Bathroom 'cartel' rage at EU ruling

29 June 2010
Big-name bathroom companies have been accused by the EU’s Antitrust Commission of operating an illegal price-fixing cartel across six countries.

The price fixing and anti-competitive practices are said to have taken...
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Relief as CVA agreed for William Ball

29 June 2010
The threat of liquidation at Essex-based kitchen manufacturer William Ball has been averted, saving 113 jobs, following a meeting with its creditors.

At the meeting on Friday 25 June, the company, which has £1.6m worth...
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White Paper calls for WC scrappage and standardisation

28 June 2010
As the coalition government completes its first massive task - the Emergency Budget in June - Waterwise has stepped in quickly with a White Paper on saving water. It outlines how the Government can introduce measures to waste less water...
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How to avoid a World Cup penalty - courtesy of HiB!

28 June 2010
Football fever is all very well, until your life, family and friends start handing out yellow and even red cards, as they fume on the sidelines for a whole month. 

And like many a footie fan revving up to the World Cup...
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Vision House Closes

28 June 2010
VR cad software provider Vision House has called in the liquidators.

The Sheffield-based business, run by directors Tony and Vicki Hales, had been in business for 10 years.

The company cited problems with its...
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Savvy distributors beat recession

28 June 2010
The recession has cost kitchen and bathroom distributors £250m over the last two years – but around half of them have managed to boost sales in the last 12 months.

MTW Research says distributors felt the knock-on...
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Discretionary spend still hard to find

28 June 2010
Poor performance in the service sector in the three months to May shows the consumer is still cautious about discretionary spending, says the CBI.

The latest survey of the consumer services sector – including hotels,...
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Warendorf AFG md Jim Gettings gets saddle sore for charity

28 June 2010
Motorcycle enthusiast and md of Warendorf AFG Jim Gettings has recently completed the Royal British Legion 1,000 mile saddle sore event, raising a total of £1,435 so far for the charity.

Jim took to the road on his...
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Playing a part

28th May 2010
Still confused as to how Part G affects you, the retailer? Christian Taylor-Hamlin, technical director at the BMA, has the answers


Q What is Part G?

A Officially it is The Building Regulations 2000,...
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Wake-up to water saving

28th May 2010
With climate change increasingly impacting on the world's water resources, Ideal Standard is urging consumers to change their attitudes and wise up to water usage. "The average person in the UK uses 150 litres each day, yet nearly a third...
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Watch your name online, warns Domus

28th May 2010
Domus Tiles has warned companies to be on their guard against rivals who may be using their name in search engine advertisements.
The company discovered that its name was being used by a another tile retailer on Google AdWords, so...
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Crown buys distributor as Allied family sells up

11 May 2010
Kitchen distributor Allied Kingswood has been bought by Kent-based furniture manufacturer Crown Products. 
Allied and Crown have a 30-year trading relationship and Allied has remained a major distributor of Crown's kitchen...
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The great escape!

11 May 2010
The kitchen and bathroom industry descended on Milan for the biennial Eurocucina fair in their droves. Some may have wished they'd stayed away since they were among those caught up in the post-Icelandic volcanic ash fiasco when ...
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Crown buys up Allied -Kingswood

13 April 2010
Kitchen distributor Allied Kingswood has been bought by Kent-based furniture manufacturer Crown Products. Allied was previously owned by the Joseph family, and it’s understood that Stephen Joseph has now returned to Allied under the new...
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Theobalds next?

13 April 2010
The Crown acquisition announcement comes hot on the heels of the news that Kent-based kitchen and bathroom distributor company Theobald’s is in administration. The company’s Kent-based doors were closed before Easter. Theobald’s had been...
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Everyone flocking to Milan’s Eurocucina

13 April 2010
If there’s someone you can’t get hold of this week - don’t worry, they’ve flown off to the design showcase of Europe, Eurocucina, in Milan, Italy.

We are off shortly, too, so expect a full report on the smartest appliances, out...
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EK & B Business picks up top industry ward

18th November 2009
And the winner is…..

Hubert Burda Media UK’s B2B publication, Essential Kitchen & Bathroom Business magazine (EKB Business), is in celebratory mood having picked up ‘Best Bathroom Magazine 2009’...
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Ideal Standard Ireland gets its own md

December 2009
Ideal Standard Ireland has a new md, its first. He is Gerard Walsh who previously had headed up Ideal Standard’s Iberian operations, though more recently has been involved in the integration of the Qualceram Shire purchase. read more...

Hopkinson praises team effort

November 2009
Mark Two's Nick Hopkinson is ending a "strange" year on a positive note after fighting back from the loss of major contracts.
Hopkinson – known as "Hoppy" – who runs the distribution business with brother Chris, says in a...
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Explosive new range

November 2009
Natural flooring and interiors specialist, indigenous, which opened its new bathroom showroom earlier this year, has introduced the volcanic Riverstone collection of baths and basins. Hand-crafted from metamorphosised stone originating...
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Rewarding retailers

September 2009
Following the success of its Star Rewards scheme with Shades’ bathroom retailers, the Moores Furniture Group has introduced the incentive to its Four Season kitchen retailers. Until the end of July 2010, retailers that increase their...
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Quickly does it

September 2009
Appliance manufacturer Beko has launched what it claims to be the world’s quickest washing machine. The 1400rpm 8kg Xpress washes a 2kg load in just 14 minutes and a full 8kg load in 28 minutes. A+++AB rated, the appliance is...
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Brochure bonanza

October 2009
Making display pay
Ideal Bathroom says that in the month following the launch of the second edition of its Big Book of Displays which codes and costs over 100 displays, sales of displays rose by 51%. Deals include...
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Sheridan goes to Wickes

October 2009
Granite, Apollo Quartz and Apollo Slab Tech worktops from Sheridan Ltd, the West Yorkshire-based manufacturer of granite, quartz and solid surface worktops, are now available in all of DIY retailer Wickes’ 184 stores.
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Penthouse performers

October 2009
Barratt Homes East London has installed shower enclosures from Simpsons in the bathrooms of two £1.5m luxury penthouses overlooking the Thames and the 02 Arena.
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New era for Manhattan

October 2009
Following the popularity and subsequent rebranding of its New Era enclosure range, Manhattan Showers has launched new point of sale material for all displayed products and a 22-page product brochure. The company has also given its website...
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Sustainable accolade

October 2009
CNC, the Northern Ireland-based manufacturer of kitchen, bedroom and bathroom doors, has achieved PEFC – Programme for the Endorsement of Forestry Certification schemes – and FSC –Forest Stewardship Council-...
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Steel appeal

October 2009
Hygienic and environmental stainless steel healthcare products by Pland Stainless have been specified and installed by Skanska at the new Royal Derby Hospital. The range of sinks and washroom products have a layer of chromium-rich oxide on...
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Geberit goes virtual

October 2009
Geberit has become the latest manufacturer to make its products available to Virtual Worlds, the 3-D virtual reality software package. The company’s plumbing and sanitary systems join fittings from over 60 other bathroom...
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Bathroom retailer takes Bronze

September 2009
Taking action to combat the effects of the recession has helped Hampshire-based Littlejohn Bathrooms become one of the first in the South East to achieve bronze Investors in People status.
Bronze status is given to existing IiP...
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Lec, camera, action

August 2009
The R5008W table top refrigerator from Lec will be making its big screen debut after being given a starring role in the film version of the bestselling book, Round Ireland with a Fridge. Filming is currently taking place in Dublin, Wales,...
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PLANIT FUSION TAKES TO THE ROAD FOR THE BIG TOUR 2009

August 2009
Planit Fusion, the leading supplier of CAD software to the kitchen and bathroom sector, is joining BCGXL’s The Big Tour 2009 – the only CAD company to have a stand.

Planit Fusion demonstrations will take place...
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Bathroom business survey: the way forward

August 2009
As part of this year's Annual Bathroom Conference, the Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA) are conducting a survey on driving sustainable growth through and beyond the current recession. The BMA believes the results will be of help to...
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Cosentino unveils recycled ECO worksurface at RIBA event

July 2009
Thursday 16 July

The National Stadium Beijing, nicknamed ‘the birds nest’, last night scooped the Royal Institute of British Architects’ –RIBA– prestigious Lubetkin Prize, for the most outstanding...
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Irish eyes are smiling as Ideal Standard International buys up Qualceram Shires

July 2009
Wednesday 15 July

Qualceram Shires’ 90 employees at its two warehouse and distribution arms in Arklow and Dublin had the best news in a long time today, when Ideal Standard International announced the news that it had...
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Capital injection brings luxury kitchen brand back from brink

June 2009
London’s Pedini, one of Wigmore Street’s luxury kitchen retailers, has new backers after going into administration two months ago. It blames a “massive sea change in the market”.

A creditors' meeting with...
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Whirlpool team raises funds

June 2009
Eighteen employees, friends and family from Whirlpool and Maytag took part in the London to Brighton bike ride to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation.

The team was organised by Bob Broglia, spares...
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Kitchen launch for Leaker

June 2009
Leaker Direct, the Lanarkshire-based distributor of kitchen appliances, sinks, taps, flooring and lighting, has added kitchens to its portfolio. The European Kompact Kitchens range was unveiled during a three-day launch event, attended by...
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Smallbone's latest venture

June 2009
Charlie Smallbone has joined Fired Earth on a consultancy basis to help develop the company's kitchen ranges. Smallbone has  a long-standing association with Fired Earth where he was a shareholder during the 1980s, and will be...
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Flushing poverty away

June 2009
Leamington Spa-based retailer Modern Homes is supporting local charity CORD with its global Toilet Twinning campaign.  The initiative is asking people to donate £60 to twin their toilet with one in war torn country Burundi,...
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Best buy is Bosch

June 2009
Bosch Domestic Appliances has toppled the twice-winning Miele to take the 2009 Which? award for the best domestic appliance brand after receiving 19 ‘best buy’ accolades from the consumer organisation so far this year.
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Looking forward

June 2009
Looking forward to the VIP opening of his new 10,000 sq ft head office in July is Jim Gettings, md of AFG Kitchens UK – manufacturer and distributor of Miele die Küche in the UK. The custom-built facility at Abingdon is mainly...
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Riding for charity

June 2009
Five members of staff from Mira Showers and Rada have embarked on their own version of Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman’s fundraising Long Way Down motorbike ride. Dave Harvey, Nic Burridge, Kevin Peel, Neil Baxter and Lee Barwell...
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Green thinking pays off

June 2009
Research commissioned by Whirlpool Europe has revealed that despite the economic downturn, 57% of UK consumers believe that environmental considerations are just as important as value for money.
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Celebrating British manufacturing

June 2009
Twyford Bathrooms has been starring in new TV series Made in Britain. The show challenges comedian Dom Joly to replace everything in his home that’s not made in this country with British-made alternatives. Joly visits Twyford‘s...
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Dornbracht and Poggenpohl announce trading partnership

May 2009
Dornbracht UK has announced a new trading partnership with high-end German kitchen manufacturer Poggenpohl. 

Dornbracht has been selected by Poggenpohl to be an approved supplier of kitchen faucets throughout their...
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Get your feet wet, retailers urged

May 2009

Kitchen retailers are being tempted to dip their toes into the bathroom market by bathroom distributor Frontline.

The company is offering kitchen sellers a bathroom display, suggesting that they use it to boost sales by...
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New flush-line DishDrawer unveiled

July 2009
The pioneering DishDrawer is now a grand 10 years old and Fisher & Paykel has updated the original model to offer an additional alternative version of this established appliance. The traditionally-curved door that stands proud of...
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Bumper launch for Platinum dealers

June 2009
The Sottini bathroom brand, aimed at Ideal Standard’s Platinum dealership, has marked its 20th anniversary milestone with a product extravaganza - with two new bathroom collections: Italian-designed Celano, and Robin Levien-designed...
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Waterproof tvs go bespoke

May 2009
Bathroom television pioneer Aquavision is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and has developed a ‘made-to-measure’ solution in response to requests from designers and specifiers. The Bespoke Range features an Aquavision...
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Housewive's favourite moves to Eastern Europe

June 2009
Indesit has confirmed it is to close its Hotpoint washing machine plant in North Wales. There will be 302 job losses. The factory is due to close at the end of July when manufacturing will move to Eastern...
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BSH OPENS eSHOP FOR IRELAND

June 2009
BSH trade and consumers in the Republic of Ireland can now order accessories and replacement spare parts for its four appliance brands - Bosch, Siemens, Neff and Gaggenau  - online via special eShops.

The four new BSH...
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Win an eco shower!

June 2009
Got a bright idea to help Britain save water? Pass it on to experts Waterwise this month and it could win you a water-saving Deva shower.

Deva and Waterwise have teamed up in a competition to support the UN's World Environment...
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De Ferranti and Paris Ceramic brands join forces on King's Road

May 2009
May 7 09

Luxury wall and floor tile specialist De Ferranti - who expanded its offering of stone and ceramics from around the world with the recent purchase of London-based Paris Ceramics - is on...
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They've got it covered

May 2009
British Ceramic Tile says it can compete with imports from Italy and Spain follow­ing the opening of a new £30m factory in Devon. HRH The Princess Royal officially opened the Heathfield plant last month, which should be producing...
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ICONIC KITCHEN BRANDS SAVED AT LAST MINUTE

March 2009
A last minute rescue package has brought two top-end bespoke UK kitchen brands back from the brink after a pre-pack administration deal through administrators PricewaterhouseCoopers. The two premier brands, Smallbone of Devizes and Mark...
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Greenbacks for green buyers?

March 2009
Dollars for dishwashers? Rebates for refrigerators? American consumers could be looking at rebates worth up to $200 in a bid to encourage them to buy energy-efficient appliances.

The plan – similar to the UK car...
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Loss makers heading for danger

June 2009
A third of kbb manufacturers are making a loss, says a new Plimsoll report – but only around a sixth of them can blame the recession.

 

In its latest performance analysis of 578 companies, Plimsoll says that of the...
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Could you beat Kriss in the shower race?

July 2009
Fancy spending time in the shower with Kriss Akabusi? Best be quick, because the former Olympic athlete is fronting a campaign designed to cut the length of time people spend there.

Waterwise and 12 UK water companies are...
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We’ll save water to cut costs, say householders

July 2009
Nearly half of all householders would be prepared to spend more on a water efficient home, says a new survey.

But while 48% were interested in helping the environment, the survey, for Waterwise and Savills, found that 98%...
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Kohler makes a Statement

June 2009
Kohler’s new premium retail outlets, flagged in last month’s ek&bbusiness, are to be called Statement Showrooms. Around 150 of the 500-strong UK & Ireland bathroom manufacturer’s retail network will be handpicked...
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Underwood shuts Knightsbridge store

April 2009
Underwood Kitchens has closed its Knightsbridge store, making two people redundant, after putting its manufacturing business into administration. Company owner Jane Cheel says that the move was a technical one in order to get out of the...
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Sales slide at retailers

April 2009
Home Retail Group – owner of Homebase and Argos – turned in a pre-tax loss of £394.2m in the last financial year. Homebase sales fell by over 10%, resulting in the value of the chain being written down by £651m,...
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UK white goods factories close

April 2009
The viability of the UK as an appliance manufacturing base has taken another step backwards with the closure of two factories in Wales last month. Declining demand and the inability of the factories to produce competitively-priced products...
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Make banking decisions local

April 2009
Banks have been urged to restore the power of local managers to make decisions about lending to small businesses.

According to the Federation of Small Businesses, the absence of local decision – making means many...
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Bosch puts a gloss on it

April 2009
“Low consumption, full performance” was the motto as Bosch launched a range of super-efficient, easy to control and stylish appliances for 2009 at Bosch Dimension, the largest exhibition of its appliances ever seen in Europe....
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Bathroom gets the Rimote software touch

April 2009
Unique Automation has developed software that allows iPhone users to phone home and fill up a bath.

The Rimote application means that users can operate the bathomatic – an automated system that fills the bath to a...
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New show planned for Manchester

March 2009
A new kitchen and bathroom show aimed at the trade and consumers is planned for the autumn in Manchester.

Kitchen & Bathroom Evolution is to be held at Manchester Central, formerly GMEX, on 12–13 September. It’s...
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2009 – bigger and better

March 2009
Increased capacities, improved retract­ing doors and a new single control are among the must-have features on Neff’s 2009 range of stainless steel single ovens. They were launched at the Neff Futures 2009 event in South Wales. ...
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Bathroom retailers can weather the storm

March 2009
The majority of bathroom retailers are in good shape and should be able to weather the recession, says a new report from MTW Research.

It says that despite increasing pricing pressure and competition, just 6% of retailers are...
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Siemens first standalone exhibition is packed with retailers

March 2009
Energy, speed and design were the key words marking the Siemens' three-day standalone exhibition held in the grounds of The Grove hotel in Hertfordshire at the end of February.

Some 300+ kitchen specialist and electrical...
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Designers make the teaching trip

March 2009
Kitchen designers from ALNO’s UK showrooms have made the trip to the manufacturer’s HQ in Pfullendorf, Germany, to swap ideas and learn about the latest products, including the new handleless ALNOSTAR range. Over 130 staff have...
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Quality control

February 2009
Quartz surfacing manufacturer Cosentino has been awarded the international LGA Hygiene Tested certificate for its Silestone quartz worktops. Providing retailers with an added sales point and consumers with further reassurance, the...
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Ideal Bathrooms takes the medicine

February 2009
Advice dispensed by the ek&bbusiness Web Doctor has been warmly welcomed by one of its ’patients’ – Ideal Bathrooms.

The bathroom distributor had a check-up in November 2008 and was told that: “With...
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