Jon Johnston looks forward to KBB Birmingham's 40th anniversary edition

This year sees KBB Birmingham celebrate its 40^th anniversary – sales director Jon Johnston shares some of the highlights that visitors can look forward to at this milestone event. 

As sales director, I've had the privilege of watching this show evolve, and I have to say, this year's event – running from 1st to 4th March at the NEC Birmingham – feels particularly special. We've pulled out all the stops for the anniversary. Over 320 brands are joining us across more than 25 product categories, and there's so much happening – from our 40th birthday celebrations to the Innovation Awards, the Design Trail, and our new Spanish Design Pavilion. Oh, and the KBB Birmingham bar sponsored by Blum, which I suspect will be a popular spot! We're anticipating over 17,000 visitors, so the atmosphere should be electric. 

One thing I'm particularly excited about is the Spanish Design Pavilion. We've partnered with ASEBAN and IVACE International to bring 10 Spanish companies to the show, some making their debut with us. It's a brilliant opportunity to see what some of the best Spanish suppliers have to offer.

We have a fantastic line-up of exhibitors – a real 'who’s who' of the industry – including Smeg, Ca’ Pietra, Rangemaster, Aga and Novy, QETTLE, Houzz, Sensio Lighting, Rotpunkt Küchen...  I could go on!

We are very fortunate to have loyal brands who return year after year, but welcoming over 40 first-time exhibitors keeps the show fresh. This year that includes Sanipex Group, Caledonia Kitchens, Woodio, RW Machines, Rubio Monocoat, Banyo, Greg Rowe Ltd, Schmidt Kitchens and Lamello, among others. And I’m delighted to see Blanco, a world-leading manufacturers of kitchen taps, sinks and integrated waste systems, return to the show after several years away.

The Innovation Awards in partnership with Blum, returning for its 11^th year, never fails to impress me. We’ve just announced the shortlist, and the ten products featured really highlight the creativity and ingenuity that make this industry so dynamic.

Timing is everything in this business, and KBB Birmingham has become the launchpad for new products. Many brands deliberately align new launches with the show to maximise visibility to retailers, buyers and media. It’s where you will spot emerging design trends, source new products and get a real sense of where the market is heading. Plus, it is a unique opportunity to see many European brands that rarely venture outside the continent.

For me, what makes KBB Birmingham special is the relationships it cultivates. This is where the entire industry comes together. Whether you’re after new distributors, retail partners, suppliers or connecting with potential stockists, there’s nowhere better. 

We’ve launched our first app this year, which should make navigating the show much smoother. It’s sponsored by Smeg, and it allows visitors to pre-book meetings, check the floor plan, access exhibitor details and store your digital visitor badge all in one place.

The countdown is on, and we can’t wait to open the doors on March 1^st to welcome the KBB sector back to the NEC!

For more information on KBB Birmingham 2026, and to register for your free visitor pass, visit the kbb Birmingham website.