BKU Jan09 p38 12/12/08 11:49 Page 38
Industry Update
THE KBSA COLUMN
Corporate initiatives
offer additional support Second Nature scoop top
and unique savings for House Beautiful Gold Award
KBSA retail members
Renowned consumer interiors title excellence with clever design, good
House Beautiful has crowned PWS’ craftsmanship and genuine value for
A
number of new initiatives have been announced by the KBSA
Second Nature Avant Black range with money was the hallmark of the
(Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association) to help
its Gold Award for Kitchen Collection Awards. Hosted at Madam Tussauds
retailer members operate more profitably and efficiently. The
of the Year 2008 (over £10,000). The the glittering event was attended by
Association’s corporate members have offered a range of support
Awards judging panel included around 300 design professionals,
packages that provide discounts and incentives exclusively for KBSA
celebrated designers Jeff Banks, interior celebrities and short-listed
retail members.
Sebastian and Sophie Conran, Oliver awards finalists.
A new bathroom initiative enables kitchen and bedroom retailers to take
Heath, Tommy Walsh and Laurence Jill Lundberg, Press Officer for
advantage of an exclusive package of support that will help them exploit the
Llewelyn Bowen plus key members of Second Nature, comments: ‘The calibre
bathroom market and add a new income stream to their business.
the House Beautiful editorial team. of the products entered in the wide-
The package includes business support and the benefit of corporate
Pipping renowned brands such as ranging award categories was
members William Ball, Daval, ECO Bathrooms and Mereway’s expertise in this
Alno, In-Toto, Harvey Jones and John exceptional, including respected brands
market, plus extra discounts, display tools and leads.
Lewis to the post, Jill Lundberg was such as Villeroy & Boch, Matki, Roman,
Graham Ball, CEO of the KBSA, comments: “Now is the ideal time for
delighted to accept the Gold kitchen Laura Ashley, John Lewis, Miele, Roca
retailers to consider developing bathrooms as part of their business. In the
award on behalf of Second Nature and Dartington. It was a really proud
current climate many people are choosing to improve their existing home
from interior design celebrity Laurence moment when Second Nature was
rather than move house and the bathroom is seen as the most important
Llewelyn Bowen. Recognising announced the Gold Award winner.
room in the home, after the kitchen. Bathrooms are a more economical way
of updating the home compared to kitchens and are fitted furniture, so
kitchen and bedroom retailers can really maximise their expertise in this field.
Knauf Aquapanel stops water
The business support package we have developed is unique, creating a hassle
free and low cost opportunity to generate more sales.” hazard for splashy Golfers
The package includes business support in the form of market knowledge,
sample kits for selected ranges, literature and POS support, product and market
A luxury Oxfordshire hotel has
training for salespeople, designers and installers and field support from sales
Aquapanel in its bathroom walls to
teams.
ensure that expensive tiling stays
The bathroom market was worth over £900 million in 2007 and is forecast
firmly in place, irrespective of how
for stability in 2008 and 2009, with a growth of between 3 – 5% per annum
much guests splash when
to 2012. Average order values are currently £3,700.
showering. The market leading tile
Other new initiatives include substantial discounts on systems from
backer board has been installed in
ArtiCAD, Easyquote and Planit Fusion 20:20 until the end of January, a special
the 52 bedrooms and key ‘wet’
discount from Essential Publishing on Essential Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom
service areas of the new four star
Magazine and a substantially improved offer from Barclaycard.
hotel at Bicester Country Club to
“In an increasingly tough market we are giving our retail members real
support heavy tiling.
tangible benefits designed to contribute to the growth and success of their
Interfacing seamlessly with
business. There is now no doubt that the UK high street is in for a very tough
plasterboard lining and partitioning
2009 but it is during these challenging times that the independent retailer has
systems, Aquapanel from Knauf
an advantage. Nervous consumers are looking to spend their money with
Drywall is a cement based board that
reputable retailers that offer quality, service and most importantly financial
eliminates tiling failures.
protection,” concludes Graham.
Knauf Wallboard is used to line
masonry walls in the hotel and to
provide the dry side of the steel stud
partition walls between bedrooms
and bathrooms. Some walls of the
a76
bathrooms and service areas are
For further information, please go to the
lined with Knauf Moistureshield,
KBSA website at www.kbsa.org.uk
while bath, shower and sink
surrounds have Aquapanel linings.
38 BKUJANUARY 2009
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52