By NKBA Staff
Company News
LIXIL Exceeds Clean Water Goal: LIXIL, an innovative supplier of plumbing, housing and building materials, has achieved an ambitious milestone of improving sanitation and hygiene for 103 million people around the world. The goal was the primary aim of the Global Sanitation and Hygiene pillar of the company’s “Impact Strategy” commitment to accelerating access to clean systems worldwide. About 3.4 billion people globally do not have access to safely managed sanitation, including 1.7 billion who do not have basic hygiene services at home, and another 354 million who defecate in the open. As a result of diseases spread by unsafe drinking water and inadequate hygiene, more than 1,000 children die every day. LIXIL has shipped more than 10 million toilet and hygiene products from its SATO brand to 59 countries and territories. SATO has successfully developed sanitation markets in Africa and Asia (primarily sub-Saharan Africa and south and southeast Asia), reaching households and expanding the impact in communities through critical non-household settings like schools, healthcare facilities, and most recently, in humanitarian settings such as refugee camps. Its next goal is universal access to safe sanitation and hygiene globally by 2030. More detail here.
Monogram Partners With Chef Maneet Chauhan: Luxury appliance brand Monogram has teamed with award-winning chef, restaurateur and TV personality Maneet Chauhan, pairing the brand’s commitment to elevated, performance-driven design with the chef’s globally inspired culinary vision. She is renovating her home kitchen in Nashville with Monogram appliances and will reveal the space later this year. As a Monogram spokesperson and ambassador, Chauhan will represent the brand at premier industry events, brand activations and featured content on social channels. KBB has more.
Amba Adds To Permanent Collection: Amba Products, a leading provider of heated towel racks, has added its Brushed Modern Brass finish to its Traditional collection as a permanent option. This expands the line that already includes polished nickel, brushed nickel and brushed bronze. The hardwired line is characterized by its warm tones and features a three-year limited warranty. Learn more about Amba here.
ISFA Taps Marquez: Lorenzo Marquez, founder of strategic advisory firm Marqet Group, has been named chief of brand for the International Surface Fabricators Association. In this role, Marquez will oversee the association’s marketing strategy, brand direction and growth initiatives with a focus on strengthening the overall value ISFA delivers to its members. He will also help develop programs that support the entire countertop and surface fabrication supply chain, including fabricators, suppliers, manufacturers and industry partners. Marquez has more than 20 years of experience in the sector. He was previously vice president of marketing for Cosentino North America and a two-term Chair of NKBA’s National Board of Directors. KBB has more detail.
Chapter Updates
KBIS Recap in Albuquerque: The New Mexico Chapter officers will present a curated look at the most impactful products and design trends from KBIS 2026 on April 8, 5:30 to 8 pm, at Arizona Tile, 5800 Venice Avenue NE in Albuquerque. There is no cost to attend, and there will be a door-prize drawing for NKBA Members. Learn more here.
Purple Power in NoCal: The Northern California Chapter is hosting “Discover the Power of Purple with BlueStar,” an interactive seminar that celebrates BlueStar appliances’ 2026 color of the year. On April 8, 5:30 to 8 pm at Friedman’s Appliance, 2304 Monument Blvd., Pleasant Hill, Calif., learn about the various shades of purple, from regal violet to playful lavender, amethyst and modern mauve, and their unique meanings and design personalities. Cost is $15 for NKBA members, $20 for non-members. Learn more here.
Industry News
Share of Women in Construction Grows: An analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data by Construction Coverage shows women reached 11.7 percent of the construction workforce in 2024 (the latest figures available) to 1.3 million workers, up from 9 percent in 2016. This is compared to more than 10 million men in the industry. Delaware, with 14.2 percent of its construction workforce made up of women, leads the nation, with Florida, Alaska and Hawaii each over 13 percent. ProBuilder has more.
Existing Home Sales Drop: Existing home sales fell 8.4 percent in January from December, and dropped 4.4 percent from January 2025, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. Month-over-month and year-over-year sales fell in all regions. “The below-normal temperatures and above-normal precipitation this January make it harder than usual to assess the underlying driver of the decrease and determine if this month’s numbers are an aberration,” said NAR Chief Economist Dr. Lawrence Yun. “Affordability conditions are improving, with NAR’s Housing Affordability Index showing that housing is the most affordable it’s been since March 2022. This is due to wage gains outpacing home price growth and mortgage rates being lower than a year ago. However, supply has not kept pace and remains quite low.” More details here.
