A recent survey of manufacturers by the UK’s leading approval body for water fittings and related products, WRAS Approvals, has found that 77% of respondents believe that testing new products takes too long.

Nearly 50% of respondents reported lab testing for new products taking up to six months, 34% said it took 6-9 months, and for 10% it took over 12 months.

The survey also found that 63% of respondents would like more choice of testing labs, while 38% said where their chosen testing lab is located matters to them.

WRAS is different to other REG4 certification bodies as they don’t test products. This gives an arms-length relationship with the test laboratories that are recognised, providing greater reassurance to those who rely on WRAS approvals.

WRAS Approvals recognises that the majority of respondents have experienced longer wait times than they want and is working on measures that will increase overall choice and capacity for its approved laboratories. Mechanical laboratory recognition has recently grown to nine laboratories and there are currently two materials laboratories. 

In response to the survey findings, WRAS is working on improvements to help manufacturers. It is:

• Sharing customer feedback with its recognised test laboratories.
• Introducing a fast-track service to help applicants achieve certification faster, once testing is complete.
• Introducing a new streamlined process so WRAS issues test requirements up front. This will be rolled out by product type and water storage was the first category, with WC’s being the next later this year.
• Working with current recognised laboratories to expand the scope of testing.
• Working with new laboratories to further expand the number of recognised laboratories.
• Encouraging manufacturers to seek recognition for their own testing facilities.

“We appreciate the feedback and insights provided by the survey respondents,” said Ian Hughes, Approvals Manager at WRAS. “WRAS is driven to find solutions to reduce testing times, which is why we are constantly looking for more laboratories to recognise. By broadening our network of recognised laboratories, manufacturers gain a wider range of testing options. This should increase testing capacity and improve time to test.”

“We would also like to thank our team at WRAS, who have worked tirelessly over the past year to provide excellent services to our customers and constantly strive to improve.”

WRAS Approvals would like to thank everyone who participated in the recent WRAS testing survey. This feedback was greatly appreciated and will play a vital role in driving improvements that manufactures said they would value.

Online bathroom retailer Victoria Plum has announced its first TV ad campaign featuring the company’s brand ambassador, TV and radio presenter Helen Skelton, will go live on Monday, 7 August.

The four 30-second ads will be broadcast on Sky and Channel 4’s video on demand service. Victoria Plum will also support the TV campaign with a range of online advertising and paid and organic social media activity.

The ads feature Helen in a room set with a range of Victoria Plum products with each edit having a humorous payoff line which she delivers, including her unscripted dropping of a rubber duck.

Victoria Plum marketing director, Nigel Hunter, said: “We chose Helen as our first ever brand ambassador because her vibrant and authentic personality reflects our values and resonates with our customers.

“She has been an absolute pleasure to work with since day one. Our TV ads capture her personality, raise a smile and communicate how we want to enable our customers to realise their bathroom dreams as easily as possible.”

The initial concept for the TV ad campaign was created by Victoria Plum’s inhouse marketing team which was then developed by Leeds-based creative agency Supersonic. The four ads were directed by Chris Bartle and produced by Active Pictures, which is also based in Leeds.

Victoria Plum is the UK’s largest online only bathroom retailer. The company employs around 400 people and has sales of £113m.

For further information on the company, visit www.victoriaplum.com

Northern Ireland bathroom brand Aqualla Adamsez has appointed Ruth Black as its new managing director, following Steven Allaway stepping down from the role.

Says Allaway, “Ruth’s experience will be invaluable in understanding all aspects of our industry. She will work closely with me in the coming months to ensure a smooth transition as we continue to support our customers, suppliers, and colleagues and shares Aqualla’s values of customer-centricity and strong company culture.”

Having worked in the KBB sector for over 30 years, Ruth is excited to take on this role and stated, “I am delighted to join Aqualla Adamsez, a business I’ve respected as a customer for years. I look forward to working with this wonderful team and delivering continued growth.

“I want to express my gratitude to our customers and colleagues for their unwavering support, which has contributed to our thriving business and the employment of over 60 people. I have the utmost confidence in the team’s ability to maintain our high standards and drive future growth.”

Group CEO Fredrik Skarp comments, “I am pleased to welcome Ruth Black as the new managing director for Aqualla Brassware. It has been an exciting recruitment process, with many strong candidates being highly motivated to join our team. With Ruth, we have found the right skills and mindset to lead the Aqualla and Adamsez business to the next level as leading bathroom brands in the United Kingdom and Ireland together with all our dedicated team members, customers, and suppliers.

“At the same time, I would like to take the opportunity to share my greatest appreciation to Steven Allaway, who steps down as managing director after building the business successfully for many years. Ruth takes up the position from 1 September and works alongside Steven during the Autumn to ensure a smooth transition for all parties involved. Once more, warmest welcome to Ruth and most thanks to Steven.”

The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation is set to launch a dedicated Careers Support Desk to attract GCSE and A-Level students in to the KBB industry as part of the institute’s ongoing strategy to close the skills gap and drive change across the sector.

As Results Day looms for thousands of 16–19-year-olds across the UK, BiKBBI’s Careers Support Desk, delivered in conjunction with The Apprenticeship Partner, will provide a much-needed vehicle to signpost ambitious young people that are contemplating their futures towards the opportunities that a career in KBB installations can bring.

The BiKBBI Careers Support Desk will enable young people interested in exploring a career in installation to connect directly with dedicated advisors that can provide them with an insight into the Level 2 Fitted Furniture Installer apprenticeship, as well as information on training providers, and assistance with finding employment. The Support Desk will be promoted via BiKBBI’s digital and social media platforms, working with a number of strategic partners to help reach young people across the UK.

A vocational apprenticeship route offers young people an outstanding opportunity to gain respected skill-based qualifications, learn about real-world business management, and achieve great career outcomes without a lifetime of debt. These qualifications serve as a testament to the qualified apprentice’s expertise and readiness, giving them a competitive edge in the KBB installation sector. A research paper published by the House of Commons in February this year reported that the number of people starting apprenticeships increased by 9% in 2021/2022, whilst UCAS figures show a decline in the number of people applying to universities in 2023.

BiKBBI CEO Damian Walters commented continued ‘This change in behaviour is good news for those industries reliant on vocational courses and suffering from skills shortages, but it does mean that it is more important than ever that the KBB sector is visible and able to compete for future talent. Bringing young people into our sector is critical. On top of a well-publicised skills gap crisis, we have an ageing workforce which will only lead to further challenges and labour shortages in the future. The Fitted Furniture Installer course is a fairly new pathway, and most school and college leavers will not be aware of the course and therefore might be thinking their options are limited to more traditional qualifications such as plumbing or carpentry. The BiKBBI Careers Support Desk is just one of a number of initiatives we are delivering to increase the profile of the qualification, attract fresh talent and encourage employers to embrace apprenticeships within our sector.’

Following the launch of the BiKBBI Careers Support Desk, which will go live on Monday 7th August 2023, BiKBBI also has plans for a follow up campaign whereby its education advisor, The Apprenticeship Partner, will seek potential employers that match the needs of budding apprentices.

Hannah Hockley, managing director of The Apprenticeship Partner and Chair of the BiKBBI Education Steering Committee said ‘There will be thousands of education leavers that are undecided about their futures at the moment, and it is really important for them and the KBB industry that we highlight the career opportunities that the installation sector can bring. We want to go further than leafleting at careers events and posting ads on social media, and what we are creating is an opportunity for young people to have a conversation with a real person that can offer meaningful guidance, at a time and place that suits them. The KBB installation sector, and the wider KBB industry, provides a vast range of opportunities and we believe this approach will go some way to promoting the possibilities to a fresh pool of talent.’

For more information on the BiKBBI Careers Support Desk, contact hannah@theapprenticeshippartner.co.uk. To find out how you can support BiKBBI in driving positive change in the KBB installation sector, email michelle.daniels@bikbbi.org.uk.

After a successful partnership launch at the end of May, Ideal Bathrooms and Harrison Bathrooms will now be the exclusive distributor of the Scudo heating range.  The range includes a comprehensive portfolio incorporating contemporary heated towel rails and radiators, anthracite and carbon designer towel warmers, and traditional raw metal designs.

Shaun Corcoran, Scudo commercial director, comments: ‘Thanks to the advancement of the Scudo heating collection, there is no longer a need to prioritise function over style. Consumers are now looking for heating products to complement their bathroom and other areas in the home to create a unique focal point. Customers now have additional accessibility to these products through Ideal Bathrooms, providing superior service and unmatched delivery timeframes.’

Stewart Perry, Ideal Bathrooms head of digital and Marketing, commented, “We are delighted to extend our Scudo offering to include their heating products. Scudo has been extremely well received by our customers, so we are delighted to offer an enhanced portfolio of products at a great price”.

Since the partnership announcement, both companies’ customers have benefitted from Ideal Bathrooms’ exceptional service, no minimum order value and next-day delivery service promise to 99% of the UK.