Home improvement & construction sectors drive growth

November 12, 2020

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has this morning reported that the UK economy grew by 15.5% in the third quarter of the year. This growth comes as a small but welcome recovery from the record-breaking 19.8% decline seen in June, especially as this improvement was seen in all sectors of the economy, including services, manufacturing and construction.

However, with a second lockdown in place, it is important to note that this growth may once again see the economy suffer from the closure of non-essential businesses. Despite this, the continuation of trade in the construction sector will prove to be the backbone of the economy during these concerning times. The construction and trade sectors have seen particular growth following the lift in the spring lockdown according to PMI data, and this upward trajectory is expected to continue.

Powered Now, a mobile-based billing, invoicing and quotation application which specialises in trades, has a client base of over 1500 SMEs, and has seen first hand the impact COVID-19 has had on businesses within trade sectors.

Ben Dyer, CEO of Powered Now, discusses how British construction and home improvements will fare in the winter and highlights the impact the second lockdown will have on SMEs in the trades.

Home Improvement Sectors Ben Dyer — PoweredNow CEO Benjamin Dyer

“The economic recovery we have seen in this morning’s announcement is indeed welcome, but of course with much of Britain in a state of national lockdown over the month of November, this month and the subsequent winter season are of course going to present yet more challenges. That’s why it would prudent to look towards sectors that remain open, such as construction and the trades, to provide the kind of stability we need at the moment.

The new restrictions have had a negligible impact on the construction sector so far, and overall activity around construction has to be welcomed. Given the bonanza that housebuilders are currently experiencing from the stamp duty reduction, it’s no surprise that they are the best performing sector of the construction industry. Whether this boom for the housing industry will be followed by a bust is unknown. At the moment, most firms are just grateful for the good business they are getting right now given how much other sectors are suffering.

It is disappointing that the supply of building materials remains a constraint and it could be argued that suppliers over-reacted to the first lockdown, creating this situation. The reduction in the rate of PMI growth seen last week could be the first signs of a drop in demand from lockdown related macroeconomic damage. Let’s hope that isn’t the case.

However, it looks like the new restrictions may not have impacted the specific sub-sector of home improvement either, although the jury is still out. It may be that homeowners become more anxious over time, particularly if the virus continues spreading rapidly. The biggest concern overall is about the supply of materials. Fortunately, at the moment the indicators are that the shortage is easing.”

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VitrA launches V-Care Prime smart WC in collaboration with Arik Levy

November 12, 2020

Leading bathroom brand VitrA is launching V-Care Prime, the latest addition to its range of shower toilets. Designed by Arik Levy in collaboration with the VitrA’s Design Studio and the Innovation team, this new shower toilet WC combines the functionality of a standard WC with the personal cleaning properties of a bidet and integrates the latest bathroom technology.

The elegantly designed new shower toilet provides a modern, refreshing, and hygienic washroom experience and will be available to retailers and specifiers at the end of November 2020.

Given increasing consumer focus on cleanliness, hygiene and wellbeing, the popularity of smart bathroom products has increased exponentially. Smart bathroom solutions take advantage of the benefits of washing with water with features that allow users to control the flow and pressure. Offering a cleaner and more natural experience, washing with water also reduces the need for toilet paper and is more suitable for intimate areas. As a result, the UK market is now embracing the health benefits of washing with water – a concept that has been commonplace across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East for centuries.

Design & Touch-Free Experience

Available in both wall-hung and back-to-wall models, V-Care Prime is sleek and compact and includes a remote and app control. The design is almost identical to that of a standard VitrA WC, but the intelligent features, such as the night light, elevate the design to a more sophisticated level. Designed to be triggered when the ambient light reaches below a certain level, the night light is a feature that can also be controlled on the mobile app.

What sets the V-Care Prime apart from other shower WCs is the option for a hands-free control through the remote control and app, which allow users to tailor their bathroom experience to their individual needs. Using the remote-control users can have a completely hands-free experience. This option is an excellent feature to help minimise the risk of cross-contamination, either within the home or in public restrooms.

Additional adjustable features include the temperature, pressure and direction of the water flow, and there are also several different personal drying modes. The heated seat has been ergonomically designed to offer additional comfort. It offers temperature control and an automatic open and close function to reduce contact.

Hygienic Benefits

All V-Care products are fitted with a Rim-ex bowl, which is 95% more hygienic than standard alternatives. This feature eliminates the ducts inside the bowl, offering effortless cleaning. The stainless-steel nozzle also has hygienic properties and automatically cleans itself before and after each use. V-Care Prime also has a feature to help easily remove the build-up of limescale.

Additional Features

VitrA is committed to producing products that address different user’s needs; for example, V-Care Prime includes a child mode which can be activated by parents through the app to adjust the water flow and pressure. The integrated bidet nozzle is also specially designed for female hygiene.

The combination of the advanced bidet features within a standard WC results in a stylish space-saving solution – this is particularly useful for smaller washrooms or cloakroom bathrooms. V-Care Prime also offers three different modes: standby, energy-saving and normal.

As a leading bathroom company that has provided WCs and bidets for decades, VitrA is well-positioned to understand the advantages of washing with water and provide contemporary solutions. A selection of the shower toilets; V-Care Prime, V-Care and Aquacare products will be on display at the VitrA London flagship showroom, opening in Clerkenwell in Autumn 2020.

About VitrA

VitrA is part of the Eczacıbaşı Group, one of Turkey’s most prominent industrial groups. Founded in 1958, VitrA is a leading bathroom manufacturer, which in recent years has expanded into international markets with over 70 per cent of VitrA’s total output now being sold outside of Turkey. From 13 production facilities in Turkey, Germany, France, and Russia, VitrA produces a full range of bathroom products including over 5.6 million pieces of sanitaryware a year along with complementary bathroom furniture, brassware, and accessories ranges, which are distributed to over 75 countries on five continents. VitrA UK, based in Oxfordshire, has been supplying the UK bathroom market for over 25 years and is an active member of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA) and the British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI). In Autumn 2020 VitrA will open a flagship showroom in Clerkenwell, London – a creative hub for architects, designers, and thinkers with dedicated areas for product specification, events, and workshops.

vitrA.co.uk | @VitrABathrooms

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The Nelson Trust draws support from Lakes & Graham

November 11, 2020

Lakes Showering Spaces and national merchant Graham joined forces recently to arrange the supply and installation of new showering facilities at a women’s centre in Gloucester.

The Nelson Trust is a safe haven for vulnerable women affected by abuse, addiction and trauma, with four centres across the South West. The centres are a lifeline for many women as well as providing basic comforts such showering and washing amenities.

Lakes initiated the support with the donation of a showering space and tray and turned to Graham for help with the installation. Using its in-house team of designers and Elite installer network, Graham arranged for all the design, plumbing and fitting. But it didn’t stop there. Graham then approached other suppliers too and support for the Trust grew with donations of furniture and sanitaryware from Roper Rhodes, Bluetooth ceiling light, grab rails and shower seat from HiB Ltd, wall panelling and flooring from International Decorative Surfaces (IDS) and additional consumables, including a towel warmer, from Graham’s Evesham branch.

Lisa Newman from The Nelson Trust comments: “We were kindly approached by Mike Tattam from Lakes when he heard about our need for a new shower in our Gloucester Women’s centre. Mike took time out to show us around Lakes showroom in Tewkesbury and explain the benefits of each showering space so we could choose one that would best support the need of our clients. Accessibility, safety and maintenance were key criteria so it was really helpful to see the range of options.

“Offering showers at our centres is one of our basic support services but it’s also quite often an entry point into someone starting to care about themselves more, and an opportunity for us to show them other ways in which the centre can help them. It’s easy to take showers for granted, but for many women who visit our centre a shower is a luxury. I can’t tell you just how much of a gift all of this is to us and all our clients. A huge thanks from us all.”

Lakes Sales & Marketing Director, Mike Tattam, adds: “It’s an honour to support the Nelson Trust and to highlight the efforts of smaller charities, who do a tremendous job in supporting local communities. It’s challenging times for everyone at the moment, so it’s more important than ever that people feel there are safe places they can turn to in their hour of need. Our combined efforts and charitable giving is testament to the great industry we work in. An industry that cares and always goes the extra mile to deliver.”

Find out more about The Nelson Trust at www.nelsontrust.com. If you’d like to support the Trust visit www.justgiving.com/thenelsontrust.

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Utopia launches fast track delivery service

November 11, 2020

On top of two recent significant product launches, Utopia’s latest initiative is a new Fast Track delivery service offering three to five-day delivery on a dedicated selection of the newly refreshed Qube collection of wall mounted and freestanding bathroom furniture.

The products available via the new Fast Track service are in the popular White Gloss or Pebble Grey Gloss finish and are all detailed in the new Qube brochure.

Helen Clark, Head of Marketing at Utopia Bathrooms, comments, “We understand just how frustrating it can be if schedules change and product is required urgently. We’ve listened to the feedback from some of our customers and are delighted that we can now offer this service. It’s become very clear that there is a requirement for a speedily delivered offering and, with the further development of our new Qube collection, we are now able to offer a selection of this furniture range on a quicker turnaround.”

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Design ideas to lighten up your bathroom from Duravit

November 9, 2020

Creating an ambience with scenic lighting

Light is functional and atmospheric and plays an elementary role in the bathroom. There are three aspects that need to be considered for the perfect lighting setup: basic lighting, accent lighting, and functional lighting.

Happy D.2 Plus

Candlelight and mirror lighting light up the darkness:

The Happy D.2 Plus mirror (pictured top) has a circular ambient light and includes LED lighting that can be individually configured via the touchscreen.

Happy D.2 Plus vanity unit
Featuring an illuminated treasure chest, this an optional inner lighting system is available for the Happy D.2 Plus vanity unit. The LED light turns on or off when the drawer is opened or closed.

While basic lighting lights our way, accent lighting injects a feel-good factor into the lighting concept. Contrast-rich and expressive lighting generates a stimulating atmosphere in the bathroom and creates cosy accents.

Duravit Bathroom Lighting Design Ideas — Happy D.2 Plus c-bonded

Conversely, the focus at the washing area is on functional lighting this needs to be bright without dazzling the user. From warm white to neutral white and up to daylight white – the spectrum of light colors ranges from warm yellow to cool blue, you can enjoy the perfect light at any time of day: cold in the morning to wake you up, warm in the evening to help you relax.

SensoWash_Starck Bathroom Lighting Design Ideas

Products Featured in Design Guide

01_Happy_D.2_Plus_c-bonded
Bathing in warm light and warm water: a warmly lit bathroom creates a cozy place of refuge, especially during the coldest season. Pictured topve Ambient light at the Happy D.2 Plus mirror in the “Radial” finish raphicradiating). Design: sieger design

02_Luv
The perfect balance of natural light and LED: with the ambient light activated, the glarefree lighting at the top edge of the Luv mirror guarantees optimum illumination of up to 1700 lux. Design: Cecilie Manz

03_Happy_D.2_Plus_c-shaped
Always well-lit: Happy D.2 Plus washing area with icon version of the mirror in the “Organic” finish (bionic-geometric). The variant with icon control on the mirror surface has a dimmer function and light-color setting with memory effect.

06_SensoWash_Starck_f_Night_Light
Night light to light your way: a night light guides you to the SensoWash® Starck f shower-toilet even in the dark – without disrupting the body’s resting state with overly bright light. Design: Philippe Starck

04_Happy_D.2_Plus
Illuminated treasure chest: an optional inner lighting system is available for the Happy D.2 Plus vanity unit. The LED light turns on or off when the drawer is opened or closed.

05_Starck_Barrel
The radiant design classic – the Starck barrel: when the doors are opened, the optional LED installation illuminates the interior without glare so users can find exactly what they are looking for. Design: Philippe Starck

06_SensoWash_Starck_f_Night_Light
Night light to light your way: a night light guides you to the SensoWash® Starck f showertoilet even in the dark – without disrupting the body’s resting state with overly bright light. Design: Philippe Starck

07_Viu_XViu
Cozy atmosphere versus the perfect spotlight for shaving or applying make-up? Both are possible with the XViu mirror variant with icon control. At a luminosity of up to 1000 lux, the light color can be continuously adjusted from 2,700 (warm light) to 6,500 kelvin (cold light). A neutral white (approx. 4,000 kelvin) is ideal for shaving or applying make-up. Design: sieger design

08_Happy_D.2_Plus
Candlelight and mirror lighting light up the darkness: Happy D.2 Plus mirror with circular ambient light. The LED-lighting can be individually configured via the touchscreen.

Duravit AG Founded in 1817 in Hornberg in the Black Forest

Duravit AG is today a leading international manufacturer of designed bathrooms. The company is active in more than 130 countries worldwide and stands for innovation in the fields of signature design, comfort-enhancing technology and premium quality. In cooperation with high-profile international designers, such as Philippe Starck, sieger design, Kurt Merki Jr.,

Christian Werner, Matteo Thun and Cecilie Manz, the company develops unique bathrooms that enhance quality of life for users on a sustained basis. Duravit’s product portfolio comprises sanitary ceramics, bathroom furniture, bathtubs and shower trays, wellness systems, shower-toilets, tap fittings and accessories as well as installation systems.

For more design ideas visit Duravit

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Bathroom Brands Group reinforces commitment to retailers

November 9, 2020

Following the Government announcement on the 31st October, Bathroom Brands Group has announced that it will remain fully operational throughout the second lockdown, whilst continuing to work closely with its independent retailers.

Throughout COVID-19, the Group enhanced its virtual offering – with the introduction of product training and one-to-one appointments to allow its retailers to stay up to date with the latest product introductions and to participate in strategic training.

Furthermore, the Group provided additional digital assets to all of its retailers to support them in strengthening their individual online presence.

The UK headquarters and distribution centres will remain open to fulfil product demand and process deliveries. A dedicated team will be on-hand to provide additional guidance and sales support to Group retailers.

“Whilst continuing to follow advice from the UK Government, I can assure you that we intend to remain fully operational and ready to support our independent retailers wherever possible. Our fully resourced team is ready to assist with all aspects of product availability, delivery and technical enquiries during this important trading period for the bathroom sector.” – Stephen Ewer, Chief Executive Officer, Bathroom Brands Group

Bathroom Brands Group will continue to closely monitor the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, whilst adhering to guidance and recommendations from the UK Government.

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Estrel Berlin undergoes major refurbishment

November 6, 2020

The Estrel Berlin chose Kaldewei bathtubs, shower surfaces and washbasins for over 1,000 of its bathrooms.

The Estrel is Germany’s biggest hotel, it is in the centre of Berlin and has over 1,125 rooms and suites, four restaurants, three bars, a summer garden with its own landing pier, a state-of-the-art wellness area and gym, this property offers its guests every luxury.

Adjoining the 4-star plus hotel is the Estrel Congress Center, where more than 75 conference rooms provide the ideal setting for events and conventions.

The bathrooms have been transformed into exclusive sanctuaries, surrounded by, but far removed from hectic city life. The Estrel offers a modern design that shapes the character of the spacious rooms and suites.

In addition to the numerous standard and de luxe rooms, accessible rooms are also available. Whatever a guest’s room requirements, The Estrel will meet them with its Junior, Deluxe and Executive suites or its Presidential Suite, which also features antique furnishings. Located on the 17th floor, the 250 square metre Presidential Suite is one of the hotel’s highlights. As a privately-run property, creating an intimate ambience and ensuring guests are given individual attention are paramount for the Estrel Berlin. This includes special features such as the Estrel summer garden with its own landing pier, from where guests can embark on a cruise on the Spree through Berlin.

The guest bathrooms: personalised comfort of the highest standard

At the Estrel, guests can experience to shower surfaces, washbasins and bathtubs made of sustainable Kaldewei steel enamel which, thanks to state-of-the-art addon accessories, promise unparalleled relaxation. More than 1,000 of the hotel’s bathrooms feature Cayonoplan, Superplan and Superplan Plus shower surfaces so guests can enjoy a wonderfully invigorating experience. In addition, the Pure Duo bathtubs – some fitted with Kaldewei Skin Touch and Sound Wave – guarantee delightful bathing that stimulates all the senses. While the Skin Touch wellness feature delivers a naturally rejuvenating effect, guests can immerse themselves in the resonant vibrations of their favourite music with the Sound Wave bathtub audio system. In keeping with the elegant and aesthetic bathroom design, the wellness experience is rounded off with over 500 Puro undercounter washbasins.

In this way, Kaldewei tell us they once again meets the hotel industry’s demanding requirements for aesthetic, long-lasting and sustainable bathroom solutions

Steel enamel: for sustainability in the bathroom

“Thanks to the resilient surface made of superior steel enamel, Kaldewei bathroom solutions show no signs of wear and tear even after years of intensive use and cleaning. Once their long useful life comes to an end, they are fully recyclable making them ideal for sustainable hotels. “We are delighted that our high-end bathroom solutions are helping to make the Estrel Berlin a very special place for rest and regeneration. Kaldewei and Estrel are two brands that fit perfectly together and meet the highest standards,” says Managing Director Franz Kaldewei.

Estrel Berlin Hotel – Profile
Classification: 4-star plus hotel
Number of bedrooms: 1,125 rooms and suites
Kaldewei products: 665 Cayonoplan, Superplan and Superplan Plus
shower surfaces, 15 Puro Duo bathtubs with Sound
Wave, 2 Puro Duo bathtubs with Skin Touch and Sound
Wave, 554 Puro undercounter washbasins

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Define the showering space with new Lakes Definitions

November 6, 2020

Lakes, a carbon neutral company and leading manufacturer of showering spaces, has launched Lakes Definitions – a new colour range of shower door handles and profile caps. The contemporary suite meets a growing demand from homeowners to personalise their bathroom or showering space with complementary accessories.

Lakes Definitions was developed for Lakes’ new showroom exclusive Antigua and Aruba showering spaces, from its premium Island Collection. The high quality cast handles and stylish caps are available in four on-trend colour options – gold, rose gold, nickel and matt black. They can also be fitted retrospectively, making it easy to change colours at any point to match new bathroom furniture.

Lakes Sales & Marketing Director Mike Tattam, comments: “This latest development is part of our ongoing strategy to help drive new high margin opportunities for our merchant and stockist customers. Colour is increasingly important for home improvements and Lakes Definitions allows homeowners to personalise their complete showering space to suit their bathroom style. Making the new handle and caps easy to change at any point was important too, providing a flexible choice for bathroom renovations.

“Small touches can often make a big difference,” adds Mike. “We’re very excited about this latest development and early indications show that our customers love it too, with many adding our Aruba showering space to their showroom displays straight away. Rose gold and matt black appear to be particular favourites!”

For more information on Lakes Definitions visit www.lakesshoweringspaces.com or call our sales team on 01684 853 870.

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Ciaran Quinn Joins VitrA as Digital Marketing Assistant

November 5, 2020

International bathroom manufacturer VitrA has expanded its UK marketing team with the appointment of Ciaran Quinn as Digital Marketing Assistant, based at the company’s head office in Oxfordshire.

Rebecca Slater, Senior Digital Marketing Executive for VitrA, explains “We are delighted to welcome Ciaran to the team. He joins us at a particularly exciting time with the future opening of our showroom, and I have no doubt he will make a valuable contribution to expanding our presence further.”

Ciaran, who also has experience in photography and videography joins VitrA from the telecoms industry. Ciaran says “I am excited to be working for a well-known brand that has such a respected reputation with both trade and end-users. VitrA has the entire bathroom covered under one roof with huge plans for the coming months. Communicating these initiatives digitally will be exciting and challenging.”

About VitrA

VitrA is part of the Eczacıbaşı Group, one of Turkey’s most prominent industrial groups. Founded in 1958, VitrA is a leading bathroom manufacturer, which in recent years has expanded into international markets with over 70 per cent of VitrA’s total output now being sold outside of Turkey. From 13 production facilities in Turkey, Germany, France and Russia, VitrA produces a full range of bathroom products including over 5.6 million pieces of sanitaryware a year along with complementary bathroom furniture, brassware and accessories ranges, which are distributed to over 75 countries on five continents.

VitrA UK, based in Oxfordshire, has been supplying the UK bathroom market for over 25 years and is an active member of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA) and the British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI). Coming Soon VitrA will open a flagship showroom in Clerkenwell, London – a creative hub for architects, designers, and thinkers with dedicated areas for product specification, events and workshops.

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New Executive for Virtual Worlds Design Hub

November 5, 2020

As the Virtual Worlds Design Hub gains momentum, Lianne Hornby joins the team in the role of Design Executive.

In this newly created role, Lianne will use her knowledge of interior design to assist with various design projects relating to the Design Hub umbrella of services.

Launched earlier this year, the Design Hub offers a bathroom and kitchen design service for retail showrooms who are in need of temporary support to cover holiday or illness or to plug an immediate skills gap.

Having been with Logicom for six years, Lianne is already very familiar with the Virtual Worlds software, working first as part of the Customer Service Support team and latterly as a Quality Assurer. This experience, along with her involvement in creating marketing images and training for the role for the past two years means Lianne is well placed for this new position.

Joining the Design Hub as demand for the service continues to gather pace, Lianne will work under the guidance of Head Designer Lauren Sutton, assisting with a range of projects, including a new lead generation campaign targeted at consumers to drive leads into showrooms, collating feedback and analytics on their 4D experience.

Lauren comments: “It is our mission to build a team of experienced and passionate designers to better support our retail network. Each design created is intended to be inspirational and is quality-approved by myself to ensure the best chance for the retailer to convert their opportunities into sales.”

Commenting on her new role, Lianne said: “Design is always something I have been passionate about since I started at Virtual Worlds and I am looking forward to using my new qualifications in interior design. I’m excited to be given the opportunity to progress and help within a newly formed area of the business, helping showrooms and manufacturers with their designs.”

For more information on Virtual Worlds call 01908 663 848 or visit www.virtualworlds.co.uk

About Virtual Worlds

Virtual Worlds is the UK market leader in innovation-led CAD technology for the KBB market. Since launching in 1998, it has broken boundaries in virtual technology innovation – being the first company to develop 3D design software for KBB retailers and, most recently, launching its new 4D Showroom Technology. Virtual Worlds is a division of Logicom Computer Services (UK) Ltd

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Diane

International bathroom manufacturer VitrA has expanded its UK marketing team with the appointment of Ciaran Quinn as Digital Marketing Assistant, based at the company’s head office in Oxfordshire.

About VitrA