We were delighted to share some exciting news with KBDi Members and Partners last week.
The Kitchen and Bathroom Designers Institute (KBDi) and the Australian Cabinet and Furniture Association (ACFA) are embarking on a strategic merger that promises to revolutionise the kitchen, bathroom, and cabinetry sector.
This merger will forge a powerful alliance, combining our strengths and resources to serve you better than ever before. From concept design to project completion, this new union will deliver it all.
All the KBDi Membership Benefits you’ve enjoyed to date will be retained. Our design-inspired events, technical support, PI Insurance, Design Awards program and terrific team won’t be changing. You will, however, enjoy many expanded opportunities like:
- Comprehensive Industry Support: This merger will offer unparalleled support throughout every phase of the design and manufacturing process. From initial design concepts to final installations, our combined expertise will enhance your professional journey and business growth.
- Enhanced Professional Development: Expect a richer array of educational programs, workshops, and certifications. Our expanded training will ensure you remain at the forefront of industry advancements and emerging technologies.
- Networking and Collaboration: With our combined membership base, you’ll have increased opportunities to network, share ideas, and collaborate on innovative projects, fostering creativity and new business opportunities.
- Increased Advocacy and Representation: Our unified voice will be more impactful in advocating for your interests at all levels of government and industry. We’re committed to addressing your challenges and representing your needs effectively – with more significant numbers on our side, our voice will be louder.
- Access to New Markets: The merger bridges the gap between design and manufacturing, providing you with new business opportunities and a more integrated network to explore new market segments.
Looking Ahead: A Stronger, United Industry
The merger of KBDi and ACFA represents a transformative step towards a more cohesive, innovative, and supportive industry. Together, we’re committed to elevating the standards of kitchen, bathroom, and cabinetry design in Australia and delivering exceptional value to our members and partners.
What happens next?
Merging two membership organisations is no easy feat, and it won’t happen overnight (or without the support of our members). Members were emailed the logistical details on Monday, but it’s essentially a two-stage process:
Stage One: we add ACFA to our constitution as a special member and begin to ‘test the waters’ of our union. Consider this our ‘engagement’, if you like. This initial stage will give us six to twelve months to see how well we can work together.
Stage Two: before we officially ‘tie the knot’, we’ll cast a vote for our merger. Members will get to decide if the union is a good idea, and we’ll look forward to celebrating the future together.
Current financial Members received notice of our ‘Extraordinary General Meeting’ and a proxy voting form on Monday, 2 September. This document set out the process in more detail and listed a range of questions and answers related to the merger. We’ll officially cast the vote for Stage One on 25 September. If you’ve any questions between now and then, please don’t hesitate to email future@kbdi.org.au, and we’ll get back to you promptly.
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