KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
13th May 2011
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International News
Products Wall-hung sanitaryware that's as fresh as mint
Kitchenaid's new chef touch: the Sous Vide cooking system
Back to black - Carron Phoenix launches chic black ceramic Sapphira sink range
Whirlpool launches new range of washing machines
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Welcome to the Most people would think I'm daft saying I'm looking forward to going to work on Sunday, but when you consider that my work this coming Sunday means a day at KBB London, you might understand. I'm finally going to be able to see first-hand all the wonderful new products I've been learning about over the past few months, whilst meeting friends and colleagues old and new, from this fabulous industry. I'm really excited about it and am looking forward to being inspired! I'm hoping to be able to attend some of the excellent seminars the organisers have lined up too. If you're part of the KBB industry but haven't yet registered to attend this event at Excel London, you can avoid the queues at the doors by doing so now at www.kbb.co.uk/kbb-london John, Alan, Chervana and I will be at the show or in the seminars throughout much of the week, so do come up and say 'hello' if you see us before we see you. Yours,
 Jan Hobbs
This Week's News
Roca acquires the Russian firm Akvaton Roca has announced that it has recently acquired Akvaton, a leading Russian company specialising in bathroom products. This acquisition marks a very important step in Roca's consolidation in this strategically important market, and at the same time strengthening its leadership position worldwide. Akvaton has around a 15% market share of the bathroom market in Russia. The company, which employs 550 people, manufactures sanitaryware and solid surface washbasins in the city of Davidovo, just 100 km east of Moscow. New! Five fantastic fridges and freezers from AEG's Neue Kollektion
AEG has introduced five fantastic cooling products from its Built-in 2011 Neue Kollektion range. An integrated American style effect is one of the most fashionable trends in this year's kitchen, which is why AEG is pleased to introduce five fabulous new built in fridges and freezers that combine state of the art design with cutting-edge technology - such as LongFresh drawers and LCD Touch control, to give you full control over the environment that you store your food! Franke launches celebrity 'experience' in centenary year Celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, Franke has launched a new marketing initiative to drive the company further into the consumer market. To reinforce the transition from trade-driven product supplier to aspirational consumer lifestyle brand, Heidi Klum has been announced as brand ambassador and, as such, will feature in the new worldwide advertising/POS/marketing campaign. A Franke spokesperson explains: "We have chosen Heidi Klum as she encompasses all the qualities associated with Franke today. Not only is she stylish and beautiful, she has featured on the cover of every major fashion magazine in the world and continues to be a leading style icon. Has Esse created the World's cleanest-burning cooker?
Craig Nutter, Esse's Technical Director explains: "Our woodburning 990 cooker has just been tested at an independent European CE lab and everyone here at Esse is delighted with the results: The EU standard for CO emissions is currently 1% maximum, with some member states even asking for less than 0.3%; Our 990 has been assessed at 0.01% CO! Homeowners are warming to underfloor heating The popularity of underfloor heating is on the rise. Discerning homeowners are showing an increased desire for efficiency and comfort and underfloor heating ticks all the boxes. The warmer, drier weather provides the perfect opportunity to get cracking with extensions and DIY projects and so now is the time to consider underfloor heating as an option for installation with new flooring as part of a room make-over, ready for next winter. Liebherr scoops award in world's largest technology competition
The jury is made up of high calibre, internationally renowned designers and design experts who award the 'product design' seal for quality, design and eco-friendliness. Thanks to Liebherr's product innovation, high quality components, storage capacity and design, the SBSes 7165 fridge freezer won the globally recognised award. Polypipe ventilation expands MVHR solution Following the successful launch last year of its Mechanical Extract Ventilation Heat Recovery units, Polypipe Ventilation has expanded its HR range with the addition of high capacity models designed for larger properties. The new Energy Saving Trust Best Practice compliant and SAP Q rated HR02 and HR03 units accommodate up to seven wet rooms and a kitchen and work at up to 640 Pascals of pressure, allowing for very long duct runs. Kitchenaid's new side-by-side oozes class and sophistication
This attractive and capacious fridge freezer oozes class and sophistication in fully clad premium Easy-to-Clean stainless steel. Rich in features, the KRSC 9040 has intelligent sensor technology to control both temperature and humidity and restore the temperature five times faster than a conventional refrigerator. Atag appliances now available in Humphersons concession at Heals
The Tottenham Court Road store features a selection of Atag's premium appliances including the IG9271MBB induction hob with wok burner, the VA9611TT 17-place settings dishwasher and the OX6292F multifunction single oven in the popular Graphite Black finish. In total, there are eight Atag appliances available, installed into beautiful furniture displays by Leicht & Pronorm, in the Humphersons concession. Impressive: this groundbreaking new mirror innovation from HiB
Illuminated mirrors are now a high demand item but fitting them into existing bathrooms and cloakrooms comes with one overriding problem - how to access a power source. Mereway appoints new addition to Kitchens management team
Graham, previously Trade Sales & Marketing Director with Hammonds Furniture, joins Joanne Foster, Commercial Director; one of the original non-family founding Directors of the company, and Sotos Constantinides who was appointed Managing Director after several years as Financial Director, and his successful development as Managing Director of the Mereway Bathrooms business. EQ Software year on year growth continues
Leigh Martin, Managing Director comments: "Since the buy-out we have delivered year on year compound sales growth of more than 25%, despite the set-back of the recession in 2008/9 - and there is no sign that we are looking to slow down any time soon. 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 Proskills Awards 2011 now open for entries. www.proskills.co.uk
Ultra stylish enki sleek glass splashbacks and coordinating upstands are now available from all 16 branches of Tile Depot. www.thetiledepot.co.uk
www.bathrooms.com is launching a new range of innovative and modern bathroom products in collaboration with Italian designers Meneghello Paolelli Associati.
Luxury London showroom Urban Interior has added Villeroy & Boch's elegant 'My Nature' bathroom collection to its portfolio. E: [email protected]
Offering classic Shaker styling with a contemporary twist, new Hartford Ivory from Four Seasons by Moores comes with a 25-year guarantee. T: 01937 862557 How to contact us at The KBzine:
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OFT's market study into extended warranties is now underway The OFT's short market study into extended warranties for domestic electrical goods, which will focus on whether competition for warranties is sufficiently effective to ensure consumers get value for money in a market worth well over £750million, is now underway. The results will be published later this Summer. UK manufacturer offers outsourced customer care solution
Bradbury's has immediate success with Stoneham One of the West County's best established kitchen retailers, Bradbury's, based in Exeter, has become an appointed Stoneham distributor and enjoyed almost immediate success with an important order. HMRC turns up the heat on plumbing industry About 50,000 plumbers, gas fitters and heating engineers will start receiving letters this month from HM Revenue & Customs,alerting them to the chance to take advantage of a special time-limited tax plan to put right any gaps that might exist in their tax affairs. Black Country timber firm wins new business in the Middle East
Builder jailed for putting profit before safety A Bradford builder has been jailed for trying to cut costs by doing his own gas and electric installation in a granny flat he was building. Identity and Passport Service warns: Don't rubbish your passport! More than 10,000 people a year accidentally throw their passports out with the rubbish, according to new figures released today by the UK's Identity and Passport Service. Plumber survives fall through roof in second similar accident at site A Warrington plumber has been able to return to work despite landing on his neck when he fell through a fragile ceiling tile, close to where a colleague had fallen previously but had managed to excape injury. KitchenAid appoints sole UK distributor
Small firms' recruitment plans in jeopardy, finds new research The likelihood of small businesses creating jobs to drive economic growth is in jeopardy because fewer believe they will be able to employ new staff in the year ahead, a new survey suggests. Retailers should advise browsers it 'mite' be time to change mattress!
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