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Chinese Domestic Refrigeration Market Saturated: Manufacturers Seek Export Markets to Soak up Overcapacity

The Chinese refrigeration market is already colossal at $1.8 billion with growth of between 5% and 8% per annum in all sectors apart from domestic which is nearly at saturation. Chinese manufacturers of domestic compressors have a local market of 13.2 million and a capacity of over 30 million, and like manufacturers of evaporators and fridges manufacturers are looking for export opportunities to solve the overcapacity problem. Currently the main export areas are North America and some Middle Eastern and Far Eastern countries.

The fastest growing areas are the commercial and industrial sectors with particularly strong growth for screw and scroll compressors from the rapidly expanding supermarket sector. Retail cabinets and cold stores are becoming major markets in China and there are many opportunities for import and joint venture.

At the larger end of the market the supply structure is concentrated with Dalian Bingshan and Yantai Moon strong (with compressors for major end users and the key account packbuilders), whereas there are many smaller manufacturers selling less than 1,000 units for light commercial compressors. Similarly for evaporator units like ice makers the market is more fragmented, whereas Dalian Sanyo, Fuliangjing and Aukma dominate the retail cabinet market.

Apart from the industrial sector which still uses HCFC, most refrigerants in China used with new refrigeration equipment are HFCs or HCs.

BSRIA's study ‘The Chinese Market for Refrigeration’ was published in January 2004. It is BSRIA's first published indepth study of this major market area in China. It is 60 pages long, contains 34 tables and 16 figures.

The data for the study was collected with a combination of personal and telephone interviews with 40 manufacturers and wholesalers, compressors and evaporators manufacturers.

The Chinese Market for Refrigeration report has already been purchased by 20 key clients.

For further information contact Andrew Giles at BSRIA
Telephone: +44 (0) 1344 465624
E-mail: mailto:andrewg@bsria.co.uk
Web: http://www.bsria.co.uk/wmi

De Dietrich Customer Survey Shows Strength of Dealer Support

In a recent survey commissioned by De Dietrich an overwhelming 80% of respondents stated that they chose De Dietrich products because the dealer recommended them.

De Dietrich has long recognised that its dealers are the driving force behind the sale of its products. It also acknowledges the value of knowledge and demonstration, which is why it is continuously providing additional material to help them. It has recently upgraded its training manual and is presenting new products throughout the forthcoming months in its continued product expansion.

Throughout June and July De Dietrich is also offering dealer staff the opportunity to claim a break in Paris for two, for every 20 selected De Dietrich products sold to celebrate the brands’ 320th anniversary.

Paul Dominy, director of sales (pictured) says:
‘The results of our survey speak for themselves. We have always been aware of the strength of our dealers, which is why we are constantly improving our service. We have expanded our sales team to ensure that our dealers receive the most committed support and we are now launching a range of incentives and promotions to make selling De Dietrich even easier. All of which will be backed up by our regular advertising presence in the consumer press.

'Most of all we just want to thank our dealers for the fantastic work they do and in this important year for us, we want to celebrate our continued success with them.’

Tel: 08707 503 503
Web: http://www.dedietrich.co.uk

Maytag UK Appoints New Distributor

Maytag UK has forged a new alliance with Theobald's to become an additional key distributor for the company of Amana, Maytag and Admiral appliances.

'The partnership with Theobald's will considerably broaden our distribution, offering quality sales support and delivery service of our brands nationwide. We are delighted to welcome them aboard. Their proven business success over the last two and a half decades is a great tribute to their expertise. We look forward to a long and successful relationship' comments Graham Gleave, Sales Director, Maytag UK.

Located in Kent, Theobald's currently distributes a range of quality, leading white goods and kitchens. The company's strong customer base, extensive sock and warehousing facilities, combined with a substantial sales and administrative team take on distribution of Maytag's brands from the 1st June 2004.

James Theobald of Theobald's comments, 'The comprehensive offering from Maytag brings many exciting prospects to the business. Maytag's fashion led functional portfolio and constant innovation coupled with dependability and performance will be a substantial asset and strengthen our business. The market is changing quickly and we have to change with it. We have to ensure that our customers remain satisfied and therefore grasp every opportunity.'

The Theobald's team will be attending training at Maytag's headquarters in Redhill to ensure they are all familiar with the three brands, and their innovative features and benefits. Theobald's will be supporting the Maytag appliance launch in June through the company's regular newsletter, which will benefit from additional circulation via the kbb review magazine.

Tel: 01737 231 000
Web: http://www.maytag.co.uk

De Dietrich Celebrates 320th Anniversary With Dealer Incentives and Consumer Promotions

De Dietrich is the kitchen appliance brand that has the longest history in Europe, and possibly the world. ‘For over three centuries, the De Dietrich name has been synonymous with innovation, consistently pioneering technologies that put the enjoyment back into cooking. 2004 marks the 320th anniversary of De Dietrich and, to celebrate its continued success, the brand is launching a programme of promotional activity for dealers and end users.’

Throughout June and July, De Dietrich is offering dealer staff the opportunity to claim 3 nights in Paris for every 20 selected appliances sold. France is the home of De Dietrich and its capital is the most sophisticated city in the world and never disappoints. With fantastic bars and restaurants and some of the most beautiful sights and monuments, three days relaxing in Paris is a perfect way to celebrate the sale of De Dietrich appliances(*).

Running concurrently with the trade incentive scheme, are two consumer promotions, which are being promoted via full-page advertisements in glossy magazines:

In June, for consumers who buy a pyrolytic oven and induction hob plus three other fantastic appliances from the range, De Dietrich is offering them the opportunity to claim a new state of the art Audiovox Flip Down 7" TV and Radio for the kitchen, worth £549. (*)

Additionally, during June and July, customers who purchase an induction hob from the current range, will be entitled able to claim a set of Pyrex stainless steel saucepans worth £120. The set includes: milk pan, 16cm and 18 cm saucepans, a 24 cm frying pan plus a fantastic exclusive non-stick flat-based 24cm wok (*).

Paul Dominy, director of sales for De Dietrich says:
‘This is a very special time for us, being able to celebrate an amazing 320 years in business and we are proud to have pioneered many groundbreaking technologies such as pyrolytic cleaning, induction cooking and frost free cooling, to name but a few. We are celebrating over three centuries of innovation, which is a real success story, and we are pleased to be sharing that achievement with our dealers and customers.’

(*) Subject to terms and conditions.

Special point of sale material, stickers, leaflets and full terms and conditions are available from all Area Sales Managers or Brandt Marketing on 01256 308 068, e-mail mailto:marketinguk@elcobrandt.com

Web: http://www.dedietrich.co.uk

Barwick to Distrubute Catalano as Stand Alone Brand

Catalano - the Italian manufacturer of quality bathroom products, will be distributed from June 2004 as a stand alone brand, by bathroom specialist Barwick.

Catalano produces top-end bathroom products. The company’s collection of sanitaryware consists of four product groups – Zero (pictured), Verso, Luce and Minimo, each providing modern designs that stay true to the essential functional needs of the user. Due to their simple form individual products from each product group can be combined with products from other groups creating a vast selection for customers to create personalised bathrooms.

The sanitaryware not only offers many shapes and styles but also a host of interior design options. Many of the Basins and WC’s can be enhanced by optional accessories such as towel rails or storage units, which have been designed to be functional whilst complementing the style of each piece of sanitaryware. Each of these basins and WC’s has integral fixings that simplifies the fitting of these options. Other complementary accessories, including mirrors, furniture and lighting are available giving customers more choice for their bathrooms.

Catalano says that it produces every product to the highest surface and dimensional standards, reflecting the company’s philosophy for design excellence that is the basis of this range.

Catalano has been distributed for a number of years under Barwick’s own brand - Myriad, however due to the increasing awareness of Catalano products and its brand, it is now being marketed under its own name. This move opens up further sales opportunities for the retailer, due to an increasing demand for Catalano products from individual consumers, specifiers, architects and interior designers.

A marketing programme, including a comprehensive brochure, point of sale material and product training is available to Catalano dealers, to ensure that they can make the most of this new development.

Tel: 01274 700900
Email: mailto:info@barwick-bradford.co.uk
Web: http://www.barwick-bradford.co.uk

Symphony Wins in Internet Piracy Case

The Symphony Group plc has successfully taken legal action against an on-line direct sales organisation for internet piracy.

The court action was taken against In Home Design when Symphony discovered that it was falsely using the Symphony brand and other Symphony trade names to direct internet searches to the In Home website.

In Home Design had directed potential Symphony website traffic to its own website by including a number of key words and phrases linked to Symphony in its source code. Browsers looking for Symphony kitchens would immediately be directed to the In Home Design Site.  Once on the site there was no mention at all of any Symphony products.

The courts ordered proprietor, Rick Peter, to pay costs of £13,000 to Symphony in the trademark infringement and passing off case. He was ordered to immediately cease all use of the Symphony trade mark, to de-list all Symphony details from Internet search engines and to hand over details of any transactions or data received as a result of his actions.

Graham Smith, Symphony Group Finance Director, comments:
'Symphony customers include major national and regional organisations, as well as a network of quality retailers across the UK. Integrity is at the heart of our relationships, both with these customers and with our suppliers and we will do everything in our power to protect it. 

'We are very proud of our reputation and, in the interests of our customers, will always rigorously pursue any case where products are being passed off as Symphony’s. We operate a strict code of practice on all intellectual property matters and this court victory is testimony to our vigilance.'

Symphony is the UK’s largest privately owned manufacturer of fitted furniture and has established itself as the country’s leading supplier of kitchen, bedroom and bathroom furniture.

Wolseley plc - Recent Acquisition Activity

Wolseley plc, the specialist trade distributor of plumbing, heating and building materials products provided an update on recent acquisitions on May 24th.
Since Wolseley's Interim results announcement on 22nd March 2004 a further five additional distribution businesses in Europe and North America have been acquired for an aggregate consideration of approximately £44 million in cash.

These acquisitions bring Wolseley's total spend on acquisitions, including debt acquired, since the beginning of the financial year, to approximately £122 million. In total, the 14 acquisitions completed to date are expected to add approximately £303 million to group turnover in a full year. Goodwill related to
these 14 acquisitions is estimated to be around £50 million.

North American Plumbing and Heating Distribution
In March 2004, Ferguson acquired Municipal Pipe and Fabricating Company and Municipal Pipe and Fabricating Company S.W. ('Municipal Pipe'). Municipal Pipe is a distributor of water and wastewater materials, including pipe, valves, fittings and fire hydrants with locations in Houston, San Antonio, Austin and Mission, Texas. The acquisition of Municipal Pipe extends Ferguson's current waterworks presence within the state of Texas and complements existing operations in Dallas, Austin and Corpus Christi. Municipal Pipe had sales of £37.5 million in the year to 30th September 2003 and net assets of £6.4 million at that date.

Also in March 2004, Wolseley Canada acquired Salles de Bain du Coteau Inc., a luxury bath showroom selling plumbing products primarily to contractors and their customers in Terrebonne, Quebec. Salles de Bain du Coteau had sales of £1.6 million in the year to 31 October 2003 and net assets of £0.6 million at that date
.
In May 2004, Wolseley Canada acquired Murray Industrial Ltd., a leading supplier of industrial supplies based in St. John's, Newfoundland. Operating from three branches, Murray Industrial has been providing industrial supplies to the energy, mining, pulp and paper sectors for more than 20 years. It had sales of £2.2 million in the year to 31st December 2003 and net assets of £0.3 million at that date. Murray Industrial will provide a platform for Wolseley Canada to further develop its business in PVF, engineered pipe, plumbing and HVAC/R in Newfoundland.

US Building Materials Distribution.
In May 2004, Stock Building Supply acquired Bellevue Builders Supply of Albany/ Schenectady, NY. Bellevue operates from 7 branches, a distribution centre, a truss manufacturing centre, a kitchen warehouse and a manufacturing centre that specialises in doors, stairs, worktops and wall panels. It had sales of £53 million in the year to 31st December 2003 and net assets of £15.2 million at that date.

European Distribution
Also in May 2004, PBM in France acquired Quercy Negoce, a single branch building materials distributor based in the north of France. Quercy Negoce had sales of £1.8 million in the year to 31st December 2003 and net assets of £0.2 million at that date.

Charlie Banks, Group Chief Executive of Wolseley said:
'As we said in our interim results on 22nd March 2004, the underlying performance of the group remains strong. These bolt-on acquisitions will further strengthen our presence in Europe and North America, and they support our strategy of growing the business via acquisition and organic growth.'

Exchange Rates
The following exchange rates have been used for the five acquisitions noted
above: £1 = $1.80, £1 = ?1.47, £1 = C$2.46.

New Showroom Reflects Orama’s Lead in Contemporary Style and Design

Orama, the independent manufacturer of worksurfaces and associated decorative products, has fitted its new showroom with a range of natural yet striking worksurface combinations from its Ardesco range. The company, which recently unveiled its new design-led identity, has been eager to highlight the versatility and endurance of the worksurface. The company says that increasingly, a worksurface is chosen by consumers for its inherent style and fashion qualities and no longer as a simple hardware commodity.

The new showroom displays present a selection of thicker (50 mm) worksurface options that enhance a marked preference for a contemporary European style of kitchen observed in the market. ‘The selection of laminates captures the very essence of Ardesco – precision, simplicity, permanence and functionality coupled with unique, smooth, rich and silky finishes. The emphasis is on natural and plain colours with chunky square edges and tighter profiles to create framing effects.’ says the company.

Stainless steel acrylic edging on a midnight granite gloss with a mirror finish effect complement modern kitchen appliances providing a final touch intensifying the éclat and beauty of the room. Natural wenge, by contrast, combines deep, intense undertones with the natural luxuriance and sensuality of dark wood. Finally, an ocean composite workstation provides a polished, pure and durable look coupled with a creamy and silky feel.

Peter Holt, sales and marketing director, Orama, explains: ‘The choice of any new worksurface design goes beyond the visual aesthetics of the laminate. It extends to the actual texture and feel of the worksurface, that ultimately appeals to the senses. The richness of our Ardesco collection translates into a total experience that complements contemporary kitchen design in every way.’

Orama offers high quality durable decorative panels and worksurfaces. Established for many years, Orama holds ISO 9001 certification and the Furniture Industry Research Association Gold Award for product performance. The company is also a corporate member of the KBSA (Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialist Association). All Orama’s chipboard and solid timber products are sourced from 'responsibly managed' forests.

Tel: 01773 520560
Web: http://www.orama.co.uk

Barwick Hosts Launch Event for a New Range of Shower Enclosures from Kudos

Bathroom distributor, Barwick recently played host to a launch event for a new range of shower enclosures from Kudos.

Customers from many parts of the north of England and Scotland attended the event to see the unveiling of a series of enclosures including the Kudos walk-in enclosure, which features an integral shower valve. The new products build on the success of the current Kudos range with enclosures, away from bathing and towards a desire for larger and more varied shapes of shower enclosures.

The Kudos walk-in, with the feature of an integral Aqualisa Quartz shower valve was undoubtedly star of the show. The water supply, showerhead and riser rail for the Aqualisa Quartz are incorporated into the minimal framework, negating the need for a bulky shower valve and fittings. The water spray is directed into the back corner of the enclosure, resulting in a more efficient utilisation of space, giving the user a generously proportioned internal area, this additionally minimises the possibility of water spraying out of the enclosure. The aesthetic benefits of the integral valve are evident as the walk-in’s radical design and minimalist appeal is enhanced by this one touch shower control. The positioning of this shower control, outside of the showering area enables the user to turn the shower on without getting wet. The Kudos walk-in features sealant free fitting which eliminates the need for sealing between tray and enclosure, while still retaining all water in the tray. Being specifically designed at 1400mm width and 700mm, bowing out to 900mm depth, this allows the enclosure to be fitted into a number of spaces including those previously occupied by baths.

Attendees also got the chance to see seven new curved glass enclosures. These new products include the 810mm & 910mm curved pivot enclosures, 1200mm bowed pivot enclosure, and the 1270mm offset curved pivot enclosure, which give a pivot door option to the Kudos sliding door range. Further introductions include a 900mm quadrant pivot enclosure and 800mm & 900mm bowed pivot enclosures. Features include adjusters to fit out of true walls, which are concealed in the minimal framework. All the new products from Kudos will be available from Barwick, with availability planned for June 2004.

Tel: 01274 700900
Email: mailto:info@barwick-bradford.co.uk
Web: http://www.barwick-bradford.co.uk

Whirlpool Corporation Presents Global Growth Strategies and Innovative Product Lineup in NYC

Whirlpool Corporation executives discussed on 25th May the company’s growth strategies and presented its global lineup of products and brands at meetings with financial analysts and media representatives in New York.

At two sessions, attended separately by dozens of analysts and reporters, the company’s executive management team highlighted the success of Whirlpool’s global-expansion strategy that was initiated in the late 1980s by David R. Whitwam, the company’s chairman and chief executive officer. 'It was this strategy that has made Whirlpool the world’s largest manufacturer and marketer of home appliances today.' says the company.

Whitwam announced earlier this month that he will be retiring on June 30th. Whitwam will be succeeded by Jeff Fettig, Whirlpool’s current president and chief operating officer. Fettig has been named chairman, president and chief executive officer, effective July 1st.

During the analysts presentation, Whirlpool executives reiterated the company’s full-year earnings guidance of $6.20 to $6.35 per share, and discussed the company’s free cash flow forecast, which will increase this year to about $400 million, or $100 million above its previous forecast.  Whirlpool defines free cash flow as cash from operations and after proceeds from the sale of fixed assets, dividends and capital expenditures.

Completion of the Dahl Acquisition

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain has completed its acquisition of the Swedish company Dahl International AB (Dahl), having received the approval of the European, Estonian and Polish competition authorities. Dahl has therefore been consolidated in the Group’s financial statements from May 1st, 2004.

As the Scandinavian leader in sanitary, heating and plumbing distribution, Dahl posted overall sales of SEK 12.5 billion ( €1.4 billion) in 2003. The company, which employs some 3,400 people, has 260 outlets – located in Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland, as well as in Poland and Estonia.

This acquisition represents a means for the Building Materials Distribution Division of Saint-Gobain to extend its European leadership to Scandinavia, and further develop its sanitary, heating and plumbing business lines. It also provides the Division with a solid base for developing its various businesses in Scandinavia. On a pro forma basis including Dahl, sales of the Building Materials Distribution Division amounted to €12.7 billion in 2003, with a headcount of 56,000 people.

BLP Benefits from ZOW's Trend Setting Format

'A great success’ was how Barry Berman, Sales and Marketing Director of British furniture component manufacturer, BLP UK Ltd, described the launch of Prodor; the company's profile wrapped 5 piece doors, at ZOW 2004. With its trend setting format, ZOW is quickly becoming one of the most popular exhibitions in the industry and was the ideal launching pad for the new styles from BLP.

Both new and existing customers visiting the stand were impressed with Prodor and the different designs and surface patterns BLP had on show, especially the realistic vinyl woodgrain prints that are coming into the market.

Barry Berman (pictured right) commented 'BLP has been manufacturing profile wrapped mitre framed doors for over 50 years and with the growing demand for the popular shaker style, the next logical progression for BLP was to invest in the machinery to manufacture this door'. He continued, 'what the visitors to the stand found even more interesting was the fact that we can supply the 5 piece doors in the same foils as the membrane pressed doors, hence offering exciting design possibilities with the extensive range of vinyl foils available in the market today'.

The new 5 piece production line recently installed at BLP will have the capacity to produce 1000’s of doors a week and will produce the shaker doors with french mitre cut corners with either flat or raised and fielded centre panels.

BLP demonstrated the company's ability to exhibit new door styles on its Predor membrane pressed cabinet door range, in a variety of new vinyl foils in uni colours, woodgrains and also gloss finishes, which BLP feels will continue to rise in popularity in the UK market.

ZOW 2004 saw the introduction of 4 new ‘stars’ on display with the new Cova Amati Walnut just ahead of the light and dark Ferara Oaks in popularity. Colour combinations, mixing light and dark tones together within a kitchen room set, were also featured on the BLP stand. These combinations are a direct influence from the continent and BLP feels that they will too become popular in the UK.

Barry explained 'As a leader in the market, we want to show our customers and potential customers that there is a manufacturer aware of the current and future trends, and we can react and satisfy customer demands for the latest designs.'

Even though kitchen cabinet doors were predominant on the BLP stand, BLP also utilised 30% of the stand to show examples of products including, wardrobe doors, bathroom cabinet doors and membrane pressed desktops and frontals for office furniture. Barry Berman stated, 'People always link BLP with kitchen cabinet doors, but we also have the ability to produce these other membrane pressed products which are also an important part of our portfolio'.

BLP now plans to set up the ZOW stand at the company's Design Centre in Doncaster, which will not only allow customers who were unable to attend ZOW to view the displays, but also allow those who did attend the show to return for further discussions.

http://www.blpuk.com

ArtiCAD Launches ArtiCAD Pro Version 11

ArtiCAD, a UK producer of CAD software solutions, has announced its latest software release - ArtiCAD Pro 11. ArtiCAD Pro Version 11 is a pricing and ordering solution.

Theresa Turner, Marketing Director comments, 'ArtiCAD takes CAD one step further, creating stunning presentations for clients has just got simpler, with Version 11 offering a host of new enhancements across the bathroom and bedroom and kitchen design modules. Following significant investment, ArtiCAD's bedroom module alone has been developed to now offer over 50 new design enhancements.

'Version 11 provides designers with the opportunity not only to create presentations using a comprehensive range of door styles, but choose from a selection of new angled bedroom graphics and door styles.

'Bedroom designers face daily design issues and often have to work with common obstacles such as sloping ceilings, ArtiCAD Pro acts as a valuable tool and is designed to ensure such constraints are easily overcome.'

ArtiCAD's new version also incorporates highly detailed bedroom graphics and provides users with the option of displaying both internal and external views.

Furthermore, designers can not only apply texture finishes to any surface within their design, but add their own finishes to an already comprehensive texture library.

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

Dornbracht Presents Research Unit at Milan Show

The beginning of the 2003/2004 winter semester saw the start of the 'Ritual Architecture® in the Bathroom' research project from the Dornbracht Research Unit ETH Zürich. The ETH, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zürich, is one of the most famous academic and research establishments for architecture in the world. The company says: 'This latest collaborative project from Dornbracht, the internationally active manufacturer of high-quality design fittings, accessories and interiors, underlines its role as mastermind and innovator of bathroom culture.'

The project, on the theme of Ritual Architecture® in the Bathroom, was conceived as a basis for entrepreneurial debate. At Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan, Dornbracht presented the findings to the public for the first time. The Dornbracht Research Unit ETH Zürich is a collaboration between the industry and university research. Dornbracht initiated this collaboration with the aim of promoting discourse on the theme of Ritual Architecture® on the international architecture scene and of achieving architectonic acceptance for the ritual concept. The aim was also to portray the bathroom as an architectonic subject, to be implemented by architects of the next generation.

Thanks to the integration of the 'Ritual Architecture® in the Bathroom' research project into the didactic semester framework at the chair of Prof. Dr. Marc Angélil, it has been possible to debate this topic scientifically for the first time. The aim of the class is to examine the practices of cleaning and care from the aspect of ritual and 'making space'. It is not restricted to merely looking at personal space, but also includes semi-public space, such as hotels, as well as public space. Models, drawings, additional visualisations, films and projects are being prepared and integrated in each of the three semester-long segments, 'the dislocated element', 'the dislocated place' and 'the dislocated home'. The result is architectonic models for innovative and forward-looking spaces for care, regeneration and hygiene. In-depth analysis of rituals in the bathroom habitat are generating independent, new spatial developments to influence the overall architecture of living.

Part of 'Mirrors in The Dark' by Anuschka Blommers & Niels Schumm

The theme of rituals occupies a central role in Dornbracht communication. The title of the overall product catalogue 'Kultur im Bad', indicated the way things were going as early as the mid-nineties: moving the way of looking at things away from the function and quality of the fitting, to opening up space by putting things firmly in the cultural context. The products were interpreted, developed and integrated into people’s lives. This debate about bathroom culture led to the development and the initiation of the Statements series. Since 1996, Dornbracht has regularly invited artists, photographers, designers, musicians and authors and given them free rein in their particular genre to devise works on the topic of 'water, cleaning and rituals'. The complexity and variety of the results reflect the many facets of contemporary art. Dornbracht shows the exhibits in the context of events, exhibitions and trade fairs and communicates them in the public arena.
The individual exhibitions are documented in extensive publications and on the Internet page http://www.cultureprojects.com.

The Dornbracht Research Unit ETH Zürich is the Iserlohn-based family firm’s first collaborative project with an institute of technology involving architecture. Just as with the Statements editions, the company exerts no influence whatsoever on the process and its result, it merely provides the generic theme of 'Ritual Architecture®'.

Electrolux Pays out $30m to Settle Vacuum Cleaner Lawsuit in the US

Electrolux and the plaintiff John North have reached a settlement agreement in the vacuum cleaner trade secrets case regarding certain upright, cyclonic vacuum cleaners. As a result, the case will not be decided by a jury in El Paso, Texas, USA and the matter is concluded.

Per the agreement, Electrolux will pay the plaintiff USD 30M and the plaintiff has agreed to drop all claims, including future claims, in the matter. No further details of the settlement are available.

Electrolux entered into the settlement because it brought the matter to an end with a known outcome rather than the uncertainty of a jury decision. The Group maintains that there is no merit to the charges.

Steam Radios Liven up Ideal Home

DaVinci® Steam and Baths exhibited its Steam Radio Collection at this year's Daily Mail ldeal Home Show on the lnternational Bathrooms stand.

The Collection includes five shower enclosures designed to fit into most standard European bathrooms. With dimensions ranging from 900mm x 900mm x 2100mm for Alto - the baby of the range - through to the high spec Soprano measuring a generous 1700mm x 1000mm x 2170mm, there is a unit to suit most applications.

Each steam enclosure has a steam function, body jets, ceiling spray and hand held shower. A computer-controlled panel enables the user to select steam time and temperature; listen to ambient music thanks to an FM stereo; and to determine the sequence of the body jets. An extractor fan and built-in seat are also typical features, as well as an ozone cleaning system - nature's natural disinfectant.

As you move up through the range, special features are added. Tenor includes a pearl spray and foot massage as well as telephone and light functions; Contralto has the added benefit of a built-in wash basin and mirror; Baritone is a 1400mm x 1400mm corner unit; and at the top of the range is Soprano, a luxury steam room for two with television, DVD and VCR connections.

All the units are available in white with the exception of Tenor, which is also available in platinum. The combination of clean lines and elegant finishes means these steam units will complement both modern and traditional bathroom settings.

Tel: 0113 236 3811

Armitage Shanks Discusses the Revised Part M and it's Radical Affect on Hotels

Armitage Shanks believes it is important to advise hotel owners of radical changes in the Building Regulations and explain how these changes will significantly affect hoteliers.

The new Part M of the Building Regulations came into effect on the 1st May 2004. The new standard is not just about access for disabled people but now covers access for everyone, including:

• Wheelchair users
• Ambulant Disabled
• People of either sex with babies and small childten
• People with luggage
• People: with learning difficulties
• People with visual or hearing impairments
• People who lack tactile sensitivity - who are likely to scald themselves on hot surfaces

The new standard is mandatory for all new hotels being built and for major refurbishment's e.g. extensions to buildings, or where an entire washroom or bedroom is refurbished with new products. The new standard also takes into consideration the requirements of the Disability Discrimination act 1995 - that states 'All suppliers of goods and service must remove all physical barriers where it is deemed reasonable to do so by October 2004' and this is probably why the new standard is so radical:

• For hotel bedrooms that are deemed wheelchair accessible there must be a 50:50 split between bathrooms with showers and bathrooms with baths.

• For both rooms there are new layout requirements including a special bath that is 480mm high with access for a mobile hoist.

• A Unisex WC facility providing wheelchair access must be cited at every location within a building where there are able-bodied washroom facilities.

• Where there is more than one Unisex WC facility within a building they must be handed LH/RH to provide choices of transfer side.

• It is no longer acceptable to just have less-abled toilet facilities with a male or female washroom. You must also have a separate Unisex WC facility.

• In all hotel bedrooms and washrooms basin and bath taps (not showers) must be capable of being operated using a closed fist - this means single lever, lever action, push button or electronic taps must be used.

• All basin taps, bath taps, showers, kitchen taps etc. must be thermostatically protected with the hot water discharging at a maximum temperature of 43 degrees C.

• Sanitaryware, walls and floors must all contrast with each other. This means that white basins on white walls with white flooring will no longer be acceptable. The standard stipulates a contrast value of 30% difference in the luminance of the surfaces.

• In every male/female washroom there must be at least one ambulant cubicle. This cubicle needs to be 800mm wide with a clearance of 750mm from the front edge of the WC to the front of the cubicle. There must also be two horizontal grab rails and at least one vertical rail. The WC must have a seat height of 480mm from the floor although the projection of the WC is not mentioned. The cubicle door must open outwards.

• Where there are 4 or more cubicles within a male or female washroom as well as one being an ambulant WC cubicle there must also be an enlarged cubicle. Enlarged cubicles are to assist people with babies and small children, people with large bags and ambulant disabled. The enlarged cubicle must be 1200mm wide, have one horizontal and one vertical rail set around the WC and a shelf and folding baby changing table (unless there is a separate baby changing facility adjacent to the washroom).

• For standard type cubicles there must be a minimum of 450mm diameter manoeuvring space within the cubicle. All doors must either open outwards, or be capable of being lifted off from the front to guard against cases where people have collapsed against the door. All indicator bolts and doors must be capable of being operated with a closed fist.

• Wheelchair accessible toilets must not be expected to double as baby changing areas.

• Where showers are provided for staff or guests then at least one should suit wheelchair users.

• Lockers within leisure centres and health clubs must be of varied sizes to ensure crutches and other aids can be stored.

• Artificial limb lockers should be provided to all changing and showers areas designed for wheelchair users.

Armitage Shanks has a complete range of products that conform to the new Part M Regulations.


For more information contact Armitage Shanks Business Support on 0870 122 8822.

Jean-Patrique Professional Cookware AdvertAttracts Complaint

A complaint, objecting to a magazine advertisement for Advanced Direct Information Services Ltd t/a Jean-Patrique Professional Cookware was upheld in five of the seven objections according to published details from the Advertising Standards Authority.

Complaint:
Objections to a magazine advertisement, for kitchen knives, that was headed 'A complete 14-piece professional knife set offered to you at 73% below its normal retail price, for just £99 ... postage and packing per order £9.95'. The complainants challenged the claims:

1. ' ... offered to you at 73%" below its normal retail price ...', because they believed the knives were not available at retail outlets;

2. ' ... Each knife is forged to give you perfect weight balance and handling ...', because they believed the handles of the knife were hollow;

3. ' ... An exceptional degree of sharpness ...';

4. ' ... Direct from the manufacturer ...', because they believed the advertisers did not make the knives;

5. ' ... Judge for yourself - risk free ...', because they believed customers would be charged for carriage if they returned the knives;

6. '... Entirely Hand-made ...', because they did not think that was possible and

7. '...the award winning designed wooden solid block ...'.

Adjudication:

1. Complaints upheld
The advertisers said the knives were sold at The Professional Cookware Company retail shop in Cheltenham. They sent photographs of the shop front and of the knives displayed for sale in the shop; they sent a price list that showed the cost of the knives when sold individually. The advertisers pointed out that the knives, when sold individually and when sold in the shop as a set, cost £363.30 and maintained that the advertised price of £99 was 73% below the normal retail price. The Authority noted the advertisers had sent evidence to show the knives on display in one retail outlet and understood from the advertisers that the knives were available, at the retail price, from that outlet only. It nevertheless considered that the claim implied the knives were generally available from retail outlets at the price of £363.30. Because the advertisers had sent evidence to show the knives on display in one store only, the Authority was not satisfied that the advertisers had justified the claim ' ... offered to you at 73% below its normal retail price ...' and told them not to repeat it.

2. Complaints upheld
The advertisers believed the claim did not imply that the handle of the knife was solid; they said the claim was intended to convey that the blade of the knife was forged to the handle. The advertisers believed that the design ensured the knife had perfect weight balance and handling. The Authority considered that the advertisers' explanation that the knife blade was forged to the handle did not prove that the knife had perfect weight, balance and handling. The Authority concluded that the advertisers had not substantiated the claim and told them not to state that the knives had 'perfect weight, balance and handling' unless they could prove that was true.

3. Complaints upheld
The advertisers maintained that their knives were exceptionally sharp. They argued that manufacturers of cheaper knives merely sharpened the last few millimetres of the blade, whereas their knives were sharpened to the cutting edge through three different processes to ensure the knives were exceptionally sharp. The Authority noted the advertisers' explanation of how their knives were sharpened. It considered, however, that readers would interpret the claim to mean that the advertisers' knives were sharper than competitors' similar knives. Because they had not sent evidence to show their knives were sharper than those of their competitors, the Authority considered that the advertisers had not substantiated the claim. It asked the advertisers not to repeat the claim unless they held evidence to prove it.

4. Complaints not upheld
The advertisers said they designed, manufactured and sold the knives. They explained that they contracted the manufacture of the knives to a factory in China and distributed them through a fulfilment centre. The advertisers sent a letter and a sales confirmation form from the factory and despatch labels and an order cancellation report from their fulfilment centre to substantiate the claim. They said they had intended the claim to convey that the knives were being sold direct from the manufacturers to the customer without the additional cost of buying from wholesalers or selling through retail outlets. The advertisers sent evidence to show that they commissioned the factory in China to make knives to their design and to confirm that the knives were not sold to any other company in the UK. The Authority noted the advertisers designed the knives, commissioned a factory to make them and were the sole distributors of the knives in the UK. It considered that the advertisers could be said to be the manufacturers of the knives and accepted the claim.

5. Complaints upheld
The advertisers argued that it was standard mail order practice not to refund customers the cost of postage and packing and believed the claim did not mislead. They pointed out that, beneath the claim 'Judge for yourself at home - risk free', the text stated '... just return your knife unused within 30 days for a full refund of the price of the product'. The Authority considered that the claim implied customers could buy the product and incur no financial risk. Because customers placed an order without seeing the goods but were charged a non-refundable fee of £9.95 for postage and packing, the Authority considered that the claim 'Risk Free' was misleading and told the advertisers not to repeat it.

6. Complaints upheld
The advertisers said the claim was intended to make clear that the knives were not created using fully automated machinery. They said that, from the initial step to the cutting, shaping, polishing and finish of the knives, human hands used tools to complete each process. The advertisers sent a letter from their factory, which explained how the knives were made. The Authority noted the advertisers' assertion that the production process involved humans at every stage but considered that, because the knives were mass-produced using machinery, the claim 'entirely hand-made' was likely to mislead. It asked the advertisers not to repeat the claim.

7. Complaints not upheld
The advertisers said they received the award from a Chinese organisation called 'China North Industries Zhanjiang Corporation' for 'Outstanding Design and contribution to their exports'; they sent a copy of the award certificate. The Authority noted the certificate had been awarded to the Chinese factory that made the advertisers' knives and wooden block and accepted the claim.