Moen, a leader in water experiences in the home, has partnered with Nebia, a Silicon Valley-based startup, to work together on shower innovations that will impact how people around the world enjoy and conserve nature’s most precious resource. To kick off their relationship, on February 12, Moen and Nebia will launch the Nebia Spa Shower Read More
Industry News
Moen, a leader in water experiences in the home, has partnered with Nebia, a Silicon Valley-based startup, to work together on shower innovations that will impact how people around the world enjoy and conserve nature’s most precious resource. To kick off their relationship, on February 12, Moen and Nebia will launch the Nebia Spa Shower 2.0 on Kickstarter, the first of many collaborations between the companies. This partnership includes joint product development and distribution plans. Moen is also leading a Series A investment in Nebia.
“Moen is changing the game when it comes to helping consumers better understand and appreciate water. Whether it’s partnerships like Nebia, or the development of new technologies, we’re using innovation and artful design to transform how people interact with this resource – and this is just the beginning,” said Mark-Hans Richer, senior vice president, chief marketing and innovation officer, Fortune Brands Global Plumbing Group.
This latest endeavor is a new and improved version of Nebia’s original spa shower and provides a hotter shower with the feeling of more pressure, while saving 65 percent of water compared to a conventional shower. It’s available in two brand-new finishes of high-grade powder coated aluminum, Matte Silver and Matte Black.
“We are on a mission to build a more sustainable future, by building products that people love to use. Moen has long been a leader in our industry and together we can bring meaningful innovation and provide even greater impact for people around the world. Nebia customers have already saved an estimated 100+ million gallons of water, and are on our way to saving one billion gallons in the next two years,” said Philip Winter, Nebia co-Founder and CEO.
The Nebia collaboration is another important example of Moen leading the charge into a new era of monumental change in how people encounter water every day. Earlier this year, Moen announced its partnership with another startup to offer more consumers innovative ways to detect leaks and manage their water supply.
For more information on Moen partnerships or the Nebia Spa Shower 2.0 visit Moen.com/Nebia or the Nebia page on Kickstarter.
The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) remains committed to providing support for initiatives that speak to the growing need for skilled labor in all segments of the residential design and construction industry. At this year’s Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), the association has created a forum for numerous panels, tours and events that Read More
The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) remains committed to providing support for initiatives that speak to the growing need for skilled labor in all segments of the residential design and construction industry. At this year’s Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), the association has created a forum for numerous panels, tours and events that shine a light on the need to develop programs to help train and develop anyone interested in a career in the industry.
“The NKBA is striving to build awareness about the plentiful, lucrative opportunities within our industry, and provide the next generation of kitchen and bath professionals with knowledge surrounding skilled-labor careers,” said NKBA CEO Bill Darcy. “Our all-industry Association celebrates the opportunity to pursue a multitude of paths in design, showroom sales, skilled labor and more.”
NKBA ‘NextUp’ Panel and KBIS Tours
On Thursday, Feb. 21, the NKBA will host 150 high school students from Las Vegas-area high schools for a half-day program that will include the sharing of stories and journeys of residential design and construction professionals. The event includes a panel discussion, led by Karl Champley, an Australian master builder, television personality and currently appearing on Ellen’s Design Challenge. Other participants will include This Old House contractor Jeff Sweenor and TOH TV Jamestown Project House apprentice Kevin Barker,plus other industry pros who have chosen a trade career path over attending a traditional four-year college or university program.
“As an industry professional who took a different path to a successful career in this industry, the NextUp initiative is near and dear to my heart. Facilitating conversations between the panelists and students is a win-win,” said Suzie Williford, chief strategy officer and executive vice president of industry relations for the NKBA.
Kerry Larnerd, director of career and technical education for the Clark County School District, added, “Our goal is to ensure that all students are provided opportunities to explore career pathways by engaging with industry partners in a variety of experiences. Having the opportunity to work with the NKBA has been exciting for our entire team. Students will be amazed at how the skills they’re learning in the classroom can be applied to the kitchen and bath industry. We can’t wait to see how this partnership develops.”
Following the panel, students will meet NKBA executives and practicing designers, tradespeople and other industry professionals while touring the KBIS show floor. Each panelist will guide 15 students around the show, introducing them to the products, programs, people and technologies that are changing the face of the business.
This Old House and NKBA ‘Cheers for Trade Careers: Skilled Labor Panel Discussion’
The NKBA, This Old House and the Skilled Labor Fund have teamed up again to honor the industry’s mission to inform brands, channels and educators about the numerous paths to success that are alternatives to traditional university/college options. The “Cheers for Trade Careers: Skilled Labor Panel Discussion” takes place on Tuesday, Feb. 19, from 3 – 4:00 p.m. at the KBISNeXT Stage. This Old House heating and plumbing expert Richard Trethewey will moderate. The discussion will feature a diverse panel who will be sharing their experiences on how the industry can get involved to address the skilled-labor shortage.
Panelists include Norm Abram, This Old House Master Carpenter; Jeff Sweenor, This Old House contractor, Rhode Island Builder of the Year, and NAHB Custom Builder of the Year nominee; Kate Campbell, contractor and host of HGTV’s Custom Builder and founder of Build Women Up; Nathan Gilbert, former This Old House apprentice and the newest member of the Ask This Old House crew; and Jonathan Cheever, journeyman plumber, American Standard spokesman and Olympic and World Cup medalist snowboarder.
Said Eric Thorkilsen, Executive Chairman of This Old House Ventures, LLC. “We are honored to collaborate again this year with the NKBA to bring attention to our industry’s biggest challenge: closing the skills gap and encouraging young people to pursue a rewarding career in the trades. We hope you’ll join us.” Immediately following the panel, guests are invited to stay for a networking reception from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
The Skilled Labor Fund
The Skilled Labor Fund is an industry-wide effort to raise funds to address the shortage of skilled labor entering the residential construction market. The Fund is a part of the National Housing Endowment, a 501(c)(3) Foundation. Affiliation with the National Housing Endowment allows 98.5 percent of all funds raised to be spent on the Foundation’s mission. The Fund is 100 percent focused on the residential construction market and its mission is to attract and train skilled labor for the residential market by providing funds to accredited training schools as scholarships.
“Being a part of this important initiative and offering a forum to continue dialogues about opportunities and needs is an important part of our Association’s advocacy work,” said Darcy, who sits on the board of the Skilled Labor Fund. “We are committed to bringing all parties together to drive awareness for the need, but also to help make things happen. Our partnership with This Old House is core to that goal.”
Leading up to KBIS, the NKBA, in partnership with This Old House Ventures’ Generation Next campaign, has set up a donation opportunity on the KBIS website that gives registrants the chance to donate to the Skilled Labor Fund. Any amount contributed is added to the registration fee to promote a seamless process, and 100 percent of the tax-deductible donations go toward scholarships and education programs through the Skilled Labor Fund.
Rye Brook, N.Y. — In a move designed to bring the company’s global leadership in engineered water technologies to the growing rental market, Xylem is presenting a new approach and look to its dedicated rental solutions business. Xylem’s deep application knowledge and unrivaled family of pump and ancillary equipment brands deliver unparalleled value to virtually Read More
Rye Brook, N.Y. — In a move designed to bring the company’s global leadership in engineered water technologies to the growing rental market, Xylem is presenting a new approach and look to its dedicated rental solutions business. Xylem’s deep application knowledge and unrivaled family of pump and ancillary equipment brands deliver unparalleled value to virtually all industries and utilities. Xylem Rental Solutions boasts a fleet with the broadest range of sizes and configurations, also renting specialty products and systems that are not available from other companies.
“An ever-increasing number of industries are considering renting pumps and related equipment to efficiently and cost effectively run their operations,” said Gregg Leslie, Director Rental Market Development, Americas. “Whether our customers require fast-track temporary emergency response, or reliable, long-term operation, the depth of our expertise and breadth of our fleet will help them solve every water challenge, from the basic to the most complex.”
Xylem designs and manufactures all its own equipment, including proven brands such as Godwin, Flygt, Goulds Water Technology, AC Fire Pump and MJK. This technological authority enables the company to customize and optimize its rental solutions to help customers solve complex water problems across numerous industries and applications, including:
- Agriculture
- Commercial Buildings
- Construction
- Dewatering
- Environmental
- Industrial
- Marine
- Mining
- Municipal
- Oil & Gas
- Power Utilities
- Tunneling
Beyond specializing in the design and installation of rental solutions, Xylem provides holistic project management services and highly responsive customer support, ensuring minimal downtime, and greater efficiency, reliability and peace of mind.
“The days of using multiple suppliers for a single project are waning fast. Industry professionals want a partnership where they can get all their specific water challenges met from a single supplier, who also has the know-how and support services to back those system solutions up,” Leslie said. “It’s a Xylem capability that we’re excited to be offering and committed to expanding.”
For more information about Xylem Rental Solutions, visit www.xylem.com/RentalSolutions.
Uponor North America won the Project of the Year award from the Economic Development Association of Minnesota today for the construction of the company’s new PEX manufacturing plant in Hutchinson, Minn. The award recognizes companies that have demonstrated collaboration, creativity and complexity to complete a project that has a positive impact on the state of Read More
Uponor North America won the Project of the Year award from the Economic Development Association of Minnesota today for the construction of the company’s new PEX manufacturing plant in Hutchinson, Minn.
The award recognizes companies that have demonstrated collaboration, creativity and complexity to complete a project that has a positive impact on the state of Minnesota in the past year. Uponor opened its 237,000-sq.-ft. facility in Hutchinson, Minn., six months ahead of schedule, with PEX production beginning on May 20, 2018.
EDAM President Matt Brown (left) awards the Project of the Year trophy to Uponor North America President Bill Gray (center) and PCL Construction Director of Project Development John Jensvold.
Filling the empty facility was a big win for Hutchinson. After the previous owner, TDK/HTI, removed operations from the building, the space remained empty for more than three years.
“Uponor’s continued success reaches far past just this campus, but to the City of Hutchinson and, ultimately, into our entire state,” U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar wrote in a letter to Uponor celebrating the grand opening.
The Economic Development Association of Minnesota (EDAM) is a statewide association of public, private and nonprofit professionals who specialize in economic development.
CEO Bill Darcy and Industry Panelists Reveal Research and Discuss Insights heading into 2019 The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), the authority on all things residential kitchen and bath, will present its annual State of the Association address and State of the Industry panel discussion on Feb. 20 at 8:45 a.m. at the 2019 Read More
CEO Bill Darcy and Industry Panelists Reveal Research and Discuss Insights heading into 2019
The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), the authority on all things residential kitchen and bath, will present its annual State of the Association address and State of the Industry panel discussion on Feb. 20 at 8:45 a.m. at the 2019 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS).
The three-day expo runs Feb. 19 to 21 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
This yearly event is one of the most sought-after events at KBIS. The address offers insights from the research conducted by the NKBA on behalf of its members and the industry as a whole, and the panel discussion provides vision from accomplished CEOs and C-suite businesspeople. The panel will again be moderated by Fox News/Fox Business anchor Melissa Francis.
“The State of the Association address is our opportunity to share with the membership all the ways NKBA has been working to help them with business, professional development and networking opportunities,” said Bill Darcy, NKBA CEO. “We are proud to report on the substantive strides we’ve made, the new initiatives and the enhanced programs, other important developments of the past year and what’s ahead in 2019.”
The CEO will update the membership on the growth and performance of the Association and a host of other topics including:
- Website development
- Launch of a jobs career opportunity matching portal
- Advances in social media engagement
- Launch of NKBA Global Connect initiative
- Government relations update
- Market research initiatives
- Updates in professional development, including affiliated schools, certifications and a new specialty badge designation program
- Skilled labor initiative, including the NKBA’s NextUp program and collaboration with This Old House’s Generation Next and the Skilled Labor Fund.
“We have assembled a wonderful panel for our State of the Industry discussion,” Darcy added, “featuring thought leaders from various segments of the business: Dr. Markus Miele of Miele Group; Kevin Murphy of Ferguson; Nicholas Fink of Fortune Brands’ Global Plumbing Group; and Mark Stoever, CEO of 2020. The panel will again be moderated by Fox anchor Melissa Francis, and is sure to shed light on the most pressing matters of critical interest to our membership.”
For more information about the NKBA, visit NKBA.org, For more information about KBIS 2019, visit KBIS.com.