By Dianne M. Pogoda
Company News
Bernard Marcus, Home Depot Co-Founder, Dies: Bernard “Bernie” Marcus, co-founder of The Home Depot, the world’s largest home improvement chain, died Nov. 4 in Boca Raton, FL. The billionaire philanthropist was 95. Marcus was CEO of THD during its first 20 years, from 1979 to 1999, generating exponential growth, and remained chairman until he retired in 2002. The Newark, NJ, native wanted to be a doctor but his family couldn’t afford medical school. Instead, he worked his way through Rutgers University selling Amana freezers door-to-door, the company said. He went into retail, became lifelong friends with Arthur Blank when they both worked at Handy Dan Improvement Centers, and together, they founded THD in 1979 in Atlanta. According to Traqline, a market intelligence firm, in 2023, The Home Depot was the nation’s largest retailer of kitchen and bath fixtures, winning the category with a unit share of 32 percent and dollar share of 26 percent. The Home Depot had sales of nearly $153 billion in 2023. AP has more.
Cosentino Upgrades in Miami, L.A.: Spanish surfacing giant Cosentino has renovated and reopened its City showrooms in Miami and Los Angeles. “These renovations are key milestones in Cosentino’s continued expansion across North America,” said Eduardo Cosentino, CEO of Cosentino North America and EVP of Global Sales. The 3,000 square-foot showroom in Miami cost $1 million and expanded into space previously used for offices. It brings together all 2023 and 2024 product launches, including EARTHIC® and Le Chic Boheme by Silestone®XM, and Dekton®’s Pietra Edition and Ukiyo collections. In L.A., the $500,000 renovation updated the 4,000 square-foot space with display areas, millwork, an outdoor patio, and a refreshed Mediterranean aesthetic. Cosentino will open City showrooms in Dallas this winter and Honolulu City in 2025. KBB has more.
Gaggenau Wins GH Award: Gaggenau’s 400 Series Combi-Steam oven earned a Good Housekeeping 2025 Home Reno Award. The German luxury brand has been a pioneer with steam oven innovations since 1999, and this newest iteration offers advanced culinary features including steaming, braising, baking, sous-vide, and more, with precise humidity and temperature control. It is Wi-Fi-enabled with the Home Connect system for remote monitoring and settings adjustment from a mobile device, recipe search and chef assistant programs. It also features self-cleaning technology and a unique fixed water connection and drain, so there’s no need to worry about adding water or emptying a tank. More on Gaggenau here.
Wilsonart Releases Sustainability Report: Engineered surfaces leader Wilsonart has released its 2023 Sustainability Report. The report showcases Wilsonart’s continued commitment to sustainability and transparency across its global operations. It enhanced its focus on four key areas: ensuring transparency across its portfolios through rigorous sustainability certifications; innovating to optimize manufacturing efficiency; elevating its most sustainable core product, High Pressure Laminate (HPL), and growing its business with a caring workforce. Highlights include incorporating 23 percent post-consumer recycled content (PCRC) on average into Wilsonart® HPL products, with a goal of 40 percent PCRC in HPL products by 2027, and saving the equivalent of nearly 8.9 million trees since 2000 by using recycled paper/wood content. See the full report here.
New Board Members and Contest at Natural Stone Institute: The Natural Stone Institute will welcome two individuals to its board of directors in January. Joshua Levinson, CEO of family owned and operated Artistic Tile based in Secaucus, NJ, has nearly thirty years of stone industry experience, including extensive volunteer work and leadership roles supporting the industry. Susan Moser of Fauske Marble by Moser Aps is a third-generation natural stone industry professional from Denmark who has worked all over the world. Currently, she is CEO and owner of Norway’s historic Norwegian Rose marble quarry north of the arctic circle. She reactivated the quarry, bringing it back to the world. They will serve four-year terms from 2025-2028.
Additionally, beginning with the 2025 Call for Entries, NSI’s Tucker Design Awards will be partnered with the Pinnacle Awards program. Both awards will be given annually beginning at StonExpo in 2026. This streamlined approach to NSI’s architecture awards entry, submission, judging, and celebration efforts will elevate the work of both the natural stone industry and the design community. Learn more here.
Chapter News
Chicago Mid West Progressive Dinner: The Chicago Mid West Chapter is hosting a progressive dinner on Nov. 19, 5 to 8:30 pm, in The Mart, 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza in
Chicago. Guests will visit four sponsor showrooms, starting at Graff Designs for check-in, appetizers at Dacor Kitchen Theater, entrees at the Monogram Design Center inside LuxeHome, and dessert at Middleby Residential. Members are $30, non-members are $60, Students are $10. Register here.
