And best news of all, sales of ensuites and cloakrooms are only likely to grow, as the house build market slowly returns to form. All new homes, by law, must have a downstairs sanitaryware facility and they often feature an ensuite, as standard, too. Tim Wood of Mereway Bathrooms comments: [...]

The use of furniture in the cloakroom or ensuite also offers designers and retailers the opportunity to trade up in sanitaryware. As Brian Grey of Ideal Standard explains: “One area open to growth and increased value opportunities is the trend towards vessel basins that sit upon some form of countertop [...]

What used to be a matter ofjust adding an extra WC, has been superseded by stylish second bathrooms. Fashionable cloakrooms and ensuites must now also feature storage to create a ‘wow’ factor.

Alape has announced Udo Happe, former joint MD of Kaldewei UK, as head of export. His appointment forms part of the company’s international expansion plans and Happe will be charged with increasing its current export share of 42%. He is responsible for Alape’s retail and project business and will be [...]

Expanding its UK operation, Amica has announced Peter Sherwood-Clarke as its national accounts manager He has 22 years’ experience of working with major domestic appliances, having worked for Swift, Portway and most recently Miele as area sales manager: Sherwood-Clarke’s role will be to drive sales, develop relationships and progress opportunities [...]

Rebecca jones has joined the Formica Group as marketing manager for the UK, Ireland and central regions. She has joined the company from International Paints (Akzo Nobel) where she gained 14 years’ experience. jones will be responsible for the regional marketing teams and managing the Formica and Axiom brands, starting [...]

Utopia Bathroom Group has appointed Andrew Walker as national sales manager for the contracts sector and Andy Purthill as area sales manager for London, Surrey and Berkshire. Walker has 12 years’ experience in the bathroom industry, with the last 10 spent at Porcelanosa Midlands where he was commercial sales manager [...]

Twyford Bathrooms has appointed Mark Winfield to the position of marketing manager for the UK. Previously head of product management, Winfeld joined Twyford Bathrooms straight from school. He has had various marketing roles in the company and brings his knowledge, experience ofthe organisation and products to his new role. Winfield [...]

Regulations which will enforce the use of more energy efficient lighting in England and Wales, due to take effect from October, have been delayed. The revised Part L regulations will bring the next step towards the challenge of zero carbon homes. House builders, specifiers and developers may welcome the delay [...]

Moores furniture group has received its latest EMS report.  The assesment looksat its place in the environment, as well its environmental objectives. In particular, it noted the companys energy, waste segregation and water policies and the development and implementation of its recycling systems. Moores’ efforts in encouraging its contractors and [...]