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LG HI-MACS® Used to Create Tretzo's New ebb Bathroom

'The Natural Acrylic Stone LG HI-MACS® is a high quality material that is long lasting, easy to fabricate and completely renewable to high standards; in short, it is creating a revolution in premium solid surfaces.' says the company.

Tretzo, the UK bathroom manufacturer, has used LG HI-MACS® to create the company's new 'ebb' range which features a glass-fronted basin and bath as well as an integrated toilet and contemporary open shelving.

Tretzo's managing director Geoff Clarke explaing his company's collaboration with LG to produce ebb at this week's 100% Design Show

The bathroom's designers, Jack Woolley and Alan Marks of Triplicate, used LG HI-MACS® Natural Acrylic Stone which is thermoformable and allowed seamless moulding ensuring an elegant ribbon of durable, stain and chemical resistant surface. LG HI-MACS® is a blend of approximately 75% natural minerals and pigments set in an acrylic matrix and produced according to state-of-the-art thermal cure technology. The aesthetically appealing Natural Acrylic Stone that results is extremely durable.

'We are pleased to have been able to support Tretzo's bold commercial initiative with a high-performance product that is rapidly setting a new trend in surface applications for bathrooms, kitchens, wall decorations, bar tops and food counters' comments Frederic Willame, Vice President of LG Chem Europe.

About LG Chem Europe
LG HI-MACS® is the leading offering of LG Chem Europe (Geneva, Switzerland), a fully owned subsidiary of LG Chem Ltd, established in 1947 in Korea. With annual sales of EUR 4.2 billion and a global workforce of 10,000 employees, LG Chem believes in positive progress through sustainable growth. LG Chem Europe - through its dedicated network of strategic partners - is responsible for the marketing and sales of the product portfolio of LG Chem in Europe in the fields of industrial materials (residential and commercial floor and wall covering, window and door materials, doors, surface decorative materials, advertising banner sheets and safety materials, automotive materials) information and electronic materials, performance polymers and petrochemicals.

http://www.lgchemeurope.com

About Tretzo
Tretzo has been designing and manufacturing bathroom furniture for over 40 years, operating as a profitable family-owned business since 1969. Based in Armagh, Northern Ireland, its personality trademark is ultramodern, minimalist design combined with craftsmanship and modern contemporary materials.

http://www.ebbspace.com

Visit Tretzo and LG Chem Europe at Stand C14 at 100% Design, London 22-25 September '05.

Image Showers Launches UK Sales Initiative

Image Showers, the manufacturers of shower enclosures and screens in Ireland, is introducing a new strategic business plan for its expansion in the UK. Already established in several showrooms, Image is now embarking on a major drive to build on this base and to become a major force in the UK enclosures and screens market.

Neil Beswick (pictured), who has recently joined Image Showers as Sales & Marketing Manager for the UK, comments 'Image Showers is a major manufacturer in Ireland of quality enclosures and screens but is, frankly, under represented in the UK. We have therefore developed an ambitious strategy for growth which involves recruiting a network of flagship showrooms throughout the country. With quality products aimed at the mid - upper market sector, we are looking for high profile showrooms who have the same quality philosophy as ourselves. And we have a very strong incentive package for our displays for these showrooms.'

Neil, who has spent his whole career to date in the building industry, is also in the formal stages of recruiting his UK sales team which will cover all showrooms from High Street to merchants and will maintain liaison with Image Showers' network of distributors. This includes Ideal Bathrooms providing national coverage together with regional distributors Claygate, Formula One, Briten, JSB, Smiths and McDermotts.

'Image prides itself on its commitment to service support to its customers', says Neil.

It has a UK distribution centre and warehouse at Daventry and a national network of service engineers to support bathroom showrooms and installers. Products are hand-made and hand-finished to ensure consistent high quality and come with a lifetime guarantee.

As well as their extensive range of enclosures and screens, lmage Showers also offer a bespoke service for those who require unusual sizes or have special requirements.

'Our policy is quality products and quaiity service support' adds Neil 'We Operate in the upper market predominantly where continuity and reliability of supply together with consistent pricing policies are the business ethos. Watch this space - Image Showers has new products and new ideas which will make us a force to be reckoned with.'

Tel: 00353 5623374

Distributors Choose Impulse

Birmingham-based Impulse Bathroom Products says that it continues to increase its sales, with distributors deciding that Impulse offers them more choice, higher quality and better margins.

Since the beginning of the year new distributors have joined the Impulse chain and many of who had departed for pastures new have returned, finding that some of the so-called competition did not live up to expectations.

‘The general downturn in our market sector during the first half of the year made me wonder whether we were going to see a drop in sales for the first time since we launched in the UK almost ten years ago,’ said General Manager, Gary Hawkins. ‘However, we sat tight and hoped that our qualities would prove themselves. Thankfully, they are!’

He continued: ‘Impulse has a lot to offer distributors; our sustained high quality speaks for itself; the design team is constantly bringing out new lines; and we have over 60,000 items in stock at any one time so delivery is rapid. Also, because we don’t dictate profit margins, it is up to the individual to set his own.’

One new distributor is London 1st. Duane Pope, Operations Director explains why he chose to distribute Impulse: ‘I wanted to offer my customers a stylish collection – and I needed to be able to rely on the quality and availability of that collection. Impulse is able to deliver whole containers direct to us so that we have plenty of stock and they provide impeccable after sales service.’

Jennifer Joins Ebor’s CaesarStone Team

Ebor Equipment, of Rochdale, has recruited Marketing Executive, Jennifer Lalley, to spearhead its UK drive for CaesarStone, the quartz surface for kitchens and bathrooms.

Jennifer gained a BSc (Hons.) in Psychology and Health Science from the University of the West of England in Bristol and took a position at a successful and long-established business-to-business PR and Marketing agency in Southampton.

There she worked on a variety of accounts from a global electronics manufacturing machine producer, to an international compliance and testing provider.

This has given her an excellent marketing background, which she is employing for the greater benefit of Ebor and CaesarStone.

Jennifer is enjoying the experience of moving to a new home in a new town, as well as the challenge of a new job.

‘It is an exciting time for Ebor, alongside the successful glass and stone machinery business; it is now the sole importer and distributor of CaesarStone throughout the UK and Ireland. I’m looking forward to developing the business and working with fabricators and kitchen retailers to promote the benefits of CaesarStone and its exciting range of new colours.’

Ebor managing director, Stephen Boocock says:

‘CaesarStone is really taking off and we are pleased that Jennifer has joined us. She will be working extensively on CaesarStone and her role will be varied as she uses her skills to develop both the trade and consumer markets for this inspiring product.’

http://www.ebor.co.uk

abode Nationwide Distribution almost Complete

Abode has signed up new South Wales distributorship.'With the signing up of Llandaff Laminates near Cardiff covering the South Wales area, the nationwide distribution network of the abode brand is now virtually complete' comments Darren Holliday, founder of abode. 'We are delighted to welcome Llandaff to our network of partners as they offer the expertise required to do our products justice.

'Abode’s sales in mid 2005 have made significant gains on 2004 and the refined range launched at Expo 05 has vastly increased sales.

'Currently focusing on the design and development of the next wave of taps, the future for abode’s distributors looks very exciting. And with abode’s relocation on the cards within the next 12 months to larger custom designed premises in Yorkshire the brand has already established a reputation of being an innovator.'

Tel: 01924 202010
Web: http://www.abodedesigns.co.uk

Maytag Provides Earnings Update

Maytag Corporation said on September 19th that its results for the third quarter and full-year 2005 will be significantly lower than the guidance previously provided by the company due to higher costs negatively impacting performance. The burden of its high manufacturing overhead, increasing distribution and fuel expenses, and rising raw material costs are the primary drivers of these cost increases.

Ralph F. Hake, Maytag's chairman and CEO said, 'Although we are disappointed in these cost increases, our top-line sales projections are strong compared to last year.'

Hake noted that despite the uncertainty in recent months surrounding the pending sale of Maytag, the company achieved high single-digit sales growth in its major appliances product lines through the first two months of the third quarter. He also pointed out that excess manufacturing capacity is still one of Maytag's biggest issues impacting earnings.

'Our fixed cost structure remains a barrier to acceptable financial performance, and we intend to address this issue,' Hake said. 'The actions we take might require restructuring charges, including asset write-offs, accelerated depreciation and certain cash costs. These actions will need to be undertaken irrespective of the pending merger with Whirlpool.'

The company stated that in addition to cost increases, unfavourable product pricing/mix, primarily in floor care, continues to adversely impact results. The company also anticipates recording significant merger and acquisition expenses related to the pending acquisition in the third and fourth quarters of this year.

As a result, Maytag projects that its full year 2005 results will be significantly lower than the guidance previously provided by the company, and Maytag expects to report a loss before any restructuring charges in the third quarter. Due to the current business performance and uncertainty associated with the manufacturing restructuring, Maytag will no longer provide any earnings guidance.

In addition, given the expectation that the merger with Whirlpool may not close prior to the first quarter of 2006, the company has decided to move forward to complete the new asset-based $600 million five-year, senior secured revolving credit facility contemplated by the commitment letter previously announced by the company in June 2005 and which expires on December 30th, 2005. The new facility will replace the current $300 million credit facility and is expected to be completed early in the fourth quarter of 2005. The new credit facility is expected to be led by J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. and secured by accounts receivable and inventory of certain Maytag subsidiaries.

Maytag expects to announce its third quarter 2005 sales and earnings results on Friday, October 21st, 2005

ArtiCAD Wins Prestigious National Award

Producer of CAD software solutions for KBB designers, ArtiCAD Ltd, has won a national award in recognition of success in accessing international markets. Sponsored by UK Trade & Investment - the government organisation that helps UK companies trade internationally, the 2005 National Passport to Export Award was presented to ArtiCAD's directors at the Institute of Export Gala Awards Dinner, on September 13th.

Marketing Director, Theresa Turner comments:
‘We are thrilled to receive this prestigious accolade, especially in view of the impressive competition. It reflects the tremendous hard work put in by our entire team who have helped us to generate export sales approaching 50% of our turnover, from almost zero, in just a few years.’

ArtiCAD produces CAD software solutions for kitchen, bathroom & bedroom designers and manufacturers with over 3,000 users in the UK. In the past three years the company has established subsidiaries in North America, South Africa and Ireland with plans to expand further into additional international markets in the future.

Cannon Wins the Race Again

Following the recent accolade from the AA, for 'Restaurant of the Year', life is busier than ever for John Burton Race with the installation of more Cannon cookers, this time for professional rather than personal benefit.

With plans for a new cookery school at The New Angel in Dartmouth, John has once again called upon Cannon to provide the cooking technology for his would-be chefs. The new school will have five Cannon cookers, including a Professional 1000 Range Cooker and four Professional 600 models, to give students the best appliances and tools to bring out the hidden chef in them.

John Burton Race, who endorses the Cannon brand explains his choice of cooking product for the new school, ‘Cannon cookers are ideal appliances for people who are interested in food and love to cook. Like the target audience for the new Cookery School, Cannon customers are inspired by cooking and love to try new recipes and new kinds of food. The Cannon Professional 1000 Range Cooker was the natural choice for the school.’

Due to open October 6th 2005, John's cookery school will offer a selection of residential and non-residential cookery courses to passionate cooks eager to learn ‘The Art of Cooking’ with a little help from Cannon.

For further information on the Cookery School, please call 01803 839425.

For further information call Cannon on 08701 50 60 70 or visit http://www.cannoncooking.co.uk

De Dietrich Demonstrates the Power of Induction at John Lewis

De Dietrich, the premium appliance brand, has taken part in a major electricals event at the John Lewis Home and Leisure store in High Wycombe. Over the two day event, home economists were on hand to demonstrate the power of induction to customers, who were able to witness the technology at first hand.

'It is a well known fact, that when technologies, such as induction, are demonstrated, the likelihood of making a sale of these high margin products is dramatically increased, in the same way that a customer who has had a chance to touch and feel kitchen furniture in the showroom is more likely to go ahead and buy a new kitchen.' says the company.

De Dietrich is keen to support and encourage open weekends and special events organised by dealers, as they are the ideal opportunity to promote the features of its new range. De Dietrich home economists are suited to these events as not only are they able to talk about the products...they can also show customers how they work. Dealers interested in organising an open weekend can contact their De Dietrich Sales Manager to find out how they can qualify.

Additionally, all customers who purchase a pyrolytic or catalytic oven plus three or more De Dietrich appliances can claim a free home demonstration of their new products. The benefit to the dealer is twofold. Firstly, the retailer is able to offer a value added service that reflects well on him (customers love home demonstrations). Secondly, if the customer has any technical queries about the day-to-day use of their appliances, they can be answered while in the comfort of their own home by a De Dietrich fully trained home economist, allowing the dealer to get on with selling. This is a benefit both for first time buyers and those who are trading up, as their previous purchase may have been five to ten years ago, and appliances have significantly advanced in that time.

De Dietrich says that it believes in supporting its dealers with every available tool to help them sell its products and to continue providing additional benefits post sale.

Further information and application forms can be obtained from De Dietrich area sales managers.

Get Cooking with Micromark and Antony Worrall Thompson

Electrical manufacturer Micromark has teamed up with top TV chef Antony Worrall Thompson to launch its first range of built-in ovens and hobs. Available now, the 'Antony Worrall Thompson by Micromark' product range consists of four designs - Classic, Insignia (pictured), Signature and Autograph - giving retailers the opportunity to target all consumer tastes and budgets.

Rosalind Johnson, senior product manager at Micromark comments on the introductions, ‘This is an excellent way for us to go into a very brand conscious sector of the market, with a well known and aspirational name. The ranges offer products that will suit different markets, all with excellent Italian build quality. This promises be a successful launch for Micromark, which we hope to follow with future product extensions.’

The Product
At entry level the 'Classic' white range offers two single ovens - one conventional, one fan - with co-ordinating gas or electric hobs. The 'Insignia' range, which is predicted to be a best seller, offers a stainless steel single fan oven with five cooking programmes and a programmable LED timer/clock. This oven pairs with a choice of two 60cm wide stainless steel hobs in a choice of gas or electric.

The 'Signature' range features a stainless steel single multifunction oven with six cooking functions, or a double multifunction oven with eight cooking functions. Both feature full width grills, programmable LED timer/clock and double-glazed doors. The ovens can be paired with the Signature 70cm five burner gas hob. This stylish hob features a triple flame wok burner, auto ignition and controls at the front for safer cooking.

The premium 'Autograph' range offers stylish stainless steel styling to suit the most discerning consumer. Giving an ultra modern look to the kitchen, the Autograph ovens combine style with features. The single multifunction oven offers six cooking functions, including conventional and fan cooking, with programmable LED timer/clock and cooling fan. There is also a double oven option offering eight cooking functions. Both ovens have cooling fan, large viewing windows and triple glazed doors.

All ovens in the Antony Worrall Thompson range feature large viewing windows and thermoreflective inner door glass.

As well as offering a new product range, Micromark is also giving comprehensive product support on the whole range, including four colour labelling, fully illustrated instruction booklets, 12 months guarantee and after sales support and servicing provided by 'Expertcare'.

Antony Worrall Thompson comments on the partnership, ‘Good quality cooking appliances are the key to successful results in the kitchen. That's why I've teamed up with Micromark to develop my new range of built-in ovens and hobs. Every product has been carefully chosen to give you great margin opportunities and your customers reliable, good quality appliances at competitive prices.’

Tel: 020 8829 6354
Web: http://www.micromark.co.uk

KBSA Media Coverage Continues to Grow

Figures released by the Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association this month show that its media coverage for the early part of this year increased by 59 per cent on clips gained during the same period last year.

Figures increased across all media sectors targeted - trade, consumer, regional and national press - and the equivalent advertising cost of coverage gained during January to June 2005 reached a staggering £193,827 compared with £121,862 for the same period last year.

‘These are tremendous figures and show that our efforts to promote the KBSA and its key messages to the consumer are really paying off,’ said KBSA operations manager Lucinda Kenny.

‘Our regional newspaper coverage has been especially strong - great news for retailers - and our trade figures have almost doubled, rising from just below £60,000 last year to just under £107,000 this year.

‘Our national coverage continues to be excellent, with strong features appearing in many major titles including Ideal Home, 25 Beautiful Kitchens and the Sunday Times.’

New Ad Campaign from Daryl Showering – Targets Consumers and Supports Retailers

Daryl Showering has launched a new print and online advertising campaign that is designed to generate enquiries and direct consumers through to the recently updated website.

The campaign will feature in the directory and classified listings sections of quality lifestyle and home interest titles including Living etc, House Beautiful, Homes & Gardens and Ideal Home. Daryl has also invested in activity to improve its listings positions on the major UK search engines such as Google and Yahoo.

Marketing development manager for Daryl Showering, Mike Wilson, explains: ‘The showering sector is a very busy market in terms of advertising at the moment, so we wanted to simplify things for potential consumers and make the research phase of the purchasing process as easy as possible.

‘Our directory advertising, combined with higher listings on the key search engines, is designed to direct consumers through to our extensive website, where they can find out everything they need to know about our products – and most importantly where they can buy them.’

The campaign will feature six different executions of quarter page advertisements – each one focusing on a key product from Daryl’s range such as the Minima quadrant and Cyan walk-in. All the executions feature the new strapline ‘DARYL your space’ and have been designed by award-winning Manchester-based agency The Chase.

Mike Wilson continues: ‘We have now developed a distinct and consistent brand image across all our marketing material including our advertising, brochures and website. We have invested particularly in the development of our website as we know how important this method of research is to our potential consumers.’

Along with an easy-to-navigate overview of the full Daryl product range, the website also provides consumers with full contact details for their nearest Daryl Principal Showroom, including which products are displayed.

Mike Wilson concludes: ‘We are continuing to invest in supporting our network of retail showrooms at all levels and this new advertising campaign will strengthen the Daryl Showering brand and benefit our retailers by guiding consumers to their nearest retail showroom.’

Tel: 0151 606 5000
Web: http://www.daryl-showers.co.uk

Moores Welcomes New Chief Executive

Yorkshire based furniture manufacturer Moores (which incorporates the Shades bathroom furniture brand and Bluestone kitchens) has announced the appointment of a new Chief Executive - Peter Wilson.

Peter takes over the role from Nick Billig who has gone to the Plumbing Division of the Masco Corporation.

Peter's career at Moores spans nearly 20 years and in that time he has scaled the ranks having started with the company has the Assembly Manager back in 1986. During those 20 years Wilson spent a year away from Moores as Manufacturing Director for Havelock Europa, but returned to the company in 1996 as Purchasing Director.

Under his later directorship in the position of Manufacturing Director, Peter has been responsible for a number of key achievements at Moores, not least the implementation of a cultural change from 'command and control' to a 'team enterprise' based method of working with a flatter structure. This has paved the way for Continuous Improvement in the company.

Peter believes in a team approach which is underpinned by a comprehensive communication network, including daily 'huddles' with his staff. It is this inclusive ethos that has enabled him to make radical savings within the business. Labour productivity and efficiency has increased by over 50%, savings of over a £1 million were made in inventory between 2002 and 2003 and furthermore production time through assembly was reduced from 5 days to just 2 hours.

In fact, Wilson's approach to management has been so successful that he has written a chapter/case study in a published management book as well as running many day-long 'teach in sessions' for companies as diverse as Neville Johnson and Rolls Royce on best practice in terms of culture change and Team Enterprise.

He comments: ‘I am delighted to have been put at the helm of Moores at such an exciting time. Our brands are expanding significantly in all market sectors and our production capacity and efficiency is going from strength to strength as is testified by a number of health and safety and energy efficiency awards that we have recently attained. With the help of my team I intend to build on the successes we have enjoyed so far to gain new ground in the coming months and years ahead.’

Whirlpool Corporation Steps Up Hurricane Assistance

Whirlpool Corporation, which earlier announced that it is donating up to $1 million in cash, products and services to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, is continuing its cooperation with a number of agencies to establish long-term relief centres throughout the stricken Gulf region.

In Mississippi, for example, Whirlpool is donating 126 washers and 126 dryers to the American Red Cross and the Mississippi Emergency Management Centres, which have set up relief hubs across the state to house displaced victims. Similar efforts are underway in Alabama, where laundry centres are being outfitted at temporary housing complexes, and in Louisiana, where longer-term relief centres have been established in the Greater Baton Rouge area.

Earlier this month, Whirlpool set up two laundry centres with 50 washer-dryer pairs in Houston’s Astrodome, in cooperation with Proctor & Gamble Co. and Clorox Co., who provided detergent and bleach.

Whirlpool also is in the process of gathering product donation packages to help with the renovation of the destroyed and damaged facilities of several partner organisations. Some 32 Habitat for Humanity International affiliate offices, 11 United Way facilities, 17 Boys & Girl’s Clubs and a number of Salvation Army buildings were rendered inoperable by Hurricane Katrina.

Employees in Whirlpool’s plant communities are collecting goods to donate to their local American Red Cross chapters or their respective government assistance agencies. In addition, several Whirlpool plants have hired qualified workers from the Gulf area and are screening additional workers for employment, as well as offering relocation assistance to their families.

In Whirlpool’s headquarters community of Benton Harbor, the company’s African American diversity network is assisting more than a dozen families that have taken refuge in the area.

To date, the Whirlpool Foundation has collected nearly $182,000 in donations from more than 1,125 employees. These individual contributions are matched, dollar for dollar, by the Foundation, with the proceeds going to the American Red Cross.

Beginning the week of September 26th, Whirlpool will be working with Habitat for Humanity International to support 'Operation Home Delivery,' Habitat’s long-term relief programme to help rebuild the communities in the Gulf. Kicking off the programme, Whirlpool employees will help construct up to 50 pre-built homes in New York’s Rockefeller Centre that will be boxed and shipped to Louisiana and Mississippi at the end of the week. Three of those homes will be erected, again with the help of Whirlpool employees, in St. Tamany Parrish, Louisiana, the week of October 3rd.

From Kitchen Sink to Design Icon - How Shaw’s is Helping to Evolve Fireclay Sinks

Michael Leaf, operations director of specialist fireclay sink manufacturer Shaw’s, explains the company’s radical change in business direction and how lessons learnt from this can shine a light on the future of the kitchen sink industry.

In September 2005, Shaw’s of Darwen – a company with a hundred year heritage of making fireclay sinks from its base in rural Lancashire – embarked on a programme that took it beyond the traditional rebrand to a significant overhaul of its whole business.

For a company with such a proud provenance and one routed in traditional manufacturing techniques, such a radical move was more than just about tinkering around the edge of the business it required a complete mind-shift.

Michael Leaf (pictured), operations director, explained: ‘None of us in the kitchen industry can deny the influence of today’s consumer on the products we develop and how we take them to market.

‘Today’s consumer is savvy. Motivated by rising house prices, they’ve been more willing than ever to invest in their homes. New kitchens, and increasingly bathrooms, with designer finishes and all the necessary mod cons, are seen as essential in adding value now as the obligatory en-suite and utility room were in the 1980s.

‘Coupled with this, the way the kitchen fits into the life of the home has changed. Regular formal dining a la our parents’ generation has given way to more informal entertaining. Having completed its proverbial 21st century nip and tuck, the repacked and revamped kitchen is increasingly becoming the centre of the home, and the venue of choice for dining whatever the occasion.

‘No longer is the kitchen hidden at the back of the house – out of sight and mind of visitors. Rather, it has been opened up and now provides the ultimate entertaining space. In this changed context the look, feel and products you show off in your kitchen say as much about you as a beautifully covered sofa or period fire surround in your lounge.

‘That’s why we’re seeing a real increase in designer products for the kitchen. Whether it’s a £100 Dualit toaster or £1,000 American style fridge freezer, consumers want to use the kitchen as a canvas to show off their very best.
‘This consumer hunger for the best was a driving factor behind the changes we’ve undertaken at Shaw’s.

‘We have a niche offering – producing hand finished fireclay sinks using traditional manufacturing methods. While we always recognised the enduring appeal of our sinks, their iconic design status has really now come to the forefront.

‘To capitalise on this, we’ve had to adapt the way we think about our end product. We created two standalone collections with distinct price points – one inspired by our classic designs and another featuring more contemporary lines.

‘What’s more, we had to market these in a completely new way. We’ve had to reconnect with as well as simplify our supply chain. Our traditional reliance on selling to consumers through kitchen stores via a distributor is now complemented by going direct to kitchen show rooms as well as offering the consumer the chance to buy direct from us.

‘However, we’ve also had to recognise that consumers buy into brands. Such a premium offering as ours always needed to be supported by a strong brand. That’s why we evolved our company identity into a new brand ‘Shaw’s’. Supported by a complete marketing campaign, we’re now in a position to reinforce the iconic design of our products with a strong brand identity to grow sales. In essence, we had to rethink sinks – viewing through the eyes of a brand rather than just another kitchen commodity.’

The new business strategy and rebrand of Shaw’s was a year in development. Michael admits that part of the rationale behind the move was to clearly identify Shaw’s as a credible and viable brand option in the kitchen market.

Michael said: ‘While Shaw’s has always been about sinks, we wanted to strengthen the Shaw’s offering to compete effectively today.

‘This meant a rethink of how we operated, investing in new technology and distribution channels to ensure we remain a viable sink manufacturer and provide us with a firm foundation on which we can build sales in our largest market, the UK.’
According to Michael, recent changes at Shaw’s have highlighted some important issues that he believes effect the whole kitchen industry.

‘In this fast paced market, the brand that fails to invest simply won’t succeed. This applies to the kitchen industry as much as anywhere else. Manufacturers who don’t embrace this will, ultimately, fail.’