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KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-newssince 2002
3rd May 2013

 

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Please note that you are viewing an archived issue of The KBzine.


International News
Products

The death of an industry: late payment is killing specialist contracting businesses

Barry Ashmore, construction industry veteran and founder of StreetwiseSubbie.com, was invited to an evidence session in Parliament this week to speak to a cross party group of MPs regarding the state of the construction industry owing to late payments and unfair payment terms.
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The Showering Collection by Glass has expanded

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At ISH 2013, Italian well-being producer Glass Idromassaggio launched three exciting new shower enclosures; Lula, Dado and Life, and expanded two of its best sellers, Fluida and Slinta 2.0, to increase its already extensive Showering collection.
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Bespoke bedrooms from established manufacturer

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The natural tones of this bespoke bedroom from Hartleys Bedrooms' Milan range, bring a simple fresh appeal.
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Storage solutions for modern bathrooms

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Storage has become a must in bathrooms and manufacturers are meeting the demand with functional and attractive products.
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Match 1950's-inspired retro pastel switched sockets and light switches to your decor!

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It's time to replace those grubby plain white plastic plug sockets and light switches with these stunning new metal retro styles made by Varilight!
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Highly desirable: the luxurious Fresssh Diamond collection from F & P Wholesale

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Set to become one of the most desirable bathroom ranges available in the UK, the Fresssh Diamond Collection from F & P Wholesale is the perfect collection to meet the increased demand to provide luxurious bathroom solutions.
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Franke adds three new tap designs to its popular Minerva boiling water tap offer

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Reflecting the growing popularity and demand for boiling water taps as the 'It Gadget ' for the kitchen, Franke has added a stylish trio of new designs to its Minerva tap range.
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New Sinos sink range from Franke is ahead of the curve

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Positioned at the top-end of Franke's extensive sink offer, the new Sinos sink range marks a departure from linear styling and responds strongly to the design trend for softer, flowing lines.
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Coram Showers advances its portfolio with new Premier range

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Coram Showers tells us it is proud to announce that its already established and celebrated Premier range has undergone a complete makeover and upgrade and is available now!
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Reframing modern bathroom design with Lardo by Pelipal

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It is said that the essence of great design is for function to merge effortlessly with aesthetic. This is exactly what the new Lardo collection from renowned German manufacturer Pelipal does so well... A strong robust design with solid statement vertical lines in which beautiful reproduction wood grain sits perfectly with coordinated fronts in high gloss and neutral tones.
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A new hero: Whirlpool's ADG 8410 FD built-in dishwasher

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The new Whirlpool ADG 8410 FD built-in dishwasher is the hero of the company's latest collection and with much justification... Super quiet, super energy and water efficient and with all the space you need. The sophisticated ADG 8410 FD offers the very best of Whirlpool's advanced technology along with great design and practicality. The capacious model has 13 place settings, 10 programmes and a low water consumption of just 10 litres.
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Steel expands its collection with compact combi-steam range cooker

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Steel, renowned throughout Europe for its quality and beautifully designed professional kitchen appliances, has expanded its combi-steam range cooker collection with the introduction of a 70 cm compact appliance.
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Welcome to the

KBzine

I don’t have time to watch TV but one thing I make a point of seeing (generally on the netbook in the middle of the night when I can’t sleep!) is Masterchef. Consequently I’m still at the semi-final stages so haven’t yet seen the episode that may have sparked the viewers’ complaints about “sweat dripping into sauces” and “hair being stirred into the lamb tagine”.

Manufacturers go to such great lengths to ensure that we’re able to have (if we can afford it!) the very best technology in our kitchens… appliances that are beautiful to look at, efficient and functional, which are now designed to use less energy and thus save us money and which are also either treated with an antibacterial coating or made in a way to facilitate easy cleaning.

The fact that those who make it to the final stages of Masterchef are allegedly dripping sweat and dropping hair all over them seems almost sacrilegious, doesn’t it? They’re clearly so wrapped up in impressing the judges that they probably don’t stop to think about how lucky they are to be using some of the best equipment money can buy.

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Yours,

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Jan Hobbs

 


This Week's News

EEF and ENER-G launch hunt for Britain's greenest manufacturers

The hunt is on once again for Britain's most efficient and sustainable manufacturers. EEF, the manufacturers' organisation, and ENER-G have launched the Environment award category as part of the fifth annual Future Manufacturing Awards with companies eligible to win two prestigious awards at regional and national level.
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The new colours of Croydex

* Croydex-coloured-Steel-cabinets.jpgResponding to the use of colour as a trend in the bathroom, Croydex has introduced two new shades to its already popular range of fashion colourway accessories, bringing the collection bang up to date for 2013.
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'Greenness' - a way to prove your products' claims!

The European Commission has proposed EU-wide methods for companies to measure and communicate their 'greenness' and the environmental footprint of their products. The voluntary scheme, called Building the Single Market for Green Products, will make use of the EU Joint Research Centre's controversial 'lifecycle assessment' method (LCA) for calculating the environmental performance of a product.
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AEG shortlisted for Which? Awards 2013

Consumer champion Which? has included AEG in the shortlist for the 'Best Home Appliance Brand' category for this year's awards.

The annual Which? Awards publicly recognise businesses that have achieved positive change and deliver excellent products and services that score highly in Which? testing.
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Eco-friendly comfort from ClearGreen

Environ-eco-bath.jpgEco-friendly credentials and comfort-focused design combine in baths from ClearGreen. The range, another in the Bathroom Brands portfolio, includes contemporary freestanding designs, shower baths and single and double ended baths.
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Mark Wilkinson - Ambassador for Helen Arkell Centre

* Mark-Wilkinson_Beatrice.jpgAt the annual graduation ceremony, furniture designer Mark Wilkinson OBE became the first Ambassador for the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre. Mark shares profound dyslexia with the charity's newly designated patron Princess Beatrice, who spoke at the ceremony.
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Cutting-edge kitchen design with Woodstock Furniture

* Woodstock-kitchen.jpgLuxury, bespoke, British furniture maker Woodstock Furniture has created a stunning workspace in this new, modern, open-plan, basement kitchen, which is located in Chelsea. A combination of traditional techniques and pure innovation led to the design expertise in this minimalist, handcrafted kitchen project, which features 3m-high ceilings for dramatic impact.
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Sheer Bliss not too far away!

* Abode-Bliss.jpgReminding us that KBB LDN opens its doors in a little over a couple of weeks is this gorgeous and easy to operate Bliss range of bathroom brassware, which Abode tells us will be launched at the show. It was designed and created especially for the UK market.
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Tile Choice lays out the opposition for the second time at industry awards

* Tile-Choice-wins-TTA-Award.jpgMidlands-based independent tile retail chain, Tile Choice, is celebrating after winning an award for the second year in a row in an industry awards programme.
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Not just cabinets!

* MI014-Aluminium-Cabinet.jpgThese Phoenix single and double door aluminium cabinets incorporate European shaver socket, two led downlights, three safety glass shelves, a non flicker ambience light and double sided mirrored doors.
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Expanded management team working in Symphony across the country

* symphony-staff.jpgSymphony is strengthening its sales team with the appointment of business managers, Gary Gordon, Dave Thorn, Martin Barker and Andy Thomas (pictured L-R), to grow and maintain its client portfolio across the country.
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Hotpoint Active Oxygen fridge freezer wages war on waste

* Hotpint-active oxygen.jpgConsumers can step up the war on wasted food with the innovative new freestanding Active Oxygen fridge freezer from Hotpoint.
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Gas fitter may face prison after illegal work

An unregistered gas fitter has received a suspended prison sentence for illegally carrying out sub-standard gas work at a property in Essex. Steven Arnold, 51, trading as Thermostat Plumbing & Heating Services of Hackney, north east London, installed a boiler, pipework and a new cooker fitting at a property in Leigh on Sea. However, neither he nor the person he paid to help him carry out the work were registered with Gas Safe Register as qualified and competent to carry out gas work.
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How to contact us at The KBzine:
Jan Hobbs
Publishing Editor
Email:[email protected]
Tel: +44 (0)1372 811 307 
Mobile: 07980 288 373

 

 

 

 

John Austen
Publishing Director
Email:[email protected]
Tel: +44 (0)1580 755 863
Mobile: 07766 707 888
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Recent News

Support Independent Retailer month 2013

July sees the beginning once more of Independent Retailer Month - a campaign that has been supported since its launch by The Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association.
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Ellis Furniture holds design competition in conjunction with William Wilson

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Popular manufacturer and designer Ellis Furniture recently teamed up with long-standing customer and one of Scotland's largest suppliers of plumbing & heating products, William Wilson, to run a bathroom design competition using Virtual Worlds design software.
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Van users: life is going to get tougher

Van users have been reminded by The Fuelcard People of ever-tighter emissions controls. Steve Clarke, group marketing manager, said: "Life is already tough for anyone running vans or other LCVs, but those who fail to address emissions reduction will find it getting harder. As restrictions spread, the worst polluters will soon find themselves running out of road.
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Electrolux hosts CookIt! competition for children in its fully kitted HO training kitchens

Electrolux says it is delighted to be hosting the fabulous CookIt! competition for children in its fully kitted training kitchens at the company's Luton Head Office.
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HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay, opens new Belling hospitality training centre

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HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay, officially opened the Belling Hospitality Training Centre at Dumfries House Estate, with guests including the award-winning Edinburgh-based chef and restaurateur Tony Singh and Belling ambassador, Brian Turner.
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Silverdale wins 'Exporter of the Year' Award

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Just over a year after Silverdale Bathrooms became independently owned, the company has won the East Cheshire Chamber of Commerce 'Exporter of the Year for 2013' award.
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Electrolux Group appliances awarded 22 Red Dot awards for product design

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Electrolux has achieved an outstanding result in 2013's Red Dot design awards, securing a total of 22 awards for high quality design for Electrolux, AEG and Zanussi.
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Marketing

The Kronoswiss Showbus is coming to an IDS branch near you!

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The Kronowiss Showbus is making a return trip to the UK and will be visiting all of IDS's 12 regional branches for open days between the 23rd May and 14th June. The tour is designed to give IDS's several thousand customers across the furniture, retail shopfitting and specification sectors, access to the Kronoswiss quality experience by bringing the pop-up exhibition within easy reach.
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Literature

New brochures from Franke offer definitive guide to choosing sinks, taps and accessories

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Timed with the April launch of several new products, Franke has unveiled a brand new design and format for its brochures for the Specialist and Pro-Value ranges aimed at guiding and inspiring consumers on their decision-making journey. The brochures are currently being circulated via Franke's distributors to retailers who will find them an effective selling tool with consumers.
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