Wednesday 30 October 2013

Kitchens & Bathrooms News launches web portal


Leading trade magazine for kitchen and bathroom professionals, Kitchens & Bathrooms News is excited to announce the launch of its web portal at www.kandbnews.co.uk

The portal, which took months of planning, brings together a mix of up-to-the-minute news, exclusive Q&As and jobs, in an easy to access and visually stimulating format. It combines these with its social media channels, which include YouTube for a variety of video content, Pinterest to showcase its readers' projects and twitter for engaging conversations.

Editor of Kitchens & Bathrooms News, Philippa Turrell commented: "I am delighted to announce the launch of our web portal, which delivers the values of our award-winning magazine in a new and exciting format. It offers our readers a new way to interact with our content, adding their own comments where they wish, while beautifully augmenting our print editions."

Kitchens & Bathrooms News reports the launch has been to rave reviews, with readers praising the look and usability of the website.

Thursday 12 September 2013

Plumb crazy!

Isn’t it easy to get kitchen and bathroom showrooms fired up, irritated, irked, downright annoyed even? Just a mere mention of internet sales, in the same sentence as kitchens and bathrooms, and it’s a red rag to a bull. Or, in the case of a certain online bathroom company, advertising on TV, a plumb one! And it’s understandable why there has been frustration from bricks and mortar showrooms, which Victoria Plumb has branded “costly”. This industry has been through some challenging, economic times. And the landscape of high street retailing is changing, forever, and at some pace. Competition – particularly discount online sales – is throwing out new challenges for retailers to attract and win over customers. But and it’s a big BUT, don’t let one TV ad campaign by one bathroom brand throw the entire industry into a spin.
Is the Victoria Plumb customer your target customer? Can you confirm how many sales you’ve lost? A quick question out to over 3,000 Twitter followers drew lots of speculation but not one positive affirmation. Okay, you could argue, the statistical viability of this could be drawn into some question. So, instead, let’s look at some insight on behalf of WRAP, which found 61% of consumers who purchased one or more bathroom fittings in the last year purchased in-store, with a further 12% a mixture of in-store and online. And 90% of these consumers visited at least one store, including 67% who visited between 2-4 stores.
Interestingly, while all attention has been focused on one particular company, there has been no mention of B&Q, running bathroom TV ads at the same time, offering 20% discount. So are high street retailers no longer concerned about ‘sheds’?
Be aware of what is happening in the internet world and how etailers are marketing their wares to boost sales, yes! It’s a challenge that’s not going to go away. But use these potential ‘pitfalls’ as business opportunities, enabling you to show your skills, knowledge and customer service (as Russell Buckley suggests p.20). Perhaps even use it as an impetus to ensure you know your target customers, their wants, needs and expectations – maybe conducting your own market research (p.74 to make sure.
Let’s focus on all the benefits quality high street showrooms offer and how that can be promoted to the customer…but quick because ao.com (formerly Appliances Online) has just started its TV ad campaign…..

Wednesday 24 July 2013

Italian kitchens promoted worldwide



Right to left VP of FederlegnoArredo Giovanni Anzani, chef Giorgio Locatelli
and Roberto Snaidero
 As part of a year-long tour to promote Italian kitchens, FederlegnoArredo (the federation of wood, cork, furniture and furnishing), held its Kitchen, Soul, Design event at City Hall, in London.
The event featured a conversation between architect Claudio Silvestrin, former Chelsea manager Gianluca Vialli and Italian-born chef Giorgio Loctatelli about the role of kitchens on the back of the Italian lifestyle.
Vice president of FederlegnoArredo  and CEO of Poliform, Giovanni Anzani spoke to Kitchens & Bathrooms News at the event: “We want this to represent the culture and the tradition that there is in Italy…what is more the mood of Italy with la Dolce Vita.”
He continued: “We want to express and to show around the world that there is a big difference between Italian and German kitchens. Germany has the engineering of the product but we put something more around the product. We want to express that we are not selling a product like it’s an automotive, that is engineered, but we want to sell something that is a memory. It is an impression of family and friends inside the kitchen…. It is more than engineering. We have the same engineering but we have something more – design, craftsmanship, completely different to German kitchens.”
It was the second of five international events, which started in Milan and continues to New York, Moscow and Shanghai, returning to Milan at Eurocucina in 2014.
As part of its promotional progamme, FederlegnoArredo will also publish an image-led book on Italian kitchens and is launching the international Kitchen Award 2014.

Wednesday 22 May 2013

kbbLDN daily video diary


For those who didn't manage to make the kbbLDN show, part of the May Design Series at Excel, or if you just want a reminder of the event, Kitchens & Bathrooms News created a daily video diary. The first two days are featured, here, with videos that include exhibitor impressions of the event, as well as visitor feedback, plus a look at just some of the products on display.

However, we would also like to hear your impressions from the show - which will be featured in a kbbLDN show review in our next issue. Email the editor at pturrell@hamerville.co.uk




Friday 10 May 2013

kbbLDN Conversation Series spurring designers on to visit show



Leading kitchen and bathroom designers and retailers are set to attend kbbLDN, part of the May Design Series, at ExCel in London from May 19-21.  Among those who have committed to visit the show are Nicholas Anthony, C.P.Hart and Halcyon Interiors.
Aside from finding new products, networking with suppliers and like-minded retail businesses, they have indicated the Conversation Series has been instrumental in their decision to visit. It underpins the notion that kitchen and bathroom trade exhibitions must now also offer points of learning to take away, as part of the overall visiting experience.
Organiser of the show UBM has developed an App for the exhibition, to help visitors plan their time at the show. It includes an A-Z listing of exhibitors, as well as complete Conversation Series listing.
Sales director of C.P.Hart, Adrian Smith commented: “There’s a lot of exciting seminars going on and I think that’s one of the key drivers for me.” He added: “If you can be better informed at the end of the show, that’s got to be a good result.”

Tuesday 30 April 2013

NEOBankside "encapsulates spirit" of May Design Series





Brand director of the May Design Series, Andrew Vaughan said  award-winning housing development NEOBankside, in London, "encapsulates the spirit of what we are aiming for with the May Design Series." And he indicated the type of interior fashions shown in the housing development will be similar to those on display at the four co-located shows of the May Design Series, which include kbbLDN (sister show to kbbBirmingham), Interiors LDN, DX and Arc.
Vaughan added: "It epitomises the spirit of the visitor and exhibitor and the beauty and luxury we want to offer."
Alike The May Design Series, this London construction shares the Rogers name - with Rogers Stirk & Harbour having designed the housing development and Ab Rogers creating the look of the show's interior.
The May Design Series takes place at ExCel in London from May 19-21 and to win a free VIP ticket or £100 of Amazon vouchers, follow the instructions at the end of the video. There is also an app available to download with details about the show.

For more on The May Design Series or any other industry news and views, subscribe for FREE to Kitchens & Bathrooms News.

Friday 19 April 2013

Pop-up studio opening for Keramag Design


Luxury bathroom brand Keramag Design has opened a pop-up studio at Chelsea Harbour, London, to showcase its products to retailers, interior designers and prestigious house builders.
Open for six-months, although on a rolling contract, the studio features its four designer collections Citterio (shown), Preciosa II, Myday and Silk.

The pop-up studio has been designed so it can be transported to other locations, with plans to move it outside London at the end of the year or beginning of next year.

Firstly, Keramag Design is looking to establish a UK network of retailers, with a target of 60 by the end of the year, and 120 in total. Ideally, the company would like to attract retailers which also work in the small contract market and will give an area to Keramag Design. This area can then be designed and fitted out by a team from the company.
Retail national sales manager of Keramag Design, Lynn Dale continued: “Because there are only four series in the range, what we are looking for is for them to take a spread of each of the four ranges.” stating “in an ideal world”, Keramag Design would like for retailers to group the product together, and stated “that’s what we’re finding more people want to do”.

She believed the more retailers who visit the pop-up studio; the more likely they would be inspired to do a similar design.  
However, managing director of Keramag Design John Blackburn pointed out: “We don’t want to go into the market arrogant. It’s not the way I do business, so therefore I wouldn’t send the values into the brand into that way. We have a standard but we also want to have some flexibility.”

Keramag Design is already a third of its way towards its number of targeted retailers for this year. Lynn Dale said: “We have been out in the marketplace for four months now actively selling into showrooms. We’ve already got 19 showrooms and we have another 20 prospects. So, in a short space of time, we’ve actually achieved quite a lot.”
The brand is dealing through national distributor Robert Lee, regional distributor for the North of England and Scotland City Distribution and is seeking a regional distributor for the South.

Lynn Dale added: “They both have got stock on the shelves, so they can currently supply a next-day delivery, if needed. On the Keramag Design product, it is a three week lead-time and that is what we will always tell our customers. So that can be passed onto the consumer just in case, for whatever reason, stock isn’t on the shelf.”

But stock is being carried and Dale continued: “At the moment there’s quite a few pieces going out for displays but, equally now, we are stocking to get the pull-through from the showrooms that are live.”
And the aim, as John Blackburn, stated is for the company to be “number one or two brand in the luxury brand sector.” And he stated the brand would be looking to take market share to reach this position.

However he added: “The prediction in 2014, 2015 and 2016 is going to grow. For 2015-2016, the prediction is 4-5% [growth]. That’s why we think the timing [of the launch] is right because we believe we are now at the bottom, so we are only going to be in a position of growth.”

To visit the appointment-only, pop-up showroom, email Lynn Dale.

 

May Design Series App for kbbLDN visitors


An app is now available for visitors attending The May Design Series, which includes kbbLDN alongside InteriorsLDN, Arc lighting show and the interiors and exteriors technology show DX.
The May Design Series App can be downloaded from iTunes for iPad and iPhones, and it's also available on Android. It has been designed to allow visitors to better plan their time at the show, and allows them to create an agenda and ‘favourite’ exhibitors and speakers.
The App also offers the latest show news and features the Conversation Series of discussions, including Designing for Small Kitchens & Bathrooms, with Russell Buckley of Stuart Henry Kitchens and Stuart Irving of Ablutions Bathrooms. It will be chaired by Kitchens & Bathrooms News editor Philippa Turrell.

In addition, it features the most up-to-date exhibitor list, including Leicht and most recently Spanish kitchen furniture manufacturer Doca and Swiss appliance brand V-Zug.
It is the first time since Leicht has exhibited at a UK show in 18 years and sales director Graham Hopper explained why the company chose to now take a stand: “We have been very active in building through an increasing dealer base and via contract activities. In order to develop our turnover further, it was decided that we would exhibit at kbbLDN in 2013 as this would be an ideal platform to introduce our products to customers that perhaps have not seen Leicht previously. We are also keen to showcase our new designs for 2013.”

On a stand, with a 3.5m high ceiling, Leicht will showcase its extend+, a mid-way electronic tambour system and its Contino handleless range, in its latest colours and finishes.
Hopper concluded: “The important factor is the potential customers who are aware of the show and ultimately will attend. Having spoken to a very large number of customers, they are certainly aware of kbbLDN and will be attending.”

The May Design Series, which includes kbbLDN, takes place at Excel in London from May 19-21, 2013.

Monday 18 March 2013

ISH review: For better or wurst?


The Kitchens & Bathrooms News team endured the snow in Frankfurt to savour the forthcoming trends for bathrooms, not to mention local delicacies of a sausage (or two)
On the cusp of British summertime, of course the UK was always destined to have bad weather. But snow? And this time the Brits shared their misfortune with Germany – and in particular Frankfurt - during one of the most important dates for the bathroom calendar - ISH. The snow caused havoc on day one of the ISH trade show with cancelled flights and eventually a closed airport meaning visibly fewer visitors - not only from the UK - but right across Europe. And for exhibitors and visitors who were able to rearrange their travel plans saw the pace of their schedule shift up a gear, as they attempted to cram the same amount of work into 24 fewer hours.
But for those who did manage to breach the Bavarian border, ISH laid bare the bathroom trends, which this year very clearly focused on improving the consumer ‘experience' through products and marketing messages.


 The products drew on all the senses, with obvious features such as sound, lighting and even a bath with an aromatherapy mist. But even the products which didn't appear to be designed to these rules were clearly created to evoke emotions, to enhance and ultimately engage consumers.
It meant the design pendulum, which at the previous event swung towards safe but sellable products had made a moderate move towards slightly more edgier and luxury styles, with assymetry proving to be a key look. But, arguably, it was the wide choice on offer from bathroom manufacturers, allowing designers to create bespoke spaces, using vast but standard ranges, which looks set to be a big influence on the high street. This ability to personalise individual bathroom spaces, not only ensures designers can maximise consumers’ enjoyment of their bathroom space, but perhaps cynically, ensure that they get the sale.
For more from the show, as well as industry news,  subscribe for FREE to Kitchens & Bathrooms News.

Wednesday 6 February 2013

Dyson launches Airblade hand dryer tap



The latest invention from the Dyson stable is a mixer tap, where users can not only wash but also dry their hands. The tap, which retails for £999, is part of the latest Airblade hand dryer range and uses the company's latest digital V4 motor.
Speaking at the UK launch, head of Airblade development Chris Osborn explained: "In the tap we've integrated the washing and drying functions together. The air is channelled through the two branches at either side at 430miles/hour. There are infra-red sensors at the front of the tap. These detect the position of your hands and they activate either the water or the air functions, separately." Osborn stated the three-pronged design was the "most usable and most efficient" layout.
He added: "The secret to the performance of the tap is hidden beneath the countertop and that's in the motor bucket. In the motor bucket is where the V4 motor is housed. In this application we are drawing around 30 litres of air every second, through a HEPA filter, pushing the air through the motor and into the tap itself."
The V4 motor, which replaces Dyson's current digital motor, was designed by the company's engineers and took 7 years and £27m in development.
The three-strong range of Airblade dryers, including a smaller Airblade Mark II dryer, the Airblade V, and the Airblade tap, had 125 engineers working across them for 3 years, with around £40million in total invested in their development.
Constucted from 304 grade stainless steel, used in the marine and medical industry, the Airblade tap is made by Dyson in Singapore. Chris Osborn continued: "We needed to develop new manufacturing techniques that enable us to use these thin, steel tubes, so we could fit all the internal components inside the tap. The solution we went for was to cut and to weld the parts using a very high powered laser."
He added: "It's designed to go in commercial environments but there's no reason why it can't be installed in the home. It's tailored to fit standard sinks in the washroom and they are no different to the ones you find at home. So technically it can fit there."
Like the rest of the range, the Airblade tap operates around 85dB, has a five-year warranty, and will be available online and through its existing channels.
For more news, views, interviews and product trends subscribe for FREE to Kitchens & Bathrooms News.

Wednesday 30 January 2013

Former tc bathrooms chair at distributor Cubico

Former chair of collapsed firm tc bathrooms, Craig Waddington is director of a newly-formed bathroom distribution company Cubico (UK) Limited.

According to company and director search website www.duedil.com, he is non-secretarial director.

The company is backed by Seneca Capital, which has three members on the board of Cubico; Patrick Bywater, Melanie Hird, Andrew Walls, along with Craig Waddington.

According to Companies House, Cubico was incorporated on May 17, 2012. However, Andrew Walls of Seneca Capital said: "The business was incorporated as a Sheffield-based firm with Companies House on May 17 2012, under the name of HLWKH 521 Limited."

Duedil.com states the company has been “open since October 24, 2012”.
However, Walls stated: "On 25th October we approached a law firm called HLW Keeble Hawson and instructed them to act for Seneca investments to set up a new company with a view to setting up a new trading business, Cubico.
"On the same day, HLW Keeble Hawson changed the name of the company they had already incorporated to Cubico UK Limited.
"On the 29th October 2012, Craig Waddington was appointed as a director of Cubico UK Ltd and the following day we completed our investment."
The company set-up and appointment of Craig Waddington happened after - but within the same month - tc bathrooms ceased to trade.
Craig Waddington is joined by former tc bathrooms colleagues which form the management team. They are Andrew Hopkinson, an ex-director of tc bathrooms and Scott Tattersley, also from tc bathrooms, who is now sales director of Cubico.


The company boasts a warehouse in Leeds which, Cubico reports, is holding stock including bathroom furniture, taps, shower cubicles, valves and sanitaryware for nationwide delivery. And according to a Cubico staff member, the company is already trading.


Read more on this story in the March issue of Kitchens & Bathrooms News.

FIRST WORD: Elephant in the open plan room

Editor of Kitchens & Bathrooms News, Philippa Turrell wonders why showrooms are still to reflect the trend for open-plan, 'living space' kitchens.

While industry pundits discuss kitchen trends from the LivingKitchenshow in Cologne, including their seamless integration into the ground floor space, few have pointed to the elephant residing in the room. It may be too controversial to discuss. It even may even be too inconvenient for this ever-increasing ‘interior fashion’ industry. But have UK retailers actually embraced open-plan kitchen design – let alone ground floor integration - and do their showrooms genuinely reflect this trend for ‘lifestyle living’ on the high street?
I don’t mean paying lip service to lifestyle living, with a breakfast bar or an island unit. Alongside galleys and L-shape runs, how many retailers show a transition from kitchen to dining through to soft seating in one display, demonstrating how these spaces work and blend together?

Open-plan has been the buzz word for the past 10 years in kitchen design. The style has been spread across the pages of glossy home magazines in WH Smiths, for some time. But are these ‘aspirational’ rather than ‘inspirational’ kitchens? Are these niche looks, only for the most discerning of consumer? Or – and here is the concern - are they showcasing looks that consumers want but can’t find in the average kitchen showroom?

Of course, I should add there are retailers who have designed their showroom around the living space kitchen trend. They have embraced the need to look further than the boundary of the kitchen wall and realised the potential profit of designing the likes of media areas. But these are the exception, rather than the rule.

So why has the kitchen retailer been slow to adopt the living kitchen trend and to reflect it in their showroom? If the consumer want is there for the lifestyle look, is it the UK housing stock that just won’t allow for expansive kitchens? Well, they are often combined with building works, such as an extension, so that can’t be true.

Is it a fear of losing the sale, that four small furniture displays must offer the better chance of securing the contract – by offering four times more choice? Well, not if the consumer can’t see themselves living in the three of four door run.  Is it too complicated to learn a new way of planning, from plotting boxes around a wall, to now embrace interior architecture? It could be a matter of training needs, rather than objection. Or is it simply a matter of a long-overdue refreshment, and reduction in available showroom manpower to instigate these changes, thanks to the tough economy?

The living space kitchen trend has shown itself not to be a fleeting fashion trend. And judging by the furniture on show at LivingKitchen, it is only going to grow in importance in home design. And for consumers who are able to refurbish their kitchen, this is the look they are craving to add value to their home.

So, perhaps kitchen retailers should take a close look at their showroom and see how it meets this living space trend. By extending a showroom display to include occasional table and chairs, low level soft seating and media area – adding them to your sales itinerary - perhaps you can improve your revenues and margin too.

Thursday 24 January 2013

John Lewis joins Bathroom Academy Design Course

High street department store John Lewis has enrolled 24 of its partners to the Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA) Bathroom Academy and Principles of Bathroom Design.
It follows the company’s move into fitted bathroom sales, which has started in the Milton Keynes branch, with a roll-out expected in further stores in 2013.
In order to train its partners in bathroom planning and design, John Lewis will participate in the BMA’s Bathroom Academy series of two-day training workshops, based in their stores.
The workshops will encompass both the theory and practice of bathroom planning and design, with exercises using 20-20 Fusion CAD software.
CEO of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association, Yvonne Orgill commented: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome John Lewis to the Bathroom Academy.”
She continued: “The industry guides and face-to-face workshops we offer are unique in our industry. John Lewis is investing heavily in its new bathrooms portfolio and we are really pleased that the Academy and 20-20 Technologies have been chosen as the training providers.”
The workshops start in February and will be rolled out in the Spring. For more information on the training visit www.bathroom-academy.co.uk

Friday 18 January 2013

Cooking up a storm

Philippa Turrell visits Cologne for the second showing of Living Kitchen to see the future influences in kitchen design and planning



It's hard to believe that LivingKitchen has only had one prior outing, its launch in 2011. This show has rapidly developed into a mature event, supported by large-scale kitchen brands. The exhibitors spanned recognisable German names, as you may expect from a show in their domestic market, but  it had  attracted manufacturers from across Europe and even further afield.


Kitchen furniture had very obviously been influenced by nature, with timber a key theme across stands. Whether veneers, woodgrain laminate or even an intriguing basket weave-effect, the outdoors had been brought into the kitchen living space. And this very natural look was joined by judicious splashes of bold colour, from bright red and orange through to yellows and even pink.


But designers could take away more inspiration than just the latest door decors, exhibitors had created room sets showcasing best practice in kitchen planning. Niches within furniture runs not only created visual interest, but also added practicality to kitchen design by providing illumination, shelving and in one case a picture frame, low level seat. And moving further away from the traditional kitchen design, asymmetrical wall units, combined with open storage, sees it seamlessly blend into neighbouring social spaces.


But what separates the kitchen from other living spaces is the need for it to prepare and cook food. And, here, the focus was firmly placed on induction hobs, steam ovens, hot water taps and a soon to be launched £9,000 coffee tap (controlled by an iphone app) as the requirements for modern kitchen schemes. 


Certainly LivingKitchen showed that this room has not only come of age in interiors, they have now become the ground floor interior. Although few UK designers or dealers seem to have taken the time to attend, according to UK manufacturer representatives, for those serious about kitchen styles and planning, this event is a must-visit.

Monday 7 January 2013

Cemco merchant members quit for Plumbing and Heating Buying Group

Just under 20% of Cemco Merchant Network members have left the buying group to join the newly-formed specialist Plumbing and Heating Buying Group (PHG).
The seven former Cemco members, which are independent merchants, include Duftons, Plumbcity, Plumbstop, Richmonds, Stuart Plumbing & Heating Supplies and Tucker French and Spinks, whose Managing director Matthew Harrison was on the Cemco management board.
This move has swelled the membership of PHG, nearly doubling the number of businesses involved, which now stands at 17.
Chairman of PHG, David Pochin commented on the increase of membership: “The Plumbing and Heating Group (PHG) was conceived back in July to become the leading buying organisation for plumbing, heating and sanitaryware products. This was always going to be a tough challenge without the leading plumber’s merchants from the Cemco group and thus we are absolutely delighted that eight of them will now be joining us from February 1.”
He continued: “Inevitably, much hard work will be required to ensure the integration of the former Cemco members and our other new recruits MKM and Plumbco, but we have plenty of ability around our enlarged table and we are confident that this will be successfully achieved. Clearly, PHG now offers suppliers the very best independent route to market and we are looking forward to working with them to our mutual benefit.”
Matthew Harrison of Spinks, spoke on behalf of the new members: “We met with PHG for the first time only last month and that was really to discuss possible future collaboration but it became readily apparent to all of us that our futures would be better together rather than apart.
“All of us share the ethos of the PHG founders are we are extremely excited about us working together to create a very special buying organisation.”
The seven Cemco members join Willbond, James Hargreaves, Ridgeons, Tippers, Farr & Harris, RGB, Crossling, Robert Pochin, HPS and Beggs & Partners at PHG.

Wednesday 2 January 2013

Kuppersbusch transfers UK business to The 1810 Company

German appliance manufacturer Kuppersbusch is set to transfer the sales and marketing of its UK business from Teka Products to The 1810 Company from April 2.
Mark Lawrence, joint managing director of Kuppersbusch, said: “in line with a worldwide strategy, Kuppersbusch is to be positioned as a premium product. The experience of the management team at The 1810 Company makes them the ideal company to take the product forward with the re-positioning of the brand. The existing range is still available and can be purchased from Teka Products until the handover date.”
Managing director of The 1810 Company and former MD of Kuppersbusch UK, Gareth Williams said: “Kuppersbusch has been a big part of my life for nearly 30 years and I am delighted to have the opportunity to establish Kuppersbusch in what I believe is its rightful position in the market. There is, however, a lot of work to do in order to reach that goal.
“We are aware that we need to be service driven, if we are to compete with the established leaders in this sector. We will be making some key appointments over the coming months, primarily with a dedicated service manager for London. There is definitely a market for another premium product with a controlled distribution policy and sales strategy.”
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