KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
21st February 2014
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  International News
Products Steel appeal from Just Taps Plus
Showering with a splash of colour and innovation from Vado
Abode Zeal 'on display' with Splinter Works Vessel Bath
Bushboard relaunches premium Omega laminate worktop range with a design upgrade
Sourcing timber for furniture?
Distinctly Abode: the new Mikro sink
Mike Pro brings designer style to commercial bathrooms
KBB Preview: Exploring the true potential of Mistral
Visitors to the Karonia stand can expect to be stunned by the ground-breaking displays of Mistral 25mm solid surfacing and by three new additions to the range. The stand has been specifically designed to explore the true potential of Mistral and fuel the imagination of visitors. KBB Preview: Selling made easier with ArtiCad - new versions launch at Show
CAD software specialist for the KBB sector, ArtiCAD, will be seeking to wow visitors at this year's KBB show with the latest versions of all four of the company's core technologies - ArtiCAD-Pro, BathCAD, MyRoomPlan and MyRoomFinish - being featured. The four products have all been designed specifically and solely for the KBB industry with the aim of making it easier and faster for ArtiCAD clients to sell their products and services. Holistic showering with Rio Revive
New for 2014: the Solo Mirror from Ripples
Freestanding bath is perfect for smaller spaces
Leisure Sinks: stainless in Seattle...
Make a Nest with VitrA's family-friendly bathroom range
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I came across an interesting article on the Web this week that had appeared in the Daily Mail. If you didn’t see it, the piece featured some of the very unusual work of San Francisco-based artist Clark Sorensen, who manufactures luxury urinals based on exotic flowers and plants. It apparently takes the 54 year old between three and eight months to shape each urinal out of clay before he bakes it twice in a 2,300-degree oven for two days. This final stage must be particularly taxing as the urinals can sometimes crack! Clark’s fully functional works of art have been exhibited in galleries all over the world, where they have inspired consumers to spend between $6,000 and $20,000 just so they can have one at home or in their place of work.
I’m not quite sure where this Venus Fly Trap urinal (which comes with an $11,500 price tag) comes into that mix, but I have to say it looks pretty scary! Thank goodness the spikes are made from silicone rubber. You can see more of Clark’s beautiful works at: bathroom-humor and if something a little more down to earth suits your taste, don’t forget that the very latest bathroom, kitchen and bedroom equipment will shortly be on display for close examination at kbb 2014. If you haven’t registered yet, visit: www.kbb.co.uk Don't forget to 'like' our Facebook Page, or comment any of our Story Pages.
Yours,
 This Week's News
Brits expose brazen bathroom behaviour in cheeky poll from Splashdirect
- Half of Brits have indulged in frisky bathroom behaviour at home Electrolux named Industry Leader in RobecoSAM annual rating Electrolux has, for the third consecutive year, been ranked as Industry Leader Household Durables in RobecoSAM's Sustainability Yearbook, an annual rating of companies' sustainability performance.
The yearbook looks back at companies' sustainability performance in 2013 and ranks them as Gold, Silver or Bronze. The top performing company from each of 59 industries is named RobecoSAM Industry Leader. Electrolux received the highest rating of the 10 companies assessed within the Household Durables industry and consequently also the Gold Class award. Soak away stress in a soaking tub
Soaking tubs from Burlington Bathrooms are custom made for a relaxing wallow. The latest baths to join the collection are the London round and rectangular models. London Round and London Rectangle both measure 1800mm long by 850mm wide and have an attractive deep rim. The baths can be used with floor or wall mounted fillers. Wickes helps communities in need, build for tomorrow, with charity tool trade-in DIY retailer and building trade supplier Wickes, part of the Travis Perkins Group, has this week launched a charity tool trade-in across its UK stores. TradeIn, which is running across all Wickes stores until March 25th, enables customers to recycle any tool in return for a discount.
The event, the first of its kind for the retailer, offers shoppers the opportunity to hand in their old tools for recycling in exchange for a 20% discount off any hand tool, hand power tool or hand power tool accessory in store. Buyers can even trade in a smaller tool in exchange for a discount on a big-ticket item. Ingenious space saving with Aqua-Cabinets
Wall hung and back to wall WCs are growing in popularity and are perfect for smaller spaces as there's no bulky cistern occupying wall space. One of the problems with both styles has been the need for either a furniture unit or a false wall to conceal the cistern. Appliance manufacturer Fisher & Paykel has become the latest corporate member of the Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialist Association, KBSA. Fisher & Paykel is the third new corporate member to be announced in the last three months. Prokitchen-EU and Interisoft Ltd both joined in December 2013.
Fisher & Paykel has been designing products since 1934 and is now a global company operating in 50 countries. Its product range includes the iconic DishDrawer as well as other built in and freestanding cooking appliances, fridges and freezers. Back by popular demand: BMA's Annual Conference details announced
"By popular demand, we are returning to Heythrop Park, Enstone, in Oxfordshire, to take advantage - once again, of the fabulous facilities at this specialist conference venue," says BMA Chief Executive Yvonne Orgill. Whirlpool's Max microwave oven wins Which? Best Buy and Great Value award
Assessing the Max's enduring appeal, the Which? review stated: "This retro-looking microwave has been around for a while, but it's still one of the best and is brilliant at defrosting and heating. The grill works well in combination with the microwave, browning the skin on a chicken brilliantly." Shower enclosure specialist Lakes Bathrooms has totalled up the charitable fundraising of its team for 2013 and announced that over £7,500 was donated thanks to the various endeavours of staff within the company.
With activities ranging from running the London Marathon to racing part of the Tour de France route, donations were not only financial, but also included computer equipment gifted by the company for Schools in Africa. Moduleo creates new products ideal for statement kitchen and bathrooms
One of the hero products in the new range is Azuriet stone, which is set to prove particularly popular for kitchen and bathroom specialists. KBB Preview: Kitchen Door Workshop doubles the size of its stand
Kbb Birmingham is just around the corner and Kitchen Door Workshop tells us that after an immensely successful year, it has decided to more than double the size of its stand for the event this time around. The company first exhibited at kbb LDN in 2013 with a stand size of 15sqm and this year at Birmingham it will take on a stand double the size at 33sqm. InSinkErator products are a real time saver for the Mistley Kitchen cookery school
The Mistley Kitchen is located in a Georgian town house in the picturesque village of Mistley, Essex. Established by American-born chef, Sherri Singleton, it has developed into a destination for keen cooks of all abilities. Innovative BAL Rapid-Mat cuts project costs, saves time
As well as spending less time mixing adhesive, with fewer interruptions to tiling, fixers can finish a project earlier because there is no waiting for adhesive to dry. Once BAL Rapid-Mat is laid, tiling can begin immediately. 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. How to contact us at The KBzine:
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clicking the link above. Recent News
Late payments concerns for tradespeople in construction sector A survey recently compiled and published by the Construction Products association has revealed that in the fourth quarter of 2013, an amazing 76% of companies within the construction industry had reported that payments received had drifted to between 30 and 60 days. Harvey Water Softeners receives Good Housekeeping Institute approval
IDS relocates to new HQ at the Parkhouse Interchange, Stoke
F & P Wholesale fundraising efforts result in £37K donation to Whizz-Kidz
Internet Plumbing & Heating Market Report - UK 2014-2018 Analysis AMA's latest industry report: 'Internet Plumbing & Heating Market Report - UK 2014-2018 Analysis', is now available. iKBBI delighted to announce new consumer focused sponsorship deal Insight Retail Group (IRG), owner of consumer price comparison websites Kitchen-compare.com, KitchenCompareTrade.com, Bathroomcompare.com and Bedroom-compare.com was unveiled today as the latest sponsor of The Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installers. George Osborne pays a visit to Triton, the Great British shower company
Mistoria Group hopes to 'clean up' with new business Mistoria Spotless
Roman sponsored kit brings success
KBB Preview: Ideal Standard to throw a spotlight on new exclusive products at KBB 2014
After confirming its return to the show, Ideal Standard has unveiled its initial plans for KBB 2014. Highlights include hosting a press conference and Designer Day on the stand, as well as the launch of a selection of products exclusively for the retail sector. In-toto Kitchens franchisee celebrates record sales
Wickes moves its support centre to Watford Wickes is moving its Support Centre from Harrow to a new state-of the art facility at Vision House in Watford, bringing its team of 200 employees to the southwest Hertfordshire town. The move represents a high profile investment in the business community in Watford, which was named one of the top 100 UK towns for company growth last year, according to the local Chamber of Commerce. KBB Preview: Abode will 'wow' all stand visitors
Abode is not a company to sit back and expect visitors to seek it out... "We have invested heavily on our creatively designed stand this year to 'wow' all who come to see us," says a spokesperson. "You cannot miss it as it stands proud, in front of you, as you enter Hall 19. KBB Preview: Nolte fine tunes handleless kitchens
The trend to go as minimalist as possible has been around for some years, but wanting to eliminate potential pitfalls right from the start, German manufacturer Nolte Küchen took some time to come out with what it says is 'the real thing' when it comes to handleless furniture. Now MatrixArt - a major innovation for 2014 - is 100% handle-free by incorporating the trim into the carcase. KBB Preview: Brand new Leicht kitchen designs on display
Leicht kitchens will be showcasing its latest 2014 designs over three displays on its 60 sq.m stand. These include the 2014 handleless Synthia-C/Ceres-C, which will be shown in the new slightly textured, antique oak colour combined with new Alpine grey and an arctic white island. The concentration of colour and material is designed to provide a calm, stylish look. KBB Preview: KBSA uses show as launchpad for partnership with Dulux design service
The KBSA and the Dulux Design Service will launch an innovative partnership between KBSA retailers and interior designers at KBB that will provide consumers with a comprehensive design service. The collaboration, which links KBSA retailers and Dulux interior designers across the UK, will offer opportunities for Dulux interior designers to access the KBSA network of independent retailers for their customers. People
New Commercial Manager brings two decades of experience to role
Utopia announces marketing department expansion
Alex has designs on a positive future in new consultant role at BagnoDesign
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