KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
30th May 2014
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 International News
Products Deva introduces award-winning Satinjet to bestselling bath shower mixer
Atoll brings linear high fashion to bathrooms
Featuring a straight geometric spout and a slim, one touch control lever, the Atoll range can be operated with just a gentle lift or push. As well as being a great choice for new bathroom installations, Atoll can be a quick fix for updating a tired bathroom that is past its best. Fixers applaud BAL Rapid-Mat cost savings
In-toto celebrates 22% increase in 2013 kitchen sales
Founded over 30 years ago, in-toto is now a well-established kitchen brand in the UK with nearly 50 Design Studios nationwide.  Family-friendly: the new washer dryer from Amica
Latest member, Vado, boosts BMF P&H Sector
Industry leading guarantee announced by the Kitchen Door Workshop
Homeowners desperately seek space solutions as stay-at-home children count soars
Abode Matrix SQ GR15 with Zucca tap: smooth lines and pure angles
Top five tips to capitalise on cooker hoods
Cooker hoods can often be overlooked by both consumers and kitchen retailers. However, choosing to stock stunning, stylish hoods can be both a business boost for kitchen specialists, and also invaluable for consumers who are looking for a complete kitchen solution. Linear thinking from Leisure Sinks
Hafele announces its 'must have' kitchen product predictions for Summer 2014
Grass Nova Pro Drawer System Britannia Living launches recycling innovation Krushr
Bathroom Brands outlines wide-ranging plans to drive growth at 3-day internationally attended launch
'Ditch the tiles: Use wall panelling for the wow factor in bathrooms and kitchens!' says Abacus...
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Bearing in mind I’ve never been lucky enough to own a dishwasher or lived anywhere that I’ve been able to use one, news on TV and in the Nationals this week has set me thinking more than it should perhaps have done... apparently 844,000 dishwashers have been sold with a fault that can cause them to catch fire, yet despite efforts made by the manufacturers concerned, only 195,000 have, so far, been traced! Does this mean that almost 650,000 potentially faulty dishwashers are currently being used, or have most of them been discarded because they’re either broken or the owners fancied an upgraded version and dumped them (or perhaps put them on Gumtree or something)? I understand that the appliances were manufactured between 1999 and 2005 so can probably safely assume that they’re not all still in existence, but what about those that are? Have the owners perhaps failed to send off their guarantee cards, or moved house (taking their appliances with them)? Or are these people aware that the appliances may be putting their lives in danger, but are simply too busy to do something about it? Do they read the papers or are they blissfully unaware of the danger they may be in? Or do we instead have disproportionately high numbers of positive thinkers amongst the dishwasher owning population, compared to everyone else? Government figures revealed that faulty appliances caused 6,000 household fires in 2010/2011, so while my musings may seem somewhat airy fairy, there is a real issue here. Assuming that the manufacturers concerned have done all they can to trace the owners, what then happens in the event of one of these appliances catching fire? What lengths will a manufacturer go to, in order to trace a customer that may be using a dangerous appliance? And if a manufacturer can prove that the customer is in receipt of a recall request but has failed to act upon it, will the customer’s insurance company have to pay out, will the manufacturer take responsibility or will the customer be held liable for failing to return the product or arrange for it to be made safe? As a layperson when it comes to such matters, I see a real blurring of the lines here and would love to know how the responsibility is divided up – if, indeed, it is at all…
Yours,
 This Week's News
May Design Series makes its mark
C.P Hart, John Lewis, Homebase, Mark Nicholas Designs, Sykes Bathrooms, Tesco, Bathstore, B&Q, Two Guys Kitchens, Staffan Tollgard, Nicholas Haslam and Tara Bernerd & Partners are a sample of the lucrative attendees. Richard Walker leaves De Dietrich to accept new senior industry role with GDHA
Richard joined De Dietrich Kitchen Appliances in 2006 from Electrolux, when he accepted the newly created post of marketing director and within the same year he was promoted to the role of sales & marketing director. During his time in the business, he managed a 16-strong sales & marketing team, and all targets were achieved each years. Award-winning tiling fixed with BAL
Stonework specialist Szerelmey completed two packages in the Grade II listed building's south-eastern quadrant, on staircases and flooring, involving both new build and restoration work. BAL adhesives were used extensively at for the award-winning work, including BAL Stone & Tile PTB, BAL Single Part Fast Flex and BAL Supercover Rapid Flex. BAL Thickbase and BAL Prime APD were also used during the preparation phases. Water Label shortlisted for its sixth award
The UK government's Environment Agency and Waterwise are behind the UK Water Efficiency Awards 2014. It is the most high profile awards scheme in the UK to recognise the water efficiency achievements of the public, private and third sector organisations. A busy first year for Bathroom Brands' Faye Rainey!
Faye, a graduate from Leeds Metropolitan University, accepted what she describes as: "An exciting opportunity to define, the now four brands in the Bathroom Brands portfolio". Managing a huge £1million research, design and photography budget, alongside creative design agency Reef Design, Faye and the Bathroom Brands team have succinctly defined the Burlington, Britton, Clearwater and new Arcade brands. Stoves stands out with launch of stylish fridge freezers
The Stoves FD90 and SXS90 are 90cm wide models that offer the latest in convenience and efficiency and are available in sleek black and modish stainless steel. Two more speakers secured for Conference
They are Heather Sophia Athié, Account Director at Mynewsdesk, and Clif McLellan (pictured), Vice President, Global Water Division, NSF International.
During the breakfast seminar, Elaine revealed how design, atmosphere and flow affects customer engagement, how to get more customers through the door, and give tips on how to keep a showroom 'ready for business' at all times. She also answered specific questions from attendees in a group session and on an individual basis over coffee afterwards. And the winner is... Burge and Gunson UK Shower manufacturer Roman and UK shower tray manufacturer JT, have announced Burge and Gunson - one of London's largest independent bathroom specialists, the lucky winner of their prize draw, held at the 'Meet the Merchant' Fortis conference recently. The draw was open to all Fortis members, with the chance to win a state of the art 50 inch television. To be in with the chance of winning the prize, the Merchants had to hand in their unique reference number at the Roman and JT stand. Britannia appoints new business development manager
Bringing more than five years experience from the electronics assembly industry, David has worked with retailers and distributors throughout the UK and will manage Britannia's retail partnerships in the Home Counties. 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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iKBBI co-develops industry training for life-saving asbestos awareness
The golf will be followed by the prize ceremony and networking dinner. Anyone working in the industry can take part, whatever your handicap. £5 of the £45 Green Fee will be donated to WaterAid. Accessibility bathroom features purpose-made HEWI solutions
Snowdonia Slateman is scene of next step in Croydex's fundraising campaign
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