Tammy's Kitchen Design Wins Top Industry Award

Designer Tammy Pell has scooped one of the kitchen industry's top accolades at the recent National Home Improvements Council (NHIC) Awards 2006.

Tammy, from A. Bell and Co in Northampton, won the Young Kitchen Designer Award, sponsored by the Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association (KBSA), at the awards ceremony held in Whitehall in November. She was presented with the award by Michael Gove, shadow minister for housing.

Tammy's brief was to design a kitchen suitable for an amateur cook that was stylish, hygienic and had a definite divide between social space and working area. The original kitchen was a reasonable size but suffered from a lack of storage space and poor design. To make the most of the area, Tammy's plan removed a wall and radiators, allowing for the installation of two peninsulas.

Practicality and stylish design were the keywords throughout with features such as extra high base units combined with a low plinth to allow additional drawers in all units. The design included wine storage units and a glass larder for crockery and glassware, and a stylish and practical food preparation area included a sink and stainless steel worktop.

The easy-clean, non-porous Corian worktops created a smooth line throughout the kitchen, with some designed to be extra wide allowing for better food presentation.

The judges were impressed with Tammy's solution, commenting:
'This clever design addresses the fundamental requirements for preparing and cooking food in a relatively compact area. It is a stylish solution that makes use of the very latest, easy to clean surface materials and, through an innovative adaptation of units, introduces maximum storage facilities.'

Lucinda Kenny, operations director of the KBSA said:
'We were delighted, as always, to sponsor this award. The KBSA is committed to nurturing new design talent and believes the NHIC Awards to be an excellent way of recognising and rewarding young and upcoming designers.'

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

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Roman Sculpts Commendation

Roman, the UK shower manufacture, won recognition from Designer magazine for the company's recently launched Roman Sculptures Collection of top-end shower enclosures.

Roman entered its Sculptures collection into the manufacturer division of the awards and received commendation for the whole collection.

Chris Ward, Roman’s Design Manager (left) with Managing Director, David Osborne (right), with a Roman Sculpture.

The Roman Sculptures range was launched to rave reviews at KBB 2006. The collection features luxury shower enclosures with 10mm thick toughened glass and minimal framing. The collection comprises of Hinged Door enclosures, Wetroom Panels and a Walk-in.

All the products in the range can be installed to a Roman Sculptures bespoke low-level tray, or straight-to-floor in a wetroom situation.

Roman Sculptures sits in a separate brochure to the company's other ranges and is a top-end range of products. The collection has opened up new opportunities for Roman to enter exclusive retailers, as well as create new contracts with top-end property developers.

Roman will be launching a second phase to the Sculptures collection in 2007, with new options that include integrated water delivery.

Roman’s Design Manager, Chris Ward, comments; 'We were ecstatic when we received the certificate to commend the Roman Sculptures collection. The design process involved, to ensure we got every aspect of the collection perfect, was very rigorous. We wanted to ensure the styling of the collection was unique in the market and contemporary, whilst being of the highest quality. The recognition from Designer magazine has really reinforced and praised the work the team has put in and we are now extremely excited to get phase two of Roman Sculptures launched next year.'

Tel: 0845 0522 445
Email: brochure@roman-showers.com
Web: http://www.roman-showers.com

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Indesit Company Innovation Wins an Award in Australia

Indesit Company, Europe's no. 2 and the world's no. 5 white goods maker, has come through the Australian Standard Tests brilliantly, winning five stars in the Water Rating, with Aqualtis, the latest of the Ariston washing machines.

The first washing machine to be accorded five stars, the Aqualtis was received enthusiastically by the Australian market, where it was launched in September.

Thanks to its synthesis of all the most advanced technologies and functions, the Aqualtis passed the tests conducted in the Vipac Engineers and Scientists laboratory in Melbourne, a certified member of the N.A.T.A. (National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia). It thus proved itself to be the washing machine that's most sensitive to the need to conserve water resources, for which the Australian government has been campaigning for years. In its effort to raise public awareness, the Government has also been offering incentives, to the tune of between 150 and 200 AUS dollars for purchasers of washing machines with at least 4 stars in consumption tests.

The new generation technology that enabled Indesit Company to score maximum points in the stringent Australian tests are the SuperEco system, which signals when the cycle selected allows savings in energy and water of up to 10%, thus entering energy class A+, and the Mini Load function, for everyday washing, which makes it possible to achieve excellent results even with small loads, saving up to 25% water and 40% energy.

Developed with advance innovation criteria and designed by Makio Hasuike, the Aqualtis is the first standard size washing machine to offer the performance of a large size model (up to 7.5 kg) whilst showing the utmost respect for the environment.

Innovation and energy saving are nothing new at Indesit Company of course. The Company has always been focused on developing products that make as little impact on the environment as possible:

- in 2000, the Company was given a Galaxy Energy Award for its excellent record in energy efficiency;
- in 2002, the Company received an Ecohitech Award in the 'environmentally friendly'category for its capacity to combine high technology with energy efficiency;
- in 2005, it won a Plus X, the coveted German award, for its technological innovation and environmental care;
- in 2005 it also received the British Home Innovation Award for technological innovation and environmental care with its drawer fridge and Experience oven, by Ariston;
- and the Extendia line fridge received a Grand Prix de l'Innovation.

The five-star Water Rating given to the Aqualtis is yet another major acknowledgement of Indesit Company's environmental commitment and of the high innovative capacity of the product, which is appealing to consumers all over the world. Success is also being enjoyed by the advertising campaign that launched it.

The Aqualtis TV commercial, ‘Mondo Sommerso’, won:
- a ‘Leone d'Oro’ at the 53rd Cannes International Advertising Festival;
- a gold in the TV commercials category at the Adc*e Awards in Barcelona;
- a gold at the Shark Awards Festival;
- a gold at the prestigious New York Festivals - International Advertising Awards 2006;
- and a gold in the Home-Furnishings/Appliances category at the London International Advertising Award.

In the film, the imagination of child transforms the original shaped hatch of the Aqualtis into a window on a huge, enchanted undersea world inhabited by quilts that look like gigantic rays, scarves like jellyfish, shirts that wave like seaweed and jeans that look and swim around like sharks.

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Aqualux is the Best of the Best

Aqualux has proved only the best will do as the company celebrates scooping 'Business of the Year' at the prestigious 'Best of the Black Country Awards'.

The UK manufacturer of shower surrounds and bath screens was named as the winner of the highly respected award at the black tie ceremony hosted by the UK's biggest regional newspaper, the Express and Star.

Over 100 companies from across the region initially entered the Business of the Year category and Aqualux was amongst three finalists which were short listed to attend the glittering awards ceremony held at Dunstall Park racecourse. As the winner, Aqualux won £1000 and a stylish glass trophy that will join the Best Bathroom Product award the company won at the House Beautiful Awards this year.

Managing Director James Cadman (centre) celebrates with staff at the awards ceremony.

The managing director, James Cadman, is exceptionally pleased that Aqualux has been recognised as the best business in the Black Country. He said: ‘Aqualux is not just about bringing innovative new products to the marketplace, we address every aspect of our business. We are extremely committed to making sure our staff have the best training available so they can provide excellent service - which all plays a huge part in making Aqualux as successful as it is.’

The Wednesbury-based company unquestionably proved to a panel of judges that its business strategy, which includes expanding into new markets and innovative product developments, significantly impacts on the economic success of the region.

Aqualux was also able to successfully demonstrate its long-term commitment to the area and the importance it places on staff training and development.

More than 500 movers and shakers from leading businesses attended the event where the Governor of the Bank of England, Mervyn King, entertained the audience with stories about his memories of the region during his childhood.

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Imperial's Limited Edition is Highly Commended

Limited Edition – the collection of seven sanitaryware designs recently launched by Imperial Bathrooms – has scooped a Highly Commended accolade in the Manufacturers Awards category at the kitchen and bathroom industry Design Awards 2006.

Selected from an unprecedented level of entries from UK manufacturers representing a cross-section of products and services, Limited Edition was only one of 15 entries judged as having achieved a level of design excellence and awarded the prestigious Highly Commended certificate.

Comments the Design Awards’ Co-Coordinator, Kevin John: 'The response and standard of entries to this year’s Awards has been exceptional. Now in its fourth year, the Design Awards is a unique scheme committed to promoting excellence in design within the UK kitchen and bathroom industry. The Manufacturers Awards category recognises the investment in design by manufacturers and suppliers, and in particular acknowledges real innovation and product development.'

In response to receiving this Award, Imperial Bathrooms’ Managing Director, Antonio Garrido, said: 'We are delighted to have received the Highly Commended Certificate for Limited Edition. Not only does it bear testimony to the company’s rigorous product design and development programme, it recognises the design differential that Limited Edition brings to the marketplace.'

With only 200 of each of the seven designs being produced, Limited Edition offers a customised and exclusive bathroom solution and provides the ultimate in personal expression and style. Each design is featured around the basin edge and cistern lid of three of the company’s hand-crafted sanitaryware ranges and each Limited Edition piece comes complete with a platinum logo and an exclusive numbered certificate.
Contact their customer services team on 0870 60 61 62 3 for a copy of the 2006 Design Guide.

http://www.imperial-bathrooms.com

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D.A.D Wins Distributor of the Year Award

D.A.D., the Gloucester-based domestic appliance distributor, has been voted Distributor of the Year by the Sirius Buying Group of independent retailers.

At a gala dinner at the Marriott Forest of Arden Hotel and Country Club, at Meriden, near Coventry, on Wednesday, October 4th, Maurice Peacock, the group's chairman, presented the award to Adrian Gillman, D.A.D Managing Director.

The Sirius Buying Group is an influential organisation of independent electrical retailers with about 80 members nationwide.

Adrian Gillman (right) receives his award from Maurice Peacock, chairman of the Sirius Buying Group.

Adrian Gillman said: ‘I am totally delighted that the whole team at D.A.D have been recognised for their commitment and effort over the past year to the Sirius Buying Group.

‘It is a great accolade and highlights our commitment to service, not just leading on providing the best competitive prices, but real service that adds real value to the companies we support.’

Over the past 14 years, D.A.D has successfully built up a reputation for offering a first class, professional distribution service to the domestic appliance retail market.

The company's 80,000 sq ft warehouse and distribution centre allows D.A.D to deliver more than 800 appliances every day to more the 1,200 clients all over the UK.

D.A.D's product range of more than 33 manufacturers' brands includes Electrolux, Bosch, Gorenje and most recently Whirlpool, Beko and Fisher Paykel.

At the awards ceremony, Hoover won the Best White Goods Supplier of the Year award and Toshiba was named as the Best Brown Goods Supplier of the Year.

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WF Makes it a Hat Trick of Wins at Electrical Industry Awards

WF Electrical has for the third time in succession scooped the top industry award for Customer Service in Electrical Wholesaling.

The Award was presented at a gala banquet at London's Grosvenor House organised by the NICEIC, the electrical engineering association to commemorate its 50th anniversary.

Sponsored by ABB, the award was assessed against stiff competition by a panel of judges including members of the NICEIC. This year, WF Electrical was cited by the judges as offering exceptional service to customers and for placing them at the forefront of its business.

WF Electrical's sales over the past 12 months have risen by more than twice the Electrical Distributors Association (EDA) figures for the industry - which show a year on year growth of just 6.3%. WF's growth should reach 21.3% by the year end.

Brian Smithers, WF's managing director, stated, ‘our growth is the greatest testimony to our attention to service. The accolade we have received from the NICEIC and the Electrical Industry Awards is a welcome public acknowledgement of that fact’.

Tel: +44 (0) 20 8517 7000
Email: wf@wf-online.com
Web: http://www.wf-online.com

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James Latham Named Panel Products Trader of the Year 2006

James Latham has been named 'Panel Products Trader of the Year' 2006 by industry publication, the Timber Trades Journal (TTJ).

This top industry accolade was presented to Lathams' Director, Chris Sutton recently by Geoff Rhodes, Sales & Marketing Director of Weyerhaeuser in front hundreds of guests, which included the guest speaker, former Director General of the CBI, Sir Digby Jones, at The Savoy Hotel in London.

James Latham won the award after collecting the largest number of nominations in the category in a poll of TTJ readers which included representatives from the industry's key customer sectors.

On receiving the award, Chris Sutton commented,

‘We are delighted to have been given this accolade, which reflects the company's continued commitment to source an increasing portfolio of value added products in response to market demands.’

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GDHA Wins Top Customer Service Award for Second Year Running

Glen Dimplex Home Appliances has, for the second year running, secured the top spot in the prestigious Domestic & General TEQ (Total Excellence and Quality) Awards for delivering customer care excellence.

GDHA has not only retained its number one position but has once again achieved a record high-quality rating score, beating the previous record it set in 2005. GDHA achieved 90.61 points out of a possible 100, based on a series of independent questionnaires sent to customers following a repair call.

Domestic & General's annual awards are designed to recognise the very best in customer care operations. The independent nature of its research provides a reliable indicator of customer experiences and the results, which are published quarterly and yearly, help set industry standards for service excellence, encouraging manufacturers to benchmark themselves against their competitors in a bid to offer the very best in care and attention.

The award marks the culmination of another dynamic period for GDHA. During the past twelve months, GDHA has integrated the Lec domestic refrigeration business into its Prescot headquarters, established a new national distribution centre in Stoke-on-Trent, launched 79 new Stoves, Belling, New World and Lec products to market in addition to continuing to develop and refine its industry-leading customer care operation.

Paula Hodkinson, Customer Care Director at GDHA comments:
‘It would have been easy after last years' win to be content with our position and service capability, but to stand still is not an option for GDHA! We are absolutely thrilled to have won the TEQ award for the second year running and to have beaten our previous record score highlights just how much work the business has put into ensuring that GDHA continues to set the standard for customer service in our industry.

We are determined to prove to our customers and to the trade that when it comes to customer service, GDHA is no one hit wonder. Throughout the past year we have continued to improve our processes and systems and our training programmes to ensure that the customer care team in the office and the engineers on the road are equipped with the tools they need to do their job well.

‘Our strategy to provide the very best in terms of resources and training has been rewarded by having a highly motivated team who want to help and satisfy our customers. Our mission now is to pass the benefits of our success on to retailers, who ultimately stand to benefit by working closely with an organisation committed to providing the best customer care experience for the end-consumer.’

Ken Wilson, Managing Director of Domestic & General added:
‘We are delighted that Glen Dimplex Home Appliances has once again finished top - particularly as it was achieved with a record TEQ quality points score. The TEQ Awards are one of the largest independent surveys of customer service in the UK. This year we mailed out over 350,000 questionnaires to our customers following a repair visit’.

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FIRA Celebrates Product Excellence at the House of Lords

One of the most impressive buildings in Britain was backdrop to FIRA's annual reception on Friday 8th September 2006. 218 guests from over 70 companies attended a glittering reception hosted by Lord Hoyle of Warrington in the House of Lords. This was the tenth year that FIRA has invited the crème de la crème of its membership and clients along to the Houses of Parliament for its most prestigious award ceremony.

To be successful in achieving the FIRA Gold Award the product/ranges have been tested by FIRA experts to meet all the relevant industry standards be it British, European, International or FIRA's own by assessing the product's suitability in terms of strength, stability and material properties. FIRA will continue to work with all its award winners by providing regular audit programmes to ensure that the product stays of good quality.

Gold Award Winners included
JTC Furniture Group for the Craftsman collection of kitchen furniture (Donald Chalmers)
United House for the Flag kitchen range (Alistair Saville)
Regency Kitchens for theMoorland & Profile kitchen ranges (Simon Ward - 2 certificates)
Sylmar Technology for Maia solid surface domestic worktop (Robin Trotter)

Managing Director Hayden Davies, who welcomed the guests, said: ‘I am delighted to be able to welcome so many key people from the industry to witness the success of so many companies this year. The recognition of these products will enable the companies who have developed them to utilise the FIRA stamp of quality when marketing to the general public.’

Ken Fullalove, FIRA's Chairman presented the certificates to the successful companies from the furniture, kitchen and related industries.

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Gorenje Third in Europe in Environmental Survey

Gorenje, the European maker of 'white' goods, has been given a podium position for its contribution to 'green' issues in a major EU energy efficiency survey.

The Slovenian company, which manufactures a wide range of stylish, high-quality kitchen appliances, has been judged third best in Europe for its conservation of natural resources, in the 'Sustainable Value of European Industry' survey.

The company is so energy-conscious that it is four times more efficient in this area than the average European manufacturing company.

A group of independent research institutes was commissioned under the EU Life Environment Programme to conduct a rigorous assessment of energy use in European companies.

Firms coming under the microscope included such industrial giants as BP, Fiat, BMW, Pirrelli, Pilkington, Scania, Volkswagen, Heineken, Electrolux and Airbus.

Gorenje was pipped into third place by Airbus in first place and the Danish healthcare company Novo Nordirsk in second, staving off strong competition from BMW in fourth.

The judges' future projection, up to 2010, forsees Gorenje moving up to second spot behind front runners Novo Nordirsk, relegating Airbus to third slot. Electrolux finished in 22nd place.

Bill Miller, Gorenje's UK Sales Director, says: ‘This survey confirms our belief that manufacturing companies have a duty to the environment and use the world's natural resources as efficiently and economically as possible.

‘It indicates that Gorenje was right with its decisions to invest in environmentally friendly technologies, and that this yielded fruitful results and effects.

‘Environmental protection has been a permanent task of Gorenje operations for decades now, and it remains one of the priorities in the social behaviour and the strategy of the company.

‘In the field of environmental protection we are proud to be the winners of important awards like our entry into the EMAS Register, European Environmental Award, Award for the Environmental Product of the Year in 2004, European EMAS Award, etc.

‘And of course, all Gorenje products are energy efficient in use as well. Almost all are A or A+ energy rated so that they make the best use of natural resources while saving customers money into the bargain.

"Further savings in money and natural resources come from the fact that Gorenje appliances are so reliable that most of our 'Built-in' range come with a free five year parts and labour guarantee.’

The survey took into account the use of economic, natural, and social resources with economic indexes which may be either positive or negative.

The environmentally friendly operation of companies taking part was assessed according to the consumption of natural resources, including water, quantity of waste, emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfuric oxide, volatile organic substances, and methane.

You can find more about the Advance project association at http://www.advance-project.org

Presentation of the research Sustainable Value of European Industry can be found at http://www.sustainablevalue.com

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KBSA AGM and Design Innovation Awards Evening a Huge Success

The second KBSA Design Innovation Awards was declared a huge success by all of those who attended the presentation ceremony and awards dinner on 6th July. The awards were presented at a glamorous dinner following the association's AGM at The Radisson SAS Hotel at Stansted Airport.

Retailer Excellence award winners, William and Joyce Hodgson of Elite Interiors receive their award from KBSA Operations Director, Lucinda Kenny and host Gavin Peacock.

The AGM meeting was extremely well attended by nearly ninety members who were the first members to hear the news that Lucinda Kenny has been appointed to the role of Operations Director.

Lucinda Kenny and special guest, ex-first division footballer and TV presenter, Gavin Peacock, presented the evening event. Over two hundred guests were entertained by Gavin's hot off the press' report from the world cup tournament, which he had been covering all that week for the BBC.

‘The hotel proved to be a very special venue for our second awards. The stunning wine tower was the perfect backdrop to the pre-dinner reception,’ said Lucinda Kenny.

‘We'd like to thank our awards and event sponsors for their invaluable help - Britannia, Clearwater Collection, CITB Construction Skills, Franke, Gorenje, Hepplewhite Fitted Bedrooms, Maytag, Miele, Nicholas Anthony, Poggenpohl and Yellow Pages.’

Award winners were: Martin Holliday of Chiselwood Ltd (Kitchen Design), Adelise Morgan-Scully of Nicholas Anthony (New Kitchen Designer), Kate Diss of Ashford Fitted Furniture (Bedroom Design), Denis Curry of Eye Design (Bathroom Design), Elite Interiors (Retailer Excellence) and Britannia (Supplier Excellence).

Runners-up were: Tracy Stobie of Diane Berry Kitchens and Jason Collier of Colliers (Kitchen Design) Rebecca Muir of In-toto Kitchens Poole and Sue Foster of In-toto Kitchens Nottingham (New Kitchen Designer), Tricia Rimmer of In-toto Kitchens, Poole and Paul Jones of The Fitted Bedroom Centre (Bedroom Design), Darren Barker of Nicholas Anthony and Carissa Snelling of Nicholas Anthony (Bathroom Design), Ferries Kitchens Ltd and Kitchen Sense of Harleston (Retailer Excellence).

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PWS Second Nature Dealer Wins KBSA Retailer Excellence Award

Elite Interiors of Stanley, Co Durham scooped the KBSA Retailer Excellence Award at the recent KBSA Design Innovation ceremony. This finalist was nominated for the award, chosen from the KBSA retailers' own customers who submitted feedback on the high level of service they received.

As a corporate KBSA member, PWS says that it is delighted it was a Second Nature dealer who was crowned the winner and congratulates Elite on its success.

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