Kitchen designer appointed director of SBID

Independent kitchen designer Darren Morgan has been appointed as regional director of Northern Ireland of The Society of British Interior Design (SBID). Morgan of Designer Kitchen, in Armagh, provides kitchen design and project management locally and across the globe.

He forms one of ten regional directors, and the Secretariat which runs the London area.

Morgan has over 12 years experience in the kitchen industry, has won awards for his designs and featured in many magazines, including Kitchens & Bathrooms News.

SBID represents the interior design industry by promoting high standards in design knowledge, business development, competence and manufacture in design fit-out and construction. The association is part of a global network of 50,000 designers who are professionally accredited. SBID is the British organisation selected by the 17 national members of the European Council of Interior Architects and the National Council for Interior Design Qualification in the USA and Canada.
Darren Morgan commented on his appointment: "I am delighted to represent an organisation which is widely respected as the custodian of good design by our peers. I hope that my involvement will encourage more professionalism and cohesion between design disciplines and inspire new talent to follow their dreams."

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Royal visit to celebrate Belling's 100 years of trading

Chief executive of Belling Denver Hewlett
recieves the Queen's Award for Enterprise
from His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent

As part of Belling's centennial celebrations, His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent visited the appliance manufacturer and presented its parent company GDHA with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise. The Duke was given a tour of Belling’s headquarters and factory to see how its cooking appliances are manufactured in the UK. In addition, he was given a presentation about Belling’s commitment to British manufacture.

Celebrity chef and Belling brand ambassador Brian Turner also gave a cookery demonstration, using the company’s appliances.

Concluding the visit, the Duke officially presented Belling’s parent company, Glen Dimplex Home Appliances with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise. It was given to the manufacturing group, earlier this year, after overseas sales of its British-made products increased by 880%. 

The Queen's Award for Enterprise is an accolade for business performance, and recognises and rewards outstanding achievement. They are made each year by Her Majesty the Queen, on the recommendation of an advisory committee, including representatives of Government, industry and commerce, and trade unions.

Speaking at the ceremony the Vice Lord Lieutenant said: “You have built a reputation for excellence and I want to congratulate you all on your success, for the Queen’s Award is a great honour to all the people involved in every aspect of the business.

“It is the result of vision, commitment, application and sheer hard work by you all. The award recognises the results of teamwork under positive leadership and it certainly sets a standard of achievement that will be hard to beat. I’m sure Glen Dimplex will continue to prosper to the benefit of those you employ, the county of Merseyside and, indeed, the whole United Kingdom.”

Denver Hewlett, chief executive of Belling, said: “It is a hugely significant year for Great Britain, the Royal Family and Belling and it was a real honour to welcome the Duke to our headquarters to help mark our centenary celebrations.

“Belling has a rich heritage and has played an important role in British manufacture for the past century. It was fantastic to be able to commemorate this by showing the Duke how our appliances are made right here in Liverpool and give our dedicated and hardworking staff the opportunity to be part of this momentous day.

“Being officially presented with the Queen’s Award from the Duke rounded off a wonderful occasion – it is an accolade that we are extremely proud of and marks many years of hard work by people across the business.”

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Better Bathrooms does the double at Warrington Business Awards

North-West based bathroom retailer Better Bathrooms scooped two honours at the Warrington Business Awards. The event, hosted by the Warrington Guardian Newspaper, saw Better Bathrooms presented Retailer of the Year and Business of the Year 2012.

The judges cited Better Bathrooms ‘driven nature and impressive journey’, as well as customer satisfaction being placed at the heart of their daily operations as winning factors. In addition, helping it seal a double win, was the company’s position as a local employer with a showroom, warehouse, head office and trade counter all located in the Warrington Borough.

This family-run business employs 120 people and ensures they are involved and understand company news and activities through social events, reward schemes and internal newsletters.

Founder of the 11-year old business, Colin Stevens commented on the win: “We’re astounded to have scooped up both these flagship awards, especially with the quality of finalists in each category. Better Bathrooms has undergone unprecedented growth and achievements over the past year and it’s superb that others recognise our hard work and attention to detail within such a competitive industry. The entire team is so proud of our achievements to date, and our constant ambition generates the motivation to reach greater accomplishments.”

Having started in the bedroom of Colin Stevens, the company now totals three showrooms, two warehouses, a trade counter and an online store.

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Samsung equips floating Eco Home

Samsung has provided the appliances for a sustainable, floating home, based in St Katharine's Dock, in London. Inachus, which takes its name from the Greek river god, is set over three floors and is said to be one of 40 dwellings in the UK with Energy Level 5 status.

The home achieves zero heating, ventilation and lighting carbon emissions, including using sunlight to warm the house and a wireless system to control lighting, heating and audio. It is the latest development in Sanitov Floating Homes’ Future-Cities project, plus and features a number of Samsung’s appliances, including Dual Cook steam oven, Eco Bubble washing machine and G Series three door refrigerator, as well as a gas hob and four burner anyplace induction hob are all on display. The Navibot vacuum cleaner, Solo microwave oven and three of its latest LED TVs are also inside.

According to Robert King, vice president of consumer electronics at Samsung UK and Ireland: “One of the key concepts of the project was to draw on the latest technology to create a spacious, flexible, comfortable, interactive and connected eco-friendly home environment. Some of the key requirements to establish that environment centered around products with premium design, smart-connected technology and of course energy-efficiency.

“Samsung as a leading manufacturer was able to offer world class products that met a lot of those requirements, not just in categories that you are more than familiar with such as our TV category, but in the growing areas of development for Samsung, including home appliances and our leading mobile devices and entertainment systems.”

Samsung appliances can also be seen in London at a recently opened a pop-up branded showcase in luxury department store Harrods.

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Kitchen apprenticeships closure is a ‘travesty’

Apprenticeships in Kitchen Installation are under threat at WEBS Training in Nottingham, seeing all future courses cancelled, in a move that the kbbNTG has labelled a ‘travesty’.

Changes in rules by the Skills Funding Agency (SFA), which provides funding for the apprenticeships, mean the Kitchen Installation courses no longer meet its terms from August 1. It demands that 12 months study are required for the NVQ Level 2 and a further 12 months study for Level 3, doubling the length of the course and making it more expensive to run.

The full-time Kitchen Installation Courses currently run for 12 months and see candidates paid £90 per week, by WEBS, to gain an NVQ Level 2 or NVQ Level 3 in making and installing furniture (kitchens).

Training director of WEBS Training Peter Sisson commented: "Three years ago we started a scheme with full support of the SFA and approved by Ofsted, where we employed apprentices on a full time Kitchen Installation course. We were increasingly seeing the demand for Kitchen fitters and a desire by young people to gain entry into the industry but were unable due to lack of experience. Most kitchen fitters are either self-employed or part of a small team and were therefore unable to take the risk of employing an apprentice. WEBS are a none profit making business, working solely with the furniture and associated industries, and were therefore in a position to support these young people.

He continued: "After spending the first few months in house learning the basics of kitchen fitting, Apprentices are placed out with fitter having real experience in customers houses. WEBS continue to pay the Apprentice during this time so there is no risk to the fitter."

However, the new ruling will mean that it will be too prohibitive in cost for WEBS to now run. Peter Sisson added: "Our course will therefore have to change to 24 months. Every Apprentice of the scheme has at least two new kitchens as part of their course as well as numerous practice pieces entirely at Webs costs. Increasing the course to 24 months will obviously double the cost of running it with no increase in funding and therefore becomes unsustainable".

Around 40 apprentices have already been trained through the programme and 20 are currently on courses.

WEBS has worked with the kbbNTG since its inception, eight years ago. Renee Mascari commented that the KBB NTG was also working with WEBS Training on an apprenticeship framework for kitchen design, which is now unlikely to come to fruition.

The training provider had also recently opened a £2.5million training facility, part funded by the SFA, with a 'considerable area' dedicated to kitchen installation.

Chief executive of the kbb NTG Renee Mascari has provided letters of support for the courses from the kbbNTG and the Kitchen & Bathroom Forum, but to no avail.

Sisson added: "We are currently looking at all options and have had numerous discussions with the SFA and National Apprenticeship service who say they support our programme and value it highly but cannot allow us to break the new rules. We were hoping to take on a group of school leavers in the next few weeks but this has now been put on hold until a way forward can be found."

Renee Mascari is 'gutted' about the SFA decision, having declared: "It’s a travesty of the first order. How can we introduce any new people into our industry, if [Government] has tied our hands, feet and mouth together?”

She is now calling for the kitchen and bathroom industry to pull together and offer their support to petition over the withdrawal of funding for the WEBS Kitchen Installation apprenticeship. Email Renee Mascari, of the kbb NTG, for more information.

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Samsung opens pop-up showcase at Harrods

Appliance manufacturer Samsung has opened a pop-up branded home appliance showcase in luxury department store Harrods, in London, for nine weeks. It features a limited edition £3,000 refrigerator, available exclusively through Harrods, decorated with gem stones, ink stained glass and champagne handles.

The RS26 MBZBL refrigerator is A++ rated, boasts a 701 litre capacity with a mini drinks bar and features the CoolSelect Zone drawer which acts as a ‘mini fridge within a fridge’ with five settings.

Supported by Samsung-trained staff, the showcase will also feature appliances from across its premium cooking, laundry, floorcare and refrigeration, including the Dual Cook oven, ecobubble washing machine and G-Series refrigerator.

Robert King, vice president of consumer electronics at Samsung Electronics UK & Ireland said: “We are delighted to be working with Harrods to open our first home appliances showcase in one of Britain’s most iconic stores. This will be a stunning display of our cutting-edge, high-end products and an opportunity for our customers to experience the brand in a completely new environment.”

Samsung UK has also recently opened its first cookery school, in conjunction with kitchen appliance retailer Nailsea Electrical in Bristol. It will play host to courses for novice and experienced cooks, including ‘demonstration and dine’ days.

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Ex-Sanitec appointment ‘coincidence’ states Ideal Standard

Former Sanitec executive vice president
Anna Burns joins Ideal Standard

Ideal Standard has denied the recruitment of a former Sanitec executive vice president is linked to a potential acquisition of the Swedish bathroom giant, stating it is ‘coincidence’.

Anna Burns, formerly executive vice president of product line management and innovation at Sanitec, has been employed by Ideal Standard, in a project-based role, working on the trade side of the business.

At Sanitec, Burns was responsible for product design, development and portfolio management across the group and was in charge of an 18-strong team. Prior to her position at Sanitec, Burns has also held a number of senior marketing roles at Sanitec-owned Twyford Bathrooms.

Most recently, she was employed by radiator manufacturer Stelrad, where she held the position of marketing director. There she was charged with spearheading the introduction of brands and product ranges for merchants and specifiers.

According to the news agency Reuters, Sanitec has been put up for sale by its private equity group owner EQT, for an estimated 1Billion Euros.

Although it remains to be confirmed, Reuters claims Ideal Standard Bain Capital is through to the second round of the bidding process for Sanitec.

However Ideal Standard would not be drawn on any comment about the potential acquisition of Sanitec.

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Doca opens doors to London showroom

Spanish kitchen, bathroom and bedroom furniture manufacturer Doca has opened the doors of its 1,500sq ft showroom in West London. Architects, developers, interior designers, housebuilders and kitchen retailers visited the showroom, during the two-day opening event at the showroom, situated at Studio 20, Acklam Road, just off Portabello Road.

Doca has identified London and Russia as its first two 'strategically important' export markets, as it aims to broaden the base of its business outside its native Spanish market.

Its London trade showroom features three kitchen displays, two of which are working, as well as bedroom furniture. Taking centre stage of the showroom was the Milano kitchen with chamfered veneer doors and matching chamfered worktop edge, for a floating surface appearance. It is available in a choice of 30 veneers, eight carcasses and three internal drawer finishes.

This was joined by a kitchen display in white, with full ceiling-height top units with bi-folding electric opening doors. However the same display is available in 25 standard lacquers or any RAL colour providing over 250 finishes.

Completing the kitchen displays was a setting with a 7.5m walnut ‘dining’ table, which has a secondary use as a boardroom/training table for dealers. However, arguably of key interest in the same room setting was a ‘Gum’ lacquer that felt like soft rubber.

Completing the showroom, were wardrobe systems made from framed glass doors with an internal light which, when switched on, allows the opaque glass to become transparent.

Director of Doca UK, Steve Holgate was pleased with the response to the London showroom. He said after the first day of opening: “It was absolutely constant. We were open 12-8pm. The last person arrived at 7.20 and although we were open until 8pm, we were prepared to stay open longer.”

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Willbond welcomes Olympic Flame

Capitalising on the UK's interest in the Olympic torch relay, staff at bathroom and plumbing specialist Willbond joined in the celebrations to welcome the flame to Nottingham.

Eight members of Willbond staff sat on top of WCs, and wore printed t-shirts spelling out Willbond, as it passed by its plumbing centre and trade showroom in Radford on Day 42 of the tour.

Managing director of Willbond, Tony Hogg said: “Although the attendant road closures cost us some business, we were delighted to embrace the spirit of the torch relay and to be part of an historic event. Our staff certainly added great humour and fun to the occasion, which seemed to be much appreciated by the participants and spectators”.

What have you done to celebrate the Olympic torch’s arrival into your area? Has it been good for kitchen and bathroom businesses? Are you in the kbb industry and have carried the torch? Email the Editor of Kitchens & Bathrooms News with your story.

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Jetstone plans to double UK turnover

Dutch stone distributor and fabricator Jetstone is planning to nearly double its UK turnover to £2.8million in the next two years.

The UK is the second largest market for Jetstone which supplies granite, quartz and most recently ceramic worktops to around 100-150 mid-upper market kitchen showrooms. In addition, it is also a distributor for Franke, Blanco and ABK sinks, Franke and KWC taps and the S-Box concealed worktop storage.

At the beginning of 2012, Jetstone doubled the number of sales agents in the UK – from two to seven - and it believes this will see the revenue boost from its current £1.5million turnover.

Jetstone used to supply the now defunct Moben kitchens, and alongside supplying independent retailers, the company is also seeking large volume accounts to drive sales. It already provides stone worktops to Tesco Kitchens, via Mark Two Distribution.

Marketing co-ordinator of Jetstone Remco Jaspers explains that large group accounts help to give the company kudos: “The fact that we had Moben and now Tesco does open the door to larger companies. As people will say, if they have worked with Moben and do work with Tesco, Jetstone is probably going to be a big company.”

Remco Jaspers also believes ceramic worktops will form part of the company’s success. Currently ceramic sales account for 15% of Jetstone’s turnover and he expects the material to account for 40% within two years.

The ceramic, which comes from Italy, is available in a satin texture in a variety of finishes from wood to metallic, through to Oxide finishes. It is not only used for worktops, with mitred edges allowing edge profiles from 10-100mm, but can also be used for flooring and wall cladding

The company is opening a second factory to help meet the expected volume for ceramic, which will boost the future capacity of the company by 36% to 750 orders per week.

Jetstone was founded in 1993 and operates across 7 countries, including a UK office in Hemel Hempstead. It has 120 employees, across the company, and supplies 400 orders per week. The company has 8,000 slabs in stock, with over 200 materials, including 26 ceramic colours as standard, but also has access to all supplier products.

Delivery is within 5-8 days, direct to retail customers, and all the worktops are fitted by Jetstone installers.

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Pedini back in the UK

Italian kitchen manufacturer Pedini officially opened its Battersea showroom in London last night, marking the return of the brand into the UK.

The 5,500sqft showroom combines Pedini kitchens alongside Domus tiles and is being run by Italian company Lida Cucina, trading under the name Pedini London.

Despite the Pedini brand having previously pulled out of the UK, Sandra Hendry, sales and marketing at Lida Cucina commented: “There was nothing wrong with the brand or the product. They sell all over the world. Business is flying and taking on Pedini has made a big difference.”

Further expansion seems to be in place for the Pedini brand, with six showrooms planned for the M25 area, as well as others around the country including suggestions of Cheltenham, Manchester and York.

Martin Hanna, UK agent for Pedini, commented: “What happened to Pedini in the UK before is history. We are not interested in the past. We are speaking about the future. It is probably still the plan that we have six stores within the M25, strategically placed away from each other to allow the growth of each business. We also have a store opening in Guernsey.”

The brand has dropped its prices, introduced a couple of new ranges and are taking a “slowly slowly” strategy according to Hanna.

Francesco Verdini, export manager for Pedini, added: “Maybe the reputation we had is not good, but once people remember the brand, they remember the quality so this is the important thing for people. In the past, maybe the mistake was made by Pedini UK that prices were too high and to deal with them was too difficult. So now we have changed. We want to be more flexible, we want to create a network. Whereas before, we just had one shop with exclusive dealership. It doesn’t work. Maybe they weren’t making the right steps. Like little by little, step by step and grow in a short time.”

Verdini concluded: “When you build a house, you need to start from the base and the base must be solid otherwise the house will fall down. A business is the same.”

Ceramic surfaces in kitchens

Philippa Turrell takes a look at ceramic to find out what this material may mean to kitchen showroom worktop sales

 

Luca Bottazzi of Laminam and Remco Jaspers
 of UK distributor Jetstone see production of the ceramic

Italy may not be the native home of Spaghetti Bolognese or garlic bread (who knew?) but it is where you will find porcelain ceramic, measuring just 3mm in depth. Made by Laminam, in Fiorano Modenese, this self-titled ceramic originated for building applications, (flooring and walls), and is still used for this purpose today, as well as exterior cladding, doors, shipbuilding and furniture. Following the influence of architects in domestic design, ceramic is now being used for kitchen furniture and worktops. In fact, kitchen tops now account for 60-70% of the manufacturer's sales. The ceramic is not only featured on Alno’s AlnoCera kitchen furniture range but is also available as a worktop, through distributor and fabricator Jetstone. This alternative to granite and top-end quartz worktops forms 5% up to 10% of Jetstone's worktop offer in Holland after 5 years. So, it is perhaps surprising that Jetstone's marketing co-ordinator Remco Jaspers says ceramic worktops already has a bigger share of its sales in this country. Currently 15% of its UK turnover is ceramic worktops and he believes in two years, this figure could reach around 40%. He explains why ceramics is so popular: "I think the UK [retailer] is open to something new. That’s my impression. At least in the market we’re in, the designer studios want something the guy down the road doesn’t have.”

At its UK launch at kbbBirmingham, managing director of Jetstone, John Van den Heuvel demonstrated one of its properties – fire resistance – with two blowtorches! But the ceramic also offers resistance against chemical, wear, frost, and UV light, as well as boasting hygienic benefits by inhibiting bacterial growth and it is recyclable. Now ceramic worktops are already featured as displays in 20-25 kitchen showrooms, across the country.

Arguably, the look of ceramic scores just as highly as its features. Luca Bottazzi, responsible for sales at Laminam, comments: “For architecture it is very difficult to match different materials [used for different applications]. Using ceramic you can be sure to have the same result, whether it’s used on the floor, walls or as furniture. There is no limitation; it can be used for every flat application. We follow the work of the architect or designer and not the opposite way around.”

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Swift: Distributors need to offer less

Speaking at Swift Electrical's  Trade Event to celebrate Belling's 100 years trading, Chairman of Swift Electrical, Andrew Swift said distributors offer too many brands. Andrew Swift commented: “If you go back 10-15 years, then all the established distributors stood for a couple of products. This distributor would be known for that brand. Through a process of various manufacturers merging, distributors merging, we have all ended up, in terms of appliances, selling everything. I think the worry is that nobody particularly stands for anything”.

He said specialisation may be key for the future success of the distribution chain, stating: “I think what you may see is that  distributors will start to specialise a bit more in terms of brands. I think if we narrowed the offering down a bit, and did everything from sales and marketing to stocking in more depth; maybe we’d serve the industry a bit better.”

He continued: “If you ask us where we are going to be in three to five years time, I hope to be more of less doing what we are doing now, but slightly more successfully.”

Andrew Swift hit out at critics who believe there is no longer a role for distribution in the industry: “I think distributors are here for the reasons they have always been here. We act as a useful source of credit. It is probably our most important function”.

And he says independent retailers need to combat pressures on appliance margin because of online trading, by maintaining high levels of customer service. Swift added: “I’ve been in this job just over twenty years now and I think retailers all believe distributors make the same margin they do on appliances, which we don’t. So certainly retailer margins have been eroded because of the internet, but inevitably that does have a knock-on effect on us. But that’s business. The battle ground will boil down to what it always boils down to, which is service.”

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Decorative Panel Components opens £10million factory

Decorative Panel Components has officially opened a £10million factory in West Yorkshire, which allows the company to double its output of chipboard panels.

The company manufactures kitchen and bedroom carcases and fascias, with the Elland-based site enabling capacity to be increased to 600,000 panels per week.

According to group managing director Guy Metcalfe the facility will enable the company to remain competitive in the market place. He commented: “The development of such a facility is testament to our commitment to manufacturing in the UK, utilising the most advanced and efficient technologies. We have always viewed such investments as key to competitive success in what is a global market.”

Previously operating from two 60,000 sq ft sites in Huddersfield, the company purchased the 12.5 acre site at the beginning of 2011. It was refurbished and the 175,000 sq ft factory was equipped with chipboard processing equipment, which the company claims makes it one of the most advanced facilities of its kind in Europe.

It was officially opened in front of 300 guests, including customers, by Craig Whittaker, MP for the Calder Valley.

Group chairman Steve Gaunt added: “Today [opening event] sees the culmination of what has been a seven year plan. We have brought the best of British manufacturing to our sector, positioning ourselves to be ready for the future with capacity and efficiency that rivals the best in the world.”

A new marketing suite on the site is also in the pipeline to open soon. Malcolm Forward, Decorative Panels Components MD commented on the design of the marketing suite: “ It will be very interactive and personable, with samples to touch and feel because we want to help customers visualise what our products would look like, depending on the decor it is intended for.

“Decorative Panels has never had a marketing suite like this ever before, it’s two steps ahead of where we have been and what we have done in the past.”

Decorative Panels Group is privately-owned and operates three businesses including Decorative Panels Components, Decorative Panels Lamination and Decorative Panels Furniture.

 It reported a combined turnover of all three companies exceeding £80 million for financial year 2011/2012.

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Bristan joins Prompt Payment Code

Following reports the Bristan Group was included in the Forum of Private Business (FPB) ‘Hall of Shame’ for increasing payment terms, it has now signed the Government’s Prompt Payment Code.

Small business organisation, the FPB campaigns against companies which delay payment to suppliers. It names them in a ‘Hall of Shame’ and lobbies for businesses to sign up to the Prompt Payment Code.

Now Bristan has been accepted to join the Prompt Payment Code, the FPB has removed the company from its 'Hall of Shame'.

Bristan CFO, Lance Gillett commented: “Bristan Group has always upheld a policy of paying our suppliers on time, against our agreed negotiated terms. So, we were happy to join and support the Prompt  Payment Code after hearing about it in a letter from the Forum of Private Business.”

The FPB’s senior policy advisor, Alex Jackman said: “We welcome Bristan’s move to join the Prompt Payment Code.” He added: “But it is not just the timeliness of payment, though fast payment is always welcome, but rather the certainty of getting paid that is really important, and enables businesses to plan both for their short and longer-term futures. Therefore we applaud Bristan for acting on our advice.”

Lance Gillett retorted: “We are proud to advise that Bristan group is rated in the top 1% of businesses in the industry, based on financial strength and low risk, by Dunn & Bradstreet and so can confirm that Bristan is also independently assessed as a strong partner for suppliers and customers to work with.”

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