Monumental concerns in the industry—from supply chain issues and inflation concerns to electrification and decarbonization—challenge contractors and manufacturers alike to be ready to rise above the fray. On September 28, Hurricane Ian, a Category 4 storm, hit the Florida coast, leaving a trail of destruction, loss of life, and people without power, and a place Read more
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Monumental concerns in the industry—from supply chain issues and inflation concerns to electrification and decarbonization—challenge contractors and manufacturers alike to be ready to rise above the fray.
On September 28, Hurricane Ian, a Category 4 storm, hit the Florida coast, leaving a trail of destruction, loss of life, and people without power, and a place to live. The following week, after the residual rains moved through the South Atlantic states, PHCC CONNECT attendees, exhibitors and staff were fortunate to convene in Charlotte, N.C. for the annual show.
One of the many bright spots during CONNECT was the annual Industry Perspective panel—back by popular demand—which featured some of the industry’s finest: Elisabeth Sutton, Director—Marketing, Professional Channel, Kitchen and Bath Americas, Kohler; Bruce Carnevale, President and CEO, Bradford White Corporation; Randy Roberts, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Rheem; Scott Teson, Senior Vice President of Skilled Trades, Milwaukee Tool; Jeff Fetters, Chairman, Federated Insurance Companies.
As I prepared for the panel, I would have been remiss if I didn’t mention those people still struggling in the Sunshine State. And the more I thought about what was happening in Florida, the more I could draw some symmetry of what has been plaguing our nation the past few years.
Things like supply chain. Are the right people getting what they need in Florida? Labor shortage. Do we have the manpower to provide assistance? Or, do we have the proper infrastructure in place? What about electrification? I mean, I had just seen a meme that said something like, “2.8 million people without power, time to fire up the Teslas.” Now that could be perceived as a bit naïve, but when you look at California, for instance—declaring no new gas cars sold in the state by 2035—concerns about adequate infrastructure are real.
It’s a good thing we had the right people on the panel to address such concerns. I learned that Federated Insurance sent “catastrophic teams” to Florida to help. “We needed to have boots on the ground as quickly as we could,” said Fetters. “Businesses need to have high expectations for employees to remain safe. Disasters can strike at any time. A risk management culture has to perpetuate through every single employee,” said Fetters.
As a side note, how can contractors prepare for such an event? “Make sure you sit down with an agent to see what it would cost to replace your business, and any personal property in the event of any potential catastrophe,” said Fetters.
Supply Chain Woes
Nonetheless, supply chain issues dominate conversation almost daily among working contractors. “We are still challenged by supply chain issues, and it has forced us as a company to better manage our supply chain. We do things differently now,” said Carnevale.
As a manufacturer, you’re never getting what you need from plastic resins overseas, nickel component slowing lines down to component issue challenges,” said Roberts. “This makes us be creative on managing supply chain.”
According to Sutton, “We see that luxury side of remodeling is still high. The thing impacting supply chain is that distributors are receiving more products, managing inventory for distributors.”
Investments in People/Training
Milwaukee Tool has made an $400 million investment in domestic manufacturing. “We want to control our own destiny,” said Teson. Yet, Teson pointed out that with more commercial construction projects on the books, how do we find the right people to support those jobs? “We need skilled tradesmen and women to support those efforts,” said Teson.
Sutton suggests that technology in products is a viable avenue to attract the younger generation. C’mon, who doesn’t like the way an impact driver or press tool feels in their hands?
Elisabeth Sutton
“We also need to attract people to the industry to show them how wonderful it is, and that should not be specific to one type of person,” said Sutton. “We need more diversity, not just one profile,” continued Sutton.
“This is a fantastic industry, and once people are a part of it, they stay,” said Roberts.
Yet, once in the building, how do we get people to stay? Training. “It has always been a critical part of what we do. We have been very flexible with our training—we will take it to customers and also bring them into our facility,” said Carnevale.
How do employees continue to get better year after year? The panel agreed that it’s about establishing a culture of training in your office. This gives employers a competitive advantage in keeping people and attracting people because they will be seen as investing in them.
Electrification is the Buzzword
According to Carnevale, topics surrounding electrification loom large. For example, will the infrastructure be in place to support the new products? How will the infrastructure build out in a very short time? This puts the consumer in a bad position and puts our national security at risk—i.e., supply chain issues and the country’s fragile relationship with China.
“Electrification and decarbonization, whether we like it or not, we need to be prepared. We have the products available,” said Roberts.
Government Regulations
Carnevale noted that he receives email relating to a regulatory issue almost daily. “The DoE is extremely active, and there’s a requirement that is in the foundational law that once the DOE sets a new minimum efficiency standard, it cannot go backward.”
The panel consisted of (from l to r): John Mesenbrink, moderator; Elisabeth Sutton, Kohler; Bruce Carnevale, Bradford White; Randy Roberts, Rheem; Scott Teson, Milwaukee Tool; Jeff Fetters, Federated Insurance.
According to Rheem’s Roberts, there is an “Install Date Standard for Air Conditioning Systems” looming and, “Contractors will be breaking the law if they install an AC system not rated to the new standard come January, 1 2023.” Efficiency standards dictate that sell through of existing systems will be allowed in the northern states if the product was manufactured prior to January 1, 2023. This is not the case in the South and Southwest. AC systems must comply with the 2023 federal minimums to be installed after January 1, 2023. Current Heat Pump systems can continue to be installed in all regions as long as they were manufactured before January 1.
And who is enforcing this, you may ask? “Contractors and distributors will be self-policing installations to make sure they meet the new standard. In addition, manufacturers cannot ship products that don’t meet the new standards or allow them to be registered for warranties if installed after January 1. A standard based on install date will ultimately create inventory challenges for everyone in the industry,” said Roberts.
That Dreaded ‘R’ Word
There are whispers of the “R” word and I don’t think it means that “relief” is on the way anytime soon. From inflation to fuel prices, contractors have faced economic hardships that may continue to linger into 2023, and beyond. “We’ve been bearish on the economy longer than the financial press has been,” says Carnevale. “It is pretty clear that we are in a recession. There have been some positive signs, the fed is getting aggressive, and we will see significant drop in housing market.”
Carnevale continued that he is concerned about the macro economy, even though there are some good signs. “Labor shortages continue to be a vexing problem, and we need to focus on the labor participation rate compared to pre-pandemic, meaning there are a lot of people who are choosing not to work,” said Carnevale.
Teson said that interest rates are the real threat. “We’re watching it very closely and trying to make decisions that will make us come out stronger than our competitors.”
Carnevale added that there is a very distinct demand for discretionary vs. non-discretionary products. In the end, “As the demand starts to soften, we are subject to the laws of supply and demand. It is not going got back to where it is pre-pandemic, but will see some softening on pricing.”
Roberts says that overall, we should see a correction. “How do you position yourself to come out stronger than you go into it?” That’s the question.
For more info, visit PHCC.
An Incomparable Spirit Dynamic leader and Kohler Co. Executive Chairman Herbert Vollrath Kohler, Jr. passed away on September 3, 2022, in Kohler, Wisconsin. He was 83. His bold ideas and hands-on leadership transformed the plumbing products manufacturer founded by his grandfather into a global and diverse family of businesses synonymous with unmatched quality, creativity, and Read more
An Incomparable Spirit
Dynamic leader and Kohler Co. Executive Chairman Herbert Vollrath Kohler, Jr. passed away on September 3, 2022, in Kohler, Wisconsin. He was 83. His bold ideas and hands-on leadership transformed the plumbing products manufacturer founded by his grandfather into a global and diverse family of businesses synonymous with unmatched quality, creativity, and bold innovation. He literally put his beloved home state of Wisconsin on the map as a global golf destination culminating with the Ryder Cup in 2021.
Herb Kohler’s personal mission was to create delight. For him, there was no halfway. To warrant the “KOHLER” nameplate, a product had to be more than durable, functional, and attractive. It had to be joyful and memorable.
“His zest for life, adventure and impact inspires all of us. We traveled together, celebrated together, and worked together. He was all in, all the time, leaving an indelible mark on how we live our lives today and carry on his legacy,” said his family.
He was admired by many as an accomplished, dynamic leader; independent-minded entrepreneur; courageous innovator; and passionate creative. Herb, more than anyone, lived and breathed Kohler Co.’s mission of providing customers with gracious living each day. He was a big personality who was steadfast in guiding Kohler associates in the relentless pursuit of the company mission, and he took immense joy in witnessing his customers’ delight firsthand.
“If I sell you a bathtub, there has to be something about it that gives you pleasure not only at the time of the transaction. Years later, we want you to think this is one of the best buys of your life,” he once said in an interview. “The same applies with everything we provide – an engine, generator, toilet, table, hotel room, spa service, golf course, you name it. If you think about it five years later and, inwardly or outwardly, it makes you smile and we can do this consistently, then we’re living up to our mission.”
Early Life
Herb Kohler – who preferred to use his first name but was so respected by Kohler Co. associates who addressed him as “HVK” or “Mr. Kohler” – was born in Chicago on February 20, 1939. His father Herbert V. Kohler, Sr., son of Kohler Co. founder John Michael Kohler, served as Board Chairman and CEO of Kohler Co. from 1940 until his death in 1968. His mother Ruth De Young Kohler was a historian and former women’s editor of the Chicago Tribune.
Herb was educated at the Kohler schools in Kohler, Wis., and at Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, Conn. As a young man, he spent many summers as a laborer on the Kohler farms and in most of the manufacturing divisions of Kohler Co. After serving with the U.S. Army Reserve, studying at the University of Zurich in Switzerland, and launching a brief acting career at Knox College in Illinois, he completed his education at Yale University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial administration in 1965.
He rejoined Kohler Co. full-time as an R&D technician shortly after graduation. He became a Director of the company in 1967, and when his father died a year later, he became Vice President of Operations. He was named Executive Vice President in 1971, was elected Chairman of the Board and CEO in 1972, and President of the Company in 1974 – at the age of 35. In 2015, he became the company’s Executive Chairman, with son David taking the helm as President and CEO. He served Kohler Co. for 61 years.
Creative Passion and THE BOLD LOOK OF KOHLER
In the early 1970s, Herb created a force with THE BOLD LOOK OF KOHLER that forever changed the American bathroom and kitchen, transforming what were once utilitarian spaces into statements of design, style, sophistication, and craftsmanship. During his 43-year span as CEO, he also transformed his family-owned company into a world leader, with more than 40,000 associates and dozens of manufacturing facilities on six continents.
The National Kitchen and Bath Hall of Fame inducted him in its founding year of 1989, followed by the National Housing Hall of Fame in 1993. Ernst & Young named him National Entrepreneur of the Year in Manufacturing in 2002, and Junior Achievement inducted him into its U.S. Business Hall of Fame in 2006.
THE BOLD LOOK OF KOHLER began in 1967 as a unique program of beautifully designed toilets, bathtubs, sinks and other fixtures in unique colors supported by imaginative consumer advertising. But under Herb’s watch, it went beyond a corporate promotion to become a bold new guiding spirit for the company and its associates. It was a spirit that positioned them on the leading edge of everything they set out to do, while maintaining a single, high level of quality in the company’s products, processes, and services.
“We have the people, the products, the focus, the resources, and the passion to pursue our mission and compete successfully,” Herb once told associates.
That is exactly where he led them, based on three primary guiding principles. One, live on the leading edge of design and technology of product and process. Two, have a single standard of quality above the norm with everything the company does. And three, invest 90 percent of Kohler Co.’s annual earnings back into the company.
Herb invested in state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies, revitalized the company’s tradition of product innovation, and launched bold brand-awareness advertising campaigns geared toward consumers – taking the KOHLER plumbing brand to number one on a global scale and never looking back.
Always a hands-on executive who was full of ideas for improving products and processes, he involved himself in design decisions to a degree that was uncommon among CEOs. He thoroughly enjoyed the creative process – from reviewing 30-second television commercial storyboards to testing new products personally by soaking in a whirlpool bath or sampling a decadent piece of KOHLER chocolate. He designed many of the company’s products himself and held more than 200 design and utility patents.
He invested in new designs, products, manufacturing facilities, and distribution strategies. Realizing the opportunity to compete in the changing world marketplace, he gave the company and the KOHLER brand new global perspective and greater presence by adding production, distribution and marketing in Mexico, United Kingdom and Continental Europe, North Africa, India, Middle East, Latin America, Brazil, and the greater Asia Pacific region, including China, Thailand, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.
He took the company into new businesses with more than 48 acquisitions over his tenure. This began with Sterling Faucet Co. that joined the Kohler family of businesses in 1984, followed by French plumbing company Jacob Delafon in 1986, and U.K. shower manufacturer Mira in 2001. He formed the Kohler Interiors Group acquiring premium luxury brands Baker Furniture, McGuire Furniture Company, Ann Sacks Tile and Stone, Kallista plumbing, and Robern mirrored cabinets.
Herb invested beyond plumbing products to strengthen the company’s other core business – Power – and expanded the portfolio with a series of acquisitions including Italian diesel engine manufacturer Lombardini in 2007 and France-based generator company SDMO in 2005. Today, Kohler Co. is the third largest global power systems organization in the world.
In the late 1970s, Herb convinced skeptical colleagues to develop The American Club – originally built as an immigrant workers’ dormitory in 1918 – into a luxury spa and resort. The Board of Directors twice rejected the idea, but he persisted. Today, The American Club is the Midwest’s only AAA Five Diamond Resort Hotel, a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Historic Hotels of America program, and among a handful globally to have both the AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five-Star designations. In 2018, Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide recognized Herb as the recipient of its annual Steward of History and Historic Preservation award for The American Club.
With The American Club serving as the anchor property, Destination Kohler was formed and today includes the 500-acre wilderness preserve River Wildlife; a second hotel, Inn on Woodlake; the Kohler Waters Spa; multiple casual and fine dining restaurants and pubs; Sports Core health and racquet club; Yoga on the Lake; Bold Cycle; Riverbend private membership club; Kohler Original Recipe Chocolates; the Kohler Design Center and a host of home furnishing and specialty shops. Destination Kohler paved the way for the Hospitality & Real Estate Group. Another hotel called LODGE KOHLER opened in 2017 and is an anchor property within the Green Bay Packers’ Titletown entertainment destination.
But it was another of Herb’s bold moves that garnered infinitely more international acclaim for the company and opened the floodgates to a new and prosperous expansion of Kohler Co.’s impact – golf.
A Golfer’s Dream
The Chicago Tribune once wrote about Sheboygan County, “The likelihood of turning this vast rural farmland into a golf mecca is about the same as making a toilet a work of art. Herbert Kohler can now say he has done both.”
During The American Club’s early years, guests asked Herb why the resort offered transportation to local golf courses, but no golf course itself. The question ultimately inspired first a partnership and then deep friendship with hall-of-fame golf course designer Pete Dye, and a vision that brought forth what some have called the most spectacular 72 holes of championship golf in America.
Blackwolf Run, the first piece of Destination Kohler’s golf portfolio, opened in 1988. Whistling Straits came 10 years later, transforming a polluted, abandoned airfield site into a world-class golf experience evoking the seaside links courses of the British Isles – right down to the flock of Scottish Blackface sheep Herb acquired that still roam the grounds today.
Herb’s next golf adventure took him to the game’s birthplace in St Andrews, Scotland, where he bought a hotel alongside the legendary Old Course and turned it into the Old Course Hotel Golf Resort and Spa and added The Duke’s – a heathland golf course outside of town. His most recent projects are closer to home, including the Straits Chapel, serving as the co-designer of the enjoyable 10-hole, par-3 Baths of Blackwolf Run golf course that debuted in June 2021, as well as plans to build an 18-hole public golf course on company property along more than a mile of Lake Michigan shoreline in southern Sheboygan County.
Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run have been recognized among the best golf courses in the country – in 2000, Golf Digest named Sheboygan County 7th among the top 50 golf destinations in the world – and continue to challenge professional and amateur athletes from across the globe. The Kohler courses have hosted six Major golf championships to date, including one of the most exciting PGA Championships on record at Whistling Straits in 2015. In 2021, in perhaps the culmination of his legacy and passion for golf was hosting the 43rd Ryder Cup – which many golf experts called the best-ever in the 94-year history of the storied competition.
In 2016, Herb earned the Old Tom Morris Award from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America; the award recognized his “indelible mark on golf and focus on the importance of environmental stewardship.” Then in 2019, the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame enshrined Herb as part of its 69th class for transforming Wisconsin into a worldwide golfing destination and bringing six golf Major Championships to Wisconsin and the 43rd Ryder Cup in 2021.
The business of golf sparked a passion within Herb for the sport itself, and he became a serious student of the game in his 50s. He spoke fondly of the values associated with golf and the friendships he made – particularly with his beloved “Gnarly Balls” gang of friends, who played courses all over the world, usually in harsh weather, and always with a friendly wager. Herb recorded his only hole-in-one on the 11th hole of the Old Course at St Andrews in 2007. It was a “postcard moment” he laughingly remembered not only for the achievement, but also for the fact that his golfing companions celebrated by downing expensive shots of scotch – and presenting him with the bill.
A Greater Purpose
Herb Kohler found strong inspiration in the life of his uncle, Walter J. Kohler Sr., who led Kohler Co. from 1905 until his death in 1940. The elder Kohler often quoted a business principle coined by 19th century English critic John Ruskin: “Life without labor is guilt, labor without art is brutality.” The quotation resonated with Herb, who saw business as a process that thrived on creativity, provided constant challenges, and offered a means by which to help others. He worked diligently to be a positive influence in his community and was an ardent supporter of the arts, the environment and historic preservation
Working closely with his sister Ruth and the John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Herb helped establish an innovative Arts/Industry residency program that invites artists into the Kohler factories to work alongside production associates turning out stunning works of handcrafted sculptures of art made from plumbing product materials, such as vitreous china, cast iron and brass. To date, more than 500 artists have participated in this unique residency that intersects art and manufacturing.
Walter’s influence was also evident in Herb’s community services. In the early 1900s, Walter hired the pre-eminent landscape architecture firm of the Olmsted Brothers – whose portfolio included New York’s Central Park and the U.S. Capitol – to create a 50-year plan for the Village’s green spaces. In 1977, Herb worked with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation to put together a second 50-year plan for the Village, paving the way for additional development of residential and company properties including the Sports Core, Shops at Woodlake, and the Woodlake Market.
Herb established and chaired the Kohler Trust for the Arts and Education, the Kohler Trust for Preservation, passing the chair role to his daughter Laura in 2015. Herb also established the Kohler Trust for Clean Water in 2019, of which Laura is also chair. Among the beneficiaries of the Trusts are the Wisconsin Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, and recently a major conservation project in the Sheboygan River Watershed.
He served as President of the Kohler Foundation that provides hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships annually, sponsors a Distinguished Guest Series that brings internationally recognized performers to Sheboygan County and manages the Waelderhaus – a replica of the Austrian home of John Michael Kohler that is open to the public.
The Foundation and Trusts have funded the preservation of significant art environments and collections, as well as the re-creation of a working sawmill and millpond at Wade House State Park in Greenbush, Wisconsin, a state historical site initially preserved by the Kohler Foundation under the leadership of Herb’s mother. Herb also served as co-chairman of the successful fund raising effort in support of the creation of Old World Wisconsin, a living ethnic museum built by the Wisconsin State Historical Society in Eagle, Wisconsin.
Herb’s interest in the outdoors and environmental preservation led to the creation of River Wildlife, a 500-acre nature preserve along the banks of the Sheboygan River; and the preservation of Eagle Valley, a 1,440-acre eagle preserve along the bluffs of the Mississippi River, which earned a Wisconsin Wildlife Habitat Development Award. Additionally, Herb developed Kohler Co.’s 12 Environmental Principles, allowing the company to meld environmental stewardship with industrial manufacturing. And in September 2022, the KOHLER Center for Marsh Education was opened at the Sheboygan Marsh Wildlife Area to promote the environment, conservation, and stewardship through education, hands-on activities, and advocacy.
In 2012, Herb helped finance and led the design and construction of the Kohler Environmental Center at Choate Rosemary Hall, his alma mater. This LEED-Platinum environmental research and education center is outfitted with three working laboratories, two classrooms, and a greenhouse. It is home to the Environmental Immersion Program, a year-long residential and interdisciplinary program.
Herb was an advocate of youth development and education. He volunteered his time as a board member of Outward Bound USA, a leading provider of experiential and outdoor education programs. He was personally impacted by Outward Bound in 1986 through an Invitational Expedition on North Carolina’s Chattooga River. Immediately captured by the adventure and experience, Herb joined the Board of Directors in 1997 on which he served until 2010 and introduced each of his children – and subsequently grandchildren – to the organization, who attended expeditions as youth. A life of service, impact, and commitment to this non-profit earned Herb and daughter Laura the highly coveted Kurt Hahn Award in 2020.
He also served as a trustee at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin; Choate Rosemary Hall; the National Housing Endowment; and Friendship House, a home-based facility for at-risk youth in Sheboygan. He was an active supporter of The First Tee, an initiative to create new golf facilities around the country and make the game more affordable and accessible, especially to youth.
As part of his commitment to education, Herb established the Kohler Scholarship Endowment in Drama at Duke University. He also endowed the Kohler Center for Entrepreneurship in the College of Business Administration at Marquette University, creating a program putting Marquette students in regular contact with established business leaders to study entrepreneurial success. In 2018, the UW-Madison College of Engineering was a benefactor when the Kohler Innovation Visualization Studio was opened, and in 2014 Lakeshore Technical College in Cleveland, Wisconsin, was a benefactor when the KOHLER Center for Manufacturing Excellence was unveiled.
In 1997, Herb earned the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for “exemplifying American ideals and preserving an Austrian heritage.” In 2018, the University of St Andrews presented Herb with an Honorary degree, Doctor of Laws for demonstrating a lasting commitment to the town and people of St Andrews.
Foundation in Family
Herb Kohler never pushed his three children into the family business, instead encouraging them to follow their own paths. The fact that all three paths eventually led Laura, Rachel, and David to Kohler Co. is testament to their father’s steady influence and example. David oversees Kohler Co. in the role of President and CEO, Laura is Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Stewardship and Sustainability, and Rachel formerly served as Group President of Kohler Interiors and now an entrepreneur in her own right, is a member of the company Board of Directors.
Herb married the former Natalie Black in 1988 and together they built a life focused on growing the business on a global scale. Natalie Black Kohler is now retired, having recently served as Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer for Kohler Co. She is also a member of the company’s Board of Directors and President of the Kohler Foundation.
Herb was devoted to his family, often sharing adventurous vacations with them. Close friends say his forceful personality could be tamed within seconds by the smiles of his 10 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
His marriage to Linda Kohler Anderson ended in divorce in the early 1980s. Linda, the mother of Laura, Rachel, and David, died in 2005. Herb was also preceded in death by his parents, Herbert V., Sr., and Ruth DeYoung; his younger brother, Frederic Kohler; and younger sister, Ruth DeYoung Kohler II.
Herb is survived by his wife, Natalie; two daughters, Laura Kohler (Steve Proudman), and Rachel Kohler (Mark Hoplamazian); and one son, David Kohler (Nina). He is further survived by 10 grandchildren, and three great grandchildren, Ophelia, Herbert, and Uma Cartwright.
He will be greatly missed by his family, a large circle of friends, tens of thousands of Kohler Co. associates and retirees worldwide, as well as many others who came to know him.
Celebrating Herb’s Legacy
The family plans to host a private service. At a date to be determined, Kohler Co. will host a tribute to Herb Kohler for associates, past and present.
Coming soon is a tribute website to learn more about Herb Kohler’s countless contributions, his dynamic life, business impact and well-deserved accolades. Information regarding ways to honor his memory will be detailed on the website.
Las Vegas, NV, January 31 – February 2, 2023 The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) today opened registration for the 2023 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS). The annual event, owned by the NKBA and produced by Emerald Expositions, is the largest North American trade expo and networking opportunity for kitchen and bath industry professionals. “KBIS 2022 Read more
Las Vegas, NV, January 31 – February 2, 2023
The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) today opened registration for the 2023 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS). The annual event, owned by the NKBA and produced by Emerald Expositions, is the largest North American trade expo and networking opportunity for kitchen and bath industry professionals.
“KBIS 2022 staged one of the largest shows globally to serve the industry in the last two years. We are looking forward to building off the success from last year’s show,” said Suzie Williford, NKBA EVP & CSO. “The 2023 show will continue this momentum and be even bigger. KBIS is not only a place for friends and colleagues to catch up, but also a chance for new brands to come to the forefront and grow in the North American market.”
Design & Construction Week® Stronger Than Ever
Design & Construction Week (DCW) continues to be a must-attend event for anyone involved in the design and construction industries.
Founding partners NKBA and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) will continue their co-location of KBIS and NAHB’s International Builders’ Show® (IBS) in 2023. DCW 2023 not only marks the 10th anniversary of the co-location of the KBIS and IBS shows, but the NKBA will be kicking off its 60th Anniversary as well.
The two shows plan over 985,000 net square feet of exhibit space featuring over 1,300 exhibitors, and nearly 90,000 design and construction professionals are expected to attend.
In addition, the National Hardware Show (NHS) has agreed to show at the Las Vegas Convention Center during Design & Construction Week, giving KBIS, IBS and NHS attendees the opportunity to explore additional products and opportunities to grow their business.
KBIS – Bigger and Better!
The KBIS 2023 show will include over 420,000 net square feet of exhibits and feature more than 400- exhibitors, including industry-leading brands like Beko, Caesarsatone, Cambria, Cosentino, Delta Faucet, ELKAY, Electrolux, GE Appliances, House of Rohl, KOHLER, Miele, Moen, nobilia, Samsung, Signature Kitchen Suite, TOTO and Wilsonart.
Additionally, more than 60 new exhibitors such as TEMPUR+SEALY, SAIENS Inc. and INOXA S.R.L will showcase their latest product launches and innovations. More than 85 global brands from Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, Turkey, Spain, China, Mexico and Poland will also be present with unique products not typically found at the event.
“Las Vegas has always proved to be a great host city for KBIS with exceptional attendance turnout in past years, and we are excited to be back,” said Jason McGraw, CAE, CTS, Group Vice President, KBIS and CEDIA Expo, Emerald. “KBIS 2023 is slated to be one of the most impactful events for the industry, filled with the latest innovative products, key trends and educational programming.”
Show Highlights
The 2023 KBIS show will feature diverse programming designed to showcase the latest design trends and topics in kitchen and bath. The NKBA| KBIS Next Stage will feature the industry’s latest trends and insights by leading kitchen and bath experts in a series of engaging panel discussions. Stage favorites Design Bites, Best of KBIS Awards and NKBA’s 30s Choice Awards will return highlighting innovative products at the Show.
More not-to-miss show destinations include the ever-popular Design Milk X Modenus Talks Lounge, Kickstarter Zone, Global Connect Pavilion, German Pavilion, ICFF Pavilion, the DCW Outdoor Living Pavilion and the new Home Technology Pavilion.
The NKBA kicks off KBIS 2023 with its all-new and much anticipated NKBA Kitchen & Bath Design + Industry Awards on Monday, January 31. In addition, show attendees can register to attend nearly 80 educational sessions and workshops as part of the NKBA Voices from the Industry (VFTI). conference.
Register Early and Save
“With the show returning to Las Vegas, there will be high demand for KBIS events and education sessions, so make your plans to participate now,” said McGraw. “We recommend attendees register early and take advantage of discount registration and hotel rates.”
KBIS registration is here, and NKBA members can sign up for free during the month of September.
Expo Only
- September: FREE registration for NKBA members, $50 for non-members;
- Oct. 1- Dec. 10: Early Bird Rates — $50 for NKBA members, $100 for non-members;
- Dec. 11-Feb. 7: Advance Rates — $100 for NKBA members, $175 for non-members;
- Feb. 8-10: Onsite Rates — $150 for NKBA members, $225 for non-members.
Expo + VFTI Conference
- Expo and 3-day VFTI pass (access to all sessions/workshops plus on-demand program): $350 for NKBA members, $525 for non-members.
Pricing and package details for KBIS and the NKBA VFTI conference are available now. Once attendees register for KBIS, they also can buy tickets to featured events such as NKBA’s Design and Industry Awards, The BASH and Shark Matchmaking.
Registration for KBIS also allows attendees access to the show floors of the NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS) and the National Hardware Show (NHS).
Located in Huntsville, Alabama, this warehouse will house high-volume STERLING Vikrell bathing and showering fixtures to meet growing U.S. demand Kohler Co., a global leader in kitchen and bath products, opened a state-of-the-art warehouse in Huntsville, Alabama, to support growing customer demand for its high-volume STERLING Vikrell bath and shower fixtures. This greenfield build comprises Read more
Located in Huntsville, Alabama, this warehouse will house high-volume STERLING Vikrell bathing and showering fixtures to meet growing U.S. demand
Kohler Co., a global leader in kitchen and bath products, opened a state-of-the-art warehouse in Huntsville, Alabama, to support growing customer demand for its high-volume STERLING Vikrell bath and shower fixtures.
This greenfield build comprises a total of 546,000 square feet and is located near Kohler’s existing manufacturing plant, which produces STERLING Vikrell products that are popular among the nation’s top single-family homebuilders, home improvement retailers, and a vast number of multi-family developers, plumbers, and remodelers.
Kohler Co. cut the ribbon at its state-of-the-art warehouse in Huntsville, Alabama, to support growing customer demand for the company’s high-volume STERLING Vikrell bath and shower fixtures. The distribution warehouse comprises 546,000 square feet and is located near Kohler’s existing manufacturing plant, which produces STERLING Vikrell products that are popular among the nation’s top single-family homebuilders, home improvement retailers, and a vast number of multi-family developers, plumbers, and remodelers.
“In the past, our business has been constrained by a lack of warehouse storage, which challenged us in providing the level of consistent quick delivery our customers expect,” said Norb Schmidt, Senior Vice President-Kitchen & Bath Operations. “The new warehouse and enhanced stocking strategy will greatly reduce lead times and improve delivery efficiency. We are pleased to expand our presence in Huntsville and Madison County and contribute to the local economy.”
On Tuesday, May 10, Kohler Co. leaders celebrated the warehouse completion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on-site, which included company CEO David Kohler, and Senior Vice President-HR, Stewardship & Sustainability Laura Kohler, along with Kohler associates, local officials and Burns & McDonnell, the design-build contractor for the project.
The ceremony was attended by Kohler leaders and associates, as well as local officials. Kohler Co. CEO David Kohler (center) is shown cutting the ribbon, and was joined by (left to right) Dale Strong, Chairman-Madison County Commission; Tommy Battle, Mayor-Huntsville; Ginger King, VP, HR-Kohler Kitchen & Bath; Norb Schmidt, SVP-Kohler Kitchen & Bath Operations; Laura Kohler, SVP-Kohler Co. HR, Stewardship & Sustainability; David Kohler; Tom Adler, CFO-Kohler Co.; Shawn Oldenhoff, President-Kohler Kitchen & Bath North America; Paul Finley, Mayor-Madison; and Mike Fenske, President & GM-Global Facilities, Burns & McDonnell.
The Huntsville warehouse opening comes on the heels of Kohler announcing in February, the construction of a second Vikrell production facility and distribution center in Casa Grande, Arizona, which is set to be operational by August 2023 to support the company’s growing customer base in the western U.S.
Sponsored by A. O. Smith University, A. O. Smith and Kohler Company The attendees of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC) Educational Foundation’s recent Super Foremen Workshop were surprised to learn just how much time is wasted on a typical construction project. In the workshop, attendees used a Foundation spreadsheet to add up the time impacts of poor Read more
Sponsored by A. O. Smith University, A. O. Smith and Kohler Company
The attendees of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC) Educational Foundation’s recent Super Foremen Workshop were surprised to learn just how much time is wasted on a typical construction project.
In the workshop, attendees used a Foundation spreadsheet to add up the time impacts of poor planning, missing materials, personal chores done on company time, late arrivals & early departures, unplanned delays (an inspector not showing up, etc.) and more. Multiplying those lost minutes by their labor rates and the number of company employees produced some shocking numbers. The worksheet calculated the lost productivity at one company with 500+ employees to be over $80 million dollars a year.
“That’s great news,” instructor Kirk Alter told the attendees. “You will never recover all of that time, but just 2% – about 10 minutes per person will save this company $1.5 million each year!”
The sold-out two-day workshop was conducted June 24 & 25 and hosted by A. O. Smith University (AOSU) from their training facility in Ashland City, Tennessee. Purdue University Professor Emeritus Kirk Alter led the program over Zoom, with the AOSU studio allowing him to move as he would in a physical classroom, teaching from slides or hitting the whiteboard to show the attendees how the numbers add up.
A.O. Smith University supported the program through use of their studio, and A. O. Smith and Kohler Company also generously sponsored the class, reducing the registration fee for attendees. “It is our pleasure to host these sessions,” said Jason Leonard, Marketing Technology and Training Manager at A. O. Smith. “The partnership we have with the PHCC Educational Foundation is one that we hold near and dear, so we are always happy to participate and host these sessions.”
The Foundation will conduct another online foremen training July 22 & 23, 2021, from A. O. Smith University, also sponsored by A. O. Smith and Kohler Company. Visit https://phccfoundation.org/essentials for more information and to register. The class size is limited.