BATHROOMS
for customers to mix and match to suit their personal tastes.”
In terms of changes to prices in the sector, Heredia says “Manufacturing and transport costs are always impacting the final price. We didn’t increase our prices much this year because we believe we have a good balance between quality and price. Our customers are happy with the retails and the margin they obtain.” Heredia knows it isn’t just products that make a company in the sector a success: “We upgraded a lot of our factory over the last couple of years, and doing things properly with a very human and familiar team we’re working hard and achieving great things. For us, it is key to improve sales team knowledge when it comes to our products, how to offer and sell them to customers.”
He says recent changes in the UK could affect Acquabella’s future. “I think the government should offer more help to businesses adapting to their market, especially since the cost of transport keeps going up and companies such as Acquabella, coming from outside the UK, also have the money exchange rate to deal with. Obviously Brexit will mark the future. We hope it’ll be just one more step to sort as we have in the last ten years, for our products to achieve a special position on the market. We’ve adapted well so far and hope to continue to build a future here, improving our brand in the UK market.”
Meanwhile, Ultra Finishing, under its Premier
Left: VitrA Cocoon Bath. Below: Mira Mode roomset.
brand, launches the latest edition of its brochure of bathroom collection earlier this year. The brochure features a refreshing new look as well as showcasing the latest editions to the company’s value proposition.
An “Our Choice” feature makes choosing a family bathroom and en-suite easier for customers by highlighting essential products from collections that simplifies creating the featured ‘look’. New products such as the Athena Floor Standing 2 in 1 furniture range, combining functionality with storage space to appeal to the modern customer. The photography used has also been updated across the baths, screens and shower categories.
Abacus Basin Frame Customer appeal
Coram Showers are looking to appeal to the imagination of their customers with the release of their sleek new 88 page brochure, available now from retailers, merchants and on the Coram website. Showcasing their contemporary product ranges in a variety of sophisticated showering environments, incorporating their Optima, Premier, Premier Frameless, GB and Showerpods ranges in one handy publication. The Coram collection addresses the varied and evolving needs of the UK’s shower market and offers fresh, on-trend showering options to a varied audience of installers, retailers, merchants, designers, specifiers and end-users. The new-look imagery portrays elegantly simple bathrooms, overflowing with style and the luxurious feel that space and glass inspire. The brochure offers readers the chance to compare and contrast Coram’s products while considering budget, functionality and style.
Their new 2018 Stylus range of minimalist glass shower panels now feature an innovative ‘Stylus Pivot Panel’, uniquely designed to deflect water and incorporates a rise and fall hinge which locks into position at 45 degree intervals over 270 degrees of adjustment. The ‘Pivot Panel’ is showcased alongside the new 1100mm Stylus shower panel, with both additions offering an enhanced level of choice and flexibility for the design and usability of contemporary showering spaces.
Margaret Talbot, marketing manager at VitrA ays that the natural feel is very string amongest design-conscious customers. “Subtle wood shades, soft creams or soft graphite teamed with either a counter-top or vanity basin in an appealing shape or a slab top with one of two bowls, complemented by wall-hung sanitaryware, a walk-in shower and freestanding bath are the essential base ingredients for design success.”
Talbot states that the bathroom is not just an individual’s experience in the modern household, as the bathroom is utilised as a family space with dual basins or showerheads and tall units to shield the shower from the rest of the room. “The increasing use of mineral cast has made it possible to manufacture basins with defined angles and edges”, she says. “For a softer look, manufacturers such as VitrA are creating
August 2018
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
basins in cerafine. The finer particles allow for a narrower edge than traditional vitreous china.” The trends in the overall look of a bathroom comprise of a dark tile floor with a paler shade for the walls. “The brick effect style using white metro tiling is still popular. Merchants should look out for increasing mosaic styling in tiles and standout shades for grouting.” The key to understanding these trends, Talbot explains, is that customers are buying to futureproof their bathrooms, making the most of what’s available to last for as long as they need it. This includes finding a timeless style “Ugly pipework is hidden away and cleaning is made easier by wall-hung fittings, keeping the floor-space clear and making small spaces seem larger.”
Baths are back
VitrA have also seen the shift in purpose between the shower space and the bath. “Freestanding baths are enjoying a rebirth,” says Talbot “but forget the heavy, cold-to-touch cast iron rolltop. All bathtubs should be designed for comfort and made from warm, lightweight materials. VitrA’s 4Life collection features organic shapes and sophisticated design.” In an ideal bathroom, a bath is accompanied by a walk-in shower.
“A simple level access walk-in can be fitted into a small space and just needs a simple glass panel to hold water. VitrA Zero to Surface shower trays offer step-free access and have a large central drain to swoosh water away.” Perhaps in this way the strong opposition in purpose and design of the bath and shower are ideally suited to making the most of a reasonable space, for all customer needs and maintaining the ‘future-proof’ aspect that customers are looking for.
Mike Tattam, sales and marketing director at Lakes Bathrooms notes that two main trends being seen in the bathroom industry at the moment are to do with reducing or saving space and the amount of expendable household income. “Increasingly, driven by those with a bit more expendable income, people are looking
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