NKBA Global Connect hosted the first Strategic Alliance Partner Forum at KBIS 2024. The Forum featured leaders of NKBA Global Connect Strategic Alliance Partners from the UK, Brazil, Germany and Italy including the German Furniture Association VDM, the German Association of Modern Kitchens AMK; the Brazil Natural Stone Export Association Centrorochas; the British Bathroom Manufacturers Association BMA; the International Expo furniture components and accessories SICAM; the InstallerSHOW; the British Institute of kitchen, bedroom and bathroom installers BiKBBI; the National Kitchen and Bath Association NKBA.  Presenters shared their key initiatives and goals for the upcoming year, ensuring clarity on issues and topics for future discussion. 

The Forum was the first of its kind, bringing complementary organizations and associations together to share and discuss key drivers of the kitchen and bath industry globally.

Topics including environmental, social, and well-being issues, skilled labor concerns, the impact of AI, water management and conservation, concepts around circular economies and pandemic preparedness, and the shifting economic challenges in Europe were brought forward. 

Additionally, NKBA Global President and CEO, Bill Darcy and Head of NKBA Research Tricia Zach, shared the current North American Kitchen and Bath Market Outlook data, reinforcing the strength of the market for investment by international brands. 

Forum participants included: 

Alexander Oswald: VDM

Alexander Oswald, CEO of The Association of the German Furniture Industry- Verband der Deutschen Möbelindustrie- (VDM).  VDM is the central association representing the economic, political, legal and technical interests of currently around 450 German furniture manufacturers. The main task of the VDM is to safeguard and represent the economic, political and technical interests of the German timber and furniture industry vis-à-vis politicians, trade unions and the general public. 

Tom Reynolds : Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA)

Tom Reynold, CEO and principal spokesperson of the UK-based Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA). He also spearheads the BMA’s policy advocacy on behalf of members. BMA’s principal objective is to provide an independent forum for bathroom manufacturers trading in the UK to discuss and debate matters of mutual interest. BMA acts as an information highway between industry, the government, and the consumer on all issues affecting the UK bathroom business.

Fabio Cruz: Centrorochas – The Brazilian Association of Natural Stone Exporters

Fabio Cruz, CEO of the Brazilian Association of Natural Stone Exporters (Centrorochas), the exporter for 21 quarries across Brazil.  Developed by the Brazilian Center of Centrorochas in partnership with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil),  the organization aims to encourage and increase exports of Brazilian natural stones.

David Ventris-Field : Lyrical Communications

David Ventris-Field, Sales Director at Lyrical Communications for the InstallerSHOW and elemental brands. Lyrical Communications delivers market-leading in-person and digital content to heat, water, air and energy professionals via the InstallerSHOW–the Birmingham-based exhibit featuring 20,000 installers, specifiers and decision-makers working across the heat, water, air and energy sectors.

Bill Darcy: National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) 

Bill Darcy, global CEO and president of the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) and owner of the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS). The NKBA is the world’s leading trade association for the kitchen and bath industry providing tools, research, certification, and events to nearly 50,000 industry members. The National Kitchen + Bath Association (NKBA) is a non-profit trade group that promotes professionalism in the kitchen and bath industry.

Carolina Giobbi: SICAM

Carolina Giobbi, co-founder of Sicam, the Italian-based international trade fair for the accessories and components industries. Supporting approximately 9,000 companies and more than 20,000 professional visitors from 112 countries from around the world, SICAM is the fair where the ingredient manufacturers connect with  finished products manufacturers and fabricators.. 

Volker Irle: AMK

Managing Director for German Association, Arbeitsgemeinschaft Die Moderne Küche e.V. (AMK), AMK was founded in 1956 and has become the trade and service association for the entire German kitchen industry. Members comprise 140 companies including all major manufacturers of kitchen furniture, electrical and built-in appliances, sinks, accessories, as well as suppliers, trade partnerships and service providers in the kitchen sector. 

To learn more about NKBA Global Connect membership and/or partnership please contact globalconnect@nkba.org.