K/BIS expects to draw 30,000 to Chicago
Atlanta – Now in its 47th year, the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show will be held at McCormick Place in Chicago April 16-18. The show is expected to draw more than 30,000 attendees, along with nearly 700 exhibitors made up of the largest kitchen and bath manufacturers in the world.
The must-attend event brings together the industry’s top dealers, designers, builders, remodelers, retailers, and other professionals directly involved in the design and remodel of residential kitchens and bathrooms. The nearly 350,000-square-foot expo space at K/BIS is complemented by a full conference program, which is led by top industry leaders and offers vital networking opportunities.
“With consumers growing savvier than ever when it comes to home improvement, K/BIS offers its attendees and exhibitors an unparalleled opportunity to get a leg-up on the competition by showcasing the latest products and trends in the marketplace,” said Mark Karas, 2010 president of the NKBA.
The theme for this year’s show, “be inspired,” aims to stimulate kitchen and bath industry professionals as the nation slowly works out of an almost two-year-long economic recession. “We want to inspire people who may have been sitting on the sidelines waiting for things to get better to really look at the possibilities for growth in this industry, and get them back on their feet,” said Brian Pagel, vice president of the Kitchen and Bath Group at Nielsen Business Media. “We’re trying to stress that the fundamentals of the kitchen and bath industry are still very strong and there’s a bright future ahead, while at the same time, we seek to arm our audience with the skills and knowledge they need for added growth.”
Show highlights this year include the Design Idea Center and Center Stage, housed within the NKBA’s 13,000-square-foot booth in the center of the trade show floor. At the Design Idea Center, attendees can peruse some of the latest and most innovative products in the marketplace to boost their own creative and business ideas.
Next door, Center Stage houses some of the conference’s smaller educational sessions and networking opportunities that are all free of charge. Attendees can earn continuing education units by attending the sessions.
This year’s conference program is broken down into four “Knowledge Paths” that include: Business and Leadership, Trends and Insight, Design and Inspiration, and Sales and Marketing. The four paths each contain a variety of panels, presentations, courses and other sessions related to their particular fields, which present opportunities for attendees to receive credited CEUs.
Visit www.kbis.com.
Noritz America introduces new EZPay programs
Fountain Valley, Calif. – Noritz America Corporation has introduced two new EZPay programs, according to senior marketing manager Yoshi Asano.
Noritz has made an exclusive arrangement with FTL Finance and Viewtech Financial Services to offer the new Noritz EZPay programs to its valued PROCard members which, in turn, will trickle down to the thousands of new consumers who purchase a Noritz tankless water heaters. The FTL program and Viewtech program are unique in their own right, so interested parties are urged to compare the two and select the program that best fits their needs.
To sign up for the new EZPay program, visit www.noritz.com/EZPay.
“Our EZPay programs enable consumers to experience the lifestyle benefits of Noritz’s world-class technology for as little as $46 per month* and still receive the generous tax credits available through the federal, state and local gas rebates,” said Asano. “Plus, these programs afford homeowners flexibility and a simple and fast application process.”
Noritz is a leading manufacturer of tankless water heater technology and the official tankless water heater of Brad Pitt’s Make It Right project in New Orleans, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition for 2009 and Leonardo di Caprio’s rebuilding efforts in Greensburg, Kan.
To learn more about Noritz’s entire line, call 877/986-6748 or visit www.Noritz.com.
* The monthly cost to finance Noritz tankless water heater is dependent on several factors, including consumer’s credit score and installation cost. To contact a Noritz qualified PROCard member for exact costs, please go to http://noritz.com/homeowners/search/?search=1&query=pro+card.
Newmans and Cameron form joint venture
Stafford, Texas — Newmans’ ownership has formed a joint venture with Cameron, one of the world’s largest valve manufacturers, to jointly market and manufacture branded products for downstream solutions.
The affiliation with Cameron will expose Newmans to markets where Cameron has established itself as an industry leader and historically not been part of Newmans’ customer base. Conversely, Newmans can help expand Cameron’s reach into the downstream markets. Both Newmans and Cameron will see tangible benefits from the synergies of each company’s manufacturing, engineering, and sales expertise.
Newmans has established itself as a strong industry manufacturer in the downstream valve market. Its extensive product line of gate, globe and check valves, along with newer offerings of ball valves and triple-offset butterfly valves, will compliment Cameron’s well-established product lines.
The Newmans team is excited to be associated with a Fortune 500 that has a great reputation in the industry. Cameron is recognized as a leading provider of flow equipment products, systems and services to worldwide oil, gas and process industries. Newmans’ Newco, OIC, Cooper, Quadrosphere and Trinity valve lines continue to be a reliable choice for global industrial applications.
For additional information, visit www.newmansvalve.com and www.c-a-m.com.
GSS, FFF significantly increase inventory level
Houston — Many companies say they have the most competitive prices in the market and the most material in the industry. Global Stainless Supply and Forgings, Flanges & Fittings is inviting customers to find out for themselves.
Customers are welcome to tour any of GSS’s and FFF’s four stocking locations across the country. The 210,000-square-foot Houston warehouse and 120,000-square-foot warehouses in Richmond, Indianapolis and Los Angeles inventory stainless, carbon, chrome, low-temp, nickel and other exotic alloys with 18 acres of outside storage.
A company spokesman noted, “We are revolutionizing the way you look at PVF master distribution. Since our combination, GSS and FFF have more than doubled our combined inventory levels. We have made tremendous investments in commodity import fittings and flanges from Asia for ‘anything goes’ requirements. When price drives your decision making, GSS and FFF is your new source. Alternatively, when the strictest AML drives your decision, remember that we stock one of the country’s most comprehensive approved-import inventory.”
Despite a sluggish economy, continued growth and expansion is the theme at GSS and FFF. They are continually making investments to increase inventory and service capabilities. In fact, $20 million in additional, never-before stocked, material — including 16 new suppliers and over 2000 new line items — has been recently added. Additional investments to their in-house machine shop have been made to accommodate the new, larger OD fittings and flanges they are now stocking.
A presence on the West Coast, with the company’s new Los Angeles warehouse, adds to its geographic expansion as it is stocked and ready for orders.
Visit www.OneStopPVF.com.
Wolff Bros. becomes Johnson Controls distributor for Coleman® brand
Medina, Ohio — Wolff Bros. Supply Inc. signed an agreement with Johnson Controls Inc. to become a distributor of its Coleman® brand products and Source 1™ parts throughout northwest Ohio.
One of the country’s largest independent plumbing, electrical and HVAC distributors, Wolff Bros. operates 10 locations throughout northern Ohio and employs more than 250 people.
“Adding the Coleman line allows us to offer great products backed by a solid company at a competitive price point,” said Mark Frost, territory sales manager at Wolff Bros. “We’re also anticipating growth and the ability to penetrate new markets as a result of our agreement with Coleman.”
Gary Mummert, regional sales manager for Johnson Controls, noted, “Wolff Bros. is accustomed to promoting highly recognizable consumer brands, and Coleman fits that description perfectly. Wolff Bros. also has a long-standing tradition of customer service so important to our family of distributors and a business model that fits the sales growth initiatives of Coleman very nicely.”
Added Brian Michael, Coleman brand manager: “We’re thrilled that a company with the history and longevity of Wolff Bros. Supply has chosen to carry Coleman heating and air-conditioning products. We look forward to their partnership and the opportunity to serve both existing and new customers in the years to come.”
Wolff Bros. Supply Inc. was founded in 1965 on the site of Wolff Bros. Farm. Seven years later the company entered the wholesale business to meet the needs of local building contractors. Today, Wolff Bros. is headquartered on the original farmstead in Medina, Ohio, and offers more than 25,000 different products to its customers. Customer service stands at the core of its mission to provide premium service at a competitive price.
Visit www.wolffbros.com, www.colemanhvacdealer.com or www.johnsoncontrols.com.
Noland opens Bath & Idea Center in Virginia
Newport News, Va. — Noland Company, a distributor of plumbing supplies and heating and air conditioning equipment in the Southeast since 1919, has opened new Bath & Idea Center in Falls Church, Va., to serve contractors and their customers with consulting services and luxury items for the home.
The Bath & Idea Center by Noland Company serves the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. The show
room provides contractors and consumers with a pleasant atmosphere where they can talk with consultants about their needs and see a range of products that include luxury items for bath and kitchen new construction and remodeling.
The Falls Church showroom carries a variety of brands, including American Standard, Grohe, Brizo, Delta, Moen, MTI, MAAX and Acryline, said YoLanda Sarraga, manager.
“The opening in Falls Church is an example of how Noland will carefully grow the business in selected markets by giving customers a competitive advantage through superior service and quality products provided by knowledgeable people,” said Jim Adcox, Noland chief operating officer.
Noland Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of WinWholesale Inc., a privately held, Dayton, Ohio-headquartered company. Noland Company has more than 70 locations throughout the southeastern U.S. providing plumbing supplies and equipment, and heating and air conditioning systems. In addition to Noland, WinWholesale has more than 470 wholesaling corporations in which WinWholesale is an equity partner.