By Dianne M. Pogoda
Company News
Fabuwood Forges West: Semi-custom cabinetry company Fabuwood has launched a strategic initiative that includes opening a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Tijuana, Mexico, and an upgraded distribution center in Southern California. The Tijuana plant will maintain the same quality standards as Fabuwood’s Newark, NJ, headquarters. One benefit of the new expansion will be speed, cutting delivery times to the West Coast from six days to four. Shorter shipping distances also mean lower shipping costs and less environmental impact. Fabuwood will show at KBIS in Booth #N849. Learn more here.
Ballerina Küchen Wins Award: Ballerina Küchen, a Rödinghausen, Germany-based kitchen furniture manufacturer that produces 30,000 custom high-end kitchens annually, has won a German Design Award 2025 from the German Design Council for its Legrabox steel runner metal frame. This innovation is the basis of the Legrabox drawer and pull-out system. Three years in development, this system combines the natural aesthetics of wood with the precision and functionality of metal. The combination of oak veneer with the proven metal frame enables stable running properties and quiet closing, even in changing climatic conditions. Learn more here.
Häfele America Taps Two: Lighting and hardware giant Häfele America has named Chelsea Stoyanoff Director of Kitchens and Bath and Mae (Holler) Rodgers Director of Closet and Storage Organization. Stoyanoff started with the company in 2018 in the furniture group and was named to Woodworking Network’s 40 Under 40 list in 2024. Rodgers started with Häfele in customer service, rose through outside sales into product/category management. Häfele will show at KBIS in Booth #N3227. KBB has more.
nobilia Promotes Dixon: nobilia North America has promoted Cheryl Fenelle Dixon to Chief Marketing Officer. Dixon joined the company about six months ago as Senior Vice President of Marketing & Communications, a new role. She will continue to oversee the company’s North American strategic direction and all marketing, brand and communications initiatives, reporting to Mikael Åkerberg, Chairman and CEO of nobilia North America. Dixon has spent more than three decades in brand marketing for such global companies as Coty, Grohe NA, Chanel, Pepsi and Ernst & Young. She is also an adjunct professor at Columbia University. See nobilia at KBIS in Booths #N339 and N439, and learn more about nobilia here.
Coverlam Top Launches Updated 3D Technology: Coverlam Top by Grespania, an NKBA Global Connect member, will bring its latest 3DTechnology and CarvedTechnology to KBIS, Booth #SL5133 in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. The Coverlam Top brand is known for its high-performance, large-format technical stone countertops produced with sophisticated, sustainable technologies and minimal environmental impact. Based in Spain, it has subsidiaries in France, Italy, the UK, Holland, and Poland. Learn more here.
KBIS Update
Design Bites Judges Revealed: On Feb. 25, KBIS will celebrate the 10th anniversary of Design Bites on the NEXT Stage, in South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Judges include Alison Victoria, HGTV star and founder/president of Alison Victoria Interiors; John McClain, CEO/Creative director of John McClain Design & Design Success Academy, and Stacy Shoemaker, editor in chief of Hospitality Design magazine. Eleven brands will compete in a fast-paced showdown to be crowned “Brand with the Biggest Bite.” A live audience will also vote for the People’s Pick Award. The event takes place at 12 noon on the NEXT Stage and is hosted by Darren Keefe, “The Dancing Carpenter.” More info and brand pitches here.
Chapter Updates
Meet Up in Houston: The Texas Gulf Coast Chapter is hosting a Member Meet-Up interactive luncheon on Feb. 20, 11:30 am to 2 pm, at the Cambria showroom, 13939 West Road in Houston. Special guest speaker Cindy Howard, principal artist of CRH Studios, will share her journey, creative process, and hands-on art demonstrations. More details here.
Vendor Adventure in Spokane: The Palouse Chapter is hosting “The Great Vendor Adventure” Kick-off Party and KBIS Buzz on March 20 at 5:30 pm. This is an engaging, fun, accessible way for established and emerging designers to (re)discover local showrooms and explore new showrooms in the region. It’s a traveling event during which designers visit showrooms in the Spokane, WA, area and fill their “passports” to become eligible for raffle prizes. Kick-off party is March 20, and Wrap Party is April 30. Learn more here.
