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iKBBI NEWS
BLUM SUPPORTS iACADEMY
Industry fittings manufacturing giant and long-term supporters of the iKBBI Blum, has pledged its support for the newly launched iKBBI iAcademy by agreeing to become sponsor. The 3-year deal to sponsor the iAcademy coincides perfectly with Blum’s own training & development ethos. The iAcademy will feature a portal that links through to Blum’s training & development programme both online, and at their incredible, state-of-theart HQ in Milton Keynes. iKBBI CEO Damian Walters said, “Blum has always been a staunch supporter of the iKBBI since the very beginning and its sponsorship of the iAcademy is simply an extension of the ongoing support as we jointly focus on the training & development of professional installers.” He continued, “Blum understands that education is a vital ingredient to the future success of the industry and has invested heavily in its own initiatives. The support of the iAcademy simply demonstrates its total commitment to installation and I’m delighted and grateful of Blum’s continued support of the institute."
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CLASSIC MARBLE RENEWS iKBBI SPONSORSHIP
Founder iKBBI sponsor Classic Marble has renewed its sponsorship with the institute for a further three years. The Northern Irish based company is renowned for its award winning Classi Seal product which is a flexible waterproof upstand for sealing baths, showers and worktops quickly, simply and effectively and its CM Seal Tanking Kit. Speaking on behalf of Classic Marble, Director Christopher Hackett said, “The enormous strides the team at the institute have made in recent years especially have been remarkable. This is reflected in the growth in membership and importantly, acceptance by the industry of the organisation being a serious player with genuine influence. All of us here at Classic Marble are proud of the fact that we could see the potential and committed to be founder sponsors. We look forward to a mutually beneficial three more years together.” Speaking on behalf of the iKBBI, CEO Damian Walters said. “We are greatly indebted to all of our sponsors and the founder ones in particular for placing their trust in us as a fledgling organisation. Classic Marble is an iKBBI stalwart and we thank its team for their continued support.”
‘GLOBAL’ UBM BECOMES AN OFFICIAL IKBBI SPONSOR
The iKBBI staged another coup when one of the worlds leading business-tobusiness event organisers, UBM, agreed to become an official sponsor. The 3-year deal to sponsor the institute will see both parties enjoy the mutual benefits of their collaboration. The agreement commits the institute to participating at relevant kitchen, bedroom and bathroom market leading trade fairs that UBM organise over the term of the sponsorship. The trade shows affecting the iKBBI include: K & B Design in March 2017 and KBB Birmingham 2018. iKBBI CEO Damian Walters said, “It speaks volumes that industry giants like UBM recognise our importance to their visitors at these key trade shows. We are indebted to them for showing their faith and support in us and I look forward to sharing successful shows over the term of the sponsorship.” Speaking on behalf of UBM, Marketing Manager Rebecca Wynn said, “The iKBBI has been involved in the KBB related shows at UBM for many years now and we have witnessed the growth of the iKBBI. I feel that we have the perfect platforms across our exhibition portfolio for the institute to further expand its membership whilst at the same time they can deliver growth in our visitor attendance, it’s a ‘win-win’ situation for us all.” “The iKBBI has been
Rebecca Wynn
involved in the KBB related shows at UBM for many years now and we have witnessed the growth of the iKBBI. I feel that we have the perfect platforms across our exhibition portfolio for the institute to further expand its membership whilst at the same time they can deliver growth in our visitor attendance, it’s a ‘win-win’ situation for us all.”
WINNER!
Winner of the competition in our Winter issue for a Vitra Select whiteflush panel, M-Line wall-hung Rim-Ex WC with Vitra Fresh, and a soft-closing matching seat worth over £500 is Chris Chappel of Pro Plumbing in Hertfordshire. Chris has been a member of the iKBBI for six years now and was delighted to receive his prize he said "This is a cracking piece of kit, I'm well chuffed" a great endorsement of the quality of Vitra's prize. Why not enter our summer issue competition, its so easy, just click on the link on the competition page number 29.
ANOTHER INNOVATION AWARD FOR IKBBI’S FOUNDER SPONSOR
Founder Sponsor of the iKBBI, Classic Marble, has strengthened its industry reputation by winning yet another ‘Product Innovation Award’ at Northern Ireland’s Plumbing and Heating awards 2016. Competition for the Innovation award was fierce with eight companies shortlisted in the category. The award was presented for Classic Marble’s Highly Commended CM Seal tanking kit which is a bathroom waterproofing product that’s specially designed for showering areas, including standard tray installations or for a bath with an overhead shower. It’s extremely installerfriendly and can be fitted in under an hour and tiled upon immediately. The prestigious award ceremony was held in June at the Hilton Hotel in Belfast and was hosted by broadcaster Lynda Bryans; it was attended by some 300 guests. Speaking after the event, a delighted Christopher Hackett who is a Director of Classic Marble commented “It is great to be picking up an innovation award for another of our bathroom waterproofing products, the entire team at Classic Marble will be so proud to learn that yet again their hard work in taking a new and innovative product to market has been recognised by our industry peers” Classic Marble is no stranger to winning Innovation awards; in 2008 they won the UK Housing Product of the Year for its Classi Seal product.
