KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
28th March 2013
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International News
Products Whirlpool named one of Fortune's World's most admired companies for third time The Whirlpool Corporation has been recognised as one of Fortune Magazine's World's Most Admired Companies in the Home Equipment, Furnishings industry sector. The company finished first in this sector for the third year in a row.
Millions won't be celebrating World Water Day Half of humans lack safe drinking water, while competition for water from agriculture and industry could put more people at risk in years to come, says a Portuguese lawyer who is the United Nations' independent advocate for the right to water. Catarina de Albuquerque, speaking ahead of World Water Day earlier today, said the official UN figure - 800 million - doesn't provide a full picture of water poverty, estimating that some 3.5 billion people lack a safe supply. Make valuable space in the kitchen with InSinkErator
One-for-all from Britton Bathrooms
Fresh new finish for Cucina Colore
What should we do about plastic waste? New Green Paper opens EU-wide reflection Plastic has become an unavoidable material in our modern world. Plastics are versatile and durable, but this durability can make disposal problematic. A Green Paper published yesterday by the European Commission aims to launch a structured discussion about how to make plastic products more sustainable throughout their life cycle and reduce the impact of plastic waste on the environment. Electrolux EKC607601 freestanding cooker: Professional features, designer looks
Multi-function mirrors with HiB
Seven new designs added to Aqua-Step waterproof laminate flooring range
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If you're wondering why KBzine has landed in your inbox today, it's because tomorrow is Good Friday and with any luck you won't be at your desk, so we thought we'd send it a day early. It's hard to believe that Spring officially started last week, with the weather the way it is - and far from causing us to jump out of our beds on Sunday morning, full of the joys of the new season, the clocks going back on Saturday/Sunday will this year see the lucky ones amongst us pull the duvets more tightly around our necks and try to get some more sleep! Over the long Easter weekend, we traditionally undertake DIY tasks and get to grips with overgrown gardens. Despite not having seen any snow to speak of this year, my garden in Epsom will be a 'no go' area because it's so darned cold outside. I think the same can be safely said for just about everywhere in the UK so that leaves DIY. I know sales have suffered for everyone in recent years and we could all do with a boost. Generally a bit of warmth and sunshine creates a ‘feelgood factor’ which makes people want to go out and spend money. In the absence of any warmth and sunshine, let’s hope that the prolonged Winter we’ve had to endure will have forced householders to contemplate their tired old kitchens, appliances, bathrooms and bedrooms and decide that it’s time for an update. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that you manage to fill your order books over the weekend… Happy Easter!
Yours,
This Week's News
Let local people build their own homes, says think tank First time buyers and pensioners looking to downsize will be able to benefit from a radically new proposal that allows local people to buy their own plot of land and design their own custom built home. A new report by Policy Exchange says that councils which fail to hit their own housing targets should have to release land to local people who want to design their own homes. In 2012, construction began on just 100,000 homes.
On Monday evening 25 March 2013 at the kbbreview Awards in London, Yvonne collected the Special Achievement Award. This award is given to those individuals who have made an 'outstanding contribution to the kitchen & bathroom industry'. The award specifically mentioned the development of the Water Label, a scheme that is now being rolled out across 27 European countries. British Ceramic Tile responds to budget's Climate Change Levy exemptions Responding to the announcement in the Chancellor's 2013 budget that the ceramic and steel industries will be exempt from the climate change levy from 2014, Chief Executive Tony Taylor from British Ceramic Tile said: "We warmly welcome the budget announcement made last week-this is fantastic news for the ceramic industry here in the UK. British-based manufacturers have been faced with continuously rising energy costs in what is an extremely tough economic climate. This exemption has been used in many other EU member states and in effect this moves the UK to a zero % rate for Climate Change Levy in exchange for companies continuing to meet their challenging Climate Change Agreement targets. Sense the difference with Britannia: All-new range cooker collection revealed
Environment Agency calls for better management of construction spills A new construction industry report has been published by the Environment Agency in partnership with the British Safety Industry Federation on construction spills, guidance on how to prevent spills and who should take responsibility - the contractor or developer. It is available today by registering on the BSIF website here Brand new sink range from Franke has the Midas touch
New Peka Basik range available from LDL
Betta Living splashes out and starts selling bathrooms
Safety failures at Granite Exress, Croydon, led to worker's injury A South London businessman and his company have been prosecuted for safety breaches after a worker narrowly escaped being crushed by a collapsing load of stone slabs. The two-tonne set of 10 slabs fell from the side of a lorry as workmen were trying to unload them at a workshop owned by Granite Express in Beddington Lane, Croydon, last year. Diverting water between bath and shower made easy
It pays to be premium with Burbidge Following the successful trial of its Premium Partner scheme, Burbidge, the UK kitchen frontals and accessories manufacturer, is now set to launch the programme to the marketplace. The trial scheme has been operating throughout the UK via a small number of retailers and as a result of its continuing success, Burbidge now plans to roll out the programme across its entire network of retailers. 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
Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association CEO Graham Ball has welcomed this week’s budget as one that will help KBB retailers and encourage small businesses to invest.  KBSA announces new design award
Portway customers 'enjoy it twice a week'!
 Atlanta Bathrooms launches 'Trade Space', a new 'connecting' service Atlanta bathrooms is launching Trade Space; a free and innovative new service which connects the installer with the homeowner. De Dietrich appliances chosen for new cookery school at Wellbeing Farm
'Talk to your tradesman' app puts spring into home improvements Springtime is the traditional season for home improvements, but if the seasonal urge to tend to our nests is not enough, two thirds of British first-time homeowners admit to be further motivated by the secret embarrassment at the state of their home when friends and family pop over to visit. National Self Build week launches The first ever National Self Build Week will take place in early May 2013 with a wide-ranging programme of events planned to help millions of Britons turn their self build dreams into a reality. FIRA first as bathroom manufacturer receives inaugural award Aquadi by Symphony is continuing to lead the way in the bathroom furniture market, by becoming the first bathroom furniture supplier to be awarded the FIRA Gold Product Certification. Decline in retail floorspace hits town centres harder than out of town Research undertaken by leading retail property trade body - the British Council of Shopping Centres, in partnership with Geofutures, shows that retail space in UK town centres is declining almost 20% faster than retail space outside town centres. A pilot undertaken in the South West has shown that town centre retail space contracted by 12% between 2005 and 2010. Over the same period the quantum of retail space outside town centres increased by almost 6%. Marketing
Display & training opportunities abound for retailers with Bushboard's M-Stone quartz range
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