NEWS | Round-up
‘Don’t let your children down over sustainability,’ pleads BMA president
BATHROOM MANUFACTURERS need to ‘do the right thing’ in their sustainability policies, says BMA president John Robinson. In an impassioned and personal speech at the organisation’s inaugural awards, Robinson pleaded with bathroom manufacturers to lead the construction industry in sustainability.
Invoking his own childhood, Robinson (pictured) said that he could remember the smog caused by homes burning coal and how sick it made children at the time.
“In the late 1950s and early 1960s, they brought in
the Clean Air Act and we had to stop burning that coal. We had to change and adapt our lives and that’s what’s going to happen now on a global scale. “I want it to work. I want this world to be sustainable and the environment to be healthy, because I have five grandchildren now, and a sixth soon to arrive in February.
“They’ve taught me about sustainability and the environment. I went for a walk with my nine-year-old grandson Jack, and we walked down a public footpath and all the sides were festooned with rubbish – a sofa, old lawnmower, paper and loads of plastic. He asked me ‘who left all that there?’ and I said, ‘we did, we all did, we are all individually responsible for the environment we live in’.
“This is the number one subject. After the Covid pandemic, the one single thing that matters today is the environment. I’ve been in the bathroom industry for a long time, but I’m still learning. Do not let people down, bathroom manufacturers, you are the leading lights in the construction industry. Lead your companies well, do the right thing and don’t just do it because it’s a buzz word and it’s what the Government
wants. Do it for your children, your grandchildren and hopefully their children.
“Be the legacy and be the leaders.” The BMA Sustainability Awards were held at the Conrad St James Hotel in central London. The Circular Economy Award was won by Roman, the Carbon Reduction Award saw a highly commended nod go to Triton, while the winner was the new Kohler Mira national distribution centre in Worcester. In the Workplace Initiative category, Triton was named the winner and in the Water Efficiency Award, the Fluidmaster Airgap 6000 Series was highly commended, and the winner was the Aguardio Leak Sensor. The inaugural Sustainability Champion was Lee Jones from building specifications body, the NBS. “We launched these inaugural sustainability awards with some trepidation,” said BMA chief executive Tom Reynolds. “We were relieved when manufacturers started to submit entries, excited when we saw the quality of the submissions, and elated when we received the incredibly positive independent judges’ feedback.
“Manufacturers are embracing the transformation of their businesses and lessening the environmental impact of the sector as a whole. My congratulations go to all finalists, and particularly the winners and special recognition recipients.”
Kartell acquires Vogue UK
KARTELL HAS completed a multimillion- pound takeover of radiator and towel rail specialist Vogue UK.
Kartell supplies heating and bathroom products to the merchant and independent
sector and will
Benchmarx joins the BiKBBI as a corporate sponsor
THE BRITISH Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI) has welcomed Benchmarx kitchens, part of the Travis Perkins Group of businesses, on board as a corporate sponsor.
The BiKBBI believes that this new relationship with Benchmarx will aid in the institute’s goals to promote the importance of installation and help bring manufacturers, retailers and installers together through this cause.
John O’Keeffe, managing director of Benchmarx, said: “We are proud to support the BiKBBI, recognising the valuable contribution the organisation makes to the KBB industry. As Benchmarx enters the market with our Contract installation offering, it is important that we assist the ongoing work by Damian and the team in addressing key issues, such as the
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KBB skills crisis. I’m delighted that we support tradespeople with a great product, price and service – we can expand our reach to support the industry as a whole.” Damian Walters, chief executive of the BiKBBI, said: “Collaboration is a key element of the role we play within the KBB industry, and the more brands and businesses we can engage, the stronger our proposition will be and the greater impact we can have on driving development within the industry. We are delighted to have Benchmarx on board and look forward to working with them.” The kitchen and joinery specialist, established in
2006, offers consumers specialist kitchen design solutions, ready assembled kitchens and access to leading kitchen and appliance brands through its 160 stores across the UK.
continue to operate Vogue as a separate standalone business. The deal also included the acquisition of UK Bespoke Products. Vogue employs more than 80 people, delivering more than £14 million in annual sales, and Kartell plans to support further growth both within the UK and internationally, where Vogue has an existing presence in the American market.
Alex Norford, chief executive of Kartell, said: “The acquisition of Vogue
represents a
clear and strategic step in our growth strategy and further establishes our position at the fore- front of the UK radiator and bathroom sector.” Ray Tunks, co-founder of
Vogue UK, said: “In this post-
pandemic environment, I am confident the investment from Alex and Kartell will enable future growth and secure an exciting future for Vogue, all its staff and the Kartell Group.” Vogue UK co-founder Robert Kelley added: “Our success can be attributed to the continual endeavour to provide the best-in-class service and high-quality products to our markets and customers.”
· January 2022
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