The Ideal Bathroom Issue 24

Issue 24 | Feb 2018

THE IDEAL BATHROOM Essential information for bathroom retailers

The Ultimate Eco Storage Bath Introducing Essential’s brand new Kensington Eco Shower Bath, the elegant yet affordable addition to your bathroom.

Find yourself relaxed and pampered in the sophisticated Kensington Eco Bath. Featuring a glamorous L-Shape exterior with built-in storage space, the Kensington Eco is the perfect choice for any bathroom.

For more information please visit

www.essentialfromideal.com

WHAT’S INSIDE…

WHAT DOES 2018 HAVE IN STORE? A warm welcome to the 24th edition of The Ideal Bathroom, the first issue of 2018.

As ever, there’s so much news and information to fit into what seems like such a small magazine, but I think we’ve done an excellent job. We’ve certainly set the bar high for the rest of the year!

It seems that every issue we have some very exciting news to share and this one is no different as we proudly announce our exclusive partnership with a new luxury brand called Bayswater.

Their beautifully traditional products really are something to behold and everyone at Ideal Bathrooms is incredibly thrilled to welcome them on board. You can read more about Bayswater on pages 18 – 21.

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JOHN BAGSHAW’S INDUSTRY VIEW Our Managing Director discusses the first Ideal Industry Report and some of its interesting insights.

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THE BUZZ All the latest industry news in one place

8 RACE TO THE ORIENT

Double the wow, double the luxury, double the fun

12 LUXURY, INNOVATIVE, BESPOKE Aqualisa Premier collection is now available

14 NEWS FROM ESSENTIAL

Announcing Spring, the brand new showering range

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INTRODUCING BAYSWATER The all new traditional bathroom brand in town

22 STUART TURNER

Turning the page on a new chapter

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THE TRADITIONAL V MODERN DEBATE Where do you stand on the great bathroom divide?

Be sure to read pages 14 – 15 to find out about the brand new and exquisite shower range from Essential, Spring. It’s not to be missed!

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Registration for our Race to The Orient opened last month. We cannot believe it’s our 4th Race to… event, but following the success of the previous three we couldn’t resist. The trips at the end of the race are always unforgettable and give us an amazing chance to spend some time with customers from up and down the country. The race is fully underway now, so make sure you’re signed up! More details can be found on pages 8 and 9.

IN FOCUS...PEBBLES Owner Richard Thorley, talks about last year’s trends and his showroom’s biggest strengths

34 THE IDEAL WEBSITE

This issue’s Who is… sees Adam Rhodes in the hot seat. Aqualisa’s Sales Director lifts the lid on his day to day life, which includes a few surprises – don’t miss it!

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ARMITAGE SHANKS... ...Reflects on a historic year and looks to the future of innovation

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COVER EVERY SURFACE IN STYLE PanelStyle, the smart and cost effective alternative to tiles, paint or wallpaper

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WHO IS... ...Adam Rhodes

Along with everyone else at Ideal Bathrooms, I would like to say thank you for your continued support and we hope you enjoy a very prosperous 2018.

Danielle Lillis Commercial Director Cover image - Race to Orient. See pages 8-9 for more information.

Our customers share their thoughts on the new website

If you would like to contribute to The Ideal Bathroom please email emma.hahn@idealbathrooms.com

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The latest marketplace news | THE IDEAL BATHROOM

JOHN BAGSHAW’S INDUSTRY VIEW Ideal Bathroom’s Managing Director reflects on the year and how the company has fared.

Q. How has the new Ideal Bathrooms website impacted business?

It’s been received well, probably beyond our initial expectations. We’ve got over 1,000 people signed up and using the site’s features like the live stock feed regularly. It’s nice to have a state-of-theart website to facilitate modern trading.

I’m very pleased with it, the team worked very hard over a period of 18 months. I’d like to thank everyone who participated in this project and made it happen. It puts an unrivalled amount of information at people’s fingertips.

Q. What can Ideal customers expect from the business in 2018?

We’ve got new suppliers – Bayswater have a Victorian and Edwardian traditional offer. It’s the first time we’ve offered that. We believe it’s a great

opportunity for our customers. It should be the most exciting launch the industry has seen in a long time. We also have a new range of Spring shower enclosures that have some fantastic features and benefits. It’s all about giving our customers fantastic margin potential – we grow by helping our customers grow. We did a lot of things at the end of 2017 to make 2018 very positive.

Q. You’ve already touched on Ideal’s partnership with Bayswater, what can customers expect from the relationship?

Our existing partners do not have offerings in this area, so I think many of our customers will see massive opportunities. This is only phase one, there will be further additions to the range. The focus for this range was on products that sell. I think it completes our offer.

Q. What would your advice be to customers for the next year?

I believe that if they’re loyal and shop with us they will see the benefits of doing so. I think the market will be difficult this year. We saw growth in 2017 but nowhere near the growth of previous years. If the market is a little tighter, they can enjoy higher margins by trading with us. We want our customers to be successful and I really believe the Spring and Bayswater ranges will be fantastic opportunities for our customers to make more money.

Q. Do you think the current political uncertainty will impact business this year?

The confusion and divided parties trying to tear each other apart is very frustrating.

I hoped the parties would have united to try and get the best deal for the UK and for businesses. The whole thing has knocked people’s confidence. As I’ve already said, we’re here to give our customers the best possible margins over the next couple of hard years, that’s where our focus is.

Q. Anything else customers should be excited about in 2018?

EXCLUSIVELY AT

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Yes – we’ve also got the Race to The Orient happening this year. It’s the 4th Race to… we’ve done. It’s a fantastic opportunity for our customers and we’re really looking forward to another exciting trip.

0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

THE IDEAL BATHROOM | The latest marketplace news

THE BUZZ LATEST NEWS

News from Ideal Standard

The smart water sensor and controller

Ideal Standard appoints Stephen Ewer as Managing Director of UK & Ireland

GROHE announces a revolutionary water security system for your home

Ideal Standard is delighted to announce the appointment of Stephen Ewer as Managing Director UK Cluster, which includes the UK, Ireland and operations in Australia.

GROHE Sense and Sense Guard are GROHE’s latest intelligent solutions for the smart home. The GROHE Sense smart water sensor monitors humidity, detects leaks and alerts homeowners instantly in case of a problem, while GROHE Sense Guard is installed in the main water pipe and can switch off the water supply in case of a burst pipe. Both use ground-breaking smart technology, allowing them to be monitored and controlled using the brand new GROHE ONDUS App.

Stephen will oversee the group’s activities in UK and Ireland and assume responsibility for the business development across the group’s leading brands Armitage Shanks, Ideal Standard and Sottini. Stephen brings strong commercial and strategic leadership experience from various leading B2B businesses and companies.

Commenting on the news Torsten Tüerling, Ideal Standard Group’s Chief Executive Officer said, “I am delighted to announce Stephen’s appointment and welcome him to Ideal Standard. Stephen joins the UK business at an exciting and important time, with one of our brands, Armitage Shanks celebrating its 200 year anniversary and significant investment across the group. Stephen’s appointment looks directly towards the future and the continuation of strong business growth.”

For more information, visit www.ideal-standard.co.uk

GROHE Sense and GROHE Sense Guard have been created to address the issue of water damage in households as an underestimated risk as a survey conducted by GROHE earlier this year shows. Half of households in Europe have experienced water damage at least once – this is much more than participants suspected. As a report by the German Insurance Association has shown previously, 93% of the cases could have been prevented. As GROHE always wants to ensure that customers can enjoy their water experience, developing intelligent devices to monitor and prevent water damage incidents has been a natural next step in product innovation.

For more information, visit www.grohe.co.uk

0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

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The latest marketplace news | THE IDEAL BATHROOM

Armitage are doing it for Doc M’s Armitage Shanks launches new Doc M packs for 2018 New Doc M packs have been launched, which make it easier for specifiers and building managers to ensure their facilities fulfil Part M of the Building Regulations and satisfy the 2010 Equality Act. The comprehensive Doc M packs have been developed to make it quick and easy to specify what is required according to the type of facility.

Tony Rheinberg, Senior Sector Marketing Manager at Armitage Shanks, said, “We have just celebrated our bicentenary and as the last remaining sanitaryware manufacturer in Britain, we certainly have a lot of knowledge when it comes to meeting diverse customer needs.

“Our Doc M packs and our broad range of Part M products demonstrate this.

They offer specifiers the perfect fit, whatever their application may be.”

Working with industry professionals, Armitage Shanks has extended its range of Part M products which meet the stipulations of the Act, which requires that commercial and public buildings are entirely suitable for the use of disabled people.

For more information on Armitage Shanks and its Part M products with accompanying packs, please visit, www.idealspec.co.uk

New bath options Ideal Standard adds new bath options to established Tempo and Tesi collections Ideal Standard has extended its popular Tempo and Tesi collections with the addition of a selection of brand new baths.

Stuart Turner’s Flomate range changes its name after TWS UK acquisition Finding solutions to the common problem of low mains water pressure and flow couldn’t be easier with Stuart Turner’s range of Mainsboost Water Performance Solutions.

Joining the successful Tesi collection, which originally launched in February 2016, is a double ended bath. Like the original Tesi baths, the new bath features flat linear edges and bold semi-circular back rests. The pure geometric form sits harmoniously with so many of today’s bathrooms.

As a leading manufacturer of bathroom and whole house water boosting systems, Stuart Turner recognised the need for a mains water boosting solution some years ago and introduced the successful Flomate range to combat the issue of low mains water pressure. More recently, Stuart Turner acquired TWS UK and changed the brand name of their mains water boosting solutions to Mainsboost to represent the significant range expansion. Designed for both domestic and commercial properties, Mainsboost solutions make sure you get the performance you want, when you want it.

For more information, visit www.ideal-standard.co.uk

For more information, visit www.stuart-turner.co.uk

Like the rest of the Tempo collection, the new Tempo Arc baths strike a balance between soft minimalism and geometric forms, with relaxed, clean lines, whilst building on the current range of ceramics and brassware to provide more variety and choice.

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Introducing Mainsboost

Bacteria has nowhere to hide Armitage Shanks battles bacteria in healthcare washrooms with WC innovations Armitage Shanks has worked with industry experts to create its new clinical ceramics collection, Contour21+, which places battling bacteria at the centre of its agenda.

A key part of the collection is its innovative new line of WCs that make for the most hygienic healthcare environment.

All Contour21+ ceramics are available with a SmartGuard glaze that provides a much smoother surface, making it much more difficult for bacteria to breed. This glaze is also impregnated with silver ion to provide an even greater antimicrobial surface.

For more information, visit www.armitage-shanks.co.uk

0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

THE SHOW STOPPER

We are proud to bring you thr next stage of shower tray development, following significant investment in design and production technology.

This new addition to the JT range is a 25mm tray that has the look andfeel of a wetroom.

The next generation product features a leading edge waste solution, exclusively powered by WIrquin, the leading global waste manufacturers, in partnership with JT.

THE SHOWER TRAY. EVOLVED BY JT.

The latest marketplace news | THE IDEAL BATHROOM

DOUBLE THE WOW DOUBLE THE LUXURY DOUBLE THE FUN It’s time to get excited! You’re invited to join us for five fabulous days of VIP treatment in our first ever two stop race to Thailand, ‘The Land of Smiles’.

Come and immerse yourself in a spectacular Thai experience in Bangkok, a lively, bustling city renowned for its opulent temples and vibrant street life followed by four days of relaxation and sunshine on the stunningly beautiful island of Koh Samui.

Prepare to be amazed! Enjoy five nights of five star luxury at two of the best hotels in the world; the award-winning Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Bangkok and the brand sparkling new Ritz Carlton Resort in Koh Samui!

This trip will be talked about for years to come and we guarantee you’ll want to say “I was there”!

See the sights as we treat you to some mind-blowing activities and exquisite dining opportunities. We’d love you to be there to share these magical experiences with us!

WANT TO COME? It’s very easy...

REGISTER BY 31ST MARCH You’ll be given a unique sales target START The race begins 1st January 2018 BUY Each & every purchase brings you closer to winning this incredible prize FINISH The deadline for orders is 19th December 2018 TARGET REACHED? Congratulations!

You’ll be joining us for an unforgettable, luxury oriental experience!

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THE IDEAL BATHROOM | The latest marketplace news

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Full range is available now, for more information please contact your ASM or visit www.essentialfromideal.com

KETTLE HOT WATER STRAIGHT FROM THE TAP INTRODUCING NEW GROHE RED It’s time to say goodbye to the kettle. Introducing new GROHE Red - a beautiful and convenient system that delivers kettle hot water straight from the tap - with childlock and automatic stop for guaranteed GROHE safety. grohe.co.uk

The latest marketplace news | THE IDEAL BATHROOM

LUXURY INNOVATIVE BESPOKE Aqualisa Premier collection is now available at Ideal Bathrooms

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THE IDEAL BATHROOM | The latest marketplace news

Introducing Aqualisa’s most premium range of contemporary, beautifully crafted showers to suit any bathroom interior or water system. The Premier collection allows you the freedom to create your own bespoke showering experience with a range of exclusive accessories such as luxury shower heads, hoses, handheld showers and more.

With 17 years’ heritage as the pioneers of smart showering, Aqualisa has combined effortless luxury with sophisticated technology to create the ultimate collection of advanced showers.

Being the number one smart shower manufacturer, Aqualisa are leading the way with innovation – with the recently launched Q™ Edition set to revolutionise the way we shower.

Aqualisa… more than just a shower, a personalised shower experience.

For more information about the Aqualisa Premier Collection, visit www.aqualisa.co.uk

0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

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The latest marketplace news | THE IDEAL BATHROOM

Introducing Essential’s brand new, timeless showering range… Spring.

Springing into action Spring by Essential embraces the fundamental elements of the modern day bathroom, offering an extensive range of exquisite Shower Enclosures, Wetroom Panels and Bathscreens. We understand that the bathroom should not only be a place of relaxation and serenity but also versatility, and have designed the range with this in mind.

Not one to compromise on quality, Spring

by Essential promises to deliver product excellence and may just make the bathroom your new favourite place.

All Spring glass products feature EasyClean, helping to retain an immaculate finish for longer, and significantly reducing cleaning times. Maintaining a clean bathroom can often feel daunting which inspired Essential to create this high tech, effective and chic glass protection product. Specifically designed for the entire Spring by Essential range, EasyClean acts as an additional, protective coating to ensure that your shower screen is as resilient, and sterile, as it can be.

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The Sliding doors and Quadrants also feature double wheeled quick release rollers, offering both a smooth sliding movement, along with the ability to remove the door easily for cleaning.

Handle Metal Door Accessorising the range, fixing concealing strips and extension profiles can be added as an option to further enhance the look and fit of your enclosure. Furthermore, the wetroom panels can be fitted with floor to ceiling posts and floor channels, completing the walk in showering experience.

Although Spring offers amazing value, it also offers key premium features that set it apart from other enclosures. The handle is metal rather than plastic, giving the whole door a solid feeling when you hold it to open or close it.

Quick Re lease Roll ers

0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

THE IDEAL BATHROOM | The latest marketplace news

Don’t miss out, reap the benefits of buying Spring by Essential: Sophisticated range of

48 SKU’s

50% off RRP trade terms Chrome Cap All of the smooth profiles that make the enclosures are fitted with end caps for a seamless finish, their practically married with the pleasing aesthetic you expect in your dream bathroom.

Competitive RRP’s starting from £233 Full in stock availability for

0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

next day delivery 15

The latest marketplace news | THE IDEAL BATHROOM

Essential bathrooms are taking over showrooms.

Showroom Focus G & M (Plumbing & Heating) Limited of Copford, Colchester, have only been an Essential customer since late 2015, however their adoption of the Essential brand, and the growth it has delivered, has come on in leaps and bounds ever since.

Dedicating all of one their showroom spaces to our Essential brand, and focusing on it as their “high quality, high value” range, G & M’s Essential business grew nine-fold between 2016 and 2017.

“Being able to harness a range as complete as Essential, and having the confidence that its always available and in stock from Ideal Bathrooms, is of huge value to G&M and our customers. It gives us the confidence to focus on it without any worries. The quality of the products also means we don’t have any headaches either in fitting them or further down the road when the bathroom is in use”, said Russell Moulds, Managing Director.

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COVER IT IN STYLE waterproof wall panelling

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NEW New full colour brochure available on request

Create the wow factor with smart PVC panels. Choose from four fantastic collections of fabulous contemporary designs and do it in style with PanelStyle. Our PVC wall and ceiling panelling is an attractive, cost effective alternative to tiles, paint or wallpaper. It is 100% waterproof, quick and easy to fit and comes in a range of thicknesses to suit every budget and application - and with so many designs to choose from, it’s the perfect solution for any and every room.

Contact your local ideal ASM for more information info@panelstyle.co.uk | www.panelstyle.co.uk

The latest marketplace news | THE IDEAL BATHROOM

INTRODUCING...

The all new traditional bathroom brand in town In an era of modernism, a new brand is looking to offer retailers and end users an alternative luxury option by focusing on premium traditional bathroom products. Bayswater is a new Victorian and Edwardian-inspired bathroom brand owned and developed by a team of industry experts.

Featuring 300 SKU’s, the brand offers complete bathrooms including brassware, porcelain, furniture, radiators and fittings. Backing up its impressive yet affordable product range is a promise of unrivalled support to retailers.

To explain his vision for the brand, Darren Allison, Sales Director of Bayswater, answers a few questions.

Q. As Bayswater is a new company, will you take a moment to explain how the brand came to be?

Bayswater is the brainchild of Barrie Cutchie and myself – we have many years of industry experience and expertise. We wanted to create a brand synonymous with the bathroom industry. Our aim is to help retailers lure customers back into showrooms to see and buy products in person, rather than shopping online.

Q. As a new brand, what drew you towards Ideal Bathrooms and what made you choose them as a distribution partner?

There are many reasons why we decided to partner with Ideal. Their national distribution network is one –

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it’s very impressive. Another reason is that Ideal has no traditional offering, so we felt we could help. Ideal’s professionalism was clear to see from the first meeting we had. They only look forwards, not behind. That’s a trait applied to our business and one which we really admire.

Q. Bayswater has promised a fundamental shift in bathroom retail. What’s the brand’s vision for the future of the industry?

We will continue to develop the brand through product innovation and brand marketing, which has never been seen before in the bathroom industry. We have used fashion-based photography for the brochures and website to differentiate us from the competition and to show our market-leading products.

Q. Where do you see Bayswater in five years?

We have big plans for Bayswater, and the industry as a whole. It’s our aim to be the leader in traditional bathrooms – a goal we believe is very achievable within five years.

Q. What will set Bayswater apart in the eyes of Ideal’s customers and end users?

We’ve worked extremely hard to develop a truly exclusive range that retailers and users can count on. And it’s available only to Ideal customers.

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THE IDEAL BATHROOM | The latest marketplace news

EXCLUSIVELY AT

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The latest marketplace news | THE IDEAL BATHROOM

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THE IDEAL BATHROOM | The latest marketplace news

Ideal Bathroom’s Commercial Director, Danielle Lillis, gives her views on the new partnership with Bayswater.

of classical, traditional designs that date back 100 years or more. The two can complement each other. A traditional design bathroom product from Bayswater incorporated into a smart bathroom can still go hand in hand. People are going back to timeless designs for their inspiration.

Q. How does this partnership complement Ideal’s existing range of suppliers and how does that benefit Q. Why did Ideal choose to customers? partner with Bayswater?

The beauty with Bayswater is that it What drew you to the brand complements what we already have.

We have a very strong portfolio and have and what made it stand out always been a sanitaryware distributor from the competition? but we didn’t have a traditional brand.

Although we’ve got a great mix, there’s strong growth in the traditional market.

We needed to partner with a brand that had traditional as a sole design. So it’s the perfect fit and won’t take away any focus from our existing brands.

Q. In recent years, the bathroom industry has focused on modernising the bathroom. What are your views on traditional bathrooms and what do you think the market demand is like for them?

The bathroom industry is very fashion driven, and as with fashion, things come round in cycles. The beauty of traditional is that classic design never goes out of style. It’s great seeing the fantastic growth in smart technology, but on the flip side there’s the re-emergence

We had been looking to add traditional products to our portfolio for some time.

Naturally, our first port of call is always our existing suppliers and their plans for product development, so we were delighted to see that Roca are going to introduce a traditional product later in 2018, which is fantastic and will really complement our focus on traditional.

However, we really needed a brand that is completely focused on traditional design. Which was proving very difficult to find. So this partnership with Bayswater came along at the perfect time. It’s a new brand, which means we’ve got a real opportunity to partner with them and really make a difference.

The fact that it’s exclusive gives us so much confidence to get behind their brand. We really complement each other. Ideal were looking for an exclusive partner that is completely focused on traditional design both now and in the future. Likewise, Bayswater found within us a national distributor without traditional products in their portfolio. So it’s a win-win for both sides.

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The latest marketplace news | THE IDEAL BATHROOM

TURNING THE PAGE ON A NEW CHAPTER Stuart Turner’s Managing Director Mark Williams takes a moment to lift the lid on the company’s management buyout, his view of the industry and what customers can expect for 2018.

Q. How do Stuart Turner pumps compare to other pumps in the market today?

With over 110 years of ‘engineering excellence’ built into all our products, Stuart Turner is renowned for having the highest quality of products in the market. In fact, Stuart Turner pumps are so reliable; we confidently offer the longest, no quibble warranties compared to any of our competitors. If you are to ask any installer of pumps about the quality of Stuart Turner products then you’re likely to receive the same response; “Stuart Turner are the Rolls Royce of water pumps”.

Q. Stuart Turner underwent a management buyout in September 2017 – how has the buyout benefitted the business?

It’s still very early days but initially, it’s really focused our minds in terms of integrating the recent acquisitions – Allan Aqua Systems Ltd and TrentClyde Water Solutions Ltd – so that we fully utilise the highly-regarded Stuart Turner brand and demonstrate our new product and solutions offering. The management buyout has brought on board Lloyds Development Capital (LDC) as our financial investors who have the experience, desire and financial resources to help us achieve our immediate and longer term growth plans. Watch this space!

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Q. There have been lots of technological developments in the pump market, such as improved energy efficiency and lower maintenance costs. How has the Stuart Turner product line evolved over the last year? What drove these changes?

Stuart Turner’s new product development team is made up of six highly-skilled engineers who are constantly looking at enhancing our range with new technology and unique, patentable product designs. To date, we already have the most electrically and hydraulically efficient water pumps available which also operate very quietly and have the lowest maintenance and service costs compared to alternative brands. We constantly strive to keep ahead and be innovative.

Our patented Mainsboost range of low mains water pressure solution products is a further example of our first to market industry-leading pedigree.

0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

THE IDEAL BATHROOM | The latest marketplace news

Q. When you joined Stuart Turner as MD 10 years ago, the company had plans to expand both its product range and geographical reach. Which achievements for the business have you been most proud of since joining?

Q. Awareness of the benefits a pump can deliver can be low amongst customers, Q. Pumps are often with expert advice from considered a declining installers and showroom market in the bathroom managers a crucial part of industry. What has Stuart the sales process. Is there Turner done to drive brand a fact about Stuart Turner awareness and sales in light you wish all showroom of this declining market? managers knew?

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0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

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It’s not just end users that need educating on this, many installer plumbers and showroom staff are simply still unaware of the benefits of both our traditional and new product solutions that can totally eradicate what has become common practice in many households i.e. managing water consumption. We still have a big challenge when it comes to communicating what we have on offer and what can be done!

They can certainly expect the same quality, reliability, innovation and industry-leading customer service levels that they have always been enjoyed. Our new Total Water Solutions brochure alongside our updated website demonstrates that we are no longer just the UK & ROI’s market-leading shower pump manufacturer; we are now a true water solutions company that can resolve all your water and pressure boosting requirements, big or small.

Turner

Today, however, Stuart Turner is not just about shower and whole house water booster pumps. We have recognised the longer-term impact that changing plumbing and heating technologies will have on our business. That’s why we have launched products and acquired businesses that move into providing solutions for low mains water pressure and pressure boosting water in much larger commercial properties.

A lot of people live with poor water pressure and flow. Even after inventing the shower pump market over 40 years ago, Stuart Turner are still amazed when customers realise they don’t need to form an orderly queue to take a shower or not flush the toilet, run a tap, put the washing machine or dishwasher on when somebody is showering. Stuart Turner has a number of simple and costeffective solutions that’s means every household can have sufficient water supply ‘where you want it, when you need it’!

Q. What can customers expect from Stuart Turner in the year ahead?

Stuart

joined Stuart Turner in 2008. 10 years later, not only has Stuart Turner grown, but all our competitors have seen growth year on year. Our core shower and whole house pump market sector is still growing because, despite the fact that properties are slowly moving to system and combination boilers that rely on mains water pressure (i.e. no requirement for a pump), this shift in plumbing technology is more than outweighed by the existing houses stocked with vented plumbing systems.

All this activity is great news for Stuart Turner’s traditional products.

I’m mostly proud of the fact that we have doubled the turnover of Stuart Turner during that period. It’s also been an interesting journey and exciting mix of different growth strategies starting with new products in our existing markets, entering new markets, new geographical regions especially across the Middle East and Africa and, on top of all that, three acquisitions that have all now all been fully integrated into the Stuart Turner Business.

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The latest marketplace news | THE IDEAL BATHROOM

7 1 0 2 E H T S T S I L A IDE With another year over comes another opportunity for Ideal Bathrooms to recognise the outstanding contributions and efforts of its employees. Each year we acknowledge those who have gone the extra mile and excelled within their role.

Nominations for the Employee of the Year, Customer Service Excellence and Highly Commended Awards are received from other members of staff and each winner is presented with their award at the annual Ideal Bathrooms Christmas party.

EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR AWARD This year’s Employee of the Year Award was won by none other than Daniel Brooks who has been with Ideal Bathrooms since 2000, working in the ever demanding I.T. department. 2017 proved a particularly challenging year for Daniel, having to deal with the infamous cyber-attack which massively affected all Saint Gobain businesses across the globe. Going to the ends of the earth during this chaotic time to help salvage and re-build as many servers and computers as he could, Daniel truly demonstrated his dedication and commitment to not only his role in the company, but his colleagues also. In light of Daniel’s well deserved recognition, we’ve collated some comments from staff explaining why they nominated Daniel for the Employee of the Year Award: “To be the only IT person in this size of a business cannot be easy. Daniel gets pulled from pillar to post on anything IT and always does his best to help support and resolve issues when his work priorities constantly change from day to day. He manages to juggle the needs of four branches and the requirements of numerous projects. I really don’t know how he copes some days.”

ervice Customer S ard Aw Excellence 24

“During the cyber-attack he supported us no end and ensured we had access to what we needed as soon as possible. Daniel assisted massively in helping Ideal Bathrooms keep running during that hectic time.”

Employee of the Year

CUSTOMER SERVICE EXCELLENCE AWARD Our lovely Helen Webb was the well-earned winner of this year’s Customer Service Excellence Award. Helen started in the Ideal Bathrooms’ sales office back in 1989 and has given the company 28 years of consistent hard work, always with a smile on her face. A truly invaluable member of the Ideal Bathrooms family, Helen has most recently made the internal transition from her long serving Sales Office Manager role to our new Customer Service Manager. Her exceptional managerial and people skills combined with her incredibly warm and supportive persona has made her a firm favourite among many of her peers as well as our customers. It’s safe to say that Helen Webb is the epitome of customer service excellence and it goes without saying that this award is very well deserved.

“Helen remains totally customer focused and never loses sight that the customer is at the end of each order – this may be an obvious thing in her role but I believe throughout all the years that Helen has been at Ideal she remains totally loyal and committed regardless.”

0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

THE IDEAL BATHROOM | The latest marketplace news

RUNNING HOT Royal Wedding Bells Whilst many hearts are broken that yet another prince has been claimed, millions of people across the world are eagerly awaiting the next big Royal Wedding of Prince Harry & Meghan Markle, which will take place on 19th May 2018.

Bayswater

d Award e d n e m om Highly C

Featuring a full range of Edwardian and Victorian inspired bathrooms, Bayswater is a brand new traditional bathroom brand that is completely exclusive to Ideal Bathrooms. See page 18 for more details.

Aqualisa Premier Ideal Bathrooms are excited and proud to now stock Aqualisa’s most premium and innovative shower range, Aqualisa Premier.

HIGHLY COMMENDED AWARD This year, our Admin Coordinator/all-round superstar, Emily Cassettare won the prestigious title of 2017’s Highly Commended Award. Constantly going out of her way to help others, Emily is a great example of what a true team player embodies here at Ideal Bathrooms.

Working in reception, Emily plays a key part in being every visitor’s first impression and what a great impression she makes day in day out; polite, friendly and professional to every guest who arrives. Nothing is ever too much trouble for Emily who constantly takes great pride in her work and supports fellow colleagues endlessly, which, undoubtedly makes her the ideal winner for Ideal’s Highly Commended Award.

“Since joining Ideal Bathrooms over a year ago, Emily has become a great asset to my team, she has gone from strength to strength and always takes ownership of her work, which can often result in working over and above her hours. Emily has a great relationship with all her fellow colleagues and truly is a great team player!”

Race to the Orient The fourth Race To… is now officially underway.

Make sure you register and keep up to date with your progress to ensure that you’ll be on the trip of a lifetime to the land of smiles, Thailand!

RUNNING COLD Interest Rates For the first time in more than 10 years, the Bank of England has raised interest rates. The official bank rate has been substantially lifted from 0.25% to 0.5%, the first increase since July 2007.

THANK YOU to all Ideal Bathroom staff for their hard work in 2017 0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

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The latest marketplace news | THE IDEAL BATHROOM

FREESTANDING ROLL TOP OR MINIMALIST WET ROOM? Where do you stand on the great Traditional vs. Modern bathroom divide?

Lining up in the sleek, minimalist corner are those who prefer modern, smart bathrooms. Meanwhile, ranged against them in the gloriously ornate opposite corner are the traditional bathroom advocates.

This polarity presents an eternal dilemma for showroom owners. Should you major on one style? Or, like many showrooms, cover both bases and display a bit of both. With the great bathroom divide in mind we thought we’d take a look at some of the key things that drive the buying decision to opt for a traditional or modern bathroom.

Nuance Calacatta Marble Wall Panels

26

0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

THE IDEAL BATHROOM | The latest marketplace news

Bayswater Fitzroy

Style still high on the shopping list

But first, what exactly do we mean when we talk about ‘modern’ or a ‘traditional’ bathrooms?

In the trade, we tend to get excited about the Timeless classics latest technical features, and are sometimes Traditional bathrooms may not be as guilty of forgetting that for the majority of practical as their modern counterparts, but customers, creating a particular look or style they certainly create a certain sense of is still their primary aim. elegance and luxury in a home. Inspired by In their 2016 Bathroom Trends survey, Houzz the ornate designs and shapes of sanitary found that more than half of ‘renovating ware from the Victorian and Edwardian homeowners’ – in other words, those most eras, traditional bathrooms often feature a likely to consider upgrading or changing freestanding claw-foot or slipper bath, crosstheir bathroom – spend between 30 and head taps and basin pedestals and tend to 60 minutes in their bathrooms every day. use traditional-style materials.

So it should come as no surprise that these Another trend that is coming full circle again renovator-types are carefully considering is the high level Thomas Crapper-style toilet style as well as functionality. and its associated traditional chain, to give Indeed, the research says that the top design that authentic vintage feel. priorities for the majority of renovating The overall characteristic of traditional homeowners are for their bathroom to be bathrooms is the way they create a relaxed, ‘beautiful and stylish’ (84%), while only 45% comfortable atmosphere with softer were concerned with how the look and style edges and more rounded features that fit their new bathroom integrates with the rest seamlessly into most kinds of home. of the home.

0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

See pages 18-21 for Bayswater’s full traditonal range

27

The latest marketplace news | THE IDEAL BATHROOM

Sleek and stylish Modern bathroom trends are less straightforward to define because of the wide array of different styles and types of contemporary bathroom products available.

Nevertheless, there are some characteristics that many of them share.

Above all, ‘less is more’ in the modern bathroom. As a result, most tend to have frameless and doorless shower enclosures, and bathroom suites feature more angular shapes, sharp lines and non-traditional shapes, including square taps and basins and corner baths. Technology is also playing an increasing role in the design. Fixings and supports tend to be concealed, with wall mounted or counter top basins, off-floor sanitaryware, and slim rimmed baths.

Many contemporary bathrooms are also more edgy and modern in look. The designers play around with our expectations of shape, colour and texture to create a sense of theatre and excitement. In the best of them, bathing has become a luxurious, multi-sensory event.

That’s not to say that modern always has to mean utilitarian, minimalist or clinical. Some contemporary bathrooms are also incredibly luxurious, tactile and stylish, with beautiful waterfall or mixer taps, rainfall showers, eyecatching stacked stone walling and organic looking pebble floors.

Decisions, decisions So, which style is gaining the most fans at the moment? While both styles are still

hugely popular, there’s no doubt that a modern look is currently in the ascendant.

Houzz found that 50% of homeowners who are updating their bathroom chose a contemporary style, with only 7% going for a Victorian-look. Meanwhile, some bathroom customers weren’t really looking to create any particular style.

A more scientific look at the trend reveals that there are more search engine results for ‘modern bathroom’ than for ‘traditional bathroom’ enquiries. Bathroom customers are increasingly doing more pre-purchase research online and this trend is only going to continue. The Ideal Industry Report came to the conclusion that online consumer research looks set to continually rise in significance in the buying cycle of the future.

Tavistock Vitoria

4% of people

say they take time out for a bath

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0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

THE IDEAL BATHROOM | The latest marketplace news

50%

Houzz found that of homeowners choose a contemporary style bathroom

Geberit Aquaclean Sela

The key motivating factor highlighted by the Houzz research was ‘no longer being able to stand an old bathroom’. Which may account for the desire to replace an old, dated looking bathroom with something really fresh and contemporary in style.

Another driver of the trend towards contemporary styles is an increased consumer preference for showers over baths. Showers naturally lend themselves to modern, angular, minimalist styles, while baths are better suited to introducing traditional features. As we explored in our last issue, just 4% of people say they take time out for a bath, with 76% of us preferring the speed and efficiency of a shower.

Which is the best investment?

It would be wrong to suggest that having a particular style of bathroom can affect the value of a property. Nevertheless, anyone who is thinking of selling their home in the near future very often opts for a modern style of bathroom, in the hope of appealing to the majority of buyers. Rather like neutral décor or a modern kitchen, a neat, stylish looking contemporary bathroom is always going to be top of the wish list for estate agents looking for a quick sale.

On the other hand, a beautiful and ornate traditional bathroom can be a real

showstopper, and is a way to differentiate your property from other similar homes on your street.

Are you ready for the rise of ‘eclectic’?

shower being combined with a traditional freestanding bath. Meanwhile, focusing on stylish, stand-out finishes in floor and wall tiles and other complementary design elements can be a great way to bind this unique look together.

Of course, most customers will already have a particular style in mind. But for the few who haven’t yet made the decision, or are wavering between the two, a mix and match combination is also possible. In fact, an eclectic ‘modern meets traditional’ look is gathering momentum and has already attracted the attention of design magazines and customers alike.

While the Houzz report found that while the majority of bathroom renovators chose a particular style, 5% deliberately went for an ‘eclectic’ approach. Mixing styles and drawing from both modern and traditional was seen as a good way to personalise a bathroom and create their own totally unique design.

Mix and match is an option that works particularly well in larger spaces, while smaller bathrooms usually benefit from being designed in one particular style.

With the eclectic approach to bathroom design there’s nothing to stop a modern

0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

er l Lavend Essentia p Basin o Countert

29

The latest marketplace news | THE IDEAL BATHROOM

SHOWROOM EXCELLENCE As the UK’s leading bathroom distributor, Ideal Bathrooms endeavours to ensure that we always have the most up to date display offer information available. We recognise that displays are one of the key elements to a successful showroom and so our aim is to make updating your showroom as easy as possible. To help you in making those all important decisions, Lyndsey discusses some of the best displays available.

Contact Lyndsey Bailey at displays@idealbathrooms.com or call 01908 276408 to discuss your display requirements.

Exclusive to the Ideal Bathrooms’ brand portfolio is Bayswater, a beautiful collection of traditional bathrooms inspired by the Victorian era. The furniture is available in three Farrow & Ball colours, including white.

For further information on Bayswater displays, please contact your Area Sales Manager.

In 2017 Geberit launched five new VC ranges all with complementary furniture. This extensive range of products covers every possible bathroom requirement, from full bathroom to cloakroom settings and is a wow in any showroom.

Display terms are RRP less 80%. For more information on Geberit displays please contact either your Geberit Sales Manager or Ideal Bathrooms ASM.

A new addition to the Essential Bathrooms collection is the Spring range of shower enclosures. This fantastic new range has a full complement of doors, including quadrants, wetroom panels and bath screens, ensuring there is something to suit every showroom.

Display terms are RRP less 70%.

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0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

Modern functionality

Avento Bath, an elegant choice NEW

Essentials from Villeroy&Boch New brochure now available

Request a copy from your local ASM

The latest marketplace news | THE IDEAL BATHROOM

IN FOCUS...

PEBBLES Richard Thorley, owner of Pebbles in Cheshire, talks about last year’s trends, his showroom’s biggest strengths and much more in this edition of In Focus…

Q. What has been your biggest success since opening?

Richard Thorley & Mark Cunnigham

Relocating from an 11 display showroom to a showroom boasting more than 79 displays and a separate tile studio within the showroom. We ran out of space and the building needed knocking down and restarting!

Q. What was the biggest challenge?

One of our biggest challenges was continuing to run bathroom installations whilst planning, designing and selecting product ranges for the new bathroom studio. As the business has exploded in Cheshire, we have worked tirelessly to attract quality bathroom installers that will deliver the high standard of installation we and our customers expect.

Q. How do you raise awareness of the showroom?

Pebbles is very proud that all of our work comes from recommendations from customers who have previously enjoyed the Pebbles experience.

Q. Pebbles has an established Facebook page. What role does this play in attracting new business, and how successful has it been so far?

Social media is such a big part of people’s everyday life, so it made perfect sense to showcase the high standards of products, design layouts and installations we provide. Our Facebook page is full of before and after visuals to really capture customers’ imaginations.

Q. You’re now the largest family-run showroom in the north-west. How does this impact service?

Pebbles prides itself on excellent customer service. Bathroom installations can be a stressful period for customers, which is why we project manage from start to finish and deal with any unforeseen issues immediately. Our customers are very rarely inconvenienced as the showroom staff and installation teams work together as one to make sure everything runs smoothly.

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THE IDEAL BATHROOM | The latest marketplace news

Q. What trends impacted the products stocked in your showroom in 2017?

Dominating the product portfolio since relocating has been wall hung WCs and vanity units. A minimalistic look appears to be what customers desire – therefore wetrooms, glass panels and concealed showers have been very popular choices. Large format tiles have really come into their own in the showroom, with imaginative displays to excite potential clients.

Q. Which trends have you seen decreasing in recent years?

Close coupled WCs basin and pedestals along with small format tiles seem to be low on the list of customer demands.

Q. What’s your biggest strength as a showroom?

Service. We’re at the end of the phone or the end of an email when a customer needs us. We go above and beyond. We’re also very relaxed on selling. I detest buying a car because there’s so much pressure from salespeople. We’re the exact opposite. We know we have the right products so we help the customer to make a decision that’s best for them. We have a very laid-back, relaxed approach.

Left to right: Kelly Turner, Jon Wilcox, Mark Cunnigham, Richard Thorley, Jayne Thorley

0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

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The latest marketplace news | THE IDEAL BATHROOM

THE IDEAL WEBSITE EXPERIENCE, STRAIGHT FROM THE CUSTOMER’S MOUTH Adrian Lount at Blue Water Bathrooms and Kitchens in York talks us through his experience using the Ideal Bathrooms website.

Q. You’ve been an active user of the website since the launch last year. What attracted you to register and keep you coming back?

The website is a great creation from ideal for a number of reasons, it speeds up ordering, we can check stock availability and it is really user friendly.

Q. Has the launch of the new website changed the way you do business at all?

It has certainly changed, and improved, the way in which we order.

Q. With everything at your fingertips now, what part of the website do you find yourself using the most?

Without a doubt we always use the quick order form.

Q. The new website is still backed by our phone service, meaning we’re always on the phone to help. Do the phones still play a role in how you communicate with Ideal Bathrooms?

To be honest, we rarely call Ideal now, if we do it is usually to just check when stock is due to become available.

Live Stock Check Tool

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24/7 Quick Online Ordering

Order Tracking & Electronic POD’s

Full Account Management

0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

THE IDEAL BATHROOM | The latest marketplace news

Alan Wagstaffe of Fairfield Builders Supplies in Buxton shares his thoughts on how the Ideal Bathroom website has impacted the way he works.

Q. You’ve been an active user of the website since the launch last year. What attracted you to register and keep you coming back?

The website being incredibly easy to use and navigate is what appeals to me most.

Q. As a frequent user of the new website, what’s your favourite feature and why?

My favourite feature is probably being able to check on stock availability whenever I need to – it’s a real time saver.

Q. Has the ability to order out of hours, such as the weekend, made it easier to do business with Ideal Bathrooms?

Definitely, it’s a real asset to Ideal Bathrooms.

Q. The new website gives you access to stock checking tools and product data – how have these features helped your business?

We have found that our orders are always correct on invoices, a feature which has definitely helped our business.

Q. You are regularly placing orders on the website. What percentage of your orders with Ideal Bathrooms do you feel are now coming through the website?

Almost all of our orders are placed through the website but to put a figure on it I’d say around 90%.

Q. What are the reasons for this?

Being able to have more control of delivery dates.

Register for your trade login now at register.idealbathrooms.com

0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

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The latest marketplace news | THE IDEAL BATHROOM

IDEAL PROMISE Here at Ideal Bathrooms, our service is at the heart of everything we do. We are proud of our statistics but are always looking for ways improve our service offering to our customers. But for now, we’ll let the numbers do the talking.

IDEAL DELIVERY PROMISE

Next day delivery to of the UK

99%

Delivering

every day Monday - Friday to South-West region

50 vehicle fleet

IDEAL STOCK AVAILABILITY

IDEAL HEALTH, SAFETY & SUSTAINABILITY

Sales office opening hours 7.30am–5.30pm weekdays and

£9.8 million stock holding available

New fleet of vehicles improving

9am–12pm Saturdays Its good to talk – calls answered on average within

Milton Keynes, Hayes and Wakefield depots all operating

24hrs

IDEAL CUSTOMER SERVICE

26

7 seconds

leading brands in stock

Orders placed before 5pm available for

21,000 product lines in stock –

next day delivery 3 new members joined sales team in 2018 already IDEAL WEBSITE ACTIVITY since May 2017 launch

36

99%

of fast moving lines available next day – you want it we have it!

unbelievable choice

5,000 total orders recieved Over 13,000 products sold

fuel efficiency and route optimisation 1,300

days Over worked since our last work related accident – health and safety comes first at Ideal Bathrooms

65%

of customers Over receive electronic invoicing, reducing paper usage

23,000 stock check searches 35% of customers have registered

0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

Introducing our new antimicrobial glaze All of the new Contour 21+ back to wall and wall hung pans incorporate SmartGuard+, our innovative anti microbial glaze that offers built-in protection against bacteria.

www.armitage-shanks.co.uk

The latest marketplace news | THE IDEAL BATHROOM

Continued Investment

REFLECTS ON A HISTORIC YEAR AND LOOKS TO THE FUTURE OF INNOVATION

Armitage Shanks, the iconic and leading British bathroom manufacturer, has concluded the celebratory campaign which marked the 200th anniversary of its founding date in 1817 by looking back at a history that is rich innovation – and thinking ahead to future and continual progress for the business.

Since its inception in 1817, Armitage Shanks has placed product development at the heart of what it does. In recent years it has heavily invested in new machinery to ensure its high quality, traditional craftsmanship can be combined with the latest in factory

38

technology in order to bring the best possible products to market at an affordable price.

Katie Cope, Marketing Director at Ideal Standard, said: “Armitage Shanks turned 200 in 2017, making it one of the UK’s longest-standing brands. We wanted to create a feel-good celebration atmosphere around the brand, which is looking towards the future, as well as celebrating the past.”

In July, it was announced that Armitage Shanks’ parent company, Ideal Standard International, had developed a long-term growth strategy which would see it making its largest investments in 10 years. This will see investments in manufacturing technology and production capacity, product innovation and Customer Service, with a particular emphasis on digital tools like Building Information Modeling (BIM), in which the company is already an industry leader.

Innovation 2017 saw the brand launch its pioneering healthcare range, Markwik21+ and Contour21+, which works to minimise the spread of bacteria in hospitals. It is innovations such as these which keep Armitage Shanks at the cutting edge of its sector, all while being the last remaining British bathroom manufacturer.

Contour21+ features products including a basin which features unique attributes that actively battle the spreading of germs.

These include a fin to deflect splashing and a microbial glaze called SmartGuard+ that makes it difficult for bacteria to stick to surfaces and grow. The basin also features a simple waste facility and smooth drainage pipe system free of steps or hanging points to prevent water pooling, a prevalent cause of bacteria growth.

“Over the last two centuries, Armitage Shanks has become synonymous with quality bathroom design for homes and businesses across the UK. Armitage Shanks’ headquarters is the only remaining major scale manufacturing plant to continue producing ceramic bathroom products in the UK. We were delighted to celebrate this historic milestone, creating a platform for our brand to take water intelligence to the next level as we move into our next two centuries in business.”

0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

THE IDEAL BATHROOM | The latest marketplace news

The Markwik21+ collection features a basin mixer that dismantles for easy sterilisation, cleaning and maintenance. What’s more, it also has a purging ability which means it can be regularly flushed through with hot water to prevent the build-up of bacteria and other hazardous materials. The taps are almost entirely free of polymers, instead containing glass, brass and antimicrobial copper components, minimizing the likelihood of Pseudomonas infection and other growths.

A manual thermal flush feature allows maintenance staff to override the thermostat and flush the fitting through with hot water to help reduce bacteria deposits. An integral thermostat enables water to be mixed closer to the point of discharge, eliminating the cold water “dead leg” and minimizing warm water areas. Markwik21+ mixer taps also feature detachable spouts, one-piece designs and demountable body components to allow for complete immersion disinfection and autoclaving.

In fact, we’re so confident in the products we create that we offer a lifetime guarantee on all ceramic items and a five year guarantee on our taps, mixers, toilet seats, stainless steel and cistern fittings.”

Working with industry professionals, Armitage Shanks has extended its range of Part M products which meet the stipulations of the Act, which requires that commercial and public buildings are entirely suitable for the use of disabled people.

The brand’s packs and the products within them are ideal for use in hotels, offices, public buildings and healthcare institutions and many of the packs contain the latest in healthcare washroom innovation.

New to the Part M offering are the new improved range of Contour 21+ back-to-wall and wall-hung WC pan designs, which offer a more modern and smooth-sided aesthetic, as well as SmartguardPlus+ glaze and improved flushing performance.

The new Contour 21+ TMV3-approved sequential thermostatic tap is also featured, which is easier to use, safer and better looking than its predecessor.

These new products, along with the existing Part M lines available from Armitage Shanks, are supported by a new Part M brochure, and available on IdealSpec, the Ideal Standard and Armitage Shanks online information hub and product data portal for specification and specifiers.

For more information on Armitage Shanks and its Part M products with accompanying packs, please visit: www.idealspec.co.uk or www.armitage-shanks.co.uk

New Doc M packs New Doc M packs have been launched which make it easier for specifiers and building managers to ensure their facilities fulfil Part M of the Building Regulations and satisfy the 2010 Equality Act. Despite offering the broadest range of Part M products, Armitage Shanks has developed comprehensive Doc M packs which make it quick and easy to specify what is required according to the type of facility.

Itemised packs, floorplans and guidance are available online and in print for single toilet facilities, multiple toilet facilities, hotel facilities, public shower facilities and washrooms.

Tony Rheinberg, Senior Sector Marketing Manager at Armitage Shanks, said: “We have just celebrated our bicentenary and as the last remaining sanitaryware manufacturer in Britain, we certainly have a lot of knowledge when it comes to meeting diverse customer needs.

Our Doc M packs and our broad range of Part M products demonstrate this and offer specifiers the perfect fit, whatever their application may be.

0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

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The latest marketplace news | THE IDEAL BATHROOM

COVER EVERY SURFACE IN STYLE Splashpanel Sand Marble

Proplas White Sparkle

Proplas Tile Stone Grey

Four superb collections of smart looking PVC panelling have been brought together under the new brand PanelStyle. Great looking, versatile, easy to fit and 100% waterproof, PanelStyle PVC panels are the smart and cost effective alternative to tiles, paint or wallpaper. They’re perfect for creating a stylish and practical look in any and every room.

With a comprehensive choice of designs from plains and patterns to specialist finishes like marbles, stone and sparkles across the four collections, PanelStyle is the ideal replacement for traditional wall and ceiling surfaces across all applications from bathrooms and kitchens to bedrooms and hallways.

What makes PanelStyle such an attractive solution isn’t just its outstanding looks, but also the practical benefits of being ultra-easy to fit and maintain, on any new or existing surface.

PanelStyle comes in panels, which are easy to cut, fit, clean and maintain. The PVC surfaces are non-porous, so completely waterproof and mould free as well as offering high levels of hygiene…a major benefit for wet areas and anywhere that’s prone to dampness.

PanelStyle panels wipe clean in an instant, which means that they stay as smart as the day they were fitted for year after year – all of the ranges come with a five year warranty for domestic use. And they’re fire rated to BS EN 13501 – 1:2007 too…all of which adds up to make PanelStyle 100% 100%the perfect combination of style and performance. WATERPROOF WATERPROOF

100% WATERPROOF

100%Another major attraction of the PanelStyle collections is how COSTquick and easy the panelsCOST WATERPROOF are to fit. No wet trades are needed, EFFECTIVE EFFECTIVE so they’re perfect for everyone from the DIY beginner to the 100% 100% professional installer. They can be fitted over any existing surface, COST COST WATERPROOF WATERPROOF those problem ceilings!), or EFFECTIVE EFFECTIVE FASTincluding FIT tiles and Artex (farewell FAST toFIT 100% 100% % 100% if the surface is uneven, adhered to a timber batten frame.

COST COST WATERPROOF WATERPROOF TERPROOF WATERPROOF FAST FIT FAST FIT panels come inNO PanelStyle a range of thicknesses to suit EFFECTIVE EFFECTIVE NO HASSLE HASSLE 100% 100% every situation and budget. When compared to the high cost COST ST COST WATERPROOF andCOST WATERPROOF complexity of fitting tiles, andEFFECTIVE the high maintenance New full colour EFFECTIVE NO HASSLE NO HASSLE FAST FIT FAST FIT ECTIVE EFFECTIVE NONrequirements POROUSof paint andNON POROUS ONE BOX wallpaper, PanelStyle comes out 100% 100% brochure available SOLUTION COST COST on top for all sorts of applications. As you’ll soon see when WATERPROOF WATERPROOF on request FAST FAST FIT EFFECTIVE NON EFFECTIVE NONON HASSLE POROUS POROUS T FIT FASTNO FITHASSLE you lookBOX at FIT the vast rangeEASY of options offered by the four EASYONE CLEAN CLEAN SOLUTION superb PanelStyle collections….

100% 100% COST COST WATERPROOF WATERPROOF NO FAST FIT FAST FIT EFFECTIVE EFFECTIVE HASSLE NO HASSLE NON POROUS NON POROUS EASY CLEAN EASY CLEAN ONE BOX COVER IT HASSLE COVERNO IT HASSLE SOLUTION COST COST 100% TOUGH NO HASSLE NO HASSLE POROUSYEARSNON POROUS FAST FIT EASY FAST FIT N POROUS WATERPROOF NONEASY POROUS COVER IT COVER IT ONE BOX CLEAN CLEAN YEARSNON EFFECTIVE EFFECTIVE ROOF SOLUTION INSULATING TOUGH TOUGH HASSLE HASSLE NON POROUS NONCLEAN POROUS EASY EASY CLEAN ONE BOX YEARS YEARS IT NO SY CLEAN COST CLEANIT NOFAST FIRE RATED FIRE RATED FASTEASY FITCOVER FITCOVER SOLUTION VE EFFECTIVE INSULATING INSULATING TOUGH TOUGH NON NON COVER IT COVER IT EASYPOROUS CLEANFIRE EASY CLEAN FIRE RATED RATED VER IT COVER IT YEARS YEARS NO HASSLE NOPOROUS HASSLE ONE BOX FAST FIT SOLUTION 40 0800INSULATING 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com INSULATING YEARS YEARS TOUGH EASY CLEAN EASY CLEAN COVER IT COVER IT FIRE RATED FIRE RATED ARS NONYEARS POROUS NON POROUS SLE NO HASSLE ONE BOX Suitable for wet areas

Suitable for wet areas

Suitable for wet areas

Suitable for wet areas

Value alternative to tiling

Suitable for wet areas

Suitable for wet areas

Value alternative to tiling

for wet areas

Value alternative tiling Quick, easy fit, notowet trades required

Quick, easy fit, no wet trades required

Suitable for wet areas

Suitable for wet areas

Value alternative to tiling

Quick, easy fit, no wet trades required Value alternative to tiling

Quick, easymaintenance fit, no wet trades Virtually free required

Suitable for wet areas

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Value alternative to tiling

Quick,to easy fit, no wet trades required Value alternative tiling

Suitable for wet areas

Virtually maintenance free

Suitable for wet areas

Value alternative to tiling Virtually maintenance free Non porous and mould free

Virtually maintenance free Quick, easy fit, no wet trades required

Value alternative to tiling Non porous and mould free

One box contains all you need

Suitable for wet areas

sy fit, no wet trades required

maintenance free Quick, easyVirtually fit, no wet trades required

Suitable for wet areas

Value alternative to tiling VirtuallyNon maintenance free porous and mould free

Quick, easy fit, no wet Quick, easy fit, no wet trades required Value alternative totrades tiling required Non porous and mould free Hygienic and wipe clean Hygienic and wipe clean One box contains all you need

maintenance free

Suitable for wet areas Suitable for wet areas Virtually free Virtually maintenance free Quick, easy fit,tonotiling wet trades required Quick,maintenance easy fit, no wet trades required Value alternative to tiling Non porous Value alternative Virtually maintenance free mould free Non porous and and mould free Hygienic and wipe clean Hygienic and wipe clean Can be installed over existing tiling Can be installed over existing tiling One box contains all you need

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Virtually maintenance free maintenance free Quick, easy fit, no wet trades required Quick, easy fit, no wet trades required NonVirtually porous and mould free installed Can be installed over existing tiling Non porousHygienic and mould andfree wipe clean HygienicCan andbe wipe clean over existing tiling Domestic use warranty Value alternative to tiling Value alternative to tiling Suitable for wet areas

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use warranty

Virtually maintenance free Virtually maintenance free free Non porous and mould Domestic useexisting warranty Can be installed be installed over tiling and wipe clean over existing tiling Quick, easyHygienic fit, no wet trades required Quick, easy fit, no wetCan trades required

Durable and hard wearing Non porous and clean mould free Hygienic and wipe Domestic warranty Tested to use BS EN 13501 - 1:2007

One box contains all you need

Value alternative to tiling

Can be installed existing tiling Domestic warranty Virtually maintenance freeoveruse

Quick, easy fit, no wet trades required

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THE IDEAL BATHROOM | The latest marketplace news

PanelStyle, the smart and cost effective alternative to tiles, paint or wallpaper waterproof wall panelling

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Fashionable and functional – easy to fit and fully waterproof, Splashpanel wall panelling makes it simple to create a stylish look that’s easy to clean and maintain. The panels have a 10mm thick cellular structure which is lightweight yet hardwearing – with a non-porous surface that protects from and prevents those annoying problems of bacteria, stain and mould. Splashpanel is the perfect choice for creating beautiful showers, bathrooms and wetrooms - without having to splash out on expensive tiling.

Ideal for renovation, restoration or brand new builds, Proplas panels create super-stylish looks in any setting, with a choice of 13 decors, with patterns and textures to perfectly match every taste and trend in interiors. Like all of the PanelStyle collections, the surfaces are 100% waterproof so they’re ideal for any room including bathrooms, kitchens and utility rooms. They’re heat resistant up to 60 degrees, too, so ceiling downlighters are no problem. Just choose the finish, fit Proplas panels quickly and easily and you’ve got great looks that last for years!

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Suitable for wet areas Suitable for wet wall solution for a two-sided shower enclosure up to 1200mm wide andareas 2352mm high - the panels can be easily trimmed to suit any size and their tongue and groove system makes them easy to fit. There are four designs to choose from, all with co-ordinating borders, and the pack comes complete with either a colourValue matched or silver corner seal and caps forValue a smart professional alternative to tiling alternative to tiling finish. Box clever with Splashpanel Kits!

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The latest marketplace news | THE IDEAL BATHROOM

WHO IS...

ADAM RHODES Aqualisa’s Sales Director Adam Rhodes discusses smart trends, Jäger trains and the footballing successes of Birmingham City Football Club.

Q. What does a great day at work look like?

Typically, I’d expect a great day to include some time out of the office with customers. If you get out of your ivory tower you actually hear the real issues about what’s going on. The rest of the day would be back at the office, perhaps a visit to the factory floor. I get heckled on the factory floor sometimes to ‘get out there and sell some more’.

Q. Ideal Bathrooms now stock Aqualisa’s premier collection. What can customers expect from the collection?

We want to extend the distribution of our premier products. We’re very much hoping that our smart shower products will appeal to homeowners and installers.

At the moment, around 450 showrooms stock our more exclusive premier range.

We’d love to extend that over the course of 2018.

Q. What trends have you seen impacting the market over the last year?

We’re seeing trends go more towards ‘smart showering’. What I mean by that is digital showers. I think the term digital may have put people off at one time – making it sound overly complex but of course it is the opposite, they are easy to use and to install. I think people want personalisation which is driving the trend – you can personalise things like the flowrate, duration and temperature.

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Q. And what trends do you think are in decline?

Electric showers historically made up more than half the market in the UK, but I think that’s tapering off as people start to appreciate the benefits of smart showering. We’ll be doing some TV advertising in the first half of this year around smart showering, which we believe will only help further that trend.

Q. What surprised you most during your time in the bathroom industry?

It’s a fantastic industry. Relationships still matter a huge amount in this industry. It’s a pleasant surprise to see that traditional values between customers and suppliers still matter. It’s a real hallmark of the bathroom industry.

Q. What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from your three-and-a-half years in the industry?

To say it again, the relationships are really important. But you do have to recognise the balance between the human side and commercial aspects of the relationships. There has to be something in the relationship for the customer. One of the things I’ve been trumpeting at Aqualisa is that our role as sales people is to create profitable change. Do it for the customer and hopefully it will happen for us as well.

Q. Have you set yourself goals for 2018?

Two of our key aspirations are to double the size of the smart category and grow our Q range. The smart category represents about £35-40 million at the moment. We’d hope to see that grow to £80 million by 2021. Personally, I’d like to get back into my piano lessons this year to build on my small repertoire of songs I can play.

Q. What is your party trick?

How long have you got? I would probably be best known at parties for getting in rather ridiculous rounds of shots – my 50th did feature a Jäger train in the shape of a 50. I think there were 300 shots! The other would be singing really appallingly to many karaoke numbers.

Q. If you were on Mastermind, what would your specialist subject be?

Probably, very sadly, the football successes of Birmingham City Football Club. It’d be a pretty short challenge!

Q. If you could meet any famous person, who would you choose and why?

I was lucky enough to meet Muhammad Ali, but unfortunately he wasn’t at his best as he was battling with Alzheimer’s. I would have loved to have met him before that because he was a very charismatic guy.

If it was any person, I’d really like to have another day with my mum, who sadly passed away 20-odd years ago.

0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

Concealed fixings on grab rails

Aluminium grab rails with 5 year guarantee

Grab rails available in a range of colours

Hinged support arm tested to 200 kg TMV3 WRAS approved thermostatic basin mixer with long easy turn handle and built in thermostat

4.5 litre flush WC

No overflow on basin to avoid haven for bacteria Rigid copper tails discourage bacteria growth and reduce the risk of contamination

Cistern securing bolt

Right or left hand position spatula cistern lever for easy flush

Optional toilet roll holder

Right or left hand tap position to facilitate easier access for the user

Seat retainers keep seat secure when transferring to WC

New contemporary design WC

Why experts choose

Armitage Shanks Armitage Shanks developed the concept of the DOC M Pack over a decade ago. It was conceived to give specifiers a fully approved, trusted and safe solution to Part M. Today our DOC M packs incorporate even more features to ensure full compliance, durability and choice.

Now available with new Contour 21+ products – with improved aesthetics and performance www.armitage-shanks.co.uk

Available as closecoupled, back-towall or wall hung

YOUR RACE TO THE ORIENT STARTS HERE COMPLETE THE RACE IN 3 EASY STEPS: Register at orient.idealbathrooms.com between 1st January – 31st March 2018.

You’ll be given a 12-month personal target, then simply track your progress and watch yourself race towards the finish line.

Hit your sales target before 19th December 2018, then dig out your passport – you’re going to The Orient!

Track yo progress ur your pers on on race map al

REGISTER NOW AT:

orient.idealbathrooms.com (Registration closes 31st March 2018)

ANY QUESTIONS? CALL US ON 01908 276 408 OR SPEAK TO YOUR AREA SALES MANAGER.