INDUSTRY NEWS

IDEALPRO PARTNERS WITH AAT

Armitage Shanks’ and Ideal Standard’s installer loyalty programme, IdealPro, has teamed up with the Association of Accounting Technicians – AAT – to offer a financial training package for its members. The resources offered by IdealPro and AAT are designed to support selfemployed workers and cover “the dayto-day financial aspects needed by installers,” according to Ideal Standard.

The first training resource to be made available will be a cash flow and budgeting guide, designed to offer dayto-day planning for spending. It includes three financial tools that allows users to input their own numbers, comprising a net profit calculator, cash flow forecast calculator and budget planner. “We want to support our installers with all aspects of their job through IdealPro, so teaming up with AAT was the obvious next step,” said Alex Paul, Channel Marketing Manager for IdealPro at Ideal Standard. “We hope our installers find the first phase of financial training useful, alongside the support of the extra financial tools made available to them to help them make the most of running a successful and profitable business.”

TOPPS TILES FORECASTS 5.3% REVENUE INCREASE IN 2015

Topps Tiles is expected to report a 5.3% increase in like-for-like revenues for 2015, rising from £195.2m in 2014 to £212m for the 52 weeks to 3rd October 2015, according to the company’s pre-close trading update. In the last quarter, Topps Tiles launched 17 new ranges “with a focus on collaborative, exclusive innovations with leading manufacturers.” In the fourth quarter, the company also opened three new stores and two boutiques, bringing the total number up to 348 stores including 13 boutiques. “I am pleased to report that Topps will complete a successful year, with good growth in profits and a record level of turnover, both of which are directly attributable to our strategy of out-specialising the specialist,” said CEO Matthew Williams. “As a result of this, we are confident of hitting our one third market share goal by the end of this year and are well advanced on developing our next strategic goal for the organisation.”

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BAGNO DESIGN BECOMES GALASSIA EXCLUSIVE UK DISTRIBUTOR

Bagno Design – which is part of Dubai-based Sanipex Group – has become the exclusive UK distributor of Italian bathroom ceramics brand Galassia. The Italian brand will launch a new retail priced catalogue specifically for the UK market. According to Bagno Design, all products featured in the new catalogue will be stocked at the company’s logistics centre in Leeds ‘ready for immediate distribution.’ The brochure will feature new product launches including sanitaryware, basins and co-ordinated WCs, and a range of contract sanitaryware. “Establishing ourselves as the exclusive distributor for Galassia products in the UK is an exciting step forward for us,” said Bagno Design UK Sales Director Mark Walker. “The Galassia range of luxurious, high-end bathroom solutions offers the perfect complement to our ownbrand products and enables us to offer our customers even more choice when it comes to creating beautiful bathrooms.” Galassia Export Manager Gianluca Mei added: “We are sure that the new partnership with Sanipex will offer improved service, better availability and a more focused approach to the marketing of the Galassia brand in the UK. We have a strong 15-year history with The Sanipex group and already work successfully together in many other markets in the Middle East and Asia. We look forward to developing our business together and hope that the improvement in both brand marketing and service will allow us to grow our business together.”

KBB INDUSTRY PLAYERS AMONG ‘COOLBRANDS’ 2015/16 LIST

Several manufacturers and retailers within the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom industry have been named ‘CoolBrands’ on the 2015/16 Coolbrands list, compiled by a voting process involving 36 ‘opinion formers’ and 2,500 members of the British public. Appliance brands Neff, Aga, Fisher & Paykel, Gaggenau, KitchenAid, Smeg and Miele made the list of ‘Qualifying CoolBrands,’ alongside shower and tap manufacturer Methven, Villeroy & Boch, Bisque, and Fired Earth. Kitchen designers Boffi, Bulthaup and Poggenpohl were also named in the list of CoolBrands, as well as bathroom retailer CP Hart. The brands were all judged on four factors, namely innovation, originality, desirability and authenticity. “Evaluating so many brands, the difference between the best and the rest is marked. Achieving CoolBrands status definitely places a brand in the former category and shows both influencers and consumers alike are in agreement about the brand’s credibility and desirability,” said CoolBrands Council chairman Stephen Cheliotis.

PLUMBERS WELCOME ERP DIRECTIVE, SAYS SURVEY

The Energy-related Products – ErP – directive from the EU, which came into place on 26th September, has been welcomed by the UK’s plumbing industry, according to a survey carried out by Bristan. According to the Tamworth-based manufacturer, around 50% of plumbers are “full of positivity” about the new legislation – which will bring in new minimum energy requirements for heating and hot water systems – despite “widespread concerns” around its arrival and how it will impact the industry. Around three quarters said they welcome the arrival of the directive, calling it vital “if the UK is to achieve its 2020 carbon reduction targets.” A quarter of those surveyed felt “excited” about the arrival of the new directive, while the same amount felt daunted. However, 50% “felt more than prepared” for the legislation’s arrival later this month. “It is great to see such positivity and enthusiasm around ErP,” said Bristan Technical Liaison Manager Peter Manning. “After all, it constitutes one of the most important pieces of legislation that the industry has seen in a decade; helping to drive out inefficient products and create greater transparency so consumers can make more informed choices when choosing an electrical product.” “In this way, it will create a great opportunity for installers to more easily advocate the highest-rated products, in turn, creating increased profit opportunity. It is therefore nothing to be concerned about but rather welcomed.”

CROSSWATER INTRODUCES DIAL

New from Crosswater, Dial is the latest in push-button shower technology, which allows you to precisely control the flow of water and temperature simultaneously. Available in both single and double outlet options, Dial sets a new benchmark in bathroom design with cutting-edge on/off operation offering complete showering control at the touch of a button. This innovation allows for multifunctional showering and bathing, whereby outlets can be used both independently and in-sync with a superior effect to that of standard diverters. Behind the scenes it is intuitive, high-performing and even works on low-pressure systems if installed with a flow activated shower pump. Available in four of Crosswater’s designer ranges: Central, Belgravia, Kai Lever and Pier. Featuring 11 separate water flow positions, Dial offers the perfect flexibility between eco-friendly showering and luxurious high-pressure power. Operated by a simple push button function, the controls are highly responsive for instant shut off making it the ideal multifunctional choice for the modern bathroom.