By Dianne M. Pogoda
COMPANY NEWS
HOW THE OTHER HALF COOKS: What does Michelin 3-star chef Eric Ripert of Manhattan’s Le Bernardin do when he hangs up his toque and goes home? He cooks again. The culinary star designed his own kitchen with Gaggenau appliances, Siematic custom cabinets and Caesarstone countertops. Appliances include classic and combi-steam ovens, a five-burner glass induction cooktop plus a large side burner for stockpots and a rectangular teppanyaki grill, a downdraft venting system that disappears into the countertop and two dishwashers, so he can whip up — and clean up — food for a party of 20 in a flash. Robb Report has more.
BSH’S RECORD YEAR: German appliance giant BSH, parent of 11 brands including Bosch, Gaggenau, Thermador, Neff and Siemens, reported sales of 15.6 billion euros ($17.03 billion at current exchange) for fiscal 2021, a 12 percent increase over the previous year and the highest volume in the 55-year-old manufacturer’s history. BSH said all regions showed growth, with U.S. and Canada sales improving by 23 percent. Among product categories, refrigeration posted a year-over-year spike of 20 percent, ovens were up 14 percent, cooktops and ventilation rose 13 percent and laundry care and small appliances were each up 9 percent. Dishwashing grew by 7 percent. BSH is expanding production centers in China, Egypt and Mexico, while it has suspended operations in St. Petersburg, Russia, owing to the Ukraine conflict.
HÄFELE EXPANDING: Häfele America Co. is expanding its Archdale, N.C., facility, adding an additional 94,200 square feet to increase its high-rise distribution center to a total of 221,200 square feet – bumping its overall storage capacity by 60 percent. The expanded facility will include a 501 kW solar system with more than 1,100 panels, which will provide approximately 75 percent of the total power use for the facility. Its equipment and processes will also be upgraded to improve responsiveness and efficiency, at a total investment of $13 million. The project is expected to be completed in the fall.
SHOWROOMS GALORE: TM Italia, a maker of high-end custom cabinetry, has opened a showroom in the La Cienega Design Quarter in West Hollywood, Calif. It’s the first showroom in North America for the Italy-based luxury brand. Fortunoff has opened two stores for its outdoor furniture, one in Bridgewater, N.J., and one in Allentown, Pa., while Artistic Tile has opened a showroom in the Nashville Design Collective in Tennessee. Meanwhile, Herman Miller is expanding in New York with two experiential storefronts in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District and the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn. Business of Home has a roundup.
CHAPTER NEWS
QUEEN’S CUP IN CAROLINA: The Carolina Chapter is hosting an exclusive VIP tent at the Queen’s Cup Steeplechase on April 30 at Brooklandwood Racetrack, 3830 Potter Road South in Mineral Springs, N.C., from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets are $200 for members and $350 for non-members, and include a full day of races, all-inclusive food, open bar and seating. Benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association, the Queen’s Cup Steeplechase is an all-day event centered around five horse races. Chapter sponsors include Cambria, Simonini, LIXIL’s Plumbing Group, Floor & Decor, Marva, Vadara, Richelieu, Harkey Tile & Stone, Design Loft and Alair Homes. Go here for tickets and more info.
MAINE’S DESIGN AWARDS CEREMONY: The Maine Chapter will honor the winners of its annual design contest with a semi-formal banquet on April 29, 5 to 9 p.m., at The Governor Hill Mansion, 136 State Street in Augusta. “An Evening of Design Excellence” includes a reception with appetizers and a cash bar, dinner, dancing and the awards. Held in partnership with Decor Maine magazine, winning projects will be featured in the magazine’s 2022 Sourcebook Issue. Chapter president Rick Spencer will preside over the festivities, which are sponsored by M.R. Brewer, Rockport Granite, Starmark Cabinetry, Cambria and Blue Rock Industries. Members are $65, non-members are $80. Go here for tickets and more info.
OLÉ IN OHIO: The Southern Ohio/Kentucky Chapter is hosting a Cinco de Mayo cooking event and outdoor kitchen design CEU-qualified seminar at Appliance Gallery Dayton, 2601 W Dorothy Lane, Moraine, Ohio. The event takes place in conjunction with the chapter meeting on May 5, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Registration is $5, go here for more info.
DERBY DAY IN TEXAS: The Texas Gulf Coast Chapter is holding a Kentucky Derby-themed event on Tuesday, May 3, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., to kick off Derby Week. (The official Run for the Roses takes place on May 7, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kent.) Hosted by Caesarstone, Emser Tile and Monogram, the event takes place at the FBS Galleria Showroom, 4242 Richmond Avenue in Houston. Giveaways and goody bags are also included, and best of all, this is a free event! Registration is required, so go here to sign up.
ON THE HUNT IN OHIO: Get set for a week-long scavenger hunt that will take you on a tour of Ohio! The Ohio State Chapter’s odyssey starts May 4 at 9 a.m. and ends May 10 at 4:30 p.m. Visit the participating NKBA member showrooms during showroom hours (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and collect tokens. Bring the tokens to the finale event at Welker-McKee, 6606 Granger Road in Independence, Ohio, on May 10 at 4:30, and enjoy drinks and appetizers. Tokens can be used in a raffle to win prizes. Other participating member showrooms include Bradley Stone Industries, 30801 Carter Street in Solon; Ferguson Bath, Kitchen, and Lighting, 24441 Miles Road in Solon, and Virginia Tile, 4670 Richmond Road in Warrensville Heights. NKBA members who bring a friend to the party will receive an additional token for another chance to win. Non-NKBA members are welcome to participate in the scavenger hunt and finale event for $25. Click here for more info.
