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KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-newssince 2002
1st May 2015

 

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




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.
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LDL targets island life with new trio lighting collection

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Designed to take advantage of the current vogue for island units and open plan living, LDL has added the new Trio collection of pendant and centrepiece lighting from Leyton Lighting to its range of lighting solutions.

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.
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Abacus brings catwalk glamour to Bathe's bathroom showroom

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Keen to offer exclusive high end products within the company's newly extended showroom in the centre of Wigan, Greater Manchester, bathroom retailer, Bathe, turned to Abacus Manufacturing Goup to become a Ben de Lisi dealer and, in turn, create an outstanding display of room sets to allow customers to be inspired by the designer's bathroom range.

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.
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New Kaldewei steel enamel washbasins launched

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Kaldewei has launched a new product segment: washbasins made of Kaldewei steel enamel as a logical expansion of the existing product portfolio.
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British Ceramic Tile launches Trace, a new premium ceramic tile collection in collaboration with Conran and Partners

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British Ceramic Tile is poised to launch a new high-end collection for 2015 in partnership with Conran and Partners; the collaborative British design studio founded by Sir Terence Conran working across brand, product, interiors and architecture.
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New compact wall-hung basin: the best option for a smaller bathroom

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Designed to make the most of the limited area in the typical British bathroom, Compact from Britton now offers even more space-saving options with the addition of wall hung semi pedestal basins and a wall hung WC that complete the range and make it one of the most comprehensive space-saving ranges available.
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Baumatic appoints C&F Quadrant as exclusive distributor for Ireland

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Following the appointment of Leaker Direct as exclusive distributor for Scotland in February, Baumatic, part of the Hoover Candy Group, has announced the appointment of C&F Quadrant as exclusive distributor for Ireland.
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Striking new thermostatic showering from Burlington

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This month has seen leading traditional sanitaryware brand Burlington further extend its reach in to the showering market. A brand new range of thermostatically-controlled, 10 year guaranteed TMV2 showers is now available from the classically styled brand to further increase the portfolio of products.

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.
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SBID International Design Awards 2015 now open

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The SBID International Design Awards 2015 are now open for submissions. Since its inception in 2011, the SBID Awards has served to recognise, reward and celebrate all design excellence, from super luxury projects to innovative design and new talent on limited budgets.

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.
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Blanco launches new CombiColour shade for Silgranit sinks

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As the interiors trend for all things grey continues, Blanco Germany, one of the largest manufacturers of granite sinks worldwide, has unveiled a brand new CombiColour shade for its Silgranit series - Pearl Grey. Sleek, sophisticated and contemporary, Pearl Grey is a muted mid-grey shade that complements the natural grain of wooden cabinetry as well as the high sheen finish of gloss lacquered units.
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Whirpool launches new Absolute design built-in and freestanding appliance range

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Whirlpool has launched a new and innovative Absolute design range of stylish built-in and freestanding appliances.

The combination provides a distinctive and matching profile across both product categories.
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Welcome to the

KBzine

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…

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Yours,

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Jan Hobbs

 



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.
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Sleek, streamlined drainage design for wetrooms is seamless with Geberit CleanLine

* GEBERIT1.jpgWith wetrooms and open-plan showering areas being on trend, ensuring the right drainage is in place is an all-important part of the installation process. Designed specifically for wetrooms, the new Geberit CleanLine shower channel is as easy to install as a standard floor drain.

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.
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Big names booked for industry conference

* BMA_Michael-Buerk.jpgThis year's Bathroom & Kitchen Industry Business Conference, with the working title 'Challenging Norms', is already proving to be a big hit.

"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."
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British Ceramic Tile extends its best-selling Rapolano collection

* BCT-Rapolano-bathroom.jpgBritish Ceramic Tile has extended its popular Rapolano stone-effect ceramic tile collection, with the addition of an on-trend shade of grey.

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.
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Whirpool announces UK and Ireland integration

* Maurizio-Pettorino.jpgFollowing one of the largest acquisitions in the industry of Indesit Company Spa by the Whirlpool Corporation, the UK and Ireland organisational line-up for the new company has been finalised, and is now in operation.

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.
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Seismic change needed if political parties' claims about housing targets are to be met, says legal expert

* Rosemary-Edwards.jpgSeismic changes are needed if any of the top political parties' housing targets are to be met, says nationally renowned house-building expert Rosemary Edwards. Rosemary, partner and head of residential development with corporate solicitors Shulmans, has acted for many of the UK's top house builders for over two decades.

"I have heard of many major house builders being accused of 'land-banking'," she says, "but this is patently ridiculous.
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Two stunning new colours of Lustrolite will enliven chic kitchens and bathrooms

* Bathroom-Forest.jpgLustrolite acrylic high gloss wall panelling, from Abacus Manufacturing Group, is now available in nine vibrant colours. The latest additions to the Lustrolite portfolio are Forest - a bright green - and Safari, a subtle khaki.

These new colours have been introduced into the already popular range which comprises Arctic, Glacier, Blue Atoll, Rouge, Mocha, Titan and Carbon.
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Distinctly Abode: new bathroom brochure features eight new ranges - and more!

* Abode-Bathroom-Brochure.jpg"Gone are the days when the bathroom was a place for pure functionality - now it provides a haven from hectic lifestyles, a place for wellness or to experience the latest in bathing technology.

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
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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.
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Miele launches Kitchen Advice Centre at Grand Designs Live, London, from tomorrow

* Grand-Designs-Meile.jpgGerman premium domestic appliance manufacturer, Miele ,is returning to Grand Designs Live, London, showcasing its latest collection of built in and freestanding appliances, as well as its range of cooking event courses, on Stand K325.

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.
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Bob Marsden, new UK country manager for Nolte Kitchens, taking over from Richard Pedgrift

Nolte_Bob-Marsden.jpgAfter 10 years with the company and four years in the UK as Nolte Kitchens' country manager, Richard Pedgrift is handing over the position to his colleague Bob Marsden.

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.
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New Lazio Lava oozes luxury

* Lazio-Lava.jpgDefining both luxury and aesthetics and reflecting European trends in design, the Lazio Lava is is the latest door to be launched from the K Collection, exclusive to PJH.

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.
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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

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:
Jan Hobbs
Publishing Editor
Email:[email protected]
Tel: +44 (0)1372 811 307 
Mobile: 07980 288 373

 

 

 

 

John Austen
Publishing Director
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Tel: +44 (0)1580 755 863
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Marketing

KBSA announces new social media campaign

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The Kitchen, Bathroom & Bedroom Specialists Association has announced that its 2015 social media campaign will headline its Twitter (consumer) activity, and it that it has worked with corporate members Glen Dimplex Home Appliances, and Swift Electrical to offer a monthly prize for consumers who retweet.
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Literature

MHS Radiators unveils new retail catalogue

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Following a successful 2014, MHS Radiators has expanded its product portfolio and launched a brand new, 72-page retail catalogue for 2015. The new brochure contains details of the company's vast array of radiators and towel rails, while also showcasing an extensive palette of new colours and textured finishes.
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British Ceramic Tile predicts trends set to influence the tile world with Tile Trend Edit brochure launch

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Statement marbles, eclectic geometrics and opulent metallics are just some of trends set to sweep the tile world this year, according to the design experts at British Ceramic Tile.
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