Kitchen & Bath Design News is the industry's leading business, design and product resource for the kitchen and bath trade.
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12 | Kitchen & Bath Design News | April 2015 Industry Update { Noteworthy developments impacting the kitchen and bath market } Indianapolis Will Serve as Site of April Seminar Wilmette, IL — Indianapolis will serve as the lat- est location for "Art + Science," the series of all-day seminars being presented by Kitchen & Bath Design News in key U.S. markets throughout the year. The seminar series, currently in its third and fnal year, is scheduled to continue its 2015 run on Thursday, April 16 at the Indianapolis Marriott North, Indianapolis. The program, which has already visited Miami and New Orleans this year, will also be presented in Nashville, Cleveland, Kansas City, Baltimore/Washington, DC and San Diego, accord- ing to KBDN Publisher Emeritus Eliot Sefrin. 2015 dates and targeted cities, beyond this month, include: à May 21, Nashville. à June 18, Cleveland. à September 23, Kansas City. à October 29, San Diego. à November, Baltimore/Washington, DC. Corporate co-sponsors of the educational initia- tive include BEST, Hafele America, Jenn-Air, Plain & Fancy, Rev-A-Shelf and Showplace Wood Products. "Art + Science" – subtitled "How Contemporary Design & Cutting-Edge Technology Can Increase Profts & Resonate With Today's New Clients" – was rolled out in 2013. Aimed at kitchen and bath de- signers looking to refresh their creative talents and expand their technological skills, "Art + Science" is targeted at identifying "what's next" in design and technology so that design professionals can bet- ter address the needs of a younger, less-traditional client while increasing company profts in the New Digital Age. "Art + Science" spotlights the growing trend to- ward contemporary kitchens and baths that require an entirely new way of managing the space and connecting the elements of the room. Also featured is a multi-media program that presents a vision of the industry's digital present and future, including ways design professionals can leverage cutting- edge technological tools from initial client contact through fnal contract. Leading the programs is a pair of KBDN contrib- utors: Ellen Cheever, CMKBD, ASID, CAPS, widely considered to be the nation's premier kitchen and bath design authority, and Eric Schimelpfenig, AKBD, a leading authority on cutting-edge technology impacting the kitchen and bath industry. Information about attending or sponsoring any of the 2015 programs can be obtained by vis- iting KBDN's Web site, www.KBDNseminars.com, or calling Publisher Paul Degrandis at (847) 421-2737. Fortune Brands to Acquire Norcraft Companies Deerfeld, IL — Fortune Brands Home & Security has signed an agreement to acquire Norcraft Companies, a leading, publicly owned manufacturer of kitchen and bathroom cabinetry. The purchase price is $25.50 per share, resulting in an enterprise value of approximately $600 million. The transaction will be fnanced under Fortune Brands' existing credit facility. Norcraft's 2014 sales were $376 million. Additional details will be provided on the Fortune Brands frst quarter earnings call. It was expected that Fortune Brands would launch a tender ofer for all outstanding Norcraft shares by mid-April. Upon completion of the tender ofer, Norcraft will be merged into Fortune Brands' cabinets business. The transaction is subject to the tender of a majority of Norcraft's shares and certain other customary closing conditions, and is expected to close in the second quarter. "The combination of the two best cabinet businesses in North America is exciting," said Chris Klein, chief executive officer, Fortune Brands. "Norcraft has proven capabilities and great relationships in the dealer channel with strong operating management throughout their business. The combination will strengthen our overall product ofering, round out our regional market penetration and enhance our frameless capabilities. We see many opportunities for enhanced growth by bringing these businesses together." "We believe Fortunes Brands' scale and resources provide a highly complementary platform to continue enhancing our entire organization while generating meaningful value for our shareholders," said Mark Buller, chairman and chief executive ofcer of Norcraft. Among Fortune Brands Home & Security are MasterBrand cabinets, Moen faucets, Therma-Tru entry door systems, and Master Lock and SentrySafe security products. Norcraft Companies produces Mid Continent Cabinetry, Norcraft Cabinetry, UltraCraft, StarMark Cabinetry, Fieldstone Cabinetry, Brookwood and Urban Efects. KBDN-SEN Series Set for Miami, DC Wilmette, IL — Miami this month and Washington, DC in May are the next two locations scheduled as sites for the 2015 series of all-day seminars being brought to the market under the terms of an exclusive educational partnership between Kitchen & Bath Design News and the SEN Design Group. The six-city KBDN -SEN seminar series will be presented at the Cosentino/ Silestone showroom in Miami on April 29 and at Cosentino's Washington, DC showroom on May 13. Additional 2015 dates include: à June 3, Detroit. à October 7, Chicago. à October 28, Phoenix. Titled "Learn How to Double Your Sales Volume Using a Proven Selling System," the program will be led by SEN President Ken Peterson, CKD. Created specifcally for showroom owners, managers and sales designers, the programs focus 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. Corporate sponsors of the 2015 educational initiative include Silestone by Cosentino, Hafele America, Holiday Kitchens, Task Lighting, WoodTrac by Sauder, Warmly Yours, GuildQuality, Dacor and The Distribution Point. Information, including registration details, is available by contacting the SEN Design Group, at (800) 991-1711. DIFFA Raises Charity Funds New York, NY — The 2015 edition of DIFFA's DINING BY DESIGN, which took place at Pier 92 in New York City during the 2015 Architectural Digest Home Design Show, featured the theme 'All Together Now' 'Together all for DIFFA.' The event raised over $750,000 in the fght against HIV/ AIDS. Shown is one of the table vignettes, this one designed by Marc Blackwell New York. ERICSCHIMELPFENIG, AKBD ELLENCHEEVER,CMKBD, ASID,CAPS Photo: timothy bell