KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
7th December 2018
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 International News
Products
New to the portfolio of clever innovations for the installer, designer and retailer is a range of four products for simple, effective installation of basins. Fish scale/mermaid tiles conjure up a little mythical magic
Gold mermaid fishscale tiles from Otto Tiles & Design appeared on George Clarke's 'Old House, New Home' featuring a property in Portsmouth, Claverdon, recently. Otto Tiles & Design sees fish-scale tiles as the new trend upcoming over the next year, possibly to replace terrazzo tiles. Bushboard's statement splashbacks launch on Monday
The new collection, which includes 14 designs in 9mm mdf and six in 4mm acrylic, can be used to create either a focal point splashback behind a sink or a hob, to create a feature wall, or all around the kitchen if desired. Perfect for the festive season!
Kitchen taps that dare to be different
Choose a style or finish that breaks from the norm and an instant style update is made, transforming the entire kitchen and turning one of its busiest areas into a focal point. A modern twist to a classic sink
Each model has a wide tap ledge and a basket strainer to prevent food from going down the drain. Whether rinsing food, washing dishes or filling a vase, the large, deep bowl of the sink is ideal and most models in the Legra range are available for reversible installation. Sleek stainless steel tap for kitchen elegance
The L-shaped spout is practical as well as fashionable; it allows for plenty of space to fill and wash larger saucepans or vases and can be turned by 190 degrees for easy use while the cleverly-designed, retractable hose is seamlessly concealed within the spout which enhances the sleek style. Say hey, good lookin' - what ya got cookin'?
KitchenAid launches new freestanding combination microwave oven
With a 33 litre capacity, more than 50 pre-programmed recipes and five professional functions, the appliance is a triumph in the kitchen. British icons team up to launch bold new collection of bathroom accessories
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Having been fridge-less since the middle of last week and not expecting the manufacturer's engineer to work on my errant appliance until next Tuesday - despite it still being under guarantee - I've been feeling somewhat disgruntled with life as you might imagine. The mild weather hasn't made it easy to prevent our fresh produce from spoiling, while the rain has just added to the misery at having to go outside to replace ice we've made in an attempt to keep things cool, or grab the milk every time we fancy a cuppa. And while many in my position might be salivating at the thought of being given a new appliance if the broken one can't be saved, I'm dreading that happening in case we have to go through Christmas continuing to store our food and drinks in boxes on the patio! Having also had flu, I've spent hours whingeing in my head about how nothing's as good as it used to be, with items no longer lasting as long as they did (and should) and never being able to get good tradespeople. So although the British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation's Damien Walters may well have been hinting at something completely different, his comment this week (see more below) about installation failing to keep up with innovation in other areas of the industry, just backed up these thoughts. I must add here that it's not the Institute's members I've been disliking, but those in other trades who've let me down over the years! The Federation of Master Builders may have an angle on things with its statement yesterday that apprenticeships are plummeting because of the Apprenticeship Levy. Its reaction is in response to statistics published by the Department for Education, which show that there's been a 24% fall in apprenticeship starts for the 2017/18 academic year compared with the previous academic year. The FMB's CEO Brian Berry says that the reforms announced at the recent Conservative Party Conference, don't go far enough. He feels that instead of large firms being allowed to pass 25% of Levy vouchers down through the supply chain to smaller firms, this figure should be increased to 100%, since in construction, it's the smaller firms that train more than two thirds of all apprentices. I have to say, I agree with Brian that more flexibility is needed - and although he didn't say it, a little more forethought by Government too! Yours,
 This Week's News
New award is essential part of strategy to promote compliance, says BMA
The BMA sponsored the NHIC award for Innovation & Initiatives to Promote Consumer Safety through Compliance in Bathroom Products & Installation, which was announced at a gala presentation dinner on 22nd November. Nuance secures Professional Builder 'Top Product' Award
Marcus Hooper from the magazine said of the win: "The Nuance Bathroom Panelling range from Bushboard was a reader favourite last September when we featured it." Marcus went on to acknowledge that the product's popularity probably has something to do with its under three hours installation time. 2019 Conference set to be "extraordinary"
The organisation, which celebrates its 13th year since launch in 2019, hinted that this Conference will be "extraordinary", as it plans to make a very special announcement, which will be broadcast across its social media channels. Saniflo launches Sanifloor+ Tray
The kit includes a pump, a low-level shower tray and the waste. The 55mm tray can be installed directly onto the floor and is very easy to maintain. The pump features wireless communication between the pump and plug installation and has all the features of the standalone Sanifloor+.
The two-day Sleep + Eat show attracted architects, designers, builders and specifiers from the contracts and hospitality industries. Beko recognised for fire safety by UK's leading electrical safety charity
The panels have been applied to Beko's full range of built-in and free-standing refrigeration models, making it the first-mass market manufacturer to do this across the whole range.
John Welbourn, who is spearheading the European launch for Canada's Danby specialist appliances in the UK explains: "After the Summer and Autumn of 2018, UK consumers will feel justified in investing in gardens; bars and outside kitchens, but also in building-on, extending up and out to provide living and social space for teenagers, stay-at-home older children and annexes for older family members. New CIH chairman Steve Scogings addresses suppliers and presents Awards at Christmas lunch
He also presented the Group's Annual Awards. Durable D-Style from Abacus Bathrooms
The compact handwash basins are ideal for cloakrooms while there are also models in 55cm and 60cm widths for main full bathroom suites. 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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