All Posts

IHA’s blog features informative posts written to keep the housewares industry educated and informed about key strategic issues and IHA member services.

Celebrate Two Milestones with Homer Laughlin China!

By Vicki Matranga What dinnerware line was designed in 1936, is a hot collectible for antique seekers, and is made by the only ceramic tableware manufacturer remaining in the U.S.? If you guessed Fiesta®, you are correct! Headquartered in Newell, West Virginia, the family-owned Homer Laughlin China Company celebrates two special anniversaries in 2011—the 140th year since…

Inside Discover Design: Blomus

By Marie Kulik, Manager of Exhibitor Business Development Ohlig Ralf of blomus sat down this week with Marie to discuss the idea to include high design in the International Home + Housewares Show, appreciation of the skill that goes into design and the emergence of gia as a high design award. Marie: What is the inspiration behind the design and functionality of your home and…

Housewares History: West Bend Hit the Century Mark!

by Vicki Matranga Cooking Up Traditions for 100 Years Remember your grandmother’s biscuits? Did your mom let you lick the mixer’s beaters when she baked a cake? What about that platter you inherited? You can thank a housewares company for such kitchen memories. Some of IHA’s member companies continue to make great products that people love and use for generations. We…

CHESS 2011 looks to build on Success of 2010

By Judy Colitz, IHA Events Coordinator CHESS 2010 provided housewares industry chief officers a chance to learn about the uncertain economic outlook last fall and business practices for sorting the winners from the losers in the new economic order. CHESS—the strategic and networking event of the year—included a wide range of topics from the new reality of global…

Blog on Blogs: Covering Clean + Contain

By Wes French, Coordinator of Social Media This year the International Home + Housewares Show saw a major increase in online media attendance at the Show. The way people get their news is shifting to sites like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, more and more, and we're happy to open our doors to bloggers and traditional media alike! Here are some of the best to cover the Clean…

Inside Discover Design: Kahla/Barbara Schmidt

By Marie Kulik, Manager of Exhibitor Business Development This week Marie caught up with Barbara Schmidt, designer for the KAHLA line of porcelain dinnerware. Marie: What is the inspiration behind the design and functionality of your products? BS: I want to translate the material porcelain with its long history of use and design into the present. Human habits are as…

Housewares 2011: A visual experience

By Wes French, Social Media Coordinator Miss the 2011 Housewares Show? Catch up with all our videos and pics from YouTube and Facebook! Check out all the videos from this past Show and other events from past years including old shows and press events on our YouTube page! See photos from the 2011 Show floor as well as some of the great events that took place in Chicago this…

HECNA Global Forum: Looking back at 2010 and ahead to 2011

By Lori Szudarek, Manager of International Services The 2010 HECNA Global Forum brought together members of the international business community in Miami, chock-full of opportunities geared towards helping attendees increase exports, international business development and networking with housewares buyers and industry professionals. Attendees to the 2010 Global Forum…

Housewares History: Seasonal Foods/Local Foods

By Vicki Matranga, Design Programs Coordinator It’s the season for farmers markets and gardening! Even in the chilly Midwest, backyard gardeners are tending their vegetable plants. But how to savor the bountiful harvests ahead? Unless camping or dealing with a power outage, rarely do we think about how people preserved food before refrigerators and freezers. Especially…