KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
15th May 2015
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 International News
Products Beautiful basins in natural stone will maintain their good looks for years to come
Clearwater now offers modern and traditional basins to complement its impressive range of baths. Viking finally in safe hands in the UK
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. 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. 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
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.
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. 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
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Will you be attending the extravaganza known as the May Design Series next week? John Austen and I won’t be there but that’s only because we’re committed to attending an exhibition in Verona. May Design Series in London versus a cleaning show in Verona? Mmmmm… I’ve been receiving regular updates on the London event for months now, and as it’s got closer, I’ve wished more and more that I could experience it first-hand. I say ‘experience’ as there is so much going on and it goes way beyond the KBB sector too. The organisers have just contacted me with the latest news on new exhibitors and product launches I’ll be missing. For example, fresh from ISH, Dornbracht (pictured) will present an exclusive UK preview of its new CL.1 fitting series for the bathroom, with a new flow pattern that “gently immerses the user's hands in 40 soft, individual jets of water”. Wonderful! Dornbracht will also reveal its latest advances for the kitchen as well as new products from sister-brand Alape. Bora, from Germany, will launch kitchen worktops, extractors and accessories in its Classic and Professional ranges “aimed at those with a clear concept of quality, design and technology,” as well as energy-saving, worktop-mounted extractors which are easy to clean. Debuting this year will be Polish company Terma UK with the release of its latest heating element, ‘One’, a series of electric and dual fuel radiators featuring single button operation that combines smart functionality with a clean contemporary style. Formani UK will showcase collections by Dutch designer Piet Boon whose projects enjoy worldwide recognition, while London-based Tord Boontje (Professor and head of design products at the Royal College of Art) will reveal the “stunning” new stainless steel Fold collection with its exciting new Red Dot Design Award-winning function. Carmenta Wellness will launch a new line of home wellness and sauna products, available in standard sizes for the first time but offering the same technology and materials at around two-thirds of the cost of their bespoke options – just the kind of thing John and I will need following a week at the Verona show! If only… Yours,
 This Week's News
International retailers find growth in UK shopping centres The latest British Consortium of Shopping Centres/Local Data Company vacancy monitor has found the number of shops in UK shopping centres trading as 'multiples' has increased in the last year, with the data showing a rise of 1.3% in the number of 'multiples' and a corresponding 1.3% drop in the number of independent shops. This is part of an emerging trend whereby new international retailers - considered 'independent' here in the UK at the same time last year - have since successfully expanded to 'become a 'multiple'. Return to Rise Hall: This time the kitchens get it!
Previously, the home improvements company has focused its skill on beautiful, bespoke bathrooms, styled by Sarah and Graham, the success of which prompted Granite Transformations to diversify into bathroom remodelling, alongside its core kitchen business. Impact of L & D initiatives too rarely measured against business outcomes Just 7% of Learning & Development professionals evaluate the impact of their initiatives on the wider business or society, with most limiting their focus to learner and manager feedback, according to new research. The annual L & D Survey from the CIPD, the professional body for Human Resources and people development, highlights that a lack of effective evaluation can contribute to skills gaps being undetected, particularly in the use of innovative approaches such as new learning technologies. In response, the CIPD is urging L & D professionals to look beyond trainee satisfaction and measure initiatives in terms of how they add value to the organisation as a whole - and society in general. Abode launches Vedo - the perfect finishing touch to a bathroom
The indulgent organic forms used to create this very modern Vedo collection will provide bathrooms with a softer, gentler feel and add the perfect finishing touch to any bathroom decor. KBSA reports another successful Grand Designs Live 'Ask the Expert'
Industry expert, Alan Stanford, acting on behalf of the KBSA, met with over 80 consumers to review their plans and give professional advice to help them progress their project. Visitors also received a free copy of the KBSA Showcase handbook and Specialist Magazine, which gives full details about the Association, as well as retail members in their areas, along with details of the 110-plus brands that support the Association as Corporate Members. Appliance retailers' awakening awareness of alternative brands' attributes affirmed at CIH Showcase
"It's wonderful to talk to so many appliance retailers that are so optimistic about the future," he enthuses. "Finally, we are seeing retailers, previously only committed to the major older brands, actually hunting out alternative brands... Brands with products they can shape their future businesses around." Geberit appoints new product manager sanitary systems to its UK office
With a background in building engineering, Graham brings a wealth of experience to Geberit, joining the Warwick-based company from Industrial Tool Supplies, where he was buyer and brand manager. New Tech-Drawer from Mark Wilkinson Furniture
"Homeowners these days have a collection of devices to fill their family lives," says the manufacturer. PWS gets smart with Kesseboehmer storage offer
As the UK's exclusive distributor for Kesseboehmer for 16 years, PWS has an in-depth understanding of the trends for storage solutions and has focused its expertise to enhance its range. Big hearts at Hansgrohe: charity skydive for Neuroblastoma
Ruby's Granddad, Steve Jay, is a technical manager at Hansgrohe and should have taken part in the skydive himself, but unfortunately suffered a heart attack. Recovering well - but not quite fit enough to leap from an aeroplane - he was helped out by colleagues, five of whom put their names forward to take his place. 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 Leicht Contracts has won over £1 million worth of business since it began a year ago – T: 0203 301 0865 … Duravit has joined the European Water Label scheme - E: [email protected] / E: [email protected] … Lakes Bathrooms has introduced single door quadrant enclosures to its Classic and Premium Coastline collections – [email protected] … Kaldewei’s Centro Duo Oval bathtubs are adding to the Peninsula Paris luxury hotel’s opulence – www.kaldewei.com … How to contact us at The KBzine:
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