SPONSOR NEWS

Shower manufacturer Aqualisa has introduced its own exciting new, high quality range of brassware to reinforce its position as a leading UK bathroom brand. A new bath shower mixer tap with a ‘microphone’ handset has been added to the existing Aqualisa basin mixer tap and deck mounted bath filler to create the new Uptown range.

The range primarily aims to meet the requirements of the housebuilder and developer marketplace which looks to provide a coordinated bathroom look and give specifiers and designers the ability to source and select bathroom products from a single reliable and quality source. Equally, Uptown taps provide an attractive, standalone brassware range for wider market options.

Aqualisa CEO Colin Sykes believes the bath shower mixer completes the Uptown range, immediately making it a better proposition for specifiers and designers: “These specialists are constantly looking for options and upgrades from recognised, trusted brands that suit a variety of bathroom configurations. The wider range of Uptown brassware paves the way for our introduction of more tap variants later in the year.”

Competitively priced, Uptown taps can be matched with the Mian DCV mixer range to create a contemporary and stylish suite of bathroom brassware, the ideal proposition for new-build installations and refurbishment projects. Suitable for all approved UK plumbing systems, the small and large Uptown single lever monobloc basin taps include a push-open waste while the bath shower mixer features a sleek, robust body, smooth turn levers and integrated diverter, with all components supplied in one box and guaranteed for 5 years. It has a competitive RRP of £155.00 excluding VAT.

‘UPTOWN’ RANGE MOVES AQUALISA SMOOTHLY INTO BRASSWARE MARKETPLACE

The Uptown range will be followed by two additional ranges of brassware in the Autumn opening the way for some stylish shower and tap combinations for the modern bathroom. “The Uptown range”, according to Colin Sykes, “introduces quality brassware to the established Aqualisa portfolio and is very much a new business opportunity for us. These are exciting times for the Aqualisa brand and a strong brassware offering will only enhance our sector credentials in the months and years ahead,” he adds.

www.aqualisa.co.uk

IDS MAKES STRATEGIC APPOINTMENTS WITH NEW DUAL OPERATIONS DIRECTORS

Specialist surface materials distributor IDS has re-shaped its senior management team with the promotion of Sara Jones to Operations Director (North) and the appointment of Alex Rees as Operations Director (South).

Previously one role, the new positions reflect the depth and breadth of the IDS portfolio in worksurfaces, laminates, solid surfacing, flooring, wall and ceiling panels and panel products, together with the scale of its operations from 18 branches across the UK to service its extensive customer base in retail, contract and commercial manufacturing.

Sara originally joined the business in 1994 as a Trade Counter Assistant and progressing to hold the position of Regional Director since 2011. In her new role she will have full responsibility for five distribution sites across the North of England, as well as the production facility and digital business at Parkhouse at Stoke. Prior to joining IDS, Alex gained nine years’ experience with a number of Saint-Gobain owned businesses operating in the building materials industry, including Jewson, Gibbs & Dandy, Normans and British Gypsum.

In his new position at the surface materials distributor, Alex will be responsible for sales and operations at 11 branches in the south of England.

www.idsurfaces.co.uk

Alex Rees, Operations Director (South).

Sara Jones, Operations Director (North)

IDS ADDS WALNUT WOODGRAIN TO ITS TUSCAN SOLID WOOD WORKSURFACES COLLECTION

The IDS Tuscan solid wood worksurfaces collection has been enhanced with a new engineered walnut option that will deliver the same luxurious looks as solid timber but at a more affordable price point.

The worksurface features a 3mm surface layer of prime quality walnut bonded to a 24mm thick chipboard core and is precision finished on all edges. The thinner layer of wood delivers premium grade aesthetics, while also being a more sustainable use of natural resources.

The worktop is also lighter in weight to transport, handle and install on site. The walnut worksurfaces are available in two sizes of 3000 x 650 x 27mm and 2400 x 950 x 27mm and are supplied with two types of edging strips. Along the front edge, they run linear along the length and on the short edges provide an end grain effect, making the worktops indistinguishable from the look and feel of solid walnut.

Engineered Walnut is now part of the 14-strong Tuscan solid wood worktop range which offers a selection of whitewashed, stained and classic timbers including European Oak, Walnut, Iroko, Brown Ash and Country Beech. There are also four pre-oiled oak options in clear or stained finishes of Chalk, Fossil and Espresso Oak. Thicknesses start from a slimline 26mm through to 60mm and lengths from 1.2m to 4m. Matching upstands are also available for all species and colours. The Oak, Walnut, Ash and Beech Tuscan timbers are fully FSC® and PEFC™ certified with Iroko complying with EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) requirements, underlining the range’s environmental credentials.

www.tuscanworksurfaces.co.uk

SALES OF ROMAN'S THREE PART CLEANING SYSTEM BOOM

Shower designer and manufacturer, Roman, saw a rapid return to previous levels of output after lockdown restrictions were lifted. But times are now clearly different.

Although Roman has embraced and promoted bathroom hygiene for decades, it’s now never been more important since COVID-19 broke into our lives. However, apart from regular cleaning agents, domestic bathroom hygiene products are possibly consumers least considered bathroom product.

Consumer research conducted in 2018 by the BMA concluded that hygiene was one of the key purchasing considerations. Hygiene has always been a core pillars in the design process of Roman’s products. Subsequently, all ranges are coated with Roman Ultra Care which seals the glass for longterm optical clarity and also benefits the end-user in the fact that it is easy-clean

Roman say that sales are rocketing for Roman’s 3-part cleaning system for glass that may have discoloured or gone grey with age and use. This works on any glass around the house, not just showers. The first cream cleanses and takes the glass back to its original clean form; the second is exactly the protective glass coating factory applied by Roman; and the third is simply the Ultra Care product for ongoing cleaning and care.

Roman’s Liberty range features a genuine hygiene breakthrough by eliminating the need for any silicone on the vertical wall fixings. Instead, a hydro-active tape system, compresses inside the aluminium profiles during installation and seals fully from the inside of the profile. This negates the need for any vertical silicone which transforms the www.roman-showers.com

look and maintenance on what are minimal framed products with specialist coloured metal finishes – no longer plastered in discolouring sealant.

DESIGNED TO INSPIRE

Vitra Publishes New Dedicated Brochures for Both Retailers and Consumers

Based on market research and customer feedback, VitrA has taken a new approach to its product literature for both the Designer Collection and Bathroom Collection by publishing a consumerfocused brochure and a separate brochure for use by showroom staff.

The consumer brochures are packed with inspiring lifestyle imagery and innovative ideas, making it easy for them to make an informed choice. The technical information is kept simple, with just the essential product dimensions. The brochure for retail showrooms is more technical with exact sizes, technical drawings plus clear information about colours and product features.

The Designer Collection brochures feature ranges designed in collaboration with top name designers such as Arik Levy, Noa, Ross Lovegrove, Sebastian Conran, Terri Pecora, Claudio Bellini, and Matteo Thun, as well as ranges designed by the VitrA in-house design team. This includes the new range Voyage by Arik Levy. The collection focuses on clean, modern, minimalist design. The Bathroom Collection brochures feature comprehensive ranges to suit domestic and commercial settings, including the popular S50, Integra and Valarte ranges. The consumer version also includes striking inspirational pages laid out in mood-board styles like Gadget Heaven, Country Classic and Small Spaces.

“We understand how confusing it can be for consumers to choose the right products for their new bathroom and by separating the information, we can help to bring some clarity and make the decision making that bit easier. Equally, the retailers can provide excellent customer service by having technical information at their fingertips.” explains Marketing Manager Margaret Talbot. “Consumers want to see the products and be inspired – apart from the basic dimensions and colours options, other technical information is less relevant for them, and importantly it encourages them to discuss the design with their retailer or installer. The new brochure format concentrates on looks to create the perfect, life-enhancing modern bathroom.”

The new brochures can be seen online at