Issue link: http://osercommunicationsgroup.uberflip.com/i/446918
C o n s t r u c t i o n M a r k e t p l a c e 9 Tu e s d a y, J a n u a r y 2 0 , 2 0 1 5 TALKING TRENDS WITH FORMICA CORPORATION An interview with Gerri Chmiel, Senior Design Manager, Formica Corporation. CM: Which countertop patterns are trending with consumers in 2015? GC: Although stone looks continue to be quite popular with homeowners, with quartz and granite dominating, the real story for countertops 2015 is wood. With the increasing popularity of paint- ed cabinets and gray kitchens, home- owners are looking for ways to add warmth back into their kitchens and other environments. We saw unique, eye-catching wood looks featuring con- trast planking and reclaimed or raw woods all over the international shows at the end of 2014 and we're fully embracing the look with our 9479 Wide Planked Walnut 180fx ® by Formica Group. New for 2015, Wide Planked Walnut is a beautiful woodgrain that is slightly open and straight grained. As with a real walnut, some areas are creamy white, while others are light to chocolate brown. By mixing the planks in our new pattern, we've achieved a stunningly realistic look that will look gorgeous on kitchen islands, bar tops and bathroom vanities. CM: What do you find younger buyers are drawn to when it comes to surfacing? GC: Quartz is popular with the Millennial generation, but really, anything unique or dif- ferent is what is going to cap- ture their attention. Striking woods, especially reclaimed looks, are showing well in the demographic, as are natural materials like concrete and glass. On the flipside, surfacing that isn't trying to imitate anything and that features pattern for pattern's sake is also extremely appealing to the generation. They don't want their homes to look like their parents or neighbors, but to be a reflection of their own personali- ties. Our collaboration with renowned designer Jonathan Adler fits with this theme, and we know that the bright col- ors and bold patterns of our Formica ® Laminate Jonathan Adler collection will attract younger buyers. CM: Do you see overall kitchen design changing at all in 2015? GC: Not drastically. Trends are not a revolution, they're an evolution. That said, for every action, there is a reac- tion. Last year was all about open kitchen concepts. Now it seems that some are tiring of the trend and moving back toward closed-off kitchens, or kitchens with partial closures or hidden areas for prep work. From my perspec- tive, this movement comes from a very practical place: smells and noises coming from kitchen can be distracting. Plus, homeowners may want the option to hide their dirty dishes and not have to worry about keeping their kitchens pristine. Bottom line, practicality and functionali- ty are always in style. Visit Formica at KBIS booth #N1139. COULSON MANUFACTURING ON WHATS IN DEMAND THIS YEAR An interview with Foster Coulson, Manager, Coulson Manufacturing Ltd. CM: What are the core businesses for your company? FC: We have been in business for more than 50 years and are family owned and operated. Our core business began with log harvesting. Over time, we have diver- sified into lumber manufacturing, gam- ing, aviation and aerial fire suppression. CM: How do you handle the distribution of your cedar products? FC: We have stocking distributors across North America. CM: In your opinion, what type of prod- ucts are going to be in high demand this year? FC: I believe there will be substantial focus on products that are green and environmental friendly, while also being cost effective. CM: There continues to be an emphasis on green building products in the market- place. How have you adapted? FC: In 2010, we began production of our engineered cedar products. Our prod- ucts meet up to four LEEDs points and are approved for exterior siding and soffiting. They can be FSC or PEFC cer- tified and have an approved ICC-ES number. CM: Tell our readers about your main product line. FC: Our main product line is focused on our Engineered Cedar Cladding. Here are some advantages: 100 percent old Growth Western Red Cedar; lower cost than natural, solid cedar; meets up to four LEEDs points; vertical grain or flat grain with standard or custom pat- terns; our core is exteri- or grade plywood; solid or semi-transparent fin- ish upon request; extremely stable, does not shrink, twist or split; approved for both interior and exterior applications; ICC-ES number; and 100 percent envi- ronmentally friendly. For more information, visit www.coulson cedar.com or www.coulsongroup.com, call 250.724.7600, email foster .coulson@coulsongroup.com or stop by booth #C7313. SAVE TIME AND MONEY WITH LOWE'S An interview with Mike Horn, Vice President, Lowe's ProServices. CM: Tell our readers about Lowe's ProServices. MH: At Lowe's, we've learned a lot about business customers since we began in 1946. Lowe's ProServices is commit- ted to helping businesses save time and money. We have quick ways to save both, like delivery, credit, volume discounts and business replenishment. In addition, we have a full range of services created specifically for businesses. Visit www.lowesforpros.com to learn more. CM: Why is attending IBS important to Lowe's? MH: It's one way we show our com- mitment to the construction and remod- eling industry. The National Home Builders Association and all the Local Chapters that make NAHB are impor- tant to keeping the industry strong. Lowe's is a relevant piece of the world of construction and remodeling, as both a supplier and as a resource. With more than 1700 locations nationwide, we're not far from most jobs, and with our tens of thousands of products in stock in our stores and online, we have job lot quantities needed for most jobs. But more than that, we're a business part- ner looking for solutions to improve our customers' efficiency, because time is money. CM: Other than attending the show, what else does Lowe's do to support the indus- try? MH: Lowe's is a sponsor of NAHB Education, because we believe that if the trades remain up to date on new technologies and techniques, then homes and commercial buildings will con- tinue to be built to the highest standard. Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation is dedicated to supporting K-12 public education and community improvement projects in the local communities Lowe's serves. Our support of NAHB Education is an extension of this deeply rooted value Lowe's holds, extended into the trades. We also support the Certified Graduate Remodeler and Certified Aging in Place Specialist programs by sponsor- ing a scholarship to assist those close to completing their designation to follow through to the end. CM: What is new for Lowe's at IBS this year? MH: We've built a Lowe's Pavilion inside of our booth. In this Pavilion, attendees will find great products from more than 10 manufacturers. From tools to wire to landscaping and appli- ances to paint and flooring and cabi- nets, we'll have the job covered. We've asked these product vendors to bring their innovations to the table to help builders and remodelers provide a bet- ter, quicker finished product to their customers. Within this Pavilion, atten- dees will also find Construction Theater sponsored by ChoiceDek, where approximately every half hour there'll be a different presentation given by a few of these product ven- dors as well as Lowe's ProServices. For more information, visit booth #C4108 or go to www.lowesforpros.com. HISENSE DEBUTS BEVERAGE-DISPENSING APPLIANCE Hisense, usually thought of as a manu- facturer of flat-panel TVs, is now expanding its range with Chill by Hisense™, a personal beverage-dispens- ing appliance. It'll be out on the market in select stores in the U.S. and Canada beginning January 15, 2015. Chill by Hisense is targeted at the home entertainer or busy head of house- hold that values convenience and ease of use for refreshment replenishment. As an addition to any family room, movie room or man-cave, Chill gives consumers easy access to the beverages they want the most. With a storage capacity of up to 72 12-ounce cans (or 36 long bottles or cans) organized into four beverage selec- tions, cold beverages are delivered with the touch of a button. Chill also comes with a large pre-cooling bottom compart- ment big enough for 60 additional cans or small snacks. You can personalize your Chill by Hisense with its interchangeable LED back-lit screen, a perfect way to show off your favorite family photo. And with internal and external child locks, Chill keeps adult beverages inaccessible to children. "Chill by Hisense is the perfect accessory for those who love to entertain and have a passion for new and innova- tive technology," says Carlton Wininger, Vice President of Appliance Sales, Hisense USA. "We are committed to fur- thering our footprint in the home appli- ance market by offering new, easy to use and unique products for our consumers."