Shires takes structureFollowing its acquisition by Ideal Standard International, Shires has announced its management board structure. Micheal Leaf, UK bathing and wellness director, has taken on the additional role of commercial director for Shires UK. He has over twenty years' experience in the bathroom industry and has worked for Ideal Standard International for three years.
Michael Leaf commented: "I am delighted to be heading the Shires UK team. The Shires brand has a good reputation within the marketplace and will fill a gap in the group portfolio. I am confident it will bebefit from being a part of the ideal Standard International management structure. "The team will now work on re-introducing the Shires brand within the UK. Qualceram Shires will be renamed Shires going forward and the Qualceram product will be included in the new Shires catalogue, to be launched later in the year."
Leaf will be heading the newly formed Shires team which includes; Ian Davies as business development manager, David Brent as sales executive for Scotland; Jon Russelly as sales office manager, Jackie Hazeltine as sales executive for the north east and Steve Gee as sales executive for the south east.
Roger Coop, vice president of Ideal Standard International Western Europe, commented: "I am delighted Michael has accepted this additional position. Where possible, Michael will secure ongoing business previously enjoyed by shires UK and look at further opportunities to develop and complement the Ideal Standard Internatiuonal market position. I wish him every success in this new role". |  |
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KBB Birmingham denies cancellation fearOrganiser of KBB Birmingham, United Business Media, has refuted rumours that the exhibition, which takes place at the NEC from March 21 -24, 2010, will be cancelled.
Speculation arose after some high profile manufacturers announced they would not be taking a stand at KBB Birmingham. Jacuzzi UK, Twyford Bathrooms, Utopia Bathroom Group, Roman, JT and Blanco are among the manufacturers who will not be exhibiting.
However the show organiser reports that over 200 exhibitors are booked to take a stand at the event, including Abode, tc bathrooms, Roca, CDA, Elica, Laufen, De Dietrich, Rangemaster and Warendorf. In addition, the organiser claims nearly 3,000 visitors have pre-registered, includir representatives from Taylor Wimpey, CP Hart, Ripples, B&Q and Travis Perkins. |  |
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One in ten retail shops shutAccording to the latest figures from the Local Data Company, 10% of retailers closed between January and September of this year. From a survey of 251,462 firms across 705 town centres in the UK, 25,090 had stopped trading.
In London, alone, 7,628 firms had shut their doors in the first nine months of this year. The figures further indicate that 13.2% of these retailers were classified as bathrooms and kitchens, furniture, carpets and textiles businesses. In addition, 9.3% of all retailers which had closed were classified as DIY, hardware, builders’ merchants and household goods. The British Property Federation has called for greater government help to support retailers and has campaigned to cut service costs for businesses and make leases more transparent.
These figures come ahead of a planned increase in business rates which will put extra pressure onto tenants. Chief executive of the British Property Federation, Liz Peace commented: "Clearly no-one is escaping the recession and it’s vital that ministers offer real help to businesses through a sensible mitigation of the impact of next year’s rise in business rates and a cut in empty property rates." |
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Gorenje boosts UK businessAppliance manufacturer Gorenje has seen its network of dealers increase by 60% in the UK, with now more than 1,000 companies selling its products. Its sales have grown with an 18% increase in like for like sales. Sales director of Gorenje UK, Bill Miller commented: "Gorenje is delighted with the expansion of its network of independent retailers. We are committed to supporting our dealers and look forward to further growth in this sector.
The independent retailer can offer customers real value, providing in-depth product knowledge and matching the right products to the right people. Together with this, they offer a ‘cradle to grave’ service, offering customers peace of mind and a friendly and efficient service." He continued: "One of the key selling points in times of recession is providing a complete service as well as competitively priced, reliable appliances. Gorenje offers a market-leading five years parts and labour guarantee on the majority of products in the UK range. This offers retailers a key selling point and consumers peace of mind. This type of guarantee is often a chargeable added extra. But when you buy Gorenje we include peace of mind in the price. Gorenje has been present in the UK since 2002. It employs 11,500 people, globally, and sells over 4million units across 70 countries. |  |
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B&Q takes course at KBB schoolB&Q has been the first company to attend the NTG-approved, five-day foundation course in Principles of Kitchen Design at the KBB School of Design and Business in Nottingham. Nine delegates took part on the course, which was delivered by Mascan Design Solutions, accompanied by industry experts.
Throughout the five days, delegates focused on all aspects of kitchen design including ergonomics, installation pitfalls for designers, compliance awareness, life skills, specifying lighting, sales and customer service. The foundation course can be used towards an ongoing process to gain formal qualifications, as the course is KBB NTG Accredited. It can also provide 30 guided learning hours towards an NVQ qualification, awarded by ABC. One delegate, Sarah Frost from the Telford branch of B&Q, said: "It has really given me greater knowledge about design and opened my eyes to the architectural side of kitchen design."
A spokesperson for Mascari Design Solutions commented: We are delighted with the success of the inaugural five day foundation course and are honoured that B&Q were the first company to put their staff through the course, which shows their continual commitment to developing the standards of their staff and the industry." |  |
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Impulse blames European manufacturers for Part C delayGeneral manager of Impulse Bathrooms, Gary Hawkins has slammed European manufacturers stating they were behind the recent delay to Part G of the Building Regulations. He alleges European manufacturers supported the postponement because they were not able to meet the product demands of the water saving regulations. Impulse Bathrooms is a UK subsidiary of the Imperial Bathrooms Products Group which manufacturers 4.5/3 litre dual flush WCs in southern China.
"Frankly, I am not surprised that Building Regulations Part G has now been delayed, although I am highly cynical as to why," Hawkins said. He continued: "Water saving is an issue for right now and should not have been postponed. I honestly believe our European competitors are behind the behind the delay in the introduction of these water saving regulations because they generally are not able to offer 4.5/3 litre dual flush points which help meet the requirements of Part G."
However, among the products listed on the Bathroom Manufacturers Association Water Labelling Scheme are 4.5/3 litre dual flush WCs, with models from Armitage Shanks and Roca. In addition, Twyford Bathrooms, Shires, Ideal Standard and Bristan all offer dual flush WCs with 4.5/2.6 litre flush. It has been claimed that the plumbing sector opposed revisions to Part G of the Building Regulations, querying hot water controls.
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Beko hits top MDA spotFollowing the latest GfK Top Line Information, Beko is officially the number one brand in MDA Total 6 with 15.6% of volume sales in September, up 6.7% on the same time last year. Beko is also continuing to see results in cooling in 2009, with 18.6% of volume sales and 19.4% of sales in September up 7.8% on the same period last year.
In addition, the company is the top selling brand in freestanding cooking with 19.0% of volume sales, this year, and 20.3% of sales in September alone. Plus in washing machines, it was up 10.2% this September based on the same time last year and currently achieved number one position with 19.9% of volume sales, 1% above its nearest competitor.
Clayton Witter, managing director of Beko PLC, said: "The kitchen is the heart of the hone and families need appliances they can rely on. Beko is a brand that consumers can trust, providing quality appliances and we are thrilled with the results we have seen this month. The recent introduction of our 7kg and 8kg Excellence washing machines has certainly helped to make a difference within the home laundry category and the Xpress washing machine has helped to achieve our market leading position." |  |
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Howdens plans to expand depotsHowdens Joinery is to restart its depot opening programme, with eight planned by the end of the year and 20-30 expected to be opened next year. The showroom target will be finalised in March 2010, when the company has ‘a greater visibility of the outlook for the year. In a management statement, the company had seen trading conditions remain stable with signs of an improvement in market sentiment emerging.
This announcement follows the reporting of sales which were 3% higher in its October trading period than in 2008. From October 5-31 , sales of £l3OmilIion were 3.1% higher than the same period last year, and more than twice the amount of the preceding period and higher than the previous year.
However, Howdens Joinery UK depots’ revenue was down 4.6%, declining 5.8% on a same depot basis. In addition, its parent company Galiform has reached an agreement with four landlords that reduces the company’s financial exposure to properties that were occupied by MFI. Howdens Joinery is a supplier of kitchens, joinery and bathroom cabinetry to trade customers and has over 450 depots nationwide. It supplies around 400,000 kitchens to UK customers. |  |
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AP rescueAward-winning bathroom and kitchen retailer, Alternative Plans has been rescued from administration, having been bought by entrepreneur Leo Caplan.
Caplan who also owns bespoke furniture manufacturer Brookmans recently acquired luxury kitchen maker Mark Wilkinson Furniture and Smallbone of Devizes. It is believed his interest is in buiding a global luxury brand, of which Alternative Plans which retails premium Boffi kitchens and bathrooms, will number. Alternative Plans was established in 1984 by Laurence Pigeon and Keith Atkins, who were presented the Special Achievement Award at the Industry Awards, earlier this year. It operates from two showrooms in London, one situated in Battersea and the other Notting Hill Gate.
It is the latest award-winning kitchen showrooms which have entered administration, including London-based Crabtree Kitchens and Kitchen Culture. |
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