KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
6th May 2011
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International News
Products Irish SFA tells Minister for Jobs how to boost employment
An Irish Small Firms Association delegation met Minister Richard Bruton, TD, yesterday, to discuss its jobs and small business proposals. It was an important meeting as the small business sector currently employs half the private sector workforce, some 700,000 people. Whirlpool's Max microwaves come in new colours!
AEG's MaxiKlasse free standing cookers offer great flexibility
Inspired by experience, Franke celebrates its centenary in style
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Welcome to the
Clever marketeers will always try and increase their spend in a downturn so it's good to see that the KBB industry knows its stuff. Results from the Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association 2011 Showroom & Supplier Survey, show that companies in the sector are counteracting the problems caused by the downturn, by diversifying. Some 61% of them are now selling bathrooms, as well as kitchens, compared to the 43% that did so this time last year. The KBSA tells me that this is an increase of 40% - and as the team's maths is going to be a lot better than mine I'll trust it on that one! Also up, but not quite as much at 30%, is the number of members selling bedrooms, as well as kitchens. That figure is 65% now, compared to 50% this time last year. Members selling home offices & kitchens are up by 20%, with the 24% that did so last year, increasing to 35% this year. Whether this diversification has improved business or not, I cannot say for sure, although it would appear that it has, with the average number of kitchens sold over the past year increasing slightly from 5.1 to 5.24 per member month, while sales of bathrooms have increased from 4.0 to 4.6 per member month. The KBSA says it's encouraged by the results and it is happy that its campaign to get members to review their strategy for business beyond this recession has been taken on board. With the economy starting to grow slightly and interest rates being kept at their present low rate for a further month (and I'm hoping for more of the same!) this has to be encouraging news. May we all continue to 'hang on in there'! Yours,
 Jan Hobbs
This Week's News
Although Focus (DIY) entered administration yesterday, it's business virtually as usual, according to the notice placed on the company's website by the administrators, who say they intend to enable the Group to continue to trade whilst seeking a buyer for all or parts of the business. The existing management team will remain responsible for the day-to-day running of the Group.
"Focus has not ceased to trade and customers will be able to continue shopping at Focus stores across the UK," they promise. They also say: Wall-hung sanitaryware that's as fresh as mint
Ideal for converting a floor-standing WC to a wall-hung version, the Geberit Monolith is a slimline sanitary module with integrated cistern that can be connected to existing plumbing work just as easily as a close-coupled toilet, without the need for chiselling or re-tiling. With its slim profile the Geberit Monolith doesn't impinge on space, while its clear, simple lines and high-quality materials make it an attractive alternative to conventional visible cisterns. Homebase invests in FIRA Gold Certification Homebase has become the only kitchen retailer to receive the Furniture Industry Research Association Gold certification for both its fitted kitchens and installation services. FIRA Gold certification is a mark of excellence awarded by the furniture industry to show that products and installation processes are of the highest standard and will be continually audited for consistent high quality.
Homebase initially received FIRA Gold accreditation for its kitchen installation service in July 2007, and has now received FIRA Gold accreditation for its kitchen products too. Having seen the benefit of FIRA Gold certification for installation, achieving FIRA Gold certification for products was identified as the next step in Homebase's progression in ensuring customer satisfaction. Kitchenaid's new chef touch: the Sous Vide cooking system
The visually stunning Chef Touch is three first class products finished in KitchenAid's Pro Design aesthetic. The system comprises of the vacuum-sealing system which preserves food by packing the food in an airless environment; the steam-assist oven for gently cooking or perfectly re-heating food and the shock freezer for rapid chilling or long-term deep freezing. Moores takes its show on the road
Taking to the road throughout the month of May, Moores will travel the length and breadth of the UK to present its very latest products and services to its existing and prospective customers. Clients will have the opportunity to view the Four Seasons range of rigid kitchens which were made available to the contract market for the first time earlier this year. The collection will be displayed in working display sets, enabling customers to get a real flavour of the furniture in situ.
The doors comprise an acrylic laminate front and titanium back with twin colour edging; so the doors appear to be made of glass. The acrylic laminate gives an interesting depth of colour and high level of gloss for a truly exceptional design scheme. Back to black - Carron Phoenix launches chic black ceramic Sapphira sink range
Two models will be available in black as well as the classic white, manufactured and kilned from premium grade clay ensuring a top quality lustrous finish without any of the tell-tale pin pricks of lesser grade and cheaper alternatives Whirlpool launches new range of washing machines
The eight-model line-up richly features 6kg, 7kg and 8kg capacity with up to an A+ energy rating offering strong selling points for retailers. The capacious 8kg drum capacity models include intuitive five-digit LED control panel and the company's patented 6th Sense intelligent technology. A charitable affair! Kitchen furniture donated to Oxfam
Every year, midlands based Mereway Kitchens transports a range of new kitchen furniture to Cyan Studios in Leeds where inspirational kitchen sets are built, propped and photographed for Mereway's brochures. A Mereway Kitchens team member thought of the innovative idea to donate the kitchen furniture to charity rather than simply disposing of it - and what better way to recycle the units! US kitchen and bathroom dealers undeterred by marginal declines in Q1 2011 According to the US National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), kitchen and bathroom dealers remain positive despite slight declines in sales volumes, remodelling budgets and revenue during the first quarter of 2011. The NKBA Kitchen & Bath Market Index (KBMI), which forecasts the confidence of kitchen and bathroom dealers on a scale of -60 to +60, is +34 for Q2 2011 or down 3 points from the last quarter. Showroom visits were up 16%, which marked the only market indicator with a quarter-over-quarter increase.
"The first quarter fell a little short of expectations, but the year-over-year gains reported in the NKBA Kitchen & Bath Market Index are a positive sign for the kitchen and bath industry," states Bill Darcy, executive vice president of the NKBA. "In addition, more than ha Electrolux A rated freezer named Which? Online Best Buy
The appliance tested five stars for 'Reliability' and 'Quietness and Vibration' and achieved an overall score of 83%.
The Which? online report includes the following: Polypipe heat recovery units help developer reach Code 3
Polypipe Ventilation, provider of energy-saving domestic and light commercial ventilation systems, has had its heat recovery system specified for Larkfleet Homes' extensive new housing development in Bourne, near Peterborough. The first stage of the development, known as 'The Old Laundry', has now been installed with the HR01 units supplied by Deepings Trading.
Larkfleet Homes prides itself on high quality sustainable developments using innovative technology and construction methods. The use of heat recovery in this latest housing development fits well with this philosophy and is the first major development for Larkfleet using the HR01 system. It has provided Larkfleet with a cost effective Code 3 housing solution when used with thermal solar panels. 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
Congratulations to Waterfront Bathrooms, whose brassware features throughout British design doyenne Kelly Hoppen's latest interior design book! T: 01527 584244
Merlyn Showering now has a range of shower enclosures to meet every need of the modern man. Its Series 6 Sliding Door "exudes masculine charm from every angle." www.merlynbathrooms.com
Mereway has appointed Graham Jones, ex-Hammonds Furniture, to the newly created role of Sales & Marketing Director. More next week... T: 0800 028 4466
AKW has launched a stylish mixer shower for use in bathrooms designed for the elderly and disabled. T: 01905 823298
Massive overseas sales success for Glen Dimplex Home Appliances has resulted in a congratulatory visit from local MP Shaun Woodward. www.gdha.com
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OFT's market study into extended warranties is now underway The OFT's short market study into extended warranties for domestic electrical goods, which will focus on whether competition for warranties is sufficiently effective to ensure consumers get value for money in a market worth well over £750million, is now underway. The results will be published later this Summer. UK manufacturer offers outsourced customer care solution
Bradbury's has immediate success with Stoneham One of the West County's best established kitchen retailers, Bradbury's, based in Exeter, has become an appointed Stoneham distributor and enjoyed almost immediate success with an important order. HMRC turns up the heat on plumbing industry About 50,000 plumbers, gas fitters and heating engineers will start receiving letters this month from HM Revenue & Customs,alerting them to the chance to take advantage of a special time-limited tax plan to put right any gaps that might exist in their tax affairs. Black Country timber firm wins new business in the Middle East
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