By Dianne M. Pogoda

Company News

Kohler Releases ESG Report: Kohler Co. has published its 2022 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report, detailing the company’s progress and goals in environmental sustainability, social impact and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Among the highlights, it achieved a 16 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, a 10 percent reduction in water and a 23 percent reduction in waste. Additionally, Kohler Kitchen and Bath continued to lead in U.S. EPA WaterSense-labeled offerings by certifying 85 new products across toilets, bathroom faucets and showerheads. KBB has the full story.

NKBA Members See RED: Several NKBA member manufacturers have been honored by Luxe Interiors + Design magazine in its annual Luxe RED Awards. RED — Residential Excellence in Design — recognizes excellence and innovation in various product and design categories. The following members won in the respective categories: Beko Home Appliances, Refrigeration Innovation; Brizo, Bath System; Cosentino, Stone Collaboration; Dacor, Wine Dispenser; Duravit, Bath Mirror; Fisher & Paykel, Induction Cooktop; Gaggenau, Kitchen Ventilation; Hestan Commercial, Kitchen Range; Kohler Co., Bath Faucet and Sustainable Tile Design; and Poggenpohl, Kitchen Island. Click here for all the winning designs.

Rev-A-Shelf Expands in Mexico: Rev-A-Shelf, a leader in kitchen organization and storage solutions, has opened a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Juarez, Mexico. The new plant is nearly 126,000 square feet with room for future expansion and employs more than 60 workers. It currently produces 54 wood products, including drop-in drawer inserts, dovetail pantry drawers and other wood components and accessories, and it is expected that it will expand manufacturing by an additional 30 products early next year. KBB has more.

Gaggenau Hosts BJS Dinners: Premier appliance maker Gaggenau hosted the first of its 2023 Black Jacket Society dinners in Miami in May, a series celebrating some of the country’s most distinguished chefs. At the Miami event, Chef Alain Verzeroli of the Bastion Collection (L′Atelier de Jöel Robuchon and Le Jardinier) and Chef Juan Manuel Barrientos of Elcielo were inducted into the Black Jacket Society, which recognizes chefs whose restaurants have attained Michelin Guide status and who reflect the principles and philosophy of the Gaggenau brand. Additional 2023 Black Jacket Society events will be in locations in California, New York, Chicago and Washington, DC, and they will be held in conjunction with the Michelin Guide Ceremonies. More on the evening here.

Industry News

EPA May Change WaterSense Criteria: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is considering changing the requirements for tank-type toilets to earn its WaterSense label. The agency is investigating the maximum flush volume for dual-flush toilets and welcomes comments from interested parties. Contact the agency at watersense-products@erg.com by Aug. 14.

People News

OBITUARY: Drummond Shaw: The founder of Drummonds Bathrooms, Drummond Shaw, passed away on June 28 at his home in Dorset, England. He was 73. After a career as a commodity broker in London, he founded Drummonds in 1988, when he was restoring his period house and had difficulty finding authentic architectural antiques, especially for the bathroom. Drummonds has grown to become a high-end UK-based manufacturer and distributor of classic bathroom products, with three factories producing cast-iron baths, brass fittings and porcelain sanitary ware. It has showrooms in London’s Chelsea and in New York, in the Architects & Designers Building.

Chapter Updates

Cruising With Southern New England: The Southern New England Chapter is taking members on a Connecticut River Cruise this Thursday, July 27, from 5:30 to 8 pm. Journey with RiverQuest to learn about the river’s ecology, history and life, mingle with friends and colleagues and earn 0.1 CEU. The cruise leaves from the Connecticut River Museum, 67 Main Street in Essex, and explores the wildlife and natural beauty around Essex Harbor and Coves, Great Meadow, Hamburg Cove and other areas. Registration is $30 in advance or $35 at the dock — and don’t forget your business cards! More info here.

Deadline Is Monday for Chapter Officer Nominations: There’s still time to self-nominate for a Chapter Officer position, but the July 31 deadline is almost here! Chapter leadership is a great way to influence the direction of your NKBA Chapter and a stepping stone to greater involvement in the association. Three officer positions are open for the current election cycle: President, Programs Chair and Communications Chair. To be considered, any NKBA member (excluding student members) may self-nominate; all elections are conducted at the chapter level. Access the Chapter Officer self-nomination form here, and learn more about the benefits of becoming a chapter leader here.

By Dianne M. Pogoda

Company News

Rev-A-Shelf Taps Jones as Noe Sets Retirement: David P. Noe, general manager and VP of sales and marketing for Rev-A-Shelf, is retiring after more than four decades with the shelving, storage and organizing specialist. He will stay on until Dec. 31 to ensure a smooth transition, when Steve M. Jones Jr., currently vice president of consumer sales, will become the new general manager, assuming responsibility for day-to-day operations, more than 500 employees and managing the sales, marketing, operations and product development teams. Additionally, Rob Jenkins, director of OEM sales and marketing, will be promoted to vice president of sales and marketing. Under Noe’s leadership, Rev-A-Shelf acquired Tresco Lighting, Lazy Daisy and Sidelines and expanded with a global headquarters in Louisville, KY, and a plant in Mexico. Noe also held positions on a number of industry committees and boards, including NKBA’s Leadership Recruitment Committee and KBIS Exhibitor Committee. KBB has the details.

Whirlpool Named as a Climate Leader: Whirlpool Corp., parent of top appliance brands including KitchenAid, Maytag, InSinkErator, JennAir and Whirlpool, was recognized by USA Today as one of “America’s Climate Leaders” for 2023. The company has long been committed to reaching net zero emissions at all its facilities by 2030. Over the past year, Whirlpool achieved “Zero Waste to Landfill” Gold or Platinum status at all 29 of its largest manufacturing sites worldwide. This achievement reflects a diversion rate of more than 95 percent of its waste at these sites. Whirlpool continues to invest in plant efficiency and waste reduction, by working closely with recyclers and sustainability vendors, to eliminate waste and contribute to the circular economy. Learn more about Whirlpool’s sustainability efforts here.

Virginia Tile Growing in Indianapolis: Michigan-based Virginia Tile is broadening operations into Indiana with a new location in Indianapolis, which will feature a state-of-the-art full service showroom and a warehouse and shipping branch with a user-friendly order and pick-up desk and a fully stocked warehouse of tile and installation materials. Construction is expected to be completed in phases, with the showroom scheduled to open in the fall. The Indianapolis branch will serve as the third hub for servicing other Virginia Tile locations. The company was founded in 1928 in Virginia and is now based in Livonia, MI, serving 14 Midwestern states with 20 distribution centers. Learn more here.

Häfele Completes NC Expansion: Häfele America Co. has completed a $13 million addition to its distribution center in Archdale, NC, increasing the facility’s storage capacity by 60 percent. The new facility has an additional 94,200 square feet and features a 501 kW solar electric system comprising more than 1,100 panels that provides some 75 percent of its power needs. Häfele America is a subsidiary of Germany-based Häfele and a global supplier of decorative and architectural hardware components for cabinets, furniture, LED lighting, smart-home technology, doors, drawers and more. Woodshop News has more.

Industry News

Bigger Kitchens, Smaller Homes, Tossing Tubs: In a recent survey from housing research specialist John Burns Real Estate Consulting and ProBuilder, architects predicted some shifts in residential floor plans in the near future. First, even though houses are getting smaller, kitchens are becoming larger, with more emphasis on casual dining. Often this means island seating takes precedence over formal dining rooms. Second, primary suites are also getting larger, endowed with walk-in closets, big en-suite bathrooms and large showers replacing bathtubs. Finally, outdoor dining areas are becoming must-haves, so it’s important for builders and designers to carve out a patio area. See JBREC for more details.

More Lights in Vegas: When KBIS returns to Las Vegas Feb. 27 to 29, a new architectural achievement will be dotting the famous landscape. The MSG Sphere, designed by stadium specialist Populous, is the world’s largest spherical structure, 515 feet wide and more than 100 feet high. Lights cover more than 580,000 square feet of its surface, creating the largest LED screen in the world. The venue was fully lit for the first time on July 4th this year. It will have a capacity of 20,000 and will host multi-sensory live entertainment and concerts, with U2 scheduled as the first performance in September. The structure is owned by MSG, the same company that owns Madison Square Garden. Dezeen has more.

Chapter Updates

Deadline Approaching for Chapter Officer Nominations: There’s still time to self-nominate for a Chapter Officer position, but the July 31 deadline is almost here! Chapter leadership is a great way to influence the direction of your NKBA Chapter and a stepping stone to greater involvement in the association. Three officer positions are open for the current election cycle: President, Programs Chair and Communications Chair. To be considered, any NKBA member (excluding student members) may self-nominate; all elections are conducted at the chapter level. Access the chapter officer self-nomination form here, and learn more about the benefits of becoming a chapter leader here.

The conference, conceived by NKBA EVP + CSO Suzie Williford, is an opportunity for women in the K&B industry to connect, get inspired and celebrate their accomplishments.

By Elisa Fernández-Arias

NKBA’s invitation-only Women to Women (W2W) Conference, to be held in Charleston, SC on Oct. 10-12, is now accepting applications through July 19th. Attendees will celebrate accomplishments, discuss leadership strategies and highlight the challenges that they as professional women uniquely face in both their careers and personal lives.

Open to all female NKBA members, we encourage you to apply today for an opportunity to attend this intimate and inspiring two-day conference in Charleston, SC at the famed Mills House Hotel. The perfect venue to be inspired, recharge, enjoy amazing food, and have some fun.

“I hope you leave this conference refreshed, reinvigorated and ready to take on anything and everything you aim to conquer,” said Suzie Williford, NKBA EVP + CSO, to attendees. “Whether personal or professional, W2W is meant to help us find the strength and support we deserve.  We are all capable of hard things, great things, big things!”

To Apply

Space is limited, so apply today by visiting the Women to Women Conference page on the NKBA website.

Attendees will be notified of acceptance in early August. A $349 fee is required to secure your spot. Accommodations, entertainment and meals are covered by the conference. Attendees are responsible for travel. Applications to attend are now being accepted through July 19, 2023.

Designed to inspire the mind, body and soul, W2W is sponsored by Poggenpohl and GE Appliances. Conceived by NKBA EVP + CSO Suzie Williford, W2W serves as a place to celebrate accomplishments and provide empowerment and mentorship of women in the kitchen and bath industry.

The NKBA office will be closed Monday, July 3 and Tuesday, July 4. Wishing our members a safe and happy holiday. Below are important date reminders:

• NKBA Design Competition submissions are now open. Enter by July 11 for your chance to win cash prizes totaling $100,000, industry recognition, full access pass to KBIS, and more. Submit your entry today.
• NKBA Design + Tech Summit, in partnership with Samsung, is on July 25 from 12:30 – 5:00 p.m. ET at Samsung837, Samsung’s experience store in NYC. Worth 0.5 CEU credits, activities include interactive sessions, giveaways and more. Learn more and register here.
• NKBA Thirty Under 30 submissions are now open. Self-nominate or nominate a rising K&B industry rising star by July 31. Thirty Under 30 recipients receive a free trip to KBIS 2024, networking opportunities, media exposure and more. Learn more and submit here.

Enter NKBA’s Design Competition, apply to be a 2024 30 Under Thirty, or to attend our Women to Women Conference.    

By Elisa Fernández-Arias

The month of July may feel like it has just started, but it is already well underway! Don’t miss your chance to take part in one of the many career, design and leadership opportunities available through the NKBA. Whether you want to showcase your designs and win cash prizes and national recognition by entering our Design Competition, nominate yourself as a Chapter Officer to make an impact in your local K&B community, or apply to become a 30 Under Thirty, there’s something for everyone at the NBKA to grow your career, your network and more.

July 11th ….Now Extended to July 23: Design Awards

Due to an overwhelming response, we have extended the deadline for NKBA’s Design Awards to July 23. Don’t miss out on this extraordinary opportunity to gain national exposure and win cash prizes.  Enter today to become tomorrow’s K&B design star. This enhanced competition includes:

• Cash prizes totaling $100,000
• Best Overall Kitchen/Best Overall Bath each awarded $20,000
• First place category winners each win $5,000
• Multiple project entries mean you pay less
• Streamlined, more impactful categories

To get your chance to win big, stand in the spotlight at KBIS 2024, gain industry recognition and more, enter today!

July 19: Women to Women Mentoring Conference

Applications for NKBA’s Women to Women (W2W) Conference, an opportunity for female NKBA members to connect and further develop their leadership skills, close on July 19. Here are the details:

• October 10-12, in historic Charleston, SC
• Participants will stay at the Mills House Hotel
• Activities will include keynote speakers, breakout leadership sessions and excursions

Don’t miss this opportunity to meet fellow women in the K&B industry, get mentored by industry professionals and celebrate your accomplishments with like-minded peers. Apply today.

July 31: Thirty Under 30

An opportunity for the rising stars of the K&B industry, NKBA’s Thirty Under 30 submissions close on July 31. Young K&B industry professionals who are accepted into the program will receive:

• A free trip to KBIS 2024 (airfare and lodging)
• KBIS Show floor pass, conference pass and access to NKBA events
• Media exposure and awareness among top design and trade professionals
• Pre-event and post-event networking activities

Shine brighter than ever and join the future leaders of K&B by applying for Thirty Under 30 today!

July 31: Chapter Officer Positions

If you’re looking to significantly impact the industry, association and local communities, self-nominate by July 31 for a chapter officer position. This election cycle includes the three positions below. All current incumbents of these positions must self-nominate if they wish to be considered for a new term, as there is no automatic continuation of the role.

• Programs Chair
• Communications Chair
• President

By taking on a leadership role within the association, you can influence the direction of your chapter, network with other professionals and gain invaluable experience. The chapter officer self-nomination form can be accessed by clicking here. If you would like to learn more about the benefits of becoming a chapter leader, please click here.

Learn about the recipients of the NKBA Excellence in Education Award for 2023, the schools that were honored for the exceptional quality of their students’ NKBA Student Design Competition submissions.

By Elisa Fernández-Arias

The association recognizes outstanding NKBA Affiliated School programs annually with its Excellence in Education Award. This award is granted to schools based upon the quality of their students’ submissions to the NKBA Student Design Competition, which is sponsored by Fisher & Paykel.

All entrants must be NKBA student members, which is generously sponsored by Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove. All entries are scored on visual appeal, creativity, the elements and principles of design, the NKBA Kitchen and Bathroom Planning Guidelines and NKBA Graphics and Presentation Standards. Student Design Competition winners for 2021-2022 received their awards at the 2023 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) in Las Vegas. Through the Excellence in Education Award, the NKBA is proud to spotlight outstanding affiliated programs and educators.

The 2023 Excellence in Education Award Winners

The winners of the 2023 Excellence in Education awards are Century College, Georgian College, Lakeland College and Weber State University. Keep reading to learn more about these schools, how they incorporate the NKBA Student Design Competition as part of their required coursework and use NKBA’s educational resources.

Century College

Century College’s Kitchen and Bath Design Program is a specialized and comprehensive program focused on equipping students with the skills necessary for a successful career in the field. As part of their coursework, students take part in the NKBA Student Design Competition, working on their entry as a part of their Advanced Kitchen and Bath Design Course Final Project.

“The NKBA has such great resources for the students to use,” said Margaret Krohn, CKBD, KBD Program Director and Faculty member. “We work with all of the forms available through NKBA that students can use. We also like to go to KBIS every year, since this is a great optional experience for our KBD Students to see products and hear some great speakers. Our KBD students also have the goal of completing their CKBD Certification after they graduate and gain the work experience needed.”

Georgian College

The kitchen and bath courses at Georgian College offer a unique experience within a close-knit, small-town community. The faculty is dedicated to working closely with students, fostering strong relationships and understanding their individual learning needs. As an integral part of their studio courses, the NKBA Student Design Competition is incorporated into the final semester.

“Our Kitchen and Bath Design program embraces the valuable resources offered by the NKBA,” said Jennifer Lucifora, Kitchen and Bath Design Coordinator and Interior Decorating Faculty member at Georgian College. “All courses within the program include the mandatory use of the knowledge center and NKBA guidelines textbook upon becoming NKBA student members.”

Lakeland College

The Interior Design Technology students at Lakeland College learn in a studio setting where they master design fundamentals, drafting and space planning. With intimate class sizes, students benefit from personalized attention and one-on-one mentorship. Notably, Lakeland College was also the first Canadian institution to be accredited by the NKBA, in 1999, and has founding member status.

Through that membership, “our curriculum supports the knowledge extended by the NKBA, creating a solid base for our students to work from,” explained Rochelle Horne, AKBD, Instructor/Program Head, Interior Design Technology at Lakeland College. She added, “The student membership, with the generous sponsorship by Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove, allows our students access to webinars, student design competitions and invitations to industry events, including KBIS, that create networking and knowledge-building platforms.”

Weber State University

The Kitchen & Bath course at WSU is a comprehensive course that follows NKBA guidelines. It covers nomenclature, incorporates the national competition, discusses lighting and materials and utilizes the technology for students to design contemporary kitchens and bathrooms. The course culminates with a focus on the NKBA Student Design Competition, where students are encouraged to enter their final projects. 

“NKBA’s educational resources are used throughout the Kitchen and Bath course and are required course materials,” said Kristen Arnold, Program Coordinator and Associate Professor at WSU’s Interior Design program. “As students learn the fundamentals of kitchen and bath design, they are following NKBA guidelines from the start. Should they choose to go into kitchen and bath design, they have a good foundation for their career.”

More About the Excellence in Education Award

The Excellence in Education award for 2023 was based on submissions to the 2021-2022 Student Design Competition, which receives hundreds of submissions annually. To win the competition, schools must have three student entries that each receive a score of 80 points or above. Since students can submit one kitchen design and one bathroom design to the competition, only the top scoring entry from each student is considered for the Excellence in Education Award. Therefore, this honor is based on the work of three individual students from each school.

The Student Design Competition allows students to showcase their classroom learning, and educators often incorporate it into their curriculum. For more information on Affiliated Schools and the competition, visit the Affiliated Schools Program Page.