KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
20th July 2019
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 International News
Products VitrA extends Scandi-style Sento bathroom furniture
The wide range of options within the Sento range has now been extended with the addition of new washbasin units, designed to work with countertop bowls. BC Designs brings colour to its bath collection
'Go Eco' with new coffee-inspired wood colours by Rotpunkt
Spread Mudd right through the house
Twice as nice with Caple's new double ovens in the Classic collection
Kitchen tap design goes back to black
Classically beautiful and beautifully versatile - new ceramic sinks from Blanco
The everlasting appeal of ceramic sinks and bowls lies in the natural look and feel. A tactile, deep glaze finish creates a beautiful work space while modern production techniques allow for contemporary shapes with slim rims and small radius designs.
Unidrain received a Gold REMI at the WorldFest-Houston, the Silver Award at the US International Film and Video Festival, plus a Silver World Medal at the New York Festival Awards, which took place earlier this year. Bathroom Brands Group's new MyHome collection by Britton: compact yet comprehensive
InSinkErator introduces new development on hot water tank
The upgraded NeoTank, suitable for use with the InSinkErator 4N1 Touch combination tap, benefits from a 1300W power level to efficiently heat the water in the tank up to 99°C. If a lower temperature is required, the NeoTank features a precise +/- 1°C thermostat. |
An email I received following last week's leader in which I wrote about the loss of personal contact when we shop online rather than in store, brought up another issue I'd not addressed - that of unmanned checkouts. Nick Wigson, senior inventory coordinator, Hafele UK, wrote: "What a lovely intro. I regularly sell at car boots and get people who spend a lot of time telling me stories; in the back of my mind I think the same as you wrote: that this person might not talk to another soul all day. Also with the loss of smaller retail outlets is the loss of the personal touch and one-to-one attention. The out-of-town shops are large and staffed by young men and women on low salaries who are generally doing all the jobs needed in these types of stores: stocktaking, tidying, taking money etc, so they don't have the time (or inclination) to interact in a meaningful way with individuals. One reason I always go to a manned till is to have a natter with the staff and generally they welcome a bit of a giggle." I always use manned tills too, but not just because I can chat to staff & help save jobs - I hate being told off by the woman in the machine! So many times I've just left my shopping and gone elsewhere, when there isn't the option of a manned till and I've frozen the hi-tech version. I'm not stupid by any means, but I certainly look it when trying to work out where to put my bags - maybe because I'm left-handed - and when I can put scanned stuff into them! I daresay you'll have done it too (and yes, I know there isn't really anyone in the machine but the loud voice and its tone make me feel as if the idea is to draw everyone's attention to the "unexpected item in the bagging area" in the hope that if one of us is deliberately bagging something we've not scanned, we'll be stopped in our tracks since everyone queuing behind us is now watching us suspiciously). One store I'd regularly frequent, replaced all its manned checkouts with self-serve versions. I've not shopped there since. While I realise that installing them saves shopkeepers money as they're not forking out for salaries, sick pay, pensions, maternity leave etc, I do wonder whether, in the long run, it turns out to be a false economy... Yours,
 This Week's News
MemberSafe initiative announced
MemberSafe includes an early warning system linked to the industry's financial profile, which will alert members to signs that may indicate risk within those businesses they engage. Members will have access to live data in order for them to make an informed choice on future financial transactions. Secured your place at this year's KBSA Conference, AGM & Awards Dinner yet?
"We are thrilled that Baroness Michelle Mone will be our keynote speaker," says Richard Hibbert. "Her success as an entrepreneur and determination to succeed, despite a hard upbringing, are in tune with our theme for 'Staying Ahead'. The Shower Lab announces internal and external corporate rebrand in line with a new vision
In line with the company's plans for growth, this new brand is the first step towards a more comprehensive marketing strategy for The Shower Lab, including heightened digital marketing activity, product development and a keen customer service focus. BMA announces judges for Ageless Bathroom Design competition
The four professionals brought together to judge the entries include Kevin Wellman, chief executive officer at Chartered Institute of Plumbing & Heating Engineering, (CIPHE); Peter Gore, professor of practice (Ageing & Vitality) at Newcastle University Institute for Ageing; Kate Sheehan, director and occupational therapist at the OT Service and Andy Mclean, technical director at BMA. Linda Barker opens 250th The Bathroom Showroom
'It's been an honour for me to open The Bathroom Showroom's 250th showroom,' she said. 'I'm so pleased that I could meet the team and show some customers my Multipanel collection in this wonderful showroom. BMA announces new speakers for 2019 Conference
David Harrop and Dan Thirkell (L&R in pic) from specialised research consultancy BRG Enterprise Solutions, will give an overview of the European bathroom market, looking at key trends, segmentations, supply structure and distribution developments. Verona launches its most extensive ceramic tile collection yet with Definitive
Stylish, versatile and practical, Definitive from Verona has been designed to answer the needs of the retail market offering an exclusive collection of premium white bodied ceramic tiles. Kudos introduces Original6: UK designed & hand built shower enclosures
As the name implies Original6 doors and enclosures now feature 6mm toughened safety glass throughout and have been increased in height to 1950mm, making them ideally suited for installation on lower level shower trays or directly on to a wet room floor. Jenny takes on technical writing role at Masterclass
Bringing a wealth of experience in technical writing to her new role, Jenny will be responsible for creating and editing product guides and other technical product literature, ensuring accuracy and ease of use. This will involve collating the crucial information required by kitchen designers, including prices, descriptions, installation guidelines and other technical data.
Kitchen designer, Kitchens International (KI) says the look is back but this time it is subtler and more nuanced; a nod to industrial kitchens rather than the pastiches in domestic settings we saw during the early years of the last decade. The Bora principle: the innovation behind the idea
The concept is based on applied physics and the basic principles of fluid mechanics: the lateral flow is greater than the rising speed of the cooking vapour from pots and pans. From a purely physical perspective, it is therefore easier to directly extract the vapour at the cooktop. Bertazzoni strengthens refrigeration range with new BI models
The new A+ rated 90cm and 75cm models offer a total capacity of 355-litres and 456-litres respectively. Both comprise three height-adjustable shelves, two crisper drawers and three storage compartments within the main fridge door. 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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Duravit support Blueprint for the Future
BMA introduces new structure and strategy at AGM
Bathstore retraining offer helps designers stay in the industry KBB design software specialist Virtual Worlds is reaching out to former Bathstore designers affected by the collapse of the retail chain, to offer them free training on its interactive 3D and 4D programmes. Caesarstone UK opens second distribution centre
Wren Kitchens offers roles to Bathstore employees
Marketing
Grohe launches cashback offer for Sensia Arena shower toilet
Literature
New consumer brochure showcases JP Kitchens
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