KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
30th July 2020
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 International News
Products Increased hygiene in the kitchen with Blanco's Solenta-S tap
Good headset hygiene helps make kitchen and bathroom showrooms COVID safe
Add pizazz to walls and floors with new Patterned Tiles from Verona
Design that moves: the next125 trolley
Triton introduces essential handwash units
New distribution deal adds Abode sinks & taps to PJH product
Design considerations for a post Covid-19 world
Shower in style: the new 8mm shower enclosure range from Crosswater
The striking collection encompasses shower screen solutions, fittings and accessories, all designed to give customers the ultimate showering experience. Undermount sinks - Blanco explains all you need to know
Brandt Design launches online 'Design Tool' for its customers Brandt Design, specialist retailer in the design and installation of residential and commercial lifestyle interiors, bring its showrooms to you with the launch of a new commercial Design Tool. Choice and flexibility is key for Keller
VitrA identifies seven bathroom trends for 2020
A splash of colour in the bathroom from Not Only White and Hi-Macs
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I think I'm going stir crazy - not through working from home, which I've done for almost 20 years, but through having to work with all the neighbours about, many of whom seem to have been furloughed and appear to be noisily enjoying every last bit of it; forgetting that some of us have a living to make and many in our area are keyworkers who need sleep. I called my daughter into my office to look at the picture of the freestanding wine rack Caple's just launched, thinking I might allude in the headline to how we've (not me; the nation!) turned to alcohol during lockdown. My daughter quipped: "It looks like a portal to another land. It probably is, if people drink that much!" I can see exactly where she's coming from and am pondering whether, if I had the chance, I'd take that step through it... Yes, lockdown & everything it's entailed, the aftermath, the hard division between mask-wearers and the anti-mask/anti-vaccine protesters, the very strangeness of everything, has made its mark. And that's coming from someone who - I'm thankful to say - doesn't know a soul who's been seriously ill with Covid-19. The whole ongoing episode has caused us all to take stock, hasn't it? The industry is starting to come out of enforced hibernation. What sort of general public is it likely to entertain? Many of us have adjusted our way of thinking; becoming more concerned for our environment and the sustainability of what we buy and what we enjoy. I can see in the future, more of us wanting to take responsibility for the amount of water we use and making a conscious effort to reduce waste. Likewise our kitchens. I've seen a lot of posts on local Facebook group pages, from people wishing to give things away. I've acquired a new fibreglass pond as well as a stationery cabinet in which we're planning to store all our craft things, acquired for our new hobbies (although oddly, no-one in my household has been furloughed - we've all been working but have managed to try new things). We've even made some garden furniture out of discarded pallets. A new kitchen next, I wonder... A poll by the Bathroom Manufacturers Association has revealed a strong appetite for bathroom refurbishment. The Used Kitchen Company is pushing an initiative that encourages not just a first recycling, but a second and possibly third recycling thereafter. Things are starting to look good... Yours,
This Week's News
A welcome statement and great picture from the BiKBBI!
Following the temporary closure of our head office operation in March, and in response to the national Coronavirus lockdown, we have managed to continue the delivery of our service remotely. Whilst we have proven that technology allowed for remote working, I know that our team are stronger together and as such I've been working on a phased plan to safely reopen our HQ operation. This phased return started in June and has been running successfully throughout, which has included adaption of our office environment to meet government directives. KBSA supports Covid-19 research project for kitchen and bathroom industry
The project, which is being undertaken by market research companies Trend-Monitor and JKMR, will track demand from kitchen and bathroom retailers, up to the end of 2020, to provide valuable data on buying patterns. Double win for RAK Ceramics at first virtual BKU Awards
Strong appetite for bathroom refurbishment, poll shows
Opinium surveyed a nationally representative group of over 2,000 people between 14th and 17th July for the poll, which was commissioned by the Bathroom Manufacturers Association. Luxury steel framing defines Caple's new WF1550 freestanding wine cabinet
Utopia announces latest product launch
Colour and texture are key to this latest exciting new product launch. Reflecting the vital role colour plays in any environment and particularly in our bathrooms, seven new foil finishes are being introduced across several of Utopia's furniture collections, along with two stunning new colours to extend the colour palette for the heritage-inspired Roseberry painted timber collection. New name to head up operations at Abode
With strong leadership and excellent problem-solving skills, Dave also has a wealth of expertise in the KBB industry and is no stranger to the sector, with a career that spans more than 26 years and counting. Virtual workshop confirms opportunities for bathroom industry to benefit from renovation wave
Paulo de Silva Lemos, policy officer at DG Environment and Alessandro Durante from the Italian trade body AVR (taps and valve association), were both guest speakers. The Used Kitchen Company sets another milestone in UK recycling
Having previewed its unique TUKC 'Kitchen Passports' with huge success at KBB Birmingham 2020, TUKC has removed any excuse that the kitchen trade can make for not participating in an initiative that aims to reduce the impacts of continual resource-stripping from the planet. Two new junior designers join Imperial Bathrooms
Recent graduates from Derby University, Alex Freeman and Hannah Hart, joined Imperial Bathrooms in July to bring a fresh perspective on all areas of corporate and product branding. Alex and Hannah studied BA Product Design, and both graduated with First Class Honours. Private Room chooses Virtual World as its route to market
Using Virtual Worlds as its main channel to market, Private Room manufactures distinctive shower trays and complementary fittings designed to transform ordinary bathrooms into spa-like sanctuaries. Stunning black metal and crystal pendant supplies some serious wow factor
It looks fantastic in contrast to the minimal lines of the kitchen units and adds style and glamour, making a dramatic focal point - perfect for over a dining or kitchen table and truly adding the wow factor here, over a kitchen island.
In keeping with Utopia's promise to offer an imaginative solution for any bathroom, no matter how small or awkwardly shaped, the 234-page brochure presents the entire collection of 11 ranges in a series of beautifully styled room sets, from the most spacious rooms complete with freestanding baths through to much more modestly proportioned bathrooms including en suites and cloakrooms. BC Designs highlights the virtues of copper in fighting Covid-19
Exclusive virtual showroom tour offer now available to KBBG members
Virtual 360 Tours Glos will help retailers capture their showroom from all angles and create an easy-to-navigate tour. Customers will be able to explore what is on offer, safely and remotely, should they be unable to physically visit the showroom. Whirlpool UK Appliances donates appliances to NHS hospitals and charities
In an effort to support those working on the front line of the pandemic, Whirlpool UK donated appliances including washing machines, microwaves, dishwashers and refrigerators to several NHS hospitals across the UK.
Washing machines, which were donated to hospitals in Peterborough and several other counties in the East of England, were provided to ensure that staff treating patients affected with Covid-19 are able to wash their uniforms on-site, eliminating the need to take them home to be cleaned. 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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