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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.

Five New Directors Elected to IHA Board of Directors

Five new directors have been elected to the board of directors of the International Housewares Association (IHA), the full-service trade association for the housewares industry. The new directors are: Neal Asbury, president & CEO, The Legacy Companies; Steve Greenspon, CEO, Honey-Can-Do International; Yvette Laugier, general manager, PSP North America/Peugeot; Thomas…

2017 Global Forum Recap: Venta Korea

Mr. Kim Dae Hyun, president of Venta Korea Co. Ltd., has managed the company for 28 years. Venta’s mission is, “We create a healthy and happy lifestyle with the world’s best products for the Korean people.” Prior to directing Venta Korea, Mr. Kim founded Jin-San, the corporation responsible for servicing Whirlpool white goods in Korea. With this experience, in 1994 Venta Korea…

2017 Global Forum Recap: IBC General Meeting

On the second day of the 2017 Global Forum, Mark Adkison, IHA's vice president of international, led the IBC General Meeting to update the membership on upcoming programs, awards and the IBC board of directors. With members earning credits for participating at educational sessions and for taking part in Trade Missions, several IBC members were honored through the group's…

2017 Global Forum Recap: EPA Latin America

Juan Francisco España joined EPA 20 years ago, after 10 years of experience in retail and wholesale of home center products. Mr. España began at EPA as a head buyer for EPA. Following his role as head buyer, he held positions of purchasing manager, sales manager, country manager. In 2009, he became CEO of EPA and manages the retailer’s operations in Venezuela, Costa Rica,…

2017 Global Forum Recap: Strategic Problem Solving 2

The second Strategic Problem Solving Session at the 2017 Global Forum was as successful as the first with attendees further interacting with industry peers. …

2017 Global Forum Recap: YUWA, Japan

Keiichi Kobayashi, president and CEO of the YUWA Group, co-presented this retail market overview with James Karani. Mr. Kobayashi leads YUWA, which was established by his father more than 50 years ago. He began importing consumer goods into Japan, primarily from Europe. Today YUWA is the sole agent for Chantal Cookware in Japan. In addition to working with several U.S.…

2017 Global Forum Recap: MercadoLibre

Two managers from MercadoLibre, Carlos Cernadas, head of cross border trade and Maximo Bach, housewares buyer and category development manager, presented Latin America as a new growth channel through e-commerce. Mr. Cernadas joined MercadoLibre in 2016, after more than eight years of experience working with multinational corporations including Walmart, PwC and Deloitte. He…

2017 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 2017 Global Forum. …

2017 Global Forum Recap: International Negotiation 2

Part Two Dr. Dennis Leclerc continued his two-part morning program on international negotiation strategies by detailing nuances of interpersonal contacts. (Part one of can be found here.) Cultural and Psychological Aspects Three things are important to negotiators: results, efficiency and relationships. Every successful negotiation involves: The resolving of…