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KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-newssince 2002
29th March 2018

 

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International News
Products

Endless design possibilities with Rehau's Rauvisio range

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Our guided tour of Rehau's stand introduced us to several new products from its stylish and contemporary Rauvisio range, which features 10 products and recently has been strengthened by some new additions, including the Rauvisio Crystal Mirror, Rauvisio Crystal Magnetic and Rauvisio Crystal Decor, to provide even further options for adding a touch of elegance and style to the home.
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Complete collection of 73 CRL quartz and Ceralsio ceramic surfaces impresses KBB crowds

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CRL Stone made the very most of exhibiting at KBB Birmingham, with visitors packing on to its stand throughout the four-day event, taking the opportunity to see the complete range of ceramic and quartz surfaces in one place.
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Cosentino's biggest stand ever featured exclusive VIP lounge to showcase new launches

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Cosentino Group, renowned globally for its production and distribution of innovative surfaces for architecture and design, hosted its biggest stand to date at KBB Birmingham, with an impressive 170sq.m set including an exclusive VIP lounge.
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From kitchen to living space in seamless fashion with Masterclass

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With kitchen design being a lifestyle choice, Masterclass Kitchens presented two varied concepts at the show; one catering to a thoroughly modern lifestyle and the other with something a little more classic in mind.
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Uform reflects on successful first attendance at KBB

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As Uform celebrates a momentous year with a brand refresh and its 25th year in business, no one could envisage the level of enthusiasm and excitement that its first official attendance at KBB Birmingham would bring to the kitchen industry.
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Abacus Bathrooms, Lustrolite and Elements display innovations at KBB 2018

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Abacus Bathrooms, renowned for technical prowess in bathroom design and product portfolios, highlighted innovation by showing the build and fitting of individual systems; all guaranteed to result in the perfect bathroom in terms of style and function.
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A quick peek at Peka...

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It wasn't the largest stand at the show, but Peka stood out, thanks to the feeling of old-fashioned opulence that the display by this Swiss manufacturer of premium quality storage solutions and accessories evoked...
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Keller Kitchens - Dutch design showcased with new Trend Collection taking centre stage

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Keller Kitchens brought Dutch design to the show, demonstrating how its beautiful, continental styles make every house a home. From handleless contemporary designs to industrial looks, Keller provides the market with quality products of the highest standard.
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Karonia - keeping the customers satisfied

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When we arrived at the Karonia stand, there was a huge group of visitors, which I soon discovered included a good number of kitchen fitters keen to learn about the benefits of the company's easy-to-fit worksurfaces and the famed 'no join' finish, and see the specially designed shaping tools in action.
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Abode makes a splash with raft of new kitchen and bathroom innovations

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With significant investment in research and development across its business, Abode is launching over 90 new products in 2018. From hot water taps and sinks, to kitchen taps and bathroom brassware, the new additions combine product innovation, style and function - as visitors to Abode's understandably very busy stand, will attest.
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InSinkErator: exciting new launches

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InSinkErator showcased a number of exciting new launches, including the 4N1 Touch instant filtered/non-filtered, steaming hot/cold water tap (more later, if I've confused you!), a new Food Waste Disposer that's being added to the Showroom Collection and a new Satin Black Finish steaming hot water tap.
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Welcome to the

KBzine 

 

I'm delighted that the Government has finally decided to introduce a drinking bottle deposit return scheme, designed to increase recycling and slash the amount of waste polluting our land and seas and thus cut the cost of cleaning it up - which of course, we all have to bear. I must say, though, that I don't understand why something wasn't done about the problem sooner...

UK consumers go through an estimated 13 billion plastic drinks bottles a year, but more than three billion are incinerated, sent to landfill or left to pollute our streets, countryside and marine environment. It's disgraceful when you think about it, isn't it? But it's not all about plastics. The scheme will cover single use drinks containers whether they're of plastic, glass or metal, which is great news. And although whatever scheme is eventually adopted is initially only planned for England, the Government is hoping that it will also be adopted by the devolved administrations. I hope so too, since consistency always makes it easier for the general public to follow the rules...

The scheme will sit alongside a package of wider reforms of the current packaging waste system, which will incentivise producers to take greater responsibility for the environmental impacts of their products and to increase the amount of packaging they recycle. The Government has already introduced a scheme which has led to nine billion fewer bags being distributed, while its plastic microbeads ban has been hailed as one of the world's strongest bans. I hope it chooses something as successful for drinks bottles and that it works hard to tackle the over-use of plastic packaging too.

It really can't come a moment too soon, for our planet, our local environment and our pockets too. I don't know if I ever mentioned it but my fridge-freezer, delivered last year, was buried in so much plastic and polystyrene that I could have used it to parcel up the entire contents of my kitchen. Likewise, my sofas - and I was vacuuming up tiny polystyrene balls from that, for weeks. I know appliances and furniture need to be delivered clean and undamaged but surely there's a better way of ensuring that this happens? Is the removal by the delivery people and re-use of the packaging by the warehouse, too difficult and time-consuming to contemplate, I wonder?

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Yours,

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Jan Hobbs

 

 


This Week's News

Shower market shuns 'expected' Brexit blip in 2018

* Shower-market-shuns-blip.jpgThe new 2018 report on the UK shower market from MTW Research finds that whilst the prospect of Brexit might dampen performance, robust demand continues to support above inflation growth in 2018 for most sectors.

The 270-page report identifies the Brexit transition period as providing a relatively stable environment for growth to the end of 2020, with above-inflation growth forecast for the next four years. Other factors such as housebuilding rising by 16% in Q2 2017 and healthy refurbishment demand, continue to underpin sales growth for shower manufacturers, distributors and retailers.
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National Tile Week celebrates tiles in all their glory for the third year running

NTW1.jpgNow in its third successful year, National Tile Week is back and set to make an impact in 2018. Sponsored by British Ceramic Tile, the week-long campaign will celebrate tiles in all their glory and aims to give the nation the confidence they need when it comes to DIY tiling projects.

Offering ideas on how homeowners can creatively include tiles in their living spaces, National Tile Week will reveal the latest trends sweeping through the design world, dispel some common myths about tiles and share practical tips and solutions when it comes to updating interior spaces.
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Ideal Standard International looks to the future with full support of new owners

* Ideal-Standard-new-owners.jpgIdeal Standard International has announced that an entity managed and advised by Anchorage Capital Group and CVC Credit Partners has completed the acquisition of the Ideal Standard International Group and become the sole shareholders of the Group.

This transaction marks the successful completion of Ideal Standard International's refinancing of the Group's debt, enabling it to fully focus on advancing its long-term strategic plan and further develop the company as a leading manufacturer of high-quality residential, commercial and healthcare bathroom solutions.
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Uform looks to the future with a brand refresh

* Uform-brand-refresh.jpgRenowned kitchen door & component supplier Uform has revealed a brand refresh as it celebrates 25 years in business and focuses on beyond. Having experienced significant levels of growth over the last three years, the company recognised the need to evolve the visual identity and look and feel of the brand to mirror its market leading position.

Uform marketing manager, Sara Cotter explains: "We're very proud to launch our rejuvenated brand. It's more than just a logo change. This latest step reflects how far we've come as a business and where we're heading in terms of our strategic goals.
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BiKBBI partners with Worldpay

* BiKBBI=Worldpay.jpgThe British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation has announced a new relationship with global payment processing giant, Worldpay. The partnership will provide BiKBBI members with access to enhanced payment processing financial services, helping them to transact more efficiently with their customers.

Speaking on behalf of BiKBBI, membership manager Lynsey Easom said: "Worldpay is a global leader in payment processing technology and solutions for merchant customers.
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Fit & Forget campaign launch, designed to tackle consumer doubt

* Fit-Forget-campaign.jpgVitrA's new Fit and Forget campaign is designed to underline the company's expertise in wall-hung frames and remove any consumer concerns about concealed cisterns.
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TKC introduces two new, easy-to-install storage solutions into its portfolio

* TKC-introduces.jpgTKC has introduced the SmartLarder and the Combi into its portfolio to offer new storage solutions that are stylish, easy-to-install, highly practical and available now from stock.

Utilising the space effectively and efficiently, the SmartLarder offers five drawers behind one door. The drawers feature fully concealed sliding mechanisms which allow full extension of the drawers even with their maximum load of 40kg per drawer, to avoid excessive bending or stretching. Soft close comes as standard for smooth operation.
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Saniflo creates kitchens anywhere

* Sanivite.jpgWell known for its market-leading range of pumps and macerators for bathroom scenarios, Saniflo also leads the way in grey water pumping solutions for kitchen, utility and laundry environments.

Whether a pump is required for domestic premises or for a commercial application, there is a choice of units that can be used when mains drainage connection isn't an option.
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Customised gratings create a perfectly colour co-ordinated bathroom

* Customised-gratings.jpgWith the growing trend to customise bathrooms, On The Level (OTL) has produced a spectrum of contemporary coloured gratings from Gold to Green - meaning it's now easier to make a shower or wetroom as individual as we all are.

The range comes in matt or gloss, at an additional cost, depending on the size and colour chosen. OTL will replicate any colour required, meaning customers can have the same colour grating to match bathroom tiles, towels or theme. Examples of available colours include; Blue, Green, Orange, Yellow, Pink, Red, Gold and Black.
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The bare Essentials from Abacus Bathrooms

* Abacus-Essentials-cover.jpgThe launch of the Abacus Essentials range, by bathroom expert, Abacus Bathrooms (www.abacus-bathrooms.co.uk), is encapsulated in a new, easy-to-navigate 70-page brochure.
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AMDEA elects new chair

* AMDEA-NEW-CHAIR.jpgTeresa Arbuckle, managing director UK & Ireland, Beko, has been elected chair of the Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances. She assumes leadership of the association on the 2nd April 2018, taking over from Simon Grantham who steered the trade association during his tenure as managing director, Miele UK.

Teresa brings to AMDEA 20 years' UK business experience with global, blue-chip companies and leading consumer brands. Following strategic marketing roles at HJ Heinz, LeapFrog and Premier Foods, she joined Beko in 2011, helping to drive the Turkish-based conglomerate to a pole position in the UK's white goods market.
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PWS appoints customer engagement manager

* PWS-engagement-mgr.jpgKitchen components distributor PWS has welcomed Michaela Hanna to its marketing department. Michaela joins the Newton Aycliffe-based company as customer engagement manager, to drive new opportunities and create value through client engagement across the business.

In addition to creating a wide-ranging programme of activity from training workshops through to retailer events, Michaela will also play a key role in optimising the use of PWS's state of the art design centres, in Newton Aycliffe and Slough.
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Blanco appoints new regional sales manager for Anglia

* Blanco-Anglia.jpgBlanco UK has appointed Ben Ahl as regional sales manager for the Anglian region. Ben has joined Blanco from Neff (UK) where he was area business manager for over 12 years.
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Salice further strengthens sales team

* Salice_sales.jpgAs part of its continued expansion plans, furniture fittings manufacturer Salice UK, has recently appointed Steven Read as southern sales manager.
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Jan Hobbs
Publishing Editor
Email:[email protected]
Tel: +44 (0)1372 811 307 
Mobile: 07980 288 373

 

 

 

 

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Publishing Director
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Tel: +44 (0)1580 755 863
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Recent News

Roca Group celebrates successful KBB 2018

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Roca, along with Laufen, unveiled innovative new designs at their joint-branded Roca Group exhibition suite. The Roca and Laufen teams met with over 1,000 visitors during the four-day event, making it one of the most successful KBB shows for the group.
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Winning awards for innovation...

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Virtual Worlds, Multilines Caccaro, Wirquin and Villeroy & Boch were proudly displaying innovation awards on their stands, having impressed judges Andy Bishop, creative director of KBB Birmingham, Hayley Tarrington-Robson, creative director of Day-True, Matthew Walmsley, national sales & marketing director of Blum UK, Colin Wong, creative director of Development Direct and Ruth Bell, editor of Kitchens, Bedrooms & Bathrooms.
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Congratulations to KBSA for Award win!

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When we visited the Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association stand, membership manager Dawn Harlow told us how delighted everyone in the team was to have won the Special Achievement Award at the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards, for the significant contribution made to the KBB industry - and naturally she and Malcolm Scott, commercial director, Swift Electrical / KBSA corporate chair, wanted the Award in our picture!
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Pretty in pink!

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Melissa, KBzine's editorial assistant, fell in love with this pink kitchen... Part of a vibrant new colour palette, Vintage Rose is pastel-inspired yet bold enough to form a striking contrast to more neutral tones, and is the perfect partner to on-trend shades such as grey and white, and popular materials such as timber, stainless steel and stone.
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Marketing

New water label website launches in world water week

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The European Bathroom Forum, which is driving forward plans for a single standard for water labelling across the EU unveiled its new website this week, coinciding with World Water Day - which happens to be today.
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