By Dianne M. Pogoda
Company News
Teaming with Tide: Electrolux, Samsung and GE Appliances partnered with Tide laundry detergent to designate these brands’ washing machines as Tide Cold Certified. This means they have features like cold or custom cycles tested by Tide scientists and are proven to deliver cleaner loads in cold water with Tide’s cold-formula detergent. Cold-water washing reduces energy use, saves money and extends clothing life, all of which contribute to more environmentally friendly laundry activity. KBB has more.
Niagara Donates Water-Saving Toilets: Niagara Conservation, a leading producer of water-saving toilets, revealed it will donate 100 toilets to an affordable housing developer. It’s part of a larger mission to reduce water consumption and help nonprofits and affordable housing projects redirect the savings toward improving their communities. The program marks 50 years of sustainable practices for the company, which has won more than 20 industry and EPA WaterSense® awards for its ingenuity in the last decade. Learn more here.
Water-Conservation Innovation: A Wrap-Up: In an article detailing the latest water-saving efforts of several NKBA|KBIS member manufacturers, Designers Today offered a roundup featuring LG Electronics USA’s washers and dishwashers, Moen’s smart home water security system, Kohler’s variable-flow showerhead and Duravit’s toilets. See the story here.
Natalia Pierce, CMKBD, Wins First KCMA Competition: Natalia Pierce, CMKBD, principal of Detail by Design in Ontario, Canada, earned the top prize for Kitchen Design in the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association’s first KCMA Design Awards competition. Pierce, who was NKBA|KBIS Ottawa Chapter’s president in 2022-2023, used cabinetry from NKBA member Cuisine Ideale. A panel of six judges included NKBA members Lance Stratton, Sharon L. Sherman, CKD, ASID, NCIDQ, CID, and Shea Pumarejo, CMKBD. Learn more about KCMA here.
Wellborn Cabinet Taps CEO: Dennis Easter was named CEO of Wellborn Cabinet, assuming the role held by Paul Wellborn, who remains president and chairman of the family-owned business. Most recently, Easter was vice president of global commercial operations at Koch Engineered Solutions, and prior to that held leadership roles at Georgia-Pacific, Coca-Cola CO. and Procter & Gamble. Designers Today has more.
Industry News
Green Home Coach Advocates Certification: To help homeowners and design and building pros create healthier, more comfortable living environments, Marla Esser Cloos, founder of Green Home Coach, outlined the benefits of sustainable certifications through reputable third-party organizations like ICC 700 National Green Building Standard, Pearl Certification or GreenStar Homes. These programs offer assurance that a home meets rigorous standards for sustainability and performance, including eco-friendly materials, energy efficiency, water conservation and more. Learn more here.
Wright Foundation Commissions Sustainable Makeover: The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation enlisted design firm Sasaki to create a comprehensive master plan merging heritage with sustainability for the iconic architect’s Taliesin West compound in Scottsdale, AZ. A blueprint for future work on the property, the plan respects local ecology, minimizes impact on the ecosystem, examines the impact of climate change on native plant communities and prioritizes sustainable design practices —in sync with Wright’s ethos of innovation and environmental sensitivity. Architect has more.
