By Dianne M. Pogoda
Company News
BSH Growing in North Carolina: BSH Home Appliances is investing more than $11 million and adding 199 jobs to transform its New Bern, NC, facility into a hub for manufacturing and R&D in the U.S. BSH, parent of the Bosch, Thermador, and Gaggenau brands, is globally headquartered in Munich, Germany, and has a U.S. base in California. The expansion will focus on cooking and dishwashing innovation, research, and production. KBB has the story.
Clutter’s the Culprit: A recent survey revealed that one of the most important priorities in the kitchen is to reduce clutter — in drawers and cabinets as well as on countertops. Eagle Woodworking, a cabinetry maker based in Lawrence, MA, conducted the survey of 1,000 homeowners, with 74 percent saying they feel their kitchen is cluttered, impacting how often they cook or host, and 58 percent saying the clutter causes daily stress. To help remedy the situation, 82 percent said they’d opt for custom drawer inserts and 63 percent said they’d be likely to hire a contractor to integrate built-in storage features. Learn more about the survey here.
VFTI Deadline Approaching: June 30 is the last day to submit proposals for sessions at the Voices from the Industry Conference at KBIS 2026. NKBA | KBIS invites subject matter experts to propose up to three topics for 1-hour presentations or 1.5-hour workshops in the following categories: Building and Remodeling, Leadership & Management, Design, K&B Trends, Marketing, Technology, and Sustainability. KBIS 2026 takes place Feb. 17 to 19 in Orlando. Interested professionals can submit their proposals here, and comprehensive details are available here.
Chapter Updates
Peaking in Colorado: The Rocky Mountain Chapter and the Interior Design Society of Denver will host the Peak Awards Gala, Colorado’s most prestigious design awards event, on June 26 at the stunning Highlands Ranch Mansion, 9950 East Gateway Drive in Highlands Ranch. This year’s theme is Vintage Glamour and celebrates achievement in kitchen, bath and interior design. The festivities kick off at 6 pm. More info, tickets and registration here.
Volunteer for Ronald McDonald: The Southern Ohio/Kentucky Chapter is hosting a volunteer day on July 10, 10 am to 2 pm, at Ronald McDonald House of Greater Cincinnati, 341 Erkebrecher Avenue in Cincinnati. Ronald McDonald House Charities’ mission is to create, find, and support programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and to support their families. One of its three core programs is to provide housing and meals to families of hospitalized children who are far from home. Learn more about the volunteer event here.
Multi-Org Networking in NJ: On July 10, the Northern New Jersey Chapter is holding a networking party with BANNJ, METRO, NARI, AIA, ASID, and the Greater Bergen Realtors. The evening, hosted by Reno’s Appliances, 35 McLean Blvd/Route 20 North in Paterson, NJ, will include music, food, drinks, and door prizes. Cost is $25 per person; RSVP here.
Industry News
Construction Spending Slips: Total spending on new construction dipped 0.4 percent in April from March, and was off 0.5 percent from April 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Private residential construction took a bigger hit, off 0.9 percent from March. However, total construction spending for the first four months of 2025 was up 1.4 percent from the same period in 2024. More details from the Census Bureau here.
A&D Market Day: June 24 is Market Day at the Architects & Designers Building, 150 Ease 58th Street in New York. The trade-only event includes designer panels, demonstrations, book signings, product launches, and more. Among the presentations are Bilotta Kitchen & Home, SMEG, Ferguson Home, Scavolini, Hastings Bath Collection, Ornare Kitchens, Thermador, True Residential, Bakes & Kropp Fine Cabinetry, Miele, Eggersman Kitchens, Jennair, and Cosentino. Learn more here.
