By Dianne M. Pogoda
COMPANY NEWS
WELLBORN’S EXPANSION: Wellborn Cabinet is expanding its manufacturing capacity in Oxford, Ala., with a $17 million, 250,000 square-foot facility that will create 415 new jobs. Construction will start next spring on the 60-acre site in the Oxford West Industrial Park, with operations starting in fall 2024. The company, founded in 1961 and still headquartered in Ashland, Ala., has grown into one of the largest cabinet makers in North America, with more than 1,300 employees and seven full cabinetry lines.
GAGGENAU’S BIG BOY: The Gaggenau Vario Series 400 Downdraft was awarded Interior Design magazine’s Best of Year Award for kitchen appliances. The 400 series has been re-engineered and features automatic, sensor-controlled power adjustment sensitive to cooking vapors; a high-efficiency, low noise ventilation system; solid stainless steel control knobs and a 3 mm stainless steel frame.
KITCHEN MAGIC WINS NARI HONOR: Nazareth, Pa.-based remodeler Kitchen Magic received a 2022 Contractor of the Year (CotY) award for Best Kitchen Remodel Under $50,000, Central Jersey region, from the National Association of Remodeling Industries (NARI). It’s the eighth time Kitchen Magic has captured a CotY award, which recognizes exceptional renovation based on criteria including customer objective, project scope, sustainability, unusual constraints and creative solutions to project challenges.
A NEW DOOR OPENS: Alvic USA, an Auburndale, Fla.-based manufacturer of cabinet doors and panels for residential and commercial projects, has added a contemporary made-to-order door collection to operate as a single-source supplier to the cabinet industry. Its cabinet components include doors, matching panels, edgebanding and finishing laminates.
PEOPLE NEWS
SHERWIN-WILLIAMS REVEALS DESIGN COUNCIL: NKBA members Kerrie Kelly of Kerrie Kelly Design Lab and Eneia White of Eneia White Interiors have been named to the Sherwin-Williams 2022 Design Council. Each year, the paint company teams with interior designers to share expertise and inspire with color. Michel Smith Boyd of Michel Smith Boyd Interiors, who has participated in NKBA summits; Beth Diana Smith of her namesake design firm, and Candace Griffin of Candace Mary Interiors round out the council.
CHAPTER NEWS
BATTLE OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHEFS: Come see who takes the culinary crown as the Rocky Mountain Chapter hosts a “Battle of the Chefs” competition on Aug. 18, starting at 5:30 p.m., at sponsor Monogram’s Design Center inside Specialty Appliance, 8775 E. Orchard Road, Suite # 805, in Greenwood Village, Colorado. Former champ Chef Ben Davis of Roth Living, representing Sub Zero-Wolf-Cove, defends his title against returning contender Chef Dan Marshall of Specialty Appliance, representing Thermador, and Chef Gabriel McCarter, representing Monogram. Registration is $25 for NKBA members, $35 for non-members.
HEADSHOTS AND HAPPY HOUR: The Alaska Chapter will host “Headshots and Happy Hour” with food, drinks including craft beers, networking and the opportunity to have a professional headshot taken by Dave Davis of DMD Photography. The event takes place Aug. 25, 5:30 p.m., at King Street Brewing Co., 9050 King Street in Anchorage. Members are $40, non-members are $50, and the fee includes all the festivities and your headshot. Register here.
SUPPORTING KIDS AND TEACHERS: The West Michigan Chapter is orchestrating a school-supply drive throughout the month of August to help support the needs of Townline Elementary School in Kentwood. In the process of enhancing the teachers’ lounge at the school, the chapter learned that regular funding was not available for the coming school year, so member showrooms are collecting supplies to help stock all classrooms with needed supplies. For a list of participating showrooms, go here.
SIZZLIN’ SUMMER CEU: Summer’s not over yet! Join the New Mexico Chapter for “Outdoor Kitchens: Beauty & Function,” featuring Madison Freedle of Middleby Residential. This event is sponsored by Lynx Outdoor Appliances and takes place Aug. 25, 5:30 to 7:30 at Rocky Mountain Stone, 4741 Pan American Freeway NE in Albuquerque. Registration is $20 for members, $30 for non-members and includes food, drinks and the presentation. Register here.
HAVE A BALL IN SO-CAL: Mix it up with the Southern California Chapter on Tuesday, Aug. 30, for a night of Angels baseball. The “Halos” take on the Yankees starting at 6 p.m. at Angels Stadium, 2000 E Gene Autry Way in Anaheim, and friends and family are welcome. Tickets are $55 per person, and the price includes an official Anaheim Angels cap. For more info and to register, go here.
TEAMING UP IN HAWAII: NKBA’s Aloha Chapter partnered with the Hawaii Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers for the first-time, on a cross-over CEU event to bring “The Art of Innovation” to members of both organizations in a special session presented by Lunada Bay Tile. It was the first time the two organizations planned and executed one event to benefit all their members. Besides the chapters collaborating, retailers Bella Pietra Design and The Tile Warehouse Kona worked with Lunada Bay to sponsor events in May on Oahu and in Kona on the Big Island. KBB has more.
