Navigating K/BIS 2009 —

What’s new & hot with plumbing products for ’09

 

PETER SCHOR,

showroom specialist

 

There is no doubt that 2009 is going to be a challenging year for all of us in the plumbing industry. The best advice for these tough economic times includes: Cutting down on the amount of toxic repetitive news that you are exposed to on TV, and by reading the newspapers — 15 minutes a day is all you need; adopt a positive attitude and solution-oriented mind — your clients are asking for this.

 

The Kitchen and Bath Industry

 

In early December, Ed S. Pell, the master market researcher for the K & B Industry, with 35 years of experience in the K & B segment, said, “For all the scare headlines, 2008 turned out to be a decent year for kitchen and bath remodeling. Kitchen remodeling slumped about 6% to 7.1 million jobs, but high-end projects returned, causing spending to climb more than 25% to over $121 billion. Bath remodeling jobs dipped nearly 7%, to just over 10 million units, but spending on those jobs was up slightly less than 1% to $71 billion.” Yes, I know that the economy has turned dramatically downward since that date.

 

K/BIS 2009 — general overview — slimmer pickings require smarter choices.

 

K/BIS 2009 (www.kbis.com) is being held on May 1-3, 2009 at The World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia. The show hours are Friday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. This show will feature 700 exhibitors covering about 400,000 square feet of exhibit space within three halls (A, B and C). There also will be three specialty pavilions at K/BIS to help you focus on industry segments: Decorative Hardware (new) — B Hall; Natural Stone and Tile — C Hall and Cabinets — C Hall. The nkba bookstore always has some good books available for our bath design segment, or books that you can add to your showroom library. There is also nkba Center Stage, which includes ceu Credit presentations open to all attendees. The schedule of events will be available at K/BIS 2009. K/BIS 2010 is scheduled for April 16-18, 2010 at McCormick Place, Chicago.

 

The New Product Pavilion, renamed “Best of K/BIS 2009” has seen some improvements by increasing from one kitchen and one bath award to 10 categories in kitchen and nine categories in bath. However, this is one of the leanest new product years in a long time. You will have to look outside your normal vision to find new and exciting products but new products are out there on the floor.

 

Magazines and associations – booths at K/BIS 2009

 

One of the greatest perks of the K/BIS Convention is the magazines and free subscriptions in the “business-to-business category.” Most of the magazines are not assigned a booth until the middle of April or at show time. I would look on the K/BIS website (www.kbis.com) under “Exhibitor List,” then “Publications – Business to business,” and finally “Publications – Consumer” to find out more information. Last year, I counted a total of 21 magazine booths. If you visit their booth with a typed list of all your showrooms, you can subscribe as a group. Anyone attending K/BIS is pre-qualified for free business-to-business magazines. Make sure that you stop by the TMB Publications booth where The Wholesaler, Phc News and Plumbing Engineer magazines are located. Many associations attain booths in order to get closer to the show, so check their booths out.

 

One of the fastest growing market trends — “GREEN” still moving forward

 

“Green design” houses are in! Things like green roofs and geothermal heating and cooling have helped reduce energy consumption by 50%. Some great ideas for sustainable (green) bathroom designs include: using low-voltage lighting; using recycled glass and ceramic floors; avoiding cabinets with particle board; installing radiant heating in floors; creating baths with good ventilation; using low-flow fixtures/1.6 gpfs; providing good exterior lighting; installing operable windows; using a solar hot water system; using tankless hot water heaters; installing sustainable harvested floors; and purchasing safe cleaning products. Remember to ensure that when you are working with clients that you qualify their wants/needs. Are they “green” or do they want to turn their shower into water slide parks and car washes?

 

What’s new & hot in bath products for 2009?

 

Some of these products are being exhibited at K/BIS 2009; however, there are also some goodies that will not be exhibited at this show but have been included below.

 

Steam showering and air massage bathing has become more popular.

 

Mr. Steam (www.mrsteam.com) has new spa packages that include features like: steamtherapy; aromasteam (essential oils and herbs); chromasteam (light and color); and in-shower musictherapy speakers. Jason International (www.jasoninternational.com), established the original Jacuzzi family in 1982, has coupled air massage and whirlpool tub; chromatherapy, aromatherapy, self-cleaning features, digital controls and much more into their product family. Kohler Company (www.kohler.com) introduced their Fountainhead VibrAcoustic bath to provide unprecedented relaxation to their customers. This multi-sensory environment synchronizes music, vibration and light with water. Each massaging experience adds physical vibration that can be adjusted to the consumers desired level of intensity, which enables them to personalize their bath experience. Diamond Spas (www.diamondspas.com) offers incredible stainless steel and copper bathtubs, as well as outdoor spas, shower pans, sinks, lavatories, pedestals, outdoor spas and water features.

 

Plumbing fixtures

 

One of the most spectacular lines of luxury plumbing fixtures is called The Rivers Collection, which is exclusively made and sold by The Stock Market (www.thestockmarket.com/Rivers_brochure.pdf). The Rivers Collection includes magnificent and unique stone lavatories, vessels, pedestal lavatories, vanity systems, bathtubs (five types), kitchen and bar sinks and wrought-iron vanities or stands.

 

Faucetry and bath accessories

 

Faucets are still the “jewel” of the bath industry. A new “star,” Cascade Faucets (www.cascadefaucets.com), serving Canada since 1999, launched its La Torre Brand of faucets at K/BIS in Chicago. La Torre Faucets, designed, engineered and produced in Italy since 1960, has received code approval for the U.S. and Canada. Kimball and Young (www.kimballyoung.com) produces magnifying mirrors and lights for shaving or make-up, which uses the latest led technology. These projects offer improved light and are made to be virtually maintenance-free. Great Grabz (www.greatgrabz.com) wave decorative ADA safety grab bars have great mounting kits, and include the Saniguard anti-microbial product protection process (green). Electric Mirror (www.electricmirror.com) is the bathroom innovator and inventor of back-lit mirrors, mirrored TV technology and wet-application TVs. With 10 years of experience serving the hotel industry in the U.S. and global markets, Electric Mirror has entered into the K & B market.

 

Towel warmers with aromatherapy — hot!

 

Mr. Steam (www.mr.steam.com) towel warmer collection is available in four designer finishes — polished chrome, satin nickel, oil rubbed bronze and white. Their towel warmer accessories include an aromatherapy oil well.

 

Kitchen

 

Take a look at Water Inc.’s (www.waterinc.com): Everhot instant hot water dispensers; Evercold water chillers; Everbrew built-in purified coffee maker; and most of all, great looking traditional and contemporary gooseneck faucets for hot and cold water — lead-free — that are available in 20 finishes and colors. Check the new combination instant hot/chilled water dispensers and instant chilled with carbonated water dispensers. What about whole-house purification systems?

 

Much more information will be available in post show magazine issues of new bath and plumbing products from K/BIS 2009 and other upcoming shows.

 

Peter Schor, president of Dynamic Results, Inc., is an educator, motivational speaker, consultant, coach and writer in our industry and many diverse others. For the past 17 years, he has conducted 100 educational programs yearly, including 34 industry conventions. Schor has great expertise in the field of showrooms and has won many industry awards. He also works with manufacturers in the field of sales, marketing and public relations. Schor can be reached at 1491 Ivy Arbor, Lincoln, CA 95648, phone 916/408-5346, fax 916/408-5899, e-mail pschor@dynamicresultsinc.com or visit his website at www.dynamicresultsonline.com.