Formica
Rolls Out Nationwide Merchandising Programme to Support Axiom
In
a move to promote its range of Axiom worktops, Formica
Ltd has unveiled its re-designed Axiom point-of-sale display
unit which now incorporates new features designed to create maximum visual
impact and provide an attractive yet functional communications tool in-store.
Free to all kitchen studios, the display stand is the perfect communications
tool for displaying Axiom worktop, splashback and upstand samples, and
neatly incorporates the new consumer brochure and colour chart altogether
in one display for the first time. This comprehensive range of free support
material is completed with a handy 105mm by 65mm easy-reference swatch
which features all the textures and designs.
For consumers, the Axiom brochure offers a step by step guide to the range,
and is teamed with a themed Colour Chart for easy selection to take away.
In addition, a dedicated sample hotline means that consumers can request
complementary A5 samples.
Standing around 1300mm high, the updated Axiom display stand features
an integrated unit dedicated solely to the Axiom Signature range which
includes Etchings, Honed, Solid Surfacing, Solid Wood and Axiom Edge.
The unit's two dispensers, one on either side of the frame, will easily
carry a combination of the new 32-page brochure and colour chart on the
left and samples of the upstands and splashbacks on the right.
The display unit is designed to create immediate impact in-store with
its matt silver steel finish and prominent, branded graphics. For maximum
visual clarity, the arrangement of the sample blocks has been designed
for ease of selection and consumer friendliness. A layout guide is supplied
with each stand so that kitchen studios can maintain the optimum display
design.
To further enhance the existing Axiom range of high quality laminate worktops,
Axiom Signature introduces new materials and surface finishes such as
Solid Wood, Solid Surfacing, new laminate textures that emulate the look
and feel of natural materials, and an alternative range of metallic effect
edged worktops - Axiom Edge.
Kitchen Studios wishing to obtain a unit, order A5 laminate samples or
Axiom literature can call the Sample Hotline on 0191 259 3478 or email
mailto:axiom.info@formica.co.uk
Franke
POS Stands Out
Leading sink manufacturer, Franke,
has designed a new range of POS to display its Professional Range taps.
Following the popularity of the Specialist tap stands that Franke introduced
in 2003, the company has created some new stands for the Professional
Range, which will help retailers display the entire Franke portfolio more
conveniently in their showrooms.
John Swain, product manager for Franke UK, commented:
'Where possible, it’s important that customers can actually see the
product they’re buying, but retailers don’t always have the
space to put every single tap out on display.
'By introducing the new tap stand POS, which are freestanding and therefore
don’t clutter up surfaces, retailers are able to exhibit the entire
Franke ranges more clearly and conveniently.'
For further information on the tap stands, contact your Franke area sales
manager.
For general enquiries, call 0161 436 6280 or visit www.franke.co.uk
Roots
Sponsors 10th Boughton 10K and Fun-Run, September 2005
According
to Steve Root, proprietor of Roots Kitchens Bedrooms
Bathrooms based in the small village of Boughton-under-Blean
near Faversham, a business - small, medium or large - based in Kent gets
quite a lot out of sponsoring a local sports or entertainment event. 'Successful
corporate sponsorship is all down to sticking to a few golden rules'‚
he said.
These include making an initial careful choice of event, defining clear
objectives for sponsorship, allocating only the agreed set of resources
or products and adhering to a strictly-formulated timetable.
Steve, 29, started his business in 1998 with the help of his parents,
Kathy and Graham. It now has a turnover in excess of £1million.
The company has forged links with a variety of national charities, so
when earlier this year Steve was approached to become a major sponsor
of the Boughton 10K and Fun Run - a remarkably successful gold-standard
UKA road race that winds through lanes around the village - he was keen
to help out.
'It's a high-profile and incredibly popular event that attracts some of
the best amateur runners throughout the South East'‚ said Steve.
'Last year more than 400 people competed, including several international
runners - while children and mothers with babes in buggies entered a variety
of sponsored 1.5K fun runs, toddles and pushes around the surrounding
orchards, fields and hop gardens. With games and refreshments on the village
playing field it's a guaranteed great day out for the whole family.'
The 10K event is open to individuals, teams, clubs and veterans. It has
been cancelled only once over the past decade - because of the Foot-and-Mouth
emergency. This year marks a real milestone in the Boughton Run - the
10th time it's been held since it was started to raise much-needed funds
for the local primary school.
'My children now attend the school, which is celebrating its centenary
this year'‚ said Steve. 'Since we moved the business here I've wanted
to get involved with a local fundraising event, so this seemed a good
time to become one of the sponsors. I've no regrets - it's been great
fun so far!'
Steve is used to doing his bit on behalf of community projects. Two years
ago he successfully initiated and brought to fruition a Broadband IT Campaign
for Boughton and other rural villages in the Canterbury/Faversham area,
so assisting with the Fun Run seemed a natural progression.
'I work with a committee of highly motivated and enthusiastic villagers,'
he said. 'Many have worked hard to ensure the smooth-running of the renowned
event, honing it into a very professional affair. Thanks to their efforts
the miles of mapping and road marking, as well as arrangements for drinks
stations, marshalling, police presence and safety precautions will all
be in place for the big day.'
Thanks to his Broadband experience, Steve is able to offer his IT expertise
to organise a comprehensive publicity campaign, along with a computerised
mail-shot outlining details of the 10th Anniversary Run with entrance
forms and race numbers being sent out to everyone who ran last year and
responding to new runners.
So what persuaded Steve to offer around £1,000-worth of his time,
IT and office facilities, stationery and postage as sponsorship?
'I'm a firm believer in positive networking,' he said. 'It's vital for
any successful business, whatever its size, to take every opportunity
that presents itself to grow the business on - and getting my company
known more widely in this positive way can only be good news.'
Reformatting the existing data-base, designing and printing all the new
paperwork, posters and banners may have taken a great deal of time and
effort over the past few months, but Steve's enjoyed the experience -
even though he already puts in a great many hours every week at the family
business.
'It's amazing how much work goes into a charity event,' he said. 'I hope
this year's Run will be even more successful than the past nine.'
As the countdown to Sunday, September 25th starts, the first entries are
already pouring in.
'We're expecting more than 500 entrants,' said Steve. 'Over the years,
each Run has raised around £2,000 for the school, which is a tremendous
achievement in such a small community. What started as a bit of a jog
around the playground has grown into such a keenly-contested event that
most of the top runners in London and the Home Counties have it marked
in their diaries as a must-do race, so there's huge competition to take
part. That's fine by us - the more the merrier!'
To enter the 10th Boughton 10K and Fun Run on Sunday, September 25th,
contact Steve Root at Roots Kitchens, Bathrooms and Bedrooms, Vine Farm,
Stockers Hill, Boughton-under-Blean, Faversham ME13 9AB
Tel: 01227 751130
Email: mailto:steve@rootskitchens.co.uk
For full details, including entry forms and prize-list visit http://www.boughton10k.co.uk
Steve Root's five top tips to successful sponsorship:-
1. Look for events to which your customers relate.
2. Ensure the event is well organised - it's your reputation!
3. Sponsorship need not always be cash, many events appreciate access
to company resources such as printing, administration, vehicles and PR.
4. Monitor enquiries to see if you are attracting enough of the right
customers and getting good value for money.
5. If a suitable event does not exist, consider talking to relevant associations
- they may be keen to start one.
Electrolux
Announces Two Year Sponsorship of Newly Promoted Luton Town Football Club
Electrolux
has announced a significant investment in the Luton Community with its
Two Year sponsorship of newly promoted Luton Town Football Club... now
in the Football League Coca Cola Championship.
Electrolux's heritage with Luton as a town dates back to 1927, the site
for the first Electrolux factory outside Sweden. Since then Electrolux
has had either manufacturing or management links within the area. This
month the Electrolux UK White Goods Business is moving 'back to its roots',
onto the site in Oakley Road, and the sponsorship of Luton Town Football
Club underlines the group's commitment to the area and its community.
‘Champions of Coca Cola League One, a club record of 98 points -
29 wins and 87 goals - what a fantastic season for the club. The fit with
Electrolux 'coming home', and to link our business with the community
was just too good an opportunity to miss,’ comments Andy Mackay,
Brand and Marketing Director, Electrolux UK. ‘We're really proud
to be supporting Luton Town in this exciting stage of both their history
and ours .. two winners together’.
Electrolux has taken full home and away Shirt Sponsorship rights and the
brand will also be promoted on Pitch Perimeter Boards, Season ticket covers,
Club Programmes and the Tunnel Interview Backdrop.
Luton Town Club Chairman, Bill Tomlins says of the newly acquired sponsorship,
‘This is a defining moment for the team. We are now in the Coca Cola
Championship with the backing of one of the world's biggest blue chip
companies. We are delighted to have Electrolux on board with us - a great
boost to start off the new season and the challenges ahead’.
Tel: 08705 950 950
Web: http://www.electrolux.co.uk
A daring display by the world-famous Royal Signals White Helmets motorcycle team at the Aldershot Army Show was co-sponsored by Wilky Bathrooms and its parent company The Wilky Group.
Wilky Bathrooms supplies to developers, sub-contractors and individual
homeowners from its nearby Farnborough warehouse and its specialist showroom
in Guildford is the largest in the area. Pictured here is group chief
executive Malcolm Young, with the team performing its spectacular human
pyramid act in the background.
Tel: 01483 230320
Web: http://www.wilky.co.uk
Imperial
Bathrooms Shows its True Colours
Imperial
Bathrooms
has devised a simple, yet functional and effective way for retailers to
display the palette of wood finishes available for its classic freestanding
bathroom furniture. Available free of charge is a new ‘display tree’
featuring solid wood flags that are finished in a choice of six colours:
white, pine, mahogany, oak, ash and wenge. Designed and manufactured in-house
by Imperial Bathrooms – A Modern Classic, the free-standing POS unit
features a triangular base for added display versatility.
'Given
the fact that pressure on space renders it impossible for retailers to
display our furniture pieces in a full range of finishes, we wanted something
that would make consumers instantly aware of the choice that remains open
to them when investing in what is the highest quality bathroom furniture
money can buy. The new display tree not only does this perfectly, we feel
it is the ideal POS accessory for today’s retail showroom environment,'
states Imperial Bathrooms’ Sales Director, John Gill.
'What’s more, it is a further example of how we are pro-actively
supporting retailers who promote and display our products,' he added.
'Imperial Bathrooms is renowned for the outstanding quality of its freestanding
furniture, which is meticulously designed for the discerning and handcrafted
here in the UK. The perfect complement to the company’s sanitaryware,
each piece is manufactured using only the finest solid woods and real
wood veneers, the beauty of the natural grain being sealed beneath a protective
lacquer that resists the moisture and splashes of the busiest bathroom.'
Full details of the company’s extensive range of bathroom furniture
and accompanying sanitaryware is detailed in Imperial Bathrooms’
new 96-page Summer 2005 Design Guide.
Retailers interested in obtaining Imperial Bathrooms’ Display Tree
for use within their own showrooms, or a copy of the Design Guide, should
contact the company’s customer services team on 0870 60 61 62 3 or
visit http://www.imperial-bathrooms.com.
Indesit
is offering consumers the chance to enjoy tennis from the comfort of their
home with an on-line competition where they can win up to £1000
every month.
The Indesit virtual tennis tournament is a European initiative, available
in the UK, France, Spain, Italy and the Czech Republic and is open to
all who visit http://www.indesit.co.uk.
To take part in the competition and be in with a chance of winning, the
consumer must play the virtual tennis game and beat their opponent. They
will receive 10 points each time they win. At the start of each new game
they will also be asked a question relating to the Indesit product range,
each correct answer is worth another 5 points. With 60 points or more,
they will be eligible to register for the monthly draw of this competition.
‘This virtual tennis tournament competition has been launched to
support Indesit's continued sponsorship of the international ATP tournament
and ATP Champions Race and to reinforce the brand philosophy ‘We
work you play’ which is at the heart of it's collection of freestanding
and built- in appliances,’ says Sarah Pascal, Indesit's Marketing
Communications Manager. ‘With innovative, efficient and reliable
features Indesit products have been designed to work hard to simplify
your life and free up that all important leisure time!’
The Indesit tennis competition will be on-line for the next six months
and each month a winner in each country will be assigned the £1000
prize in the form of a credit card to spend on whatever they desire.
Tel: 08701 50 60 70
Web: http://www.indesit.co.uk
Hotpoint
and Ariel Keep it Cool
Hotpoint
and Ariel joined forces last year investing in a £1million TV campaign
to promote their products. The campaign continues with colourfully combined
Hotpoint and Ariel advertisements appearing in Women's lifestyle and Home
Interest magazines throughout the Summer. The advertisements bring together
Ariel producing outstanding results at low temperatures with Hotpoint
offering the company’s new Cool Wash programme.
Hotpoint recommends Ariel to keep whites bright, even when washed at low
temperatures. In conjunction with this Hotpoint now has a Cool Wash programme
as one of the many features offered. The programme cares for the most
delicate items without comprising wash results.
Neil Tunstall, Marketing Director, Indesit Company comments: ‘The
campaign is not only an excellent way to promote Hotpoint and Ariel's
partnership, but also reinforces our message to consumers that Hotpoint
products are 'Designed for the real world'.’
Tel: 08701 50 60 70
Web: http://www.hotpoint.co.uk
'There's
a lot more to being a successful distributor besides simply taking orders'
says Martin Carroll, recently appointed Commercial Director of Ideal Bathrooms,
the speciaiist bathroom products distributor. 'It's all about quality
and reliability of service from when we answer the phone to when we deliver
the order.'
To
ensure this philosophy is constantly reviewed and improved wherever possible,
Ideal Bathrooms has established a marketing department under Martin Carroll's
directorship. He brings to the company over 25 years experience in the
bathroom market with the leading manufacturers including Armitage Shanks
and American Standard and spearheads Ideal Bathrooms desire to be the
best in all aspects of customer service.
A number of marketing innovations are in the pipeline, ranging from the
development of a website with potential for interactive e-commerce to
an ongoing extensive training programme for all internal sales personnel
on product innovations and general customer service interaction.
Hayley Hopkins has been appointed as Marketing Co-ordinator to assist
Martin in delivering these new marketing initiatives.
'Our aim is to deliver the best of everything - the best price guide,
the easiest to place an order with, the most proactive and focused sales
teams and the most satisfied customers' adds Martin. 'And we are continually
striving to improve in whatever ways we can, responding to our customers
needs.'
The 'big yellow book' - ldeal Bathrooms' price guide which is instantly
recognised by all in the market, is now produced quarterly to make it
even more up to date, responding rapidly to price changes and new product
additions as they occur.
The centralised call centre has been increased to 30 people with a specific
aim of answering all phone calls within just two to three rings, with
the external sales force now numbering eight people, both internal and
external are dedicated to working closely with customers.
'Our aim is to not only take our customer's orders, but to also manage
them' says Martin. 'In Displays and Specials we have two specialist departments
that manage our customer orders from point of order to delivety. At every
stage we are in touch with our customers to ensure that they understand
exactly what is happening.'
A new initiative is the formation of a Pro-Active Sales team. The team,
numbering three, is led by Rachael Percival, a newcomer to Ideal Bathrooms,
whose background is steeped in delivering service. 'Our aim' says Rachael
'is to ensure that every customer has a personal contact within the company
and every customer has the opportunity to benefit from our special offers.'
With a tumover already over £40 million, Ideal Bathrooms believes
its marketing activities will be instrumental in further increasing its
sales to those bathroom retailers who demand the highest levels of service
support.
Portway,
which launched a dealer incentive programme on 1st February, has been
overwhelmed by its resounding success. Over 120 dealers have already signed
up for the promotion to win a trip to the Bahamas and as a result Portway
has extended the number of dealers eligible to win a place.
The Bahamas incentive has been cleverly supported by manufacturers who
are offering increased points and special offers throughout the promotion.
Support has come from manufacturers including AEG, Indesit Company, and
Bosch. In addition, Portway's trade show on 31st August at the Thruxton
race circuit will provide dealers with a final attempt to win their place
on the trip - with the show also acting as the last day of the promotion.
Left
to right: Neil Bradford, Portway Sales Director and John Bainbridge, Portway
Commercial Director
John
Bainbridge, Portway Commercial Director, comments: ‘We have been
pleasantly surprised by support for the promotion and will now be taking
nearly 30 dealers and their partners on the trip to the Bahamas. We believe
the holiday is the perfect way to reward our dealers for their commitment.
A key strength of the promotion is that even those who don't win the holiday
will be rewarded for their efforts.’
Tel: 01264 334596
Stoves
New Genus Oven makes a Special Appearance on ITV’s This Morning
Stoves
new Genus oven technology made a guest appearance on ITV’s This Morning
during the programme’s cookery section recently.
Presenter Lorraine Kelly and TV chef James Tanner put the high-speed ‘Genus
mode’ of the Genus built-in multifunction oven through its paces
live on air to show the nation just how fast this new technology can cook
– all without losing the quality of the end results.
As the oven needs no preheat, a frozen pizza was cooked to perfection
in just five minutes from a cold oven and the presenters were particularly
impressed with the fact that a whole roast chicken would take just thirty
five minutes, which is ideal for those with families.
The advanced 900mm high Genus multifunction double oven incorporates 16
interactive functions plus an additional eight high-speed Genus cooking
modes that have been programmed to cook food perfectly in a fraction of
the time. For example, a perfect baked potato with a crispy jacket and
fluffy in the middle can be cooked in just 15 minutes – up to 4 times
faster than conventional cooking.
The Genus ovens are available now and fit within Stoves’ existing
range of built-in ovens, hobs, hoods and splash backs.
For further information on Genus and the rest of the Stoves collection,
call 0870 458 9663 for a brochure or visit http://www.stovesgenus.co.uk
Lulu
at the Point of Sale: Comprehensive Service Pack for the Trade
Accompanying
the launch of the new Lulu series at the ISH trade fair in Frankfurt in
March, Dornbracht has produced a comprehensive
pack for specialist retailers to use at the point of sale. A sales folder
describing the conceptual world of Lulu, explains the scale of the range
and gives specific application examples for booth designs. Decorative
illustrations are provided, continuing the colourful first impression
of the world of Lulu. A short Lulu film with its own soundtrack and an
end-customer brochure complete the service pack.
Dornbracht uses exhibition applications as an example of how Lulu products
might be successfully installed at the specialist retailers. The sizes
of the proposed booths vary from 4.9 square metres to 15 square metres.
Product lists, suggested materials for wall and floor coverings and outline
sketches round off this service for exhibition application. Dornbracht
also provides a vast number of alternative ceramic mountings from various
manufacturers for the basin, the bathtub and the shower area. The brochure
contains background information on the creative design concept of Lulu
with its formal expression, as well as explaining the appropriate colourfulness
and the combination of different materials. The emphatic use of trend
colours, such as pink, yellow, green and red and the clear and simple
forms create an open and fresh appeal. Visualised by means of a lead bathroom,
this represents the interface between the bathroom and the living area
in the form of a lounge.
'Similar to the launch of MEM in 2003, the Lulu range was also conceived
with a ritual architecture concept. The world of Lulu is a play on the
notational force of French cultural life: on love, passion, fashion, photography,
colours, music and sensuality. It stands for pleasure, taken out of life
and into the bathroom and for the urge for a spot of adventure in life.
With sensual fabrics, materials and forms: black walls with precious,
velvety finishes in clear, modern proportions.' says the company.
Tel: +49 (0) 2371- 433 0
Email: mailto:mail@dornbracht.de
Web: http://www.dornbracht.com
Hotpoint
Centres Support the Indies
May
2005 saw the re-launch of Hotpoint's
successful scheme to support lndependent Electrical Retailers. Over 400
Hotpoint Centre dealers will now enjoy a number of privileges and benefits,
strengthened by a huge £5 million brand investment.
Originally launched in 1979, the Hotpoint Centre scheme is based on the
principle that dealers backing the Hotpoint brand should receive additional
support from Hotpoint. Dealers will receive a number of benefits under
the scheme in return for their commitment to the brand. As a result, Hotpoint
Centres will enjoy priority orders, focused training, improved terms and
incentives, marketing support and POS material.
Neil Tunstall, Marketing Director, lndesit Company, comments: 'The lndependents
are an important channel for us and we now have strengthened support in
place to develop this relationship.'
For further information on Hotpoint and how to become a Hotpoint Centre
call 08701 50 60 70 or visit http://www.hotpoint.co.uk