KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
10th June 2011
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International News
Products Franke wins Red Dot Design Award
The Centinox encompasses elegance, style and precision engineering; it is a 'slim-top' sink which gives the appearance of a fashionable undermount model. Winners of the Red Dot Award achieve international quality status, the privilege of displaying the red dot logo on all product-related marketing material and the opportunity to have the winning product displayed in the Red Dot museum in Essen, Germany. The four-week exhibition entitled 'Design on stage' will be open after the awards ceremony on 4th July 2011. T: +44 (0)161 436 6280 Classic styling for a modern era
Bespoke storage solution - semi-circular island base unit has integrated recycle bin and knife rack
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Welcome to the The UK Kitchen Bathroom & Bedroom Specialists Association has published a handy guide to the new energy saving labelling and how it works. Having read the document, I feel it would be useful to have a copy of it around whenever and wherever people are making decisions about which appliance/s to purchase, as the new system is rather more complicated - and a lot more useful - than the old one. While years ago many of us would not have rated low energy or water consumption high on the list of priorities when it came to choosing a new appliance, with prices what they are now - and the threat of large increases ahead (particularly when it comes to gas!) and the move by water companies to fit water meters into more homes, it is something that simply has to take its place high on (if not at the top of) the list of criteria when it comes to deciding what to buy or recommend. Technology has moved on enormously since the original labelling scheme came into being and the energy rating of an appliance can now vary its annual running costs considerably. For example, the new top rated refrigeration products (A +++) offer savings of up to 60% when compared to an A rated appliance and when you convert these savings to money over, say, a 10-year period or however long you're likely to keep the appliance... well, the total could easily cover the cost of a replacement! The guide also highlights the importance of considering exactly how an appliance is likely to be used, when making a buying decision or recommendation. The message is really brought home by a case study which shows that using a tumble drier in a particular way, might add £400 to the electricity bill over 10 years if a unit is chosen that has technology which doesn't make the best of a household's usage patterns. It advises that the way you plan to use your appliance should be taken into consideration prior to purchase, as this can make a real difference to running costs over time. If you're a dealer and want your customers to recommend you to others, bringing this point into your sales pitch is an ideal way of doing it! If you're not a member of the KBSA, it would be worth getting in touch to enquire about membership... the support the Association (and others like it) gives to those in the KBB trade is invaluable and this guide is just a small part of the difference membership can make. (T: 01623 818808, E: [email protected]) Yours,
Jan Hobbs
This Week's News
Build-a-bed online with The Sleep Room Brand new to The Sleep Room is its 'build-a-bed' service - designed to give you even more choice when buying your bed online. With just two easy steps it couldn't be easier to create your perfect bed. Our favourite part is The Sleep Room has taken the time to photograph all possible bed combinations - over 35 in total. Not only are you spoilt for choice, but the site will give you a sneaky online peek to show exactly how your finished bed will look. Not a computer generated image in sight!
Reflecting the sheer scale and size of the newly extended product range, there are now three separate brochures, one devoted to the Fitted Furniture Collection containing 148 pages, one to the Modular Collection, also 148 pages, and an 88 page Timber Collection brochure. CornerTape silicone renewal kit now shipping CornerTape tells us it is delighted to launch the CornerTape SiliconeKit, which contains a number of the award-winning sealant-taming brand's products bundled together into one neat package for bathrooms and kitchens. A complete toolbox for the easy removal and replacement of old silicone with a perfect finish, the CornerTape SiliconeKit includes the patented Silicone Remover Tool as well as its big brother, the Silicone & Grout Remover Tool along with a Residue Remover Brush, specialist Preparation Wipes, a 5m roll of 6mm (medium) CornerTape, a Silicone Forming Kit and instruction DVD, and is suitable for both kitchen and bathroom projects. Imperial's 'Simply Black' bathrooms, for design extravagance
Providing a bold and luxurious style statement for bathrooms both large and small, this latest range fuses timeless design with modern drama. AKW launches stylish chrome shower
Developed especially for the mobility and care market, the shower is easy to use and can be a great addition to any modern bathroom. Arka holds TMV3 approval and features dual independently operated flow and temperature controls for safer use and an extended hose length of 2m provides carers and users with extra manoeuvrability during showering. Other features include KitchenAid's Chef Touch Sous Vide cooking system wins Red Dot award
KitchenAid's Chef Touch earned the Red Dot Design Award for introducing a revolutionary product that brings Sous Vide cooking to the home, as a great concept, is innovative and has outstanding design ergonomics, great aesthetics and value.
Perfectly formed to enhance any contemporary kitchen that may comprise modern streamlined appliances and furniture, the sink is available in either single bowl or one-and-a-half bowl options. Both Epos EOV models come with a low-profile semi-integrated pop-up waste and hygienic overflow while optional accessories include a strainer bowl, Rollamat and drainer basket. T: 0161 436 6280 Industry associations back InstallerLive
The APHC is the leading employers' organisation for plumbing and heating companies in England and Wales. The HHIC is a leading industry membership organisation committed to effectively driving, supporting and promoting the sustained growth of the UK domestic heating & hot water industry. NAPIT is one of the fastest g Zanussi and AEG freezer named in Ideal Home's 'Top Ten' list
The Zanussi ZFC623WAL has been declared the Best Chest Freezer because of its "minimal defrosting". Ideal Home's Savvy Shopper says: "This one only needs to be defrosted every five years and it can be kept in the garage." InHouse appoints Craig Condie as Sales Manager InHouse, the sole UK agent for Schuller, Aster Cucine and Pelipal, has welcomed Craig Condie as Sales Manager. Following record sales figures for Schuller and the recent addition of German bathroom manufacturer Pelipal, 2011 is another year of growth for InHouse. Craig is the first new appointment this year, with another leading role now advertised. Craigs covers the South and South East of England and will be responsible for maintaining and building retailer relationships across the InHouse portfolio. Leisure Sinks for 200 new kitchens near London's best local park
The estate backs onto Victoria Park - voted by readers of Time Out magazine as 'London's Best Local Park' and comprises flats, three-storey townhouses and sheltered accommodation. All the kitchens and bathrooms at the estate are being replaced, along with an electrical upgrade. 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 A warm welcome to Terence Ball Kitchens, now established & trading profitably. T: 01984 624640
Falmec's Mirabilia cooker hoods now feature energy saving LED lighting rather than halogen downlights and internal incandescent light bulbs... Very clever! T: 01787 224921. If you can't wait until next week's KBZine to learn about Atag's clever new gas hobs with digital timers, T: 0208 247 3993 Aqata's new Spectra shower screens and walk-ins help create luxurious and contemporary wetroom-style shower spaces. E: [email protected] Congratulations to Zanussi's ZFC623WAL and AEG's A92860GNX0 for making it onto Ideal Home's 'Top Ten Freezers' list How to contact us at The KBzine:
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