The UN Global Compact Network UK has organised a series of online peer-learning workshops open to all 270+ SME participants in the Network to help streamline the process of creating environmental strategies and reaching net zero.
David Osborne, chief executive officer for Roman, was asked to speak at the first of the 12-part UN Global Compact Network programme, covering the topic – ‘Developing a Comprehensive Environmental Strategy’. David Osborne shared Roman’s environmental journey and strategy, covering Roman’s experiences and best practice in sustainability.
Roman is immersed in all aspects of the Circular Economy and is committed to using recycled materials in the production process – and to ensure that all parts of all products can be recycled and reused back at their original value at their end of life. Roman was certified by the Carbon Trust as Carbon Neutral in 2021 and are active in many other initiatives within the business relating to sustainability.
The UNGC Programme aims to help SMEs create comprehensive environmental strategies and implement policies and practices to tackle a broad range of environmental issue areas (such as climate change, waste, water, biodiversity, and energy use) across their operations. Each workshop will highlight how leading SMEs are overcoming key challenges and will provide a peer-learning forum through which attendees can share best practices and be signposted to credible tools/resources that can help them make progress on the environmental sustainability agenda.
David Osborne commented: “As a British Manufacturer, we take sustainability and CSR extremely seriously and we are proud to be a member of the prestigious and far-reaching, United Nations Global Compact Network. It was a great opportunity to speak at the opening session of UNGC’s new series of workshops and to share our environmental sustainability journey, and we hope it helps other members tackle the broad range of environmental issues across their operations.”
At the ISH comeback in March, in Frankfurt, Kaldewei positively demonstrated how modern bathroom settings can be stylishly celebrated.
The trade fair stand of the premium bathroom manufacturer was considered a highlight in Hall 3. In addition to the latest product innovations, Kaldewei’s focus for the trade fair was a complete series of exclusive designs for the washbowls made of enamel, which caused great excitement amongst the trade visitors. Everyone had the option to select their personal favourite via a digital selection process and the winning washbowls now being launched as a limited edition.
Creative craftsmanship for sophisticated one-offs
Exclusive designs created for the Miena, Ming and Nueva washbasins to show how versatile and customisable the steel enamel material is – from bicolour versions to ornate decorations in shades of grey, green and berry, to elegant metallic effects with that certain “golden glow”.
Visitors to the trade fair voted live on site or online by means of social media for their favourites and chose from twenty different designer washbasins with glamorous names such as Emerald Wave, Colour Twist or Paint Poetry.
The winner was declared as grey textured Miena Misty Morning and won by a country mile. This design is now being made as a limited edition of 100 units. The Emerald Wave design took second place, with Colour Twist taking third. Bicolour Black & Copper, Soft Greenery, Paint Poetry and Golden Glow Black finished as runner-ups.
Duravit was hailed the “winner” five times in the “Product Design 2023” category: Sebastian Herkner’s Zencha designer bathroom collection, the Tulum faucet range designed by Philippe Starck, and Duravit’s own Sustano shower tray all won over the distinguished Red Dot Design Award jury.
The 133-member, independent and international jury of experts of the iF DESIGN AWARD was also won over by Zencha and the Duravit No. 1 campaign, awardingDuravit two “Winners”
Zencha by Sebastian Herkner: An homage to mindfulness and craftsmanship
The accomplished Zencha bathroom collection by Sebastian Herkner is inspired by traditional Japanese rituals and craftsmanship. The collection, already the recipient of a German Design Award, was crowned the “winner” at the Red Dot Award and iF DESIGN AWARD.
Tulum by Philippe Starck: Iconic, eternal design
The monolithic design of the Tulum by Philippe Starck faucet series impresses with a balanced composition of round and square shapes to create an impression of visual clarity. Its iconic shape and sheer elegance were also crowned the “winner” in the Red Dot Award’s “Product Design 2023” category.
Sustano: Recyclable and customizable shower tray
Sustano by Duravit, the first recyclable shower tray, comes in six colours and is very easy to customize and cut to size. The elegant, calm design language of the shower tray, made from the sustainable material DuroCast Nature, also sufficiently impressed the distinguished jury of the Red Dot Award to be crowned the “winner”.
Features by Diane Larner, founder of Bathroom Review & Kitchens Review. Diane Larner launched both titles over 12 years ago and has been writing about the bathroom and kitchen interior design industry ever since, publishing regular features across the two sectors.
It’s all about colour this season as we welcome the vibrancy of spring and look forward to a long hot summer. Zesty yellows,rich blues and lively greens add energy and help lift the spirits. In addition, we are seeing even more versatility in shower design as accessible options are blended to deliver effortless multi-generational longevity without prematurely ageing bathroom spaces.
Colour me happy
Acquabella’s new art deco-style shower tray (pictured above) is available in over 2,000 colour options and three different styles; Deco, Drop & Dune. It features an elegant arch with gentle slopes and corner edging and can be made to measure to meet any space requirement.
As Belén López, Acquabella’s marketing manager, tells us: “This bold colour trend is still on the rise, bringing softness to traditional hard corners and helping spaces to merge, giving the room a dynamic aesthetic.”
A welcome use of colour also appears in what is often considered sedate or functional aspects of design, such as shower profiles. Incorporating a colourful detail can add a subtle decadence or depth to a design without the need to overstate it. It is also an optimal way to coordinate with accessories or shower controls.
Nick Granville, sales & marketing Director at Kudos, agrees, “We are seeing lots more coloured shower enclosure profiles being created to coordinate with the growing number of coloured finishes on shower controls and brassware. Brushed Gold is currently the fastest growing Kudos enclosure profile and is now our third biggest seller behind Chrome and Matt Black.”
Accessible gains
The longevity of design has been brought to the fore as environmental concerns mean more of us strive to avoid fast fashion trends in the home. Future-proofing the shower room is one way to achieve this, and is no longer a cumbersome or unattractive option. Accessible shower rooms have become part of a vista we are used to seeing, especially in hotels and new build designs.
Stephen Maley, UK sales director, HEWI UK Ltd, comments: “Floor-level showers are very much in vogue at the moment, especially in accessible washrooms. If accessible and with the right floor space, they also enable wheelchair users to shower independently. However, it is not only the floor-level shower that makes the shower accessible. Shower seats, grab rails, and many other products make a significant contribution to creating accessibility in showers.”
True to form HEWI has introduced another innovative product to make life easy for users with mobility limitations. Its new magnetic shower holder (pictured above) is simple to use. Operated by magnet-function-based height adjustment, it allows users to intuitively slide the shower head using one-handed operation and is easy to do even with wet hands.
Pivotal pioneers
The average British house is 20% smaller than in the 1970s, and bathrooms are largely taking the hit. James Lentaigne, creative director at Drummonds, agrees that customers will implement space-saving strategies by finding hidden storage in the walls or opting for a smaller bath and high-level WC. Regarding showers, Lentaigne comments: “Small built-in showers can be great with frames around the door allowing other products to be mounted such as towel rails.”
Options that give the illusion of space are another way to maximise a small space without compromising on the size of the showering area. One example is the new Ultimate10 shower enclosure from Kudos, (pictured above). It features a pivot door that opens both inwards and outwards, so it is ideal for rooms where space is limited. Furthermore, it can be installed in a corner or recessed situation, and each door handle cleverly doubles up as a towel rail.
Waterplay
According to statistics outlined in the Government’s Plan for Water last week, we use about 14 billion litres of water daily and will use 4 billion more by 2050. A tighter focus on resource conservation means selecting water-saving products and retrofit devices from trustworthy sources is increasingly important.
Chris Neath, director of sales Neoperl UK agrees, “The most pressing trend in showering at present is the drive to reduce the amount of warm water we use in the home with a view to reducing usage to save water, energy and money. Today it is possible to retain a comfortable shower that uses less water, something we specialise in at Neoperl.”
Neoperl’s latest development, the FSG D8 Volume Control (VC), now offers an intuitive push-on/off control plus variable adjustment by the rotation of the knob to control the flow rate.
They can be fitted into a tap or shower or behind the wall plates that control them, and the activation is smooth, whatever the line pressure.
The cost-of-living crisis continues to bite, and as a nation, we are more aware of how heating water impacts bills. Ideal Standard delivers water and energy-saving solutions with its range of built-in thermostatic shower valves. The new Ceratherm Navigo® collection allows users to precisely adjust water flow and temperature with a smooth push-and-turn movement or pre-set desired levels for optimum comfort.
Available in both square and round variations, the shower mixers have been designed to complement Ideal Standard’s wider offering. They feature four stylish finishes: chrome, magnetic grey, silver storm and brushed gold.
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HEWI, an expert in barrier-free sanitary solutions, has launched a new user-friendly magnetic shower holder that is safe, easy to clean and improves showering comfort.
The patented System 900 magnetic shower head holder is available in stainless steel, chrome and powder-coated in white, black and grey. The new product follows the minimalist, high-quality and timeless design that characterises all ranges from HEWI and is designed to be another element of its diverse and versatile barrier-free ‘building-block’ solutions.
Well thought out down to the last detail and timeless in design
In terms of handling, the new magnetic shower head holder has been significantly simplified and is, in the sense of universal design, an optimal product for everyone and especially for users with physical limitations.
Characteristic features are ease-of-use thanks to magnet-function-based height adjustment which is simply achieved by sliding the shower head. System 900 also boasts intuitive one-handed operation, a fully rotatable cone bracket and the conscious lack of the buttons and knobs that usually feature on such products. Thus, the shower holder can be used without strain and even by those with motor limitations. Wet hands are also not an issue as the traditional clamping mechanism has been replaced by the novel magnetic principle, thus eliminating the need to exert pressure when adjusting the shower holder.
As virtually no mechanical forces act on the product, wear is reduced to a minimum. Thus, the new magnetic shower holder is also an extremely hard-wearing and durably aesthetic product, tested for hand showers weighing up to one kilogram. HEWI also emphasises that incorrect operation can be ruled out and this new product can be used without hesitation by people with pacemakers.
Neoperl introduced FSG valve on/off flow controls to tap and shower manufacturers in 2018, they are valves that allow for a simple open/closed water flow operation at the press of a button. Their latest development, the FSG D8 Volume Control (VC), now offers an intuitive push on/off control plus variable adjustment by the rotation of the knob to control the flow rate.
Tap and shower manufacturers across the globe can now choose to insert Neoperl’s high grade FSG controls into their products. They can be fitted into a tap or shower or behind the wall plates that control them, and the activation is smooth whatever the line pressure.
The valves function on a purely mechanical and hydraulic basis so they require neither a power connection nor battery for operation. The components are made of stainless steel and engineering plastics that can withstand high thermal and mechanical loads and as such meet international hygiene standards as well as important mechanical requirements for their use in taps. All models are marked with Neoperl’s manufacturer code 7880 and a series number.
This latest additional feature in the VC model, allowing for a variable flow rate, enables the manufacturer to utilise the function across a wider variety of applications. It assists manufacturers in offering a much simpler, minimalistic control to the user and it’s forecast to facilitate a revolution in tap and shower controls.
Kudos is introducing its Ultimate10 shower enclosure range –a brand-new addition to the Kudos Premium Collection. The range includes10mm glass shower enclosures that come with a revolutionary Red Dot Award-winning double action hinge, enabling the pivot door to open both inwards and outwards, offering a perfect solution where space is at a premium.
Available from April this new frameless range has been specifically designed to be truly modular offering lots of design configurations. Firstly the profiles will be available in chrome, matt black and brushed gold to co-ordinate or contrast with different bathroom brassware. The pivot door can be installed directly from a wall post or from a glass panel, making it incredibly versatile, and to fit on a shower tray or wet room floor. Each door and panel is 1985mm high including fittings and can be installed in a corner or recessed situation. The stylish door handle doubles as an integral towel rail and all glass comes with lifeshield protection. The collection is made in Cumbria and comes with a lifetime guarantee.
The collection is made up of six door models, with off-wall options for recess or corner (standard and large doors) and for off-panel recess and corner. The doors are compatible with the existing Ultimate 10mm wet room glass panels, making it a truly modular system.
A unique component within the range is the hinge which has received a coveted Red Dot Award for its innovative mechanism that allows the doors to open both inwards and outwards yet retain a watertight seal. The profile hinge comes with quadruple magnets, one pair always active so when force is applied the door will release and then attract the magnet pairs. Overlapping aluminium profiles alongside the active magnets in the mechanism prevent any water from passing through.
Kudos Shower Products Ltd has been designing and manufacturing shower products at their Cumbria facility since 1999. Their portfolio includes shower enclosures, shower trays, over-bath screens and wet-room solutions sold via KBB showrooms and merchants across the UK.
UWLA MD, Yvonne Orgill, says that the Plan for Water set out by the Government last week is misguided and could waste a huge amount of government money.
The comments were made following the launch of the plan by environment secretary Therese Coffey and water minister Rebecca Pow.
Yvonne said, “These proposals will adversely restrict the market and without education and a robust audit system they will fail. Government is misguided in spending time and money developing a label when there is a recognised and existing scheme developed by the industry, that they could utilise, at much less cost and more effectively.
“We are fully supportive of the aims and objectives and agree that we need to take action if we are to make a difference. The plan does include some good points; the proposal to force Water Utilities to fix leaks is long overdue, and will have a significant impact on the amount of water saved.
“However it is clear that the government does not understand the industry or fully appreciate the need to educate on how to use water rather than just look at the products. Achieving the reduction target with a mandatory label and product banning without education that influences behaviour is not going to achieve change. Product restrictions will limit choice and be open to abuse.
“An enforcement approach is likely to be ineffective allowing poor quality products into the market without robust market surveillance. Consumers will move to purchasing from overseas and install these products on variable pressure systems, due to poor and inadequate infrastructure. Furthermore a reduction in standards is likely to lead to more water being used and even increased health risks.
“The Unified Water Label Association has responded to the consultation on the mandatory label and continues to work with government to illustrate how the Unified Water Label can meet their objectives, without spending money on developing a new mandatory label.
“A mandatory label will be significantly more expensive than a voluntary one, and a mandatory scheme will take away the flexibility that the industry now has to operate a scheme to meet market demands. Should the government adopt the Unified Water Label, they will benefit from a scheme that already exists and is gaining momentum – and has the support of the industry.
“The Unified Water Label is urging the government to take its time to listen to industry, consider that bathroom products are part of a system sitting on poor infrastructure, as well as understand the products. It would be beneficial to all to get this right first time.
“On behalf of the Unified Water Label Association, I would urge the KBB industry to work with us for the benefit of all, to promote our own recognised and industry led smart tool, the Unified Water Label. Together we can achieve greater visibility in the marketplace, and drive forward significant changes in attitudes to water and energy efficiency.”
British manufacturer, Kudos Shower Products, has once again expanded its popular collection of Pinnacle8 enclosures to offer further versatility. The new additions are sliding door models that have been designed without the need for a bottom rail, providing level access, making it easier to step in and out of the enclosure.
Eliminating the bottom rail on the door gives it a minimalist appearance and makes it much easier to clean too. These new additions will be available in a choice of chrome, matt black or brushed gold profiles and in four sizes; 1200mm, 1300mm, 1400mm and 1500mm suitable for either a corner or a recessed installation. As with all other enclosures in the Kudos Pinnacle8 range these new options stand 2000mm in height and are produced with 8mm toughened safety glass throughout. All glass panels come with LifeShield protection for easy cleaning and all doors with their iconic Finger Pull handle (with optional retro fit handle if required).
The Pinnacle8 shower enclosure collection was initially launched in 2018 and has become one of the company’s best-selling ranges that has been expanded each year since conception. Pinnacle8 is a semi-frameless design with slimline wall profiles concealing a 20mm wall adjustment for ease of fitting. SmartSeal technology is used on the crystal clear seals and glass-to-glass corner join seals, to ensure a clean uninterupted finish and a water-tight bond. Overall this collection includes both hinged and sliding door options, to suit both recessed and corner installations, in sizes ranging from 760mm to 1800mm offering a plethora of design options to suit any bathroom. Kevla impregnated pins are used in the rise and fall brushed finished hinges for consistent smooth opening and closing of the glass doors. And aircraft grade stainless steel roller bearings are used in the sliding doors for smooth action and longevity.
Kudos Shower Products Ltd has been designing and manufacturing shower products at their Cumbria facility since 1999. Their portfolio includes shower enclosures, shower trays, over-bath screens and wet-room solutions sold via KBB showrooms and merchants across the UK. Visit their website kudosshowers.co.uk, call them on 01539 564040 or email info@kudosshowers.co.uk
PJH has extended its Washbowl Collection from its Bathrooms to Love brand with the addition of a number of new models including this beautiful circular design to its Luxey range, finished in an elegant Matt Deep Blue colour.
Joining the Luxey family of vessel basins from Bathrooms to Love, this on-trend deep blue version adds to the appeal of range, satisfying the growing demand for indigo blues in the bathroom. It also teams up perfectly with other matt deep blue ranges in the Bathrooms to Love portfolio, such as the Statement furniture range and the Belmont Freestanding bath.
“Sales of Bathrooms to Love washbowls have seen good growth over the last year, with a 12% increase in sales. This is a result of the equally impressive growth we have recorded in our modular bathroom furniture category where the combination of basin units, worktops and vessel basins has proved highly popular,” explained Julie Lockwood, Product Manager, Bathrooms to Love.
“Creating bespoke bathroom looks, through the use of contrasting colours, textures and materials presents a great sales opportunity for stockists, particularly within the basin unit zone where many elements can be mixed and matched. Our washbowl category continues to grow and we have more new designs to come throughout the year, extending the choices yet further.”
A round, ceramic washbowl, the Matt Deep Blue Luxey model measures W355 x H120 xD355mm and joins other matt finished models in the Luxey range – white, black, grey and marble-effect. It includes an unslotted waste and can be teamed with either a tall basin mixer or wall-mounted basin mixer taps, from the wide choice of brassware within the Bathrooms to Love collection.
Like all the washbowls in the collection – which includes many different shapes, sizes and styles, as well as polymarble options, the sophisticated new Luxey Deep Blue model boasts a high quality design that is easy to clean, durable and with long-lasting looks.
Available to order now from PJH’s online Partners Portal™ platform, this new Luxey Washbowl is available from stock and on a Next Day Delivery service if required. Contact PJH to find out more about display deals, point-of-sale material, and all marketing collateral.
