Highlights
‘I don’t think anybody will be unaffected by the coronavirus,’ says Caple MD
The shadow of the coronavirus was very much in evidence at kbb Birmingham. But how was it affecting the supply chain for brands at this year’s show?
[12-03-20]
BiKBBI launches new online training portal at kbb Birmingham
The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom Installation launched its new and improved online training portal, BiKBBI Campus, at kbb Birmingham.
[10-03-20]
kbb Birmingham 2020: The smart home needs to ‘simplify’, experts say
The smart home is becoming a ubiquitous part of any residential environment but some work still needs to be done on finding the killer applications and simplifying the user experience.
[04-03-20]
kbb Birmingham 2020: 'We have doubled our stand size', says 1810
Exhibitor interview: Gareth Williams, managing director, The 1810 Company
[04-03-20]
kbb Birmingham 2020: ‘Our relationship with our retailers is critical’, says Perrin and Rowe
Exhibitor interview: Nigel Palmer, marketing director, Perrin and Rowe
[04-03-20]
kbb Birmingham 2020: Vlaze showcases new modular furniture for indoor or outdoor living
Vlaze’s stand at kbb Birmingham 2020 was showcasing a new range of modular and freestanding kitchen units that offer a more versatile lifestyle.
[04-03-20]
kbb Birmingham 2020: ‘An exciting and enthusing environment’, says TLW
Exhibitor interview: Daniel Hughes, business development manager, TLW
[04-03-20]
kbb Birmingham 2020: 'So many great opportunities', says Air Uno
Exhibitor interview: Geoff Baker, chairman, Air Uno
[04-03-20]
kbb Birmingham 2020: Retailers missing a trick by not selling bedrooms, says IDS boss
With the bedroom furniture market worth £880m, Andy Russell, MD and owner of IDS, told kbbreview at kbb 2020 that retailers should be cashing in on the bedroom market.
[04-03-20]
kbb Birmingham 2020: New Abode MD sets out vision for the brand
Matthew Pitt, the newly appointed managing director of sink and tap specialist Abode, has revealed details of his five-year plan for the business. Speaking to…
[04-03-20]
Calls for industry to help build ‘war chest’ for independents
KBSA national chair Richard Hibbert has called for manufacturers and suppliers to pledge their support to a ‘war chest’ to help fund an advertising campaign to help promote independent retailers.
[02-04-20]
Exclusive: Smallbone launches immersive virtual design service
Lux Group Holdings, owner of Smallbone of Devizes, has launched a virtual design service that customers can use from their own homes.
[02-04-20]
Grohe steps up health and safety measures at its European factories
Grohe has changed its production schedule across its European factories in line with recommended health and safety procedures.
[02-04-20]
Haier appoints new CCO for UK and Ireland
Haier has appointed Jim McEwan (pictured) as chief commercial officer for the UK and Ireland.
[02-04-20]
Häcker pledges to continue production to maintain supply
German kitchen furniture maker Häcker has announced that it is keeping production lines open despite the coronavirus pandemic.
[01-04-20]
Baumann group factories to remain open
The Baumann Group in Germany, parent company of kitchen brand Bauformat, has said it is still manufacturing and its factories remain open.
[01-04-20]
JJO puts 350 staff on furlough amid coronavirus lockdown
Lancashire-based kitchen, bedroom and bathroom manufacturer J&J Ormerod has furloughed all 350 members of staff and suspended manufacturing because of the ongoing coronavirus situation.
[31-03-20]
Robert Lee keeps lines open for essential services
Robert Lee, one of the UK’s biggest bathroom and plumbing distributors, has opened an ‘essential services’ order system despite temporarily closing its main delivery network.
[31-03-20]
Hettich opens online digital trade exhibition
Hettich has launched a digital trade fair where customers can learn more about products and access online tools.
[31-03-20]
BMA postpones conference until 2021
The Bathroom Manufacturers Association has postponed its Industry Conference until 2021, in light of the ongoing coronavirus situation.
[30-03-20]
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]
Focus on greener distribution set to continue
While climate change remains a hot topic, new research from AMA Research highlighted that greener distribution in the KBB sector will be driven largely by environmental concerns as well as the cost of fuel.
[06-12-19]
Smallbone parent invests to reduce its carbon footprint
Smallbone of Devizes and Mark Wilkinson Furniture parent Lux Group Holdings has begun a major carbon footprint reduction programme.
[29-11-19]
Grohe aims to be carbon-neutral by 2020
Grohe has stepped up its sustainability plans and will offset unavoidable CO2 emissions with compensation projects to achieve carbon-neutral status.
[21-11-19]
Rotpunkt pledges carbon-neutral production from 2020
German kitchen manufacturer Rotpunkt has begun a global campaign to make its kitchen manufacturing 100% carbon-neutral from January 1, 2020.
[01-11-19]
Quooker switches over to electric vehicles
Hot tap specialist Quooker is underlining its commitment to the environment with a new initiative to replace all of its current petrol vehicles with electrics models.
[30-10-19]
Kohler Mira aims to be carbon-neutral by 2035
Bathroom manufacturer Kohler Mira is aiming for its global business to be carbon-neutral by 2035.
[15-10-19]
Toby Griffin: Make the most of your quiet time
Toby Griffin, sales director of Domus Interiors in Morpeth, suggests that as things start to go quiet because of the coronavirus pandemic, it’s an ideal time to sort out those niggling jobs you’ve so far been putting off
[26-03-20]
Coronavirus: The undiscovered country
kbbreview managing editor Andrew Davies on what happens now for KBB retailers...
[19-03-20]
The rules of engagement
The CEO of PWS Mark Stephenson shares his thoughts on the biggest challenges facing KBB businesses in 2020, including the need to engage with consumers across multiple platforms and ways to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint.
[16-01-20]
The gender divide in the KBB industry
Sharan Johal, creative director of Vogue Kitchens in London, picks up on the debate about how the industry is still male-oriented despite the fact that women tend to make the buying decisions as KBB consumers
[09-01-20]
Working with influencers: Lily Pebbles and Ripples
The Ripples MD Paul Crow shares his observations on how working with influencer Lily Pebbles significantly boosted website traffic, gained free coverage in an interiors magazine and created numerous other marketing opportunities
[28-11-19]
What can Alexa do for you?
KBSA corporate chair Malcolm Scott looks at just how clever smart products really are and how retailers might sell the benefits
[21-11-19]
Boris blunders with shower tray trade slip
JT’s sales and marketing director John Schofield sets the record straight on Radio 4 after PM Boris Johnson’s suggestion that shower trays could benefit from a post-Brexit trade deal with Donald Trump
[02-10-19]
What bathrooms your customers really, really want
Sofia Charalambous of Bathroom Origins thinks retailers could be missing a trick by ignoring the kind of products people really like and aspire to
[11-09-19]
‘InSinkErator is fantastic to work with…’
There are loads of benefits of using InSinkErator food waste disposers, but what’s it like displaying, demonstrating and, most importantly, selling them as part of a kitchen project? We caught up with Anna Hill at Portishead Kitchens in Bristol…
[05-09-19]
Retailer profile: Passmore Group
Passmore Group has added kitchens to its already extensive portfolio of products as part of its target for 60% growth by early this year. Chris Frankland goes to see the new displays at its Leeds HQ and talks to managing director Tony Passmore and his team about how he aims to achieve that goal.
[12-03-20]
Retailer profile: The Wood Works
Bespoke kitchen retailer The Wood Works is celebrating 30 years in business and early last year opened its first high-street showroom in London’s Mill Hill. Chris Frankland talks to founders Richard and Donna Delane
[28-01-20]
RETAILER PROFILE: KCA
KCA is one of the few retailers that majors on contracts. Vicki Evans met commercial director Jamie Harding to learn why this is such a lucrative sector.
[30-10-19]
INTERVIEW: Christoph Fughe, Störmer
Christoph Fughe, MD of Störmer, talks to kbbreview about the company’s recent partnership to make kitchen furniture for Villeroy and Boch
[16-10-19]
RETAILER PROFILE: Soaks Bathrooms, Belfast
Soaks Bathrooms in Belfast was crowned this year’s Bathroom Retailer of the Year in the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards and was a finalist for Bathroom Showroom of the Year. Chris Frankland talks to MD Wayne Lyons to find out what it meant to them
[07-10-19]
RETAILER PROFILE: Sanctuary Bathrooms
Sanctuary Bathrooms in Leeds has married a thriving online e-commerce business with a large, well-presented showroom. Chris Frankland talks to director James Roberts
[24-09-19]
MANUFACTURER PROFILE: The 1810 Company
Sink and tap manufacturer The 1810 Company is celebrating its 10th anniversary with the launch of a flagship showroom in London’s Business Design Centre. Rebecca Nottingham went to meet founder and managing director Gareth Williams to find out more
[17-09-19]
RETAILER PROFILE: Kitchens International
Scottish independent kitchen specialist Kitchens International turned 25 this year and added two more kbbreview Retail & Design awards to its trophy cabinet. Francesca Seden talks to brand director Paul O’Brien about the secrets of their success
[04-09-19]
Manufacturer profile: Grohe UK
Michael Rauterkus recently stepped down as CEO of Grohe but just before he did, Vicki Evans spoke with him at its UK HQ to get an overview of what the company has achieved during his time at the helm
[22-08-19]
RETAILER PROFILE: Ivan Simpson Bathrooms and Kitchens
How easy is it for a well-established bathroom retailer to diversify into kitchens? Kbbreview visits Ivan Simpson’s in County Durham to hear why the idea is paying off
[08-08-19]
APPLIANCE TRENDS: Bora
Bora brought forward the official launch of its new X Pure cooktop extractor line from Eurocucina to the kbb show.
[31-03-20]
KITCHEN TRENDS: Insinkerator
The new NeoChiller from Insinkerator can dispense up to seven litres of chilled water – between 3°C and 10°C – per hour.
[30-03-20]
BATHROOM TRENDS: RAK
Colour was a big story at this year’s kbb Birmingham show and one that was prevalent on the RAK Ceramics stand with the launch of its RAK-Feeling collection.
[24-03-20]
KITCHEN TRENDS: Nolte
Nolte’s kbb 2020 stand was broken down by three main themes: kitchens, bathrooms and utility rooms.
[23-03-20]
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.
[02-03-20]
Uform Launches New Doors Styles & Complementary Furniture
Uform continues to lead the way in trendsetting products with its latest range of new kitchen door styles as well as a complementary freestanding furniture offering. Three door ranges join the already extensive Uform collection, as well as new painted and stained options.
[02-03-20]
SURFACE TRENDS: Ceramique Internationale
The Lume collection of glazed tiles by premium Italian brand Marazzi is now available in the UK through Ceramique Internationale.
[20-02-20]
APPLIANCE TRENDS: Siemens
Siemens has launched its first-ever connected American-style fridge-freezer.
[19-02-20]
KITCHEN TRENDS: Sensio
Alpha is the newest, super-slimline under-cabinet spot light from KBB lighting specialist Sensio.
[17-02-20]
Sales agent - London, South East and South Coast
Leading KBB Trade specialist Euromobel is recruiting for an agent to cover the London, South East and South Coast regions.
[22-03-20]
Senior leads generator required
A major supplier of kitchen and bedroom carcasses throughout the UK is looking for a senior leads generator.
[06-03-20]
Area sales manager opportunity – West Midlands, Northants
Due to growth Kitchen Trade Suppliers is looking for a motivated, professional and friendly individual to join its team.
[05-03-20]
Fitted bedroom sales designer
Spacemaker Bedrooms is looking for a dynamic, talented, fitted furniture sales designer to cover our north/ north-west London customer base.
[17-01-20]
Simon Acres Group | Hayley Fagan and Trevor Scott
Simon Acres Group has expanded its team to include two new business consultants.
[17-03-20]
ECF | Luke Siverns, Christopher Mortimer and Chris Seymour
ECF has welcomed three new members to its sales team as territory sales managers.
[17-03-20]
Whirlpool | Lee Collett
Whirlpool has appointed Lee Collett as its kitchen channel director.
[16-03-20]
Franke | Jo Rawstron and Chris Gallagher
To strengthen the leadership and structure of its UK sales team, Franke UK has made two internal promotions. Jo Rawstron has been named as its…
[16-03-20]
PJH | Paula Wilson, Darren Turner, Charlotte Hall
As part if its continuous growth strategy, PJH has appointed three new sales development managers.
[13-03-20]
Hansgrohe | Katie Weston
Hansgrohe UK has welcomed Katie Weston as its new project sales manager.
[13-03-20]
Faucets | Garry Smith and Ian Hanmer
Faucets, a distributor for the bathroom sector, has welcomed Garry Smith as senior business development manager and Ian Hanmer as senior account manager, hotels.
[12-03-20]
TKC | Graham Meehan
Graham Meehan has been appointed as TKC’s new regional sales manager for the North-East.
[12-03-20]
Virtual Worlds | Charles Appleton
Virtual Worlds has hired a new regional sales manager to cover north London and the Home Counties.
[11-03-20]
Novy | Alison Mackie
Alison Mackie has been appointed as channel manager, kitchen retail trade (KRT), at Novy UK.
[11-03-20]