Tradeshow Report

(May 17, 2007)

K&A ON THE ROAD: KITCHEN & BATH INDUSTRY SHOW 2007

K/BIS is K&A’s all time favorite show, and why wouldn’t it be?! It’s the once-a-year get together with old friends and the opportunity to meet new ones. Product innovation is at its best and there is a special buzz in the air – dare I say excitement, to show it all off.

We were shocked by the vast number of innovative products for the kitchen and bath, including the emergence of famous industrial designers creating compelling bathroom collections and outdoor living products that gave new meaning to living “Inside Out”.

We were also highly impressed with the widespread adoption of green, eco-friendly products that the majority of manufacturers have produced in the past year. We observed several companies using less material when creating new products for the home as well as utilizing renewable resources such as wood. For example, Craft-Art caused quite a stir with their new line of reclaimed wood, featuring sinker cypress from river bottoms and wood sourced from antique pickle vats.

Eternal Hybrid Water Heater has the most inventive technology that solves every problem of its competitor, the tankless. Hakatai continues to impress the throng with its glass tile and this year’s introduction of the paradox collection is a brilliant addition. Fisher & Paykel’s custom outdoor kitchens components are enough to make any boring and traditional grill cry with envy.  Beachcomber Hot Tubs was tempting enough to buy on the spot with any girl’s aching feet but the family-owned company is driven to create smart upgrades inside the tub instead of out. After recent events, my appreciation for Safety Tubs and its extension line of walk-in bathtubs is an attractive reality to those that are in need. And who wouldn’t want to throw a party with Native Trails new Luna sink? The cooper half-moon shaped sink is perfect to fill with ice and your favorite drinks.

K/BIS is an exhausting, yet rewarding show. The prep is long and hard but the reward is so sweet. We look forward to attending the show next year; meanwhile K&A is off to the West Coast for PCBC!

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