KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
20th April 2018
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 International News
Products TKC gains extra curves by significantly expanding its door choice
Textural and neutral - introducing Larna by Masterclass
Saniflo Kineduo walk-in shower-bath offers new features
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
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First, please accept our apologies for the late arrival of this issue of KBzine - which was due to have been broadcast on Friday, but wasn't, due to a glitch in the type of technology we've all come to rely upon so much as we go about our work. Computer software, hardware, servers and fast Internet connections are wonderful when they work, aren't they, but as soon as something goes wrong... To avoid any chance of us being compared to buses (all coming along at once) the issue we'd normally broadcast this coming Friday will be with you on Monday instead. Well - what better way to start the working week than to discover the latest innovations in kitchens, bathrooms & bedrooms? Talking of tools, a friend mentioned that DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles has been grousing about how easily petty thieves get let off, when caught stealing tools from tradespeople's vans, after a worker who had volunteered to help out in the DIY SOS had been relieved of thousands of pounds-worth of tools. Apparently, Nick has said that if a judge's car was stolen, space would be found in jail for the culprit but that because a working man's tools of the trade are involved, theft from vans is considered unimportant. I understand Nick has said that van thieves receive a £60 fine. As the now famous saying goes: 'I agree with Nick'! Well - perhaps not about the judges' cars as I'm not party to the facts, but like Nick, I'm incensed that petty thieves are let off so easily and virtually encouraged never to change their ways but instead hone their skills until they're classed as career criminals. Knowing roughly how much these judges, barristers and others involved in our legal system earn, the cost of bringing these criminals to justice makes my eyes water. Surely it makes sense then to increase the fines for those who think it's ok to make a career out of thwarting the work schedules of others by stealing the tools of their trade? After all, it's not just the Court costs we need to consider here, but the loss of taxes because those relieved of their tools are unable to work. And what about the cost of visits to the GP because of the resulting stress and possibly long-term depression? Don't you agree that it's time the Courts got tough on petty crooks, so crime doesn't pay? Yours,
 This Week's News
LDL management buyout complete
The company was formed in 2010 when Bath-based business, Lord Distribution and OML, located in Hadfield, merged. Although there was natural synergy between the two companies and the resulting business has grown dramatically, there remained the challenge of working from two sites 170 miles apart. Now all functions have moved to Hadfield, previously the LDL distribution centre, and the Bath office has closed. Top seven apps that every trades person needs
Shrinking kitchens shouldn't mean shrinking profits
BMA announces host and first speaker for 2018 Conference
Financial journalist Sally Bundock who has been covering financial and economic news for the BBC for the last 10 years, will be hosting the event. In 2014 Sally was named as one of the UK's 50 most powerful part-timers on the third annual Power Part Time List compiled by both Timewise and the Financial Times and has just launched the BBC's flagship business programme, Business Live which airs every week day at 08.30 on BBC News Channel and BBC World News. Be a design winner with Wilsonart Zenith
Zenith is made from solid laminate and features a unique black core. The tops are just 12.5mm thick, giving a sleek, slimline look that adds a touch of distinctive flair to any kitchen. The material comes in 11 designs inspired by natural stone and timber. Upstands, splashbacks, breakfast bars, shelves, cabinet framing, curves and drainer grooves for under mount sinks allow plenty of scope for innovative design. Wayne Hemingway to be new head judge for KBSA Awards
Wayne and his wife Gerardine started and built the fashion label Red or Dead into a company that received global acclaim. After 21 consecutive seasons, Wayne and Gerardine sold Red or Dead in a multi-million cash sale. They then set up Hemingway Design, which specialises in affordable and social design. Wayne received an MBE in the June 2006 Queens Birthday List, is a Professor in The Built Environment Department of Northumbria University, a Doctor of Design at Wolverhampton, Lancaster and Stafford and a Fellow of Blackburn College. Natural beauty shines through with new shade of grey
Influenced by the strong trend for natural materials in interior design, Pietra Grey is the latest colour to join the Ceralsio range of ceramic surfaces from CRL Stone. Its subtle white veining gives a timeless grey colour palette a distinctively individual edge while ensuring the surface will work in harmony with other popular materials, from wood to metal. Are you ISO 45001 ready?' Embrace change now to help spearhead workplace safety
Published in March 2018, ISO 45001:2018 constitutes the world's first occupational health & safety international standard. Replacing the current OSHAS 18001, the new standard is intended to offer one single set of requirements designed to help organisations of all types and sizes create and implement systems that proactively prevent work-related injury and ill health. Bathrooms of the future to be flooded with technology...
British Safety Council warns UK businesses of Introducing robots in the workplace Technology threatens the safety of employees in the workplace, claims the British Safety Council. In a recent report entitled Future Risk, the BSC has highlighted the potential risk that new technology and machinery will have on the UK workforce. The report, published by Robertson Cooper in February 2018, urges businesses, trade unions, educators andgovernments to help make the inevitable introduction of robotics into the workforce as smooth as possible for all parties involved. Take a virtual tour of Blanco's showroom
Hotpoint launches dishwasher promotion
The promotion applies to purchases made until 9th May 2018. Consumers will receive a nine-month supply of Fairy Platinum All in One dishwasher capsules and the promotion applies to both freestanding and built-in models and both slimline and full-sized models. Wirquin's 'Spot the Lorry' Twitter competition is now motoring...
The branded livery is part of a new contract with haulier, J P Walton & Sons, one of South Yorkshire's fastest growing independent transport companies, based in Doncaster. Wirquin is asking entrants to take part in its #thewirquinlorry competition to win up to £60 of Wirquin products. Macmillan Cancer Support unites kitchen industry in support of men with cancer
A cancer diagnosis can have a significant emotional impact, and the charity says being able to talk is an important part of coping with the disease. Yet new Macmillan and Toluna research reveals more than one in four tradesmen (26%) wouldn't feel comfortable having a serious conversation about any health concerns with their work colleagues. 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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