On The Road - 3 Big Shows From Vegas

 

I feel this is a special edition of The Countertop Industry Insider because we are back from three of the most important trade shows for the countertop fabrication industry: the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), the International Builders Show (IBS) and The International Surface Event (TISE). We were excited to cover all of these shows, meet with some of the top suppliers and manufacturers in the business and talk to a plethora of fabricators who were fortunate enough to attend, such as Dave Stocket of Stockett Tile and Granite Company in Phoenix, Ariz., for instance. But, for those of you unable to attend, never fear, we were there in your stead and will keep you informed. 

 

Tuesday, the first day of KBIS and IBS, started off strong. KBIS this year was amazing, although the multitude of walks to and from the North Hall and South Hall (with IBS smack in the middle in the Center Hall) to fulfill appointments proved to be excruciating after about the 15th time. At KBIS I met with most of the top surfacing material manufacturers present, including Vicostone, Hanwha, Wilsonart, Formica, Cosentino, LG Hausys, Santa Margherita, Neolith, Eos Surfaces, Icestone and too many others to mention. They all had a lot of great new products in the works to show off.

 

At the end of the first day, Wilsonart threw an amazing Austin, Texas, style party at the Gold Spike Hotel in downtown Las Vegas, and hundreds of people attended to enjoy the food, cocktails, live music and great company. It was really insightful getting to talk with professionals in the kitchen and bath industry outside of a business setting (and blow off a little steam).

 

The second day brought us to TISE, which included StonExpo and TileExpo. Here, I met with some of the most innovative manufacturers of CNC, cutting and finishing equipment, including Park Industries, BACA Systems and Alpha Professional Tools. In addition, it was a real pleasure meeting the folks behind the companies that supply ancillary tools, products and services, such as QuartzSource, Integra Adhesives, ETemplate, Glue Warehouse and Better Vacuum Cups, just to name a few. There was so much to see and do. 

 

Thursday, I was back at KBIS and IBS, but I would be remiss if I didn't mention that I had the pleasure of speaking with representatives and executives from a few of the professional associations attending the shows: the Marble Institute of America (MIA), International Surface Fabricators Association (ISFA), Stone Fabricators Alliance (SFA) and Natural Stone Council. This industry, without doubt, has a lot of great advocates to be thankful for.  

 

Needless to say, we have a great deal of information concerning new products and company and industry news coming your way in the next month, and I can't wait to share it with you. As always, if you have comments, questions or concerns, feel free to contact me at any time at info@countertopresource.com.  

 

Sincerely,

 

Brian Jones, Editor/Content Manager 

 

www.CountertopResource.com

Fire Destroys Blume's Solid Surface Products in Pittsburg Area

On January 14, Pittsburgh area countertop shop Blume’s Solid Surface Products was destroyed in a fire.  Blume’s was a full service fabricator of solid surface, quartz and granite countertops. As a wholesaler, the company fabricated and installed through independent kitchen and bath dealers in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. The company was a recognized leader in the countertop industry, as a founding member of the International Surface Fabricators Association and an ISFA Certified Professional, member of the Artisan Group, Marble Institute of America Accredited Fabricator member, member of the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) and member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). The company was also won numerous industry awards and recognitions.

More than 100 firefighters from at least 12 fire departments were needed to get the four-alarm blaze under control. Nobody was hurt in the fire, although around two dozen employees of the business lost their jobs because of the catastrophe.

A state police fire marshal was investigating the fire because of the manner in which it spread so rapidly. The fire appears to have started when an engine block heater caught fire in a truck that was parked behind the building in a loading area says South Buffalo Township Fire Chief Randy Brozenick.

Many condolences and warm regards from past customers and friends of the business on Facebook and other media outlets served as testimony to the positive image the business held in both its immediate community and the professional countertop industry. We wish to add our own condolences to that list.

A statement on their official Facebook page read:
With great sadness and heavy hearts Blume’s is announcing that we do not intend to reopen. It has been an amazing 27 years of business, and we want to thank all of our employees, customers and vendors.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,
Gus, Dot, Michelle and Gus jr.

 

Countertop Brackets and Legs Can Improve Designs

An interesting story came to my desk this week that showcases how countertop brackets and support legs can do much more than hold up heavy surfaces, such as granite, engineered stone and solid surface. The creative use of support systems can help you overcome design obstacles and perceived limitations to remodel or build a new kitchen space that is not only functional but also quite attractive.
Federal Brace, a leading manufacturer and distributor of designer support brackets and legs for countertops, was contacted by Rob Stepp, president of Creative Kitchens, Inc., about a job his company had just completed with products from Cambria, Schluter and Federal Brace. Stepp said that he experienced great “enthusiasm with the results,” and wanted to share the story because it was such an “exciting and successful project.”


In turn, Cathy Morgan, general manager of Federal Brace, wanted to share this story with CountertopResource.com so that other fabricators and installers could take a look at what is possible when we work together on tough projects. I have to admit the enthusiasm of both Rob and Cathy rubbed off on me, and I am happy to present the story and photos to you in this month’s blog.

Creative Kitchens was charged with remodeling the kitchen in a local condominium unit, but they were put off by a few architectural elements, namely a large structural pier in the center of the island. The team, however, was not dismayed and developed what turned out to be the perfect solution.

In order to streamline the look of the kitchen, Creative Kitchens wrapped the pier in durable and sleek stainless steel and then used a Schluter corner molding and sheets, which were originally developed for the tile industry, to finish out the columns.


For the countertop, White Cliff, a quartz surface from Cambria was chosen, but the design called for a slab that was much larger than the base of the island, and it had to extend far past the structural pier with no other support. To overcome this challenge, classic Brunswick brackets from Federal Brace were used to support the overhanging countertop, which left ample legroom for the client to add seating. This could transform the kitchen island into a great entertaining area for guests should it ever be required.

For the end of the countertop, Federal Brace’s versatile Anteris Metal Support Legs were used, which are designed specifically to “hold up heavy stone and composite material countertops.” These legs are constructed of double-steel plates to provide superior carrying strength, but they are also visually appealing, giving the kitchen a sleek, modern look. Click on any of the photos presented here to see larger, more detailed versions of the finished project.

For further information about Creative Kitchens, they have three showrooms in Huntington, Charleston and Lewisburg, W.Va., or visit the company website at www.creativekitchens.com.
To learn more about how countertop brackets and support legs can fit into your projects or about the Dealer and Distributor Program offered by the company, visit www.federalbrace.com or contact a representative at sales@federalbrace.com.