KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
14th July 2017
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 International News
Products Utopia scoops 'Best British Bathroom Brand' award
As a leading British manufacturer of bathroom furniture, Utopia has consistently made the shortlist for the Best Bathroom Furniture Brand category in the annual award scheme run by BKU (Bathroom & Kitchen Update) but this is the first time it has won this coveted award. Add elegance to any home with Lustrolite carbon panels
Ceramic sanitaryware market worth $59.17 Billion USD by 2022
Growth in the real estate sector, increase in demand for ceramic sanitaryware from Southeast Asian countries, change in consumer preferences and a shift of manufacturing facilities to emerging economies are factors driving the growth. Schmidt kitchens bring out natural beauty of wood, with contemporary and classic designs
French furniture specialist Schmidt has been working with this natural material for more than 80 years and its benefits are easy to appreciate. It's warm, versatile and full of heritage and artisan appeal. Falmec's Noise Reduction System extractors recognised as amongst quietest on market
'Pure and Simple' with Studio Towel Warmer by Vogue (UK)
Designed to efficiently hang and dry essential bath linen, Studio is made from high quality brass which is chromed to a mirror-finish. Introducing the Metallic Marbles collection by Versital
KBBG welcomes Opticolour as new supplier
'Party On' with new dishwasher Party Setting by V-ZUG
On The Level wet room tile-in system: more tile; less drain
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It takes a lot to make me cross, but sat in a queue of cars with a boot-full of garden waste for dumping at my local civic amenity tip, is not how I like to spend a hot sunny day. I'd not expected it to be busy either, since it was late morning, mid-week... Most people would have been at work... The hold-up was partly because of stringent checks made by the 'gate-man' to ensure we were indeed locals and that we were not dumping waste we shouldn't be. I was thinking that I'd had an easier time getting into some of the old Eastern bloc countries before Perestroika... It turned out that as well as the checks, he was handing out leaflets about a public consultation on reducing the tip's opening hours. The idea is, that the tip is shut completely for two days a week and opening hours are further reduced. Other, smaller Surrey tips are earmarked for closure, meaning more people than ever, are going to be trying to dump waste at my local tip. It used to be open 363 days a year and until 20:00 in Summer. Now it shuts at 16:00. Who amongst us (who doesn't work from home) can join the queue that early in the day? So - more traffic travelling further across the county, polluting our environment, and more time spent by residents sitting in queues, hoping they'll get to the front before the gates shut. Oh yes - and more illegal dumping, blighting our countryside. And this is happening all over the country, as councils try to reduce costs... As we in the KBB industry strive to persuade consumers to upgrade, replace, refurbish etc., I wonder whether there's more we should be doing to encourage people to - rather than dump their often still-serviceable appliances, furniture, kitchens and bathrooms - recycle them? I know some councils have 'used-product showrooms' at their tips, where those without the money to splash on the latest products, can browse and buy. As someone who's still living with a kitchen acquired via Gumtree ("dismantle it and you can have it for free") I know there are many of us who could benefit from such an arrangement. Can we, when we're selling products, encourage people to offer what they're discarding, via sites such as Gumtree and FreeCycle, to others who might need it? And if we're removing it, can we ensure it's recycled rather than dumped?
 This Week's News
BMA conference to tackle Brexit and other important issues How will industry cope? Industry leaders are bracing themselves for a raft of inevitable changes which they see coming their way in the next few years. Top of the list is the UK's withdrawal from the European Union, a change which some may say is an opportunity which the bathroom and kitchen industry should grasp.
The subsidiaries including the UK business and the Pino factory are outside of the scope of these proceedings. KBSA announces two new corporate members
As KBSA corporate members, the two companies have direct access to some of the most professional, independent retailers that make up the retail membership of the KBSA. Glass act: new glass basins for Svelte 120 bathroom unit set new design standards
Following the distinctive curves of Svelte's 120 basin units, the exquisite cast-glass basin and worksurface is available in two distinctive finishes of Charcoal and Ice White. Aqualisa becomes BiKBBI Corporate Sponsor
In frame and in colour - Benchmarx launches four new kitchen ranges
New colour options have been added to the ever-popular Sherwood, Eton and Soho collections alongside a brand new, premium in-frame kitchen in the shape of the Chelsea Matt Dove Grey range. Keeping warm with Gaia's underfloor heating
Water-based systems essentially use warm water from the central heating system and pump it through pipe circuits underneath the floor. This type of heating uses water at a lower temperature than standard radiators which helps to reduce heating costs. TKC upgrades its trade-only showroom to further improve customer service
Now laid out in stylish room sets are the Cambridge and Windsor ranges, both key additions to the showroom having been recently launched to meet the continued market demand for solid timber doors. After the storm: Cintas offers retailers a Summer storm checklist
With Summer storm season just beginning in parts of the US & well underway in much of Europe, Cintas Corporation offers retailers a checklist to help limit downtime following a severe storm. HiB urges retailers to take stock of 3g living
Established in 1989, World Population Day was developed by the United Nations to raise awareness around the rapid increase in population which is being experienced globally. This year, HiB has been reminding retailers of the opportunities presented by the increase in multi-generational, or 3G, households. Abode publishes new Pronteau 3 in 1 steaming hot water tap brochure
The 12-page brochure outlines the collection beautifully, showcasing the choice available and ease of use of the new taps giving you 'Water the way you want it'. Fatalities in the workplace - how can they be avoided? According to recent statistics released by HSE, there were 137 workers killed at work in the UK in 2016/17. These statistics are based on a wide variety of industries, such as manufacturing, construction, agriculture, waste, transport |& storage, and wholesale & retail trade. Despite workplace fatalities being on a constant decline in numbers over the past 30 years, due to overall health & safety regulations being improved across all sectors, the most recent statistics highlight the fact that there are still improvements to be made. With 137 workers being killed in the UK in one year, this means there is approximately one workplace fatality every 2.5 days. 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
Call to end 'one in, three out' deregulation gains wide support More than 700 organisations and individuals have now signed an open letter to UK Prime Minister Theresa May which challenges arbitrary deregulation of health & safety.  Official workplace fatality figures hide tens of thousands of related deaths The GMB Union, which has members across every sector of the British economy, says yesterday's official workplace death figures hide tens of thousands of related deaths. People
Smeg UK welcomes Garry Leveridge as national account manager
Garry joins with 28 years of industry experience; he will not only be developing new and existing business, but will also manage the Smeg accounts for John Lewis, Homebase and B&Q. Trio of new starters join Hoover
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