KOHLER, WI — Kohler Co., the Kohler, WI-based manufacturer of plumbing products, tile, cabinetry and lighting, has outlined a series of steps the company is taking to adhere to corporate commitments tied to social, governance and environmental issues.

Kohler’s 2020 Believing in Better Metrics Report, released in August, addressed the progress being made to reduce the company’s GHG emission intensity, waste-to-landfill intensity, water-use intensity and other key initiatives.

“While Kohler celebrates creativity, diversity and innovation in all its forms, we know we can do more to protect the planet, build resilient communities and enrich the quality of life for everyone,” said Laura Kohler, senior v.p./human resources, stewardship and sustainability.

Among the highlights of Kohler’s “Believing in Better” initiative were:

n A reduction in operational intensities since 2008 that has cut net greenhouse gas emissions by 48%, operational energy use by 22%, waste-to-landfill by 47% and water use by 46%.

n  Generated more than $1 billion in sales from environmentally favorable products in 2020.

n Completed more “Design for Environment” (DfE) projects, an incubator for developing products that are better for the planet, than in all previous years combined.

n Pivoted manufacturing facilities to produce and donate 80,000 face shields for frontline workers during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

n Provided 3,500 showers for the unhoused.

n 26 teams competed in the annual Innovation for Good I-Prize, an internal competition that encourages associates to develop solutions with a social purpose. Three ideas were awarded funding for incubation.

n  More than 1,600 associates from around the world united around various communities and their allies, including launching a “hate has no home” education and fundraising campaign.

“Kohler is committed to providing access to safe water for communities around the globe, delivering innovative solutions to address pressing social issues and strengthening its efforts around diversity, equity and inclusion,” Laura Kohler said.

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Photos: Uneek Image

The objective for the kitchen design team – which included designer Todd Atkins along with architect Phil Kean and interior designer Keri Ferguson – for the 2021 New American Home was to demonstrate how the space could be beautifully designed using a combination of multiple colors and textures. 

Cabinets from Plato Woodwork’ INOVAE Classic line are used in contrasting colors of walnut, creamy whites, dark carbon, sparkling champagne and reflective glass in gray. A traditional walnut finish is showcased on the 10′ illuminated walnut hutch, which includes glass-front doors that highlight the contents. Walnut is also used in a chevron pattern on the island cabinetry, interior cabinetry in the TV niche, and custom hood built using a Panasonic 36″ range hood. 

The kitchen also features a range of interior storage options, including peg boards, spice racks, utensil dividers and roll-outs. Specialty spaces including a coffee bar and TV niche can be closed off and hidden behind their retractable bi-fold doors.

Modo cabinet hardware from Schaub & Company adds a touch of gold, along with the Kohler Crue Semi-Professional Kitchen Faucet. The faucet is paired with Kohler’s Prolific Undermount Sink.

The Signature Kitchen Suite appliances deliver luxury built-in cooking and refrigeration options. Included are: 48″ Dual-Fuel Range with Sous Vide and Induction, 30″ Double Wall Oven with Steam-Combi and Microwave Oven Drawer, all in stainless steel, as well as 30″ Integrated Panel-Ready Column Refrigerator and Freezer units, and Quadwash Panel-Ready Dishwasher.

To contrast the Engineered Natural Walnut flooring, the designers used a bright white Viatera Quartz from LG Hausys for both the countertops and the backsplash. Idril Sconces in brushed nickel, as well as the Loop Linear fixture in brushed aluminum above the island – all from Kichler – provide illumination.

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The request for this project was to create a kitchen that felt architectural rather than noticeably “kitchen.” Steven Cooper, in collaboration with interior designer Thomas Schoos of Schoos Design, chose Form and Aesthetic as the key objectives needed to create a high-functioning kitchen that would allow for caterers and chefs to prepare for large parties and entertaining.

Since the client doesn’t cook but entertains quite a bit, concealed appliances were highly desired. The column refrigerator with freezer and Gaggenau dishwasher were integrated, and a drop-down flat screen television can be hidden from view when not in use. A custom hood that matches the Cooper Pacific Kitchens Custom 861 cabinets hovers over the island, which houses five independent burners from Pitt Cooking. A Gaggenau speed oven and two single ovens disappear behind pocket doors and feature a custom temperature gauge and safety shutoffs in case the doors are ever closed over the units while in operation. A bar area with Thermador Wine Undercounter Refrigerator also vanishes from view.

Balancing the mix of texture in the 351-sq.-ft. penthouse kitchen was the focus. Oak logs, sourced from German forests, give the space an organic, tactile quality, while cement and stone augment the more austere architecture. The Caesarstone Rugged Concrete quartz countertop and backsplash blend with the overall aesthetic, while the Waterworks Regulator faucets and custom bronze sink from Rocky Mountain Hardware enhance the industrial feel.

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Photos: Anice Hoachlander, Anice Hoachlander Photography

The contemporary style of this full condo remodel needed to be reflected in the kitchen as well, where the desire for more open space and increased size were primary. Jennifer Gilmer and Meghan Browne, working alongside Greg Wiedemann of Wiedemann Architects, focused on these interests, along with having a more functional work triangle and providing seating for four in the 350-sq.-ft. room.

A focal-point back wall blends the Sub-Zero refrigerator and freezer columns into the space, with a narrow pantry finishing the look. On that same wall are a Miele convection oven and Miele Speed Microwave. 

The Gaggenau cooktop was moved to the other side of the room so that the wall in the hallway could be reduced, a request of the clients. The Amore hood above was hidden by connecting it to a ceiling panel, with a cabinet of the same color reaching down to the countertop. This cabinet has bi-fold/retractable doors and houses the coffee machine and other amenities.
A peninsula was created to the left of the bi-fold cabinet, which offered a landing space at the end of the hallway.

Contemporary cabinets from Premier Custom Built are featured in white and pale wood tones, topped with Bianco Lassa marble with a waterfall edge. Along the wall, the countertop is met by handmade ceramic tile from Pratt + Larson. The island now houses The Galley sink, paired with a ROHL faucet, with a Miele dishwasher to the side. A Miele warming drawer and Sub-Zero undercounter refrigerator are also featured in the space.

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VIEW ALL 2021 KITCHEN & BATH DESIGN AWARDS WINNERS

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Chicago, IL – SEN Design Group invites kitchen and bath designers and sales professionals to the Good-Better-Best Sales School, scheduled for September 8-9 at theMART in Chicago, IL. The GBB Sales School, sponsored by Custom Wood Products, Inc, Bridgewood Cabinetry and Exclusive Cabinet Agents LLC, will be conducted by SEN Design Group’s Senior Vice President, Dan Luck, an industry expert with over 43 years of experience.

The two-day program will deliver advanced training in the successful sales strategies that will help designers and sales professionals increase their gross profit margins by up to 40%. Participants will become proficient in the science of consumer decision-making, effectively drive the sale conversion and understand why the Good-Better-Best (GBB) selling system is so effective, according to SEN Design Group.

“As a cabinet rep wanting our dealers to maximize their sales and profitability, we are thrilled to be a partner in bringing this first class, impactful sales training program to the kitchen and bath industry,” says Vince Hodshire, principal of Exclusive Cabinet Agents, LLC.

“The GBB selling system leverages the prospect’s emotional engagement with the remodeling project,” says Luck. “Consumers like choice, but not too many choices. GBB pricing tiers remove the ‘to buy or not to buy’ step from the decision-making process.” Instead, it guides prospects through a pricing structure that offers a sense of empowerment. When consumers are presented with three options to choose from, most of them will select the middle option, which represents increased revenues.

“We at SEN Design Group seek to help businesses convert more sales and earn higher revenues,” adds Luck. “The GBB sales process has been proven to significantly increase gross profit margins, and this two-day program will give designers the most effective tools to achieve speedy closings.”

The regular tuition fee is $1,695 for this intensive two-day sales training program. Dealers who are part of a sponsor’s network can save $500, using a promotional code to register for $1,195. SEN members who have the SEN U annual education subscription as part of their membership can attend for under $300.

For additional information about the program and about membership, visit https://sendesigngroup.com.

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HACKETTSTOWN, NJ — The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) has opened registration for the 2022 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS): Where the Future is Defined. 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.

Building on the success of a nine-year partnership with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) International Builders’ Show (IBS) to create Design & Construction Week® (DCW), KBIS and IBS will co-locate at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL, from Feb. 8 -10, 2022. The two shows are expected to feature over 800,000 net square feet of exhibit space and showcase more than 1,000 design and construction brands.

Sign up for KBIS here; NKBA members register for free during the month of September.

The NKBA and Emerald Expositions are committed to creating an event experience where customers, partners and employees can safely and effectively conduct business in person, the agencies not. As a result, the CDC COVID-19 health and safety measures and protocols will be followed. A detailed list of precautionary measures being implemented for KBIS 2022 can be found in the KBIS Health & Safety Plan here.

In addition, the host site of KBIS 2022, the OCCC was one of the first facilities in the country to receive the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) Star accreditation on outbreak prevention, response and recovery. Since receiving this distinction, the OCCC has instituted the industry’s highest standards for cleaning and disinfecting, it was noted.

The KBIS 2022 expo will include over 380,500 NSF and feature an expected 450 exhibitors, including legacy brands like GE Appliances, Kohler and SKS. Additionally, more than 40 new exhibitors such as Lefroy Brooks and CopperSmith will occupy nearly 20,000 NSF. More than 85 global brands from Germany, Italy, Turkey, Spain, Taiwan, China, Mexico and Poland will also be present.

“We are very much looking forward to getting the industry back together at the start of the new year,” said Suzie Williford, NKBA exec. v.p. & CSO. “KBIS is not only a place for old friends and colleagues to have the chance to catch up, but also a chance for new faces to become part of this talented and inclusive community.”

“We’ve had such a great turnout in Orlando in past years and are excited to host this much-anticipated event in person again,” said Jason McGraw, CAE, CTS, group v.p., KBIS and CEDIA Expo, Emerald. “KBIS 2022 is slated to be one of the most impactful events of the industry, filled with the latest innovative products and programming. We strongly recommend attendees register early to take advantage of discounted registration and hotel rates.”

 September: registration is free 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 and 3-day VFTI pass (access to all sessions plus on-demand program): $350 for NKBA members, $525 for non-members.

 

 

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What are the hot trends in cabinetry this season? Where is it being used in new ways? What materials and finishes are you specifying? What hardware, features, configurations and technology are trending among your clients and in your region? Do you anticipate these trends continuing into the new year? Inquiring minds want to know! So here are the latest takes from across the country and industry:

• National homebuilder Taylor Morrison’s National Design Director Lee Crowder;
• Marine Sargsyan, with online home products giant Houzz.com;
• National Kitchen & Bath Association’s Pamela McNally;
• Philadelphia area designer Liz Walton;
• Designer Shannon Ggem in Los Angeles;
• Minneapolis-based designer Lisa Peck.

OVERVIEW

It’s no secret that our industry is booming, with strong consumer demand and ongoing shortages of skilled labor and products. Nonetheless, homeowners are still seeking to improve their spaces. Despite the challenges, everyone is surging forward and cabinetry has a significant slice of that activity.

“Incorporating storage was an important aspect of homeowner’s renovation activities in 2020,” Sargsyan reports. Houzz’s 2021 study found that nearly one in five homeowners cited inadequate storage for enlarging their kitchens, she notes, and “More than half of all kitchen renovations included new cabinetry (57 percent).” Smaller kitchens included even a higher percent of cabinetry replacement (63 percent).

“Storage is one of the top three areas of consumer interest,” McNally agrees, noting that, “Reducing clutter, better organization, easy access all are driving this shift.” Some of this growth can definitely be attributed to the pandemic, especially as homeowners sought to reduce their shopping trips.

Hot Spots: “The pantry is becoming a very trendy place in the home to not only organize but maximize your storage, especially as bulk buying became more popular this past year,” declares Crowder. She notes the popularity of food storage organization. “It obviously starts with a great pantry.” Houzz also saw a surge in pantry upgrades, with nearly half of study respondents improving their cabinetry, an increase over 2020.

Flex rooms are definitely trending with new cabinetry needs. This includes laundry, pet and craft spaces. They’re also popular spots for bulk buying storage to enhance pantry capacity.

Home offices, garages and outdoor spaces have become hot spots for new cabinetry designs, too, because of the pandemic. Working from home, exercising, storing overflow items and escaping safely outdoors are all COVID-19-driven accelerations. “Many of our floor plans offer a mud locker or drop zone built in,” Crowder observes, “The more time you spend at home, you realize how important having a built-in space for those daily essential items at the entrance (usually from the garage) gives you peace of mind and [helps] everyone find what they need when it’s time to leave the house.”

Technology Trends: Smart home features are making their way into cabinetry as well. “Kitchens, baths and entire residential environments have been embracing fully integrated technology, and storage is a key area,” McNally says. The goals include accessibility, better visibility and security, the NKBA executive observes. “Smart home sensors help facilitate leak detection, temperature and lighting controls and are being designed into pantry areas, lower cabinets, shower enclosures, under sink drawers and under cabinets in kitchens. LED lighting is now a standard in virtually all cabinetry installs,” she reports, and the designers agree. Chargers are also being built into cabinetry to reduce clutter.

KITCHEN STORAGE TRENDS

The heart of the home has definitely gotten some transplant improvements. With pantries taking on more importance, sometimes beyond the kitchen, these areas are being freed up to serve more comfort roles.

Specialized Zones: NKBA’s study sees separate spaces for wine and coffee usage. Houzz sees dedicated areas for baking, snacks and beverages and homework. Among the specialty spots, pantries and wine bar storage have the greatest resonance in NKBA’s study. Kitchens are catering to personal preference and specialized zoning.

“We love to include coffee and wine stations with all the associated storage laid out for clients, like a mug drawer and fridge drawer for cream if they use it, or a pod drawer and a nearby wine fridge for bottles not yet being dispensed by the wine dispenser,” shares designer Ggem. Peck is seeing smoothie stations become a trend, along with coffee and beverage centers, and Walton says just about all of her kitchen projects have coffee/breakfast bars.

Configurations: “Our clients no longer want upper cabinets, preferring instead deep drawers with peg systems for plate and glass storage,” Ggem notes. Open shelves are still popular but used sparingly, as homeowners realize the dusting required to keep their contents clean, Walton points out. Peck sees narrow pullouts, as well as the general lack of wall cabinets and well-equipped bases and pantries. NKBA’s study cites large pull-out drawers with dividers.

Peck also sees an increase in secondary kitchen spaces, both as “back areas” for cleaning and storage, and auxiliary for older relatives to live independently with the family.

Styles and Finishes: Houzz has Shaker as the most popular style (57 percent), flat panel/slab at 21 percent and raised panel at 17 percent. In terms of finishes for the kitchen, Walton declares, “Wood tones are coming back in a big way! We are seeing a lot of warm walnut islands paired with soft white perimeter cabinets. Painted wood cabinets especially in navy or a powdery blue are very popular and pair well with white and warm wood tones.”

“Self-expression through color in cabinetry is definitely a trend,” Peck says. “We have done orange, yellow, blue and teal cabinetry in the spirit of this trend. We are also seeing a return to mixing painted cabinetry with wood. Rift cut white oak is a strong contender here in the Midwest. In modern kitchens we are seeing the use of acrylic slab door panels in gloss and ultra-matte finishes,” she adds.

Across the country, L.A. designer Ggem is seeing matte finishes and wood, including textured, fluted panels trending in materials. Taylor Morrison’s Crowder is seeing earthy hues along with warm neutrals and NKBA finds ash and rift cut oak solids and veneers trending, along with sophisticated high-pressure laminates.

One final note on finishes: “Wellness is huge in the kitchen conversation. Toxins and off gassing are no longer tolerated, and all clients inquire,” proclaims Ggem.

BATHROOM STORAGE TRENDS

The bathroom has also gotten enhancements. “Just like in kitchens, many people are having electrical outlets and charging stations built into their cabinets,” reports Taylor Morrison’s Crowder. “Another technology item popping up is cold storage,” she observes. “Adding a mini fridge into your cabinet bank allows you to store beauty items that require being cold – but they can also help keep creamers cold so you can make your coffee while getting ready in the bathroom.”

Configurations: Built-in vanities far outstripped freestanding in popularity, with floating styles trending upward, Houzz reports. “The floating vanity helps create visual space, making the vanity feel less heavy within the space,” Walton suggests.

Peck is seeing appliance garages migrate to her midwestern bathrooms, she says. They include chargers for hygiene and grooming tools and magnifying mirrors. She’s also seeing an emphasis on accessible cabinetry and nontoxic materials.

Taylor Morrison homebuyers like open shelves in their bathrooms, Crowder shares. They also want auto-opening and closing doors, outlets and charging stations.

Styles and Finishes: Bathroom style trends track pretty close to kitchen, with Shaker, slab and raised panel in similar proportions. Walton sees natural wood tones like white oak and warm walnuts mixed with white or dark gray. Taylor Morrison is seeing light washed warm wood tones and textured woods in low maintenance matte finishes. The builder is also seeing painted looks, especially dark green, trending. Peck is seeing personalized colors, like teal and blues, along with rift cut woods, especially oak and walnut topping trends. Ggem sums up her clients’ preferences this way: “A minimal aesthetic is what is happening right now – slab doors, hidden pulls, quiet and clean.”

LAST WORDS

If your business is based on cabinetry manufacturing, distribution, installation or sales, this should be a strong season for you. It can also be a strong season for those who are “cabinetry adjacent,” like technology providers with a growing area of opportunity. Knowing and predicting the latest trends is essential to staying successful and a candy land full of fun and flair.

Jamie Gold, CKD, CAPS, MCCWC is an author, wellness design consultant and industry speaker. Her third book, Wellness by Design (Simon & Schuster), published September 2020. You can learn more about her Wellness Market presentations, books, Wellness Wednesdays Clubhouse conversations and consulting services at jamiegold.net.

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I have always had a burning desire to know how my business measured up to industry peers. Were we above average, middle of the pack or a bottom feeder?

Years ago, while moderating a workshop at KBIS, the workshop presenter invited me to join an industry-specific peer group that he was facilitating. Sensing this is where I could gain some perspective about my business, I accepted the invitation.

My first meeting had me sitting around a boardroom table with owners of eight other kitchen and bath businesses from different geographical areas. The format was simple: sharing information, issues and challenges, and poring over each other’s financial statements.   

I arrived at this meeting confident, perhaps even a bit cocky; I knew my numbers. The feeling didn’t last. My peers were starting to ask rapid-fire questions about the financials. I found myself struggling to provide satisfactory answers. Embarrassment and insecurity quickly replaced confidence.

That experience taught me several things. Primarily, I need to spend more time with the financials to understand the relationship between the numbers and the information revealed, and that most kitchen and bath dealers/owners don’t fully understand the importance of their financial statements. The latter is because most have grown up on the design and selling side of the business.

As a business owner, it’s critical to comprehend and own the financial side of the business; otherwise, you may never realize the company’s full income and profit potential. While accountants and bookkeepers play an essential role, it’s the role of owners to learn the meaning of these financial statements and determine what should be done to improve company performance.

So, a little primary education in this arena will set the stage for understanding the crucial values derived from knowing what your financial statements are saying about the state of your business.

The Difference in Financial Statements

Financial statements are divided into three categories: Income Statement (also known as a Profit and Loss Statement), Balance Sheet and a Cash Flow Statement.

An Income Statement measures your company’s financial performance in the current year. It’s measured by how much revenue (sales) has been recorded versus how many expenses have been incurred to generate that revenue level; the difference – revenue minus expenses – is called Net Profit.

A Balance Sheet measures your company’s cumulative performance since the inception of the business. It’s measured by how many assets you have acquired over these years minus the liabilities incurred in the process; the difference (Assets – Liabilities) is called Net Worth. The net worth is derived from several components: initial capital, retained earnings and the current year’s net profit, which is the common link between the Income Statement and the Balance Sheet in any given year.

Cash Flow Statements provide a summary of how cash enters and leaves the company. It measures how well a business manages its cash. Cash is king. Cash is the lifeblood of any business, and how well it’s being managed needs to be documented.

Cash and Accrual Accounting

There is a significant difference between cash and accrual accounting, and not knowing the difference and its impact on a business can lead to severe consequences. The main difference between the two types of accounting is when revenue and expenses are recognized and recorded.

Cash Accounting records revenue when cash is received. A 50% down payment on a newly signed kitchen would show up as revenue on the income statement. With no expenses to record yet, the financials could reveal a sizable net profit. The pitfall for this kind of accounting is that it might overstate the health of the business. Under this scenario, the company could be cash-rich, lulling the owner into a false illusion that the business is profitable when in reality, the business may be losing money.

Accrual Accounting recognizes and records revenue when it is earned. Revenue recognized upon delivery of a product or service aligns with the associated expenses and services provided.

The accrual method provides a more accurate picture of the business’s overall health by including all revenue when earned and all expenses when incurred. This more accurate financial data places an owner in a better position to make sound business decisions and limits the risk of overpaying taxes.

Managing by Percentages

Managing a business by reviewing and looking at strictly numbers can be challenging. It can be easy to overlook a change in revenue or an increase in expenses when focused primarily on the numbers – or, worse, not knowing what the numbers mean. It also makes it difficult to compare one financial statement to another or understand the changes occurring over time.

A more straightforward method to manage is inserting a column into a financial statement where any line item amount is expressed as a percentage of the overall net revenue. Total revenue is listed as 100%, and cost of goods, gross profit and all other line items are expressed as a percent of the total revenue. This method makes it easier to analyze the performance of a business over time and compare it with peers or industry benchmarks.

Benefits of Knowing Your Financials

Your financials tell a story about your business, what is occurring at the moment, and a telling tale about your organization’s history. It’s important to be adept in reading, interpreting and using your financial statements as a guide to making wise business decisions.

There are many benefits to being financially savvy. First, you can protect yourself from possible embezzlement. Placing all your trust in a bookkeeper without having financial know-how creates exposure that is often hard to overcome.

Second, you can better measure your financial performance against others in a group, identifying weaknesses where your business can improve. Third, you can ask better questions of professionals so you can secure better advice. Fourth, you can set more intelligent and realistic goals. Fifth, you can furnish more confident leadership, attracting and retaining quality personnel. And sixth, knowing the financials like you know the designing of kitchens can make you a lot more profit!

Commit to gain a deeper financial understanding of your business. Invest in yourself to learn the financials, and the story conveyed. Financial knowledge comes with reward – realizing the full profit potential of the business and leveraging it appropriately.

Dan Luck owns Bella Domicile in Madison, WI. He has been an SEN Member since 2002 and has led the SEN Leadership Team since 2018. Visit sendesigngroup/education for more information. Dan welcomes
questions and comments at [email protected].

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A special, abridged version of Salone del Mobile.Milano took place last week, amid much fanfare at its return and trepidation amid COVID-19 concerns. The safety of visitors was paramount, with all exhibitors and attendees adhering to protocols at all times, and an abbreviated show floor that often resembled an art gallery, with products hung on walls and shown in unique displays to keep visitors moving and at a safe distance.

“supersalone” did not disappoint, with more than 60,000 people attending the six-day show, which opened with an impromptu visit and remarks from Italian President Sergio Mattarella welcoming guests and 425 exhibitors, who showcased everything from opulent tables and chairs to modern cabinetry and lighting.

Up-and-coming trends were seen throughout the space. Kitchen cabinets sheathed in metal and metallic looks and a wide range of wood tones, and included complementary metal and glass shelving units. Disappearing kitchens were also displayed, with sliding countertops that tuck everything neatly away when not in use.

Faucets reflected a range of geometric shapes, and delivered on the desire for customization with changeable handles and a multitude of finishes that went far beyond the metals of the past. And LED lighting is revolutionizing the shape and size of pendants, sconces and chandeliers, delivering intricate shapes and modern vibes. LED lighting are also prominent in kitchen and closet shelving and interiors, and even in faucet spouts and showerheads.

Following are a few of the products that made a statement during the event.

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WASHINGTON, DC — In what officials are calling a major step in combating global climate change, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued a final rule establishing a program to cap and phase down domestic production and consumption of climate-damaging hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), highly potent greenhouse gases commonly used in refrigerators and air conditioners.

The landmark program, announced today, will phase down the U.S. production and consumption of HFCs by 85% over the next 15 years, as mandated by the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act, enacted in December 2020 as part of an effort designed to slow global warming, EPA officials said. HFCs are potent greenhouse gases commonly used in refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, as well as foams and other applications.

The bipartisan AIM Act, backed by a coalition of industry and environmental groups, not only phases down HFCs, but also ushers in the use of more climate friendly and energy-efficient alternatives aimed at saving consumers money while protecting the environment, according to the EPA.

“Today, EPA is taking a significant step forward to tackle the climate crisis,” said EPA Administrator Michael Regan. “Cutting these climate ‘super pollutants’ protects our environment, strengthens our economy, and demonstrates that America is back when it comes to leading the world in addressing climate change and curbing global warming in the years ahead.”

“American companies are at the forefront of developing HFC alternatives and the technologies that use them, and the AIM Act provides these companies additional opportunities to continue to innovate,” Regan added.

EPA estimates that the cumulative net benefit of its action will amount to more than $272 billion from 2022 through 2050, and that the rule will yield cumulative compliance savings for industry. In 2036 alone, the year the final reduction step is made, the rule is expected to prevent emissions of the equivalent of 171 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) – roughly equal to the annual greenhouse gas emissions from one out of every seven passenger vehicles registered in the U.S., the EPA said. The total emission reductions of the rule from 2022 to 2050 are projected to amount to the equivalent of 4.6 billion metric tons of CO2 – nearly equal to three years of U.S. power sector emissions at 2019 levels.

EPA officials said the agency will work with the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security to prevent the illegal import and trade of HFCs through an interagency task force led by personnel from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations and EPA.

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WASHINGTON, DC — The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM), the trade organization representing many of the industry’s leading appliance suppliers, has lent its voice to a four-member coalition of trade associations urging immediate action by the Biden administration and Congress to address ongoing global supply chain challenges.

The Washington, DC-based AHAM yesterday joined the Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), the North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers (NAFEM) and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) in releasing a white paper outlining how supply chain disruptions, which are being compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, “are hurting the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers, stalling the U.S. economic recovery (and resulting in) unprecedented damage to the global product supply chain.”

The call for action comes one day after a coalition of workers from across the supply chain warned world leaders that global trade is facing a potential “global transport system collapse” if governments do not restore freedom of movement to transport workers and give them priority to receive COVID vaccines that have been approved by the World Health Organization (WHO).

“The ability to produce and deliver home appliances to consumers has been dramatically hindered by the COVID-19 pandemic and other supply-related issues, creating hardships for consumers and for businesses at every step in the supply chain,” said Joseph McGuire, president and CEO of AHAM. “The result is ongoing shortages of products, materials, components and labor, leading to delays and increased costs,” McGuire said, adding that, in some cases, the supply chain timeline has doubled or tripled.

“This is at a time when consumers are spending more time in their homes and more dependent than ever on home appliances to keep their families healthy and their homes clean,” he said.

The request by AHAM followed a series of meetings between association members and Biden administration staff, centered around issues important to AHAM-member companies, such as the Section 301 China tariffs, Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs, labor shortages, increased costs for shipping containers and increased shipping times, and semiconductor shortages, AHAM said.

“Combined with increased demand for appliances and equipment, supply chain bottlenecks have negative consequences, including increased costs, lost sales, delayed deliveries of critical products to consumers in the face of supply chain backlogs, and even shutting down manufacturing plants,” the association contended.

AHAM acknowledged that many supply chain issues will require long-term solutions, but the coalition also requested immediate relief from policymakers through tariff removal and fair allocation of semiconductors to all industries.

“Quick implementation of these and other policy solutions may help prevent a continued worsening of the availability of manufactured products in the U.S., while increasing productivity and stemming product cost inflation,” AHAM said.

The post Trade Associations Urge U.S. Action on Supply Chain Challenges appeared first on Kitchen & Bath Design News.

From virtual communication to safety protocols to material and labor shortages, members of the kitchen and bath design industry have had challenges in 2021 unlike any other year prior. Customers and projects abound as the country heads into a post-pandemic era, yet constraints and restrictions require a reliance on acquired knowledge and a constantly changing stream of information.

These challenges can knock even the top industry pros off balance. The key to regaining equilibrium and continuing on a successful path is to be flexible and adjust to circumstances as they arise. While many have weathered the storm of the past few years, others have risen above and not only carried their companies and employees through the mire, but have reached out and helped others in their journey, as well. Industry leaders continue to head committees and associations, educate and mentor professionals with less experience and expertise, and deliver high-quality and innovative design to their clients.

Kitchen & Bath Design News honors these industry leaders in its pages every year by naming The Innovators, a group of industry professionals who are setting the standard for excellence in the design industry. Nominated by their peers and then reviewed by the KBDN nominating committee, the 24 Innovators for 2021 are an exemplary group of individuals who are moving the kitchen and bath industry forward. At the links below, Kitchen & Bath Design News presents its fifth annual class of Innovators.

• Todd Atkins
• Dan Bawden
• Cyndy Cantley
• Madeleine Dymling
• Salvatore Ferro
• Tracy Grosspietsch
• Karen Hockley
• Jennifer Hutton
• Jill Jarrett
• James Justice
• Kimberley Kerl
• Kamer Kosedag
• Rosario Mannino
• Maria Martin
• Mary Miksch
• Lori Miya
• Kevin Mullen
• Leah Muller
• Judith Neary
• Jeremy Parcels
• John Petrie
• Angela Poirrier
• Ginger Rabe
• Nicholas Vanderhovel

The post Honoring Our 2021 Innovators appeared first on Kitchen & Bath Design News.

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.conduithardware.com/?p=198