KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
2nd September 2016
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 International News
Products Daval launches Mayfair & Varenna Kitchen Furniture Collection
Stylish fairytale furnishings for little princesses
The various children's room ideas and furnishings for princesses, from Portuguese manufacturer Circu, offer a big choice for interior design, with the availability of everything that corresponds to the fairy tale - down to the last detail. Dream Doors launches new kitchen design tool to allow customers to plan their perfect kitchen
Perrin & Rowe adds a new extra special finish 'Aged Brass'
Franke adds the contemporary Smart tap to its best-selling Pro-Value range
'Wow factor' heating with new Sigma & Fog towel warmers by Aestus
New Sureseal enhances waterproof protection, performance and aesthetics
Steel announces Enfasi range cooker collection
Geberit Monolith: now even easier to install but as sleek and stylish as ever
Virtu has shaker-style down to a fine art...
New Eisl Eco home mixer tap range cuts energy usage and keeps bills to a minimum
Lift kitchen storage to new heights with Alno iMove
Vado launches Strata and Phase shower columns
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I’ve attended several festivals over the Summer and although I’ve been banging on about the benefits of compost loos for years I don’t believe I’ve shared any pictures. The ones I’ve used have been semi-permanent, posh wooden shacks with proper seats set into a wooden platform, with a pit below for everything to drop into. Users sprinkle sawdust over their contribution and everything smells really sweet, all the time. At some stage after the composting process is complete, the waste is removed and used to create energy. Perfect! One festival I’ve attended for years is set in the grounds of a stately home. The owner told me this year that more than half the energy used ‘in the house’ and for the festival and other events held on the land, now comes from a combination of this human waste and food waste and peelings. That’s really good, isn’t it? This year at another festival I saw temporary compost loos being installed, so took some pictures. These were raised to create space for green waste bins or non-porous sacks, which were to be taken away before composting had been completed, to the facility that would use the waste. This meant that effectively there would be no waste and that the festival field would be left as was, once all the revellers had departed. This industry has moved forward in leaps and bounds over recent years, raising awareness of the need to reduce water and energy usage, while bodies such as the Bathroom Manufacturers Association, through the European Water Label, have done a grand job in encouraging manufacturers to produce the required products and widely publicising the wares of those that do so. As you can see from my picture, the loos I’ve been using at these festivals are very basic (the wooden ones are even more quaint!). With the growing need for us all to reduce both water and energy usage, compost loos are a brilliant concept but need some adapting before they’re really suitable for home use. I’m hoping one day soon to be able to write about someone from this industry who’s taken up the challenge and produced a ‘posh’ compost loo that’s fit for the home. Yours,
 This Week's News
BMA urges conformance and competence
Apart from price, which is always top of the list, there should be two main priorities for anyone investing in a new bathroom. The first is that the product should be of excellent quality and should conform with all the relevant standards and regulations. The second is that it should be installed correctly, safely and efficiently, by qualified and competent installers. Franke launches completely revamped, responsive consumer website
The new site includes the full Franke portfolio of sinks, taps, hoods, waste disposal products and the new 'Frames by Franke' collection. It also features inspirational lifestyle imagery and information, comparison and search facilities, advice and tips on how to choose the right products, videos and latest news. Dream Doors launches new door styles and colours for 2016
Continuing the trend for more neutral colours in the kitchen, Dream Doors has added 21 new colours to its classic range, nine new colours to its modern range and three new colours to its traditional range. There is also a new door style range called Integra which is also available. A trio of Althia kitchen taps from Abode
The clean-cut, Althia Pull out spray tap with minimalist design, maximises performance and style. The tall, swan neck moveable spout allows the control and flow of water and with its diverse application of use, this high specification mixertap is also designed to provide flexibility in food washing and preparation with its pull-out spray. The spray hose is also long enough to reach into the corners of even the largest of sinks to ensure hygiene. Neff announces Masterpartner design competition winners at the Big Feastival
The judging panel looked for a highly desirable, extremely well planned and designed kitchen... A kitchen that included a range of Neff appliances, appropriate storage, individuality and one that met all the needs of the customer. Wilsonart UK and Decormax enjoy huge growth
Established in 2001, Decormax now operates nationally via three depots in Wakefield, Leicester and Bishop's Stortford. The company operates a fleet of its own Decormax delivery vehicles and has sustained remarkable growth over 15 years which have included some of the toughest trading conditions in living memory. Ellis expanding every which way!
The culmination of months of intensive product development to ensure a perfect finish, the Roseberry painted timber range is a mix of fitted, freestanding and modular options. The key to its appeal is a classic raised and fielded door style made from solid timber. Mereway launches silent auction for charity
The auction is one of the many 30th anniversary fundraising activities being held throughout this year. The auction lots have been donated by suppliers and partners and offer something for everyone from wine and whiskey to an Indian meal and weekend break in Birmingham. Bailey's of Verwood, Dorset, wins brace of new Amica double ovens
Chosen from over 300 entries handed in on the Amica and Portway Appliances stand, the two ovens - which are worth almost £1000 at retail price - formed part of Amica's launch promotion for its new freestanding double cavity range. Devon Home Cook of the Year 2016 is cooking up a storm with Alno Kitchens
Six contestants have cooked their way to a place in the finals, which will take place at the Bradburys kitchen showroom in Exeter over the weekend of Saturday 8th October and Sunday 9th October 2016. 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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clicking the link above. Recent News
Brexit Bump & Bounce for Shower Market to 2020
 KBSA announces further keynote speaker at their 2016 National Conference
Channel 4 viewers see George Clarke give new Energy to period bathroom with Twyford
Croydex secures patent for Flexi-Fix Croydex has been granted a patent for its Flexi-Fix 'X' plate following a successful application to the UK Intellectual Property Office. British Ceramic Tile supports students at Plymouth College of Art
New dates announced for Graham Hayden's training courses
Rt. Hon. Theresa May MP (as she was at the time) visits new Maidenhead Screwfix store
Kitchen Bathroom Buying Group signs up its first bathroom supplier
City Distribution, based in Blackpool, has been servicing the North of England for 29 years. We take orders up to 4:45pm delivering the following day and even man our sales office on probably our customers' busiest day, Saturday, to deal with product enquiries and process orders for Monday delivery - arguably making a rod for our own back but today's retailer need every tool in the box to secure that all important sale. Hib enters the Virtual Worlds realm
Dream Doors announces winner of inaugural 'kitchen transformation of the year' award
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Welcome to the first edition of KBzine since our Summer break. I hope that if you too, have had a break, it’s been a good one.
