KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
13th April 2012
We strongly recommend viewing KBzine full size in your web browser. Click our masthead above to visit our website version.
Please note that you are viewing an archived issue of The KBzine.
|
International News
Products kbb Birmingham exceeded expectations and really delivered A press release issued by the organisers of KBB Birmingham echoes what we've been saying ourselves; that the show was a great success, there was a real air of optimism from exhibitors and visitors alike and those that decided not to support it this year, definitely missed out.
Managing Director Craig Rothwell told us that the stand had been "inundated with new business start-ups, keen to find out as much as possible about the industry and what's available to them to make their businesses as successful as possible." And we thought we were supposed to be hovering on the brink of another recession... |
Welcome to the
The Easter break was a typical one it seems. Far too much chocolate - and the weather changed for the worse (in the UK) improving just in time for the return to work as usual. Oh well, at least the roads are quieter due to the school holidays… Or the high cost of fuel. Take your pick. Whichever it is, it won't last, the children will be back at school next week and we'll no doubt get used to fuel costing around £1.50 a litre (that's a whopping great £6.75 a gallon!) So how does the high cost of fuel affect you? Obviously if it costs you more to get to the customer, you have to charge more, don't you? Or is that too dangerous for business these days? Have the higher fuel costs impacted on the way you work? Or do you just absorb the cost and try and find other ways to increase your income? Are fewer people visiting showrooms and opting to shop online instead? Or are they just not shopping at all? If you have a view on that and would like to share it, do let us know. If you enjoy reading KBZine so do others! If you have company news, stock clearances, distributor or product information, make sure you share it with our readers. Wherever on the globe you’re based yourself, we want to hear from you! Yours,
Jan Hobbs
This Week's News
Announcing the KBSA Designer Awards - 2012 The KBSA has announced details of the new KBSA Designer Awards for 2012, promising that the essence is 'simplicity' to gain the maximum number of entries. There will be five Award categories, namely: * The KBSA Kitchen Designer of the Year - sponsored by Omega From these categories, an overall winner will be chosen to be awarded The KBSA Designer of the Year 2012 - sponsored by V-ZUG.
"Elleci is already the number one sink designer, manufacturer and supplier of designer coloured sinks and taps in Italy, but it's also quickly becoming a market leader across the globe too," Marketing Manager Anthony Roberts told us. Abode launches the new Triana Aquifier filter water tap
The Triana has advanced water filtration technology and by a flick of the wrist, twisting the black ring on the stem of the tap allows clean, pure filtered water to run from a separate part of the spout. No extra handles are required. Hot and cold water are available as normal using the single lever. Easter eggs for children's charity
The eggs are part of a special promotion that Farmiloe runs with luxury bathroom company, Bette. The Children's Trust used the eggs to help with its fundraising during its Easter egg hunt at the Trust's annual Spring Fair at Tadworth Court, Tadworth, Surrey on 7th April. Mike Campbell writes about the opening of Sally UK Shower Equipment's UK Office
The increasing demands of our customers and the ever difficult trading conditions of the global market, and in particular for Sally Zhongshan, the UK market; has meant that simply being a Chinese manufacturer, competing on price alone was not good enough. New Waverley tap from Carron Phoenix gives levers a lift!
Solid chrome paddle levers combine chic styling with an effortless quarter turn action to dispense hot and cold water. The slim cylindrical body and straight spout offers a flexible and timeless design that will suit a wide range of kitchen styles, from traditional to modern. After five years at its headquarters in Canary Wharf, London, The Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installers is moving to new offices east of the capital. "The smart move east marks another milestone for the iKBBI as we expand on much needed space!" says the Institute's Paula Kavanagh. New Formica Unilin collection from IDS offers outstanding design flexibility
The range offers fantastic product flexibility with a huge range of thicknesses including 8, 10, 12, 16, 18, 19, 22, 25 and 28mm in a choice of substrates, furniture, moisture resistant , while fire retardant grades are available in both chipboard and mdf. Inta lobbies on behalf of the Water Label
The MP visited Inta's headquarters in Hixon, Staffordshire, to discuss the issues facing the bathroom industry with the firm's managing director Stuart Gizzi. He spoke about his own experiences of solar thermal heating and his concern about the security of the country's water supply - both immediately and in the future. KitchenAid dishwasher uses Pro-steam technology to clean
The KitchenAid 6050 PRO-steam dishwasher is made of exceptional materials and guarantees excellent cleaning results thanks to its sensor technology, and the Pro-steam programme, which removes stubborn food particles and sanitises the load. This is coupled with the Dynamic Clean option which eliminates the need to pre-rinse dishes, saving the consumer time, as 24 high-powered jets clean even the dirtiest pots and pans. We have Mail from Hannah Barrett Dear Jan, As the FIRA and BFC campaign to raise awareness of the detrimental impact of the existing biomass subsidy continues; Stephen McPartland, MP for Stevenage and Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Furniture Group (APPFG) has written the attached open letter showing his support of the campaign. The biomass subsidy is something which will affect everybody, not just those in the furniture industry. Whirlpool introduces green generation new 6th Sense Colours washing machine
The machine boasts long-lasting colour preservation and the best in fabric care. The patented 6th Sense technology works in concert with Whirlpool's Colours 15 degrees C option, which features dedicated programmes for white, mixed and dark coloured fabrics, making the washing simple and hassle-free whilst offering 50% savings on water, energy and time. 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:
|
REQUEST THE KBZINE HERE The KBzine is broadcast
every Friday. You may receive it FREE each week by
clicking the link above. |
