KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
3rd December 2010
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International News
Products CRL Shower Door Hardware and Accessories
The Hydroslide system accommodates the option of floor to near ceiling glass panels with a sliding door. Bottom fixed glass attachments and handles can be ordered separately. Chamber Furniture - ingenious, sleek hidden cooking areas
Night Black laminate slate from Faus
Croydex taps into the beauty of wood
Why relaxing in a VitrA bath is also peace of mind
Fabulous fusion worktops and eyecatching ceramics from Mereway Bathrooms
New Fusion composite worktops boast a high quality construction and are more consistent in colour and texture than granite. Made from a special blend of polyester and acrylic non-porous surface resins, these surfaces are highly durable, heat resistant and extremely hygienic. Stuart Turner updates Pump Solutions brochure
Get the Regency feel from British Ceramic Tile
New self-builder's/renovator's contract pack could save £ thousands
Self-Build Zone has teamed up with ContractStore.com and construction lawyer Giles Dixon to produce a suite of contract templates specifically for self-builders and renovators for just £49 + VAT. Painted palette perfection for English Revival
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Welcome to the
There I was last week mumping on about not having any snow and suddenly the UK finds itself completely covered in the stuff! Pretty as it might look, the downside of our snowy landscape is that it has brought UK plc to a virtual standstill... And the cost to the UK economy is said to be some £1.2billion for each day it continues! People whinge that the UK needs to get its act together and ensure that roads, airports and rail links are kept functioning at times like this but the news from continental Europe - much of which is used to coping with such weather conditions - is that many of its roads and railway lines are also closed, either because of snow, ice and extremely low temperatures, or thanks to heavy flooding. Perhaps we're not quite as badly prepared here as we try and make out. Those of us who work from home face little disruption as long as the utilities suppliers don't let us down - although many industry colleagues I've tried to contact for news etc, clearly haven't made it to their desks. Other self-employed people from our industry who will be suffering are the tradespeople who either won't be able to get to wherever they're supposed to be working this week, or who cannot continue with their work as they're awaiting the delivery of parts, appliances or entire kitchens, bedrooms or bathrooms. And of course while everything will eventually be delivered once the transport situation has improved, production of many of these items will have been disrupted due to staff shortages, which means that either there will be delays in supply in the future or the manufacturers will be forced to pay overtime to encourage the workforce to help them meet deadlines! As weather conditions show no sign of improving and indeed some parts of the UK had another 15 inches of the white stuff dropped on them overnight, employers and employees alike need to be aware of their responsibilities. Some useful information on these, provided by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, is just one of the interesting items in this week's news.  Jan Hobbs
This Week's News
Damixa brassware showroom unveiled at Croydex HQ
The brand new space showcases Damixa's stunning collection of kitchen and bathroom brassware, allowing each collection to shine in its own defined area for maximum impact and visual clarity in the company's 200-square-metres of showroom space. Employers need to be flexible during adverse weather conditions, says CIPD
With up to 20cm of additional snow forecast in parts of the UK today and the immediate weather outlook offering little respite, employers across the country are increasingly having to cope with a reduced workforce as staff struggle to get to work. The Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development's (CIPD) employee relations adviser, Mike Emmott, advises employers to be flexible with employees during bouts of adverse weather: "Employers are entitled not to pay employees if they fail to show up for work, but the CIPD would not recommend that employers take this line. It's important to show empathy with employees - particularly those that normally perform well - as research shows that this flexibility and trust will pay off in the long-term, with employees more motivated and going the extra mile when they are able to get to work. Carron Phoenix and Westag agree exclusive deal
Westag complements Carron's existing network of distributors and will offer nationwide availability on Carron's complete range of undermount sinks pre-fabricated and supplied in Westag's solid surface module worktops. KitchenAid's Hero gas on glass hob packs a punch
The 90 cm KHGL 9010 gas hob packs a formidable punch with five powerful burners that include a central triple-crown wok burner boasting a powerful 4kW. Marks & Spencer supplier Yonga is first non-EU FISP member
The Furniture Industry Research Association has announced that Turkish furniture manufacturer, Yonga Mobilya, is the first non-EU based manufacturer to become a full member of The Furniture Industry Sustainability Programme, and the first from the Marks & Spencer supply chain. Full membership was granted in August this year and the membership certificate was presented to Yonga's factory manager, Gokhan Sertdemir, by Lord Hoyle of Warrington at FIRA's recent reception at the House of Lords. Yonga was founded in 1974 by Turkish guest workers in Germany; today the company, based in Turkey, employs 230 people and is an exclusive supplier to Marks & Spencer. Franke helps Cambridge Cookery School
Franke has provided a range of products - Kubus KBX sink, Peak PKX sink, Eiger SilkSteel and Ticino SilkSteel taps. Franke products have been supplied through retailer Cambridge Kitchens which has worked with the Cambridge Cookery School for over two years; the company has also custom-built the kitchen for the school. Greystone welcomes WorldSkills Tiling Squad
Four students from across the UK have been at the Limavady Campus centre to undertake a challenging contest, which will see them one step closer to securing a place on the squad. Among the contenders is the College's own tiling champion, Ian McMahon, who holds triple gold medals from NI Skillbuild and a bronze medal from the UK-wide competition.
Dear Jan, I am just writing to inform you that I will be leaving Hettich at the end of December 2010 after a very happy seven years. My new position at EQ Software (formerly Easyquote), is to head the marketing and supplier development business. I would like to thank you for all the support for Hettich shown in the last few years and I am leaving a very successful company, firmly established as a leading furniture fittings supplier in the UK. No doubt I will be in touch some time during January 2011. Kind regards, Neil Schofield, Marketing- Products- Training Soapbox: How will the property sector fare over the coming months? Matrix's real estate research team shares its predictions for the future of the UK property market, which in turn will influence the KBB industry Everyone is in agreement that the next year is going to be tough for the UK economy; but how will the property sector fare? In theory, low interest rates should help, and on a relative basis, property looks an attractive asset class. However, until confidence returns and there is evidence of widespread rental growth, valuations are unlikely to move anywhere quickly. Laminate flooring firm sentenced over worker's injuries
Christopher Sillitoe now has difficulty dressing himself and using a knife and fork, after his hand came into contact with a large circular saw at Universal Mouldings' site in Aintree in 2009. Nine-month figures for 2010: Grohe reports strong growth
In the first nine months of 2010, Grohe has posted further strong growth in terms of both sales and earnings. At the end of Q3, consolidated sales were up 20% on the prior-year figure at EUR 726 million. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation increased 37% to EUR 144 million and this margin remained unchanged against the first-half figure at 20%. 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 Interior design company Keech Green, has appointed Bathrooms International as the exclusive bathroom retailer, selector and supplier for its products. E: [email protected] Tile Depot has introduced a selection of designer products from the Laura Ashley Home collection. E: [email protected] As Atag's new UK Product Manager, Neil Joubert, who has worked in the international marketplace for five years, will provide customers with technical and logistics support. T: 0208 247 3993 Sabaf, Italian manufacturer of components for domestic appliances, has been awarded 'Creators of value - Metal and mechanical and general use machinery sector', by China Awards 2010. T: +39 030 6843001 Upofloor has been awarded the right to use the Blue Angel Eco-Label, highly regarded by the building industry, for four of its LifeLine flooring products. E: [email protected] Register now for your free ticket to Ecobuild which takes place at London's ExCeL from 1st through 3rd March 2011. E: [email protected]
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