Kitchens & Bathrooms News July-August 19

KI TCHENS &

BATHROOMS NEWS THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR KITCHEN & BATHROOM PROFESSIONALS

JULY/AUGUST 2019

SHOWER ENCLOSURES Raising the style stakes for retail

SMART APPLIANCES How connectivity will shape sales and showroom experiences

WARE BATHROOM CENTRE Fight back following fire ●●

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

No 141 Vol 13 JULY/AUGUST 2019

22 30 36 KITCHENS Connected appliances ......................................................18 Just out ..................................................................................22

contents NEWS & VIEWS First word ..................................................................................3 News ........................................................................................4

BATHROOMS Shower enclosures................................................................26 Just out ..................................................................................30

NECESSITIES Tiling........................................................................................32

Out & about............................................................................8 Just out ..................................................................................36 People....................................................................................10 Inbox ......................................................................................12 Talking shop: Toby Griffin ......................................................13

DESIGN Design know-how ................................................................38

Interview: Minyeok Bu ..........................................................16 Most wanted ........................................................................17

BUSINESS

Competition: KitchenAid ....................................................44

Reader profile: Ware Bathroom Centre ............................40

Last word: BMA ....................................................................45

Supplier profile: Westin ........................................................42 www.kandbnews.co.uk K&BNEWS JULY/AUGUST

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first word

NEWS & VIEWS

Tomorrow’s clients - today With uncertainty over the next Prime Minister, Brexit still lumbering on and a question mark having been raised over the future of the Bathstore business, thank goodness retailers can count on their customers. The affluent Baby Boomer generation, with high levels of disposable income and willingness to invest in their home has long been the focus for the kitchen and bathroom industry. But is this now old news?

Marketeers and now manufacturers are already looking at the next global spending power – the Millennials (born between 1981 to 1996, according to US Research Group PEW). So shouldn’t retailers start attracting the next generation into their store?

No longer children or students, the millennial consumer is reaching the age where households are formed, babies are being born and money is being spent on settling down and not just going out. As reported in the FT, they are the biggest global generation and have more spending power than Baby Boomers. And by 2020 Millennials will have a collective spending power of $1.4trillion.

The Millennial consumer differs from the Baby Boomer and therefore have different expectations. Read any report and it will tell you they are more adventurous, enjoy experiences more than just owning stuff, value authenticity and are more tech savvy having grown up with the internet and social media.

It may need a change in retailing mindset. But for the switched-on retailer, millennials present new and exciting opportunities to entice them, and are a profitable consumer group to explore.

The kitchen and bathroom retail channel is perfectly poised to meet the need of the Millennial, offering Instragrammable environments which can be replicated in a customer’s home. They can offer retailtainment through Virtual Reality CAD and showrooms already provide the basis of pop-up events, such as cookery courses and wine tastings, Simply keeping an eye on social media, retailers can tailor their offer to meet the tastes of the adventurous foodie Millennial consumer. Think plant-based cuisine, low or no-alcohol cocktails and even pickled foods such as Kombuchi.

Creating a destination store with an #instaperfect environment and offering retailtainment not only attracts the Millennial consumer, of course. If retailers have a razorsharp focus on the experience they offer instore it will benefit all consumers, no matter their age.

KBN LIKES …to hear of growth in the kitchen and bathroom markets, with MTW reporting a £40million boost to bathroom sales and Wren investing £120million in manufacturing

KBN DISLIKES …Whirlpool Group tumble dryers are hitting the headlines again and hopes the proposed recall will help draw the matter to an end

KBN WANTS …you to join us in our next live Twitter chat #KBNConvo. Simply follow us at @kandbnews to find out the monthly topics and share your thoughts and opinions to create a stronger industry

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

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NEWS & VIEWS

making headlines

“Unprecedented” move to recall up to 500,000 appliances

IN BRIEF ■ Congratulations to Janine Barton, owner of interior design practice See It In Style, in London, who has won the Hotpoint ActiveCare competition featured in our May issue. She correctly answered Hotpoint ActiveCare technology removes 100 stains at 20°C. Janine Barton wins the Hotpoint ActiveCare 10kg washing machine.

■ UK entrepreneur Baroness Michelle Mone OBE has been named the keynote speaker at the 2019 Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association (Kbsa) Conference, AGM and Awards dinner. The trade association’s conference will be held on September 25 at the Stratford Manor Hotel, Stratford-upon-Avon, and will be followed by the Kbsa Designer Awards dinner hosted by Kevin Keegan OBE. Read more on this story at

www.rdr.link/KG001 ■ Brassware manufacturer Vado has scooped Brand Innovation of the Year from bathroom and plumbing merchants’ buying group PHG, as part of its annual Suppliers Awards. The Brand Innovation Award recognises enthusiasm, differentiation and identifies what makes each company stand out. Held at Carden Park in Cheshire, the awards were presented by PHG chairman David Pochin. Find out more at

www.rdr.link/KG002

Government tells Whirlpool to recall tumble dryers The Government is set to serve a recall notice of up to 500,000 Hotpoint, Indesit and Creda tumble dryers which could pose a fire risk Business minister Kelly Tolhurst announced the “unprecedented” move in the House of Commons.

She was responding to Conservative MP Andrew Griffiths who told MPs he was concerned about whether people still had “unsafe products” in their homes.

The recall comes four years after the Whirlpool Group issued a warning when it found selected Hotpoint, Indesit and Creda dryers had a fault.

Rachel Reeve MP, chair of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee, commented on the recall: “Finally, over a year since we called for a recall of defective machines and 18 months since the BEIS Committee reported on

Whirlpool’s inadequate response to safety flaws, the Government is at last showing some teeth and taking long overdue action on Whirlpool.”

She continued: “The company’s modification of defective machines has proceeded at a snail’s pace, leaving up to half a million unmodified and potentially unsafe dryers still in peoples’ homes.”

Rachel Reeve MP added: “It’s not clear what has prompted this belated recall announcement – the Government needs to set out why they have taken this action and how they meet ongoing concerns about those machines which have been modified.”

In April, the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), published a report which stated modified Whirlpool Group tumble dryers posed a low risk of harm.

It urged Whirlpool to “reach

consumers in more creative ways” to minimise the risk of faulty machines still being in peoples’ homes.

A Whirlpool Corporation statement read: “Safety is our number one priority and we remain committed to resolving any affected tumble dryers that have not yet been modified.”

It continued: “The crucial message to anyone who still owns an affected dryer and has not already had it modified by Whirlpool is to contact us immediately on 0800 151 0905.”

The statement concluded:“In the meantime, anyone with an affected dryer that has not been modified should unplug it and not use it until the modification has been completed.”

Retailer operation is running normally

Bathstore: “Business as usual” Installers working with bathstore have been reassured by the retail chain that it’s “business as usual”.

It confirmed the operation is running normally, despite national news reporting the company was on the brink of collapse.

According to a story by Sky News and The Guardian, Bathstore has lined up advisory firm BDO. Bathstore’s annual report and financial statements for the year ended July 2017, reported against sales of £144million, it delivered an EBITDA loss of £4.1million, before £18million of exceptional costs.

The total income for the year was a loss of £29.3million.

Bathstore reported price pressure caused by the decline of Sterling

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following the Brexit vote and a “marked reduction in consumer confidence” led to a decline in sales for the company.

The bathroom showroom retailer stated: “The pressures experienced during the financial year continued beyond July 2017, and well into the current financial year, which has been particularly challenging throughout.”

On July 10, 2018 the company recieved a £15million from its ultimate shareholder and extended the maturity of previous loans to July 31, 2019.

Founded by Patrick Riley and Nico de Beer, Bathstore opened its first shop in Croydon, Surrey.

Having developed into a multioutlet operation, the business was sold to merchant business Wolseley

After a decade of expansion, Bathstore was then acquired by private equity firm Endless LLP for £15million in 2012.

It changed hands a couple of years later, when it was sold as part of a management buyout to American billionaire Warren Stephens.

The company instated Ian Herritt as CEO on May 2018, succeeding Gary Favell who spent six years at the helm, Bathstore employs 700 people across 168 stores, including its Welwyn Garden City HQ.

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Plans to create 1.200 jobs

Wren Kitchens invests £120m in manufacturing Retailer Wren Kitchens is investing over £120million in its fourth manufacturing plant, and aims to create up to 1,200 new jobs at its Barton-upon-Humber headquarters.

It is submitting a planning application for a 910,000 sqft facility

to be built behind the existing factory on part of its 180-acre site.

From opening its first showroom 10 years ago, Wren Kitchens now has 79 showrooms nationwide.

According to the company, it requires this new facility to keep up

with its future expansion plans.

Wren Kitchens currently employs more than 1,500 people at its headquarters in Barton, with another 1,000 employed at its sites in Scunthorpe, Howden and in Hull.

Managing director of Wren Kitchens Mark Pullan, said: “This project will be the largest single investment in Wren’s history and having considered different locations both across the UK and abroad, we believe that developing the existing site in Barton-upon-Humber provides us with the best solution.

“The new factory demonstrates our

commitment to manufacturing in the UK and particularly in the Humber Region.

“We believe that continual reinvestment in our business is essential to maintaining our current growth rate and subject to receiving planning approval, the project will be funded internally.”

Aside from creating new manufacturing roles, Wren will also be developing new positions in IT development, engineering, customer service and product development to keep pace with growing customer demand.

Higher value products underpin optimism

V888 Kitchen made by Formitalia

£40million growth for bathroom market

Luxury car brand Aston Martin unveils first kitchen collection

Bathroom sales will grow by around £40million in 2019, with real term growth returning in 2020 for most product sectors, as revealed by a report from MTW Resesarch.

Based on data from 130 bathroom suppliers, it identified rising ‘pent up demand’ in the bathroom market and highlighted growing latent demand for several sectors.

According to MTW Research Bathroom retailers reported healthy enquiries, but consumers have remained reticent due to Brexit and economic uncertainties.

Discussing the report, MTW director Mark Waddy pointed to “strong fundamentals for the bathroom market bubbling under the surface.”

He explained: “400,000 first time buyers in 2019, rising disposable incomes, consumers delaying bathroom refits for three years, growth in experiential bathroom retailing and some great product innovation across the bathroom market are just some trends waiting to boost bathroom sales as soon as Brexit uncertainties are resolved.”

However, MTW identified a growing polarisation of the bathroom market, with higher value products underpinning optimism for bathroom retailers.

The report also discussed bathroom design trends with the room’s evolution as a ‘retreat’ giving way to more multi-faceted demands in terms of multigenerational users and meeting design trends It highlighted bathroom furniture, rising sophistication of bathroom lighting, shifting DIY market, and mix and match trends in brassware.

Find out more about the report at

www.rdr.link/KG055

Luxury car manufacturer Aston Martin has unveiled its first kitchen collection – the V888 Kitchen.

Made by premium Italian furniture and accessories manufacturer Formitalia, it combines leather, marble and wood in its design.

The V888 Kitchen features an island unit which is made from Pulpis Marble and Canaletto Walnut worktops.

Electrically operated, the Canaletto worktop slides to reveal the sink, induction hob and downdraft

extractor concealed beneath it.

The side of the island is upholstered in Cuoio leather and the lacquered storage drawers feature leather details.

A wall unit complements the island, and the V888 Kitchen collection is completed by a pantry & bar, which features pocket doors that open to reveal two storage drawers and a marble worktop.

Find out more about the Aston Martin V888 Kitchen at

www.rdr.link/KG056

www.kandbnews.co.uk K&BNEWS JULY/AUGUST

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NEWS & VIEWS

making headlines

Egyptian brand manufactures sanitaryware

IN BRIEF ■ Bathroom manufacturer Geberit has announced a collaboration with five UK interiors influencers, as part of its ‘Inspired by Geberit’ campaign. It will team up with Instagrammers Come Down to the Woods, Malmo & Moss, Pink House Living, The Space Maker Interiors, alongside Victoria Road Restoration. Geberit has also launched a microsite offering homeowners top tips. See more at

www.rdr.link/KG003 ■ British bath manufacturer BC Designs is celebrating its 20th year of trading and has plans for “ambitious growth”, investing in a HQ showroom and product portfolio. The investment plans also include an expanded warehouse, which it says will “better serve its retailers.” Read more on this at www.rdr.link/KG004 ■ Retail influencer Cate Trotter has been named as headline speaker at the Bathroom & Kitchen Business Conference, taking place at Carden Park Hotel in Cheshire on October 8.

Founder and head of trends at retail futures agency Insider Trends,Trotter has helped brands such as Chanel, Galeries Lafayette, Marks & Spencer, Swarovski, Fujitsu, Samsung, Mercedes, Nike, Lego, Johnson & Johnson, Levi’s and EE. See more on this story at

www.rdr.link/KG054

JP Kitchens & Bathrooms exclusive UK agent for Cleopatra Distributor JP Kitchens & Bathrooms has signed an exclusivity agreement with Egyptian-based ceramic manufacturer Cleopatra to supply its White Ville European sanitaryware to the UK. It forms part of JPD’s objectives to attract sales from pure play bathroom retailers, as well as independent builders’ merchants.

Based on the outskirts of Cairo, Ceramica Cleopatra is an Egyptian manufacturer of ceramic and porcelain wall and floor tiles and sanitaryware for residential and commercial properties.

Established in 1983, it has 17 plants in the North West Gulf of Suez and Tenth of Ramadan City, employs 25,000 people, and the business now exports to 108 countries.

White Ville is a collection of bathroom ceramic designs, created by

a team of international award-winning designers. The designers include SwissFrench born David Emmanuel Michaud, who holds patents for his performance sportswear designs.

He has been joined by Italian designer Nilo Gioacchini, who has worked on bathroom projects with his ‘Mobile Totale’ now on permanent exhibition in the MOMA Museum of Modern Arts in New York.

The design team line-up also includes Luca Cimarra, an architectural designer who won the Design Plus 2007 award at ISH. Managing director for JP Kitchens & Bathrooms Graham Bucktrout said: “We are very excited to be taking White Ville ceramic into stock.”

He continued: “It’s a well-designed range of ceramic, with European styling that will suit the UK market.

“Coupled with a price-led range of

commercial ceramic, it will cover the requirements of all our customer types.

“One can not help but be impressed by the scale of the Cleopatra operation in Egypt but it is their desire to tailor their designs to cater for all markets that really impressed us. That, coupled with the quality of product they produce.”

Graham Bucktrout added: “We have been in talks for a number of months now and are excited to be launching the product in the summer of 2019.”

Paul Bence, MD of George Bence Group, will be chair

BMF launches Kitchen & Bathroom Forum The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) has launched the Kitchen & Bathroom Forum, bringing together members with responsibility for these product areas.

It will be chaired by Paul Bence, managing director of the George Bence Group.

His original role in the family-run business was with Obsidian, its awardwinning retail brand.

The Group’s lightside business now encompasses multiple retail and trade showrooms with specification and design teams.

Paul took over as MD in 2010 and is an active member of the Fortis Buying Group, where he is trading director of all showroom business.

Commenting on his appointment,

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Paul Bence said: “Product diversification is an important aspect of the merchant industry, especially amongst the shrinking margins associated with the traditional commodity building material products.

“The BMF has clearly embraced the sector by creating this Forum.

Personally I am honoured that the BMF

has asked me to chair the group and I look forward to engaging in insightful conversation around the kitchen and bathroom supply chain.”

BMF CEO John Newcomb said: “Paul is the ideal chair for the K&B Forum, both for his knowledge of and success within the sector and for the breadth of his contacts amongst merchants and suppliers with an interest in this increasingly important area.

“The Forum concept is greatly appreciated by BMF members and the launch of the K&B Forum means we are now running 14 of these successful special interest groups.”

The first Kitchen & Bathroom Forum will be held on November 12 2019 at Roca’s conference and showroom facility in Leicester.

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Sale of HPL manufacturer completed

Broadview completes Formica acquisition Broadview Holding has completed the acquisition of the Formica Group from Fletcher Building.

Manufacturer of high pressure laminate surfacing, Formica Group is a global brand and has a network of design, manufacturing, distribution and sales operations.

It was established in 1913 and was acquired by Australian and New Zealand building company Fletcher Building in May 2007.

The sale of Formica Group businesses in Europe, includes Formica Prima, North America and Asia, as well as Homapal laminates company in Germany, and was announced on December 18, 2018.

These will join Broadview Holding’s existing surface materials businesses, which include the likes of Arpa, Trespa and Westag.

Combining Formica’s brand and distribution network with the technology base and product portfolio of its sister companies will “aid long term growth of the business”, reports Broadview.

It will also mean Formica customers will be able to access proprietary products from the likes of Arpa, Trespa and Westag brands.

In addition, Broadview Holdings says there will be strengthened investment in the development of surface solutions.

Broadview is a member of HAL Holding, which is listed on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange, and is worth around €11billion.

Prior to the Formica Group acquisition, Broadview Holding

employed around 2,900 people worldwide and had combined sales of around €700million.

The combined group now sees it boasting a turnover of €1.2billion and employing around 6,000 employees.

“Whether shower enclosure companies have their products made for them, or they manufacture as Lakes does in its own factory, most companies import, mostly from China. So, all brands have to factor in shipping, long lead times, port access, currency movements - and road haulage for the final leg of the journey - so customers can sell without disruption.

“There have been fewer delays caused by ships being diverted from UK ports, but it can take 48 hours getting through French ports as customs officials start flexing their

muscles. The Road Haulage Association says there are not enough HGV drivers in the UK, and many EU nationals are returning home because their markets are good, wages are improving and there’s plenty of work.

“Many companies built up their stocks in Q1 to unprecedented levels to ensure continuity of supply in time for an unruly EU exit on March 29. But carrying and funding up to five and half months’ stock in the short term is quite different from carrying it through to October 31, the postponed exit date or beyond.”

Sales tracker

The Builders Merchant Building Index reports strong Q1 for merchant kitchen and bathroom sales Total Builders’ Merchants value sales were up 5.9% in the first quarter of 2019, compared with Q1 2018. Product categories that grew strongly included Timber & Joinery, up 6.6%, Heavy Building Materials, up 6.8%, and Landscaping, which saw value growth of 15.6% as the year got off to a better start than 2018 with the milder weather. Bathrooms & Kitchens sales were up 1.1% year-on-year.

Compared with Q4 2018, Total Builders Merchants’ sales in Q1 2019 increased by 1.9%, but average sales a day (which take into account the difference in trading days) were 3.0% lower over the same period. Sales in the Kitchens & Bathrooms category were up 4.7% on the previous quarter, achieving a higher growth rate than many other categories.

Total sales in March 2019 were up 8.3%, with the milder weather

impacting positively compared to the same period last year. Kitchens & Bathrooms sales were up by 2.1%.

Product categories that displayed the highest growth year-on-year were those related to external work. Timber & Joinery was up by 9.2% and Heavy Building Materials by 9.4%, while landscaping saw an even greater increase at 25.6% in March.

Sales & marketing director of Lakes and BMBI’s Expert for Shower Enclosures & Showering Mike Tattam said: “Much as we’d like to, it’s hard to block out the effects of Brexit on our lives and businesses. Businesses are frustrated by having to divert their time and focus from helping customers compete more effectively and grow, to focusing on minimising the potential disruption and delays from one of these outcomes so they can compete at all.

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NEWS & VIEWS making headlines

Out & about

We took to the streets of London’s EC1 postcode to visit the 10th edition of Clerkenwell Design Week Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Clerkenwell Design Week welcomed architects and designers to the EC1 postcode area of London. Over the three-day event, design professionals could visit an array of exhibitions from Design Fields Platform, Project, Elements, through to Detail, British Collection and Light. The exhibitions were complemented by a programme of topic-led talks at resident showrooms, and these were all linked by a design trail featuring installations commissioned for the event. Read our 13 bathroom and kitchen highlights of products, talks and showrooms from Clerkwenwell Design Week at

www.rdr.link/KF005

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NEWS & VIEWS people

1. BRANDT KITCHENS Retailer Brandt Kitchens has expanded its projects team with Georgina Robbins, who will work on residential and contract interiors. With 12 years’ industry experience, she has spent the past decade working in bespoke interior design. Robbins has expertise in design creativity, ergonomic space planning, brand selection and use of materials, all with a detail-orientated focus.

2. HANSGROHE Anke Sohn has been named as head of global brand marketing for Hansgrohe’s designer brand Axor. She will report directly to Olivier Sagno, vice president for marketing at the Hansgrohe Group. Most recently, Sohn led the international marketing team for VitrA in Switzerland, where she was responsible for Germany, Austria, Switzerland and various growth markets.

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Showering manufacturer Roman has appointed Graham Speed as commercial director. He joined Roman 20 years ago and has worked in various positions within the company, including manufacturing and commercial positions, prior to his new appointment. In addition, he has also undertaken several qualifications in engineering, business and management.

4. TLW Yorkshire-based LED manufacturer TLW has appointed Marcel Ashmore as business development manager. He joins the company with several years of sales experience working within the care products business. Ashmore will become a key contact for training, support and knowledge for his customers, allowing them to improve the look of spaces using lighting.

5. VITRA Bathroom manufacturer VitrA has appointed Delia Lakwera as specifications manager.

She has more than a decade of experience working in the bathroom industry, having joined the company from THG Paris where Lakwera worked as an architectural specifications consultant. Prior to that, she was employed by Vola as an architectural specifications consultant for four years.

6. KUDOS Katie Hodgson has been appointed as marketing manager for UK manufacturer Kudos Shower Products. Based at its Head Office in Cumbria, she’ll be reporting to sales & marketing director, Nick Graville. Hodgson studied Marketing Management at Copenhagen Business Academy and has joined the team at Kudos from the wallcoverings industry.

7. GDHA Glen Dimplex Home Appliances (GDHA) has appointed Andy Warren as head of channel for kitchen specialists. He was formerly sales and marketing director at Sharp Home Appliances, part of Vestel UK. Warren brings a wealth of experience to the role, having spent eight years at Sharp Consumer Electronics and prior to that 16 years working for Sony.

8. SALICE UK Salice UK has announced a new appointment to its expanding sales team with the addition of Chris Steel as southern sales manager. He joins Salice with 30 years’ sales experience, having previously held positions with Egger, Proadec and Isaac Lord.

Working with designers, architects and specifiers, Steel will play a key role in maintaining Salice’s sales growth.

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NEWS & VIEWS

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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

@Bette_UK

@kandbnews VIEWS: Kitchen and bathroom retailers be transparent and explain all costs to your customers urges Emily Rowland of Park House Kitchens

What’s your prediction for the return of colour to the bathroom? A slow burn or a dramatic explosion? Great article on colour in May’s @kandbnews featuring our new Blue Satin colour. (Read www.rdr.link/KG006) And did you know many of Bette’s products can be selected in any of 500 colours?

@DesignByHelium Our quotes are completely itemised and I always get compliments from clients about how easy it is for them to make a decision and to pick the items that they want

@kandbnews We are hosting our live Twitter chat #KBNConvo on June 25 12-1 and will be talking about sales versus design.

Can one truly survive without the other? So what is the difference, then, between designers and salespeople? @BeardonGlenn One works in Wren and the other works in a family-run, independent showroom

@ec1bathrooms We have always offered different finishes for quite a few years before it became popular.

Now it’s so popular, it’s hard to keep up with it all. Visit our London showroom and you’ll see more finishes from all major brands than anywhere else, as we love them.

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

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@kandbnews DESIGN: What makes a modern version of a classical kitchen? We explain all…

(Read www.rdrlink/KG007) @ShelanPR Great feature @kandnews thanks for featuring our clients @abodehome @CRLStone and @Masterclasskic

@AlchemyAward Thank you to @kandbnews for featuring the new Bloom #washstands by @glassdesignit in this month’s issue! #bathroom #bathroomdesign #bathroomdecor #glassbasin #crystalbasin #madeinItaly

talking shop

NEWS & VIEWS

Kbb business consultant Toby Griffin asks why are women still under-represented in the industry?

Level the playing field It’s 41 years since the term ‘glass ceiling’ was coined by management consultant Marilyn Loden, as an explanation as to why women seemed “unable to climb the career ladder beyond the lowest rung of middle management”. Although there are some notable exceptions to this now, the fact they are notable exceptions means there is still a long way to go.

Why is it the case that women are still underrepresented in senior management? There could of course be the continued hangover from the old idea of men being ‘in charge’; and is this stopping women from being considered for senior roles and/or their willingness to consider applying? One could also argue the kbb industry’s association with traditionally male-orientated professions such as builders, joiners, etc. may have an effect. But contrary to that, the style/fashion/interior design side of the industry is traditionally more female-orientated, so those should balance each other out. Despite legislation such as the Equal Opportunity Act 1995, I believe the problem still persists.

Gender imbalance I can proudly say my first MD in the kbb industry was a woman - the fantastic Christine Durie of Spillers of Chard in Somerset. Decisive, tough, smart, caring and

thoughtful, she was a great boss, and a joy to work for. Having started with such a great example, I perhaps am a little bias, but it has dismayed me since how she seems to have been an exception in an otherwise male-dominated industry (I’ve worked with a couple of great male MDs too, for the record).

There are some notable exceptions. It seems that senior marketing, design and media roles within the kbb industry have a high female representation; but what I’m talking about is the directors of small, medium and large firms around the country.

Attending national KBB exhibitions, conferences, award ceremonies etc, I have seen with my own eyes the way that ‘the suits’ are the ones with the power.

I could spend a lot of time doing research, producing (lies, damn lies, and….) statistics and evidence, but this is unnecessary. I can categorically state that the middle to higher echelons of most kbb companies are dominated by men, in some cases to the entire exclusion of women.

Rooney Rule So, what can be done about this? In the U.S. in 2002, two civil rights attorneys released a study showing black head coaches of American football teams, despite winning a higher percentage of

games, were less likely to be hired and more likely to be fired than their white counterparts. This led to the creation of The Rooney Rule (named after the chair of the league’s diversity committee) which meant that for every head coach position that became available, at least one non-white person had to be short-listed for interview. Four years after its implementation the percentage of head coaches that were non-white jumped from 6% to 22%.

So why am I telling you this? Well along with the obvious message about balancing racial representation in your company, the principles of this rule can be applied to any under-represented group, including women. The next time you draw up a shortlist of candidates for a director-level role, why not consider applying the spirit of the Rooney Rule, and make sure there’s at least one woman on it?

To sign off, I should (as a man advocating the importance of women’s voices in our industry) leave the last word to Marilyn Loden: “Rather than accept the glass ceiling as inevitable, it is time for institutions to acknowledge that the embedded biases in their cultures - predisposing many men for career success while diminishing the strengths, styles and capabilities of the majority of talented women must be eradicated.”

www.kandbnews.co.uk K&BNEWS JULY/AUGUST

13

NEWS & VIEWS Interview

Focus on Next gen consumer Vice president of kitchen design at Samsung Minhyok Bu explains the company is focused on the millennial generation, as it is the next global buying power

Q

How do the wants, needs and aspirations of a millennial consumer differ from previous generations?

A: Millennial consumers project their values on their consumption behaviour and only seek products they think are suited for them. This manifests in three ways. Firstly, they want products that either tell a story or convey a message. Even if consumers don’t necessarily agree with the messages, they may be attracted to the product if it seems authentic or if the worldview is meaningful. Secondly, they want products that are versatile, that involve consumers in some way with an identity that, even though it has been created by the manufacturer, can be transformed by the consumers themselves. Finally, they want uniqueness — products that reflect specific needs they have and that reflect their own tastes. In other words, the products have to be able to fit a wide range of lifestyles rather than being one-size-fits-all.

Q

What are millennial consumers looking for in a kitchen/ kitchen appliance design? What are their priorities and what challenges does that pose to the kitchen design team at Samsung?

A: One of the major trends in kitchen design is how the mindset and lifestyle of the millennial generation is reflected in their space. We have recently studied this, trying to find what value and meaning a kitchen has to them. What we found is that it means an open space that can be utilised for special moments in their lives. In the spatial structure where living, kitchen and dining spaces are integrated, the kitchen is now fully exposed to everyone who is in the living

16 JULY/AUGUST K&BNEWS www.kandbnews.co.uk

comfortable. For them, decorating their homes is more than just trying to impress others. Rather, it’s considered a gift to oneself. The home furnishing market is growing rapidly because millennials are investing more in their living spaces, as their interest in making their homes reflect their identities grows.

This trend is even affecting the design of home appliances as they are increasingly becoming a part of the interior décor.

Home appliance designs are evolving to serve as objet d’art that complements home décor, further capturing consumer lifestyles. This is also why millennials enjoy staycations.

Q

room. Therefore, it is a space where guests are invited, where we can spend time socialising. In that sense, a kitchen needs to be a space that efficiently offers various functions for people to work, learn, and talk. Those needs are reflected in the diverse styles of kitchens you can find in the marketplace.

Q

Millennials place value on experiences rather than material things, so how through design can you encourage them to invest in kitchen appliances rather than, say, a holiday?

A: Millennials spend most of their time at home. It also happens to be where they feel the most

The focus in the kitchen industry has traditionally been on the baby boomer market, so how is Samsung also addressing their needs or is all future design focused solely on the millennial consumer?

A: Ultimately, Samsung is aimed at understanding the true needs of consumers and satisfying a higher level of expectation and a diversity of preferences.

Through our designs, we want users to experience rich emotions, pursue better lifestyles, and to have the freedom to focus on what matters most.

We take great pride in suggesting more segmented and richer product line-ups to realise innovation that consumers really need. At the same time, we take the greatest care to ensure that we satisfy what they are looking for aesthetically.

Millennials are very influential in our industry and their buying power is only increasing around the world. So, naturally, we’re listening closely to what our millennial consumers want and need when designing our kitchens.

top products

NEWS & VIEWS

Most wanted

Francesca Quansah, founder of Design by Helium, picks her favourite products from our June issue and explains why they have caught her eye 1. CROWN IMPERIAL

2. CRL STONE

The chef’s pantry is the ultimate way for

Thanks to the concept of open plan living,

consumers to store and organise dry goods

people want their kitchens to look less like a

and crockery in one place. So it’s great to see

scullery and more like a simple piece of

this introduction by Crown Imperial. A double

furniture or an architectural statement. The

door chef’s pantry is high up on wish lists that

marble-effect Antonella Quartz from CRL

get presented to me. Although pantries

Stone is simple, elegant and minimal; while at

originated in traditional homes, they work well

the same time makes a strong impact on the

with any style of kitchen. Read more about the

space. Find out more about the worksurface

pantry offer at www.rdr.link/KG008

at www.rdr.link/KG009

2

3 3. WATERS BATHS OF ASHBOURNE Colour has seen a huge comeback in kitchens in 2019 and it’s so exciting to see how it can be used in the bathroom. Waters Baths of Ashbourne offers such a huge range of colours for its tubs, which gives designers the chance to customise and create bespoke spaces.

Personally, I love the Mediterranean tone of

1

the Red Earth tub. Find out how bathroom designers can personalise a tub with colour at

www.rdr.link/KG010

www.kandbnews.co.uk K&BNEWS JULY/AUGUST

17

KITCHENS

connected appliances

Smart decision

Connected appliances will shape future sales, and high street retail experiences, so shouldn’t kitchen designers and retailers get on board now?

Remember when a mobile phone was exactly that, just used to make calls? Now a mobile phone is used to surf the net, access social media, take photos and videos, watch TV and films, play music and games...

The list goes on and on. We are already living in a connected world and it is influencing the way we live in our homes, too. Smart TVs have been joined by connected heating, security systems and home appliances from major manufacturers.

And with voice assistants such as Alexa and Google Home growing in popularity, (with YouGov reporting one in 10 households in Q1 of 2018 now have this technology), connectivity in the home is only going to further drive appliance design. In fact, innovations manager at BSH Group Peter Wadsworth offers the chilling warning: “In two years, anyone who hasn’t fully embraced the technology in their showrooms will already have been left far behind.”

Significant sales development Albeit from a low starting base, connected appliances are certainly gaining traction, as Steve Macdonald, business director of the freestanding division of

18 JULY/AUGUST K&BNEWS www.kandbnews.co.uk

Hoover Candy, reports: “Smart appliances have developed significantly over the last 12 months”, adding: “Sales have considerably risen beating our expectations set out in our 2020 vision plan.” And with manufacturers setting out to broaden their connected appliance offer, they can only edge ever closer to becoming the ‘norm’ for kitchen projects.

Whirlpool has recently expanded its connected laundry appliances with a connected dishwasher and is soon to add to this with its W Collection of built-in ovens. Miele has incorporated connectivity in its latest Generation 7000 Collection – spanning ovens, dishwashers and cooker hoods and Smeg launched its SmegConnect range which includes ovens dishwashers and wine coolers.

Starting with laundry For retailers looking to start a journey into connected appliances, it seems laundry still provides the greatest sales opportunities. Marketing director of Whirlpool Marco Falaschetti comments: “Generally, laundry is making headway and certainly leading the way within connected appliances, with washing machine

2

1 volume sales reaching 527,000 units in 2017.” And Steve Macdonald of Hoover Candy UK agrees: “Washing machines remain our most popular smart appliances and laundry is the one category we expect to continue to lead the way.”

However, connectivity is making headway across all appliances, as Marco Falaschetti continues: “Connected fridge freezer volume sales also saw an increase in the same period. There was an increase of 53%, which saw 238,000 units sold.” And category manager for kitchens at Miele GB Neil Pooley points to the popularity of connected cooker hoods. He exclaims: “One of our most popular connected/voice controlled appliances is our cooker hoods, which can be connected to Amazon’s Alexa system, allowing customers to change the power and lighting levels with ease while cooking.”

Consumers may tentatively enter the market with a singular purchase, rather than rushing to kit out a smart home, but once experienced, it is likely they will go on to purchase more. That’s certainly the view of head of marketing strategy SmartThings at Samsung Electronics UK Stuart Mayo who explains:

1. SAMSUNG

2. MIELE

The Family Hub refrigerator allows users to

Part of its G7000 collection Miele offers a voice

manage food shopping lists, check the fridge

controlled cooker hood, which can be

contents remotely and order groceries online,

connected to Amazon’s Alexa. It allows

check family diaries, provide meals plans and

consumers hands-free operation of power and

play music. Watch the video at

lighting. Find out more about how Miele uses

www.rdr.link/KG011

voice control at www.rdr.link/KG012

“We’re learning that consumers are adding smart devices one experience at a time - when they see how connected devices add value and work seamlessly they gain an understanding of how they can use others too. This will lead to households having a huge variety of products fully connected to each other.”

which were incorporated into the final designs.”

Whether it’s a consumer remotely checking on the progress of a meal with a built-in camera providing real-time images of the oven’s contents to a smartphone, a dishwasher re-ordering tablets or a washing machine choosing the optimum programme to remove stains, the benefits are vast. Product manager of Smeg UK Lucy Dunstan says being able to control the oven remotely is a key function which is grabbing the imagination of consumers: “The ability to remotely turn your oven on/off and change the setting is the function that stands out.”

However, it could be argued identifying the benefits of connected technology is the most difficult part of the equation, as connectivity is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Peter Wadsworth of BSH Group comments: “Take smartphones, for example.

When comparing the setup of your iPhone with someone else’s it soon becomes clear that these fundamentally identical, out of the box devices are anything but – once in the hands of a user. We expect it to be the case with connected appliances.”

But kitchen designers and retailers are best placed to

Connecting consumers While some kitchen retailers may already have jumped on board to serve their tech-savvy customers, those who have consumers less familiar with connectivity can take heart. Connected appliances are based on ease of use and energy saving – topics familiar to everyone – and offer real upsell opportunities. Neil Pooley of Miele GB explains: “It’s important to simply the smart home – demystify the confusion around the complicated set ups and show the real benefits.” Equally, it is important to demonstrate the technology is not a gimmick. Neil Pooley comments during the development of its Generation 7000 appliances “200 households trialled prototype models to help determine the technologies,

www.kandbnews.co.uk K&BNEWS JULY/AUGUST

19

KITCHENS

connected appliances

3 8 4 6 5

20 JULY/AUGUST K&BNEWS www.kandbnews.co.uk

3. BOSCH

5. HOOVER

The HRG6769S6B Serie 8 built-in oven with

The AXI washing machine allows users to start

added steam has a Home Connect function,

the appliance using voice activation, and it

allowing users to operate the oven using a

offers advice on best washing programmes

smartphone or tablet. Consumers can pre-

and stain removal. It can also suggest washing

heat the oven remotely, so it’s ready to cook

times based on the latest weather forecast, so

when they get in. Find out the full oven

users can take advantage of line drying.

specification at www.rdr.link/KG013

Watch the video at www.rdr.link/KG015

4. WHIRLPOOL

6. SMEG

Part of its W collection of connected

The SmegConnect app works with selected

appliances, Whirlpool has recently introduced

wine coolers from the brand and can be used

the SupremeClean dishwasher with MyDisplay.

to remotely operate and check monitoring of

Users can remotely set, start and monitor the

the contents. It can suggest wines for chosen

appliance, discover programmes and access

recipes and even order them directly from

tutorials. Find out more about the collection at

Italian wine shop Tannico. See more at

www.rdr.link/KG014

www.rdr.link/KG016

find out their customers’ needs and, with the aid of training from manufacturers, match connected appliance benefits to their lifestyles.

Retail experience Of course the best way to introduce connectivity is to demonstrate the technology instore, as Marco Falaschetti of Whirlpool sources TimeInc Smart Technology Survey 2017, stating: ““40% of consumers agree a lack of knowledge of products available is the main reason holding them back from spending.” It’s a concept that cannot be brought to life easily online, and so connected appliances could help further equip the traditional high street store against the challenge of online sales.

Interactive showroom displays can create entertainment in the showroom, giving it stand out appeal on the high street and making it a true destination.

Stuart Mayo of Samsung Electronics UK continues: “Ultimately consumers want their imagination sparked and showrooms having more experiential set ups is a great way to do this. We envisage showroom displays with supporting media to demonstrate how the appliances can talk to each other and make lives easier.”

Premium pricing In fact, it seems the only barrier to a wider acceptance of connected appliances is the price which seems to remain at a premium. Peter Wadsworth of BSH Group points out: “At this time, we’re only offering connectivity on our higherend appliances” And Mario Falaschetti of Whirlpool agrees pointing to GFK Insights which found “over a third of respondents in a recent survey quoted it as a barrier.” For kitchen designers working in this area of the market, this shouldn’t be an issue and for those with consumers with more modest budgets there is connected technology filtering through, as Stuart Mayo of Samsung counters “Historically connected appliances have been seen as the preserve of premium shoppers but that is increasingly not the case” adding “as the market opens this technology up to more customers, accessibility is also increased.”

Connected appliances are only going to grow in importance for kitchen designers and retail showrooms. They will not only shape future sales but also the ways customers relate to and experience a retailer’s business. So why not make a smart decision and get a head start in the future of appliances?

7. SIEMENS Part of the iQ700 collection, the SX878D26PE dishwasher allows users to control the dishwasher and monitor the wash cycle progress via the Home Connect app on a smartphone or tablet. The app can keep track of dishwasher tablet use and there is even a link to buy tablets online. For more information visit www.rdr.link/KG017

7

KITCHENS

product round-up

1

Just out 2

1. KONIGSTONE Worktop manufacturer Konigstone has launched the Concrete Collection. There are four decors in the range Shell, Fossil, Sand and Clay and they expand on the existing 24 colours in the Konig Quartz portfolio. Boasting a matt finish, the worktops are reportedly scratch and stain resistant. Download the specification at www.rdr.link/KG0181 8 2. QUOOKER Quooker has launched Cube, which means any Quooker tap can provide filtered chilled and sparkling water alongside 100°C boiling, cold and hot water. Using push-wait-turn operation, the tap ring will light blue for a flow of filtered chilled water and flash blue for a flow of filtered sparkling water. It lights up red to indicate100°C boiling water. Find out more at www.rdr.link/KG019

3. CROWN IMPERIAL Furniture manufacturer Crown Imperial has unveiled Meteor, a handleless design in natural stone effects. There are six finishes: Bianca, Caffe, Galaxy, Granite, Grigio and Nero.

Meteor Bianca is shown with Rococo grey units and Crown Frameworks shelving system.

View the video at www.rdr.link/KG020

22

JULY/AUGUST K&BNEWS www.kandbnews.co.uk

3 4. ELICA Extraction manufacturer Elica has launched NikolaTesla Libra, an induction hob with built-in extraction and integrated scales. It means users can weigh ingredients in the pan. The hob features bridging technology and a Stop & Go function, and is available in duct out and recycling versions. Watch the installation video at www.rdr.link/KG021

5. RANGEMASTER

4

British manufacturer Rangemaster has launched a dark Anthracite grey finish for its Farmhouse Belfast fireclay ceramic sink.

Featuring a curvaceous bowl design with generous depth, it can be used to wash large pans. The sink features thin walls to offer a more refined look and reduce the weight of the model. See all of Rangemaster’s fireclay sinks at www.rdr.link/KG022

6.AIR UNO Designer cooker hoods brand Airuno has introduced the Elektra Downdraft Extractor to its collection. Available in black glass or stainless steel, and in 900 and 1200mm sizes, it has an extraction rate of 730 m3/h. The Elektra Downdraft extractor also features a customisable top plate. Watch the video at

www.rdr.link/KG023

5

6 www.kandbnews.co.uk K&BNEWS JULY/AUGUST

23

KITCHENS

product round-up

7

9 8 7. ROTPUNKT

8. CAPLE

9. TKC

Kitchen furniture manufacturer Rotpunkt

Award-winning sink and tap specialist Caple

Reflecting the continued popularity of grey

typifies the latest trend for dark kitchens with

has recently introduced the swan-neck Avel

tones and the rise in blue shades, TKC has

the launch of its coffee-rich brown lacquered

tap, featuring a blackened copper finish with

enhanced its Paint to Order colour palette,

door front, Arabica. Part of Rotpunkt’s 2019

a contrasting light copper trim. It has been

with the addition of seven colours. The latest

Metal Line and Black Line kitchen series, the

designed so it reveals blush pink copper

colours include Chalkstone, Taupe Grey,

Arabica door comes in matt or gloss and

shining through the black finish. The blackened

Pebble Grey, Onyx Grey, Smoke Blue, Midnight

boasts XT Extreme Matt HPL lacquer with an

copper finish adds to the existing decors of

Blue and Indigo Blue. They are available on

anti-fingerprint finish. Completing the brown

brushed nickel, stainless steel, black, chrome,

TKC’s Lucente handleless, Cartmel Shaker, and

façade is Abbey Split Oak,a wood effect

gunmetal and copper. Find out more

Cambridge and Windsor solid timber ranges.

melamine door with the look and feel of Oak.

technical information about the Avel tap

Download the Paint to Order brochure at

Read more at www.rdr.link/KG024

range at www.rdr.link/KG025

www.rdr.link/KG026

24 JULY/AUGUST K&BNEWS www.kandbnews.co.uk

10. FRANKE Sink and tap manufacturer Franke has unveiled the Maris Free tap, designed by award-winning artist Dror Benshetrit. Inspired by the shifting lines of flowing water, it has been created with sculptural characteristics, including a twisted effect neck and spout.

Maris Free stands at 425mm high, has a reach of 195mm, a spout which swivels through 360 °, and comes in Matt Black or Silksteel PVD finishes. See the video of the Maris Free tap at

www.rdr.link/KG027 11. STOVES Appliance manufacturer Stoves has unveiled a six-strong collection of premium cooling products, including the 700mm wide ST FD70189 French Door appliance. It has a 299litre refrigerator and two full width freezer drawers. It also features Total No Frost

10

technology, is A+ energy rated and boasts PT

11

Purify - Plasma sterilisation to reduce odours and help preserve food for longer. Read more at www.rdr.link/KG028

BATHROOMS

shower enclosures

Look in glass With an influx of cheap imports and challenge from glass suppliers, how are manufacturers making their enclosures stand out for retailers?

With showering surrounds reduced to a bare minimum, practically a sheet of glass, it may have created some issues for enclosure manufacturers.

There has been little for consumers to differentiate between a quality and cost-effective surround, particularly when researching online. And with the focus on glazing, there has also seen a broadening of the market with glass suppliers vying for business with dedicated shower enclosure manufacturers. So does that mean a seismic shift for the shower enclosure supplier landscape?

Sales and marketing director of Lakes Mike Tattam says not, explaining: “Showering spaces are mostly glass, that’s true, but it’s the ‘mostly’ bit. It’s the frame and how it’s designed and engineered for the installer and end user that makes a successful showering space. For example, fitting neatly to overcome real life challenges such as uneven walls.”

He adds: “Cheap products or products from manufacturers that have diversified into our market won’t have the right design, depth of knowledge, or extent of service and support.”

And managing director of Roman David Osborne agrees there isn’t a threat for shower surround specialists, who are legally compliant with CE marking: “This is a mandatory legal requirement since July 2013 and glass suppliers or contractors would find great difficulty in proving product compliance and traceability. Compliance is only becoming a bigger and bigger issue with Government and Trading Standards in the post Grenfell era.”

26 JULY/AUSGUST K&BNEWS www.kandbnews.co.uk

1 1. SANIFLO

2. AQATA

Designed for contract, Saniflo has launched

The Quintet Curved Walk-in (DS506) is made

the Fast 2000 range of Kinedo shower

from 8mm toughened glass, in either clear or

enclosures. Named because of its 2000mm

grey tinted glazing, with ClearShield Eco-Glass

height and designed to be easy to fit, Fast

protection. It is available in four profile finishes;

2000 features pivot, sliding, corner entry doors,

Gold, Polished Nickel, Brushed Nickel and

quads with sliding doors and fixed panels. See

Matte Black. For more on the range visit

the video at www.rdr.link/KG030

www.rdr.link/KG031

3. FRONTLINE BATHROOMS

2

Aquaglass Mono Tinted Walk-In front Panel features an opaque design in frosted, tinted or ombre glazing. It is made from 8mm glass. Find out more at www.rdr.link/KG032

Design differentiation But what it has seen is an adaptation of shower surround fashions, with the style pendulum swinging away from chrome profiles and plain glass to patterned glazing and alternative metals as a point of difference. Managing director of Roman David Osborne comments: “The price entry and mid-market sectors have become increasingly commoditised and of course are heavily influenced with internet purchases and availability. The added value market sector is constantly trying to differentiate itself in every aspect of the product – function, design, materials and service-backed guarantees.”

It has seen the advent of brushed metal finishes with the likes of gold and nickel succeeding the brilliance of chrome, as well as the introduction of matt black profiles. David Osborne of Roman comments: “Coloured hardware is certainly a driver in current trends and this is due to continue throughout 2019 and into 2020. We have silver, chrome, matt black and brushed nickel as standard colour finish options and, as of July 2019, polished nickel will also be added.” And managing director of Aqata Jayne Barnes agrees there has been demand for a wider variety of frame finishes: “We have noticed a resurgence of gold and nickel.” and her company has added these finishes to its Design Solutions range. In addition, alongside the likes of Matki, Merlyn and Roman, it has recently introduced matt black.

Commercial director at Merlyn Barry Hoyne adds: “With the appeal of black bathrooms continuing to grow, it’s no surprise that our most popular enclosures and bath screen at the moment feature a matt black frame!” Mirroring the movement towards industrial interior styling, matt black has also been used on glass decoration – enter the Crittal-style enclosure. Sales and marketing director of Frontline Bathrooms Michael Sammon adds: “The industrial aesthetic remains huge in showering with an increased offering of Crittall styles, black enclosures and matt black fittings being brought to the market.”

Fashion and function

3

However, interior designer Emma Merry of Emma Merry Styling recently suggested traditional shower enclosure suppliers still can’t keep up with the fashion trends expected by her clients, such as smoked and fluted glass. David Osborne counters: “It may be true for the mass market, volume products

www.kandbnews.co.uk K&BNEWS JULY/AUGUST

27

BATHROOMS

shower enclosures

4

from China, but at Roman we are embracing all new trends. We are now working with fluted glass on hotel specifications and this may find its way into the retail market soon. Tinted glass has come and gone many times but never lasts in retail due to the darkness insider the shower enclosure from the smoked glass.” And Mike Tattam of Lakes offers a word of warning when specifying black enclosures in the bathroom, arguing against the industrial trend: “Bathrooms are getting smaller, and the trends suggest they will continue to shrink so installing a black, framed, industrial-looking shower enclosure may not feel right for many properties.” And he goes so far as to say: “What works in a large, upscale, chic urban apartment may not travel very far. There seems to be a disconnect between what urban fashion trends suggest, and what the general public buy for their bathrooms.”

Mid-market battle But whatever the individual design preferences of clients, interestingly it seems the battlefield is in the middle market. Having recently returned to the shower enclosure market, Saniflo offers its view as

5. MERLYN Squared Showerwalls have been designed to tap into the current trend for industrial interiors.

They feature a matt black finish and are also available as a walk-in enclosure. Find out more about the range at www.rdr.link/KG034

28 JULY/AUGUST K&BNEWS www.kandbnews.co.uk

4. LAKES The Bay series of enclosures features soft close doors, branded hardware, aluminium handles and are made from PureVue low ion glass and AllClear ‘stay-clean’ glass. It will be rolled out with the Bay Side Panel (shown) and Carradale Hinged Door, with slider and quadrant models to follow. Read more at

www.rdr.link/KG033

5

Head of marketing and product development Ann Boardman says: “When you analyse the market statistics, the biggest growth area for enclosures is actually in the mid-market level.” And retailers can exploit this interest in added value enclosures, by focusing on higher-priced enclosures in stores. Mike Tattam says when consumers come into the showroom, they want to check the quality of what they have, perhaps, researched online, offering the examples: “Is the handle sturdy and comfortable in the hand? Do the doors close smoothly and quietly?”

And in fact, he points to “soft closing doors and sleek, comfortable aluminium handles as strong upcoming trends.”

Indicating features and their subsequent benefits that may not be evident from first glimpse is the heartland of the retail showroom. It allows bathroom specialists to demonstrate their knowledge and gain the trust of consumers, meet their needs and perhaps encourage them to trade up in showering specification. David Osborne of Roman continues: “We would always advise retailers to display more aspirational products to attract high value sales. Not only does it differentiate the retail offer but clearly drives value. Budget constraints may force a lower price sale in the end but at least the customer has already bought into a brand and understands how better products operate.”

Mass customisation In fact, where manufacturers and their retailers will continue to win over customers is the sheer variety of showering spaces, enabling them to distance

themselves from the competitive, commodity market. David Osborne adds: “A perfect example is Roman’s expanded Liberty range which is offering 8mm or 10mm thick glass, a choice of four finishes chrome, matt black, brushed nickel and polished nickel; the setting of inward or outward opening and one or two sliding doors.” And Jayne Barnes of Aqata says customisation is key in her company’s product portfolio, adding: “We offer a choice of tinted glass in grey, bronze and green, with or without etched design. Different handle options and even wall fixings allow customers to create the exact look they desire and our bespoke, Made 2 Measure service and new Design Solutions range reflects this growth in customisation.” With such a choice, designers should now be easily able to meet the tastes of their most demanding of clients with a look in glass.

6. ROMAN The Liberty range offers 8mm or 10mm thick glass, a choice of four finishes - chrome, matt black, brushed nickel and polished nickel and one or two sliding doors. Pictured is the two sliding door model with brushed nickel finish.

For further details visit www.rdr.link/KG035

6

BATHROOMS

product round-up

1 3

1. VITRA Expanding its Designer Collection and the recently-launched Signature Collection, VitrA has introduced Origins brassware. There are over 150 pieces in the Origins brassware collection, including monobloc taps, concealed and exposed thermostatic and manual showers, with a choice of hand held

Just out

or fixed overhead showers. All the pieces in the Origins collection come in a choice of chrome, brushed nickel, copper and matt black finishes. For more on this story visit

www.rdr.link/KG036 2. THE WATERWORKS COMPANY Created by architectural and design studio Mark Zeff for The Waterworks Company is the Highline brassware range. It features a choice of two styles of handles, either crosshead or lever and two types of spout, smooth or transitional. The Highline collection includes bathroom and kitchen mixers, showers and accessories and comes in 24 finishes. Find out more at www.rdr.link/KG037

3. LAUFEN Created by Swiss designer Peter Wirz, the Moderna range has been designed to suit the majority of bathrooms styles. It features a selection of washbasins and vanity units, as well as furniture. The furniture is available in a selection of colours, including Ash Honey, Dark

2 30 JULY/AUGUST K&BNEWS www.kandbnews.co.uk

Oak, Matt White and High Gloss White and can be complemented by Laufen Pro and Palace WCs. Find out about the Moderna range at www.rdr.link/KG038

5

4

6 4. HUDSON REED

5. GROHE

6. MIRA SHOWERS

Bathroom manufacturer Hudson Reed has

Extending its Bau brassware range, designed

Adding to its Flight shower trays, Mira Showers,

now refreshed its brassware collection, with the

for low water pressure, Grohe has introduced

has just launched a 25mm, low-level shower

launch of Soar (shown), Astra, Sottile, Willow

the BauEdge deck mounted bath filler and

tray, the Mira Flight Level. As with all products

and Drift ranges. Characterised by the “HR”

bath and shower mixer. Both of the products

within Mira’s Flight range, it is made from

signature etching, all of the tap families

are suitable for installations with a minimum

acrylic-capped resin stone, is reportedly

include a choice of models. These span mono,

water pressure of 0.2 bar. The Grohe Bau

scratch and chip resistant, and features

cloakroom, tall, wall-plated, bath filler and

bathroom range comprises mixer taps, bath

BioCote technology to reduce bacteria and

bath/shower mixers. They are covered by a

fillers, basins and WCs, all characterised by a

mould growth. Bathroom designers can

20-year guarantee. For more about the

timeless, rounded design. Download the

choose the Mira Flight Level in either White or

refreshed brawware collection, read the story

technical details for BauEdge at

Welsh Slate. For more information visit

at www.rdr.link/KG039

www.rdr.link/KG040

www.rdr.link/KG042

www.kandbnews.co.uk K&BNEWS JULY/AUGUST

31

NECESSITIES

tiling

Anything but square Tiles and mosaics are often the finishing touches in a kitchen or bathroom, but there is a strong argument for making them central to any project as they can be transformative.

Director at Ceramique Internationale Peter Vann looks at the key trends in tiling Consumers have changed how they buy tiles and are much happier to spend time and energy discovering what is available. It’s probably 10 to 15 years since they last bought tiles and in a technologically-driven market, my, how things have moved on! The popularity of open-plan cooking/dining/living spaces has significantly increased the use of tiled flooring.

Wetrooms and larger showering spaces are also commanding a bigger share of attention as places to spend more time to relax. Wall and floor tiles continue to provide opportunities to make personal decorative statements in these more private areas of our homes. So, for example, descriptors such as Urban, Simple, Chic, Rustic, Contemporary, or Classical are where discussions need to start when assembling the decorative components of these kitchen and bathroom spaces.

The two specialist tiling shows, in Italy and Spain, showcase the latest innovations in surface effects, sizes, shapes and formats to provide inspiration. The last couple of years have actually been more about evolution than revolution, with the reinvention of existing surface effects and trends and the added extra ‘spice’ coming from injections of colour and decoration – all of which just serves to provide even more choice and opportunity to the consumer.

32 JULY/AUGUST K&BNEWS www.kandbnews.co.uk

1

2

Bigger is better Large format tiles have grown – in both market and physical size – and most recently the huge slab format has been at the forefront.

Slabs are particularly effective in creating seamless surfaces for the ultimate in luxurious finish but also produce an illusion of space. However, they do require skills and equipment that not all installers currently possess, which can be a limiting factor.

Italian manufacturer Marazzi’s slab tile range extension - the Grande series – includes ginormous 1600 x 3200mm slabs in 6mm thicknesses and 1620 x 3240mm in 12mm thicknesses. The emergence of the thicker products demonstrates the producers understanding, after a couple of years’ experience, the “perfect” flat subfloor required for laying thinner slabs is elusive. Nonetheless they are proving popular in high-end, new-build projects.

Natural stones We are a nation that loves white and also understands the visual values of marble, and so the re-emergence of glossy white marble for walls and floors has been welcomed. The three effects that are most popular are Carrera (lots and lots of small grey

veins), Statuario (fewer, but larger grey veins) and Calacatta (similar to Statuario but with gold/beige veins). These classical stone replicas are produced with startling realism, and also often include ‘pattern’ options such as Bookmatch – two tiles which are mirror images of each other and Endmatch, which is a pattern that runs across four tiles.

1. AZTECA Delta is a collection of marble-style tiles which replicate Italian marble Calacatta Oro. They

3

measure 300 x 600mm and are complemented by floor tiles

2. RICHETTI Cocoon floor tiling features a variety of sizes to mimic a cobbled, flagstone look. It can be used indoors and outdoors

3. EQUIPE Chevron wall tiles can be installed in traditional formats. Or, as shown here, they can be coupled with the Scale Hexagon tile, for an alternative layout

Tiles reflecting contemporary and unassuming surfaces such as cement, plaster, concrete and resin are also increasingly prevalent, and we are seeing lots of new takes on them. However, unless viewed as large tiled areas, these surfaces are sometimes difficult to visually understand. One tile on its own can look pretty much like another – even with digital printing providing unique characteristics for each piece. So it is important for kitchen and bathroom retailers to be able to have images - whether online or in a brochure - of finished rooms to share with consumers, so they can see the full effect.

www.kandbnews.co.uk K&BNEWS JULY/AUGUST

33

NECESSITIES

tiling

Up to now these surfaces have tended to be most popular in monochromatic grey tones but we have seen colour being introduced, including through Casalgrande Padana’s Concrete R-evolution series in shades of blue, green, brown and even pink.

Encaustic-style tiles with their distinctive patterns also remain very popular and, in fact, an increasing number of factories are offering collections along these lines. So it is safe to say that this is not a look that is going away any time soon, whether it is in the worn-looking greys or warmer terracotta finishes.

Combining surfaces The use of interesting surface effects created by combining different materials is also growing. One strong cross-over look in this sector comes from Richetti. The stunning Cocoon multi-sized series mixes stone and concrete effects together and with digital printing, the random nature of every tile is visually stimulating. As well as larger sizes such as 600 x 1200mm, the series includes small 14mm thick rustic-edged, cobble-style tiles as the outdoor version. There are six colours in the series, but each colour includes huge variants.

On the same theme Verde 1999 cleverly manages to combine four material effects – stone, crosscut and vein cut marble, and concrete - on to one tile for its Blast series. It comes in four colours, plus mosaics suitable for wetroom applications

4 4. CEMENT TILES

5. MARAZZI GRANDE

Are Petronio glased porcelain floor and wall

Marazzi’s slab tile -the Grande series – includes

tiles come in three tones to reflect aged

1600 x 3200mm slabs in 6mm thicknesses and

cement colours. They are available in a 200 x

1620 x 3240mm in 12mm thicknesses. The

200mm format and complement six décor

thicker products negate the need for a

tiles, which can be used in a repeating or

“perfect”, flat subfloor required for laying

random pattern

thinner slabs

Not square The use of different shapes in tiles has also developed alongside technology advances, with the most obvious recent example being the chevron. This ‘oblong’ hits the spot as a natural follow on to the brick shape that is very prevalent. And its shape not only lends itself to a parquet-style floor tile but can be arranged in a side-by-side style as well as the opposing angle layout. But one of the most interesting new shapes we have seen recently is a range of Rhombus shaped wall and floor tiles from Marca Corona - the original and oldest tile manufacturer which started producing in 1741.

Tiles can make or break a room. Retailers have a huge role to play in coming up with impactful options and designs to provide those finishing touches to a bathroom or kitchen project.

For more information on the tiles offered by Ceramique Internationale visit

www.rdr.link/KG043

34 JULY/AUGUST K&BNEWS www.kandbnews.co.uk

5

NECESSITIES

product round-up

1

Just out

1. HAFELE Distributor Hafele has now added Alusplash aluminium splashbacks to its portfolio, as an alternative to glass, acrylic and tiles. They are FIRA tested, so can be used behind hobs, and are 100% recyclable. Alusplash splashbacks come in a high gloss finish and are available in 10 metallic colours. See the video at

www.rdr.link/KG044

2

2. AIRFLOW DEVELOPMENTS Extraction manufacturer Airflow Developments has launched iCONsmart, reportedly the first app-controlled range of axial fans. The iCONsmart fan is IPX5-rated, so can be fitted directly above a shower, and operates at 23.5db. iCONsmart automatically adjusts to maintain optimum ventilation and is linked to the myAirflow app to provide access to live and historic data. Read more at

www.rdr.link/KG045 3. CERAMIQUE INTERNATIONALE Tile distributor Ceramique Internationale has unveiled the Abitare collection of glazed bathroom tiles inspired by cement. Measuring 200 x 400mm, the trio of wall tiles includes Light

3 36 JULY/AUGUST K&BNEWS www.kandbnews.co.uk

Grey and Mild Grey and is complemented by a glazed dĂŠcor tile. Co-ordinating with the wall tiles is a 330 x 300mm square floor tile.

Read more details at www.rdr.link/KG046

5 6 4 4. HIB

6. VOGUE (UK)

Bathroom manufacturer HiB has launched the

Addng to its radiator and towel warmer

Solas mirror with a ring of LED light offset

portfolio, Vogue (UK) has introduced Focus

against a rectangular surface. The circular light

Horizontal, which can be positioned above a

is operated by a sensor and boasts colour-

bath or beneath a shelf. It is suitable for all

changing technology, with a frame in chrome

central heating systems and comes in a

or matt black. Solas comes with a heated pad

choice of three sizes, with seven, nine or 10

to prevent condensation and can be hung as

rails. Manufactured from mild steel, Focus

landscape or portrait. See the video at

Horizontal is available in Chrome or Anthracite

www.rdr.link/KG047

finishes. Find out more technical product

7

6

information at www.rdr.link/KG049

5. WELLINGTON TILE Joining the Red Terracotta Collection from

7. VELUX

Wellington Tile is the handmade Fleur

Roof window and modular skylight

decorative tile. Measuring 200 x 222 x 20mm,

manufacturer Velux has launched the brand’s

the Fleur tile is supplied in a raw, unsealed

first made-to-order rooflight solution for flat

state, so the final finish can be decided onsite

roofs – Vario. The Vario range offers designers a

to either deepen the colour or create a lighter,

variety of shapes, sizes and colours, with

more mellow tone. Fleur joins the existing tiles

delivery in six weeks. The rooflights come in a

in the collection, which include the square

choice of five models, Long, Rectangular,

Teatree Terracotta, Terracotta Brick Tile and

Square, Round and Walk-on, with a choice of

Hexagon Terracotta Tile. Read more about the

glazing, opening, frame colour and upstand.

Terracotta range at www.rdr.link/KG048

See all the options at www.rdr.link/KG050

www.kandbnews.co.uk K&BNEWS JULY/AUGUST

37

DESIGN

SME expertise

Design know-how PLANNING ISSUES

Solving storage Consider the amount, type and position of storage in a kitchen, advises FIRA in its Kitchen Layout Design Guide It was discovered through the FIRA Kitchen User Survey storage was one of the biggest downfalls in the kitchen. A third of respondents (31.4%) did not think that they had enough storage space. Of the 127 respondents that felt they did not have enough kitchen storage, 52% [66 respondents] felt units were too high.

Whether you’re a novice or an experienced designer and just want a refresher, here we offer indepth knowledge on products, materials, applications and planning. So you can design your clients’ projects with confidence 38 JULY/AUGUST K&BNEWS www.kandbnews.co.uk

Type and position Types of storage can be divided into different groups depending on its use. Each type of storage is responsible for different appliances and goods.

Consideration for the location of these groups is imperative to ensure a good work flow in the kitchen. The groups can be loosely arranged into five areas: consumables, non-consumables, cleaning, preparation and cooking. 씰 Storage such as food cupboards and the fridge need to be in close proximity to one another.

Arguably, this area will be used most frequently so it needs to be easily accessible. 씰 Tableware such as cutlery, dinnerware and glasses occupy another area of the kitchen. If layout allows. It is also beneficial to have these stored close to the sink or the dishwasher.

씰 The sink and dishwasher should be kept in the same place. This makes the cleaning process easier and also means they can use the same access point for water. It is also important to allow sufficient space for cleaning utensils and agents. 씰Utensils used for preparing food need to be located close to the worktop and food area. It is likely the user will come back and forth from this point so accessibility is crucial. 씰 Finally, cooking pots and pans is another separate storage area. This should be situated next to the hob and the oven.

Solutions for poor storage Frequently kitchens are comprised of as many units that can be fitted into the space, with little thought into what would be most suitable for the user. Here are a few solutions to overcome the common pitfalls consumers face in the kitchen with regards to poor storage solutions. 씰 Make use of dead space that wouldn’t typically be used. For example, having a drawer under the sink provides an extra area to store items. 씰Fit wider, deeper and higher drawers. It makes a considerable difference to the amount of equipment that can be stored. By using wider pull-outs 15% more storage space can be created.

Deeper pull outs can produce up to 30% more storage space. Drawers with higher sides can help to gain up to 55% more storage space. 씰Clear visibiity makes the access to items within cupboard and drawers much easier. It means that items don’t get lost or forgotten about. 씰 Corner cupboards are often used in kitchen.

However, they are often designed in such a way that it makes it hard to access the items in them.

Overcome this by installing full extension corner drawers or add a carousel. 씰 The number of drawers also needs to be considered. Perhaps use one large drawer over two smaller drawers to save space.

Reproduced with kind permission from FIRA, For a copy visit www.fira.co.uk

Sponsored by CAD DESIGN

FITTER’S ADVICE

Making light work

Design lighting at start

Not only are homeowners requesting smart appliances but also other smart features such as lighting and wireless charging

Installers offer their experiences to designers, enabling them to create plans which provide more efficient fits. Director of Liberty Fitting Services Mark Conacher says designers need to remember the importance of lighting at the start of the planning process

Our customers tell us smart lighting is one of the most common requests their clients have in terms of technology in the kitchen. Likely to be top of the list is a central panel that controls all lights or, better still, lights that are voice or app-controlled.

On charge As you know you can never have enough power points, and a high technology kitchen’s no exception. Whether the kids are doing their homework, parents are cooking, or the entire family’s having dinner, someone is bound to have to plug their device in. So, a selection of traditional and USB plugs or wireless charging stations for easy charging will meet your clients’ needs. Or a hidden charging station placed in a kitchen drawer, in a nook under the kitchen island, on the side of the kitchen island or under a cabinet always creates a stir.

CAD tips If you’re using 2020 Fusion, the application makes it simple for designers to experiment with a variety of lighting options in its 3D views. It requires just a few clicks of the mouse and minimal wait times for Fusion’s renders to complete. You can also demonstrate the power and impact of lighting choices to clients, using the product’s 360° Panorama functionality, which allows an immersive view of their dream space to be sent via email and seen from a variety of different viewpoints, using their smartphone or tablet - in the comfort of their own home.

Plus, there are thousands of lighting products and many other stylish and contemporary graphic items to choose from in 2020’s cloud-based decorative catalogue. This includes smart appliances from leading manufacturers. Using CAD, you’re not only improving the aesthetics of your customers’ designs, but you’re also maximising your opportunity to upsell.

PEER POINT “There is no doubt that future kitchens are destined to be digital. As designers, we are aware that more and more users are embracing high tech solutions when it comes to making decisions for their kitchens; whether it is a dishwasher that responds to voice commands or an oven that can be remotely controlled. Thanks to these smart solutions, users are able to save more time, space and cost in the longterm, while designers are encouraged to incorporate smart technologies in their kitchen designs.”

Yaprak Yalcinkaya, Designer Kitchen Direct 2020 Fusion Inspiration Awards Winner 2019, Experts’ Choice

The inclusion of appropriate lighting is sometimes overlooked during the design process of a new kitchen.

Lighting has to be planned and meticulously thought out, just as much as the cabinet design itself. I believe great kitchen design is definitely enhanced by incorporating great lighting design.

With the kitchen undoubtedly being the most multi-functional room in the home, with food prep, cooking, dining, entertaining, homework and generally just hanging out, various kinds of lighting are essential. In days gone by there were really just two options for lighting in a kitchen, a four-foot fluorescent strip light on the ceiling or a five-foot one.

Thankfully those days have passed, and lighting can be broken down into three main categories: ambient, task, and accent lighting.

• Ambient Lighting Good general lighting is essential for overall use of the room and for safety, such as recessed downlights.

• Task Lighting As the name suggests, task lighting is the direct lighting of the areas where tasks will be carried out during food preparation, etc. Under cabinet spots or strips are ideal for illuminating these specific areas.

• Accent Lighting These lights add warmth, depth, and an atmosphere to the room and can be used for display cabinets, plinth lighting, under-worktop, etc. Overhead lights can bring a dramatic touch to a design feature.

Consider controls Great importance also needs to be given to the controllability of lighting.

With smart switches becoming more popular, being able to control these lights from your phone, and set a mood before you get home, definitely has its advantages.

Multiple layers of lights, switches, and apps unfortunately come at a cost. However, if there is any room where it is worth the extra time spent educating the customer of the benefits, it is the kitchen. My reminder to designers is: what is the point of great kitchen design if it is not accentuated by great lighting design?

www.kandbnews.co.uk K&BNEWS JULY/AUGUST

39

BUSINESS

reader profile

1

Restore and order

Despite suffering a devastating fire, owner of Ware Bathroom Centre Mick Nicholls had no intention of closing. Now, 18 months later, he has completed the renovations of his retail destination It was nearly two years ago when Mick Nicholls received a phone call in the morning which informed him the premises next door to his showroom was on fire. “When I got to the showroom it was already cordoned off and there were five fire engines on the scene. Ultimately there were about 12 in attendance.” Despite the fire service trying to put out the fire and housing down the bathroom showroom, the intense heat from the neighbouring property caused Ware Bathroom Centre to combust.

“Suddenly a pouf of smoke came out of our eaves and that was it. It was alight”, explains Mick.

The fire had torn through the ceiling and the showroom suffered substantial water damage. Mick describes the scene “We had 4 inches of water in the front showroom. The ceilings were down and it was an absolute mess.” It meant the two-floor, 10,000sqft showroom, where the retailer had been since 1992, was unusable.

While this may have been where the story would end for many bathroom retailers, for self-proclaimed optimist Mick Nicholls it was the beginning of creating a new retail destination: “I thought ‘I’m going to turn this showroom around. It was a beautiful showroom and I’m going to make it even better and we did that.”

40 JULY/AUGUST K&BNEWS www.kandbnews.co.uk

Continuing retail That’s not to say, Mick wasn’t offered some temptation to move locations. Hertfordshire County Council, which owned the neighbouring property where the fire started, knocked their building down.

He says: “They were convinced, I think, that we would do the same and sell the land for building. It’s probably worth about £1.6million. They even rang me up and said ‘we’ve got a scheme that we’d like you to look at’. They had got a drawing of our plot and their plot with 38 flats on it and one small commercial premises which they said we could use as a showroom. The turnover would have been £9.6million in flat sales – so you could have made a sensible amount of money.” But Mick and his family were determined to refurbish its original building, with its canal-side, central Ware location.

The fire brigade had saved the computers and so the retail side of the business was able to relocate to the nearby premises of its merchant business – Ware Heating & Plumbing Suppliers WHABS. “We set up desks and computers and put tables in the trade counter, if the public were prepared to come and see us without a showroom. We still did plans and went out to people’s houses but we lost about £1.2million in turnover.” But Mick explains the company is

financially strong, and during this time it turned its focus to contract work, as he says: “We had a slight divert where we knew we were going to lose business from the showroom, so we started looking at more contract work. We’ve just picked up 300-odd units in North London and got a big development in Elephant & Castle.”

Important insurance Of course, the rebuild wasn’t without its wrangling between insurers and loss adjusters which saw a delay, including being without a roof for 10 months.

It meant the building was open to the elements. “In fact, there was fungus growing in the staff kitchen, that’s how bad it was. It was sad to see”, adds Mick.

But he continues: “In the end we got paid out, although not as much as we wanted. They said we were underinsured on the stock, because on the policy it was written down as displays and they said ‘that’s not stock’. They reckon we were underinsured on the building and yet my broker said ‘you’re not’.

We argued and argued and eventually I got £50,000 more out of them than they wanted to pay. It took a long time to turn it around.”

In fact, it took 15 months before any part of the showroom was re-opened. “We got back in the

2 showroom, in some sort of degree, in December 2018.” But this just saw the re-opening of a small part of the showroom, with the installation of designers’ desks and computers, as the rest of the building was still being worked on.

But Mick was quite fortuitous as the business was well-insured and he says that is critical for any bathroom or kitchen retailer. “I’ve passed the advice on to a few friends in the industry and said ‘whatever you do, you must check your policy and make sure you have two years’ business interruption as a minimum’. I had that and it paid off.”

Reviewing showroom Having to rebuild the showroom from scratch meant Mick was given the time to review the entire retail business. “The first thing you do is start thinking about saving some money. In doing that, we looked at all the overheads - electricity and gas - anything that was a regular outgoing. You don’t pay rates when you’re not in the building. We stopped the telephone lines and the CCTV maintenance fee.”

It also enabled him to rethink the showroom layout and consider his suppliers, asking them to help recreate Ware Bathroom Centre. Mick explains the new look showroom is more open plan, as he comments: “We did concentrate on less is more. We had been in here since the 90s and we had put walls up. The idea, then, was to make the settings look like your bathroom at home measuring 3 x 2m. Over the years, we’ve gone away from that.”

And he encouraged suppliers to take an active part in designing the showroom, as Mick says: “We spoke to manufactures and said ‘this is a blank canvas’. We said to them ‘we’ve got an area, you plan it.” We spoke to Villeroy & Boch and we gave them

prime position at the reception area and started from there. We already stocked Laufen but we took Roca on, which we didn’t have before. So now we have a Roca/Laufen area and for Abacus we did the same, giving them an area.” And a buying group meeting, held at Utopia Furniture premises, saw Mick add this supplier to his showroom too.

In fact, Mick praises The National Buying Group (NBG) which he joined six years’ ago as an “eyeopener and a bonus to the business, no question. My accountant said to me ‘why didn’t you do this years’ ago?’” He says not only has it enabled him to meet old and new friends , but adds “it certainly helps your buying power”.

People power After 18 months and a £600,000 investment, Ware Bathroom Centre is once again home to around 80100 displays and continuing to attract customers from the locality and as far afield as London, Luton

1. FIRE DEVASTATION Ware Bathroom Centre was devastated by fire and subsequent water damage

2. CENTRE STAGE Villeroy & Boch has been positioned at the front of the showroom

3. OPEN SPACES The showroom has been designed so it is open plan, allowing for larger displays

4. REVIEW SUPPLIERS Roca has now been added to the showroom, alongside its sister brand Laufen

3

4 and Chelmsford. Mick exclaims: “I’ve been in this trade for 51 years. I just love it and I’m as enthusiastic today, as when I started. It would have been easy to say ‘sell it’. This has been 18 months/two years of something we weren’t expecting but have dealt with it. We’re still busy as a company. “ He attributes the success of his business to his staff, stating: “It is about good people and we have got some fantastic people.” And Mick says service provided by his staff is paramount to running a successful retail business, But he says the key to being an accomplished owner is that “you don’t ever stop learning about the industry.”

Certainly the company has been on a journey from its origins in 1982 when it was sited in an old forge and with a trade counter built from pallets.

Now the company boasts a successful merchant business WHABS and the beautifully-restored Ware Bathroom Centre, it is set to take on the next stage of life.

www.kandbnews.co.uk K&BNEWS JULY/AUGUST

41

KITCHENS

supplier profile

Empire building British luxury cooker hood manufacturer Westin has completed its expansion into a neighbouring mill, which could allow the company to triple its production capabilities at the site

1 1. WESTIN ORIGINS

As British as Big Ben, taking about the weather or a cup of tea, WS Westin was founded at Phoenix Mill in Huddersfield by Walter Stanley Westin in 1921, and there it has remained for nearly a century. The business has changed from its origins of making hammered copper chimneys for fireplaces to become a luxury kitchen hood manufacturer. And its premises have altered, too, with the company having completed an expansion into a neighbouring mill, increasing its property by 22,000sqft to 77,000sqft.

Sales and marketing director Ann Onions explains prior to the mill acquisition there was always plans, by chairman John Eastman, to sell the original building to a retail development. But the focus of the business became surviving the 90s recession and the financial crisis in 2008, choosing instead to invest in manufacturing.

internal test facilities, allowing Westin to test its extraction onsite.

Having acquired the mill at the end of 2014, the three storey-building was gutted and two floors were refurbished by 2017. The final phase of expansion, offering meeting rooms and office space was finished this year, with a showroom to be completed.

Expansion for growth

Benefit of Brexit

But having outgrown the original premises, it became a necessity for the company to seek larger premises and it acquired the Grove Works mill. Group managing director of Westin Ian Sheppard explains: “We had completely outgrown the office area.

Similarly, with manufacturing, until we purchased this place, we were looking at offsite warehousing and this came up at the right time.”

In addition, the new premises now offer its own

It may seem an off time to invest, with an uncertain backdrop surrounding Brexit, but Westin reports the company is “slightly up” on last year and Ann Onions says being a British manufacturer has helped: “Being the only UK manufacturer of cooker hoods, our prices have been fairly stable and we haven’t had the hikes that other companies have had.” She points out it has helped sales at the entry price point of the brand, its built-in units, adding: “It’s made them

42 JULY/AUGUST K&BNEWS www.kandbnews.co.uk

Founded in 1921, WS Westin has occupied the same site for nearly a century and had outgrown the premises

2. GROVE MILL The company acquired a neighbouring mill in 2014 and completely refurbished it before its completion this year

2 more appealing in the market because it’s now a more competitive price than it was. So we have seen a gain in business, there.”

And in fact, she believes the greatest impact of Brexit on appliance sales has already happened, as Onions explains: “The B word has now become boring because nobody knows what’s happening – but the uncertainty has been there for so long, I can’t see that it’s going to get any more uncertain. The people who have hesitated have hesitated and there are other people who have thought ‘ I don’t know what’s going on with Brexit but I’m going to go on with my kitchen anyway’. So, I don’t think it’s going to have an affect any more than it already has.”

Servicing the retailer Despite not being able to demand swathes of kitchen showroom space like an appliance generalist, Westin keeps the doors open for all kitchen showrooms to trade with the company. Onions explains: “An appliance manufacturer will say you need to put five of our products on display to trade with us. You need to do a certain level of turnover to trade with us.

Because we are a cooker hood company, we can’t go to a retailer and say you need to put five cooker hoods on display.” And Ian Sheppard re-iterates the point, echoing frustration about competing with generalist appliance manufacturers instore: “There

4 3. OFFICE SPACE Its newly-refurbished expansion now offers meeting rooms, office space, warehousing and a testing facility

3 are many customers and potential customers who would like to display a Westin but they are forced into displaying other manufacturers.”

But Onions says it just means the company has to work in a different way: “There are some kitchen companies where the average price of a kitchen is £15,000-£20,000 and then suddenly they do a quote for a £50,000 kitchen. We don’t want to stop that retailer putting in a Westin hood because they are not in that market all the time.”

And she cites the company’s efforts in helping retailers choose the optimum extraction for their kitchen schemes, saying: “because retailers have to know everything about everything range cookers, coffee machines, workstops, handles etc, they can’t be a specialist in all of it. So we try and say to them, what you need to do is send the information to us and we’ll come back with the best solution. No other appliance manufacturer is doing that.” She continues: “It’s not just the pre-sales care but also the after-sales care. We’ll send an engineer, even if you had a cooker hood from 25 years’ ago and you need a new motor. We come up with the best solution and best aftersales service.”

Bespoke steers standard This different approach to sales and service is also echoed in the design of its hoods, as although it

offers standard models, the majority are tweaked to suit individual projects, Onions offers the examples: “I want a standard product but with square lights.

Instead of 1200 x 440 can you do it in 100 x 2000?”, and these are joined by completely bespoke concepts – any shape, any size and in any colour.

In fact, it is the bespoke capabilities of the brand which have helped the company refine its standard offer. “We launched ceiling units six or seven years’ ago now and have a top-box that fits between the joists, as long as they are going in the same direction.

If they are going in the opposite direction to the hood then the box doesn’t fit. We got lots of people asking if we did smaller top boxes as a special – so now we have a standard product and if you don’t know which way the joists are going – this will still fit. I think having bespoke helps us innovate and find out the next solution.”

Opportunities and threats So what are the biggest opportunities for Westin?

Ann Onions believes it will be launch of powerful built-in units into furniture. She says the company had a popular model, but due to EU legislation which limited extraction to 650m3/h , they had to stop selling it. However, Westin has now sourced more energy efficient motors, and she believes sales success will follow.

4. HARMONY Westin manufactures a range of hoods, including its latest Harmony model which is integrated into an induction hob

But she is keeping a cautious eye on the Government’s environmental lobby which is looking at air quality, as Onions continues: “If anything is going to affect the cooker hood business it’s going to be the environmental lobby that’s saying we don’t want air pollution from log burners and gas hobs.” She continues: “If they ever go down that route, which may be a long way off, that’s the major threat I see.”

Future-proofing the business Certainly, the business has shown its ability to evolve over the past 100 years, and with its newly expanded premises, it will continue to buoy the company’s future. In fact, Ian Sheppard believes it has already made a big difference to Westin, as he comments “More than anything else, it’s a statement of where the company is and who the customers are that we sell to.” And the new premises will also allow the company to potentially triple production from this site. He concludes: “As far as the manufacturing facilities are concerned, we are only working on one shift. So if we want to ramp up production we can.

We have a turnover of about £5million and it could grow to at least double that, and there is even the potential to triple manufacturing capabilities.”

For more information on Westin visit

www.rdr.link/KG052

www.kandbnews.co.uk K&BNEWS JULY/AUGUST

43

NEWS & VIEWS competition

WIN two tickets to KitchenAid Cookery School

You have the chance to learn how to make ‘picture-perfect’ pasta and pizza dough at the KitchenAid London Experience Store Celebrating its 100th anniversary and opening of the KitchenAid Cookery School, the premium appliance manufacturer is offering one lucky winner two tickets to take part in the pasta and pizza masterclass.

Cookery classes are held at the KitchenAid London Experience Store. Guests can join Chef Lisa Marley to experience KitchenAid’s premium appliances and learn a variety of cooking techniques, to create dishes that can be made at home, time and time again.

A variety of cookery classes are scheduled over the coming months and we have two tickets up for grabs for the pasta and pizza masterclass,

which is being held on October 17, 2019 at 10:30am. The class lasts four hours and attendees can develop their cooking skills.

Guests will be taught the methods to make picture perfect pasta and pizza dough and will produce a range of dishes from fresh pasta, such as herb tagliatelle with pesto, as well as a three cheese pizza with a homemade sauce.

When the work is done, there will be time for guests to sit down to enjoy their hand made pasta and pizza.

The class will give all attendees chance to get hands-on with various KitchenAid appliances including the KitchenAid Twelix Artisan Oven

(KOASP 60602), which offers 18 professional functions including six Pro Bakery functions.

The KitchenAid Cookery School gives people an opportunity to get to know KitchenAid appliances, while learning new recipes and enjoying a great day out. KitchenAid cookery classes allow attendees to learn the best techniques from a professional chef, to take their expertise and creativity in the kitchen to the next level.

For more information on the KitchenAid Cookery School and to learn about any specific classes visit www.rdr.link/KG053

To be in with a chance of winning two tickets to the KitchenAid pasta and pizza masterclass on October 17, 2019 please answer the following question:

Name: ............................................................................................................

How many professional functions are on the KitchenAid Twelix Artisan Oven (K0ASP 60602)?

Job title: ........................................................................................................

❏

(i.e. bathroom showroom, house builder, interior design)

3

❏

18

❏

12

Send your answer along with your name, job title, company name and business type, address and work telephone number to: KitchenAid Cookery School Competition, Kitchens & Bathrooms News, Regal House, Regal Way, Watford, Herts, WD24 4YF or fax to 01923 246901. Alternatively email pturrell@hamerville.co.uk TERMS AND CONDITIONS Entry deadline is August 31, 2019. The winning entry will be drawn on September 1 2019 and the winner will be notified within 30 days. The competition is open to UK mainland residents aged 18 or over, except employees of Hamerville Media Group and anyone professionally connected to the competition. The winner will receive two tickets to the pizza and pasta masterclass on October 17 at 10.30am and the winner’s name will be printed in the October issue of Kitchens & Bathrooms News.

The prize is as stated and no cash alternative will be offered. Any travel, accommodation or additional costs related to the prize incurred by the winner will not be reimbursed by KitchenAid nor Hamerville Media Group. KitchenAid reserves the right to only admit members of the winner’s party whose names were provided as attendees when they were contacted to confirm the prize. Winners will be provided with health and safety rules and all necessary information by email before the event. The KitchenAid Experience Store is not able to guarantee a completely allergen free environment. KitchenAid may cancel the event, due to circumstances outside its reasonable control and reschedule at any time. The winner will be the first correct entry drawn. Tick here if you wish your details to be passed on to third parties. ■

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last word

NEWS & VIEWS

Join forces to promote eco CEO of the Unified Water Label Yvonne Orgill says everyone must play their part when it comes to sustainability and retailers must do more to raise consumer awareness When it comes to sustainability, the KBB sector hasn’t always been renowned for its forwardthinking initiatives. This could be because of the close links with the construction sector that seems to be taking its time to take this issue seriously. But the BMA has for many years had sustainability at the heart of many of its campaigns and initiatives, with the Unified Water Label (UWL) driving real change for many bathroom products.

The independent and entirely voluntary UWL was developed by manufacturers in the UK bathroom industry. It is now firmly established across Europe, and beyond, under the guidance of the European Bathroom Forum. The UWL is gaining traction and its success is now in the hands of the industry. Everyone must play their part, from the manufacturers that produce the products that display the label, to the designers, installers and retailers that seek out products that are registered. The label is easily identifiable as it is displayed on product literature, installation guides and on manufacturer’s websites.

While it is a voluntary scheme there are currently 13,200 products and 155 brands already using it.

What we need now is more education so that consumers are made aware of how sustainable the

products are, so they can make an informed choice about what to purchase.

Consumer demand The manufacturers have played their part and made the products available but the rest of the industry is missing an opportunity by not communicating the credentials of these products.

There is a growing demand from consumers. Our recent research into buying habits highlighted this clearly. The BMA ‘behind the bathroom door’ research found consumers would be positively influenced to buy products if they had more information about water efficiency. The results showed more than 80% of respondents said water efficiency was quite or very important when purchasing a WC or a shower. Yet almost 40% were not made aware of how much water the products would use. This clearly shows there is an opportunity for retailers and installers and that they are missing out if they don’t have this information available.

Raise awareness Retailers should do more to highlight which products carry the UWL and provide information to consumers

about sustainability, recyclability and the efficiency of the products they sell.

There are those that say consumers do not show enough interest but this is changing and while we may not have reached a crisis point in the KBB industry, you only have to look at what is happening in the world around us to know that a crunch point is not far away. From school children going on strike, to the Extinction Rebellion activists, people are standing up for their beliefs and making their voices heard to #savetheplanet.

The industry should also be aware that when the crunch point comes, it could have a major impact. In other industries, the landscape is changing as unsustainable products are phased out; products such as cotton buds and plastic straws. These examples may have been initiated by legislation but if the voluntary system does not work then legislation will come.

It will be far better for the KBB industry to initiate the changes voluntary. We must all play our part to keep sustainability at the forefront, promote the products that we have and educate whenever possible so that consumers can find the information easily and readily.

www.kandbnews.co.uk K&BNEWS JULY/AUGUST

45

PRODUCT

SHOWCASE

To book a panel in this section please call Nina Goldberg on 01923 237799 or email nina@hamerville.co.uk MUDD MUDD FAST FIXER Finish that tiling job sooner with MUDD Fast Fixer.

Polymer modified for extra flexibility, MUDD Fast Fixer is suitable for fixing porcelain, ceramic and some natural stone tiles.

Water and frost resistant, it can be used internally and externally, and because it is fast setting, grouting can take place only THREE hours after fixing!

Available in white or grey, it is so easy to mix and apply – simple and gets the job done!

What’s more, because of its flexibility it can be used on key installations such as heated screeds, under-tile heating and other areas with limited movement. www.mudd-tiling.com

KELLER KITCHENS

KELLER’S ELEGANT ELBA; WARM WOOD WITH A STURDY INDUSTRIAL TOUCH Keller’s Washed Oak Elba model is perfect for kitchens large or small. The rustic timber effect melamine-fronted cabinetry provides symmetrical patterns which can be combined with all sorts of worktops and appliances.

Whether it’s a large open plan kitchen where units have been used to create an island, or a narrow kitchen where homeowners have opted for the galley-style design, they can add stylish components such as copper light fittings or an integrated extractor hood.

For further information, please visit www.kellerkitchens.com.

VOGUE UK

Manufacturer of designer radiators and towel warmers, Vogue UK, taps into the market’s unwavering admiration for luxury bathroom design, with its new and exclusively distinct White Sparkle finish. Glistening upon Vogue’s mainstream Focus MD001 Towel Warmer, the new White Sparkle colour option is exclusive to Vogue UK, infusing a dazzling iridescent finish across one of its flagship multi-rail designs. It is defined by its shimmering façade and clean, Scandinavian-style finish. www.vogueuk.co.uk

46 JULY/AUGUST K&BNEWS www.kandbnews.co.uk

SNICKERS

HULTAFORS

THE NEWEST CLOTHING INNOVATIONS IN THE 2019 SNICKERS WORKWEAR CATALOGUE

HELLBERG SAFETY PPE AND SNICKERS WORKWEAR – COMFORT AND SAFETY COMBINED.

Including market-leading designs and the latest fabric technology innovations from the world’s leading Workwear brand.

This 200-page catalogue has all you need to know about the UK’s most extensive range of working clothes for professional tradesmen and women.

There’s something for every trade you can name in the Snickers Workwear range – AllroundWork, RUFFWork, LITEWork and FLEXIWork clothing Trousers, Jackets, Tool Vests, Shirts, Underwear, Accessories and much more – plus an extensive range of EN-certified PPE working clothes.

The Hultafors Group Adds Hellberg Safety PPE products to its premium brand portfolio for professional tradesmen and women.

With over 50 years experience in the PPE industry, the Hellberg Safety specialist equipment includes highly advanced hearing protection products, face protection and communication solutions for personal protection on site.

From face guards, helmets and passive hearing protection with up to 3 levels of protection from low to extreme noise, Hellberg also supply secure electronic hearing protectors to suit different work environments.

For more information, visit the website at www.snickersworkwear.co.uk alternatively, call the Snickers Helpline on 01484 854788.

CLOSOMAT

Getting information on the new Hellberg Safety product range is easy - call the Hultafors Group UK Helpline on 01484 854788 or checkout the website www.hellbergsafety.com

SANIFLO

ENABLING STYLE Closomat is blurring the lines of sector design to enable capitalisation on a growing market: that of smart, enabling fixtures and fittings.

The new Asana wall-hung, concealed cistern shower/ wash dry toilet delivers a fixture for life, through a combination of contemporary design, intuitive operation and choice of operating devices.

Closomat is also unique in its provision, in-house, in the UK, of design advice, supply, installation, commissioning and aftersales service & maintenance. Details of the Closomat’s shower toilet offerings, including ‘how it works’ videos etc, plus case studies from real-life users, can be found on Closomat’s website www.clos-o-mat.com.

SENSIO

Sensio has introduced Torino, a range of framed glass shelves complete with integral LEDs The Torino shelf collection has cool white LED’s embedded within the frame which create a stunning glow as the light travels across the tempered glass.

The shelf is framed in anodized aluminium in both matt black and silver finishes, both of which are available in 600mm or 900mm lengths. www.sensio.co.uk

The new elegant and discreet Kinedo Kinepsace range from Saniflo UK is designed to make fitting shower enclosures swift and easy, while delivering a highquality product with a 10-year warranty.

Available in four sizes, chrome profiles feature across the range with some versions also available in statement black or ‘on trend’ copper.

Numerous configurations are possible including recessed and corner options with pivot or sliding doors whilst fixed panels enable customisation for extra flexibility. At two metres high with 6mm or 8mm glass, some Kinespace enclosures feature an optional central frosted panel on the glass. Available in chrome, black, copper and black panel design. www.kinedo.co.uk

Tel: 020 8842 0033

HIB

In response to rising consumer demand for modern minimalism, HiB has unveiled its beautiful new mirrored cabinet: Exos. The cabinet’s contemporary look is complemented by thoughtful design features and innovative technology, resulting in ultimate ease of use. The double sided mirrored doors allow the use of the mirror even when the unit is open and are fitted with heated pads, helping to clear condensation for a seamless bathroom experience www.hib.co.uk

MARKETPLACE

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

Design Software

Kitchen manufacturers

Worktops

KITCHEN COMPANY LTD

Kitchens

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

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BATHROOMS NEWS

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ADVERTISEMENT INDEX 20-20 Technologies ............................................................(page 39)

Reginox ..............................................................................(page 12)

Bikbbi ..................................................................................(page 11)

Samsung ..............................................................................(page 9)

Blum ............................................................................(pages 14, 15) BMA ....................................................................................(page 29)

PRODUCT SHOWCASE

BMA ....................................................................(inside back cover)

MUDD......................................................................................Page 46

Building Adhesives ............................................................(page 35)

Snickers ..................................................................................Page 46

Co-op Insurance ..............................................................(page 33)

Hultafors..................................................................................Page 46

Crown .............................................................. (outside back cover)

Keller Kitchens........................................................................Page 46

Dallmer ..............................................................................(page 29)

Closomat................................................................................Page 46

Franke ................................................................................(page 21)

Saniflo ....................................................................................Page 46

Harvey Softeners ................................................(inside front cover)

Vogue UK................................................................................Page 46

In Sink Erator ......................................................................(page 25)

Sensio......................................................................................Page 46

Lakes Bathrooms ................................................................(page 2)

HIB ..........................................................................................Page 46

Nexus Design Software ....................................................(page 25)

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