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KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-newssince 2002
26th July 2013

 

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


International News
Products

Vessel designer hammock styled suspended bath really has the 'wow' factor

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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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If you're wondering whether to visit 100% Design...

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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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New, deeper, ergonomic natural stone baths offer deep relaxation

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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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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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...

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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

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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

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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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Welcome to the

KBzine

In last week’s Leader, I sympathised with the delivery teams that have to hump heavy loads around in this incredibly hot weather and suggested that we’re a little more relaxed over timekeeping; perhaps offering a cold drink rather than angry words if they’re moving slowly because of the heat.

My words came back to bite me on the backside this week (as the saying goes) when – having persuaded my 85 year old mother that a Sainsbury’s superstore shop was a bad idea in this heat and that we should try an Asda home delivery instead – I downed tools to be at mum’s to await the delivery, scheduled for between 11.00 and 13.00. At 13.05 I called customer services to ask where it was, only to be told that according to terms & conditions, delivery may be up to an hour later than specified (well why not say 11.00 – 14.00 then so people can plan ahead? And I’ve yet to find this clause anywhere on the website)!

The offer of free delivery next time naturally prompted the response that we wouldn’t be using the unreliable service again; customer services couldn’t do more so we asked to speak to a manager, whose call some time later revealed that a van had broken down that morning and that the spare was having trouble catching up time-wise; we were now third or fourth in the queue and could expect delivery by 15.00-ish.  She offered to cancel the entire order, which we’d spent a good hour placing, and by now had waited more than three hours for, which as you can imagine made our blood boil!

Asda had everyone’s phone numbers so why on earth didn’t it phone those likely to be affected, warn us all that there might be a hitch and offer an alternative slot for those unable to wait in beyond the specified time? Communication is key when things go wrong. Get it right and you can keep customers onside – don’t bother and they’ll take their business to suppliers that make them feel valued.

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Yours,

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Jan Hobbs

 



This Week's News

New Rapport taps from Abode are bang up to date!

* Abode-Rapport.jpgThe Rapport collection of chrome finish taps, created especially for the UK market, forms part of a new range of bathroom brassware products from Abode, incorporating single lever, dual lever and wall mounted basin models as well as deck mounted bath mixers and shower mixers and concealed wall mounted thermostatic valves.
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It's all in the detail with British Ceramic Tile's new Character collection

BCT-Cupcakes.jpgFollowing on from the launch of British Ceramic Tile's new Cookhouse Character collection, the company has unveiled its wide range of coordinating decor tiles.
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100% Design unveils its 2013 Kitchen & Bathroom Hall

* 100percent-Design-KBB-hub.jpg100% Design has further established itself as a September destination for the Kitchen & Bathroom industry, with brands including Dornbracht, Bulthaup, DuPont Corian, Mette and Keramag - and a seminal installation to explore design's role in the future of food production.
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New course will help companies source sustainable timber

A new workshop for companies aiming to achieve FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) is being held on Thursday 15th August.

The Chain of Custody Awareness Workshop, run by FIRA, is designed to provide delegates with a key understanding of Chain of Custody and the requirements of the FSC and PEFC standards.
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New Evoline range from LDL available from stock

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The award-winning Evoline range is primarily known for bringing stylish power solutions to inaccessible places such as kitchen islands, overhead cabinets, breakfast bars and confined spaces. The discreetly integrated power, data and multimedia sockets enhance the potential of any kitchen design and also avoid the necessity to channel through walls.
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Survey reveals many Brits are confused by their washing machines

* Ian-Moverley_Indesit.jpgA new study carried out by Indesit brand revealed that over 13% of Brits don't feel confident using a washing machine. And it's no surprise that 16 to 24-year-olds are the most reluctant to do their own laundry, with the most popular excuses including:
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Vertical Platinum hood from Amica raises the bar on performance and style

Amica-OKC953S-hood.jpgAmica has launched a stunning new extractor hood, set to raise the style and performance bar, as consumers search for increasingly functional-design in the kitchen.
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Mereway Kitchens strengthen internal and external sales & marketing team

* New-staff-Mereway.jpgMereway Kitchens has strengthened its internal and external sales & marketing team with three new appointments.
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Robert Lee Distribution expands its sales team

* Richard-Church.jpgOne of the UK's largest independent bathroom distributors has recruited two new members to its sales team.
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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.

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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

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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BMA AGM delegates learn how to avoid jail sentence for wrongly labelled toilets!

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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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De Dietrich exclusively chosen by Cornflake to feature in the Smart App-artment

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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

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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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Travis Perkins Group show support for Water Efficiency Label

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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

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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

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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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Marketing

New AMA report provides a major review of the UK Shower Market

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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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Literature

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.
more



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