KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
20th July 2018
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 International News
Products The new Rapide Collection from Ambiance Bain - available from UK stock
European bathroom industry will adopt single scheme for water/energy efficiency labels
New washday wonders from Amica
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. Benchmarx Kitchens reveals its softer side with the new Somerset Natural Oak kitchen
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
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I've been in this industry for some years now, having - with John Austen - taken over the reins of KBzine from Richard and Debbie Schwarz, who launched it in 2001, without having any warning that I was likely to do so or any time to prepare. I was asked: "Are you up for it?" and when I said I was, readied our first issue for broadcast a few days later. When a journalist starts writing for an industry about which they have little knowledge, there's a need to 'hit the ground running' and with this comes a fear of showing how little they know about the industry by asking the wrong question or being wowed by fabulous new technology that isn't actually new at all - or which may be new but has already been dismissed as useless by those that know better. Of course, I've grown up with cookers, fridges (and later, freezers) and washing machines but in my early years laundry day involved a top loading twin-tub filled manually with a hose. Before hanging out the washing, my mother would run it through the mangle a couple of times, to squeeze out excess water. If you're too young to know what these things are, Google might enlighten you! Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that from those basic appliances and a couple of kitchen cupboards (and a larder!) it's been fairly easy to keep abreast of developments. Since joining this industry, I've absorbed news about technological developments we'll enjoy in the future, sometimes in awe but with a "Well I'll never be able to afford that" or "I don't have the room for one of those" disappointment and sometimes wondering who'd want to waste their money. One appliance I've never used is a dishwasher - partly as I can daydream while washing up, and partly as I don't really have room. It's caused arguments at home so one day I daresay I'll find a way to keep the family happy and will probably regret not having done so earlier. What got me thinking about all this is learning about William Livens today. This highly-decorated Royal Engineer, invented a powerful flamethrower, gas bombs and something I didn't know - in 1924 - an electric, front-loading dishwasher with a wire rack for crockery and a rotating sprayer to clean it. Although his prototype leaked and was discarded, his idea might just have improved the lives of millions... Yours,
 This Week's News
A solid May for Merchants; kitchens & bathrooms up
Overall sales in May were 11.4% higher than in April, helped by one extra trading day. Seasonal category, Landscaping (+29.0%) did best, with its third consecutive significant month-on-month increase. Heavy Building Materials improved 11.1% and 10 of the 12 categories sold more. VitrA appoints digital marketing executive
Rebecca, who previously managed pan-European campaigns for companies in the legal sector, brings a considerable breadth of experience in creating dynamic, meaningful and relevant messaging for both b2b and consumer audiences. New mineral cast basins for VitrA Ecora Infinit furniture range for that millenial vibe
Ecora Infinit basin units are available in 60 and 90cm sizes with either two doors or one or two drawers. Vanity basins have a slim, narrow edge and a gently sloped bowl with a central waste. There is a roomy tap platform that will accommodate most brassware. Basin units are fitted with LED lighting. Homebuilding & Renovating Show attracts a serious quality audience
Master urban living with Industrial White from British Ceramic Tile
Tapping into the trend for raw materials and aged finishes, this new option combines the practical benefits of a ceramic tile with the same intrigue as rusted white metal. A stunning take on the timeworn look, Industrial White works wonderfully when offset against a polished concrete floor, distressed wood and weathered accessories. Multi-compartment bin from Binopolis make recycling quicker and easier
Binopolis is arguably the leading specialist online bin retailer offering the most comprehensive collection of quality recycling bins on the market. Its products have been cleverly designed to help meet all recycling requirements and to fit kitchens of all sizes. With an incredible collection of in-cupboard and freestanding multi-compartment bins available, there are even space-saving models that will fit maximum recycling capacity into one unit to suit even the most compact kitchens. Textured Kitchens with generous uber-slim surface space on wishlists for consumers
Ultra-thin, super-slim whichever way you describe it the standout trend for 2018 with consumers is thin and will remain so for the foreseeable future. Texture, as well as slim dimensions, subtler colourways, and a break away from perpetual granite in favour of marbles and marble-esqs, are top predictions for 2018/19.
In the Arts & Crafts property, Chris was tasked with transforming a dark, dated guest bathroom into something fresh and welcoming for family and friends. Because of the property's listed building status, the brief was to work with existing architecture, creating a balance between cosy and contemporary whilst being sympathetic to the eaves and angled walls of the original building. New freestanding cookers from Amica offer many options
Slip-in freestanding cookers are still a popular choice in the UK market, both as a replacement for an older product and as an alternative to built-in - especially in the buy-to-let market as slip-in reduces installation costs when compared to built-in. Dragon Boat fund raiser from Wirquin
The event, which has now run for nine consecutive years, was the St George's Dragon Boat Challenge held at Lakeside, Doncaster in July. The team of 10 paddlers and one drummer from Wirquin competed in a 30-foot Dragon Boat and had to complete the 250m course twice. More needs to be done to protect workers' lives
Logistics industry commits to ambitious carbon reduction target by 2025
Commenting on the target, FTA's head of UK policy Christopher Snelling said: "All sectors of society need to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions if we are to avoid the worst effects of climate change. HGVs and their operators have to play their part in this and significant steps have already been made by the industry to change its behaviours and impact on the environment. 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
Tickets selling fast for KBSA Annual Conference & Awards Dinner
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Annual Zenith Design Contest winners announced
Kudos Showers joins 'Made in Britain' campaign
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Marketing
Discover Saniflo consumer campaign underway
Literature
New brochure taps into kitchen design
New brochure 'Look-Book' for Bushboard Omega
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