INDUSTRY UPDATE
Tim Spann from Keller Kitchens rounds up 2020 - and looks forward to 2021
2020 has been a challenging year for Keller and the kitchen industry in general in the UK; yet we have been delighted with the huge levels of business - in particular, since the mid-point of the year. The second half of 2020 exceeded all expectations by a considerable margin. As a business which operates on an international basis, substantial year-on-year growth has been achieved for the fifth consecutive year. Throughout the year, our different international markets have switched on and off at different times due to the local issues with Covid 19. Overall, we are delighted to end the year where we are. We are also genuinely excited about 2021 and the expected growth after
gains in our key channels. Retail is strong leading into 2021 and major wins for us in the contract sector will provide the icing on our cake for the coming year and beyond.
A record year of growth for the digital experience at Virtual Worlds
In a year when the whole kbb industry has had to consider a more virtual way of working, retailers have been using Virtual Worlds software more than ever before. Since the end of 2019, the company has recorded over 64,000 uses per month, with 680,000 product catalogue downloads from its network of retailers across 121 brands in the last 12 months. It’s also a year that saw a
record number of manufacturers adding their catalogues to the Virtual Worlds database. In 2020, Virtual Worlds welcomed 15 debuting brands, giving retailers an unrivalled amount of choice when designing kitchens and bathrooms for their customers using the 3D and 4D software. Manufacturers new to Virtual Worlds this year include Davroc, Qualitex, Impey, Burbidge, MyLife and SBH Radiators. It has been a year of growth for Virtual Worlds, made possible by the
level of support we give our retailers to ensure they have everything they need at set-up and with ongoing assistance, all despite the very challenging times we are living through.
44 BKU JANUARY 2021
HiB goes extra mile to raise money as part of Around the World fundraising challenge
L
eading bathroom supplier HiB has celebrated finishing a huge 30,000 mile fundraising challenge. The company, which this year celebrated its 30th anniversary, pledged
to complete the huge distance virtually to raise more than £15,000 for Alzheimer’s Research UK and the National Autistic Society. Since January, staff
from across HiB have been running, walking and cycling the company’s virtual route around the world, from HiB’s Tamworth distribution site, across the Atlantic Ocean to the USA, South America, Australia, Asia, India and Europe, finishing at HiB’s London head office. Robert Ginsberg,
Managing Director at HiB, said: “On behalf of everyone at HiB, I’d like to thank the many businesses and members of the community that have supported our Around the World Challenge. I know that the money raised will make a huge difference to both of the charities.” Jane Gill, Supporter Engagement Executive at Alzheimer’s Research UK
said: “We’re so grateful to HiB Ltd for supporting Alzheimer’s Research UK this year. Fantastic fundraising efforts like this will help make life- changing breakthroughs in research possible for people with dementia.” Kimberly Scoltock from the National Autistic Society, said: “Huge thank
you to everyone at HiB for the amazing fundraising you’ve been doing for our charity. The funds you’ve raised will make a huge difference helping us to support more autistic people and their families through this difficult time.”
For more information about the Around the
World Challenge and HiB visit the website.
www.hib.co.uk
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