Archive for January, 2009

With SILGRANIT II, the best just got better! BLANCO’s sales force experienced a demonstration of SILGRANIT II’s ultimate cleanability and durability at the North American team meeting in Toronto last week. For more than 20 years, BLANCO has continuously improved upon and innovated this extraordinary material – driven by our own desire to achieve perfection. SILGRANIT II represents a new generation of SILGRANIT that is even more cleanable than its predecessors and will expand BLANCO’s leadership position in this category.

Innovative new water-repelling components (ceramic micro hollow balls) and a less porous/closed surface provide additional protection against stains and make SILGRANIT II simply quicker to clean. Each time the sink is cleaned, the water-repellent elements are brought to the surface where they form a permanent protective shield against stain formation. New test kits (stay tuned for availability) demonstrate just how fast water and stains will run off of SILGRANIT – as well as the typical scratch resistant tests. Like SILGRANIT, SILGRANIT II resists overnight ink, beet juice, grape juice, lipstick, hair dye and tea stains. The big difference… it not only eliminates these stains with a swipe of a sponge – it does it even faster than before. Running a fork across its surface, putting out a cigarette, dropping a steel ball from above or placing a 500-degree Fahrenheit broiler pan right on it – all have no lasting impact. SILGRANIT II is 100% cleanable, 100% hygienic, 100% non-fading. The test kit is a great sales tool and provides a highly visible demonstration of this material’s dramatically improved strength and easy-care. In fact, independent tests from FGK prove SILGRANIT II provides superior cleanability (100%) vs. competitive products. Meaning 100% of all left-on stains were removed (vs. competitors’ granite composite sinks at 40%-67% removal rates).

Today’s consumer wants lasting durability for their hard earned dollar. SILGRANIT delivers. Beautiful colors, unmatched durability. SIGRANIT II has a clean advantage. Launching in May 2009.

The Blanco sales team visits the SILGRANIT plant in Toronto.

The water test demonstrates the superior cleanability and stain repellant qualities of SILGRANIT II vs. SILGRANIT.

Common household stains are no match for SILGRANIT II.

Welcome to our first Kitchen Buzz where we’ll feature kitchens of note that have appeared in the media featuring BLANCO sink and faucet designs. As we share these amazing kitchens – and the Buzz surrounding the BLANCO brand – we hope they will inspire and impassion your efforts.

This stunning STEELART® sink blends modern functionality with traditional values. Appeared in Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles.

Appeared in Better Homes & Gardens Beautiful Kitchens.

Simple, no nonsense BLANCO faucet design for the chef/man of the household. Appeared in Custom Home.

Artistry With An Edge

MICROEDGE™ represents a tremendous opportunity in today’s design market.

Breakthrough Concept for the Designer

For designers who are always looking for the next best thing… this is it… a completely new idea in sink design. A topmounted sink that looks flush.

Based on BLANCO’s award-winning sink designs, MICROEDGE elevates the sink to a stunning centerpiece – accentuating the richness of the surfaces that surround it.

High Performance for the Consumer

MICROEDGE’s ultra-fine 1.25 mm rim fit is sensational, leaving virtually nothing between the sink and surface. It provides a stunning, easy-to-maintain, look that says it costs a lot to install – when it really doesn’t. With enhanced front-to-back depth and smart utilization of space, MICROEDGE offers that rare combination of form and function… beauty and performance.

Catch the Buzz
There are 9 PRECISION MICROEDGE models (STEELART®) available starting in January, with other models being introduced at K/BIS for PERFORMA, SUPREME and WAVE. Look for your new MICROEDGE brochures and sell sheets being shipped out this week!

Of course, only way to truly appreciate MICROEDGE… is to experience it. For dealers, it’s easy to upgrade their showrooms by installing a stunning MICROEDGE sink into an existing display. And with proper installation (on countertop), the virtual flushmount edge is a highly sellable and very visible feature for consumers and designers who want to customize their kitchen with the latest innovations.

There will be a lot of buzz surrounding this innovation. MICROEDGE is more than another sink design introduction. It’s an entirely new concept – hand crafted with the German engineering skill that could only come from BLANCO STEELART®. This is a fantastic window to sell something that’s completely new, completely different and completely BLANCO. So don’t wait… start selling!