KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
5th September 2014
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 International News
Products
Shower in classic style with Belgravia
Abode's Estimo... a tap of perfect proportions
UK water saving plumbing products market growing rapidly
 Add a sparkle to your shower with Dynamo
Luxurious Hands and Faces from Ben De Lisi
The ceramic models comprise contemporary washbasins which are designed with functionality in mind. They are available in round, square, flat and rectangular configurations - something for every luxurious bathroom design scheme. Alongside the seven ceramic options, there are four beautiful basins in the Stone collection. Handcrafted from natural stone, these pieces epitomise luxurious bathing. Burger unveils new kitchen styles - available for quick delivery
Competitively priced, Cora and the new Cindy range (pictured) are available as part of the 'Schnell' quick delivery solution within 10 to 15 working days. Franke adds hi-tech entry-level Orion Tectonite sinks to its Pro-Value range
New Space Tower larder kit exclusively from LDL
Create a clutter-free kitchen with Caple's new WMI2003 integrated washing machine
A rated for washing and B rated for spin efficiency and with a 1200rpm spin speed, a maximum sound level of 57dB for washing and 75db for spinning, it features a 15 minutes fast wash plus a wool, delicate and underwear wash and seven further programmes.
T: 0117 938 1900 Whirlpool's funky Max microwaves add real zing!
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Working across both the KBB and the professional cleaning & hygiene industries as I do, I knew it was only a matter of time before someone from one of those sectors made a statement about the EU’s edict on vacuum cleaners, which will prevent us from purchasing the more powerful higher wattage models. Well done to the Bathroom Manufacturers Association’s Yvonne Orgill for being first out of the blocks with her entertaining ‘Soapbox’, below. Being reminded of the ridiculous EU laws on bendy bananas and cucumbers, which then made me think about the unnecessary waste created by the ban on sales of misshapen fruit and then what came to be known as the ‘butter mountain’ while much of the human race is starving, made me very cross and soon had me reaching for the chocolate! I’ve been at a cleaning exhibition this week and the talk amongst manufacturers was of the need some years ago for vacuum cleaners to have been made more efficient rather than more powerful; indeed some confessed that perhaps the ability to increase wattage – and thus power - had made the industry lazy by not forcing designers to create equipment that was less wasteful of energy. I’m looking forward to being able to pay less for the electricity needed to deal with my cat’s hairs in future – although I don’t think it will happen soon. The KBB industry is one that perhaps other manufacturers should study, if they want to learn about cutting waste, for household appliance manufacturers have probably surprised even themselves in the ways they have managed to increase efficiency while cutting both power and water consumption. Everyone involved deserves to be congratulated. And I agree with Yvonne that by acting before the EU creates its laws, we are able to retain a degree of control over what we as consumers either enjoy or endure - and like her I call on manufacturers that haven’t yet embraced the need to reduce water consumption, to do so now. By being proactive, our industry has made a real difference to environmental concerns without consumers having to suffer too much. And as someone with hoards of old style electric lightbulbs, I can prove that I don’t like living with the results of manufacturers ignoring the inevitable!
Yours,
 This Week's News
See Amica at IFA from today until 10th September
Amica's most recent innovations will be on display in Hall 71b, stand 101 on a 50% larger stand and highlights include a brand new concept in home appliance control and monitoring - AmicaIn, an innovative, intelligent and interactive connection for appliances, no matter what the brand, for home or away monitoring and control. Also on the stand will be new induction cooking features, new ovens in new colours with new functions with features such as illuminated door handles along with a new range of cooling innovations. Bendy bananas and hand-pumped vacuum cleaners Yvonne Orgill, of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association, writes... Oh we laughed, didn't we? That was the day, exactly 20 years ago in September 1994, when the EU brought out Regulation (EC) No.2257/94 which laid down quality standards for bananas. Oh such fun! Orion; Sensio's new rechargeable LED under bed light
Enhancing both the functionality and aesthetics of any bedroom, Orion fits seamlessly beneath the bed, illuminating the area, whilst also transforming the bed into a focal point in the room. The discreet fitting can also be positioned inside cabinets, or under cabinets to create a floating effect and illuminate the floor in a kitchen or a bedroom. PWS' sponsored CD raises more than £5,000 for Help For Heroes
Over 500 CDs have already been sold and proceeds from the sales, coupled with money raised from an earlier concert, are to boost an appeal to raise £100,000 for a performing arts centre at Phoenix House, the Help For Heroes Recovery Centre in Catterick, North Yorkshire. Innovation at the lightest of touches with Geberit Sigma70
Making activation of the flush almost effortless for the user, the new Geberit Sigma70 flush plate is the latest innovation in the best-selling Geberit Sigma range, which includes an extensive range of flush plates and the Duofix range of framing systems and concealed cisterns for wall-hung WCs, with 8cm, 12cm and corner options to suit any situation. 1...2...3 giveaways with Magnet Trade this Autumn Magnet Trade, the kitchen & joinery specialist, is rewarding tradespeople this Autumn with its new '123 Rewards' initiative, enabling customers to choose from a range of prizes based on instore spend. Customers spending £3,000, £5,000 and £10,000 throughout September and October are able to choose rewards which increase in line with spend. Prizes for a £3,000 spend include experience days and portable speakers, while 'levelling up' to £5,000 and £10,000 spends, offers rewards including return flights to Europe, LED TVs, Beats Headphones, golf breaks and luxury hotel stays. Smeg collaborates with innovative pop-up 'London in the Sky'
Ladder Exchange looks at safe use with 'Idiots on Ladders contest'
Idiots on Ladders is part of a two-pronged push to help ensure ladder users are safe. While the Ladder Exchange - which lets people trade their old, possibly dodgy ladders for safe new ones at a discount - takes unsafe equipment out of circulation, Idiots on Ladders looks at the role of people using the equipment. Abode invests in apprenticeships
Inclusive bathroom design looks set to grow
Well-designed, accessible concepts are becoming increasingly important as a result of this demographic change. 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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