INDUSTRY INDUSTRY VIEWS VIEWS
Food waste disposers provide
a smart, hygienic solution Recent legislation and local authority initiatives promoting the separation of food waste, alongside the roll-out of household food waste caddies, are measures designed to encourage consumers to manage their waste responsibly and sustainably. With more consumer focus on this topic, food waste disposers are set to become an increasingly valuable addition to modern kitchen design. Although they have been around for years, their penetration remains surprising low. They are an easy add-on sale to every sink, hygienically and easily grinding up food waste and veg peelings in seconds.
By incorporating food waste disposers into design schemes, retailers can offer a practical, hygienic solution that helps reduce reliance on caddies, minimise odours and streamline daily routines. Installed neatly under the sink, they support cleaner, more efficient kitchens while aligning with evolving sustainability expectations.
For retailers, this presents a strong opportunity to add value and respond proactively to changing regulations and consumer needs.
Comment by Chris Gallagher, Sales Director, Franke UK
Mixing Metals for a Trend that Shines!
There is a growing trend towards mixing metallic finishes in bathroom design, as consumers move away from perfectly coordinated brassware, showers, and accessories, in favour of more layered,personalised spaces. Combining finishes such as brushed brass, bronze, matt black, and gunmetal can add depth and visual interest, helping schemes feel more curated and less uniform. At PJH, we have seen increasing demand for greater choice in high- quality finishes, reflecting this shift towards more considered specification. In response, product development has focused on durable, design-led finishes that allow retailers to offer greater flexibility when creating cohesive schemes using complementary, or multi-tonal, metal accents.
The opportunity lies in giving customers confidence to combine metallic finishes successfully. An approach is to establish one dominant tone, then
introduce accents across products. Repeating finishes maintains balance, while pairing
Comment by Tanna Molyneux, Bathroom Product Manager, Bathrooms to Love by PJH
metals with softer textures such as matt furniture or fluted detailing keeps the look calm and
contemporary. British Craftsmanship
We’re seeing a marked increase in the volume of copied designs entering the UK and Irish markets, often manufactured overseas and sold as ‘British designed’. While this presents a clear challenge, it has also brought greater focus to the importance of unique designs and authentic British craftsmanship. While it is
disheartening to see original designs so closely replicated, it ultimately reinforces the value of genuine creativity, skilled
manufacturing and high- quality materials, which remain at the heart of everything we do at Armac Martin and is the cornerstone of our
Comment by Richard McGrail, CEO, Armac Martin
97 year heritage of manufacturing our unique designs in the heart of England. Encouragingly, we’ve seen strong support from like-minded businesses and partners who are proud to incorporate expertly crafted, British-made products into their projects. Across the industry, there is a continued emphasis on selecting designs that balance aesthetics with longevity and integrity in equal measure. This is helping to drive a more informed and discerning market, and one that increasingly champions the enduring appeal of British craft.
4 BKU MAY 2026
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