Retailers blast BSH for lack of communication

Kitchen retailers have labelled the stock shortage of BSH’s appliance brands, including Bosch, Siemens and Neff, a “fiasco”, “nightmare” and “disaster”.

The appliances were part of its new built-in product launch, which took place at the end of last year. It was claimed to be “the single biggest investment the company has made in a new product launch”, with over 500 man hours’ worth of research and development.

However, some kitchen retailers which stock and sell Bosch, Neff and Siemens brands are still waiting for the delivery of these appliances. One of its customers has said they are waiting for delivery from an order placed before February 7.

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This has seen retailers holding up showroom revamps, as well as kitchen completions and fitting dates, with the potential to impact on cash flow. Instead of the appliances, BSH has offered full-size photographic images for short-term use in kitchen showrooms. 

Retailers have also vented their frustration to Kitchens & Bathrooms News about the lack of communication from BSH.

Despite this, both the Neff and Siemens brands exhibited at consumer show Grand Designs Live, a nine-day show which runs at ExCel in London until May 10.

A statement published by BSH read: “In 2015, so far, we have already delivered 20,000 more ovens in the UK when compared to the same period last year. Several thousand units of our new oven ranges, launched in April have already been supplied.”

The company blamed the transition to its new oven platforms combined with an increase of orders across all channels for the backlog of orders.

The BSH statement continued: “For this disruption, we sincerely apologise. BSH has increased production of Neff ovens in order to meet this additional demand and rectify demands in the supply chain as quickly as possible. In the meantime, for your short-term showroom display use, we have made available a quality of real-size photographic product image boards.”

BSH is a corporate member of trade association the Kitchen Bedroom Bathroom Specialists Association (KBSA) .

CEO of the trade association KBSA Graham Ball commented on the stock shortage: “Having worked in the appliance business for many years, it does not surprise me, as their position in the built in sector is so impressive, and if their new ranges have gone down well in Europe as well, then overall demand may well have outstripped their planning. Some of the brands I have worked for have experienced similar problems in the past, but it’s how you handle situations like that are the key. The biggest issue for our members is getting the new ranges on display, as empty spaces within furniture displays never reflects well on any brand, and the inability to complete projects can impact on cash flow – which is never an ideal situation.” 

Despite an agreed interview at 11am, today, BSH then asked to have the questions sent to them and would not be able to comment until Monday 11, 2015.