Ireland's Kitchen Trade Guide : Issue 78

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March/April 2025 Issue 78

Ireland’s Only Kitchen Trade Awards Returns for 2025

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he team at Ireland’s Kitchen Trade Guide is delighted to announce that our all-Ireland trade awards are returning for 2025.

Join us at the Titanic Buildings Belfast, on November 21, 2025 for an evening of spectacle and entertainment as we find out who has been crowned top in 11 hotly contested categories.

Entries for the awards will open on May 1, 2025 and will be open to all businesses operating on the island of Ireland with a kitchen interest.

The overall sponsor to the event is Cosentino, a lynchpin in the kitchen industry, that sets the standard for the quality of business excellence

and design that will be recognised on the night.

ROBERT ASHE, Managing Director of the Ireland’s Homes Interiors & Living brand, the parent company that incorporates Ireland’s Kitchen Trade Guide, says, ‘The 2025 awards couldn’t come at a better time for the kitchen industry in Ireland as we reflect on the challenges the industry has faced over the last three years. Having run these awards since 2010, we have a unique insight into the quality craftmanship and business prowess on offer within Ireland and are in a privileged position to be able to help you celebrate the wins.

Ireland’s Kitchen Trade Awards has always

strived to highlight the very essence of kitchen design. by shining a light on the home-grown talent within this skilled sector, and we hope to welcome you all at the end of the year to celebrate a successful 2025.’

The awards are free to enter and every finalist is allocated a complimentary ticket which includes a plus one to the gala awards dinner at the Titanic Buildings in Belfast.

A select number of sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information contact Robert Ashe at rashe@ihil.net.

Read more on pg 11

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Ireland’s

March/April 2025 Issue 78

KitchenTrade

GUIDE

contents

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4 NEWS

elcome to Issue 78 of Ireland’s Kitchen Trade Guide.

We’ve been keeping a secret!

It’s a pleasure to finally be able to announce that Ireland’s Kitchen Trade Awards will be returning for 2025. With awards to be won in 11 categories, we are going to spend the year scouring Ireland for those kitchen businesses that go above and beyond in everything they do. Whether your business is known for outstanding design, exceptional business practises, or the use of ground-breaking technology – we want to hear about what makes you stand out!

Registration for entries will open on May 1 and close at the beginning of August to make way for our panel of judges – from prestigious companies such as Cosentino, Fisher & Paykel, ArtiCAD, FSB, and Kris Turnball Designs - to whittle entries down to three finalists in each category. Winners will be announced on the night at a Gala Awards Ceremony at the Titanic Buildings Belfast with entertainment from Jackie Rainey & The Sweet Beats and more.

Also in this issue, we catch up with N.A.A.’s Managing Director Luke Hickey and find out what the supplier has in store for 2025 to top its momentous previous year.

Our regular columnist Graeme Weir talks through the government’s latest plans to introduce an Employment Rights Bill and we take a closer look at how kitchen retailers can streamline their workflow using ChatGPT. As usual, you can also find everything you need to know about new product developments in Hot off the Press on page 28 and a roundup of the top news stories starting on page four.

If you would like to find out more about 2025’s awards or discuss editorial, don’t hesitate to get in touch at bmason@ihil.net

The latest news from the industry

11 IRELAND’S KITCHEN TRADE AWARDS RETURNS FOR 2025

Get ready to celebrate excellence in Irish industry Fri, November 21st

14 PUTTING PEOPLE AT THE HEART OF N.A.A.

Celebrating 101 years in business, Luke Hickey, N.A.A. Managing Director tells IKTG what is ahead for the Irish supplier after a year of transformation in 2024

17 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

What is the Irish kitchen industry doing to earn its eco credentials? We find out by speaking to those in the know

22 USING CHATGPT FOR BUSINESS Organise your workflow with ChatGPT

28 HOT OFF THE PRESS

The latest new product innovations on the market

30 KITCHEN CONVERSATIONS

This issue we speak to Wendy Mae Millar, Financial Director, WoodARCH Specialist Joinery Ltd

FOUNDING PUBLISHER Mike Keenan PUBLISHER Audrey Keenan MANAGING DIRECTOR Suzanne Livingstone MANAGING DIRECTOR Robert Ashe MARKETING MANAGER Joanne McMaster EDITOR Beth Mason DESIGNER Walter Steele ADMINISTRATION Heather Withers CREDIT CONTROL Yvonne Watson

SUBSCRIBE TO IKTG FOR FREE

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BANGOR ADDRESS: PO Box 42, Bangor, Co. Down BT19 7AD. Tel: 028 9147 3979

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DUBLIN ADDRESS: Ashgrove House, 26 Foxrock Court, Foxrock, Dublin D18 R2K1. Tel: (01) 2722616 email: enquiries@iktg.ie/advertising@iktg.ie/editorial@iktg.ie

iktg.ie © COPYRIGHT OF ALL MATERIAL PUBLISHED IN THIS MAGAZINE BELONGS TO:

IRELAND’S HOMES INTERIORS & LIVING MAGAZINE

FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF: Ireland’s

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BathroomTrade

Winter 2024/25 Issue 07

BATHROOM DESIGNERS COULD WIN €10,000 WITH COSENTINO

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Consentino announces The Bathelier Challenge, offering professional designers the chance to win a generous €10,000 cash prize and the title of The Bathetier of the Year.

SUSTAINABILITY

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osentino, a global leader in sustainable surfaces for architecture and design, has announced The Bathelier Challenge, an initiative to celebrate creativity and innovation in bathroom design. As part of its Cosentino Bathroom programme, the competition invites designers across Europe to showcase projects that transform bathrooms into spaces of connection and emotion.

The Bathelier Challenge is open to professional designers and interior designers who are members of Cosentino’s C·Top Design platform in their respective countries.

Designers can register for the plaftform via the Cosentino website. Participants can submit completed bathroom designs from 2023–2024 that incorporate materials from at least one of Cosentino’s brands, such as Silestone®, Dekton®, Sensa by Cosentino®, or Scalea®.

Eligible projects must feature these materials in applications such as flooring, cladding, shower trays, washbasins, or countertops.

Renderings are not permitted, and only completed designs will be considered.

HOW TO ENTER

Entry is straightforward. Designers must log in to the C·Top Design platform and submit a form, including high-resolution images and a high-definition video of their project. The deadline for submissions is 30 January 2025.

RECOGNITION AND PRIZES

A jury comprising Cosentino representatives and prominent European designers will select the winning project, which will be crowned “The Bathelier of the Year.” The winner will receive a €10,000 cash prize, along with extensive exposure through Cosentino’s platforms and social media channels. The award ceremony will be held at the Cosentino City closest to the winner’s residence within 60 days of the announcement.

Three additional finalists will also be recognised, with each receiving a globally promoted case study highlighting their designs.

INSPIRATION BEHIND THE CHALLENGE

The competition is inspired by The Bathelier, Cosentino’s exclusive collection of bathroom

designs, which combines art, functionality, and innovation. The collection features iconic designs from renowned names such as Remy Meijers, Claudia Afshar, Daniel Germani, Colin Seah, and MUT Design.

These collaborations explore the versatility of Cosentino’s materials, resulting in striking and functional spaces.

The Bathelier Challenge was officially launched in October 2024 during the second edition of C·Next Designers Europe, an event that brought together 220 professionals from over 30 countries.

For more information and to enter the competition, visit cosentino.ie

KEY DATES: • Submission Deadline: 30 January 2025 • Winner Announcement: 15 February 2025 Cosentino’s commitment to fostering innovation and supporting both emerging and established design talent continues to shape the future of bathroom spaces.

FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF • IRELAND’S HOMES INTERIORS & LIVING MAGAZINE • IRELAND’S KITCHEN GUIDE • IRELAND’S KITCHEN TRADE GUIDE

Ireland’s largest selling monthly interiors magazine. ABC verified sales

IrlKitchenTrade

Ireland’s largest selling kitchen magazine. ABC verified sales

Ireland’s only trade publication dedicated to the Bathroom Industry

@IrelandsKitchenTradeGuide

WE CARE ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY AND THE IMPACT OF OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT. THAT’S WHY WE USE AN FSC ® CERTIFIED PRINTER AND 99% OF THE PAPER USED TO PRINT OUR MAGAZINES IS SOURCED FROM FSC ® OR PEFC CERTIFIED FORESTS AND OTHER CONTROLLED SOURCES. FSC ® CERTIFIED PAPER SUPPORTS SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY/FORESTRY MANAGEMENT; IT IS BIODEGRADABLE, RECYCLABLE AND MADE FROM A RENEWABLE RAW MATERIAL.

Ireland’s Kitchen Trade Guide

If you have any news that you wish to share with the trade get in touch by emailing us at bmason@ihil.net

NEWS

Ireland’s Kitchen Trade Guide March/April 2025

Irish economy set to moderate after years of growth

Future growth hinges on stability and the Government’s delivery of long term investment projects The Economic Outlook, published by Ibec, states that domestic demand is predicted to grow by 3.4 per cent in 2025 as it forecasts employment rates will slow.

The report states that moderation in growth is expected after five years of expansion.

The outlook notes that the main barrier to continued economic success will be “our own ability to create the capacity to grow by delivering critical infrastructure – such as water, housing, energy, transport – effectively”.

DANNY McCOY, Ibec CEO said, ‘Ireland has experienced a period of rapid growth.

Employment by the end of 2025 will be almost 500,000 higher than it was in 2019. Growth is showing signs of moderating domestically. This is to be expected given the pace of recent years and a challenging global outlook.

‘Amongst our major trading partners, Europe is struggling to readjust its business model to new realities in trade and energy costs. We expect European growth will again struggle to breach the 1 per cent mark in 2025.’

Further afield, Mr McCoy said it “remains to be seen” how the new US administration will

affect the Irish economy.

He said, ‘The strength of the dollar may help mediate the impact of any trade policies on Ireland. Whilst it is critical that Ireland maintains its long-standing reputation for longterm stability on tax and the broader business environment.’

The Draghi Report, published in September 2024 by former Italian Prime Minister highlighted high energy costs, project delays, regulatory burdens, and an incomplete Single Market as challenges for Europe.

‘The main barrier for Ireland is our capacity to deliver projects effectively. Rising capital costs, if coupled with uncertainty and delays, will stifle business investment.

‘Nonetheless, Ireland has clear potential to remain competitive in the coming years, with a skilled and growing workforce, a reputation for openness, a stable political environment, abundant energy potential and a commitment to improving national infrastructure. We have the financial resources and skills necessary to unlock our economic potential for the first time in the State’s history.’

Ireland housebuilding rates highest in Europe Ireland is forecast to deliver the strongest rate of new housing completions, new report finds The latest forecasts from EY-Euroconstruct, an independent construction market forecasting network active in 19 European countries, predicts that 38,000 new homes will be delivered in Ireland in 2025, rising to 40,000 in 2026.

The rate of housing completions in Ireland are set to be 127 per cent above the average.

Irish construction output, which also includes non-residential and civil engineering, is forecast to grow by 6 per cent in 2025 making it the highest in the Euroconstruct area.

Overall, construction activity in the 19 Euroconstruct countries is projected to have declined in 2024 due to escalation in construction costs during the Covid 19 pandemic, the ongoing geopolitical turmoil in Ukraine, and the hike in interest rates from July 2022. Despite this downturn, a slight recovery is expected in 2025 and 2026 with growth accelerating in the following years.

ANNETTE HUGHES, Director at EY Economic Advisory and member of Euroconstruct, said, ‘Ireland continues to lead the pack in Europe when it comes to the delivery of new housing as measured on a per population basis, and our latest EY-

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Euroconstruct forecast expects Ireland will maintain this position out to at least 2027. At a time when the delivery of housing is stalling in economies right across Europe, Ireland’s performance is particularly notable and has been driven by a range of factors. These include multiple policy interventions to support and speed up the delivery of new homes and drive down the cost of construction, the reallocation of some capacity in the sector from commercial to residential construction, as well as a more positive – if still elevated - financing and interest rate environment.

‘For the wider Irish construction sector, the picture remains mixed, due to a number of challenges, such as the inflation in building and construction materials over recent years, which although moderating, continues to impact the pricing of construction projects. Other issues include access to skilled labour and the cost of labour.’

Uform Announces Top Real Stories 2024 The annual competition returned this year for the first time under the new STORI consumer brand

HOMEOWNERS WITH WINNING DESIGN

Broomside Design took the top spot as overall winner for 2024 showcasing the Rezana and Zola Matte ranges in Stain to Order Espresso & Paint to Order Taupe Grey.

Exclusively available to independent STORI retailers, who are members of the new STORI retailer partner programme, the campaign highlighted the exceptional design talents within Uform’s network of approved and premium independent STORI retailers across the UK & Ireland.

The panel of judges thoroughly evaluated each project for its innovation, ergonomic design, and choice of materials from the hundreds of entries they received.

The Top Real Stories projects showcase a variety of sizes and styles, spanning from modern to traditional designs across various spaces. These projects feature an eclectic mix of materials and colour combinations drawing from the Uform Ex-Stock and Paint-to-Order palettes, as well as its Colour Match Service.

Alongside this, a range of standard and made to order bespoke doors and accessories are featured, showcasing the versatility of Uform’s offerings, ensuring that every space can be tailored to meet both aesthetic preferences and functional needs.

Uform’s STORI Brand Manager SHAUNAGH DEVLIN says, ‘Our Top Real Stories campaign highlights the fantastic work of our approved network of independent retailers across the UK & Ireland.

‘We were absolutely thrilled by the high quantity and exceptional quality of the entries we received. Retailers are increasingly recognising the value of leveraging our platform to showcase their work online, knowing that we can help amplify their reach and drive business growth.

‘I would like to congratulate our Top Real Stories 2024 winners and send a huge thank you to all who participated! We’re already eagerly looking forward to what 2025 holds for STORI, and the central role that our amazing independent retailers play in exhibiting our consumer brand.’

‘Freshly ground, not capsuled.’

Enjoy like Roger Federer: for example with the J8 twin, with two grinders for two different coffee varieties.

Roger Federer, Swiss tennis icon and JURA brand ambassador since 2006 N.A.A Appliances Limited, Crossland Business Park, Ballymount Road, Dublin Email: jura@naa.ie or Phone: (01) 460 0064

jura.com

NEWS

Ireland’s Kitchen Trade Guide March/April 2025

Brown colour schemes to rise in popularity for 2025 An earthy alternative to the current trend for natural colourways CATHY DEAN, Founder and CEO of Studio Dean, reveals that brown is the colour trend to watch in 2025 ‘A brown interior colour scheme is surprisingly versatile and not at all as dramatic as it sounds, as there are so many tones that you can ease into.

Opting for a neutral brown base allows you to have versatility in your home as you can easily bring in other colours and trends. Add in a green for an earthy, nature inspired feeling, opt for a pink for a soft feminine space or a navy if you want something a little bolder.

‘Brown is in nature as the base, the bark of the tree, the soil to the grass.

When thinking about a scheme you need to give it depth, never truer with brown which is not at its strongest on its own, it needs variation as you see in nature too. A tree’s bark is not just one brown, it has many shades and textures, so when working with brown use lots of shades and textures to look natural. Pick a palette of tones of brown, you’ll need four or five shades going from light to dark.

‘Some browns are very red or green; you may like the particularly dark or light version of it but as you go up and down the tone it’s not exactly what you had in mind. If this is the case, ditch it and opt for a colour where you love the whole palette.

‘In our experience, a brown sitting in the stony grey / greige palette offers the most versatility and sits well with a neutral base. One of our favourites in the studio is Deep Caviar by Benjamin Moore, it actually has a rich, purple undertone, and moves through the colour range palette well into stone tones.

Benjamin Moore’s Black Beauty is a black with a brown undertone, and you can use this colour to add some serious drama. This colour is most definitely a statement, here’s some tips on its colour friends so you can see how you dial it up or down – Benjamin Moore’s Alexandria Beige, Innukshuk and Pale Oak are some of our more recent go-to colours as you can go up and down in the same palette, without the colour becoming cream (or heaven forbid magnolia!), instead with this colour family the tones stay stony.

‘Don’t go too stark and try to contrast with brown. Take things slowly and layer up and down through the palette you have selected, it is a colour that likes to be understated and simple. Hold all of the colours together and make sure it has the same undertone.’

Newry and Armagh among cities with most unstable house prices A new study reveals four Northern cities as having the most unstable property prices in the UK

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House buying experts at House Buyers for You examined data from HM Land Registry to determine the cities with the largest property price increases from October 2023 to August 2024.

Newry is named as the city with the secondmost unstable house prices, with an average yearly percentage increase of 8.90 per cent. In October 2023, the average cost of a property in the city was £190,621, but this has since jumped to £202,524 in 2024.

Armagh has the third-most unstable property prices in the UK, as average property prices jumped from £159,628 in October 23 to £165,470 by August 2024.

Belfast and Lisburn also made the list at number eight and number nine respectively.

Belfast’s property prices rose at a yearly average of 6.3 per cent from £162,515 to £168,054 and Lisburn experienced a similar increase of 6.3 per cent as houses skyrocketed to £215,464.

PAUL GIBBENS, a property expert at House Buyers for You, said, ‘This study demonstrates the growing demand for the government to implement more policies to support first-time homebuyers, whether this involves increasing access to affordable housing and introducing further financial incentives to support younger individuals secure a deposit on a house.’

SCAN HERE SCAN HERE to discover more to discover more about Uform’s about Uform’s products & services products & services

At Uform, we are proud to be the leading manufacturer and distributor of doors and accessories to the kitchen, bedroom and furniture trade throughout the UK and Ireland. We make it our business to invest and support in a valued and long-term partnership with you.

Extensive ex-stock offering with over 10K+ products across 109 ex-stock ranges Made to Order Service across foil and timber ranges for ultimate design flexibility Unrivalled lead times on Paint to Order ranges Nationwide delivery network including a Click & Collect Service New STORI Partner Programme to support independent retailers Tailored, in-house Showroom Display Design Service Easy ordering with Uform Online and integration with leading KBB platforms Dedicated support team across Sales, Customer Services & Business Development Industry leading marketing assets & support

Committed to investing in our partnership with

NEWS Haier celebrates 40 years in business The global brand reflected on the one billion global users that have ‘shaped Haier into what it is today’ To celebrate four decades at the forefront of the smart home, Haier held its 40th Anniversary at its birthplace in Qingdao, China.

The celebrations embraced the theme ‘Evolution Begins with Connection, Ecosystems Know No Boundaries’ which reflected on the company’s journey from humble beginnings as

a small refrigerator factory in Qingdao in 1984 to being one of the most influential brands in the world, holding the number one position in Euromonitor’s Global Major Appliances Brand Rankings for 16 consecutive years.

ZHOU YUNJIE, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Haier Group said that since the Haier was founded in 1984 its journey has been defined by sincerity, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

DIEGO PERRONE, Managing Director of Haier UK & Ireland, added, ‘This is a huge milestone for the business and we are so proud of all the developments and innovations that we have achieved. 2025 is set to be an exciting year for the brand as we continue on our journey to bring innovative appliances to consumers based on their needs as we are always operating on a zero distance to consumer approach.’

Today, Haier serves customers in more than 160 countries and regions with a diverse portfolio of products, scenarios, and ecosystems designed to enrich everyday lives.

Office-based workers are happier study reveals

Going into the office three or four times a week marks sweet-spot for wellbeing An independent study of 1,210 employees, commissioned by infinitSpace found that hybrid workers who attend the office one or two days per week were least likely to self-report ‘great’ or ‘good’ wellbeing.

By contrast, those who go to their workplace on average three or four days per week report the highest levels of wellbeing, with 60 per cent experiencing great or good physical wellbeing and 61 per cent saying the same about their mental wellbeing.

Those attending the office every day report slightly lower but comparable wellbeing levels to those attending three or four days a week, with 59 per cent indicating good physical wellbeing and 57 per cent experiencing good mental wellbeing.

The type of workspace also plays a role in wellbeing outcomes. Employees working in flexible workspaces report higher levels of wellbeing, with 60 per cent experiencing good physical and mental wellbeing. In comparison, employees in traditional private or serviced offices report slightly lower levels, with 56 per cent indicating good physical wellbeing and 55 per cent reporting good mental wellbeing.

WYBO WIJNBERGEN, CEO of infinitSpace, said, ‘While attendance policies should remain flexible to meet diverse business and employee needs, it’s important that we don’t overlook

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the relationship between going to a workplace and one’s wellbeing. The research shows that opportunities for social interaction, a sense of community, and regular access to thoughtfully designed spaces can profoundly impact our overall wellbeing.

‘More than just somewhere to collaborate or be productive, by having the workplaces, organisations can play a meaningful role in boosting the overall health and happiness of their employees. And if smart leaders want engaged, productive teams, fostering wellbeing and providing a workspace their staff want to visit must remain a key focus.’

Transportation is the least successful industry for business currently A new study has ranked the industries experiencing the most growth currently The Transportation and Storage industry has experienced a loss of 16.51 per cent over the last two years making it the worst industry for business right now.

Health and social care came out on top followed by real estate, which had a growth rate of 5.06 per cent between 2022 and 2024 with over 5,000 new businesses recorded in the sector during that time.

Fourth place belongs to the Construction industry with 7,250 new businesses thriving during this period and establishments involved in the development of residential, commercial, and domestic buildings, as well as electrical, plumbing, roofing, and other installations activities such as heating now account for 14.2 per cent of all businesses in the UK. Experts at MRP software for small manufacturers MRPeasy has collected business birth and death data from the Office for National Statistics to calculate each industry’s success rate from 2022 to 2024. They were able to analyse and rank the best industries for businesses in the UK. KARL HEINRICH LAURI, CMO at MRPeasy said, ‘Industries like Construction, Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation continue to offer opportunities for new business ventures, showcasing the diversity of thriving sectors in the UK market. Together, these industries highlight key areas where businesses are finding success in a dynamic economic landscape.’

Ireland’s Kitchen Trade Guide March/April 2025

Consumers to demand more Rotpunkt rolls out 2025 personalisation in 2025 innovation brochure

Sanitaryware and kitchen fittings manufacturer, Grohe identifies macro trends that will shape interior landscape over next 12 months

The brochure brings the company’s ‘Welcome Home’ concept to life

The 2025 product innovations by Rotpunkt feature a range of new door colours, dimensions, accessories and storage solutions for the kitchen, living room, home office, and dressing room.

From open-plan, single wall kitchens with signature island units and full height storage, through to discreet walk-in pantries for today’s home chef and the latest fitted wardrobes for the modern dressing room, it’s now even easier to come home to Rotpunkt.

The brochure features new fronts and a selection of new doors in 2025 that bring a cosy, minimalist style to the home.

Introducing quality through durability, Rotpunkt expands its popular range of thermal-healing Fenix doors with 27 different colours now available. From monochromatic and earthy shades through to muted tones and bold pops of colour, Fenix is made using 50 per cent renewable raw materials making it a versatile and ecofriendly choice for Rotpunkt furniture.

Creating more planning options for people at different heights, Rotpunkt introduce a series of new cabinet heights for 2025 including the Half Grid 84.5, which improves ergonomics and centres on user comfort and ease of use.

MATT PHILLIPS, Head of UK Operations at Rotpunkt says, ‘We are extremely excited to share our 2025 product innovations to our growing customer base, as we believe that variety is the best way to facilitate original design requirements and the creation of new retail opportunities for our suppliers. As the latest home interiors continue to blend form and function, we believe taking an holistic approach in the development and renewal of our products is what keeps our brand current and competitive in the marketplace.’

LEWIS NEATHEY, Leader, Product Management LIXIL EMENA, and GROHE UK, reveals how experiential design and personalisation are impacting design trends in the home, with particular focus on the bathroom and kitchen.

He says, ‘The concept of personalisation is becoming increasingly important in bathroom

and kitchen design and has been for a number of years. Individuals are seeking to tailor their functional spaces to meet their unique preferences and needs. This may involve customising the layout, fixtures, finishes, and accessories to create a space that reflects their personal style and enhances their overall wellbeing.’

CRL Stone introduces industrialinspired addition to Quartz collection Cristallo Perla offers a classic take on industrial-inspired design

Timelessly elegant, CRL Stone’s new Cristallo Perla effortlessly unites shades of grey and long veining to capture the enduring quiet luxury trend.

The latest addition to CRL Stone’s popular marble-effect Cristallo collection, Perla is ideal for anyone looking for their worktops, splashbacks or feature walls to make a striking visual impression.

Ideal for high-impact public spaces as well as kitchens and bathrooms, this quartz surface offers designers unrivalled scope to experiment with other urban materials such as wood and metal to create personalised, eye-catching interiors..

Cristallo Perla is scratch, heat and stain resistant while its non-porous design provides a hygienic, low-maintenance solution.

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Supplier Spotlight

Ireland’s Kitchen Trade Guide March/April 2025

A year of growth, innovation and achievement at Uform

Uform reveals the key milestones that made 2024 one of its best years yet

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024 saw significant growth and expansion across services offerings, the Uform Team, new product categories and the integration of new technologies.

Uform kick started the year by establishing a new partnership with market leading German storage manufacturer Vauth-Sagel, bringing cutting-edge storage solutions to the trade throughout the UK & Ireland.

Uform launched a new click-and-collect service for GB-based trade customers, enhancing its logistics network. In partnership with The Silver X Group, customers can now order from Uform and collect their items the next day at The Silver X Group Depot in Alfreton, Derby.

As part of Uform’s vision of being easy to do business with, the company introduced a stateof-the-art in-house drilling service, allowing customers to select pre-drilled door frontals via the Uform trade website, saving time with ready to install doors.

Uform also expanded its team with the appointment of nine new staff across the areas of Sales, Marketing and Business Development, all designed to support the company’s strategic growth plan.

A NEW STORI IN THE COMPANY’S NEXT CHAPTER

In 2024, Uform launched STORI, rebranding its Kitchen Stori brand to reflect its expanded product range for kitchens, bedrooms, and living spaces in addition to supporting its growing network of independent retailers throughout UK & Ireland. The rebrand included new consumer brochures, a STORI website, and the relaunch of the Real Stories campaign with increased marketing and enhanced prizes.

After launching STORI, Uform introduced the STORI Partner Programme, offering exclusive benefits to approved independent retailers in the UK and Ireland. On 15th May, over 100 retailers attended an exclusive event at Uform’s headquarters in Toomebridge, Northern Ireland, featuring a tour of the facility and Design Centre, followed by dining and entertainment at The Rabbit Hotel & Retreat.

SHAKING THINGS UP: INNOVATIVE NEW PRODUCT DESIGNS

This year, Uform introduced two new door ranges; Lawrenson and Pembridge, along with new ex-stock colours and Made to Order options in timber and foil, as part of the ‘Shaking Things Up’ campaign. These additions bring the total to 25 door styles, offering

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diverse finishes, designs, and price points to suit various customer preferences.

Uform’s Design Centre was revamped to showcase the latest kitchen ranges, a bedroom area, Vauth-Sagel storage solutions, and more.

The space was also captured in a 3D virtual tour, allowing customers to explore the displays remotely on any device.

CELEBRATING SUCCESS & GIVING BACK

In the past year, Uform was shortlisted for several awards, including a finalist spot in the NI Social Media Awards and a nomination for Best Distributor at the 2024 KBBFocus Awards.

The team also raised funds for various charities through marathons, walks, hikes, sales, and events like Christmas Jumper Day and Mission Christmas.

Charities supported included Macmillan Cancer Support, Breast Cancer UK, The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, World Land Trust, Life After, Cancer Focus NI, ALPS, Cancer Fund for

Children, Cash for Kids and Hope Foodbank Magherafelt.

Uform is also proud to continue to sponsor Sean O’Leary GAC Newbridge, supporting sport in the local community.

2024 has been a ground-breaking year for Uform, marked by growth, strategic partnerships, and product innovations.

Milestones like the Vauth-Sagel collaboration, the launch of STORI, and enhanced services reflect their commitment to excellence.

As the company looks to 2025, Uform would like to thank its loyal customers for their support and look forward to the future.

Uform Creagh Business Park Hillhead Rd, Toome Antrim, BT41 3UF 028 7965 1650 info@uform.co.uk

The return of the ONLY awards for the kitchen industry in Ireland

IKT

AWARDS

2025

THE TITANIC BUILDING , BE LFAST FRIDAY 21ST NOVEMBE R 2025 SPONSORED BY

Sponsor Spotlight Ireland’s Kitchen Trade Awards will take place Friday, November 21st at the Titanic Buildings Belfast An evening of entertainment, networking, and industry excellence awaits you at Ireland’s Kitchen Trade Awards in November.

S

AWARDS SPONSORS

et to be the biggest night of the year for the trade, Ireland’s Kitchen Trade Awards is a celebration of everything that makes the Irish industry a major competitor on the global stage. Of course, it wouldn’t be possible without the awards’ fantastic sponsors...

SPONSOR A CATEGORY Align yourself with the best in the business and sponsor one of the few remaining categories. Category sponsorship includes extensive promotion across our print, online and social channels.

Also includes a table for 10 people on the night of the awards.

CATEGORIES STILL AVAILABLE FOR SPONSORSHIP • Top Retailer of the Year • Retail Showroom of the Year • Best Use of Digital Marketing • Sustainable Supplier of the Year For more information on sponsorship opportunities, including category sponsorship, please get in touch with Robert Ashe rashe@ihil.net

ArtiCAD

Sponsor to CONTEMPORARY DESIGN PROJECT UP TO £30,000/€35,000

ArtiCAD’s product portfolio is designed to help you sell

IKT AWARDS 2025

F

rom start-ups to corporates, our stunning CAD software, VR, unique online apps and webtech for kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms and interiors help professionals win sales, manage installations and also deliver an exceptional customer experience: online, in-store and in-home!

Serving design professionals across the globe, our desktop and cloud-based CAD software is geared for your success. Our latest Version 24 sees enhanced rendering - making it even faster to deliver your customer’s dream room space. Fully-featured and simple to use, you can quickly produce compelling designs and manage your customer journey from sales lead right through to installation.

Engage and convert more website visitors into qualified leads and customers too with our superb online webtech. From simple 2D and 3D planners and visualisers that drive leads into your sales process to brand new tech that manages your end-to-end customer experience, from inspiration to project installation - we have the ultimate tools all designed to help you sell.

Wow customers and seal the deal using our latest presentation tech to showcase your designs. Our ground-breaking online Virtual Reality software delivers compelling and immersive experiences at the press of a button and comes with colour change and Virtual Online Meetings add-on options. Share and experience presentations with clients face-to-face, on-screen or very easily online via a URL - or even ‘within’ the design itself using ArtiVR Virtual Meetings! Brilliant for impressing clients and securing sales online.

We’ve always gone the extra mile to ensure your business has everything it needs to cost, quote, and manage with ease. With our latest ‘Live Pricing’ innovation, powered by ArtiCAD’s leading online pricing and management system, KBBConnect, you can witness realtime updates to pricing on your ArtiCAD design screen as you add, modify, or remove items within your designs. Working seamlessly in one design screen or optimally with dual-screen, now you can access everything you need - all in one system.

Our planners and visualisers, CAD, VR, AI, CGI, animations, CRM, EDI, ERP and MRP - as well as our outstanding customer services - are all designed to help you sell.

Finally, if you crave a solution to a specific business challenge or want something completely custom - look no further. ArtiCAD’s experts are ready to deliver! articad.com

EVENT SPONSORED BY

Cosentino

Ireland’s Kitchen Trade Awards Overall Sponsor

Case Study Name: Gina Daly Application: Kitchen Cosentino product: Dekton – Reverie (Velvet finish) Fabricator/Stonemason: Granite & Marble Crafts

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a new addition) along with the high backsplash and the kitchen floor.

Gina and her husband Karol went to Cosentino’s showroom in Fonthill because as she says ‘nothing beats seeing, feeling and touching the product, understanding the texture of the stone, pattern and styles’. She immediately spotted Dekton Reverie on a display island and fell in love!

She adds, ‘Many people when they are spending money on a kitchen go neutral perhaps afraid of coloured stone or product that contains colour’ but she feels the coloured veins in the stone chosen for her kitchen creates a ‘wow element – we went with the velvet finish so there is less shine in the kitchen’.

Gina credits Itan from Cosentino at helping her make this the kitchen of her dreams ‘I still stand at the door and still gasp – I stand in it all day and love every moment I spend in it. It’s the hub of our home - I talk, school, and do homework at the peninsula. I can honestly say it elevates what I do and is just a wonderful space to work in day-in-dayout and without a doubt that is because of what Cosentino brings to my kitchen’. Gina also made reference to the team of stonemasons and installers at Granite & Marble Crafts, for their professionalism, ‘to misquote Liam Neeson they have a particular set of skills and it was so interesting to see how the slabs are cut and installed with such precision.

And it was an added bonus to hear that the business was so local to us’.

Gina adds, ‘I am in the lucky position that I work with a lot of brands commercially but few evolve into rewarding relationships, however, that’s what I have with Itan, Sean and all the team at Cosentino. The Dublin warehouse is such a great reflection of this premium Spanish brand and I couldn’t recommend it more’.

EVENT SPONSORED BY

IKT AWARDS 2025

est-selling cookbook author, food and lifestyle influencer and lover of an air-fryer, Gina Daly says every night she leaves her kitchen she follows Mrs. Hinch’s advice to ‘put her kitchen to bed,’ whilst pinching herself as the kitchen which is, for the Daly family ‘the heart of the house,’ their dream kitchen.

In her previous kitchen, Gina had as her kitchen worktops Dekton by Cosentino in the Liquid Sky colour, and it was so loved by Gina that she questioned if she could use it again in her new sage green kitchen. For Gina, ‘once you have Dekton, you never go back! However, when I talked to Itan Garrido, Marketing Manager at Cosentino, she advised another visit to the showroom in Fonthill, which I was only too happy to do as our first experience with Cosentino’s Team had been so positive for us’.

Gina recognises cost is a factor, ‘Dekton is an expensive option but when you spend time in the showroom and you get to understand the work that goes into each slab, the technology and product knowledge I feel it more than justifies the cost – in my eyes it is worth every penny. For me – there is NO comparison. With my chef head on, it is mind-blowing to me that I can take a roasting hot cast iron dish out of the oven and put it on the countertop without fear of burning/cracks – NOTHING is going to damage it’.

‘For me another huge plus is that it doesn’t stain. As a chef I use strong spices that can really stain such as turmeric, paprika – even the common tea bag can do damage to a worktop. It’s the easiest product to live with, because with children – it’s stress free’.

Gina’s sage green kitchen with copper elements is elevated by Cosentino. The kitchen countertops, as well as the peninsula (which is

Profile: N.A.A.

Putting People at the Heart of N.A.A. Celebrating 101 years in business, Luke Hickey, N.A.A. Managing Director, tells IKTG what is ahead for the Irish supplier after a year of transformation in 2024.

Luke Hickey, N.A.A. Managing Director

N

.A.A. is a fourth-generation family business founded by my greatgrandfather James Hickey in 1924.

We are one of the very few family businesses, in Ireland or anywhere else, to have survived to a fourth generation! We are one of Ireland’s leading suppliers to the kitchen, furniture and packaging industries, with a hundred years of quality and innovation under our belt.

Our philosophy has always been that ‘people are at the heart of every decision we make’ and that comes through in the way our team of experts goes out of its way to provide our customers with high-quality, cost-effective and tailored solutions to their individual needs.

Our operation includes our core business of supplying the kitchen and furniture sector (with products like Hettich hinges and drawers); our Appliances division (featuring premium brands like Liebherr fridges and JURA coffee machines); and our Adhesives division (including top-tier products from H.B. Fuller and Beardow Adams).

As a family business competing with multinationals, I would say that N.A.A. goes above and beyond to deliver tailored solutions

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that work for each of our customers. That individual touch is so important, especially when it’s backed up by a really strong commitment to quality, as embodied by our product offering which features only leading European suppliers. I also believe we have the most technically skilled sales and support teams in Ireland.

pressure on supply chains while closer to home, the housing crisis has undoubtedly challenged N.A.A. and others to maintain market share by delivering superior products. In spite of these complexities, we have maintained our efficiency and growth, and were proud to win Silver at the Retail and Wholesale Family Business of the Year awards.

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN 2024

RECENT STRATEGIC CHANGE FOR N.A.A. POSITIONS THEM AS A STRONG COMPETITOR IN THE IRISH MARKET

In a challenging and competitive landscape, I’m happy to say that 2024 was a transformative year for N.A.A. Our most notable achievement was the acquisition of Stephen Miller Packaging Ltd (SMPL), which has allowed us to significantly expand our adhesives offering with products including Beardow Adams and H.B. Fuller’s extensive ranges. This has reinforced our position as a leader in the adhesives market in Ireland – one of our goals at the start of 2024.

On a wider economic level, the geopolitical turmoil in Ukraine, Gaza and the US has put

The acquisition of SMPL has been a gamechanger for N.A.A., no question. It has seamlessly doubled our adhesives product portfolio – without any significant additional overheads – and enabled us to leverage the expertise and backing of H.B. Fuller, a global leader in adhesives with net revenue of $3.57 billion (2024).

The addition of Peter Curry has also strengthened our leadership in the adhesives space while our retention of key Beardow N.A.A. Adhesives

Ireland’s Kitchen Trade Guide March/April 2025

The Hickey family

Adams accounts, as well as stable pricing, further reinforced the acquisition’s success.

We’re now at the forefront of the adhesives sector in Ireland.

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH IRISH RETAILERS

Although N.A.A. primarily operates as a B2B supplier rather than serving traditional retailers, we work very hard on those relationships in terms of anticipating, designing and delivering solutions that will work for our customers.

I believe it’s our job to know what our customers want – not theirs – so we have to be able to put ourselves in their shoes and understand where they’re coming from and what they’re trying to achieve.

And a lot of that comes down to the experience of our sales and support teams, who are among the most knowledgeable in the

market. We know that if we don’t take care of our customers, our competitors will. That means delivering on every promise – if we say we’ll do something, we do it.

KEY PRODUCTS

movement solution; FlyMoon Corner System by VIBO, an innovative corner storage solution; a new PU paint range from Fujichem Sonneborn (FCS); and a new range of screws from Italian manufacturer Mustad.

More significantly, we also plan to expand into a new market sector – all will be revealed in due course! – while launching our new website and e-commerce platform. 2024 was a great year for us but as we enter our 101st year in business, I believe 2025 will be even better.

LOOKING AHEAD

N.A.A. Crosslands Business Park Lr Ballymount Rd Dublin 12 D12 E292 +353 (01) 460 0064 info@naa.ie

We are proud of all our products so it’s hard to play favourites! If I had to choose today, though, I would definitely highlight the Hettich AvanTech YOU Drawer System (a customisable drawer system with incredible design flexibility); the Liebherr Monolith refrigeration system; and the fantastic range of H.B. Fuller Sustainable Packaging Solutions. Three truly outstanding solutions in their respective spaces.

In the short term, we are looking forward to unveiling some exciting new products including FurnSpin by Hettich, a revolutionary furniture

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Column

Ireland’s Kitchen Trade Guide March/April 2025

Do you know enough about the new Employment Rights proposals?

Submit your feedback on the proposed Employment Rights Bill says FSB’s Graeme Weir

GRAEME WEIR, MEMBERSHIP ADVISOR FSB

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he Labour Government introduced its Employment Rights Bill to Parliament in October, declaring it the first phase of its ‘Plan to Make Work Pay’. Their proposals will apply in England, Scotland and Wales, however the Bill has many parallels to what is being proposed in Northern Ireland, where responsibility for employment law is devolved.

Stormont’s Department for the Economy has proposed its own Employment Rights Bill - a massive 160 page set of proposals to reform workplaces in Northern Ireland which was released as the ‘Good Jobs - Employment Rights Bill Consultation’ over last summer’s holidays.

Most business owners seem entirely unaware of the existence of this Bill and its potential impacts, so we would advise all NI employers, no matter what size your business, that if you aren’t already aware of the proposals, then it’s time to sit up and take notice. FSB NI submitted our response to the Employment Rights Consultation last September and we are now approaching the ‘business end’ of the legislative process. The Assembly’s Committee for the Economy began its scrutiny work in mid January taking feedback from Department for the Economy officials on last summer’s consultation and begins taking evidence from other witnesses.

Tina McKenzie, who is FSB’s UK Policy and Advocacy Chair, has already warned the UK Government that its own Bill will fail to motivate small businesses to hire more workers and, with growth flatlining, that the economy is in no fit state for a ‘war on work’.

Similarly, whilst we commend the Department’s ambition to foster good jobs and welcome a number of the proposed changes, particularly those that are a sensible updating of Northern Ireland’s employment laws, the objective of seeing good terms and conditions for employees must not come at the price of making Northern Ireland overly bureaucratic and uncompetitive for investment and growth.

If unbalanced legislation were to be forced through, it risks working against the intended objective of good jobs.

Within those businesses that are aware of the proposals there is great concern at some, especially those that seek to extend trade union activity into some of our smallest firms,

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FSB MEMBER FOCUS GROUP ON PROPOSED “GOOD JOBS BILL”

such as reducing the ‘threshold number’ of employees required for a trade union to seek formal recognition, which the Department wants to slash from the current 21 employees down to just 10, along with the introduction of sectoral collective bargaining. Day one rights will also be an area of concern for our SMEs and should be examined in terms of impact on smaller teams. At FSB, we have been engaging with our members and listening attentively to understand their views of the proposals and also to consider what further measures could be included to alleviate other potentials costs to business.

FSB recommended that the Department apply SAMBITs – ‘Small and Micro Business Impact Tests’ to really understand the potential impact on small firms of any legislative proposals.

The Department and the NI Executive need to ensure that they get the balance right to help create more good jobs across Northern Ireland, otherwise the proposals in the Employment

Rights Bill could have a massively negative impact on businesses, slowing growth and hindering the economy at precisely the time we need business to be unleashed so it can deliver the growth and jobs that will be needed to help pay to rebuild our crumbling public services and infrastructure. We are keen to hear the opinions of small businesses across all sectors and urge those within trades and other sectors to take note of the proposals and how it may affect their plans.

For any advice on employment, FSB members receive 24/7 legal advice through our helpline contact fsbni@fsb.org.uk for more information on this and the forthcoming proposals.

If you want to have a conversation about FSB membership, contact Graeme on Graeme.Weir@fsb.org.uk or click this QR Code.

Report

Ireland’s Kitchen Trade Guide March/April 2025

Going Green A closer look at the role sustainability plays in the Irish kitchen industry

Caesarstone, 5140 Dreamy Carrara. caesarstone.co.uk

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Report

Ireland’s Kitchen Trade Guide March/April 2025

I

n Issue 77 we identified sustainability as one of the biggest trends for 2025 in the Irish kitchen industry with a large proportion of the trade stating that it would be a key priority for their business going into this year. This follows a report released by EY in November 2024 which reported 81 per cent of Irish businesses having upped their focus on sustainability over the last year due to market and stakeholder concerns.

Those in the trade will know that there are several ways to make kitchen installation more sustainable – using more natural or recyclable materials, low-VOC paints, prioritising energyefficient appliances – but in a climate where consumers are more switched on in regards to green washing, we find out what the industry is doing to stay ahead when it comes to sustainability.

‘Sustainability is no longer simply a buzzword. It’s a conscious mindset and a lifestyle choice’

Crystalline Silica-Free Surface, 5110 Alpine Mist, Caesarstone. caesarstone.co.uk

Jonathan Stanley

Jonathan Stanley,

VP of Marketing at Caesarstone UK & ROI Since pioneering quartz countertops almost four decades ago, Caesarstone has continued to innovate in both aesthetics and performance, expanding into porcelain, mineral, and crystalline silica-free surfaces. Porcelain provides bold design options, whilst its UV resistance and weatherproof qualities make it equally suitable for indoor and outdoor spaces.

The brand’s mineral surfaces are crafted using up to 40 per cent recycled materials, offering customers an eco-friendly and low-silica worktop choice that beautifully merges form and function. Caesarstone’s crystalline silicafree range – the most recent addition to the brand’s portfolio – is formulated with up to 80 per cent recycled content, resulting in superior sustainability, exceptional robustness, and remarkable design versatility.

Caesarstone holds a steadfast commitment to our planet’s wellbeing, as demonstrated in its latest Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) progress report. Additionally, Caesarstone is proud to have an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) certification, providing transparency on the sustainability of its products. Caesarstone has also earned ISO 14001 (environmental management standard), ISO 9001 (quality management standard), and NSF (public health and safety) certification, has third-party verified Declare Label status, and offers a unique Lifetime Warranty across all residential applications.

JONATHAN STANLEY, VP of Marketing at Caesarstone UK & ROI, said, ‘In 2025, sustainability is no longer simply a buzzword.

It’s a conscious mindset and a lifestyle choice – making eco-friendly interior design a key aspect of responsible living. This ongoing trend emphasises the importance of materials that are not only visually appealing, but also

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Crystalline Silica-Free Surface, 5110 Alpine Mist, Caesarstone. caesarstone.co.uk

environmentally conscious.

‘In line with this, our Mineral Surface designs have been developed to contain eco-friendly and recycled elements (up to 40%). This range provides Low-Silica worktop options, offering more technologically advanced and sustainable products than ever before – whilst maintaining the durability and ease of maintenance that Caesarstone is renowned for.

‘More recently, we introduced our Crystalline Silica-Free range, starting with 5110 Alpine Mist. The new range is formulated with natural materials and up to 80 per cent recycled content, resulting in superior resistance, exceptional robustness and remarkable design versatility. At Caesarstone, we have transitioned much of our portfolio over to Mineral Surfaces, with the aim to transition more designs progressively to low-silica or silica-free alternatives in the near future.’

Report ‘Consumers place increased value on sustainable products but they are more aware than ever of green washing’

Audrey Whelan

Audrey Whelan

Interior Designer & Furniture Consultant Sustainability within design is a subject I’m fascinated by, especially in terms of seeing how people’s attitudes have evolved. I’ve been working in interiors for 25 years, and back in 2009 when I started my own business, the driving force behind consumer decision making was cost, but over time mentalities have shifted, and now people are much more invested in making good, long-term decisions as well as considering the sustainability credentials of their furniture.

Saying that, consumers are more aware than ever of green washing and can see through sustainability claims that aren’t authentic. If a product is marketed as eco-friendly consumers aren’t necessarily going to jump to spend their money because they’ve been told to; it is about thinking about the lifecycle of what they bring into their homes and trying to avoid sending things to landfill.

When it comes to kitchens, consumers are more likely to choose carefully because it is usually a higher value purchase compared to other areas of the home and they want to get it right. If a client can visualise a long-term benefit they are happy to spend more but there needs to be added value for them. For this reason, painted kitchens have been one of the most popular finishes for a number of years now because of the option to repair and change colour over time.

This consciousness about a product’s lifespan is also apparent when purchasing appliances.

Consumers are really starting to see the value of a greater initial outlay for something that will last the test of time. Generally, people are more aware about energy ratings in the first instance but there also seems to be a greater emphasis on products that you can buy replacement components for rather than just replacing them

IG Woodcraft. igwoodcraft.ie

IG Woodcraft. igwoodcraft.ie

when they break. No one wants to be sending a washing machine or a dishwasher to landfill after a few years, if they can help it.

Similarly, there are some hesitations around high-spec technology because of the fear that as technology changes so rapidly the latest products could become obsolete but again, if the client feels it meets their needs in a variety of ways they are willing to purchase.

Part of the sustainability movement is bringing things back to basics which is something I’m increasingly seeing in the colours client are choosing. I collaborate with IG Woodcraft Kitchens & Interiors and have seen a rise in their clients opting for neutral colourways when choosing a kitchen.

Homeowners are now opting to incorporate colour in other ways, whether that be on their walls or in their soft furnishings therefore

extending the use of their built-in furniture.

People can be more adventurous with colour when it can be easily changed and with the painted kitchens I am seeing clients opt for more than one colour and mixing it with natural wood features to provide additional contrast.

I really like to see my clients incorporating something existing into their homes, for example, an inherited piece of furniture or mixing some antiques with newer pieces.

Recently I had a client who repurposed a mahogany panel that they found when refurbishing their house into a shelf. It’s always worth checking if you have some interesting original material within your property that can be made into something new as it carries on the tradition of the house as well as being a more sustainable option than buying new. audreywhelan.com

ECO EDIT

Lawrenson in Shell and Antique Red, Uform Uform’s timber raw materials are FSC-C113193® certified meaning they’re made from well-managed forests, recycling, and other controlled sources.

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Blast Chiller, Smeg The blast chiller quickly and effectively lowers the temperature of high temperature foods for storage purposes, reducing food waste and boosting sustainability in everyday life.

Maris Appliances, Franke Franke’s A+ energy-rated Maris Appliances range of ovens and hobs include a host of technical functions including CookAssist and Eco Modes which help reduce the amount of energy consumed.

Ireland’s Kitchen Trade Guide March/April 2025

‘Evergreen: Both a colour trend and a societal shift’ Lewis Neathey

Leader, Product Management LIXIL EMENA, and GROHE UK Both a colour trend and a continued societal shift, the ‘Evergreen’ trend will see green, and earthy nature inspired hues become an interior staple once more, alongside increased biophilic design and eco-friendly fittings.

Shades of green, brown, and milky creams will be utilised depending on personal preference, with focus on reconnecting with nature and conscious living. Trend forecasting experts WGSN has identified ‘Transformative Teal’ as its Colour of the Year for 2026 which represents change and redirection, with focus on a complex climate challenge.

Elsewhere, The Pantone Colour InstituteTM announced Mocha Mousse as its Colour of the Year for 2025 described as ‘a rich brown hue infused with earthy refinement’. The earthy brown shade offers rich comfort, with luxurious undertones that will be seen across all touch points within the home.

Beyond colour choices, we’ll continue to see a demand for eco-friendly fittings that provide day-to-day functionality along with resource efficiency and guilt-free usage such as opting for recycled materials, and low-flow bathroom fittings such as the new

Grohe Blue Pure Eurosmart

Lewis Neathey

GROHE Cubeo basin mixer that come equipped with waterefficient EcoJoy technology.

Customers will also seek to invest in quality fittings at the initial specification stage, as they begin to tire from excess waste generated from affordable alternatives, and look to prioritise longevity and quality, compared to an upfront saving. grohe.co.uk

Laragh Hickey

‘Introducing a new sustainability policy for 2025’ Laragh Hickey

Managing Director, N.A.A.

CBa 5123: In an energy efficiency class of its own Liebherr has reached another milestone on its journey of continuously developing improved solutions for greater sustainability: The ICBa 5123 has become the world’s first fully integrated fridge-freezer in energy efficiency class A. The appliance features the intelligent BioFresh technology, which also contributes to a more responsible use of resources: BioFresh technology ensures that fresh food stays fresh for noticeably longer by storing it at an ideal humidity and a perfect temperature, close to 0 °C. The ability to store food for longer then means that less gets wasted.

We’ll be launching our new sustainability policy in Q1 2025, and this will underpin our many existing sustainability initiatives which include solar panels on our company HQ; three fully electric vehicles (and one hybrid) in our fleet; complete transition to LED lighting, both interior and exterior; as well as a strong focus on eco-friendly suppliers such as Rubio Monocoat, H.B. Fuller and FCS. Like most companies, we’re always looking for ways to improve our sustainability performance and be a more responsible business. naa.ie

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Feature

Ireland’s Kitchen Trade Guide March/April 2025

Organise your workflow with ChatGPT Make 2025 your most organised year yet by utilising these organisational tools

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enerative artificial intelligence chatbot, ChatGPT was launched in 2022 and since then has grown in popularity with consumers who use it for anything from generating poems, to making images, and answering questions they are struggling to find the solution to on a search engine. Despite its light-hearted use, ChatGPT can be a useful commodity for businesses hoping to streamline their administrative tasks and allocate fewer resources to everyday tasks which don’t require specialised knowledge.

Here, we have compiled a list of prompts to help you get the most out of this free AI program.

RESPOND TO EMAILS

If you have ever dreaded sifting through your overflowing inbox at the end of the day, then ChatGPT can help. Don’t waste precious working hours struggling to think of the correct wording for an email or respond to a challenging request, instead ask the software to provide a response for you. Furthermore, you can also upload emails you have drafted yourself and ask the software to amend the text to ensure the tone is professional.

Examples of different scenarios in which you can employ ChatGPT to help you organise your inbox:

MARKETING

Example prompt: “Write a persuasive email introducing our sustainable kitchen designs to potential customers. Keep it professional but engaging.”

FOLLOW-UPS

Example prompt: “Write a follow-up email to a potential customer who showed interest in our services but hasn’t responded.”

HANDLING COMPLAINTS

Example prompt: “Write a professional but empathetic email to a customer who is concerned about lead times on their kitchen installation.”

SUPPLIER NEGOTIATIONS

Example prompt: “Write an email to a supplier requesting better pricing for bulk orders”

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CUSTOMER FEEDBACK

Example prompt: “Write a customer feedback email template to request reviews after a kitchen installation”

TASK MANAGEMENT

Use ChatGPT to create to-do lists and break down projects into steps. By giving the software details of tasks that need completed it can organise your tasks from most to least important and provide you with a time frame for completion.

MEETING PREPARATION

Prior to a meeting ask the software to create an agenda and highlight key points of discussion.

Afterwards, upload the minutes from the meeting and ask the software to summarise the notes and list key takeaways.

Prompt: “Based on this meeting summary, what are the next action steps?”

IDEA GENERATION

If you ever find yourself working after hours or brainstorming on your commute, use ChatGPT to bounce ideas off instead of your colleagues.

Tell the program your latest idea and ask it to list the pros and cons associated with it. You can also ask it to suggest new ideas relating to a project you are working on or even ask for a solution to a problem you are experiencing.

Prompt: “Suggest ways to streamline our customer sign up process”

TEMPLATE CREATION

Instead of allocating valuable resources within the business to create standard admin documents you can ask ChatGPT to create a uniform set of invoice and quotation templates including spaces for itemised products and VAT. Prompt: “Format this list of customer details into a structured table for easy entry into a CRM”

SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT IDEAS & STRATEGY Rather than spending time researching social media trends organically, you can ask ChatGPT to give you the most-used TikTok sounds in the last week or to suggest 10 trending content ideas that can be used to promote your niche on social media. You can also ask it to generate a selection of highperforming hashtags relating to the kitchen industry in Ireland.

Once you have an idea of the type of content you want to produce, ask the software to create a content calendar featuring the desired number of posts per week on the platforms you use.

Prompt: “Summarise our latest blog post into three Instagram carousel slides”

SCRIPT WRITING If you have just started out making shortform video content for Instagram and TikTok, ChatGPT can help with suggesting the types of videos you should be making for your brand, including giving you suggestions for a strong ‘hook’ and ‘call to action’ to reel your audience in. If you have already created the content, upload it and ask ChatGPT to critique it and suggest ways in which it could be made more relatable to your target audience.

Prompt: “Suggest an idea for an Instagram reel featuring a customer review”

Ireland’s BathroomTrade Guide

ISSUE 7 OUT NOW

Ireland’s

Sponsored by

GUIDE

BathroomTrade

Winter 2024/25 Issue 07

BATHROOM DESIGNERS COULD WIN €10,000 WITH COSENTINO

Consentino announces The Bathelier Challenge, offering professional designers the chance to win a generous €10,000 cash prize and the title of The Bathetier of the Year.

C

osentino, a global leader in sustainable surfaces for architecture and design, has announced The Bathelier Challenge, an initiative to celebrate creativity and innovation in bathroom design. As part of its Cosentino Bathroom programme, the competition invites designers across Europe to showcase projects that transform bathrooms into spaces of connection and emotion.

The Bathelier Challenge is open to professional designers and interior designers who are members of Cosentino’s C·Top Design platform in their respective countries.

Designers can register for the plaftform via the Cosentino website. Participants can submit completed bathroom designs from 2023–2024 that incorporate materials from at least one of Cosentino’s brands, such as Silestone®, Dekton®, Sensa by Cosentino®, or Scalea®.

Eligible projects must feature these materials in applications such as flooring, cladding, shower trays, washbasins, or countertops.

Renderings are not permitted, and only completed designs will be considered.

HOW TO ENTER

Entry is straightforward. Designers must log in to the C·Top Design platform and submit a form, including high-resolution images and a high-definition video of their project. The deadline for submissions is 30 January 2025.

RECOGNITION AND PRIZES

A jury comprising Cosentino representatives and prominent European designers will select the winning project, which will be crowned “The Bathelier of the Year.” The winner will receive a €10,000 cash prize, along with extensive exposure through Cosentino’s platforms and social media channels. The award ceremony will be held at the Cosentino City closest to the winner’s residence within 60 days of the announcement.

Three additional finalists will also be recognised, with each receiving a globally promoted case study highlighting their designs.

INSPIRATION BEHIND THE CHALLENGE

The competition is inspired by The Bathelier, Cosentino’s exclusive collection of bathroom

designs, which combines art, functionality, and innovation. The collection features iconic designs from renowned names such as Remy Meijers, Claudia Afshar, Daniel Germani, Colin Seah, and MUT Design.

These collaborations explore the versatility of Cosentino’s materials, resulting in striking and functional spaces.

The Bathelier Challenge was officially launched in October 2024 during the second edition of C·Next Designers Europe, an event that brought together 220 professionals from over 30 countries.

For more information and to enter the competition, visit cosentino.ie

KEY DATES: • Submission Deadline: 30 January 2025 • Winner Announcement: 15 February 2025 Cosentino’s commitment to fostering innovation and supporting both emerging and established design talent continues to shape the future of bathroom spaces.

FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF • IRELAND’S HOMES INTERIORS & LIVING MAGAZINE • IRELAND’S KITCHEN GUIDE • IRELAND’S KITCHEN TRADE GUIDE

ibtg.ie

@irelandsbathroomtrade

@irelandsbathroomtrade

scan here to visit ibtg.ie & subscribe for your free copy

@Irelandsbathroomtradeguide

Social Stars

7 Tips for Connecting with Customers on Linkedin Growing your brand presence and connecting with consumers on the world’s largest professional network

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inkedIn, like any other social media platform, requires a targeted strategy that will help you connect with likeminded professionals and reach your ideal client base.

While the platform is best suited to businesses with a B2B interest, connecting with consumers is also possible with the right marketing plan.

1. OPTIMISE YOUR PROFILE AND COMPANY PAGE

Your profile will be your shop front on LinkedIn so ensure the images that you use are high-quality and represent your business professionally. Many companies opt to use a logo for their profile picture and use the banner to showcase what their business is about.

Leave viewers with no doubts about your company message by writing a concise and engaging description in the ‘About Section’.

Include your sector, your expertise, and what makes your business unique. For example,

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do you produce innovative designs, use ecofriendly materials, or offer bespoke design services?

A memorable tagline will catch the attention of potential clients but make sure to include a strong call to action, such as, ‘Contact us to transform your kitchen space’ to complete the messaging.

Lastly, don’t forget to adequately showcase your products and services using a combination of images and videos. Regularly update this section as not only does it show your best work, it also signals to customers that you are active and open to being contacted.

2. CONTENT STRATEGY

While LinkedIn is predominately for connecting with colleagues and peers within industry, sharing informative and engaging posts will capture the attention of others within your target market. There is no need to reinvent

the wheel when posting on LinkedIn, use visuals you already have for other platforms and repackage them for a more professional audience.

Share before-and-after images of kitchen projects and give virtual tours of recent kitchens you have designed alongside more educational posts. Add value for your customers and position yourself as an authority in the industry by writing posts that feature inside knowledge and tips such as ‘5 Mistakes to Avoid When Planning a New Kitchen’. Use a mix of trending and niche hashtags like #IrishKitchenDesign, #LuxuryInteriors, #CustomManufacturing so that your audience can find you.

3. NETWORKING WITH INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS

Join relevant groups to find ‘your people’ and participate in conversations that are focused on kitchen design and the interior’s industry

Ireland’s Kitchen Trade Guide March/April 2025

‘

A memorable tagline will catch the attention of potential clients but make sure to include a strong call to action, such as, ‘Contact us to

‘

transform your kitchen space’ to complete the messaging.

to share insights and connect with likeminded people. The aim is to build relationships so that you establish a curated feed of posts and people that you can learn from and that will inspire ideas that will drive your business forward.

You can also engage with influencers within the space and follow and comment on their posts to raise your profile. Join in the conversation and share your expertise where it is required. LinkedIn is a great platform to share knowledge and shout about what you do best!

Unlike other platforms where users are required to post as much content as possible, 3-5 posts per week on LinkedIn is sufficient. Use a mix of consumer-orientated content and industryspecific posts to ensure you reach a range of different audiences. Unsurprisingly, the best days to post are weekdays when professionals are at work. Aim for early mornings (7-9 am) or afternoons (3-5 pm), as these are high engagement periods. Timings are not an exact science though, so play around with what works for your specific audience.

Like other platforms, you can avail of targeted ads that will whittle down your audience. An advantage of using LinkedIn is its ability to target individuals by their job title.

Other platforms, will offer this, but LinkedIn is the only social media site where you can guarantee everyone has their job title listed.

Think about the types of clients your business usually attracts, for example, if you offer a more premium product you may want to target high level executives based in your area of the country. As well as consumers, you can also target industry professionals such as architects and designers to increase your brand awareness.

5. ADVERTISING STRATEGY

6. INBOX ADS

4. POST FREQUENCY & TIMING

Like other platforms LinkedIn offers advertising services for those that wish to avail. LinkedIn ads are usually priced higher than on other social media sites so ensure you have a sound strategy before opting to invest.

In terms of the ad format, LinkedIn is renowned for its messenger ads which allow advertisers to send direct messages to potential customers.

Unlike regular ads that appear on a person’s feed you can access an individual directly

through their inbox. This has a more personal feel to it but relies on you choosing your target audience wisely so the recipient doesn’t feel like it is spam.

If you’d rather use a more traditional format you can also choose from sponsored content, banner ads, or video ads that use visually appealing images of previous projects or a visual hook that will draw viewers in.

7. BUILD TRUST WITH YOUR AUDIENCE

While LinkedIn isn’t the first social media platform potential clients might look for their new kitchen, everyone on LinkedIn is also a consumer. Don’t forget to share any awards you have received or trade shows you and your team attend. By demonstrating you are an engaged and knowledgeable person within your sector you build credibility in your brand and also yourself.

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Movers and Shakers

Ireland’s Kitchen Trade Guide March/April 2025

Haier named Top Employer 2025 Haier Smart Home UK & Ireland Ltd has been awarded a Top Employer accreditation for the third year in a row

Supply Chain Manager

T

he award, which is based on the results of the Top Employers Institute HR Best Practices Survey, recognises organisations that exhibit excellent HR policies and people practices.

The survey covers six HR domains consisting of 20 topics including people strategy, work environment, talent acquisition, learning, diversity, equity & inclusion, wellbeing and more.

Matthew Given, Haier Smart Home UK & Ireland Group HR Director said this award highlights the dedication of the UK and Ireland HR and leadership teams.

‘This award is a great achievement. It not only demonstrates our commitment to excellence but also reinforces our pledge to keep improving what we do. At Haier Smart Home, we care about our people, and we’ll continue to evolve our initiatives to better serve

both our colleagues and our business.’

The Top Employers Institute has certified and recognised over 2,400 Top Employers across 125 countries.

Top Employers Institute CEO David Plink added, ‘Consistency in a not-so-consistent world? Amidst constant change through technological advances, economic shifts, and evolving social landscapes it is inspiring to see people and organisations rise to the challenge.’

N.A.A.

Peter Curry

Peter Curry

Sales Director, Adhesives Division

Peter Curry joined N.A.A. in January 2024 as part of the company’s acquisition of Stephen Miller Packaging, a move that consolidated N.A.A.’s position as Ireland’s foremost distributor to the adhesives sector.

He has overseen a smooth transition for Stephen Miller Packaging’s former client base, while bolstering growth and innovation in N.A.A.’s growing adhesives division, where the Dublin-based company is now the exclusive distributor of H.B. Fuller and Beardow Adams adhesives in Ireland.

Commenting on the appointment of Peter Curry as Sales Director, LUKE HICKEY, Managing Director of N.A.A., said, ‘Peter’s promotion to Sales Director reflects his exceptional contributions to our adhesives division. His deep knowledge of the industry, combined with his ability to build strong relationships with clients, has been key to our continued growth and success in 2024.

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ABODE Eva-Maria Hickey

David Hayes

‘The strategic acquisition of Stephen Miller Packaging transformed our adhesives offering and, with the benefit of Peter’s expertise and leadership, I am confident we will continue to deliver world-class solutions to our customers.’

With H.B. Fuller, the world’s largest pureplay adhesives company, and Beardow Adams, a global leader in industrial adhesives, now part of N.A.A.’s portfolio, the company offers an unrivalled range of adhesive solutions tailored to today’s market demands, including e-commerce, food safety and sustainability.

David Hayes

Regional Sales Manager

David Hayes has been with N.A.A. for nearly 22 years, joining the family-owned firm as a warehouse operator before progressing to the trade counter and then rising through the company’s sales division.

An expert in solutions from suppliers such as Hettich, a leading name in kitchen and

Eva began her career as a Customer Service Advisor before joining an Operational Management Trainee program with Fellowes.

Eva worked her way up the ladder from roles at a software company as Business Operational Supervisor to Operations & Supply Chain Manager at Storopack, a protective packaging manufacturer. Working closely with senior leadership teams to implement KPIs and create shorter lead times, Eva progressed as European Operation Manager and Group Supply Chain Director, leading both Purchasing Teams and European Warehouse managers at SALUS Controls, renowned for its smart home technology.

Ian Lodge

Technical Manager

Ian brings extensive experience to Abode within category and project management, paired with a natural curiosity for the technical side.

He was previously Product Manager at Wirquin, and Assistant Product Category Manager at City Plumbing which gave him valuable insights into customer and supplier perspectives. This wide-ranging background gives him the “big-picture” mindset which the Abode family values and always seeks to nurture.

furniture products, David’s technical expertise and experience have strengthened N.A.A.’s partnerships and delivered positive results for customers. N.A.A. Managing Director LUKE HICKEY says his appointment as Regional Sales Manager is a testament to his own hard work and to N.A.A.’s values of loyalty, growth and talent development.

He said, ‘David Hayes is the embodiment of what N.A.A. stands for as a family business with over 100 years of history and a company that has always prioritised excellence, innovation and investing in our people.

‘David’s steady progression and unwavering commitment made him a natural choice for a leadership role. His deep expertise in our product range adds immense value to N.A.A. and to our clients, and I am confident he will continue to inspire our team and drive success in his new role as Regional Sales Manager.

‘The promotions of Peter and David will further drive N.A.A.’s growth as Ireland’s leading distributor of adhesives, hardware, finishing and appliance solutions.’

Trends

Ireland’s Kitchen Trade Guide March/April 2025

2025 Sink and Tap Trends Abode reveals what will be hot this year in the tap and sink categories

P

aul Illingworth, Design Manager at Abode says, ‘Must-have sinks and taps remain focused on precision design and performance, with long-term sustainability goals placing new emphasis on natural materials, durable finishes, and added extras like restricted flow rates, sensor technology, and eco settings. With the main aim to save energy and water, early feedback from specialist KBB retailers report that 52 per cent of homeowners will consider doing renovations in 2025, with 1/5 making significant long-term savings to help keep pace with the rising cost of living.’

SINKS STYLE

Synergy between the furniture, sink, and taps is the latest style trend influencing modern kitchen design, and this level of coordination is encouraging a look which is highly sophisticated and perfectly streamlined. With this in mind, sinks which are designed without tap decks are now the go-to for anyone wanting a truly contemporary aesthetic. By mounting the taps behind the sink, you can opt for either horizontal or vertical orientation, so the bowl and surrounding surface area remains untouched – ideal if a tap requires three holes.

FINISH

When it comes to material then PVD and granite sinks are on the rise, reflecting the desire to introduce design elements, which are robust and effortlessly take centre stage in the kitchen, utility and laundry room. Top colours in 2025

take inspiration from the very best taps on the market, with sinks in brushed brass and black now topping the charts and making it even easier to coordinate the sink and taps, and even the waste and overflow! Mix-and-match kitchen schemes are also trending right now, with combination finishes proving extremely popular for anyone that prefers a contrast in styles.

FUNCTION

Doubling-up the kitchen sink is number one in 2025. Whether it’s design, capacity or the added extras, you can now increase the functionality of your sink without sacrificing on form or function. If you’re working with a compact kitchen, there are now innovative slimline rinsers that let you fill your sink to the brim and double the water capacity to give you all the benefits of a traditional 1.5 bowl combination with much smaller footprint!

Don’t overlook the accessories in 2025 either, as the latest sink designs are now available with a range of complementary accessories, which are specially designed to increase functionality.

TAPS STYLE

Distinct profiles will continue to influence kitchen mixer taps in 2025, with the latest single and dual lever designs taking the spotlight. Echoed through signature style spouts, quad and swan-neck designs with a sleek silhouette are characterising the

contemporary kitchen with more elaborate, country-style spouts defining the more classic or traditional kitchen space. 3 IN 1 and 4 IN 1 instant hot water taps have also undergone a series of transformations and now, are available with a range of control features like environmentally friendly real wood levers through to solid brass and ceramic options to match contemporary, traditional, industrial and even Scandi-style kitchen scheme.

FINISH

Decorative surface finishes are delivering a strong identity in both the modern and classic kitchen this year, with the very best PVD and matt finishes in white, grey and black topping the charts. The desire for custom design continues to introduce a range of textures and appearances with brass taps rated the most requested finish in 2025 and due to their growing popularity, models are now being offering in brushed and antique variations.

FUNCTION

Function forward style trends have shown the kitchen tap is no longer just for washing the dishes, as the desire for increased efficiency has led to a range of extra design features, which are introducing up to five functions in the wet zone. Working in combination with the latest mixer taps and workstation sinks, the latest trends are showing a taste for complementary handsprays with ergonomic controls and powerful spray action through to water filter taps which are good for the body and the environment.

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New Product Development

Hot off the Press The latest launches from the industry

Küppersbusch launches new refrigeration duo Leading German appliance brand Küppersbusch reveals its K-Series.8 American style refrigeration for 2025.

The premium fridge FKFX9800.0 and sleek freezer FGX9800.0 duo are perfect to pair together to maximise fresh and frozen food storage.

Energy efficient, the E rated appliances feature the latest refrigeration technology and are effortlessly controlled with electronic touch sensors. Perfect for families, the fridge is fully equipped with a generous 470 litre capacity and a substantial 245 litres of freezer storage. In addition, there is an option to add a filtered water dispenser to the FKFX9800.0 and ice maker to the FGX9800.0. Ideal for open plan kitchen schemes, the new models are exceptionally quiet at only 39dB, making it a perfect choice for a relaxing dining experience.

The fridge also offers the ultimate in food preservation technology, with Küppersbusch ChillerZone. The dedicated cooling zone ensures food is kept fresh for up to three times longer than a normal fridge at nearly 0°c. Showcasing a versatile mix of open and drawer storage, both model feature VarioShelves, easy to position at your desired heights and VarioBoxes for complete door organisation. kuppersbusch.com

The redesigned BORA X Pure raises the bar with functionality To mark the start of a generation of overhauled appliances, BORA has redesigned one of its most popular cooktop extractor systems from both a visual and a technical perspective.

With a focus on the user, the new BORA X Pure combines state-of-the-art technology with a highly effective extractor.

The new BORA X Pure with the air inlet nozzle in a pin design is available with two different finishes: a high-gloss glass ceramic finish and – as BORA X Pure Rough – which is significantly more matte than before.

The new air inlet nozzle with a pin design makes it easy to tell the new BORA X Pure apart from its predecessor model and the circular opening offers clear differentiation from

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the models available from other manufacturers, Buyers can choose between a high-gloss glass ceramic finish and a significantly more matte version.

Bora X Pure is the first compact appliance in the industry with a multi-coloured 7-segment indicator. which uses context-based colours to quickly show users the setting modes.

The Bora Assist function intuitively senses

when water is boiling and enables users to set target temperatures for optimum cooking results.

The new BORA X Pure still comes in its generous dimensions of 830 x 515 mm and with all previously loved features, such as the oversized surface induction cooking zones and the (now optimised) automatic pan size recognition function. Bora.com

Ireland’s Kitchen Trade Guide March/April 2025

Sachsenküchen unveils new ‘Softline’ concept

Retailers have access to a flexible range of design elements and side panels, including matching worktops and shelving with a 25mm or 50mm radius edge.

Immediately striking, the soft curves of the Softline concept flow through the entire kitchen and are perfect to create a statement handle-less island, featured here in three new styles, Fabiola book-matched ash nature and Leona walnut, with tall units in Adina Ambra. Designed for modern open plan living, the elegant Softline concept offers true design freedom for retailers

and adds a touch of elegance to a contemporary scheme.

Sachsenküchen offer retailers a host of finishing touches to complete the kitchen space, including organised interior storage, worksurfaces and glass cabinetry. Form and function combined, it’s precision drawer system AccuraBox features six customisable design options and is styled in a stylish anthracite shade.

Fabiola is available in 14 book matched veneer choices and Leona is available in 10 linoleum matt styles with an anti-bacterial easy clean finish.

Sachsenküchen offer over 180 stunning kitchen styles, 54 collections, 32 lacquers, endless RAL/NCS/ Sikkens & new for 2025 – Farrow & Ball colours, over 115 handles and 24 carcass options. sachsenkuechen.de

New stainless steel sink from Clearwater blends style and function Designed with smart, understated features, the Solar sink offers sharp corners, symmetrical draining flutes, and robust engineering.

The single bowl sink with drainer comes in two lengths, and there’s also a 1.5 bowl option, ensuring a perfect fit for a range of kitchen layouts. Left and right-hand versions are also

available, allowing the sink to be matched to any kitchen layout.

The brushed finish, with its distinctive grained texture, pairs effortlessly with stainless

New KOTO PVD Sinks by Abode

The KOTO sink collection benefits from a range of original design features including Nano PVD technology, hydrophobic surfaces, superior durability, and two trend finishes.

KOTO has a glass hardened steel construction for greater scratch resistance and a PVD finish with Nano coating that repels water and dirt and gives superior anti-fingerprint qualities.

The large 200mm deep square bowl is practical and 2 IN 1 inset or undermount installation make it suitable for all types of worksurface. KOTO is also supplied with matching waste featuring a stylish cover for a fully coordinated wash zone.

LEANNE STANSFIELD, Marketing Manager at Abode says, ‘KOTO has been under development for some time, to ensure the optimum specification and sits alongside our ranges of brushed brass and matt black taps, as well as our Airo mixer tap in newly released PVD Gunmetal finish. KOTO has been developed to respond to the growing demand for reimagined hardware, as customers continue to seek out lowmaintenance, luxury sink and tap solutions that are superior by design with front-line innovation.’ abodedesigns.co.uk

steel appliances, creating a cohesive, seamless look. Designed to be inset into the worktop, the Solar sink ensures a smooth, streamlined finish that integrates perfectly with the work surface leaving nowhere for dirt or germs to linger.

Stainless steel remains the number one choice for kitchen sinks, and it’s easy to see why. It’s heat-resistant, meaning hot pans straight from the hob can be placed directly on the sink and the non-porous surface makes it easy to keep clean, ensuring a more hygienic environment.

To add to the appeal, the Solar range features Silentcote treatment, a sound-absorbing thermal paint on the underside of the sink. This clever addition reduces noise and improves durability, making it a great choice for open-plan spaces where acoustics matter. clearwaterproducts.co.uk

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Kitchen Conversations

Ireland’s Kitchen Trade Guide March/April 2025

Kitchen Conversations Every issue IKTG catches up with a key member of the trade to find out how they came to be in the position they are

WENDY MAE MILLAR

with anything on site we are close by and able to rectify any issues quickly and easily.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE STARTING OUT IN THE INDUSTRY?

FINANCIAL DIRECTOR, WOODARCH. SPECIALIST JOINERY LTD TELL US ABOUT THE COMPANY

WoodARCH. is a specialist joinery manufacturer. Architects (ARCH.) in specialist joinery and fit- outs, our team have been designing, manufacturing, and installing high-end, bespoke joinery since close to 20 years. We are fit-out experts, and our exciting, new production facility is based in Belfast where we combine traditional craft skills with the latest CNC technology to create custom made bespoke joinery to the residential and hospitality sectors.

We meticulously plan every detail and build all our products with quality and durability in mind. We create excellent, high-quality custom-made kitchens that are tailored exactly to our clients’ needs. We can offer many different customisable designs in kitchens, fitted bedroom furniture, window surrounds, panelling, staircases and bespoke one-off items.

HOW DID YOU COME TO BE IN YOUR CURRENT POSITION?

WoodARCH. was founded in 2021 in response to the challenge of sourcing high-quality, bespoke kitchens locally.

In my role, I oversee the business side of WoodARCH., including sales and marketing, strategic growth, and financial management.

Our ambition is to expand and continue providing exceptional craftsmanship and service, ensuring every kitchen we create is both functional and beautifully designed.

HOW HAS THE COMPANY EVOLVED OVER THE YEARS?

Since its inception, WoodARCH. has experienced significant growth, working with many valuable kitchen companies throughout the island of Ireland. Collaborating with Invest NI and InterTrade Ireland we are working to expand our reach even further across the whole island of Ireland. We warmly welcome other Irish kitchen companies to partner with us for their bespoke, in-frame kitchens. With our expert craftsmanship and attention to detail, we are proud to support businesses in delivering exceptional, custommade kitchens to their clients.

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE APPEALS TO YOUR CUSTOMERS ABOUT WOODARCH.?

The businesses that have come to us really love our standard of work and the assurance that they can find quality craftmanship without having to go further afield. Our in-house production facility enables us to closely monitor the quality at every stage of the project from design development to project delivery. There is a level of reassurance that if there is a problem

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Starting a business is an exciting yet challenging journey, and the right mindset and strategies can make all the difference. Start with a clear vision, what problem are you solving? Have a clear business plan and strategy for growth.

Especially in the kitchen trade we had to know our market, research competitors and understand what our customers needed; we knew there was demand for high-end, bespoke joinery. Most importantly build a strong brand and make sure your clients are being listened to.

Something that I have learned, is the importance of networking and always seeking advice from mentors, business owners and most especially networking groups like Women in Business.

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR THE COMPANY?

The future of WoodARCH., our specialist joinery company looks very promising, especially given the growing demand for highquality, bespoke classic kitchens and fitted furniture sourced locally. Due to the importance of reducing transportation costs, and as our reputation builds, we hope to expand our client base, partnering with more kitchen companies and interior designers in the whole island of Ireland. Investing in an apprenticeship or training program can ensure a pipeline of skilled joiners while strengthening our company’s future workforce. Building a strong team with expertise in both traditional craftsmanship and modern manufacturing techniques is key and something we are investing in; to further the service we provide to our customers and ultimately partner with them for the long term.

WoodARCH. Joinery Ltd. Unit 1, 34 Montgomery Road, Belfast, Antrim BT6 9HL +44 (0) 7720607370 michael@woodarch.co.uk admin@woodarch.co.uk

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