KBB Birmingham announces shortlist for 2026 Innovation Awards

KBB Birmingham has revealed the shortlist for the Innovation Awards in partnership with Blum, ahead of its landmark 40^th anniversary event from 1st - 4th March 2026. Now in its 11^th year, the Innovation Awards are a key feature of the show, celebrating groundbreaking advancements in the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom sector. Categories include Judge’s Choice, People’s Choice (which visitors to the show can vote for) and the Sustainability Award.

These are the brands that have made the shortlist for the 2026 awards:

GROHE: Rapido Shower Frame
A cutting-edge concealed shower system that is completely pre-assembled, drastically reducing installation time.

FRASCIO HOLDINGS CO: Eco-Power Sensor Tap
The Sensor Tap is fitted with an internal hydro-generator that, when water flows through it, drives the internal turbine to rotate and generate electricity. This eliminates the need for external power or replacement batteries, reduces installation costs and cuts environmental pollution.

Samsung: Samsung Bespoke AI Front-Load Washing Machine Series 9 AI Home
Samsung’s AI Home touchscreen has an intuitive smart centre that tailors wash cycles to suit user habits, and provides a report when laundry is done. AI Energy Mode monitors energy usage to reduce consumption by up to 70%.

Sensio Lighting Ltd: Affinity Magnetic Track Lighting System
A flush-fit, cable-free magnetic track for customisable under-counter or furniture lighting, allowing magnetic spotlights and LED strips to be stuck easily, moved and powered via a single cable.

Flova UK: DripFree® Rainshower
Flova’s DripFree® Rainshower uses pioneering technology to draw residual water back into the shower head after use, eliminating drips, preventing stagnant water in nozzles and dramatically reducing limescale buildup.

Finsa: Fimapan Bio BDecor
A biobased, wood particleboard for the furniture industry with reduced carbon footprint, manufactured with adhesives of biological origin obtained from tree bark, a paraffin of vegetable origin and thermo-fused decorative options impregnated with bio-resins.

Staycold Export Ltd: Blastcool iXP1
The only purpose-built outdoor refrigerator with an IP24 rating, capable of use in extreme heat and winter frost. Available fully built-in with décor panel.

Magnetrace Ltd: Magnetrace
Magnetrace is a patented, British-made innovation that transforms the way undermount sinks are installed, ensuring perfect template tracing and eliminating the need for paper templates or manual measurements.

Waters Baths of Ashbourne: Infinity Stream
The Infinity collection is a range of slim-edged, contemporary freestanding baths featuring a built-in universal overflow and filling system.

"Announcing the Innovation Award winners live at the show always makes for an exciting moment, and this year the shortlist is as strong as ever. It’s encouraging to see that year after year, this sector continually develops solutions that really do push the boundaries of creativity and genuinely spark excitement in the industry and with the consumer,” commented Sam Fisher, event director, KBB Birmingham.

Each entry is judged on its levels of innovation, functionality and commercial viability. Comprised of four industry experts with decades of experience between them, the judging panel for the awards included Diane Berry, Managing Director, Diane Berry Kitchens; Andy Davies, Managing Editor, Taylist Media; Emma Hedges, Editor, KBBFocus and Toby Russell, Head of Sales at awards partner, Blum UK.

Visit the NEC Birmingham from 1st - 4th March to see all shortlisted entries on display alongside over 320 exhibitors in the KBB sector, with the winners announced live at the show.