INDUSTRY NEWS FROM KBB REVIEW

2020 + COMPUSOFT LAUNCHES GLOBAL DESIGN COMPETITION

KBB design software company 2020 + Compusoft has announced the return of its Global Inspiration Contest for kitchen, bathroom and office designers.

The competition is open from now until May 23, to all users of 2020 Design Live, 2020 Fusion Live, 2020 Office, Winner and Innoplus platforms. The competition is divided into twelve categories and designers will be judged on their creative, functional and aesthetic design skills in each.

The winners will be chosen by a panel of guest judges, including Business of Furniture editor Rob Kirkbride, NKBA director of member relationships Alan Dove, kbbreview editor Rebecca Nottingham, and President of ESPRITMEUBLE Gaëtan Ménard. Grand prizes will also be awarded by the sponsors which include Caesarstone and ARAN Cucine – as well as a ‘Voters’ Choice’ prize based on public votes.

As well as recognition of their design skills from their peers, the winners will receive Amazon gift cards varying between $500 and $1,000 (awarded in the winners’ country currency).

SENSIO LIGHTING LAUNCHES NEW KBB TRAINING ACADEMY

Yorkshire-based kitchen and bathroom lighting supplier, Sensio Lighting, has launched a new academy and mobile training centre aimed at KBB designers and sales teams.

The Sensio Academy is made up of a digital training platform, live online and in-person training programmes, and MICK, the Mobile Illumination Centre for KBB.

Sensio says the aim of the new initiatives is to equip designers with the knowledge to confidently specify lighting in their kitchen, bedroom and bathroom projects. The Sensio Academy’s mission is to deliver on the company’s brand promise of ‘Making Lighting Simple’.

As a bespoke mobile training centre, MICK will be visiting design and sales teams up and down the country to deliver training at retailers’ own premises. “MICK isn’t just a showroom on wheels,” says Oldfield. “We’ve designed this in such a way that when designers come on board, they are participating in a fully immersive experience.

Paul Gerrard (pictured right), an experienced trainer with a background in delivering training within the armed forces and the police force, joined Sensio in the autumn of 2021 to bolster the training team and will be taking the lead in delivering training out in the field via MICK.

ARMAC MARTIN, ROMAN AND THE USED KITCHEN EXCHANGE SELECTED FOR THE QUEEN’S AWARD FOR ENTERPRISE

Three KBB companies have been selected for the Queen’s Award for Enterprise 2022. Armac Martin and Roman have been recognised for their achievements in International Trade, while in the Sustainable Development category, The Used Kitchen Exchange was recognised.

The Queen’s Award for Enterprise acknowledges the best organisations in the UK that have done exceptional work in innovation, international trade, promoting opportunity (through social mobility) and sustainable development.

As part of The Queen’s Award, the awarded businesses will be invited to attend a Reception at Buckingham Palace hosted by HRH The Prince of Wales.

Roman has won the Queen’s Award for International Trade for a second time. The Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, based bathroom manufacturer has said it has done significant growth in the UK and international sectors over the last five years.

David Osborne, chief executive officer of Roman, said: “We are all immensely proud of this huge honour – and to be awarded a second one makes it even more special. The Award is recognised all around the world, and we know that this accolade will further strengthen the Roman brand nationally and internationally.”

Also honoured for its achievements in International Trade is Birmingham-based manufacturer Armac Martin. The fourth-generation family-run company employs 110 people and has 41 hardware collections, available in 23 expert brass finishes.

Commercial director Richard McGrail said: “We are thrilled that Armac Martin has been honoured with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade. As the most renowned British business award a company can receive, this is an incredible accolade for the whole team and is a real testament to the skilled work and dedication of each and every individual.”

Used Kitchen Exchange (UKE) has saved over 12 million kgs of carbon and 40% of carbon emissions coming from households in the UK, making them recognised in the Sustainable Development category in the Queen’s Award.

The 2022 Judging Panel commended UKE and stated: “UKE has been awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development because they demonstrate sustainable thinking throughout the whole product process and delivery, including influencing the wider kitchen supply industry.”

Helen Lord, UKE’s founder, said: “We are exceptionally proud and humbled to receive this prestigious Award for Sustainable Development. The success of UKE is a direct result of the passion and commitment shown by our team and the amazing support we have received from our kitchen industry partners. Together we have made massive inroads into improving sustainability, and we look forward to further developing this within the wider KBB sector.”