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PJH drives home road safety message for young pupils

PJH Road Safety Campaign

PJH has helped pupils at St Mary’s Church of England Primary School in Moston, Greater Manchester,learn how to stay safe on the road and around large commercial vehicles as part of a dedicated Road Safety Campaign.

The educational visit involved around120 children from Nursery to Year 2, aged between three and seven.

Delivered by members of PJH’s Transport and Learning & Development (L&D) Teams, the sessions were designed to give the children a better understanding of large articulated lorries, vehicle awareness and the potential dangers of crossing or walking near roads.

The main topics included vehicle awareness, the time and distance an HGV may need to stop, and the extensive blind spots around a vehicle where pedestrians and cyclists may not be visible to the driver. The children were also introduced to wider road safety messages, including how to choose a safe place to cross and the importance of remaining visible and alert when travelling near large vehicles.

PJH supplied all the pupils with some specially designed learning materials and fun activity packs, developed by PJH’s L&D Team, Dawn Kennedy and Lauren Fergus, drawing on road safety guidance produced by Transport for London. Jemma Warburton, Transport Compliance Manager at PJH, also helped deliver the sessions on the day. The goodie bag packs included a Road Safety Certificate, a mock ‘PJH Pete Training School’ provisional license, a hi-vis vest for travelling to school, pencils and a drinks flask.

Shaun Berry, national transport manager at PJH, said: “It was an absolute delight to get involved with our local community in Manchester, and the pupils were really enthusaistic in learning more about road safety and discovering interesting facts about large articulated lorries – especially when sitting in the trucks themselves!                                     

“The aim of the visit was to explain potential road dangers in a practical, engaging and memorable way, while giving the children some clear messages that they can use whenever they are walking or cycling near traffic. The pupils were brilliant throughout the sessions, and we were thrilled to support St Mary’s and help build road safety awareness from such an early age. I would also like to thank Dawn, Lauren and Jemma for the work they put into developing the materials and delivering such a successful visit.”

The initiative received an enthusiastic response from pupils and staff at St Mary’s, with children returning to their classrooms eager to share what they had learned.

Deputy headteacher, Roy Edwards said: “I would like to thank PJH for the wonderful support that you have shown the school, including the connection that you were having with our children and the incredible experience that you gave them. I heard some amazing stories from the children upon their return. The gesture, time, resource and experience (not to mention the financial cost) that you have given, has a bigger impact than you can ever imagine and will undoubtedly be a memory that sticks in the mind of many of them as they progress through their education.

“Your communication and care will have inspired a few to follow in your footsteps and seek more information about something they possibly didn’t even know they would enjoy. The visit reflects PJH’s commitment to supporting communities around its operations and to sharing the knowledge and expertise of its colleagues in ways that can make a positive and lasting difference.”

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Villeroy & Boch launches Ecora shower tray with new PureBase composite

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Villeroy & Boch has launched Ecora, a new shower tray made from its PureBase composite material, combining a slim, 35mm rimless profile with a choice of three installation options and on-site adaptability. Made from recycled granulated marble, calcium carbonate and reclaimed production surplus, PureBase contains around 45% less resin than conventional acrylic shower trays and is completely fibreglass-free.

Production surplus from the manufacturing process is crushed and reused as a filling agent in new shower trays, helping to reduce material consumption. At the end of its service life, Ecora can be fully recycled and used as a secondary raw material in applications including road building and high-rise construction.

Designed for contemporary bathroom schemes, Ecora has a rimless design and a 35 mm profile and can be installed flush with the floor for a seamless, level-access look. Alternatively, it can be installed slightly raised on tiles or used as a more prominent raised feature.

A new oval waste cover, flush with the surface of the shower and colour-matched with it, is another design detail introduced with Ecora. The waste has a drainage rate of approximately 48 litres per minute.

The shower tray is available in four colours, White Alpine, Stone White, Anthracite, Almond and three finishes: glossy, textured, and matt. The textured version provides DIN 51097 Class C anti-slip performance.

Ecora is available in 20 sizes, ranging from 80 x 80cm to 180 x 100cm, with two outlet positions for each size. For added flexibility during installation, the tray can be adapted on three sides on site, making it suitable for both new-build and renovation projects.

Ecora can also be combined with the wider Villeroy & Boch Skyla collection, allowing the shower area to be coordinated with the rest of the bathroom.

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Martin Carroll to retire from Duravit after more than a decade leading UK & Ireland business

Martin_Carroll_Duravit

Duravit UK & Ireland has announced that, after more than a decade with the company, Martin Carroll will retire at the end of 2026, with Jamie Welch appointed to succeed him on 1st September.

Carroll (pictured above) joined Duravit in 2012 and has played a key role in driving the brand’s growth across the UK and Ireland, including opening the Clerkenwell flagship showroom in London in 2018. During his tenure, he strengthened the brand’s market presence and supported the company’s long-term development through his work with customers, partners, and the wider design community.

Jamie_Welch_Duravit

Jamie Welch (pictured left) will become managing director of Duravit UK & Ireland on 1 September 2026. Welch brings extensive senior experience from across the bathroom and sanitaryware sector, having held leadership positions at Roca Sanitario S.A., Laufen and Hüppe.

Caroll said: “As I look ahead to retirement, I want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout my time at Duravit – our customers, partners and colleagues. I’ve been proud to represent the brand in the UK & Ireland since joining in 2012, and the highlight has always been the relationships we’ve built together. I leave with immense gratitude and great confidence in the team’s continued success.”

Michael Demmer, chief executive officer, said.“Martin Carroll has had a significant impact on the company’s development in the UK and Ireland. He laid the groundwork for Duravit’s future success in the region. On behalf of the entire management team, I wish him all the best in his retirement.”

Carroll will remain with Duravit until the end of 2026, working alongside Welch to ensure continuity during the transition.

In his new role, Welch will be responsible for leading Duravit’s UK & Ireland business, strengthening customer partnerships and building on the company’s position in the market.

His experience across Roca, Laufen and Hüppe gives him extensive knowledge of the bathroom sector as he takes over from Carroll and leads Duravit into its next phase in the UK & Ireland.

About Duravit AG Founded in 1817 in Hornberg in the Black Forest, Duravit AG is today a leading international manufacturer of designer bathrooms and is active in more than 130 countries worldwide. During product development, the complete bathroom supplier’s internal-design team worked hand in hand with a global network of designers such as Cecilie Manz, Philippe Starck, Antonio Citterio, Christian Werner, Sebastian Herkner and Patricia Urquiola. As an energy-

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Berlin Art Week: Kaldewei Brand Space showcases young design perspectives

Kaldewei_BerlinArtWeek

In collaboration with the Design Academy Eindhoven and as part of the new design festival CURRENTS.Design, Kaldewei is presenting a selection of student projects at its Berlin Brand Space, during Berlin Art Week. The projects explore sustainability, circularity and material innovation, while a panel discussion will bring together representatives from the academy, industry and the creative sector.

The Kaldewei Brand Space on Savignyplatz will present a curated selection of student projects developed in collaboration with the Design Academy Eindhoven. The exhibition focuses on key themes in contemporary design, including resource efficiency, durability, circularity and new approaches to sustainable living.

A platform for the next generation of design

The collaboration provides a platform for exchange between industry, design and research. The most outstanding works from a joint educational partnership with the Design Academy Eindhoven will be presented at the Kaldewei Brand Space from 9 to 18 September. The projects offer different approaches to sustainability, materiality and circularity, highlighting the role of design in developing new solutions for future living spaces.

Part of CURRENTS.Design in Berlin

The exhibition forms part of the new CURRENTS.Design festival in Berlin. During the festival, showrooms, galleries and brands across the city will open their doors to design professionals and enthusiasts. As part of the programme, the Kaldewei Brand Space will provide a meeting point for emerging designers, established practitioners, architects and industry representatives.

Panel discussion and networking reception

The exhibition will officially open on 10 September with a panel discussion featuring representatives from the Design Academy Eindhoven, Kaldewei and selected students. The discussion will focus on sustainable product design, material innovation and the role of design in addressing future challenges. A networking reception will follow, bringing together guests from architecture, design, media and the wider creative sector.

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Grant Westfield marks Paul McKenzie’s retirement after 42 years

Grant Westfield

Grant Westfield has celebrated the retirement of Paul McKenzie, who has stepped down after 42 years with the company.

Joined as a school leaver, McKenzie began his career in the drawing office. Over more than four decades, he progressed through the business and went on to become operations director, before taking on his final role as supply chain manager.

His career has spanned a significant period of growth and development for Grant Westfield, and his knowledge, commitment and experience have made a lasting contribution to the company and its people.

During the event, McKenzie was presented with his long service award, which had originally been commissioned to commemorate his many years of dedication and service to Grant Westfield, as colleagues reflected on his outstanding contribution to the business.

Grant Westfield has also named a meeting room at its Edinburgh headquarters in his honour, creating a permanent tribute to his contribution over the past 42 years.

John Mortimer, managing director at Grant Westfield, said: “Paul’s contribution to Grant Westfield over the past 42 years has been remarkable. From joining the drawing office straight from school to becoming Operations Director and later Supply Chain Manager, he has played an important role in many areas of the business.

“His experience, professionalism and commitment have earned him enormous respect from his colleagues and from partners across the industry. Naming a meeting room after Paul is a fitting way to recognise the impact he has made and to ensure his contribution remains part of Grant Westfield’s story.

“On behalf of everyone at Grant Westfield, I would like to thank Paul for his outstanding service and wish him a long, happy and healthy retirement.”

For further information and to register, visit www.grantwestfield.co.uk or call 0131 290 2862.

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Cyncly acquires imos to expand furniture manufacturing capabilities

imos-acquisition-Cyncly

AI-driven software provider Cyncly has acquired German CAD/CAM and manufacturing software specialist imos in a move that strengthens its offering for furniture and cabinet manufacturers.

The acquisition brings imos’ CAD/CAM and automation technology into Cyncly’s furniture manufacturing portfolio. The company’s software enables manufacturers of panel-based custom and semi-custom furniture to turn designs into validated, parametric constructions and production-ready data, including optimised nesting and CNC-ready outputs.

Headquartered in Germany, imos serves more than 5,000 manufacturers across 100 countries, from smaller craft businesses to large industrial producers.

Cyncly said the acquisition will strengthen its furniture manufacturing portfolio, which currently serves manufacturers of every scale, from the largest enterprises to the smallest cabinet and woodworking shops.

Together, these capabilities move Cyncly closer to its vision of becoming the single, AI-enabled manufacturer platform that supports customers across their entire workflow, from initial design through to final production.

Anand Krishnan, CEO of Cyncly, said: “Every furniture manufacturer is trying to connect design, engineering and production into one smooth process. Our ambition is to give them a single platform that does exactly that, and imos is a major step toward it.”

He added that imos’ CAD/CAM and automation technology would strengthen the “engineering middle” of the manufacturing workflow, connecting design intent more closely with machine production.

Winfried Dell, CEO of imos AG, said the acquisition would combine the strengths and expertise of both companies to accelerate innovation, expand value and support customers.

Andrea Gnoato, general manager of Cyncly’s Kitchen, Bathroom and Furniture Manufacturing solutions, said the companies have already worked together through existing integration.

“Building on the intewgratoin we already share, we can now give customers a more complete, AI-connected workflow,” he said. “For our customers it means fewer manual steps between design and the shopfloor.”

Following the acquisition, imos will continue to operate with its existing teams and customer support while gaining access to Cyncly’s global resources and R&D development.

Cyncy said it remains committed to continuing the development of its existing furniture manufacturing solutions.

The acquisition has been completed, with financial terms undisclosed.

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Thomas Crapper’s Harwood basin adds contrast to berry-toned bathroom schemes

Thomas-Crapper-Harwood-Basin

As autumn/winter approaches, deeper shades of blackberry, damson, mulberry and plum are bringing richer colour to bathroom schemes. Used across walls and other surfaces, these saturated tones can create an immersive look, while crisp white sanitaryware provides contrast and helps balance the overall scheme.

Thomas Crapper’s Harwood Basin is particularly suited to colour-drenched schemes, with its strong rectangular silhouette and generous proportions. Handcrafted by artisans in Britain from Devonshire fireclay, the basin takes inspiration from the traditional butler sinks, reinterpreted in a more compact format for contemporary bathrooms and cloakrooms.

Its white glaze provides definition and creates contrast against darker wall colours. At the same time, brass wall-mounted taps, such as the Thomas Crapper 1920 Cross-head or Lever Three Tap Hole Wall Mixer, can introduce a complementary metallic accent. In more classic schemes, it sits comfortably alongside panelling, patterned floors and decorative details, but is equally at home within immersive contemporary spaces.

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Grohe expands customisation options with Allure Gravity tap collection

GROHE-Allure-Gravity

GROHE has expanded its GROHE SPA portfolio with Allure Gravity, a new tap collection offering designers and architects a range of customisation options across finishes, materials and configurations.

The collection combines a slim, square silhouette with interchangeable cover plates in Caesarstone quartz, black or white glass, and coloured glass with a mirror effect. The cover plates can be easily changed, allowing the appearance of the tap to be adapted to different bathroom schemes.

“GROHE Allure Gravity gives designers, architects and their clients the freedom to bring their bathroom visions to life,” says Patrick Speck, Leader LIXIL Global Design, EMENA. “The collection offers a wide range of combinations, with cover plates in premium materials, a curated selection of colours and finishes, and different tap styles.”

Multiple configurations and finishes

Available in multiple sizes and across the GROHE Colours Collection, including Phantom Black and Satin, Allure Gravity is offered in a choice of configurations. These include a one-hand mixer, three-hole mixer and tray mixer.

The tray mixer takes a different approach to the conventional tap design, incorporating the water outlet into a tray that also provides a functional shelf. Matching designs across the range of draw-off points allow the different elements to be coordinated throughout the bathroom.

GROHE Allure Gravity will be available from October 2026.

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Saniflo Saniboost Smart fixes pressure issue in Dublin property

Saniflo Saniboost Phelps

The new Saniboost Smart booster pump is already proving its value in Ireland, helping to address low water pressure in parts of Dublin.

In the latest installation, Jacks Pumps fitted the system in a large domestic dwelling in the city, featuring a basement, two upper stories and six bathrooms. The property had previously suffered from poor water flow, with multiple showers and taps running simultaneously, resulting in little more than a trickle, despite the presence of a fixed, constant-speed cold-water booster pump.

Jack Phelps, owner of Jacks Pumps – a pump repair specialist servicing customers across Ireland– was brought in to identify a solution. Working with Saniflo’s Dublin team and local merchant Davies Ltd, he suggested replacing the existing pump with a new Saniboost Smart.

Phelps Saniflow Saniboost Smart water pump

The Saniboost Smart has one inlet and one outlet. Cold water from the storage tank enters the pump, and the discharge pipe splits into two: one supplies the cold-water outlets, including taps and the WC, while the second feeds directly to the combi boiler. This boiler heats the water before the pressurised hot water supply is distributed to the showers and hot water outlets.

Phelps set the Saniboost Smart to deliver a constant pressure of 3.5 bar, resolving the water pressure issue across the whole property. The compact booster pump also provides enough pressure to maintain consistent flow when multiple outlets are in use, meeting the requirements of both the installer and homeowner.

“My customer can now run multiple showers and taps with no drop in water pressure. With the Saniboost Smart, it is even possible to make the pressure higher or lower with just the push of a button.  It is really easy to install and commission for any qualified plumber, and I am definitely going to be using this in other installations,” says Phelps.

The same pump has also just been installed in a Dublin city pub, which now has a constant supply of hot water to feed the ever-busy glass washer.

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Villeroy & Boch earns second EcoVadis Platinum Medal

Villeroy-Boch-headquarters

Villeroy & Boch has been awarded an EcoVadis Platinum Medal for the second year running, further improving its sustainability rating to 94 out of 100 points.

The Mettlach-based ceramics and fittings manufacturer has increased its score by nine points compared with the previous year, placing it once again among the top 1% of companies assessed by EvoVadis. The result also places Villeroy & Boch among the highest-rated companies in its industry.

Sustainability performance is assessed across four areas – environment, labour and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement – based on independently verifiable evidence. Villpery & Boch improved its performance across four categories compared with the previous year, reflecting progress across the Group, from global procurement to factory production processes. The company’s climate targets have also recently been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). 

“For us, sustainability is a strategic value driver,” says chief financial officer Dr Markus Warncke. “Receiving the Platinum award once again and our further improvement in the ranking show that consistent ESG management pays off, both environmentally and economically. Particularly in a challenging economic environment, we are committed to responsible business practices in the long term. By consistently pursuing our climate targets, we are positioning ourselves for the future.”

Less CO₂, more recycled material: the figures behind the progress

Environment: Villeroy & Boch reduced its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 34.5 per cent since 2021. In 2025 alone, almost 9,500 tonnes of CO₂e were saved through new power purchase agreements (PPAs) and increased solar power generation at its Torgau facility in Germany and its Hódmezővásárhely facility in Hungary.

Resource efficiency is also addressed through product development; for example, the ALU+ range of fittings is manufactured from 100 per cent recycled aluminium. Water-saving technologies are another focus, with TwistFlush and AquaReduct designed to reduce water consumption in everyday use. According to Villeroy & Boch, TwistFlush can save a four-person household up to 19,700 litres of water per year.

The company is also working towards its ‘Zero Waste to Landfill’ target by reducing waste from its recycling production. Unfired scrap is returned directly to the manufacturing process, whilst other residual materials are recycled externally, helping to reduce the use of primary resources and increase the proportion of materials kept within the circular economy.

Labour and human rights: Villeroy & Boch has continued to strengthen its approach to employee wellbeing, diversity and flexible working. Some 87 per cent of the workforce across 19 sites now work under ISO 45001 certification and health and safety systems, exceeding the Group’s target of 80 per cent.

In 2025, the Executive Board also introduced a Group-wide diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policy and signed the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles. The company aims to increase the proportion of women in management positions from 41% to 50% by 2028.

Flexible working is also supported through a global policy allowing employees outside production to work remotely for up p to 40 per cent of their working time. In Germany, a lifetime working hours account has been in place since January 2025.

Ethics: Villeroy & Boch has increased its focus on corruption prevention, with 97% of employees in higher-risk areas, such as procurement and sales and marketing, completing relevant training in 2025. The company reported zero confirmed cases throughout the year. This led to no cases of corruption since it was implemented.

An anonymous whistleblowing scheme is also available to employees, suppliers, and other external partners, providing a confidential channel for reporting concerns. and partners.

Sustainable procurement:  86% of the procurement volume is now subject to the Group’s own Code of Conduct, exceeding its own 84% target. In spring 2025, Villeroy & Boch also systematically analysed all its global suppliers for human rights and environmental risks, as required by the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG).

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