KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
7th June 2013
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  International News
Products Ellis Furniture expands Cambourne kitchen range
Methven extends Kaha Satinjet range with latest award-winning technology
Geberit continues to make a splash to support retail partners
Gorenje once again named Slovenia's most trusted brand Gorenje has received The Reader's Digest Trusted Brand award in the category of home appliances in Slovenia for the seventh year in a row.
Steel introduces new gas hob collection
Dimplex launches compact corner towel rail
Electrolux Hosts 2013 Cannes Film Festival Opening Gala Dinner
Kick back and cool down with the new InSinkErator under-sink chiller
Ultra-low profile shower tray meets growing demand for 25mm profile shower trays
Chinese developer seeks innovations for £20m flagship building in new £6bn eco-city The Building Research Establishment is working with Franshion Properties (China), one of China's leading state owned developers, to give businesses an opportunity to showcase their most innovative and sustainable technologies in a new eco-city in China.
Abode 'Debuts' striking new bathroom taps
Maytag introduces new 10Kg capacity washing machine
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Regular readers of KBzine will be well aware of the issues I’ve had with people from the building trade over recent years, in as much as just about everyone I’ve called in to do work – either at my house or at my elderly mother’s, has proved that they’re not actually up to the job. I’ve often wished for someone like my father, who could turn his hand to anything, think ‘outside the box (I hate that phrase but in this particular case, it really does describe what I’m trying to say!) to overcome challenges or carry out projects with little experience in the type of work involved and produce excellent, long-lasting results, the ‘old school’ way. The trouble is, that those with that type of work ethic, experience and background in basic DIY skills, are all around retirement age or beyond. Why can’t any of the younger people with whom I have dealings, compare? I love the idea being mooted by the Italian labour minister, to introduce a scheme designed to combine a phased retirement for older, experienced workers with the mentoring of younger workers. The ‘staffetta’ as it’s been dubbed (which means, literally, ‘relay race’) would enable a person nearing retirement age to work reduced hours at proportionally reduced pay, while the balance of his/her job would be performed by a younger worker who is serving an apprenticeship, who will command less pay as a result. The older employee’s social contributions, would be subsidised by the Government, out of the money saved by the employer having to pay the apprentice less than the experienced worker would earn. Although the scheme is designed to reduce youth unemployment, I can’t help but feel that the skills and knowledge transferred from the older worker to the younger one during changeover periods, could make it just the type of thing we need in my neck of the woods to replenish the diminished supply of competent and trustworthy builders!
Yours,
 This Week's News
Judges selected for KBSA Designer Awards The KBSA has announced a new line-up of judges for the 2013 KBSA Designer Awards. Judges have been selected for their breadth of experience in the industry, covering everything from design skills through to retailing, customer service and understanding of the industry's specific needs. The judges are: And the kbb LDN 2013 Innovation Awards Winners were...
Leisure Sinks to supply specialist plumbing and heating buying group PHG
  Hippo signs three-year sponsorship deal with iKBBI
New Whirlpool fridge freezer provides extra width and quality
New Specification Manager for BCT
Electrolux headlines Taste of Dublin 2013
Ireland's top chefs including Rachel Allen, Derry Clarke, Clodagh McKenna, Kevin Dundon, Nevin Maguire, Ross Lewis and Catherine Fulvio will be taking a leading role on the Electrolux Taste Theatre, giving visitors the chance to garner top hints and tips for the Summer season. Vado tells us it has been a proud supplier to National Merchant Buying Society members since 2008 and that visitors to Vado's stand at this year's exhibition were able to take up some fantastic 'spot buy deals' on some of the company's best-selling ranges. Members placing orders on the day were also given a 'golden ticket' which automatically entered them into a draw to win a Nexus 7 tablet. The lucky winner was Kingsley Bathrooms, whose representatives were thrilled at winning the prize. Gorenje welcomes new National Sales Manager
Mereway launches redesigned website
We have Mail: Swain retires from Franke Hello Jan, Further to your item last week: 'John Swain retires from Franke after 25 years' service', as someone who worked long ago for Petrate, the first Franke UK distributor, I was always under the impression that the sinks had been introduced into the UK by the owner, Brian King. The story, as I recall, was that Brian trundled around the country in an old Skoda, selling sinks from the back. FIRA equipment and training for Philippines
FIRA's UK product testing facility, based at its headquarters in Stevenage, has been host to Victor Revilleza, Alvin F. Vardeleon and Edward Paul S. Marasigan from Forest Products Research & Development Institute, a research and development agency under the Department of Science & Technology in the Philippines. 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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Broadcaster Nina Hossain to host this year's Bathroom Business Conference.
New FIRA Gold scheme launched at kbb LDN At kbb LDN a scheme which signifies excellence in kitchen, bedroom and bathroom installation services was launched to independent retailers and the name of the first company to be awarded the accreditation was announced. Romex launches new module to manage risk to drivers According to the Health & Safety Executive's 'Driving at Work' publication, the biggest cause of occupational fatality is driving on business. There are more than 20 people killed and a further 250 seriously injured every week.  New study shows that more night-time deliveries work better A package of measures put in place by the logistics sector for the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Games that includes more night-time deliveries could, if adopted permanently, improve some of our traffic issues and bring environmental benefits too, while helping to make roads safer for cyclists and other vulnerable users. Health & Safety experts make recommendations for ISO14001 revision Leading experts in Environment from EEF, the manufacturers' organisation, and manufacturing companies across the UK met this week to make key recommendations to the revision of guidance to ISO14001, the widely used standard for Environmental Management Systems that customers use to differentiate between suppliers. Geberit reaches new heights in the loo with the best view over London!
People
FIRA appoints new Furniture Technician Supervisor
Personnel changes designed to expand Kitchens International
Literature
Carron Phoenix launches brand new brochures for 2013
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