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Simon Acres Group and Compusoft to host careers day

Leading KBB and merchant services provider, Simon Acres Group (SAGL) has partnered with specialist industry software provider Compusoft, to host a careers day for teenagers looking to enter the kitchen and bathroom sector.

The day takes place on Tuesday 11 October at the UK office of Compusoft in Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, and will bring together training providers and industry specialists to advise on how best to build a career in the industry.

Young people that attend on the day will not only have access to a wealth of information but can secure FREE on-line training from Simon Acres Group and a FREE software licence for 12 months from Compusoft.

“Young people considering their options, will find this day extremely useful, with so much expertise and knowledge available from our supporters and the opportunity to take away thousands of pounds worth of free training,” says Simon Acres Group MD Simon Acres.

Alexander Ainge MD at Compusoft GB Ltd said, “We are delighted to be working with Simon Acres to host this day.  The skills shortage in the industry is a real threat to our future, which cannot be ignored. We must all take positive steps to try and reverse this situation. We hope that our careers day will create awareness and attract new people into our industry.

Craig Matson from The Kitchen Education Trust, (TKET), the training body behind the kitchen design degree apprenticeship (level 6) added, “I am pleased to support Compusoft and Simon Acres Group in offering this day.  Education is vital for the future of our industry.  It can help us bring a greater level of professionalism, which encourages increased credibility with other professionals, as well as trustworthiness with retail clients and developers.

Barry Moss from LEAP Apprenticeships will be in attendance to discuss opportunities to join the Level 3 Fitted Furniture Design Technician Apprenticeship that covers furniture, furnishings, and interior design. This programme is delivered remotely and available to all applicants who have access to a design role or are on the career path to progress there. Kerry Wilson Learning and Development Manager at BFM, who works closely with Barry Moss supporting apprenticeships within the BMF membership, will also be in attendance.

Other supporters attending include Tom Reynolds from the BMA; lecturer and interior/kitchen designer Renee Mascari and Damian Walters, chief executive at BiKBBI, champion for the Level 2 Fitted Interiors Apprenticeship.

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GROHE discloses ecological product impact with EPD’s

Grohe EPD

Considering the fact that carbon emissions from buildings and construction constitute almost 40 percent of global carbon emissions, knowledge of a building’s environmental impact is becoming key to enable the construction industry to work towards the necessary green transformation.

Accordingly, a number of states have already established national lifecycle carbon limits for new or public buildings. Some states require carbon reporting as a minimum standard, while others have generally enacted more stringent requirements for new construction projects.

Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are considered by the European Commission as a suitable means of evaluating the sustainability of a building since the materials and products used in it significantly determine a building’s impact on the environment. In order to provide its customers with transparency regarding the ecological footprint of its products, the sanitary brand GROHE will release EPDs for 18 product groups that cover more than 600 single products by the end of October. The first batch, which will be published at the end of July 2022, includes basin and kitchen mixers, thermostats, and shower rail sets. A second wave will follow by the end of October 2022 and will comprise special fittings, hand showers, installation systems, and flush plates.

“With the launch of EPDs for a wide range of our portfolio, we offer our customers easy orientation and transparent comparison options with regard to the life cycle assessment of our products. On this basis, they can make informed statements about the environmental impact of buildings, which is often a cornerstone for sustainability certifications such as DGNB, LEED or BREEAM, or even a prerequisite for new building permits in many European cities. With increasing pressure on the construction industry to make buildings ever more sustainable, information of this kind will be a selection criterion for products in the future, on a level with price, design or quality,” says Jonas Brennwald, leader, LIXIL EMENA.

Transparency to promote sustainable construction projects
An EPD is a comprehensive, independently verified, and registered product pass. It reports transparent
and comparable data on the environmental impact of a product’s life cycle (Life Cycle Assessment). The
life cycle is considered from the extraction of raw materials through to production then the use phase to
disposal, including the impact of the individual transport routes.

Tomas Kvillström, leader, commercial regulation, LIXIL EMENA underlines how important it is to analyze a product’s entire life cycle: “We also looked at the usage phase, which has sometimes been neglected by the industry in the past. The long use phase of our products is the main driver for water and energy consumption and therefore a crucial piece of information for building management companies and hotel operators in particular. However, this knowledge is not only elementary for our customers, but also a good benchmark for us to further increase the sustainability of our value chain and products.”

Environmental Declarations are based on the international standard ISO 14025, and with regard to the
construction industry EPDs are particularly based on EN 15804 for construction products, services and
processes.

All EPDs can easily be found here

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New stocked finish from MHS radiators

MHS Radiators

MHS Radiators has added a new stocked finish for its best-selling Nina towel rail, which is now available as a 1160 x 500mm model in Denim Blue and can be delivered in just 3-5 days.

As consumers embrace exciting alternatives to ‘standard’ models, MHS Radiators is seeing increased demand for its coloured towel rails. Nina features a simple, minimalistic design and is available in three fuel types – central heating, dual fuel and electric. The 1160 x 500mm central heating model offers outputs of 539 watts.

Alex Bradley, Operations Manager at MHS Radiators, commented: “Our ever-popular Nina towel rail
in Denim Blue is flying off the shelves as consumers want to bring colour into their bathrooms, so much so that we’ve made it a stock colour. While chrome towel rails have been at the forefront of the bathroom market for many years, the go-to metallic finish is now taking a back seat as homeowners look to embrace an injection of colour.”

In addition to Denim Blue, Nina is available in 80 ‘Special’ finishes – such as Sparkling Black, Golden Peach and Grey Anthracite – and eight sizes, ranging from 760 x 400mm to 1775 x 600mm.

For more information on MHS Radiators and its portfolio of designer, multi column, traditional cast iron radiators and towel rails, or to download the 2022 Product Guide & Price List, please visit www.mhsradiators.co.uk or telephone 0345 521 5666.

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HiB publishes new CSR report outlining sustainability mission

HiB CSR Report

Sparking the next chapter in its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) mission, leading bathroom supplier HiB has published a new report defining its goals and targets for a more sustainable future.

The new report covers a range of CSR areas, from protecting the environment, to developing staff training and improving supply chain procedures and processes. Each topic has been investigated by HiB’s dedicated CSR team, using data to highlight current activity levels across departments.

Each area has been approached with the company vision in mind, to make a ‘substantial difference to the lives of its people, partners and the world we live in’. Information gathered during the production of the report, has been used to evaluate operations and guide the one, three and five year goals set by HiB. Among the targets identified are reducing Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 42% by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality, something the company has already began working on.

Robert Ginsberg, Managing Director at HiB said: “As a company we are serious about our Corporate Social Responsibility and making a difference. By producing the CSR report, we’ve been able to evaluate our activities in detail, highlighting areas that need improvement in order to help us reach our goals.

“CSR has always been part of our operations and over the years, we have implemented a number of processes and procedures to support those in and around the business. We’ve also invested significantly in infrastructure, installing solar panels at our Inspire House Distribution Centre and electric charging points.

“This report is the next stage in our development as we look to improve our credentials as a sustainable, responsible business. It has allowed us to evaluate our efforts and put in a plan in place to improve, become even more environmentally-friendly and reach our ultimate goals and vision.”

The CSR report is available to view at the HiB website, visit https://www.hib.co.uk/corporate-social-responsibility for more details.

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Go (Sage) Green with Bathrooms to Love…

PJH Lambra Sage Green Bathrooms to love

The Lambra Modular Furniture range, one of PJH’s best-selling bathroom furniture families from its Bathrooms to Love Collection, has been expanded with the welcome addition of a new matt sage green option.

With a tactile super matt finish and smooth curved edges, the new Sage Green colourway joins Lambra’s three other finishes; Matt Indigo, Matt Grey and Gloss White, thus providing Bathrooms to Love stockists with yet further options on this premium furniture range to entice the consumer.

Styled with an integrated handle, the new Lambra Matt Sage Green range is available as wall-hung and floor-standing, including 500mm, 605mm and 805mm width basin units, a tall unit and a WC unit. The basin units feature a curved integrated ceramic basin and two-drawers (wall-hung) or two-doors (floor-standing) – so storage space is in abundance.

Explained Julie Lockwood, product manager, furniture, Bathrooms to Love: “Introducing new colours into bathroom spaces through furniture continues to grow, especially green-themed hues, with links to the natural environment. This beautiful sage green shade makes for a classy bathroom statement, especially when teamed with Lambra’s streamlined and curvaceous form.”

With a colour-coordinated cabinet and soft-close drawer and door fittings, the Lambra units boast a high specification, quality build and finish, and are highly durable to stand the test of time.

The new range, now available and in stock, comes complete with a QR label – as shown in the current ‘Style’ Bathrooms to Love consumer brochure and on point-of-sale. This allows the customer to access further product information as well as Augmented Reality – and visualise Lambra in their own bathroom space, to help encourage sales.

For further information, contact Bathrooms to Love at PJH on Tel: 0800 8 77 88 99; or visit  www.partners.pjh.uk  and www.bathroomstolove.uk

More news from PJH Group

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Water efficiency can no longer be ignored as critical situation reached across Europe say UWLA

Water efficiency

With almost half of European Union land currently under a drought warning or a more severe “alert” level, water efficiency can no longer be ignored, says UWLA MD Yvonne Orgill.

“Our water efficiency message has never been more critical,” says Yvonne. “This week the European Commission confirmed that the continued drought is hampering agriculture, energy production and water supplies across Europe.

“With more extreme hot weather predicted, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a heat-health alert for this week, and hosepipe bans have come into effect in parts of England from three Water Authorities, with more set to follow.

“People have to start taking on board our message to use water wisely, if we are to have any impact and reduce the hardship that will result from severe water shortages.

“We hope that people can now see that the dangers of warming our planet are no longer something distant, it’s here and now and affecting every region in the world.

“The Unified Water Label, is a smart tool which can help us make the necessary changes. When it is displayed on products it clearly identifies how much water and energy each product uses, prompting consumers to make more informed choices.  

“Innovation in our industry has delivered products that use less water and energy, without any loss of performance, making it easier for consumers to make environmentally friendly choices.

“The Unified Water Label Association is committed to driving home the water efficiency message, encouraging everyone in the supply chain to support us by highlighting the label and the products that carry it, to ensure more of these products are used in the home.

“We would urge all of our European partners to support the Unified Water Label, so that we can help consumers understand the issues around water scarcity, the link with energy and carbon emissions, and collectively make a positive difference.”

Those interested in finding out how they can become involved by supporting the UWLA or joining our campaign can find out more by visiting the website www.uwla.eu

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RAK Ceramics presents RAK-Valet styled by Patrick Norguet

RAK-Valet

RAK Ceramics showcased RAK-Valet in collaboration with French designer Patrick Norguet during CDW 2023.

The new collection includes washbasins and accessories and was available to view at RAK Ceramics Design Hub, located at 100 St John Street, in the heart of London’s design quarter. Created for designers, architects and developers, it is one of the largest in the area, with 7,276 square feet over two floors. 

RAK-Valet goes well with some of the most successful collections proposed by RAK Ceramics, such as their brand-new bathroom fittings and RAK-Joy Uno mirrors.

The RAK-Valet collection is composed of functional elements – available in matt and glossy finishes – that serve as veritable valets and hand us the objects of our daily wellbeing via functional surfaces and stylistic solutions of great visual impact: decorative forms with slender profiles for the washbasin.

Norguet puts on stage a dialogue between light and shadow, between volumes and lines, between elements, forms and materials. A delicate balance that is never disrupted, as each element becomes functional to the user in this ongoing, harmonious exchange. Everything is in the service of the person who experiences the space, everything centres around the dialogue, bearing witness to something magical and unique.

The collection is rounded off by a rich choice of accessories, such as legs and towel holders made of metal, or the practical but extremely elegant ceramic surfaces also designed by Patrick Norguet.

About Patrick Norguet

After completing his design studies at the ESDI, Norgguet was commissioned to design the display windows of two major players in the luxury industry: Yves Saint-Laurent and Louis Vuitton. From these experiences, he gained an understanding of brand identity and the way of showcasing it. Designing Renault’s event stands helped him to hone and apply his synthesis skills to ephemeral architectures.

In 2000, his Rainbow Chair, noticed and produced by Giulio Cappellini, gave him visibility that quickly spread thanks to the international media. He then opened his studio in Paris. His early furniture collections for Bernhardt, Artifort, Offect, Capdell or the French companies Alki and Tolix validated and established his presence at international shows. In 2010, designing one McDonald’s restaurant in France gradually led to a collaboration with McDonald’s Global.

Patrick Norguet has become an emblematic figure of French design. Alias, Arflex, Artemide, Cassina, Emu, Ethimo, Glass Italia, Kristalia, Lea Ceramica, Pedrali, de Padova, and Tacchini quickly recognized his talent and authority and fully involved him in the production process and strives to create long-lasting collections.

www.patricknorguet.com

About RAK Ceramics

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Design meets performance: The Ceratherm Navigo® Collection from Ideal Standard 

Ceratherm Navigo® Collection

Leading bathroom manufacturer, Ideal Standard, has expanded its range of built-in thermostatic shower valves. 

The new Ceratherm Navigo® collection includes Navigo® technology so water flow and temperature can be precisely adjusted and levels can be pre-set for optimum comfort. 

Round or square options

Available in square and round variations, the shower mixers complement Ideal Standard’s wider offering and feature four finishes: chrome, magnetic grey, silver storm and brushed gold. The slim 10mm faceplate has discreet shower option symbols located on the control knobs.

Ideal Standard’s Singular™ approach means there are also a number of matching Idealrain shower accessories available, including rain showers, hand sprays, hoses and wall fixations for a complete end result. 

Built-in safety features

Ceratherm Navigo® also features a temperature safety feature that automatically adjusts the flow of hot or cold water if pressure spikes or is lost. Meanwhile, the Cool Body technology works like a protective shield, keeping the controls and body cool to the touch despite the interior flow of hot water. 

Energy-saving cartridge

Ceratherm Navigo® is powered by Ideal Standard’s Firmaflow Therm® cartridge. Extremely durable, this ceramic cartridge disc ensures target temperatures are reached quickly and lasts twice as long as the industry standard. The cartridge also saves on energy consumption and helps to limit the amount of water dispensed without compromising on performance. 

Easy installation

Ceratherm Navigo® is straightforward to install thanks to Ideal Standard’s improved and re-designed built-in unit, the Easy-Box. Compatible with any Ideal Standard built-in shower mixer, Easy-Box simplifies the installation process and eliminates the need for specific tools. 

Ceratherm Navigo® Collection

Ashley Smith, residential brassware at Ideal Standard International NV at Ideal Standard, said: “The Ceratherm Navigo® collection has been expertly designed with industry leading technology on the inside and a sleek design on the outside.  

“With Ceratherm Navigo®, end-users will be able to control and customise temperature and water flow with ease, whilst the minimalist look and variation of finishes make it perfect for any bathroom.” 

To find out more about Ceratherm Navigo®, visit: https://www.idealstandard.co.uk/products/collections/ceratherm-navigo  

More news from Ideal Standard

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Kinedo show van makes a welcome return

kinedo show van

After a three-year absence, the Kinedo van is out on the road again following requests to attend roadshows and trade mornings at plumbers’ merchants and retail showrooms up and down the country.

Kinedo, part of the SFA Group, is one of the leading shower brands in Europe with a comprehensive range of shower cubicles, enclosures and trays. The company has taken the opportunity over the last year to refurbish the van and kit it out with the latest products, so customers and sales teams at the merchants and showrooms are fully up to date with the Kinedo brand. This includes a range of shower trays such as the Kinemoon, the Kinerock Evo and the Kineline – all of which are manufactured to resemble natural stone. The popular black crittal all-in-one shower cubicle, the Brooklyn Factory, is fully assembled and installed in the van along with the Smart Design and Fast 2000 enclosures. The flexible ranges include sliding and pivot doors, single panels and folding panels – examples of which are on display.

The first of a number of road shows took place in Pochins in Long Eaton, Nottingham. As Kinedo is sister brand to Saniflo, the merchant requested a dual demonstration of both brands to maximise the opportunity. Several displays, including a working set up of two macerators, were showcased to the public and during the day the whole of the merchant sales team was able to take advantage of full product training from the Saniflo team members present. Pochins reported increased sales of all manufacturers’ products that attended the event, as well as increased product knowledge of the depot team.

Kinedo Show Van

Ann Boardman, Head of Marketing and Product Development, oversaw the renovation of the van and is very happy to see it back out on the road;

“It’s been a long 3 years since our team headed out on the road with the show van and they are really enjoying the face-to-face contact at these trade days.

Any retail showroom or merchant interested in booking the show van for a trade morning (or day) can check availability by emailing: Annette.moore@saniflo.co.uk “

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New FSG valve offers variable control

Neoperl FSG Valvel

Neoperl introduced FSG 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.

Neoperl FSG Valve

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.

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