Construction
Industry Honours Geberit as Green Supplier of the Year 2007
Geberit,
the supplier of sanitary, supply and HDPE drainage systems, was presented
'The Green Supplier of the Year' award at the prestigious 'Construction
News Green Awards 2007', at the Hurlington Club, London, for demonstrating
its commitment to affecting positive change to the environment.
Since the 1990s Geberit began its work towards environmental change,
long before other manufactures, when it developed a pioneering and comprehensive
environmental strategy, which established sustainability as a central
theme within Geberit.
As part of its environmental strategy, Geberit has produced a code of
conduct for handling resources which goes far beyond statutory requirements
and has enabled the company to save water and energy and reduce wastes
and hazardous substances. In addition, Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs)
are carried out on its products to ensure all developments are environmentally
friendly.
Waste and internal recycling are crucial to Geberit and, as the inventor
and leading manufacturer of HDPE drainage systems, the company avoids
the disposal of plastic wastes by collecting, milling and reusing 100%
of the waste parts in the production process. HDPE itself is recommended
by Greenpeace as an environmentally friendly alternative to other pipe
systems as it consumes less energy during manufacture and transport
when compared to cast iron.
As a specialist in plumbing technology, Geberit recognises the importance
of water and its responsibility to developing efficient systems which
ensure as little as possible of this precious resource is wasted.
Geberit also participates in the Climate Change Levy to improve energy
efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions. During 2004 - 2006, emissions of
greenhouse gases at Geberit fell by 8% and by 2009, the company aims
to achieve a culmulative 15% reduction compared with 2006. Over the
past two years, Geberit has reduced its absolute environmental impact
by 18% each year.
Since 2002, Geberit has been listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability
Index, making it a European Leader in Sustainability, recently echoed
in January 2007 when Geberit was awarded a combined Group Quality and
Environment Certificate as per ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.
To ensure the ethos of Geberit is shared by all employees, Geberit holds
Eco-design workshops to emphasise the importance of choosing environmentally
friendly materials and ensuring a high efficiency of resources is achieved.
Mike Hürlimann, managing director of Geberit, said: ‘We are
delighted to have received this prestigious award as it recognises our
continued investment in reducing the impact on the environment. Sustainability
is an ongoing theme for us and has been for many years now and we continuously
set ourselves challenging goals to ensure our work in this area continues
to produce positive results’.
For more information about Geberit or to view the company’s 2004
and 2007 sustainability reports visit http://www.geberit.co.uk
or call free on 0800 0778365.
Highly
Commended at the Design Awards
The
Amana Reflection 228i FIRB has
been 'Highly Commended' at this year's Manufacturer Kitchen Product
of the Year Design Awards held in London on 3rd October.
The stringent set of judging criteria looks for those who demonstrate
the highest standards in their work, reinforcing design credentials
of the industry and to achieve ever-higher standards of design. An independent
panel of judges voted the Amana Reflection 228iFIRB as setting the benchmark
within the UK American refrigeration market with bespoke design, technical
innovation and performance.
Amana's distinctive craftsmanship, using contemporary materials, steel
and black glass, with the added benefit of counter depth dimensions,
is designed to be more than just a refrigeration appliance, it reflects
status and individuality, as well as providing the ultimate functionality
with seven flexible and highly adjustable electronically controlled
cooling zones.
‘The Design Award is a tremendous achievement and is magnificent
recognition of one of the most desirable refrigeration appliances on
the market today. The award is a testament to our positioning as an
innovative refrigeration manufacturer,’ says Stuart Frost, Product
Marketing Manager, Amana UK.
Richard Thompson, Managing Director comments: ‘Amana is an true
authentic American refrigerator brand with iconic aesthetics and genuine
innovative benefits. We are truly proud of this brand and it has genuinely
set the benchmark in the industry. The Design Award is a superb accolade
and to be voted by an independent panel of judges means that the award
adds retailer value and will boost consumer confidence at the point
of sale too.’
For further information on Amana call Amana UK at 01737 231000 or visit
the website at http://www.amana.co.uk
Electrolux
Wins IPRA Golden World Award - Again!
For
the second year in a row, the European PR team of global household appliance
maker Electrolux has received what's
considered the Oscars of the PR world - the Golden World Award - from
the International Public Relations Association (IPRA). The jury awarded
'Electrolux Kitchenstage', the first online reality show in a kitchen,
the best e-PR project.
On July 6th, the IPRA judges chose 21 category winners from 107 finalists,
which were narrowed down from a record number of 405 award entries.
For Electrolux it is the second consecutive win: the Electrolux Baby
Brochure received 'best printed material' last year.
Ulrich Gartner, Vice President Communications Europe at Electrolux,
commented: ‘I am particularly proud of this recognition for two
reasons. First, we are one of the few awarded in-house teams among a
majority of agencies, which is a great reward for my staff; and second,
the project reflects our continuous strive to develop innovative and
engaging ways of communicating with our core target groups.’
Electrolux Kitchenstage (http://www.kitchenstage.com)
invited two families, one in Italy and one in Finland, to be live on
stage for the global web community by equipping their kitchens with
webcams. Viewers were able to follow the daily lives of the families
in what is more and more becoming the centre stage of the home. In a
period of around four and a half months, over 120,000 individuals visited
the show, and more than 300,000 people viewed video out-takes on public
communities such as YouTube.
Web: http://www.electrolux.com
Fagor's
Freestanding Dishwasher is Good Housekeeping's Green Choice
The
Fagor AAA-rated 1LFU-19SX freestanding
dishwasher is the top scorer for water and energy consumption in the
Good Housekeeping Institute's Expert Guide on dishwashers, which appears
in the September issue of the publication. The GHI Verdict says:
'Our top scorer for water and energy consumption, this model's normal
programme uses less than half as much water and electricity than some
of the other models we tested, with excellent cleaning performance too.
Its economy programme produces equally good results.
The cutlery basket splits in two, to make loading the machine easier.
Of the machines tested, this is the only one with a half -load option
- select any programme and set it to wash either the top or bottom rack.........'
The Fagor dishwasher incorporates an ECO sensor which saves up to 25%
water in each wash by measuring how cloudy the water is and reusing
where applicable - without losing washing quality.
It also features AIS - (Advanced Intelligence System): this is a variable
load function that automatically adjusts water and power consumptions
according to the load. It also includes a wash time reduction of 30%
on any programme; making it the fastest dishwasher on the market.
The 1LFU-19SX is available in stainless steel or white.
For more information about stocking this dishwasher, please contact:
Fagor Trade Sales on 01256 308 067.
Web: http://www.fagor.com/uk
'World's
Quickest Washing Machine at Full Load' Wins Environmental Award
The
7kg Xpress Washing Machine, recently launched by appliance manufacturer
BEKO plc, has been awarded the
prestigious 'Plus X' Award for the most ecologically friendly appliance
on the market Europe-wide.
The 'Plus X' Award is considered by the industry as one of the most
respected competitions in Europe, awarding prizes across eight categories
including innovation, ecology, ease of use and design.
The Xpress Washing Machine has an electronic water control system which
calculates the exact amount of water required according to the type
and quantity of the laundry, meaning that the machine has an excellent
A+ energy rating.
This award is great news for retailers with energy and water consumption
becoming an important selling point as consumers look to reduce their
bills and carbon footprint.
The Xpress Washing Machine is designed to present consumers with three
different washing options to suit all their laundry needs.
The 14min and 30min Xpress programmes are invaluable for washing emergencies
when clean clothes are needed fast, but the standard programmes with
the Quick Wash option are ideal for saving time, energy and water on
an everyday basis.
The standard programmes are perfect for heavily soiled clothes in less
time-pressured circumstances.
Tel: 01923 818121
Web: http://www.beko.co.uk
Ideal
Standard’s Jasper Morrison Wash Basin Wins Grand Designs Award
Ideal
Standard, a leading provider of bathroom and kitchen solutions
has been nominated winner in the ‘Best Bathroom Product’ category
of the Grand Designs Awards 07.
Brian Grey, Marketing Manager for Ideal Standard was presented with
the award by Kevin McCloud, presenter of Grand Designs at London’s
Excel Centre in early June.
Left
to right; Kevin McCloud Grand Designs TV presenter, Middle - Brian Grey,
Ideal Standard’s Marketing Manager and Daren Newton publisher of
Icon magazine.
The
winning product is Ideal Standard’s Jasper Morrison vessel basin
– one of the highlights of this stylish and functional collection
of sanitaryware, fittings and furniture created by leading designer
Jasper Morrison. The contemporary vessel wash basin has a straightforward
design with a signature soft square shape and oval interior – a
design style that is echoed throughout each piece of the collection.
Commenting on the award, Brian Grey says, 'Winning this award is a great
accolade for both Ideal Standard and Jasper Morrison – it further
reinforces our belief that the collaboration with Jasper Morrison fits
perfectly with the design ethos running through our business. Everyday
design for everyday life ensures our products become design classics
rather than being here today gone tomorrow.'
Web: http://www.ideal-standard.co.uk
KBSA
Awards an Outstanding Success
The
KBSA recognised and rewarded outstanding designers, retailers and suppliers
at its annual Design Innovation Awards 2007. The glamorous awards ceremony
took place at the five-star De Vere Grand Hotel in Brighton after the
KBSA's AGM, which was held at the hotel earlier in the day.
KBSA
chairman Tony Nicholas introduced the host for the evening, comedian
Terry Alderton, who entertained the audience with his own unique brand
of kitchen, bathroom and bedroom humour.
Ruth Ward, KBSA's sales and marketing director comments: ‘It was
a fantastic evening and a fabulous venue to celebrate excellence and
design innovation.
‘The entries this year were of an exceptionally high level, which
made the judges' jobs particularly difficult! On behalf of the KBSA
I would like to congratulate all of the finalists and winners and thank
everyone who entered and who attended the ceremony to support the Awards.
‘I would also like to thank our awards and event sponsors for their
invaluable help - Britannia, B/S/H, Construction Skills, Essential Publishing,
Gorenje, Hepplewhite Fitted Bedrooms, Nicholas Anthony, Poggenpohl,
Siemens, The Private Health Partnership, Wentworth and Yellow Pages.’
The KBSA is a national trade association founded 28 years ago to promote
excellence within the interiors industry and champion consumer protection.
It now has more than 370 retailer members throughout the UK.
List of finalists and winners 2007:
KBSA Design Innovation Award for the Kitchen:
* WINNER: Stuart Frazer Ltd - Paul Rigby
* FINALIST: Ultimo - Stephen Surgeon
* FINALIST: In-toto kitchens, Cheltenham - Rob Evans
KBSA Design Innovation Award for New Kitchen Designer:
* WINNER: Harvey McLean - Alan Hughes
* FINALIST: Nicholas Anthony Ltd - Kristi Connell
* FINALIST: In-toto kitchens, Amersham - Adrian Cheriman
KBSA Design Innovation Award for the Bedroom:
* WINNER: Hammonds Furniture Ltd - Keith Bravin
* FINALIST: Per La Casa Ltd - Mark Tivey
* FINALIST: Hammonds Furniture Ltd - Victor Alan Sherwood
KBSA Retailer Excellence Award:
* WINNER: In-toto kitchens, Leamington Spa - Richard Gee
* FINALIST: Manor Design - Colin Harvey
* FINALIST: John Lewis, Solihull - Angela Holmes
Supplier Excellence Award:
WINNER: Hepplewhite Fitted Bedrooms