By Vicki Matranga, Design Programs Coordinator
At the 2013 International Home + Housewares Show, the Innovation Theater in the Lakeside Center will present 21 educational programs, every hour beginning Saturday morning and ending Tuesday afternoon. At the Theater, located in Room E350 (near the entry to the Level 3 Lobby), experts in new product development and launch will discuss critical and timely topics in our industry. As the Show approaches, we introduce you to the presenters with a series of interviews. Be sure to mark your calendars for these exciting programs! Check www.housewares.org regularly for updates on the schedule of Show events.
USA the Brand! Innovation + Manufacturing = Global Demand: Jeff Bollengier, Calibowl; David Elliott, KitchenAid; Jenna Sellers Miller, Architec; Ulrich Honighausen, hausenware/American Pioneer Manufacturing
Sunday, March 3 12:30 – 1:20 p.m.
The return of manufacturing to the U.S. is making headlines. Listen to four passionate entrepreneurs and managers tell how they lead companies that manufacture appliances, plastic and ceramics products in this country. Hear stories of their challenges, financial and marketing success and some unexpected rewards. These job creators and product innovators are pioneers in the movement to rebuild and reinvent local manufacturing to power economic growth and community strength.
Jeff Bollengier, moderator, cofounded Simple Wave, LLC/The Calibowl™. Inventor of the unique, spill-proof Calibowl, Bollengier is a California surfer and father of four. Moved by “no-limits thinking” of daring early industrial age spirits such as Henry Ford and the Wright Brothers, he fervently believes that a new education on modern manufacturing can create a new American Dream for young people. Bollengier has participated in conferences on American economic competitiveness at the White House and with the U.S. Commerce Dept.
David Elliott has held roles of increasing responsibility in the small appliance industry for 15+ years. As General Manager of KitchenAid Global Small Appliances for nearly four years, he maintains global P&L responsibility for KitchenAid small appliances, cookware/bakeware and tools and gadgets. The company’s Greenville, Ohio, plant enjoyed record-breaking production of portable appliances in 2012.
Ulrich Honighausen is the founder of Sonoma-based hausenware, a tabletop company he founded in 1995. A Starbucks ceramics supplier for 15+ years, his private label client list includes Crate+Barrel, Target, Fred Meyer and Pottery Barn. In 2012, inspired by Starbucks founder Howard Schultz’s “create jobs for USA” campaign, he purchased a former ceramics factory in East Liverpool, Ohio. He recruited a state-of-the-art manufacturer in Japan to join him in an East-meets-West best of both worlds approach to American ceramics making and established American Pioneer Manufacturing Company.
Jenna Sellers Miller, chair of Florida-based Architec, set a company goal to have more than 50% of its production in the U.S. by 2014. The kitchenware maker creates innovative cutting boards, bowls and tools. The Eco-Smart collection debuted in 2005. The first cutting board, made of unique materials that combine recycled plastics with natural plant-based fibers, became a top seller at Target in 2009 two weeks after its launch. Eco-Smart, Architec’s best-selling line, propelled local production from 3% in the U.S to 33% in 2012.
We invited the panelists to tell us about themselves and their work.
What inspires your passion in your work?
Jeff: My inspiration comes from knowing we can do whatever it is we so choose. I’m inspired by my children and I would like to be an example to them that you can build a dream and inspire others to live their dreams. We can make a positive difference on a large scale while we are here.
Ulrich: I love the housewares industry because everything we do is designed for the home, the center of most peoples’ lives.
Jenna: It’s so exciting to me that we can dream up a product for the simple reason that it doesn’t yet exist, and in 6-8 months it’s sitting on my desk.
Why did you choose to speak at the International Home + Housewares Show?
Jeff: My main focus is to help create awareness about initiatives that are important to me: U.S. job creation and the understanding/awareness that comes when you empower human beings.
Ulrich: The International Home + Housewares Show is the premier industry show in the United States. This is an opportunity to engage top retailers, manufacturers and wholesalers in the value of products made in America.
Dave: The opportunity to participate on a panel to discuss U.S. manufacturing is a privilege. U.S. manufacturing creates jobs in America and provides North American trade partners many significant advantages including supply flexibility and continuity during busy selling seasons.
Jenna: When I first joined the company in 1998 , we were only importing 15% (mostly from Mexico) and sourcing from U.S. factories for the rest. During my first few years in business, I experienced the rapid shift in moving production to China. So, now, as almost all components of importing costs rise, it’s exciting to be in business to experience the opportunity to shift back to American manufacturing.
Tell us what you will be speaking about and how and this topic is important for Show audiences.
Jeff: We will be discussing the initiative to create/innovate in the USA as well as manufacture the products in the USA. What effect does this have on our country when we not only create but also understand the nuts & bolts behind how we make it? Can we continue to outsource manufacturing of new innovation and grow a U.S. economy?
Ulrich: I bought a ceramics factory in Ohio that had been shuttered for years because I believe now is the time to bring manufacturing back to America. I would like to share the story of what I’ve learned to encourage others to make it in America.
Dave: KitchenAid is one of very few small appliance companies that currently manufacture in the U.S. KitchenAid produces stand mixers, hand mixers, blenders and various stand mixer attachments in Greenville, Ohio. Factory output over the past several years has expanded significantly as a result of growing global demand for KitchenAid products and the insourcing of hand mixers during 2012. The talented U.S. manufacturing workforce has demonstrated the ability to not only be cost competitive with Asia, but also provide outstanding craftsmanship and quality.
How does the Innovation Theater help you spread your message?
Jeff: By giving us the platform to inform our industry and share information that will lead to a game changing, thriving industry on the forefront of technology.
Jenna: I think a much higher percentage of new products introduced at next year’s 2014 Show would be produced in the U.S. if we can deliver the message that, surprising to many, the U.S. factories are once again able to be competitive from a cost standpoint.
What do you see as consumers’ biggest concerns regarding housewares products?
Jeff: Quality and materials.
Ulrich: People care more and more about where and how their household products are made.
Jenna: Consumers are now aware of an ever-growing list of harmful additives.
What are some of today’s trends or issues that new product development professionals face in the housewares market?
Jeff: I see a lot of trending towards customization as well as more and more companies investing in their own in-house product development. I believe with so much access to information we will never see industrialized countries driving down labor. I think technology has opened the door to being quickest to market and giving the world the opportunity to compete.
Ulrich: Costs are rising around the world. In my 25 years in this industry, the challenge to produce a quality, unique product at competitive price point has never been more difficult.
What is the best advice you could give someone trying to get into your area of expertise?
Ulrich: Whether you are a buyer, supplier or designer, it is important to spend time in the factory so that you know what it takes to produce a quality product.
Jeff: Think it. Really truly believe it and then take action. Don’t try and figure out the road map to success just ride the wave and enjoy the moment!
Jenna: Because of what we do, inventors approach us for advice. I always make myself available to help every step of the way, but I’m surprised by the great ideas that never make it to shelves because the inventor was not expecting the obstacles that are part of the natural process of development, marketing and sales. It’s important to continue to believe in your product and if you learn to EXPECT obstacles, they won’t be so discouraging.
Thank you, panelists, for sharing your thoughts on a complex topic! We look forward to hearing your inspirational and informative stories on Sunday, March 3 at 12:30 p.m. in the Innovation Theater.
For more information about the panelists’ companies and products, see
