KPH Stainless Tiles is a company based in Sheffield, England that manufactures an exclusive range of hand polished plain and designer stainless tiles available in both mirror and satin finishes.

'Our tiles are made from genuine grade 304 stainless steel and are all carefully hand polished before being dispatched.' says the company.

'The tiles would suit any contemporary kitchen or bathroom to give a clean, unique and stylish finish. All tiles use the same cutting and fitting instruction as conventional tiles and can be effortlessly cleaned with warm water.'

Web: http://www.kphstainlesstiles.co.uK

Bottled Water… Pure Water or Pure Hype?
 

With sales of bottled water at an all time high, John Swain, product manager for Franke UK, reminds retailers that they are missing out on a huge opportunity to sell filtered water taps.

New statistics have revealed that we splashed out a record £1.2 billion on bottled water in 2004, with a staggering 86 per cent of all sales being still water.

Clever adverts and packaging featuring glaciers and crystal-clear mountain springs have created a public perception that all bottled water is pure. However, a significant proportion of the world’s bottled water is simply commercially filtered tap water.

I’m sure you’ll remember a leading drinks manufacturer getting into trouble last year over its bottled water, which not only turned out to be commercially filtered tap water, but on further inspection, also contained high levels of Bromate (long-term exposure to high levels of Bromate can increase the risk of cancer). The manufacturer recalled around 500,000 bottles of the branded tap water. There have also been a number of other cases of bottled water contamination reported in the media in the last few years.

In addition to the risk of contamination, some of the commercial filtration systems used can be very aggressive, not only removing all harmful bacteria but filtering out minerals which are good for you.

In contrast, a good quality filter can remove 99 per cent of all undesirables and still leave essential minerals, such as calcium and fluoride, intact. However, not all filter taps are the same. It’s fundamental that customers look for the following features to ensure good quality water:

• A dedicated channel in the spout for the delivery of the filtered water – to prevent cross-contamination from the hot and cold supplies
• A ceramic filter that filters down to 0.2 microns – removing harmful bacteria but not essential minerals

Health benefits aside, installing a filter tap is extremely cost effective. When it comes to paying for bottled water we’re more than happy to spend on average 47p per litre. Alternatively, fill your glass for less than 2p per litre using a filter tap, such as the Triflow. We’ve worked out that an average family could easily recoup the initial cost of the filter system within 10 months of using it.

You should also consider the fact that the cost of upgrading a tap to a filtered water tap when buying a new kitchen is only a small percentage of the overall price.

Then there’s the convenience factor. Bottled water is heavy, bulky and generally a nuisance to carry back from the supermarket each week. Bottled water companies also have a lot to answer for when it comes to the environment, with millions of plastic bottles being disposed of every day. Installing a filter tap at home not only gives you high quality drinking water when you want it, but is less harmful to the environment.

So this should be an easy sell. The world’s leading bottled water companies have invested billions in marketing bottled water, so you don’t need to convince customers that drinking good quality water is better for you, that’s been done for you. You just need to give customers the facts about installing a good quality filter tap, pointing out the health benefits, environmental benefits and cost effectiveness over bottled water.

And given the continuing growth of the bottled water industry, which has tripled in the last decade, there’s clearly a growing demand for good quality water, you just need to tap into it.

http://www.franke.co.uk

Whirlpool Corporation and Maytag Corporation Sign Definitive Merger Agreement
 
Whirlpool Corporation and Maytag Corporation have signed a definitive merger agreement in which Whirlpool will acquire all outstanding shares of Maytag in a cash and stock merger valued at $21 per share.  One half of the per share consideration will be paid in cash and the balance in a fraction of a share of Whirlpool common stock as described below.

The Board of Directors of Maytag has approved the merger agreement with Whirlpool and intends to recommend to Maytag’s shareholders that they adopt the agreement.

Prior to signing the Whirlpool merger agreement, Maytag paid a $40 million termination fee to Triton Acquisition Holding and, thereafter, terminated the agreement with Triton.  In accordance with Whirlpool’s August 10, 2005, offer, as extended on August 12, 2005, Whirlpool has reimbursed the $40 million to Maytag today.  In addition, Maytag said that the special meeting of stockholders scheduled for Friday, September 9, 2005, has been cancelled as a result of the termination of the Triton merger agreement.

The aggregate transaction value, including assumption of approximately $977 million of debt, is approximately $2.7 billion. The transaction is subject to customary conditions, including, among other things, regulatory approvals and Maytag shareholder approval.  The transaction will be taxable to Maytag shareholders.

Maytag shareholders will receive, for each share held, $10.50 in cash and between 0.1144 and 0.1398 of a share of Whirlpool stock.  The amount of Whirlpool stock to be issued in exchange for each Maytag share will depend upon the volume- weighted average trading price of Whirlpool’s stock during a 20 trading-day period ending shortly before the merger. 

Maytag shareholders will receive 0.1144 of a share of Whirlpool stock if the average Whirlpool stock price is $91.79 or greater and 0.1398 if it is $75.10 or less; between the two prices, the exchange ratio will vary proportionately.

Howard Clark, Maytag board member since 1986 and lead director, said, 'After careful consideration in conjunction with our financial and legal advisors and an independent committee of Maytag’s board consisting of all non-management directors, we re-evaluated the transaction with Triton and concluded that the Whirlpool agreement is superior and is in the best interest of our shareholders.'

Jeff Fettig, Whirlpool chairman (pictured), president and CEO, said, 'The combination of Whirlpool and Maytag will create very substantial benefits for consumers, trade customers and our shareholders. This transaction will enable us to achieve significant efficiencies and better asset utilization. It will also allow us to offer a wider range of products to a much broader consumer base.'

'Overall, this transaction will translate into better products, quality and service, as well as efficiencies, which will enhance our ability to succeed in the increasingly competitive global home-appliance industry,' added Fettig.  'We remain highly confident that we will receive regulatory clearance for this transaction in a timely manner.'

Ralph Hake, Maytag chairman and CEO, said, 'This combination brings together two leading organizations with strong traditions in quality and customer satisfaction. Together, Whirlpool and Maytag will bring substantial benefits to consumers around the world, as well as to shareholders and customers.'

Whirlpool has sufficient resources to finance the acquisition and has received strong support from the banking sector. The company currently has a $1.2 billion, five-year committed credit facility, scheduled to mature in 2009. There have been no borrowings under this agreement. The acquisition and upcoming debt maturities of the combined company are expected to be financed through current bank agreements and with new committed bank facilities.

In addition to reimbursing the $40 million termination fee paid by Maytag to Triton, Whirlpool has agreed to pay up to $15 million to assist Maytag in retaining key employees.  Whirlpool also has agreed to pay Maytag a 'reverse break-up fee' of $120 million under certain circumstances in the unlikely event of failure to obtain regulatory clearance.

Maytag’s shareholders are expected to vote on the transaction before the end of the year. Whirlpool expects the transaction to close as early as the first quarter of 2006, following approval from Maytag shareholders and regulatory clearance.

Lazard serves as financial advisor; Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz serves as legal advisor; and Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton serves as special legal counsel to Maytag.  Greenhill & Company, Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP, Howrey LLP, and The Boston Consulting Group serve as advisors to Whirlpool.

Baumatic Purchases German Cooker Hood Specialist Technovent   Baumatic Group has purchased the activities and assets of German domestic appliance specialist Technovent GMBH with a total investment of 1 million Euro. Technovent, based in Manheim in Germany, is a well established company and strong cooker hood brand in the German domestic market. With an annual turnover in excess of 3 million EUR, the company was established over 14 years ago, but was taken over by the previous owners just four years ago. Having recently established Baumatic brand in the Middle East, this purchase marks a further chapter in the Group's global expansion plans. The purchase of Technovent allows its new owners a path into the German market with an already established brand, but also creates opportunities for the company to sell in its existing range through Technovent's current distribution channels. Baumatic Group has an exclusive agreement to use the Technovent brand in the German market and the company plans to continue to brand cooker hoods Technovent, but all other products introduced into the German market will be branded Baumatic. To further reinforce the company´s entrance into what is arguably one of the most competitive European markets, Baumatic will be taking part in one of the biggest exhibitions in Germany, Germany, MOW - Focus Kuche & Bad which takes place between 17th and 23rd September in Enger near Hannover. This exhibition will act as a platform to introduce the Baumatic brand to the trade and to show the breadth of the product range available. Enzo Balestrazzi, Group President of Baumatic Group (pictured) comments: ‘Obviously one of the major pluses of purchasing Technovent is that we have an instant 'in' into the German market where the Technovent brand is well recognised and we certainly aim to maximise the great potential Technovent has. Technovent already has an excellent distribution network for the appliances in Germany and we anticipate that this will open up huge opportunities for establishing the rest of the Baumatic range in the German market. Germany is one of the biggest markets for appliances in Europe and as our brand establishes in this territory we will become a very important player in the appliance market in central Europe.’     The Sub-Zero Pro 48 Takes a Star Position in The Chairman’s Windows at Harrods   Making its debut in the U.K. market the new refrigerator, the PRO 48 from Sub-Zero, was awarded star position in Harrods showcase windows – The Chairman’s Windows - on Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, for the entire month of August. With the blessing of Craig Davies, CEO of the Westye Group Europe, the UK & European sole distributor of Sub-Zero refrigeration and Wolf Cooking Instruments, Harrods created a dramatic ice and fire themed window for the PRO 48, the 121cm Wolf Dual Fuel range, the 430 Sub-Zero wine cooler, and the 695 fridge/freezer with ice and water dispensing facility. Anyone who ordered a luxury PRO 48 fridge/freezer (priced around £12,000 + VAT) through Harrods during August or two appliances from the Sub-Zero/Wolf range (conditions applied) received a Sub-Zero wine cooler worth £3,500 free! ‘The PRO 48 refrigerator is absolutely the last word when it comes to food preservation.’ Says the company. ‘For those who want to wine and dine in style, the PRO 48 will chill at least two cases of the best champagne at once. If nothing but the best will do, this refrigerator will keep party-sized quantities of the world’s finest caviar at just the right temperature. ‘The PRO 48 marries performance and design in a bold new way for home refrigeration. Created in 100% steel - the fridge/freezer is 2134mm in height x 1219mm wide with a total storage capacity of 844 cubic litres - this behemoth is a true masterpiece of food preservation. A refrigerated drawer complete with retracting, tight seal crisper lid glides forward to give a bird’s eye view of produce in configurable dividers, keeps produce exceptionally humid and fresh. Behind the scenes the PRO 48 uniquely employs dual refrigeration and triple evaporation which keeps food fresher for longer and prevents odour transfer. ‘The refrigerator’s advanced controls adjust intuitively to individual usage patterns. Auto-close hinges allow the doors to swing open and tap shut effortlessly. Freestanding or built-in, the PRO48 is just the latest, sleekest example of how Sub-Zero keeps re-writing the rules of food preservation. Most impressively the PRO 48 conforms to the Department of Energy standards for residential use, consuming less energy than a 100-watt light bulb.’ Other recent additions to the Sub-Zero range include the 695 model which the company says extends the boundaries of contemporary design in refrigeration. The Sub-Zero range continues to include the integrated 700 series; the 200 series of under-counter models as well as the cutting edge designed 400 series of wine storage. 'These kitchen appliances create a design statement in every kitchen, so much so that top chefs, Michel Roux, Gary Rhodes, Rick Stein, Nigella Lawson, James Martin and Antony Worrall Thompson all have Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances in their own kitchens. Other fans of these brands include designers such as Terence Conran and Wayne Hemingway as well as Madonna, Sting, Michael Caine. Premier division footballers, Wayne Rooney, Thierry Henri, and Frank Lampard are also on the Sub-Zero and Wolf roll call. 'Number one kitchen designers, Mark Wilkinson, Smallbone of Devizes and Johnny Grey regularly specify Sub-Zero and Wolf products for their clients.' Tel +44 (0) 20 8418 3800 Email: mailto:info@sub-zero.eu.com Web: http://www.sub-zero.eu.com