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KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-newssince 2002
25th October 2013

 

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Please note that you are viewing an archived issue of The KBzine.



International News
Products

Way forward for forests and woodland is announced

At an event in the House of Lords on Tuesday, Environment Secretary Owen Paterson received the first report from Grown in Britain, an initiative created six months ago with a mission to kick start a sustainable future for the UKs forests and woodland.
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Sheer style and Elegance from Abacus Direct

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The Elegance range is a collection of towel warmers and radiators that offers something for every bathroom design. With traditional models alongside Ben de Lisi's designer range, there is a choice of finishes, sizes and designs.
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Zapper launches Scan-to-Pay to help SMEs who suffer from late payments

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Zapper's new Scan-to-Pay service help reconcile the £36.4bn currently owed to six out of 10 UK SMEs in late payments. The service makes invoice payments as quick and easy as taking a photograph.
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Bushboard ups the design ante with the relaunch its Nuance bathroom surfaces

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Bushboard is relaunching in early November its Nuance range of bathroom surfacing, which offers waterproof panels, worksurfaces and upstands in laminate and solid surfacing.
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New Whirlpool fridge freezer prolongs life of fruit and vegetables

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Food waste has become a very serious issue in recent times. Far too much good food is consigned to the rubbish bin through laziness or because our cooling appliances are not sufficiently equipped to keep fresh food in pristine condition.
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Minimum projection, maximum storage opportunities with new Debba furniture range

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With storage solutions being key to achieving a streamlined, relaxing ambience in the bathroom, Roca has extended its popular Debba collection to include a comprehensive range of furniture options.
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Distinctly affordable kitchen taps from Abode

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The Abode design team creates taps for people who have come to expect the perfect blend of design, performance and sheer quality. Earlier this year Abode launched four brand new great value, designer kitchen taps, all offered in popular chrome and brushed nickel finishes and now widely available. They are:
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Latest release of Building Regulations now cites Eurocodes design standards

The October 2013 release of Approved Document A of the Building Regulations now includes reference to the Eurocodes. The old British Standards are no longer being maintained and will become increasingly out of date, so engineers need to be using the new Eurocodes.
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Welcome to the

KBzine

I know I'm always moaning in these leaders about cowboy tradesmen but I've come to the conclusion that they must see me coming!

I employed someone, who came highly recommended, to redo the dodgy kitchen ceiling replastering job another supposed professional had done and repair the walls the first plasterer had damaged during the course of his work. I also asked him to repair the loo - replacing the cistern if necessary and making good the dodgy cistern boxing-in job - again bodged by the first tradesman.

The kitchen ceiling and walls appear to have been done quite well but I can't quite work out why he's painted all the walls (bar a dinner plate size gap on an exposed wall near the bottom of the fridge freezer and the area behind/beside the fridge freezer) bright yellow! Nor can I understand why he's used the same colour to produce a feature wall in the living room/diner!  I'd had the entire flat painted 'Moonlight' just three months ago and it looked very smart...

The cistern has been boxed in and tiled well, so well in fact that I can no longer remove the shelf above it as the whole lot has been joined together...

A shame really, as he's neglected the loo repair/cistern replacement part of the work, which means that to get a working loo, I have to break open the boxing-in and tiling for access!I'd like to instal a new bathroom before Christmas, but I think it will be safer to stick with the old one.

I do wonder whether some manufacturers have ceased trading because people like me, who want to spend our money on home refurbishment, are too afraid to do so because we're plagued by cowboy tradesmen...

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Yours,

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Jan Hobbs

 



This Week's News

SBID Awards nearly sold out!

* SBID-awards.jpgThe Society of British Interior Design tells us that there are only a few places now available at the SBID International Design Awards 2013 ceremony, taking place on 29th November at 'The Dorchester' Hotel in Park Lane, London.
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2014 snapshot - a year of design inspiration where there are no rules, says Uber's Bob Gonzalez

* Uber-Platinum_and_Ruby.jpgHere, Bob Gonzalez, of Uber, reveals the trends that will be emerging in our nation's kitchens next year:

Colours

2014 will herald more colour while still respecting the grey, earthy tones which have proved so popular in 2013. Exciting vibrant colours, such as petrol blues and ruby reds, will bring personality into the kitchen. Used alone or mixed with neutral cream or grey tones for islands or a one-wall line, colourful units will be seen everywhere, for every budget.
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GDHA Chief Exec becomes Export Champion: Denver Hewlett Appointed UKTI Representative

* Denver-Hewlett.jpgThe Chief Executive of cooking appliance manufacturer Glen Dimplex Home Appliances is set to help North West entrepreneurs take their first steps into overseas trade.
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Ellis Furniture launches curved worktop

* Ellis-Reflection.jpgIn response to growing demand for hotel-style bathrooms, Ellis Furniture has launched a new, one-piece 50mm Hi-Macs curved worktop as part of this season's ongoing product launch.

Available in Alpine White, the stunning, curvaceous worktop is a piece of furniture itself. Solid and sleek, its simple design is the perfect statement piece for the most contemporary of bathrooms. Hand crafted using a double layer of Alpine White Hi-Macs material, it is polished all round to create a beautiful smooth touch finish.
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Fitting kitchens, bathrooms & bedrooms? What could possibly go wrong?

* fitting-course.jpgAn unforeseen problem occurs with the installation of your customer's new kitchen... your customer is without their cooking facilities - should you buy them a three-course meal in a restaurant or a take-away pizza? ...This might seem like an obvious decision, but your customer might think otherwise.
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Roman covering all angles

* Decem-Bespoke.jpgUK shower manufacturer and designer, Roman, has expanded its newly launched Decem collection, with the addition of a Bespoke version of the brochure, which allows you the freedom to create an enclosure to perfectly fill your available space.
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Abacus offers ultimate in cutting edge design in linear drains for superb wet rooms

* Abacus-Linear.jpgBuilding on the success of Elements' original linear drain comes the recently-launched 600mm linear drain offering the ultimate in cutting edge design. In two cover options - brushed stainless steel or tileable to match the wet room floor - they have been designed and developed specifically for the UK market.
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Leisure Sinks goes with the Aquaflow!

* Leisure-Sinks-Aquaflow-tap.jpgThe Aquanomic Aquaflow (TAF1CM/-AN) kitchen mixer tap from Leisure Sinks has been designed as an economical way of complying with the latest Building Regulations and the Code for Sustainable Homes. Manufactured from robustly engineered chrome brass, the tap is 175mm high and capable of operating at pressures up to 4.0 bar.
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A new Modern Classic Collection from Mereway Kitchens

* MEREWAY-Restoration.jpgMereway Kitchens is celebrating the very essence of being British with an impressive launch of its new English Revival modern classic collection; a range which features unique iconic furniture pieces, distinctive colour palettes and the very finest in quality British craftsmanship.
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Methven appoints new Group CEO

* David-Banfield.jpgPremium international shower and tapware supplier Methven, has this week announced the appointment of David Banfield as its new Group Chief Executive Officer, effective January 2014.
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Canadian manufacturer celebrates 10th anniversary

Montreal, Canada-based Kastella is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The manufacturer and distributor of high-end contemporary wood furniture has carved out a name in a very competitive sector. Through word of mouth, Kastella has been able to share its passion for wood and highlight its philosophy, which includes ecologically responsible production and customized service to its clientele.
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PWS offers popular Milbourne range in 24-strong colour palette

* Milbourne_damson-almond.jpgThe popular Milbourne Shaker kitchen from PWS is now available in a 24-strong colour palette. Initially launched in alabaster, sage, chalk and almond, the colour choice now extends to a wide range of tones, from new neutrals such as stone and suede through to deeper hues of damson and moleskin.
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How to contact us at The KBzine:
Jan Hobbs
Publishing Editor
Email:[email protected]
Tel: +44 (0)1372 811 307 
Mobile: 07980 288 373

 

 

 

 

John Austen
Publishing Director
Email:[email protected]
Tel: +44 (0)1580 755 863
Mobile: 07766 707 888
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Recent News

Soapbox: What impact are large capacity models having on the washing machine market?

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Steve Macdonald, Trade Marketing Director of Freestanding Division Hoover Candy UK, shares his point of view...
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Ladder Exchange focuses on training; number trained jumps 40%

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Following September's focus on equipment inspection, the 2013 Ladder Exchange has moved into its second month, emphasising the importance of training for ladder users during a record breaking year for ladder training - which has seen the number of users trained, leap 40%.
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Axiom by Formica Group proud to support the Made in Britain campaign

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Formica Group is proud to manufacture its popular and widely-used range of kitchen worktops, splashbacks and upstands at its bonding facility in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham and to this effect, Axiom by Formica Group has announced that from September 2013, all of its marketing literature will incorporate the 'Made in Britain' logo.
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'BIM' impact on contract and kitchen furniture sectors to be explained at industry event

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A Government backed construction industry initiative, set to impact on the contract furniture sector, will be explained at a furniture industry event next month.
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Trustmark welcomes tougher sentencing for rogue traders

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Proposals on tougher sentencing for rogue traders who defraud and bribe the public have been welcomed by TrustMark, the Government endorsed quality mark for reputable tradesmen.
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Major milestone reached by BMA

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During a surprise interlude at this week's Bathroom Business Conference, Nina Hossain, broadcaster and journalist and host for the event, announced to the 180 plus attendees that the award winning Bathroom Manfacturers Association had reached a major milestone in its long and well-respected history. The 100th member brand had been signed up that very morning.
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Housing construction activity increases at fastest pace for almost a decade

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Construction companies ended the third quarter of 2013 with a strong expansion of overall output levels and a further improvement in their new order books. This boosted employment numbers in the sector for the fourth consecutive month and the rate of job creation reached its fastest for just under six years.
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Better Bathrooms announces competition to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2013

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This October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and this year Better Bathrooms has teamed up with Breast Cancer Care to help raise money for this important campaign.
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New website and extra manufacturing capacity for Brayer Design

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Brayer Design has completely redesigned its website (www.billbrayerdesign.co.uk) and expanded its manufacturing capacity.
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