International companies that have joined NKBA Global Connect report that the program has helped them build a market presence in North America.
By NKBA Staff
NKBA Global Connect, the association’s successful international business membership program, is driven by its vision and mission to elevate, expand and empower the industry worldwide. The initiative provides resources for overseas companies to explore entry or to learn how to bolster their presence in North America.
To that end, the program offers benefits to members, including access to NKBA’s exclusive research, Online Resource Library, NKBA Job Board, and a panel of Global Connect Advisors who are subject-matter experts in topics such as marketing, distribution, regulations and compliance, product certification, regional nuances, and much more. They also have the opportunity to present brand spotlights at KBIS, create Continuing Education Unit (CEU) programs for North American designers and remodelers to learn about their products, and to participate in special NKBA Global Connect events in the U.S. and around the world.
Global Connect members use these resources to support their strategic decision-making and ensure successful forays into the market. The program, which has been operating since 2018, has helped numerous international companies grow their business in North America.
“While the L&S brand is well established in the European residential market, it is still less recognized in North America. With our existing product portfolio and the experience gained from our European branches, we aim to strengthen our presence in this market,” said Emanuela Barzaghi, CEO of L&S Lighting Corp., an Italian manufacturer of refined integrated lighting solutions. “Joining the NKBA Global Connect Program allows us to connect more closely with architects, designers and industry professionals, helping us better understand local needs and build meaningful partnerships.”
Barzaghi presented a custom event at KBIS 2026. “Having a dedicated space to host the event, along with the NKBA’s support in promoting it, was extremely valuable,” she explained. “The stage and large presentation screen provided an excellent setup to effectively showcase our products and share our story with attendees.”
She noted that NKBA’s exclusive research has been “a valuable source of information,” but emphasized that “aside from the custom event, the most beneficial aspect has been the advisor calls. These discussions have helped us shape a business strategy and develop an action plan for the coming months. At this stage, we are still refining our overall strategy while already beginning some outreach efforts. We also hope to connect with local NKBA chapters to host events, participate in lunch-and-learns, and engage in other activities that allow us to build stronger relationships within the design community.”
Floris Hamann, Head of New Market Entries for Quooker, the Dutch inventor of faucets that provide instant boiling water, said the company joined Global Connect to better understand the North American kitchen industry and connect with the right partners and experts as it explores entering the market. He said the most valuable aspect of the KBIS experience was “meeting key industry players and seeing firsthand how brands position themselves in the NA market.” He added that “the scale of the industry and the strong focus on lifestyle and brand partnerships.”
Quooker is a global leader in all-in-one kitchen faucets, delivering boiling, chilled, filtered and sparkling water from a single tap. “For North America, the combination of convenience, premium Dutch design and quality, safety and sustainability makes it a unique solution for kitchens,” Hamann said.
He noted that the access that Global Connect provides to industry expertise and the network that helps international brands navigate the North American market is critically important. “The advisors have been very helpful. Through Global Connect, we also connected with certification experts who helped us better understand the full certification pathway for the U.S. market. Global Connect has been a very valuable platform to start building relationships and gaining insights while exploring our U.S. expansion plans,” Hamann observed.
Barzaghi concluded, “We want to make full use of the program to reach a point where we feel confident that it has helped us strengthen our presence in the residential market.”
Learn more about NKBA Global Connect Membership
Global brands looking to enter the North American market can reach out to Kevin Shea, Sales Specialist, Global Accounts, at kshea@nkba.org to learn more about the benefits of membership, or visit NKBA Global Connect.
