9 minute read
SPONSOR NEWS
FRANKE’S NEW BROCHURES SHOWCASE MANY PRODUCT LAUNCHES
Franke has launched a new Master Brochure and Franke Plus brochure to ensure its retail partners, and their customers, are equipped with the latest information about its newly extended portfolio of sinks, taps, cooker hoods, accessories and waste management products.
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The new 132-page Master Brochure features inspirational lifestyle imagery, detailed product information and showcases a raft of new products spanning new tap models with water saving functionality, ergonomic accessories, a new sink model with optimised design and colour co-ordinated waste kits.
New additions include the minimalist Maris Bowl undermount sink range made from hygienic and durable Fragranite, available in four on-trend colours. The new scratch-resistant model features large, spacious bowls, which are ideal for washing-up bulkier items. Also available is the new Colourline waste kit in matt black which allows consumers to create a stylish, integrated look between the sink and tap, or alternatively a contrasting look.
In taps there are several new styles with new coloured finish options featuring strongly. The new Active tap range helps save water and energy while Active Twist features an integrated twist control to operate the waste outlet for the ultimate in convenience and hygiene. Updates also include a brand-new Anthracite option in the Minerva Electronic 4-in-1 instant boiling water tap range.
In accessories, the new All-In flexible food preparation system features eight versatile accessories made from sustainable and hygienic materials which maximise workspace and support workflow, allowing users to shift seamlessly between different tasks. Franke has also launched the new Franke Plus brochure which replaces Wonderful Offers. This includes details of 25 discounted sinks with accompanying Zurich or Athena taps in Chrome, a choice of seven tap upgrades, and special prices on the Minerva 4-in-1 Original Electronic Chrome tap, Turbo Elite TE-50 and TE-75S waste disposal units and Active Soap Dispensers. The deals are valid throughout the whole of 2022.
The new Master Brochure and Franke Plus brochure are available to retailers now via their distributors, or by downloading them from www.franke.co.uk/brochures
Steve Breen has been announced as the new Managing Director for VitrA Bathrooms, UK. He takes over from Levent Giray, who retires at the end of the month after a remarkable 30 years in the position, having first brought the VitrA brand to the UK in 1992. Breen joins VitrA from his role as General Manager for Finning UK and Ireland. He returns to the bathroom industry from an earlier role with Ideal Standard, where he was Sales Director for three years. Breen brings a wealth of experience from both light and heavy side construction industries, having also grown businesses for Electrolux, AkzoNobel Coatings and SITECH UK.
Giray says, “I’m very proud of what the company has achieved over the last 30 years and grateful to have led a fantastic team. VitrA continues to hold a strong position in the market with an unparalleled product portfolio. With his breadth of industry experience, I have no doubt that Steve will continue to drive the business forward.”
Breen says, “The VitrA business is a strong and enviable one – the team have achieved so much during Levent’s tenure. I look forward to working with everyone in this next chapter for VitrA UK.”
SHOWERWALL LAUNCHES NEW COMPACT TILE RANGE
Showerwall, designer of stylish wall panelling, has unveiled its new Compact Collection, offering the real look and feel of tiles without the need for grout.
With five designs available, Showerwall’s Compact Collection is a chic range that takes inspiration from some of the most popular trends and contemporary colours in bathroom and home design.
Compact Panels are made from a strong solid composite material, embossed to create a tile effect wall and the designs include the stylish Dove Grey and Silver Grey, the striking Midnight Blue, the nature inspired Hunter Green and the elegant Lily White.
These 3mm solid laminate panels are easy to fit through a waterproof system, reducing the fitting time compared with traditional tile products, and offer hygienic benefits as they are easy to clean and maintain.
Steph Harris, Product Manager for Showerwall comments: “Wall panelling has risen in popularity over the past 10 years, with more homeowners opting for the many benefits it offers. The Compact Collection offers the best of both worlds with a tiled aesthetic that features the unique, unrivalled benefits of Showerwall’s panels.
“The expansion of our range has been a truly exciting development. The simplicity of the collection it can easily be incorporated into any home, and the panels can be fitted over existing tiles allowing for quick bathroom refreshes.”
The Compact Collection panels measure 1220mm x 2440mm and are a waterproof system when installed correctly with coordinating trims, available in four complementing colours including Chrome, Satin Silver, White and Black.
The full Showerwall collection of Laminate, Compact and Acrylic panels offer a range of comprehensive decors to suit all tastes, backed by a guarantee of 30-years. The Laminate and Acrylic panels collections are currently available in sizes 600mm, 900mm and 1200 x 2440mm.
WILSONART APPOINTS TWO NEW PRODUCT MANAGERS
Wilsonart UK, manufacturer and distributor of high-pressure laminate surfaces, has appointed two new Product Managers as it looks to bolster the design innovation and value proposition of its leading range of bathroom and kitchen panels.
With a career spanning 14 years in product and category management across the building products industry, Chris Johnson (bottom image) will be responsible for the development of the business’s long-term product strategy with the aim of solidifying the Mermaid brand’s status as the number one choice among bathroom installers.
Providing a vital link between sales and manufacturing, Chris’ role will also see him manage product lifecycles and channel strategy as the Mermaid brand looks to build on the early success of its flagship Elite range.
Joining Chris at Wilsonart is Elliott Fairlie (top Image), who joins Wilsonart from wood specialist, EGGER Group, where he spent a total of 11 years, most recently as Senior Décor Manager for the UK and Ireland.
With a vast knowledge of the surfaces market and a background in product marketing, Elliott will be responsible for exploring new product designs and innovation with the aim of developing the suite of products offered under the Wilsonart family of brands. A key focus for Elliott in his new role will be utilising the manufacturer’s advanced in-house technology to design and manufacture a broad range of products capable of being brought to market quicker than by many of its competitors.
With an international remit, Elliott will also explore trends and influences across EMEA, to ensure Wilsonart’s global presence continues to enable it to shape kitchen trends across multiple territories.
On joining Wilsonart, Chris said: “I was already familiar with the Mermaid brand and its products having worked closely with the business during my time at Travis Perkins, so am looking forward to building on this by maximising the value we can offer to our customers.
Elliott added: “I’m excited to be able to leverage both our advanced manufacturing capabilities and global presence to instil a real commitment to product innovation throughout our business. I genuinely believe that the level of flexibility we can offer when it comes to product design and production is second to none and look forward to demonstrating this to a growing network of customers.” www.wilsonart.co.uk.
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OMEGA PLC PARTNERS WITH COUNTRYSIDE TO DELIVER SUSTAINABLE KITCHENS AT ROCHESTER RIVERSIDE
Following an agreement between Omega and Countryside, homes at Parkside Quarter, the latest phase of Countryside and Hyde's award-winning regeneration scheme Rochester Riverside, will be fitted with highquality sustainable kitchens from Omega’s range of FSC Certified (Forest Stewardship Council) kitchens.
Houses at Parkside Quarter will be furnished with a Nouveau Shaker kitchen in Graphite, reflecting a modern take on the traditional shaker-style cabinetry in a tonal grey, while apartments will boast a contemporary style Cube kitchen, with sleek lines for maximum space-saving in currently popular Dark Blue.
All of Omega’s products are made of 35% recycled wood, all of which is FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified. FSC certifies forests all over the world to ensure they meet the highest environmental and social standards. All Omega PLC’s wood products are sourced from responsibly managed forests, and any trees that are harvested are replanted, ensuring a sustainable approach to natural resources.
Omega PLC’s Contract Sales Director, John Cahill said of the partnership ‘We are delighted to be working with such a distinguished property developer as Countryside and look forward to continuing to uphold the sustainability values that are so central to Omega PLC, Countryside, and all of our customers across the UK.’
Andrew Usher, Managing Director, South London and Thames Gateway, Countryside, said: “Sustainability lies at the heart of what we do, and we’re pleased to be working with a like-minded British manufacturer to deliver high-quality kitchens to our new range of homes at Rochester Riverside. Having recently launched our carbon net zero strategy, this partnership will bring us one step closer to achieving our ambitious goals to minimise our carbon footprint.”
Every house at Rochester Riverside also benefits from a 10-year NHBC warranty, alongside energy efficient appliances, quality insulation, and consequently, lower energy bills. Buying at Rochester Riverside is a great way of embracing greener living in a new home from the offset.
www.omegaplc.co.uk www.countrysideproperties.com
iF GOLD AWARD FOR VitrA The iF Awards are one of the most prestigious in the world of product design. VitrA Bathrooms has been awarded a Gold iF Design Award in the 2022 competition for Liquid, a unique collaboration between designer Tom Dixon and VitrA’s inhouse design team.
Liquid brings the Tom Dixon philosophy of expressive minimalism to the bathroom. The collection features technically difficult to manufacture ceramic pieces with soft and rounded forms. Contrast and definition are delivered via a supporting cast of taps, and showering solutions, available in chrome and gloss black, and iconic accessories. This is a completely integrated collection complete with harmonious furniture and a range of wall tiles.
In their statement the iF Gold Award judges commented “We love the richness of this series expressed in its organic geometry, bold lines, and haptic softness. Liquid invites the user to touch and experience it with body and soul. It conveys a sense of optimism and creates an atmosphere of generosity. The design language of the series is simple, sensual, and marvellously consistent.”
Margaret Talbot, marketing manager for VitrA Bathrooms in the UK and Europe, “The iF Design Awards mean a great deal to us as a business. It is a global symbol of excellent design, well recognised by our architect and specifier customers and increasingly so by consumers too.”
