Nobia moving Hygena production to UK

Nobia is entering negotiations with employees and their associations regarding a relocation of its Hygena brand manufacturing to the UK.
The Hygena products are currently made in Stemwede, Germany, and Nobia also proposes to close the sale and production of kitchens for the German DIY market which also takes place there. It will mean that the Stemwede facility will focus on Nobia's Marlin bathroom furniture business.
It is claimed the Stemwede facility is not competitive enough for the manufacture of these kitchens and the move will enable Nobia to capitalise on its economies of scale, by moving production towards larger, brand-independent factories.
Nobia sells kitchens through 20 brands in Europe, including Magnet and Intuo in the UK, Hygena in France, ewe in Austria and Poggenpohl globally.
The Nobia Group has around 7,400 employees and net sales of around SEK 13 billion.

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Duravit turnover up 7.7% with UK key for sales

Bathroom brand the Duravit Group has increased its turnover by 7.7%, from €353.3bn in 2011, with the UK named as one of its key sales market. In fact, Duravit recently opened its largest UK showroom display in London.
Joining the UK as a key sales market for the company were Germany, Spain, Italy, France, Egypt, the USA, the near East and some Asian countries, with the international share of turnover totalling 78%. Duravit has 31 affiliated companies and operates in more than 119 countries.
Management board chairman, Prof Dr. Frank Richter commented: "For Duravit, the collaboration with high-profile international designers and the high quality requirements within the Duravit Group for both manufacture and products form the basis for successful national and international development."

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Showerlux UK ceases trading

Shower surround manufacturer Showerlux UK has ceased trading in the UK, as of August 23, 2012, making 16 members of staff redundant.
Tim Corfield of Griffin & King, based in Walsall, has been appointed to call meetings of members and creditors, with a view to putting the company into liquidation.
Its major shareholder, a Swiss company, has not expanded its support in view of the company's ongoing losses and further outlook of the market, claims a statement made by Griffin & King.

The company had been trading in the UK for 38 years, with its head office in Coventry. It entered the market in 1973, primarily manufacturing shower doors. However its range grew to encompass enclosures, trays, shower valves and shower accessories and at its height it manufactured in the UK and employed 160 people.

Showerlux UK has had its share of setbacks, including a fire in a component factory. And in a bid to cut costs of manufacturing, the company also had an upheaval of production, moving selected ranges made in Coventry, to plants in Thailand.
The company was left with 16 core staff to import products for wholesalers and retail outlets, dealing with distribution, sales and administration.
Its most recent launch was Legacy, a lower-cost range of shower enclosures, which was a first for the mid-market to high-end manufacturer. And it had upgraded its mid-priced Glide range with more premium components, such as thicker glass.

Managing director of Showerlux UK, Bob Bowler had left a voicemail on the company’s switchboard stating: “Showerlux UK has ceased trading on the 23rd of August 2012. Unfortunately there are no staff available to answer your calls.”
However, he commented in a press statement, released today: "This is a sad day for the company, it's staff, it's customers and it's suppliers". He continued: "I am sure that the Group are exploring ways and means to provide an after-sales service for our customers in the UK".
Tim Corfield from Griffin & King stated it was too early to say what the outcome will be, as regards creditors but will be looking for offers for the company's available assets. 

Showerlux UK is owned by Swiss-based DuschelouGroup, which operates in 50 countries, with six production sites in Europe and 20 marketing organisations globally. It employs around 2,000 people around the world.

Are you a Showerlux showroom dealer or do you have any comment to make about the story? Then email editor Philippa Turrell with your views.

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TALKING SHOP: What lies beneath?

Sales director at kitchen and bathroom showroom KSL in Sudbury, Richard Hibbert says what irks him are companies who conceal quote specifications in order to gain the job

At the moment the wave of customers is very up and down and we have, at times, had to lower our margin. But all of the time, we are working harder and harder on each project.The real bug bear I have is trying to give our customers the best possible job within a given budget and are finding other companies are cutting corners and, either not telling their customers, or bending the truth about specifics within a quote.

Not all equal

The other day, I quoted for a £28,000 kitchen with Corian work surfaces, Neff appliances, Liebherr fridge and freezer, along with a large amount of labour. The customer said they had a like-for-like quote at £25,000 from another company. So we went through the quotation and looked at where we may be more expensive, only to find out that we were quoting for a rigid glued and dowelled kitchen against a flat-pack.  That’s fine as a flat pack kitchen can work very well and last a long time too... The only problem was, allegedly, the customer had been told that the other kitchen business would get the units in and make them up with cams and dowels, just like everyone else does! Erm, no. That is not how we are doing it here. The other quote also included entry-level Hotpoint appliances. We had specified the more premium brand Liebherr, as this fitted what the customer wanted.. i.e .soft-close doors and Bio fresh.  Apparently, the customer was told the two brands were like-for-like but Hotpoint was much better value for money. 

Tell customers truth

Now I don’t mind people trying to earn a living, giving more discounts or getting a better deal from suppliers.  What I hate is people being lied to. Work harder to meet your customers’ requirements or be up front with the product you are putting into their house. At the end of the day, our customers’ money is not picked from trees and they do not replace their kitchens or bathrooms every year. So the package you sell this person must not only meet their needs, but be what they are expecting in the first place. 

I have to say that we also come up against very good competition and I speak to great retailers all the time. I just wish that everyone in the industry would think of the customer as a person as well as a customer. Give them the best possible service and experience, leaving them happy as possible at the end.  If you lie you get found out and then no one is happy!

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In-toto owns and operates latest store concept

High street kitchen retailer In-toto has invested £80,000 in a store concept in Leicester, which will be used as a test bed for products and operate as a training centre for franchisees.

But unlike the 45 In-toto franchise stores in the UK, the Leicester showroom is owned and managed by In-toto itself. It will be operated on the same terms and conditions as other In-toto outlets and demonstrate the performance of the business model.

The 1,200 sq ft retail space has been fitted with In-toto’s In-line handleless and glass fronted kitchens, In-style contemporary and In-frame traditional kitchen ranges. In addition, there is 1,500sq ft available for storage and expansion.

Leicester store manager, Derek Bell added: “In-toto franchisees are experiencing an uplift in customers wanting every element of their kitchen handled by an expert from the kitchen layout and cabinetry to colour schemes and accessories. The Leicester store will include ranges of high-end furniture such as sofas and chairs to create a more aspirational and complete lifestyle solution”.

He added: “The beauty of our Leicester store is if furniture and added value items are a hit with the customer, you can expect to see an extended product roll-out across all of our UK stores.”

Managing director Jonathan Wagstaff explained why the concept store is In-toto owned: “We have wanted to support our franchisees even further by truly understanding their challenges and experiencing the needs, demands and feedback from consumers. The only way to do this is by owning and managing our own store.”

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USA refrigeration manufacturer U-Line targets Europe opening office in Finland

VP of sales and marketing for U-Line,
Mark Russell

Premium built-in refrigeration, wine preservation and ice machine manufacturer U-Line, from the USA, is targeting the European market and opening an office in Finland.

Vice president of sales and marketing Mark Russell will oversee the office set-up and operations in Europe, as U-Line launches its undercounter Modular 3000 series.

According to U-Line its Modular 3000 series has been created to fit European cabinetry with widths of 450mm, 600mm and 900mm.

Mark Russell commented: “We’ve been evaluating the European market for some time and it’s clear that there is a need for premium undercounter refrigeration and wine preservation products.”

He continued: “This market has been deprived of high-quality, premium undercounter options and I’m proud to say that with the launch of our Modular 3000 series, this will no longer be the case. Helsinki was named World Design Capital 2012 by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design and Finland is a perfect hub as we expand internationally because of its close proximity to the rest of Europe, the Middle East and Russia.”

Celebrating its 50^th anniversary this year, U-Line has corporate headquarters based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and a West Coast office in Laguna Beach, California. Its European office is based in the Kone Building in Helsinki, Finland.

A European manager will be hired prior to Russell’s return to the States in the summer of 2013.

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Middle East Bagno Design targets UK contract and retail bathroom sales

Part of the Middle-East headquartered Sanipex Group, Bagno Design has launched into the UK targeting architects, interior designers and independent bathroom showrooms.

It has opened a 4,200sq ft A&D (Architecture & Design  Centre) in Clerkenwell, which is spread over two floors, and is targeting architects, interior designers and professional specifiers. The A&D Centre features products from Apaiser, Aqata, Geberit, Kaldewei, Vado and Vogue UK, which will be sold into the contract sector. In addition, it also showcases selected products from its high-end, own-brand product range.

Completing the A&D Centre is a mock-up room for trailing hotel schemes, meeting facilities for use by designers and their customers, workstations, Wi-Fi and video conferencing facilities.

The A&D Centre concept was launched in Qatar in May 2012 and there are currently 15 Bagno Design showrooms across the Middle East, Central and South Asia, with a further four showrooms planned across the globe.

In addition, Bagno Design is also set to launch a range of self-titled, own-brand products for independent bathroom showrooms in September. The company has already acquired warehousing, near Leeds, which will hold £500,000 of stock. And it expects to have a network of 75-80 independent retail showrooms, across the UK, by the end of next year.

Established in Dubai in 1994, as a Middle East representative for European manufacturers, Sanipex now operates in more than 30 countries, employs 260 people and had sales last year of around £55m. It operates in project, retail and wholesale channels, with its fastest growing channel being retail.

Sanipex is owned and managed by a group of British directors, led by group managing director Daryl Barker who commented: “Part of our global strategy is to be the project supplier of choice within Europe for bathroom fixtures and fittings, tiles and plumbing materials and the Clerkenwell A&D Centre will play a vital role in helping us to achieve this. London is increasingly seen as a hub for international hospitality projects and, with Clerkenwell home to over 2,000 international architectural practices; it is here that many of the specifications are decided.”

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Online bathroom retailer expands with showroom

Online bathroom retailer Dramco, which owns TradeTaps.com and Bathroom2u.com sites,  is moving to larger premises within Milton Park business park in Oxfordshire. The company is moving from the Innovation Centre on the site to take over two units, following 'rapid growth'.

It will not only see the company have more space for additional staff but the premises will also include a showroom facility.

Established since 2004, Dramco offers a range of bathroom products, with a focus on delivery and customer service.

Managing director Tim Ford said: “Our original premises at The Innovation Centre on Milton Park were perfect for us three years ago, but our rapid growth in business meant that we urgently needed to upgrade to larger premises.

“With the tangible community that exists on the Park, and the benefits it offers to our staff, we were very keen to remain there and so when our new premises became available it presented the optimum solution to our various requirements.”

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AFG Kitchens UK in MBO

AFG Kitchens UK Ltd has announced the management buy out of its UK headquarters in Abingdon. Owner of the kitchen brand, Warendorf Forster and Piatti has agreed the sale of its UK HQ showroom in Abingdon to its managing director, Jim Gettings.
Following a restructure of its business, moving the administration of its Warendorf kitchen furniture brand to Germany, Warendorf Forster and Piatti decided to sell its retail arm because it no longer fitted with its distribution policy.
All employees will move across to the new company, Abingdon Furniture Gallery Ltd which will continue as a retailer for premium Warendorf kitchen furniture. 
Jim Gettings, managing director for AFG in the UK, says, “Since we opened the AFG flagship operation in Abingdon in mid 2009, we have seen consistent growth for the retail and contracts operation year-on-year.  The restructuring of Warendorf’s distribution across Europe presented me with an exciting opportunity to secure the purchase of its only UK retail operation. The move ensures the jobs of the UK team and the Abingdon showroom will remain the largest retailer of the Warendorf brand within the UK.”
UK based sales manager, Mark Keary, will continue working on Warendorf’s market development strategy and support sales partners across the UK.
Managing director of Warendorf, Thorsten Pree commented: “We are delighted that we will continue working with the team at Abingdon to promote the Warendorf brand. The sale of the retail operation will allow us now to focus on our evolving distribution policy within the UK and Europe.”

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UK designers reach Electrolux Design Lab semi-final



Harry Hale studying at Nottingham Trent
University has created The Cruet

 The global design competition for concept home appliances, Electrolux Design Lab, has named 30 semi-finalists, including three students from the UK.

Harry Hale from Nottingham Trent University has created The Cruet, musical salt and pepper shakes, where music can be selected using a smartphone. The salt and pepper can then be rolled to dinner guests.

Jongwoo Choi, studying at Central Saint Martins in London, has designed a cooking measure called Ingressure which uses sensors to take on the role of professional taste buds.

While Julian Caraulani from Coventry University has created the SmartPlate. It is a dish that measures food ingredients and transforms them into musical notes, harmonies and rhythms through a smartphone. 

Ten of the semi-finalists will be chosen to complete in the final in Milan on October 25, where they will present their concept in front of a design jury. The judges will consider the entries on intuitive design, innovation, aesthetic qualities and consumer insight.

Three prizes will be awarded with a third prize of €2,000, second prize of €3,000 and a first prize of a six-month paid internship at an Electrolux global design centre and €5,000.

Last year's Design Lab winner Adam Mankovecky from Solvenia scooped the top prize for his portable spot cleaner.

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CEO of Methven UK takes helm of BMA

CEO of Methven UK, Steve Lee

CEO of Methven UK Steve Lee has once again taken the helm of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association, having been elected president at its recent AGM.
Steve Lee has over 25 years' experience in the bathroom industry, having joined Bristan in 1991 and now leading brassware supplier Methven UK. He was named president of the BMA in 2010, succeeding Alan Brown of Twyford Bathrooms. 
In 2012, his two-year presidential tenure sees him succeed retiring president Ian Stuart, chairman of Aqualisa.
Concluding his fixed term of office, Ian Stuart commented: "My stint at the helm seems to have flown by. The association is in great shape. We have a clear strategy, our finances are in good order and our initiatives as the Voice of the Bathroom Industry are now highly regarded by the government, the industry and the public."
The BMA was recently represented at the National Home Improvement Council's parliamentary lunch, speaking on the need for water efficiency to its members and members of parliament.
Speaking on his appointment, Lee said: "We are travelling a challenging path and the last few years have been particularly painful for our members. But the BMA remains strong, focused and proactive and I am extremely proud to be taking the lead."
The AGM also saw the election of the managing director of Roman, David Osborne, to the position of first vice president. He is currently chairman of the BMA's Centre of Excellence Product Group.

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EDITOR'S COMMENT: School's out

Kitchens & Bathrooms News,
Editor Philippa Turrell

Soon after the summer holidays is a time usually associated with pupils returning to school and college. But sadly this may not be the case for Kitchen Installation students at WEBS Training in Nottinghamshire. Due to a change in Government rules, which sees the apprenticeship qualifications having to double in length, it means the courses are now more expensive to run. And, sadly, it could be the kitchen installation courses are no longer viable for its provider WEBS Training. It’s potentially a tragic blow for our industry, which has struggled to get the need for industry training recognised in the first place. And it also puts into perspective any wrangles over the focus of industry training – which critics had slammed for not focusing on design enough. What was a starting point in industry training certainly had to be better than none at all.

But even more importantly it signifies a huge hole in the kitchen industry career path. With fewer qualifications available, it could mean there is less chance of the kitchen industry being seen as a profession. While kitchen specialists are undoubtedly experts, a lack of a formal education could see them perceived as less knowledgeable than allied design professionals - even in their own field.

And how is the kitchen industry (or bathroom for that matter) going to attract new talent? Without a career path, carved by formal qualifications, how can the trade attract school-leavers or graduates? Affiliated trades such as architecture and interior design have created celebrity status professionals and sealed their status as coveted careers. Could it mean, then, that these will become a natural path – or even (dare I say it) the only future path - into kitchen and bathroom retail and design?

As an industry we should – and must – join together to support what training initiatives are available. Now, more than ever, we have to back the kitchen installation apprenticeships still on offer through North Tyneside Training Service and Mortimore Enterprises in Liverpool. And we must continue to lend our support to the likes of the kbbNTG, to help create formal training procedures in kitchen and bathroom studies.

The kitchen and bathroom industry is vibrant and design-rich. And it is now about time we showed the rest of the world just how professional it can be!

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Hudson Reed owner snaps up Niko Distribution

Parent company of Hudson Reed, Ultra Finishing has just acquired bathroom supplier Niko Distribution, which is based in Halifax West Yorkshire. Niko Distribution manufactures and distributes shower enclosures, bathroom furniture, baths and sanitaryware to the merchant trade throughout the UK and Ireland.

The two businesses have worked together for years and will continue to trade as separate entities. Ultra Finishing will focus on the fulfilment of Premier/Niko products, together with its Hudson Reed and Ultra brands, while Niko will supply OEM customers.

Joining the board of Ultra Finishing, Tony Wood of Niko commented: “We are excited to announce this development, as we believe this acquisition will enable the two businesses to benefit from each other’s strengths, develop new opportunities together, and offer customers the best value for money together with marketing-leading service from their supply chain.”

It follows on from Ultra Finishing Group’s acquisition of Valquest, a UK manufacturer of thermostatic shower cartridges.

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Sonae Industria chipboard plant faces closure

Wood-based panel producer Sonae Industria UK will enter into consultation with employee and trade union representatives over the possible closure of its plant in Knowsley, Merseyside.  The particle board plant has been open for 12 years, employing 220 people, and has a production capacity of 500,000m3 per annum.

The plant has had a troubled existence, having faced a number of health and safety enquiries and been the site of three deaths during the last three years. It has also had two fires, with one taking hold in June, last year.

Labour MP for Knowsley, George Howarth had called for the plant to be closed permanently in an early day motion at the House of Commons.

According to the company, long delays obtaining planning permission, following the fire, coupled with the economic climate and construction downturn have affected the viability of the plant.

Sonae Industria UK is an indirect affiliate company of Portugese Sonae Industria SGPS SA. The Portugese company had a consolidated turnover of €1.293million, in 2010, with 38% from sales in Central Europe, including the UK. During this time, the UK operation accounted for 5% of turnover.

Among its customers, Sonae Industria UK supplies melamine faced chipboard to Hill's Panel Products (HPP), which provides components to the furniture and construction industry. According to HPP, it serves a client base of over 2,000 businesses, including independents, which place an average of over 9,000 orders per month.

Marketing manager of HPP, Dan Mounsey commented: "Since 2007 we have purchased product manufactured at the Knowsley plant on a regular basis".

However he pointed out: " Our business with Sonae currently accounts for less than 5% of our total MFC purchases. At its peak, in 2010, this figure was 30%. We made the strategic decision to move business away from Sonae earlier this year to guarantee continuity of supply to our customers. If Sonae does stop production [in the UK], as indicated, it should have no bearing on HPP's ability to supply the market with our various MFC related products 9full sheets of MFC, cut and edged MFC, flatpack carcases etc). We still have a good relationship with Sonae and will hopefully continue to supply the UK market with product manufactured in their European factories.

In a statement Sonae Industria UK said it plans to continue supplying the UK market.

However Mounsey said it could lead to a hike in the cost of chipboard: "I think in many ways a price rice is inevitable, when you factor in the cost of manufacturing on the continent and then transport costs of getting what is a very heavy and bulky product here. Sonae has indicated that it will try to remain competitive, so there may be scope for it looking to mitigate this to some extent but the nature of the MFC market means that any increase will be passed on to customers."

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