KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
9th November 2019
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International News
Products HIB products gain official Bluetooth qualification
HiB's Bluetooth products, including multiple mirrors and cabinets, underwent the Bluetooth Qualification Process managed by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), to ensure complete compliance with Bluetooth standards. MHK celebrates 40th anniversary with Eurovision Kitchen Contest 2020
Cabuchon launches easy access soaking tub - the Takara
Like the other baths in its deep soaking range, it is inspired by the traditional Japanese ofuro but it includes a host of refinements designed to enhance comfort and to better suit Western bathing habits. It will also accommodate modern technologies such as spa hydrotherapy. More affordable kitchens than ever: Faith updates Evo Kitchen Collection for AW 2019/20
Evo offers retailers a simple and affordable range of kitchens for customers that doesn't compromise on quality and looks. VitrA launches two statement collections at Cersaie 2019
Introducing new materials and textures, the tile ranges demonstrate VitrA's expertise in ceramic design and technology. The tiles can be used in residential and commercial environments, from kitchen and living spaces to swimming pools and terraces. Aqualisa kicks off Installer Club relaunch with National Roadshow
In partnership with Fix Radio, Aqualisa will be touring trade showrooms and merchants during October and November of this year. |
I got into a discussion with some readers last week about my wish to promote both the ethical sourcing of materials and the recycling of goods that are no longer required by the consumers who've been enjoying them - either through repurposing or through passing on - and also my desire to write about anything designed to improve safety, conserve energy or reduce the use of water. As you might imagine, I found it frustrating to read the results of research, released yesterday by the Water Regulation Advisory Scheme, which revealed that Joe Public doesn't seem to be as fussed as we in this industry are, about wasting water... Quick to blame the water companies for not fixing leaking pipes, Brits are, apparently, wasting huge amounts by not dealing with simple plumbing issues, with 40% prepared to wait more than four days to fix a dripping tap and 30% admitting that they would wait the same amount of time to report a leaky tap that someone else is responsible for. A shocking 27% confessed to waiting over a week to fix a dripping tap (oh the noise!). And when it comes to fixing a leaky loo, 22% are prepared to wait more than four days. Around 400 million litres of water are estimated to leak from UK toilets every day; enough water to supply 2.8 million people - the populations of Edinburgh, Cardiff, Belfast, Manchester, Sheffield, Liverpool and Bristol combined. Fixing leaky loos alone could contribute around 10% of the additional water capacity needed to cope with an extreme drought in England by 2050. The research follows a recent Defra consultation on measures that could reduce personal water use, which highlights the fact that our high population density means that the available water per person is less than in many Mediterranean countries. It recommends that a 'twin-track' approach of increasing supply and reducing demand, (currently 141 litres per person in England) is needed to secure the resilience of water supplies. If, like me, you don't yet have a smart meter for your gas and electricity supplies I daresay that you're also being subjected to a pushy marketing campaign to have one installed as the suppliers struggle to meet Government targets. The price of energy encourages us to use it frugally though and waste it at our peril. Surely the marketing money would be better spent on persuading everyone to have a water meter installed? If we got rid of the 'easy come, easy go' attitude to water usage, we'd soon stop wasting the stuff, wouldn't we? Yours,
This Week's News
BMA steps up campaign on non-compliance with Primary Authority Status
The Primary Authority Status is a formal partnership that is recognised in statute and overseen by the Office for Product Safety and Standards. BC Designs' latest bath launch brings a feminine touch to bathroom design
KBSA offers new contract hire deals for members
KBSA growth continues with two new members
Colour pops that cut the mustard in the latest kitchen designs from Schüller
Granite & Trend Transformations celebrates 15 years in the UK
Teka taps into flexible cleaning with Pull-Out Spray
Lakes hosts Fortis buying group at HQ
Airuno expands collection of island hoods
One of Airuno's most powerful hoods, the Verdi Island Hood delivers effective recirculation extraction at a maximum rate of 765cu.m/h, making it suitable for use even in particularly large kitchens, as well as eliminating the need to install ducting to vent fumes outside. Victoria + Albert Baths launches new addtions to its Kaali basin range
The range will now feature two new oval basins - the Kaali 60 and Kaali 65, and one new round basin, the Kaali 48. Each basin is identified in size by its number, which indicates its diameter. Embrace Scandi-styles and creativity with Keller’s new kitchen
Hotpoint fridge freezers can help reduce food waste
According to new research commissioned by Hotpoint, cheese, bagged salad and mince are within the top 10 most wasted foods in the UK. 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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