KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
29th September 2017
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 International News
Products The complete bathroom solution from Crosswater
Easy use for everyone - a new classic from VitrA
Bertazzoni goes to new lengths with 110cm range
Porcel-Thin wins Business Innovator Award
Abode's collection of Dune sinks shortlisted in House Beautiful 2017 Award
The four sinks have a strong organic design style to them... rounded corners, sumptuous bowls and a stunning ripple-effect practical drainer pattern. These creative features are the backbone to the design which is right 'on trend' with current kitchen design fashion.
British Ceramic Tile introduces a contemporary Laura Ashley splashback collection
The new Space Tower from LDL - too good to hide
Available now, the new Space Tower offers virtually unlimited co-ordination opportunities with the external kitchen design. Major update project transforms Marpatt graphics catalogue in ArtiCAD-Pro
Amica launches new cooling that will help to tackle food waste.
Neolith celebrates the workshop professional with 'Top Fabricator' competition
Bushboard to exhibit Nuance at Sleep 2017 (Stand DG6, London Design Centre)
Hotpoint launches new range of dishwashers
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I've had an interesting response to last week's leader from my good friend Stephen Munton of the Domestic Cleaners Alliance (you can read it below). It has taken me back through a history of the electrical appliance industry that I hadn't known existed, because of the long break between the end of my freelance writing for the then-IPC/Reed trade publications ERT & lesser known sister publication Electrical &Electronic Trader, and taking the helm of KBzine. Stephen, who once worked in electrical retailing, talks about changes to the industry, to products and the way electrical retailers worked when in 1998 the Government brought in laws against price fixing, before moving on to the impact made by the Internet and the growth in online shopping. His words reminded me of a conversation I had with a group of toilet tissue sales managers, who'd faced similar issues in terms of prices being driven down until they were selling at a loss, in the hope that they could make profit on other items that would become part of the order. Quality dropped and some manufacturers found ways to make it look as if there was a great deal more tissue on their rolls than there actually was, such as bigger cores and/or fluffing up with talcum powder. Customers complained and companies went out of business - and not just the companies that were selling sub-standard products but also those that couldn't sustain the practice of selling product in bulk, at a loss. Eventually though, it dawned on facilities providing a washroom service (stores, motorway service stations, hotels, shopping centres, bars, restaurants, etc) - and also we as consumers, that although we might be getting a cheap deal, we were also getting a product that didn't last long and which certainly didn't do its job properly. We realised that far from saving money by buying cheap, we were actually squandering it. Stephen makes the point that much of the white goods production that had been based in the UK, now takes place in other countries where costs are lower, to enable manufacturers to supply quality goods at lower prices - something that once again took me back to my days at IPC when I asked a colleague why our magazines were now being printed in Singapore. I had no idea back then, that we'd be reading news online and following computerised recipes displayed on our oven doors... Yours,
 This Week's News
New Zion Furniture from Crosswater: stunning yet functional
An optimal choice for bathrooms of most sizes, Zion's slim cabinetry projects into the room by a minimal 37 cm, saving on precious floor space and helping to create a streamlined look. Customers can also choose from three widths, ranging from a compact 60 cm, perfect for downstairs WCs, up to an impressive 120cm unit that is suitable for family bathrooms and larger wash spaces.
All European sales, including Germany, will now be bundled into one area of management headed by Christophe Gourlan (pictured), who up until now has been vice president sales Europe. Born in France and a graduate in international commerce, he has already spent some 20 years working successfully for the Hansgrohe Group. Step into the future with Hoover's touch-screen oven
Available now, the Vision brings to life the brand's 'born innovative' strapline, with a design that combines a clean, sleek style with powerful technology. Small bathrooms have huge design potential with the Geberit Bathroom Collection
From compact and short-projection ceramics to cleverly designed storage units with intergrated lighting and technology, creating a luxurious and functional space without compromising on style is made easier.
'Transitional Living' with open-plan kitchens by Rotpunkt
Bringing a well-balanced fusion of 'classic meets modern', the traditional features of this kitchen are defined by Rotpunkt's Pastel Smoke Oak shaker-style cabinetry with one-panel design door and drawer fronts. New magic box: innovative first-fix solution for thermostatic shower solutions from VitrA
The box is just 146mm wide and contains a concealed universal valve that can be used for up to three-way outlets - making the combination of a bath filler, overhead shower and hand shower possible and simple. Labour must work with business on its plan for post-Brexit economy, says FMB Labour will need to work with businesses large and small to deliver its vision of a strong economy, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) says in response to Jeremy Corbyn's speech at the Labour Party Conference. "Jeremy Corbyn's focus on the importance of investing in training and upskilling is welcome," says Brian Berry, FMB Chief Executive. "Our industry desperately needs more of the construction apprentices Mr Corbyn mentioned in his speech to be the skilled workers of tomorrow. Our members, thousands of small businesses across the UK, are united in wanting to see many more young people being trained to higher skill levels. Bushboard Nuance at Kitchens & Bathrooms Live (Stand M635)
Jo Gilhooly, marketing director for Bushboard explains: "Kitchens & Bathrooms Live is running during Grand Design, BUiLD Show and the Surface Materials Show as part of UK Contruction Week. The combination of consumers, specifiers and designers in the arena at the same time offers us a unqiue platform to showcase Nuance as the alternative to bathroom tiling. Nuance is a product that offers stunning design advantages and real savings on installation time, money, and ongoing maintenance." Scottish construction bodies reject CITB levy proposals Members of the Scottish Building Federation (SBF) and the Scottish Decorators' Federation (SDF) have both voted overwhelmingly to reject the Construction Industry Training Board's (CITB) proposals to continue to raise the construction industry training levy. Since its establishment in 1964, CITB has consulted industry every three years on future arrangements for the Construction Levy. Across the UK, a total of 14 organisations are prescribed to respond to this consultation process based on a consensus of their members' views. SBF and SDF are two of only three wholly Scottish membership bodies to feature on this list of prescribed organisations. Hotpoint launches dishwasher promotion
Retailers have access to a raft of point of sale material to support and alert consumers in-store to the promotion, which is available via their Hotpoint account manager.
After 20 years of working with Hamberger Sanitary, Peter Taylor, from Product Management, has retired. Thanks to this collaboration, Hamberger Sanitary, with its brands Haro and Cedo, is now a major player in the UK and Eire markets for quality toilet seats, as well as being known for its reliable service. Smeg UK competes in Dragon Boat festival for their charity of the year
A team of 17 based at the brand's HQ in Abingdon took to the waters of the Thames in a grueling race to the finish line, a 250 metre sprint away. A drummer at the front of the boat kept all of the paddle strokes in time to ensure that the team flew through the water! 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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KBBG welcomes JTP as a new supplier to members
 How changing UK bathing habits can boost business for KBB retailers
GM Distribution joins the expanding BMA GM Distribution of Milton Keynes has joined the Bathroom Manufacturers Association as a new affiliate member. This takes the number of brands which the trade association supports to well over 100 and GMGB's additional wealth of understanding and knowledge of the industry will be much appreciated throughout the BMA. The first edition of Franke's new flagship thought leadership event 'Think Next by Franke' brought almost 500 guests to the company's headquarters in Aarburg, Switzerland. Mayor's focus on small sites can help solve London's housing crisis, says FMB
Over 5% of UK homes now have a wetroom installation
BMA finalises industry conference line up
KBSA announces another speaker for National Conference
Abode products appear on ITV's 'Love your home & garden'
People
Ideal Standard appoints Stephen Ewer as managing director UK & Ireland
Marketing
The price is right with Blanco's new online dealer portal
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