KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
7th February 2014
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  International News
Products Holistic showering with Rio Revive
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
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%. |
I’m sure we’ve all by now seen the images being beamed around the world of the conditions in various hotels in Sochi – host to the Winter Olympics which officially open today. What a missed opportunity for the KBB industry!
And then there’s the waste disposal aspect of the plumbing… The sign on one door instructing users not to attempt to flush used toilet tissue but to put it into the bin instead, horrified me. However, reading comments on the online forums, I can see that the need to bin used toilet tissue is not uncommon in some parts of the world that I’d not previously considered to be ‘third world’. I’m fairly well travelled (including to the old ‘Eastern bloc’ countries) and it’s not something I’ve ever come across, but it’s clear to me that many of the hotels in Sochi need some help! If there’s any money left after the Games have ended, it might just be worth getting in touch and showing what we have to offer… Don't forget to 'like' our Facebook Page, or comment any of our Story Pages.
Yours,
 This Week's News
Internet Plumbing & Heating Market Report - UK 2014-2018 Analysis AMA's latest industry report: 'Internet Plumbing & Heating Market Report - UK 2014-2018 Analysis', is now available.
The report acknowledges the fact that growing numbers of UK households have internet access. In 2013, 83% (21 million) of households in the UK had internet access, compared to around 70% of households in 2009. The UK has the most active online population in Europe with some 35.7 million adult users accessing the internet every day.
iKBBI delighted to announce new consumer focused sponsorship deal Insight Retail Group (IRG), owner of consumer price comparison websites Kitchen-compare.com, KitchenCompareTrade.com, Bathroomcompare.com and Bedroom-compare.com was unveiled today as the latest sponsor of The Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installers.
IRG, which launched its kitchen-compare website in 2012, has developed a number of innovative consumer products via its websites, which now attract thousands of unique visitors each week. The iKBBI will be providing useful and practical information for consumers on these sites, whilst promoting the benefits of using iKBBI members and their retail Installation Standards Partners. George Osborne pays a visit to Triton, the Great British shower company
The Chancellor visited the site on a trip to the West Midlands to promote manufacturing and innovation as drivers of economic growth and a rebalanced economy, issues which are a key focus of the Government's long term economic plan. Sourcing timber for furniture?
Two courses, being held in the coming weeks, aim to help furniture manufacturers, suppliers, retailers and specifiers comply with the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) and implement Chain of Custody systems to achieve FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification). Mistoria Group hopes to 'clean up' with new business Mistoria Spotless
House clearance will include emptying and - if necessary - ripping out any existing fixed items such as kitchen or bathroom components from the property, in order to provide contractors with a blank canvas upon which to work. Distinctly Abode: the new Mikro sink
Mikro is available in 18/10 stainless steel in 1.0 and 1.5 bowl models, both with drainers, in reversible sink formats with standard basket strainer wastes. All plumbing pipework is included and the sinks are supplied in boxed packaging. Roman sponsored kit brings success
Roman, which is based in Newton Aycliffe, is an established UK brand that supplies showering products all over the world, has been designing and manufacturing showering solutions for over 29 years. Mike Pro brings designer style to commercial bathrooms
After a careful study of the commercial market, Crosswater recognised that there was an opportunity for a high design collection of brassware. As well as timeless styling and high quality performance, this sector requires brassware to satisfy any number of technical, water saving and safety criteria. Utopia announces marketing department expansion
KBB Preview: Exploring the true potential of Mistral
Visitors to the Karonia stand can expect to be stunned by the ground-breaking displays of Mistral 25mm solid surfacing and by three new additions to the range. The stand has been specifically designed to explore the true potential of Mistral and fuel the imagination of visitors. Since kbb Birmingham 2012, Karonia has seen Mistral grow steadily, inspiring designers and homeowners to create stylish and unique home environments. Now Karonia will use kbb Birmingham 2104 to demonstrate further the undoubted design versatility of Mistral with concept pieces and creative features. KBB Preview: Selling made easier with ArtiCad - new versions launch at Show
CAD software specialist for the KBB sector, ArtiCAD, will be seeking to wow visitors at this year's KBB show with the latest versions of all four of the company's core technologies - ArtiCAD-Pro, BathCAD, MyRoomPlan and MyRoomFinish - being featured. The four products have all been designed specifically and solely for the KBB industry with the aim of making it easier and faster for ArtiCAD clients to sell their products and services.
Version 19 of ArtiCAD-Pro and BathCAD - which will be launched at the show - incorporates a new, even faster rendering engine, a 3D panoramic design viewer and a new design interface. Combined with a significant improvement in lighting, this latest version provides ArtiCAD users with the means to deliver even more realistic and more easily created design images with which to impress their clients and sell their services. KBB Preview: Ideal Standard to throw a spotlight on new exclusive products at KBB 2014
After confirming its return to the show, Ideal Standard has unveiled its initial plans for KBB 2014. Highlights include hosting a press conference and Designer Day on the stand, as well as the launch of a selection of products exclusively for the retail sector. It is also set to launch a new - and as yet undisclosed - exclusive range from designer Dick Powell, co-founder of design and innovation consultancy Seymour Powell. 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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clicking the link above. Recent News
In-toto Kitchens franchisee celebrates record sales
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. 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. 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. 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. 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
People
Alex has designs on a positive future in new consultant role at BagnoDesign
Work experience that led to a Roman career
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I’ve seen side-by-side w.c.’s in a single cubicle, urinals without plumbing, a disabled facility with a row of spectator chairs facing the loo itself and even a toilet with the seat and lid fitted upside down! How on earth did that happen?
