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KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-newssince 2002
5th September 2014

 

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International News
Products

Tantalising tiles from Abacus

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Stunning aesthetics coupled with technical excellence is Abacus Manufacturing Group's hallmark. And the exciting, comprehensive range of Designer tiles allows the designer or installer to complete the perfect bathroom.
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Shower in classic style with Belgravia

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The new Belgravia exposed shower valve collection from Crosswater faithfully reproduces the style one might find in a luxury Victorian bathroom.
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Abode's Estimo... a tap of perfect proportions

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Abode previewed a number of new designs of contemporary style kitchen mixer taps at KBB earlier this year which are now out in the marketplace nationwide.
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UK water saving plumbing products market growing rapidly

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The UK water saving plumbing products market is estimated at £164 million at Manufacturers Selling Prices (MSP) in 2013, according to a new report by AMA Research.
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Add a sparkle to your shower with Dynamo

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New for August 2014, what could be more relaxing than showering under an invigorating spray of sparkling water with light dancing off the drops as they fall? Crosswater has made the dream come true with Dynamo, an innovative new shower head that incorporates LED lighting to illuminate your shower.
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Luxurious Hands and Faces from Ben De Lisi

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"My bathroom is a place where you just want to languish for ages" - Ben De Lisi. Iconic American fashion and interiors designer, Ben de Lisi, has designed a range of 'Hands and Faces' washbasins which are available to buy from Abacus Manufacturing Group via www.ben-de-lisi.com

The ceramic models comprise contemporary washbasins which are designed with functionality in mind. They are available in round, square, flat and rectangular configurations - something for every luxurious bathroom design scheme. Alongside the seven ceramic options, there are four beautiful basins in the Stone collection. Handcrafted from natural stone, these pieces epitomise luxurious bathing.
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Burger unveils new kitchen styles - available for quick delivery

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Bauformat has unveiled 32 new door additions to its Burger brand 'modern' kitchen range, which now offers 170 door choices.

Competitively priced, Cora and the new Cindy range (pictured) are available as part of the 'Schnell' quick delivery solution within 10 to 15 working days.
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Franke adds hi-tech entry-level Orion Tectonite sinks to its Pro-Value range

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Franke's new Orion Tectonite synthetic inset sinks are the latest contemporary designs to be introduced into the best-selling Pro-Value range, designed to offer exceptional quality and style at prices within most budgets.
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New Space Tower larder kit exclusively from LDL

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The latest product innovation from LDL, Space Tower is a unique, easy to install Blum drawer kit for larder units. The first such product on the market, Space Tower can now be ordered and installed quickly and easily without the need for specialist tools.
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Create a clutter-free kitchen with Caple's new WMI2003 integrated washing machine

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Caple's new fully integrated WMI2003 A++ energy-rated washing machine helps create a streamlined, clutter-free look in the kitchen since it is hidden away behind a cupboard door.

A rated for washing and B rated for spin efficiency and with a 1200rpm spin speed, a maximum sound level of 57dB for washing and 75db for spinning, it features a 15 minutes fast wash plus a wool, delicate and underwear wash and seven further programmes.

T: 0117 938 1900
W: www.caple.co.uk


Whirlpool's funky Max microwaves add real zing!

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Whirlpool Max cool and funky microwave ovens are stylish, highly practical and functional and are available in stunning sunny, summer colours, Zesty Orange and Vivacious Green. The latest addition to the range is a refreshing and shining Full White.
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Welcome to the

KBzine

Working across both the KBB and the professional cleaning & hygiene industries as I do, I knew it was only a matter of time before someone from one of those sectors made a statement about the EU’s edict on vacuum cleaners, which will prevent us from purchasing the more powerful higher wattage models. Well done to the Bathroom Manufacturers Association’s Yvonne Orgill for being first out of the blocks with her entertaining ‘Soapbox’, below. Being reminded of the ridiculous EU laws on bendy bananas and cucumbers, which then made me think about the unnecessary waste created by the ban on sales of misshapen fruit and then what came to be known as the ‘butter mountain’ while much of the human race is starving, made me very cross and soon had me reaching for the chocolate!

I’ve been at a cleaning exhibition this week and the talk amongst manufacturers was of the need some years ago for vacuum cleaners to have been made more efficient rather than more powerful; indeed some confessed that perhaps the ability to increase wattage – and thus power - had made the industry lazy by not forcing designers to create equipment that was less wasteful of energy. I’m looking forward to being able to pay less for the electricity needed to deal with my cat’s hairs in future – although I don’t think it will happen soon. 

The KBB industry is one that perhaps other manufacturers should study, if they want to learn about cutting waste, for household appliance manufacturers have probably surprised even themselves in the ways they have managed to increase efficiency while cutting both power and water consumption. Everyone involved deserves to be congratulated. 

And I agree with Yvonne that by acting before the EU creates its laws, we are able to retain a degree of control over what we as consumers either enjoy or endure - and like her I call on manufacturers that haven’t yet embraced the need to reduce water consumption, to do so now. By being proactive, our industry has made a real difference to environmental concerns without consumers having to suffer too much. And as someone with hoards of old style electric lightbulbs, I can prove that I don’t like living with the results of manufacturers ignoring the inevitable!

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Yours,

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Jan Hobbs

 



This Week's News

See Amica at IFA from today until 10th September

* Raranzacja.jpgBerlin's IFA, kicking off its 90th year today, is one of the world's top trade shows for consumer electronics and appliances and exhibiting for the 5th year in succession is Amica, Poland's leading and Europe's fastest growing built-in and freestanding appliance manufacturer.

Amica's most recent innovations will be on display in Hall 71b, stand 101 on a 50% larger stand and highlights include a brand new concept in home appliance control and monitoring - AmicaIn, an innovative, intelligent and interactive connection for appliances, no matter what the brand, for home or away monitoring and control. Also on the stand will be new induction cooking features, new ovens in new colours with new functions with features such as illuminated door handles along with a new range of cooling innovations.
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Bendy bananas and hand-pumped vacuum cleaners

Yvonne Orgill, of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association, writes...

Oh we laughed, didn't we?

That was the day, exactly 20 years ago in September 1994, when the EU brought out Regulation (EC) No.2257/94 which laid down quality standards for bananas.

Oh such fun!
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Orion; Sensio's new rechargeable LED under bed light

* Sensio-bedroom.jpgLighting specialist Sensio is pleased to further extend its bedroom lighting collection with another pioneering solution, the Orion rechargeable LED under bed light.

Enhancing both the functionality and aesthetics of any bedroom, Orion fits seamlessly beneath the bed, illuminating the area, whilst also transforming the bed into a focal point in the room. The discreet fitting can also be positioned inside cabinets, or under cabinets to create a floating effect and illuminate the floor in a kitchen or a bedroom.
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PWS' sponsored CD raises more than £5,000 for Help For Heroes

PWS-Help-For-Heroes.jpgSponsored by PWS, The Military WAGS Choir CD has raised over £5,000 for Help For Heroes. Mark Stephenson, Chief Executive at PWS, is a trustee of the WAGS Choir and supported the recording of the 'Harmonies for Heroes' CD in aid of Help For Heroes. The project was jointly led by Carol Gedye, WAGS' musical director, and Jill Lundberg, press officer at PWS.

Over 500 CDs have already been sold and proceeds from the sales, coupled with money raised from an earlier concert, are to boost an appeal to raise £100,000 for a performing arts centre at Phoenix House, the Help For Heroes Recovery Centre in Catterick, North Yorkshire.
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Innovation at the lightest of touches with Geberit Sigma70

* Bathroom-Sigma.jpgSetting itself apart from other WC flush plates in terms of looks and performance, Geberit has launched its most revolutionary flush system yet, the Geberit Sigma70 featuring new Dual Hydraulic Servo technology.

Making activation of the flush almost effortless for the user, the new Geberit Sigma70 flush plate is the latest innovation in the best-selling Geberit Sigma range, which includes an extensive range of flush plates and the Duofix range of framing systems and concealed cisterns for wall-hung WCs, with 8cm, 12cm and corner options to suit any situation.
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1...2...3 giveaways with Magnet Trade this Autumn

Magnet Trade, the kitchen & joinery specialist, is rewarding tradespeople this Autumn with its new '123 Rewards' initiative, enabling customers to choose from a range of prizes based on instore spend.

Customers spending £3,000, £5,000 and £10,000 throughout September and October are able to choose rewards which increase in line with spend. Prizes for a £3,000 spend include experience days and portable speakers, while 'levelling up' to £5,000 and £10,000 spends, offers rewards including return flights to Europe, LED TVs, Beats Headphones, golf breaks and luxury hotel stays.
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Smeg collaborates with innovative pop-up 'London in the Sky'

* smeg-under-London-sky.jpgSmeg is known for its collaborations with top architects and designers, but its latest venture, teaming up with open-air, pop-up restaurant London in the Sky, has reached new heights of style... 100 feet to be exact!
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Ladder Exchange looks at safe use with 'Idiots on Ladders contest'

* idiot-on-ladder.jpgWith this year's Ladder Exchange now underway, the Ladder Association is again asking for submissions to its Idiots on Ladders contest, which has the public send in the worst pictures of ladder use they can find, to show just how dangerous it can be to misuse a ladder.

Idiots on Ladders is part of a two-pronged push to help ensure ladder users are safe. While the Ladder Exchange - which lets people trade their old, possibly dodgy ladders for safe new ones at a discount - takes unsafe equipment out of circulation, Idiots on Ladders looks at the role of people using the equipment.
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Abode invests in apprenticeships

Abode-apprentices.jpgHaving been an employer of local people in and around the Barnsley area for many years, Abode is committed to giving something back to the community by working with the National Apprentice Service and First for Apprenticeships Barnsley.
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Inclusive bathroom design looks set to grow

* ripples.jpgDue to the increasingly ageing society, accessibility is no longer a minority topic; the demand for inclusively designed bathroom products looks set to grow. You can have good design with product that ultimately serves a purpose rather than just 'looking good' to create a great space for all ages.

Well-designed, accessible concepts are becoming increasingly important as a result of this demographic change.
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Jan Hobbs
Publishing Editor
Email:[email protected]
Tel: +44 (0)1372 811 307 
Mobile: 07980 288 373

 

 

 

 

John Austen
Publishing Director
Email:[email protected]
Tel: +44 (0)1580 755 863
Mobile: 07766 707 888
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Recent News

University addresses construction industry skills shortage

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iKBBI co-develops industry training for life-saving asbestos awarenes

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