KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
30th January 2015
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 International News
Products Barwood Products welcomes DisabledGo report
Tap into traditional and contemporary bathroom interiors with Laura Ashley
Liebherr appliances now to be supplied directly to the UK trade From the beginning of this year, new stocks of Liebherr appliances have only been available from Liebherr GB.
Abacus Elements wet rooms - high on technology, low on carbon footprint
Abacus Elements is a range of easy to install, tileable wet floor systems for domestic and commercial applications. Made by specialist manufacturer and distributor of bathroom products, Abacus Manufacturing Group, the waterproof structural foam boasts high insulation properties and high compressive strength. Sensio launches curved acrylic LED over mirror light
InSinkErator's stylish range of 3N1 taps adds an affordable splash of colour to any kitchen
The stylish yet affordable one-piece kitchen tap is now available in three new finishes of Natural Stone, Orange and Pearl White; keeping with contemporary design trends and exhibiting an eye-catching splash of colour in any showroom. Light up the life of a bathroom or kitchen with impressive new Abacus lighting portfolio
Milestone for Nolte Kitchens in Russia
Whirlpool's new 6th Sense induction oven can save 50% in time and energy
A traditional oven is probably the one we are all used to, however the big difference between the two becomes immediately apparent in the way of an easy to use cooking experience that will save users personal time, money and energy. The wonder of induction technology, which is clean, fast and super-efficient, makes the whole cooking process a joy. Electrolux's Design Lab 2015 theme and upgraded prize fund announced
Introducing the complete outdoor kitchen: the latest cooking trend for your home
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Speaking as someone who only worked out last night that my boiler thermostat is probably in Fahrenheit rather than Centigrade (no wonder my house always felt so cold unless I made the conscious decision to subject myself to ridiculously high heating bills that never seemed to arrive!), I am clearly mindful of the welcome difference that can be made to one’s bills by setting the thermostat a couple of degrees lower than normal and how little difference is made to the temperature by upping the thermostat a few degrees (well – in my case anyway, when it comes to ‘upping’!). Although it’s not KBB specific as such, I felt that – with the temperatures having dropped so much over the past couple of days and with the threat of worse to come – an item outlining the difference in costs was worth including in today’s issue. As it includes a degree by degree table of potential annual heating costs, it offers a more graphic picture of the results of any decisions made. It’s not just money though, is it? It’s all about the environment too and I’m proud to be part of an industry that’s working so hard to embrace sustainability and provide us with appliances and bathroom equipment that use as little energy and water as possible without us being able to tell the difference when it comes to results or experience.
Yours,
 This Week's News
Some like it hot... (but women like it hotter)
The new poll of 2,000 co-habiting UK adults found that more than half of women like their homes to be around 24°C or hotter, whereas only 35% of men want their thermostat higher than 22°C.
The latest addition to a basin range that already includes a wide selection of pedestals, semi pedestals and under mount designs is a neat 500mm semi recessed basin that is ideal for use with furniture. May Design Series returns for 2015
Furniture, Lighting, DX, kbb and Decor. Taking place at London's ExCeL from 17th - 19th May and carefully 'Curated for Business', the show will welcome 500 exhibitors from across the world to this commercially focused trade exhibition. High impact basins from Arcade offer several design options
Featuring an authentic Belle epoque design signature, 900mm console basins from Arcade are now available with either ceramic console legs, a smart nickel finished stand or options of furniture helping to create a statement piece in your bathroom. New & innovative product for members unveiled
Working with Hertfordshire based YourTradeBase.co.uk the iKBBI says that the software solution enables members to instantly produce professionally formatted commercial documents, to include KBB-specific terms & conditions as well as invoice creation, tracking and payment processing.
Magnet Trade ready to reward Community Champions Magnet Trade, has just launched Magnet Trade 'Community Champions', a campaign that will see hero community causes across the UK rewarded with cash prizes.
Nominated causes will be asked to describe what makes them a 'Magnet of the community', with £10,000 split between the 10 most worthy causes based on a public vote, and an additional £1,000 awarded to the public's overall national favourite. Abode Tempeau: an installer's dream
Amanda Redman MBE, actress and Patron of the Children's Burns Trust, who was badly burned as a child, attended the campaign launch to raise awareness of the dangers of hot water in the home and to promote how thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs) can help to drastically reduce the risks of scalding, specifically in the bathroom. Buckinghamshire New University to provide FDA sponsorship of the 2015 KBSA Designer Awards
This will include a brand new award: the 2015 KBSA Student Kitchen Concept Designer of the Year (open to students on the inaugural Foundation Degree (Arts) Kitchen Design course). Dream Doors opens 50th retail showroom as demand for kitchen makeovers continues to grow
Dream Doors offers kitchen makeovers for a fraction of the cost of a full re-fit, replacing doors, worktops and drawer fronts to transform a kitchen within just 48 hours. With more than 5,000 kitchen makeovers completed across the Dream Doors network in 2014, the market opportunity for franchises is huge, with demand set to increase even further in 2015. Electrolux named Industry Leader in RobecoSAM sustainability rating For the fourth consecutive year, Electrolux has been ranked Industry Leader Household Durables in RobecoSAM's Sustainability Yearbook, an annual rating of companies' sustainability performance.
Over 3,000 of the world's largest companies were invited to participate in the RobecoSAM Corporate Sustainability Assessment. The top performing company from each of 59 industries received the Industry Leader award. Bauknecht appliances - available from in-toto Kitchens
Bauknecht appliances are now available directly to UK homeowners, exclusively through in-toto's 50 kitchen design studios nationwide. Total relaxation in a customised luxury bathroom - what Grohe Spa is all about
When setting out to remodel a bathroom, many people continue to believe that the bathroom should remain a space of privacy and seclusion, a room to indulge in me-time, and focus entirely on ourselves and our personal needs. 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
Inclusive kitchen and bathroom products to grow by 20% to 2018
Miele is star performer in the Which? 2015 Best Appliance Brands Survey
 Minister highlights safety concerns as too few people register their domestic appliances Thousands of consumers are missing out on product safety warnings as they fail to register appliances such as fridges, freezers and washing machines, according to research published yesterday. Consumer Affairs Minister Jo Swinson is encouraging more people to take this important step and use 'register my appliance.' Methven goes back to school with L&Q
Tom Howley opens new Bristol showroom
KBSA report says 2014 business increased by 7% The Kitchen, Bathroom & Bedroom Specialists Association says initial figures indicate that overall value sales from its members increased by 7% in the year ending December 31st 2014. This figure confirms anecdotal reports that were seen throughout the year, with members being extremely positive about sales. Soapbox: Addressing skills gap and improving industry image will be key for construction in 2015
Kitchen refurb puts chef out front
People
iKBBI welcomes first female member
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And while I’m on subjects that aren’t quite KBB specific, I had to chuckle at the image of these highly unusual tables made from Hi-Macs material. They’re called ‘Dizzy’ and I can imagine them bamboozling someone coming across them for the first time, having perhaps had a drink or two more than they should. Of course Hi-Macs can be used in kitchens in a myriad of ways but I have to say that much as I love these tables, I’d question this type of treatment of Hi-Macs throughout the entire kitchen space. It would quite put me off my breakfast…
