p06-p07 BKU-DEC21 Industry Views x 8_bku 03/12/2021 10:55 Page 7


INDUSTRY VIEWS INDUSTRY Increasing Consumer Pressure to Reduce Environmental Impact


Following the G20 summit where global leaders and their teams gathered to discuss how we can reduce global emissions; the focus has expanded to not only renewable energy but also on companies and their impact such as the distance a product travels to the end consumer. Importing products across the globe is damaging to the environment and it is likely the process in which those products travelling significant distances have been manufactured also has a damaging impact. Consumers are starting to base their purchasing decisions on a company’s environmental impact. Therefore,


there is a lot of pressure on UK manufacturers especially on those in the bathroom industry to reduce their impact on their environment as lots of products in the market are made from acrylic plastic. There are many ways in which manufacturers can start to improve their impact on the environment and


reduce their carbon footprint, for example souring raw materials from local suppliers. Not only does this keep a company’s carbon footprint low, but it also keeps lead times down which ultimately benefits the consumer. As the pressure grows and consumers become more aware of a company’s environmental impact, we as


manufacturers need to improve our processes to ensure we are meeting consumer needs and wants not just with the product itself but also as a business.


Invest in the best


Is your business guilty of having all the gear and no idea? It can be tempting, can’t it to purchase the best products and services to ensure you and your team are top of their game, but if you don’t know how to use those products all you’re really doing is keeping up appearances. This happens so much in the design software market, where


Comment by Nathan MacLean, Managing Director, Virtual Worlds


Pretty in Pink


It is well known that style is cyclical, and this could not be truer than for the varying shades of pink in the bathroom, which has seen its popularity grow enormously over the last couple of years, with no sign of abatement. Of course, stylish pink bathrooms now are nothing like the suites of


the 70’s and 80’s! Today’s pinks combine more subtle undertones of yellow or grey to create a palette that is highly contemporary, but also classy and luxurious. Much of pink’s renewed appeal comes from the many fresh and


modern furniture designs that abound, which provide the perfect canvas to showcase its subtle elegance – like a Matt Antique Rose finish, as featured in our latest collection. Pink is also surprisingly versatile, able to be mixed with almost any other colour opening up the hue to the


Comment by Julie Lockwood, Product Manager Furniture, PJH Group


widest range of accessories, such as brushed brass or matt black cabinet handles, taps, showers and other extras. White ceramics and marble worktops also mate perfectly with subtle pink cabinetry, to bring a clean freshness to the bathroom, yet also adding focus and a sense of depth and perspective – designs cues much sought-after by consumers. Looking forward, I predict consumers will continue to embrace pink and it will become a much sought-after colour theme, and one that will quite rightly establish itself in every bathroom manufacturer’s portfolio.


customers are making an upfront investment based on the superb functionality it can bring to their business, but they haven’t a clue what those functions or their benefits are. Why? Because of a lack training. It should be seen as an investment in your business where you not only improve the speed and quality of your designs, but also learn what it takes to gain the edge over your competition. Can there be any greater jusitifcation for a day out of the showroom than that?


Comment by David Mosley, Managing Director, Trojan


Backing brassware for 2022


As we round off 2021 and look ahead to what the next 12 months may have in store, it can be difficult to forecast exactly what might happen. Trends will no doubt come and go and it looks likely that consumers will continue to invest in their bathroom as a safe haven as much as anything. While baths and sanitaryware remain the


largest sector of the market, brassware and accessories now come a close second, particularly with the growth in retrofit sales. And the good news as we head into 2022 and all that it may bring with it, this is an area that tends to remain strong even in times of uncertainty. Quality finishes, contemporary styling and high performance will always be in vogue when it comes to selling bathroom brassware.


VIEWS


Comment by Ben Bryden, Sales & Marketing Director, RAK Ceramics


BKU DECEMBER 2021


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