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 | March 2015 Industry Update { Noteworthy developments impacting the kitchen and bath market } New Orleans Site for KBDN Seminar This Month Wilmette, IL — The 2015 edition of "Art + Science," the series of all-day seminars being presented by Kitchen & Bath Design News , will continue its eight- city in New Orleans this month. The well-received seminar series, now in its third and fnal year, kicked of last month in Miami, and is scheduled for March 26 at the Sheraton Metairie hotel in New Orleans. The program will also be pre- sented in cities that include Indianapolis, Nashville, Cleveland, Kansas City, Baltimore/Washington, DC and San Diego, according to KBDN Publisher Emeri- tus Eliot Sefrin. Tentative 2015 dates and targeted cities, beyond this month, include: à April 16, Indianapolis. 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 initiative include BEST, Hafele America, Jenn-Air, 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 better address the needs of a younger, less-traditional cli- ent while increasing company profts in the New Digital Age. "Art + Science" spotlights the growing trend toward contemporary kitchens and baths that re- quire 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 con- tributors: 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 visit- ing KBDN's Web site, www.KBDNseminars.com, or calling Publisher Paul Degrandis at (847) 421-2737. Ferguson Announces Two Acquisitions Newport News, VA — Ferguson Enterprises, Inc. announced two acquisi- tions last month that will expand its distribution reach throughout the U.S. market. The wholesale plumbing distributor has acquired Ar-Jay Building Products, a cabinet, lighting and freplace showroom located in Cedar Rapids, IA, and Builders Appliance Center, a family-owned appliance dealer located in Englewood, CO. Ar-Jay serves professional contractors, remodelers and residential home- owners. The company was originally founded in 1957 and Ralph Palmer, president of Ar-Jay and his son, Jef Palmer, purchased the company in 1997 from Richard Felter. The Ar-Jay brand will continue under the new ownership, now operating as The Ar-Jay Center, a Ferguson enterprise. "This acquisition further demonstrates Ferguson's commitment to the showroom business, and we're excited to welcome The Ar-Jay Center to the Ferguson family," said Ferguson CEO Frank Roach. "I've had two wonderful, long and fulflling vocations in the kitchen and bath industry; 25 years writing the Closing the Sale column for Kitchen & Bath Design News , and 47 years of employment developing a wonderful company. In addition, working with my son and keeping Ar-Jay as a family business brought a lot of wonderful feelings to me and our family," said Ralph Palmer, CKD, president of Ar-Jay Building Products, Inc. "Now I have a clean palette and the opportunity to pick my colors and images for my future." Builders Appliance Center, the largest luxury appliance dealer in Colorado, will operate as BAC Appliance Center, a Ferguson enterprise. The company was founded in 1993 to provide builders and designers with expertise and support with appliance innovations. "BAC and Ferguson both share the philosophy that if you take care of your associates, they will take good care of our customers," said Ferguson CEO Frank Roach. "BAC has a great reputation in the market for customer service and will be a great complement to our exciting Denver plumbing, lighting and appliance showrooms." "We are excited about joining the Ferguson team," said Ken Jensen, CEO of Builders Appliance Center. "Our shared cultures of continuous improve- ment allow us to join forces and provide great service and support to the building industry in Colorado." KBDN -SEN Series Resumes in Miami Wilmette, IL — Miami next month will be the second of six cities earmarked 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 annual KBDN-SEN seminar series will be presented next at the Cosentino/ Silestone showroom in Miami on April 29. Additional markets include: à May 13, Washington, DC. 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. Cosentino Hosts Top Customers New York, NY — The Cosentino Group hosted its top customers from the U.S. and Canada for 'Cosentino 100' last month in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. This year's event touted the highest attendance in its history, with more than 300 attendees from 115 independent companies. In addition to sharing strategic plans for the company in the next year, attendees were treated to sneak peeks at never-before-seen prototypes at the C100 Tradeshow. Customers also attended educational sessions on design trends, marketing and generational behaviors.