The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI) has announced that premium bathroom retailer Easy Bathrooms has become a BiKBBI Retail Installation Standards Partner in preparation for the launch of its national installation service. Install, which will provide customers with a turnkey fitting service across Easy Bathroom’s impressive 139 showroom estate, is working closely with BiKBBI to deliver a robust proposition for its customers.
Speaking on behalf of Easy Bathrooms, head of installations David Rowley (pictured) said: “We’re delighted to be working with BiKBBI as we develop Simply Install across our showroom estate over coming weeks and months. I have worked with BiKBBI for many years and enormously value the work they drive within our industry. At Easy Bathrooms, we completely understand the challenges facing the industry, especially the evident shortage of skilled labour across the construction and home improvement sector. We’ll work with BiKBBI, not only to connect and work with the very best specialist bathroom installers, but to collaborate efforts in the building of a sustainable future pipeline of professional installers for tomorrow.”
David went on to say: “BiKBBI is a key strategic partnership for us for several reasons. The organisation manages and maintains the bulk of our compliance requirements, ensuring that risk to our customers and brand is minimised with their leading compliance management tools. Additionally, they help us to connect with new installers, deliver training and development to both our installers and internal management team, provide us with an inspection service and generally support the complex task of Easy Bathrooms delivering a leading installation solution for our customers.
Christine Masson, spokesperson for BiKBBI’s registration team added: “In addition to the benefits for a retailer to partner with us [BiKBBI], it’s important to recognise the many benefits that professional installers gain in registering with the UK’s only institute dedicated to their sector. We help these businesses, often micro-SMEs, to gain a bigger voice, join with thousands of other like-minded professionals, get access to news, technical updates, commercial cost-savers, training and development and specialist support for their business.
The British Institute of KBB Installation works with local, regional and national retailers of KBB product and invites any business wanting to know more about becoming a Retail Installations Standards Partner, to contact its commercial relationships manager Leon Rowland (leon.rowland@bikbbi.org.uk).
Kudos Showering Solutions has further expanded its sales team with the appointment of Simon Tate as area sales manager to cover the Midlands and Southwest of England. Simon will report to the recently recruited national sales manager Tony Russ.
Simon joins the business as one of a new team of area sales managers appointed to support merchants their showrooms and contractors. He has many years of experience in the plumbing and heating sector, which will assist him greatly in this new role
“I’m more than delighted to join the expanding team of great people at Kudos. It is a very well-known and respected brand made in the UK with a great reputation and future potential. So, when the vacancy arose to join Kudos, I jumped at the opportunity.” Said Simon.
Nick Graville, sales & marketing director for Kudos explains, “Over the past four years our customers have been supported by our 8 strong Retail Support Managers (RSM’s), all of whom provide support to showrooms with technical and installation assistance. As we continue to grow there has clearly been a desire for us to provide more sales support, so in addition to the recent appointments for our independent showroom retailers we are building a team of merchant focused Area Sales Managers, who will also work alongside the RSM’s, improving the depth of support and communication with our customer base. We are delighted that Simon Tate has joined us as part of this new team.”
Kudos Shower Products Ltd has been designing and manufacturing shower products at their Cumbria facility since 1999. Their portfolio includes shower enclosures, shower trays, over-bath screens and wet-room solutions sold via KBB showrooms and merchants across the UK.
Following the retirement of long-standing managing director Tim Pestell, Saniflo has announced the appointment of David Cook to the position with effect from 1st January 2024.
David joined Saniflo as sales director & MD Designate in May 2023 and has spent the last few months shadowing Tim, meeting customers and gradually taking the helm. He joined the company at an exciting time in its development as the commercial product range grew following the acquisition of Zehnder Pumps. It also comes as the Kinedo range of products continues to expand with the launch of Kinewall, a stunning new range of decorative bathroom wall panels.
Prior to joining the company, David was Sales Director at Baxi Heating. He was there for 26 years, having joined as an Area Contracts Manager in the Southeast of England and worked his way up the ladder as Divisional Sales Manager, Key Account Manager, Brand Manager – Main Boilers and more. With common trade and consumer customers he very much understands the sector and has been able to hit the ground running. David’s aims and aspirations in his new role at Saniflo include building on the success of the previous incumbent, with a focus on the commercial pump range and Kinedo showering range.
“I am delighted to join the Saniflo team and make official my new role as managing director. Following in the successful footsteps of Tim, my aim is to increase Saniflo’s share of the commercial pump market, whilst also focussing on the Kinedo showering range. We have a great team here at Saniflo who are enthused to achieve the companies’ ambitions.”
Kinewall by Kinedo is a new range of decorative bathroom wall panels that can transform not just a shower space, but a whole bathroom, cloakroom or utility room. Said to offer a revolution in materials, a revelation in designs and a remarkably simple installation process, Kinewall offers an abundance of choice to create the perfect bathroom.
There are 70 unique patterns, styles and colours in the range broken down into categories, including:
Minerals and metals
Nature
Patterns and geometric
Wood
If a customer is looking for a specific design for their space, there are several options available to bring their vision to life. Whether they prefer an industrial chic, classy panelling, a natural look or an eclectic design, single pattern panels can be used to offer consistency in style, or panels can be mixed and matched to suit their preference. Half and half style works particularly well with this panelling option.
The panels are available in six different sizes: 1000 x 2020, 1250 x 2020, 1500 x 2020, and 1000 x 2500mm, 1250 x 2500, 1500 x 2500, making it possible to accommodate almost any space. These panels are made from high-quality materials and are easy to install. They can be cut to the required size on site thanks to their innovative composition of polyethylene core with an aluminium layer on either side.
They are manufactured in France by Kinedo and are exceptional in terms of quality and thermal properties. They are also lightweight, at just 11kg, and easy to handle, making them ideal for installers. These panels are easy to clean and maintain and can be specified with or without profiles depending on the consumer’s preference.
Kinedo has partnered with Ideal Bathrooms to ensure that popular sizes and colour options of their Kinewall product are readily available. Ideal Bathrooms has a vast experience in supplying high-quality bathroom products to a growing retail network across the UK, making them well-suited to manage Kinewall’s supply. They will keep 21 designs of the most commonly used panel size (1500 x 2500) in stock, and these will be available for delivery the following day. The remaining designs will be available upon order, with a lead time of four weeks.
Will Hickman, sales & marketing director of Ideal Bathrooms, is very excited about the potential of the Kinewall range;
“We are excited to announce that we have added a new range of innovative and design-led shower panels to our product portfolio and are pleased to have reached an agreement to distribute these throughout the UK. We are confident that this new range of shower panels will be a hit with our customers, and we have already installed eye-catching displays in showrooms across the country to showcase the range to the trade and consumers alike.”
Amanda Mills is marketing manager for Kinedo and has overseen the launch plans and the production of a range of support materials for the showrooms, sales teams and merchants;
“Kinewall is a wonderful addition to the Kinedo product range. It really is an exceptional product that enhances the shower wall concept and offers additional features and benefits. As well as an unmatched selection of patterns, colours and styles, the tried and tested panels are completely resistant to chemicals, scratches and corrosion. Kinewall is a lightweight, yet inherently strong and durable solution thanks to the innovative manufacturing process.”
Manufactured in France to the highest European quality standards, the Kinewall range has a 10-year warranty offering peace of mind to consumers.
Software and content solutions provider Cyncly has announced the appointment of Julien Faure as its chief product officer. In his capacity as CPO, Julien will support Cyncly’s product management, strategy, and design efforts as the company continues to grow its customer base and solution portfolio.
“We are pleased to welcome Julien to Cyncly, who will help us continue to deliver best-in-class and high-quality products and services to our clients,” said David Tombre, CEO.
“Cyncly is deeply focused on applying innovation and a customer-centric approach to our software. Julien’s experience with product strategy and execution will help us deliver solutions that deliver an outstanding user experience and power our customers’ success.”
Julien brings a wealth of experience in product strategy and engineering, with a strong track record driving innovation and delivering market-leading products at leading SaaS businesses serving the manufacturing, AEC and retail sectors. Julien will lead Cyncly’s product team to design and execute a robust product strategy that brings to market the products customers in the spaces-for-living industry need, with the speed and quality they expect.
“I am incredibly excited to join Cyncly to help the company build on its success in delivering industry-leading solutions,” said Julien. “I look forward to making products that are a joy to use, take advantage of the cloud, incorporate the latest technologies, and help our customers achieve their goals faster.”
When it comes to bathroom design, function is no longer the sole focus. Homeowners view the bathroom as an opportunity to add personality to the home, and choosing the right furniture is instrumental in achieving that while keeping the space functional and tidy.
Bathrooms house more clutter than ever, and it can be difficult to find a place for everything. The last thing you want is a cluttered and crowded environment when you’re getting ready in the morning or winding down in the evening. Making the most of the bathroom furniture can’t be overlooked in the design process and it’s key to creating a space that suits your needs without it feeling too cramped.
The i.life Collection from Ideal Standard provides an elegant and practical solution. The range includes a variety of furniture options available in seven stylish finishes such as sand beige matt, carbon grey matt and natural oak, as well as handles in chrome and silk black to match your brassware. Doors and drawers feature a soft close action to add that feeling of subtle luxury, ensuring a cohesive design.
Smaller bathrooms don’t need to feel unloved, and by making the best use of your space, you can look stylish and feel spacious whilst being perfectly practical. The i.life S range can help with this, i.life S furniture specifically designed to fit into smaller spaces with the goal of taking up as little floor space as possible but still providing reasonable levels of functionality.
With Ideal Standard’s Singular™ philosophy, the vast majority of its products are completely compatible, allowing you to mix and match pieces from many of the manufacturer’s collections.
Thomas Crapper has strategically created this new range of products around its best-selling Bentham basin. Hand-crafted from fireclay ceramics in Lancashire, the Bentham basin is available in Indigo Blue and Forest Green and Gloss White. Perfect for your cloakroom, or ensuite, the blue and green basins are finished in a satin glaze which look great with the company’s polished and new brushed brass taps.
Following on from the success of the Bentham, a range of bathroom furniture was launched giving you the ability to perfect coordinate your basin, brassware, furniture and bathroom surface. The furniture was designed to be available in the same colours as the Bentham – Indigo Blue, Forest Green and Natural Oak – with the countertops being available in a beautiful white or black quartz; the perfect contrast!
The design team at Thomas Crapper carefully curated this range to offer the complete bathroom look. Don’t stop at just your sink area – you can also choose one of the classic 814 cisterns in the same colours for the ultimate Thomas Crapper look!
The furniture range comprises a selection of double and single units, together with a useful cloakroom unit. The cabinet doors can be specified with an antique mirror-effect to create a special focal point or in a plain shaker style for a simpler look. The cloakroom unit is available with shaker doors only.
The white or black quartz countertops are available with cut-outs to suit undermount basins or ‘sit on’ basins as pictured below.
As more consumers are choosing to introduce the allure of deeper tones into their homes, the emphasis is on creating a rich and immersive experience that goes beyond the utilitarian nature of a bathroom.
Within the colour palette of this trend is charcoal, navy and forest green, as well as brushed and matte brassware to add depth and interest to surfaces. These hues evoke a sense of opulence and tranquillity, transforming bathrooms into luxurious retreats. Dive into dark décor with JTP and its superior range of bathroom brassware and fixtures.
Collections such as JTP’s striking EVO Brushed Black range bring another level of intrigue to bathrooms. The dramatic tones of the fixtures, such as the basins, mixers and soap dispensers sit harmoniously against forest green backdrops. The interplay of shades and highlights offset from the brassware add visual interest and elegance to spaces.
A similar look can be attained with the VOS range which not only elevates the overall design but it infuses a sense of indulgence, resulting in a space that transcends functionality to become a sanctuary of relaxation.
Homeowners can create an interesting juxtaposition by pairing the radiant Brushed Brass or Bronze brassware against deep moody tones such as charcoal or navy. The reflective quality of the fixtures adds a nod of glamour, bringing the whole look together with subtle contrast. Enhance this look further by incorporating complementary elements such as JTP’s VOS Round mirrors, Toilet Roll Holders and Towel Rails in the same finish.
Pictured– JTP products
1 JTP EVO 3 Hole Wall Mounted Basin Mixer in Brushed Bronze £420, VOS Mirror with Light in Matt Black £345, VOS Grade 316 Stainless Steel Counter Top Basin in Matt Black £795 2 VOS Brushed Black Stainless Steel Counter Top Basin £795, EVO Brushed Black Basin Mixer £290, VOS Brushed Black Metal Pneumatic Flush Plate £305, VOS Matt Black Mirror Without Light £165, VOS Brushed Black Toilet Brush Wall Mounted £119 3. 3 Hole Deck Mounted Basin Mixer in Brushed Black £420 4. VOS Matt Black Grade 316 Stainless Steel Counter Top Basin £795 5. VOS Soap Dispenser in Brushed Black £150 6. EVO Hole Deck Mounted Basin Mixer in Brushed Black £420 & EVO Single Lever Basin Mixer with Lever in Brushed Black £290 7. EVO Tall Lever Basin Mixer in Matt Black £340 & EVO Single Lever Basin Mixer with Lever in Matt Black £290 8. EVO Tall Lever Basin Mixer in Brushed Brass £340 & EVO Single Lever Basin Mixer with Lever in Brushed Brass £290 9. EVO Brushed Bronze Concealed 2 Outlet Shower Valve £690 10. VOS Single Lever Wall Mounted Basin Mixer and Spout in Brushed Bronze £365 & VOS Mirror with Light in Matt Black £345
LAUFEN says it doesn’t just look to the future once a year – it’s the job of any manufacturer to always anticipate what’s around the corner. But the new year is a good excuse to think about the upcoming trends for the next 12 months. From making a statement to focusing on sustainability, here are the six trends that LAUFEN predicts will define 2024.
1. A hero piece
LAUFEN is predicting the rise and rise of the hero piece in the bathroom. Whether it be an eye-catching vanity or an oversized mirror, making a statement is crucial in bringing the entire room together. For those with enough space, a freestanding bath remains unbeatable as a centrepiece. An excellent example is the ILBAGNOALESSI bathtub (pictured above), which combines visual impact with comfort. Constructed from composite Sentec, it has a velvety texture and a slim border that expands at one end to provide a relaxing headrest and a practical surface area for objects. The shape of the ILBAGNOALESSI bath also chimes well with the current trend for curves in the bathroom. Its sleek and curvaceous design not only adds a touch of elegance to the bathroom but also helps to create a serene atmosphere for some well-deserved R&R.
2. Multigenerational bathrooms
Extended families living together in one household are becoming more common, in part due to our ageing population. As a result, there is an increasing demand for homes, especially bathrooms, that accommodate multiple generations. These family bathrooms should be accessible, safe, and adaptable to the needs of individuals of all ages, from the young to the elderly.
Homeowners can enhance accessibility by installing a flush-to-floor shower tray like the LAUFEN Pro and Pro S. Made from LAUFEN’s Marbond composite with an Antislip finish, these shower trays ensure both safety and convenience. Additionally, when it comes to the WC, older individuals may have difficulty rising from lower seats. Therefore, including a raised-height WC, such as the Pro Comfort Height wall-hung WC at 480mm instead of the standard 430mm, is a considerate addition.
Above: The Pro S shower tray (left) and Comfort Height LAUFEN Pro toilet (right) are both suitable for multigenerational family bathrooms.
3. Making sustainable choices
In 2024, sustainability is not just a trend but a continuing necessity, with a focus on water conservation and waste reduction.
To start, the experts at LAUFEN recommend replacing old showerheads and taps with low-flow versions. Alternatively, you can choose a mixer tap like the LUA tap with LAUFEN’s ECO+ technology, which helps save resources. When you turn on the tap, the water starts off cold by default. You then turn the handle to the left to gradually introduce hot water, at which point the boiler is engaged. However, for quick handwashing, cold water is sufficient, which helps reduce energy usage and CO2 emissions.
When it comes to its bathroom furniture, LAUFEN only uses wood that originates from Europe and is certified by the FSC and PEFC. These guarantee sustainable and responsible forestry without overexploitation or uncontrolled deforestation. In addition, LAUFEN uses a high percentage of recycled wood to manufacture its wood composite materials, substantially reducing logging.
Above top left: LUA basin mixer in chrome with Eco+ technology; Main hero image: The New Classic wall-hung vanity is made from FSC-certified wood.
4. The rise of the ‘spathroom’
Next, LAUFEN introduces the epitome of relaxation and functionality: the spathroom! These spaces combine the serenity of a spa with the practicality of a bathroom, making them a popular choice for homeowners seeking a luxurious chill-out room as an escape from their busy lives. LAUFEN has recently unveiled a new smart shower system in collaboration with Andreas Dimitriadis of Platinum Design, enhancing the spathroom experience (below).
The new smart shower system is a modular design, which features a horizontal wall panel with light tiles, an illuminated storage niche, and a variety of shower heads. The centrepiece of the system is a 12-inch display screen that allows users to personalise their showering experience by pairing water therapy with sounds and lights. For instance, people can enjoy the sensation of standing under a waterfall while listening to the sounds of the sea. What’s more, they can choose a scheme – a candlelit hammam, for example – and the colour of the light tiles will change to evoke that warmth within the shower.
Pictured: LAUFEN’s smart shower system, which launches in 2024.
5. Creative designs for small spaces
As UK cities become more crowded and property prices continue to rise, space has become a valuable commodity. Consequently, bathrooms are being fitted into small and awkward spaces to maximise living and sleeping areas. This is particularly true in urban apartments and townhouses, where residents need to make the most of every square foot. Fortunately, LAUFEN excels at ensuring that limited space doesn’t mean compromising on style. For example, the VAL collection (right) offers basins with clean architectural lines and extremely slim edges (made possible by their SaphirKeramik construction, as explained in trend six), making them ideal for compact bathrooms, en-suites, and cloakrooms.
6. The limitless possibilities of modern materials
Thanks to innovative materials, today’s bathrooms really can have it all: good looks, versatility, durability, and even low maintenance. A prime example can be seen in the reinterpreted ILBAGNOALESSO collection, which utilises the properties of LAUFEN’s SaphirKeramik. This material is a combination of ceramic and corundum, a component of sapphires, giving the resulting material the strength of steel while still being able to be formed into thin pieces.
A highlight of the new ILBAGNOALESSI collection is the iconic Tuna basin. Thanks to SaphirKeramik, it has been slimmed down to millimetres, resulting in an elegant and sculptural design (right).
Cyncly, a provider of software and content solutions, is bringing its connected portfolio to kbb Birmingham 2024, March 3-6 at stand L70 in hall 19. This event marks the first UK event where Cyncly will showcase its integrated solutions for the KBB industry including Virtual Worlds, Winner Flex, EQ Flex, Ideal Spaces, 3CAD, Mozaik and Insight.
Cyncly provides specialised visualization, sales, manufacturing and content solutions and says it offers the world’s largest catalogue content hub and a range of market-leading products, increasingly integrated on a cloud platform, to connect every step of the customer journey.
“Our integration of leading solutions empowers businesses involved at every step of the KBB design, sales and manufacturing process,” said Gordon Bartels, General Manager of Kitchen, Bath and Furniture Retail Solutions. “We’re helping businesses provide an outstanding experience to their customers through capabilities including collaborative design, comprehensive pricing and accurate ordering. We can’t wait to show visitors to kbb Birmingham the boundless possibilities of working with Cyncly.”
Solutions featured at kbb Birmingham include:
Leading kitchen design solutions
Visitors to kbb Birmingham 2024 will see the value of Winner Flex for kitchen retail specialists and designers. The professional design tool can be used to design a customer’s dream kitchen, create technical documents and generate inspirational rendering. With the entire project managed in the cloud, it can be accessed from everywhere and shared across the organization for maximum collaboration. The latest version of Winner Flex features a new intuitive interface to search and browse product catalogues and more easily manage favourites for more efficient design.
Immersive, engaging bathroom design using virtual reality
For bathroom retailers, Virtual Worlds showcases equal levels of efficiency, with dedicated functionalities allowing for quick and precise design using catalogues from a rich existing library. Virtual Worlds 4D Theatre enables consumers to visualize their dream bathroom with an immersive design experience in virtual reality—helping retailers improve sales and build stronger customer relationships.
Business management software integrated to design solutions
For the first time, Cyncly’s integration of EQ on the Flex platform enables retailers using Winner Flex and Virtual Worlds to streamline the sales process. EQ Flex allows retailers to manage leads, keep track of actions and plan next steps so no opportunity is missed. From quotation to ordering and taking payment, EQ Flex offers a one-stop solution that allows retailers to create a kitchen or bathroom design plan and import all the products into an EQ quote for quick pricing and ordering.
Retail solutions to enable omni-channel experiences
Cyncly’s presence will also feature Ideal Spaces, a consumer-facing online configuration tool that delivers a seamless omni-channel experience to strengthen customer engagement. Retailers use the solution to inspire customers and complete the full journey—from inspiration to qualification, from space planning to purchasing—with an enhanced experience.
Manufacturing solutions that improve quality and margins
For manufacturers, the company’s solutions, including 3CAD, Insight and Mozaik, enable manufacturers to automate their processes for greater efficiency and flexibility. Through advanced production management software, the ability to manage orders based on real-time data, and market intelligence tools, Cyncly’s manufacturing software helps customers maximize margins and sales performance.
Cyncly continues to invest in new product capabilities to help KBB retailers and manufacturers succeed. For retailers, the company brings mood boards to 3D designs and auto decorating, and helps to define good, better and best scenarios, enabling customers provide consumers with an amazing experience designing and buying spaces for living. The company’s continued investments in AI-enabled solutions, leveraging the company’s deep industry expertise and rich data, will further enable customers to access innovative capabilities that help them succeed.
