COMPANY NEWS

TONY AND JIMMY G PLUG SKILLED TRADES: Tony Garoppolo, a retired career electrician, and his son, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, celebrated the “Skills USA National Signing Day” on ESPN Radio in New York on Tuesday. Typically, “signing days” for high-school athletes take place when they commit to a college sports team. Amid conversation about the recent NFL draft and Super Bowl memories, the Garoppolos plugged the virtual ceremony for the skilled trades, for students committing to advanced technical training to become electricians, plumbers and HVAC professionals.

“No one hands you anything, but it’s an opportunity for a great career, and you can  make a nice living out of it,” said Tony. “You’re going to have to work, and work hard — but that’s the goal with anything in life: work hard to achieve what you want.”

The annual event is sponsored by Home Depot, Klein Tools, 84 Lumber, and NC3, the National Coalition of Certification Centers.

2020 KICKS OFF GLOBAL CONTEST: Design software developer 2020 has launched its inaugural Global Inspiration Contest for kitchen, bathroom and office designers. The competition provides a platform for 2020 users across North America, the UK and France to be recognized for their functional and aesthetic design skills.

This year’s contest is sponsored by Allied USA, Fotile America, and Armony Cucine. Designers may submit in nine categories:

  • Contemporary Kitchen
  • Traditional kitchen
  • Contemporary bathroom
  • Traditional bathroom
  • Any space
  • 360° panorama – Any space
  • Office reconfigured space
  • Office flexible space
  • Educational space.

Designers may enter multiple submissions, but each must be unique. Judging is by a panel of 2020 experts, with the top three designs eligible to win the Voters’ Choice prize. Submissions are open through May 17, 2021. The winners will receive an Amazon gift card and will be featured at 2020 Connect – a virtual event taking place in June.

To learn more about the competition, visit the  contest page.

SILESTONE’S NEW STYLE: Surfacing giant Cosentino is rebranding its Silestone collection with an eye toward appealing to Millennial consumers, reports Business of Home. The company said it wants to engage with a younger demographic, which is highly focused on values and wants to do business with “brands that  inspire them.” As such, Silestone has begun pushing toward more sustainable manufacturing practices. In 2020, Silestone began using a proprietary technology called HybriQ+, a manufacturing process that uses 99 percent reused water and 100 percent renewable energy. Also in development are new colorways that will boast a carbon-neutral offering, slated to launch later in 2021, and a refreshed  marketing strategy featuring kitchens that are “full of life,” showing people living, cooking and enjoying the space, according to BOH.

BSH, PLUM EXPLORING SMART-HOME APPLIANCE VENTURE: BSH Home Appliances Corp., a global manufacturer of high-end home appliances, and Plum, creator of an award-winning fully-automated wine preservation system, have entered into a strategic partnership to explore potential smart appliances for the kitchen. The companies aim to combine BSH’s expertise and manufacturing capability with Plum’s industry-leading technology.

“BSH has a long history of redefining the kitchen through innovation and a focus on consumer-centricity, so we are thrilled to [join] Plum to explore providing industry-leading technology, quality craftsmanship and our combined vision of bringing the modern kitchen to life,” said Christofer von Nagel, CEO of BSH Home Appliances Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of BSH Home Appliances Group, headquartered in Munich, Germany.

“Our goal at Plum has been to revolutionize the way people can enjoy wine to match the way they actually live,” said Michael Traub, Plum’s CEO. “Teaming with an incredible partner such as BSH to introduce future innovations helps us do just that.”  Plum, launched in 2017 and is based in Dania Beach, Fla

For more information, visit BSH and Plum.

ALLEANZA QUARTZ LAUNCHES EAST COAST DISTRIBUTION: European and Marva, divisions of Trajus Surfaces and wholesale distributors of high-end natural stone materials, this month began exclusive distribution and sales of Alleanza Quartz (AQ)on the East Coast. Marva handles the following states: Maryland, West Virginia, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina and Washington, DC. In South Carolina, Pacific Shore Stones is the distribution partner of AQ outside of the Charlotte Metro area. European is responsible for exclusive distribution of Alleanza Quartz in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

This month, AQ will introduce 15 new designs in the Monarch Collection featuring eco-chic, veined options, with the ability to bookmatch several of the designs. AQ is also providing an industry-leading Lifetime Warranty. “We are eager and excited to launch the AQ brand across the East Coast and to bring a fresh new line of quartz,” said Sean Lyon, quartz brand manager for Trajus Surfaces, parent of Marva and European.

In the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, Marva also distributes Cambria quartz, Neolith sintered stone products, and a wide selection of natural stone. In the Northeast, European also distributes Cambria, Florim porcelain products, and a wide selection of natural stones.

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

CANYON CREEK TAPS CALDAS: The Canyon Creek Cabinet Co. has named Max J. Caldas president and CEO, succeeding Robert Foote, who left the company at the end of April. Caldas was previously executive vice president.

Caldas joined Monroe, Wash-based Canyon Creek in 2019, assuming  responsibility for all commercial activities including sales, marketing, customer service, product engineering and development, quality management and showroom operations. He has nearly three decades of experience in the cabinetry industry, including roles as vice president for American Woodmark Corp. overseeing marketing, sales and channel management and more, plus stints at Robert Bosch Tool Corp. NA and ClosetMaid.

“I am honored to lead our dedicated team committed to our partners growth and success,” said Caldas. “Together, Canyon Creek Cabinet Co. will continue down its 40-year path to deliver the highest quality products and services.”

GENERAL INTEREST

PROPERTY BROTHERS EXPANDING: Business of Home reports that HGTV’s “Property Brothers,” Jonathan and Drew Scott, will launch a multicategory, multicollection brand in the fall called Drew and Jonathan Home. It builds on the brothers’ existing Scott Living brand and will include products related to their experience in design and building. Scott Living launched in 2014 and has had over $1 billion in cumulative sales of home decorating products, textiles, wall coverings and accessories.