All News archive from January 2012
| Appliance market boosted by cooking sector
The major domestic appliance market was boosted by the premium cooking appliance sector which enjoyed a 'stable year', according to the latest figures by GfK. | |
| "Caution" over consumer confidence rise
A four-point rise in the GfK NOP Consumer Confidence Index in January surprised researchers who warned that it should be treated with caution. | |
| 30 degree wash questioned
Is 30 degrees hot enough for a laundry wash? Microban thinks not. The company says that mould and odour issues resulting from the widespread adoption of 30 and 40 degree laundry washing could be causing problems with removing bacteria from clothes. | |
| High Street sales fall in peak sales period
Retail sales fell in the first half of January, after modest growth in December, and sales were considered poor for the time of the year, the CBI said today. | |
| Ultima takes over Matchmaker after Take Two collapse
Ultima Furniture Systems has bought the Matchmaker kitchen brand following the collapse of previous owner Take Two Kitchens. | |
| Alternative Plans in administration
Alternative Plans, the London-based premium kitchen retailer, has been put into administration by owner Leo Caplan. | |
| Prince reveals reasons he left Jacuzzi
Mark Prince, new managing director of Silverdale Bathrooms, has explained his decision to leave Jacuzzi to set up the new operation. | |
| Aga cautious in still 'challenging' market
Aga Rangemaster saw revenues fall during 2010, with drops in sales of its classic cast iron cookers as well as the Rangemaster brand. | |
| Huppe teams up with Sanifix
Shower manufacturer Huppe has announced a new partnership with Sanifix, the national technical support provider for the UK bathroom industry. | |
| C.P. Hart expands contract team
Premium bathroom retailer C.P. Hart has expanded its hotel contracts division with the appointment of Paul Skinner as contracts support for hotels. | |
| LG aiming for home appliance leadership
The global appliance giant LG has announced it is striving for leadership in the home appliance sector. | |
| KITCHEN TRENDS: Smeg
Smeg has upgraded its FAB range of 50s retro-style washing machines with the introduction of a larger 7kg drum. The new models benefit from a range of notable features, including 15 wash programs, including a rapid 150-minute option, variable spin speeds of up to 1,400rpm and come with an AB rating for energy consumption and spin efficiency. | |
| ANALYSIS: Made in Italy
With its domestic market in turmoil, Italian bathroom manufacturers are looking further afield for new business. Tim Wallace spoke to a range of those who attended the recent 'Made in Italy' workshop at the Sleep Event in London, which brought them in contact with UK architects and specifiers... | |
| Plan a leaner you for the new year
Marketing specialist Lesley Holdsworth explains how to streamline your business... | |
| Shortlist for kbbreview Awards 2012 complete
The line-up of finalists for the kbbreview Awards 2012 has been completed with the announcement of the Customer Service of the Year and Product Innovation of the Year category shortlists. | |
| Sticking up for the NTG
The KBB NTG (NAtional Training Group) has been under fire recently by some online forums so Graham Ball, the organsiation's acting chairman, wants to set the record straight.... | |
| Ram Kitchens returns
Distribution giant PJH has re-introduced the famous Ram Kitchens brand to the UK market. | |
| Duravit's Kook calls it a day
Franz Kook, the chairman of bathroom giant Duravit's global operation, has retired after 41 years with the company. | |
| BATHROOM TRENDS: HSK
HSK has released details of a host of new products, including the Lavida designer radiator. This contemporary, straight-line design features flat-fronted, horizontal bars for even heat distribution. Lavida is supplied in a choice of white and anthracite (pictured) finishes and in two size options - the 550mm x 1,120mm model, which has a 558W output, and the 550mm x 1,520mm version with an 800W output. | |
| DESIGN TRENDS: Range cookers
Richard Fozard, marketing director of the AGA Rangemaster Group looks at the range cooker market... | |
| MFI's wheels
As the failed furniture brand returns as an online operation under a new owner, retail expert Glynn Davis assesses its chances of survival... | |
| PROFILE: Stephen Graver
Kitchen retailer Stephen Graver tells Rebecca Nottingham how winning the designer award in the kitchens over £25,000 category at last year's kbbreview industry awards has helped boost his handcrafted kitchen business... | |
| Haier ranked number one for third time
Haier has been ranked as the number one major appliance brand in the world by international consumer research company Euromonitor. | |
| KITCHEN TRENDS: Whirlpool
To enhance the experience of cooking with its Origami collection of hobs and to support the consumer every step of the way, Whirlpool has launched a range of accessories. This range of accessories includes a grill plate, cooking stone, panini toaster and chopping board. The non-stick, cast-iron ribbed grill plate (pictured) fits easily on to the Origami hob and is supplied with its own support. | |
| DESIGN TRENDS: Kitchen taps
Steve Cole, managing director of Perrin & Rowe on the latest designs in taps... | |
| Howdens continues to defy market
Howden Joinery, the direct-to-trade company that sells more kitchens than any other single retailer, continues to grow despite the depressed market conditions. | |
| DESIGN TRENDS: Kitchen sinks
Paul Mulready, marketing manager at Astracast examines the upcoming trends in kitchen sinks... | |
| New chairman for Grass
Components manufacturer Grass of Austria has announced that the new chairman of its management board is Ronald Weber. He took over responsibility for sales and marketing from Frank Nessler, who left the company of his own volition on November 14. | |
| BATHROOM TRENDS: Haven
Haven, part of the Roman Group and known for its affordable shower enclosures, has extended its sliding door options with a 1,700mm model. This enclosure features a 6mm thick glass, smooth-action sliding door finished with a stylish silver frame. It can be installed alone, in an alcove situation or combined with a side panel for a corner installation. The enclosure is backed by a 10-year guarantee. | |
| INTERVIEW: The Showerlab
Pete Mills and Max Finaldi, the duo behind Aquaplus Solutions, are marking their 10th year in business with the launch of The Showerlab, its dedicated shower enclosure brand. Rebecca Nottingham went to meet them at their base in Essex to find out more about the reasons why... | |
| KITCHEN TRENDS: Pronorm
Pronorm has strengthened the appeal of its ClassicLine, Y Line handle-less, ProLine 128 and CompactLine ranges with the addition of two new door finishes. Arctic white is available in matt melamine and matt lacquer options. The introduction of the new medium walnut design, available in a horizontal ridged matt texture, follows the current popularity of natural finishes. | |
| Kbbreview Award finalists announced
The finalists for the kbbreview Awards 2012 have been revealed ahead of the gala event in March. | |
| Merlyn conjures up new recruit
Merlyn Showering is looking to its new marketing manager Edel Nicholson to "create results". Joining the company from the BHT Group (formerly Wolseley Ireland), Nicholson will be Merlyn Showering's new marketing manager for UK and Ireland. | |
| HOW'S BUSINESS: Stoke-on-Trent
How are retailers in Stoke-On-Trent faring? Kbbreview went to ask them... | |
| Sanitec up for sale?
Sanitec, the parent company of Twyford Bathrooms, may be up for sale again. | |
| DESIGN TRENDS: Sanitaryware
Andreas Dimitriadis, designer at Laufen runs through the latest design trends in the sanitaryware market... | |
| Kinsey makes a comeback
Hoover Candy is welcoming back to its fold Richard Kinsey, who has returned to the company after five years with Indesit. Kinsey takes up the role of sales director at Hoover Candy, where he originally kick-started his career in the kitchen sector in 1990 as an area sales representative for Candy. Commenting on his latest role, Kinsey said: "Having previously enjoyed working for Hoover Candy it felt right to rejoin the team as sales director. | |
| BATHROOM TRENDS: Ellis Furniture
Cube is the latest storage product by Ellis Furniture. Suitable for use in both large and small bathrooms, the Cube range features a broad, 600mm single-drawer unit. The unit can be configured in a number of ways, such as the double unit and basin design shown here, to maximise space and suit individual requirements. Cube can be made to order in a choice of seven styles and 17 finishes, including Ikon Gloss Azure (pictured). | |
| Make PR your New Year's resolution
Marketing specialist Lesley Holdsworth on how to promote yourself effectively... | |
| Recession forces Irish kitchen retailer to downsize
Award winning Irish kitchen retailer, Houseworks, has been forced to close its Belfast showroom as a direct result of the recession. | |
| PROFILE: Littlejohn
The Littlejohn showroom is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a new managing director. Rebecca Nottingham went to meet Simon Gosney and his sister and finance director Sarah Fascione... | |
| KITCHEN TRENDS: Belling
Belling has launched a new range cooker that incorporates a high-level grill. This 900mm range cooker with integrated splashback also has three ovens - a fanned electric oven, a tall 76-litre fanned electric oven and a slow-cook version. The Cookcentre is available as a dual-fuel option with a five-burner hob or an electric version incorporating five touch-control, ceramic elements. | |
| Alex joins the Lab
Luxury shower brand The Showerlab has welcomed Alex Cooper to its ranks as its regional sales manager. Cooper brings eight years' experience in the industry to his new role, with sales experience at several leading bathroom suppliers after gaining his HND in interior, architectural and spatial design. His last position was with Majestic Showers. | |
