INDUSTRY UPDATE
BiKBBI – The worm is turning for KBB installation
2
024 certainly got off to a flying start for BiKBBI, and not just because we delivered the BiKBBI Conference and the BiKBBI Awards ceremony on the same day within a few weeks of the New Year celebrations. For the very first time in the institute’s history, there has been a noticeable shift in interest from brands representing all areas of the KBB industry wanting to understand more about what BiKBBI does and how they can get involved. For almost two decades, BiKBBI has gratefully received the support and sponsorship of a small number of businesses that are ultimately
responsible for the institute’s success and achievements to date, from longstanding
corporate sponsors such as Classic Marble, HIPPO Waste and
Quooker, to those brands that support us by being a BiKBBI Retail Installation Standards Partner such as Wren Kitchens and Easy
Bathrooms. But it’s fair to say that our support network has always represented just a fraction of the sector.
And we’ve been ok with that. As a not-for-profit organisation with a non-existent marketing budget and a very limited resource, we have always struggled with the conundrum of needing to raise awareness of what we do and why we need support, but critically needing more support from the KBB industry in order to do so – a real ‘chicken and egg’ scenario. For twenty years we have banged our drum at every given opportunity, knocked on thousands of doors, shouted from every soapbox offered to us and pretty much (and unashamedly) accepted every invitation to every event that might be a forum for discussion. Why? Because the institute was founded to not only represent the installation sector but to tackle the challenges it faces and orchestrate solutions – and collaboration is critical to achieve this.
So, what’s changing? Well, I believe that many of the issues that we have been warning of over the years are becoming a reality for all areas of the KBB sector. Not just the obvious challenges such as the skills gap crisis but also less prominent topics such as compliance risk, CPD and regulation. As businesses start to return to pre-COVID trading conditions, these are things that really could make a difference to their business. But more than that, as institute’s go, we are still relatively young, and it’s fair to say that the past few years have been a ‘coming of age’ period for BiKBBI. We now have a clear purpose and a proposition that supports all areas of the industry and I believe this is also making brands think about how we fit into their brand story.
More information on supporting our work to drive positive change in the KBB installation sector can be found at
bikbbi.org.uk or email
leon.rowland@
bikbbi.org.uk.
Damian Walters – CEO, BiKBBI 44 BKU APRIL 2024
Chris Carlin joins Kudos Showers
hris Carlin has joined Kudos Showers as an Area Sales Manager supporting merchant customers and buying groups in the North of England and Scotland. Chris brings 30 years of experience in the B2B sales of bathroom products, having previously worked for some of the industry’s leading brands including Bristan, Lecico, Grohe and Be Modern. He started with Kudos in February and will be part of a new team of Area Sales Managers for the business.
C
“I am really pleased to join a great team of people at Kudos. It is a brand well thought of in the industry, a strong British manufacturing brand offering quality products.” Said Chris.
Nick Graville, Sales & Marketing Director for Kudos explains, “Over the past few years our customers have been supported by our 8 strong Retail Support Managers (RSMs), who provide technical and installation support to showrooms. As we’ve continued to grow, we have built a team of merchant-focused Area Sales Managers, who will work alongside the RSMs, improving the depth of support and communication with our customer base. We are delighted that Chris Carlin has become part of this team.”
Kudos Shower Products Ltd has been designing and manufacturing shower products at their Cumbria facility since 1999. Their portfolio includes shower enclosures, shower trays, over-bath screens and wet-room solutions sold via KBB showrooms and merchants across the UK. Call, email or visit their website.
01539 564040 email
info@kudosshowers.co.uk
www.kudosshowers.co.uk
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
