FederlegnoArredo, the Italian Federation of wood, cork, furniture, lighting, and furnishing industries, has joined the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s (NKBA) Global Connect programme as a Strategic Alliance Partner.
The aim of the agreement is to promote a deeper interaction between North American and Italian markets, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and industry insights, as well as enhancing the international visibility of Italian excellence. The NKBA Global Connect programme aims to connect the kitchen and bath industries worldwide, highlighting current and future trends while providing a platform to discuss global business opportunities.
This strategic alliance marks a significant step for Assobagno, the wood-based panels and semi-finished products group of Assopannelli, and the kitchen group of Assarredo within FederlegnoArredo, which will work more closely with NKBA to foster the exchange of know-how, networking opportunities, and the growth of new synergies on an international scale, strengthening collaboration between Italian companies in the kitchen and bath sector and the North American market.
The Italian wood furniture sector includes some 66,500 companies and 300,000 employees, with revenue of 52.7 billion euros, or $57 billion at current exchange. Of that total, 20 billion euros ($21.6 billion), or 38%, comes from exports. The US is the third-largest export market for the sector, which in the first 4 months of this year posted a 5.2% increase in exports over the same period in 2023 to reach 663.6 million euros, or $718.7 million, according to the FederlegnoArredo Market Research Center.
As a Global Connect Strategic Alliance Partner, FederlegnoArredo will have the opportunity to share North American sales, industry, and economic trends with its membership and provide direction to its affiliated companies that wish to explore a presence in North America.
“Global Connect facilitates understanding and discussion around conducting business in our industry internationally, and we are thrilled to have FederlegnoArredo join us as a Strategic Alliance Partner,” said Bill Darcy, global president and CEO of NKBA. “An association of this magnitude is testament to the success and expanding influence of our program around the world, and shows that together, we can help the international industry reach new clients and broaden the scope of business worldwide. We look forward to a vibrant exchange of ideas for a long time to come.”
