Over the past few years, there’s been a well-kept secret in the bathroom sector that has begun to get out and about, and recognised for what it is – a growing and increasingly important influence in the bathroom sector.

The MX Group is the UK’s leading shower tray manufacturer, manufacturing shower trays at its headquarters in Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire. This 90,000 sq ft site also acts as the administration and transport centre for the group.

Matki’s EauZone Plus Collection brings new luxury to showering and the bespoke option allows bathroom designers and installers greater flexibility than ever to achieve the clean, modern look they are aiming for in an almost infinite variety of bathroom shapes and sizes.

Recent additions to Matki’s extensive range include the EauZone Plus Quintesse and the beautifully simple Wet Room Panel with Tray.

Hudson Reed’s philosophy is to provide luxury bathroom products at desirable prices, combining comfort and reliability with quality craftsmanship – innovation is an everyday experience, with Hudson Reed you can share that experience. As one of the UK’s fastest growing suppliers of bathroom products, the key to their success is simple – they have rapidly expanded into exciting new product groups to be at the forefront of the market. The parent Company, Ultra Finishing began life in 1982, offering a plating service and has quickly evolved to be one of the country’s largest independent suppliers of showers, wet room screens, taps, furniture, mirrors & designer radiators.

Today with a Hoover washing machine it is now possible to do all your weekly laundry in just one wash load. With busy schedules a large load machine such as the new Hoover Dynamic All in One washing machine with 11kg load is ideal as users are able to confidently wash all whites, all colours and all fabric types together without the risk of colours running, allowing for fewer wash cycles and also creates huge time savings.

Exclusive design has always been a distinctive part of the Smeg philosophy and, combined with technological innovation, has contributed to making Smeg well known worldwide.

Thorough research, together with innovative design and advanced technology, ensures that Smeg appliances bring together stylish aesthetics and unrivalled performance which reflects the attention to detail, excellent taste and sensitivity to the needs of the customer which is typical of the brand.

Danny Hanlon, Chief Operating Officer of Trend GB, thinks ‘green’ is the colour for flooring and tiling products.

Sustainability is currently on the agenda with the new national planning framework including ‘a presumption in favour of sustainable development’ and ‘green’ building projects representing an increasing proportion of all new construction.

RAK Ceramics has introduced its new Earth Stone range of porcelain tiles suitable for walls and floors in both interior and exterior applications. Featuring a stunning mottled matt surface, the tiles have a distinct concrete-look and are available in a range of formats and neutral tones.

On trend Earth Stone colour options include Talc Ivory, Charcoal Clay Grey, Monazite Brown and Charcoal Black. All shades are available in 29.5cm x 59cm rectangular and 60cm x 60cm square formats, as well as 30cm x 30cm mosaic designs.

Customers are continually challenging the way businesses interact with them online; the retail sector especially. The retailer is being pushed to integrate all available technologies and create an ‘experience’ that will attract its target audience whatever their demographic. Whether it is entirely face to face, online or a combination of the two, every business is being faced with the same obstacle; how do you give the customer the ‘experience or journey’ they want, without losing control of the sale - finding the right combination has become the ultimate quest.

There does appear to be a little more optimism bubbling up in the industry. The economy remains very fragile and the situation could ‘turn on a sixpence’ but bathroom manufacturers and their retailers are beginning to think that since the beginning of the 2012 there has been a slight uplift in trade and a renewed interest in RMI.

Summer is on its way and the Olympics are just around the corner and two main messages seem to be dominating our industry headlines. The first involves us all – it’s the concern over our water supply. We don’t have enough of the wet stuff and the situation seems to be getting worse. And the second is a little more optimistic since the chatter amongst the movers and shakers in the industry suggests that improved business may be on its way.

An instant coffee is just that, instantly made and instantly forgotten, but a coffee that has had time, passion and effort lavished on it is a coffee to be savoured, enjoyed and never forgotten.

This is the philosophy behind the new Mereway Kitchens brand. There are kitchens and then there are Mereway kitchens. An ethos captured in the new strapline ‘Live Life The Mereway’.

LDL Components Ltd, the largest UK distributor for BLUM, is launching Movento, the next generation of drawer runner technology. Previewed at kbb 2012 and in stock from 1 May, the Movento runner system for wooden drawers is a new upgrade option from the existing Tandem runners.

Italy has long been revered as the fashion and style capital of the world, lead through innovative and passionate design. Parallel to this, households in the UK are experimenting with new kitchen designs, appliances and colours more than ever. It was therefore only a matter of time before we looked to our boot-shaped counterparts for inspiration, and that’s what we see here today, from an exciting new Italian kitchen sink brand, Elleci.

Franke’s range of slim-top sinks includes the Centinox. With the aesthetics of an undermounted sink, its profile incorporates a lip into which innovative, tiered accessories fit and slide. These include a stylish Rollamat, stainless steel strainer bowl and a chopping board which provides the option of one side being stainless steel for hot pans and the other synthetic for food preparation; a mobile drainer is available as an optional extra.

The new Aquaflux Aquanomic tap from Leisure Sinks effortlessly combines ultimate elegance with convenience and practicality. Manufactured from robustly engineered chrome plated brass, it features a high quality design with easy to use levers, ensuring a sleek and reliable tap to suit a variety of sink and kitchen styles.

Italy has long been revered as the fashion and style capital of the world, lead through innovative and passionate design. Parallel to this, households in the UK are experimenting with new kitchen designs, appliances and colours more than ever. It was therefore only a matter of time before we looked to our boot-shaped counterparts for inspiration, and that’s what we see here today, from an exciting new Italian kitchen sink brand, Elleci.