KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
13th April 2018
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 International News
Products Uform unveils four cutting-edge door designs and more colour choice
Blanco Durinox is the ultimate innovation in stainless steel
Resistant to scratches and fingerprints, the velvety-matt surface can be integrated with the new Blanco Zerox range of sinks which are also available in a Durinox surface. New wood finish for Crosswater's Glide II bathroom furniture
Keller Kitchens for the best delivery times
Hudson Reed gains CE marking approval for its entire heating range
Stoves extends Mini Range collection to meet demand: New appliances feature Bluetooth connectivity
Hoover bolsters cooking portfolio with Vogue Premium Collection
New intelligent voice and motion-activated recycling bin offers total control
Shower market shuns 'expected' Brexit blip in 2018
TKC introduces two new, easy-to-install storage solutions into its portfolio
Saniflo creates kitchens anywhere
Customised gratings create a perfectly colour co-ordinated bathroom
Endless design possibilities with Rehau's Rauvisio range
Complete collection of 73 CRL quartz and Ceralsio ceramic surfaces impresses KBB crowds
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In recent weeks both John Austen and I have done a fair bit of travelling between southern Kent, the West Dorset coast, Manchester and many roads in between, and we've been disgusted by all the potholes. We're both agreed that my home town, Epsom, seems to be the winner in pothole numbers, size and depth, and although I rarely see John display anything akin to road rage, I could tell he was far from happy when driving through Epsom earlier this week. One in my road repaired five months ago failed last month, with vehicles pebble-dashing innocent bystanders at the nearby bus stop, and - with the weather the way it's been - filthy rainwater. The hole's getting deeper; when it isn't waterlogged, you can no longer see the bottom of it from the path. When traffic allows I drive along straddled across the centre line to avoid the potholes. Mind you - holes isn't perhaps the best way to describe them and I'm wondering whether Epsom is starting to form its own Rift Valley. When I can't straddle two lanes, I weave around like a drunk driver and I'm not the only one either. Aware of a survey carried out recently into driver behaviour and thoughts regarding potholes, I came across 'The RAC Guide to the Great British Pothole and Other Road Surface Defects' which had me chuckling with its pictures and descriptions of various pothole types, such as 'alligator', 'slalom' and 'moonscape'. It ended in a guffaw when I reached 'Windermere'. Yes - I know the one! It's not funny though, is it? It's soul-destroying enough to have to sit in traffic for hours on end - particularly if you do it on the same stretch of road, five days a week, but to find that when you're moving, you're lurching all over the place... well - what if you're transporting a lorry load of kitchen or bathroom products? I know everything's very well insulated from damage and this comment today goes against the frustration I've expressed about excess packaging, but I'm now wondering whether potholes are why everything's so well packed these days. Then there's the danger of drivers unloading very expensive goods, going over on their ankles on uneven surfaces and perhaps unwittingly damaging what they're carrying. I'd love to know, have you had/made any complaints about damaged goods/vehicles as a result of potholes? And if so, what was the outcome? Finally, apologies for the delay in this broadcast. I can't blame it on potholes, but they certainly delayed our return yesterday from a busy exhibition... Yours,
 This Week's News
BMA to focus on plastics waste at AGM
As in previous years, the morning will be dedicated to updating full members on key topics that have a direct impact on their businesses. Entries now open for new KBSA Awards
"Our awards are already established as one of the most worthwhile awards in the industry because they come from the only trade association for independent kitchen and bathroom retailers in the UK," says KBSA national chair Richard Hibbert. KBSA experts to meet consumers at Grand Designs
Ireland's Potter Cowan enjoys growth with Wilsonart Synergii
Potter Cowan is Ireland's leading trade-only kitchen product and component distributor operating from its three locations in Belfast, Dublin (which has just doubled in size) and Cork, to the kitchen and bedroom, retail trades. Blanco UK gains ISO accreditation
Now, Blanco UK, the kitchen sink and tap specialist, has received ISO accreditation in the form of the ISO 9001:2015 Certificate. TKC gains extra curves by significantly expanding its door choice
Spanning a wide range of tastes and styles, the curves are available now on the Lucente Gloss, Matt and Hand Painted handleless; Vivo+ Gloss and Matt slab; Oxford Matt and Cartmel Matt shaker; and the Matt and Hand Painted Cambridge and Windsor solid timber ranges. Textural and neutral - introducing Larna by Masterclass
Combining beautiful textures and a versatile neutral colour palette, Larna is a flat slab door that can be chosen with handles or the company's H Line handleless offering for a minimal and streamlined look. The paint effect finish of the furniture enhances the natural horizontal grain, which not only adds visual interest and character, but is also highly tactile and adds a sense of warmth to the kitchen. Saniflo Kineduo walk-in shower-bath offers new features
Now with the option to choose the brassware and shower, the Kineduo is an ideal choice for versatile, modern living. Select between a T-bar shower or classic model. The overhead rainshower comes complete with taps and water filler. Franke's 'Refill Not Landfill' campaign aims to reduce use of plastic water bottles
Kaldewei and the WWF: jointly protecting our oceans
Whirlpool launches silver coloured washing machines
The premium Supreme Care benefits from what is said to be the quietest spin cycle on the market, at just 68 dB(A), thanks to Whirlpool's Zen Technology. LDL presents new Furnipart handle collection for 2018
Mark Beard to become CIOB president in 2020
"I am delighted to accept the opportunity of following Chris and Charles as vice president and president of the Chartered Institute of Building at a time of great challenge and change for our industry," says Mark. "I look forward to building on the outstanding work of CIOB past presidents; in particular, turning the excellent re Smeg appoints Stuart Benson as head of built-in appliances
GA Rangemaster appoints Iskender Diker as sales director
Iskender has spent the last 15 years in the household appliances and consumer electronics sector, with senior roles as commercial director and deputy general manager at Vestel. Having led the Turkish manufacturer and technology giant through a successful period of growth, he brings with him a deep understanding of consumers and their changing needs. Carron Phoenix launches its updated Range and Value Deals brochures
The full-colour, 84-page brochure includes new lifestyle photography and useful additions such as 'Perlator' information on taps. It is easy to navigate with clear retail pricing and product codes, providing a useful resource to retailers and their customers. 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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