Check out KCMA's recent column in the September/October issue of Kitchen & Bath Design News.

What’s Ahead for the Cabinet Industry (and the Organization That Supports it)

The start of this new decade looked a lot different than many people anticipated.  The challenges facing our membership and this industry may look different, but the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA) is as dedicated as ever to serving the domestic cabinet industry. This year we have actively worked with our member companies to gain insights on what is important to them to ensure the association’s programs serve the needs of the membership no matter what is happening in the world. Read on below for how KCMA adapted to an unprecedented year and what we expects to see in the future.

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KCMA is committed to bringing you the latest news in the cabinet manufacturing industry. Take a look at what’s been happening:

SBA WARNS OF ECONOMIC STIMULUS SCAM

Small businesses should be aware of potential fraud schemes related to economic stimulus programs offered by the Small Business Administration in response to COVID-19. 

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LABOR DEPARTMENT HONORS "ROSIES"

Today’s guest blog post comes from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). To learn more about them, please visit their website at www.nari.org.

As with most things, cabinets are available in good, better, and best qualities. Generally, good cabinets are thought of as being stock cabinets, better as semi-custom cabinets, and best as full custom cabinets. It probably goes without saying, but there are cost differences depending on the quality of the cabinet; good quality as being the least amount of money and custom oftentimes being the most.

KCMA is committed to bringing you the latest news in the cabinet manufacturing industry. Take a look at what’s been happening:

LOW BRAND LOYALTY FOR CABINETS AND HARDWARE

Recent research from the Research Institute for Cooking & Kitchen Intelligence (RICKI) shows that homeowners are not asking their design pros for products by name. 94% of homeowners were completely undecided about their brands (at the first consultation) for cabinet hardware and 82% for cabinetry. This certainly presents an opportunity for manufacturers to stand out from the competition.

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The cabinet industry is in a great spot right now with the recent win in a trade case against Chinese imported kitchen cabinets. The playing field has been leveled and now it's time to think about more unique ways your company can set itself apart from the competition.

When you think about kitchen appliances or countertop materials a few brand names top the list - Samsung, KitchenAid, Sub-Zero, Cambria. However, recent research from the Research Institute for Cooking & Kitchen Intelligence (RICKI) shows that homeowners are not asking their design pros for certain products by name. 94% of homeowners were completely undecided about their brands (at the first consultation) for cabinet hardware and 82% for cabinetry. This certainly presents an opportunity for cabinet manufacturers to stand out from the competition. What is one way to do that? By showing your customers that you care about meeting standards and manufacturing quality products.

KCMA is committed to bringing you the latest news in the cabinet manufacturing industry. Take a look at what’s been happening:

MANUFACTURING STILL HAS A SKILLS GAP

Before the covid-19 pandemic, US manufacturers faced a shortage of skilled workers. According to Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute, as many as 2.4 million factory jobs could remain unfilled through 2028. Now, the US is facing the highest unemployment rate in decades. However, that still doesn't solve the original problems that plagued manufacturers - a tidy of Baby Boomers retiring from leadership positions and a negative view of manufacturing among younger workers.'

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KCMA is committed to bringing you the latest news in the cabinet manufacturing industry. Take a look at what’s been happening:

WHICH  LUXURY KITCHEN TRENDS WILL GO MAINSTREAM?

Professional kitchen designers say smart products, professional-looking appliances, and modern styling (such as contemporary cabinets that are easy to clean) are the top three trends that will make their way from the luxury market to mainstream in the coming years. 

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IKEA LINKED TO ILLEGAL LOGGING

KCMA is committed to bringing you the latest news in the cabinet manufacturing industry. Take a look at what’s been happening:

WOOD INDUSTRY 40 UNDER 40

Congratulations to the 2020 Wood Industry 40 Under 40! This award celebrates the next generation of industry professionals who are making an impact on wood products manufacturing in North America. KCMA is excited to see several members honored this year:

Today’s guest blog post comes from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). To learn more about them, please visit their website at www.nari.org.

A kitchen is a place for gathering and expressing culinary creativity. Does your kitchen inspire, or is it in desperate need of a refresh? When considering a kitchen remodel or update, the first step is knowing your personality and personal style. What colors inspire you? Do you like big, bold patterns or more neutral, soothing patterns? How much time does your family spend in the kitchen? Do you cook meals often? How much storage do you need? A redesign is a chance to build a dream kitchen that reflects your personal style, lifestyle and family values.

On March 6, 2019 the American Kitchen Cabinet Alliance (AKCA) initiated one of the largest trade cases ever filed against one country in US history.  The Anti-Dumping / Countervailing Duty Petitions were filed at the Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission (ITC) in response to China’s unfair trade practices, which threaten the survival of our $10 billion domestic kitchen cabinet industry that supports more than 250,000 American jobs.