KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
21st April 2017
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 International News
Products
Stone Show outing for Ceralsio and CRL Quartz
V-ZUG live Gourmet Academy enabled displays
Ireland's Potter Cowan joins Wilsonart UK'S distributor line up
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
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Kitchen gadgetry and innovations have certainly made it into the nationals over the past couple of weeks, haven't they? One that surprised me, was the article about how the use of a blue plastic ball-like object, popped in with the wash, reduces the need for laundry powder/liquid and through adding to the agitation during the washing cycle, improves the result. This makes sense to me, since the extra agitation echoes that of the ancient laundry tradition of beating laundry on the rocks in the river, or in later years, on a washing board (my mother used to have one of those), or of scrubbing the hands under the tap, rather than smearing on soap and letting the water rinse it off. What surprised me though is that this is something I wrote about in 2000, having had a discussion with Professor David Bellamy (he of TV fame) who advocated the device's use. It was even the same colour blue although I can't recall the manufacturer. Perhaps it's the same product, which has failed to catch on, despite David's recommendations... Still on the subject of laundry, I was fascinated to read about the development by a team of US scientists and the US Department of Energy, of an ultrasonic machine that is claimed to dry clothes in half the time an ordinary dryer takes, more efficiently, more quietly and more cheaply and without the threat of shrinkage. It uses amplified sound waves emitted by piezo-electric transducers to rapidly vibrate the clothes dry and could be ready for incorporation into consumer appliances, within the next few years. What do you think about this idea, which is something I'd not come across before? The final piece of 'news' surprised me, in as much as Environment minister Thérèse Coffey is claiming that all new fridges could soon be supplied with a free thermometer, to ensure that consumers keep their fridges at the desired temperature, to tackle the unnecessary waste caused through storing food at too high a temperature, so it spoils quickly. She's clearly behind the times... Perhaps we should offer to sign her up to receive KBzine, so she can read all about the wonderful things this industry is doing - such as reducing water usage and producing 'smart' appliances - which do so much more to save energy and look after the environment, than what she's suggesting! Yours,
 This Week's News
Kitchen experts to promote industry at Grand Designs
Appointments can be booked with the KBSA members for one-to-one advice in the Kitchen Advice Centre which is part of the Kitchen Live Experience sponsored by KBSA Corporate member Miele. The KBSA experts will advise and review plans with consumers for their new project and will give professional advice to help them progress their project. National Tile Week gets retailers on board to celebrate best of British design and manufacture
BMA boasts trio of new members In just a few weeks three UK companies have joined the increasingly influential Bathroom Manufacturers Association. Easa Group, Heatrae Sadia, and Wallgate have become full members and all are committed to contributing to the aims and objectives of the association. "A ripple of excitement always flows through the BMA's Keele offices when a new member joins the association," says Yvonne Orgill, the BMA's CEO. "But having three new members join within a matter of weeks was particularly satisfying. We are delighted to welcome them." LDL launches unique new 3D drawer solution
Roman has been awarded the Queens Award for International Trade as it has shown a substantial and sustained increase in export earnings over three consecutive 12 month periods, to a level which is outstanding. The Queens Award for Enterprise is the most prestigious corporate accolade that a UK business can win. Daval launches 'Langham Kitchen Furniture Collection' in new Slate stone finish
New subscription model for ArtiCAD-Pro launched
And within a couple of months of its launch, this approach to purchasing ArtiCAD-Pro has become the company's fastest selling product. The monthly payment model makes this version very scalable as a business grows and more designers are employed. Surprisingly versatile... The new Geberit AquaClean Tuma shower toilet
Hidden beneath the surface of its stylish design is a wealth of innovative technology. The patented WhirlSpray shower technology gently and thoroughly cleans the user with warm water. Stoves reopens Community Kitchens Competition
The £20,000 Stoves Community Kitchens campaign aims to place the kitchen at the heart of local communities by helping community organisations to transform their kitchen facilities. Ripples launches new Style Guide
It covers new products coveted by Ripples, inspirational case studies and invaluable advice from Ripples design experts... a 'go-to' for consumers looking to refresh or totally update their bathrooms. Utopia invests in biomass energy solution
Sourced from Talbotts, a local company specialising in biomass and wood waste to energy solutions, the new system uses all the offcuts and dust waste that would previously have been collected in skips and then transported to landfill sites, a costly and unsustainable process. New man in Scotland for Salice
In this newly created position, David joins Salice with over 20 years' sales experience within the furniture fittings industry. He will now implement his knowledge to promote the high standards of products and customer service support that have for so long been the fundamental trading principles of Salice UK. 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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Imperial Bathrooms' new Design Guide includes latest launches
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