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KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-newssince 2002
13th March 2015

 

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Please note that you are viewing an archived issue of The KBzine.




International News
Products

Methven set to turn showering on its head with launch of Aurajet technology

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Methven, the global designer and manufacturer of premium showers and tapware, has developed a pioneering new showering technology. Exclusively engineered for Methven's striking new Aio range, the patented Aurajet technology delivers superior spray, maximum warmth and offers an unparalleled showering experience.
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Contemporary Partridge Grey finish for PWS' Milbourne range

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Hot on the heels of launching Milbourne Stone, PWS has introduced an ex-stock contemporary partridge grey finish to the range. This brings the number of stocked Milbourne colours to six, alongside alabaster, almond, chalk, sage and stone, with a further 18 colours on a paint-to-order basis.
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New Glacier from Mistral - a cooler shade of white...

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Glacier, the solid white decor from the Mistral solid surface worktop range, has been re-engineered to create a crisper, purer, white effect.
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Technology meets tradition with high level WC's from Burlington

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If authentic period detail is a must, a traditional high level WC is the only option. The designers at Burlington Bathrooms are experts when it comes to nostalgia - combining yesteryear design with the finest in modern technology.
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Abode's Edge tap... pushing the boundaries

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In recent years the humble kitchen tap has received a massive transformation and now takes its rightful place in the home; no longer the simple piece of utilitarian and functional design. Abode kitchen taps are now high on the agenda in the design stakes using only the finest components, from the silky smooth valve cartridges to the anti-splash aerators at the end of the spout.
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New iKBBI consumer protection insurance to launch

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As part of The Installation Standards Partnership (iSP) initiative, the Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installers (iKBBI) is in the process of agreeing terms with a leading provider of consumer protection insurance to introduce a mandatory policy for retailers to ultimately protect their customers and installers in the event of a financial collapse.
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Saniflo supports National Apprentice competition

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Saniflo has a long history of supporting plumbing students. From working with colleges throughout the UK to providing on-line training modules on its website, the company is committed to investing in the plumbers of the future.
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Royal Arcade over-bath shower is truly stunning

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Arcade is the truly timeless brand set to provide the ultimate in luxury for any traditional or contemporary setting. This latest stunning piece, the Royal Freestanding over-bath shower temple, is an elegant alternative to the freestanding Piccadilly shower temple, and is yet another example of the striking design and quality of the range.
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Sanitaryware durability: new test process launched for secure areas

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No sanitaryware product should be considered as indestructible. That's a fact and it is true that some sanitaryware products are more robust than others. But how do you know which is the best choice for a particular installation?
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Whirlpool dishwasher awarded 9/10 by TrustedReviews

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The new Whirlpool dishwasher, the 6th Sense PowerDry ADP 900 IX, has been awarded 9/10 by TrustedReviews, which praised the Whirlpool dishwasher for its hero features, acknowledged as the PowerClean and PowerDry programmes.
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Cosentino Group expands its presence in Canada

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The Spanish Cosentino Group is strengthening its position in Canada with new company-owned facilities; firmly establishing the multinational in this market. Cosentino currently operates a Centre in Calgary and a 'City Associated' showroom in Toronto, both of which opened recently. The Group is also planning a new Centre in Vancouver in the near future.
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Five-star cleanliness, comfort and luxury from Geberit at the Chedi Andermatt Hotel

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Shower toilets offer guests the chance to experience spa-like cleanliness and give hoteliers the opportunity to raise the comfort levels above their five-star status. That is why Geberit AquaClean 8000plus was the natural choice for the bathrooms in the luxurious Chedi Andermatt Hotel located in the beautiful Swiss Alps.
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Keep kitchen drawers tidy with Leicht's new Q-box

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Any good cook will tell you how important it is to have all one's ingredients and utensils close at hand so that cooking is quick and easy. Renowned for its German kitchen design, Leicht has developed an independent organisation system for drawers called Q-Box.
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Britannia expands portfolio with splashbacks

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Britannia Living has announce new splashbacks to complement its premium kitchen appliance range.

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.
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Welcome to the

KBzine

I’ve worked across many industries but the KBB industry is the first one that I’ve noticed, which is really into charity fundraising. I probably receive on average a press release each week about some initiative or other and I wish I could feature them all as I know from my own parachute jumps some years back that these fundraisers take a lot of organisation and often some persistent cajoling to get everyone involved!

Today is Comic Relief day and no doubt many KBzine readers will be doing their bit; either with work colleagues or friends and family. If that’s you, I wish you lots of fun and hope that you reach your targets.

Louisa Bradshaw from Better Bathrooms tells me that she and her colleagues have been getting into the Red Nose Day spirit all day and that so far they have raised over £500.  All the staff have been wearing red noses along with red clothes and have been making faces funny for money (as our picture shows)! In addition, they’ve held a special Red Nose Day Curry Competition, where staff brought in homemade curry and the best one won a paid day off work! “The best news was that everyone bought a bowl of curry for £1 at lunch time – yummy!” says Louisa.

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Wonder how their offices are going to smell on Monday…

John Austen and I have been envying those of you who were lucky enough to attend the ISH event in Cologne, from the cleaning exhibition we were covering at London’s ExCel… I’m looking forward to receiving piles of press releases revealing what we missed in terms of launches.

My feet have just about recovered and I hope yours have too.

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Yours,

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Jan Hobbs

 



This Week's News

Easy installation and stylish showering with Abacus Manufacturing Group's Vessini range

* Vessini.jpgCombining cutting edge design, innovation and quality, the Vessini range of shower controls from Abacus Manufacturing Group has been conceived to enhance the bathroom experience for the end user while proving an integrated solution that makes installation easy.

Vessini brassware embraces manual and thermostatic shower and diverter valves. These include standard fittings and those that work in combination with the Vessini universal Easi-Box system which provides the installer with a simple installation procedure.
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BAL breaks new ground with launch of high spec training centre

* BAL_Peter-Bell_Mohammed-Pervez.jpgA state-of-the art £300,000 Innovation & Technology Centre (ITC) has been officially opened by the leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council Councillor Mohammad Pervez at Building Adhesives in Trentham.

Councillor Pervez opened the Centre alongside the company's managing director Peter Bell at a special launch event last Wednesday.
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Triton achieves zero waste to landfill status - two years ahead of schedule!

* Triton-works.jpgTriton, 'The Great British Shower Company', is celebrating the achievement of zero waste to landfill status two years ahead of schedule. Having adopted a long-term strategy geared towards recycling or reusing all waste components and materials by 2018, Triton has already achieved its target.

The business's latest eco success comes less than 12 months after it introduced a number of environmental enhancements at its headquarters in Nuneaton, Warwickshire.
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‘Student Placements - Supporting Your Global Growth’: UK Trade & Investment event this month

* Portsmouth-Business-School.jpgWhether you are a new or experienced exporter, university students can offer your business the opportunity to undertake projects which might otherwise go unexploited, as well as introduce new ways of thinking to help your organisation further its global competitive edge.

In partnership with UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), the Student Placements - Supporting Your Global Growth’ event will take place on 25th March. Hosted by the University of Portsmouth's Business School, the event will feature representatives showcasing opportunities from Portsmouth Business School.
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Victoria + Albert Baths launches its first ever collection of bathroom furniture

* Victoria-Albert-Baths.jpgVictoria + Albert Baths has now launched its first ever collection of bathroom furniture. Suitable for a range of interior schemes and styles, the collections signify Victoria + Albert's move into developing beautiful, practical bathroom furniture alongside elegant freestanding baths and basins.

The collections include two integrated vanity units, the Mandello 114 (below left) and Lario 100 (below right), which include integrated basins made from Victoria + Albert's exclusive Quarrycast material - a unique blend of Volcanic Limestone and high performance resins, forming a super-strong basin that is scratch resistant, wipe-clean and features a built-in overflow.
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Graham Hayden Training launches new industry course

Alongside the current courses of level 1 and level 2 Sales and Customer Care courses, Graham has launched the new ‘Customer Delight’ course for the kbb industry which looks at the skills and techniques that delegates can understand and introduce to their business roles in order to maximise their profitable sales, increase referral business, and deal with any customer complaints effectively.

The course duration is four hours which means that it can be delivered as a morning or afternoon slot or alongside product training modules to complete a training day.
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Pick up a free framing system along with your know-how at Geberit installer training days

* geberit.jpgTaking time out from a busy work schedule to take in some training can be tricky, but Geberit makes it worth an installer's while, not only with free training that ensures your skills and knowledge are up to scratch, but by giving each trainee a Geberit Duofix framing system and flush plate to practice their new-found skills on, worth over £250.

Installers booking on to the free sanitary systems training at the manufacturer's purpose-built and recently redesigned Training Academies in Warwick and Dublin, will not only benefit from hands-on experience of fitting Geberit's products but will also get to take one home with them, enabling them to hit the ground running the next time they are called to install a customer's bathroom.
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Seven tips for better bathroom lighting, from 'across the pond'

Doug Walter, AIA, Senior Architect at Godden/Sudik Architects in Centennial, Colorado, US, contacted us a couple of weeks back saying: “I’ve been a subscriber to KBzine since the Schwarz's era, and enjoy very much the British take on the industry, so much so that I even flew over to attend Interbuild one year”.

Doug has 35 years’ experience in residential remodelling and custom homes and has won more than 120 awards for his kitchens, bathrooms, and other remodelling projects.
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Key new senior appointment at ArtiCAD

* Colin-Seaton.jpgCAD software specialist for the KBB industry, ArtiCAD, has announced the appointment of Colin Seaton to the newly created role of national accounts manager. This appointment is a key element in the company's strategy for significant growth and development over the coming years.

Colin Seaton has exceptional experience of the KBB industry, having fulfilled a variety of roles since the 1970s. He owned his own studio and worked for a number of very large corporates as well as smaller manufacturers before moving into the CAD arena. Most recently he has been a manufacturer's agent representing a number of different kitchen and bathroom products from various parts of Europe.
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Gorenje makes a splash with new 'Colour' brochure

* Gorenje-retro.jpgGorenje's new 'Colour' brochure highlights the varied selection of coloured appliances the company offers. Designed for retailers, it showcases the wide range of colour options available on selected Gorenje cooling, washing and drying products.

"The feedback we have had from retailers is that our colourful appliances really get people through the door - the variety of colours we offer is unique to our market place and it is something that we are really proud of," says Stuart Benson, national sales manager for Gorenje UK.
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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.

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News in Brief

Be Modern has launched its 2015 Atlanta bathroom furniture collection with new finishes, products and pricing – T: 0191 428 0444… Cameo Kitchens is launching its new showroom in Nazeing with free cookery events. To attend, T: 03445 611 611… Smeg has extended its Symphony range with the SY93I dual fuel three-cavity range cooker with induction hob - E: [email protected]... Better Bathrooms has unveiled its enhanced showering solutions with 10mm shower screens - 0844 484 7678…

How to contact us at The KBzine:
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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People

BAL strengthens specifier support with new business development manager

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Building Adhesives Ltd, the renowned manufacturer of tile adhesives, grouts, sealants and ancillary products, has appointed Matthew Leaver as national business development manager, strengthening the company specification support.
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British Ceramic Tile, has promoted Mark Rigby to the position of national account manager

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Reporting directly to global sales director, Neil Anderton, Mark is tasked with driving forward key national accounts, with a focus on developing new customer focused ranges and concepts as well as driving existing business.
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Marketing

Build loyalty by letting your customers know about this offer...

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From now until the 31st March 2015, one of the longest established British brands, Swan, is offering a lucky first time buyer the chance to win a range of small and large kitchen appliances from the successful Vintage Collection. What better way to be remembered for providing an 'added value' service than having one of your customers win the prize?
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