Kitchens & Bathrooms News November 2020

001_KBN_NOV20_Layout 1 12/10/2020 10:04 Page 1

KI TCHENS &

BATHROOMS NEWS THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR KITCHEN & BATHROOM PROFESSIONALS

NOVEMBER 2020

ABODE PROFILE Managing director Matthew Pitt says embrace change as it offers opportunities

KITCHENS & BATHROOMS NEWS NOVEMBER 2020

INSTANT HOT WATER TAPS How consumers working from home have influenced sales

INDULGENT BATHROOMS What signifies a luxury project?

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

KBN page GRID NEW SIZE_Layout 1 07/10/2020 08:50 Page 1

003_KBN_NOV20_Layout 1 12/10/2020 10:04 Page 3

NO 154 VOL 14 NOVEMBER 2020

contents NEWS & VIEWS 5 First word Editor’s opinion

6 News Round-up of industry headlines

10 People Appointments and promotions

13 Inbox Reader feedback

32 Last word MD of Quooker Stephen Johnson says the industry must unite and help each other during these challenging times

34 Website stories The top three stories on www.kandbnews.co.uk

21

KITCHENS 14 Instant hot water taps How those working from home have influenced sales

18 Just out Latest kitchen products

BATHROOMS 21 Luxury bathrooms It’s not about price; the devil is in the detail

24 Just out Latest bathroom products

24

NECESSITIES 27 Enhancing air quality Why designers should be concerned about air in the home

BUSINESS 28 Supplier profile

18

Managing director of Abode Matthew Pitt talks about the opportunities change can bring

30 Company matters SME advice covering marketing, financial, management and legal issues, as well as personal development www.kandbnews.co.uk K&BNEWS NOVEMBER

3

KBN page GRID NEW SIZE_Layout 1 07/10/2020 08:39 Page 1

005_KBN_NOV20_Layout 1 12/10/2020 10:06 Page 5

FIRST WORD

What’s next for trade shows?

What the bathroom industry may have anticipated and dreaded in equal measure has now come to fruition. The global exhibition ISH will not take place as a physical event in Frankfurt in 2021 but will be online only. Attracting exhibitors and visitors from across the globe, organisers decided to take the “exceptional measure” as the latest developments of the pandemic were causing “growing uncertainty amongst trade fair customers.” So, it begs the question what’s next for kitchen and bathroom trade shows?

The appetite of bathroom and kitchen manufacturers to showcase their latest product launches remains unabated. And there is still a strong desire to create and maintain relationships with their retailers face-to-face. But, in light of COVID-19 restrictions, exhibitions have had to adapt, and rapidly, to an ever-changing landscape – and digital has provided a solution.

Technology such as streaming presentations and one-to-one video chats is being embraced by exhibition organisers to deliver as close as possible to a ‘live’ event. And it has been particularly useful in the likelihood physical events are unable to open doors, such as the recent announcement by ISH. Digital does offer the convenience of reduced time and money spent travelling. But it just doesn’t compare to an at-show experience, where visitors can get a feel for products and brands, both literally and emotionally. It cannot sufficiently

replicate the same levels of networking which takes place at a physical show, that is so instrumental in building relationships between suppliers and their retail partners.

Perhaps, then, hybrid kitchen and bathroom trade shows will become a necessity going forwards – allowing organisers the flexibility to respond to ever-changing global situations. Household appliance and consumer electronics fair IFA recently combined its physical show in Berlin with digital features, for visitors unwilling or unable to travel.

It could even see global shows targeted for more “local” markets, with worldwide visitor attendance only online. Certainly, that seems to be the focus of Living Kitchen which, at the time of going to press, reports its physical show will take place in January with a focus on European visitors and exhibitors, using digital to extend its reach worldwide.

In an uncertain world, what the kbb industry can be assured of is that although exhibitions may have to adapt, there is still strong demand for shows from both visitors and exhibitors alike.

NEWS & VIEWS

KBN LIKES ✔ …to see resilience and recovery for the industry, with both DIY and merchants reporting strong sales growth for kitchen and bathroom sales

KBN DISLIKES ✖ …ISH having to become a digital-only show and hopes virtual events will solve a short-term challenge and not prove to be a long-term solution

KBN WANTS ! …to support the aims of the British Institute of Kitchen Bedroom and Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI). It is asking manufacturers, distributors and retailers to join together and tackle the fitter shortage

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 Roche

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

TRADE JOURNALIST/ EDITOR MAGAZINE OF THE YEAR 2014

HOME IMPROVEMENT JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR 2014

To receive your regular subscription copy of K&B NEWS contact: 01923 237799 UK: 1 year: £30 post paid Europe and overseas: 1 year: £50 post paid Airmail: 1 year: £65 post paid

Advertisement Manager Marcus Hooper e: mhooper@hamerville.co.uk

Editorial & Sales Enquiries Tel (01923) 237799

Classified Advertising Nina Goldberg e: nina@hamerville.co.uk

KITCHENS & BATHROOMS NEWS Hamerville Media Group, Regal House, Regal Way, Watford, Herts, WD24 4YF

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 NOVEMBER 5

006_KBN_NOV20_Layout 1 12/10/2020 14:09 Page 6

NEWS & VIEWS

MAKING HEADLINES

W www.kandbnews.co.uk

@kandbnews

“Latest pandemic developments causing growing uncertainty”

IN BRIEF ■ Recent research has found 18% of Brits are commencing home improvement projects and 20% of these are bathroom or kitchen installations – equating to more than 1.8million renovations.

According to mobile-based billing, invoicing and quotation application Powered Now COVID continues to have an influence on projects with 20% of consumers agreeing the threat of a second wave has influenced them to start renovations sooner. Find out more at www.rdr.link/KU001

■ Former commercial director of British Ceramic Tiles (BCT) John Chater has launched The Branded Tile Company. Supplying to trade professionals, The Branded Tile Company is offering the V&A Museum Collection, with designs formerly produced by British Ceramic Tile. British Ceramic Tile entered administration in January 2019 with 313 redundancies and its intellectual property rights were acquired by tile and stone importer and retailer Al-Murad.

Read the whole story at www.rdr.link/KU002 ■ Paint expert Dulux has named Brave Ground, a warm earthy tone, as its colour of the year for 2021. According to Dulux, Brave Ground “is a warm, natural neutral that’s an enabling and stabilising colour. It’s also a versatile shade that lets other colours shine.” It can be mixed with soft natural shades for a timeless interior, mixed with red or pink for a modern interior or combined with blue and green for a connection to the natural world. Discover the colour at www.rdr.link/KU003

6 NOVEMBER K&BNEWS www.kandbnews.co.uk

ISH 2021 will be online-only event International bathroom exhibition ISH will be an online-only event in March 2021, following its organiser Messe Frankfurt rearranging all physical trade fairs from JanuaryMarch 2021.

Messe Frankfurt reported with governments and companies tightening travel restrictions, “the latest pandemic developments are causing growing uncertainty amongst trade fair customers.”

President and chief executive officer of Messe Frankfurt Wolfgang Marzin said: “It is important for our customers that we make a decision at an early date, as it would otherwise be time for them to begin investing in their trade fair presentations.

“Messe Frankfurt will continue working closely with its customers to ensure that its decisions serve the interests of the exhibiting industries.”

It follows the announcements

by Grohe and Hansgrohe, which both pulled out of the physical event in 2021.

The ISH show will now provide a “wide range” of digital features, which include exhibitor presentations spanning products, information, chat functions and one-to-one video calls.

In addition, there will be “intelligent matchmaking” to deliver business partners for AI-lead generation, live streams and ondemand broadcasts, as well as appointments for online meetings.

All these features will be available “round the clock throughout the event, worldwide, and in every time zone.”

Chief executive of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association Tom Reynolds commented on the announcement: “It is disappointing that ISH has been cancelled as a physical event in 2021, albeit not a surprise.

“All companies must protect the health and safety of employees, so sending staff to such a large event with a global delegation was always going to be tricky.

“Manufacturers are eager to show new products and meet their customers, but online exhibitions are not yet a fully adequate substitute for the trade show experience.”

The digital ISH event will take place from March 22-26, 2021.

Dual branded Bathstore and Kitchens by Homebase

Homebase trials high street store format DIY retailer Homebase has started a trial of a high street format store with the launch of a kitchen and bathroom showroom in Surrey.

Located in a redesigned Bathstore site, the opening of the split-level showroom follows the launch of two Decorate by Homebase stores in May 2020.

The dual branded ‘Bathstore’ and ‘Kitchens by Homebase’ showroom provides a design and installation service, in partnership with Homeprojects, which comes with a two-year workmanship guarantee.

The ground floor of the showroom displays kitchen brands from Yorkshire-based kitchen manufacturer Moores – Roux Kitchens designed in collaboration

with Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux Junior and Copperbridge.

The Copperbridge brand offers 20 kitchen ranges, each of which is available in six carcase colours.

There is also a range of appliance brands such as Neff, Smeg, Bosch and KitchenAid, as well as a choice of quartz and granite worktops.

The first floor is dedicated to Bathstore and showcases a range of bathroom displays, including Villeroy & Boch and Duravit.

CEO of Homebase Damian McGloughlin commented: “I am extremely proud of the whole team, who have worked so hard to create and launch this new concept store at a time of widespread disruption.

“We have invested a great deal

in the in-store experience for customers across the country, which has included experimentation and innovation in new store concepts.”

Homebase operates 155 stores and 16 standalone Bathstore showrooms, employing over 6,600 people across the UK and Ireland.

KBN Page grid_Layout 1 07/08/2020 08:40 Page 1

006_KBN_NOV20_Layout 1 12/10/2020 10:50 Page 8

NEWS & VIEWS

MAKING HEADLINES

Wwww.kandbnews.co.uk

@kandbnews

Intrinsic Equity buys shower enclosure manufacturer

IN BRIEF ■ The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI) has announced its plans to tackle the national shortage of professional fitters and appealed for industry help. BiKBBI is making a call to action to suppliers, distributors, manufacturers and retailers to pledge intent at Support Change. The organisation has devised a “threepronged attack” including apprenticeships, professional development and re-training. Find out more at www.rdr.link/KU004

■ Belgian extraction and induction manufacturer Novy has been awarded Quiet Mark Certification for 58 extractors, and now has the most certified products in the cooker hood category. Quiet Mark is an independent, internationallyapproved award programme associated with the UK Noise Abatement Society charitable foundation. It encourages companies to prioritise noise reduction in the design of machines to benefit health and well-being. Read the whole story at www.rdr.link/KU005 ■ Ashford-based distributor Sinks & Things has launched an online ordering portal, allowing customers to order product, check availability and view invoices. It follows a programme of investment by owner Franke in the company’s operations, service and infrastructure. The company’s updated 86-page Complete Buying Guide is now available online for reference and downloading. Find out more at www.rdr.link/KU006

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

Aqualux owner acquires Aqata Shower enclosure manufacturer Aqata has been acquired by private investment business Intrinsic Equity, which also owns the Aqualux brand.

Established over 30 years ago by engineer Peter Brown, the family-run Aqata business is based in Hinckley, Leicestershire, and supplies bathroom showrooms, luxury housebuilders, hotels, yachts and leisure complexes.

It joins a stable that includes Aqualux, which was acquired from Dutch bathroom manufacturer Fetim in 2019, and online hardware brand Ironmongery and More.

Commenting on the acquisition Group CEO Steve Lee stated: “We are delighted to be able to take this bold, strategic move during such unprecedented times.

“Aqata has been part of the

fabric of the British shower industry since it was established by Peter Brown in 1986.

“We are proud to have the opportunity to continue the great work of MD and owner Jayne Barnes who headed up Aqata for over 15 years following her father’s retirement in 2005.”

Steve Lee continued: “For many years we have admired what the Aqata brand represents to the independent bathroom retail market, the products are excellent and backed by a world-class service.

“The position of the brand perfectly complements Aqualux, which has been synonymous with the large-scale merchants and retailers for over 40 years.”

Lee added: “Aqata shower enclosures are British-designed and hand-crafted in its modern factory

in Leicestershire. Whilst 2020 has seen major changes and uncertainty for the UK following Brexit and COVID-19, this acquisition offers great flexibility for our customers: a British manufacturing facility combined with the long established, global sourcing model of Aqualux. This will ensure we can continue to provide a dynamic, speed-to-market offering with competitive pricing; all backed by a market-leading service and significant inventory throughout our supply chain.”

Quartz worktop manufacturer buys majority share in Lioli Ceramica

Caesarstone acquisition marks move into porcelain Quartz worktop manufacturer Caesarstone has acquired majority shares in Lioli Ceramica for $12million, marking a move into the global porcelain category.

Lioli Ceramica is an India-based producer of porcelain countertops and has an annual revenue of $18million.

Caesarstone has set itself a mission to become the brand of choice in worktops through an expansion of its product portfolio into new materials.

According to the company, porcelain represents one of the fastest-growing categories in the global worktop market.

The company believes through the acquisition, it can leverage the

strength of the Caesarstone brand, global distribution network and designs.

Chief executive of Caesarstone Yuval Dagim commented: “This acquisition is a major step in our efforts to advance our global growth acceleration plan and to realise our goal of becoming a leading, premium, multi-material player in the global countertop industry.

“The acquisition will enable us to have a significant presence in the global porcelain category, one of the fastest-growing categories in the countertop market alongside our reputable quartz portfolio.

“Lioli’s state-of-the-art porcelain operations, combined with Caesarstone’s highly-valued brand

and established global network, will strengthen our unique value proposition and our ability to accelerate a multi-material growth strategy.

“In this way we can enhance the experience of our consumers and business partners, while realising our mission to be the first brand of choice for countertops around the world.”

KBN page GRID NEW SIZE_Layout 1 07/09/2020 11:12 Page 1

006_KBN_NOV20_Layout 1 12/10/2020 14:10 Page 10

NEWS & VIEWS

MAKING HEADLINES

Wwww.kandbnews.co.uk

@kandbnews

Group sales director Leigh Leather takes helm

Roper Rhodes names new MD Bathroom supplier Roper Rhodes has announced Leigh Leather as managing director, succeeding Paul Roper who has spent 30 years working for the family-owned company.

Former group sales director, Leather has been with the company for over seven years and has 25 years’ experience in the bathroom sector.

He started out in the industry with Kohler Mira in 1994 then joined Grohe UK as head of national accounts in 2005. He became sales director and then regional

vice president sales & marketing of Grohe South-East Asia & Pacific in 2006.

In 2009, Leather rejoined Kohler Mira as business director for Kohler UK before being promoted to oversee Kohler UK and Kohler Daryl businesses in 2010. He then joined Roper Rhodes.

Paul Roper commented on Leigh Leather’s promotion: “It is of great comfort to me that my replacement is an internal candidate and his appointment assures that the company will continue to be run with the same values and ethos

that Mark Roper and I have tried to maintain.”

He will now focus on the Roper Family Charitable Trust, working with charities and good causes in and around the Bath and North

East Somerset region.

Sons of the founder Brian Roper, Mark Roper will remain company Chairman and Paul Roper remains a non-executive director and major shareholder.

Position filled

Appointments and promotions across the industry

HARRISON BATHROOMS

ABODE

HIB

DREW & FORSYTH & CO

Harrison Bathrooms has expanded its sales team with the appointment of Peter Rolland as key account manager. He will work alongside the current team to drive business in the southern region, which has become a key area of focus for its Scudo brand.

With more than 30 years’ experience in the bathroom industry, Rolland has held executive positions at Pitacs, F.W. Hipkin and he even launched his own heating and plumbing business.

Dave Wood has been appointed operations manager of sink and tap manufacturer Abode. He has a wealth of expertise in the kbb industry, having started out working in the warehouse of Spring Ram Bathrooms in the 1990s. Wood has held various roles, including operations manager for Plumbing Imports and operations manager for Buildbase owner Grafton Group.

In his new position, Wood will be responsible for all aspects of operations management.

Supplier of mirror, cabinet furniture and lighting HiB has expanded its in-house marketing department with the appointment of Laura Bennett as PR manager.

With a strong PR and marketing background, at agencies and businesses across the Midlands, Bennett will focus on building the company’s exposure across trade and consumer media. She will also support the wider team with content marketing and social media support, as HiB develops its digital marketing strategy.

West Yorkshire-based kitchen furniture maker Drew Forsyth & Co has recently expanded its team of designers with the appointment of Cimara King as trainee sales designer. King has a degree in Commercial Interior Design from the University of Huddersfield. She joins the company from The Wood Works, a north London-based bespoke kitchen company, where she was employed as junior designer. She will work alongside Senior designer Wayne Crosstey.

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

KBN page GRID NEW SIZE_Layout 1 07/10/2020 08:41 Page 1

KBN page GRID NEW SIZE_Layout 1 07/10/2020 08:43 Page 1

012_KBN_NOV20_Layout 1 12/10/2020 10:11 Page 13

YOUR THOUGHTS

NEWS & VIEWS

Sponsored by

Inbox...

Email us, write to us or contact us through any of our social media channels. Get involved, as we want to hear your views

KI TCHENS &

BATHROOMS NEWS THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR KITCHEN & BATHROOM PROFESSIONALS

OCTOBER 2020

EXCLUSIVE: BLANCO INTERVIEW Marketing manager John Robinson: “We are expecting a W-shaped financial environment”

KITCHEN SINKS & TAPS

Philippa Turrell BMA debates whether bathroom industry should ditch printed brochures in favour of digital communication. Are you ready to cast out catalogues in favour of social media/digital messaging?

Nathan Maclean At Virtual Worlds by Logicom, we are leading the way as we have re-imagined what the digital brochure needs to be to successfully replace print. The future of the brochure is very exciting!

Chris Pateman I’m really not sure. Is that really what the punters want? Am I the only one who gets fed up scrolling through 36-to-a-page summaries, and then finding the ‘click to scroll’ doesn’t work quite as it should, or the product data sheet hasn’t attached?

I think there is a certain gravitas and professionalism that comes from being able to hand out brochures which would be hard to match by giving customers a QR code and expecting them to burn the midnight wi-fi.

Michael Biggs The end user demands a printed brochure.

How hygiene will become more significant to sales

INCLUSIVE BATHROOMS

Philippa Turrell Brave Ground named Dulux Colour of the Year for 2021.

What do you think?

Johnny Dobbyn Er…isn’t that taupe? Kelly Hoppen’s done it to death since I was a boy Claire Beaumont I like the colour, I’m not sure about the name though. But this feels like what interiors were doing a few years ago when everyone wanted “earthy tones”.

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

@coramshowers Featured in @kandbnews this month with the NEW addition of our Coving Profiles, the Double BiFold Doors can now be installed on to vinyl flooring for level-access showering.

Francesca Robinson Isn’t my favourite colour to be honest. It just doesn’t excite me at all

Ian Hansell Rather similar to Farrow & Ball Elephants Breath, which was launched years ago

@kandbnews

www.linkedin.com/company/kitchens-bathrooms-news

@kandbnews Our October issue has landed and features an exclusive interview with John Robinson, marketing manager of Blanco UK. We look at how hygiene will be a force for sink sales and why inclusive bathrooms should be considered the norm. Read it online www.kandbnews.co.uk /magazines/october2020 @TaylorAlden Great to see our client @Blanco_uk on the front cover of the October issue of @kandbnews!

Marie Fuller Like the colour – hate the name!

Get in touch and contact the editor via email pturrell@hamerville or through any of our social media channels: @kandbnews

Why designing for all ages continues to be a growth market

@simplerpr How wonderful to see @watersbath launch of their #design prize draw in today’s @kandbnews.

Read about this lovely initiative to help their retailers at www.rdr.link/KU007

@WeAreUnhooked Latest issue of @kandbnews now available, including a news story from our client @HafeleUK about its Hafele Here to Help programme to support the industry

www.kandbnews.co.uk K&BNEWS NOVEMBER

13

014_KBN_NOV20_Layout 1 12/10/2020 14:29 Page 14

KITCHENS

HOT WATER TAPS

Hot stuff The working from home brigade has recently driven instant hot water tap sales.

But long-term success will be buoyed by environmental concerns and a wider choice of designs.

1 It wasn’t that long ago, the hot water tap didn’t exist in the UK and now it is, arguably, one of he most coveted items in the kitchen, with no signs of slowing. What was once a niche, luxury product is now available across a wide range of price points from a rapidly-developing number of brands. Sales and marketing director at Franke UK Jo Rawstron comments: “Awareness and sales of hot taps have grown dramatically over the last 10 years with almost all tap brands competing in this segment because it offers a lot of growth and sales potential.” Offering some statistics on the growth of consumer interest, managing director of Abode Matthew Pitt says: “The market has grown markedly in the past two years and not just at the top-end of the market.

Over a fifth of homeowners on Houzz said a boiling water tap was their dream kitchen appliance and searches of ‘hot water taps’ are up by as much as 135% on Pinterest in the past 12 months. Google searches of hot water taps have also increased by by 25% this year alone.”

WFH driving sales Of course, this year has been unlike any other, with COVID-19 changing how we all live our lives. Health and hygiene has come to the fore,

14 NOVEMBER K&BNEWS www.kandbnews.co.uk

1. INSINKERATOR Among its variety of finishes, the InSinkErator 3N1 steaming hot water tap comes in Brushed Gold and Rose Gold. It also comes with a choice of four spouts. Explore the entire range and features at www.rdr.link/KU039

which can only be benefitted by instant access to hot water for cleaning. However industry experts suggest it is actually the convenience for those working from home, which has been a driver for instant hot water tap sales. National account manager – commercial – for Blanco UK James Blood points out: “Obviously hygiene has been brought to the fore due to COVID-19 and our need and want to be clean. In addition, we have spent more time at home and consumers are looking at ways to make their life in the kitchen easier and more ‘tech-enabled’”. And Jo Rawstron of Franke UK agrees: “WFH (working from home) is undoubtedly an accelerator for sales as consumers are set to spend more time working, cooking and entertaining from home for the foreseeable future.”

4-in-1 gaining ground And there are a wide range of products of

instant hot water taps to cater for those working from home. Designers can choose from a single hot water tap fitting, through to 3-in-1, 4-in-1 and even 5-in-1 mixer models – with instant hot, filtered water and sparkling water adding to standard hot and cold supplies. But the most popular variety of hot water tap fitting still remains the 3-in-1, as James Blood of Blanco explains: “The 3-in-1 is still the go-to solution for the consumer due to price levels.” However, 4in-1 taps which also offer filtered water are quickly gaining ground in hot water taps sales.

Matthew Pitt of Abode continues: “Within the hot water taps category, specifically, the 3-in-1 does remain the more dominant category currently with 37% more sales than the 4-in-1 category.

However, this figure has shifted significantly when comparing 2019 to 2020. When comparing sales in the same period in 2019, the 3-in-1 was outperforming the 4-in-1 by 77%” It’s perhaps of little surprise as consumers are growing increasingly environmentally conscious. Therefore a tap that can deliver on reducing energy use, as well as plastic bottles for mineral water, is of particular interest. Anne Kaarlela, marketing communications and customer service manager for Europe and

014_KBN_NOV20_Layout 1 12/10/2020 14:28 Page 15

2 2. ABODE The Pronteau Prothia Quad 3IN1 tap from Abode is its slimmest, most costeffective steaming hot water tap to date. It is available in two spout options and five finishes. Watch the video at www.rdr.link/KU008

3 3. QUOOKER The Quooker Fusion and Classic Fusion ranges are now offered in Patinated Brass, as well as Polished Chrome, Stainless Steel and Nickel. It offers 100˚C boiling and can be used with Quooker Cube to dispense chilled and sparking water. Discover the range at www.rdr.link/KU009

014_KBN_NOV20_Layout 1 12/10/2020 14:28 Page 16

KITCHENS

HOT WATER TAPS

4

5

5. FRANKE The Minerva 4-in-1 Electronic tap range has been extended with the launch of the new Helix model with a classic J spout. It is available in stainless steel, as well as Industrial Black, Industrial Copper and Industrial Gold.

Discover all the features by watching the video at www.rdr.link/KU011

4. PERRIN & ROWE The 1937 Polaris 3-in-1 instant hot water tap is available in a choice of eight finishes, including Nickel (shown). It comes with a 2.4 litre tank and has an anti-scald locking mechanism. Download the product documentation at www.rdr.link/KU010

Russia at InSinkerator says: “The future needs to continue to be about sustainability. Appliances that offer energy-saving benefits and reduce the impact on the environment are going to be at the top of the consumer wish list.”

Differentiation by design With such an array of hot water taps, manufacturers have had to work hard to differentiate their products and brands opening up new avenues for sales and trade-up opportunities. InSinkErator has gained approval for its 3-in1 and 4-in-1 steaming hot water taps from the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS), while Abode has looked to further open up the market with the introduction of its slimmest and most cost-effective model to date – the Pronteau Prothia Quad 3N1 tap. Franke has looked to the use of technology for touchfree operation, reducing hand contact and therefore enhancing hygiene, with the launch of its Minerva 4-in1 Electronic tap with the Helix model with a J-Spout.

In fact, hot water tap design has become a real focus for manufacturers, as James Blood explains: “We have got the products right now but they all – across the board – look fairly similar and standard. The market is now working on new designs – semi-professional is in demand, at the moment. So we are now working to bring these exciting new technologies to the design world.” It is the reason why more finishes are now coming into the instant hot water tap world, with black and brass joining the standard chrome finish, such as the recent introductions by Quooker.

16 NOVEMBER K&BNEWS www.kandbnews.co.uk

Match-making benefits Certainly, a tap is no longer just a tap, as the continued interest in instant hot water models continues to demonstrate. And it is the role of the retailer, alongside the manufacturer, to help demonstrate the benefits and ‘matchmake’ the client to a lifestyle-enhancing model. Busy families or young professionals may benefit from the convenience, while eco-conscious consumers may be interested in getting rid of the kettle and reducing single use plastic bottles.

Matthew Pitt adds: “Through our own customer research, we have found that the benefit of Abode Pronteau they most like is the fact our PB2X boiler can be set between 80° and 98°, giving the consumer freedom to choose the perfect temperature for hot drinks such as coffee, which can be spoiled by 100°C water.

What is for certain is the market for instant hot water taps is only going to grow. Anne Kaarlelea concludes: “One of the most common mistakes when specifying a hot tap is not specifying one at all. There is a huge scope for independent kitchen retailers and designers to educate consumers on the range of products available, the benefits they offer and to encourage sales of these products. Not doing so is an opportunity and a margin missed.”

6. BLANCO

6

Boasting a 4-litre titanium tank, the 3-in-1 Tampera Hot from BLANCO delivers 100°C boiling water from an insulated spout. It has a BWT five-stage filtration system that is fitted as standard. Discover all the details at www.rdr.link/KU012

KBN page GRID NEW SIZE_Layout 1 07/10/2020 08:45 Page 1

018_KBN_NOV20_Layout 1 12/10/2020 14:32 Page 18

KITCHENS

PRODUCT ROUND-UP

1 1. STOVES Appliance manufacturer Stoves has collaborated with UK paint brand Dulux to offer its Colour of the Year – Brave Ground across all its Richmond Deluxe range cookers. Brave Ground is the 10th colour to be added to the Stoves 2020 Colour Boutique line. Stoves Richmond Deluxe range cookers come in 900, 1000 or 1100mm sizes and a choice of gas, induction, dual fuel or gas-through-glass fuel and selected models offer Steam & Infuse. Discover the entire Colour Boutique offer at www.rdr.link/KU013

2. SAMSUNG Samsung has unveiled its RB7300 refrigerator which offers large, flexible capacity in the same 600mm cabinet-depth footprint. Using SpaceMax technology, the interior walls of the fridge are thinner, providing an internal capacity of 386-litres – 18 litres larger than the previous model. The Samsung refrigerator is also designed to preserve food twice as long, with a drawer that can be split into two zones with different temperatures for produce. Find out more at www.rdr.link/KU014

2 18 NOVEMBER K&BNEWS www.kandbnews.co.uk

just out

018_KBN_NOV20_Layout 1 12/10/2020 15:33 Page 19

3

3. EGGER Furniture decor manufacturer Egger has expanded its Feelwood woodgrain collection, with an additional texture and 10 decors. Adding to its popular Halifax Oak series, Feelwood now includes Black, Pewter and Sand Grey (shown).

The latest ST32 texture, with a worn appearance, features on three Sherman Oak decors. And the line-up of additional decors include Thermo Brown Mountain Larch, Natural Anthor Oak. View the brochure at www.rdr.link/KU015

4. ILVE

4 5. VILLEROY & BOCH Premium German brand Villeroy & Boch Kitchens has unveiled its Meran collection, a Shaker design with a vintage chic appearance.

Available in 23 neutral and vibrant colours, Meran is shown in a light grey shade which highlights the woodgrain texture and matt lacquer finish. In addition, the cabinetry boasts water-resistant Eco-Pro carcasses and laser edges. Read more at www.rdr.link/KU017

Appliance manufacturer Ilve has introduced the Panoramagic range cooker, which comes as a 900mm single or 1200mm wide double oven model. Panoramagic range cookers are available with a gas hob, with up to eight solid brass burners, plus optional stainless steel fry top griddle, or as an electric version with six induction hobs. The ovens are controlled by a 4.3” TFT panel. Discover all the details at www.rdr.link/KU016

5

www.kandbnews.co.uk K&BNEWS NOVEMBER

19

KBN page GRID NEW SIZE_Layout 1 07/10/2020 08:48 Page 1

021_KBN_NOV20_Layout 1 12/10/2020 14:34 Page 21

LUXURY BATHROOMS

BATHROOMS

Accessible luxury

Luxury has been democratised in design to meet all budgets and sizes of space — but detail is everything

What is a luxury bathroom? It can be defined in many ways, each personal to the objectives of the end user and their space. Similarly to beauty, luxury is in the eye of the beholder. Senior category manager at Grohe UK Paul Bailey explains: “The term luxury bathroom is no longer just a bathroom that offers premium fittings and expensive taste but has become a trend in itself.

A luxury bathroom is about much more than the aesthetic but also the ambiance and environment that the space creates for the owner.” And marketing manager of VitrA Margaret Talbot agrees adding: “For many consumers, the look, feel and functionality of the bathroom can create the luxury they are seeking.”

Social media support Luxury is about creating a sanctuary, a personal haven, focused on wellness and personal care.

And this concept has been driven, not only by boutique hotels and spas but increasingly by the home renovating community on social media.

Nearly 84,000 posts include the term #luxurybathrooms on Instagram.

Sales and marketing director of JT John Schofield comments: “We can definitely see the rise of social media inspiring luxury bathroom designs, particularly during the lockdown period where many people are looking to renovate and transform their living and bathroom spaces.

Social media makes it easier to absorb the latest trends and recreate them within your own home, so there is no doubt it plays a large role in influencing and creating trends.” And joint managing director of Imperial Bathrooms James Stevenson says he has found social media is being used for luxury bathroom research: “We have certainly noticed a marked increase in the number of enquiries we receive as a result of posts on Instagram or Pinterest.”

1 1. HIB Available with a LED light frame in a choice of silver or black, Solas offers colour changing technology to suit the interior or task. Solas can be hung landcape or portrait. Watch the video at www.rdr.link/KU018

2. BC Designs

Bath versus shower While there may not be a one-size-fits all aesthetic to a luxury bathroom, there is a common starting point – water. Margaret Talbot explains: “Water delivery is the cornerstone of a luxury bathroom, whether that be elegantly delivered into a feature bath or rainfall from a shower.” And head of marketing at Bette Sven

2

The Copper boat bath comes in two sizes 1500 and 1700mm and features the material on the exterior and interior. It is not drilled for a waste and comes in slotted and unslotted versions. Download the product specifications at www.rdr.link/KU019

www.kandbnews.co.uk K&BNEWS NOVEMBER

21

021_KBN_NOV20_Layout 1 12/10/2020 14:34 Page 22

BATHROOMS

LUXURY BATHROOMS

3. JT Naturals is a stone-effect shower tray inspired by Yorkshire landscapes and available in four colours. Designers can choose colour-matched wastes as an optional extra. Download the brochure at www.rdr.link/KU020

Rensinghoff agrees: “Large shower areas with flush-to-floor shower floors that co-ordinate with the rest of the flooring are popular in luxury bathrooms, as well as large statement baths, either freestanding or built-in.”

Interestingly, the world’s most luxurious hotel bathrooms, according to Conde Naste Traveller, all feature a freestanding bath – if not also a shower. Marketing manager at BC Designs Sally Cutchie may have the reasoning why it doesn’t have to be a choice of either/or: “A freestanding bath nearly always features in the look consumers aspire to. What we are seeing is a move to redefining the bathroom space, with baths now being placed in the master bedroom.

What this does is free up extra space in the bathroom for walk-in showers.”

4 4. IMPERIAL BATHROOMS Inspired by period design is the Oban Westminster Marble Console with Black Satin leg and trim. It measures 920mm high and 1090mm wide. Find out all the options at www.rdr.link/KU021

22 NOVEMBER K&BNEWS www.kandbnews.co.uk

3

furniture, ceramic ware and brassware to not only promote luxury but make it tangible too.”

And this should carry through to the aesthetics, as although current interior trends may mean a mix of materials and colours, Paul Bailey of Grohe UK suggests co-ordination from taps and showers to flush plates and accessories “create a look of consistency and a finished quality to a project.”

Furniture focal point

Next-level hygiene

Interestingly, what a freestanding bath and walkin shower have in common is being a focal point. But this could equally be achieved with furniture argues James Stevenson of Imperial Bathrooms: “A bathroom that’s clear of clutter is one that invites your to completely luxuriate in it.” And he adds: “Another trend we’ve seen gaining momentum is the desire for double wash areas with individual basins and vanities.”

But above all, he explains: “Nothing says luxury more – or gives an air of exclusivity – than thoughtful design, so focus on selecting wellproportioned, beautifully crafted pieces of

Thoughtful design may now also carry through to enhanced health and hygiene – from sensor taps through to hi-tech shower toilets. In fact Paul Bailey of Grohe UK adds: “We have seen an unprecedented consumer demand for products such as infrared taps in the wake of the Coronavirus crisis, which suggest the hygiene trend will be on the fore of everyone’s mind moving forward.” And the more traditional material copper has also come to the fore, which combines luxury design with next level hygiene.

Sally Cutchie of BC Designs adds: “Copper is scientifically proven to kill typical flu-like viruses

5 5. BETTE BetteFloor is available in 46 sizes and boasts a pore-free finish for optimum hygiene. It comes in a collection of standard bathroom hues and 22 exclusive matt colours. Download the catalogue at www.rdr.link/KU022

021_KBN_NOV20_Layout 1 12/10/2020 14:34 Page 23

within minutes of it hitting the surface, while it kills COVID within a couple of hours.” She continues: “We have already started to see an unprecedented demand for our copper boat baths and new basins, and we expect demand to continue as people become more aware of the facts.”

Down to detail It is this level of understanding and detail in design – both functionally and aesthetically which can make all the difference in creating a luxury bathroom space. It includes lighting, as sales director of HiB Ash Chilver comments: “Effective lighting can make a huge impact on a bathroom. It can transform a space by highlighting specific focal points, directing the eye and creating a relaxing or energising atmosphere depending on the needs of the user. Being able to use lighting in different ways, perhaps through an illuminated mirror, decorative bathroom lighting such as pendants or spotlights or LED under lighting can produce that sought-after luxurious ambience we all want for our homes.”

Certainly John Schofield of JT agrees detail is all important: “The quality of the finish and design is a key part to the definition of ‘luxury’

6 bathroom design, whilst some bathrooms might look luxury, I think a bathroom can only achieve true luxury through seamless design, material quality as well as expert instalment.” And Sven Resinghoff of Bette agrees, concluding: “A luxury bathroom will stand out because of the attention to detail and quality of the finish, as well as the quality of the product design.”

6. GEBERIT Geberit has also expanded its premium offering, now known as the Aspire Collection with the Geberit One range. It boasts slim furniture options and includes a floating washbasin with mirror cabinet featuring fully integrated lighting. www.rdr.link/KU023

024_KBN_NOV20_Layout 1 12/10/2020 15:09 Page 24

BATHROOMS

PRODUCT ROUND-UP

1

just out 1. LAKES Lakes has added two showroom exclusive showering spaces – Antigua and Aruba – to its premium Island Collection. Antigua is made from 8mm glass and is a 2m high slider, with “easyglide” door, low threshold and solid cast handle.

Aruba shares the same specification but also has a side panel, which can be used for corner settings. Both products use PureVue low-iron glass for clarity and AllClear glass coating.

Discover more at www.rdr.link/KU024

24 NOVEMER K&BNEWS www.kandbnews.co.uk

2

2. JT Taking inspiration from Yorkshire landscapes, UK shower tray manufacturer JT has extended its shower tray offering with the stone-effect Naturals range. Naturals is available in four colours, which reference Yorkshire areas: Flamborough White, Malham Grey, Runswick Cream and Howarth Black.

The flat-to-floor trays are available in 27 size options, including square, rectangle and quadrant.

Read the full story at www.rdr.link/KU025

024_KBN_NOV20_Layout 1 12/10/2020 14:14 Page 25

4. GEBERIT Bathroom manufacturer Geberit has launched the mid-market Select Collection. It boasts 11 ranges, spanning ceramics and complementary furniture, and includes several ranges formerly branded as Twyford, such as Geberit Renova Plan. The Select Collection also includes VariForm which offers a choice of washbasins in round, rectangle, oval and ellipse shapes. Read more on this story at www.rdr.link/KU027

3 3. AKW AKW has extended its Marlbrook wall panel range to include Black Marble, Quartz and Savannah colours. All the panels come in 2440mm x 1220mm sizes and can be trimmed.

Grab rails and shower seats can be fitted to the shower panels. Download the brochure at www.rdr.link/KU026

4 5. UTOPIA As part of its product launch for Summer 2020, Utopia has introduced a super matt, soft touch foil finish for its furniture ranges. It is available in four of the company’s newly launched colours – Blush (pictured), Sea Green, Azure Blue and Storm Grey. The microstructure of finish also helps reduce the impact of grease marks like fingerprints. Download a brochure at www.rdr.link/KU028

6 6. BC DESIGNS

5

UK bath manufacturer BC Designs has strengthened its freestanding offer with the introduction of Chalice Minor. The acrylic bath has a 240-litre capacity and features a slim rim and no tap ledge to provide a large bathing space. Chalice Minor measures 1650mm long and 900mm wide with a depth of 590mm.

Download the specification at www.rdr.link/KU029

www.kandbnews.co.uk K&BNEWS NOVEMBER

25

KBN page GRID NEW SIZE_Layout 1 07/10/2020 08:49 Page 1

027_KBN_NOV20_Layout 1 12/10/2020 15:24 Page 27

AIR QUALITY

NECESSITIES

Every breath you take Why accomplished designers are paying greater attention to air quality both in their bathroom and kitchen projects

Air quality in kitchens and bathrooms used to solely focus on removing cooking odours and steam. But with a greater understanding of how pollution can affect the wellbeing of consumers (biophilic design), and COVID focusing the mind on health, accomplished designers are paying greater attention to air quality. Blueair director of EMEA Alexander Provins comments: “We spend 90% of our time indoors, yet indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outside.” He adds: “We believe that COVID-19 has increased general awareness on the importance of having clean air at home” and exclaims: “We have seen that through our recent sales.”

Kitchen extraction Starting with air odours, brand manager of Indesit Sara Bazeley explains the importance of cooker hoods, commenting: “Cooker hoods not only remove grease and odours from the kitchen area, but also moisture, which in turn helps to keep not only the kitchen furnishings looking their best but maintains the fabric of the house.” And she explains: “It’s imperative the retailer helps the consumer understand the reasoning behind the choice of cooker hood – with performance and noise levels that fit with their family.”

Brand manager of Whirlpool Charmaine Watson agrees, pointing out style should never come before substance. She highlights the importance of external ducting, as she comments: “Where possible, always duct the cooker hood to the exterior of the property using the correct diameter ducting with the minimum of bends, as this will ensure top extraction performance.” And she adds: “Smooth, round and rigid ducting is better than the flexible variety.”

However, cooker hoods don’t simply have to be used when preparing meals in the kitchen, with some models offering additional ventilation for the space. Product manager at Franke UK Alison Booth explains: “We have several cooker hoods in our portfolio that have a 24-hour ventilation option which allows the user to set an extraction cycle at a particular speed. This is part of the standard specification.”

1. ROTPUNKT Available across its Zerox kitchen furniture, Rotpunkt has introduced the Fenix super matt door range. It boasts antibacterial properties, which inhibits micro-organisms to grow and reproduce. Discover more at www.rdr.link/KU030

2 3 2. VENT-AXIA Svara features a humidistat and light sensor, so is activated when someone walks into a room. It can be operated using the Vent-Axia Connect app.

Watch the video at www.rdr.link/KU031

3. FRANKE The Maris 2.0 cooker hood has a 24-hour ventilation option. It automatically operates for 10 minutes every hour to keep the air fresh. Download the fact sheet at www.rdr.link/KU032

Bathroom ventilation Bathrooms similarly share the same issue of odours and build-up of moisture. Not only will accomplished designers seek to create a more pleasurable experience but also understand moisture can affect the structure of furniture, which is becoming a pre-requisite for bathroom projects. Quiet Mark approved extractor fans can obviously aid the removal of ‘polluted’ air.

However, category manager at Grohe Elina

Enqvist-Twomey also points to the likes of smart toilets which have integrated odour-extracting features. She believes: “air pollution in the bathroom will continue to gain interest in the industry, with offensive odours and smells at the fore of the discussion.”

Certainly indoor air quality has become more of a consideration in recent years and, as people are spending more time at home, it is only going to grow in importance in home projects.

www.kandbnews.co.uk K&BNEWS NOVEMBER

27

028_KBN_NOV20_Layout 1 12/10/2020 10:59 Page 28

BUSINESS

SUPPLIER PROFILE

“Embrace change as a fact of life” As the kbb industry eases out of lockdown, Kitchens & Bathrooms Keeping in contact Although Abode closed its offices in Barnsley News caught up with Matthew Pitt, managing director of Abode, to during the lockdown, Pitt explained the see what the ‘new normal’ looks like for the sink and tap manufacturer business didn’t stop trading. Using a remote

1 1. MANAGING DIRECTOR Matthew Pitt reports the industry is operating in the most unpredictable trading environment he can remember. He says it is the most challenging time of his career.

It goes without saying 2020 has been a year that has surprised us all, changing many facets of our industry and placing new demands on the senior people running it. Certainly, for Matthew Pitt, the early part of 2020 has been the most challenging time of his career so far, having taken the helm of the company in March.

“I’ve been with Abode for 12 years and started my career with Magnet in the mid-80s, so I have seen a fair few changes and challenges during that time.” But he adds: “Needless to say the abrupt impact of the current pandemic, and the resulting economic uncertainty have been entirely unprecedented.” Pitt continues: “We are operating in the most unpredictable trading environment I can remember, even including the 2008 credit crunch when our sector was similarly affected. The current situation will probably continue to test us all for some time, but I am confident in the strength of the Abode brand and in our financial resilience as part of Norcros Group.”

2

2. PRONTEAU PROTHIA The Pronteau Prothia Swan 3IN1 tap is the company’s slimmest, most cost-effective steaming hot water tap yet, delivering water at 98°C. The compact PB2X boiler supplied with the tap fits under the sink, to maximise on storage.

28 NOVEMBER K&BNEWS www.kandbnews.co.uk

skeleton workforce, it maintained supply to customers who continued to trade during April and May. “Actions were taken immediately to reduce costs and preserve cash, ensuring that we had sufficient liquidity to withstand a period of reduced trading activity. Although most discretionary expenditure was postponed, we gave emphasis to digital marketing and social media, maintaining contact with customers by phone, email, and live-chat on our websites.”

And Pitt explains why he felt continuing customer contact was imperative: “I imagine it must be frustrating if your usual point of contact is suddenly unavailable, particularly at a time when retailers need quick answers to complete part-finished jobs and to convert every lead.

Someone from Abode was always available, with about half of our sales team working even at the height of lockdown. We had everyone back working at the end of June, before the showrooms really got going again.”

DIY sales boost Some sales channels fared better than others during the three-month lockdown, with consumers with time on their hands suddenly turning to DIY and this was something felt by Abode too. Pitt comments: “Merchants and anyone supplying essential infrastructure reopened first. Most seemed to get social distancing measures in place at their branches quite quickly, which allowed them to service the trade with our products. Those that maintained good levels of inventory seem to be reaping the rewards now the general lockdown has been lifted.

“Elsewhere the national switch to working from home certainly created strong online demand for refurbishment projects involving sinks and taps. I think sales of Pronteau steaming water taps greatly benefited from all the extra tea and coffee being drunk at home, with more and more families upgrading from their old kettle! Instant steaming water for cooking probably started to look very appealing as more meals were prepared in the family kitchen while restaurants and pubs were closed.

Abode professional-styled taps and Pronteau therefore did particularly well online and those of our customers offering home delivery did better than expected during lockdown.”

028_KBN_NOV20_Layout 1 12/10/2020 15:57 Page 29

3

Trading gathering pace And now of course we’re heading into a ‘new normal’, so what does that look like forAbode? Is there a ‘v’ bounce in sales that many have seen?

“Trading is clearly gathering momentum now and we are running ahead of our COVID-19 operating plans,” confirms Pitt. “It’s fair to say that we are currently in a re-start phase in most of our markets. It’s about working hard with our employees, customers and suppliers to ensure everyone can get back to normal while operating safely in accordance with the relevant guidelines. Consumers are clearly investing in their homes, possibly redirecting unused holiday money and July was a really busy month for Abode. We are winning new customers and market share, building on a successful KBB exhibition in early March.”

Supporting retail showrooms Offering continued support to customers, and in particular independent showrooms is always important, and Abode’s intentions are clear. “Our ‘Distinctly Abode’ offer is being developed specifically for showrooms and features products where the ability to demonstrate and explain the benefits face-to-face is particularly important,” said Pitt. “We will continue to invest in retail displays and want to talk to all our dealers about setting up working displays of our Pronteau steaming water taps using our secondgeneration boilers. To improve the back-up service on steaming water taps we recently brought our helpline and field service engineers in-house and will now be applying a ‘no quibble’ policy on installation and after-sales support.”

3. PROPURE The ProPure 4IN1 hot water tap from Abode delivers filtered piping hot water and filtered cold water, all from the same tap. Available in a choice of spout options and five finishes.

COVID influencing design Abode is known as a design leader, so Pitt explained where the crisis had left the business heading from a product point-of-view. “We think there are a few high-level social themes which will influence product design, things like sustainability, the progressive shift towards urban living and internet connectivity. The new products we showcased at KBB this year were focussed on the way we will live in the future – smaller kitchen workstations for flats and apartments, stainless steel taps with a low carbon footprint and products like Aquifier taps and Pronteau which have additional functionality.

“Kitchens will probably now evolve to support home working. In many homes the sink has shared worktop space with laptops and school books. Taps providing steaming water and filtered drinking water are therefore likely to become a lot more popular, as are hygiene taps with touchless control.”

4

Change as opportunity And what is the outlook for 2021? “It remains to be seen how rising unemployment levels might impact consumer demand. Even the introduction of a COVID-19 vaccine might not result in a return to business as we once knew it, so I see innovation as vital. Kitchen sales in all channels are likely to have at least some element of online involvement in the future, with investment in virtual design services and augmented reality displays. I’m cautiously optimistic and if the sector can adapt, it should prosper. After all, there is still an overall housing shortage in the UK and consumers place an ever-increasing value on quality brands.”

Seeing change as an opportunity is important, as Pitt comments: “As a designfocussed business Abode is developing more and more products which reflect current fashions – bronze and copper metallic finishes for example. We also see a competitive advantage in our ability to deliver single items economically to a showroom or trade counter on very short lead times, including ceramic sinks.

Abode also has a growing business delivering direct to consumers’ homes, servicing online sales and shortening lead times for retailers.

“Many aspects of our business have had to be adapted to meet the challenges of the pandemic, so if there is a learning point for me I suppose it is to embrace change as a fact of life.

What retailers ask us for is reliable service, quality products and distinctive designs. Abode is committed to delivering. Hopefully, we are a brand which customers can trust in these uncertain times.”

5

4. MATRIX

5. TUBIST

The Abode Matrix R15 is one of a range of stainless-steel sinks which can be undermounted or inset. Using pressing technology, it creates precise edges and almost square radiuses.

Created for industrial-inspired kitchens, the Tubist range of kitchen taps come as a single lever model or single lever with pull-out spout option. In addition, the Tubist mixer tap also comes as a Professional Pullaround With Detachable Spray option. It comes in a range of special finishes, including Matt Black, Polished Copper and Brushed Nickel.

www.kandbnews.co.uk K&BNEWS NOVEMBER

29

030_KBN_NOV20_Layout 1 12/10/2020 14:25 Page 30

BUSINESS

SME ADVICE

Company matters

Offering support for independent kitchen and bathroom firms because your business is our business

MARKETING How to gain consumer trust Here’s a question you’ve probably asked yourself on many an occasion: In a world full of media spin, fake news, rogue traders, scams and spam, how do you get your prospects to trust you?

It’s a vital question. You see, trust is perhaps the most vital commodity in 21st-century commerce. And in the KBB world, where there’s big money at stake, it’s even more critical.

There’s no one answer to the question, but one thing that’s definitely a part of the solution is online reviews.

Critical online reviews Here’s a few key stats to back that point up: 씰 90% of consumers say online reviews are of major importance to them when deciding where to buy products and services 씰 72% say that positive reviews make them trust a business more 씰 Over 50% of people won’t consider a company if there are too few reviews The long and short of it is this – if you don’t have any online reviews, then 9 out of 10 people simply won’t consider transacting with you. And unless you have a decent number of reviews,

Expert: David Barker Company: InspireKbb Background: David Barker is managing director of InspireKbb, a sales and marketing consultancy for kitchen and bathroom firms. Barker has over 25 years’ experience, with his areas of specialism including branding and positioning through offline and online platforms to generate tangible sales results.

His family owned a kitchen and bathroom showroom for 15 years and he helped increase revenue eight-fold through sales and marketing techniques.

Contact: www.rdr.link/KU033

30 NOVEMBER K&BNEWS www.kandbnews.co.uk

more than 5 out of 10 people won’t contact you.

As a rule of thumb, you should aim to have 10 reviews for every year you’ve been in business.

At least five per year is still solid. So, if you’re not playing the review game, you’ve lost before you’ve even started.

The good news is that it’s never been easier to get reviews. Platforms like Google, Facebook, Houzz and Trustpilot make it simple for your clients to leave feedback, meaning without any technical know-how, you can have your customer comments online, pushing prospects in your direction.

Gaining online reviews Over the past year, we’ve developed an extremely effective strategy for soliciting positive online reviews and there are three key elements to our approach, which you can take and use in your business. 씰 Ask for them

It’s all very well bemoaning the number of reviews you’ve got, but as the saying goes, ‘if you don’t ask, you don’t get’. And you should indicate early in the relationship that you would like a review following completion of their project. However, a personalised post-

transaction email campaign will help ensure that you offer your key customers the best chance to leave a review. 씰 Make them specific

The least useful reviews are the ones that say something like ‘Great service, thanks.’ Encourage your customers to be specific about your service and what they loved about it – this will help prospects build up a picture of what it’s actually like to work with you. 씰 Deal with spurious reviews.

It’s tremendously difficult to get Google to remove a review – even when you know that it’s false, it’s also important to realise a bad review is likely to have a bigger impact than a good review. In other words, you do need to deal with them. The best way to do that is to ‘push them down’ by soliciting more positive reviews – better and more recent reviews will overshadow a bad review. You’ll eliminate the damage phoney reviews can do to your business.

The truth is, reviews are critical today, especially in an uncertain economic climate. If you haven’t really engaged with them yet, then it’s high time that changed.

030_KBN_NOV20_Layout 1 12/10/2020 10:18 Page 31

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT What do KBB firms want from candidates?

It is a challenging year for all companies in the KBB industry but with retail showrooms busy and manufacturers responding to `pent up` demand, employers are in need of people, and they need them today. Whilst an immediate start is desirable in a busy marketplace, it is our experience that clients are looking for very specific criteria, when searching for talented individuals to add to their teams. 씰 Contact book

As well as relevant industry experience, one of the first things a KBB employer will look for is the candidate`s contacts, the number of referrals or recommendations they can bring. If you’re someone with a ‘black book’ of contacts, this could make you `self-financing`, which is music to the ears of an employer. 씰 Longevity of service

Longevity of past employment is also vitally important. There is a trend to dismiss some people who ‘job hop’ every year. We know firsthand that employers are looking for candidates who are loyal and show a longer duration on their CVs. 씰 Mention redundancy

Many experienced and skilled people are unfortunately facing redundancy due to the COVID-19 pandemic – if this is you, we would encourage you to mention if this is the specific reason for the redundancy on your CV. Being a

SOCIAL MEDIA 5 ways to build social media engagement victim of COVID factor redundancy is something we would encourage you to talk about. Raising this early in your discussions can help you reassure the hiring manager of the reasons why your company has decided on redundancy. 씰 Video skills

Video interviews are increasingly common, so brush up on your camera skills, or why not produce your own video CV. Employers will appreciate your grasp of technology and willingness to adapt to the current situation. 씰 Portfolio

Employers are also looking for candidates that stand out from the pack. Put yourself in their shoes – what would you want to see?

Testimonials are a great way of letting an employer know of the fantastic service you’ve previously given to your clients. How about a portfolio to show off your design skills to a retailer or proof of previous sales figures to show a manufacturer what you can do?

At Simon Acres Recruitment we believe that ‘People Build Business’ and this is more important than ever. Employers are looking for people that fit with their own business values and, maybe even more importantly, show they can be flexible and adapt as we continue to navigate the future uncertainties.

Expert: Jordan Burns Company: Simon Acres Group Background: Jordan Burns is KBB and merchant new business manager at recruitment, training and media consultancy Simon Acres Group. He has recently been named a young freeman of the Furniture Makers’ Company. Burns will act as an ambassador when working with young people in education to inspire creativity, nuture talent and connect the next generation of designers and makers.

Contact: www.rdr.link/KU034

If you struggle with engagement on social media, then here are five top tips to help you build relationships with your followers. These can be used across any platform – LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram or Facebook – and include posting, commenting, responding, liking and searching. 씰 Post

It goes without saying you need to actually post content to your platforms to garner any sort of engagement; after all, nobody will know you are there if you don’t! In an ideal world, you would be posting at least once a day to each platform, but do not panic if you miss a day.

Just try and keep it consistent, and maybe consider using a scheduling tool to help you. 씰 Comment

Leave thoughtful comments on other peoples’ posts. Social media is designed to be sociable, so try and have a conversation with followers and those you follow. Emojis are fine, but your comment will need words to help show those pesky algorithms what you like. 씰 Respond

Unless your comment has hundreds of posts, it is only polite to try and respond to as many as you can. This all counts with the platform as engagement and so your post is shown to more people. 씰 Like

The like button is there to show you content and tempt you into engaging with it. It also means the platform “learns” the sort of content you like and will show you more of it, and make suggestions of other accounts to follow or content to engage with. 씰 Search

You get out what you put in. So, spend some time searching out your social media target audience. This is where your hashtags come in handy. You can equally be found using hashtags, but if you put in too many your content will simply be lost in the dreaded algorithm, and your post becomes an absolute headache to try and read. So stick to two hashtags for Twitter, three hashtags for LinkedIn, five hashtags for Facebook and up to 30 for Instagram, but in a separate comment and not the post.

Expert: Anna Rump or #thesocialmedialady Company: Amelia Rose Media Background: Social media consultant Anna Rump, of Amelia Rose Media, works with lifestyle brands to help boost their income.

She has recently taken engagement on social media, for one company, from under 1% to over 20% in three months, and brought in sales worth over £50,000. Anna Rump achieved this in under 90 posts across just three platforms.

Contact: www.rdr.link/KU035

www.kandbnews.co.uk K&BNEWS NOVEMBER

31

032_KBN_NOV20_Layout 1 12/10/2020 10:14 Page 32

NEWS & VIEWS

LAST WORD

Listen.

Understand.

Be supportive Managing director of Quooker UK Stephen Johnson says the industry must unite and help each other during these challenging times

The COVID crisis has undoubtedly shaken our industry, with considerable and persistent financial pressures and staff welfare strains placed on retailers, manufacturers and businesses across the country. With thousands of showrooms and manufacturing plants shut, staff placed on furlough and resultant redundancies, we’ve undergone some of the toughest trading conditions this industry has ever had to face.

At Quooker, we too have felt the strain the crisis has placed on the industry. We’ve seen firsthand how it has affected smaller, independent retailers and how changing consumer habits have dramatically impacted sales.

A crisis like the coronavirus pandemic is a crossroads for leaders. It may sound like a simplification of the situation, but at such a crossroads, you can go in one of two directions.

Shrivel up and remain inward focused, or work together sharing expertise and resources, to help the industry re-build, recover and thrive. It’s essential companies and retailers unite and do what they can for the industry.

Helping dealers On March 23 all the showrooms shut, and because of this, business was effectively shut too unless it could work in another way.

32 NOVEMBER K&BNEWS www.kandbnews.co.uk

Immediately we went to the drawing board, took legal advice as to what we could do, and looked at how we were going to be affected in every area; how our staff, business, dealers and their customers were going to be affected, so we could devise a strategy for each.

Throughout lockdown, we launched a number of initiatives to help our dealers, installers and the wider KBB network. Back in March, we launched our KBB helpline which sought to partner struggling retailers with industry heavyweights to share resources and expertise. We then introduced our ‘COVID-19: Quooker Support for Businesses’ scheme which offered dealers the ability to freeze accounts for a period of up to three months. We’ve also pledged £200,000 media spend to support the wider kitchen industry, encouraging consumers to return to the high street and driving footfall to showrooms in two separate initiatives.

We also launched a new VIP virtual installation offer. With the aim of delivering uncompromised quality of care, this service guides consumers through the installation process by remote one-to-one virtual application. Using Quooker’s augmented reality app, consumers can visualise how any design or finish will look in situ before purchasing. Orders can then be placed as usual from retailers

nationwide, at a discounted rate; Quooker will then ship within 48 hours, without a delivery charge. Consumers will be guided through the installation process by a certified Quooker installer within a two-hour window. Not only does this initiative give consumers unhindered access to market-leading boiling water taps, but it also strives to keep as many independent installers in the industry working as possible.

Stock shortages I have a huge amount of sympathy for those companies facing issues with stock and factory closure; it’s difficult. Every manufacturer wants to deliver to its dealers. Just as the dealers need help with the payments of invoices, the manufacturers need support to get themselves back on their feet after being closed.

So, I encourage everyone in the industry to work as a team. Listen, understand and be supportive to each other. COVID is here for the long-term, we need to get used to it and we’re going to have to live with it. Though I think the balance is completely wrong at the moment, I have no doubt it will correct itself over time. In terms of the kitchen industry, the kitchen is a product you touch, feel and buy so I have no concerns whatsoever, our industry is going to be seriously damaged or changed.

033_KBN_NOV20_Layout 1 12/10/2020 11:17 Page 33

MARKET PLACE

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

Design Software

Kitchen Manufacturers

KITCHEN COMPANY LTD

Worktops

Kitchen Manufacturers

NEWS, I N S P I R AT I O N AND LIFESTYLE The online destination for kitchens and bathrooms.

W W W. K A N D B N E W S . C O . U K

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

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

@kandbnews

www.facebook.com/kandbnews/

W www.kandbnews.co.uk www.kandbnews.co.uk K&BNEWS NOVEMBER

33

034_KBN_NOV20_Layout 1 12/10/2020 10:12 Page 34

NEWS & VIEWS

MAKING HEADLINES

Top 3 website stories

What has been driving Kitchens & Bathrooms News website traffic?

Here are the three stories with the biggest hits in September on www.kandbnews.co.uk Roper Rhodes names new MD Bathroom supplier Roper Rhodes has announced Leigh Leather as managing director, succeeding Paul Roper who has spent 30 years working for the company. Currently group sales director, Leather has been with the company for over seven years and has 25 years’ experience in the bathroom sector. He started out in the industry with Kohler Mira in 1994, before joining Grohe where he held several senior roles. www.rdr.link/KU036

1 2

Houzz reports 80% increase in home projects Home renovation and design platform Houzz has announced an 80% increase, overall, in UK project leads for home professionals during July, as compared with the same period in 2019. House builders and architects experienced an increase in demand of 129% and 113% respectively. Home extension projects more than quadrupled (up 331%) and demand for kitchen and bathrooms increased by 62% and 55%, respectively. www.rdr.link/KU037

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

DURAVIT

www.duravit.co.uk

Falmec launches controversial promotion Kitchen appliance brand Falmec has launched a promotion for its Bellaria combined air purifier and lamp, with a leaflet which stated “This £1,000 lamp yours for £5000”, causing controversy in the industry.

Dealers were quick to notice the statement and responded with quips, such as “did someone get carried away with zeros?”

However, the statement was purposely designed to cut through emails and referred to the fact Bellaria will be offered free of charge with a minimum order of £5,000. www.rdr.link/KU038

ADVERTISEMENT INDEX Bette GmbH & Co .................................... (page 23)

KALDEWEI

BIKBBI ...................................... (inside back cover)

DURAVIT AND CECILIE MANZ EXPAND THE SUCCESSFUL LUV SERIES WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF ALMOND SATIN MATT The Luv series created for Duravit

by Danish designer Cecilie Manz invokes the Scandinavian concept of living with a sense of wellbeing. Carefully conceived materials that appeal to the sense of touch and a harmonious colour palette help to complete the overall picture.

This is reflected in the new furniture colour Almond Satin Matt; with its interplay of light colours and natural shades combined with the different console surfaces, in quartz or solid wood creating a calm interior which exudes elegance.

3

Crown Products .................................. (back cover) Elica Division............................................ (page 26) Franke UK Ltd .......................................... (page 15) Geberit Ltd .................................................. (page 4) Geberit Ltd ................................................ (page 20) Lakes .......................................................... (page 11) Mereway Kitchens .................................. (page 17) KALDEWEI #NATURAL UNION FOR MING & MIENA Introducing new editions of Miena with a playful stylish colour contrast, available in: “Soft Touch” Mint, “Sweet Love“ Pink, “Deep Dream“ Petrol, “Navy-Blue“ matte and 13 more colours.

The new washbasin; Ming is the embodiment of subtle sophistication. The convex lines form an elegant silhouette, whist the classic black-and-white colour range acts as a perfect setting for creative design. The new Ming washbasin comes in four different variations: matte lava black, classic lava black, matte alpine white and classic alpine white.

The new collection has been photographed by Bryan Adams under the theme #NaturalUnion.

www.kaldewei.co.uk

Neolith Distribution SL ...... (inside front cover) Reginox UK Ltd ........................................ (page 13) Samsung (UK) Ltd ...................................... (page 7) Samsung (UK) Ltd ...................................... (page 9) Viega............................................................ (page 12)

PRODUCT SHOWCASE Duravit........................................................ (page 34) Kaldewei UK Ltd ...................................... (page 34)

34 NOVEMBER K&BNEWS www.kandbnews.co.uk

Project1_Layout 1 21/10/2019 14:25 Page 1

KBN page GRID NEW SIZE_Layout 1 07/10/2020 08:52 Page 1