The KBzine

KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
27th January 2017

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International News
Products

Bauhaus beats bathroom blues when it's bitterly cold

For a towel rail that's sure to make an impact, look no further than bathroom furniture specialist Bauhaus's Gallery collection.

Blending both contemporary and traditional radiator designs with the latest in thermal bathroom technology, the exclusive range is guaranteed to add a stunning design feature to any bathroom, en-suite or cloakroom whilst offering the ultimate in premium functionality.
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Gorenje brings the sunshine with new retro fridge

Gorenje, has introduced a new sunrise finish to its hugely successful Retro collection of fridge freezers. Available on Orb freestanding, single-door models, the new Sunrise Retro fridge will add vibrant splashes of colour to any kitchen.

Boasting the highest achievable energy-efficiency rating (A+++), the fridge has a gross capacity of 260 litres and includes IonAir and DynamiCooling food preservation technology.
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Kitchen and bathroom inspiration on show in Bury St Edmunds

Bringing high quality, Italian styling and interior design inspiration to the people of Bury St Edmunds and beyond, the new Design Republic showroom is now open.
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Celebrate the trend for the 'fifth wall' with the Feature Floors collection from the House of British Ceramic Tile

There's a new design movement sweeping through homes. First it was the feature wall; then it was all about the ceiling. Now it's the 'fifth wall'; floors that demand serious attention. Gone are the days of plain surfaces without personality, today's floors are much more visually exciting with ceramic tiles now delivering the wow factor.
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Blomberg slimline dishwasher awarded Which? Best Buy

The Euronics exclusive Blomberg built-in slimline dishwasher, the LDVS2284, has been awarded a sought after 'Best Buy' rating from Which?, as well as being given an 'Energy Saver' label. The appliance impressed the testing team for its cleaning and drying standards, and for being 'very energy efficient'.
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Creative and considered storage with PWS's YouBoXx

PWS, exclusive UK distributor of Kesseböhmer, has enhanced its comprehensive portfolio of clever storage solutions with YouBoXx.
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Raise the Bar with new Cluster and Bohemia Contemporary towel warmers by Aestus

Why not persuade your customers that to go 'off the rails' could be as clever as observing Dry January, if they upgrade their next towel warmer to a stylish heating solution that makes the best use of space and heat in the bathroom?
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Amica moves sales, marketing and service to Nottinghamshire

Following Amica's acquisition of CDA in December 2015, the Amica UK business has been successfully transferred to CDA's impressive facility in Langar, Nottinghamshire. Amica sales, marketing and customer service operations, along with the UK's comprehensive stockholding, have been relocated.
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New research shines a light on what really works in performance management

Performance appraisals won't automatically lead to improvements, but it's equally misguided to say that they'll never work and should simply be abolished, says the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development in a new report which refutes others' claims that appraisals are a relic of the past.
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AKW promotes independent living on Care England and ITN's 'Caring Communities'

AKW, manufacturer of accessible bathroom, kitchen and mobility support solutions, has been extensively featured on a programme titled 'Caring Communities', produced jointly by ITN Productions and Care England. Now in its third year running, the programme features key industry interviews and news-style reports along with sponsored editorial profiles, exploring the complex role of care and the remarkable initiatives happening in the sector as demand grows exponentially.
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Bespoke Laufen for prefabricated construction

The 42-acre masterplan for Battersea Power Station has generated investment totaling around £8 billion, making it one of the most significant urban developments in the world. As part of phase 1, the first 866 homes out of a total of 3900 are being built and German firm Deba has delivered 1,241 bespoke Laufen bathroom pods on time for integration into these residences.
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Belling enters new market with Sensicare Collection: family favourite launches into laundry market

Renowned appliance manufacturer Belling has announced its entrance into the freestanding home laundry market with the launch of a suite of new products - the Sensicare Collection.

The new collection - which includes four washing machines, a washer-dryer, two tumble dryers and a 15-place setting dishwasher - means Belling now provides a complete range of home appliances.
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Welcome to the
KBzine

Well... may I start by wishing you a Happy Thomas Crapper Day! My thanks go to Fiona Pavely of Shelan Communications for reminding me that today's the day for counting our blessings for the birth of Thomas Crapper (who died this day in 1910). If you're unfamiliar with the name, Mr Crapper is the 'gent' without whom we may not have become so 'engaged' with modern indoor bathroom facilities, as we have. Penny dropped yet?

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Owner of the first bathroom showroom, Thomas Crapper publicised the toilet at a time when no-one spoke of such 'necessities'. Born in Yorkshire in 1836, he was apprenticed at the age of 14 to his brother, a Master Plumber in Chelsea, setting up as a plumber in his own right in 1861. He quickly gained a reputation for quality and service and by 1907 had established a flagship store on the King's Road in London.

Throughout his career, Thomas relentlessly promoted sanitary fittings and championed the 'water-waste-preventing cistern syphon', in particular. Innovative thinking may have advanced the WC to a level where it is now largely taken for granted domestically, but during the 1800s Thomas registered a number of patents, including the 'Disconnecting Trap' which became an essential underground drains fitting. His idea for a spring-loaded toilet seat was less successful however, becoming commonly known as 'the bottom slapper' and quickly ceasing production.

Having held four Royal Warrants and existed through five reigns over 150 years, Thomas Crapper & Co. continues to manufacture quality bathroom fittings today, 107 years after the death of its founder. While I'm not going to suggest we observe a two-minute silence, I couldn't help but acknowledge that had this gentleman not been so committed to his cause, I - and many of KBZine's readers, would probably not be enjoying the jobs we're in at the moment...

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Yours,

* Jan-new-15.jpg

Jan Hobbs

This Week's News

Rewarding excellence...

Recognising industry talent and a commitment to producing work of the highest quality, the 2016 Geberit Awards winners have been announced.

The standard of nominations this year was extremely high, with the judges having a hard task separating some of the most stand-out entries in each category.
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Freestanding bathroom furniture from Mereway offers best of both worlds

Mereway Bathrooms has launched a new range of freestanding bathroom furniture that is traditional in style with a contemporary twist. Knightsbridge is a design-led collection that taps into the trend for painted furniture in the bathroom and offers an affordable alternative to bespoke hand painted furniture.
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'Le Baou': A contemporary island in Hi-Macs inspired by the jagged lines of a rock

We couldn't help but stare at the centrepiece of this kitchen: an island called 'Le Baou' - a Provençal word meaning 'rock'. This Crystal Beige monolith appears to have been carved from a single block and contrasts with the wooden wall in the background.

It discreetly houses the induction hob, dishwasher and sink while the rest of the appliances are hidden in the different cupboards to the back.
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New Calla sink from Carron Phoenix offers durability of granite at entry-level prices

The new Calla 150 inset sink from Carron Phoenix offers the durability and easy maintenance of granite at an entry-level price point. Its curvaceous bowl design distinguishes it from other Carron Phoenix granite sinks and combined with its simple lines, offers across-the-board appeal for a wide range of kitchen styles.
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Liebherr's new 390 litre BluPerformance fridge 'takes it to the max'

Liebherr tells us its new BluPerformance KPef 4350 fridge boasts the largest capacity of all its standalone refrigerators from the pioneering BluPerformance Collection, and when compared to a typical standalone fridge of 200 - 300 litres, is almost double in size thanks to its 390 litre capacity.

Ideal for compact kitchens in need of a clever food storage system, this appliance is built to the standard 60mm width, ensuring the greatest integration between kitchen cabinetry and essential appliances.
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Meeting room hire offered by BMA

The Bathroom Manufacturers Association meeting room, situated on Keele University Business & Innovation Park near the market town of Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire, is available for members to hire at exceptionally competitive rates.
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Kaldewei supports architects and planners with BIM data

International experts, industry bodies and government ministries worldwide, are firmly of the opinion that Building Information Modelling will be the future standard for project planning, coordination and cost control in construction.

Recognising this, Kaldewei is providing planners and architects with comprehensive support in the shape of digital data for the most important BIM software applications. With immediate effect, Kaldewei BIM data is available for download from the website.
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Bushboard reaffirms commitment to customer relations with major investment programme

Bushboard has completed a one-year customer relations investment programme with the recruitment of additional staff, the refurbishment of its CRM office, the opening of a new fulfilment centre and the development of online design tools.

The CRM recruitment takes the team to five and the office refit has included the installation of new training facilities and state-of-the-art customer relations technology. The software helps to ensure all customer enquiries are dealt with promptly and allows the team to pro-actively keep in regular contact with Bushboard's retail partners.
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Amica appoints product manager for integration and strategy

Amica S.A. has appointed Izabela Kosicka as the Amica product manager responsible for Integration and Strategy.
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European role for Caroline Lonsdale at Wilsonart UK

Wilsonart UK has appointed a new Central Europe worktop product manager. Caroline Lonsdale has joined Wilsonart UK from the international Nobia Group and brings with her a notable record of achievement in product buying and management.

Supporting Wilsonart UK's vision for increased sales across Europe, Caroline will be responsible for research & development of new worktop products throughout the region. She will be supporting sales teams within the businesses at Wilsonart UK as well as sister companies Resopal and Polyrey.
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Northern heights for Virtual Worlds

CAD technology company, Virtual Worlds, is strengthening its presence in the north by adding a new regional sales executive to its busy team.
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The KBzine Archive Search

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How to contact us at The KBzine:

Jan Hobbs
Publishing Editor
Email:[email protected]
Tel: +44 (0)1372 811 307
Mobile: 07980 288 373

John Austen
Publishing Director
Email:[email protected]
Tel: +44 (0)1580 755 863
Mobile: 07766 707 888

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