KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
14th December 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 Croydex goes global with Shanghai store opening
Expo Build China 2013 - gateway to China's building & decoration market
British Ceramic Tile supports UK's biggest skills and careers event, The Skills Show
New Elite - chromed enclosures from Simpsons are now available
Prisma brings new perspective for Mereway Kitchens
Geberit Monolith - new colourway, same innovative method of converting to wall-hung
New Fervour bath/shower mixer from Abode
Hoover Candy backs up latest research on consumers' energy efficiency views Backing up the latest research on the purchasing power of consumers, Hoover Candy is reporting a surge in customers who say energy efficiency is crucial when it comes to buying kitchen appliances. The Mintel Washers and Dryers Report 2012, published earlier this year, highlights an influx in the number of buyers concerned with the energy ratings of appliances, with 74% now saying an appliance with an energy rating of A+ is essential. This research strongly correlates with the experience Steve Macdonald, trade marketing director of Hoover Candy, has had of the market over the last 12 months. Ellis Furniture expands bathroom range
The modern Cube range has also now been married with the character and warmth of real timber in the form of Dominica American Walnut (pictured) featuring a solid timber frame and veneered centre panel. With a wide selection of unit sizes and combinations available - including base units, tall cabinets, countertop units and wall units - it is possible to create an individual look in any size and shape of bathroom. Kitchen trends for 2013 veer towards splashes of bold colour and textures
Northern European regions the most innovative, reveals new study Northern European regions are in the lead when it comes to innovation in Europe, reports EurActiv. But there is a considerable diversity in regional innovation performance - not only across European countries, but also within the member states, according to the newly published European Commission's Regional Innovation Scoreboard 2012. Unsurprisingly, the most innovative regions come from the most innovative countries in Europe. |
Further to last week's leader, in which I extolled the virtues of great customer service, I must recommend the staff a B&Q Leatherhead (and B&Q everywhere, from my experience) for their bend-over-backward helpfulness when I called in last week to buy loft insulation. They didn't make me feel stupid at my inability to work out how much I needed but instead appeared impressed by the product knowledge I'd gained via the Internet and they backed my choice, which filled me with confidence. They made sure I had everything I needed before offering to take my purchases out to the car. See - I said happy customers will recommend stores and products and here I am sharing my good experiences with almost 8,500 KBzine readers! Sadly I can't do the same for the surveyors employed by SIG to determine my needs for the Government's offer of free loft and cavity wall insulation... Having ascertained that my home was suitable, the installation was booked in. As agreed, I emptied my attic - no mean feat I have to say - and cleared the furniture, fixtures and fittings from one wall of my sunroom (which is an exterior wall of the house). I also dragged all my many enormous, heavy shrub pots to the other side of the patio, so the installers had a clear working area. When the installers arrived, I learned that my attic did not qualify for the scheme as more than a third has been converted and that I wouldn't have been able to return my belongings to it for storage anyway (as discussed with the surveyors) without first raising the joists, as the insulation is too thick for the loftboards to go back down. Then I learned that the cavity wall insulation couldn't go ahead, as despite the surveyors having said that the installers could put their ladders on a bridging system to access the area above the sunroom, scaffolding was needed instead. So, a lot of time and effort for nothing and one very unhappy customer (well - not even a customer as it turned out) who doesn't have nice things to say about the company...
Comments of your own? Email us, or post on our FaceBook page. Yours,
This Week's News
Commercial tile trends for 2013 Thousands of people across the country will stand in their kitchen this month, possibly cooking a Christmas feast for their family, and they will resolve to upgrade their kitchen as part of a New Year's resolution. Home improvements are a very popular resolution for many people to make, and with the kitchen one of the most frequently used rooms in any home, it's important for it to be both stylish and functional. This guide examines the trends which are taking over the kitchen world right now, and are set to be huge in 2013. The 'revamp'...
Made from genuine pewter in the UK exclusively for Hafele, this understated, robust and classic collection has been designed to maximise versatility through mixing and matching of handles. Hafele chose Pewter as the material for its debut range of branded hardware because of the inherent benefits to the customer.  Soapbox: Census lessons for bathroom industry Yvonne Orgill, Chief Executive of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association, writes... The latest report from the 2011 Census makes fascinating reading and gives the bathroom industry food for thought.
The Office for National Statistics released its second set of findings from the 2011 census for England and Wales and amongst the raft of information (including the utterly useless fact that people still like Star Wars enough to put their religion down as "Jedi") the change in the population and its living arrangements may help bathroom manufacturers with their portfolio planning. ArtiCAD celebrates 20 years in KBB industry with 20 year old clients
European Bathrooms agrees to settlement from Qualitex Supplies
Fagor Spoutnik microwave showcased on Channel 5's 'All New Gadget Show'
Handles for handleless kitchens
The Furniture Ombudsman releases new Annual Review The Furniture Ombudsman, the Stevenage-based organisation which helps to raise standards and specialises in providing Alternative Dispute Resolution solutions for consumers and retailers in the furniture and home improvement industry, has published its annual review for 2012. Bigger hoods for wider hobs -Slender 900 is a hit with contract market
Very keenly priced, the Slender 900 follows the formula for successful contract kitchens: great design on a budget. The model offers a versatile chimney style design, good levels of extraction performance and is made from top quality stainless steel. There are three speed settings, an efficient metal cassette filter and a 28w halogen bulb illuminates the cooking area. In common with the other two cooker hoods in the range - the Slender 600 chimney and the Unity integrated option - it comes with a two year parts and labour guarantee. Quirky vintage style with PWS' rubberwood
Over 18 metres of rubberwood were specified for the countertops of this unique servery. The light timber creates a distinctive contrast to the brightly coloured oil cans and the overall look is quirky and fun and very much suits the 50s-themed cafe. Belling puts independents on the road
Popular cooking appliance brand Belling, launched its Dream Wheels competition in April, as part of its year of Centenary celebrations, offering Euronics members and retailers buying Belling products through kitchen specialist distributors, the chance to win one of two commercial vehicles. Property maintenance chief urges us to plan ahead for non-emergency refurbishments While tracking the number of shopping days until Christmas, people also should track the number of remodelling days until the relatives arrive, says the managing director of one of the UK's largest property management firms. Pegler Yorkshire goes social to increase global brand awareness
Roman receives praise for its waste management initiatives
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
 Zero Waste Scotland and Tigh Grian to develop 'Resource Efficient House' A partnership between Zero Waste Scotland and Tigh Grian will see the design, build and eventually de-construction of an affordable family home which showcases the principles of resource efficiency and aims to change the future of homebuilding in Scotland.  KBSA retailers offer vital protection in volatile market The collapse of Comet is yet another stark reminder that the High Street remains a volatile place and that consumers should take all necessary precautions when making a major home purchase... so says the national trade association for the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom industry, the Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association. People
Abode expands marketing expertise
Marketing
Ellis Furniture launches industry leading iPad App
|
I gather that these surveyors (and others like them for different companies and industries) are generally paid on the leads they provide, so they take little care over whether the work can actually go ahead. If you're involved in the installation side of the KBB industry, is this something you encounter too? If you have a story to share I can promise complete confidentiality...
