KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
26th June 2015
We strongly recommend viewing KBzine full size in your web browser. Click our masthead above to visit our website version.
Please note that you are viewing an archived issue of The KBzine.
International News
Products Tonic II Range makes a splash for Ideal Standard at London's iconic OXO Tower
Welcome luxurious, sensual Rouge into your kitchen or bathroom and lead the catwalk!
Business travellers routinely add days to work trips for personal travel Four out of every 10 business travellers add extra days onto trips so they can enjoy personal travel without incurring the extra cost, new research has revealed. Streamlined and elegant: the latest swan neck taps from Rangemaster
The models were designed to complement the company's existing range, allowing consumers to choose a tap that suits their personal tastes and requirements. The recent additions include the Mini Pro, Belfast Monobloc, Vertex, Parma, Bari Single Lever Pull Out Spray, plus an expansion of the Aquatrend family. Alno AG completes the next step of its repositioning Last Saturday, Alno AG took the next step in its repositioning and sold its subsidiary Impuls Kuchen GmbH (Brilon) to Steinhoff Furniture Holding GmbH (Austria). The change of ownership is scheduled to take place at the end of June 2015, subject to antitrust approval. Choose Arctic White for uber-cool kitchens and bathrooms
Lustrolite acrylic panels can be used for shower walls, bath panels, splashbacks - anywhere you lust after a stunning surface. Other fashionable colours in the range are Glacier, Blue Atoll, Rouge, Mocha, Safari, Forest, Titan and Carbon; they come in seven sizes. Prices start from £127.20. Blanco offers new kitchen storage solutions
The Select range is now being expanded to include four new models including the Blanco Select XL 60/3 Orga, which has three individual buckets and a convenient organiser drawer. Wall cabinets - Blum covers all options
The wide design of wall cabinets has been driven by market trends and is increasing year on year. The Aventos lift stay system is unmatched in terms of ease of use due to various features, and now covers all types and sizes of wall unit.
The Chao basin mixer creates a designer-style statement to any bathroom with its sweeping body design and single lever control for effortless single handed control and can be easily teamed with both conventional basins, as a deck mounted tap installation option, as well as at the side with deck mounted basins. A long-term contract from Leisure Sinks
There are five models available (LC42, LC105, LN105, LC106 and LN106), each made from 18/10 stainless steel. All sinks have two 31mm tap holes suitable for pillar or deck mixer taps, as well as a satin bowl and bright drainer. Plus, all Contract sinks boast a 10-year warranty. |
Have you ever got into one of those debates that start with the question: “If you could be a Superhero, what special powers would you have?” While I love what I do for a living, working across two industries and looking after a family means that I end up missing out on a fair few product launches, which is frustrating. This week has been no exception with three important launches that I would have gone along to, had I been able to realise my Superhero dream of duplicating (or even triplicating) myself! The team behind the Whirlpool laundry range launch invited me to ‘London’s most enigmatic laundromat’ where cocktails were mixed in the washing machines for guests to enjoy while having hands-on experience of the new equipment, while London’s Saatchi Gallery was the venue for the launch of the Hoover Wizard range of Wi-Fi appliances, offering guests the chance to browse around the gallery once the official proceedings had finished. Today, the team representing Haier is using London’s cookery workshop L’Atelier des Chefs to launch Haier’s 70 Series fridge-freezers. I’m told journalists will be split into teams and with the help of a top chef and using some of the Also bringing the fun element into a serious launch is the team behind Amica, who’ve used the ‘builder’s bottom’ – literally – to draw Apparently we in the UK are unique in wanting to buy double ovens, so whoever started that particular bandwagon has to be congratulated for a well-run campaign too! Both John Austen and I have worked in public relations and advertising and know it’s not the easiest job in the world… coming up with new ideas that will inspire people can be tough and so is the art of getting journalists out of their offices, so hearty congratulations from us to all the lovely PR and marketing people covering our industry; the invisible Superheroes who work so hard to get their clients the attention they demand! Yours,
This Week's News
Caesarstone open day and new colours launch on Thursday 9th July 2015
Caesarstone will be showcasing five stunning new colours and a selection of wonderful custom Caesarstone creations including the centrepiece, a Chef's theatre where a team of chefs will be preparing canapes and lunch. New recess shower solution for compact bathrooms
It offers a simple yet practical solution for compact bathrooms, allowing maximum showering space outside the shower area whilst providing ample showering room inside. Aging population needs 'future-proofed' bathrooms
Cascading flows of water are the inspiration behind the Modo range and the spouts have been designed to be non-splash to ensure that water cascades evenly into the basin or bath. The design-led taps feature rectangular lines, contrasted against cylindrical forms and this luxury chrome tap collection looks stunning even when water isn't running. Five modern natural stone baths for stunning Clearwater Portfolio
Natural Stone has proved so successful that the manufacturer has streamlined the range in favour of all natural stone. Natural Stone provides a rigid and strong bath of great elegance, without any need for ledges or surrounds. It is cleverly priced to offer not only great value for money but is also very competitive in this part of the market. Behaviour change - improving health & safety performance Ensuring the health & safety of your employees and colleagues can be tough, since the willingness to take a risk in the belief that everything will be OK seems to be inherent in most of us. This potentially dangerous mind-set can be changed though… Whirlpool launches award-winning Supreme Care laundry range
Gorenje sees increased demand for energy efficient appliances
Published in April, the report found that 58% of consumers consider a 'higher energy efficiency rating' the number one priority when buying a new oven, followed by reputable brand image and a long guarantee period. Hoover Wizard launches at London's Saatchi Gallery
Perfect Fit - a new bespoke kitchen concept from Schmidt, custom made to suit individual space
Baumatic teams with Virgin Wines to launch Summer Wine Storage promotion
Geberit AquaClean plays its part in BBC DIY SOS Big Build heartwarming project
Answering the call from the BBC's DIY SOS team, Geberit supplied its top-of-the-range AquaClean 8000plus Care, to help future-proof the newly designed ground floor wet room. 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 The Homebuilding & Renovating Show is running at Sandown Park this weekend - surrey.homebuildingshow.co.uk … Better Bathrooms opened a new showroom yesterday in Cardiff; its first outlet in Wales – T: 0333 777 4777 … ‘Street' Style, new Royo Street furniture from Frontline Bathrooms, slots into tighter spots and creates an illusion of space – T: 0845 470 2427 … A new compact combi steam oven joins Smeg’s Linea range - E: [email protected] How to contact us at The KBzine:
|
REQUEST THE KBZINE HERE The KBzine is broadcast
every Friday. You may receive it FREE each week by
clicking the link above. Recent News
BMA conference line-up is complete
Mistral worksurfaces specified for new CDA showroom
Some questions answered as census reveals swing to renting began early this millennium?
Industry leaders uniting to discuss future of construction, address issues of skills shortages Skills shortages, planning restrictions and the need for cultural change were the key topics arising from a high level debate attended by leading voices from around the industry, as UK Construction Week's expert advisory panel met for the first time recently. KBSA Designer Awards - entries up on last year
People
KBSA's CEO, Graham Ball, has retired
Marketing
Amica launches new marketing suite
Karonia introduces Mistral Connect
Electrolux Group launches 'Simple Switch' campaign for new Premier Partners
Literature
New Utopia brochure designed to reduce carbon footprint
|