Kitchen & Bath Design News is the industry's leading business, design and product resource for the kitchen and bath trade.
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10 | Kitchen & Bath Design News October 2014 Industry Update { Noteworthy developments impacting the kitchen and bath market } New Ownership Announced for Kitchen & Bath Design News Wilmette, IL — Kitchen & Bath Design News' print, digital and event assets were recently purchased by Sola Group Inc., based here. The closely held partnership of media profes- sionals, headed up by Paul DeGrandis and Patrick O'Toole, bring decades of experience in the remodeling and home improvement industries, joining a team of industry pros that includes founding editor and publisher emeritus Eliot Sefrin. "Eliot Sefrin and his team have a strong track record of industry leadership, and we look forward to continuing this rich tradition," said Paul DeGrandis, president of Sola Group, Inc. and publisher of KBDN . "That is why we are so pleased that long-time thought leaders like Eliot, Janice Costa and Anita Shaw, who built the brand, will be staying on board, along with an outstanding stable of columnists and industry experts such as Mary Jo Peterson, Ellen Cheever and Eric Schimelpfenig, among many others.". "I look forward to working with Sola Group management on KBDN in retaining the high editorial, marketing and educational standards that we have had in place for more than 30 years," noted Sefrin. "With Kitchen & Bath Design News, the go-to source for kitchen/bath designers, our goal is to support the brand in ways that will help it grow along with the industry, particularly with the opportunities presented by new Web and mobile venues," said DeGrandis. Sola takes over from Cygnus Business Media, which had operated the brand for almost 20 years. Sola also took ownership of Qualifed Remodeler magazine and For ResidentialPros.com. All circulation and advertising inquiries can be made to Sola Group Inc., 724 12th St., Suite 1W, Wilmette, Illinois 60091; info@solabrands.com. Stamford, CT Site of KBDN Seminar This Month Melville, NY — Stamford, CT will be the latest site for "Art + Science," the series of all-day seminars being presented by Kitchen & Bath Design News in key markets throughout 2014. The highly acclaimed seminar series is scheduled to continue its eight-city run Oct. 23 at the Hilton Stamford Hotel, in Stamford, CT. The educational initiative, currently in the second of a three-year run, has already been presented this year in Fort Lauderdale, St. Louis, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Seattle and Denver. After its Stamford stop, the program will con- clude its 2014 schedule on Nov. 13 in Dallas, according to KBDN Publisher Emeritus Eliot Sefrin. Location and dates for 2015 will be announced shortly, Sefrin said. Designed for kitchen and bath designers looking to refresh their creative talents and expand their technological skills, "Art + Science" is aimed at identi- fying "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 toward contemporary kitchens and baths that require an entirely new way of managing the space and con- necting 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. 2014 sponsors have included BEST, Geberit, Hafele America, Jenn-Air, Rev- A-Shelf and Showplace Wood Products. Information about attending any of the 2014 programs can be obtained by visiting KBDN's web site, www.forresidentialpros.com. Seminars Set for Kansas City, Denver Melville, NY — Kansas City and Denver will serve as the locations this month for the fnal two in a year-long series of all-day seminars being produced under the terms of an exclusive alliance between Kitchen & Bath Design News and the SEN Design Group. The seminar series will conclude its 2014 run at the Cosentino showrooms in Kansas City and Denver on Oct. 1 and Oct. 29, respectively. Titled "Systemizing Your Sales Approach for Maximum Proft," the program is led by SEN President Ken Peterson, CKB. Created specifcally for showroom owners, managers and sales designers, the programs focus on how kitchen and bath dealers can improve closing percent- ages, sales volume and gross margins by implementing a well-thought-out selling system keyed to today's market. Sponsors of the 2014 seminars have included Silestone by Cosentino, Hafele America, Dura Supreme, Medallion/Yorktowne/MasterCraft/Design Craft, Autokitchen, Signature Kitchen & Bath magazine, Cambridge Steel Works, Task Lighting, WoodTrac and Warmly Yours. Information, including registration details, is available by contacting the Chapel Hill, NC- based SEN Design Group, at (800) 991-1711. Electrolux Purchases GE Appliance Business Fairfeld, CT — General Electric has signed a defnitive agreement to sell its century-old home appliance division to Electrolux. The deal is estimated at $3.3 billion. As part of the transaction, GE has entered into a long-term agreement with Electrolux to continue use of the GE Appliances brand. The transaction has been approved by the boards of di- rectors of GE and Electrolux and remains subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, and is targeted to close in 2015. "This transaction is consistent with our strategy to be the world's best infrastructure and technology company," said GE Chairman and CEO Jef Immelt. GE has taken steps in 2014 to reshape and focus its portfolio, purchasing Alstom's Power and Grid businesses in June and, in August, completing the IPO of its North American Retail Finance business, Synchrony Financial. The activity continues the company's longer-term redeploy- ment of capital from non-core assets like media, plastics and insurance to higher-growth, higher-margin businesses in Oil & Gas, Power, Aviation and Healthcare. The company hopes to achieve 75% of earnings from its Industrial business by 2016. "GE Appliances is a great business and we are proud of the role it has played in GE's history," Immelt continued. "Electrolux is the right global business for our customers, consumers and employ- ees. We have greatly strengthened this franchise in the past few years. GE Appliances' people, valuable home appliances brand, products, distribution and service capabilities make it a perfect ft with Electrolux and its goal of accelerating growth in the U.S. Like GE Appliances, Electrolux has a nearly 100-year history in home appliances and they share the same principles of quality, innova- tion and customer value as GE. They are committed to supporting the growth of GE Appliances and value the GE Appliances team and its capabilities." "GE Appliances is a well-run operation with strong capabilities in key areas such as R&D;, engineering, supply chain and customer service," said Keith McLoughlin, president and CEO of Electrolux. "We look forward to joining forces with their team of talented and competent people." The acquisition will nearly double Electrolux's business in North America and put it on the same playing feld with the Whirlpool Corporation, which posted revenue of $18.8 billion last year. to Las Vegas.