CRL Stone launches dedicated Silica Free and Low Silica Collection brochure

CRL Stone has introduced a standalone brochure dedicated to its rapidly expanding collection of Silica Free and Low Silica surfaces.  

Reflecting the growing popularity of silica-free and low-silica surfaces and designed to bring CRL Stone’s superior solutions together to provide retailers with a handy reference guide, this new 12-page, full colour micro brochure is now available in print and online formats.

Perfect for helping consumers appreciate the benefits of CRL Stone’s Silica Free and Low Silica surfaces, this new sales tool provides clear and concise product information alongside beautiful, aspirational lifestyle photography. 

Meticulously manufactured using a combination of natural minerals and recycled glass, CRL Stone’s 5 elegant Silica Free surfaces contain zero Crystaline Silica while its 16 Low Silica surfaces contain less than 30%. They are available in jumbo slabs measuring 3200 x 1600mm, have a polished finish and come in thicknesses of 20mm and 30mm.  

Perfect for kitchens and bathrooms and available in a variety of marble- and stone-inspired designs, CRL Stone’s bestselling Silica Free and Low Silica surfaces will complement classic and contemporary interiors. 

Designed to exceed all the demands of modern living, all the 21 surfaces that star in this stunning new brochure deliver the practical and durable benefits that customers have come to expect from CRL Stone. Easy to keep clean and scratch, heat and stain resistant to ensure long-lasting performance, they come with a 25-year residential and 10-year commercial warranty.

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Ideal Bathrooms brings additional distributor voice to the Bathroom Association

Leading UK bathroom distributor strengthens the Association’s ambition to unite the industry around shared insight, greater influence and meaningful change

The Bathroom Association is pleased to welcome Ideal Bathrooms, one of the UK’s leading bathroom distributors, as its newest member.

The addition of Ideal Bathrooms represents an important step in the Association’s work to bring together businesses from across the bathroom supply chain. As a major link between manufacturers, brands, showrooms and trade customers, distributors bring valuable commercial experience and a broad view of the market to the Association’s growing community.

Behind every bathroom is an extensive network of businesses and professionals, but different parts of that network have too often operated in isolation. The Bathroom Association is seeking to address that fragmentation by creating one powerful community for the industry: a place where insights are shared, influence is amplified, and meaningful change happens.

Ideal Bathrooms’ membership will add an important perspective to discussions shaping the sector’s future. Its close relationships with leading manufacturers and trade partners give the business practical insight into product demand, customer expectations, stock availability and the challenges faced across the route to market.

Daphne Doody-Green, CEO of the Bathroom Association, said:

“Welcoming Ideal Bathrooms is an important moment for the Association and a strong endorsement of our ambition to represent the whole bathroom industry.

“Distributors occupy a crucial position within our sector. They connect manufacturers and brands with retailers, showrooms, installers and ultimately the customer, giving them a valuable perspective on how the market is performing and where change is needed.

“Our industry is dealing with complex challenges around regulation, sustainability, water efficiency, skills, consumer confidence and market growth. These cannot be addressed effectively by individual businesses or individual parts of the supply chain acting alone. We need everyone around the table, and I am delighted that Ideal Bathrooms will now be part of that community.”

Ideal Bathrooms has supported the UK bathroom market for more than 40 years. The company combines an extensive, in-stock product portfolio with national distribution, technical knowledge and specialist customer support.

Its portfolio includes more than 20,000 bathroom lines across categories such as showering, brassware, furniture, ceramics, heating, and accessories, sourced from many of the world’s leading bathroom brands. Its delivery network provides next-day delivery to 99% of Britain and Northern Ireland, supported by two distribution centres and the company’s Blue Van stock promise.

Alongside product supply, Ideal Bathrooms supports its trade partners with technical and installation information, live stock checking, online ordering and tracking, brochures, point-of-sale material and showroom displays. Its specialist teams also assist with premium specifications, complex installations, contract enquiries and large-scale projects.

Scott Cooper, Managing Director at Ideal Bathrooms, said:

“Joining the Bathroom Association is a natural step for Ideal Bathrooms. We have always believed that strong partnerships are fundamental to a successful bathroom industry, particularly in a market where businesses are having to respond to changing customer expectations, economic pressures and an increasingly complex regulatory environment.

“Our position within the supply chain gives us regular contact with manufacturers, brands, retailers and showrooms across the country. We want to bring that experience to the Association, share what we are seeing in the market and contribute constructively to the conversations that will shape the industry’s future.

“We also see real value in learning from other members. By sharing insight and working more closely across traditional boundaries, we can support our customers more effectively, raise standards and help create a stronger and more resilient sector. We are delighted to become part of the Bathroom Association and look forward to playing an active role in its community.”

Through its purpose of Insight. Influence. Impact., the Bathroom Association gives members access to market intelligence, technical expertise, policy representation and connections across the industry. It works with businesses throughout the bathroom supply chain to support market growth, raise standards and reduce the sector’s environmental impact.

The arrival of Ideal Bathrooms further strengthens the Association’s ability to represent the industry as a connected system, ensuring that the experiences of distributors and their trade customers inform the decisions, policies, and initiatives that affect its future.

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Neolith renews EcoVadis Gold Medal for the fifth consecutive year and remains in the global top 3%

Neolith, the global leader in sintered stone surfaces, has renewed its EcoVadis Gold Medal for the fifth consecutive year and maintained its position in the 97th percentile, once again ranking among the top 3% of companies assessed by the platform. This recognition, which the company has earned continuously since 2022, reflects the consistency of its commitment to sustainability.

This result further establishes Neolith among the highest-rated organisations assessed by EcoVadis, a platform that currently evaluates more than 175,000 companies across more than 180 countries and 230 industries. The assessment highlights the continued progress of a strategy that incorporates environmental, social and ethical criteria, as well as responsible supply chain management, across the company’s different areas of activity.

According to Walter Ceglia, CEO of Neolith, “Once again ranking in the 97th percentile and maintaining the EcoVadis Gold Medal for five consecutive years demonstrates the consistency with which we are advancing our sustainability strategy. This result reflects sustained efforts across different areas of the organisation and encourages us to continue translating our commitments into tangible, measurable improvements.”

EcoVadis, an international benchmark for corporate sustainability 

EcoVadis is one of the world’s leading platforms for assessing corporate sustainability. Its methodology evaluates companies across four key areas: Environment, Labour & Human Rights, Ethics and Sustainable Procurement, considering their policies, actions and results.

In this year’s assessment, Neolith achieved particularly strong improvement in the Environmental category, supported by the progress of several initiatives developed over recent years. These include the introduction of carbon footprint verification and the progressive implementation of measures designed to improve the energy efficiency of its manufacturing processes.

The company also continues to make progress in sustainable procurement, introducing new supply chain monitoring practices that strengthen its knowledge of suppliers and enable more direct evaluation.

In recent years, Neolith has implemented improvements in areas including the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the optimisation of energy and water consumption, the reintegration of materials into the production process, and the implementation of action plans associated with its Cradle to Cradle Certified® certification.

Five years of sustained recognition 

The EcoVadis Gold Medal forms part of Neolith’s company-wide commitment to operational efficiency, the progressive reduction of environmental impact, circularity and responsible resource management. Five consecutive years of recognition demonstrate the strength of a journey that began in 2022 and the integration of these principles into the company’s broader vision.

The renewal of this recognition reinforces Neolith’s commitment to continuing its progress across the different areas assessed by EcoVadis, incorporating new measurement tools designed to optimise its processes and further strengthen an increasingly responsible way of operating.

“This recognition also brings with it a responsibility to continue improving. Sustainability requires constant evolution, measurement and the ability to identify new opportunities for progress that we will continue working towards,”, Ceglia adds.

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KBBG and KBSA Regional Events: ‘You’ll walk away with a 90-day action plan’

The KBBG and KBSA have joined together for three regional business development events this autumn. The all-day sessions will take place at: The Belfry Hotel & Resort, Sutton Coldfield (14 October); Wokefield Park, Reading (4 November); and Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds (25 November).

The events are focused on practicalities, designed specifically to give independent KBB retailers, business owners and managers relevant takeaways that they can apply directly to their businesses and workplaces. What’s more, each delegate will leave with a 90-Day Action Plan, packed with steps and strategies to help their business thrive.

Across each of the sessions, delegates will discover and experience:

• Practical strategies for business growth and positive change.
• The latest KBB market insights and industry trends.
• Expert advice on leadership, scaling SMEs and future-proofing a business.
• Interactive workshops led by industry specialists.
• Dedicated networking sessions.

All three regional events will be hosted and facilitated by Niall Daly, founder of Clearing Space Ltd and programme director for the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses UK programme, at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.

This programme is highly competitive and these sessions will give delegates unique access to Niall’s experience and insights, as well as opportunities to ask questions throughout the day.

There will also be opening remarks and business updates respectively from Luke Wedgbury, KBSA interim chair, and Richard Hibbert, KBBG managing director. Plus, KBSA Conference and event co-directors, Sarah Reeve-Daly and Lindsey Copperwheat, and Jamie Harding, KBSA education director, will all be on hand to lead and participate in the workshops.

Lindsey commented, “We all know it can be hard to take a day away from the shop floor, but we’re confident that the regional events will be more than worth that time.

“And though there will be opportunities for delegates to mingle, these regional events are not just for networking, it’s about practical advice you can take back and apply directly to your business. Anyone who attends will walk away with a comprehensive 90-Day Action Plan.”

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