roca's commitment to contemporary design,' says the company.

Tel: 01530 830080
Web: http://www.roca-uk.com

'Following our success at KBB, Pyramis UK has now gone on-line with a new UK website for the first time’, divulges Chris Grattan, UK MD. ‘We invested a substantial amount of time, effort and money into the show and the UK website is a continuation of that effort which is already paying dividends.

'Our range of stainless steel sinks and taps has been very well received and the search for additional regional and nationwide distribution moves ahead. Our UK website went live on 1st March and is yet another aid to selling which our dealers can take advantage of.’

A family business based in the Aegean resort of Thessaloniki in Greece, the Pyramis approach is gentle but business-like. ‘Although we have been operating in the UK for more than 20 years, the current extensive offering of designer sinks and taps stand up well in their own right in comparison with any of the market leaders. Having a 'state-of-the-art' manufacturing plant with superlative product quality control means the company delivers a high end range at very competitive rates. The website focuses on the quality element of the company and outlines the European quality systems and certificates awarded for its craftsmanship.’

Offering good trade margins and guaranteed after sales support, the Pyramis UK operation, based in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire has a holding of products which ensures that the trade can draw stock on a very fast turnaround. ‘Being located near to the M5 means that we can offer our trade customers a fast and regular delivery service’, concludes Grattan, ‘and our latest designer range of square stainless steel undermount kitchen sinks are already proving very popular with the trade’.

Distributors wishing to know more about the Pyramis range of products should contact Pyramis UK direct or visit the website http://www.pyramisuk.co.uk.

Tel: 01684 298040
Email: c.grattan@pyramisuk.com

Burbidge, the kitchen frontals and accessories manufacturer, has expanded its award-winning design team with the appointment of product design manager, Rob McPetrie.

Rob, 35, who has a degree in Furniture & Product Design from The Nottingham Trent University brings a wealth of valuable design expertise to Burbidge, having spent five years at Meadow Mead Furniture as a product designer.

At Burbidge, Rob is responsible for co-ordinating and driving the development of new kitchen ranges and since his arrival he has already taken a leading role in the design and implementation of the new 2006 ranges, including the Mezzo and Ravello collections.

Rob is enjoying the challenges of his new role: ‘It's an exciting time to be in the kitchen industry, consumers are becoming far more adventurous and receptive to new ideas, which enables us to be much more creative.

‘I'll be making a big push towards speed of design - taking new ideas from concept to build as quickly as possible, so that we can react to consumer demands faster than ever. Burbidge is well known for staying ahead of the market and I want to make sure that new trends in materials, colours or features continue to come from Burbidge first.’

Ben Burbidge, managing director, comments: ‘We're committed to maintaining our reputation for design innovation and as such we're always searching for new sources of inspiration. We knew Rob, with his design experience and creative approach, would bring a fresh outlook to our existing creative team and we're delighted to have him on board.’

Burbidge is a long established kitchen frontals and accessories manufacturer. The company's products can be viewed in realistic room sets in its showroom in Coventry. Please call 024 7667 1600 for further information.

The new Sales and Marketing Director at Miller from Sweden is David Jones.

'Miller from Sweden is renowned for its premium quality, best value products with consistently high standards of design, function, and innovation. David's main objective is to expand the customer base, growing our customer's business through sustainable profit growth,' says the company.

David comes to his new post with a wealth of experience and determination derived from working with major players in the UK bathroom market.

David Jones commented
'Miller from Sweden is unique in its trading ethos. Although multi national, it is still a family firm, retaining a personal touch that embraces function, design and quality.

Our reputation for designing the best quality brass accessories and solid wood bathroom furniture has ensured that we meet and exceed our customers and end users‚ expectations throughout our portfolio of both classic and contemporary product ranges.'

As part of the brand's development into new product areas, Bristan is now offering its customers a full range of heated towel rails.

The new Bristan Towel Rail collection is designed to offer its customers as much choice as possible, with designs to complement everything from a contemporary chic look to classic elegance. What's more a broad selection of sizes and heat outputs are also available to ensure that the Bristan portfolio has a solution for each and every application and budget.

Commenting on the new market sector Judith Gibbons, Head of Marketing for the Bristan Group adds:

‘We recognise that customers purchase a towel rail based on 4 different criteria: design (to match their bathroom scheme); size (to physically fit into the available space); output (to heat the bathroom) and price.

'The importance of the reasons may change from customer to customer, but 'style' is in pole position and that is why it has been of paramount importance in the creation of the Bristan Heated Towel Rails range.’

Tel: 0870 4425555
Web: http://www.bristan.com

Whirlpool Corporation and Maytag Corporation announced on March 14th that their proposed merger has been cleared by the Competition Bureau of Canada (Bureau). The Bureau, an independent law enforcement agency, concluded that it has no grounds upon which to challenge the proposed merger under Canada's Competition Act. In reaching its conclusion, the Bureau has determined that the proposed merger will not give rise to a substantial lessening or prevention of competition in relation to any relevant market in Canada. The Bureau's decision follows a thorough review, including extensive industry contacts.

‘We are pleased with the decision of the Competition Bureau. We believe the Bureau's decision recognises that the global home-appliance industry is open and competitive,’ said Jeff M. Fettig, Whirlpool's chairman and CEO. ‘This transaction will result in better products, quality and service, as well as cost efficiencies, which will enhance our ability to succeed in the competitive global home-appliance industry. Consumers will benefit from a combined Whirlpool and Maytag business.’

Ralph F. Hake, Maytag's chairman and CEO said, ‘Maytag is pleased with today's decision by the Canadian Competition Bureau. In our view, this decision reinforces the fact that this merger is pro-competitive and is certainly in the best interest of our company, our brands and our shareholders.’

On February 13th, 2006, Whirlpool and Maytag agreed with the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (Division) to a limited extension of time to complete the review of the proposed acquisition of Maytag by Whirlpool. The companies have agreed not to close the transaction before March 30th, 2006, without the Division's concurrence. Whirlpool and Maytag are working closely with the Division and continue to cooperate fully with its investigation and respond promptly to its inquiries.