Insurance coverage review – stock, work in progress and customer goods

Insurance coverage review – stock, work in progress and customer goods

by | Sep 20, 2021 | Business, Partner Message

A message from KBDi Insurance Partner, Cabinet Makers Insurance Brokers
 
With COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions slowing or preventing installations, it has become apparent that many cabinetmaking businesses are holding increased volumes of stock, work in progress cabinetry combined with customers appliances awaiting installation and is potentially ballooning the value of insured stock that is typically held in their Business Premises.
 
Accordingly, it is imperative that cabinetmakers urgently review their current policies and requirements to ensure adequate coverage will exist if a loss is incurred. 
 

Risk Management associated with excessive storage should also be addressed. Manufacturers should consider: 

  • How the goods are being stored – fire can spread quickly with congestion, and warehouse managers should ensure goods are stored in designated areas of the factory away from flammables and other ignition sources.
  • Goods stored at increased heights can pose a falling risk and potentially injure employees or others.
  • If factories are left unoccupied for long periods of time, valuable items such as customers’ goods should be stored away from entry points and secured if possible. Alarm systems, security gates and windows should be checked to ensure reliability in case of break-in and theft.
 
Cabinet Makers Insurance Brokers strongly encourage KBDi Members to assess their risks and revisit their coverage today. To learn more about their policies and levels of cover, contact Cabinet Makers Insurance Brokers here.
Tough competition in Traditional Category

Tough competition in Traditional Category

by | Sep 17, 2021 | Industry News, Inspiration, KBDi Awards

The competition was strong in the 2021 KBDi Designer Awards Traditional category, and the battle for first place was tight. Accordingly, the judges nominated a winner and a high commendation. In this feature, we’re celebrating both.

On behalf of KBDi and the category award sponsor, Cav’Art Designer Stone, we extend our huge congratulations to the category winner, Sydney’s Jacquelyn Carroll from Degabriele Kitchens.

About Jacquelyn’s entry

This spectacular space has all the bells and whistles from a cooking point of view, and decorative delights from every angle. From the profiled panels to the custom corbels, from the blues to golds and timber tones, the designer has had a hand in every square foot of this traditional space.

And kudos and congrats to Adelaide’s Tania Kloester CKD Au (TK Design). Tania was awarded a High Commendation with this high-class kitchen.

About Tania’s entry

A Georgian-themed display home required a suitably styled kitchen, and this designer delivered! With a stunning selection of fixtures, fittings and finishes and a well-planned layout, the kitchen captures the feel of a bygone era while cleverly showcasing the builder’s exacting standards and high-end inclusions.

Congratulations once again to Jacquelyn and Tania, and huge thanks to Cav’Art Designer Stone for their much-valued support.

The Ins and Outs of Insurance

The Ins and Outs of Insurance

by | Sep 17, 2021 | Business, Video Conferences

Tuesday | 28 September 2021 | 4 pm AEST

In this videoconference, we’ll be joined by KBDi Partner, Cabinet Makers Insurance Brokers (CMIB). You’ll learn about the difference between professional liability and public liability insurance, and get a greater understanding of what may or may not fall under your policy cover. We encourage you to pre-submit your questions for this informative session (use the comment field in the registration form), and we’ll do our best to get an A to your Q.

Register

Meet a Member – KBDi Victorian Kitchen Designer of the Year 2021

Meet a Member – KBDi Victorian Kitchen Designer of the Year 2021

by | Sep 17, 2021 | KBDi Awards, Kitchen Design, Meet our Members, Video Conferences

Tuesday | 21 September 2021 | 4 pm AEST

In this week’s Touch-base Tuesday session, KBDi’s Royston Wilson will be chatting with the newly crowned KBDi Victorian Kitchen Designer of the Year 2021, Matthew James (MJ Harris Group). Matthew’s Small Kitchen entry greatly impressed the judges – they loved his sleek and smart solution for a very small space. In this session, you’ll see the entry up close and learn more about this project and the designer.

Remember places are limited and reserved for KBDi financial members and partners only. Register today to secure your spot.

 

 

Register

Event registrations have now closed.

Introducing the KBDi Australian Bathroom Designer of the Year 2021

Introducing the KBDi Australian Bathroom Designer of the Year 2021

by | Sep 10, 2021 | Bathroom Design, Inspiration, KBDi Awards

We’ve seen some truly beautiful bathrooms in our Awards program over the years, but the 2021 entries were above and beyond. The bathroom categories, proudly sponsored by E & S, were jam-packed with exquisitely detailed spaces. One, in particular, stood out from the rest, earning its designer one of the three top national awards.

At our virtual gala on Friday, 20 August, we were thrilled to announce the KBDi Australian Bathroom Designer of the Year 2021 – Darren Genner CKD Au.

Darren Genner CKD Au needs little introduction to the KBDi community. He has stood on the podium (real and virtual) many times over the last few years, holding a firm position as one of Australia’s Finest. With his equally talented partner, Simona Castagna, Darren leads the hugely successful Sydney design firm, Minosa.

Darren started in the industry as a fresh-faced teenager in the late eighties, after leaving school and receiving a stern warning to find a job within six months or join the army. With little desire to ‘don the khaki greens, Darren took the first apprenticeship that came his way. He turned out many kitchens in his wood machining trade before moving to bespoke joinery and beginning his love affair with making extraordinary things. Darren soon progressed through the ranks to programming, project management, contract management and administering projects. And through seeing the work of other designers, he developed a great curiosity for design.

Darren and Simona are huge advocates of ongoing learning, and they continue to seek and share design inspiration each and every day. This highly coveted title – paired with the enormous success of their business – is sweet reward for their efforts.

On behalf of KBDi and our generous award sponsors, E & S, we congratulate Darren on his continued success. Your passion and commitment to the industry are enormously inspirational, Darren, and we’re delighted to see this accolade added to your impressive collection of awards.

About Darren’s project

Darren’s Large Bathroom project blew away the KBDi Judges. They loved the pared-back, sophisticated elegance of Darren’s beautiful bathroom design. Exceptional space planning allowed multiple zones in a moderately-sized space – from the his-and-hers vanity to the luxuriously positioned tub, the floor plan was superbly executed. A comprehensive specification detailed the high-end fixtures, fittings and finishes, and the judges deemed the end design to be both balanced and luxurious.

Strategies for staying strong

Strategies for staying strong

by | Sep 9, 2021 | Business, Inspiration, Video Conferences

Tuesday | 14 September 2021 | 4 pm AEST

Life is full of challenges at the best of times: throw in a virus, some fear, a bunch of rules and restrictions and a tonne of uncertainty, and we can find that our boundaries are really stretched.

We know that some of our members are struggling, and others have been practising some great survival strategies. In this ‘Touch Base Tuesday’ session, we’ll share some of our own tried and trusted techniques for staying sane (or strong). And if you’ve got some tips and tricks for keeping your head above water, managing an unpredictable schedule or dealing with isolation, we’re keen to hear them, too.

Remember places are limited and reserved for KBDi financial members and partners only. Register today to secure your spot.

Register

Event registrations have now closed.

Introducing the KBDi Australian Kitchen Designer of the Year 2021

Introducing the KBDi Australian Kitchen Designer of the Year 2021

by | Sep 3, 2021 | KBDi Awards, Kitchen Design

A stunning line-up of kitchens vied for State and National titles in the KBDi Designer Awards this year, with the category proudly sponsored by KBDi Premier Partner, Multitap by Insinkerator. In this feature, we’re introducing the Member who took out the coveted title of KBDi Australian Kitchen Designer of the Year, along with a few other well-deserved awards.

Maddalena Fiorasi studied architecture in Venice before working in Europe for several years. When she moved to Australia, Maddalena pursued her passion for residential design, studying at Sydney’s Enmore Design Centre. Her dedication to her studies was acknowledged with a student award in 2018, and earned her a complimentary membership (and fortuitous introduction) to the Kitchen & Bathroom Designers Institute.

Both KBDi and our Education Partners, TAFE NSW, were delighted to see this connection come full circle, with Maddalena earning herself the titles of First Time Entrant Award Winner, KBDi Kitchen Designer of the Year – NSW and KBDi Australian Kitchen Designer of the Year with this stunning project.

On behalf of our organisation and our generous sponsors, Multitap by Insinkerator, we extend our sincerest congratulations to Maddalena, and look forward to seeing more of her work in the years to come.

About Maddalena’s project

This small kitchen packs a mighty big punch! The judges loved the designer’s thoughtful consideration of the client brief and the measured response to the practical and aesthetic needs of her artistic clients. The panel commended her on an integrative and functional solution and a highly professional presentation. The overall design is as stylish as it is practical and a perfect example of design done well.

A deep dive into this year’s winning Design Space

A deep dive into this year’s winning Design Space

by | Sep 3, 2021 | Inspiration, KBDi Awards, Video Conferences

Tuesday | 7 September 2021 | 4 pm AEST

In this session, we’ll have an up-close look at the entry of KBDi Designer Awards Design Space winner, Cate Liedtke. Cate will walk us through her submission and share the back story behind this beautiful space (and its equally stunning surroundings). 

Remember places are limited and reserved for KBDi financial members and partners only. Register today to secure your spot.

Register

Event registrations have now closed.

This exquisitely detailed space was an overwhelming favourite for the judging panel. The former bedroom was transformed into a luxurious dressing and make up room. This beautiful boudoir is feminine and functional, and an excellent example of innovative design.