The Italian alliance of woodworking and furniture manufacturers and associations is a major addition to NKBA’s international program.

FederlegnoArredo, the Italian Federation of wood, cork, furniture, lighting, and furnishing industries, has joined the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s (NKBA) Global Connect program as a Strategic Alliance Partner.

NKBA represents nearly 50,000 professionals in the North American kitchen and bath industry.

The aim of the agreement is to promote a deeper interaction between North American and Italian markets, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and industry insights, as well as enhancing the international visibility of Italian excellence. The NKBA Global Connect program aims to connect the kitchen and bath industries worldwide, highlighting current and future trends while providing a platform to discuss global business opportunities.

This strategic alliance marks a significant step for Assobagno, the wood-based panels and semi-finished products group of Assopannelli, and the kitchen group of Assarredo within FederlegnoArredo, which will work more closely with NKBA to foster the exchange of know-how, networking opportunities, and the growth of new synergies on an international scale, thus strengthening collaboration between Italian companies in the kitchen and bath sector and the North American market.

The Italian wood furniture sector includes some 66,500 companies and 300,000 employees, with revenue of 52.7 billion euros, or $57 billion at current exchange. Of that total, 20 billion euros ($21.6 billion), or 38 percent, comes from exports.

The U.S. is the third-largest export market for the sector, which in the first four months of this year posted a 5.2 percent increase in exports over the same period in 2023 to reach 663.6 million euros, or $718.7 million, according to the FederlegnoArredo Market Research Center.

As a Global Connect Strategic Alliance Partner, FederlegnoArredo will have the opportunity to share North American sales, industry, and economic trends with its membership and provide direction to its affiliated companies that wish to explore a presence in North America.

FederlegnoArredo’s vast membership will also learn about opportunities to join the NKBA, attend KBIS, and gain exposure to the designers, brands, distributors, and influencers in the North American market.

FederlegnoArredo is part of the Confindustria system and has been championing Italian know-how since 1945, underpinning the development of businesses, and acting as an ambassador for the Italian style of living all over the world.

It has been committed to supporting the development of its member companies, representing them in Italian and European institutions and promoting the industrial policy of the sector. It supports an innovative, internationalized, sustainable business system capable of promoting the economic, social, civil, and cultural growth of the country.