Lothar Birkenfeld Inducted into NKBA Hall of Fame

The National Kitchen & Bath Association announced its inductees to the industry’s most prestigious award programs: the Kitchen and Bath Industry Hall of Fame. Lothar Birkenfeld, president of Poggenpohl U.S., Inc., was this year’s 2007 inductee awarded into the NKBA Hall of Fame. The program recognizes kitchen and bath industry professionals for their outstanding service, […]

The National Kitchen & Bath Association announced its inductees to the industry’s most prestigious award programs: the Kitchen and Bath Industry Hall of Fame. Lothar Birkenfeld, president of Poggenpohl U.S., Inc., was this year’s 2007 inductee awarded into the NKBA Hall of Fame. The program recognizes kitchen and bath industry professionals for their outstanding service, extraordinary contributions and long-term dedication to the industry. The announcement was made at the NKBA Gala Dinner at the Venetian hotel in Las Vegas during KBIS.

For nearly 40 years, Lothar Birkenfeld has been an industry visionary contributing to the kitchen design industry in many different aspects, especially in contemporary European design. As President of Poggenpohl U.S., he has led the company to its highest sales volume and acclaim in less than ten years. Previously, Birkenfeld was President of Allmilmo Corp. He is one of few industry presidents with the uniquely diversified background of sales & marketing, engineering and kitchen and bath design.

“Through their innovation, leadership and commitment to excellence,” notes NKBA press material, “each individual has made a significant contribution to the advancement of the kitchen and bath industry.”

Birkenfeld is the embodiment of entrepreneurial spirit. He was the first to market European manufactured kitchens to North America in 1970. Through his influence, “European cabinetry” became a coined phrase and an industry standard in American kitchen design. Birkenfeld is as enthusiastic today as 40 years ago when he installed his first kitchen. His “second to none” philosophy has transformed Poggenpohl into the most recognized luxury kitchen cabinet brand in the United States.

In 1970, Birkenfeld was responsible for the delivery and installation of the first European manufactured kitchens in North America at the acclaimed Palm Bay Towers condominium in Miami.

Birkenfeld’s background as a mechanical engineer helped him develop the technical expertise in designing high-end contemporary kitchens and baths that perform ergonomically. In 1982, Birkenfeld became the first non-U.S. citizen Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA). In 1990, the NKBA also certified him as one of the first 10 Certified Bath Designers (CBD) in the U.S.

Birkenfeld has won several prestigious awards including three first place national kitchen and bath competitions as well as the Custom Builder Magazine Award. Birkenfeld has participated in and conducted hundreds of Kitchen Design/Sales Seminars over the years.

The Hall of Fame was established in 1989 to recognize individuals who have made a positive impact on the industry and currently has more than 70 inductees –from inventors to innovators to designers.

Poggenpohl is the world’s leading luxury kitchen cabinet brand with nine corporate showrooms and 21 dealers across the United States. Established in 1892, Poggenpohl is the world’s oldest kitchen cabinet brand with worldwide headquarters located in Herford, Germany. The Poggenpohl product line has a strong global presence and is available in more than 60 countries. Poggenpohl is a member of the billion dollar Nobia Group, Europe’s leading kitchen interiors company with more than 20 top brands within manufacturing and retailing. For more information on Poggenpohl’s product line, visit Poggenpohl.

For more information, please contact Janine Flamer at 973-812-8900 x38 or [email protected].

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