KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
24th July 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 Aga Rangemaster sold to US kitchen products specialist Middleby for £129.2m
Blanco cooker hood makes a bold statement
New products bring a design classic bang up to date
Introducing SensioSound: an LED Bluetooth speaker light
Comprehensive and affordable shower floors: Kaldewei now offers solutions for every project
Designer radiator brand Bisque introduce the elegant and simple Trubi
Amica forecasts seismic shift to induction
Simon Freear, Country Manager for Amica says: "Induction cooking will be the energy of choice for future generations of appliance buyers now that prices are within easy reach. The high speed, ultra-safe operation, super easy to clean and ultimate energy efficiency all contribute to what is likely to be a seismic shift away from ceramic and electric-plate hobs.
Lustrolite's glass effect acrylic wall panels are the perfect way to breathe life back into a kitchen and bathroom and a great way to incorporate current trends into a home. Lustrolite is available in nine amazing colours - Arctic, Glacier, Blue Atoll, Rouge, Mocha, Safari, Forest, Titan and Carbon - all of which can be used for both kitchen splashbacks and shower and bathroom walls. Methven launches three new tapware ranges with 20-year guarantee
The three ranges each feature a mono basin mixer, a bath filler and a bath shower mixer. All bath shower mixers include a Maku shower handset, which incorporates Methven's patented Satinjet twin jet technology with over 300,000 droplets per second providing an immersive full body showering experience. Let kitchen creativity flourish with the new feature-packed Haier 70 Series fridge-freezers
The 70 Series fridge-freezers all feature an XXL capacity to provide the maximum amount of storage space, while the flexible MyZone compartment and a host of easy-to-use features encourage the creativity of users in their kitchen. |
I was approached by a reader several weeks ago, worried that his business was being hit by the rise in numbers of auction houses selling off bankrupt stock and seized goods. He explained that the lots often comprise white goods and other household appliances as well as kitchens and bathrooms. He argued that if the public could buy at auction prices, they’d no longer shop with specialist retailers. I felt he had a point so promised I’d investigate and report back. When people ask about KBzine’s readership I say it was the first e-zine for this industry and that everyone who was anyone in the trade, signed up to receive their weekly copy which was, back then, produced by Richard and Debbie Schwarz. I add that because we’re all consumers, the circulation could be double what’s quoted, because while we look at things from a professional point of view, our personal feelings also come into play. I get the ‘I wants’ when I receive press releases and am probably just as likely to be wooed by products featured in KBzine as a pukka member of the trade would be. Now, as someone who was left to bring up our children alone (because of their father’s illness) I’ve always been one for a bargain. I’ve had to be! So I must confess that it was as much with my consumer’s head as it was my professional head when I signed up for the auction houses’ mailers. Several weeks down the line and I’m still lacking the things I so covet for my home but can’t afford to buy through normal channels. As limited as my budget might be, I’m not going to buy white goods that are ‘soiled’ or ‘shop damaged’ without inspecting them and nor will I buy something with a European plug. I don’t need the hassle. And the ‘sold as seen’ flag is worrying when you consider I’d have to travel across London to view and that I may be up against buyers with bigger budgets for any goods worth having. So it’s a ‘no’ from me. Of course businesses could buy up multiple lots and resell them, but with the costs of transporting and storing goods and getting them to saleable condition with boxes, instructions, British plugs and potential repairs needed, I’m not sure the margins would be worthwhile unless the goods were being auctioned off really cheap. My investigations continue… Yours,
 This Week's News
Manhattan Showers goes into voluntary liquidation Lancashire-based shower enclosure and screen manufacturer Manhattan Showers, has announced that it went into voluntary liquidation on 14th July 2015. Abode's new Cento bathroom taps have bold, sharp styling
This contemporary range includes four basin taps, a standard for everyday basins, an architecturally tall monobloc mixer and a wall mounted model, suitable for the modern day free-standing basins plus a stylish and unique side lever basin mixer. Effortless retro style with the new Forest
New York Fashion Week 2015 was awash with this retro hue*, and it couldn't be easier to introduce the colour into your home. Retailers and merchants: on your marks...
CE Marking illustrates a product's compliance with European legislation and facilitates its free movement within the European Market. It is not a quality mark but does indicate that the product is 'fit for purpose'. New, large format gas-on-glass hob available from Amica
Utopia's 'Business Development Managers of the Year' receive their awards
National sales manager Steven Jaques comments: "Both Darren and James have had an exceptional year, hitting and exceeding all targets. We are delighted to recognise their important contribution to the business in this way." 'All aboard' for an extraordinary new freestanding & fitted bathroom furniture launch!
Taking to the road in this month, courtesy of a specifically fitted-out London Route Master bus, the new Burlington Bathrooms furniture range comprises; free-standing in either square or curved design, wall-hung or fully fitted options with choices of door/drawer options to make the most of British bathrooms both large and small. New non-slip matting from LDL now available
The fabulous forties - two employees celebrate 40 years' service at Burbidge
Four decades later, and the two dedicated workers remain as passionate about the Burbidge brand as ever and show no signs of putting up the factory togs anytime soon. SieMatic appoints Kerry Furber as southern area sales manager
Points mean prizes with Geberit Rewards scheme for Geberit displaying retailers
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 Congratulations to Glass 1989, whose new ‘Rug’ shower tray has won the European Consumers Choice for 2015 – E: [email protected] … Planning to enter the SBID International Design Awards? You have just one week to get your entry in – www.sbid.org … PWS now stocks its Milbourne kitchen in popular ‘charcoal’; less expensive than the old paint-to-order price – E: [email protected] … Merlyn’s new shower trays include low level 25mm models plus extra colours in the Truestone range - T: 00353 56 779 1555 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
iKBBI unveils new major sponsor
UBM has announced the closure of the May Design Series, saying it will instead concentrate its KBB and design sector efforts on the highly popular kbb Birmingham and kbb London, Sleep, Decorex and Ecobuild events.  The Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association announces designer awards shortlists Following a meeting of the judges for the 2015 KBSA Designer Awards, the finalists have been named for all categories as follows: Has there ever been a better time to be an independent kitchen specialist? asks Bill Miller, managing director of the Kitchen Bathroom Buying Group, the UK arm of Der Kreis buying group ISO 9001 Quality Management System final draft standard published
KBSA announces further speaker for 2015 National Meeting
It's 'Armitage Thanks' as brand launches new charity initiative to celebrate 200 year anniversary
People
Smeg appoints new regional sales manager for the North West & West Midlands
Burbidge recruits experienced industry figure to head up the Bathroom Furniture Co.
Marketing
Introducing Utopia's all new website!
Launched in early July and specifically designed to be user-friendly and very simple to follow, the website has an inviting home page introducing the extensive bathroom and bedroom collections, together with a host of other information, all presented in a logical and accessible format. New website and brochure design for Tom Howley
Distinctly promotional Abode kitchen taps for display
Literature
The MX Collection: catalogue now available! 'Shower Bible' for specifiers and installers...
|
