KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
23rd October 2015
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International News
Products Merlyn unveil new Source collection to join installer-friendly Ionic range
Perrin & Rowe innovates with Goddard Littlefair, at hotel design event, Sleep 2015 British luxury kitchen and bathroom brassware manufacturer, Perrin & Rowe, has announced its participation in the hotel design event, Sleep 2015, taking place at the Business Design Centre in London from 24th through 25th November. Two new ranges and a fresh strategy see Coram stride ahead
Bella Bathrooms announces new range of Tavistock Bathrooms
IFA success for AmicaIn and new double ovens
New acrylic bath range is big on user comfort
Cosentino launches 25th anniversary colour for Silestone: Acqua Fraccaroli
Lakes Bathrooms launches in USA
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New research, conducted by Beko, reveals that ‘kitchen envy’ is well and truly upon us with almost one in five 26 – 30 year olds saying they are envious of their friends’ kitchens and appliances. The research, which surveyed 2,000 UK homeowners aged between 21 and 50, found that more than 1 in 10 would forgo a holiday so that they could afford a new kitchen kitted out with the latest appliances. Kitchen envy is a growing phenomenon for the younger generation with over 40% worrying that their kitchen is not as impressive as their friends’ kitchens, or worse – that their friends will judge them.
The study shows that this new ‘Come Dine With Me’ culture seems to have fostered an element of competitiveness, with 1 in 10 men admitting they would seek the best kitchen gadgets to compete with friends – for example, having the biggest and best fridge freezer. The research also revealed that young people are choosing to socialise at home rather than nipping to the pub or dancing the night away in a club. With recent news that half of UK nightclubs and pubs have closed down in the last 10 years, it’s not surprising that over half (50%) of those surveyed said that they now entertain more often at home, therefore turning the heat up on pressures for the perfect kitchen. The survey also revealed that 52% of people enjoy having friends over for drinks, with 50% hosting dinner parties. Over a third (35%) of couples entertain their friends together. It doesn’t matter if you are single, married or living together, the home is now the centre of our social culture and a covetable kitchen will make entertaining – and being entertained – a real pleasure. Yours,
This Week's News
iKBBI unveils historic initiative The Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installers (iKBBI) announced this week an historic and exciting collaboration with PROCAT (Prospects College of Advance Technology), the UK's first college of advanced technology, to create the first ever iKBBI approved Centre of Excellence for KBB installation apprentices. The monumental agreement will initially enrol around 1,000 16 - 19 year olds as iKBBI Apprentice Members by Christmas 2015 as part of the research and development phase. Touch points at Bathroom & Kitchen Conference 2015 Toilet touch points, contact lenses with built-in blood-sugar analysis for diabetics and the subjectivity of colourful six-sided beach balls were just three of the topics discussed at the recent Bathroom & Kitchen Business Conference. "The annual conference has always been designed to expand the minds of its delegates by getting them to look outside of their usual four walls, by challenging norms and by creating some disruptive thoughts," says Amy Kirk. "And as you can see, it certainly did that!" Abode adds new thermostatic showers to its stunning portfolio Visit the company's stand at any exhibition and you can see that Abode is at the forefront of design, engineering excellence and advanced technology in the bathroom shower market. Its designers continue to add new creations to the range, expanding its offering to the marketplace with products that co-ordinate perfectly with Abode's complete collection of bathroom brassware and showering portfolios - as these two latest thermostatic showers testify. The two new exposed thermostatic 'all-in-one' wall mounted showers in a chrome finish are available nationwide through Abode's distribution partners. These showers are the ideal solution to most showering needs; offering easy-to-operate controls plus the reduction of installation time. Britannia keeps cool with Humble Pie Britannia has provided a stainless steel Montana American style fridge-freezer to new UKTV cookery series, Humble Pie, which is hosted by Melanie Sykes and stars celebrity chef Marco Pierre White. "It will be great to see the contestants and Marco Pierre White using one of the hero products in our range throughout the series," says Michael Haigh, marketing manager at Britannia Living. Hotspot House: the functional app The Bathroom Manufacturers Association has been working with the Children's Burns Trust to create a fun and educational app to warn children of the dangers of hot water in the home. Burbidge gets a handle on the final touches with new brochure Burbidge is continuing to provide customers with innovation and an eye for detail with its brand new Handle Collection brochure. Having recently consolidated its handle and knob offering, the company says its new literature offers a snapshot of its most exquisite designs, all of which combine an acute attention to design detailing and exceptional craftsmanship. Blanco Sona Silgranit sinks in classic and contemporary colours suit any kitchen scheme
A cosy bath counteracts Winter chills As the cold nights draw closer and the days get shorter, seeking sanctuary in a luxurious bath - such as the Toulouse, pictured - is one of the simplest ways to warm up in Winter. Be it a cosy log cabin in the mountains, a contemporary bathroom in the city or a cottage in the country, Victoria + Albert Baths has a range of luxury tubs to escape to this winter, in modern and traditional styles. Toto reveals new washroom gallery at Narita Airport More than just a conventional public toilet, the Toto Gallery, a 145sq.m space recently opened in the waiting area of the new Terminal 2 at Tokyo's Narita Airport, gives visitors the opportunity to experience Toto bathroom products first-hand. Travellers from around the world stand still, walk in and are inspired: the hall to the toilets, normally an inconvenient part of public buildings, is transformed into a journey through a world with much to discover: performances, art and an especially pleasant, hygienic and inspiring area for the bathrooms. Reap the benefits of the One Fuelcard The Fuelcard People have announce the launch of a new product that will offer exclusive benefits to its customers - the One Fuelcard. The One Fuelcard offers access to the largest fixed price fuel network in the whole of the UK (more than 50% of all UK filling stations). It also covers all Shell sites and all Esso stations, as well as all Topaz, Total, Texaco and Gleaner facilities. PWS announces new appointments to the board After 35 years of service, during which he has played a pivotal role in the development of the business, Andrew Elenor, managing director of PWS, has announced his retirement. Mel Reid hosts masterclass to raise money for Armitage Thanks campaign Ideal Standard has held a golf day featuring a masterclass with European number one Mel Reid to raise money for Armitage Thanks, its charity campaign which aims to raise £200,000 by 2017. The event, which took place at Breadsall Priory in Derbyshire, was attended by 60 Ideal Standard team members, customers and suppliers. They were given advice on improving their game by Mel, who finished unbeaten at the recent Solheim Cup in Germany. As well as receiving training, the team members had a Texas Scramble round of golf across the course. 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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Money isn't everything for 75% of tradespeople
New Year membership restructure for iKBBI
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. People
Abode designer hits the D-list!
Burbidge bolsters Bathroom Division with new recruit
Dream Doors appoints new director of franchising
Paul Pickering promoted to channel manager
Marketing
Abode's best sellers get even better... exclusive Autumn promotion
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