SPONSOR NEWS

Sponsor News

FORMICA ADDS CONSUMER AND TRADE CUSTOMER-FRIENDLY FEATURE TO ITS WEBSITE

Formica has added a Home Products facility on the ‘Where to Buy’ tab on its website which gives access to over sixty kitchen studios in the UK & Ireland.

This consumer-friendly initiative allows purchasers of domestic Formica products to search and purchase worktops from their nearest kitchen studios with use of a convenient postcode locator. All of Formica´s domestic home product ranges can be found at its partner kitchen studios, including its celebrated Axiom, Prima, and Aria collections . The company say that the idea is to link its end consumers with its studio partners thereby strengthening the business partnership and adding value to every customer.

To access, visit www.formica.com, click on ‘Where to Buy’ at the top, click on ‘Home products’, include your postcode, and a list of kitchen studios near you will pop up.

Ryan Smith, Head of Residential UK & IR, Formica Group comments, “The idea behind ‘Where To Buy’ is to better promote our strategic, business partnerships with Kitchen Studios across the UK and Ireland and to improve the selection/ buying experience for end consumers.

For studio’s, we can use our brand reach to bring more consumers through their doors and for the end consumer, we can direct them to a local studio where they can physically see and interact with our many worktop products.

Websites and brochures are great tools to provide inspiration and to aid in selection, but nothing beats seeing the products in person and benefiting from the in-store expertise that the kitchen studios provide.

I’m excited by the benefits that this added value service can offer and we are keen to sign up and promote more of our kitchen studio partners through ‘Where to buy’.”

www.formica.com/en-gb/where-to-buy

IDS ADDS XTRA STEP TO ITS PORTFOLIO

IDS has expanded its flooring portfolio with the addition of the exclusive Xtra Step water-resistant laminate range. Six stylish real wood effect decors are now available ex-stock, offering a high-quality and pricecompetitive flooring solution suitable for a wide range of domestic and commercial applications.

The hardwearing 12mm thick planks come in a choice of popular shades including elegant greys, fashionable greige and easy-living oaks, across three surface finishes of Linear Grain, Authentic Grain and Registered & Embossed.

The Xtra Step range features Aqua Protect technology for enhanced water resistance, backed by a three-year wet area warranty, making it ideal for use in all environments including kitchens and bathrooms.

Manufactured by Unilin, Xtra Step laminate features the patented Uniclic locking system which offers fast and easy installation, making the flooring suitable for refurb, new build and DIY projects alike. The range is compatible with underfloor heating systems, is slip resistant and is available with colour matched accessories.

The Xtra Step laminate range is FSC® certified and is supported by a 25-year residential warranty with five-years for commercial use. It is available for 24-48 hour delivery from all IDS branches nationwide.

www.idsurfaces.co.uk

Sponsor News

GLOBAL LAUNCH FOR ROCA’S NEW ONA COLLECTION

Roca has launched its new Ona collection in a global live-streaming event from the Joan Miró Foundation in Barcelona. The presentation was simultaneously followed by 4000 people around the world.

The presentation was conducted by some of the professionals involved in its design, development, and production processes as well as its communication campaign. Marc Viardot, Roca Group’s Corporate Marketing and Design Director; Carolina Velasquez, Chief Designer at NOA Intelligent Design; Gae Benedito, Senior Product Designer at Benedito Design; Gabriel Escamez, Founder of the interior design studio Cobalto; and Daniel Ayuso, Creative Director of the branding agency Clase Bcn, took part in a round table conducted by Nuria Moliner, Architect, Communicator and Researcher.

There were also live link-ups to Roca factories in Anadia (Portugal) and Gavà (Spain) to learn about the production processes of the collection’s ceramic pieces and brassware.

Marc Viardot revealed the first images of Roca’s new launch, defined by a Mediterraneaninspired design with soft shapes and geometric lines. Viardot highlighted the values of the new collection: “A timeless, highly functional and accessible design, respecting natural materials and having a transversal approach to sustainability”.

Ona’s development has been orchestrated by the Roca Design Centre team involving teams from the Benedito Design studio and NOA Intelligent Design. Deploying the latest technological innovations, new standards of hygiene and comfort have been achieved in all product categories.

As for the working methodology, Gae Benedito explained that “we have worked like one single team. The Roca Design Centre contributes its knowledge and expertise in the design and production of bathroom space elements and we provide a creative proposal that meets those requirements. Together we have come up with the final solution.” In this sense, Carolina Velasquez pointed out that “in our case, for the basin design, we have taken advantage of all new design possibilities offered by a material like Fineceramic®, exclusively developed by Roca.”

The interior designer Gabriel Escamez highlighted the wide range of elements that make up the collection: “Ona collection is elementary and organic, connected with nature and easy to integrate into any space. Its versatility and its wide range of dimensions make it highly compatible with furniture and

accessories. This is something that I really value as an interior designer.” Finally, Daniel Ayuso of Clase Bcn, the studio in charge of the art direction of the communication campaign, recalled that “Ona is a Catalan word that means ‘wave’, a concept that takes us to the Mediterranean Sea, which is intrinsically linked to Roca.”

To conclude the presentation Marc Viardot stressed that “we want to strive for the best solutions and the best answers to all the new challenges that are confronting us, with a common ambition to make every project better and more suitable for a modern world.”

Finally, there was a live link-up to the Roca Barcelona Gallery, where the new products are exhibited until March 2022.

www.roca.com

JOE BRAWN APPOINTED AS HEAD OF PRODUCT MANAGEMENT AT AQUALISA

Bathroom specialist Aqualisa today announced that Joe Brawn has joined the innovative British manufacturer as head of product management, leading the company’s product strategy and overseeing the introduction of new Aqualisa solutions to the UK and international markets.

Reporting to Mike Simpson, product and marketing director, leads a team of six product managers and executives responsible for managing the company’s extensive bathroom portfolio and developing its long-term product roadmap. As part of this new position, Joe will be pivotal in the expansion of the Aqualisa line-up and enhancements to the customer experience throughout the range. One of his first plans is to design and implement a bespoke product management framework to streamline launches and increase the efficiency of new product delivery.

An experienced product management leader, Joe’s career has spanned more than 15 years, working within high profile organisations across diverse sectors and categories. He joins Aqualisa from kitchenware company DKB Household where he headed up global product management of the Cole & Mason brand. Previous positions have included global brand manager at Bissell Homecare, Inc, and product manager at Vax.

Mike Simpson, product and marketing director, added, “The expansion of our product line-up is essential to our ambitious growth strategy, and I believe Joe’s breadth of experience and expertise from across a varied range of industries will add immense value to our organisation.”

Joe has a busy family life with two children under four years old. A serious sports fan, during his rare free time, his biggest passion is watching and playing rugby, and generally keeping fit. He also likes to unwind listening to his favourite music tracks.

www.aqualisa.co.uk

BUSHBOARD SUPPORTS GLOUCESTERSHIRE WOMEN’S CHARITY

Bushboard, laminate worksurfaces supplier of Nuance, is pleased to share its support for Gloucester-based charity, The Nelson Trust, as part of a recent refurbishment project. A multi-occupancy facility, The Nelson Trust provides support to men, women, and families.

Working together with Jewson Partnership Solutions to design and create a shower room for the Gloucester Women’s facility, Bushboard has donated its decorative bathroom panels, Nuance, to provide the women engaging with the organisation and its services with a comfortable space for showering.

Paul Findley, National Sales Manager of Nuance, comments, “We are delighted to support The Nelson Trust on this project and be a small part of the transformation for the women at the facility. The Nelson Trust provides a vital rehabilitation service and it’s fantastic to be part of their journey. We sincerely hope that all the guests of the centre will enjoy and benefit from the new and improved space.”

www.bushboard.co.uk

VITRA HONOURED WITH DESIGN AWARD FOR NEW LONDON FLAGSHIP SHOWROOM

VitrA Bathrooms has secured a further prestigious industry award, this time for its new flagship showroom in Clerkenwell, London – VitrA London. The Designer Awards held this year at The Connaught Rooms, London, celebrates the best in residential and commercial design with numerous categories for design and innovation. VitrA has won Bathroom Show Space of the Year, a recognition for its new 5,500 sq. ft. showroom which was completed during the pandemic.

VitrA London is a creative hub for architects, designers, and thinkers. In addition to a wide range of product displays, the showroom has dedicated spaces for product specification, events, and workshops.

Margaret Talbot, European and UK marketing manager for VitrA said “We are delighted to receive this award for VitrA London. We are all thrilled with the response to the showroom. I must take this chance to thank everyone who has made it a success, particularly to tpbennett who designed the space, and to thank The Designer for this recognition.”

london.vitra.co.uk

FOYNE JONES FORGES TWO NEW PARTNERSHIPS TO DRIVE INDUSTRY GROWTH

Foyne Jones, will raise the profile of the KBB, Builders Merchant & Home Interiors sectors by partnering with the BiKBBI and national training provider, Didac, specialists in the furniture, wood and merchanting sectors.

Referring to the relationship with the BiKBBI Peter Jones, Foyne Jones Founder & Managing Director comments, “The BiKBBI credo of operating with a ‘Together Stronger’ mentality has always been a quality I support in business, which is why I am so excited to support the institute. Together, we can optimise apprenticeship schemes for the next generation and continue to provide job support for the wider KBB communities. We hope our involvement as a Corporate Sponsor will have a positive impact on the calibre of design talent and exclusive career opportunities our industry is able to take advantage of and I am confident, we can make a difference.”

Damian Walters, BiKBBI, CEO says, “Career support and guidance is extremely important, especially when faced with the challenges from the past 18 months. Peter has a great deal of knowledge and expertise to offer and we look forward to working with the Foyne Jones team in supporting the industry over the coming months and years.”

Foyne Jones is also pleased to announce partnering with national training provider,

Didac, an organisation that has established a reputation for delivering quality training.

Based in Bristol, Didac, delivers around 200 work-based Apprenticeships for the KBB, Builders Merchant and Electrical Sectors. These highly soughtafter Professional Development Apprenticeships including Trade Supplier, Business Admin, Warehousing and Team Leading, as well as Furniture and Woodworking Apprenticeships.

The work Foyne Jones and Didac carry out together will be dual-branded, thus doubling the chances of finding the right people for the job and flagging the value of industry partnerships and collaborations. Peter Jones says, “We are getting the message out there straight away with the recruitment of two trainer/assessors with one role based in the Sheffield, South Yorkshire area and the other based in Colchester, North Essex. For me, apprenticeships and attracting our stars of the future is something really close to my heart especially when ‘building back better’ is of huge national significance.”

Do you want to protect your company’s future and discover the latest thinking on recruitment and careers? Discuss your team’s needs in confidence with Foyne Jones today:

www.foynejones.com

FRANKE UK ANNOUNCES CHANGES WITHIN ITS DISTRIBUTION NETWORK

Franke UK has announced that it is merging the operations of two of its distribution businesses, Sinks & Things in Ashford and The Sink Space in Cricklade, with effect from January 1st 2022.

The merged business will operate under the Sinks & Things brand from its current location in Ashford which Franke acquired in January 2020. The Sink Space business, a solus distributor of Carron Phoenix products, will be closed and all warehouse stock and customers transferred across to Sinks & Things ahead of January 1st.

Following a review of both operations at The Sink Space and Sinks & Things, the company will create a simpler business structure, reduce costs and consolidate stockholding in one location, with products available for next day courier delivery.

Sinks & Things currently distributes Franke’s entire portfolio including sinks, taps, waste management products and decorative hoods and, following the merger, it will also offer the full Carron Phoenix

range giving customers access to both brands from one single provider. Other products available include Domus Ducting, Interbin waste management and McAlpine plumbing kits.

Sinks & Things will continue to operate as part of Franke’s distribution network which includes Waterline, Swift, Forth & Clyde in Scotland, Bodel in Northern Ireland and Kitchen Accessories Ltd (KAL) in the Republic of Ireland.

Says Neil Clark (pictured), Managing Director of Franke UK, “The post-Covid economy presents both opportunities and challenges and we want to ensure that we are in the best position to deal with them with a stronger, clearer and more streamlined service for our customers. We acquired Sinks & Things pre-pandemic with a view to investing in the business to take it forward with enhanced customer service, delivery and operations and we are staying true to that intention.”

www.franke.com