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.
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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.
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Has Esse created the World's cleanest-burning cooker?

Esse's 990 range cooker has achieved some outstanding results during a recent CE test, where the inspector described the wood-burning cooker as the cleanest burning appliance he's ever tested.
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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.
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Kitchenaid's new side-by-side oozes class and sophistication

American-style side-by-side fridge freezers undeniably have the 'wow' factor in abundance, and premium manufacturer KitchenAid has produced a first class offering in its new KRSC 9040 model with Pro Aesthetic design.
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Impressive: this groundbreaking new mirror innovation from HiB

HiB has introduced a major solution for illuminated bathroom mirrors - three new LED designs powered by a long-life rechargeable battery pack.
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Wall-hung sanitaryware that's as fresh as mint

Geberit has introduced a new mint finish to its award-winning Monolith sanitary module for wall-hung WCs, taking the colour options for this bathroom innovation to three.
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Kitchenaid's new chef touch: the Sous Vide cooking system

Premium manufacturer KitchenAid has launched the Chef Touch, a new Sous Vide cooking system that brings the top quality cooking of the world's finest restaurants to the domestic kitchen.
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Inspirational Izumi

Ever a pioneer in kitchen design and technology, Uber Furniture has launched the stunning Izumi collection of gloss kitchens in three ranges - Nero (black), Orchid (white) and Creme (cream). Designed to be trendsetting, the doors are state-of-the-art in terms of materials and design yet do not hit the budget as hard as some.
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Back to black - Carron Phoenix launches chic black ceramic Sapphira sink range

There's nothing quite cuts it for style the way black does and Carron Phoenix is responding to the trend for colour and texture in the kitchen with the brand new Sapphira range of ceramic sinks in a rich and glamorous shade of black. Sapphira will be launched on June 1st along with a host of new sink and tap styles as part of the company's product update programme for 2011.
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Whirlpool launches new range of washing machines

Whirlpool's powerful portfolio of home laundry appliances is being further strengthened by the launch of the new range of washing machines. Whilst featuring a similar specification and style characteristics to the company's high end machines, the new range will be positioned mid-range and highly competitive, appealing to a wider audience.
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FIRA spurs Biomass Subsidies debate

The Furniture Industry Research Association recently hosted a Biomass Summit at its Stevenage-based head office.

The event brought together key industry leaders to discuss how government subsidies encouraging power companies to burn wood are distorting the market for new timber, and forcing up prices for the manufacturing of furniture products.
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Franke wins Red Dot Design Award

Franke has won the Red Dot Design award for the new Centinox sink which has been launched to celebrate Franke's centenary.

The Centinox encompasses elegance, style and precision engineering; it is a 'slim-top' sink which gives the appearance of a fashionable undermount model.

Winners of the Red Dot Award achieve international quality status, the privilege of displaying the red dot logo on all product-related marketing material and the opportunity to have the winning product displayed in the Red Dot museum in Essen, Germany.

The four-week exhibition entitled 'Design on stage' will be open after the awards ceremony on 4th July 2011.

T: +44 (0)161 436 6280
F: +44 (0)161 436 2180
E: [email protected]
W: www.franke.co.uk

Electrolux raises the bar in sustainability reporting

Electrolux products with the best environmental performance accounted for 22% of total sold units and 35% of Electrolux gross profit in 2010. Sales of Green Range products, which have the best energy and water efficiency, have been progressing steadily since their roll-out in 2008. These are some of the findings in Electrolux 2010 sustainability performance review, Sustainability matters, where the Group presents its strategy and progress on integrating sustainability into the business.
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The fantastic five! Quality comes as standard with Leisure

Five stainless steel sinks from Leisure have been awarded the BSI Kitemark in recognition of their high quality manufacture and finish.

Audited to the highest manufacturing standards and quality management systems, the Kitemark collection highlights Leisure Sinks' commitment to producing top quality, well-made sinks. All BSI Kitemark sinks, including models from the Linear, Lexin and Contract ranges, are manufactured from high grade 18/10 grade steel which ensures a robust, rigid frame that won't bend or flex under pressure.
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Classic styling for a modern era

Offering classic styling with a contemporary twist, Hartford Ivory from Four Seasons by Moores has a truly timeless appeal making it the ideal kitchen choice for any style of home.

Beautiful to look at and practical to live in, Hartford Ivory features Shaker styling which simply never goes out of fashion, combined with authentic touches which give the kitchen its timeless elegance.
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Building trades workers invited to get asbestos aware

Workers in building trades in the Humber region are being given the chance to learn how to recognise and deal with one of their industry's biggest killers - asbestos.

A series of training courses is being offered by the South Yorkshire & Humber Working Well Together Group - a partnership between key players in the construction sector and allied trades, plus the Health & Safety Executive. Courses are aimed mainly at small and medium businesses and welcome everyone from joiners and painters to plumbers and general builders.
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Bespoke storage solution - semi-circular island base unit has integrated recycle bin and knife rack

Figura - renowned designer of kitchens and other fitted/unfitted furniture for the home, has created a clever storage solution in this English oak and hand painted kitchen.

Giles Slater, Managing Director, has designed a clever semi-circular island end base unit with large full round end grain maple chopping block. The cupboard features a clever housing for a vegetable peelings bin that can be removed and taken to the compost in the garden and a beautifully curved knife rack. They are attached to the inside of each door respectively. There is further space below for additional chopping boards. Ideally it should be positioned between the range/hob and sink area and when closed becomes a very attractive feature unit that is uniquely functional.
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Amica introduces OptiGas

Popular Polish brand, Amica, tells us it is delighted to have set a new standard with the introduction of OptiGas - the innovative gas burning system it has developed, which optimises gas usage by increasing heating efficiency and lowering gas consumption by as much as 12%.

All of Amica's 50cm and 60cm freestanding cookers with gas hobs are now equipped with the OptiGas system, with burners designed for direct and precise contact between the crown of the flames and the bottom of a pan, heating the pan and not the room - burning and wasting less gas while cooking is unaffected.
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Tiles and tiling documents made available for architects

The Tile Association now has an area on its website dedicated to Architects which enables UK architects that have registered with the TTA to download technical documentation free of charge.

All TTA technical documents are written by the technical committee which includes technical experts from across the industry. Where relevant to the publication, the committee works closely with trade associations and technical experts from associated industries.
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Utopia strengthens sales team

Utopia Bathroom Group has further strengthened its house build sales team with the appointment of two new area sales managers. Alan Hudson, previously Business Development Manager for Waxman Ceramics, joins as Contracts Sales Manager for North East England and Steve Gascoine, who was also with Waxman Ceramics and latterly Stonecrest Marble, becomes Contracts Sales Manager for the South of England.

To further improve Utopia's presence in the house build market, there have also been several changes to the existing sales team. Alex Patterson will now take responsibility for all retail and house build sales in Scotland and Ireland with Darren Wilgar continuing to report to him.
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Whirlpool's new Max 35 microwave awarded Which? Best Buy

Whirlpool's MAX 35 microwave oven gains an online Which? Best Buy award. The freestanding microwave, with its original round-back, minimises use of worktop space and includes a steam function too.

Which? commented: "The Best Buy MAX 35 works really fast and does an excellent job of reheating food so meals are moist and appetising. It cooked a great jacket potato and both the manual and automatic defrost functions worked brilliantly.
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PJH duo take the ride of their lives in India for charity

Two PJH Group board directors swapped their business suits for biking leathers in an endurance motorcycle charity challenge organised by Enduro India, to raise money for four important charities.

Covering a gruelling 2,000 kilometres over 10 days in Southern India, riding from dawn till dusk on 350cc Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycles, Andrew Yates (CEO, PJH Group and Globe Union Europe) and Steve Johnstone (Sales & Marketing Director, Globe Union) raised more than £8,000 for the four charities; Rainbow Trust Children's Charity; Save the Children, Centre for Wildlife Studies and Adventure Ashram.
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Maytag combines top quality and technology in powerful new washer

'What's inside matters' is the carefully considered slogan of which Maytag is proud. It reflects the consistently excellent design and performance of the company's products, which combine time-honoured craftsmanship with the finest technology.

Continuing in this long tradition is the new MWA 09149 WH freestanding washing machine benefits from Maytag's IntelliSense technology. IntelliSense saves up to 50% on energy and water compared to conventional models, measuring the load exactly and then adjusting the amount of water, energy and time to precisely the right level. The minimising of resource consumption does not compromise the outstanding wash results.
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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.
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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.
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Liebherr scoops award in world's largest technology competition

Refrigeration expert, Liebherr, has successfully scooped one of the most widely acclaimed international red dot design awards in product design, for the new SBSes 7165 side-by-side fridge freezer.
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