INDUSTRY UPDATE THE BMA COLUMN
Franke and Groundwork team up to transform Boarshaw Clough
Franke has reaffirmed its commitment to preserving and enhancing local green spaces by partnering with environmental charity Groundwork in a nature away day at Boarshaw Clough in Middleton, Greater Manchester. Fifteen employees from Franke’s headquarters teamed up with Groundwork staff to enhance the six-hectare site. With a rich history in mining and cloth production, Boarshaw Clough now boasts native trees, shrubs, footpaths, a river system, lodge, and various natural features including a recreational area, water habitat, semi-mature woodland and wildflower zones. This is the second time Franke has taken part in environmental activities alongside Groundwork in recent months, having made improvements to the Irkside Nature Reserve in Rochdale in July.
The team’s tasks at Boarshaw Clough included transforming the entranceway along Tennyson Road, guiding visitors with renewed signage, resurfacing footpaths for ease of access, and removing invasive species like Yellow Archangel to improve the site’s biodiversity.
BMA – A wasteful approach to water efficiency labelling
T
he BMA patiently waited for Defra’s intentions for the mandatory water efficiency labelling scheme, with some hope. However, their response on September 29 was highly disappointing.
The BMA has long supported the Unified Water Label Association’s (UWLA) system, widely recognised within the KBB sector. Defra’s decision to ignore the adoption of the UWL, which has significantly grown in the UK, stands out as a glaring oversight.
Defra intends to launch labelling regulations next year, with implementation by 2025. However, this is wholly unrealistic given the need to develop new technical criteria, retest products, and get the whole supply chain onboard.
Indeed, it is projected to cost some £20m to implement Defra’s scheme, leading to confusion about why the already efficient and viable UWL scheme was overlooked.
Our objections to Defra’s stance are not confined to costs; products such as toilets, urinals, taps, and showers under this new requirement are covered mainly by the UWL. The new product database that Defra requires already exists under the UWLA system. Defra’s focus exclusively on water use, excluding energy-related insights, means the new labelling scheme will be almost identical to the existing UWL.
Given the logic to adopt the UWLA scheme, we remain optimistic that government will revisit its stance in the upcoming phases of the project. In the meantime, we urge manufacturers to maintain their allegiance and utilisation of the UWL until a clearer path emerges.
Tom Reynolds, Chief Executive of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association
For more information contact BMA on 01782 631619 or email
info@bathroom-association.org.uk
48 BKU NOVEMBER 2023
Pictured behind the sign: Keller National Sales Manager, Tim Spann, is in the middle with BKNC CEO, Bob Ruler, on his right and BKNC MD, Harry Ruler on his left.
Keller sponsors BKNC’s charity golf day
Keller Kitchens was proud to sponsor the recent BKNC charity golf day at Owestry Golf Club, where former Ryder Cup star and Major winner, Ian Woosnam, started his golf career.
The annual golf day was in aid of Prostrate Cancer UK, a charity which was chosen after a member of the team experienced early detection and an intervention which, thankfully, led to a positive outcome. BKNC Managing Director, Harry Ruler, commented, “We were delighted with the turn-out of client and suppliers alike and a great day was had by all. Prostrate cancer is the most common cancer in men affecting 1 in 8. 52,000 men are diagnosed with prostrate cancer each year in the UK alone. Money raised on the day will help fund lifesaving research to find better ways to diagnose men sooner.
If you would like to donate, you can still do so via the following link -
https://www.justgiving.com/page/bknc-1692180505067
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