KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
2nd October 2015
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 International News
Products coBuilder UK helping companies create and distribute accurate data across construction industry
Keep clients mindful of home water use with Smart, wall-mounted device
Sottini's new design-led collection defined by craft and creativity
First class surfaces for student halls
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. |
The Government’s consultation on the proposed apprenticeship levy closed this week and it appears that industry is sceptical of the proposals, perceiving them as little more than a tax on business that will do little to raise the quality of apprenticeships and perhaps even have the opposite effect, with employers – keen to claim back the levy – devaluing the scheme by rebadging basic training as an apprenticeship. Manufacturers’ organisation EEF, says members are already investing heavily in apprenticeships with three quarters of large and medium size companies and half of small companies planning to recruit in the next 12 months. It says that if the target is to create 600,000 starts per year towards the overall target of three million, 120,000 should be earmarked for engineering and manufacturing. Employers fear the proposals will cause them to lose out financially as there is little evidence to suggest that one of the scheme’s main aims, “that employers offering apprenticeships will get back more than they put in,” will be met. On the assumption the levy is 0.5% of payroll, companies with over 250 employees would have to double the number of apprentices they recruit with one company saying to ensure they don’t lose out financially they would have to increase their intake from 16 to 112 a year. Given the cost of a four year apprenticeship, companies only recruit and invest in apprenticeships when there is a clear business case for doing so and are unlikely to offer more than they need. In its response EEF has made a number of sound recommendations for redesigning the scheme to address employers’ concerns. With the recent Lloyds Bank Building for Growth report revealing that a shortage of skilled workers such as plumbers, electricians, kitchen fitters, carpenters and bricklayers is thwarting efforts to beat the UK housing crisis, let’s hope the Government listens to the EEF’s suggestions and redesigns the scheme to ensure that it suits everyone’s needs - and fast. Yours,
 This Week's News
New Year membership restructure for iKBBI
Precise details of the restructure will be published within October's iKBBI Installer Magazine, due out on 21st October, followed by a communication to members shortly after. Cosentino launches 25th anniversary colour for Silestone: Acqua Fraccaroli
 Lakes Bathrooms launches in USA
Based in Chicago, Illinois, the company will initially serve the bathroom retailers in this Midwest city, with plans to expand across the USA in due course. British Ceramic Tile appears at London Fashion Week
The company that designs and manufactures its market leading tile collections here in Britain has supplied tiles to the HIX Cafe in a move to communicate its design credential to fashion influencers attending the event. The pop-up restaurant of Brewer Street Car Park by Mark Hix is situated in the Designer Showrooms space designed by David Collins Studio. Abode Tanto - a timeless bathroom classic
Tanto is a simple, elegant and easy to operate tap range designed and created especially for the UK market, giving a clean, slick and contemporary look to all bathroom styles. Tanto has a cylindrical body with pencil slim handles giving a strong yet versatile design. Maximise the glass look with D R Services
Trustmark assures advice to its firms through partnership with Bucks and Surrey Trading Standards As the new consumer legislation comes into force yesterday, TrustMark, the only Government-endorsed scheme for all trades in and around the home, announced a new 'primary authority' partnership with Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards to provide assured advice for its Scheme Operators and TrustMark registered firms. Ultra Matt is the new kitchen texture for 2016, says Leicht
Being introduced for the 2016 range of Leicht kitchens, the new Bondi finish - with its ultra-matt, fine smooth surface, has a particularly soft, pleasant touch and is eminently suitable for 21st century modern living as it is resistant to fingerprints. Landau unveils new Handles Display Board
Landau has added the Handles Display Board to its growing selection of display options, designed to make it easier for retailers to show customers how their perfect kitchen can look. Construction workers' sick days revealed Employees working in construction have taken more time off work due to serious injuries sustained on the job than almost any other industry. Some 38% of construction workers recently surveyed had taken time off work because of a major injury while doing their job, compared to an average of just 19%. The only industry to rank higher is transport at 47%. In fact 30% of construction workers have been off work for a month or more. The biggest impact of taking time off work was loss of income for 62% of those surveyed admitting to this fear. Some 28% were concerned that they wouldn't be able to pay the bills if off work for a month or more. Despite this, only one in six workers have any financial protection insurance. Dream Doors appoints new director of franchising
No stranger to both the kitchen industry and franchising, Bill is the founder of Snack in the Box which, after launching in 1994, grew to become a network of more than 100 franchisees before the business was sold in 2009. Paul Pickering promoted to channel manager
LDL raises over £900 for Macmillan Cancer Support
Every single member of staff without exception brought in home-baked goodies and invited their family and friends as well as personnel from neighbouring local businesses based at Bath Business Park. 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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EWL pushes for incentives to replace old bathrooms with the latest water/ energy efficient products
Quooker dealers to cook with John Torode
 KBSA proud to report another successful AGM & National Meeting
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