KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
27th March 2015
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 International News
Products Gorenje signs Sirius Buying Group as an official supplier
Manufacturing apprentice talks about learning safety and new skills, in unison
Infrarad - the smart way to heat it up
A colourful future for classic kitchen design
Easy installation and stylish showering with Abacus Manufacturing Group's Vessini range
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. BAL breaks new ground with launch of high spec training centre
Councillor Pervez opened the Centre alongside the company's managing director Peter Bell at a special launch event last Wednesday. Victoria + Albert Baths launches its first ever collection of bathroom furniture
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. Methven set to turn showering on its head with launch of Aurajet technology
Contemporary Partridge Grey finish for PWS' Milbourne range
New Glacier from Mistral - a cooler shade of white...
Technology meets tradition with high level WC's from Burlington
Abode's Edge tap... pushing the boundaries
New iKBBI consumer protection insurance to launch
Saniflo supports National Apprentice competition
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My Facebook status probably says it best: “Just had a lucky escape... although it's only March & a rainy day, sunshine had reached my mirror - some six feet away from the window - & the beam had set light to this canvas box. Lucky Melissa Hobbs & I were home to investigate & prevent house from burning down. Watch where you put your mirrors peeps & don’t be fooled by the March sun!” Comments from friends have taught me that it was the magnifying side of the mirror, facing the sun, which put us in danger. I’m well aware from writing about them that bathroom mirrors and cabinets often have magnifying sides so do please be careful about how you angle them when you leave the room – even if it doesn’t appear to be that sunny. And although my smoke alarm is working fine, it hadn’t gone off before I discovered the smouldering canvas box. Mel puts this down to the strong smell of aftershave we were discussing in the downstairs hallway which kept us in that part of the house and thus closer to the source of the problem and more able to discover it before it could really do any damage. She’s convinced it was her father, who sadly left these parts (or so we had thought!) some eight years ago, come back to warn us. Whatever it was that tipped us off that something odd was happening, we’re grateful that it’s just a canvas box that was burnt and that John Austen’s not writing this leader in my place… …Which brings me back to the ‘Tick Tock Test’. If you live in the UK you will be putting your clocks forward on Saturday night. As you’re doing it, make a point of testing all your smoke alarms and if they’re not working properly, resolve to replace them or fit new batteries, first thing Sunday. And while you’re at it, check where you and your family are keeping your mirrors. Yours,
 This Week's News
Home repairs left undone by over 65s through fear of finding good tradesmen Anxiety surrounding finding trustworthy tradespeople is leaving older people across the country struggling with home repairs. New research released by TrustMark, the Government endorsed find-a-tradesperson scheme, has revealed that almost a quarter (23%) of 65+ year olds don’t know where to find information and are not confident when it comes to choosing a tradesman to carry out work in their homes.
As a result one in five older people are leaving household jobs and repairs or attempting to carry out work themselves. Angular and artistic: the new Tratto from MHS Radiators
This graceful and flowing heat emitter makes an immediate and striking impression, thanks to its vibrant and fluid three-dimensional design. Utilising seductive curves and stunning optional LED side strips, the Tratto creates a warming halo effect, becoming the centrepiece of a modern bathroom. Forget bonus culture and use behavioural science to boost employee motivation, says new CIPD report Reward specialists and HR professionals could significantly increase employee motivation with a better understanding of the science behind the impact of pay and reward on employee behaviour. That's according to new research by the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development, the professional body for HR and people development. The report, 'Show me the money! The Behavioural Science of Reward', discusses how money may not be the straightforward workplace motivator we expect, and highlights how alternative approaches to reward may be more effective in increasing employees' intrinsic motivation to succeed. Striking new thermostatic showering from Burlington
Aptly named after famous British rivers the Trent, Spey, Tay, Eden, Stour, Severn and Avon; the new Burlington Traditional Showers combine period styling with modern know-how that comes complete with TMV2 approved valves for added safety, an 11mm bore on hoses (the standard is 8mm), internal filters to remove impurities and a non-return valve. One in three trade businesses delivers poor customer service over the phone
While we are happy to use online shopping when it suits our needs, most of us (70%) want to be able to speak to someone directly when it comes to making a complaint or trying to resolve a problem. Leisure Sinks meets the university challenge
Owned by student accommodation provider Sanctuary Students, Moor Lane Halls is located opposite the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) campus, a short distance from Preston City Centre. Utopia extends Qube range with new floorstanding option
Qube was launched last Spring as a range of contemporary modular bathroom furniture. Offering the quality construction and imaginative design for which Utopia is well known, the method of manufacture and handleless styling resulted in a very competitively priced range that has proved exceptionally popular. Register my appliance supports Government smoke alarm campaign Register my appliance, AMDEA's safety campaign, is supporting the Government 'Tick Tock Test', which is urging the public to test their smoke alarms when the clocks go forward over the weekend of 28th/29th March. AMDEA (the UK trade association for manufacturers of large and small domestic appliances; representing over 85% of the domestic appliance industry and nearly 90% of white goods brands) recently launched its online safety initiative, with smoke alarms heading the website's general home safety tips. Franke angry at lack of support for UK manufacturing
Franke Sissons employs the majority of its staff from the Derbyshire area and says it could expand its business and create even more employment opportunities if mandatory proof of CE Marking at tender stage was instigated. More than 160 new products unveiled by Croydex for 2015
The bathroom accessories specialist has also added a range of new vanity units and beauty stations to its innovative Hang 'N' Lock collection for 2015. ArtiCAD on major recruitment drive to achieve significant growth
The ArtiCAD sales team is strengthened with the arrival of Lisa Hayes as regional sales manager for the West and South West. Rebecca Bolt joins as regional sales coordinator, whilst Katy Waller is the latest member of the company's Client Care team. 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 Miele is offering £75 cashback and free, 5-yr warranty on its WDA 110 washing machine - www.meile.co.uk … Bushboard Calacatta Marble wall panels and worktops took to the catwalk in London Fashion Week, at Osman Yousefzada’s show - [email protected] ... Which? April highlights AEG’s L75670WD Best Buy as a “a brilliant washer-dryer at a reasonable price" and commends Zanussi’s ZWF91283W washer - T: 08445 611611 … Roman’s new Bow Fronted Quadrant and One Door Quadrant simplify fitting a shower enclosure in a small bathroom - T: 01325 311318 How to contact us at The KBzine:
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New sales & design director for Alno Contracts
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Dream Doors an eight-time winner at Franchise Marketing Awards
Pick up a free framing system along with your know-how at Geberit installer training days
Literature
Gorenje makes a splash with new 'Colour' brochure
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The good news is that my house didn’t burn down yesterday; the fact that it could so easily have done means that I’m determined to draw attention to the need for us all to do the ‘Tick Tock Test’ this weekend…
