As part of NKBA’s Global Connect program at KBIS 2023, brands from all over the world presented their company stories, products and visions for the future during the Global Spotlight series.

By Dianne M. Pogoda

 

Seven brands participated in NKBA’s Global Spotlight series, part of the Global Connect Pavilion at KBIS 2023. Each of these brands was new to the show and aspiring to grow its business in the North American kitchen and bath market. This series gave them the opportunity to share their story and product information, and connect with buyers and designers.

Following are profiles of four brands that presented at KBIS.

PITT Cooking: Custom Countertop Cooking

Courtesy of Pitt Cooking.

For a truly customized countertop cooking experience, PITT Cooking, based in De Meern, Holland, offers fully integrated gas burners that safely install directly into a counter surface.

“We offer a professional-grade experience for the discerning home cook,” said Mark Nichol, who runs U.S./Canadian distribution for the company, which was founded in 2009. The burners are hand-made in the Netherlands and currently available in 56 countries. Nichol said they are now expanding in North America.

PITT’s versatile burners are designed for both indoor or outdoor use, and complement various decor styles. The brand offers 27 different configurations with one to six burners in multiple sizes, giving off 2,000 to 20,000 BTUs. A five-burner set-up is the bestseller, Nichol noted, adding that the aluminum knobs may be top-mounted or front-mounted. 

The burners are easy to install, come with a five-year guarantee and are safe for any countertop surface except wood. Stone, engineered surfaces, glass, porcelain and other materials are all compatible because of a unique thermocouple design that prevents gas leaks and includes a fully sealed base. Patented heat shields, reflectors and conductors protect the counter to keep the surface safe to the touch. Cleaning is easy, Nichol said, because all of the parts pop off and are dishwasher-safe. Induction surface cooking will be available later in 2023. More info here.

VitrA: Sophisticated Ceramics

Courtesy of VitrA.

VitrA, a Turkish manufacturer of ceramic and acrylic bathroom products, fixtures, tile, furniture and more, is expanding in North America. Focused on high-end builder projects, it offers the Essentials collection, and caters to showroom distribution with its Signature lines. VitrA is a subsidiary of the Eczacibasi Group, founded in 1942, with 46 companies, including 19 involved with building products, and annual sales of more than $1.7 billion. It exports to 120 countries, produces more than 5 million ceramic pieces annually and is expanding capacity by another 3 million pieces with its fifth factory.

Jeremy Cressman, director of VitrA Americas, said the company maintains studios in London and Saudi Arabia to capitalize on international style cues. He said the company is introducing several lines in the U.S. this year, highlighting three major ceramics trends.

  • The NatureVerse trend represents the convergence of nature and technology, with water serving as a major source of inspiration. Within NatureVerse, VitrA partnered with designer Tom Dixon to create the Liquid collection of rounded and oblong shapes.
  • The Well-being trend includes the Water Jewels line, which is designed by architect Claudio Bellini, in striking color combinations paired with oblong shapes.
  • The Past Modern trend captures mid-century modern style in the Plural collection designed by Terri Pecora. It features combinations of colors, soft, matte tones and natural materials. More info here.

Wall-Smart: Better-Looking Walls

Courtesy of Wall-Smart.

Wall-Smart, an Israeli-based company founded in 2012, is enhancing the way smart homes look and function by offering visually appealing mounting solutions that seamlessly integrate tech devices into walls and ceiling surfaces, creating a flush and streamlined appearance.  

Co-founder and Co-CEO Galia Ben-Dor said the influx of technology in the home creates “wall acne,” and the company  solves the problem by recessing touch screens and tablets, voice-control systems, cameras and more. The installation accounts for the device’s engineering requirements, sensors, audio, thermal and ventilation needs, ensuring there’s no interference with Wi-Fi signals. Wall-Smart’s lines are compatible with new construction as well as remodeling/retrofitting with a quick drywall installation process.

Last year, Wall-Smart introduced its patent-pending Frameless Flush Mount system to install keypads, touchscreens and other smart-home technology devices and access points into thick, solid surfaces, like concrete, plaster, brick, marble and stone. The system ensures the architectural integrity of the structure remains intact while maintaining optimal performance. 

Wall-Smart’s custom solutions are compatible with dozens of electronics, lighting and home-tech brands, and accommodate the specifications of individual devices. The company distributes through a network of authorized manufacturers, designers, showrooms, dealers and integrators, and is not direct-to-consumer. More info here.

TEKCOM: Plywood Power

Courtesy of TEKCOM.

Vietnam-based TEKCOM is expanding its presence in the North American market with its plywood products and ready-to-assemble cabinets.  Founded in 2005, the company began trading film-faced plywood and later added its first factory in 2011. It expanded to birch plywood manufacturing for furniture and architectural applications in 2019, and began producing RTA cabinets a year later. TEKCOM is available in 25 countries, and is now adding a third factory as it looks to broaden distribution in the U.S. and Canada. 

Founder and CEO Huy Vu said Vietnamese-made cabinets offer an advantage over Chinese-made cabinets because there is no anti-dumping tax on imports to the U.S. from his country. He also noted that there is good movement in the supply chain.

With the completion of its newest factory this year, TEKCOM expects to ramp up cabinet production from 75 shipping containers per month to 120. The company has invested heavily in environmentally friendly Celfa machinery and owns an end-to-end production system. Celfa machines are designed to minimize the environmental impact of production. Smart Robot spray painting optimizes efficiency and ensures consistent quality, and Smart Clean dusting devices ensure adhesion to the surface in the painting or staining process. TEKCOM also incorporates self-contained drying rooms to reduce environmental impact, and sources materials sustainably, using locally grown woods.

“We are focused on efficiency and innovation to ensure quality,” Vu said, “and we strive to keep our solutions in harmony with the environment and international standards, with workplace health and safety as top priorities.” More info here.

The Benefits of Joining Global Connect

The Global Spotlight Series is a part of NKBA’s Global Connect initiative, which serves to introduce international brands outside of North America to this market. 

Global Connect members also have access to: 

  • NKBA’s research
  • Current industry and U.S. economic data
  • VIP industry conferences and special events
  • Business advisors to help build their presence in the North American market

For more information, visit the Global Connect page.