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| Kitchens & Bathrooms News Editor, Philippa Turrell |
Apparently, there are moves underfoot to initiate ‘one voice’ which represents the bathroom and kitchen industry. I understand the basics; we all want to sell bathroom and kitchen products, through the supply chain, to the consumer - so why don’t we all join in together? And if this is a group for sharing knowledge, then there may - just may - be an opportunity. If however, it’s to represent the entire bathroom and kitchen industry chain - in reality and erring on being cynical - I think it will be an obstacle too far.
The bathroom and kitchen industry is a complicated (and frequently entangled) web of supply. A consumer’s bathroom or kitchen purchase could be through a high street showroom, DIY, merchant, installer, housebuilder, property developer, architect, interior designer or even internet retailer. It could even be a mix of all the above. These groups have differing interests, needs and wants – some of which may be conflicting - and all of whom are fighting to gain the bathroom and kitchen business.
The thought that ‘one voice’ could speak or direct all these groups is ideological nonsense. Let’s face it – there isn’t even consensus of opinion in the retail sector alone – as the lack of representation at trade associations already shows.
A report this ‘one voice’ is now planning to reduce the number of costly call-backs, by setting standards for industry training, is inconcievable. How will this select group succeed when existing schemes have floundered? Has anyone even asked those on the shop floor, for their view, about how to prevent call-backs because retailers certainly don’t want the hassle of dealing with irate customers? Surely, if it as an easy as gathering a panel of industry people together to speak with ‘one voice’ – why hasn’t it been done before? The answer’s simple – the will isn’t there if the vested interests aren’t met.
This industry has got to raise its professionalism – taking a lead from the kitchen and bathroom industry in the States – with qualified or certified individuals. I believe this can’t be driven by the industry but must be enforced by Government or financial institutions (such as home insurers) demanding works can only be completed by qualified personnel. What the industry should be doing is putting vested interests to one side, and discussing this issue with external parties to see how it can benefit all. But I bet no such thing has been done… In fact, so far this underground 'voice’ for the industry has been rather quiet - hasn’t it?
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I have to say that I agree with most of the above, in particular the call for raising professionalism in what we call the "kitchen and bathroom' industry.
ReplyDeleteTruth be told, this "industry" is mostly the creation of the media - oh the irony - who saw the opportunity to make a few bob by bringing together two major home improvement areas within one trade magazine. And around 30 years ago, there was only one trade magazine that looked at both areas, called K&B.
Prior to Michael Franks first launching kbbreview magazine and then launching the KBB Tradex exhibition, kitchens and bathrooms were on nodding terms at best. Very few specialist retailers sold both kitchens and bathrooms and the two areas were halls apart at Interbuild.
And even when "kitchen showrooms" (a German "invention" by the way) started to mushroom - as nearly every semi-skilled fitter was convinced by kitchen furniture companies that they had the skills to run a business - the lion's share of bathroom sales remained with merchants as I suspect they still do.
Today, it still suits magazine publishers (and exhibition organisers) to think in terms of one sector, but a great number of differences remain. That's one of the reasons there is a kitchen section and a bathroom section at kbb Birmingham and kbb London for exhibiting, even if both come together in the seminar programmes.
Is there any common ground? Ironically the BMA's Bathroom Industry Conference is a good place to start.
I would challenge any captain of kitchen product supply to attend this event and not come away with a head full of ideas of how they could improve their business.
Grahame Morrison