KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
5th October 2012
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International News
Products Sleek and efficient by design: new Aquacurve from Leisure Sinks
The true value and importance of a good toilet revealed... Robert Mohl, Managing Director of Bridport luxury bathroom company Ocean Bathrooms, is seeking to make more people aware of the true value and importance of the humble toilet in their home Bushboard adds sensational new surfaces to its Prima worktop range
Life looks better in HD with British Ceramic Tile's new ceramic tile collection, HD Origin
The Basis of a beautiful kitchen
Cooking up a storm in kitchen tap designs from Pegler Yorkshire
Get ahead of the curve with Franke by John Swain, Product Manager for Franke UK
Innostor Plus - new storage solutions from ECF
Renolit reveals another new modern abstract design
Pictured here is the new Renolit Covaren Moulins; a design reminiscent of a concrete structure with a subtle two colour square print. Given its very subtle printed design, the finish can also be used as a pseudo solid colour. Ellis Furniture unveils Cambourne kitchen range
One drawer, one box - a new level of convenience from Hettich
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I spent five minutes trying to set the clock on my elderly mother's modern oven this week and eventually needed to refer to the manual (now where had she put it?). A further 10 minutes later with the manual at hand, I discovered that the symbol which was supposed to appear when I followed a particular procedure didn't come up as promised. Isn't anyone who doesn't know these appliances asked by the manufacturer to try and follow the manual to see that it's right before it's printed? Never one to give up, I managed to set the clock in my own way and now mostly it matches the clock on the microwave above it. The fact that one's some 15 seconds ahead of the other? Well, mum's just going to have to live with that as I couldn't remember how I'd set the clock and didn't want to risk losing it again! I gave up on trying to set the clocks on the telephones... My efforts and the frustration I felt got me thinking about how complicated Sky is for the elderly to get their heads around - and as for the modern combi-boiler systems and the need to top up the water whilst bleeding the radiators and taking care not to exceed the recommended pressure (if you've ever experienced a boiler 'blow' you'll know what I mean!) or even attempting to understand a seven day digital thermostat with five time zones... Well - it's easier just to switch the heating on and off at the boiler, isn't it? During the ongoing conversation, (mum saying, "Leave it. I'll manage without") I learned that she no longer has anything 'on toast' as she's not sure how to use the grill that she's had for over a year. I quickly became cross that anyone not fully technology-savvy is going to struggle in getting the best out of household appliances and gadgets. That means most of the elderly, like my mum. And while I'm great at reading a map, me too. I have a Whirlpool Max microwave which is very technologically advanced but so easy to use. It glows various coloured lights to remind me of the function I'm using and plays different tunes to remind me that I need to pause it to stir, or that the cooking's finished etc (when friends have visited, we've turned the lights off and stood and watched/listened to it at their request. One even said: "Who needs Christmas decorations when you have one of these?) So it can be done. I was delighted to see that Amica is thinking of launching its RedDot Award winning Zen oven "the antithesis of overwhelming technology" into the UK (see story below, for more). I reckon it will down a storm with people like my mother and those like me that have to get psyched up before even opening an instruction manual... Yours,
This Week's News
Carron Phoenix announces the sale of its commercial business to Franke UK Carron Phoenix has agreed the sale and transfer of its commercial business to Franke UK, forming a single legal entity for the trading of both brands in the UK and Ireland markets. Amica set to bring Red Dot winning oven to UK... if market wants it!
 Business leader warns companies about investing outside established markets The head of Europe's leading employers' body has called for companies that have their principal markets in Europe to reassess the risks and opportunities of concentrating their production and service centres at locations far removed from their customers.  Symphony adds important green award to its collection
Tradesmen need to take online reputation management seriously... Negative mentions about a business or its products on the Internet could hit a company in the balance sheet, and once a company has a poor online reputation, it could spread like a virus. Companies need to take ownership of their online reputation to avoid potential disaster. Metropolis... just as the name suggests
Exclusive to Hafele UK, Metropolis hosts a selection of bar, bow, pull handles as well as square, classic mushroom and tapered knobs. Ellis Furniture builds for the future with significant investment
A self sustaining solution for electronically controlled taps
Another success in the kitchen for Hi-Macs
Showerwall - see it on You Tube
The KBzine Archive Search We keep an extensive archive of news stories and product information that have featured in past issues of The KBzine. If you would like to run a search of the The KBzine web site using the search tool below please just go ahead by entering in the name of the person, product or company or any other key words that you are looking for. News in Brief Weekend traffic delays
Our contacts at the Highways Agency tell us that an abnormal load vehicle will be travelling at speeds of 10 to 15mph, anti-clockwise along the M25, from junction 30, Thurrock, to junction 23, for the A1 in Hertfordshire, on Sunday 7th October from around 08.00. The width of the vehicle means that it will use two lanes and knowing the M25 there are likely to be some lengthy delays, so if you're scheduling deliveries, or planning to leave home early for a Monday appointment, be prepared. How to contact us at The KBzine:
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New home applications still below last year's levels Latest year-to-date figures release today for new home registrations in the UK reveal that house building levels continue to fall, according to NHBC.  Marketing
Autumn promotion from Hepplewhite Fitted bedroom furniture company Hepplewhite is offering its best-performing dealers the chance to win some fantastic new technology as a sales incentive this Autumn.  |
