By Dianne M. Pogoda
Company News
Moen Opens in Vegas: Leading faucet brand Moen has opened a larger distribution center in North Las Vegas, replacing a smaller facility. The newly built 700,000 square-foot center features highly automated warehousing management, enhanced ergonomics, an anticipated 200 percent increase in product volume out to the building, and about a 30 percent faster lead time in serving the West Coast, according to the company. Additionally, the center prioritizes sustainability, including automated sizing of boxes to reduce waste and packing material, and solar energy to be integrated next year. The operation also added 10 percent more workers to support the larger facility. Learn more here.
Cambria Opens S&D Center in Toronto: Cambria, one of the largest quartz surface producers in the U.S., has expanded in Canada with a state-of-the-art sales and distribution center and showroom in Richmond Hill, Ontario, in the Greater Toronto area. The facility features two high-tech bridge cranes, a large slab viewing area where customers can fully appreciate Cambria’s iconic designs, a showroom, and office space. Cambria established a fabrication shop in Canada in 2007 and a showroom-gallery in Toronto’s East King District in 2012. The move marks a transition from a fabrication operation to a full-scale distribution facility, allowing Cambria to better serve the Toronto market and support the growth of local and regional fabrication businesses. Cambria is based in Le Sueur, MN. Learn more here.
Jan Neiges Joins Avalon: Jan Neiges, CMKBD, owner of her namesake design firm in Highlands Ranch, CO, has been named VP of sales and design at Avalon Cabinetry in Denver. Neiges has served as a director on NKBA’s National Board from 2019 to 2022 and as a past president of its Rocky Mountain Chapter. She brings a wealth of knowledge, leadership, and innovation to the custom cabinetry manufacturer, which produces its kitchen and bath cabinets at its 100,000 square-foot factory in Colorado. Learn more about Avalon here.
Terry Retires From Almo: Steve Terry, SVP and COO for the Premium Appliances Division of Almo, will retire after more than a decade of product growth, expanded territories, an increase in employees, and stronger relationships with manufacturers, channel partners, and consumers. Following his transition to retirement, Steve will consult for the company. Additionally, Almo was named a finalist in the “Diversity Employer of the Year” category for the 2024 Women of the Year Awards by CRN, a division of The Channel Co. More detail here.
Hardware Resources Expands In-Cabinet Line: Hardware Resources, a manufacturer of kitchen, bath, and closet accessories and organizers, has expanded its “No-Wiggle” line with a paper towel organizer that mounts inside cabinetry. The paper towel pullout features a top mounting bracket that eliminates excessive side-to-side movement, concealed undermount slides, and an integrated six-way adjustable door-mounting bracket system. It ships with the slides attached for quick and easy installation on framed or frameless cabinetry. More here.
Chapter Update
Minnesota’s Grammy Gala: Join the Minnesota State Chapter for “A Night at the Grammys,” its annual gala and awards ceremony, on Nov. 7 at the St. Paul Event Center, 400 Wabasha Street N, 320, St. Paul. Doors open at 4:30 PM, with a cocktail hour from 5 to 6 PM and formal dinner and evening program honoring exceptional design achievements to follow. General tickets are $140, Student tickets are $60, and a table of 8 is $1,000. The event is sponsored by Ferguson, All Inc., and North Central Sales. Learn more here.
Industry News
September New Home Sales Rise: Sales of new single-family houses in September jumped 4.1 percent from August, and 6.3 percent YOY over September 2023, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The September figure reflects a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 738,000 units, the highest level since May 2023. Economists attribute the jump to the Fed’s half-point rate cut in mid-September. The median sales price of new houses sold in September was $426,300, up just .05 percent, while the average sales price was $501,000.
