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INDUSTRY UPDATE


BiKBBI – It’s time to level the playing field


research published by Go Construct. This number will be significantly less for the kbb installation sector specifically. It’s widely accepted


W


Keller – Sustainability, choice and flexibility key for developers today


From a high-end penthouse to an affordable apartment, and everything in between, Keller has a wholly sustainable solution. All Keller kitchens, whatever the level, are produced by the most sustainable means in the kitchen universe. Working through the most expansive range of kitchen furniture options available in the contract sector today, Keller has a kitchen for every project. Be it a slim budget or sheer opulence, the design concepts will flow with freedom thanks to a vast array of choice and flexibility. A simple matter such as colour palette can be everything. With 1,950


colours in numerous finishes, Keller can provide a solution for almost any design. The options in terms of finish, material, style, trend and functionality are unlimited. Keller refers to the product offering as “personal kitchens”; whether it’s five or 1,000 kitchens, a personal kitchen is always possible regardless of market segment.


Leading wall panel manufacturer Showerwall joins Virtual Worlds


Making it easier than ever to design statement bathrooms that are also big on practicality, Showerwall bathroom wall panelling products are now available on Virtual Worlds. Offering a versatile, stylish and practical alternative to tiles, Showerwall offers 100 stylish decors, from marble designs to botanical prints, with something to suit all tastes and bathroom styles. Among the many Showerwall solutions now available on Virtual Worlds


are panels in its Laminate and Acrylic collections, making it simple for retailers to include the latest trends for Terrazzo, minimalist prints, and classic tile designs into their bathroom designs. Visually appealing and waterproof, the wall panelling also allows for grout-free installation and these high-performance surfaces are easy to clean and maintain. Having no grout lines means that there is no space for dirt, mould, or


bacteria to linger, making this a popular choice for consumers looking for a hygienic solution. In addition, the large format panels are flexible for use around the home, from the shower to behind basins and to create feature walls with a wow factor.


that diversity and inclusion make a better world. It’s fair to say that there is a still a huge amount of work to do in turning attitudes when it comes to female tradespeople, not only with businesses operating in the sector, but also in society where, sadly, a tradesperson is still painted as the stereotypical ‘man in a van’. This is something we have a collective duty to change, especially if we’re to overcome a very real challenge that the country faces in the form of a skills shortage. As ever, it was encouraging to see the support that International


Women’s Day garnered across the business community in March and we were delighted to be able to shine a spotlight on some of the women who have chosen a career in kbb installation, rather than sharing the obligatory words of support – be under no illusion that we would not have been able to do this five years ago. But as important as it is to support the initiative across all channels


available to us, as both businesses and individuals, it’s vital that we don’t lose sight of the very reason IWD exists; to forge inclusive work cultures where women’s careers thrive, and their achievements are celebrated. At BiKBBI, we are committed to driving positive change in the kbb installation sector and the wider kbb industry, and addressing the gender imbalance is a key target for us, but to overcome the issue we need to explore where they originate. Michelle Daniels, Director of Marketing at BiKBBI has a view on how we


can affect positive change going forward ‘For me, the issue originates around the dinner table at home and how we as parents view career opportunities for our children. Many of us still view a trade as a man-thing, probably instilled by our parents who were born in the fifties when it genuinely was a ‘male’ profession. But of course, all that has changed, as has the role of women in business across pretty much most sectors. Yet we as an industry still struggle to attract a diverse workforce – where perhaps other industries have adapted and welcomed talented women who add enormous value.’ There is absolutely no reason why more women can’t become


successful tradespeople, or indeed business leaders, within the home improvement sector – in fact, there’s more reason why perhaps women would be more successful. Women are independent, they have significant influence over home


improvement purchasing decisions and are often homeowners, and this is where female tradespeople can really capitalise on this social change.


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omen make up just over half the UK population, but fewer than one-fifth work in construction according to


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