temperatures during the cooking phases. At KBB Birmingham, the AEG stand offered an immersion into the brand, allowing visitors to see first-hand its range of intelligent technologies and responsive design available across the portfolio. Gordon Dawson, head of kitchen retail &


contracts channel at Electrolux UK & Ireland, said: “KBB was the perfect opportunity to reconnect with our retail partners after a long time of not being able to meet face to face.” AEG’s Challenge the Expected products include the new extractor hob models and the Matt Black Collection. Its hero technologies were also on display, including the Command Wheel Oven, ComfortLift Dishwasher, TotalFlex Hob and ProSteam technology found in 9000 Series Washing Machine. Adding a further interactive element to


its offering, AEG used augmented reality to introduce its new hob with extractor model and show the flexibility of installation across the range. Mr Dawson said “The Full Colour Touch


Controls user interface provides step by step guidance and live feedback, meaning you can cook with more confidence; the bridge function combines two cooking zones together to fit any large or long pan.” One of the star new products on Novy’s stand was the 120cm vented downdraft extractor hob. The Belgian extraction and hobs specialist said the Panorama PRO 120 is the latest addition to its Panorama collection of vented downdraft extractor hobs. Country manager Owain Harrison said the 120cm induction hob features five uninterrupted cooking zones in a side-by-side


configuration that can also be bridged to become a fully zoneless cooking area. Integrated within the hob’s surface is the 110cm semi-transparent ventilation tower that rises by up to 30cm to extract cooking vapours at source – directly behind the pans. “With a maximum free flow rate of 1,530m³/h,


the powerful extractor has five speeds plus three intensive speeds together with a pre-set extraction function to automatically adjust the power level,” Mr Harrison said. BORA X BO, the German manufacturer’s first


steam oven, won the Judge’s Choice award for 2022 at the KBB Innovation Awards. The BORA X BO is a steamer and oven rolled


into one appliance. Willi Bruckbauer, founder of BORA, said the


steam oven offers professional technology for the domestic kitchen, with a steam extraction function built-in. He said: “Any new cooking science that’s


introduced to add convenience to our lives should be easy to use and not take a long time to learn how to work. “Live demonstrations give the consumer the


opportunity to understand how our appliances work, and importantly, how they will benefit their lifestyle. If you are spending thousands of Pounds on an appliance you need to be able to see it in action first, particularly with something that is a relatively new concept.” Mr Bruckbauer added: “Cooking food is a fantastic way to draw a customer into your store and make them feel involved and invested in the product. Better still, when consumers are encouraged to cook with the appliance themselves and sample the food afterwards, they won’t want to go home to their existing cooktop or oven.” British brand CDA demonstrated its new


extractor at KBB Birmingham, which can be controlled by gesturing. Carrie Bell, head of marketing at CDA, said:


Above: Neff – I88WMM1S7 Below: Siemens – HS858KXB6


“Available in 60cm or 90cm, this extractor hood works without you touching it. There is no need to struggle with doughy hands or keep wiping away grease marks. Just swipe up and down for lights or left and right to control the speed. “In the last two years, consumers have become a lot more hygiene conscious as well and they are no longer asking for you to tell them everything about an appliance, they know before they come into store. “This model will stand out to hygiene conscious consumers and it has the added benefits of less cleaning to do because you’re not touching the appliance.” Kitchen furniture manufacturer Rotpunkt said


it’s fundamental for electrical retailers to present a lifestyle aesthetic whereby the end user can


March/April 2022 Above: Samsung – RF23BB860EQNEU


get inspired and ultimately, imagine themselves in the space. Matt Phillips, head of UK operations at


Rotpunkt, said: “Electrical appliances go hand in hand with the ergonomic kitchen and are critical to be factored in at the planning stages of design: whether fitted or freestanding. “If you’re an electrical retailer by trade, it can


be hard to capture the same lifestyle elements to clinch the sale and typically, the customer is left with an uninspired run of appliances to select from. “For our retailers, it has become fundamental


to provide a more dynamic presentation of both the furniture and its components. With this in mind, custom housing units are a great way to present a range of appliances on the wall and floor, without monopolising one main kitchen display with an unrealistic quantity of washers, dryers, ovens and refrigeration.” One of the busiest stands at KBB Birmingham was CAD software business Articad. Among the products on show was ArtiCAD-


Pro CAD software, which now has enhanced rendering and ArtiCAD Connect, which allows users to manage the customer experience from sales lead to installation, Articad’s 2D and 3D planners and visualisers, as well as ArtiVR, its virtual reality software. Colin Seaton, Articad’s sales director, said: “Brand new to the UK, meanwhile, is ArtiCUT, which is designed to provide fast, efficient and accurate cutting for manufacturers, and is seamlessly integrated with Articad’s design software.” KBB Birmingham continues to go from


strength to strength and keeps its place as the industry leading event for the KBB sector. This year more than any other demonstrated the value of events and meeting face-to-face. The show will return to the NEC in Birmingham from March 3-6, 2024.


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