Trading
Update is the Tops for Tile Company
Topps Tiles, the UK tile and wood flooring specialist, announces continued
strong trading and confirms that profit before tax for the sixteen month
period ending 27 September 2003 is now expected to be in the region of
£23 million, which is 10% ahead of market expectations. As Topps
Tiles has changed its financial year end, an estimate is also given for
the trading 12 months to 27 September 2003 and profit before tax is expected
to be in the region of £18 million.
Topps Tiles will announce results for the sixteen month period to 27 September
2003 on 25th November 2003.
Topps
attributes its boost in profits partly to an advertising campaign on SKY
TV linked to property programmes, in addition to its sponsorship of the
weather on Carlton TV. The company also suggested that the popularity
of tiles in general has been enhanced by people taking holidays in the
Med. Victoria Beckham added her weight to the cause by reportedly visiting
the Topps store in Manchester when she wanted to re-tile her bathroom.
Although the use if tiles in the home has more than doubled over the last
ten years, Germany and Holland use three times as many and Italy and Spain
eight times more.
Fridges
and freezers aren’t just great for keeping food fresh. Follow these
hints and tips from Electrolux to make what's left of this Indian summer
really cool.
Cool Clothes
*If a freshly washed load of laundry is waiting to be ironed and there
just isn’t enough time to do it, simply put the damp clothes into
a plastic bag and place it in the freezer. This locks in moisture and
prevents smells from developing. When you have time, simply take them
out, let them defrost a bit and iron.
Cool Photos
*Going on holiday? Planning to take some great photos? Make sure they’re
really cool by storing film in the fridge - the light sensitive emulsion
on photographic film is temperature sensitive. If stored correctly, it
stays fresh up to a year past its normal expiry date and remains capable
of recording those special memories without any loss of quality.
Cool Beauty
*Here’s a simple trick to avoid a blunt or broken tip on lip and
eye liner pencils. Put your liner in the freezer compartment of your fridge
at least one hour before you plan to use it. You’ll get far better
results when sharpening the cooled pencil.
*Improve the effects of cosmetics, especially during the summer, by keeping
creams in a cool place. Your fridge also offers the ideal temperature
to give skin a cool sensation on application.
The new ZTX520X from Zanussi-Electrolux is suitable for chilling and freezing
anything. This extra capacity fridge with top freezer has plenty of room
for food, drinks, film, ironing and cosmetics! It is available in a stainless
steel finish.
Web: http://www.electrolux.com
Christmas
is Coming, so Keep your Drawers Warm!
Bosch
is introducing new built in warming drawers just in time for the Christmas
period. These drawers can provide vital extra capacity all year round,
but you'll be thanking yourself if you can get them in before the hordes
descend during the festive season.
The new warming drawers can perform several different tasks. They're suitable
for keeping food warm, allowing you to transfer food from the main oven,
providing extra space when things are cooked. Good for keeping carved
meat warm while you enjoy your first course. They can also defrost delicate
frozen food items - cranberries for example - along with meat and bread.
At slightly higher temperatures, it will keep plates warm pre-dinner as
well as melt chocolate and dissolve gelatine - good for party puddings.
Where will I put them you may ask? They easily fit into standard furniture
housings. The warming drawers come in a choice of two sizes. The first,
HSC290650B is 29 cm high and cann be installed alone or teamed with a
single oven to fit into an 88cm double oven housing.
The HSC140650B is 14cm high and is also designed to be installed alone
or together with a compact combination oven or a Bosch QuantumSpeed oven,
fitting into a single oven housing.
The larger drawer has the capacity for 12 place settings, including serving
dishes whilst the smaller model can easily accommodate as many as 6 place
settings including serving dishes.
The new Bosch warming drawers are available in brushed steel.
Brochure Line: 0870 727 0446
Web: http://www.boschappliances.co.uk
Blum
Reports 2003 Interim Turnover up 6.3%
At
the close of the business year on 30th June 2003, Julius Blum GmbH attained
a group turnover of 590.6 million euros (last year’s result was 555.4
million euros). This is an increase in turnover of 6.3% (last year’s
increase amounted to 9%). Thanks to its consistent orientation towards
important world markets in the field of industry and trade, the company
still, however, exported 96% of its products. Blum products are regularly
delivered to more than 70 countries worldwide. All in all, the management
is satisfied with the operating results.
3,466 employees world-wide (3,209 in the previous year) contributed to
the overall result of the family-owned enterprise. Of these employees,
193 were trainees (Blum had 164 apprentices in the previous year). Furthermore,
122 new jobs were created in Vorarlberg. The per capita output (turnover
per employee) amounted to 170,400 euros which clearly demonstrates the
high degree of identification and outstanding qualifications of all Blum
personnel. The Group’s overall investments amounted to 82.5 million
euros in the 2002/2003 business year (investments totalled 64.4 million
euros in the previous year).
As reported by Gerhard E. Blum, company owner and spokesman of the management,
in his presentation of the company’s results, the second half of
the last financial year was particularly characterised by uncertainty
– uncertainty caused by a fear of terrorism and war, major fluctuations
in exchange rates and the emergence of a new illness.
Markets fared differently
In stark contrast to previous years, markets developed very differently
in Europe which accounts for 49% of Blum’s overall turnover. Germany,
which is one of Blum’s most important markets for products and services,
has not yet recovered from the slump, whereas other countries registered
quite positive developments. In the North American region, the development
in local currency was positive. As far as South America is concerned,
ups and downs were registered in individual countries. Markets in Asia
also fared differently. The uncertainty caused by SARS had a particularly
strong impact in the last quarter of the business year.
Innovative products and services meet with strong approval
Being a global supplier of products and services, the company attended
important trade fairs throughout the year and succeeded in presenting
a comprehensive overview of state-of-the-art fittings technology at ‘interzum
cologne 2003’ in May. Countless clients and specialists from all
over the world experienced Dynamic Space® for the first time at the
most important fair for furniture manufacturers and interior fitters in
the world. Blum will use Dynamic Space to help its customers to market
kitchens which have been designed optimally for end users.
Blumotion – the core feature that closes kitchen drawers, pull-outs
and doors gently and quietly – plays an important role in this context
as do numerous other product innovations for kitchens, other living areas
and fit-outs.
As far as the two main product groups hinge and runner systems are concerned,
many new products and technical improvements were ready for the market
last year and met with approval from the very start of their market launch.
All solutions are designed to produce enhanced comfort for end users in
kitchens.
Programme of services extended to meet clients’ needs
In co-operation with Blum’s business partners all over the world,
the company also sees itself more and more as a provider of services.
Services geared towards client’s needs, for example, in the field
of logistics, order processing (electronic data interchange) and in the
field of marketing support are becoming increasingly important. In addition,
co-operation will soon be greatly facilitated through the company’s
e-business project which will give users the possibility to access and
retrieve a vast amount of information to suit their individual needs.
Consistent investments in production facilities and markets
The company has continued to make investments in plant facilities in order
to promote sales world-wide. Several large-scale projects have been completed
at plants in Vorarlberg. The 10th building phase was finished at Bregenz
and a large extension added to the fully automated high bay warehouse.
In addition, the extension to the Engineering Centre/Works 3 was inaugurated
in Hoechst.
Currently, a stamping centre is being built in Fussach which is being
put into operation step by step from August 2003. Construction work has
also been started on a fully automated warehouse for finished parts and
assembly at the company’s central plant in Hoechst. As regards production
facilities themselves, the management has approved numerous investments
in additional facilities for the Clip top furniture hinge and Blumotion.
Plangger Coatings, which Blum took over as of 1st January 2003, will be
integrated into the Blum Group according to plan.
In Sao Paolo, Brazil, and in Lowesville, N.C., USA, investments have also
been made in automation and in the expansion of production facilities
for the main product groups runner and hinge systems.
Investments in additional markets are designed to further increase the
efficiency of important sales locations. A new office and warehouse were,
for example, opened in England in 2003, and new buildings and extensions
are being built in Poland and Rumania. Construction work wasl also started
on a new office building and adjacent showroom at Blum Germany in Herford
in August.
Even more ‘progress through movement’ in the future
Despite the uncertainty about the economic development of several core
markets in the future, the management, according to Gerhard E. Blum, trusts
in the compensatory effect of the international market structure of the
Group.
Consequently, the new business year, which started on 1st July 2003, has
been planned with guarded optimism. With the help of its new slogan ‘progress
through movement’, the Blum Group hopes to attain further growth.
New products that are received well from the start, partner-orientated
flexibility and services that satisfy clients’ needs are seen as
important prerequisites for success
Premium
Appliance Brands Limited Appoints a National Distributor for the ATAG
Brand in the UK
Premium
Appliance Brands Limited (PAB), the new white goods marketing company
created by former Stoves Marketing Director, Guy Weaver, has appointed
Allied Manufacturing Company as a national distributor of ATAG products
in the UK.
‘Our first priority has been to ensure continuity for existing dealers.
Having taken delivery of their first stock order this month, the appointment
of Allied will both improve product availability and enhance service and
customer support for the ATAG brand’ says Guy.
‘ATAG has always had an excellent reputation for quality and innovation.
Initial discussions with kitchen specialists indicate that there is a
huge amount of goodwill and positive feeling towards the ATAG brand within
the trade.’
PAB has also been investing heavily in photography of the ATAG products
and in the design and production of a new 44 page brochure for the UK
to support the brand.
‘I am confident that with distribution arrangements in place, all
the behind the scenes activity that has been going on and with the experience
of the PAB team, we will quickly re-establish the ATAG brand creating
a premium position within the UK market’.
PAB Limited will shortly introduce the ATAG range of 290mm wide domino
hobs to the UK market, with five models in the range including a griddle,
wok burner and deep fryer. Also to be introduced is a Compact range of
five oven modules – each 390mm high and 600mm wide including a microwave,
a steam oven, pyrolytic oven and multifunction oven.
Tel: 01477 532516
Email: mailto:info@pabl.co.uk
OFT
Refuses to Renew Credit Licence of Stockport Trader
A
Stockport-based home fittings trader, Mr Kenneth Ellis, operating under
the name Choice K.B.B. (Choice Kitchens Bedrooms Bathrooms), has had his
application for a renewal of his consumer credit licence refused.
The adjudicator refused to renew the licence on the basis that Choice
K.B.B had left work in an unsatisfactory, incomplete and, on two occasions,
seemingly unsafe condition and had failed to rectify defective and unsafe
work. Also Mr Ellis had used abusive and threatening language to customers
in the course of the business.
In addition, the applicant had failed to disclose on his application three
County Court judgements against him which totalled £9861.
The adjudicator decided that he was not satisfied that Mr Ellis was fit
to hold a consumer credit licence. Accordingly the licence was refused.
Under the Consumer Credit Act 1974, businesses that offer consumer credit
or hire, or who introduce customers to businesses offering credit facilities,
must have a consumer credit licence. The OFT has a duty to protect the
interests of consumers by monitoring the fitness of applicants and licence
holders.
In considering fitness, the OFT will take into account a number of factors
including:
* any offence or conviction of violence or dishonesty carried out by the
business or anyone involved in running the business
* failure to comply with the provisions of the Consumer Credit Act or
other consumer protection legislation
* consumer complaints
* evidence of unfair business practice
* evidence of discrimination on grounds of sex, colour, race or ethnic/national
origin.
Director for Consumer Regulation Enforcement Christine Wade said: ‘This
decision is good news for consumers in Stockport giving protection from
an unfit trader. Where there is evidence that a trader is is no longer
fit to have a consumer credit licence the OFT will always turn down the
renewal application.’
KBSA
Member Completes Rational Kitchen for Avantgarde Customer
The
Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association has worked with a KBSA
retailer, Design Matters of High Wycombe, Bucks to complete a kitchen
for one of Avantgarde’s customers left in the lurch when the London
based business went bust last year. The customer had ordered a Rational
kitchen from Avantgarde Interiors but the business collapsed before the
kitchen could be fitted.
‘We had taken the necessary steps to protect consumers as soon as
the Avantgarde situation came to light,’ says Chief Executive Graham
Hayden.
‘This customer however was left with no kitchen, only a quote. We
were able to offer to provide the same specification and quality of kitchen
under our customer protection scheme because they had paid a deposit prior
to the suspension of Aventgarde. With the help of Design Matters, the
customer now has the brand new kitchen that he originally envisaged.
We are delighted that the customer has benefited from the ConsumerCare
Scheme that is unique to the KBSA. The KBSA exists to uphold best standards
throughout the interiors industry and always advises customers to choose
a KBSA retailer – that way they are guaranteed excellent service
and product, not to mention peace of mind that they will be protected
when things do go wrong, as in this case.’
Tel: 01905 621787
Email: mailto:info@kbsa.co.uk
Web: http://www.kbsa.co.uk
Showrooms
Key to Water Front Expansion
Ernie
Pallas, formerly Commercial Director at Deva, has been appointed Sales
Director at Water Front with a key objective of developing sales to the
contract market through retail and merchant showrooms.
His first step has been to implement a full structural change in Water
Front's Sales Department, which now has eight sales managers covering
the UK and calling not just on showrooms but also specifiers including
housebuilders, architects and interior designers, primarily in the hotel
and leisure industries.
'The main aim for us this year is to broaden the availability and distribution
of our products' explains Ernie, who has 32 years experience in the bathroom
industry on both the trade, and manufacturing and distribution sides.
'The market place increasingly appreciates that quality prevails and a
cheap product isn't always best, particularly for clients such as national
housebuilders who have prestige developments.
'They require quality products in a variety of styles, which is why Water
Front's brassware, accessories and bowls are already in demand. We want
to take advantage of the opportunities in the contract market for quality
products and we want to channel that growing business through a broader
spread of outlets.'
Tel: 0121 520 5346
Email: mailto:waterfront@btconnect.com
Web: http://www.waterfrontbathrooms.com
Waterline
Builds the Bathroom Business
Waterline
has announced two new initiatives to develop sales of its Bathroom Furniture
Collection, which the company says is now one of the most comprehensive,
competitively-priced, off-the-shelf Collections available.
Eve Lyons has been appointed to the newly-created position of Bathroom
Furniture Sales Manager, responsible for expanding the retailer base to
capitalise on rising consumer demand for bathroom storage and pipework
concealment.
Following the introduction ofthe E.S. option ofshallow depth and narrow
width units for smaller rooms, Waterline has just brought out a new tower
unit that offers even greater design flexibility in bathroom planning.
Measuring 320mm high by 300mm wide, the versatile tower can be a mix of
cupboards, drawers, open shelving and mirrors.
Product Manager, Mark Bristow, commented: 'Since we launched the Collection
18 months ago, our research has led to continuous product development
to meet consumer requirements. Now with Eve Lyons on board to drive the
bathroom business forward, we can maximise the sales potential for what
is the fastest growing sector of the total UK bathroom market.'
Contact Mark Bristow on 01908 219730
The
newly opened HE Olby bathroom showroom, based in Lewisham, South London,
provides a good environment in which to view the new Aquafun cabin from
Hansgrohe. HE Olby has been offering Hansgrohe products for 10 months
and the latest addition to the showroom is eye-catching and highly functional.
HE Olby is the first showroom to display a working Aquafun cabin, which
is characterised by its ability to create the ‘perfect’ showering
experience. Aquafun is available in three sizes; 750mm, 850mm and 950mm
each featuring a unique shower system. The 850mm and 950mm models offer
the extra option of a steam generator, a comfortable seat, and are also
available as Deluxe versions, featuring coloured lighting and a built-in
radio. All cabins have space-saving sliding doors.
The 850mm Deluxe Aquafun model can be viewed at HE Olby’s contemporary
showroom, where visitors can experience the effects of light, sound and
steam and see how it could transform their bathroom. The Aquafun is priced
from around £1980.00.
Visit HE Olby at 299-313 Lewisham High Street, London, SE13 6NW, or contact
the showroom on 020 8690 3401, where staff will be happy to explain the
functions of the cabin and highlight the benefits of incorporating steam
into your daily life.
New
Mouldings Service as Production Increases at John Boddy Timber
As
John Boddy Timber continues to increase the range of products available
to customers from the Riverside Sawmill in Boroughbridge, it has for the
first time moulded products to order following the installation of a 6-head
throughfeed Wadkin moulder.
Managing Director Frank Boddy says that the increased range of dimensions
on offer due to the commissioning of a 7th resaw and the extent of the
choice of grades now that three grading lines are operating, has allowed
the company to select dimensioned timber for moulding with a great degree
of accuracy to suit customer specification.
In the furniture industry particularly the opportunity to match mouldings
to door frames, panels and drawer fronts is highly popular. John Boddy’s
wide range of imported and home-grown FSC-certified hardwoods are available
in to-order quantities. The new grading lines and selection systems being
initiated are seeing growing numbers of John Boddy Timber customers visiting
the Riverside Sawmills for on-location inspection and selection.
The John Boddy Timber main Catalogue and recently published Buyers’
Guide to Grading and Measurement are both available free on application.
Tel: 01423 322370
Fax: 01423 324334
Email: mailto:info@john-boddy-timber.ltd.uk
Worktops
- Orama Reveals what the Market wants
Orama,
the independent manufacturer of kitchen and bathroom worksurfaces, has
completed the first phase of its initial market research project into
the UK's purchasing chain for worktops. Having invested heavily in finding
out the current and future trends in kitchens and worktops, Orama is confident
that it is poised to take advantage of its initial findings about worksurfaces.
Peter Holt, Sales and Marketing Director, explains:
'Orama commissioned the first stage of ground breaking research in late
2002, with initial results in Quarter One 2003. The research was undertaken
with retailers, distributors, installers and consumers and for Orama,
the results have been revelatory.' He continues: 'Orama's research revealed
that the worktop is considered one of the four most important items in
a new kitchen, this finding was common across all participants. Being
a large surface area, the worksurface provides significant colour and
the first impression of the final kitchen.
'The key finding of our market research is that the 3 metre worksurface
is the preferred length for the industry, on the basis of its ease of
installation.' Peter clarifies, 'Worksurfaces tend to be available in
three or more lengths, either 3m, 3.6m or 4 metre lengths. Our research
has confirmed to Orama that the consumer is not concerned about how long
the worksurfaces he buys are, but it does matter to the trade. Worktops
produced in 3 metres are more convenient, they fit into a van easily and
do not infringe any Health & Safety legislation for carrying. Combine
this with the growth in installation of larger range-style cookers, and
most kitchens simply do not require long continuous runs over 4 metres.'
Peter discloses that the research confirms the continued demand for alternative
worksurface finishes, particularly granite and solid surfaces. He also
reveals that this once-staid and unresponsive market will be changing
radically, with Orama poised to maximise this opportunity as a result
of the company's recent substantiai investment in infrastructure. Peter
concludes, 'Orama has found that unit values are increasing, as consumers
are prepared to pay more for the worksurface, and ultimately the kitchen,
they want. This is good news not only for Orama as the manufacturer, but
right through the supply chain from distributor to retailer. Orama is
looking forward to working more closely with the trade during 2003 to
deliver worksurfaces that meet the needs of the market, and deliver the
benefits through the trade.'
This is the first stage in Orama's investigation into the UK market requirements
of worksurfaces and Peter confirms that Orama intends to continue to invest
into market research in this field. Orama offers high quality durable
decorative panels and worksurfaces. Established for many years, Orama
holds ISO 9002 certification
and the Furniture lndustry Research Association Gold Award for product
performance. The company is also a corporate member of the KBSA (Kitchen
Bathroom Bedroom Specialist Association).
Tel: 01773 520560
Web: http://www.orama.co.uk
Wolseley
plc Announces Record Results, but Currency Fluctuations Take 5% off Bottom
Line
Currency
translation reduced Wolseley group sales by £393.8m (4.9%) and group
trading profit by £21.7m (4.7%). In constant currency terms Group
sales were up 8.5% and Group pre-tax profit, before goodwill amortisation,
up 9.4%. After the currency translation effect, Group sales were up 3.2%
to £8.2bn (2002: £8.0bn); Group pre-tax profit, after goodwill
amortisation, was up 3.7% to £426.0m (2002: £410.7m).
Operating highlights include:
• Strong organic performance, relative to the market, in European
distribution and North American Plumbing and Heating distribution divisions.
• Continued improvement in trading margin achieved in almost all
of the Continental European businesses and in the North American Plumbing
and Heating distribution division.
• Total acquisition spend incurred for 2003 of £513 million
should generate more than £1 billion per annum of incremental sales
in a full year.
• Branch network expanded by 494 locations to 3,449 as at 31 July
2003 (2002: 2,955).
• US Building Materials' restructuring on track to generate cost
savings of $5 million in 2004 and at least $10 million per annum from
2005 onwards.
Outlook
The underlying performance of the group remains strong against a background
of mixed and uncertain market conditions, which are unlikely to change
in the short-term.
Outlook for the UK market remains favourable whilst Continental Europe
is expected to remain flat.
Additional investment in the group's infrastructure over the next financial
year will create opportunities for achieving synergies and leveraging
the group's international strengths while supporting the group's objective
of achieving double-digit sales and profit growth.
Charles
Banks, Wolseley plc Group Chief Executive said:
'We are delighted to report our seventh consecutive year of record results
despite the mixed economic environment in the USA and Continental Europe.
We have made considerable progress across the group with the majority
of our operations performing well in their respective markets with a particularly
strong end to the financial year. We have spent a total of £513
million on acquisitions, including Pinault Bois & Materiaux ('PBM'),
all of which will further strengthen our market positions, increase diversity
and enable us to move forward with confidence.'
Wolseley Centers took advantage of a strong UK market where the principal
driver was the RMI (repairs, maintenance and improvement) market which
was buoyed by strong consumer demand against the backdrop of lower interest
rates, low unemployment and house price inflation. Despite the weakness
in the industrial and commercial markets and the lack of any real evidence
of the promised increase in government spending, UK sales increased by
12.6% to £1,888.8 million, including organic growth of 6.9%. Each
of the four divisions improved their gross margins compared to last year,
Lightside being the strongest business performer.
The move to two new distribution centres during the course of last year
and the first half of this year had the expected adverse impact on costs
(including one-off costs of £1.6 million in 2003). In addition,
153 new locations were added during the year taking the total for Wolseley
Centers to 1,372. The significance of these investments will be reflected
in future trading, both in terms of supporting continued growth and in
the generation of further operational efficiencies. These efficiencies
were reflected in an improved margin in the second half of the year, with
the prospect of further margin improvement in the future. The trading
margin for the year as a whole was 7.6% compared to 7.8% in 2002 and the
working capital to sales ratio showed a significant improvement due to
a focus on inventory management.
In France, integration benefits are expected to be generated by a diversification
by product, by customer and by geography and from the use in both PBM
and Brossette of the 'branch within a branch' concept which has been so
successful in the UK.
This year a further 467 branches were added to the European network, giving
a total of 2,266 locations at 31 July 2003 (2002: 1,799).
Senior Management Changes
John Whybrow, having previously been deputy Chairman, was appointed Chairman
on 13th December 2002 in succession to Richard Ireland. Andrew Hutton,
Chief Executive of Wolseley Centers and Building Distribution Northern
Europe, retired on 31st July 2003, after some nine years on the board.
Gerard Legtmann was appointed to the Wolseley Board as Chief Executive
Europe on 15th August 2003, responsible for the European Distribution
division. Adrian Barden was appointed as Managing Director of Wolseley
Centers on 1st August 2003. Gareth Davis joined the Board as a non-executive
director on 1st July 2003.
Wolseley
Completes US Acquisition Spree
Plumbing
and heating products distributor Wolseley has paid £14 million for
three North American businesses. In a full year, these acquisitions will
add a further £37 million ofsales. Goodwill related to these acquisitions
is estimated to be around £5.8 million.
In the USA, Ferguson has acquired Liberty Equipment & Supply ('Liberty'),
a leading distributor of pipe, valves and fittings to the commercial,
industrial and marine construction markets. Liberty serves much of the
Pacific Northwest and California from five branches. As at the acquisition
date of 16th September 2003, it had net assets, excluding debt, of approximately
£5.1 million.
In Canada, Wolseley Canada has acquired Nuroc Plumbing and Heating Supplies
Ltd. ('Nuroc'), based in Toronto. Nuroc is a distributor of a wide variety
of plumbing, heating and industrial supplies. As at the acquisition date
of 4th August 2003, it had net assets, excluding debt, of approximately
£1.6 million.
Stock Building Supplies has acquired JM Lumber, Inc. ('JM Lumber'), a
leading distributor of lumber and building materials to the professional
contractor in the Treasure Coast area of Florida. As at the acquisition
date of 1st August 2003, JM Lumber had net assets, excluding debt, of
approximately £1.5 million.
Charles Banks, Group Chief Executive of Wolseley said:
'These bolt-on acquisitions further strengthen Wolseley's position in
the US and Canadian markets, enhancing our product offering. Furthermore
they demonstrate our continued strategy to expand through a combination
of organic growth and acquisitions.'
Wolseley has 3,000 branches in a dozen countries, including the UK and
continental Europe, employing around 38,000 people. In the UK, it trades
as the Hire Center, the Timber Center and the Builder Center, with 1,219
branches and a 14% market share in 2002.
FMB
Launches Search for 'Heaven Sent' Builders
The
FMB is taking its campaign to counter the national media's negative image
of builders to new heights with the launch of the Master Builder of the
Year Awards, in association with Nissan Motor (GB) Limited. The FMB is
asking homeowners and commercial clients who are in seventh heaven about
their completed building work to vote for Britain's best builder. The
overall winner will not only win the coveted title of 'Master Builder
of the Year 2004' but will also receive a brand new Light Commercial Vehicle
of their choice from Nissan's extensive range.
The Awards are in a class of their own, as every entrant must be nominated
by a satisfied client who believes their builder deserves national recognition,
not just for their trade skills but also for their approach to customer
service. There is a fantastic prize for the client who nominates the overall
winner, a £3,000 holiday of their choice.
Master Builder of the Year is open to any of the estimated 200,000 small
or medium-sized building firms in the UK, not just FMB members. Announcing
the launch of the Awards, Ian Davis, FMB director general said: 'Forget
nightmare stories about builders from hell, we are looking for Britain's
building angels - and there are far more of them out there than certain
TV programmes would have us believe. We hope that any builder who is proud
of their work will invite their clients to nominate them. The building
industry is often belittled by the antics of a few cowboys, but these
awards recognise and reward the high level of skill, workmanship and customer
service achieved by the unsung heroes of the industry.'
Nigel Land, the Retail Marketing Manager for Nissan Motor (GB) Limited,
added: 'I am delighted that Nissan has the opportunity to sponsor these
prestigious awards for the first time. The Nissan range has a van to suit
every business and we look forward to presenting the winner with a brand
new Light Commercial Vehicle of their choice.'
Entries are invited now in the following five categories: New homes built
by a builder who constructs less than 50 new homes a year Professional
residential/domestic restoration, refurbishment or extension costing less
than £100,000; Professional residential/domestic restoration, refurbishment
or extension costing more than £100,000; New build or refurbishment
of a commercial building; Best building project with a significant contribution
from an apprentice or apprentices.
The competition is UK wide, with each FMB local office (there are 11 in
total) selecting a winner in each category to compete for the national
awards and the overall title of 'Master Builder of the Year'. The winners
will be announced at Interbuild 2004, at a gala luncheon at the Hilton
Metropole Hotel on Tuesday 27th April.
Steve Webb, Event Director of Interbuild commented: 'We are delighted
that FMB has chosen to present its flagship Awards at Interbuild, the
UK's largest construction event. We are also pleased to be collaborating
with the FMB to create a special area within Interbuild devoted to the
needs of small building companies. Those attending the Awards ceremony
will have a great opportunity to benefit from visiting this area as well
as seeing all the latest new products and innovations on show at Interbuild.'
The closing date for entries for Master Builder of the Year is December
31st 2003.
For more information on the Master Builder of the Year Awards and to apply,
please call Freephone 08000 152 522.
Electrolux
will make Provision for Loan Guarantees within Professional Laundry Equipment
Electrolux
will make a provision of EUR 32m (approximately SEK 290m) in the third
quarter of 2003, referring to previously issued loan guarantees for launderette
operators in Germany. The launderettes are experiencing financial difficulties
due to weak market conditions, and Electrolux may be required to fulfill
its guarantee commitments.
The launderettes are equipped with professional laundry equipment supplied
by the Electrolux Group. In accordance with common business practice in
this sector, Electrolux has previously provided guarantees for loans in
connection with the set up of launderettes. The guarantees refer mainly
to the second half of the 1990s.
Web: http://www.electrolux.com
Poggenpohl
Design Centres open in Ascot, Guildford... and San Francisco, Taipei,
Vienna...
Poggenpohl
stated its intent to raise the bar in international kitchen studios with
the +STUDIOCONCEPT programme for Poggenpohl Design Centres in 2000. The
company reinforced the message with Europe's largest Poggenpohl Design
that opened in London in February 2002.
The programme is rapidly gathering momentum, the UK is now host to six
of these studios with a further five due for completion by the end of
the year.
This is a worldwide initiative from the 111-year old kitchen marque with
a cosmopolitan reputation. Ascot (opened May) and Guildford (opened late
July) join great cities such San Francisco, Taipei and Vienna in playing
host to Poggenpohl Design Centres. Since +STUDIOCONCEPT was released less
than two years ago, more than 200 new showrooms have opened throughout
the world.
Poggenpohl Design Centres are a uniform environment developed to present
the furniture effectively. They are run by trained professionals committed
to offering a service standard commensurate with Poggenpohl furniture.
Every detail of a Poggenpohl Design Centre is conceived to radiate the
character of the Poggenpohl brand and reinforce the message of product
quality.
'lt was our aim to present our customers with a strong visual-emotional
experience and the effect of this has been even greater than we had hoped',
explains Poggenpohl Managing Director Elmar Duffner. 'This enabled us
to increase our Poggenpohl production to capacity until the factory summer
shutdown'.
The success of the programme is reflected in UK sales growth of over 45%
this year ...and climbing. UK MD Martin Gill says: 'We are operating in
a tough economic climate so the results are perhaps, in real terms, even
more dramatic. The beauty of the +STUDIOCONCEPT programme, the blueprint
if you will for a pure Poggenpohl Design Centre, is that the high standards
of display and service enable us to demonstrate why Poggenpohl is so special.
It is easy now to see why Poggenpohl occupies its position in the kitchen
furniture market and, crucially, why Poggenpohl furniture is exceptional
value for money. Quite simply, no other kitchen furniture is designed
or manufactured quite like it.'
In the second half of 2003, new studio openings and studio extensions
will be unveiled in New Delhi, St. Petersburg, Prague, Kiev, Bangkok,
Dubai, Moscow, Tokyo, Manila, Santo Domingo, Seoul and Peking.
Email: mailto:kitchens@poggenpohl-group.co.uk