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INDUSTRY NEWS BY kbbreview
MHK APPOINTS NEW CHAIRMAN AFTER FOUNDER PASSES AWAY
Following the death of Founder and Chairman Hans Strothoff in August, buying group MHK has appointed Werner Heilos as its new Chairman.
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Strothoff had a long and successful career and before founding the buying group MHK in 1980 had worked for Finnish furniture company Asko and Designo in Stuttgart.
Prof Rainer Kirchdörfer, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the MHK Group AG, with the MHK board of directors, presented details of the future management of the MHK Group to its employees at a memorial ceremony.
Kirchdörfer said: “Hans Strothoff has decreed that the MHK Group will remain together in its entirety.”
As executor of the will, Kirchdörfer will implement Strothoff’s ideas and wishes – and thus the new structure, which consists of the establishment and staffing of a foundation.
Kirchdörfer continued: “The individual MHK companies will be listed directly or indirectly under the future foundation. For the employees and shareholders of the MHK Group, this new structure will not result in any noticeable changes.”
The board of directors will be made up of six members. The majority of the board has remained the same, but new board member Donald Schieren has been promoted to Werner Heilos’s former procurement role as Heilos takes up the role as Chairman.
The board consists of: Wolfgang Becker, central settlement system, payment risk and business management; Frank Bermbach, banking and financial services; Dr Olaf Hoppelshäuser, sales, logistics and facility management; Kirk Mangels, marketing and corporate communication and Donald Schieren, procurement marketing. Heilos will handle strategic direction, human resources, finance and legal affairs.
Heilos said: “Entirely in the spirit of Hans Strothoff, we will continue to manage the MHK Group in the usual manner and jointly expand our market leadership.”
Kirchdörfer added: “From my discussions with the various committees, I can report how unanimously these decisions were welcomed by all sides. This, too, is a clear signal of the cohesion within the MHK Group. The management board and the supervisory board will coordinate very closely and as a team will do everything in their power to lead the MHK Group into the future in the spirit of Hans Strothoff.”
COMPUSOFT’S NEW PRODUCT NAVIGATOR AIMS TO MAKE UPSELLING EASIER
CAD specialist Compusoft has launched it a new Product Navigator to help showrooms upsell by allowing products to be searched and compared easily.
The new function is within Winner Design and it allows users to search using key product attributes and compare all appropriate matches side by side. The new tool has a variety of useful sales materials, which will allow a designer to answer any questions clients may have.
Product Navigator is webenabled and can be accessed anywhere, including a tablet device, which frees up designers to move around the showroom with a customer.
Compusoft UK Managing Director Alex Ainge said: “Our customers have told us that they need to have the fantastic sales information available in Winner Design at their fingertips, as they walk through their showroom.
“Product Navigator does just that. By using the data from our catalogues, this sales tool improves upselling kitchen products, making it easier for customers to see and compare different products.”
Other key functions include a comparison view, where you can look at different brands side-byside to compare specifications.
Media content includes extra sales materials for products, such as videos, website links and technical drawings. There is also a wish list function, where a customer’s favourite products can be added and found easily.
All of these new features integrated into Winner Design, which means products can be directly imported into a design, quotation and order list in one step.
AMERICAN KBIS SHOW WILL BE ONLINE ONLY
The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) has announced that its Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) will now be fully virtual.
The in-person event that was scheduled to take place on February 9-11, 2021, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, has been cancelled. The show would have run alongside the International Builders’ Show (IBS), organised by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
The NKBA says that the health and safety of the exhibitors, attendees, partners and employees remains is its top priority. The organisation is confident it will be able to host a live event in February 8-10, 2022 at the same venue.
The current coronavirus restrictions in Florida and the USA have imposed limitations on large gatherings and travelling. There are also companyimposed travel restrictions on employees affecting attendees and participating companies.
The international KBIS show will take place online during the second week in February and will offer interactive and immersive events. Registration will be free for all NKBA members.
The NKBA released a statement on its website saying: “The cancellation of the live event is due to continuing developments related to the Covid-19 pandemic, including current government restrictions and limitations on large gatherings imposed by states and other local government and public health authorities; the inability of KBIS’s international community to travel to the show due to quarantine requirements and travel bans; and the various company-imposed travel restrictions on employees affecting attendees and participating companies. “Despite cancelling our inperson February 2021 show, we are committed to keeping us all connected. As part of this commitment, we will be launching a virtual show and events platform during the second week of February that will offer interactive and immersive experiences for both exhibitors and attendees from wherever they are in the world.”
AMA PRAISES BATHROOM MANUFACTURERS’ ‘TEAM SPIRIT’ AS SALES RESILIENT DURING PANDEMIC
The latest report from AMA Research said the bathroom products market remained resilient during the coronavirus pandemic thanks to the industry’s ‘team spirit’ and the “diversity of its distribution channels”.
This diversity, it added, enabled bathroom manufacturers to “maximise both domestic and commercial opportunities and focus on the more beneficial route as demand requires”.
The report (Bathroom Market Report – UK 2020-2024) also said that the future of manufacturing companies will be driven not just by their products, but how they are perceived by the public in their response to the Covid-19 crisis.
This, said AMA Research, was built on core products well suited to the supply-andbuild and healthcare sectors, meaning they were able to secure contracts directly with key developers, helping the NHS cope with the increasing pressure from the volume of Covid-19 patients by providing ventilation equipment and PPE, as well as special pipe for emergency medical use in high-profile projects such as the Royal Marsden and the Nightingale hospitals.
The industry also provided plumbing and drainage products for urgent repair and maintenance work, including at RAF and Royal Navy facilities. Some companies, said AMA Research, even donated their own PPE stock where they had surpluses, as well as supporting the community through local charity donations. AMA Research said that with the requirements for social distancing and safety in the workplace for both the bathroom and construction industries, it was unlikely there would be a return to ‘normality’ until late 2021, if there is one at all.
Report Editor Michelle Turner praised “the sense of camaraderie and team spirit that has resonated throughout the bathroom industry”.
She added that “as a result of Covid-19, allies and competitors alike have been working together to protect their businesses, their industry and their economy overall, showing the resilience and importance of some of the products within the UK bathroom market today”.
She concluded: “Companies can feel proud that they are truly adaptable in the face of adversity. It can be seen very clearly within this market and this is what will help protect the market and its companies going forward.”
The report anticipated that the value of the UK bathroom market would recover, albeit at a slow to moderate pace in the short term.
It also suggested that market value would be influenced not only by the cumulative effects of Covid-19, but also current and further expected currency fluctuations as a result of Brexit proceedings from the start of 2021.
AMA Research said it expected stronger market performance towards the end of 2024.
Some retailers may be forced to consider how much retail space they need as consumer habits change, but demand will remain strong, according to Neil Clark, Managing Director of Franke UK.
As many KBB designers are working from home and offering a new virtual service, many retailers may evaluate their space and decide to close studios, Clark believes. However, he also says that the physical retail experience cannot be replaced.
Clark said: “While nothing replaces the bricks-and-mortar experience, I do think many retailers will be evaluating how much retail space they really need if they can sell and operate differently. My view is that inevitably there will be fewer studios, but not fewer people in the market, just more of doing things differently.”
The Franke MD has commended showrooms and retailers for adapting to these changing times so quickly and using their creativity to engage with customers. Design consultations and presentations are now frequently done via videoconference, which both designers and customers have adapted to.
Clark said: “Covid is causing everyone to do things differently. Not least kitchen retailers, who are stepping up to the plate and adapting in impressive ways.
Neil Clark, Managing Director of Franke UK
They are being more creative in how to get their message across, using technology platforms for design and presentation, while enhancing social media, website and marketing activity.”
Sales have been recovering after sales fell off for six months between March and September. Franke UK reports that studio business has come back strongly, but the house-builder market has not bounced back so well.
“Six months ago, sales fell off a cliff for everyone, but they are now recovering,” said Clark. “Across the Franke group, I have been monitoring other countries in Europe who were ahead of us to lock down and then open up again and our markets in Italy, Germany and France have come back really strongly. I am very encouraged by this picture and while we sold very little for a couple of months here in the UK, demand is still there and the overall balance for this year is looking quite positive.”
THREE NEW WREN STORES BRING TOTAL TO 99
Kitchen retailer Wren has opened two more stores, with a third scheduled for later this week.
The new stores have opened in Mansfield and Altrincham, with Oldham coming on stream on Friday, October 9
The new Mansfield store opened its doors on Friday, September 18 was the chain’s 97th. It has 64 kitchen displays and created 18 jobs locally. City Mayor Andy Abrahams was there to cut the ribbon (main pic) and was presented with a £500 donation towards his 500 Fund, which helps local community projects.
Cllr Abrahams said: “I am delighted that Wren Kitchens has come to Mansfield – I am confident they will be a success. This is a very exciting time to be locating here with £50 million being invested in the town centre and with the council and many developers building homes all around the district.”
The store has a dedicated design studio using its own dual-screen 3D design software, as well as a dedicated VR studio where customers can experience their new kitchen using virtual reality, allowing them to walk around inside it and open doors and drawers. Mansfield Showroom Manager Andrew Hallam has 25 years’ experience as a retail manager. He said: “We’re proud to be bringing the Wren brand to the Mansfield community as the nearest showrooms are some distance away in Nottingham and Derby.”
Altrincham is Wren’s 98th store and has 57 displays, creating 20 jobs. The 15,000sq ft store has two VR screens and a design studio for local architects and designers to use.
Altrincham Showroom Manager Alan Evans has 20 years’ experience as a retail manager. He said: “We’re proud to be launching our state-of-theart showroom in the heart of Altrincham, and no matter where people are with their kitchen renovation project, we’re confident we can support them with expert advice, as well as inspire them with design tips to help create their dream kitchen.”
The Oldham store, its 99th, will open later this week and the chain’s 100th store is scheduled to open next month in Greenwich.
Wren kitchens employs around 5,500 people across all of its sites and is a family-run business.
Industry News
supplied by NEW BOOST FOR KBBREVIEW’S SAVE OUR SKILLS CAMPAIGN
Save Our Skills, the kbbreview campaign aimed at helping anyone made redundant in the kbb sector has stepped up a gear with a new podcast and sponsorship.
The Save Our Skills podcast will feature as a series of bonus episodes with The kbbreview Podcast – the show launched at the start of the lockdown in March. The SOS episodes will looks specifically at practical advice for industry job seekers.
The first show examines CVs and covering letters with Franke UK Head of HR Louise Holloway.
You can listen by using the player at the bottom of this page of by searching ‘kbbreview’ in your podcast app of choice.
Quooker has also signed up to continue its vital sponsorship of the Save Our Skills campaign.
“We’re delighted to continue to support this fantastic initiative,” said Quooker UK MD Stephen Johnson. “It’s so important that the kbb industry keeps as much of the experience, skills and knowledge as it can at this really crucial time. This is just part of the range of initiatives Quooker is doing to support the sector and I hope it inspires others to work together for the common good.”
The main feature of the Save Our Skills campaign is the weekly e-mail sent to the whole industry that showcases those seeking new roles. Since its inception, nearly 60% of those featured have found new jobs.
“We are really proud of everything Save Our Skills has achieved so far,” said kbbreview Managing Editor Andrew Davies. “But, as we approach the end of the furlough scheme, we want to make sure we not only continue, but also grow what we can do.
“The new podcast episodes will give insightful, practical advice and the e-mails will keep going out every week to show the talent that’s out there for the taking.
“I really urge anyone who has been made redundant – or know anyone who has – to go to the website and think about putting themselves forward. It really does work and I really must thank Quooker for all their support, it really makes Save Our Skills happen.”
The see all the candidates so far, and to find out about getting involved, go to:
www.kbbreview.com/saveourskills
HOMEBASE TRIALS NEW HIGH-STREET KITCHEN AND BATHROOM SHOWROOM FORMAT
Homebase has launched a new type of high-street showroom dedicated to kitchens and bathrooms. The showroom is dual-branded Bathstore and Kitchens by Homebase.
Originally a Bathstore showroom on Sydenham Road, Guildford, the new concept store offers a full design and installation service. Homebase is offering free 3D design appointments with customers in-store for both kitchen and bathroom projects.
Homebase acquired Bathstore in July 2019 after the bathroom retailer went into administration the month before. Homebase now operates 155 stores and 16 standalone Bathstore stores and is trialling new high-street stores.
This is the second type of new store format that Homebase is trialling. The first new high-street stores were two Decorate by Homebase that were launched in May 2020 in Cheadle and Sutton, which focus on paint, wallpaper, flooring and tiles. Damian McGloughlin, Chief Executive of Homebase, said: “I am extremely proud of the whole team, who have worked so hard to create and launch this new concept store at a time of widespread disruption. We have invested a great deal in the instore experience for customers across the country, which has included experimentation and innovation in new store concepts.
“Roux Kitchens and Copperbridge are fantastic additions to the wide range of products we offer customers to help create the latest home trends. The kitchen is the heart of the home, and we’re looking forward to helping more customers make their dream kitchens a reality.”
The split-level showroom has its ground floor dedicated to Roux and Copperbridge kitchens from Moores, while the first floor is a Bathstore section that has a range of bathroom displays. Homebase offers a selection of leading brands, such as Villeroy and Boch and Duravit on the bathroom side, as well as appliance brands such as Neff, Smeg, Bosch and Kitchenaid.
Homeprojects, Homebase’s installation team, will take on the installation service and fully fit the kitchen or bathroom. The work comes with a two-year workmanship guarantee. Homeprojects, Homebase’s installation team, will take on the installation service and fully fit the kitchen or bathroom. The work comes with a two-year workmanship guarantee.
