By Dianne M. Pogoda
Company News
SieMatic’s New Line: Premium German kitchen maker SieMatic has introduced the Mondial Style Collection of kitchen cabinetry, workspaces, and storage solutions. The line is characterized by its minimalist geometric forms, luxe finishes, and handle-free door systems. Shapes include cubed glass-front cabinets, semi-circular bars, round tables, customized drawer inserts and varying cabinet elevations. Learn more here.
LOTTE Links with EKO: LOTTE Chemical, a manufacturer of high-end engineered quartz surfaces under the Radianz Quartz brand, had entered a deal with EKO Stone to promote, sell, and distribute Radianz across the Midwest U.S. market. LOTTE has facilities all over the world with an office in California. EKO, which manufactures and distributes quartz and natural stone surfaces, is headquartered in the Chicago area. The deal will make Radianz more readily available to the Midwest and cut lead times. Learn more about Radianz here and EKO here.
A Launch and a Purchase for Wilsonart: Engineered surfacing giant Wilsonart has introduced a new series in its Thinscape® Composite Tops collection. Sixteen new designs of the durable composite material are available, including woodgrain, stone, solid, and textile patterns. Ultra-thin (half-inch thick) surfaces are available in multiple sizes and are certified eco-friendly. Wilsonart also acquired Virginia Tile’s woodworking products distribution business. The acquired operations are headquartered in Kansas City, KS, with branches in Tulsa and Oklahoma City, OK; Wichita, KS; and Springfield, MO. These locations distribute decorative surfaces, cabinet accessories and decorative and functional hardware. More detail here.
Officine Gullo Opens in Dallas: Florence, Italy-based luxury Italian appliance and kitchen manufacturer Officine Gullo, an NKBA Global Connect member, has opened a showroom in Dallas. The 4,000 square-foot space on Oak Lawn Avenue was previously an art gallery and it retains the “artistic atmosphere” to showcase each product “like a piece of art,” according to Matteo Gullo, managing director. This is the company’s seventh flagship gallery in the U.S. It has two locations in New York, and galleries in Boston, Miami, Palm Beach, and Los Angeles. KBB has more.
Chapter Updates
Win Big With Metro New York: The Metro New York Chapter is hosting its annual Casino Night on May 22, 6 to 9 pm, at UMI Stone, 3 Dubon Court, Farmingdale, NY. Enjoy blackjack, craps, roulette, and poker tables, catered food and cocktails, and chances to win raffles and giveaways and a three-night stay at a luxury beach resort in Panama. The evening is free for NBKA members, $40 for non-members. Register here.
Sharp Showers With West Michigan: Learn about Schluter with the West Michigan Chapter on May 28, 5 to 7 pm, at the new Floor & Decor showroom at 4250 28th Street SE in Grand Rapids. Casey Bossard from Schluter will demonstrate how to install the Schluter Kerdi system for a great-looking, high-performance shower. Pasta dinner is included with registration, which is $20 for NKBA members, $30 for non-members. Info and registration here.
Industry News
New Home Sales Spike: Sales of new single-family homes jumped 7.4 percent in March over February, and were 6 percent over March 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Part of this can be attributed to the median sales price of a new home falling 1.9 percent in March from February, as mortgage rates held steady in March, with the 30-year rate hovering just under 7 percent. Housing permits also edged up 1.6 percent in March from February, but starts were down 11.4 percent on a monthly basis. More detail here.
