KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
14th September 2012
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International News
Products
Selected to enhance and complement any piece of furniture, each handle has been individually chosen to add drama to the furniture. This avant-garde category includes Heritage, French, New Victorian, Oriental or Art Deco selections. Renolit reveals two modern abstract designs
Pictured here is the new Renolit Covaren Cobra - a fantasy design which picks up on the current trend towards irregular stripes and geometric patterns KitchenAid's Twelix oven is ideal for the passionate gourmet
Small is affordably beautiful - Mini from Roca
New law seeks to limit dumping of e-waste At least 85% of electrical and electronic waste generated in the European Union will have to be recycled by 2020 under new rules that took effect on Monday. Bathing with a view: Kaldewei equips private luxury residences of 5-star hotel
Eye-catching Epos makes stunning statement in stylish kitchens
Aqua 6 brings true elegance to the mid-range market
Hettich's Magic range puts interiors in the right light
NKBA awards outstanding kitchen & bath design students and colleges The US National Kitchen & Bath Association recently recognised kitchen and bath design students with the 2012 NKBA Outstanding Student Awards, while also presenting three NKBA-accredited colleges with the 2011 Excellence in Education Awards. The NKBA announced these prestigious honours during the Educators' Forum at the NKBA's 2012 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show in Chicago. LDL adds to Kitchen Essentials range
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Writing this from my daughter's student house and in the process of helping her move into her new place, it occurs to me just how many student rooms/houses I've helped her and her sister vacate over the past few years. And how many kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms I've given that final clean before the girls hand the keys back to the owner, (so I can be sure that everything's perfect and the deposit comes back intact). Well, when you're not familiar with a room, it's easy to see bits that have been missed in the cleaning process, isn't it? Some houses are very easy to clean and the fittings and appliances seem to have been designed and installed with careful thought regarding the need to keep them looking good. Others seem to have been designed and installed in a way that makes life difficult, with so many awkward ridges and hard-to-reach nooks and crannies that I find myself tutting with exasperation. I'd love to know what percentage of your R & D budgets - whether you're involved in designing bathrooms, kitchens, appliances or furniture for the home - is spent on the cleanability of your products. And of course it's not just about the money. I'd also be interested in finding out what sort of tests are carried out and by whom, to see whether what you're selling is still going to be looking good in years to come. Please do let me know - and I'd be happy for your answers to remain 'off the record' if you'd prefer.
Yours,
This Week's News
BCSC calls on Cameron to seize the initiative In an open letter to the Prime Minister earlier this week, the UK's leading retail property trade body, BCSC (British Council of Shopping Centres) has challenged Government to take yet more concerted action to facilitate investment on the nation's high streets. The day navel gazing stops... and inspiration begins The way we buy bathrooms has changed forever and this year's Bathroom Conference on 9th October is dedicated to examining the new ways of shopping which the internet has provided for us. Ten inspirational speakers from the world of retailing, e-commerce, branding, consumer research and finance will give us their views on how the KBB industry is keeping up with the Retail Revolution. They will give us new insights and encourage us to 'look outside the box.  Consumer advertising campaign for Karonia
 Get ahead of the curve with Franke by John Swain, Product Manager for Franke UK
Innostor Plus - new storage solutions from ECF
Renolit reveals another new modern abstract design
Pictured here is the new Renolit Covaren Moulins; a design reminiscent of a concrete structure with a subtle two colour square print. Given its very subtle printed design, the finish can also be used as a pseudo solid colour. Ellis Furniture unveils Cambourne kitchen range
One drawer, one box - a new level of convenience from Hettich
Changes across the board at the KBSA
The Kitchen Sink Co. now sole distributor for Lansdowne kitchen sinks and taps
Inta gets OEM sales expert out on the road
Record-breaking swimmer to brave the unknown on Catalina challenge
The company's National Account Manager Adam Walker won't be kicking back on the sand when he heads to the Sunshine Coast, as he will be attempting to conquer one of the world's toughest swims, The Catalina Channel. Merchant signs up for flexible fixing solution from Croydex
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The Government has published legislation which will enable it to guarantee up to £40 billion of investment in infrastructure, and up to £10 billion in new homes. The Infrastructure (Financial Assistance) Bill gives statutory backing to the UK Guarantees programme announced in July and the housing guarantee schemes also announced last week.  Coventry based Showerlux UK ceased trading from its Coventry base in Sibree Road on 23rd August 2012 with 16 staff being made redundant.  Sensio approved as a corporate KBSA member Sensio is delighted that it is now a corporate member of the Kitchen Bathroom and Bedroom Specialists Association. As a leading lighting manufacturer, Sensio has joined the organisation with a goal of providing help and support to all kitchen retail KBSA members. British Ceramic Tile's Elite stone collection makes its TV debut on Channel 5
David is revved up for week-long fundraiser on the continent
BMA uses its unique position to pave the way for new industry agreement A recent meeting of the main players in the bathroom industry, organised by the award-winning Bathroom Manufacturers Association, has broken new ground in establishing a framework for process improvement for product certification. Joiner on community service after illegal installation causes expensive explosion A self-employed joiner has been sentenced to 300 hours of community service after a gas cooker he illegally installed exploded, severely injuring two householders and causing more than £580,000 worth of damage to four properties. People
Crosswater hires independent consultant as part of key expansion plans
Marketing
Roman Project 252 surpasses expectation
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