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Bathroom Accessibility solutions

Elegance meets minimalism: HEWI S 480

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HEWI presents the new 480 range, which sets new standards for modern design in the sanitary sector with a clear style, first-class materials and innovative surfaces. The range is based on a timeless round tube design and is characterised by finely tuned radii, reduced wall connections and a clear architectural design.

Variety of colours and surfaces for creative design

With the 480 range, HEWI offers a wide selection of finely finished surfaces, including satin finished stainless steel, chrome and powder coatings in various colours and stylish PVD coatings in brushed or glossy nuances.

The high-quality PVD coatings are a new addition to the HEWI portfolio and open up additional possibilities for durable and stylish solutions. Manufactured in the company’s own plant in Germany, they fulfil the highest quality standards and not only ensure an attractive appearance, but are also characterised by their high scratch resistance and ease of cleaning.

Whether in exclusive hotels, sophisticated elective treatment areas, prestigious public buildings or luxurious private bathrooms – the 480 range offers an optimum solution for every requirement and sets harmonious accents.

Holistic equipment solutions

The 480 range includes accessories for washbasins, WCs and showers as well as rose-free support rails. For the Care to Comfort segments, they are complemented by products from the 805 Classic range and the 900 system. Both ranges extend the product range with solutions that focus equally on user-friendliness and design and can be ideally combined with the 480 range thanks to the HEWI system concept. This results in consistent furnishing concepts that optimally fulfil both functional and aesthetic requirements.

“The 480 range combines filigree elegance, versatile design options and a modern design language that ideally complements sophisticated, design-oriented concepts,” emphasises Christiane Strathaus, Team Leader Product Management at HEWI.

HEWI Heinrich Wilke GmbH

Since its foundation in 1929, HEWI has developed into a system provider for comprehensive solutions in the areas of building hardware, sanitary accessories, and accessible products. Over the past 95 years, the company has grown to become a leader in the field of accessibility and a recognised expert in system design. In line with Universal Design, the focus for HEWI is on people’s individual needs.

 

AKW makes life better with launch of new virtual showroom

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AKW, one of the UK’s leading providers of accessible bathroom and kitchen solutions, is pleased to announce the launch of its easy-to-navigate and use virtual showroom. Freely accessible to all via https://www.akw-ltd.co.uk/virtualshowroom/, it features 8 different bathrooms that are fully fitted out with AKW products. Created with specifiers, installers and end users in mind, the virtual tool helps those who can’t visit the company’s two physical showrooms in Droitwich Spa and Middlewich explore AKW solutions in realistic room settings.

A virtual tour for all

The spaces in the virtual showroom include a dementia-friendly bathroom, options for retirement and care settings, and wet rooms and bathrooms suitable for social housing. Three display walls also feature shower seats, grab rails, and electric and mixer showers. The virtual showroom is also highly interactive, with many of the products in the bays offering quick links to specification sheets or videos for visitors to access more information. It is also possible to alter the colour of some of the bathroom wall panels and see AKW’s Bathroom for Life – a bath-to-wet room and wet room-to-bath solution – in action.

The virtual showroom allows visitors to see how AKW’s solutions would work in a real-life scenario, meaning that specifiers can easily show clients the products that they could have installed in their homes, whilst also providing inspiration to contractors and private-pay customers alike.

Although the virtual showroom offers a convenient way to explore AKW’s bathroom solutions remotely, it has been designed to complement and not replace AKW’s existing physical showrooms in Droitwich Spa and Middlewich. Both locations remain open for those who would prefer an in-person chance to learn about the AKW product range.

Stuart Reynolds, Product and Marketing Director at AKW, comments: “The virtual showroom adds another layer of flexibility for our customers, ensuring that AKW’s market-leading products and expertise can continue to be accessed in a way that suits them best. By combining physical showrooms with this easy-to-use digital experience, AKW continues to break down barriers, provide exceptional services and resources, and support customers, specifiers, and partners wherever they are based in the UK.”

To find out more about AKW’s Virtual showroom visit: https://www.akw-ltd.co.uk/virtualshowroom/

For more information contact AKW on 01905 823298, Email: sales@akw-ltd.co.uk or visit www.akw-ltd.co.uk

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AKW Launches Water Saving Mixer Shower Models

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AKW, one of the UK’s leading providers of accessibility solutions, has extended its range of electric mixer showers to include flow limited versions of its popular Arka Cool Touch, Arka Thermostatic and Vettora showers. These WRAS approved additions to the range now give specifiers, installers and end users the ability to achieve impressive water savings, as well as to continue to promote safe, reliable showering.

These AKW lower flow mixer showers use between 40% to 69% less water – depending on the unit chosen – than those without a flow limiter. The Vettora, Arka Cool Touch and Arka Thermostatic water saving models have a maximum flow rate of 6 lpm, 6 lpm and 8 lpm respectively, enabling significant water and subsequent cost efficiencies to be achieved.

Stylish, safe, durable and easy-to-use

AKW’s three mixer showers have been designed to be stylish, durable, safe and easy-to-use, and all feature a pre-set maximum temperature of 38°. The Arka Cool Touch TMV2 has two paddle leavers for those with limited dexterity, which independently control temperature and flow, and thanks to innovative technology the valve also remains cool-to-the-touch, while maintaining the required water temperature. The Arka Thermostatic TMV3 is approved for use in commercial care environments and has rounded paddle levers to control the temperature and flow, while the Vettora Thermostatic TMV2 features easy-to-use peg levers for simple operation.

Arka Cool Touch Mixer
Arka Thermostatic Mixer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stuart Reynolds, Head of Product and Marketing at AKW, comments: “We decided to extend our mixer shower range to include these flow limited models, as we have listened to our customers and know there is significant demand from them for products that can deliver water savings. All three flow limited showers are WRAS approved and are ideal for use by those looking for a durable showering solution that looks good but delivers in terms of its environmental credentials.”

To find out more about the AKW’s flow limited shower options visit www.akw-ltd.co.uk

For more information contact AKW on 01905 823298, Email: sales@akw-ltd.co.uk or visit www.akw-ltd.co.uk  

Stylish surfaces “Made in Germany”

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HEWI offers new surfaces using the environmentally friendly PVD process for maximum individuality in the bathroom.

More glamour in the bathroom: Brass, bronze or gold are just some of the new metallic designer surfaces from HEWI that can be used to transform contemporary sanitary rooms into personalised oases of well-being – be it in hotels, in representative public buildings, in elective surgery areas in hospitals or in the bathroom at home. Altogether, the manufacturer is offering four new standard and eight new special colours for its accessible sanitaryware and accessories, all manufactured in the PVD process. This allows for even more diversity and scope for bathroom planning. Timelessness, elegance, style – this is what the new designer surfaces from HEWI stand for. With its sanitary systems and accessories, HEWI transforms sanitary areas and private bathrooms into feel-good spaces with that certain something extra.

Colours and surfaces are a particularly suitable element in planning to design sanitary rooms that are in tune with the atmosphere of the surrounding architecture. Be it cool, calming, warm or revitalising – HEWI offers new, inspiring colours and surfaces for selected ranges and systems to suit every customised design.

Decorative and durable

Brass, bronze, gold or black chrome, with the finish options of brushed or glossy – the new metallic designer surfaces offer a wide range of choices. They are highly decorative and emotionally appealing. But behind the fine, shimmering surfaces lie extremely robust and resistant properties. The PVD surfaces are corrosion-resistant, making them ideal for sanitary rooms or rooms with high humidity. They also have durable properties such as hardness and scratch resistance. HEWI offers a total of 4 new standard and 8 new special colours.

Creative planning scope

In order to enable consistent bathroom design in the planning phase, HEWI has also adapted the high-quality design surfaces to the standard surfaces of leading fitting manufacturers. In our own assortment, the metallic surfaces are available for selected products from the S900, S 900 Q and S 162 ranges and systems.

AKW’s extended Onyx range combines style and safety

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Accessible showering never looked so good, thanks to the introduction of AKW’s extended range of Onyx products. The range now includes updated level access shower trays and ramps, grab rails and shower seats, alongside the cleverly integrated mixer shower and grab rail. With AKW Onyx, inclusive showering isn’t just safe it’s stylish too.

Level access showering

AKW has launched the Onyx Linea shower tray and this includes a long, stainless steel waste feature that allows for faster drainage for high power showers. With a luxurious textured stone-effect finish that offers a high level of slip resistance, as well as a high load capacity of 39st (247kg), this sleek shower tray is also suitable for wheelchair users or those with carers.

The AKW Onyx range has been extended to include the Onyx Exclusif shower tray and ramp, and the Onyx Linea shower tray. The Onyx Exclusif shower tray provides a stylish yet strong showering solution, with a maximum capacity of 31.5st (200kg), making it a suitable choice for wheelchair users and carers. It differs from the original Onyx shower tray in that the waste has been relocated and a zinc waste option is also available. Its 26mm deep tray can either be installed above the floor or be recessed into it, offering both low and full level access options. Alongside this is the new Onyx Exclusif Ramp that has a 31.5st (200kg) weight capacity and is available in white to beautifully match the shower tray.

Safety and style

AKW’s Onyx Combo Mixer Shower brings safety and style to inclusive showering by incorporating two weight-loading grab rails into the L-shaped design. The rails extend from the cool to touch TMV2-approved mixer valve via a vertical riser and horizontal grab rail, both of which can support users of up to 23.5st (150kg). As well as bringing additional safety into the showering space, the Onyx Combo is also easy to operate, using two individual lever paddles to control temperature and flow.

The Onyx Shower Seat and Grab Rails have also been updated, to ensure a cohesive aesthetic for safe showering. A seat back and arms option has been added to the Onyx Shower Seat and these can either be purchased alongside the seat, or separately. Fitted independently of the seat, they allow positioning to be tailored to the user’s preference and thanks to the folding seat and arms are an ideal solution for multi-user environments. To complete the range, AKW’s new highly contemporary Onyx 2 grab rails feature an ergonomic triangular rail that offers users greater ability to grip the rail. Increased levels of personalisation are also possible, thanks to the wall bracket covers that are available in 5 different colours and 4 different printed finishes.

Stuart Reynolds, Head of Product and Marketing at AKW comments: “With more and more users wanting to combine style and accessibility, there is even greater demand for showering solutions that combine safety and a contemporary look and feel. We have extended our Onyx range so that installers can provide end users with highly inclusive showering solutions that embrace both safety and sophistication.”

AKW Helps Make Kitchens Safer Thanks to New Grab-a-Rail

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AKW, a leading provider of bathroom accessibility solutions, has begun production of Grab-a-RailTM, an easy and quick to install solution that will help to make kitchens safer to move around and more accessible. The strong counter-level grab rail, developed by Steve Michael, Director of Senior Homes Solutions, has been designed to give users increased independence and reduce their risk of falls when navigating the kitchen space. It will be available for purchase for use in AKW kitchens or for any other retrofit counter installations from the second half of 2023.

Grab-a-Rail is initially available in white from AKW and is available in 1000mm and 600mm lengths. It has eight fixing points, ensuring that when it is installed under the countertop it is strong enough to support up to 15.5 stone (100 kg) of downward pressure, as validated by University of Birmingham tests[i]. Designed to be installed on cupboard and drawer units, Grab-a-Rail can be retrofitted to most kitchen countertops, however tests with granite surfaces are still ongoing.

Steve Michael, Director of Senior Homes Solutions, says: “As a home adaptation specialist my aim is to promote safe day-to-day living. The Grab-a-Rail design idea came to me following a training course I was attending at a Parkinson’s centre. I realised the gap in provision for helping those with mobility, ageing and health issues, to navigate around their kitchens more safely. I then undertook months of product development and testing to create the Grab-a-Rail design. The end result is a safety rail that can be fitted within an hour and works in most kitchens.”

Stuart Reynolds, UK Marketing & Product Management Director at AKW, comments: “Our company strapline is ‘Life Made Better’, so when Steve approached us with his design and test results from the University of Birmingham, we were very interested. The kitchen is a notoriously difficult space to move around for those with mobility or visual impairments and this simple, easy to install solution will make life better for many. Its price point has also been set to ensure it is viable for those applying for local council small works assistance grants.”

To find out more download Grab-a-Rail information from https://www.akw-ltd.co.uk/grab-a-rail/

 

For more information contact AKW on 01905 823298, Email: sales@akw-ltd.co.uk or visit www.akw-ltd.co.uk

[i] The University of Birmingham carried out tests under its AMCASH (Advanced Materials Characterisation And Simulation Hub) project.