Showhome’s Lauren Barnett speaks to BK Nolte about the company and the recent trends/developments in kitchen design.
Tell us about your company and how it has grown…
BK Nolte Contracts (BKNC) is a specialist contract kitchen supplier and the sole authorised supplier of Nolte Küchen furniture to the contract market in England and Wales. The company undertakes projects of any size from small developer schemes through to multi-million pound developments for some of the country’s leading housebuilders and developers. BKNC has a retail showroom in the centre of Wrexham (BKoncepts) plus a trade showroom in Westminster, London, which is aimed primarily at the developer, architect and interior designer sector. The Westminster showroom highlights the latest innovations, designs and finishes from Nolte Küchen and provides a relaxing environment for clients to familiarise themselves with the Nolte product. In addition, BKNC has recently launched Kühl Kitchens, a new kitchen furniture brand aimed specifically at the developer and rental markets. The company currently employs in the region of 60 people plus numerous sub-contracted fitting teams on sites across the country.
Talk us through the different stages of a development or interior project from design all the way to completion and aftercare…
Every development or interiors project we work on has a dedicated team assigned to it, supporting the project throughout design, quotation, delivery, installation and aftercare. Highly trained staff guide the client every step of the way, listening carefully to their brief whilst also taking into consideration the proportion of the room as well as the individual kitchen layout. Once the client is completely happy with the design proposal, the ordering, delivering and installation procedures can commence. We liaise with the client throughout the installation and any on-site issues are resolved immediately and with minimum fuss or disruption. The care and attention we provide to each of our clients is paramount to the success of each project we undertake no matter if it’s a multi-plot development or a bespoke interior project.
What are some of the current trends you have noticed in kitchen design?
Natural tones and textures continue to play a key role in the kitchen palette across both modern and classic schemes. The use of materials such as stone, concrete, glass and timber is on the increase and is evident in Nolte Küchen’s freshly launched door finishes. The Portland range features a manually applied layer of cement which gives each door a truly unique appearance whilst the NAPPA range comprises a realistic ‘leather’ surface which is almost indistinguishable from the real thing. These materials help create an industrial feel in the contemporary kitchen and provide the kitchen area with a real sense of individual character.
What is unique about your approach to kitchen design and installation within a large development?
From initial sales consultations, through to design and quotation, order processing, site delivery and installation, our clients are guided through every step of the way by a fully-trained professional with years of industry experience. Whether it’s 3D visuals to assist sales, or accurate working plans and on site management, our contract managers are on hand to ensure every kitchen objective is met. We’re able to meet high volume demands whilst retaining the flexibility needed on complex projects that might require us to adapt to changing build schedules or hold stock whilst on-site issues are resolved.
What makes your kitchen design and installation service stand apart from your competitors?
Our commitment to our customer is fundamental and at the core of all our business activity. We pride ourselves on our quality product, our delivery efficiency and our hyper-efficient fitting teams. We carry large volumes of stock to avoid supply chain delays and have a dedicated, liveried distribution fleet. Our fitting teams are experienced and fully trained in contract fitting. All construction site personnel carry correct PPE and are 100% CSCS carded (Construction Skills Certification Scheme). Multi-plot deliveries are scheduled to fit individual build programmes and all plots are inspected and protected after installation.
Tell us more about your 3D visuals …
Our 3D visuals enable clients to get a real understanding of the kitchen design and are a true reflection of the end result. They provide the client with a like-for-like visual of the completed kitchen so that they can familiarise themselves with it and discover how the new elements and layout will work.
How do you ensure that you meet the specific needs of each and every customer?
BKNC have experienced on-site project management teams together with in-house CAD design, order processing, accounting and logistics departments. Our highly professional team source materials, plan, create, deliver and install kitchens on time and on budget every day. Our design studio team work alongside the client and/or architect or interior designer to turn concepts and ideas into reality, no matter how involved or cutting edge it may be. We provide information on all the latest kitchen trends, a comprehensive design and presentation service together with detailed quotations and a full price breakdown.
What does the future have in store for BK Nolte?
With the recent introduction of the Kühl Kitchens brand to the BKNC portfolio we can now cater for each client’s specific requirements by supplying kitchen furniture to match every single price point. Whether it’s a starter home or a bespoke 5m penthouse, we have a product range to suit. The new product lines and continued word-of-mouth recommendations will help drive new business in both retail and contract markets.
