Cosentino Group forecasts a turnover of 560 million Euro

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Cosentino-GroupThe Cosentino Group ended 2014 with a sales presence and fixed assets on five continents, a milestone that was reached following the opening of a logistics platform in South Africa.

In addition Cosentino says it expects to end 2014 with a total turnover of 560 million Euros, representing an increase of 14.7% compared to 2013, with over 90% of its sales generated outside of Spain.

This was announced at the annual Strategic Conference that the multinational held at its headquarters in Almeria and which was attended by around 70 people from every country where the company operates.

The 2014 event included the incorporation of representatives from the company’s new markets of Japan, Turkey, Israel, Canada and South Africa. Currently, Cosentino now operates directly with employees, fixed sales and production assets in 29 countries.

In his opening address, Francisco Martínez-Cosentino, President of the Cosentino Group, highlighted the consolidation of the worldwide launch of the ultra-compact surface Dekton, the gradual digitalisation of the organisation, -which in 2015 it is estimated that the group will have close to 3,000 employees – and the company’s unwavering commitment to job security at all the multinational’s production centres.

It also set out to increase the diversification of niche markets as a future challenge, a goal for which a key role will be played by the incorporation of new talent, as well as increased internal promotion of employees based on their continuing education.

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www.cosentino.com

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Glass and Glazing Federation support Time for Change

Posted on by Posted in Construction

Debbie-Abrahams-HoCThe Glass and Glazing Federation has has joined other leading trade associations in promoting our Time for Change e-petition, which aims to achieve a Parliamentary debate on the issue of retention funds in construction contracts.

In a statement received by H&V News this week, it announced it has asked its members to sign the e-petition, which needs 100,000 signatures to drive a debate on protecting retention funds in trust in the future.

Debbie Abrahams MP has also signed up to attend the Building & Engineering Services Association (B&ES) Time for Change roundtable.

Construction industry organisations have welcomed efforts by late payment campaigner Debbie Abrahams, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, to tackle the issue of “hated” cash retentions.

During the third reading of amendments to the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill, Ms Abrahams said:

“At any one time, over £3bn is outstanding in the construction industry by way of cash retentions.

“I have several examples, including that of a company that wrote to me to say that £60,000 of retention money was withheld – 5% of the overall contract – for eight months. There was nothing in the contract about that. They had to go through adjudication and it ended up with them losing £22,000. These are small businesses, and this is their livelihood.”

The B&ES was one of the first supporters of the campaign when it was launched last November.

The campaign is continuing to gain support from all areas of the industry, including a growing number of industry associations.

H&V News editor Dennis Flower will also attend the roundtable discussion and will report on the event in a future issue of the magazine.

Time for Change has been created as an industry-wide initiative and aims to include all sectors of the industry to drive improvement and deliver benefits for the entire supply chain in the future.

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A flying start for Masterclass Kitchens

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Masterclass-KitchensThe first week of a new year may seem a tad premature to talk about a record first quarter, but Masterclass Kitchens is starting 2015 on a high with it says, factory output for the first quarter already up by 50% on the same period last year, based on pre-orders alone.

This positive start to the New Year follows a record 12 months for Masterclass Kitchens in 2014, with the business finishing more than 50% up compared to sales in 2013.

Steve Tough, commercial sales director at Masterclass Kitchens, said:

“We are very pleased to be starting 2015 on such a high, having enjoyed extremely healthy growth as a company throughout 2014. The week leading up to Christmas was a record ever sales week for us, and a brilliant way to end what was a very successful year!

www.masterclasskitchens.co.uk

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Manufacturer introduces ErP directive education campaign

Posted on by Posted in Heating

Sale_tagsThe new Energy related Product (ErP) directive from the EU will come into force on 26th September 2015, to ensure space and water heaters meet minimum efficiency requirements.

Installers will still be able to use products purchased and installed prior that date, however, manufacturers and installers will have to ensure that the products they use and the systems they commission meet the minimum requirements within the new directive.

Space and water heating products will be required to have an energy label, already familiar on products such as fridges and freezers, and manufacturers will only be able to sell compliant products after 26 September. The least efficient water heating products, with ratings F and G, will be banned.

Carrie Young, Ideal’s head of marketing, accepted there will a period of adjustment to get through, but hopes that an education campaign to help guide installers through the process – which will launch later this month – will help answer any questions or concerns.

“We’re gearing up to support installers throughout the ErP process. It will be included in all our domestic boiler training courses, plus our technical support and customer services teams have all been briefed and trained so installers don’t need to worry.”

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Ideal Bathrooms team complete charity cycle challenge

Posted on by Posted in Bathrooms and Kitchens, Official Product Review

ideal-cycle-charityA team of cyclists from Ideal Bathrooms undertook a 55-mile bike challenge to raise money for their charity partners.

All nine riders completed the course to raise over £1,150, which was split between the event organisers, British Heart & Stroke Foundation, and Macmillan Cancer Support, the company’s current chosen charity partner.

The Ideal Bathrooms’ team was made up of: Hayley Scriven, senior sales; external sales team members, Steve Hooley and Lindsay Fillingham; Steve Gillespie; Nick Brown; Nick Wise and Jamie Hempenstall, from the finance and purchasing departments; Dan Hoare, from the Milton Keynes warehouse; and supplier, Tony Wrighton.

Ideal Bathrooms managing director, John Bagshaw said:

“Ideal Bathrooms has a strong tradition for its charity events, initiated and organised by individuals within the company to raise funds for the company’s charity partners and for additional worthy causes. Many people within the company put a huge amount of time and effort into organising and participating in a wide variety of activities from cake sales and fancy dress days, to much larger events such as this cycle ride.  I congratulate all involved in this, and all other, charity fund raising.”

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