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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Mark Two creates Easy Bathing for high street retail

A collection of inclusive, as well as specialist disability bathrooms, for independent retailers, has been established as the Easy Bathing brand by distributor Mark Two. The collection not only spans wet rooms, comfort level WCs, grab rails and bath replacement showers, but also boasts half-height enclosures and walk-in baths, through to power lift baths.

The launch of the Easy Bathing brand followed two years of research, looking at eliminating the clinical feel of modified bathrooms. It also uses the distributor’s knowledge of former Dolphin sales where 1:4 sales were ‘easy access’ solutions.

The need for a brand, such as Easy Bathing, is backed by a report on the ageing population, by Professor Peter Gore, which revealed 20million 50+ year olds account for 80% of the nation’s wealth and 40% of spending.

The specialist disability bathing products are provided by the likes of Gainsborough, Contour Showers and it is the first time they will be made available to high street bathroom retailers. The inclusion of these products in the Easy Bathing brand has been designed to bring a potential new customer base into independent retailers.

Mark Two has appointed ex-BCG marketing director Julie Butcher to develop and manage the Easy Bathing brand. She said: “Easy Bathing reflects the needs and desires of our ageing population but it works for the entire family, regardless of their age and abilities. Our research proved older people need a little more help in the bathroom, but it’s equally important for them to retain a sense of style – they have the disposable income to achieve this, they’re just looking for the right products in one place.

“We’ve built upon years of experience in the bathroom industry to create a solution that fulfils consumers’ needs in every sense – why should they have to compromise?

“For retailers who previously had to source individual products from multiple suppliers, Easy Bathing is a fantastic solution that offers great margins and really gives the customer what they’re looking for.”

Easy Bathing wants to develop a network of 50 retailers, across the UK, within the next two years. The bathroom retailers will be provided with exclusive sales areas, marketing and merchandising support, backed by consumer magazine advertising and a website to drive traffic into store.

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Yo! Home launches at 100% Design

Creator of Yo!Sushi, Simon Woodroffe is now set to extend the brand to now include city centre apartment interiors at 100% Design. Seven years ago, he launched the Yotel hotel concept at 100% Design and is now tuning his hand to domestic interiors with Yo! Home.

Drawing upon his previous career as a rock stage designer and experience of living on a houseboat, he will deliver a 9m x 9m with two bedrooms, sitting room, cinema, dining room, office, kitchen, breakfast room, bathroom/spa, party room and hidden storage.

Woodroffe explains: “The city centre home has not been re-invented since city centres first appeared. Eleven moving parts, drawing on the mechanics of stage scenery, allow the transformation of an 80sqm space – the size of a one-bedroom apartment – into 11 different rooms – what a much bigger apartment may have.”

Now in its 18^th year, 100% Design will introduced 100% Future Living as the theme connecting each of the show sections, and in which Yo! Home will be featured.

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Indesit bling up appliance with celebrity stickers

Indesit has teamed up with footballer Robbie Savage and reality TV star Amy Childs (formerly of The Only Way is Essex), to create stickers for customising household appliances.

Amy’s design is inspired by the ‘Vajazzle’ she’s become synonymous with,  (if you don’t know, don’t ask), to add glam to housework.  Robbie’s design is based on his passion for football and come in a choice of colours to match a choice of teams.

It’s for a good cause because all proceeds of the £8 sticker packs sales, available through Indesit’s Facebook page, will go to Sportsaid. 100%!

Sportsaid is a charity that helps young British sportsmen and women to achieve their ambitions, by supporting them during the defining early years of their career.

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