KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
11th January 2013
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International News
Products
New innovative extractor hoods from Blanco by Gutmann are show stoppers
Show-stopping cooker hoods are increasingly in demand, featuring the ever-developing technology in this area. All Blanco by Gutmann hoods are handcrafted to the highest standards and all offer the highest levels of air movement and a host of innovative but practical features.  The bathroom cabinet - much more than storage
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. European Bathrooms agrees to settlement from Qualitex Supplies
Handles for handleless kitchens
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
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Currently suffering what appears to be my second relapse into the flu which started several days before we broadcast our last issue of KBzine before Christmas, I've had plenty of time to lie around over the break, reflect on things I never generally have time to think about and watch rubbishy TV programmes. Unusually my New Year's Eve was spent alone, shivering and wrapped in blankets on the sofa, which meant that throughout the day I saw a number of news bulletins showing the different countries welcome in 2013 with incredible firework displays - even, for the first time, North Korea. Now I may sound rather Scrooge-like here but having become bored with London's offering at least five minutes before the end - spectacular as it all was - I started wondering what all the homeless people watching from sleeping bags in doorways, or cardboard boxes in London's parks, would be thinking as they looked up into the night's sky. Then I thought about the homeless throughout the world, and those who are sick but can't afford essential medicines, and those who are hungry or thirsty, or without sanitation, and wondered what they thought of it all. If just half of what was spent on all the fireworks globally could have gone to good causes instead, just think what a difference it would have made to these people's lives! Reading the item (below): ‘The state of water 2013’, brings home the fact that despite all the flooding experienced last year in the UK, Continental Europe, the US and beyond – water is still very scarce in some parts of the world and it’s going to become scarcer. We have to get to grips with conserving it while making sure it’s available to all those that need it. 
I wish there was a way of persuading the various spendthrift governments to consider what’s really important in everyone’s lives and donate half of what they waste to something like WaterAid instead… Comments of your own? Email us, or post on our FaceBook page. Yours,
 This Week's News
Biggest idiot on a ladder crowned by Ladder Association after public vote
After three months of picture submissions and voting, the UK Ladder Association's global 'Idiots on Ladders' campaign has discovered the biggest 'ladder idiot'. 'Training for everyone' says The Furniture Ombudsman A new training programme, provided by The Furniture Ombudsman (TFO), is set to be launched at the Interiors Show in January. The existing courses have been refreshed and prices have been lowered to help make training accessible to everyone in the furniture and home improvement industry. LDL introduces online promotion
Can't see the wood for the trees? On 3rd March 2013, a new EU Timber Regulation, which will affect the entire furniture supply chain, comes into force. The EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) was initiated due to increasing concerns over unsustainable forest management practices and illegal logging. Studies have suggested that approximately 20% of timber and timber products, entering the European market, originate from an illegal source.* A retailer opportunity to receive a free display thermostatic valve!
The promotion runs through to the end of March, 2013 and is detailed in a promotional flyer through a number of Abode's distributor partners. Manufacturers queue up to join the restructured BMA A great start to the New Year reports the Keele-based BMA, with manufacturers and media queuing up to join the recently restructured association. "We are all really pleased with our start to 2013," enthuses Yvonne Orgill, the Bathroom Manufacturers Association Chief Executive. "After a very solid 2012 with sustained development and growth we have got off to a great start this year with five new members joining the BMA, which we have just restructured to become a Company Limited by Guarantee." Imperial Bathrooms unveils stunning new range of floor tiles
In 2003, the General Accounting Office in the United States issued a report warning that the US was entering a new era of water scarcity. The report projected that by 2013 at least 36 states could face water shortages. However, the report was incorrect. By 2008, five years earlier than projected, at least 36 states were already dealing with periodic, if not chronic, water shortages with California, New Mexico, and Arizona at the top of the list. Rearo expands top selling Selkie Range into the kitchen for 2013
EEF Environment Consultant appointed as UK expert on the guidance for ISO14001
F & P Wholesale appoints new marketing & development director
Whirlpool right on trend for the Spring with its new Max microwave colours
Electrolux to be European brand partner of Taste Food Festivals
Disused street lanterns turned into new furniture with Hi-Macs seat
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:
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clicking the link above. Recent News
Lewisham merchant has a 'Year of Beer' on Inta
KBSA welcomes more new members
Burbidge kitchens expands business by taking on the Woodfit brand UK kitchen frontals and accessories manufacturer Burbidge, has announced that it has taken on the name and product range of Woodfit - a distributor of hardware components for the furniture industry - after the business went into administration. 
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. ArtiCAD celebrates 20 years in KBB industry with 20 year old clients
Fagor Spoutnik microwave showcased on Channel 5's 'All New Gadget Show'
Belling puts independents on the road
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. People
Abode expands marketing expertise
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