VAT reduction to improve Green Deal

Posted on January 27, 2012 by liam

Over 25 industry bodies have released a joint statement calling on the Government to use cuts in VAT to incentivise consumer take up of the Green Deal. The organisations, which include the Bathroom Manufacturers Association, Builders Merchants Federation and British Property Federation, are urging the Government to reduce VAT to 5% for all Green Deal approved measures.

The statement has been sent to MPs, as they prepare the final stages of the Energy Bill, which is the legislation that will introduce a Green Deal. It reads that “a financially compelling package to improve the energy performance of homes, and a rate of 5% VAT is a logical step which makes the energy-efficient measures more affordable and Green Deal packages more attractive.”

All the 26 organisations involved believe that the Government must do more to stimulate demand in the energy saving market. The Green Deal is a scheme which will bring old, poorly insulated and homes which waste energy up-to-date. The Government reports that a quarter of the UK’s carbon emissions come from the energy used to heat homes. It suggests that consumers don’t have to pay up front but businesses will get their money back via the energy bill. But the financial savings must be greater than the costs attached to the bill. Although much of the Green Deal is focused upon insulation and heating controls, it is expected that taps and showers will also be included as part of the Green Deal scheme.

Yvonne Orgill, CEO of the BMA, said: “Through the MTP and National Conservation Water Group we have collectively been lobbying the Government for the inclusion of water saving products, linked to WEPLS, with the support of EST, Waterwise etc and were advised that taps and showers would be included. It is looking as though Green Deal will be introduced in phases, with the easy quick wins in the first phase, i.e. insulation/cavity/boilers/heating controls/heating/glazing/lighting/solar – similar to the old CERT scheme.

New products will be brought on line… as the market deems it.” But she points out: “The training element for assessors does include water efficiency, so it’s a mixed bag ofinformation at the moment.”

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Bristan creates Green Team

Posted on January 27, 2012 by liam

Parent company of Bristan and Heritage Bathrooms, The Bristan Group has launched a Green Force team to identify initiatives to help reduce the company’s impact on the environment. It will include volunteer representatives, from across the business, which will be tasked with creating an action plan of improvements. This will span water conservation, renewable energy and waste prevention recycling through to green purchasing.

Karen Wise from the Bristan Group commented: “Environmental responsibility is an important part of Bristan Group’s corporate identity. By setting up a taskforce to tackle this issue, we are demonstrating our ongoing commitment to the green agenda and we hope the outcome will steer our business towards an even greener future.”

All Bristan Groups bathroom furniture is manufactured from timber from sustainable forests and all literature and brochures are printed on FSC approved paper: Four litre flushes, flow regulators in showers and eco-click cartridges in taps are already available in a number of Bristan and Heritage Bathrooms’ products.

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Masco, Neff and Ideal Standard all announce appointments

Posted on January 26, 2012 by liam

Chartley has strengthened its sales team with the appointment of John Timson as business development manager. He joins the company from the Masco Group, having previously held sales positions at both Bristan and Moores Furniture Group. Timson’s remit at Chartley is to create further awareness of the range of showers, taps and accessories with retailers, interior designers and architects.

Neff has promoted Richard Gilbert to regional manager of its newly-created Central and West of England sales region. Gilbert has worked as an area business manager for the company for over 10 years and successfully achieved 120% of his target in 2010. Prior to joining Neff he worked for another major group as part of its training and sales teams, as well as in the major electrical retailer sector in his early career.

Re-inforcing its leadership team, Ideal Standard International has appointed Alex de Courcy as its sales director for the UK. He joins the company from 3M Consumer & Retail Markets, where he held the position of sales and marketing director for the UK and Ireland. De Courcy brings with him a wealth of experience within the FMCG industry, previously heading the UK grocery business unit at Twinings, as well as roles at Mars.

SieMatic agent, Sable Interiors has announced the appointment of Martin Brown as senior kitchen designer within its kitchen department. His role at Sable will cover the co- ordination and management of its prestigious kitchen projects. Brown will be responsible for ensuring the highest quality of design, product and customer service is achieved for each and every client. Sable believes the arrival of Rrnum will contribute to its on-going success.

Jason Granville has been appointed as regional sales manager for the South at Reginox UK. In his new role, Granville will be responsible for building on the company’s retail customer base, as well as increasing brand awareness in the South East and Home Counties. He will also be maintaining and developing relationships with existing customers across the region. Granville brings with him extensive industry experience, having previously worked for William Ball and RIBA.

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Kitchens International adds to its’ workforce

Posted on January 25, 2012 by liam

Kitchens International has appointed Brian Docherty as operations manager and Chris Redpath to warehouse manager Docherty will oversee all office operations, warehouse administration and control stock levels. The company has also promoted Carol Cameron to showroom manager of the Edinburgh Dundas Street showroom, having previously worked for Kitchens International for 13 years as a sales designer. Three new sales designers have also been appointed in Dudas Street, Edinburgh’s Westfield Road branch and Glasgow.

Matt Phillips has been appointed as commercial manager for Rotpunkt Kitchens, available in the UK through Waterline. He has worked for Waterline for 12 years and joins james Kidd to further develop the Rotpunkt business. Phillips will be responsible for expanding the network of Rotpunkt dealers. Taking over as regional sales manager for Phillips’ area is Martin Baker, who brings with him 15 years’ of experience with Magnet Kitchens.

Following an overall growth in sales, Portico Midlands has appointed Adam johnson as sales manager and Andy Depper and Sarah Powell as field sales representatives. johnson will be responsible for nurturing existing relationships and Depper and Powell are tasked with increasing the number of trade customers. Depper will look after the North of the country, bringing with him 20 years’ of sales experience and Powell will be responsible for the South.

Gudula Becker from D & G Agencies and Nicolas Gee from THJ Solutions have been appointed by Glass ldromassaggio as representatives for the UK market. They will be responsible for the retail sales network, as well as growing the untapped project market. Becker has 25 years’ experience as a supplier to the furniture retail trade, and Gee has been supplying bathroom products to the retail and construction sectors for five years.

Designers Richard Donaldson and Emma Gains have joined PWS to strengthen the company’s design capabilities. Donaldson takes the role of product designer and brings with him an honours degree in design, with experience in product and interaction design. Gains has been appointed as showroom designer and she has previously worked as a furniture designer in Milan. She brings with her an honours degree in interior architecture and design.

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Laufen invite press to see their new basin

Posted on January 25, 2012 by liam

Who: EWE Kitchens

Reason for invitation: Visit to its newly opened 1,600m2 showroom in Wels, Austria, which features all three of its brands FM, EWE and Intuo in 26 displays. ln addition to the latest furniture ranges, the company unveiled itsVirtua| Design Studio. lt projects a l computer image of a door front, worktop and flooring onto a blank kitchen set.

Who: Rangemaster

Reason for invitation: Tripto its recently refitted showroom in Nottingham showcasing its new sinks and taps collection. Manufactured in the onsite factory, features of the collection include etched branding and a Microsheen finish. The company has also re-designed all the packaging to appeal to both the retailer and the consumer and make sure it arrives in good condition.

Who: Laufen. Reason for invitation: Selected press from 17 nations were invited to LaVufen’s Forum in Basel, Switzerland, to celebrate the launch of its new ceramic. Presentations from speakers including Patrick Goff and author Diccon Bewes took place within the Palomba-basin shaped concrete bui|ding.The company unveiled a 2960mm wide basin to show what the new material can achieve. Guests then went on tomake their own miniature Palomba basin during the tour of its factory.

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AEG presents 50 kits to rugby clubs

Posted on January 24, 2012 by liam

School and local club teams have the chance to win a training day with the England rugby team, courtesy ofthe grassroots rugby campaign. All 50 teams have already won themselves an Ultimate Kit & Laundry Package, which includes 22 bespoke Samurai kits and a top-of-the-range AEG 9 series washing machine and tumble dryer: Now the teams will be looking for support of local communities, businesses, family and friends to vote for them to win this training opportunity.

ln addition, voters can win a holiday for four to the 5 star Forte Village resort in Sardinia, where their children will be coached by England rugby legends each morning, courtesy of Super Skills Travel. England player; Will Greenwood commented: “lt’s very simple. lf the team want an opportunity to learn from the best, they need to get everyone they know voting.

This is an incredible opportunity to not only learn from the players they idolise, but also from the team that coaches them.” AEG’s UK head of marketing Graham Bremer said: “Good luck to all of our AEG final 50 teams, we’ve built a fantastic community around our campaign and will continue to offer more opportunities like this to other grassroots sports teams.”

Beko back on T’V screens

Appliance manufacturer Beko has returned to TV screens with advertising that runs in Novembei: Each ad showcases a Beko product across the home laundry, cooking and cooling ranges of appliances; 9kg Excellence Washing Machine, Multifunction Oven and family- sized fridge range. Marketing director of Beko, Teresa Arbuckle commented: “This is our 2l st year of trading in the UK and we are extremely excited to be back on TV. The new campaign is a signincant investment for the brand and demonstrates Beko’s consistent support ofthe home appliance category. “Innovation is at the heart of what we do and we remain committed to providing customers with added value using the best technology possible at affordable prices.”

Plug showroom expands business

East Midlands bathroom retailer Plug has expanded its business and re-branded itself Plug ln Design. The company launched in 2009 and following a buy in by KCT Holdings Group, the directors have decided to expand the business by offering an interior design service. Plug In Design will be led by general manager Tony Robson and Hayley Tarrington, formerly head of design at CP Hart, who is now creative director Tarrington commented on the business expansion: “The creation of Plug In Design has been a natural progression for Plug Bathrooms.”

She added: “When our clients sawjust what could be achieved in their bathrooms, many expressed a desire to see what Plug could add to their bedrooms, kitchens and other living spaces. We specialise in thinking outside of a room dimension to make a space work harder to both impress and complement peopIe’s lifestyIes.” The business is also able to offer design solutions for architects, retailers and manufacturers, plus a custom- made furniture design, sourcing and supply service.

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Miele wins best training provider

Posted on January 24, 2012 by liam

The Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association has presented the KBSA supplier awards 2011, which recognise excellence in those companies that supply products to KBSA retailers. For the second consecutive year, the winners include Neff for best product supplier, Miele won the best training provider and a joint award was given to Omega and Mereway Kitchens/Wentworth for best display support.

The Franke Website now features a dealer locator which means stockists can be filtered according to distance and radius. The user simply needs to enter a postcode to see a list of Franke sink and tap stockists in their vicinity. For more information see www.franke.co.uk

HiB has published a 100-page brochure featuring its latest range of products, which fall into four product categories: LED back-lit cabinets and illuminated aluminium cabinets; back-lit mirrors and ambient light mirrors; freestanding furniture for cloakrooms and two mineral marble basins. The brochure features dimensional and technical information and can be viewed online at www.hib.co.uk

Kitchen furniture supplier, Mark David Enterprises has recently held a series of bespoke training for its dealers. The day course covered sales and customer care and was delivered by Graham Hayden. Dealers were trained on sales skills, buying motives and signals, negotiation and understanding body language.

Bathroom franchisee Ripples in Chicester celebrated its 10th year of trading, with an event at its showroom. Owned by husband and wife team, Nick and lane Rines, they held a party which attracted 30 local businesses. ln addition an auction, held at the event, raised £685 for Ripples nominated charity ‘Wherever the need’, which provides WCs for families in lndia.

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US-based Fluidmaster acquires Opella

Posted on January 23, 2012 by liam

Manufacturer of cistern components, Fluidmaster has acquired Opella based in Hereford. Opella manufactures cistern filling and flushing products including Torbecj, Delchem and Opella Fill and Flush valves, cisterns, shower traps and sink strainers. “We’re excited to offer our global customers the benefits of the collective strength of both the Fluidmaster and Opella brands of products,” said Rober Andersonschoepe, chairman and CEO of Fluidmaster.

He continued: “This acquisition is just one example of how Fluidmaster constantly strives to build and strengthen our core business – and at the same time it signincantly broadens our portfolio of products.” Graeme Flowers, executive chairman of Opella, commented: “The opportunity to unite two great companies like Fluidmaster and Opella doesn’t happen very often. As an active participant in our industry, for the past 26 years, l look forward to the next chapter as a member of the leadership team for the new combined enterprise.

Rapsel bath stolen at Cersaie:

Italian bathroom manufacturer Rapsel had a number of products stolen from its stand at trade show Cersaie, including the Grandtour bathtub. According to Rapsel, its products were taken on Sunday, after the show closed its doors and both the exhibition organiser and police were informed.

A spokesperson for Rapsel commented: “It is so frustrating to have to record the criminal energy and unscrupulous behaviour of unprincipled individuals who do not shrink from destroying the fruit of months of hard work invested by others. “Nonetheless, the thieves will never stifle the creativity of Rapsel, its staff and designers, the development activities of whom will continue to flourish; their passion for exploring new materials unabated despite the theft.

“May this unfortunate incident ultimately prove a good omen for the future production ofthe Grandtour bathtub. Who knows? Soon showrooms around the world might well be able to claim that ‘Rapsel products literally Fly off the shelves’.”

Kitchen & Bathroom Forum is ‘meeting of minds’:

The Kitchen & Bathroom Forum held its third meeting at the offices of FIRA International in Stevenage, under The Chatham House Rule. This global Rule, which was devised to facilitate free speech, saw the meeting held strictly in private, preventing reporting of the identity or affiliation of any of the speakers.

Although some members called for the Forum to be an action group, for the time being it was decided that, the purpose ofthe meetings are to provide an opportunity for a ‘meeting of minds’. The two-hour meeting included marketing methods to help industry members secure more business and considered training that could lead to a qualification, setting and defining common industry standards.

The Forum also discussed ways of supporting existing initiatives such as Get Britain Building and Cut the VAT. It widened discussions to attend the next meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Furniture Group to be held at the Houses of Parliament, as well as explored inviting people from Government departments to discuss a range of industry issues. The next meeting ofthe Forum will take place at the Builder’s Merchants Federation HQ in London, at a date to be announced.

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Neff Excellence Award winners

Posted on January 23, 2012 by liam

Built-in appliance manufacturer Neff has announced the winners of its third Master Partner Awards, this year held at The Natural History Museum in London. The event, which was hosted by TV celebrity Vernon Kay, saw nine awards presented to Neff dealers, including new categories for the Best Window Display and MasterPartner with the most creative and innovative Marketing Plan, which was awarded a £10,000 bursary.

The winner of the Supreme MasterPartner Award was presented to Kitchen Design Centre of Blackburn, Colne and Manchester, while winner of the Showroom Award was Denmore Kitchen and Bedroom Studio in Aberdeen. The winner of the inaugural Advertising & Marketing Grant Award was Two Guys Kitchens of Basingstoke in Hampshire and the winner of the Best Advertising and Marketing Award is The Kitchen Showroom of Sudbury in Suffolk.

Winners ofthe best kitchen design using Neff for up to £20,000 and over £20,000 were Ebstone Kitchens of Ealing in London and Colliers of Worthing in West Sussex, respectively. The Best Window Display was presented to Kitchen & Bathroom Technique of Wolverhampton, while the winner of Best Newcomer Award was Kitchen Matters of Milton Keynes.

Completing the award-winning line-up was The Kitchen Company of Uxbridge, who scooped the Anniversary Award. In addition, Neff dealers across the UK recently took part in the ‘World’s biggest coffee morning, to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. In total, 68 events were organised, raising £14,000.

Ideal Standard conclude sale of Middlewich site:
Ideal Standard International has concluded the sale of its Middlewich production site. The site has been acquired by Ours Sanitary Ware (Imperial Bathrooms) and as part ofthe deal, they will take over the land, building and equipment at the site.

It is not yet known whether the 249 jobs lost, will be restored by Imperial Bathrooms. A spokesperson for Ideal Standard commented: “We didn’t sell the site with employees to guarantee their jobs because at the time conversations were opened with Imperial Bathrooms, it was not clear that this was a credible or feasible option.”

Managing director of Imperial Bathrooms, H.J. Klomp commented: “With the acquisition of manufacturing facility in Middlewich, the Imperial Bathrooms Group have launched their presence in the UK market. Through its subsidiary Ours Sanitary Ware, it will re-start the facility over the next few months, leading to a total of about 150 jobs by May 2012. This deal will restore a manufacturing facility and many employment opportunities in a community that has served this business site for many geneiations.”

Ideal Standard has blamed worsening market conditions and a parallel trend of the demand for fewer ceramic pieces in bathrooms. Since 2008, ldeal Standard has implemented a series of measures including reduced working hours, but it forecasts that ceramic sales in 2012 will not show a return to ‘pre- crisis levels’ in 2012.

Between 2007 and 2010, the construction and renovation market in Europe is said to have dropped by 19% in value and by 16.8% in the UK. The market for sanitary ware in Europe is thought to have decreased by 23% in terms of volume and by 30.7% in the UK between 2007 and 2010. The Development lndustrialisation centre located in Middlewich has relocated to Rugeley, with a small number ofjobs created.

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Changes afoot at distributor BCG

Posted on January 22, 2012 by liam

At the time of going to press, it’s understood that key members of BCG’s senior management team may have left the bathroom and kitchen distributor Although it remains unconfirmed by Wolseley, it’s believed those who could have exited the business include managing director Chris Honer, commercial and sales director Andrew Lillywhite and marketing director Julie Butcher.

However a spokesperson for Wolseley UK said: “Changes are being made within the business. But it is company policy to always inform staff first in an internal announcement. She continued: “Once that announcement has been made, if we feel we need to make an external announcement, we will do so after that time.” A review of the Wolseley business, led by group chief executive Ian Meakins, saw 19 of its underperforming businesses put on a list to improve or sell. However; Wolseley has never named the businesses to be off loaded if they did not improve.

It is unknown whether BCG was included on the list alongside Bathstore, its chain of bathroom showrooms. However Wolseley has already disposed of Electric Centen following its disposal of tools and equipment firm Brandon Hire.

Roca opens £,10m London showroom

The Roca Group has invested more than £10 million in its latest gallery, located adjacent to Chelsea Harbour in London’s Imperial Wharf. The 1100m2 Gallery was designed by architect Zaha Hadid and is designed to represent water flowing through pebbles.

lt contains products by Roca and Laufen and is intended to be a design hub for everyone from architects and specifiers to students. The London Gallery is the fourth in the company’s portfolio, with galleries already existing in Barcelona, Madrid and Lisbon.

According to Georgina Spencer marketing manager of Roca UK: “lt’s a place where people can come to see the product in a different setting. They can come for an experience rather than to just see the product.” The company bought the space two years ago and Spencer says: “The challenges were to get everything right as everything is bespoke, even down to the tiles. Each one is unique.”

The space will be used as a showroom, meeting space, exhibition hall and event venue, as well as a place for dealers and retailers to take their customers to show them the Roca product. lt has been created from a range ofdifferent materials including fibre glass, concrete, resin for the floors, and gypsum. Managing director of Roca UK Alan Dodds, comments: “The whole idea is anyone can use the space, as long as it is complimentary to the brand and it brings the right people in. Every place you stand is different and the attention to detail is incredible. “At first, we weren’t sure how the product would look. But we are really, really pleased. The balance is just right.”

He continues: “It makes a statement about Roca’s seriousness about design and working with architects and designers. It is a statement of confidence in the UK.”

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