KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
25th July 2014
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 International News
Products British Ceramic Tile enhances its portfolio with a stunning new capsule collection of Mosaics
Roman upgrades to ultimate 3D interactive CAD design software for retailers
Britton Bathrooms makes life easier
Wall-hung sanitaryware "to grow six fold in the next two years"
Good design and ingenuity are increasingly sought in the UK bathroom market and designers and consumers are now turning to solutions that have long been commonplace in European countries such as Germany and Austria.  A fine heritage: from the kitchen to the sink
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I often carry information about workplace health & safety but rarely do I feature anything about that essential part of just about any business – driving. Those that have to drive as part of their job, whether as someone physically working on a contract who drives from job to job, delivery driver, the fitter that may have to unexpectedly find their way to the local plumbers merchant to replace a broken part, a maintenance technician or field salesperson and the like – each of them has an important part to play. Those of us that drive no doubt do our best to do so without endangering ourselves, other road users or members of the public but as an employer, how much attention do you pay to making sure that your team members that spend time on the road on your behalf do so safely? Do you keep a check on them and make sure they’re aware of the dangers and taking sufficient breaks while on the road, or is it a case of ‘out of sight, out of mind’? Writing as someone who many years ago was reprimanded by my then managing director for having taken the decision not to drive from the South East to somewhere ‘up North’ in torrential rain when the windscreen wipers of my company car had stopped working, I wonder whether it could be the latter… Remember, you have a duty of care to all your employees, whether they’re under your roof throughout the working day or not. An item further down the page warns of the need for drivers to be aware of the blind spots, which contribute to thousands of accidents – some fatal - globally each year. Technology is available that provides drivers with a better view of what’s going on around them, but if that’s going to break the budget, the very least you can do is draw attention to safe driving behaviour and assure your employees that sensible driving is more important than, say, fitting more appointments or miles into the day than can safely be managed, or perhaps, an extra few £s worth of commission in the pay packet.
Yours,
 This Week's News
KBSA members grow in confidence
One out of three members also indicated that they would be increasing headcount during 2014 as the recovery gathers pace. REC JobsOutlook: Jobs boom at risk from growing skills shortages UK employers are twice as confident about the economy as they were this time last year and many intend to take on more staff in coming months. But this jobs boom could be at risk from growing skills shortages, according to July's JobsOutlook survey from the Recruitment & Employment Confederation), released yesterday. Elegant new Athena from Just Taps Plus offers so many options
Wall mounted fillers have become increasingly popular and this range includes designs for use with both baths and surface mounted vessel basins. The controls and spout are mounted on to a back plate that makes fitting easier. KBSA announces Designer Awards shortlists
The KBSA Designer of the Year, sponsored by Omega, will be chosen from the finalists. Judge Renee Mascari, owner of Mascari Design Solutions and CEO of the kbbNTG, says: “There was an amazing amount of real talent on display in this year’s entries, and those who made the shortlists can be rightly proud of their skills and expertise.” Blind spot awareness training is crucial, warns IOSH The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health is urging businesses to educate their fleet managers and at-work drivers about the risks of failing to check blind spots before carrying out a manoeuvre. "It's vital that companies ensure their workers are fully aware of their responsibilities to act in a safe and shrewd manner every time they get behind the wheel," warns IOSH senior policy & technical adviser Phil Bates.
During 2013, the Group began selling its ranges of built-in and freestanding appliances in new markets such as Belarus, France, Greece and Cyprus. Max-Top set to revolutionise UK kitchen worktops
With a patented interior honeycomb structure meaning surfaces are lightweight and provide the appearance and strength of solid quartz, the product has none of the drawbacks of traditional solid stone, offers 100% moisture protection and comes with a 25 year guarantee. A very modern brassware range, steeped in 160 years of history
Similor AG, manufacturer of Laufen brand brassware, has a history that dates back to 1846 - a time when few Swiss homes had running water, let alone a bathroom. It was in that year that Henri Jean Charles Kugler opened a small foundry to produce brass products, oil and petroleum lamps, before officially establishing the Kugler company eight years later, in 1854. Soapbox: Wall-hung sanitaryware offers perfect solution to bathroom condensation, says Abacus
One reason for these problems is due to condensation on toilet cisterns and water pipes. This is particularly prevalent in cold weather when the water entering the cistern is at a much lower temperature than the bathroom which often has a warm, moist atmosphere due to showering and bathing. Gorenje appliances make ethical best buy
How to go from toddler to teenager in online marketing
Creating a full website may not always be right for every business, but maximising social media and review sites really goes a long way in building online awareness. A business with an effective online presence is far more likely to get customers through the door. Abode donates showers and brassware to The Foundation of Goodness
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