WITH Matthias Bulla

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF GRASS USA

Q. What have you seen as the hottest trends in residential hardware this year? Have any been surprising and which do you think are more than trends, but are here to stay?

We see an increasing trend towards metal drawer systems, particularly double wall systems. Double wall drawer systems offer many advantages, such as easier and faster assembly, better adjustment mechanics, and cost-effectiveness compared to traditional dove-tail box and undermount slide products.

Q. How do you keep up with global demands and trends through the years? Can you tell me about any new products in development or just released that appease and excite those in the residential markets?

Grass America works very closely with our international freight forwarders to ensure a steady supply chain. This became particularly crucial during the difficulties experienced during the pandemic. Concerning domestic manufacturing, developing good relationships with steel suppliers has helped us to maintain a stable production of hinges and drawer slides for our customers.

Therefore, prior to the pandemic, Grass began investments in a new building and machinery to produce a new cost-competitive undermount slide in Kernersville, NC. The new undermount slide, scheduled to be introduced to the market in Q1 2024, will put Grass America in a more self-sufficient position to service the U.S. market.

Q. What are the biggest challenges faced by the industry in 2023 and how is your company addressing/overcoming those challenges? Do you find that the challenges are the same in your U.S. and global markets, and how does this affect your responses?

The softening of the market in Q4 2022 and the first two quarters of 2023, particularly in residential housing, has directly affected our business. The published numbers of housing starts reflect this trend. However, we believe that the market will strengthen in Q3 and Q4 and remain cautiously optimistic about the future. We see the same pattern in the international markets among our sister companies. s p

Matthias Bulla, Executive Vice President, leads the sales operations for North and South America for Grass. As a valuable asset to the Grass and Würth Groups since 1990, he has focused on Grass America's Sales and Marketing since 2008. His commitment to excellence has been instrumental in upholding the highest quality standards and elevating the business landscape for Grass America.

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