KBB - January 2015 - 68

It's Showtime!

KBIS SPECIAL SECTION

An In-Depth Look at
this Year's State of the
Industry Address
The 2015 State of the Industry Address at KBIS
will be given by Kevin Murphy, COO of Ferguson.
His presentation, "Embrace Change: Fear Status
Quo" will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 21 from
1:30 to 2:45 p.m. in the Westgate Las Vegas Hilton
Ballroom A and is sponsored by Danze. K+BB
talked with Murphy about all that attendees can
look forward to in this address.

What can attendees expect from your SOTI address at
KBIS 2015?
We will explore how our industry is evolving, what we are seeing
today and even more importantly, what we expect to see in the
future. It will cover such topics as disruptive innovation, the state of the
economy and market conditions, evolving customer expectations and
the changing regulatory environment.

What will they be able to take away from it to use in their
own business planning for 2015?
If attendees take away just one thing, I would like for them to
understand the importance of always thinking ahead. There is never
a time in which we can sit still and allow success to come to us. Many
businesses fear change - will it affect my current success? However, to
thrive in the long term and be a successful business year after year,
you must continually adapt your business model to meet changing
market conditions, customer needs, new technology, etc. And with
change comes opportunity.

How will this address be different from similar such
addresses in years past?
Ferguson's business philosophy, the way we approach change
and implement new initiatives is rather unique, and I'm excited to give
a glimpse into what's made us successful for the past 60 years.

What is your overall impression of the K&B industry going
into 2015?
It's an exciting time for the industry. There are many outside factors
that are changing the way we do business, but one thing remains
the same: the American dream of homeownership. Just this past July,
groundbreakings on new homes rose 15.7 percent month over month
and 21.7 percent over the July 2013 ﬁgures. The total ﬁgure is near the
one million mark, so that's positive news to everyone in the industry.
The National Association of Home Builders' Remodeling Market Index
(RMI) improved in the second quarter of 2014 and sits at 56, marking
ﬁve consecutive quarters of scores above 50. An RMI score above 50 is a
strong suggestion of quarter-over-quarter growth, as it signiﬁes a greater
percentage of remodelers reporting higher market activity.

What about beyond 2015?
Despite monthly ups and downs, consumer conﬁdence has
increased steadily over the last few years as the job market has
slowly improved. As consumers express their faith in the market with
greater spending levels, it is anticipated that the recovery will turn a
corner, moving toward a period of strong growth and the renewal of
investment in new and existing homes.
The hospitality industry is also reaping these beneﬁts as travel has
increased in 2014 at a greater pace than was even projected. Higher
occupancy rates are a boon as new hotel construction has increased
by more than 50 percent in the second quarter as compared to the
same period one year ago.

Is there anything else you'd like to share about your
upcoming address?
I am truly honored to represent Ferguson and be the keynote
speaker for the NKBA's address. I look forward to seeing our customers,
vendor partners and other industry professionals at KBIS 2015.

KBIS Loyalty Leaders
We'd like to recognize the KBIS Loyalty Leaders who have exhibited in every KBIS show, including this year's:
2020
Acorn Manufacturing Co.
Adams Wood Products
Air King
AmeriSink
Arstar SA DE CV
Art for Everyday
Artisan Manufacturing Corp.
Ashley Norton
Atlas Homewares
Bad Dog Tools
Bath & Kitchen Buying Group
Berenson Corp.
Blum
Bootz Industries
Brizo
Brown Wood Products
C.R. Laurence Co.

+
K BB

CG Air Systemes
Chemcore Industries
Chief Architect Software
Cosentino SA
CSA Group
Danver Outdoor Kitchen
Danze
Dawn Kitchen & Bath Products
Delta Faucet Co.
Double Summit
Emtek Products
Everpure
Exxel Company
Fairmont Designs
Fleurco Products
Fluehs Drehtechnik/
PSI Systems North America
Grass America

Häfele America
Homeowners Marketing Services
IAPMO R&T
John Boos & Co.
Joneca Corp.
Keeler
Kerok Ltd.
Kichler Lighting
KOHLER
Kountry Wood Products
Lasertron
Lavelle Industries/
Korky Toilet Repair
Meganite
Michigan Maple/
Bally Block Company
Moen
National Craft Industries

Neoperl
NSF International
Osborne Wood Products
Outwater Plastics Industries
Panel Processing
Protecto Wrap Company
Pulse Shower Spas
Rev-A-Shelf
Rohl LLC
Salice America
Sanspa Five Star
Schluter Systems
Senoplast USA
SONG Bath
Sprite Industries
Strom Plumbing by
Sign of the Crab
Sugatsune America

January 2015 / www.kbbonline.com / The Ofﬁcial Sponsor of KBIS www.kbis.com

Symmons Industries
Task Lighting Corp.
Thompson Traders
Tile Redi USA LLC
Top Knobs -
Hardware Resources
TOTO
TR Industries
Triple Crown Products
True Professional
Vernet SAS
Warmup Inc.
Wellborn Cabinet
Zoeller Pump Co.

http://www.kbbonline.com http://www.kbis.com

KBB - January 2015

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of KBB - January 2015