KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
26th November 2010
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International News
Products Night Black laminate slate from Faus
Croydex taps into the beauty of wood
Why relaxing in a VitrA bath is also peace of mind
Fabulous fusion worktops and eyecatching ceramics from Mereway Bathrooms
New Fusion composite worktops boast a high quality construction and are more consistent in colour and texture than granite. Made from a special blend of polyester and acrylic non-porous surface resins, these surfaces are highly durable, heat resistant and extremely hygienic. Stuart Turner updates Pump Solutions brochure
Get the Regency feel from British Ceramic Tile
New self-builder's/renovator's contract pack could save £ thousands
Self-Build Zone has teamed up with ContractStore.com and construction lawyer Giles Dixon to produce a suite of contract templates specifically for self-builders and renovators for just £49 + VAT. Painted palette perfection for English Revival
Franke's flow restrictor is perfect for saving water in the kitchen
When attached to a Franke kitchen tap - such as the Olympus pictured here - the amount of water is almost halved from six litres per minute in line with regulations, with no loss of performance or power in the flow. The flow restrictor is a small screw-in aerator which can be retrospectively fitted to a number of popular Franke models. T: +44 (0)161 436 6280 F: +44 (0)161 436 2180 Whirlpool's new white oven from the Ambient line is a winner
Next Chapter of 'Vac from the Sea' initiative revealed
Stoves unveils new built-in collection and switches production back to UK
Composting the clean and easy way with Brabantia's new biodegradable bin liners
Keep waste bins clean and dry with Brabantia's 100% biodegradable and compostable bin liners - specially designed for all organic kitchen waste and now available in three convenient sizes - 10lt, 12lt, 18lt. |
Welcome to the
I love this time of year and if we're lucky enough to have snow where I live (sadly it's very rare) I'm one of the first to don my ski gear and go out to enjoy it - whatever time of day or night I've discovered that it's fallen. Sadly it's missed me yet again but that doesn't mean that it's not very cold! Working from home my bills tend to be higher than many people's with similar sizes and styles of houses so I do my best to ensure that I waste as little energy as possible by switching off lights that aren't needed, not overfilling the kettle or leaving the fridge or freezer open for too long and through clever use of the cooking facilities etc. One of my real bugbears is those appliances that don't have an 'off' switch, which force users to either leave them on standby or switch them off at the plug, which means that - in the case of many hi-fi's - the clock and all the radio station settings are lost. My energy supplier tells me that anything left on standby will cost as much in electricity as if it is actually in use so I'm forever having to hunt for my favourite programmes. Hmmm... where's my Christmas wish list?... I've also got used to having the heating thermostat on a much lower setting and wearing extra layers of clothing but I still seem to have far higher gas bills than I did last year. My heart goes out to the elderly who've worked hard all their lives but can't afford to heat their homes at all and when I think about the situation they're in I get really cross! It was with great delight then that I learned today that energy regulator Ofgem - following the recent announcements by three of the main suppliers that they are to increase prices yet again - has decided to investigate the recent energy price rises that have widened the suppliers' profit margins by almost 40%. I am sad that the review will not immediately lower our bills, but hold out hope that there might be a reduction in the future. I'm also encouraged that those in the KBB industry are working hard to develop appliances that will keep our expenditure on gas and electricity to a minimum. I daresay it won't be long before consumers, while making a decision to buy, will be asking just how much an appliance will cost to run, rather than simply relying on the general ratings information that each appliance now has to display. Yours,  Jan Hobbs
This Week's News
Water For People hosts first Accountability Summit at WEFTEC
CRL Shower Door Hardware and Accessories
The Hydroslide system accommodates the option of floor to near ceiling glass panels with a sliding door. Bottom fixed glass attachments and handles can be ordered separately. New Whirlpool brochure showcases stunning freestanding collection Whirlpool, which is celebrating its centenary next year, has produced a stylish new brochure for its freestanding collection. Printed in full colour with high-quality photographs of each product and detailed specifications, the A4-sized, portrait brochure reflects Whirlpool's ethos of combining ease of use with good looks - and is a powerful marketing tool for the kitchen retailer. The brochure explains Whirlpool's principles when addressing issues such as technological innovation, cutting edge design and protecting the environment, where it is leading the way with its Green Generation range. It is divided into eight sections; washing, drying, dishwashing, cooling, freezing, microwave ovens, customer service and the web. Stevenage furniture body celebrates 60 years and a new strategy for growth
The Furniture Industry Research Association marked its recent 60th anniversary, new branding and considerable investment in its headquarters operation in Stevenage with an event attended by local MP, Stephen McPartland, who has recently taken on the role of Chair of the all-party Parliamentary furniture group (APPFG).
"Completing this challenge is looking more and more likely every day," promises Chris Honer, BCG's Managing Director. Chamber Furniture - ingenious, sleek hidden cooking areas
The doors of this kitchen are on concealed hinges with touch latches that enable the centre doors to effortlessly fully retract, to reveal a cooking station which is left fully open when in use and hidden away when not. This is one of Chambers' favoured signature and highly practical design features. LDL launches new 2011 catalogue
UK's first conference on Retrofit sees unveiling of University of Salford's Energy House
The conference, which is being sponsored by construction and fit-out specialists ISG, will see delegates drawn from across industry, the public sector and academia. They will be sharing insights on sustainability challenges and the government's policies to meet them. The Wine Show confirms shift in consumer market
Having recently exhibited, supported and sponsored this year's Wine Show at Olympia, Steve Woodworth, Sales Director for Liebherr, maintains that the market for wine storage is now split obviously into two categories; high end and low end. He believes that the middle ground within this particular market has effectively disappeared. "Multi-temperature wine cabinets and wine storage cabinets offer the benefit of innovative climate technology, engineered specifically for storing wines, combined with premium quality equipment with a classical, elegant design," he says. Mellow Yellow oven scoops awards for Baumatic
To celebrate this new alliance, Baumatic took part in Wolseley's BCG Big Tour last month, taking to the road to showcase its appliance line-up to potential customers at five venues around the UK. New face makes the Welsh connection for Moores
In her new role Jessica will head up the company's Business Development in the Public Sector in the South West and South Wales. Jessica brings a wealth of experience to the position, having worked within the social housing sector for a number of years. The Cotswold Chef Partners Everhot
Rob Rees MBE, The Cotswold Chef, international chef and former restaurateur, is one of the country's leading campaigners for better food culture in the UK. Based in Gloucestershire, Rob has chosen an Everhot 120 for his home in The Cotswolds and also hosts Everhot's cooking demonstration days at Everhot's watermill showroom in Dursley, Glos. Spend on presents - not plumbers
Managing Director Robin Johnson of Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward's Chartered Surveyors, advises on how to prevent emergency repairs on your property over Christmas "Your property, just like your car, needs an annual service to prevent costly repairs. As we get closer to Christmas, prices for emergency repairs inflate. If you service essential items, like your boiler or gas fire, prior to December you will not only avoid winter malfunctions you will also allow yourself time to acquire two or more quotes from different professionals. 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. News in Brief New World has added a range of freestanding microwaves to its expanding collection of affordable kitchen appliances. T: 0844 24 84 149 Fitted kitchen and bedroom specialist Betta Living has introduced five kitchens, with solid timber doors, to its 'top end' range. T: 0800 269 945 Pipes Direct has announced an end of year surplus stock sale. E: [email protected] Darlings of Chelsea's new Kent single sofa bed has a two-fold metal action frame and a fully sprung 5" mattress suitable for frequent use. T: 0207 3715745 The Furniture Ombudsman, which covers more than 2000 UK retail outlets, has recorded a 67% increase in take-up of its training courses over the same period last year. E: [email protected] How to contact us at The KBzine:
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