NEWS | Round-up
Our climate change champion Richard Hagan, managing director of Crystal Doors,
believes future trends will be driven by products’ environmental footprint and cost rather than changing consumer tastes
The next cultural trend for kitchens is their
LIFE CYCLE
AS WE all know, kitchen trends are constantly evolving and revolving. I’ve been constantly on the search for the next big thing since setting up Crystal Doors in 1994. I remember visiting Los Angeles in 1998 where, inspired by an Art Deco antique shop, I asked my team to develop a soft-edged door in the 1920s style. This year, we are seeing increased demand for shaker designs and slab doors finished with matt- painted effects – a mix of fashions stretching from 1800s shaker culture to 1930s modernism. The designs themselves are, of course, nothing new, only the materials – vinyl-wrapped doors and melamines – are much more affordable for today’s buyers. In the past, these trends and fashions were very much driven by board manufacturers and giants of the kitchen industry. However, I believe soon both materials and design will shift once again to something new – something that will require us to search much further for novel solutions. The driver of this change won’t be changing consumer tastes, but the pressure to reduce the environmental footprint of our kitchens while keeping costs down. The current cost of living and energy price crisis means eco kitchen appliances and energy-efficient heating and lighting are more important than ever. However, these only mitigate the tip of a huge iceberg of environmental impacts that a typical kitchen installation causes through its materials and manufacturing. I wonder, will the kitchen design of the future require only half-a-dozen cabinets,
Extending the life of kitchens is the way forward
frequently replenished through automated food deliveries? Or, is the secret to be found in those parts of the world where living off 50p a day is the norm – where you buy once and for life and products have multiple uses and consume minimal energy. My personal belief is that the end-of-life use and value of a kitchen is set to become one of their most important features. Pioneers, such as Helen Lord, who founded the Used Kitchen Exchange, have rightly recognised the worth of the ‘circular economy’ – the inherent value residing in kitchen rip-outs and the principle of extending the life of kitchens as much as possible. I believe this is the way forward. I also believe sales and profits will shift more and
more towards independent retailers who encourage customers to buy better quality and buy longer through upgrades and support packages. Many global retailers and manufacturers are now being made accountable and financially responsible for their environmental impacts, but independent retailers can do so without the same costs, audits or certifications. All you need to do is show you care – building a better future is about everyone doing what they can, and making good things last.
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KBB companies honoured on Queen’s Birthday
THREE KBB companies have been selected for the Queen’s Award for Enterprise
2022. Armac Martin and
Roman have been recognised for their achievements in International Trade, while in the Sustainable Development category, The Used Kitchen Exchange was recognised. The Queen’s Award acknowledges the best organisations in the UK that have done exceptional work in
innovation, international
trade, promoting opportunity (through social mobility) and sustainable development. Roman has won the Queen’s Award for International Trade twice. The County Durham- based bathroom manufacturer said it has made significant growth in the UK and international sectors over the past five years.
David Osborne, chief executive officer of Roman, said: “We are all immensely proud of this huge honour – and to be awarded a second one makes it even more special. The Award is recognised all around the world, and we know that this accolade will further
strengthen the Roman brand nationally and internationally.”
Also honoured for its achievements in International Trade is Birmingham-based manufacturer
Armac Martin. The fourth-
generation family-run company employs 110 people and has 41 hardware collections, available in 23 finishes.
Commercial director Richard McGrail said:
“We are thrilled that Armac Martin has been honoured with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade. As the most renowned British business award a company can receive, this is an incredible accolade. Having developed our international trade significantly over the past few years and we feel both humbled and proud to be recognised for this sustained growth and commercial success.”
Used Kitchen Exchange (UKE) has saved over 12 million kilos of carbon and 40% of carbon emissions coming from households in the
UK, making them recognised in the
The UKE team celebrates its Queen’s Award
Sustainable Development category in the Queen’s Award. Helen Lord, UKE’s founder, said: “We are exceptionally proud and humbled to receive this prestigious Award for Sustainable Development. We have invested heavily in developing our sustainability credentials. The success of UKE is a direct result of the passion and commitment shown by our team and the amazing support we have received from our kitchen industry partners. Together we have made massive inroads into improving sustainability, and we look forward to further developing this.”
Family-owned Neolith Group bought by private equity firm
SINTERED STONE specialist Neolith Group has been acquired by global private equity platform, CVC Capital Partners VIII.
Neolith Group, based in Castelló, Spain, operates
in over 100 countries and was
previously controlled by European investment group Investindustrial and its founders the Esteve Family.
CEO Jose Luis Ramón will remain in his position, and he said: “It is a privilege to welcome CVC into the great Neolith project and its arrival will no doubt represent a new turning point in the group’s history, accelerating our ambitious
strategic objectives. Its extensive
experience and global presence will be a great help in developing our enormous potential. “We are grateful for the confidence and constant support of Investindustrial and the Esteve Family in making Neolith a unique platform that has enabled us to expand the business with a firm commitment based on innovation, branding, sustainability and a straightforward approach based on open collaboration.” Neolith’s strong organic growth and profitability in recent years alongside a unique market position were said to have been key factors in the acquisition.
Javier de Jaime, managing partner at CVC, said: “We are thrilled to have materialised this investment in Neolith so we can continue leading this industry together and undertake the next stage of the investment, which will allow the company to continue accelerating its international expansion and multiply its growth behind the unique value proposition and position it enjoys in the market.
“CVC funds invest in companies with outstanding track records that are leaders in their respective industries. Neolith symbolises what we look for in any investment: a growing global market, a unique business model and a multi-disciplinary team that is highly skilled, motivated and international. Our vision is to help the company to unleash its full potential.”
· June 2022
Climate
Champion Change
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