KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
1st May 2015
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 International News
Products Whirlpool receives Energy Star Award - an industry-leading 25 times The US Environmental Protection Agency has recognised the Whirlpool Corporation with a 2015 Energy Star Partner of the Year award, which means that when the manufacturer's accomplishments are recognised in Washington, DC, on 20th April 2015, it will be for an industry-leading 25th time. LDL targets island life with new trio lighting collection
LDL is the premier UK distributor for Leyton Lighting and this launch marks the first in a series of new lighting products planned for the next few weeks. Abacus brings catwalk glamour to Bathe's bathroom showroom
Bathe has had a long-term relationship with Abacus and already has an extensive display of the company's Vessini range on the showroom's ground floor. New Kaldewei steel enamel washbasins launched
New compact wall-hung basin: the best option for a smaller bathroom
Baumatic appoints C&F Quadrant as exclusive distributor for Ireland
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. SBID International Design Awards 2015 now open
Following the success of previous editions, this year's SBID Awards are designed to surpass the rest. The 2014 edition saw a 15% increase in entries than previous years from over 30 countries around the globe including the UK, Canada, Turkey, China, Russia, USA, Australia, UAE and more. Blanco launches new CombiColour shade for Silgranit sinks
Whirpool launches new Absolute design built-in and freestanding appliance range
The combination provides a distinctive and matching profile across both product categories. |
This time next week we’ll either know who (along with the EU Commission) will be governing our country for the next five years, or some tense negotiations between various parties will have the country even more fired up about politics than it is now. Whatever the outcome, I reckon it’s going to make for an interesting five years for us – but will they be bad or good years, I wonder? What I have been enjoying is the way so many people are engaging with the process this time around, even if, like me, they’re in a constituency where one candidate has such a huge majority that they feel their vote doesn’t count. I have to agree; our country’s voting system is highly undemocratic, but so is life, isn’t it? And I wouldn’t dream of choosing to opt out of voting any more than I would choose to opt out of life itself. Safe seat or not, a huge swing in support at least sends a strong message to those who’ll end up in the hot seats! A survey commissioned by IdealPro, which polled more than 2,000 plumbers and installers last week, revealed that 32% want whoever formed the government, to make supporting small businesses its top priority. On the subject of employment and boosting the economy, 59% feel politicians need to do more to support apprenticeships and training initiatives, to create more opportunities for young people to get into key trades and help plug the skills shortage. Some 29% are yet to decide how they’ll vote – although it doesn’t look good for Ed Miliband with just 14% set to vote for Labour – and 55% of respondents saying he’s the leader they’d most like to flush down the drain! Some 34% will be voting Conservative and just 1% will vote Liberal Democrat. The remaining 17% will vote for either the SNP, the Green Party or UKIP, while 7% are not planning to vote at all. I’ll be writing next week’s leader feeling decidedly bleary eyed, having sat up all night to see how things pan out. I’m keen to see how our nation’s plumbers and installers’ voting patterns reflect those of the wider population… Yours,
 This Week's News
Global kitchen appliances market expected to reach $253.4 billion, by 2020 A new report by Allied Market Research: 'Global Kitchen Appliances Market - Size, Share, Global Trend, Company Profiles, Demand, Insights, Analysis, Research, Report, Opportunities, Segmentation, and Forecast 2013 - 2020', predicts that the global kitchen appliances market will be worth $253.4 billion by 2020, registering a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 6.4% during 2014-2020. The growth of the kitchen appliances market is supplemented by rising disposable incomes, changing lifestyles, increasing health concerns and the growing food and services industry, says the report, as well as major technological advancements which encourage buyers to upgrade. Sleek, streamlined drainage design for wetrooms is seamless with Geberit CleanLine
Suitable for installation in the floor or against the wall, the Geberit CleanLine shower channel can be fitted into thin bed mortar and provides a powerful water drainage solution for wetroom showers. Big names booked for industry conference
"With just less than six months to go before the event, both speakers and industry luminaries are being lined up to take part," enthuses Yvonne Orgill, CEO of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association, which is organising the conference. "Delegate bookings are now being taken and are in fact already ahead of last year. The pressure is on to build upon our previous successes." British Ceramic Tile extends its best-selling Rapolano collection
Featuring a neutral, organic colour palette of walnut, noce and marfilm, the Rapolano collection has been made all the more contemporary with the addition of a new grey colourway - the modern day neutral. Whirpool announces UK and Ireland integration
The role of the UK and Ireland begins a new and exciting era, becoming the largest revenue contributor of the Whirlpool Corporation, after the North America region. Headed by general manager Maurizio Pettorino, and a new management team including James Goldsmith, commercial director and Piero Pracchi, marketing director the combined headquarters will be based in Peterborough.
"I have heard of many major house builders being accused of 'land-banking'," she says, "but this is patently ridiculous. Two stunning new colours of Lustrolite will enliven chic kitchens and bathrooms
These new colours have been introduced into the already popular range which comprises Arctic, Glacier, Blue Atoll, Rouge, Mocha, Titan and Carbon. Distinctly Abode: new bathroom brochure features eight new ranges - and more!
Every time we introduce new ranges our aim is to provide that perfect balance between style, performance, innovation and sheer indulgence." Paul Illingworth - Abode Designer Search begins for Screwfix's Trade Apprentice 2015 Screwfix, the multi-channel retailer, is launching its first competition to find and reward the best trade apprentice in the UK. Brilliant budding builders and the next generation of electricians and plumbers can all enter the competition for the chance to win a trade business pack worth £10,000 containing everything they need to set up on their own. Miele launches Kitchen Advice Centre at Grand Designs Live, London, from tomorrow
New for 2015, the company is launching a Kitchen Advice Centre as part of the Live Kitchen Experience, offering visitors the chance to have a one-to-one meeting with key industry experts that are featured on the Kitchen Design Seminar Stage, sponsored by Miele. Bob Marsden, new UK country manager for Nolte Kitchens, taking over from Richard Pedgrift
Richard will stay on for a transitional period before going into semi-retirement at the end of May. He will continue working for Nolte Kitchens in a consultancy role.
In a dark earthy grey shade finished in premium high gloss, it makes a stunning design statement enhanced by its streamlined design and contemporary appearance. 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 in-toto is giving visitors to its Grand Designs Live stand a Bauknecht induction cooktop with every kitchen order received by December - E [email protected] ... The new ProSource brings AEG into the 3-in-1 instant-boiling/hot/cold filtered water kitchen tap market - T: 08445 610561 … Victoria + Albert Baths has made the top 10 in the Sunday Times BDO Profit Track ‘Ones to Recognise’ list - www.vandabaths.com … Perrin & Rowe is launching some great new products at the May Design Series – T: 01708 526 361 How to contact us at The KBzine:
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