By Dianne M. Pogoda
Company News
GEA Invests in KY: GE Appliances, a Haier company, is investing nearly a half-billion dollars in its Louisville, KY, global headquarters and largest manufacturing site to create its most advanced plant to produce washing machines. The $490 million project will bring production of the GE Profile™ UltraFast Combo Washer/Dryer and the GE® and GE Profile™ UltraFresh Front Load Washer lineup to Kentucky, creating 800 new, full-time jobs and cementing Kentucky’s position as a global hub for advanced appliance manufacturing. In 2024, GEA contributed $12.8 billion to Kentucky’s GDP. This investment positions the company to become the biggest American washer manufacturer, and builds on GE Appliances’ 10-year, $3.5 billion investment in U.S. manufacturing. Learn more here.
Use Image JWC-FBS_GO25 from 7/9 email from Crystal
Caption: A kitchen from the new Kodiak Interiors Group. Courtesy of KIG.
Kodiak Spins Off Interiors: Kodiak Building Partners (KBP), a leading building materials distribution company based in Englewood, CO, has launched Kodiak Interiors Group (KIG), a new, stand-alone business formed through the sale of Kodiak’s appliances and interiors portfolio. The new entity, backed by lead majority investor Court Square Capital Partners, will operate independently, enabling a more focused strategy in the appliances and interiors market while supporting long-term growth for both organizations. Kodiak Interiors Group will include existing operating companies specializing in interiors, including Arizona Appliance & Home, Don’s Appliances, FBS Appliance and Specialty Appliance. Jeff Smith, formerly CFO of KBP, has assumed the role of CEO at the Interiors Group. Learn more about Kodiak Interiors Group here.
Cyncly Taps Struthers: Veteran tech executive Paul Struthers has joined design software provider Cyncly as Chief Revenue Officer. He brings more than 25 years of experience in consulting, telecommunications, strategy, and fintech, most recently in senior leadership positions at Bell Canada, RSA, Amdocs, and Sage. He will lead Cyncly’s Sales and Strategic Solutions Team. Learn more here.
Design Competition Deadline Extended: The NKBA’s prestigious professional Design Competition entry deadline has been extended to Aug. 17. Submit your most stunning designs for a chance to win big and be honored on Feb. 16 at KBIS 2026 in Orlando, FL, at the Design & Industry Awards and Opening Night Gala. Designers will compete for more than $150,000 in cash prizes, including $25,000 each for Best Overall Kitchen and Best Overall Bath — and if Best Overall winners are NKBA-Certified, they earn a $25,000 bonus. New this year: Top Technology Integrator. Learn more and enter here.
Sauder’s TV Time: Sauder Cabinetry has partnered with “Renovation Hunters,” a home improvement series on The Outdoor Channel, to provide all kitchen cabinetry and bathroom vanity cabinets, while Sauder Closets is providing some of the custom closet and storage units for remodeling projects featured in season 4. The new season is currently in production and will premiere in 2026. Learn more at Sauder Cabinetry, Sauder Closets and Sauder Supply.
Rev-A-Shelf Acquires InnovaShelf: Rev-A-Shelf, a leader in kitchen storage and organization solutions, has acquired InnovaShelf, a manufacturer of hardware, brackets and shelving. This follows a strategic alliance in February in which Rev-A-Shelf became the exclusive worldwide distributor of the InnovaShelf brand. InnovaShelf’s patented designs and manufacturing strengths, combined with Rev-A-Shelf’s strong position in cabinet fabrication, facilitates market expansion, innovation and enhanced customer service. KBDN has more.
Chapter Updates
NNJ Joins Abilities Fair: The Northern New Jersey Chapter is partnering with Roff Roofing & Renovations at ROFFest, a free community event, on Aug. 2 from 11 am to 4 pm at 999 Willow Grove Street in Hackettstown, NJ. ROFFest benefits Abilities of Northwest Jersey Inc., an organization providing home, medical, and employment support and services to individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities. Presentations include a Living in Place CEU with Maria Stapperfenne, CMKBD, discussions on safety, services available through Abilities of NWJ, K9 training, and a silent auction. The first 200 attendees will receive an NKBA-sponsored gift. Learn more here.
Industry News
Mixed Results for Residential Construction: Privately owned housing starts rose 4.6 percent in June, and building permits rose 0.2 percent from May, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Single-family housing starts fell 4.6 percent in June from May, however, indicating that the growth came from the multi-family sector. Year-over-year, housing permits fell 4.4 percent and starts slipped 0.5 percent from June 2024. More details here.
