Kitchen & Bath

More than 11,000 votes cast to determine 2016 winners

Franke, the largest stainless steel kitchen sink manufacturer in the world and a leading name in kitchen faucets, has been selected as a winner in the Kitchen Sink category of the fourth-annual Kitchen & Bath Business Readers’ Choice Awards. More than 11,000 kitchen and bath professionals, including designers, dealers, architects and builders, voted in 25 categories to choose the 2016 winners.

In the “kitchen sink” category, readers were asked to judge each brand based on criteria that included installation type, stain resistance and durability, configuration, style, and aesthetics. Local availability, pricing and client support were also considered.

“We so appreciate Kitchen & Bath Business readers for recognizing Franke as among the best kitchen sink manufacturers on the market,” said Gary Langbo, President of Franke Kitchen Systems. “For more than 100 years, we’ve combined quality, craftsmanship, performance, and innovation to transform the kitchen into the heart of the home. Our sinks fulfill the aspirations of those who love to cook and entertain, and we thank the thousands of kitchen and bath professionals whose vote of confidence has inspired us to keep kitchen sinks on the cutting edge well into the next century.”

In addition to award-winning sinks, Franke, founded in Switzerland in 1911, offers a range of kitchen solutions that integrate impeccable design details with superior construction. Its innovations include stainless steel construction that is virtually indestructible; eco-friendly composting features; and its signature “integral ledge”, which transforms the ordinary sink into a multifunctional workspace with the addition of a raised edge inside the bowl that accommodates accessories such as wire rack shelves, colanders and cutting boards.

About Franke

Franke is the largest stainless steel kitchen sink manufacturer in the world and a leading name in kitchen faucets; hot- and cold-water filtration; topmount, undermount and apron front sinks; and waste disposers. Headquartered in Aarburg, Switzerland, the Franke Group is a leading provider of solutions and equipment for domestic kitchens, bathrooms, professional food service, coffee preparation and beverage delivery. The group employs 9,000 people at 68 subsidiaries on four continents, and exports to over 100 countries. For more information, visit www.franke.us/ks.

Chicago Faucets electronic faucets with dual beam technology add a touch of architectural style to restrooms in any building. They are offered in a range of styles to meet design and water conservation requirements while also offering improved hygiene when compared with manual faucets.

• HyTronic Curve, gracefully curved spout adds a level of sophistication
• HyTronic Traditional, classic styling that complements a wide variety of restroom designs
• HyTronic Contemporary, simple, clean lines provide an uncluttered look in single and multiple faucet applications
• HyTronic Gooseneck, iconic look is updated with advanced electronic performance, available in deck-mounted or wall-mounted styles
• HyTronic Edge, clean, straight lines and polished chrome finish add a modern flair to any restroom
• E-Tronic 40, an affordable option for public restrooms

“You can count on Chicago Faucets to meet the latest codes and standards and offer three power choices: AC, DC or our environmentally friendly Self Sustaining Power System,” say Adam Molberger, Product Manager for Chicago Faucets. “HyTronic faucets offer unsurpassed dependability and the above-deck design makes installation and maintenance simple.”

Programming and diagnostics are easier than any other faucets with the exclusive Commander® Handheld Programming Unit. Facility and maintenance personnel can change and customize operating modes, adjust sensor range, monitor battery levels, identify serial numbers, settings and usage information, access the troubleshooting guide and obtain product information.

The Chicago Faucet Company is part of the Geberit Group, a European market leader and global provider of sanitary technology. Since 1901, The Chicago Faucet Company, located in Des Plaines, Illinois, has offered commercial faucets and fittings built to stand the test of time. A combination of the best engineering, finest materials and quality workmanship has made Chicago Faucets the specified choice in healthcare facilities throughout North America.

As European market leader, the Geberit Group is a global provider in the area of plumbing technology with sales of CHF 2.4 billion and more than 12,000 employees in over 40 countries worldwide.

For additional information, contact The Chicago Faucet Company at 2100 South Clearwater Drive, Des Plaines, IL 60018, or call 800-566-2100. You can also visit Chicago Faucets at chicagofaucets.com.

Visit www.chicagofaucets.com/pdf/CF2021.pdf to download literature or call 800-566-2100 to request a copy

Franke granite is composed of 80% quartz to create a surface that is durable, non-porous and stain resistant

Franke, the largest stainless steel kitchen sink manufacturer in the world and a leading name in kitchen faucets, is launching a new line of Active-Plus Faucets in eight elegant finishes that amplifies the beauty of the brand’s Granite Undermount Sink series, creating a wide variety of nature-inspired sink and faucet combinations to enhance any kitchen.

Now available for purchase in showrooms nationwide, Franke’s Active-Plus Faucets come in the following finishes: Champagne, Mocha, Onyx, Oyster, Storm, Vanilla, Polished Chrome and Satin Nickel. They feature a dual function pull-out spray nozzle to easily switch between stream and spray; a 360-degree swivel spout that reaches every inch of the sink; an ergonomic handle to smoothly transition from hot to cold and on to off; and a flow rate that is compliant with CALGreen Standards of 1.75 gallons per minute (gpm). The faucets are also certified by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA).

“Franke’s Active-Plus Faucets embody contemporary design and performance in a range of hues that pair perfectly with our granite sinks,” said Tammy Nixon, Senior Brand Manager, Franke Kitchen Systems. “We created this complementary line of faucets for our gorgeous granite sinks because we care as much about form and function as our customers do. They not only love to cook and entertain, but want an atmosphere in the kitchen that is warm, welcoming and well-appointed down to the last exquisite detail.”

Franke’s Active-Plus Faucets accompany Franke’s granite sinks, which are available in six earth-toned hues and nine shapes, and represent the best attributes of nature and man-made ingenuity. Composed of 80% quartz, the most durable component of granite; and bonded with 20% acrylic resin, these sinks have an enduring, non-porous, stain resistant and heat resistant surface that can withstand continual use and is easy to clean. Additionally, Franke’s custom-colored quartz is created using the heat of a kiln to ensure the sink’s color will stand the test of time. These sinks are sure to complement any style and transform the look of any kitchen.

“Franke granite sinks are both beautiful and practical,” said Nixon. “They are scratch, stain and chip resistant. In fact, if you run a fork across the surface of one of our sinks, you’ll notice that the only thing left behind is debris from the fork – and this can be easily removed.” 

Key features of the Franke Granite Undermount Sinks include:

• Innovative, Durable Design: Made of 80% quartz, Franke’s granite sinks are hard-wearing to prevent cracks, chips, scratches, stains or marks. Plus, the absence of polyester often used by other manufactures makes Franke’s granite sinks ultra-heat-resistant with the capacity to withstand temperatures up to 536 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Franke’s Integral Ledge: Available on the Peak and Orca styles, Franke’s Integral Ledge, the company’s signature innovation, allows you to add accessories like wire rack shelves and newly developed roller mats to the sink, creating a multifunctional workplace.

• Hygiene: Franke’s granite sinks are treated with Sanitized® material protection, an antimicrobial product containing silver ions, which are embedded in each sink and inhibit and reduce the multiplication (or growth) of bacteria.

The Active-Plus Faucets are sold exclusively at Franke retailers for a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) between $495 USD and $595 USD, and the Granite Undermount Sinks have a MSRP between $429 USD and $779 USD. For more details on Franke’s Active-Plus Faucets and Granite Undermount Sinks, and to find a store near you, visit www.franke.us/ks or www.frankecanada.com.

Featuring an interplay of light and water, the new kitchen faucet responds to a simple touch and encapsulates the best of Swiss luxury, precision and craftsmanship

KWC, a leading supplier of luxury kitchen and bath faucets, shower systems and accessories, has announced that the ZOE touch light PRO, an intuitive kitchen faucet controlled by a simple touch, is now available to consumers nationwide. The faucet’s signature is its touch-on / touch-off technology that changes the water temperature with the tap of a finger: 1-tap for cold water displays a blue LED light; 2-taps for warm water displays an orange LED light; and 3-taps for hot water displays a red LED light.  Additional features are: white LED lights that illuminate streaming water, Splendure™ stainless steel or stunning chrome finishes.

“Distinguished by its minimalist form and intuitive function, the ZOE touch light PRO is KWC’s latest innovation in smart-faucet technology,” said KWC Product Manager Lars C      hristensen. “Its perceptive design gives our customers the capacity to customize both temperature and flow rates for maximum convenience.” 

KWC’s ZOE touch light PRO exceptional features include:

• Customizable settings: Use KWC’s innovative pre-set program to easily customize the water temperatures and flow rates to your ideal temperature and flow: 1-tap for cold water setting, 2-taps for warm water setting and 3-taps for hot water setting. This technology and precise functionality ensures safety from water that’s too hot or shock from water that’s too cold. Plus, every individual adjustment helps save energy and water.
• luminaqua® LED-technology: When the mood strikes, activate luminaqua® – white LED lights that illuminate streaming water – to create the perfect atmosphere in your kitchen. The light ring is integrated into the pull-out spray, making it seem invisible. The LED lights use very little electricity, have a long lifespan and automatically turn off after 30 minutes.
• Pull-out hose and diverter button: Clean every corner of your sink with the hose, integrated into the spout, which extends more than 19 inches. The faucet’s high-quality metallic casing extends the life of the pull-out hose. Additionally, just one press of a diverter button changes the water stream from a full spray to a fine needle spray.
• Easy to keep clean: The jetclean faceplate not only prevents limescale from building up on your kitchen spray, but it actually does some of the cleaning for you. When water is flowing, the cone-shaped holes on the faceplate expand, dislodging any stubborn limescale deposits. The holes go back to normal size when the water flow is switched off. If limescale deposits do build up on the faceplate of your faucet, simply use the faucet’s turn-and-clean fastening mechanism to manually – and easily – clean it.
• Neoperl spray: The Neoperl aerator sprays a water-saving flow rate of 5 gallons per minute. KWC expects the faucets to earn the coveted WaterSense label without sacrificing performance or quality.

“This faucet brings a new level of luxury to the kitchen,” says KWC America President Gary Langbo. “A showpiece worthy of the most distinctive kitchens, the ZOE touch light PRO is both sculptural and smart. It reflects the timelessness, purity and performance of KWC’s exclusive Swiss water experience.”

The KWC ZOE touch light PRO, available in Splendure™ stainless steel or stunning chrome finishes, is sold exclusively at KWC showrooms across the country and for a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) between $2,495 – $2,995 (depending on finish). For more information on the product, visit www.kwc.us.com.