With Vogue (UK) celebrating 25 years of leading the towel rail market, Steve Birch, Sales Director, tells Showhome about the company
I understand it’s a big year for Vogue (UK)? Definitely a year for a big celebration, 2015 brings with it Vogue (UK)’s 25th Anniversary. A formidable achievement, the last 25 years have been momentous for both brand and business and this milestone has given us good reason to show exactly how far we’ve come: and where we’re headed!
A lot has changed in the industry in 25 years, what are the milestones that you’ve seen? The story of the towel rail dates back to the Roman Empire when, in the lavish bath houses, pipes located under mosaic floors would deliver hot water to the thermal baths and surfacing above the tiles to provide heat and enable towels to be warmed and dried. Vogue (UK) owes a lot to this ancient civilisation.
1990: Vogue (UK) Established in 1990
1990: Launches Victoriana Range
- Victoria
- Ballerina
- Regency LG004
2000: Introduces multi-rails
2003: Introduces Mediterane range
Launches the Nexus and Nexus II
2005: Introduces Vanilla Range 30” diameter tube Flexx, Orrb
Launches EOS stainless steel square tube towel warmers
2007: Introduces the next generation of the Victoriana Originals collection
2010: Launches Designer radiators collection
2011: Launches intelligent electric radiators
Launches electric underfloor heating
2014: Launches a two in one multi-rail Harmonique
2015: Vogue (UK) celebrates its 25 year anniversary
– New Brochure: October 2015
– New Products: Grace; Smooth; Keys II; Quadrate; Arc; Vision; Sofi; Comfort; remote controlled programmable electric element plus many additional versions to existing ranges.
– Guarantees on mild steel products raised from 10 to 15 years with Brass and Stainless Steel products increased from 20 to 30 years, indicating the confidence we have in our products.
Your design team do a great job of offering both traditional and contemporary style, what differences have you noticed over the last 25 years in terms of both materials and technological innovation? With homeowners investing more in product technology and performance, new and exciting hi-tech designs are becoming more readily available across the UK heating market. This has seen customers move away from the common white painted radiator or towel warmer, towards more stylish heating solutions that incorporate different tactile design and advanced performance.
The last 25 years has seen technological advancements come to the fore to meet the needs of the “anytime, anywhere” generation, giving greater user control over heat output and individual preferences. Features such as concealed valves, adjustable fixings or built-in thermostatic controls for practical placement and maximum user convenience, continue to gain momentum in the heating market and make perfect sense in the bathroom or kitchen. A Bespoke design facility has allowed us to tailor-make a designer radiator or towel rail to specific user and space requirements; such as a strategically placed thermostatic valve that can remotely control a radiator up to 5 metres away! Thermostatic valves allow the end user to adjust the flow of water through the radiator or towel warmer when it reaches the selected temperature. As such, they can ensure the space is always comfortable and not waste excess energy in the home which will keep energy costs at a minimum.
This has led to quality raw materials becoming fundamental to the overall design, with different options influencing the performance of a radiator. Stainless steel and brass are incredibly versatile and durable. Brass and stainless steel towel rails and radiators are suitable for connection to both open and closed heating circuits. High quality mild steel is a must for all other towel rails and designer radiators where a superb finish and longevity is required.
Additionally, a premium finish to radiators or towel rails will allow you to move away from the standard white options long associated with the bathroom. Metallic finishes such as brushed or polished chrome or stainless steel, nickel and gold are hugely popular, as well as antique bronze, copper and brass finishes. Many models can even come with a textured or even a sculptured finish.
There are several different fuel options to think about when considering a new design radiator or towel rail in your home, seeing innovative designs and high performance heating solutions coming to the fore. Most high quality, distinguished radiator manufacturers design and make heating solutions suitable for all circuits; central heating, electric, dual fuel and domestic hot water systems.
With such tailored requirements, having the ability to satisfy these means we have seen a notable shift towards custom design: and high levels of customer satisfaction. By manufacturing in-house, it enables us at Vogue (UK) to constantly explore new techniques and experiment with different materials and finishes.
What does the future look like for Vogue (UK)? Our continual development and passion to push the boundaries of heating design has resulted in great success for the company. With products that have been designed and manufactured in Britain, customers can enjoy greater control, as well as better communication with the brand at both the design and supply stages.
The market is investing more in terms of product technology and performance, which has brought new and exciting hi-tech designs to the UK heating market for both kitchen and bathroom. This has seen customers move towards more stylish heating solutions that incorporate different tactile design and advanced performance.
Rather than purchasing a mass-produced product that can be found in any residential property, British design and manufacture celebrates products that have been created by highly skilled, specialist craftsmen and furthermore, tailored according to customer requirement and individual tastes. With such tailored requirements, having the ability to satisfy these means we have seen a notable shift towards custom design: and high levels of customer satisfaction. By manufacturing in-house, it enables us at Vogue (UK) to constantly explore new techniques and experiment with different materials and finishes.
Consumers place trust in companies that manufacture in Britain. Not only are they confident that the products being purchased meet the highest standards of quality, but delivery times are often reduced too. Furthermore, should there be any issues with an order, it is easier to trace how far along the manufacturing line the product is and when it is being distributed.
We hope to see another 25 years as the UK’s largest towel warmer manufacturer and continue to offer the most comprehensive range of contemporary and traditional towel warmer and design radiators.
Do you have any final words? Everyone at Vogue (UK) is extremely proud to celebrate reaching this milestone and I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the team to thank everyone who has supported us over the last 25 years; we owe a great deal to them, and of course to all our many customers.”
He adds “Our highly skilled and loyal craftsman make Vogue (UK) what it is today. Here’s to the next 25 years!”
Vogue (UK) – www.vogueuk.co.uk – 01902 387 000