KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
21st September 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 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
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
|
An article in my local paper got me thinking about how much the sales side of the industry has changed over the years. The Epsom Guardian drew my attention to the story by showing an image that was captioned: 'Simplicity itself: a little loo'.
The publication reports that Bourne Hall museum, just down the road from me, houses quite a collection of historical artefacts that aren't on display - including a porcelain loo complete with the beginnings of a wastepipe, measuring just five inches tall by two inches wide. A miniature of the Victorian 'Simplicitas' lavatory bowl manufactured in the 1920s by the renowned sanitaryware engineer, Doulton, it - and others like it - were handed out by travelling salesmen as samples prior to the advent of glossy advertising brochures and magazines (and of course the wondrous Internet!) to show potential customers just how the full-sized item would look and feel. Nowadays of course, it would be impossible to demonstrate the attributes of most of the KBB items being sold by leaving miniature versions with potential customers. They're far too clever! I've held many a listener enthralled by my description of a loo which is programmed with the individual family members' preferences when it comes to seat temperature, direction/ type/temperature of spray that washes the user and temperature/velocity of air that dries them afterwards. Oh - and there's the choice of music too - all pre-programmed in and selected via a button on the remote control. And then of course there are the dishwashers that leave your crockery sparkling on just six litres of water (having used the previous load's rinsewater for the pre-wash), fridges that tell you when your food's about to go off, ovens that do away with the headache of turning out a perfectly cooked joint of beef by calculating cooking times and temperatures for you and microwaves that glow a particular colour and play a certain tune depending upon the function being used... Indeed times have changed and manufacturers keep coming up with new technology; turning out products with features we'd never have thought possible even a few years ago. How on earth the salespeople manage to keep up-to-date with it all I just don't know! Yours,
This Week's News
Lower costs of buying, rather than renting a home, impacts positively on the industry New figures released this week* show that it is now £130 a month cheaper to buy a property than rent, putting home ownership within reach of millions looking to get on the property ladder. For those who can save a deposit, the extra money freed up by paying a mortgage rather than paying rent, makes purchasing home improvement items a lot easier - and the industry is already seeing a difference. Yvonne Orgill, of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association, writes: Our industry, bathrooms and kitchens, is going through a massive upheaval. We all know that. Changing routes to market, the influence of the internet, price comparison sites, decline in the high street, consumer confidence, stiffer competition... The list seems endless.  KBSA recognises excellence at awards ceremony
 KBSA AGM National Meeting and Awards a great success
iKBBI announces leading industry brand name as new corporate member Highly respected for introducing Corian to the UK, Britain's original solid surface distributor CD (UK) has become a corporate member of the iKBBI. The Basis of a beautiful kitchen
Reflecting the trend for the return of colour to the kitchen, the sleek, smooth sinks are available in Polar White, Coffee or Onyx. Cooking up a storm in kitchen tap designs from Pegler Yorkshire
Ellis Furniture introduces minimo push-to-open technology
Bushboard opens new showroom & training centre at Wellingborough head office & factory
British Ceramic Tile ride to success for Cancer Research UK
Illegal gas fitter put lives in danger in Rochdale A Rochdale man has been sentenced after he put lives at risk by illegally carrying out gas work at three homes in the borough. Paul Gregory was prosecuted by the Health & Safety Executive after he left a newly installed gas hob in a condition classified as 'immediately dangerous' at one house on Holmes Street in Rochdale. Dust Control UK unveils new training programme to combat silica
Autumn promotion from Hepplewhite Fitted bedroom furniture company Hepplewhite is offering its best-performing dealers the chance to win some fantastic new technology as a sales incentive this Autumn. For every £1000 worth of orders received at Hepplewhite during the promotional period of 22nd September to 30th November 2012, retailers will receive a virtual ticket. BMA takes on marathon running shopaholic
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. Recent News
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
People
Crosswater hires independent consultant as part of key expansion plans
|
Of course, as an ex-Council Member of the British Toilet Association and someone who's guest judged the Loo of the Year Awards, this was one story I couldn't resist!
