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Industry Update { Noteworthy developments impacting the kitchen and bath market } ALNO AG Opens Miami Showroom Miami, FL — Kitchen cabinet manufacturer ALNO AG has opened a new 3,500-sq.-ft. fagship design showroom in Miami. ALNO currently has 11 independent dealer locations and two corporately owned subsidiaries in the U.S., and remains committed to further investment and strengthening its position in the U.S., according to company ofcials. ALNO's grand opening event, sponsored by leading partners Miele and Caesarstone, was held in July in Miami's Design District. The new ALNO showroom, located just around the corner from luxury retailers Louis Vuitton, Cartier and Hermès, welcomed a mix of interior designers, architects and developers to its opening. ALNO USA President and CEO Lothar Birkenfeld spoke at the on Product Card 16Circle No. 12& Bath Design News | Kitchen Members of the Alno USA team attending the opening of the ALNO AG Miami showroom are (l. to r.): Gerardo Gimenez, technical director; Laura Rivas, technical project designer; Lothar Birkenfeld, president; Albert Migliori, project manager; Jara Barreto, designer, and Nathalie Birkenfeld, marketing manager. event, commenting on the clear signs of a strong market turnaround. He stated, "We are optimistic that ALNO's modern ftted cabinet solutions will be successful for the building needs in South Florida." ALNO has established fve new dealerships just this past October 2013 year, including two in Long Island, NY, two in New Jersey and the one in Miami. Max Muller, CEO and director of the board of ALNO AG said, "The U.S. is an important strategic market with enormous sales potential that we want a presence in." Liebherr Wins Award for Innovation Burlington, Ontario — Liebherr, manufacturer of environmentally responsible refrigeration, was recently named the recipient of the Plus X award for Most Innovative Brand of the Year in the Built-In Appliances category (European fully integrated in North American market). The 10th annual Plus X Awards honor manufacturers for their quality advantage in technology, sports and lifestyle products. The award, which recognizes "exceptional brand products with a genuine market value for the consumer," is determined by a jury of renowned trade journalists and experts from 25 industries, with the winners judged on "pioneering technologies that excel in their respective industries." "Our commitment to innovation, sustainable design and responsible manufacturing practices is well aligned with an award program that recognizes such excellence," said Josef Steigmiller, v.p. for Liebherr Refrigeration, The Americas. Liebherr also received fve awards out of the seven categories, including High Quality, Design, Ease of Use, Functionality and Ecology.