The Ideal Bathroom Issue 27

Issue 27 | March 2019

THE IDEAL BATHROOM Essential information for bathroom retailers

Now available from Ideal Bathrooms

The niagara ÂŽ tap and shower ranges combine high quality materials with superior functionality. Explore our distinct variations of contemporary and traditional styles guaranteed to suit your bathroom space.

the ultimate digital showering experience Our new niagara ÂŽ Digital Showering range has innovative features providing precise control over your showering experience. Simple controls, instant temperature adjustment, intuitive LCD digital display and illuminated LED lights. The entire range is thermostatically stable to ensure maximum safety and comfortable showering.

View the full range of Niagara products at: www.niagarabathrooms.co.uk

WHAT’S INSIDE…

PLANNING FOR SUCCESS, DEVELOPMENTS AND THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME Welcome to the first issue of 2019 of The Ideal Bathroom magazine, I hope you’ve had a fantastic start to the year!

As ever, we have lots of exciting things to shout about, from the appointment of our new Sales Director, to extending our brand portfolio with the addition of Niagara brassware.

In February we hosted The Ideal Team Supplier Conference at three stadiums across the country. Head to page 20 to find out more about how the Idealists engaged and inspired the suppliers we work with.

On pages 8 – 10 we delve into the world of bathroom finance & look at the various opportunities available to retailers and why providing a finance option could help to increase sales.

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JOHN BAGSHAW’S INDUSTRY VIEW Our Managing Director discusses the industry

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THE BUZZ All the latest industry news in one place

8 FLEXIBLE FINANCE

Exploring finance in the bathroom industry

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THE IDEALISTS AWARDS Meet the Idealists who go above and beyond

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NIAGARA BRASSWARE Introducing Niagara’s new brassware range

16 NEW SALES DIRECTOR Introducing the new Sales Director

20 IDEAL TEAM

Take a look at our new supplier conferences

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SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR Announcing the very first Supplier of the Year award winners

26 RACE TO DUBAI

Find out all the details on our 2020 incentive – The Ideal Getaway

We’ve also announced the location for our 2019 ‘Race to’ and we can’t quite believe this will be our fifth race! 2019 winners will return to the destination of our first ‘Race to,’ the beautiful and vibrant city of Dubai.

Turn to page 26 to learn more about the trip and how to register.

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This issue’s ‘Who is…’ interviewee is the fabulous Raffaela De Vittorio. Geberit’s Sales Director reveals how she accidently got into the bathroom business & who would be her dream dinner date on page 36.

THE IDEAL WEBSITE UPDATE Showcasing current and future features of the site

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IN FOCUS...

Simon Turner share their story and tips

We’ve introduced some new features to this issue, which I’m sure you’re going to love, including Date Splash on page 38 and Flo’s Trending Topics on page 30.

34 GROHE OFFER CASHBACK

I’m thoroughly looking forward to working with you all over the coming months, building stronger relationships and helping our businesses flourish.

Danielle Lillis Commercial Director

Grohe launches new cashback offer for SmartControl Showers

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WHO IS...

Raffaela De Vittorio

If you would like to contribute to The Ideal Bathroom please email lyndsey.bailey@idealbathrooms.com

0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

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The latest marketplace news | THE IDEAL BATHROOM

JOHN BAGSHAW’S INDUSTRY VIEW After a challenging but successful 2018, Ideal Bathrooms’ Managing Director reveals the company’s exciting plans for 2019 and offers a few words of wisdom to retailers.

Q. 2018 was a busy year for Ideal Bathrooms. How would you summarise it?

It was a very challenging year for the industry in a difficult economic climate, but thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Idealists, we saw company growth and success, which is fantastic. Over the last 12 months we have expanded our portfolio, created new supplier relationships and welcomed our new Sales Director, industry specialist Gary Matthews, to Ideal. We will be looking to build on our achievements of 2018 throughout this year.

Q. Ideal Bathrooms is hoping for more success in 2019.

Are there any developments planned you can share?

There are quite a few exciting plans in the pipeline! Our customers are always at the heart of everything we do. We will continue to invest into building a sound base so we can be responsive to customers’ needs.

For the fourth consecutive year our Race to winners will enjoy the trip of a lifetime, ‘Jetting off to The Orient’. We have hosted three supplier conferences in locations around the UK. The Ideal Team days gave our supplier partners a chance to meet the Idealists, discuss sales strategies and build relationships.

Q. With the Glasgow hub shortlisted for a Saint-Gobain Site of the Year award, how has the expansion helped so far?

As a company, we have always had great support from our Scottish network. We’re committed to growing our footprint in Scotland and helping to develop our customers there that’s why we made this significant investment into our distribution channel by moving into the new hub. This has enabled us to be more efficient thanks to the improved layout and we’re now able to use enhanced warehousepicking software. I’m looking forward to seeing how our Glasgow hub will develop.

Q. With our expected departure from the EU on March 29th, how will the bathroom industry be impacted?

Q. If you had one piece of advice for retailers to help them through the year ahead, what would it be?

My key piece of advice is to love your customers. If you look after them, they’ll look after you! Our Idealists look after all of our customers extremely well and our website offers live stock checking, 24/7 access for online ordering, and lots more. We are the only distributor in the UK whose core values revolve around helping customers to grow.

Q. Ideal’s Race to the Orient is taking place this year. What adventures will race winners participate in?

We will be visiting two stunning destinations during this trip, Bangkok and Koh Samui.

I can’t give anything away but there will be a number of ‘once in a lifetime’ surprises.

I’m looking forward to forming new relationships, which I wouldn’t normally have the chance to do and meeting up with old friends. Everyone will have a wonderful time and experience a trip they will remember for the rest of their lives.

In my opinion, I don’t think our exit from the EU will have a significant impact on the industry, however it all falls. I’m confident that we will all carry on trading in a British way, with a stiff upper lip and it’ll be business as usual. It’s going to offer companies new trading opportunities. We have great relationships with partners across Europe and Brexit will open up potential supply lines with other parts of the world.

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0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

THE IDEAL BATHROOM | The latest marketplace news

THE BUZZ LATEST NEWS

Bayswater W2 makes a statement in the bathroom market Inspired by The Great Exhibition of 1851, Bayswater W2 is a new Victorian and Edwardian inspired bathroom brand available exclusively through distributers Ideal Bathrooms. Bayswater W2 offers a complete bathroom solution including porcelain, furniture, radiators and fittings focussing on affordable quality products.

Since the launch in 2018, the Bayswater W2 brand has been embraced by retailers and there are over 140 displaying retailers across the UK - and there are more exciting times ahead in 2019.

The stunning furniture range has several new additions in our signature colours and a new January 2019 brochure will be sure to provide instant inspiration. Our new roll top showering bath offers a luxurious solution in smaller spaces.

Bayswater W2 products are both aesthetically and technically inspired by this historical period of innovation – mixing traditional styles with modern technology. Each piece has been carefully curated and developed by a team of industry experts.

Browse the full collection at www.bayswaterbathrooms.co.uk and order at www.idealbathrooms.com

Waste your breath away The bathroom can be source of relaxation for homeowners, but to create a true space to escape, even seemingly minor aesthetic details must be considered.

With this concept in mind, Ideal Standard has launched a new range of luxury wastes which are able to enhance any bathroom. Four of which are clicker wastes – a growing trend in the bathroom market.

The range comprises four bath wastes: bath filler waste and overflow and bath waste and overflow in both clicker and pop up waste options and two clicker basin wastes.

Ideal Standard’s clicker mechanisms sit ‘upstream’, which means they are out of the water flow when the waste is pushed open.

This helps reduce the build-up of the materials that typically foul up most clicker mechanisms as the water drains.

The ‘silent’ clicker mechanism and high quality chrome plated brass mushroom headed plug add to the luxurious feel of the wastes. All are WRAS approved and also feature a 900mm long flexible overflow tube for ease of installation.

For more information about Ideal Standard’s new range of wastes visit www.idealspec.co.uk

0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

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The latest marketplace news | THE IDEAL BATHROOM

Armitage Shanks extends inclusive range with red support solutions It is thought that around one in three dementia patients suffer from sight loss, which can cause significant difficulties when they go to the bathroom. Research suggests that by incorporating red into inclusive washrooms, these spaces can be made more accessible for people living with both dementia and poor vision.

In response to the growing demand from the market, Armitage Shanks has extended its Doc M product offering. The company has launched some of its key Contour 21+ Doc M packs with red rails and seats. The key markets for these are care homes, sheltered housing, Doc M facilities, hospitals and independent living in the home. Now available with the red items are the key close coupled and btw Doc M packs in both left and righthanded options and an ambulant pack. The red toilet seat, grab rails, hinged arm, toilet roll holder and back rest are also being sold separately.

For more information about Armitage Shanks products visit www.idealspec.co.uk

Eliminate limescale once and for all with the Stuart Turner range of Water Conditioners.

Stuart Turner offer a tried and tested, alternative method of treating water with their range of WRAS approved Water Conditioners. Designed to prevent limescale from building up throughout a property and with an added bonus - water remains drinkable straight from the tap!

Stuart Water Conditioners use an electrolytic action to treat water and contain a unique alloy core that acts as a catalyst, causing the calcium carbonate to precipitate into microscopic crystals. These crystals float suspended in the water without adhering to any surfaces, ensuring that boilers, cylinders and kettles for example, remain scale free and efficient for many years.

Unlike traditional water softeners which require space, bags of salt and the added expense of installing a drinking water tap, Stuart Water Conditioners offer a cost effective solution which are simply installed in-line with the incoming pipework without taking up valuable space…that’s it. Simple, cost effective, maintenance free and guaranteed for 10 years.

Stuart Turner; engineered to excel. www.stuart-turner.co.uk

Mirror, mirror on your wall Ideal Standard has launched a comprehensive collection of mirrors and cabinets, transforming any bathroom by expanding space and reflecting light.

Built around the idea of flexibility the new pieces can be combined in a variety of different ways, working perfectly with Ideal Standard’s ceramic and furniture options.

The new collection is made to the highest of standards and available in a variety of sizes, with anti-steam and both integrated and independent lighting options. The mirrored cabinets all come with soft close doors and internal cosmetic mirrors. Integrated charging sockets for a toothbrush or shaver are also available.

All cabinets and mirrors are backed by a five-year guarantee.

Whether it’s a light and contemporary atmosphere you’re looking for, or an added luxury feel, the new mirrors and cabinets can bring a bathroom space to life.

For more information about Ideal Standard’s recently enhanced range, visit www.idealspec.co.uk

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0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

FEATURES • New comprehensive enclosure & wetroom range • 8mm safety glass on wetroom panels • 6mm safety glass on all enclosures & bath panels • 10 year guarantee • www.idealbathrooms.com • www.essentialfromideal.com

Full range is available now, for more information please contact your ASM or visit www.essentialfromideal.com

The latest marketplace news | THE IDEAL BATHROOM

FLEXIBLE FINANCE: THE FUTURE FOR THE BATHROOM INDUSTRY Budgeting for a new bathroom can often be a real headache for consumers.

When buying big ticket items such as cars or sofas, for many the only realistic option is to take out a finance arrangement, but this isn’t the norm for bathroom retailers.

While finance is a payment model that is widely accepted for other major household purchases, giving consumers greater choice and a variety of payment options, the bathroom industry has fallen behind.

Even with the average bathroom carrying a price tag of £10k, only 9% of the bathroom retailers, merchants and multi-channel retailers surveyed in our Ideal Industry Report 2018 said they offer a finance facility, although this number has increased slightly since 2017.

Nevertheless, our report also revealed that in the current climate of uncertainty regarding Brexit and the potential for another recession in its wake, fewer consumers are willing to spend their savings; investing heavily in a new bathroom isn’t high on their priority list. In fact, respondents to our survey highlighted that market confidence is down by 10%. With this in mind, is it time for retailers to consider how they support consumers and provide them with confidence to invest in turning their dream bathroom into a reality?

Offering finance options, even short-term arrangements in which nothing is paid for the first three months with no deposit, could help to entice consumers.

only

9% of bathroom retailers, merchants and multi-channel retailers offer finance

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0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

THE IDEAL BATHROOM | The latest marketplace news

There is a range of finance options on the market; the key is to develop packages that suit your consumers and business.

Here are some of the options retailers may like to consider: 0% APR, the preferred choice Fixed monthly payments

Buy now, pay later - for example on orders over a certain amount, pay nothing for the first year then the balance is paid off within 48 months Payments made over one to four years

0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

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The latest marketplace news | THE IDEAL BATHROOM

Benefits of finance

CRITERIA FOR FINANCE:

Over the age of 18

Upfront payment of 10%

Are a credit card holder

Have been a UK resident for three years or more

Given that the Ideal Industry Report discovered our trade is in good health - more than two thirds of respondents reported 5% annual growth, despite ongoing uncertainty in the market - it’s up to retailers to give consumers the confidence they need to make the purchase.

Although finance is a relatively new development for bathroom retailers, there are a number of retail finance options available, allowing companies to drive their sales goals and provide flexible payment choices for consumers. Whether online or through a showroom, full payment could take place over a period of one to four years, interest-free or at a fixed APR, providing an affordable, attractive solution for both parties.

Other popular options retailers could consider include thinking about whether a deposit would be required initially - an upfront payment of 10% is quite common. Would there be a minimum spend limit in order to qualify for credit? Do your consumers need to meet any particular criteria in order to be eligible for finance? Common criteria includes being over the age of 18, having a credit card, and being a UK resident for three years or more.

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So, how could offering finance options benefit you as a bathroom retailer? In more ways than you might initially think. Not only will offering alternative payment possibilities make you stand out from the crowd, you could unlock new sales potential. By giving customers the freedom to purchase how and when they want to, within your terms and conditions of course, you will improve the consumer journey and ultimately increase your opportunity to maximise sales.

Finance options help to make a desirable bathroom more attainable for consumers, giving them flexibility to select payment terms that suit their budget, the ability to make a larger investment and achieve that indulgent bathing experience they’ve been dreaming of.

It makes perfect sense for our industry to embrace flexible finance and offer them something new. Is there demand for this kind of finance option? We certainly think so and strongly believe it’s worth exploring further to try give our industry the extra boost it needs in these times of uncertainty.

Do you offer finance, or are you considering it?

We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Tweet us @idealbathrooms

0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

STUDIO ECHO: EVOLUTION OF A CLASSIC

Whatever project you are planning STUDIO ECHO has the perfect solution. Making it suitable for bathrooms, ensuites or cloakrooms. The basins come in a range of sizes and installation options, the WCs are dual flush to promote water saving, whilst hidden fixtures help to emphasise the contemporary look.

Visit ideal-standard.co.uk for more information.

The latest marketplace news | THE IDEAL BATHROOM

2018 was a challenging year for Ideal Bathrooms, so it was a pleasure to recognise the members of our team who have gone the extra mile.

THE 20S18 S T I L A E ID

As is tradition, we also held our annual awards ceremony at the end of 2018.

Our people are at the heart of Ideal Bathrooms and we are proud of our staff; this is a chance for their hard work to be recognised by their peers.

The fact that it has been a challenging year and that we have still done well is a testament to the strong team that we have.

Colleagues are nominated and voted for by their fellow Idealists and the results were revealed on the night…

EMPLOYEE

OF THE

YEAR AWARD Having been an Idealist for almost 14 years, Sales Office Supervisor Steve Foster is Employee of the Year.

Employee of the year

His dedication led him to take on additional responsibility and his colleagues highlighted his commitment to supporting the team, no matter his own workload. Described as a great role model who is always smiling, he’s made a positive contribution to Ideal.

30 years service

Congratulations, Steve!

Customer service hero award

CUSTOMER SERVICE HERO AWARD

Our Customer Service Hero is Sales

Co-ordinator Sandra White, who joined

in 2016. Recognised for going above and beyond, Sandra is also a key element of our new starters’ induction. Described by colleagues as a pleasure to work with, Sandra’s can-do attitude makes her a fantastic role model.

Well done, Sandra!

30 YEAR ANNIVERSARY We celebrated the 30-year anniversary of Gary Tamila, Assistant Warehouse Manager at our Hayes depot. Gary has shown incredible commitment and dedication to Ideal for three decades and we’re grateful to have him on board.

Gary said: “I have worked with some great people over the years. I’ve worked my way from Warehouse Operative to Manager, and have seen the company grow and go from strength to strength”.

SALESMAN OF THE YEAR Our Area Sales Managers are the vital link between us and our customers, so we were delighted to recognise their achievements too at our annual sales conference.

The award for the 2018 Salesman of the Year went to Jordan Southan, ASM for the North East London area. “Jordan epitomises what Ideal Bathrooms is all about, conscientious & committed and always wanting to help customers in any way he can - a sentiment that is echoed by his colleagues and customers. Jordan truly represents our customer focused service and is a true Idealist” comments Managing Director, John Bagshaw.

Winner of the Showroom Display Generation Award was our Scottish ASM, Craig Gillespie. Gary Matthews, Sales Director, observes “Craig has been an Idealist for over 9 years & is a valuable member of the team. Scotland is such a large region & he does fantastic job up there, particularly in driving displays. Congratulations Craig!”

Salesman of the year

Salesman of the year

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THANK YOU

to all staff at Ideal Bathrooms for their hard work in 2018 0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

THE IDEAL BATHROOM | The latest marketplace news

SHORTLISTING FOR IDEAL’S GLASGOW DEPOT It’s been an exciting time here at Ideal as we recently discovered that our Glasgow depot has been shortlisted in the Saint Gobain Reference Awards’ Ops/Manufacturing Site of the Year category, shining the spotlight on the fantastic work being done by our dedicated Warehouse Manager Charlie McGlade and his team.

The depot has the highest On Time In Full (OTIF) score within Ideal Bathrooms and it hasn’t had a lost time accident for over 3,800 days. National Operations Manager, David Whittington revealed: “Everything is immaculate, from the warehouse itself through to the cockpit of the delivery drivers’ wagons… It is a credit to have within my network.”

Located in the centre of Glasgow, we moved into this new 33,000ft2 depot in the first half of 2018. With space for over 1,500 pallets it’s ideally positioned to service our expansive Scottish customer base and ensures we have the best possible offering in terms of stock holding, delivery and supporting customers’ growth.

Watch this space to see if we are announced as the winners in the next issue.

Area Sales Manager for Scotland, Craig Gillespie, comments: “Having a central base in Glasgow has been great for service and sales. There are over 1,000 depots in the Saint-Gobain network and it’s fantastic that we’ve been singled out as one of the top three!”

The Glasgow depot has a reputation for wowing our suppliers when they visit, but what really sets it apart is the outstanding customer service that Charlie’s team deliver every single day. All feedback is actioned and the team recently went above and beyond to a whole new level, when an international cycle race hosted in the city prompted several road closures. The depot’s Idealists worked additional hours and even carried baths and shower trays through some of the streets to ensure that not a single delivery was missed!

Charlie said: “I’m on top of the world, it’s fantastic to be shortlisted.

I have to give all credit to our staff; we have the right people with the right attitude – dedicated and hard working.”

The Glasgow Idealists know the majority of their circa 200 customers personally by name and the whole team takes ownership for the continuation of the high standards set out by Charlie across the entire warehouse.

GLASGOW FACTS • Glasgow depot hub is 33,000ft² in total • Room for over 1,500 pallet spaces • Total warehouse space of over 190,000ft² across 4 sites

0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

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The latest marketplace news | THE IDEAL BATHROOM

NIAGARA BRASSWARE SET TO MAKE WAVES

Effortlessly stylish with exceptional design details and functionality, Niagara’s new brassware range is sure to turn heads in the industry.

Ideal Bathrooms has announced its partnership with Niagara after spotting a gap in the portfolio for a range of competitively-priced brassware. We’re delighted to have added 135 sophisticated, contemporary and traditional pieces of brassware, showering products and accessories from the Niagara brand to our vast collection.

Niagara was originally launched in 1989 and today the brand has been reinvigorated, developing products of an outstanding quality which blend the latest design features and premium materials.

Taps Combining high-quality materials and intricate designs, as well as distinct variations of modern and time-honoured styles, Niagara’s taps are guaranteed to suit any bathroom theme. The range is extensive, including everything from bath fillers to bath shower mixers, floor-standing to wall-mounted brassware, available in chrome and on-trend matt black.

Showering Created with superior functionality, Niagara’s comprehensive selection of showering solutions offers a unique way to design a bespoke look. The range includes shower sets, valves, rail kits and fixed shower heads, providing an option for every taste.

Offering a fresh alternative to a standard concealed valve, Niagara’s horizontal thermostatic valves feature dual control, allowing the flow and temperature to be controlled independently while also switching between shower head and handset.

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Available on selected products

Push button concealed valves present a further option.

Featuring from one to three buttons, each of which operates a shower accessory individually, the flow and temperature are controlled separately. As a safety precaution, the valves perform an automatic shut-off in the event of cold water supply failure, preventing scalding.

Commercial Director of Niagara, Richard Martin said, “We are incredibly excited to be working with Ideal Bathrooms. The Idealists are a joy to work with, they are very professional and there is a tremendous amount of marketing support. The move to Ideal Bathrooms is a natural progression for Niagara. We wanted to work with the biggest national distributor in the UK to promote our products.”

0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

THE IDEAL BATHROOM | The latest marketplace news

Key features of Niagara brassware: •

Competitively priced

• 135 new products added to Ideal Bathrooms’ portfolio • In stock and available to order now • Display products and display boards available • Next day delivery available to 99% of the UK

To discover more about the Niagara range, visit the Ideal Bathrooms website: www.idealbathrooms.com

0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

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The latest marketplace news | THE IDEAL BATHROOM

INDUSTRY SPECIALIST JOINS THE IDEALISTS

With 28 years of experience in customer service and sales environments in the building materials, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom industry, we’re welcoming Gary Matthews as Ideal Bathrooms’ new UK Sales Director. We caught up with Gary to find out more about his plans to take our sales team to new heights and align us with our customers’ needs.

Q. With a wealth of experience in customer service and sales environments in the building and KBB industry, you are truly a specialist. Where has your career taken you?

Having worked in sales since 1994, I have progressed through a variety of roles, from Area Sales Manager to senior leadership positions in retail, trade, online and specification arenas. I have worked for market-leading brands including Kohler, Mira, Grohe and Ideal Standard with my most recent role being UK Sales Director for Grant Westfield, where I built a growth platform for the Multipanel business.

Q. You mention you’ve developed a strong relationship with our team already. How did this relationship start?

Having been a supplier to the business in previous years it was inevitable that I would develop a long-standing relationship with members of the team. When I worked at Ideal Standard, Ideal Bathrooms was one of our largest customers and managing the account was my responsibility. As they say, the rest is history.

Business relationships quickly turned into friendships and we regularly met up for nights out. So, I feel totally at home with the Idealists and privileged to become part of the team.

Q. Ideal Bathrooms launched its new initiative in February, a series of three events forming The Ideal Team Supplier Conference. How have these events helped our supplier relationships?

Q. What made you decide to join the Idealists?

I have always worked with leaders in the KBB industry. Ideal Bathrooms is ahead of its competitors in so many ways and that’s why I’m thrilled to call myself an Idealist. As I have a history with the company, I know its DNA and there’s a real dynamic between myself and the senior team, which is fantastic. I can offer skills that don’t currently exist in the team and I’m looking forward to being able to help my colleagues develop. As I have extensive knowledge of the route to market and our customer base, I know I’m ready to hit the ground running with this role.

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Supplier relationships are incredibly important to the whole company and this was a fantastic project which started some great conversations and further developed strong relations. We wanted to show our suppliers that we can help them grow by understanding their goals and sharing our ambitions. Ultimately this will enable us to provide an enhanced customer experience, as they will see a more joined-up approach between distributor and supplier. We are the only distributor to engage with its suppliers in this way; we will continue to maintain regular contact and discover the numerous ways we can support them.

0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

THE IDEAL BATHROOM | The latest marketplace news

RUNNING HOT Glasgow award Our Glasgow depot has been shortlisted for the Saint-Gobain Ops/Manufacturing Site of the Year award. Congratulations to Warehouse Manager, Charlie McGlade & his team – keep an eye out for the next issue to see if they have won!

Q. Are there any challenges you think you’ll face in your new role?

I want to make sure our customers feel our appetite to support them in any way we can. One challenge I’m looking forward to tackling is finding ways to strengthen our communication, both internally and externally. As Idealists we delight our customers every day and to guarantee this two-way partnership continues, we need to ensure we’re having better quality, regular discussions with key customers, understanding their aspirations and building our relationship. It’s very important that we continue to develop our knowledge of customers’ needs, and what we need to do to meet their requirements. As well as concentrating on the development of the business’ sales strategy I will focus on ensuring there is clarity around our processes across the whole UK, making it easier for retailers to do business with us.

Q. What is your vision for the future and development of the external sales team?

I’m looking forward to helping the company continue its success in the industry. I have already started implementing some of my plans to develop the team. I want them to come into work feeling motivated and one way to do this is to give them the tools they need to establish new skills. I also have a strategy in mind to create a structured selling process across the UK, which will ensure a consistent, high-standard experience is delivered to all customers. Training is already in progress for this and it’s going to be great to see it being implemented.

New Sales Director

We’ve strengthened our team with the appointment of industry specialist, Gary Matthews. A warm welcome to the team, Gary!

The Ideal Team February saw us host three Ideal Team days at football stadiums across the country, giving our suppliers the chance to meet with the Idealists, learn more about our ethos & cement relationships – Now That’s Ideal!

RUNNING COLD Deal or no deal?

The time for Britain’s exit from the EU is looming ever closer, but the question we all want the answer to is “will we or won’t we have a deal?” It’s impossible to say with any certainty what will happen in the lead up to the 29th March but many companies are preparing for a “no deal” Brexit.

Let’s hope Theresa May can get a deal agreed before then…

We’re thrilled to have Gary

on board. He’s well-known in the industry and I know he’s going to make a big impact in the company and help us strive for success and further growth.

John Bagshaw, Ideal Bathrooms’ Managing Director

0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

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The latest marketplace news | THE IDEAL BATHROOM

ALASKA EXPANDS ITS TERRITORY New lines are set to appear on the Alaska landscape Essential Alaska Classic Basin

Essential Bathrooms are delighted to announce that their ever popular range of Alaska Furniture will soon be available with new and enticing line extensions.

All existing furniture units will shortly be offered with a choice of two basins, deluxe or classic, doubling the choices available to the customer and allowing them to design the bathroom fully to their personal tastes.

There will also be additional basin & unit sizes added into the range, including 400mm & 650mm, as well as the introduction of a 350x300mm Tallboy Unit further enhancing the range and making it even more adaptable for the space restricted bathrooms of today’s modern homes, allowing consumers to maximise valuable storage in confined spaces, whilst the cool white finish brings a feeling of tranquillity to an often busy room.

Essential Alaska Deluxe Basin

Key features of Alaska: • All furniture will be available with a choice of 2 basins • Differentiate to taste – mix & match • Maximise storage in confined bathroom spaces • Extensive range including Vanity Units, BTW Unit, Drawer & Cupboard Unit & Tallboys in a variety of widths & sizes • Cool White finish exudes cleanliness & a feeling of tranquillity 18

0800 634 2600 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

The latest marketplace news | THE IDEAL BATHROOM

STRONGER TOGETHER! IDEAL TEAM DAYS “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress.

Working together is success.” – Henry Ford.

THE VENUES

— We couldn’t agree more, Henry! As Idealists, we know we are stronger together – that’s why we launched our new initiative, The Ideal Team Supplier Conference, in February.

Our Idealists toured the country, from Reading to Leicester to Manchester, and held three conferences in iconic football stadiums, providing the perfect environment to engage and inspire the world-renowned suppliers we work with.

We welcomed sales teams and key stakeholders from 19 brands to the Madejski Stadium, King Power Stadium and Old Trafford. Each one-day conference was designed to be a catalyst to further bolster our relationships and help us lay the foundations for the upcoming year.

The events featured presentations from a number of Idealists, including Commercial Director Danielle Lillis, Operations Director Kim Kirby-Earnshaw, Operations Manager David Whittington, our new Sales Director Gary Matthews, Finance Director Steve Gillespie and Marketing Manager Stewart Perry.

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READING MADEJSKI STADIUM 5TH FEBRUARY

Ideal Bathrooms’ presenters

The presentations delved into the story, progress and achievements of the company to date. Our Idealists also detailed our business strategy, key initiatives including the launch of industry-leading software, Route Monkey, and how our plans will help to deliver growth in 2019 and beyond for both our suppliers and Ideal Bathrooms.

Attendees also had the opportunity to participate in speed meetings with their Area Sales Manager. These sessions provided the ideal chance for suppliers to set collaborative goals and make a plan to meet their objectives.

LEICESTER CITY STADIUM 7TH FEBRUARY

MANCHESTER UNITED STADIUM 11TH FEBRUARY

0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

THE IDEAL BATHROOM | The latest marketplace news

The conferences were a fantastic success, with all parties gaining valuable insights and ideas to help their firms develop and grow with us.

Laura Soer, National Account Manager at Roca, attended all three conferences and expressed how informative she found the days. “All of the key players from our business have come away with a great understanding of Ideal Bathrooms as a company and its key objectives. The Area Sales Managers found the meeting with their counterparts to be constructive and now have a clear plan in place to drive the firm forward.”

Grohe’s Key Account Manager James Sturdey also experienced the three events. He said: “They were all enjoyable, positive and innovative. I also think that the venue choices were fantastic!”

Stewart Perry, Ma rketing Manager presenting

Mark Derbyshire, Sales Manager from MX Group commented: “I learned a great deal from the sales team and I’m looking forward to working with the Ideal Bathrooms team closely in the future.”

Our supplier relationships are of vital importance to Ideal Bathrooms and despite the many challenges we face jointly, we know that by working together to combine our strengths, we can achieve outstanding results in 2019.

We look forward to meeting our suppliers again at our 2020 Ideal Team Supplier Conference!

Jamie Paradise from Vitra meeting with Jordan Southan

ectors rooms’ Dir Ideal Bath

team and Roca

Ideal Bathrooms’ Management Team and Area Sales Managers

Facts about the Ideal Team exhibitions: • Three iconic stadiums • A total of 19 brands attended the events • 155 delegates participated in the conferences • 137 meetings were held FLO’S FUN FACT You could fit 24,128 toilets on Old Trafford’s football pitch

0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

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The latest marketplace news | THE IDEAL BATHROOM

SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR GEBERIT

Ideal Bathrooms always aims to work in partnership with our key suppliers and we pride ourselves on our close working relationships with them all. This year, after nearly 40 years in operation, Ideal Bathrooms launched our first ever Supplier of the Year award!

During the presentation section of our second Ideal Team day at Leicester’s King Power Stadium, we were delighted to announce Geberit as the first ever winner of our prestigious award. The honour was accepted by Geberit’s Sales Director, Raffaela De Vittorio.

All suppliers were benchmarked against a set of standards and principles across a wide range of criteria, including purchasing, logistics & supply chain, digital, marketing and relationship.

Geberit exceeded in all categories. We have seen our relationship with them has gone from strength to strength over the last few years, due to their commitment to collaborating closely with us to ensure we bring our customers the best possible service.

Ideal Bathrooms’ Commercial Director, Danielle Lillis observes, “Geberit is a fantastic supplier and we’re thrilled to be partnered with the company. The business is continuously evolving and the Geberit team’s hard work was clearly evidenced by meeting all criteria for this award. I’m looking forward to continuing to see Ideal Bathrooms and Geberit grow together.”

It's always fantastic news

to be given an award by one of your customers, but it's even more special when it’s awarded against measures that span all areas of your trading touch points.

We are thrilled to be named Ideal Bathrooms Supplier of the Year and it’s a well-earned reward for the hard work by the teams at both Geberit and Ideal Bathrooms.

Mark Larden, Geberit Managing Director

Geberit’s Sales Director, Raffaela De Vittorio accepting Supplier of the Year award

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0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

THE IDEAL BATHROOM | The latest marketplace news

ROUTE MONKEY: EN ROUTE TO DELIVER OUR IDEAL PROMISE

FLO’S FUN FACT In 2018 our fleet of 54 vehicles drove the equivalent of 132.5 times around the world!

The Idealists are always searching for ways to improve our delivery service, so after thorough research we selected an advanced software system that could increase our efficiency and reduce our environmental footprint.

Route Monkey is a global leader in the scheduling and optimisation of fleets and provides a streamlined delivery process to customers, as well as offering a multitude of advantages for the Idealists.

As one of the UK’s leading players in the optimisation of assets, Route Monkey will enable Ideal Bathrooms to guarantee a consistent approach to delivery across our network, making our routes more efficient, economical and sustainable.

SO HOW WILL ROUTE MONKEY BENEFIT OUR CUSTOMERS? A two-hour delivery time slot

Optimised routes

We recognise that our customers are busy running their businesses so this feature will be music to their ears. Thanks to Route Monkey’s algorithms, we can provide you with a two-hour time slot for your delivery, something we’ve never been able to do before. If we hit traffic, you’ll be one of the first to know about it – and you can keep your clients updated too.

Our routes will become more economical through maximising weight capacity and making best use of drivers’ hours. The route-planning software assigns vehicles, routes and schedules in the most efficient manner.

Access to view live order status

Electronic reports

By establishing effective delivery routes our vehicles will make less of an environmental impact. Route Monkey can deal with delays and road closures, ensuring all of our deliveries are fulfilled in the most timely manner, and helping us to fulfil our Ideal Delivery Promise, boosting our ability to get products to 99% of UK customers the next day.

As well as the above, delivery dates and times are communicated via text and email. Once the order has been delivered, customers will be able to download electronic PODs, which take a couple of days to access through Ideal Bathrooms’ existing system.

Providing fast and efficient delivery is the backbone of our business and is what separates us from our competitors. Thanks to Route Monkey’s features, it will help you stand out from the crowd too.

Route Monkey will not only make our customers’ lives easier, it will also benefit Ideal Bathrooms in a number of ways, including the following…

Now that’s Ideal!

We know transparency is vital to our customers, so you will love this feature, giving you access to live status updates, including when the order has been picked, is out for delivery and arrives on site.

More environmentally friendly

0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

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The latest marketplace news | THE IDEAL BATHROOM

SHOWERING THE MARKET WITH INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS

very best materials and are engineered Ideal Standard is one of the and manufactured at Ideal Standard’s own most recognised bathroom factory. Germany’s history for manufacturing excellence is renowned and Ideal Standard’s brands in the industry and site is famous for producing well engineered have remained at the very products from brass. forefront of innovation, whilst Easybox Slim – A revolution providing market leading, in concealed showers high quality products, which have been welcomed into Ideal Standard offer a comprehensive shower hospitals, schools, businesses fittings collection. Their award winning Easybox Slim adds to their extensive range of shower and homes for decades. controls. With nine model options, Easybox The company is synonymous with cutting edge design. With its long experience and history of design and innovation, Ideal Standard continues to invest in advanced technology, ensuring their products are functional, yet aesthetically pleasing.

The company is well-known for leading the way in bathroom innovations, such as, when it invented the ceramic cartridge 50 years ago, the first to market with products specifically designed for small bathrooms in 1998 or when it brought its unique Aquablade® technology to market in 2015, to name just a few. More recently launching the Firma Flow cartridge, the most durable to date. The cartridge can withstand up to 500,000 cycles or 10-15 years of daily use, thereby extending the use of the tap.

With manufacturing facilities across Europe, many of their fittings are made in Germany, the home of engineering excellence. Each and every product is constructed from the

24

Slim is a shallow depth built-in thermostatic mixer, designed to fit into drywall partitions with an internal cavity depth of 43mm, a lesser width than many watch faces!

For those who opt for the shower mixer option, Easybox Slim is also available as a shower pack with Idealrain M3 kits, complete with coordinating round or square hand sprays.

A five year guarantee included, Easybox Slim is quick and easy to install. It is delivered as a pre-assembled box construction which provides quick and effective installation.

The first fix installation is protected with a protective shroud whilst plastering, tiling and painting is completed.

The shower mixer is suitable for high and low pressure systems and incorporates Ideal Standard’s 3/4” ceramic disc flow control to maximise flow rate.

The overall minimum built-in depth of Easybox is 58mm, which can easily be accommodated within the cavity, plasterboard, tiling and adhesive. The slender dimensions of Easybox Slim mean it is perfect for fitting in the shallow wall cavities of new build houses as well as being suitable for refurbishment projects in an older property.

Easybox Slim is available as either a shower mixer or bath shower mixer with the option of a round or square faceplate to suit any bathroom style. The faceplate features separate flow and temperature controls with a safety stop set at 40⁰C, with manual override. Additional adjustable maximum temperatures stops can be set at installation to limit the temperature to 40, 43, 45 or 50⁰C which protects against accidental scalding.

0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

THE IDEAL BATHROOM | The latest marketplace news

Ideal Rain Evo and Evo Jet – A new Era of Design and Performance

systems from 18.5 L/min to just 8 L/min without impacting user experience.

Meanwhile the precision-designed flow engine delivers optimal spray performance.

Fitting perfectly with the Easy Box shower valves, the company has expanded its Idealrain collection with the launch of two new advanced-performance handsprays. Idealrain Evo and the award-winning Idealrain Evo Jet both provide easy installation, guaranteed high performance and a range of versatile design options, to meet the needs of any customer project. Ideal Standard’s Evo Jet model has recently won a prestigious Red Dot Award due to its innovative diamond shaped design.

Idealrain shower rails are installed using Ideal Standard’s innovative Easymount system which allows for easy adjustments during installation, including on renovation projects as no extra holes are needed. This makes the products quick to fit, saving time on projects. The Idealflex hose is smooth and scratch resistant, resisting limescale build-up, making them quick and easy to clean.

The extended Idealrain collection is built with reliability in mind providing a unique, tailorable showering experience for users, with a range of new spray modes that can be selected with a single, ergonomic ‘Navigo’ push button.

In addition to the existing rain and massage modes, the Evo model also features an aerated rain spray mode, which sucks in and mixes air with the water to produce a gentle, yet cleansing experience. While Drop Jet, Ideal Standard’s proprietary spray functionality, is available exclusively on the Evo Jet and delivers a unique soft droplet-like experience.

All shower components are rigorously tested to ensure durability and also come with the added reassurance of a five-year guarantee.

Idealrain sliding bars and brackets are made from high-quality metals, which means they are simple to adjust and can carry significantly more weight than conventional products.

All Idealrain attachments and fittings are designed to work with each other, offering a wide range of configuration options.

Available in classic round or diamond shapes the collection’s large handsprays ensure maximum comfort, with nozzles right to the edge of the spray plate to maximise downpour, while Cool Body technology means the exterior stays cool to avoid the risk of scalding.

The launch of Idealrain Evo and the awardwinning Evo Jet hails a new era of design and performance in the Ideal Standard showering offer. The advancements in both design and functionality mean that users can be assured that Evo and Evo Jet are easy to operate, perform beautifully and will deliver years of faultless service.

The Idealrain collection now comprises three ranges, in a number of design options and increasing functionality: Idealrain, Idealrain Evo and Idealrain Evo Jet. The Idealrain collection, which is engineered in Germany and made in Europe, helps meet customers’ efficiency targets, with no loss of experience for users. The Evo handsprays all feature an in-built flow 8L/min restrictor that reduces water consumption in high pressure

For more information about Ideal Standard’s showering ranges visit www.ideal-standard.co.uk 0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

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The latest marketplace news | THE IDEAL BATHROOM

A WORLD OF ADVENTURE AWAITS Visualise a vibrant city that’s got it all! Blue skies, glittering emerald waters and towering, ultramodern architecture are what first meets the eye when you step into Dubai. Dig deeper and you’ll find fascinating history, captivating culture, luxury shopping and endless possibilities!

The time to start a new adventure is now! The race is returning to the ever-changing city and it’s going to be bigger and better than before! Here’s your chance to join us for four days of VIP treatment and unforgettable experiences in the richest city in the world. Everyone who hits their unique sales target will be there to celebrate with us in the famous Ideal style!

HOW DOES IT WORK? It’s easy! When you register, you’ll be given a sales target unique to you. Every purchase takes you closer to an exclusive trip to Dubai. Starting on 1st January 2019, if you hit your target before 20th December 2019 you’ll be joining us for four days of unparalleled luxury in the Arabian sunshine.

* Exclusions apply, see T&Cs on our website for full information: dubai.idealbathrooms.com

REGISTER NOW! 26

VISIT dubai.idealbathrooms.com

0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

THE IDEAL BATHROOM | The latest marketplace news

EXPERIENCE THE IDEAL WAY ON YOUR MARKS…

GET SET…

Get ready to race by visiting dubai.idealbathrooms.com to register.

You’ll be given a unique sales target and your own race microsite where you can track your progress and watch it update as you work your way towards the finish line.

Once you’ve registered, you’re in a race against time. Each and every order will help you get closer to your target and four luxurious days in Dubai.

GO! Hit your target before times runs out and get your passport ready because you’ll be flying to Dubai with us on an exclusive ideal getaway!

ANY QUESTIONS? CALL US ON 01908 276 408 OR SPEAK TO YOUR AREA SALES MANAGER

0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

27

The latest marketplace news | THE IDEAL BATHROOM

THE IDEAL WEBSITE UPDATE Since the website launched in May 2017, we have made lots of changes and enriched our customers experiences by providing many facilities and features, such as the stock check tool, high quality product data within different ranges, 24/7 ordering via our quick order form, pdf invoice capabilities, order status updates, showroom profiles and much more.

We have had over

100,000

searches

product stock through our

stock check tool

We have had

over

18,000 orders through our

quick order form

As our website is

24/7 capable,

786 out of hours orders have been placed

A STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO OUR STOCK CHECK TOOL

Start typing a sku from our big yellow Price Guide into our quick stock check tool

Intelligent search will give suggestions based on the initial characters typed

Once you have selected a product code, you can see how many are in stock

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0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

THE IDEAL BATHROOM | The latest marketplace news

1800 registered customers now have full access to all of our great features online, including our

showroom locator

The website’s

success

has meant we’ve seen a

27%

reduction of calls into our sales offices.

Coming soon in 2019...

Clearance section A seperate clearance section with lots of new products being added regularly with fantastic prices

Swatches Swatch colour options will be available across all brands on a variety of different products

Suite builder The website features over

20,000 products with

fully enriched

data

A suite builder facility will be available this year allowing customers to create their own suites visually on the website

Route Monkey Implementing Route Monkey technology will mean website users will have access to view their live order status, customers will be given a two-hour delivery slot and electronic PODs will be available online

Visit

register.idealbathrooms.com to register for your online account today.

View depots to see a breakdown of how much stock is in each depot

When product is selected, click on ‘view product’

0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

On the product page, you can view all of our in-depth product data

29

The latest marketplace news | THE IDEAL BATHROOM

WHICH CAME FIRST ‘BATH’ OR ‘BARTH’?

— #FlosTrendingTopics

It’s a debate that has divided the North and South for years – do you say ‘bath’ or ‘barth’?

The difference in pronunciation stems back to the early colonisation of England, when areas of the country were conquered

by Anglo Saxons, Normans and Vikings.

These different people all spoke their own languages and over time this developed unique pronunciation across the country, leading to the dialects and accents that we know today.

We asked some of our Idealists what they say...

Our Commercial Director Danielle Lillis is from the West Midlands and says ‘bath’, as does Managing Director of Bayswater, Darren Allison – a Yorkshireman. According to Darren: “Everyone else says ‘barth’ so I want to be different!”

“Bath” 73%

Our new Sales Director, Gary Matthews told us: “There’s no ‘r’ in ‘bath’, just like there’s no ‘r’ in ‘glass’.”

While at our inaugural Ideal Team Supplier Conference, we took the opportunity to ask some of our delegates what they thought of the debate.

James Sturdey, Grohe’s Key Account Manager, told us he says ‘barth’, because he’s a Southerner, while MX Group’s Associate Sales Director Sarah Britton says ‘bath’. Her colleague Mark Derbyshire, the company’s Sales Manager, disagrees and says ‘barth’, whereas Paul Findley, Nuance’s Sales Manager, says ‘bath’.

“Barth” 27%

Keen to explore this more, we asked our social media followers their opinion and our survey says: Bath – 73% Barth – 27% Do you think they’re right?

Tweet us your thoughts at @idealbathrooms!

30

FLO’S FUN FACT Bath or shower?

Convention says that showering uses less water than a bath, but with today’s more powerful showers an 8-minute shower uses 136 litres of water, while theaverage bath uses just 80 litres

0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

VICTORIAN BATHROOM DESIGN REVISITED

Exclusive to Ideal Bathrooms

www.bayswaterbathrooms.co.uk

01376 319870

The latest marketplace news | THE IDEAL BATHROOM

IN FOCUS...

SIMON TURNER Simon Turner, owner of Simon Turner Showrooms in Devon, has been in the bathroom business for 30 years.

Here, he talks about the key elements that make an impressive showroom, challenges in the industry and much more.

Left to right: Simon Irwin, Simon Turner & George McLelland

Q. What inspired you to open a showroom?

I’ve been in the industry since being an apprentice plumber and wanted to have a platform to promote my business, to continue that growth. A showroom was the natural choice for that.

Q. What would you say has been your biggest achievement so far?

Getting to where we are now! I started from scratch as an apprentice and now I have two showrooms with 20 people working for me.

Q. What challenges have you dealt with, and what did you learn from those?

The biggest challenge is the fact that everything is constantly changing. Trends and technology go round in circles and you need to be ready for that. Your showroom is there to provide customer service and allow people to feel the products – you have to get the right displays in there and it takes research and experience to do that.

Q. What’s in the pipeline for your business?

We’re planning to continue growing the showroom, add more staff and keep up with changing trends to ensure we have something for all tastes. We’re known for always being able to answer people’s questions and find solutions, so we’ll continue to do that and provide the best possible service.

Q. Over the years, what has been your favourite bathroom trend?

To be honest, now is the best time, because there is such a breadth of styles. My personal favourite style is Victorian – this will never go out of fashion. We have a Bayswater display in the showroom and sell a lot of this range.

Bayswater 1200 curved unit, Tallboy and mirror cabinet

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0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

THE IDEAL BATHROOM | The latest marketplace news

Tavistock Compass basin and unit

Bayswater Juliet floor mounted towel rail

Q. What’s your favourite social media platform for business?

They all add value. Instagram is growing in importance because it’s so visual. But it’s important to remember that a lot of our customers aren’t actually social media users, so we advertise and promote ourselves elsewhere, too.

Q. What does working with Ideal mean for your business?

The service is great; Ideal only works with really good manufacturers and our Area Sales Manager, George, is always there to speak to. We are well supported, Ideal carries a lot of stock and delivers every day.

The whole outfit is professional and that helps us.

Q. Your displays are really eye-catching, what’s your secret?

Essential Hampstead showerbath and Nevada furniture

George brings manufacturers to see us and they offer a wealth of advice to ensure our displays are breathtaking. We always take this on board and supplement it with our own research on social media and at shows.

It’s important to remember that it takes a while to see a return on your investment.

Q. How do you stand out from the crowd?

It’s the simple things, like the fact we keep the showroom tidy and up to date. We offer a personal, customer-focused service – we always go out to see jobs. We’re also quite unique in that we can offer a full package, so we can remove the old bathroom and install the new one, including plumbing, electrics and decorating. We’re seeing growth of 30 to 40% year on year because of this service.

Bayswater 3 hole basin mixer

0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

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The latest marketplace news | THE IDEAL BATHROOM

GROHE LAUNCHES NEW CASHBACK OFFER FOR SMARTCONTROL SHOWERS

GROHE has launched its latest cashback incentive, its first for 2019, offering consumers up to £50 cashback on some of the brand’s most innovative shower systems.

The cashback offer runs across eighteen different model specifications of GROHE’s one box SmartControl Shower systems, including exposed, concealed, excealed and Euphoria styles with choices of round and square trims and shower heads to ensure a perfect match to existing decor.

GROHE SmartControl showers deliver intuitive showering thanks to the stylish interface and simple operation that requires just a push and turn of a button. With up to three different outlets available to operate from one system, the SmartControl allows you to adjust the volume and temperature effortlessly, as well as selecting your preferred showering option. This includes head and hand shower, bath filler, different spray patterns, and even body jets for those seeking a truly luxurious experience.

With its new promotion, GROHE hopes to drive growth of the already popular SmartControl range and support its Retail partners with a fantastic cashback proposition for consumers. “In recent years, our range of shower systems and the exciting features they offer has grown significantly thanks to continued investment in innovation and design”, says Grohe’s Key Account Manager, James Sturdey. “With tools and incentives like this, we aim to drive product awareness to our retail partners and customers, whilst making these innovations in showering accessible to more and more people”.

The cashback offer is available on qualifying SmartControl purchases from a verified retailer and consumers can make their claim directly through the GROHE website. The offer applies to purchases made from 1st January 2019 until the 31st May 2019, with all claims to be made by 30th June 2019. Proof of purchase is required. Terms and conditions apply.

34

0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

THE IDEAL BATHROOM | The latest marketplace news

GROHE SMARTCONTROL SHOWERS AT A GLANCE:

CONCEALED

EXPOSED

EXCEALED

The original SmartControl shower system, which is wall mounted and comes complete with head and hand shower. Multiple spray patterns can also easily be switched between, delivering a shower perfectly tailored to your mood. Ideal for retrofit.

Excealed offers the best of both worlds, with an exposed thermostat still on display but reduced pipework thanks to the wall-fixed head shower meaning a riser rail is necessary. Both head and hand shower offer a choice of two spray patterns.

All of the SmartControl technology but with none of the pipework on display. The concealed version is a great way to achieve a minimalist look in the bathroom or create more space in your shower area. Concealed showering also offers more personalisation of the individual space in terms of layout. The freedom to create a truly bespoke shower space is enabled thanks to the concealed valve being able to be placed on an opposing wall away from the outlet.

0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

EUPHORIA The latest addition to the range is an excellent choice for retrofit projects.

With a traditional exposed frame on display, it has a slimmer interface, creating an illusion of more space in the bathroom. Euphoria offers a multi-jet shower head with up to three shower patterns plus the additional hand shower for more personalisation than ever before.

35

The latest marketplace news | THE IDEAL BATHROOM

WHO IS...

RAFFAELA DE VITTORIO Geberit’s Sales Director Raffaela De Vittorio discusses business transformation, Idris Elba and a lovable rescue dog called Bracken.

Q. What do you think has been your biggest success?

Being able to transform and reinvent myself for so many different roles and get as far as I have. I joined Geberit as a CRM Administrator, moved into a marketing position and I’m now Sales Director. My role has evolved quickly and I’ve not been afraid of change.

Q. What are you currently working on?

Q. You’ve led a very successful career in the industry. How and when did you get into the bathroom business?

By accident! It was September 2000 and I’d just signed a contract with a kitchen company, when an opportunity came up for an interview with Geberit. People told me to go for it so I went along for the experience.

I spent three years working for Geberit in Germany and then moved to the UK operation where I’ve been ever since.

We recently launched Geberit ceramics and we’re in the middle of the process of targeting this at the specification and retail markets. It’s new, exciting and great to be involved with.

There have just been so many! Acquiring Sanitech meant that we needed to build a new office to accommodate everyone, and I was given the task of project managing this. It was a huge undertaking and I’d never done anything like that before, but when I walk into that office every day and I see how happy our staff are there, I feel proud.

36

Q. Describe a typical day in the life of Raffaela?

There honestly isn’t a typical day, with the exception of the fact that it will involve back-to-back meetings! My role means that I am responsible for many different things in addition to my board responsibilities; every day is different.

I like to be outside – I get out and about with my dog, Bracken. He’s a rescue; a Great Dane crossed with American Bulldog.

He’s an old man now but loves to go out for a couple of hours and that really clears my head.

Q. Who have been the biggest influencers in your career?

It’s actually not someone from the industry, but a dear friend, Tracy. I have known her for many years and she is an incredibly driven Operations Executive. She’s a fantastic voice of reason and my go-to person whenever I want to celebrate or need someone to give me perspective.

Q. In a male dominated industry, has being female ever inhibited your career?

It really hasn’t. The MDs I have worked with have been progressive and fair, I’ve never been discriminated against by anyone I’ve worked with. I noticed that as the only woman in most of my meetings, people tended to remember me, but it was through confidence and knowledge that I was able to develop in my career.

I’d like to take my dog but that wouldn’t be very fair on him! So, I’d have to say my sound system, Spotify, and an unlimited supply of pasta.

Q. What’s your proudest moment Q. How do you unwind outside at Geberit? of work?

Q. What were your first impressions of the industry?

I loved the industry from the start but found the difference between the UK and Germany surprising. In Germany, modern tech and wallhung bathroom products were pretty common, whereas at my first trade show here we were launching these things. People were blown away by the idea of electric taps, it was a bit of a culture shock.

Q. If you were shipwrecked on a desert island, what three things would you want to have with you?

Q. If you could invite anyone for dinner (dead or alive) who would it be?

It would have to be Idris Elba – most definitely alive and kicking! To chat about music, of course…

0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

Mira Mode Digital Shower Smart, simple showering For precise control at the push of a button, look no further than the new Mira Mode digital shower. Download the Mira Mode app on your smartphone to personalise your shower settings and use the button on the handshower to switch between the 4 unique spray experiences.

However you choose to use Mira Mode, you can be sure of a sensational shower.

Available now at Ideal Bathrooms.

The latest marketplace news | THE IDEAL BATHROOM

BATHROOM WITH A VIEW —

There is a lot to be said for lying back in the bath and relaxing. Some of us like a glass of wine, others enjoy a good book. But what if you had the most incredible view to admire?

We love bathrooms with a view and we want to see the rooms you’ve visited that have taken your breath away.

For your chance to win six bottles of prosecco, tweet us your photos to @idealbathrooms!

Here’s a selection of some of the Idealists’ favourites from instagram…

DATE SPLASH —

With 2019 already well under way, it’s easy to miss some key dates and events in the industry while you’re busy running your business. With that in mind, we’ve put together a summary of what’s happening over the next few months to ensure you don’t miss a beat!

MARCH

11

ISH Frankfurt - March 11 - 15 The world’s leading trade fair focusing on the responsible management of water and energy in buildings.

PlumbExpo, Manchester - March 14 - 15 Trade show for installers and contractors in the plumbing and heating sectors.

Beauty and Lifestyle PR office based in Paris

MARCH

22

28

APRIL

4

1 Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow, a luxury hotel

5

20 38

31

APRIL

7

MAY

17

World Environment Day - June 5 The UN’s worldwide awareness and action day for the protection of our environment.

International Bath Day - June 14 Based on Archimedes birth, June 14th celebrates the bath. #BathDay JUNE

MARCH

National Construction Expo, Milton Keynes Join over 2000 construction companies for a engaging and thought provoking event.

BMJ Industry Awards luncheon - May 17 The latest industry opinion and most outstanding brands, merchants and people.

JUNE

22

kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2019 A celebration of the very best retailers, designers and manufacturers in the industry.

World Health Day - April 7 Universal health coverage is WHO’s number one goal and April 7th is their awareness day.

MAY

MARCH

Homebuilding & Renovating Show, NEC Birmingham - March 28 - 31 Experts on project inspiration.

Registration Closes for Race to Dubai Register at dubai.idealbathrooms.com/register Heritance Hotels & Resorts, boasts a unique portfolio of finest selection of holidays and leisure destinations

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Race to The Orient - March 22 - 29 The highly anticipated Ideal Bathrooms incentive trip to Bangkok & Koh Samui

Ideal Home Show, London - March 22 - April 7 Inspiring ideas and innovative products from over 600 companies and 100’s of free talks.

MARCH

MARCH

JUNE

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BKU Awards 2019, London - June 20 The Bathroom and Kitchen Update awards as voted for by the people.

0800 634 2600 | atyourservice@idealbathrooms.com | www.idealbathrooms.com

IDEALRAIN EVO & EVO JET: THE LUXURY OF CHOICE

IDEALRAIN EVO AND EVO JET: HIGH PERFORMANCE HANDSPRAYS • Two handsprays per model, each with three spray modes.

Available in classic round and sophisticated diamond shapes to suit contemporary designs • Specially reinforced metal sliding rail available in two sizes: 600mm and 900mm • High strength metal brackets for ultra-stable wall fixing.

These brackets are adjustable for angle adjustment • Cool body technology for comfort and safety • Ergonomic Navigo push button to easily change spray modes

Evo Jet diamond shaped shower head option with Drop Jet technology, creating unique large and soft water droplets for a luxurious experience.

• Heavy-duty ratchet mechanism • Durable handset & Sure Grip for easy hand control • Smooth, wipe clean flexible Idealflex shower hose

YOUR RACE TO DUBAI STARTS HERE COMPLETE THE RACE IN 3 EASY STEPS: Register at dubai.idealbathrooms.com before 31st March 2019.

You’ll be given a 12-month personal target, then simply track your progress and watch yourself race towards the finish line.

Hit your sales target before 20th December 2019, then dig out your passport – you’re going to Dubai!

Track yo progress ur on y own pers our onal microsite

REGISTER NOW AT:

dubai.idealbathrooms.com (Registration closes 31st March 2019)

ANY QUESTIONS? CALL US ON 01908 276 408 OR SPEAK TO YOUR AREA SALES MANAGER