KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
14th December 2018
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 International News
Products
New to the portfolio of clever innovations for the installer, designer and retailer is a range of four products for simple, effective installation of basins. Fish scale/mermaid tiles conjure up a little mythical magic
Gold mermaid fishscale tiles from Otto Tiles & Design appeared on George Clarke's 'Old House, New Home' featuring a property in Portsmouth, Claverdon, recently. Otto Tiles & Design sees fish-scale tiles as the new trend upcoming over the next year, possibly to replace terrazzo tiles. Bushboard's statement splashbacks launch on Monday
The new collection, which includes 14 designs in 9mm mdf and six in 4mm acrylic, can be used to create either a focal point splashback behind a sink or a hob, to create a feature wall, or all around the kitchen if desired. Perfect for the festive season!
Kitchen taps that dare to be different
Choose a style or finish that breaks from the norm and an instant style update is made, transforming the entire kitchen and turning one of its busiest areas into a focal point. A modern twist to a classic sink
Each model has a wide tap ledge and a basket strainer to prevent food from going down the drain. Whether rinsing food, washing dishes or filling a vase, the large, deep bowl of the sink is ideal and most models in the Legra range are available for reversible installation. |
Something that frustrates my colleague John Austen is that although all the news and product information for KBzine might have long been finished and uploaded, he has to wait for my leaders as I tend to leave them until the last minute to ensure that they're topical. Not so this week, (or so I thought) since I prepared today's leader this morning. It began with: "Another week and I'm still without a fridge" and went on to say how the engineers arrived last Tuesday and discovered that far from my fridge being broken because I'd damaged it, the thermostat and/or sensor appeared to be faulty. After much bashing about they left my appliance in the middle of the kitchen where they'd found it and told me they'd ordered new parts as they don't carry them. They said the parts would "hopefully" be in sometime this week and that the retailer would be in touch... I didn't actually respond that I wouldn't hold my breath - partly because none of this was their fault but also because I was biting my lip so as not to ask why the heck they didn't carry what I'd consider to be essential parts on the repair van! I waited patiently until this lunchtime before contacting the retailer to say I was still wondering what was going on. I don't know if the fact that I'd taken to posting my despair on the retailer's Facebook page had anything to do with it, or whether it was the last post in which I included the Group managing director's email address and asked if it was the one I should use for my complaint, or whether the company realised it hadn't performed well, but I've just had a message to say that owing to the length of time I've been without a fridge, the company is going to replace the appliance. Naturally I'm delighted, but it has rather messed up my leader which I've had to rewrite and caused John - and you - to wait again! This is the second time a repair engineer hasn't had essential supplies on board - the last one had come specifically to replace my last fridge freezer's lead (chewed through by a rat my cat had brought in) and didn't have a lead or plug with him! New Year resolution for repair people perhaps... carrying all the parts that might be needed? Mine is to get my leaders done early in future! Merry Christmas! Yours,
 This Week's News
Virtual Worlds appoints new sales manager for Wales, Midlands and South West
With more than five years' experience in sales and account management, Rhian joins Virtual Worlds from SSE Energy. In her new role, she will be responsible for managing current customer accounts and for introducing the benefits of the latest 3D and 4D software to more retailers and designers. UK first for Altecnic as Intaball valves attain new standard
Committed to achieving the latest industry standards, Altecnic has been working closely with BSI's Loughborough-based Product Certification Team and Centre of Excellence for the past two and a half years. Now, the company can demonstrate compliance with European Directives and Regulations relating to the ball valves and OEM equipment it manufactures and supplies across UK domestic and commercial markets. New Year celebrations shaken and not stirred with The Connery cocktail cabinet
For anyone who loves hosting friends and family for special occasions, The Connery from The Signature Collection by Masterclass Kitchens is a must-have piece of furniture that will put the sparkle and style into any party. Season's greetings add up for charity
For 2018 Abode sent the money it would normally spend on purchasing and posting Christmas cards to its customers, straight to the EyUp Charity. The organisation supports the work of South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust in making a difference to the community, mental health, wellbeing and learning disability services. Quartz in a quarter of the time (and cost)
KBBG introduces a supplier of kitchen bar stools
Stay on trend for 2019 with Lustrolite Carbon
The elegant panels can also add the same touch of sophistication to bathrooms. Victory for the Cookie Club in kitchen showroom rugby V football bake-off
The Cookie Club, open to Exeter rugby players, meet throughout the season to surprise fellow members with delicious bakes, so there was pressure on the rugby team to level the score against the footballers and take home the trophy. AKW launches its new timber range
From boxing in pipework and over-boarding wooden floors, to creating stud walling or noggins, an adapted bathroom requires a variety of timber. The AKW timber range has been introduced to offer installers and contractors more of the components of a bathroom adaptation from one source. By offering WBP plywood - which uses water & boil-proof adhesive for added security - in 4mm and 12mm thicknesses and 3x2 CLS timber in treated and untreated finishes, installers can order Bathroom Industry Expert Returns to VitrA
Paul will be working primarily with housebuilders as well as government property developers. VitrA is enjoying huge growth in the sector thanks to exposure at leading industry events such as designjunction, Sleep + Eat and the high-profile RIBA + VitrA Talks Series which will carry on into 2019. New Hotpoint ActiveCook induction hobs maximise flexible cooking
Combining sensor technology, assisted-cooking and a fully-flexible cooking surface, the ActiveCook induction hobs make light work of cooking. The range is led by the 770mm model (ACP 778 C/BA), which features eight individual cooking zones that can each be precisely controlled with 18 different power levels. The Sink Space invests in its first ever showroom and a revamped website
Open now, the new showroom showcases a carefully curated selection of products from both brands including Carron Phoenix's popular Vela and Debut stainless steel and Bali granite sink ranges, mixer and pull-out taps, and premium sister-brand KWC's luxury ZOE and EVE tap collections. Franke launches Area Service Technician service to support customers
The service is only chargeable for products that are not covered under the Franke warranty. 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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