KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
12th June 2015
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 International News
Products Alno AG completes the next step of its repositioning Last Saturday, Alno AG took the next step in its repositioning and sold its subsidiary Impuls Kuchen GmbH (Brilon) to Steinhoff Furniture Holding GmbH (Austria). The change of ownership is scheduled to take place at the end of June 2015, subject to antitrust approval. Choose Arctic White for uber-cool kitchens and bathrooms
Lustrolite acrylic panels can be used for shower walls, bath panels, splashbacks - anywhere you lust after a stunning surface. Other fashionable colours in the range are Glacier, Blue Atoll, Rouge, Mocha, Safari, Forest, Titan and Carbon; they come in seven sizes. Prices start from £127.20. Blanco offers new kitchen storage solutions
The Select range is now being expanded to include four new models including the Blanco Select XL 60/3 Orga, which has three individual buckets and a convenient organiser drawer. Wall cabinets - Blum covers all options
The wide design of wall cabinets has been driven by market trends and is increasing year on year. The Aventos lift stay system is unmatched in terms of ease of use due to various features, and now covers all types and sizes of wall unit.
The Chao basin mixer creates a designer-style statement to any bathroom with its sweeping body design and single lever control for effortless single handed control and can be easily teamed with both conventional basins, as a deck mounted tap installation option, as well as at the side with deck mounted basins. A long-term contract from Leisure Sinks
There are five models available (LC42, LC105, LN105, LC106 and LN106), each made from 18/10 stainless steel. All sinks have two 31mm tap holes suitable for pillar or deck mixer taps, as well as a satin bowl and bright drainer. Plus, all Contract sinks boast a 10-year warranty. Cape Cod brings a touch of nature into the bathroom
With his new Cape Cod bathroom range, the French designer has reinvented the bathroom, removing the barriers between nature and the indoors. Nature becomes a permanent part of the bathroom, a place for rejuvenation and refreshment with aesthetically appealing materials and forms.
"Consumers are seeking stylish, technologically advanced gadgets in every area of their lives," comments Stuart Benson, national sales manager for Gorenje UK. British Ceramic Tile collaborates with Ted Baker to launch no ordinary designer tile range
A fashion forward selection of wall and floor tiles, the range blends British Ceramic Tile's unique manufacturing heritage with Ted's eye for detail and appreciation for a tile with style. Grohe launches complete cubic brassware range
Included is the Grohtherm Cube thermostat, which features precision-engineered Turbostat technology to deliver a safe and enjoyable showering experience. Gaia's Devimat: the perfect finishing touch for wet rooms
Not only does UFH create a warm, comfortable surface to walk on, it is also a more efficient way to heat a room than traditional wall-hung radiators. 'Devine' handpainted pantry with custom made, dark oak interiors
The pantry includes beautifully crafted custom made dark oak interiors with multiple dovetailed drawers, while both cupboard doors are fitted out with extensive walnut racks for storing spices and herbs. New voluntary label offered by European Water Label, includes energy saving and technical icons
Exquisite finishing touches from Belle Epoque Arcade
Each piece is handcrafted with the brand's hardwearing nickel finish, and for the ceramic pieces each is made of the finest china. Sygma launches collection of fully stainless steel Metro tiles, inspired by Paris Metro
Introducing the newest addition to Jetstone's Ceramic collection: Emperador Grigio
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I’ve recently returned from an overseas exhibition, during which I chatted to the man whose responsibility it is to oversee his company’s stand build-ups and breakdowns, as well as the loading of the equipment into a trailer for transportation to another exhibition in another city or country, where he meets it to oversee the unloading and check that everything is still intact. To say he looked exhausted is an understatement! John Austen and I regularly chat to the sales staff who man such stands and most admit that the different cities – however exciting they might be to the rest of us – seem to blur into one another. They confess that the thought of a day’s sightseeing, when they are permanently tired, isn’t one they relish. Other industry colleagues who have to travel a lot for work agree that while it may seem glamorous to anyone on the outside, the reality of ‘living out of a suitcase’ is actually quite different. A press release that arrived this week which revealed that business travellers have a tendency to add extra ‘personal’ days onto their trips so they can combine business with pleasure without the extra costs, and that many will attempt to stay in a better hotel than they would for personal trips, didn’t surprise me as much as the authors perhaps thought it would in terms of the concept, although it did in terms of ‘where on earth do they find the energy to enjoy a day or two’s holiday after a week at a show?’. And while the report doesn’t mention first class train travel, I can’t help feeling that few of us – with the extortionate costs involved – will pay for an upgrade out of our own pockets so we can avail ourselves of the added luxury of first class travel on our nation’s railways. I hope managers won’t start cracking down on what many may see as a valid return for nights spent away from home. Speaking as someone who knows how tiring business travel can be, I’d venture that it’s a fully justified and earned add-on. And if it’s not cost the company any extra money, what’s the harm in it? Yours,
 This Week's News
KBSA announces support for Watchdog investigations
The standards operated by KBSA independent specialists should be the minimum acceptable level across the industry to ensure consumers do not get 'ripped off' with unprofessional and incomplete quotes, shoddy workmanship, poor customer relations and non-existent after sales support, which seem to be so prevalent in some of today's sellers. Business travellers routinely add days to work trips for personal travel Four out of every 10 business travellers add extra days onto trips so they can enjoy personal travel without incurring the extra cost, new research has revealed. Streamlined and elegant: the latest swan neck taps from Rangemaster
The models were designed to complement the company's existing range, allowing consumers to choose a tap that suits their personal tastes and requirements. The recent additions include the Mini Pro, Belfast Monobloc, Vertex, Parma, Bari Single Lever Pull Out Spray, plus an expansion of the Aquatrend family. National installation opportunities available now!
iKBBI business development manager Lisa Dines said: "We are working with a number of retailers who are looking to actively recruit the self-employed services of professional installers right now. There are immediate vacancies in most parts of the UK and these retailers are keen to talk to experienced installers about the opportunities available." Amica launches new marketing suite
Simon Freear, country manager for the UK and Ireland explains: "The UK market is looking incredibly positive, and our experience is showing us that kitchen and built-in retailers are finally looking outside the old brands for something interesting and different. We've unveiled new products that reinforce considering us as a better alternative to brands that are being sold unselectively on the Internet.
In his role as Area Sales Manager, Rob will be covering the South East and South West of England territories to support and develop existing retailers as well as increase Abode's presence of both modern and traditional designs of kitchen sinks and taps as well as bathroom brassware and showers. Amica Home Appliances supports first open water swim event in Oxford
The 4Km Lock to Lock event on September 6th is the first of three river swims launched by local Oxford triathletes and businessmen Bob Gibson and Darrin Roles. New sales director for Portway
Karonia introduces Mistral Connect
In the five years since its launch at KBB 2010, retailers up and down the UK have enthusiastically embraced the Mistral concept and now Karonia wants to engage further with the retailer network. Electrolux Group launches 'Simple Switch' campaign for new Premier Partners
The Electrolux Group's Premier Partner Programme has been exclusively designed to support the needs of its independent kitchen studio businesses. Franke makes new Tree of Life for Ashgate Hospicecare
Franke is the local manufacturing company that produces high quality washroom and catering equipment in both stainless steel and other granite-type materials. Sensational Summer offers from Barwood Specialist supplier of products for inclusive bathrooms, Barwood Products, is running a price promotion on popular items in its range including the all-new, WRAS approved Avenida comfort height WC suite with soft close seat. 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. News in Brief Shhhh... Whirlpool's unveiling the ‘quietest washing machine ever’ later this month … Pure Bathroom Collection’s new Fusion Poco furniture employs design tactics to create the illusion of space – T: 0845 634 4321 … We’re loving the industrial feel of Davenport’s new W9 kitchen range! - T: 0845 468 0025 … Worktop specialist Max-Top has unveiled social media pages at www.facebook.com/MaxTopQuartz and twitter.com/maxtopquartz How to contact us at The KBzine:
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Space and light: key trends for 2015 Modern British living is about embracing space and light, reveals new research commissioned by Direct Line Home Insurance, which identifies the latest building and renovation trends. Researchers surveyed builders and tradesmen directly, to understand the latest trends in property works and redesign to identify the changing face of Britons' homes.  KBB NTG launches series of industry learning guides
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Another exciting kitchen tap brochure from Abode
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