Candy
Sweetens Appliance Range with New Products for 2007
The
Hoover Candy Group introduced the new range of smart design, smart technology
Candy household appliances at the company’s annual Centres of Excellence
Conference this month.
Building on the success of the new Candy brand positioning last year,
Candy continues to appeal to the young, independent first time buyer who
wants their appliances to be modern, convenient and stylish, reflecting
their own image-conscious 'live for today' lifestyles. This trendier,
more demanding consumer wants it all at a price range available to them.
Candy says that the new laundry, dishwashing and refrigeration products
exemplify how the Candy brand combines great design with advanced technological
specifications normally found in premium appliances.
Laundry
The laundry market is moving on load size with 8kg load capacities becoming
a popular choice among consumers. In response to this, Candy has announced
its new large capacity laundry appliances - the 8kg Grand'O washing machines,
and 7kg and 8kg Grand'O tumble dryers. These machines fit within the standard
washing machine footprint, perfect for consumers with limited space.
Candy is able to offer consumers the 8kg proposition in washing machines
thanks to a new drum produced by the Hoover Candy Group with 'Shiatsu'
technology. As the name implies, the technology ensures clothes are massaged
throughout the wash cycle for greater cleaning power. The Candy Grand'O
range of new products also has extra large portholes and doors to reduce
bending and lifting when loading and unloading.
Elsewhere in the laundry line, the Candy Smart full size 6kg washer and
washer dryer continue to cater to the value segment of the market that
still like smaller load capacities. The Candy Aquamatic remains a popular
choice for consumers with small living spaces like studio flats and even
caravans.
Dishwashing
In the dishwasher sector, Candy has upgraded its Slimline 45cm model to
offer triple A rating for wash performance, energy and drying. This is
the first 8-place setting dishwasher in its market segment to give consumers
such high water and energy efficiencies. Candy also offers the 60cm 12-place
setting dishwasher complete with six wash programmes and four temperature
settings. Cooling
In 2007, Candy is focusing on its 54cm fridge freezer offering to reach
out to buyers with limited living space, thereby taking ownership of a
market that more and more manufacturers are exiting.
A key product for Candy in 2007 is the 136cmx54cm static fridge freezer
with A+ performance. The increase in fresh food shopping has also led
Candy to offer a 60/40 split fridge freezer in its 163cmx54cm range. Other
dimensions available in the Candy refrigeration range include 149cmx54cm
and 142cmx54cm, the latter a top-mount fridge freezer.
A relatively new category within the Candy cooling sector is the introduction
of the under-counter wine cooler to meet the growing popularity of wine
consumption. The 85cmx50cm Candy wine cooler holds 40 bottles on chrome
shelves and temperature range of 7-18 degrees Celsius makes it ideal for
storing whites, reds, and rosés. The wine cooler also features
a light switch, adjustable feet and a reversible door for better placement
options.
In addition to the under-counter wine cooler, Candy offers other under-counter
products including the 85cmx55cm larder, freezer and fridge freezer.
Steve Holton, marketing and strategic planning director, Hoover Candy
Group, says, ‘2007 sees Candy expanding on its new market position
from 06 by focusing on products that appeal to the younger, more independent
Candy consumer. We are giving them feature-rich, stylish appliances that
offer more flexibility and integration within the space and price point
available to them. Our success within this target group is proof-positive
that Candy is a strong contender in the market.’
Web: http://www.candy-domestic.co.uk
KBSA
Survey Reveals Kitchens and Bathrooms are Most Important Rooms in the
Home
According
to research recently carried out by the Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists
Association (KBSA), 70% of people questioned would spend money on their
kitchen before putting their house on the market.
A further 20% would spend on a bathroom and 7% on a home-office, before
putting their house up for sale, proving that kitchens and bathrooms are
the two most important rooms in the home for house buyers when purchasing
a new home.
In fact, 65% of respondents confirmed this when they said that they believed
the kitchen to be the most important room when buying a new house.
These statistics reflect the increase in significance of the kitchen as
a the hub of the home, the room in which we socialise, relax and dine
as well as a functional room which is used for cooking and washing up.
‘It is no surprise that financial investment in the kitchen and bathroom
has risen along with it's importance in the home,’ says KBSA sales
and marketing director, Ruth Ward.
‘The industry has responded and a vast range of kitchen and bathroom
designs, colours, styles and modern products/appliances are now available
for people to create their own designer kitchens and bathrooms.’
KBSA
Membership for all New Mobalpa Dealers
KBSA
corporate member Mobalpa has embarked on a commitment to the KBSA that
all new Dealers who sign up to the Mobalpa network will take on board
KBSA membership as part of their contract.
Mobalpa Branded dealers who have agreed to become members so far include
Dublin and Roscrea in Ireland, Cardiff, Winchester, Westerham, Thame,
Southampton and Northampton in the UK and plans are in place to launch
the scheme with another four stores.
European kitchen manufacturer Mobalpa sells over 40,000 quality kitchens
a year through a network of 800 worldwide dealers. With a history in furniture
dating back 100 years, Mobalpa has become the leading marque in France
and is currently expanding its network through stores in the UK and Ireland.
Ruth Ward KBSA sales and marketing director said: ‘We are delighted
that Mobalpa have chosen to support the KBSA in this way. It will benefit
the whole industry that more and more retailers are recognising the importance
of trade association membership and raising the levels of professionalism.’
‘Customers are becoming more discerning and demanding and a personal,
professional service is sometimes not enough. They are increasingly looking
for extra assurances that they are dealing with a reputable company and
that their investment will be protected,’ says Mobalpa national sales
manager Peter Loftus.
‘Membership of the KBSA signifies a track record, credibility and
commitment to the highest standards of customer service. The fact that
all new KBSA retailers will now also offer the enhanced consumer protection
of ConsumerCare Plus is also very important as this additional financial
safeguard is very important when viewed against non-accredited retailers
or internet shops.’
Web: http://www.kbsa.co.uk
Lawcris
Celebrates 25 Years of Service
In
2007, Lawcris is celebrating serving the panel industry for quarter of
a century. To mark the occasion, throughout the year, the company is aiming
to raise £25,000 to be shared between five UK charities - Leukaemia
Research, the NSPCC, Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Wakefield Hospice and Macmillan
Nurses.
Managing
Director, Simon Hall said: ‘It's taken 25 years of hard work to get
to where we are today and without the support of our customers and community
it would have been impossible. We wanted to mark the achievement by giving
something back.’
All of the charities have been chosen by company employees and Lawcris
will be holding a number of fundraising initiatives with the aim of raising
at least £5,000 for each.
Simon adds: ‘It's the general consensus at Lawcris that we are celebrating
this milestone in the best possible way - supporting five extremely deserving
causes.’
Success to date...
After 25 years of success, Simon Hall says that Lawcris looks set to continue
as the UK's market leading independent panel distributor.
Established in 1982 by Chris Hopton and Simon Hall, the company has gone
from strength to strength with a constant programme of investment which
has led to its current status.
Despite challenging market conditions, the company exceeded its own expectations
in 2006 to see turnover increase to almost £34m - almost £2m
more than anticipated.
Managing Director Simon Hall said: ‘We were delighted to break our
own forecasts in the last financial year. We had a projected target of
£32 million but, with the effort of our team and the support of
our customers, we have continued to grow at 20% year on year. And looking
at trading conditions at the start of this financial year we expect this
level of growth to continue throughout 2007/2008.’
In a competitive market, Lawcris' success has come from not sitting still.
It has expanded its territories and customer base, winning a number of
new 'blue chip' clients in the past 12-months. However, as well as focussing
on winning new business, the company has not neglected the importance
of customer retention with many of its clients having supported the business
since its inception.
Simon Hall said: ‘We have always recognised the importance of being
customer focused. Our business ethos is based around providing a first
rate product backed by the highest standard of service.’
This ethos is reflected in the company's level of investment in technology,
stock, logistics and staff. The company's manufacturing division, Creative
CNC and Bonding Solutions is equipped with one of the most modern CNC
facilities in the country offering bonding of laminate and veneer, precision
cutting, edging and machining of the company’s panel products.
‘From panel to component, Lawcris offers a total panel solution,
providing its customers with an efficient, quality and value for money
service,’ says Simon. ‘With an ever increasing reliance on 'just
in time' deliveries we have recently committed heavily to investment in
logistics and transport. We provide next day delivery and constantly strive
to maintain a flexible approach to fit in with our customers' needs.’
In line with the company's growth, Lawcris now operate a 24-hour shift
pattern within the yard. This allows most large deliveries to arrive during
the night, making it easier for suppliers to deliver and freeing up the
yard of articulated lorries during the day. With some 375 drops per day
this has been essential to maintain an efficient delivery service.
Web: http://www.lawcris.co.uk
Magnet
Opens Doors to New Training Academy
Magnet
is launching a new Training Academy in Darlington. The move demonstrates
its commitment to staff development and expert customer service in all
its 190 trade and retail stores. The Training Academy is located in a
fully refurbished section of the Darlington site at Allington Way. It
includes three state of the art training rooms and an IT suite, providing
colleagues from across the business the opportunity to develop their skills
and knowledge in a dedicated facility conducive to learning.
Through the Company’s unique Full Circle Service, all customers are
treated as individuals and the aim is to have the UK’s most satisfied
customers thanks to the quality of the product, superior service, design
innovation and value for money.
Preben Bager, Managing Director comments: 'In order to achieve this vision
the organisation needs colleagues of the highest calibre and Magnet is
committed to developing its workforce to their full potential. Our colleague’s
are dedicated to being the best they can be. At the Magnet group conference
last year, colleagues came up with creative ideas of how to advance the
company in terms of training in order to make Magnet even more successful
amidst increased competition and a training centre was suggested.
'We take both our colleagues and customer needs very seriously and thus
‘The Magnet Training Academy’ was born. Work has been taking
place to build The Academy for the last four months and has resulted in
Magnet Group now having a superb facility at the Darlington Site.'
The Academy comprises three training rooms plus a comprehensive computer
suite. In addition an interactive whiteboard is available to improve the
learner experience. The provision can also be changed to make one large
training facility accommodating up to 200 colleagues.
Every colleague will have equal opportunity to use the various training
programmes on offer to enhance their understanding of company products,
IT systems and retail and trade skills.
Magnet has invested £150,000.00 on The Training Academy following
a recent £6m investment in the site in recent years.
Tel: 0845 123 6789
Web: http://www.magnet.co.uk
Maytag
UK, the manufacturer of aspirational lifestyle household appliances, has
announced the opening of its newly refurbished showroom at its Surrey
headquarters.
The contemporarily styled showroom, carpeted in subtle tones of grey with
contrasting dark wood floors, highlights the company's growing portfolio
of brands in a series of striking displays. The Amana, Maytag and Admiral
brands are all featured, with a major focus on the latest addition to
the portfolio - the built-in brand, KitchenAid.
The facility includes a new meeting area with state-of-the-art projection
facilities, allowing a versatile arrangement - in either boardroom or
theatre style. Wall graphics chart the development of the brands, while
two bays of cubed shelving house KitchenAid's small domestic appliances.
The showroom layout guides you through the full range of products using
a carefully co-ordinated selection of kitchen displays. KitchenAid's built-in
appliances are featured first, with cooking products taking centre-stage
- there are pyrolytic ovens, combi-microwave ovens and induction and gas
hobs, with a particular focus on the gas hobs with Isingphord burners.
Extraction hoods, warming drawers and dishwashers are also featured, and
they are joined by a new cooling range including refrigeration drawers
and wine cabinets. Concluding the KitchenAid displays is an outdoor BBQ
for those who like to take their cooking talents into the garden.
Moving through the showroom, European-sized laundry products from Admiral
and Maytag are set in imaginative displays to highlight the brands' key
features, while a central island showcases Maytag's genuine American laundry
appliances in a stacked format to demonstrate their small footprint. They
are joined by models from the dishwasher range and the new 100cm-wide
double-oven range cooker.
Maytag's distinctive and stylish refrigerators are prominently displayed,
featuring Maytag's new high-gloss black finish forming the centrepiece
- the highly polished lacquer finish is normally associated with luxury
cars.
On view for the very first time is Amana's under-counter refrigeration
range, which encapsulates the aspirational values of the brand in a neat
and compact format.
While in the genuine American Amana refrigeration display, the Wine Cabinet
is presented with the side-by-side Reflection to form an impressive three-door-run
of cooling products. The winner of Get Connected Magazine's Product of
the Year award - the Amana Definition BxM - is also prominently displayed.
Other new products include the 120cm double-oven range cooker from Amana,
finished in the brand's finely crafted stainless-steel Precision styling.
Richard Thompson Managing Director comments: ‘The launch of many
new products and the completion of the showroom combine to create a very
special occasion. All our new products are displayed, including those
from our exciting new built-in brand, KitchenAid. The showroom enables
our retailers to experience the products first hand in a kitchen setting
to help reinforce the consumer benefits they offer. It is also a great
opportunity to see every style, design and colour under one roof.’
Web: http://www.maytag.co.uk
Secrets
of Prosperous Companies Revealed
A
new league table from leading financial analyst Plimsoll Publishing aims
to provide an answer to that age-old question in the Kitchen, Bedroom
& Bathroom Manufacturers market: Why do some companies fail and others
prosper?
1 in 5 UK Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Manufacturers services companies
are currently at risk of failure, while 1 in 4 are doing well.
The equation is not as simple as strong sales equals survival. Nor is
the success rate of a firm automatically affected by market conditions.
Instead, it depends on the ingredients in a finely-balanced recipe that
includes good margins, low borrowing, responsible management and foresight.
Plimsoll’s new analysis of the market weighs all these ingredients
and turns them into a unique one-page snapshot of each company’s
prospects. From that, it establishes a league table based on 269 leading
firms that looks like this:
66 companies are in a strong position, with a pre-tax margin of 9%
36 are in the good sector, on 3% margins
42 are rated as mediocre, on 2%
74 are in the 'caution' category, with minus 2% margins
An alarming 51 are in the 'danger' range, on minus 4%.
Nearly nine out of 10 UK companies currently in receivership were rated
in the lowest two categories by Plimsoll in the two years before their
demise. Its senior analyst David Pattison says: '51 of the 66 companies
in the strong section are there for the second year running, proving that
if you have a solid business where management is in control, you can maintain
success irrespective of market conditions. The most successful firms are
also largely free of debt.
'At the other end of the scale, there is no doubt in my mind that if the
pundits are right and the UK market tightens towards the end of the year,
then the 51 companies in the danger category will take the brunt of the
downturn.'
The Plimsoll analysis looks at the financial strength of each company
based on four years’ figures.
Said David Pattison: 'All is not lost for those firms that find themselves
at the lower end of the table. But the management needs to accept that
the business has a problem and take action today, rather than next week
or the week after'.
The Plimsoll analysis is aimed at busy managers who need to understand
their own place in the market, as well as the likely future performance
of their competitors, customers or suppliers.
Plimsoll, based in Stockton-on-Tees, is one of the leading business analysts
in the UK, France and Japan. It has 16,000 customers worldwide who rely
on its reports to take crucial commercial decisions.
Copies of the analysis – at a reader discount of 20%- can be obtained
by calling Clair Sherwood on 01642 626422, by emailing enquiries@plimsoll.co.uk,
or by visiting http://www.plimsoll.co.uk.
Please quote discount code PR05.
Siemens
World Class Appliances Now Available on Planit Fusion
Planit
has extended the capabilities of its Fusion design and visualisation system
to provide instant access to Siemens’s world-class kitchen products
and household appliance catalogues – all from a single source.
'Kitchen designers can harness the power and flexibility of Fusion to
demonstrate how appliances can be coordinated with different furniture
and finishes,' explains Alastair McPheat, managing director of Planit.
'Customers can visualise exactly how their Siemens appliances will look
in their kitchen layout, while evaluating alternative design suggestions
in real time.'
Everything – from Siemens cooker hoods, hobs, combination ovens and
dishwashers, to coffee makers and warming drawers – are now available
as fully specified 3D CAD images, ready for immediate inclusion in kitchen
designs.
With an acknowledged reputation for quality and durability, the addition
of Siemens’s appliance catalogue on the Fusion system, provides a
greater opportunity to enhance both design capabilities and sales potential.
'The inclusion of our appliances in Planit’s Fusion system is an
appropriate synergy of the two companies’ cutting edge technology
and innovation,' comments Siemens brand manager Jane Massey. 'I am confident
that this will be welcomed by everyone involved in the kitchen design
business.'
For more information on installing the new Siemens appliance catalogue,
call the Planit support team on: +44 (0)1233 635533 or email: uksupport@planit.com
Web: http://www.planitsoftware.com
Sweet
Sensation for In-toto Showroom
In-toto
kitchens in Leamington Spa recently enjoyed a successful 'Chocolate &
Orange' event to celebrate the unveiling of the company’s new look
showroom.
Selected
commercial customers, associated businesses and press were invited to
join the award winning team at In-toto for a special cookery demonstration
- including a chocolate orange confection.
Richard Gee of In-toto Leamington Spa comments: ‘We have refitted
our showroom with fantastic new kitchen displays, featuring some of the
very latest styles from In-toto's contemporary 2007 collection. One of
our show stoppers is a soft orange lacquer kitchen with contrasting Savannah
dark wood finish, which gave us the idea for our special 'Chocolate &
Orange' weekend.’
Richard adds: ‘The weekend was a huge success and the new kitchens
attracted a great deal of attention. We have secured a number of orders
since the event.’
Richard and Diane Gee opened In-toto kitchens in Leamington Spa in 1990.
Over the last 17 years they have built a reputation for design excellence
and outstanding customer service. Together with their designer Clare West,
the team has won a number of national awards and their kitchens are regularly
featured in the leading home interest magazines.
In-toto Leamington is part of a network of over 50 showrooms nationwide.
Web: http://www.intoto.co.uk
Strata
Tiles is Named Supplier Of Excellence
Strata
Tiles has been named as a supplier of excellence by leading architect,
John Cooper Associates.
Grayshott
Spa, designed by John Cooper Associates has been awarded an architectural
merit by the Royal British Institute of Architects (RIBA). Strata Tiles
is named as a supplier which gave exceptional service and product specification
for the Grayshott Spa project.
Once the home of the Victorian poet Alfred Lord Tennyson, the now privately
owned Grayshott Spa has been refurbished to include a new spa and pool
complex.
All tile and mosaic finishes were selected from Strata's extensive range.
The pool surround and changing room floors are finished with Strata Tile's
natural travertine. Step treads and risers were also produced in the same
natural travertine to achieve a matching appearance.
The freeform shape and subtle blue colour of a Barrisol, stretched ceiling
above the pool, results in the water actually sparkling due to the lustre
effect of the iridescent, glass mosaic that lines the pool tank.
‘We are delighted to have been named suppliers of excellence by John
Cooper Associates. Grayshott Spa was an exciting project to be involved
in due to the high quality, design specification and fantastic location,’
said Jonathan Wiles, Strata Tiles.
RIBA will showcase the 2007 architectural merits in its National Sport
and Leisure handbook, to be released later this year.
Web: http://www.stratatiles.co.uk
Whirlpool
Corporation Wins Golden Halo Award
Whirlpool
Corporation was honoured on 17th May with the 2006 Cause Marketing Golden
Halo Award for Business during the fifth annual Cause Marketing Forum
conference. The Cause Marketing Golden Halo Award is America's highest
honour for companies and organisations that give back to the community
through creative and effective cause marketing campaigns.
The award recognises Whirlpool Corporation and its Whirlpool and KitchenAid
brands for their long-term, successful partnerships with Habitat for Humanity
International and Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
‘We are pleased to be recognised for two important causes that are
close to the hearts of our customers and employees - eliminating substandard
housing and fighting breast cancer,’ said Jeff Davidoff, vice president
of marketing communications, Whirlpool Corporation.
‘The Cause Marketing Halo Awards demonstrate the good that can be
done when businesses and nonprofits team up,’ said David Hessekiel,
president of Cause Marketing Forum Inc., the programme's organiser. ‘It's
a competition in which we all win.’ Cause marketing is the strategy
of building mutually beneficial alliances between companies and causes.
Building Homes....Building Lives
One of Habitat's largest corporate sponsors, Whirlpool and its employees
have directly improved the lives of tens of thousands of families around
the world since 1999, providing countless volunteer hours and more than
73,000 appliances.
Whirlpool donates an ENERGY STAR® qualified refrigerator and a range
to every new Habitat home built in North America, and plans to support
every Habitat home built globally by 2011, either through product donations,
cash, or home sponsorship.
This week, Whirlpool employees, local residents and Habitat volunteers
from around the country are building nine homes outside of Phoenix, Arizona,
as part of the annual Whirlpool Building Blocks programme. The Building
Blocks programme is designed to raise awareness and help eliminate substandard
housing in the United States by recognising an outstanding U.S. Habitat
for Humanity affiliate and its relationship with its local community by
holding a week-long build in the affiliate's community. The programme
kicked off in November 2006 with the completion of 10 homes in Nashville,
Tennessee. For more information on the Building Blocks programme, please
visit http://www.whirlpool.com/habitat
In addition to the Building Blocks programme, Whirlpool has and continues
to support Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. In 2006, Whirlpool donated
$1 million for relief efforts and Whirlpool employees helped construct
approximately 50 homes in St. Tamany Parrish, La. In January 2007, Whirlpool
continued its support when it held its annual sales meeting in New Orleans.
As part of that meeting, more than 1,000 Whirlpool employees spent one
day volunteering with Habitat for Humanity to help rebuild New Orleans'
residential areas.
Fighting Breast Cancer ... One Cook at a Time
Now in its sixth year, the Cook for the Cure programme, created and sponsored
by KitchenAid, has raised more than $5 million globally to support the
fight against breast cancer, more than $4 million of that in the United
States benefiting Komen for the Cure.
Funds are raised through donation with purchase programmes, culinary auctions
and events, and a grass roots initiative that encourages consumers to
host their own ‘party with a purpose’ to generate donations
from family and friends. Cook for the Cure also has drawn the support
of many of the country's most celebrated chefs, including Mario Batali,
Bobby Flay, Emeril Lagasse, Mary Sue Milliken, Susan Feniger, Sara Moulton,
Jacques Pepin and others.
Cook for the Cure continues to create unique opportunities for raising
money for Komen for the Cure. Activities planned for 2007 include a Mother's
Day promotion called ‘I Cook for My Mom’ and the second annual
Survivor's Week, an experience for breast cancer survivors at a cooking
school in Tuscany, Italy.
The programme has been honoured twice with awards from the Cause Marketing
Forum, and was recently featured as a model for cause marketing programmes
on CNN, CNBC and NBC Nightly News. For more information on Cook for the
Cure, please visit http://www.cookforthecure.com.
In addition to receiving the award on behalf of the company, Davidoff
was a featured speaker at the conference and delivered addresses on corporate
service and nonprofit partnerships.
Whirlpool Corporation was selected by the Cause Marketing Forum as this
year's winner based on its leadership in developing cause alliances that
benefit the company, its nonprofit partners and society. All winners will
be highlighted in a special section of Advertising Age magazine.
About Cause Marketing Forum Inc.
Cause Marketing Forum, Inc. helps businesses and nonprofits succeed together
by providing practical information, valuable contacts and recognition
for outstanding achievement. Best known for its annual conference and
awards programme, the company disseminates helps cause marketers year
round via http://www.causemarketingforum.com,
teleclasses, regional workshops and other services.
Jasper
Morrison in Stock at Ideal Bathrooms
Ideal
Bathrooms has taken delivery of the new Jasper Morrison collection from
Ideal Standard and product worth £200,000 is now in stock ready
for delivery to retailers across the UK.
This
fully integrated range of fittings, sanitaryware and furniture delivers
a beautiful and functional bathroom in Jasper Morrison's signature 'Super
Normal' design style.
£200,000 is a substantial stocking commitment for Ideal Bathrooms
to make, but Ideal Bathrooms supports its brands by taking in new stocks
in depth, helping with product launches and initial displays which all
helps to achieve ongoing sales.
Martin
Carroll, Managing Director at Ideal Bathrooms comments:
‘The design of these products indicated that the Jasper Morrison
range will be a sure-fire winner. The market is moving towards 'signature'
pieces in the bathroom and this collection has been designed with this
in mind. The launch of the Jasper Morrison collection once again puts
Ideal Standard at the cutting edge of design with these iconic styles.
I feel sure that this range will be seen as a design classic in years
to come.’
Ideal Bathrooms is a leading UK bathroom distributor and has warehouses
in Kingston upon Thames, Milton Keynes and Wakefield. Deliveries are next
day for anywhere in the UK giving retail showrooms the confidence to plan
deliveries and installations for customers with total peace of mind.
Web: http://www.idealbathrooms.com
American
Appliances Cooks Up a Storm to Celebrate 20th Anniversary
'American
Appliances celebrated its 20th anniversary on Saturday 12th May with some
of the finest chefs and wine experts around at the company's showroom
in Woodford Green, Essex.
American
Appliances has offered high quality kitchen goods since 1987. The grey
weather didn't dampen the company's all American themed party, as the
Jazz band and the Texas barbeque served up some great treats for customers.
To mark this momentous occasion the company gave away many fantastic prizes
including an Admiral American Style Fridge Freezer and a Falcon Wine Cooler
in its free raffle draw. Mrs Freedman was the proud 1st prize winner of
the first ever Britannia Range Cooker giveaway worth £2,049. ‘I'm
in shock, I'm just having my kitchen done and need to spec this appliance
in now. The atmosphere in the shop was fantastic and very friendly and
helpful. I would definitely recommend American Appliance Centre- you're
the best!’
Customers were able to taste the great delights from Britannia and Falcon
chefs; as well as being able to take advantage of special anniversary
offers on top named kitchen brands such as Admiral, Maytag, Amana Miele,
Neff, Bosch and Britannia.
American Appliances manager Ricky Davis explains why the company wanted
to celebrate its 20th birthday ‘Im so pleased with the response we
had from customers/suppliers and the local community, after all how many
local businesses are around to celebrate their 20th year. It was a great
day with savings and deals never to be repeated. I have a great team around
me and look forward to the next 20 years. Thanks to everyone.’
For more information on American Appliances log on to the website at http://www.amercian-appliance.co.uk.
Alternatively customers can call the sales team on 0208 5055616 for further
photographs and details.
Anthony
Mullan Moves up a Gear with Weeke CNC
High
quality kitchen maker Anthony Mullan Furniture has recognised major production
benefits since investing in an entry level Weeke CNC machining centre
from Homag UK.
The company has experienced rapid growth and success from a standing start
in 2000 with three people to a staffing level of 20 today and a turnover
around £2 million. The reason is the very high quality of both design
and product produced by the company on a totally bespoke basis. Marketing
is done on the basis of referrals and the customer base has extended from
its Berkshire workshops to cover all the surrounding counties and London.
The company works in solid timbers - Oak, Maple, Cherry, Walnut etc -
veneers and particularly in popular painted doors. The construction of
the MDF blanks to be converted to shaker style painted doors was a particular
bottleneck in Anthony Mullan's production process.
After consultation with Homag UK's Roger Wilks who had dealt with the
company for some years, MD Anthony Mullan made the decision to make its
biggest investment so far in production equipment - the Weeke Vantage
33 CNC machining centre with a 10 x 4 matrix table for claming of small
parts and nesting production if required. The 3-axis router is equipped
with an 8 position tool changer and operated by highly flexible and easy
to use Homag Woodwop software.
The installation of the Weeke has transformed production of MDF doors
in particular. ‘We are producing the same quantity of doors that
used to take 2 days in 2 hours now’ explains Anthony Mullan. ‘Furthermore
the quality of finish that we get from the Weeke is good enough for the
door blanks to go straight into the paint shop without any intermediate
pre-finishing.’
The decision to invest in the Weeke was made all the more simple when
Roger Wilks introduced Anthony Mullan to the Homag Finance package and,
in particular, the Contract Hire option. ‘It made all the difference’
says Anthon Mullan, ‘it didn't disrupt cash flow in any way and now
we also have full damage and breakdown cover plus the other extras in
the package. It's excellent.’
With 4 full time designers on the staff, the Weeke is making a huge difference
to production flexibility, Anthony Mullan says that the company is continuing
to explore what other components can be produced. Already Weeke manufactured
doors front many of the displays in the company’s extensive showroom.
Anthony Mullan says that the service and back-up received from Homag has
been second to none. He and his son attended operator training at Homag's
Castle Donington HQ so that they are totally 'hands on' with the Weeke.
It's fair to say that Anthony Mullan has become a swift convert to CNC
manufacturing. ‘We've got a long way still to go with this machine
and it's given us a huge amount of extra capacity. Also it comes to work
every Monday and will work for nothing on a Saturday!’
Tel: 01332 856500
Email: info@homag-uk.co.uk
Web: http://www.homag-uk.co.uk
50
Year Anniversary for KBSA Member Dewhirst Kitchens
A
KBSA retail member is celebrating fifty years of business and over twenty-five
years membership with the Association, reaping the rewards of increased
customer satisfaction that membership brings.
Dewhirst Kitchens of Leicester began in 1957 when Michael Dewhirst moved
what was then a fireplace and tiles store to Granby Street in Leicester
and set up Dewhirst as a limited company.
Dewhirst Kitchens then joined the Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists
Association when it was first set up, 28 years ago. Micheal’s son
Damian, who now runs Dewhirst Kitchens, feels the company has benefited
greatly from being a KBSA member.
He comments: ‘The KBSA deposit protection scheme was always an important
selling point to us and we have recently taken on the Consumer Care Plus
scheme which is also proving popular. Customers spend a lot of money on
a new kitchen and they need to feel confident that their money is protected
and that their kitchen will still get installed, should their chosen retailer
cease trading.’
‘You can visibly see customers settle when you tell them about the
KBSA, the Consumer Care Plus scheme and the backing of the Association,’
he continues. ‘That extra bit of reassurance is invaluable.’
From a business point of view, the company has benefited from KBSA services
such as the Business Helpline which, in Damian’s view, offers ‘extremely
good advice.’
Damian has lots of activity planned for celebrating the company’s
fifty years including sponsoring a race at Leicester Racecourse in June,
a joint promotion with Miele and a prize draw in a local glossy magazine.
Web: http://www.dewhirstkitchens.co.uk
Furniture
Industry Sustainability Programme (FISP) Membership Doubles!
Recent
workshops have seen a doubling of full members of FISP and the first two
Associate Members joining. FIRA will be working closely with Midas House
Furnishers Ltd and Commodore Kitchens Ltd to improve their environmental
impact and assist them in working towards sustainable development. Full
members include big industry names like the Bernstein Group, Eurotek Office
Furniture, Moores Furniture Group, Starbank Panel Products and Premiere
Kitchens and the Associate membership package enables companies to be
recognised for working towards full membership within two years with help
and assistance from FIRA and a furniture specific workbook.
Taking sustainable development seriously is the hallmark of today's forward
thinking company. Supported by DEFRA, Envirowise and all the major trade
bodies, FIRA has been running a series of workshops around the country
to promote the Furniture Industry Sustainability Programme (FISP). Membership
of FISP is an important and relatively simple way of demonstrating to
customers that a business takes sustainable development seriously. It
provides third party verification of a company's sustainable operation
credentials and is increasingly sought by specifiers from the major procurement
organisations.
FIRA's expert on the subject, Alun Watkins said: ‘It is imperative
that companies now put sustainable issues at the top of their agenda especially
with more pressure likely to come from Government in tackling climate
change. It is important that the industry has both a strategy to improve
its impact and a voice to be able to inform policy makers about the sustainable
credentials of the industry.’
For further information about making a difference within the furniture
sector and globally or for details of the next workshop, contact FIRA
on 01438 777700 or email info@fira.co.uk.
Geberit
Sells PVC Piping Business
Effective
as of 1st July 2007, the Geberit Group is selling its entire PVC piping
business in the UK to Polypipe. The selling price is GBP 42.5 million.
The transaction agreed with Polypipe, the leading UK manufacturer of PVC
drainage piping systems, covers the entire production and storage facilities
at Aylesford (UK) and the sales team pertaining to the PVC business in
the UK - totally about 170 employees - as well as ‘Terrain’,
the leading brand in the UK commercial PVC drainage market. In 2006, the
business sold generated sales of GBP 25.0 million.
Following the disinvestment of the Underground Piping Systems product
line at the end of 2005, the Geberit Group is thus disposing of its entire
non-core PVC activities. In line with its strategy, Geberit will concentrate
in the UK on the distribution of its successful own product range in the
future.
Hammonds
Invests in Nesting Technology from Homag
British
bedroom furniture manufacturer Hammonds has installed a Homag BOF 722
CNC twin table router with fully automated loading, feeding and off-stacking
to produce wardrobe doors and other components using the nesting principle.
Hammonds
produces bedroom furniture to order very much on a bespoke basis so the
company’s production is set up for a high level of flexibility, fast
reaction times and always looking to increase throughput.
Senior Production Engineer Dave Linforth explains that the company was
previously using a twin bed Reichenbacher router to profile the faces
of the MDF door blanks that were cut on and delivered from a beam saw.
This machine had come to the end of its useful working life and the decision
was made to replace it with a nesting system. ‘We had been considering
the advantages of nesting for some time’ says Dave Linforth, ‘for
one thing it eliminates the cutting process on a separate [beam saw] machine
and our initial evaluations suggested that it would both suit and improve
our method of production which is extremely flexible down to single batches
and working as close to a JIT [just in time] scenario as possible.’
Production Manager Dave Evans says that they researched all the major
manufacturers of nesting technology. Apart from producing the best results
in simulation tests, the Homag machine was chosen because they could supply
the entire package - the integrated handling - in conjunction with Homag
Group member Bargstedt. ‘We wanted to automate all the handling of
panels both from a Health & Safety aspect and to improve flow of workpieces
through the machine’ explains Dave Evans.
Dave Linforth says that being able to receive all the integrated systems
from a single source - Homag - was a very important factor. Another consideration
was the extensive number of other Homag Group machines operating at the
Hinckley factories that have been supplied by Homag UK over a number of
years and the associated advice, service and training available from the
Castle Donington HQ and in Germany.
Homag UK's Simon Brooks has a had a close association with Hammonds and
was called in to help evaluate the company's needs in this particular
regard and advise on the specification of the machine.
The components produced on the BOF 722 are not only wardrobe doors but
also drawerfronts, fascias, headboards, chest tops and others. These are
all cut and profiled on the edges and face for downstream vinyl wrapping
in a single clamping.
The BOF 722 is a twin table configuration with a gantry system for mounting
and positioning two heads for each table and each carrying 2 x 18 plate
tool changers. The tables and heads are able to operate totally independently
of each other so that work batches can be mixed in any way for maximum
output.
Dave Linforth explains that the finish of all edges and face profiles
(including deep corners, square corners and tight radii) has to be of
a perfect standard so that components can be delivered directly to the
membrane presses and emerge with a blemish-free surface – ‘That's
what this machine is giving us’.
After the machine specification was concluded following time trials and
tests, Simon Brooks organised training for two operators and a maintenance
engineer which Dave Evans says was ‘absolutely excellent’.
The BOF 722 was installed in December 2005 and is now running at optimum
capacity with some to spare. The Bargstedt handling is key to ensuring
the nesting router and milling heads are fed accurately and promptly.
The off-stackng at the outfeed is equally as important. Dave Linforth
says that they are enjoying significantly increased throughput with superb
product quality. ‘We have been able to eliminate an entire [16 hour]
night shift and have therefore realised an increased output of 30-40%.
We also estimate a 3-4 year payback as a result’ he explains. He
also says that installation of this machine it gives Hammonds the opportunity
to link processes with other Homag and production related equipment in
the future.
As Hammonds continues to expand successfully having a cutting edge technical
partner like Homag is essential for future success.
Tel: 01332 856500
Email: info@homag-uk.co.uk