KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
20th February 2015
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 International News
Products The European Water Label: a force for good
Abode Verla receives award nomination
Verla is an innovative new take on kitchen mixer tap styling with a 'V' shaped body design. The smooth curved radii of the tap come together perfectly from the architecturally tall spout design, to the easy-to-operate style handles. Choose a kitchen in any colour with new RAL options from Alno
The German manufacturer now offers six different kitchen ranges that can be ordered in any RAL or NCS colour. With thousands of options available, this colour matching service provides guaranteed colour accuracy. T: 0113 3315 100 Gone grey - Burbidge's contemporary classic Malmo in the shade of the decade
Systemline S7 installed at prestigious showroom in London Design Centre - Victoria + Albert Baths
Bespoke screens designed by SWA members are gracing the best bathrooms
A little Kitchen Magic will help spread some cheer...
Abode welcomes a further sink model to the successful Connekt family
ProApp delivers Geberit know-how straight to your Smartphone
Kilrock combats household damp with launch of new Damp Clear moisture range
High impact basins from Arcade offer several design options
New & innovative product for members unveiled
Abode Tempeau: an installer's dream
Buckinghamshire New University to provide FDA sponsorship of the 2015 KBSA Designer Awards
Total relaxation in a customised luxury bathroom - what Grohe Spa is all about
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There’s good news for the retail sector this week with the Office for National Statistics report showing that the sustained period of year-on-year growth we’ve been experiencing, is showing no sign of abating. Retail sales in January 2015 were estimated to have increased by 5.4% compared with January 2014 - the 22nd consecutive month of year-on-year growth and the longest period of sustained year-on-year growth since May 2008 when there were 31 periods of growth! The underlying pattern in the rolling three-month on three-month movement in the quantity bought, showed continued growth for the 23rd consecutive month, increasing by 2.3%. The value of Internet sales decreased by 0.2% in January 2015 compared with December 2014 and accounted for 11.6% of all retail sales in January 2015. Online sales increased by 12.0% compared with January 2014. All this spending has perhaps impacted on the employment figures, which show that the employment rate is enjoying a record high with record numbers of 16-24 year olds in work too. According to the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development, though, much needs to be done to address skills shortages and utilisation and we are warned that, if we are to improve overall UK productivity and pay, we must look at what British businesses are doing to develop and use their people’s skills. Apparently almost half of the UK workforce has seen either a pay freeze or a pay cut (3% pay cut, 39% pay freeze) in the 12 months to December 2014. In contrast, a similar proportion (40%) have received a pay increase of 2% or more, while less than a fifth (18%) fall in the middle ground of people who have received a pay increase in the 0.1-1.99% corridor. It appears from the report that the difference between companies that can afford to give a decent pay rise and those that are continuing to freeze pay, lies partly in the quality of leadership and management and level of workforce investment. There is evidence that organisations which have more sophisticated product market strategies, are more likely to have adopted better personnel management strategies, characterised by greater investment in the workforce. Food for thought perhaps?
Yours,
 This Week's News
Five-star cleanliness, comfort and luxury from Geberit at the Chedi Andermatt Hotel
With luxury and comfort being at the heart of the hotel's design, the bathrooms feature high quality fittings throughout, with large bathtubs, natural stone floors with underfloor heating and separate rain showers. Completing the spa-like luxury for guests are Geberit's top-of-the range shower toilets, fitted in each of the hotel's 106 rooms and suites. Taking steps against workplace slips
The Health & Safety Laboratory has launched a new footwear rating scheme called 'GRIP.' GRIP provides free information to health & safety managers so that they can make informed, evidence based decisions before purchasing resistance footwear. The Health & Safety Executive's new white paper 'Get a GRIP' explains how the scheme works and where you can get further information about which footwear has been rated. To request your copy: E: [email protected] quoting GRIPWPHSE. Build loyalty by letting your customers know about this offer...
Keep kitchen drawers tidy with Leicht's new Q-box
The ultimate storage solution, Q-Box stores herbs, spices, utensils, sugars, flours and all the everyday paraphenalia of cooking in an easy-to-use solution with different inserts for different uses. For condiments there are jars, for wine there is a special rack, for foil a holder, while for utensils and knives there is an insert or block that keeps them neatly in their place. Britannia expands portfolio with splashbacks
Catergorised by stainless steel, glass and decorative steel, the new splashbacks are available in a variety of configurations from 90 - 120cm, complementary of Britannia's range cooker specifications.
For a more enclosed wetroom experience, Roman's Embrace Wetroom Panel with Flipper Panel is the perfect solution. It presents a stylish wetroom but with the added reassurance of increased water integrity.
New for 2015 is the Blanco Sona range of Silgranit sinks, available in three sizes to suit every kitchen. The 5S, 6S and XL6S offer everything from compact solutions to super-sized designs for larger households. Convert your Macdee Wirquin products into a Rugby World Cup Final package
The VIP package includes a pair of Rugby World Cup final tickets, accommodation, return match day travel, merchandise vouchers and a Canterbury England World Cup 2015 jersey. Miele announces the winners of its Grand Designs Live, London 2015 Stand Competition Miele has announced the winners of its coveted competition, where independent kitchen retailers had the chance of winning a 30sq.m stand at Grand Designs Live, London 2015 worth over £16,000. To enter, studios had to design a kitchen for either less than £20,000 with five Miele appliances, less than £30,000 to include seven Miele appliances or less than £60,000 with 10 Miele appliances, including MTouch. Kitchen values had to include VAT, installation and appliances and the kitchens themselves had to reflect the budget of the category entered and were judged on style, innovation and how the appliances had been incorporated, as well as a 500-word document about the design. Abode launches new sink & tap brochure for 2015
The brochure shows the full portfolio of the company's exclusive products for this year including all of the new sinks and taps launched during the last few months, all fully illustrated and priced.
Natalie brings with her a wealth of experience having previously worked in the industry for both Bisque Radiators and Zehnder. British Ceramic Tile, has promoted Mark Rigby to the position of national account manager
"This new role looks set to be a fantastic challenge," enthuses Mark. "I will be fully immersed in all aspects of the account from buying and supply chain, through to customer service and logistics. It's a great step forward for me personally. 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. News in Brief Congratulations to Ripples Bathrooms – just awarded ‘Best Of Houzz’ for Design - [email protected] ... Caple’s new WC177 wine cabinet has a massive 89 Bordeaux (750ml) bottle capacity – T: 0117 938 1900 … The GroheBlue kitchen tap has been awarded the KitchenInnovation consumer award by the LifeCare Initiative - www.grohe.co.uk... See Hafele UK’s improved and expanded Essential Ironmongery range at www.hafele.co.uk How to contact us at The KBzine:
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Do it right and you can build the perfect wetroom
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May Design Series returns for 2015
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