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Bristan: Integrating Interests to Strengthen Service

As part of its commitment to offer an improved level of service for its customers, Bristan has joined forces with other key companies in the Masco's UK plumbing platform to form a single group, which is now known as The Bristan Group Ltd.

Alongside the brand in showering and brassware, Bristan; John Sydney; Heritage Bathrooms; Sirrus by Gummers; Damixa UK and Masco Care (the Group's service arm) have all been bought together to create a single, stronger business entity.

The integration of the brands is a strategic move that is designed to allow the business to maximise on synergies between the brands, to share information, skills and resources, reduce duplication and to create a more efficient and effective company in today's competitive marketplace. For Bristan Group customers, this means improved customer support, faster and more efficient delivery of products, and a much wider product offering available from one source.

The amalgamation of brands also sees the literal 'coming together' of shared resources in the shape of exciting new state-of-the-art headquarters in Birch Coppice, Tamworth. All stock can now be stored in one place - further enhancing the Bristan Group's excellent delivery records, plus office staff will benefit from new telecommunications systems and a closer relationship between brands that will help ensure the group forges ahead as a united front.

The Bristan Group now employs more than 870 people. ‘Through sharing knowledge, we can work smarter, reduce duplication of effort and work towards an exciting and bright future for the business,’ comments The Bristan Group's Chief Executive Steve Lee (pictured). ‘Our new structure, coupled with our comprehensive product portfolio, is in complete harmony with how the market has been moving. Many customers now demand suppliers that can act as a single source solution provider, and our new structure allows us the flexibility to offer products and services to all our customers no matter what their size.’

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

Burbidge Updates Showroom And Introduces New Brochures

Following the launch of over ten new kitchen frontal and accessory ranges since the beginning of the year, Burbidge has invested £150k in updating its showroom and introducing new brochures, including a downloadable e-brochure.

Customers visiting Burbidge's Coventry-based showroom will now be able to see the company's recently launched kitchens - including the ultra contemporary Ravello Black Walnut and Mezzo gloss designs as well as the more classic Canterbury Pippy Oak and Lulworth Alabaster kitchens - displayed in 'real life' room sets, alongside many of Burbidge's other best-selling designs.

Ben Burbidge, managing director, comments: ‘Our showroom is here to provide a service to our customers and to act as an extra tool in their sales process. If they don't have a particular kitchen range on display in their store then we encourage them to bring their customers along to our show room. Consumers can then view the complete kitchen concept in relaxed surroundings. We also find that consumers feel reassured when visiting the site and appreciate seeing where their kitchen is manufactured.’

The company has also updated its 100 page full colour brochure to include information and glossy lifestyle photography of all the new ranges and, for the first time ever, customers can now choose one of four different front covers for the brochure to best suit their business image. The brochure can be supplied to customers with the covers blank, branded Burbidge, or overprinted with the customer's own business logo as required.

Additionally, Burbidge has produced a new A5 mini brochure featuring photographs of Burbidge's new and best-selling ranges which customers can use as handouts or for promotional mail-outs to consumers.

To further support its customers, Burbidge has introduced an electronic version of the mini brochure. This 'e-brochure' is fully-interactive and easy to use, with clever programming allowing the virtual brochure pages to be turned at the click of a mouse.

Ben Burbidge comments: ‘The e-brochure was designed to provide our customers with another effective sales tool, allowing them to respond to new enquiries more swiftly and to show full-colour Burbidge kitchens at the touch of a button. Our customers can not only email the e-brochure out to consumers or print colour pages directly from it, but can add links to the e-brochure onto their own website or load it onto their showroom PC for interactive, professional presentations on site.’

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

http://www.burbidge.co.uk

Jacuzzi Brands Announces Third Quarter 2006 Financial Results

Jacuzzi Brands, Inc., a global producer of branded bath and plumbing products for the residential, commercial and institutional markets, recently announced financial results for the third quarter ended June 30th, 2006. Net sales and operating income for the third quarter of fiscal 2006 were $332.6 million and $33.6 million, respectively, compared to $334.2 million and $34.0 million, respectively, for the third quarter of fiscal 2005. Results for the third quarter of fiscal 2005 included Rexair net sales and operating income of $24.7 million and $6.5 million, respectively.

The Company incurred a net loss of $1.0 million or $0.01 per share from continuing operations for the third quarter of fiscal 2006 as a result of a non-cash charge of $14.4 million associated with the establishment of a reserve for the deferred tax assets of the U.K. operations. Earnings per share from continuing operations for the third quarter of fiscal 2005 of $37.9 million, or $0.50 per share included a $0.34 per share gain on the sale of Rexair.

The Company recorded the $14.4 million valuation allowance for the U.K. deferred tax assets due to losses expected to be incurred through the two year period ended fiscal 2006. The Company expects that the previously announced U.K. restructuring initiatives and plant consolidation, which caused a significant portion of these losses, will return the U.K. operations to profitability in fiscal 2007. A return to profitability at the U.K. operations would result in a reversal of this reserve, which would reduce income tax expense in future periods.

Operating income in the third quarter of fiscal 2006 included $4.5 million of expense related to the Company's retiree benefit liabilities for several key executives. Approximately $1.0 million of this amount should have been recorded in the first and second quarters of fiscal 2006, $2.9 million should have been recorded during the period beginning with the Company's 1995 spin off from Hanson plc to fiscal year end 2005, and $0.6 million related to the current quarter. No single fiscal year was materially misstated. Consequently, the entire $4.5 million was recorded in the current period as follows: $2.9 million in corporate expenses; $1.1 million in the Bath Products segment; and $0.5 million in the Plumbing Products segment.

Adjusted earnings from continuing operations for the third quarter of 2006 were $0.21 per share versus $0.13 per share in the third quarter of 2005. In fiscal 2006 the adjustments to arrive at adjusted earnings from continuing operations included the above mentioned non-cash write off of deferred tax assets, restructuring and other charges, as well as the portion of an adjustment for retiree benefits related to prior periods. The 2005 adjustments to arrive at adjusted earnings from continuing operations included non-operating asset gains as well as a tax benefit on an audit settlement, partially offset by restructuring charges and debt retirement costs (see the table below for a detailed reconciliation to the adjusted balances and per share amounts).

The Company incurred a net loss for the third quarter of fiscal 2006 of $3.9 million, or $0.05 per share, which included a loss from discontinued operations totaling $2.9 million, or $0.04 per share. The losses from discontinued operations included $1.6 million ($0.02 per share) related to the Company's investment in Spear & Jackson (the sale of which was consummated on July 28th, 2006), and $1.3 million ($0.02 per share) related to adjustments to reserves associated with Eljer and other operations that were previously sold. The Company incurred a net loss for the third quarter of fiscal 2005 of $20.8 million, or $0.27 per share, which included a loss from discontinued operations totaling $58.7 million or $0.77 per share largely related to the loss on disposal of the Eljer operations in June 2005.

As a result of the sale of the Spear & Jackson investment, the Company expects to record total income of approximately $4.0 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006 related to both the operation and sale of Spear & Jackson.

Bath Products
Bath segment sales declined 1.3% in the third quarter of fiscal 2006 compared to the same period in fiscal 2005. Improved worldwide sales of U.K. sink products and spas partially offset declines in sales of U.K. bath products. Sales of the Company's U.K. sink products improved over last year largely as a result of increased export sales to the U.S. Worldwide spa sales increased as a result of improved pricing, mix, and the continued expansion into European markets, which offset continued softness in the U.S. spa market.

Operating income increased 19.4% to $14.8 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2006 from $12.4 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2005, primarily due to cost controls and other performance improvement measures at U.S. bath and spa businesses. Price increases throughout the Bath Products segment mitigated higher raw material costs, including oil-based and metal commodities.

Operating income in the Bath Products segment included restructuring and other charges of $1.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2006 and $1.4 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2005. Restructuring and other charges for the third quarter of 2006 largely consisted of $0.5 million in accelerated depreciation, reflected in cost of goods sold, and $0.6 million in severance reflected in restructuring, related to the previously announced consolidation of the Bradford, U.K. ceramics plant and other U.K. staffing and overhead reductions. The Company expects to record $0.6 million in accelerated depreciation in cost of goods sold and $0.6 million in cash restructuring charges over the remainder of fiscal 2006 related to the Bradford ceramics plant consolidation. The Company does not expect to incur additional costs in relation to the Bradford ceramics plant consolidation after fiscal 2006. In conjunction with the anticipated return to profitability, the Company is reviewing a number of additional U.K. profit improvement opportunities. Fiscal 2005 restructuring charges were mainly associated with staffing reductions in the U.K., management changes in the domestic bath business and other overhead reductions.

The Bath Products segment results in the third quarter of fiscal 2006 included $1.1 million of the previously mentioned adjustment to retirement benefits, of which $1.0 million related to prior years and the remaining $0.1 million largely related to the first and second quarters of fiscal 2006. The third quarter of 2005 included costs related to the opening of the Zhuhai, China Engineering and Sourcing Center of $0.5 million. Pro forma operating income (excluding restructuring and other charges mentioned above) increased to $17.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2006 from $14.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2005 (see table below for detailed reconciliation.)

Net sales in the Plumbing Products segment increased 26.8% to $122.0 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2006 compared to the same period last year, driven by sales of new products, market penetration and industry growth. Net sales for PEX products increased largely due to the continued market conversion from copper products to PEX. Higher net sales for Wilkins and Commercial Brass products were primarily a result of increased market penetration, new product innovation and reputation for outstanding customer service.

Operating income for the third quarter of fiscal 2006 increased by 32.4% to $27.4 million from $20.7 million in the same period last year. The increase was principally due to strong sales volume. In addition, price increases initiated in prior periods mitigated the continued rise of raw material costs, primarily increases in metal and oil-based commodities.

Outlook
Al Marini, Chief Operating Officer and newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of Jacuzzi Brands, stated ‘We are very pleased with our third quarter results as both our Bath and Plumbing segments performed well. Our Bath segment continued to improve its profitability, while our Plumbing segment continues its outstanding record of increased sales and profits. We anticipate that we will continue to see positive results for the balance of fiscal 2006.’

While the Company has revised its GAAP-based earnings guidance to reflect the impact of the valuation allowance related to the U.K. deferred tax assets from $0.50 to $0.52 per share to $0.31 to $0.34 per share, adjusted earnings from continuing operations as computed in the table "Estimate of Adjusted Earnings from Continuing Operations" on page 13 is now expected to increase from $0.44 to $0.46 per share to $0.48 to $0.51 per share. This guidance does not include any other expenses that might be incurred in connection with additional measures that might be undertaken to restructure operations and further reduce the Company's cost structure. The guidance also assumes product prices will be able to be adjusted to offset any raw material price increases.

KMA Moves Forward

Following on from an initial meeting at KBB and a subsequent second meeting at Neff's UK head office a number of the kitchen industry's leading suppliers have identified several key areas that they feel will be of significant interest to the majority of companies supplying goods or services to the UK kitchen industry.

In order to encourage the widest possible debate within the kitchen industry, a meeting is going to be organised for October 3rd in London (venue to be confirmed).

'We all felt it was important to broaden the debate as quickly as possible,' explained the group's acting chair Martin Gill, MD of Poggenpohl UK. 'We do not have a precise mandate from the industry, but we do have some areas of interest including; training, lobbying, sharing market information and technical support amongst others that we would like to present by way of starting a discussion to develop some key principles we can all get behind.'

'A temporary website has been established at: http://www.tinyurl.com/qor5r From here industry suppliers can register to receive information about the forthcoming meeting as soon as it is announced.

'It is important that as many of my fellow suppliers register as soon as possible and by the 15th September at the latest, as that will help us decide how large the venue needs to be for our meeting in October.'

Room to Show Off

'If you've got it flaunt it' is Aqualux's motto as it officially opens its showroom for business at its headquarters in Wednesbury.

The showroom displays a range of Aqualux's products from its price entry Euro and Aquarius ranges through to its exclusive Energy and Elite collections.
The showroom has been designed to give Aqualux's existing and prospective customers a cross section of all of its collections displayed in a spacious and comfortable environment.

The showroom is also a meeting room and has a large boardroom table, seating up to 14, so clients can discuss their requirements whilst looking at the products.
In the showroom are room sets of Aqualux's award winning Walk-in with wet room option and its newly launched Walk-through.

Also on display are Aqualux's steam cabins and its complete range of bath screens from the Energy sail with its modern frameless design to the practical Aquarius 7 fold which stretches across the entire length of a bath.

Sandra Hyde, marketing manager, said: ‘We've had a great response so far to our new showroom, our customers have been really complimentary about the range of products and the way they are presented. Not only has it given us chance to show off our collection but it's also given a fantastic space to hold meetings and conferences.’

Please contact Aqualux on 0870 241 6131 to book an appointment to visit the showroom.

Full Marks for Neff from Good Housekeeping

Full marks for Neff! In the September issue of 'Good Housekeeping', two of Neff's new built in hob units have each come top of their class in the magazine's annual 'Tried & Tested' feature on the subject.

The two Neff models tested by the 'Good Housekeeping Institute' (GHI) in the Gas and Induction hob categories respectively, were the new 70cm wide gas on glass T27F7N0GB and the 60cm wide induction hob T4243X0.

Model T27F7N0GB is described by the GHI team as 'Stylish and easy to clean' earning 79 points out of a possible 100 and coming top of its class.

The T4243X0 induction hob also came top of its class earning 90 points out of a possible 100. This appliance is described by the magazine's experts as a 'Super fast boiler', giving credence to the faith that Neff has already expressed in the impressive performance of its induction hobs.

Twenty one different built in hob units from well known brands - a mix of gas, ceramic and induction models - were tested by the experts at the 'Good Housekeeping Institute' for this important annual overview of the hob market.

To arrive at their scores for efficiency, the researchers measured the responsiveness of the hobs by heating 84 litres of chilled water to boiling point. They also timed how long it took milk to drop back to a simmer.

To arrive at their scores for ease of cleaning, the researchers deliberately let 42 litres of milk boil over and 210g of pasta sauce bake on to each hob, leaving the resultant mess for a good hour before attacking it with a proprietary hob cleaner.

‘These are very welcome results’, comments Neff Brand Manager, Hannah Watson. ‘There can be no better endorsement for our products than putting them through their paces in the GHI test kitchen. After all, that's what our customers will be doing for real if they install one of these hobs at home!’

The Good Housekeeping has been testing products in its research centre since 1924. It has a well-earned reputation for championing the rights of consumers to buy good value products that work well and leads the way in offering clear, concise advice to consumers who trust their testing verdicts.

Credit Where Credit's Due

Siemens has launched a new online promotion to reward its loyal dealers for individual sales of selected appliances.

For a limited period from 8th August to 30th September 2006, Siemens is running an online credit promotion on the company's freestanding dishwashers & refrigeration ranges.

In total, 11 dishwashers and 32 refrigeration appliances are eligible for cash rewards in this sales promotion. Full details can be found on the special explanatory leaflet prepared by Siemens for the promotion.

The cash rewards are being offered online at http://www.purecard.co.uk via a debit card, called a 'Pure Card', to which cash is credited every time an appropriate sale is registered. Each participant can check their credit balance online by logging into the site and using a unique password to access this information around the clock seven days a week.

The Pure card is a gateway to Internet shopping at top high street stores such as Debenhams, Marks & Spencer, The Link, PC World, Next, Argos and W.H. Smith. Some retail outlets, like Argos and Debenhams also accept the purecard in store.

Varying cash rewards of between £5 and £100 are being offered to dealers for individual sales of eligible Siemens dishwashers & refrigeration appliances during the promotional period. For example, by selling a Siemens KG39MT90 fridge freezer, the dealer would receive £100 credit 'cash back' via their personal purecard.

To ensure maximum exposure for this 8-week promotion, Siemens is investing a considerable sum of money on national press advertising in all the key publications, including Sunday Times, Sunday Telegraph and the Observer magazine.

‘Credit where credit's due’ says Siemens Brand Manager, Jane Massey. ‘Loyalty deserves rewards and that's exactly what we are offering to all the dealers who support us during this intensive 8-week campaign’

Kliniklene Kills Hospital Superbugs

Hygiene has again been highlighted as a significant factor in recent articles reporting deaths from hospital superbugs (The Independent, 24, 25 July), yet products are available now that provide effective protection from most bacterial infections and are priced to ensure cost control need not be placed above infection control.

Doncaster based Pegler has been one of the companies instrumental in developing taps and mixers that kill many of these superbugs on contact. The active ingredient is called Kliniklene and is a coating applied to the taps themselves and complements the more rigorous cleaning and disinfection proceedures now in force in hospitals.

Pegler Product Manager Mike Dickinson said, ‘Recent articles cited inadequate cleaning and poor hand-washing facilities as key factors in superbug related deaths. Not enough people realise that products are now available which will kill many superbugs like MRSA while improving washroom facilities in hospitals at the same time.’

Kliniklene is not a coating that is 'sprayed on' - it is as much a part of the products as the chromium plating. The finish never degenerates even after extensive cleaning and attacks bacteria on contact. The test results are impressive, with MRSA, E-Coli and Pseudomonas Aeruginosa being 99.9% dead one hour after contact with the Kliniklene surface. This is well in excess of the 95% target set by the NHS.

The health minister Andy Burnham is on the record as saying that powers in the new Heath Act would be used to deal with NHS trusts that failed to follow good practice in controlling infections and Pegler echoed this today with a call for superbug killing products to be higher on the agenda.

Product Manager Mike Dickinson added, ‘With several products now capable of dealing with hospital superbugs, it is surely time to encourage NHS trusts to take advantage of taps that have resistance to superbugs designed in. It will not solve the problem outright, but these products will go a long way towards improving hospital hygiene.’

Mike continued: ‘We believe that Kliniklene and other superbug killling products should be mandatory in hospitals. With Kliniklene products costing only marginally more than standard uncoated products, there really is no excuse for cost control being placed over infection control and several hospitals have already ordered Kliniklene products.’

Tel: 0870 1200 284
Web: http://www.pegler.co.uk

Planit Selected by Everest for New Kitchen Business

Planit International, the UK developer of advanced design and visualisation software for the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and home improvement markets, has been selected to play an integral role in the formation and roll out of Everest Kitchens. The new business venture marks the latest stage in Everest’s transition towards providing an integrated range of home improvement services.

At the heart of the new kitchen design, supply and installation service will be custom-developed software based on Planit’s Fusion design, visualisation and business management application.

In order to support its decision to enter the competitive kitchen sector, Everest recognised the need to partner with acknowledged specialists in everything from furniture and appliances to design and business software. Planit’s selection as Everest’s preferred software supplier reflects Fusion’s ability to generate top quality, photo-realistic images of the customer’s design - incorporating all their chosen materials and equipment - in a matter of seconds. In addition, Planit’s bespoke package for Everest includes an advanced CRM module that streamlines all aspects of sales administration.

'The creation of Everest Kitchens is a major development for the kitchen and home improvement sector. It allows the company to tap into its wealth of skills and resources to bring a much broader range of services to the market,' says Planit International’s managing director, Alastair McPheat.
'We are delighted to be playing such a central role in this new venture. Furthermore, we look forward to working closely with Everest to enable the company to harness the full capabilities of our software as its business grows over coming months.'

The fast and accurate generation of fully rendered designs incorporating the customer’s appliances, cupboards, units, worktops, finishes, flooring and lighting options is a standard feature of all Planit Fusion systems. The Everest Kitchens system also includes Planit’s Connect management system, which not only enables accurately costed quotations to be produced in seconds, but also ensures efficient order processing, project management and the administration of customer records.

Commenting on Planit International’s contribution to the new venture, Duncan Bland, marketing manager, Everest, said: 'The creation of this new business unit builds on Everest’s 40 year track record as a superior home improvement provider. Planit’s software and support are key elements in enabling us to mirror that success in the domestic kitchen market. Fusion is already acknowledged as the industry’s most capable and comprehensive design system. It is also supported by excellent user training and product support - allowing us to offer customers a complete kitchen design solution backed by Everest’s brand values and reputation for quality.'

About Planit International
Based at Ashford in Kent, Planit International is a UK developer of advanced design and visualisation software for the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and home improvement markets. Its flagship product, Planit Fusion incorporates a comprehensive range of customer management tools, superior graphics and unrivalled presentational quality - making it the industry’s benchmark integrated software application. The company is a principal member of the Planit Group and is the sector’s only certified Microsoft Partner.

About Everest Kitchens
Everest opened for business in 1965. Everest provides attractive and long-lasting solutions for improving your home and holds nine British Standards Institute ‘kitemarks’ and a BS 9001 2000 registration which recognises its unflagging standards. Its products include windows, entrance doors, garage doors, conservatories, security systems, roofs, driveways and now kitchens.

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

RAK Ceramics Acquires Trident's West Country Distribution Operation

RAK Ceramics has announced the acquisition of Trident Bathrooms' Bristol based distribution business. Now named RAK UK West, the deal involves immediate investment in the 15,000 sq ft Avonmouth distribution operation, which can already be seen in the shape of additional personnel, an extended delivery fleet and the introduction of RAK Ceramics tiles, stocked in depth.

As the first warehousing operation outside the company's Sussex based UK Headquarters, RAK UK West represents an important step in RAK Ceramics' initiative to provide 'unique products with unmatched service'.

RAK Ceramics plans to significantly expand the existing team of eight and has already recruited an additional customer care advisor, a warehouse operative and further sales representation. A considerably wider range of RAK Ceramics products will be stocked, as featured in a new full colour brochure, including the new Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen suite, porcelain and ceramic large format tiles and the latest design-led sanitaryware. These will also be displayed in a new full line showroom that is planned for the Avonmouth premises. The company will continue to distribute Sloegrin shower enclosures, cabinets and mirrors, Kudox heated towel rails, La Torre brassware, Elon waste and furniture and Victoria & Albert freestanding baths.

RAK Ceramics UK Managing Director Rob Jull says, ‘I'm confident that existing customers around the South West and South Wales will notice an immediate improvement in service through the single supply channel.’ He continues, ‘The message is very clearly business as usual - only with even better levels of service and a dramatically enhanced product range to choose from.’

To source your copy of the new RAK UK West distribution catalogue telephone 0117 982 6078 or visit http://www.rakceramics.co.uk for the latest products from RAK Ceramics UK.

Caption:
Rondo designed by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen - Just one of RAK Ceramics' many ranges of sanitaryware and tiles now in stock at the new Bristol based RAK UK West.

New Date for Implementing the WEEE Directive

The UK's Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) has launched a tender for companies to start projects for closed-loop recycling of plastics from waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).

Wrap is inviting directed research tenders that demonstrate on a large scale the technical ability to recycle WEEE plastics into materials suitable for the manufacture of new electrical and electronic products. The projects will also need to demonstrate the economic viability of the recycling opportunity and its environmental impact compared with the use of virgin materials.

In particular, Wrap is interested in proposals that will involve major OEMs in the projects.

Gerrard Fisher, WRAP's Manufacturing Development Project Manager, said: ‘We want to kick-start the closed-loop recycling of EEE plastics: this project aims to demonstrate the technical feasibility on a large scale, along with the economic and environmental benefits of doing it. By encouraging major OEMs to get involved we aim to make this an opportunity that they can continue to exploit once the project is completed.’

Earlier this week, the UK government announced 1st July 2007 as the new date for implementation of the EU's WEEE directive, after three earlier delays (PRW.com 30th March). Its consultation process includes a proposal to establish a national distributor takeback scheme for consumers to return used items for recycling or reuse.

Victoria & Albert Restructure for More Growth

The UK freestanding bath manufacturer Victoria & Albert has announced a series of high level corporate changes across the company’s global operations. Edward Davies has become the new group Chief Executive Officer; the UK trading company Domotec (Europe) Ltd has been made the group holding company; and a newly formed wholly owned subsidiary company Victoria & Albert Baths Ltd will trade in the United Kingdom and Europe. All reporting to Mr Davies, other wholly owned subsidiaries in the group are Victoria & Albert pty, South Africa, and Victoria & Albert LLC, America.

Based in the UK at the group's Telford headquarters, Davies' stated mission is to roll out the next phase of an aggressive corporate strategy, focussing on developing new market sectors organically or by acquisition - an approach that has seen Victoria & Albert baths launched in every continent on the globe. With a background of running highly successful food manufacturing businesses selling to major retail outlets, his understanding of delivering to the FMCG sector is anticipated to prove invaluable in achieving the company's planned growth.

‘Victoria & Albert are poised to become a major world brand,’ says new Victoria & Albert Group CEO Edward Davies. ‘Having been a non executive director of the company for the last four years I've seen new markets adopt QUARRYCAST® with gusto and witnessed the range develop first hand. With our new corporate structure, investment in new product development and a raft of exciting new models in the pipeline we have a fantastic growth potential and I'm looking forward to working with UK MD Joe Matthews and the team to make this happen.’

Details of all Victoria & Albert companies can be found on the group website, http://www.vandabaths.com or telephone the new UK head office number 01952 221100.

Space Selling Fast for Bathroom & Kitchen Expo

Bathroom & Kitchen EXPO (ExCeL London, 13-15 May 2007), the trade event for the bathroom and kitchen industry, has announced that 70% of stand space is already taken for next year's show.

Among the leading industry names now confirmed for EXPO are Aqualisa, Coram Showers, HiB, Ideal Standard, Kaldewei, Roca, Roman Showers and Stonehams. Joining these will be other top brands, representing the breadth and depth of innovation and diversity in the sector. These include Cosentino, Crystal Doors, Graff, MHS Radiators, Parapan, Sanicor and Victoria & Albert. For an up to date exhibitor list, please visit http://www.bkexpo.co.uk.

‘We are delighted with the high level and quality of EXPO bookings at this stage’ comments Bathroom & Kitchen EXPO's, Show Manager, Graham Martin. ‘EXPO is the only UK event for the industry in 2007, giving manufacturers and equipment distributors a unique platform to launch new designs, products and appliances into the sector. Not only this, but we will have a range of new features at the show specifically designed to appeal to retailers, specifiers, interior designers, architects and housebuilders, adding real value and interest to their visit. Bathroom & Kitchen EXPO is all set to be bigger and better for 2007’.

Visitors to EXPO will benefit from a full range of interactive features. These will include an extensive, free seminar programme, devised to explore and debate the key industry issues, covering, for example, water conservation, energy efficiency and London 2012 Olympics. At the same time, a separate workshop programme will be aimed at developing business, selling and design skills for visitors. Another key EXPO highlight will be the Bathroom Life and Kitchen Life areas. These centre piece attractions will showcase a range of different designs, layouts and products in stylish real-world room sets, inspiring visitors with fresh ideas and approaches to help them sell their concepts, products and homes.

Launched in 2001, Bathroom & Kitchen EXPO is a biennial event. In 2005 the event featured over 150 exhibitors in over 17,000m2 of exhibition space and attracted a final visitor attendance of 8,267 (ABC audited). In 2007 EXPO is organised and promoted for the first time by dmg world media, publishers of the industry trade magazine, KBB Review magazine, and the company behind a well-known range of successful exhibitions, including The Daily Mail Ideal Home Show.

Bathroom & Kitchen EXPO takes place at ExCeL London, a thriving, easily accessible exhibition and conference centre with large, pillar-free exhibition halls in London's Docklands. The venue features six on-site hotels, offering over 1500 bedrooms, three DLR stations and parking for 6,000 cars, which will be extended by a further 1,600 by the time EXPO opens next May. There are regular direct flights from numerous UK destinations, including Liverpool, Newcastle, Dundee, Edinburgh, Isle of Man, Jersey and Manchester to nearby London City Airport.

For more information, please visit http://www.bkexpo.co.uk. For details on exhibiting at Bathroom and Kitchen EXPO, contact Pauline Morrison on paulinemorrison@dmgworldmedia.com or call 020 8515 2139.

New Chair for TTA

David Forbes, Joint Managing Director of the Nicholls & Clarke Group of Companies, has taken over from Brian Newell as Chairman of The Tile Association. David has been a TTA board member since the association’s formation and is the 4th Chair. He will serve for two years.

David told us, 'I am delighted to become the fourth Chairperson for The Tile Association. During its short history, The Tile Association has made incredible progress in unifying the industry, improving standards and creating a forum for discussion for subjects of concern for the industry. During my two years as Chairman I hope to continue this good work, increase the awareness of all the good work carried out by the various Committees within The Tile Association and widen the membership still further to individuals and companies currently not aware of the benefits to joining The Tile Association.'

David joined Nicholls & Clarke Ltd 20 years ago and became Joint Managing Director in January 2005. There are two new TTA board members as well as new committee members and chairs.

The Tile Association represents all aspects of the wall and floor tile industry in the UK, from manufacture to installation. It is dedicated to the advancement of all sectors of the tile industry and delivers real advantages to its members and their customers. It is committed to raising standards of product, installation, sales, training and promotion across the industry.

Web: http://www.tiles.org.uk

More Candidates for BMA Core Merit Courses

Ideal-Standard is about to enrol 30 people from its workforce onto the BMA Bathroom Academy course.

Hull based bathroom manufacturer Ideal Standard is enrolling 30 members of its workforce onto the BMA Bathroom Academy core merit certification scheme, the company's Managing Director Roger Cooper says, ‘the training courses that we have created at the BMA are proving very valuable to the candidates taking them.

‘I am keen that my company supports the work that Yvonne Orgill and her team have already done with the pilot schemes. Enrolling some of our people at Ideal Standard is the best way for us to give that support and has the double benefit of up-skilling our workforce.

‘I hope that all of the BMA members follow the lead set by Ideal Standard, Triton and Roman to give the BMA Virtual Academy the momentum to ensure that our industry becomes better trained, educated and qualified.’

To view the BMA training material visit:
http://www.bathroom-association.org/training/guides.asp

To enroll on the courses email: phil.lumley@bthroom-association.org.uk

New Britannia Sprinter is Turning Heads

Range cooker specialist Britannia Living has added a new Mercedes Benz Sprinter to its fleet of delivery vehicles. The new vehicle will deliver cookers to customers' homes when access by larger lorries is restricted.

Marketing Manager Henneke Duistermaat comments: ‘The eye-catching livery looks very classy and will for sure turn heads wherever it goes.

‘The Britannia delivery service is very much appreciated by our customers and they will feel extra proud when such a beautiful Britannia vehicle turns up to deliver their cooker.’

Recent increase in demand for Britannia cookers has provided Britannia with the opportunity to further invest in its extensive delivery fleet. The new vehicle will also ensure that delivery performance remains at the excellent level that customers have come to expect.

Britannia's delivery fleet includes a mix of 26 ton and 12 ton vehicles as well as the new Sprinter van. While the larger vehicles can transport up to 48 cookers, the Sprinter will only carry a maximum of six cookers. Britannia delivers to both dealers and customers' homes, and also completes connection for customers.

ArtiCAD’S Instant Remote Support

ArtiCAD Limited, the CAD software specialist for kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms and home offices, has announced the launch of Instant Remote Support, the latest addition to the company’s portfolio of customer service initiatives.

Instant Remote Support enables an ArtiCAD support technician to take control of a client’s PC remotely over a secure broadband Internet connection. The technician is able to view the screen whilst the client demonstrates the problem. He or she then takes control of the PC and demonstrates to the watching client the steps which need to be taken to resolve the problem.

Stephen Pickup of Abbeymill Kitchens is enthusiastic about the new service. 'It is a lot easier than trying to explain a problem. ArtiCAD’s technician was able to review and rectify the problem, and I could see and comment in real-time.'

ArtiCAD director, Theresa Turner, confirms that early response to the new service from other clients has also been extremely positive. 'We are now able to solve some complex technical issues that would have taken a day to cure within fifteen minutes. Clearly this is helping our clients to remain as productive as possible by dramatically reducing any disruption to their work. Instant Remote Support is a key part of ArtiCAD’s ongoing drive to improve the level of service that we offer our clients, in part by the innovative use of new technologies.'

Tel: 01923 246586
Web: http://www.articad.cc

D.A.D Joins Forces with Fisher & Paykel Kitchen Appliances

D.A.D, the Gloucester-based domestic appliance distributor, will distribute Fisher & Paykel's range of free-standing and built-in dishwashers, fridges and cookers to retailers throughout the UK (not Ireland) to the independent channel.

Adrian Gillman, D.A.D Managing Director, says: ‘Fisher & Paykel is a quality brand, I believe, one of the best you can buy, and has the added value of offering good profit opportunities for our retailers/stockists.

‘They are beautiful products with very innovative technology and are leaders in their class.’

Andrew Smith, Fisher & Paykel UK sales manager, says: ‘We are delighted to appoint D.A.D to service our independent electrical market.

‘The company has substantial market knowledge and will provide a high level of service associated with our brand.

Fisher & Paykel was founded in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1934 by Sir Woolf Fisher and Maurice Paykel, and is now a major international business with manufacturing facilities in New Zealand, Australia and America and has recently acquired production facilities in Italy.

The company has an annual turnover of more than 1.2 billion New Zealand Dollars (about £400 million), with a workforce of more than 4,000 worldwide.

To strengthen its position in the UK, Fisher & Paykel has rearranged its products into three families - the Designer Series, the Icon Series and the Titan Cooking Series - offering something for every aesthetic taste.

The Designer Series follows the contemporary taste for understatement with crisp edges and clean lines which blend in flush with surrounding cabinets.

The Icon Series has become the Fisher & Paykel signature range, with bold designs that stand out from, rather than blend in with, their surroundings, featuring curved panels and elongated handles.

The Titan Series, the flagship of the range, is designed with the serious cook in mind, offering a 100 litre capacity oven and 900mm matching hobs.

The company also plans to strengthen its UK business by building a better relationship with its dealers.

Over the past 14 years, D.A.D has successfully built up a reputation for offering a first class, professional distribution service to the domestic appliance retail market.

Managed and directed by Adrian Gillman, the Gloucester-based company is still owned by the Gillman family, and over the past few years has a track record of expansion, not least due to is relocation to an enormous new warehouse in the centre of the city.

The company's 80,000 sq.ft warehouse and distribution centre allows D.A.D to deliver more than 800 appliances every day to more the 1,200 clients all over the UK.

D.A.D's product range of more than 33 manufacturers' brands includes Electrolux, Bosch, Gorenje and most recently Beko.

D.A.D has its own brands as well. Many consumers and retailers will know the name IceKing, an auxiliary company to D.A.D, manufacturing a range of chest freezers, with 13 to choose from, and its popular portable ice-making machine, the IceBaby.

Stoves Offers Exclusive Warranty for GDHA Elite Retailers

As part of its continued commitment to customer care, Glen Dimplex Home Appliances is offering customers of Elite Retailers a special extended warranty on all Stoves products.

In addition to the five year parts and one year labour which comes with all Stoves products as standard, GDHA Elite Retailers can now offer consumers extra peace of mind with a further year's labour warranty absolutely free; extending the comprehensive package to offer full support in the unlikely event of anything going wrong.

GDHA Elite Retailers are now provided with exclusive warranty forms to hand out with each Stoves product purchased. In order to benefit from the additional year's warranty consumers must simply complete and return the form handed to them by the retailer instead of completing the standard form which comes with the appliance. David Titterington, Independent Channel Manager for Glen Dimplex Home Appliances, comments:

‘The extension to our standard Stoves warranty is just one example of how GDHA is enabling Elite Retailers to generate high levels of customer satisfaction. By becoming a member, stockists will benefit from a comprehensive support package aimed keeping them one step ahead of the competition and, ultimately, ensuring long-term business gains.’

GDHA Elite membership is available for retailers who stock at least six Stoves, Belling or New World products, two of which must be range cookers, and offer a Corgi registered installation service.

Additional membership benefits include guaranteed visits from Area Sales Managers and priority access to training courses as well as access to GDHA's dedicated Independent Helpline and website designed to help with product or service enquiries and deal with specific business issues.

For further information on becoming a GDHA Elite Retailer please contact your Area Sales Manager or complete and fax back the application form, which can be downloaded from http://www.gdha.com/independent.

Success All Round

Image Showers says that it has had a very positive and extremely successful first half to 2006. The company began the year firing on all cylinders with a new brochure, newly designed products, recently appointed sales team and the KBB exhibition about to begin. Since then business could not have been better and Image Showers has just announced that sales have doubled last year's levels.

Distributors have taken in extra stocks from Image Showers, after recognising the advances made in the market place and of course the sales from the quality displays secured are now following. Ideal Bathrooms in particular has increased stock across the whole range including the new Ultra frameless models.

Martin Carroll, Ideal Bathrooms' Commercial Director comments, "We are selective with the brands we choose to stock and Image Showers is a relative newcomer to the Ideal Bathrooms stock portfolio. We are pleased to have been able to increase our stocks and sales have gone well with our customers identifying that the ranges are good quality and good prices. Image Showers have fitted the showroom displays too, so the displays look good, benefiting ongoing sales.’

KBB was good timing for Image Showers with everything coming together for a successful show. The KBB show was perfect to demonstrate to new retailers the quality of the enclosures and screens available and to meet the sales team to talk about the quality and service support available. New showrooms and displays obtained from KBB have proven to be winners.

Image Showers has a large range of quality products, which include an extensive choice of bath screens, sliding, hinged, folding and bow for corner and shaped baths. There are also screens and panels for wet rooms and walk in showers as well as the Allure and Ultra ranges, both luxury ranges with many options for customers to consider. Image designs and manufactures its own shower enclosures in Ireland, which allows greater flexibility for product updates and new products. The Ultra Offset Quadrant enclosure has recently been redesigned so that it fits standard shower trays and not only its' dedicated tray, again giving the customer more choice and flexibility.

The new brochure is also a success and retailers are more than happy with the displays and service support from Image Showers which includes a lifetime guarantee on its full range of enclosures and shower screens.

IDS Invests in New Handling Machinery

Dubbed Operation Barge, IDS has invested £300k at its Nuneaton branch in new specialist mechanical handling equipment for worktops which will reduce damage, improve Health & Safety and operational efficiency.

Nuneaton is the Central Distribution Centre for the group as well as directly serving the West Midlands area. Over £4m worth of stock is held within the 90,000 sq ft of warehousing space across the company's portfolio of worktops, flooring, laminates and panel products.

The machinery will be used to pick IDS's comprehensive worktop offer which includes Omega, Axiom, Prima and Duropal laminate worktops; Staron solid surfaced worktops and the Solid Wood Worktop Collection.

The new handling equipment brings a new approach to the way worktops are typically picked. Throughout the UK, the usual method is to 'bring the stock to the staff'. This requires a whole pallet of worktops to be picked from the rack, lowered and then transported to a suitable picking area. Once the stock has been picked, the worktops are then manoeuvred back to the rack. It's a process that means moving worktops four to five times for just one pick and it exposes the worktops to a high risk of damage, as well as being slow and labour intensive.

The new system based on the two brand new Hubtex EZK20 lifting platforms reverses this process and 'brings the staff to the stock'. It's a proven concept in Germany and Belgium shown to reduce damage, improve productivity, improve Health & Safety, improve customer service and increase staff morale.

Neil Philips, Operations Manager at Nuneaton is responsible for the project:

‘When I first saw the system, it reminded me of barges floating down the aisles of a warehouse. It has been operating now just a few months and I am already greatly impressed with the service improvement.’

Tel: 08457 298 298
Email: info@idsurfaces.co.uk
Web: http://www.idsurfaces.co.uk

Roman Welcomes Holy Visitor

One of County Durham’s largest manufacturing plants welcomed a Provincial Mother, all the way from Sri Lanka. to talk about the company’s fundraising efforts to support the Tsunami victims.

Sister Ancilla, the Provincial Mother of five orphanages and six schools across Sri Lanka, stopped off at the Newton Aycliffe-based firm, Roman, following a visit to Rome on Holy Orders.

Roman will hold fund-raising events for the second successive year to send money to a children’s home left devastated by the Tsunami disaster in the North East Sri Lankan coastal town of Mulliativu.

The Uruthirapuram orphanage, which Roman is supporting, is overseen by Sister Ancilla and will eventually have a fully-equipped dining hall, kitchen and of course, showers and WCs, where the 60 children can use the new facilities comfortably under the guidance of the five nuns who care for them.

Last year Roman staff raised over £6,000 by taking part in a number of events including the Three Peaks Challenge, the Great North Run and a charity quiz night.

The plight of the children’s home was brought to Roman’s attention by Aloy and Juliet Mariathasun, Sri Lankan nationals who settled in Darlington in the early 1970s.

Roman’s chairman, Gerry Osborne, said: 'We were thrilled that Sister Ancilla could make a detour from Rome to visit our factory before flying back to Sri Lanka. She was very interested in our factory and we were delighted to talk about our company and the staff. All the staff are looking forward to more fund-raising events planned this year, which include a golf day, a 5-aside football tournament and another quiz night.'

Sister Ancilla, said: 'I would like to thank all the staff at Roman for the tremendous amount of money they raised last year, and wish them all the very best in their fund-raising efforts for this year. The money is making a massive difference to the lives of the children and is a great help to the nuns who care for them.'

Long Term Satisfaction with the Volkswagen Transporter

Domestic appliance manufacturer, Miele, has been using Volkswagen vans since the early 1960s when the company first started trading in Britain. Today it operates a fleet of 86 Transporter vans, which are crucial to the company's nationwide maintenance and repair service.

CLM Fleet Management supplies Miele with the distinctive red Transporter vans. An independently owned company, CLM specialises in providing bespoke solutions to the commercial fleet market. It has managed the Miele fleet for the last seven years and has responsibility for acquisition, maintenance, administration and the disposal of the vans on their return after an operational life with Miele that lasts five years or 90,000 miles, whichever limit is reached first.

'When I first test drove the latest version of the Transporter, I was struck by the comfort, good turning circle and noise suppression in comparison to the previous model,' said Miele Director, Tony Stephens.
'Most importantly,' he continued, 'the Transporter's overall performance has been praised by Miele's drivers.'

Miele's Volkswagen Transporter vans have potent 1.9-litre 85 PS diesel engines, which use Volkswagen's unit injector technology and are designed to offer impressive power, refinement and low fuel consumption. There is also a comprehensive safety package featuring ABS, Electronic Differential Lock (EDL) and Engine Braking Control (EBC).

All the vans are fitted with a bespoke shelving system for the large amount of tools and parts that the engineers need to carry with them.

As a long-standing operator of Volkswagen Transporter vans, Miele has seen consistent improvement in the model. With its quality construction and contemporary design, Miele believes the Volkswagen Transporter reflects and enhances the company's brand image.

The Ridgeway Volkswagen Van Centre, Wantage - one of a national network of over 70 centres - supplies CLM Fleet Management with the vehicles.

For further information on the Volkswagen Transporter or to find your nearest Van Centre call 0800 717131 or visit http://www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk.

Twyford Bathrooms Installed at the House of the Future

Twyford Bathrooms has been selected as a supplier to the Osborne Demonstration House at the BRE (Building Research Establishment) Innovation Park at Garston, Watford.

The aim of the Osborne Demonstration House is to showcase the best modern methods of construction, and the latest innovative technologies for buildings and the built environment. Twyford Bathrooms has been supplying Osborne's Reigate office since 2000, and was recently invited by Osborne to be the sanitaryware supplier for the company’s Demonstration House.

It was Twyford Bathrooms' Total Install™ system, as well as the water-saving features, that really caught Osborne's eye. Total Install™ provides innovations that deliver high quality professional installations with greater ease and speed of fixing. This means that the installation times and callback rates are greatly reduced thanks to the newly engineered techniques for baths, bath panels, WC suites and wall- and floor-mounted basins and pedestals.

The Osborne Demonstration House strives to demonstrate construction best practice and to showcase affordable innovation in action. Twyford Bathrooms supplied a Neptune bath, a Galerie Back to Wall and SR basin, an Option WC, basin and pedestal and a Refresh WC, basin and pedestal. These suites all feature the Total Install™ system, and clearly showcase how style, design, functionality and innovation can all be fused into one product.

Matt Ledger Social Housing Manager, Twyford Bathrooms said, 'We were really excited to be picked to supply the sanitaryware to The Osborne Demonstration House, particularly as they look for innovation and clever design from their suppliers. We are looking forward to showcasing our product innovation with Total Install™ and also the water saving features which are extremely important in today's construction market.'

Its Official: Men are Domestically-challenged

The interest surrounding the debut novel ‘Men in Aprons’ by Alex Mattis proves something all women have known for ages: men are useless in the home and the ‘metrosexual new man’ is just a myth.

Recent figures from the Office For National Statistics The Time Use Survey, 2005 ‘How we spend our time’, Office for National Statistics, 19th July 2006 show that only 77% of men compared to 92% of women spend time each day doing housework. The report is particularly damning to 21st century man as the survey goes on to reveal that this figure was 86% in 2000, blowing a huge hole in theory that men are finally becoming domesticated.

According to the survey, men spend only 27 minutes a day cooking and washing up compared to women who spend at least double the time, 54 minutes a day on the activity. More worryingly, men devote only 13 minutes to cleaning and tidying and 4 minutes to washing clothes compared to 47 minutes and 18 minutes respectively by women.

Author of ‘Men in Aprons’ Alex Mattis hopes to improve this poor showing by men through a witty and engaging novel that will subtly help them negotiate everyday household chores.

It’s a practical guide for ‘twenty-something’ men navigating the maze of work, relationships and household appliances. It also contains unique hints and tips sections to help men run their own home in style coping with everything from the laundry to healthy eating.

Data prepared by Mintel suggests that 42% of British men, including many involved with childcare, shopping and other ‘new man’ pursuits, accept that cleaning involves them ‘just a little’ if at all. Some 6% of men among 25,000 respondents never do household chores and only 15% are tempted to try new cleaning products, however technological. Women in Britain, meanwhile, acknowledge an actual sensation of pleasure when de-hairing the shower plug or scraping off children's cereal apparently welded to high-chairs.

Top divorce QC Bruce Blair recently told the Times that the three ingredients for a successful marriage are an active sex life, no arguments about money and a tidy home. Although the book can’t help its readers with the first two, it can certainly assist with the third.

About the author
Alex Mattis, 30, is a writer and journalist whose work has been published in the Evening Standard, Independent, Times, Guardian and Telegraph.

A finalist in the 2006 Harper’s Bazaar/Orange short-story competition, she lives with her husband, a TV director, in Shoreditch, London, and is currently working on her second novel.

About the illustrator
Daisy De Villeneuve has written and illustrated two books, 'He Said She Said' & 'I Told You So', both published by Pocko Editions.

She has exhibited in numerous shows all over the world. She contributes to Cheap Date, Elle Girl Korea, Nylon & British Vogue as both a writer & illustrator. Her design collaborations include Nike, Topshop, Heals & The Victoria & Albert Museum.

Men in Aprons is Daisy's first book cover design and she very much enjoyed the project and working alongside Electrolux.

About the book
Released 10th July 2006
Published by AB Electrolux. Paperback priced £6.99 available from http://www.electrolux.co.uk. Audio Book available exclusively from http://www.audible.co.uk priced £6.99.

‘Men in Aprons’ is the brainchild of Electrolux, one of the world’s leading appliance manufacturers. In 2003, Electrolux commissioned writer and journalist Alex Mattis to create a work of fiction aimed at helping men to cope with daily household chores. Electrolux’s sponsorship of the book has also proved an interesting discussion point amongst the media and companies alike. As major brands seek new and interesting ways to engage with target audiences, commissioned books may prove to be a new and novel medium with which to do this successfully.

Dan Fielding is the envy of all his mates - a job in television, a flat in
Islington and the perfect girlfriend, Anna. Then she walks out on him. On
top of this, his boss, one of the country’s top chat-show hosts, has it in for him, setting him a series of nigh-on impossible tasks.

With his love life and career going wrong, Dan is forced to take a good look at himself. Why did Anna walk out? Was it really - as she claims - because he’s domestically incompetent? With the help of his posh new flatmate Jackson, he sets about becoming a god in the kitchen, with hilarious consequences...

There is no mention of Electrolux in the story, but each chapter ends with a series of practical hints and tips, such as ‘Shortcuts to a Tidy House’, ‘Looking After Your Drinks Cabinet’, ‘Tips for Successful Laundry’ and ‘How to Make Your Bed an Inviting Proposition’.