KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
2nd May 2014
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 International News
Products Kitemarked sinks still flying high
Designer collections showcased by Crosswater
Distinctly Abode: the new Mikro Sink - beautifully simple...
Lustrolite continues to impress kitchen installers with its sleek finish and ease of installation
Black Sapphire sparkles amongst three new GT colours
IDS exclusively distributes nifty new Yu Seal solution for sealing upstands, splashbacks and tiles.
Just Taps Plus adds basin mixers to Inox range
Bang on trend with colour in the bathroom this Spring
Shower for the freshest thinking
Perfectionism in corner cabinets from Vauth-Sagel - plus much more!
Burbidge takes the tactile approach with Isala
Ideal Standard unveils a new look for The Bath Room
Abode's new Verla kitchen mixer tap is a smooth operator
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Something I’ve just read has had me shaking my head in despair… Further down the page is an item on a newly published report that is calling on the Government to help the public replace their old, inefficient household appliances with more energy efficient ones. It argues that new appliances will enable people to potentially cut their energy bills by up to £75 a year – and collectively make an enormous difference to the nation’s electricity consumption. The report - supported by The Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances, puts forward details of several schemes that have been successful in other countries. I figured that the best way of funding such a scheme in the UK would be to cut VAT on these products and I know that the KBB industry has been campaigning for this for some years. However, I also know that the Government doesn’t really have the money – a point made clear in a press release I’ve just received from the TaxPayers’ Alliance, which seeks to remind readers that although the politicians keep telling us that the deficit (the money the Government spends that exceeds our income) is reducing, our national debt is actually increasing. Indeed the TPA has relaunched its National Debt Clock, which shows the frightening rate at which this is happening. It’s currently £4,344 a second, or £375 million a day. Then I read that the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills has pledged £250,000 of OUR money to help finance British bands that want to play at international festivals! As someone who spends most of her free time and any spare money at such events in the UK, I’d rather our bands stay in this country so I have a greater chance of seeing them perform – but I realise that’s a bit selfish on my part. Over to the TPA, which says: "Politicians talk about the need to make savings, so why on earth are they frittering away our cash like this? The Beatles and the Rolling Stones broke America because they made great music, not because taxpayers subsidised them. I’m not really sure how One Direction managed it, but at least taxpayers didn’t have to cough up…" I couldn’t agree more!
Yours,
 This Week's News
Government must 'Help to Build', before Help to Buy, says property businessman Property maintenance guru, Will Davies, has criticised the Government for not taking the 'Get Britain Building' fund seriously. Will, who is the managing director of property maintenance firm, aspect.co.uk, says that the Coalition's general treatment towards the construction industry is 'embarrassing'. His comments come after it has been revealed that the £570 million 'Get Britain Building' scheme has only build 715 houses since its launch in November 2011. An initiative created by former housing minister Grant Shapps, its intention was to provide 16,000 homes in three years. Tradespeople spend a working week away from home each month
The research also reveals that tradespeople are travelling on average 355 miles a month to get to jobs the length and breadth of the country; the equivalent of travelling to New York and back every year. New expressions shower tray range launched by MX... Hidden waste system adds to stylish looks
The level waste design incorporates a standard waste outlet and allows easy access to clean, maintain and service without the need for an expensive gully waste system. Second bathroom collection from Ben De Lisi now available
Iconic American fashion and interior designer Ben de Lisi has launched his second exclusive bathroom collection available from Abacus Manufacturing Group via www.ben-de-lisi.com. The renowned fashion, interiors and homewares guru shows off his new collection in a beautiful 110-page brochure which highlights his design prowess in detail. Getting the right Mann for the job: BMA announces conference host
Juliet Mann, broadcast journalist, who has worked in newsrooms across the globe for CNN, Sky News, Reuters, CNBC, BBC and on radio for LBC97.3, has been appointed to host and facilitate the conference. Call to support efficient appliance sales A new report published today 'Promoting highly efficient electrical appliances' calls on the Government to help the public replace their old appliances and cut their energy bills by up to £75 a year. The Institute for Public Policy Research estimates that facilitating the easier purchase of energy efficient appliances could save the nation the equivalent power generated by 1,500 wind turbines or the proposed Hinkley nuclear power plant. Utopia launches 25th Anniversary lottery To celebrate the company's founding in May 1989, Utopia Bathroom Group is inviting all its retailers to take part in a month-long lottery to win one of 25 luxury hampers. For every order placed in May a lottery ticket will be issued and then 25 winning numbers will be drawn at random on Monday 9th June. Worth over £250 each, the hampers contain a fabulous assortment of edible goodies plus a voucher for a Red Letter 'experience' day. Bringing basins into the digital age
Simple controls that move at the touch of a finger and indicate temperature with a colour changing light, are the key feature. The controls can be deck or wall mounted, providing the perfect clutter-free solution for contemporary countertop or undermount basins. Henley Tiles: Inspiration brought to life
Two years in the making, Henley's groundwork was laid when founder Sarah Watson decamped to Brussels for a long weekend of design trekking. She popped into the Horta Museum and was immediately smitten with an impressive display of tiles decorating the dining room. "I loved the sheer expanse of it, the mix of full and half brick field tiles lining the walls and ceiling. It felt unique and I came away truly inspired by that," she says of the Art Nouveau installation. Copper interest sparks new tap finish
In response to increased interest, the company has launched a new tap finish to complement the sinks. The weathered brass finish has been developed specifically with copper in mind, so has a characterful rustic appearance without excessive shine. It is available on all of the company's own brand taps within the British-made Rudge 1901 series. Harvey Jones focuses on flexibility with ArtiCAD online
Companies choosing this option can benefit from savings in both time and money for hardware maintenance, the ability to scale usage up or down as required and immediate centralised deployment of software updates and new catalogues. Britannia grows team with key account manager
With extensive experience in the KBB sector, Mike will take control of a number of high profile accounts at Britannia and will be maintaining a proactive relationship with clients and seeking out new business opportunities. How much could 10 minutes cost you? Van users have been asked how much they would spend, to save 10 minutes. "We all know that time is money," says Steve Clarke, group marketing manager for The Fuel Card Group, "but sometimes saving a few minutes is not worth the long term cost. Just ask anyone who has been caught employing an unlicensed driver..." The courts have imposed fines in the high hundreds of pounds during recent weeks, but this leniency has typically been in reaction to a 'Guilty' plea and a lack of aggravating factors. An employer would have no grounds for optimism if an unlicensed driver were held responsible for an accident. 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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