This year’s February trade shows in Orlando saw the debut of some great new products.
BY DOUGLAS WEINSTEIN
INDUSTRY PROS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY came together to connect in-person once again at the International Builders Show and Kitchen and Bath International Show in Orlando, Florida. Here are some more products that caught our attention.
James Hardie
James Hardie Industries is recognized as the world’s number one producer and marketer of high-performance fiber cement and fiber gypsum building solutions. The Hardie™ Architectural Collection is an innovative portfolio of new products that lets the world reimagine what’s possible for home exteriors. The Hardie Architectural Collection debuts with a brand-new suite of panels in distinctive textures inspired by nature. James Hardie debuts these new products in response to several megatrends in the industry, including labor shortages, consumers looking to personalize and modernize their homes, and demand for more sustainable exteriors that offer protection against damage from severe weather. The first generation of products offers a modern, integrated solution of fiber cement panels and metal trims that deliver fresh looks with the trusted protection and lasting beauty of fiber cement technology. The first generation includes the finishes Fine Sand, Fine Sand-Grooved, Mounded Sand, Sea Grass and Sculpted Clay.
Modern Mill
This was hands down the best product we saw at the show. We will be profiling and featuring Modern Mill with a full article in the upcoming Spring issue of the magazine.
Welcome to a world beyond wood. ACRE™ is everything you’ve been waiting for—a sustainable new building material with all the warmth and beauty of real wood. Yet it’s light, strong, water-, pest-and weather-resistant, and guaranteed not to rot, crack or splinter. Best of all, ACRE is made without harming a single tree, in a zero-waste environment in Fernwood, Mississippi.
Made from upcycled rice hulls, a natural wonder of waterproof strength and durability in a zero-waste manufacturing environment, the decking, trim and sheets are indistinguishable from the look of real wood. You can leave it unfinished, choose a factory finish, or apply oil, stain, lacquer or paint.
100 percent tree-free, free of phenol, formaldehyde and adhesives. It naturally resists water, weather, pests and fire. Cut and craft with regular woodworking tools, it is an ideal material for almost any application, from siding to decking to furniture and more.
Challenger Designs
An aluminum cabinet from Challenger is a thing of beauty. Sturdy, attractive and built to your specifications, Challenger systems for the garage also make sense in trailers, toy haulers and break rooms. Not your grandfather’s workbench, you’ll appreciate the durability and features like trigger latches and adjustable legs lending to a lifetime of tinkering. When an “off the rack” cabinet just won’t do, choose the custom-made benefits of Challenger, with cabinets built specifically for your personal application, requirements and lifestyle.
Electrolux
Renowned for luxury kitchen products, Electrolux did not disappoint. Those familiar with the brand will know about their commitment to the environment and to sustainability in general. One of the coolest things we heard was that they’ve assembled a team of change-makers, ages 15-20, to tell them about their hopes and dreams. So they can help make the future they want, and deserve, a reality. On the product front there was much on offer. Let’s focus on getting your clothes clean, and how to make them last longer. The Front Load Perfect Steam™ with LuxCare™ 4.5 Cu. Ft. washer, unlike other washers, premixes water and detergent before the cycle begins, maximizing the cleaning power of the detergent, giving clothing a longer life.
Kohler
Kohler introduced the Statement VES Showering Collection — an eco-friendly showerhead offering that demonstrates the brand’s commitment towards sustainability and water conservation. The Statement VES showering collection introduces water-usage engineering to deliver a luxurious showering experience and carries the EPA WaterSense certification. Statement VES honors minimalistic design inspiration with elegant simplicity, developed with a precise balance of size, number, and distribution of nozzles to deliver a superior spray experience. Its low-flow spray is optimized to provide strong rinsing coverage while maintaining warmth – addressing two key experiences. The collection leverages Kohler’s Katalyst Air-Induction Technology which delivers larger drops that not only retain heat longer (up to ½ degree warmer), but also cloak the body in water for a luxurious soak. In addition, the unique Racetrack waterway technology delivers powerful, consistent spray coverage.
Beko
Beko is the leading brand in the European white goods market and have been making inroads into the U.S. market for a few years now.
Building off their EverFresh+® fridge freezers which keeps fruit and vegetables fresh for up to 30 days, they are now incorporating HarvestFresh™ , which is a proprietary 3-color light technology that simulates the 24-hour cycle of the sun inside the crisper drawer. By mimicking a full day of sunshine, the produce has been proven to retain its vitamins and minerals longer than ordinary refrigerators.
