KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
18th September 2015
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 International News
Products Whirlpool's 'Kitchen of the Future' wows IFA fair visitors
Bespoke bathroom screens designed by SWA members
Especially prevalent in high-end commercial and residential projects, steel is the favourite today due to the visual, innate solidity of the material; without being overpowering, steel creates a look no other material can replicate due to the slenderness and robustness of the steel sections. Cabuchon Bathforms launches 5th generation deep soaking tub - the Yasahiro
Since the 1991 launch of its first contemporary, Japanese-style deep soaking tub - the Imersa, the company has been steadily introducing new and improved designs. New Lustrolite colours at 100% Design - for stunning bathroom panelling and kitchen splashbacks
Lustrolite acrylic high gloss wall panelling is proving exceptionally popular with designers and retailers who want to add pizzazz to kitchens and bathrooms - or, indeed, any room. Quadra from MHS Radiators provides practical perfection
An opulent combination of form and function, Quadra encompasses a rigid structure to provide practical storage space and shelves for towels, as well as impressive levels of heat for the bathroom. Abode Marino: a striking contemporary design
The Marino family has a striking contemporary design suitable for all bathroom styles with its distinctive long lever handle making one-handed operation effortless. The tall, square shaped design of Marino products with radiused edges will give all bathrooms an interior design look and feel. Introducing BAL Tank-it - the ultimate waterproofing system for all applications
Microwave oven market expected to reach $25.4 Billion by 2020
Amica appoints Origo as distributor for Ireland
Into the fold - new showerwall from Merlyn
New Combi-Steam oven combines microwave speed with conventional heat and steam
Phoenix Bathrooms added to EQ software package
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When people talk about the standards of education in the UK, they rarely have anything good to say and this breeds the feeling that our young people are entering the world of work without the skills they need to succeed. Sometimes it takes a reminder, such as the news this week that a student from the UK is one of just six finalists out of 1500 entrants globally in this year’s Electrolux Design Lab competition, to remind us that we still have plenty to shout about. And having looked at the other finalists’ entries, I feel that Jordan Lee Martin, a product design student from the University of Huddersfield, may go on to become the winner. Jordan’s entry – Bloom – is a kettle that uses wasted steam and hot water to carry out household tasks and which Jordan says is the most efficient kettle in the world. “Through the use of its three pods, Bloom utilises wasted steam and hot water, harnessing them to carry out multiple tasks,” he explains. “Each pod can be used once fitted to Bloom’s docking base and is controlled via a smart device or the kettle’s hub. All pods use pre-existing technology e.g. steam cooker, propagator, plant air purifier, steriliser and dishwasher.” But that’s not all… Bloom is fitted with a child-lock and a lid within the spout to prevent possible exposure to steam or hot water and which redirects the steam through the vents for the pods. Further, Bloom acts as a thermos, sustaining the temperature so that it can deliver steam and hot water more efficiently while its exterior acts as thermal resistor ensuring the surfaces will not burn anyone – saving energy. “Everything is pre-existing technology that has been repurposed to be more sustainable, safer, accessible and easier to use,” says Jordan, who gains extra marks from me for not reinventing the wheel in coming up with his design. He believes that by accessing children early, Bloom will help develop good life habits. He says that a more informed generation will be more attentive towards waste and the environment, consumption and sustainability, as well as more aware of health, germs and fitness. With goals such as this, I do hope he wins the competition and that his Bloom one day ends up in full flower… See the concept come to life at: www.electroluxdesignlab.com Yours,
 This Week's News
Hi-Macs brings a splash of colour to the bathroom
To furnish a bathroom, you need to take all possible aspects into consideration, including both the design and the functionality as well as the material used, since this will have a big impact on the final result. The American Hardwood Export Council to present four projects at 100% Design
The Invisible Store of Happiness - a celebration of wood and craftsmanship in the form of a three-metre high wooden sculpture made out of American maple and cherry, will be showcased alongside three pieces from The Wish List project that AHEC presented at the Victoria & Albert Museum during London Design Festival 2014. Getting Away From It All, A Stool for the Kitchen and Ve-sel will be on show as part of the shortlist for The Wood Awards 2015 in the product design category.  Hobsons|choice's Bath showroom stages evening of foodie festivities
The idea for the special invitation-only evening was cooked up between Richard Carter (hobsons|choice managing director) and Jane Ingham (MediaClash managing director). Ping Coombes, MasterChef winner and Bathonian, headlined the event, providing guests with delicious BBQ pulled-pork steamed buns, created in the showroom's Bulthaup b3 working kitchen. Upstairs, the team from the Burger & Lobster, Bath, offered drinks and cocktails to guests as they mingled around the many Bulthaup kitchen displays. Whirlpool pulls plug on potential purchase of Aga Rangemaster Whirlpool Corporation, which had made an eleventh hour bid to buy iconic British brand Aga Rangemaster, has withdrawn, leaving US commercial foodservice, food processing and residential kitchen equipment giant the Middleby Corporation to go ahead with the bid it made in July. In a statement made last Friday, 11th September, Whirlpool said: Amica sponsored Oxford swim attracts over 100 entrants
Amica, which is rolling out a grass-roots marketing campaign for the last quarter of 2015 and throughout 2016, directly linked the inaugural Oxfordshire event to its independent kitchen specialist and expert electrical retail customers from the immediate area. Holloways of Ludlow appoints Rebecca Northmore as CAD technician
Rebecca joins Holloways of Ludlow from world-renowned architectural practice, Foster and Partners, where she spent two years specialising in the design, interpretation and creation of architectural models developed from CAD drawings, to create the final project models for clients.
"From 2016, all Government related building projects - falling within the current criteria - must be submitted under a BIM process, which is validated and monitored under the laid down procedure," warns the BMA's Yvonne Orgill. "BIM looks at the build, maintenance and demolition across the lifetime of the building and underpins Government's objectives to reduce waste, carbon emissions and use more sustainable products and methods. Soapbox: Same road, different rules: what fleet drivers should know...
Do you and/or your fleet drivers know the speed limit for lorries on a single carriageway in a non-built-up area of the UK? It appears that 81% of drivers don't and it could be fuelling frustration on the road, according to a study by AA Drive Tech.
The Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM) came into force on 6th April 2015 and they have implications for anyone organising work on their home. Latest LED lighting innovation from LDL
Available now, the sleek 5mm light features chip-on-board (COB) technology and is both remarkably powerful and extremely efficient. Brian looks East to grow kitchen sales
Indesit makes changes at the top
Fiona brings strong brand and consumer experience gained from her role as managing director with SodaStream and her previous roles within Coca-Cola. PWS heads north with new sales executive
New sales agent for Mereway and Trend Bathrooms
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Barwick appoints new managing director Gary Campbell
 Kitchens International appoints two new showroom managers
Marketing
Victoria + Albert Baths launches International Design Awards competition
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