KCMA Celebrating 50th Anniversary With Special Events

Noteworthy developments impacting the kitchen and bath market


Created:

Reston, VA'The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association, the principal trade association for the U.S. cabinet manufacturing industry, is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its founding in 2005, marking the milestone with a series of events throughout the year.

"The last 50 years have given us plenty of reasons to celebrate," said Rich Forbes, president of the Reston, VA-based KCMA. "Our industry has progressed over the past 50 years in all areas, including fashion, quality and service to our consumers. KCMA has played a large role in the defining moments of the cabinet manufacturing business, and we are proud of its achievements."

Added Forbes: "The kitchen has become the most important room in the house, and cabinetry is the most important component of the kitchen. There are many challenges, but our future is bright."

In 1955, the association's founders, R.C. "Dick" Chapman, of Mutschler Bros., and Richard "Dick" Behm, of the Hardwood Plywood Manufacturers Association, met with the intent of preserving the prominence of factory-built wood kitchen cabinets, being challenged at the time by steel cabinetry. Together with 38 charter members'both cabinet manufacturers and suppliers'the two men formed the National Institute of Wood Kitchen Cabinets, later known as the National Kitchen Cabinet Association and then the KCMA.

The 350-member association is marking its 50th anniversary with the following special events:

  • The KCMA 50th Anniversary Forest. In partnership with the National Arbor Day Foundation, KCMA will plant 50,000 trees to create a KCMA Anniversary Forest. The foundation has been actively involved in the reforestation of America's National Forests since 1990 by planting trees in areas that have been damaged by fire, insects or disease.
  • A new KCMA Web Site. KCMA is launching a new Web site, redesigned "to be more user friendly and more content driven," according to the association. A special consumers section will provide more visibility for KCMA members' products, and will be a useful tool for consumers seeking to replace their kitchen cabinets.
  • Defining Moments: An Anniversary Keepsake Book. This commemorative book showcases the defining moments of the cabinet manufacturing industry throughout the last 50 years. Included are the stories of the people who played pivotal roles in shaping the industry and the association. The book was to be available to KCMA members beginning last month.
  • Moments in Time: A Photo Exhibit of the History of the Cabinet Manufacturing Industry. The cornerstone of the year-long celebration, this exhibit captures the history of the cabinet manufacturing industry all the way back to the first factory-made cabinets at the beginning of the 20th century. The groundbreaking project will be on display at the Hafele America showroom, in New York, from March 15 through April 2. It then will travel to the KCMA Annual Convention in June.
    • This content continues onto the next page...
    comments powered by Disqus
    Follow FRP on: LinkedIn Icon
    Mobile:
    Mobile Icon

    Sign up for FREE email alerts!

     

    Events