Appliances
Choi Rises to Product Manager Position at JURA
Hyung Choi is expanding his role in JURA in the newly created position of product manager for accessories and care products. His responsibilities will also include JURA POS merchandising and furniture, which is offered to participating retailers to create a branded shop within a shop. Choi reports to David Shull, executive vice president, marketing and communications.
“JURA is putting a strong focus on accessories and care products like water filters and cleaning tablets because they’re crucial to delivering the ultimate coffee experience. These products do more than bring in a steady revenue stream for our retail partners – they also help ensure pure coffee enjoyment for the consumer, day after day and year after year. Hyung is passionate about the opportunities in this segment for business growth and customer satisfaction,” said Shull.
Accessories include Cool Control to chill milk for frothing, SmartConnect and WiFi Connect for operating selected machines from a smartphone or tablet, a Cup Warmer, glassware and more. JURA POS and furniture is an expanding initiative that helps retailers merchandise and display JURA models and their accessories.
Choi has worked in product development since 2021. He came to the company with an extensive background in product development and product management in tabletop and housewares.
JURA offers the largest assortment of automatic coffee machines, with actual retail prices ranging from $999 to $4,999. For more information, visit jura.com.
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Farmstand Nook Grows Produce Indoors
Lettuce Grow has introduced the Farmstand Nook, the second edition of its flagship product, designed to make it even easier to grow produce indoors, in tight spaces and across seasons. With enhancements including a smaller tank and fully integrated grow lights, the Farmstand Nook empowers any home chef to grow the best ingredients just steps from their stovetop.
The Farmstand Nook simultaneously grows 20 plants among four levels, comes with integrated proprietary LED grow lights and, as is the case with the flagship Farmstand, is manufactured utilizing upcycled materials. New plant maintenance features, including newly designed Grow Cups and Sleeves, and digital accessories, provide a seamless indoor grower experience.
The new Smart Timer allows growers to digitally control the lights of the Farmstand Nook, including a new snooze feature, from a smartphone. A digital pH pen replaces the color-coded litmus test to make pH testing even easier and faster.
“I am excited to finally bring the Farmstand Nook to our growers. We listened to our community’s feedback and have created a turnkey growing system that allows for delicious produce to be grown in the tightest of spaces, furthering our goal of creating a more sustainable food system,” says Jacob Pechenik, founder and CEO of Lettuce Grow. “The Farmstand Nook is like a living pantry for produce. You can easily grow greens, vegetables, fruits and herbs in your kitchen or any corner of your home, allowing even more people to grow and harvest something delicious – your very own fresh food.”
The original Farmstand, modular in design for growing a variety of plants indoors and outdoors, will continue to be available alongside the new Farmstand Nook. Pechenik noted, “Customers might choose to have an original Farmstand outdoors or in another area of their house, and have the Farmstand Nook in the kitchen, next to the refrigerator. The Nook provides more options to suit family needs, homes, and cooking habits.”
Co-founder Zooey Deschanel said, “Growing with Lettuce Grow is about more than growing plants, it’s about nurturing connections with our family, friends, and neighbors. It’s about creating a moment of joy in the simplest of ways, and with the Farmstand Nook even more people will be able to create magic just steps away from their dinner tables.”
The launch of the Farmstand Nook furthers Lettuce Grow’s mission to empower consumers to lead the transition to a sustainable food system. A lower price point and smaller footprint also augments accessibility and eliminates geographical barriers, inviting more consumers to grow their own groceries and be a part of the change.
The Farmstand Nook will retail for $699 (or as low as $58.25/month via Affirm). A limited number of Farmstand Nooks are available for pre-order at lettucegrow.com.
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GC Buying Group Names Best Vendor
GC Buying Group Store Members recently voted and named Outstanding Vendors in the Group for 2022. Award winners are:
Best in Shipping – Jura
Best in-Stock – Epicurean
Most Creative GC Program – Le Creuset
Best in-Store Signage – FinaMill
Best In-Store Fixture/Display – Constructive Eating
Most Innovative Product – Dreamfarm: Sharple
Best in Customer Service – Cuisinart
Best Overall Vendor – FinaMill
“GC Vendors are genuinely excited to be recognized by our independent retailers,” observed Janis Johnson, GC Buying Group founder and president. “Realizing that store owners are on the front lines of retail and consistently passionate about serving their personal customers makes the award even more meaningful,” Johnson continued.
The GC Buying Group team will be exhibiting at the Chicago Inspired Home Show, March 3-7, at McCormick Place, located in Booth #S2223. In addition, the team will visit vendor booths each day and host a Store Member Breakfast on Saturday morning before the Show opens.
GC Buying Group Members form the original and leading buying group in the kitchenware industry. Celebrating 42 years in 2023, GC functions to ensure the success of independent retailers with a variety of programs and services, including discounts provided for our 300+ store members by 150 vendor members. For more information on Gourmet Catalog, call: +1-214-855-0005, email: info@gourmetcatalog.com or visit: gcbuyinggroup.com.
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IHA Announces gia Product Design Finalists
The 70 finalists in the IHA Global Innovations Awards (gia) for Excellence in Product Design have been announced by the International Housewares Association. Global honorees in each of the 14 categories will be announced during the invitation-only gia dinner Saturday, March 4, during The Inspired Home Show 2023, IHA’s Global Home + Housewares Market, at Chicago’s McCormick Place Complex.
Entries were judged by a panel of industry experts and news media. The finalists and global honorees will be on display in an exhibit in the Hall of Global Product Design in the Grand Concourse Lobby of the North Building as well as in the New Product Showcases located in the Buyers Club in each Show building. The Inspired Home Show opens at 10 a.m. on March 4 and runs through 3 p.m. March 7.
“Congratulations to all of the finalists for an IHA Global Innovation Award for Excellence in Product Design,” said Derek Miller, IHA president & CEO. “Product innovation is the engine that keeps the home + housewares industry vibrant and profitable. It is our pleasure to honor the brands and designers that continue to push the envelope and delight both buyers and consumers.”
The gia product design finalists are:
Bath & Personal Care
Company: Product
F&H Group A/S: Zone Denmark – TIME Bath series
Jobar International, Inc.: Clear View Digital Scale
Moso Natural: Natural Scent-Free Bathroom Spray
Prospera Corp.: RF 5 in 1 EMS Micro Current LED Light Anti Aging Massage Device
Stasher: Everyday Beauty Bag
Cleaning
Bradshaw Home: Casabella Clean Water Spin Mop
Bradshaw Home: Evercare Duo Pet Hair & Lint Remover
simplehuman: 14-oz sensor pump with caddy
simplehuman: paper towel pump
The Procter & Gamble Company: Bloom Planter
Cook & Bakeware
Clipper Corp.: Viking Contemporary Copper 4-Ply 9 Piece Cookware Set
Gourmet Kitchen Works LLC: Genetti Fan Lid
Hestan Culinary: Hestan OvenBond 5pc Set
Newell Brandss: Rubbermaid® DuraLite™ Bakeware
THE COOKWARE COMPANY (USA), LLC: GreenPan GP5 Stainless Steel Collection
Home Décor & Gifts
Be Home: Pali Recycled Leather Floor Basket
F&H Group A/S: Zone Denmark – INU Vases
INNOVATIVE FOUNTAINS, INC.: noBrn-Sustainable Luxury Home Fragrance™
TV Productions, Inc.: The Doorhickey
Wrap-It Storage: MagSnap – Magnetic Snap Wristband
Home Organization & Storage
Brabantia USA: Bo Trash Can Hi, 1.8 Gallon
Freshlink Product Development, LLC dba PREPARA: Expandable + Adjustable Utensil Organizer
Grand Fusion Housewares, Inc.: Roll-Up Drying Rack with Collapsing Utensil Holder
Polder Products, LLC: Handle-It™ Storage Canisters
YouCopia: StoraRoll™ Food Wrap Dispenser
Household & Home Electrics
BeiAng Air Tech Ltd.: Airdog MOI Mist Free Evaporative Humidifier
Crane USA, Inc.: Cool Mist Collapsible Humidifier
IRIS USA, Inc.: 360 Degree Stand Fan
Roborock (HK) Limited: S8 Pro Ultra
Zafferano America: Theta Lamp
Kitchen Electrics
Jura Inc.: GIGA 10
Lomi: Smart Waste Appliance
Ooni Limited: Ooni
StoreBound: Dash Digital Turbo Hand Mixer
THE COOKWARE COMPANY (USA), LLC: GreenPan Premiere XL Smoke-Less Grill & Griddle
Kitchen Hand Tools & Cutlery
Dreamfarm: Sharple
Evriholder Products, LLC: Bag Preservers
Gourmet Easy: Fine and Coarse Garlic Press
Gourmet Kitchen Works LLC: GEFU Four Way Grater VCUT with adjustable slice
Pro4uk Ltd: POPit Jar Opener
Kitchenware
Dreamfarm: Fluicer
Dreamfarm: Ograte
OXO: OXO Good Grips 8-Piece Refrigerator Organization Set
Progressive International Corp.: Prepworks Valencia EZ Juice
That Inventions: ChillTHAT Platter
Luggage, Travel Goods + Accessories
DripLock: DripLock
FLYYPOD: FLYYPOD® SLEEP POD
Matador: Globerider45 Travel Pack
Pang Wangle: Bug Repellent Tranquil Blanket with Insect Shield® Repellent Technology
Sherpani: Soleil AT
Pet Products
Dexas International, Ltd.: Snack & Distract Licking Mat
License-Way: SimplyCare Litterbox
Neater Pet Brands: FurDozer X6 Pet Hair Remover
Paikka: PAIKKA Cool Bowl
Trinity: TRINITY 20 Litter Box Enclosure End Table w Drawer
Smart Home Products
Chefman: CHEF iQ Smart Thermometer™
CookingPal Ltd.: Pronto and Alto by CookingPal
Growgreen Limited: aspara® Stylist Lite Smart Grower – Art Series
Hamilton Housewares P. Ltd: Milton Smart Range
Withings: Body Comp
Sustainable Products
Brabantia USA: Sort & Go Stackable Bin
LARQ, Inc.: LARQ Bottle Filtered
Loopy Products: Sustainable Coffee Mug – Made with Waste from Coffee Manufacturing
Magisso North America: KONNA Fly Trap
The FRESHGLOW Co.: FRESHPAPER Pick-A-Size Produce Saver Sheets
Tabletop
Freshlink Product Development, LLC dba PREPARA: ZIP LIP SALT PIG
madesmart: Dipware Appetizer Tray
Sempli: Monti-Mini Decanter + Monti-Rosso
United Sales & Marketing Inc.: Re-Gen Ontario collectio
VIVA Scandinavia: The Peaks Glass Set of 4
The judging panel for the annual IHA Global Innovation Awards (gia) included housewares buyers from retailers including Ace Hardware, Albertsons, Artichoke, The Container Store, The Cook’s Warehouse, Dreamscape, Event Network, Giant Eagle, HTI Buying Group, In the Kitchen, JCPenney, Kitchen Shop, Lekka Retail Concepts, Leon & Lulu, National Building Museum, Nebraska Furniture Mart, Pampered Chef, Quality Products, Sign of the Bear, Toque Blanche and Yestis. Other judges included consumer editors, bloggers and many distinguished industry designers.
View the finalists in each category here TheInspiredHomeShow.com/awards/gia-product/
The Inspired Home Show, IHA’s global home + housewares marketplace, will be held March 4-7 at Chicago’s McCormick Place Complex. For more information about the 2023 Show and to register for a Show badge, please visit TheInspiredHomeShow.com/register.
For continuing coverage of The Inspired Home Show, subscribe to Kitchenware News & Housewares Review.
RH Peterson Shows Fire Magic Line at KBIS
The extensive line of luxury Fire Magic outdoor gas grills and accessories, manufactured by RH Peterson Co., is showcased at this year’s KBIS show in Las Vegas, Jan. 31 – Feb. 2. The Fire Magic booth – W5308, KBIS West Hall – will feature high-performance Fire Magic gas grills, as well as complementary cooling and storage products, and accessories to create the ultimate outdoor kitchen. Each product is crafted in the U.S. to provide exceptional design options for architects, designers, and builders, and enhance the outdoor cooking experience for luxury homeowners.
For more than 80 years, Fire Magic has set the bar for high-performance outdoor cooking with its line of luxury grills. Featuring the highest BTUs per square inch, Fire Magic grills can sear meat with exceptional speed, ease, and control. These luxury grills also provide the industry’s largest cooking area, measured by the internal grilling surface where food actually cooks. Specially designed stainless-steel Flavor Grids minimize flareups by distributing heat evenly across specific cooking zones. Patented (No. D857,453) Diamond Sear Cooking Grids are constructed from 304 stainless steel bars with smooth flat tops optimally shaped to transfer heat from burners to grill surface for faster and more even cooking.
The top-of-the-line Echelon grills perfectly meld form and function. Designed with sleek lines and a unique contoured exterior, Echelon grills make a visual statement in any outdoor kitchen. State-of-the-art features such as hot surface ignition for push-button lighting ease and an optional Magic View window, make the Echelon Diamond Series the ultimate luxury grill.
Convenient features and aesthetic details built into the Echelon line heighten the grilling experience. Blue backlit knobs make for easy use in all lighting conditions and add high-tech flair. A built-in charcoal smoker basket infuses smoky flavor into grilled foods. The optional Magic View window allows outdoor chefs to monitor the cooking process without opening the grill and releasing heat.
In addition to the industry’s best-made, highest-quality grills, Fire Magic’s extensive collection of cooking, cooling, ventilation, warming drawers, and storage solutions include:
- Complementary cooking products, all made to superior Fire Magic standards:
- Gourmet Griddle – With an expansive 30” x 18” cooking area, this heavy-duty stainless still griddle is perfect for foods requiring a flat cooking surface
- Pizza Oven – A premium pizza oven that also roasts, bakes, sears, and broils
- Side Cookers – An assortment of side burners, power burners, and searing stations that enhance the outdoor cooking experience
- Cooling accessories:
- Refrigerator – 5.1 cubic feet of storage, with an internal digital thermometer to keep beverages and condiments cold and within easy reach
- Ice Maker – Capable of making 63 pounds of ice every 24 hours
- Beverage Butler – A versatile combination of sink, hot and cold mixer faucet, and insulated ice chest for easy preparation of food and beverages
Fire Magic continues to improve and expand its line of premium outdoor cooking products. A new line of electric grills will soon be available to deliver a luxury cooking experience and exceptional flavor. High-value grills such as the Aurora line deliver price and performance options. Integrated islands featuring Fire Magic grills and accessories are available. There are even luxury-level portable grilling products.
The Fire Magic line is available from select dealers throughout the United States and Canada, as well as in some international markets. CAD files and 3D model are available for use in design layouts. Find a nearby dealer here: Dealer Locator
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