The British Institute of KBB Installation (BiKBBI) today announced the itinerary for its highly anticipated annual conference, scheduled to take place at the QEII Conference Centre in Westminster on Tuesday 6 February 2024. The event is set to bring together professionals, industry leaders and experts from the kitchen, bedroom and
The UK’s market leader for taps and showers, Bristan, has released its new Environmental, Social Responsibility and Governance (ESG) report which shines a spotlight on its water-saving products – including its new Eco Start technology. The report outlines the organisation’s commitment to sustainability with one of the key focuses being
Zentia, the UK’s market leader in complete ceiling solutions, is excited to announce the grand opening of its Innovation Centre in Gateshead, created to contribute to the growing vibrancy of the North East as a national hub for architects and specifiers seeking inspiration and industry networking. Zentia, previously part of
In the face of a challenging year for many in the kitchen manufacturing industry, the UK’s number one furniture supplier to independent kitchen retailers, Omega invested in their future throughout 2023 with a comprehensive new development programme including, the introduction of new brand Novus, new door ranges, on trend paint
Jewson Partnership Solutions (JPS) has collaborated with its sister brand George Boyd to deliver kitchen and bathroom solutions for providers of social housing.Renowned in the industry as an ironmongery and door set specialist, George Boyd is undergoing an expansion project which will see it add a wealth of new products
With the choice of three colour temperatures and five bezel finishes, the CFR5CCT fire-fated downlight from Knightsbridge – one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of wiring accessories and lighting – is able to adapt lighting to fit the demands of every location. Providing a versatile three-in-one lighting solution, the CFR5CCT
Ecophon has entered into an exclusive agreement to acquire all the shares of Träullit, further completing its portfolio in acoustic ceiling and wall solutions. Founded in 1946 in Ydre, Östergötland, Träullit is the only wood wool manufacturer in Sweden, and it has a strong sales footprint in Scandinavian markets. The
Pure Vista has been accredited as a member of Made in Britain. Pure Vista’s adoption of the official, protected mark (above right) will help buyers recognise its products as good quality, great value and British-made. The mark also lets customers know that Pure Vista is a trusted company that values
Striking mirrored design combined with illuminated panel and five-spray handset delivers a luxurious experience from an electric shower Bathroom specialist Aqualisa has announced Lumi+™: a stunning new series of premium electric showers that combine sophistication and performance. Available in three power options (8.5kW, 9.5kW or 10.5kW), the Lumi+ electric shower features a
Gossen Metrawatt expands its range of MID-certified active energy meters, introducing the new, especially compact and cost-effective METRALINE ENERGY series. The devices approved for billing purposes feature accuracy class B for measuring active energy according to EN 50470-3. Active and reactive power of energy import and export are recorded by
The British Institute of KBB Installation (BiKBBI) today announced the itinerary for its highly anticipated annual conference, scheduled to take place at the QEII Conference Centre in Westminster on Tuesday 6 February 2024. The event is set to bring together professionals, industry leaders and experts from the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom sector for a day of insightful discussions, networking opportunities and knowledge-sharing. Themed “Driving industry change through collaboration“, the 2024 conference will explore the power of collaborative working in shaping the future of the KBB installation industry, recognising BiKBBI’s ambition to foster collaboration within the sector in order to drive positive change, innovation, and growth. Hannah Prevett (pictured), Deputy Editor of The Times Enterprise Network, will return for a second year as conference host, bringing a wealth of business insight, knowledge and experience to the role of facilitator for the event, which promises a programme of engaging discussions and thought-provoking presentations. Keynote speakers on the day include Fergus Harradence, Deputy Director of Infrastructure, Construction & Rail at the Department for Business & Trade (DBT) who will provide an update on the UK Government’s 2024 predictions on the home improvement sector, and Emily Wallace, CEO of the Trade Association Forum (TAF), will delve deeper into how collaborative industries unlock greater opportunity to thrive. The itinerary also includes panel discussions, presentations and workshops from a range of presenters and businesses including BiKBBI patron Stephen Metcalfe MP, AMA Research, eBay, Triton Showers, the Bathroom Manufacturers Association, the Ministry of Defence and BiKBBI Diversity Ambassador, Rt. Hon Stuart Lawrence. Attendees can expect to gain valuable insight into industry trends, technological advancements, and best practices, as well as participate in interactive sessions aimed at enhancing collaboration within the KBB installation community. Wing Commander Calvin Bailey MBE, Commanding Officer of 70 Squadron RAF will also share his knowledge on leadership and teamwork, as well as anecdotes of his life experiences as a Royal Air Force Detachment Commander. ‘We are excited to bring together professionals from across the KBB industry at the BiKBBI Annual Conference 2024’ commented BiKBBI Director of Marketing & Communications, Michelle Daniels. ‘This event provides a unique platform for collaboration, enabling attendees to exchange ideas, share experiences, and collectively contribute to the advancement of our industry. We are confident that the content of the conference will inspire meaningful partnerships and drive positive change within the sector.’ Registration for the BiKBBI Annual Conference 2024 is by invitation only, however limited delegate availability is available, with those interested advised to contact leon.rowland@bikbbi.org.uk for more information. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The UK’s market leader for taps and showers, Bristan, has released its new Environmental, Social Responsibility and Governance (ESG) report which shines a spotlight on its water-saving products – including its new Eco Start technology. The report outlines the organisation’s commitment to sustainability with one of the key focuses being the innovation of energy and water-saving products. Recently, Bristan has introduced innovative Eco Start technology on bathroom taps, which saves energy by having cold water as the default central start position of the tap handle. This means that hot water is only activated when the tap lever is moved from the central position, so your boiler is not unnecessarily fired up. Also featured in its comprehensive water-efficient portfolio are pre-fitted flow limiters, infrared taps that automatically turn off when not in use, and BREEAM-certified self-closing ‘push button’ taps. As with all Bristan products, the water-efficient range is rigorously tested to comply with key regulations and industry requirements, so that specifiers can have complete confidence when working on a project. Plus, Bristan’s UKAS-accredited lab recycles 90% of the water used to carry out endurance testing of our products, further demonstrating its commitment to sustainability. Craig Rendall, Bristan Group Specification Director, comments: “Whether working in the housebuilding or commercial sector, we understand that sustainability targets are a key consideration when specifying for a project. That’s why we’re proud to offer our range of water-saving products, to make it a trouble-free decision for specifiers every time.” The ESG report also details the wider sustainability commitments of the wider Bristan Group. As a zero-to-landfill company, it has extensive measures in place to ensure that approximately 295 tonnes of waste produced each year are recycled, reused or repurposed. What’s more, Bristan Group is in the process of having 1666 solar panels installed on the roof of its Tamworth-based head office, which is expected to generate 600kw/hour of electricity to support business operations and will equate to a CO2 saving up to 111,292 kgs per annum. With a clear roadmap of sustainability initiatives behind them, Bristan Group’s products can be bought with confidence and trusted to help reduce the UK’s overall carbon footprint — one tap or shower at a time. Bristan Group’s Environmental, Social and Governance Report can be found here. To discover Bristan’s range of water-saving products, visit the website here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Zentia, the UK’s market leader in complete ceiling solutions, is excited to announce the grand opening of its Innovation Centre in Gateshead, created to contribute to the growing vibrancy of the North East as a national hub for architects and specifiers seeking inspiration and industry networking. Zentia, previously part of Armstrong Ceiling Solutions, faced a significant rebranding in 2020 to separate itself as an innovative, quality brand. Zentia continues to offer the same high-quality products, but builds on its digital approach, and works to continually strengthen partnerships, connections and communication. As a part of Zentia’s mission for strengthening connections, it has created an Innovation Centre at its grid plant on the Team Valley site. It features a large conference space that can accommodate up to 60 people and is equipped with AV facilities for presentations, as well as a thoughtfully designed ceiling grid that displays Zentia’s latest product innovations. The centre also has two smaller meeting spaces that can accommodate six and 10 people. The Mayor of Gateshead, Councillor Eileen McMaster, will be officially opening the Innovation Centre in early December, signifying its importance as a regional and national milestone. Graham Taylor, Sales and Marketing Director at Zentia said “We are excited to open our new innovation centre and provide architects and specifiers with a space to experience our products in a real-world setting. We believe that this centre will provide a space where architects and specifiers can come to learn about our products and how they can be used to create acoustically comfortable and visually appealing spaces.” Mayor of Gateshead, Councillor Eileen McMaster, said: “Zentia’s new Innovation Centre is a fantastic facility and a testament to the company’s significant investment in the Gateshead area. It’s amazing to see a UK manufacturer creating local job opportunities for our communities and I’m confident that this will open up lots more opportunities for Zentia.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
In the face of a challenging year for many in the kitchen manufacturing industry, the UK’s number one furniture supplier to independent kitchen retailers, Omega invested in their future throughout 2023 with a comprehensive new development programme including, the introduction of new brand Novus, new door ranges, on trend paint colours and the launch of a custom panel service. Omega CEO Simon Barber said, “2023 was an exciting year for Omega with the launch of Novus, many great new product developments across our brands and a range of initiatives designed to support our retail and contracts partners. As a business we continually look to the future believing investment in product, technology and people is what drives us forward. The start of 2024 will see the completion of a £1 million project to improve our sales processes to benefit both our contracts and retail customers.” Once complete the investment will deliver an even more efficient service solution for all customers and a bespoke commercial system for contracts partners. Novus is the modern leading-edge solution in handless kitchens characterised by a clean, and sleek aesthetic, manufactured in the UK. The minimalist kitchen was designed to compete with the handless kitchen trends established by European suppliers and offer customers flexibility and choice whilst ensuring ease of installation and guaranteed delivery. Speaking about the launch Omega Retail Sales Director James Bishton says, “It’s exceeded the expectations of both our new and existing customers who are looking for a UK sourced option for contemporary kitchens. Without exception all prospective customers visiting Omega for the first time to see the brand, showroom and facility wish they’d done so sooner.” Omega have expanded on the launch phase of Novus with the introduction of Custom Size Panels across all of their brands, allowing customers to order the specific panel requirement to suit any design giving them greater flexibility, reduced waste on site and lower costs. James Bishton continues, “Novus has helped us capture new customer sales and seize market share since its launch in Summer 2023. Our new partners have also successfully engaged with our existing painted shaker kitchens, to widen their own offers aligned to core UK market trends.” Commenting on the impact of Novus on the Contracts Market Omega Contracts Sales and Operations Director Katy Snow said, “Since the launch in May 2023, Novus has generated great interest from our contract developers on both housing developments and Major Project apartment schemes, including Berkeley Eight Gardens Development the first to showcase Novus in volume. Novus differentiates our contract customers from other developers in their area which demonstrates a value-added proposition to potential home buyers. Omega’s robust supply chain, large stock holding and excellent design and manufacturing capabilities in the business has also supported several new customers from site takeovers delivering kitchens on very short lead times.” In support of their customers, in October 2022, Omega pledged that their prices would remain fixed for 16 months providing partners with much needed price stability during a time of economic uncertainty and challenges. The latest announcement sees that price freeze extended until 5th April 2024. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Jewson Partnership Solutions (JPS) has collaborated with its sister brand George Boyd to deliver kitchen and bathroom solutions for providers of social housing.Renowned in the industry as an ironmongery and door set specialist, George Boyd is undergoing an expansion project which will see it add a wealth of new products and services to its offering.Kitchens and bathrooms are the first phase of this venture, with a dedicated contracts team sitting under newly recruited Business Development Director, John Moss. He will work alongside Brian East, Kitchen and Bathroom Solutions Director, who has over 35 years’ experience of supplying kitchen and bathroom products into the UK marketplace.JPS and George Boyd will now work together to offer councils and housing associations an elevated service, enabling them to easily source kitchen and bathroom solutions that help them achieve compliance with the Decent Homes Standard and other regulations.Scott Cooper, Managing Director for JPS & George Boyd, said: “Our ongoing mission is to continually identify relationships that deliver, elevating our service to help customers create safe, modern and comfortable homes. George Boyd’s heritage and experience in the market as product specialistsprovides the perfect platform for the expansion into kitchen and bathroom solutions. Working together is a very natural fit and we know that our synergy is going to help local authorities and housing associations across the country to create spaces that their residents can be proud of and reassured by.”John Moss added: “Kitchens and bathrooms solutions are the first in a line of product ranges we plan to add to George Boyd as part of our expansion project, with all being made available to the social housing sector via JPS. “At our core, we are ironmongery specialists but there is an opportunity to evolve our brand and help customers to better navigate the various challenges they’re facing today.“The combination of our new product ranges with JPS’ footprint in the market means we can increase our reach while providing high quality solutions that help those who need it most.” For enquiries, visit the JPS and George Boyd websites. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
With the choice of three colour temperatures and five bezel finishes, the CFR5CCT fire-fated downlight from Knightsbridge – one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of wiring accessories and lighting – is able to adapt lighting to fit the demands of every location. Providing a versatile three-in-one lighting solution, the CFR5CCT features tri-CCT that provides three colour temperatures: 3000K, Warm White; 4000K, Cool White; and 5500K, daylight. Supplied with a white bezel as standard, the CFR5CCT can be accessorised with interchangeable bezels in five finishes – brushed chrome, matt black, polished chrome, white and brass. Robust, durable, and easy and quick to install thanks to push-fit terminals for loop in/loop out connections, the downlight meets fire safety standards, being rated for 30/60/90min in solid timber, 30min in web joist, and 30min in I-joist (Staircraft). Providing up to 115lm/W, the CFR5CCT downlight is also acoustic rated, minimizing noise interference, and is insulation contact-rated, as well as rated IP65 for dust and water-tightness. It has a three-year warranty and is designed for use with Trailing Edge dimmers. For further details of the Knightsbridge innovative wiring accessories and lighting products, please visit www.mlaccessories.co.uk or call 01582 887760. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Ecophon has entered into an exclusive agreement to acquire all the shares of Träullit, further completing its portfolio in acoustic ceiling and wall solutions. Founded in 1946 in Ydre, Östergötland, Träullit is the only wood wool manufacturer in Sweden, and it has a strong sales footprint in Scandinavian markets. The company uses locally grown timber within a 50-km radius from the plant as its raw material. Wood wool has many advantages as an acoustic ceiling solution. The unique composition of Träullit’s solutions, using Swedish spruce, combines acoustic qualities with a warm wood design. This acquisition complements Ecophon’s comprehensive range of solutions, promoting sustainable acoustic comfort while meeting the various design requirements of its markets. Leveraging its R&D competence, Ecophon is looking to further develop this wood wool offer on acoustical and environmental performance. “Träullit has a Swedish legacy to be proud of and we are happy to start a new journey together to develop this offer. The integration with Ecophon will broaden Träullit’s current sales focus from Scandinavia into further European markets and accelerate growth thanks to Ecophon’s complete solution portfolio and experienced R&D,” said Pierre-Emmanuel Thiard, CEO of Ecophon. “We are honored to have been approached by Saint-Gobain and Ecophon. Our family has been running Träullit for nearly 78 years and we see this evolution as a restart, an integration into a great business family with experience. Within Ecophon, we will have both the knowledge and the capacity to fully develop the wood wool material into the standards of the future,” said Erik Rääf, Managing Director of Träullit. The new wood wool offer will be launched gradually during 2024. www.ecophon.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Pure Vista has been accredited as a member of Made in Britain. Pure Vista’s adoption of the official, protected mark (above right) will help buyers recognise its products as good quality, great value and British-made. The mark also lets customers know that Pure Vista is a trusted company that values transparency, sustainability and ethical business practices. Consumers are increasingly recognising the Made in Britain mark as a mark of confidence. “We wanted to join Made in Britain because we are a British specialist in designing and manufacturing architectural glass systems. Britian is renowned globally for its design and engineering and MiB allows us to show that we are at the forefront of this. This certification will help us as we expand our products globally and we can clearly show our customers that we target a very high standard for the products we supply.” – Mark Oakes John Pearce, chief executive of Made in Britain said: “We’re delighted that Pure Vista has joined the community of more than 2000 British manufacturers. The more the mark is used and seen, the more it is recognised as a mark of quality. In addition to getting access to the official protected mark, Pure Vista will also start to enjoy the many other benefits membership to Made in Britain brings, including support in sales, marketing, PR/comms and export. We look forward to watching them grow with our help and support.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Striking mirrored design combined with illuminated panel and five-spray handset delivers a luxurious experience from an electric shower Bathroom specialist Aqualisa has announced Lumi+™: a stunning new series of premium electric showers that combine sophistication and performance. Available in three power options (8.5kW, 9.5kW or 10.5kW), the Lumi+ electric shower features a mirrored fascia that reflects light to enhance and brighten any bathroom environment, and two easy-turn brushed-chrome dials to control power and temperature. An illuminated strip on the front panel displays the status of the shower. Each Lumi+ model comes complete with a 1.5m long satin smooth hose to complement the mirrored finish. A generous 105mm Harmony handset with adjustable head delivers five different spray modes to suit all showering preferences, with rub-clean nozzles for an easy maintenance routine. With an A rating for energy efficiency, the Lumi+ takes water from the cold mains supply to deliver an instant, invigorating shower with no demand on stored hot water tanks. As the Lumi+ provides control over both temperature and power, users can minimise their consumption of both electricity and water. With safety in mind, each Lumi+ shower incorporates an over-temperature protection system, meaning that water will always remain at the desired temperature level. In addition, the low pressure indicator function warns the user if the water pressure drops lower than required. Engineered for durability, the Lumi+ features Aqualisa’s innovative phased shut-down technology, ensuring limescale build-up remains minimal over time. Starting and stopping the shower is controlled with a simple press of a button. Designed for flexibility and convenience, the Lumi+ shower is equipped with eight water and electric entry points, allowing straightforward installation in a new bathroom, or when replacing other brands of electric shower. All three models are supplied with a chrome rail, handset holder and handset kit, with shower gel hanger. Stuart Clark, head of new product design at Aqualisa, commented, “With the new Lumi+, we have reimagined the electric shower, with a blend of innovative mirrored design and exceptional performance, combined with the eco-friendly benefits of water and energy conservation. Delivering full control over both power and temperature, these showers are both efficient and flexible in operation, while the beautifully modern styling will make a statement in any bathroom setting.” The Aqualisa Lumi+ shower comes with a two-year parts and labour guarantee, and is BEAB, CE, WRAS and UWLA approved. Availability and pricingThe new Aqualisa Lumi+ range is available from December 2023. For pricing and more information, trade partners can contact their Aqualisa representative or the Aqualisa Customer Support Team on 01959 560020 or 01 864 3363 (Republic of Ireland). For more details, please visit: https://www.aqualisa.co.uk/products/type/electric-showers.html Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Gossen Metrawatt expands its range of MID-certified active energy meters, introducing the new, especially compact and cost-effective METRALINE ENERGY series. The devices approved for billing purposes feature accuracy class B for measuring active energy according to EN 50470-3. Active and reactive power of energy import and export are recorded by means of 4-quadrant measurement. This makes the new meter generation ideal for use in industry, commerce and building technology. At widths of only 18 mm, 36 mm and 72 mm, the meters allow for top-hat rail mounting in installations with very high packing density. 12 models with three different interfaces are available. They are designed for 2- and 4-wire AC systems with direct or transformer connection. The most compact units, only one modular spacing wide, offer a choice of three single-phase active energy meters for 2-wire systems, in the 230 V voltage range with direct connection up to 40 A. Next in line, there are three 36 mm wide single-phase meters for 230 V direct connection up to 80 A. The new series is completed by three 3-phase models for measurement in 4-wire systems up to 400 V with direct connection or 1 A/5 A current transformer connection. All four device classes are available with 2xS0 pulse outputs or Modbus RTU or M-Bus data communication interfaces. The cover can be sealed to protect against tampering. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
