KITCHEN SINKS, TAPS & WASTE DISPOSAL Nigel Palmer
Shaws
Matt Broughton caught up with Nigel Palmer, Shaw’s Head of Communications Marketing, to find out how KBB went and what else we can expect from the brand.
haws is performing as expected for the first quarter of 2024, given the current market,” explains Nigel. “The KBB show at the NEC at the beginning of March was extremely busy – the organisers say the biggest in 10 years – and the optimism was palpable from retailers and installation professionals. This is a cyclical market, and experienced heads know it will improve.”
“ S
Interestingly, Shaws designers have historically been led by conviction rather than focus groups. “As far as I know, Shaws has never sent a product into market research in its 125 years! The company doesn’t launch new products very often (many of its best-selling models today have been in production for more than a century). However, it works closely with key customers to develop original concepts.”
Thought we won’t now be seeing any new products from Shaws in 2024, it’s set to be a busy year for sister brands Victoria + Albert and Perrin & Rowe, with both launching major collections at Salone del Mobile (and previewed at KBB). I ask Nigel about instant hot taps, specifically regarding what kind of penetration into homes they are seeing. “We don’t have current data for UK household penetration, but instant hot taps are a significant proportion of Perrin & Rowe sales,” explains Nigel. “The main barrier to growth is a lack of awareness and understanding; even the interior designers who visit our London
showroom don’t necessarily know much about this category. Most kitchen buyers who see the concept demonstrated immediately recognise the convenience they offer. Budget or space can be a reason for rejection, but safety rarely is – at least for consumers who try a Perrin & Rowe instant hot tap, which has a neat and simple safety mechanism and very little spitting, even at maximum temperature.”
“
My personal view is that instant hot taps are like smart phones; eventually almost everyone will have one
Nigel’s personal view is that instant hot taps are like smart phones; eventually almost everyone will have one… “Why wouldn’t you? It’s just so convenient.” Pull-down rinses, however, are more a matter of preference: “We increasingly see them specified in new builds,” says Nigel, “so they will become a much more common feature in modern kitchens. A built-in pull-down rinse is such a sensible idea that requires no real compromise and is often available as a no-cost option (they are standard on Riobel taps) so it will surely become much more commonplace as awareness grows. Some people value the flexibility of the cleaning they offer, others won’t use them, even if they end up owning one.”
Shaws Hawkshaw double bowl sink
Shaw’s parent company has just completed the construction of a major new manufacturing facility in Staffordshire, which will eventually add new production lines for ceramics and brassware. This adds to the capacity available at the original Shaws site in Darwen, Lancashire. “The global demand for Shaws sinks, especially from the US, continues to grow, and this huge investment in UK manufacturing is intended to meet this demand,” says Nigel, who also promises a new website coming later this year which will further bring to life the long and fascinating history of the brand!
Shaws Bradshaw double bowl inset sink 34 BKU APRIL 2024
Shaws Butler sink with Riobel Azure matt black tap
Perrin & Rowe Armstrong mixer tap with pulldown rinse
“
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 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72
