The Cosentino Group consolidates its leadership in North America at KBIS 2016

The Spanish multinational, the Cosentino Group, a leader in the production and distribution of innovative surfaces for architecture and design, has further consolidated its position as leader, ensuring it is even more of a point of reference within the stone industry with its participation at KBIS 2016, the most important show held in North America for kitchen and bathrooms and one of the industry’s main platforms for new products.

The show, held annually at the Las Vegas Convention Centre and which this year attracted 662 exhibitors from 19 January to 21 January, has begun with the prestigious appointment given to Francisco Martínez-Cosentino, Cosentino Group President. For the first time since its creation in 1989, a Hispanic has been initiated into the NKBA National Kitchen & Bath Association Hall of Fame. It should be remembered that the 2014 event, Martínez-Cosentino also had the honour to be the first to give the KBIS Annual State of the Industry address in Spanish.

The NKBA Hall of Fame seeks to honour people who have made a significant contribution to the growth and professionalism of the Association, as well as the kitchen and bathroom industry in general. The candidates are proposed and selected by a permanent committee of well-respected professionals, with a maximum of one or two people chosen each year. This year, the fair will feature the Cosentino Group which, for the first time, will be presenting its striking new products marketed under the Dekton and Silestone brand names, which will set the trend for the future in the kitchen and bathroom sector.

KBIS 2016 follows last week’s annual Cosentino 100 event, at which the Almeria-based company brings together its North American blue-chip clients and associates. This year, the Convention, which ran from 10 January to 14 January in Los Cabos, Mexico, had particular importance as it saw the largest ever Group gathering, with a total of 340 people attending, representing over 120 manufacturers, 16 of which are directly linked to production machinery. Also present were representatives from the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) and the NKBA, as well as a number of prestigious design and architecture firms and kitchen and bathroom suppliers from the region.

Given the large number of people attending, this year Cosentino 100 was an important forum for debate on the challenges facing the industry, as well as providing a platform with which to promote Cosentino’s main strategic lines and new developments for 2016. With the slogan Elevate, the Company has underlined the need to consolidate an efficient, integrated system or its various market niches and business opportunities, taking as an example Cosentino’s production, logistics and service capacity. Special emphasis was also placed on raising accident prevention and health and safety standards in the stone industry.

As Francisco Martínez-Cosentino said in his opening speech, We should aspire to and have the determination to raise the standards in the areas we all operate in, on all levels. On our part, as we have again demonstrated this year, we will continue to innovate and apply the very latest technology in our sector, increasing the number of facilities and employees, as well as working toward the objective of ensuring excellence in training, education, safety and the attention and service given to all clients.

Proof of this is in the North American market, where Cosentino became sector leader some years ago, a fact reflected in recent developments that confirm the Company’s growth. Last year ended with the opening of 10 new Cosentino Centers, making a total of 37 such stores in the region, employing 1,000 staff. By the close of 2016, the Company is expected to reach 1,200 employees in the United States and Canada, with 41 Cosentino Centers, 4 Cosentino Cities, 3 hubs and 1 logistics operator across the continent.

Cosentino’s latest commitment to the region can be seen in Canada, where it has quickly become an important market for the company. 2015 saw the opening of three Centers in Calgary, Vancouver and Montreal, as well as the acquisition of Maple Terrazo, a Toronto-based distributor. This market penetration will be reinforced this year with a wide range of actions, including the Company’s participation at various trade fairs such as the forthcoming Interior Design Show (IDS) in Toronto, beginning on Thursday 21 January and the opening of a Cosentino City in Montreal.

As Martínez-Cosentino said at the event to mark his inclusion in the NKBA Hall of Fame If we look back, we can say in all honesty that we have achieved the American dream. Although there is still a long way to go, with major challenges in the future, this recognition is the culmination of a magnificent adventure which began in 1998, demonstrating that entrepreneurship, a commitment to innovation, an international export-focussed vision and the know-how to be able to adapt to the demands of professionals and consumers around the world, fostering growth and the prosperity of organisations.

* For further information: www.cosentino.com