KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
9th September 2016
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 International News
Products Dream Doors launches new door styles and colours for 2016
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...
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I don’t tend to mention companies in these leaders but feel I’m on a mission today… My daughter has moved into a lovely new flat with a beautifully fitted out kitchen that is missing one thing: a microwave. And although there wasn’t much room for one, we consider them a necessity. “Don’t worry,” I assured her. “I’ll contact Whirlpool and buy you a new Max.” I have a Max at home. As well as being a great little microwave, it’s a real talking point with newcomers to my kitchen who ask: “What on earth’s that?”. I then go into demo mode, showing off the functions and how it glows either red, blue, green or silver, depending upon which function is used. It plays jingles too! What makes it really special though, is its shape. Talk about inspired thinking! It’s rounded at the back, so it snuggles into a corner, facing outwards across the room and enabling users to remove hot dishes from head on, rather than forcing them to lean across the worktop and sometimes around the open door, which is awkward and can cause burns… genius! I was dismayed to learn that Whirlpool has stopped making the Max. Companies are spending thousands of pounds on research to tweak their products above the competition’s offerings, yet rarely do I find something so stand-out brilliant as the Max microwave – now discontinued! I’m starting a campaign, which I think that if you’re a Max owner you’ll readily support, to ‘Bring back the Max’? Will you join me? Another Whirlpool initiative, which I love, is its instigation of a ‘National Quiet Day’, taking place next Wednesday (see more below). I have to say, it’s not household appliances that drive me nuts with their noise, but noisy people; I abhor unnecessary loudness… having to listen to shouty conversations from those who have no dignity when it comes to sharing their intimate secrets with strangers, who are forced to listen whether they want to or not. They’re not on stage, after all! What is it with people these days? I’m hoping Whirlpool can, over time, expand its National Quiet Day’ to include quietness in general – every day, and that by drawing attention to the need for us all to have peace and quiet in our lives, the quietness will become the norm rather than requiring a special day for its celebration… Yours,
 This Week's News
UK tradespeople quoting for more work than 12 months ago
Of the 95% of tradespeople currently working, the majority (67%) say they have enough work to keep them busy and 16% claim to have more work than they can handle, with nearly half (48%) believing business will improve for them over the next year. Whirlpool announces first ever 'National Quiet Day'
Peace and quiet is good for you, both physically and mentally. Studies have shown that taking time for quiet can have a positive effect on your body and in some cases can even lower blood pressure and reduce the heart rate. However, it is increasingly difficult in today's world to experience real quiet, and that's why Whirlpool, the maker of the washing machine with the quietest spin cycle on the market, is establishing a National Quiet Day. Utopia introduces luxurious freestanding bath
Bookings surge for KBSA AGM & National Conference The Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association has reported a record number of bookings already for this year's AGM, National Conference and Networking Dinner being held at The Welcombe Hotel, Stratford on Avon, on 27th September. During the dinner, the 2016 KBSA Designer Awards will be presented. Many of the shortlisted entrants have already booked their places. In addition, the KBSA Excellence Awards; namely the KBSA Customer Service Award along and with the KBSA Training Award, (sponsored by the CITB) and the Supplier Awards are also being presented. Hib Novum furniture collection gets a new look
Following a successful corporate rebrand this January, the business's popular bathroom furniture brand, Novum, will now be known as HiB Novum as shown in a new logo, website, brochure and even a new showroom at the company's National Distribution Centre in Tamworth. This latest move is part of a wider strategy to more closely align the range to HiB and its overriding ethos on 'making bathrooms beautiful'. Old fashioned and tired bathroom transformed
The detached six-bedroom house had been the show home so the original bathroom had been built to a good standard but it was beginning to look old fashioned and tired and was leaking into the garage below. Anne and Arthur were keen to create a bathroom that was practical but had a wow factor so the old corner bath, bidet and small shower cubicle were ripped out and the Artex-coated ceiling was skimmed over. Cosentino celebrates outstanding Elite Premium Studios with its Annual Honours List
Exciting new 2016 kitchen sink & tap brochure from Abode
The Abode ranges have always been ahead in terms of technology, design and status and they are exquisitely formed and designed to fit into contemporary and classically styled kitchens - and all of these can now be seen in one beautifully produced brochure. Haier brings splash of personalised colour to combi-fridge freezer range at IFA 2016
Pierig Bouret, European Project Manager at Haier Europe, said: "We are always looking for new ways to please our customers which is why we're pleased to announce brand new customisation options on Haier's 60 and 70 Series combi fridge-freezers. Burbidge finds the perfect fit as it opens its doors to new Simply Burbidge range
Mike Proctor joins the business bringing with him over 25 years' experience within the furniture manufacturing industry. Mike's new role helps to drive the manufacturing process of the Burbidge's elegant new Simply Burbidge range. Uform welcomes new sales representative in East Midlands & South Yorkshire
With a degree in Business & Management, Mark has eight years' experience of the hospitality industry and five years' sales experience including a position with Arco, one of the UK's largest safety equipment suppliers. Further key management appointments at TKC
Warren is responsible for new product training for staff, supporting them with product queries, dealing with technical questions from customers, working closely with the company on new product development and looking at ongoing product improvement within the current TKC portfolio. Warren is moving into the role with nine years' experience at TKC, most recently as trade counter manager, and 22 years' experience in the kitchen and bathroom industry. 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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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.  Brexit Bump & Bounce for Shower Market to 2020
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New dates announced for Graham Hayden's training courses
People
Ellis expanding every which way!
Marketing
Franke launches completely revamped, responsive consumer website
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