The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), representing nearly 50,000 North American kitchen and bath industry professionals and the owners of the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), proudly welcomes Lundhs AS and its Lundhs Real Stone brand as the first Norwegian member of the NKBA Global Connect program.
Lundhs Real Stone is a versatile, high-performing natural stone of Larvikite and Anorthosite found only in Norway. Its stones, available for more than 60 years, contain no quartz, require no sealing and are extremely durable, heat and stain resistant — perfect for interior and exterior countertops and surfaces. Slabs are cut from solid blocks of rock and fabricated by factory partners in Italy and Spain. The company has a strong focus on sustainability, minimal waste and low impact on the environment.
“All Lundhs Real Stone materials, available in distinct colors and qualities, are traceable from quarry to installed product and are available through select distributors,” said CEO Thor-Anders Lundh Haakestad. “Our stones are Larvikites and Anorthosites and totally quartz-free. We exceed Norway’s strict environmental rules with sustainable quarrying and business practices.”
Lundhs Real Stone is currently distributed in the U.S. through builders, fabricators and a network of authorized distributors. Lundhs aims to build brand awareness, inform customers about benefits and advantages of their Norwegian stones, and expand its partnerships across the North American market. The company is slated to exhibit at KBIS 2024 in Las Vegas in February.
“To make it easy for interior designers to get samples, all our colors and surface options are available through the Material Bank sampling service,” Haakestad added.
The Larvik, Norway-based company traces its roots back more than a century, when Alfred Lundh emigrated from Sweden to Norway to run a large quarrying company. In 1962, his grandson Thor Lundh started his own quarrying company, which became Lundhs AS. Today, the company is still family-owned and led by Haakestad, who is Thor’s grandson. With six quarries in Norway, Lundhs is the largest producer and distributor of natural stone rough blocks in Northern Europe.
“We are so pleased that NKBA Global Connect is reaching more countries, and we’re happy to welcome Lundhs AS, our first member from Norway, to the program,” said Suzie Williford, EVP and chief strategy officer of NKBA, “We look forward to seeing them exhibiting at KBIS. Our NKBA Global Connect program aims to strengthen kitchen and bath communities domestically and internationally, and help our members make connections to build a presence in North America and globally. We are proud to be the catalyst for these connections.”
Click to learn more about Lundhs Real Stone.
About NKBA Global Connect
The NKBA Global Connect goal is to expand the visibility of the NKBA and the Association’s premier trade show event — the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) — internationally with design professionals, brands, influencers and other industry constituents. The initiative offers resources and connections to help international brands enter the North American kitchen and bath marketplace. Access to industry experts, proprietary NKBA market data, North American design and construction insights, VIP events and networking programs give NKBA Global Connect members a unique view into the market before they commit to launching. It is designed to facilitate discussion on conducting business and participating in trade development events in North America and, conversely, in Europe and beyond for North American brands looking to extend their global footprint.
About the National Kitchen & Bath Association and the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show
The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) is the not-for-profit trade association that owns the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show® (KBIS), as part of Design & Construction Week® (DCW). With nearly 50,000 members in all segments of the kitchen and bath and design and remodeling industry, the NKBA has educated and led the industry since the association’s founding in 1963. The NKBA envisions a world where everyone enjoys safe, beautiful and functional kitchen and bath spaces. The mission of the NKBA is to inspire, lead and empower the kitchen and bath industry through the creation of certifications, specialty badges, marketplaces and networks. For more information, visit www.NKBA.org or call 1-800-THE-NKBA (1-800-843-6522).
KBIS® and NKBA® are registered trademarks of the National Kitchen & Bath Association.