By Dianne M. Pogoda
Company News
LG teams up with Swipe Out Hunger: LG Electronics USA has partnered with Swipe Out Hunger, a non-profit that addresses student food insecurity, to provide healthy meals to more than 500,000 college students in need. The program seeks to raise awareness and ensure that food pantries on campuses around the country have appropriate refrigeration. LG is providing 120 refrigerators to 60 campuses in Swipe Out Hunger’s network and will stock them with healthy foods and provide grants to an additional 40 schools to upgrade their current refrigeration. Learn more here.
Delta Faucet talks KBIS trends: As part of its Pipeline webinar series and community network, Delta Faucet Co. hosted a discussion last week on several themes selected from KBIS. Faye Adams, corporate learning lead for Delta, examined trends offered by Elle H-Millard, CKD, CLIPP, corporate learning lead for DFC, and Allison Fannin, designer and construction project manager of Two Thirty-Five Designs and a member of the Design Hounds trendspotting team. Among the key topics were lifestyle shifts toward health and wellness, clutter-free ease and convenience, creating luxurious spaces and more. To view the webinar, visit PipelinebyDFC.com.
Thor’s latest tilt: Thor Kitchen has introduced a new style of electric ranges as part of its portfolio of energy-efficient cooking appliances. Tilt Panel Professional Electric Ranges feature a touch-control motorized panel that adjusts the viewing angle for better accessibility and functionality. The range comes in a 30- or 36-inch width, features a cooktop with five heating elements and an oven with multiple cooking options. More info here.
Egger expands: Egger Wood Products has invested $21 million to expand capacity on its thermally-fused laminate production capacity by 50 percent in its Lexington, NC, factory — bumping production to more than 155 million square feet per year and alleviating supply chain and logistical challenges. Egger said it will also invest an additional $22 million to install a decorative paper impregnation line. The new lamination and impregnation lines will add 40 new jobs and cut lead times significantly. KBB has more.
Trade Events
Lumens to Host Women in Design Summit: Lighting specialist Lumens is hosting a virtual Women in Design Summit, March 28, starting at 9 a.m. (PT). The live virtual summit will feature conversations with design industry thought leaders moderated by Lumens SVP of Growth & Innovation Patricia Kittredge and also featuring designers Patricia Urquiola, Thabisa Mjo, Rosie Li, Lucie Koldova, Constance Guisset, Jette Scheib and Emiliana Martinelli. The second panel, The Business of Design, will be moderated by Lumens CEO Laura Walsh and includes executives and curators Roberta Silva, Carlotta de Bevilacqua, Joana Bover, Amelie Du Passage and Benedicte Collod. The webinars are part of the Lumens Trade Education Program and are CEU-qualified. More info and registration here.
Salone del Mobile set for April: The Salone del Mobile trade fair in Milan is set for April 18-23 at the Rho Fairgrounds. The mega-show showcases all major aspects of interior design, furniture, home accessories and includes kitchen cabinetry, storage, appliances, spa and bath products and more. To register and for more info, go here.
Coverings heads to Orlando: Coverings, North America’s largest trade show dedicated to the international tile and stone materials, takes place April 18-21 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. Its three main sponsors include Ceramics of Italy (COI), Tile Council of North America (TCNA) and Tile of Spain (TOS), and it will include a presentation of a robust expo of the newest tile, stone and installation products by more than 1,000 exhibitors from 40 countries — plus educational workshops, show tours, on-demand content and more. Additional info here.
People News
Gower to lead Smeg U.S.: Rod Gower has been named general manager for U.S. operations of Italian appliance maker Smeg. Gower joins Smeg from LG, where he held leadership roles and was instrumental in building its luxury Signature Kitchen Suite brand and the LG Builder Channel. Smeg is known for its sleek Italian design and engineering, retro styling and collaborations with Fiat and Dolce & Gabbana and licensing Disney and Peanuts characters. More Info here.
Chipperfield wins Pritzker: British architect David Chipperfield has won the 2023 Pritzker Architecture Prize for his work spanning four decades. The selection jury praised him for his “commitment to an architecture of understated but transformative civic presence.” He is the founder of David Chipperfield Architects in London and has offices in Berlin, Milan, Shanghai and Santiago de Compostela. Dezeen has more.
Tiffany & Co. taps home director: Iconic jeweler Tiffany & Co. has appointed Lauren Santo Domingo as its first artistic director for the home category. Santo Domingo, cofounder and chief brand officer for Moda Operandi, is working in partnership with Tiffany’s housewares design and production team in an advisory capacity, according to Women’s Wear Daily. The appointment signals a push in home furnishings, which include tabletop, glassware, Limoges porcelain, Murano hand-blown glass and more. WWD has the story.
Chapter News
Queen’s Cup in Carolina: The Carolina Chapter will be hosting its annual VIP tent at the Queen’s Cup Steeplechase at Brooklandwood racetrack in Mineral Springs, NC. The event takes place on April 29, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., in the exclusive Member’s Hill area with badge-only admittance. NKBA guests have all-inclusive access to food and an open bar. Members are $300, non-members are $450 for tent access. Limited VIP parking passes are $50. Sponsored by Ferguson, proceeds benefit the Alzheimer’s Association. More info and tickets here.
