We have certainly been on an economy rollercoaster ride this year, but I’m glad to say this hasn’t affected the number of innovative new products gracing the pages of BKU magazine.

The majority of the bathroom and kitchen industry realise that you have to be imaginative in your product creation during a tough economic climate and produce items that not only fit the bill from a standards point of view, but are affordable too.

Created by the Roca Design Centre together with Gabriele and Oscar Buratti, W+W is a truly exciting new product innovation from Roca.

The washbasin and WC are two essential elements in every single bathroom. Highlighting its commitment to design and innovation, Roca has combined these two elements to create W+W - an all-in-one washbasin and WC designed to maximize space and conserve water.

Bristan’s new Oval range takes inspiration from the trend for the use of curves in architecture, cars and kitchens, to provide the trade with a complementary family of taps, mixers and showers that offer designer styling at a value for money price.

Since Aqualisa launched its digital technology just under a decade ago, hundreds of thousands have switched onto the benefits provided by a little black box; thermostatic temperatures, perfect flow, compatibility with all types of domestic plumbing system and a simple start/stop switch. And now, thanks to an innovative accessory kit that is available for use with the concealed variant of Quartz Digital Shower, it is possible to combine both digital showering and bathing together, delivering the ultimate bath shower solution.

In a world and industry first, Belling, one of the UK’s leading home appliance brands, launched the BI60i Belling Eco Induction Oven in September 2009 – a unique built-in appliance that uses induction technology in the main oven cavity.

The 60cm built-in oven, is the first ever induction oven to be introduced and uses an impressive 50 per cent less energy than an A rated oven.

Not only does the Aspen range have a huge choice of colours and finishes to suit all tastes, but there are innumerable combinations of sizes and configurations available. This allows the customer to tailor the range to their exact requirements, using everything from vanity units to shelving, wall units and aluminium-framed glass tower units. The base units can even be wall-hung to give a clean and uncluttered Continental feel.

Castello Luxury Baths offers a timeless range of stunning baths of sleek lines and soft curves to give a feeling of ultimate luxury and comfort.

The innovation behind the success of these sophisticated free-standing baths comes from the collaboration of practicality, style and simplicity. Castello composite baths offer the authenticity of stone with the benefit of warmth and significant lighter weight; and the hidden built in waste and overflow system, which presents a minimalistic look.

At this year’s ISH, Dornbracht launched the Supernova, a fixture of high sculptural quality. “With Supernova, we are continuing the series of design innovations of the past two decades”, said CEO Andreas Dornbracht. “Supernova represents a cultivated, progressive, unique design. The fixture plays with the light and reflects the surroundings, including their objects and colours, in a new way.”

The UK’s Leading manufacturer of High Pressure Laminate (HPL), Formica Limited has launched an exclusive ‘off-the-shelf’ screen-print range through the Formica® Bespoke laminate service. Six striking designs; Wave, Dots, Stripe, Octagons, Mesh and Swerve, provide the designer with a simple selection of large scale, classic and geometric designs ideal for any interior laminate application from cubicles, door skins, wall panelling and furniture. The range is promoted in 6 fixed colours, to offer the most competitive pricing. However, the Formica Bespoke service also offers the choice to alternate these colours appropriate to the designer’s specification requirements for a small additional premium.

Novellini, Italian manufacturer of highest quality shower enclosures and wet rooms also produces an exceptional range of over bath screens. Pictured here; SunV from the Elysium collection comprises a two section 8mm glass bath screen, one hinged and one fixed. Supplied with a lifetime guarantee SunV, which features a statement silver profile is 165cms high overall.

Market leading Danish bathroom brand, Dansani have introduced a promotion for the first quarter of 2010, which sees both their mid market ‘Luna’ range and their high end ‘Zaro’ range developed hand in hand with some special discounted promotions.

Leading German glassed steel bathroom basin manufacturer, Alape, is once again at the top of its field having launched ‘Inside’ and ‘Metaphor’.

Flair International introduces their New affordable style Chianti range, specifically designed for modern bathrooms and today’s consumer.

Flair’s New 6mm Chianti range compromises of 6 great door styles, Hinged Door, Bifold Door, Slider, Curved Quadrant, Offset Quadrant and Corner Entry all of which are 1900mm high to accommodate low level shower trays. Chianti is a semi frameless range characterised by unique design and style, featuring stylish chrome signature handle & hinges, 6mm toughened glass throughout the range and frameless side panels to complement Chianti Slider, Hinged and Bifold doors.

SCHELL taps are distributed in the UK by Fluid Systems of Guildford. The latest SCHELL products to become available here are the Puris range of automated ‘hands free’, hygienic taps. They are designed to prevent water wastage as much as possible and are therefore particularly suited for use in public places such as hotels, leisure centres and hospitals.

The Orbit towel radiator is an eye-catching, asymmetrical shape in three sizes, suitable for any style of bathroom or kitchen.

Made from superior-quality, polished stainless steel, this model can be used on both central heating and hot water systems.

The leading supplier of business management software to the KBB industry, easyquote, have introduced a number of new features to the application in 2009, designed to help you manage your business more effectively.

Two must have features for any businesses are the Dashboard and Customer Profiling modules.