By Dianne M. Pogoda

 

COMPANY NEWS

DAVID KOHLER ELECTED CHAIR: The Board of Directors of Kohler Co. has elected David Kohler as Chair and CEO, following the death of his father, executive chairman Herbert V. Kohler Jr., on Sept. 3. David Kohler will chair the board and executive committee, in addition to maintaining his role as CEO, which includes full responsibility for Kohler Co.’s three business groups: Kitchen & Bath, Power, and Hospitality. He has been with Kohler for more than 31 years and was named president and CEO in 2015, after serving as president and Chief Operating Officer since 2009.

DELTA LAUNCHES SAYLOR LINE: Launching in October, Delta Faucet’s Saylor™ Bath Collection combines clean, simple lines of modern farmhouse style and the function of everyday hardware. It blends traditional and contemporary design elements, offers two spout designs and five finishes, and some of its shower trims are equipped with Delta H2Okinetic® Technology, which the company says sculpts water into a unique pattern that feels like more water and more pressure than a standard shower head. More info here.

ELECTROLUX CUTS BACK, CITING WEAK DEMAND: Home appliance maker Electrolux is initiating a cost reduction program following weaker-than-expected third-quarter demand and in anticipation of a softer 2023. The company estimates market demand for core appliances in Europe and the U.S. so far in the quarter has decreased at a significantly accelerated pace compared with the second quarter, driven by high inflation on consumer durables purchases and low consumer confidence. Electrolux shares more here.

COMPUSOFT + 2020 ADDS LOGICOM: Compusoft + 2020, a global provider of end-to-end software and content solutions to the spaces for living industry, has completed the acquisition of Logicom, owner of Virtual Worlds, a top bathroom and kitchen software provider in the U.K. Virtual Worlds offers solutions tailored to bathroom and kitchen retailers and manufacturers. Compusoft + 2020 was created last year with the merger of Compusoft and 2020 Technologies. Logicom provides 3D CAD, manufacturer catalogue and AR/VR software solutions to professionals, retailers and manufacturers in the interior design industry.

 

INDUSTRY NEWS

ASID TAPS CEO: Khoi Vo, ASID, IIDA, CIDA, IDEC, IDECF, a longtime member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), has been named the association’s new CEO. He’s working alongside retiring CEO Gary Wheeler, FASID, through the end of the month. Wheeler will continue as an advisor through Dec. 31. Most recently, Vo has been VP of Industry Relations at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Throughout his career, he has founded design studios, been a professor of interior design, and was on the ASID Board from 2017 to 2019. For more, go here.

KBB PERSON OF THE YEAR: Nominations are still open for KBB magazine’s Person of the Year honors, recognizing those who are passionate, innovative and influencing the kitchen and bath industry in a positive way. The overall winner and other notable mentions will be featured in KBB’s November/December 2022 issue. Nominations are open until Sept. 28, 2022.

TEENS BUILD HEALTHY HOMES: Addressing the stretched labor force in home building remains a well-documented challenge across the country. Matt Blomquist, building trades instructor at Taylorville High School in Taylorville, Ill., is tackling the issue by teaching students how to build a house from the ground up, with the help of donations and discounts from local and national companies, including Huber Engineered Woods. Blomquist emphasizes building science practices, including energy efficiency, blower-door tests, airtightness and more. Utopia has the details.

 

CHAPTER NEWS

MURDER IN THE MOUNTAINS: It will be flappers and fun as the Rocky Mountain Chapter hosts a murder mystery dinner on Oct. 20 at Ferguson Counters, 1840 W Oxford Avenue in Sheridan, Colo. Jest Murder Mystery Co. will stage “Bullets in the Bathtub,” a 1920’s-themed mystery in which mobsters occupy Cherry’s Speakeasy to duke it out over turf. The famous mobster Harry Hyde gets whacked, and the constable tries to unravel whodunit. NKBA Members register for $25, non-members for $35. Go here for more info.