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

2018 Global Forum Recap: Thunderbird School of Global Management

Richard Ettenson, Ph.D., Professor and Keickhefer Fellow of Global Marketing and Brand Strategy at Thunderbird School of Global Management, offered a two-part Executive Education session that outlined key topics to consider when entering global markets. He engaged participants with questions and encouraged conversations, and included stories about successes and failures in…

Retail Profile: Now You’re Cooking

Retailer: Now You're Cooking Location: Bath, Maine Founded: 2000 Owners: Mike and Betsy Fear Square footage: 3,000 sq ft Rent or own: Rent When Mike and Betsy Fear first started thinking about opening a kitchenware store in this historic coastal Maine city, they sat down with the late kitchenware guru Bob Coviello, the founder of the H.T.I. Buying Group, at Coviello’s…

Tariffs Impacting Supply Chains

The threat of tariffs from China are causing inventories in the US to spike. Shippers importing from China have been pulling holiday cargo ahead since June to avoid potential tariffs. The latest threat of a 25% tariff scheduled to be implemented January 1, 2019 has both shippers and warehouse operators concerned. Distribution facilities that specialize in handling import…

2018 Global Forum Recap: IBC General Meeting

On the second day of the 2018 Global Forum, Mark Adkison, IHA’s Vice President, International, preceded the IBC General Meeting to update the membership on access to member resources found in the IBC Member Portal. Following these updates, Giancarlo Barzotti, IBC’s President, highlighted upcoming global programs offered to IHA’s membership, presented awards and acknowledged the…

2018 Global Forum Recap: Networking Dinner

Monday, September 24, 2018 marked day one of the 2018 IBC Global Forum. IBC president Giancarlo Barzotti welcomed participants and introduced the IBC Board of Directors. Paul Michalowski, IBC program chair, outlined the schedule for the two-day conference and invited participants to get acquainted by introducing themselves and their companies. The group included CEOs and…

2018 Global Forum Recap: Strategic Problem Solving

The IBC’s Strategic Problem Solving Sessions allow attendees to meet in peer groups to discuss questions and to find solutions to many of today’s exporting challenges. As in previous years, the networking sessions were once again a highlight and primary benefit of attending the 2018 Global Forum. The first session took place on Monday, September 24 from 5:00-6:00…

2018 Global Forum Recap: Koola World

The 2018 Global Forum began with David Nourse, general manager of Laundresse International Pty Ltd., the holding company for Koola World and International Carpets. With more than 22 years of experience in the home and textile industry in South Africa and in both buying and selling segments, he has an in-depth knowledge of the South African market. Nourse outlined recent…

2018 Global Forum Recap: Export 101

The 2018 IBC Global Forum in Toronto opened on Sunday afternoon September 23 with a one-hour session packed with information on Export 101: Understanding the International Business Plan. This session, geared for new Global Forum attendees and those who are new to the export business, also served as a refresher for experienced international marketers. Led by IBC Board member,…

2018 Global Forum Recap: Welcome Reception

On Sunday, September 23, the first day of the 2018 IBC Global Forum, attendees gathered at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Downtown Toronto for the Welcome Reception & Dinner: The Global Forum is sponsored by the International Business Council (IBC), a special interest group of International Housewares Association members dedicated to increasing their international…