NKBA’s international business development program helped American manufacturers forge ties with European components makers.

By Dianne M. Pogoda

NKBA Global Connect teamed up with its Strategic Alliance Partner SICAM in Italy last month for a buyers’ tour, networking opportunity and introductions between international accessories, finishes and components suppliers and 20 major American manufacturers eager to learn about their products.

 SICAM, the International Exhibition of Components, Accessories and Semi-Finished Products for the furniture industry, held its 15th annual edition Oct. 14 to 17 at the fairgrounds in Pordenone, in the heart of Italy’s furniture manufacturing hub north of Venice. The show drew 9,243 visiting companies from 113 countries (compared to 8,912 in 2023, an increase of 331 companies), who came to see 692 exhibitors (up from 650 last year) from 34 countries.

NKBA participated with a kiosk at the fair to introduce SICAM attendees to the association and to the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show, discuss the benefits of the NKBA Global Connect program and the opportunities and perks at KBIS for Global Connect members. NKBA also detailed other important assets of the program, including access to exclusive market research and Global Connect Advisors who specialize in an array of topics essential to doing business in the North American market. 

The strategic alliance between NKBA and SICAM fosters an important appreciation for the highly advanced components that go into the making of European kitchen and bath furnishings — a significant and growing segment of the North American kitchen and bath market. Categories such as interior furniture lighting, functional and decorative hardware, engineered surfaces and laminate (HPLs) materials and more. The American market is increasingly desirous of sleek, high performance European kitchen and bath furnishings, making this buyers’ trip especially fruitful. The Global Connect program is specifically designed to facilitate exposure to new technologies and capabilities as well as an exchange of knowledge to help American manufacturers better meet consumers’ shifting preferences.

Additionally, SICAM has long been interested in facilitating connections with North American manufacturers as a service to their exhibitors and attendees. The NKBA Global Connect partnership was the perfect solution. SICAM invited their exhibitors, interested in the North American kitchen and bath market, to apply for the opportunity to be a stop on the buyers’ tour. Vetted and selected by a group of experts, the buyers met with some 35 exhibitors. None of the manufacturers had attended the show previously, and only 30 percent had ever done business with any of the companies at the expo. Rounding out the program, five buyers were invited to participate in a panel discussion, moderated by Heather Shannon, NKBA SVP of Strategic Growth, sharing the intricacies and realities of doing business in North America. This discussion followed a presentation on North American market conditions given by NKBA Global President and CEO Bill Darcy, sponsored by SICAM and NKBA Global Connect, welcoming 120 people.

Darcy also hosted a dinner for other Strategic Alliance Partners attending SICAM, continuing to build connections and creating a collective voice to drive awareness for the global kitchen and bath industry. 

NKBA Global Connect Buyers’ Tour guests were hosted by Ken Busch, NKBA Global Connect Advisor and founder of Material Intelligence and Climate Positive Now, raising awareness for sustainable materials, Eric Marshall, principal of the Closet Training Institute and closet organization expert, and NKBA Global Connect Consultant Sherry Qualls, who shared insights on surfacing and decorative hardware components. The week ended with a factory visit to NKBA member TitusPlus (aka Titus Tool Co.), experts in high volume engineering and solutions, at their Slovenian location. Titus produces precision components primarily for cabinet hardware. It comprises 22 companies throughout Europe, the U.S., Asia, and Australia.

“We believe Global Connect can be part of your solution, help close the gap in your exports and help to strengthen your businesses overall,” Darcy noted in his presentation. “The entire K&B market stands to benefit from your expansion to North America. Through the Global Connect platform, we help reduce risk and make connections in the market to foster your success. This platform is designed to build partnerships with trade groups, associations and organizations and their member brands to come together to address common problems, meet common needs, and accomplish common goals — all for the betterment and growth of the global K&B industry.”

For more information on the NKBA Global Connect program, click here.