KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
12th April 2013
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 International News
Products Norcros, the supplier of branded showers, tiles and adhesives with group operating companies including Triton Showers, Johnson Tiles and Norcros Adhesive - and which is also active overseas with operations in South Africa and Australia, has acquired brassware specialist Vado. This Summer will see the Society of British Interior Design launch an exchange programme to create educational opportunities and professional exposure for interior design students from both sides of the Atlantic. The move comes following a meeting with similar bodies from other parts of the world, which has been dubbed the 'Acronyms meeting' Fantastic Fantasia - Elica's stunning new Vertical Hood
Sense the difference with Britannia: All-new range cooker collection revealed
Whirlpool named one of Fortune's World's most admired companies for third time The Whirlpool Corporation has been recognised as one of Fortune Magazine's World's Most Admired Companies in the Home Equipment, Furnishings industry sector. The company finished first in this sector for the third year in a row.
Millions won't be celebrating World Water Day Half of humans lack safe drinking water, while competition for water from agriculture and industry could put more people at risk in years to come, says a Portuguese lawyer who is the United Nations' independent advocate for the right to water. Catarina de Albuquerque, speaking ahead of World Water Day earlier today, said the official UN figure - 800 million - doesn't provide a full picture of water poverty, estimating that some 3.5 billion people lack a safe supply. Make valuable space in the kitchen with InSinkErator
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An email from US company Vocus reminded me of when I was little and we had a huge case of washing powder delivered. My parents told me it was a gift from Hotpoint to thank them for recommending the washing machine they’d just bought to a neighbour, who bought one too and happened to mention their recommendation to the salesperson. I’m not revealing how long ago that was, but it was far enough back for the impact of that gift to be clear. The loyalty it created has meant that my mother has never veered away from her original choice of washing machine manufacturer. Times are tough, so it would do us all well to remember the ‘80/20’ rule, which suggests that often, 80% of revenue comes from just 20% of a business’s customers. As well as being extremely valuable right now, our most loyal customers are also the future of our businesses – so engaging them and keeping them loyal is crucial, just as Hotpoint did with my parents all those years ago. So how do we do it? Vocus suggests creating a loyalty programme; rewarding customers for renewing contracts, purchasing products and referring new customers. Consider a programme that provides free products and services as a reward for repeat business, or allows customers to accumulate redeemable points. Another idea is to foster a sense of ownership. Are you launching a new service or developing a product? Invite your most loyal customers to become beta users and solicit their feedback. This will give them a sense of being a stakeholder in your brand, as well as helping you create a tested offering. Also, if a small proportion of customers are responsible for most of your revenue, provide them with premium-level customer service. This could be anything from waiving fees and shipping costs, to offering service outside normal business hours. Exclusive perks let customers know how much you value their business. Let them preview and purchase new offerings before they’re available to everyone else. Host exclusive events for top customers. Or for a more cost-effective option, profile your best customers in your email marketing campaigns or with social media shout-outs. And finally, reward customers who recommend your business to others, with discounts and other rewards. Customer referrals are a powerful tool in business development, so let current customers know how much you value their recommendations, just as Hotpoint did with my family all those years ago…
Yours,
This Week's News
Coram Showers advances its portfolio with new Premier range
Betta Living unveils record year-end results Dean House, owner of the Betta Living retail brand, has reported record year-end results to 20thNovember 2012, with turnover up 22% to £29.9m and pre-tax profits up 44% to £1.5m. Betta Living, which was founded in Oldham in 1966 and specialises in the design, build and installation of fitted kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms, operates through 29 retail locations across the UK with at least two further stores planned in 2013.
Shortlisted entries for kbb LDN Innovation Awards announced The organisers of kbb LDN, which takes place at ExCeL London from 19th - 21st May, have finally revealed the products that have made it onto the shortlist for the Innovation Awards 2013. In conjunction with Designer Magazine, industry judges have been looking for the most innovative products in terms of ingenuity, design and sustainability and 20 of the very latest innovations and new launches will be displayed at the Show, for you to examine at your leisure.  Reframing modern bathroom design with Lardo by Pelipal
A new hero: Whirlpool's ADG 8410 FD built-in dishwasher
Steel expands its collection with compact combi-steam range cooker
Boudoir bliss with the Altino Drift from Caple
Why InSinkErator waste disposers are such a clean addition to the kitchen
New senior designer appointment at Holloways of Ludlow
Distinctly Abode publishes new 2013 sink brochure
LDL enhances next day delivery promise
"It is our exceptional level of customer service that has always differentiated our offer and we are very pleased to introduce this additional benefit," comments Matthew Lord, director. Apollo Blinds innovates with new products
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Let local people build their own homes, says think tank First time buyers and pensioners looking to downsize will be able to benefit from a radically new proposal that allows local people to buy their own plot of land and design their own custom built home. 
British Ceramic Tile responds to budget's Climate Change Levy exemptions Responding to the announcement in the Chancellor's 2013 budget that the ceramic and steel industries will be exempt from the climate change levy from 2014, Chief Executive Tony Taylor from British Ceramic Tile said:  Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association CEO Graham Ball has welcomed this week’s budget as one that will help KBB retailers and encourage small businesses to invest. KBSA announces new design award
Portway customers 'enjoy it twice a week'!
Atlanta Bathrooms launches 'Trade Space', a new 'connecting' service Atlanta bathrooms is launching Trade Space; a free and innovative new service which connects the installer with the homeowner. De Dietrich appliances chosen for new cookery school at Wellbeing Farm
'Talk to your tradesman' app puts spring into home improvements Springtime is the traditional season for home improvements, but if the seasonal urge to tend to our nests is not enough, two thirds of British first-time homeowners admit to be further motivated by the secret embarrassment at the state of their home when friends and family pop over to visit. Marketing
AEG's The Lab set to stir up a foodie frenzy!
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