KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
3rd September 2010
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International News
Products Whirlpool's new fridge freezer extends freshness up to 50% longer
KitchenAid's powerful hood is on an island of its own!
Staff at Mark David Enterprises had their sales skills honed last month when Grayam Hayden held his one day sales & negotiation course at their head office premises. Symmetrical design at its best!
The new Alpina APX 611 sink from Franke replaces the popular GAX 611; with its perfect symmetry, it represents a complete re-design of the original. The sink's large 390 x 445mm bowl configuration, which is ideal for large pots and pans, is popular for hardworking, stylish kitchens. The new Alpina design features a modern drainer pattern which incorporates the tap ledge within the overall design of the drainer. Available in a stylish stainless steel silk finish, the sink is constructed from premium grade materials and is perfect for modern-day living. The finish is incredibly durable and hygienic; it is resistant to staining, chipping, rust and corrosion and is also extremely easy to keep clean so will stay looking good. T: 0161 436 6280 Mereway Kitchens New English Revival Shaker Collection
A fashionable return to more traditional kitchen designs brings a brand new beginning for Mereway Kitchens this summer with the introduction of a new Revival Shaker style door for their English Revival range. New flooring is perfect for kitchens and bathrooms
The look of rustic stone or cool ceramic tiling remains a perennial favourite when it comes to the fitting out of new kitchens and bathrooms or the refurbishment of existing ones. Now, a new range of laminate effects - indiscernible from the original material and with significant practical advantages - has been introduced . |
Welcome to the Thanks to my roofer falling out with his colleague at the weekend, I've spent quite an unusual week doing 12 hour days up on some scaffolding, hacking out mortar from between the brickwork prior to repointing... Well, I was unlikely to get hold of a decent replacement over the bank holiday weekend, it would save money - and once I'd got used to the altitude it was quite rewarding work. And of course it was beautifully sunny up there and the view over all the gardens was fantastic! Like most things in an optimist's life, the work took longer than expected and - upon noticing an able bodied man delivering leaflets for what was probably a pittance, I almost called out: "Do you want a job?" Descending for a cuppa later on, I picked up the leaflet and saw that it was from a building firm. I rang and was put through to the owner, who just happened to be the man I'd seen delivering the leaflets! He'd noticed me up on the scaffolding and had been tempted to ask if I needed some help, but hadn't as he'd thought I was working for a building company. He was delivering leaflets as he didn't have any work on for the week - a more common occurrence these days as a result of people having to curb their spending. Findlay returned to give me a price on finishing the job and when he arrived for work the following morning he seemed surprised when I asked him where his sign was. "Sign?" he repeated. I replied that I meant the sign he should be putting up on the scaffolding to advertise that he was working there... something with his company name and logo and contact details, so that those walking past, or sat in traffic (I live on a busy road) would see it, perhaps take note and then get in touch when they too needed a builder. I saw the penny drop, followed by what was possibly the calculation of money spent on leaflets and time out delivering them instead of earning real money, practising the trade for which he'd trained. As a householder, I receive dozens of leaflets every year and few of them are actually saved for when I might need them. I often note down contact details on vans and boards such as that I've just described though, as to me that type of marketing smacks of professionalism and makes people such as me believe that the company concerned is on the ball. OK you may not always have the benefit of some scaffolding, but most customers won't be adverse to a board - perhaps on a stand - saying, "bathroom being beautifully fitted by................ Contact me on................." So all you tradespeople amongst KBZine's readership - you know what to do! Yours,
This Week's News
August data signalled a further expansion of the UK construction sector, with the seasonally adjusted Markit/CIPS Construction Purchasing Managers' Index posting 52.1. However, this was lower than July's reading of 54.1, signalling that growth slowed for a third successive month from the recent high recorded in May. A further increase in new work intakes supported the latest rise in activity. However, growth in both new orders and output failed to boost employment and indeed jobs continued to be cut. Meanwhile, confidence over future business expectations improved, although concerns over public sector spending cuts remained. Plan a GRAND Day out at Grand Designs Live this October! If you are interested in the latest products and innovation in the Kitchens and Bathrooms industry, then look no further than Grand Designs Live. The show runs from 8-10 October at the NEC and will showcase the very best cutting-edge design and innovation in your field. With over 500 exhibiting companies and talks from familiar faces in the industry including Johnny Grey, the event brings together all aspects of style and design - all under one roof! Win a pair of tickets to the show KBzine have 10 pairs of tickets to the show to give away! For your chance to win them just email John Austen Exclusive offer - book now and save £££s! If you're not one of the lucky winners you can book tickets for just £10 (saving £8*) when you book in advance and quote EXHIB10. Visit www.granddesignslive.com or call the hotline on 0871 230 5583. Amica to showcase brand new Platinum range at IFA 2010, Germany, 3rd - 8th September
Amica will be showcasing its brand new Platinum built-in range at IFA2010, the World's largest trade fair for consumer electronics and home appliances, taking place in Messe, Berlin, Germany from 3rd to 8th September. The 50th IFA exhibition promises to attract industry representatives from all over the World, who will visit the show to check out the latest products and innovations on display by some of the leading electronics and appliances manufacturers. Glamorous and practical - that'll be Bushboard's Chocolate Sparkle worksurface
With brown tones a continuing trend theme for worksurfaces, it has a bitter chocolate colouring undercut with flecks of black making Chocolate Quartz an easy colour to design with. The laminate is also enhanced with metallic particles and a super sleek high gloss surface texture, adding up to a luxurious looking worksurface that will partner well with a wide variety of door colours, as well as complementing or contrasting with different door textures and materials. High gloss laminate worksurfaces have the distinct advantage of mirroring the looks of polished granite and stone wi To all members of The Kitchen, Bathroom & Bedroom Specialists Association Our 2010 AGM is being held as part of an agreement to support a brand new initiative by KBBR to host a specific KITCHEN market conference in 2010. The conference is being held at the The Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon, Warwickshire on 16th September, 2010, and looks likely to be developing some debate about the state of the market, future prospects, who speaks for the industry, and other key topics. Deva registers 86 products on BMA WEPLS
Leading shower and tapware company Deva now has 86 of its products listed on the Bathroom Manufacturers Association's Water Efficient Product Labelling Scheme (WEPLS), including a variety of compliant taps and shower controls for domestic and commercial markets. Trade customers will find many of the Deva firm favourites listed, including the Motif, Ikon, Insignia and Milan ranges from the Everyday Collection and the GE7000 and AZ7000 shower controls from the TMV2 approved 7000 range. Reflex points the way in new mirror styling from HiB
The Reflex mirror is an internally back-lit design enclosed in a statement metallic frame that can be installed in either portrait or landscape format. Dimensions are 71 x 51 x 6.5cm and the new mirror is IP44 rated. T: 0208 441 0352
The new Franke Triflow Trend tap with U-Spout is a modern take on the popular Pro-Value three-handle lever tap model. Designed to coordinate with a full range of Franke sink models, the tap delivers hot, cold and filtered water in high style. John Swain, Product Manager, comments: "In these price-conscious times, the Franke Triflow Trend tap will negate the need to buy bottled water and allow consumers to do their bit for the environment. It's a stylish addition to any functional, modern kitchen." kbb London was launched in June to cater to industry demand and will show products from mid to high end with dedicated areas for kitchens, bathrooms and tiles. It will cover three halls of ExCeL and target both the contract and retail sectors, providing access to the thousands of interior designers, architects, retailers, contractors, property developers, merchants, hoteliers and bar owners currently sourcing KBB products in the South East. US DIY & home improvement market report just published The prospect in the US of a slow, drawn out economic recovery without robust job growth or a quick rise in home prices doesn't bode well for a rapid rebound in the broader home improvement industry, which has already suffered three consecutive years of decline. But the longer the economy stays out of high gear the better the chances are of solid growth in the DIY portion of the market as the DIY mentality will become a proactive and affirmative manifestation of the 'New Frugality', claims a new report. The report provides an in-depth analysis of how retailers, suppliers and - most importantly - consumers, are responding to a home channel marketplace that is changing in fundamental ways. It includes: Whirlpool's new Fusion built-in collection hits the spot
The company's aptly titled Fusion collection represents an elegant encounter between glass and steel in a modern style. Featuring cutting edge technology, innovative functions and an ultra modern look, the appliances in the Fusion Line create a futuristic kitchen environment with a minimum yet sophisticated design. They combine steel and glass for a sleek, high-tech finish, with the top-end oven featuring an LCD touch sensitive flat control panel and an integrated handle with an advanced user interface. Sealant-taming CornerTape to be demonstrated at two exhibitions this month Plumbers, installers, builders and other trades' people will have the opportunity to see the innovative CornerTape range of products being demonstrated at two exhibitions in Coventry during September. CornerTape is a product system designed to guarantee easy and effective preparation and a simple, accurate and fast method of applying all types of sealants on tiles, baths, showers and worktops for a perfectly clean straight-edge finish without mess or fuss. AEG washing machine has A-30% energy efficiency and new load sensor
The machine also comes with a load sensor which senses the weight of the wash load and recommends the right amount of detergent dosage proportional to the wash load, saving you water and detergent. 9th UK Natural Stone returns to ExCeL, London The showcase event for the UK stone industry returns to London's premier exhibition venue, ExCeL from 15th - 17th March 2011. Set within a stunning waterfront environment in the dynamic and thriving Docklands, just a stone's throw away from Canary Wharf, ExCeL offers a world class facility for visitors and exhibitors alike. The recent completion of its £165 million phase two expansion, new on-site hotels and significantly enhanced transport links all underline the level of investment going into this part of London as it gears up for the 2012 Olympic games. 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 Siamp UK's new Uni-Siphon universal siphon eliminates the need for merchants to hold multiple sizes in stock. Adjustable from 7.5 to 9.5 inches and suitable for all high and low level applications, it is manufactured to WRAS, Kiwa and NF standards and comes in two parts for quick and easy installation and maintenance. T: 0161 205 1200 / E: [email protected] Jacuzzi's new Nova whirlpool bath has a circular rotating jet design that enables you to move around to benefit from four luxurious and deeply relaxing hydromassage jets. Choose one of three positions, each with its own adjustable headrest, from which to experience four deeply relaxing preset hydromassage experiences, including the restful silent option. T: 01782 717175. By popular demand, Tile Depot has introduced to its portfolio a selection of grouts, adhesives and sealants by World renowned brand, Mapei. T: 08000 740 720 / E: [email protected] Falmec introduces its first ever downdraft extraction in the form of Down Draft. This stunning new model is fully motorised, hiding discreetly within the worktop/cabinetry when not in use, and reappearing at a simple press of the touch-sensitive controls. T: +44(0)1787 224921 / W: www.falmec.co.uk How to contact us at The KBzine:
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