KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
31st January 2014
We strongly recommend viewing KBzine full size in your web browser. Click our masthead above to visit our website version.
Please note that you are viewing an archived issue of The KBzine.
  International News
Products KBB Preview: Salice set to stand out from the crowd
Salice will be exhibiting its range of furniture fittings for kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms at the KBB show. Visitors will be able to view a selection of the product range, including the Slider S20 two-door coplanar sliding system which is a popular choice with today's designers due to its combined features of reliability, aesthetic design and ergonomic advantages. Slider S20 is suitable for kitchen cabinets, sideboards and small wall cabinets, up to a weight of 20kg and offers versatile and easy installation. KBB Preview: Pelipal to showcase 17 collections of stunning bathroom furniture
Following the unveiling of Pelipal to UK retailers at kbb 2012, Pelipal is reinforcing the brand, showcasing 17 collections of its stunning bathroom furniture at this year's show. KBB Preview: Blanco's passion for perfection will be showcased at KBB 2014
Blanco's passion for perfection is reflected in one of the UK's most comprehensive portfolios of high quality sinks, taps and extractor hoods. Seven ways to improve your business telephone skills
 Global economy growing - but 'wellbeing' may be left behind As the world marks the 80th birthday of Gross Domestic Product, a new Worldwatch Institute report examines its inadequacy as the sole metric for prosperity. In 2012, Gross World Product increased to just over $83 trillion, a 4.85% increase over 2011. On the surface, this metric supports the argument that the worst of the global recession is in the past; however, the economy continues a pattern of slowing growth rates since 2010 and 2011, when GWP grew 6.35% and 5.67%, respectively. Moreover, closer inspection shows that growth is taking place mostly in emerging economies: the GDP of emerging economies is now roughly equal to that of all the advanced economies, write Worldwatch researchers in the Institute's latest Vital Signs Online trend. British Ceramic Tile makes a statement with its new ceramic tile collection
Available in black, white, cream and grey, the range features plain field tiles as well as a coordinating decor tile with classic damask pattern finished with a metallic lustre for added wow factor. Iconic SMEG500 in red arrives in the UK
WaterAid steps up advocacy on behalf of 2.5 billion people without a toilet
KBB Preview: Carron Phoenix shows off new and flagship products at KBB 2014
Exhibiting alongside sister company Franke UK for the first time at KBB, Carron Phoenix will be demonstrating its credentials as a brand synonymous with exceptional quality and value for its target mid to lower end of the market. Croydex and European Water Label commit to Marathon WaterAid Charity fundraising campaign
Zanussi tumble dryer awarded Which? Best Buy
The Zanussi ZTH485 tumble dryer has been awarded the prestigious Which? Best Buy status after extensive testing with an overall test score of 66%. Bathroom Sale Award Winners: doing the industry proud!
Production resumes as FagorBrandt reopens all French factories FagorBrandt (France) has announced that all French production sites have reopened. This follows the announcement on November 8th that FagorBrandt (France) had legally separated its activities from Fagor Electrodomesticos (Spain).
Vibrant Vessini - for the perfect bathroom
Industry experts to brief on impact of new EU Regulations on common refrigerants Refrigerants used in millions of air conditioning and refrigeration systems across the UK and Europe are to be subject to strict new EU regulations. Those that are not up to date with the changes, might well benefit from a visit to the ACR Show 2014, which takes place at the NEC, from 11 to 13 February, 2014. At the show, industry experts will brief visitors on the changes and their practical consequences in a series of free seminars. KBB Preview: Bushboard showcases its progressive approach to worksurfaces at KBB 2014
Bushboard's approach to KBB will be to showcase brand new and existing products across its Encore solid surface, Omega and Prima laminate, and M-Stone quartz worksurface brands, as well as its strong commitment to retailers with installer training, POS and 360 customer service. |
Perhaps with all the flooding right now, it’s not the best time to try and enthuse readers on the features and benefits of a washing machine that cleans clothes with millions of tiny nylon polymer beads instead of water, but when one considers the chances of a hosepipe ban a few months hence, the article in the Daily Mail deserved further exploration. The statement that: “If all UK households converted to the technology, it would save around seven million tonnes of water per week,” had me hooked. The article argues that the beads have an inherent polarity that attracts stains –explaining that the process is similar to the one that causes white nylon garments to become dingy over time. Apparently, under humid conditions, the polymer changes and becomes absorbent, which means that dirt is not just attracted to the surface, it is actually absorbed into the centre, where it remains trapped. In this particular application, the beads are added to the machine, along with a cup of water and a few drops of a special detergent. After the wash cycle is complete, the beads are spun out of the load through holes in the drum, into the sump pump where they are stored for later reuse. They are said to be good for some 500 loads. As well as requiring very little water and a fraction of the electricity used to run an ordinary washing machine, the process drastically reduces the amount of detergent needed to clean clothes. Clever, isn’t it? It was only when I read the comments at the bottom of the online article, that a potential pitfall was brought to mind… “Well, just how do they get the beads out of pockets?” said one. “Little beads in pockets, rolling all over the floor and me slipping on them. Maybe all our pockets will need zippers next.” I won’t go on… The link to the article is below and I’d love your thoughts on whether or not this technology is likely to catch on: Don't forget to 'like' our Facebook Page, or comment any of our Story Pages.
Yours,
This Week's News
In-toto Kitchens franchisee celebrates record sales
Already they are achieving success and in November 2013 they reported the second highest sales of all 47 In-toto Studios nationwide. Holistic showering with Rio Revive
Early Greek, Egyptian and Chinese civilisations, recognising that little grows without light, theorised that the many colours that make up visible light had individual powers that influence emotions and systems of the body. Wickes moves its support centre to Watford Wickes is moving its Support Centre from Harrow to a new state-of the art facility at Vision House in Watford, bringing its team of 200 employees to the southwest Hertfordshire town. The move represents a high profile investment in the business community in Watford, which was named one of the top 100 UK towns for company growth last year, according to the local Chamber of Commerce. The 200 people currently based at Wickes' Harrow office are moving eight miles down the road to the Watford site - close enough for almost all to relocate - at the end of January. New for 2014: the Solo Mirror from Ripples
Freestanding bath is perfect for smaller spaces
Leisure Sinks: stainless in Seattle...
Make a Nest with VitrA's family-friendly bathroom range
VitrA set the renowned Finnish studio Pentagon Design on the mission to create an all encompassing bathroom range that would provide solutions for typical family needs. Methven extends bar shower range
Following the success of the Maku Cool to Touch bar shower, which launched in 2013 and became Methven's bestselling shower, Methven has added this bar shower to its Waipori collection, complementing the existing range of showerheads, handsets and tapware. Alex has designs on a positive future in new consultant role at BagnoDesign
Based at the company's A&D Centre in Clerkwenwell, Alex will offer consultation and support to architects and designers, as well as developing new relationships within the design community in order to initiate sales of BagnoDesign products through specification and contract work. KBB Preview: Abode will 'wow' all stand visitors
Abode is not a company to sit back and expect visitors to seek it out... "We have invested heavily on our creatively designed stand this year to 'wow' all who come to see us," says a spokesperson. "You cannot miss it as it stands proud, in front of you, as you enter Hall 19. "To match the originality of the stand our designers have been working hard to produce new product creations for both kitchens and bathrooms. In all, over 50 new products will be previewed to take the show, by storm. Over 100 new bathroom products, many of which will be on display, will be showcased to the Birmingham audience for the first time, and are already available." KBB Preview: Nolte fine tunes handleless kitchens
The trend to go as minimalist as possible has been around for some years, but wanting to eliminate potential pitfalls right from the start, German manufacturer Nolte Küchen took some time to come out with what it says is 'the real thing' when it comes to handleless furniture. Now MatrixArt - a major innovation for 2014 - is 100% handle-free by incorporating the trim into the carcase. KBB Preview: Brand new Leicht kitchen designs on display
Leicht kitchens will be showcasing its latest 2014 designs over three displays on its 60 sq.m stand. These include the 2014 handleless Synthia-C/Ceres-C, which will be shown in the new slightly textured, antique oak colour combined with new Alpine grey and an arctic white island. The concentration of colour and material is designed to provide a calm, stylish look.
The Classic-FS combined with Topos will also be displayed. This kitchen, in a lacquered white and oak Topos veneer, has a large island and tall wall units with pocket doors. KBB Preview: KBSA uses show as launchpad for partnership with Dulux design service
The KBSA and the Dulux Design Service will launch an innovative partnership between KBSA retailers and interior designers at KBB that will provide consumers with a comprehensive design service. The collaboration, which links KBSA retailers and Dulux interior designers across the UK, will offer opportunities for Dulux interior designers to access the KBSA network of independent retailers for their customers. "This is a very exciting development for KBSA retailers, providing them with new opportunities to increase their customer base," says KBSA marketing director Ruth Ward. 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:
|
 REQUEST THE KBZINE HERE The KBzine is broadcast
every Friday. You may receive it FREE each week by
clicking the link above. Recent News
Kitchen & Bathroom Worktops Market Report - UK 2014-2018 Analysis, now available The value of the total kitchen worktop market is estimated to have declined from a high of £200m in 2007 to £170m in 2011, increasing modestly to £173m in 2012 and again to £177m in 2013. Key issues that have influenced the UK domestic kitchen furniture and worktop market in recent years include:- * The blurring of distinction between the kitchen and dining room, with less formality in the home and a move towards open plan living. Signs of recovery for UK furniture industry Information from a publication released at the end of 2013 hints at a small recovery for furniture manufacturing in the UK, but this improvement is overshadowed by poor export performance and China gaining a massive foothold of our import market. KBB PREVIEW: Schüller and next 125 promise to be a main attraction at kbb 2014
As one of Germany's leading kitchen manufacturers, Schüller will be a main attraction at kbb 2014. With its two brands - schüller.C collection and next125 - Schüller will be demonstrating its commitment and investment in the UK market by exhibiting exciting new 2014 additions for the first time. kbb 2014 is the perfect opportunity for Schüller to showcase why it has 'Probably the best kitchens in the world' and for next125 to demonstrate its ethos of 'Design in harmony with nature and price'. Utopia announces 2014 training programme Utopia Bathroom Group has announced that it will be running monthly training days throughout 2014. Previous sessions have been very well received with retailers finding the days extremely helpful, both for briefing new staff members and also for updating existing personnel. KBB Preview: Sensio Lighting back for a fourth time
Sensio will be exhibiting at kbb Birmingham for the fourth time this year. As a market leader of kitchen and bedroom lighting solutions and a company that has established a reputation for developing award-winning, innovative LED lighting solutions of the highest quality, it's only appropriate that the company has a strong presence at the event - one of the most prominent trade shows in the industry. Bathroom company launches apprenticeship scheme to help young people build their careers As David Cameron puts emphasis on the value of apprenticeships in bridging the skills gap to get young people into their first jobs, Better Bathrooms is launching an apprenticeship scheme aimed at local young people. The scheme will run across the business with opportunities in Accounts, IT, Design and Administration. Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) is continuing to plague employees across a wide range of industries, who regularly use vibrating equipment for long periods, despite there being plenty of precautions to reduce the risks according to workplace equipment supplier Slingsby. British Ceramic Tile teams up with Empty Homes to bring properties back to life
£8 million technology boost for UK high streets A brand new, £8m initiative, designed to re-invigorate UK high streets, has been announced by Science & Universities Minister, David Willetts, today. Last chance to apply for £150,000 high street challenge prize Towns and city centres have until Friday 31st January to apply for the Revive & Thrive Challenge which aims to bring people and businesses together to breathe new life into their high street. The countdown to kbb Birmingham 2014 begins… More than 200 premier brands will be setting up home at the NEC Birmingham, from 2nd – 5th March, to show off their wares at the industry’s eagerly-anticipated event - kbb Birmingham 2014.
The show’s organiser, UBM Live Built Environment, promises that a multitude of key brands from the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom arena will be joining a whole host of well-established international, component and appliance companies such as Laufen, Blum, Sensio and British Ceramic Tiles – and that the line up will include many familiar favourites, plus new brands to the show, such as Samat, Terrence Ball Kitchens and RotPunkt Kitchens. There will also be a packed seminar programme, which is being sponsored by Formica. KBB Preview: Franke puts retailers centre stage at KBB 2014 with its More in Store campaign
More in Store is the big business message on the Franke stand at KBB, where the company is re-affirming its support for its specialist showroom retailers with a major campaign initiative, together with a strong new product line-up. People
Work experience that led to a Roman career
Julia Bunney promoted to UK Sales Director at Poggenpohl UK
|
