Kitchen & Bath Design News is the industry's leading business, design and product resource for the kitchen and bath trade.
Issue link: http://kitchenbathdesign.epubxp.com/i/222606
Industry Update { Noteworthy developments impacting the kitchen and bath market } KBDN Seminar Programs End 2013 on Upbeat Note Melville, NY — The dual series of seminars produced in 2013 by Kitchen & Bath Design News concluded their annual runs "on a positive note," with well-attended programs in Atlanta and Orlando last month, KBDN Publisher Emeritus Eliot Sefrin announced. KBDN 's latest annual educational initiative "enjoyed unparalleled success among corporate sponsors and attendees this year," said Sefrin, who spearheaded KBDN's involvement with the two programs: "Art + Science," a design/ technology seminar, and "Systemizing Your Sales Approach for Maximum Proft," a sales-oriented program co-produced through a partnership between KBDN and the SEN Design Group. "Art + Science" was presented this year in eight major metro markets: Orlando; Palo Alto, CA; Minneapolis; Pittsburgh; Mahwah, NJ; Boston; Chicago and Atlanta. The roster of corporate sponsors for the program included BEST, Delta Faucet, Elkay Mfg., Geberit, Hafele America, Jenn-Air, Longleaf, Plain & Fancy, Rev-A-Shelf, Samsung Staron/Radianz, Showplace Wood Products and LUXE Bath Works/Twin Star International. "Systemizing Your Sales Approach for Maximum Proft" was presented in 2013 in four cities: Atlanta, Seattle, Boston and Orlando. Sponsors of the ini- Kohler Wins Inaugural EPA WaterSense Sustained Excellence Award Kohler, WI — Kohler Co. has been recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense program with the frst-ever 2013 WaterSense Sustained Excellence award for the company's long-standing eforts to increase consumer awareness of water issues and provide products that help save water in homes and businesses. Kohler was the frst company to earn the EPA WaterSense Manufacturer Partner of the Year Award in 2008. The company received the Manufacturer Partner of the Year award again in 2009, was lauded with Excellence Awards in 2010 and 2011, and in 2012 was honored as Manufacturer Partner of the Year. "Kohler Co. is very proud to be the inaugural recipient of the WaterSense Sustained Excellence Award," said Rob Zimmerman, senior channel manager of sustainability for Kohler Co. "Kohler has been a strong supporter of WaterSense since its beginning, so receiving this award is recognition from the EPA that our eforts are making a diference." Since WaterSense was started in 2006, Kohler has converted almost all of its toilets, bathroom faucets, urinals and many of its showerheads to more efcient models. Some of the initiatives noted by the WaterSense program were the increased online efforts by Kohler, including its water-efciency Web site, SaveWaterAmerica.com, integration of water-saving information into the company's consumer Web site as well as its social media entities. In 2012, the company's social media team promoted the benefts of WaterSenselabeled products to nearly 500,000 Facebook fans and 40,000 Twitter followers. On YouTube, Kohler brought water-saving products to digital life in educational videos that drew the attention of more than one million online viewers. "We look forward to continuing to grow our already broad portfolio of WaterSense-labeled products, both in existing product categories and when new specifcations are developed," said Zimmerman. "We will also continue to drive water efciency awareness and education eforts through wide-ranging communications initiatives." 10 | Kitchen & Bath Design News December 2013 tiative included Silestone by Cosentino, Daltile, Enkeboll Designs, Hafele America and Warmly Yours. Designed for kitchen and bath designers looking to refresh their creative talents and expand their technological skills, "Art + Science" is aimed at identifying "what's next" in design and technology so design professionals can better address the needs of a younger, less-traditional client while increasing company profts in the New Digital Age. Leading the program is a pair of KBDN contributors: Ellen Cheever, CMKBD, ASID, CAPS, and Eric Schimelpfenig, AKBD. Eight new cities – Fort Lauderdale, St. Louis, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Seattle, Denver, Stamford, CT and Dallas – are being targeted for the seminar series in 2014. "Systemizing Your Sales Approach for Maximum Proft," led by SEN V.P./Education Tom Blau, focuses on how kitchen and bath dealers can improve closing percentages, sales volume and gross margins by implementing a well-thought-out selling system keyed to today's market. Duravit Announces Winner of Competition New York, NY — Duravit has selected the winning projects for its frst design competition, the Duravit Designer Dream Bath Competition. The panel of judges chose Canadian architect Nicolas Kof as the winner of the competition. Kof will be awarded the Duravit items featured in his project, up to a value of $15,000. Duravit USA President Tim Schroeder remarked, "We found Nicolas' design to stand out due to the creative way in which he blended Duravit's introductions with environmentally friendly design. We applaud his ability to imaginatively create an accessible bathroom for all ages." Schroeder went on to say, "We were excited about all of the submissions we received this year, and we look forward to continuing the competition in years to come." Two Honorable Mentions – Alberto Munzo and Esteban Cruces of Alberto/Esteban, and Roberto Deseda of lowercase – were also awarded based on the modern and innovative design aesthetic found within their projects. This year's judges consisted of architects and leading design media members including: Annie Block of Interior Design, Edda Elias of Elias Associates, Marc Kushner of Architizer, Paul Makovsky of Metropolis and Sharon McHugh of World Architecture News. Duravit Designer Dream Bath Competition winner Nicolas Kof's design – for his family home in Ancaster, Ontario – emphasized sustainability and Universal Design.