Kitchen and Bathroom News @ The K&BZine

Kitchen customers disadvantaged by the closure of retailer Pennybee of Wimbledon Ltd are being helped by members of the Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association who have stepped in to honour the contracts.

Anglia Interiors of Huntingdon, Underwood Kitchens of St Albans and Nicholas Anthony’s London showroom are just three of the KBSA retailer members who took over kitchen contracts for the customers.

Work on two kitchens in Cambridgeshire is currently being undertaken by Anglia Interiors, and director Peter Bird said: ‘Both customers are extremely pleased with the way in which these new kitchen projects are progressing – and with the manner in which the KBSA has dealt with their contracts following the closure of Pennybee.’

Jon Searle of Underwood Kitchens added: ‘Work is progressing on three of the contracts previously being handled by Pennybee and a fourth kitchen has already been completed.

‘All of the clients, who are based in Hertfordshire, have been very happy with the way we have taken on their contracts and with the service we’ve given. We’re glad to have been able to provide immediate help for these customers’.

Tony Nicholas, managing director of Nicholas Anthony, added: ‘We’ve taken over ten contracts for Pennybee customers in the Greater London area and all these clients are relieved that the KBSA is working to resolve their problems. We were only too pleased to step in and help out.’

The KBSA has been contacted by some 80 customers from all of the Pennybee branches in Hertford, St.Albans, Wimbledon, Farnham, Clapham, Hendon and Brentwood, as well as Whittlesey in Peterborough.

Graham Hayden, KBSA chief executive said: ‘The KBSA has been doing all that it can to minimise the disruption and dismay of customers who are affected and are delighted that members have been able to show true professionalism and fit these customers into their schedules at this very busy time of year.

‘We are working hard to deliver our promise, that customers can rely on us to honour guarantees provided by all KBSA members.’

Furniture stores owned by collapsed retailer Courts reopened yesterday under their new management. Retail turnaround specialist SB Capital was set to begin trading at the group's 88 outlets, 14 of which it has bought from administrators KPMG Corporate Recovery. When the insolvent retailer shut its doors last month, there were angry scenes: a security guard was thrown through a window in Milton Keynes; in Port Talbot, customers threatened shop staff.

KPMG has failed to find a buyer for the other 74 stores as a going concern and appears set to close them with the reported loss of about 2,000 jobs, although the administrator has not confirmed that. It has already made 200 staff redundant at Courts' head office in Morden, Surrey.

KPMG closed all the stores following Courts' administration after customers angry about not having their furniture delivered became aggressive with shop staff.

SB Capital, which holds stakes in Land of Leather and Furnitureland, has agreed to take options to buy 14 of the shops by February 20.

It has also agreed to trade and to wind down the rest of Courts' 88 stores by that date, after which point the administrators will decide their future. Courts employs about 2,500 people.

The stores were shut after a small number of shoppers worried about orders threatened staff and caused damage. KPMG has said 4,000 people who paid in full for furniture at the chain's stores or warehouse would have it delivered.

All remaining customers who paid in full would receive their original order where possible, or would be able to choose an alternative item of the same value.

Those customers who had paid by deposit would be offered an alternative item less 10% discount, while others would have a claim against their credit card companies.

Courts was unable to deliver goods not already in stock as it has no money to pay the manufacturers.

Administrators are advising customers who paid by credit card to contact their provider to seek a refund.

The collapse of the 154-year-old UK business will not affect the group's overseas divisions, Courts Overseas, Courts Group International, Courts World Wide Purchases, which operate in the Caribbean, Madagascar, Malaysia and Fiji.

Masterclass Events Ltd, organiser of Kitchen Showcase has announced that the scheduled 2005 event will not be taking place. Managing Director Russell Morrow announced on December 13th ‘We have taken the decision to postpone Kitchen Showcase 2005 as there appears to be some confusion in the industry with the number of events that are taking place next year.

'Grand Designs Live chose to hold its event at the same time as Kitchen Showcase and while it is not a direct competitor we believe that this is not in the best interest of our clients, exhibitors and visitors to have two events running at the same time. Our aim has always been to provide Kitchen Showcase exhibitors with the best possible return on their investment, and with this is mind we shall now be focusing on producing an even better event in 2006’

Kathleen Lyon, Symphony’s Marketing Manager, Building Division commented
‘Showcase has become a key event for the kitchen industry and we completely understand the reasons for postponing it, to ensure a clear focus for both exhibitors and visitors. We very much look forward to Showcase 2006.’

Bath Sale @ Ideal Standard Gives Retailers Great Start for New Year

To kick-start the New Year's business for its bathroom dealers, Ideal-Standard has launched a massive bathroom promotion in one of the key bathroom buying periods.

The promotion - named bathsale@ - runs through January and February and encompasses ranges from three brands, Ideal-Standard, Armitage Shanks and Trevi.

Marketing Director Paul Frankish told us: 'Ideal-Standard is the leading bathroom brand in the UK and to help our Retailers to enjoy the most positive start to the year, we have organised what is probably the strongest consumer promotion that the bathroom industry has seen. The promotion encompasses all of our brands and product types.'

The company has printed over a million Sale brochures to get the message across to consumers via inserts in the major Home Interest magazines and Sunday Newspapers and supplements. As well as the inserts Ideal-Standard has booked a consumer advertising campaign in the major Newspapers.

To complete the circle, dealers are offered in-store Point-of-sale material for their showrooms.

'At the same time we are offering Christy Towels and Bath Robes in our Shower Enclosure promotion for installers and Ceramica Dolomite has its own promotion running for consumers, retailers and distributors,' says Frankish.

For information regarding Ideal-Standard's bathsale@ visit www.bathsale.co.uk

Four Seasons has launched its drive to develop closer relationships with serious kitchen retailers with the introduction of four new fascias, new cabinetry, accessories and a full marketing support package for 2005.

Designed to update Four Seasons’ collection of 18mm kitchens for the New Year, the new doors have been developed in-line with the latest and most fashionable kitchen trends. Styles now available include the Dorchester solid pippy oak door with shaker styling and the Denver, which is a retro looking maple saponetta with veneered finish.

In pale oak, Newhaven is a simple paper wrapped door with French cut inlay detail around a shaker centre panel. The fourth new fascia, Shaftsbury, is in classic ivory and features a raised centre panel with substantial pewter handles, oversized cornice and pelmet.

New accessories increase the design flexibility of the range for retailers, offering more options for consumers to individualise their kitchens. Amongst some of the new features available in ivory, natural oak and pippy oak are a fireplace mantel, floor columns, oversized cornice and pelmet and tongue and groove panelling. Spice drawers are also available in the same finishes plus maple and beech.

Cabinetry has also improved in specification with the availability of a new bridging unit and soft close mechanisms to doors and drawers. A selection of worktops is available in an array of finishes, including wood effect, granite effect and high-gloss laminates.

The range is supported by a new-look colour brochure, which has over 70 pages and a strong lifestyle feel to it for use as a sales tool. Four Seasons’ logo has also been redesigned to reflect the new approach for the brand while a dedicated consumer friendly website http://www.fourseasonskitchens.co.uk has been launched to further support retailers and reach consumers.

Chairman for Bernstein Group Holdings, Bill Gleave commented:
‘We are keen to speak to as many serious kitchen retailers as we can about how we can support them and work together in business over the coming year.

‘Over the past 12 months we have invested heavily in improving the Four Seasons product range, our customer service offer and delivery times through our nationwide network of distributors. We have already seen an increase in business as a result and are confident that we can offer retailers an accurate and reliable service going forward’.

Retailers interested in finding out more about how to become a Four Seasons dealer should contact Four Season’s new business development manager Will Bamford on 07903 870469. Alternatively, retailers can call Bill Gleave direct on 07903 870497.

Jacuzzi Brands, Inc. a global producer of branded bath and plumbing products for the residential, commercial and institutional markets, announced on December 9th earnings for the fourth quarter ended October 2nd, 2004. Net sales for the quarter increased 5.0% to $343.7m compared with net sales of $327.4m for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003. Operating income for the quarter increased 78.7% to $22.7 million compared with operating income of $12.7 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003. Net earnings for the quarter improved to $5.5 million, or $0.07 per share, from a net loss of $16.3 million, or $0.22 per share, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003.

The increase in fiscal 2004 fourth quarter sales includes a $9.3 million benefit from favourable currency exchange rates, while the increase in fiscal 2004 fourth quarter operating income includes a $1.0 million benefit. Fiscal 2004 fourth quarter operating income includes $13.7 million of restructuring charges, while fiscal 2003 fourth quarter operating income includes $11.6 million of restructuring charges and $2.5 million of charges related to a note write-off. Fiscal 2004 fourth quarter net earnings includes restructuring charges of $8.2 million, net of tax, or $0.11 per share. Fiscal 2003 fourth quarter net earnings includes restructuring charges of $7.1 million, net of tax, or $0.09 per share, a note write-off of $1.5 million, net of tax, or $0.02 per share, and debt restructuring costs of $11.7 million, net of tax, or $0.16 per share.

Q4 FY 2004 Highlights vs. Q4 FY 2003:
• Net Sales Increased 5.0% to $343.7 Million
• Operating Income Up 78.7% to $22.7 Million
• Net Earnings Rose to $0.07 Per Share from a Net Loss of $0.22
Per Share
• Net Debt Decreased by $36.7 million to $432.2 million

Bath Products

Fiscal 2004 fourth quarter sales of $236.3 million increased 3.0% over fiscal 2003 fourth quarter sales, led by higher sales of domestic whirlpool baths, reflecting strong performance in both jetted and non-jetted baths. Sales in the European market were also strong, primarily due to growth in the home center sector. Favourable currency exchange rates contributed $9.3 million to the fourth quarter sales increase. The favourable currency exchange rates benefit was offset by lower sales at Eljer due to the rationalisation of its unprofitable product lines and softness in the domestic spa business.

Fiscal 2004 fourth quarter operating income increased by $13.3 million to $3.5 million due primarily to strong sales growth in the whirlpool bath business, and margin growth in both the domestic spa and whirlpool bath businesses. Operating income includes restructuring charges of $13.7 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004 and $14.6 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003. Operating income as a percentage of sales increased from 2.1% to 7.3% after adding back the fiscal 2003 and fiscal 2004 fourth quarter restructuring charges. Fiscal 2004 fourth quarter restructuring charges consisted of:

• $10.1 million in asset impairment, pension curtailment and other related charges related to the previously announced decision to close Eljer's Tupelo, Mississippi sanitary ware plant, which is expected to be completed by June 2005;
• $2.1 million related to the downsizing of the Ford City, Pennsylvania plant, which is expected to be substantially completed by the end of December 2004;
• $0.2 million related to the closure of the Salem, Ohio plant,
which ceased production in May 2004; and
• $1.3 million related to the continued consolidation of administrative functions into the Dallas, Texas shared services centre.

The fiscal 2003 restructuring charges primarily related to the closing of the Salem, Ohio plant and the Plant City, Florida spa facility.

Fourth quarter operating results also benefited from favourable exchange rates, which increased earnings in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004 by $1.0 million in comparison with the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003.

Plumbing Products

Sales in the Plumbing Products segment increased 13.3% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004 from the comparable prior year period. Sales growth, on a percentage basis, exceeded that of the industry. Sales increased across all product lines primarily due to a slight rebound in the U.S. commercial and institutional construction market coupled with favourable pricing, product innovations and a continuation of the targeted marketing programmes. The PEX and Commercial Brass product lines experienced the strongest sales growth, which was driven by superior sensor technology and the market's continued conversion of copper pipe to PEX tubing in plumbing applications.

Operating income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004 increased 8.0% to $17.5 million. Strong sales volume and favourable pricing more than offset higher scrap iron and steel costs. The Company implemented initiatives targeting procurement and finished product pricing to offset the increased raw material costs. As a result, operating margins decreased by only 1% from 22% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003 to 21% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004.

Outlook
David H. Clarke, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Jacuzzi Brands, Inc., stated, ‘We are very pleased with the results at each of our businesses during fiscal 2004. Over the past few months, we have been experiencing a degree of sales softness in some areas particularly in our domestic spa business. Margins have been hurt by commodity price increases but these costs will be offset in future periods by low cost sourcing initiatives and by price increases agreed with our customers. These factors were taken into account in our previously announced fiscal 2005 outlook of $0.67 to $0.71 per diluted share. We remain committed to our growth which will be supported by the introduction of innovative new products and an adherence to the highest standards of quality and customer service.’

As previously announced, the Company expects to report net earnings for its fiscal year ending September 30, 2005 of between $0.61 to $0.65 per diluted share, which will include restructuring charges of $0.06 per diluted share related to plant closings and other actions initiated during fiscal 2004. Excluding these charges, net earnings for fiscal 2005 are expected to be in a range of $0.67 per diluted share to $0.71 per diluted share.

Glen Dimplex Group Acquires Halstead Boilers in UK and sets up a Joint Venture in Japan

Glen Dimplex Group has acquired Halstead Boilers Limited, a UK based manufacturer of Gas Domestic Central Heating Boilers. Founded in 1990, Halstead has a turnover of €30 million, 120 employees and is located at Halstead in Essex.
Brian Day and Andrew Marshall the founding Shareholders will continue in their current roles as Joint Managing Directors.

The UK market for Gas Domestic Central Heating Boilers is 1.6 million units per annum, with Halstead having a 5% market share.

As part of its commitment to meeting the targets set out in the Kyoto agreement, the UK Government is introducing new building regulations from 1st April 2005. From that date 95% of all gas domestic central heating boilers installed in the UK must be condensing boilers. The current market share for condensing boilers is 25%. Condensing boilers are approximately 30% more energy efficient than the standard combination boilers.

Glen Dimplex Group has set up a Joint Venture Company in Japan – Glen Dimplex Japan. The Groups partner is Globally Incorporated, a subsidiary of one of Japan’s largest House Building Groups, Matsumoto Kenko.

Glen Dimplex Japan will market and distribute the Groups Electric Heating and Optiflame® Electric Fire product range in a market where 1.2 million new homes are constructed each year.

Bathroom manufacturer Ideal-Standard is holding a consumer promotion from December 1st 2004 to 31st March 2005 in order to drive more customers into retailers' showrooms and to highlight its latest showering products.

Customers will be offered either towels from Christy's sumptuous Arcadia range or an Elite 'chunky rib' bathrobe from the luxury towel maker when they buy shower enclosures and trays. The choice depends upon the type of shower that the consumer chooses.

To back up this promotion, Ideal-Standard is also offering a gift voucher incentive to help retailers to drive the sale of shower enclosures and trays within their own businesses.

Ideal-Standard marketing manager Brian Grey explains; ‘Shower sales are growing and they can be a profitable addition to a bathroom showroom's sales. The promotion is designed to push additional customers into showrooms and also to keep shower enclosures and trays at the top of mind for everyone working in a bathroom showroom.

‘In conjunction with the consumer promotion, we have also been encouraging display sales of our latest Bliss enclosures and the Strada flat-top shower trays.’

For further information on Ideal-Standard showers and the shower promotion please call 01482 470788 or log onto http://www.idealstandard-showers.co.uk

Celebrity chef John Burton Race demonstrated the benefits of the Professional 1000 range cooker on Cannon's stand at this year's BBC Good Food Show.

John, who has recently completed filming his follow-up TV series to last year's success 'French Leave' on channel 4, has bought a family home and new restaurant, called The New Angel, both based in Devon. John has installed the Professional 1000 Range Cooker, Cannon's top of the range model, into his home.

The Cannon Professional 1000 Cooker offers a double oven, separate grill, 6 burner gas hob with double wok burner and two fish kettle burners and a large storage compartment with plate warming facility. With modern features such as the fully programmable timer and the electric fan oven, the cooker effectively combines the traditional with the new.

Its large capacity ensures that it has the space and the capability to cook any meal for all the family and its heat clean oven liners means the chore of cleaning the oven will be a thing of the past.

John's appearance on the Cannon stand at the BBC Good Food Show was part of his ongoing support for the brand and its cookers.

Cannon's Communications Manager Clare Allen comments, ‘It is great to have someone as professional as John onboard. As he has the Professional 1000 installed in his own home, John knows all the ins and outs of the product and during the BBC Good Show offered some excellent advice to the visitors, as well as demonstrating some fabulous recipes.’

Cannon Trade Brochure Line 0870 777 6485
Web: http://www.cannoncooking.co.uk

In the New Places joint project, e15, Dornbracht and Alape have dissolved old boundaries and brought the bathroom and living area together. The co-operation was presented for the first time at the Designers’ Saturday in Langenthal, Switzerland on 6th and 7th November 2004 at the premises of Glas Trösch AG in Bützberg.

The New Places modules on display in Langenthal are based on the most diverse ritual themes. Thus, for instance, there is the 'welcome' series of modules. It embodies the entrance ritual in which everyday life falls away from us and cleansing begins. Then there is the 'base' series, which conveys grounding and concentration as an intensely personal experience.

The inspiration for New Places came from bathing and relaxation rituals. The thought: 'What value, what meaning do things need in an age in which the perfect form is regarded as a given? What idea should these things take with them?' In addition to the purely external, the inner value of our world is becoming increasingly important today. Very specific actions on an ideal level increase the value of the material, and the commonplace suddenly has meaning.

By taking up the idea of ritual, the three companies involved in this project are opening up the way to a new awareness: the individual moves on from being a 'bathroom user' to become a 'bathroom inhabitant'. A claim that both opens up the boundaries between the living area and the bathing room, and re-functionalises the bathroom as a living area that is experienced specifically as such: with qualities that go far beyond the simple satisfaction of a purely physical need – of washing. In return, the value of the living area is enhanced by the gentle, stylish integration of rituals for wellbeing and relaxation. Requirements that are reflected in the architecture and design, size and materials.

In the New Places joint project, each of the three companies focuses on its core competency:

e15, known for its clear design language with a high level of recognition and its re-definition of the material oak, is responsible for the conceptualisation and designs, and manufactures the furniture.
http://www.e15.com

Dornbracht, the international manufacturer of high quality designer fittings, accessories and interiors, adds the fittings.
http://www.dornbracht.com

Alape, the facilitator of individual bathroom architecture, completes the New Places project with fitted and stand-on basins and washstands in glazed steel.
http://www.alape.com

The configuration of the New Places modules follows the internal and external trends in society and in people themselves. Three themes are currently defined, and various modules are available for each one.

welcome – the entrance
This is where the outer world falls away from us and the inner world opens up. It’s a journey into the 'I', that readies us to acknowledge our needs and concerns. In these tense, mentally and physically often highly stressful times, leisure time for relaxation is more important than ever before. People want and need to re-energise, to slow down, to take the time to listen to their heart: 'Am I all right?' 'What would make me feel (even) better?' 'What does my head want, my soul, my body?' With the welcome 01 module, the experience begins as soon as the individual comes home. Keys are put on the shelf, coats hung up – and the hands washed in clear water to remove the day.

unity – belonging together
New Places is the starting point for relaxation and revitalisation – and not necessarily alone, but with the people we like to have around us. These could be other members of the family, or a good girlfriend, or a circle of male friends, as in the hamam of the Arab world. The unity modules become places of communication, of belonging together, interaction and company, bringing the bathing room into life architecturally, but also spiritually and as a matter of course. As with BA01: the washstand is accessible from several sides. This development is due in no small part to the yearning for an autonomously designable lifetime. Allocating our time ourselves – choosing when we want to do something for ourselves without being restricted by opening times and appointments. That is why havens such as those provided by New Places will be even more important in the future – we can withdraw to them at any time, night or day, and transport ourselves into the state (revitalised or relaxed) we wish to experience. With treatments and tools we choose and combine ourselves for ourselves.

base – the grounding
Concentration and strength are the focus here. The base modules provide the possibilities for applications that 'ground' us. They are honest, original, almost basic experiences. An honesty that the BA05 base module also radiates: a simple washstand with two drawers for the personal items we all need for grounding. Grounding is an essential need for modern people. Whereas primitive tribes relied on the earth to provide them with the fundamentals for survival, most modern people have lost this living contact.

And yet today, replenishing ourselves from the energy source that nature provides is more important than ever. The more aware we are in our contact with our body and emotions, the stronger that will make us and the more easily we will be able to fulfil our spiritual potential. A strong grounding leads to vitality, joie de vivre, presence and lightness.

common – the interface
Details and accessories that add and define functions. This enables us actively to include other areas of home living in our personal ritual, or to combine a number of different applications at a time.

e15, Dornbracht and Alape have together designed various New Places modules on the three themes, consisting of accessories such as mirrors, shelves and trays.
New Places will be available from selected designer furniture outlets. The items will be marketed through e15.

For further information on New Places, the New Places modules and the participating companies, go to http://www.new-places.com

Myson TRV Tops Independent Product Poll for Accessible Design

Myson Heating Controls‚ TRV2Way is the most popular choice of thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) according to the Ricability charity, for helping older and disabled people to live more independently.

Myson's standard 2-way Thermostatic Radiator Valve, designed for ease of use for everyone, took four out of five 'flames' - their star rating system - in each of the categories of 'impaired dexterity' and 'impaired vision', the highest number of any TRV. Also, it was the first choice for half of all users.

The survey, financed by the Housing Association, Help the Aged and Ofgem, tested eight thermostatic valves for how easy they were to grip and turn, and to see their indicator markings.

Users preferred the units mounted in different ways, horizontal or vertical, but the majority preferred horizontal. All units had remote control options, enabling the head to be mounted at any height.

Peter Spiers, UK Development Manager at Myson, said: 'Ricability is an independent charity that researches and publishes unbiased information on products and services, and we are privileged to have come out the most popular choice.

'This recognition illustrates our commitment to inclusive design - for products which are practical to use for everyone.

'This is particularly important to local authorities, housing associations and others, as they cope with an ageing population. Already, one in four of us in the UK either has limited movement, or has someone close to us who has, and only five per cent of these are in wheelchairs.

'And the more progressive authorities are planning now, as the problem is going to get worse - by the year 2020, more than half the UK population will be over 50.'

http://www.myson.co.uk

The sanitaryware and bathroom furniture manufacturer Laufen recently opened a new showroom in Prague.

Designed by engineer Michal Jank and located in one of the main streets of the Czech capital, the new 600 sq.m structure hosts both the classic Laufen series and the latest collections: Bagno Alessi, Mylife, Living, Laufen Pro, Vienna and Gallery.

With this new showroom, Laufen intends to further strengthen its presence in Europe, where the Roca Group member company has six production facilities (in Switzerland, Austria, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic) which produce 4.5 million pieces per year for more than 800 customers.

Web: http://www.laufen.cz
Web: http://www.laufen.co.uk

The vote for President might be over, but the vote for America's Sexiest Plumber has just begun! American Standard, creator of America's Sexiest Plumber Contest, announced on 2nd December 13 contest finalists and invites everyone to vote online for the plumber they think is the sexiest in the land. The finalists were chosen from several hundred entries based on their great looks, personality and professionalism.

American Standard, the world's largest manufacturer of bath and kitchen products, created the contest to celebrate its virtually maintenance-free Champion® flushing system, which is featured in five new toilets, and to pay tribute to the skilled professionals who work so hard to fix all of America's other toilets. American Standard partnered with the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors-National Association (PHCC) to help promote the contest to plumbers.

'We're proud to salute the plumbers of America,' says Jeannette Long, director, marketing communications, American Standard. 'Plumbers play a vital role in our industry, but are often overlooked. The Sexiest Plumber Contest is a unique way to recognize the important contributions plumbers make to our communities.'

Portraits of Plumber Perfection
Thirteen portraits of pure plumber perfection will be posted on http://www.americanstandard-us.com throughout the month of December. Site visitors are invited to peruse the portraits, read fun facts about each finalist and vote for their favorite by Dec. 31st. The plumber with the most votes gets a free trip for two to the ultimate bowl - Super Bowl XXXIX in Jacksonville, Fla., on Feb. 6th, 2005, and wins bragging rights to the title of 'America's Sexiest Plumber.'
American Standard will announce the winner in January at an event in New York City. At that time, the company will also unveil its 2005 America's Sexiest Plumbers Calendar, featuring portraits of each of the 13 finalists alongside one of the new Champion® flushing system toilets.

American Standard launched the contest in October 2004 during the 122nd annual PHCC national convention. Plumbers were invited to fill out questionnaires and submit preliminary photos. A panel of judges evaluated the entries and narrowed the contestants down to 13 finalists, including 12 men and 1 woman who work for plumbing firms from coast to coast.

The Lucky 13: America's Sexiest Plumber Finalists
Americans are invited to visit http://www.americanstandard-us.com to view the finalists' photos and cast a vote for one of the following plumbers:

* Justin Alkes, Lindenhurst, N.Y., Plumbers Local Union #1
* Brandon Ayres, Aurora, Ore., SR Johnson Plumbing
* Greg Beno, Green Bay, Wis., Beno Plumbing and Heating, Inc.
* Seth Breslaw, Edgewater, N.J., George Breslaw & Sons Inc.
* Anthony Caccia, San Bruno, Calif., Caccia Plumbing, Inc.
* Geno Caccia, San Bruno, Calif., Caccia Plumbing, Inc.
* John Gennaro, Tampa, Fla., Plumbing Solutions
* Dan Hartnett, Toms River, N.J., John Hartnett Plumbing & Heating Inc.
* Bobby Lugo Jr., Pleasant Valley, N.Y., S & O Construction
* Robert Price Jr., Blacklick, Ohio, Price Plumbing LLC.
* Lori Sardinha-Costa, Fall River, Mass., M. Sardinha & Sons
* Tom Scoville, Torrington, Conn., Scoville Plumbing and Heating Inc.
* Jimmy Vandivier, Auburn, Calif., J.V. Plumbing

Six years ago David Topliss set up Sunlight Interiors in Grays, Essex with his sons Brian and Robert who, between them, had 20 years of experience in cabinet furniture production.

Sunlight Interiors was set up on a 3,000ft2 site to produce high quality, bespoke cabinet furniture for the kitchen and other markets.

‘We were launching into a highly competitive market’ says David Topliss, ‘and we knew that to compete we would have to do so on quality and offer customers products of their choice.’

At the time a calculated decision was made to equip the new venture with state-of-the-art production equipment from the start. The Sunlight project demanded consistent quality, high volume productivity (when needed), but above all fast set-up production flexibility.

‘We needed a competent technical partner to supply us with machinery, back-up and know-how. We also wanted to equip the factory from a single source if possible with the best. There really was only one choice’ explains David Topliss.

In consultation with Keith Hack of Homag U.K., Sunlight was equipped as a start-up operation with four main production areas – panel sizing, edging, routing and drilling, cabinet assembly. The association has continued fruitfully since then with the installation of the latest Homag Group machine - a Brandt KD79/2CF single sided edgebander specifically equipped for Sunlight's requirements.

Originally the company started out with a then Homag España CH04 beam saw (these machines have all now been brought into the Holzma production programme), a Brandt KD77C single-sided edgebander, a Weeke BP80 CNC machining centre and a Ligmatech MPH10/08 carcase press.

All machines were developed and manufactured by Homag Group member companies to the Optimat format of fixed execution specification. This meant that Sunlight Interiors could afford to invest in high-tech machinery with a wide range of application at a realistic cost.

Sunlight Interiors has been a success to the extent that the company has now doubled the size of its factory – a new adjoining building has expanded to 7,000ft2 - and the new areas are equipped with additional equipment from Homag U.K. – a second Ligmatech carcase press and another CNC machining centre, on this occasion a Weeke BP60.

David Topliss says that the business has grown in response to the product and service quality that Sunlight offers its customers. ‘What is most gratifying is the level of repeat business we are experiencing and, while we are still predominantly manufacturing bespoke kitchen furniture, the home office and other fitted unit areas are growing fast.

‘At the core of our achievements has been our original decision to invest in the best available equipment and to align ourselves with a technical partner of the stature of Homag.’

The various Homag U.K. supplied machines at Sunlight, although all Optimat models, were specified for their flexibility, accuracy and fast set-up. For instance the Brandt edgebander has the ‘C’ suffix designation which includes in-line contour processing for 3mm PVC edges, and the ‘F’ for in-line pre milling. This machine has been specified for fast set-up and changeover with all settings controlled from the electronic console without the need to raise the hood for any manual ‘tweaking’. The elimination of downtime is a significant advantage to Sunlight.

The Ligmatech presses were specified for their wide range of operating dimensions and quick cycle times, and the Weeke machining centres feature high-tech machining head and clamping specifications driven by advanced Woodwop software.

David Topliss says that the relationship between his company and Homag U.K. is central to the company’s growth: ‘We have relied on the undoubted technical ability of the Homag Group and the advice and support of Homag U.K. who have been an ideal partner.’

Tel: 01977 790811
Web: http://www.homaguk.co.uk

'Quintessential Handmade English Country Furniture’. So reads the gilt lettering that adorns the black cover of the Chalon brochure. For quintessential read literally says the company. ‘Paging through the 53-page colour publication of the Somerset furniture manufacturer, one is aware of viewing something distinctive and aspirational.’

‘The designs are characterised by a bold and open styling that imbues each separate unit and detail with an integral purpose and the whole is aesthetically masterminded using a palette of hues, finishes and technique that set this furniture distinctly apart.

The doors and drawers are, in the main, inset in crafted frames which are manufactured to be accurate, secure and lasting using the Hoffmann system of dovetail key jointing.’

Chalon is successful both in Britain and abroad where time honoured skills and crafts are valued by discerning customers wishing to indulge a passion for recreating the effects of 18th and 19th century elegance.

Chalon workshops supply showrooms and the company’s customers afar afield as Athens and Tel Aviv, Bermuda and the USA. And across England and Scotland as well as Dublin and Jersey.

The marriage of machinery and traditional skills can be successful as exemplified by the use of the Hoffmann system to join the components of the face frames. The Hoffmann MU2P keyway router with pneumatic claming of the workpieces is used to secure and accurately rout the keyway in the faces of the components to be joined.

‘Chalon managing director Ole Bay is a perfectionist and compromise is not a term he understands – not the sort of man to whom you can sell a machine that will cut a few corners in the name of speed and, as a result, produce just another ‘me too’, perfectly functional but bland product.’ says the company.

He bought the Hoffmann machine because he recognised that the process could enhance both the quality of his product and the efficiency of his production.

When Chalon furniture leaves the Old Hambridge Mill in Somerset it is merely the start of a journey. After all Ole Bay describes the Chalon kitchen philosophy as: ‘an experience in the art of living’.

The Hoffmann system ensures the perfect squareness of the apertures of the frames for the in-frame cabinet doors. It also ensures that the frames – so integral to the designs of the furniture – remain square and secure. After all, many of them may travel hundreds or thousands of miles before being installed in climates and conditions which could vary greatly from the point of manufacture.

Tel: 015242 62500
Email: mailto:info@hoffmann-uk.com
Web: http://www.hoffmann-uk.com

Two high capacity Holzma HPL11 beam saws are operating alongside each other via a joint central lift feed at Crosby Kitchens’ Sheffield factory. The saws, supplied and installed by Homag U.K., are state-of-the-art machines manufactured by the world’s largest beam saw technology suppliers.

Crosby’s sister company Athena was started in 1996 as a kitchen manufacturing project by members of the ex Crosby management team before the Spring Ram takeover. The Crosby brand was re-instated in 2000. Production Director Jim Clark explains that the growth has been substantial - a current turnover in manufactured products of £5 million has been achieved with staffing levels up to 64. Two sites operate – a 60,000 square feet main production facility, a 24,000 square feet warehouse and a 2,500 square feet design studio about to come on stream.

Production is divided into two sections – some 60% involves producing the Crosby range which currently features 17 designs but this changes constantly with new upgrades and fascias. The rest of the production (40%) is for customer branded products with orders ranging from anything as low as 5 units and up to 500.

The production facility is set up for total flexibility and to react to very short delivery schedules. Jim Clark says that when buying machinery reliability and flexibility come top of the criteria list: ‘I’d say that we almost go for an over-engineered design to ensure reliability as we tend to prioritise effectiveness over efficiency.’

The sawing operation is at the heart of a flat-pack furniture manufacturer like Crosby. All product designing and specifications are carried out in-house and the carcase specification in particular is at the ‘higher range’.

‘Every production operation downstream of the saws depends on the accuracy and quality that we get from the Holzmas’ explains Jim Clark. ‘We needed enormous cutting capacity and by working with Simon Brooks (of Homag U.K.) we were able by to create a single ‘saw centre’ with the configuration of the central feed and lift. At the same time we have upped the capacity which is evidenced by a 35% increase in sales and significantly reduced the workshop floor footprint for the operation compared to our old system.’

The two Holzma HPL11 beam saws at Crosby are certainly earning their keep: the plant runs regular 12 or 13 hour shifts but also frequently extends these to 24 hours. Apart from the performance characteristics of the Holzma saws, the decision to make the investment was strongly influenced by the highly capable engineering and back-up service that Homag U.K. provide.

Any board or panel coming off the saws has to have to essential characteristics – dimensional accuracy and a super-clean, chip-free cut.

The Holzma HPL11 saws are heavy-duty machines that can cut huge volumes. The cycle speeds are enabled by a saw carriage speed of 130m/min, and program fence speeds of 80 m/min (restricted by EU legislation on the forward stroke). The saw blade projection is 125mm to receive large book heights and the clamps, special side pressure devices and alignment fences ensure that the books of panel remain true. Holzma’s patented ‘shark’s fin’ side pressure device is yet another world first from the German manufacturer. Large books of panels as well as thin laminate materials can be accurately aligned with the fence via the integrated aligner … saving around 25% on each cycle when compared to conventional side pressure devices. The positioning of the program fence is pin-point accurate via a contactless magnetic, totally maintenance free, measuring system that is completely insensitive to dust thus eliminating any long term wear and subsequent accuracy deterioration.

Once the boards are held by the rack and pinion guided pressure beam the saw carriage is activated and travels on the Holzma monorail system which guarantees long term perfect alignment of the main and scoring blades to give the cut quality. Both saws can receive cutting patterns from the offline Magicut optimisation software and are controlled by individual CadMatic controllers. The whole operation is controlled by two sawyers.

This Holzma ‘saw centre’ at Crosby has given Jim Clark and his team the confidence to go forward for investment plans in new Homag U.K. – supplied equipment for the future. As for now, the boards being presented to edgebanders, CNC drills and routers are guaranteed perfect. For a flat-pack kitchen manufacturer, this is essential to ensure perfect construction and final assembly.

Tel: 01332 856500
Email: mailto:sales@homag-uk.co.uk
Web: http://www.homag-uk.co.uk