Kitchen & Bath Design News

MAR 2016

Kitchen & Bath Design News is the industry's leading business, design and product resource for the kitchen and bath trade.

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WHILE THE ANNUAL KBIS spot- lights many award-winning products, designs and design professionals, the crown jewel in the awards department is undeniably the announcement of the NKBA Hall of Fame inductee – a prestigious award that honors a lifetime of achievement in the kitchen and bath industry. For 2016, that honor was given to Cosentino Group President Franciso Martinez-Cosentino. Beginning his career working in his father's stone business in Spain, Martinez-Cosentino focused on learning every aspect of the business, from the excavation process to the production techniques and end uses. He was recognized for pioneering quartz surfacing with his frst production of Silestone Natural Quartz in 1990, as well as the ultra-compact Dekton surfacing material, introduced in 2013. Martinez-Cosentino, who has served the industry for more than 30 years, also bears the unique distinction of being the frst Hispanic inducted into the NKBA Hall of Fame since the program was created in 1989. The NKBA Hall of Fame was designed to recognize industry professionals who have made signifcant, life-long contributions to the growth and professionalism of the kitchen and bath industry, with candidates selected by a committee of key industry professionals. This month, KBDN speaks with Francisco "Paco" Martinez-Cosentino about his 30+ years in the kitchen and bath industry, and what it means to be inducted into the NKBA Hall of Fame. Q&A;: Tell us a bit about how you see the kitchen and bath industry, and how this industry is evolving. In the kitchen and bath industry, it is extremely important to capitalize on success and specialties, and we have huge opportuni- ties to expand upon our presence in the North American markets. Too frequently, when busi- nesses diversify and grow areas of weakness, their strengths are overlooked or forgotten. Businesses must take advantage not only of what they know, but continue to innovate upon it to make it better. Q&A;: What does it mean to you to be inducted into the NKBA Hall of Fame? I have always supported the kitchen and bath industry worldwide, and strong relation- ships with trade organizations like the National Kitchen & Bath Association are very important to improving the industry and beneftting its customers. I believe in reinvestment into the industry for the future well-being of its mem- bers, and I am so proud and honored that the NKBA and its members have recognized our achievement within the industry. Q&A;: One of the primary reasons someone is cho- sen for the Hall of Fame is because of all they have given to the industry. Tell us a bit more about how you've given back to the industry over the course of your career, and what it has meant to you, both personally and professionally. We listen to our customers and employees and fnd products that are relevant and make sense to the industry. Above all else, we strive to be a company of good people who are honest and who work hard to be great. Cosentino has been a true innovator and supporter of the stone industry worldwide. I have always believed in the virtue of giving back, elevating others and continually working toward the well-being of the market as a whole. Q&A;: When you started with Cosentino, what were your goals? How have they changed over the years? What are your professional goals for the future? I began my career under my father, learning every operational detail of his stone business in Spain. My goals have always been to grow the business and remain passionate about innovation and entrepreneurialism. While the company is a global leader, we still remain family-owned and keep those family values intact. Cosentino has not only revolutionized the surfacing market through product innovation but also through service and diversifcation. We have major investments in developing our international infrastructure and our goal remains to increase proximity and availability of materials to the market and minimize the delivery time of products and the investment required of designers, dealers and fabricators to access material. Q&A;: How has the surfacing category changed since you started out in the industry, and how do you see it evolving over the next few years? Twenty-six years ago, Cosentino produced Silestone, the frst global line of quartz surfac- ing. Today it remains the world's leading quartz brand, ofering over 120 colors, and has since changed the way in which the industry utilizes innovative high performance surfaces. Through Silestone, we have reinvented stone color oferings and kept up with evolving design trends. In 2013 we introduced Dekton, the frst ultra-compact, ultra-resilient surfacing material made for both indoor and outdoor applications. This product development brought an entire- ly new category to the market with superior design and performance benefts – breaking the standard rules and limitations of traditional countertop and surfacing materials. As product innovation continues, the surfacing category will become more advanced with these new technologies that allow for better performance and aesthetics. Q&A;: What do you think the future holds for kitchen and bath professionals and the industry as a whole? A deep understanding of what consum- ers want and need to make their lives bet- ter informs every aspect of how Cosentino develops products – from color development to advancing new technologies. As long as the industry remains committed to truly knowing the needs of their consumers, and responding in a meaningful way, the potential for success is limitless. FRANCISO MARTINEZ-COSENTINO COSENTINO GROUP PRESIDENT " I have always believed in the virtue of giving back, elevating others and continually working toward the well-being of the market as a whole." Hall of Fame Inductee Shares Insights NKBA Hall of Fame inductee Francisco 'Paco' Martinez-Cosentino (center), honored at the recent KBIS, is pictured with (l. to r.) Bill Darcy, NKBA CEO; Francisco Martinez Cosentino Jr., business unit director Cosentino North America; Pilar Martinez Cosentino, deputy general manager Cosentino Group, and Eduardo Cosentino, president & CEO Cosentino North America. 26 Kitchen & Bath Design News • March 2016 INTERVIEW

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