Bathrooms

Within the Sussex Range we have our charity rail the Rye, for every Rye sold we make a donation of 20% of our profits to a charity. At present we are supporting Luckys Legacy Rescue an on the ground charity spaying and rescuing dogs and cats in Romania and now Ukraine as well.

The Rye was inspired by the traditional library ladder, it has been designed to offer a gentle and elegant twist on the classic, leaning casually and lightly against the wall taking bathroom elegance and comfort to a new level.

With larger than normal bar spacing comes the added advantage of further practicability should you favour more than one bath sheet or within a larger family bathroom. In fact this rail very much marries practicability with the more minimalistic styling favoured within design today, a thoroughly modern classic.

The Rye range of towel rails is available in three different heating formats: these being electric •32•

only, dual fuel and the ability to be utilized solely within the central heating system. The rails, as always, are suitable for open plumbing systems.

Measuring 1800mm x 520mm – tapering to 300mm at the top, the JIS element is constructed from 100% stainless steel, with a built in thermostat to prevent the rail from becoming too hot and, of course, to reduce running costs. With a BTU rating of 1878, the rail consumes just 550 Watts; while each one is manufactured with standard 1/2” BSP tappings and is pressure tested to 12 Bar. Offering a choice of either satin or a highly polished steel surface, all Rye towel rails are hand finished by the company’s craftsmen to ensure the highest quality is maintained; so it is no surprise that JIS is confident enough to offer its usual no-quibble 25 year guarantee. The Rye has also been added to the Black edition range and is now also available in a matt black powder coated finish as well.

All of the towel rails within the Sussex Range are entirely fabricated from 304 grade stainless steel, of which over 90% is from recycled source and the rail itself is 100% recyclable at the end of its life. There are no environmentally harmful chemical plating processes in the manufacture of stainless steel, the very fact that is is not plated ensures the rails will not rust, flake or corrode and small marks can simply be polished out. This makes them a durable, as well as an attractive, environmentally-friendly choice. The Sussex Range’s latest towel rails have a recommended retail price of just £449.50 + VAT. Please visit www.sussexrange.co.uk for further information or contact our friendly staff on 01444 831200

HYGIENEGLAZE - THE NEW STANDARD OF HYGIENE

HYGIENEGLAZE SETS AN UNPRECEDENTED STANDARD OF HYGIENE FOR TOILETS AND URINALS.

To that end the innovative HygieneGlaze ceramic glaze has been further developed and now has a new formula: the new HygieneGlaze which is baked into the ceramic during firing is not only especially effective, but also acts very quickly.

Whether at the workplace, sports facilities or airports, hygiene requirements are high in both public and semi-public buildings. This is why they are an essential part of the respective building concept. However, awareness of hygiene issues has not just increased in public areas but in the private sphere, too.

Bacteria in areas where hygiene is critical

Germs are omnipresent in our everyday lives. In particularly critical areas, such as hospitals, •34•

medical practices and nursing facilities, hygiene is an ongoing issue. The consistent use of disinfectant and hygiene measures helps to kill or inactivate microorganisms. Modern concepts combine the targeted use of sterilizing substances with preventive measures, including surface coatings.

Duravit’s research and development team has advanced the development of the innovative ceramic glaze HygieneGlaze which was launched on the ISH in 2015. HygieneGlaze further improves the hygienic properties of the toilet. The new development is not a surface coating but an antibacterial ceramic glaze that provides almost indefinite effectiveness.

The optimized formula of HygieneGlaze contains a new combination of metal ions and other active substances, which is particularly effective in blocking bacteria growth like E. coli, for example. Baked into the ceramics and extending from the interior to the rim of the toilet or urinal, HygieneGlaze is effective in the areas particularly susceptible to the accumulation of bacteria and germs.

Compared with ceramics with conventional surface glazes, HygieneGlaze inhibits 99.9 percent of bacteria growth within 24 hours. The effectiveness of the HygieneGlaze antibacterial properties has been scientifically proven by hygienic and microbiological tests performed by the Institute for Hygiene and Public Health at the University of Bonn: the special glaze kills bacteria and germs.

BATHROOMS 71% OF HOMEOWNERS SUFFER FROM RENOVATION UNCERTAINTY

Almost three-quarters (71%) of UK homeowners wouldn’t know where to start if they wanted to complete a bathroom refurbishment, new research has revealed.

The survey, completed on 1,100 consumers by DigitalBridge, found that just 5% of people would feel extremely confident in knowing how to go about beginning the process of refitting their bathroom.

By contrast, 57% of homeowners said they would feel very unsure, and 14% even stated they would have no idea whatsoever where to begin. Of these, almost twothirds (64%) believed that this uncertainty would delay them starting a project.

Interestingly, despite the experience that age brings, renovation uncertainty was most prominent amongst 55-64 year olds and least common amongst 25-34 year olds. Almost one in five (19%) of the older age bracket admitted they would have no clue about how to go about having a new bathroom fitted, but this figure dropped to 12% amongst the millennial generation.

A further 74% of people would have very little or no idea about how much a new bathroom would cost to purchase and fit. Conversely, just 8% of people said they would have a very good idea.

David Levine, CEO of DigitalBridge, said: “These figures suggest that bathroom retailers are potentially missing out on millions in sales due to general lack of consumer awareness around how to implement a renovation.

“Interestingly, life experience is little help, with younger consumers appearing to be more knowledgeable about the renovation process than their older counterparts – perhaps due to a greater tendency for this age group to use online search and digital tools to inform their thinking.

“There is evidently some work to do around educating homeowners on how straightforward the process can be, so providing them with relevant channels for design, purchase and fit-out can be an invaluable way to reduce the purchasing cycle, build brand loyalty and ultimately grow sales.”

bathrooms BATHROOM TRENDS 2022 FULFILL THE DESIRE FOR A CENTRAL HAVEN WITHIN YOUR OWN FOUR WALLS

Harmonious ambience thanks to a warm, organic, and sustainable look and feel

• Resource-saving materials and functions for a lasting sense of wellness • Unmistakable design creates order and focus • Exclusive worlds of color and finishes satisfy the highest demands for sophisticated aesthetics Growing social challenges, the advance of complexity, and dayto-day life that feels ever more hectic: little wonder that core values have come into sharper focus over the last two years, according to current insights from trend research. Your own home is becoming increasingly important as a harmonious focal point in your life and a haven where you can recharge your batteries. The desire for sustainability without sacrificing sophisticated aesthetics and unmistakable individuality is the pivot around which Duravit’s modern bathroom design also finds its expression.

Resource-saving materials and functions

Duravit’s products create harmony between the highest demands in terms of design, quality, and sustainability. After all, the premium bathroom should not merely be tailored to personal preferences in terms of look, feel, and functionality, but should also meet the challenge of longevity and the sparing use of resources. Design ranges therefore also need to incorporate compelling sustainability aspects: using materials from regenerative raw materials in bathroom furniture not only creates visual highlights, but also reflects a compassionate attitude to the natural world. This is a key aspect that adds additional positivity to the time we spend in our own bathroom. And this is why Duravit uses PEFC-certified wood materials and water-based lacquers. Additionally, Duravit has signed up to the high quality standards embodied within the “Made in Germany” epithet for all

furniture ranges and also relies on the shortest possible supply routes across the entire bathroom range.

This desire for sustainability in the bathroom dovetails into the functionality of Duravit’s products. The sparing use of resources is top priority: for instance, single-lever mixers with the energy-saving FreshStart function ensure that only cold water flows to start with. Hot water is only added to the mix when the lever is deliberately moved to the left – a carefully considered feature that is available on request for the unmistakable Tulum by Starck faucet series, among others. Similarly, the MinusFlow flow limiter contributes to the economical usage of drinking water resources.

Different design languages, common goal: creating feel-good moments in our hectic everyday lives

The Duravit product portfolio incorporates a wide range of worlds of style, where a versatile design language provides space for individual preferences and design freedom.

The round, organic shapes of the ceramic of the Zencha collection, which is inspired by traditional rituals and Japanese craftsmanship, combine with minimalistic furniture to visually underline the use of natural materials. Surfaces made from wood and textured glass additionally convey a particularly warm tactile impression. Similarly, the philosophy behind the pared-down design of Duravit’s Soleil by Starck bathroom range places the focus on the human being: fine lines produce a natural and calm atmosphere. Timelessly modern with characteristic gentle contours, their design creates the carefree feeling of a short break by the ocean – ideal for a little The Ketho.2 furniture range pays homage to a completely different, but equally memorable school of design: clear lines and geometric shapes combine to form a harmonious unit with carefully considered functionality and an inviting ambience. Offering a range of options in terms of dimensions, finishes, and combinable ceramic ranges, Ketho.2 is particularly diverse and is thus suited to a range of bathroom layouts. Premium materials and excellent quality combined with timeless design exude exclusivity both in sustainable and functional terms. The storage furniture with its straight-lined and minimalist design is not only compellingly elegant, but also makes the bathroom user’s life easier thanks to its intuitive organizational structure.

Greater individuality thanks to an aesthetic color spectrum

The varied color scheme is an indispensable part of each Duravit bathroom design. The subtle interplay of contrasts on each combination of ceramic and furniture creates individual accents. Carefully matched tones introduce visual highlights, emphasize the individual appearance, and play a central role in creating the positive atmosphere in the room.

Lasting design as a qualitydriven philosophy

The overarching style element of all Duravit bathroom ranges is the long-lasting approach to design, underpinned by a strict quality philosophy. The underlying idea: carefully considered design that is made to last never goes out of fashion and consequently carries within itself the gene of upcoming design movements. High-quality materials and excellent quality further ensure contemporary sustainability – and are never fleeting fashion, but instead represent a commitment to longterm stylistic influences.

INDUSTRY NEWS THE LITTLE-KNOWN TRICK TO HELP SELL YOUR HOME IN DOUBLE TIME…

Looking to speed up selling your home? Owning a highly efficient heating system can cut weeks off your sale time, reveals new insight from Worcester Bosch and The Property Centre. • 90% of properties with modern boilers achieved 100% or more of the asking price • 35% of properties that needed an upgrade had to reduce in price in order to achieve a sale

Spring is seen as one of the busiest times of year for property buyers looking for a new home with gardens in bloom and house hunters on the prowl. But, as many homeowners will know, the house-selling process can be a long and arduous journey.

According to boiler manufacturer Worcester Bosch and The Property Centre estate agency, high-glamour isn’t the route to selling a house quickly - a quality heating system is.

According to last year’s sales statistics from The Property Centre, homes with a highly efficient boiler went under offer with 3 weeks 85% of the time. In stark contrast, only 15% of properties requiring a boiler upgrade in the coming years went under offer within 3 weeks.

On top of that, 90% of properties with efficient boilers and cheap running costs achieved 100% or more of the asking price. While 35% of properties that needed an upgrade to their boiler and had higher utility costs had to reduce in price in order to achieve a sale.

A property’s EPC rating is also a key factor buyers look at when viewing a home, something which modern heating systems can help increase, whilst saving money. Worcester Bosch states that by upgrading from a G-rated boiler to a more •38•

sustainable A-rated model (including TRV’s and a smart controller) can save up to £580 a year, while also increasing a property’s overall efficiency and desirability. Buyers beware of old boilers that can be tricky to service due to outdated parts - this can mean paying more than you bargained for due to costly repairs or replacements. Martyn Bridges, Director of Technical Services at Worcester Bosch, commented; “Older boilers can mean inefficiencies in fuel consumption, and future maintenance will be more difficult due to rarer replacement parts on the market. Oliver Davis, Branch Manager at The Property Centre commented; “It is not uncommon to see boiler types and installation date on property listing. This provides prospective buyers with the extra confidence about a property’s energy efficiency and reliability.

“A new or well-maintained heating system visibly looks better too and helps give buyers confidence in the overall maintenance of the property as a whole.”

“Combined this means that future outgoings will be more likely than if you buy a property with a newer and better maintained system. For installers visiting customers who are looking to sell, this is a good time to promote boiler servicing or where necessary an upgrade.”

For more tips on how to help sell your property, visit the

worcester bosch website.

INDUSTRY NEWS PANASONIC EXHIBITING AT HOUSING 2022

Panasonic Heating & Cooling is thrilled to announce they will be exhibiting at CIH - Housing 2022 this year in Manchester, 28-30 June, Stand E55.

Richard Bishop, UK and Ireland’s Head of Marketing for Panasonic, commented: “With the demand for more low carbon heating solutions for residential properties growing and the new SAP10 regulations coming in force in

June 2022, housing providers need to ensure they are fully compliant and ready to switch to more renewable heating systems for their new build projects. Panasonic has developed a range of innovative low carbon heat pump solutions that are reliable, deliver energy efficient and cost-effective for residential and commercial markets. Housing 2022 provides the perfect platform to share with the industry the latest advances in renewable heat pump technology”.

On display during the show, Panasonic will be showcasing their Aquarea range of Air to Water Heat Pumps that offers domestic properties a more sustainable, energy efficient and cost-effective energy source for not only heating homes but additionally they provide a supply of hot water. Furthermore, Panasonic experts will be on hand to demonstrate their intelligent range of remote smart controls to show how users can monitor and keep track of their energy usage to help cut costs and be more energy efficient.

Renewable professionals from Panasonic will be available each day at the show to discuss the most effective low carbon solutions and to run through how air source heat pumps can work for residential developments old and new. The team is looking forward to sharing their expertise in the renewable sector during this significant industry event. Please do visit the Panasonic booth for advice on Stand E55 or contact a member of the team beforehand to arrange meeting - email uk-aircon@eu.panasonic.com.

For more information on Panasonic’s Aquarea solutions, please visit www.aircon.panasonic.eu.

A PREMIUM EXPERIENCE AT THE KITCHEN WATER PLACE THE BLANCO UNIT AS A RESPONSE TO THE NEED FOR A BETTER EVERYDAY QUALITY OF LIFE

BLANCO concluded a successful 2021 financial year with an 18.5 % increase in sales to €483 million compared to the previous year, achieving its highest ever sales. CEO Frank Gfrörer sees this as confirmation that the course BLANCO has taken was the right one: “Particularly in this difficult market environment, it is clear that our consistent focus on a premium brand experience at the kitchen water place has won over both our trade partners and our end consumers.”

BLANCO Group Management Board (left to right): COO Andreas Ostermann von Roth, CEO Frank Gfrörer, CFO Rüdiger Böhle

Covid-19 and the associated restrictions on the everyday lives of many people also shaped the 2021 financial year. Against this backdrop, many consumers’ desire for a significantly better quality of life in their everyday environment has continued to increase and has reinforced the nesting trend. With that in mind, BLANCO set itself the task of upgrading the kitchen water place: “People spend around 60% of their time in the kitchen doing activities at the water place, such as drinking, preparing food and cleaning, to name just the most important ones. We want our highquality system solutions, the BLANCO UNITs, to make this time one of •40•

outstanding convenience, practicality and enjoyment,” says Gfrörer.

Trade partners benefit from focus on end customers and digitalisation

BLANCO has always relied on a strong collaboration with its trade partners. This is now coupled with an increased focus on consumers, with the aim of inspiring them to add real value right from the initial ideas phase of kitchen planning, by opting for an ingeniously designed water place. For this reason, the company is accelerating communication in its digital end customer channels and further developing its online shop for spare parts and accessories to improve service quality and user-friendliness. “By adopting this hybrid approach, we want to increase customer traffic to our trade partners and stimulate demand for highquality system solutions,” explains Gfrörer. “At the same time, we are supporting our trade partners to concentrate on their core business.”

BLANCO International: investing in reliability and stability

Besides increasing customer contact and loyalty, over the last financial year BLANCO invested another considerable sum - around €13 million - in strengthening

the BLANCO UNIT as a premium solution for the kitchen water place. “We have laid a solid foundation for our teams and our trade partners. This provides us with a firm footing to promote the BLANCO UNIT concept,” says Frank Gfrörer. Showcasing the importance of the kitchen water place is vital, stresses the CEO. The nesting trend persists, with more and more people looking for a lifestyle that includes spacesaving provision of various kinds of drinking water, smart mixer tap functions, clever sink accessories and practical collection systems for sustainable waste separation. “We’re filling a gap in the market with the BLANCO UNIT,” says Gfrörer.

The premium BLANCO UNIT system solution integrates seamlessly into the kitchen as a high-quality water place. Meticulously planned down to the very last detail and perfectly coordinated, it combines key functions and important requirements for drinking, preparing food and cleaning in a single place, and thus brings maximum convenience to everyday kitchen tasks.

its international production and logistics network. At a time of increased demand, expanding BLANCO’s production capacities and making further improvements to processes ensured that order management remained largely stable. “Our investments have also created the conditions for faster innovation cycles and technological developments,” says COO Andreas Ostermann von Roth.

The combined effect of the coronavirus pandemic, the increased business volume and the simultaneous shortage of raw materials has had a significant impact on day-to-day business. CFO Rüdiger Böhle appreciates the BLANCO teams’ efforts during this time period: “I applaud our employees around the world. They have performed incredibly well under difficult conditions, and we in the management team are truly grateful.” sales partner, we are now ideally positioned to market the BLANCO UNIT in a very effective way with our organisation on the ground,” says Gfrörer. At the same time, the company has announced that it will withdraw from the Russian market. Business there has practically come to a standstill, so the decision has been made to dissolve the local organisation, with around 15 employees, in the interests of the company as a whole.

Stepping up active market development: focus on convenience at the water place and efficient use of space

BLANCO is setting a clear course for the current financial year by increasing its focus on positioning It also meets the desire for greater convenience in everyday life: “By ensuring functionally and ergonomically-optimised interaction between all components, we enable a seamless workflow from the mixer tap or drink.system to the sink and the waste separation system. That’s the key promise of our BLANCO UNITs.” Given the backdrop of rising costs, especially in the housing sector, efficient use of space is also becoming increasingly important. The BLANCO UNIT is designed in such a way that it not only minimises wasted space, but also dispenses precious drinking water in a more targeted way. Last but not least, the UNIT can be easily installed by a specialist.

For further information on BLANCO, please call 01923 635 200 or visit www.blanco.co.uk.

The 2021 financial year in figures (rounded*)

Consolidated total sales €483 million (+€75 million/+18.5 %)

BLANCO has made changes to its international sales network. Since May 2022, the company has been represented on the market in Australia with its own subsidiary, which reinforces its APAC sales region: “With more than ten years of experience in the market thanks to our collaboration with a

Domestic sales

€166 million (+€15 million/+10 %) International sales €317 million (+€60 million/+24 %) Percentage of sales generated abroad 65 % Investments €12.9 million Employees 1,647 (full-time/end of 2021) of which in Germany 1,140 of which at international locations 507