The Installer - Issue 32 - Winter 2023

BiKBBI Awards: Celebrating excellence with the KBB installation sector

In this issue…

We cover the 2023 BiKBBI Conference, bringing you coverage from all of the guest speakers on all of the hot topics, challenges and opportunities facing the KBB installation sector. We also report on the BiKBBI Awards 2023 Gala Dinner, an event that brought together so many businesses and individuals from across the sector to celebrate the very best talent from across the KBB installation industry. You can read all about the engaging, thoughtprovoking conference, and celebratory Awards presentation on pages 6 – 20.

Elsewhere in this issue, we chat to Natalie Davenport, Head of Marketing at Häfele UK, as she shares the findings of Häfele’s landmark UK kitchen study – which will no doubt be eye-opening to anyone working in the sector. Looking ahead to the rest of the year, you can also read about the bathroom trends that are likely to be most prominent across the sector in 2023, direct from HiB and Mermaid.

We’ve also got a helpful feature on the tax breaks available to help small business owners weather the costof-living crisis, courtesy of our friends at the Federation of Small Businesses. Alongside all of these helpful features, we’re also excited to bring you the latest industry and product announcements, courtesy of familiar brands like Aqualisa, Malmo and Roman, to name just a few. So, there’s plenty to take on board in this edition of The Installer.

Welcome…

Although we are already in February, this is the first opportunity of the year I’ve had to wish all of The Installer magazine’s readers a very Happy New Year. Normally, it is about now that I lay out our expectations for the year in terms of our sector and the wider KBB industry, but the outlook for 2023 still remains unclear, two months in. What is certain is that it will be a turbulent year with many challenges, but what comes with challenge is opportunity and I do believe that we have many reasons to remain positive.

To help BiKBBI members and The Installer readers stay on top of industry news, issues and opportunities, BiKBBI will work closely with the team at The Installer throughout the year, ensuring that you get the information, ideas and inspiration to continue running your business and effectively serving our great industry!

Editor: Martin Allen-Smith martin@thedsgroup.co.uk

Editorial Assistant: George Dean George@thedsgroup.co.uk

Publisher: Clara Perry clara@thedsgroup.co.uk

Martin Allen-Smith Editor, The Installer Magazine

Damian Walters CEO, BiKBBI

BiKBBI Awards: Celebrati ng excellence with the KBB installati on sector

2023 Annual Conference

Positive words need to turn into real action by manufacturers and other stakeholders across the industry if the skills crisis is to be truly solved. That was the message from BiKBBI CEO Damian Walters as he addressed attendees at the Institute’s 5th annual conference. At the QEII Centre in Westminster, London, with it’s biggest delegation to date, an audience of industry professionals, Members of Parliament, and trade media, heard a stark warning about the issues facing the sector now and the prospect of a worsening situation if the industry does not galvanise. Walters said: “I have a clear warning – our industry is failing. While great pockets of work to attract and develop new talent do exist, the fact remains that the industry is not doing enough to address the skills gap and we are in a bad place.”

A survey recently commissioned by BiKBBI revealed that 60% of respondents would consider moving their skills to another sector, underlining the precarious – and potentially worsening – position of the industry’s labour market. It is why a concerted focus on recruiting and training new talent is so vital according to Walters. He added: “While other industries have succeeded in adopting and embracing apprenticeships, we have hardly scratched the surface.”

The conference programme started with a welcome from Stephen Metcalfe MP in his role as BiKBBI Honorary Patron. He emphasised the vital role of a skilled workforce in enabling the UK to address numerous global challenges, including supply chain problems, the cost of living crisis and the longterm impact of the pandemic.

Mark Farmer, Founder of CAST Consultancy

Uniting the KBB industry for a bright future

Preparing for and successfully tackling the next challenges will be crucial he said: “There’s no point solving one crisis if it’s the next that gets us.”

Business growth in particular depends on addressing some key business priorities he added, especially when it comes to skills: “Productivity is improved by having a skilled and dedicated workforce. We need to find ways to encourage some who may have left the trade during the pandemic to come back – perhaps with a different employment model –as well as to deliver training and apprenticeships.

“The sector as a whole has done a lot to create apprenticeships but I’m sure you will agree that there is still more to be done. All of us here, government, and the economy as a whole can make a consistent effort to ensure that in a year’s time we will be in a

much better position.”

Keynote speaker Mark Farmer, CEO of CAST Consultancy and author of The Farmer Review: Modernise or Die, an influential 2016 independent government review of the UK’s construction labour model, He brought some fascinating perspectives based on over 30 years’ experience in construction and real estate, warning: “The events of the last 12-18 months will test UK and global construction markets and their industrial resiliency like never before.”

In 2019, Farmer was appointed as the government’s Champion for Modern Methods of Construction in Housebuilding. He said: “We need to unlock the potential of MMC in order to be more productive in what the industry and the country can achieve, both in terms of modular construction and

manufacturing, but also in the processes on-site.” The kitchen industry has stood out, he said, in embracing the idea of modularity – such as standardised dimensions for wall units and white goods for example – but added: “We don’t see that in any other sector.”

Stephen Johnson, Managing Director at Quooker UK, cosponsor of the conference

“I have a clear warning – our industry is failing. While great pockets of work to attract and develop new talent do exist, the fact remains that the industry is not doing enough to address the skills gap” Damian Walters, CEO, BiKBBI

Stephen Metcalfe MP, Honorary Patron, BiKBBI

Fergus Harradence

along with Senstec, spoke about his own career background and form of apprenticeship at his father’s business. Now running the UK operation for the boiling water tap brand, he actively recruits young apprentices from all backgrounds and says it is an approach that reaps huge rewards, and holds the key to solving skills shortages across many other organisations. He said: “Let us switch on opportunity and unlock the full potential of our industry. Are we prepared to face the consequences of our inaction if we don’t?”

Laura Pardoe, Director at AMA Research, shared her insight into the home improvement sector and the wider construction industry, with a look back on 2022 performance as well as projections for what 2023 has in store. Economic conditions suggest a drop-off in the number of new-builds, as well as a sharp reduction in home improvement spending following the postpandemic. However, there are strong signs for growth in home offices, garden works, and roof works to come.

The conference programme also included breakout workshops on the topics of sustainability and education within the KBB sector. The sustainability workshop was

delivered by experienced designer Sandy Armitage who explored ideas around sustainable solutions in kitchen and bathroom projects, highlighting the potential for doing things better in cutting waste, recycling kitchen and bathrooms to encourage opportunities for second-hand use.

In a parallel session, Andy Rayner, Director of

Apprenticeships and Early Careers at Travis Perkins joined with Barry Moss, Apprenticeship Manager at LEAP Apprenticeships, to talk about how Travis Perkins developed its work in training and apprenticeships to create a scheme that brings benefits to the wider sector. Rayner explained that the company had people within the business with the skills and experience to coach and train, and had also put processes in place to make apprenticeships work well for them as a business, so it made sense to make this more widely available in order to bring diverse talent into the sector and address the skills shortage.

Fergus Harradence, Deputy Director on Infrastructure and Construction at BEIS, offered insight into the government’s support of the wider construction industry, reinforcing some of the key challenges being discussed throughout the day. He said that there are currently 45,000 construction vacancies –

Laura Pardoe, Director, AMA Research

Andy Rayner, Director of Apprenticeships and Early Careers at Travis Perkins

against a typical average of 29,000. He added that the government’s policy direction is for “performance improvement through collaboration, investment, skills and decarbonisation”.

A panel discussion rounded off the day’s proceedings.

Conference host Hannah Prevett, journalist and Deputy Editor of The Times Enterprise Network,

moderated a discussion with Angela Smith, KBB Installer and BiKBBI Inspector, John Peerless, a Chartered Trading Standards practitioner, Chris Parry, Operations Director at Protect My Install, and BiKBBI’s Damian Walters.

They explored the thorny issue of industry regulation, including how to ensure consumers – and the

reputation of trusted installers – can be protected from work of unqualified, unskilled opportunists. Walters said:

“In a skills gap situation, opportunities arise for unskilled people to take advantage. It’s a small minority that cause potentially huge disruption reputationally. Unfortunately, consumers are ripped off every day but they do have the chance to make an informed choice and select a BiKBBI member who they can trust as competent professional installers who operate within the law.”

www.bikbbi.org.uk

“Let us switch on opportunity and unlock the full potential of our industry. Are we prepared to face the consequences of our inaction if we don’t?”

Stephen Johnson, MD, Quooker UK

Stephen Johnson, Managing Director, Quooker UK

Conference host Hannah Prevett

Raising the Bar for the 2nd Annual BiKBBI Awards

The 2nd annual BiKBBI Awards were held in February at London’s prestigious QEII Centre, celebrating the industry’s finest from across the UK

The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation hosted its second BiKBBI Awards ceremony at the prestigious QEII Centre in London’s Westminster on Tuesday 7 February, with a gala dinner attended by close to 300 guests representing businesses from across the wider KBB industry, sponsored by Fix Radio and Quooker.

The evening was a huge success, with some of the KBB industry’s most prominent

brands and businesses in attendance, alongside shortlisted finalists from the KBB installation sector. Guests were entertained by celebrity Paul Sinha, who was the event host and compere for the Awards ceremony. The multi-talented comedian, broadcaster and trained GP, who is best known for being one of the UK’s finest quizzers on ITV’s The Chase, accompanied BiKBBI CEO Damian Walters and Fix Radio’s Greg Wilson on stage

"We had more entries from more businesses, but more importantly for us, the quality of each and every entry was of such a high standard. It’s great to be able to track, recognise and reward the amazing talent working within our sector"

to present each of the winners with their award.

Walters commented: “We were thrilled with the success of our first awards programme last year and it would have been very easy to use that as the measuring stick for future events but, as an organisation that continually strives for improvement, we wanted to make the 2023 campaign better, and it’s fair to say that that was accomplished across the board.

“We had more entries from more businesses, but more importantly for us, the quality of each and every entry was of such a high standard. It’s great to be able to track, recognise and reward the amazing talent working within our sector, and see the quality of work the KBB installation community is delivering day after day.”

The BiKBBI Awards programme, which launched in 2021, received 130 entries from 102 businesses and individuals across ten categories for the 2023 campaign, with a further two

awards presented on the night, the first of which was an Outstanding Achievement award, presented to Wickes for their longstanding work on apprenticeships within the KBB sector, paving the way for other businesses to adopt an early careers strategy. The second award was presented to former Installer Magazine Editor and Publisher, Rob Nicholls. Damian Walters gave a very personal and heartfelt tribute to Rob, who has been in the KBB sector for over 40 years. He commented: “These were two accolades I particularly enjoyed awarding. Wickes have really led the way for national retailers in their established installer Apprenticeship programme which should be both rewarded and commended. The second award was awarded to the industry much loved Rob Nicholls for a lifetime of commitment to this industry and for his unconditional support of The British Institute of KBB Installation”.

Thanks to months of planning from the BiKBBI team, the evening was a huge success. BiKBBi would like to give a massive ‘thank you’ to all of the sponsors of this year’s awards. Their generous support and contributions helped make the whole event possible – this year’s sponsors are:

The tap that does it all

100°C BOILING, CHILLED AND SPARKLING WATER

With a Quooker in your showroom you can offer your customers the only tap in the world that dispenses true 100°C boiling, chilled and sparkling water. Well-known, extremely popular, and already sought after by your customers thanks to our extensive national marketing campaigns. Quooker offers high-quality, innovative kitchen taps that are already being used by millions of households throughout the world. As an official Quooker dealer, our in-house service team will take care of all after sales matters for you, and we can even arrange installation by a Quooker engineer. We also have a unique industry-leading virtual online platform that enables consumers to choose the right product for their kitchen without your involvement. This way, you can focus on what you are good at: selling beautiful kitchens.

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SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD

Rob Nicholls

WINNER

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Wickes

APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR

Jason McCann, Christian Andrews Interiors

FINALISTS

Archie Beadle, Ace Electrical & Plumbing Limited

Michael Roberts, Terlecki Limited

Brenden Mead, KBB Kent

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COMMUNITY CHAMPION OF THE YEAR

Band of Builders

FINALISTS

Kitchen Kind

LSI Interiors

Topfit Interiors Limited

sponsored by

FINALISTS

Berjen Limited

CUSTOMER SERVICE

CHAMPION OF THE YEAR

Liberty Fitting Service Limited

Alexander Kitchens

Ace Electrical & Plumbing Limited

WINNER

INDEPENDENT RETAILER OF THE YEAR

Brentwood Kitchens and Interiors

FINALISTS

Christian Andrews Interiors

John Lewis of Hungerford PLC House & Haven

sponsored by

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WINNER

INSTALLATION BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Terlecki Limited

FINALISTS

Alexander Kitchens

Ace Electrical & Plumbing Limited

J&N Property Services

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TWO WINNERS

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Maria Thomas, AT Installation Services Limited

FINALISTS

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INSTALLER OF THE YEAR

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FINALISTS

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NATIONAL RETAILER OF THE YEAR

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FINALISTS

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YOUNG INSTALLER OF THE YEAR

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FINALISTS

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Michael Mead, KBB Kent

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ENVIRONMENTAL CHAMPION OF THE YEAR

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Nottingham is the colourful kitchen capital with 9.45% of residents having kitchens that are either green, pink, red, yellow, orange or purple.

The Nation’s Kitchen

Natalie Davenport, Head of Marketing at Häfele UK shares the findings of its UK kitchen study, which paints a picture of the country’s current kitchens and what customers want from their next purchase.

The kitchen market faces multiple challenges at the moment as many retailers and skilled tradespeople start to feel the effects of the cost of living crisis.

At Häfele UK, we want to support the kitchen industry with useful insight to support, sustain and grow their business. That’s why, earlier this year, we collated data from more than 2,000 homeowners across Great Britain and Northern Ireland to get a true picture of the nation’s kitchen. As part of the research, we delved into localised trends in current layouts and styles, but critically, regional variations in what consumers want from

their space in the future. Through Kitchens for Living: A Picture of the UK, we aim to give customers actionable insight to help drive sales and marketing activity.

The nation’s kitchens today Our first finding, and one I’m sure installers will recognise, is that u-shaped kitchens are most common in the UK, with over a third of homes having this layout.

However, analysing the results regionally, there are some standout trends. Around 14% of homeowners in Northern Ireland, for example, have an island. That’s 4% higher

than anywhere else in the UK – which equates to thousands of homes. Regionally, L-shaped designs are most prominent in the Midlands at 28%, while city-wise, Liverpool topped the table. We identified that Cardiff is the galley kitchen capital of the UK (18%), followed closely by Birmingham (16%). In our urban hubs, single wall kitchen layouts dominate, with Leeds (8%) and London (7%) seeing this layout most prominently.

We also explored open-plan versus broken-plan further, understanding that opinions on the structure of kitchen / dining spaces are rapidly evolving. We found that despite open-plan kitchen / diners being popular for many years, almost two thirds (60%) of homes instead have a kitchen that’s separate from the rest of the house. The

REGION

GREATER

MEAN AGE OF KITCHEN

lowest levels of open-plan living are in Wales (34%) followed by Yorkshire & Humber (35%). Conversely, London has the highest levels of open-plan living at just over half.

Age of the kitchen

Research also explored the age of the UK’s kitchens, recognising it as a strong signal of market potential as customers look to update their current design.

Our research found that, on average, respondents have had their kitchen nine years and three months. Regionally, Wales and Cardiff, in particular, had the oldest kitchens at 11 and a half years, while over the Severn Bridge, Bristol was next at 10 years. Approximately 17% of respondents in Wales had a kitchen over 15 years old.

The UK’s newest kitchens are in London and Brighton, but the average age is still eight years, while around 7% of residents in the East of England have replaced their kitchen in the past year.

We also delved into style and colour, finding that at present, almost a third of UK kitchens are traditional in style, followed closely by modern or sleek (29%). In terms of colour, wooden-style cabinetry dominates current kitchens (24.1%) followed by white (23.8%). Beige, cashmere and neutrals were third at 21%. London, we discovered, has the highest frequency of ‘retro’ kitchens (10%) followed by Edinburgh and Southampton. Minimalist designs were above average in the West Midlands, Yorkshire and Humber, while

Nottingham is the colourful kitchen capital with 9.45% of residents having kitchens that are either green, pink, red, yellow, orange or purple.

How kitchens are used

It’s unsurprising that the majority of people use their kitchens for cooking, but 9% of respondents do not use their space for culinary purposes and this is especially true in urban settings. While residents of South West England are the keenest cooks at 94%, Londoners take advantage of the Capital’s thriving restaurant scene with just 78% using their kitchen for meal preparation. Residents of Norwich are the UK’s busiest bakers (75%) while 15% of Mancunians use their kitchen as a home office too.

These findings also marry up with our broader research into multi-functional spaces, where we uncovered that 15% of homeowners want to be able to change the function of their kitchen, for example by closing off areas to hide mess or change the use of the space. It also supports the rise of hidden

REGION

YORKSHIRE AND THE HUMBER

SOUTH EAST

WEST MIDLANDS

GREATER LONDON

EAST MIDLANDS

In how many years do respondents plan to update their kitchen (on average)?

4 years and 8 months

5 years

5 years and 2 months

5 years and 3 months

5 years and 5 months

NORTH WEST 5 years and 5 months

SOUTH WEST 5 years and 5 months

NORTH EAST 5 years and 7 months

WALES 5 years and 8 months

SCOTLAND 5 years and 11 months

EAST OF ENGLAND 6 years and 7 months

NORTHERN IRELAND 7 years and 5 months

kitchens areas, with demand for breakfast cupboards and, where budgets and floor plans allow, hidden walk-in pantries or butler’s / spice kitchens on the up.

Plans for the future

Armed with a greater understanding of kitchens today, we then explored homeowner plans to update their kitchen and what they’d look for if making a purchase. Our research found that most British homeowners expect to change their kitchen before 2028. In particular, those serving Yorkshire and Humber have the biggest opportunity, where this figure is just over four and a half years.

The driving forces behind the need for change varied, but updating the style of their current kitchen is the biggest factor for consumers, followed closely by their desire to improve their home’s value –something that’s especially on the mind of homeowners as house prices are predicted to fall.

“Not enough storage” was a close third at one-quarter of respondents, but posed a particular issue in the West Midlands where it was just two points behind style at 29%.

There is still huge opportunity in the domestic kitchen market

Accessibility and making their kitchen more appropriate for an aging family was key to 15% of respondents in the East of England – almost five times higher than in other parts of the UK. Similarly, flexibility and multi-functionality was a standout reason for change for those in Scotland, with 10% citing it as their reason for upgrading – double other parts of the UK. A desire to be more eco-friendly was also important to 13% of Londoners and 14% of Mancunians.

Most wanted

In terms of style and cabinetry colours, a modern and sleek aesthetic was sought by 44%, with white, light grey, beige and natural wood chosen as the most popular neutrals. Dark grey, dark blue, light blue and light green were selected by those favouring stronger colours.

When asked about their most desired accessories for their new kitchen, homeowners selected concealed bins and recycling

10 most desired kitchen features

Concealed bins/ recycling station

Filter tap or boiling water tap

Pantry or larder

Separate utility room / cupboard

Kitchen island

Push-to-open/handle-less cupboard doors

Lighting built into cabinets

Wine cooler/drinks fridge

Charging points for devices

Pull-out wirework

stations most frequently (39%), with boiling water taps (37%) and larders (36%) also making the top three items people don’t currently have but would like in their space.

Utility rooms or cupboards were in fourth position, signalling the need to incorporate useful storage when designing and installing kitchens. Demand for such spaces was particularly prominent in the North East of

England (42%) with the South West just behind at 39%.

Supporting sales

As our Kitchens for Living: A Picture of the UK research shows, there is still huge opportunity in the domestic kitchen market, with strong homeowner desire for functional, well-designed and crafted kitchens. That’s why, as well as supporting with actionable insights to focus minds and resources, we work closely with customers to support them in meeting their customers’ needs, as well as budgets.

Across our product ranges, we offer a variety of options and price points, enabling you to deliver on your customer’s most wanted while always having the financials in mind.

For more findings from the Kitchens for Living: A Picture of the UK report visit hafele.co.uk/kfl

SURFACE On the

With hybrid working becoming conventional following the pandemic, time spent at home has increased. Homeowners are choosing to update and revitalise elements of their property, including kitchens. However, the costof-living crisis continues to wreak havoc, and many are struggling to put money aside for major renovations.

Updating specific features within a kitchen space, such as worksurfaces, can give a much-needed refresh without the hassle or cost of a full refurbishment.

Compact laminate has, in this instance, proved itself to be a competitive alternative when compared to traditional stone and marble worktops. Given the current climate, installers who are well versed in the benefits and installation techniques of such alternatives are set to benefit the most.

Design and durability

Offering the same look and feel of stone, compact laminate is made through the process of compressing layers of decorative paper

and resin to form a nonporous core, which is then sealed for a watertight finish. It can also offer hard wearing durability comparable to its traditional counterpart thanks to continuous research and development stages throughout its creation.

Creative freedom certainly does not have to be stunted when using compact laminate, as the material can offer a range of designs and finishes extendable beyond the stone alternative, such as those included in Bushboard’s Zenith range. Its waterproof core and non-porous surface makes the material ideal when used to create features such as inset drain grooves and under-mounted sinks or matching breakfast bars, upstands, and splashbacks.

When it comes to the specifics of its installation, compact laminate is generally supplied in a template which can be fabricated and cut down to size on site. Installers can use tools that form part of their usual toolkit, rather than needing the sort of specialist tools that stone or marble tend to require. However, care should be taken when cutting, and it is strongly

recommended to refer to the installation instructions and videos available online.

It is advised that 2-part epoxy resin adhesive is used when bonding worktop segments together. Bushboard supplies a patented colour-matched adhesive called Complete, the use of which is required to activate Zenith’s 10-year repair and/or replacement guarantee. The liquid polyurethane-based formula offers gap-filling properties and strong adhesion to create a watertight seal. Impurities can be smoothed down using grit sandpaper, with no need to oil or polish to complete installation.

Value for money

With many homeowners looking to overcome the barriers posed by the cost-ofliving crisis, installers need to ensure they have the product knowledge to offer customers streamlined methods for a hassle-free kitchen update, to stay ahead in a climate that is proving tricky for the home renovation market.

www.bushboard.co.uk

Elliott Fairlie, Product Manager at Bushboard, gives some insight into how compact laminate surfaces have emerged as a go-to option for installers looking to deliver a kitchen refresh in a simplistic, cost-effective, and streamlined way.

Showering Praise

Aqualisa has expanded its premium Mian shower collection with the introduction of six new models designed specifically for the housebuilder, contract and hospitality sectors.

With a choice of contemporary square or round styling, plus single-outlet, dual-outlet and bath/shower mixer options, each model features a highquality chrome finish. The new models also have a brass body, metal handles with cool touch surface technology, and a temperature override for added safety.

The Mian range is engineered to exceptional standards, is fully compliant with Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS) quality criteria, and is

backed by Aqualisa’s five year guarantee on registration. These durable, highperformance systems include fast-fix brackets for straightforward installation in any bathroom, wet room or shower room setting. Each handset has been designed with soft-rub nozzles to ensure quick and simple cleaning and maintenance, while the adjustable-height telescopic shower column and flexible 1.5m chrome-plated stainless steel hose make operation

easy for all users. The dualoutlet models feature an integral diverter to switch easily between the adjustable shower head and the overhead drencher.

Versatile and convenient, the Mian mixer shower range offers optimum performance with controlled flow, and is compatible with all UK water systems. Each model incorporates a brass body and metal handles for a high-end look and feel.

A separate Mian square

single outlet concealed kit pack is available for a more discreet fitting. The Mian range is supported by Aqualisa’s dedicated contract and specification customer care team, with nationwide coverage from trained and approved onsite service engineers.

Glenn Payne, director of sales within specification at Aqualisa, said: “Recognised for its superior build quality, the Mian range has been established in the housebuilding and hospitality sectors for some time. This new updated collection combines all the

durability and reliability of previous models with the added benefits of cool touch surface technology and elegant modern styling, making these showers perfect for a wide variety of domestic or commercial installations.”

www.aqualisa.co.uk

Options available from mid-January 2023:

• 300BAR – Mian round cool touch single outlet bar valve (110mm multi-mode adjustable handset)

• 300RSC – Mian round cool touch dual outlet bar valve (110mm multi-mode adjustable handset and 200mm drencher head)

• 300SBAR – Mian square cool touch single outlet bar valve (65mm square single mode adjustable handset)

• 300SSC – Mian square cool touch dual outlet bar valve (65mm square single mode adjustable handset and 200mm drencher head)

• 300BSM – Mian bath shower mixer (110mm round multi-mode adjustable handset, push button handset holder)

• 300LBAR – Mian round cool touch single outlet bar valve with lever handles (110mm round multi-mode adjustable handset)

AquaHeat

The ultimate shower experience

Shower Toilet TRAINING

Aiming to combat consumer hesitation, VitrA

Bathrooms

has launched an online training module for retailers and specifiers of its comprehensive range of shower toilets: V-Care and Aquacare.

VitrA offers visually aesthetic and cost-effective shower toilets and was keen to understand consumer hesitation. Working with Trend Monitor, VitrA Bathrooms, based in Oxfordshire, commissioned a comprehensive piece of research to understand the drivers and hurdles for the sales of shower toilets in the UK.

Margaret Talbot, Marketing Manager for VitrA, explains: “In Japan and much of the East, shower toilets are an everyday, popular product. Yet market sales and awareness are both low here in the UK.”

The research showed that, out of 16,740 people, only

0.01% had a shower toilet in their home – clearly illustrating that there is little awareness of the product in the market.

“96% of bathroom purchasers were not offered a shower toilet as part of their bathroom design. Yet 77% of respondents who had used a shower toilet said they would consider one for a bathroom or cloakroom. These findings indicate there is enormous potential for shower toilet sales.” Adds Margaret. Secondary research, which targeted consumers within the AB socio-economic groups who had bought and installed a new bathroom or cloakroom within the past three years, showed

that 38% of homeowners hadn’t heard the term ‘shower toilet’. A further 74% had never used one. This demonstrates the opportunities available to educate, with consumers having little idea of the concept of a shower toilet, how it works, or the vast range of benefits.

VitrA’s research also showed that there are two primary buying personas. Firstly, those aged 50+ with limited mobility who have been alerted to the benefits of shower toilets by a hospital therapist. Secondly, those aged 30-50 who are

The research showed that, out of 16,740 people, only 0.01% had a shower toilet in their home

more affluent and welltravelled and have used a shower toilet before and appreciated the health and well-being benefits. Both groups showed that promoting the benefits of a shower toilet instead of the features is more effective. Price point was a common barrier in the research, particularly when factoring in installation costs. Many only suggest a shower toilet to those with a renovation budget of over £10,000.

Nonetheless, with increasing consumer interest in hygiene, sustainability, wellness and smart products, there is enormous potential for the shower toilets market. Globally

it is expected to reach USD 6.78bn by 2027, an increase of 1.85 billion (Source - Blue Weave Consulting).

To help its retailers communicate the numerous benefits of shower toilets and washing with water, VitrA has launched an online training tool. The tool educates retailers on using the product and its myriad benefits and features. The training module is hosted on the VitrA Academy, VitrA’s platform for different training modules, and can be accessed here

www.VitrA.co.uk

With increasing consumer interest in hygiene, sustainability, wellness and smart products, there is enormous potential for the shower toilets market

BEST KITCHEN GADGET

Our winner quickly became a favourite addition to our white goods lab during testing, offering easy installation and quick access to filtered and boiling water. The 4N1 Touch was also praised for its versatility, with the awards team noting,

‘it’s the tap that does everything you could want’.

Boiling water? It’s ready for you. Filtered water? Sure, just tap the button on the front. A stylish model, available in multiple colours and tap designs, this is a great add-on to any kitchen.

Key Reasons to Invest in a Boiling Water Tap

As the original boiling water tap brand on the market, Quooker are experts when it comes to innovative technology and design. We look at why these appliances are still revolutionising the kitchen.

The sustainable alternative

The way we are consuming water is changing. A large part of this shift is due to a growing awareness around our environmental footprints. With sustainability increasingly at the forefront of consumer purchase decisions, it has never been more important to find creative solutions around responsible consumption. This is a topic that is close to the company’s heart, so Quooker is determined to provide products and manufacturing techniques that do not cost the earth.

One such innovation is the CUBE accessory. Thanks to the CUBE, Quooker taps can now dispense sparkling water at the touch of a button. Saving you time and space, with CUBE, the immediacy of super chilled and filtered water can be enjoyed without having to wait or waste water. Whilst it may feel like a luxury to have sparkling water on tap, the CUBE is a more sustainable solution. The average UK household uses a staggering 360 plastic bottles per year, resulting in huge volumes of

waste nationwide. However, one canister of CO2 yields 60 litres of carbonated water which significantly reduces the need for such single-use plastic bottles. Determined to find a better solution for consuming carbonated water, dispensing precisely the amount needed at any given moment, and with canisters that can be returned and re-filled after use, CUBE ensures responsible and more sustainable consumption. CUBE can be attached to any tap in the range.

Unlike the energy-guzzling kettle, Quooker taps use very little electricity and give impressive energy-saving results. Thanks to its advanced technology, it takes only 10 watts to keep water in the tank at 110°C, while the average kettle uses 2,200 watts to boil 1.7 litres of water. Dispensing the right amount of water needed at any given time, boiling water taps help reduce water wastage. Gone are the days of overboiling the kettle only to pour away unused water.

The safer choice

A common misconception is that boiling water straight from a tap cannot be safe, but Quooker has homeowners covered. With a range of features that help maximise safety whilst providing streamlined usability, Quooker delivers the tap that does it all.

All Quooker taps boast sophisticated state-of-theart, child-safe handle systems that will never automatically dispense boiling water. With a patented double push and twist mechanism, boiling water is safely dispensed following a quick and deliberate motion. While in use, the user is alerted with the glow of a red-light ring around the handle base. For the Flex range which boasts a flexible pull-out hose, a cut-off lock prevention

system is in place to ensure boiling water cannot be used when the hose is out.

Quooker taps dispense boiling water as an aerated flow rather than a solid jet of water, meaning water feels hot but not scalding to touch, should any accidental contact occur. As the tap is properly fitted into your worksurface, away from children, unlike a kettle, there is no risk of tipping over and dangerously scalding the user. The double-insulated casing also prevents heat from escaping, and ensures the tap is not hot to touch when in use, unlike a kettle which presents a far higher burn risk.

These safety functions offer additional user reassurance and makes the entire Quooker range among the safest on the market.

The most-used kitchen appliance

We live in a world where people want things delivered at speed. As a generation, we are inherently less patient than we used to be, increasingly unwilling to wait or compromise. Over our lifetimes, we spend an average of four months waiting for our kettles to boil. Not so with a boiling water tap, which delivers the exact amount of boiling water needed instantly. Once installed, users will find Quooker taps quickly become

one of the most used appliances in the whole kitchen. For hot, cold and sparkling drinks, as well as cooking and cleaning, the Quooker will be used multiple times per day, giving more efficient and effective returns in terms of energy usage and water conservation.

With unparalleled functionality, intuitive and seamless water mode transitions, Quooker delivers the tap that truly does it all.

www.quooker.co.uk

No Flaws Flooring

Malmo has added eight stylish new Pressed Bevel plank designs to its range of Rigid Senses Luxury Vinyl Tile flooring.

The planks feature an eased bevelled edge which enhances the appearance of the flooring to be even closer to real wood than ever, while offering the practical benefits of increased water resistance and enhanced cleanability.

With the new designs, the bevelled edge of the flooring is formed by pressing down the surface layer into the joint during the manufacturing process, rather than cutting through it like painted bevel alternatives. This ensures the joint is completely water-tight, while the elimination of v-grooves means there are less places for dust to gather.

Trend-inspired and design versatile, the eight new Senses

Pressed Bevel designs include whitewashed effects, warm greys, classic oak and rich brown tones to meet a range of consumer tastes. The flooring features the Valinge 5Gi click installation system which provides even tighter joints, but like the standard 5G system it can still be installed by hand with no need for hammers or tapping tools.

Like all Rigid Senses designs, the new products offer a 1mm underlay and a wear layer of 0.55mm, with the overall thickness enhanced to 6mm. With a 25-year domestic use warranty and 10 years for light domestic use, the designs are available in plank sizes of 1244mm x 181mm.

Gail Alcock, Product Director for Malmo says: “The addition of these eight new Pressed Bevel designs demonstrates the evolution and continued innovation within the Malmo brand, not just in providing new on-trend designs but enhancing the performance benefits of the flooring too.”

The Senses Pressed Bevel collection is part of the Malmo Luxury Vinyl Tile range, which now offers a wide choice of 65 designs across its Rigid and Stickdown formats. All products are available for 24-48 hour delivery from all IDS branches nationwide.

www.malmoflooring.com

Proudly produced using European Plywood

We launched our Timeless Trade range over ten years ago and haven’t looked back.

Crafted using PEFC certified Plywood core, ethically sourced from Western Europe and decorative HPL, these panels create a watertight solution, which doesn’t break the bank.

F Find out more: www.mermaidpanels.co.uk/timeless

the Climate Crisis COMBATING

Last year, we witnessed weather that would not appear out of place in a Hollywood disaster film.

In January, the UK and much of Northern Europe were battered by a succession of powerful storms that caused widespread damage and some loss of life. Much of Europe, the US, and parts of East Asia baked in searing summer heatwaves. These heatwaves occurred earlier, lasted longer and reached higher temperatures than at any other time in recent memory - leading to drought, famine and tens of thousands of associated deaths. South Asia was affected by heavier than usual monsoon rains, causing record-breaking floods that

have impacted more than 33 million people and cost the lives of over 1700.

Scientists around the world agree that most, if not all, of these extreme climatic events have been made more severe by the activity of humans. Given this fact, there is a strong need for all of us throughout the building industry – whether we are a manufacturer, a merchant or a trade professional – to renew and redouble our efforts to reduce our environmental impact.

Bond It, like many manufacturers who supply the merchanting sector, continues to take steps to operate in a more sustainable way and to

minimise our contribution to the widespread causes of climate change.

For example, back in 2016, we invested over £150,000 installing 542 solar panels on the roof of our West Yorkshire factory. These panels have reduced our reliance on electricity produced from fossil fuels and, over the course of their lifetime, will allow us to reduce our carbon footprint by 1171 tonnes.

Similarly, the use of more energy efficient, carbon-saving LED lighting has become the norm throughout most of our buildings. Across our production operations, we also clean plants and machinery using

Dean Morgan, Managing Director at Bond It, joins us to speak about the urgent need for installers to be aware of sustainable building methods and materials.

solvent-free cleaners rather than harmful cleaning chemicals. We have turned our focus on sustainability to our product packaging too; a growing number of Bond It sealants, adhesives and building chemicals are now supplied in packaging produced from Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) material.

We also offer alternatives to single-use packaging such as our ReLoad system which employs a reusable cartridge and nozzle with the sealant supplied in an aluminium foil refill. The refill is inserted into the cartridge before its end is removed with a pair of scissors or similar. The nozzle can then be attached to the cartridge and

the sealant dispensed as normal using a conventional skeleton gun. Once the refill is used up, it can be removed and disposed of before another refill is reloaded.

Solutions like ReLoad deliver numerous environmental benefits – including a reduction in the estimated one hundred million single use sealant cartridges sent to landfill each year.

Here in the UK however, there is a limited uptake when it comes to adopting these sustainability alternatives. The reason most often cited is that trade users are not embracing the benefits, and that the convenience and familiarity of current options outweighs sustainable alternatives. This

seems a disconnect when various surveys have shown that trade professionals would be willing to switch to a more environmentally friendly product, even if it was more expensive.

Change certainly is not always easy, but it is absolute necessary given the environmental issues currently facing our planet. We all need to be willing to adapt and to explore new ways of doing things. All of us within the supply chain, as well as eventual product users, need to take shared ownership of raising awareness and of encouraging the use more sustainable solutions.

www.bond-it.co.uk

Playing to Our Strengths

Although the economic outlook for 2023 is set to be turbulent and challenging, recent statements from some of the UK’s top economic experts offer a glimmer of positivity amongst all the doom and gloom. HSBC’s Head of Economics recently put out a statement suggesting that whilst 2023 would most definitely be a tough one, there are indicators that we should see improvements over the course of the year.

Having spent 2021 learning to live with COVID and 2022 dealing with the fall-out the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, surely it’s not asking too much for 2023 to be about putting things right? Even that seems a bit overwhelming when you consider the state we are in, but at least the UK is not alone. In fact, the World economy is struggling with all the issues and challenges we are facing; rising inflation, the cost of living and soaring energy costs, and some nations have it much worse than us.

And whilst the MPs and the economists fight it out and fathom a way back to our best, we should be looking a little closer to home, preparing our businesses and our industry for the inevitable bumps in the road on our journey back to ‘normal’. I’ve said before that, as an industry, we are more fortunate

than most in that whilst many industries shut down in 2021 and struggled to kickstart in 2022, the home improvement sector saw an unprecedented surge. This has placed us in a solid position going forward, however many KBB installers are feeling less optimistic about the future than they probably should be.

In December 2022, we launched our annual ‘State of the Industry’ survey, inviting UK-based KBB installers to share their views on a number of topics relating to their business, the economy, and our sector. From the survey results, we were able to determine that almost 50% of KBB installation businesses are concerned about the rising operating costs and more than 80% believe that the current government is not doing enough to support them. The survey also revealed that more than one third are worried about the UK economy and a potential decline in consumer spending, suggesting that our small but vital section of the KBB industry is understandably nervous about what the future will bring.

It’s no wonder then that further data from the same survey revealed that almost 60% of KBB installers surveyed would consider switching their skills to another industry, such as renewable energy – with almost

65% citing financial gain or better opportunities as the main driver.

Now, this data would trouble me in normal circumstances, but when you add in the fact that there is already a huge disparity between the demand from retailers and consumers versus the availability of skilled, competent and professional KBB installers, then this could be catastrophic for our sector. Anyone that reads The Installer magazine regularly or follows the BiKBBI social media channels will know that we have been working tirelessly to attract more talent to the KBB installation sector via numerous channels, including a resettlement programme with the Ministry of Defence and of course, apprenticeships.

We thought that we had done a pretty good job of telling the sector about just how important apprenticeships are to the future of our industry, and we thought we had managed to dispel the myth about how hard it is to take on an apprentice by developing the BiKBBI Skills Plus Employer package, but it seems not. Almost 30% of installers surveyed believe that there is still too much red tape to comply with and 53% believe that the government does not do enough to support small businesses in taking on an apprentice.

BiKBBI Chief Executive Damian Walters highlights some of the results of the Institute’s State of the Industry survey, which offers some vital insight into the profession’s direction of travel

It seems there is still much work for us to do in convincing the KBB installer community that investing in young people is the only solution for us to build a workforce of the future. It looks like we have to up our game to make sure you have all the facts and truly understand the benefits that apprenticeships can bring to your business. Watch this space… (or, you could check out the Apprenticeships section of our website which takes you through the whole process). Other topics covered by the survey included sustainability, with 31% of respondents reporting an increase in the number of customers asking questions around environmentally friendly solutions and products. And almost 40% felt that the industry could be doing more to reduce its environmental impact and improve its green credentials which was very encouraging to hear.

The KBB sector is, in my opinion, lagging behind other industries in our approach to sustainability – not when it comes to innovation, with manufacturers delivering some market leading products and solutions to save energy and water, reduce waste and lower emissions. But there is much work to do around closing the gaps between manufacturers, retailers, installers and consumers. Another area of focus of the BiKBBI in 2023.

Overall, the survey provided us with a snapshot of the current sentiment of our sector and has given us plenty to work on in 2023 to ensure we are focused on the things that matter to the industry, helping us to guide and support our members as we navigate this new year together.

www.bikbbi.org.uk

Franke Mythos appliances

A PLAYGROUND FOR CHEFS OF ALL AGES

Enjoy every part of cooking

The Mythos appliance family range from Franke is the perfect combinatiion of quality and design. No matter which product you choose, your unique needs for a modern kitchen will be met, creating a satisfying cooking experience. Find out more: www.franke.com

Top 5 Tips for SMEs in 2023

We asked the Federation of Small Businesses for their top tips to help small businesses weather the cost-of-living crisis.

Check available tax reliefs

As a small business, you may have limited awareness of the available tax reliefs that you may be eligible for, which means that you may not be getting your fair share of reliefs. FSB has found that on average, small businesses and the selfemployed are only aware of five tax reliefs – which is a relatively small number considering the wide variety available.

Pension priorities for the self-employed

3 2 1

Setting aside money for the future might not be at the top of your priorities if your income varies from month to month. If you are self-employed, however, paying into a pension is important because you won’t have an employer to set up a scheme for you. Only 16% of self-employed people contributed to a private pension in 2018 (FSB). A pension is a long-term savings plan with tax relief, meaning that some of your money that would have been paid in taxes goes into your pension instead.

Tax investigation preparedness

Keeping your income and expenditure meticulously recorded is important, not only for financial forecasting, but also to file tax returns and deal with any HMRC tax enquiry. It is possible to be randomly selected for an HMRC tax enquiry without a reason. Whilst the nature of the questions asked in the opening letter may help identify specific concerns, a tax investigation protection consultant, acting on your behalf, can have a discussion with the inspector early in the enquiry.

finance, payroll systems, or managing people. There are a wide range of CPD-certified courses available to employees and business-owners.

5 4

Celebrate your achievements – go for an award

Invest in upskilling

Whether a sole trader or an employer of many, having the right skills in your business is integral to growth. SMEfocused skills training has been developed to make use of digital technology, which means that you or your employees can much more easily undertake training and qualifications in a way that fits your schedule. Whether it is health and safety, www.fsb.org.uk

Could 2023 be the year your business wins an award? No matter the size and scale of your business, winning or just entering your business into an awards scheme brings a whole lot of benefits. The entry application gives you the opportunity to focus on your achievements and how you want your business to progress. Being shortlisted for an award is great for staff motivation, and it is a way to increase the profile of your business through media coverage and marketing. For example, the annual FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards are free to enter and are open to all UK small businesses.

How Wall Panelling Can Save Time and Money

The financial crisis has led to a resurgence of the ‘don’t move, improve’ trend. We speak to Steph Harris, Product Manager at Showerwall, about how wall panelling could be just the ticket in the current home improvement climate.

According to property portal Zoopla, demand for homes was down 50% in the year to December 2022, as buyers opted to stay put amid soaring inflation and a turbulent mortgage market. Consumers are choosing to extend their property or renovate existing rooms. For installers looking to offer their customers cost effective yet eye-catching designs for their bathroom refurbs in 2023, wall panelling may just be the perfect solution.

A return to busier lifestyles combined with a desire to stay at home and save money is reinforcing homeowners’ aspirations to create bathrooms that they really want to spend time in. Either by creating a spastyle environment or a luxury family bathroom, homeowners can still achieve their desired look within a strict project budget.

Tiles may well have been the traditional choice for shower enclosures, bath surrounds and basin splashbacks, but wall panelling is becoming more and more popular. This is likely thanks to its ease of fitting, hygienic properties due to lack of grouting, and the fact that it is simple to clean.

Plus, there are hundreds of design choices now available, ranging from tile-effect designs and replica marble finishes to wallpaper-inspired prints.

Homeowners can choose panels that replicate the look of metro, scallop or herringbone tiles; all popular on-trend looks that can be intricate and time-consuming to achieve with individual tiles. Homeowners can also opt for marble-inspired panels offering the look and feel of organic surfaces, without the expense of natural materials.

With shower panels being quicker and easier to install than tiles, installers can save time and money, helping to keep projects (and the client’s budget) on track. In addition, specialist wet trades are not required to install bathroom panelling, which offers an opportunity for any tradesperson to carry out the work themselves without having to bring in a subcontractor, making a difference to the bottom line. This opens up the sector to bathroom installers who are looking to diversify their offering and capitalise on this expanding market. The large-scale panels are easy to fit with near invisible joins, saving time for installers and speeding up bathroom fit-outs. In fact, it is estimated that bathroom wall panels can be fitted in less than half the time it would take to tile a like-for-like space and they can usually be installed in less than a day. Panels can also be retrofitted over existing tiles, reducing preparation time, which

would otherwise add more labour on to a job – simply cut to size, fix to the wall, fit the finishing trims and seal.

No grout means less gaps and grooves for the build-up of dirt, soap residue and mould, keeping bathrooms looking new and cleaner for longer. The panels provide a hardwearing, hygienic and waterproof surface that is easy to maintain with a simple wipe down.

The volume of homeowners and trade professionals who are switching on to the benefits of wall panelling is reflected in the exceptional year-on-year growth that the market has experienced.

This trend looks set to continue, with wall panelling likely to have more appeal than ever for 2023’s homeowners. With customers looking to renovate their homes on tighter budgets, being able to offer them a lower cost yet highly visual solution to their bathroom refurb is a win-win situation for installers as well as the homeowner.

showerwall.co.uk

Steph Harris, Product Manager

CLASSIC CONFIDENCE OSMO ® T1

CATEGORY 5 CISTERN WITH AXIS TECHNOLOGY™ MULTIPLE INLET & OUTLET OPTIONS

~ Fluid category 5 certified; the only way to achieve a water regulations compliant cistern

~ Unique reversible cistern body due to AXIS Technology®

~ Flush Pipe Stability System (FPSS™) with SureLock™ Bracket

~ Multiple flushing volumes

~ Compatible with our simple yet contemporary in design Drift™ pneumatic dualflush push plate. Several NEW finishes are available to ensure you get the best result

Drift™ Available in Chrome, Silver, Brushed Nickel, Matt Black, Soft Touch Grey & Brushed Brass

Demystifying the latest Bathroom Trends

Hot off the press for 2023, HiB has launched its new Trends Guide revealing the latest bathroom interior styles.

Designed as a useful tool for installers looking for inspiration, the booklet offers tips and guidance on how to approach interior design and highlights how to make the best use of the bathroom space.

Discover more about the Petrichor trend, which explores earthy tones and organic materials, or Retrospective Future, which champions pushing boundaries and innovation through textures and technology. There’s also Mono Mineral, which uses a muted palette and structured lines to create a honed, tactile effect, and Vellichor which celebrates nostalgia and decadence for a luxurious feel.

Steve Kaye, Marketing Director at HiB, said: “Interior trends are always evolving, so keeping an eye on what is going to be the next big thing is important if you’re creating a new bathroom. Our design team has their finger on the pulse with emerging

fashions, bringing together our predictions for the new year. The four trends we’ve highlighted for 2023 offer the next generation of some familiar styles as well as some new themes to explore.”

HiB has more than 30 years of experience producing a wide range of innovative bathroom mirrors, cabinets, furniture and accessories. The company’s recently launched Vanquish cabinet offers a recessed solution that is ideal for maximising storage in smaller bathrooms without infringing on the existing space. Available with brushed aluminium, and black and brushed brass trim with illumination around the edge, the Vanquish cabinet can be installed to suit any of the latest trends featured in the guide.

Also new to the market, the Sound cabinet features integrated Bluetooth connectivity and speakers, allowing users to listen to their favourite music with ease. The bathroom cabinet

also features USB and 2-pin charging as well as a heated pad in the mirrored doors to reduce condensation. Thanks to Sound’s sleek, minimalist styling and precision illumination, the cabinet is ideal for use in a range of schemes, from the natural themes of the Petrichor trend, to the structured approach in Mono Mineral.

HiB’s Trends Guide is available to view and download here, where further bathroom design inspiration can be found here.

“The four trends we’ve highlighted for 2023 offer the next generation of some familiar styles as well as some new themes to explore.”

HiB celebrates natural and organic styling with the Petrichor trend.

Discover new bathroom trends for 2023

Looking for inspiration for your next install?

See all the latest bathroom trends and get tips on how to bring them to life in the new HiB Trends Guidebook. From the natural, organic tones of the Petrichor trend to the vibrant energy of Retrospective Future, there’s a style to suit every project.

hib.co.uk to download your guide

HiB’s Vanquish recessed cabinet is available in an aluminium, black and brushed brass trim.

Water Saving Solutions

Lecico Bathrooms specialise in water saving products designed for a wide range of applications

Lecico Bathrooms product range includes Propelair - the worlds lowest water-flush WC, a wide range of low flush WCs (4/2.6 litres), waterless urinals, water saving baths, and a wide range of low flow taps and showers.

Lecico Bathrooms are one of the world’s largest manufacturers of sanitaryware, number 2 supplier into the UK, and export to over 50 countries worldwide. Lecico Bathrooms manufactures internationally certified sanitaryware products under Atlas Trade, Atlas Pro, and Design Series brands. All Lecico Products are UKCA, WRAS and LANTAC approved where appropriate and are listed on the UK water label scheme.

Find out more at www.lecico.co.uk

Sustainability & Support

Antony Thompson and Kate Hirst, Directors at Lecico, speak with us about the importance of sustainability within the KBB industry, as well as how Lecico Bathrooms supports installers and retailers

CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR ROLE WITHIN LECICO?

ANTONY THOMPSONManaging Director

- Lecico Bathrooms

As Managing Director of Lecico Bathrooms, I am excited by the progress we have made over the last number of years. Our strong performance has led to significant market share gains which are the result of a combination of building a strong team of experienced leaders, innovative product development initiatives, and our focus on providing the highest levels of service we can to our customers. We are widely recognised as being flexible and responsive to our customers’ needs and my role is to support and enable our teams to

continue to build on our recent successes.

KATE HIRSTCommercial Director

- Lecico Bathrooms

I have worked at Lecico Bathrooms for over 10 years in a variety of roles, including customer services, product management, and more recently, as Sales Director. As Commercial Director, my role is focused on ensuring we have an optimum portfolio of products to meet all of our customers’ needs, and then to build stronger relationships with new and existing customers to

continue our successful growth story.

WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT THE INDUSTRY NOW COMPARED TO WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED?

Kate: Our industry, like many, is adapting to an evolving digital environment. Fundamentally, we are an industry that creates bathroom and washroom solutions based on design, with ‘touch and feel’ being an important part of the purchasing decision. However, we have seen online purchasing grow significantly over the

Conservation of water will drive significant developments in product innovation over the next 10 years

last 10-15 years. This means we must adapt to the needs of our customers and provide support for them to market and sell digitally. The evolution and adoption of digital technologies in the bathroom industry will continue, however the fundamentals of having reliable and well-made products with high availability and good customer service remain our key focus.

SUSTAINABILITY HAS BECOME A VERY HOT TOPIC IN THE KBB SECTOR. HOW HAS LECICO BATHROOMS ADAPTED AND CHANGED TO THIS FOCUS ON SUSTAINABILITY?

Antony: Sustainability is a very important consideration for us all in the bathroom industry. Conservation of water will drive significant developments in product innovation over the next 10 years. Our product development and technical roadmaps already have a plethora of innovative initiatives to support the conservation of water and we are excited about the impact our new product introductions will make. in 2022, Lecico Bathrooms announced an exclusive UK partnership with Propelair –designers and manufacturers of the world’s lowest waterflush toilet. We are responsible for all sales, marketing, and operational functions for Propelair in the UK. Propelair toilets use up to 84% less water than standard toilets. We are very excited by the opportunities this partnership will present over the coming years, and it highlights our commitment to addressing the sustainability challenges faced by our industry.

Kate: We are focusing our efforts on educating the industry on the wide range of water saving solutions that are available for bathrooms and washrooms and have

recently published a water saving brochure and also a CPD programme for professional specifiers of bathrooms.

HOW DO LECICO BATHROOMS SUPPORT INSTALLERS AND RETAILERS?

Kate: For installers and retailers, it is paramount that they have access to technical and performance data so they can make informed decisions on product choice. Our product development, technical and customer service teams are proactively working with our customers to supply this information and we pride ourselves on our levels of customer service. We treat all of our customers as partners of ours and give them full access to our teams and support functions.

AND FINALLY, WHAT DOES

LECICO BATHROOMS HAVE IN THE PIPELINE FOR THE REST OF 2023?

Kate: We are launching some fabulous new products in 2023 including a new range of products in Zara, one of our Design Series ranges. We have several further product introductions throughout 2023 which we are very excited about.

Antony: While market conditions look challenging in 2023, we will continue to work towards our long-term business goals and keep doing what we are good at. We are excited by the opportunities that our new partnership with Propelair will provide and confident that 2023 will be another record-breaking year for us. www.lecico.co.uk

INDUSTRIAL SCREW COMPRESSORS

Full range includes floor & receiver mounted with/without built-in dryer Air receivers, dryers & filters also

Fast Fix FREEDOM

Roman has expanded its Fast Fix assembly system across all their ranges of Sliding Door Shower Enclosures. It now covers all Sliding Door Shower Enclosures in their Innov8, Embrace, Haven8 and Haven6 ranges.

Roman’s Fast Fix assembly system is designed so that the final shower enclosure mainframe installation is a ‘slot and tighten’ exercise, which can be done in seconds. This means that the main profiles effortlessly link together as the structure is assembled onsite. As much of the process as

possible is now pre-assembled in the Roman factory to ensure that the final installation in the bathroom is simple and quick, making life easier for installers.

Roman products are a popular choice among Britain’s major housebuilders, and Roman also operates successfully with most of the independent merchant

sector and their huge installer base. Following the new system rollout, the majority of Roman’s trade products now offer Fast Fix assembly. Twenty years ago, standard enclosures were using 4mm thick toughened safety glass, but now in 2023, the majority of options are available in 6mm or 8mm glass – as well as a significant number of options using 10mm thick toughened safety glass. Some of the higher-value and design-led options feature frameless glass, but in reality, the overall number of fully frameless units is low. The

installation of frameless units is slow and requires precision, usually involving specialist tools such as torque wrenches. The mass market models take into account adjustments needed for out-of-true walls, and also offer installers a much more straightforward installation method with a framed unit.

Roman’s designers have essentially turned the fully framed units into modular sections: a Sliding Door now comes in two pieces, with an assembled door and an assembled panel packed separately, and the top and bottom rails unattached.

Immediately, this makes handling and manoeuvring much easier and safer, so once the unit is in position for installation, the process is extremely simple. Many other products on the market require full assembly on-site, as well as the product to be laid flat as the frame is assembled, but this isn’t the case with the new Roman system.

The wall profiles can be secured to the wall in the standard manner, and the side

panel is easily attached to the top and bottom rails thanks to their slotted sections. The screws are already in place in the top and bottom rails so they can be dropped into the slots and quickly secured with the turn of a screwdriver. Likewise, the door can be attached to the other end of the top and bottom rails, and the unit can then be secured into the wall profiles.

David Osborne, Chief Executive Officer at Roman, said: “With larger Shower Enclosures now being commonplace, many consumers are adding larger units or simply replacing baths - they are extremely difficult to manoeuvre into properties, up a flight of stairs, and particularly around small bathrooms during installation. Demand for such units is only getting stronger and Roman has innovated to eliminate these problems and offered the successful solution of the Fast Fix assembly system.”

roman-showers.com

As much of the process as possible is now preassembled in the Roman factory to ensure that the final installation in the bathroom is simple and quick

Panel Show

Keely Greenhalgh

Mermaid, advises on how installers can help customers achieve this year’s biggest trends with the added ease of bathroom wall panels.

As hybrid working has encouraged many to spend more of their week at home, décor on everyday mood

and ending their day in the bathroom, no room plays a more important wellbeing role within the home, which is why so many homeowners look to create a

place of sanctuary. While complete bathroom remodels can be expensive, bathroom wall panelling provides an easy to install, budget friendly way to spruce up a space.

Here is our summary of the trends we expect to dominate 2023 and how best to achieve them:

DARK AND MOODY COLOURS

Rich colour schemes are becoming an increasingly popular way

marble, metallic or wood accents, dusky bathrooms do not need to be dull

Scandi and Neutral

Scandinavian design has been popular for several years with the trend embodying clean lines and minimalist, neutral colour space within the home. into a room. Panelling such as Swedish Cedar

can create the look of wood with added ease of maintenance

Bold and Bright

Industry Meets Luxury

expensive materials such as marble paired with industrial textures such as concrete or metal, which can be hard to replicate on a

such as Mermaid’s Himalayan Marble are raw materials but emulate the same look,

Panelling can be cut on site without the use of specialist tools which would be required when using stone such as marble.

Easily adding personality to a bathroom, when a design without overwhelming a space. Panels such as Mermaid’s Abruzzo can allow for a daring design without the long-term commitment as removed with ease. www.mermaidpanels.co.uk

“No other room plays a more important wellbeing role within the home”

Old problems, modern solutions

At Mermaid Panels, we believe in bathrooms w ithout compromise. Introducing Elite. 100% waterproof, easy to install and completely trimless.

We have poured all our design expertise into our new collection. Our largest ever range of panels and flooring, with none of the stress of tiles.

View the full range on our website.

Q &A with

Please tell us about your role at BiKBBI

As a Compliance Officer at the BiKBBI, I help new members with their compliance needs and ensure that our registered businesses continue to comply with the institute’s robust standards by monitoring their compliance and liaising with them to update their documents and records. I also answer enquiries and give advice to BiKBBI members.

What did you do before joining BiKBBI?

Before joining the BiKBBI, I worked in local government for nearly 40 years, with my most recent role being Customer Service Operational Manager. Following that, I started and ran my own online business for approximately two years but missed the office environment and the interaction

Christine Bearwish

This issue, we caught up with Christine Bearwish, BiKBBI Compliance Officer. We asked her a few questions about her job, and what working at BiKBBI means to her.

with colleagues, clients and customers.

What do you find most rewarding about your role?

Most of all, I like to be part of the positive change being driven by BiKBBI in the installation sector. It is very rewarding to be part of an organisation focused on delivering improvements and it’s nice to be part of a small team and to be able to give bespoke advice to our members and to consumers.

What makes BiKBBI different from other places you’ve worked?

It is a nice change to have employment outside of local government, and working part-time gives a nice work/ life balance. No two days are ever the same. It’s very fast paced and therefore an exciting environment to work in.

Tell us something most people might not know about you

When I was 21 years old, I won the Tyneside Ladies Pentathlon and the South Shields Pier Swim!

And finally, what are you working on currently?

In the run up to Christmas, we were very proactive in communicating with registered businesses who had documents due to expire soon and so I am now working through the influx of documents and information we have received in order to keep our members compliant.

www.bikbbi.org.uk

tips for installing AluSplash

AluSplash splashbacks are exclusively distributed by Häfele UK. Here are some of top tips to ensure a hassle-free installation of your AluSplash product.

MIND THE GAP

Remember to leave a 1.5mm expansion gap and use packers to maintain the gap when fitting. Not leaving enough room for expansion could cause the panel to bow. No gap is needed on panel joins however, and once correctly installed, they become one.

WORK ON THE BACK

By working on the back of the AluSplash panel, you can achieve clean cuts on the face. It will also stop any surface scratches during fitting.

MEASURE TWICE, CUT ONCE

Double check your measurements and remember that you’re working on the back of the panel. Dry fitting is also recommended before your final installation.

STAY SHARP

Use a sharp aluminium blade for a precise clean cut. And always make sure you use the correct PPE throughout the installation.

KEEP IT CLEAN

Use the wipe provided to clean the panel before applying the joining strip. This will make sure it sticks better.

www.hafele.co.uk

SECONDS

PRE-ASSEMBLED

THREE STEP 3

The FastFix Assembly system is designed so that the final mainframe installation is a ‘slot and tighten’ exercise, which can be done literally in seconds. Consequently, the main profiles effortlessly link together as the structure is assembled onsite. As much of the process as possible is now pre-assembled in the Roman factory to ensure that the final installation in the bathroom is simple, quick and easy.

1.

2.

3.

Installation Insights

Frauke Baselet, Customer Service Manager at Franke UK, outlines the wide range of support the company offers to help installers avoid common installation issues.

Tell us about the support available from the Franke team to help installers.

Franke employs an experienced team of 19 staff, including Field Service Technicians out on the road, a spare parts service centre staff based in Stoke on Trent, along with the team in Manchester who deal with all queries from consumers, trade partners and installers.

Consumer Care handle all inbound phone, email and website enquiries and offer a wide range of product information, advice and troubleshooting across our extensive portfolio of sinks and taps as well as cooker hoods, appliances and waste disposal units (WDUs).

Our Field Service Technicians

provide technical support on instant boiling water taps, cooker hoods and WDUs. They are responsible for visiting customers’ homes, or providing remote support, to diagnose any issues with Franke products and to carry out repairs.

You also offer an extensive spare parts provision. Can you tell us about that?

As part of our Consumer Care offer, Central Services is the main supplier of Franke spares and accessories. This is an important part of our service delivery as we want to encourage people to repair - rather than replace - their products if they can. No matter how old a product

is, it’s worthwhile for installers to get in touch with the team to find the parts they need. The team recently sourced parts for a 30-year-old tap, which just goes to show how our products are designed to last.

What

Our website is packed with a wealth of resources including guides to choosing sinks and taps, installation guides (including cut out templates for sinks), technical information, FAQs, cleaning and maintenance guides, downloadable product brochures, plus much more.

Recognising that installers want a hassle-free installation, we’ve also produced a series of short training and information videos covering popular topics on installing sinks and taps which can be found on our YouTube channel. Of course, we’re always happy to help people directly

other resources are available to help avoid any installation issues?

Boiling Water Taps

through our customer service department.

Once the installer has finished fitting the products, is there any other advice they can pass on to the customer?

Franke products are designed with ease of maintenance in mind, but there are some simple tips customers can follow to keep their products performing well and looking great.

Like any household appliance, instant boiling water taps will need a little extra care and attention to ensure they

continue to operate like new. Replacing the water filter is an important part of the ongoing maintenance of an instant boiling water tap and is unfortunately something that is often overlooked by consumers. Changing the filter every six months reduces limescale build up in the tank and improves the quality of the dispensed water too. It’s helpful for installers to reinforce the message that it’s not a case of fit and forget once the tap has been installed. We’ve put together a simple guide in the FAQs section of our website to help prevent any future issues with an instant boiling water tap and there’s also

What’s next for Franke’s aftersales service?

We’ve recently expanded the Field Service team with two new employees and at the same time we’ve invested in five new service vehicles. Towards the end of the year, our Field Service Technicians will be delivering an annual maintenance package for Instant Boiling Water tap customers. This tap ‘MOT’ will provide customers with the peace of mind that their product is running at peak performance and will help to avoid any after sales interventions.

For more information, please contact Franke UK on: 0161 436 6280 or visit www.franke.co.uk

We want to encourage people to repair - rather than replace - their products if they can.

a handy blog featuring an easy, step-by-step 30-minute MOT.

Showering in Safety

In late January, SENSTEC Managing Director, Christopher Hackett swapped the green hills of Northern Ireland for the flat desert of Las Vegas, to talk at the KBIS Convention.

With few standards or testing methods for manufacturers to follow, the market has become confused with many unable to quickly and factually assess the expected level of anti-slip when using a shower tray. This, in turn, makes it harder for customers to make an informed decision on what level of anti-slip they will be getting with a new product.

Fortunately, this is currently being addressed within European Standards which will improve on this situation.

WHAT TYPES OF ANTISLIP SHOWER TRAY ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE?

Anti-slip methods today come in two main forms: applied coatings or integrated manufacture, both of which come with a list of pros and cons.

Painted-on solutions are normally a textured paint that is applied (and reapplied over time) to give the shower a textured surface and increase the grip. While very cost-effective, painted-on solutions often need to be reapplied and are more difficult to keep clean, making

them unhygienic and at risk of becoming more slippery over time.

Integrated manufacture is when the anti-slip surface is made as part of the surface of the tray itself. This offers many advantages, such as lasting the lifetime of the shower tray, being consistent, and - in the case of SENSTEC – ensuring the product is easy to clean and very comfortable.

SENSTEC is the product of years of research and over 40 rigorously tested designs, to ensure that the end result achieves the right balance between comfort, anti-slip and ease of cleaning. SENSTEC has raised the bar previously set

by other anti-slip trays, with its combination of safety, comfort and cleanability, boasting a less than 1 in a 1,000,000 chance of accidental slippage!

SENSTEC works by having rows of ‘dimples’ that allow the user’s foot to gain more grip by breaking the contact between the body and the surface of a shower tray. The key with SENSTEC, and the reason there were over 40 prototypes, was making sure these ‘dimples’ were easily cleaned and comfortable. During testing, a key consideration was making them feel nice underfoot while still retaining their amazing anti-slip properties.

Christopher shared this knowledge at the KBIS Voices From The Industry Conference in late January, one of the largest KBB events on the calendar. He continues to push for more clarity for customers on how to define what is and isn’t anti-slip as well as showing the American market the benefits of using a preformed shower tray.

senstecshowertray.com

See what else we’re doing to move your business forward.

At Blum, we’re on a continuous journey; a journey driven by moving ideas. At the heart of it all is our commitment to improve not just our products, but the service and support we offer all our partners.

Our teams continue to dedicate their efforts towards developing new innovations and delivering consistent quality, while playing our part in ensuring a sustainable and efficient future for the long term. With your help, our combined efforts and actions can shape what happens next.

By providing solutions that support the needs and aspirations of your customers, we are 100% committed to helping you realise yours.

moving ideas is in our nature.

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ALL NEW SHENAYA

Shenaya epitomises a slim, smooth shaker design, available in a multitude of neutral and colourful tones. Handle-less or with handles. Available to re-create on Crown Kitchen Explorer.

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