By Dianne M. Pogoda
Company News
Wilsonart Opens in Austin: Wilsonart opened a 45,000 square-foot showroom and distribution center in Pflugerville, TX, just outside of Austin. The new facility includes 10,000 square feet dedicated to a showroom, design center and offices, in addition to a 35,000 square-foot warehouse. The new center allows faster distribution and service to the region of a wide variety and large inventory of engineered surfaces. More info here.
Ferguson Acquiring Three Businesses: Ferguson Enterprises completed a deal to buy Harway Appliances and agreed to purchase Yorkwest Plumbing Supply Inc. and Grove Supply Inc. The three businesses have a combined yearly revenue of approximately $220 million. Harway is an Austin, TX-based distributor of high-end home appliances, Grove is a plumbing and HVAC supplier headquartered near Philadelphia, PA and Yorkwest sells plumbing, municipal, hydronics, institutional, HVAC and industrial products in the greater Toronto, ON area. KBB has more.
People News
Obituary: Chuck Johnson: Charles Miles “Chuck” Johnson, founder of the Furniture Guild and a member of NKBA | KBIS’ Georgia Chapter, died March 10 as a result of injuries sustained in a bicycle accident. He was 78. He lived in Woodstock, GA, and founded his company in 1984. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Regina, three children and five grandchildren. More from his obituary here.
City of Hope Honors Three: City of Hope, one of the nation’s leading cancer and medical research centers, honored three executives from its Hardware/Homebuilding Industry (HHI) partnership with its Spirit of Life® Award. Kevin Campbell, president of Moen Americas; Tom Koos, president and CEO of PrimeSource Brands; and Jeff Lorberbaum, chairman and CEO of Mohawk Industries, were recognized for their fundraising efforts and humanitarian accomplishments during Design & Construction Week. Since 1983, HHI has raised more than $185 million for City of Hope. Learn more about the award and HHI.
Lunada Bay Names Regional Manager: Premium tile producer Lunada Bay Corp. tapped Chris Moderwell as Southeast and Texas Regional Sales Manager. Moderwell, most recently strategic sales manager for American Glass Mosaics and, prior to that, Florida regional sales manager for Bisazza, brings 20 years of experience in the ceramics and glass tile industries. Learn more about Lunada Bay Tile here.
Chapter News
Win Big With San Diego: Join the San Diego Chapter on April 9, 5:30 pm to 8 pm, at ProSource North County, 1070 La Mirada Court, Vista, CA, for the CEU session, “How to Enter and Win Design Contests: A Roadmap to Your Most Cost-Effective Marketing.” Doug Walter, CMKBD, AIA, an architect, designer and lighting specialist who has won more than 150 design awards, including multiple NKBA | KBIS awards, will discuss strategies for entering, impressing judges and more. Register here.
Minnesota State on KBIS: If you missed KBIS, don’t worry: the Minnesota State Chapter will host a panel discussion on the major trends and innovations to emerge from the show and what’s on tap for the year ahead. Join the chapter on April 11, 5 pm to 7 pm, at Studio M Kitchen & Bath, 12955 Highway 55, Plymouth, MN. Details here.
