KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
6th July 2018
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 International News
Products
The superior Mumbai Slate porcelain collection from British Ceramic Tile provides a stunning floor covering, emulating the true beauty of Indian slate. Strong tonal variation and a matt, riven finish deliver an authentic interpretation, bringing the unmistakable raw, earthy qualities of slate indoors. Abode presents a professional image with new 3In1 tap
Croydex inspires with innovative additions and new-look for firm favourite in latest collection
Big on performance but low on water consumption, each of the six new water-efficient Aqua Air showerheads use the latest water-saving technology to draw in air and blend it with water flow, making each droplet bigger and softer. By enhancing the system's spray power, Aqua Air promises to reduce water use by up to 50% compared to normal showers. BMA looks to the future at AGM
Blanco's Catris-S tap; for the ultimate in flexibility
The flexible spout can be swivelled from side to side, it also can easily be removed from the holder. The spout is fitted with two buttons for the user to change the water flow from normal to a spray. No more leaks! See how it all works...
Shades of grey find new lease of life in kitchen design with matte finish
Shades of grey, white and black are dominating kitchen design in 2018. These versatile, albeit no frill tones, pair with any colour and finish, making them perfect for the modern kitchen. With moodier aesthetics in demand, as seen at EuroCucina, grey, white and black décors are the perfect building blocks to design a kitchen around. Facilitating this trend, the Formica Infiniti Worktops range comes in 12 modern décors including four core neutral colours: Graphite, Fog, White and Diamond Black. Kitchen TVs make handy save as World Cup kicks off
More than 20 million UK viewers tuned in at home four years ago and there's no doubt that the tournament will be dominating the airwaves again this year. While that may be great news for football fans, it's likely to lead to disagreements in households where not everyone's as passionate about the beautiful game. Arty Artago sink will stun in the kitchen
Featuring a concealed C-overflow and the innovative InFino waste system, the unique models are incredibly hygienic and easy to keep clean. Focus on stainless steel new tap range from Abode
All manufactured from hard-wearing and natural 304 grade stainless steel, the new taps present a professional image in the kitchen, with their own distinct style, innovation and high quality finish. |
I received a press release this morning and I consider the subject matter to be so important that I've pulled the leader I'd already written, to ensure that this new information is given coverage this week rather than next. It's not often I highlight a company's actions in these leaders, but as part of its 'Refill not Landfill' initiative, Franke has compiled a short Snapshot Survey on plastic waste, to coincide with the worldwide 'Plastic Free July' campaign, and it wants you to take part. So do I. The Survey is designed to get a view across our industry of attitudes to, and consumption of, single-use plastic bottles. Results will be published to share the insights gained. I've just taken the survey myself and although I've not bought a small plastic bottle of drink in around three decades, the questions asked, still made me think about what I do and why. If you're not someone who's been called 'weird' for decades for washing up other people's plastic bottles for your family to fill with their own drinks, or taken binned plastics home from your workplace to wash and recycle (as I have), then you need to take this survey now. "We'd love to see as many people as possible taking part," says Neil Clark, managing director at Franke UK. "We believe small changes can make big differences and this short survey is designed to encourage us to think about the individual and collective actions across business that can help reduce plastic waste. The results will give us a snapshot of where we are at now on this topic and we hope it encourages people to think about the changes they can easily make in their everyday lives." I couldn't agree more. Franke's 'Refill not Landfill' campaign is aimed at reducing the use of plastic water bottles in everyday life through a promotion run by its retail studio partners nationwide, with consumers receiving two free water flasks on purchasing any Franke (or sister-brand Carron Phoenix) tap which includes filtration, until 31st October. Please find the survey at: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/FrankeSnapshotSurvey and be in with a chance of winning one of 50 smart, brushed-chrome, reuseable water flasks. The campaign can be followed on Twitter using #RefillnotLandfillUK and the Franke website. Yours,
 This Week's News
Online sales of plumbing products in the UK to increase by 43% by 2022
However, forecasts indicate that the pace of growth is gradually slowing down over the course of the review period. This change of pace can be partly attributed to market saturation of Internet users and fewer new suppliers entering the market. Subtle and sophisticated - the bathroom is multigenerational
Simple wall-hung modern furniture in subtle wood shades, soft creams or soft graphite teamed with either a counter-top or vanity basin in an appealing shape or a super-size slab top with one or two bowls and complemented by wall-hung sanitaryware, a walk-in shower and a freestanding bath, are the essential base ingredients for design success. InSinkErator invests in UK distribution facility
The tremendous growth of the InSinkErator brand in the UK has led to a significant investment offering InSinkErator customers' improved service levels and next day delivery. The new and improved services include reduced lead times and direct delivery to customers; enhancing customer experience with the brand. Benchmarx Kitchens reveals its softer side with the new Somerset Natural Oak kitchen
Soapbox: Poor project managers: Are they contributing to the rise in insolvency?
"The UK's construction output was worth almost £164 billion last year, more than double its recorded value at the start of the century. This is all powered by the 2.7 million people working in the sector, which has seen a sharp increase in the number of new workers thanks to a construction boom in the wake of new legislation. Keller Kitchens is on the search for new UK dealers to join the team
Candy invests £15 million in Turkey to produce household appliances of the future
The new unit has gathered a total investment of 15 million euros in products and facilities and will employ 300 workers with an estimated annual production capacity of about 800,000 pieces. Blanco's Vicus tap: classic design with modern functionality
Future Business Magnates pave Roman's road to an award win
This exciting and fun competition aims to build enthusiasm in young people and introduces them to the basics of starting and running a business. School teams are supported by a business partner from a local firm who works with the team throughout the competition, lending experience and expertise and guiding the team in its first business venture. Kudos cohesion in sales & marketing
He joins Kudos with vast experience in the industry having previously held senior sales roles at Jacuzzi UK, Johnson Tiles, Lecico Bathrooms and Hansgrohe during his career. Morgeous Design uses Bushboard Options for community centre kitchen transformation
Team, Morgeous Design took on the challenge which was made extra difficult because there was a time slot of just four days to complete the project. New marketing appointment at InSinkErator
Anne joins the company with an impressive background in marketing communications and brand development having worked in both in-house and agency roles, most notably at sports technology brand, Polar. Marrying traditional British craftsmanship with cutting edge technology
Find comfort in ceramic with brand new Fibreglass from British Ceramic Tile
Drawing inspiration from the real material, British Ceramic Tile's new Fibreglass range can instantly transform any room into a warm, inviting space. It imitates the sharp, woven fibres in an intriguing surface pattern, muted for a softer finish. Gaia Underfloor Heating grows with new addition to the team
Spencer Martin joins the team from Conex Banninger where he held the position of technical sales manager for over two years. 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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clicking the link above. Recent News
Annual Zenith Design Contest winners announced
Kudos Showers joins 'Made in Britain' campaign
Bathroom Brands brings old style Hollywood glamour to Notting Hill hotel
Stronger April sales for merchants
Average sales a day, which take trading day differences into account, were down 2.1% on April 2017. Bushboard Nuance top choice for Bannatyne Spa Hotel refurbishment
Tradespeople shake off stereotypes by choosing work over World Cup
Indesit nominated for Best Baby And Toddler Gear Award
Rotpunkt delivers on 'lead-time' promise to UK independent retailers
Caesarstone Metropolitan Collection now available for ArtiCAD designers
BMA calls for more anti-scald education after man dies after falling into scalding bath
Shortlist for KBSA Designer Awards announced!
Penny Mallory to join Wayne Hemingway at KBSA Conference
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