Surface & Panel Q1 2024 by Surface & Panel

Q1 • 2024

U N I T I N G M AT E R I A L S , T E C H N O L O GY A N D D E S I G N

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Q1 • 2 0 2 4

CONTENTS

VO L 2 3 • I S S 1

U N I T I N G M AT E R I A L S , T E C H N O L O G Y A N D D E S I G N

FEATURES 14 The More Things Change Surface & Panel Magazine celebrates 20 years of being the resource connecting design and production in our industry.

18 Twenty Years of Kitchens A look back at how kitchen designs and materials have evolved over the past two decades

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DEPARTMENTS

26 Design Trends for 2024 ASID shares their thoughts on what is trending for 2024 in kitchen and bath designs

30 Attracting the Next Generation Companies take on the skilled worker shortage, offering training opportunities and partnering with education institutions to build better employees for the future

38 Forging Ahead Today’s design software takes industry innovations seamlessly to the next level

40 Creating Cutting-Edge Coatings & Finishes Innovations in products and technologies available for finishing surfaces have progressed swiftly over the past few years

8 From the President Patrick Adams talks about making what you do matter

10 From the Editor Jennifer Williams on heading into a new era

24 Beyond the Surface Industry experts answer pressing questions

34 Closet Conversations with Michael Carson ACSP founder and owner of Inspired Closets Chicago shares closet insights

44 Business Corner New year, new laws

54 Distribution Matters Maintaining record profit: back to basics

58 @TheShow

48 Functionality Trends Up Visible or not, hardware brings a lot to any space — particularly in kitchens and bathrooms

50 Reflecting on the Last Two Decades in Surfacing What has and hasn’t changed in the industry

Previewing the upcoming KBIS and High Point Market and reflecting on DOMOTEX 2024, TISE and the Surface Design Show

64 Ad Index 66 By the Numbers

52 Sustainable Harvests Ensure Our Future Using wood products ensures the health of our forests, and in turn, our health as well

A graphic look at today’s kitchen and bath market ON THE COVER: Surface & Panel celebrates 20 years of publication and reflects on covering a wide variety of topics and trends, as reflected in the assortment of covers over the years

34 26

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Patrick Adams PH: 714-486-2735

padams@526mediagroup.com

VICE PRESIDENT

Shelly Adams PUBLISHER EMERITUS

Never Miss a Beat.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE SURFACE & PANEL NEWSLETTER FOR NEW STORIES EVERY WEEK

John Aufderhaar PH: 920-206-1766 john@bedfordfallsmedia.com

M A N AG I N G E D I T O R

Jennifer Williams PH: 714-486-2735 jwilliams@526mediagroup.com

David Koenig, DIRECTOR OF EDITORIAL Sara Graves, SENIOR EDITOR G U E S T C O LU M N I S T S

Dr. Albert D. Bates, Keith Christman, Amy Gath, Paige McAllister CONTRIBUTORS

Jaime Alvarez SALES

Nick Kosan PH: 714-486-2735 nkosan@526mediagroup.com

Chuck Casey PH: 714-486-2735

ccasey@526mediagroup.com

John Haugh PH: 714-486-2735

jhaugh@526mediagroup.com

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Dara Fowler D I G I TA L S U P P O R T

Alekxandr Olson aolson@526mediagroup.com

C I R C U L AT I O N / S U P P O R T PH: 714-486-2735 info@526mediagroup.com 526 MEDIA GROUP 151 Kalmus Drive, Ste. J3 Costa Mesa, CA 92626 PH: 714-486-2735

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Surface & Panel is published quarterly by 526 Media Group, 151 Kalmus Drive, Ste. J3, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, telephone 714-486-2735. © 2024 by 526 Media Group. Patrick Adams, President. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, electronic or mechanical without written permission from the publisher. Subscription policy: Individual subscriptions are available, without charge, to manufacturers who engage in panel processing, qualified service providers and suppliers. Publisher reserves the right to reject non-qualified subscribers. One year subscription to non-qualified individuals: U.S. $50, Canada/ Mexico $75, all other countries $100, payable in U.S. funds. Single issues are $15, and must be prepaid. 526 Media Group does not assume and hereby disclaims any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions in the material contained herein, regardless of whether such errors result from negligence, accident, or any other cause whatsoever. Printed in the U.S.A. Postmaster: Send address changes to Surface & Panel, 526 Media Group, 151 Kalmus Drive, Ste. J3, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. Please direct all subscription questions to: Surface & Panel, 526 Media Group, 151 Kalmus Drive, Ste. J3, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 or email info@526mediagroup.com.

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F R O M

T H E

P R E S I D E N T

What You Do Matters

he past few weeks have been a bit tough and conflicting. My best friend, who I’ve mentioned a few times in prior articles, is moving away. While I’ve only known him for a handful of years, I recognize that it gets harder and harder to find a “best friend” the older you get (at least for me). As I’ve shared before, he’s a military veteran, an active police officer, and the type of person who makes you think about how to be “better” whenever you’re around him. Simply put, he’s a good man, with good values, who you can always count on. He’s been with the same department for almost 20 years — his entire policing career post military. There’s been a few times he’s considered leaving, but he never made the move for many good reasons at the time. Until now that is. He is in the final stretch of his time as my neighbor before he and his family head to Texas and his new department there. We were reflecting on good times and stories by the fire with our traditional whiskey and cigar in hand. I asked him what he will remember about his lengthy time here at his department that spanned from his time in the academy as a young man to now, part of command staff that grooms the next generation. His answer shouldn’t have surprised me coming from him, but it did. He said, “I will remember that what I did mattered.” A simple eight words that landed with a much heavier weight. Who can confidently say that about their career? Who thinks about their job in that way? He went on to tell me story after story about countless calls for service that would never make headlines or reality shows, but things that made a difference in people’s lives and the community. There were no shootouts or spoiled heists. They were stories about meals, washing machines, and replaced bicycles. They were introductions that led to jobs or a reliable vehicle for a reasonable price. After he left, I sat by the fire for a long time thinking about that conversation. It’s about perspective, isn’t it? If you’re reading this, perhaps you sell panels. When people ask what you do, that may be the answer to how you think about your job. “I sell panels.” At the end of your career when someone asks you what you will remember about your time, what will you say? From my perspective, you don’t sell panels. You build communities. You help people achieve the American dream — something that exists nowhere else in the world beyond here.

From my perspective, you don’t sell panels. You build communities. You help people achieve the American dream — something that exists nowhere else in the world beyond here. You sell panels. Those panels build homes and furnishings that people purchase and live in. Those people living together build communities, that shape lives, and values and the future of those generations being raised there. You do that and it makes a difference to countless people. The panels you sold today may, a year from now, become the home where a young couple brings their first born home for the first time, to raise them and keep them safe. They will grow, go outside, and play with other kids with the same privilege. I’ll miss my friend once he’s gone. But, he did it to provide a better life and environment for his family. It will make him and his family better now, and forever. They all will make new friends, and positively influence them as they did us. Among the countless ways that I’m better for having known him, is the realization that what I do, and what you all do, matters. Each day, we have the chance to make a difference in complete stranger’s lives. Although there are countless other influences pushing us in different directions, this is the perspective that I will try to move through this year with. That what we do matters. How we do it matters. And perhaps, we might just make a difference to a bunch of people that we will never know. Get up today, be proud of what you do, and make a difference. As always, I am humbled and grateful to serve such an amazing industry. Patrick Adams, President | 526 Media Group, Inc.

Send your thoughts and messages on this issue and article to Patrick at padams@526mediagroup.com

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Reflecting on S&P

ooking back through 20 years of Surface & Panel issues, it becomes clear to me that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Yes, advancements in techniques and technology have certainly changed, but the push to produce the best surfaced product is as strong now as it was then. Yesterday’s advancements led to where we are now, and today’s accomplishments will lead this industry into the future. And although I’ve only been with S&P since 2022, I am excited about where the new year will take us. This year, as we enter our third decade of S&P, I am

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I am committed to continue learning as much as I can about the various aspects of this industry, to visit companies and to attend as many shows as possible to see our world in action... committed to continue learning as much as I can about the various aspects of this industry, to visit companies and to attend as many shows as possible to see our world in action, and to meet the amazing people who continue to drive us forward with new concepts and ideas. We have introduced new features in the magazine for 2024, to help spotlight people and products that continue to innovate and grow. We want to hear more from our readers — what do you want to see? Read about? Let me know! My virtual door is always open! Shoot me an email with ideas on products, trends or anything that needs to be covered in S&P. Our industry, as with anything, is constantly on the move, constantly changing to keep up with the times. Surface & Panel wants to continue to grow and learn with you. As I look through the names of the companies featured in those early issues, I take note that many have grown while others have merged, and some, unfortunately, have gone away. But while the names of the players may have changed over the years, what remains is the drive to do things better. I, for one, am excited to see where this industry takes us next. Jennifer Williams, Managing Editor

JENNIFER WILLIAMS | MANAGING EDITOR | SURFACE & PANEL MAGAZINE | JWILLIAMS@526MEDIAGROUP.COM | 714-486-2735

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beyond SURFACE THE

Beyond the Surface is a new feature for 2024 in which prominent members of the industry are asked one question and share their best answers. Check out below on how you can be a part of this feature in our next issue.

What do you see as the best/most innovative new feature in today’s kitchen & bath design? “As contemporary living spaces continue to prioritize aesthetics, individuals are seeking surfaces that not only elevate the visual appeal of their homes but that are durable, withstanding the rigors of daily life. And, because life gets busy, it’s also important that these surfaces don’t add more chores to a daily routine, making minimal maintenance key. This makes materials that blend style, ease of maintenance and durability into a budgetfriendly surface increasingly popular. In the bathroom, more and more people are seeking to create a tranquil, personal oasis. They like the look of natural materials but don’t want the maintenance that traditionally comes with natural stone, tile and grout. We’re seeing a rise in materials that are simple to maintain and clean.” — Danielle Mikesell, Vice President of Marketing and Design, Wilsonart www.wilsonart.com

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LEFT: Inspired by sleek European designs, Wilsonart’s THINSCAPE caters to those seeking countertops that offer a high-end appearance without sacrificing performance and durability. With 1/2-inch thickness that complements the prevailing trend of sleek cabinet designs in kitchens worldwide, the minimalist aesthetic is perfectly suited for contemporary spaces while still meeting the demands of an active lifestyle.

SHARE YOUR EXPERTISE WITH S&P! Surface & Panel will ask industry experts one question for each issue, and will publish selected responses in each publication. The Q2 issue of Surface & Panel focuses on Commercial Spaces, so our question will be: What has been the most daunting challenge in creating today’s commercial spaces? If you have a response, please email it to jwilliams@526mediagroup.com. Be sure to include “Beyond the Surface” in your email subject line. If selected, we will request a headshot, name and company title from you to feature in the magazine.

SURFACE & PANEL • Q1 2024

The More Things Change Two decades ago, Surface & Panel Magazine sought to serve an untapped segment of the industry, and continues to be the resource that connects the thought leaders in the design industry with those on the production side of things. &

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Composite Panel Association called Second Wave … and it was Second Wave that then basically inspired Surface & Panel,” says Busch. The biggest directive for S&P from the start was to look more like a design magazine, he says. “I don't know if you've noticed, but most of the publications in the woodworking industry are very industrial looking, and Surface & Panel was meant to appeal to that other side of the industry — the decor value chain and also to architects and interior designers. There's a place for everything — we're not trying to replace wood we're just trying to make wood last longer with these amazing materials we can now create.” Looking through the premier issue from the Spring of 2003, Busch finds it hard to believe it’s already been 20 years. “It’s kind of funny, but the more things change, the more they stay the same,” he says. “Back then, it was kind of more of an industry attitude and not so much of a company focus, because there was plenty to go around … plenty of opportunity. But that all kind of erodes when all the companies start consolidating as we’ve seen over the past several years.” Busch left S&P in 2008, and now promotes the sustainability side of the industry as the founder of MaterialIntelligence.com and ClimatePositiveNOW.org. He also creates Certified Education Unit content for architects

urface & Panel Magazine debuted its first issue in Spring 2003, but its roots go much deeper and further back, in a magazine targeting the wood industry. It was there that freelancer Kenn Busch met salesman John Aufderhaar and an idea to cover an emerging segment of the industry was hatched. “We started hearing from some of these big upstream materials guys — the people who supply the laminate producers and the people who manufacture the decor papers and, of course, the decor printers — the people who were looking at these really efficient production techniques coming out of Europe and the materials that have been engineered to be compatible with that technology and saying, ‘Hey, this could explode! We better get that in front of this,’” says Busch, the first editor of Surface & Panel Magazine. “We had this group of upstream suppliers who were excited enough to say, we would love to have a media channel that's dedicated to decorative surfaces,” he continues. And from that, Laminating Design and Technology Magazine was born. “When Laminating Design and Technology launched, we were defining this community that was super fun — tapping into a subcommunity within the industry, if you will. At the same time, we were doing a magazine for the

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“We had this group of upstream suppliers who were excited enough to say, we would love to have a media channel that's dedicated to decorative surfaces.” — KENN BUSCH, FIRST EDITOR OF SURFACE & PANEL MAGAZINE

SURFACE & PANEL • Q1 2024

“Our mission with S&P was to excite the design community and show them what we can do with all these products ...” — KENN BUSCH, FIRST EDITOR OF SURFACE & PANEL MAGAZINE

and designers and speaks about materials and sustainability to design students and at industry and design events in North America, Europe, Asia and South America. “One thing I think this industry is still kind of missing out on is presenting a united front to the design community and to consumers about who we are — building value rather than beating each other up on price,” he says. “Our mission with S&P was to excite the design community and show them what we can do with all these products — which, I might add, are very much a sustainable choice these days — that is the story our industry needs to start leading with because it is becoming the top criteria for consumers and architects and designers.”

A NEW ERA Fast forward to 2019, when 526 Media Group purchased Surface & Panel Magazine from Aufderhaar as part of the company’s ongoing strategic acquisition strategy in the building and construction market. “As we strive to serve this entire market from forestry through manufacturing, the supply chain and end use, the surface and panel segment

was something we understood and knew we could serve well,” says 526 Media Group owner and S&P Publisher Patrick Adams. “We had building and construction covered in many areas surrounding the S&P industry already,” he says. “We were always intrigued by this segment and how it directly influences trends and designs, while still having the commercial and industrial influences that we were familiar with from other segments. We knew this segment was poised for growth and knew it would fit well within the 526 family of publications.” In the five years that Adams has owned the magazine, he admits he vastly underestimated his prediction on future growth in the industry. “We knew it was inevitable that the laminated panel market would grow exponentially, and design trends would shift away from solid wood to laminated surfaces,” he explains. “However, from residential to commercial applications, the European influences have taken hold and ‘facelift remodels’ have become more of the

WO R L D S O F WO N D

® ed with ECOR Advanc rototype Designs Panels posite Lightweight nvironmental Com . ngth Stre and isplay Flexibility

construction New technologies and to create techniques combine ent immersive entertainm at the Illuminarium

LIGHTWEIGHT, EASILY S ARE INHERENTLY S CALLED E-STAND TIVE SURFACES. F-PURCHASE DISPLAY WITH VARIOUS DECORA FURNITURE AND POINT-O ES AND COMPATIBLE BRANDING PURPOS CUSTOMIZABLE FOR

THE SHAPE OF GREEN TO COME? B Y

AND FORMER ENGINEER EARL WALLS (RIGHT), TANT, IS AN INVESTOR CONSUL ) IS LABORATORY DESIGN HONEYCOR (BELOW AND ADVISOR TO ECOR.ER STRIPS OF WAVECOR RED MADE BY GLUING TOGETH IMENSIONAL ENGINEE T. (ABOVE), A THREE-D PANEL PRODUC MOLDED -FIBER (3DEMF)

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L A U R A

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r and laboratory n the 1960s, enginee Earl Walls pushed design consultant laboratory casemanufacturers of wood frame techniques work from their old face necabinetry with melami into frameless lab particleboard boxes. surfaced, high-density same with steel laboraHe later did much the my on price there was a tory cabinets. “I think whose celebrated career head,” jests Walls, with icon Frank Gehry includes collaboration the on Kahn I. Louis with and awards for work to watch who was sitting Salk Institute. “I had .” behind me on an airplane rcial-grade comme most At the time, the same way with casework was made and labor in both wood much unnecessary incorporating new steel. So Walls began ites to value-engineer compos and ls materia a new on the horizon of Now, . designs his ogy, he’s embracing era in materials technol able lightweight panel a promising sustain . “I ® investor and advisor called ECOR as an up cabinet I can pick could build a 3-foot

SURFACEANDPANEL.COM

comcorrugated boards and WaveCOR™ says. “I just wish I was the proton and elecwith one hand,” Walls prise what Noble calls ECOR® atoms and is so exciting.” younger. The future tron for constructing can be ® creator Robert Noble, These two basic shapes les. If you ask ECOR molecu there’s no looking back of one another, married the future is now, and used independently ral An ecoon his path here. Environmental Structu – unless to reflect in stress-skinned visionary, Noble sees with composite cores preneur, inventor and Panels (ESPs) or used and e, the honterms of problems e surfaces. For exampl laminat architecture in simple or ed product is made 30 years, he’s develop -panel HoneyCOR™ logical solutions. In eycomb from R™ glued together structural panels several lightweight of strips of basic WaveCO d materials: a wall white glue or Titebon readily available waste with water-based PVA cone. HoneyCOR™ sandstraw suited for easy system from wheat GREENchoice adhesiv d™ is recycle a , rld villages sheets of FlatCOR struction in third-wo wiched between ® developed in para has e which Gridcor ESP, fiber product called called HoneyCOR™ s new the USDA Forest Product to-strength ratio. A the early ’90s with ticularly high weight® NatureWis., and ECOR offers increased rigidity Lab in Madison, HoneyCOR™ PLUS Noble nce site Panels from even higher-performa Engineered Compo and strength for WAVECOR Corporation logies ER, FLATCOR AND Techno EXAMPLE IS Environmental ABOVE: USED TOGETH applications. POSSIBILITIES. AN on at Berkeley, USDA. OFFER LIMITLESS DESIGN Y ENVIRONMENTAL STRUCTURAL Throughout his educati (NET), also with the THE FABRICATED MULTI-PLD-SKIN ASSEMBLIES (BELOW ). his entire archiECOR® panels, incorand dge recent, Cambri most The PANELS (ESP) IN STRESSE Harvard and ls years as CEO of his value-added materia g into includin waste career, porate tectural that requires no bindts in San Diego, Calif., process Architec wet a Sadler through Tucker of only the hydrogen bond ate about environmental ers or additives but Noble was passion extreme heat and presd his Envision Solar cellulose fibers under technology. He outfitte with aking. Old corrugated ltaic-array company sure similar to paper-m International photovo e. “As an water are the primary ® cted office furnitur -constru cardboard (OCC), and ECOR mentally respon ulp that’s reduced in t dealing with environ ingredients in the hydro-p architec hard to get those newspaper (ONP), Bovine materials, it was very a mold. Adding old sible or s from cow manure throughout the decade Processed Fiber (BPF) kinds of products ic fibrous materials ive to develop and other natural and synthet because they’re expens aesbuildizes the result for ” Noble says. “The to the stew custom manufacture initially, are “We accomand price. and/or to assimilate thetics, performance ing industr y is slow into go r-ton raw materials ls, and the cost can’t transforming $50-pe modate new materia up, products. It’s sort of production goes $50,000-per-ton finished down until the scale ,” Noble says. demand.” of ‘value add’ on steroids 0 which depends on high UTUMN 201 y sheets multi-pl surface&panel A and FlatCOR™ single

WILLIAMS BY JENNIFER

Walking on the moon. oing on safari in Africa. . of the Mariana Trench Exploring the depths will that most people These are all things themselves. e, never experience for scienc art and t blend of technology, But thanks to a perfec experiences to life ence brings these the Illuminarium Experi Vegas locations. With Atlanta and now Las for visitors to their tion, 360° audio, in-floor projec tive interac a combination of 4K arium experiences scent systems, Illumin vibrations and even are like no other.

Q3 20 10

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ANEL.COM

Brian Allen, executic immersion,” says “I like to call it cinema t integration for the technology and conten tive vice president of last summer in Atlanta nce, which opened Illuminarium Experie sort of technolthis have “We . in Las Vegas to and earlier this year top of each other g different things on ogy cocktail, layerin nce.” orchestrate this experie was how around hurdles we had to get ed. “One of the very first explain e,” he that’s completely invisibl [to] have localized audio ically transparent e that was both acoust “We needed a surfac is where some didn’t really exist. This that and ive, and reflect into play.” -fiber panels come specialized, carbon

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like Europe, we are seeing increases in multi-family builds and rental inventory — all of which favor this market segment. Surfaces being used are more durable, and more designforward than traditional options and will be more appealing to younger buyers. “Generational turnover is inevitable,” he adds. “However, they will be forced to be more creative in their living spaces. They have unique personalities, design preferences and will have the need to maximize living, and working spaces, more and more under the same roof. The products and solutions provided by the S&P market segment specialize in servicing this very demand.” S P

“We were always intrigued by this segment and how it directly influences trends and designs, while still having the commercial and industrial influences that we were familiar with ...” — S&P PUBLISHER PATRICK ADAMS

TOPPAN C ▲

"SPACE: A JOURNEY FROM THE EXHIBIT BEYOND" TO THE MOON AND

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THE 2023

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DESIGN

GUIDE

Pleasing patterns, CHEMETAL s with a pop of color. Transparency, new design tal’s newest collection. Chemetal introduces are central to Cheme is a unique, and biophilic curves classic linear shapes um sheets, Transparency alumin .09” and r coated on .062” porary aesthetic. Custom Laser cut and powde spaces with a contem fective way to divide durable and cost-ef options abound. www.chemetal.com

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has certain ‘gain’ ially reflective, so it the “The coating is essent says Allen. “One of the projection world,” to it, as we call it in is helps reduce reflecthis product is that reasons we went with so when you’re and , curved are our walls tive pollution—all of lly going norma you’re wall, angle of that coatthrowing light on every but this specialized reflection bounce, g to get a lot of crossdelivers wide viewin that.” The coating also ing helps minimize immersive displays excellent fit for giant, angles, making it an with mobile viewers.

CONTINU ED ON PAGE

www.interprint.com

NEL • Q3 2022

SURFACE & PA

NEL • Q4 2023

Q4 20 23

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26 SURFACE & PA

INTERPRI muscles and ents and essential to Popular in spa treatm on the eyes. lyte, salt is also easy nerves as an electro veining line structures and soft crystal cent translu The and wellness decor convey health of Interprint’s Halite softness ng interior trends of and support the emergi s scale versatility ensure Halite’s depth. ike with its cloud-l — particularly variety of applications compatibility with a characteristics of LVT. for the subtly soft tactile

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n Guide is The 2023 Surface Desig the design of an annual showcase cts that are trends and latest produ today both try, indus shaping the future. Surface and moving into the leading to & Panel reached out companies decorative surfacing their latest share to and asked them designs and rials, advances in mate reflects also services. The guide cts that produ some of the newest s including were showcased at event, and is KBIS, NeoCon and AWFS ators intended to inform fabric possible best and specifiers of the them. From solutions available to es with every personalizing surfac texture color, finish and even Design ce imaginable, the Surfa go-to resource Guide is the industry’s ators across for specifiers and fabric the globe.

COMPOSITES

3A MONARC Wall Panel BOND present all-new The creators of ALUCO are produced with applications. These panels & Solutions for interior use in the design of bath making them ideal for . high-quality finishes and other interior spaces kitchens, living rooms ight, shower enclosures, an extremely flat, lightwe of MONARC ensure ties proper m and Premiu & maintenance, offers easy installation that panel roof waterp by natural elements. appearance inspired delivers a striking visual .com 28› CONTINU ED ON PAGE www.3acomposites

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with Strong/MDI Screen narium creators worked was in y had a product that t of Canada that “alread speakers and featured hidden specialized panels scale.” didn’t have one to our said Allen, “but they arium, l coating for the Illumin eloped a custom optica applied optical coating to be y, high-contrast Orion providing the venue, as well as within walls n ojectio ate allow the audio to penetr d speaker panels which ion that e with minimal distort solid projection surfac to the human eye.

norm. We have moved away from once-a-decade kitchen remodels of cherry cabinets to every few years, looking toward new colors, new door designs and new surfaces to keep pace with changing design trends with products that — frankly — outperform traditional options.” Adams looks ahead to the next five years and beyond, saying the greatest challenges to the industry also represent its greatest opportunity. “Housing availability, accessibility and labor continue to be challenges across the industry,” he says. “As a nation, if we cannot find viable alternatives to the single-family home that in some markets that now average more than $1 million to enter, the next generation will not continue the cycle of ownership and renovations. However,

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SURFACE & PANEL • Q1 2024

20 YEARS

Looking through the issues from the past 20 years of Surface & Panel, it becomes clear that kitchens truly are the heart of any home. In fact, residential kitchens were the dominant photo on 13 covers of S&P — featured more than any other space — and there was an article in nearly every issue on kitchen design. From traditional to modern, the style names have remained the same while the surfaces and products used to create them have clearly evolved, with advancing technologies allowing for more personalization and specialization, including practical fingerprint-resistant finishes and evermore realistic exotic woodgrains.

of KITCHENS

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“We’re really selling a lifestyle, and with the way we display it they can really picture it in their house. Everything’s stocked and accessorized, so they get it. For most people, seeing and buying their kitchen this way has been a refreshing change.” — TODD HUSCHKA, OWNER OF STUDIO SNAIDERO WISCONSIN IN MADISON, Q2 2007

Harbour City Kit

FINE FIN F B

or 30 years Harbour City Kitchens has served a relatively small a encompasses the southern half of Vancouver Island. The local industries, tourism and the arts; and reverence for the pristine ing principle for the community. Over the years Harbour City has wood kitchen cabinet to include a panel processing operation entire home (see Harbour City: A Perfect Market Match on page 10), makin able to serve the residential market across any price point. Yet in the quest to better serve the market, Harbour City has never aba cabinetry. In fact, four years ago the company made a significant investm line that not only streamlined production of its current offerings, but also even more ways to expand. “There is opportunity to grow in the market,” Manager for Harbour City Kitchens. “Everyone sees the visual side of casew generally open cabinets up and look on the inside to see how cabinets a doors hanging on it and how the finish is. There is a big market in functionin is always a bottleneck in the cabinet industry when it comes to getting pro to building boxes, Harbour City’s investments in technology increase its ov tioning them to reliably take on jobs in other segments, such as millwork a

TECHNOLOGY

Four years ago Harbour City invested in a Cefla Unospray flat line finishin “We used to do all our finishing by hand,” says Bryden. “Finishing was the pany. We could not get enough product through finishing to keep up with de mit and make the investment. It is probably the best piece of equipment we us to take on as much woodwork as we want to take on.” The Cefla Unospra OPPOSITE PAGE TOP: SLEEK LAMINATES AND A 38 w w w . s u r f a c e a n d p a n e l . c o m

STRIKING ISLAND DESIGN FROM SIEMATIC WAS FEATURED IN THIS KITCHEN FROM THE SPRING 2004 ISSUE. OPPOSITE PAGE BOTTOM: ALNO’S

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY DESIGNS TAKE CENTER STAGE IN THIS KITCHEN FROM THE Q1 ISSUE OF 2008 TOP: HARBOUR CITY KITCHENS SHOWS HOW ITS INVESTMENT IN A CEFLA UNOSPRAY FLAT FINISHING LINE HELPED INCREASE ITS PRODUCTION WHILE MAINTAINING QUALITY IN THE Q2 ISSUE OF 2012. ABOVE: THIS KITCHEN FROM THE Q4 ISSUE

OF 2023 FEATURES SURFACES FROM LAMINAM, WHICH OFFER DURABILITY AND RESISTANCE TO HEAT, STAINS AND UV RAYS. LEFT: THIS BRIGHT, MODERN DESIGN WAS FEATURED IN A EUROPEAN KITCHENS ARTICLE IN THE Q2 ISSUE OF 2007. PHOTOGRAPHY-FASTEYEPHOTO.COM

SURFACE & PANEL • Q1 2024

20 YEARS

oes “green” come in so many stunning colors and patterns. alie McAllister, VP of sales and marketing for ALNO’s Chicago kitchen showroom, first thing many homeowner clients and their designers ask, “What’s green about hens?” never know what a customer’s touch point is going to be,” says McAllister. “Before as hip and fashionable, ALnO had been living it, not just because it’s the right do...it also makes economical sense to run a factory as large as ours that way.” wo million square-foot plant in Pfullendorf, Germany, produces 2,000 to 2,500 a day. O’s green story goes back more than 20 years. Before green became the hip LNO was living it. They use nontoxic paints and lacquers free from heavy metals, ssion finishing systems, and have a zero-waste policy, everything used is reconinto new material or used as fuel to heat their own factory. They save something e million liters of heating oil every year. It’s a powerful selling tool for us.” rials used to build ALnO’s kitchens are also environmentally friendly. Particleboard

Making ALNO’s Form Function

ofKITCHENS

Premium quality kitchen design demands that functionality be on par with aesthetics. That’s why ALNO uses only Blum hardware for slides, hinges and other innovative storage solutions. See “Blum” page 34.

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lain and Fancy Custom Cabinetry blends artisan skills with automated technology to produce some of the finest high-end custom cabinets available today. What started over 40 years ago as a small family-owned business in a garage has grown into, well, a small family -owned business in a state-of-the-art 225,000 square foot manufacturing and finishing facility. plain and Fancy is successful not due to its size, there are certainly far bigger companies out there, but because of their quality and service. This manufacturer understands that custom means choices, and plain and Fancy has built an operation that is the epitome of innovation and efficiency to meet the widely varied needs of the end user. plain and Fancy’s story is not just about growth, it is about evolution. In the niche of high-end custom cabinetry it is crucial to stay on top of new developments in machinery, materials, software, functional hardware and design trends. It is equally important to maintain symbiotic business relationships and excellent customer communication. In the beginning John achey, founder of plain and Fancy, prided himself on building high-quality custom cabinets from start to finish for his friends and neighbors. Not a lot has changed. plain and Fancy still has a lot of vertical control over their products; that is to say that with rare exceptions, they manufacture and finish all the components that go into their custom cabinet systems. However in the past 40 years they have experienced a market shift from “up the street” to uptown, with a reputation for being one of the most sought after, high-end cabinet makers in america.

designing The dreAm

Every cabinet project begins with an idea. In the case of plain and Fancy Custom Cabinets 90% of the projects are remodels; and more often then not the idea is facilitated by a design professional. particularly in the case of sophisticated kitchen design, an architect or designer provides the homeowner with the expertise to create a space that expresses the homeowner’s unique personality while satisfying the practical necessities. according to mary Grace, a kitchen designer who works with the plain and Fancy line, most people spend on average a year planning a kitchen remodel. Before clients ever set foot in a design center they typically research on their own using the internet and design magazines. plain and Fancy knows this and implements two major print campaigns a year, including monthly ads in national magazines. It may seem unusual for a small company to have such a large voice in the industry but plain and Fancy understands the importance of brand recognition. They want consumers to not only see their carefully created ads, but to feel the design come through the high-resolution images. It has been a successful strategy for emotionally bringing plain and Fancy cabinetry into the hearts and homes of potential clients before the renovation begins. “When people come in looking for plain and Fancy, they already know what they want,” says Grace. “They come to our design center with magazine in hand and ask for more information on the line.” The design process begins with an interview. Do the clients like to entertain? Do they cook? Then specific zones are laid out (prep, cooking, clean up) to maximize productivity and minimize ergonomic

surface&panel

ABOVE: FUNCTIONALITY MUST BE ON PAR

WITH AESTHETICS, ACCORDING TO ALNO IN THIS KITCHEN FEATURED IN THE Q1 ISSUE OF 2008. TOP RIGHT: CUSTOM CABINETS BY PLAIN AND FANCY SET THIS KITCHEN APART IN THIS SPACE, FEATURED IN THE Q2 ISSUE OF 2009. CENTER: CABINETS FROM PACIFIC COAST

INDUSTRIES ILLUSTRATE THIS ARTICLE IN THE Q2 ISSUE OF 2011. BOTTOM RIGHT: THIS TUSCAN-INSPIRED

KITCHEN SHOWCASES THE VARIETY OFFERED BY DURA SUPREME IN THE Q2 ISSUE OF 2014

Pacific Crest offers three product lines of fully assembled cabisurface&panel Q 1 • 2 0 0 8 31 nets, Bellmont, Amero and Bellmont 1600, all of which go to market via a distribution network of about 200 independent kitchen dealers nationwide. The versatility afforded by frameless construction means that Pacific Crest does traditional, transitional and modern styling well and is able to offer their products across several different price points. “Full-access construction is gaining traction and growing as we come out of this recession,” says Bell. “I think there is a renewed interest as space becomes a more important element of design. Right now it is really pretty amazing. Our business is actually growing again, in large part because of the products we build.” RESPECT

Bell got his start in the 1980s building a face-framed product for kitchen remodels in his small shop. “I was reading all these trade magazines and it certainly looked to me like the frameless cabinet was going to take over the world. And I wanted to be on that ride,” says Bell. “I didn’t have enough room in my shop to do both types of products, so in late 1986, early 1987 I went cold turkey into frameless. I bought a little edgebanding machine, a sliding table saw and a 23-spindle Ritter line boring machine. I learned about the 32 mm system and started building a frameless cabinet. That is all we have done since then.” Kitchen cabinetry is an extremely precarious business in today’s marketplace. “The industry has shrunk by almost 70 percent in the last four years, it has been a world changer for sure,” says Bell. Part of what allows Pacific Crest to remain competitive is respect for one of the fundamental concepts in economics, that markets are not created, they are served. To do this Bell and his team devote a good deal of 10 w w w . s u r f a c e a n d p a n e l . c o m

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mar/apr 2009

effort to understanding both the kitchen cabinet industry in general and the needs of end users. Bell has a simple schematic that he uses for explaining the North American kitchen cabinet market and Pacific Crest’s place within it. Think of a triangle with three horizontal lines. The top bit is custom. The mid-section is semi-custom, and the bottom is stock. According to KCMA statistics the semi-custom segment is the only segment that had any growth last year. Overall the entire industry shrank another 4 percent in 2010. Semi-custom remained even while both stock and custom lost ground. “The breadth denotes the volume of these segments in the last three or four years,” explains Bell. “The highest-end custom cabinet market has been decimated, almost literally, off more than 70 percent. All those guys who are still surviving are trying to move downward in price and scope to get into that semi-custom middle area, where we are. Now at the bottom you have all the stock manufacturers, who are getting eaten alive by the Chinese imports, and they are all trying to come up.” RESPONSIBILITY

In recent history, frameless cabinetry has made up roughly 12 percent of the overall market, and according to Brush that number is steadily growing. The increase of framed products offering “full overlay” doors with specialty hardware to achieve the look of frameless construction supports this observation. So what is driving consumer kitchen trends? After 25 years in the world of fashion and design, Brush has some good insights into what is influencing current buying decisions. “Look at the change in demographics. The largest part of expendable income is still baby boomers remodeling, but that is declining. A lot of the baby

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SURFACE & PANEL • Q1 2024

20 YEARS

ofKITCHENS RIGHT: THE SLEEK, MONOCHROMATIC LOOK OF THIS KITCHEN, FEATURED IN THE Q1 ISSUE OF 2018, IS THANKS IN LARGE PART TO THE DESIGN ELEMENTS PROVIDED BY METROPOLITAN CABINETS AND COUNTERTOPS. FAR RIGHT: SHOWCASING DIFFERENT CABINET COLORS AND FINISHES IS THE FOCUS IN THIS WELLBORN-DESIGNED KITCHEN FROM Q1 2020. BELOW: BRASS IS A DEFINING FEATURE IN THIS STUDIO MCGEE KITCHEN FROM THE Q1 ISSUE OF 2021. BOTTOM RIGHT: TODAY’S KITCHENS CAN FEATURE A MIX OF TEXTURES, COLORS AND FINISHES.

surfaceandpanel.com

“Parts of the kitchen that are easily seen from other parts of the home must measure up aesthetically; a refrigerator, for instance, might be masked with panels ASS IS A DEFINING FEATURE IN THE STUDIO GEE KITCHEN WITH TAPS, DOOR HANDLES AND that make it look like an armoire.” GHTS ALSO ADDING TO THE OVERALL LOOK — MICK DE GIULIO OF DE GIULIO KITCHEN DESIGN IN CHICAGO, S&P SPRING 2004 ISSUE

lained. “These glass pulls

es on specific trends, but 22 S to URFACEANDPANEL.COM n it comes decorative

THESE LITTLE BEAUTIES MAY BE SMALL, BUT THEY CERTAINLY CAN TAKE CENTER STAGE IN A ROOM. SHOWN: LANE IN ROSE QUARTZ, SANDS IN LABRADORITE, HORNE IN MOONSTONE.

offer many smart home technologies for cabinetry that covers this wide range of creating that perfect space. From interior lighting solutions, push and touch to open technology to ergonomic lift kits, meeting the needs of the consumer no matter what level of technology they desire in their homes.

Powder Coated Wood

• WHITE VS. COLOR – Though we believe there will always be a market for the desire to create a clean white kitchen, we are also seeing more and more pops of color in cabinetry as consumers become exceedingly confident in this new economy. Still remembering the sting of the recession, we have all become more guarded on the way we spend our money. A white kitchen is a safe tried and true choice—a signature look for the ultimate are seeing these tones warm up Eﬃcient Process. High Performance Americana kitchen. But an all-white to createFinishes. more inviting environm kitchen today can look stale and sterile also can be seen in not just pai and the best way to remedy this is to netry, but also gray wash finishe Supplying components boldly add a pop ﬁofnished color here and there. for the warmth of the wood through hospitality, It is the very contract refreshingfurniture, to see the addition retail, healthcare and other industries. example of this is Wellborn’s ne of blues, greens and the occasional reds on a variety of wood species—S making their way back into cabinetry Gauntlet, as well as melamine o Scan for a and Terra O looks. This trend continues to get stronger like Smokey Walnut Sample and stronger so look for color coming bring a warmth of wood look wi back in a big way. undertone of warm gray. Beyon

PHOTOGR APHY BY TOM OLCOT T

Only 20 Minutes

ABOVE: UPPER CABINETRY UTILIZES MODESTO INSET DOORS IN MAPLE, WITH GAUNTLET STAIN AND JAVA GLAZE IN AN OLDE WORLD FINISH TECHNIQUE. THE BUTCHER BLOCK ISLAND FEATURES MAPLE WITH A SADDLE STAIN. RIGHT: ISLAND CABINETRY IS HANOVER BEADED INSET IN WELLBORN’S AQUA PAINT.

• COOL TONES TRENDING TO WARM – I feel there is a huge fatigue of the overly used cool gray tones used in home décor over the past 10 years. As a result, even though there is still a demand for gray, we

there is also a high demand for finishes that can create cozy ye looks that are welcoming. To an need, we offer two Walnut look called Saddle and Suede.

CONTINUED

◆ CLEANING ◆ PRE-TREATMENT ◆ COATING ◆ DRYING ◆ AUTOM

FINISHING TECHNOLOGY FOR PERFECT WOOD SURFACES

Venjakob North Am 130 Healey Road, Unit Bolton, Ontario | L7E 5 Andrew Scott | ascott@ Phone: 905 951 99 66 www.venjakob.com

Nutro Inc. www.venjakob-nutro.

S anzeige_surface+panel_01-2020_203x89.indd URFACEANDPANEL.COM 1 SURFACE & PANEL • Q1 2024

SDESIGN P BY

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We at Surface & Panel are constantly amazed by the new products and their applications in our industry. S&P By Design is an opportunity to share some of those innovations used in real projects around the world.

BE A PART OF S&P IN 2024!

▲ SOFTWARE IN STYLE Arizona fintech software company Kinective recently opened a new 25,000-square-foot headquarters in Gilbert, Arizona, designed to unify its legacy brands and position the company for future growth. Kinective and design partner DBSI looked for interior options that brought together aesthetics, functionality and comfort, including Formica Brand’s Aged Ash laminate for all millwork in the building and Graphite laminate for the mother’s room countertops.

Help celebrate 20 years of Surface & Panel by sharing your interesting and innovative projects with us to be featured in S&P By Design! Submit 1-3 images and a brief explanation of the project, including materials used, along with your company name and URL to jwilliams@526mediagroup.com. You will be contacted if your project is selected for publication in an upcoming issue. Our Q2 issue has a commercial spaces focus, but projects of all kinds are welcome! The deadline for submissions for the Q2 issue is April 5.

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www.formica.com

TODAY’S KITCHEN

This well-appointed kitchen from Häfele features innovations both seen and unseen. One of the obvious highlights in this kitchen is the task undercabinet and task lighting, accomplished with Häfele’s Loox LED lighting system. This innovative, modular system of LED lighting options flawlessly adapts to both design and necessity — and in practically any interior environment. Also prominent in this kitchen is the Kesseböhmer YouK Shelf System, which brings ease and simplicity to open storage. Designed as a system of ladders which accommodate any shelving material, YouK can be mixed and matched with different-sized side railings, stand-alone with optional feet or even pair with casework, and can be used in traditional ways or in unexpected areas, including in drawers and under shelves inside cabinets. One of the unseen components in this kitchen is the Kesseböhmer Revo Corner Unit–a sleek, user-friendly unit which tucks the cabinet doors in as it smoothly revolves through the cabinet interior–closing the doors automatically upon returning to the front of the cabinet.

www.hafele.com

SURFACE & PANEL • Q1 2024

Design Trends for 2024

A 26

S&P EXCLUSIVE FROM ASID

s 2024 gets into full swing, designers are thinking ahead to how to improve the impact of their work and the lives of the occupants who inhabit it. To serve as a guidepost for interior designers, the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) annually publishes its Trends Outlook Report, looking at global, economic and societal trends and identifying their implications on the design profession. From creating connection through “eatertainment” spaces, to critical sustainability and climate considerations, here’s what designers should be keeping in mind for 2024, with a special spotlight on the kitchen and bath market:

• Generation Z has gone through a pivotal portion of their lives in some form of isolation, from pandemic restrictions to remote learning to hybrid work. They also have a strong social value set and seek authentic connections that feel true to their personal empathies and concerns. • Solo living is on the rise. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the percentage of one-person households has increased every decade since 1940, reaching 27.6 percent in 2020. However, Americans still recognize the need for friendship and community, and they desire to center their lives around it.

The Power of Connection Using design as a tool to foster connections is paramount. While the desire for connection is nearly universal, ASID uncovered the most notable driving forces behind this trend:

How can designers use their practice to create connectioncentered spaces? In the home, the kitchen is the obvious first culprit. Designers are emphasizing kitchen islands as focal points to be used as both a dining and social gathering space.

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LEFT: THIS PRIVATE KITCHEN IN AUSTRIA FEATURES EGGER’S PERFECTSENSE FEELWOOD LACQUERED BOARDS, WHICH COMBINE A VELVETY, MATTE LACQUER FINISH WITH EMBOSSED-IN-REGISTER (EIR) FEELWOOD TEXTURES AND FINGERPRINT RESISTANT PROPERTIES. PHOTO COURTESY OF EGGER BELOW: THIS BATHROOM OFFERS SLEEK, GROUTLESS SOLID SURFACE PANELS FOR A CONSISTENTLY CLEAN LOOK. LUXURY FINISHES AND AMENITIES ADD TO THE SPA-LIKE ATMOSPHERE MANY HOMEOWNERS ARE LOOKING TO CREATE. PHOTO COURTESY OF HÄFELE

Developers are offering consumers more amusement and entertainment experiences that combine high-quality comfort food with fun activities that foster connections with family and friends — a new term coined as “eatertainment.” With total recreation spending anticipated to grow by more than 10 percent in 2024 (according to JLL, Inc.), designers should encourage their clients to invest in these spaces in the home. Elevating Utility Spaces Workhorse areas of the home, from kitchens to laundry rooms, are getting a much deserved aesthetic upgrade. For example, small kitchens can maximize storage in creative ways such as the use of open shelving — giving homeowners an opportunity to display their personal collections or add other other decorative elements. Mudrooms and laundry rooms are also being more thoughtfully considered in designs, with attention paid to color and pattern to liven up these previously overlooked utilitarian spaces. Amenity Overload Custom amenities are working their way into every space of the

home. From faucets with filtration systems that can dispense sparkling or hot water in the kitchen, to steam showers with rain heads and seating in the bathroom, to beverage stations for morning coffee in the bedroom, designers are finding just the right personal touches to bring their clients’ homes to the next level of luxury. Biophilia at Home Large window walls, retractable panels and glass doors are opening the home to the outside world, inviting natural, biophilic elements into interiors. Not only do these visual and physical connections with nature improve occupant health, they also increase the possibilities for connectivity and expanded entertaining spaces at home. Designers can use these benefits as talking points to educate their clients on broader biophilic benefits, including through material specifications and product selections that keep occupants as healthy as possible. Pets as Part of the Family Two-thirds of Americans own a pet, with more than one-third owning more than one — and nearly all say that their pets are a part of their families. Pet-owners prioritize their pets in their spending habits, so it makes sure they are increasingly considered in every type of home, too. Durability is a key factor for pet-owners, with an emphasis on pet-friendly, easy-to-clean products and materials. For those seeking multi-family residential accommodations, many are prioritizing pet-friendly facilities. Even hotels are offering curated experiences to attract pet-owners with animal-friendly rooms and amenities. CONTINUED ON PAGE 28 ›

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Sleep and Self-Care A good night’s sleep is now considered one of the ultimate forms of self-care. Essential to overall health and wellbeing, deep rest can bring the body and mind back into balance. Stress and anxiety have impacted Americans’ sleep patterns over the past few years, leading to an evolution in consumer preferences. Designers can familiarize themselves with sleep data and apply their knowledge to their practice to create supportive environments for their clients in the home. Cleanable and Hygienic Surfaces are the New Norm Post-pandemic, homeowners still seek cleanability and durability. In bathrooms, we see this through materials such as quartz or groutless solid surface panels. Brushed finishes for fewer water marks are finding increased popularity for a consistently clean look. High-end bathrooms are also seeing a rise in smart toilets with self-cleaning functions for enhanced hygiene. The Marriage of Sustainability and Wellness Sustainable design elements are now a must-have in any space, and the design world is pairing them with wellness components for a holistically healthy space. As companies and designers think about creating environments that support better human health, many are increasingly recognizing the interconnectedness of individual health, community health and environmental stewardship. Designers and manufacturers have an opportunity to think more comprehensively and strategically with their clients, integrating both WELL features to improve occupant health, as well as LEED credits for better energy efficiency, water conservation, materials selection, lighting and waste reduction into their design solutions. Younger generations (like Gen Z) in particular are highly concerned about sustainability and climate change, exerting their voices and purchasing power to express their values on these topics through design decisions such as opting for locally sourced building materials or investing in second-hand luxury goods that support the circular economy. As designers face the year ahead, one thing is abundantly clear— being equipped with the research and data to inform their businesses and design practices is a key to their success. Through examining global trends through the lens of interior design and applying them to their work, practitioners have the power to show the many ways design impacts lives in 2024 and beyond. The 2024 ASID Trends Outlook Report can be viewed in its entirety at www.asid.org. S P

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This was written for Surface & Panel by the American Society of Interior Designers, which believes that design transforms lives. Through its programs, networks, and advocacy, ASID serves all those who are a part of the interior design profession and practice. ASID thrives on the strength of cross-functional and interdisciplinary relationships among designers of all specialties, including workplace, healthcare, retail and hospitality, education, institutional, and residential. As a leader in shared conversations around topics that matter in design, from evidence-based and human-centric design to social responsibility, well-being, and sustainability, ASID showcases the impact of design on the human experience and the value interior designers provide. ASID will mark its 50th anniversary in 2025. Celebrating 50 years of industry leadership, ASID is committed to broadening the impact for the future of design in all of the places we work, play, and heal. Visit www.asid.org to learn more.

ROOMS FULL OF JOY.

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We always look at spaces from the perspective of those who live in them. This lets us develop individually tailored solutions that give real pleasure. People love spaces that are an expression of themselves, spaces in which they feel at ease and at home. This is exactly what our latest ideas and innovations make possible.

Attracting the Next Generation

Companies are taking on the skilled worker shortage, offering apprenticeships and training opportunities and partnering with education institutions to build better employees for the future.

BY JENNIFER WILLIAMS

ecent studies indicate that approximately 70 percent of employers report difficulties in hiring skilled professionals, particularly in areas including IT, manufacturing and production, while the Association for Career and Technical Education reports an anticipated shortage of 6.5 million skilled workers over the next decade. Everyone in the industry is familiar with the problems of attracting and retaining good skilled employees, but some are working to do something about that — from partnering with education institutions to running successful apprenticeship programs.

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Rising Demand for Future Talent Several companies have found success hosting their own apprenticeship or specialized training programs, including Stiles, Blum and BASF. BASF’s North American Apprenticeship Development Program expanded for a second consecutive year in 2023, and launched at eight additional regional manufacturing sites. The program, which offers apprentices a unique opportunity to gain on-the-job training and earn industry-recognized credentials while receiving a full-time wage, is now established at 28 BASF manufacturing sites across the United States. Among the new BASF sites that welcomed

apprentices in 2023 are Port Arthur, Texas; Pasadena, Texas; Malcom, Iowa; Southfield, Michigan; and Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. “BASF’s apprenticeship program is an important pillar of our strategy to address the projected shortage of millions of skilled workers in the United States in the coming years,” said Marc Ehrhardt, President, BASF North America and Board Member of the National Association of Manufacturers. “The manufacturing industry depends on well-trained employees to help drive our businesses as well as economic growth in the communities in which we live and work. Through our partnerships with local colleges, BASF is doing its part to build the modern manufacturing workforce of the future.” Seventy new apprentices have joined BASF’s program to date in 2023, and several more are expected to join through the end of the year. More than 160 apprentices have joined the program since its launch in 2021. BASF collaborates with local colleges to develop comprehensive and integrated training programs while providing practical experience for participants at the company’s operating facilities. Over the course of 12 to 36 months, the apprentices are trained on the job while earning an industry-recognized certificate or associate degree. In addition to paying a competitive wage, BASF offers benefits and covers costs associated with the academic programs. Upon completion of the apprenticeship program, participants will have the skills and credentials needed to launch their careers in manufacturing. “BASF’s apprenticeship program gave me great insight into manufacturing and provided me the opportunity to connect inclass learning with my job responsibilities,” said Samuel Blackwell, a Tennessee-based graduate of BASF’s apprenticeship program. “I

BASF collaborates with local colleges to develop comprehensive and integrated training programs while providing practical experience for participants at the company’s operating facilities. appreciate BASF and Chattanooga State Community College for supporting me through this process and I’m excited about beginning my career at BASF.” While offering entry into the manufacturing industry, BASF’s apprenticeship program also helps create a vital pipeline of trained workers. The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) projects that 4 million manufacturing jobs will likely be needed over the next decade and 2.1 million jobs are expected to go unfilled without development efforts such as BASF’s apprenticeship program. BASF is dedicated to attracting, developing and retaining a skilled and diverse talent pipeline, which it believes is crucial to driving continued business and manufacturing success. Visit www.basf. us/apprentice to learn more about BASF’s Apprenticeship Program. Starting Young Other companies see the value in piquing the interest of potential workers — even before they graduate high school. The MiLL (Manufacturing Industry Learning Lab) is a pioneering industry-education collaboration that sprouted in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 2017, to drive high school students toward careers in cabinetmaking, welding and construction and to develop a highly CONTINUED ON PAGE 32 ›

WHY YOU DON‘T JUST GET PRODUCTS FROM US?

Because we develop well thought-out coating processes.

SURFACE & PANEL • Q1 2024

ABOVE RIGHT: THE ADVANCED CABINET MANUFACTURING PROGRAM AT THE MILL IS DESIGNED TO TEACH STUDENTS THE SKILLS REQUIRED IN TODAY'S GLOBAL ECONOMY

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skilled workforce for the trades. Dozens of industry partners — some of the most recognized names in the business — backed the effort by offering time, resources and financial contributions to the tune of $2 million. Amanda Conger, executive director of the National Woods Board (NWB), intends to develop the MiLL model into a nationwide format. The goal is to execute some ‘test runs’ this year, and Conger predicts no shortage of interest. “We’ve had a lot of schools raise their hand already to say they want the curriculum—and they’re located all over, geographically,” she says. “And that’s fantastic, because that’s what we need to do — spread it throughout the entire country.” The initiative is seeking additional industry support, says Conger, including connections to local high schools, in order to place them on the list of prospective users of the national curriculum and financial and other contributions to help put the curriculum into circulation. In September 2023, the MiLL received a “generous donation” from Safety Speed and now have students being trained on the donated TR2 Panel Router. Conger seeks “to build the next generation of woodworkers, for decades to come” as a byproduct of long-term cooperation between industry and schools. Through successful execution of this strategy, as she and other advocates see it, everybody comes out on top. “It’s a two-way partnership that will encourage product development for the industry,” she says, suggesting how students can test equipment, software and/or other resources in the classroom and provide feedback on how it could or should be developed. And the young people participating in the program get a head-start on professional success. “When the students complete their coursework, they have not only the skills from the curriculum, but they also have industry-recognized credentials like WCA (Woodworking Career Alliance),” Conger points out.

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“They can use that to then obtain internships or employment immediately following graduation from high school.” Higher Education Options Colleges and universities are also getting on the bandwagon. With so many new technologies and advanced equipment being used to drive innovation in the industry, there is an evergrowing need for experts who understand the big picture. At the intersections of mechanics, electronics, and computing — mechatronics specialists help create simpler, smarter systems. Mechatronics is essentially the integration of mechanical systems with electronics and software to create more functional and efficient products and processes. Mechatronics engineers work on projects that involve the seamless integration of mechanical components with electronic control systems. Their expertise is used in industries including robotics, automation, manufacturing, and other emerging technologies where the convergence of mechanical and electronic elements is essential. As technology continues to advance, mechatronics engineers play a pivotal role in shaping innovative solutions that drive automation, efficiency, and enhanced functionality in a wide range of applications. According to Recruiter, the average salary for a mechatronics engineer is $120,150. Michigan Technological University offers B.S., M.S. and Accelerated Master’s degrees in Mechatronics, along with professional certificates in specific areas. “What sets this degree program apart is the way it brings together engineering and computing to create something entirely new. This convergence is the very essence of ‘Industry 4.0’ and the future of manufacturing and industry,” according to the school’s website. Visit www.mtu.edu/mechatronics for more information. Other schools, including Palomar College in San Marcos,

California, are offering more traditional skill training — with an eye on the technical advances being made in those fields. The Palomar College Cabinet and Furniture Technology program claims to offer the most comprehensive woodworking career curriculum in the nation. Utilizing three fullyequipped shops, the school’s two full-time and 20 part-time instructors provide a breadth of courses and depth of expertise impossible to obtain in smaller programs. Palomar offers an Associate of Science Degree as well as certificates of achievement in eight different aspects of woodworking, with courses range from Furniture Design and Instrument Making to Production Cabinetmaking. Visit www.palomar.edu/woodworking for more information. The University of Idaho offers a ‘Furniture Design and Construction’ course, in which Interior Architecture & Design students are guided through the processes of conceptualizing, designing, and then fabricating a piece of furniture, says Tharique De Silva, assistant professor in the Interior Architecture & Design School. “In the educational realm, this is especially useful to the students as they gain the knowledge and understanding of the wide variety of paths available to them after graduating from our accredited program,” he says. “Two such projects were displayed at AWFS last summer, with one piece being selected as a Finalist and the other receiving First Place in the Design for Production category.” De Silva says he is “not aware of companies reaching out to partner with our university with regard to specific aspects of furniture design and construction, but that would always be a welcome consideration. If I were to categorize the larger-scale issues we have, it typically looks like the cost implications of students sourcing materials for their projects, as well as transport to other regional competitions–like the IDI Chair Affair in Boise, ID. I am actively looking at/for any organizations that would have interest in partnering with schools.” Visit www.uidaho. edu/caa/programs/interior-architectureand-design for more information. S P

Colleges and universities are also getting on the bandwagon. With so many new technologies and advanced equipment being used to drive innovation in the industry, there is an ever-growing need for experts who understand the big picture. Adv_USA_114x191.qxp_Layout 1 10/04/19 18:00 Pagina 1

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SURFACE & PANEL • Q1 2024

Closet Conversations,

With Michael Carson, owner of Inspired Closets Chicago

S&P STAFF REPORTS

ichael Carson started his path in the closet industry in 1987, founding Closet Works, Plus Closets, Heartland Panel, StorAway Solutions over the years. Carson founded an industry networking group called The National Closet Group (NCG), an organization which later evolved into the Association of Closet and Storage Professionals (ACSP), where he helped to write the rule book — literally — for closet design. Carson left the industry in 2012, but was soon back in the game as a dealer with the Stow Company and the owner of Inspired Closets in Chicago, Illinois. Mike says he did extensive research before jumping back into the industry, and found that the Stow Company was the best choice for “buy versus make.” S&P spoke with Carson about his time in the closet industry, the changes he’s seen and where he sees the industry going. S&P: You’ve experienced the evolution of the closet industry firsthand and are still making things happen. Tell me a little about your story.

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MC: I had started a manufacturing company called Closet Works and we brought in private equity in 2007 to help take the company and our concept to the next level. The concept was to create three manufacturing centers across the country and have a hub and spoke type of system. Then the 2008 housing crisis kind of put an end to that. Private equity lost interest and we ended up not fulfilling the plan. So I exited and then restarted — but not as a manufacturer. And that is really the big changing trend in the industry is that you're seeing more and more of the regional manufacturing rather than individual manufacturers. The only reason people [in the closet industry] manufactured back in the ‘80s and ‘90s is because they had no choice — there was nobody supplying closet parts. We were going to do that in 2007 but the timing was wrong. I just joined up with the Stow Company, which has a million square feet of manufacturing that supplies a network of dealers. There’s a lot to the story there, but California Closets is buying back

their franchises and their company stores are now centralizing their manufacturing so they don't have to do [the manufacturing] locally. That's a big change in how the products are being distributed and marketed. With Stow, the dealers design and install, but we have a common supplier partner. I think over the next 10 years we're going to see a lot more of that being consolidated into regionalized manufacturing—a lot like the kitchen and bath industry. S&P: What led you to start a trade organization for the closet industry? MC: Back in the late ‘90s, I had been in business about 10 years already and realized that there was no information, nowhere to go to learn, no training or anything — so everybody at that time was just looking to California Closets and kind of trying to copy them. They had information they shared with their franchise group where they could talk shop, but for all the independent people like me, there was nowhere to turn. I decided to do something about that. The first group we started was called the National Closet Group, where I decided to go around the country finding the biggest and best manufacturing closet companies

in all the major markets and bring them together in this group so we could share networking, marketing and products. That was the concept. We started in 2000 with 13 companies and then had 50 companies that were all part of this network which was an exclusive group — only one member per market so that we could share intimate details, financials and such. We were invited to speak at a woodworking conference in Dallas 2005 where everybody was really interested in what we were doing and wanted to join, but they couldn't. They weren't happy about that, since everybody wanted more information. So we decided to create this big, umbrella association called the ACSP, which came about so we could help the entire industry and not just a select group of manufacturers. S&P: The evolution of the closet industry has been astounding, with the concepts now permeating every room in a home — the kitchen, home office, garage, playroom, basement. Tell me a little more about how the industry has grown outside of “just closets.” MC: Let me say, another reason I started the National Closet Group was because of the fear of the kitchen and bath industry taking over our industry. I mean, it seemed logical — they do the CONTINUED ON PAGE 36 ›

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same thing, adding storage to the house. My fear was that they would just roll us in to become the National Kitchen Bath and Closet Association. But surprisingly to me, 23 years later they're still not really fully understanding that, which is good, but you know some of them are starting to see that it really is a viable business. I think it was beneath them back then … it’s like “we’re doing the $80,000 kitchens, we don't want to do a $2,000 closet. In fact, I started a wholesale company called Plus Closets that catered only to kitchen and bath dealers because I wanted to add value to the kitchen and bath dealer. And today, you have Sauder getting involved in the closet business and other kitchen and RTA-type manufacturers looking into it more and more. So this long-held secret is not a secret anymore … everyone wants to jump in.

things that are now pretty common. It was just panels, shelves and drawers … that was it. And pretty much white, almond and candlelight were your color options. As for creating the standards for the industry, we basically started having conversations with the manufacturers and would bring them to our conventions and talk to them. There were a lot of customer-vendor relationships and conversations that really helped expedite that standardization process — even with the software companies and getting CAD programs that understood shared panels and what we did versus what cabinets do. The first company that came out with the closet catalog was Cabinet Vision. Cabinet Vision and my company worked together to create that original catalog for the software.

S&P: Can you recall a pivotal moment in the history of the closet evolution that changed the industry into what it has become? MC: Yes! When the association decided to put out manufacturing standards in the early 2000s, that allowed the accessory manufacturers like Häfele, Richelieu and Rev-a-Shelf to then innovate around those standards. Before that, everyone did things a little bit differently with sizing and such. But once we established the association and created standards for the industry, that kind of revolutionized all the different accessories and everything that goes along with it. I think back when I first started, there were no tie racks or pull-out mirrors or ironing boards — all these different

S&P: White TFL has long been the standard typical material used in the closet industry. With all the technological innovations within the surfaced panel industry — including creating textured finishes and replicating real wood and other designs with digital scanning and printing — is there a leaning now towards using other materials and finishes? MC: White will always be the dominant color because it’s more transferrable, but the TFL manufacturers really have upped their game, giving us textured TFLs and really rich products, which have absolutely added another level to closet design. There are trends now towards tones like navy, charcoal and different solid colors — navy is really popular right now. I think what's happening

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The Association of Closet and Storage Professionals (ACSP) was established in 2005 to create a unified voice for the custom storage industry, build a professional image for its members, and provide a valuable, credible source of information for the storage consumer. Carson currently serves as the association’s director of membership. www.closets.org

with the industry is, as we show the client that we can do more than closets — we could do the wall bed, the entertainment center — all these spaces are more exposed in the home and that's where they're looking at having more rich textures and twotones and different things like that. S&P: Do you think you’ve seen the peak of the closet industry? MC: No, no, no…we haven't reached the peak! What is occurring now is that the closets we did for Mrs. Smith back in 1995 or 2000, their kids grew up with custom closets and now they're having their families and buying their homes and they wouldn't think of not having a custom closet. Naturally, by that metric the industries is exploding and becoming more in the consumer’s mind. Most companies today can design to your budget. There is functional and there’s aesthetics, so if you just get down to a functional closet, it's still better than a shelf and rod or a wire closet, but there can be affordable ways to create that space and that peace of mind that doesn't cost a lot of money. But we also are selling $50,000 closets that have lighting and crown and glass and mirrors and it's really quite extravagant — we call those boutique closets. S&P: What excites you the most about where the closet industry is heading?

MC: Well, we are a closet industry but we're so much more than that. People are calling us to do all those other spaces — if we did your closet 10 years ago, you may now be in the market for your home office or your entertainment center or you want to do the garage finally — you know where to go. And I think the industry is perfecting all those different spaces not only in terms of design, but in terms of the accessories and complementary products that go with it. I guess what really excites me is that we're stretching beyond closets and becoming more of a wholehouse organization storage industry. S&P: Are there any particular accessories or features in closet and organization spaces today that were once thought of as an extravagance but now are seen more as necessities? MC: (Laughs) Everything is a necessity! We are seeing a lot more lighting in closets. The LED programs with manufacturers like Tresco or Richelieu or Häfele are developing technology to make the accessories more integrable into the systems, so it makes it easier for the closet designer to be able to incorporate them and make the project look great. That’s another vendorclient discussion that we keep having: How we can keep improving closets and make them even more aesthetically pleasing and more functional? S P

SURFACE & PANEL • Q1 2024

Forging Ahead TODAY’S DESIGN SOFTWARE TAKES INDUSTRY INNOVATIONS SEAMLESSLY TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

S&P STAFF REPORTS

esign Software is designed to make our lives easier, from options that help design a pantry, closet or entire kitchen to streamlining production and eliminating human error, today’s software goes beyond just saving time and money. Software options are available at every price point for every type of fabricator or manufacturer. There is even software to help all of a company’s systems communicate with each other. Today’s software is even easier to use and more intuitive than ever, with AI and other progressive technologies forging a new path ahead. In the Beginning KCD Software was developed in 1983 out of the need for an errorfree cut list. From that first KCD Design software to the powerful CNC Commander Suite for cabinet and closet makers available today, KCD Software has always respected and acted upon their customer’s input. Many years of researching, inventing, testing, refining and developing new and smarter ways to reduce errors has resulted in a more powerful, efficient and easy-to-use product

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line. Just as importantly, advising, assisting, supporting and training their customers has become the hallmark of KCD Software. Today, with KCD Software’s One-Button Machining, KCD’s Commander calculates and optimizes toolpaths, maximizes your material yield with True Shape Nesting and generates CNC machine code [G code] for your CNC router. Custom “one-off” pieces are easily modified in the KCD Parts Viewer. One-click lets you add cut-outs, change the shape of your part, move and remove holes, dados and more – then nest with the rest. Visit www.kcdsoftware.com for more information. From Horseshoes to Simplifying Cabinet Configuration Julius Blum founded his company in 1952. His first product was a horseshoe stud. Today, Blum is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of furniture fittings. In 1996, the company launched its first version of DYNAPLAN, a software that made it easier to plan cabinets and choose the right furniture fittings. Today, with Blum’s Cabinet Configurator — the latest version of DYNAPLAN to be released in the United State later this year — you can plan entire cabinets complete with Blum hardware right

FYI: CAD versus CAM

For those who don’t know, CAD is computer assisted design/drafting while CAM is computer assisting machining/manufacture. A CAD program is used to develop 3D models of parts — a CAM program is used to translate these 3D models to machining instructions computer-driven tools can understand.

in your web browser ... for free! Users can configure Blum fittings using the integrated collision check with just a few clicks and then send orders directly to the online shops of selected distributors. Comprehensive planning results make manufacturing quick and simple. Visit www.blum.com for more information. Transforming the Landscape of Design Nearly 25 years ago, a Swedish multinational company made a deliberate choice to transform the company’s future and fortunes. In ever-bigger incremental steps, Hexagon evolved — becoming a global leader in digital reality and autonomous solutions. Along the way in Hexagon’s journey, ALPHACAM was created. The latest iterations of ALPHACAM, offer more customizability, more toolpath control, and real-time labels, along with a wide range of updates and enhancements to shorten the time it takes to process and machine parts. ALPHACAM’s xAPI multiplier allows users to tap into our powerful CAM engine, utilizing standard programming languages to extend and customize the way the software functions. xAPI offers greater control over the power of ALPHACAM, whether it’s to create applications that streamline manufacturing operations, or to develop unique programs for custom manufacturing applications. And if a user is working with solid models, xSolids provides the tools needed to import, prepare, and process files for manufacture. xSolids handles nearly all types of solid models and assemblies, and offers the ability to automatically recognize features, extract geometries, and apply toolpaths. Visit www.alphacam.com or www.hexagon.com for more information. S P

SURFACE & PANEL • Q1 2024

Creating Cutting-Edge Coatings & Finishes

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nnovations in products and technologies available for finishing wood and alternative wood substrates have progressed swiftly over the past few years, creating more options than ever before for colors, prints and finishes, while satisfying a global push for sustainability. From new treatments that add beauty and coatings that add durability to improved application methods and evolving equipment, the methods, tools and techniques for coating and finishing have advanced way beyond simply sanding and painting a surface. Today’s emphasis on eco-friendly finishing and coating solutions is inspiring manufacturers to increasingly adopt waterbased and low-VOC (volatile organic compound) formulations to reduce environmental impact. This shift aligns with broader industry efforts to meet stricter regulations and consumer demand for environmentally conscious products.

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Innovative Coatings for Today’s World Advanced technologies play a pivotal role in transforming the Finishing and Coatings sector. Innovations such as UV-curable coatings and digital printing technologies are gaining traction. UVcurable coatings offer faster curing times and reduced energy consumption compared to traditional methods. Digital printing allows for intricate and customizable designs on surface panels, catering to diverse aesthetic preferences. And while technologies are advancing to improve the sustainability of materials and the personalization of surfaces, durability remains a key focus. Enhanced coatings that provide UV protection or resistance against scratches, stains, water and wear are gaining popularity. Manufacturers are investing in research and development to formulate coatings that not only protect the surface but also contribute to the longevity of the finished product.

This trend is driven in part by consumer expectations for items that withstand the test of time. And in response to market demands, the industry is also seeing a rise in antimicrobial coatings. The ongoing global focus on hygiene and health has prompted manufacturers to develop coatings with these specialized properties, catering to applications in residential, commercial, and healthcare settings. Color and Design Advancements Color and design trends continue to evolve, reflecting shifts in consumer preferences and interior design aesthetics. Matte finishes have gained popularity for their contemporary look, while textured surfaces — now more accessible than ever with specialized digital scanning and printing technologies — add depth and visual interest. Customization options, enabled by advanced coating technologies, allow consumers to personalize materials according to their unique style. For example, Polychem Coatings, an IFS Coatings brand, recently introduced its 2024/25 powder coating color trends. Available as protective powder coatings with an improved sustainability footprint over liquid paint, the 2024/25 color trend collection consists of 30 powder colors that represent today’s trends. Reassuring blues, pops of peach, pink and coral, darker greens and swarthy darks sit alongside soft neutrals. Natural-looking special effects including speckles, hammertones, textures and metallics dominate the palette, delivering interest and warmth to these on-trend colors. CONTINUED ON PAGE 42 ›

High Performance Versatile CNC Router for Every Application and Budget Thermwood Model 43

Advanced CNC technology at an affordable price! Affordable: Despite its high-end features, the Model 43 is priced affordably and offers unbeatable value for money. Versatile: Whether you work with plastic sheets, custom cabinets, furniture, MDF doors/drawer fronts, or non-ferrous metals, the Model 43 can handle it all. High-quality: Made from fully stress-relieved structured steel, the Model 43 boasts topof-the-line features such as Siemens drives, THK rails, and three-dimensional volumetric position compensation.

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SURFACE & PANEL • Q1 2024

‹ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 41

“The 2024/25 trend palette oozes warmth, strength and stability,” explains Polychem Manager Lauren Bayer. “Our designers and design-driven coaters will benefit from gorgeous, sustainable, and competitively priced powders for metal applications in the colors people are talking about now.” Visit www.polychemcoatings.com for more information. Manufacturing Technology Keeps Pace Today’s manufacturers are partnering with technology companies and research institutions to leverage expertise and to drive innovation. These collaborations aim to address challenges, accelerate product development, and stay ahead in a competitive market. Years of research and development along with decades of experience in the application of reactive PUR hot melt adhesive systems were the basis and prerequisite for the successful international market launch of the Kleiberit HotCoating technology, according to company officials. Kleiberit calls it a “revolution

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in surface finishing” with a line speed of up to 50 meters a minute, two lacquering units, and an excimer system for supermatt surfaces. The HotCoating technology offers surface finishing in combination with digital printing and embossing and is suitable for veneer, paper, termoplastic foils and CPL. Visit www.kleiberit.com for more information. Globalization and expansion are influencing trends in the finishings and coatings market. Manufacturers are exploring new geographic markets, leading to the adaptation of coatings that meet specific regional requirements and standards. This trend is fueled by the pursuit of growth opportunities and diversification strategies. Technologies Advance into Other Areas Amorim Cork Flooring, a market leader in the production of versatile cork flooring and wall decorations, commissioned a new production line at its site in Porto, Portugal, in the fall of 2023, and recently introduced the first digitally printed cork flooring to the market. Amorim's long-standing partner Hymmen GmbH Maschinen- und Anlagenbau located in Bielefeld, Germany, provided the whole system technology, with a JUPITER Digital Printing line for decorative printing and the Digital Lacquer Embossing (DLEplus) for digital structure printing. The Jupiter line features the DLE (Digital Lacquer Embossing) technology, creating structures that

These collaborations aim to address challenges, accelerate product development, and stay ahead in a competitive market. are embossed-in-register (EIR) to the decor of the surface. This technology grants all commercial and technical benefits of digital single pass printing like flexibility, fast set-up times and individualization. The digital structuring supports the surface performance. All features like hardness, bonding, scratch resistance, and chemical reliability of the core lacquer remain. Officials say that digital printing continues to play a crucial role in the future of finishings and coatings as it enables unlimited design flexibility and can be applied to a wide range of materials. This facilitates faster response times to market demands and trends while reducing material waste. The combination of reduced process costs and market differentiation is driving the significance of digital printing technology within flooring and other surfaced panel production. “Thanks to the positive cooperation with our customer's team, we are very pleased to once again have a showcase project that sets a good example for future plant projects,” says Dr. René Pankoke, partner and CEO of Hymmen. Visit www.hymmen.com for more information. S P

With a ShopBot CNC, you can increase production throughput while minimizing material handling. For example, you can drill shelf pin holes, cut rabbets and dados, and profile-cut the completed panel. The operator only needs to handle the full sheet once to load the machine, and then remove the perfectly cut parts that are ready for assembly. Thanks to the affordability of ShopBot’s professional grade CNC machines, the technology of manufacturing cabinet boxes, doors, drawer fronts, shelves, and even countertops, is now well within the reach of smaller shops, not just large cabinet manufacturing facilities. See our full line of CNC s at ShopBotTools.com Then give us a call at 888-680-4466. We’ll find the CNC machine that works best for your needs.

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SHOPBOT CNC MACHINES ARE ENGINEERED, MANUFACTURED, AND SUPPORTED IN THE USA SURFACE & PANEL • Q1 2024

New Year, New Laws

BY PAIGE MCALLISTER

new year means new employment laws, trends and challenges. While there is no way to capture everything, here are some of the important trends we are following at the start of 2024. General Trends Uncertainty: With the volatile political climate heading into the 2024 presidential race, inconsistent predictions for the economy and escalating incidents of violence, employees are facing new challenges at and outside of work. The workplace should be a physically and mentally safe space for all employees; therefore, management must establish and enforce policies prohibiting harassment and discrimination, which would include limiting conversations, attire and displays that could be offensive or provocative. Management should also take necessary steps to secure the workplace by creating and enforcing policies on workplace violence, weapons and visitors. Our recommendation: Review your policies and practices to

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ensure all employees are protected from unacceptable actions, speech and behaviors. Job market softening: The tight labor market we have been experiencing for the past year or two is starting to soften. Job growth is still consistent but is slowing as businesses prepare for the recession, which may or may not come. The unemployment rate has increased slightly but is still low, most recently at 3.9 percent. With the “Great Resignation” seeming to slow down, employees are not fleeing their jobs as quickly as before; but they still will leave for higher wages, improved benefits and better work-life balance, etc. Experts expect these trends to continue into 2024 with more stability coming to the workforce and economy. As a result, employers may not experience the high turnover of the past two years but may still have a difficult time filling any job openings they have. Our recommendation: Develop a recruiting plan that includes sufficient compensation and benefits, good candidate search tools and a thorough and expedient hiring process.

Wage increases leading to wage compression: Wage growth is slowing but is still averaging a 4 percent increase overall, mostly in response to the increased cost of living. Wage increases along with the rising minimum-wage rates in many states are resulting in wage compression where new employees are being paid the same as or close to the amount paid to longer-tenured employees. Our recommendation: Develop a sound compensation plan to ensure you are paying employees fairly based on market rates as well as their experience and contributions to your company. Limiting the use of restrictive covenants: Legislatures and agencies on both the federal and state levels plan to reduce the use of restrictive covenants such as non-disclosure and noncompete agreements. Legislation has been passed nullifying certain non-disclosures signed as part of a harassment or sexual harassment complaint. Additionally, regulations have been put in place to prohibit non-competes for certain employees, such as low-income or non-exempt employees. Our recommendation: Have all restrictive covenants (including confidentiality, non-solicitation and separation agreements) drafted and regularly reviewed by legal counsel familiar with applicable federal, state and local laws to ensure they are enforceable.

Our recommendation: Prepare to evaluate the salary levels of all exempt employees and plan how to address those whose salaries will not meet the new threshold, usually by either increasing their salaries or reclassifying them as non-exempt. State Laws As in recent years, the stalemate in the federal government is pushing states, counties and cities to enact their own legislation to move their agendas forward. But, since different areas have different priorities, these laws vary from state to state and city to city. Here are some of the local and state initiatives you should be aware of. Expansion of legalized marijuana: Twenty-four states have now legalized the recreational use of marijuana for adults 21 years or older. Thirty-eight states currently permit the medicinal use of marijuana. Some states have also passed laws to protect employees who use marijuana legally off-duty and off-site. Since approval of legalized marijuana is increasing, expect to see it on the 2024 ballot in more states and perhaps relaxing rules federally. CONTINUED ON PAGE 46 ›

Federal Laws and Trends National Labor Relations Act: As expected, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is taking more action to protect the rights of all employees in the workplace. Some of their initiatives and rulings include redefining “joint-employer” to expand responsibility to more co-employers; setting tougher standards for handbook and policy language that could appear to infringe on an employee’s rights; and issuing multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with other federal agencies to better exchange information discovered during investigations that the other may find violate their regulations. Our recommendation: Understand how the NLRB’s ruling applies to your workforce and update your policies and practices to comply. Changing exemption criteria: The DOL recently released its proposed changes to the minimum salary threshold for whitecollar exemptions (Executive, Administrative and Professional). The DOL proposed an increase to $1,059 per week, annualized to $55,068 per year. The proposed salary threshold for highly compensated employees will be $143,988 per year. However, the final threshold may change depending on current wage rates by the time the new rule is implemented. Nothing is finalized yet, and legal challenges are expected given the big impacts these adjustments would necessitate.

SURFACE & PANEL • Q1 2024

‹ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 45

Pay transparency and equity: Several cities and states have enacted laws intended to bring equity to pay practices. These laws include requiring good-faith wage rates to be posted in job ads; prohibiting employers from asking a job applicant for their compensation history; and requiring employers to regularly assess their wage practices to ensure fairness and consistency. Look for these measures to continue to expand in other locations. Paid time off: More states are enacting paid time off laws. Sixteen states (including Washington, D.C.) will have paid sick leave as of January 1, 2024, and three states will have paid time off laws that allow employees to use the time for any reason. Other states are expanding their current paid time off laws. Look for additional states and local governments to pass such laws giving employees protected time off. Paid leave: Nine states and Washington, D.C., have passed paid family and/or medical leave programs to provide employees with wage replacement during covered leaves. Four additional states have passed paid leave laws that will require employers

Much more than a simple addition, our 8 new Karisma colours are an invitation to explore new design and style horizons. These new colours are available in decorative panels (TFL), High Pressure Laminates (HPL) and mouldings.

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to start preparing in 2024 and 2025. Given this trend, more states are expected to establish and/or vote on some sort of paid leave program. S P

As in recent years, the stalemate in the federal government is pushing states, counties and cities to enact their own legislation to move their agendas forward. PAIGE MCALLISTER, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, is Vice President for Compliance at The Workplace Advisors (formerly Affinity HR Group). Visit theworkplaceadvisors.com for more information.

EVERY DOOR OPENS...

THE DIFFERENCE IS IN THE CLOSE Open and close. These are simple concepts, but at Grass, it is our business and our passion. Grass believes that every open door deserves a proper closure. This purity of purpose remains our diligent endeavor: to provide your cabinetry with precise movement and an unmatched feel in every application. TIOMOS is built to achieve repeated performance with extreme precision and confidence. With a variety of opening angles, an integrated adjustable Soft-close system, and 3D adjustability, TIOMOS goes beyond “Open and Close.”

www.grassusa.com SURFACE & PANEL • Q1 2024

Functionality Trends Up

IN KITCHEN & BATH HARDWARE

S&P STAFF REPORTS

isible or not, hardware brings a lot to any space, but it is particularly crucial in kitchen and bathroom settings. From decorative pulls and hardworking hinges to specialized hardware that transforms or saves space, innovations and trends evolve and emerge each year. As with last year, there are no set colors or finishes that “everyone” is using in 2024. Rather, there is a range of options for modern or traditional styles, with various tones and finishes proving to be fashionable. Cabinet hardware in satin nickel, matte black and even brass and chrome — polished or satin — are being seen in many of today’s kitchen designs. However, observers say they are seeing less chrome hardware in bathrooms, with a move towards warmer and more muted metallic finishes including vintage bronze, satin brass and satin nickel. Advanced finishes that resist microbes or fingerprints are continuing to grow in popularity. Another growing trend can be seen in textured hardware finishes, such as Richelieu’s contemporary half-circle pull. The design allows for multiple applications in a space, even allowing a full-circle knob with the installation of two pulls. Visit www.richelieu.com for more information.

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Specialization is Hot Specialty hardware can transform an office into a spare bedroom with a Murphy bed, lift or lower shelving or whole cabinets with ease, and facilitate slow-close drawers and cabinets. Not to mention smart devices are moving into the hardware realm, with smart door handles and locks and garage door systems you can control from afar. Grass America offers several game-changing movement systems that offer various positioning options. Smooth, softclosing, and fully adjustable, the Tiomos hinge system offers a complete portfolio of opening angles, closing options, and configurations. The hinge system's kinematics reduce opening force while minimizing reveals, and its concealed soft-close integrates into the hinge arm to enhance the sleek, modern, minimalist look and feel. The Dynapro 2D’s symmetrical design and synchronized components guarantee a silent and smooth operation every time. Plus, its high load capacity and three-dimensional adjustability can adapt to many unique or unconventional spaces, allowing for smooth performance and precise alignment. And as a nearly invisible lifter system,

OPPOSITE PAGE: DYNAPRO 2D UNDERMOUNT DRAWER SLIDE SYSTEM FROM GRASS AMERICA TOP LEFT: BLUM INTRODUCES THE REVEGO POCKET SYSTEM CENTER: A NEARLY INVISIBLE LIFTER SYSTEM, KINVARO T-SLIM,

FROM GRASS AMERICA BOTTOM LEFT: RICHELIEU’S CONTEMPORARY HALF-CIRCLE PULL ABOVE: IMPRINT DRAWER ORGANIZER FROM MARATHON

HARDWARE

Kinvaro T-Slim offers the thinnest movement system created for maximum storage space. Grass also offers a Sensomatic Auto Open Kit, which aids in the full-access opening of a cabinet—perhaps containing a waste bin — with just a light touch of the cabinet door. Visit www.grassusa.com for more information. Blum predicts that increasing urbanisation and densification in cities will likely lead to smaller homes in the future, and those homes will need to be compact, tidy and space efficient. Enter the Revego pocket system, scheduled to be available in the U.S. in February. Pocket systems make it possible to quickly and intuitively open up entire spaces when needed and close them off again when not in use. The innovation opens up completely new perspectives and endless design options—the ideal solution for creating multifunctional living spaces. Visit www.blum.com for more information. Other Functions And hardware does not always mean metal. Organization is everywhere these days — from in your pantry or laundry room to under your sink or even in your drawers. There is no shortage of products to help you organize simply everything in your home. Marathon Hardware’s Imprint drawer organizer offers rugged durability combined with sophisticated design. As a “drop-in” style system, Imprint features a handful of easily trimmable parts to create one large, wall-to-wall drawer organizer with the exact number of compartments and divisions that meet specialized needs. Visit www.marathonhardware.com for more information. S P

SURFACE & PANEL • Q1 2024

Reflecting on the Last Two Decades in Surfacing

A BY A M Y GATH

s Surface & Panel celebrates 20 years of reporting on the latest and greatest in the surfacing world, the occasion has made me reflect on what has – and hasn’t – changed in our industry over the last two decades. While we’ve adapted to so many changes and overcome new hurdles, so much at the core of this industry remains true. Pioneering Technology No matter the materials you work with, our industry has pioneered advancements in technology that make our products and processes better. From new materials and finishing techniques to more efficient manufacturing processes, the surfaces of today are markedly different than those of 20 years ago. I’m particularly proud of the innovations in this industry that have helped create a better, more sustainable world. Whether it’s prioritizing more sustainable manufacturing options or producing new products with more environmentally friendly sourcing, we’ve made so much progress over the past two decades, and I know the advancements will only continue to accelerate in the years ahead as we all make sustainability a top priority.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF FORMICA

Adapting Our Design Reflecting on 20 years of design changes in the 21st century feels like a century’s worth of change at any other point in time. The proliferation of design trends on social media evolves design tastes at an unprecedented pace, and we’re charged with creating surfaces that feel dynamic yet versatile enough to adapt to a whirlwind of fleeting trends. As I think about the range of ground-breaking design this industry has produced over the past 20 years, I can’t help but feel an immense sense of pride. Just like so many of us in this industry, I find myself paying particular attention to the surfaces of any new space I find myself in, and whether it’s a bold statement piece or a surface rich with subtle nuance, they set the foundational tone of a room. We’ve provided such a robust toolkit for architects and designers to play with, enabling truly breathtaking interiors to take shape across both commercial and residential environments. Problem-Solving People While many people have entered and left the industry over the past 20 years, the spirit of the people in the surfacing industry remains constant. The people that join our industry are consistently innovative and adaptable, finding new solutions that overcome challenges across design, technology, operations and beyond that continue to push our industry further.

That’s been particularly evident over the last five years as every single person in our space has had to adapt to drastic changes in their work, especially as demand for construction and renovation continues to quickly shift. Through it all, I’ve seen my peers and colleagues continue to be solution-oriented and forward-thinking, and as someone who prides myself on finding the positive, this industry makes me feel right at home. Much has evolved over the last two decades, but through it all, the ingenuity of this industry at every level has remained constant, and Surface & Panel has been a consistent and leading source in documenting it all. Here’s to many more years of the spirit of this industry thriving and the continued success of Surface & Panel! S P

AMY GATH serves as the Formica Corporation’s Vice President of Marketing

Cefla, the Italian world leader in the Finishing market, manufactures your finishing solutions in the USA ceflafinishing.com

SURFACE & PANEL • Q1 2024

Sustainable Harvests Ensure Our Future

BY KEITH CHRISTMAN

eal engineered hardwood products including engineered wood flooring, wall panels, cabinets and furniture make efficient use of trees which are a renewable resource. In fact, using wood products ensures the health of our forests, prevents them from being converted to other uses and stores carbon to mitigate climate change. These decorative hardwood products are typically made using veneers. Veneer is an extremely thin sheet of rich-colored hardwood, usually thinner than 1/8 of an inch, cut and matched in a pattern to be applied to a more durable and less expensive surface. This method helps manufacturers build and design beautiful products including furniture at a lower cost for consumers, meaning we can make more beautiful hardwoods while using fewer of the best trees and saving money.

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The predominate North American Hardwood species are maple, cherry, red or white oak, hickory, ash, alder, walnut, and poplar. The good news about using real hardwood is that it is an abundant resource — and it is growing. In fact, a nationwide inventory mandated under U.S. Federal law (required every 10 years), shows that U.S. hardwood forests are not only growing in size and timber volume but that existing forest management practices are contributing to enhanced forest health and diversity. Nearly all commercial hardwoods in U.S. forests have demonstrated rapid growth in volume throughout the United States. According to the most recent statistics released by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA): Between 1953 and 2017 the volume of U.S. hardwood growing stock increased from 5.2 billion cubic meters to 12.0 billion cubic meters, a gain of more than 130 percent.

A SOLAR KITCHEN AND SOLAR LIVING ROOM DESIGNED BY STUDENTS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF COLUMBIA FOREST PRODUCTS AS PART OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY SOLAR DECATHLON. THE COMPETITION CHALLENGES 20 COLLEGIATE TEAMS TO DESIGN, BUILD, AND OPERATE SOLAR-POWERED HOUSES THAT ARE COST-EFFECTIVE, ENERGY-EFFICIENT, AND ATTRACTIVE, AND HAS INSPIRED THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS WORLDWIDE TO ENTER THE CLEAN ENERGY WORKFORCE SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 2002. PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY AND COLUMBIA FOREST PRODUCTS

•M aturity – All trees have value but that value increases as a tree matures. Allowing young trees time to mature helps protect the long-term value of the forest. •R eplanting – When a tree is harvested a new sapling is planted in its place. This simple method helps ensure the forest is being restored to its original state, and is consistently renewed.

And while U.S. hardwood forests are aging, the good news is that more trees are being allowed to grow to size before being harvested. The volume of hardwood trees with diameters 48 centimeters or greater increased nearly four-fold from 0.73 billion cubic meters in 1953 to 2.8 billion cubic meters in 2017. The proportion of hardwood trees in this mature age class increased from 14 percent in 1953 to 24 percent in 2017. The total area of hardwood and mixed hardwood and softwood forest types in the U.S. increased from 99 million hectares in 1953 to 117 million hectares in 2017, an average of 280,000 hectares per year — that’s equivalent to adding an area the size of a soccer pitch every 90 seconds throughout the entire 64-year period. Finding Balance The industry uses Sustainable Forest Management to ensure that we have forests and wood products for the future. The concept of sustainable forest management can be described as the attainment of balance. The balance between society’s demands for forest products and the preservation of forest health and diversity. This balance is critical to the survival of forests and the well-being of forest-dependent communities in all areas of the world. Here are a few examples of sustainable forest management practices: • Selective logging – Selective logging is the practice of only harvesting certain trees from the forest instead of clear-cutting or removing all of the trees at once. Selective logging helps preserve the balance of the forest and maintain its valuable assets.

Using wood products and harvesting trees in a sustainable manner also helps mitigate climate change. A recent study by the Department of Energy and Yale University scientists found that “harvesting strategies led to higher climate benefits when accounting for carbon in wood products and avoided emissions” compared to leaving forests undisturbed. With sustainable forestry practiced in the United States, using decorative hardwood products including engineered wood flooring, wall panels, cabinets, furniture and other products made with hardwood plywood and veneer is a sustainable choice that provides climate benefits and enduring beauty in our built environment. S P

KEITH CHRISTMAN is President of the Decorative Hardwoods Association, formerly known as Hardwood Plywood and Veneer Association. He is a new contributor for Surface & Panel and welcomes your thoughts and questions at kchristman@ decorativehardwoods. org. Visit the DHA at www. decorativehardwoods.org

SURFACE & PANEL • Q1 2024

Maintaining Record Profit:

Back to Basics

BY DR . ALBERT BATES

ver the last two years, profitability levels in distribution have been at an all-time high. In industries where profit before taxes historically had been at 3 percent of sales it is now at 5 percent or even 7 percent. It is a time for celebration. Part of the improvement is due to management actions. However, the lion’s share is due to favorable economic conditions. The challenge for distributors is to keep profit at the current high levels as the external factors wane. Without proper actions, profit levels seem destined to regress to the mean. In English, that means back to 3 percent. Here, we will briefly examine the key external factor that has led to higher profit, then focus on the actions required to maintain profit, and finally, consider what happens if the driver of high profit turns negative. The Major Driver of High Profit Probably the most hated economic term today is inflation. It is also the key factor that has driven distributor profits to unprecedented levels. The impact of inflation cannot be overstated. Consider a firm with $20. million in sales, a 25 percent gross margin and a long-term pre-tax bottom line of 3 percent. Consider also inflation of 10 percent over the course of a single year Exhibit A demonstrates the impact of such a high rate of

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inflation. The exhibit is based upon the actual results produced by distributors as shown in the financial benchmarking reports conducted in various lines of trade. While every line of trade is slightly different, the results reflect the performance of virtually every industry. As can be seen, sales, cost of goods sold, gross margin all increased by 10 percent due to inflation. As an important note, the exhibit is assuming no actual sales growth. This is done to demonstrate the impact of inflation by itself. The reality in distribution as shown in the financial benchmarking surveys is that expense increases associated with inflation lagged well behind the increase in sales driven by inflation. For most lines of trade, the inflation-driven increase in expenses was on the order of 3 percent. This represents the “normal” expense changes of the previous few years, while there was the sudden 10 percent increase in sales due to inflation. The result is that profit before taxes increased by more than 61 percent. It is a massive increase in profit, but one that has little to do with the operation of the organization. It has to do with outside factors, namely inflation. Absent inflation distributors have not been able to make significant improvements in profitability. For decades, distributors have been stuck with a moderate profit of 3 percent. This is not to say that distributors have stood idly by while inflation raged. In fact, firms made incredible advances in technology and analytical tools. They continue to do so. It is

EXIBIT A

THE IMPACT OF 10.0% INFLATION On an Illustrative Distributor's Income Statement Dollar Statement Net Sales Cost of Goods Sold Gross Margin Total Expenses Profit Before Taxes Percent of Sales Net Sales Cost of Goods Sold Gross Margin Total Expenses Profit Before Taxes

Current $20,000,000 15,000,000 5,000,000 4,400,000 $600,000

10.0% Inflation $22,000,000 16,500,000 5,500,000 4,532,000 $968,000

100.0% 75.0% 25.0% 22.0% 3.0%

100.0% 75.0% 25.0% 20.6% 4.4%

simply that the changes didn’t have a large impact on performance. The underlying reason is that distribution is the most competitive sector of the American economy. As one company takes a revolutionary step forward, everyone else rushes forward to copy those steps, making it difficult to get ahead. What distributors need is a focus on new ways to improve internal operations in a way that actually enhances profitability. Ideally, this new way might not be readily duplicated by competitors. This makes the emphasis is on new ways even more important. The focus on new ways is also critical for the long term. As inflation goes away, some, if not all, of the benefits of inflation on profit will disappear. CONTINUED ON PAGE 56 ›

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EXIBIT B

THE IMPACT OF 5.0% INFLATION On an Illustrative Distributor's Income Statement ‹ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 55

Thinking The Unthinkable: Deflation We started with a discussion of the impact of inflation on distributor profits. The key point was that inflation helped distributors move from adequate profit levels to unprecedented ones. Firms continued to operate properly but enjoyed the added benefit of an inflation boost. As Herbert Stein wisely noted, “If something can’t go on forever, it will stop.” It appears that inflation at the hyper level has stopped. Stopping is fine, even though the profit kicker will be missed. Inflation turning to deflation — where prices actually start falling — is a long way from fine. The likelihood of widespread deflation is remote. However, in many industries prices are falling on selected items, especially big-ticket ones. Some perspectives on the profit impact of deflation should be beneficial. Exhibit B traces the impact of 5 percent deflation which would be a dramatic downward adjustment in prices, but certainly not of the magnitude of the 10 percent inflation rate discussed earlier. As can be seen in the exhibit sales, cost of goods and gross margin all fall by the same 5.0 percent. Expenses, however, remain constant as their impact in deflation would be delayed for some time. The result is that profit before taxes falls to 1.8 percent of sales. This represents a decline in dollar profit of 42 percent. It is a significant jolt to the firm. For once the news is entirely good. If deflation becomes more of an issue, the same solutions that were discussed with regard to improving profit still apply. Namely, the profitimprovement plan still revolves around matching sales with expenses and improving gross margin. The four points for profit improvement apply in any sort of economy — growth, recession, inflation or deflation. Every distributor should start today to develop such plans. S P

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Dollar Statement Net Sales Cost of Goods Sold Gross Margin Total Expenses Profit Before Taxes Percent of Sales Net Sales Cost of Goods Sold Gross Margin Total Expenses Profit Before Taxes

Current $20,000,000 15,000,000 5,000,000 4,400,000 $600,000

5.0% Inflation $19,000,000 14,250,000 4,750,000 4,400,000 $350,000

100.0% 75.0% 25.0% 22.0% 3.0%

100.0% 75.0% 25.0% 23.2% 1.8%

DR. ALBERT D. BATES is a Principal in the Distribution Performance Project, a research group devoted to distribution issues. His website, distperf.com contains numerous free Excel templates that can help distributors manager their business more profitably. He is a frequent convention speaker and is the highest-rated speaker at the University of Innovative Distribution. His two latest books, Breaking Down the Profit Barriers in Distribution and Profit Guide for the Small Distributor are available at Amazon.

*See more of what Dr. Bates has to say about Rethinking the Critical Profit Variables and maintaining record profit in his expanded article on our website www.surfaceandpanel.com/DM.Bates

titusplus.com SURFACE & PANEL • Q1 2024

KBIS Celebrates 60 Years with 2024 Show!

STAFF REPORTS

elebrating 60 years in 2024, the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) is North America’s largest trade show dedicated to all aspects of kitchen and bath design. KBIS, in conjunction with the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), is an interactive platform that showcases the latest industry products, trends and technologies from hundreds of exhibitors. The 2024 show, to be held February 27-29 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, welcomes thousands of qualified kitchen and bath designers, interior designers, dealers, architects, showrooms, custom builders and remodelers. KBIS is co-located with the NAHB International Builders Show (IBS), which together make up Design & Construction Week and draws over 100,000 design & construction professionals between both events — breaking records with 2023 attendance. Organizers say they expect this year to be even bigger, with more than 600 exhibitors registered for roughly 450,000 square feet of exhibit space for KBIS alone. Familiar favorites will return in 2024, including the KBIS NEXTStage, which offers attendees a multifaceted journey through thought leadership, industry trends and advancements, and engaging conversations. This year, four curated tracks—wellness, sustainability, business & trends and technology — will be offered. Also returning is NKBA’s Voices from the Industry Conference at KBIS, which presents an opportunity for professional development

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and career growth. Earn CEUs, make connections, develop strategies, and learn from new speakers. This conference-withina-trade show features over 75 sessions in six learning tracks: Building & Remodeling, Business Management, Design, K&B Trends, Leadership and Marketing. And check out new-to-market brands in the Kickstarter Zone, located in South Hall. The Kickstarter Zone hosts first time KBIS exhibitors that have been in the market for less than three years. Each exhibiting company in the Kickstarter Zone automatically enters into the Kickstarter Competition, which is a ‘Shark Tank’ style contest, giving new-to-market brands a platform to accelerate their growth and visibility in the market. The winners of the Kickstarter Competition will be announced on February 29 on KBIS NEXTStage. There are several new features at the show this year, including the Luxury Lounge, designed to be a place for the architecture and design community, design media, influencers, and high-end brands to explore luxury in the kitchen and bath. Located in the North Hall, the Lounge will provide an inviting oasis for conversation and host programming that explores the multifaceted meaning of “luxury”— from the concept of quiet or discreet luxury to the application of sustainability and technology in the ultra-high net worth market. Also new this year will be a series of fireside chats with visionaries, innovators, and icons. Visit www.kbis.com for more information.

Best of KBIS 2024 Finalists Announced The Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) announced 49 finalists for Best of KBIS, its annual premier product awards program. Sponsored by Luxe Interiors + Design, the contest drew a record number of applications, making it the most competitive Best of KBIS Awards to date. Finalists were hand-selected by five leading interior designers: Nar Bustamante, Founder/ Principal Designer, Nar Design Group; Swati Goorha, Principal, Swati Goorha Designs; Arianne Bellizaire, Owner/Principal Designer, Arianne Bellizaire Interiors; Lisa Peck, CEO/Principal Designer, LiLu Interiors; and Elizabeth Scruggs, General Contractor and Principal Designer, Superior Construction and Design. This year, Best of KBIS debuted a new format, inviting submissions across seven different categories. These new categories were designed to reflect the evolving landscape of the kitchen and bath industry, as eco-conscious products continue to lead innovation, wellness considerations move to the forefront, and form and function remain pillars for the architecture and design community. Following are the finalists, listed by brand. Awards are issued to individual products, and brands are eligible to receive more than one award in each category if multiple products were submitted.

Game-Changing Innovation • EMPAVA • Forza • FreePower • Novy • Qoldfusion • SMEG • Jennair Most Functional Find • Blum • HamatUSA • Link Cutting Boards • Rev-A-Shelf • Ruvati • Summit Appliance • Zip Water Style Statement: Bathroom • BOCCHI • Brondell Inc. • Fantini USA, Inc. • House of Rohl (3) • Infinity Drain + Gensler • Tenzo Fine Plomberie Style Statement: Kitchen • Bertazzoni • Blum

• FreePower • GE Appliances • SMEG + Dolce & Gabbana • Viking Range Corp • Zomodo Sustainable Standout • GE Appliances • Kohler (2) • LG • RainStick Shower • RH Peterson Co. • Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Wellness Trailblazer • Bemis Manufacturing Company • Daltile • FOTILE (2) • GE Appliances • Kohler Best in Show • Blum USA • Cubic Outdoor Living • FreePower • GE Appliances • PlasmaMade • Sugatsune America • TOTO

Chosen products will remain confidential until the first day of the show. Once KBIS opens, the five judges will walk the show floor to experience each finalist for an in-person judging. Then, on Wednesday, February 28 at 4:00 pm, the top three products in each category will be announced on the KBIS NEXTStage in South Hall | SL10040, with Gold and Silver awarded to each category plus a single Best in Show winner, solidifying the true best of the 2024 show. A Best of KBIS Happy Hour, hosted by Sarah Shelton, Market Editor, Luxe Interiors + Design, will take place immediately following the awards ceremony at 5:00 pm. S P

SURFACE & PANEL • Q1 2024

High Point Preview

STAFF REPORTS

igh Point Market is the largest and longest running furnishings industry trade show in the world, featuring an extensive selection of exhibitors spanning every category, style, and price point for the home. The twice-yearly markets attract tens of thousands of domestic and international retail home furnishings buyers, interior designers, architects, and others in the home furnishings industry. This year’s Spring Market is scheduled for April 13-17 in High Point, North Carolina. ANDMORE, formerly International Market Centers, owns 17 buildings spanning 7 million square feet in the heart of the High Point market district, housing both permanent showrooms and the market’s only temporary exhibit space. ANDMORE also presents a wide variety of educational, trend and networking opportunities featuring industry leaders and tastemakers. And while the Market is all about product and trends, it also offers a strong series of original programming that will appeal to designers, buyers and retailers — offering attendees a wealth of choices to connect with peers, become educated on industry trends, earn CEU credits and get insights on important issues

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impacting the future. it also offers an extensive list of educational seminars and signature programming to give attendees the chance to hear about color, design and consumer influences affecting purchase decisions. Visit www.andmorehighpointmarket.com for more information. S P

M A S T E R S :M AT ER I A L S

SCRATCH RESISTANT HIGH QUALITY PANELS SCRATCH RESISTANT HIGH QUALITY PANELS

ULT R A PA N PET AND ACRYLIC PANEL S Ultrapan is a U.S. manufacturer of superior, customizable Ultra-HighGloss and Ultra-Matte laminated panels. Our radiant finishes are perfectly suited for the contemporary lifestyle that embodies clean yet stylish looks for kitchens, furniture, displays, and myriad other residential, commercial and institutional applications. Ultrapan PET and acrylic laminates feature highly durable decorative surfaces with excellent resistance to stains, scratches and harmful UV rays. These eco-friendly products are also easy to clean and maintain.

U LT R A PAN PANEL S M ADE Y OUR WAY • The Ultrapan collection features more than 60 surface options including solid and woodgrain designs; pearlescent and metallic finishes; and deep emboss textures. • Our wide selection of in-stock panel options includes cores made from particleboard, standard MDF, lite MDF, fire-retardant MDF, moisture-resistant NAF MDF, exteriorgrade MDF, and hardwood plywood. We offer panels from ¼" to 1½" thick in 4x8 or 4x10 sizes. • Matching edge-banding, including 15/16" and 1-3/4" widths, are available in stock for most of our designs. Custom widths can be produced by special order in gloss or super matte. • Anti-fingerprint (AFP) coatings are standard on all Ultra-Matte surfaces. • Our expanded metallics collection is available on 4x10 as well as 4x8 panels. • Our quick-ship program features the same color laminated on both sides of ¾" 4x8 MDF panels. • We inventory a variety of substrate types and sizes to support our ready-for-production program. • Special orders don’t upset us. Contact us to discuss your requirements. Check out our website—ultrapan.net—to learn how Ultrapan modern finishes can add a superior elegance to your home, office or storefront. Contact us about our Distributor Network at up@glosspanels.com

(754)702-2632 • ultrapan.net u •l tultrapan.net r a p a n . n e t (754)702-2632 Acrylic and PET panels in the your Ave., Coral Springs, FLspecifications. 33065 u made l 3900 t r NW a p121st aUSA n .ton e FL t custom 3900 NW 121st Avenue, Coral Springs, 33065 USA Acrylic and PET panels made in the USA to your custom specifications. S U R F A C E & P A N E L • Q 1 2 0 2 4 61 P: 754-702-2632 WEB: www.ultrapan.net 3900 NW 121st Avenue, Coral Springs, FL 33065 USA

In With a Bang

STAFF REPORTS

he year kicked off with a trio of industry shows, each of which offered proof that watched trends continue to evolve with the marketplace in 2024.

DOMOTEX 2024: Internationality, Sustainability and Networking DOMOTEX 2024, one of the world’s premier trade fairs for floor coverings, featured four impressive days full of innovation, inspiration and networking. An estimated 18,000 visitors from 140 countries met with roughly 1,000 exhibitors from more than 60 nations countries in Hannover, Germany, January 11-14, 2024, to kick off a promising business year. Markus Oberbauer, Managing Director of Kronoflooring GmbH, said he was delighted with the crowds. "DOMOTEX 2024 was a great success for us. We are very satisfied,” he said. “All of our major customers were here, and the international participation

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was particularly high. In total, we welcomed around 500 different customer groups to our stand who were interested in our innovations and our new logistics concept." This year's edition of DOMOTEX offered all participants inspiring special displays, a diverse supporting program with conferences, live presentations and award ceremonies as well as numerous opportunities for networking. The trade fair once again focused on the megatrends of sustainability and circular economy. The conference program was complemented by forums and displays in the Mood Spaces and the new Retailers’ Park, which showcased products for walls and ceilings. DOMOTEX 2025 is scheduled in Hannover January 16-19, 2025. TISE Returns to Vegas The 2024 International Surface Event (TISE): SURFACES | StonExpo | TileExpo! welcomed an impressive number of visitors January 24-26 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.

The nearly 400,000-square-foot exhibit hall sold out this year with wall-to-wall products, services, networking, and learning opportunities. Architects, builders, contractors, designers, distributors, installers, fabricators, inspectors, remodelers, retailers, quarriers, and other specifying and purchasing professionals for surface materials gathered in this first-of-theyear event in the U.S. This year’s TISE showcased product launches, live demonstrations, amazing networking events, and so much more with a Women’s Leadership Conference, Pulse Seminars that showcased everything hot and future-casted for this year and beyond, a Startup Station featuring new-to-market businesses as part of the TISE Beyond the Surface Programs, and even specialty bar & lounge areas across the exhibit hall to grab a drink, rest your feet, and connect or meetup with customers and peers. Visit www.intlsurfaceevent.com for more details on this recent event. The Surface Design Show Architects and designers came together at the Surface Design Show at London’s Business Design Centre February 6-8, 2024, to view, source, and specify the newest and most creative exterior and interior surface materials from more than 180 exhibitors. Organizers say the annual Surface Design Show is the event of choice for architects and designers and is the place where the entire industry immerses themselves in the latest materials for the built environment, gain new insights and network with like-minded designers, architects and suppliers. Visit www.surfacedesignshow.com for more details on this recent event. S P

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Pinnacle 412.262.3950 www.pinnaclesystems.com

Cefla Finishing +39.0542.653441 www.ceflafinishing.com

Premier Eurocase 303.373.9718 www.premiereurocase.com

Dackor 407.654.5013 www.dackor.com

Shopbot 888.680.4466 www.shopbottools.com

Daubert Chemical Company, Inc. 866.368.3983 www.daubertchemical.com

Simona America Industries 866.501.2992 www.simona.america.com

DVUV 216.741.5511 www.dvuv.com

Sugatsune 800.562.5267 www.sugatsune.com

Egger 844.977.0053 www.egger.com/halifax

Tafisa 888.882.3472 www.tafisa.ca

Giardina Group USA 877.631.1003 www.giardinausa.com

Thermwood 800.533.69001 www.thermwood.com

Grass 336.996.4041 www.grassusa.com

Titus Plus +49 5221 1024880 www.titusplus.com

Fagus GreCon 704.912.0000 www.fagus-grecon.us

Ultrapan 754.702.2632 www.ultrapan.net

Hettich 800.777.1772 www.hettich.com

Uniboard 800.263.5240 www.uniboard.com

KCD Software 508.760.1140 www.kcdsoftware.com

Venjakob 905.951.9966 www.venjakob-na.com

Laguna Tools 800.234.1976 www.lagunatools.com

Vortex 800.355.7708 www.vortextool.com

MIRLUX Premium Panel 541.228.9757 www.mirluxpanel.com

Olon 800.387.2319 www.olon.com

Panel Processing 800.433.7142 www.panel.com

ed-in-register (EIR) Feelwood Halifax face texture to the stunning woodgrain

urface that outperforms real wood— ich replicates the look of sawn timber,

H1181 ST37 Tobacco Halifax Oak

03.05.23 14:52 USA

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BASF 800.526.1072 www.basf.com

own and mentioned decors are reproductions.

A D V E R T I S E R S

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Safety Mat Systems (NSD) & Safety Light Curtains for Machine Guarding

Scan me

VERY DURABLE • VARIETY OF SHAPES & SIZES • MADE IN USA

412-262-3950 • www.pinnaclesystems.com • sales@pinnaclesystems.com

3D Press Lamination

ADHERE

RELENTLESSLY Flat Lamination

Profile Lamination

Epoxy Lamination

Daubond PUR is Lamination At Daubert, our belief in lasting bonds begins with our commitment to your success. Whether that means developing a custom formulation that'll keep your product together, or traveling cross-country to learn about your challenges in depth, you are our only focus. We've thrived since 1935, not because we're the biggest adhesives company (we're not), but because we make your success the focus of everything we do, and the results speak for themselves.

4700 S. Central Avenue • Chicago, IL 60638 1-833-822-8141 Visit our website at daubertchemical.com. Our email is dauchem@daubert.com SURFACE & PANEL • Q1 2024

byTHE NUMBERS Search volume for “beverage fridge” is rising —

97%

up in the past five years

Kitchen and Bath

92% of homeowners incorporate

SUSTAINABLE FEATURES during a kitchen renovation

AN ESTIMATED

of all households have smart appliances in 2024, but that number is expected to increase to almost 25 percent by 2028.

DIY SPENDING

is expected to grow

in 2024 as many consumers will opt to undertake simpler patchfixes until they are ready to fund larger remodels.

SURFACEANDPANEL.COM

1 IN 5

homeowners (22%) enlarges the primary bathroom during a renovation.

72% 40%

Bar pulls are by far the most popular choice for today’s homeowners: White cabinets remain the most popular choice in renovated kitchens

The median spend on all bathroom remodels has grown by 50%, increasing from $9,000 in 2021 to

$13,500 in 2022.

PÜRDECO™ is the laminated panel division at Olon which

New! from VelourTouch

™

is home to three innovative collections; GlossTouch™, VelourTouch™ and Essentials.

an Olon Optimized Surface with added wear resistance

an eco-friendly twist for volume projects like multi-family or condos

OLON.COM I 1 800 387.2319

Visit us at

KBIS 2024

Time for

a touch of nature. ST40 Feelwood Oakgrain

Looks and feels like oak: Thanks to the new matt-on-matt-finish, you get a realistic and natural look and feel. ST40 Eurodekor Faced Chipboards are made using 76 % wood from the circular economy. New from EGGER as part of the Decorative Collection 24+. To find out more to.egger.link/decorative-collection

All our shown and mentioned decors are reproductions.

Booth #SL1047