Häfele America Shop Shot: Trade Show Planning

Here’s  a rare sight.  In fact, unless you happen to be in a large convention center a few days before or after a major trade show, you are not likely to ever see this.  What is it?  This is the foundation of our booth that you’ll see at the 2012 KBIS.  KBIS is the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show, and is one of the most important trade shows in the kitchen industry in the USA.  Nathan  is in the background installing Häfele Keku fittings, which are neat panel connectors that we sell and obviously utilize.  These fittings allow us to snap panels on and off the skeletal framework that you see, making our entire display a flat-packed, ready to assemble “Booth in a Box”.  More to come.

As always, click the pics to Biggie-Size.

KBIS 2011: In Review

Hafele’s booth was very busy and active at the Kitchen & Bath Show (aka KBIS). Two great kitchen vignettes were shown. One kitchen vignette by Grabill Cabinet Co.

kitchen vignette by Grabill Cabinet Co

and the other by Pacific Crest.

Pacific Crest kitchen vingnette at KBIS

Both kitchen vignettes showed lots of Hafele hardware in application, both decorative and functional.

Some of the most popular items at KBIS were: internal LED lighting, walnut Fineline drawer inserts, and the automated sliding countertop on the Dutch Made island.

Automated sliding countertop on the Dutch Made island

We also had a very active LOOX lighting display, and were thrilled when LOOX won the Best Green Product award at KBIS.

LOOX voted Best Green Product at KBIS

Finally, Hidden Bed, showing an amazing desk to bed transformation attracting large crowds as well as Karl Champley of HGTV fame.

Karl Champley interviews John Runyan about HiddenBed.

IWF 2010 Design Emphasis Entry by Nathan Schrock

Design Emphasis is widely acclaimed as the foremost furniture design competition for students and offers design students a unique opportunity to demonstrate their talent and originality before a judging panel of furniture industry designers, manufacturing and retail executives, and members of the trade press who have design-oriented backgrounds. It also provides a unique chance to experience an international industry trade show, make important career contacts and exchange ideas with other students from around the nation. – IWF

The overall design goal was a half elliptical shape that the left and right drawers would open at a 45 degree angle.  The curved drawer fronts were constructed using a MDF core material that was kerfed and glued in a custom made form, then banded with solid walnut, and finally laminated with figured walnut veneer.  Opening at a 45 degree angle, the Accuride Easy Close slides extend and return the maple drawer box to the curvature of the dresser. – Nathan Shrock