KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
13th January 2012
We strongly recommend viewing KBzine full size in your web browser. Click our masthead above to visit our website version.
Please note that you are viewing an archived issue of The KBzine.
|
International News
Products Designer predicts bathroom trends for 2012 As 2012 fast approaches, Ideal Standard International designer Robin Levien gives his bathroom predictions for next year: Vintage 2012 We are living through uncertain times once again and this creates insecurity. This insecurity translates into nostalgia for a supposedly better time. This time is usually the 'vintage era' of the mid-20th century and will impact the bathroom through optimistic splashes of colour or fabrics and even bold geometric patterns to brighten up bathrooms. Is this Britain's oldest working fridge?
Bohle presents exciting new glass surface protection product
Ellis Furniture celebrates new business gains
IDS expands UK coverage with brand new showroom and warehouse at Norwich
IDS has had a showroom presence in the Norwich area for six years, servicing a varied customer base in the Norfolk area. Strong business growth, coupled with an expanding customer base and product portfolio, resulted in IDS looking for a larger site for the next stage in its development . The new site boasts a superb geographical location facilitating easy access for trade customers to visit, as well as fast road access for prompt deliveries in line with IDS's policy of 24-48 hours from stock. Nolte joins EQ as supplier partner
Better information about lorry parking provision It was good news this week for the many drivers from overseas, whose job it is to deliver KBB products and equipment into the UK, with a comprehensive report on the availability and use of lorry parking facilities in England published by Roads Minister Mike Penning. Hansgrohe AG recognised as being amongst world's top in design
Apollo Blinds debuts its new made-to-measure Roman blind collection for Spring 2012.
Euroline becomes multi-award winning
Franke shows off the marvellous Minerva 3-in-1 Kettle tap
The five videos can be found by following a link directly from the company's home page. Videos include making tea and coffee,and how the tap's safety handle works. The final video shows how easy it is to fit the tank behind a standard 150mm plinth; an attribute which has proved a real selling point. T: 0161 436 6280 |
Welcome to the
Welcome to the first issue of KBzine for 2012 and a Happy New Year to all of you. We've had a slightly longer break than normal and a great deal has happened in the world in that time - much of it not good - so rather than reflect on it, let's get on with the news from the industry. There are some bright spots amid the gloom, including the decision by Topps Tiles to continue with expansion plans despite tough trading conditions, and Mereway reaching the milestone 25 years. Our congratulations and best wishes for the future! Yours,
Jan Hobbs
This Week's News
Trading tough at Topps but plans to expand continue At Tuesday's Annual General Meeting of Topps Tiles, Michael Jack, Non-Executive Chairman announced that whilst trading conditions remain tough, the group is going ahead with its plans to open a further five stores this year.
"Trading conditions remained tough throughout our first quarter," he said. "Against this backdrop, like for like revenues across the first 13 weeks of the financial year decreased by 4.2%. In the context of the previously reported 6.9% like for like decline during the first seven weeks of this period we are assured by our performance over the quarter as a whole and encouraged by the progress made in the last six weeks' trading. A slice of success for Mereway!
As part of the celebrations, the 220 strong workforce shared a specially baked kitchen-shaped cake to mark this special event in the company's history. Leading organisations unite to demand Government tackles late payment Several leading organisations have joined together to urge the Government to tackle the growing problem of late payment in order to help small firms survive, grow and drive economic recovery. The industry bodies, including those representing UK-based suppliers, have written to the Business Minister, Mark Prisk, to call for a plan of action to address late payment, which decimates small firms' cash flow. FilterFlow Taps from Franke come in five styles
The Franke FilterFlow system separates water into different channels allowing the tap to dispense hot, cold, mixed or filtered variations via three levers. The system is protected by a robust stainless steel housing for reassuring durability. Lakes Bathrooms moves to new premises Continued growth for shower specialist Lakes Bathrooms has seen the company relocate to new, significantly larger premises. The move doubles the space to a total 60,000 square feet and consolidates its four existing Gloucestershire sites into one much larger head quarters. Still based at Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire, Lakes Bathrooms is now adjacent to the M5 motorway, in a modern, two storey building that combines mixed office and warehouse space. The new three acre site accommodates a showroom which displays a full range of the manufacturer's shower enclosures and associated products: the Coastline Collection, the Classic Collection, shower trays and the Safety and Comfort range. Whirlpool's fridges add healthy trade-up opportunity for retailers
All the air in a Whirlpool fridge passes through the high-tech Microban anti-bacterial filter. Microban is the world leader in anti-bacterial air filtration designed to reduce bacteria, odours and mould in the refrigerator. This ensures mould and odours cannot survive to cause a harmful build up of bacteria, which means Whirlpool's fridges stay hygienic for longer, offering the enterprising retailer a valuable sales tool. BMA announces dates of 2012 conference The Bathroom Manufacturers Association has announced that this year's Bathroom Conference will take place on 9th Otober at the Crowne Plaza, Heythrop Park, Oxfordshire. "Don't miss this year's event which promises to be an early sell out," warns Yvonne Orgill, Chief Executive of the BMA. "Make a note in your diary!"
T: 01782 747123 Hafele welcomes new product manager
Bringing with her 18 years of industry knowledge, Tracy will play a key role in the development and introduction of new products as well as support Area Sales Managers and Customers alike. Hafele is an internationally established family business founded in 1923. As an innovator of functionality, Hafele is one of the leading international companies for the furniture industry, architects and planners, joinery and related trades supplying furniture fittings and architectural hardware as well as electronic locking systems in more than 150 countries worldwide. NKBA elects 2012 president & executive committee The US National Kitchen & Bath Association has announced the election results for the 2012 NKBA Executive Committee, which will be led by 2012 President Alan W. Zielinski, CKD of Niles, IL.
John K. Morgan of Glyndon, MD will serve as President-Elect, while John A. Petrie, CMKBD of Mechanicsburg, PA becomes Vice President. Carolyn F. Cheetham, CMKBD of Red Deer, AB, Canada was elected Treasurer and Clay Lyon, CR has been elected to serve as the 2012 NKBA Secretary. David Alderman, CMKBD will serve as Immediate Past President. Amica launches brand new built-in catalogue
Amica's brand new built-in catalogue bucks the A4 trend at a user-friendly 18 x 18cm and contains stand-out high-gloss product imagery as well as specifications, dimensions and feature explanations; all packed into an easy-to-read format on 46 neat little pages. 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:
|
REQUEST THE KBZINE HERE The KBzine is broadcast
every Friday. You may receive it FREE each week by
clicking the link above. Recent News
New project will give boost to manufacturing A new Foresight project investigating the future of manufacturing out to 2050 was launched this week by Business Secretary Vince Cable. Soapbox: The demand is there but the will to invest is not Steve Macdonald, marketing director of Hoover Candy, shares his views on the pent-up consumer. He argues that the will and need for consumers to invest in new kitchens is there but unless the industry can make it comfortable to pay for their investment, they will remain 'pent -up'. Mayor unveils strategy to deliver thousands of new homes and jobs for London
UK mums dream of a white goods Christmas! UK mums are dreaming of a white goods Christmas, according to money-saving site ILoveCashback.com Top 10 Christmas searches at Britain's popular shopping site that combines price comparison, voucher codes and cashback, include the ever-helpful 'dishwasher', 'microwave' and even the good old 'refrigerator'! Design takes centre stage in Government's drive for innovation and growth Design is to play a central role in the Government's new Innovation & Research Strategy for Growth - unveiled recently by the Department of Business Innovation & Skills. Hoover cooks up Britain's Best Dish Hoover's ovens are proving to be a hit with a chef on Britain's Best Dish as he claimed the oven is as good as a professional oven when producing a winning meal on the programme. The Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association has announced that three new quality retailers have joined as members. Bank Interiors with a showroom in Kenilworth, Osborne Interiors of Chiswick and S&T Kitchens in Berkshire. Electrolux Design Lab announces 2012 theme: Design Experience
Marketing
Symphony pledges support for retailers with New Year deal
|
