Happenings of interest to, about and for NKBA members.
BUSINESS NEWS
COMPUSOFT, 2020 TO MERGE: Private equity firms Genstar Capital and TA Associates said they have agreed to merge their portfolio companies, 2020 Technologies and Compusoft. The combined entity will be a leading provider of space planning and manufacturing solutions for residential and commercial segments. The newly combined group will be majority owned by Genstar and TA, and the transaction is expected to be completed in the second half of 2021.Compusoft, part of TA’s portfolio, is a top international provider of specialized visual Configure, Price, Quote (vCPQ) software to key retail and manufacturing industries. Genstar’s 2020 is a leading provider of specialized computer-aided design; configure, price, quote (CPQ), and enterprise solutions dedicated to the interior design, space planning and furniture manufacturing industries.
NY LUXURY DESIGN FAIR POSTPONED: Citing ongoing complications from the COVID-19 pandemic, the NY Luxury Design Fair has postponed its inaugural event to Sept. 8-11, 2022. The fair is a re-branded evolution of the company’s long-running Architectural Digest Design Show, presented by the show’s same producers.
THE WRIGHT FAUCET: Luxury faucet brand Brizo has launched a bath collection channeling the artistry and enduring influence of Frank Lloyd Wright. Developed in collaboration with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, the full bath collection reflects Wright’s revolutionary American style of architecture, and offers a full suite of products, including lavatory faucets and tub fillers, coordinating shower components and accessories to customize and outfit the entire bath space. It will be available for ordering this fall. To mark the collection’s debut, Brizo and the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation created an immersive, virtual showroom to showcase the collection’s unique design elements and story. Explore the showroom here.
NEW PRESIDENT AT SALONE: Maria Porro has been named president of Italian furniture fair Salone Del Mobile, which will be held September 5-10 at the Rho Fairgrounds in Milan. Dezeen reports that Porro was formerly president of Assarredo, the Italian trade association for furniture manufacturers, where she was the first female president — a distinction that she will hold in her new role at Salone del Mobile. Salone, which also presents the EuroCucina European kitchen fair, was postponed twice, in April and in June 2020, due to COVID-19. Milanese architect Stefano Boeri is curating this year’s fair.
BLACK ARTISTS + DESIGNERS GUILD ANNOUNCES GRANT: The nonprofit Black Artists + Designers Guild has introduced its Creative Futures Grant, an educational initiative to activate young professionals by nurturing intellectual exploration to create a legacy project. KBB magazine reports that the grant provides monetary support and mentorship to four black-identifying third and fourth-year undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled at U.S.-based institutions studying visual arts, interior design or architecture. The Grant is a part of BADG educational initiatives made possible by generous supporter donations, including Artistic Tile, which donated $5,000 toward this program. The application process is open through Aug. 16; BADG will reveal grant recipients in the fall. More information about the Creative Futures Grant and the application process is available here.
CLIVE CHRISTIAN TAKES IT OUTSIDE: For the first time since its founding more than 40 years ago, high-end British cabinet maker Clive Christian Furniture is introducing an outdoor collection, “The Garden Kitchen.” The outdoor line reflects one of the most identifiable elements in many yachts: the pinstriped deck. Created by inlaying ebonized Iroko sections into the door and drawer fronts, this detailing showcases the brand’s expertise in marquetry. The designs also feature signature elements of the wider Clive Christian portfolio, like distinctive inlay detail, contrasting internals, opulent materials and dovetail internal box detailing. Yacht-grade decorative hardware includes deck-cleat handles, all finished in an elegant mirror polish stainless steel, subtly brandishing the Clive Christian mark. For more information on The Garden Kitchen, click here.
LUMBER HEADING HIGHER AGAIN? Just when it seemed like there would be some relief in the price of lumber, wildfires out West are threatening supply and causing prices to rise once more. The Wall Street Journal reports.
FORMICA CORP. PLEDGES NET CARBON NEUTRALITY BY 2030: Formica® Brand surfaces has announced its new sustainability initiatives, including a goal to achieve net carbon neutrality by 2030. “Consumers are seeking surfacing options that are better for the planet, and we are laying out a clear and aggressive action plan to meet their expectations,” said Mitch Quint, president of Formica Corp. North America. As part of the 2030 goal, Formica aims for a 25% reduction of CO2 emissions and 10% reduction in primary energy demand by 2026. The company will also pursue a 5% reduction of its water footprint in the next five years. The company has pledged to publish its environmental impact data every year, along with its targets and initiatives for the coming year. For more for information about Formica’s commitment to sustainability, go here.
MILLERKNOLL EMERGES: Following its June acquisition of Knoll Inc, Herman Miller says the combined entity will move forward as the newly rebranded MillerKnoll, according to Business of Home. Herman Miller and Knoll will continue as distinct brands under the MillerKnoll umbrella, with plans to grow existing contract and retail channels as well as drive growth and profitability through a scaled U.S. and international footprint.
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