KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
7th April 2017
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 International News
Products Aqata showering luxury at the Ideal Home Show Village
Designworks tiles launch new Zen mosaic tile collection
The products offer a matt texture in a range of tranquil colours which evoke relaxation in every inch. Kartell by Laufen takes part in Milan Design Week with new collection
Stoves unveils new built-in Richmond Collection
New and improved hot water tank from InSinkErator
Wake up and smell the coffee...
Lustrolite's glass effect acrylic wall panels are the perfect way to update both the bathroom and the kitchen. LochAnna Kitchens expands portfolio, launching 18 ranges and additional kitchen features
Roca brings together the future and the past to its stand at ISH
Grohe launches new water security system for the home
Indesit introduces a new stylish and efficient cooker hood
Aquavision introduces the Tailored Collection
Saniflo launches raft of new products, new product catalogue and extended warranty
Carron Phoenix's new Carronade Elite waste disposal units: easy to fit; efficient to use
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As the years go by, we're seeing more and more women learning one of the building trades, running their own businesses and making an excellent living out of what has traditionally been 'a man's job'. Since the take-up of a trade by women is something that's relatively new, I was surprised to learn that the gender pay gap for the construction sector is a whopping 23.3%! While I can understand (although I don't agree with it!) that because of the way we used to do things, women who've worked alongside men in decades-old roles have generally earned less than their male colleagues; in relatively new industries - such as IT - or where women are taking up roles traditionally carried out by men, it doesn't make sense to me that there's a gender pay gap at all, let alone one that's so large. Of course, it's all about to change. New regulations require employers with 250 or more employees to publish their pay figures by April 2018. Clive Hickman, chief executive of the Manufacturing Technology Centre, says of the changes: "The MTC fully supports gender pay gap reporting and it is important that every company achieves a good gender balance throughout their organisation to enable a balanced growth of the business and long term sustainability. Gender balance in engineering companies is often difficult to manage as historically relatively few women have chosen engineering as their career. We are striving to recruit between 25-35% women for our 2017 graduate and apprentice intake with a long-term objective to push this even higher." Talking of apprentices, the Apprenticeship Levy may be a game changer, but it certainly has its challenges and Bally Bhogal, managing director of independent advisory firm Independent Training & Skills Services, believes that one of the biggest of these is the lack of knowledge and understanding around apprenticeships and the subsequent handover of control to a training provider. She says that with over 1500 apprenticeship training companies registered, 'doing your homework' can really pay off. As a bare minimum, employers should be asking what training and qualifications they will receive through apprenticeship programmes, how much it will cost, how long it will take, what the benefits will be and how the training will be delivered. Something worth taking into account, I think... Yours,
 This Week's News
Belling announces major consumer cashback campaign for Sensicare Collection
The three-month campaign is aimed at creating consumer awareness and demand for the Sensicare collection and underlining Belling's 'Inside Every Great Home' message. The campaign, running from April 1st to June 30th, features a cashback scheme, offering up to £100 back on selected Sensicare washing machines, tumble dryers and dishwashers. Der Kreis presents research results at LivingKitchen
Together with kitchen specialists and partners from the kitchen industry, the foundation initiates and encourages study projects at universities and colleges that focus on the kitchen, and all of its facets. The most recent study was designed to discover more about the ideas and needs of consumers and connect them with the kitchen living space. Howdens Joinery scoops carbon reduction award
The LCRS Leadership in Carbon Reduction Award was presented at the FTA Multimodal Awards in Birmingham. Judges thought Howdens' submission demonstrated a co-operative and inclusive approach to carbon reduction. The firm's plans not only included its own vehicles and drivers but also suppliers and even end-users.
The company pushes the boundaries of what can be achieved in bathroom product design, and it was this focus on innovation that led to Bette being invited to exhibit at Design Fields, which will showcase leading product design from around the world. Bette will be using the exhibition to show how the bathroom can be taken into a new direction with the UK launch of contrasting new collections. National Tile Week returns for 2nd year, celebrating best of British design & manufacture
Designed to educate consumers on how to creatively use tiles in the home and drive sales across retailers in the run up to the Easter weekend, National Tile Week will examine the latest trends sweeping through interiors, bust some myths about the complexity of tiles and provide practical tips, making DIY projects easier than ever before. Abacus' new customised retailer software system wins seal of approval
"We are very impressed with the new system; as we were guinea pigs in the trial phase, we helped to make the system run perfectly for the dealer; which it does!" Nick Frost, Janico (www.janico.co.uk). The proof of the pudding is in the eating they say; Abacus Bathrooms' new dealer log-in software system is certainly satisfying the appetite for a streamlined, quick, simple software system which makes the entire retailer/ customer experience hassle-free. Stone Show outing for Ceralsio and CRL Quartz
Fabricators, architects, designers, developers and retailers visiting the three-day show, held at London's Excel, can visit Stand AA1 to see the new collections and to learn about the many advantages that quartz and porcelain offer on all types of applications. BiKBBI confirms Howarth Timber Group Corporate Membership renewal The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation [BiKBBI] confirmed that the builders merchant that has recently celebrated its 175-year anniversary, renewed Corporate Membership in April. Operating from its national network of specialist branches across the UK, Howarth Timber is a family-run business with a rich history of providing quality building supplies to local tradesmen. V-ZUG live Gourmet Academy enabled displays
Operating with a heightened level of brand sophistication, V-Zug premium dealers provide a highly interactive home-cooking experience, using their kitchen showrooms as an active V-Zug UK Gourmet Academy. Brought to life with regular cooking demonstrations, master classes and in some cases, in-house chefs, each Zugomrama is designed with a quality consumer experience in mind, ready to captivate each and every potential customer instore. New Geberit head office opens for business
The 2017 UK Plumber of the Year competition opens for entries
Entries are now open via www.ukplumberoftheyear.com and the deadline for all entries is midnight on Friday 16th June 2017. Ireland's Potter Cowan joins Wilsonart UK'S distributor line up
"Wilsonart is an internationally respected name with a range of laminate products that offer incredible depths of realism," says Adrian Allen, managing director of Potte Cowan. "Our customers expect us to explore the market and offer products that will offer them tangible sales opportunities. With the designs, finishes and accessories available, Synergii fits the bill perfectly." Shaws expands customer service & merchant roles
Stephanie's remit will be to reinforce the company's mantra as 'being easy to do business with'. Strong customer service and reliability has become synonymous with the Shaws brand and as part of that, the Lancashire ceramics manufacturer has added to its existing team. Staff at IDS Nuneaton give local children an 'eggs-celent' Easter treat
"We appealed for people to bring in Easter eggs and due to the generosity of customers, staff and the wider community the donations have really piled up," says Jamie Barnes, sales office manager at IDS in Nuneaton. 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
Builders welcome NI U-turn, says FMB The Government has made the right decision to row back on its plan to hike up National Insurance Contributions for the self-employed, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) said yesterday. 
Homes and buildings industry: integration of new technology drives double-digit growth
Whirlpool dishwasher wins Waterwise Award
The Waterwise UK Water Efficiency Product Awards recognise products and technology which contribute to water efficiency that benefit the economy, society and environment. Literature
Imperial Bathrooms' new Design Guide includes latest launches
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