KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
28th February 2014
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  International News
Products Soak away stress in a soaking tub
Ingenious space saving with Aqua-Cabinets
Whirlpool's Max microwave oven wins Which? Best Buy and Great Value award
Moduleo creates new products ideal for statement kitchen and bathrooms
 KBB Preview: Kitchen Door Workshop doubles the size of its stand
Kbb Birmingham is just around the corner and Kitchen Door Workshop tells us that after an immensely successful year, it has decided to more than double the size of its stand for the event this time around. The company first exhibited at kbb LDN in 2013 with a stand size of 15sqm and this year at Birmingham it will take on a stand double the size at 33sqm. InSinkErator products are a real time saver for the Mistley Kitchen cookery school
Innovative BAL Rapid-Mat cuts project costs, saves time
Steel appeal from Just Taps Plus
Showering with a splash of colour and innovation from Vado
Abode Zeal 'on display' with Splinter Works Vessel Bath
Bushboard relaunches premium Omega laminate worktop range with a design upgrade
Sourcing timber for furniture?
Distinctly Abode: the new Mikro sink
Mike Pro brings designer style to commercial bathrooms
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. 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. |
TrustMark, the Government endorsed quality mark for tradesmen, is urging greater coordination between insurers, loss adjusters and local authorities to help flood victims find fully vetted and technically competent firms to repair homes and business premises and carry out flood resilience improvements. I feel that all of us in the KBB industry need to do our part in getting the message across too. For while the Government’s £5,000 Repair & Renewal grant will help fund additional flood resilience or resistance measures for those affected, it will be money wasted unless we can cut out the rogue traders who are no doubt already salivating at the thought of all the vulnerable homeowners they’ll be able to exploit. The grants system - administered by local authorities - will go live from 1st April. Funding will be for measures such as waterproofing external walls; repointing walls with water-resistant mortars; new types of insulation; raising ovens, boilers and electrics well above flood levels; replacing floors and installing new types of kitchen units. “Too often insurers are encouraging policyholders to find their own local tradesmen for emergency repairs or longer-term reinstatement works,” warns Liz Male, Chair of TrustMark (www.trustmark.org.uk). “It is vital that the community of insurers, surveyors, councils and anyone supporting flood victims now consistently signpost to TrustMark. Here they will find reputable firms to do this work; tradesmen who are properly vetted, insured and working to the well-established Government-endorsed standards.” During my years as a journalist in the cleaning industry I’ve visited several homes and businesses that have suffered days or even weeks under several inches (or more) of water and am well aware of how long the drying out and cleaning processes take before anyone can even think about the refurbishment stages. We, as an industry, have plenty of time to get behind Trustmark’s initiative and ensure that any money that’s going to be ploughed into refurbishment projects is money well spent. After all, however wonderful a new kitchen or bathroom is, it’s only as good as the tradesperson that fitted it. Consumers facing issues have a habit of blurring the two… Don't forget to 'like' our Facebook Page, or comment any of our Story Pages.
Yours,
 This Week's News
Further eruptions expected as Designer Bathroom Concepts announces launch of full Etna Collection
Just as the Etna Bath has added a truly state-of-the-art twist on the freestanding bath, so too does the full Etna Collection. With a continuation of the elegant ripples we have seen on the Etna, the collection features freestanding basins, countertop basins and most strikingly, a round, freestanding version of the Etna Bath. Tiler wins brand new van with BAL
Mark's name was chosen randomly from thousands of entries, winning him a Ford Transit Connect, bearing the livery of his company, Imperial Tiling. KBB 2014 preview: Bauformat launches new handleless collection
Renowned German kitchen manufacturer Bauformat is delighted to unveil at KBB2014 the UK launch of its new Linea Piantra handleless kitchen, the latest addition to its Burger brand. Recently showcased at the company's in-house fair, Linea Piantra is a stylish addition to any retailer's portfolio and is competitively positioned to ensure an added value offering. New electric shower range launched by MX
Ideal for new build or retrofit opportunities, these attractive showers are up to 30% slimmer than other units on the market. They're an ideal replacement product where an old shower has been removed or for shower replacement programmes for social and private landlords. Setting fears aside, Kitchen Door Workshop retains 'Buy with Confidence' accreditation
As such, it has applied and been accredited for the seventh year running for the Buy with Confidence East Sussex Scheme, once again reassuring cautious online shoppers that they are making a well researched choice. Nicola brings wealth of industry experience to Bagno Brand Manager role
A familiar face to many in the bathroom industry, Nicola brings a wealth of experience to her new position and joins the company from Ambiance Bain, where she was National Sales Manager. Burlington gets an angle on traditional design
Positioning a WC too far from the soil pipe causes flushing problems so the rule is, the closer the better. By using an angled pipe, the pan itself can be placed on the window wall where the soil pipe is usually situated while the high level cistern is on an adjacent wall. Belling helps Temple Primary pupils to Cook It!
As part of an extensive building programme which has seen the flagship Open Futures school expand its intake to three forms per year, the former staffroom was turned into a brand new Cook It studio. Kitchens International announces major staff changes In preparation for a highly successful year as the homes market picks up, Kitchens International has made some significant changes to its staffing. AEG and Zanussi receive Best Buys in latest Which? Hob Testing
The AEG hob scored an impressive 82% and Which? Said: "We were really impressed with this induction hob; it's quick, easy to use and has plenty of useful features. Not only does it cook brilliantly but it's very easy to clean when you've finished. In fact it's so good we didn't hesitate to make it a Best Buy.". 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
Brits expose brazen bathroom behaviour in cheeky poll from Splashdirect
- Half of Brits have indulged in frisky bathroom behaviour at home Back by popular demand: BMA's Annual Conference details announced
Late payments concerns for tradespeople in construction sector A survey recently compiled and published by the Construction Products association has revealed that in the fourth quarter of 2013, an amazing 76% of companies within the construction industry had reported that payments received had drifted to between 30 and 60 days. Harvey Water Softeners receives Good Housekeeping Institute approval
IDS relocates to new HQ at the Parkhouse Interchange, Stoke
F & P Wholesale fundraising efforts result in £37K donation to Whizz-Kidz
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. 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. George Osborne pays a visit to Triton, the Great British shower company
Mistoria Group hopes to 'clean up' with new business Mistoria Spotless
Roman sponsored kit brings success
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. People
New Commercial Manager brings two decades of experience to role
Utopia announces marketing department expansion
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