Adopting a positive business view point for 2008 is essential - interest rates may come down again but we will still have projected inflation to cope with.  The credit squeeze, the UK property market, and climate change - coupled with a raft of politicians who seem to be contradicting each other at every turn confirms we have a testing time to look forward to.

My feeling is that our industry will have positive opportunities in 2008. Although the marketplace will become more competitive and profits may be put under pressure, manufacturers are continually innovating new product designs, taking into account the growing importance of regulations such as TMV2 and TMV3 for bathroom tap flow and water heating controls as part of the overall environmental issue.

KBB 2008 will again be a great showcase for the industry and if there is the predicted downturn in the property selling market, it usually means that the refurbishment side may again, see an upturn. Accepting there will be raw material costs to absorb, my forecast is that the top manufacturers in the UK marketplace will all rise to the challenge and deliver products to the high street that will sell.

Without giving away too much on our planned new ranges for the year ahead, we at Shires, Trent and Selecta will rise to the challenge, protecting our position as a leading UK bathroom manufacturer.

For further information, please contact Shires Bathroom Group on 01274 521199 or visit http://www.shires-bathrooms.co.uk/

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