EDITOR'S COMMENT Power to the people

 Kitchens & Bathrooms News
Editor, Philippa Turrell

As a resident of one of the hardest riot hit areas, Croydon, I can’t fail to mention the recent atrocities which have taken place throughout the UK’s cities. People have been justifiably outraged at the mentality of this wilful and malicious mob. Left in their wake has been complete and utter devastation, with property, livelihoods and even lives left in ruins. According to Businesszone.co.uk, One in 10 UK retail businesses has been affected.  I hope that all your bathroom and kitchen showrooms have remained unscathed.  But it’s good to hear of communities pulling together, with ‘riot wombles’ cleaning up the aftermath. Distributor BCG is also offering support to affected kitchen and bathroom businesses by providing ‘anything and everything’. It just shows the power of joining forces…

In our industry there has been some concern about a recent ‘coming together’ of ‘forces’, resulting in the Kitchen & Bathroom Forum. It is a group of nine industry associations: Builders Merchants Federation; Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Electrical Appliances; Furniture Industry Research Association; Society of British Interior Designers; Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom, Bathroom Installers; Bathroom Manufacturers Association; Kitchen, Bathroom, Bedroom Specialists Association; National Training Group and National Association Professional Installers and Testers.

If its motive is just for sharing knowledge between bathroom and kitchen associations – fine – just another talk shop. But with all these parties in one room, I’ve questioned if this Forum proposes to act as ‘one voice’ instigating industry change. “One Voice – Not us”, the members of the Forum retorted in unison. Yes, that irony wasn’t completely lost on me, either.

I’m sure all these associations represent their members well. In fact that’s not a point in question. But who ‘voted’ or ‘elected’ these bodies to come together? And what about those individuals in the industry that don’t belong to any of them, how will they be represented, if at all? While, I clearly don’t believe in mob rules, I do believe that ALL those working in the industry should have an input into its future direction.

But they’ve already suggested that they want to work together to resolves issues, improve standards and perhaps engage with government. How do they propose to go about it if not speaking together or as A voice? And who ‘elected’ these bodies to come together to do that very job? What about the individuals in the industry that don’t belong to any of these bodies, how will their ideas be represented if at all? There’s lots of questions but at the moment not many answers. While, I don’t believe in mob rules, I do think that ALL those working in the industry should have an input into its future.

KNOW YOUR TECH TUES: Taptile wireless lighting

Each Tuesday, we’re going to put under the microscope just one piece of tech that can add value to your kitchen and bathroom schemes and money to your bottom line

As a bathroom designer, looking to add value to a home, what better way to create a point of difference in your project and add to your profit with a lighting scheme? At the very premium end, it may mean working in conjunction with a specialist lighting consultation but for the rest of the bathroom market, Taptile suggests it has the answer.

It has recently created a ‘plug and play’ (for professional electricians, anyway) wireless touch-control for up to three lighting systems, including on-off switch for extractor fan (or even AV system) for £149.99 RRP. The system, which governs ambient and mood lighting, can be used with new lights or even with existing fittings and up to six Taptile controls can be used in one room.

It works using an 8mm sensor panel which fits behind ceramic, composite or wood. As it’s behind the decorative surface, it means that it doesn’t have to adhere to bathroom lighting zones. The system is 100% waterproof, so isn’t dependent on the quality of the grouting, and opens up design opportunities to have lighting, extractor or AV controls in the shower or next to the washbasin or bath.

Customised control 'panel'

The Taptile Elegance Mood Lighting system features six touch points, which can be etched into bathroom tiles using a kit – or designers can go to town creating their own customised ‘buttons’, such as mosaics or shells.

Taptile has already received acclaim in the market, having been named a finalist for the Product Innovation Award at the recent KBBLondon exhibition and it is soon to introduce a system for kitchens too!

COMMENT: Innovation is everything

Commercial and marketing director of the Jacuzzi UK Group (brands including Jacuzzi, Astracast and B.C Sanitan), David Tutton explains why innovation is key to drive the kitchen and bathroom industries

‘Innovation’ has become the buzz word of the decade and while it’s a relevant topic for many industries globally, it has quite literally consumed the kitchen and bathroom market. Along with sustainability, eco-awareness and energy-saving of course, the hot topic of innovation is one we simply cannot get away from. And why would we want to? It’s an incredibly exciting tool for businesses, one that can help us to grow, push boundaries and keep on top of, and even in front of, consumer demands. In simple terms, it is innovation that will drive a business forward, especially in such difficult trading times where homeowners are being particularly cautious with their hard earned cash.

The dictionary tells us that to innovate is to make changes, but it goes far beyond this. At Jacuzzi, we believe that innovation is all about creating something new, something different and something that hasn’t been done before. It can be anything from a set of small steps forward to one giant leap but for any company trying to lead the market, it’s incredibly important.

When you’re the first to market with a product that is unique and in demand, it becomes easy, or easier shall we say, to set the company apart from its competitors. The kitchen and bathroom market is crowded with fierce competition so essentially, this is a great way to make a mark and be heard. Yes, being innovative will mean investing time and money in product research and development but the way the market is going, there doesn’t seem to be an alternative. Sadly, those who choose to ignore the calling will be left in the dust with the other companies who have failed to keep up. Innovation is no longer a choice, it’s a requirement.

At Jacuzzi, we view this constant need for innovation as a positive, not a hurdle, and I think it’s important that other manufacturers do too. It shouldn’t be feared; it should be embraced and rejoiced because the rewards will be reaped. Upfront investment in innovation can buy years of market credibility.

Take Apple for example – it’s their constant supply of fresh, innovative and exciting gadgets that has got people talking and most importantly spending money. It’s only natural that with any good innovation, rival companies will follow suit and make it their mission to go one better. This helps to create healthy competition in the marketplace, take products to the next level and provide consumers with a constant flow of fresh products and a reason to spend money. A stagnant market is one that lacks ideas and innovative thinking. A thriving market is one that is filled with companies desperate to be the first to market with the next development.

Innovation doesn’t always have to be visible to the end user, however. It can be a challenge to existing processes of manufacturing or an adaptation of customer services that makes the way you do things different, and better than your rivals. Sometimes, innovative methods of reducing labour, time and costs can be just as important as USP product innovation but ideally, you’d want to incorporate both types into your working practice.

You only have to look at this year’s kbb London exhibition to realise just how important and relevant this subject is to our industry. For the first time since the show began back 25 years ago, the organiser dedicated a separate area of the exhibition to the industry’s most innovative products, all of which were shortlisted for an Innovation Award. Let’s hope this decision spurs even more competition within the marketplace because you can never have too much. Another company’s success is another’s fuel to go that one step further next time. I say, bring it on!