Voted Best Trade Journal 2019
July 2020 Issue 174
www.kbbdaily.com
HUSH KITCHENS
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VOGUE UK
Spending time and money during lockdown to release longer-term benefits
Multigenerational living is driving demand for stylish, inclusive bathrooms
Coping with competition as it celebrates its 30th anniversary
Pg 22
IN THIS ISSUE
Pg 50
Pg 56
KICK STARTING CONFIDENCE: KBB COMMUNITY GETS BACK TO WORK
Pg 26
SPLASH HITS Successful splashbacks combine practical benefits with the essential character of a kitchen Pg 32
JAMES JAMES The new team breathing fresh life into James James Kitchens as it prepares it for the future Pg 15 & 46
ALL THE LATEST Discover new products, new looks and new trends for both kitchen and bathroom
With non-essential businesses finally able to reopen their doors, the number of kbb firms rising to meet the challenge has turned from a trickle to a flood. Hundreds of firms are Open door: Martin Moore is back pledging to offer the levels of customer care required to restore confidence and kick-start business after three months of inactivity. Bespoke kitchen maker Martin Moore’s UK showrooms will be ‘open in the normal way’. The company is implementing comprehensive social-distancing measures – made easy through the size of its retail spaces – while private appointments will be available and the firm’s designers are happy to do home visits. Vogue (UK), the UK’s largest maker of premium designer radiators and towel warmers, has resumed manufacturing and established a remote sales team to meet renewed demand, while the design teams are working on collections for 2021 and 2022.
Königstone’s fabrication partner, Midland Stone Centre Ltd, now has 100% of its manufacturing facilities open with a full order book. “After a necessary shutdown, we’re delighted to be back up and running,” explained Joanne Bull, marketing manager. Meanwhile, staff at Yorkshire-based fitted furniture-manufacturer, Symphony Group, have returned to work following a full COVID-19 risk assessment. Martyn Davis, executive chairman said, “ We have the stock and other resources in place to ensure the smooth continuation of both production and deliveries.” Leading bath maker, BC Designs, has resumed a full service to UK retailers. Darren Allison, managing director, said “We’ve looked at ways we can continue to support our retailers and continue with our marketing and PR efforts to keep front-of-mind with consumers.” Finally, British fitted-furniture manufacturer Daval has issued all staff members with reusable PPE packs on their return to work. The packs contain hand sanitiser, surface wipes, gloves, face masks and more, which are removed after use by an approved contractor.
TRAVIS PERKINS REVEALS PLANS TO CUT 2,500 JOBS Builders’ merchant Travis Perkins is to close 165 stores and cut 2,500 jobs, citing the ‘challenging outlook’ ahead for trading. The firm said that ‘while ‘Challenging outlook’ forces cuts there has been a significant recovery in trading volumes in recent weeks, it is evident that the UK is facing a recession and this will have a corresponding impact on the demand for building materials during 2020 and 2021’. As a result, 165 branches across the UK – around 8% of stores – are expected to close. Those affected
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will be concentrated in the Merchant businesses, ‘focusing on small branches where it is either difficult to implement safe distancing practices, or where marginal profitability will be eroded in a reduced-volume environment’, the company said. In total, the Group expects to reduce the number of colleagues by around 2,500 or approximately 9% of the workforce. Nick Roberts, the group’s chief executive, commented “Whilst we have experienced improving trends more recently, we do not expect a return to pre-COVID trading conditions for some time and consequently we have had to take this very difficult decision.”