The Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA) welcomes Sonas Bathrooms as a Gold Sponsor of the upcoming Connect Conference 2025, set to take place on September 16–17 at the Grand Hotel in Birmingham.
A leading name in bathroom solutions, Sonas Bathrooms brings over four decades of experience delivering high-quality, stylish, and functional bathroom products. Known for its strong commitment to customer service, innovation, and sustainability, Sonas has become one of Ireland’s most recognised and trusted bathroom brands and is expanding its influence across the UK market.
The conference’s theme, “Connect the Dots,” will explore the value of collaboration across the bathroom industry, from manufacturers and merchants to retailers and suppliers. As the market evolves, the event will focus on the partnerships and shared strategies that can drive sustainable growth and success.
Tom Reynolds, chief executive of the BMA, said: “We are delighted to have Sonas Bathrooms on board as a gold sponsor for the Connect Conference 2025. As a highly respected brand, their support reflects the importance of coming together as an industry to meet shared challenges. Their commitment to innovation and quality makes them a great fit for this event, which is all about building stronger connections across the sector.”
Richard Sloan, CEO at Sonas Bathrooms, commented: “We’re proud to support the BMA Connect Conference 2025 as a gold sponsor. At Sonas, we believe in the power of collaboration to spark innovation and progress. As we expand our footprint in the UK, this event provides a valuable opportunity to connect with industry peers, share knowledge, and work together to shape a more sustainable and successful future for the bathroom sector.”
The two-day conference will feature keynote addresses from thought-leaders like Alex Depledge and Anna Leach, in-depth panel discussions, and ample networking opportunities. As one of the sector’s premier annual events, the BMA Connect Conference 2025 is set to be a vital forum for progress and partnership in a rapidly evolving industry.
In Paris, where living space is precious, a tiny attic apartment has been transformed into an example of compact luxury. Just steps from Paris’ bustling Gare du Nord, architect Massimo De Conti has reimagined an 11-square-metre Chambre de Bonne – historically modest room once occupied by domestic workers -into a refined, modern living space. The Superplan shower surface by Kaldewei is at its centre, a smart and elegant solution for today’s urban micro-living.
This Parisian micro-apartment, tucked into the sixth floor of a traditional Haussmann-era building, includes compact essentials such as a String Shelving desk, a Bensen daybed, and a Vitra armchair – ideal for a short stay, a business trip, or simply a weekend à la Seine. Architect De Conti has made a virtue out of necessity, turning limited space into a showcase of smart, sensitive design.
The name of the maid’s rooms in the attic is derived from the colloquial term ‘bonne à tout faire’, which could be translated as ‘a girl for everything’. People sleep or work from their laptops in the eleven square metres of the Chambre de Bonne in Paris. Every centimetre of the individual design and layout was important. The entire interior was developed around the capsule shower within which sits the customised Superplan. The shower surface from Kaldewei offers elegant aesthetics and a high level of comfort. Its low installation height makes the Superplan ideal for sanitary solutions in the Tiny Living sector, such as in this converted attic.
De Conti, a Milan-based architect who has worked with Claudio Silvestrin’s London studio for 25 years, is known for his calm and elegant design language. His philosophy embraces a refined, understated style—never showy, always thoughtful. This restrained yet inventive approach also aligns with Kaldewei’s own design principles, where precision, beauty, and practicality converge.
In addition to the compact bathroom area, the modernised Chambre de Bonne includes a small pantry and a mini kitchen with microwave, fridge, and cooker—all cleverly concealed and easily accessed. A wooden screen planned initially for the shower capsule was eventually realised in metal, allowing more light into the space. The subtle shimmering surface helps reflect and diffuse natural and artificial light, making the room brighter and more open.
The palette is carefully chosen: dominant white and metallic surfaces are balanced with three shades of blue on the walls, and a deep midnight blue floor provides a grounding elegance. The furnishings, in softer brown tones, offer a warm and inviting contrast to the crisp coolness of the surrounding materials.
With Kaldewei’s Superplan at its core, this converted attic flat is a compelling example of how historic spaces can be reimagined through contemporary design. It offers comfort, elegance, and intelligent use of every square centimetre.
For more about the Superplan and Kaldewei’s range of space-saving bathroom solutions, visit: www.kaldewei.co.uk
Scudo, a brand under Harrison Bathrooms, has announced that its full range of bathroom products is now live on the Virtual Worlds platform. It offers an innovative way to visualise and plan bathroom spaces using cutting-edge 3d technology.
From taps and furniture to baths and showers, every Scudo product can now be explored in high-definition detail, helping designers, showrooms, and industry professionals bring bathroom concepts to life with striking realism.
Among the standout features is the Coral freestanding bath, featured here. Now beautifully recreated in 3d, it is a compelling example of how real a client’s future bathroom could feel before it’s even built.
This digital experience enables users to browse the entire Scudo collection in one accessible platform, delivering a seamless and immersive way to design and personalise bathroom projects. With lifelike visuals and interactive design capabilities, Virtual Worlds empowers professionals to present ideas clearly and help clients make confident, informed decisions.
For those designing bathrooms for clients, Scudo and Virtual Worlds together offer a powerful visualisation tool that turns concepts into reality, making the design process more inspiring, efficient, and effective than ever before.
For the first time in its history, Tissino has split out its new brochure into a consumer-facing guide and a more in-depth retailer version. The retailer guide is 240 pages, while the consumer brochure is 100 pages.
Each version aims to support retailers, either by directing consumers to bricks-and-mortar showrooms or, in the case of the retailer brochure, by providing pricing and product information, including specs and codes for easy ordering.
Rather than handing out bulky brochures, retailers will have a more streamlined version to provide their customers, giving them more of an inspiration-led piece, aiming to drive footfall back into brick-and-mortar showrooms. The paper used is FSC-certified.
Helen Ray-Dennett, head of marketing at Tissino, says, “The new way of working has been the result of thorough analysis of how previous brochures were used and what would better support retailers moving forward.
“In order to support and protect retailers from online competition, we have removed product codes and pricing, and instead will have access to a more lifestyle version which shows how our products can look within a home.
“What we have ensured though is that all calls to actions are focused on driving customers into store and increasing footfall to our partners, as this works alongside our Esclusiva range.”
In a move to simplify the various features and benefits of different types of worktop for the consumer, alongside presenting its full collection and colour options, Utopia has produced a digital brochure entitled ‘A Guide to Utopia’s Worktop Collections’. The guide showcases each type of worktop in all the colourways available in an easily accessible format. It is available to view online or download in the Literature section of the website at www.utopiagroup.com.
Helen Clark, head of marketing at Utopia, explains “As we continue to expand our worktop offering across our different collections, it can be a confusing process for consumers to navigate their way through which option is best for them, so we’ve put together this handy and informative brochure to help them select exactly the right worktop to suit their furniture collection choice as well as style and budget. Choosing a digital format for our new brochure is designed to help our retailers and consumers access information very quickly and easily without having to store additional brochures in the showroom.”
The guide can be used standalone or in conjunction with the Utopia in-store display stand, enabling product types and colours to be viewed and handled. In addition,
Utopia’s free sample service further ensures that the customer can make a confident and informed choice.
Utopia is committed to reducing its carbon footprint per its environmental and sustainability policy. Producing digital marketing materials is another key step in achieving its ambitious targets in this area.
The senior leadership team at Frontline Bathrooms and Smiths Briten, headed by senior managing director Darren Allison, has committed to making a six-figure investment in a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Software system.
The new ERP system will replace legacy software and streamline business operations, making delivery to retailers more efficient and timely. It will include new features such as electronic proof of delivery, better visibility of stock levels when placing an order, and more efficient delivery routes for improved sustainability.
On a business level, the ERP will help to simplify the back-office process across both companies, including minimising dual stocking and a more efficient delivery schedule into the warehouses.
Darren Allison, managing director at The Bathroom Distribution Group, says: “We’re investing heavily in smarter systems and streamlined operations to make doing business with us easier, faster, and more reliable. At the heart of this is the rollout of a new ERP system, which will allow us to simplify processes, improve accuracy, and provide a better overall experience for our customers.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the backing of our parent company, Huws Gray, whose support has been instrumental in enabling these changes. Their investment and belief in our long-term vision has given both myself and the wider team the confidence and resource to drive meaningful improvements. The investment of the new ERP systems is just the start.”
Smiths Briten and Frontline Bathrooms operate as sister brands, each with its own distinct offer yet closely connected through shared leadership and aligned values. With the same Managing Director overseeing both businesses, there is a strong synergy in their approach to product innovation, customer service, and market support. This connection allows them to collaborate seamlessly behind the scenes, ensuring consistency, expertise, and a comprehensive offering across the bathroom and plumbing sectors, while maintaining the individuality that makes each brand unique.
Clerkenwell Design Week will see the UK launch of Bette’s flattest ever shower tray, the BetteUltra Space, and its new colour, ‘Salvia’ which will be shown on the BetteSuno bath, designed by Barber Osgerby. Bette will also be displaying a selection of its counter-top washbasins, in a wide range of colours.
All Bette shower trays, baths and basins are made of glazed titanium-steel and are durable, easy to clean, fully recyclable and come with a 30-year warranty, making them as suitable for hotels, restaurants and bars as they are for private homes.
New BetteUltra Space shower tray
The new BetteUltra Space shower tray is Bette’s flattest-ever shower tray. It has a minimalist, timeless design and an ultra-flat height of just 15mm. It can be installed flush with the floor or slightly raised and comes in a choice of 20 sizes from 800 × 800 mm to 1700 × 800 mm and in a wide range of colours.
New colour – Salvia
Bette’s new colour, ‘Salvia’, an elegant glossy sage green, will also launch in the UK at Clerkenwell Design Week. It joins Bette’s existing 30 Key Colours, which are available on the entire Bette enamelled-steel range of shower trays, baths, and washbasins.
Two colour ranges and new colour fan
Bette’s colour expertise is demonstrated through its two colour ranges: Key Colours and Bespoke Colours. Key Colours offers a choice of 31 colours, available across all Bette’s shower trays, baths and basins, while Bespoke Colours are 40 additional colours, including eye-catching shimmering effect colours. They are available on specific products and can be used to create colour accents and stylish focal points.
All Key Colours and Bespoke Colours are included in Bette’s new free colour fan. Its format and accurate colours are designed to make it easy select colours to create a complementary colour scheme by holding the Bette colours against other items to be included.
BettesSuno by Barber Osgerby – now in Salvia
Bette’s new colour, ‘Salvia,’ will be shown on the BetteSuno freestanding bath and basins, which were designed by Barber Osgerby.
In collaboration with Bette, the British design studio Barber Osgerby developed the exclusive BetteSuno bathroom collection, which includes a freestanding oval bath and two washbasins—all made of glazed titanium steel and with a 30-year warranty.
Jay Osgerby commented: “The form invites engagement, and its exactness is achieved through expert engineering and the use of enamelled steel, which is a far superior material for sanitary ware.”
The collection is characterised by a pared-down design approach with the bath featuring an outwardly projecting rim and referencing classic bath design. The collection is now also available in the new sage green colour, Salvia, on display at Clerkenwell Design Week.
Basins in a choice of colours
In addition, Bette will display a selection of its basins, which are all available in 31 Key Colours. They combine style and colour with durability, ease of cleaning, and a 30-year warranty, making them ideal for restaurants, bars, and hotels as they are for private homes.
Bette sustainability
Bette products can support a more sustainable circular economy approach, in which products are re-used and recycled. The glazed titanium-steel material from which products are made is so durable that all products come with a 30-year warranty. This means that, when a bathroom is being refurbished, Bette’s baths, shower trays and basins will often be re-used or will be sold for re-use elsewhere. The products are made from natural materials and can be recycled entirely. They are also extremely easy to clean, with minimum cleaning products required.
Where possible, carbon-neutral green steel is used at no extra cost to customers. Bette has been buying significant quantities of green steel since 2021.
Bette also makes its manufacturing processes as environmentally friendly as possible. It generates electricity and heat from combined heat and power plants and solar energy, and when the sun shines, it creates 2/3 of its electricity requirements from solar energy.
Bette is a specialist for bathroom products made of a special material and manufacturing process.
Titanium steel sheets are formed under high pressure and refined with a thin coating similar to glass – hence the name “glazed titanium steel”. This composite material is ideal for the bathroom living space – it is smooth, hygienic, durable and robust.
The family-owned company Bette was founded in 1952 in Delbrück (North Rhine-Westphalia) and has specialised exclusively in this manufacturing process, which enables the products to be shaped with the highest level of precision craftsmanship.
Around 390 people are employed at the production and administration headquarters. Thilo C. Pahl, a representative of the owner family, is the managing director.
The range includes baths, shower surfaces, shower trays, washbasins and bathroom furniture “Made in Germany”: unique pieces that can be varied in colour and dimension and open up inspiring scope for the interior design of the bathroom. Bette manufacturing combines high-tech production with handcrafting where it serves the customer’s benefit. Today, more than half of the products are customised according to the customer’s wishes. Over 600 different bath and washbasin models are offered in a wide range of possible surface colours.
High-quality, completely recyclable products are created from the natural raw materials glass, water and steel. They are verified according to the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) in accordance with ISO 14025 and LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).
Leading business organisations from the European Union and the United Kingdom convened in February 2025 to explore practical solutions to reduce technical trade barriers and enhance economic cooperation post-Brexit. Central to the dialogue was a strong joint call for a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) on conformity assessment, a move seen as both pragmatic and achievable in the current regulatory landscape. A public statement calling for the MRA has now been made available.
Participants acknowledged the similar challenges faced by industries on both sides of the Channel and agreed that a mutual recognition agreement on conformity assessment would provide substantial mutual benefits.
Among the key advantages identified:
Regulatory stability and investment confidence: An MRA would bring predictability to compliance processes, encouraging long-term investment and enabling businesses to scale operations with assurance.
Reduced duplication and compliance costs: By removing the need for duplicative conformity assessments, businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, would benefit from lower administrative burdens and improved access to both EU and UK markets.
Enhanced capacity and competition: Recognising all conformity assessment bodies would expand access to these services, build capacity, and drive healthy competition, ultimately benefiting exporters.
Business organisations agreed that an MRA is not only desirable but also practical and deliverable. It can be pursued independently of the broader EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, allowing for more agile progress. Additionally, it can start with selected industries and be expanded over time, ensuring a manageable and results-driven approach.
Furthermore, existing technical foundations are in place. The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) is assessed to the same standards as EU Member State Accreditation Bodies. This alignment provides a strong technical basis for mutual recognition.
The initiative has received strong backing from the UK construction products sector, including the Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA), a member of the Construction Products Association, one of the signatory bodies.
“A mutual recognition agreement on conformity assessment is a common-sense step that will significantly reduce unnecessary costs and red tape for our industry,” said Tom Reynolds, chief executive of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association.
“As proud members of the Construction Products Association, we strongly welcome this initiative and urge political leaders on both sides of the Channel to take heed of this clear message from industry. Enabling smoother access to each other’s markets is key to supporting growth and innovation.”
A call to action ahead of the EU-UK Summit
With the EU-UK Summit scheduled for 19 May 2025, signatories, including the CPA, CBI, Make UK and Orgalim, urge political leaders to prioritise this initiative. An MRA on conformity assessment stands out as a tangible step toward easing trade friction and fostering a stronger, more collaborative economic relationship.
The full public statement, along with the full list of signatories, can be viewed here.
Excellent design and outstanding comfort does not need to cost a fortune. Duravit offers sophisticated solutions for stylish and functional bathroom designs that meet the most exacting standards. With the D-Code, Balcoon, and D-Neo bathroom ranges, the complete bathroom manufacturer proves that cost-effective projects are as well suited to high-quality design and practical functionality as their more upmarket counterparts.
How good design should look!
The D-Code range, designed by sieger design, is synonymous with timeless and contemporary design and blends harmoniously into any bathroom. With a range of different dimensions and variants, D-Code offers flexible solutions for budget-friendly bathroom planning.
The range is known for its clear, fluid forms and wide range of décor surfaces, which give rise to individual design options. Personalised bathroom dreams can be brought to life thanks to contemporary colour and wood décors paired with quality ceramics. Matching accessories in Chrome or Matt Black add a harmonious finishing touch in both functional and visual terms.
Elegance and functionality in the medium price bracket
The Balcoon bathroom range designed by Patricia Urquiola combines timeless elegance with contemporary functionality. Clear geometric forms and natural colors offer a stylish solution for price-conscious bathrooms. The Balcoon range includes high-quality ceramic items, furniture, faucets, and bathtubs, all of which impress with their durable aesthetics and first-class finishing.
The range’s above-counter and handrinse basins feature the antibacterial DuraShield® protective glaze, making them exceptionally hygienic and easy to clean. Additionally, the faucets incorporate resource-saving features such as Fresh Start and Minus Flow, which save energy and water.
Balcoon is perfect for luxurious bathroom design without breaking the bank. Its many design options make Balcoon the perfect backdrop for private and project bathrooms.
Versatility and style for every day
The D-Neo range, designed by Bertrand Lejoly, represents a broad product range that fits unobtrusively into any ambience. D-Neo offers a wealth of possibilities for personalised and price-effective bathroom design. The range includes washbasins, furniture, faucets, toilets, and bathtubs that stand out thanks to their minimalistic design and practical functions.
The SensoWash® D-Neo shower toilet ensures additional comfort and hygiene in the entry-level segment for those keen on price-conscious bathroom design. D-Neo enables stylish and functional bathrooms on a small budget that reflect an individual’s personal style and offer the highest possible comfort.
Bathrooms to Love by PJH has launched a new fitted furniture range, Edin, which offers a wealth of product options for a stylish, tailor-made fit, centred around flexible storage solutions.
Available in eight beautiful colour finishes, the Edin fitted furniture family has been created for maximum design flexibility to suit a wide spectrum of bathroom sizes, types, and styles, enabling truly individual looks. The range is so versatile that it can be installed either wall-mounted using the included brackets or floor-standing with the matching clip-on plinths.
On-trend colour choices include two timber-effects (Havana Oak and Warm Walnut), one gloss finish (White), and five flawless matts (Dove Grey, Graphite Grey, Stone, Arley Blue and Green). Then coordinate cabinet exteriors with a choice of two interior finishes – an oak-effect or a light grey. Handle options include a wide selection of styles to complement the Edin units, including new walnut or oak-effect dome handles and chrome, matt black, matt white, brushed brass and brushed bronze designs.
Maximising storage space is at the heart of Edin’s design. With more cabinet options and configurations than any previous fitted furniture from Bathrooms to Love, choices are wide and also include many accessories to fine-tune customised solutions. Units are available in both standard (depth of 318mm) and slim space-saving (depth of 218mm) dimensions. Sizes range from 200mm to 600mm wide, including basin, WC, three-drawer, tall, mirrored, toilet roll, one-door, and two-door storage options. Also available are a selection of special packs, including a range of units (including WC and basin units), plinth and end panels. These convenient packs include slim and standard depths, range from 1236mm to 1536mm in width and offer a value-added option to the customer.
Basin options are equally varied, continuing the customisation theme. Customers can choose from a new range of one-piece basins and worktops, a statement washbowl with worktop, or a semi-recessed or inset basin with worktop—all include slim versions for the reduced-depth cabinets, as well as plenty more options on form and finish.
Luxurious in its design, Edin boasts a high-quality and durable construction, featuring 18mm doors/fascias with soft-close mechanisms as standard. Easy to install, the new Edin Fitted Furniture range is now available for ordering via the PJH Partners Portal and can be delivered via a Next Day service to the store or home address.
Bathrooms to Love offers exceptional display deals on its new Edin range and a package of showroom sales support, so speak to your Regional PJH Sales Manager now.
