An independent-minded entrepreneur, Kohler’s six decades of leadership were integral to Kohler’s growth and success, helping to shape the “Bold Look of Kohler” into what it is today.

Supply House Times caught up with Chris Oatey, director of brand marketing at Oatey Co., about the company's newly launched decorative innovation, L. R. Brands. 

Defining product market fit is not an easy task for a stand-alone decorative plumbing showroom. It's especially complicated for showrooms that are a part of a multi-product brand that may supply PVF targeting plumbers, HVAC targeting builders or any of the many building products with re-distribution models.

HamatUSA's newest faucet line is sleek and sophisticated with detailing that lends a decidedly modern flair, the company notes. The faucets feature linear spouts and are completely constructed from premium 316 stain-less steel and then finished with a unique mix of polishing and brushing techniques. The collection features single- and dual-handle faucet designs with optional side sprayers and spout projections nearly 12” tall. The series also offers a more compact version intended for bar spaces that stands just over 8”.

LPG announced growth of over 38% for 2021, establishing a record during one of the most challenging years in the industry. To compliment this promising growth, the organization has added new executive team members and is slated to add new vendor partners in early 2022.  

We are now in the new year and are still being assaulted with everyone’s thoughts on what will be trending in 2022. During the last few weeks, people and companies have been enlightening us as to what they think will happen in the new year. It seems everyone is chipping in their predictions on everything from this year’s hot colors to the Dow Jones Industrials. Please, no one can consistently call the future, unless they are the source of the future, and, you know, the best decorative plumbing showrooms can be that type of source. Every product, brand and display you have added or changed is a reach into the future of decorative plumbing products in your market, and you should be damn proud of that. 

More than 600 kitchen and bath exhibitors use KBIS/IBS to showcase the latest product technology and design trends to the tens of thousands of designers, dealers, architects, showrooms, builders and remodelers who attend the show. For the first time since 2018, DCW is returning to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida this February 8-10.

The nasty secret that we decorative plumbing folks hold close to our vest is that only a handful of architects, designers, builders and maybe a homeowner or two have the ability to completely design, procure and build the bathroom that they envision. 

We’re almost through the second year of the pandemic and vendors and showrooms are boldly sharing what they think will be popular in 2022. A common thread in many of these predictions is that people are starting to work bold colors and patterns into rooms. This simple prediction tells me it is time for the decorative plumbing industry to move outside — way outside — the chrome and white box.

There’s a shift happening in showrooms, and experts say it’s not about competing with the internet, it’s about offering an experience that can’t be matched by online shopping.