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/165636
Industry Update { Noteworthy developments impacting the kitchen and bath market } KBDN Seminar Series Continues in Boston Suburb Melville, NY — This month marks the resumption of the series of all-day seminars being sponsored by Kitchen & Bath Design News throughout 2013 in key markets around the country. The educational initiative, which is enjoying unparalleled success among sponsors and attendees this year, resumes Sept. 26 at the Hilton Boston Dedham Hotel, in the Boston suburb of Dedham. Additional events are scheduled for Oct. 17 in Chicago and Nov. 14 in Atlanta. KBDN's 2013 seminar series – entitled "Art + Science: How Contemporary Design & Cutting-Edge Technology Can Increase Profits & Resonate With Today's New Clients" – kicked of its eight-city tour with presentations in Orlando (February), Palo Alto (March), Pittsburgh (April), Mahwah, NJ (May) and Minneapolis (June). The roster of sponsors for the program, which now totals a record 12 companies, includes BEST, Delta Faucet, Elkay Mfg., Geberit, Hafele, Jenn-Air, Longleaf, Plain & Fancy, Rev-A-Shelf, Samsung Staron/Radianz, Showplace Wood Products and LUXE Bath Works/ Twin Star International. 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 that design professionals can better address the needs of a younger, less-traditional client while increasing company profts in the New Digital Age. "Art + Science" spotlights the growing trend Newell Rubbermaid to Sell Hardware Business Atlanta, GA — Newell Rubbermaid, Inc., owner of Amerock and other hardware brands, is selling its hardware business to Nova Capital, a frm that specializes in the acquisition of corporate and private equity portfolios, for $214 million. In addition to Amerock, components of the sale include Ashland, Drapery Hardware, Bulldog and Shur-Line brands. Sales for 2013 came in at $255 million so far, with gross proceeds resting at $214 million, company ofcials said. The move is part of a larger initiative by Newell to streamline the company's operations in order to reduce costs and buoy its focus on products with growth potential, according to a recent report in The Wall Street Journal. "The successful sale of our hardware business will leave us with a focused, cohesive portfolio of brands in fve core business segments, each of which have signifcant potential to grow through innovation, brand development and selective emerging market expansion," said Newell Rubbermaid President and CEO Michael Polk. "That's the Growth Game Plan in action." Nova investment partner David Jacobs said that he expects to see sustained growth in the hardware business, due in part to the continued housing recovery and growth in the home improvement market. Nick Morrisroe, v.p. and general manager of hardware for Newell Rubbermaid, will maintain his position overseeing the combined businesses. The deal, which was advised by Rothschild, is set to close at some point next quarter. The Cosentino Group Hosts Kitchen & Bath Industry Editors Almeria, Spain — The Cosentino Group, a worldwide supplier of natural stone, quartz, recycled and architectural surfaces, recently hosted top kitchen and bath industry editors at a tour of the company's manufacturing headquarters in Almeria, Spain. The new facility, which represents a $172-million investment for the company, is dedicated to the production of the soon-to-be-launched Dekton product, an ultra-compact surface designed for such applications as worktops, fooring, wall tiles, cladding and more. Shown are: (front, l. to r.) Diana Budds, Dwell Media; Susan Serra, The Kitchen Designer; and Samantha Emmerling, Hearst Design Group; (back, l. to r.) Lorenzo Marquez, v.p. marketing, Cosentino; Kim Berndtson, Kitchen & Bath Design News, and Stephanie Grabbe, Sharp Communications. 12 | Kitchen & Bath Design News September 2013 toward 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 contributors: 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 any of the 2013 programs can be obtained by visiting the KBDN Web site, www.ForResidentialPros.com. Two More Programs Set in KBDN-SEN Seminar Series Melville, NY — Two additional programs are scheduled for 2013 in the four-city series of all-day seminars being brought to the market as the result of an educational partnership between Kitchen & Bath Design News and the SEN Design Group. The annual seminar series, which has already involved presentations in Atlanta (May) and Seattle (July), is scheduled to make its next two stops at the Cosentino Center in Boston (Oct. 16) and Orlando (Nov. 6). Sponsors of the 2013 educational initiative include: Silestone by Cosentino, Daltile, Dura Supreme, Enkeboll Designs, Hafele America and Warmly Yours. The KBDN-SEN seminar series, titled "Systemizing Your Sales Approach for Maximum Proft," is being led by SEN v.p./education Tom Blau. Created specifcally for showroom owners, managers and sales designers, the day-long programs focus on how kitchen and bath dealers can improve closing percentages, sales volume and gross margins by implementing a selling system keyed to today's market. Information, including registration details, is available by contacting the Chapel Hill, NC-based SEN Design Group, at (800) 991-1711.