KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
1st July 2016
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 International News
Products Blanco conjures up an innovative material mix with the new Subline 500-IF SteelFrame sink
New Carron Phoenix Elena tap offers distinctive design at a competitive price
The monobloc Elena in chrome is available now. It features a swivel spout which rotates through 360 degrees and the design of the square base is complemented by a single joystick-style square side lever. It has an overall height of 375mm and a spout reach of 230mm. Abode Matrix R50 Xl: fit for the heart of the home
Now this is what you really call 'Multi-tasking!'
Stanza makes a poetic addition to the Britannia family
The professionally-styled 90 and 100cm twin cavity, dual fuel appliances are available in stainless steel or gloss black. Thirty6 - new thinking for the smallest room
Mix & match with the handless Arcos collection from Schmidt in a range of on-trend colours
Showerwall updates its range with distinctive new decors
Floor-standing Crystal Obelisk joins RAK sanitaryware range
Bette to launch new matt colours for showers trays, shower floors and washbasins
Blanco's induction hobs bring water to the boil in seconds with 14 heat levels
Challenge is on for tradespeople
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Well – it’s been quite a week, hasn’t it? A fortnight ago, none of us could be sure about the outcome of the EU referendum and while the vote was split pretty much down the middle as the polls had predicted, no-one could have foreseen all the fallout & mud-slinging that’s followed. The four horses of the apocalypse haven’t galloped into town but with the battles still raging both amongst our leaders and their troops, and our social media contacts, one could perhaps be forgiven for thinking that they had! I’ve a feeling that things aren’t going to calm down for a while yet, too. Ben Burbidge, of Burbidge Kitchens, believes that now is the time to take strides forward together rather than dwell on what some may feel are negative implications of the vote. “Inevitably, the coming months and probably years will be uncertain and this may have a dampening effect on the KBB market, as consumers defer making high ticket purchasing decisions and people weigh more carefully the commitment to borrow significant sums to buy into the housing market,” he says. “All we can do is to continue to operate with ‘business as usual’ while we await further news on the exit strategy.” “As one of the UK’s longest standing private companies, proudly manufacturing in Britain for almost 150 years, we will continue to invest in honing local talent and aiding the wider community. In this way, we can ensure a ‘Great’ Britain, as we look to the future.” I strongly believe we can talk ourselves into recession and it’s easy for a throwaway comment to take on more importance than it should and consequently spread doom and gloom like wildfire. Yesterday a market trader complained that petrol prices had gone up locally and it was “only going to get worse”. I checked the Web and prices are actually lower than they were before the vote – they may well go up at some stage but why spread negativity over something that’s not even true? It’s damaging! I like Ben’s ‘business as usual’ stance and feel it’s one we should all adopt. If we’re confident, others will pick that up and we’ll all do better as a result. For after all, this industry is very much a global one, with goods made all over the place and international teams involved in the process. We all work well together and I’m sure we’d all like it to stay that way! Do you agree? Yours,
 This Week's News
Double Trouble: the rise of the 'sexy bathroom'
KBSA designer awards - entries judged anonymously The Kitchen Bathroom & Bedroom Specialists Association reports that judging is now underway for the KBSA 2016 Designer Awards, and that the shortlisted applicants will soon hear whether they have been successful in making it through to the next stage. The Judges, as always, will be judging each entry without knowing which entrant has submitted it, which is one of the unique features about this Awards programme. It is only when the winners and runners up are announced on the evening of the Awards dinner that judges are able to put designs to designers! RAK Ceramics wins Best Sanitaryware Brand at the BKU Awards
"RAK Ceramics has enjoyed 25 years of ceramics expertise and our products feature in some of the most iconic buildings in the world. We are known for our wide product range and our ability to produce bespoke ranges for both small and large scale projects, enabling our clients to bring their ideas to life. In 2016, we will continue to release even more designs across tiles, sanitaryware and faucets that are smart, stylish and innovative." Whirlpool reveals all change in the UK's busy kitchens A new qualitative research project, conducted by Whirlpool, carried out to mark the launch of its new SmartCook induction hob, has learnt that cooking trends in the UK are evolving to accommodate new experiences, such as a wider range of gastronomic choices and healthier eating trends, but with convenience and ease of preparation considered increasingly important. The in-depth study, which focused on one-to-one interviews with individuals in London and Birmingham, revealed that food is increasingly seen as a source of pleasure and self-expression in the UK. Franke's new Nyon tap is a modern classic
BMA finalises conference line up for conference looking at the Circular Economy
Children's charity chooses Max-Top surfaces
Max-Top Quartz surfaces have been installed throughout the facilities, which provide 'home from home' accommodation for families of children in the adjacent Royal Hospital for Children. Kitchen Bathroom Buying Group annual members' meeting an immense success
Illustrating how quickly the group has grown, almost every seat was filled in the Moss & Campbell Suite at the stunning venue in Weybridge. Dream Doors sees 50% upturn in quality franchise applications vs 2015
Last year Dream Doors saw an average of 72 applications each month, with an average of 30 of those progressing to a telephone interview stage. The first six months of 2016 has seen an average of 78 applications, with 45 of those progressing to a telephone interview, a 50% increase. Ripples founder wins lifetime achievement award
Roger has spent an impressive 40 years in the bathroom industry with a career that spans the Atlantic. His passion to run his own showroom brought him back to the UK and in 1988 he opened the doors to his own bathroom showroom 'Ripples' with his wife Sandra. Llandaff Laminates stocks Wilsonart's Aeon
Managing director of Llandaff Laminates, Mark Phillips, explains: "We were one of the first distributors of the Synergii range from Wilsonart UK and have confidence in the product. HiB takes on the Wimbledon experience
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 Working together - the KBSA and the KBB NTG Following the dissolution of the Kitchen Bedroom Bathroom National Training Group Member Council, the KBB NTG and the The Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association have announced that are working together to ensure the ongoing training support of the kitchen industry during this period of change. "We are working towards safeguarding the excellent work and achievements carried out by Renee Mascari and the NTG," said Tina Riley, KBSA national chair. Kitchen market boost from 'cooking culture' in 2016
The KBSA's national chair, Tina Riley, writes...
SOAPBOX: What does the new 14 day self-certification proposal mean for patients and employees?
Are you working with water safely? The Water Management Society is running a two-day event on 28th and 29th June 2016 at the National Conference Centre, Birmingham, which will combine presentations with interactive workshops and will reveal intriguing insights into various water management disciplines. Quinoa and spiralisers? Brits still have soft spot for retro dining, reveals survey Despite the rise in popularity of superfoods such as quinoa, kale and avocado - and gadgets such as spiralisers and juicers - Brits still place cottage pie and toastie makers as firm favourites when it comes to dining. People
VitrA welcomes Tamara Harris to its team
Marketing
Geberit AquaClean goes on tour for the first time
British Ceramic Tile's Retailer Club gets off to a flying start
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