Sarah Stepney has been appointed to handle the trade marketing for UK manufacturer Kudos Shower Products. Based at their recently opened warehouse and training facility in Sandbach, she’ll be reporting to sales & marketing director, Nick Graville.
Sarah started working for Kudos in September after six years as a marketing manager at Ryman, a stationer with 200 stores nationwide, bringing lots of experience in retail supply to the team. She joins Kudos at a busy time with many new products currently being designed, developed and manufactured ready to launch in 2022.
“It’s a great time for Sarah to join our team. Following recent investment in new facilities and products she will be busy launching lots of new innovations with marketing support over the next 12 months.” Said Nick Graville.
Kudos was established as a UK manufacturer of shower products in 1999. Their product portfolio includes shower enclosures, shower trays, over-bath screens and wet-room solutions sold via bathroom showrooms and merchants across the UK.
The BiKBBI has announced it is launching The KBB Fitted Interiors Apprenticeship programme. The programme is billed to provide hundreds of youngsters with career opportunities within the KBB installation sector, tackling immediate worker shortages and longer-term skills gap challenges.
With demand for installation higher than ever, the new BiKBBI support package offers installation businesses a fast track to the workers they need for their businesses to continue to deliver and grow.
Damian Walters, Chief Executive of BiKBBI, said: “This is a real game changer for our industry and it’s going to make a real difference for hundreds of installation businesses. In the last couple of years we’ve had over 700 of our members get in touch to express an interest in taking on an apprentice, but until now many have found it difficult to deal with the cost and bureaucracy of doing so.
That’s why we’ve worked so hard to put this package of support together. It means that for the first time, installers of all sizes can afford to take on an apprentice and grow their businesses, without the complication sometimes associated with apprenticeships.”
The apprenticeship support package is backed by a nationwide network of colleges and training providers that BIKBBI has audited. These training providers have been awarded BiKBBI Centre of Excellence status in recognition of the high standards they deliver.
The launch of the apprenticeship package follows stark evidence of the dire need to bring new recruits into the KBB industry, with a recent BiKBBI survey revealing that a third of sole trader installers plan on retiring from the industry within the next ten years and less than 10% of employers believe there is a good supply of qualified installers.
BIKBBI is now set to begin a nationwide programme of outreach in schools and communities across the UK to promote the apprenticeship and the opportunities that a career in KBB installation offers young people.
Backed by a three-year funding pledge from Quooker, BIKBBI expects this to lead to over 500 new apprentices per year entering our industry.
BIKBBI is also in discussions with a number of charities and community groups to develop recruitment campaigns within underrepresented communities, helping to ensure that the people from all backgrounds take up the opportunities of a KBB installation apprenticeship.
Damian Walters added: “All of the pieces are in place to provide youngsters a route into our industry, our job now is to help them recognise the opportunity that’s on offer. We’re going to spread the word of how a career in KBB installation offers young people from all backgrounds a way to quickly make a very good living in a trade that’s constantly in demand.”
Victoria Plum has launched a new and exclusive design and installation service which is believed to be the first of its kind offered by a UK online bathroom retailer.
The service has been introduced to provide a bespoke option for customers who want to create a bathroom that is entirely tailored to their needs.
The design and installation service sees customers undergo a free online design consultation following which Victoria Plum’s inhouse experts create a unique bathroom solution that fits their space.
If the customer chooses to go ahead with the service, a Victoria Plum project coordinator is appointed. They then manage the installation of the bathroom working in partnership with a network of approved installers and plumbers.
Commenting on the launch of the service, Victoria Plum business development director, Jim Barnard, said: “We are hugely excited to have launched our new design and installation service, which we believe to be the first of its kind by a UK online bathroom retailer.
“We have invested heavily in setting up the people, processes and technologies needed to make this a success and it is already proving extremely popular as we begin rolling it out across the UK.
“The service differentiates us within the markets we serve, enabling us to provide an added value service proposition alongside our excellent product range.
“It forms a key part of our ambitious growth plans and fits perfectly with our mission to become the most differentiated, most trusted and most respected bathroom provider.”
The company is currently in the process of expanding its network of approved installers and plumbers to help deliver the service. Victoria Plum is already able to provide UK wide coverage for its design and installation service but is anticipating a significant increase in sales volumes over the coming months.
Victoria Plum was founded 20 years ago and was acquired by Leeds-based private equity fund Endless in October 2019.
The company’s sales rose by a record 46 per cent to £103m for the year ended 28 February 2021. In addition, the Doncaster, South Yorkshire, headquartered business saw its EBITDA increase by 115 per cent to £4.5m. Over the same period, the company grew its headcount from 349 to 398.
Compared to the previous financial year, Victoria Plum’s website users increased by 165 per cent to 23.2 million whilst its sessions rose 194 per cent to more than 51 million. To find out more about Victoria Plum visit www.victoriaplum.com
Integrating smart features into our homes is becoming part of the new normal as more of us work from home.The smart homes market was valued at around $80 billion in 2020, and it is expected to exceed $300 billion by 2026.
With UK householders dramatically increasing the number of smart devices they own, it makes sense for us to integrate smart living into the bathroom. For housebuilders, incorporating connected technology at build level might be a smart move in more ways than one, as demonstrated this year by Plant Prefab. The US prefab construction company announced its highest profit ever in 2020.
Mike Simpson, product & marketing director at Aqualisa agrees “There are currently 15 million households that own a smart home device, with predictions suggesting growth to 24 million by 2025. Smart technology is making homes more efficient and cheaper to run: reducing energy consumption, saving money, decreasing environmental impact and delivering a more personalised experience. “
All systems go
Scavolini Dandy Bathroom Furniture with built-in Alexa
Alexa is now a familiar feature in our kitchen and living areas, however, Scavolini has gone one step further and updated its popular Dandy bathroom furniture range with a smart built-in Amazon Alexa. Not only can you now talk to your home, but your virtual assistant is seamlessly integrated into its design via the Task Bar, an aluminium profile that incorporates smart technology.
Appropiate behaviour
According to UWLA, bathroom products are at the heart of water consumption in the home, with over 60% of water being used in the bathroom (20% accounted for by showers), and 25% of energy used heating hot water.
Helping to conserve water use in the bathroom, Aqualisa’s next-generation Quartz Touch™ smart shower includes an intuitive, easy-to-use mobile app. Families can use the Aqualisa app to control shower duration and monitor individual usage, therefore limiting water consumption and costs. Furthermore, a proximity sensor reduces water flow if the user steps away from the shower.
“With more than 2 billion litres of water used each day in the UK and an expected increase in demand of 30% over the next 20 years, sustainability has become a key priority in the bathroom industry. Combined with the rapid adoption of technology, this is resulting in the emergence of smart home devices that can both enhance consumers’ wellbeing and contribute to a more eco-friendly lifestyle.” continues Mike Simpson, product & marketing director, Aqualisa.
Aqualisa
Keep it clean
Smart technology is dovetailing with a new focus on hygiene as manufacturers integrate touch-free features for frequently used bathroom areas such as guest bathrooms. Sensor-activated products that you don’t have to touch with your hands help us feel more comfortable and enhance hygiene levels.
TOTO is one such company and is offering more touch-free functionalities for its shower toilets (WASHLET™), taps, soap dispenser and automatic hand dryers.
Mirror image
The bathroom is no longer simply a functional space, but a place to rejuvenate and refresh. Light and sound are key design elements when it comes to creating a safe haven, however smart technology also ensures that all-important connectivity. The latest technology means every aspect can be smartly integrated so there is no need to compromise on any single element.
Ash Chilver, HiB Sales Director agrees “As bathrooms become more of a multipurpose space, somewhere that we go to relax and unwind as well as for our hygiene needs, having access to technology is becoming more important. By using and interacting with products featuring technology such as integrated speakers, Bluetooth and charging ports, we can stay connected and enhance our experience and overall enjoyment of the bathroom.”
Teeming with useful technology, the Dimension LED Bluetooth Speaker cabinet (pictured top and below) offers a number of features that enhance the user experience in the bathroom. The cabinet’s dual aspect LED illumination is operated via a handy touch sensor that highlights the design on the mirrored sides and doors. Hidden discreetly within the mirror surface is a heated pad that helps to reduce condensation, and inside the cabinet, the two handy USB ports and a 2 pin socket allows users to charge their devices, toothbrushes and shavers.
No sooner than he joins the business than Saniflo’s new Kinedo Business Development Manager, Warren Knowles, is persuaded to participate in the PHG Revolution 150 Charity Bike Ride. No easy feat, the two-day, 150-mile course runs from Harrogate to Darlington through the Yorkshire Dales and back again through the North Yorkshire Moors.
Supporting two environmental charities, Surfers Against Sewage and Woodland Trust, the ride raises money and also awareness of how every single person can help the war on plastic pollution and the carbon crisis both at home and at work. Like many charities, both suffered losses during the pandemic and this event was designed to help them recover.
So, on Friday 1st October, Warren donned his best bike shoes and Saniflo-sponsored shirt to tackle the course;
“To say it was a bit of a killer ride over the two days is an understatement. We had atrocious weather conditions for the duration of challenge. We covered 80 miles with 4,600m of climbs on day one and a further 75 miles on day 2 with a mere 3,000m of climbs.”
Happily, Warren finished the challenge with a big smile on his face.
“Not only was Saniflo the shirt sponsor, but also donated to the worthy cause, so there was no way I was going to get away without finishing! I actually really enjoyed the challenge and was delighted to help put these crucial charities back on the map.”
There is still time to donate. With gift aid, the total stands at just £500 shy of an incredible £50k.
Delivering greater hygiene and cleanliness, TOTO has new touch-free solutions designed especially for the bathroom.
It is now understood the fewer things that you need to touch by hand, the better. Touch-free taps and hand dryers were once reserved for public washrooms yet are now becoming more common in peoples homes.
TOTO has designed a variety of solutions for the bathroom that will elevate your standards of hygiene: In addition to several WASHLET models with automatic flush options, the Japanese sanitaryware company offers touch-free taps, soap dispensers, hand dryers and washbasins with especially dirt-resistant ceramic surfaces.
Touch-free features are especially welcome in frequently used guest bathrooms. Sensor-activated products that you don’t have to touch with your hands help you feel cleaner and more comfortable.
WASHLETTM with sensor-activated lid and automatic flush
Guest bathrooms are trending more towards shower toilets with integrated intimate cleansing features that minimise the need for toilet paper. The latest model from TOTO is WASHLET™ RW auto flush with automatic flush functionality. Once you approach WASHLET, the sensor-activated lid raises – and the toilet flushes automatically when you walk away. WASHLET will determine how much water to use for the flush based on the amount of time you spend sitting on the toilet.
LINEARCERAM Washbasin
For extra peace of mind TOTO’s washbasins are made from its notably slim ceramic which is, dirt-resistant and easy-to-clean (LINEARCERAM). It is used in many washbasins, including TOTO’s eye-catching asymmetrical TA vessel. It has a dirt-resistant, easy-to-clean ceramic surface, which essentially prevents waste and bacteria from accumulating. This robust surface can even be cleaned using microfibre cloth and will still keep its brilliant shine after years of constant use.
TOTO’s sensor-based faucets, soap dispenser and hand dryers
Automatic taps equipped with sensors bring even more hygiene to the bathroom, including TOTO’s elegant, wall-mounted Autofaucet with concealed installation. The hidden sensor in the faucet can register every hand movement and dispense the exact amount of water needed. The tap even generates its own electricity from the flow of water – no power socket required.
If you’re trying to maximise hygiene, the move from the touch-free tap to automatic hand dryer is an obvious one. TOTO’s powerful model is an ideal solution for guest bathrooms in the home, drying hands with warm air in no time. According to a company statement, “Our Research Department has also managed to reduce the noise of our hand dryer to a minimum – making it a great option for home bathrooms.”
Scavolini has updated its popular Dandy furniture range with a smart built-in Amazon Alexa. Not only can you now talk to your home, but your virtual assistant is seamlessly integrated into its design via the Task Bar, an aluminium profile that incorporates smart technology.
For the bathroom, the Task Bar is located above the vanity top (as shown in the image above). A smart speaker is also integrated within so whether you want to listen to your favourite tunes while dressing, catch up on current affairs in the shower or ask Alexa to dim the lights at bath time, your wish is her command.
The Task Bar can also be fitted with a series of accessories, including shelves, towel rails and soap holders, as well as LED lights recessed along its length. The bathroom pictured features an aluminium Task Bar and Oak veneer vanity unit with Prestige White handles.
The concept brings together the best of old and new. Fabiana Scavolini, CEO of Scavolini, says: “Our Made in Italy tradition, teamed with cutting-edge technological research, led to this extraordinary project, which looks to the near future while reinventing our past. The shapes of Dandy Plus bring to mind our best-selling model from the 1980s, Dandy, in a clear tribute to Italian design and a solution to the needs of consumers who are increasingly connected.
“In partnership with celebrated architect Fabio Novembre of Novembre Studio, we started by thinking about the increasing presence of technology in our everyday activities and in our homes. Dandy Plus is a smart, innovative and comprehensive project, designed for everyone who wants an all-over digital experience at home.”
Smart integration and technology are becoming ever more popular in the bathroom. As customers strive to become more connected, many are seeking technological advancements that allow them to interact with the outside world from the comfort of their own homes.
Delivering the very latest tech experience, as well as stunning aesthetics, has been key to the design of HiB’s Dimension cabinet. Teeming with useful technology, the Dimension LED Bluetooth Speaker cabinet offers a number of features that enhance the user experience in the bathroom.
The cabinet’s dual aspect LED illumination is operated via a handy touch sensor that highlights the design on the mirrored sides and doors. Hidden discreetly within the mirror surface is a heated pad which helps to reduce condensation, another practical feature that improves the functionality of the space. Inside the cabinet, the two handy USB ports and a 2 pin socket allows users to charge their devices, toothbrushes and shavers.
But, according to HiB, what set’s Dimension apart from the bathroom cabinets is the integrated Bluetooth connectivity and speakers, allowing users to enjoy their favourite podcast or playlist from the comfort of a relaxing bath or shower.
The Dimension cabinet is as impressive outside as it is within, offering the very best combination of style and substance that customers are looking for to add that added touch of luxury to the bathroom.
Virtual Worlds has welcomed Fibo on board and has made its comprehensive catalogue available on the VW software.
Established in Norway in 1952, Fibo manufactures wall panels and has grown to operate a multi-million-pound factory producing panels for over 100,000 bathrooms a year.
Fibo is reportedly the first manufacturer to make the easy-to-install ‘click’ system for walls, Fibo’s wall panels provide a smooth and strong surface that can withstand direct water spray and large temperature fluctuations.
Fibo’s catalogue includes its Urban collection with Herringbone, Hexagonal and Metro Brick designs. All of the designs are available in at least 2400mm high and 600mm wide panels, with a range of 300mm wide luxury feature panels.
Unlike other wall panels on the market, Fibo claims its tile effect ranges not only look like tiles but feel like them too. Their imitation grout lines are milled into the panels, as opposed to being printed on for a more realistic tile aesthetic.
Rachel Oddy, Marketing Manager at Fibo, commented: “At Fibo, we understand the importance of retailers being able to showcase solutions in a 3D environment to help their customers physically visualise their dream bathroom designs, which will hopefully lead to a sale. As such, we are delighted to have partnered with Virtual Worlds; we hope that our catalogue of products now available on the software will help retailers to present our solutions in the positive light they deserve.
“Indeed, for customers seeking an on-trend, contemporary aesthetic, our range of waterproof wall panels are the perfect choice. Not only do they reflect the latest interior trends and in some collections feature a realistic grout line, but they are quick and easy to install. In fact, they can be fitted to virtually any wall surface – even over existing tiles! They also come with a 25-year guarantee, providing complete trust in the robust performance of our wall panel solutions.”
Virtual Worlds Managing Director Nathan Maclean adds: “Wall surfaces are an integral part of the bathroom or shower room and by adding Fibo products to our catalogue, retailers and designers can experiment freely with the variety of wall panelling options available, with consumers able to easily visualise what a difference the various designs will make to their finished bathroom.”
On 6 October 2021 CEO Franz Kaldewei personally ordered the first delivery of bluemint® Steel from thyssenkrupp in Duisburg. bluemint® Steel is the balance-oriented CO2-reduced steel with an emissions reduction of 70 percent.
The new ThyssenKrupp bluemint® steels are based on verifiable CO2 savings in the blast furnace route. They mark the starting point on the way to completely climate-neutral steels. Kaldewei is the first customer to be supplied with the new climate-friendly steel from thyssenkrupp.
Franz Kaldewei commented, “bluemint® Steel gives us and our partners the certainty that today we are already able to use the highest quality steel with a low CO2 intensity.”
“With bathroom solutions made of steel enamel, Kaldewei has always been a pioneer in the industry when it comes to sustainability. And now we are the first manufacturer in the world to process the certified bluemint® Steel from thyssenkrupp.”
FRanz Kaldewei
CO2-reduced steel is of particular importance in order to achieve the Kaldewei climate targets, laid down in the Science Based Targets and aligned with the Paris Climate Protection Agreement.
Franz Kaldewei continues “With the reduction of CO2 in the steel production, we overcome another hurdle in order to be able to offer our customers a premium product that combines modern luxury in the form of exquisite materials and sensual design along with sustainable thinking and action. We call this ‘Luxstainability’,”
Specific reduction in CO2 emissions
Bernhard Osburg, CEO of thyssenkrupp Steel, explains: “The CO2 intensity of one ton of bluemint® Steel is reduced by 1.5 tons – from 2.1 to 0.6 tons.”
The calculation of the CO2 saving is done according to the most internationally recognised method, on the basis of the Green House Gas (GHG) Protocol for Product Accounting and Reporting Standard.
“We do not offset, but rather we reduce the emissions from our production process very specifically. Our customers can take these CO2 reductions into account in their own Scope 3 emissions,” Osburg continues. thyssenkrupp Steel and Kaldewei
The new bluemint®
Steel gives Kaldewei the opportunity to equip sustainable projects with bathroom solutions made of exquisite steel enamel, which are characterised by a particularly good CO2 balance and which are 100 percent recyclable. The first projects are already being planned.
