KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
25th September 2015
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 International News
Products Hi-Macs brings a splash of colour to the bathroom
To furnish a bathroom, you need to take all possible aspects into consideration, including both the design and the functionality as well as the material used, since this will have a big impact on the final result. The American Hardwood Export Council to present four projects at 100% Design
Latest LED lighting innovation from LDL
Available now, the sleek 5mm light features chip-on-board (COB) technology and is both remarkably powerful and extremely efficient. Whirlpool's 'Kitchen of the Future' wows IFA fair visitors
Bespoke bathroom screens designed by SWA members
Especially prevalent in high-end commercial and residential projects, steel is the favourite today due to the visual, innate solidity of the material; without being overpowering, steel creates a look no other material can replicate due to the slenderness and robustness of the steel sections. Cabuchon Bathforms launches 5th generation deep soaking tub - the Yasahiro
Since the 1991 launch of its first contemporary, Japanese-style deep soaking tub - the Imersa, the company has been steadily introducing new and improved designs. New Lustrolite colours at 100% Design - for stunning bathroom panelling and kitchen splashbacks
Lustrolite acrylic high gloss wall panelling is proving exceptionally popular with designers and retailers who want to add pizzazz to kitchens and bathrooms - or, indeed, any room. Quadra from MHS Radiators provides practical perfection
An opulent combination of form and function, Quadra encompasses a rigid structure to provide practical storage space and shelves for towels, as well as impressive levels of heat for the bathroom. Abode Marino: a striking contemporary design
The Marino family has a striking contemporary design suitable for all bathroom styles with its distinctive long lever handle making one-handed operation effortless. The tall, square shaped design of Marino products with radiused edges will give all bathrooms an interior design look and feel. Introducing BAL Tank-it - the ultimate waterproofing system for all applications
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I’m sure we’ve all been there… we do our research before visiting a store to purchase our new appliance, we’ve built up a great rapport with the salesperson and decided to shop at that store again, then as we’re about to pay they go and spoil it all by attempting to sell us several years’ worth of extra parts & labour guarantee at a ridiculous cost. The fact that they’ve probably spent a good deal of the contact time selling the appliance’s superior workmanship, components and reliability seems to be forgotten in their quest to increase their commission and perhaps achieve a target by selling this add-on, which tends to leave us as customers feeling a bit let down. We in this industry are doing our best to promote the concept of saving water and energy and a press release I received this week describes a product that hits the spot in both terms of a brilliant add-on to that sale AND a useful aid when it comes to saving water. For customers on a water meter it’s got to be a far better impulse buy than a pricey long-term guarantee, hasn’t it? You’ll be offering them something they need, which will save water and thus money, instead of asking them to pay for something you’ve just spent ages convincing them they’re unlikely to need! Oasys is a decorative disk that hangs anywhere in the home and it shows daily infographics about how much water the household has been using, by talking wirelessly to a microphone on the main water line. It shows people the impact of their daily water use habits and the difference they make when they save water, allowing them to set goals to do even better. It also forecasts the weather, how much water is in local reserves, and can text/email you if there's a water leak. You can read more about it below… Also featured in this week’s news is a plea by the European Water Label’s Yvonne Orgill, for cash incentives to be made available to encourage users of water/energy-guzzling products to switch to those that reduce water usage and save energy. In both cases it will take a little investment but the money spent will be far outweigh the benefits achieved – not just in personal terms but when it comes to our environment too. See the concept come to life at: www.electroluxdesignlab.com Yours,
 This Week's News
EWL pushes for incentives to replace old bathrooms with the latest water/ energy efficient products
"Since the latest toilet models flush with a maximum of four litres, it follows that 10 million of the houses in England use twice the amount of water they need to. coBuilder UK helping companies create and distribute accurate data across construction industry
This is by all means a huge milestone that is expected to massively revolutionize the whole industry.  Keep clients mindful of home water use with Smart, wall-mounted device
Everyone knows there's a water crisis. But few know that it's bad enough for the World Economic Forum to rank it with the greatest impact of all worldwide issues. Ad campaigns and word-of-mouth have reduced usage a bit, but don't provide the constant feedback that guides real behavioural change. Sottini's new design-led collection defined by craft and creativity
The company has collaborated with internationally-renowned and award-winning product designers from around the world to realise the innovative new collection of bathroom products. First class surfaces for student halls
Auxillium Property Solutions managed the project and selected the Diamond White Sparkle worktop for all kitchen and breakfast bars in the halls due to its durability and stylish finish. Quooker dealers to cook with John Torode
The dealers will be invited to the pre-Christmas session at the Good Housekeeping Institute in London's Soho at the end of November. Duo of promotions on Roca wall-hung installation systems
KBSA proud to report another successful AGM & National Meeting
Showing excellence in customer service...
KBSA Supplier Awards winners announced
Members voted Product Supplier of the Year to built-in brand leader NEFF – which is the fourth time NEFF has been voted best in class. The KBSA has announced the winners of the 2015 Kbsa Designer Awards...
Gorenje promotes national sales manager
Jernej Hren, managing director for Gorenje UK, comments: "I was delighted to be able to offer Stuart the promotion to sales director. Since joining, he has been integral in taking the sales team forward and has been successful in raising Gorenje's profile across the UK." New managing director for Alno UK
Adinde's predecessor Jonathon Wagstaff has taken on other responsibilities for the development of the International business after spending six years steering Alno UK from strength to greater strength. 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. How to contact us at The KBzine:
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Indesit makes changes at the top
Barwick appoints new managing director Gary Campbell
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