KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
24th February 2012
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International News
Products NKBA reveals top kitchen & bath trends for 2012 More than 350 National Kitchen & Bath Association member designers took part in the 2012 NKBA Design Trends Survey in the US to cite the materials, product types and styles that they've incorporated into their kitchen and bath designs over the final three months of 2011. While broad trends won't be evident in every local market, the following are 10 overall trends for kitchens and baths across the United States and Canada.
Enterprises must boost innovation as global competition becomes stronger
NKBA report shows high optimism for start of 2012 The US National Kitchen & Bath Association has released the Kitchen & Bath Market Report for the fourth quarter. Although results convey a slight drop-off from third quarter in number of remodels and budgets, showroom visits held steady from a year ago and with marked increases from 2009 and 2010, optimism for the first quarter of 2012 remains high. Karonia to showcase extended Mistral range
Karonia, the provider of Mistral genuine 25mm solid surface worktops, will be unveiling its significantly extended range. On display will be a number of exciting new colourways for the versatile enhanced acrylic worksurface. Sustainable products and installation materials can earn 'green' NSF International certification NSF International, an independent global organisation that writes public health standards and certifies products for food, water and consumer goods, now offers Green Squared Certification for sustainable ceramic tiles, glass tiles and installation materials. |
Welcome to the
Everyone must find a way to save water to help limit the effects of drought, Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman said on Monday following a major summit to discuss England's water crisis. I say crisis because this came on the same day it was announced that the South East is now officially in drought, with much of England likely to follow suit. And of course the fact that there is insufficient water to go around is not just England's problem, is it? The summit, which was called by the Environment Secretary after another year of much lower than average rainfall, brought together key players in the water industry to discuss what is already being done to tackle drought and to decide upon actions that need to be taken to mitigate against its impact in the future. As parts of the UK have been affected by droughts for many months and prolonged periods of heavy rainfall in the near future are unlikely according to recent Met Office forecasts, the Environment Secretary urged water companies, businesses, and people to find ways of reducing water waste and water usage. Speaking after the summit, Caroline Spelman said: "Ensuring we have enough water this summer is vitally important, and that is why I called the summit today. Drought is already an issue this year with the South East, Anglia and other parts of the UK now officially in drought, and more areas are likely to be affected as we continue to experience a prolonged period of very low rainfall. Yours,
Jan Hobbs
This Week's News
Major new TV series seeks Britain's most colourful and unconventional workplaces BAFTA award winning documentary company Dragonfly Film and Television, maker of super hit shows The Hotel and One Born Every Minute is looking to produce a feel-good documentary series that profiles remarkable businesses to find out what working life is like in a 21st century British workplace. Protection vital in volatile market, warns KBSA The news that the Homeform Group will not pay out on any customer warranties or guarantees has prompted the national trade association for the kitchen bathroom and bedroom industry, the Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association, to warn consumers that it is still vital to buy from retailers that offer financial protection. Homeform collapsed last July leaving consumers with £5.6 m of lost deposits when Moben and Dolphin (owned by Homeform) ceased to trade. Sharps, also owned by Homeform, was bought out of administration by the management. New standard for furniture hardware The Furniture Industry Research Association has announced the publication of a new standard for furniture hardware: 'BS EN 15939: 2011 Hardware for furniture. Strength and loading capacity of wall attachment devices'. This new harmonised European Standard is designed to allow hardware manufacturers to assess the performance of their products and help furniture manufacturers select product. The standard covers the performance of brackets used to attach cabinets to walls and is predominantly (although not exclusively) aimed at the kitchen market. The standard focuses on the parts of the bracket that attach to the cabinet rather than the parts that are wall mounted and contains methods to assess how much load a bracket can support. Abode Lisi: the new thermostatic shower range
Abode will preview a new creation - Lisi, an innovatively styled thermostatic shower range specifically created for people who want the perfect blend of design, performance, quality and sheer luxury.
Danish brassware manufacturer Damixa will be making a splash in the kitchen hall, as it shows off its very latest kitchen brassware collections. Available in the UK exclusively through Croydex, taking pride of place on the Damixa stand will be two of its most stylish yet highly practical kitchen taps, G-Type and Osier. Award winning quality and design
Blum continues to show the way
Following exceptionally positive market reaction to products shown at Interzum and SICAM in 2011, international furniture fittings company Blum will forge ahead with exciting exhibits at KBB. Roca unveils its new products for 2012
Roca's stand at this year's KBB is dedicated to showcasing its fantastic collection of new products for 2012. Sanitaryware with complementary furniture is a key theme with the launch of the Dama-N and Victoria-N collections. Furthermore, there is a clever concept for cloakrooms or small bathrooms called Mini, a luxury whirlpool bath, plus two innovative WCs - the InTank Meridian floor-standing WC and CleanRim The Gap. Also on the stand will be two new brassware ranges, shower columns and last but by no means least, Lun Plus, a super heavy gauge double-ended steel bath. BMA's delight in welcoming new member - Dietsche Roman Dietsche Gmbh, the well-respected German bathroom products manufacturer, has become the latest recruit to the expanding Bathroom Manufacturers Association. Ellis Furniture extends popular Quadra modular range
Ecobuild is just four weeks away Ecobuild, the world's biggest event for sustainable design, construction and the built environment, opens in exactly a month and the organisers are promising: - More exhibitors than ever - over 1,500 suppliers, thousands of products, hundreds of new launches IDS updates Tuscan solid wood worktop range with new timbers and top notch eco-credentials
KBSA welcomes back three members Highlighting the value of belonging to a professional association, especially in a tough economic climate, the Kitchen Bathroom Specialists Association has announced the return of three previous members. Which? Magazine praises Maytag's 'excellent' six-litre dishwasher
Which? praised the machine for its 'excellent all round performance' and helpful features in a series of rigorous quality tests. 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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clicking the link above. Recent News
New qualification created for domestic refrigeration engineers
Amica, Liebherr and the Whitegoods Trade Association are lending support and financial sponsorship to the process of creating A Qualification Route for Domestic Refrigeration Service Engineers. New courses cover kitchen & bathroom design principles and project management The NTG has announced two new design courses for 2012. They will be delivered in a collaboration between EQ Software, the NTG (National Training Group) and the Bathroom Manufacturers Association's Bathroom Academy. These two day courses are aimed at professional kitchen or bathroom designers as well as new entrants into the kbb market.  Anthony Nolan named Belling's centenary year charity
British kitchen manufacturer Belling is hoping to raise at least £10,000 for pioneering stem cell charity, Anthony Nolan, after naming it Charity of the Year as part of its centenary celebrations.  Lakes Bathrooms moves to new premises
Government urged to boost credibility of apprenticeship schemes The Forum of Private Business has urged the Government to simplify the entire apprenticeship system to make it more business-friendly and appealing to industry leaders. Pseudomonas - we need more facts
The tragic baby deaths in Belfast's Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital have shocked us all and investigations into how and where this killer bug, pseudomonas, thrived, need to be carried out quickly and accurately. SBID offers honorary membership to kbbreview award finalists The Society of British Interior Designers is offering the finalists in the design categories of the kbbreview Awards the opportunity to become an honorary member for a year, usually worth more than £300. World record-breaking paralympic athlete champions independent living opportunity
160-year old kitchenwares firm goes for high-tech inventory management tool A multi award-winning kitchen, dining and housewares supplier with a 160-year history has opted for a high-tech solution to boost already impressive availability targets. KBSA announces new corporate member The Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association has just announced a new Corporate Member, Keller Kitchens. FIRA dramatically reduces its carbon footprint by working with Recycling Furniture
People
New Abode for talented young technical designer
Franke appoints Annie for first class aftersales service
Literature
Vado announces 2012 catalogue collection In preparation for what is set to be another busy year for brassware manufacturer Vado, the company has produced a range of 2012 catalogues tailored to the specific requirements of its customers, namely: |
