Tony Robson joins Mayfair

Having spent six years as national account manager and sourcing manager at Jacuzzi UK, Tony Robson has now joined tap manufacturer Mayfair Brassware as Commercial Director.

His appointment comes at a time when Mayfair Brassware is actively seeking to enhance the market's awareness of its name and products.

As Tony explains:

‘This is an exciting time for Mayfair Brassware. Following the opening of our purpose-built UK distribution operation last year, our business is now in the perfect position to drive our five-year growth plan.’

Mayfair's Managing Director Andy Green welcomes the appointment:

‘Tony has joined us to expand our experience in all commercial aspects of the business. His main focus will be on the launch of new products, as well as strategic expansion of the customer base’.

Email: bobbym@mayfairbrassware.com
Web: http://www.mayfairbrassware.com

Adam Bright Appointed as National Sales Manager for ‘Vivid by Merlyn’

Merlyn Industries has appointed Adam Bright to the position of National Sales Manager, for the company’s ‘Vivid by Merlyn’ range.

Adam previously held the position of Area Sales Manager for Novellini UK ltd for a number of years, focusing on National and independent merchants, as well as retail showrooms.

His new role at Merlyn will see Adam playing an integral role in accelerating the growth of the recently launched Vivid brand.

Dana Davies, UK MD of Merlyn Industries says,

‘Adam brings very relevant experience and extensive knowledge of the market to Merlyn. We know he has the passion to drive Vivid by Merlyn forward. We are thrilled to welcome him on board and wish him every success in his new role.’

Tel: 00353 567791555
Web: http://www.merlynbathrooms.com

KCA Welcomes Kate Rayner to its Team

Kitchen design specialist KCA welcomes new recruit Kate Rayner to the company’s team of talented designers. Due to continued success and development Kate joins KCA as a Design Consultant to bring added strength to the company's offering.

Kate already has strong knowledge and experience of the kitchen industry. Previous employment with SieMatic, Mobalpa and Poggenpohl places her in good stead for the challenges ahead with KCA.

Kate comments: ‘At KCA there is a strong emphasis on design and customer service, I'm thrilled to join the team and the continual designer training programme provided.

'It's a new and exciting challenge for me and I know that I can provide my customers with the service they expect due to the support and guidance of a great team.’

KCA offers high quality kitchen solutions, specially made to fulfil the individual needs of the client.

Whether you are looking for the complexity of contemporary design or an elegant timeless look, KCA has a range of designer brands and practical ergonomic concepts to fulfil any given assignment.

Tel: 01344 883777
Web: http://www.k-c-a.co.uk

American Standard Appoints John Rietveldt Vice President and General Manager, Bath and Kitchen, Europe

American Standard Companies Inc announce the appointment of John Rietveldt as vice president and general manager for its Bath and Kitchen business in Europe, which is based in Brussels, Belgium. American Standard is the world's largest manufacturer of bath and kitchen products and Europe represents its top market for those products.

‘John has an excellent track record of business success and is well-suited to lead our efforts to rebuild Bath and Kitchen's profitability in Europe. He has proven himself as a well-rounded, versatile leader who can create revenue growth, operational excellence, positive customer relationships, brand strength and teamwork. I'm delighted to welcome John to American Standard,’ said James E. Dwyer, president of American Standard's global Bath and Kitchen business.

Rietveldt, who is scheduled to assume his new position at the end of August, comes to American Standard from Tarkett, one of the world's largest flooring companies. There he served as president of the company's residential division for the last three years, leading sales, marketing and operations for this global €1 billion business.

Prior to this, Rietveldt spent eight years in leadership roles at Whirlpool. As Whirlpool's vice president of sales for Europe, he played an important role in turning the business around in a difficult market environment, taking it from a money losing position to profitability in just two years. Earlier in his career, he served in sales and marketing positions at household appliance companies Electrolux and Moulinex.

Premium Appliance Brands Strengthens its Corporate Team

White-goods company Premium Appliance Brands Ltd (PAB) is welcoming three new staff to its head office to strengthen the corporate arm of the business.

Karen Rutter joins the company as Financial Assistant. With a wealth of experience in accounts and purchasing departments in various blue chip firms, Karen's new role will be to support the work of the Financial Controller.

Joining Karen in the corporate department is Bev Antrobus who fills the position of Marketing Assistant. Bev brings to the company over 15 years of marketing experience at Hosokawa Micron Ltd and Oldroyd Bros Limited.

The third new recruit, Caroline Johnson, has been appointed as PAB's receptionist and joins the firm from Birchwood Park.

Guy Weaver, Managing Director of Premium Appliance Brands, commented, ‘PAB's growth shows no sign of slowing and Karen, Bev and Caroline are fantastic assets. They all have a wealth of experience in their specific roles and are especially valuable to the company's continued success.’

Pronorm Expands UK Sales Team with New Appointment of Richard Turner, Area Sales Manager

Pronorm, the German rigid kitchen furniture manufacturer, has appointed Richard Turner as the Area Sales Manager for the South West region.

Richard will cover an area as far north as the M62 corridor down to Cornwall. This is a newly created position reflecting Pronorm's continued drive for greater penetration of the UK market with its contemporary range of kitchen furniture. Richard will work alongside Don Ward who is responsible for the South East of England and report to Jason Grinton, Business Manager for UK & Ireland.

Richard brings 11.5 years of experience of working with leading bathroom brand Showerlux, coming up through the ranks from shop floor to area sales manager.

Drawing on his extensive experience of the kitchen and bathroom market, Richard will be responsible for covering the existing customer base as well as new business development.

This is in line with the company's strategic growth plans to increase its dealership network to include 100+ high end retailers over the next 12 - 18 months.

‘This opportunity has come at a fantastic time for me, given Pronorm's expansion plans for the UK market. Pronorm has the qualities of being an established brand, yet at the same time dynamic which gives it huge potential. The team behind it has a 100% can-do attitude to successfully growing the business and I am delighted to be joining them.’

For more information on Pronorm products, please contact Jason Grinton on:
Tel: 07801 862691
Email: jason.grinton@pronorm.de
Web: http://www.pronorm.co.uk

Franke Appoints New Assistant Logistics Manager

Key Sales Appointments at PWS

PWS has announced three key appointments to its external sales team.

Barry Cox has been promoted to the position of Southern Key Accounts Manager following nine successful years in external sales at PWS, the last three as regional sales manager. Max Goldberg joins as Northern Key accounts Manager, after eight years in the kitchen industry with PWS' sister company Danesmoor. Peter Kearton has been appointed Area Sales Manager for the North West, following over 20 years sales and account management experience gained across a number of key consumer sectors including textiles and screen printing.

Comments David MacArthur, National Sales Manager at PWS, 'These appointments are crucial to support PWS' increasing portfolio and ongoing product development program. During Barry's sales career at PWS he has gained the respect of customers and suppliers alike and this promotion is testament to his commitment and impressive track record. We are delighted to welcome Max and Peter who bring with them a wealth of knowledge to the PWS sales team and we are looking forward to them applying their skills to furthering PWS' growth and success.'

Left to right; Peter Kearton (North West Area Sales Manager), Barry Cox (Southern Key Account Manager), Max Goldberg (Northern Key Account Manager).

View PWS' kitchen collection at http://www.pws.co.uk with a link to order on PWS' e-commerce solution Tradezone', or alternatively telephone PWS Customer Services on 01325 505555.

New Sales Manager at Fisher & Paykel

Fisher & Paykel has announced that Andrew Smith has been promoted to Sales Manager in UK. Andrew has been working with Fisher & Paykel since July 2005 and will be taking over from Richard St John, who will move to the position of General Manager Singapore.

‘We wish both Andrew and Richard success in their new roles,’ says the company.

For further information on Fisher & Paykel appliances, visit http://www.fisherpaykel.co.uk or contact the Fisher & Paykel Customer Care Centre on 0845 0662200

Flair International Looking to the Future

Flair International, the Irish manufacturer of glass shower enclosures and bath screens, says that it has made great leaps forward in the past year following the set-up of a UK dedicated sales team, headed by Sales Director Andrew Bullingham. Improvements are being noticed by all customers who are benefiting from the increased team coverage, significant improvements in logistics, investment in marketing and a robust product offering.

Since Andrew took the reins in 2005, two further full time Sales Managers have been appointed; Neale Marsh and Derek Wake with further support provided by Northern Ireland based Steven Allaway. The four strong team is building closer links with all customers across the UK and has succeeded in growing the company's market share and sales coverage. Improved logistics has been a key factor in recruiting dealers as Flair is offering direct delivery to customers within three days from the company’s factory in Ireland.

The company is also demonstrating a forward-looking approach though investment in marketing and a continued commitment to grow its middle-market product offering. Flair's portfolio currently comprises four enclosures collections and two bath screen ranges, two of which Fresca and Chianti were launched in January at the kbb exhibition. Both new ranges offer contemporary frameless and semi-frameless styles to tempt the discerning modern homeowner and quality is guaranteed with all relevant BSI/ISO standards, as well as Flair's own rigorous in-house quality control and their ten year guarantee on all products.

The new buoyancy in UK performance is being supported by significant marketing investment such as the newly launched 'Flairmobile.' Unveiled at kbb, the aptly named Flairmobile is a bespoke designed and fitted showcase vehicle that is at the disposal of customers to tour the length and breadth of the country to present latest product innovations. Andrew Bullingham, UK Sales Director comments, 'The future is looking bright for Flair in the UK. It's a competitive market but we are now in a position to provide a great service and by understanding and meeting our customers' needs we are very optimistic about future sales performance and growth over the coming years.'

New Area Sales Manager for Homag

Leon Bruchez has been appointed by Homag U.K. as area sales manager for the Midlands area.

Leon will replace Neil Hazel who continues with Homag U.K. in his capacity as a service engineer.

Leon will be a familiar face to many Homag customers having long experience in both the woodworking and panel processing industry. He will be fully supported in his efforts with the industrial category machines and projects by Simon Brooks whose knowledge and experience in this area has an excellent reputation.

Homag U.K's Simon Brooks (left) with new appointment Leon Bruchez

Leon says that he is delighted to have the opportunity to work with the whole Homag U.K. team and with the Homag Group products: ‘Homag is the biggest and most advanced woodworking machinery group in the world and this gives us the opportunity to offer the best solutions to customers’ he explains. ‘Also, to have the backing of the Homag U.K. after sales and engineering team is an incredibly important aspect of me being able to supply and support customers with the best products, solutions and services.’

Leon can be directly contacted on his mobile: 07766 470110.

Tel: 01332 856500
Email: info@homag-uk.co.uk
Web: http://www.homag-uk.co.uk

Franke Appoints New Customer Care Manager

Leading kitchen systems manufacturer, Franke, has appointed Diane Millington as customer care manager.

Diane takes over from Jeanette Ward who has recently been promoted to the role of assistant product manager.
Since joining at the beginning of May, Diane’s responsibilities include handling customer care enquiries for the whole Franke UK product portfolio, complementing the information found on the Franke UK website.

Diane has over seven years’ experience in the customer services industry, and has a wealth of knowledge in this sector.

John Swain, product manager for Franke UK, commented: 'Customer care has always been a priority for Franke and we therefore believe that Diane’s vast experience in this area will make her a very valuable asset to the Franke team.'

For further information on Franke products, visit www.franke.co.uk

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