Welcome to the Kleber & Associates blog! Here’s the latest on the 21St Century Building Expo Recap
Last week, I attended the 21st Century Building Expo – celebrating its 10th anniversary in Charlotte, North Carolina. As the housing industry continues to make a steady recovery, I predict that regional shows like this one will become ever more important for home and building brands. Why? These regional platforms provide a more intimate setting that allows for national brands to make a quality impact over the vast platforms, rife with competition, found at major tradeshows. There’s more time to engage homebuilders and remodelers alike in these forums. To really listen to, learn from and teach attendees. What’s more, the 21st Century Building Expo is located in the heart of what I believe is fast becoming one of the next vital geographic hubs … a region pulsing with population growth, home and building products manufacturers and distributors. Following are a few of my favorite brands and innovative channel news from the exhibit floor:
ClimateMaster
Located in Oklahoma City, ClimateMaster is the world’s largest manufacturer of geothermal heat pumps. Their heat pumps are both energy efficient and cost effective for the consumer, drawing from the stable temperature of the earth, rather than from the fluctuations found in ambient air environments.
Huber Engineered Woods
Headquartered in Charlotte, NC, this fourth generation family-owned company has consistently delivered innovations within its Engineered Wood products divisions including AdvanTech flooring, sheathing, and rim board which offer greater moisture resistance than traditional materials like plywood and OSB.
Hanson Brick
Hanson Brick is part of Hanson Building Products and is North America’s largest manufacturer of bricks. Hanson boasts a product line of over 1,000 different styles across four regional brick collections including accent brick veneer.
Universal Design/Aging-in-Place remains increasingly important for the surging demographic of retiring Baby Boomers… and home elevators are becoming a necessary residential feature to assist with their increasing need for mobility and accessibility. As larger elevator brands are shifting their focus away from residential applications, Residential Elevators is gaining sales and market share at an impressive pace.
Woodtrac Ceiling Systems, a division of Sauder Woodworking, offer an easy way to create a custom-crafted look in any room with multiple wood finishes and paintable options. Their beautiful ceilings will soon be complemented by a comprehensive closet system with furniture grade detailing that will be debuted at the Remodeling Show and Deck Expo in Baltimore next week.
