8 minute read
Industry news
NEW MEREWAY BATHROOM GRAPHICS LAUNCH IN ARTICAD SOFTWARE
CAD software specialist and technology innovator for the KBB industry, ArtiCAD, announces that the entire range of Mereway bathroom products, including all the different colours and textures, are now available as a comprehensive graphics catalogue in the ArtiCAD-Pro software. Although Mereway and ArtiCAD have worked together closely for many years (under the auspices of ArtiCAD’s Supplier Partnership Programme), this is the first time that Mereway bathroom graphics have been included. Tony McNeally, National Sales & Marketing Manager, Mereway: “More and more of our retailers are moving into selling bathrooms as well as their well-established kitchen business. We are finding that there is much more crossover between kitchen and bathroom retailers nowadays and this meant that for us, it really was the right time to invest in this particular aspect of our relationship with ArtiCAD. And, we are delighted with the results and the quality of the graphics.” Mereway has established a strong reputation for innovative fitted bathrooms with a huge selection of colours and textures, including three shades of grey and two shades of concrete. “We have more options than most of our competitors, including offering matching cabinet and door fronts – whereas most suppliers just offer white cabinets regardless of the colour of the doors. Our commitment to innovation and the wide choices we offer are showcased to perfection in the new ArtiCAD graphics catalogue.”
Advertisement
www.articad.com
VITRA EXPANDS UK HEAD OFFICE IN OXFORDSHIRE
VitrA UK has added 10,000 sq. ft of additional space to its UK premises in Didcot. The new space will provide additional showroom facilities and storage needed to meet the company’s impressive growth. “The extensive range of products and the support that we offer UK retailers and our contract customers means that we need extra space,” says UK MD Levent Giray. “It is a clear indication that VitrA is providing what the UK bathroom market wants. Our recent Fit and Forget wall frames campaign and the launch of the new Signature Collection have both helped to boost UK business.” VitrA has built a successful business for over 25 years in the UK, building a solid reputation for great quality product, ground breaking design and unrivalled customer service. The company, which includes VitrA Bathrooms, burgbad and VitrA Tiles, works with a network of well-respected distributor partners underpinning the substantial retail network of partners. The new facility will accommodate stock for anticipated growth “We see a bright future ahead for the bathroom industry - the planned boost for house building will increase demand and this expansion means that we are ready to supply the market.” Concludes Levent.
www.vitra.co.uk
BETTE LAUNCHES NEW EASY, FAST FIT SHOWER TRAY SUPPORT – WITH ‘TRY IT FOR FREE’ PROMOTION UNTIL THE END OF FEBRUARY 2019
Bette has launched a new pre-attached shower tray support that makes it easy and fast to install its glazed titanium-steel shower trays, and is offering retailers and installers the opportunity to ‘try it for free’ until 28th February 2019. The new Minimum Support can be ordered pre-attached to any BetteFloor, BetteFloor Side or BetteUltra shower tray and is then simply glued to the screed or wooden floor using a standard installation adhesive, non-pressing construction foam or silicone. The new format will save fitters time, as well as simplifying ordering. The special promotion means that retailers and installers can try the new Minimum Support for free with the purchase of any of the 132 BetteFloor, BetteFloor Side or BetteUltra shower trays. Only the shower tray itself has to be paid for. The free support promotion is available on orders placed by 28.02.2019, with how to order details available on special flyers or by emailinginfo@Bette. co.uk. Comments Bette UK Country Manager, Samantha Wake: “We wanted to simplify the fitting and ordering of Bette’s ultra-flat shower trays and shower areas, to make it easy and fast for retailers and installers. Our new Minimum Support means that all the advantages of Bette glazed titaniumsteel shower trays, including durability, ease of cleaning, range of sizes, colours and 30 year warranty, are now available in a new easyfit format, that will save installers time. The new pre-attached support also provides excellent sound insulation and with this promotion there is the chance to try it for free.” For more information on the new Minimum Support, including an installation video, plus all the advantages of Bette glazed titaniumsteel shower trays, please go to : www.bette.co.uk or tel: 0844 800 0547.
THE BUDGET - A BRIEF LOOK AT HOW CHANGES WILL EFFECT SELFEMPLOYED INSTALLERS
The self-employed/ contractors Hundreds of thousands of private-sector contractors face higher tax and National Insurance (NI) bills from April 2020. The chancellor announced that tighter tax rules for those working in the public sector will be extended to those working for private firms. For IR35 to apply, you have to work through your own company for another business. If the way you work is similar to an employee of that business, you should pay income tax, and National Insurance (NI) at the 12% rate. Until now many contractors in personal service companies have been paying less tax and NI. However, from April 2020, larger businesses like banks, will take on responsibility for deciding which contractors will need to pay more tax and NI. The rule change will not apply to the smallest 1.5 million businesses. If someone is deemed to be an employee, the firm using the contractor will also have to pay NI for the first time.
Apprenticeships Great news is that the contribution of small companies to the apprenticeship levy is to be reduced from 10% to 5%. This is demonstrates that the government are taking vocational learning seriously and great news for those adopting the apprenticeship revolution! www.bikbbi.org
Hamilton Litestat has further expanded its sales team with the appointment of Sarah Hayes as Northern Business Manager. With more than 25 years in the industry, Sarah has worked both sides of the trade counter, making her well-versed in the needs of national and independent wholesalers. Her extensive experience comes from sales roles within major brands. “I am especially excited to be working for a family-run company with a team of experienced and loyal colleagues,” says Sarah. “My aim is to support the growth of the company and the sales team, and to continue developing the Hamilton brand through communication of its USPs of high-quality products, depth of range and its specialist support and service team. I’m also looking forward to working with all the latest technology and products, such as lighting control and multi-room audio control, communicating this offering to the wholesale client base within the north of England.” Sarah can be contacted at: sarah.hayes@hamilton-litestat.com
A GREAT W EXHIBITION & ELEMENTS FOR BLUM
The recent W Exhibition & Elements at the NEC in Birmingham was a huge success for Blum, with an innovative stand attracting record numbers of visitors. A visit to the Blum cinema – complete with popcorn – introduced training services, support software and assembly devices that Blum offers, alongside the core Blum products; hinges, drawers and lift systems. The main area of the stand was dedicated to assembly devices which Blum supplies to save time and make life easier for manufacturers and fitters. The EASYSTICK assembly device was the star of the show, demonstrating how simple it is to manufacture hinges with total precision. When used in conjunction with Blum’s Cabinet Configurator, and MINIPRESS, its enables easy to produce drilling patterns, do line drilling, and drill holes for cabinet profiles, front fixings, hinges etc. Whether workshop based or a user of CNC machines using EASYSTICK will free up time and help to speed up the manufacturing process. Many visitors left eagerly anticipating the launch of EASYSTICK & Cabinet Configurator. Also on display and being demonstrated were a number of other assembly devices, jigs, templates, and machines, all available from the Blum Kit Store (www.blumkit.co.uk), which could be ordered on the stand, with free delivery. Matthew Glanfield, Technical Manager at Blum UK explains: “The cinematic experience lured a high number of visitors to the stand. The main feature captivated our audiences whilst telling our story of support and launching the new Blum 2018 catalogue, arguably our most comprehensive ever. The experience also raised the awareness of our Kit Store and the free training offered by Blum UK at Milton Keynes.”
www.blum.com
INSIGNIA ANNOUNCES NEW SHOWER RANGES
After many months of planning, shower cabin specialist manufacturer, Insignia, has launched five new product ranges – Premium, Platinum, Monochrome, Noire and Kids. The company states that the new products are unique shower designs that have the customer in mind, this meant a massive overhaul of its entire range of products. Each of the new ranges are leak free. The innovative new Insignia LeakFree system captures all water and diverts it via the inbuilt channels to the waste pipe. They are also manufactured with its new QuickClick system that simply clicks the front frame together meaning the entire cabin can be erected in just one hour. All new showers in the core range can be fully customized, a benefit highlighted by Insignia MD, Leon Maclean who said, “In order to make something unique, we had to listen to our customers and that’s where we came up with the credo, ‘You design it, Insignia build it’
www.insigniarange.co.uk
