KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
2nd March 2018
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 International News
Products Sensor technology at its best with Blanco's Solenta-S tap
Utilising a professional design, the stainless steel product is elevated with a precise magnetic spray holder for user accessibility. Designed for convenience, the Solenta-S is available with the lever on either the left or right side making it a perfect match for user's preferences. Roca goes above and beyond at KBB
Velvet Victoria sleigh bed will provide that bedroom glamour
New Kinemagic model even more accessible
The Kinemagic Serenity Plus is a high quality, all-in-one shower cubicle that has been designed to fit in exactly the same space as a standard bath and can be installed with the minimum fuss and hassle. KBB 2018: Rehau's Rauvisio to take centre stage - M123
One of the products taking centre stage will be the Rauvisio Crystal Mirror. Technically known as polymeric glass, Crystal Mirror is one of the most advanced mirror materials in the world, and is a great alternative to mirrored glass. It is aesthetically as beautiful as real glass yet has none of its limitations, opening up new and exciting opportunities in the design and production of kitchen, bathroom and bedroom furniture and surfaces. Alongside Crystal Mirror, Rehau will also be introducing visitors to Rauvisio Wave, Karat polymer-stone and Mineral solid-surface ranges plus its new Crystal Decors portfolio. British Ceramic Tile combines the old with new to advance its production techniques
With sales of collections such as Luna and Ted Baker Geometric growing month on month, the company has plans to increase its product portfolio to include more ranges that offer this innovative production process which sees the latest in inkjet technology combined with rotocolour printing. Bijoux accessories are perfectly formed
Not everyone wants a towel ring, or has the space for a standard 60cm rail. Recognising the shift in trend towards smaller, minimalist bathrooms, the new shorter rails have been developed to satisfy this market need. |
This is just what we need, isn't it? A country blanketed in snow, warnings of black ice everywhere, abandoned vehicles all over the place, trains welded to frozen tracks and no signs of improvement... All just a day or two before many of us plan to head to the NEC Birmingham for the start of the UK's biggest showcase for our sector - KBB 2018, which opens at 09:30 on Sunday! I'm one of the lucky ones who can swan up and enjoy the show once all the hard work's been done... Yes, it's tough on the feet, covering what seems like endless miles to get around all the stands, but that's nothing compared to the efforts that have gone into building the stands and ensuring the exhibits are in place. Those involved deserve a pat on the back this year since the logistics involved will have been so much more complicated because of the weather. I can imagine the exhaustion felt at the end of each day under normal circumstances, but when that's added to, perhaps, being told that the stand's centerpiece is in an overturned lorry on the motorway and having to make last minute changes to plug the gap, or being stuck for hours a freezing vehicle, unable to make it back to the hotel for a much-needed hot shower, it must be soul destroying! This weather causes enormous headaches for our industry, doesn't it, with customers waiting excitedly at home for deliveries and getting nasty when things have been delayed - as if they could do any better! Sometimes deliveries will arrive on time but the fitters are stranded somewhere or have been called out to an emergency. In cases like this, communication is key. It's so easy to email and apologise for the delay, or 'phone and discuss a new estimated time/date - I don't know why more companies don't take the trouble. Although this week you're less likely to be accused of forcing someone to take an unnecessary day off work, timely communication breeds goodwill, instills trust and encourages repeat business. If you're coming to the show, do drive safely (did you see the M62 pile-up video? It's worth a look as it explains so much more than any expert will about clever behavior in bad conditions or following an accident)! Having had my appetite whetted by the fabulous images and descriptions in the press releases I've been sent, I'm looking forward to seeing it all in reality and I'm hoping to see you there too! Yours,
 This Week's News
Blanco appoints new regional sales manager for Northern Ireland
Visitors will also get the chance to look at the ShowerSense, which enables the user to employ up to three separate outlets. Then the luxury extras include the ChromaSense Lighting option which lets the bather switch between six colour enhancements of blue, green, pink, red, yellow and purple, as well as white. Dallmer showcase stylish new drainage solutions
Brand announcement - Arcade to become part of the Burlington Bathrooms Collection
In a year of exceptional development for the Bathroom Brands Group, the two level, 350sq.m stand will introduce a new phase for Arcade, with the exceptional craftsmanship of the brassware and ceramic ranges retained as part of The Arcade Collection from Burlington. KBB 2018: Back to nature with new Ceralsio and Quartz colours for CRL Stone - F85
The new additions, launched due to customer demand, bring the total number of colours available from CRL Stone to 70 and all of them will be on display at the Show. British Ceramic Tile looks at trends influencing interior spaces and surfaces in 2018
British Ceramic Tile's head of design and product, Claire O'Brien, explains: The Kitchen Bathroom & Bedroom Specialists Association tells us it's been contacted by the Building Engineering Services Association regarding raising awareness of the so-called 'Aldous Bill'. The Bill seeks to amend the Construction Act to ensure retention monies are held in secure third-party deposit schemes, leading to a much better built environment and supply chain. The KBSA says it is happy to add its name to the list of supporters of the Bill, which currently boasts 53 supporting bodies covering many different areas of the industry and over 100 MPs. Please find attached some items that may be of use: Strong Q4 builders merchants' sales complete another year of growth
Win a spa break for two at KBB 2018
Maxtop Quartz strikes agreement with Irish distributor
"We pride ourselves on supplying the highest quality and most comprehensive range of kitchen materials in the marketplace and Maxtop Quartz is no exception to this," explains Gerard Mallon, CPC managing director. For a traditional kitchen with a modern twist, the Nebraska range from Schmidt has it all
When you want the perfect blend of classic and contemporary styling, the Nebraska collection from Schmidt Kitchens offers the best of both worlds. 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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Marketing
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