BiKBBI The Installer Magazine January 2018

installer

Issue 12 - Winter 2018

the

magazine

PROJECT HARVEST: BiKBBI SUPPORT RETAIL RECRUITMENT

LSI INTERIORS SCOOPS INSTALLER OF THE YEAR AWARD! The official magazine of The British Institute of KBB Installation

WIN AN ™ AQUALISA Q SMART MIXER WORTH OVER £900!

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Xxxxxxxx Contents

04

BREAKING NEWS Häfele UK join BiKBBI

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BiKBBI News

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BiKBBI 2017 Review

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Sponsor News

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Skills Shortage News

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Project Harvest

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Industry News supplied by kbbdaily

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Exhibition News

28

2018 Trends

by Ideal Standard

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Kitchen Trends

by Rotpunkt

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What's Hot for 2018

by Daval

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Health Matters and Dust Extraction

48

NEW PRODUCT FROM FRANKE

60

AUSTRALIA FEATURE

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SPONSOR NEWS

BiKBBI NEWS

4 HÄFELE UK JOIN THE BiKBBI! TRENDS FROM IDEAL STANDARD

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OUR SPONSORS

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Welcome

42

Environmental News

Welcome ...

45

Installer of the Year Profile

Welcome to what promises to be an exciting New Year.

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Product Launch • Franke

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Financial Advice

All of us here at the BiKBBI enter it with great enthusiasm buoyed by an amazing 2017 for the institute. We launched many new initiatives, grew our membership to an all time high and attracted several industry ‘blue-chip’ companies either as Installation Standards Partners or headline sponsors of the institute, demonstrating not only acceptance of the BiKBBI and its ethos but trust in us to deliver. Congratulations to Layne Ives and his team for scooping the Installer of the Year Award at the prestigious ek&bbusiness Awards & Review 2017 ceremony in Central London (see front cover).

52 Competition!!

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Step by Step

58

Electrical News

62

Marketing Initiative

68

Social Media and Marketing Guide

72

Web Presence Advice

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Website and Social Media Information

82 Installer Opportunity

'Down Under' And much more inside ...

WIN!!

So 2018 is already looking to be a good one. We intend to consolidate all the advancements we have made over the last few years and we have some exciting collaborations and initiatives to announce over the coming months. You will see in this issue that we speak a lot about the skills shortage in the industry and in how we intend to help address this situation with our own Project ‘Harvest’ which we are about to launch. This initiative, combined with our ongoing apprentice programme will help the situation enormously, let’s hope so.

Thank you for taking time to read our magazine which grows issue by issue, as does its readership, I hope you enjoy it.

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COMPETITION! WIN AN AQUALISA QTM SMART MIXER WORTH £900!

Damian Walters, BiKBBI CEO

OUR SPONSORS

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Breaking News

HÄFELE UK JOIN IMPRESSIVE PORTFOLIO OF BiKBBI CORPORATE SPONSORS At its annual stakeholder event in January, The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI) unveiled industry giant Häfele UK as its latest corporate sponsor.

Häfele is an internationally trusted name supplying furniture fittings, ironmongery and hardware to the trade, with over 25,000 specialist products from hinges, handles and door furniture to storage solutions, sliding door systems and lighting.

Speaking at the event, BiKBBI CEO Damian Walters said: “We were delighted when we received a call from Häfele last year which triggered the process of the company joining the BiKBBI family as a Corporate Sponsor.

Häfele is in good company joining Ideal Standard, Festool, HIPPO, WilsonArt and Aqualisa as main sponsors of the institute.”

Damian added, “Corporate Sponsorship is vital to our organisation and we’re proud to be supported by a growing number of ‘bluechip’ brands adding to our industry credibility and influence. Häfele will contribute enormously to our core pillars [education, standards and support] and allow us to develop the organisation to benefit the entire industry.”

Speaking on behalf of Häfele UK, Craig Chambers, MD, Häfele UK said, “I am delighted that Häfele UK Ltd is supporting the BiKBBI. As a business, Häfele is proud of the reputation it holds as a manufacturer and distributor of high quality products, and we feel there is much mutual benefit to be had in partnering with the BiKBBI and the 4

core pillars that drive their organisation. We are very excited about helping to support the BiKBBI in delivering high levels of education, support and standards out into the KBB Industry.”

“I am delighted that Häfele UK Ltd is supporting the BiKBBI. As a business, Häfele is proud of the reputation it holds as a manufacturer and distributor of high quality products, and we feel there is much mutual benefit to be had in partnering with the BiKBBI and the core pillars that drive their organisation. We are very excited about helping to support the BiKBBI in delivering high levels of education, support and standards out into Craig Chambers, MD, Häfele UK the KBB Industry.”

Breaking News Häfele UK Head Office

Häfele Ceramic Double Butler Sink

Häfele Bedroom Lighting

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BiKBBI News

LSI NAMED INSTALLER OF THE YEAR! BiKBBI member Layne Ives of LSI Interiors Limited has recently won the prestigious ‘Installer of The Year’ award at the ek&bbusiness Awards & Review 2017 ceremony in Central London.

The premier event, hosted by comedian Rob Beckett, to a sell out audience of over 500 saw Layne and his team presented with the award for his services to industry.

The awards finalists were judged by independent inspectors in August / September 2017, which included an onsite inspection of work in progress and a formal interview.

Speaking at the awards, Layne said, “I’m incredibly honoured to have been awarded this accolade.

We work incredibly hard and often without recognition.

My team is at the heart of my business and they each deserve a public pat on the back for all they do”.

Layne continued, “It’s not just the installers that have made the business a success. I’d also like to thank my back room team, including my partner Nicola and father Ian, both of whom have supported me on this journey, not only with moral support, but also their efforts operationally. I must also mention the Institute [BiKBBI], as its team has supported me immensely over the years, as I know they do with others. They’ve played a part in helping me grow by finding new business and advised on rebranding when I needed to.”

BiKBBI Communications Manager Nicole Mercer said: “On behalf of The British

Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation, I’d like to congratulate the team at LSI Interiors for a well deserved win”.

BiKBBI CEO Damian Walters added: “I’d like to thank the inspectors for their time and effort during the process, all of which was provided completely voluntarily.”

WREN KITCHENS LAUNCHES CUSTOMER VIRTUAL REALITY EXPERIENCE Wren Kitchens is encouraging customers to try before they buy by launching an “immersive” virtual reality, VR experience at its Maidstone, Thurrock, Bristol Cribbs and Farnborough showrooms. The company is encouraging customers to ‘get a feel for the dream kitchen they are designing.’

According to Wren, the new VR technology has been uniquely designed and developed entirely in-house, and it will also be available at new showrooms in Luton, Doncaster, Tunbridge and Brighton.

“It is essential that our customers are 100% happy with their choices, colours or layouts,” said Wren Kitchens Planner Development Vice-President Conor Laville. He added, “Our Wren planning software combined with VR has made it possible to transport our customers into their designs, making it the best shopping experience possible for kitchens.”

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EXTRAORDINARY SHOWERING HAS ARRIVED

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Precision engineering sits at the heart of our smartest most personal shower.

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BiKBBI News

NEW SURVEY RESULTS SHOW THAT MOORES DELIVERS HIGH CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

WILSONART GOING THIN ON TOP Zenith, from Wilsonart is the first ultra-thin (12.5mm) worktop and has a decorative surface finish on two sides, perfect to create waterfall-end panels and co-ordinated bespoke open shelves.

Practical and easy to install and maintain as the material is 100% waterproof, Zenith can be installed with standard tooling and is available in a choice of 3-metre; worksurfaces, breakfast bars, upstands and splashbacks as well as a 950mm curved module.

Moores has unveiled the results of its customer satisfaction survey of national and regional housebuilders and specifiers in the private and public sectors. The survey was distributed to over 2500 contacts, including Head Office, Regional Office and Site based customers, and the results across the board clearly demonstrate that the impact of Moores’ service-based strategy is translating into a positive customer experience.

The recent survey found an amazing 85% of respondents would recommend Moores to a colleague. Nearly half were active promoters of the brand, with 46% of respondents scoring 9 or 10 for likelihood to recommend.

Moores also received excellent feedback from its customers through the survey, ranking them ahead of their key competitors in terms of satisfaction.

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One Construction customer commented, “Really pleased with the turnaround at the business; easy to deal with and responsive”.

Similarly, a commercial customer at a national builder said, “Practices put in place over the past 6 months by Moores are putting them strides ahead of others, so keep up the good work, aim to stay ahead and continue to service sites well.”

Michael Barrett, Sales & Marketing Director at Moores, commented, “The survey results are a great testament to the hard work and focus from the whole team at Moores but we aren’t resting on our laurels! We are committed to delivering the highest level of service and satisfaction to our customers. We are already using the feedback to continue to develop our systems and practices and improve our customer experience even further”.

Wilsonart, the worktop specialists ‘..we are delighted to be part of the BiKBBI family’

When it comes to worktops we’ve got it covered, from versatile laminates to seamless solid surface, to our newest introduction Zenith, 100% waterproof ultra-thin solid laminate.

Install our stunning collection of worktops with ease, step by step guides and videos available to help you along the way, and no need for specialist tooling.

Wilsonart - the installer friendly worktop company.

To find out more about Wilsonart or the worktop collections

Visit: www.wilsonart.co.uk Wilsonart-uk

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Contact us: +44 (0)1388 774661

WilsonartUK

@WilsonartUK

BiKBBI News

THE 18TH EDITION IS COMING! With less than one year to until the 18th Edition of the IET Wiring regulations is published, NICEIC and ELECSA has set up an information hub with everything an electrician will need to know. The website www.18edition.com contains all the latest news and information relating to the new standard.

Mark Smith, Marketing and Communications Director at NICEIC and ELECSA, commented, “The introduction of a new standard is obviously very important for all electricians. Everyone in the industry will need to be aware of the changes and the implications it has on the work they carry out.

“NICEIC and ELECSA will be at the forefront of providing electrical contractors with everything they need to know – from updates on the latest developments, opportunities to purchase the new book and training packages to suit all contractors’ needs.”

The new standard is expected to be available on or around July 1, 2018 with electricians given a six month transition period to get up to speed with the changes. From January 1 2019, it will then be a requirement that all electrical installations designed after this date comply with BS 7671:2018, 18th Edition (2018). An ability to show a level of understanding and awareness of the changes should be a priority for everyone involved in the Electrotechnical industry.

To find out more log on to www.18edition.com today and make sure you stay up to date with everything you need to know.

WORK DUST-FREE: MORE INTELLIGENT THAN EVER BEFORE Festool is launching intelligent new products to make dust free working easier: two new Bluetooth batteries and a Bluetooth remote control, as well as a new smooth hose and mobile dust extractor.

With the new Bluetooth module, that can be retrofitted, dust can be extracted with cordless Festool tools without the need for a power cable. The premium manufacturer is extending its range of compatible batteries with the addition of two new 5.2 and 6.2 Ah Bluetooth-capable battery packs.

"The new Bluetooth module represents real progress in cordless and dust-free work," confirms Jon Burcham, Marketing

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Manager at Festool. "It takes a lot of time to keep going back and forth to the extractor to switch it on manually. Now the extractor can be conveniently activated or switched off using the Bluetooth remote control and with the new Bluetooth battery packs it is even easier because there is no need for a power cable between the extractor and tool. Switching the cordless tool on or off causes the extractor to be automatically activated."

The range of extractors has expanded with a newly developed, smooth suction hose, which ensures seamless dust extraction without the inconvenience of the hose catching. In addition the redesigned CT 26, 36 and 48

mobile dust extractors feature practical functions, such as the optimised SYS-Dock with T-LOC function for conveniently connecting SYSTAINERs on the mobile dust extractor and a new cord holder.

“Efficient and dust-free work has never been simpler,” concludes Jon.

Why ArtiCAD is a smart choice for your business Things are changing in the KBB software landscape as consumers become more tech savvy. Your customers expect to easily engage with you online, in-store and from any location. n. It’s It s time to embrace technologies that deliver an interactive customer mer journey.

ArtiCAD’s super-fast, ultra-high quality, easy to use and award winning CAD software is available to use online, offline, via outright purchase or low-cost monthly subscription.

Images produced using ArtiCAD-Pro HD

In addition to CAD, we provide integrated software solutions and services for every stage of your customer journey – helping your business stand out from the crowd. These include: Design, pricing and management tools Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality Apps Consumer room planning and styling software for your website ArtiCAD Academy – training in design, sales, customer care and CAD www.articad.com

To partner with an award-winning software innovator, with an independent A1 customer service rating, contact our sales team on +44 (0)1923 888101 or email sales@articad.com.

BiKBBI 2017 Review

2017 IN NUMBERS Once again, The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation witnessed impressive growth in 2017. It followed on from a successful anniversary year in 2016 and an average membership growth of 20% YoY. With a fragile Brexit dominating the economy, it is clear that the KBB industry is focusing on installations as a priority and are viewing the BiKBBI as a solution.

Here’s an overview of the numbers:

MEMBERSHIP

5,661

Total number of members 1,238: New member applications 88: Is the percentage of members who renewed in 2017 3: New national retail members 4: New regional retail members 17: Rejected applications 4: Expelled members

PARTNERSHIPS

3 2

NEW CORPORATE SPONSORS

STRATEGIC PARTNERS

COMMUNICATION 380: 14,964: 1,891:

6,098: 51:

1:

The number of pages within 4 issues of The Installer Magazine The number of subscribers to the magazine (20% growth in 2017) The number of BiKBBI Tweets, Facebook & LinkedIn posts with a combined reach of 4.6 million.

The combined number of Facebook & Twitter followers Targeted member emails, with news and technical updates

New website!

2,113,544: Unique website visitors 1: Unique visitor was based in Outer Mongolia(!)

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BiKBBI 2017 Review

INSPECTIONS

CHARITY

147

Independent inspections carried out

35,780

The number of pounds raised for charity

28,612

3,812

The number of miles our inspectors have travelled

The altitude (in feet) our CEO reached on Mount Everest

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The number of local children kitted out as part of our sponsorship programme of Thurrock Rugby Club

EDUCATION

89

7,705

The number of Christmas presents delivered to children staying in local hospitals over Christmas

The cumulative number of online CPD training hours undertaken by our members

72 COMPLAINTS 12

Member complaints investigated (representing 0.2% of members)

599

Non-member consumer complaints (advice given)

The number of classroom based training hours delivered

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The number of working group meetings we’ve led on the delivery of a new retail led Apprenticeship

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For VitrA’s full range of wall-hung WC frames please visit www.vitra.co.uk/frames

9 INTERMEDIARY HOSE The intermediary hose that connects to the water piping inside the cistern can isolate the water flow during serviceoriented interventions, which enables easy replacement of parts.

1 FLUSH PLATE The flush plate operates the cistern.

It enables easy operation of the wallhung frame and covers internal parts that remain in the wall.

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1

8 8 PANEL GAP 2

The panel gap on the body is designed to provide maximum opening space for maintenance of filling or flushing units, enabling easy access to the cistern.

3 4

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2 BODY The filling and flushing valves are located in this part of the cistern. Produced from polyethylene (HDPE) raw materials, it offers more safety with its flexibility and resilience.

6 7 BODY STYROFOAM The styrofoam that coats the entire lower body prevents condensation in the cistern and ensures sound insulation.

3 FILLING VALVE The filling valve is the system that fills the cistern with water.

The filling valve is checked in VitrA labs for ‘water-tightness’ via accelerated life testing 200,000 times. The filter above the filling valve eliminates the risk of clogging, ensuring durability and a long lifetime. New VitrA filling systems ensure fast and silent filling.

6 FLUSHING VALVE The flushing valve transfers the water in the cistern to the WC pan for flushing.

For correct and reliable functioning, flushing units are subjected to 200,000 water tightness and accelerated life tests at the factory.

5 METAL STAND Metal stands enable easy adjustment of height from the floor and secure fixing.

Image for illustation purposes only

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4 OVERFLOW PIPE The overflow pipe in the flushing mechanism takes the safety duty in wall-hung frames. When too much water enters the cistern, the overflow pipe channels the excess water into the WC pan, preventing the risk of flooding.

BiKBBI News

BiKBBI INSURANCE SERVICES LAUNCHED The BiKBBI has launched an exciting new insurance service which provides a comprehensive range of robust commercial products to its members and the wider KBB industry.

BiKBBI Chief Executive Damian Walters, announced the launch of the new insurance service, in conjunction with United Insurance Brokers (UIB), a leading international insurance broker, in what he called “another milestone moment” for the organisation.

BiKBBI Insurance Services, which is accessible via its website [www.bikbbi.org.uk], offers a broad, but specialist portfolio of insurance products discounted to its members, but also available to the broader KBB industry including non-members.

The comprehensive range of insurance products, specifically developed for the KBB industry, comprises public & employers’ liability cover, professional indemnity and directors’ insurance, as well as vehicle, fleet, tool, phone and breakdown cover.

Additionally, the new insurance services provide private medical cover, accident and sickness protection as well as life, personal home and vehicle policies.

Speaking to delegates at BiKBBI’s stakeholder event in January, Damian Walters said: “Insurance is an important ingredient for any business operating in the sector and as an organisation; we have been disappointed by some of the policies presented to us. Clearly some of these policies were driven by low price, but were lacking in the critical area of protection for both the tradesperson and their customers. Our policies will offer the right level of protection at competitive prices and once again, we provide this on a not-

for-profit basis, passing on any cost savings directly to our members.”

Also attending the event, UIB Christopher Bates, Divisional Director, Corporate and Commercial Division said: “We are delighted to be working with the BiKBBI to deliver various insurance products that will suit a range of different business needs. We are keen to deliver streamlined cost-effective solutions for smaller enterprises through this particular range of offerings as well as provide a personalised service where required. In the end, it is about trying to deliver the required insurances to meet the needs of all the members of BiKBBI.” www.uibgroup.com

We are delighted to be working with the BiKBBI to deliver various insurance products that will suit a range of different Christopher Bates, business needs. We Divisional Director are keen to deliver streamlined cost-effective solutions for smaller enterprises through this particular range of offerings as well as provide a personalised service where required. In the end, it is about trying to deliver the required insurances to meet the needs of all the members of BiKBBI.”

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Sponsor News

FESTOOL GROWS THE TEAM IN PREPARATION FOR A BUSY 2018

Leading power tool manufacturer and BiKBBI sponsor, Festool, has grown its UK team as a response to increased sales over the past year and in readiness for an anticipated even busier 2018.

last role as Contracts Area Sales Manager at SIG Group Carpet and Flooring, where he supplied flooring to contractors and end users including Bovis Homes and Vinci and Bam.

Seven new team members have recently joined its HQ in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk:

Three new positions have been created in the Finance team too: Business Administrator Elaine Phillips, Olga Snitsarenko, Management Accountant Assistant, and Emma Butler, General Administration Assistant.

Jamie Bunting is now Logistics Team Leader and joins the Festool team after 13 years at Kuehne + Nagle where he ran a logistics team that supported the servicing of the MODs fleet of Apache helicopters.

Holly Hyde-Smith is the Marketing Communications Executive and brings with her a wealth of experience having previously been Marketing Manager for global SaaS company EMEA and part of the marketing team for the retail sector of a technology consultancy.

Two new starters have been taken on in the sales team: Martin Ive and Daryl HerbertSmith are new Territory Sales Managers.

Daryl gained several years of experience at various flooring businesses including his 16

Festool’s Marketing Manager Jon Burcham commented: “Festool is widely acclaimed for its quality and innovation and its team that supports the cutting-edge technology is also, in my opinion, without rival. Festool has enjoyed incredible growth in the UK market and the new recruits with their market pedigree, bring impressive expertise to the company, we’re excited to continue expanding our market presence and look forward to an exciting 2018.”

www.festool.co.uk

CAD News

LATEST PJH KITCHEN GRAPHICS LAUNCH ON ARTICAD-PRO SOFTWARE ArtiCAD, the market leading CAD company who produces simple, fast and flexible kbb design software and online planning and patented styling tools; has announced that from January 2018, the latest products from the PJH Group, its K Kitchen and Virtu Kitchen ranges, are now available as a comprehensive graphics catalogue for designers who use ArtiCAD-Pro software.

PJH has been working with ArtiCAD as a CAD software supplier for a couple of years with the aim of ensuring that it is as easy as possible for its customers to choose from the PJH range and include

the company’s products in their new kitchen designs.

Sally Hough, Marketing and Product Manager at PJH: “We have found it very easy to work with ArtiCAD on this latest project, and they have managed our catalogues well. It is important for us that designers can easily access realistic representations of our products, and ArtiCAD certainly ensures that they can produce very professional designs.”

Based in Bolton, Lancashire with distribution centres throughout the UK. PJH is one of the largest providers

of kitchens, appliances and bathrooms in the UK, selling across the country to a diverse range of customers including large multi-site and independent retailers and builder’s merchants.

ArtiCAD's design software produces accurate working plans which automatically generate elevations, multiple 3D perspectives, photorealistic impressions, VR presentations, detailed parts lists and costings, all in less than ten minutes from scratch.

www.articad.com

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Industry Warning

CAN KBB RETAILERS AFFORD NOT TO TAKE THIS SITUATION SERIOUSLY? BiKBBI Chief Executive Damian Walters talks about the skills shortage and how that will affect retailers and their respective installation proposition in the not so distant future.

In October 2016, a new industry report was published which concluded that the construction sector must ‘modernise or die’.

‘The Farmer Review of the UK Construction Labour Model’ was commissioned in February 2016 by the Construction Leadership Council at the request of the government. Led by CEO of Cast Consultancy, Mark Farmer, the report investigated the current labour model and proposed actions to safeguard the industry’s future.

The report suggests that the UK’s construction and refurbishment industry faces ‘inexorable decline’ unless longstanding problems are addressed. In particular, the review highlights the sector’s dysfunctional training model, its lack of innovation and collaboration, and its

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non-existent research and development culture.

As more people leave the industry each year than join it, the construction and refurbishment workforce is shrinking, placing increasing constraints on its capacity to build housing and infrastructure, which of course has a direct connection with the home improvement sector and those installation specialists (& retailers) who operate within it.

Figures from a 2016 YouGov poll confirm suspicions that school leavers and graduates do not view trades as an attractive career choice (the poll found that two-thirds of Britons wouldn’t consider a career in construction). Brexit could make this situation even worse if it results in reduced migrant labour.

Free movement of people between the EU and UK will end in March 2019, UK government ministers have said. From that date EU workers moving to the UK will have to register, at least until a permanent post-Brexit

Damian Walters

immigration policy is put in place.

But Home Secretary Amber Rudd has sought to reassure business there will not be a “cliff edge” in terms of employing foreign workers after Brexit. She said policy would be evidence-based and take into account economic impact.

Whilst it appears certain workers and specialisms will be ring-fenced within Brexit considerations; the government may not have much control on how migrant workers actually feel. If opportunities exist within other EU States, perhaps individuals may consider those as a safer option for their futures and their families. 

Industry Warning The solutions, according to Farmer, lie in the need to better align the requirements of industry firms and the businesses who hire them.

So, where does this leave the KBB industry?

There is an evident shortage of available kitchen, bedroom and bathroom installers who are willing to support retail lead installations. BiKBBI partners are anecdotally reporting challenges to keep up with a growing sales demand.

The BiKBBI undertook research, canvassing some 3,000 installers in 2017, on the subject of retail lead installation opportunities: • There was a rough 50-

50 split between

kitchen and bathroom installers; • A third were BiKBBI

members currently

working with our retail partners; • A third were BiKBBI

members not currently

working with our retail

partners; and • A third were not BiKBBI members.

Retail loyalty Of the 1,000 working with our partners, 94% work, or have worked, with 2 or more retailers at the same time, with 47% working with more than 3 retailers. This does suggest that retailers are, for a number of reasons, working with an installer population who are not dedicated to any single brand.

Future plans When asked whether they saw themselves working with the retailer in 5 years, 31% said they wouldn’t be (for whatever reason).

This may correspond to the demographic of those surveyed, with 56% in the 45 years+ age bracket (indicating an aging workforce typically).

Reasons for not working with retailers Those BiKBBI members not working with retailers said that price was the main reason for their choice, although 90% of those who gave this as a reason, had in fact, not received details of pricing within the last 2 years.

With a skills shortage driving supply and demand characteristics, it is evident that the retail sector has a challenge to meet the lucrative lure of the private B-2-C (installer – consumer direct) contracts. Perhaps it is a simple case that retailers should be seriously reviewing their pricing strategy in light of changing and extraordinary times?

Only 4% of members, not currently working with retailers, had ever had a retail relationship, stating that a poor reputation of working with retailers was a key factor to their choice.

Interestingly, only 9% said they would consider working with a retailer today, but an encouraging 84% of those said that they would consider

it in the future if compelling reasons were presented.

What’s important to installers in a retail relationship?

Those surveyed were clear about what’s important to them: 1.

Competitive pricing 2.

Fair payment terms

that offered protection

to suppliers 3.

Installer friendly

product and materials quality 4.

On time, in full delivery 5.

Personal relationships

with the retailer &

onsite support Cutting to the chase There’s absolutely no doubt about it – money talks.

As the skills gap bites, the existing workforce become more valuable. It’s the age old ‘supply and demand’ situation that’s been around for centuries. My view is that pricing policies must be reviewed to ensure the industry keeps up with a very changing market place and if retailers want to attract (& retain) great installers, they must be prepared to review pricing and indeed the overall proposition.

Installation should not be viewed as a bolt on to the product. Instead, a truly integrated installation service should maximise a good balance between a great customer experience, risk management and the commercials for the retailer.

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Skills Shortage Initiative

HARVESTING NEW BLOOD A creative BiKBBI response to the government sanctioned ‘modernise or die report’ Farmer report.

The BiKBBI has created Project Harvest, which is a proposal from the organisation to its Retail Installation Standards Partners, outlining plans for a collaborative approach to installer recruitment within the KBB industry.

Project Harvest has been formulated in response to The Farmer Report which was published back in October 2016 and it concluded that the construction sector in the UK must ‘modernise or die!’

As a result, in October 2017, in direct response to the Farmer Report, a number of BiKBBI retail partners met in London to discuss the

Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash

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challenge of recruitment.

Those present, indicated that recruitment was a commercial priority and that their businesses viewed the priority as a challenge.

BiKBBI Chief Executive Damian Walters, operating under Chatham House Rules, proposed a collaborative approach to address the topic of recruitment, but stressed that “any alliance must protect the commercial interests of those participating retailers.”

Walters suggested that perception was clearly a leading factor in the decision-making process of prospective KBB installers and that The British Institute

of Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom Installation could support a solution to combat this blockage.

Damian said: “Whilst the Farmer Report clearly identified dwindling trade resource, I firmly believe that our industry can work together to achieve some quick wins as there are a number of installers we believe can be harvested.”

He added, “Together with our medium and longterm initiatives around apprenticeships and retraining, I believe a holistic collaboration between our partners could tap into a currently untouched installer resource and generate 

Skills Shortage Initiative

enough interest to reduce the overall impact of the UK shortage.�

So what is Project Harvest?

The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation is proposing an alliance between its Retail Installation Standards Partners, to introduce a new and innovative approach to recruitment on behalf of its retail members.

Goals & objectives The objective of Harvest is to create an online registry for installers to promote the generic benefits of working with retailers, removing any negative perception barriers.

The online portal will then harvest installer details to share with those retailers participating in the project.

What is it?

Harvest is an online portal that will be marketed to installers not currently working with current BiKBBI Installation Standards Partners.

Scope 1.BiKBBI Installation Standard Partners are invited to participate in Project Harvest 2. Participation is entirely optional 3. The cost of participation is split between those participating retailers

4. Installer information harvested from the project will only be available to those participating retailers 5. In the event retailers join the project after the initial financial commitment, they will contribute the same financial fee, which can be used to develop project future phases (building a financial pot for use with future marketing / IT development).

Timetable January 2018: Retailers commit to project (including finances) February 2018: IT Development March 2018: Launch

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Industry News

supplied by

MAXTOP QUARTZ TAKES HOME TRAINING AWARD Maxtop Quartz has been named the winner of the Training Excellence category at the On The Tools Awards 2017, at Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham.

According to Maxtop, it won the award following a national roll-out of its training programme earlier this year, and for demonstrating “a sustained commitment to training and development” said Maxtop Quartz Managing Director Stephen Moss, “Even as a young company, we’ve prioritised training early on, encouraging everyone, from installers to interior designers, to ‘have a go’ and ‘get hands-on’ with the product.”

training. Though the training programme is all about delegate and consumer satisfaction, it’s amazing to be recognised by such a well-known, trade-specific social community for our efforts.”

“This all stems from the uniqueness of our product and wanting to show just how easy it is to work with and the range of benefits it offers,” he added. “We’re strong believers of in-depth product knowledge and

Pictured left to right: Maxtop Quartz’s Robert Sherratt, Claire Dunscombe, Ian Howarth and awards presenter Harriet Chamberlain, Direct Line for Business digital head.

CITY HEATING SPARES INCREASES STOCK TO MINIMISE TURNAROUND

City Heating Spares, which is part of Travis Perkins, has increased its in-store parts stock by 35% to better support its trade customers by aiming to offer faster turnaround times.

The brand, which has 288 counters across City Plumbing Supplies stores in the UK, has added up to 150 new heating and shower spares, customised according to existing local demand.

“We’re always looking for ways to save installers valuable time and increasing our stock will inevitably mean they spend less

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time sourcing, and waiting when collecting parts, this will increase customer satisfaction levels.” said Commercial Director Ian Caufield.

The company has also expanded its specialist distribution centre in Chorley, which supplies all of its stores in addition to fulfilling customer orders directly.

City Heating Spares contact centre call handlers are available seven days a week to answer questions and dispatch products from a 20,000-strong catalogue.

Industry News

supplied by

CIPHE BACKS DAME HACKITT REVIEW ON FIRE SAFETY IMPEY RELEASES BEHIND-THESCENES ‘WE ARE WETROOMS’ VIDEO Impey has released a new behind-the-scenes video for its ‘We Are Wetrooms’ installer training tour, the 2018 edition of which kicks off in March 2018, with booking now open.

The third annual ‘We Are Wetrooms’ tour will visit eight locations across the UK to allow installers to learn essential wetroom fitting skills. The company’s new video shows behind-the-scenes access to its recent Liverpool training date.

The 2018 ‘We Are Wetrooms’ tour dates are as follows: Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow: Wed 21st March 2018 The Villa at North End, Preston: Wed 28th March 2018 Pride Park Stadium, Derby: Wed 18th April 2018 Newcastle Falcons Kingston Park Stadium, Newcastle Upon Tyne: Wed 20th June 2018 AMEX Stadium, Brighton: Wed 18th July 2018 Madejski Stadium, Reading: Wed19th September 2018 The SSE Swalec, Cardiff: Wed 3rd October 2018 Carrow Road Stadium, Norwich: Wed 17th October 2018 Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol: Wed 31st October 2018

The Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering – CIPHE – has backed the independent review of building regulations and fire safety, led by Dame Judith Hackitt, by adding its industry’s “professional input” through both the Construction Industry Council – CIC – and the Royal Academy of Engineering – RAE .

According to the CIPHE, it has been “involved in the specialism of residential fire sprinkler systems for the last 20 years”. The organisation noted that many professional plumbers “have diversified into this area”, and added that it is also backing formal accreditation and regulation of installers.

“With regards to the findings of Dame Hackitt’s interim report, I agree wholeheartedly that the current regulatory system for ensuring fire safety in high-rise and complex buildings is not fit for purpose and that the prime focus over recent years has been on

energy efficiency and the deregulatory agenda rather than on fire safety and of the importance of the regulations,” said CIPHE CEO Kevin Wellman.

“It is particularly pertinent, in my opinion, to call into question the competence of those involved in the design, construction, on-going operational management and maintenance of complex and high-risk buildings.”

He added, “Installing active fire protection systems is just the start.

The need to ensure product compliance will be essential, together with regular maintenance to ensure these systems work as expected when they are required. As we have seen within our own and other industries, there will be untrained and unskilled individuals and companies taking advantage of a sudden leap in demand for sprinkler systems.”

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Industry News

supplied by

IMPEY RELEASES NEW WETROOM FITTING VIDEO Wetroom manufacturer Impey has launched a new instructional video, designed to illustrate how quickly and easily a wetroom can be waterproofed with its WaterGuard tanking membrane.

According to Impey, the process of waterproofing or tanking is “a failsafe way of guaranteeing a leakfree wetroom installation” and is one of the “hottest topics” on the company’s ‘We Are Wetrooms’ training tour.

The company recently released a behind-the-scenes video for its ‘We Are Wetrooms’ installer training tour, the third edition of which kicks off in March.

SANIFLO SPONSORS CIPHE APPRENTICE AWARDS Saniflo UK recently sponsored the Chartered Institute of Plumbing & Heating Engineering CIPHE Apprentice Awards 2017.

According to Saniflo, it has “long acknowledged the need to encourage the next generation to enter the plumbing sector, and was happy to become a sponsor for the awards”, which were won by Daniel Martins for the heating category, James Boyle for the plumbing category and Robbie McNeil for the vulnerability category.

“It is vital for the sector in the UK that we encourage young

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blood to come through,” said Saniflo Managing Director Tim Pestell, (pictured alongside winner James Boyle), he added, “The age profile of CIPHE members is over 50 so these talented apprentices are fundamental

to the future of the profession, including us as manufacturers.

The CIPHE is creating innovative solutions to attract more people, including the development of a distance learning degree in Building Services and

Water Management and the offer of bursaries from the Worshipful Company of Plumbers.

It is in our interests as suppliers to the sector to support these initiatives as much as we can.”

OLYMPIA LONDON

INTRODUCING THE NEW HOME RENOVATION SECTION With every visitor a potential customer, this show provides the perfect opportunity to establish sales and generate leads from a wider audience than normally possible.

BOOK YOUR STAND NOW FOR 2018 BOOK NOW

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Exhibition

COUNTDOWN TO THE IDEAL HOME SHOW! 110 years old, the Ideal Home Show has long been regarded as a British institution; however, despite its longevity it has remained current by its planning creativity which has resulted in offering both trade and consumer visitors ideas, innovations, solutions and trends for their homes year after year.

The 2018 events are almost on us again with the first being held in just a few weeks time on the 17th March - 2nd April at Olympia, London, and then followed on 31st May - 3rd June at SECC Glasgow and then 14th - 17th June at Eventcity, Manchester. 

In recognition of the initiatives and content of the exhibition, in the Autumn of 2017, the BiKBBI announced that it will be supporting The Ideal Home Show in 2018 and announced a package of BiKBBI member benefits if they chose to attend including:

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•

Exclusive membership discount on stands.

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A BiKBBI ‘Premium Marketing Package’ which gives members marketing support to promote their business to the home interest consumer market.

•

Direct account management support to ensure that a bespoke service is included to ensure all objectives for the company are met.

Exhibition So why should BiKBBI members visit the show?

Well, 42% of visitors are currently undergoing a renovation project and the shows will see over half a million consumers seeking new products and inspiration for their home improvement projects. As well as a dedicated kitchen and bathroom zone, the Ideal Home Show will also host the Renovation Advice Hub with free face-toface sessions with experts lending their advice on visitors’ renovation projects.

Furthermore, the BiKBBI will be engaging consumers at the shows by promoting its installer members and retail partners and the wider values of the institute.

Speaking on behalf of the BiKBBI, Chief Executive Officer, Damian Walters says, “With close to 5,000 members nationwide, we are in a position to communicate our values to consumers and to help marry up those planning to improve their homes with reliable and qualified tradespeople, where better to do this than at the UK’s most established and highprofile consumer homeinterest show where The Ideal Home Show team has tailored some real incentives for our members to attend.

www.idealhomeshow.co.uk 27

Trends

IDEAL STANDARD’S INTERNATIONAL DESIGNER ROBIN LEVIEN REVEALS HIS BATHROOM TREND PREDICTIONS FOR 2018 “With busy lifestyles creating a lack of available leisure time, combined with a growing desire by consumers for their homes to reflect their own unique personality means that trends are likely to be more unique than ever before. The next 12 months will follow these closely aligned patterns: BACK TO BLACK 2018 will see a rise in popularity of darker designs in British bathrooms. Expect to see more home owners opting for black flooring and dark grey walls. These brave design choices can actually make smaller bathrooms appear larger, provide a luxurious finish, and allow white ceramics to ‘pop’ against them, highlighting the design of the bathroom furniture itself.

MAKE IT MATTE Complementing this trend for darker shades, many householders will opt for matte finishes on ceramics and bathroom storage. Gloss has reigned supreme for a long time but can appear too brash when paired with the simpler, more minimal looks which are rising in popularity. Matte effect finishes are a sleek and a simple way to create a striking look without purchasing unnecessary accessories or adding fussy items to the room’s design scheme.

JUST FINE WITH EDGES Design simplicity will see consumers look to create slimmed down finishes in their bathrooms. This trend will particularly encompass bathroom ceramics, which are set to have finer edges than ever before. Not only does this create a sharp, dynamic look; it

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Robert Levien

2018 will see a rise in popularity of darker designs in British bathrooms.

Expect to see more home owners opting for black flooring and dark grey walls.

Trends Tiles will continue to grow in popularity, especially those which can be arranged in geometric designs on both walls and floors.

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Trends

Brits are now getting braver and are demanding that colour appears on the outside of freestanding bath tubs and washbasins 30

Trends

New metallics and bold colours, this trend is manifesting itself in hues of copper, rose gold and brass. This ‘patinated’ look which is becoming popular sees an intentional antiqued aesthetic coming back into fashion.. also makes optimum use of the room space, a key consideration in increasingly small UK bathrooms. These fine edges could be achieved on the rim of the basin, bath or even the WC. WALL OF GLASS Minimalism looks set to increase in popularity and this applies to showers too. Fuss-free plain glass shower screens will facilitate that walls and other décor details can take centre stage. Expect to see more consumers opting for seamless pieces of glass, with no join, folds or detail.

OUT ON THE TILES Luckily for those who enjoy more creative designs or quirkier finishes, 2018 won’t be entirely minimal in its appearance.

Tiles will continue to grow in popularity, especially those which can be arranged in geometric designs on both walls and floors.

These glazed areas are also a great way to introduce colour and many consumers will use tiles to add millennial pink, soft greens and baby blue into their bathroom.

PUT UP THE PAPER Lovers of print will be glad to learn that wallpapers for bathrooms have come on leaps and bounds and are set to come into their own during 2018. Whereas in the

past, the damp conditions of a bathroom could see wallpaper peel all too easily, new technologies mean that wallpaper with real staying power can be purchased. These wallpapers allow homeowners to introduce everything from geometric prints to florals and even trompe-l’oiel designs into the bathroom for a truly unique finish.

TURN THE LIGHTS DOWN Our lives are becoming increasingly busy, often resulting in fewer opportunities to take a long soak in the bath. So when the time does present itself the correct lighting will be necessary to create the perfect ambiance; subsequently, homeowners will install a combination of adjustable mood and task lighting including low voltage and LED lighting. Adding a dimmer switch to an existing bathroom can make an enormous difference to the whole bathing experience.

BATHING WITH BEATS Whether it’s listening to relaxing tunes during a bubble bath or blasting some beats while taking a morning shower, many people enjoy music when they use their bathroom. The latest technology can make this even more enjoyable, as surround sound speakers can now be installed beneath baths to offer optimum quality when listening to favourites tunes.

NEW METALLICS AND BOLD COLOURS This trend is manifesting itself in hues of copper, rose gold and brass. This ‘patinated’ look which is becoming popular sees an intentional antiqued aesthetic coming back into fashion.

Bold colours have been coming gradually for some time, but on walls, accessories and towels. Brits are now getting braver and are demanding that colour appears on the outside of freestanding bath tubs and washbasins - a statement wall of the bathroom world.”

www.ideal-standard.co.uk

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Trends

Matt Phillips, Head of UK Operations of market leading German kitchen manufacturer Rotpunkt.

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KITCHEN TRENDS FOR 2018

Trends With the remnants of party poppers cleared away and the Alka Seltzer returned to the medicine cabinet for another 12 months, we can turn our attention to business again; and being the first month of 2018 it is an ideal time to get an indicator of how kitchen trends may play out through the year.

Accordingly, we asked Matt Phillips, Head of UK operations of market leading German kitchen manufacturer Rotpunkt, to share his thoughts.

“There is definite swing towards juxtaposing finishes and materials: atypical finishes and materials such as copper mixed with wood, chrome highlights, matt effect lacquers met with black handles and accessories have become the must-have looks.

Blending surface finishes across both the worktops and kitchen furniture; the fusion of colours, finishes and textures are both pleasingly tactile and aesthetically spectacular. Work-surfaces are now looking to the furniture for inspiration, seeing laminate solutions become the go-to for synchronising the kitchen doors and work surfaces in the same material and finish.

The most popular kitchen style will continue to be linear with clean lines, rich materials and textures all enhanced by handleless door options and matt finishes.

Linear styling appeals to those consumers looking for fuss-free and contemporary kitchen with discreet

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Trends storage and definitely, hide-away appliances. This clean style is enhanced by handleless profile options with a variety of different chamfered edge detailing: showing a desire for extra care and attention to specific design features. Clever interiors offering endusers maximum interior storage is now here to stay and storage items like fully extendable drawer systems for smooth linear movement, soft-close hinges are almost expected these days.

HP laminate finishes are already becoming the preferred choice as it’s strong and has high design flexibility and is able to take on multiple effects like wood and metal. A real selling point is the fact that it doesn’t show fingerprints.

PC lacquer options are also coming to the fore, showing how a powder coated finish is transforming the practical nature of a kitchen. Stronger than normal lacquer, PC Lacquer guarantees a seamless surface, is highly scratch / wear / chemical / UV resistant and delivers a contemporary aesthetic with tactile surface texture.

Finally, we can’t forget cabinet construction which increasingly has to meet increased demands for sustainability from consumers; thankfully, this is an area Rotpunkt is recognised widely as being a market leader. Accordingly, Rotpunkt kitchen furniture is made using ‘BioBoard’: a sustainable, green and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional chip boards, which makes them highly competitive especially as ‘BioBoard’ doesn’t sacrifice any quality.

Furthermore, the weight of cabinetry is reduced by an amazing 30% by using corn and other yearly plants. This makes Rotpunkt kitchens one of the most user friendly kitchens for installers.” www.rotpunktuk.com 34

Trends

The new Power Kitchen in Carbon by Rotpunkt is defined by its industrial styling, contemporary colour palette and highly tactile quality.

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Trends

WHAT'S HOT FOR 2018

Daval, leaders in the design and manufacture of quality British fitted furniture prepare for the next big thing in kitchens and reveal the company’s Trend Predictions for 2018.

Simon Bodsworth, Managing Director, Daval

STYLES Contemporary kitchens are moving away from chunkier profiles in favour of thinner contours, whilst classic designs are often likely to be transitional in that they have look and feel of a traditional kitchen but with modern refinement. Capturing the trend for retro revival perfectly, classic kitchen schemes

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Trends in 2018 will offer old world traditional styling met with contemporary functionality and performance.

COLOURS Grey remains the frontrunner for contemporary kitchen design, with colours like charcoal and dove grey emphasising this colour trend. These are often combination with oak and blonde woods like ash to create a warm tactile aesthetic with subtle foundation. Grey is also being introduced through faux finishes like marble and stone.

Slate, Concrete, Steel and Basalt stone effect laminate finishes are bringing a more industrial aesthetic For the trendsetters, it is prudent to know that blue will become the colour of the moment with darker shades proving most popular: Slate, Steel and Denim Blue, Heritage Blue and dust grey. No longer are powder blue and periwinkle the go-to shades of blue, instead moody blue interior design statements are set to be the preferred colour palette this year.

MATERIALS & FINISHES Broad mixes of materials are being used across both furniture and finishing touches to create a ‘signature look’ through varying tone and texture. For instance, Matt for adding a greater sense of luxury, design appeal and point of difference to most interior schemes; matt finishes will continue to gain in popularity across the UK market.

Textural s will gain in popularity too with highly visual and tactile laminate solutions that can create a surface that replicates raw materials like wood, slate, marble, fabric, leather and metal.

STORAGE Concealed interior design for kitchen carcases seems to know no bounds as multifunctional kitchen furniture is expected these days even on mid-priced kitchens. The desire for clever ‘solution’ interior furniture will only grow as more consumers become aware of what’s available.

Creatively designed bi-fold and coplanar sliding doors are perfect for hiding away a large or small appliance and have operating systems that fit the space perfectly to run ergonomically. Small mezzanine racks provide additional storage space in cupboards with pull-out rack systems, deep drawers and combination shelving also standing firm as a way to create one complete area which caters to multiple needs.

ISLANDS Islands conform to modern lifestyle and will therefore continue to grow but in varying configurations like rectangular, L-shaped, U-shaped, curved and with (or without) a breakfast bar.

ENRICHMENT Glass and mirror, leather-bound handle details, copper splashbacks, dramatic pendent lights and felt-lined drawers will be increasingly used for adding a touch of luxury and for more avant-garde room accents.

Built from sustainable materials and precision engineered in the UK, please contact Daval to find out more:

www.daval-furniture.co.uk

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Health Matters

DUST EXTRACTION HAS TO BE TOP PRIORITY FOR THE TRADE Jay Hounsell, launched the Hertfordshire Kitchen Company two years ago and is successfully building a reputation for the supply and installation of quality domestic kitchens in Herts and the surrounding areas.

Jay explains why he believes dust extraction should be the number one priority for everyone in the trade.

“I’ve been working in the carpentry industry for 20-odd years and constantly working in an environment with dust extraction has meant that I have massively had to change my working practices. The new approach is

“High-performance extraction helps with the longevity of the tools which means less ‘downtime’ but most importantly, I’ve been lucky to never have suffered from asthma or other breathing problems and believe this is in no small part, attributable to the use of my Festool dust extractors and their excellent integration with their tools.”

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helped by the fact that I have a lot of Festool kit which I purchased primarily because its tools and dust extractors work together really well. I’m continually using routers, drills and circular saws with extractors and the Festool tools it makes the working environment more comfortable, cleaner and safer, I hate working in a mess and these products with the latest technologies minimise this immensely. Importantly, customers like a mess free environment too, our Facebook page for instance shows a number who have mentioned how clean and tidy the job has been. 

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Health Matters Jay says that the health benefits have to be the number one reason for using Festool equipment, he says: “Obviously, high-performance extraction helps with the longevity of the tools which means less ‘down-time’ but most importantly, I’ve been lucky to never have suffered from asthma or other breathing problems and believe this is in no small part, attributable to the use of my Festool dust extractors and their excellent integration with their tools. After years of working in carpentry I’m aware of the risks of working without a dust extractor so now use one whenever the tools allow. Kitchen fitting is indoor work so it’s a ‘must’ as it’s not always practical or possible to do all the cutting outside.”

Jay continued, “I know people who don’t bother using them for a number of reasons; some think they are not necessary and too expensive, I’ve heard others say that they are too big and bulky to wheel in and out of jobs.

Worse, I know of some installers who use something unsuitable that’s not up to the job!

I think it’s a bit of laziness from some people and lack of awareness about the dangers.”

“After years of working in carpentry I’m aware of the risks of working without a dust extractor so now use one whenever the tools allow.”

Health has become a big issue with KBB installers especially, Jay added, “Dust extraction has to be a top priority for people in the trade. I have two L Class extractors and, since we’ve developed our work with solid surface worktops that produces finer dust, I invested in an M Class system now too; I use each one depending on the job.

The ‘system’ is what I like about Festool, the systainers enable easy organisation and all stack on top of each other which makes the mobility of kit when you’re on the job so 40

much easier.”

Festool, a leading supplier of high-end power tools and accessories, including a range of dust extractors, has been speaking with business owners as part of its latest ‘Breathe Easy’ campaign. The company has teamed up with the British Lung Foundation (BLF) to provide top quality cycling tops, available here: http://bit.ly/Festooltop, as a fundraising initiative and has asked business owners about their attitudes to dust extraction.

According to the British Thoracic Society’s report The Burden of Lung Disease, men aged 20-64 employed in manual occupations are around 14 times more likely to die from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and are nine times more likely to die from tuberculosis.

Occupational lung diseases such as mesothelioma – caused by exposure to asbestos fibres – are increasing. Since 1992, mesothelioma deaths have increased by 70% to 1,862. Jon Burcham, Marketing Manager at Festool, said: “Festool has long-been recognised for our excellent dust extraction systems and due to heightened levels of understanding about the harm that dust can have on people’s lung health, we can see that dust extraction and the measures tradesmen need to take to protect their lungs will be something that will be legislated about in the near future.”

“Perfect for mobile use and assembly, the Festool range of safe and robust dust extractors are lightweight and compact, ideal to transport from job to job, saving time for tradespeople.” Jon concluded.

Festool’s dust extractors are suitable for any job from low to high class dust, including general work to anything that is a known carcinogen including lead, cadmium and asbestos. To find the right dust extractor for you, visit www.festool.co.uk for more information. *1. Reference for research can be found here: www.britthoracic.org.uk/working-in-respiratory/burden-of-lungdisease/

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Environmental

GROHE - PROVIDING A NECESSARY ALTERNATIVE TO PLASTIC A brand new YouGov study commissioned by GROHE has found that half of Britain’s adult population buys bottled water on a weekly basis - totting up a pile of over 100 million water bottles per week!* A YouGov study commissioned by GROHE has revealed that 50% of adults in Britain are buying bottled water on a weekly basis , revealing a burgeoning need for eco-friendly alternatives.

Aside from the cost to our pockets, there is

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a huge cost to the planet, on land and in the sea and air. A study by the University of Georgia has calculated that around 8 million metric tons of plastic enter the oceans per year. This this has since shown up in the stomachs of whales, fish and other marine life. According to a report by the Ellen McArthur Foundation, there will be more plastic waste in the sea than fish by 2050. On land, effects include disruption to food chains and eco systems, and in air, the release of hazardous chemicals which can cause respiratory problems.

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Environmental According to the YouGov survey, the number of bottles of water bought in an average According to the YouGov survey, the number of bottles of water bought in an average week varies, with the most ‘eco-conscious’ limiting themselves to one to two (25%), while nearly one in ten of us buy at least one bottle every day** (9%). A staggering 6% of Brits are buying 10 or more bottles per week, equating to overall 100 million bottles per week overall!* Bottled water consumption also remains high in restaurants, with more than one in five visitors choosing to pay for bottled water over choosing tap (21%), according to the survey.

So, why does the nation opt to buy bottled water instead of drinking from the tap? Are we not yet clued up to the environmental effects? A separate study by YouGov commissioned by the Consumer Council for Water, found the top reasons– when asked to select their top three – why those who opt to drink still bottled water at home in England and Wales over tap, included a dislike of The GROHE Blue® Home water system

the smell and taste of the tap water (43%), followed by fear of what other substances the water contains (30%). Amongst those who usually drink tap water at home, but not necessarily in other places, the top answer when asked to select their top three, was a lack of easy access (28%) followed again by fears about the safety of the water (19%).*** Sustainability starts at home For those who regularly buy bottled water or are worried about substances in tap water, investing in a GROHE Blue filtered water tap provides a solution both economically and environmentally. The tap has been designed to provide still, sparkling and semi-sparkling filtered delicious-tasting water on demand.

The GROHE Blue removes all impurities, including lead, from the water through a filtration system and adds magnesium for even greater health benefits. Designed to fit in discreetly with your kitchen, the Blue’s filter tank sits out of sight in your kitchen cupboard. Investing in a filtered tap like the GROHE Blue will not only give you great tasting water, but it is also a positive step in the right direction to reducing plastic consumption.

www.grohe.co.uk

* based on a mean of 2.21 bottles of water per week being bought amongst the total GB adult population (49,501,761 – ONS). Total number: 109,398,892. Calculation by DMC PR **based on 9% buying 7 bottles per week or more. *** Study: “Using water wisely and attitudes to tap water”. Consumer Council for Water & YouGov from a survey amongst a representative sample of 3,116 adults in England and Wales.

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Keep a clean sheet.

Festool dust extractors. For healthier work. For better results.

You´ll never work alone.

A clean job is more than a perfect result. The Festool mobile dust extractors work discreetly in the background, but are immediately

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They thus guarantee not only health-friendly work, but also save you time and effort on time-consuming cleaning.

For more information please visit www.festool.co.uk/dustfree or your retailer. www.festool.co.uk

Installer Profile

BECOMING INSTALLER OF THE YEAR ...

At the prestigious ek&bbusiness Awards & Review 2017 which was held recently in Central London, LSI Interiors Ltd was presented with the much sought after ‘Installer of the Year’ award.

As the market leading KBB installer magazine, we were the first to speak to LSI owner Layne Ives. We asked how he feels about winning the award and how his business has risen to such prominence: Many congratulations Layne, what does this honour mean to you?

I’m delighted to have won the award as I put so much effort into making sure my clients receive the best service and feel I have been rewarded for this.

How do you think you can use it to your best advantage?

I’ll be discussing contracts with retailers so winning the award will give them more confidence in appointing us.

What advice do you have for anyone else being nominated?

Be prepared for the judges, you won’t pull the wool over their eyes so make sure you’re prepared to be quizzed and that you are as good as you think you are. One little tip … the inspection was something I’ve never experienced before and so I didn’t know what to expect, but with hindsight, make sure you clean under the units! 

“I’m delighted to have won the award as I put so much effort into making sure my clients receive the best service and feel I have been rewarded for this.”

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Installer Profile So going right back to the beginning, what got you into fitting kitchens and bathrooms?

I’d been in the building industry since I left school and having worked with many skilled tradesmen I become a multi-tradesman, a bit of an all-rounder really, which is essential for KBB installations and so I seized the opportunity. LSI Interiors is set up quite differently now and we project manage individual trades but I think this is largely due to the fact that quality multi-tradesman are hard to find these days.

done to ensure that invoices were paid, it seemed that there were never enough hours in the day.

Do you have any retail contracts?

Yes, I have a contract with John Lewis of Hungerford where I began installing kitchens nine years ago, I now have teams covering London and the surrounding areas looking after the majority of its London installations, they have been great in supporting me whilst building the business.

How long have you been installing?

Why do you work with retailers?

The best part of 20 years, I’m showing my age now ….. I started early ha ha.

It’s good to be associated with retailers as they provide regular work whilst reassuring private clients in the quality of our services.

What’s has been your biggest challenge whilst growing your business?

Finding the right balance between working on the tools, which ultimately pays the wages, and doing the admin work that had to be

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What do you want from a retail contract?

Its two fold really, I need regular work for my current teams and I want to continue to grow my business and so I need to create

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Installer Profile more work for the future which will allow me increase the amount of teams that I have.

What’s the secret of growing a successful business?

Effort, commitment, determination and passion are just some of the essential ingredients required.

How has BiKBBI helped your journey?

When carrying out a survey I always make a potential client aware that we are members and ask them to visit the website for reassurance, this virtually always gives us the upper hand over our competitors who have no BiKBBI accreditation.

What is your biggest challenge today?

To be honest, as the years have passed I’ve overcome many challenges already so business actually does run very smoothly; however, if you had asked me the same question a few years ago, it would definitely have been the difficulty in finding the best overall system to run a successful installation business and, vitally, finding an admin team as good as the one that I am lucky to have now to enable me to run it.

What’s next for LSI? To expand the business further. Subsequently, I’ll be speaking with more retailers in the coming months. I also want to expand our building department where we complete extensions, loft conversions and other refurbishment work. The business is definitely well positioned to take the next step along our growth path.

Will LSI be utilising the BiKBBI led apprenticeship scheme?

I would love to, it’s so important that we pass our experience onto our future installers and give the youngsters an opportunity, I’m hearing that we are a dying trade and so if true, developing more apprentices is vital!

If you can offer one piece of advice for an apprentice, what will it be?

To watch and listen to those who give you an opportunity. To arrive on time for work and to be clean, tidy and presentable as first impressions are so important as you meet new clients nearly every week.

And if you had one piece of advice for an existing installer wanting to grow his business, what would it be?

To ensure that you employ the right people as you’ll be relying on them to produce the goods on your behalf on a day-to-day basis.

It’s important to remember that you are only as good as your last job and so the good reputation you have painstakingly built over a number of years can quickly change for the worse should the wrong team come on board. Always make sure you monitor your teams closely and audit their work!

What’s the future for LSI? To continue to grow the business and consider each opportunity that comes our way, especially as we now have so much expertise to offer.

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New Product

FRANKE’S INNOVATIVE M-BOX MAKES BOILING WATER TAP INSTALLATION FASTER AND EASIER Aimed at streamlining and simplifying the installation of its Minerva boiling water taps, Franke has developed the innovative new M-Box, allowing the fitting of a Minerva in as little as 20 minutes.

The M-Box has no single parts, just one compact box containing Franke Pro M filter, inlet combination, mixing valve set, gasket set and control box. The box has the flexibility to be fitted horizontally or vertically depending on the space available in the cupboard and only requires two drill holes.

The tap hoses are different sizes and colour coded, fitting into matching holes in the box for a fool-proof job with hardly any tools needed. The integral Pro M filter is very easy to access and change by the consumer, so there is no need for a return visit to replace it.

Says Jeanette Ward, Communications Manager at Franke: “The boiling water 48

tap market is increasing but two defining factors in getting them into more homes are the ease of installation and their ongoing maintenance once in situ, because installers will naturally favour a product that’s straightforward to install and doesn’t generate after sales interventions. We have introduced the MBox in recognition of these issues to make the installation process as straightforward as possible, and it’s already proving to be successful.”

The M-Box is compatible with Franke’s Minerva 3-in-1 taps and the new Minerva Electronic 4-in-1 tap, and is suitable for use with low pressure water systems.

The box does not have to compete for cupboard space with the boiling water tank, as Minerva tanks fit neatly behind the plinth.

The new M-Box from Franke simplifies the installation of its Minerva boiling water taps. It has no single parts, just one compact box containing Franke Pro M filter, inlet combination, mixing valve set, gasket set and control box.

www.franke.co.uk

The M-Box is compatible with Franke’s Minerva 3-in-1 taps and the new Minerva Electronic 4-in-1 tap, pictured here.

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Financial Advice

TAX & ACCOUNTANCY TIPS A happy new year to all members and readers.

TAX RETURN DEADLINES The 31st January 2018 marks the deadline for online submission of self-assessment tax returns and is also the date that all tax and national insurance liabilities for the 5th April 2017 have to be settled by. Failure to file on time will result in penalties being issued and failure to pay on time will result in HMR&C charging interest and potentially very high surcharges. It is strongly recommended that you communicate with your professional advisors as soon as possible if you have not already. The new-year often signals the busiest month for many accountants and tax advisers so please do not leave everything to the last minute.

AUTO ENROLMENT AND PENSION INCREASES The government’s auto enrolment legislation has now been with us for some time and it is hoped that all employers now understand their responsibilities and compliance obligations. With effect from April 2018 the minimum contribution rates will increase to 2% for employers and 3% for employees. It is recommended that you ensure that your staff are aware of these changes and that your payroll software is ready to accommodate the new rates.

BUDGET CHANGES Phillip Hammond presented his first Autumn Budget on November 22nd. I think it is fair to say that there were no ground breaking changes within the tax system but there were some items that may be of interest.

VAT THRESHOLD The VAT registration threshold has been frozen for the next few years. It has been typical for the registration limit to increase on occasion to reflect the impact of inflation but this freezing of the threshold represents

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Dean Flood, Chartered Certified Accountant and Partner at Rowland Hall www.rowlandhall.co.uk Tel: 01375 373 828 / 01268 696 878

a slight change in approach. There have been some recommendations that the UK VAT registration threshold should be reduced to the comparable levels of some of our European counterparts. As an example the threshold in France is just over €33,000. There are no indications that we will follow suit to that extent, but the freezing of the limit may indicate a future downward pressure on the threshold.

CORPORATION TAX In the corporate environment, businesses will no longer enjoy any further indexation on certain asset base costs with effect from 1st January 2018. Historical indexation up to that point will still be permitted but subsequent appreciation of assets will no longer receive this modest chargeable gains protection against inflation.

To counter that bad news the corporation tax rate will reduce to 19% for all profits accrued after 1st April 2018.

DIVIDEND TAX The Nil % rate of tax on dividend income is currently restricted to the first £5,000 but this will reduce to £2,000 with effect from 6th April 2018. It is recommended that owner managed companies ensure they fully explore their options for available dividend payments before that date of change to ensure maximum efficiency of profit extraction from the company.

THE NEW

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Make it provide boiling, warm or cold water, filtered or unfiltered, delivered in an instant. Make it electronic, make it simple and safe to use. Make it convenient, energy efficient and make it easy to install.

Make it wonderful at Franke.co.uk

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Bathroom Contracts

CROSSWATER CONTRACTS TEAM GROWS AND RE-BRANDS FOR AN EXCITING 2018 Crosswater Contracts has announced an exciting rebrand for 2018, and will now be known as Bathroom Brands Group Projects.

Providing the same superior level of service to its contract-based clients, which caters to jobs in the hospitality, residential and commercial sectors, the team will now offer a much wider portfolio of bathroom products. Joining the current ranges from Crosswater, Simpsons and Bauhaus, the merged team will now offer clients products from the Bathroom Brands range, including Burlington, Britton, Clearwater and Thirty6.

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The change has been conceived to champion the development of the company’s contract projects, offering customers a complete one-stop-shop for the highest quality bathroom designs available to the commercial market. This is one of the fastest-growing parts of the business and the new changes will allow the Bathroom Brands Group Projects to continue to expand, becoming a key player in the projects market.

The Bathroom Brands Group Projects’ UK team will be headed up by Mick Bone, who will report to the newly recruited International Sales

Director, Paul Robbins.

Robbins joins the company from Dutch multinational, AkzoNobel and will oversee the BBGP team, coordinating all commercial projects in the UK and internationally.

Originally based in the United Kingdom, Bathroom Brands Group Limited has developed into a global name, with offices in London, Zagreb, Shanghai, Singapore and most recently launching into the USA. Offering a complete bathroom solution, product development is controlled from London and Singapore. www.crosswater.co.uk

WIN!

AN AQUALISA Q™ SMART MIXER WORTH OVER £900!

To celebrate Aqualisa’s latest innovation in Smart Mixers, we are giving you the opportunity to win a Q™ Smart Mixer worth over £900! Aqualisa Q™ is set to revolutionise the way we shower. Based on Aqualisa’s precision smart technology ensuring superb performance and packed full of features, this is Aqualisa’s smartest and most personal shower yet. Q™ is powered by the upgraded Quartz™ Smart Valve which can be located up to 10 metres from the controller. With ease of installation, Q™ is the perfect retro-fit for both existing smart mixers and bar valves.

Just click on the link to subscribe for automatic competition entry:

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Step by Step

HERE’S EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT INSTALLING THE NEW AQUALISA Q™ WITH AN EASY 7 STEP GUIDE 1 1

Choose a convenient location for the Quartz™ smart valve, this can be sited up to 10 metres from the Q control.

Just make sure it is accessible for future servicing. Secure the Quartz™ smart valve and connect the hot and cold pipes.

2

Locate the rail and control position by using the template provided. Drill where stated.

3

Cut hole in the ceiling. Feed the cable and pipework through with the rail assembly and secure to the finished wall.

2

3

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Step by Step

4 4

Attach the rail to the wall as directed and fit the Q™ control.

5

Attach the data cable to the cambus, once connected, connect the cambus to the Quartz™ smart valve.

6

Attach the head and hose.

7

Turn on the supplies, the shower is ready to go.

5

6

7

*Refer to installation guide for full installation details at www.aqualisa.co.uk/customer-care/brochuresinstallation-guides/installation-guides

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Advertorial

NUANCE BATHROOM PANELLING SIX TIMES FASTER THAN TILING In time trials conducted by Bushboard, fitting Nuance bathroom wall panelling was six times faster than ceramic tiling.

Tiling is time consuming and expensive.

According to Which? Magazine, tiling a 7ft by 7ft small bathroom can take 1-3 days and costs up to £800. A large 13ft by 7ft room would cost around £1,315 to tile and take 3-6 days.

But what if a sleek, easy to maintain waterproof surface could be installed in as little as four hours for an average bathroom, and even be used to cover old and ‘past their best tiles?’ In time trials conducted

by Bushboard, fitting Nuance bathroom wall panelling was six times faster than ceramic tiling. Nuance bathroom panelling is completely waterproof, comes in a choice of 25 attractive and on trend finishes and can be applied over old tiles to give a tired bathroom a bright new look without mess and disruption.

Bushboard Nuance Calacatta Statuario wall panelling in glaze texture.

The panels are 100 percent waterproof and there is no need for ugly extrusions which means the finished effect is sleek, virtually seam free and a cinch to clean. Ideal for bathrooms, cloakrooms, showers and even wetrooms Nuance panels are ideal for any site where down-time needs to be kept to an absolute minimum. Postformed edges make external corners easy and the choice of panel sizes reduces waste.

Maintaining grout and silicone sealer is a major drawack of tiling too. With Nuance panels there’s no grout to look after but it must be installed with the company’s own BB Complete - a superior adhesive and sealant for a longlasting easy clean finish that is guaranteed for a full 15 years. www.bushboard.co.uk 56

Bushboard Nuance Calacatta Statuario panelling in a wetroom.

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Electrical

HAMILTON TO MAKE ITS DEBUT AT KBB BIRMINGHAM 2018 Electrical accessories provider Hamilton Litestat will attend kbb Birmingham on 4-7 March 2018 at the NEC, Birmingham.

It’s the first time that the British business has exhibited at the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom event, which is the largest of its kind in the UK. “We’re delighted to be exhibiting at kbb Birmingham,” says Hamilton’s Marketing Manager, Gavin Williams. “As a specialist supplier of smart lighting and multi-room audio control systems, along with designer switch plates and sockets, delivering solutions for kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms is key to our ability to support all areas of the home.”

Hamilton will be present on Stand K80 and will showcase its state-of-the-art electrical solutions that help bring the latest smart technology into the home, along with stylish accessories to control them.

This is what the company says about some of its areas of expertise: Let us feed & entertain you!

This includes smart lighting control, which helps create mood lighting in any area of a property. It’s particularly suited to the kitchen/diner where it can transform the space from a food preparation zone into an inviting area for entertainment. Bright LEDs 58

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Electrical

for precise tasks such as knifework can be instantly transformed at the flick of a switch or the swipe of a button. Lighting can be dimmed, or – with a DMX option – can add an RGB colour wash to transform it into a welcoming atmosphere for guests to relax.

Wherever the music takes you.

Multi-room audio takes the ‘smart home’ one step further and allows easy streaming of music in the kitchen and multiple rooms, whether for entertaining or simply enjoying the space. This creates an extra special, luxurious feel in a bedroom or bathroom, giving the experience of a top-quality hotel while in the comfort of the home. You can even take it outside too as Hamilton offers music and lighting control options for patio and garden areas.

Plates don’t just belong in the kitchen Hamilton’s stylish switch plates and sockets come in a vast range of designs and finishes 60

to control these smart solutions as well as other appliances in the home. In the kitchen, grid-fix plate options allow for the control of white goods with dedicated switches that can be marked with a name or icon for each appliance. In the bathroom, plates come with shaver options. Meanwhile, ideal for the bedroom are plates with dual USB sockets for charging multiple devices, which is particularly desirable for today’s everconnected lifestyle. Providing a coordinated look throughout the home, the solutions are perfect for the tech and style-conscious homeowner.

Visit Hamilton on Stand K80 at kbb Birmingham to see its range of solutions and get helpful advice from the Hamilton team.

www.hamilton-litestat.com

Food Tech!

making connections beautifully

Whether its food prep, entertaining, or a place where homework is done, Hamilton’s quality range of switch plates & sockets and smart controls cater for the family demands placed on today’s kitchen.

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INDUSTRY PARTNER

MAKE SURE YOU GET YOUR COPY OF THE INSTALLER MAGAZINE COMPLETELY FREE OF CHARGE BY CLICKING THE SUBSCRIBE BUTTON BELOW

The Installer magazine is the industry’s ONLY magazine that specifically writes for BiKBBI members, KBB Installers,retailers and manufacturers. It brings you news, views, tips and business advice every quarter (winter, spring, summer, autumn) Look out for the launch of The Installer’s mini-magazines in March.

These will be perfect for delivering time-sensitive news, breaking news and recruitment.

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Marketing Advice

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Marketing Advice

A FRESH YOUNG COMPANY WITH A FRESH YOUNG APPROACH TO IMPROVING BUSINESS FOR KBB COMPANIES Whether you are a KBB installer, retailer, manufacturer or distributor you will be affected by, and almost certainly a user of social media. But how much are you engaged with it for your business?

For sure, you are likely to have a Facebook page and the more progressive of our readers will use the likes of Linked-In, Instagram and Pinterest amongst others; however, very few will have considered using video to promote their businesses so perhaps it’s something that our readers should explore. Consequently, The Installer Magazine met with April Kelley and Sara Huxley of Mini Productions Ltd to find out more.

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Marketing Advice

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Marketing Advice We asked why our readers should consider using video footage to promote their businesses?

Sara commented, “Because it’s an incredibly effective way of selling your products and services to reach new customers. It also allows you to steal a march on your competition as few will be as progressive, giving you a definite edge over your competitors” she added, “For instance, when using satisfied customers for testimonials, it’s one thing seeing a written quote or two, but imagine the added impact if prospective customers can actually watch your existing customers praising how you went the extra mile to complete their job and deliver their dream kitchen or bathroom!”

But surely producing a video cannot be cheap and with the KBB market at its most competitive, profit margins are getting squeezed all the time.

We therefore asked how you achieve maximum impact with your video content without breaking the bank?

April responded enthusiastically, “Well, this is where we come in. We’ve used our heavily creative and digital media background to crack the formula for making corporate content ‘not corporate’. We create affordable solutions to your existing online and digital requirements, offering video and photography that inspires and gives a high-end professional feel to showcase you and your company.”

So how cost effective is using video for promoting businesses both big and small?

“Its incredibly cost-effective as its all about weighing up the initial cost with the results that are delivered; for instance, I would suggest that if a KBB installer or retailer secured just a handful of new projects over the course of the term that the video is current (probably as couple of years) then as a direct result, the company video then it would pay for itself over and over again.”  65

Marketing Advice

Here are a few indicators regarding video promotions (Statistics courtesy of WorldStream): Video Marketing Volume Statistics ◉

82% of Twitter users watch video content on Twitter

◉ YouTube has over a billion users,

almost one-third of total internet users . ◉ 45% of people watch more than an

hour of Facebook or YouTube videos a week.

Video Marketing Engagement Statistics ◉

51% of marketing professionals worldwide name video as the type of content with the best ROI.

◉

Marketers who use video grow revenue 49% faster than non-video users.

◉

Social video generates 1200% more shares than text and images combined.

◉

More than 500 million hours of videos are watched on YouTube each day.

◉

Videos up to 2 minutes long get the most engagement.

◉

More video content is uploaded in 30 days than the major U.S. television networks have created in 30 years.

◉

85% of Facebook videos are watched without sound.

◉

Video on a landing page can increase conversions by 80% or more.

◉

Native videos on Facebook have 10 times higher reach compared to YouTube links. 

◉ 87% of online marketers use video content. ◉ Over half of video content is viewed on mobile. ◉

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92 percent of mobile video viewers share videos with others.

Voted

Fun Video Marketing Facts ◉ Viewers retain 95% of a message

when they watch it in a video

compared to 10% when reading it in text.

Best Digital Media Contribution at the BMA Media Awards 5 years in a row

◉ Internet video traffic will be 69% of

all global consumer Internet traffic in 2017. ◉

By 2019, internet video traffic will account for 80% of all consumers Internet traffic.

◉

The average user spends 88% more time on a website with video.

Our conclusion is that as the nature of our customers is rightfully cautious about whom they buy from; anything that reinforces your professionalism has to be worth investigating further. Sometimes additional costs are worth the initial investment, they must be or we wouldn’t replace vans or tooling with something better or in the case of a retailer, improve our showrooms.

There are many ways to generate new business but as consumers are always looking for reinforcement of credentials (using a BiKBBI member for instance) then it seems to make perfect sense to consider video as a unique and highly-effective marketing tool.

Where we lead, others follow kbbdaily.com & kbbdaily|jobs keeping retailers, manufacturers, designers and suppliers up to speed with everything that’s happening in their industry including the latest in recruitment listings.

kbbdaily|jobs

kbbdaily.com

For advertising, contact: 01206 851117 ext: 286 For editorial, contact: 01206 851117 ext: 300 |

@kbbdaily

THE KITCHEN, BEDROOM & BATHROOM SPECIALIST PR CONSULTANCY

Public Relations •Advertising•Publishing•Marketing

For enquiries or to obtain an estimate, contact: www.miniproductions.co.uk april@miniproductions.co.uk

Telephone: 01992 478 109 celebrating 21 years

www.publicityengineers.com

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Marketing Advice

SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING GUIDE, GETTING STARTED New to social media marketing? This beginner’s guide will get your business on the road to online success.

In this guide to social media marketing we look at what the process actually is and why it’s good for your small business. We also highlight some of the platforms available to help you decide which ones would suit your business goals.

What is social media marketing?

Before we start, let’s get to grips with what social media marketing actually is and what it means for your business. We can define social media marketing as the process of increasing the visibility of your firm by using social media channels.

Your strategy will change depending on what you want to achieve, but the goals are usually to make people aware of a particular product or service, drive traffic to your website and gain new customers.

Why should you use it?

The internet is where most of your clients are going to be looking for you. If customers

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Marketing Advice

want to find a tradesperson, designer or any other service nowadays they invariably search online, so it helps if search engines can find your website or profile quickly. If you need to create a website for your company, the Houzz Site Designer tool is free and in less than 15 minutes you’ll have a website.

Another benefit of social media?

It’s a way to gain insight into the needs of your customer base, so that you can offer a good service and retain clients. You can also use it to check out the competition, and to establish yourself as a professional in your field.

And if you need another reason to get your business on social media, it’s probably the fastest and most efficient

way of reaching out to and connecting with potential new customers, regardless of where they live.

Social media strategist, Jemima Gibbons offers a good tip, “Focus on building your network rather than instant sales. Remember, social media is about building relationships over the long term. You often hear people likening social media to a pub or a party – you wouldn’t just walk in and start shouting about what you want to sell.”

Which platform should you use?

There are so many social media channels around nowadays that the choice of where to direct your marketing energies can be

overwhelming. Rather than enthusiastically posting everywhere, it’s best to start small and direct your attention to one or two platforms, before you move on to a new one.

To decide which ones to choose you need to define your objectives, and also work out which channels your target customers are using. For example, if you’re looking to increase general awareness it’s useful to choose one of the larger, more established platforms, or if you want to effectively target homeowners who are planning a renovation project, an industry-specific platform such as Houzz would be more effective.

A good way to find out where

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Marketing Advice your customers are looking is to check out the social media profiles of your competitors.

See where they’re directing their energies and use the number of followers they have on each platform as a rough guide to which ones are more effective for your niche.

Get to know the platforms To help you decide where to target your marketing strategy, here’s a brief outline of some social media platforms.

Facebook is one of the original social networking sites and is still going strong today. If you’re looking for a platform with a huge amount of users, 2 billion in fact, you can’t go wrong with Facebook.

By posting relevant content that’s interesting and worthy of sharing, you’ll have the opportunity to reach a potentially massive number of people. It also offers an effective way of targeting advertising at customers.

Twitter is different to Facebook in that you can only share posts of 280 characters or less, so it’s great for posting simple messages or linking to other content. You can make one-to-one connections on Twitter easily by joining conversations, retweeting or mentioning other users, so it’s a great place to follow up on leads or even make new ones. It takes time to make an impact on Twitter, however, so you’ll

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need to invest time and effort. There also isn’t as much opportunity for target advertising.

Instagram is a fast-growing social media platform and, according to some reports, has more brand engagement than other channels, so it’s a good choice for small businesses. This platform is designed for sharing images and short videos.

LinkedIn is a good option for lead generation and for help building up a professional network. It offers the potential for connecting directly with leads, as well as sharing interesting industryfocused content. By joining groups you can share your professional knowledge and establish yourself as an authority in your field.

Houzz is the leading platform for home renovation and

design, providing people with everything they need to improve their homes from start to finish – online or from a mobile device. From decorating a small room to building a custom home and everything in between, Houzz connects millions of homeowners, home design enthusiasts and home improvement professionals across the country and around the world.

Houzz helps remodelers, designers, builders and other home renovation professionals by applying technology to build their brands, connect with homeowners and move project management to the cloud. Pros can both build their brands and collaborate with real, potential clients via ideabooks.

www.houzz.co.uk

New styles, same great value Carron Phoenix’s newest range of sinks are designed in a range of styles and colours to suit any style preferences, matching design with functionality. Our latest high powered waste disposal units are the ultimate compliment to any busy working kitchen.

Ask your local distributor for details or call us on 0161 436 6280 or visit www.carron.com

Rapid 150 with Pura tap

Calla 150 with Dante tap

Carronade Elite CE-50

Marketing Advice Stay visible in search engines and enhance your conversion rates with a responsive web design that loads rapidly and works well across all devices.

In this digital age, it is imperative that trade professionals market their services online. Gone are the days of the Yellow Pages and direct mail, today it’s all about the website, and with over one billion websites now registered online, there is no reason for you to avoid having one.

Why do I need a website?

Contrary to popular belief, websites are a relatively low cost form of marketing.

Aside from the initial outlay, they require very little maintenance and can vastly improve your turnover.

Unlike many other marketing techniques, there is no need to pay high ongoing costs for distribution and printing fees. Instead, good website branding allows you to control your voice and showcase your services on a constant basis, meaning you never have to close for business. Posting regular content will also help customers get to know your brand and understand exactly what it is that separates you from your competitors.

So, if you’re under the impression that referrals are the most effective way of generating business, then you need to think again. A recent article in the Guardian has revealed that 94% of Internet

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THE IMPORTANCE OF A RESPONSIVE WEB PRESENCE IN 2018

Lee Sturgess from Polar Creative

Marketing Advice users rely solely on websites to seek out local businesses*.

Information is expected to be a click away, so if your services are not advertised online, you are at great risk of losing customers. Having a professional website will show that you operate a credible business and prove to customers that you are willing to be transparent. A personalised domain space also provides numerous benefits, including the opportunity to create a professional email address.

The Role of Responsiveness In order to really gain an advantage over the competition, your website needs to be fast and responsive.

When a potential customer launches your website, they expect it to fit the screen on the device that they’re using.

If it doesn’t load correctly, or looks unappealing, then they’ll quickly click out and you’ll lose out on any potential work. By having a responsive website, background technology will allow it to adapt to the screen that it is being viewed on.

A responsive site typically uses CSS

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Marketing Advice

media queries to change styles based on the width and height of the target device.

By making your website responsive, you will increase engagement with your site visitors, which will assist in turning those initial clicks into customers.

Responsive Vs Adaptive The alternative to having a responsive website is to use an adaptive approach. With an adaptive web design, webmasters need to use a number of static layouts which will detect the screen size of the tablet, desktop or mobile that is being used before loading the appropriate layout. Typically, a minimum of six layouts would be necessary in order to cover the most common screen widths.

In comparison, responsive web design is much easier to manage when there 74

is only one single layout to consider. Each time you need to update your content, you need to do so only once, which will bring down the costs of your web management.

Search Engine Optimisation Google’s preferred approach to web design layout for mobiles is responsive. When the search engine backs a particular technique, it is wise to pay attention.

Google’s algorithms place a lot of emphasis on how mobile-friendly a website is, ever since mobile searches surpassed desktop searches in early 2015. They even offer a handy mobile-friendly test so that you can ensure your website can be viewed correctly by visitors who are using any device. Sites that pass the test with flying colours are more likely to rank well within the search results.

One of the key elements to designing a web layout that is optimal for web visitors is to ensure that it loads quickly when a user clicks on it within a search engine or types in the URL. 40% of users are thought to abandon a web page that takes longer than 3 seconds to load on a mobile device; therefore, it is essential to prioritise speed over other features such as JavaScript which may add bells and whistles to the look, but will slow your page launch right down.

If you want to improve your online presence, get in touch with the Polar team today... * What are businesses missing out on by not having a website? (2017).

Retrieved October 12, 2017, from The Telegraph.

www.wearepolar.com

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Marketing Advice

HOW TO CONNECT YOUR WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE To increase your online presence, it’s crucial to link your website and social media profiles – here’s how to do it 

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Marketing Advice

When it comes to online marketing, a website and social media presence go hand in hand. You need social media to build your website’s search engine optimisation and, in turn, you can use your website for a source of content to share on social media platforms. Follow this guide to find out how you can reap the benefits of adding social media links to your website.

Add some click-through buttons Include social media buttons on every page of your website to make it easy for visitors to link to all your profiles. Buttons for the main social networks are usually included as part of your website building software, so it’s simple to pop them on. For the best results, make sure they’re positioned in a prominent spot, such as the top, bottom or side of the web page. Haven’t updated your Facebook page for a while? It’s best to leave this button out and focus on those platforms you’re using regularly.

As well as buttons that navigate to your social media channels, don’t forget to include sharing buttons that will allow visitors to post your content to their own profiles.

Show off your posts Another way to highlight your social media presence is to showcase your posts on your website. It’s possible to embed your Twitter feed, for example, into your website to show readers what you’re tweeting about. It’s a great way to create a buzz and let visitors know instantly that you’re keeping up to date with what’s going on in the industry you are in.

Connect to your Houzz profile It’s really simple to link your website to your Houzz profile by including a Houzz badge alongside your other social media buttons.

Wix and Squarespace now enable you to easily add a Houzz badge, so you can put it on while you’re building your site. And if your website provider doesn’t have this option, that’s no problem either. Visit the Buttons and Badges page, click on your preferred Houzz badge to reveal your personalised HTML code, then copy and paste it to your website.

Simplify the process Want to make it even easier to link your Houzz profile and website? Try the free Houzz Site Designer, which enables you to create a website quickly and simply. Create a profile first and the tool will use this information to build the website, which you can then customise whenever you like. The website you design will be automatically optimised for mobile technology, and of course a Houzz badge is included in the template.

Speak to our team If you’d like some help setting up your profile, one of our Houzz experts can offer you a free, personalised consultation call to give you the tips and tricks you’ll need to get the most out of Houzz. Just email Houzz on ukprocommunity@houzz.com and we’d be happy to help! Or visit www.houzz.co.uk/pro to sign up for your free business profile today.

www.houzz.co.uk/pro

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Company Profile

DELIVERING INNOVATION TO THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR – THE METEX JOURNEY The team at Metex, renowned for its Corefix Fixing for plasterboard dot and dab walls, is often asked about the background to the company and why it develops and markets some construction industry products and not others. So we thought we'd do a little exploring to find out exactly what the company ethos is.

What became instantly obvious to The Installer team is that the company philosophy and direction stems from the two highly driven personalities, both of whom have extensive experience in the construction industry.

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Daniel Hopkins runs the sales and marketing aspects of the business and has over 25 years experience in a similar role, notably at Rainclear Systems and Drainex, two guttering and drainage specialists and Daniel Bamford (from the JCB Bamford family), who has a background in product design engineering, and is acclaimed for turning good ideas into practical products that increase productivity, reduce costs, improve quality and add real value when used.

Metex focuses on three main areas of the construction industry: screeds and concrete, fixings and hardware, and plumbing and

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Company Profile drainage. “We do not try to be a jack of all trades as this invariably results in being a master of none. Neither do we try and produce many me-too products unless we feel we can significantly benefit the end user.” Commented Daniel Hopkins, “everything we manufacture has a purpose and is usually developed in response to requests from those in the industry who want a better way of undertaking a specific task.”

So what was the trigger for Metex to launch Corefix specifically for Dot and Dab Wall?

It began when construction materials evolved for interior walls and partitioning from solid block or brick internal skin with a plaster skim to time-reducing and userfriendly ‘dot and dab’ walls. All well and good, but a problem was created by the fact that it wasn’t easy to hang heavy items like kitchen or bathroom wall cupboards on ‘dot and dab’ as it was when using brick.

The weakness of using the new materials lay in the fact that the cavity between the outer plasterboard finish and the solid wall behind created a weak point where there is nothing but the plasterboard to support the weight. 

We listened to feedback and the frustrations vented Daniel Bamford from construction workers when using the new ‘dot and dab’ materials and realised there may be an opportunity, so we got to grips with the issue and came up with a really simple idea of using a steel sleeve inside the fixing to bridge the gap and transfer the load to the solid wall. It’s a quick, competitive (patented) answer to a problem many faced that requires no special tools or skills.”

One of the Metex goals is to manufacture products that are very ‘user and time friendly’ see below how easy Corefix is to install

“Everything we manufacture has a purpose and is usually developed in response to requests from those in the industry who want a better way of undertaking a specific task.”

Daniel Hopkins

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Company Profile Daniel Bamford takes up the story, “We listened to feedback and the frustrations vented from construction workers when using the new ‘dot and dab’ materials and realised there may be an opportunity, so we got to grips with the issue and came up with a really simple idea of using a steel sleeve inside the fixing to bridge the gap and transfer the load to the solid wall. It’s a quick, competitive (patented) answer to a problem many faced that requires no special tools or skills.”

Bamford added, “Sometimes it is hard to spot how much development we put into our products, take a dapple bar, it’s hardly the most technologically advanced piece of kit on a building site; however, if you are using it for hours every day, even the smallest improvement becomes noticeable.

A good example of this is the fact that we powder coat our dapple bars so they are easy to clean, thus saving time and labour. We also conducted extensive practical research when designing the 38mm bottom bar so that it creates the correct ‘wave’ on site, ensuring an ideal surface finish. We even made the handle removable on the 3 metre bar as many tradesmen were asking how they would stow it in their van.”

So innovation clearly seems to be at the heart of Metex. Hopkins and Bamford used their background in drainage and engineering to develop a “fiendishly simple product” that can easily be incorporated into the drainage system of most properties that prevents rats using the pipes as a means of entry to the dwelling. Called ‘Ratwall’, it is

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a simple stainless steel flap mounted to an external hinge that lets water flow one way but creates a barrier that stops rats going the other. The company’s 3D design process and insistence that it tests prototypes in live situations for every product it manufactures meant that the directors were confident this innovative rat barrier would work when it was eventually launched to the market.

The majority of Metex products are manufactured in the UK which means the company is less affected by currency rates and any possible Brexit conclusions!

More importantly being British enables the company to produce innovative products that make a real difference in the construction industry rather than just compete on price with products from abroad.

Final word goes to Daniel Hopkins, “We are constantly looking for new opportunities and spend a lot of time with tradesmen and other industry professionals, looking at ways (and products) that can save them time or money or overcome a particular niggling issue. We are always willing to listen to new ideas that can bring widespread benefits. We have enjoyed our journey so far and we are proud of the fact that though we believe our products are competitively priced, they deliver tangible user benefits.

Call us free on 0800 130 3646 if you require any further information or have a product idea you would like to discuss.

www.corefixed.com

Company News

GIRA LAUNCHES DEDICATED UK FACEBOOK PAGE marketing, along with increased overall branding top priority. The company is also targeting KBB installers and retailer as a key part of its development programme.

Gira, one of the world’s leading full-range suppliers of intelligent system solutions for building management, has announced the launch of its dedicated Facebook page for the UK: @Gira.MadeInGermany As a strategic part of its ongoing investment and commitment in the UK, Gira has made huge inroads with its most recent digital optimisation. Encouraging both brand and business to communicate directly with the end user, Gira is committed to financial investment throughout 2018 with dedicated UK offices, personnel in sales, service and

Mark Booth, UK Sales Director at Gira, comments “We have big plans for 2018, and the launch of our dedicated UK Facebook page is just one element of our planned overall marketing effort, having already invested considerably in UK advertising and public relations support.”

He continues, “Statistics tell us that 49% of users like a Facebook page to show support for a brand they like. With new businesses committing to Gira every day, we want to ensure our digital customer experience is the best it can be. By using social media and Facebook in particular, we hope to better engage our customers with open dialogue and reactive communication.”

“Statistics tell us that 49% of users like a Facebook page to show support for a brand they like. With new businesses committing to Mark Booth, Gira every day, we want to Sales Director, Gira UK ensure our digital customer experience is the best it can be. By using social media and Facebook in particular, we hope to better engage our customers with open dialogue and reactive communication.”

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Installer Opportunity

AUSTRALIAN DEMAND INCREASES FOR UK KITCHEN FITTERS Fancy a sea change? Australia’s largest kitchen renovation brand has launched a global recruitment drive for kitchen installers.

Kitchen Connection, has this week cast their net into the UK in a bid to find experienced and seasoned kitchen installers who may be interested in coming to Australia to take a hands-on role as Customer Support Managers for kitchen installations.

John Bourke, Managing Director, Kitchen Connection

“Successful applicants will be offered full visa sponsorship and an opportunity to relocate to Australia with the advertised positions based in Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia.

We know that the right people, with strong trade and customer service skills will enable our continued growth and we are prepared to invest getting the right talent mix."

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Australia is booming in the home renovation sector and this has led to unprecedented growth for Kitchen Connection over the past few years. On the back of this growth, Kitchen Connection will be expanding their showrooms network from 16 to 21 by end of 2019. Hence, Kitchen Connection is looking to attract UK Kitchen fitters to meet the growing demand for kitchen renovations.

John Bourke, Managing Director, has stated that the company is determined to secure the right mix of talent for their future business plans and have turned their attention to the UK. “We operate very similar to the UK Kitchen market but can offer better career opportunities for Kitchen fitters to move into management roles. We have had great success already with UK fitters joining our Australian business. Being able to offer our customers an industry leading service experience is a critical component of our progression plan and the UK skill base helps us deliver this.

John continued, “We know that the right

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Installer Opportunity people, with strong trade and customer service skills will enable our continued growth and we are prepared to invest getting the right talent mix. Successful applicants will be offered full visa sponsorship and an opportunity to relocate to Australia with the advertised positions based in Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia.

The Installer Magazine recently published a supplement about the Australian KBB market following a visit by CEO Damian Walters and it created quite an interest as these opportunities rarely come along in a lifetime.

The supplement heavily featured Kitchen Connection and its expansion plans and its desire to recruit from the “It’s a great opportunity and represents a significant lifestyle and career change for applicants offering the chance to relocate to one of these states is a really attractive prospect. The weather, landscape and lifestyle in Australia are unparalleled.”

Commented John, he concluded, “The work

and lifestyle balance that we can offer simply can’t be replicated in any other area of the world so we hope this wonderful opportunity for a lifestyle change will be enticing for candidates.”

For more information, or to enquire about roles available in Australia, please email John directly on: john.bourke@kitchenconnection.com.au

“The work and lifestyle balance that we can offer simply can’t be replicated in any other area of the world so we hope this wonderful opportunity for a lifestyle change will be enticing for candidates.”

DOT & DAB WALL FIXING SOLUTION

kitchen cabinets | fitted bedroom furniture | kitchen cabinets | wall hung toilets | kitchen cabinets | fitted bedroom furniture | wall hung sinks | wall hung toilets | kitchen cabinets | fitted bedroom furniture | wall hung sinks | safely supporting the ikbbi | kitchen cabinets | Learn more & shop today at corefixed.com | 0800 130 3646 83

Feeling Down about your Job? Missing your Family time?

Want to get off the tools?

Sick of the Long Hours?

No Career Progression?

Travel time killing you?

Come and join our other UK Kitchen Fitters in Kitchen Connection who have come down under and made Australia home. We would love to hear from you, to learn more email your resume to: john.bourke@kitchenconnection.com.au 84

www.kitchenconnection.com.au

Looking for a Sea Change?

No weekend work and 4 weeks holiday Transition off the tools into Management Full on the job Training and Support Attractive Salary and Bonus scheme Visa and Relocation Assistance provided

With 16 luxury Kitchen showrooms across Australia and growing, Kitchen Connection is looking for UK Kitchen Fitters to come and join our kitchen project management team.

We are currently seeking Kitchen Fitters for:

Sunshine Coast, Queensland Brisbane, Queensland Gold Coast, Queensland Hunter Valley, New South Wales Newcastle, New South Wales Central Coast, New South Wales

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Installation Advice

A REMINDER OF SOME BASIC FLOOR CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE INSTALLING A KITCHEN OR BEDROOM A beautiful new home that the customer had built at the end of his garden began as a project for his daughter to get her on the housing ladder and give her the home of their dreams.

So why was I there? Sadly, the dream had become a nightmare! The new laminate flooring he had laid was lifting up in the middle between the peninsular units and the patio doors, and the joints were breaking up. It was not safe to walk on and subsequently they couldn’t use the room.

The reason was obvious, but all too common as the kitchen had been fitted on top of the flooring. Like many types of flooring, laminate needs to be able to expand and contract with changes in humidity. The weight of the units was holding the flooring in place so when the flooring needed to expand, it simply lifted up off the floor because it had nowhere else to go.

Ceramic tiles, stick-down vinyl and wood and other ‘fixed’ floorings can have fitted furniture fixed on top as they provide a firm surface so that the units don’t settle and need adjusting a few weeks after installation. Conversely,

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‘floating’ floors, which can be laminate, engineered or solid wood and click-together vinyl tiles, need to be able to move and it’s not good practice to fit on top of these.

So what about carpets? It’s unlikely of course that a kitchen would be positioned on a carpet but I’d always consult with the customer about carpets especially before fitting a bedroom. The gripper along the skirting boards forms a hard ridge and will therefore tilt a fitted wardrobe forward, so it’s good practice to take up the carpet and gripper, fit furniture so it’s standing

directly onto the concrete or timber floor, and then have the carpet professionally fitted back up to the furniture.

It’s a good idea to make sure that the person doing the planning knows about this, too, so the questions can be asked right from the start, and the customer is aware (and can book a carpet fitter or flooring contractor if they need to). It’s another example of where a little thought can save serious problems further down the line.

www.richard-renouf.com

Product Portfolio

MOORES LAUNCHES APP FOR KITCHEN FITTERS TO FACILITATE EASY INSTALLS Moores, an installation partner of the British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI), has launched a new app for its installation partners that makes co-ordinating the process of procuring and installing a number of kitchens a whole lot smoother for housebuilders.

“We are always looking at ways we can improve and evolve our already excellent customer service,” says Michael Barrett, Sales and Marketing Director for Moores. “Our new app makes tracking orders, signing off installs, gaining real-time updates and troubleshooting any potential, but rare, install challenges much more efficient. It’s a change for the better – and a market leading initiative.” www.moores.co.uk

UNITED COLOURS OF SUPPLIES4HEAT The collection from Supplies4Heat comes in white as standard, but also in 25 varied RAL colours on the vast majority of designs. The available colours vary from a selection of vibrant and bright to tonal greys and a range of subtle neutral shades including rich cream, earthy browns and pebble mid-tones.

Each individual radiator is professionally painted to order by a UK based specialists using a lasting satin finish designed to stand the test of time. Whether you’re customer is looking for a modern neutral or opting to go bold with a colourful take on a classic, Supplies4Heat’s collection combines superior quality with affordability to ensure you are able to find the ideal radiator for your design scheme. www.supplies4heat.co.uk

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Product Portfolio

FIT AND FORGET VitrA’s frame systems are WRAS approved and quick and easy to install.

Valves are subjected to 200,000 water tightness and accelerated life tests. Flushing mechanisms include an overflow pipe that channels water into the WC pan, preventing flooding.

Varying heights include a reduced height model (shown) suitable for solid, stud and double stud walls and in slim and regular sizes to suit the space available. The frame will support up to 60 stones. www.vitra.co.uk

WILSONART GOES ULTRA-THIN WITH ZENTIH Zenith, from Wilsonart is the first ultra-thin (12.5mm) worktop and has a decorative surface finish on two sides, perfect to create waterfall-end panels and coordinated bespoke open shelves.

Practical and easy to install and maintain as the material is 100% waterproof, Zenith can be installed with standard tooling and is available in a choice of 3-metre; worksurfaces, breakfast bars, upstands and splashbacks as well as a 950mm curved module. www.wilsonart.co.uk

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Product Portfolio

‘MID-CENTURY MODERN’ WITH VERSAILLES

BY AESTUS Versailles by Aestus captures the trend for retro revival offering old world traditional design with contemporary functionality.

Manufactured from high quality Cast Iron, the Versailles Radiator is beautifully embossed with a filigree pattern which looks like vintage lace on first glance.

Aestus says “Transitional styling is the perfect fusion of old and new, so by opting for classic design choices with a contemporary twist, your interior style will remain timeless. Versailles is a true design classic, all the while keeping you and your home nice and warm.” www.aestus.co.uk

KARO LUXIO KITCHEN BY ROTPUNKT Rotpunkt brings Rustic Monochrome styling with the launch of its Karo Luxio Kitchen in new City Grey Oak and Terragrey furniture with new Marble effect laminate worktop and decorative wall.

The new laser-edged Terragrey doors and carcass are seen here in a matt lacquer with vertical Dutch grooves: slab door also available. Doors can be finished in Melamine or HPL (high pressure laminate), and if made-to-order, can be finished in gloss: matt finish as standard.

All Rotpunkt kitchens are made from BioBoard which uses 37% less timber and so is sustainable, green and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional chip boards – with no quality compromise. www.rotpunktuk.com

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Events

KBB BIRMINGHAM 2018, 4TH – 7TH MARCH, NEC, BIRMINGHAM The UK's unrivalled kitchen and bathroom experience, presents the innovation, inspiration and insight to help your business grow in a world of change as: • Evolving customer behaviours alter the meaning of lifestyle design • Future or fad? Smart technologies create new possibilities • Disruption changes the construction landscape, heralding new

design opportunities • UK consumers demand higher-quality products and materials How to find the best installers, know what consumers are looking for and come back stronger from recession with other practical tips and expert insights...the 2018 kbbreview Retail & Design Conference programme is now available.

Promising to offer our biggest show yet, kbb Birmingham 2018 will present solutions to the challenges identified in the form of new features, practical conference content and most importantly through the latest new launches showcased by 400 world leading suppliers. www.kbb.co.uk

IDEAL HOME SHOW, SPONSORED BY ZOOPLA, 17TH MARCH - 1ST APRIL 2018 From kitchens and bathrooms, to bedrooms and basements, fixtures and fittings to fine food, gardens and the latest in home renovation, to fashion beauty and gifts, you'll find it all under one roof at this award-winning show Grand Designs Live, proudly sponsored by Anglian Home Improvements, returns in 2018 from 5 - 13 May at London’s ExCeL and from 10 -14 October at Birmingham’s NEC. Based on the Channel 4 series and presented by Kevin McCloud, the show offers visitors top expert advice, new product launches and specialist exhibitors in six project zones.

Whether you’re planning a self-build, renovation or are adding the finishing touches, find ideas and inspiration for your very own Grand Design at this multi-award winning event. www.idealhomeshow.co.uk

TOOLFAIR EXHIBITION, EVENT CITY, MANCHESTER 15TH - 16TH MARCH 2018 Toolfair is a ‘hands-on’ regional event where trade users of tools can see and try out first hand what’s new in power tools and hand tools. www.toolfair.info

GRAND DESIGNS LIVE, LONDON, EXCEL 5TH -13TH MAY 2018 Grand Designs Live, proudly sponsored by Anglian Home Improvements, returns in 2018 from 5 - 13 May at London’s ExCeL and from 10 -14 October at Birmingham’s NEC. Based on the Channel 4 series and presented by Kevin McCloud, the show offers visitors top expert advice, new product launches and specialist exhibitors in six project zones. Whether you’re planning a selfbuild, renovation or are adding the finishing touches, find ideas and inspiration for your very own Grand Design at this multi-award winning event. www.granddesignslive.com

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Events

EI LIVE!, 9TH - 10TH MAY, SANDOWN PARK, ESHER, SURREY You’ll find all the Essentials you’ll ever need pertaining to the home automation, custom install and smart building industry here at EI Live!

2018.

Whether you are a start-up or looking for new ways to make your existing operation stand out from the crowd. EI Live! will bring the latest technology and knowledge to the forefront of the industry and open up endless possibilities for everyone involved. With free entry for both days, outstanding seminar sessions across an informative agenda, fantastic networking opportunities and a broad spectrum of exhibitors. www.essentialinstalllive.com

INSTALLER 2018 SHOW, RICOH ARENA COVENTRY, 8TH – 10TH MAY 2018 Launched in 2015 by Installer magazine, the UK’s leading annual heating and plumbing show has grown year-on-year to provide the perfect opportunity for installers to get hands-on and face-to-face with leading manufacturers, merchants and suppliers from across the industry.

Bringing together over 3,000 visitors and more than 100 brands, Installer2018 will once again deliver the UK’s plumbing and heating professionals with an event focused totally on them and their businesses – providing solutions to everyday issues that affect the industry.

From boilers to bathrooms, Installer2017 features a wide range of exhibitors from right across the sector who will be offering demonstrations, competitions, give-aways and special show deals to ensure a fun-packed and informative day that will be well worth a visit. www.installershow.com

PHEX, ALEXANDRA PALACE, LONDON, 20TH – 21ST JUNE 2018 PHEX and PHEX+ are the leading trade shows for the plumbing, heating, local authority and merchant sectors.

Be part of PHEX 2018 and meet over 100 suppliers - including brand new exhibitors and the biggest selection of boiler manufacturers the event has hosted – along with FREE training, seminars, stadium tours and a meal.

And make the most of our #PHEXGives promotions, winning exclusive prizes from exhibitors such as Saniflo, Grundfos and Worcester Bosch. www.phexshow.co.uk

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Social Scene

ene ... c s l a i Soc funny A few m ets fro p p i n s f orld o the w edia m l a i c so

I think I’ve found the leak!

The best Apprentice ever!

Designed for the multi tasker!

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Social Scene

When you’re bogged under with paperwork!

Who put that wall up??

... ene c s l a y Soci funn w e m Af s fro t e p snip rld of wo the edia m l a soci

They fit perfectly!

Seen anything funny on the net? Follow us. Join us on our Social Networks 93

Directory BiKBBI Corporate Sponsors

www.aqualisa.co.uk

www.armitage-shanks.co.uk

www.ideal-standard.co.uk

www.wearepolar.com

www.handicare.co.uk

www.haus.store

www.blum.com

www.publicityengineers.com

www.johnlewis.com

www.bushboard.co.uk

www.trade-point.co.uk

www.kindred.co.uk

www.ubm.com

www.moores.co.uk

www.fitfrankefirst.co.uk

www.vitra.co.uk

www.omegaplc.co.uk

www.festool.co.uk

www.wilsonart.co.uk

www.premierbathrooms.co.uk

www.classic-marble.com

BiKBBI Retail Partners

www.hafele.co.uk

www.hippowaste.co.uk 94

www.diy.com

www.bathstore.com

www.symphony-group.co.uk

www.wrenkitchens.com

Directory BiKBBI Strategic Partners

www.ageuk.org.uk

www.houzz.co.uk

www.trustedtraders.which.co.uk

installer the

magazine

www.bathroom-association.org

www.careaftercombat.org

www.idealhomeshow.co.uk

www.instituteforapprenticeships.org

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

Rob Nicholls www.centralcompliance.uk

www.kbb.co.uk

www.tradingstandards.uk

www.niceic.com rob@ publicityengineers.com

www.ekbbusinessawards.com

www.procat.ac.uk

www.elecsa.co.uk

www.thefurnitureombudsman.org

www.furnituremakers.org.uk

www.uibgroup.com

www.gassaferegister.co.uk

www.virtual-college.co.uk

Tel: 01992 478 109

The Installer is produced on behalf of the BiKBBI by public relations, marketing, advertising and publishing specialists, Publicity Engineers Ltd. www.publicityengineers.com

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Connect with over 4 , 50 0 Great British installation businesses.

Membership opportunities available now: Installer • Retailer • Manufacturer Education • Standards • Accreditation • Legislation Lobbying • CPD Inspection • Auditing • Suppor t • Guidance ADR • Training • Apprenticeships

To apply, or for more information Telephone: 01375 659 524 Email: info@bikbbi.org.uk

bikbbi.org.uk

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