What price recovery?

In a month when the EU welcomed another member state and the way was opened for another EU country - Latvia - to join the eurozone, we might well be lulled into assuming that neither the EU dream nor the single currency are discredited after all and that things are looking up. Indeed, the OECD's composite leading indicator for the eurozone has now been at, or above, the long-term average trend line for the last three months in a row and GDP projections even for the current year are being revised upwards.
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Franke launches its first downdraft hood

Responding directly to retailer demand, Franke has introduced a brand new downdraft hood in chic stainless steel and black glass, the first of its kind in the Franke range and boosting the company's portfolio of styles to cater for a range of kitchen designs. The product is part of Franke's 2013 range update and became available to retailers at the end of May.
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LDL extends range of Wesco waste solutions

LDL Components has extended its range of Wesco built-in kitchen waste solutions with the introduction of the new Pullboy Premium, an 'all-in-one' bin with its own soft close runner system. The sturdy bin, which has an overall capacity of 41 litres divided into 17, 11, eight and five litre compartments, has an integrated frame in powdercoated, zinc plated metal with inset cup handles to facilitate removal. The inner bins have double handles that can also be used to fix the bin liner.
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New ovens deliver intelligent style and intelligent service

Amica has been growing steadily in the UK, building on a reputation for intelligent style, innovation and build quality along with the reassurance of its very own first rate customer service. It is with this backdrop that Amica rolls out another collection of stylish cooking appliances.
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One for all with Glide II by Bauhaus

Versatile, practical and with a classical simplicity that will never date, Glide II from Bauhaus is the furniture collection that meets every bathroom need.
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Thinner's a winner in worktops

Agglomerate is the fancy-sounding name Granite Transformations applies to its kitchen worktop and bathroom surfaces. It's beautiful, tough, durable and much thinner than other materials like granite, marble, engineered stone or solid synthetics, but equals or exceeds them in technical performance terms.
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New little wonders from Crosswater...

There's now a really big choice of compact basins for cloakrooms, small bathrooms and even twin bowl set ups - but many consumers never stop to think that to look its best, a small basin needs a tap that is in perfect proportion. There's a Mini-basin mixer from Crosswater to suit all tastes and basin styles; whilst smaller than its full size counterpart appeal maybe even bigger!
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New Blum Tandembox Antaro available from LDL

Blum's brand new Tandembox antaro modular drawer system is now available from LDL Components from stock.

The new, award-winning drawer profile, available in grey, silk white and stainless steel, has a contemporary rectangular gallery rail which can be combined with a number of colour co-ordinated design elements to create the required effect.
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Axor - Brand of choice for the Waldorf Astoria Berlin

In January, following a three-and-a-half year period of construction, the 'Zoofenster' skyscraper, which has been the subject of much discussion, finally opened its doors in Berlin... the international luxury hotel chain Waldorf Astoria moved into the 118 m high tower, prominently located between the Zoo Station and the Memorial Church.
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Showering simplicity with Triton's T75

Building on its established credentials as a leading UK manufacturer of electric showers, The Great British Shower Company, Triton, has brought the ultimate in showering simplicity to the market, with the introduction of T75 - a single control electric shower, which simply offers great looks at an affordable price.
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Employers urged to take extra care of young people starting Summer jobs

Workers are far more likely to be injured in workplace accidents during the first few months of a new job than at any other time says the British Safety Council. With the holiday season approaching, employers are urged to pay extra attention to the health & safety of young people hired for temporary, Summer work.
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Vessel designer hammock styled suspended bath really has the 'wow' factor

They say a picture speaks a thousand words and this is most definitely the case with the Vessel bath. A truly awe-inspiring piece of craftsmanship, this designer bath is a must-have within any luxury bathroom, both as a work of art and an indulgent place of relaxation.
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BMA AGM delegates learn how to avoid jail sentence for wrongly labelled toilets!

A new European law now makes it possible for manufacturers of the humble loo to be sent to jail if they are found guilty of labelling their toilets incorrectly. The eyebrow-raising law came into force in July and it was just one of the topics discussed at the recent AGM and Council meeting of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association.
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New brochure for Sensio|Koch range

Following the partnership of two of the most influential brands in the furniture lighting industry in 2011, Sensio and Wilhelm Koch have released a new brochure displaying the latest products from the range.
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If you're wondering whether to visit 100% Design...

This Showerwall installation should be enough to ensure that the date's in your diary!

Showerstyling by Showerwall is a brand new, custom-printed bathroom laminate being launched at 100% Design, stand K140, on 18th September. It will offer designers and specifiers the option of bespoke, digital printed wall panelling to give a bathroom a signature design, while also guaranteeing easy installation and maintenance.
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Tom Bruck appointment will strengthen Burbidge brand

Popular kitchen frontals and accessories manufacturer, Burbidge, has appointed Tom Bruck as product manager for fittings following the acquisition of Woodfit earlier this year.
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New, deeper, ergonomic natural stone baths offer deep relaxation

Bradley Wiggins and Andy Murray are advocates of an ice-bath after hard training, races and matches. Mirroring this, running and cycling, tennis and football are some of the UK's favourite pastimes. So, will these sporty consumers be hunting down a bath with multi-purposes in mind?
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De Dietrich exclusively chosen by Cornflake to feature in the Smart App-artment

A VIP event was held by Cornflake, the supplier of premium home automation systems, to launch the Smart App-artment - its new experiential retail showroom in central London.
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Leisure sinks and taps installed at prestigious university

A total of 45 Linear Compact stainless steel sinks and 216 Aquaflux Aquanomic taps from Leisure Sinks are being fitted at a series of newly constructed student accommodation blocks at the University of Oxford. The chrome-plated brass taps and fully reversible sinks will be installed in the kitchen areas in a number of halls of residence on campus.
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No need to pay premium for energy-saving radiators, says Quinn

Installers and home owners could get better efficiency benefits from one of Quinn's panel radiators, rather than paying a premium for energy saving models, according to the company's managing director Nick Whitwell.
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InSinkErator appoints new contracts manager, UK

Elaine Mead has been appointed Contracts Manager, UK, at InSinkErator, the world's largest manufacturer of food waste disposers and a leading brand of steaming hot water taps. Elaine, who has worked for the company for 15 months, was promoted by Managing Director, Europe, Ashley Munden, in April 2013 with a specific brief to drive forward and expand the contracts side of the business.
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Travis Perkins Group show support for Water Efficiency Label

Travis Perkins Group, the UK's largest supplier of building materials, is supporting the introduction of a voluntary water efficiency label by working with the WRAP industry working party and pledging to include the mark on product packaging, branch displays and marketing materials..
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Chocks away for furniture industry charity cycle challenge!

50 staff at two furniture industry organisations are hoping to raise funds for their local hospice by cycling 874 miles from Lands End to John O'Groats, but they won't be leaving the building!
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'Betsy' the trusty Whirlpool fridge freezer retires after 43 years' service

A 'workhorse' Whirlpool fridge freezer, the first major purchase of a newly married couple from Ipswich in 1970, has finally retired after 43 years of service.

The sturdy EVL13C, nicknamed 'Betsy' by Alan and Marilyn West, has been running non-stop since the couple bought her back in May 1970.
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Government confirms its strong commitment to TrustMark in new Industrial Strategy

TrustMark, the national quality badge for reputable tradesmen in the domestic RMI (repair, maintenance and improvement) sector, has received a strong vote of confidence this week with the publication of the Government's Industrial Strategy for Construction.
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Bathroom retailers, merchants and manufacturers join forces to launch consumer water efficiency label

Leading DIY retailers, builders' merchants and manufacturers are to introduce a voluntary labelling scheme to help consumers identify the water efficiency of bathroom fittings such as taps, showers, WCs and baths.
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Abode forms new distribution partnership

Abode and Springhill, the renowned kitchen furniture company in Ireland, are working in unison to generate awareness of the wide range of design-led kitchen sinks and taps in the Irish marketplace.
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New AMA report provides a major review of the UK Shower Market

The latest AMA report on the state of the UK Shower Market concludes: "Forecasts indicate that the UK shower equipment market will stabilise in 2013 and return to modest growth from 2014, as consumer confidence and housebuilding levels gradually improve. By 2017, the overall market value is forecast to be £490 million at MSP, which would represent an increase of around 15% compared to the estimated market size in 2013, yet still be below the peak in 2008."
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