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Finishes Today’s digital scanning and printing options have taken customization to a whole new level.
Rising to the Occasion Automation helps alleviate several concerns in postpandemic production.
Making Sense of Surfaces in 2023 The world has become increasingly complex, and it feels nearly impossible to predict what’s coming next.
Choices, Choices If you can dream it, you can do it with today’s commercial hardware options.
& Marketing Bust Out of Service Fatigue: the what, where, why and how behind a decline in customer service excellence.
Human Resources “Quiet Quitting” and what It could actually mean in your workplace.
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Surface & Panel is published quarterly by 526 Media Group, 151 Kalmus Drive, Ste. E200, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, telephone 714-486-2735. © 2022 by 526 Media Group. Patrick Adams, President. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, electronic or mechanical without written permission from the publisher. Subscription policy: Individual subscriptions are available, without charge, to manufacturers who engage in panel processing, qualified service providers and suppliers. Publisher reserves the right to reject non-qualified subscribers. One year subscription to non-qualified individuals: U.S. $50, Canada/ Mexico $75, all other countries $100, payable in U.S. funds. Single issues are $15, and must be prepaid. 526 Media Group does not assume and hereby disclaims any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions in the material contained herein, regardless of whether such errors result from negligence, accident, or any other cause whatsoever. Printed in the U.S.A. Postmaster: Send address changes to Surface & Panel, 526 Media Group, 151 Kalmus Drive, Ste. E200, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. Please direct all subscription questions to: Surface & Panel, 526 Media Group, 151 Kalmus Drive, Ste. E200, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 or email info@526mediagroup.com.
I'm sitting on the couch with my wife and she gives me a quote that she’s become famous for. It usually creates an interesting “discussion” due to our differing philosophies on the subject: “Maybe we should wait until things calm down.”.
The breaking point this time was the opportunity for a new puppy that landed in our lap. We had discussed the idea of another household member for some time. I put us on a lengthy waiting list and when our time came, she felt that it wasn’t a good time. Now a few months later, we have this opportunity again and away we go in discussion!
I bring this up, not to out my wife (even though that hole is likely already dug at this point), but to point out something I’ve found as I’ve gotten older. Most people do not operate like me. Most, it seems, seek out calm water. My father-in-law, during his time, was the master of patience. I still hear his words in his Texas accent, “Patrick, just be patient and it will all work out.” Almost always, he was right. However, as I’ve gotten older and perhaps wiser, I now realize something.
Control is an illusion and unpredictable chaos is a constant. We can’t plan for “calm,” and, for me, I can’t wait to move forward on the opportunities that happen to present themselves only during calm times. There are many quotes that come to mind to support this, but I happen to like “History favors the bold.” In the military, our Special Forces are trained and taught “Improvise, Adapt, Overcome,” and I think that is a principle that has become ingrained in me living a life that was never easy. Not only do I never expect calm times, but, on the rare occasions when they do arrive, I find it a bit unsettling.
As we enter the final quarter of 2022, I don’t see anything other than dust from the chaos. It is becoming a landscape that is excep tionally hard to “read.” Interest rates are screaming skyward, while the stock market feels like a daily roller coaster that forgets what the “news” was the prior day. It remains tough to hire people and the people you do have cost more. The international landscape is full of uncertainty on many fronts. And yet, business is excep tionally strong, margins are healthy, and forecasts are cautiously strong in spite of this chaos swirling around us.
I have had conversations with some (usually very large corpora tions) where they describe growing concerns and hesitancy and are planning slowdowns and cutbacks. And I have had many conversa tions with small- and mid-sized companies that are going full throttle
and planning for some of the best years in their businesses along with expansions and growth strategies. How can everyone see the same landscape, with the same data and react so differently?
This brings us back to the couch and the puppy. Yes, things are beyond crazy. The kids starting back to school and sports requires us to basically wave at each other on the highway as we shuttle back and forth. Travel is picking up and between our publications, events and our newest experiment with a consumer lifestyle magazine, we are busier than ever before! I just returned from south Georgia, leave for Boston, then New Hampshire, then am home for the weekend before I check in for surgery and a hos pital stay (to fix my little “emergency” from April).
So, I look at my wife and ask, “In 30 years together, when has our life ever been ‘calm’?” If we were the type of people who waited for calm, well, we’d be waiting a long time! I am thankful for the chaos, as it keeps me moving and keeps me thinking, and I keep adapting, improvising and—most of the time—overcoming. This to me is the secret of “success,” which I define as living a full life, trying to do better than I did yesterday, and trying to be a person known as able to be counted on.
So, on the Saturday after I return from New Hampshire, but just before I go into surgery on Monday, “Winnie” (kids say it’s short for Winnie The Pooh… it’s actually short for Winchester!) the puppy will take its place in our home full of chaos, and love, and laughter, and memories.
I hope your year has been full of the best kind of chaos and that in your own way, you are planning on more of it in the months to come. As always, serving you and this great industry is an honor that I never take for granted.
Patrick Adams, President 526 Media Group, Inc.
�I am thankful for the chaos, as it keeps me moving and keeps me thinking, and I keep adapting, improvising and—most of the time—overcoming.�
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As a journalism major in college, I used to love the news. A child of the 1970s and 80s, I came of age with cable television—first the “Superstations” of WGN Channel 9 in Chicago and WTBS Channel 17 in Atlanta, then CNN, ESPN, MTV…you get the ideas.
For every major national or global event, I would stay glued to the television and read every newspaper or magazine I could get my hands on. I chose print journalism when I went to college, which was phased out as I finished my studies and is now just “communications.”
I should have seen what was coming.
Honestly, I do not watch the news at all these days if I can help it. Gone are the days of “objective coverage.” Today, every story seems skewed to some agenda. It’s one reason I left the main stream industry years ago—I deplore the click-obsessed leading headlines that have nothing to do what is actually being reported and the constant chasing of sensational stories rather than sub stantive, actual news.
But by now, most people are used to this “new normal,” and everyone seems used to the constant information bombardment from every angle. It’s all but become white noise.
Keeping up with industry news, I do see quite a bit of the national and international headlines. Most seem grim—rising interest rates, growing inflation, continued supply chain and labor market woes, oil production issues, war in Eastern Europe…the list goes on. All of these uncertainties threaten to damage the very industry about which we all care so much.
This year, I attended my first IWF Show in Atlanta. I was amazed at the sheer size of this event—I’ve been to other trade shows before, but this, with so many sprawling displays of futuristic technolo gies and equipment, was something else.
Companies told me they’d arrived the week before to start set ting up—and the fact that they managed to build an entire produc tion facility from the ground up in a convention center was incredibly impressive. Some took up nearly a city block of space with their mini factories, and I so enjoyed watching the production in action.
I visited as many booths as I could—difficult with only a few days and nearly 1,000 participants. And what most impressed me at the show wasn’t the specialized, high-tech machines and products (don’t get me wrong—those were stunning), but it was the optimism from everyone I met.
Company representatives were excited to see one another after a four-year break, and everyone was itching to show off what they’ve been working on and perfecting during that hiatus. It all made me feel so confident for the future of the industry and in the people leading the way.
Our Surfaces Reception at the Georgia Aquarium during the show was very well-attended and seemed to go off without a hitch. The refreshments and company were top-notch and all of the conversations I heard that night were positive and inspired pride in an industry that has many bright days ahead.
I feel lucky to be along for the ride.
Despite what anyone says, no one knows the future—not the news media, not the experts. All we can do is make our best, edu cated guesses and someone will be right. But whatever happens— good or bad—all we can do is prepare, rely on our own observations, and look to each other rather than news outlets for guidance.
Jennifer Williams, Managing Editor�It all made me feel so confident for the future of the industry and in the people leading the way.�
The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), the world’s leading non-profit trade association for the kitchen and bath industry and owner of the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS), released its highly anticipated Design Trends research report in October. The annual report provides insight into the styles, colors, product features, materi als and technology that will dominate kitchen and bath design over the next two to three years.
“Kitchens and baths are bigger and more involved,” said Tricia Zach, Head of Research, NKBA. “The study revealed that consumers want spaces to be multi-functional to meet their at-home work, education, and entertaining needs.”
Other key findings of the 2023 Design Trends report include:
• Vibrant Design. Bold colors, accents and mixed materials/themes are increasingly a factor in kitchens and baths.
• Sustainability Matters. Manufacturers’ sustainability practices are becoming more important to designers as they recommend products to clients.
• Expanded Spaces. Breaking down walls to expand spaces to add function or conceal clutter: For kitchens, this means adding larger or double islands and walk-in pantries; for baths, it means adding a closet, dressing area and/or sitting room.
• Wellness Drives Design. Especially in the primary bath, where designers are creating spa-like experiences that offer clients a retreat for the mind and body.
• Tech to Make Life Easier. Technology continues to play a growing, but clearly “functional” role in the kitchen and bath.
This annual online survey is conducted with members of the NKBA and the kitchen and bath industry, including designers, showrooms, dealers, specialists, manufacturers, kitchen and bath remodelers/con tractors and architects. Occupations excluded (if not qualified) are fab ricators, home centers, honorary members and installers. Participants must have designed, specified or sold products for at least one kitchen or bathroom project in the past year.
Of the nearly 600 participants, 99 % are from the U.S. and 1 % are from Canada; 65 % are NKBA members and 35 % are non-members.
The full 2023 NKBA Design Trends report is available at https://nkba. org/ for $2995, but is free to all NKBA members and the media.
And registration continues at https://kbis.com/# for the 2023 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show to be held January 31-February 2, 2023, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The annual event, owned by the NKBA and produced by Emerald Expositions, is the largest North American trade expo and networking opportunity for kitchen and bath industry professionals. n
“Kitchens and baths are bigger and more involved. The study revealed that consumers want spaces to be multi-functional to meet their at-home work, education, and entertaining needs.”
TRICIA ZACH, HEAD OF RESEARCH, NKBA
This year marks the 40th anniversary for Sugatsune America, Inc. which was established as the first overseas subsidiary of its Japanese parent company. Founded in 1930, Sugatsune Kogyo Co., Ltd., built a reputation for developing high-quality furniture fittings that helped revolu tionize the way furniture was built in Japan. As the company’s success grew, so did the way in which Sugatsune products enriched people’s lives and supported how they worked.
“We wanted to provide people with an opportunity to experience the same Joy that people in Japan had when using our prod ucts,” said Jun Sugasawara, President and CEO. “We believed that the best place to start was in the largest consumer market so, in 1982, we set our sights on the United States. Since then, we have continued to grow our customer base and have been able to deliver convenience and satisfaction to more people.”
Introduced in the mid-1980s, Lapcon products incorporated rotary damper technology into its hardware resulting in quiet, luxurious movement. Starting with the Tallman closet hinging system, this soft-closing system evolved as Sugatsune worked with a large Japanese toilet manufacturer to develop a damper that eliminated the annoyances of slamming toilet seats.
Shortly after, this idea matured into what became Sugatsune’s “Quiet Home” concept which set the stage for the soft-closing drawers and cabinets found in many American kitchens today.
“Sugatsune is a trendsetter in many regards,” said Steve Hirasawa, Executive Vice President of Sugatsune America, Inc. “It is the company’s dedication to creating new and thoughtful products that continue to motivate me and is the main driver behind the company’s success in America. We look forward to the next 40 years.” n
As an essential part of the design, decorative surfaces add character and style to a space through the richness of their texture and colors offering both tactile and visual pleasure.
From super matte to high-gloss and textured decorative surfaces, Richelieu offers a complete selection of the most innovative surfaces to work with that will propel every project to new heights.
An easy add-on, the innovative SLIDE table mechanism is one way to boost the functionality of that all-central kitchen island. Use this convenient extra space as additional seating for up to four people, a serving area, or a bar when entertaining.
Flexible and multifunctional, a table extension mechanism can easily change the core function of a room by creating additional temporary space.
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Ahlstrom-Munksjö now operates under the business name Ahlstrom after completing the ownership reorganization of its Decor business and thus proceeded with its plan, announced in May 2022, to change its name. The divested Decor business continues as an independent company under the well-recognized Munksjö name.
In June 2022, Ahlstrom-Munksjö announced its intention to accelerate the pace of its strategy execution and set a goal to become the preferred sustainable specialty materials provider through a clearly defined purpose, sharper strategic focus and ambitious sustainability targets. A new operating model and reporting structure, effective as of July 2022, was implemented to effectively carry out the work.
“This is a natural step for us as the name Ahlstrom has more than 170 years meritorious history,” said President and CEO Hans Sohlström. “We are serving five growing markets and are leading the development in all these areas among the top companies. We will continue to operate through 38 plants in 13 countries and with some 7,000 employees who represent more than 50 nationalities.”
“Our strategic ambition for 2025 is to become the leader in combining fibers into performance materials,” he continued. “All we do will serve our purpose to Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World. It is now our turn to take Ahlstrom to the future and transform it to the Preferred Sustainable Specialty Materials Company.”
The change of the business name to Ahlstrom is accompanied by a renewed logo where the symbol remains the same and the name is changed to Ahlstrom.
In line with the name change, the company’s web address has been changed to www.ahlstrom.com. The legal company names will remain unchanged until they are changed later country by country in compliance with local legislation.
The name change to Ahlstrom will not affect the company’s customers or sales, strategy, structure, reporting or commitments.
The Decor business continues with the name Munksjö. Its offering consists of decorative surface materials for building material industries. Munksjö is the only international brand focused exclusively on decor paper. n
Sierra Forest Products Inc., a leading North American distribu tor of decorative building materials, has completed the acqui sition of Weber Plywood & Lumber Co., Tustin, California.
Weber Plywood was founded in 1958 by Don Weber, who passed away two years ago at the age of 92.
Sierra Forest Products is part of the UCS Forest Group of Companies, which includes Upper Canada Forest Products in Canada, UCS Global internationally, and A&M Wood Specialty in Ontario. Sierra has been serving U.S. custom ers for over 36 years, with facilities in Chicago, Salt Lake City, St. George, Boise, Los Angeles, Seattle, Coeur D’Alene, Portland, and Denver.
“We are delighted to welcome the Weber Team to the UCS Forest Group of Companies,” said Warren Spitz, President & CEO of UCS Forest Group. “I personally knew Don Weber for many years, and we are honored to have the opportunity to carry on his wonderful legacy. Don built a tremendous busi ness over the last six decades, providing long-lasting value to customers and consistently following through on the commitment to excellence. Together, the Weber and Sierra teams will work collectively towards our shared goal of deliv ering the difference to the Southern California market.” n
HANS SOHLSTRÖM. PRESIDENT AND CEO, AHLSTROM
“This is a natural step for us as the name Ahlstrom has more than 170 years meritorious history.”
PRESIDENT AND CEO HANS SOHLSTRÖM
American manufacturing is back, following decades of outsourcing and automation, according to a recent article in the New York Times
The issues affecting production and supply chain problems caused by COVID have created a perfect storm for the resurgence of domestic manufacturing—and companies are answering that call.
As of August of this year, American manufac turers added approximately 1.43 million jobs, up from the roughly 1.36 million jobs lost from February to April of 2020, when COVID shut tered many businesses and companies.
The rebound is attributed to several factors unique to the pandemic recession and recovery. While COVID -19 greatly disrupted global supply chains, that dilemma opened the door for a new American Industrial Revolution, says the Times.
The article also credited Federal stimulus spending during the pandemic with helping to shift consumer buying habits away from ser vices towards goods, which also helped boost domestic factory production and growth.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, after the COVID-19 pandemic began, manufacturing output fell at a 43-% annual rate and hours worked fell at a 38-% rate in the second quarter of 2020. These were the largest declines since World War II.
Since then, manufacturing output has continued to grow steadily through the second quarter of 2022 and was 3.5 % above the level in the fourth quarter of 2019, the last quarter not affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Hours worked in manu facturing increased in all but two quarters since the third quarter of 2020 and have recovered to within 1.2 % of the level in the fourth quarter of 2019. Labor productivity in manufacturing was 4.7 % higher in the second quarter of 2022 than in the fourth quarter of 2019.
And while manufacturers have continued to struggle to find raw materials, component parts and skilled workers, the job growth rate—despite the continued struggle to find skilled workers— has surpassed what some longtime promoters of American factory employment anticipated.
“We have 67,000 more workers today than we had in February 2020,” Chad Moutray, the chief economist for the National Association of Manufacturers, told the NYT. “I didn’t think we would get there, to be honest with you.” s p
TOP IMAGE: LAMINATE
FOR
AND REPEATABILITY, CREATING A COHESIVE LOOK ACROSS EACH ROOM. PHOTO COURTESY OF GENESIS PRODUCTS. ABOVE: OUTDOOR SPACES, SUCH AS THIS ONE AT THE TWELVE SENSES RETREAT IN ENCINITAS, CALIFORNIA, ARE NOW BEING GIVEN THE SAME LEVEL OF DESIGN ATTENTION AS INTERIORSS.
The hotel industry undoubtedly took the brunt of shutdowns and restrictions during COVID culture, but now that the world has emerged on the other side, travel is booming and the industry is once again cautiously thriving.
U.S. hotel leisure travel revenue is projected to end 2022 14% above 2019 levels, while hotel business travel revenue is expected to come within 1% of 2019 levels, according to a recent report released by the American Hotel & Lodging Association. Post-pandemic recovery remains uneven, particularly in many major cities and destinations where business travel continues to lag. Among the top 50 U.S. markets, 80% are projected to see hotel leisure travel revenue exceed 2019 levels, but just 40% are expected reach that milestone for business travel revenue. Many urban markets, which rely heavily on business from events and group meet ings, are still on the road to recovery.
Needless to say, the hotel industry is doing whatever it can to lure travelers, including taking lessons learned during those homebound times and implementing trends that have emerged—and are now expected by those looking to travel and stay in hotels around the world.
Travelers today are looking for a few key things, say hoteliers: simplicity, sustainability, originality and functionality.
Designers are hitting the mark, using wood-look laminates for walls, desks, countertops and beds and are creating clean lines with sustainably sourced materials, includ ing panels produced in zero-waste facilities. Specialized laminates and panels that mimic the look of exotic woods on a large scale are not only cost effective, but also are easy on the environment— achieving the look without using the trees themselves.
Simplicity and originality can be seen from large-scale hotel operations including Hilton and Marriott to trendy boutique hotels. Designers are using specialized fingerprint-resistant surfaces to add beauty while maintaining a clean look.
Hampton by Hilton Oświęcim is steps away from shops and dining on the Main Square in Old Town Oświęcim, Poland. The Sola River and Oświęcim Castle are a short walk away, and many rooms have views of the river that flows through town.
The modern renovation of the hotel preserves the historical charm of the old town of Oświęcim and appeals to young and old. In the buffet area, the architects used wood reproduction laminates from EGGER. Combined with modern elements, it adds interest to this area while maximizing durability.
EGGER products also had a part in the design of the Arte Hotel in Salzburg, Austria. PerfectSense Matt lacquered boards with matching PerfectSense Matt edge banding add an elegant
Decorative surfaces are important when evoking the emotion of a space. As one of the world’s leading full-service providers of decorative surfaces, we develop seamlessly matched products that are ideal for spaces of today and in the future.
touch to the rooms without looking staged. Warm lighting perfectly high lights the furniture in the hotel lobby and the guest rooms. From the reception area to the conference rooms, PerfectSense Matt performs beautifully with its high durability and resistance to fingerprints and smudges.
Many hotels have committed to reducing their carbon footprint and increasing their sustainability and environmentally friendly efforts.
“More than ever, guests are looking at brands that are embrac ing purpose and doing their part in local communities,” says Hilton General Counsel and Chief Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Officer Kristin Campbell. “We recognize that the success of
“We Make Rooms Worth Living In.”EGGER'S PERFECTSENSE MATT PERFORMS BEAUTIFULLY IN HIGH VOLUME SPACES WITH ITS HIGH DURABILITY AND RESISTANCE TO FINGERPRINTS AND SMUDGES.
our business and meeting changing con sumer demands is linked to our ability to oper ate and grow sustainably.”
“For example, as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, more customers are asking to hold carbonneutral meetings or reduce the environmental impact of their corporate travel,” she adds, “But, [they] aren’t sure how to update their travel and event programs to align with their own sustainabil ity goals, initiatives, or corporate policies, nor how to measure the impact of those decisions.”
Scott Flom, product marketing manager with Genesis Products, agrees that sustainability continues to be a trend with growing visi bility and commitments in the hotel industry. “Marriot International’s Serve360 is one such example with a goal to reduce carbon inten sity 30% by 2026 and to be net zero by 2050. One key initiative in their pursuit of this goal is to change their approach to furniture.”
“Laminate cabinets and furniture made from engineered com posite wood are 100% carbon neutral,” he says. “Replacing all solid wood furniture in hotel rooms with engineered composite wood has made an immediate climate-positive impact. Plus, laminate outperforms solid wood for durability, cleanability and repeatability, creating a cohesive look across each room.
“We’ve seen an increase in the adoption of laminated compos ite wood products in the residential and commercial space,” contin ues Flom. “In addition to the ability to offer any color or wood-grain pattern, Genesis also offers paintable and stainable laminates, which achieve the look of solid wood without the negative impact to the environment.”
Genesis Products is a corporate sponsor of the Climate Positive Now Initiative, an organization dedicated to educating design com munities on sustainability of architectural materials.
In addition to the obvious effects on core business strategies in the hotel industry, the pandemic also forced many venues to adjust their layouts and interior design to create roomy spaces that set guests at ease. Some of these design changes have become an expected part of any stay, along with certain other functional innovations.
“Over the last two years, outdoor space has been crucial for hotels and this is still an area we’re seeing many hotel brands invest in,” says hotel design firm OCCA’s founder and design director, Kate Mooney. “Outdoor spaces are now being given the same level of design attention as interiors with lighting schemes, artwork and stunning furnishings to make them feel inviting and opulent as well as safe. Some hotels are even creating outdoor work stations at the pool or beach to ensure that everyone’s needs are catered to.”
The pandemic changed the way many people work, with many forced to work from home. Many embraced this change and have not returned to traditional office spaces. This in turn gave rise to the work from hotel trend, which seems to be here to stay. Many proper ties are adjusting to meet these evolving needs of their guests, with rooms serving as more than just a place to sleep, say experts.
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“As more people opt to travel while they work, there will be an increased need for rooms that are as comfort able and convenient to work in as they are to rest in,” says Mooney. “From ensuring there are ample outlets and excellent WiFi facilities to cre ating areas that lend themselves to video calls without the guest’s bed appearing in [the] shot, these new consider ations are giving rise to exciting new trends.”
That functionality can be seen in tweaks to many guest rooms. Richelieu offers several hardware options that help maximize space while increasing functionality.
Richelieu’s Smart Living concept allows optimization of any living environment at home, at the office, and in hotels and
restaurants with multifunctional and ergonomic solutions to make them more versatile and com fortable for everyday well-being. New innovative systems and mechanisms are being developed to revolu tionize how we use space.
From foldaway bed mechanisms and adaptable multi-purpose furniture to pocket or sliding doors, Richelieu works with custom ers from every area to help create spaces without sacrificing com fort and elegant design.
And according to industry experts, the following trends also are catching on like wildfire:
Technological innovations never cease to amaze us; the newer innovations in the hotel industry are truly remarkable. Designed to make life easier both for hoteliers and their guests, these improve ments go beyond reliable WiFi and business centers. More proper ties—both large and small—are turning to keyless entry and offering mobile app check-ins, a self-service technology that allows hotel guests to skip the front desk lines and complete their entire checkin process via mobile devices.
In a world where we can have anything we want at the click of a button, more people are craving unique experiences, and that has migrated to where they stay. More travelers are looking for one-ofa-kind accommodations that many times offer a sense of place and history. Boutique hotels are cropping up in cities all across the world—some affiliated with larger chains and many independent. Their small-scale attention to detail and well-curated experiences are just what some travelers expect.
Think of your smart home, away from home. A smart room is a hotel room that has various types of technology, making it more comfortable and convenient for guests. This might include things like automatic curtains, temperature control, voice- or app-controlled lighting or sound systems, inroom entertainment systems, and more.
The Millennial and Gen-Z generations make up a large chunk of today’s travelers, and they are greatly influencing hotel design trends. With more younger generations concerned about environ mental issues, hotels are looking to provide them with environmen tally friendly alternatives. These range from with use of LED lighting in lobbies and rooms and recycled linens to solar panels and green buildings created from recycled materials.
Today’s hotel design trends are embracing the future while looking to the past—using sustainable materials that look fresh and inviting and blending hotel comforts with increased functionality and purpose. s p
Surteco provides more than a product; we provide a comprehensive solution. Inspiring designs, surfaces and edges.
SURVEY RESPONDENT
FROM STAFF REPORTS
Distribution executives must reimagine leadership and put people and purpose first when facing negative forces affecting the market, according to a recent report from UnleashWD.
Design, innovation, and strategy firm UnleashWD surveyed 232 executives in the spring of 2022 about the changing nature of leadership in a post-pandemic world. Those execu tives shared their thoughts on why the art and science of leadership is changing—and also shared growing concerns for those who do not adapt to change.
“What’s worked in the past definitely doesn’t apply anymore,” responded one executive. “People need guidance and support now more than ever, and negative market change needs to be outpaced by positive change from true leaders.”
The report showed companies that have the best odds of winning the war for talent and long-term growth also recognize the dangers of holding onto old paradigms of lead ership. “We are in danger of becoming extinct if management philosophies continue to remain archaic,” said another survey respondent.
The pandemic for many individuals has forced a re-examination of life and work. Work-life balance and meaningful work have become central. If employees feel they aren’t aligned with the values of the companies they work for, they know they have other options. “If your organization is not a people-first organization, your people will find one,” said one respondent.
“What’s worked in the past definitely doesn’t apply anymore.”
A staggering 93% of executives indicated leaders must focus not just on the job to be done but on the individual. The respondents made it clear that their employees want to feel valued, and a company’s ability to grow and develop the individual employee is critical to the company’s success.
Respondents agreed that nothing in anyone’s experience prepared them for the period in which we live and will live for the foreseeable future. Over three-fourths of respondents say they feel the pressure of the world around them to adapt to a new way of leadership required by their people. s p
Some of the report’s findings include:
• 8 out of 10 distribution executives believe we must be different leaders coming out of the pandemic than going in.
• 53% said that how distributors are currently leading puts them in danger.
• 93% of executives say the human element will play a bigger role in leadership going forward.
• 78% of leaders believe the nature of leadership is changing as a result of COVID and other disruptive forces.
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“We are in danger of becoming extinct if management philosophies continue to remain archaic.”
Does it feel like no mat ter how hard you try to please your customer, it isn’t enough? Are you in charge of leading oth ers and the faster you train teams and build energy, the quicker it seems to fade? Are you a business owner feeling hopeless about the never-ending needs of staff AND customers while trying to achieve a profitable bottom line? You’re exhausted, right?
©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/SCAR1984This exhaustion is what’s called service fatigue, defined as that feeling that keeps you from delivering the excellent customer ser vice your staff and patrons have come to expect. Left unchecked, this weariness can impact your business in many negative ways, from short tempers to lost business.
Let’s unpack the what, where, why and how of service fatigue and get on the path to busting out of it.
You know what customer service deliv ery should look like. Attentive. Proactive. Genuine. Service fatigue is “less than,” and it presents in many forms. It’s when your customer experience is less than you— or they—expect. It’s a lack of energy, elevated stress, constant ambivalence, difficulty concentrating, missed deadlines, frequent mistakes, or safety compliance issues.
The trickiest kind of service fatigue to spot is the kind the team thinks they can hide from guests. It’s still there, lurking beneath the surface, threatening to bring everyone down in its undertow.
WHERE DOES SERVICE FATIGUE COME FROM?
After a stressful few years, various challenges have caused ser vice fatigue levels to skyrocket. But the truth is, service fatigue can strike at any time, and much of it is really nothing new. It’s dealing
Service fatigue can come from anywhere and knowing how to identify it is half the battle.
WHY DOES SERVICE FATIGUE MATTER?
If it’s possible, make work a welcoming, encouraging environment for your staff so they can give your customers a reason to crow about the great experience they had. By rec ognizing service fatigue and equipping your team with the tools to bust out of its grip before it’s too late, you’ll ensure that everyone’s expe rience is that much better.
HOW DO WE MITIGATE THE EFFECTS OF SERVICE FATIGUE?
Instead, it takes a combination of strategy, patience, and commitment to bolster your team and get them back on track to deliver the kind of remarkable customer service you and your customers expect.
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via V. Necchi, 63 I-22060 Figino Serenza (CO) phone +39 031 7830801 info@giardinagroup.com www.giardinagroup.com
To get you started, here are a few ways to start busting out of service fatigue as soon as today:
BUILD BETTER BOUNDARIES . Professional boundaries can be the single best tool to help bust out of service fatigue, whether you need to put them in place with your boss or you need to ensure your team knows that work/life separation is a good thing. Unless it’s imperative to your industry, do you really need to reply to emails at 8 p.m.? Is that gap or hiccup in a process at work really yours to lose sleep over?
We all can and should go above and beyond to deliver cus tomer service excellence. But when you’re doing far more than is expected, you may be bringing service fatigue on yourself. Be hon est: Are you guilty of your own boundary breakdowns? Are there
honest conversations you can have to get those boundaries—and your energy levels—back on track?
Re-evaluate your boundaries today and find where you can firm them up. You’ll soon see what a difference they make in boosting your energy and positive attitude.
GRANT YOURSELF REST! Who doesn’t love rest? While some have mastered the art of taking breaks, Americans tend to do things fast— and often multitasking. We like the concept of rest, but the demands on our time often get in the way of our ability to truly take a break.
There are as many as seven types of rest, from physical and emotional to creative and spiritual. The truth is, they’re all important, and giving ourselves the space to breathe when things get stress ful is imperative. Rest can mean putting down your phone an hour early and reading a book instead, or using your shift break to do a brief silent meditation so you’re prepared to head back to work.
When we prioritize rest and start to see it as doing good for our selves, we are more energized to deliver customer service excel lence.
BONUS: WHEN DO I NEED TO ADDRESS SERVICE FATIGUE? No surprises here: If you recognize the signs of service fatigue, now is the time to bust out of it! Start by identifying what’s causing the fatigue, then set aside time to plan for change, including both big and small steps to reinvigorate your team and return to delivering customer service excellence.
When you commit to the change, the hardest part is already over. All it takes from there is digging in to bust out of service fatigue once and for all! s p
JA Hall of Fame keynote speaker and author, Laurie Guest, CSP, CPAE, is an authority on customer service excellence. She is the author of two books and is writing a third on the topic of service fatigue. To learn more, visit www.LaurieGuest.
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“QUIET QUITTING” started as a TikTok video describing how one employee was finding work/life balance by changing how they approached their job without actually quitting. The now-viral video has generated numerous articles and news stories, many with different takes on what quiet quitting actually means. Some of these theories include:
The initial TikTok video defined “quiet quitting” as employees doing their jobs—no more, no less. They are good employees who do their jobs satisfactorily and maybe even above satisfactory. They work their scheduled hours, complete their job duties, fulfill work demands, attend meetings, and meet their goals and numbers. However, they do not do more than what is necessary to meet those expectations.
For them it’s about setting boundaries and not getting caught up in the unacceptable conditions some workplaces demand. It’s about doing their jobs, but not taking on or feeling obligated to take on more duties. It’s about working the scheduled hours but not working nights, weekends or over vacation. It’s about pursuing their own interests and development without confining themselves to only career or industry advancement. It’s about being satisfied in their current role and not striving to advance.
Quiet quitting is seen by some as an alternative to joining the Great Resignation. An estimated 48 million employees quit their jobs in 2021 due to various reasons: repercussions from the pandemic, wanting or needing to spend more time with family, looking for per sonal or professional growth opportunities, choosing to switch careers or start their own business, or searching for more flexibility, remote work, higher pay, and/or better benefits. That trend has not ended in 2022, with more than 4 million people resigning their jobs each month so far, and 40% of employees considering quitting their jobs in the next three to six months.
Instead of searching for a new company to provide the changes they want and need, these employees are staying in their current jobs while also taking opportunities outside of the workplace to meet their wants and needs. They may stop working extended hours or performing extra job duties to have the flexibility to spend more time with their family, focus on their health, take development courses, or, if they need more income, they may use the time to get a second job or “side hustle.”
Some see it as employees being disengaged at work, meaning they come in late and leave early, have numerous absences, work slowly, lack interest in work, are easily distracted, do not communicate, and produce minimal or unacceptable results.
According to Gallup, 18% of the workforce is actively disengaged as compared to 32% of employees who are actively engaged. The significant drop in engagement post-pandemic—especially for those that are younger than 35—is due primarily to the lack of hav ing someone at work to care about them and their development, especially from their manager; the lack of opportunities to learn and grow; and the lack of a clear understanding of what is expected of them, especially in remote or hybrid work arrangements.
To back this up, the Harvard Business Review analyzed several surveys and responses about employee engagement and found that the managers who were the most “willing to go the extra mile” for their employees had 62% of their employees giving extra effort on the job while only 3% are “quietly quitting.”
If “quiet quitting” is affecting your workplace, there are some actions to take and things to consider:
• Review job descriptions and work expectations. What do you really need your employees to do? What are you paying them to do? What did you hire them to do? Ensure employees know the expectations, but also that you are not expecting more than what they were hired to do. Changing workforce size and operational demands requires employees to grow and stretch but, if they are not compensated for it or need to work more hours to get the job done without acknowledgement or balance, they may push back or leave.
• Review compensation. Pay employees fairly for the job you want and need them to do. While not everything comes down to money, compensation and benefits are a motivating factor behind employee commitment and engagement. Recent market factors have increased pay ranges and inflation has increased employee pay needs.
• Develop effective communication and ways to connect. A key component of an effective working relationship is communication, especially between employee and their manager. The evolving needs of both the company and the
employee, along with the changing workplace arrangements, mean that ways employees and managers communicate need to change. Whether holding regular meetings (virtual or in-person) or frequent touch-base conversations or regular performance management conversations, employees need to know what is expected of them, how their contribution is valued, and that their concerns are being heard.
• Encourage employees to learn and grow inside and outside the company. Along with offering employees oppor tunities to develop within the company and their roles, consider also encouraging employees to pursue personal interests. Bring in outside resources during work or give them time off to take classes or give them a stipend to pay for outside courses.
• Avoid “quiet firing.” “Constructive discharge” is a term to describe when employers make the workplace hostile or unsupportive in order to drive employees away. “Quiet firing” may be less aggressive but have the same impact. Employees may be denied raises, development opportunities, or time off. Or perhaps they face intended or unintended bias. Whatever the situation, if employers are not giving employees what they need to thrive at work, then employees will not give the extra effort companies may want.
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Q
• How will your dog respond to the new people and conditions? Dogs that are well-behaved at home can become aggressive or disruptive in new settings. There would be liability if your dog bites someone at work for whatever reason.
• How would he affect your performance? If your dog will not lay down quietly for eight hours while you work, then you will have to take time to walk, feed, and play with him, reducing your overall productivity.
• Will other employees be allowed to bring their dogs to work? Allowing only one or two may create resentment in those who cannot.
• How would this impact other pets? Employees may want to bring their cats, rabbits, birds, fish, etc. into work and may be disappointed if they are not able.
With all of these factors in mind, it may be easier to hire a dog walker than to open the flood gates of dogs at work.
ONE NOTE: An accommodation may need to be made if an employee needs a legitimate support or therapy dog. Since these dogs must be highly trained and certified and are necessary for the employee to live or function, they do not pose the same risks for liability. However, just calling a dog an “emotional support” animal is not sufficient to be a required accommodation. Only with proper documentation of the critical and specialized need for a support animal should one be considered.
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• Encourage trust between employees and managers. The HBR article outlined the importance of trust in the employee-manager relationship. It suggested ways managers can create trust with their employees to make them feel valued so they are more engaged and therefore less likely to “quietly quit:” have a positive relationship; show consistency; and have expertise in the role. HBR also encouraged employers to work to deserve employee enthusiasm—by doing more for employees, employees are more likely to do more for them.
Not every employee will have the 24/7 commitment that owners and exec utives need to make the business successful; nor should that be expected. In fact, if you expect employees to “hustle” and “do more” to help grow your business, they may realize they can put in the same effort to grow their own business, pursuing their passion while creating the work/life balance they want. s p
MCALLISTER, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, Vice President for Compliance Affinity HR Group, Inc. contact@affinityhrgroup.com ©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/NADIA_BORMOTOVA
• Is another employee allergic to or afraid of dogs? If so, you would have to take precautions to not trigger a medical issue or anxiety. Not only could it become a Workers’ Comp issue, but it could expose the company to additional liability. The same consideration may need to be made if you have visitors such as vendors or customers to the worksite.
In the woodworking industry, be it cabinetry, flooring, wall panels, and everything in between, we’re too often conditioned to only work with what we have. Now with an Arizona large format UV inkjet printer you can break the boundaries of what you can produce.
• Create the look of expensive and exotic wood but on inexpensive MDF or plywood
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BY JENNIFER G. WILLIAMS
Two years ago, David Hernandez bought a large-format inkjet scanner and printer to bring more finishing options to customers of United Finishers, a company that has been making custom furniture for more than 30 years in High Point, North Carolina.
“Now, this is our core focus with our business,” says the com pany partner. “We can apply virtually anything a designer is think ing of onto a wall or boards and really dial it into what they want to achieve. The feedback has been fantastic—we’ve had return customers just because of the versatility we can offer them.”
Advances to digital scanning and printing have opened a world of possibilities in the design and manufacturing markets. From small, custom furniture makers to huge panel fabricators, the incredible realism captured by today’s scanners and applica tions are nothing short of breathtaking.
And experts say they are just scratching the surface of pos sibilities with this evolving technology.
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“These technologies open the door to manufacturing custom ized products that may have never been envisioned before,” says David Palmieri, Vice President of Sales & Marketing with CGS ORIS. “The key driver has been the scanning technology. These imagecapturing systems have been instrumental in capturing not just accurate color of surfaces but most importantly the 3D surface and texture. The ability to accurately recreate texture of a surface with speed and ease is an integral part of a successful implemen tation of a digital manufacturing process. The advancements in inkjet printing technologies have also played a tremendous part in accurately recreating these textures. The combination of the two working in harmony has been a game changer for the décor manufacturing business.”
Randy Paar, Marketing Manager with Canon USA, says we are only in the infancy of using inkjet printers to create textured, flat surfaces. “With 3D object scanning and 3D printers, the possibilities are truly endless,” he says. “It is really too early to spot trends as this approach is still so new in the market. That said, it provides an excellent opportunity for early adopters to capitalize on this exciting, new capability.”
Hernandez says United Finishers uses their Canon 6170 Flatbed printer to primarily print on 4x8 sheets of plywood up to an inch thick, personalizing and then cutting to size depending on specs. The sheets or boards are then used to craft their custom, patented platform beds, wall panels or art and really anything their custom ers can dream up, he says. “It really opens up a world of possibilities,” he adds. “No previous method was capable of doing what this does.”
UF chose the Canon printer, he adds, primarily because of “the vacuum, the versatility and the speed with which it can accomplish
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the job,” says Hernandez. “Not to mention the machine’s flex ibility and its ability to work with wood—specifically plywood.”
Large format scanners have already been around for quite some time to capture 2D images, says Canon’s Paar. “By using different lighting angles with multiple scanning passes and software to process the data, the scanning systems are also able to capture elevation data. This data can then be combined with the image data, split into separate print files and printed together in sequence on the printer—all with per fect registration.”
Canon’s approach to printing texture with a UV flatbed printer came about from observing how the cured ink cre ated a tactile profile on the surface of printed graphics used for retail POP and signage applications, he adds. “For most typical graphic arts applications this is not necessar ily a desirable effect, [but] we quickly realized that due to the accuracy and repeatability of our printer that we could actually use it positively and print multiple layers in correct sequence on top of each other, each layer being progres sively different to create the final tactile effect.”
The developments of technical possibilities in both scanning and digital printing have inspired and enabled
“We can apply virtually anything a designer is thinking of onto a wall or boards and really dial it into what they want to achieve.�
DAVID HERNANDEZ, UNITED FINISHERS
creative applications in a new dimension, says Roberto Zinser, international key account manager with swissQprint. “High-quality 3D scanners not only capture the optical 2D surface, but also the topographic 3D values. True flatbed printers, such as the swissQprint Nyala 4, can reproduce the processed data by printing multiple layers. Software tools and interfaces make the process user-friendly.”
“As far as customization, the sky is the limit it seems, given these new technologies,” he says. “In theory, every thing that physically fits under a scanner or on a printer can probably be scanned and printed. That said, the entire appli cation should be evaluated for effort and revenue: What is the material? What is the application? Is some special sub strate involved, such as glass, that requires special ink or pre-treatment or post-treatment?”
Helping customers to understand the benefit of digital printing and scanning capabilities has been a key driver in the development of this technology, says Palmieri. “Once the benefits and flexibility of the technology are understood customers have been keen to pursue these alternative manufacturing processes.”
With a ShopBot CNC, you can increase production throughput while minimizing material handling. For example, you can drill shelf pin holes, cut rabbets and dados, and profile-cut the completed panel. The operator only needs to handle the full sheet once to load the machine, and then remove the perfectly cut parts that are ready for assembly.
Thanks to the affordability of ShopBot’s professional grade CNC tools, the technology of manufacturing cabinet boxes, doors, drawer fronts, shelves, and even countertops, is now well within the reach of smaller shops, not just large cabinet manufacturing facilities.
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�The developments of technical possibilities in both scanning and digital printing have inspired and enabled creative applications in a new dimension.�
ROBERTO ZINSER, INTERNATIONAL KEY ACCOUNT MANAGER WITH SWISSQPRINTPALMIERI, VICE OF SALES & MARKETING WITH CGS ORIS
Customization seems to be the key trend in using these new tech nologies today.
“We see clear trends in art reproduction and signage as well as in interior decor, furniture and flooring industries, and in the automo tive sector,” says Zinser. “But we also see applications in POS: Think of prints with a tactile feel, based on inexpensive and recyclable materials, providing a wood decor, just to name one example. This increasing demand naturally requires ever more productive printing systems. This is where printer manufacturers come into play, and that is what swissQprint continuously working on.”
Hernandez says the most exciting trend at his business are the customized wall planks and board. “Just the ability to give a designer an open canvas to apply anything they want on the wall planks,” he explains. “It’s very exciting. Coffee shops, restaurants, designers can really go wild with their ideas. Our wood wall art is very popular with hotels and motels…for designers, there are just endless possi bilities as to what they want to present in their environment.”
And the ability to recreate finishes that mimic more expensive treatments or materials is very cost effective for designers, fabrica tors and consumers, as well, says Hernandez.
Savings are not only found in the reproduction of more expen sive finishes, but also in the benefits of on-demand manufacturing, the biggest trend Palmeri says he has been noticing. “This is a trend that has been in practice and proven in the traditional printing indus try for decades,” he explains. “Now that manufacturers of décor products are recognizing that digital workflows can reduce unnec essary inventory of product and produce as needed it creates an obvious opportunity to save money. This trend has only just begun but we expect it to be the new norm as more and more manufactur ers of product begin to adopt digital manufacturing processes.”
Palmieri believes that the adoption of digital manufacturing has only just begun. “The industry has just scratched the surface of what is possible and still relies primarily on legacy manufacturing pro cesses,” he says. “Once more and more businesses adopt digital manufacturing processes for décor, it will create far more possibili ties for unique designs. This offers tremendous opportunities and a limitless variety of unique décor options for the end consumer.”
Hernandez says he is excited for future possibilities in the industry. “I like to think we’re at the fringe of it,” he says, “I know this is something that’s definitely going to catch on, and I think the industry is going to really lean into it.” s p
“These technologies open the door to manufacturing customized products that may have never been envisioned before.�
DAVID
PRESIDENT
“With 3D object scanning and 3D printers, the possibilities are truly endless.�
RANDY PAAR, MARKETING MANAGER, CANON USA
Design.
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ith continued problems finding skilled workers, many industries have turned to automation to help bridge the gap, and are finding that using automation offers other benefits, as well.
EGGER’s Crane Storage and High Bay Warehouses are part of a multi-building production and shipping facility for raw particleboard and thermally fused laminate (TFL) made from the particleboard.
You’ll see a lot of activity in these buildings, but what you won’t see a lot of are workers: the entire process, from production to storage to shipping, is completely automated, using cranes, conveyor belts and an automated rail system to move boards between buildings.
“By incorporating automated systems into our processes, our pro duction warehouses need very limited staffing, typically just a single material flow administrator,” says Kenneth Brown, Plant Manager for Logistics. “This allows us to prioritize our employees in other areas of the facility, allowing us to more effectively manage labor challenges.”
Once particleboard panels are produced at EGGER, convey ors move the stacked boards from production to Crane Storage. A computer-controlled warehouse crane stacks the boards for stor age and quality testing. Once quality testing is complete, the boards
are cleared to be shipped as raw particleboard or to be used in TFL production. Bundles that do not meet the quality require ments are either used as packing material or recycled to create another batch of particleboard, eliminating any waste.
The North Carolina warehouse will hold up to 750 truckloads of particleboard, or about 10 days’ worth of production.
“Our production warehouses allow us to stock enough par ticleboard to serve as a buffer in the event of any production downtime,” Brown says. “We can continue to produce thermally fused laminate even if rawboard production is down and replen ish the warehouse when those repairs are complete.”
Once these panels leave Crane Storage, they are cut to size and either sent to logistics to be shipped as raw particleboard or moved by automated rail carriage to the High Bay Warehouse. These boards will be used to produce TFL.
The soaring, 100-foot-tall High Bay Warehouse also has deep roots, with supporting structural columns that drop nearly 100 feet into the ground. This allows for the precision required by these automated systems and prevents any settling that would throw off the intricate balance of the automated cranes, even as they move extremely heavy loads.
The vertical layout optimizes available space for storage. When particleboard is needed for TFL production, one of two High Bay Warehouse cranes place the stacks aboard auto mated rail carriages which move the boards to the lamination lines for TFL production.
“With the additional stock held in our production warehouses, we are better positioned to manage supply chain issues, avoiding the delays that would lead to extended lead times for customers.�
KENNETH BROWN, EGGER'S PLANT MANAGER FOR LOGISTICS
“With the additional stock held in our production warehouses, we are better positioned to manage supply chain issues, avoiding the delays that would lead to extended lead times for customers,” says Brown.
Even though the automation in these facilities eliminates the need for a lot of employees, the ones they have are crucial to its operation.
And the automation contributes to worker safety, as well. “The safety of our employees is a top priority. The state-of-the-art auto mation at our facility, including our production warehouses, limits employee proximity to operating equipment,” says Brown. “Instead,
employees are focused on programming, overseeing and main taining equipment.”
“Even when maintenance is required to the automated ware houses,” he adds, “lock-out, tag-out procedures ensure that no equipment is running while employees are performing that work.”
Development and construction of the three-phase project in Lexington began in 2018. The first phase, a state-of-the-art parti cleboard manufacturing plant with lamination capacities, reached a key milestone in September 2020 with the start of production.
Now, EGGER’s very first production facility in St. Johann, Austria, is adding a high bay warehouse similar to the one in Lexington, using the same logic and systems, both featuring the latest tech nology, which was created by Siemens.
The newest EGGER high-bay warehouse in Austria has a foot print of approximately 48,500 square feet. Up to 1.1 million cubic feet of wood-based materials can be stored automatically on 18 levels in the building that rises only 100 feet above the ground.
The rise of automation really changes the game in the industry, say officials. Automation is the future, and can help at every level of a company’s operations—labor, productivity, safety and even cus tomer service.
The growing demand for more efficient production and distri bution for materials and products has prompted many companies to jump on board the automation bandwagon—and there’s no sign of stopping. s p
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If the past three years have taught us anything, it’s that no one can predict the future. No matter the hard-earned degrees or tough-learned life experiences you have, the world has become increasingly complex, and it feels nearly impossible to predict what’s coming next.
In our corner of the world in surfaces, that still rings true in unique ways. We’re wondering how economic shifts will affect home-building and investment in residential renovations. We try to predict how businesses will shift to keep up with changing consumer and employee behav iors, perhaps requiring investment in renovations or a hard pivot to abandon some physical spaces. There’s a lot we don’t know for sure—but there are some things for which we can plan.
Across both personal and corporate budgets, it’s natural for the first impulse to be to save when the future may hold an economic downturn. In the surface industry, we should be pre pared to offer a full range of affordable options to customers while still satisfying evolving aesthetic and performance preferences.
From our experience at Formica Corporation, we’ve found that during times of economic uncertainty, people may look to save money, but treating yourself is never more valued. We’ve found finishes that are lower-investment—but still feel luxe—come to the forefront of design plans. One example is our DecoMetal line that was recently expanded with seven new designs. These decorative metal laminates have a highend look that can create real statement moments in com mercial environments, yet they’re much more affordable than other metal alternatives. Offering a range of products like this during an economic downturn can hit just the right balance for customer needs.
During times of economic stress, it can be tempting to cut budgets to the essentials, but more and more, sustainability should be seen as an effort that’s critical to long-term business survival. Of course, these efforts are the right thing to do for our people and our planet, but it’s also an important part of corporate strategy.
Across commercial and residential customers, sustainability is a continual ask that can have a direct impact on demand, and progress lost during a few years of economic slowdown can set businesses back for years to come. For the long-term health of our businesses (and our planet), investment in sustainable products and operations should remain constant in 2023 and the years ahead.
When it comes to predicting the future of design, it seems as though aesthetic trends are evolving and changing a mile a min ute. However, the essence of how people want to feel in spaces has remained much more constant across both commercial and residential spaces. With such uncertainty, people crave comfort yet they also cherish moments of interest, joy and excitement. As we look ahead to 2023, these grounding emotions can guide our design choices, creating spaces that feel cozy and clean but have moments of visual impact and can withstand the rigors of a real, lived-in environment.
So what can we do to plan for 2023? Ultimately, it’s about flex ibility. When the future and its business and design implications remain so uncertain, the best we can do is stay true to our values, know our constants and keep a finger on the pulse of what our cus tomers need.
s p
“In the surface industry, we should be prepared to offer a full range of affordable options to customers while still satisfying evolving aesthetic and performance preferences.”
Sugatsune engineers have developed the Heavy Duty, J95 European Cup Hinge in response to custom cabinet builders who struggled to find hardware that could support larger, heavier doors. The J95 Hinge was designed with a larger, 40mm cup and thicker gauge steel, this is why 2 of the J95 hinges can support up to 55 lbs. and up to 88 lbs. with only 3 hinges. That’s more than three times the weight of a traditional cup hinge. Visit sugatsune.com for more information about this and other innovative products.
Sugatsune America 18101 Savarona Way, Carson, CA 90746 sugatsune.com
Available in nickle and black nickle finishes.Choices for commercial hardware these days seem limitless. From concealed hinges that blend doors and slides seamlessly and art fully into a wall to the overwhelming number of finishes and colors available to match any mood—there truly is a way to achieve any look you can imagine.
And the options are not just about aesthetics—choices also abound for hardware that helps simplify builds and reduces time, material use and wastage.
Hinges and slides are necessities for function, but today’s design aesthetic increas ingly seeks to hide these workhorses while creating smooth facades and maximiz ing operation.
The Nova Pro Scala double-wall drawer system by GRASS brings timeless ele gance, futuristic design, and fabrication efficiency to the construction market. Nova Pro Scala, suitable for face framing and frameless cabinetry, offers outstanding running properties, minimal drawer deflection, exceptional ease of opening, and top reliability.
Everything is focused on function, quality, and value—from precision craftsman ship of every individual part to the color and surface finishes. Offered in 63mm, 90mm, 186mm, and 250mm with three beautiful finishes of Silver, Stone, and Ice, Nova Pro Scala gives you more options for that perfect custom look.
Visit www.grassusa.com/products/nova-pro-scala/ for more information.
To help create “magic” drawers, Salice America recently launched a new, heavy-duty, concealed, undermount drawer slide perfect for commercial functions: F70. The F70 features an ingenious, fully integrated synchronized system by way of a rack and pinion mechanism. Suitable for every drawer in the house and any commercial application without the need of any stabilizing rod, thanks to its patented smooth-running action. The F70 comes with a 154 lb Dynamic Load Rating and an impressive 170 lb Static Load Rating. It exceeds Ansi 156.9-2020 Grade 1 but, unlike similar products, the price range makes it practical for multiple drawers and not just the oversized applications. The slides boast a full-extension, perfectly synchronized movement, a fluid dampening device and an integrated handle-less opening mechanism in the Push version.
The F70 is adjustable six ways, thanks to an ingenious and intuitive mechanism on the clips and on the slide itself. It offers the possibility of an optional tool-free tilt adjustment in the back that does not require removal of the drawer to perform. F70 is available in the full range of lengths from 15 in to 30 in. Visit www.salice.com/us/en for more information.
To help conceal more practical options in a clean design, Richielieu offers an ingenious solution with its tabletop extension mecha nism. Their Opla +39 is a revolutionary solution in the organization of small spaces, to include hotels rooms or even office spaces. Hidden in a drawer space under a countertop or tabletop when not in use, you just have to pull it out to gain extra surface space in a simple movement.
Opla +39 offers an extension of approximately 14-9/16 in (370 mm) with a weight capacity of 88 lb (40 kg), and it can be installed in furniture or under a counter with a minimal depth of 15-3/8 in (390 mm). The mechanism comes as a complete system—only the panel must be made by the client—which enables harmonization with the existing counter. Once the mechanism is folded out, the panel adjusts to the same height as the counter and the Opla +39 is equipped with pistons for soft closure.
Because it does not have a front bar, it is suitable for opening widths from 17 3/4 in (450 mm) to 47 1/4 in (1200 mm). With its many options and possibilities, the Opla +39 can be installed anywhere an additional working surface is needed.
Visit www.richelieu.com/us/en for more information.
The soft-close and push latches that once were exclusive to ultrahigh end properties have become expected and a part of just about any cabinet design these days. Companies continue to create new options to meet the growing demand for everyday luxuries.
Titus Group offers a touch opening solution for effortless open ing of doors and drawers without handles and is designed to be used with standard hinges and drawers. The Push Latch allows for maximum efficiency and flexibility while its simple installation helps maximize time spent on construction or renovations. Again, the clean-line aesthetic reigns, with the latch completely hidden from view. The precise adjustment button ensures reliable and consis tent performance with standard concealed hinges, and the “safety click” feature enables easy detachment of the mechanism from the mounting plate.
Visit www.cabinet.titusplus.com/us/en/accessories/push-latch/ for more information.
Make an impression with the latest addition to the Quadro runner family. In addition to side to side and height adjustment, the superb running action is nothing short of impressive. Upgrade to optional push to open silent; a treat in form and function.
With concealment being the top trend in hardware these days, one thing not often considered is visibility. But Hettich hopes to change that with its new trend design option: AvanTech YOU Illumination. Furniture gets its own signature lighting with AvanTech YOU Illumination clip-on LED DesignProfiles or illumi nated glass inlays create stunning mood effects and a touch of elegance. A practical, rechargeable battery pack stuck to the rear panel provides the necessary energy, without the need for any costly and complicated wiring. Hettich has already won sev eral international design awards for its bright idea this year alone. This lighting option offers a lot of flexibility and practi cal solutions for commercial properties. AvanTech YOU lets designers customize drawers in exactly the way that is needed—whether for the bathroom, kitchen, living room, bed room, office, hotel or shop.
Visit https://avantechyou.hettich.com/en for more information.
Customization is the name of the game these days in com mercial hardware. From creating clean lines to creating more space and offering subtle but functional touches, hardware can help tailor any commercial project to specific needs, and help it stand out from the crowd. s p
“It was fantastic working with the team at 526 Media Group. Initially, we approached them with a very aggressive timeline for a livestream event and they executed PERFECTLY. The communication throughout the process and the support was top notch. Best of all, their pricing was very fair. If you’ve been tasked with running a professional livestream event and don’t know where to start, I recommend you reach out to 526.”
- RYAN GALICK, FUZION
North America’s largest global woodworking trade show and conference IWF 2022 returned to Atlanta for the first time since 2018, with four days of nonstop buying and selling August 23–26 at the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC).
More than half of the 1.2 million square feet of the GWCC’s three buildings and the B/C exhibit hall showcased IWF 2022 exhibits and displays, with more than 900 exhibitors presenting operating machin ery, services and supplies in more than 540 product categories.
Attendance numbers proved huge, with a total registered atten dance of 25,524. Attendees came from every U.S. state, the District of Columbia and 92 countries and provinces. And after a four-year
Threespine® is a completely new and innovative way to assemble furniture — taking the hardware, heartache, and heavy-lifting out of the equation. The unique, patented Threespine® click joint means furniture can be assembled tool-and-fittings-free and up to 8–10 times faster than furniture with traditional fittings. Threespine® is a revolution for the industry, enabling a total rethink in how furniture is produced, transported, stored, and sold — it’s suitable for any manufacturer and all types of materials — from flatpack to fine furniture, to fully-fitted kitchens.
Attendance numbers proved huge, with a total registered attendance of 25,524. Attendees came from every U.S. state, the District of Columbia and 92 countries and provinces. IWF 2022 set an all-time record of first-time attendees with an increase of nearly 50 percent.
northamerica@threespine.com | threespine.com
The 2022 Surface Design Guide is an annual showcase of the design trends and latest products that are shaping the industry, both today and moving into the future. Surface & Panel reached out to leading decorative surfacing companies and asked them to share their latest advances in materials, designs and services. The guide also reflects some of the newest products that were showcased at events including AFFS, NeoCon and IWF, and is intended to inform fabricators and specifiers of the best possible solutions available to them. From personalizing surfaces with every color, finish and even texture imaginable, the Surface Design Guide is the industry’s go-to resource for specifiers and fabricators across the globe.
The creators of ALUCOBOND present all-new MONARC Wall Panel Solutions for interior applications. These panels are produced with high-quality finishes making them ideal for use in the design of bath & shower enclosures, kitchens, living rooms and other interior spaces. Premium properties of MONARC ensure an extremely flat, lightweight, waterproof panel that offers easy installation and maintenance, and delivers a striking visual appearance inspired by natural elements.
www.3acomposites.com
Mixing and matching Alvic USA product styles and finishes enables customers to be masters of their projects without sacrificing budget for quality pieces. With proprietary finishes that include Luxe high gloss, Zenit super matte, and Syncron natural texture, Alvic USA’s designs keep styles and trends at the forefront while reflecting the classics. For projects where time is of the essence, the Plano door is produced in seven business days and the Finger-Pull, Quadro, and Corfu doors ship in approximately 10 business days. To explore the styles and colors available in the cabinet door collection, please visit our website. www.alvicusa.com
From natural wood grains to stone decors and fancy designs, we use many different press rollers in our production facility to find the best solution. We carefully follow new trends in furniture decor developments with leading decor printing companies to keep our cylinder collection up to date. www.boyutplastik.com.tr
Schattdecor and Fine Decor have provided years of design expertise in the field of solid colors and decor printing. The two companies are united in their first joint product—fineFLEX.
FineFLEX surfaces have a unique feel and anti-fingerprint effect due to our patented lacquering process. FineFLEX is the environmentally friendly alternative for 2D lamination, as a thermoforming film for three-dimensional surfaces and wrapping or postforming.
www.schattdecor.com
OMNOVA
Versatility. Performance. Beauty. These words are the core of our 3D, 2D, and Paper Laminates, extending on-trend original designs and TFL match partnership programs to meet demanding application needs across markets. Our Matte Luxe 3D Laminates offer super-matte, soft touch solid color for cabinetry. Introducing two of our newest colors—Sumac and Palm Springs. www.omnova.com/laminates
Riken USA is partnering with Uniboard to offer matching thermofoil to their 2023-24 launch collection. The new line of thermofoil will include 20 new supermattes and woodgrains, with the supermattes being offered in SM6: Riken’s newest supermatte finish. www.riken-usa.com
StevensWood is changing the world of surfaces. The company’s newest collection encompasses the most realistic wood textures with the latest color trends. The Timber Collection uses multiple sheet levels and the veneer texture creates a warm, defined wood look and feel like no other. Designed to be on trend with today’s furniture needs, this collection offers 10 attractive color options. www.stevens-wood.com
The first impression of this woodgrain is the silhouette of the intricate detail. This lovely ash features a wire-brushed, hand-distressed finish combined with a carbonized technique to give the grain a unique quality. The warm, rich tone provides a timeless, old world, sophisticated look.
www.surteco.com/northamerica
Finish is what makes Arborite’s Artisan Walnut Collection special. The registered embossed texture is aligned with the walnut structure giving these patterns the depth and beauty of real wood, but with all the benefits of high-pressure laminate. www.arborite.com
Simplify processes and procedures with our comprehensive one-stop solution for decorative surfaces. With matching thermally fused laminate (TFL), laminates and edge banding, all manufactured directly by us, you’ll find an ideal match in surface color, pattern and texture, allowing you to carry the same finish from cabinets to countertops and more. www.egger.com
American Laminates is a California family owned and operated Company Since 1988. We offer premium only quality with 50+ colors in stock. Available as panels, edge-banded shelving, line bored or grooved. Servicing the West Coast, USA. Visit our website and see our color selection and cross reference guide.
www.americanlaminates.com
acForm from BASF is a revolutionary additive to MDF that makes the panel thermoformable. Now, instead of spending hours on a surface design with a CNC router that leaves a fuzzy, imperfect surface, the design can be embossed in seconds with a heated press. Designs that were once impossible due to the cost of running a router are now within reach, all without sacrificing quality. www.dispersions-resins-products.basf.us/acform
BMK specializes in providing customized solutions to our customers. Examples can be impregnated papers for difficult press plates, or special surfaces with antimicrobial and postformable properties. A special focus is to provide laminated products that look, feel and sound like natural wood surfaces. www.melamine-papers.com
ARAUCO Prism TFL is a design-forward surfacing solution with today’s aesthetics in mind. Authentic, durable and climate positive, the 2022-2023 collection includes two new pearwoods, two enlightened teaks, and four on-trend matte solids. The portfolio speaks to individual expression in this time of modern cultural revival. Prism TFL is laminated on ARAUCO substrates, assuring quality, performance, consistency, and reliable inventories. www.prismTFL.com
A domestic alternative to oak and ash, Stilview Elm by Interprint balances movement and serenity: Elm’s natural character of full cathedrals and wide quarters are harmonized by the current Nordic/Japanese trend of light colorways and warm neutrals. Stilview Elm’s consistent, veneer-based layout ensures compatibility across a broad range of residential and office settings. www.interprint.com
Classic Metals, decorative anodized and HPL aluminum sheets, are among Chemetal’s most popular, with good reason. They emulate the look of more expensive metals while being easier to fabricate with woodworking equipment. Ideal for inlays, cut-to-size, strips, panels, and anywhere design professionals want the modern, luxurious, and energetic look of real metal. www.chemetal.com
DVUV offers a clear finish for Birch Plywood that allows the beautiful grain of the Birch to shine through. Powder coating is a single step, one-coat, 20-minute process that is an environmentally friendly alternative to liquid paint. DVUV provides finished Birch Plywood components to the contract furniture, hospitality, retail, healthcare industries. Request a sample today. www.dvuv.com
Genesis Products is expanding capabilities as a one-stop source for quality residential cabinet doors, drawers and components, which debuted at the recent International Woodworking Fair (IWF) in Atlanta, GA. As a new face in residential cabinet doors, Genesis features premium styles and components including five-piece doors in mitered, cope and stick, and cap and dowel construction, as well as thermofoil and contemporary slab doors. Multiple profiles offer residential looks from traditional to trending. www.genesisproductsinc.com
Panolam Surface Systems introduces five new finish options. Raw natural woodgrains, a touch of metal, or the tactile richness of a crisp linen to meet today’s aesthetics. Surface Systems has 28 HPL finish options with 15 TFL coordinating finishes, offering the durability of a laminate surface with an enhanced look and feel.
www.panolam.com
The Crater Lake Collection consists of nine exclusive colors available in High Pressure Laminate, as well as matching Thermally Fused Laminate and edgebanding. The collection’s weathered neutrals with cool grays and warm taupe tones allow you to bring nature inside while also embodying a traditional palette ideal for creating a clean design. Our High-Pressure Laminate Collection is perfect for surfaces that experience high traffic such as retail, hospitality, healthcare and education settings.
www.panel.com
Featuring Perfect Touch Reed Green, this new super matte design is part of Dackor’s Perfect Touch collection, smooth to the touch without leaving any traces thanks to its anti-fingerprint technology. Perfect Touch is an impressive, super matte-durable laminate with high quality feel and superior performance ideal for the residential kitchen and custom closets markets. www.dackor.com
Rehau announces its surface line, RAUVISIO ingrain wood fiber laminate, that combines natural wood fibers with synchronized etching for a luxurious veneer aesthetic. New to the North American market, wood fiber laminate is cellulose fibers derived from wood pulp bonded using vegetable-based adhesives, resulting in a high-performing, sustainable surface. With high-definition printing and precision Rehau LaserEdge duo-gloss embossing, the immersive patterns of RAUVISIO ingrain deliver an atmosphere of eco-conscience luxury to designed spaces. www.rehau.com
Cascade Distribution Group, the manufacturer of MIRLUX Premium Panel, introduces ruby red in high gloss with a mirror-like #1 PET surface. The ruby is an extremely hard gemstone and matches the quality and characteristics of our panels. The clarity and color of our ruby red is a regal addition to our palate of rich colors and on-trend neutrals. www.mirluxpanel.com
Onyx Specialty Papers is known as a premier supplier of solid colored décor paper. Now the market is demanding abstract patterns and brilliant effects. Lustralite offers unparalleled innovations: from rustic looking fiber patterns to space-age lusters to night-on-the-town sexy metallics and more. We can help you produce a product that is unique, design-driven and competitive. www.onyxpapers.com
Arclync is a highly versatile and easy-to-press overlay that protects decorative surfaces against UV, scratches, and moisture. It provides extremely high performance at a fraction of the cost of traditional decorative products. Designed for interior and exterior applications throughout the home, garden, and commercial buildings. Arclync will add beauty and performance to any wood and non-wood surface. www.arclin.com
With the resurging popularity of oak, Funder America introduced the 2022 Shannon Oak collection. The rift cut oak inspired design features the natural straight-grained appeal of real oak. This linear grain pattern, in combination with our Sabatini texture give the four new designs a convincingly real-wood characteristic. Our Synergy matching program provides matching TFL, 3DL and edge banding. www.FunderAmerica.com
In addition to its brand new 19 Lummia TFL High Gloss and Perfect Matt panels, Tafisa now offers eight of its stunning decors in Perfect Matt High Pressure Laminates. Visit Tafisa’s website for more information about its new Lummia Perfect Matt HPL Collection and upcoming product launches. www.tafisa.ca
It only takes a slight edge to make something exciting - Extraordinary! NOVA PRO SCALA has that edge for custom highlights and a personal touch. Create stunning accents with the Scala edge! Change your style with your mood or stay with the clean edge of steel and sparkle of elegance. Whichever you choose, it’s all your own, with the Grass NOVA PRO SCALA
Formica Corporation announces the launch of SurfaceSet 2022, the latest collection in the brand’s commercial laminate portfolio. Inspired by nature and the beauty of handcrafted processes, the collection introduces 20 new decors to strengthen the design toolbox, enabling commercial interior designers to bring their visions to life.
www.formica.com
KIRI captures veneer's natural textures and iridescence, while performing like hardwood veneer on furniture, millwork, and cabinets. Using KIRI Veneer saves valuable hardwood trees, eliminates waste, and delivers 100% AAA-grade character and color every time. KIRI offers perfect consistency of color and character, zero waste, 5x more yield per tree than hardwood veneers, and a climate-positive impact on forests. KIRI is created by printing a high-resolution woodgrain on specialized decor paper that can be stained and finished like hardwood veneer, using standard chemistry and equipment.
www.kiriveneer.com
Timber Products RhinoCoat prefinished panels are a high-performance product treated with antimicrobial technology specifically formulated to mitigate the growth of microbes such as mold and mildew that may cause unpleasant odors, degradation, discoloration, decay and staining of the panels. Our test results show up to 99.992% of the microbial load was reduced!
www.timberproducts.com
Our team of experienced engineers and designers will collaborate with your development team to take your projects from concept to reality. We can assist you by prototyping, analyzing new designs, suggesting modifications to increase yields, and by providing quality execution of your design. With a variety of materials and finishes at our fingertips, we are your complete source for quality components. www.northerncontours.com
American RENOLIT has taken our full line of 1D, 2D and 3D thermoplastic films to a new level with the introduction of our PST technology. RENOLIT Premier Matt films are finished with an exclusive Physical Surface Treatment to achieve outstanding properties for scratch resistance, anti-fingerprint, stain and chemical resistance. Good design creates beauty—our PST technology keeps it that way! Contact our North American Product Manager, Lana Cella, for more information. Lana.cella@renolit.com www.renolit.com
A single coat clear coating for Birch in only 20 minutes? YES! You send us the drawings, we send you a finished part.
Supplying components for the contract furniture, hospitality, retail, healthcare and other industries.
Request a sample at www.dvuv.com
Utrapan’s Architectural Box includes more than 70 samples of Acrylic and PET panels, making it easy to specify the perfect color and finish for a commercial or residential project. The Box features Ultrapan’s newest and most popular designs: Ultra High-Gloss, Ultra Super-Matte, Woodgrains, and Metallics, including Lunar Surface, a new Silver Metallic PET. Ultrapan ships panels from its laminating facility in South Florida and stocks across North America. All Ultrapan surfaces provide exemplary scratch, stain and chemical resistance. Ultra Super-Matte panels feature an advanced anti-fingerprint coating. Contact us at up@glosspanels.com or 754-702-2632 to order your box. www.ultrapan.net
Polygrain is a weatherproof polymer woodgrain material perfect for outdoor furniture and cabinetry. Polygrain is easy to fabricate using standard woodworking materials and sets the bar high for its combination of long-term performance, and durability. Polygrain won’t delaminate, rot or splinter, and it is offered in four unique woodgrain colors that assure a long-lasting appearance and functionality. www.simonapolygrain.com
Wilsonart unveiled 10 new, ultra-matte, soft-to-the-touch solid-color designs for its Traceless Laminate collection. The collection features velvety, nature-inspired tones and a range of color and design values that offer maximum coordination. Traditional and earthy neutrals support trending biophilic colors such as blue and green. The ultra-matte finish provides an organic and sophisticated, luxurious look and feel for cabinets, doors and countertops. www.wilsonart.com
PALIGHT BuildBoard is an advanced alternative to wood substrates like melamine coated particle board, and plywood, especially when manufacturing cabinets, ready-to-assemble furniture, closet-storage systems, store fixtures and exhibits. Engineered for longevity, the cellular polymer composition offers excellent resistance to moisture, mold, mildew, and bacterial growth. It’s also lightweight, easy to fabricate, UL-94 V-O fire-rated, lead and phthalate-free, and will not delaminate. www.palightbuildboard.com
Munksjö offers a comprehensive range of decor papers for all surface applications, including high- and low-pressure lamination, print base paper and formaldehyde-free preimpregnated finish foil papers. All papers are available in a wide range of colors with custom color-matching on demand. Their Range 4 collection regrouping 200 current best-selling colors is now available. This new color guide providing a complete and updated overview of the most popular decor colors worldwide is a source of inspiration for the laminate industry. www.munksjo.com
The IFS PureClad powder range offers powder primers with great sandability and moisture protection that accept powder or liquid topcoats. PureClad topcoats deliver excellent performance characteristics and are available in a variety of colors and effects. With no VOCs or formaldehyde, PureClad powders can provide sustainability, operational and performance improvements. www.ifscoatings.com
Tmatt is the supermatt, antifingerprint and autoregenerative lacquered surface by Transformad. Innovation is present in each of Tmatt’s properties, such as selfregeneration, haptic technology, or resistance to scratching. Tmatt surface has been conceived as a very high-quality board that avoids the use of solvents during the manufacturing process. This makes Tmatt an environmentally friendly lacquer, indicated for production with wood from sustainable forests and that has the demanding international CARB2 certification.
www.transformad.com
For more information or to order samples, scan QR code with mobile camera or email us: info.usa@3acomposites.com
Quebec-based VIZÜSOLUTION is a renowned subcontractor in the manufacturing industry of High-Pressure Laminate, Melamine and Low-Pressure Laminate Components, Shelving and Slatwall Panels. Equipped with multiple CNC machines, cutting saws and edgebanders, they offer comprehensive solutions perfectly suited to custom interior design and construction needs. www.vizusolution.com
Synergy Thermal Foils, the premier source for textured thermofoils, introduces two new walnut designs to its extensive in-stock 3DL collection. Gris (shown) and Mineral are the latest matches to embossed-in-register TFL from Kronospan, joining previously available Cocoa and Oatfield. All four designs are part of an exclusive North American arrangement between STF and Kronospan. Email info@synergythermofoils.com or phone 954-420-9553 to order samples. www.synergythermofoils.com
Personalize your interior design with a robust, multifunctional panel in our LINEART collection. Choose the panel surface from our extensive selection of laminates, wood veneers and metal veneers, select the width of the grooves and slats, and voilà: your exclusive and high-quality decorative panel is complete.
www.richelieu.com
Uniboard launches Moments, its new 2023-2024 TFL and HPL Collection, consisting of 30 new, beautiful colors. These neutral and warm colors will enhance spaces in such a way as to create an atmosphere that strengthens connections that is conducive to the rediscovery and creation of memorable moments. As a Leader in Design and Decorative Surfaces, Uniboard has the broadest color palette, in hues and finishes. With a complete co-product program ranging from edgebanding and moldings to five-piece doors, building functional and on-trend kitchens, closets and bathroom has never been easier!
www.uniboard.com
Sappi Arrio is a uniquely adaptable, acryliccoated surface solution for decorative and functional surfaces on furniture, work surfaces, kitchen cabinetry, and more. Arrio delivers consistent, premium haptics, remarkable aesthetics, and scratch and fingerprint resistance for high-wear surfaces. Arrio finished surfaces are 100% consistent in texture, gloss, touch, and function—order to order. www.sappi.com
Whether you are looking for Modern European, Modern Farmhouse or anything in between, Olon satisfies everyone’s Shaker needs. New moulding ML5019 is slim and sleek and can be integrated into any décor. Available in NEXGEN, VelourTouch and Essentials. www.olon.com
Look for the Eco-Certified™ Composites (ECC) seal for assurance that composite panels, specifically particleboard, medium density fiberboard (MDF), hardboard and engineered wood siding and trim have earned the strict ECC Sustainability Standard and Certification.
Composite panels that carry the ECC seal are manufactured in facilities that are certified to meet rigorous environmental requirements utilizing objective-based criteria and annual on-site audits. The standard specifies that three or more of the following requirements are verified:
n Carbon Sink / Net Carbon Storage n Locally-Sourced Wood Fiber n Recycled / Recovered Wood Fiber n Over 97% of Wood Raw Material Utilized n Valid Wood Sourcing Certification
www.ECCproduct.org
An ECC-certified facility must ensure that 100% of its production meets the U.S. EPA TSCA Title VI and California Air Resources Board (CARB) ATCM 93120 formaldehyde emissions requirements for 100% of its panels 100% of the time. ECC-certified mills are not permitted to sell products that exceed EPA and CARB emission requirements in any market, even if panels are sold in countries where these regulations do not apply.
ECC is a voluntary industry standard developed by the Composite Panel Association (CPA) in 2011. With over 30 mills earning certification, auditors conduct on-site assessments to ensure facilities meet the standard’s strict criteria and verify compliance. CPA administers ECC as a third-party certification body accredited to ISO/IEC 17065 by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB).
Panels from ECC mills may help achieve LEED credits in eight material and resources (MR) categories and one environmental quality (EQ) category.
The Composite Panel Association is committed to advancing and certifying the sustainability of industry products for residential, commercial and industrial uses.3A Composites
0.41.757.70 00 www.3Acomposites.com
526 Media Events
714.486.2735 www.526.events
American Laminates
209.869.2536 www.americanlaminates.com
Arclin
877.689.9145 www.arclintfl.com
BASF 67 800.526.1072 www.basf.com
Canon 31 800.385.2155 www.canon.com
Castaly Industries Corp. 15 626.968.6330 www.castalymachine.com
CGS- Oris 23 612.870.0061 www.cgsoris.com
Composite Panel Association
703.724.1128 www.eccproduct.org
Dackor 65 407.654.5013 www.dackor.com
Daubert Chemical Company, Inc.
866.368.3983 www.daubertchemical.com
DVUV 72 216.741.5511 www.dvuv.com
Egger 9 844.977.0053 www.egger.com
Formica 84 800.367.6422 www.formica.com
Genesis Products
877.266.8292 www.genesisproductsinc.com
Giardina Group USA
877.631.1003 www.giardinausa.com
Grass 69 336.996.4041 www.grassusa.com
Hettich 51 800.777.1772 www.hettich.com
Hexion 27 888.443.9466 www.hexion.com
Interprint 83 413.443.4733 www.interprint.com
KCD Software 39 508.760.1140 www.kcdsoftware.com
Kleiberit 71 49.7244.62.0 www.kleiberit.com
Laguna Tools 11 800.234.1976 www.lagunatools.com
MIRLUX Premium Panel 43 541.228.9757 www.mirluxpanel.com
Olon 63 800.387.2319 www.olon.com
Omnova Solutions 3 866.332.5226 www.omnova.com
Panel Processing 66 800.433.7142 www.panel.com
Peterman Lumber 41 800.244.1696 www.petermanlumber.com
Pinnacle 81 412.262.3950 www.pinnaclesystems.com
Renolit 26 +1.973.706.6912 www.renolit.com
Richelieu 13 800.619.5446 www.richelieu.com
Riken 73 248.513.3511 www.riken-usa.com
Salice 5 800.222.9652 www.saliceamerica.com
Schattdecor 49 800.600.6100 www.schattdecor.com
Shopbot 37 888.680.4466 www.shopbottools.com
Simona America Industries
866.501.2992 www.simona-america.com
Smartech 64 704.362.1922 www.smartechonline.com
Sugatsune
800.562.5267 www.sugatsune.com
Surface & Panel Magazine
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Surteco
800.992.3936 www.surteco.com/northamerica
swissQprint 2 224.802.2770 www.swissqprint.com
Thermwood
800.533.69001 www.thermwood.com
Timber Products Company 20 800.547.9520 www.timberproducts.com
Ultrapan
754.702.2632 www.ultrapan.net
Union Tool
574.267.3211 www.uniontoolcorp.com
Valinge
+46 0 42 23 78 15 www.threespine.com
Vortex
800.355.7708 www.vortextool.com
Youngdale
888.446.4363 www.youngdale.com
break, IWF 2022 set an all-time record of first-time attendees with an increase of nearly 50 percent.
One of the highlights of the show had to be the invitationonly Surfaces Reception hosted by 526 Media Group at the Georgia Aquarium Tuesday evening. Roughly 500 people attended the event, where 526 President Patrick Adams wel comed IWF show attendees back after a four-year hiatus and Warren Spitz, President and CEO of presenting sponsor UCS Forest Group/Sierra, spoke about the industry overcoming obstacles over the past few years and continuing to look to the future with innovations and new products—many of which were on full display in the GWCC.
Also of note were the opening day announcements of the IWF Challengers Distinguished Achievement Award winners and the IWF Design Emphasis Student Competition winners and the official show party, the IWF Night at the Tabernacle event on Wednesday. With an attendance of more than 1,000, the IWF Night at the Tabernacle ranks as the largest single allshow event in IWF history. s p
Q. We have heard a lot about supply chain disruptions and issues with transporting goods worldwide this year. Have these issues affected Salice, and if so, how are you dealing with them? If not, how have you successfully avoided these issues?.
We have been impacted by disruptions since the early stages of the pandemic. Looking at our contacts in Europe and talking to our vendors we knew we were going to be affected by this for some time. We proceeded to avoid the West Coast ports, choosing instead multiple ports of entry on the East Coast, moving freight by train or truck depending on the urgency. These ports of entry are reviewed constantly and, if congestion is found, are avoided for a certain period of time.
We are, in a few words, hedging our bets by covering risk. When possible, we have been manufacturing more than what we needed to create a buffer in case of lengthy delays at port or things of that nature. Our parent company was quick to respond to the “new normal” and moved swiftly in the market to procure the raw materials needed, paying a premium for them when scarcity dictated supply and demand movements.
Q. With the rapidly changing construction markets these days, have you noticed a shift in what your customers expect? Have you seen a shift in your customers themselves?
Customers have been negatively impacted by all these problems from day one. I think they are tired of being told vendors are out of this and that, they want valid alternatives, and they want them quickly. If before we could get away with certain delays, now it is virtually impossible unless [one is] willing to jeopardize the business. A lot of people chose to exit the workforce, so we are dealing with a lot of new faces and the new challenges they ask us to help with.
Q. What trends and new developments do you predict for the industry going into 2023?
More of the same unfortunately, as the supply chain slowly gets back to normal. A due correction in the market may help to normalize the situation. I see many customers caring more about the quality of the products they buy and the craftmanship, possibly because they spend more time looking at it while smart working or homeschooling. We are predicting the industry will grow more accustomed to versatility and less loyal to a particular brand because of all the availability issues. s p
“WePHOTO BY MARK ANTHONY
