The Word

CALL FOR RETAILERS TO KEEP DOORS AND WINDOWS OPEN TO MINIMISE COVID TRANSFER RISK

Retail outlets across the UK are being asked to keep doors and windows open to allow air to move more freely throughout premises to reduce airborne transmission of Covid-19.

It is reported that 91% of all Covid-19

patients are infected indoors, so the latest advice is to keep air fl owing through buildings to mitigate transfer risks where people congregate.

According to the UK Government, steps that will usually be needed are: 1. Increasing the existing ventilation rate by adjusting the fan speed. 2.Operating the ventilation system when there are people in the building. 3.Monitoring and managing fi lters in accordance to manufacturer instructions. 4.Keeping doors and windows open if possible. 5.Using ceiling fans to improve air circulation, provided there is good ventilation.

“Those of us in the air conditioning business have been banging this home for years,” said Libby Jones from Air Conditioning installer AirCon.co.uk.

“Fresh circulated air is healthier air. You don’t need a fancy system to do this, just keep a steady fl ow of fresh air by opening doors and windows.

“There are some simple things we can do to reduce risk of transmission within any building, and it all comes down to common sense. The usual washing hands, wearing a mask and keeping distance – but where air is not being exchanged in congested areas it raises the risks of an infected person’s cough being recirculated around a room.

“It is all about being aware that stale air can carry airborne particles of Covid-19. Changing habits can reduce the risk massively.”

OPEN WINDOWS & DOORS FOR 20 MINUTES PER HOUR Regular “shock ventilation” is recommended to change the air in rooms. This means opening windows and doors on a regular basis to allow stale air to be exchanged for fresh air.

“In a shop this can be tricky,” said Jones, “but the concept is clear – the more air you extract and replace with fresh, the healthier the air. This is a habit we all need to be better at because even in post-Covid years ahead (yes, they do exist) we can all help by sticking to a clean-air regime.

“The Germans are going big-time into education about ventilation – they call it Stosslüften, meaning “shock ventilation”, and its e ects on transmission rates of the virus indoors are incredibly positive. If you think about it this winter, that’s the danger zone, we will be spending more time inside and we need to wise-up to simple ventilation habits.

“If everyone can reduce their ability to transmit the virus just a little bit, we can all help bring down the chances of passing it around.”

FOCUS ON COMMUNITY SPIRIT MARKS 10-YEAR BLOMBERG AND EURONICS PARTNERSHIP

Beko brand Blomberg marked its 10th year with the launch of its fi rst connected range

of washing machines and washer dryers and a four-door American fridge freezer – another fi rst for the brand.

As the exclusive brand for Euronics agents, a ‘no purchase necessary’ Blomberg window display competition focusing on community spirit has also been launched. The display aims to encourage consumers to nominate their local hero to win £2,500 worth of Blomberg appliances and o er retailers the opportunity to win ‘Euronics Best Dressed Blomberg Window’. The competition will recognise one overall winner and seven regional prizes will also be on o er. Winners will be notifi ed before 4th December 2020.

WHIRLPOOL COMMITS SUPPORT FOR RETAILERS THROUGH NEW ENERGY LABEL CHANGES

Whirlpool UK has committed to supporting retailers through forthcoming changes in the energy labelling system by embracing the new framework and educating consumers on the changes that are to be introduced from March 2021.

The existing labelling system has grown more complex as

products have become more e cient, with additional ‘+’ classes added to describe products that surpass the original A rating. The new Energy Labelling Framework Regulation mandates the use of new labels with a simpler scale. The current plus classes (e.g. A+++, A++ and A+) will be replaced by a less confusing, uniform energy consumption scale from A to G. The new scale will still use the current seven-step colour scale.

A PHASED INTRODUCTION

The transition to the new labels will take place in a couple of stages in advance of the introduction of the fi rst labels. The fi rst appliances to use the new labels from March 2021 are dishwashers, washing machines, washer-dryers and refrigerators including wine storage appliances and freezers. From the second half of 2020, there will be a transition period when appliance manufacturers will need to include both the new label and the old label in the product packaging for any product placed on sale before the deadline of the 1st March 2021, after which any new products in the abovementioned appliance categories brought to market will be sold only with the new label.

HOW THE LABELS ARE DIFFERENT

While the new labels share the same seven-step colour scale, one-to-one conversion between the old and new energy classes is not possible. To drive the market towards increasingly resource-e cient appliances in future, the revised grading system intentionally makes it more di cult for current products to receive the best energy ratings compared with the previous label. As a result, only the very best performing products will now gain an A rating. Where products have both labels during the transition period it will be important to explain these di erences.

“At Whirlpool, we want to help explain the new regulations so consumers won’t be confused. This is why we are taking the opportunity to publicise the changes,” said Andrzej Tuleja, General Manager, UK and Ireland, Whirlpool UK Appliances Limited. “When buying a new appliance, consumers may fi nd that due to the revision, many energy-e cient products that were previously at the top of the list will now be placed in lower classes. It is therefore important to make clear that the way in which the energy classifi cation is communicated via the label has been changed, but the e ciency of the product is the same as before.”

Other product categories, including ovens, tumble dryers and specialist cooling appliances, will transition to the new label from 2022, so the older-style label will still be used on these products until that point.

The new labels will o er consumers a built-in way to get a clear understanding of a product’s energy performance and other characteristics. Each new label includes a QR code that consumers can scan with their smartphones to view comprehensive noncommercial information about a product via the new European Product Database for Energy Labelling (EPREL).

FOUNDER OF MQA FOUNDER OF MQA BOB STUART RECEIVES BOB STUART RECEIVES PRINCE PHILIP MEDAL PRINCE PHILIP MEDAL

Bob Stuart, creator of MQA and co-founder of Meridian

Audio, has become the fi rst audio engineer to receive the Royal Academy of Engineering Prince Philip Medal in the Award’s 20-year history.

Stuart received the decoration for his “exceptional contribution to audio engineering which has changed the way we listen to music and experience fi lms”.

SKILLED LABOUR SHORTAGE RISKS “FUTURE CATASTROPHE”, SAYS BIKBBI

The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom &

Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI) is calling on the industry to unite now or risk future catastrophe as part of plans released to tackle what it believes to be “one of the most signifi cant challenges faced by the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom sector ever”, the national shortage of professional installers.

The organisation is appealing for action from suppliers, distributors, manufacturers and retailers to actively support much-needed change by pledging intent at www.supportchange.org.uk.

The plan is to approach the challenge in a “three-pronged attack” including apprenticeships, professional development and re-training.

KBBG MEMBERS RECEIVE “BEST EVER BONUS PAYMENTS”

The Kitchen Bathroom Buying Group UK (KBBG)

says the bonuses paid to its members this year are “the best they have ever been” due to e orts made in 2019, and many members of the group received their highest payment to date.

Managing Director Bill Miller said: “We are absolutely delighted with how successful many of our members were with their bonuses, particularly this year when times have been tougher than ever due to the pandemic.”

There are “glimpses of positivity that we must all hold onto,” he added. “For any independent kitchen and bathroom specialist that hasn’t considered joining a buying group before, now is the time to do so.”

Hisense is working with WRAP’s Love Food Hate Waste campaign to drive awareness of eff ective food storage and preparation in a bid to help educate consumers about reducing avoidable waste. The partnership will see Hisense introduce recipes to help use up food leftovers and support Love Food Hate Waste with an upcoming campaign addressing postlockdown food waste.

AEG has partnered with Food 4 Heroes, an initiative to help combat the steep rise in food poverty caused by the economic and social eff ects of the coronavirus pandemic. AEG and Food 4 Heroes will work together to support an initial pilot project to deliver 350 nutritious meals per week, with the aim of expanding the scheme to a further 50 sites within the next 12 months.

AO has partnered with the Armed Forces charity SSAFA as white goods supplier of choice. The Supported Living arm of the Bolton-based retailer said it has negotiated hard with supply partners to secure the best value for money for SSAFA benefi ciaries and is providing a three-year product warranty. Coff ee machine manufacturer Melitta and Manchester United are to continue a partnership through which Melitta has generated many opportunities for brand visibility. The Premier League Club and the German family-run business have worked together since the end of 2017, later creating a relationship that has exposed Melitta to the club’s 1.1 billion global fans and followers.

The BiKBBI has confi rmed it will continue its sponsorship of Charlton Athletic Women’s Football Club for the 2020/21 season, which will coincide with the launch of a new digital strategy for the Women’s Championship side.

Loudspeaker brand Sonus faber has launched a Trade Up programme on a wide range of new models, off ering consumers the full original purchase price of their trade-in speaker, regardless of brand, when purchasing at 2.5 times the trade-in value. The off er will run until 31st December 2020.

BEKO’S NEW APPLIANCE RANGE ZAPS BACTERIA AND VIRUSES

Beko has launched a range of appliances comprising seven products with in-built

programmes and functions to disinfect packaged food and belongings to help people adjust to the “new normal” at home.

Developed as a result of in-depth global consumer research, the HygieneShieldTM product line has the power to kill more than 99% of bacteria and viruses (including coronavirus), providing a level of reassurance “unrivalled” in the marketplace.

Hakan Bulgurlu, CEO of Beko parent Arçelik, said technologies used in the products are being independently tested by Airmid Health Group, a respected biomedical research organisation. “As of today,” he stated during an online product launch, “HygieneShieldTM washing machines, washer dryers, ovens and refrigerators have been shown to provide more than 99% virus reduction.”

The range comprises a UV cleaning cabinet (see page 10); a combi refrigerator with disinfection drawer; tumble dryer with UV light technology; HygieneShieldTM washing machine and washer dryer; built-in oven with saturated steam and heat (see page 18), and a HygieneShieldTM dishwasher.

SHORTCUTS Belgian extraction and induction brand Novy has received Quiet Mark certifi cation for 58 extraction appliances in a collection comprising 60 models in total. Novy also becomes the brand with the most Quiet Mark accredited cooker hoods to date.

The Now TV app has been made available on Sony BRAVIA Android TVs in the UK and Ireland, providing contractfree access to the range of new and original British comedies, Oscar, BAFTA and Emmy award-winning dramas, Sky originals and movies. electricalsafetyfi rst.org.uk

AV distributor Midwich Group has entered into a European distribution agreement with BirdDog, a manufacturer of video over IP products and workfl ows. The full range of BirdDog products are available to Midwich Group channel partners via Holdan (a Midwich Group company).

4N1 Touch combination tap has gained approval from the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS).

Electrical Safety First’s twelfth annual product safety conference, this year a digital event entitled A Sustainable Future, will run over two consecutive mornings – Wednesday 4th November (9.30am-11.30am) and Thursday 5th November (9.30 am – 12.30pm). Details are available at www. The InSinkErator®

Beko marked its 30th year in the UK with the launch of a new corporate website and newly created Beko plc LinkedIn page. The website is the face of all Beko plc brands (Beko, Grundig, Leisure, Blomberg, Flavel and Zenith).

CIH HOSTS COVID-SECURE ANNUAL GOLF DAY

Buying group CIH’s annual Euronics golf day, which was

originally scheduled for May, took place in September at the Celtic Manor in Newport with over 50 members and suppliers in attendance.

Trophy winners on the day were as follows:

First-place team: Tim Greenslade, Lewis’s; Jeremy Hill, Homemaker; Tom Hopper, Miele; and Steve Rickersey, Miele, who was also awarded the fi rst-place individual supplier trophy.

Frank Craig from Frank B. Craig was awarded the Euronics Family Trophy as the fi rst-place individual member – the trophy was donated by CIH Chairman Steve Scogings whose father won it many years ago. Frank Craig was also recognised for Best on Par 4s, while Alex Salt from Domestic Appliances Sudbury received the prize for Best of Par 5s.

Moves

Range cooker and sink manufacturer Rangemaster, which is part of America’s Middleby Corporation, has appointed Tom O’Sullivan as Regional Sales Manager covering Northamptonshire, the East of England, London and the Home Counties.

Tom O'Sullivan

Glen Dimplex has appointed Cecile Helme-Guizon and Sophie le Tanneur, two highly experienced French businesswomen to its Supervisory Board, which oversees the Glen Dimplex Group on behalf of its shareholders.

Hotpoint introduces dishwashers with “best ever” drying performance

Hotpoint’s new dishwashers incorporate the brand’s ActiveDry system, which automatically opens the appliance door by up to 10cm at the end of the cycle so residual humidity is released safely and fresh air enters the cavity to speed up drying – thus providing up to 60% better drying results and reducing energy consumption by up to 20% while protecting kitchen furniture from heat and humidity. This new range of full-size models also incorporates 3D Zone Wash technology, which e ciently removes baked-on food, and Active Oxygen technology to naturally remove unpleasant odours.

Beko HygieneShield™ UV cleaning cabinet

Beko’s HygieneShield™ cleaning cabinet uses UV light technology to sanitise items used outside or inside the home, or those consumers are simply concerned about when it comes to hygiene safety. Keys, phones, wallets, packaged goods from supermarkets, plastic bags, baby bottles and toys can all be safely cleaned in a 20- to 40-minute cycle without damage.

Meaco launches WiFi-controlled air purifier

Air treatment brand Meaco‘s fi rst WiFi-enabled air purifi er, the MeacoClean CA-HEPA 76x5, is ideal for rooms up to 76m³. It performs fi ve air changes per hour and is designed to draw in air from all sides of the unit, providing close to 360° cleaning. The app can compare pollen level readings inside the home with outdoor readings so users can see the health of their indoor environment. The H11 HEPA fi lter removes more than 95% of the damaging particles from the air, with the option of purchasing a H13 HEPA (True HEPA) fi lter to increase cleaning to 99.97%.

Illumination Breakfast Illumination Breakfast Collection from Collection from Morphy Richards Morphy Richards

Morphy Richards’ Illumination Collection comprises Morphy Richards’ Illumination Collection comprises kettles and toasters in a matt and chrome fi nish with kettles and toasters in a matt and chrome fi nish with a blue band which glows while the appliances are in a blue band which glows while the appliances are in use. The 1.7L stainless steel jug kettle with 360-degree use. The 1.7L stainless steel jug kettle with 360-degree cordless base incorporates a high-powered 3kW rapid-boil cordless base incorporates a high-powered 3kW rapid-boil element and a removable limescale fi lter. It also features element and a removable limescale fi lter. It also features boil-dry protection, an easy-view water gauge and cord boil-dry protection, an easy-view water gauge and cord storage. The 4-slice toaster has frozen, cancel and reheat storage. The 4-slice toaster has frozen, cancel and reheat settings, with variable width slots and browning control settings, with variable width slots and browning control and easy-clean crumb trays. The collection is available in and easy-clean crumb trays. The collection is available in black and white. black and white.

Caple’s wine cooler fits neatly into a bank of appliances

Caple‘s in-column wine cabinet complements the brand’s Sense cooking collection in gunmetal fi nish, and is also available in black or stainless steel. The WC6100GM with drop-down door and touch-control stores 30 Bordeauxstyle wine bottles – a temperature range of 5-18°C accommodates red, white and rosé wines – and also caters for the safe storage of bottles of Champagne. The unit has an anti-UV inner glass double-glazed door, sliding beech shelves and a compressor-based cooling system.

Samsung’s latest washing machine “built for customised eco-friendly lifestyles”

Samsung’s WW9800T washing machine is equipped with features to customise the laundry process to achieve a powerful wash in less time using less energy and e ort. It incorporates Samsung’s ecobubble™ and QuickDrive™ technology, with user convenience extending to the drying process: Auto Cycle Link pairs compatible washing machines and dryers to automatically set the best dryer cycle for each load.

Haier reveals connected wine cellar range

Haier’s fi rst Mono Zone and Double Zone connected wine cellars benefi t from a partnership with Vivino – the largest global wine marketplace with over 39 million active users – which allows Haier’s hOn App to provide access to a series of functions, including the identifi cation and cataloguing of wines via a label scan, user profi ling for advice and suggestions of food pairings based on taste and the wines available. Both models o er a humidity control system with natural airfl ow kept within the 50-70% threshold, protection from external vibrations, 3D LED lights and anti-UV doors.

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