KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
14th October 2016
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International News
Products Methven retains exclusive CoolBrands status
Franke extends popular Kubus sink range with a new super-sized model
Ideal Standard adds to Concept Freedom range with new accessible bath for all ages
Now this is what you call a bubble bath...
SieMatic Pure SE 3003 newly on display at Urban Interior (London)
Czar kitchen taps from Abode: simple, stylish and easy to use
LDL extends Leyton lighting range
Blanco brings stainless steel to another level
Blanco Durinox is the ultimate innovation in stainless steel. Extremely hard and highly resistant to scratches, Durinox stainless steel surfaces are given these special characteristics via a new finishing process that originates from the aerospace industry. Blue light shines on floor to signal end of wash on new integrated dishwasher
Steel introduces Plasma technology to its range of cooker hoods
Smiths Briten reaches new highs with latest shower enclosures
Baths by Clay produces some fab Hi-Macs basins
Zanussi celebrates centenary year
"Zanussi is a brand that represents the zeitgeist of many generations," says Vanessa Holloway, senior consumer marketing manager at Zanussi. "Everyone can remember a Zanussi appliance in the backdrop at one time in their life... From a hand-made, wood-burning oven produced in a corner of Italy to more than six million units sold each year; Zanussi is a company that has earned consumer trust through its cutting-edge design, innovation and outstanding quality over the last 100 years." |
With the adverse publicity some appliance manufacturers have had lately, thanks to what appears to be the phenomenon of something akin to spontaneous combustion, I can’t help but think that the Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances’ announcement that the Prize Season@Register My Appliance is shortly to get underway, is something of a comfort. After all, if you know your appliances may pose a safety risk to those in whose homes they’re used, it’s so much easier recall to them if you know exactly where those homes actually are. Any initiative that encourages we consumers to register our appliances and thus enable their manufacturers to keep in touch with us, has to be a good one. I was guilty of keeping my purchases secret until I learned of the scheme and had the logic of it explained to me. I don’t know whether I’d not previously bothered because the excitement of having a new appliance pushed registration out of my radar, whether I was simply too lazy to do it or planned to do it later, or whether it was something to do with the silly threat of the guarantee not being honoured unless the product was registered… Well – when you’ve forked out a small fortune on new white goods and the like, the last thing you want to contemplate is them breaking down! I now know better and always encourage friends and family to register any appliances they’re taking into their home – and particularly so if they’ve bought them second hand. In case you’re not familiar with the scheme, the majority of the manufacturers take part and from 1st November, customers who register their new appliances (or even ones they already own – as long as they’re under 12 years old) at www.registermyappliance.org.uk are entered into prize draws that run through January to include Register My Appliance Day on 19th January 2017. I know the manufacturers’ literature that’s tucked inside the packaging encourages purchasers to register what they’ve bought, but if you’re involved in the sale of such equipment, it won’t do any harm to help spread the word by pointing out why we need to register our appliances, when taking our payment, will it? After all, for just a little bit of effort, you might just stop someone’s house from burning down… Yours,
 This Week's News
Franke and More in Store retailers raise £8,250+ for Marie Curie and reach 1.1million+ audience
Franke's aim with the More in Store initiative is to support its retailers and help them increase footfall into their showrooms. The 2016 Blooming Great Tea Party campaign was a huge success, with the number of retailers taking part increasing by 245% to 190, welcoming hundreds of visitors to their showrooms.
With over a quarter of tiles bought in 2015 destined for use in the kitchen, tiles are proving to be an increasingly important purchasing decision with retailers looking to offer consumers the full kitchen package from cabinets through to flooring. With this new collection, British Ceramic Tile will look to support existing and new retailers with their kitchen offer, carefully selecting a range of wall and floor tiles to cater for all consumer tastes. BMA celebrates three major milestones
Yvonne Orgill, BMA chief executive and Paul Massey, Group CEO of AKW and DLP Group, and current president of the Association, shared their obvious delight at reaching the three anniversaries which coincided at the event. Saniflo introduces the new and improved Kinemagic Serenity
A new, improved fold down seat provides even more comfort than before and can take up to 150kgs, whilst the cool-touch thermostatic valve now features easy grip controls - ideal for customers that are experiencing diminished fine motor control and strength in their hands. A new style soap tray attaches to the shower riser bar so that the essential grooming products can be kept close to hand; minimising the need to move around the cubicle. The door handle has been redesigned to provide an easi KBSA Experts - Kitchen Advice Centre at Grand Designs Live
The KBSA experts will advise and review plans with consumers for their new projects, as well as give professional advice on the best ways to progress. Visitors will also receive a free copy of the new 2016/17 KBSA Showcase handbook, which gives full details about the Association, as well as retail members in each area. Abode's Dune sinks have attractive ripple drainer design
Manufactured from advanced, hardwearing acrylic materials, these new inset sinks will certainly form a focal point in any kitchen, be it modern or traditional, in style. There are four sinks within the range, two in an eye-catching striking Black and two in a contemporary Frost White Granite, in popular single and 1.5 deep bowls with single drainers. Quality, excellence and innovation - there's a Geberit award for it Now in its third year, the Geberit Awards 2016 promises to be the best yet, as installers from throughout the bathroom, plumbing and heating industries battle it out to be crowned the best in the business. The Awards honour the cream of the installer crop in four categories: 'Love the Shower, Love the Price', with Triton
Tech Lovers... As the name suggests, consumers are sure to fall in love with the chic Amore electric shower. Available in three finishes (white gloss, brushed steel and black gloss), this is an attractive centrepiece for any design-led space. It also benefits from touch screen controls together with an OLED display to confirm the chosen temperature and power settings - max, eco and cold. Record success at Sirius Buying Group's VIP Kitchen & Electrical Retail Trade Show 2016
This popular industry event took place over two days at the end of September at the Forest of Arden Marriott Hotel & Country Club in Warwickshire. Proceedings were set in motion with Sirius's annual AGM which was attended by its premium bank of electrical and kitchen retail members, resulting in its biggest attendance yet at 89% capacity. Burbidge offers infinite inspiration with extended Otto range
Bringing a natural charm to the sharp, minimalistic Otto form, the range is now available in the three new woodgrain finishes of Dark Walnut, Rose Walnut or Bleached Walnut. Constructed from advanced laminate, each look cleverly encapsulates the intrinsic woodgrains and tactile appeal of real wood, while being cost-competitive. Virtual worlds advises on how to leverage the bathroom boom
According to a new report by MTW research*, bathroom retailers will outperform the UK economy in 2016 despite many retailers and manufacturers being wary of the fallout from Brexit. Based on data from 90 leading bathroom retailers, the research found that sales in 2016 are now at an historic high, surpassing £1 billion for the first time. Two construction firms benefit from national apprenticeship scholarship
The initiative was launched by construction audit, contract and payroll provider, Hudson Contract, to celebrate its 20th anniversary and also provide opportunities for two young apprentices hoping to take their first steps on the construction career ladder. Have you heard the Big Bang: explosive promotion from Benchmarx?
Maintaining the high-quality you'd expect from Benchmarx, offers forming part of the Big Bang promotion include branded Neff multi-function ovens, Suffolk White moulded doors and beautiful pre-oiled solid oak worktops with 18 - 24mm narrow staves (all at excellent prices), to name but a few. 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
KBSA "proud to report another successful AGM and National Conference"
 KBSA Designer Awards Winners - a rundown
Winner of the Kitchen Designer of the Year (Under £30K), sponsored by Omega, was Aileen Thomson of Kitchens International, with her 'blend of modern and traditional' kitchen. Dream Doors and Articad: a partnership for growth
New housebuilding in 2015 sees 12% increase in kitchen and bathroom products market
Ideal Standard factory at Armitage stars in new BBC children's programme about toilets
People
Abode continues investment in training
Alno UK appoints a new south east area sales manager
British Ceramic Tile announces new area sales manager
Literature
Frontline Bathrooms launches Autumn Winter 2016/17 brochure
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