The International Builders’ Show (IBS) returns to Las Vegas tomorrow, and anticipation is high for the innovative products and renewed optimism from manufacturers and builders who have navigated difficult years. Despite economic headwinds, companies continue to release inspired solutions. One standout this year is Formica, which is going “all-in” at IBS as it celebrates its 100th anniversary.
Reaching a century in business reflects consistent innovation and an ability to evolve products as design tastes and home technologies change.
At IBS we’ll go behind the booth with Formica to show what happens during the Builder’s Show and to highlight the preparation, dedication and creativity required for a brand to present its latest offerings to an international audience of builders, designers and media.
We asked Formica a few questions about their participation at IBS this year and how they plan to mark the big centennial milestone.
Formica’s Long History at IBS
Formica: The Formica Corporation has a long history at the International Builders’ Show. We’ve been unveiling products at the show for decades.
How Formica Will Celebrate 100 Years
Formica: Our booth itself is a tribute to our 100-year milestone. It celebrates our history with archival advertising displays from the 1950s and 1960s while also showcasing today’s laminate innovations. We’re proud of our legacy — we invented laminate — and we continue to reinvent this surfacing material to keep it relevant and popular as a countertop option.
We’ll also celebrate with attendees several times each day. If attendees are near the booth during one of our “flash” birthday parties, they can expect a fun, festive and tasty moment.
Booth Inspiration and Design
Formica: Over the years our sample chip and chain — known affectionately as the “F-chip” — has become an icon. For our 100th anniversary celebration at IBS 2013, we wanted to honor the F-chip in a big way. Larger-than-life chips provide a bold, playful canvas for messaging that reflects Formica’s identity over the past century. The trade stand pays tribute to our anniversary and signals another century of design leadership through our products and the way we present them.
Alongside the celebratory elements, the booth highlights our broad residential product range and aims to spark imagination among conference attendees about what’s possible in kitchens, baths and beyond.
Design and Construction Process
Formica: Once our designers at Kuhlmann Leavitt, Inc. chose the F-chip-and-chain concept, the idea to build monumental chips and a chain naturally followed. Iconic elements can be dramatic. The large scale is an effective way to display Formica brands both vertically and horizontally, offering different perspectives on the product. A monumental red sphere with confetti draws attention to the cascading F-chip chain, creating a festive focal point.
We also needed functional elements like storage and counter space, so we created cabinet displays that support two- and three-chip arrangements functioning as counters. These areas demonstrate fabrication techniques and showcase our eSeries and Compact products.
Meeting a Global, Diverse Audience
Formica: Trade shows are important because seeing is believing. Product photography is useful, but nothing replaces the experience of touching and seeing innovations in person. Preparing for the show involves extensive booth design, travel coordination and logistics, but the core of our approach is to let the products speak for themselves.
Formica has been part of customers’ lives for generations; many attendees remember laminate from their childhood and are surprised by the evolution they see today. Nearly every visitor wants to touch the surfaces to confirm they are indeed laminate — that tactile reaction is a hallmark of our presence at the International Builders’ Show.
New Product Launches at IBS
Formica: Formica Corporation will introduce two major launches at the show: the 2013 Formica Laminate 100th Anniversary Collection and 33 new Formica® laminates.
The Anniversary Collection features 12 patterns that reflect Formica’s history and brand identity. Pentagram, the international design consultancy, created the collection exclusively for Formica Group.
In addition to the anniversary collection, we are adding 33 refreshed woodgrains, graphic patterns and vibrant solids to our portfolio. The booth will also highlight perennial favorites such as the 180fx Collection, our IdealEdge profiles and eSeries solid surfacing.
Countertop and Surfacing Trends
Formica: Key trends we’re seeing include:
- Large-scale patterns: Oversized, exotic granite, stone and marble looks remain popular. Formica’s 180fx large-scale designs continue to be among our most sought-after laminates.
- Rise of wood looks: Wood appearances, including teak, legno, walnut and ash, are growing in popularity as homeowners seek to bring natural textures indoors. This influenced our decision to add 14 new woodgrains, including the Ribbonwood Collection.
- Optimistic hues: Contemporary style shifts are driving demand for vibrant colors and graphic patterns. Bold accents — like bright gold, juicy pink and leaf green — can energize modern kitchens when paired with white or light wood cabinetry.
- Mixing materials: Kitchens increasingly combine multiple surface materials to create functional zones. For example, laminate might surface an island while marble is used for a baking area or butcher block for a prep zone. This “save and splurge” strategy helps homeowners manage budgets while achieving high-end looks.
Events and Activities at the Booth
Formica: Our IBS 2013 schedule is packed with opportunities to engage with Formica both at the show and online. Activities include birthday celebrations, iPad mini giveaways, live radio broadcasts and celebrity appearances in the booth.
We’re also hosting the popular #kbtribechat in booth C5047. The hour-long industry Twitter chat, which connects kitchen and bath professionals, will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 23 at 2 p.m. ET (11 a.m. PST). The chat will offer an overview of IBS from the perspective of show attendees. Industry professionals participating virtually can follow the hashtag #kbtribechat on Twitter to experience the show remotely.
Closing
We look forward to seeing Formica at the show as they celebrate a century of innovation. Their centennial booth and new product launches aim to honor the past while showcasing the company’s role in shaping the future of surfacing design.