EU closes in on contract law for consumers and SMEs

A common European contract law came one step closer to reality last week after MEPs backed proposals by the European Commission to establish an optional EU-wide system. But consumer groups warned that such a scheme would do little to boost cross-border trade and only add to the confusion faced by businesses and shoppers alike.
more

Atag's new gas hobs have digital timers

Atag, the Dutch company famous for its technologically advanced built-in kitchen appliances exclusively available to the kitchen specialist, presents the latest additions to its superior product portfolio; two gas-on-glass hobs with digital timers...
more

Terence Ball kitchens launches six new ranges

Building on the successful 2010 launch of TBK rigid built kitchens, six new ranges are now introduced.
more

FIRA-CMA expands testing capacity

Following unprecedented demand, FIRA's Hong Kong testing facility - FIRA-CMA Testing Services, has expanded its capacity for furniture testing.
more

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.
more

Property & Construction Sector to be hit with £50m increase in finance cost

The property and construction sector will be hit with an increase of £50m in finance costs, equivalent to 1.5% of total profits, due to the revised IAS19 which will take effect for accounting periods beginning on or after 1st January 2013, according to a survey of property and construction companies in the FTSE350, conducted by Barnett Waddingham, the independent firm of actuaries and consultants.

The new standard, published by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) last week, is intended to simplify and improve the quality of disclosures made about employee benefits plans but will also have a real impact on the disclosed profits of companies with defined benefit plans.
more

Ellis Furniture supports Cancer Research UK

As part of its ongoing commitment to support the charity Cancer Research UK, British manufacturer Ellis Furniture is donating £30,000 during the next three years to continue its funding of work carried out by Cancer Research UK Leeds Centre, taking the total amount pledged over the years by generations of the Ellis family to more than £100,000.

The new commitment is being used to fund PhD student Anastasia Filia's research of melanoma, bowel and testicular cancers in order to identify new ways to diagnose and treat the disease. Her specific research objective is to analyse melanoma tumours and develop a new technique to extract DNA for genetic testing.
more

British cooker brand to make member of public its Social Media Custodian

Home appliance brand New World is launching a campaign to find a member of the public to become its corporate marketing face. But in what is believed to be a UK first, the winner will not just be the 'face' of the brand, they will be also be given control of the company's Twitter and Facebook channels.

The New World Appliances campaign is being run to coincide with a fresh new look for the brand which will be unveiled later this year, presenting a more bold, stylish, young and fashionable image.
more

KitchenAid launches new built-in coffee machine

With around 730 Starbucks and 930 Costa coffee shops enticing us through their doors, Britain's cafe culture is growing all the time. So it is no great surprise that a new generation of coffee connoisseurs are now eager to transfer the magical atmosphere of their local coffee shops to their own homes.

However, replicating those distinctive tastes and aromas requires investing in a very special coffee machine, and KitchenAid has introduced a new model the KSCX 3625. This built-in, sophisticated machine is a real taste of luxury and a mini coffee shop in its own right, offering top quality coffee at any time of the day. It features five different options (espresso, small, medium, large and mug) and three different settings each for water temperature, quantity and coffee volume.
more

Appliance recycling firm fined after worker injured

A worker was injured by a falling stack of cookers and washing machines at one of the UK's largest electrical equipment recycle firms, which has been fined as a result.

Environcom England recycles waste electrical equipment for some of the biggest electrical retailers in the country, but Grantham Magistrates' Court heard how a Polish agency worker suffered bruising to his back and chest after an unsafe stack of appliances fell on him.
more

Methven gives Deva brand a makeover and launches 50 new products

Methven UK has given the popular Deva brand a makeover to coincide with the launch of 50 new Deva products and the publication of a new trade catalogue and a new retail brochure. Featuring a modern, fluid logo and fresh, vibrant corporate colours, the new-look branding is already a hit with Deva customers.

For 2011 there are more new products than previous years and many designs are unique to Deva, with the emphasis on high quality, 'own stable' showers and taps.
more

Sale of Trade Warehouses facilitates expansion into retail sector

Following successful negotiations with on-line retailer TileClick, British Ceramic Tile has agreed to sell its four Trade Warehouses in Bristol, Swindon, Gloucester and Cardiff.

The four outlets, currently trading under the British Ceramic Tile Trade Warehouse heading, will continue to operate as usual to provide service and value to the trade market. However, the sale will also enable the company to expand into the retail sector.
more

Improve - don't move!

With the UK set to spend £50 billion on home improvements over the next 12 months, MHS Radiators is helping homeowners improve and renew their bathrooms with its cost-effective and extensive range of towel rails and bathroom radiators.

The Towel Rail range from MHS features over 20 models of designer towel rails and bathroom radiators and has been created to complement the company's popular and extensive collection of designer, multi-column and period cast iron radiators. The range enables homeowners to make a statement in their bathrooms at a price that won't break the bank.
more

Imperial unveils new design guide for the discerning

British manufacturer, Imperial Bathrooms, has unveiled a new Design Guide that provides an inspirational insight into its comprehensive range of luxurious bathroom products for the discerning.

Complete with a sumptuous black linen cover edged with silver, the 266-page Summer 2011 Guide features many of the company's popular products, together with the introduction of new and exciting additions. These include new ceramic ranges - incorporating the stunning Simply Black collection - hand-crafted solid wood furniture and an extensive range of classical basin stands. A Notes section is also incorporated to assist Imperial customers when planning their bathrooms.
more

Franke goes large!

The spacious new Kubus KBX 160 55-20 sink from Franke is designed for any task the kitchen demands - due to the huge 550mm x 400mm main bowl and 200 x 400mm half bowl. A welcome addition to the already extensive Kubus KBX undermount range, the sink is seamlessly presented and big on style and capacity.

There's plenty of room to do the dishes and prepare vegetables, thus eliminating squashing or squeezing around a tiny bowl, or the struggle to strain vegetables whilst dishes are soaking in the bowl. As well as offering great capacity, the contemporary undermounted installation of the new Kubus KBX 160 55-20 sink allows kitchen designers to create a sleek linear worktop with no surface distraction.
more

Gorenje offers Retro prize for Summer fair

Slovenian manufacturer Gorenje, donated one of its popular Retro fridge freezers as a prize at the Piccadilly Garden Summer Fair in Lancashire.

The Burgundy Retro, donated on behalf of Gorenje by Morecambe retailer Homesmakers 1st Stop, was the first prize in a raffle at the fair, which was held in Piccadilly, Lancaster. The money raised was for Piccadilly Support Services, a community based organisation that offers support for people with learning difficulties and helps them to develop life skills through activities mainly based around horticulture.
more

Free gifts for tilers who Go Greener

BAL is rewarding environmentally aware tilers with free gifts. Any tiler buying any 12 products from BAL's 'Go Greener' range of Environmentally Responsible Adhesives will protect at least 50sq.m of rainforest and earn an exclusive T-shirt or limited edition van sticker. BAL's donation to Cool Earth protects 1sq.m of rainforest for every 1sq.m tiled with any Go Greener tile adhesive.
more

Appliance recycling firm fined after worker injured

A worker was injured by a falling stack of cookers and washing machines at one of the UK's largest electrical equipment recycle firms.
more