Kitchen Showcase 2005: Bigger and Better at New London Venue
Kitchen
Showcase, the UK’s only trade event focusing solely on the finest
in modern kitchen design, marks its third anniversary with a new venue
and more exhibitors than ever.
Kitchen Showcase 2005 will be staged at London’s historic Alexandra
Palace on 9, 10 and 11 of June.
Since its inception in 2003, Kitchen Showcase has grown steadily in size
and reputation, attracting some of Europe’s best kitchen designers
and manufacturers. It has won a growing audience of key trade decision-makers
including architects, interior designers, quality developers, top retailers,
builders, manufacturers and distributors.
Kitchen Showcase 2004, at the Commonwealth Institute in London, featured
17 innovative roomsets by leading designers and kitchen companies drawing
around 2,000 visitors – twice as many as the first event.
Kitchen
Showcase 2005 at Alexandra Palace will be even bigger and better. The
number of roomsets looks set to almost double and trade visitor numbers
are expected to increase sharply too.
Show Director, Russell Morrow said: ‘Kitchen Showcase’s success
is based on its unique appeal as the UK’s most exclusive trade showplace
for inspirational kitchen design. It’s the key opportunity for leading
figures in the trade to network with the people who matter, share ideas,
innovate and inspire.’
Roomsets are identical in size, providing a level playing field for creative
designers, kitchen companies and manufacturers of allied products such
as appliances and lighting. The event includes Kitchen Conference with
top speakers from the world of design.
James Herriott of Callerton Kitchens, one of this year’s exhibitors,
said: ‘Kitchen Showcase is the event we’ve been waiting for
. . . it was fantastic to see leading manufacturers and retailers networking
in a business-focused yet highly sociable environment.’
Strong
Interim Results for Qualceram Shires plc Herald £2m Investment in
the UK
Bathroom
manufacturer, Qualceram Shires plc, has announced interim results for
the six months ended 30th June 2004 that show strength despite price competition
across all markets, with an increase in Group turnover of 8% to Euro 52.9m
compared to Euro 49.2m in 2003.
The main results announced by Qualceram Shires, whose UK head office is
in Bradford, included:
• Increase in Group turnover of 8% to Euro 52.9m (2003: Euro 49.2m).
Within the UK there was a 7% increase in turnover.
• Increase in operating profit before goodwill and exceptional items
of 86% to Euro 4.1m (2003: Euro 2.2m)
• Adjusted earnings per share before goodwill and exceptional items
increased to 13.6c from 1c per share.
• Dividend restored: interim dividend of 2c per share (2003: nil).
• Strengthened balance sheet and improved interest cover of 5.6 times.
The encouraging results reflect enhanced performance by the UK division
and herald a six month period which will see the Group invest around £2m
into a UK development programme. This will comprise expanded product ranges,
with the introduction of a number of new suites; a new group showroom
at Stoke on Trent; and the completion of a capital expenditure programme
in Shaws of Darwen.
Commenting on the results, John O’Loughlin, Chief Executive of Qualceram
Shires plc, said: ‘During the first half, the Group made steady progress
as the measures put in place in the previous year had a positive impact
on trading. This satisfactory performance during the period has been achieved
in the face of price competition across all markets.
‘With EBITDA of Euro 5.1m for the half year and a strengthened balance
sheet, the Group is well positioned to grow its business in the future.
‘Sales in the eight week period since the end of June have been robust
and the Board remains optimistic that the Group will continue to perform
well for the full year.’
Chairman’s Statement for the six months ended 30th June 2004
During the first half of the year, the Group has made steady progress
as the benefits of the measures put in place by the Board in the previous
year had a positive impact on the Group’s trading. This satisfactory
performance during the period has been achieved in the face of price competition
across all markets.
Results
During the period, Group turnover increased by 8% to Euro 52.9m (2003:
Euro 49.2m). Within Ireland, turnover increased by a very satisfactory
9.6% and it is pleasing to report a 7% increase in turnover within the
UK, which is now the Group’s major market. Gross profit increased
by 18% to Euro 17.6m (2003: Euro 14.9m) and the modest 6% increase in
operating expenses is reflected in an 86% improvement in operating profit
before goodwill amortisation to Euro 4.1m (2003: Euro 2.2m). Net interest
costs during the period have benefited from the reduction in Group borrowings
and are over 50% less than in the equivalent period in 2003. Interest
cover based on operating profit before goodwill now stands at a healthy
5.6 times (2003: 1.4 times). Profit before tax for the period improved
to Euro 3.01m against Euro 3.0m in 2003 when the Group benefited from
an exceptional gain of Euro 2.7m.
Dividend
In light of the progress of the Group during the period, the directors
are pleased to declare a restored interim dividend of 2 cents per share
(2003: nil). The dividend will be paid on 28th February 2005 to shareholders
on the register on 4th February 2005.
Outlook
Qualceram Shires continues to be a market leader for bathroom products
in Ireland and the business is performing well across all brands in this
market. The Board is confident that, based on its performance in the first
six months of the year, the Irish business will continue to make a significant
contribution in the second half of the year. The Irish economy shows no
signs of slowing and the anticipation of the injection of Euro 14 billion
through the release of Special Savings Investment Accounts in 2006 and
2007 should maintain its strong growth for the foreseeable future.
In the UK, despite mixed signals surrounding the housing market, the improvements
in service levels developed during 2003 have already delivered enhanced
performance in the first six months of the year, and the Board looks forward
to further progress in the second half of the year. The Group will expand
its product range in the second half with the introduction of a number
of new suites and its new Group showrooms at its factory in Stoke-on-Trent
are on schedule to be completed by the end of the year. The capital expenditure
programme in Shaws of Darwen will be concluded by December 2004 and Shaws
is already achieving increased output. The total cost of this programme
and the new showroom is expected to be around Euro 2m.
As outlined in the 2003 Annual Report, the closure of the Group’s
Hanley plant is already benefiting the Group’s results and completion
of the sale of this 14.5 acre site is expected before the year end. The
net proceeds when received, will further reduce Group borrowings. The
Group is monitoring carefully the anticipated rise in international energy
costs and will seek to manage its impact on the business.
Sales in the first eight months of the year remain ahead of the corresponding
period in 2003 and the Board remains optimistic that the Group will continue
to perform well for the full year.
Peter Addison
Chairman
9th September 2004
Web: http://www.qualceram-shires.com
ASFI
now Offering Employment and Health & Safety Law Consultancy Service
ASFI
– the Association of Suppliers to the Furniture Industry Ltd - is
enhancing the service to its clients by working in partnership with business
advice experts Croner Consulting to offer employment and health &
safety solutions.
For businesses that don’t have dedicated human resources or health
& safety personnel, keeping up-to-date with legislation becomes the
responsibility of the owner or manager. But compliance with employment
and health & safety law can be a difficult, costly and time-consuming
process.
The association of ASFI and Croner Consulting gives the opportunity to
benefit from tailored employment law and health & safety advice and
information from experienced professionals.
The consultancy service helps employers to interpret and comply with existing
and new employment and health & safety legislation, and achieve best
practice.
Members also have access to Croner Consulting’s Business Support
Helplines, which provide a constant lifeline to an experienced team of
advisers who will help resolve employment and health & safety problems
and queries.
Jenny Baldwin, from ASFI says: ‘With the increasing amount of legislation,
our members are under great pressure to comply but often feel they are
drowning in red tape and don’t know where to begin. But the consequences
of non-compliance may be costly, both financially and to the company’s
reputation. Working in association with Croner Consulting, we can now
save our members time, trouble and money, and reduce the risks of non-compliance
by offering this valuable service.’
For more information on how to become an ASFI member, please contact ASFI
on 01332 265511 mailto:info@asfi.co.uk
or visit http://www.asfi.co.uk
Adminex
Oasis Appoints Adlington Plumbing as Distributor for Midlands and West
Country
Adminex
Oasis has appointed Adlington Plumbing of Anderton (near Chorley) as distributor
of its sanitary ware and accessories for Birmingham, Shropshire, Staffordshire,
Derbyshire, Cheshire, Lancashire (including Manchester and Liverpool),
and Conway (west of the Pennines) and Leeds, Sheffield, North Yorkshire
and East Ridding as well as Redcar and Cleveland east of the Pennines.
The Lancashire company will supply showrooms, merchants and end-user contractors
with the Adminex Oasis range of modern European style WC pans and cisterns
plus basins and pedestals with either the single-tap hole favoured on
the continent or the two tap-hole configuration preferred by 50% of UK
households.
The appointment of Adlington Plumbing reinforces the promise of the Witham-based
company to effectively and efficiently supply part or complete bathroom
sets within seven working days. It is, therefore, a key part of the Essex-based
supplier’s policy of rapid reaction to intermediary and end customers’
demands not only for product but also to overcome technical or other commercial
problems.
Adlington Plumbing is part of the distribution network that has been set
up to fulfil the Adminex Oasis strategy of ensuring that plumbers’
and builders’ merchants can supply installers anywhere in Britain
with value-for-money sanitary ware to meet the needs of end-customers.
Consequently, a trade price list has been established by Adminex Oasis
to allow significant margins for distributors such as the Adlington Plumbing
as well as merchants and ultimately those fitting bathroom sets whether
they are self-employed plumbers or contractors fitting out multi-dwelling
projects, hotel or other commercial projects.
Glen
Dimplex Cooking Appoints First Channel Manager
Cooking
appliance specialist, Glen Dimplex Cooking has appointed Jason Richardson
as Channel Manager for its Multiple Electrical Retailers, as part of its
more focused approach to customer account and channel management.
Jason, who moves from the role of National Account Manager for Glen Dimplex
Cooking, takes responsibility for overseeing a team of Multiple Electrical
Retailer Account Managers dedicated to building strong relationships with
its multiple retail customers.
The move to channel management by Glen Dimplex Cooking, ensures that the
specific needs of each sector of the cooking market is supported across
all three of its leading brands - Stoves, Belling and New World. Jason
is the first of three Channel Managers to be appointed, with positions
in the Independent Retail and Multiple Kitchen Retail sectors to follow.
Jason commented: ‘The restructure of the Glen Dimplex Cooking sales
team and the appointment of three specialist Channel Managers, reinforces
the commitment to supporting its customers in all sectors of the cooking
market. The requirements of multiple retail sector are diverse, and this
new focus will allow us the insight and ability to actively handle our
customers’ needs effectively to the benefit of all.’
Tel: 0151 426 6551
Electrolux
Named One of World's Top 20 Sustainable Stocks
For
the third straight year, Electrolux has been listed as one of the world's
leading sustainable stocks by The Progressive Investor newsletter. SB20
companies are chosen by an expert panel based on financial strength combined
with an analysis of environmental and social performance indicators. Electrolux,
the producer of powered appliances for kitchen, cleaning and outdoor use,
has been included every year since the list was created in 2001.
The award places Electrolux among a handful of companies that ‘represent
sustainable business at its best’ by integrating environmental safeguards,
labour rights and ethical performance into business models. The Progressive
Investor praises the winners for ‘taking a public stand for sustainability
in their respective industries and helping their industry as a whole make
the transition.’
‘This selection shows that we're on the right track by focusing on
social and environmental affairs as elements of corporate governance,’
says Åsa Stenqvist, Electrolux VP Investor Relations. ‘Smart
investors know that effective sustainability efforts translate directly
into reduced risk and solid value.’
Since the early 1990s, Electrolux has reported key environmental indicators
annually, giving a public account of lifecycle impacts from raw material
extraction through manufacturing, the product use phase to recycling or
final disposal.
The Group's current Sustainability Report shows continued declines in
factory waste and steady gains in product energy efficiency. Certification
to the ISO 14001 environmental management standard is now complete in
some 90% of the Group's factories worldwide, and thousands of suppliers
have been notified of new requirements aimed at eliminating hazardous
substances.
‘We see environmental work as a business opportunity,’ says
Henrik Sundström, VP Group Environmental Affairs. ‘For years,
our factory managers have made energy efficiency an important measure
of quality. There is a large and growing consumer segment that is acutely
aware of the link between efficient products and lower lifetime costs.’
For more information:
http://www.electrolux.com/environment
http://www.progressiveinvestor.com
Premium
Appliance Brands Appoints National Distributor for ATAG Brand in UK
Premium
Appliance Brands Limited (PAB), has appointed Galley Matrix as a national
distributor of ATAG products in the UK.
From
September onwards, Galley Matrix will stock and distribute the full range
of ATAG appliances imported by PABL. ATAG has a wide range of high-end
products, which combine design with functionality and durability. The
comprehensive and flexible suite of appliances covers single ovens, hobs,
hoods, microwaves, refrigeration and dishwashers.
There are five Domino hobs in the range: a deep fat fryer, a wok burner,
a griddle, a twin gas burner and a ceramic model. Each can be situated
either on its own or used in combination with any other. A concealed interlocking
system ensures that the individual dominoes can be neatly fitted flush
to one another with no unsightly fixing strip.
There are five models in the Compact oven range: a combination microwave,
a microwave, a pyrolytic oven, a multifunction oven and a steam oven.
Used on its own, a Compact oven is a great space-saving solution. Or the
customer can create a unique combination of ovens to provide their own
customised solution by installing several products in a tall housing.
Alternatively a Compact oven can be combined with a single oven to make
a customised double oven - whether the Compact oven is positioned above
or below the single oven is entirely at the discretion of the user.
‘The appointment of Galley Matrix will further improve product availability
and enhance service and customer support for the ATAG brand’ says
Guy Weaver. ‘I am confident that with distribution arrangements in
place, and with the experience of the PAB team, we will continue to re-establish
the ATAG brand creating a premium position within the UK market’.
Tel: 01925 248980
Email: mailto:info@pabl.co.uk
Maytag
UK's New Service Vehicles
Maytag
UK has a new fleet of customised vehicles for the company's service engineers.
The new fleet of Nissan Primastars are liveried in silver complete with
black and coloured signage. Each vehicle carries the company's brands,
websites and telephone numbers with the American flag creatively symbolised
'flying' on the main body panels.
The
company says that the new range of service vehicles echoes Maytag's passion
to deliver first class service at every level of the organisation. Not
only is this reflected in the attention to detail when selecting the external
colour and finish of the vehicles but also internal specification too.
To encourage good workflow, cost and time efficiencies, each vehicle has
been fitted with satellite navigation and tracker systems. In addition,
Maytag engineers have been equipped with the latest camera mobile phones
so that an image may be
sent to HQ for immediate analysis and decision.
David Gooch, Customer Service Director, explains, 'The new vehicles were
specified and supplied with the help of e-drive. They ensured we found
the most suitable vehicle for our operation, with the most up to the minute
equipment to suit our needs. The silver livery is particularly attractive
and we intend to maintain its appeal by ensuring each vehicle is cleaned
weekly. We aim to provide service excellence in all that we do and at
every opportunity, delivering superb performance and dependability to
encompass the American dream.'
Maytag services the majority of its customers from its headquarters in
Redhill, Surrey. However, service to outlying areas is managed through
Maytag's Service Training Initiative. For an engineer to become an accredited
Maytag Service Agent and maintain their status they must attend every
Maytag UK training course. David Gooch explains, 'This works really well
for everyone. Each Maytag engineer is fully trained on all our appliances
with up to the minute knowledge and our customers are assured of a high
level of service excellence anywhere in the UK.
Web: http://www.maytag.co.uk
Roman
Transport Fleet Delivers more than 20,000 Products in August 2004
Roman's
fleet of 16 trucks hit a delivery landmark in August 2004 by shipping
more than 20,000 products to its network of retailers in the UK in a calendar
month.
'This is the first time that we've carried more than 20,000 packages to
our stockists in a single month' said Mike Spink, Roman's Transport &
Logistics Manager. 'We've had the capability to do that for almost a year,
since the acquisition of our 46 ft long trailer. And, what's more, we've
done it with negligible product damage.
'Our Southern depot in Daventry has been crucial in achieving this landmark.
We delivered to over 700 outlets each week which is quite a logistical
feat and a great credit to our team who route all the vehicles.'
Roman carries over 98% of its deliveries to retailers in the British Isles
in its own vehicles. The policy of switching progressively to company
owned and controlled transport over the past five years has all but eliminated
damage in transit and has helped to reduce UK delivery times to an average
of under five days in an industry used to dealing in weeks and months.
Tel: 0845 0504 032
Web: http://www.roman-showers.com
Furniture
Giant bids Farewell to Wakefield Man after over 20 years’ Service
Colleagues
at kitchen, bedroom and bathroom furniture giant Symphony, bid farewell
to Don Abbott of Wakefield, recently, after more than 20 years’ service
with the firm.
Don retired as Works Engineering Manager for Symphony, having seen the
company grow to become the UK’s largest independent furniture supplier.
He was responsible for ensuring the operational success of major investments
in Symphony’s Leeds and Rotherham factories.
Pictured
at the retirement presentation: Symphony Directors and colleagues
bid a fond farewell to Don Abbott.
A
former Air Wireless Technician in the RAF and Works Engineer and Product
Manager for print group Howson Algraphy, Don joined Symphony in 1983.
He plans to spend his retirement enjoying time with his young grandchildren,
keeping fit and revamping his new home.
Email: mailto:enquiries@symphony-group.co.uk
Runnymede
Hotel & Spa uses John Sydney to Upgrade Bathrooms
The
UK's largest family run and owned hotel group has recently undertaken
a major refurbishment project at its four star Runnymede Hotel & Spa
at Egham, Surrey. John Sydney was selected and specified to supply Elite,
one of its contemporary bathroom brassware designs, for the luxurious
ensuite bathrooms and the project is now successfully completed.
The
design company Indesign Ltd handled the entire project under the direction
of Paul Faulkner who specifically chose the contemporary styled, cross-head
Elite design for its compatibility with the overall interior style of
the refurbishment project. This factor combined with the competitive price
quoted and the superior service clinched the deal.
Elite 3 hole basin mixers were supplied complete with ten year guarantee.
The Elite range is designed to cater for low and high water pressure and
is the most popular design in the prestigious John Sydney Collection.
Runnymede Hotel & Spa has 180 bedrooms and is one of the largest privately
owned hotels in the UK. It targets both the leisure and conference markets
and features a range of bedroom designs from classical to contemporary
with individual touches of flair to suit.
‘The John Sydney brand is synonymous with contemporary design and
top quality. Increasingly it is specified in hotels and new home developments
as its reputation for excellent performance has been established.’
says the company.
John Sydney brassware is designed to perform with low or high water pressure
and comes with a ten year guarantee. All products comply with WRAS guidelines.
Tel: 01827 304000
Web: http://www.johnsydney.com
On
Site adds LG Refrigeration to Housebuilding Range
Continued
success of On Site, the UK distributor and installer of kitchen appliances
to the housebuilder, has led the one stop shop to extend its range to
include refrigeration products from LG Electronics.
As featured in a new 52-page brochure, the new On Site portfolio offers
the latest cooking, cooling and laundry products from many other major
appliance manufacturers, such as Whirlpool, Zanussi and Bosch.
As a division of the UK’s largest distributor, the PJH Group, On
Site supplies and fits appliances to many regional and national housebuilders,
such as Persimmon, Barratt Homes and Bellway Homes.
New lines from LG’s hi-tech refrigeration range include American-style
‘side-by-side’ fridge freezers – a range currently taking
off with many housebuilders specifying high quality appliances for luxury
new homes.
Available in a choice of finishes, all with capacities of 352 litres in
the fridge compartment and 160 litres in the freezer, the range includes
extra’s such as a home bar and a water & ice dispenser.
With almost 20 years experience in servicing housebuilders, On Site says
it continues to offer some of the most competitive deals to the industry,
including a wide choice of value-for-money hob, hood and oven packages.
Purchasing power, huge stockholding ability and exceptional service levels
have all contributed to On Site’s success. The company also has the
ability to provide a same day delivery and installation service for the
ultimate in convenience.
Tel: 01204 707070
Web: http://www.pjh.co.uk
Whirlpool
Settles Ispat Surcharges Suit
Ispat
Inland Inc. said on Wednesday 8th September that it and appliance maker
Whirlpool Corp. had settled their ongoing legal battle over price surcharges.
Just the week before Whirlpool announced a 45-day halt in the litigation
and dissolved a temporary restraining order issued in May against the
unit of steel supplier Ispat International NV, allowing it to buy steel
from the company.
Whirlpool filed the suit in a Michigan circuit court in an attempt to
prevent Ispat from imposing surcharges or halting steel shipments.
Ispat said terms of the settlement were confidential.
Shares of Whirlpool closed down 71 cents, or 1.1 percent, at $61.32, while
American depositary receipts of Ispat International NV closed down 40
cents, or 1.4 percent, at $29.28 on the New York Stock Exchange.
Trade
Mouldings Looks Back on Two Years of Expansion and Success
It
was directly after the ASFI show in 2002 that Trade Mouldings officially
opened its new 25,000 square feet distribution and warehousing centre
at Rochdale in West Yorkshire.
Since that time Rod Bairstow and his growing team have more than fully
vindicated the trust that the Trade Mouldings main factory in Cookstown,
Northern Ireland put in him and the project.
At the time Trade Mouldings already had a modern, flexible and high capacity
production facilities for wrapped furniture components. The company had
a good reputation for quality products and perfect matching across an
entire range of components and accessories. Yet, also at the time, Rod
Bairstow identified the need for an extra element to the service and supply
aspect of the business – a significant commitment to customers of
all sizes on mainland UK where flexibility and rapid delivery were going
to be of important benefit.
Trade Mouldings Distribution was conceived to carry stocks of the company’s
full range of products and to offer minimum quantity deliveries to short
lead times anywhere in England, Wales and Scotland. This included all
the kitchen and bedroom doors, wrapped and matched mouldings and assembled
accessories like end shelf units, cooker hoods, wine and plate racks etc.
As well as this, an extensive Trade Counter was opened which has emerged
as a significantly popular success.
But Rod Bairstow always planned more for Rochdale. Just as Trade Mouldings’
successful distribution centre in Dublin quickly got a feel for the needs
and particularities of their customers in the Irish Republic, so Rod Bairstow
planned to develop products and services that would respond to and stimulate
the domestic market in the UK.
The first landmark came when exhibiting at the KBB show by which time
the regional sales team had already expanded and a number of new designs
were launched. Rod Bairstow’s confidence in testing and leading the
market rests in his knowledge that he is backed by the significant technical
investment that is ongoing in the form of the factory facility in Cookstown.
New designs have been ably and artistically backed up with beautifully
photographed but technically explicit brochures. Initiatives like introducing
one of the widest size ranges of bedroom doors – so much so that
‘made-to-measure’ can be achieved from stock – have been
exceptionally popular.
While keeping his eye on the bigger picture of service and stockholding
logistics, Rod Bairstow has become intimately involved in design detail.
So, two years on and Trade Mouldings Distribution’s customers across
the country are already looking past them as a top end supplier to a design
partner and innovator.
More specialist staff are being recruited and the new, empty building
that went up just over two years ago in a new Rochdale business park –
Trade mouldings Distribution – has come of age in a very short time.
Tel: 01706 753600
Email: mailto:trademouldings@btconnect.com
See
and be Seen – from the 'Think Tank' to Commercial Production
Kitchen manufacturer Poggenpohl commissioned a project study by Visionlabs,
the design think tank at the University of Wuppertal. In Germany, Visionlabs
is a unique model for cooperation with the industry and is offered each
winter semester to students majoring in industrial design. Renowned corporations
have participated in the programme since its inception, in order to become
familiar with the creative potential of the next generation and profit
from it. Poggenpohl posed the following topic for the project:
How will the kitchen develop as a living environment by the year 2020?
The actual joint effort evolved in a way that was refreshing and instructive
for both the company and the students. The contribution of the company
involved numerous briefing discussions, analyses, presentations and workshops.
The students enjoyed the liberty as 'outsiders' to question the established
corporate philosophy, design criteria and routine industrial processes
in their work. They developed a model of the future - a new vision of
the 'Kitchen 2020' - that was presented publicly in the famous Via Tortona
design mile during the 2004 furniture fair in Milan.
'The students in fact were able to open our eyes to changes taking place
in lifestyles', commented Poggenpohl’s managing director Elmar Duffner
with reference to the specific, often practically viable suggestions.
He also gave a few examples.
'Who says that the kitchen sink will always be a multi-purpose station
for washing dishes, wringing out cleaning rags, cleaning flower vases,
washing vegetables or getting drinking water? Maybe some of us - or our
children - may consider this unhygienic or impractical. Perhaps one day,
while filling the pasta pan with water from the tap, carrying it to the
stove, then later back again to the sink to pour out the liquid and maybe
rinse the noodles, the thought may occur to us that the whole process
is a bit cumbersome. But how often do we have such thoughts in our daily
routine? This was exactly what the students did, with quite professional
results as a matter of fact. Our own product design will be influenced
in a number of possible ways.'
The budding industrial designers developed several open kitchen designs,
some with unusual materials and expressive names such as 'cucino' (cooking,
boiling and draining without carrying things across the kitchen), 'movido'
(a multifunctional kitchen with a high degree of living comfort), 'home
shopping' (perfected work sequences as found in commercial kitchens),
'everything is easy' (transparency and lightness as the basis for a new
feel for the room) and 'radius 35' (more freedom of movement, mobile drawers,
many unattached elements).
The conclusion drawn by Manfred Junker, head of the product development
and design department at Poggenpohl: 'It was great! I had fun with the
project, and it made me think. The kitchen industry and its customers
expect Poggenpohl to be an innovative trendsetter. Good ideas from partners
outside the company are a big help in meeting this expectation and maintaining
our reputation.'
Contact: Elmar Duffner
Tel. ++49 (0)5221 381 213 or ++49 (0)171 7658 360
Email: mailto:elmar.duffner@poggenpohl.de
Web: http://www.poggenpohl.de
Web: http://www.visionlabs.org