News June 2009

Washing machine factory shuts down

It has been confirmed that the Indesit washing machine factory at Denbighshire is to close at the end of July with over 300 people loosing their jobs.

Indesit is the last manufacturer of washing machines in the U.K.

Stone specialist offers 10 year warranty

Specialist stone manufacturer F. Jones Cleveland has launched a 10 year warranty on all of its granite worksurfaces. The warranty, which is claimed to be a UK first, is being offered as a sign of the company's commitment to providing good quality products and services.

Chairman of F. Jones Cleveland, Fred Jones said: "We wanted to find a way to use our experience, commitment to quality and attention to detail to support customers.

"It's essential our customers are able to benefit from the confidence we have in our products, enabling them to further create and develop their respective businesses as a result.

"This is a long overdue initiative from our sector of the industry and is the first of a number designed to bring our business in line with other manufacturers of premium products within the kitchen and bathroom sector," he added.

Geberit moves into new HQ

European plumbing product manufacturer Geberit has moved from its Kent base to a purpose-built UK Head Office with Training Academy in Warwick.

Designed by Archial Architects and named Geberit House, the building incorporates 12,500 sq ft of office space.

The £2.5million building will also be the focus for the company's training facilities on its range of washroom, bathroom, supply and drainage products.
It is expected that it will be used by Geberit's customers which include retailers, plumbers and installers.

UK managing director, Mark Larden said: "The new Geberit Training Academy offers superior, specialist training opportunities with robust and technologically advanced facilities, including a two-storey hydraulic drainage tower demonstrating plumbing practice and a practical workshop for hands-on experience, for all customers and their customers."

Cosentino opens third distribution centre

Producer of quartz surfaces and natural stone, Cosentino has opened its third UK centre in Gloucester serving the South West of England, South Wales and Ireland.

With a €2,000,000 investment, the 19,235sq m centre holds over 4,000 slabs and has its own transport and unloading facilities, including two cranes.

In addition, it features an on-site showroom to display its latest Silestone quartz work surfaces and Sensa by Cosentino protected granite work surfaces.

Cosentino has also employed a sales promoter for Ireland to look after existing customer relationships, as well as establishing new partnerships.

The Gloucester Cosentino Centre will be run by Gavin Shaw who commented: "The demand for Cosentino work surfaces is increasing rapidly. People are currently choosing to improve their homes rather than move and are specifically asking for Silestone due to its unique benefits, including a valuable 10-year warranty.

"The state of the art warehouse, impressive showroom, innovative new products and high levels of customer service will set us apart from our competitors, helping to strengthen and develop the Cosentino and Silestone brands in the UK."

Upmarket consumers are still spending

Readers of premium homes magazines plan to defy the credit crunch and continue spending on improvements including new kitchens and bathrooms, according to a recent survey.

The Premium Homes Today research, by publisher IPC Southbank, surveyed 1,113 of its readers from Homes & Gardens, Living etc, Country Homes & Interiors, 25 Beautiful Homes and Beautiful Kitchens. Around 70% of those surveyed agreed it was important to spend money on their home as an investment, with 30% of readers planning new kitchens or bathrooms.

According to the survey, kitchens and bathrooms remain a key focus within the home, and more people are planning new kitchens or bathrooms than fitted ones last year. Despite the recession, quality remains important with just 15% of readers planning tospend less in order to get projects done. However, it did reveal that the majority of readers, 89%, are more likely to shop around and compare prices before making a large-ticket purchase.

Lynne Springett, IPC Southbank's group head of insight said: "Readers of Southbank's home interest titles tend to be more financially secure than average indeed many already own their homes outright and are therefore more resilient to the credit crunch. It's encouraging to learn that this audience is going to continue to spend and are shopping everywhere from supermarkets to independent retailers in order to achieve their visions. They are always on the look-out for new ideas - for them doing up their home isn't just a project. It's a lifestyle."

Evolution show is now trade only

The recently-launched Kitchen & Bathroom Evolution Show for trade and consumers has refocused to become trade only. The change comes in response to requests from its exhibitors.
In addition, it has also changed the dates from its planned September schedule to now take place on October 18-19 at Manchester Central (Formerly GMEX).

However, the concept of Kitchen & Bathroom Evolution remains the same, as Sam Cande of organiser Cande Communications explains: "The industry has evolved and the times where exhibitors would have 300sq m stands has come to an end. The show has been organised as a direct response to kitchen and bathroom manufacturers and distributors who feel that they still need to be exhibiting but wish to do so on a modest budget. "With the maximum size stand being 36sq m, no exhibitor will feel that they can be overwhelmed by a competitor."

She added: "Having run the KBB Birmingham exhibition for four years, in the good times, know in this current climate there is now a need for a low cost exhibition."

Ideal Bathrooms brand in Scotland

Following the acquisition of the Scottish distributor Inline by Ideal Bathrooms, it has now been rebranded Ideal Bathrooms Scotland.

Bathroom products previously available to Inline Distribution such as Roca sanitaryware and Shades bathroom furniture are now available throughout the UK to all Ideal Bathrooms' customers.

Danielle Lillis, Ideal Bathrooms' commercial director, commented: "The Scottish depot has a very strong reputation for service and quality and it is a major force in bathroom products distribution throughout Scotland, from the outer islands to the English border.

"Founding family members are still vital to the smoothrunning and success of this business and to keep its individual identity the all-new and improved branch has been renamed as Ideal Bathrooms Scotland. Ideal Bathrooms Scotland has retained the best of Inline and can now offer the full breadth of products from Ideal Bathrooms stock profiles, together with Ideal Bathrooms attention to customer service and support. In keeping with its Scottish roots it now has its own logo with a St Andrews' flag incorporated.
"There will be a programme of local activities in Scotland to celebrate the launch of Ideal Bathrooms Scotland. The acquisition is good news for all retailers in the UK with major benefits above and below the Scottish border."

Lec is fastest-growing brand

Part of Glen Dimplex Home Appliances (GDHA) Lec is the fastest-growing refrigeration brand in the UK combined cooling and freezing sector. Statistics from GfK show that Lec's share of the cooling market has grown by 34.2% year-on-year in value.
According to the figures, it is now the number one brand in the 500mm under counter category and has grown its share of the 500mm market by 27%.

It follows the company consolidating its product range and focusing on the 500 and 550mm sector.
The company has recently launched a 500mm combi and frost-free combi and Lec also plans to enter the 500mm top mount market.
Commercial manager for Lec, David Garden commented: "Our strategy of choosing to focus on our strongest categories has really paid off. Our strength has always been in the 500mm and 550mm markets and by staying true to our heritage and launching new products to fill existing gaps in those categories, we've really grown in the market."

Established in 1942 as the Longford Engineering Company, Lec was acquired in 2005 by Glen Dimplex Home Appliances.

Nobilia enters into the discount market

Rigid kitchen furniture manufacturer Nobilia has announced plans to target entry level sales with the launch of the GDK or German Discount Kitchens retail concept.

The company has already opened three stores in Bolton, Preston and Halifax, which will be selling GDK Kitchens priced from £999 up to £6,999.

Keith Barker, GDK Director, said: "Belonging to the world's largest kitchen manufacturer, which makes more than 2,400 kitchens every day, means that GDK has the perfect manufacturing capabilities to deliver this new kitchen concept to the UK.

"We hope that customers, who are looking for a kitchen which falls in the £999 to £6,999 price bracket, will enjoy no longer being tied to choosing a kitchen from just the flat-pack variety. They now have the luxury of a pre-built German kitchen, which ultimately will save them valuable time on installation and will also last much longer."
This follows the recent announcement that Nobilia is also targeting independent showrooms with its Nobilia and Noblessa brands, as well as Kutchenhaus franchises.