Highlights
Aqata acquired by AQ Group
British shower manufacturer Aqata has been acquired by the AQ Group backed by private investment company Intrinsic Equity.
[01-10-20]
Brits still love to hate tradespeople, says Checkatrade
Almost two-thirds of British people are hanging on to negative stereotypes about tradespeople, according to Checkatrade.
[01-10-20]
Homebase trials new high-street kitchen and bathroom showroom format
Homebase has launched a new type of high-street showroom dedicated to kitchens and bathrooms. The showroom is dual-branded Bathstore and Kitchens by Homebase.
[30-09-20]
BMA hits back at BBC 'leaky loos' probe
The Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA) has restated its commitment to reduce water wastage, including from leaking toilets.
[30-09-20]
Blanco sponsors third student on Bucks New Uni kitchen degree course
Blanco has announced it is to continue its sponsorship of the three year FDA Kitchen Design course at Buckinghamshire New University.
[29-09-20]
Pronorm announces 26 new colours at Hausmesse
Pronorm has announced several new products at the annual Hausmesse event in Germany.
[29-09-20]
CIH names Guy Kinnell as deputy CEO
CIH has appointed Guy Kinnell as deputy chief executive. He will move into the CEO role over the coming year to replace Stuart Cook.
[29-09-20]
Ripples diversifies with new range of body and home products
Bathroom retailer Ripples has launched Kind – a range of body and home products that are vegan, natural and ethically made in the UK.
[28-09-20]
Victorian Plumbing launches huge recruitment drive after ‘record-breaking’ sales
Victorian Plumbing is expanding its business with a recruitment drive to increase employee headcount by 20% in the next three months and invest in an additional 50,000sq ft of warehouse space.
[28-09-20]
Strong Q2 sees Kingfisher half-year profits up by 62%
The Kingfisher group, which owns B&Q and Screwfix, has delivered “resilient” results for the six months to July 31, with overall pre-tax profits up 62.4%.
[28-09-20]
Matthew Cooke
Expertise: KBB Design/Sales Area: South West I have worked in the KBB industry for six years as a kitchen, bathroom and fitted bedroom sales designer…
[24-09-20]
Wayne Lote
Expertise: Sales Area: Midlands I am a highly experienced Field Sales Executive in account management and new business development. I have an enthusiasm for work…
[24-09-20]
Gary Baxter
Expertise: Quality manager Area: Yorkshire I am a highly experienced and pragmatic quality professional with an excellent knowledge, understanding and application of the principles, practices…
[23-09-20]
Rich Hines
Expertise: Sales Area: National Redundant after 16 years, in my previous role I built a solid business over our brands, both bathrooms and radiators, nationally.…
[08-09-20]
Samuel Smith
Expertise: Customer project management Area: Swindon For the past three years I have been working for a kitchen company based in the Cotswolds managing clients’…
[30-08-20]
Mark Hull
Expertise: Retail sales Area: Hampshire I am an award-winning, dedicated and committed sales and customer service professional with extensive knowledge and experience in the bathroom…
[28-08-20]
Hired Save Our Skills candidates praise the campaign
Job seekers who have taken part in kbbreview’s Save Our Skills campaign have been describing how the initiative has directly found them a new role…
[26-08-20]
Lee Andrews
Expertise: Sales Area: Midlands I’ve been in the woodworking industry for 37 years now, 26 of them on the sales side. I spent the last…
[23-08-20]
Steven Ball
Experience: Solid surface fabrication and specification Area: East Midlands I have over 20 years of experience specialising in solid surface fabrication, specification and technical support…
[22-08-20]
Jim Watson
Expertise: Contract sales Area: North/Scotland/North East/National I am a very experienced senior sales manager with over 40 years working and managing teams in the kitchen…
[22-08-20]
BMA hits back at BBC 'leaky loos' probe
The Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA) has restated its commitment to reduce water wastage, including from leaking toilets.
[30-09-20]
Half of Brits would buy pre-owned goods for projects, says Used Kitchen Exchange poll
More than half of UK homeowners (52%) would prefer to buy pre-owned goods when upgrading their homes, according to a survey by Used Kitchen Exchange.
[27-08-20]
Include water-saving products in Green Homes Grant, say BMA and BiKBBI
BMA and BiKBBI urge Government to include support for installation of more efficient water fittings in Green Homes Grant.
[20-08-20]
Industry urged to embrace 'virtual' Kitchen Passport scheme
The Used Kitchen Company (TUKC) – which resells kitchens from both showrooms and consumers – has taken its Kitchen Passport initiative to the next level with the launch of a dedicated website.
[16-07-20]
Grohe nominated for sustainability award
Bathroom and kitchen fittings brand Grohe has been nominated for the German Sustainability Award 2021 for its continued commitment to sustainability.
[14-07-20]
Over 400 colours to choose from. That are always green.
Fill your life with naturalness – with high-quality baths, basins and shower trays made from 100% recyclable materials.
[26-04-20]
Used Kitchen Exchange launches carbon neutral calculator
The Used Kitchen Exchange has launched a new online resource for kitchen showrooms with its ‘kitchen sustainability calculator’.
[27-02-20]
Searle and Taylor scoops TUKC ‘greatest green showroom’ award
Winchester-based retailer Searle and Taylor has won The Used Kitchen Company’s (TUKC) ‘Greatest Green Showroom’ Award, 2019.
[07-02-20]
Bauformat a sustainability partner for kbbreview Retail & Design Awards
Bauformat has signed up to be one of the sustainability partners of the 2020 kbbreview Retail & Design Awards at the Birmingham Metropole hotel on March 2.
[30-01-20]
Sustainability central to Taylist Media’s plans for 2020
Taylist Media, the publisher of kbbreview, Kitchens Bedrooms & Bathrooms and Studio magazines, has put sustainability at the forefront of its business plan for 2020.
[11-12-19]
We’re virtually open
Trevor Scott, the Rugby Fitted Kitchens boss, on how clever use of social media and online content saw them keep in touch with their customers through the lockdown and why he’s in no hurry to go back to full opening anytime soon.
[01-10-20]
‘Unprecedented demand for kitchens’
With a rise in environmentally conscious, tech-savvy customers, Looeeze Grossman, director of The Used Kitchen Company, explains why retailers must adapt to these new schools of thought
[22-09-20]
Be the best you can be
KBBG MD Bill Miller considers the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on KBB retail businesses and what it means for them now and in the future
[17-09-20]
‘The most bizarre year ever’
Roman’s MD David Osborne assesses the impact of Covid-19 and how it, and factors such as Brexit, will shape the bathroom industry going forward
[07-09-20]
‘Time to stand out from the crowd’
Masterclass commercial sales director Steve Tough on the Covid-19 pandemic and why retailers must do more to help customers appreciate what they can offer
[04-09-20]
From doom and gloom to BOOM
InHouse MD Wayne Dance believes people are ready to start spending on their homes again and says retailers must grasp this opportunity with both hands
[02-09-20]
Can't find installers? Do something about it...
Damian Walters, chief executive, British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI) on the lack of fitters holding back industry recovery… Installation will be…
[28-08-20]
Finally, my dream has come true
After three years juggling home, work and student life Natalie Peters, the now managing director of family business Kitchens Etc in Norfolk, has qualified from the Bucks New University kitchen degree course. As she reveals her results, she reflects on what the degree means to her and offers thanks to those that helped her achieve her goal
[18-08-20]
Education, education, education
Craig Matson, TKET chairman and managing director of independent kitchen retailer Roundhouse, urges the industry to get behind ongoing efforts to educate and professionalise the KBB sector
[30-07-20]
What is the Close To Home initiative?
We’re launching a new consumer campaign to boost the awareness of independent kbb retailers to consumers setting out on their journey to the dream kitchen,…
[27-07-20]
'We want Acquabella to be THE reference brand for shower trays in the UK'
Juan José Benavent, CEO of Spanish shower tray specialist Acquabella, reflects on how he steered the brand through one of the most challenging events the world has ever experienced
[03-09-20]
Taylist Media: The Lockdown Diaries
All the way through the lockdown Taylist Media played its part in inspiring, supporting and informing the kbb industry – so while the circumstances were unprecedented it means we just carried on doing what we’ve always done for over 35 years….
[04-08-20]
Interview: Ron Shemesh, Lux Group
Ron Shemesh, the owner of Lux Group, talks exclusively to kbbreview about his failed bid to buy Poggenpohl. The deal collapsed at the last second…
[29-07-20]
INTERVIEW: Iris Jeglitza-Moshage, Messe Frankfurt
Following Grohe’s decision to pull out of ISH 2021 over health and safety fears, Iris Jeglitza-Moshage, chief of communications, at Messe Frankfurt, insists that all…
[17-07-20]
The kbbreview Unlockdown Diaries: The marketeer
As retail officially reopened on June 15, kbbreview asked key industry figures to keep a diary of the week as a snapshot of the post-lockdown…
[10-07-20]
The kbbreview Unlockdown Diaries: The jobseeker
As retail officially reopened on June 15, kbbreview asked key industry figures to keep a diary of the week as a snapshot of the post-lockdown…
[02-07-20]
Independent’s day?
Richard Hassell, director of More than Baths in Doncaster, has long been a frequent vocal critic of many bathroom suppliers over their dealings with online…
[29-06-20]
The kbbreview Unlockdown Diaries: The Wigmore Street retailer
As retail officially reopened on June 15, kbbreview asked key industry figures to keep a diary of the week as a snapshot of the post-lockdown…
[25-06-20]
The kbbreview Unlockdown Diaries: The fitter
As retail officially reopened on June 15, kbbreview asked key industry figures to keep a diary of the week as a snapshot of the post-lockdown…
[24-06-20]
INSIGHT: Would you go by-appointment-only permanently?
Since Wren reopened back in May, many retailers unlocked their business by operating a strictly by-appointment-only system. But now they can officially reopen their doors…
[24-06-20]
SURFACE TRENDS: Egger
Egger has added 10 new wood-grain decors to its Feelwood range, intended to offer an alternative to real wood.
[01-10-20]
BATHROOM TRENDS: Crosswater
Crosswater has added three console units to its Arena collection. The new 500mm, 600mm, 800mm and 1,000mm units take inspiration from Scandinavian designs.
[29-09-20]
KITCHEN TRENDS: Caple
Caple has launched two new gunmetal steel sinks in single- and double-bowl configurations.
[28-09-20]
SURFACE TRENDS: Neolith
Sintered stone specialist, Neolith, has expanded its portfolio with the launch of its latest collection – Six-S.
[24-09-20]
APPLIANCE TRENDS: Bertazzoni
The Modern Series of built-in ovens by Bertazzoni has three new colourways – copper, zinc and carbonio.
[23-09-20]
BATHROOM TRENDS: JT
Inspired by Yorkshire’s iconic landscapes – and responding to the current trend for bringing the outside in – JT has launched the new Naturals range of shower trays.
[22-09-20]
KITCHEN TRENDS: Daval
Daval’s new Grassington kitchen is traditional in both manufacturing and design.
[16-09-20]
APPLIANCE TRENDS: Stoves
Stoves has launched its Centenary Colour Boutique Collection across the Richmond Deluxe line-up of range cookers.
[01-09-20]
BATHROOM TRENDS: BC Designs
BC Designs has strengthened its freestanding bath range with the new Chalice Minor bath.
[01-09-20]
Customer Success Manager (Fluent English/French)
2020 is the world’s leading provider of applications and enterprise solutions dedicated to interior design, space planning and furniture manufacturing. As we continue our recruitment…
[29-09-20]
Kitchen Showroom Manager – Warrington
Direct Online Services was founded in 2009 and has enjoyed consistent profitable growth since inception, as an eCommerce led omnichannel retailer of kitchen products principally…
[22-09-20]
Business Development Manager required
East London, Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
[16-09-20]
Caesarstone | Iain Everitt
Caesarstone has expanded it team with five new appointments across the whole business. One of the most recent appointment was Iain Everitt, who joined the management team as operations director.
[01-10-20]
Egger | Seven new apprentices
Egger has added seven recruits to its new apprenticeship programme. The new starters started their time at Egger by planting a tree in the Barony factory’s ‘apprentice forest’.
[30-09-20]
Imperial Bathrooms | Hannah Hart and Alex Freeman
Imperial Bathrooms has welcomed two new junior designers to its team – Hannah Hart and Alex Freeman. Both are recent graduates from Derby University and studied a BA in product design and graduated with a first-class honours.
[11-09-20]
Caesarstone UK | Charlotte Stafford
Caesarstone has a new manager for its Manchester studio. Charlotte Stafford will manage studio operations at the site, which include customer visits and events.
[10-09-20]
Drew Forsyth | Cimara King
Cimara King joins Drew Forsyth as a trainee sales designer as it expands its team of designers.
[09-09-20]
Used Kitchen Exchange | Mark Winrow
Used Kitchen Exchange has promoted one of its founding team members, Mark Winrow, to sales team manager.
[08-09-20]
HiB appoints new ASM for Ireland
Bathroom supplier HiB has appointed Matthew Kinloch as its new area sales manager for Ireland.
[06-08-20]