INDUSTRY NEWS supplied by kbbdaily

from The Installer - Issue 9 - Spring 2017

ASBESTOS FEATURE

GEBERIT ANNOUNCES NEW SET OF TRAINING DATES

Geberit has launched a new set of dates for its free training sessions on the latest piping and sanitary systems, set to take place at the company's new Geberit Training Academy at its new head office in Warwick, as well as at the company's Dublin headquarters in Ireland. According to the company, the training sessions teach installers and retailers about “Geberit's latest innovations”, with installers able to choose from a selection of training modules “tailored for their specific needs and level of experience”. Attendees on the sanitary sessions will also receive a free Geberit Duofix frame and flush plate, while piping installers will receive a selection of piping fittings, the company said. The training sessions will take place throughout the year on the following dates:

Sanitary systems:

23rd May, Warwick 20th June, Warwick 7th September, Dublin 11th September, Warwick 9th October, Warwick 9th November, Dublin 14th November, Warwick

Piping solutions:

24th May, Warwick 21st June, Warwick 6th September, Dublin 12th September, Warwick 10th October, Warwick 8th November, Dublin 15th November, Warwick

MANUFACTURERS FLOUTING EU REGULATIONS, SAYS BMA

According to the Bathroom Manufacturers Association – BMA – its “worst fears” have been confirmed thanks to a recent report by the European Commission, which found that “unscrupulous manufacturers and importers” are habitually flouting the strict regulations put in place to make products fit for purpose. The 'Enforcement and Compliance' report – published at the end of January – found that most businesses thought there was a high level of non-compliance in industry, with 80% of respondents stating that non-compliance has had a negative impact on sales or market share. “This is outrageous and nothing short of a scandal,” said BMA CEO Yvonne Orgill. “Consumers throughout the UK are being duped into purchasing goods which they genuinely believe to be up to standard and safe to use. But, in fact, because they don't know where they were made and who made them, they could be spending hard-earned cash on substandard and illegal product. The new report confirms what we have been saying for years and action needs to be taken for the public good.” She added: “The end consumer has the right to know that their bathroom products do comply with the regulations and installers need to know of this regulation to reinforce their commitment to professional practice.”

ROTPUNKT INVESTS IN SECOND PLANT FACILITY

German kitchen furniture firm Rotpunkt Küchen has invested in a second plant facility in Preußisch OldendorfGetmold in Germany, which will see its production area expand by 5,000sqm and is expected to be completed later this year “all set for UK markets in Q1 of 2018”, the company said. The expansion means that Rotpunkt will be working from a 20,000sqm facility. The company is also investing in a new fully automatic storage system, designed to increase productivity, and will be equipped to feed two new production saws. “We are delighted to show the first phase of this expansion, which demonstrates our want for continued business and product development,” said Rotpunkt UK Operations Head Matt Phillips. “We have instigated these improvements to help the brand become even more flexible than it already is, offering a wider choice of quality product: a logical consequence of the success and growth we've achieved over the last 87 years in business.”

GROHE WINS FIVE RED DOT AWARDS

Grohe has won five 2017 Red Dot awards for its Blue Home water system, Sensia Arena shower toilet, Lineare bathroom mixer, and Concetto Professional and Essence Professional kitchen tap ranges. According to Grohe, it presented “an exceptional variety of products offering intelligent solutions in modern designs for the bathroom and kitchen” to the Red Dot judging panel, which evaluated more than 5,500 products this year. The company also noted that its five Red Dot awards this year has brought the total number for its parent company, Lixil Corporation, to six. Lixil was also recently named a finalist in Fast Company magazine's World Changing Ideas Awards in the health and general 'World Changing Idea' categories.

METHVEN WINS 'BEST OF THE BEST' RED DOT AWARD

Methven has received the 'Best of the Best' award at the 2017 Red Dot Awards for its Aurajet Aio shower system, which launched in March 2015 and “remains on track to be the brand's most successful product”, according to the company. According to Red Dot Award founder and CEO Professor Dr Peter Zec, the jury awards Best of the Best accolades for “outstanding design” that “achieve the perfect harmony between the quality of the function, seductiveness, use and responsibility”. “We are absolutely delighted to achieve this hugely prestigious award that further enhances our reputation as a global leader in shower design, spray technology, and stunning form, and are particularly proud that our capability has once again been recognised by Red Dot,” said Methven group CEO David Banfield. “Our growing reputation for world-leading capability in showers and tapware is generating significant international interest with potential global customers and partners, and we are determined to turn international awards into increased international distribution.”

BATHSTORE LAUNCHES NEW AUGMENTED REALITY SERVICE

Bathstore has launched a new augmented reality service, Bathroom viewAR, that has been developed in partnership with KBB CAD software specialist ArtiCAD. The service is designed to let customers “virtually enter, walk around and explore bathroom designs”, allowing them to “fully visualise their ideas and concepts,” according to Bathstore. Customers can use a Bathroom viewAR-enabled tablet to explore designs and view 3D designs with the Pan360° room viewer. “Bathroom viewAR is another example of Bathstore being at the forefront of innovation and design,” said Bathstore Chief Marketing Officer Claire Bayliss. “We are always looking for new and exciting ways to make the customer experience easier and more immersive, from inspiration to installation, and viewAR is the next step in that journey.” ArtiCAD Managing Director Richard Turner added: “Bathstore has consistently pushed the boundaries when it comes to adopting groundbreaking technologies, to give their customers the best possible experience. This is the beginning of a new and very exciting era for interiors visualisation and it is fitting that Bathstore is leading the way."