news
Bathroom Brands rescues Showerwall from administration
BATHROOM BRANDS Group has acquired Showerwall and its assets for an undisclosed sum, after its parent company, International Decorative Surfaces (IDS), recently fell into administration. Bathroom Brands acquired Showerwall from FRP Advisory, who were
appointed as IDS’ administrators. The surface company first filed a notice of intent to appoint administrators in early September. Following the news, FRP Advisory confirmed they were preparing to sell the business’ assets. Following what it describes as “a brief and comprehensive process”,
Bathroom Brands says it reached a final agreement with FRP Advisory to acquire the business on September 25. As well as Showerwall’s intellectual property and stock, the acquisition also includes Showerwall’s head office and production facility in Stoke-on- Trent. In addition, 19 employees in production, sales and marketing for Showerwall have also been absorbed into Bathroom Brands Group. Following the acquisition Showerwall will now join the bathroom giant’s
Brand K Group acquires Aqualux
RADIATOR AND bathroom equipment supplier, Brand K Group has acquired Aqualux, the shower enclosure and accessory manufacturer. Leicestershire-based Aqualux entered
administration in September, with volatile trading conditions in the home improvement sector and inflationary pressures blamed. The acquisition is the eighth in the past five
years for Bedford-based Brand K Group, having previously acquired Paladin Radiators in a seven- figure deal in July. The group says Aqualux will become part of its
stable of brands, which includes Just Trays, The Shower Tray Company, Vogue UK and Summerbridge. It plans to “build upon Aqualux’s near 40-year legacy”. Where possible, Brand K will continue to supply Aqualux’s existing customers and showering and bathroom products, integrating the business into the group’s existing operations. Alex Norford, CEO of Brand K Group, said: “We
are pleased to have acquired another brand with a strong reputation and long industry history. The Aqualux brand enhances our existing showering and bathroom offering and we’re proud to be custodians of the business moving forwards.”
4
wide portfolio of other brands, which includes Crosswater, Burlington, Britton and Clearwater. Bathroom
Brands has
confirmed that it intends to run Showerwall as a division of its own group, which will continue to operate from its facility in Stoke-on-Trent. Stephen Ewer, CEO of Bathroom Brands said he was delighted to welcome Showerwall to the Bathroom Brands Group portfolio. He continued: “Showerwall has a great team with so many similarities in culture and aspirations, their experience and continuity to the Showerwall brand are very welcome.”
Government HSE developing new engineered stone guidelines for UK
WFF members have been invited to review and
share comments on the draft guidelines, before HSE decides how and when to publish a final version. The WFF has said that the aim is for the final guidelines to be fit-for-purpose by all in the supply chain, which will include fabricators, building site managers, joinery wholesalers and showroom managers. At this stage, the HSE is not willing to publicly
THE UK’s Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has drafted new guidelines for tradespeople working with engineered stone, and is asking industry organisations for their feedback before it publicly releases the new advice. Last month, members and associates of the
Worktop Fabricators Federation (WFF) were given the chance to view the new guidelines, which are said to be presented in a “dos and don’ts” format. The new guidelines seek to update the HSE’s existing advice on working with engineered stone, as the Executive continues to work out the best way to promote safe manufacturing techniques considering recent concerns around silicosis. According to the WFF, the new draft guidance highlights the dangers of unsafe techniques such as dry-cutting, with the HSE aiming to address fears that the actions of a minority of unsafe manufacturers might compromise the whole market for engineered stone worktops.
kbbreview
share the exact nature and specifications of the draft guidelines, as they are still in the draft stage. However, a recent article by newspaper The i claims that one new measure will force employers to provide workers with the tools and PPE to safely cut engineered stone. “There is no appetite in Westminster for
Australian-style product-bans,” said WFF general secretary Chris Pateman. “If the Australian industry had been subject to the kind of regulatory environment we enjoy in the UK, the ban would probably never have come about in the first place. “The WFF and the HSE are working closely on
this, because we have a mutual interest in ensuring good practice is recognised.” Commenting on the new guidelines, a HSE
spokesperson said: “We continue to work with industry to raise awareness of managing the risks of exposure to respirable crystalline silica. As part of this engagement, we are consulting with industry on best practice guidelines to discuss practical solutions to tackle this shared issue.”
November 2024
iStock.com/dikushin
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 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68
