Quick Review of the KBIS Show
Submitted by advisor on Sat, 04/01/2006 - 3:20am.
Speaking only for ourselves, the Chicago show seemed to be the largest and most successful KBIS in years. Our unscientific survey shows no interest in a return to Orlando, and ambivalence about Las Vegas.
- Ye Olde Induction Cooktops: Induction has reached shocking levels of over-exposure with even the faux wood burning appliance folks at Heartland and Elmira showing off induction tops
- Articulating hoods (they open and close) when in use were shown by Faber and Broan. Next year they'll fetch the newspaper, and wag their tail when scratched
- Fisher & Paykel displayed a manly concept gas cooktop that gets excited just at the thought of cooking you food
Things we learned:
- Maytag canceled their booth. Amana came, but it was the Haier licensed small appliance Amana, and not the Maytag major appliance Amana.
- Vent-a-Hood mourned the loss of its Chairman Emeritus William Woodall, and therefore the top executives of the company missed the show.
- The Fuego secret turned out to be fantastic marketing, and an interesting product.
- The Turbo Chef secret turned out to be fantastic marketing, and possibly a fantastic product.
- Viking refused to show the press their new dishwasher this year, "We are not showing the press the dishwasher this year", and we learned that they have extended their ASKO supply contract. Work on the Viking dishwasher continues we assume.
New to the Show
- FALMEC: Rangehoods from Italy
- Franklin Chef Small appliances made in places without electricity
- Fuego BBQs for the holistic set
- ILVE Ranges from Italy
- Joneca: Disposers from China
- Terim Ranges from Italy
- Turbo Air Rangehoods from Italy
- Turbo Chef Cooks the roast before you even changed your mind about having chicken
- Vinotheque Wine Cellars
Name Changes
- San Yan Pai is now known as Windster
- Westside Wine Cellars is now known as Vinotemp, and not to be mistaken for Vinotheque which was also at the show
