Kitchens & Bathrooms News April 2020 by Hamerville Media Group

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KI TCHENS &

BATHROOMS NEWS THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR KITCHEN & BATHROOM PROFESSIONALS

APRIL 2020

HILL’S PANEL PRODUCTS Adding value through partnerships with suppliers and customers

COLOURED KITCHENS KITCHENS & BATHROOMS NEWS APRIL 2020

How the interiors trend for individualisation is encouraging the greater use of colour

BATHROOM TAPS AND ACCESSORIES What styles are compelling consumers to purchase?

news ■ expert views ■ company profiles ■ products ■ competitions ■ SME support www.kandbnews.co.uk

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NO 149 VOL 14 APRIL 2020

contents 6 NEWS & VIEWS 5 First word Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s opinion

6 News

Round-up of industry headlines

12 Out & about Pictorial-led report on events taking place in the industry

14 People

BATHROOMS

Appointments and promotions

30 Bathroom taps and accessories

15 Inbox Reader feedback

16 Most wanted Jane Metcalfe-Barnett, owner and design director of Fusion Interior Design, picks her favourite products from our March issue

Whether bought as part of a bathroom project or individual refreshment, taps are a strong seller. We take a look at the trends which will compel consumers to make a purchase

34 Just out Latest bathroom product launches

18 Talking shop MD of Coalville Kitchens Luke Wedgbury says independent retailers shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fear online sales

NECESSITIES 36 Wall coverings With the design versatility to meet and react to the latest interior trends, wall panelling has become a choice not a compromise

DESIGN 38 Design know-how

26 KITCHENS 21 Coloured kitchens A taste for homogenous home interiors and individuality has seen colour return to kitchen design

26 Just out Latest kitchen product launches

Get to grips with product knowledge, methods of use and planning

BUSINESS

40 Supplier profile HPP talks about the importance of adding value as a distributor

44 Company matters SME advice covering marketing, financial, management as well as legal issues

47 Last word Experienced kitchen director Toby Griffin says the industry must pay as much attention to specification as it does design

www.kandbnews.co.uk K&BNEWS APRIL

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FIRST WORD

On with the show... Against a backdrop of European trade show postponements to prevent spread of the Coronavirus, isalone del Mobile in Italy and Light + Building in Germany, the UK trade show for the industry forged ahead. Despite the closure of the Chinese Pavilion, a couple of brand names pulling out of the show, and the industry wary of whether it would even take place, Kbb Birmingham demonstrated its resilience. It even answered the silent question mark hanging over the show; would visitors be so concerned over the contagion of COVID-19 they just wouldn’t attend? The queues at the doors, before the show even opened, ushered that particular elephant straight out of the NEC halls. Interestingly, managing director of Virtual Worlds Nathan McClean stated the investment it had made into its appearance at the exhibition was to give back to the industry. Having created an experiential stand, he suggested manufacturers were duty bound to create interest and help make the show a success, so visitors would attend. Although attendance numbers have yet to be officially confirmed, aisles saw a steady flow for the duration of the event. And anecdotally, exhibitors reported footfall to their stands was up on the previous outing two years prior. But there were manufacturers who were also able to offer factual evidence, as Abode reported

double the amount of enquiries on the stand and Merlyn stated it had seen more visitors on day one than the duration of the event in 2008. Equally of importance, business was being done as exhibitors exclaimed orders were being placed at the show. Bathroom and kitchen manufacturers showcased a wide array of products to help retailers personalise their offer and broaden their reach to consumers. And there was also support from a raft of services. These included Virtual Reality CAD and financial packages, through to membership of buying groups, and even lead generation companies to help independent retailers in the current challenging trading conditions. Certainly, the independent kitchen and bathroom industry has been impacted by the uncertainty surrounding Brexit and ongoing concern about trading agreements. But the show was brimming with optimism and was an indicator of how positivity can boost a supply chain. Kbb Birmingham was much needed!

NEWS & VIEWS

KBN LIKES ✔ …the kbb industry has sought to bolster standards with the launch of the Worktop Fabricators Federation. It hopes to strengthen relationships between fabricators, independent showrooms and their installers

KBN DISLIKES ✖ …the postponement of kitchen and bathroom shows, although it may be an inconvenient necessity. But is pleased Kbb Birmingham went ahead, as it brought renewed optimism and positivity to the industry

KBN WANTS ! …you to take a look online at our video interviews from Kbb Birmingham. Visit www.kandbnews.co.uk and search “video”

Philippa Turrell Editor

Email your views on this subject, or any other, to pturrell@hamerville.co.uk To be removed from this magazine’s circulation please call 01923 237799 or email circulation@hamerville.co.uk Editor Philippa Turrell e: pturrell@hamerville.co.uk Designer Donna Booth Production Assistant Stephanie Stapleton e: stephanie@hamerville.co.uk Group Production Manager Carol Padgett e: carol@hamerville.co.uk Printer Walstead Peterborough

Publisher Bryan Shannon Group Advertisement Manager Craig Jowsey e: craig@hamerville.co.uk

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ABC total average net circulation 13,640 (for the 11 issues distributed between January to December 2019)

© 2020 KITCHENS & BATHROOMS NEWS accepts no responsibility for damage or loss, however caused, to any material submitted for publication. While every effort is made to ensure facts are correct at time of going to press, no responsibility can be accepted for incorrect product descriptions or facts. No part of this magazine may be reproduced, in any form, without prior written permission from the publishers.

www.kandbnews.co.uk K&BNEWS APRIL 5

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NEWS & VIEWS

MAKING HEADLINES

Connecticut-based showroom will be “largest in America”

IN BRIEF ■ Furniture manufacturer Daval was named the winner of the Sustainable & Ethical Manufacturer category at the Made in Yorkshire Awards. It means Daval will have the chance to compete against other regional winners in the Made in the UK awards, held in Liverpool later this year. The judges were impressed by Daval’s closed-looped production system, which has cut the company’s carbon footprint by using sawdust and waste to heat its Huddersﬁeld factory. Read more at www.rdrlink/KP001

■ Furniture components manufacturer and distributor Hills Panel Products (HPP) has received a recycling award, after reducing the amount of waste materials sent to landﬁll to almost zero in 2019. HPP has received a Zero the Hero award from UK Waste Solutions Ltd (UKWSL) which provides waste reduction and management services to industry. Less than 1% of HPP’s waste went to landﬁll sites in 2019, which meant it met the industry standard criteria for the Zero the Hero award. Read the story at www.rdrlink/KP002 ■ Solid worktop specialist Precision Stone has invested in a Customer Contact Centre, including a showroom and training centre, to host product training sessions for its retail partners. The Customer Contact Centre is situated at the company’s premises in Warwickshire and boasts a portfolio of surfaces from Caesarstone, Dekton, Neolith and Silestone. Read more details at www.rdrlink/KP003

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Wren Kitchens moves stateside Manufacturer and retailer Wren Kitchens will be replicating its UK model in America, opening a manufacturing facility and network of showrooms. The ﬁrst Wren Kitchens showroom will open in Milford, Connecticut, with plans to open further showrooms, in the Northeast of American, throughout the year. Measuring 31,465sqft, the Connecticut showroom will feature more than 100 kitchen displays, will be the biggest for the company and reportedly the largest kitchen showroom in America. A Wren Kitchens spokesperson said: “We’re excited to bring our vertically integrated model to the United States, the largest home improvement market in the world. “It’s imperative to offer our customers a ﬁrst-class experience,

and that starts in our showrooms. “We invest heavily in them to offer the latest styles and a truly experiential visit where they can see their kitchen in virtual reality. “We are also training our retail staff to offer the customer a fantastic service.” The company will also open its ﬁrst US manufacturing facility in

Northeast Pennsylvania, in the Spring, with plans to develop its headquarters in the state too. The 252,000sqft site in Hanover Township will feature machinery and assembling facilities. In the UK, Wren manufactures and delivers over 2,000 kitchens each week. It employs more than 5,000 people.

Strengthening standards and relationships with retailers

Worktop Fabricators Federation launched at Kbb Three stone brands – Neolith, Cosentino and Caesarstone – are throwing their weight behind a trade association for professional worktop fabricators – the Worktop Fabricators Federation. As the market for high quality, high value kitchen worktops continues to grow and develop, the Worktop Fabricators Federation, has been created to bolster industry standards. Two years in the making, it has been set up by ﬁve independent fabricators and aims to provide a voice for the sector, as well as forge a stronger relationship with kitchen retailers. One of its main priorities will be ensuring health and safety in the

working environment, as well as encouraging dialogue between businesses and pooling experiences to deliver a high level of service. One of the founding directors of the Worktop Fabricators Federation (WFF) Mem Zeykayi said: “Designing, templating, creating and ﬁtting stone worktops is an exacting business. “The fabrication of stone in a professional, safe and controlled workplace has to be and must always remain paramount”. He continued, explaining: “As the market has grown and matured, suppliers have found themselves dealing with requests from potential customers who lack the

expertise to install correctly on-site and – most crucially – the properly equipped workshops to cut and prepare the worktop elements prior to delivery. “WFF aims to do everything it can to capture and develop the professionalism of our industry – giving both customers and investors conﬁdence that in dealing with a WFF member they are getting the very best product and the best service.”

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Broadening product portfolio

Hartfold Holdings acquires walk-in bath manufacturer Huddersﬁeld-based Hartford Holdings, parent company of Trojan Plastics and Thomas Crapper & Co, has acquired walkin-bath specialist manufacturer Mantaleda Bathroom Co. Following a year-long discussion, the decision was made to buy the Northallerton-based bath business. Hartford Holdings has worked with Mantaleda for more than six years, and reﬂecting the global mega trend of an ageing population, it has led the company to focus on inclusive bathrooms. Managing director of Trojan Baths David Mosley said: “We are

delighted to welcome directors Adrian Beauchamp and Paul Britton, as well as the entire workforce to our family business. “We are very excited to be working with the team in Northallerton and exploring signiﬁcant sales growth in the coming months. “We have already met with all of the workforce and reassured them that we want to support jobs in Northallerton. We have arranged for the entire workforce to visit Trojan so that they can meet some of their colleagues in Huddersﬁeld and better understand the philosophy of our business, which

is one of continued investment and an ambition to create employment without anxiety.” Adrian Beauchamp and Paul Britton, will continue to be a part of the business. Beauchamp commented: “As a family business themselves, Hartford Holdings understand our

desire to grow the Mantaleda brand and widen our sales network yet remain true to our founding principles of a quality product that really does improve the lives of those using it. “For over 20 years we have built a comprehensive range of easy access, walk-in shower baths, deep soakers and lift baths and still proudly manufacture everything in North Yorkshire.” “The opportunity to be part of the Hartford group felt like a natural ﬁt for us and we are looking forward to being part of a wider team that has over 45 years experience in the industry”.

Former Formica Europe boss takes helm

GM worked with company for seven years

BA Components appoints CEO

Victorian Plumbing names MD

Northern Ireland kitchen and bedroom furniture manufacturer BA Components has appointed former Formica Europe boss Peter Rush as chief executive officer. Co-founder of the business Brian McCracken said: “We are very pleased to announce Peter Rush joined us on March 1, 2020 as the new CEO for BA. “Peter joins us from the Formica Europe Group which he has led since May 2016 as President/CEO.” McCracken continued: “He comes with an impressive background of senior commercial

and operations experience in branded manufacturing businesses.” “Peter has particularly strong experience of working across Europe and in the Far East having worked with a number of BA Components’ major customers and distributors in the UK.” Rush has an MBA from Warwick Business School and started his career in operations, holding positions as operations director and general manager in a number of businesses including Rawlplug and Heatrae Sadia. Celebrating 30 years in UK manufacturing, BA Components recently introduced the Blossom Avenue brand and named architect Patrick Bradley its ambassador. BA Components was established in Cookstown, County Tyrone in 1990 by brothers Kieran and Brian McCracken. Both men have stepped down from the day-to-day management.

Online bathroom retailer Victorian Plumbing has named Stephnie Judge as managing director. She has succeeded founder and owner of the company Mark Radcliffe who has moved into a chairman role. Judge has been with the company since 2013, joining as an office administrator and PA to Mark Radcliffe. She was promoted to general manager in 2016, overseeing operations, logistics and personnel. The change comes at a time when the company has posted a revenue of £151million and a proﬁt of £10.1million. Speaking about her new role, Judge said: “After seven rewarding years with Victorian Plumbing, I’m delighted to be stepping into the role of managing director. I’m grateful for the faith that the company has shown from promoting within and the new role feels like a natural progression

after years of becoming increasingly involved with the strategy of the business.” Stephnie Judge added: “Continuing the consecutive years of growth and proﬁtability is a trend that I intend to oversee as managing director.” Mark Radcliffe stated: “Stephnie has been an integral part of our success story and I am conﬁdent she will continue to drive the business forward with the same passion.”

www.kandbnews.co.uk K&BNEWS APRIL 7

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NEWS & VIEWS

MAKING HEADLINES

Nolte and Express brand both performing

IN BRIEF ■ The Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA) Conference will see a change of format for 2020 and will take place across two days on October 12 -13 at Carden Park, Cheshire. It will include a charity golf day, advice surgeries, and networking dinner on the first day, followed by a full-day conference and gala dinner on the second day of the event. Headline speaker at the BMA Conference will be Professor Lewis Dartnell, a research scientist at the University of Westminster. See the entire story at www.rdrlink/KP004 ■ Bathroom manufacturer and supplier, the Roxor Group has simplified its brand structure “to present a more logical and intuitive hierarchy” to its customer base. Under the Roxor Group parent brand, featuring the tag line, “Profitable Partnerships”, there will be five sub brands. These include: Asquiths, Bayswater, Hudson Reed, BC Designs and Nuie. Find out more at www.rdrlink/KP005 ■ German kitchen furniture manufacturer Rotpunkt has recently celebrated its 90th anniversary. Heinrich Rabe and Wilhem Meyer founded the company in Bunde, East Westphalia, under the name Rabe & Meyer. It manufactured cigar boxes and later evolved into the production of sewing boxes and wooden toys. Most recently, the company has invested in carbon neutral manufacturing, to ensure all its kitchens have a zero carbon footprint. Read the story at www.rdrlink/KP006

8 APRIL K&BNEWS www.kandbnews.co.uk

Nolte outperforms market and makes investment plans German kitchen furniture manufacturer Nolte group has outperformed the kitchen furniture market with both its Nolte and Express Kuchen brands. According to Nolte Kuchen, the kitchen furniture industry experienced an increase of 2-3% in 2019, with Nolte achieving a 6% gain in turnover and its sister brand Express making an 8% gain. Having produced 2.7million units, according to the Nolte group,

the kitchen division achieved a new record. In addition, Express Kuchen has passed the point of one million units in its 10th year of trading. The group has invested in its operations within the last year, including the Nolte assembly and production facility for panels and splashbacks. In addition, Express Kuchen invested in the extension of its dispatch area.

However, the group is planning further investment, which will amount to a double digit million ﬁgure, in Euros. It will include the extension of the Nolte Kuchen showroom and offices at its headquarters in Lohne. Express Kuchen will also expand its production site to cope with increased demand.

Kitchen maker presented honour for manufacture and operations

Howdens awarded Manufacturing Guild Mark Kitchen and joinery supplier Howdens has been awarded the Manufacturing Guild Mark from The Furniture Makers’ Company. Founded in 1995, the company sells kitchens to trade professionals who install them for end users, from owner occupiers and small developers to local authorities and private landlords. Manufacturing Guild Mark chairman Ben Burbidge presented Julian Lee, head of manufacturing operations at Howdens Joinery, with the certiﬁcation. Ben Burbidge commented: “Congratulations to Howdens Joinery for successfully passing the independent audit to be awarded the Manufacturing Guild Mark. “The seven criteria that each company is assessed against results in a complete check of the whole business. “To pass each one is a real achievement and something all staff at the business can be proud of.” Julian Lee said: “We are incredibly pleased and honoured to

be awarded the Manufacturing Guild Mark as a mark of excellence in our manufacturing team and operations. “As the UK’s largest kitchen manufacturer, we are very proud of our British manufacturing heritage and continue to heavily invest and develop our operation, people and products.” Howdens supplies more than 469,000 account holders with 4.4million kitchen cabinets,

2.5million doors and one million worktops and breakfast bars each year. It manufactures in factories based in Runcorn, Cheshire and Howden, East Yorkshire. In 2018, Howdens reported annual sales of around £1.5billion, with a proﬁt before tax of £239million. Employing around 9,500 people, it operates more than 690 depots across the UK.

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Expected to reach 40million adults via TV

Beko launches biggest-ever Spring campaign for Aquatech Home appliance brand Beko has invested £2million into a campaign for its Aquatech laundry production, including TV advertisements. Spanning over two months, the brand’s biggest-ever Spring campaign is expected to reach over 40 million adults via television alone. The advert airs during some the nation’s favourite shows including; Coronation Street, Googlebox, Location Location Location, and Emmerdale. It will be further ampliﬁed in media through Video on Demand,

Sky AdSmart and digital activation. Beko is also executing a nationwide PR campaign to secure presence across national news. Telling the story of a young girl who wants her Dad to play football with her, the advert features stars from the FC Barcelona team, and shows Aquatech technology. Aquatech is designed to deliver up to 50% faster washes that are also up to 50% more gentle. Originally made up of just 9kg and 10kg models, an additional 8kg model has now been added to extend the range. To support retailers during the

campaign period, which lasts until April 30, 2020, Beko has also invested in a multi-channel activation plan with its key retail

partners. They will have access to POS materials and digital assets, as well as training for store colleagues.

Florence-based kitchen company now in London

Disruption “likely to have impact” on financials

Italian Officine Gullo to open UK showroom in London

Norcros expects Coronavirus to “disrupt supply”

Italian kitchen company Officine Gullo has opened a UK showroom in Westminster, London. The Florence-based company creates professional-style kitchens for domestic environments, including heavy steel built-in furniture, complete with appliances, sinks and taps. Pietro Gullo commented: “Our noble materials, concept and style have always been appreciated by metal connoisseurs in the UK, who understand the material’s aesthetic and functional value. “London’s architecture shows that there is a strong relationship with metal, so often chosen for the

realisation of fences, gates, balconies, staircases and handrails. “We began to work with the UK, here in Italy, with British owners of Tuscan villas who restored them choosing our kitchens. “Starting from this experience, we decided to strengthen the relationship between our markets with a local showroom in London. “Our investment reﬂects the mutual appreciation between our countries.” He continued: “Italy’s relationship with Britain is one of the strongest and deepest. We share interests, tastes and passions, as the one for good design, premium quality and good living.” Officine Gullo named interior architect and furniture designer Alison Henry as brand ambassador for the company in the UK, having unveiled a collaboration with the company at Decorex in 2018.

Supplier of bathroom and kitchen products Norcros has provided a trading update for the 10-month period ended February 2, 2020 and an update on the potential impact of the Coronavirus. It reported the Coronavirus has had little short term impact, to date, as UK-based stock levels had been sufficient to satisfy customer demand. However, based on the slower than anticipated return to full production at its China-based suppliers, Norcros said it envisaged supply chain disruption is “likely” to have some impact on the remainder of this ﬁnancial year

and early next. It reported the situation remains fluid and the company said it is being closely monitored and actively managed. Norcros stated it had continued to win market share in major markets despite conditions remaining challenging since its interim results, which were announced in November. In the UK, the group has reported overall year-on-year revenue growth similar to what was achieved in the first half, albeit with its export performance remaining subdued. Despite the board stating it was confident in the group’s market position, stating “strong brands and financial strength will deliver further growth.” However it pointed out in the short term it is now expected profitability for the year to March 31, 2020 will be below market expectations. www.kandbnews.co.uk K&BNEWS APRIL 9

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NEWS & VIEWS

MAKING HEADLINES

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Kitchens and bathrooms perform in merchant channel

BMBI: 2019 was a year “on hold” Brexit dominated the headlines in 2019 and created uncertainty across all spheres of business in the UK, including the builders’ merchant and retail stockist sectors. The year also showed the effect weather and long periods of rain can have on business and sales. Total Builders’ Merchant value sales in Q4 2019 were -4.0% down compared with the same quarter in 2018. Adjusted for trading days, average sales a day dropped 2.4%. Tools (-8.5%) and Timber & Joinery (-6.7%) were particularly affected, closely followed by Heavy Building Materials (-4.6%). However, Kitchens & Bathrooms was among the three product sectors to report an increase over the period (+3.0%). The other two were Renewables & Water Saving (+6.4%) and Workwear & Safetywear (+5.8%). Q4 2019 did not end well, with total value sales dropping -13.9%

compared with Q3 2019. The drop was less marked when adjusted for trading days (-5.2%). Most product categories reported lower value sales over the period, with sales of the seasonal category landscaping down the most, by -33.2%, followed by Heavy Building Materials (14.8%) and Timber & Joinery Products (-13.1%). Quarter-onquarter value sales for Kitchens & Bathrooms fell by -6.4%. The only two categories to report growth over the period were Workwear & Safetywear (+11.2%) and Plumbing, Heating & Electrical (+3.8%). The total BMBI index for Q4 2019 was 106.4, a signiﬁcant drop from 123.6 in Q3 2019. The index for Kitchens & Bathrooms was higher than the total at 114.6 for Q4 2019, but had fallen from the previous quarter (122.3). Mike Tattam, sales & marketing director Lakes, and BMBI’s Expert for Shower Enclosures & Showering, commented: “The ﬁrst quarter started promisingly, but the

RMI replacement and improvement market for shower enclosures and bathroom products was weakened by constant negativity in parliament and the press over Brexit. Different channels and different regions were affected in different ways, but some stockists reported sales down by up to 10%. The ﬁnal three months were particularly weak. “However, December’s General Election appears to have been a pivotal moment. The public and business responded with relief to the prospect of clarity and stability from a big-majority Government,

and the constant carping in the media has eased. “GfK’s Consumer Conﬁdence index rose strongly in December. January also saw a strong rise in house prices, according to Nationwide. Consumer spending grew 3.9% in January, according to Barclaycard, up from 1% growth in December. We expect homeowners will have the conﬁdence to spend on their property, including investing in a new or improved bathroom.” For the latest reports, visit www.bmbi.co.uk.

Hotpoint, Whirlpool and Indesit appliances available

Financial director Sharon Wallis takes helm

PJH Group partners Whirlpool

Poggenpohl UK names MD

Kitchen distributor PJH Group is partnering major appliance brands, Hotpoint, Whirlpool and Indesit to supply over 700 products, collectively, from the three household names. The three companies will be joining other appliance brands,

10 APRIL K&BNEWS www.kandbnews.co.uk

such as Prima, Teka, Neff, Bosch, Elica, AEG, Zanussi and Electrolux. PJH offers key lines stocked for next day delivery and its online web platform, the Partners Portal, lists the entire collection of product SKUs and retailers can order them online. Product manager (appliances) for PJH James Bethel said: “We listened to our customers and feedback highlighted a demand for further kitchen appliance choices, in particular these three well recognised and popular brands, spanning a good scale of price points for the consumer.”

German kitchen furniture manufacturer Poggenpohl UK has promoted finance director Sharon Wallis to the position of MD. She succeeds Simon Richmond, who has stepped down from the position and Wallis will take the role from May 1, 2020. Wallis joined the company in 2006 as finance director. Retaining her responsibility for finance, Wallis will also be tasked with the cross-functional responsibilities within the business. CEO of Poggenpohl Mobelwerke Gernot Marg commented on Wallis’s promotion:

“We sincerely thank Simon Richmond for his long-standing contributions. “He has played a key role in the development and success of Poggenpohl in the UK and we wish him all the best for his future endeavours.”

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NEWS & VIEWS

MAKING HEADLINES

Out & about

Kbb Birmingham made a triumphant return to the NEC in and offered renewed optimism for independent kitchen and bathroom retailers Kbb Birmingham took place at the NEC in Birmingham from March 1-4, with around 400 exhibitors participating at the show. The fourday event was expected to have an audience of around 15,500 visitors to view an array of products from established and debutante exhibitors, alike. And according to the show organiser, two out of the four days, saw a record number of visitors to the event. It saw some inspirational stand designs from the likes of Franke UK, Virtual Worlds, Caple, Samsung and Hettich. They provided an experience whether through immersive CAD, cookery demonstrations or even suggestions of future kitchen and bathroom design. There were feature areas with Acquabella and BC Designs both showcasing how colour could be used to personalise a bathroom space, while students of Bucks New University created their interpretation of the future kitchen. Director of Kbb Birmingham Mark Gordon commented: “We are delighted that kbb 2020 has delivered so positively for exhibitors and visitors in all areas. The exceptionally strong turnout of visitors throughout the four day show has reinforced our position as the KBB industry’s biggest forum in the UK and shown that it’s not only a place to do business, but is a vital source of inspiring new innovation and design in the KBB sector.” Read all about the show in our dedicated report of Kbb Birmingham, which will feature in our May issue.

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NEWS & VIEWS

PEOPLE

Position filled Appointments and promotions across the industry

CAPLE

LAKES

WHIRLPOOL

NOVY UK

Kitchen furniture, appliance and sink specialist Caple has appointed Adrian Pashley as business development manager (BDM) covering the East Midlands region. His area will span Norfolk, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire and his responsibilities will include maintaining and developing its customer base, as well as introducing retailers to the brand. Pashley previously worked as a business development manager for JP Distribution for seven years.

Manufacturer of showering spaces Lakes has welcomed Rebecca Bennett to the company as area sales manager for the Midlands. Having worked in the bathroom sector, for nearly 25 years, she has strong experience in building and strengthening customer relationships. Bennett joins Lakes from the Bristan Group, where she worked as business development manager. Prior to that, she was employed as regional speciﬁcation manager for Porcelanosa.

Whirlpool UK Appliances has announced the appointment of Charmaine Warner to the position of brand manager for Whirlpool. She joined the Indesit Company in 2014 as national account manager, managing the relationship with Tesco on its non-food ecommerce platform. Warner then went on to join the marketing department as refrigeration trade marketing manager and was responsible for the group’s brands including Hotpoint, Indesit and Whirlpool.

Extraction appliance manufacturer Novy UK has appointed Alison Mackie as channel manager – KRT (Kitchen Retail Trade). Reporting directly to country manager, Owain Harrison, the role has been newly created to build on the success of the business since the brand’s official launch at Kbb Birmingham in 2018. Mackie was formerly head of sales – KRT at Miele, where she worked for 10 years, having started with the company as manager of the London Experience Centre.

FRANKE UK

Carron Phoenix and KWC brands in the UK. She joined Franke in 2012 with extensive experience of the kitchen industry from previous roles in sales, distribution and marketing at Wolseley UK. Gallagher will be responsible for project and key account sales of the Franke, Carron Phoenix and KWC brands in the UK. He joined Franke in January 2013 from Newell Brands, where he worked across its consumer and commercial businesses.

DAVAL

HANSGROHE GROUP

Furniture manufacturer Daval has continued to expand its team with the appointment of Jason Key as business development manager. This role has been created to target growth areas in South East England, and Key will be responsible for developing and growing the company’s supply network in this region. He has nearly ﬁve years’ sales experience in the kbb and interior design sectors.

The Hansgrohe Group, which includes Hansgrohe and Axor brands, has welcomed Katie Weston to its team as project sales manager. Having started her career at West One Bathrooms, she spent 11 years in a design capacity rising to head of design. She joins the company from Villeroy & Boch, where she was project speciﬁcation manager and spent nearly three years managing key accounts.

Sink, tap and hood manufacturer Franke UK has announced two internal promotions strengthening the leadership and structure of its UK sales team. Jo Rawstron is now the sales and marketing director, whereas Chris Gallagher is sales director for projects and key accounts. Rawstron will be responsible for all kitchen studio-related sales, together with marketing and customer service for the Franke,

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YOUR THOUGHTS

NEWS & VIEWS

TOP PRODUCTS

K I TC H E N S &

BATHROOM S NEWS

Most wanted

MOST WAN TED AWARD

Owner and design director of Fusion Interior Design Jan Metcalfe-Bennett selects her favourite products from our March issue and explains why she chose them

2 1. NOVY The Novy One Pro looks fantastic! I love the ease of a hob with attached extractor to take away the smells and steam. It even works with a griddle pan for rapidly cooking meat, fish and vegetables in a healthier way too. Find out the technical specifications at www.rdr.link/KP007.

2. CLEARWATER I still love a bath for the opportunity to get away from the rush of daily life and to soak away. I would use the Clearwater Clearstone freestanding bath, which is made from composite and features a thin rim. According to Clearwater, it means the tubs are also scratchresistant and easily repairable. Discover the entire range at www.rdr.link/KP008.

3. SCAVOLINI

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The new Carratere range is gorgeous and I love the slim-framed door, using shelves as a change to a row of wall cupboards. The classic Shaker is updated to have a contemporary appearance with a minimal handle. Base and wall units are show in Ivory Ash Veneer. Receive the catalogue by email at www.rdr.link/KP009.

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NEWS & VIEWS TALKING SHOP

Worried about online?

Managing director of Coalville Kitchens Luke Wedgbury explains why he doesn’t fear online sales, and neither should any independent kitchen and bathroom retailer We’re at a very privileged point in time where the gaps between wanting something, ﬁnding an outlet to purchase that something and then having that thing in our possession are very small indeed. For example, I was recommended a book. I jumped on Amazon, ordered the book and it came that very day. Amazing! The power of online retail, right? Wrong! It’s nothing to do with online retail. If the shop next door sold the book I wanted, I would have gone there because that would have been easier. It’s the power of convenience shopping, that’s all. It was an easy thing for me to do. It solved my problem. So I did it.

Allaying online fears I speak to KBB retailers and also read how worried business owners are about the impact online shopping may have on our future. If you’re worried about this, then you probably have the wrong outlook. Here’s my view: I don’t believe we should be selling products, we shouldn’t be selling anything. We should only be solving problems and showing desired outcomes. We are blessed in this industry with what I call “touchy feely clients”. I don’t just

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mean that they want to touch and feel the potential materials of a new kitchen or bathroom (we all know they want to do that), I’m talking about how emotionally involved they become about the purchase of either their new kitchen or bathroom .

Show you care Let’s say Mr & Mrs Jones decide they want a new kitchen or bathroom; they jump online to look for a place to start. You (or your studio) are the closest to them. Convenience! They visit you ﬁrst. But they have a problem. They have never purchased a kitchen or bathroom before and want to know if you can help them organise the design, talk them through the different ranges, arrange the home visits, project manage the installation and on top of all this they want to talk - a lot! So you see, they’re not looking for a product that can just be purchased online. They are looking for a convenient service. They are looking for a human who will be just as emotionally invested in the project as they are. Make it about the detail. Make it about what your client wants out of this new space. Solve their problems. They could go and purchase a

new kitchen or bathroom online but they didn’t. They are stood in your studio screaming out to be reassured you care. Because the internet does not care!

Service counters cost-saving Don’t get me wrong, online retail has had an impact on certain aspects of what we do. The appliance sector has had to adapt and change how it works. I welcome the idea of “exclusive studio channel appliances” which keeps prices offline and I wish more manufacturers would do it. But, for me, it’s just sticking a plaster over the “internet problem”. We’ll often say “sure you can go buy that oven online and save some money, but you’ll have to order it, take delivery, unwrap it and check it’s not damaged. You’ll have to dispose of the packaging. And, if you have any problems with the appliance, you’ll have to arrange the after care. But pay a little bit more with us and we’ll take care of the lot.” All of our kitchens go out with a full pack of appliances - almost every time. They are buying service and convenience not an oven. So until the robots take over… I think we’ll be ﬁne.

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COLOURED KITCHENS

Discerning palette

A taste for homogenous home interiors and individuality has seen colour return to kitchen design

KITCHENS

Buoyed by the growth of the clinical, architectural kitchen, designed around purity of aesthetics, white became a staple choice. Never out of fashion, it offered longevity in terms of interior styles for consumers who didn’t want to put off a home buyer at a later stage. Now, it has been joined by safe neutrals such as grey or combined with wood effects to add visual interest without dividing design opinion. However, consumers are becoming ever more adventurous and want to express their individuality in interior design. Marketing and retail sales director of Symphony Simon Collins says: “Grey is the new neutral, and our sales figures have reflected this, with whites and ivories experiencing a decrease in popularity – showing that homeowners do want to choose colour for their kitchen design.” Head of kitchen channel at Grohe Tony Wilson says the growing trend is driven by social media: “Colour is most certainly playing a more predominant role in the kitchen and we can see this reflected through social platforms, such as Pinterest and Instagram, as well as the changing aesthetics of showroom displays and the residential projects our installer partners and project teams are currently collaborating on.” And head of operations at Brandt Design Julia Steadman agrees: “I think it’s true to say that colour is one aspect of a kitchen, which makes a strong impact on its design as increased personalisation continues to permeate the market. We are finding our customers are more curious and open-minded about kitchen design, and colour definitely has a part to play in unifying schemes and promoting a feeling of cohesion between kitchen and living areas.”

1. MEREWAY Grey is a safe choice for a coloured kitchen, as reﬂected by the Q-line range from the Cucina Colore collection. It is shown in Ceramic Pietra Ceramica and Graffite Ceramica with a Graphite painted grip proﬁle. See the entire range at www.rdr.link/KP010

2. DAVAL

Made from real wood, Pembroke has been designed as a modern classic with a Shakerstyle door. It is shown in a painted navy blue and is available in 20 colours. View the entire palette at www.rdr.link/KP011

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3 Industrial influence With industrial styling gaining ground in interior design, the kitchen has seen a greater mix of materials, bringing in a variety of colours. “The use of mixed materials has led to a reappraisal of how colour is used in the kitchen”, explains managing director of Daval Furniture Simon Bodsworth, adding “sophisticated reproduction metals, stone-effect decors and industrial-style accents are being used to provide character and a sense of identity.” And it has seen the development of darker tones in the kitchen environment, as head of UK operations at Rotpunkt UK Matt Phillips says: “With industrial style coming to the fore in kitchen designs, we have seen trends towards a darker colour palette.” He adds: “We are seeing that black and carbon are being used to punctuate schemes, so that the eye is increasingly drawn to a balance of colours across the worktops, doors and hardware.”

Brighter tones However, seemingly, there is no identikit solution to the choice of colour, as at the same time there is also movement towards nontraditional, brighter tones. Founder and managing director of Lochanna Kitchens Paul Jenkinson states one of the newest search terms on Houzz is for “yellow kitchens”. He explains “A generational shift leading to bolder interiors is driven by millennials, meaning the year will continue to see a move away from the

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3. SYMPHONY

4. LOCHANNA KITCHENS

Alta is a contemporary kitchen which comes in gloss, matt or timber effects and a choice of natural and rustic colours. In addition, the furniture range is available paint to order, including Dusky Pink. See all the ﬁnishes at www.rdr.link/KP012

As part of its Georgian collection, Lochanna Kitchens showcases its solid timber shaker in Damson and Lavender painted options. These are two of 30 paint colours available for the furniture range. Discover more at www.rdr.link/KP013

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COLOURED KITCHENS

KITCHENS

traditional grey, white and muted kitchens that have dominated interiors for the last two to three years.” And Simon Collins of Symphony points out: “We’re predicting the combination of more vibrant and striking colours, combined with woodgrains and stones.” He adds: “Colours like Bottle Green, Dusky Pink and Indigo are proving to be popular in 2020.”

Injecting colour

5 5. CROWN IMPERIAL British kitchen furniture manufacturer Crown Imperial has introduced three vividly painted ﬁnishes: Rose, Lavender and Sky. Pictured is Midsomer paired in Lavender and Rose, including pantry storage ﬁnished in natural oak silk lacquer. See all the colour choices at www.rdr.link/KP014

6. AMICA Cream and Red are among the most popular choices for the freestanding retro-style fridge, which is offered in two versions. Designers can choose from a model with a 44-litre freezer or one with a 63-litre capacity. Read more technical information at www.rdr.link/KP015

7. THE 1810 COMPANY The Spirale tap comes in chrome, brushed steel, copper, gold brass and gunmetal. There is a choice of 21 hose colours, including Hot Pink. Find out more about all the colour options at www.rdr.link/KP016

8. BAUFORMAT Pampolona is shown in a quartz grey, high gloss ﬁnish and features a red handleless trim and plinth. The company offers a choice of 30 ﬁnishes for its trims. View it in more detail at www.rdr.link/KP017

While the colour of the kitchen furniture may be the first consideration, as it is the basis of the room, it’s not solely dependent on the choice of the frontals. Colour can be injected through the choice of handles or rails. Country manager of Bauformat Bob Marsden points out: “Bauformat has noticed a strong trend towards using bolder colours in limited areas such as handleless trim finishes or shorter runs of kitchen units. Bauformat offers 30 finishes for its handleless trims including red, gold, blue and green.” In fact, all elements of the space are not immune to an injection of colour. Paul Jenkinson explains: “The best way to accentuate a kitchen design is by adding in colourful, complementary accessories to the space. 2020 will see light, bright metallic colours as a key design trend which will be best utilised through the clever pairing of accessories.” And sales and marketing manager of Mereway Kitchens Mark Mills agrees: “Introducing vibrant elements and key notes of colour are sometimes easier to live with long-term in smaller doses. Accents bringing colour into the kitchen that make it relevant are also relatively easier to update; completely refreshing the overall kitchen aesthetic.”

Sink starter Consider the kitchen sink, which not only comes in a choice of metals but has also seen a growth in coloured granites. Franke recently introduced three colours to its Fragranite range, as communications manager Jeannette Ward explains: “We revealed new colour additions to our range at KBB and the most well received was the new Urban range of Fragranite sinks in Sage Grey Monochrome, Orion Grey Monochrome and Denim Grey Monochrome.” And colour is offered by The 1810 Company with a choice of 21 hose colours for its Spirale tap . Marketing communications manager for InSinkErator Europe and Russia Anne Kaarlela adds: “Metallic ﬁnishes in the home have become increasingly in demand over the last few years, with gold taps making a debut. InSInkErator embraced this trend and brought it into the kitchen, with the introdution of the Brushed Gold L Shape 3N1 steaming hot water tap and Rose Gold J Shape 3N1 steaming hot

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KITCHENS

COLOURED KITCHNES

water tap. We expect to see this trend continue as a wider variety of metallic ﬁnishes become available to consumers.” And Tony Wilson of Grohe UK agrees, adding: “Co-ordinated sinks and taps in a range of new, stylish coloured ﬁnishes are the latest way to create a statement in the kitchen. As one of the most visited spots in not just the kitchen but the home, it makes sense to highlight this area as a design statement and not just a functional area.”

Design benefits

And that is the importance of colour, it is not just about adding personality to a scheme, it can beneﬁt the entire design. Matt Phillips continues: “Using colour to deﬁne different zones of the kitchen has become a key part of the design process.” And Paul Jenkinson agrees pointing out: “Consumers are no longer limited to one colour for their kitchen cabinetry - they can take it further and create something truly unique by combining colours and door designs to suit their style. Shaker and gloss - why not? Handleless and ornate - even better!” Colour can also be used to blend the working area into the room for a cohesive look with “a desire for colour-matching the furniture to worktops, splashbacks and wall panels for increased design appeal”, says Phillips. But Simon Bodsworth offers a word of warning: “Like wine, colour is a good servant but a poor master - exploring the nuances and graduations of colour can be very satisfying when creating a scheme but this shouldn’t dominate the process to the detriment of everything else.”

9. STORMER

Guiding consumers

Yellow is among the newest search terms on Houzz and is reﬂected in its Tirol collection which is presented in a vibrant Curry shade. Tirol comes in 18 shades and over 22,000 RAL/NCS and Sikkens shades. Download a brochure at www.rdr.link/KP018

This is where accomplished designers and retailers can use their skills, as Phillips adds: “I think people sometimes underestimate the role of colour in their surroundings and kitchen specialists have a unique role in guiding end users.” And his belief is shared by Julia Steadman of Brandt Design, who exclaims colour can also enhance the wellbeing of her clients: “I think that kitchen specialists have a great opportunity to discuss how colour can inﬂuence mood and energy in the kitchen, which can enhance the wellbeing of the end user.” She concludes: “The therapeutic aspects of colour have long been harnessed by the bathroom industry as a design advantage and as kitchens continue to evolve and encompass multiple functions, it makes sense to use colour as part of the design tool kit to optimise the total experience.”

10. ROTPUNKT The Titanium Kitchen is now available in Bronze Metal and features wall organisation and storage systems, including black metal and glass shelves. It is also shown with the Cube storage system to mount appliances. Download the pdf at www.rdr.link/KP019

11. GROHE The K700 undermount sink features a depth of 200mm and is shown in a Brushed Cool Sunrise ﬁnish. It is complemented by an Essence mixer tap in the same ﬁnish. Find out more about the sink at www.rdr.link/KP020

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KITCHENS

PRODUCT ROUND-UP

1. GROHE Drawing inspiration from its SmartControl shower range with push button technology, now comes the SmartControl kitchen tap. The SmartControl tap range features a push and turn button, positioned at the end of the spout, which can be pushed to start and stop water flow. To adjust the volume, the user simply has to turn the button from eco-spray through to a power jet mode. Download the brochure at www.rdr.link/KP023

2. AIRUNO Airuno has launched the Iris Pendant cooker hood, which is made from handblown glass with adjustable ambient lighting. The circular white glass hood boasts four speed settings, soft touch controls and a multifunctional rotary control system that allows users to adjust the brightness of the LED lighting and the extraction speed. Measuring 600mm, it has an maximum extraction rate of 650m3/h and it is also available with an optional remote control for consumers who want added convenience. www.rdr.link/KP024

3. ELICA

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Manufacturer of cooker hoods and extractor hobs Elica has introduced a version of its BoxIn built-in hood that counters condensation when using an induction hob. The solution minimises the number of cold surfaces by warming particularly vulnerable areas and residual condensation is collected where it can do no harm. It is available for duct-out and re-circulating installations, finished in stainless steel, and delivers airflow up to 580 mÂł/h. Read all the features at www.rdr.link/KP025

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4 4. FISHER & PAYKEL Appliance manufacturer Fisher & Paykel has launched an integrated wine column with hidden ventilation grille. The wine column features two, independently controlled compartments, which feature four variable settings: Sparkling, White, Red wine and Cellar. Featuring an activated carbon filter to clear pollutants and anti-vibration, full extension oak shelves, it comes in a stainless steel finish or is custom panel-ready. Download the technical specifications at www.rdr.link/KP026

5. ROTPUNKT German kitchen furniture manufacturer Rotpunkt has launched Lava, a dark grey finish in a matt lacquer. It is shown on the Zerox kitchen furniture in 910mm and 2340mm heights and is one of three colours in the matt range, which also includes New Ivory and Stone. In addition, the company has recently introduced Cube storage for built-in appliances. Read about the Zerox range at www.rdr.link/KP027

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KITCHENS

PRODUCT ROUND-UP

8 REGINOX Sink and tap manufacturer Reginox has introduced a brushed nickel ﬁnish to its bestselling Genesis range of taps. Genesis is a monobloc mixer tap with a tall swivel swan neck spout, and is designed for both 1.5 bowl and double bowl sinks, coupled with twin-level handles. Reginox’s Genesis tap collection is also available in plain chrome or in chrome with white or black handles, as well as a brushed steel option. Download the product sheet at www.rdr.link/KP030

9. RANGEMASTER

6 6. STORMER

7. PANDO

German furniture manufacturer Störmer has unveiled the Shaker-style Meran kitchen collection. Meran is showcased in a monochrome mix with the Athen range. Meran collection is available in a palette of 18 neutral and vibrant shades including over 22,000 RAL/NCS /Sikkens colours. It is available as a handleless model or can be used with handles to create a modern or classic feel. Download a brochure at www.rdr.link/KP028

Cooker hood manufacturer Pando offers a bespoke service, allowing customers to create a one-off, high performance extractor. The Pando Island I-898 is an example of a bespoke island that can be made to suit the needs of the customer. Featuring a single or double shelf, up to 4m in length, the chimney can be centred or offset and is available in stainless steel or any RAL colour. Read all the technical features at www.rdr.link/KP029

Enhancing its existing appliance offer, Rangemaster has introduced a premium built-in range Eclipse. The range features two 600mm ovens, a compact steam oven, microwave combi, coffee machine and warming drawer, all in black glass panelling with black stainless steel trim. Completing the line-up is a choice of three gas-on-glass hobs – 600, 750 and 900mm with brass burners. See its built-in appliances at www.rdr.link/KP031

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11 10.FRANKE The Trendline Plus cooker hood, from Franke, features a box-shaped design and comes in a choice of Matt Black or an Oyster ﬁnish. It features a push-button rotary control, two energy-efficient LED lights, and three speeds, with an extraction rate up to 560 m³/h. The wallmounted hood measures 700mm wide x 650mm high x 350mm deep, has an energy efficiency Class B rating and is designed for either recirculating or ducted installations. Download the fact sheet at www.rdr.link/KP032

11. NEOLITH Brand of sintered stone Neolith has unveiled Calacatta Luxe, inspired by Italian Carrara Marble. It combines striations of dark greys, inky blues, tobacco browns and subtle golds in a vein, contrasting against a bright white background. The surface is offered in Polished and Ultrasoft ﬁnishes, in six and 12mm thicknesses and in 3200mm x 1600mm and 3200mm x 1500mm formats. Discover more details at www.rdr.link/KP033

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BATHROOMS

TAPS & ACCESSORIES

Faucet majeure 1 Whether bought as part of a bathroom project or an individual refreshment, taps are strong sellers. So we take a look at the trends which will compel consumers to make a purchase While the deck-mounted tap was once the go-to for bathroom design, now the floodgates have opened to a raft of fittings, such as wallmounted and freestanding models. Marketing manager of Abode Leanne Adamson explains: “This can be attributed to the much greater variety of washbasin styles, all of which need a suitable tap to match.” And sales and marketing director at RAK Ceramics Ben Bryden agrees, adding: “The growing preference for wall-hung and countertop washbasins has led to a growing market for wall-mounted and floorstanding taps.” And these span a wide variety of styles from timeless or vintage design though to the latest industrial looks.

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3 Colour and texture

1. DURAVIT

If this choice wasn’t enough, in itself, brassware has also exploded in a palette of finishes spanning warmer, brushed metals through to matt black. Marketing manager for VitrA Margaret Talbot comments: “While chrome remains the most popular, copper is a success for VitrA alongside matt black.” However, there is also an expectation that the in-vogue bathroom finish may return to white, with tentative adoption in shower profiles. Sales and marketing director of Frontline Bathrooms Michael Sammon says: “White taps are going to come back into fashion with a retro feel, challenging the generic popularity of black and rose gold.” Tap design has also witnessed the adoption of materials from marble to leather and timber, which now form part of the mixer structure. And these are alongside textured finishes, such as knurling, diamond-cut etching or patternation adding tactility to the surface. Product and marketing director of Vado Angela Neve

The d.1 range of taps features an electronic variant, where the operating knob shows the temperature change visualised by colored light change. Maximum temperature and waterflow time can be set individually. Discover all the details at www.rdr.link/KP034

2. TOTO The ZL basin mixer features streamlined aesthetics and a comfort glide control that can be situated nearby. The thin profile means the tap uses less material in its manufacture, making it a sustainable option. Download specifications and data at www.rdr.link/KP035

3. VITRA Part of the Serie Design range is the Suit L basin mixer in a Copper finish, which also comes in Chrome and Gold. It is listed on the EU Water Label and comes with a seven-year warranty. Download the specification pdf at www.rdr.link/KP036

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4. PJH Part of the Vema collection is the Timea Matt Black wall-mounted basin mixer. It is complemented by shower valves, bar showers and mix and match shower accessories and comes with a 10-year guarantee. Order a brochure at www.rdr.link/KP037

5. ABODE Harmonie is a wall-mounted basin mixer, designed to suit a modern or classical-styled bathroom. The two-hole mixer comes in a matt black ﬁnish. Discover details and speciﬁcations at www.rdr.link/KP038

comments: “Texture is seeing a rise in demand, especially on handles. Artistic soft grooves, crackled ceramics, intricate designs and knurled surfaces are prominent, particularly on chrome tapware. Textured handles give a unique ﬁnish to a tap and also work to enhance a space by introducing an unexpected characteristic.”

Style icon It may have added complexity to what was a simple tap specification, but this customisation has propelled the humble water fixture to become a design icon in its own right and strengthen a refresh market. Ben Bryden of RAK Ceramics explains: “While baths and sanitaryware remain the largest sector of the market, accessories and taps now come a close second, particularly with the growth in retrofit sales, which is an area that tends to remain strong even in times of market uncertainity.” And Leanne Adamson says this means it is a profitable sector for bathroom designers and retailers to tap into (pardon the pun): “While many consumers will be looking to purchase a suite of brassware that includes a matching shower, many others are simply wishing to update an existing basin or bath tap as a way of revamping the bathroom as an interim project. Retailers can jump on the potential of this type of sale, promoting the tap as a style statement rather than just a functional requirement.”

Cohesive design A tap sale can also be broadened to include a package of accessories, whether soap dispensers, mirrors, flush plates or wastes. Adamson says: “What is often overlooked is the opportunity to marry taps with accessories in the bathroom. Sometimes the smallest details, such as matching the finish of the basin waste with the tap, can make a huge difference to the overall look of the bathroom.” Head of design at Utopia Bathrooms Richard Shore agrees: “Topend bathrooms are all about cohesive design, where finishes and accents are shared,

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BATHROOMS

TAPS & ACCESSORIES

6 matching the finish of the tap to the shower and to the handles or accent on the furniture. It’s all about creating a family of products with matching finishes.” The likes of Grohe have capitalised on the demand for a cohesive look to bathroom fittings, as Paul Bailey of Grohe comments: “We are seeing a growing trend for consumers seeking a visual unity across all touchpoints of their bathroom from showers and taps to accessories. In response, Grohe has used its specialist expertise across all areas of bathroom fittings to create complete bathroom solutions, where all brassware matches in style and finish.”

Water-saving focus But what will drive tap design and sales of tomorrow? Industry experts believe sustainability, aided by technology, will be the focus of future development. Water-saving,

through ﬂow moderators and digitalisation will increasingly become a talking point. Managing director of Duravit UK Martin Carroll comments: “Technology and sustainability are currently the two trends to focus on in bathroom taps. The introduction of digitalisation and technology within the bathroom, in terms of product and design, is already playing a huge role.” And although currently only available at the top-end, the use of technology is expected to ﬁlter throughout the market, as Ben Bryden of Rak Ceramics adds: “As technology becomes more readily available, so we are likely to see features such as sensor controls become much more of the norm in the domestic bathroom.”

Digitalisation drive Digitalisation has already seen the introduction of electronic taps from the likes of Duravit and Grohe. Martin Carroll adds: “The ability to

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7 6. VADO Designed in collaboration with Jo Love, the Omika brassware range features geometric patterning to provide texture to the mixer tap. The collection spans wall-mounted, deckmounted and freestanding variants. See the range at www.rdr.link/KP039

7. RAK CERAMICS The RAK-Amalfi series of taps boasts four models and comes in a range of four finishes. The knurled handles are available to buy in contrasting finishes. Download the catalogue at www.rdr.link/KP040

8. ROXOR Asquiths from the Roxor Group offers the Tranquil Wall-mounted 3-tap hole basin mixer tap. It comes with a 20-year guarantee. Order a catalogue at www.rdr.link/KP041

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ADVERTORIAL

9. HUDSON REED Revolution is an industrial-inspired range of brassware. It boasts a knurled textured ﬁnish on round handles and the range includes six taps in a chrome ﬁnish. Download a brochure at www.rdr.link/KP042

control water temperature is now taken for granted. However, with current technology you can pre-set this to the temperature you prefer and we already have taps with visual alerts showing when the temperature is increasing or decreasing.” And as digitalisation becomes more commonplace with showering and WCs, it is expected to make further inroads into tap design. Paul Bailey of Grohe explains: “Digitalisation in the bathroom has so far been led with innovations in the shower and toilet market with products such as Bluetooth-operated shower heads and app-controlled shower toilets. But, in the future, we can expect digitalisation to begin to be adopted in the tap market too. Digital integration into basin mixers will look at incorporating features that promote user safety, improved accuracy and control, and a more conservative use of water.” He continues, explaining: “LED temperature displays are the first foray into the digital tap market which will allow homeowners to see exactly how hot or cold the water from the tap is without having to test it our first. The LED temperature display will also make users more attuned to the temperature of the water they are using and encourage a more eco-conscious consumption.” In fact, Margaret Talbot of VitrA says the company has also looked at digitalisation of water adding: “We recently launched the Smart Panel which helps consumers identify their water usage, behaviour and patterns. In the fullness of time, this technology could be integrated into all water delivery in the bathroom.” By considering a raft of styles, finishes and technologies bathroom designers and retailers can profit from tap sales as part of a package. But with the tap becoming such a style statement, they can also make inroads into the strong retrofit market too.

10. GROHE Available in the Summer, Grohe Plus Digital comes with an LED readout of the temperature to show users the heat of the water. Using gesture control, the ﬂow can be swapped to an Eco Spray function which operates on 4 litres per minute. Watch the video at www.rdr.link/KP043

THE NEXT GENERATION OF BATHROOM SYSTEMS With the popularity of wall hung bathroom fittings with concealed cisterns growing, flush plates are an increasingly common part of bathroom design. The versatility in function and design means flush plates are suitable for everything from luxury hotels, with the highest quality standards, to homes where multi-generational living means that ease of use is just as important as aesthetics. High quality flush plates offer a number of advantages over alternative activation methods. The larger surface area means that it is easier to apply the required pressure to operate the flush. Electronically-activated products further reduce the required pressure by removing the link between the force applied and activation. This ensures that the bathroom can be used by everyone, including children and those with reduced muscle strength. Flush plates can also contribute to creating a more hygienic environment as the flat surface of the panel is easy to clean. There are also touch-free options available to further reduce the risk of germs and bacteria being spread. Flush plates also offer a greater choice of materials and finishes, and can form a key part of the overall design. Prevista, Viega’s new generation of pre-wall technology, has been developed in collaboration with customers, features a newly re-designed cistern and is compatible with all Viega’s new range of Visign flush plates – providing complete design freedom without compromise. The range of Visign flush plates provides an option to suit every project, from discreet and minimalist to modern and bold with flush plates featuring glass, wood, metal and high-quality acrylic available. The flush plates also provide the option for LED illumination to complement the bathroom lighting scheme and touchless flush actuation for improved hygiene. Prevista has also been designed for easy installation and superior flexibility. The frame is height adjustable, as standard, to allow up to a 60mm adjustment to meet the needs of customers. It also features a universal shower toilet connection, providing simple compatibility with this increasingly popular choice of WC. Furthermore, for simplicity, Prevista has just three standard types, Prevista Dry for wall installation, Prevista Dry Plus for rail mounting and Prevista Pure for wet construction. Within these broad types are options for WCs, wash basins and urinals as well as low-height WC systems for where vertical wall space is limited. This means that regardless of the needs of the customer or proposed design scheme, the requirements can be met using the new Prevista system and award-winning Visign flush plates. To find out more about Viega Prevista and the range of Visign flush plates visit: prevista.viega.co.uk.

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BATHROOMS

PRODUCT ROUND-UP

just out 1. WATERS BATHS OF ASHBOURNE

Adding to its collection of space-savings baths, Waters Baths of Ashbourne has launched the Mini Ebb shower bath. Made from 100% recyclable Lucite acrylic, the bath is available in left and right-handed options. The Mini Ebb shower bath joins the existing Flow Hybrid and Ebb Hybrid shower bath. For more details visit www.rdr.link/KP044

2. VITRA Created by award-winning multi-disciplinary artist and designer Arik Levy, VitrA has introduced the Voyage collection. The wall-hung bathroom collection features 130 products, making it one of the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most extensive to date. Voyage includes open and closed storage from hooks and open shelving, through to mirrored wallboxes. In addition, a range of accessories, including a heated towel rail, toilet roll and brush holder, are also available to complete the look. View the pdf brochure at www.rdr.link/KP045

3. MATKI Extending the Matki-One Pivot shower enclosure range is the addition of two sizes 1400mm and 1500mm with extra large doors. Available in Chrome and Silver as standard, the framing and circular disc detail of the handle comes in a choice of coloured and metallic finishes including Black, Brass and Architectural Bronze. In addition, Matki has also introduced wall-mounted support rails and a towel rail to complement its 8mm glass Matki-One Pivot shower enclosure. See the gallery of products at www.rdr.link/KP046

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4. PJH

6. GROHE

Expanding its Lucia floorstanding bathroom furniture collection, PJH has now introduced Grey Ash to its traditional-style range. Grey Ash joins Satin White Ash and Sea Green Ash finishes, which all feature a textured woodgrain finish and brushed chrome handles. The Grey Ash Lucia range includes vanity units, ceramic white basins (in 610mm and 810mm widths), a 510mm WC unit, a 465mm Tall Boy unit, coordinating soft-close seats and a 550mm round mirror. Discover more at www.rdr.link/KP047

The Grohe Rainshower 310 Mono headshower has been designed to be water-saving and allow consumers to upgrade an existing shower system. It features EcoJoy technology, limiting water flow to 9.5 litres per minute. As the name suggests, it boasts a 310mm diameter shower head in a choice of chrome or white spray face and round or square options. Available as a ceiling-mounted or wall-mounted model, find out all the technical information at www.rdr.link/KP049

5. NUIE

Formerly Roxorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s value-led Premier Collection, Nuie has now introduced a Gloss Grey Mist finish to its Athena modular bathroom furniture. It brings the number of finishes available in the Athena range to eight. Featuring floorstanding and wall-hung cabinets, Athena units are supplied rigid in 500mm, 600mm and 800mm sizes with single, two door or double drawer options. Discover the range at www.rdr.link/KP048

7. ESSENTIAL BATHROOMS Following the launch of the contemporary Dakota and Colorado ranges, Essential Bathrooms has introduced the Maine classic furniture collection. It consists of floorstanding cupboards, WC and basin units, toilet seat, bath panels and a framed mirror in a textured woodgrain finish. The pre-assembled units come in 500mm, 600mm and 800mm widths and in a choice of Cashmere Ash and Graphite Grey. See all the products in the range at www.rdr.link/KP050

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NECESSITIES

WALL CLADDING

Control panels While wall panelling may not have the same historical origins as the ceramic tile, which dates from around 4000 BC in Ancient Egypt, it is no longer the new kid on the block. In fact, panelling has become ﬁrmly established in the retail sector. But, more importantly, the market for wall panelling is continuing to grow. From laminate to solid surfacing and even, perhaps ironically ceramic, wall panelling is gaining strength against traditional wall coverings. Product manager for Showerwall Steph Harris points out: “There has been steady growth over the past couple of years. But in particular, after Showerwall’s 2018 launch, we have seen doubledigit growth and we estimate the size of the wall panelling market is now over £100million.”

With the design versatility to meet and react to the latest interior trends, including customisation, wall panelling is fast-becoming a design choice for style-savvy consumers

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choice that they want to shop for rather than a compromise they have to have.” And sales manager for Bushboard Nuance Paul Findlay agrees: “Designers of quality bathrooms want a seamless look; they want the luxury of a complete wall of decor with a realistic texture - it has become a design choice. The market has evolved - it’s not just about savings in time and money, but the striking decors available now are what consumers want.”

Natural materials And the decors consumers are now demanding are based upon natural materials, such as timber or natural stones like marble. Paul Findlay of Bushboard adds: “Creating panels with decors that are a mirror image to the one next to it, in a

Design choice Of course panelling offers the immediate advantages of being easier to install and clean than the traditional ceramic tile. It has been welldocumented panelling doesn’t require an additional trade nor the same time to ﬁt, plus without grout lines and with a wipe-clean surface, it is easier to maintain. And while this may have been the starting point in sales, industry experts believe the evolution of print in terms of decor and texture means wall panelling is now a design choice. Steph Harris of Showerwall explains: “The advances in the look and feel of bathroom wall panelling has deﬁnitely created a different perception in the marketplace and people now see it as a positive

1. LAPICIDA The Wainscot Plain and Panel collection is made from ceramic, which has been created for decorative wall cladding. Available in ﬁve colours, they also come in timber, concrete, marble and stone ﬁnishes. Order online at www.rdr.link/KP051

2. SHOWERWALL

As part of its 26-strong decors added to its bathroom wall panelling range is Emerald Subway from the Custom digital print collection. These square cut panels are available in two widths and are 2440mm in height. Find out all the details at www.rdr.link/KP052

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It’s not just about savings in time and money, the striking decors available now are what consumers want.” bathroom, means the look and feel of real marble or wood is remarkable.” And Steph Harris of Showerwall agrees, commenting: “The quality of printing has advanced and is now excellent, allowing the large panel format to deliver the beneﬁts of high fashion with seamless surfaces for high functionality. The introduction of sophisticated prints and synchronised textures give the panels a highly authentic ﬁnish akin to the real thing.” As part of its Nuance acrylic range Bushboard offers Carrara Marble Slab book-matched panels, which when side-by-side are mirror images. It allows designers to create an unbroken pattern. And Showerwall provides Lighting Marble with a synchronised texture in-line with the visual effect of the vein. Steph Harris adds: “It gives a truly authentic replication of real marble and is an innovation that has opened up this design look to a wider audience of consumers at a more accessible price point than stone, marble or composite equivalents.” In fact, such is the popularity of marble, she points out the brand has added Ocean Marble, Shell Marble, Apollo Marble and Athena Marble to its collection.

Versatile decors Interestingly, however, it is the design versatility of wall panels which have also seen them gain favour with designers and retailers. It is why Showerwall launched 26 designs at the recent Kbb Birmingham exhibition. Wall panelling can not only replicate natural materials but can also mimic engineered stone and tiling. As well as three marble designs, Bushboard’s Nuance wall panelling also features Morrocan prints, Hexagon Marble and Natural Finestra. Steph Harris of Showerwall adds: “There is more diversity of choice to cater for a range of tastes and demographics. Whereas not long ago, the choice was largely quartz and marble ﬁnishes, we’ve now added geometric designs in tile formats with subway and hexagon, terrazzos and maximalist designs. In fact, wall panelling seems to meet any interior trend thrown at it. Steph Harris continues: “The maximalist trend is growing and with digital printing offering endless designs, wall panelling can help people achieve this look quickly and easily. We’ve recently introduced some stunning bold prints featuring Botanical, Flamingo, Vintage Birds, Oriental and Pineapple.”

Personalised panels It means wall panelling is placed to meet the trend for customisation, and moreover personalisation, to create individual looks for customers. Certainly, this is true with the Custom Collection of acrylic bathroom wall panels from Showerwall. Steph Harris adds: “We offer digital

3. BUSHBOARD Part of the Nuance Acrylic brand is Cararra Marble Slab which offers book-matched panels which are mirror images. The acrylic panels are 4mm thick and have a gloss ﬁnish. Discover the technical speciﬁcations at www.rdr.link/KP053

print options which enable consumers to bring to life something they have in their mind’s eye but is not available off the shelf. Digital printing on wall panelling allows endless design possibilities and the ability to react to emerging interior trends, quickly.”

4. CD UK

Perfectly positioned

Created from Corian, Beech Nuwood is inspired by natural timbers with a grain pattern. Corian can be used for wall coverings in the bathroom or kitchen. Request a sample at www.rdr.link/KP054

So how can designers and retailers maximise on the sales of wall panels through their showrooms? Steph Harris comments to help customers consider them a design choice over other materials is dependent on how the wall panel is displayed and considered in the design of the retail environment. She continues: “It’s about how you position it in a showroom, how it’s presented in lifestyle images in brochures, social media and on our website, as it shows consumers what you can achieve with wall panelling, allowing them to see the possibilities for their own home. So whatever the style and size of project, wall panelling can offer a stylish covering solution and certainly doesn’t appear to be diminishing any time soon. Steph Harris points out: “Currently the wall panelling market is growing at 20-25% a year and we see it continuing at this steady growth rate over the next couple of years.” So take a look at how your displays can pay, by taking control of wall panel sales.

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DESIGN

SME EXPERTISE

Design know-how PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE+

How to choose LED light strips Chris Kitching, training academy instructor at Sensio Lighting, identiﬁes strip lighting for speciﬁc purposes

Whether you’re a novice or an experienced designer and just want a refresher, here we offer in-depth knowledge on products, materials, application and planning. Now you can design our projects with confidence

All of our ﬂexible strip lighting can be used for a variety of options, from task, mood, through to convenience lighting. For ease of installation, LED tape will feature a full-length self-adhesive backing, and can come in a choice of colour renditions from cool white to warm white. When ordering LED ﬂexible strips, don’t forget to order your driver connection cable!

General lighting If you want to illuminate large areas, look to a strip that is available in a long length, such as the Primo which comes in a 5m reel. If you want to go around corners, ﬂexible tape such as

Sigma, can be bent at 90° angles, eliminating the need for corner connectors when applied to such places as worktops or cabinets. Both types of lighting strips can be cut, reused, and require a simple clip driver connection.

Mood and task lighting However, if looking for mood lighting for plinth and over cabinet scenarios, the Viva comes in three sizes of 500mm, 1m and 2m length. The strips can be connected together, with male to female connectors, to make a longer length. It is a cost-effective option and has lower power consumption, enabling designers to use a smaller driver to run a longer length of lighting. The brightest of Sensio’s LED strip range is the Compact ﬂexible strip, which can be used for task lighting. It features 120 diodes per metre, comes in a choice of three lengths, and can be connected together for longer runs. Alternatively, take a look at diffused lighting for cabinet task lighting and plinth lighting, such as the Quantum, which has no visible diodes when reﬂecting light from a high gloss surface.

Colour changing However, as the kitchen transforms from day to

CAD TRAINING Ease of measuring Support and training officier at Virtual Worlds Taomi Nevin says software can help plot dimensions of the room Imagine the scenario: you visit a customer’s home and carry out manual measurements ready for their new bathroom or kitchen, returning to the showroom to then lose more hours than you care to admit tinkering with angles and recesses to try and get everything perfect. Sound familiar? Many designers ﬁnd themselves in this situation, but with training in software it doesn’t need to be the case.

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Take Virtual Worlds Sketchpad as an example; this is time-saving, simple to use technology that works all those angles out for you – all you need to have are the general surface measurements. In fact, the software works backwards for greater effect. You draw the exterior of the room, the design is generated and you then have endless possibilities for what you can do thereafter.

Plotting tools This is where the training pays off, as a little time

getting to know the software enables designers to make best use of all the tools it offers, each of which really needs to be used separately to achieve the best outcome. Polygon, for example, is a nifty tool that allows you to manually direct your single wall, choose the desired length and then using the arrows located on the keyboard, choose the direction. And here’s where things get really handy – pressing ‘Enter’ when coming to the end of your sketch means that any angled walls you may have forgotten to take the measurements of will be automatically worked

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FITTER’S ADVICE Don’t stop learning at shows Mark Conacher, Director of awardwinning installation company, Liberty Fitting Service, reminds designers about the importance of attending trade shows. night, it may require a colour-changing flexible LED strip, such as the Duoflex. The colours can be changed between warm white, natural white and cool white and can also be dimmed. Equally, consumers may want to change the light through a palette of colours and can use an RGB Flexible Strip. To control both of these lighting strips, consumers can choose between using a remote control or smart phone app, but be aware these require specific receivers, so make sure you order the correct one.

I believe, if you are not investing in yourself, in your ideas, and sit in the knowledge that you know enough, and are not searching for what’s new - you are actually going backwards. You are going backwards because designers who are chasing and learning about new innovation, designers that are seeing and touching the future, networking with likeminded industry professionals, are the ones that are moving forward and you may ﬁnd yourself left behind.

Bathroom standards

Significant shows

When choosing LED strip lighting for the bathroom, ensure it has the correct IP-rating for the electrical zones, such as Lumo. It is IP66 rated and has a driver and connection cable that is rated to IP44 and is available in cool or warm white. Watch the video at www.rdr.link/KP055

There has been opportunities to attend shows like Kbb Birmingham at the NEC and earlier in the year in Las Vegas, Nevada, the North American version KBIS. The chances to advance your thinking and learn are out there and the best part about it is they are free to attend. Yes, there is always the cost of travel and accommodation but that has to be seen as part of the investment in yourself. I am a great believer in “you get out, what you put in”. The more you invest your time, your money and your dedication into your craft, the more you can’t help but reap the beneﬁts.

out for you. Having the ability to change the lengths at any point to avoid mistakes and starting over sounds like a dream, but with Virtual Worlds, it can be a reailty. The precision of each sketch is immersive and the shortcuts are invaluable, saving time and many a headache during the planning stages of a project. Understandably, designers have reservations about how easy new software will be to use, and it seems the cleverer the technology the more of a challenge it poses. That’s why when Virtual Worlds’ users come for training at our HQ, it’s amazing to see how easy they ﬁnd starting out with it. Regardless of whether they have some experience with CAD already, or are complete beginners, everyone gets the hang of the software so quickly; especially when it comes to using the Sketchpad. Having that know-how under their belt and armed with the right technology, our users can pass on the best quality designs, with key precision.

inspire them more. “You’re going to love this”, “Let me show you what this does”, “Come and take a look at the future.”

Same issues Attending the KBISNeXT sessions gave us access to world renowned interior designers like Kelli Ellis. There were multiple hour-long discussions and Q&As with numerous awardwinning designers on every aspect of design, alongside topics such as social media, brand building and business growth. You just can’t help but walk away, awakened and inspired. We had the pleasure of listening to NKBA, CEO, Bill Darcy, giving the annual state of the association address, followed by Fox News Business anchor Melissa Francis chair a state of the industry panel discussion. It was mindblowing when listening to what everyone had to say and then to realise that two countries, the UK and the USA, so far apart and so different in size, yet both having very similar industry difficulties - namely a shortage of skilled trades. It is something both the NKBA and the UK’s own BiKBBI are trying to address. Design is ever evolving and taking time out to immerse yourself in everything that your industry has to share that’s new and exciting has to be time well spent. Attend a trade show and meet other designers, better designers. Learn from them. Go there and take the time to meet with installers, talk with them and learn ﬁrst-hand the problems they come across every day and how to work together to make design work better for everyone. After all, installers can bring your vision to life. Step out that comfort zone, you know that nothing amazing ever happens there.

KBIS future In January of this year, myself and my business partner took a trip to Las Vegas, to visit The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS). It wasn’t a decision taken lightly, as due to location, it obviously came with a rather hefty price tag. But we felt, at what cost if we didn’t go? For three days, we pounded the hallways and we plundered the booths, searching for everything that was exciting and new - looking for ideas that we could bring to our customers. We spoke to countless kitchen and bathroom professionals, all delighted to teach us about the extraordinary beneﬁts of their product. It didn’t matter we were from the UK and unlikely to be buying from them. In fact that seemed to

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BUSINESS

SUPPLIER PEOFILE

Steep inclines and Hill’s

1 Hill’s Panel Products explains how its customer-centric approach has seen it introduce added-value services, raise its profile and grow sales

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When Hill’s Panels Products talk about 2020 as a year of consolidation, it doesn’t mean stagnation. The company is referring to its physical size, having grown continuously over the past 29 years from a 11,00sqft site in Oldham to 11 units measuring over 159,000sqft. However, it is continuing to grow its activities, having invested in the manufacture of its vinyl doors, introduced added value service and boosted its profile to customers. HPP has had its first stock rotation of Avanti vinyl doors, added to its Aspect and Glide door ranges, and recently held the official opening of a second line for door production. The second line has enabled the manufacturer and distributor to increase capacity from 30,000 to 45,000 vinyl doors a month. And, in the longer term, it is expected the additional production line will help boost output to 50,000 doors. It has capped a period of significant investment. Marketing manager of HPP Dan Mounsey explains: “The production line was a culmination of £3+ million investment, part of

that was the 19,000sq ft worktop warehouse because it enabled us to move stock around to free up space.”

Standard specials As an Egger Diamond Distributor, the worktop warehouse plays host to the recent launch of the Egger Decorative Collection 2020-2022, which offers MFC, worktops and edging options. Designed to inspire architects, fabricators, distributors and end-consumers, there is a choice of 30 decors, spanning its Feelwood, matt Perfect sense and three additional textures of woodgrains, aged wooden patina and wooden metallic effect. In addition, worktops are offered in a range of sizes and thicknesses, from 16mm MDF core worktops to 25mm, 38mm squareedged and 38mm postformed options. And these have been joined by City Vibes, which add to the Kronodesign Trends 20/21 collection and feature a choice of 18 on-trend urban designs. These span woodgrains, metals,

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ceramics, stones and industrial décors. Managing director of HPP Keith Wardrope explains: “What you can get now from people like Egger and Kronospan – two years’ ago – would have been a specialist material. Deep grain and deep texture and these are what is now being produced in the mainstream.”

Creating partnerships And HPP is working in partnership with its suppliers such as Egger, Kronospan and Blum, as Dan Mounsey comments: “People like Kronospan. Egger and Blum want to work more closely with us because they can see the value we add to the process. They don’t have access to the people we do and so we are important on passing on those messages.” And Keith Wardrope agrees: “They are seeing the value of what people like us can bring to their product.” And one of the values that HPP can add to the companies is that it claims to be ithe only distributor in the UK that processes sheet material, and so can turn it into doors. This is key for panel manufacturers who are broadening their market, with sheet material which has also been designed to create kitchen frontals. In fact, Mounsey adds: “What we are seeing more and more are chipboard manufacturers and panel producing people creating material that can be used as frontages because the technology they’ve got for pressing chipboard and printing technology has become more advanced.” And Keith Wardrobe agrees, adding: “You can make doors of it and these are more expensive than some of the stock doors we sell because the sheets are so expensive. They make carcase materials but now want to make the complete kitchen out of their material.”

Online configurators It has seen the company produce online tools, which enable customers to have board and doors cut to specification. “Cut to spec is where chipboard is cut to the customer’s specification”. Mounsey explains: “We used to have a manual system where people would fill in an online form, which would be emailed to the production department who would then process the request. They would then send a fax or email back - which obviously was a disjointed experience. We have now developed an entire online system.” And its Optima programme allows for the company to offer a wider variety of decors in its Aspects range, as well as offer a more costeffective and sustainable process. Mounsey continues: “We were cutting doors out of a full sheet 2m x 3m but then if the customer only wanted three doors it was a waste of material.

1. MD AND MARKETING MANAGER Managing director Keith Wardrope and marketing manager Dan Mounsey show a vinyl door coming off the production line

2. SECOND PRODUCTION LINE HPP has recently capped its investment with a second production line for its vinyl wrapped doors. It increases capacity from 30,000 to 45,000 door a month

3. PRE-ASSEMBLED BLUM DRAWERS Alongside its existing Blum drawer offer, HPP is now providing a bespoke, preassembled service

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BUSINESS

SUPPLIER PEOFILE

6 We were charging for a door-by-door basis - and there were offcuts everywhere. So we wrote an online programme, which optimises how panels are cut out of a sheet, so the customer can decide on offcuts for the job or future projects.”

Bespoke drawers Adding to its web sales, which now account for 50% of the company’s turnover, HPP has also created a conﬁgurator which allows customers to create Blum bespoke, pre-assembled drawers.

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Mounsey explains: “The idea is fitters can buy them, fit the runners and install in the cabinet. It adds value and convenience. Obviously, it’s a good value-added opportunity for us, too.” Wardrope continues, explaining why the company is now offering this service to its customers: “It’s about setting up new standards and keeping us ahead of our competition - we’re doing it and they’re not.” And Mounsey adds: “We’re the first with online ordering for this service as well.” While the company is under no illusion the pre-assembled drawer will take over existing drawer sales, it believes the kitchen market will look for more convenience in product and service. Wardrope explains: “We will still sell a phenomenal amount of drawers not made up and this is just an add-on service. I could see it in 12-18 months being a reasonable part of the business and I could see the turnover grow year-on-year. I think more and more people will go down that road.”

Customer-centric approach It all forms part of the company’s focus on a customer-centric approach. Mounsey comments: “We see our customers are more

demanding than ever. Consumers want more and I think that’s getting reflected in b2b as well as b2c environments. They are expecting more of us as a distributor. A distributor at one point was exactly that. We used to buy products, do a bit to it and that was it. Now, we are very much seen as a partner to their business and we are expected to add more to it, to justify the relationship.” And that partnership is reflected from day one with the introduction of a new welcome box. Wardrope explains: “When customers opened an account, they would just get a letter introducing them to us and we thought how could that first impression be better?” The box not only includes information about HPP and a contact card but also a USB featuring the company’s corporate videos.” And Mounsey explains why HPP has invested in a corporate video: “We created a video to give an impression of the size of the site and how the business has grown. It’s all part of our story. We are dealing with bigger people, where routes to market may be slightly different or structures may be different, and they want reassurance of who they are dealing with.” Wardrope adds: “You would hope a customer would be suitably

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8 impressed [with the ﬁrst point of contact].” The company has also published the second edition of its choice catalogues with separate brochures for kitchens and bedrooms.

Flying the flag Certainly, HPP is looking to build on its brand awareness, having been “totally under the radar” says Wardrope. He adds: “We don’t shout about what we’re doing but we talk about what we’re doing now. It’s just a decision we made to start promoting the company and create more awareness on a bigger scale. We started doing work with some of the bigger construction companies - so it’s just getting our name out there and growing our brand awareness.” And the brand has a lot to shout about, having been named a ﬁnalist in the Insider business awards and the Manchester Evening News Business of the Year Award in the category £25million - £50million. In fact, Mounsey says: “We were the only manufacturer in that particular awards programme.” By raising the proﬁle of the company, HPP aims to secure the longevity of the business, as part of its progression planning. “We are going to need a lot of talent over X number of years to

provide the growth and stability that we want”, explains Mounsey. While the company boasts “fantastic staff retention, which is brilliant, we need a young generation coming though as well. We need to keep the business young, but with traditional values”, adds Wardrope. Certainly this is a business brimming with conﬁdence and setting out its plans for its future longevity. Despite the challenging climate, HPP has its eyes on the road ahead

6. ASPIRE DOOR COLLECTION HPP has added 12 decors to now offer 70 ﬁnishes in 40 door styles in the Aspire door collection. These include industrial concrete, distressed woodgrains, super matt, high gloss, as well as a painted oak

7. AVANTE STOCK DOORS Extending its off-the-shelf stock doors, HPP has introduced 9 additions which are available on a next-day delivery. It includes a Dust Grey ﬁnish to its Opus High Gloss collection

8. OPENING OF PRODUCTION LINE Local dignitaries and press, along with the Finanical Times, attended the opening of the second production line for vinyl-wrapped doors

9. SINGLE BIGGEST INVESTMENT

Opening its largest, freestanding warehouse for worktops added 19,600sqt to the footprint of the Oldham-based company. It also has premises in Sheffield

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BUSINESS

SME ADVICE

Company matters

Offering support for independent kitchen and bathroom firms because your business is our business 2. Create stand out

MARKETING Does direct marketing work? Direct marketing does exactly what it says; it gives you the chance to speak directly to your audience. “We can do that with social media” I hear you shout, and yes you can. But with direct marketing, whether your aim is to generate sales, leads or footfall, you can narrow down your audience and target different people with different messages by using multiple platforms. These include the likes of sending a direct mailer, email marketing, mail order, etc. To make sure your direct marketing is a success, here are four top tips:

1. Develop your database Your database of contacts is your most important friend. Generally, it’s made up of people who have bought from you, or have previously used your service. So you already know they have an interest. As long as you follow GDPR directives, ensure you constantly add the details of new customers to your existing database.

Whatever marketing medium you choose, be creative and do something different. With so many companies going down the email route, maybe sending out a direct mailer in the post might be a good option. Obviously, there is an additional cost to this with postage, but as it’s not as common as it used to be, it could be a way for people to read what you send. And, the advancements in digital printing mean it can be extremely innovative. Gone are the days of a letter in an envelope, a direct mailer could pop up when opened, or include a small gift.

3. Add an offer Including an offer is important. Not only does it give your customers, or potential customers, a reason to engage with your business but being able to monitor how many times the offer is made allows you to monitor the success of the campaign. Before you go ahead and simply offer a 20% discount, think about what you want the end result to be. Is it to push sales? Do you want to drive footfall to a showroom or simply are you interested in increasing your database of contacts? This will allow you to come up with a relevant offer.

4. Stick with it Like any form of marketing, it’s important to monitor the response and results of direct mailers so you can make changes that could impact the outcome. But don’t expect to exceed all your objectives after one direct marketing campaign. It’s about building a relationship between your business and your customers. So put a plan in place that lasts at least six months.

Expert: Peter Sutton Company: PMW Communications Background: Sutton is managing director of full service marketing agency PMW Communications. He founded the company 26 years’ ago and the team works with a number of kitchen and bathroom showrooms, property companies and builders’ merchants. Contact: www.rdr.link/KP056

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MANAGEMENT How to manage stress in the team Stress is defined as a state we experience when there is a mismatch between perceived demands and perceived ability to cope. It is the balance between how we view demands and how we think we can cope with those demands that determine whether we feel no stress or distress. The key to managing stress is to manage the balance between the demands we place on ourselves and our ability to cope. The Health and Safety Executive identifies some primary sources of stress at work: Demands – around workload, work patterns and the work environment Control – how much say a person has in the way they do their work Support – encouragement and resources provided by the organisation, line management and colleagues Relationships – promoting positive working to avoid conflict and dealing with unacceptable behaviour Role – whether people understand their role within the organisation and whether the company ensures they do not have conflicting roles Change – how organisational change is managed and communicated

Collaborate and communicate Managing stress at work matters because happy employees tend to be more productive which means happier clients and an enhanced bottom line. Promote initiatives that improve wellbeing, and encourage staff to collaborate and communicate. Be sure to encourage individuals to stop and recharge during downtime or lulls in work activity. Consider initiatives such as offering personal development tools, or mindfulness and resilience training; encourage employees to make time for exercise or to get away from their desk at lunchtime. Walking to meetings might work for some. Build in enough time into planning so people can feel they have some control over their work and some ﬂexibility to work at a manageable pace. Training might include time-management classes or good prioritisation and delegation. Empower the team by ensuring they are provided with the appropriate resources speciﬁc to their roles.

Make time to listen Overwork, pressure of work and deadlines are major sources of stress and we accept sometimes there will

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SALES Ask for the order? be those pressures at work. As a manager, one of the most important things you can do is to resist the urge to micromanage. Checking progress too frequently, especially when the work is proceeding according to plan, will add undue stress for team members. If you have good people, trust them to do a good job. Handle stress at work by showing you care and make time to listen to the team. Listen to their problems and expectations and discuss appropriate solutions. An employee who believes the organisation has their best interests at heart will be more productive and that can only help the business to be more successful. Communication is key to reducing employee stress; strive for clarity around how employees play their part in the bigger picture. Whenever possible, try to share company performance results to acknowledge the contribution of individuals and teams. When employees are kept informed and feel trusted they will trust you, which makes life easier for you as a leader. It decreases their stress and there is research that links workplace wellbeing to long-term financial success.

Expert: Liz Sebag-Montefiore Company: 10Eighty Background: Sebag-Montefiore is co-founder and director of HR consultancy 10 Eighty. Its services include career management, leadership and management development, executive coaching and mentoring, thought leadership, team effectiveness, career transition and outplacement. Contact: www.rdr.link/KP057

Too often small businesses miss out on orders because they don’t like to ‘close’. Worse than that, the customer potentially misses out on buying better quality. The belief is ‘selling is tacky’. They don’t want to be too ‘salesy’ or too pushy. They think their product and knowledge will speak for itself. That would be true, if competitors operated in the same way, but they don’t. They use sales tactics to generate FOMO – the Fear of Missing Out – often as compensation for poor sales skills and inferior products. Despite media attention, buyers still do not realise that there is no such thing as ‘a deal that is only available on the day’.

Sell how customers buy If you refuse to ‘close’, are you designing your sales process in line with the way that customers buy? There is nothing to fear in asking for the order if you have given the customer a great experience and satisfied all their emotional and practical needs. When you’ve earned the right to ask for the order, closing is a natural process that does not feel pushy.

It’s just an obvious conclusion to the process. Customers do not buy the best or the cheapest product – they buy the one that is communicated to them in the clearest way that makes sense to them.

Emotions don’t last Potential customers may be excited when they’re with you - adrenaline is pumping and serotonin floods the brain. They leave feeling satisfied and you are sure they will choose you. But you may have underestimated the power of emotions in buying decisions. You’re not the first thing on your customer’s mind. They will have forgotten how keen they were by the next day. The next salesperson they see will be the one to create the excitement, and you could be lost in the ‘fear of missing out on a good deal’, even if your product and service was better. There is nothing tacky about selling when you put your customers first and serve them wholeheartedly. Selling is a selfless act of service. Believe in your product, create a fantastic experience and ask for the order. You may be saving them from buying an inferior product from a competitor kitchen and bathroom business who wasn’t afraid to ask.

Expert: Sian Wood Company: The Home Improvement Sales Academy Background: Sian Wood has over 15 years’ experience in home improvement sales both as a business owner and as a top converting salesperson/designer for bigger businesses. Her philosophy has always been to sell by excellent customer experience and combines psychological study, business ownership and sales experience. Contact: www.rdr.link/KP058

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LAST WORD

NEWS & VIEWS

Practical makes perfect Experienced kitchen director Toby Griffin says the industry should focus just as much on specification as it does the aesthetics of design

Design is an overused word in our industry. Don’t get me wrong; great design is vital and elevates your proposition from the good, to the show-stopping; but it’s talked about rather a lot. The word that is rarely used, but is arguably on an equal footing as design is specification. Nowhere near as sexy, it feels more scientific than inspirational, and retail clients aren’t going to get excited by sitting down with someone who is a Specifier rather than a Designer. But specification is happening all the time throughout a design and consultation process, and yet is rarely discussed or acknowledged within the industry.

Specification starting point I’ve met many trainee designers and students on design courses, and spoken with them about their ideas. Although often having been impressed with their imagination, I regularly manage to stump them with one simple question: “What products would you envisage being used?” This is mostly received with a long silence, a quizzical look, then an “Ummm…” “So for example”, I prompt “...the worktop on the island is huge, much bigger than an average quartz or granite slab. What material would you specify?” (before you shout: Acrylic - I know!). “Ummm…, don’t know”, says the out-of-depth aspiring designer. And at this point the lovely concept can sometimes come to a screaming halt. Therefore knowing what can be done with

available products, materials and installation techniques dictates the design, not the other way around.

Knowing product portfolio I used to have a showroom manager who was the oracle on bathroom products. If a client presented him with a long list of requirements for an item of sanitaryware, “Doesn’t exist.” would often be his rather abrupt, but wholly true reply. This often caught the client by surprise; but it was said with such well-founded confidence, they couldn’t argue. Irrespective of the client’s further discussions concerning design, price, etc. they would always be left thinking “that guy knows what he’s talking about”, which led directly to credibility and sales. Knowing the product range in your portfolio is – of course – vital. Being able to knit these together with the aspirations and budgets of a project is the art of specification; and you’ll be doing it all the time. On an equal footing to knowing your products, is also knowing what can be done with them. This is where understanding of joinery, plumbing, electrics, tiling, flooring, decorating, lighting and building techniques come to the fore. It is one thing to have the products, but fitting them together in a way that the design envisages can occasionally be somewhere between troublesome and impossible. Not only that, but also understanding the skill set and mentality of your installers is an

additional complicating factor. You’ll know your team, understand who is quick, who is accurate, who likes things simple, and who loves a challenge. We’ve all had a conversation with a ﬁtter in which we are told those dreaded words “This isn’t going to work”. But I’ve found that consulting with them during the design process, and at least well before the job has started, can reduce if not eradicate this issue.

Compare and contrast Knowing the features and limitations of your products and services, though, is just one half of the journey to becoming a skilled and successful designer/specifier. The next stage is a mixture of comparison and communication. If one’s suggestions ‘hit a brick wall’ with the client for some reason, then being able to conceptualise alternatives immediately, and then to communicate the strengths and weaknesses of them, requires real brain-power; but this keeps the consultation moving, and the client engaged and impressed. Once starting to reach the pinnacle of specification, knowing competitors’ products and services is the final piece of the jigsaw. This can greatly aid sales. So how does one move on from being a great designer to also becoming a great specifier? In-depth experience, a great memory, and communication skills. Sounds simple, but it’s far from it!

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PRODUCT

SHOWCASE

To book a panel in this section please call Nina Goldberg on 01923 237799 or email nina@hamerville.co.uk MUDD

STUART TURNER GROUT WITH CLOUT

SNICKERS LITEWORK WORKING CLOTHES FOR THE SUMMER

Providing a perfect finish for wall and floor tiling, MUDD Grout with Clout comes in six popular colours – white, dark grey, cream, light grey, limestone and black. Water and frost-resistant, Grout with Clout is formulated with added flexibility, reducing the risk of cracking, leaving a super smooth and hard-wearing finish, without patchiness or surface discolouration. Ideal for grouting ceramic, porcelain and mosaic tiles from 1mm to 15mm joint widths, it can be used in interior and exterior location – including power showers and swimming pools. For the perfect finish use with MUDD The Finisher silicone sealant, available in matching colours.

NO MORE LIMESCALE Powering water with Stuart Turner WRAS approved Water Conditioners. Stuart Water Conditioners use an electrolytic action to treat water and contain a unique alloy core that acts as a catalyst, causing the calcium carbonate to precipitate into microscopic crystals, ensuring boilers and appliances remain scale free whilst water remains drinkable straight from the tap! Unlike water softeners which require space, bags of salt and the expense of installing a drinking water tap, Stuart Water Conditioners offer a cost-effective solution which are simply installed in-line with the incoming pipework without taking up valuable space. Simple, cost effective and maintenance free.

Email: info@stuart-turner.co.uk Web: www.stuart-turner.co.uk

www.mudd-tiling.com

DURAVIT

COOLAG

Introducing the new generation shower-toilet; designed exclusively for Duravit by Philippe Starck the SensoWash® Starck f Plus and SensoWash® Starck f Lite can be operated via a remote control or a free app. The technology is now housed within the ceramic body creating a stylish minimalist product. Comfort is guaranteed thanks to technical finishing touches, such as the motion sensor for automatic cover opening, plus the wide range of setting options for seat heating, the shower flow and the controllable hot air dryer. The SensoWash® app also enables individual, personal configuration of the shower-toilet.

www.duravit.co.uk

VOGUE (UK)

The innovative new quickdrying fabrics in this lightweight workwear make them a must for the summer months. A change of season means a change of focus on what you wear on site. That’s why Snickers NEW LITEWork clothing can help you keep your cool when you’re working in sunny, warm and humid environments. The ergonomic, bodymapping Trousers, Shirts, Shorts, mid-layer Jackets and Windproofers have all the comfort and functionality of other Snickers Workwear stretch garments but give extra freedom of movement on site.

Getting information on the Snickers’ new LITEWork clothing is easy. You can call the Snickers Helpline on 01484 854788, checkout the website and download a digital catalogue at www.snickersworkwear.co.uk or email sales@hultaforsgroup.co.uk

ELSTEAD LIGHTING

REVOLUTIONARY MOUNTING PLATE DESIGN SIMPLIFIES SHOWER BAR AND BRASSWARE INSTALLATION

SENSOWASH® STARCK F: THE NEW GENERATION SHOWER-TOILET

SNICKERS

A patented and multi award winning in wall fixing system from sector specialist Coolag. Alfie has been developed to simplify the installation of wall mounted taps, bar shower valves and many other brassware fittings, crucially offering both accuracy and protection for the connections during the period they are vulnerable to other trades prior to final fix.

For further information please contact: Oliver Pirret, Sales & Marketing Manager, Coolag Ltd. Bradwell Hall, Bradwell On Sea, Essex. CM0 7HX Tel: 07388 204363 Email: ollie@coolag.co.uk Web: www.coolag.co.uk/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy2XxlOf4qaSiaJ0iS1bAvA

HUDSON REED

NEW BATHROOM AND KITCHEN LIGHTING COLLECTION Elstead Lighting are manufacturers and Distributors of decorative lighting who were established over 50 years ago. They launched a great tool for Kitchen and Bathroom designers at KBB last month. The Distinctive Lighting collection offers your consumers a priced catalogue with 162 IP44 rated lights for the bathroom as well as a great selection of 111 kitchen pendants. The product codes in this catalogue are not found online to help avoid price comparisons. To request a catalogue and learn more about becoming a Distinctive Lighting reseller contact our sales team for more information.

www.elsteadlighting.com E: enquiries@elsteadlighting.com T: 01420 82377

KONIGSTONE

Vogue (UK), manufacturer of premium designer radiators and towel warmers, has launched a heating design branded Astute: a contemporary, lightweight heating solution designed for easy installation and optimum efficiency. Constructed from aluminium, the new Astute Towel Warmer is has a lightweight core material, which means it has been designed to be ﬁtted on all types of internal wall: stud or solid. Recognised as a super conductor of heat for greater efficiency in the bathroom, aluminium offers a high BTU output and has a low water content.

Bathroom specialist, Hudson Reed has launched a luxurious new modular furniture range, Sarenna, a re-style on the modular range previously featured in its bathroom collection. Taking the spotlight on the front cover of the new 2020 Hudson Reed brochure, the Sarenna range boasts sweeping curved lines throughout its choice of wall hung vanity units, beautifully complemented with a tactile satin ﬁnish and curvaceous basins. It is available in three satin ﬁnishes; Moon White, Dove Grey and Mineral Blue.

Family-run kitchen worktop company Königstone has recently introduced the Königsink, the ﬁrst-ever kitchen sink manufactured by the company. The steel bottomed sink can be clad at its sides with any KönigQuartz colour, matching to the surrounding worktops. It is compatible with all boiling hot water taps and is available in a choice of undermounted or fully integrated sink options.

http://www.vogueuk.co.uk/

https://www.hudsonreed.co.uk/

http://konigstone.co.uk/

48 APRIL K&BNEWS www.kandbnews.co.uk

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MARKET PLACE

To book a classified in this section please contact nina@hamerville.co.uk Computer Software

Design Software

Kitchen Manufacturers

KITCHEN COMPANY LTD

Kitchen Manufacturers

Phone: 0800 028 4466 Email: info@mereway.co.uk www.mereway.co.uk

Kitchens

Worktops

T 020 77 23 51 31 E info@hackerkitchens.com W www.hacker-kuechen.com

KI TCHENS &

BATHROOMS NEWS

For further information on advertising please contact Nina Goldberg on 01923 237799 or nina@hamerville.co.uk

SEE IT SEARCH IT SHARE IT @kandbnews

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ADVERTISEMENT INDEX Crown Products .................................................................. (outside back cover) Elica Division ............................................................................................ (page 11) Franke UK .................................................................................................. (page 29) Hettich UK.................................................................................................. (page 25) Hills Panel Products................................................................................ (page 27) Ideal Standard ...................................................................... (inside front cover) In Sink Erator .............................................................................................. (page 4) James Latham .......................................................................................... (page 19) Mereway Kitchens .................................................................................. (page 20) Mira Showers ............................................................................................ (page 13)

PRODUCT SHOWCASE Mudd ............................................................................................................(page 48) Stuart Turner ..............................................................................................(page 48) Snickers ......................................................................................................(page 48) Duravit..........................................................................................................(page 48) Coolag ..........................................................................................................(page 48) Elstead Lighting ........................................................................................(page 48) Vogue (UK) ..................................................................................................(page 48) Hudson Reed ..............................................................................................(page 48) Konigstone ..................................................................................................(page 48)

Reginox ...................................................................................................... (page 15) TK Components ........................................................................................ (page 17)

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