Happenings for, about and of interest to NKBA Members.
By Dianne M. Pogoda
KBIS & COMPANY NEWS
VISIT THE VILLA: Monogram is unveiling its Villa concept at KBIS, what creative director Richard T. Anuszkiewicz characterizes as “travel-inspired design.” Anuszkiewicz says the past two years of curtailed travel informed the concept. “When you’re yearning for that vacation, why can’t your home be that oasis or resort?” he said. The environments are inspired by the architectural landscapes of beach, mountain and farm locales and driven by the new role of “home” in recent years. Each space in Villa Monogram represents these residential environments, and will be shown in Booth in W2001 at KBIS. Additionally, Monogram is launching a licensed product line — the Monogram Designer Collection x Richard T. Anuszkiewicz — of range hoods, hardware handles and panels, custom-made in brass, leather and gunmetal. For more info, check out Monogram Luxury Appliances.
LIEBHERR’S LATEST: Liebherr Appliances is bringing its broadest product lineup ever introduced in the American market to KBIS. Among the featured product launches are fully integrated refrigeration lines offering updated versions of the company’s original European-styled units; the 30-inch and 36-inch columns and French Door Monolith Bottom Freezers, and a state-of-the-art concept refrigerator. Features of the Bottom Freezers include the Monolith’s electronic touch-control panel, the InfinitySwipe; Liebherr’s PowerCooling system; BioFresh-Plus technology and Wi-Fi connection via the SmartDeviceBox. The company will also introduce its newly branded Pure and Prime lines of integrated refrigerators, which are smaller and more economical than the Monolith line. For more, see Liebherr in Booth W1151 at KBIS or visit the website here.
LG, SKS’ KBIS INTROS: LG Electronics and its luxury sister brand Signature Kitchen Suite are introducing a number of new technologies and appliance innovations at KBIS. Among them, SKS is revealing its first 48-inch wide French-door refrigerator, with features including three freezer compartments and a convertible fridge-to-freezer drawer, five pre-set temperature settings, dual ice maker with craft ice, drawers that align with countertop height for better design lines throughout the kitchen, Energy Star certification and Wi-Fi compatibility. LG’s top-control Dishwasher features QuadWash Pro and Dynamic Heat Dry technologies that promise faster drying and a one-hour cycle, a TrueSteam function, adjustable third rack, interior LED light. SKS and LG Electronics are showing in Booth W2029, or click to visit LG Electronics.
BOSCH HONORED BY IOT BREAKTHROUGH: Bosch has been named Connected Home Company of the Year in the 6th annual IoT Breakthrough Awards program conducted by IoT Breakthrough, a market intelligence organization that recognizes the top companies, technologies and products in today’s global Internet of Things (IoT) market. Bosch offers home appliances across its product categories that can be controlled and monitored remotely with a single app. Many of these innovations are integrated with Home Connect, a highly personalized connected software experience that changes the way consumers interact with their appliances. Read more in KBB here.
TRUE’S CLEAR ICEMAKER: True Residential is introducing a 15-inch clear ice machine, an addition to its range of full-size and undercounter cooling appliances, at KBIS. The new model improves upon prior iterations with an articulating soft-close hinge, a magnetic scoop that affixes to the interior door and a touch-sensitive capacitive interface. The unit has a bin capacity of 28 pounds, and can produce 85 pounds of ice per day. Its natural hydrocarbon refrigerant is climate-friendly and cost-effective. The new model boasts a 30% increase in energy efficiency and a 16% decrease in water usage from its predecessor. For more, see True in Booth W1472 or visit the website here.
GE INVESTS IN GA.: GE Appliances revealed plans to invest $118 million in its Roper Corp. plant in LaFayette, Ga., to upgrade, expand and add jobs in the Walker County facility. Gov. Brian Kemp was on hand for the announcement last month at Roper, a wholly owned subsidiary of GEA and the county’s largest employer. This investment, on top of an additional $130 million in funds earmarked for expansion in 2019, will increase capacity at Roper by 50 percent, said Lois Crandell, president and plant manager. GEA and its affiliates employ more than 2,400 people at four locations throughout the state, and within two years expects to have added another 1,000 jobs.
TRADE SHOWS & EVENTS
NEW ACTIVATIONS AT APRIL COVERINGS SHOW: The Coverings international tile and stone show and conference, taking place April 5-8 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, has added several new and rebranded events and educational sessions to its slate of interactive seminars and demonstrations. Among the new features are the Experience Stage in the Coverings Lounge, with presentations focused on themes of “Wellness & Environment,” “Timeless Luxury” and “Outdoor Living Spaces.” The Trends & Solutions Stage will offer a deep dive into product trends and solutions. The Coverings Lounge will feature a new wellness and sustainability wall highlighting health advantages and sustainable, hygienic and eco-friendly properties of ceramic tile, as well as a new Outdoor Living Pavilion. Registration for the show is free. For more information, visit coverings.com.
GLOBETROTTING WITH DESIGN MIAMI: The Design Miami family of international design-centric fairs will head to Paris for the first time this October. The fairs showcase furniture, decorative objects, collectibles, artwork and other interior-design elements, and this year will also show in Basel, Switzerland, June 14 – 19, and return to Miami Beach Nov. 30 – Dec. 4. Dates for the Paris show are to be determined. For more information, visit Design Miami.
PEOPLE NEWS
LIEBHERR TAPS GERHARDT: Liebherr has named Dr. Tim Gerhardt as a managing director of Liebherr USA Co., the American subsidiary of the German appliance giant. He shares leadership responsibilities for U.S. operations with Kai Friedrich. Gerhardt assumes this role from Dr. Torben Reher, who served Liebherr USA, Co. since its inception in 2016 and is returning to Germany. Gerhardt has 20 years’ experience in the automotive industry and most recently served as managing director at Liebherr-Ettlingen GmbH remanufacturing center. Prior to joining Liebherr, he held executive roles at MAN Truck & Bus and BMW Group.
TOBIAS PAGEL TAPPED AT ALVIC: Alvic USA, a manufacturer of cabinet doors and panels for residential and commercial projects, named Tobias Pagel as its first CEO to lead expansion in the U.S. Pagel is a veteran of the construction materials, logistics, and heavy equipment training industries. Alvic USA is the North American arm of Grupo Alvic Spain and is based in Auburndale, Fla. The parent company, founded in 1965, fabricates furniture components with a contemporary European style.
PIONEER IN THE BATH: Ree Drummond, “The Pioneer Woman,” has entered the bath category while expanding bedding offerings with a new collection available at Walmart, according to Business of Home. With design inspired by Drummond’s personal style, the collection includes shower curtains, bath rugs, towels, decorative pillows, sheets and comforters available in a range of floral patterns and colors.
