The Designer Collective 2021

the designer collective

KITCHEN & BATHROOM EDITION

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Inspiring Project Creativity

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KITCHEN & BATHROOM EDITION

Welcome

The very best creativity is achieved through successful collaboration. That’s why we’ve curated this special guide to some of the best products that are likely to be playing a key role in the most important projects throughout the months and years ahead.

The Designer Collective brings together the most beautiful products from the leading brands – each of which are uniquely positioned to offer something truly different – showcasing products that are setting the agenda for design within kitchens and bathrooms.

With each and every project depending on a multitude of individual elements, the outcome is hugely dependent on each of these being exactly the right choice. From worktop and flooring material selections, to furniture and fitting configurations, home appliances and other technology, nothing can be left to chance. The leaders in each of these categories recognise that instead of a ‘one size fits all’ approach, truly creative solutions are needed if projects are to ultimately reach their full potential.

Martin Allen-Smith Editor, Designer

EDITORIAL EDITOR MARTIN ALLEN-SMITH martin@thedsgroup.co.uk PUBLISHING PUBLISHING DIRECTOR CLARA DEEKS clara@thedsgroup.co.uk MANAGING DIRECTOR ALLISTAIR HUNTER OPERATIONS DIRECTOR TRACY MEAD ADVERTISING PORTFOLIO MANAGER STUART SINCLAIR stuart@thedsgroup.co.uk SALES EXECUTIVE LAUREN MUNSON lauren@thedsgroup.co.uk MARKETING CREATIVE MARKETING MANAGER DOM LITTLER dom@thedsgroup.co.uk PRODUCTION ART DIRECTOR LEE THOMAS GRAPHIC DESIGNER BEN EMMERSON PRINT SALES MANAGER DAVID GILBERT ACCOUNTS FINANCE DIRECTOR CHRIS CORKE accounts@thedsgroup.co.uk

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is published by The DS Group.

7 Faraday Close, Oakwood Industrial Estate, Clacton-On-Sea, Essex CO15 4TR. thedsgroup.co.uk.

Tel: 020 3538 0268

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There are certain to be many potential creative partnerships to be had during the course of this year’s upcoming projects. So, take a look through our array of detailed, innovative, and inspiring profiles contained inside… and become a part of the collective.

M ar t in

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Richard Hibbert National Chair Kbsa

Working collectively and embracing technology is key to future succes

Training and development has long been a topic that provokes debate amongst designers.

There is no doubting the benefits that training brings to individuals and businesses and many within the sector are continually championing for improvements. However, it remains an area that still lacks a cohesive strategy and delivery mechanism, making it difficult for professionals to see a clear path of qualification. Collectively the industry is trying to address this, creating a clearer path for those entering the industry with the aim of educating the professionals of tomorrow, providing continuous development and setting standards.

The Kbsa, as the association for independent retailers, has been at the forefront of developments in training and education for many years. Currently the Kbsa is actively involved in and supports the qualifications provided by training bodies; Furniture and Interiors Education, Skills and Training Alliance FIESTA and The Kitchen Education Trust TKET. FIESTA works to encourage new talent to join the industry, ensuring relevant education, training and qualifications are in place to support them. It enables businesses of all shapes and sizes from across the different sectors that make up the furniture and interiors industry to stand united to address education and training issues and work together to create solutions.

The Kitchen Education Trust (TKET)

Membership of the Kbsa provides access to a host of other training support tools, with access to specialist partners, regular webinars and video forums. The way that business works has changed during the COVID pandemic. Video conferencing has helped Kbsa members remember the value of being part of a community and working collectively.

The sector has adopted new technologies to facilitate communication, both business to business and customer facing, when face to face meetings have been restricted.

There are advantages to working in this way that will remain as designers continue to explore, and incorporate this way of working in the future.

Thanks to this technology, designers looking to advance their skills and grow their business can enjoy many more training opportunities, often without even leaving their home. From seminars, webinars, on-demand classes, trade shows and product training to marketing tutorials, educational videos, books and trade publications, there are a wealth of opportunities for learning available.

In the fast-changing world of kitchen design, there’s always something new to learn, so fostering a continual commitment to learning and tapping into the resources offered by the Kbsa can keep designers ahead of the game.

KBSA kbsa.org.uk

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is a registered charity that provides a link between the kitchen industry and education. TKET acts as an intermediary for the kitchen sector in the award of scholarships to successful applicants to attend the Foundation Degree in Kitchen Design at Buckinghamshire New University. The three year part time degree offered by Bucks New University is a recognised option for educating new entrants into the industry.

The Kbsa works together with other relevant trade associations, affiliates, manufacturers and charitable bodies to support all those involved in design. Activities involve research into what the needs of the sector are, developing best practice and supporting the development of different routes into training and qualifications.

Designers often work alone or within a small team, and in these circumstances accessing training and qualifications can often be neglected whilst attending to the day to day work, designing and maintaining relationships with clients.

Designers also have to wear many hats and multi-task in all aspects. These include client care, project management, sales, design and supervising installation.

Having the support of a trade association can benefit in many ways. It becomes easier to tap into current trends and innovations, and have access to developments and links with the training bodies that can offer support.

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Designing a kitchen from the inside out Beauty’s on the inside!

Everyone loves their finished kitchen.

After all the colours have been picked, the sophisticated finishes chosen, and the latest appliances installed, its love at first sight. However, when those colours start to fade and the latest tech is no longer new, what will be left? Trends & styles will come and go, but the functionality is the one essential people will never tire of.

Once a new kitchen is installed, it’s hard to change. Kitchens last on average about 20 years. So the kitchen should not only meet current requirements, but also those of the future. We open and close our cupboards up to 80 times a day, and for 50 of these we bend down at a lower level. Investing in drawers and lift systems at this will point will provide long-term ergonomic benefits that ensure it works just as well as it did when it, and the owner, were 20 years younger!

Storage, storage, storage!

Have you ever moved to a new house, and cleared out your loft or shed, only to find

Divide and conquer Life is incredibly hectic, and we don’t have time to stress the small stuff. “Has anyone seen the bottle opener?” “I can’t find the peeler” “Where’s the Tupperware lid?”.

Without internal dividing systems, storage can be a constant game of hide and seek.

These systems are an integral element of any kitchen design that is often not considered. Including these elements in the initial planning will take a good kitchen to a whole new level, allowing your client to concentrate on enjoying the space created and the people in it.

The engine-room Kitchens are the engine room of the home. Understanding the mechanics and what makes a kitchen tick is as important as how it looks. A shiny new car may look amazing but looking under the hood may reveal a different story! Miles per gallon and guarantees are all important questions everyone would ask. Why should a new kitchen be any different? To ensure it will last life’s journey, the fittings are an important consideration. Does it come with a guarantee, is it going to perform under pressure? A kitchen is one of the biggest purchases we make, and something consumers probably make only 2 or 3 times in their lifetime. Don’t let your customer make the mistake of going on face value alone.

Blum UK blum.com

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something that you thought was lost, or replaced years ago? It’s just as easily done in a kitchen. One of the most common client requests is “More Storage”. Proper planning, considering the client’s lifestyle, shopping habits and household needs is essential in the early planning stages. Do not get carried away with just aesthetics. 3 key questions to ask when making decisions are: is it Functional? Accessible? Visible? Getting all this right will ensure long term success.

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Beauty, durability and colour

Bette manufactures baths, shower trays and basins in one of the most beautiful and durable materials: glazed titaniumsteel. Its products are available in a huge range of designs, sizes and over 400 colours, including gloss and matt finishes.

A colour fan is available on request.

Shower trays and flush-to-floor shower areas can be ordered in colours to coordinate with flooring for a spacious, contemporary look, and basins and baths can be ordered in eye-catching colours, or colour-matched to ceramic items, such as tiles.

If a specific size is required, perhaps to fit into a recess, Bette can create the tray or bath to the exact measurements.

Shower trays and fitted baths can be ordered with BetteUpstand, for no silicone where the product meets the wall tiles.

Bette also offers an almost invisible anti-slip surface: BetteAnti-slip Pro. The wide choice of styles and sizes means there are products to suit all bathrooms, including space-saving options for smaller bathrooms.

Bette offers a wide choice of shower trays and shower floors in hundreds of sizes and colours. The award-winning BetteFloor is a flush-to-floor shower area that is like one large enamelled steel tile which is easy to clean and hygienic. It can be ordered with a pre-attached system to make installation fast and easy.

Bette baths, shower trays and basins use only natural materials in their production and are so durable that they come with a 30 year warranty. When they do, eventually, reach the end of their life, they are 100% recyclable.

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Bette my-bette.com/en

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Drink, prep, clean Everything you need, all in one place.

The BLANCO UNIT creates a spacesaving, timesaving, creative hub at the heart of the home.

Sinks, taps and bins are the most frequently used items in the kitchen but are often not given the consideration that BLANCO think they deserve. The BLANCO UNIT concept combines premium kitchen products as flexible packs that let customers choose items to suit their kitchen style, lifestyle and investment level.

Water plays an essential role in everyone’s kitchen life, from drink and food preparation to washing, hygiene and cleaning. The BLANCO UNIT lets you choose from feature-packed Smart Taps, boiling water, stunning semi-professional or classic mixer taps in a variety of finishes. Select a sink or bowl from a huge range of designs, styles, materials, colours and installation options. Add specifically designed, ingenious accessories and everything above the work surface becomes a multifunctional sink area that works beautifully, is easier to use and keep clean, and simply looks great.

What about that ‘no-mans-land’ under the sink? BLANCO have it sorted – literally.

Add in-cabinet storage, organisational products, waste management systems or food waste disposal units to declutter and make intelligent use of a space that can otherwise be a bit of a dumping-ground.

Visit blanco.co.uk/blancounit for more.

Making kitchen life easier every day.

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There are hundreds of benefits in having a seamless kitchen hub from BLANCO, from making kitchen tasks easier to saving time, energy and the environment. Some benefits will be specific to the customers lifestyles, but some of the product combinations have the potential to change the way the kitchen space is used. Possibly influencing the future of kitchen planning and design.

A simple scenario that could benefit us all is the added efficiencies in food preparation. Chop up vegetables on a food board that sits securely over the bowl or on the drainer, having just rinsed them with the pull-out tap spray and drained them in the colander that fits the sink perfectly. Then pop them in the pan that is ready and waiting, full of water, in the bowl and throw the offcuts into your in-cabinet food caddy. Place the packaging in the recycle bin next to the caddy and grab a cloth from the storage shelf to wipe down the surfaces while you have the cabinet open. Finished? Simply close the cabinet and breathe. All that prep, mess, water and waste contained in the BLANCO UNIT. Talk to your Regional Sales Manager or call the sales desk on 01923 635 200 to find out more about our amazing value BLANCO UNIT launch offers or about sink, tap and in-cabinet showroom displays.

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12 November

2021 GRAND CONNAUGHT ROOMS

LONDON

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CELEBRATING THE BEST IN

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL DESIGN The Designer Awards celebrate residential and commercial kitchen, bathroom and architectural design projects in the UK and worldwide. Now in its 19th year, the established event attracts world-renowned designers and architects as well as senior professionals within the design industry.

NEW CATEGORIES

Product Innovation Kitchen & Bathroom Design Super Luxe Interior Space Showroom Design Special Projects Best Use of Design

NEW WEBSITE

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What does real sustainability look like?

Sustainability in the built environment is not a new subject. For those us working in and around the industry, it has been a topic of discussion for many years.

Our collective ambitions have gradually raised, to the point that we are now striving towards carbon neutral new dwellings as a standard. In this article, I want to make the case that the design community should be looking for further sustainability improvement with a broader, nay, completely different lens.

New buildings only provide a minimal opportunity in comparison to the existing stock. If the UK continues to build 250,000 homes a year (not an insignificant ambition) that only equates to 7.5millions homes 2050 – the legal watershed date for the UK on carbon emissions. Lowering the environmental impact of the 29 million existing homes in the UK is, for me, the bigger challenge for designers, builders, and policymakers – a moon-shoot if you will.

The establishment of the Green Homes Grant (GHG) was a pleasing nod to this reality, but considerably more than the current £2billion allocation will be needed.

Its not just a question of money, it’s a question of application. Somehow, we need to create as much prestige around transforming existing buildings as there is around new build. Only then will public

reduction. Water barely figures in recent policy development such as the Green Homes Grant or Planning for the Future.

How can we build back better and greener after COVID-19, if we are ignoring the natural resource most fundamental to handwashing and beating the disease?

It’s not as if water scarcity isn’t well understood. Water companies are forecasting large gaps between the level of available water resource and the level of demand. Due to climate change and more extreme weather patterns the level of water available is reducing.

Simultaneously, population growth is increasing demand. By 2050 the UK could have a structural deficit of up to 8.2 billion litres of water a day – over eight times the current daily consumption of Wales.

This is what the CEO of the Environment Agency has described as the “jaws of death” and an “existential crisis” in the UK within 25 years. Many manufacturers have solutions that can avoid wasted water in the bathroom, and the Unified Water Label can signpost designers accordingly. Let start talking about this aspect of sustainability and work together to achieve a transformation.

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interest, skills and finance will follow.

Designer Magazine readers will know better than anyone that its possible to create jaw-dropping and high-performing spaces from existing structures.

The provenance of materials must be a more significant factor in sustainability.

This extends beyond just the carbon impact associated with different geographical supply chains, it also links directly to longevity of materials.

For example, imagine a bathroom tap or shower enclosure. If there is good traceability, designers and consumers can be sure it is tested to last, you know who to contact on repairability and therefore there is a circular economy. If the provenance of a fitting is not understood, the product may not be properly tested, it may fail in a fraction of the time, there is no comeback and it becomes waste- a linear economy.

Many designers are starting to ask more questions about the provenance of bathroom products. Over the next few years when CE marking is replaced by UKCA marking in the UK, there are likely to be even more questions. Technical innovations like BIM and even blockchain can support greater traceability and this is something we’re exploring with academic partners.

Finally, our view of sustainability must look at more than just carbon and waste

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Blend

Blend

Fabrica

Colour and texture are centre stage for HiB Novum’s new furniture ranges HiB Novum’s new ranges, Fabrica and Blend showcase the latest evolution in bathroom furniture, affirming the brand’s dedication to crafting inspired, quality designs that make a statement.

Fabrica is all about colour and texture, creating a nostalgic but contemporary feel which brings opulence to the vanity unit. Available in Dark Emerald, Midnight Blue and Carbon Grey, the Fabrica bathroom and cloakroom ranges combine luxury with the benefit of choice. Handles and brassware options are all part of Fabrica’s charm, with finishes such as brushed brass, black and chrome

Tel: +44 (0)20 8441 0352 Email: sales@hib.co.uk www.hib.co.uk

Fabrica Cloakroom

Fabrica

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offering a new level of design coordination, creating a bathroom that is decadently stylish.

Those seeking for enhanced customisation should consider Blend as a statement piece for their bathroom.

Versatile with three distinct finishes of Matt White, Greystone and Sherwood Oak, the new range offers the opportunity to mix and match to create an eyecatching bathroom composition.

Blend

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KITCHEN & BATHROOM EDITION

NikolaTesla Fit Limited space and think that an extractor hob may not be a viable option? Think again. Elica has brought the same style and performance from its larger extractor hobs to the important 60cm and 70cm market with NikolaTesla FIT. It resolves those space issues by fitting comfortably into even 60 cm cabinets without compromising on extraction performance or cooking zone power.

NikolaTesla FIT automatically adjusts the level of extraction required, maintaining the optimum combination of low noise, power and energy efficiency.

The innovative Autocapture function simply lets you focus on cooking. The completely flat glass surface makes cleaning extremely easy and all filters are safely and immediately accessible – there is even an outlet to quickly drain anything from minor to major spillages, ensuring maximum hygiene in the kitchen.

NikolaTesla FIT is the first induction hob with integrated extraction that can be installed in a standard base unit. There

are two widths of hob 60cm and 72cm but both fit in a standard 60cm base, with both ducted and recirculating versions providing maximum flexibility.

The elegant design fits flush with the work surface when not in use and the shape of the extraction inlet allows maximum flexibility for pan sizes when in use. A gentle push opens the flap, and the extractor starts.

A bridge function enables two zones to be joined together to create a single area which guarantees a constant cooking temperature in even large rectangular and oval pans.

NikolaTesla Fit creates a rapid air speed of up to 5m/s which ensures high smoke and odour capture. In the recirculating version Elica’s high performance ceramic filters ensure up to 80% of fumes are captured compared to an industry norm of 60%. They can be regenerated in the oven for up to five years which is both a welcome economy and good for the environment.

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ELICA elica.com

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Q-Line from Mereway Kitchens The innovative new Q-Line from Mereway bravely fills the gap in the high-end contemporary market with something truly exceptional and what perhaps makes it even more exceptional is that it is designed and manufactured here in the UK. We were delighted to be the proud recipients of the Designer Awards 2020 Gold Award for “Innovation in Kitchen Product Design” for Q-Line.

Managing Director Mark Mills says, “We were absolutely thrilled and proud to have been presented the prestigious Designer Magazine Gold Award for Innovation in Kitchen Product Design. The Team here at Mereway have worked incredibly hard to deliver something different in terms of design but have also created a kitchen concept which excels in practicality. This year has seen us embrace the high-end contemporary, industrial aesthetic and it is exciting for a traditional UK Kitchen company entering this new market.

Recognition at this level means so much.

The extra wide drawers, narrow plinths and new materials (glass and ceramic) are obviously a winning combination!”

Q-Line has a convincing and compelling design focus. Every detail has been considered, from the choice of fittings, original use of new materials, capacious storage capacity to the introduction of new lower level plinths, Q-Line delivers a totally unique look. Added to all of this the kitchen appears to “float on air”

Q-Line from Mereway Kitchens mereway.co.uk

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with the inspired deployment of the lower plinth line of just 60 mm.

The Q-Line design creates a totally handleless system with a mixture of touchto-open and profile openings, in a blend of new materials and finishes including glass and ceramic, with pioneering storage and distinctive profile and plinth features.

For architects and designers working on projects and plans which are more challenging it is worth noting that all Q-Line cabinets and doors are totally bespoke, made to order to fit individual requirements. The complete customisation of kitchens is something which Mereway offer as standard and with their exceptionally high standards of craftsmanship it is yet another area in which they excel.

Exciting new additions to the Q-Line ceramic finishes have recently been introduced bringing the options in the ceramic collection to nine stunning colours comprising; Pietra, Grafite, Bianca, Rustico, Argento, Calacatta, Diamante, Nero and Tempesta. These new finishes take Q-Line to yet another level in terms of contemporary design.

Q-Line is a kitchen design that is versatile, practical and effortless; offering applied and functional qualities.

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Mind the skills gap Quooker MD Stephen Johnson explains the thinking behind a new collaboration with the BIKBBI that aims to address a looming industry skills crisis Throughout lockdown and resultant pressures this pandemic has placed on our industry, I have been increasingly convicted that those who can, have a wider responsibility of support wherever possible. With thousands of showrooms and manufacturing plants shut, staff placed on furlough and resultant redundancies, we’ve undergone some of the toughest trading conditions this industry has ever had to face. At Quooker, we too have felt the strain and have seen first-hand how it has affected smaller, independent retailers and installers. But as the pandemic has gone on, it has become increasingly apparent that in order to drive

to showrooms. A further £250k was also then given in support through our partnership with the KBSA to drive footfall back to the high street and independent showrooms across the country.

Through the work of the BiKBBI and our own research, it has become obvious that one of the most significant problems prohibiting our industry from bouncing back quickly, is the growing KBB skills gap this country faces. It is a problem that affects everyone, including architects and designers. For without a substantial skilled installer workforce, projects cannot be completed on time or delivered to a high standard.

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change, we have to work together to help our industry recover and thrive again.

With this in mind, we developed several initiatives to help our dealers and the wider KBB network. Back in March 2020, we launched our KBB helpline which sought to partner struggling retailers with industry heavyweights to share resources and expertise. We then introduced our ‘COVID-19: Quooker Support for Businesses’ scheme which offered dealers the ability to freeze accounts for a period of up to 3 months. We then pledged 100k media spend to support the wider kitchen industry, encouraging consumers to return to the high street and driving footfall

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KITCHEN & BATHROOM EDITION

“Through the work of the BiKBBI and our own research, it has become obvious that one of the most significant problems prohibiting our industry from bouncing back quickly, is the growing KBB skills gap this country faces.”

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Following the launch of the BiKBBI’s ‘Operation Next Gen’ campaign, we have therefore agreed a threeyear sponsorship deal of its new Apprenticeship initiative. This nationwide training scheme seeks to heavily invest in the next generation of homegrown KBB installers. With a focus on students in years 9-11, the opening of ten new regional Centres of Excellence will be key in growing local and more diverse talent. We are proud to be sponsoring such a worthwhile and crucial initiative and excited to see the BiKBBI’s ambitious targets met throughout the next few years.

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MHK cashflow solution for kitchen retailers in lockdown The strength and security MHK brought to its independent retail members and trade partners took on a new dimension in 2020, as the industry faced changes of Brexit, Covid restrictions, product shortages and all or nothing consumer demand around lockdowns.

MHK continued working alongside its retail members and suppliers throughout this time, and through its central payment system, continued to provide its retail members a cashflow positive trading environment when suppliers elsewhere were removing or reducing trade credit terms.

In times of unpredictable demand, cashflow positive trading became crucial and increased the strength of its independent retail members whilst giving trade suppliers access to this financially strong customer base. MHK’s centralised payment removes risk from transactions, resulting in better purchasing terms for retailers, making them more competitive against the competition.

For more information contact Paul Wheeler or David Morris on 0121 796 5310

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In addition to this, MHK UK added additional services for members, such as lead generating website services, logistics and finance as well as taking part in initiatives helping KBB professionals without work find new jobs.

For 2021, MHK UK will continue to grow its base of UK suppliers and members, and is further developing on-line tools for its independent retailers to enable them to take advantage of the nation’s changing shopping habits.

It is this win-win scenario that makes MHK such a unique proposition in the UK. “Everything we do has to improve life for our retail members and suppliers, or we don’t do it” comments UK Sales Manager David Morris. “Like a piece of rope, our strength comes from many individual threads, all pulling in the same direction to move forward” adds Sales Director Paul Wheeler.

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Creative beauty

M. Marcus www.m-marcus.com

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Established in 1940, M. Marcus have a long-standing reputation of creating beautiful and durable brass fittings. The company marked its 80th anniversary with an ambitious expansion of its cabinet hardware collection.

With new designs, textures, and finishes in its cabinet hardware collection, M. Marcus aims to provide customers with extensive choice and enable them to consider cabinet knobs and pulls as an integral part of the décor.

Notable additions include the range of diamond knurled hardware. The textured surfaces of these knobs and pulls provide aesthetic impact as well as a tactile element to the touch points of the kitchen.

From conception to current day, M. Marcus has focussed on creating innovative designs whilst upholding their core values of excellent customer service and quality products. M. Marcus’s cabinet hardware collection now consists of over 100 designs of knobs and pulls available in 19 unique finishes.

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The tap that does it all As the original and only true 100 degree boiling water tap brand on the market, Quooker leads the way when it comes to innovative technology and design.

Founded in 1970, Henri Peteri’s innovative concept of a boiling water tap has grown into a kitchen essential for millions of households worldwide.

Its Quooker Flex offers both form and function. Equipped with a flexible pull-out hose for hot, cold and filtered water, the Flex makes it easy to reach and rinse the sink or any awkward kitchen objects. Thanks to its in-built safety stop, the Flex can never dispense boiling water when the hose is extended, protecting the user at all times.

Thanks to the new CUBE accessory, the Flex now dispenses chilled and sparkling water at the touch of a button.

Saving you time and space, with CUBE the immediacy of super chilled and filtered water can be enjoyed without having to wait or waste water. Furthermore, one canister of C02 yields 60 litres of carbonated water which significantly reduces the need for single-use plastic bottles. CUBE filters are also able to process around 6,000 litres before needing to be replaced. Dispensing precisely the amount of water needed at any given moment, CUBE ensures responsible and more sustainable consumption.

Quooker www.quooker.co.uk

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The Flex tap and under-sink tank are made from Stainless Steel rather than plastic or copper, ensuring there are no material pores to harbour dirt. Making it virtually impossible for bacteria to gain a foothold, the Quooker Flex goes beyond elegant design and ease of use, becoming one of the most hygienic appliances in the kitchen.

With a durable PVD coating, the new Matt Black finish introduces a modern alternative to the range, perfectly emphasising Flex’s contemporary silhouette.

All Quooker taps continue to use very little electricity and give staggering energy saving results; thanks to its sophisticated state-of-the-art tank technology, it takes very little energy (just 10 watts) to keep the water in the tank at 110°C. Water only starts to boil when the tap is turned on and the temperature of the outflowing water drops to 100°C. While the water is coming out of the tap, fresh water immediately flows into the tank to replace the exact amount extracted ready for the next use.

With unparalleled functionality, intuitive and seamless water mode transitions and in-built safety mechanisms which prevent turning on the boiling water by accident, Quooker delivers the tap that does it all.

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50 years of elegance TRES GRIFERÍA is a family-run company with more than 50 years of experience, dedicated to the complete manufacture and marketing of top-quality tapware for bathrooms and kitchens, hydromassage columns and bathroom accessories. With subsidiaries in Germany, Italy, Poland, France, United Kindom and Portugal, and its main factory covering an area of more than 30,000 m2 located in Vallirana (Barcelona), TRES GRIFERÍA produces more than 4,000 tapware models and is one of the leading companies in Europe. Its objective is very clear: service, quality and price.

All manufacturing is done under one roof, in modern facilities capable of ensuring consistent quality and control over the entire manufacturing process.

In addition, its management system guarantees deliveries and minimises client stocks, making TRES the leading company in Europe, with high-quality products for the user’s comfort.

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The entire TRES range meets the needs of even the most demanding consumer. Style and comfort, along with state-of-the-art technology, are its top priorities, making it the optimal solution for new trends in kitchens and bathrooms.

The wide range and high quality of TRES products have led the brand to expand around the world.

Continuous improvements to facilities, manufacturing processes and technology have made the TRES brand one of the leading Spanish companies in the manufacture and marketing of these products.

The large, modern facilities TRES has set up in Vallirana (Barcelona) are testimony to the brand’s on-going evolution, increasing efficiency, service and quality throughout its wide product range.

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KITCHEN & BATHROOM EDITION

Tailor-made solutions Manufactured in Denmark, SPEKVA wood products are produced to each and every individual design. Giving the designer the opportunity to create a seamless and fluid feel to any space, which magnifies both functionality and style.

Solid wood will make an honest difference to any interior scheme. At SPEKVA we are dedicated to manufacturing kitchen worktops, breakfast bars, furniture and interior cladding of the very finest quality from hand-selected wood. The result is all in the detail.

We put our heart and soul into being meticulous throughout all the nine stages of production, from the hand-sorting and selection of the highest grade timber, to all the various luxury oil treatments and river washed finishing. There will always be 9 pairs of eyes and hands checking that only the very best is packaged ready for delivery.

2021

SPEKVA spekva.com

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How serious is installation?

Designing and manufacturing beautiful products, specifying functional and aesthetic spaces, designing room solutions to meet consumer demand may be very glamorous end of the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom industry, but we must all remember that all of this hinges on the ability of those charged with installing this product to meet specification.

For far too long our industry has been segmented from the world of installation, I guess because it is both the least glamorous side of the industry, but also the part of the sector that is perhaps the most difficult to connect with and subsequently get excited about. But, without a skilled workforce there simply will not be the available resources to meet the demand that is already here together with the demand that is likely to arise over the next five years. So, what are the challenges?

This is not a simple question to answer and the reason we have a skill gap, not only here in the UK but globally also, is that society has failed to invest in vocational careers for decades. Where once stood woodwork classrooms in schools, in the 90’s introduced IT suites, fazing out curriculum that involved any element of manual labour. Indeed, the PlayStation generation was born and the sad subsequence of this transition has resulted in decades of school leaving children embarking upon a vocational career.

What has exacerbated this situation all be it the news now plays second fiddle to Coronavirus, is the UK’s chaotic departure from the European Union. The free movement of skilled labour will cease on 1st January 2021 and only those with formal hire education qualification will be allowed to migrate their skills into this country from the EU. Now that may be suitable if you are a lawyer, doctor or an architected whereby formal qualification

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is very relevant, but this does not help an industry where most of the labour work force are without formal qualification operating on a time served basis.

So how do we fix this problem? Well, the first thing, like overcoming many challenges, is to admit we have a problem.

We need to recognise that this country is heading into a crisis when it comes to the skills gap that is already damaging this industry doing what we have always done will not solve this problem. Talking about this problem, will not solve our challenge.

The only thing that will overcome the skills gap crisis that we lurch into is action.

The British institute of Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom Installation is leading the solution to this problem in a number of ways. However, we cannot do this without the support of the entire industry, and I call upon you all to get behind what we do and to support the only organisation leading this piece of work on a national basis.

We have a 3-pronged solution that we believe will go some way to reducing the impact of this crisis.

The long term is covered by our work on Apprenticeships. We have worked with industry to create and blueprint a Fitted Interiors Apprenticeship. Our plans for 2021 is to role this Apprenticeship out across various training providers in England and Wales. The aim is to engage school leaving children by presenting the opportunities that our industry has to offer predominantly this will focus on the installation on Kitchen, Bedroom and bathrooms.

Sadly, apprenticeships will not fix the skills gap in the short or medium term, as the kids of today will not be experienced enough to serve our industry fully for many year to come. So, the next part of our strategy is to deliver Continual Professional Development (CPD) to the current work force. This will allow those in schooling today, to keep up with change both in terms of products and consumer expectation as well as fast moving legislation. This will help the industry to maintain or improve the reputation.

The final part of our strategy is to focus on working with other industries in terms of re-training. An example of this will be our work with The Ministry of Defence in the resettlement of service personnel leaving their military life. The aim is to capitalise on some very transferrable skills, which will go some way to filling the skills gap on a short tern basis. Additionally, our work in particular helps to fulfil a moral and social responsibility to those people who have given so much to our country.

So, you see we are working very hard in the resolution of a very real problem that faces the entire industry. So, in answer to the question, how serious is installation, hopefully you will see that the answer is very! If you want to find out more about how you can support us, we would welcome your contact via our website bikbbi.org.uk

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KITCHEN & BATHROOM EDITION

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The EDGE During the extensive research and development process that all the new Westin 2020 hood collection benefitted from over a period of several years, Westin engineers were tasked with one objective – To create an effective fume catchment area in three types of products that traditionally have never benefitted from one due to low profiles. These products were a ceiling hood, a built in (to furniture or mantle) hood, and a traditional chimney style hood. All three hood styles are extremely popular but all have one common problem – effective fume capture.

These styles of hood have traditionally included flat baseplates. Aesthetically this provides a “neatness” to the overall design.

But due to the way that the air naturally moves, this can result in fumes being lost over the outer edges of the hood and into the kitchen environment. Once this occurs, especially with the built in and chimney style hoods, the fumes are lost into the room. A similar effect happens with the ceiling hood when this is used in a ceiling that may have vaulted areas or skylights. Before the EDGE

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baseplate, the only solution was to increase the power and the size of the cooker hood.

The objective and the focus of the research and development behind the EDGE baseplate and the entire Westin 2020 collection – to train the air to move in a more effective, efficient way, and to capture fumes from a much larger area compared to a conventional cooker hood baseplate, whilst maintaining a low profile and attractive design.

The EDGE baseplate uses the natural “funnel” movement of the air to its advantage, rather than trying to force the air to move unnaturally vertically directly into a small filter area in the body of the hood. The EDGE baseplate uses the air’s natural path and encourages it to move diagonally in a gentle curve into the hood through the vaulted sides to the central panel without any of the traditional restrictions. This natural air movement dramatically reduces turbulence and air noise.

The research & development not only created a product that trains air to move in a completely different way, but created a

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KITCHEN & BATHROOM EDITION

truly beautiful product that gives the three hood types launched, a real design edge where before the aesthetic options were limited. All of the EDGE products include the newly developed sleek remote control as well as the new LCD touch controls or tactile pushbuttons. Through the controls the temperature of the slimline LED can be adjusted from cool white to warm white and can be set anywhere in between to ensure pin point compatibility with the kitchens lighting scheme.

The Westin EDGE baseplate is unlike any other product on the market. Westin firmly believe in the ability of the device to clear contaminated air from within a cooking environment in a highly effective manner, combined with the clean and simple design that make the product completely unique.

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Westin westin.co.uk

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Facing the challenges together Marcel Crezee, Director of Expansions at MHK, explains how support and flexibility have been the key to overcoming the obstacles of recent times…

Whilst nobody would wish for the pandemic, one of the positive effects is that many of our members had an opportunity to focus on the foundations of their business, and look at the products they offer and whether there were any opportunities out there that they were not tapping into.

One of the great strengths of MHK then came into play, which is our market knowledge and existing relationships with UK suppliers meaning we could quickly work with our members to identify opportunities the changing marketplace presented, and make sure we had a ready to go solution to meet that demand, saving members time and putting them ahead of the competition.

Also, our members were better placed as they continued to benefit from our Central Payment system, so their cash flow and working capital didn’t come under as much strain as many other retailers.

During the difficulties of the pandemic, it has always been incredibly important to ensure positivity, commitment and also to maintain exposure of our services. I have always made a conscious point of being visible and involved with any industry

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comments on social media, particularly Linkedin, which I think is a good way of connecting with other professionals in our industry, whether trade or retail.

MHK UK also took part in a couple of Foyne Jones podcasts and became the main sponsor of the Foyne Jones positive redundancy support initiative, and been visible and interacted with suppliers, and retailers alike, so it has been easy to remain positive when we have been involved with such positive people.

It has been about adapting to these challenging times too though. One of the first things we realised is that cashflow would become increasingly important to our members, and in recognition of this we paid our retail members their bonus early, whilst also introducing an interim bonus payment to pay part of the 2020 bonus in the Autumn 2020. These measures served to provide liquidity at two key points in the crisis – at the beginning, and again when business was ramping up again to meet the pent-up demand from the first lockdown.

In addition, every member and supplier continues to benefit from MHK’s open ended “del credere” payment guarantee and

still pays for kitchens and appliances 30 days after delivery. At a time when much of the industry was reducing or removing trade credit facilities from UK retailers, putting their cashflow and working capital under strain, our members were able to sidestep these challenges and focus on meeting demand from consumers.

MHK is more than a buying group, we support our members to grow, by working with each business to identify opportunities and advising how to turn those opportunities into increased revenue and better profitability. There is no single magic bullet to increasing profitability – it is a layering of different strategies, each one bringing a small increase in efficiency, time saving or profit, and when these are combined they add up to a sizeable benefit for retailers, similar to individual threads being wound together into a rope. Retailers may have each individual strand but as a group our job is to weave these into something strong, pulling in the direction the retailer chooses.

What makes this possible is the financial strength and efficiency that our centralised payment system brings to member and supplier, where risk free trade between supplier and member ensures members invest their time in building their businesses rather than administration.

Looking ahead to the future, we want to work continue growing with professional, like-minded kitchen professionals, who are themselves invested in displays, systems and customer services, and provide them with access to products, services and information to help them to achieve their goals.

In these unusual times, we are conscious of the need to adapt and remain flexible, so we will continue to keep looking at the future to identify opportunities and move quickly to make sure members and suppliers are well place to take advantage of these.

We will further develop our own retail concepts in the marketplace, bringing retailers and suppliers closer together and promoting greater rewards for those retailers that invest and focus on focusing their purchasing with MHK trade suppliers.

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KITCHEN & BATHROOM EDITION

2021

“During the difficulties of the pandemic, it has always been incredibly important to ensure positivity, commitment and also to maintain exposure of our services.�

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IMMERSIVE 3D SHOWROOM CAPTURES

CREATE A DIGITAL COPY OF YOUR SHOWROOM USING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Designer are pleased to bring you a revolutionary digital experience. Using the latest technology we capture your showroom to create an immersive experience.

Our unique offering allows you to bring your showroom and products directly to your desired visitors.

The fully immersive experience offers your audience a 360 tour of your entire showroom, including details of your products and displays complete with detailed information and links to your website, or product videos.

CONTACT STUART TO FIND OUT MORE 0776 385 8603 stuart@thedsgroup.co.uk

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LIGHT THE NIGHT. DESIGNS THAT ILLUMINATE YOUR WORLD. Viega Prevista.

The new generation of pre-wall technology.

The new Visign for More 205 sensitive combines hygiene with sophisticated design.

The chrome frame and black glass surface of the new touchless flush plate adds style to any bathroom.

When a person approaches, the flush plate gently lights up. To activate, they simply hold their hand near the plate – touchless flush convenience at its best.

Viega. Connected in quality.

viega.co.uk/prevista

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Dry with HEPA purified air.

Not dirty air.

Fast, hygienic hand dryers.

Even in the cleanest looking washroom, the air can contain microscopic particles, including bacteria and viruses.

That’s why all Dyson Airblade™ hand dryers feature HEPA filters.

Proven to capture 99.95% of particles, including bacteria and viruses, from the washroom air that pass through the filter.

To dry carefully washed hands.

1

0800 345 7788 business@dyson.co.uk www.dyson.co.uk/commercial 1. HEPA filter tested to EN1822-5, by an independent testing laboratory, under prescribed test conditions.

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