Thu 1 Nov 2007
Kitchen completers
Consumers nowadays don't just demand a great looking kitchen, it must also have the best-performing latest appliances... and in an ever-decreasing space. Roger Hunt looks at some of the most recent introductions to the market.
"Consumer requirements for built-in appliances have shifted considerably over the past few years as lifestyles, house sizes and food and drink trends have evolved," says Guy Weaver, chief executive of Premium Appliance Brands. "Housebuilders have recognised that many purchasers now see hi-tech and luxury built-in kitchen appliances as a key selling point and are catering for this movement by integrating 21st-century lifestyle products, such as wine coolers and built-in microwaves, into new-build homes."The appearance of 'luxury appliances' is probably most apparent in apartment schemes, usually in and around cities, as these are aimed at the brand-conscious 20- to 35-year-old market. And, as kitchen sizes decrease, manufacturers are producing smaller built-in appliances such as half-size, 300-millimetre wine coolers and combination microwaves, ovens and grills, so that housebuilders can continue to offer purchasers prestigious products, without wasting much-needed kitchen space."
The White-Westinghouse portfolio of kitchen appliances from Premium Appliance Brands has recently expanded to suit the growing requirement for value-added, luxury extras and now incorporates a professional-style two-litre built-in espresso machine, two built-in warming drawers and two integrated wine coolers.
Stamford Cartwright, marketing director at Arrow Distributors, a distributor of electrical and gas appliances to housebuilders, believes that the brief for kitchen appliances has broadened even further in 2007.
"Housebuilders are having to think that little bit harder to ensure that they offer the right balance between luxury, affordability and energy-efficient white goods and built-in appliances. With excellent timing, the major kitchen appliance manufacturers are bringing some exceptional products to the market."
According to Cartwright, induction hobs have definitely been the year's 'hot' product. "Their popularity has soared because of design and functionality benefits such as touch controls, programmable timers, keep-warm settings and child-safety locks."
At Midlands-based Cameron Homes, sales director Andy Gough explains that the kitchens in all of the company's properties feature an integrated oven, hob and chimney extractor hood in stainless steel. "Feedback tells us that this has a high perceived value and exceeds customer expectations. Plumbing for an integrated dishwasher is also included but we find that purchasers rarely take up this option.
"Regardless of whether a two-bedroom apartment or a five-bedroom detached home, we use the same brand of appliances and, through our options package, purchasers can opt to add additional appliances from waste disposals through to fridge-freezers. In our top-end properties a comprehensive range of appliances are included as standard, including microwave, waste disposal, fridge-freezer, dishwasher, washer-dryer and under-pelmet lighting, although, at this level, we find that rather than favouring a stainless steel finish, the trend is for everything to be fully integrated to give a really sleek, minimalist feel.
At Servis appliances, marketing manager Gill Hewitson notes: "We are finding more and more that builders and developers, in a bid to offer the finishing touches, are offering to supply not just built-in appliances but the free-standing staples too: fridge-freezers and washing machines for the utility room. The key is to offer a full set; something that will complement both kitchen/diner as well as utility room."The new M4705BL black dishwasher from Servis couples dramatic looks with cost, labour and energy-saving, while matching the full range of new Servis black appliances. It uses 14 litres of water, takes 12 place settings and has an extensive choice of wash programmes.
Sovereign Appliance Marketing has introduced a range of built-in products including stainless steel electric and gas hobs, a black ceramic hob and two stainless steel fan ovens, plus three decorative glass and stainless steel canopy hoods. These latest introductions complement the extensive range of Sovereign free-standing gas, electric and dual-fuel cookers, refrigeration and home laundry products. The built-in ovens and hobs are available as packs.
Paul Thompson, managing director Baumatic UK, believes that a "simple contract pack"' comprising a stainless steel oven, hob and extractor fan, or "worse still, in white", simply does not offer today's consumer enough.
"Many housebuilders are upping the spec on their kitchen appliances by introducing items such as curved glass extractor hoods, larger hobs with six zones and pyrolytic or double ovens. Built-in appliances reign supreme in the contract sector, mainly because they offer clean contemporary lines at affordable prices but, more recently, even free-standing appliances, formerly a complete taboo in housebuilding, such as range cookers and side-by-side refrigeration, are being included in some upscale developments as contractors have realised their status symbol standing."
Colour is making a comeback in the kitchen. Baumatic's new Dance Partners Collection includes a built-in oven in three vibrant finishes. The ovens are A-rated for energy and can be coordinated with a colour-matched ceramic hob and contemporary extractor, dishwasher and fridge-freezer.
GE Appliances has added three new colours - pastel blue, cappuccino and latte - to its GE Fusion collection of 19 colourful fridges. These are offered in a choice of capacity and two specifications, the PAR and GAR ranges. Both ranges are available with the option of stainless steel or black trim to suit individual styles.
"Many of the developers believe they are building for the younger market sector who will not be so interested in the cooking - preferring ready meals that just need reheating, which they pick-up on the way home from the office," believes Bob Abbot, sales director, kitchen systems, Electrolux. "In this case, the requirements are usually a single basic fan, basic ceramic hob, 60-centimetre chimney hood, integrated fridge with ice box and a free-standing washer dryer, which is quite often installed in a cupboard not in the kitchen.
"Volume housebuilders and developers are offering what we call the standard package of single oven, hob, hood, fridge-freezer, dishwasher, washer-dryer, and then offering upgrades from the basic oven, hob, hood through their sales and marketing suites or option centres."
Electrolux has introduced its latest built-in compact range ovens. Designed to meet demand for highly specified, designer products for space-challenged kitchens, they are just 38 centimetres high yet offer the same performance as standard sized appliances. In keeping with the modern look, a 'light bar' - a slim horizontal bar of light spanning the width of the appliance - is a distinctive design feature. A refreshment centre, fully integrated TV, coffee machine and warming drawer complete the range. The Hoover Candy Group offers a three-in-one kitchen appliance called the Candy Trio. Combining a multi-function oven, hob and dishwasher, it is ideal for contractors working with smaller interiors as it allows the use of one multi-functional sleek product that provides the all-important dishwasher without sacrificing cupboard space. Kitchen and appliance distributor, James Theobald, has added the new Butler Appliances BOV2215 60 centimetre multi-function 61-litre capacity oven to its collection. In stainless steel, the A-rated model has a triple-glazed door that ensures heat is retained inside the oven and, for safety, is cool to touch.
With its Hotpoint and Indesit built-in and free-standing brands, the Indesit Company offers housebuilders many solutions. Shaun Wilkinson, contract channel manager, highlights the fact that energy efficiency is now a big part of the housebuilders' criteria when selecting appliances.
"Manufacturers are all working towards the best possible energy-efficiency ratings on new and existing products. This will mean A+ ratings on refrigeration, AAA ratings on dishwashing and laundry, A ratings on cooking. Water consumption rates will also need to be improved on as a standard requirement. Noise rating on laundry and dishwashing is another criterion that is under consideration by developers."Hotpoint's HMB312AAI fridge-freezer is rated as A+ for energy efficiency and is recommended by the Energy Savings Trust. It features anti-bacterial technology that inhibits the growth of potentially harmful bacteria while its 277 litres of capacity across both the fridge and freezer compartments ensure ample storage space.
According to David Wrigley, sales and marketing director of Millgate Homes, people are becoming increasingly serious about their cooking. "Thus the bar is being raised in terms of the performance they expect from their appliances, all of which needs to be offset by energy efficiency. However, it's not all about cooking, demand for features such as built-in coffee machines, wine chillers and under-unit TVs is growing; an indication of the amount of leisure time people are spending in their kitchens.
"This is perhaps best illustrated at our large, country houses such as those at Ide Hill Park in Kent, where appliances are geared to serious entertaining. They include an integrated combination oven, a dual-fuel range cooker with five-ring gas hob, a warming drawer, an American-style fridge-freezer with icemaker and, in addition, a washing machine and tumble-dryer to the utility room."
First published in Show House Magazine November 2007.
The greatest care has been taken to ensure accuracy but some information contained within this article may have changed since it was first published.
Posted by Roger Hunt
in Arrow Distributors, Baumatic, Electrolux, GE Appliances, Hoover Candy, Hotpoint, James Theobald, Product Portfolio, Servis, Sovereign, White-Westinghouse on Thu 1 Nov 2007
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