Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association

This Year's Favorite Cabinet Style is Green Today’s consumers and homeowners are all about living a green lifestyle – one that is aligned with environmental responsibility and sustainability. This is a lifestyle that extends beyond the simple green choices like buying organic produce and recycling. People are looking for opportunities that have a positive impact on the environment. And that’s why more and more of them are looking for the KCMA Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP) Seal on their cabinets. The KCMA Environmental Stewardship Program is committed to ensuring that cabinet manufacturing companies are aligned with Green best practices for organizations. The National Green Building Standards (NGBS), an ANSI standard, is the leading green residential building rating system in the United States. NGBS certification ensures that residences are independently verified by a third party for compliance with a comprehensive green standard. KCM...

INDUSTRY NEWS UPDATE AUGUST 21, 2019 It's been anything but a lazy summer for the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association - check out what's been happening in the cabinet industry the last few weeks: REMODELING SPENDING EXPECTED TO SLOW According to the Leading Indicator from the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, remodeling activity is declining drastically. Home improvements and repairs are expected to drop  from 6.3% this quarter to less than 1% by the second quarter of the next year.  The decline may be attributed to the fact that home price appreciation has slowed and isn’t outpacing income growth like it once did in some markets. “Declining home sales and home building activity coupled with slower gains in permitting for improvement projects will put the brakes on remodeling growth over the coming year,” said Chris Herbert, Managing Director for Housing Studies. Click here to read more. ATTRACTING MILLENNIAL AND GEN Z TALENT Th...

KCMA Partners with Chicago Build Expo KCMA is excited to partner with the Chicago Build Expo for the first time.  The event will take place in Chicago, IL September 19-20, 2019. Chicago Build Expo is the leading construction and design show for Chicago and the Midwest. On Sept. 19 and 20, Oliver Kinross, the organizers of the New York Build expo, will be hosting Chicago Build at McCormick Place. Chicago Build is officially supported by the Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, and is described by its organizers as “a large-scale construction and design show and expo covering new projects, technologies and opportunities in Chicago and the Midwest.” Chicago Build is set to feature 200+ speakers across 12 Summits and AIA/CES approved workshops, covering topics relating to: the future of construction, real estate, BIM and digital construction, architecture, building materials, sustainability, and government contracts. Chicago Build will also feature an exhibition attended...

INDUSTRY NEWS UPDATE AUGUST 7, 2019 Check out what's been happening lately in the cabinet industry from the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association: STUDY SHOWS HOUSING TRENDS IMPACT ON WOOD PRODUCTS INDUSTRY The tenth annual housing market study revealed how changes in housing trends affect the wood product industry. In 2018, markets based in construction continued to grow, with increased U.S. spending on multifamily housing and nonresidential construction as well as repair and remodeling. The study, done in early 2019, looks at market conditions and how they will affect wood product manufacturers. Click here to read more. GREEN BUILDING CAN BOOST HOUSING AFFORDABILITY Housing affordability is a top priority for the National Association for Home Builders in 2019. According to the group, one main issue contributing to affordability struggles is the regulatory burden on builders – government regulations represent 24% of the price of building a single-family and ...

INDUSTRY NEWS UPDATE JULY 23, 2019 Check out the latest news and insights from the cabinet industry from the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association.  7 EXCITING NEW TRENDS IN KITCHEN DESIGN From islands to sinks, more and more homeowners are opting for modern twists on classic kitchen staples with plenty of visual interest coupled with increased functionality. The National Association of Homebuilders spoke with a kitchen designer recently and reviewed the top design trends we’ll see in the coming year: Cabinetry – less is more. The no upper cabinet trend has been gaining steam this year as the modern minimalist style takes shape Mixing colors and different metallic finishes Oversized islands are replacing breakfast nooks and other traditional dining arrangements Click here to read more. TRADE COURT UPHOLDS HARDWOOD PLYWOOD DECISION The U.S. Court of International Trade has sustained the USITC affirmative injury determination in its antidumping and countervail...

HOW TO PICK KITCHEN CABINETS LIKE A PRO The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association was featured recently in the  Modern Wellness Guide , an affiliate of USA Today. Check out the full piece below for information on how homeowners can pick the best kitchen cabinets for their home: Photo courtesy of Modernwellnessguide.com Cabinets are the structure and backdrop that make up the layout of your kitchen and how you will use it for years to come.  Everything else – countertops, backsplashes, paint, appliances – is a supporting character to the main attraction. So how do you know you’re making the right decision when it comes to choosing the right cabinets? Sure, color might seem like the most important choice (white shaker, right?) but there are a few areas in which your cabinets must deliver that you might not even know to explore. Third-party testing According to a study by Hanley Wood, third-party certification is one of the top drivers in the cabinet selectio...

INDUSTRY NEWS UPDATE JULY 9, 2019 Check out what’s been happening in the cabinet industry the last few weeks from the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association: CHINA SUSPENDS WTO LAWSUIT China has suspended its World Trade Organization (WTO) panel case against the European Union where it sought status as a free market economy. This means that both the EU and U.S. can continue to treat China as a non-market economy in antidumping cases. Click here to read more. OSHA LOCKOUT/TAGOUT STANDARD In May OSHA released a request for information seeking input to modernize its lockout/tagout (LO/TO) standard, which governs manufacturers' shop floors to ensure that machines are properly shut off during maintenance and repairs. Today, with technological advancements, manufacturers can safely repair machinery without undertaking the full lockout/tagout procedures. However, the outdated OSHA standard, doesn’t account for safety advancements. Click here to read more. 2019 ...

Going Green in the Kitchen and Bathroom The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA) knows that today's consumer is worried about the environment and eager to choose products and foods that will help sustain the earth for years to come. We came across  this recent piece in Kitchen & Bath Business Online  (the official publication of NKBA and KBIS) discussing how different bath and kitchen product manufacturers are making more "green choices" for their customers. We are excited to see KCMA's Environmental Stewardship Program as the way one company shows its dedication to contributing to a more sustainable future.  Enjoy a few excerpts from the KBB piece below. **Edited for brevity and relevance** Going Green Where we live – and the methods and products we use to build our homes – can help or hinder the environment. According to the EPA, more than 500 million tons of construction and demolition debris are sent to landfills every year....

INDUSTRY NEWS UPDATE JUNE 18, 2019 The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association is always on the look out for the latest news and updates from the cabinet industry. Here's what's been happening the last two weeks: NARI RECOGNIZES KCMA ONLINE COURSE KCMA's online course is now recognized by another industry organization - the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. Remodelers/contractors working to become certified can now earn one continuing education unit (CEU) by completing KCMA's online course. We look forward to continuing to expand the reach of our online course. Click here to take the course. Photo courtesy of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry COMMERCE FINDS CHINA IS CIRCUMVENTING PLYWOOD DUTIES Last week the US Department of Commerce made an affirmative determination that China is circumventing antidumping and countervailing duty plywood orders by using face or back veneers of radiata or agathis pine with a TSCA ...

KITCHEN & BATH INDUSTRY NEWS - JUNE ISSUE Check out KCMA's recent column in the June issue of  Kitchen & Bath Design News . How to Answer Your Clients’ Questions About Formaldehyde Formaldehyde is a topic that has been in and out of the news over decades causing concern among homeowners. The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association has done a lot of work to ensure that there is accurate information available to the consumer on the potential human health impacts of exposure to this chemical.  We have worked closely over the years with the Environmental Protection Agency providing input on regulations including the recent Formaldehyde Emission Standards for Composite Wood Products Rule in an effort to ensure it had both consumers’ and manufacturers’ best interests in mind. We understand that a healthy home is important to consumers and is therefore important to our members.  In fact,  Hanley Wood research  shows that sustainability is one of th...

INDUSTRY NEWS UPDATE JUNE 5, 2019 The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association has its finger on the pulse of the cabinet industry. We know the industry because we are the industry. Check out what’s been happening since our last update: SAFE + SOUND WEEK 2019 KCMA is once again a supporting partner to OSHA's Safe and Sound Campaign. Management leadership is a core element of a workplace safety and health program. Accelerate your company's program and show your commitment in your workplace through the campaign's  Take 3 in 30 program . Take 3 actions in 30 days. There are lots of ways to accelerate your program! Choose from our list or pick one of your own. Every workplace is different so select actions that work best for you. Share in your workplace. It is important for your employees to see your commitment to safety! Show them that safety starts with you! List your three actions and share it on social media, in your company newsletter, or post it in the work...

Cabinets are for More Than Your Dishes We hear a lot about consumers' kitchen design and spending preferences - especially those of millennials, the top generation conducting renovations today according to  RICKI .  According to Builder Online, millennials (50% of them) want luxury kitchens, kitchen islands, multiple work stations in kitchens, floor to ceiling cabinets - basically, they want their kitchens to work harder for them.  This means space can be limited and HOW that space is utilized becomes more important. A recent post from Houzz contributor Yanic Simard  talks about one way to find more space for kitchen essentials in a time where space can be the most important commodity in a kitchen. One such essential being sacrificed? Pantries.  Yanic explores how cabinets - traditionally used for dishes and tupperware, can solve the issue. Book End a Galley Kitchen Millennials are drawn to the city vs. the suburbs - this means smaller galley kitch...

Check out what's been going on recently in the cabinet industry: AMERICAN COALITION OF CABINET DISTRIBUTORS Earlier this week importers of ready-to-assemble (RTA) cabinets announced the formation of the American Coalition of Cabinet Distributors in response to the ITC trade case filed against imports of cabinets and vanities from China. Read the full press release  or  visit the group's website  to learn more MEMBER NEWS:  WOOD-MODE CLOSES DOORS We are saddened to learn that a long-time member of the KCMA cabinet family has closed its doors.  Wood-mode was a founding member of KCMA and the Environmental Stewardship Program, in addition to serving on the Board of Directors for several years.  We wish everyone the best. A statement from the company noted, "After 77 years of business, the company and ownership truly regret the impact of this action to our employees, the community, and our loyal customers and suppliers.  We are extre...

Check out what's been happening lately in the cabinet industry: US IMPORTS OF HARDWOOD PLYWOOD FALL The volume of U.S. imports of hardwood plywood declined by 5% in December and fell a total of 10% in 2018. December was the strongest month for Chinese imports, which increased by 62% from November. Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Cambodia all showed gains of more than 50% in 2018, replacing market share previously held by China. Click here to read more. FORMALDEHYDE MAKES EPA RISK PRIORITY LIST On March 20 EPA published a list of 40 chemicals that will go through a prioritization process.  Formaldehyde was included on the list of 20 chemicals in the "high-priority" category.  Each of these 20 chemicals will undergo a three-year risk evaluation process. Click here to read more. Photo courtesy of US Environmental Protection Agency FLOODING IN MID-WEST CAUSES WORKER EXODUS Workers are permanently moving away from flood-ravaged towns in the Mid-We...

The wood products industry has been heavily impacted by imports of goods from China for several years, and a group of kitchen cabinet manufacturers are finally doing something about it.   On March 6, 2019 the American Kitchen Cabinet Alliance (AKCA)  initiated one of the largest trade cases ever filed against China at the Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission (ITC). Filed by Wiley Rein, LLP, the AKCA is standing up for more than 250,000 American workers across the industry in the United States. As a result of China's manipulation and unfair trade practices in kitchen cabinet and bath vanity production, Chinese imports of kitchen cabinets into the United States are up by more than 75 percent since 2015 and threaten our $9.5 billion American industry. "China has manipulated global production and captured a large and growing portion of the market, manufacturing dumped and subsidized products, and has taken jobs away from hardworking Americans," sa...