KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
10th January 2014
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  International News
Products Renolit new solid colours: modern colours in trend setting textured surfaces
British Ceramic Tile extends its HD collection
Galaxy Showers refreshes its product range to meet customer demand
New countertop basins from Bauhaus are beautifully crafted
 Luna cabinets offer a flexible bathroom storage solution
Abode splashes out in John Lewis
PWS injects new colour palette to Metris collection
Coram introduces shower tray collection for new Premier Range
Save time and money with Space-Plug
New Elite mirrored doors and side panels from Simpsons Enclosures offer discreet showering
Modern Homes wins KBSA Small Business Saturday promotion
Tina is a worthy winner as not only did she share details of the event she is running in the showroom on Saturday with the KBSA but her business was also profiled on the Small Business Saturday Facebook page www.facebook.com, which has 8,409 likes! Astracast appoints Louise Craven to position of National Account Manager
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After all the excitement of the holiday period, getting back into the work groove can be a little difficult and many people confess to feeling somewhat miserable at this time of year. Not us though… with kbb Birmingham less than two months away, it’s a bit like anticipating the joys of Christmas all over again! Well over 200 brands will be represented at the event (which is less than two months away) and we understand that more companies are signing up as the weeks go by – many of them new to kbb Birmingham. Our coverage of this eagerly-anticipated event kicks off this week as a rolling preview and will eventually become a ‘live’ report from the show, so if you’d like to be included, do please send in your press information for consideration. And if you’d like to get a bit more of a flavour of the show now, visit: www.kbb.co.uk
Yours,
This Week's News
£8 million technology boost for UK high streets A brand new, £8m initiative, designed to re-invigorate UK high streets, has been announced by Science & Universities Minister, David Willetts, today.
The initiative, a funding competition run by the UK's innovation agency, the Technology Strategy Board, will allow businesses to compete for funding awards, in order to trial innovative ways of addressing the challenges facing UK high streets. The competition is seeking innovative technology solutions to boost the high streets by exploring new approaches to retailing/services, logistics and travel and traffic. Last chance to apply for £150,000 high street challenge prize Towns and city centres have until Friday 31st January to apply for the Revive & Thrive Challenge which aims to bring people and businesses together to breathe new life into their high street. The Revive & Thrive Challenge will provide a package of prizes to the winning town or city to help residents bring their high street ideas to life. Entrants must suggest a way of connecting the different elements of their high street so that it engages residents and businesses throughout the year. The Challenge winner will work with a team of retail, branding and street cleaning experts to bring the project to life. Bathroom Sale Award Winners: doing the industry proud!
Production resumes as FagorBrandt reopens all French factories FagorBrandt (France) has announced that all French production sites have reopened. This follows the announcement on November 8th that FagorBrandt (France) had legally separated its activities from Fagor Electrodomesticos (Spain).
Richard Walker, sales & marketing director of De Dietrich Kitchen Appliances says:
One of the newest and most exciting appliances includes the stunning Electrolux InfinitePure EHD8740FOK Induction Hob (pictured here), which creates a centrepiece for any kitchen. The hob's sleek black rectangle is retained until the hob is turned on - that's when the intuitive rotary sliders appear. With functions including Stop and Go, Booster and Grill, this intelligent induction hob provides a really professional cooking experience. Kitchen Bathroom Buying Group announces latest recruits
"It is our mission to support the independent kitchen, and ultimately the bathroom specialist, by offering members the best buying terms, in an effort to create a strong and independent channel," explains Bill Miller, managing director of KBBG. Vibrant Vessini - for the perfect bathroom
Industry experts to brief on impact of new EU Regulations on common refrigerants Refrigerants used in millions of air conditioning and refrigeration systems across the UK and Europe are to be subject to strict new EU regulations. Those that are not up to date with the changes, might well benefit from a visit to the ACR Show 2014, which takes place at the NEC, from 11 to 13 February, 2014. At the show, industry experts will brief visitors on the changes and their practical consequences in a series of free seminars. The revision of the F-Gas Regulation, formally proposed by the European Union in late December 2013, will result in a phase-down of commonly-used HFC refrigerants with a High Global Warming Potential (GWP). Julia Bunney promoted to UK Sales Director at Poggenpohl UK
Julia has a long history in the kitchen industry and joined Poggenpohl as the Dealership Manager in November 2010. In this role, Julia was responsible for all stores selling Poggenpohl; in her new role, she will still hold responsibility for these stores but with further support. The countdown to kbb Birmingham 2014 begins… More than 200 premier brands will be setting up home at the NEC Birmingham, from 2nd – 5th March, to show off their wares at the industry’s eagerly-anticipated event - kbb Birmingham 2014.
The show’s organiser, UBM Live Built Environment, promises that a multitude of key brands from the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom arena will be joining a whole host of well-established international, component and appliance companies such as Laufen, Blum, Sensio and British Ceramic Tiles – and that the line up will include many familiar favourites, plus new brands to the show, such as Samat, Terrence Ball Kitchens and RotPunkt Kitchens. There will also be a packed seminar programme, which is being sponsored by Formica. KBB Preview: Franke puts retailers centre stage at KBB 2014 with its More in Store campaign
More in Store is the big business message on the Franke stand at KBB, where the company is re-affirming its support for its specialist showroom retailers with a major campaign initiative, together with a strong new product line-up. The More in Store campaign was launched on January 1st offering retailers an extensive range of exclusive display and promotional benefits scheduled throughout 2014 to help them generate sales and enhance their margins. It will be on full display and the entire Franke team on hand to discuss it in more detail. KBB Preview: Bushboard showcases its progressive approach to worksurfaces at KBB 2014
Bushboard's approach to KBB will be to showcase brand new and existing products across its Encore solid surface, Omega and Prima laminate, and M-Stone quartz worksurface brands, as well as its strong commitment to retailers with installer training, POS and 360 customer service. Focusing on its expertise in installer-ready composite worksurfaces, the popular Encore solid surface range gets a design update with seven sensational new effects, including luxurious marbles and four new glass-based effects that elevate this range to a new design level. 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
The Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association tells us that, having analysed the results of its recent research project, it is going to work towards repositioning itself in order to develop consumer interest and awareness. This will include new messaging and a new value proposition for both consumers and current / potential members. Pivotal role for Laufen's customisable solid surface material in futuristic bathroom design
Latest Bathroom Retailers Market Report just published The latest report on the UK Bathroom Retailers Market has now been published. Celebrate the 12 Daves of Christmas with Utopia You can never have too many Daves - we know that's true because at Utopia they have got 12 of them! This unusual fact has prompted the team to celebrate its Daves and Christmas together with its new festive Facebook campaign, 'The 12 Daves of Christmas'. Don't deflate the van tyres for winter Van users are being advised not to follow outdated advice on winter driving. Steve Clarke says: "There is a long-held view that reducing tyre pressures will increase grip on awkward surfaces. This might be all right for driving over desert sand, but it is certainly not safe for winter driving." As marketing manager for The Fuelcard People, part of Fuel Card Group, he has been working with van users for years and knows the challenges they face. Marketing
Franke launches 'More in Store' campaign supporting independent specialist retailers More in Store is the major new campaign being launched by Franke on January 1st and continues Franke's strategy to directly support its independent specialist retailers.
The campaign follows on from the recent introduction of new sales and distribution policies designed to uphold the values of the Franke brand and protect retailers from unregulated internet trading by 'market free-riders.' |
