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Navigating success in 2027: a Q&A with PJH

PJH-Wolverhampton-DC

Next year marks a milestone 55-year trading anniversary for KBB distributor PJH, so Brett Jenkinson, retail channel director, shares his thoughts on how business has been this year and how the company will continue navigating success through 2027 and beyond. 

Q: How’s business been for PJH this year?

It has been a busy year in a challenging market, with significant investment to support our customers and prepare the business for the future. Our April and October launches have continued to develop Bathrooms to Love and Bathrooms2GO, alongside brand refreshes. We have also broadened our partnerships, including a new appliance collaboration with Fisher & Paykel, and extended ranges such as Fibo wall panels, and Abode FOCUS 60 bathrooms. For stockists, those developments mean more opportunities to meet different customer needs. There is plenty to be positive about, although we recognise how hard customers are working for every sale.

Q: How has last years’ opening of the flagship, state-of-the-art Distribution Centre in Wolverhampton benefitted the business?

At 205,000 sq. ft., Wolverhampton has given us greater stockholding capacity and room to develop our offer, benefiting customers and bathroom, appliance, sink & tap brand partners including Neff, Bosch, Samsung, Elica, Hotpoint, Indesit, Hoover, Candy, Haier, AEG, Electrolux and Insinkerator. The practical value for customers is confidence in availability and delivery as ranges expand. It has also created opportunities to bring customers closer to the products and people behind them. Our stunning 3,000 sq. ft. showroom hosted events in March and May, including the VitrA roadshow, with further showroom events planned. Seeing products first-hand and talking through the options remains valuable, particularly when retailers are deciding where to invest in their own displays.

Q: Why the huge investment in a brand new PJH Partners Portal™ to replace old one?

The existing Portal is an important part of how customers do business with us, but expectations keep moving. We want the next generation Portal to make everyday tasks easier and provide a more flexible foundation for future improvements. Retailers have enough demands on their time, so digital investment needs to deliver practical benefits. It should also work alongside our people: customers should be able to manage routine business conveniently and still reach someone who understands their needs when they want advice or help.                                                    

Q: What is the PJH ‘First Choice’ Customer Service Promise?

It means considering the whole experience of working with PJH and treating customers as partners. Product choice matters, but so do reliable deliveries, helpful advice and how we respond when something needs resolving. Our next-day delivery service is an important part of that, supported by colleagues who understand the pressures customers face. Our Voice of the Customer feedback helps shape the business and identify where we need to improve. In a competitive market, service is a real point of difference, but being someone’s ‘First Choice’ has to be earned consistently.

Q: Looking ahead to the next 12 months and beyond, what’s next for PJH?

Our 55th anniversary in 2027 is a milestone, but our attention is firmly on what customers need next. Priorities include rolling out the new Partners Portal as a platform for further development, refreshing our own appliance brand, Prima, and continuing to evolve Bathrooms to Love and Bathrooms2GO, with further launches planned for 2027. New websites for both bathroom brands, Prima and PJH are also part of that investment. We will continue supporting BIFIS as an Advocate. The pace of market recovery remains uncertain, but we can keep enhancing our products, service and support that help our customers move forward.

Further information:

PJH: T: 0345 450 8932 / www.partners.pjh.uk  / www.pjh.uk 

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Roper Rhodes launches new 3D bathroom planner

Roper-Rhodes

Roper Rhodes has announced the launch of its new 3D Bathroom Planner, a free online design tool developed to support its independent retail partners by bridging the gap between digital bathroom planning and the in-store showroom experience.

Developed in partnership with bathroom software specialist Spark Vision, the new platform forms part of Roper Rhodes’ Connected Retail strategy, designed to create a more integrated customer journey from initial inspiration through to product specification and purchase.

As consumer purchasing habits continue to evolve, digital planning tools are becoming an increasingly important part of the bathroom buying process. Roper Rhodes’ research involving 750 consumers found that 34% use an online design tool when planning a bathroom, highlighting the growing opportunity for retailers to engage customers earlier in their purchasing journey.

The new Roper Rhodes Bathroom Planner enables consumers to design their bathroom in a to-scale 3D environment, experimenting with room layouts, fixtures and finishes using genuine Roper Rhodes products. Designs can be saved, revisited and shared directly with a Roper Rhodes retail partner, creating a seamless transition from online planning to professional showroom consultation.

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ISH to showcase six bathroom design concepts in special exhibition

Bathroom-Stories-ISH

ISH 2027 will introduce a new special exhibition, bathroom stories, exploring how design, materials and technology can respond to the diverse requirements of contemporary sanitary spaces.

Taking place from 15–19 March 2027 at Messe Frankfurt, the exhibition will be located in the foyer of Hall 4.1 and feature six themed installations covering applications from public washrooms and swimming pool showers to accessible bathrooms, hospitality and spa environments.

Developed in collaboration with the German Sanitary Industry Association (VDS), the German Sanitation, Heating and Air Conditioning Association (ZVSHK), Dein Creativ Lab and Italian architect and designer Marco Poletti, the exhibition aims to demonstrate how functional and technical requirements can be integrated into considered design concepts.

The six installations will explore different aspects of bathroom planning. WC Royal focuses on inclusive school washrooms, while Flow Point examines the design and technical demands of showers in high-traffic public facilities. Material Lab provides a hands-on material library where architects and designers can explore colours, textures and finishes from different manufacturers.

Accessibility and future-ready bathroom design are addressed through Open Bath, developed with ZVSHK, which demonstrates how thoughtful planning can support comfort and independence at every stage of life. Meanwhile, Small Stay explores compact hotel bathrooms, and The Reset considers the role of design, lighting and materials in creating restorative spa environments.

The installations will combine full-scale room settings with product applications, technical information and digital content. Selected products from ISH exhibitors will be incorporated into the concepts, giving visitors an opportunity to see how individual solutions work within complete spaces. Guided tours will also provide further insight into the design and planning considerations.

André Höbing of Dein Creativ Lab, who is developing three of the installations with Tanja Maier, said the aim was to create spaces that engage the senses while providing practical inspiration for projects and showrooms.

The special exhibition will complement ISH’s wider Bathroom offering, which covers private, commercial and care-related sanitary spaces across Halls 2.0, 3.0, 3.1, 4.1 and 4.2, as well as the Forum.

ISH 2027 takes place in Frankfurt am Main from 15–19 March.

Image credit: Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH

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Zayed National Museum & Foster + Partners specify Duravit

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The Zayed National Museum by Foster + Partners has specified sanitary ceramics from Duravit. Dedicated to the history of the United Arab Emirates, the museum’s architecture draws inspiration from falconry, an important part of the life of the country’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Designed by Foster + Partners, the building’s distinctive silhouette and its five steel wings form a defining feature of Saadiyat Island’s coastal landscape in Abu Dhabi, paying homage to its heritage. Its warm white colour palette reflects the island’s sandy landscape, creating a visual connection with the exterior surroundings. Within the museum’s sanitary facilities, Duravit’s D-Code range complements the similar light-toned interior.

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Natural ventilation inspired by the chimney principle

According to Foster + Partners, the towers play an important role in the building’s natural ventilation strategy. Warm air escapes through openings at the top of the towers, while air pre-cooled in the ground is channelled through underground pipes into the atrium. A landscaped mound surrounding much of the museum also helps to reduce solar heat gain within the interior.

From the atrium to the coast

The museum’s circulation routes converge in the light-filled Al Liwan atrium. Defined by walls of white exposed concrete, this open space serves as a central meeting point and provides a setting for dance and poetry performances.

From the atrium, a sculptural spiral staircase and lifts provide access to four of the six permanent exhibition galleries, housed in pod-like structures above. Triple-glazed units incorporate a dense mesh interlayer to moderate incoming sunlight, while electrochromic glass skylights automatically adjust their transparency in response to changing external light levels.

The building’s external faceted facade panels reference the topography of the Emirates. Towards the coast, Al Masar Garden provides landscaped spaces for socialising, recreation and relaxation.

A cohesive design language across washrooms and toilets

The museum’s warm colour palette continues into its washroom facilities, where sand-coloured surfaces and large mirrors provide a backdrop for white washbasins and wall-mounted toilets from Duravit’s D-Code range.

Designed by sieger design, the ceramics combine clean rectangular forms with gently rounded contours. The washbasins feature wide rims that provide integrated vanity surfaces, while the coordinated styling of the basins and toilets creates a consistent aesthetic throughout the facilities.

ZayedNationalMuseum-©-Danica

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Harrison Bathrooms appoints new area sales manager

Brett Catrall Headshot - Harrison Bathrooms

Harrison Bathrooms has appointed Brett Catrall as area sales manager for parts of Yorkshire and the surrounding areas.

Bringing more than 15 years’ experience in the bathroom industry, Catrall has held roles spanning internal sales support and retail showrooms, most recently working in area sales management.

This background gives him a first-hand understanding of the sector from both the retailer’s and supplier’s perspectives.

His experience across both retail and supply gives him an understanding of the challenges facing bathroom retailers, from selecting the right product ranges and advising customers to securing reliable supplier support.

In his new role, Catrall will work with Harrison Bathrooms’ existing retail partners while developing new customer relationships for its Scudo brand. He will support retailers with product selection and showroom display opportunities, helping them make the most of the range within their businesses.

Shaun Corcoran, commercial director at Harrison Bathrooms, commented: “Brett brings a practical understanding of bathroom retail, built through experience on both sides of the counter. He knows the pressures our customers face and the importance of backing great products with reliable service and day-to-day support. That experience, alongside his established relationships across the region, makes him a welcome addition to our sales team.”

The appointment forms part of Harrison Bathrooms’ continued investment in its external sales team and the support available to its retail network.

Harrison Bathrooms is a family-owned bathroom business with Yorkshire roots. Through its Scudo brand, it supplies a broad range of bathroom products to retailers across the UK, supported by its own warehousing, in-house delivery fleet and experienced customer service team.

www.harrisonbathrooms.com 

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Grant Westfield’s Calum Brown raises £2,447 for Action for M.E.

Marathon-finish-Grant-Westfield

Calum Brown, production engineer at Grant Westfield, has raised £2,447 for Action for M.E. after completing the Edinburgh Marathon in under three hours.

The 26.2-mile challenge saw Brown achieve a personal goal, finishing in 2 hours, 59 minutes and 52 seconds, just eight seconds under his target.

Brown ran in support of Action for M.E. following his wife Ella’s diagnosis with myalgic encephalomyelitis (M.E.) two years ago. A chronic, fluctuating condition, M.E. can cause debilitating fatigue, pain, sleep problems and cognitive difficulties, with severe cases leaving people bedbound.

Keen to raise both funds and awareness, Brown also pledged to donate £1 for every mile he trained from the beginning of 2026, contributing £550 towards the total.

He said: “It was an honour and a privilege to represent Action for M.E. That run was for all of the people living with M.E. out there.”

A lifelong runner, Brown had previously attempted a marathon in 2021 but was inspired to take on the distance again in recent years. The achievement was an emotional one, as he explained: “I was so overwhelmed with happiness at the end I cried four times on my way home, including in the car park when a kind citizen offered me an ice lolly.”

For more information, please visit: www.grantwestfield.co.uk or call 0131 337 6262.

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Saniflo pump enables boiler relocation without costly drainage alterations

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A plumber’s knowledge of existing drainage infrastructure, combined with a Saniflo Sanicondens Pro condensate pump, has enabled a homeowner in Hinckley, Leicestershire, to relocate her boiler as part of a major renovation, freeing up valuable kitchen space without expensive drainage alterations.

When Jules Hodgson purchased her 1930s semi-detached home, she knew it needed significant modernisation. Although structurally sound, the property required extensive refurbishment, including rewiring, new windows and a complete rethink of the downstairs layout.

Rather than extend the property, Jules decided to convert the existing garage at the front of the house into a utility room, incorporating a washing machine, tumble dryer and sink. During the planning process, her plumber identified an opportunity to make use of existing pipework left over from a former outside WC.

Recognising the potential of the property’s existing drainage infrastructure, he suggested relocating the boiler from the kitchen to the new utility room, creating more space for the planned kitchen layout.

SFA-Saniflo-UK-Sanicondens-Pro

However, the new boiler position presented a challenge. With no convenient gravity drainage route available, an alternative was needed to remove condensate without costly modifications to the drainage system.

The solution was a Saniflo Sanicondens Pro condensate pump, which allows condensate to be discharged through small-bore pipework to an existing drain.

With the boiler installed on one side of the converted garage and the drainage connection on the other, the plumber devised a route that took the pipework upwards along the ceiling, down behind the washing machine and sink, and into the adjacent downstairs cloakroom, which connects to the property’s existing drainage system.

The installation enabled the boiler to be relocated without major drainage alterations, allowing Jules to achieve her preferred layout without compromising the kitchen or utility room design. The boiler will eventually be concealed behind cupboard doors for a neat finish.

Jules is delighted with the result: “Without that it would have been prohibitively expensive to alter the drainage infrastructure and the boiler would have had to stay put. It’s also much quieter than I expected, and once the cupboard doors are fitted, I don’t think I will hear a thing. The installation and pipework are very neat. It’s such a great solution.”

The Sanicondens Pro is a compact, quiet condensate pump designed for applications including gas and oil boilers, air conditioning, refrigeration and dehumidifiers. Featuring two inlets and a 2.2-litre tank, it can pump condensate up to 4.5 metres vertically or 50 metres horizontally, providing flexibility where gravity drainage is difficult or impractical.

The project demonstrates how installer expertise, combined with the appropriate pumping technology, can help homeowners overcome practical constraints when adapting existing properties to meet changing lifestyle needs.

For more information about the Saniflo condensate pump range, visit www.sfasaniflo.co.uk.

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David Sanders announced as new chair of KBSA Board

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The Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association (KBSA), has announced that David Sanders (above) has been named as its new Board Chair. Speaking at the second of three regional events held jointly with the KBBG, recently appointed MD Luke Wedgbury told delegates about Sanders’ new role within the association. This announcement forms part of an ongoing period of change and development for the KBSA, further details of which will be revealed over the coming weeks.

“My role as managing director means that I’ll be much more involved in the day-to-day running of the association going forward,” says Wedgbury . “The Board will operate in an advisory capacity and this is exactly why David is the perfect man to act as Chair, with his long experience of our industry. I’m delighted he’s joined us.”

Sanders is a well-known face in the KBB industry and he brings 34 years’ experience to the Chair. Starting out in his family’s kitchen business, he joined Blum in 1995 and served there as sales and marketing director until 2024. He continues to work with the company today as a consultant and is a passionate advocate for independent KBB retailers.

“I’m very happy to accept the Board’s invitation to become Chair of the KBSA, the independent retailer has always been close to my heart,” Sanders comments. “It’s where I started and even during my years with Blum I never lost that connection. I know first-hand what independents bring to our industry and the pressures they face every day.

“With Luke now in place as managing director and a new board structure on the way, this is an important moment for the KBSA. I hope my experience of leadership within the KBB industry will allow me to add real value as Chair: supporting Luke and the Board, helping the independent retail sector advance its cause, and encouraging more retailers to grow their businesses through membership of the KBSA.”

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    KEUCO mirror cabinets specified for Bathroom & Kitchen Eleven projects

    Baruch-DR5-Lily-Pad-Admiral-and-Portrait-View-2-Surbition

    Three bathroom projects by Bathroom & Kitchen Eleven demonstrate how KEUCO’s ROYAL MODULAR and SOMARIS mirror cabinets combine integrated lighting, practical storage, and flexible installation options.

    Bathroom & Kitchen Eleven specified KEUCO mirror cabinets across three recent projects in Surbiton, Kingston upon Thames, and Weybridge. Featuring the SOMARIS and ROYAL MODULAR collections, the installations show how cabinet dimensions, lighting options and finishes can meet the requirements of individual bathroom schemes.

    Kingston upon Thames: ROYAL MODULAR

    For the Kingston project, the mirror cabinet needed to provide effective lighting and practical storage while complementing the bathroom design. Bathroom & Kitchen Eleven selected the 900mm-high version of KEUCO’s ROYAL MODULAR collection in order to accommodate the taller members of the household.

    Royal Moddular Kingston on Thames

    ROYAL MODULAR (pictured left) is available in concealed and exposed configurations, with depth options of 120mm and 160mm. Door configurations vary from one to four, with widths from 500mm to 2,100mm and heights of 700mm or 900mm, providing flexibility across different bathroom layouts.

    Integrated LED framing along the top and bottom of the cabinet combines direct and indirect lighting, with independently controlled light sources and adjustable colour temperature from 2,700K to 6,500K.

    Surbiton and Weybridge: SOMARIS

    In the Surbiton and Weybridge projects (pictured below), the brief was to select mirror cabinets that complemented the individual bathroom schemes while providing practical storage and appropriate lighting.

    SOMARIS was specified for its configurable design, with one, two or three doors and symmetrical or asymmetrical layouts. Side panel finishes include mirrored, white, black and light oak-effect options, allowing the cabinet to coordinate with the surrounding materials and finishes.

    The collection is available in an exposed depth of 127mm and a concealed installation depth of 115mm, making it suitable for shallower wall constructions and smaller bathrooms where recessed storage may otherwise be difficult to accommodate.

    Dimmable side lighting at 3,000K is operated via a touch sensor integrated into the underside of the cabinet, accessible whether the doors are open or closed. An integrated mirror heating function also helps clear condensation following showering and switches off automatically.

    Specification and construction

    Both collections feature a body and frame constructed from silver anodised aluminium, providing a durable surface designed to resist swelling, warping and corrosion in bathroom environments.

    KEUCO also incorporates 6mm-thick, higher-grade mirror glass, designed to minimise the greenish tint sometimes associated with lower-grade mirror glass.

    The LED lighting systems are designed for longevity, with components accessible for replacement without requiring removal of the entire cabinet.

    Manufactured in Germany, KEUCO mirror cabinets are supplied with a five-year warranty and a 10-year spare parts supply.

    The designer’s perspective

    “As designers, selecting the right mirror cabinet for a client has become as important as any design feature as most clients recognise that bathrooms can’t only look beautiful, but must function perfectly, too. A mirror cabinet offers lighting, storage, charging, and is an item intrinsically linked to your morning routine to prepare for a busy day, or to settle your body ready for a calm night’s sleep.” said Adam Wollerton, design manager – Bathroom & Kitchen Eleven

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    PJH launches next-generation Partners Portal

    NEW-PJH-Partners-Portal

    PJH has invested in a new Partners Portal™ platform, designed to provide customers with a faster and more intuitive digital experience. Featuring a refreshed look and feel, improved navigation and clearer product information, the platform also offers enhanced filtering and a more streamlined ordering process.

    The new platform forms part of PJH’s ongoing commitment to putting customers first, making it easier for them to access digital services and the support they need to manage and grow their businesses.

    The Partners Portal™ plays a key operational role for PJH and its customers, providing access to online ordering, account information, product details and important service updates.

    Brett Jenkinson, Retail Channel Director at PJH, said: “The PJH Partners Portal™ has become an integral part of the service we provide and, as our customers’ expectations of digital services continue to develop, it is important that we continue to invest in it.”

    “This is much more than a visual refresh. We have created the next generation of the Portal, with a platform that makes the everyday customer experience simpler and more intuitive, while also giving us much greater flexibility to evolve alongside our customers’ needs.

    “Ultimately, the investment is about making PJH even easier to do business with. Our ambition is always to be our customers’ ‘First Choice’ and that means continually looking at every part of the service we provide and investing where we can to make a genuine positive difference to the customer experience.”

    Importantly, the new digital platform has been designed to give PJH greater flexibility to introduce additional features, functionality and service improvements over time, ensuring the Portal can continue to evolve in line with changing customer requirements and advances in digital technology.

    It also provides a more flexible and scalable foundation for future development, enabling PJH to respond more quickly to customer needs, introduce improvements more efficiently and continue strengthening its digital service without the need to wait for major redevelopment cycles.

    The next generation Partners Portal™ represents a significant further investment in PJH’s digital capabilities and is focused firmly on making it easier, quicker and more convenient for customers to do business with the company. This forms part of a wider programme of digital investment at PJH, supporting the company’s ongoing commitment to customer service.

    Customers can access the new Partners Portal™ at www.partners.pjh.uk, or for further information contact the PJH sales team on 0345 450 8932.

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