Friday 21 September 2012

100% Design: Total recall

Now under new management, 100% Design has taken on a fresh new look this year. Using the same formula as its sister show Grand Designs Live - tunnel entrance and central bar leading to themed spaces - it still manages to maintain the air or ambiance associated with 100% Design.Think of a uber-chic Cocktail bar where it's so stylish, you feel you shouldn't be allowed in. Door hosts? Check. Dark, theatrical areas? Check. DJ spinning chill-out tunes, designer labels. Check and check. It's fashionable, it's bang-on trend but far from being effortless, this show is contrived to be the at the apex of cool.
Yet is it simply a case of style over substance?The division of the exhibition space and dedicated Kitchens & Bathrooms zone helps to focus on these rooms of the home. But separated from the Interiors space, it does lose out on the relationship between designs that influence kitchen and bathrooms.
The Kitchen & Bathroom space of the show may not have the largest representation - visitors could navigate the area in a matter of hours - but think posh shoe shops, the more expensive, the fewer in the window. And, although far from comprehensive, it does have a wide choice of products on display from appliances to work tops, furniture and  hot taps through to sanitaryware. But what makes 100% Design stand-out is the names the show attracts, which differ from the regulars on the kitchen and bathroom exhibition scene. Silverdale Bathrooms, Venete Cucine, Ella, DeVol, Not Only White, Doca and Bora are just some of the designer brand names on show.
It would be unfair to judge 100% Design as a bathrooms and kitchens show, after all the space forms part of a wider contemporary design event, including Offices and Eco Design & Build. But for bathroom and kitchen designers, who want to see the very latest in cutting-edge cool, 100% Design is in its 18th year and has come of age. And it will be interesting to see how this revamped show continues to mature.

100% Design takes place at Earl's Court in London and runs until September September 22, 2012

To see the products from the show, read the review of 100% Design in the November issue of Kitchens & Bathrooms News. Subscribe for FREE.

Wednesday 19 September 2012

Kitchens & Bathrooms News supports WorldSkills UK

Publisher of Kitchens & Bathrooms News, Hamerville Media Group has been named official media partner of WorldSkills UK, which is part of the National Apprenticeship Service.  WorldSkills UK showcases the skill level of apprenticeships through competitions, awards and local activities, which can culminate in The Skills Show and National Apprenticeships Week.
The Skills Show is the UK’s largest skills and careers event and takes place at the NEC Birmingham from November 15-19. It showcases national talent, across a variety of subject disciplines and features over 50 competitions, alongside ‘Have a go’ activities. The event will include kitchen and bathroom affiliated trades, showcasing skills in cabinet making, carpentry, plumbing, plus wall and floor tiling.
In addition, there will be national and regional employers, colleges, universities, higher education institutes, sector skills councils, trade and membership associations with exhibition stands.
Around 100,000 visitors are expected to the show, which includes students, young adults and teachers.
There is also a two-day conference programme, as part of the wide events schedule, which brings together sector leaders, young people and businesses. The programme has been devised by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills, Business in the Community and The Edge Foundation, showcasing research into technical and vocational education.

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Tuesday 18 September 2012

World premiere of Axor Starck Organic

After three years of development, today saw the world premiere of the Axor Starck Organic bathroom collection at the Ewert in Berlin. The collection is the result of another collaboration between designer Philippe Starck and Axor, which also marks the 20-year milestone of the two companies working together. Axor Starck Organic features a new spray technology, which has 90 outlets to provide a larger spray surface area. Water flow and temperature are controlled separately, with flow controlled at the end of the spout and temperature at the top. The design is said to be more economic with less water lost between switching the tap on, and placing the hands underneath. It delivers a flow rate of 3.5 litres, which can be increased to 5 litres if required. Also keeping ecological issues in mind, its construction allows for a third less brass to be used.
 Axor Starck Organic comprises over 40 products spanning basin mixers in four heights, as well as a wall-mounted solution, and bath and shower mixers. A range of accessories including a towel rail, hooks, toilet roll holder and toilet brush are also available.
 Philippe Starck explained the design and inspiration behind the collection: “Slowly but surely I started to realise that life was missing. That it [previous Starck model] was perfect but the sort of energy of life was missing.
 “So I started to work on the idea of how could continue to go to less but stay human. If I can find the minimal but with the natural inspiration of the human body and the vegetal, perhaps we can have the final solution.
 “It was the idea to speak about the elegance of the vegetal, the elegance of the human and it was about the energy of life. That is what we shall present you with today.”

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Monday 17 September 2012

Ideal Bathrooms saves Showerlux brand in UK

Following the closure of Showerlux UK, the brand will now be available through national distributor Ideal Bathrooms. The exclusive distribution agreement sees Ideal Bathrooms supplied by the parent company of Showerlux UK, Duscholux.
Commercial director Danielle Lillis commented: “Following the unfortunate closure of the Showerlux UK operation, we entered negotiations with Duscholux, who have manufactured almost all of Showerlux’s products sold in the UK.” She continued: “In effect, Ideal Bathroom will perform a similar operation, importing from the manufacturer to supply merchants and retailers”.
The distribution agreement includes a review of price points and customer discounts, which will be realigned to be competitive for the market and to offer improved retailer margins.
Ideal Bathrooms will focus solely on Showerlux shower enclosures and will be taking models in stock, which like the rest of its product lines, will be available with next day delivery.
In addition, Ideal Bathrooms will be undertaking product development with the Duscholux research and development team to introduce additional product tailored to the UK market.
Ideal Bathrooms managing director, John Bagshaw added: “Whilst the loss of any bathroom company is unfortunate, we recognised that this is a fantastic opportunity for Ideal bathrooms to form a new supplier partnership by strategically aligning the two businesses. This is a big move for us, providing us with a major opportunity to add a very strong showering brand to our existing product portfolio. We will be investing heavily in stock and marketing to ensure the Showerlux future is a bright one.”
Simon Lake, Duscholux managing director, welcomed the arrangement: “Duscholux are delighted that we have agreed an exclusive partnership with Ideal Bathrooms to enable us to continue to supply the UK market. Crucially it will allow us to improve the commercial offer to our customers and, coupled with the excellent back-up and service that Ideal Bathrooms is renowned for, means that Showerlux retailers will benefit from a far superior business package moving forward.The last few weeks have been difficult and I apologise for any disruption that has been caused to our customers. I fully believe that this new era will enable the brand to prosper one again and we are fully committed to working closely with Ideal Bathrooms in order to achieve this.”

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Thursday 13 September 2012

EDITOR'S COMMENT: Compare this market?

Aside from the headline stories of Showerlux and AWA ceasing to trade, one of the biggest topics getting the industry talking has been rumblings about comparison quotes. It's posing a genuine concern for high street retailers, who are losing out on business with apparent like-for-like competitor quotes, which actually are a lower specification than the original. So the launch of a kitchen comparison site (www.kitchen-compare.com) can only be a good thing...can't it? We all know the kitchen can be a complicated purchase and if a website can provide specification and price transparency then it should be applauded.
Yet, can a piece of software genuinely provide direct comparisons between kitchen purchases? Let's  ignore the fact the website only covers three DIY brands and isn't representative of the entire retail marketplace. Let's overlook it only gives a price on three scenario layouts and if a consumer wants a red gloss kitchen, it will merrily costs a bright red decor against burgundy. It is new and has to start somewhere. My concern is that it only costs out the furniture, worktops and handles, what about appliances, sink, tap, lighting, heating - not to mention the potentially hefty bill of installation? (Although I have been informed these are to follow shortly).

We all know there is so much more to a kitchen purchase and refit than simply the price of each individual product. What about the design aspect of creating a kitchen, tailor-made to each client's requirements? What about the customer service, creating a purchasing experience which is memorable for all the right reasons? What about the fit, managing the entire interior project and organising related trades to create a seamless refurbishment and within deadline? In short, what about the entire customer journey, and their satisfaction?
Consumer champion Which? magazine surveyed its readers, last year, on the best price to buy a kitchen but looked at a wider remit than simply the cost. While price is certainly an important factor for consumers in this tough market, surely we should be championing value for money?
The website may be a starting point for some consumers, showing the very base level they need to be thinking about for a kitchen budget - but by missing these important elements is it really helping the consumer as it professes? Or does it just further muddy the water only aiding to confuse the consumer about what a kitchen purchase truly involves.

Let us know what you think. Email the editor, Philippa Turrell with your thoughts.

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Thursday 6 September 2012

AWA Bathrooms pulls out of distribution

National distributor AWA Bathrooms has notified showroom customers and suppliers that it will stop trading as of December 31, 2012.
The Bedfordshire-based business distributes 35 bathroom brands from the likes of Ideal Standard, Mira, Twyford Bathrooms, JT and Grohe nationwide.
Founded in 1965 as AW Andes in central London, the family-owned company then supplied only the South region. Following expansion, it made moves in London and Hertfordshire before resting at a 76,000sq distribution warehouse in Biggleswade.
The company also went on to open a facility in Manchester, which has since closed. A carrier service supplies the North and South West of England, as well as Wales.
AWA was acquired by Durston UK along with its merchant brand Fayers Plumbing & Building Supplies and Just Add Water retail showrooms.
Group managing director of Durston UK, Malcolm Whitton commented: "Following a detailed review of Durston (UK) Ltd business activities and in the light on ongoing difficult trading conditions, we have identified the need to focus on the futher development of our North London Fayers merchanting and Just Add Water bathroom showroom businesses going forward.
"As a result, and after careful consideration, we have embarked on a period of consulationa withthe effect staff at the Biggleswade head quarters of AWA Bathrooms Ltd on a phased and orderly withdrawal from this distribution element of our business by the 31st December 2012. We will continue to service customers in the interim period.
"It is with much regret that we have reached this decision, particularly in relation to such a longstanding and well-respected name in the industry."
Are you a retailer affected by AWA stopping trading? Did you expect the news or has it come as a shock? Are you a bathroom manufacturer who supplies AWA? How will this affect your sales or distribution of products? Email the editor Philippa Turrell.

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tc bathrooms blasts administration rumour

National distributor tc bathrooms has hit out at suggestions that the company has been placed in administration. The rumour has been circulated for weeks, however had recently gathered pace on twitter with retailers looking for confirmation or a denial.
However, managing director of tc bathrooms Martin Chalcraft was quick to slam the speculation, stating that there was “no truth whatsoever” in the gossip. He countered: “I am very frustrated at the negativity it brings.”
Speaking exclusively to Kitchens & Bathrooms News, Martin Chalcraft said he believed the rumour was initiated by rival bathroom businesses, stating: “It has definitely come from competitors.”
He said: “When people are quite, reps don’t have a lot to talk about and not a lot to sell. Some of our customers are quieter than they like and normally [reps] wouldn’t get the time of day.”
He added that product shortages, may have led companies to mistakenly think tc bathrooms was in financial trouble: “We’ve had a lot of stock shortages over the last couple of months and I think it has emanated from there. The reason being was the final quarter of last year, for us, was very quiet. We saw our trade business drop back quite significantly and as any prudent business would, we cut back on our supply, to obviously match supply and demand, that’s judicious in anyone’s book.”
Chalcraft continued: “Since kbbBirmingham in March, we had a fantastic show. The product, the new brochure and the pricing structure was received better than I expected, to be honest. And to some degree, it caught us out because we still had production levels at a level which weren’t then sufficient for demand.”
Since tc bathrooms imports its products from the Far East, it took time to ramp up production. Chalcraft said: “It was only in August that we found stock levels back to where they really should be and they’re probably not really where they should be in utopia. But I think off the back of frustration of customers in some lines, it wasn’t across everything, it was unfortunately across the best-selling products, I think people put two and two together and came up with five.”
However he pointed out: “Let me be clear. This business is doing fine. We’re not going into administration. We’re not in administration.”
When asked if the business had been in administration, Chalcraft exclaimed: “Christ, no! At half year, my business is up 10% on the prior year like-for-like. That’s a statistic that not many MDs could boast about, currently in the industry, I would guess.” He added: “I’m profitable and I’m well run and there’s not a lot more to add, if I’m honest.”
Dewsbury-based tc bathrooms was established in 2000, operates from a purpose-built, 205,000 sq ft warehouse and distribution centre and employs 166 staff. It supplies a range of bathroom products from cast iron baths, through to furniture, steam cabinets, taps and sanitaryware.
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