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GROHE launches Cradle to Cradle® certified products

Cradle to Cradle products from GROHE

This circular model is the basis for the Cradle to Cradle® design concept from GROHE. Launched today at GROHEX – GROHE’s brand new digital platform – these products are designed and manufactured with the intent of using its components in its end-of-life-phase for the creation of new products.

GROHE has launched four best-selling products as Cradle to Cradle Certified® variants, which achieved the Gold Product Standard. These are GROHE Tempesta 100 shower rail set, GROHE Eurosmart Kitchen, GROHE Eurosmart S-Size, GROHE BauEdge S-Size.

To achieve a certification, a product is evaluated in terms of the following five categories: material health, material re- utilisation, renewable energy, water stewardship, and social fairness. Each product is then designated a level of achievement: basic, bronze, silver, gold, or platinum.

Further reduction of a buildings‘ carbon footprint:

The sustainability benefit of the three taps is enhanced with the SilkMove ES technology, where ES stands for energy saving. The technology prevents the unnecessary use of hot water by supplying only cold water when the tap lever is in the middle position. Emissions from buildings and construction constitute almost 40% of global carbon emissions*

Find more information about GROHE‘s sustainability engagement on www.green.grohe.co.uk

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Accor brands & hotels achieved over 1,500 awards in 2020

Accor Brands and Hotels wins awards

Accor brands and hotels has announced it achieved more than 1,500 notable awards and accolades throughout 2020. The Group’s brands and hotels made their way to top spots on some of the world’s most coveted lists and rating systems including Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards, Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards and Forbes Travel Guide Star Awards. 

On a Group level, Accor, ALL and several other corporate entities garnered over 45 honours ranging from 7 Freddie Awards for ALL, Hotel Group of the Year by Grand Hotels in China and one of the Best Big Companies to Work for by Fortune Magazine. 

Accor’s luxury and premium brands collected nearly 1,300 awards in several categories around the world.  Sofitel Legend earned the #14 spot on Travel + Leisure’s Top 25 Hotel Brands and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts’ Bee Sustainable program was named one of the Best Eco Initiatives in Hospitality by Departures Magazine.

Accor’s hotels received 8 five-star ratings on Forbes Travel Guide including triple threat Fairmont Grand Del Mar and The Savoy; Town & Country named Raffles Maldives Meradhoo and Raffles Europejski Warsaw in Best New Hotels of the World category and Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards included Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena, Sofitel Bogota Victoria Regia and Raffles Istanbul among the 50 Best Hotels in the World.

Several midscale and economy hotels also received great praise from TripAdvisor’s 2020 Traveler’s Choice Awards where a number of Novotel and Mercure properties earned top spots including Mercure Yokusuka and Novotel Fujairah. U.S. News & World Travel Report honored Novotel Istanbul Bosphorus with Silver in Best Hotels of 2020 and The British Travel Awards named ibis the Best Eco Hotel Brand.

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2020 Fusion Live aims to empower retailers

2020 Fusion Live


2020 has announced the release of 2020 Fusion Live. The goal is to empower independent retailers with the tools to succeed in an evolving market through flexible working, an enhanced design experience and in-store engagement.

2020 Fusion Live key features: include

Working Remotely
In recent times, the need to have flexible working has become essential. In response to this need, 2020 Fusion Live uses digital licensing, tying the license to the user and not the computer. This allows designers to access their designs anywhere at any time.

“At 2020, we provide mission-critical support to the industry and our focus is on helping our customers succeed in a very uncertain and competitive time. With this new solution, we are empowering designers with the flexibility required for their business to adapt to an ever-changing market,” declares Tim Lambert, Director of EMEA, 2020.

Cloud-Based Manufacturers’ Catalogues
By using a cloud-based solution, all configurable manufacturers’ catalogues are accessible via 2020 Cloud. This ensures the designer is accessing up-to-date content, reducing order complications, increasing design accuracy and avoiding lost revenue.

2020 Fusion Live allows designers to easily search and place items faster than ever before. Users can find any product with advanced filters to locate items by description, partial product code and dimension. Designers can change door styles, finishes, hardware and cabinetry dimensions instantly and efficiently creating multi-style kitchens in seconds.
By using 2020 Fusion Live, users can design with more confidence, more accuracy and productivity, keeping their focus on their client needs.

Integrated Virtual Reality
2020 recognizes how virtual reality is changing the world of interior design. Hence, the newest release includes an integrated VR mode that provides clients with a fully immersive experience.

With just the click of a button, designers can transport their clients into their dream space. While they freely navigate and explore every part of their design, a dedicated view on-screen allows designers to follow their movement and guide them to various points of interest.

According to Tim Lambert, “Leading the KBB segment for over 30 years has afforded us the vision to foresee how seasons will change. By developing 2020 Fusion Live, we recognize that offering an accessible VR experience will shape tomorrow’s in-store engagement.”

Visit the 2020 Fusion Live webpage to learn more about the newest product release.

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Our Green Promise

Our Green Promise

Given everything that has been happening over the last year, one beacon of light our industry has continued to carry is the many promises made by manufacturers to go green. The initiative to reduce carbon footprints, switch to sustainable and cleaner manufacturing processes, or offer refurbishment/repair of components shows how hard our sector are working hard to offer sustainability as standard.

As a digital publisher, we fully support these commitments. Not using print/paper and associated distribution chains means we already have a head start, but a year ago we took the conscious decision to pay more for the electricity we use, relying on renewable energy providers to run our service. We are now delighted to also announce that we will make further contributions to a carbon reduction programme to offset carbon emissions from our AWS hosting and social media presence.

Like all the designers and innovators in our industry, we want to make the world a better place for now and the future.

Diane Larner

Bathroom Review & Kitchens Review – Keeping your PR Social… and now carbon neutral!

Image by Muhammad Ridha from Pixabay

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RAK Ceramics introduces new brochure editions

RAK Ceramics launches ne

With new product launches coming on board in 2021, RAK Ceramics is publishing new editions of its Bathroom and Tiles Books, providing retailers with up-to-date marketing material at what is a busy and exciting time for the bathroom brand.

A much-used sales and reference tool for RAK Ceramics’ customers that they can pass on for free to their clients, the new brochures feature the latest ranges of sanitaryware, brassware, furniture and mirrors, including the design-led RAK-Petit range launched with compact bathrooms in mind. The Tile Book for 2021 features stunning new large-format slabs and ceramic wall tiles, among the latest additions to the range.

A4 and full colour in format, both brochures feature inspiring room set photography to help bring the products to life, as well as full specification details to help make ordering simple. Available to download in PDF versions from the RAK Ceramics website, printed copies of both brochures are available from regional sales teams.

Contact:

RAK Ceramics UK

01730 237850

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Wilsonart UK expands Marketing team

Wol;sonart expands marketing team

Wilsonart, the UK manufacturer of laminate worktops and home to surface brands Bushboard, Wetwall and Mermaid Panels, has expanded its Marketing team in the UK ahead of ambitious plans for growth and development in 2021.

The County Durham based company has appointed a Marketing Communications Manager, and Digital Marketing Specialist, to head up the bathroom arm of the business. The new team will oversee a trio of brands – Mermaid Panels, Wetwall and Bushboard’s Nuance range – that serve the bathroom surfaces industry, with the team driving a primary focus towards the Mermaid Panels brand for 2021.

“We have an exciting year ahead of us here at Wilsonart UK and are planning considerable measures to continue to elevate our brands, particularly in the bathroom sector”, says Neil Horton, Sales Director at Wilsonart UK.

“As part of this, we’re making a significant investment into our marketing drive with an expanding team to ensure we continue to offer specific tools and support to meet the varying needs of our different stakeholders including retailers, installers and the wider community”.

Wilsonart UK is pleased to welcome:

Helen Dennett, UK Marketing Communications Manager; Mermaid Panels, Wetwall and Bushboard Nuance

Helen (pictured top) brings a strong understanding of the industry and a wealth of key channel experience gained from her previous roles at Travis Perkins and Plumbase. As well as bringing integral strategy and campaign management skills to her role, Helen has an established rapport with suppliers in the merchanting sector and an in-depth understanding of the wants and needs of installers. Helen will be responsible for elevating the marketing communications around Wilsonart’s three bathroom brands, whilst continuing to focus on building key relationships with retail and merchant partners.

Wilsonart UK expands Marketing team
Sasha Betty

Sasha Betty, Digital Marketing Specialist

Sasha is delighted to join Wilsonart UK and return to her B2B marketing roots after several invaluable years working in the consumer field. Armed with an abundance of knowledge about end-consumer behaviour and customer journey optimisation, Sasha will focus on driving reach and awareness, positioning Wilsonart’s brands as the centre of the conversation in the digital space. New to the KBB industry, Sasha hopes to bring a fresh pair of eyes to the role, with plans to create authentic and innovative campaigns that will educate, excite, and inspire.

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Acquabella unveils Mini bathroom basins

Acquabella unveils Mini bathroom basins

Acquabella’s new Mini compact basins are just 400 mm wide and fitted with a modern inbuilt towel rail as standard (in a choice of polished steel or matt black).

The Mini is fabricated using the Spanish company’s patented composite material Akron which combines non-silica resin with natural mineral. The Mini benefits from having an ultra-high definition, warm-to-the-touch finish which is resistant to water damage and impact and anti-bacterial certification.

Whilst the Mini comes in one practical size – H210 x W400 x D350mm – it is available in 10 standard colours, 6 natural neutral tones and over 2200 custom colours making it possible to create a totally individual look.  The Mini’s wall-mounted design can be used in pairs where space allows. The new launch demonstrates Acquabella’s ethos that its high-quality products should offer versatility. Space may be at a premium but style should not.

www.acquabella.com/en/

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Kbsa appoints bathroom retail ambassador to the board

The Kbsa has appointed Caroline Cooper, owner at Roman Bathrooms to the board of directors, with a role to act as bathroom retail ambassador.

Caroline is an award winning designer with 30 years’ experience in the bathroom industry.   Roman Bathrooms has an enviable reputation for outstanding design and unrivalled customer service.  Caroline and her daughter, also a director, run the business which has five members of staff and five installation teams.

Caroline said, “I am delighted to be given this opportunity to work with the Kbsa board and help bathroom retailers understand that the Kbsa can bring substantial benefits to their business. 

“I want to dispel the misconception that bathroom retailers don’t have a body to support and protect them, and show that the Kbsa can represent their interests, just as it does for kitchen retailers.”

Kbsa national chair Richard Hibbert said, “Caroline will be a great asset to the board.  Her experience will help us identify the challenges and issues that are specific to bathroom retailers, helping us refine our offer and bring the benefits of Kbsa membership to a wider audience.”

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Rehau reports record demand for board matching

Rehau reports record demand

Rehau has reported record demand for zero-joint tech and online board matching initiative.

An upsurge in the usage of its industry-leading board matching guide is mirrored by a similar increase in demand for more hygienic solutions and subsequent interest in its zero-joint edgebanding technology.

REHAU has attributed the upturn to furniture design and production professionals spending more time online over the past nine months.

Recent research conducted by Ikea for its Big Home Reboot report found that the pandemic has put health and wellbeing at the front of people’s minds, and the homes of the future will need to be ready for the next health crisis. As the industry aims to digest a plethora of reports surrounding the health of the nation’s homes, REHAU’s zero-joint technology is growing in demand due to its hygienic approach. 

Eliminating the use of glue, polymer zero-joint edgebanding results in a much more hygienic, easily cleanable product. There are a number of ways in which a zero-joint finish can be achieved – via laser, hot air or near infra-red (NIR). REHAU has invested significantly to ensure its RAUKANTEX range of edge banding is compatible with all methods of application.

Scott Williams, National Sales Manager for REHAU Furniture Solutions division explains: “Zero-joint technology is not new, and it has been a popular innovation for many industry professionals for quite some time. But what we are seeing now, is more SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) joiners, interior designers, fitters and kitchen/bathroom manufacturers showing interest in this type of technology because of the jointless clean finish achieved. The absence of a glue line where the edging meets the board prevents the build-up of dirt or bacteria, creating a seamless hygienic surface.”

At KBB 2020, REHAU announced a new strategy to support SMEs across the sector with more business support online. Its successful board matching service is one such tool it has been enhancing to help businesses in this uncertain economic climate. As such, the business has seen a significant increase in usage of the online tool.

The online board matching service contains matches to all leading board manufacturer collections and is one of the most comprehensive standard stock ranges available in Europe. The collection includes solid-colour, decorative design, mirror gloss, extreme matt, real glass effect, translucent, 3D, metallic look and real wood veneer options. New additions to the range are added all the time, including an Extreme Matt collection called Noble Matt and RAUVISIO Noir, both of which have been introduced to meet the trend for ultra matt surfaces.

Having access to a wide range of materials allows for more creativity and we have noticed more daring matches being made, such as the RAUKANTEX Magic 2 which includes edgebanding with real metallic surfaces that have brass and copper effects.

Scott adds: “Tools like this are invaluable to our industry right now. We have invested heavily to consider every possibility when it comes to board matching so it’s encouraging to see that it’s helping the market. We’ve got lots more up our sleeves to help this portion of the market excel as we come out of lockdown so watch this space!”

For more information, visit: https://www.rehau.com/uk-en/interiors-edgebands

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Kaldewei supports WWF ocean conservation

WWF Ocean conservation Programme

Kaldewei has entered into a long-term partnership with the WWF in connection with an ocean conservation programme.

Kaldewei’s philosophy is centred around the belief our society must become more sustainable and environmentally aware if it wants to leave a habitable world for future generations.

For over 100 years, the family company has been using natural raw materials, transforming them into long-lasting and recyclable bathroom products, made of steel enamel. According to the manufacturer, its commitment does not end with the delivery of the finished products. Kaldewei is also a member of the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB) and was the first bathroom manufacturer who could offer an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) issued by the Institut Bauen und Umwelt (IBU) for its products.

“Our commitment to the environment doesn’t end at the factory gates, but goes far beyond this, which is why, since 2017, as a leading German bathroom manufacturer, we have been working as a long-term partner with the WWF; specifically supporting its ocean conservation programme in Vietnam,” says Managing Director, Franz Kaldewei.

“We’re talking here about the “Long An” model project in the Mekong Delta that is combatting the causes of plastic waste in the world’s oceans. The aim is to significantly reduce the amount of plastic that enters the ocean by separating and recycling plastic waste.”

Thanks to Kaldewei’s help, the preliminary studies and pilot measures has made this made possible and the WWF has been able to convince the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety (BMU) of the project’s potential. As a result, the BMU has granted the WWF project funding until 2023. As Bernhard Bauske from the WWF emphasises: “It is only Kaldewei’s support that has made it possible to transform a project idea into a highly promising field project to fight the causes of plastic waste in the oceans.”

Certifications and partnerships make sustainable building measurable.

“We need a shared understanding of what sustainable building means. It has to be measurable, applicable and comparable. That is something we advocate as a member of the German Sustainable Building Council,” says Franz Kaldewei. The Council’s certification system is helping to standardise quality in planning, construction and operation, and guarantees the highest possible future security of construction projects. The data contained in the EPDs, for example, form the basis of sustainability reviews for national and international building certification systems such as the DGNB’s Sustainable Building assessment system (BNB) or international standards such as LEED or BREEAM. The qualities that set Kaldewei steel enamel bathroom solutions apart from plastic products, and which contribute to the eco-friendly and climate-neutral building to DGNB standard, include their recyclability and their long useful life, which is backed up by a 30-year guarantee.

To further raise awareness of sustainable building among professionals and private builders, Kaldewei is working with various partners and architect networks, including InteriorPark., one of the leading platforms for sustainable interior architecture and eco-friendly design.

Tina Kammer, architect and co-founder of InteriorPark.says : “It’s not easy for consumers to engage intensively with alternatives every time they buy something so that they can make the right choice. All market players need to provide more information in this area.“

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