KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
6th December 2013
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  International News
Products Hansgrohe takes the headache out of selecting the optimum shower experience
 Ellis Furniture launches Reflection Gloss Maize
Electrolux Supplier Awards 2013 winners announced
Visions in High Gloss in Red by Kitchen Door Workshop
Deserved promotion for Laura Weeks!
Are these the most unusual toilets in the world? To coincide with World Toilet Day on Tuesday of this week, Better Bathrooms compiled a list of what the staff feel are the 10 most unusual loos around the world and as well as being unusual they're all currently completely free of charge to use. At 15,190 feet above sea level, Saint-Gervaise-Les-Bains on Mont Blanc has specially designed toilets for use in extreme conditions. These 'dry' toilets are waterless and chemical-free, instead utilising a worm-composting system to deal with the waste. Abode Aurora: lights indicate water temperature
New space saving solution from Bauhaus
Britton's stunning new one piece basin and pedestal extends Curve range
IDS launches first range of kitchen taps from Grohe
GDHA invests in accessories market
Dudok brassware in new finishes rom Grange Design by Antonio Frattini
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I write this having just heard that all train services have been temporarily closed in Scotland because of the exceptionally high winds and that an HGV driver has already been killed as a result of his lorry being blown onto two cars. No doubt other parts of the world are experiencing similar harsh conditions with snow and ice to contend with too, so if you’ve had to take to the roads because the trains aren’t running, or if you have to drive as part of your job, do stay safe. Now as far as I’m aware, this tip has absolutely nothing to do with the specific accident mentioned above, but I’ve also received a press release today which warns that we shouldn’t deflate our tyres slightly for Winter – as we’ve been told for many years to do. Steve Clarke, of The Fuelcard People, says: “There is a long-held view that reducing tyre pressures will increase grip on awkward surfaces. This might be all right for driving over desert sand, but it is certainly not safe for winter driving. It simply is not true, unless temperatures fall far below anything we might expect in Britain.” Steve says compression just means that the tyre is sitting on a larger layer of melted ice or snow, increasing the likelihood of sliding, skidding and aquaplaning. Sounds logical, doesn’t it? With Winter really starting to set in now, Steve has some other tips for drivers, which are included in this week’s news, below…
Yours,
 This Week's News
Latest Bathroom Retailers Market Report just published The latest report on the UK Bathroom Retailers Market has now been published. Coram introduces shower tray collection for new Premier Range
Highly versatile and more contemporary than ever, each model has been carefully sculpted with subtle angled sides and shallow sloping circular or elliptical recess for truly efficient drainage. Celebrate the 12 Daves of Christmas with Utopia You can never have too many Daves - we know that's true because at Utopia they have got 12 of them! This unusual fact has prompted the team to celebrate its Daves and Christmas together with its new festive Facebook campaign, 'The 12 Daves of Christmas'. Don't deflate the van tyres for winter Van users are being advised not to follow outdated advice on winter driving. Steve Clarke says: "There is a long-held view that reducing tyre pressures will increase grip on awkward surfaces. This might be all right for driving over desert sand, but it is certainly not safe for winter driving." As marketing manager for The Fuelcard People, part of Fuel Card Group, he has been working with van users for years and knows the challenges they face. Save time and money with Space-Plug
Kitchen & bathroom retailer awarded quality mark for installation excellence
New Elite mirrored doors and side panels from Simpsons Enclosures offer discreet showering
Abacus Direct's Affinity 'Profit with Partnership' programme continues to grow
Modern Homes wins KBSA Small Business Saturday promotion
Tina is a worthy winner as not only did she share details of the event she is running in the showroom on Saturday with the KBSA but her business was also profiled on the Small Business Saturday Facebook page www.facebook.com, which has 8,409 likes! Professional tilers throughout the country have been going online to praise BAL Micromax2, the ultimate grout for tiling. The feedback left at www.tilers-demand.com is unanimously positive, confirming the work of the BAL R&D team and the hundreds of fixers and contractors across the country that helped to develop the technology. Astracast appoints Louise Craven to position of National Account Manager
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NHBC new home registrations continue to soar New home registration statistics for the UK, released today by NHBC, show that the number of new homes being registered continues to improve on last year's figures with an overall 24% increase for the rolling quarter August to October compared to the same period in 2012. KBBG applauds 'Small Business Saturday' initiative The Kitchen Bathroom Buying Group, a subsidiary of the kitchen & bathroom buying group in Europe, DER KREIS, supports the UK's first 'Small Business Saturday' that takes place on 7th December 2013.  The Cook’s Kitchen, by Mark Wilkinson OBE, first to win Design Classic Award
 Lustrolite brightens up the House Beautiful Awards
Two new retail members join KBSA In the last month, the Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association has welcomed on board two new retail members - Dream Bedroom & Kitchen Designs and Hurford & Tebbutt. Topps Tiles named Top 100 Apprentice Employer Topps Tiles has been recognised for excellence in businesses that employ apprentices after being named as one of the country's Top 100 Apprentice Employers 2013, by the National Apprenticeship Service in partnership with City & Guilds. Shabby kitchens and bathrooms are biggest bugbear for tenants A survey of the private rental market, by popular shower and tapware brand Methven, has revealed that poor quality fixtures and fittings are the biggest rental bugbear for tenants - and can cause them to leave their properties early. Hoover has announced that it has acquired Baumatic UK. Baumatic will be joining a successful portfolio of brands which are marketed by Hoover, including Candy and Rosières. Homeowners looking to improve rather than move at this year's Grand Designs Live Specialists from the Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association were on hand to dispense expert advice at this year's Grand Designs Live event, enjoying another very busy and very successful exhibition. |
