Kitchen and Bathroom News @ The K&BZine

Ideal-Standard's Largest Launch in a Decade Attracts 1000 Retailers

Ideal Standard has announced the date of its 2006 'Changing Gear' event - the company's largest event in over a decade. Leading the presentations, Roger Cooper, Ideal Standard's UK Managing Director says ‘This is a significant launch for the Company, representing an investment of £500k to date 1000 people have confirmed attendance from our retailing partners for the 17th alone, all interested in the latest developments in product, marketing and manufacturing.' The £500k event will be held over five days from 15th - 19th at Millbrook Proving Ground, Bedford, Bedfordshire.

The Changing Gear event, advertised in the bathroom trade press, will unveil over fifty new products, including collaborations from Ideal Standard art director Marc Sadler and award-winning Italian designer Franco Bertoni, all of which will be displayed in room sets at Millbrook's huge Concept Centre. The vast array of products will demonstrate the company's commitment to providing the complete bathroom from sanitaryware and furniture through to shower enclosures and brassware.

Ideal Standard's marketing director, Paul Frankish comments; ‘This is a very significant day for us. The event provides a platform to, not only demonstrate to our customers the new products available, but also to communicate the added support provided by Ideal Standard including display offers and after sale service. Our retailers are incredibly busy people, we are confident that the investment they make in time in visiting us at Millbrook will pay dividends to their businesses.’

Any retailers who requires further information should contact Ideal Standard to register immediately on 0800 915 5001. Fax 08009155002 or visit http://www.ideal-standard.co.uk/changinggear.

Business Being Done at Interbuild 2006

Thousands of visitors have ensured a busy time for more than 1,100 exhibitors at Interbuild 2006. The first day attendance of more than 6,000 visitors was an improvement on 2004, when the UK's premier construction event last took place.

The UK's premier construction exhibition has seen many businesses achieve targets far quicker than expected.

Within the first three days of the five day event at the NEC in Birmingham - which brings all of construction together under one roof - some exhibitors had already hit the targets they had set in advance.

Roger Southee, Managing Director of Bristol-based flooring company Foresbec, said: 'The response from visitors has been 100 per cent up on the last time we exhibited at Interbuild - it is the best we've ever had at a trade event.

'The show has been absolutely superb. We have seen people from many countries - including Japan - and the quality of visitors has been really good. We've seen a mixture of architects, self-build developers and distributors and they have all been impressed with our product.'

Interbuild Event Director Gordon Thomas said he was thrilled with how the show was going.

He explained the aisles at the NEC have been really busy throughout the show and said: 'The amount of business I have seen going on at the NEC has been absolutely fantastic.

'The Interbuild team have had some very positive good feedback from exhibitors which is pleasing because it reflects the hard work which has gone into making the exhibition a success.'

Interbuild 2006 began on Sunday (April 23rd) and ran until Thursday (April 27th) and featured many new feature areas such as The Timber Zone, the Wolseley Showcase and the Paint & Coatings Zone.

Nobia: Increased Growth and Improved Profit

The kitchen company Nobia increased its net sales in the first quarter by 27 per cent to SEK 3,615 million (2,854). Organic growth amounted to 14 per cent. Net profit rose by 38 per cent and earnings per share amounted to SEK 2.97 (2.15). The operating margin strengthened to 7.7 per cent (7.1).

Operating cash flow totalled SEK 202 million (11).

Operating profit for the quarter increased by 38 per cent to SEK 278 million (202). The improved operating profit can be attributed to strengthened market positions in several of Nobia's primary markets, combined together with greater demand and improved efficiency in several units. All regions improved their operating profit, with the most significant improvement in the Nordic operations. The acquired French company Hygena contributed positively to earnings per share.

Comments from the CEO:
'We have had a favourable start to 2006 and the European kitchen market is currently in an exciting phase,' says President and CEO Fredrik Cappelen. 'The market in the UK stabilised and our operations recorded improved profits. Our Nordic operations are continuing to demonstrate solid growth and in Continental Europe, our acquisition of the French chain Hygena strengthened operating profit.'

Whirlpool Corporation Reports Record 2006 First-Quarter Result

Whirlpool Corporation announced on 25th April that net earnings increased 37 percent for the first quarter of 2006 to $118 million, or $1.70 per diluted share, compared to $86 million, or $1.26 per diluted share, in the same period last year. The increase reflects strong trade and consumer demand for the company's products around the world. Net sales increased 10 percent to $3.5 billion during the current period and represented a first-quarter record.

‘Our first-quarter results reflect solid performance by all regional businesses, strong earnings momentum generated from innovation, productivity, and leverage from our global operating platform,’ said Jeff M. Fettig, Whirlpool's chairman and chief executive officer. ‘These results reflect the 19th consecutive quarter of year-over-year sales improvement and each of our four regional businesses delivered higher operating income during the quarter.’

Record unit shipments, sales growth and a positive product mix combined with productivity improvements to drive a double-digit improvement in operating profit and offset acquisition related expenses, higher commodity prices, higher new product introduction costs and increased restructuring costs. Results also benefited from a reduced effective tax rate.

Results in the quarter do not include Maytag Corporation. Expenses of $13 million associated with the transaction are included within the company's first-quarter operating profit. Maytag's operating results will be included in the company's second-quarter statement of operations.

Fettig added: ‘Industry demand remains positive and we continue to maintain our outlook on the strength of the economic environment despite volatile commodity prices. Our plans, which include accelerating new product innovation to the marketplace, driving total cost productivity, controlling spending by reducing overhead and infrastructure while increasing investments in consumer activities and managing our overall mix of business, remain on track. We remain confident in the underlying operating fundamentals of our business and are pleased with our first-quarter operating and financial performance.’

During the quarter, cash used in operating activities of $202 million improved $83 million compared to last year, primarily due to lower working capital requirements.

New Innovation

The Whirlpool brand continues to launch its new line of laundry products:
- The Whirlpool brand's new Cabrio washer-and-dryer design offers a 4.5 cubic foot capacity in a top-load design, handles the equivalent of three laundry baskets in a single load and significantly reduces dry time through a combination of the washer's ultra-fast spin speed and the dryer's AccelerCare system. The Cabrio saves more than half the energy and water used by conventional top-load washers.

- Whirlpool brand Duet Sport and Duet Sport HT models are smaller versions of the popular Duet front-load pair, with a six-point suspension to reduce vibration and noise. Like the Duet pair, they use less than half the water and energy of conventional top-loaders.

- Whirlpool brand ‘Classic’ top-load washer and dryer have been re-designed with new technology to simplify cycle selections, ensure optimal wash temperature and monitor wash water with built-in sensors. The dryer's AccelerCare system dries clothes as fast as the washer cleans them.

KitchenAid brand introduced:
- The Built-in French Door Bottom Freezer Refrigerator, offering consumers the widest uninterrupted storage space.

- A new single-drawer dishwasher offering five cycles and the Whisper Quiet Ultima Sound Insulation System.

- KitchenAid clear coat for stainless steel cooktops, which improves durability and makes them easier to clean.

In Latin America, Brastemp brand introduced a new collection of Pla (Personal Lifestyle Appliances) mini-refrigerators, featuring three new detachable front panels designed by popular Brazilian stylists.

The Brastemp Viva! - Pure Water Dispensing Refrigerator is a double-door refrigerator featuring a pure water dispenser.

Awards
- Whirlpool Corporation was recently named one of the World's 100 most innovative companies by Business Week magazine and the Boston Consulting Group.

- Lowe's Companies Inc., the United States' second largest appliance retailer, chose Whirlpool Corporation as its ‘Appliance Vendor of the Year’ based on Whirlpool's innovative product offerings and record of on-time shipments.

- KitchenAid's Dual Fuel Convection Range with Steam-Assist was one of 10 products that won the 2006 American Building Product Award from Home magazine.

- Whirlpool India was awarded a Certificate of Excellence from the Engineering Export Promotion Council for export performance.

- Whirlpool U.K.'s Titanium product range was named winner of the Silver prize in the category 'Appliance Innovation of the Year' by House Beautiful.

- In Europe, Whirlpool brand's 6th Sense sponsorship campaign won second prize in the category 'Best Sponsorship Campaign of the Year' in Paris.

First-Quarter Region Review
Whirlpool North America delivered record first-quarter unit shipments, revenue and operating profit. Sales of $2.2 billion increased 12 percent from the prior-year period led by strong consumer demand for the company's branded product innovation. For the quarter, the company's U.S. unit shipments of major appliances (*T7) exceeded industry levels, which were up approximately 6 percent. Trade and consumer response to the company's new laundry innovation has been exceptional.

First-quarter operating profit improved 19 percent to a record $216 million and margins improved .6 points to 9.8 percent as strong demand, favorable product mix and productivity improvements more than offset new product introduction costs.

Based on current economic conditions, the company continues to expect full-year industry unit shipments in 2006 to increase approximately 2-to-3 percent.

Whirlpool Europe revenue of $710 million declined 3 percent from the prior-year period. Excluding currency translations, sales increased approximately 6 percent, driven by record first-quarter unit shipments. Year-over-year unit shipments exceeded industry demand which is estimated to have increased 1-to-2 percent during the quarter, primarily due to continued strong performance from the Whirlpool brand and growing demand for our new product innovations.

Operating profit improved 6 percent and margins expanded as strong demand for the company's product offering, productivity improvements and reductions in administrative costs offset unfavorable currency.

Based on current economic conditions, the company continues to expect full-year industry unit shipments in 2006 to increase approximately 1-to-2 percent.

Whirlpool Latin America sales of $531 million increased 20 percent from the prior-year period, driven by strong appliance unit volume. Excluding currency translations, sales increased approximately 11 percent. Industry unit shipments of appliances are estimated to have increased approximately 13 percent during the quarter.

Operating profit improved 17 percent during the quarter as productivity improvements and aggressive cost reduction actions more than offset increased brand investment.

Macro-economic conditions within Brazil are expected to remain positive as inflation remains under control and consumer interest rates continue to decline. The company expects industry shipments in 2006 to increase 8-to-10 percent.

Whirlpool Asia sales of $97 million advanced 2 percent from the prior-year period. Excluding currency translations, sales increased approximately 5 percent. Operating profit improved 63 percent over last year's level, led by improved performance in India. The improvement was driven by productivity improvements, an improved product mix and successful new product innovation.

Based on current economic conditions, the company continues to expect full-year industry unit shipments to increase 5-to-7 percent.

Outlook
‘Our business continues to gain momentum from our innovative product offerings and is performing well against the expectations we set at the beginning of the year. We expect material and oil-related costs to remain volatile and will continue to execute actions across our global business to offset these increases.

‘With the acquisition of Maytag, we enter a new and exciting chapter in our company's history. Our organisation remains focused on executing our core strategies and is well prepared for an efficient and expedient integration. The combination of the two companies will translate into significant efficiencies, provide additional growth opportunities, enhance consumer and shareholder value, and further strengthen our position as the global consumer appliance leader,’ said Fettig.

‘The process to integrate the Maytag and Whirlpool businesses is proceeding as planned and we look forward to providing additional information regarding the merger, as well as updating our guidance on May 23rd, 2006.’

The acquisition of Maytag was completed on March 31st, 2006. The company's statement of operations does not include the first-quarter operating results of Maytag. The company's balance sheet, reflecting the acquisition of Maytag, will be available at the time of its first-quarter 10-Q filing.

Effective for the company's first-quarter 2006, all freight and warehousing expense has been reclassified from selling, general and administrative expense to cost of products sold.

*T7 refers to the following household appliance categories: washers, dryers, refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, ranges and compactors.

Web: http://www.whirlpoolcorp.com

Mermaid Kit Sales Have Overtaken Components

Mermaid Kit Systems have been so successful since their recent launch that they have now overtaken sales of individual Mermaid panels and components. The popularity of the Kit System with installers and retailers proves just how much easier it is to specify and order Mermaid waterproof wall panels for shower enclosures, walk-in showers and bathside walls.

Three different Mermaid Kits are available - a Shower Kit for two-sided shower enclosures, a Wall Kit for bathside walls or walk-in showers and an End Kit, to be used in conjunction with the Shower or Wall Kit, for three-sided showers or bath-end walls.

Everything that is necessary to complete a Mermaid installation is supplied in the Kit, including Mermaid panels, colour co-ordinated self-sealing Click-Seal profiles, the patented Mermaid Transeal bottom seal profile system and sealant, adhesive, a mitre box, fixing guidelines and even an E-Cloth for easy cleaning.

Mermaid panels can be chosen in any of the forty-two colours from across the Mermaid colour environments, including textured panels such as rippled White Muro, contemporary slate-effect and metallic grained texture panels.

Tel: 01472-240832
Email: sales@norske-int.co.uk
Web: http://www.norske-int.co.uk

Ahlsell Acquires Cooling-Products Company Tempcold

Ahlsell has signed an agreement with Atle Industri to acquire its wholly owned cooling-products company Tempcold.

Tempcold offers a comprehensive range of cooling products throughout the Nordic region and last year had a turnover of around SEK 340 million with an operating result of more than SEK 9 million and 130 employees. The company is a subsidiary of Atle Industri that is jointly (50/50) owned by Ratos and 3i.

'The acquisition strengthens Ahlsell's market position within the Refrigeration product segment and increases our presence throughout the Nordic region. Apart from a strongly positioned and well-established company, we gain access to a large cooling-products market in which Ahlsell's product range can create new business opportunities', says Göran Näsholm, President and CEO of Ahlsell.

The acquisition will have a positive impact on the group's result from 2006.

The transaction is subject to approval by the concerned competition authorities.

'The new company will be consolidated in the Ahlsell group as soon as we receive a positive response from the concerned competition authorities,' said the company.

Ahlsell is the Nordic region's largest trading company in installation products, tools and machinery that offers professional users a wide range of goods and peripheral services within the product segments of Heating Plumbing, Electrical, Tools Machinery, Refrigeration and DIY (Do-It-Yourself). The group's turnover is about SEK 17 billion and it has about 4,000 employees.

Grand Designs for Reginox's Stainless Steel Worktops

Reginox UK's new made-to-measure stainless steel worktops have been featured on Channel 4's home improvement hit, Grand Designs.

The company's contemporary worktops were installed throughout the kitchen of a newly built state-of-the-art home in Carmarthenshire, where they provided the perfect complement to high gloss black doors and stainless steel appliances.

The stainless steel worktops are available in a choice of three finishes - plain, wafer or etched - and can be custom-made to any specification. The 7.5m surface that appeared on Grand Designs featured the plain finish and was seamlessly integrated with a Reginox RF 305S sink.

With optional anti-drip edges that prevent unwanted spillages, the worktops offer a visually stunning yet practical, low maintenance work surface solution.

For further information on Reginox UK's made-to-measure stainless steel worktops, contact the company on tel: 01260 280 033 or email sales@reginox.co.uk or alternatively visit http://www.reginox.co.uk

RAK Ceramics Dealers Compete for a Place in the Sun

RAK Ceramics UK reports excellent uptake of its latest dealer incentive scheme - a competition to win a five star luxury holiday. Aimed at independent tile retailers who display a minimum of three room settings in the company’s porcelain and ceramic tiles, RAK Ceramics UK promises to reward the top eight performing dealers with an all expenses stay in the United Arab Emirates, based on retail value of tiles sold from April 1st to June 30th, 2006.

Rob Jull, RAK Ceramics UK Managing Director says, ‘The competition reflects our passion for tiles and is generating a buzz of interest throughout our dealers - I'm delighted to find them regularly contacting me to check on their progress.’

For more details on the complete range of RAK Ceramics' tiles and sanitaryware, visit http://www.rakceramics.co.uk - telephone 01730 815 507.

BMA Lends its Support to NTG

As well as running its own Bathroom Academy initiative, the BMA has committed its support to the Kitchen and Bathroom National Training Group.

Speaking at the last NTG board meeting, which was held in March at the Milton Keynes Head Office of BSHG the BMA Commercial Director Yvonne Orgill said, ‘part of the BMA's Training, Education and Qualification plan is to work with organisations that provide training for the Industry and we see a value to the work that the NTG is beginning to do for the Industry. If the BMA can add value to the work of the NTG, we are very pleased to do so.’

Both Yvonne Orgill and BMA Training Manager Richard Moss, sit on the NTG management board.

Web: http://www.bathroom-association.org

JS2 is Top Choice for New High-End Development in Surrey

Designer brassware brand John Sydney has reported that its flagship JS2 range has been selected for a prestigious new Surrey development by Elysian Homes. When looking to add contemporary glamour to its St Georges Place development, the company chose JS2 for its combination of sleek, continentally-inspired design and quality manufacture.

The South East London-based developer has selected wall mounted basin mixers, concealed shower valves and wall mounted bath fillers, all from the JS2 Collection, to maximise the design potential of its St Georges Place development of four, four-bed family homes in Weybridge, Surrey. Each property has three bathrooms - one family bathroom and two en-suites - and are marketed at around £535,000 each.

JS2 is a superior bathroom brassware, shower and accessory range, with a strong Cubism design influence, making it a suitable choice for high-end property developers. Technologically advanced, the JS2 bathroom fittings can handle high and low water pressure systems with ease and facilitate fine control for the ultimate in user satisfaction. The comprehensive JS2 range is available in a chrome finish and comprises a choice of basin, bath and bidet mixers and an impressive array of complementing shower fittings and accessories.

Tel: 01827 304000
Web: http://www.johnsydney.com

Blum Receives Award for Product Design

The new Blumotion controlled closing system for cabinet doors on the hinge has won the Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen ‘red dot’ Award. Blumotion 973A, Blum's latest product that closes doors softly and silently, convinced the jury in the ‘product design’ category and was presented with the ‘red dot: best of the best’ award for top-quality design. The additional endorsement ‘best of the best’ is given to the best entry in each category.

Tried and tested ‘Clip top’ and ‘Clip’ hinges are the basis for the innovation that perfects the motion of doors. Blumotion 973A is simply attached to the hinge without tools.

Thanks to Blumotion 973A, Blum has proven that good design does not stop at furniture fronts - furniture interiors can also be stunning eye-catchers. The design was produced in collaboration with ‘form orange’, Wolfgang Held, Götzis.

Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen has been presenting its famous ‘red dot" for outstanding international product design since 1955.

Manufacturers and designers of various industrial products can apply for the much sought-after ‘red dot award’ in eleven product groups throughout the year.

All in all, 2,068 entries from 41 countries were submitted to Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen which presents the award for outstanding design every year. Blum has received the prize for outstanding product design several times.

Tel: 01908 285700
Web: http://www.blum.co.uk

Court Homemakers Scoops PWS National Award

The team at Court Homemakers in Teesside is celebrating after scooping PWS' national award for Second Nature dealer of the year. Facing stiff competition from over 70 PWS Second Nature dealers across the country, Courts rose to the challenge, taking top honours as the only company to achieve maximum marks in the assessment.

Independent auditors were commissioned to assess PWS' Second Nature dealers on a number of key criteria, including branding, product and retail environment. The auditor commended Courts for their highly attractive displays, enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff, coupled with a relaxed atmosphere.

A delighted Ian Goodwillie, Courts Managing Director said, ‘This really is a testimony to the hard work and dedication of our staff. Winning this award has instilled confidence and pride throughout the company, we've celebrated with the team and thanked them for their valued contribution and commitment. This latest accolade comes hot on the heels of us winning a 'supplier of excellence award' from oil giant Conoco Phillips and will further raise the profile of Court Homemakers in the region'

Left to right; Andrew Langford (PWS Marketing Manager), John Lennon (PWS Sales & Marketing Director), Ian Goodwillie (Managing Director of Courts Homemakers), Adrian Jackson (PWS Area Sales Manager) and David McArthur (PWS National Sales Manager).

Comments David McArthur, PWS' National Sales Manager, 'Winning this award offers a great opportunity for Courts to demonstrate to its customers and suppliers just how successful its business is. It is an independent and prestigious endorsement of the quality of the company. Courts are longstanding customers of PWS and as businesses we have grown together. We are thrilled that Courts have excelled in the assessment'.

Courts began trading in 1988 and its reputation as a quality supplier in the North East has developed with them. The company has been a KBSA member for over a decade and Ian was regional chair for a number of years and continues to take a keen interest in the work and development of the trade body.

Ian Goodwillie accepted the award on behalf of all the staff at Court Homemakers.

Britannia Proved to be Hot Hit at Homebuilding & Renovating

Range cooker specialist Britannia was extremely pleased with the results from the Homebuilding & Renovating Show held at Birmingham's NEC earlier this month. The company far exceeded its expectations for brochure requests, with an increase of over 30% on last year, despite similar visitor levels this year.

Britannia's latest range cooker model, the XG which offers three grilling facilities, was amongst the appliances at the show and drew lots of attention throughout. Also on display was Britannia's Chef Top, a versatile solid stainless steel gas hotplate that helps make cooking a pleasure.

‘This show is an excellent event and one which provides the perfect showcase for our appliances. We thought we had a very good show last year and didn't expect to do even better this year,’ said Britannia marketing manager Henneke Duistermaat.

‘We have found that when potential buyers have the opportunity to see and feel the quality of our products they quickly realise what a great investment a Britannia range cooker is,’ she added.

Britannia ran a competition during the exhibition and one lucky visitor to the stand has won a brand new XG worth £3,199.

The Homebuilding & Renovating Show annually brings together over 400 top exhibitors, new products, new services and all the latest innovations in the self-build and renovation market.

European Introducer of Vetted Tradesmen Welcomes UK Trade Associations

Quotatis, an established European company generating over 1000 leads a day for reputable tradesmen in France alone has been launched in the UK. Vetted members of all UK trade associations will automatically be eligible to use Quotatis's effective pay-as-you-go system which will text, email or fax the requested amount of qualified leads in the preferred regional area without a join up fee or contract.

Members of all UK trade associations including members of the recently launched Government-backed Trustmark scheme now have the option to receive qualified leads only when they want them and specify how many they actually need in specified time frame to give more control over their business. Once the request is registered online the lead is communicated instantly up to five relevant businesses closest to the interested party's regional postcode.

Derek Vaughan, Managing Director of one of the leading trade associations, the UK Trades Confederation comments:

'Most of our members have limited budgets and resources therefore being able to pay-as-you-go will allow them to properly manage their leads effectively.'

Tradesmen and suppliers who are not members of a reputable trade association will be required to go through a stringent vetting procedure (no fee required) to ensure tradesmen and suppliers using the Quotatis service are of the highest standard.

Quotatis estimates that a total of 1000 leads will be generated each day through internet optimisation and affiliate programs. Leads will cost £12 per domestic lead, £15 per B2B lead and are collected by direct debit monthly.

For more information visit http://www.quotatis.co.uk or call 0870 922 0321

Barwick Announces Jika

Bathroom Distributor Barwick has announced a new addition to the company’s portfolio of brands. Jika, from bathroom manufacturer Laufen, is a comprehensive new collection of design led sanitaryware and bathroom furniture, which the company says is appealing to both the eye and budget.

The first offering from the Jika Brand is the Mio range, inspired by Swiss designer Peter Wirz, who was responsible for the popular Laufen Pro range. In Mio Wirz has created a collection of contemporary products, which allow generous choice for both small and large bathrooms.

Whilst the Jika brand is comparable to other luxury bathroom ranges, it is priced to fit into the mid to low end market and attractive terms are available to all bathroom retailers.

Jika Mio ceramic is available from Barwick now and the furniture is planned for introduction in summer 2006. Marketing support for the bathroom retailer comes in the form of a fully illustrated comprehensive brochure, which incorporates many ideas for bathroom design as well as technical and fitting information.

Mio sanitaryware comprises washbasins available in various size specifications, bidets and WC's are available for close-coupled, back-to-wall or wall-hung installations. The WC seat and cover are glazed with a special anitbac finish, that inhibits micro-organism and bacteria formation. Furthermore, an easily operated quick release fixing allows the toilet seat and cover to be easily detached; perfect solutions to ensure maximum hygiene.

Mio also satisfies the need for contemporary sanitaryware suitable for special needs, with a number of products including the Mio comfort WC, which is higher than most WC's and will be much appreciated by those with specific needs or those who are taller than the average consumer.

Mio furniture presents a number of versatile furniture cabinets with either oak, white, or aluminium framed glass doors. As well as being able to choose from the various cabinet options the consumer can mix and match the doors, with an arrangement using one or more of the alternative door options on one unit. There is also a choice of various mirror cabinets and light fittings that create a finishing touch to the overall bathroom setting.

Tel: 01274 687555
Email: info@barwick.co.uk
Web: http://www.barwick.co.uk

In-toto is 'Going for Gold'

Independent fitted kitchen specialist, In-toto kitchens, is 'Going for Gold' this year, with a focussed campaign to expand its nationwide network of showrooms to 50 strong. Already at 46, with a 47th signed up, the prospects for In-toto look good.

The company's annual National Meeting in May will reflect the 'Going for Gold' message, according to National Franchise Manager, Graham Russell.

‘Last year we celebrated our 'silver' anniversary, after twenty-five successful years in business,’ he explains. ‘This year, we will be following up with a 'going for gold' theme. We aim to have 50 stores by the end of 2006, and will be promoting to customers the creativity and design excellence that characterises In-toto, which is not recognised as often and as widely as it deserves.’

Olympic athlete Kris Akabussi will be the guest of honour at In-toto's national meeting, further underlining In-toto's commitment to outstanding achievement and the company's determination to 'go for gold.'

‘In-toto is a successful company with a great track record and a reputation for top quality products and unrivalled service,’ Graham Russell concludes. ‘Kris Akabussi is the perfect choice for our national meeting, projecting as he does all the qualities we value about our brand.’

Whirlpool's Investments in European Factories

Whirlpool confirms its commitment to invest in its European production network in order to further expand the capacity and the efficiency of its factories. Since its appearance on the European market in 1989, Whirlpool Europe invested over 1.1 billion Euros in its production sites, and over 700 million Euros in the development of innovative products.

With an annual sales revenue of nearly 2.7 billion Euros, Whirlpool Europe is one of the major industrial and commercial players in Europe. Owning 15 production plants - 14 located in Europe and one in South Africa - it employs 14,000 people and accounts for 25% of Whirlpool Corporation's global sales revenue.

‘In Europe, our production footprint is efficient and well balanced. This allows us to be competitive and respond in a flexible way to the needs of the various markets’, says Marc Bitzer, president, Whrilpool Europe. ‘We created a strategic balance to successfully address the new challenges of the market. In Western Europe, we focussed on the production of high-end products, investing in advanced technology and launching new products aimed at the top end of the market. In Eastern European countries, we strengthened our position in the competitive medium-low segment, developing products that are functional and well adapted to the local markets' growth.’

Investments to underpin the factories' competitiveness are continuous and conspicuous. Since 1991, European production increased by 95%. The most significant increase occurred in the microwave segment, that grew 280%, leaping from 529,000 to 2,000,000 units. The production of washing machines increased by 149%, growing from 1.4 million units to over 3.4 million. Cooking grew by 106%, from 600,000 units to nearly 1.2 million.

Whirlpool's main investments in its European production network:
* In 2002 Whirlpool Europe invested over 31 million Euros in the Cassinetta production site, in Northern Italy, to build a new factory for the production of Side-by-Side refrigerators. In Schorndorf, Germany, 45 million Euros were invested in adapting the plant for the production of the ‘giant washing machine’, designed in Europe and sold worldwide under the name of Dreamspace fo the Whirlpool brand, and Big for Bauknecht.

* On top of the annual investments planned for the Western European factories, Whirlpool also made provisions for its central and Eastern European operations. Over 16 million Euros will be allocated annually to expand the current production capacity and create a competitive and technologically advanced production platform.

* Whirlpool was the first appliance manufacturer to invest in central Europe, taking up the extraordinary growth opportunity offered by this market. It started in 1991 with a joint-venture with Tatramat, subsequently fully acquired in 1994, for the production of washing machines in Poprad, Slovakia. Now the Poprad site produces appliances for the global market and - thanks to the creation of a network of suppliers adjacent to the plant - has further increased its efficiency and its flexibility. Moreover, social benefits and training programmes offered by Whirlpool in this remote region of Slovakia, have considerably improved the living standards of the local communities. The Slovak government has recognised Whirlpool's contribution to the promotion of economic and social development in the region with numerous awards and prizes.

* In 2002 Whirlpool acquired Polar, the leading Polish manufacturer of household appliances and the country's number one brand. In two years, Whirlpool invested over 30 million Euros to renovate the refrigerators production plant and to create a new production line for dishwashers. Thanks to these investments, production has grown from 500,000 units to over 1.5 million, and the plant has transformed into a production site that supplies top quality products to the whole of Europe.

* In 2005, Whirlpool launched a new cooking factory in the Wroclaw industrial site, Poland, to increase production of built-in appliances. The project, sustained by an investment of 100 million Euros, will reinforce Whirlpool's competitiveness and further strengthen its position on the market, offering consumers an ever wider choice of products.

* The company confirms plans to invest a further 100 million Euros in the Cassinetta plant for the launching of new products, aimed principally at the high-end market. Appliances produced in Cassinetta under this new investment scheme, to be completed by 2008, will include the new Kitchen Aid built-in products for cooking.

* The Genesis Project, launched in December 2005, represents a unique industrial initiative aiming at increasing efficiency and competitiveness in the Naples plant. In partnership with important institutional players - the Regione Campania and the Italian Ministero delle attività produttive - Whirlpool will help create a production cluster made up of 12 manufacturers and logistics companies in the area adjacent to the plant. The Genesis Project aims at re-launching a declining industrial area of the city, and represents a crucial element of Whirlpool's strategy in the Mediterranean. Of the overall 77 million Euros budget for the project for 2007, Whirlpool will contribute 20 million Euros.

Success Factors
* Whirlpool Europe extraordinary growth is the result of a global business vision that is focussed on the consumer and creates added-value for the brand.

* There are three main elements to the success of Whirlpool, which led it to become the number one brand in Europe: its capacity of innovation in every field - from production technologies, to marketing strategy, to product - its attention to cultural diversity in every country and its involvement in the communities where it is implanted.

* The capacity to open up new markets and completely renew its product range, offering products that are specifically designed for the European market, is another key factor of Whirlpool's success in Europe.

* Whirlpool's mission is to serve the customer in the best possible way, inspiring trust in brands that are strongly identified with innovative products and services. The consumers' trust and loyalty represent the best guarantee for Whirlpool's investors.

The Future
* To implement its long term strategy, Whirlpool Europe is planning to invest on innovation at all levels, from plants to production processes, to products.

* The objective is to increase customer satisfaction, reduce costs and improve productivity in terms of operational excellence. In the long run, this constant quest for excellence will deliver benefits both for the company and for the consumers.

* In the near future, Whirlpool will continue to invest in Europe, carefully assessing the best opportunities for growth on a case-by-case basis. It will continue to win the trust of its shareholders, increasing profits and growing stronger in the market.

Web: http://www.whirlpoolcorp.com

BMA Speaks at Waterwise Conference

The BMA's campaign to highlight the need to use water efficiently in the bathroom took another step forward when the Association's Yvonne Orgill and Richard Moss joined the nine other speakers, who addressed a full audience at the recent Waterwise Conference held at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford.

The audience, which included the heads of water supply companies, Universities and Government agencies, looked at ways to manage the UK's water supply through the short-term challenges posed by the current drought, as well as in the longer term.

Two issues cropped up time and time again - a desire for efficiency labelling on bathroom products, which some saw as an effective answer and some saw as a complete waste of time, unless it was one element in a more comprehensive plan. Plus the need for mandatory metering for all UK homes as quickly a possible - again there was a split of opinion (50/50) as to the effectiveness of metering.

The importance of the bathroom in any water efficiency campaign was highlighted when Waterwise director Jacob Tompkins spoke of the success that the bathroom Industry had already achieved in lowering flush volumes and removing the toilet-flush from the top of the list of water users in the home.

People & Water Efficiency
The conference was split into two sessions, the morning session concentrated on People and Water Efficiency. This session debated people's current habits related to water usage and suggested possible changes in behaviour that need to be made, the session also considered the ways in which those changes could be achieved.

Speakers included the Chair of the Consumer Council for Water, Dame Yve Buckland, who spoke about the established attitudes and behavioural patterns that we have developed in using water. She described a long and complex process of understanding and persuasion as being the most effective way to get the consumer to think about using water more efficiently.

The head of water resources at the Environment Agency, Ian Baker, highlighted just how scarce water is in some parts of the British Isles and showed the effects of drought on the wider environment. He questioned the beliefs that the simple solution is to build more reservoirs, giving the construction of the Kielder Reservoir as an example of one built to fulfill a forecast need that turned out to be far too high. He also spoke of plans for five new reservoirs in the south of England and to extend a further three.

The BMA speakers considered how water consumers need to think about changing their habits whilst using the bathroom. Yvonne Orgill told the audience about the BMA's make-up and asserted that changing customer habits is a central issue as it would be; ‘commercial suicide to try and supply a market that is not there’.

‘Water efficiency must be wanted by people in both new and old properties’. Orgill said, ‘a market can only be achieved if all parties, suppliers, plumbers, retailers, merchants as well as water companies and Government come to the party’

Richard Moss described the BMA's new WaterHog site - which has an emphasis on using water efficiently in the bathroom. Moss encouraged the attendees to consider grant schemes to speed-up the replacement of the country's current stock of older 'water-guzzling' toilets some using as much as 13 litres, which is more than twice the volume needed by modern toilets.

Moss stated that for the past 100 years, ‘we haven't been truly concerned with how much water we've used in the bathroom, but now the BMA's focus is to encourage customers to enjoy their water and use as much as they need to - but not to waste it’.

The BMA speakers were followed by Will Medd, a Research Associate for the Centre for Sustainable Water Management and the Department of Sociology at Lancaster University, who gave an academic view of the public's interaction with water along with some ideas on ways of influencing attitudes and habits toward water efficiency.

The final speaker for the morning was Anne Hemming, who is the Head of Buildings Division, in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. Anne spoke about the ODPM's determination to build sustainable homes and to reduce water consumption - provision of more information concerning the volumes of water used by bathroom products was also high on the ODPM's agenda.

The phrase 'carrot and stick' was used a lot - the stick seeming the most popular with mandatory metering for home owners, particularly smart meters, which give information on where water is being over-used, along with product labels to 'force' the bathroom industry to sell products that use even less water. There was also an increase in government pressure on the water companies to repair leaks.

Evidence for Water Efficiency
During the afternoon, the conference discussed the Evidence for Water Efficiency and the Director General of Water Services at Ofwat, Philip Fletcher opened the session with the economic case for water efficiency. He was one of the speakers to show the areas in the country where water shortages are most serious and told the audience that there are 22 water companies in the UK, supplying water to 22 million households, 6.8 million of which are in South East England.

The water companies manage the demand for 15,400 Megalitres of water per day and since February 1996, the companies have carried a duty to 'promote the efficient use of water by all their customers'.

George Archibald the Director of Business Development for Severn Trent Water put the case for what he described as the metering opportunity and was one of the keenest exponents of 'smart' meters.

Dr Mike Farrimond the Director of UK Water Industry Research also pushed the enforcement of metering telling the audience that there was no need for further research. Unfortunately his graph on domestic water usage (shown) saw the toilet flush as being responsible for 33.5% of domestic water usage whereas the bath and shower together only used 22.5%, which was quite different to the previous statement by Jacob Tompkins and rather proved that, perhaps, there was a case for more research.

The next speaker was Professor David Butler, who is the Co-Director of Exeter University's, Centre for Water Systems, School of Engineering, Computer Science and Mathematics and he showed the kind of evidence gathering mechanisms available to the water industry.

The final speaker for the day was Richard Wood, the Head of the Water Supply & Regulation Division of the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). He spoke of the new Water Saving Group, set up by the Minister of State for Climate Change and Environment, Elliott Morley.

‘The bathroom industry needs to take heed of what is currently being said about water efficiency,’ says BMA Director Yvonne Orgill, ‘the Government is only looking to make a 10% saving in water use, which should be possible simply by advising consumers to think about ways that they use water. A visit to the BMA's WaterHog site http://www.bathroom-association.org/watersaving/default.asp will help in that respect.

‘There are things that bathroom designers can do too,’ Orgill continued, ‘such as minimising the dead-leg of excessive pipe-work that carry hot water from the tank or boiler, to the hot tap or shower head.’

The BMA's web site has drawn comment from the Minister of State for Climate Change and the Environment and is now being used as a source of research and communication by the Waterwise organisation and by the media.

Bathroom Manufacturers Association - The BMA is the trade association for bathroom manufacturers. Its authority is underlined by a membership that represents 87% of the mainstream bathroom business undertaken within the UK. The BMA is involved in all aspects of the bathroom industry and the focus for 2006 will be Water Efficiency, Special Needs and Training, Education & Qualifications. In its role as the voice of the UK bathroom industry, the association has installed a water efficiency section called WaterHog on its web site. The BMA has also prepared a series of Generic Training Guides to help people gain a clearer understanding of bathroom specification, installation and products; such as shower controls, shower enclosures, shower trays, sanitaryware, brassware and baths.

For information on all of the BMA activities visit: http://www.bathroom-association.org

New, 'Green' Water Softener made almost Entirely of Strong and Rigid DuPont™ Delrin®

A new, environmentally-friendly water softening device, which solely relies on water volume for its operation rather than a power supply, is made almost entirely of DuPont™ Delrin® acetal resin.

Launched by the Belgian company Delta Water Engineering (DWE), the compact yet robust device is available for domestic or commercial use, and requires comparatively little space for installation. It is currently sold in Belgium and Italy, and will be rolled-out across Europe in 2006. Strong and rigid Delrin® was selected for the majority of the device's parts due to the material's good moisture, heat, and solvent resistance, combined with high tensile and flexural strength plus low elongation.

'Hard water' is the common term for water containing high levels of dissolved minerals such as calcium or magnesium carbonates. Upon heating, these minerals form layers of scale in plumbing and appliances, reducing energy efficiency by up to 60 percent. It has lead to both a domestic and commercial demand for water softeners, which are designed to remove hardness. They work either by means of chemical ion-exchange or by subjecting the hard water to a magnetic field. DWE's new water-softener is of the chemical ion-exchange type, and incorporates the major innovation that it needs no electricity to work.

‘As far as we have been able to determine, all currently commercial ion-exchange devices need electric power,’ explains Guido Van de Moortele, DWE's owner. ‘In conventional softeners, a timer determines when the ion-exchange resin needs to be regenerated. The timer activates one or more electric motors which open or close the valves that permit the regeneration with salt to start and finish. The DWE softener has no timer; the regenerating valves are operated simply by the volume of water passing through it, so our softener needs no electricity and eliminates needless regeneration operations initiated by a time-based system.’

The DWE softener comes in two sizes: each measuring approximately 50 centimetres in height, the domestic unit weighs around 4 kilos; the commercial one is closer to 5 kilos. Its compact proportions mean that less space is required than for other, similar water-softening devices, thus facilitating installation in tight spaces. Over 50 different components of the softener, constituting approximately 95 percent of its overall weight, are made of Delrin®.

Indeed DuPont was involved in the DWE softener's development from the start, providing help in material selection, plus mould-flow studies and mould-fill simulation for parts of the complex valve system. Injection-moulding guidance helped to optimise processing conditions. Moulding is particularly challenging because the parts are in a sensitive off-white colour that require a perfect surface finish. Dimensional tolerances are tight, to ensure good functionality and to avoid water leaks. The complexity of many parts also means that special attention had to be paid to minimise warpage.

High tensile strength is of particular significance for DWE's water softener, which requires a minimum burst pressure of 34 bar. Further material benefits include the unreinforced polymer's weld strength, its smooth surface finish and overall colourability: all adjustable parts of the device are moulded in grey, all the others in white.

‘We were impressed by the excellent mechanical properties of Delrin® and its subsequent performance in field trials. This functional ability, coupled with its aesthetical benefits of surface finish and colourability, made it the ideal material for this water management device,’ commented Mr Van de Moortele ‘As a result, our device weighs less than anything comparable, but without sacrificing efficiency or durability.’

The DuPont Engineering Polymers business manufactures and sells Crastin® PBT and Rynite® PET thermoplastic polyester resins, Delrin® acetal resins, Hytrel® thermoplastic polyester elastomers, DuPont™ ETPV engineering thermoplastic vulcanizates, Minlon® mineral reinforced nylon resins, Thermx® PCT polycyclohexylene dimethyl terephthalate, Tynex® filaments, Vespel® parts and shapes, Zenite® LCP liquid crystal polymers, Zytel® nylon resins and Zytel® HTN high-performance polyamides.

These products serve global markets in the aerospace, appliance, automotive, consumer, electrical, electronic, industrial, sporting goods and many other diversified industries.

Tel: ++32 3 219 50 70, Fax: ++32 3 289 93 20
Email: dwe@skynet.be
Web: http://www.deltawatersystems.com

Electrolux Annual General Meeting 2006

The Annual General Meeting of AB Electrolux was held on Monday, April 24th, in Stockholm.

Peggy Bruzelius, Louis R. Hughes, Hans Stråberg, Caroline Sundewall, Barbara Milian Thoralfsson, Michael Treschow and Marcus Wallenberg were re-elected to the board.
Tom Johnstone, Aina Nilsson Ström and Karel Vursteen had declined re-election ahead of the AGM. The number of Board members elected by the AGM has thus decreased to seven, as against ten from the AGM 2005.

PriceWaterhouseCoopers AB was re-elected as Auditor for the period until the Annual General Meeting in 2010.

The proposed dividend of SEK 7.50 per share was adopted. The record date was set as April 27th, 2006 and cash dividends are expected to be paid by VPC (Securities Register Center) on May 3, 2006.

The AGM decided that all shares in the wholly owned subsidiary Husqvarna AB will be distributed, and that each share in AB Electrolux entitles the owner to one share in Husqvarna AB. Owners of series A shares in AB Electrolux will receive series A shares in Husqvarna AB, and owners of series B shares in AB Electrolux will receive series B shares in Husqvarna AB. The AGM further decided that the Board of Directors is authorised to establish the record date for entitlement to receive dividend. As soon as the record day has been determined it will be announced by Electrolux through a press release, which is estimated to be published at the end of May 2006.

The parent company's and the Group's Income Statements and Balance Sheets were adopted. The Board of Directors and President were discharged from liability for the fiscal year 2005.

The AGM elected Michael Treschow as Chairman of the Board. At the statutory Board meeting Peggy Bruzelius was re-elected Deputy Chairman.

Web: http;//www.electrolux.com

And Finally...

So that's What we Mean by 'Wrinklies'

The Bathroom Manufacturers Association reports that when the Consumer Council for Water was carrying out a survey on water usage in the home, it found that personal usage tended to average out around 160 litres per day, until it came to a retired couple, whose home usage was much higher.

Upon quizzing the couple further, about their water usage habits, the couple told the council that their routine included a bath in the morning, another one in the afternoon and a third before they went to bed. Three baths per day - each!

Spending that much time in the bath, in your senior years, could bring a completely new definition for the term 'Wrinklies'.