Happenings for, about and of interest to NKBA Members.
By Dianne M. Pogoda
TRADE SHOWS & EVENTS
SALONE, EUROCUCINA MOVES TO JUNE: Salone Del Mobile, one of the world’s largest furniture and design trade fairs, has been rescheduled from its April dates to June 7-12 in Milan, owing to continuing concerns over COVID-19. Along with it, the 22nd edition of EuroCucina, the European kitchen design show and its partner event, FTK — Technology For the Kitchen, featuring innovative technology for built-in domestic appliances, will take place concurrently at the Milan Fairgrounds. For more information about this evolving story, visit Salone del Mobile Milano.
COMPANY MOVES
SAMSUNG’S ENVIRONMENTAL PUSH: Samsung Electronics this month revealed several initiatives to speed the development of eco-conscious home appliances, aiming to address environmental issues. The electronics giant has said it will increase the amount of recycled plastic it uses in its home appliances to 30 percent in two years. Samsung has also partnered with apparel company Patagonia to address the use of microplastics and their effect on the world’s oceans. In addition, Samsung has developed a new type of polypropylene recycled plastic for its washing machine tubs.
Samsung will use eco-friendly packaging on more of its products, enabling consumers to repurpose the boxes. The program began in Korea last year and is rolling out globally this year. For more information about these and more of Samsung’s eco-conscious initiatives, visit Samsung.com.
NEW SAMPLING SERVICE: A new online platform designed to help designers and specifiers manage product samples debuts this month. Mercato Place, developed by Thoroughbred Fulfillment, a Zeeland, Mich.–based marketing-fulfillment specialist, provides textile samples from 18 suppliers for interior decoration, window treatments, acoustical use, coated fabrics, upholstery, wall coverings, performance fabrics and other applications. Among the suppliers in the launch group are Momentum, Kravet Contract, Arc-Com, Mayer, Designtex and HBF, and performance brands Bella Dura, Crypton and Nanotex. The sourcing service is free of charge to specifiers — vendors pay to participate in the platform — but Mercato gathers profile information from specifiers for marketing purposes. Mercato encourages eco-friendly shipping but overnight service is available, and also features a return and recycling service.
MATERIAL BANK, DIVERZIFY PARTNER: In other sampling news, category pioneer Material Bank has partnered with Diverzify, a leader in commercial flooring, to extend their respective services to each other’s client base and develop project-planning tools for design industry pros. Material Bank, founded by SANDOW in 2019, connects global material brands with specifiers and buyers, enabling members to search hundreds of thousands of materials from a single source, and receive samples overnight. Diverzify is a l vertically integrated commercial flooring resource serving commercial construction and facility-management professionals.
ITALKRAFT OPENS MIAMI FACTORY: After a decade of producing its luxury kitchens, baths, closets and millwork in Italy, Italkraft opened its first U.S.-based manufacturing facility in Miami in December. Kitchen & Bath Design News reports that the U.S. facility, which will generate 10 percent of all Italkraft products, is equipped with the same machinery and technology as its Italian counterpart. This strategic move will allow Italkraft to shorten lead times and provide the flexibility necessary to meet rising construction demands. In the 10 years since its founding, Italkraft’s revenues have grown to more than $100 million annually.
DELTA’S MYSTERY DATE: Delta Faucet Co. hosted designers, remodelers and media for a unique virtual experience designed to highlight several product introductions. “The Big Leak” was a fictitious whodunnit involving corporate espionage, which the 32 guest players were charged with solving. Registered attendees received game kits in advance, containing Delta and Brizo product information and clues about the game scenario. Highlighted innovations included Delta’s Glass Rinser; Touch2O technology; Instant Hot faucets; H2OKinetic showerhead technology; and more. For additional product information, visit Delta Faucet Co.
DELTA’S MYSTERY DATE: Delta Faucet Co. hosted designers, remodelers and media for a unique virtual experience designed to highlight several product introductions while having a fun, engaging evening. “The Big Leak” was a fictitious whodunnit involving corporate espionage, which the 32 guest players were charged with solving. Registered attendees received game kits in advance, containing Delta and Brizo product information and clues about the game scenario. Delta employees and professional actors participated in videos and live questioning, and highlighted innovations including Delta’s Glass Rinser, a high-pressure water jet faucet that thoroughly rinses water bottles and glasses; Touch2O technology that starts or stops water flow by touching anywhere on the spout; Instant Hot faucets that dispense near-boiling water; H2OKinetic showerhead technology that creates unique water patterns and the feeling of more water and water pressure; the new Lumicoat finish, and more. For additional product information, visit Delta Faucet Co.
PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
FORTUNE ADDS TO C-SUITE: Fortune Brands Global Plumbing Group (GPG) has added two executives to its senior leadership team. Ashley George, previously vice president of finance for GPG, was promoted to chief financial officer and senior vice president of global finance. Chris Fallon has joined GPG as chief information officer.
George is responsible for the group’s finance leadership and strategic direction. She joined GPG in 2018 as vice president of finance, and has more than two decades of experience in finance, cross-functional leadership, business analysis and strategic planning. Prior to her current role, she was responsible for leading global FP&A for Moen North America and the global finance organization for House of Rohl. Before joining GPG, she spent 18 years in finance at Kimberly-Clark’s consumer and B2B businesses.
Fallon has 20+ years of experience, most recently serving as a senior vice president of technology for Starbucks Coffee Co., where he was responsible for digital innovation strategy, and new processes and methodologies. In his new role, his focus will be on driving company growth and competitive advantage through digital transformation and capitalizing on innovative technology.
Fortune Brands Global Plumbing Group comprises Moen®, several House of Rohl™ brands including Perrin & Rowe®, ROHL®, Riobel®, Shaws® and Victoria + Albert™.
THOR TAPS MILLER: Thor Kitchen has named celebrity chef Brad Miller its newest brand ambassador to create exclusive recipes for the brand. KBB reports that Miller will use his own hand-picked suite of Thor Kitchen products, including the 30-inch professional gas range, the 24-inch dual-zone indoor/outdoor wine cooler, outdoor kitchen pizza oven and cabinet and the 36-inch professional French-door refrigerator. The son of a Chicago butcher, Miller is the chef and an owner of the Inn of the Seventh Ray restaurant in Los Angeles; corporate chef for Five Star Senior Living; a frequent TV personality on networks including NBC, Food Network and Cooking Channel, where he stars in Food Truck Nation. For more info and to access exclusive Thor Kitchen recipes, click here.
