New laminates From Wilsonart

Vol. 5, Issue 3 • Summer 2009
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
New Laminates from Wilsonart®
Marry Style and Value This Summer
In June, Wilsonart International, Inc. launched 40
In the News
VT welcomes new plant manager in Indiana.
Page 2
new designs to their expansive laminate offering
in order to ensure that specifiers have the most
current, up-to-date surfacing options at their
New Faces
disposal, according to Gwen Petter, director,
VT Announces new territory sales managers.
Page 2
Product Design. “These designs have been well
thought out as to the usability for the consumer
not only in the design, color, and texture, but in
Product Update
VT updates laminate stock offerings.
Page 3
CounterTopics Trivia
Take this challenge for a chance to win a
VT prize. Page 4
performance,” Petter noted.
Wilsonart HD®
This year Wilsonart made nine pattern additions
to its HD home and contract collections.
Luna Winter pattern.
LUNA SERIES
Luna is the Latin name for the Earth’s moon
PERSPECTIVES
and draws inspiration from the low contrast
patterns on the moon’s surface. The Luna
collection features six distinct patterns, which
were all inspired by the phases of the moon.
eclipse SERIES
The eclipse series offers two distinct patterns
that are inspired by the light/dark dimensional
look of engineered quartz surfaces. These
patterns will coordinate seamlessly with high
tech materials such as stainless, chrome, and
black glass.
By Trisha Clausen-Schmitt
Vice President of Corporate Marketing
luna crest
luna frost
luna glow
In an effort to stay current and market our lines
more effectively, VT has been busy developing
bronze eclipse
ebony eclipse
several new marketing flyers. We have created
new flyers for both the VT Fine Laminate
luna night
luna shadow
luna winter
medallion SERIES
Countertop Division as well as the VT Stone
This unique series reflects the patina of aged
Surfaces division.
metals with complex layering and the richness
of old oil paintings. This collection debuts
Now all of VT’s Fine Laminate Countertop edge
with one pattern, the namesake of the series.
profiles can be seen together in one new flyer
from VT Industries. This new flyer provides a
brief synopsis of the advantages of VT’s fine
laminate countertops and features a description
and image of each of the profiles available.
Medallion pattern.
medallion
continued on page 3
‘we have created new flyers
for both the vt fine laminate
countertop division as well as
the vt stone surfaces division.’
— schmitt
This flyer was designed with the fabricator/
distributor in mind. We wanted to offer a
single piece that shows all of the profiles, which
is intended to be used as a quick reference
DESIGN TRENDS
Formica® Launch is Big and Bold
Replicating a Natural Granite Slab
Formica Corporation is preparing for one of
laminate pattern that captures all of the visual
the largest, most publicized laminate launches
drama of a full granite slab.
in recent history featuring its newest laminate
collection for the residential market—180fx™.
piece for our customers. To request brochures
please visit our online literature request page
at http://www.vtindustries.com/vt/brochurerq.
pgm?type= COUNTERTOPS
across a 5-foot width of material. Additionally,
The 180fx collection replicates the look and true
with 180fx there is the ability to match the veining
scale of a natural granite slab at a fraction of the
to the backsplash and edge, where with granite
cost of real granite. Formica Corporation achieves
this is extremely difficult and expensive to achieve.
this look through advanced manufacturing and
continued on page 2
This new technology allows for no pattern repeat
innovative printing technology. Until now, there
had not been technology available to create a
All of the collections’ nine patterns were derived
from actual exotic slabs of granite, hand selected
continued on page 4
IN THE NEWS
VT Names Plant Manager for Indiana Facility
VT Industries recently hired Al Peine as plant
“Al brings strong experience and skills related
manager for the VT Fine Laminate Countertop
to the production management, process
production facility located in Shelbyville, Ind.
controls, lean manufacturing, and customer
service to his role as general manager,”
announced Rick Liddell, senior vice president
‘Al brings strong experience
and skills... to his role as
general manager.’
— liddell
of Fine Laminate Countertops.
At the Indiana production facility, Peine will
focus on major initiatives including product
quality, process controls, and overall customer
Peine has been with VT for nine years, most
service. Peine transitioned into his new role at the
recently as the senior production manager for
beginning of July.
the Architectural Wood Door Division in
Holstein, Iowa.
VT Industries’ new plant manager, Al Peine.
VT Industries Welcomes Aaron Clark, Darren Gonzales
As New Territory Sales Managers
VT Industries is proud to announce the addition of
Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) and the
two new territory sales managers, Aaron Clark and
National Association of the Remodeling
Darren Gonzales, according to Rick Liddell, senior
Industry (NARI).
vice president of Fine Laminate Countertops.
VT’s valued fabricator customers in Los Angeles
and Orange County, California are now serviced
by Gonzales, who has extensive knowledge of the
postformed countertop industry having owned
a postform countertop business for seven years.
Gonzales is also familiar with the solid surface
and quartz market having served as a quartz sales
Darren Gonzales
creates an equally rewarding situation for VT
‘both aaron and darren are
highly qualified to represent
vt’s fine laminate countertops.’
— liddell
Industries and the fabricators in their territories.”
Clark will serve the Phoenix/ Desert region upon
Aaron Clark
current territory sales manager Bernie Coalson’s
“Both Aaron and Darren are highly qualified to
retirement in the fall. This summer, Clark has been
represent VT’s Fine Laminate Countertops,” Liddell
busy getting to know the customers in his region.
acknowledged. “Their past experience combined
He has extensive experience in the kitchen and
with their dedication to superior customer service
bath industry, and is a member of the National
Perspectives
representative. Gonzales holds memberships in
NKBA, NARI, American Institute of Architects
(AIA), and the National Association of Home
Builders (NAHB).
continued from page 1
With the addition of Caesarstone and granite to
VT Stone Surfaces’ product mix and the second
production facility coming on board in the third
quarter of 2009, VT is answering the call for
additional Stone Surfaces literature as well.
Available this fall, in conjunction with the grand
opening of the VT Stone Surfaces production
facility in California, are three product specific
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AV A i L A
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Granite Countertops:
Look at the many benefits of VT
• Low-maintenance
• Heat & scratch resistant
variations
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with
material
• Natural
profiles available. The flyers show the west coast
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durability and beautiful
With many color options, extreme
s are a perfect option if
aesthetics, VT Granite Countertop
to the next level. And it all
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and customer service.
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industry
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flyers that highlight the stock colors and edge
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New Laminates from Wilsonart® Marry Style and
Value This Summer
continued from page 1
AEON™ Technology
glass SERIES
The gloss finish group receives revitalization
A series featuring three gloss designs that play
thanks to Wilsonart’s AEON Enhanced
off of the reflectivity of glass and the
Performance technology, which not only provides
translucent beauty of water. Two additional
enhanced scratch/scuff/mar resistance but also
designs, Mercury Glass and Antique Glass, carry
enhances the clarity of the designs.
a matte finish and were inspired by the etched
look of worn and weathered glass.
‘these designs have been
well thought out as to the
usability for the consumer not
only in the design, color, and
texture, but in performance.’
— petter
“Wilsonart takes care to bring the most current
antique glass
bottle glass
mercury glass
sea glass
frosted glass
Girona patterns (from top, left) Girona Envy, Girona Falls, Girona
Beach, Girona Cavern and Girona Cliff.
design and finish trends to the customer, but
acknowledges the need for superior performance,
when trends are pushing toward smoother,
glossier surfaces,” Petter acknowledged. “AEON
technology makes Wilsonart laminate the best
Large Scale Granite Patterns
choice by providing scratch, scuff, and mar
resistance that makes the product look new longer,
“The large scale granite look is in high demand
and it provides more abrasion resistance to make
and budget-conscious homeowners are looking
the product last longer.”
for added value when remodeling their kitchens
and baths but without compromising looks or
The following new patterns benefit from the rich
durability,” Petter added. “Now, with Wilsonart’s
translucent effect that AEON technology provides:
Springs series, homeowners can achieve this look.”
Girona SERIES
As the name suggests, this collection reflects
the polished marble and travertine looks found
Girona Beach pattern.
in luxury retreats. Girona’s designs range from
Mediterranean blues, earthy greens, to rich
browns and sun-baked clay tones.
mosaic SERIES
This collection, inspired by geometry and stones
such as granite and limestone, create a design
that is both natural and abstract. Polished
Mosaic is a mixture of organics and technology
featuring a stunning gloss finish. Tumbled
girona beach
girona cavern
girona cliff
Mosaic, reflecting a softer stone and tile, carries
a matte finish.
Desert Springs pattern.
girona envy
girona falls
springs SERIES
polished mosaic
tumbled mosaic
Featuring four bold designs that evoke the
feeling of clean, cool water streaming through
PRODUCT UPDATE
a stony mountain brook. The four patterns
coordinate beautifully with the most popular
VT Industries Updates Laminate Lists
cabinet finishes in vogue today.
VT recently updated the stock, JIT, and
extended lead time laminate offerings for
all six manufacturing facilities. The updated
deep springs
lists reflect the availability of a wide selection
of laminates from all major manufacturers
as well as the new laminates from Formica®
and Wilsonart®. VT Industries is committed to
providing our distributors and their customers
willow springs
with a diverse selection of timeless, popular and
new laminates.
To view the updated laminate lists, visit
http://www.vtindustries.com/countertops/
laminates.aspx and select your plant to view the
associated stock, JIT, and extended lead time
laminates available.
3
desert springs
spicewood
springs
Formica® Launch is Big and Bold Replicating
a Natural Granite Slab
continued from page 1
by Formica’s Design Team. 180fx is available in
the Radiance finish, which further highlights
river series
montana series
the veining and natural characteristics of the
The River series is derived from exotic
Dramatic hues achieve a delicate balance in
granite. The following color descriptions explain
Brazilian granite with colors that compliment
Red Montana granite from Brazil. The rich
the granite inspiration and how the colors and
warm woods. This granite has small
colors are dispersed in a wavy strata pattern
patterns were translated to laminate.
crystalline flecks of color with characteristic
and diffused with a crystalline mist, creating
black and rust streaks that run diagonally
a sweeping pattern on a grand scale with
across the slab.
subtle veining and small quartz details.
This revolutionary product provides the most
realistic granite visual in the laminate industry at
red montana
yellow river
This laminate has golden yellow and
coffee-brown tones and is a useable
exotic for cherry and brown-stained
a fraction of the cost of real granite.
mascarello series
Multi-hues of red, tan-brown and
gray coordinate well with many
woods from traditional red cherry
cabinets.
to brown-glazed maple cabinetry.
large scale granite sourced from Brazil.
olivine river
burnished montana
Characterized by warm veins of yellow and
Styled in natural earth green tones
Styled in rich terra cottas and
this laminate blends well with the
browns, this laminate coordinates
The Mascarello series represents a striking
gold, Mascarello has large masses of rich
brown-black and white quartz that breaks up
new eco inspired gray-green paints
well with warm cherry and
for cabinets and walls.
cotta-stained woods.
the landscape.
corbeau montana
golden mascarello
Features strong gold tones, yet is
versatile enough to blend with any
espirito santo
wood stain from light to dark.
From a bedrock quarry in the state of
This dark green-raven black stone is
reminiscent of Formica®’s popular
laminate, Labrador Granite. Corbeau
Montana complements traditional
Espirito Santo, Brazil, this granite is the
wood cabinets.
result of water penetrating deep into the
antique mascarello
Styled in soft gray-brown, the
stone through small cracks and fissures for
Antique coloration is more muted
millions of years, causing the iron and
blue storm
and coordinates well with dark
minerals to oxidize which results in rich,
A very rare natural stone color, blue granites
brown woods and stainless
vibrant gold tones.
come from limited quarries around the world.
steel appliances.
espirito santo
This large scale classic laminate
features gold, white, and black
even-sized crystals. Espirito Santo
Blue Storm, from Brazil features swirling blue,
gold, and warm white veins studded with
ruby red garnets.
coordinates with many wood
tones, especially warm honey tones,
browns, and blacks.
CounterTopics Trivia Question
blue storm
This stunning blue-black stone
is excellent for a dramatic center
island or feature wall.
VTonline®
User Tip
Congratulations to Dwayne Blackwell, The Counter Act, Duncan, South Carolina, who knew
that the second VT Stone Surfaces production facility will be located in La Mirada, California.
Blackwell won a VT prize for the correct answer.
Question: True or false? caesarstone and granite have been added to the
vt stone surfaces’ product mix.
As part of our commitment to enhance your VTonline®
experience through ongoing training and education, we
invite you to participate in VTonline by submitting your
questions or comments to: [email protected].
Our interactive team of experts will diagnose your
symptoms and offer their prescription for online relief.
Answer this question based on this issue of CounterTopics for a chance to win a VT prize. View
the newsletter on VT’s Web site at www.vtindustries.com/trivia and submit the correct answer
by filling in your contact information electronically by October 31, 2009. Limit one entry per
person, and one winning per year.
VT employees and sales representatives are excluded from this promotion.
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