Bathroom Conference announces speakersThe Annual Bathroom Conference, which takes place at Cardon Park Hotel near Chester on October 19, has announced its keynote speakers. The speakers include: Larry Hochman, former European Business Speaker of the Year, Charles Phillips, assistant director of the Department of Energy and Climate Change and Will Stewart, the bath shop buyer for John Lewis.
The morning session will concentrate on the economy and sustainability, with the afternoon, focused on customer service. The event is completed by a gala dinner and media awards.
Visit the bathroomassociation website to download a booking form for the event. |
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C.P Hart opens showroomC.P Hart has opened its first branded bathroom showroom for 10 years, in Tunbridge Wells, bringing its total to five. The 3,200sq ft space is spread across four floors and features display areas for classic contemporary and visionary bathrooms and is completed by a presentation area.
Managing director of CR Hart, Paul Rowland commented on the launch of the showroom: I believe it is absolutely the right time to open a showroom. It is ideally located. There are very few local competitors. It's a huge magnet for shoppers in Kent, plus there are some outstanding interior designers and architect practices located in Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells. Both of our customer bases will be attracted to the showroom.
He continued: Early indications are that it will be our second most successful branch after Waterloo. That's what we have set our sights on. This latest showroom forms part of an expansion strategy by C.R Hart's owner Charco 2010, which recently snapped up the Colourwash brand.
Paul Rowland commented: Richard Reynolds said when Charco acquired Colourwash, we are looking to expand and whether that be by further acquisitions and/or by opening more showrooms, watch this space. We are actively seeking both, as we speak. Our strategy is to continue mainly in London and the South East but we are re-locating the Manchester showroom into Deansgate. We also need a stepping stone between London and Manchester, so we are looking at the M40 and the M6 corridor. |  |
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LivingKitchen show launchInternational kitchen exhibition, LivingKitchen is set to debut in Cologne on January 18-23, 2011. Designed to appeal to both trade and consumers, the event will be held every two years - alongside imm Cologne - and will feature kitchen furniture and appliances.
According to the show organiser, LivingKitchen has been created as an exhibition and event Alongside stands, it will also boast cooking shows, cocktail demonstrations, plus wine and coffee tastings. Around 60 manufacturers have signed up to the show, including Miele, Gorenje, Schuller, BSH, Pronorm, Rational and Arbonia-Foster-Holding.
LivingKitchen project manager, Frank Haubold commented: We believe LivingKitchen will be the ideal trade fair platform for appealing to kitchen and furniture dealers. The results indicate that the time is ripe for an international kitchen fair in Germany. And CEO Gerald Bose, of organiser Koelmesse GBH, stated: The original target was a premier event with 80 exhibitors we'll probably top that. We've already received more than 60 registrations, an there are still more than seven months to go before the fair kicks off. I'm quite certain that January 2011 , all the sectors major international players will be gathering in Cologne. At the time of going to pre Nolte had signed up to exhibit |  |
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Top changes at FrontlineBathroom distributor and importer; Frontline has announced changes to its senior management team. Operations director Nick Hall is now director and CEO of the company, while Michael Sammon, former marketing manager; is now sales and marketing director.
Nick Hall commented on the appointments: We are delighted to take over the baton from Mike, Stuart and Angela (founders of Frontline) and are thrilled to build on the successful platform they have created. The culture, structure and people of this brilliant company place us in a very strong position to trade well. We are fortunate to work with some leading global bathroom suppliers, and the positive changes made over the last 12 months have created an amazing portfolio of products and excellent network of retail partners.
He added: Michael and I look forward to working with our talented team, suppliers and customers in the challenging, yet exciting, times ahead. |  |
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Ripples first showroom falters
The original Ripples showroom in Bath has entered liquidation, owing in the region of £110,000. Established for 23 years, the showroom was opened by chief executive Roger Kyme. The Ripples Bath showroom franchise was sold by Kyme in July 2006 for £30,000, along with its balance sheet deficit of £190,000, to Brian and Gail Fisher of B&G Fisher Ltd.
Following a director's ill health at B&G Fisher Ltd, the franchisee gave control of the company to the directors at Ripples from November 2, 2009. However; the decision was made to liquidate the company on April 24. Managing director of Ripples, Paul Crow commented: No customers have been affected, as we have directed all orders through the Winchester showroom. He continued: I have been personally speaking to trade creditors and suppliers, who have been supportive and are interested in working with our new Ripples Bath franchisees.
The Ripples Bath showroom is set to re-open, with new franchisees in place, in July. In addition, the Ripples franchise also has plans to open a showroom in Chelmsford in July/August, bringing the total number of stores to 17. |
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Lakes Bathrooms boosts turnoverShower enclosure specialist, Lakes bathrooms has reported a 24% growth in turnover for 2009. Managing director; Robin Craddock said: I feel extremely fortunate to be able to announce revenue growth in the last 12 months plus a considerable improvement in pre-tax profit, which is up 133% on the previous year. We have seen great demand, despite the recession and, while we face the challenges that the financial markets have created, our capital stability means we have been able to increase our production capacity in 2009 and are now looking for a larger HQ.
In the last year; the company has added a manager to its North East sales team, two engineers, two administrators and a member to its customer service team. In addition, there have also been appointments to the board for Rob Ashmeade as financial director and Clive Organ as sales and marketing director.
Lakes delivery fleet has also doubled in size in the last 18 months to a total of 12 vehicles. Robin Craddock puts the sustained business success down to a number of factors: We hold considerable stock in the UK and our speed of delivery means that we have won a number of important new trade accounts. Our pricing to quality ratio is well geared and we have announced a price freeze for 2010 on all products in our Classic Collection, in an effort to offset the effect of VAT returning to 175% and to ensure we still represent the best overall value in the market.
Our complete service ethos is now recognised and we have continued to innovate with two new product ranges being launched in the last year. We are now working on new designs that will be unveiled later in 2010 and we continue to develop business with our AlIClear coating, in a number of different markets. |  |
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Indesit reports strong growthIndesit Company has announced its global operating margin for the first quarter of 2010 at 35.Om, against 1 .2m in the same period last year. Group revenues in the first quarter of 2010 amounted to 601 .4m up 1 .8%. At constant exchange rates, third quarter sales in 2009 would have been 763.4m, down 11.1%. Performance was reported to be particularly good in the UK and Ireland area, which saw a growth with respect to 2008, an improvement in prices and a reduction in costs on non-quality.
Indesit Company deputy chairman, Andrea Merloni, said: The positive results for the quarter confirm that, despite persistent difficulties on the markets, the Group is making the right choices and thus continuing to create value. CEO Marco Milani added: Our investments in innovation and launching of new products enabled us to further improve quality and revenues, while profitability in the quarter stayed at excellent levels. We must now continue our efforts so that the Group can consolidate its competitive advantages in a European market characterised by fierce competition and only weak signs of recovery.
Part of its continued effort to push forward, Indesit Company welcomed more than 450 independent retailers to its 2010 product launch event, Ignite, held this year in Andulucia, Spain. Speaking at the event, James Goldsmith, Indesit Company's commercial director said: We are lighting a blue touch paper on a number of new products and innovations this year, and we are looking forward to sharing these exciting developments with the retailers who are selling and supporting our products.
Last year we elevated the positioning of our Indesit and Hotpoint brands in the marketplace. Consumers bought in to our real innovation and trusted the brands even more, meaning better value for everyone. This sets a foundation for our brand for tomorrow, and, with the fantastic new products we are launching this year, we are confident that we will continue to create value for both Indesit Company and our retailers. |  |
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Twyford consults over factory closureTwyford Bathrooms has begun consultations with employees over the considered closure of its Alsager factory in Cheshire. It will involve restructuring the Technical Product Development organisation, which may lead to redundancies. However, the UK head office including sales, marketing, customer services, warehousing, logistics and support will remain at the site safeguarding 183 jobs.
Part of the European sanitaryware manufacturer Sanitec, Twyford Bathrooms has been sourcing products from within the group to remain competitive against low cost imports. The volume of production at Alsager has been decreasing year-on-year since 2007, and the factory is running at 50% capacity.
Announcing the decision, senior vice president of Twyford Bathrooms, Mike Conlon said: The decision to commence consultations is not a decision we have come to lightly. But the current global economic downturn and the unprecedented economic times, not only in the UK but across Europe, which the bathroom industry is facing, means this is something we have to consider. The bathroom market has become increasingly challenging and that leads us to consider whether it is possible for Twyford Bathrooms to continue production in the UK.†He added: Production volume at the factory has been reducing year-on-year since 2007 and it currently operates at 50% capacity, which is unsustainable. The management is deeply saddened by this announcement and we realise that this will have a major impact on our employees and we will support them as best as we can through this difficult period.
Following the consultation period, the decision on whether to close the factory will take place in 2011. |
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KUppersbusch wins Red Dot AwardsKUppersbusch has been awarded three Red Dot Awards for its latest Black Chrome range of appliances. All three winners are 450mm compact models and include the EEKB 6550.8 BKX multi-function oven, EDG 655.0 BC steam oven and EMWK 6550.0 BC combination microwave. The company has won 10 Red Dot Awards in the last 18 months. |
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Three European Kitchen Brands Help Launch PBS TV seriesFor world-renowned chef Eric Ripert, the kitchen plays an important role in their creative process and is really a reflection of its holistic approach to food and lifestyle. That's why Ripert has used three brands of European cuisine Poggenpohl, Miele and Blanco-to outfit your kitchen, which appears on his first solo TV series on PBS stations, AVEC ERIC. Eric Ripert, chef of Le Bernardin restaurant in New York and fan-favorite guest judge on Top Chef Bravo, stars in his own series of 10 episodes airing today on national PBS stations.
AVEC ERIC is co-produced by an anomaly and Communications The Charter and was directed by Emmy Award winner, director Geoffrey Drummond. In each episode, viewers Ripert cook guides through a culinary journey, which finds its sources of inspiration. Filmed at locations around the world, each returns to his home kitchen, where he gained inspiration translates Ripert in his travels in the dishes that home cooks could do themselves. "I'm very excited to have Poggenpohl, Miele and Blanco associated with my show and thank them for their generous support of AVEC ERIC" said Ripert. |  |
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Wolf May Soon Be NearbyIf you have been looking for Wolf products on the East Coast, which may soon be in luck! Wolf, a provider and distributor of kitchen, deck and railings, trim and other building materials, is planning an aggressive growth strategy. In late 2010, the company has expanded its service area, kitchen and distributors of building materials along the entire east coast.
During the expansion, Wolf is planning to expand its territory to construction products include Connecticut, eastern Massachusetts, Rhode Island and parts of New Hampshire and Vermont. Since October, the airline will begin serving Georgia, western South Carolina, eastern Alabama and eastern Tennessee with cabinets and construction products, and in the second quarter of 2010, have reached dealerships Maine to Florida, with access to products, including kitchen, bath and building materials.
The expansion allows Wolf to improve their offerings to their existing distributors and reach more than 500 additional agents in their new area of service. This move into new territory requires the immediate hiring of 15 salesmen, drivers and logistics professionals, with more hires expected in the future.
"Our aggressive growth strategy, but our approach is conservative, one that guarantees a profit during the year 2009 and many more possibilities for long-term success of organization," said Tom Wolf, CEO and president of the Wolf. "We have a great model, great people and a great story to tell." |  |
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Brass & Traditional Sinks changes handsFounders of Brass & Traditional Sinks and The Eclectica Partnership, Richard and Susan Tyzack have sold both companies to entrepreneur Stephen Thompson for an undisclosed sum. Both Richard and Sarah Tyzack have been retained as consultants for the next 12 months, to ease the transition.
The companies will continue to be run from their existing headqarters in the Wye Valley, with the same staff in place. They will then relocate to Shropshire for a further nine months.
Commenting on the sale, Richard Tyzack said: "I have worked within the kitchens and bathrooms industry for 23 years and it has quite simply come to the point where I want to embrace new experiences outside of kitchens and bathrooms." He added: "I love the industry. But when I realised, about a year ago. that my enthusiasm was waning, I decided it would be better to move on, so that both businesses could continue to thrive with the enthusiasm they deserve."
Stephen Thompson has a commercial tableware and cutlery business supplying, among others, P&O Ferries, the NHS and Pizza Express restaurants. |  |
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Zanussi goes it aloneAppliance giant Zanussi has repositioned its brand, dropping its dual Electrolux identity and appliance of science strapline for ‘get living’.
In 2002, Electrolux announced the beginning of its dual strategy, where its name was linked with all its brands, to create Zanussi-Electrolux. It was for the Zanussi brand to lend its strength in appliances, to the Electrolux brand which was befter known for floorcare products.
Product & brand director for Electrolux major domestic appliances, UK & Ireland, Steve Holton commented at the launch: "Today - six years on - that strategy has achieved its objectives across Europe, raising the profile of both brands - and repositioning them. Electrolux is at a higher level and Zanussi is a brand that offers outstanding value to consumers who want easy to use, stylish products that will free up their time for more exciting things than doing the dishes" He continued: "Consequently, the dual branding with Zanussi has served its purpose and the brand will once more resume its status as a single brand and strong platform from which to further develop its appeal to its consumer target group." |  |
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Mayfair and JSB celebrate decade tradingUK brassware manufacturer Mayfair Taps and Showers is celebrating a 10-year partnership with distributor John Smith- Butler Sons (JSB Group).
Manchester-based JSB was established 30 years ago and, during its decade partnership, has taken a range of Mayfair Taps and Showers’ products, across the portfolio, to supply retail customers.
JSB services the whole of the North of England and Midlands and, in recent years, has expanded its sales force to include a team of four area managers.
Sales director of JSB, Jonathan Bull said: "We have all benefited from a long and fruifful relationship with Mayfair. The products are well- designed, priced fairly and service is second to none."
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Ideal Standard looks to FuturesBathroom giant Ideal Standard is set to roll-out its Retail Futures programme, which sees it differentiate and offer support to its dealers.
It sees the creation of three collections; International Collection, Ideal Collection and the recently refreshed Sottini range. The International Collection features White, Create and Jasper Morrison ranges, as well as the newly-launched Ventuno, Simply U and Attitude brassware.
Whereas, the Ideal Collection is made up of its Studio, Space, Alto and Concept collection.
The Sottini range, first launched 20 years ago, will feature three new suites, three ranges of brassware and a furniture portfolio. This latest initiative will give access to each collection, within a structure of showroom classification that rewards retailers who best display, promote, sell and commit to the brands.
Bathroom retailers will be classified into a three-tier system Platinum, Gold, and Ideal - and according to their status can secure support with access to all or a selection of the Collections.
In addition, retailers will be able to benefit from dedicated account management, an enhanced website, dedicated point of sales, training packages and specialist literature. |  |
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BMA president change and conference launchThe Bathroom Manufacturers Association's (BMA) AGM saw the retirement of the president and launch of its annual Bathroom Conference.
Following his two-year tenure at the top, Alan Brown of Twyford Bathrooms has stepped down and Steve Lee, chairman of Bristan, has been named successor.
Lee commented on his appointment: "We are travelling a challenging path and the last 18 months have been particularly painful for our members. But the BMA will remain strong, focussed and proactive and I am extremely proud to be taking over."
He takes the reins, as the BMA announced the launch of its annual Bathroom Conference, which will take place at Carden Park Hotel in Cheshire on October 20.
The all-day event is themed around the premise 'The Home - Looking Forward, Forward Looking'.
It will see keynote presentations from Neil Ash bridge from the Bank of England; Wayne Hemingway MBE; Alison Wright, a designer in social housing; and Sally Storey design director at John Cullen Lighting.
BMA chief executive, Yvonne Orgill commented: "A fascinating line-up of speakers has been secured and we aim to Stimulate, Motivate, and Innovate through Legislation and Education. This will be the SMILE Conference of 2009.
"Among many topics, delegates will be guided through the important changes in Regulations and Government strategy for the future of water in the UK."
The conference will conclude with a gala dinner and for the first time, this year, it will include the Bathroom Industry awards ceremony. |  |
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PWS celebrates centenaryKitchen component distributor, PWS is celebrating 100 years in business, which coincides with the first anniversary of the opening of its granite factory. The company opened its doors in 1909 as an ironmonger and hardware distributor to engineering companies, joiners and builders merchants. Now in the fifth generation of the same family, the great-grandson of founder Percy Stephenson, Mark Stephenson is CEO of the business.
He commented: "The company has realised incredible growth over the last 100 years and looking forward we will continue to improve on the inherent tradition of product and service excellence that we are known for.
"Tracking the journey from high-street ironmonger to respected kitchen component distributor and worksurface manufacturer, our centenary allows us to focus on our achievement and underlines our longevity.
"Our history means a lot to the family, employees, the local community and customers alike. Essentially though, it is about looking ahead to what the future will bring, the opportunity to ask the important questions that will frame and shape our business in the future."
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