It's an interesting fact that exports from China in February saw their biggest drop in a decade and trade between China and the EU, the country's largest partner, was 19.3% down in the same month compared to the previous year. Included in this are products such as sanitaryware, taps, lighting and kitchen components bringing some crumbs of comfort to beleagured British companies who strive to produce high quality products and are committed to their workforce.

With the economy seeing off many a mid market furniture brand over the last 6 months, it would now seem that its impacting on what has always been seen as the relatively secure, high end, bespoke, in-frame kitchen market. Some quite revered in-frame brands have disappeared from our radar and others are going into receivership and being re-launched. Given this scenario is it possible for any bespoke manufacturer to survive the current downturn? Well actually...... yes it is!

Despite the economic climate, Mereway Kitchens are continuing their investment into new products and are delighted to announce the launch of 22 brand new door styles this spring; their greatest release of doors to date.

Simon Wild, Marketing Manager UK & Ireland, Formica Limited comments: "As an innovator and leader in the manufacture and design of kitchen worktops, Axiom by Formica® is constantly working to provide exclusive on trend designs that inspire and excite kitchen designers and homeowners.

Planit Fusion, leaders in innovative design software for the KBB industry is a UK company that employs many local staff and responds to the needs of the British market. Supplying more software seats in the industry than any other and with a turnover of 6.5 million, it is no surprise that Fusion is the leading system and explains why over 1200 independent retail customers choose them each year.

PROFILE Showers, part of Ellbee Ltd. has built a reputation on producing high quality products manufactured in the UK. With all production based at their purpose built facility in Leeds, West Yorkshire, they pride themselves on being able to provide a product to suit all sectors of the market. With 60 years of manufacturing expertise in the UK they are proud to be a truly British manufacturer.

Established in 1999, Parapan® has developed an impressive reputation and is now recognised as the market leader in high-tech, high-gloss acrylic for vertical surfaces in kitchens and bathrooms.

Outasight® the unique Patented over bath shower screen developed by Calmtouch Managing Director Lee Brown is making a big splash with retailers by offering an innovative bespoke service. The Outasight® can be tailor-made to suit individual requirements from a simple drawing solving the problem of awkward spaces including sloping ceilings.

The idea of simple luxury in the bathroom is becoming increasingly attractive to consumers who now seek refuge from the fast pace of life and day to day worries.

British Ceramic Tile is a UK manufacturing success story that is leading change in the marketplace. The Devon-based tile manufacturer has recently completed its multi-million pound factory expansion, making it one of the largest ceramic tile manufacturers in Europe with state of the art facilities that offer the very best of British design, produced here in the UK.

Pegler Yorkshire is proud to announce the launch of several new tap ranges for 2009. As part of the development of the Francis Pegler portfolio, four new ranges of long awaited taps and mixers for the bathroom and kitchen have now joined Maverick and Storm.

Astro Lighting Ltd., the UK's premier designer and producer of lighting, has a long-established specialism in bathrooms and offers what is currently the largest range of IP44 approved lighting available in Europe. The British design team at Astro takes a classic, architectural approach to product design, with pared-down lines and an avoidance of unnecessary embellishment producing a wide range of architecturally styled wall lights, ceiling lights, spotlights, downlighters, plus integrated lighting in vanity mirrors, mirror cabinets and mirrors - including models with integrated shaver sockets, and low energy options to suit any wet area scheme. A great example of Astro's design expertise for bathrooms is the Lens light.

Esse are the oldest and most innovative British, cast iron range cooker manufacturer, with a history now spanning 154 years. They are easy to install; efficient and flexible; cost effective to buy and a pleasure to live with.

Imperial Bathrooms is an established, family-run British manufacturer of high quality, handmade ceramic ware. The workshop in the West Midlands produces original designs to the highest standards, with products undergoing rigorous testing to ensure complete perfection.

Boasting a 28% share of the UK shower tray market, JT® is leading the way in manufacturing excellence in the UK, with the Leeds-based supplier fast becoming a true British success story.

It might be nearly a decade since the British shower manufacturer Aqualisa launched Quartz Digital, but the award-winning shower that inspired a new generation of digital bathroom designs is just as popular as ever. Compact, user-friendly and super-easy to install, Quartz Digital was expressly designed with the intention of giving everyone - from the retailer to the customer - a showering product that ticked every possible box. And, almost 10 years on, Quartz Digital continues to deliver.

Apex are manufacturers of bespoke, made-to-measure vinyl wrapped kitchen and bedroom doors. There is a wide choice of styles and designs in a combination of finishes and colours. Glazed doors can be manufactured if required, plus a range of accessories to complete the ‘individual look'.

Designed to maintain Manhattan's position as a competitively priced and contemporary designer of shower enclosures, Manhattan have introduced a range of new products to their existing range of shower enclosures. The new introductions include Flow integrated water delivery and an innovative Duralite tray platform. Also new to Manhattan's impressive product portfolio of wetroom and shower solutions is 'Minimal'; a modern and elegant shower enclosure.

The new Alto range from Burbidge marries a luxuriously smooth, painted cream finish with an inspired collection of contemporary matt textured shades. A beautifully simple door style is used to showcase the finishes, with the range offering consumers complete imaginative flexibility to create the kitchen of their dreams.

Some days you ask yourself whether it's actually worth picking up a newspaper or watching TV. Conflicting messages abound - house building at its weakest for 20 years, mortgage lending at its lowest ever, British manufacturing in decline.....

The Spitfire. Motorway signs. The Mini. Catseyes. The Aston Martin DB5. Dr Martens. The mini skirt. The World Wide Web. The controversial new Grand Theft Auto... all examples of great British design.

Midlands based kitchen manufacturer Mereway remains keen to retain a balanced portfolio of quality styles for their retailers, with a commitment to satisfying the market needs for contemporary and traditional kitchens at competitive prices.

Ellbee Ltd. has built a reputation as a first class manufacturer producing quality products for their customers at outstanding value. With over 50 years manufacturing experience, Ellbee supply several ranges of products to the bathroom industry, including own brand and OEM products, and their Profile Collection of shower enclosures that cater for all sectors of the market,

The Shaws Classic Waterside, another ‘Best of British' fireclay sink has been well accepted by interior designers and specifiers who are happy that a new style of contemporary, bow fronted kitchen sink has been launched from a company who still manufacture only in England.

For the sink purists among us, the new Java 100 in Polar White fits the bill perfectly with its unfussy linear shape and crisp white granite material.

The pusuit of the ‘Modern Classic' ideal is the primary source of inspiration behind Imperial Bathrooms' new Delille sanitaryware range. Exuding fine detailing and graceful proportions, Delille embraces traditional style with a modern and contemporary twist. What's more, with a wide array of options available, this latest range enables customers to introduce their own sense of individuality and style to their new bathroom.

Roman limited is the UK's largest shower manufacturing plant. Our extensive range comprehensively covers high quality shower enclosures, everything you need to create a stunningly contemporary wetroom, ingenious bath screens, low-level shower trays, state-of-the-art water delivery systems including options which integrate the valve with the enclosure, designer shower walling and a range of appealing accessories. The Roman range spans from opulent top end products in the exclusive Roman Sculptures range, through to more affordable high quality solutions - something for every customer's requirements.

For a touch of the exotic, look no further than Ebony Stripwood on Bushboard's newly launched Omega worktop range.

Your bathroom should be a haven to relax and unwind in and with the Apollo range of Bathroom Furniture you can select from a choice of contemporary designs, with their deceptively simple lines through to a more traditional look - all providing the perfect storage solution.

Way back in 1854, Esse pioneered cast iron range cooking manufacturing paving the way for many of the other brands that we know today.

In today's highly technological market there's plentiful choice of design software applications, both nationally and internationally. However the key differentiator for Planit International Ltd - the UK's leading developer of advanced design and visualisation software for the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and home improvement markets lies not only in the continued level of service and support they offer, but also the extensive catalogues available from the leading brands.

Profound yet very honest words from Edwin Loxley's Founder and Managing Director, Joe Cavani.

Parapan® are specialists in the manufacture of high gloss solid doors. Established in 1999, Parapan® has developed an impressive reputation and is now a widely recognised luxury product in UK kitchens and bathrooms.

At a time when the British bathroom market is swamped with products imported from around the globe it's interesting to reflect that the shower enclosure market in the UK stands alone in that it is dominated by British manufacturers; Matki, Daryl, Roman and our sister companies Manhattan and Metropolitan are all among the major players. In terms of market share, European manufacturers dominate many other areas of the bathroom including furniture, brassware and sanitaryware throughout the UK, yet not enclosures.

Rangemaster is the UK's leading manufacturer and inventor of range cookers. Rangemaster has a reputation for innovation, quality and expertise, bringing a unique blend of engineering excellence, design and functionality to domestic kitchens. Rangemaster's kitchen appliance collection extends through sinks, taps, wine coolers, icemakers, refrigeration and accessories.

Leisure Sinks is the largest and leading manufacturer of kitchen sinks in the UK with over 70 years of experience.

Westin is the only UK company to manufacture and supply custom-built domestic kitchen extraction systems. A custom-built extractor will invariably be a totally unique design, created specifically for a kitchen which itself will be individually designed and built.

The Sherwood Kitchen is a bespoke, hand painted classic  featuring just some of the superior design and ergonomic details available.  From the fine cornice detailing to the simple square panelled doors inset into frames, this kitchen is hand-crafted in an authentic traditional style.   Scottwood work with a palette of over 3,000 colours so our customers get to choose a colour of their choice and have a chance to be part of the design process.

Aqata, Britain's leading family-owned manufacturer of shower enclosures, is one the most successful brands in the bathroom industry and proud to be British.

Remember the days when British was Best? Well, in Bathroom and Kitchen manufacturing and design, it still is! A true British success story, Avilion has grown from a seedling OEM engineering company to a globally active, brand-driven organisation with a multi-million pound turnover.

In a country where morale is low and prices are high it would be easy to understand why companies may not wish to shout about being British.  That is not the case with JJO.  JJO has been a name in furniture manufacturing since 1868, although the current company was formed when Ellis Greenhalgh took over the joinery business from the Ormerod family in the 1950's and is now a private plc, owned and run by the Greenhalgh family. 

For 15 years, Montrose has been creating beautifully designed, hand built bathroom furniture from their UK manufacturing facility. As you would expect of a specialist Bathroom Furniture supplier, the dedicated team of employees has formed a product range that will answer even the most challenging design brief. The range of styles, finishes and design combinations on offer, provide the perfect blend for lifestyle choice and budget.

Create a warm and luxurious feel to any bathroom with the exciting new Fairmont collection from Shades.

Vogue UK is a company that celebrates the wealth of traditional, quality handcrafted  heated towel rails and radiators and is one of the last true manufacturers in the UK.