KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
10th March 2017
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 International News
Products More than a kitchen: The new Kyra range from in-toto
Installing sustainability is an education for Geberit apprentices in Poland
Inexpensive 'stone look' floors are easy to install
Traditional glamour yet modern manufacturing: Ideal Standard's new Waverley collection
Methven UK launches new bath shower mixer: thermostatic offering extends Kiri range
New marble-effect quartz for PWS Worksurfaces' Strata brand
Hoover launches supersized 16 place setting dishwasher
Knit wall murals - perfect for that cosy night in when it's cold outside
Belling launches freestanding microwave collection: Five models and two new looks
Ripples franchise appeal to industry-insiders!
2017 saw the doors open on one of Ripples' largest showrooms in Birmingham, based within Cookes Furniture the new showroom is already proving to be a huge hit, with hundreds of visitors heading to the inspiring new showroom in its first month. Introducing the Regent Furniture Range
The new Regent furniture collection is the ideal solution for any bathroom, providing ample storage without compromising on style. Regent has a classic aesthetic with a modular design, playing on the key modular living trend and offering an elegant and flexible solution for all bathrooms. |
I know people say you shouldn't do it as it prevents you from getting off to sleep, but I tend to do it anyway as I find it helps me relax while I'm warming up the bed so when I do shut down, I'm warm and cosy and ready for sleep and can avoid those minutes of shivering a little (which can sometimes drag you right out of sleep mode). Yes - be on the laptop or similar, in bed! If one of the various MasterChef offerings isn't on - which much as I love them, tend to send me to sleep, leaving me to wake up with a start later, with the laptop on my middle - I tend to flick through online newspapers and click through to some obscure articles that I'd never normally read. I do come across some weird stuff and if there is a 'comment' section and the subject matter is of interest, I tend to read those too. This is where the damage can be done because if they're political I can end up feeling cross and wanting to respond. Sometimes though they're incredibly funny, and I end up in fits of loud giggles and probably cost the neighbours their sleep too. Recently, I stumbled across a Daily Mail story about how Prince Charles is suggesting we have two bins in our bathrooms to encourage recycling, since currently only 50% of bathroom material is recycled, compared with 90% of kitchen items. It's not hard to work out why, is it, and I doubt it has much to do with the number of bins we have! Even when my two girls lived at home, a bottle of shampoo or shower gel would last about six months (since we each have our own) and apart from the toilet roll cores there isn't anything recyclable, is there? Most of the commenters (I didn't read all 400) said, that like me, they have tiny bathrooms and simply take spent bottles/cardboard cores down to the kitchen recycling bins when they go, rather than put them into the bathroom bin with all the 'nasties', for sorting later. It got me wondering whether there's a call amongst consumers for proper sanitary bins for private homes, from those who are blessed with larger bathrooms, or indeed whether any manufacturers make a dual bin which enables people to recycle immediately, that I could publicise? Yours,
 This Week's News
Budget relief on business rates welcomed KBSA
Newly appointed chair of the KBSA, Richard Hibbert, said: "It is good to see that the Chancellor has listened to the business community on business rates. The £435 million promised will provide much needed relief in the short-term. "However, the system is still a mess and we look forward to a more thorough reform in due course." T-Levels must match A-Levels, says FMB T-Levels must match A-Levels if we are to ensure that technical education has 'parity of esteem' with the more academic route, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Responding to the Chancellor's Spring Budget Statement, Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB, said: "The Chancellor clearly understands that the UK won't address the productivity challenge unless we rethink our approach to technical and vocational education. T-Levels could be the answer if they genuinely rival A-Levels in the eyes of parents, teachers and young people. British Ceramic Tile talk texture with New Brighton and Luna
A favourite amongst consumers, linear designs continue to be a strong seller for retailers marrying classic good looks with a neutral colour palette. With the addition of subtle surface texture, New Brighton and Luna are well suited to bathroom and kitchen environments and deliver in the style stakes, with each range of ceramic tiles offering its own design appeal. Individual Vehicle Approval for lorries: 'help to get a pass'
This guide tells you how to avoid the top 10 reasons that lorries and other heavy goods vehicles fail the IVA inspection, with clear illustrations on the correct and incorrect way of doing things. "These guides focus on the most common reasons for failure that we see when vehicles are presented for an IVA test," explains Gordon Thomson, head of vehicle testing policy. Blue Atoll - a calming shade from Lustrolite
Lustrolite's glass effect acrylic wall panels are available in nine amazing colours - Arctic, Glacier, Blue Atoll, Rouge, Mocha, Safari, Forest, Titan and Carbon; all of which can be used for both shower and bathroom walls and kitchen splashbacks. TKC achieves Forest Stewardship Council Chain of Custody certification
The FSC sets higher standards than any other forest certification scheme and certification ensures that materials and products have been checked at every stage of processing. 78% of construction workers use their personal smartphone whilst at work The average British worker spends as many as 120 hours per year using their smartphone in the workplace, and those working in construction are among the worst culprits, with more than three quarters (78%) of construction workers admiting to using their smartphones during working hours. Recent research involving 2,012 UK adults carried out by gadgets and technology e-tailer, LaptopsDirect.co.uk, has revealed that 78% of construction workers regularly respond to personal text messages during working hours, and 59% regularly take personal phone calls whilst working. A license to thrill with spectre from HiB
Featuring a unique mirror on mirror design complete with chamfered LED lighting between the mirrors, the new Spectre range is as decorative and sophisticated as it is eye-catching. Its striking style is matched by a design that enables ease of use for the customer, including a clever soft-start touch switch. Moores boosts transport planning with routing and scheduling software
The software solution is helping to optimise the performance of its furniture delivery fleet in line with the growth strategy of the business and to meet the changing supply chain needs of its diverse customer base. Burbidge launches nostalgic colour palette marking its 150th year
Available as a paint finish across its entire kitchen product range, each colour in the palette incorporates the moods, trends and lifestyles of the sixties through to the noughties, to create a beautiful, nostalgic palette for its anniversary decade, the 'tenties'. Worktops leverage Levenshulme housing project
Allen Burns, commercial manager of MCI Developments, comments: "We offered to try the Maxtop Quartz surface because the housing scheme is located close to the Maxtop headquarters. We're always looking at new and innovative products, so wanted to give them a try. Liam Ryan joins Hansgrohe UK as new sales director
This is a new position and is part of Hansgrohe UK's growth and restructuring plan. Liam will be responsible for leading the UK sales organisation and driving sales strategy through all channels to deliver profitable share growth. 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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New point of sale displays for retailers
 Utopia launches new online lead generation tool for retailers
Karonia launches brand new company website
Literature
Häfele launches latest edition of go-to reference guide
Abode introduces new bathroom brochure for 2017
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