Roman
Engineers Blaze a Trail for Colleagues on Tall Ship Prince William
Two
student engineers from County Durham have overcome the worst the North
Sea can throw at them, on the on the square-rigged sail training ship
Prince William - and paved the way for many of their colleagues to follow.
Ian Simpson (22) and Rory Edwards (20) of Roman
Ltd., the UK shower enclosure manufacturer, sailed from Yarmouth
to Newcastle upon Tyne over 7 days, in rough seas, rigging sails high
above towering waves.
The pair were the first in a scheme from Roman to develop their character
under extreme conditions, and reinforce teamwork, as a trial extension
to a three-year educational training course. Roman have already committed
to send more students.
John Wright, operations director, said: 'The trip celebrated the successful
completion of their day-release studies for Higher National Certificates
at Darlington College of Technology under our scholarship scheme and
has already proved to be a huge success.
'When the pair arrived back today, they had come straight from a shift
which began at 3.30am, so we quickly sent them home - but before they
left, they spoke of the sheer elation of completing the journey, and
an experience to remember for their entire lives.
'All their colleagues are incredibly jealous - even me - although we
got a little more apprehensive when they said that a Happy Hour included
the luxury of a cold shower. We only make warm ones here, so that's
a bit of a shock...
'Now all their colleagues are applying, so we plan to get some away
next year.'
Tel: 0845 0504 032
Web: http://www.roman-showers.com
BMA
Agrees Further Development to Bring Training Education and Qualifications
to the Bathroom Industry
The
BMA membership accepted a proposition
on Training, Education and Qualifications for the Bathroom Industry
at its Annual General Meeting recently. The proposition was the result
of an inter-industry working group set up by the Association earlier
in the year and was presented by Training Working Group Chairman Richard
Moss.
Speaking for the BMA Richard Moss said, 'The working group has been
remarkably effective in a relatively short time. BMA members, who represent
over 85% of UK bathroom sales, have undertaken a rigorous survey of
training needs for the full spectrum of bathroom supply and followed
that up with a strategy to bring a three stage programme to the Industry.'
'Stage one has seen the creation of a series of training modules for
the major bathroom components – Sanitaryware, Showers, Baths, Brassware
etc. – which will be up and running by the end of October. The
major focus of these modules will be to ensure that everyone in the
Industry uses the same terminology and understands how to supply the
right specification of products for each individual installation.'
Stage two of the plan is to make the Industry aware of all the existing
training, education and qualification courses that already exist, to
provide and ratify Retailing skills, Sales skills, Installation skills
and bring them to the attention of any Industry member that requires
them. Currently the BMA is meeting with IBSA and the NKBA with a view
to offering the Certificate in Bathroom Design to IBSA members. Moss,
accompanied by BMA Commercial Director Yvonne Orgill also attended a
meeting of the KBSA/FFINTO training working group to examine how well
that initiative was progressing.
Stage three of the BMA initiative is longer term and includes the creation
of a BMA Centre of Excellence that offers fully ratified qualifications
for Bathroom Industry members looking to build a long-term career in
the Industry and interested in setting a recognised standard to combat
the less ethical elements that tag onto the Industry at large.
Web: http://www.bathroom-association.org
Deva Works Today with Designers of Tomorrow
Brassware
specialist, Deva has teamed up with
Salford University in a KTP Project (Knowledge Transfer Partnership) -
a Government funded scheme for high calibre graduates intending to pursue
a career in industry. Product Designer, Haydn Thomas, who graduated from
Salford with a 1st class honours degree, now finds himself at the heart
of a project central to the needs of Deva’s brassware design division.The KTP scheme enables businesses such as Deva to access the skills of the UK’s knowledge base for strategic advantage, as well as accelerate the careers of talented individuals such as Haydn within business related training.
Focussing on New Product Development (NPD) and Manufacturing Management Capabilities, Haydn has been tasked with a range of challenges to help Deva continuously produce innovative products and remain competitive. From competitor analysis to design workshops and NPD strategy formulation, Haydn’s role even returned him back to the University where he set up a student project.
Enlisting the help of six groups of second year design students, the six week project investigated six product areas ranging from bathroom accessories to packaging and a premium brassware range to thermostatic showers.
‘The project set up by Haydn was a great success for both the participants and Deva’, commented Catherine Lund, marketing manager for Deva. ‘It stimulated innovation and resulted in a whole host of design ideas and creativity, which formed an integral part of the research and development phase of the design programme.’
Martyn Evans, KTP coordinator for Salford University, said: ‘The KTP Scheme is designed to match expertise from the UK’s universities, colleges and research organisations with the skills needed in businesses. Haydn’s experience at Deva will assist his professional career immensely – and his new ideas and fresh approach to brassware design will undoubtedly benefit Deva.’
For further information on Deva, call 0870 848 8400 or log onto http://www.devatap.com – and for the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (previously known as TCS), visit http://www.ktponline.org.uk
Planit
Launches Nationwide Training
Planit
International,
the industry software provider, has launched a series of training courses
throughout the UK that will allow Planit users to train at locations
closer to where their businesses are based.
Eighty training courses will be held at strategic locations, which include
Coventry, Manchester, Stirling and Bath as well as the Planit head office
in Ashford.
‘Offering these new training venues reflect our ongoing commitment
to develop all aspects of our service and support provision,’ says
Planit’s Operations Manager, Mike Hardman.
‘We had a very positive response from our retailers when the dates
were first announced and the courses that we have carried out so far
have been well received.
‘The training course environment has also enabled us to gain valuable
feedback from our users and to share ideas and information.’
Standard (2 day) and advanced (1 day) courses are available. The standard
courses are free of charge to new users (when taken within six months
of purchasing the software) and the advanced courses cost £200.
Web: http://www.planit.com
Blum
UK Hosts Retail Training Course
Eleven
delegates from kitchen manufacturer Avanti
recently attended a special course on retailing the concept of storage
solutions at Blum UK’s Milton
Keynes headquarters.
The delegates were all independent kitchen retailers who exclusively
sell the Avanti range which recently upgraded its designs to include
full extension Blum Tandembox.
The two-part course was hosted by Blum’s David Sanders and David
Grant in a morning and afternoon session with a splendid buffet lunch
in between.
David Sanders concentrated on the importance of selling the value added
aspects of kitchens – especially storage and the benefits of Tandembox,
like the ability to upgrade to Boxside and include Orga-Line.
He started the presentation with a history of the Blum company, its
achievements and ongoing commitment to benefiting its customers in the
future. ‘Global Customer Benefits’ was a central theme.
As part of his presentation he emphasised the importance of differentiating
kitchens and ‘selling behind the door’ – in other words
ensuring that customers understood the importance and advantages of
properly planned and organised storage. He also demonstrated the value
of ensuring that retail displays are fully propped with goods and kitchen
items. This he explained as being part of the ‘aspirational jigsaw’
that locks the customer into the idea and secures a value-added sale
rather than competing on discounted price.
David
Sanders’ presentation was enhanced with visual aids and images
and finished with a practical tour of Blum UK’s fully fitted demonstration
area that include propped displays using the full range of Blum fittings.
What was interesting was that as his presentation went on so the level
of interest and questioning from the delegates became more probing and
perceptive.
Following lunch the delegates were taken into Blum UK’s working
‘laboratory’ where David Grant demonstrated the practicalities
of storage solutions using two identical kitchens – one equipped
conventionally with fixed shelves and the other using Blum full extension
drawers, pull-outs and wide access hinges. Four containers of goods
that were unable to be stored in the ‘old-fashioned’ kitchen
were layed out on the floor in an apt demonstration of what intelligent
storage can achieve.
David Grant then held a session on the flexibility of Orga-Line and
how to fit and configure the system.
The Avanti delegates – some of whom may have arrived slightly sceptical
– left unanimously convinced of the advantages and all requested
further literature, information, CD’s and other promotional aids.
The success of this training day means that Blum UK will be hosting
similar sessions with regularity.
Tel: 01908 285700
Email: mailto:info.blumuk@blum.com
Web: http://www.blum.com
Training Qualifications for Tile Retailers
The
NVQ qualification for showroom staff was put together by The
Tile Association and the Association for Ceramic Training
& Development and is supported by the DTI.
The training programme brings together a package of selling skills and
product knowledge. It will initially be CD based and eventually accessed
via the internet. The CD is restricted technically to one user and costs
£150 per person plus VAT for TTA members and £250 for non
members.
The programme was piloted at Tiles UK whose staff will be the first
to achieve the qualification. TTA Award winners Tile Magic were the
first company to sign up to the scheme. During Expotile nine other companies
signed up for this specialist training plan. 'They are very wise –
anyone who has bought training programmes will realise that £150
per person is incredible value for money and that combined with the
fact that they do not have to leave their place of work to study makes
it an unbeatable offer.' says the TTA.
'Training ensures that you have qualified staff who can sell, understand
the importance of customer care and can advise your customers on tile
usage. It also gives your staff a clear career path and aid staff recruitment
and retention. Tiles UK, Maxon Tile Distributors, Channel Island Ceramics,
The Tile Warehouse, Paignton Tile, East Midland Ceramics, Rockform Ltd,
Brooke Ceramics, AG Ceramics, Tile Shapes and Tile Magic realise the
value of training. Do you?'
Tel: 020 8663 0946
Web: http://www.tiles.org.uk
Planit
Fusion Seminars are a Success
A
series of support seminars run by Planit International,
the industry software provider, have proved so successful that the remaining
dates for October are all fully booked.
The forty-four half day seminars are being held across the UK, Republic
of Ireland and the Channel Islands, they began in August and will finish
at the end of October. They have been designed to help supported users
of Planit upgrade to the recently launched Planit Fusion package.
‘We are delighted with the response we have received from our supported
users,’ says Planit operations manager, Mike Hardman.
‘We had an instant 50% take up of all the places available when
the dates were first announced and our presentation has been very well
received in all locations.
‘The seminars have proved to be an effective way of communicating
some of the most important new features included in Planit Fusion so
that user’s can begin to benefit from the improvements as soon
as possible. The seminar environment has also enabled us to gain valuable
feedback from our users and to share ideas and information.’Planit
Fusion, which was launched earlier this year, combines a market leading
computer-aided design package with a comprehensive customer information
management tool, simultaneously offering retailers new design functionality
with back office improvement.
Web: http://www.planit.com
Sub-Zero
and Wolf's Designer Factory Training Program Awarded NKBA CEU Credit
Sub-Zero
Freezer Company,
the manufacturer of residential refrigeration and wine storage, and
Wolf Appliance Company, a manufacturer
of luxury cooking instruments, have received National Kitchen and Bath
Association (NKBA) continuing education credit for their Designer Factory
Training Program.
The two-day program, held at Sub-Zero and Wolf's corporate headquarters
in Madison, Wisconsin, instructs designers in how the company's products
are designed and built and how they perform. Sub-Zero and Wolf brands
are dedicated to the education of dealers, distributors and designers,
extending the performance and reliability of their products to all points
of service.
'NKBA CEU approval of the designer training program reinforces our commitment
to the design community and continuing trade education,' said Steve
Dunlap, vice president of sales for Sub-Zero and Wolf. 'We eagerly anticipate
growing this program in conjunction with NKBA in the years ahead.'
This year, Sub-Zero and Wolf will conduct over 35 seminars for 1,300
trade customers.
Retailers and designers from across North America participate in a comprehensive
curriculum molded to their respective disciplines. Each designer program
consists of 14 hours of instruction with emphasis on design planning,
future design trends, product demonstrations and facility tours.
NKBA-certified designers will receive .3 NKBA Continuing Education Unit
(CEU) credits for participating in the training program. Eligible recipients
of credit include NKBA CKDs, CBDs, AKBDs, CKEs, CBEs, CKBIs and CMKBDs.
Email: mailto:hprisbe@subzero.com
or
mailto:hprisbe@wolfappliance.com
Planit
International,
the software provider, has announced a series of seminars that will
help supported users of Planit upgrade to it’s recently launched
Planit Fusion package.
Twenty-two half day seminars will be held across the UK and the Channel
Islands throughout August, September and October.
These seminars are offered free to all supported users of Planit to
guide them through the process of upgrading as smoothly as possible’
says Planit operations manager, Mike Hardman.
'We will be ensuring that all users are fully aware of the new features
included in Planit Fusion so that they can begin to benefit from the
improvements as soon as possible.’
Planit Fusion, launched earlier this year, combines a computer-aided
design package with a comprehensive customer information management
tool, simultaneously offering retailers new design functionality with
back office improvement.
‘We will be guiding users through the process of getting to know
the totally new customer database and management system, known as Connect
and how to work with Fusion in a network environment,’ adds Mike.‘
We will also cover other areas that will help retailers get the most
out of the system. For example the report wizard function enables retailers
to create and customise their own reports by defining which criteria
are most relevant to them.’
Planit provides CAD solutions to the kitchen retail industry. The company
is an accredited Microsoft Solutions Provider, testament to the highest
quality standards of the company’s software engineering, as well
as to the robustness of its systems.
Tel : 01233 635566
Email : mailto:michelleastle@planit.com
Web : http://www.planit.com
DPHA
Conference Focuses on Training
Training and technology were the hot topics among members of the Decorative
Plumbing & Hardware Association (DPHA) as the association
kicked off its first annual conference, held recently.
According to DPHA president Jeff Burton of The Bath and Beyond in San
Francisco, CA, the conference far exceeded the association’s expectations.
'One of the most pleasant surprises was attendance,' explained Burton.
Indeed, nearly a third of DPHA’s members turned out to watch the
Bethesda, MD-based DPHA unveil the first two installments of a multi-faceted
training manual geared toward showroom staff, interior designers and
others involved in the selection, specification and sale of decorative
plumbing and hardware products.
The first two sections address faucets and finishes. The faucet manual
outlines the basic operations of faucets and identifies and explains
the differences in faucet styles; explains basic faucet technology;
describes common materials used to manufacture faucets; and offers questions
DPH sales professionals can use to help identify customer needs and
preferences and help to ensure that these needs are met.
The question-and-answer section of the manual is designed to be used
as a training tool to help assess the knowledge base of showroom staff,
and pinpoint the exact areas where training is needed.
According to DPHA education committee chairperson Faye Norton of Designer
Hardware by Fay in Oklahoma City, OK, 'DPHA received tremendous support
from more than 30 members who have agreed to provide source materials,
graphics and/or technical review services for additional manual sections
that include cabinet and door hardware; lav faucets; kitchen and bar
faucets; kitchen, bar and utility sinks; deck and wall tubs and showers;
shower doors; tubs; and porcelain products,' to name a few.'
DPHA also premiered its on-line product catalogue, the DPHA Product
Catalogue, which 'enables manufacturers to place their entire product
line on their public Web site without the cost or time typically required
to develop specialised search engines or databases,' claims DPHA technology
committee chair David Goldberg of Union Hardware in Bethesda, MD.
Goldberg estimates that those DPHA members who take advantage of the
product catalogue can avoid having to spend $50,000 to $100,000 in Web
development expenses, while being able to provide showrooms with information
they need.
Additionally, the DPHA Conference offered an extensive educational program
for attendees offering guidance on building a customer-service organisation
in showrooms, business practice roundtables and a keynote address that
touched on how to boost your business’ bottom line via increased
operating efficiencies.
Furthermore, DPHA expanded its membership categories to include designers,
architects, home builders and various professional trades.
Deva
To Offer Quality Through Training
Following
its recent partnership with the Royal Institute of British Architects
(RIBA), brassware specialist, Deva has announced the availability of
a new CPD (Continuous Professional Development) seminar focusing on
the specification of taps and showers for architects and specifiers.
The
RIBA-approved programme will deal with water regulations, environmental
issues, public safety and the disability discrimination act on the specification
of brassware and will provide one hour of RIBA CPD accreditation.
'Such up-to-the-minute training equips construction professionals and
architects with the latest product information and guidance to ensure
correct specification and a leading edge on new developments and legislation,'
explained Deva's CPD Co-ordinator, Brenda Downs.
'Deva is one of the few brassware companies which has been chosen by
RIBA to provide product information and training to its members, so
we are honoured to be in a position to provide quality advice and share
our knowledge with the industry.'
Aimed at highlighting the critical areas in brassware specification,
Deva provide a CPD seminar, hosted at, or local to the specifier's premises
covering areas ranging from water contamination to scalding, Legionalla
disease to the environmental impact of a dripping tap.
Providing delegates with one hour of approved CPD accreditation - usually
over lunchtime - the free course is headed by professional Deva trainers
who, through the use of video's, slides and product samples, will present
an interesting and informative training session with ample opportunity
for questions and answers.
For further information on this new Deva CPD seminar, contact Deva on
01942 684468 or email mailto:sales@devatap.com
Plumbing
Courses Continue to Overflow
Stroud College is the latest in a string of UK courses being flooded
by white-collar workers wanting to become plumbers.
More than 300 people have signed onto the waiting list for just 75 places
on this year's foundation course beginning in September.
The average age of students on the current one-year foundation plumbing
courses is between 30 and 50. Many are senior managers and financial
professionals looking for a change of career.
Paul Benfield, department head of construction, engineering and computing,
said: 'It's been manic. All this year we've been fielding calls at the
rate of ten a day. We can't keep up with the demand.'
Next year, the college is to increase the number of foundation courses
from three to five in a bid to meet the pumped up demand.
Stuart
Turner Launches 'Training Package' - an Interactive Fountain of Knowledge
Stuart
Turner Ltd
of Henley on Thames has announced the launch of its new training initiative
based around an interactive software programme entitled 'Stuart Training.'
The training will be tailored in the form of modules, each of which
is being developed to be of particular help to specific job functions.
For example, 'Part A' has been designed to help employees in Distributors,
Merchants and retail bathroom boutiques. It provides a detailed overview
giving fundamental information required to enable the individual to
be able to speak with confidence and authoritatively in a sales situation,
recommending the correct pump for a specific application.
'Part B' is more concerned with the training of installation specialists.
The emphasis is very much on the specialised skills required when it
comes to designing, specifying and installing systems. It covers problem
solving and recommends the best way to ensure that every installation
operates to optimum performance levels.
Eventually, it is planned that the training modules will be rolled out
to a broad trade audience, but initially Stuart Turner Ltd will offer
training to Distribution, Merchants and Stockists by invitation.
Visitors to the Stuart Turner stand at this years Bathroom and Kitchen
Expo at London's Excel on the 11th to the 13th of May were invited to
experience the programme first hand on a number of interactive work
stations where parts A and B of 'Stuart training' were on display for
the duration of the exhibition.
'We have designed the system to be as user friendly as possible and
firmly believe it will quickly become a very useful support tool for
plumbers as well as those dealing with customers in a sales capacity.
Furthermore we will be constantly updating 'Stuart Training' to incorporate
current legislation, new ideas and technologies as they are developed
as well as incorporating the thoughts and suggestions of the people
who use it,' commented Roger Powell, Sales Manager at Stuart Turner
Ltd.
Kitchen
Fitters to get own Qualification
Kitchen
installation firm Jomaro has set
up a new company, Jomaro Training, to develop a recognised qualification
for kitchen installation.
Alan Forshaw, health and safety manager at Jomaro and director of the
new company, said: 'Although there is an NVQ unit for installing kitchens
it does not recognise the fact that fitting kitchens is an individual
trade in its own right - the kitchen fitter has always been tagged on
to the woodworking industry.
'Today, due to the complexity of modern kitchens in design and structure
there is a need for a specialist in this field.
'There is a great skills shortage for quality kitchen fitters; the current
situation is driving people into subcontracting work which is not satisfactory
as there are far too many cowboys operating,' said Forshaw.
Jomaro Training aims to set up a training school that will provide courses
for kitchen fitters. The courses will be integrated with health and
safety training and run at four levels.
Jomaro has had a meeting with the CITB and is also talking to FFINTO
(Furniture, Furnishings & Interiors National Training Organisation).
The next steps are to secure funding, get support and backing of CITB
and find a location for the training school.
Planit
Supports New Foundation Degree Course
Planit International is supporting
the launch of the UK's first Foundation degree in Bathroom & Kitchen
Design, which will commence this September at Bishop Burton College
in East Yorkshire.
Planit has supplied nearly £100,000 worth of hardware and software
for the computer aided design programme, which forms an integral part
of the course.
Additional training and support for tutors and students will also be
available from Planit on an ongoing basis as the first set of degree
students complete the first year.
'We are delighted to be able to contribute to this important initiative
in the education of young designers', says Planit International Managing
Director Patrick Love.
'We are dedicated to securing the future of our industry by promoting
design excellence at all levels. It is particularly important that we
support the training of new designers in this way.'
The foundation degree will replace the existing PDQ, which is now in
its third year. Staff at Bishop Burton College have also been working
closely with Rycotewood College on the new NVQ level three in design,
initiated with support from the KBSA and the Bathroom & Kitchen
Academy. It is envisaged that students who have completed the NVQ level
three successfully may consider embarking on the new degree course as
a next step.
'I am delighted that we are working so closely with industry leaders
such as Planit and organisations such as the KBSA and the Bathroom &
Kitchen Academy to develop the best possible training and education
for our students,' says Graeme Kynman Course Manager of the Foundation
degree course at Bishop Burton College.
'This qualification is the first of its kind and meets the high demand
for recognised qualifications in the Bathroom and Kitchen industry.
By working together to educate and train new designers we will promote
excellence and the whole industry will benefit.'
Supply Chain Management Opportunity
Management
fad or strategic imperative? A new concept or what we have been doing
already dressed up as something new? There is an opportunity to find
out how supply chain management techniques could be applied to your
business at no cost.
Many furniture, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and appliance manufacturers
will have had approaches from management consultants and IT salesmen
wanting to sell them expensive-looking supply chain management packages
and will have regarded them with a healthy scepticism.
On this occasion the KBSA is able to alert its members to an opportunity
with no strings attached. The FFINTO Supply Chain Partnership Project
is sponsored by the Department of Trade and Industry and includes a
free consultancy service for companies wishing to participate. It is
part of a Government-backed initiative to raise awareness in the industry.
The service would comprise up to eight days of professional consultancy,
including a health check of the company’s existing supply chain
practices to identify approaches to improve performance. These might
encompass developing partnerships with suppliers or third party logistics
companies or re-engineering internal business processes. The consultant
would provide advice and work alongside companies and supply chain partners
to facilitate change.
Any company interested is asked to contact Jamie Blackett or Nicola
Charleton at Pye Tait Ltd on 01423 509433 or Jackie Bazeley at FFINTO
on 0115 9221200.
Kitchen
Design NVQ Proves Resounding Success
The
first NVQ in kitchen design, launched by the Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom
Specialists Association in 2002, is proving enormously popular with
young designers around the country.
'We had numerous enquiries about the NVQ following its launch in June
and many designers have subsequently begun the course,' says KBSA operations
manager Lucinda Kenny.
The two designers who were first to begin the NVQ are now well on their
way to attaining their qualifications next spring. Stephanie Chinn and
Martin Postle of Underwood Kitchens in Buckinghamshire are currently
setting aside one day each fortnight in order to complete the course
modules.
'The NVQ suits designers such as Martin and myself really well because
we can be so flexible in our approach,' says Stephanie. 'The assessors
visit us at Underwood and our current design projects are incorporated
in the course modules.
'We are able to tailor our course work to fit in with our workloads,
so even designers as busy as Martin and I can meet the NVQ demands –
it would have been impossible if we had been required to leave the Underwood
premises and take time out from our everyday schedules.'
KBSA chief executive Graham Hayden commented: 'We’re delighted
the NVQ level 3 in kitchen design has been so warmly welcomed. The KBSA
had worked for some considerable time with Rycotewood College in Thame,
Oxfordshire, to develop this course and felt this kind of staff excellence
recognition was essential to the further development of the interiors
industry.'
Tel: 01905 621 787
Email: mailto:info@kbsa.co.uk
Web: http://www.kbsa.co.uk