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KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-newssince 2002
8th September 2017

 

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Please note that you are viewing an archived issue of The KBzine.




International News
Products

Alno AG - production continues

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After completing technical and organisational preparations, Alno AG has now been able to continue kitchen production at its German headquarters in Pfullendorf.
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Achieve instant kitchen appeal with Caple's new Ceramica island hood

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Caple's new Ceramica island hood (CR750) makes the perfect choice for those looking for a designer extractor with the wow factor.
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Putting ergonomics into bathroom design with Geberit Acanto

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The new Geberit Acanto bathroom series is designed to meet the needs of the individual, with how we use the bathroom and what we store in it, informing its design.
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Bertazzoni launches cooling lines

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Bertazzoni has launched a stylish French Door Refrigerator to complement its range of cooking appliances available in the UK.
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The versatile panel solution for kitchen splashbacks and showers

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An advanced multi-layer acrylic panel that looks like glass, Lustrolite from Abacus Manufacturing Group is ideal for heavy-duty vertical applications, such as shower walls kitchen splashbacks in residential and commercial situations.

The product is quick and easy to install and, with its gloss finish, ultra-hygienic, hard-coated non-stick surface, does not harbour mould or calcium; bacterial growth is eliminated.
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Falmec introduces Soffio from the Circle Tech collection, featuring a Murano Glass canopy

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Falmec has added an authentic touch of Italian heritage to its new Soffio extractor, which features a distinctive circular canopy constructed from hand blown Murano glass.

Available in either white or amber, the extractor makes a stunning design statement in the kitchen or indeed anywhere in the home. Its subtle lighting, which glows through the coloured Murano glass, also helps to create a warm and relaxing ambience, particularly perfect for entertaining.
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Duravit uses groundbreaking technology for new Vero Air collection

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Duravit's new Vero Air retains the iconic, rectangular character of the Vero washbasins whilst introducing the company's patented c-bonded technology - combining the unmistakable character of the original with a new level or precision and perfect proportions.

The straight interior surface and precise edges of the Vero Air washbasins reflect the collection's linear charm.
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Binopolis puts squeeze on waste with new Titan Compactor Bin from Joseph Joseph

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New from Binopolis, the Joseph Joseph Titan Compactor Bin 30030 - part of the brand's Intelligent Waste range - effortlessly combines form and function and is the perfect choice for kitchens that are short on space.

The innovative, integrated compaction system compresses the contents so it holds up to three times more than a similar single compartment bin.
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Welcome to the

KBzine 

Welcome to our first post-Summer-break issue of KBzine. If you managed to get away or simply take some time off, I hope your batteries have been recharged too. Such a lot seems to have happened since we've been away but sadly, very little of it in our country has involved consistent warm weather and sunshine! I mustn't complain though, since what's currently happening around the Caribbean and south east United States makes our wet Summer seem something of a blessing.

Like most of the rest of the world, our thoughts are with everyone affected.

I have it on good authority that we're going to suffer a drought in England next year and my daughter keeps nagging me to install a second water butt. You may recall me saying in my last leader that I'd attended a festival that had run out of water. Many of us shared bottled water for drinking and one enterprising chap found a way of enabling the hot and sticky to clean up, as my picture shows.


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He'd give people a quick douse and then a minute to use the soap supplied, before spraying them down. It used minimal water but I don't want to have to live like that so if you have a garden but don't yet have a water butt, it might be time to get one!

That wasn't me in the pic by the way...

Closer to home I've been receiving updates on our industry conferences and I'm delighted that Sir Clive Woodward has been secured as keynote speaker for next month's KBSA annual gathering. The former England International and British & Irish Lion took England from sixth in the world to the number one ranked team, winning every trophy an England team can win. Then, as director of sport with the British Olympic Association, he helped deliver Team GB's most successful Olympic Games in the modern era. That he'll be sharing his expertise and motivational secrets with delegates, bodes well for both the conference and the future growth of this industry itself. I'm expecting great things in the future!

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Yours,

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Jan Hobbs

 

 

This Week's News

Mayor's focus on small sites can help solve London's housing crisis, says FMB

* Mayor-focus.jpgThe London Housing Strategy's strong focus on bringing forward more small sites will help solve the housing crisis by opening up the market to SME house builders, according to the Federation of Master Builders London.
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Over 5% of UK homes now have a wetroom installation

* AMA-Wetroom-Research.jpgThe value of the wetroom market has increased by 10% between 2014-2016, according to a report by AMA Research. The sector offers significant growth potential within the UK bathroom market, with demand for wetrooms having increased significantly in recent years.

Growth was particularly strong in 2015, with more modest rates in 2016/17 of around 3% per annum. Moderate growth is currently forecast to 2021, when the market is expected to have increased by 18% compared to the market size in 2017.
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Designed to Suit

* VITRA-MAIN.jpgNew Suit U and Suit L bathroom brassware from VitrA brings a distinctive finishing touch to any contemporary bathroom. Versatility is the key with both ranges which include a wide choice of basin mixers, bidet mixers, bath and shower fittings and chrome, copper and gold finish options.

Suit U combines soft curves with a gently rounded, flat directional spout; Suit L is characterised by the angular style, with a straight ribbon spout.
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BMA finalises industry conference line up

* BMA_Caspar.jpgThe Bathroom Manufacturers Association, organiser of the annual Bathroom & Kitchen Industry Business Conference, has announced its final line-up of speakers.

This year's event, on 17th October at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield, is set to be the biggest yet with more speakers than ever before, an all-new programme including a set-piece panel discussion and a formalised industry exhibition.
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British Ceramic Tile introduces a contemporary Laura Ashley splashback collection

* BCT-splashback.jpgBritish Ceramic Tile and Laura Ashley have once again collaborated, combining their finely-honed design skills to launch a new collection of glass splashbacks.
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KBSA announces another speaker for National Conference

* KBSA-announces.jpgThe Kitchen, Bathroom & Bedroom Specialists Association has announced another accomplished business speaker for the 2017 National Conference which is being held on 3rd October 2017.

Richard Askam is an accomplished speaker and successful entrepreneur who now shares his vast experience with others that are keen to succeed in our ever-changing world. His unique observations of UK and international businesses, provide invaluable insights on strategy, change, and what success really means.
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The new Space Tower from LDL - too good to hide

* LDL_Space-Tower-Legrabox-Pure.jpgIn yet another exclusive, leading components distributor LDL is launching a greatly enhanced version of the popular Blum Space Tower with an extended range of exciting new design elements and finishes.

Available now, the new Space Tower offers virtually unlimited co-ordination opportunities with the external kitchen design.
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Major update project transforms Marpatt graphics catalogue in ArtiCAD-Pro

* Marpatt-Articad.jpgKBB CAD software specialist and technology innovator, ArtiCAD, has announced that a major project to update the entire graphics catalogue for Marpatt has been completed.

Designers using the ArtiCAD-Pro software now have access to all Marpatt's range of wooden kitchen and bedroom doors, components and accessories, in an entirely new format, making it easier to include the highest quality images of the selected products into new room designs.
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Amica launches new cooling that will help to tackle food waste.

* Amica-launch.jpgUK consumers throw away an astonishing £17 billion worth of food every year. A high percentage of this food is fresh fruit and vegetables that look tired in fresh produce drawers or has gone past its best because the food was not eaten while it was in perfect, unblemished condition.
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Neolith celebrates the workshop professional with 'Top Fabricator' competition

* Neolith-celebrates.jpgSpanish company, TheSize, is calling on workshop professionals and marble workers globally to share their very best work, using Neolith, for the second annual 'Neolith Top Fabricators' competition, which highlights the difficulty and immense technical complexity that fabricators face when working on highly-specific projects and celebrates their consistency and attention to detail.
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Bushboard to exhibit Nuance at Sleep 2017 (Stand DG6, London Design Centre)

* Bushboard1.jpgBushboard, the renowned producer of laminate worksurfaces which is now part of the Wilsonart Group, will be using this year's hotel design event - Sleep - to showcase its outstanding Nuance bathroom wall panelling.

Jo Gilhooly, marketing director for Bushboard explains: "Sleep has gathered pace over the last few years and is now the must-go-to-show for specification and inspiration in hotels and the hospitality sector. It's the ideal platform for us to showcase Nuance - a compelling range of bathroom panelling products.
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Hotpoint launches new range of dishwashers

* Hotpoint-dishwashers.jpgHotpoint has launched a new range of 600mm dishwashers, comprising both built-in and freestanding models and offering excellent cleaning results, flexibility and striking performance - thanks to sustainable innovations and technologies.
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Abode products appear on ITV's 'Love your home & garden'

* Abode-products-on-TV.jpgTwo Abode kitchen products were featured on ITV'S Alan Titchmarsh's Love Your Home & Garden television programme, which aired on Wednesday, (Ed: still time to see it on 'catch-up').

Working with the programme's organisers, the London based architects undertaking the project, chose the Abode black granite Matrix GR10 kitchen sink as the designer's dream for showcasing and installing, along with a matching New Media single lever tap in Granite black to enhance the new kitchen.
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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.

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News in Brief
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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Recent News

Triton - now installing showers in living rooms

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Warwickshire based Triton Showers has invested an initial six figure sum into an update of the brand and development of a national advertising campaign, which is set to air in customers living rooms this Autumn.
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Consumers can meet a kitchen expert at Grand Designs

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The Kitchen, Bathroom & Bedroom Specialists Association has announced that it will have a
number of retail members present to provide advice on live projects at Grand Designs Live (11th -15th October 2017 at NEC, Birmingham).
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BiKBBI announces latest member benefit

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The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI) today announced a partnership with Diesel24, a fuel broker which will be providing members with access to discounted vehicle fuel nationally.
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Laufen collaborates with new Nobu Hotel Shoreditch

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Nobu Hotel Shoreditch has chosen Swiss bathroom brand Laufen as the manufacturer for its bathrooms at the striking new Nobu Hotel Shoreditch, which opened on 1st July 2017. 

One of London's most eagerly anticipated new hotels, the property is one of the first European hotels from the internationally renowned Nobu Hotels brand.
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Hoover Candy UK appoints specialist logistics partner to support independent retailers

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Hoover Candy UK has announced that it will work with independent trade specialist, Yusen Logistics, to provide the best possible service to its independent retail customers, a move in line with its ambition to be the 'supplier of choice'.
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Wilsonart UK adopts Lean Six Sigma collaborative business approach

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Wilsonart UK, one of the largest manufacturers of decorative surfaces, has adopted the internationally recognised Lean Six Sigma techniques to help underpin their Operational Excellence strategy.

Designed to eliminate waste, reduce unwanted variation and improve process flow, Lean Six Sigma is a combination of two powerful methodologies brought together to enhance overall customer experience and value, whilst keeping staff happy and motivated.
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Rotpunkt UK complete its latest series of training

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The future is bright for Rotpunkt partners and suppliers in the wake of its final batch of UK training days where attendees completed a series of comprehensive product training and received updates on current / future brand developments.
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People

Barwick appoint Bob Ashley as operations director

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Independent bathroom distributor Barwick has announced the appointment of Bob Ashley to the role of operations director.
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Marketing

British Ceramic Tile develops digital proposition with upgrade of its website britishceramictile.com

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British Ceramic Tile has launched an upgraded version of its website to better support retailers and consumers. Aspirational and informative, the newly revamped website is content-rich offering weekly updates on interior trends and real home makeovers, while providing a range of where to buy options including a 'find a retailer' facility.

Easy to navigate, the new site enables users to discover the company's product portfolio by need, filtering tile selection based on room, colour and style, to support consumers in their search for their ideal tile.
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Literature

New trade catalogue from Croydex provides professionals with in-depth technical specifications

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Croydex has launched a new trade catalogue exclusively for professionals who need in-depth technical product information when working on bathroom projects.
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New brochure set for Amica

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Amica built-in and freestanding domestic appliances, Nottingham, has launched a new set of brochures and price lists.

The two Intelligent Style themed brochures are available as a 90-page full range edition which includes all cooking, hobs and hoods, cooling, dishwashing, and laundry products from built-in, built-under and freestanding categories and a 43-page freestanding only edition. Each Amica brochure is supported by a photographic trade price list.
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