BiKBBI The Installer Magazine July 2020

installer

Issue 22 - Summer 2020

the

magazine

“Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or the present are certain to miss the future.� John F Kennedy The official magazine of The British Institute of KBB Installation

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WE’RE GREAT. DON’T LOSE SIGHT OF THAT. The Great in Great Britain is not there by coincidence.

We have a proven track record of overcoming adversity and you’ll do well not to forget that!

Not only is Great Britain leading the charge in the development of a vaccine to rid this world of Coronavirus, but our economic handling of the crisis, whilst perhaps not faultless, has in my opinion led the way globally.

But of course, this has come at a price and the world will be a different place as we recover from the impact. Despite green shoots of normality peeking through the dark soil, we must all be realistic in acknowledging that change is ahead and perhaps long overdue.

Our front cover is dedicated to former American President John F. Kennedy, who unarguably was an advocate of pioneering and forward thinking. His famous quote should be an inspiration to us all, but a warning to those who choose not to accept change.

We must cut our cloth accordingly, plan for a storm and as business leaders

navigate our businesses through unchartered waters.

We really shouldn’t assume that whatever we did yesteryear is fit for purpose for tomorrow – because the likelihood is that this will not be the case.

We’re already seeing analysis of businesses that have invested in digital, versus those who have not, and the results are shocking if perhaps unsurprising. Businesses that have digitalised have performed better than those who have not – including ours.

In 2018, I instigated the digitalisation of our operation, transforming the organisation from a paper heavy one, to paperless. This wasn’t in preparation for a pandemic of course, but it was in recognition that times had changed and technology was leading this shift.

My choice to change resulted in the almost instant mobilisation of our workforce in March, enabling the team to work from home seamlessly.

Without that investment, we would have closed the operation and quite possibly not re-emerged. We definitely

wouldn’t have been there for our industry at a time when we were most needed.

Our old, traditional system was perfectly adequate for the time. It worked fine. It would have been ‘easier’ to stick with it… but something inside me knew that change was necessary. And the rest – well, that is history!

So, my plea to you all is this.

Don’t be afraid of change.

Change is what humanity does. We face challenges, we overcome challenges and we evolve.

We can do this – we will do this!

The human loss is catastrophic.

The financial burden will be unprecedented and the impact that this will have on us all is yet to be known. Whilst I truly believe that we will emerge stronger, we are a long way off the benefits and it’s the decisions we all make over the next few years that will dictate the overall outcome.

Damian Walters BiKBBI CEO

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Contents Xxxxxxxx

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PROTECTED INITIATIVE DEFINED SIMPLY

08 BiKBBI ANNOUNCES BA AS NEW SPONSOR 10

FEELING PROTECTED FROM BEGINNING TO END

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BiKBBI NEWS

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SPONSOR NEWS

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INDUSTRY NEWS BY KBBDAILY.COM

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INDUSTRY NEWS

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STRENGTHEN YOUR BUSINESS, ADVICE BY HOUZZ

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WHY BUSHBOARD IS PUTTING INSTALLERS FIRST

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NEW SPONSOR - BA!

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PUTTING INSTALLERS FIRST

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PROTECTED INITIATIVE DEFINED

30 KITCHEN LARDERS: WHAT TO

CONSIDER AND HOW TO INSTALL WITH HÄFELE 36

TAPS: ECO FRIENDLY AND ENERGY SAVING TAPS WITH FRANKE

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INSURANCE MATTERS

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PRO BUSINESS MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE BY HOUZZ

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FIT FOR THE FUTURE WITH VITRA

48 DAVAL UNVEILS TWO NEW FINISHES

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50 HYGIENIC AND QUICK TO

FIT BATHROOM PANELLING FROM SHOWERWALL

BATHROOM PANELLING

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FIT FOR THE FUTURE

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KITCHEN LARDERS

OUR SPONSORS

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54 VOICE ACTIVATED SHOWER FROM AQUALISA

Visit us online: www.issuu.com/casapublishing

58 THINK ELECTRIC WITH VOGUE (UK) RADIATORS 60

'BOUTIQUE COLLECTION' RADIATORS FROM STELRAD

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GAME CHANGING RADIATORS FOR BATHROOM DEISGN BY ZEHNDER GROUP UK

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VOGUE (UK) CELEBRATES 30 YEARS

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ONLINE 3D KITCHEN PLANNING WITH HOME BY ME

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VOICE ACTIVATED SHOWER

NEW WIRELESS AUDIO SOLUTIONS

BY HAMILTON LITESTAT

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IMPROVED HEALTH PROTECTION

BY FESTOOL

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CASE STUDY WITH BRANDT DESIGN

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THE BRONZE AGE BY ROTPUNKT

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Q & A WITH JUSTIN ADGAR

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INSTALLER ADVICE FROM RICHARD RENOUF

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Subscribe: www.bikbbi.org.uk/contact/ magazine/

ROB NICHOLLS e: rob@publicityengineers.com

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THINK ELECTRIC

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94 DIRECTORY

AND MUCH MORE INSIDE ...

Facebook: @TheInstallerMagazine

For all enquiries including editorial, advertising, advertorial, directory and promotional enquiries contact:

74 GIRA RELEASE NEW SOFTWARE UPDATE 76

Follow us: Facebook: @casapublishing

BOUTIQUE COLLECTION

Designer JANINE FEARON e: janine@casapublishing.co.uk

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THE 'BRONZE AGE'

Finance and Admin Manager CARLY EVANS e: carly@casapublishing.co.uk

OUR SPONSORS

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BiKBBI News

PROTECTED INITIATIVE – DEFINED SIMPLY! KITCHEN & BATHROOM INSTALLERS: PROTECT YOUR FUTURE

Many installers will by now have heard of the new Protected initiative which was originally unveiled, by the government sanctioned BiKBBI at The Houses of Parliament in 2019, however, the team at The Installer magazine wonders just how many understand the simplicity of the initiative and how incredibly beneficial it will be to them if they get on board, to be fair, it’s an absolute game-changer! We thought therefore, that we would take a quick look and explain it concisely for those who don’t have the time to research these things…

The new Protected initiative is set to change the way homeowners find, appoint and transact with specialist kitchen and bathroom installers, bringing about much needed change and unrivalled protection for installers.

Protected is a new digital platform that connects customers with installers, which supports the project and protects the relationship in a number of innovative ways.

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Customers are linked with local installers via the website and installers are sent contact details directly to form a direct relationship.

The platform works on a one-job for oneinstaller basis, so Protected registered installers will not be in competition for the same customer. There’s no cost for installers to join the platform, there are no lead-fees and there are no deductions from projects.

It’s completely free to installers.

The platform then takes care of the admin, helping to schedule appointments, create quotes and importantly creates a Trading Standards approved agreement between them and their customer. Installers create their own quotes and have flexibility to adjust regional pricing to suit the project specifics.

Once the agreement is made, the customer pays a deposit to secure an installation date, into a third-party payment processor and protected by an escrow agreement.

An escrow is an agreement that governs the movement of money and under what conditions payments are made. 14 days

The new Protected initiative is set to change the way homeowners find, appoint and transact with specialist kitchen and bathroom installers, bringing about much needed change and unrivalled protection for installers.

BiKBBI News before the install, the balance is made into the escrow protected account and is protected in full from there on.

“Throughout my extensive career in the home improvement industry, I’ve been constantly disappointed by the lack of protection for hard working, reputable tradespeople. Retail collapse, sometimes unfair customer expectation and the economy has hit small businesses hard and it’s not something that we should just

accept. The Protected initiative means that a tradesperson will never lose money again if they’ve upheld their end of the deal by doing a good job. And that’s guaranteed,” comments Damian Walters, CEO at BiKBBI. In the event of dispute, both the consumer and the installer have access to on-site assessment from the BiKBBI to support resolution. The consumer is fully financially protected, as is the installer and the entire proposition is underpinned by insurance

backed workmanship warranties and the high standards set by the BiKBBI. Protected provides an installation solution that is professional, robust and protective of both the consumer and, crucially, the installers’ best interests. It’s the new way to find, appoint and transact with specialists whilst removing the risk. For more information about Protected visit: www.protectmyinstall.co.uk

How many understand the simplicity of the initiative and how incredibly beneficial it will be to them if they get on board, to be fair, it’s an absolute game-changer! There’s no cost for installers to join the platform, there are no lead-fees and there are no deductions from projects. It’s completely free to installers.

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BiKBBI News

BiKBBI ANNOUNCES BA AS SPONSOR! BA has become a sponsor of the BiKBBI, joining the growing band of major industry players that support the institute’s ethos of driving for greater skills training and professional standards in the industry.

BA is an established manufacturer of kitchens, bedrooms, doors and accessories celebrating 30 years this year and from humble beginnings now has facilities in Doncaster and Rotherham in Yorkshire and Cookstown, Northern Ireland. The company has become renowned in Europe for its kitchen and bedroom manufacturing capabilities.

Commenting on the sponsorship, Peter Rush, BA Chief Executive Officer, says, “We are delighted to be joining forces with Damian and the team at BiKBBI to support their network of members. We recognise, as should every manufacturer in the industry,

We are thrilled to welcome BA on board as a corporate sponsor. It is a highly regarded brand within the industry and they have a lot to offer our members in terms of knowledge, training and experience. We are looking forward to enabling BA to connect with our professional installer network and working with them over the coming months and years.”

the value of a professional network of installers whose work will, ultimately, reflect well on the products that they fit. For us, it’s a clear win-win, and we look forward to contributing to learning goals through the BiKBBI Campus and together making a positive difference for the industry as a whole.”

“We are thrilled to welcome BA on board as a corporate sponsor,” enthused Damian Walters, CEO of the BiKBBI. “It is a highly regarded brand within the industry and they have a lot to offer our members in terms of knowledge, training and experience. We are looking forward to enabling BA to connect with our professional installer network and working with them over the coming months and years.”

BA supplies large retailers, builders’ merchants, kitchen/bedroom independents, suppliers, manufacturers and merchant groups across the UK, ROI and 30 countries worldwide under its BA, Blossom Avenue and KitchenKit brands. Whether its bespoke or standard, kitchens, bedrooms, made-to-measure doors, rigid cabinets, contract manufacturing, OEM made to specification, bulk doors, components or laminated sheet materials, BA states that it has a solution for every design. www.byba.co.uk

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BiKBBI News

Peter Rush, BA Chief Executive Officer

We are delighted to be joining forces with Damian and the team at BiKBBI to support their network of members.

We recognise, as should every manufacturer in the industry, the value of a professional network of installers."

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BiKBBI News

FEELING PROTECTED FROM BEGINNING TO END We speak to Lizzie Mander, a homeowner who has recently taken advantage of Protected, the new and innovative installation service to fit her new kitchen ...

For the uninitiated, Protected is a new digital service that connects consumers with professional members of The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI), supporting their installation project and protecting the relationship in a number of innovative ways, including payment protection utilising new and cutting edge technology.

Lizzie Mander from Huntingdon has just used Protected in order to complete her new kitchen installation. She was first signposted to the service through her local retailer, where she purchased her kitchen.

Lizzie comments, “When I was in store, the sales team provided me with an overview of Protected and introduced me to the website.

It was instantly attractive to be able to access a professional installation service that protected my interests. The website itself was extremely easy to use and self-explanatory.

I also received support from the Protected team, so when we were in a position to meet with the installer there was already a certain level of trust as they had crossed the quality threshold.�

When I was in store, the sales team provided me with an overview of Protected and introduced me to the website.

It was instantly attractive to be able to access a professional installation service that protected my interests.

Through Protected, Lizzie was able to input the details of her project and generate a summary of costs for consideration. The next step was to receive a free, no obligation home survey, which included an itemised breakdown of work, clear pricing with a detailed written quotation and a Trading Standards approved contract for service that provided a great foundation for the relationship. With all this information in her hands, Lizzie was able to engage an independently accredited BiKBBI approved installer to work on her project.

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INTRODUCING

UK mANUfACTURED, LEADING qUALITY & ON-TREND DESIGN EASY TO CHOOSE • Choose a Slab, J-Pull or Shaker door, simple • Choose from 10 of the latest on-trend colours • Choose from 23 cabinet sizes • Choose your accessories

EASY TO BUY • All components included within one sku code • Readily available, off-the-shelf or on demand

EASY TO BUILD • Flat-Packed: Quick Build Cabinets as little as 30 second build time.

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Fitting a kitchen has never been easier! find out more At bikbbicampus.org.uk/resources 11

BiKBBI News Lizzie chose Chris Deller from CMD Kitchens & Bathrooms Ltd to undertake the installation work. “Chris was amazing,” says Lizzie. “He was an artist when it came to the installation and always asked us what we wanted and needed, he was very respectful and fantastic throughout the project. Our kitchen is exactly how we imagined and the process from beginning to end was seamless.”

“From my perspective, Protected is an excellent service. The huge benefit is the

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fact that as the homeowner you have to sign it off, you need to be happy with the work and that is a great form of protection,” Lizzie concludes.

consumers best interests. It’s the new way to find, appoint and transact with specialists whilst removing the risk usually associated with home improvement.

On completion, Lizzie had an opportunity to provide a review on her experience, before being issued with her insurance backed workmanship guarantee.

For more information about Protected visit:

Protected provides an installation solution that is professional, robust and protective of both the installers’ and, crucially, the

www.protectmyinstall.co.uk And for more information about the BiKBBI visit: www.bikbbi.org.uk.

SAVE 10% As a TradePoint member through your federation you can now enjoy 10% discount on practically every product across B&Q and TradePoint.

Plus, there’s no minimum spend!

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FREE BULK DELIVERY † n Choose and pay for products online, then they’ll be ready to collect from your local store an hour later. **Selected products/locations. Restrictions apply. See TradePoint.co.uk

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See TradePoint.co.uk for availability and more details. Bulk Delivery - Min spend £100.

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BiKBBI News

BATHSTORE CLAIMS NEARS COMPLETION Ryan Grant, joint Administrator at insolvency firm BDO, acting for Bathstore.com (now BSCL Realisations Limited), has communicated with installers informing them that the process of agreeing unsecured creditors’ claims is underway.

Ryan Grant, Joint Administrator, BDO

Not to be confused with the Bathstore brand, now owned and operated by HHGL (Homebase), who purchased the brand last year, Bathstore. com fell into administration and closed its doors owing installers millions of pounds.

Ryan Grant (pictured) wrote to creditors in June, requesting that final submissions must be made, together with proof of debt, urging those affected to email bscom@bdo.co.uk to stake their claim.

BiKBBI CEO Damian Walters commented, “Sadly the process of insolvency is flawed in a number of ways, with once again the small business who delivered their services in good faith, paying the ultimate price.”

Damian added: “Whilst it’s great

to see the process heading toward a conclusion, it’s taken too long and is likely to disappoint those affected. The system simply fails to protect SME’s, whilst HMRC and other stakeholders are prioritised.

Unsecured creditors, in this case installers, are amongst the last to fight over scraps and that simply isn’t right.”

The BiKBBI launched its Protected initiative in Parliament last year, aiming to remove financial risk for participating installers and their customers.

The scheme began testing in January this year and will launch nationally in the summer.

Whilst it’s great to see the process heading toward a conclusion, it’s taken too long and is likely to disappoint those affected."

BiKBBI AND FIESTA ANNOUNCE COLLABORATION The BiKBBI has joined the Furniture and Interiors Education, Skills and Training Alliance (FIESTA) to ensure that a voice for the training requirements of installers is represented in the body.

Founded in 2017, FIESTA brings together the key trade associations and affiliates from across the furniture and interiors industry to work together to address education and training issues.

By joining FIESTA, Damian Walters, CEO of the BiKBBI, has committed to sitting on the FIESTA executive with other industry representatives and contributing to FIESTA’s aims of encouraging and inspiring new talent to join the industry.

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Gary Baker (pictured), Chairman of FIESTA said, “FIESTA is very pleased to welcome the British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom, Bathroom Installation as one of our collaborating trade associations and affiliates.

The BiKBBI has done some fantastic work addressing the training and education needs within the installation sector and we’re delighted to have someone with Damian’s passion and enthusiasm on the FIESTA executive to work alongside us in identifying and creating solutions that support the needs of the entire furniture and interiors industry.”

In response, Damian Walters commented, “Education is extremely important to the work

we undertake as an institute, to encourage future generation of kbb installers. The aims of FIESTA dovetail perfectly with our own goals and ambitions of ensuring the right training and apprenticeship schemes are in place and that we have people with the specialist skills to ensure our industry flourishes.

We are delighted to be involved with FIESTA and look forward to working with all the associations to bring about change in the development of training and education.”

Gary Baker, Chairman, FIESTA

FIESTA is very pleased to welcome the British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom, Bathroom Installation as one of our collaborating trade associations and affiliates."

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BiKBBI News

NORMAL IS OVER –TACKLING THE ‘NEW NORM.’ Laura Capell-Abra, Director at Stress Matters, discusses the need to adjust our working and personal practises for the future.

As we come out of lockdown, the phrase ‘new normal’ seems to have replaced ‘unprecedented situation’ as the current Pandemic buzz-phrase. I’ve never particularly liked the word ‘normal’ anyway, but this phrase does suggest that the environment in which we work, live and play has changed, that we can alter our routines to adapt easily to it.

The world has changed significantly due to the Pandemic and the ramifications for the future of the KBB industry are far-reaching, affecting everyone from large manufacturers, distributors, retailers and of course, installers. We are only just beginning to imagine how this will change the KBB world forever more.

I have, however, taken encouragement in seeing how people, who, having more time on their hands, are using it

positively by challenging their routines and habits, reviewing and adjusting their priorities and taking a step back to consider the true value of what they are doing and how it contributes to a fulfilling life for them and their families.

On the other hand, many people have far less time and are having to juggle a full-time job with full time childcare. Then, of course, you’ve got the heroes who are working on the front line under immense pressure, putting their lives at risk daily.

The point is, everyone’s ‘new normal’ is different right now and it will look different again when we eventually begin to recover from the damage the pandemic has created. That could be in three months, six months or even two or three years’ time - what’s ‘normal’ about that!

If there’s one thing this pandemic has re-enforced for me, is that living in an unpredictable world, where we need to embrace innovation and adaptability,

is the only kind of long term ‘normal’ we can expect.

For example, it was COVID-19 this year, Brexit in 2016 - 2019, recession in 2008. I realise this may sound negative but what if we see this as an opportunity to embrace a constantly changing environment as ‘normal’ and build our personal skills and business strategies around this, guiding constant that we can rely upon? It would make us more adaptable and resilient individuals and more innovative and compassionate business leaders. It would keep us sharp in looking for new opportunities for increased productivity and growth and more importantly we will be better prepared for what life may throw at us.

Perhaps the most powerful tool we have at our disposal is to step back, accept that ‘normal’ as we knew it has gone and to instead focus on how we can develop skills that empower ourselves and our businesses to not just survive during inevitable change, but to embrace it full heartedly.

Laura Capell-Abra, Director, Stress Matters

For those of us who have been lucky enough to have some reflection time, wouldn’t it be a shame if we didn’t take action from what we discovered?

Let’s make sure we action what we’ve learnt and make the new work and home routines that we build for ourselves in the post pandemic world maximise personal and family fulfilment.

We cannot change the unpredictable nature of the world we live in, but by kicking out the concept of ‘normal’ and embracing the idea that change is always going to be inevitable, we can learn to thrive. Not in spite of it, but because of it.

We cannot change the unpredictable nature of the world we live in, but by kicking out the concept of ‘normal’ and embracing the idea that change is always going to be inevitable, we can learn to thrive. Not in spite of it, but because of it.

MENTAL HEALTH AND PROFITABILITY In our pre-pandemic world, a third of business owners revealed that their relationships with their partner (38 per cent) and children (30 per cent) had suffered as a result of running a company. The majority of you will sometimes ‘wish you were doing something else’ (71 per cent).

James Capell-Abra, Business Development, Stress Matters

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This love-hate relationship that some have with their business is probably really being put to the tested at the moment.

However, the truth is, you cannot control this current situation as its unprecedented. No matter

how good you are at running a business, you cannot control outside influences like COVID-19 so its critical you look after yourself first.

It’s estimated that the financial consequence of business owners poor wellbeing may be having a big impact on companies bottom line? Possibly to the tune of over £1,000 per person!

This is generally made up of sick days, poor quality of work, troubled relationships, leaving roles, recruitment and training costs plus a few more things too. All sneak easily into your

annual budget without a second thought.

The solution, is to look after your wellbeing and it will directly impact the financial success of your company. In January this year, Deloitte found that for every £1 spent by employers on mental health interventions they get £5 back in reduced absence and staff turnover.

We truly believe that success doesn’t have to be stressful. www.stressmatters.org.uk

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Sponsor News

ROMAN LAUNCHES DESK & RECEPTION SHIELDS As a response to the current COVID -19 outbreak, British manufacturer of shower enclosures, Roman, has announced the launch of its Desk and Reception Shields.

The management team at Roman say that they are extremely keen to help and support its customers in every way possible. Accordingly, in April, Roman announced it will not administer any price increases in 2020 and now it is helping customers to open again and trade safely by designing and manufacturing desk and reception shields.

The feet are precision CNC cut from 12mm Glacier White Corian sheet in the Roman Fabrication plant and have strong double-sided tape beneath them to hold them in place. They offer a tight fit around the glass and can be positioned to suit the

installation prior to the tape being activated.

Two options exist to suit height requirements. The Desk Shield is 1470mm long and 755mm high, designed to offer protection around a standard desk height and width; however, the Reception Shield is for a raised Reception desk and is therefore 1500mm length and 490mm height.

Both products feature 6mm toughened safety glass to EN12150. Roman will have extensive stock and these items are already in manufacture and available on a 5-10 day delivery window.

The company say that if customers have other size requirements Roman will endeavour to assist if possible.

Roman’s Shield range can be ordered at: orders@roman-showers.com

THE GAP IS AN ALL-ROUNDER Roca, global manufacturer of bathroom products has launched a new collection of ‘The Gap’ sanitaryware; The Gap Round.

Designed as a solution for small spaces the new compact WC’s provide the same functionality as a standard WC and would be perfectly suited to a secondary bathroom. Its rimless design enhances hygiene, as it leaves no space for bacteria to grow, making the toilet easier to clean and maintain. This is complemented by the quick release seat and cover, which can easily be adjusted or detached allowing for easy cleaning. When flushed, the distribution of water ensures the entire bowl is rinsed, improving the experience for all users within the home.

“The Gap has always been a popular range and we are so excited to be able to build on the success of this with the new round design” comments Claire Gay, Marketing Manager at Roca.

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“We like to offer our customers products that complement their bathroom space and design style and by recreating The Gap in a rounder, softer shape we can expand the potential of this wellloved range.”

The latest products in the family include four rimless WC’s and two bidets. The round design is in contrast to the modern and sleek lines in the original collection and provides an alternative option for homeowners.

A key feature of the Roca toilet seats and covers is the Supralit® coating, Roca’s exclusive antibacterial resin is designed to protect toilets and bidets. Its exceptional design not only reinforces hygiene and durability, but the high level of UV-light resistance means the seat will not discolour over time.

This makes it an ideal choice for homeowners, developers, retailers and specifiers. www.uk.roca.com

Sponsor News

INSTALLER FRIENDLY ‘KITCHEN KIT’ FROM BA BA has recently introduced ‘Kitchen Kit’ and claim that it’s “trade kitchens made easy by making them easy to choose, easy to buy and easy to build.”

The team at BA state that it is a particularly user-friendly range as it has been pre-selected from its on-trend best sellers, so nothing is left to chance. ‘Kitchen Kit’ products are available from stock either off-theshelf or on demand and delivered within 48 hours or, if preferred, rigid-built with a ten day lead time.

There are three different door styles from which to select and in ten of the latest, most popular colours. All doors are available in either ultra matt or super gloss finishes and all the components are available on one sku code.

Kitchen Kit is extremely installer-friendly as it uses clever uniclic cabinets that can take as little as 30 seconds to build, the company say.

Brief specifications include: A selection of doors that have FIRA

Gold certification (highest rating) and cabinets which have FIRA Gold Level H. Sturdy white 18mm MFC Cabinets with 8mm backs. Adjustable legs and 49mm service void for base units.

Adjustable concealed hanging brackets with wall units. Adjustable shelves and fully integrated soft-close hinges throughout.

For further information on ‘Kitchen Kit’ visit your local builder’s merchant or email via: www.kitchenkit.co.uk

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Industry News

supplied by

USED KITCHEN EXCHANGE TO CREATE 180 JOBS WITH GOVERNMENT FUNDING The company has been awarded £120,000 government grant.

The Used Kitchen Exchange has been awarded a £120,000 government grant, in order to support its expansion and further develop sustainable business practices.

The company – which sells premium pre-owned used and ex-display kitchens – is looking to boost annual sales from £4million to £50 million by 2025, and will use the funding to create 180 jobs over the next 5 years.

The funding was awarded to the Widnes based kitchen brand in partnership with Liverpool John Moores University, and they will work in partnership to drive business growth and support the low carbon transition.

As part of the collaboration, the Used Kitchen Exchange will work with Claire Hannibal, Professor of Operations Management at Liverpool Business School,

SIEMENS TO OPEN FIRST UK HOME APPLIANCE SHOWROOM IN LONDON

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to develop a strategy for the business to capitalise on the boom in new home furnishing markets while also creating best practice for sustainable business growth.

Helen Lord, founder of Used Kitchen Exchange, said: ‘We’re thrilled to have been selected for the mKTP grant and equally delighted at the prospect of partnering with one of our local universities to reach our ambitious expansion goals.

David Bryde, director of Research and Knowledge at LJMU Business School, said: ‘In Liverpool Business School we very much see the Management KTP (mKTP) as an important vehicle for us to deliver on our mission to drive economic growth in partnership with business and industry. Through this particular mKTP we are delighted to be working in partnership with

Used Kitchen Exchange(UKE), a highly successful and innovative SME in the City Region. The two way nature of the mKTP enables our team of academics to not only help UKE in the next stage of their transformational journey, as they seek to grow their business and diversify into new markets, but also to gain invaluable practical insights that will inform their teaching and research.’

has been designed with both consumers and trade partners in mind. Each visitor will have an experience tailored to their needs, and will have the opportunity to see the appliances in action.

A Virtual Reality Lounge will also allow consumers to visualise their Siemens appliances in a kitchen setting, prior to finalising their design, in a fully immersive experience.

customer showroom in Dublin by offering live demonstrations and expert product advice, and we’re looking forward to replicating that in an environment dedicated to the Siemens brand.

‘Through growth in awareness and business expansion, we are going to normalise the sale and purchase of preowned kitchens. It’s a major opportunity because only 3% of kitchens are currently re-purposed. The benefits are enormous – it will bring cost effective kitchens to the marketplace, while driving massive environmental savings.

It’s a win-win for everyone. Let’s change the way we think about kitchens.’

The showroom is 350 sq m and located in the heart of London’s ‘kitchen alley'.

Siemens, the premium household appliance brand, has announced that it is opening its first UK home appliance showroom in autumn 2020.

The showroom, which is 350 sq m and located in the heart of London’s ‘kitchen alley,’ will highlight the latest technological innovations as well as showcasing a full range of Siemens appliances.

In a recent statement, Siemens announced that the showroom

Commenting on the showroom, Gaelle Thibaud, Siemens Marketing Manager, said: ‘We’re excited to announce our first showroom in the UK. We have enjoyed great success with our

‘This investment gives Siemens a physical presence in our capital and demonstrates our commitment to the UK kitchen industry. Offering customers an opportunity to see and use the appliances before purchasing will be more important than ever in the coming years and so we believe our new showroom will be a valuable resource for consumers and trade partners.’

Industry News

supplied by

ONE IN THREE BRITS PLANNING BATHROOM REMODEL, SURVEY FINDS BMA welcomes poll suggesting homeowners and renters alike keen to undertake bathroom improvements this year.

Nearly a third of UK adults are likely to undertake a partial or full bathroom refurbishment in the next 12 months, a poll has revealed.

Opinium surveyed a nationally representative group of over 2000 people between 14th17th July for the poll, which was commissioned by the Bathroom Manufacturers Association.

The poll also indicated that, for all those indicating a propensity to undertake bathroom improvements, the average time to undertake the work is envisaged to be 19 months.

In a surprising result, there

are insignificant differences between UK homeowners and wider population in the length of time taken to complete work, suggesting an appetite among renters for home improvement.

Tom Reynolds, Chief Executive of the BMA said: ‘As lockdown restrictions have eased, one of the challenges for bathroom manufacturers has been understanding demand. There have been some early causes for optimism in the market.

‘This evidence reinforces our hunch that people stuck indoors for months might be thinking about upgrading their bathroom.

There are still many unknown factors that mean we need to be cautious about the recovery, but this poll gives us a clear reason to be upbeat.’

HANSGROHE GROUP CLOSES FINANCIAL YEAR WITH NEW SALES HIGH The bathroom design specialist from Schiltach, Germany, generated total sales of €1.088 billion.

The Hansgrohe Group, comprising of brands AXOR and hansgrohe, has closed its 2019 financial year with a new sales high.

The bathroom design specialist from Schiltach, Germany, generated total sales of €1.088 billion, and compared to the previous year, this organic growth represents an increase of around one percent.

Jessica Visser Hansgrohe Group Speaking of the success and why the business chose to release the results, Hans Juergen Kalmbach, Chairman of the Board of Management of Hansgrohe, said: ‘For the tenth time in a row, Hansgrohe has achieved a new record in sales. With extensive investments in our future, we can look back on the second-best economic result in the history of our company. At Hansgrohe, we have together set the course to

emerge stronger from this crisis.

We are therefore deliberately publishing the positive figures for the 2019 financial year, so that the economic and financial solidity and reliability of Hansgrohe is substantiated.’

Turning to Covid-19 and how the business intends to face its effects on the industry, Kalmbach added: ‘In view of the Corona pandemic, reliable and serious forecasts are virtually impossible at the moment. Our focus is on the health and safety of our employees, as well as on our customers and partners and their families around the world.

Only thereafter comes our task, as a commercial enterprise, to maintain normal operations wherever possible. We are making every effort to overcome the existing challenges, together with our employees and market partners, and remain confident that we will succeed in this task in the mid-term. We can and will continue to invest in our future; for example, in the development of new products for the ISH trade fair in Frankfurt 2021.’

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Industry News

RAK-RESORT OFFERS STYLISH COMPACT BATHROOM STORAGE RAK Ceramics has upgraded its popular RAK-Resort collection, which now features a range of contemporary furniture in a compact format that uses space economically, making the bathroom feel luxuriously spacious.

Designed to be wall-hung, the furniture is available in five unit options – in widths ranging from 450mm to 650mm plus a corner unit – and in five colours of White, Grey, Mushroom, Stone and Denim Blue. Also designed as a retro-fit item, the furniture can easily be utilised to upgrade any RAK-Resort full, half pedestal or wall-mounted washbasin.

With ample storage space within to ensure the smallest of bathrooms or cloakrooms can be kept in an orderly fashion, the unit features soft close mechanisms as standard and has been designed for combining with RAK-Resort ceramics for complete coordination. www.rakceramics.com/uk/

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PUBLICITY ENGINEERS WIN 2020 MEDIA INNOVATOR AWARD Specialist KBB and lifestyle PR consultancy, Publicity Engineers, has been awarded with a 2020 Media Innovator Award, judged Best International PR & Marketing Agency in the UK. Established nearly 25 years ago, Publicity Engineers is dedicated to pure KBB and luxury lifestyle design and is well-established in its field.

Emily McCullagh, Managing Director at Publicity Engineers says, “We are extremely proud to be honoured with this ‘Media Innovator Award.’ This is made even more significant in light of the current health crisis, which has allowed us to demonstrate

the value of brand-visibility and remain a crucial component of our clients current and future business strategies.”

The Media Innovator Awards is in association with Corporate Vision Magazine and highlights advances in HR, marketing, coaching & recruitment. Jazmin Collins, Awards Co-ordinator for Corporate Vision, explains, “Our process works to ensure that we reward parties based on their excellence in the industry, the quality of their products and their dedication to service. To move successfully from nominee to winner, there must be evidence of extensive expertise and skills, dedication to customer service and

Emily McCullagh, Managing Director, Publicity Engineers

client satisfaction with an ongoing commitment to excellence and innovation.” She added, “I would like to congratulate Emily on her concerted efforts to develop and grow the business since taking the helm. I am confident that her

“We are extremely proud to be honoured with this ‘Media Innovator Award.’ This is made even more significant in light of the current health crisis, which has allowed us to demonstrate the value of brand-visibility and remain a crucial component of our clients current and future business strategies.” steps to evolve the brand has been a contributing factor in receiving this award and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for PE and its clients” www.publicityengineers.com

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23

Business Advice by Houzz

THINGS YOU CAN DO NOW TO STRENGTHEN YOUR BUSINESS With coronavirus dominating the news, we’re living in challenging times and it’s understandable that as a KBB installer you may feel anxious, however, there are things you can do now to come out of the pandemic stronger.

Houzz.co.uk, the platform for home renovation and design, spoke with its community of professionals to share their advice on how they plan to sustain their businesses during this uncertain time and The Installer team thought it would be beneficial to share it with our readers.

Keep clients up to date It’s more important now than ever to keep your clients up to date on the status of a project.

Nate of Nate Fischer Interiors, an interior designer on Houzz, explains, “keep your clients in the loop. They are probably as concerned about the status and future of their project as you are about the future of your business.”

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Display your work With people having to spend more times in their homes, many are turning to the internet. In fact, time spent on digital media is predicted to see an increase of 9.3% in 2020, according to eMarketer.

So it pays to make the most of any increased internet traffic by ensuring that your online presence looks its best.

Architect on Houzz, Angus of Fiftypointeight Architecture + Interiors agrees, “it’s important to communicate our recently completed projects, but also to reflect on past projects, as well as use our marketing to be very clear about the services we offer and the process we go through with each homeowner.”

Invest in marketing now You may have been fortunate in the past to get projects through word of mouth, always a fantastic way to build a reputation and that channel may well continue; but to guard against the possibility that

clients could be hesitant to get started on projects, you’ll need to broaden your reach. “Invest in marketing messages toward your demographic,” Susan of Savvy Interiors, a professional on Houzz says. “Don’t assume they’ll find you.”

Think long-term During any uncertain times, it’s easy to focus on the here and now, rather than taking in the bigger picture. Professionals on Houzz advise taking a step back and thinking long-term. “As much as possible, we’re trying to remain positive and make the best of the current situation,” explains Angus. “It’s allowed us to reflect on where we are and where we want to go in the future. We can then shape our marketing strategy to try to achieve this.”

Find ways to be helpful It’s understandably a time of anxiety for kbb fitters and one positive way to channel that anxious energy is by

redirecting it toward helping others, whether they’re your local healthcare providers, homeowners looking to renovate, or fellow design pros.

“Don’t give away your services, but give away advice in your communities,” says Susan.

“Create ways to problem-solve for them now, so they feel connected to you in six months and will remember how you helped when times were tough.”

Clean up internal processes If your business pipeline is slow, one way to stay calm and productive is to focus on the internal processes and tasks you never have time for when busy. “I’m going to dive into refining our process and communication flow internally and externally from first contact to project archive, and all the threads in-between,” Jenni of Jenni Leasia Interior Design says. www.houzz.co.uk

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Installers - sign up to the Bushboard Installer Network for VIP access to upcoming training opportunities, and be notified by email when new installation and product information is available.

In the Resource Centre, you can submit case studies, before and afters and completed projects for the chance to feature on our website, gallery and social media; submit questions to our in-house experts and download installation guides. www.bushboard.co.uk/bushboard-resource-centre

www.bushboard.co.uk | Tel: 01933 232 272

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Feature

WHY BUSHBOARD IS

PUTTING INSTALLERS FIRST

Nick Jones, Sales Leader, Bushboard

We are dedicated to creating surfaces that consumers can enjoy for many years and installers won’t ‘dread’ to fit.

Through constant improvement and innovative R&D processes we strive to make Bushboard a default choice for installers when choosing kitchen and bathroom surfaces.”

Options Tectonica Roche, Vista Golden Grove.

Nick Jones, Sales Leader for Bushboard talks to The Installer about the company’s innovative design credentials and business support strategy that aims to put installers at the front and centre.

“Creating laminate surfaces that are both at the cuttingedge of design and easy to install is no mean feat. But at Bushboard it’s our purpose. We understand that even if a worksurface has the most beautiful design, if it’s not simple to install then we are not supporting our partners to stay competitive. We are dedicated to creating surfaces that consumers can enjoy for many years and installers won’t ‘dread’ to fit. Through

constant improvement and innovative R&D processes we strive to make Bushboard a default choice for installers when choosing kitchen and bathroom surfaces.”

FLEXIBLE SIZES AND NO WASTAGE

When designing the Postform Decor range within Options & Omega, we ensured that installers were front of mind. By creating the entire range to incorporate 3m and 4.1m lengths of worksurface, we’ve enabled installers to cater for different length kitchens whilst also saving money and reducing waste from offcuts. The option to work with different worksurface lengths in a straightforward way, without having to cut to size, creates ease of use and flexibility, particularly when working on unusual shaped kitchens.

SPEED UP YOUR INSTALL As the old adage goes “time is money”. But what if you could speed up the time it takes to install without compromising the quality of the task in hand? The devil is very much in the detail here which is why our

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R&D team has created worktops in 600mm, 665mm and 900mm sizes. With a 665mm depth worktop you can install a full kitchen in less time as it provides the perfect amount of overhang, as well as space at the back, for standard 600mm cupboards.

GET THE AUTHENTIC LOOK OF TILES WITH THE SIMPLICITY OF A SPLASHBACK INSTALL Tiles look fabulous, but they’re not so fun to install.

Home to a diverse range of designs, from modern to Mediterranean-inspired, Bushboard’s splashbacks are a time and cost-effective solution to real ceramic tiles.

Installers can while away hours individually sourcing, positioning and grouting tiles, and for many it can be a real pain point that doesn’t always yield justifiable profit. With Bushboard’s on-trend, tile-inspired splashbacks customers will receive quality and the look they desire without having to negotiate cost and time with their installer for complicated designs.

EASY INSTALLATION; FABULOUS DESIGN As today’s consumer is not willing to compromise on style or quality, we want our installer partners to be able to give their customers and clients a stylish solution no matter what their budget is.

We’re dedicated to ensuring all new introductions to the range are in keeping with the latest design trends. Marble, timber and concrete are becoming increasingly popular choices in the home, all of which can be found across Bushboard’s collections. Such as laminate ranges Options, with 40 beautiful designs on 28mm and 38mm postform profiles, the new Options range makes realistic decors and textures available to everyone; and Omega, with 50 decors across a range of profiles including 22mm square edge, 38mm square edge and 38mm postform, a collection designed to

Feature Omega Doux Lime Quartz & Blocked Hex Dove Splashback

Options Cassata Ultramatt

Evolve Lightning Greystone

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Feature make designing a premium kitchen more straight forward. Our compact laminate range, Evolve, looks and feels like stone, without the long and expensive template, cut and fit process; it is also easier to fit than most compact laminates, and offers a decorative finish on both sides so it’s ideal for matching cladding, shelving and wrap over details to reduce wastage.

BUSINESS AND INSTALLATION SUPPORT AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Sometimes we just need to refresh what we already know. The Bushboard Installer Network is an information centre designed especially for our partners to access installation guides, videos and answers to frequently asked questions about our surfaces. The ‘here for you’ section of the information centre means we’re always by your side during installations and can be easily contacted to support with any technical issues. www.bushboard.co.uk

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:

WHEN YOU NEED SUPPORT, HAFELE IS HERE TO HELP.

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We know you may be facing challenges at the moment, so we have listened to your feedback and adjusted some of services to try and help.

Prices Held for 2020 We are holding our prices for the rest of 2020 so that you can have confidence when planning your future projects. By holding our prices for the rest of 2020, you can rest assured that the solutions you need will be available at prices you can rely on.

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FREE Next Day Delivery To support your business, we’ve halved our minimum free next day delivery threshold from £100 to £50 until the end of September. Order before 3pm for Free Next Day Delivery. *T&Cs apply

Find out more at hafele.co.uk/hafele-here-to-help

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Feature

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Feature

KITCHEN LARDERS:

WHAT TO CONSIDER, AND HOW TO INSTALL In an age when kitchen space is a premium, installers and designers are relied upon to advise how homeowners can maximise their storage options and make the most of every inch available.

Installing a pull out or swing out larder – storage which fits in the slim gaps between traditional kitchen cupboards – is one way of maximising space, while also giving a kitchen an extra stylish feature.

Homeowners might be more familiar with traditional kitchen cupboards and shelving, but larders can offer a more flexible solution. Configured to a user’s bespoke needs, capable of holding up to 100kgs

Before fitting a larder it’s important to learn about the environment the storage is going into, to ensure the user is provided the right system for their needs, and will be able to access the items within it as easily as possible.

in weight and available in a variety of finishes, they are a highly functional addition to a kitchen. But as the popularity of larders increases and customers begin to seek higher quality performance and aesthetics, installers who aren’t yet experienced in fitting these systems might wonder how easily they can be added to their service offering.

In this article, Matt Lissaman, Regional Sales Manager at Häfele, manufacturer and supplier of larder systems in the UK – explains what installers need to know before fitting the newest pull out and swing out systems, and which services are available to make installing larders as simple as possible.

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Feature CONSIDER THE SPACE Before fitting a larder it’s important to learn about the environment the storage is going into, to ensure the user is provided the right system for their needs, and will be able to access the items within it as easily as possible.

Pull out larders, which brings a layered basket system out to the user from a cupboard, are great for kitchens where you want to maximise space, as they can fill slim gaps in between other cupboards. But they can cause a challenge in galley kitchens, for example, due to a lack of space, so a swing out larder – which pulls a set of stacked drawers toward the homeowner, with the door of the larder swinging out to lean against the cupboard next to it – might be best to use instead to overcome this issue.

For either system to perform at its best, you’ll need to consider the whole kitchen space and

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layout. For example, it isn’t recommended to put swing out systems – which open to 160 degrees – next to any appliances, in case they get damaged by continuous opening of the door. This is especially true for items like fridges and ovens, which have protruding handles. Pull out larders, meanwhile, generally require more space directly in front of the unit. As well as the 500mm needed to bring the system out of the cupboard, you’ll also need to allow an additional 400mm500mm to allow the homeowner to easily move around it.

supply, whether it’s a Vauth Sagel pull out system or Vauth Sagel Tal Gate swing out systems, we provide picture-led fitting guides.

These flag the most complex elements of every installation – those that don’t allow any room for manoeuvre, or which require a particularly unique fitting to achieve the best functionality.

Installers don’t need expensive tools or contraptions to fit larders; all you need is a screwdriver, drill, tape measure, pencil, spirit level and a combination square.

Additionally, there are YouTube tutorials which detail the installation process of every larder system we sell. These video guides are extremely comprehensive and offer a step-by-step process that installers can easily follow. Vauth Sagel also has its own smart phone app to help with the installation of its larder systems, including CAD drawings and 3D videos of larder units so you can get a closer look at the detail of the fixtures and fittings.

The key to installing larders correctly comes down to following the fitting instructions to the letter. For all the larder systems we

We’ve tried to make it as easy as possible for installers to order and fit larder systems by putting all the components of pull out and

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

Feature to site for you to install, or you opt for a built system to be delivered, fitting will take approximately the same amount of time.

Our own range of Häfele larders have also been designed for kitchen refurbs and upgrades; existing kitchen cupboards which house traditional shelving can be removed to have our larders retrofitted, which is helpful for customers who can’t afford a full kitchen refit.

QUALITY AND SUPPORT The 10-year warranties in place on Vauth Sagel products demonstrates we supply only the highest quality, and best performing solutions on the market. Vauth Sagel, for example, is renowned around the world for being a leading manufacturer of larder systems. As such, problems with pull out and swing out larders usually come from missing out some of the stages from the fitting instructions.

Extensive use of a pull out larder could cause the screws on the top runner to come loose over time, meaning the larder may drop and disengage from the runner. However, the fitting instructions state there must be an additional wood screw fitted, which completely locks the frame into place; it means that even if the adjustment screws come loose, the larder frame won’t move.

It’s an element Vauth Sagel introduced for adjustability in the system, but to also make it extra safe without over engineering the original product or adding extra costs. If we visit a homeowner to check the system and can’t see the wood screw has been added, we know the installer missed this step in the installation.

Additionally, we’ll come across swing out systems that simply aren’t performing to their best ability, and the installer or homeowner won’t know why. For swing out doors to be completely functional, the runners must sit 35mm off-centre in the cabinet to allow for the crank on the swing out hinge. If the runners are fitted centrally, like they would be on a pull out system, the swing out system will catch and won’t work as intended.

We regularly visit show rooms to do demonstrations of larder installations on a regular basis, to ensure a business’ team of fitters have seen the systems come together first-hand before they go it alone.

swing out solutions into a single set, with one order code. Once you’ve selected the style, height and width of a larder for a customer, we’ll combine every element of it together – including the top and bottom runners, the runner frame, the number of baskets required, and the clips and screws needed to fit the system.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT Larder systems are typically quite easy to install and shouldn’t take longer than around half an hour. And once you’ve done one,

you’ll know how to make efficiencies without compromising on the functionality.

Some manufacturers opt to have the systems built in their factories and ship them complete. Due to their weight when constructed, once these systems arrive on site it will require two installers to level and fit the larder. Additionally, larders that are packaged and shipped in this way will typically require extra time to tighten up fittings which will have come loose from the vibrations of the journey. As such, whether you choose to have individual parts sent

But to add to this, we have a full suite of support services available to ensure installers fitting larders can access immediate help in a variety of ways, should they face a challenge.

Our Häfele Assist team will try to diagnose an issue over the phone in the first instance, providing an assessment of the product in question with step by step guidance on how to solve the issue. And if this can’t be done, where possible they will simply visit the site to fix the problem there and then.

You can find out more about Häfele’s sliding door gear range: www.hafele.co.uk

33

Financial Advice

BEWARE THE FOLLOW-ON IMPACT OF PANDEMIC HELP SCHEMES I sincerely hope that all readers are well during these difficult times. My last article focussed on the numerous COVID related financial assistance measures that the government introduced from late March onwards. Those measures have in some cases ‘morphed’ quite significantly over the past few months but I would expect that most readers are now very familiar with the various schemes and have taken advantage of them where possible.

I would therefore like to spend some time in this article reminding readers of some of the follow-on impact of the above schemes which may have been overlooked or misunderstood in the urgency to keep businesses afloat.

Dean Flood, Rowland Hall Chartered Certified Accountants

It is important that businesses keep appropriate records to support any claims made, especially in connection with the, often complicated, claims for ‘furlough’ payments.

Tax treatment of Grants

VAT Deferral

The grants that have been issued to selfemployed workers will be assessable for tax within the taxpayer’s self-assessment tax returns in the year to 5th April 2021. Any grants received should be notified to your tax advisors although they may already be aware of this having assisted with the claim process. HMR&C will also be reviewing the reported activity for that tax year to consider whether claims for the grant were legitimate, insofar as whether COVID 19 has had any detrimental effect on income.

The government scheme to defer VAT payments is now effectively over. VAT returns to the end of May 2020 are now due for settlement as per usual as the normal payment date is the 7th July which falls outside of the 30th June cut off for that scheme.

Grants to employers under the Job Retention Scheme (Furlough), are also taxable income for the business. From an accounting perspective, the receipts should be netted against payroll costs incurred although we have seen incidences of clients wanting to show these as a separate income. Either way is generally acceptable, as long as the receipts form part of the taxable profits.

For those businesses that took advantage of VAT deferral for the earlier returns, it is important that you remember to reinstate your Direct Debits for the next return, if you typically pay through that medium.

Businesses should also plan ahead for the cashflow impact of settling deferred payments in the 1st quarter of 2021. HMR&C have yet to issue formal guidance on the mechanics of payment for those amounts.

COVID related grants from local authorities are also taxable and should be shown as separate income within the business accounts.

Record Keeping It is important that businesses keep appropriate records to support any claims made, especially in connection with the, often complicated, claims for ‘furlough’ payments. This paperwork should be retained for 6 years which is the recommended retention period for most accounting and tax records.

Wishing you all the best of health. Financial advice by Dean Flood | www.rowlandhall.co.uk

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With the wonderful Vital Capsule filter System, the benefits are clear

Delivering cleaner, healthier, better tasting water, the innovative Vital Capsule Filter System’s easy change filter removes 99.9% of bacteria, 99% of viruses, 99% of microplastics, plus rust, sediments and other small particles.

It also helps customers reduce single use plastics and can save the cost of buying bottled water. Offering a choice of designs and colours plus an additional chiller option, the Vital Capsule Filter System is clearly like nothing else.

Make it wonderful at franke.co.uk

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Kitchens

CHANGING A TAP CAN MAKE A KITCHEN MORE ECO-FRIENDLY AND ENERGY SAVING With spending so much more time at home in recent months, consumers are evaluating their homes and things they would like to change.

Many are interested in ways to make their kitchens more ecofriendly, more efficient and more cost effective to run. This doesn’t necessarily mean ripping out the kitchen and starting again but looking at smaller changes such as swapping out the kitchen tap for a filter or instant boiling water model. Both are quick and easy to install and can be retro-fitted into existing tap holes, giving homeowners a range of benefits.

Retro-fits also give the installer a great opportunity for some extra work as well as the potential to widen their customer base with homeowners who may wish to do larger projects in the future.

Franke’s Minerva Electronic 4-in-1 tap

Filter and feel good Filter taps have been around for a while but there is a much wider range of styles and finishes to suit everyone’s home – from traditional to contemporary.

Filtration technology has also improved and premium tap models, such as Franke’s Vital and Filterflow ranges, will guarantee a fresher, purer tasting healthy water. A filter will remove impurities, odour, rust sediments and in some cases microplastics, while leaving in all the healthy minerals.

They will also make a household far more eco-friendly since there is no need to buy water in plastic bottles that can end up in oceans, landfill or be incinerated. This also makes them a great money saver too when you consider that a bottle of branded water can cost anything between

80p- £1.40 a go. A household of regular bottle drinkers can save hundreds of pounds every year.

Installing a filter tap is quick and easy to do. In the majority of models, there’s a filter cartridge sited in the cabinet under the sink. Franke’s premium Vital Capsule differs with a unique design where everything sits above the worksurface making installation even easier using the standard hot and cold mains, while also saving valuable cupboard space.

The all-in-one design makes it easy for the consumer to operate day to day and to change the tiny filter cartridge.

A discreet LED tells the user when it’s ready to change, twist the capsule open and pop in a new one in less than 30 seconds.

Boiling water in an instant For those with a kettle, it has probably never been more in use given the home-working, schooling, cooking and generally spending more time at home.

Kettles are often overfilled, boiled and re-boiled time and again, wasting energy and money. Many people are also in the habit of tipping boiled water away and starting afresh each time which wastes water and can tick up on the smart meter.

Installing an instant boiling water tap will help with all of these issues because you only ever use the exact amount of water needed for the task in hand, whether that’s making a cuppa, getting a pan on the boil quickly or sterilising items in an instant.

They greatly enhance speed and convenience and they are much quieter to operate. While they cost more to buy, an instant boiling tap is an investment that will pay off over time for its daily user benefits, reduced water wastage and more considered energy consumption.

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Installing an instant boiling water tap is also a straightforward task. Franke offers a range of options in 3in1, 4in1, mechanical or electronic functionality across its Omni and Minerva ranges and they can be up and running quickly.

The Minerva range features the innovative M-Box system that simplifies installation with no single parts, just one compact box containing Franke Pro M filter, inlet combination, mixing valve set, gasket set and control box. The box has the flexibility to be fitted horizontally or vertically depending on the space available in the cupboard and only requires two drill holes. The tap hoses are different sizes and colour coded, fitting into matching holes in the box for a fool-proof job with few tools needed. t: 0161 436 6280 www.franke.co.uk

Kitchens Franke’s Vital Capsule Filter tap

37

Insurance Matters

COVERING ALL EVENTUALITIES With all businesses enduring uncertain times, the team at The Installer magazine thought it appropriate to remind kbb installers to ensure they have the correct insurance cover and therefore – peace of mind.

Christopher Bates, Divisional Director, Corporate and Commercial Division, UIB Group

Protect your installation business…

Why do I need insurance for my installation business?

There’s nothing quite as fulfilling as running your own business, but we know how tough it can be—especially within our trade. Whether you work in customers' homes or a business premises, you will no doubt work with dangerous machinery, sharp tools, heavy items and you’re exposed to wood dust etc. as you constantly strive to deliver to your customers your very best work.

We all get that; your installation business is your bread and butter and you therefore need to protect what you’ve built.

Accidents happen every day and no matter how careful you are, they’re often unavoidable, and you could end up having to pay out a lot of money which come directly out of your own pocket if you don’t have the correct insurance cover.

Whether you’re a one-man-band just starting up, or a well-established firm with a van and employees, you need to tailor your insurance cover to protect your business, equipment and clients.

Check your policy and ensure that you have the correct cover and are not paying for insurance you don’t need. Our business, UIB, is a partner of the BiKBBI and therefore has an innate understanding of installer businesses and has tailormade packages for members."

Imagine that you’re fitting a kitchen in a customer’s property and you accidentally drop your drill on tiled floor damaging it beyond repair; your client will understandably be livid and demands compensation from you. Public liability insurance would protect you, it’ll pay the costs of the compensation for you, so you can focus on what you do best and get the job done.

And remember, if you do have employees, you’re legally required to have employers’ liability insurance.

What insurance do I need for my installation business?

You can pick and choose from the covers below to ensure you build an insurance policy that suits your installation business, that way you only ever pay for the protection you need.

Employers’ liability insurance

Van insurance -

If you have anyone working under your supervision, including full-time, part-time staff, volunteers or apprentices, you’re legally required to have employers' liability cover.

If you use a van for work, van insurance can cover you and help keep you on the road. Don’t forgot accident recovery, roadside repairs and a guaranteed courtesy van are all useful business tools.

Professional indemnity insurance

Own tools and equipment cover -

If people rely on your professional expertise, they can claim against you if they think you’ve made a mistake or given them bad advice. Professional indemnity insurance covers the legal costs required to defend you, and if it turns out you’re in the wrong, it covers your compensation payments too.

This will cover you for accidental loss, theft or damage to your own tools, plant and equipment – including your work tools, as well as any machinery, trailers, site huts or caravans owned by you.

Public liability insurance Public liability insurance protects your business against accidental injury and property damage claims made by your customers, members of the public or people you visit.

My advice to installation business owners is to check your policy and ensure that you have the correct cover and are not paying for insurance you don’t need. Our business, UIB, is a partner of the BiKBBI and therefore has an innate understanding of installer businesses and has tailor-made packages for members. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any insurance requirements.

www.uibdirect.co.uk

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touch

is a

g n h ti

With the wonderful Minerva 4-in-1 Electronic a touch is all it takes to deliver 100°C boiling, warm, cold or cold filtered water in an instant.

Designed for a fast, flawless installation in as little as just 20 minutes, the Minerva 4-in-1 features our compact M-Box control box. This pipework tidying, space-saving unit can be fitted vertically or horizontally in customers’ cabinets.

Now how’s that for a neat little touch?

Make it wonderful at franke.co.uk

39

ARE YOU COVERED?

BiKBBI Insurance Services

by United Insurance Brokers Ltd

TAILOR-MADE INSURANCE SERVICES FOR BiKBBI MEMBERS: ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 40

Public liability insurance Van & fleet insurance Breakdown cover Own plant, tools & equipment Employers’ liability Personal accident & sickness Contract works Hired-in-plant Professional indemnity

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Shop insurance Commercial property insurance Directors & Officers indemnity Private household Private motor Travel insurance Private healthcare Life assurance / keyman Residential & commercial landlord insurance

SPEAK TO AN ADVISOR TODAY! Business Insurance: Van Insurance: Buy online: Email:

Call 0330 159 6212 and quote BiKBBI Call 0330 159 6212 and quote BiKBBIV www.uibdirect.co.uk/bikbbi/ direct@uib.co.uk

UIB Direct is a trading name of United Insurance Brokers Ltd. Registered oďŹƒce is 69 Mansell Street, London, E1 8AN, UK (company registration no. 2034497) The company are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (registration number 307812) 41

Business Advice by Houzz

HOUZZ LAUNCHES ITS PRO BUSINESS MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE Houzz Inc., has launched an all-in-one solution that includes lead management, estimate building, client collaboration, marketing, and more.

Houzz Pro, empowers home renovation and design professionals to stand out, win more clients, increase profits and stay connected with their customers and teams. Houzz Pro brings together Houzz’s industry-leading local marketing features with easy to use business software that enables construction professionals to manage their entire project and client lifecycle in just one place. With Pro software and the new, dedicated mobile app, professionals can manage all of their business activities and client communication from anywhere, at any time.

“Now, more than ever, home building and renovation tradesman are asking for tools that will help them run profitably and efficiently, and deliver an amazing client experience,” said Alon Cohen, Houzz co-founder and president. “Houzz Pro was born from listening to feedback from our professional community, and it is important to us that this powerful solution is both affordable and easy-to-use. We understand the new challenges with COVID-19 and, given these unique demands, we are providing the software to all our existing pro subscribers as part of their subscription.”

With Houzz Pro software, installers and tradespeople can: Stay connected with clients: A built-in messaging tool supports and unifies realtime chat and email communication with clients, including photos and document sharing, payment requests, invoices, change orders and timelines, so pros can stay connected with clients from the office, home or in the field. The tool tracks the entire communication history, including client approvals and key activities.

Communicate proactively: Pros can share updates throughout the project via a built-in client dashboard. Features include a graphic project timeline showing key milestones and phases, daily logs providing detailed project updates, plus communication history and shared documents.

Manage leads: An integrated lead management tool helps pros manage their client pipeline from Houzz and any other source to stay top of mind and win more projects. Pros can communicate directly

42

with prospective clients, add internal notes about the project and attach relevant files or photos. A scheduling tool integrates with the pro’s calendar, making it easy to book calls and meetings. When a lead becomes a project, the entire communication history moves seamlessly to the project management tool.

Create and send estimates, get online approval: The new estimate creation tool enables pros to build fast, accurate estimates with products, materials, and installation costs specific to the project. Pros can also upload their own estimates and save templates they have customised for use on future projects. Estimates can be sent via email or chat to clients for approval with a digital signature.

Track change orders, schedule payments: Pros can easily create, send and track change orders, and also get client approval through a digital signature. The payment scheduling feature can be automatically set up to invoice clients.

A new, dedicated Houzz Pro app is also available today on iOS and Android for Houzz Pro subscribers. Built by the team behind the best in class Houzz mobile app, the

Houzz Pro app has all the functionality of the desktop software.

New marketing and advertising features, part of every subscription, include enhanced analytics, professional website building and hosting services, a company highlight video and the ability to feature your best review.

All client communications are automatically branded with the pro’s logo and company name, for a professional company image that builds credibility with clients.

Houzz Pro is available at houzz.co.uk/pro, and subscription packages are priced to fit any budget or team. To help more pros get started, new subscriptions start as low as £49 per month.

Houzz has more than 2.5 million active home renovation and design professionals around the world in more than 65 categories, architects, interior designers, home builders and design and build firms on the platform.

Houzz Pro is available to all home renovation and design professionals in the U.S., UK, Australia and New Zealand, with more countries to come. www.houzz.co.uk

INSTALLED WITH CONFIDENCE No bathroom collection is complete without VitrA’s high quality wall-hung frames and flush plates.

Discover more at www.vitra-fitandforget.co.uk

Bathrooms

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FIT FOR THE FUTURE

Bathrooms

Margaret Talbot, Marketing Manager, VitrA bathrooms

Vitrus solves a lot of installation problems, not just for those who want to upgrade to a wallhung WC or shower WC but also in new installations."

As life slowly returns to normal homeowners and those who run commercial premises are taking a closer look at bathroom facilities.

The Government advice on visitors using the bathroom in someone else’s home and general worry about the cleanliness of commercial facilities has opened opportunities for installers to either completely change or simply improve existing bathrooms and cloakrooms.

In the home, an extra toilet that will only be used by visiting friends and family is the ideal solution. A compact wall hung design and reduced depth cloakroom basin can be tucked into a surprisingly small space such as the area under the stairs. Where there is already a separate wc, space for another can be made by moving the existing model into the bathroom. Much depends on the location of the soil stack – but if it is too far away a smallbore macerator will solve the problem.

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Bathrooms

Wall hung makes sense, especially in the typically small UK bathroom. The fittings hang free of the floor, giving an illusion of space and a wall hung WC occupies less space than a conventional low-level pan.

Cleaning is easy – most wall hung pans are a clean simple shape with no nooks, crannies or visible pipework for dust and dirt to linger.

Mopping the floor is quick and easy when there are no obstacles to clean round. The cistern is hidden away inside the frame with just a sleek flush plate visible which can be no touch for the ultimate in hygiene. Concealed behind either a solid or a stud wall, VitrA’s frame systems are quick and easy to install and maintenance is simple as the flush plate can be removed giving access to internal fittings. VitrA offers frames suitable for solid, stud and double stud walls and in slim and regular sizes to suit the space available and will support up to 60 stones.

Leading bathroom manufacturer VitrA has an ingenious solution that makes fitting wall hung or changing a freestanding WC to wall hung fast and simple. Vitrus, is an elegant glass casing-control panel combination that means wall-hung, or back to wall WCs can be retro fitted and new installations can be made without the need for a false wall. Vitrus makes it possible to change an old close coupled WC for a modern design with water saving reduced flushing that can be activated by an elbow bump in less than a day.

Vitrus has an in-wall-frame and dual flush cistern within a slimline glass case that seamlessly incorporates a modern dual-flush plate. The pan is attached to the casing which can be fixed to most types of wall. Available in either opaque white or opaque black shatterproof glass, Vitrus has been designed with a large cover opening so that the cistern is easily accessible for maintenance.

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Cleanliness is also at the heart of VitrA’s Rim-Ex technology. Rim-Ex WC pans are rimless, eliminating the area where germs, grime and limescale can gather and multiply and making cleaning faster and easier. VitrA Smart Panel is just one of a host of no-touch flush plates available in an array of stunning designs.

“Vitrus solves a lot of installation problems, not just for those who want to upgrade to a wall-hung WC or shower WC but also in new installations,” says Marketing Manager Margaret Talbot. “Either black or white glass makes a striking stand-out addition to all bathroom settings; it works well with white or black sanitary ware and the fitting can be used with a selection of our wall-hung or back to wall pans.”

VitrA has also developed designs that make cleaning fast and easy. VitrA Fresh WC pans feature an integral tank that dispenses detergent with every flush and is available on WCs within the M-Line series. The detergent tank sits on top of the pan and is concealed by a removable lid, so refilling is easy.

Cleanliness is also at the heart of VitrA’s Rim-Ex technology. Rim-Ex WC pans are rimless, eliminating the area where germs,

grime and limescale can gather and multiply and making cleaning faster and easier. VitrA Smart Panel is just one of a host of no-touch flush plates available in an array of stunning designs. Specified in conjunction with a wall-hung WC and in-wall frame to create a secure, safe, and hygienic WC facility that makes cleaning easy and fast it means the user need never touch the unit.

Thorough and frequent hand washing is a major part of the battle against Covid 19.

New sensor controlled Aquatech basin mixer taps from VitrA are activated by the wave of a hand and come in single hole monobloc versions for use with a one-hole basin and as a tall deck mount to use with a vessel basin.

The taps are easy to use, water saving and have WRAS approval. www.VitrA.co.uk

Ready.

For accurate cuts with no dust.

The DSC-AGC 18 FH cordless freehand cutting system: The dust-extraction attachment transports over 95 % of dust directly to the mobile dust extractor for a safe working environment – ideal for cutting mineral materials indoors with no dust. The open design provides a clear view of the interface – for easy orientation along the scribe mark. The dust-extraction attachment can also be easily opened at the front for cutting close to edges. And the encapsulated EC-TEC motor and protected electronics ensure that the tool is dust-resistant.

Find out more at www.festool.co.uk/ready

Tools for the toughest demands

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Kitchens

DAVAL UNVEILS TWO NEW FINISHES Daval, unveils two special textured finishes with Bronze, a supermatt metallic finish with stone surface texture and Cuban Oak, a rich woodgrain effect with the look and feel of natural wood (laminate).

Daval has introduced the new finishes to meet the growing trend for combination interiors, which present a fusion of different raw materials, finishes and textures.

Simon Bodsworth, Managing Director at Daval Furniture explains “Open-plan living continues to influence the latest kitchen designs and with the space needing to serve a variety of disciplines like cooking, dining, entertaining and more recently home office work, mixing materials is a great way to create a zonal scheme that is well-planned, custom engineered and urban in style.”

Built from sustainable materials and precision engineered in Britain, every kitchen

by Daval is made-to-order and made-tomeasure.

For further information, please contact Daval Furniture: t 01484 848 500 | e enquiries@daval-furniture.co.uk or: www.daval-furniture.co.uk

Open-plan living continues to influence the latest kitchen designs and with the space needing to serve a variety of disciplines like cooking, dining, entertaining and more recently home office work, mixing materials is a great way to create a zonal scheme that is well-planned, custom engineered and urban in style.”

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Bathrooms

Showerwall bathroom wall panelling in Flamingo from the Custom Collection

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Bathrooms

SHOWERWALL - BATHROOM PANELLING THAT’S HYGIENIC AND QUICK TO FIT As we learn to live with the Coronavirus, hygiene has moved up the list of priorities for homeowners who want products for their kitchens and bathrooms that offer easy maintenance properties. The research agency Trend-Monitor also reports a rise in consumers looking to makeover their downstairs cloakroom as a result of increased use during lockdown.

These facts all point to the surfaces being a key focus when it comes to post-lockdown home improvement projects. Here Showerwall’s Product Manager Steph Harris outlines the reasons why the bathroom wall panelling range is an ideal surfacing solution to deliver style, simplicity and speed.

Showerwall bathroom wall panels offer large expanses of decorative surface which can be fitted by a sole installer in less than a day using simple joinery tools, either by fixing them to a wall or over existing tiles.

They result in a 100% waterproof, easy maintenance surface.

An ‘in and out’ solution Given the changes to working practice for tradespeople entering properties, completing a home renovation project as quickly and professionally as possible is a priority.

Showerwall bathroom wall panels offer large expanses of decorative surface which can be fitted by a sole installer in less than a day using simple joinery tools, either by fixing them to a wall or over existing tiles.

They result in a 100% waterproof, easy maintenance surface with near invisible joints in around half the time it would take to tile a like-for-like space. They are ideal for use in shower enclosures, around baths, behind basins and to create impressive feature walls.

Although Showerwall panels are large 600mm, 900mm and 1220mm x 2440mm, they are also lightweight to carry, cut and handle, as well as easy to transport in a van.

They can be installed with a choice of Proclick installation, which uses click design technology to lock the panels together without the need for joining trims between then, or with square-cut panels which require trims. Showerwall’s unique Sureseal system ensures four points of cover at the base of the panels and is completely maintenance free once installed.

A hygienic choice With hygiene high on the agenda, Showerwall really comes into its own. The panelling system is engineered to guarantee a 100% waterproof decorative finish with a streamlined surface that offers no hiding places for mould, dirt or germs.

The panels require minimal upkeep and can simply be wiped clean with a cloth, which is ideal when people are cleaning more regularly to ensure their homes are free from bacteria and viruses.

Decorative style made easy Showerwall offers a choice of 84 designs that will cater for the broadest range of customers and their individual tastes. Earlier this year, 26 new brand new designs were added reflecting the latest bathroom and interiors trends and there are 10 new mood boards on the website which provide creative inspiration and underline our ongoing commitment to delivering design that is onpoint for contemporary bathrooms.

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Bathrooms There are new terrazzos and maximalist custom prints which provide the colour and flair normally associated with wallpaper but with the ability to cope with a humid environment. There are new colours in the popular metro tile finish which can be installed in a matter of hours and have no grout lines to keep clean, as well as several new large veined luxury marbles.

Individual style varies of course but Showerwall feel that its current product portfolio can cater for all bathroom projects as it is waterproof, fast to install and easy maintenance.

Showerwall’s bathroom wall panelling collection is backed by a guarantee of up to 15-years. The range is available ex-stock nationwide from IDS, Ideal Bathrooms and Formula 1. For more information contact: t: 0845 604 7334 e: info@showerwall.co.uk www.showerwall.co.uk Showerwall bathroom panels in Emerald Subway design

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Showerwall bathroom panels in Phantom Marble

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The most sophisticated yet accessible and user-friendly range of connected showers on the market.

For more details visit

www.aqualisa.co.uk/smartshower 53

Bathrooms

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Bathrooms

PIONEERING AQUALISA LAUNCHES

VOICE ACTIVATED SHOWER OPTIC Q LAUNCH The shower marketplace is witnessing the most exciting development in the showering environment for many years with the launch of the new truly smart shower from Aqualisa – the Aqualisa Optic Q shower - available now through leading online retailers. The company claims that it offers consumers the first truly smart, voice-activated, connected and technologically advanced shower ever offered in the UK and Ireland. This is a natural evolution to the popular personalised Q shower from Aqualisa.

THE LAUNCH OF THE AQUALISA OPTIC Q The new Smart Optic Q – a genuinely smart shower that brings internet connectivity, voice activation and control via an App, through the new Aqualisa Smart Valve, the brains behind intelligent showering. The best-selling Quartz digital evolved into Q which was launched in 2017. Aqualisa has now taken a revolutionary step into the world of smart introducing the truly Smart Optic Q, that fully establishes showering as an integral part of the smart home. This exciting new shower features voice activation for the first time in the UK marketplace and is now available from leading online suppliers.

The partnership with Google and Amazon is a vital part of the new connectivity on offer to consumers, with Aqualisa, Alexa and Google sharing brand values and reach capability.

Importantly, the new shower remains easy to install and ultra-reliable as was its predecessor – so this is still a true ‘fit and forget’ shower unit. As with all Aqualisa showering digital products, it’s designed for the end-user, but equally for the installer

who will love working with these products for their ease of location and simple pipework connections. Aqualisa built its reputation with installers and consumers alike on quality and reliability and the new Aqualisa Smart Optic Q evolution enhances that reputation still further. It offers the best of both worlds for installers and their customers and is set to become the latest instalment in the company’s impressive success story.

No longer confined to ‘techy enthusiasts’, we know that more and more consumers are looking for smart devices to make their lives easier, to facilitate busier lifestyles, to meet increasingly complex needs - helping mobility for example. Technology gives more personalised experiences and vitally, can save money.

The new Smart Optic Q from Aqualisa offers a new generation of showers to increasingly demanding customers who are looking for the very highest standards of design and functionality. Indeed, the product story for digital showers over the last twenty years was all about style while its high performance and reputation for reliability have never been bettered. Aqualisa recognised that digital showers needed to evolve with the times and have taken this to the next level with truly smart showering in mind.

Establishing Wi-Fi connection, app technology and voice activation as integral to the showering experience, all things that come as standard with the new Smart Optic Q is the next big step for showering in the UK and is simple to use.

App technology allows homeowners to control their smart shower via Wi-Fi

The new Smart Optic Q – a genuinely smart shower that brings internet connectivity, voice activation and control via an App, through the new Aqualisa Smart Valve, the brains behind intelligent showering.

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Bathrooms connecting through residential Wi-Fi networks to the Aqualisa Smart Valve (ASV) using safe and secure best practice for IoT/Connected devices. It utilises the simplest on-boarding techniques possible to establish secure and robust connection with the ASV via Wi-Fi. It also integrates into established smart home eco-systems via voice control – using Alexa and Google Nest. So, the new Smart Optic Q delivers the usual quality Aqualisa showering experience homeowners are used to but with enhanced smart features. The new Smart Optic Q is available in an online product kit that includes control, fixed and flexible showerheads and a hose. Remote controls that can be installed up to 10 metres from the shower are also available.

The Optic Q offers the most personal showering experience yet and it’s a shower product to which devotees of the smart home will aspire.

Every member of the family can activate their own personal shower, and saved on the App for the perfect, consistently repeated showering experience.

These exceptional new showers are connected

by WI-FI – not Bluetooth and are Google and Alexa enabled. You can control your shower or bath from inside or outside the home, providing the ultimate in control enabling you to walk through the front door and your bath can be ready to the exact depth and temperature you require or your shower is ready to help you relax or invigorate.

The benefits of this incredible connectivity include precise temperature and a powerful showering experience whatever water supplies it is connected to. Shower profiles can be preset for each member of the family to ensure they can each, consistently, get into a shower they enjoy. A clearly visible LED display indicates when the shower is ready, so there’s no need to lean in and test the water.

The new Smart Optic Q puts showering at the cutting edge of home automation – but the sophisticated technology remains simple to use for homeowners, who just want their desired shower experience at a single touch.

With connectivity comes efficiency and with the intuitive and practical Aqualisa app, you can monitor the duration, water usage and cost of your shower from your smart phone or device, to optimise performance, if you choose.

It's a new shower option that will surpass the expectations of installers and consumers, with its innovative added value features and benefits that were not possible on the traditional digital shower – affirmation that Aqualisa continues to pioneer in showering innovation. www.aqualisa.co.uk.

The new shower remains easy to install and ultra-reliable as was its predecessor – so this is still a true ‘fit and forget’ shower unit.

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Heating Season

THINK ELECTRIC Steve Birch, Vogue (UK) Sales Director

Electric towel warmers can be positioned almost anywhere in the home and can be installed quickly, easily and affordably as there is no need for additional plumbing."

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With the heating season almost upon us we thought it a good time to consider an alternative to traditional radiators that are connected to the heating system. Electric designer’ radiators offer simplicity of installation and versatility in where they are located. Vogue (UK) Sales Director gave us his views.

Designed with negative temperature coefficient technology, 7 day programmable element and Eco, Boost and Safety lock features, this small yet mighty electrical component gives total flexibility to the end user, as and when required.

“Meeting the demand for ease and efficiency in the modern bathroom and around the home generally, our range of electric heating solutions are designed to work as a completely independent unit to the home’s heating system. Requiring only a fused spur electric connection, each one of our electric models can also be supplied with a 7-day Digital Timer so that the enduser can pre-set for optimum control and improved efficiency.

Electric towel warmers can be positioned almost anywhere in the home and can be installed quickly, easily and affordably as there is no need for additional plumbing and pipework. Electric radiators are extremely lowmaintenance and by opting for electric-only heating, it means that your customers are not subject to annual servicing, so they can feel confident that on the rare occasion when something does go wrong,they wont have to get an installer to locate and repair any leaks inside of their bathroom walls!

For householder convenience, we offer a remote controlled heat element for our range of electric heating solutions.

The Electric Collection by Vogue (UK) offers a range of independent heating designs that only require a fused spur

electric connection. Thermal transfer fluid is heated by an electric element within the towel rail or alternatively, Electric Dryline technology is available across select models. Defined by the absence of fluids, Dryline allows the towel warmer to be heated by a silicone heater cable, which is then later attached to a fuse spur.

If your customer requires more flexibility, then Vogue (UK) also offers a range of dual fuel options which have a capability to run from a central heating circuit or an electric element: extremely handy for drying towels in the summer months when the central heating is turned off!

Celebrating 30 years in 2020, please contact Vogue (UK) for further information: t 01902 387 000 e info@vogueuk.co.uk www.vogueuk.co.uk

Heating Season

STELRAD LAUNCHES NEW

‘BOUTIQUE’ COLLECTION

FOR BATHROOMS AND KITCHENS

Stelrad Radiators has launched a collection of existing and new radiators under its ‘Boutique’ branding, offering a comprehensive, premium range of living space, kitchen and bathroom products. The new collection is accompanied by an impressive new 116-page brochure and its own stylish section of the new web site.

This collection offers the widest range of styles and selection of sizes and those KBB Installers familiar with Stelrad will find familiar and welcome products in the new Collection like Caliente, Concord and Column. However, they will equally find new styles and names such as Como and Lecco - products exclusive to Stelrad, along with Silhouette as well as new additions and designs for established styles like the Concord Side Concept and

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Concord Side Chrome and even Concord Chrome Vertical.

Stelrad Radiators is adding style and appeal to the kitchen and bathroom and adding colours and chrome finishes to add to the sparkle. The addition of a wider range of vertical radiators recognises the demand for narrower, taller radiators that need to fit a smaller radiator footprint. Small on space, but bigger on style is the name of the game and every radiator in the collection offers a quality heating appliance that is aesthetically pleasing for any room.

The addition of coloured radiators available from stock adds even more depth to the range with a number of the existing and new radiators available in anthracite grey from stock that offer something a

little bit different and available immediately from the company’s National Distribution Centre.

Most of the Boutique Collection can be ordered in up to 36 colours if you can wait a while for delivery.

Head of Marketing Chris Harvey comments, “The premium and top end sector is one where we want to focus and this is what the Stelrad Boutique Series does by providing a new stylish option for the trade and to retail outlets across the UK and Ireland. We are offering a comprehensive, stylish collection that genuinely provides the total radiator offering under one roof.“ To find out more about the new Boutique Collection, please visit: www.stelrad.com www.stelrad.ie

Heating Season

Stelrad Radiators is adding style and appeal to the kitchen and bathroom and adding colours and chrome finishes to add to the sparkle. The addition of a wider range of vertical radiators recognises the demand for narrower, taller radiators that need to fit a smaller radiator footprint.

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Heating Season

HOW RADIATORS CAN BE GAME CHANGERS IN BATHROOM DESIGN

By David Lorrison, Radiator Product Manager at Zehnder Group UK

Many homeowners have been guilty of putting non-urgent jobs around the house on the back-burner. Life is just too busy.

Cue COVID-19. In lockdown, many are making the most of the opportunity to spruce up properties and get on with, or at least plan out, overdue DIY projects. Fed up with board games, baking and exercise regimes, many homeowners are turning their hand to sprucing up their homes and planning more ambitious makeovers, such as bathroom and kitchen renovations.

Bathroom renovations about to soar With garden centres and DIY stores among the first businesses to have reopened fully as the lockdown is relaxed, the focus on home improvement looks set to explode.

Many eager homeowners can’t wait to get renovation projects started. One report goes as far to suggest that gardening, decorating and home improvement could help to revive the economy.

There has never been a better time to start planning a bathroom renovation. As people have more time on their hands, they seem suddenly more engaged with the small details, and that includes bathroom heating.

There are now stunning ranges of decorative radiators and heated towel rails on the market. And a radiator in the bathroom is no longer just a practical necessity; it adds a purposeful touch of character to any bathroom style.

An unexpected design statement Bathroom fittings are probably the most important aspect of any bathroom renovation. Your choice of bath, shower, basin and radiator form the sculptural artistry of your bathroom theme. Tiling, blinds, lighting and furnishings accessorise, complement and highlight your dream bathroom plan.

In recent years, radiators have become much more of a focal point in interiors, with many innovative designs on the market. Stylish radiators are making an unexpected design statement, bringing that special ‘je ne sais quoi’ to any luxury bathroom project.

Whether a new bathroom design is modern or traditional, the type of radiator adds an extra layer of luxury to the chosen theme. A statement radiator or heated towel rail is the

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easiest way to lift style and bring a specific bathroom theme together.

Add character without compromising on energy efficiency

Zehnder’s decorative radiators have been created to meet both today’s innovative design ideals and energy efficiency standards.

A further consideration, along with design, when selecting radiators for a bathroom or any room in the home, is the issue of energy efficiency. With climate change at the forefront of everyone’s minds, now more than ever clients want to know they are selecting a heat emitter that complies with future energy efficiency standards. Cost efficiency is another factor that is especially important now that we are spending more time at home indoors. Zehnder’s radiators offer high energy efficiency and are fully compliant with the Lot 20 European Ecodesign Directive.

An ingenious way to add colour Radiators don’t have to be a bland functional aspect of bathroom design; heat emitters can be made a colour-popping feature, as with the Zehnder Roda Spa and the Zehnder Metropolitan spa radiators. Many of Zehnder’s decorative radiators are available in a range of colours and finishes from the Zehnder colour chart.

On bathroom trends for 2020, the Ideal Home Magazine picks out this year’s trend for sumptuous dark colours and black ceramics, along with metallic finishes. Neutral colour schemes also remain popular. As with radiator styles, Zehnder also have a vast offering when it comes to colour from architectural tones, including hammered finishes, to bright shades, as well as neutral hues for the calming spa-style bathroom, to suit a range of current bathroom design trends.

Game-changing design throughout the home While the focus here is on bathrooms, it is worth considering the design impact of radiators throughout the home. Upgrading radiators is a great way to modernise interiors. Standard radiators rarely fit comfortably with either modern or traditional décor and in many cases stand out like a sore thumb.

Zehnder’s elegant and classic Charleston radiators offer a sophisticated heating solution, and whilst particularly suited to older buildings with a high heat load, perform equally well in modern homes. Available in a wide range of colours, the Zehnder Charleston can add a vibrant pop of colour to any room in the home.

Innovative radiator design lends itself beautifully to modern living. Zehnder’s Roda Mirror radiator incorporates a full length mirror to provide a unique heating solution with enhanced practicality. Sleek in design, the Roda Mirror radiator is perfect for narrow hallways.

Radiators don’t have to be a bland functional aspect of bathroom design; heat emitters can be made a colour-popping feature, as with the Zehnder Roda Spa and the Zehnder Metropolitan spa radiators. Many of Zehnder’s decorative radiators are available in a range of colours and finishes from the Zehnder colour chart.

Heating Season

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Heating Season The features and benefits of Zehnder’s decorative radiator range Many electric operation radiators, with a range of styles also suitable for hot water heating Ample cut-outs in many designs offer plenty of space for large towels Some slim models available to suit narrow bathroom spaces A range of colour options and high quality finishes Many available with Zehnder Vario fittings for an unobtrusive and elegantly concealed connection system Flexible installation through right and left connection options Flexible installation due to 50mm centre connections

Radiators have become much more of a focal point in interiors, with many innovative designs on the market.

Stylish radiators are making an unexpected design statement, bringing that special ‘je ne sais quoi’ to any luxury bathroom project.

Advantages of Zehnder’s electric radiators Energy-efficient and comfortable heating with innovative “open window detection” Electric operation provides warm towels and comfortable rooms all year round High energy efficiency due to compliance with the European Ecodesign Directive reduces energy costs Low energy consumption of only 0.5 W or less in stand-by mode for increased energy efficiency User-friendly control device allows simple operation Customisable daily and weekly programmes for convenient, on-demand operation Increased safety with keylock

For more information on Zehnder’s extensive range of heated towel rails and decorative radiators, please get in touch: www.zehnder.co.uk

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XXXXX

Bring the Great back into Britain - Install a Vogue (UK) Heated Towel Warmer or Designer Radiator

Image showing our Stainless Steel Pearl MD058

Vogue (UK) Ltd Strawberry Lane, Willenhall, West Midlands, WV13 3RS. United Kingdom T: +44(0) 1902 387000 F: +44(0) 1902 387001 E: sales@vogueuk.co.uk W: www.vogueuk.co.uk

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Heating Season

Serene MD049 Towel Warmer, Mild Steel construction, Anthracite finish

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Heating Season

VOGUE (UK) CELEBRATES 30 YEARS Vogue (UK), the Wolverhampton based manufacturer of premium designer radiators and towel warmers is celebrating 30 years in business.

The company is marking this milestone with fresh corporate branding, a new-look website, the release of its 2020 product brochure and a number of industry awards to its name. .

Established in 1990, Vogue (UK) states that it is dedicated to creating innovative heating solutions and is determined to meet rising market-demand for sustainably manufactured products without compromise.

Steve Birch, Director, says, “As home owners seek to personalise their home to add value and a touch of luxury, heating has become a recognised solution that continues to grow within the bathroom market. The fact that open-plan interior design continues to sway consumer purchasing trends combined with more desirable radiator aesthetics, designer heating solutions are now being installed in the entire home, not just the bathroom.”

As home owners seek to personalise their home to add value and a touch of luxury, heating has become a recognised solution that continues to grow within the bathroom market. Designer heating solutions are now being installed in the entire home, not just the bathroom."

Steve added, “As a result, the markets appetite for custom heating design continues to become more diverse, which means so does our capacity for heating solutions, exclusive finishes and next-level technology for every style of home and interior. If the last 30 years have taught us anything, it’s to be open to change, invariably support our retail network with a high-quality product offering, observe and identify new routes to market and sustain a flexible business model that remains true to our brand and business practises” says Steve.

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Heating Season Speaking of one of Vogue UK’s initiatives for 2020, Steve Birch explains, “Our new product brochure is the perfect vehicle to demonstrate how we’ve evolved our collections and brand presentation. Designed to be all embracing and able to cater to changing market trends and buying habits instantaneously, we feel our new lifestyle brochure offers a well-rounded introduction to Vogue (UK).”

The company’s 30 year long brand heritage of designing and manufacturing high quality British heating solutions, has seen the company create a wide range of covetable traditional and contemporary designs from UK manufacturing facilities, maintaining a happy workforce of over 100 Vogue specialist artisans and technicians who preserve its unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and most of all be at the heart of many homes, retail design studios and luxury hotels across the UK. Celebrating 30 years in 2020, please contact Vogue (UK) for further information: www.vogueuk.co.uk Mode II CN027 Radiator, Mild Steel construction, White

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Suave MD056 flat-panel Radiator, Mild Steel construction, Anthracite finish

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CAD

ONLINE 3D KITCHEN PLANNING – THE NEW NORM With the ramifications for businesses caused by the lockdown and the threat that there could be a second ‘spike’ in COVID-19 infections potentially causing another, interior designers and retailers are adapting their strategies to a new economic climate outside the realm of brick and mortar retail.

Philippa Sale, Owner of Flippa Interiors

I was introduced to HomeByMe last year and due to its ease of use and if I’m honest, regret not using it sooner as it has transformed my business."

Flippa Interiors

The challenge of maintaining business momentum has unleashed many innovative and creative ways to continue servicing customers in the new era of social distancing. One particularly effective method is online kitchen planning with 3D planning solutions, like ‘HomeByMe for Kitchen Retailers’ from Dassault Systemes.

Online 3D kitchen planning allows designers and customers to be in contact through every step of the kitchen planning process. Philippa Sale, Owner of Flippa Interiors, an Oxfordshirebased interior design company, is using HomeByMe to stay connected to her clients throughout their design journey.

Her business has embraced a digital journey and is using HomeByMe to show clients new designs and fuel their imagination with amazingly lifelike visuals available twenty four hours a day.

We asked Philippa to explain her current design process and the impact 3D decoration and planning and online communication has had on her business, “I was introduced to HomeByMe last year and due to its ease of use and if I’m honest, regret not using it

When I send my clients the 360 views and renders they are truly astonished. For the first time my clients really understand what the space looks like and are grateful for such high quality visuals."

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Buy British - Install a Vogue Heated Towel Warmer or Designer Radiator

Harmonique

MD060 A perfect combination for heating and drying. This versatile product will suit any modern bathroom.

With a white double panelled radiator as standard and 25mm chrome horizontal tubes.

Other radiator colours can be specified.

Vogue (UK) Ltd Strawberry Lane, Willenhall, West Midlands, WV13 3RS. United Kingdom T: +44(0) 1902 387000 F: +44(0) 1902 387001 E: sales@vogueuk.co.uk W: www.vogueuk.co.uk

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CAD sooner as it has transformed my business since the onset of the lockdown. Clients send me their plans and I place some items to begin discussions. We meet in an online conference platform and they can see, edit, and add items on the HomeByMe site. If clients want room layouts, furnishing ideas, flooring and wall colors or full kitchen design, anything is possible with this design tool.”

All kitchen retailers are facing similar obstacles with store closures, furloughed staff and the prospect of very

limited physical interaction and it is driving retailers to adopt a digital transformation strategy centralizing on virtual conversation and online interaction. 3D guided design planning allows retailers to facilitate communications while servicing customers uninterrupted, even during a global pandemic.

Due to health concerns, consumers are embracing a move from a seeking help instore mindset, to a do-it-yourself mentality and are becoming

accustomed to online kitchen and home design planning.

Providing an informative guided experience with priced items, business rules, and beautifully rendered visuals will ensure that retailers and interior designers take their store to the customer, instead of the other way around.

Summarising, Philippa of Flippa Interiors, explains how providing stunning visuals has resonated with her clients, “When I send my clients the 360 views and renders they are truly astonished. For the first time my clients really

understand what the space looks like and are grateful for such high quality visuals. Working with HomeByMe has helped me adapt in these difficult times and now allows me to help clients anywhere in the UK and not just in my local area.”

For more information on the future of 3D design planning for kitchen retailers, visit enterprisehome.by.me and download a whitepaper on why “Seeing is Believing.” home.by.me

Flippa Interiors

Flippa Interiors

Flippa Interiors

Flippa Interiors

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Smart Home.

Smart Building.

Smart Life. gira.com/uk

Light.

The new Gira blind timer and timer Display not only controls the incidence of light, automatically stores travel times and make adjustments dynamically by means of astro function, it also saves energy and offers more space for the wiring.

As one of many Gira System 3000 top units, when it comes to comfort, it puts everything else in the

Shade.

Gira / Smart Home /

Blinds controller 73

Smart Technology

NEW GEN2 SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR GIRA DCS MOBILE APP

Gira DCS Mobile Release 2 - The current Release 2 makes mobile door communication from Gira even more convenient.

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Gira, has released a new software update for the Gira DCS Mobile App which adds new features to all Gira door intercom systems.

User-convenience and increased security for the latest appcontrolled door communication are highlights of the latest software update for the DCS mobile app. Whether at home or on the road, Gira’s DCS mobile app in combination with the DCS-IP gateway communicates with a networked-enabled door entry system to allow users to see who is at the door even when away from home. Users can also communicate with the visitor via video link and even

Smart Technology open-up the door remotely, if they deem it safe to do so.

The upgrade enables: Automatic image capture: a photo is now automatically taken when the doorbell rings and stored in the image memory bank to review at your leisure. The DCS app boasts a generous memory, able to store up to 200 images on a smartphone for keeping track of multiple new visitors.

Remote camera portal: you no longer need someone to call at your door to connect to the camera. Instead, you can open the app and monitor your front doorway whenever you feel the need: even remotely!

PIN-free access: it is no longer necessary to enter a PIN to open the door and gain access to a building. This option can be set by the user very easily using the Gira DCS mobile app and when used in combination with the Gira Keyless In-entry System, users can gain access via a preprogrammed fingerprint reader able to manage up to 99 individual finger identifications.

Call-forwarding: using the Gen2 mobile app, it is now possible to activate call forwarding so you can decide whether new doorbell activity should be forwarded to your mobile phone, or not.

You no longer need someone to call at your door to connect to the camera. Instead, you can open the app and monitor your front doorway whenever you feel the need: even remotely!

www.gira.com

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Smart Technology

NEW WIRELESS AUDIO SOLUTIONS ADDS VALUE Our lives are getting smarter. From smart phones and watches to smart TVs and even fridges, today’s consumer is seeking technology to make their lives easier, more personalised and more luxurious.

As well as on-the-go devices, hotel-spec technology such as lighting and audio control has become high on consumer’s wish-lists.

It can be difficult and costly to keep up with such high-end demands. However, electrical solutions provider Hamilton has developed a new wireless audio range that offers excellent quality audio in an easy to install and cost-conscious package As consumers become accustomed to more connected lives, streaming music has become the norm. Spotify and Apple Music, two of the largest music streaming services, have over 150 million subscribers combined*. Many people enjoy this music on the go, in their cars and on their commutes, but listening in the home offers the opportunity to enjoy a higher quality audio experience.

Hamilton Litestat has launched a new range of wireless home audio products that are simple to install and configure, while delivering the high-quality audio that matches today’s tech-savvy consumer demand.

“Home audio is an area that delivers a high perceived value whilst being relatively low cost to install,” explains Gavin Williams, Sales & Marketing Director at Hamilton Litestat, “We’ve developed a range that’s easy to install and set-up plus very simple to use via a specially-designed app.”

FIXED AUDIO FOR QUALITY STEREO SOUND Currently, one of the most popular home layouts is the kitchen-dining-living room as this room configuration inherently creates a large open plan space with plenty of light, but also allows the whole family to socialise and interact. It’s therefore ideal for this area to transform into an entertainment space.

Well placed, good quality audio can help with this, and Hamilton’s solution is suited to both large open plan spaces, as well as other smaller yet high usage areas.

Four products make up Hamilton’s new wireless audio range, two of which are the WSA50 Wireless Streaming Amplifier and the H600-80W8 Ceiling Speakers. Using the

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robust Wi-Fi network, the WSA50 Wireless Streaming Amplifier can stream audio to virtually every room in a property, streaming to several speakers to play the same song simultaneously throughout the home. Or, with additional amplifiers, speakers can be grouped together to create sound zones, so that different audio can be played in each of these areas of the home. By utilising Wi-Fi, increased audio fidelity is achieved compared to Bluetooth, preserving more of what the artist intended and suiting the keenest ear. The amplifier also has a USB port to connect to audio stored on a NAS, USB flash drives and hard disks, and also has built-in Bluetooth should a Wi-Fi connection not be available.

No programming knowledge is necessary to set up and configure the speakers. They can be grouped together or played singularly throughout the home for the utmost flexibility.

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Smart Technology

Being able to connect a smart phone and blast out favourite tunes carries high appeal. And it’s not just in the kitchen-diner space where wireless audio adds value; it can be fitted throughout key areas of the home, such as the lounge or bathroom, and all be linked and controlled via the Hamilton Player App for ease of use.”

The perfect companion to the WSA50 Wireless Streaming Amplifier is the Hamilton H600-80W8 Ceiling Speakers. This pairing delivers a high quality and reliable fixed audio option. The passive mono speakers, which are supplied in white with a magnetic front grill, contain a six-inch Kevlar cone and one-inch Titanium cone, delivering 80 watts of power and better-quality audio than speakers with built-in amplifiers. Two speakers are required for stereo sound: one for the right channel, one for the left.

SIMPLE CONTROL FROM SMART DEVICES Hamilton has developed an intuitive app that allows for easy set-up and control of the wireless audio solutions across iOS or Android devices from anywhere in the home.

As well as playing music stored on the device, the app integrates with a range of audio platforms, such as Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and Tidal, allowing the user to play music through their preferred streaming service at the swipe of a finger. The Hamilton Player App also offers an easy-to-use EQ function that allows for the bass and treble to be adjusted to suit the listener’s individual taste and preferences.

No programming knowledge is necessary to set up and configure the speakers.

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They can be grouped together or played singularly throughout the home for the utmost flexibility. It means an installer can set up the most common preferences, but if a homeowner wishes to change them then they have the flexibility to do this themselves. info@hamilton-litestat.com

JAMES GARRISON, HEAD OF TRADE We’re very proud to become a Corporate Sponsor of BiKBBI and be part of the great work they do through Education, Standards and Support.

At VictoriaPlum.com, we strive to give Best in Sector customer service through our dedicated Trade Account Management Team, supporting our industry through providing over 6,000 products and advice while making sure that the installers we work with, feel supported and valued, which is reflected in our TrustPilot score.

I am really looking forward to working closely with BiKBBI and its members in the coming months and years.

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Tools, Power Tools & Equipment Advice

INNOVATION FOR IMPROVED HEALTH PROTECTION

If this sensor registers contact with human skin, a cartridge is activated and everything immediately stops. The saw blade stops in less than five milliseconds, disappearing into the machine bench and out of the hazard area. Subsequently, accidents that could have created life-changing injuries are reduced to just small scratches.

The new Festool TKS 80 bench-mounted circular saw with SawStop technology.

Festool claims that with the launch of its new TKS 80, it will be launching the first portable table saw in Europe to be marketed with the tried-and-tested SawStop technology.

It offers a unique feature to make life safer for kbb installers and other tradespeople by helping to protect them from serious cutting injuries.

About SawStop Technology SawStop technology was originally developed

by Dr Steve Gass in America. In 2017, the American company SawStop was integrated into the TTS group. Festool then began to develop a bench-mounted circular saw that included the precision and cutting quality Festool is renowned whilst integrating SawStop technology.

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How SawStop Technology works The heart of the technology is a cartridge that works together with a spring to push an aluminium block into the saw blade if it comes into contact with the user's skin during operation. The function is triggered by a capacitive sensor. If this sensor registers contact with human skin, a cartridge is activated and everything immediately stops. The saw blade stops in less than five milliseconds, disappearing into the machine bench and out of the hazard area.

Subsequently, accidents that could have created life-changing injuries are reduced to just small scratches.

If the aluminium block has been triggered, the saw can be made fully ready to use again in just a few simple steps by replacing the saw blade and cartridge. This is undertaken by opening the cover, remove the old saw

blade and cartridge, and replace them with the new set – simple!

The system will then check that they are fitted correctly. As soon as the LED constantly illuminates in green, work can continue.

A clear visual display means that users can easily see the current operating status of the TKS 80 bench-mounted circular saw. When a green LED is lit, the SawStop technology is ready to use. The SawStop technology can be switched off if the user wishes to do so, that even conductive materials can be machined using the saw.

Features of the TKS 80 The new TKS 80, aside from its safety aspect, which is an obvious advantage, has many other benefits. For example, the saw blade is angled, which significantly reduces

Tools, Power Tools & Equipment Advice kickback and ensures stability in cutting behaviour thus providing a clean splinter-free cutting result on both the top and bottom of the work piece.

The TKS 80 table saw provides users with the flexibility to do large cross cuts as the saw has a cutting height of up to 80mm! The variety of locking positions and fine adjuster ensures that precise cross cuts and rip cuts can be done easily. The system accessories mean that the TKS 80 table saw work surface can be extended in its length and width, the sliding table for cross-cutting up to 920 mm As with all Festool products, the TKS 80 table saw has a dust extraction attachment with CLEANTEC extraction sleeve that allows users to work dust-free work and with a clear view of the work piece.

The new TKS 80 benchmounted circular saw is available now. For further information on the TKS 80 with SawStop Technology please visit: www.festool.co.uk

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Case Study

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Case Study

LIGHT, BRIGHT AND TIMELESS A Kitchen that evokes the senses of spring partly made up the brief for this light and bright, contemporary white kitchen for a detached family home in rural Hertfordshire.

Brandt Design fulfilled this new-build project by designing and installing an open-plan kitchen that needed to cater for all home-disciplines: cooking, dining, relaxing and socialising. It was therefore essential to ensure that the space was ergonomically designed to create a clutter-free, well organised kitchen living space, where each area is strategically zoned through custom-built handleless furniture and complete with a series of integrated appliances.

The hero feature in the main kitchen area is an industrial style L-shaped island unit, which was cleverly designed to encompass a generous sized hob and create ample food preparation space on the 20mm ‘Platinum White Quartz’ worksurface.

Crisp white kitchen units in high-gloss white lacquer contrasted perfectly against the grey oak flooring and Neolith Basalt Grey Satin breakfast bar. Thoughtful space planning led to Brandt Design positioning the high-rise bar stools in close proximity to the dining area so the architectural breakfast bar, with its feature mitre joints, could service the kitchen, as well as function as overflowseating for the occupiers when entertaining.

Creating this kitchen for a new-build ground floor, meant we could design a full open plan arrangement that sympathetically fuses the kitchen, dining and living areas all into one inclusive space."

Contemporary, open-plan kitchen expertly designed and fitted by Brandt Design

The L-shaped island was grounded by a highly reflective supporting pillar that is clad in mirrored glass from worktop-to-ceiling and creates a lovely focal point in the room. Ultra-modern pendant lights sit overhead, to ensure the worktop space always has the right level of task lighting, subject

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Case Study

Contemporary, open-plan kitchen expertly designed and fitted by Brandt Design

to mood and/or occasion. Beneath, Brandt Design included an integrated wine cabinet and positioned it directly opposite the living room area for easy access and a heightened sense of luxury when relaxing at home or entertaining guests.

Bathed in natural light, the high-gloss white kitchen cabinets provide an abundance of storage space and being discreet and handleless in design, the furniture never

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feels excessive or visually overbearing. This run of cabinetry makes way for a tall bank of cooking appliances and fridge freezer, to the left beneath the sink and tap area, base units cleverly conceal extra utilities including a practical dishwasher and washing machine.

Maximising every inch of available storage space, custom floor-to-ceiling storage units keep the kitchen well-organised and the worksurfaces free from clutter: essential when living open plan.

This project embraces modern art and unique design features. Scott Davis, Director at Brandt Design, says “Creating this kitchen for a new-build ground floor, meant we could design a full open plan arrangement that sympathetically fuses the kitchen, dining and living areas all into one inclusive space.

Principally, our aim was to create a userfriendly, ergonomic kitchen living space that captures the homeowner’s personal style, home architecture and social lifestyle.�

Case Study

Kitchens designed by Brandt Designs This modern, timeless kitchen scheme includes: Furniture: Brandt Design high-gloss, White lacquer

Siemens KI81RVS30G Built-in iQ300 177 x 54cm Fridge

Worktops: 20mm Platinum White Quartz from the Brandt Collection by Brandt Design

Siemens GI81NAE30G Built-in iQ300 177 x 54cm NoFrost Freezer, Siemens Fridge Freezer

Breakfast bar: Neolith Basalt Grey Satin

Bora CFI11 BoraClassic surface induction cooktop [two]

Built-in Appliances: Siemens HB676GBS6B Built-in iQ700 Single Oven, ActiveClean, Stainless Steel

Bora CKAS Bora Classic cooktop extractor system

Siemens CM676GBS6B Built-in iQ700 Compact45 Oven with Microwave, Stainless Steel

Bora CKAAB0 Bora 1 piece cover plate, Stainless steel

Siemens CD634GBS1B Built-in iQ700 Compact45 Steam Oven, Stainless Steel

Caple WI6120 Undercounter Wine Cabinet 595mm, Stainless Steel Door

Siemens BI630CNS1B Built-in iQ700 Warming Drawer 14cm High, Stainless Steel [two]

Sinks & Taps: Blanco BL452916 Undermount Subline 700-U, 1 Bowl Sink, Universal Rock Grey Blanco 3FSCHR Pro 3 Fusion

Siemens SN66L080GB Built-in iQ300 60cm Fully Integrated Dishwasher, Stainless Steel

Square Taps, Chrome

For further information on Brandt Design, please call Hatch End 0203 7584455 | Hampstead 0208 1947888 | www.brandtdesign.co.uk | e info@brandtkitchens.co.uk

Our aim was to create a user-friendly, ergonomic kitchen living space that captures the homeowner’s personal style, home architecture and social lifestyle.�

Contemporary, open-plan kitchen expertly designed and fitted by Brandt Design

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Kitchens

‘THE BRONZE AGE’ WITH NEW BRONZE METAL BY ROTPUNKT

Rotpunkt, steps into the ‘bronze age’ with the launch of Bronze Metal.

Bronze metal is a new door colour with brushed metal-effect surface as (laminate solution for Titanium KQ furniture) Rotpunkt continues to extend its colour options for its most popular door ranges.

The new bronze metal laminate solution is visually striking as light reflects beautifully thanks to its smooth shiny surface and its available in new 91cm and 234cm heights. You can also colour match handles in the new bronze finish and is also available in Carbon and Brass. These new colours allow for increased personalisation so that designers can colour match to the

furniture, or create contrast with an accent colour.

Matt Phillips, Head of UK Operations at Rotpunkt says “Metallic finishes with practical application in the kitchen are evolving quickly, so it makes sense to introduce them in to a kitchen living environment and create more design opportunities and capacity for innovation.

Bringing a refined, more luxurious approach to industrial-style kitchen design, our new bronze metal door colour is low-maintenance, extremely tactile and manufactured carbon neutrally.”

For further information on Rotpunkt UK, please email matt.phillips@rotpunktuk. com or visit: www.rotpunktuk.com

The new Bronze Metal kitchen concept

by Rotpunkt in titanium KQ furniture with new colour option bronze metal (KQ stands for quality pressure laminate)

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Kitchens Rotpunkt new Titanium Bronze Metal

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Q&A XXXXX xxxxxx

Q& A with Justin Adgar

In our summer issue we feature Justin Adgar for our staff Q & A. Joining in 2019, Justin is an industry leader.

With senior leadership experience at Homebase and Bathstore, Justin is responsible for the development of our retail strategy.

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What is your role within the BiKBBI?

Name 3 you’d least like to invite?

Director of Retail Strategy, It’s my role to spread the word to our retail partners what BiKBBI Protected can do to help them sell more KBB projects.

Think there are 3 or more world leaders that I would not be able to get through a dinner date with, but I’m not going to get political so I’ll leave it to your imagination.

What were your first impressions when joining the institute?

Favourite sport and team or sports person?

I’ve known Damian for nearly 20 years and I’ve seen him build the institute from conception. It was visionary to recognise the importance of installation businesses’ and their role with in the KBB industry and the fact that they had no representation structure or development. It’s really satisfying to see what it’s become and it support through the current Covid-19 pandemic has been exemplary. I’ve been a retailer that benefitted from the institute’s work in the past so joining the team felt really natural.

And how has your view changed, if at all?

Not so much changed as reinforced the influence and scale of the work that goes on behind the badge. I think it’s still a little undersold regarding its importance to our industry – who else would have liaised with the government on behalf of Installation Businesses in KBB if there was no BiKBBI? Who else would pull together a national apprenticeship scheme for KBB installations?

On the lighter side, who or what makes you laugh?

Damian, when he’s not playing the serious business and industry leader he’s like a Southern Gazza with that ‘non-stop’ sense of fun and broad Essex accent, his latest lockdown buzzcut just adds to the picture.

Name 3 people past or present that you would love to invite to a boys night out?

Gazza, Danny Baker and Chris Evans – their antics in the 90’s used to crease me up – I think I’d need to go back to the 90’s to make the most of it though.

Kitesurfing – Robby Naish, a true icon in watersport, I would have said Alan Shearer but that was too predictable.

Q&A Favourite movie?

What’s been the best day of your life (keep it clean)?

Point Break

Has to be marrying Camilla, definitely the high point for me.

Name a record that would get you dancing and one to help you chill out?

Finally, what’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Dance, Love Shack B52’s Chill out, Say you won’t let go – James Arthur

Look for the good in people

What would you most like to hear said about you?

That I’m fair. As a young installation manager (some time ago) I heard an installer telling another who didn’t know me that I was tough but fair and to be honest it made my day.

And what would be the worst?

That I was mean, I’ve had to make tough business decisions in my time, they have always been for the good of the bigger picture and never about individuals.

Name your first car?

Favourite cuisine?

Fiesta 1.8d van

Can’t beat a great curry!

Favourite tipple?

Tell us a claim to fame?

Nice malbec

Too many that are best not mentioned.

Sporting wise, doing a forward loop and the 12x windsurfing world champion Bjorn Dunkerbeck congratulating me in the bar afterwards.

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Installer Advice

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING SPECIFIC WITH YOUR CLIENTS What is a temporary tap? It might seem obvious to us as installers, but to one customer who asked me to visit it was not so clear. The issue for her was that the installer had promised her a ‘temporary tap’ but had installed her new tap temporarily. She felt this was not what she had been promised and it meant that her new tap would be, In effect, second-hand when it was finally installed.

Richard Renouf, Furniture & Floorcoverings Consultant

She felt this was not what she had been promised and it meant that her new tap would be, In effect, second-hand when it was finally installed.

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It would be easy to blame her and also easy to assume that other customers would be delighted with what the installer had done, after all, he had enabled his client to keep a water supply whilst the installation was being done but it’s dangerous to assume. By the time of my visit, some weeks had passed due to the major falling out over this and many other issues and had resulted in the installer leaving the job.

Although it’s often said, ‘the customer is always right.’ I don’t actually know many installers who believe this to be 100% true. Recent events during the government lockdown have taught us to perhaps reconsider the way we operate and how we do things when undertaking an installation project.

Temporary taps is a case in point. During lockdown, only essential work could be carried out and that included working for customers who had no reasonable access to their water supply. Plumbers and some installers had to carry on because that essential supply had to be provided for.

In my days as a working installer I would always discuss the access to water with each customer, planning the times when things would be disconnected and reconnected to minimise any disruption for the customer and providing alternative supplies if necessary. Sometimes I had to work late into the evening to make sure the water was back on before I left.

Hygiene is another hugely important consideration and taking the necessary actions to minimise health risks. The current risk of picking up or transferring coronavirus has shown us how easily other viruses may have been passed on by us over many years.

It’s easy to think ‘It’s just a cold’ or ‘it’s just flu’, but even these seemingly mild illnesses can have a devastating effect on some vulnerable people. It’s left me wondering how many people might have picked something up from me over the years, and what the consequences of that might have been. Of course, I have always known the importance of washing my hands! But just how diligently did I put that into practice?

Taking time out to learn, develop and even simply to rest, has been forced on many of us. It’s been frustrating because there were so many other things we would like to have done, but slowly we’ve realised the benefits of not working every hour we possibly can, and of taking our skills and understanding to a new level.

During lockdown I was moved by the sacrifice of those whose actions during wartime were commemorated on VE Day. We’ve recognised the new heroes, not just those working in the NHS and Care services, but also those working in supermarkets, emptying dustbins, and shopping for isolated neighbours. We’re good at rising to the challenge when things are tough.

Lockdown has given us all an opportunity to naval gaze and re-evaluate ourselves and subsequently, I for one am already asking myself, how consistent will I be when things ease up and how can I maintain selfimprovement – maybe you should too?

www.richard-renouf.com

Movers & Shakers IMPERIAL BATHROOMS APPOINTS PUBLICITY ENGINEERS FOR IT'S PR Specialists in the design and manufacture of British-made bathroom solutions, Imperial Bathrooms, has appointed KBB specialist PR consultancy, Publicity Engineers, to commence all public relations on its behalf from July 2020.

The company is renowned for its beautiful and unique designed ceramic ware moulded from clay in Devonshire and Cheshire, hand-sprayed furniture that is traditionally hand-crafted with jointed solid wood from its own dedicated facility, Italian made brassware and ceramic wall tiles and a comprehensive range of free standing baths and complementary accessories.

LESSONS IN KITCHEN GEOMETRY WITH NEW TUBIST TAPS Abode has introduced a new range of taps called Tubist.

Technically challenging to manufacture yet striking to look at, the tubes of the Tubist range create clean and flowing gentle shapes that merge into one fluid form.

Available in special new finishes of Matt Black, Polished Copper and Brushed Nickel, Tubist can

www.publicityengineers.com be chosen in various forms including a single lever and a single lever with a pull-out spray.

The range also includes the Tubist Professional Pull Around with detachable spray, combining industrial design with added functionality. The spray has a magnetic attachment for simple and secure release and re-connection, while each tap in the range features ceramic disc valve technology for ultra-smooth flow and temperature control.

Cold start functionality on the single lever mixer taps also maximises on energy efficiency, providing homeowners with a great all-rounder in terms of style and function. www.abode.eu

‘EXTRA CLIENT SUPPORT’ AS GIRA UK RE-OPENS

NEW BROCHURE SHOWCASES CERALSIO SURFACES IN ALL THEIR GLORY

As the government eases lockdown, Gira has re-opened its UK office in Brentford, West London and with it, has expanded its project team by adding Jessica-Lee van der Walt to better support its customers.

Featuring fresh new branding and a range of new styles, CRL Stone has updated its Ceralsio brochure, showcasing the full portfolio of ceramic surfaces now available.

Mark Booth, Managing Director Gira UK says, “We are delighted to be back to work, the social interaction is invaluable. We have put special measures in place like physical distancing rules and the supply of PPE Packs to reduce risk and ensure a safe working environment for everyone.”

The brochure spans 120 pages, with an at-aglance colour palette showcasing all 24 surfaces in the Ceralsio collection, plus full colour inspirational room set photography of each surface adorning spread over double pages.

Gira UK has a dedicated projects team and technical support staff who provide customers real-time assistance by phone, email or video conference: FaceTime and Skype calls are available from Monday to Friday, 8am - 6pm, and if necessary, quality-controlled site visits can be arranged by appointment only.

Please contact: UK Technical Support email hotline-uk@gira.com | t (0) 203 936 8095 or UK Sales & Projects Team email sales@gira.com | m (0)7397 569947.

During the lockdown the company prepared to launch new brand strategies which include the development and launch of new corporate branding, newly designed website and the release of a new brochure which unveils the latest product innovations and software upgrades by Gira through 2020.

For retailers, full specification details including slab weight, dimensions and available finishes are all included, along with product order codes.

Also included in the new brand initiatives is the production of a new video presentation To watch, visit → “We are Gira”

Technical details also highlight the many features and advantages of Ceralsio, along with maintenance advice, giving consumers all they need to know ahead of making their purchase.

For the latest 2020 product innovations by Gira, please visit the download area online where you can download its new brochures:

The new Ceralsio brochure from CRL Stone can be downloaded from www.ceralsio.co.uk, or call 01706 863 600 to request hardcopies.

www.download.gira.com

www.ceralsio.co.uk

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Movers & Shakers SIRIUS CONTINUES TO GROW GROUP MEMBERSHIPS DESPITE LOCKDOWN Major buying group of electrical appliance and kitchen retail solutions, Sirius Buying Group, has announced that an additional four businesses have become approved members.

GDA Appliances, Staffs Appliance Centre, Lordship Cooker Centre and Davies’s Domestic Appliances are the new approved members Steve Jones, Commercial Director at Sirius Buying Group says “Given the current climate, there is an inherent need to come together and as a group, we are working hard with our Approved Suppliers to provide our network of independent retailers with the best resources and lines of support available.

We are therefore delighted to welcome four new Approved Members to the group and we stand ready to cater to their individual business needs, as consumers slowly return to the high street and retail parks.”

Rob Colclough, Director at Staffs Appliance Centre, commented, “Our commercial focus is on developing retail of our brand new appliances and kitchen solutions with the support of an online outlet store. It made sense to safeguard this new phase of our company’s development by joining forces with Sirius Buying Group, so that we can optimise our business model, improve bricks and mortar sales, as well as boost our digital footprint at a time when we are most vulnerable.”

Ian Davies, Managing Director at Davies’s Domestic Appliances & Geo E Davies Electrical added, “Having worked in this field for over 45 years, we’ve become well-established with customers on a community-level and now, we want to maximise our reach so that we can start engaging new customers previously unaware of us. In my opinion, the extra support and services which Sirius Buying Group provide my business are unparalleled and for that reason” Steve Jones concluded by saying, “We are working tirelessly to support our business community and by working together, we’re able to bring new opportunities to our members that can help recoup the recent shortfall following national lockdown. We have even developed a month-long programme of online events from 22|06 to 31|07, that will replace our international conference that we recently postponed. This Virtual Conference will present our members (new and existing) with group special offers, supplier deals and exclusive member promotions from our approved suppliers aimed at helping to improve retail margins and profitability.” www.siriusbuyinggroupltd.co.uk

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Movers & Shakers BESPOKE STONE FABRICATION BY BRANDT DESIGN Hertfordshire and north London based Brandt Design now has its own stone fabrication service where it supplies customers and other parties with natural stone worksurfaces from its own manufacturing facility.

Brandt Design offers bespoke stone fabrication with surface solutions in granite, quartz, marble and a range of man-made products. Providing an exacting service that covers every aspect of stone design and installation, the Brandt Design team will explore and recommend a range of materials to suit your design concept and when selected, it will then create a design template for manufacture and if required, install.

Scott Davis, Director at Brandt Design adds “A successful kitchen design requires rigorous attention to detail across the furniture and worktops, which is why we take care of every aspect of a project so that we offer a portfolio of custom turnkey projects for each and every customer.”

For further information on Brandt Design, please contact: Brandt Design | Hatch End 0203 758 4455 | Hampstead 0208 194 7888. www.brandtdesign.co.uk

THURLESTONE CLOAK OFFSET VANITY UNIT BY IMPERIAL BATHROOMS This cleverly designed offset vanity unit by Imperial Bathrooms is perfect for cloakrooms and rooms that are spatially challenged.

Part of the Astoria Deco Thurlestone Furniture Collection, this Cloak offset vanity unit offers designers and installers an attractive alternative to the traditional ceramic pedestal or basin stand.

Thurlestone pieces come in a range of fine solid wood finishes including rich hand-oiled options.

Measuring H440 x W695 x D260mm the Cloak offset vanity unit has subtle refinements that include soft-close door hinges and mirror options with LED IP44 rated down lighters and anti-mist panels. www.imperialbathrooms.com

DAVAL FURNITURE UNVEIL NEW-LOOK WEBSITE British designer and manufacturer of quality fitted furniture, Daval, has launched a new-look website in signature brand-style: www.davalfuniture.co.uk Visitors to the site can discover the company’s comprehensive range of British made-to-measure interior lifestyle furniture and download the latest Kitchen & Bedroom Brochures.

Simon Bodsworth, Managing Director at Daval says, “The launch of our new 2020 kitchens and bedrooms prompted the release of this new-look website, which is designed to include our latest product innovations for the UK and offer newly curated content on both brand and business. Our latest market research shows that UK homeowners are increasingly keen to create a signature look in the home by investing in quality furniture over ‘fast-fashion’ solutions and our new website will carry user-friendly appeal.”

For further information on Daval, its furniture and interiors storage solutions, please contact: Daval Furniture t 01484 848500 or: www.daval-furniture.co.uk

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Directory BiKBBI Corporate Sponsors

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BiKBBI Retail Partners

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www.compusoftgroup.com

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BiKBBI Strategic Partners

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