Kitchen and Bathroom News @ The K&BZine

Fisher & Paykel Appliance Holdings Ltd has announced a NZ$68.6m profit after tax for the year ended 31st March 2005, slightly above the guidance given to the markets at the beginning of the year. Total revenue of NZ$1.04bn was 10.7% up on the previous year. Appliance unit sales continued to grow to a record high of 1,267,600 compared to 1,196,700 for the previous year.

In October last year, Fagor acquired Dynamic Cooking Systems Inc for around NZ$49.2m, and report that the business has 'traded well ahead of acquisitioin expectations.'

In the appliance sector alone (Fagor also has a Finance Division), operating profit before interest and tax was down to NZ$77.2m (NZ$102.1m) for the year. The operating margin declined from 9.6% in the first half to 7.4% in the second half, resulting in an overall margin of 8.4%, which is still 'well above the industry average', the company reports.

The margin erosion in the second half was due to a combination of increased raw material costs, adverse currency effects and a slowdown in production rates, which impacted the recovery of factory overheads. Global price increases for raw materials such as steel and plastics intensified during the second half. Additional costs were incurred to achieve the new stringent Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) which were applied to refigerators offered for sale in New Zealand and Australia from 1st January 2005.

The US market has been the group's biggest success story, with a 70% increase in unit sales, in stark contrast to Europe, where unit sales have dropped by 35% to 17,200. Revenue in Europe was almost halved, down to NZ$12.07m (2003: NZ$23.55m). 'Distribution issues are being addressed', the company says.

The important strategic alliance with Whirlpool Corporation continued to develop. In addition to the distribution arrangement in New Zealand, Fisher & Paykel Appliances is now responsible for the selling of Whirlpool branded products in Singapore. Supply of DishDrawer® dishwashers to Whirlpool USA commenced during the year.

Franke Group has reported net sales in 2004 up 10.7% to CHF1.63bn, with operating profits up an impressive 34.4% to CHF250.6m. Income growth is largely attributed to cost structure adjustments to changed background conditions at Franke Foodservice Systems, as well as improved profitability at Franke Kitchen Systems and Franke Coffee Systems.

Franke Kitchen Systems reported sales growth of 11.3%. The 49% stake in the Italian Faber Group - which has since been increased to 100% - played an important strategic role: Faber is one of the top three market leaders in kitchen extractor hoods. The acquisition of German waste management system manufacturer Noss was successfully completed in March 2005, while a further acqusution is under way in South Afirca for Supa Heat Geysers.

In the Foodservice segment, Franke reported sales up 14.6%. The acquisition of Bradford Metal Spinning Ltd in the UK was completed in March 2005. Bradford is a source of resupply for quick service restaurants in the UK.

'The international business environment improved in 2004 by comparison with 2003 and a slow recovery of the international economy is expected to continue in 2005', the company says.

'In the first quarter of 2005, Franke barely increased its previous year's sales figures. Germany, the Netherlands, Poland and the Asian countries in particulr fell well short of the previous year's performance in some areas. Thanks to an innovative product assortment, high technical expertise, a global presence and a strong and rejuvenated management, Franke is confident in its ability to enhance its market position and further increase sales and earnings in the year 2005'.

BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte reports group sales for 2004 up by 8.7% to 6.84bn euro (2003: 6.3bn). Its pre-tax result showed a 10% increase, rising to 520m euro (2003: 473m). This result consolidates the group's worldwide position as Number Three. The major contributors to BSH's positive 2004 results were its companies in Turkey, Eastern Europe, Spain, the UK and Scandinavia.

Although domestic sales were poor, with the German market shrinking by 3%, sales were particularly strong in Turkey (+43%), Eastern Europe (+15%), Spain (+16%), the UK (+14%). Increased sales were also achieved in North America, China, Thailand and Indonesia. Latin America was one of the few foreign markets to see a drop in sales.

In expanding its global presence in 2004, BSH enlarged its production facility in New Bern, USA and a new manufacturing company and an International Sourcing Unit were established in China; cuurently being set up is an Appliance Park for cooking appliances and consumer products. Work also started on planning a refrigeration appliance factory and logistics centre in Russia, and new distribution companies were set up in Australia and New Zealand.

One negative factor influencing the second half-year was the massive upward shift in prices for important inputs such as steel and synthetics, which hit an all-time high and resulted in a significant increase in the cost price of manufacturing towards the end of the year.

Investing in emerging markets, bringing innovations on to the market and commanding higher prices are three of the main challenges for fiscal 2005, a year which kicked off with a good start in the first quarter in Spain, the USA and the United Kingdom. Expectations for 2005 are for a further increase in sales, though rising prices for materials, energy and logistics will probably produce an overall result which falls short of the figure for the previous year.

To meet its ambitious goals, BSH will further intensify its distribution activities in North America, Asia and Eastern Europe. Also in this connection, it is anticipated that business in Latin America will stabilise. This will further strengthen BSH global position and policy orientation. In 2004 BSH transacted more that three quarters of its sales outside Germany. 'With 42 factories – 7 in Germany and 35 in 14 other countries - BSH has never been as international as it is today.'

BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte plans a fundamental restructuring of its washing machine production in Germany, to be completed by the end of 2006. The background to this initiative is agressive competition and a shrinking market for washing machines in the upper end of the price range. A dramatic reduction in prices has been underway for some years, and in the last two years alone, average prices for front-loader washing machines have fallen by some 15%.

The company is thus planning structural adjustments which provide for concentrating future production of washing machines in Germany at the Nauen, Brandenburg site, which was constructed in 1994. The Home Laundry development centre and service functions such as the IT section, currently encompassing 400 employees, are to remain in Berlin-Gartenfeld. Production in Berlin will be discontinued probably by the end of 2006, affecting some 600 workers.

Over the next four years, BSH will safeguard future business by investing some 90m euros in Germany as a manufacturing base, to fund the development and production of new and competitive range of frontloader washing machines. The newly designed product will be manufactured at the Nauen site.

At its Berlin-Gartenfeld facility, BSH manufactures frontloader washing machines in the higher price categories, and these have been particularly impacted by the price war and a simultaneous downturn in demand.Despite investment in production and development and continuous measures to boost productivity, the Berlin plant has suffered from marked under-utilisation, and has become uneconomical over recent years.

BSH's five other production sites in Germany which manufacture large home appliances and consumer products, will be unaffected by this project.

• With effect from May 1st, 2005, Jean Dufour (pictured) has been appointed a full member of the Board of Management of BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH. His remit will include worldwide sales activities, international brand management and logistics within BSH.

As part of the reassignment of responsibilities within the BSH Board of Management, Jean Dufour (50) has, with effect from May 1st, 2005, taken over the areas of sales and brand management, previously under the direction of Dr. Kurt-Ludwig Gutberlet. He will also be assuming responsibility for logistics activities. Mr. Dufour joined Robert Bosch GmbH, Stuttgart, in 1981. Among other posts, he served as Managing Director of the Bosch Power Tools division in Paris, France, as well as heading the Power Tools Accessories product area in Solothurn, Switzerland. Latterly, Mr. Dufour was a member of the Board of the Chassis Systems Division of Robert Bosch GmbH in Stuttgart.

Jean Dufour studied Business Administration, Marketing and Political Science in France and the USA.

Vance Miller Disqualified as Director for Nine Years

Kitchen retailer Vance Miller - jailed in 2003 for refusing to clean-up his act. under a 'Stop Now' Order - has been disqualified from being a company director for nine years.

The Insolvency Service has banned him from being actively involved in a limited company until 2114. It forbids him from 'in any way, whether directly or indirectly, being concerned or taking part in the promotion, formation or management' of a limited company.

Although this does not stop Miller trading as a non-limited company, if that firm went bust, he would personally be liable for its debts.

Trading originally as Craftsman Kitchens and Craftsman Kitchen Manufacturing, operating in Bury, Rochdale, Oldham Vance Miller has been jailed for punching a female environmental health worker in the face.

In 2002 the DTI ordered both firms to be shut down. Debts were £76,000, but as it was a limited company Miller was not personally responsible. Later, trading as Maple Industries, Miller continued to receive complaints from the public as well as falling foul of the Advertising Standards Authority.

The following year, Miller became the first person in the country to be issued with a Stop Now order. When he ignored the order aimed at halting rogue traders he was jailed for nine months, later cut to five weeks.

The Insolvency Service, which has only investigated Craftsman Kitchens, said the firm had 'failed to provide its customers with goods as ordered, of a satisfactory quality and within a reasonable time.' Those customers lost £37,000.

If Miller now breaches the disqualification ban he could face up to two years in jail.

Twyford Bushboard Ready Plumbed Modules (RPM) are fast becoming a popular choice for architects and contractors, for the refurbishments of commercial washroom facilities. With over 8000 RPM systems already installed across the country Twyford Bushboard was a suitable candidate for the UK's premier distance learning centre, recommended by Summers Inman, a National Construction & property consultancy.

Graham Hill, Designer and Project Manager at Summers Inman comments ‘We discussed three main competitors and Twyford Bushboard was chosen due to the amount of choice and quality products the company offered, at a reasonable price. We have worked extensively with the Open University on a variety of projects so had very specific requirements for the refurbishment and were impressed that the majority of Twyford Bushboard product ranges could be fully customised.’

The Aero range chosen for the project is Twyford Bushboard's most prestigious washroom system and features smooth, full height aluminium pilasters to create a strong and geometric structure. Single piece partitions and slender aluminium extrusions deliver uncluttered styling and straightforward assembly while the high doors and 105mm ground clearance provide optimum levels of privacy. The RPM system installed into the university reduced time and labour costs dramatically, as all components, from the framing and cubicles to the sanitaryware, are provided by one source. The rigid aluminium frames, pre-assembled with access panels and sanitaryware, include cisterns and plumbing and are pressure tested prior to direct-to-site delivery.

Graham Hill comments further, ‘The finished product reflected the style that we wanted for the Open University Estates Department and met all our requirements. The RPM system was a great choice as it was fast and simple to install cutting down on labour, skills and time required on site.’

For further information regarding Twyford Bushboard's Aero range or any other Twyford Bushboard washroom services contact washroom sales on Tel: 01933 232 222
Email: mailto:washrooms@bushboard.co.uk

Shower and bath expert, Showerlux has acquired seven new liveried delivery vehicles to boost its current fleet.

The silver lorries, which have been emblazoned with the distinctive Showerlux blue logo, will join Showerlux’s fleet of smaller vans which operates across England, Wales and the Channel Islands. The move forms part of the Coventry based manufacturer’s ongoing commitment to investment in new systems

Ray Lee, Transport Manager at Showerlux, comments, 'The new trucks are kitted out with the latest modern technology which will really help the driving and loading teams undertake a speedy and efficient job. The new livery will undoubtedly catch people’s eyes as we traverse the country and help Showerlux stand out from the competition!'.

Showerlux has recently unveiled a new business approach providing a clearer distinction between its two core product offerings with the launch of its Pure Showering and Bathing Experience ranges.

Tel: 02476 88 25 15

Hotpoint has announced a new trading partnership with Magnet; one of the UK's largest Kitchen Retailers with over 200 branches. This relationship will enable Hotpoint to reach a new sector of consumers with new product lines.

Marco Marini, Managing Director, Indesit Company UK comments ‘The timing couldn't have been better, we have now launched the new Experience range and Magnet clearly has the knowledge and expertise to highlight the benefits of these stylish new appliances.’

Magnet is particularly excited by some of the new added value product areas such as the HCM10 coffee maker and the new cooling drawer. Hotpoint is featured in the new Magnet brochure and will be rolled out nationally into Magnet throughout June and July.

Commenting from Magnet, Product Director Anjum Ahmed says ‘We are delighted to announce this new partnership. Hotpoint is a great brand with lots of heritage and allied with the new built-in Experience range, means we really think this can add value to our current appliance offering.’

Tel: 08701 50 60 70
Web: http://www.hotpoint.co.uk

The Aga Shop at Kidderminster will host an Open Weekend this weekend. It will take place on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th June 2005. The event will take place on both days between 10am and 4pm where visitors will be able to enjoy savings on Cook Shop Collection items including 40% off selected textiles and 35% off T & G kitchen utensils.

Saturday 18th will feature a 'Summer Treats' live cooker demonstration with Marcia Poole at 12.00pm and there will be further live Aga and Rayburn cooker demonstrations on Sunday 19th. The weekend will also feature a free prize draw and exclusive Fired Earth Interiors Sale Preview. There will also be more Aga and Fired Earth Interiors promotions available in-store, please ask for more details.

The Aga Shop Kidderminster, 44 Mill Street, Kidderminster, DY11 6XB. Tel: 01562 865112.

According to the latest Which? report on washing machines which has been updated this month: 'There are big differences in how well and quickly washing machines clean. What's more, some rinse and spin dry more effectively than others, and some are easier to use.

'There are also big differences in the amount of washing you can fit into a load. Some take as much as 7kg or 8kg of clothes and there are even 10kg models on the way. Our current Best Buys take up to 6kg of clothes.

'We find our Best Buys by putting a wide selection of machines through an intensive test programme. We rate them on a range of wash cycles - including their standard, quick and delicate programmes - to see which ones are best at getting clothes clean.

'Besides the steady growth in drum size, other recent changes include a trend towards washing machines being available in a silver finish. Take a good look before you buy, though, because many of the finishes are on the plasticky side.

The latest Which Report singles out some features which it says vary alarmingly from one make to the next. For example:

'Most machines have a quick wash cycle of 50 to 70 minutes, though there are some notable exceptions. The Dyson Flowcheck CR02's quick wash takes only 39 minutes, compared with a staggering one hour 57 minutes for the LG WM 16220FD. And the Dyson washes just as well as the LG.’

And the Reduced-ironing programme comes in for some criticism:

'In reality, these programmes don't make much difference to the amount of ironing you have to do. Of the machines we've tested on this programme, the Siemens WXL 146A gives the biggest reduction in creasing. But even this programme merely reduces the spin speed. There isn't much difference between a load washed on the easy-iron programme and one washed on the standard cycle.

And Electronic displays? Which says:

'you will have to pay more for fancy displays, and they don't always make the machine any easier to use'.

The Which? Best Buy guide to washing machines singles out the following, and provides reasons for the choice:

Siemens WXL 146A
Bosch WFO 2467
Miele W2203
Bosch WFX 2868
Tricity Bendix AW1260
Dyson CR02
LG WM 1622OFD

To find out more about Which Online, click this link:
http://sub.which.net/about/contents.jsp

Miele has won the year-long legal battle over the invention of a very special washing machine drum. The patentability of the invention, registered for Miele as EP 0 935 687 B1, against which other German manufacturers had given notice of opposition, has been confirmed at the highest level by the board of appeal of the European Patent Office. According to this verdict, the Miele patent will remain in force and no other manufacturer may build washing machines with the patented Miele honeycomb drum before 2017.

The patent, registered as early as 1996 in Germany and a year later in Europe, allows only Miele to manufacture a drum with a sculptured honeycomb surface. A special production method, which is also patented, is used in the manufacture of the new honeycomb drum. The drum perforations to facilitate suds circulation are located at the points where three hexagons meet. There are approx. 700 holes in the new Miele honeycomb drum compared with around 4000 in the previous drum. With a diameter of 2 mm, the holes are also smaller than before when they had a diameter of 2.3 mm.

On September 20, 2001 at the Gütersloh plant, Rudolf Miele proclaimed: 'A new era in the history of laundry care is beginning.' This day saw the launch of a completely new type of washing machine, the Miele W 487 WPS with 1800 rpm. At the heart of this machine is a patented drum with a sculptured honeycomb surface. A thin film of water is created in the drum which allows laundry to glide smoothly, thus reducing wear and friction. A report by Germany's independent Krefeld Laundry Care institute (WfK) confirms 'clear benefits over comparable machines.'
Photo: Miele

The new surface structure of the drum and the reduced surface covered by perforations means gentle laundry protection during washing and spinning. On account of the sculptured drum surface and the reduced number of holes, water is not released from the inner drum as quickly, resulting in more water being pushed ahead of the lifter bars as the drum turns. This results in the creation of a film of water between the laundry load and the body of the drum, cushioning textiles against the drum. This reduces the mechanical action on textiles in both the wash and spin cycles and results in demonstrably less fabric strength loss in the Miele honeycomb drum compared to its predecessors.

This gentle laundry care is confirmed in the WL 2019/00 report from 2000 compiled by Germany's independent Krefeld Laundry Care institute (WfK), which says: 'After 15 wash cycles using pre-washed standard cottons fabric swatches, Miele's honeycomb system shows clear benefits over comparable machines. There was no pimply structure apparent on the laundry after a programme which included a spin cycle in the Miele honeycomb drum. Laundry lay in a loose heap in the drum.' The report further confirms that even at a breakneck 1800 rpm, no impressions are left by the drum holes on fabrics and there is certainly no laddering. After spinning, laundry falls loosely from the drum walls - without any impressions being left by laundry plastered against the drum and forced through holes. Pimples on laundry after spinning is a common occurrence in drums with larger perforations as a result of centrifugal force.

As early as 2003, the 'Stahl-Informations-Zentrum' (Steel Information Centre) in Düsseldorf awarded its steel innovation prize to the Miele honeycomb drum. According to the jury, 'The domestic appliance manufacturer Miele & Cie. KG uses the excellent ductile properties of stainless steel to produce a new sculptured honeycomb surface. During production, a special new method is used which creates a honeycomb surface with new properties. This honeycomb drum, in which the number and size of holes have been greatly reduced and their arrangement modified, guarantees gentle laundry protection during both washing and spin cycles – even at high speeds.'

Through continuous improvements to the washing machine drum, Miele has always remained a step ahead of the competition.
Three milestones (from left to right):
Innovative: the first expanded drum. Since 1971, Miele has been using expansion technology to shape its drums. This process involves stretching the drum cylinder from a diameter of 46 cm to 48 cm by using special tools on the inside of the drum. Expanding gives added rigidity to the drum, increasing its durability.
Revolutionary: the microperforated drum launched by Miele in 1999. The holes were reduced in diameter from 4.6 to 2.3 mm. Thanks to this and the extruded design of the holes, even hand-washable silks can be washed in the machine.
Patented: the Miele honeycomb drum which no other manufacturer may build before 2017. The structured surface of the honeycomb drum causes a thin film of water to be created which allows the laundry to glide smoothly, thus reducing wear and friction.
Photo: Miele

In early May, Eunice and Mark Hill travelled to Newcastle to oversee a photoshoot with Newcastle, England & British Lion Rugby Star Jonny Wilkinson and his brother, Sparks.

'When we arrived at his brand new house that is outside downtown Newcastle, Mark and I were embraced by Jonny and his family with a warm welcome.' says Eunice. 'Jonny has recently moved in with his brother Sparks, but they looked very settled in their new home. After a short break for saying hello and brief introductions, he willingly showed us around his house.

In his living room and bedroom, there is a 50” Plasma Wall Mounted TV and LG 36” LCD. In the kitchen, he was watching TV on LG`s new TV side by side refrigerator. A 10kg washing machine and dryer are fitted in his utility room for laundering his training kit.

'He was a natural posing before LG products. A little shy but with million pounds worth of smile. He was cleverly spinning the ball so that the photographer could catch the moment. Looking through the washing machine front door and dancing to LG’s new portable multimedia player, he was the best character I have ever met so far.'

'The photographs of him with LG products will be used advertise in trade magazines (ERT, ERM and IER) from June to September this year. And taking this opportunity, we would like to give many thanks to Jonny and his family for allowing us to photoshoot Jonny Wilkinson. ' concludes Eunice.

Roman Limited, the UK shower manufacturer, has helped former Blue Peter Presenter, Valerie Singleton, solve her father’s shower problem.

The well-known television presenter wanted a shower enclosure for her elderly father’s bathroom, which provided him with plenty of space, and more importantly, ease of access.

Finding the right shower presented Valerie with a more conventional challenge than those she faced as Blue Peter’s presenter and roving reporter in the 60s and 70s. However, Valerie found the task more difficult than she first thought, with few shower manufacturers catering for the elderly.

After careful consideration Valerie found the solution from Roman, in the form of the company’s spacious Colossus Walk-in shower, which was exactly what she needed for her father’s bathroom.

Although the Colossus, as the name suggests, has a large walk-in shower area, the enclosure still only occupies the same wall and floor space as a standard UK bath. The shower allows the user to have space and freedom, even if, like Valerie’s father, they have a small bathroom.

Colossus Walk-in shower enclosures offer many advantages to elderly people or people with disabilities. The showers have no doors with awkward handles and are ideal for people with mobility problems - as they also offer a low level shower tray option, making them easy for anyone to step into.

Roman says that it has brought to the market place state-of-the-art showering solutions by introducing the Colossus Walk-in range, which has a modern and contemporary style. A Colossus is not in the least institutional in appearance and will be highly acceptable to any new owner if a property that has one fitted is subsequently sold. The range incorporates curved glass and two colour options - a white or chrome finish.

Valerie Singleton said, 'I’m so glad to find that someone out there is actually thinking of people like my dad, who struggle to get in and out of a bath or conventional shower enclosure. Just when I thought I was going to have to improvise, Roman came up with one they’d made earlier!'

She added, 'The Colossus wasn’t even difficult to install, so I’m told. I didn’t actually put it in myself - PPM Specialists Works did that brilliantly for us.'

Understanding the needs of all shower users is important to Roman, as Valerie and her father are not the only ones requiring a specific shower solution. David Osborne, Marketing Director at Roman said, 'Many specialist shower enclosures for elderly people and people with disabilities are not designed to look attractive in a modern home. We are conscious that people with special requirements also want modern and stylish products and so our designs are proving very popular.'

Tel: 01325 311318
Web: http://www.roman-showers.com

Double Celebration for Local Tile Company

Bridgnorth based tile company, Craven Dunnill & Co has just beaten national competition to win the Excellence in Distribution Award 2005 from the Tile Trade Association.

This prestigious award coincides with the company’s completion of its major, new showroom at its Stourbridge Road site. With over 10,000 different designs of tile on display, many in beautiful room settings and a coffee shop on site, choosing tiles for the home has never been more pleasurable.

Bruce Martin, Sales Director at the company is delighted: ‘Being named as best tile distributor in the UK is quite a coup - we are really proud. And now we’ve opened the new showroom we offer the best and widest choice imaginable’.

The Excellence in Distribution Award is given annually and recognises the company’s outstanding customer service and range of products.

The 8,000 sq ft, new showroom is open to the public and stocks 10,000 or more tile designs from all around the world, including Italy, Spain and the UK.

It is set out as a series of eye-catching room-settings showing tiles in bathroom and kitchens and on floors and walls and includes a section displaying natural stone. With a coffee shop, relaxing water feature and knowledgeable staff to help you Craven Dunnill has made choosing tiles so easy.

Tel: 01746 761611

Recently named in a mainstream specialist consumer home interest title, DiLusso continues to expand both its own designed product portfolio - mainly contemporary doors and colour co-ordinated carcasing - as well as a full range of associated products from worktops, handles, sinks, taps, appliance accessories and even seating.

The company says that the recent launch of two DiLusso door ranges, Trieste and Florence has been an unprecedented success with overwhelming demand for both.

Florence is a white gloss slab door design with a full set of matching components and accessories to cover the entire size spectrum. Similarly Trieste offers equal versatility but this in a 5-piece Pippy Oak design that can be supplied with a matching carcase.

DiLusso's expansion, both in terms of product development and service to customers across the nation, continues. The deployment of a new fleet of delivery trucks in the distinctive livery is part testament to DiLusso's market commitment and new products are constantly in the process of development and launch.

Tel: 0161 230 0700

Bath manufacturer Clearwater Collection Limited is to launch a new Approved Stockist Charter for bathroom showrooms throughout the UK stocking its products.

The move follows the introduction of the new Clearwater badge of quality, to be incorporated within all of the company's handmade baths as a hallmark of excellence.

Now all showrooms selling Clearwater products will be tagged 'approved Clearwater stockists', able to offer customers the Clearwater lifetime guarantee.

‘Clearwater is Europe's largest manufacturer of luxury handmade freestanding acrylic baths and our name is synonymous with quality,’ says Clearwater managing director Darren Allison.

‘Our new hallmark represents our commitment to ultimate customer satisfaction - and guarantees each Clearwater product featuring the distinctive badge is the genuine article.’

‘There have been reports of counterfeit Clearwater baths being sold via the internet - now our approved stockists can offer customers our hallmark, coupled with the lifetime guarantee, which should effectively put a stop to anyone attempting to use the Clearwater name unofficially.’

The company's Approved Stockist Charter, which incorporates new sales material and other retailer benefits, will be promoted to the consumer via the company's website at http://www.clearwater-collection.com and in the stockists' showrooms with eye-catching window stickers.

Clearwater Collection Limited exports to 25 countries and numbers celebrities amongst its clients (Paul McCartney, Victoria and David Beckham and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi).

With some 300 invited guests from home and abroad, Kaldewei – the European manufacturer of baths and shower trays – celebrated the opening of its new Kaldewei Kompetenz Centre (KKC) in Ahlen.

According to Alexander K. Althof, Kaldewei’s CEO, 'The modern training and exhibition centre is intended to be an international meeting place for our customers, and in particular for architects, wholesalers and fitters. The idea behind it is to pass on product and specialist know-how from a central point as an aid to the visualisation and emotional experience of Kaldewei the brand.'

Architectural highlight designed the brand core
The responsibility for this extensive project rested with the internationally renowned architectural offices of Bolles + Wilson. The design by the team under Professor Julia Bolles-Wilson and Peter Wilson was the winner in an architectural competition with participants from four countries. Construction of Kaldewei Kompetenz Centre began in June 2004, and the foundation stone was laid on 25th August 2004. The central idea behind the overall concept was to reflect the claims and values of the brand in, and particularly through, the architectural design.

Unique look at the enamel smelting works
Almost more than with any other brand, Kaldewei’s brand core represents the company’s knowledge and understanding of one particular material: Kaldewei enamel. Thus it followed that the inclusion of the enamel smelting works (Kaldewei is the only company that makes its own enamel) should be an integral part of the overall architectural concept. The second floor leads from the permanent product exhibition directly to Kaldewei’s adjoining enamel smelting works. A lookout platform above the smelting furnaces provides an incredible view of the impressive enamel discharge. Furthermore, the visitor is able to experience for himself the high temperatures of the six rotary furnaces and the breathtaking humidity caused when the glowing mass is chilled.

Integration of Kaldewei enamel
The façade of the new KKC is a brilliant reflection of the company’s core competence in the form of coloured elements made of enamelled steel. The smelting works – which was already present before construction of the new building began – reflects through the Kaldewei enamel as if through a veil. The front in white glass represents the company’s modernity and innovative strength.

The light-flooded conference room in bright, cheerful colours can easily accommodate up to 50 people. It is equipped with all the latest presentation technology and the seating can be adjusted to suit the type of event and size of the audience. The area outside the conference room is available for changing exhibitions. Kaldewei’s innovations from this year’s ISH are currently on display here. Highlights include the Conoduo and Conoplan baths and shower trays, the new Vivo Turbo and Vivo Aqua Eco whirl systems, and the impressive new XXL-sized shower trays, all designed by the Milan design studio Sottsass Associati and winners of several awards. The exhibition is complemented one storey up by a permanent exhibition of baths and shower trays in Kaldewei enamel in a cross section of the company’s entire product range.

From 'try-before-you-buy' whirl baths to display bathrooms for international hotel groups
Five separate, differently furnished rooms contain various whirl systems that are available to anyone who wishes to sample their delights. The user can choose the lighting and music to accompany the whirl bath as desired. This area of the new Kaldewei Kompetenz Centre again emphasises the company’s expertise in whirling which, with a total of seven different systems, makes it one of the biggest system providers in the world.

The KKC also has the facilities for specialist trade training. A specially equipped training room is available to teach fitters how to install the various assemblies and whirl systems in practice-orientated conditions. In order to meet the requirements for national and international contract business, an entire display bathroom – for a hotel group, for instance – can also be set up in the KKC.
The Kaldewei Kompetenz Centre is completed by an open cafeteria and a roof terrace with views of the company’s adjoining premises. In the open, two-storey reception and hospitality area, the harmonious interplay between wood and light creates a warm and pleasant atmosphere.

The modern interior of the KKC and the high quality materials both on the exterior and the interior more than fulfil the high functional and aesthetic requirements of an international training and conference Centre.

Opening with guests from all over the world
Christian Kaldewei hosted the opening celebrations of the Kaldewei Kompetnez Centre in the presence of national and international guests from all over the world. The guest of honour was Ettore Sottsass (87) from Milan – probably the most renowned designer in the world. Ettore Sottsass and his office Sottsass Associati have been working with Kaldewei for more than ten years now, and together they have been responsible for numerous award-winning designs by the European market leader in baths and shower trays.

'This place, where the company was first founded by my great-grandfather Franz Kaldewei and where we – as the world’s only producer of baths – still manufacture Kaldewei enamel today, is where our company’s origins and its future meet in the new Kaldewei Kompetenz Centre,' were the closing words of Christian Kaldewei at the end of what had been a most impressive ceremony.

Electrolux Professional Indoor Products Ready to Grow on North American Market

Electrolux cooking and refrigeration equipment for professional users is preparing for growth in North America. Extensive marketing investments in USA and a newly opened culinary event centre will set the stage for Electrolux Professional Indoor in North America.

Electrolux Professional entered the US market in 2004 and has become one of the top ten suppliers in the US. American food service operators are becoming increasingly concerned about health and obesity issues, food safety, process automation and energy efficiency, issues that are addressed by the Electrolux range of professional products.

'We want to grow in North America and we are making big investments to ensure that we will be one of the top suppliers within a five year period,' says Detlef Münchow, president of Electrolux Professional Indoor.

The culinary event centre in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, will give chefs and restaurateurs a better understanding of what makes Electrolux the world's number one choice among professional cooks. The company expects thousands of potential customers per year to visit the new test kitchen. The aim is to attract business from the largest American chain restaurants.

The Fort Lauderdale site also serves as the North American headquarters for Electrolux Professional Indoor and employs approximately 100 people. The North American culinary event centre is the Group's third centre for professional cooking equipment around the globe. Other sites are Italy and China.

Web: http://www.electrolux.com

Maytag and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (I.A.M.) Local 554 jointly announced on 11th June that union members ratified a new four-year contract at the Herrin, Illinois, laundry plant. Maytag's current five-year labour agreement with the I.A.M. Local 554 would have expired on Sunday, June 12th, 2005, at 11:59 p.m.

‘We want to thank the I.A.M. Local 554 leadership and the Herrin union employees for their willingness to work together to reach this new labour agreement,’ said Mark Krivoruchka, Maytag's senior vice president of human resources. ‘The cooperative attitude displayed at Herrin should allow Maytag to remain competitive in our challenging global marketplace and enable Herrin to become the main facility for our vertical-axis, top-load washer production.’

Wages, health care and other benefits were addressed in the new contract. Details about the contract are not being released. Herrin Laundry Products manufactures top-load washers and certain dryer models.