By Dianne M. Pogoda
Company News
True Expands in Missouri: Luxury refrigeration brand True Residential has opened a 2,100-square-foot showroom in Clayton, MO, near its headquarters and plant in O’Fallon, MO. The space features five distinct vignettes showcasing True’s full-size, indoor/outdoor and undercounter refrigeration, including wine cabinets, refrigerator drawers, a beverage center and more. The family-owned company partnered with Cambria and Cosentino on countertops, Wunderwoods for cabinetry, Caliber for the walk-around Rockwell Social Grill, and Carlisle for flooring. The space is also available for industry events and private meetings. KBB has more.
Wilsonart Adds Surfaces: Leading surface maker Wilsonart Quartz has introduced a collection of quartzite-inspired aesthetics, intricate veining, large-scale designs, and sophisticated color infusions. The warm, organic designs are luxurious and accessible and include a range of tones from light neutrals to dramatic dark looks. Learn more here.
Amba Unveils Towel Bar Upgrades: Amba Products, a leading provider of luxury heated towel racks, has launched 2nd-generation models for five of its collections, including a redesigned electrical system, a touch digital heat controller, a concealed junction box, a wet-rated kit for its Cape Collection, and a new limited edition Modern Brass finish for its traditional collection. Learn more here.
Chapter News
On the Links in Ontario…: The Ontario/Canada Chapter is hosting its 44th Annual Golf Tournament on Sept. 22 at Granite Ridge Golf Club, 9503 Dublin Line, Milton, Ontario. Tickets for golf and dinner are $250, while dinner only is $95. Festivities start at 11 am. More info here.
…And in California: The California Capital Chapter is co-hosting its summer golf tournament with NARI’s Sacramento Chapter on Sept. 26 at Whitney Oaks Golf Club, 2305 Clubhouse Dr, Rocklin, CA. Breakfast, golf, a raffle, grilled tri-tip BBQ banquet lunch and awards ceremony kick off with a shotgun start at 8 am. Individuals are $175, and a foursome is $700. Banquet lunch without golf is $40. Details and registration here.
Industry News
Coverings Reveals 2026 Dates: Coverings, the nation’s largest trade show for the ceramic tile and natural stone industry, will take place March 30 to April 2 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas. Coverings also announced the opening of submissions for the 2026 Coverings Installation & Design (CID) Awards and nominations for the Coverings 2026 Rock Star program. The Awards, sponsored by TileLetter, Stone & Tile Insider, and Stone World, recognize outstanding achievements in the design and installation of ceramic tile and natural stone across residential, institutional, and commercial projects and are open to architects, designers, builders, contractors, installers, distributors, retailers, and other industry professionals. Rock Stars, an emerging leaders program now in its 12th year, celebrates rising talent among tile and stone professionals under the age of 35. Learn more about Coverings 2026 at Coverings.com.
New Home Sales Slip: Sales of new single-family houses dipped 0.6 percent in July from June, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. While this is essentially flat on a monthly basis, it is a hefty 8.2 percent below the July 2024 rate. The current inventory represents a supply of 9.2 months at the current sales rate, which is unchanged from June but 16.5 percent higher than July 2024, when the inventory stood at 7.9 months. The average selling price of a new home fell 3.6 percent to $486,000 in July from June and dropped 5 percent YOY from July 2024. More detail here.
