There are just 10 days left to nominate a remarkable individual for induction into the Kitchen & Bath Hall of Fame. Submissions close Sept. 30.

By Dianne M. Pogoda

 

One thing kitchens and baths have in common — and something that’s unique to those rooms — is plumbing. Since the NKBA created the Kitchen & Bath Hall of Fame in 1989, more than 90 outstanding individuals have been recognized for their inventions, service to the industry, pioneering innovations and other unique contributions. Today’s honorees come from the world of plumbing.

Nominations for the Class of 2022 are being accepted through Sept. 30, and inductees will be honored at KBIS in Orlando on Feb. 7 at The Kitchen & Bath Design + Industry Awards, the evening before the expo opens. Registration for the show, which will be held live Feb. 8-10 at the Orange County Convention Center, opens Sept. 1. NKBA members enjoy free registration for the month of September, and non-members may take advantage of discounted rates.

Here are a few of the individuals who have been recognized for their plumbing accomplishments.

 

  • Herbert V. Kohler Jr., president of the Kohler Co., first brought “the bold look” of colors to bathroom fixtures in the 1960s. Kohler fostered brand name loyalties and has played a leading role in developing upscale fixture, focusing consumer attention on innovative bath design, and maintaining craftsmanship, quality and originality. Inducted in 1989.

 

  • Gunnar Baldwin, CLIPP, joined TOTO in 1990, when the Japanese-based manufacturer opened its American subsidiary. A water conservationist, he served as a consulting water-efficiency specialist, represented TOTO on several green building committees, including the first U.S. Green Building Council water efficiency technical advisory group, and was a charter director of the Alliance for Water Efficiency. Starting in the 1970s, he pioneered the first code-approved low-consumption toilet to reduce the environmental impact of wastewater, lobbied for incentives for water conservation and advocated for socially and environmentally sustainable strategies to become standard best practices in all design. Inducted in 2016.

 

  • Kenneth S. Rohl founded and served as CEO for ROHL Corp., a marketer of high-end kitchen and bath products. He began his company as Western States Manufacturing in 1983, introducing the pull-out kitchen faucet to the U.S. The company was renamed ROHL in 1991, with its products featured in luxury showrooms across the country. Rohl also served as a member of NKBA’s Board of Directors, National Strategic Planning Group, National Manufacturer’s Representatives Council and NKBA Ambassador’s Club, as well as serving as the vice president of the Southern California Chapter for six years. Inducted in 2008.

 

  • Alex Manoogian founded a screw machine business in 1929. This tiny enterprise grew to become the K&B industry giant known today as Masco Corp.. While his company was successful, its true turning point came in 1935 when Masco diversified into faucet manufacturing. In 1954, he obtained product rights and introduced the single-handle faucet under the Delta Faucet name. Today, Manoogian’s firm produces decorative plumbing, hardware and fixtures under the Delta, Peerless and Brizo brands; appliances; cabinets; furniture; fabrics; lamps; mirrors, and accessories. Inducted in 1991.

 

  • Roy Jacuzzi, president of Jacuzzi Whirlpool Bath, designed and engineered the self-contained spas that are so well-known and widely copied today. The company started making airplane propellers in 1915, then went into pumps and windmills. Jacuzzi, an engineer, holds more than 20 patents in his own name. Inducted in 1989.

 

  • Fred Rexford joined Elkay as vice president in 1957 after experience with several appliance manufacturers. He glamorized stainless steel sinks and led Elkay into kitchen distribution channels at a time when no plumbing manufacturers or wholesalers would talk to a kitchen dealer. Inducted in 1989.

 

All members of the Kitchen & Bath Hall of Fame are featured in a special gallery online as well as at NKBA’s headquarters in Hackettstown, N.J. Look for more featured Hall of Famers throughout the month, visit the Hall online, and nominate an outstanding individual for this honor by Sept. 30. For guidelines, click here.