By Dianne M. Pogoda
Company News
Miele’s Bold Outreach: Premium German appliance brand Miele launched a provocative creative campaign expressly for the North American market in June. The campaign, “Rumored for a Reason,” is running on video, print, digital, and social media platforms and is evocative of European cinema. Acclaimed director Janicza Bravo (“Zola,” “Gregory Go Boom,” “The Bear”) filmed the suite of cinematic spots highlighting Miele’s innovative engineering and longevity, with “gossipy” statements like “Miele outlasts most marriages” or “increases property value.” The goal was to introduce the brand to a wider North American consumer base while leveraging its inherent European mystique, according to Thorsten Brandt, SVP and Global Head of Brand & Customer Experience at Miele. “Our ‘Rumored for a Reason’ campaign fuels this mystique by transforming the extraordinary truths behind Miele’s heritage and quality into irresistible, gossip-worthy rumors,” he said. “With Miele’s signature style and dry wit, the integrated campaign playfully taps into our legacy — turning global admiration into intrigue as we grow our presence in North America.” Learn more here.
Lotte Partners with TCF Supply: Lotte Chemical and Texas Counter Fitters (TCF Supply) have entered a strategic distribution agreement for TCF to serve as exclusive distributor of Lotte’s Radianz Quartz surfaces throughout the South-Central U.S., expanding access to the brand’s premium quartz products across the region. TCF has a robust distribution network throughout Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana, and the partnership will improve lead times and widen access to Lotte’s innovative engineered stone. Learn more about Radianz and Lotte’s full product line here.
Hettich Taps Bertl as CEO: Hettich America has named Matthias Bertl as CEO. He joined Hettich in 2018 and has worked mainly in Asia, most recently as managing director of Hettich Singapore, Hettich Indonesia and Hettich Vietnam. Prior to that, he held positions in brand management at Blum Southeast Asia and as Head of Procurement Asia at ING Bank N.V. In his new role, based at Hettich America’s Buford, GA, headquarters, he will oversee U.S. operations and expand brand visibility and market share in the North American market. Learn more here.
Kallista Promotes Dornbracht: Alexander Dornbracht, managing director of Kallista, has been promoted to vice president and general manager of Kallista and Robern, part of Kohler’s Luxe Division. He is the fourth generation of his family in the business, and built his career in multiple roles in sales and marketing organizations across various industries, and he holds an international MBA from the University of San Diego. KBB has the story.
Chapter Updates
Sipping in Ontario: The Ontario/Canada Chapter is hosting Sips & Surfaces, a refreshing summer social, on July 23, 2 to 4 pm, at the Laminam’s new Toronto showroom, 51 Graniteridge Road, Concord, Ontario, where you’ll explore the latest in porcelain surfaces. With mocktail culture on the rise, learn how to mix new summer sips that are just as festive without the alcohol — and yes, there’ll be a spirited twist available for those who like their refreshments with a little kick. Mixology Matt (as seen on “City Line”) will demonstrate seasonal recipes to serve all summer long. The event is free, but registration is required. Details here.
Lobster Bake in Maine: Join the Maine Chapter on July 29, 5 to 9 pm, for its Summer Lobster Bake at Bangor Wholesale Laminates, 355 Target Industrial Circle in Bangor. The evening of networking and lobster delights also includes a 0.1 CEU presentation on “Lumen, Watt, Kelvin, Voltage,” with Jason Blais from Rev-A-Shelf discussing how to select the right ingredients to illuminate kitchen designs, transforming millwork into a focal point with smart, low-voltage lightning, fundamentals of lighting design and more. Bangor Wholesale is the venue sponsor, Richelieu and Viatera are event sponsors, and Granite Design USA is the 2025 master sponsor. Members are $50 for the presentation or $65 including a lobster and clams; non-members are $55 and $70. Info and registration here.
Industry News
New Home Sales Down, Inventory Up in May: Sales of new single-family houses plunged 13.7 percent in May from April, and were 6.3 percent below May 2024 sales, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. At the same time, the inventory of available new homes for sale edged up 1.4 percent from April and 8.1 percent higher than May 2024, indicating a slowdown in sales. The current inventory reflects a supply of 9.8 months, which is 18.1 percent above April’s level. The slowdown is attributable to elevated mortgage interest rates and consumer uncertainty. More detail here.
