KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
21st July 2017
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 International News
Products 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. 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
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. 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. |
Having received a press release referring to Legionella Awareness Day and deciding to look a little more deeply into the issues, I came across a report in the journal Eurosurveillance. Compiled from annual data submitted by 29 EU/EEA countries to the European Legionnaires' Disease Surveillance Network (ELDSNet) - covering 2011 to 2015 - it revealed some interesting facts and trends. The report's conclusion is that the burden of Legionnaires Disease appears to be growing in Europe, displaying an epidemiology similar to that observed in the US, with a comparable notification rate and similar settings of infection. Four countries, France, Germany, Italy and Spain, accounted for 70.3% of all reported cases, although their combined populations represent only 49.9% of the study population. The 20 lowest-reporting countries make up only 10.2% of all cases, while their combined populations represent 28.8% of the study population. The main purpose of ELDSNet, is detection of travel-related Legionnaires Disease clusters involving residents of Europe that could not otherwise be detected by any national surveillance scheme. Of the total 30,532 cases reported between 2011 and 2015, 11.5% (3098) were deemed foreign travel-related, 71% (21,618) were community/sporadic, 4.9% (1322) nosocomial, and 8.4% (2259) domestic travel-related. By comparison, 46.3% of confirmed cases in England and Wales residents were deemed to have been foreign travel-related (177 of 387 cases). In the EU/EEA, although the case fatality rate fell between 2011 (10.4%) and 2015 (8.1%), the age-adjusted notification rate increased steadily to 1.3 cases per 100,000 population - the highest rate ever recorded. The report recommends that: "In countries with persistently low notification rates, ad hoc studies should identify reasons for under-ascertainment and all countries should endeavour to develop and maintain appropriate control measures in man-made water systems to prevent LD cases". The press release I referred to earlier proved that I don't know as much about how we can contract this disease as I thought I did. For example, it talks about the bacteria being present in soil and advises us to wear gloves when handling soil and compost while gardening - something I never bother to do. That got me thinking about my water butt and what could be lurking in there, as some of the contents will have been sitting there - stagnant - for many months. We're expecting a drought next year so many people will be installing water butts for the first time. Worth reading up on how to stay safe while using them then...
 This Week's News
Hotly contested shortlist for KBSA Designer Awards announced
KBSA support for In-toto and Alno retailers The Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association, has offered support to In-toto and Alno retailers following the news that Alno AG has filed for insolvency in self-administration. The insolvency process includes Gustav Wellmann and Alno Logistik & Services GmbH but the company says that all foreign subsidiaries and Pino GmbH are not affected and that business continues as usual for them. European Bathroom Forum promotes creation of environmental label
The aim of this label is to ensure that end users have reliable and updated information about the performance of products in matters such as the water and energy consumption. LDL launches Pullboy Z for Blum Legrabox
The popular Pullboy Z waste bin system has two separate compartments to facilitate efficient sorting of household rubbish and has previously only been available with Blum Antaro drawers supplied in component form. Older people and children most at risk this Summer from Legionella
Legionella Awareness Day (30th August) aims to make people aware of the risks of the lethal bacteria. Intuitive control: A new remote control app for Geberit AquaClean Mera and Tuma
Alongside a simple-to-use control panel and intuitive remote control, the latest Geberit AquaClean shower toilets can also be operated via an app on an Android or Apple smartphone. Cosentino UK supports The Kitchen Education Trust (TKET)
25 years in the UK for VitrA. Do you have stories or images to share?
Double promotion celebrated at HiB
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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. |
