By Dianne M. Pogoda

 

COMPANY NEWS

CASA BERTAZZONI OPENS IN SF: The first Casa Bertazzoni experience center in the U.S. has opened in San Francisco. Modeled after Casa Bertazzoni in Italy — the company’s global headquarters — the new 2,000 square-foot space in the Golden Gate City serves as a resource for retail partners, homeowners, design professionals and remodelers, and offers a comprehensive selection of Bertazzoni products from cooking appliances, refrigerators and dishwashers to ventilation and accessories. The center was developed in partnership with Purcell Murray, Bertazzoni’s Western U.S. distributor, and reflects Bertazzoni’s philosophy of creating beautiful, personalized environments. Bertazzoni is celebrating its 140th anniversary in 2022.

 

MATERIAL BANK BUYS ARCHITIZER: Design and architecture sampling platform service Material Bank, a SANDOW company, has acquired Architizer, a global digital database in the architecture space. Architizer was founded in 2009 as a source for architects, interior designers, landscape architects and other AEC professionals. Its platform provides case studies for real-world application of different products, materials, furniture and lighting. Architizer, led by CEO David Weber, will continue to operate independently as a Material Bank subsidiary. Material Bank is expanding via acquisition, partnerships and an international rollout in Japan. Learn more about Material Bank here.

 

INDUSTRY NEWS

SMART AND GROWING: The global smart home appliance market is expected to skyrocket to $139 billion by 2030, accelerating at a staggering 16.6 percent per year, from $34.8 billion in 2021, according to a report from market research firm Prescient & Strategic Intelligence. The report says the industry is mainly driven by rising internet penetration and smartphones, advancements in technologies, and homeowners’ improving lifestyles. Sales of Wi-Fi-connected appliances, valued around $16 billion in 2021, are expected to climb to around $68 billion by 2030. More on the study here.

 

DPHA IN NOLA: The Decorative Plumbing & Hardware Association will host its annual DPHA Conference and mark its 21st birthday this year on Oct. 27 to 30 at the Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue in New Orleans. At the venue, a few minutes from the historic French Quarter and Bourbon Street, DPHA will showcase innovative products and design, offer professional development training sessions and cap it off with a Masquerade Awards Gala on Oct. 29. Early-bird pricing is in effect through Sept. 1. For more info and to register, visit DPHA.

 

PEOPLE NEWS

AHAM TAPS MARIOTTI: The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers has named Kelly Mariotti to succeed Joseph McGuire as AHAM president and CEO, effective July 18. McGuire has led AHAM for 23 years, and announced his retirement last November. Mariotti joins the association with extensive trade group management experience and expertise in durable consumer goods, most recently serving as executive director of the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, which she led since 2013. In 2015, she added a dual role as Vice President of Client Services at Association Headquarters Inc., which serves 40-plus trade associations and professional societies.

DOWDELL TAPPED AT AIA: Kimberly Dowdell, Marketing Principal at HOK Architects, has been elected 2023 First VP and 2024 President-elect of the American Institute of Architects. Dowdell will be the organization’s 100th president and the first black woman to lead AIA. The Detroit native has been a member of AIA since 2007 and holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Cornell University and a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University. She was president of the National Organization of Minority Architects from 2019 to 2020. AIA’s 2022 current president is Daniel Hart, FAIA, PE, and its 2023 president will be Emily Grandstaff-Rice, FAIA.

 

CHAPTER NEWS

OUTING IN ONTARIO: It’s tee time for the Ontario/Canada Chapter. On Aug 31, the chapter will host its 42nd annual golf outing at Granite Ridge Golf Club, 9503 Dublin Line in Milton, Ontario.  Tickets include 18 holes of golf, lunch and dinner. Play as an individual ($225) or a foursome ($800). Tickets are $25 for lunch only; for dinner (including wine), tickets are $90. Register here.