Supply chain issues and material shortages temper industry’s outlook despite continued strong market.
December 13, 2021
While the overall kitchen and bath industry continues to show healthy growth for the year, the overall index is down 4% quarter over quarter as lingering issues caused by the pandemic seem to be catching up to consumer sentiment. Despite this, the industry is coming off of a record-breaking quarter of growth in Q2, which has fueled projections for the year at around 12% growth in sales year-over-year, with many members still encouraged about future growth in 2022.
Launched in 2018, Decorative Brands is a relatively new division to the AD community but has been among AD’s fastest growing. Director Linda Hoff shared that in just four years, the division grew from eight members to 50 and now includes 75 supplier partners. Earnings have risen significantly each year, with member rebates more than quadrupling since 2018.
NKBA Report finds cleanliness, sustainability and universal designs will be hot trends of 2022.
November 22, 2021
The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) released its annual Design Trends report. The 2022 study, a deep dive into all aspects of both kitchen and primary bathroom design, forecasts the styles, features, materials and innovations expected to be most popular over the next two to three years. The current study finds that the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated consumer interest in and adoption of key trends in their homes such as integration of smart technology, multi-functional spaces and natural and nature-based designs.
The National Kitchen & Bath Association announced its NKBA Global Connect programming at KBIS 2022. Geared to international manufacturers and distributors interested in learning more about the North American kitchen and bath marketplace, these programs will be featured on the stage Feb 8-10, 2022 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.
Critical legislation represents a victory for wholesalers, distributors and Californians alike.
October 13, 2021
After months of negotiation and intense work on the part of the California legislature, American Supply Association and its coalition partners, AB 100 has been signed into law by California Governor Gavin Newsom. This is a positive result that provides manufacturers time to get compliant products into the supply chain and provides wholesalers/distributors a reasonable amount of time to reduce inventory.
LIXIL and ASA continue to partner around the labor shortage within the skilled trades. LIXIL’s TradeUp Initiative, a program designed to bring more young people into the skilled labor force, began with research that was shared by ASA.
The heightened awareness and changing nature of the home was the dominant trend throughout the past year and a half, and the large percentage of consumers still working from home as we head into the end of 2021 — combined with health and wellbeing being top of mind — homeowners recognize that the primary bath can be a refuge from Zoom fatigue, a wellness center and a space where they can spend a few minutes for themselves, devoid of emails, texts, video calls, school assignments and family obligations.
Voisinet has been with Oatey for more than ten years, most recently serving as vice president, sourcing. He is a strategic supply chain and product management leader with more than two decades of significant experience. Prior to joining Oatey, he worked at Matco Tools, where he held a range of supply chain and product management positions.