Bathroom Brands step out of shadows

Left to right: David Hance, Roger Cooper, Dawn Crichard,
Karen La Cornue, Patrick Riley and  Clive Chaplin

At the opening of its Jersey HQ, parent company of Crosswater Group and European Bathrooms, Bathroom Brands claimed to be third biggest player for bathroom and shower sales. And it now intends to raise trade and consumer awareness, with plans to float the company on the stock exchange, within the next three years.

The company has recruited ex-Ideal Standard vice president for Western Europe, Roger Cooper as a non-executive director. Cooper commented: “Bathroom Brands is one of the largest bathroom companies but very few know the name. Becoming involved as Bathroom Brands comes of age and begins to build its consumer and trade awareness is exciting – the opportunities for this business are tremendous.”

Cooper joins the Bathroom Brands board of chairman Clive Chaplin, CEO Patrick Riley and Tim Powell, alongside financial director Dawn Crichard.

The group was formed in 2011 by Patrick Riley, former owner of Bathstore, and supplies bathroom products for retailers, distributors and manufacturers. In the past eight years it has delivered 25-30% growth year-on-year, in a challenging economic climate, which it attributes to delivering reliable, low cost product on time and in full.

Forming part of the Bathroom Brands group, the Crosswater Group is headed by chair David Hance and includes the brands Crosswater, Simpsons and Bauhaus. European bathroom, headed by Patrick Riley, includes: Britton Bathrooms, contemporary -styled suites; Burlington Bathrooms, traditional suites, Clearwater baths and Zamori shower trays. European Bathroom Group is also set to launch a recyclable bath to market called ClearGreen and Aquacabinets later in the year.

Patrick Riley, CEO for Bathroom Brands explained, “We have built a modern business capable of extraordinary growth.  Bathroom Brands is successful because of an instinctive empathy for all the social, political and commercial cultures.  Bathroom Brands identifies gaps, creates new markets, improves existing norms and delivers all this on time, on budget and in one piece. Roger’s appointment strengthens a compelling team as he brings with him over 40 years of the best of bathroom business.”

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MD change at HiB

managing director of HiB,
Robert Ginsberg

HiB has appointed Robert Ginsberg as managing director, succeeding his father Warren who is now Chairman with overall responsibility for sales. Robert Ginsberg joined the business 10 years ago, having previously worked for management consultant Accenture.
He has overseen much of the day-to-day running of the company, including enhancing its customer services through its delivery, the development of HiB's national distribution centre at Birch Coppice and development of its supply chain management.
HiB recently participated at kbbBirmingham, and introduced Focus and Optical mirrors. These featured height-adjustable and detachable, magnetic magnifying mirrors. And these were shown alongside its latest ceiling and shower lights, as well as quiet ventilation fans.

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Belling reveals 100 Collection



(L to R) CEO of Belling Denver Hewlett, plus
sales and marketing director Jonathan Casley

 Celebrating 100 years of trading, Belling revealed its 100 collection of limited edition cooking appliances at The Savoy in London. The 100 Collection includes four freestanding cookers, four built-in models, with the same white and chrome aesthetic carried through to a Baby Belling. The appliances span a choice of fuel options from electric, through to gas and even a dual fuel cooker.
For each 100 Collection appliance sold, Belling will donate money to its chosen charity Anthony Nolan. The Anthony Nolan Trust saves the lives of people with blood cancer who need blood stem cell or bone marrow transplants.
CEO of Belling Denver Hewlett commented: "In putting together the 100 Collection we wanted to create a range of products across all cooking categories that celebrated our heritage as a great British brand whilst also looking to the future. The result is a collection combining some of our most successful products with a limited edition, super-modern finish.
"We are also proud to be supporting stem cell charity, Anthony Nolan this year and will be making a contribution from sales of the 100 Collection alongside a a number of other fundraising activities."

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From Paris with Love

Assistant editor Britta O’Boyle visited the Ideo Bain exhibition in Paris to find out what was new for the bathroom market

Paris is known for being one of the most beautiful cities in the world. And it is. Lovely buildings and architecture, amazing food, great fashion. What more could you want? Add some lovely bathroom products to the mix and well, enough said. The Ideo Bain exhibition in Paris, which runs every two years, had products on show from a number of manufacturers. We have picked our top four from the event…

Dornbracht had a number of products on display including the Deque brassware range and the Ambiance Tuning Technique, with the addition of the Horizontal Shower application. Deque comes in matt black or chrome and comprises a number of options including a wall-mounted cascade bath spout, single lever basin mixer and three-hole basin mixer. Ambiance Tuning Technique with Horizontal Shower allows the user to shower lying down, with the option of various flow types and is controlled using the central eTool controls located near the user’s head. 

The Kaldewei stand featured a range of products including its Conoflat shower tray, Super Plan Plus shower tray and the Couchage Relax. Conoflat features an enamelled outflow cover which fits seamlessly into the shower tray’s surface, making it flush with the floor. The Super Plan Plus floor-level shower tray features an installed height of 109 mm (including the company’s pop-up fitting KA 125) and is available in 12 different sizes. The Relax Lounger can be used on the company’s bathtubs including the Couchage. Its bearing capacity is 130 kg comes in four sizes: 1700 x 750 mm, 1800 x 800 mm, 1900 x 900 mm and 2000 x 1000 mm.

Grohe showcased a number of products on its stand at the Ideobain exhibition this year. Eurocube brassware, Concetto brassware, Power&Soul shower and Grohtherm F were among the products displayed. Eurocube features cut-out detailing on the lever handles to reduce the perceived volume of each piece, as well as the company’s SilkMove and StarLight technologies. The Power&Soul collection of showers are available with a choice of four spray patterns and in three design styles. They come in three sizes and benefit from Grohe’s AquaDirect spray controller, which enables direct and single-handed switching between the four spray patterns.

Finally, Villeroy & Boch presented its Futurion Flat shower tray. Futurion Flat is manufactured from the company’s Quaryl material, which is said to be warm to touch and easy to clean. The tray is available in ten sizes and three colours, including White Alpin, Star White, Pergamon. Futurion Flat can be specified in two formats and matching shower enclosures are available, including Futurion Walk-In, Squaro Walk-In, Subway Walk-In.

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Whirlpool Corporation announces Europe president

Whirlpool Corporation has announced Jose A. Drummond Jr as executive vice president of Whirlpool Corporation and president of Whirlpool Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

His appointment becomes effective on April 2 and he will report to Michael A. Todman, president of Whirlpool International. Drummond Jr replaces Bracken Darrell who has resigned from the company.

Jose A. Drummond Jr was previously executive vice president of Whirlpool Corporation and president of Whirlpool Latin America.

President of Whirlpool’s compressor business Embraco, Joao Carlos Brega will succeed Drummond Jr as executive vice president of Whirlpool Corporation and president of Whirlpool Latin America.

Drummond joined Whirlpool in 1999 as director, procurement, Whirlpool Latin America and held a number of managerial positions, including vice president sales and marketing Whirlpool Latin America and vice president supply chain Whirlpool Europe.

He holds a Bachelors’ degree in industrial and metallurgy from FEI, Industrial Engineering College in Brazil.

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Grohe UK appoints first female MD

Grohe UK has appointed its first female managing director Maha M. El Kharbotly, who will lead the team to launch UK specific products to market.

Her most recent role was global category director at Grohe’s headquarters in Dusseldorf, where she was responsible for the sales and marketing of showers and thermostats.

During this time, El Kharbotly led the team to increase the category by over 15% in 2010, alone, and was a member of the team that introduced the Grohe five-year innovation portfolio.

Her previous experience includes key positions across the globe, including a brand management role at Whirlpool Corporation America. There she was a member of the global management development portfolio.

Commenting on her appointment, El Kharbotly said: “2012 will see Grohe launch an exciting innovative range of UK geared products to the UK market, including the design-led Grohe Spa collections. My aim is to continue to evolve and cement Grohe’s portfolio of quality, design and technology”.

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BrIT Girl: Ain't no mountain high enough

Assistant editor Britta O’Boyle has signed up to the Three Peak Challenge to do her bit in helping the construction industry

People who know me well would probably say that mountain climbing and I are not a match made in heaven. In fact, we would probably be at opposite ends of cupid’s arrow. But apparently, whether I put it down to a sugar rush from much chocolate or meeting the 4^th European Iron Man champion (a retailer) on a recent trip,  I've decided to climb three mountains in 24-hours (as you do).

I give you permission to laugh; even my mother did when I informed her of my genius idea. Not to mention the man in the camping shop when I told him I wanted pretty hiking boots (it seems these don’t exist). But joking aside, me and my very bright new waterproof jacket (I’m going with a purple theme) and my very beautiful hiking boots have signed up to do the COINS three-peak challenge next month. Yes, I really am going to climb Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon, along with five others from our publishing house (including K&B News ad manager Tom) in an attempt to raise at least 5,000 for the COINS foundation.

We aren’t the first to do this somewhat crazy challenge, and I’m sure we won’t be the last. Although saying that, it may be the first and last time I ever do it! Throughout the past nine years, over 250 companies and 3,000 people have taken part and it is said to be the construction industry's largest fundraising event, raising over £2.3million. The money has been used to build schools, homes and educate individuals in construction skills. This year is the 10th anniversary of the challenge and the COINS Foundation has pledged to donate £100,000 of the funds raised for five years to the first mortgage lending in Sub-Saharan Africa.

While the cause may not be KBB specific, the construction industry does impact our  industry and so I feel the pain it will cause me to climb these mountains will be worth it. NHBC figures showed that the total number of new homes registered remained static in 2011 compared with 2010, with figures declining in the final quarter to 21,152 compared with 27,262 in 2010. So it looks like the industry could do with a bit of help. And the chief executive of the NHBC, Imtiaz Farookhi said: “There is general consensus that the combined efforts of the housing and mortgage industries could have a positive effect on sentiment and volumes.” The more houses built, the more kitchens and bathrooms needed right? Therefore if raising money for climbing a few ‘big hills’ will help at all, then why not?

 Whether I ‘can’ climb these mountains is a totally different story, but I am sure going to try. Please wish me luck (and if you can afford to part with some cash,  please sponsor me too).