The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show descended on Orlando earlier this year, and Editor at Large was on hand to document product launches unfolding at the show. KBIS, which experienced a 17 percent jump in attendance this season, brought with it major exhibitors, among them, Dupont, ROHL, Liebherr, Technistone, J&K Cabinetry and MIA+BSI, whose execs spoke about innovations in the industry with EditorTV's Arianne Nardo.
EditorTV host Arianne Nardo interviews John Richard about DuPont's latest innovations of 2017, like the smart kitchen, wireless recharging surfaces and new colors launching this month.
DuPont celebrated its 50th anniversary at KBIS, launching what global business director John Richard calls its "largest, broadest color and aesthetics launch ever" for the brand's Corian quartz surfaces. Dupont's installation included a smart kitchen outfitted with wireless charging stations to charge phones and other devices, and custom applications such as integrated drying racks and clever storage locations for utensils.
Nardo interviews Greg Rohl about the latest introductions in the kitchen and bath, and he shares the story behind the "House of ROHL," at KBIS.
Among ROHL's many 2017 debuts are three new series for the bath and a number of new developments for the House of ROHL. The family-owned business is similar to "one of those fashion couture houses in Europe: We've established a brand…an ethos," explains Greg Rohl, vice president of marketing. The result is a coordinated, high-end collection, "much like what a fashion house would do," that epitomizes the ROHL aesthetic.
Mark Livingood and Josef Steigmiller discuss Liebherr's patented BioFresh technology and other introductions at KBIS.
Liebherr's Mark Livingood, eastern regional sales manager, and Josef Steigmiller, divisional director of referigerators and freezers, walk Nardo through some of the brand's most notable features: its award-winning wine refrigerator; commitment to environment-friendliness; BioFresh technology, which preserves the life of produce; and dual-cooling system.
Brad Place chats about the latest in quartz and Technistone's expansion into the U.S. market.
Further moving into the U.S., the European quartz manufacturer Technistone, which is based in 75 countries around the world, makes its mark at KBIS. Brad Place, CEO, shares with Nardo the impetus behind the expansion, as well as fascinating background on the brand and its clients.
Nardo interviews Ashton Sams, Victor Tireman and Patti Allen about J&K Cabinetry's custom capabilities.
J&K Cabinetry interior designer Ashton Sams shares with Nardo the new ways homeowners and designers are incorporating the brand's custom cabinetry into less-traditional areas of the home, such as mudrooms. "People are trying to figure out what kinds of gadgets they can include in their cabinets, to make life easier," says Sams. "J&K's really been focusing on that."
Jim Hieb of MIA+BSI, along with members of MIA+BSI, both Arden Mullins, media and event manager at Arizona Tile, and Joshua Levinson of Artistic Tile (pictured), discuss the organization with Nardo.
The mission of KBIS exhibitor MIA+BSI The Natural Stone Institute, CEO Jim Hieb explains, is not just about the stone itself. "It's all about advocating natural stone. It's not just advocating product, it's supporting our members, who are in 55 countries around the world. And helping them be successful in their own businesses."
Next year's KBIS will run January 9 to 11.