News Archive

Project Kitchens is one of SieMatic’s biggest brand ambassadors and we love nothing more than taking customers, their specifiers and interior design team over to Germany to meet the designers and see the product manufactured first hand.

As the UK’s most highly accredited contract suppliers of SieMatic to the developer market, we want our client’s vision for each specific project to be realised and educating their project team about SieMatic is always a good place to start.

We visit Germany with clients several times a year and recently headed over to Löhne with London Square, Suna Interiors and developer Louise Phelan, for a unique insight into one of the World’s most prestigious luxury brands.

SieMatic is found in more than 60 countries over 5 continents and offers three concepts – Urban, Pure and Classic. The Project Kitchens’ team has two extensive and wonderful showrooms in the UK, but nothing prepares clients for a trip to Löhne.

The 1.5 day trips are always hosted by Bernard Otulakowski, Managing Director of SieMatic UK and members of our sales team. The unique relationship we have with Bernard and SieMatic has been nurtured for over 20 years and the creative, strategic partnership we share is very much reflected in these tours.

Louise Phelan comments,

“Germany is associated with high quality engineering and design and the SieMatic factory is an amazing example of this. The scale, product range and hospitality is superb. Belinda and her team know the SieMatic product inside out and are always on hand to offer guidance and advice. Seeing the extent of the product is beneficial in understanding how a choice of kitchen can have a huge impact on residential sales.”

Another recent customer commented, “Wow, what an experience! I had no idea the scale of the operation and it was great to spend quality time with the team to discuss my scheme. The visit to the SieMatic factory has given my interior designer new insight into what can be achieved and we are totally immersed in the philosophy of the brand and all it stands for. Definitely worth spending the time. Thank you Belinda for a great trip!”

Belinda Sewell, MD of Project Kitchens comments,

”Collaborations and team meetings back in the UK are always so much more productive when clients and their advisors have seen the full SieMatic product offer and understand the skills, experience and engineering behind each kitchen concept. These trips are invaluable in explaining practicality, layout, choice of materials, spatial awareness, light, shape, appliances and accessories for example.

The visits allow our contacts to understand the history of the product, the innovation behind it and to meet the international designers we collaborate with. There is nothing quite like seeing the kitchens being made and realising the workmanship that goes into one – something we are very proud of.”

If you are interested in finding out more please contact nickd@projectkitchens.com

Met our new Sales Manager Nick Daffy yet? We caught up with him just weeks into the job and asked him for a flavour of a ‘typical’ day at Project Kitchens?

“My role driving sales activity in the North West and working with our Southern sales team means I could be anywhere in the UK on any given day, meeting a range of clients, their advisors and our team in Head Office to drive projects forward. A typical day includes:

• Early morning meeting or networking breakfast (try not to eat!). I try to attend something in Manchester city centre like the Movers and Shakers or Place North West events to keep up with prospects, contacts and keep the brand visible.  We find increasingly that clients come to us, not just to work with the SieMatic brand, but with the Project Kitchens brand, which is a testament to our 15-year track record.
• Get to office – check emails, brief design jobs with CAD team, check work in progress, answer emails, may talk to senior management team if they are about.
• Back to Manchester for meeting with Arcadis – looking at new schemes with them, exciting to be working with them again following my time in the F F&E industry.
• Conference call back at the office with new London client – this is a big scheme that we are tendering for and I am working closely with the client and their architect, as well as interacting with their main contractor. Many points of discussion, SieMatic involved in conference call.
• Lunch at my desk – usually some fruit or a sandwich if I am feeling adventurous! Lots of coffee.
• Brief meeting with our PR agency regarding various projects, awards entries and features.
• Presentation in our Manchester showroom to a team of architects currently working on a city centre scheme who are interested in our product. They don’t work with us yet but they hopefully soon will!  This presentation showcases SieMatic and Project Kitchens in a relaxed and informal style and invites an open dialogue.  We agree a follow up with a couple of their clients attending one of our pop-up trend events.
• Finish up at the office to catch a train to London for a morning meeting. When in London I try to visit competitor sites alongside our own sites, to get a feel for progress and in particular our London Square sites which are always vibrant.
• It’s a busy life but I love it as the pace of the world of property keeps me buzzing and the luxury SieMatic brand is a pleasure to represent.”

Our first ever Property Trends Pop Up Event in October was a huge success and a big thank you to all our speakers and guests.

Over 70 members of the property industry were wined (well gin mostly!) and dined in our Manchester showroom, whilst listening to talks from SimpsonHaugh, Houzz, Miele, Angel No.66 and our very own Belinda Sewell.

Belinda swept through the decades with a fun retrospective look at kitchens then and now. She explored the huge influence fashion has on kitchen design and Beckham’s pants even made an appearance.

Simon Critchley from SimpsonHaugh explained that trends in architecture are a little more subtle, as he took us through schemes such as Dollar Bay, London and Manchester New Square. Whilst Peter Vella, ex Countryside Sales and Marketing Director, spoke enthusiastically about trends in PRS.

Kiya Kelly from Houzz wowed us with what’s new in interior design online and how the industry is using Houzz for project ideas and inspiration, whilst Sven Hanson-Britt, ex Celebrity Masterchef winner and Miele’s Executive Chef, talked Farm to Fork with his forthcoming new restaurant Hardley Hill Farm in Derbyshire.

Fun night and to be repeated on the 30th November, for those who couldn’t make it!

If you would like to attend or speak at one of our events please do get in touch – amandad@projectkitchens.com. We’d love to hear from you.

Team PK is delighted to welcome Nick Daffy to the fold as Sales Manager. Previously Head of Sales at commercial contractor Dragonfly Contracts Ltd, Nick will drive Project Kitchens’ sales activity in the North West whilst taking control of the Southern Sales team.

Belinda comments,

“We have been looking for a special individual with significant sales skills in the luxury brand market for some time and in Nick we have found an excellent all rounder with over 20 years’ experience dedicated to servicing high end Clients. Given Project Kitchens is SieMatic’s largest national supplier Nick’s natural creative flair, with a background in art and fashion, complemented by excellent business sense, drive and people skills will only strengthen our team. He has helped to deliver significant business growth in his previous roles and has a great sales track record, having secured a number of prestigious contracts with widely known brands. I am looking forward to working with him and to seeing him excel with the SieMatic and Project Kitchens brands.”

Nick Daffy comments,

“I’m excited to be part of a national team, delivering an innovative global brand in SieMatic. Project Kitchens has an unrivalled reputation in the marketplace for in-depth experience and product knowledge. I have a sound understanding of the construction process and established contacts with developers, main contractors, architects and interior designers and can’t wait to get started.”

SieMatic Managing Director Bernard Otulakowski added his endorsement,

“Having met Nick on several occasions now I have every confidence that he will integrate well with the team at Project Kitchens and their clientele and we at SieMatic look forward to working closely with him. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge. PK are a great ambassador for the SieMatic brand and offer professionalism and dedication to their clients in achieving the prerequisites and criteria of any project.”