By Dianne M. Pogoda
COMPANY NEWS
GAGGENAU NAMED OFFICIAL MICHELIN PARTNER: Luxury appliance maker Gaggenau has been named the official Home Kitchen Appliance Partner of the Michelin Guide for the second year. Gaggenau works with professional chefs to develop technology for the passionate home cook. Additionally, the brand has created a film and event series exclusively for its Club 1683 clients called “A Taste for Design,” pairing a chef from a Michelin Star restaurant with a Gaggenau project to explore the intersection of culinary culture, art, food and design. KBB has more.
MONOGRAM NAMES CULINARY DIRECTOR: Premium appliance maker Monogram has named James Beard Award-winning chef, author and restaurateur Edward Lee as its first culinary director. In this role, Lee will develop the brand’s Culinary Guidelines, build a Monogram Culinary Council, create original and elevated recipes that combine healthy and organic ingredients spotlighting the sophisticated capabilities of the appliances, and represent Monogram at culinary and industry events. This partnership extends Monogram’s support of the LEE Initiative, an organization founded by the chef to bring more diversity and equality to the restaurant industry and support rising stars in culinary arts. Additionally, Erik Segelbaum, a sommelier, wine educator and wine journalist, is joining Monogram as wine director to create and direct wine education at brand events, and restaurateur Patrick Roney has been named executive chef and culinary trainer at the Monogram Experience Center in Louisville, Kent.
EPA HONORS BOSCH: Bosch Home Appliances has earned an Energy Star® Partner of the Year Award for the second consecutive year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. This award is the highest level of EPA recognition a manufacturer can receive, and demonstrates a commitment to innovation, leadership and environmental protection through energy efficiency. Additionally, all Bosch dishwashers, refrigerators and laundry units are Energy Star-certified, and its 500 Series washer and heat-pump dryer received the 2022 ENERGY STAR Most Efficient Mark, for energy efficiency and technological innovation. Click for more information about Bosch’s Energy Star-certified products , or more on Energy Star’s 2022 winners and program.
THE HOUSE THAT SHE BUILT: The Utah chapter of NAHB’s Professional Women in Building Council has constructed what’s believed to be the first home designed and built by an all-female crew, including architects, engineers, designers and skilled laborers. “The House That She Built” project, a two-story, 3,200-square-foot home with four bedrooms, three-and-a-half bathrooms, a two-car garage and finished basement, aims to highlight women in the construction trades and women-owned companies. When it is sold, proceeds will benefit scholarships for women pursuing construction careers, PWB’s education initiatives and local charities that serve women. Builder has more details.
MATERIAL BANK VALUED AT $1.9B: Sampling service Material Bank just completed a Series D round of financing, led by Brookfield Growth, which values the company at $1.9 billion. This recent round poured $175 million into the company, bringing total equity funding to more than $325 million. Launched in 2019, Material Bank uses an automated logistics system to deliver samples from its 400,000-square-foot Memphis warehouse, usually within 24 hours. According to Adam Sandow, Material Bank founder and Chairman of SANDOW Companies, Material Bank currently serves nearly 100,000 users.
PEOPLE NEWS
SIMPSON TO LEAD FRONT RANGE: Dr. Colleen Simpson has been named president of Front Range Community College (FRCC), a multi-campus member of the Colorado Community College System. FRCC is an NKBA Affiliated School, and has an extensive Interior Architecture & Design program at its Larimer campus. Through the years, the college has produced numerous Student Design Competition winners. When Simpson assumes her new role in August, following the retirement of President Andy Dorsey, she will be the school’s first African-American president. Simpson is currently Vice President of Student Services and Regional Learning Centers at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College.
FANTINI NAMES MANAGING DIRECTOR: Javier Korneluk has joined Fantini, a maker of kitchen and bath fixtures, as managing director of North America. With more than 20 years of experience in the plumbing manufacturing and distribution industry, Korneluk will work with the Italy-based headquarters team to build its presence in North America and around the world. This year, Fantini plans to introduce several new products and lines, including AA/27 from the Aboutwater by Boffi, the Fantini collection designed by Michael Anastasiades, new levers for the Venezia collection, a new matte-black PVD finish and the Sailing collection, Fantini’s first North American collaboration designed by Yabu Pushelberg.
CHAPTER NEWS
SHOWROOM SHOWCASE IN CENTRAL OHIO: The Central Ohio chapter is sponsoring a night of networking with rotating vendor stations June 9 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the new MSI Showroom, 6399 Broughton Avenue in Columbus. Tour MSI’s new facility, showcasing countertops, flooring, backsplashes, tile, fixtures, stone and other hard surfaces. Participating vendors include Miele, PPG, 2020 and Natural Stone Institute. Appetizers and refreshments will be served, and a portion of ticket sales will be donated to the Mid-Ohio Food Collective. Sponsored by Worley Plumbing Supply, registration is $30. Click to register.
