Happenings for, about and of interest to NKBA Members.
By Dianne M. Pogoda
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
LIXIL EARNS SPOT ON CDP’S “A” LIST: LIXIL Corp., maker of water, plumbing and housing products, has landed on the Water Security A List 2021 published by CDP1, a global non-profit organization that runs the world’s leading environmental disclosure platform. LIXIL is one of 118 firms to make the list, which recognizes initiatives in mitigating water-related risks. Rankings are based on corporations’ water management and conservation operations, products and services, as well as global sanitation initiatives. LIXIL established its Environmental Vision 2050 to achieve “Zero Carbon and Circular Living,” to minimize the environmental impact of its products and operations globally, including efforts for water sustainability. LIXIL is also actively pursuing activities to mitigate and adapt to climate change, earning a score of “A-” from CDP in the climate-change sector.
SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC WINS SUSTAINABILITY AWARD: Schneider Electric, a leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has won four CES 2022 Innovation Awards across the Sustainability and Smart Home categories. The awards recognize Schneider Electric’s Wiser Energy Center, anchored by the Square D™ Energy Center in the U.S., for its new generation of home electrical panels, which control the energy needs of connected devices from one place. Its AI-enabled algorithms transform homes from smart to smart and sustainable. By combining the Wiser Energy Center and Wiser software, consumers gain full control over how energy is produced, stored and distributed in the home. The system optimizes the allocation of energy, and can detect renewable energy sources, switching to use these at the most optimal time of the day.
TRADE SHOWS & EVENTS
KBIS GEARS UP FOR SHOW: KBIS 2022 is full steam ahead for its show on Feb. 8-10 in Orlando. KBIS and the International Builder’s Show(IBS), owned by the National Home Builder’s Association (NAHB), show together as part of Design and Construction Week(DCW). This will be their ninth consecutive year as show partners and the combined events are reported to have nearly 1,300 exhibitors in over 850,000-square feet at the Orange County Convention Center. Exhibiting brands include Kohler, Signature Kitchen Suite, GE, Miele, Beko, LG, Toto, Fortune Brands and Nobilia. To attend KBIS and IBS, registrants need to show either a negative COVID test or proof of vaccination. For the latest on the show and its health and safety guidelines, go here.
EUROPEAN FAIRS POSTPONED: The 2022 edition of IMM Cologne, originally scheduled for Jan. 17-23, has been postponed until January 2023, owing to concerns over COVID-19. The executive board of Koelnmesse, the organizer of the event, said it reached this decision after consulting with the Association of the German Furniture Industry (VDM) and in agreement with other international industry representatives. The cancellation is restricted to IMM Cologne and does not include other B2B events planned for this spring in Cologne, organizers said. Additionally, the Maison & Objet interior design fair has pushed back its Jan. 20-24 event to March 24-28 in Paris. After that, M&O organizers expect to resume a regular schedule starting with a Sept. 8-12 edition. The Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair was delayed from its January dates to Sept. 6-9, and January editions of the German fairs Domotex, for floor coverings and carpets, and Heimtextil, for home textiles, were also postponed and organizers are exploring new 2022 dates. Ambiente, a home design, décor and tableware fair held annually in Frankfurt, canceled its February event until 2023.
COMPANY MOVES
MORGAN BUYS DAVE’S CABINET: John K. Morgan, CEO of Green Forest Cabinetry in Chesapeake, Va., has acquired the ownership interest of Dave’s Cabinet held by founder David Alderman, CMKBD. Dave’s Cabinet, a regional micro-manufacturer in Chesapeake, was founded by Alderman in 1980. Its operations include an end-to-end cabinet manufacturing and finishing facility, a retail division and granite/quartz fabricator. Morgan and Alderman are both past national presidents of NKBA. Under the terms of the agreement, Julie Boone retains her existing ownership interest in Dave’s. Green Forest builds affordable kitchen and bath cabinetry and primarily serves the Mid-Atlantic region.
DURAVIT PARTNERS WITH PHILIPPE STARCK: Philippe Starck has unveiled its sleek White Tulip bathroom collection for Duravit. Along with glossy wall-mounted cabinets and lacquered consoles, Business of Home reports the biomorphic series features free-standing ceramic bathtubs, vanities and washbasins with smooth, outward-sloping edges inspired by the silhouettes of tulips in full bloom.
OHS BUYS DRAPER: William Ohs, a Denver-based maker of luxury cabinetry and furniture, has acquired Draper DBS, a Bucks County, Pa., custom cabinet supplier. KBDN reports the merger will capitalize on synergies and maximizing manufacturing and operational efficiencies. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. William Ohs, founded by Bill Ohs in 1972, began with handcrafted built-in libraries and cases. It branched into luxury cabinetry using European frameless techniques, and will mark its 50th anniversary this year. Draper, founded in 1981 by Bill Draper, grew from a maker of antique reproduction furniture and finishes and expanded to custom kitchen cabinetry a year later with partner Bill Shultz.
KOHLER’S NEW DIVISION: Kohler Co., owner and operator of Kohler’s Power Group, which produces engines, power generation and clean energy, has launched a separate division within its Residential and Power Products business: the Home Energy Management Systems (HEMS) team, led by General Manager Jennifer Rindt. The HEMS team provides products and services to support a critical residential need for resilient power and the decreasing reliability of the grid to provide that power. According to Brian Melka, Group President, Power, “Kohler is looking to solve those problems to make homes safer, cleaner and more efficient.” The HEMS team is currently driving the launch of the Kohler Power Reserve ESS system.
AIA SOFTENS LICENSING POSITION FOR INTERIOR DESIGNERS: The American Institute of Architects has revised its stance on licensure for interior designers, according to Business of Home. Previously, AIA opposed efforts to enact state legislation allowing interior designers to become certified and earn a government-sanctioned license, citing concerns that such a move would cause confusion in the marketplace over who had responsibility for the safety of a building. But recently, AIA’s board of directors voted to revise this position, allowing “members to be more flexible and to negotiate and discuss options and remedies with legislators, regulators, and partner groups that best suit their respective state.”
PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
BERTAZZONI NAMES CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER: Nicola Bertazzoni, a sixth-generation family member of high-end Italian appliance manufacturer Bertazzoni, has been promoted to chief operating officer. He has been with his family’s company for 13 years and was previously vice president of global sales.
LEGENDARY ARCHITECT RICHARD ROGERS DIES: Sir Richard Rogers, one of Britain’s best known architects, died in December at age 88. Rogers designed such distinctive landmarks as the Pompidou Centre in Paris and London’s Millennium Dome and “Cheesegrater” Leadenhall Building. Born in Florence, Italy, Rogers won architecture’s highest honor, the Pritzker Prize, in 2007, and was considered a pioneer of high-tech architecture, using industrial materials like glass and steel as a signature in his designs. Among his other well-known designs are Strasbourg’s European Court of Human Rights and Three World Trade Center in New York, international airport terminals in Madrid and London’s Heathrow, and the Welsh Senedd. He was awarded the Légion d’Honneur in 1986, and knighted in 1991.
CHAPTER UPDATES
VIRTUAL CHAPTER OFFICER TRAINING: Chapter Officers should have received an email detailing virtual training, which takes place Jan. 18-20. This is separate from the in-person event at KBIS 2022 in Orlando, where attendance is required. If you have not yet registered for your session or have questions, contact chapters@nkba.org.
