Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM FEBRUARY 2018 54 A S S O C I A T I O N N E W S T he National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA ® ) has named Daniel Louis as its 2017 inductee into the NKBA Kitchen & Bath Industry Hall of Fame, which honors individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the industry. "We congratulate Mr. Louis on this incredible honor that has been bestowed upon him," said Bill Darcy, NKBA CEO. "The NKBA Hall of Fame is made up of an esteemed group of professionals who have been selected by their peers for their significant contribution to the kitchen & bath industry. Induction is reserved for those whose vision and insight has made a significant difference in our industry or whose dedication and commitment has impacted our association." Louis, owner and CEO of Laser Product Industries, is an inventor and businessman who has developed precise laser measuring systems that make it fast, easy and affordable for any size manufacturer of kitchen cabinets and countertops to fabricate high-quality products. "Daniel has contributed to the excellence of our industry with his innovations in digital templating," said Lorenzo Marquez, chairman of the NKBA board of directors. "His combination of technical expertise and creative vision has streamlined and simplified the fabrication process, making precisely crafted cabinetry and countertops accessible for all projects." Louis, who holds numerous patents for his inventions, created a laser system that allows cabinet and countertop companies to document and measure jobs, add jobsite details and generate estimates. The system automatically translates the data points into a 2S or 3D file that can be approved on-site by the customer, or emailed to the shop for fabrication. It's easy to use and fast to learn, and has been designed to interface with all leading cabinet and countertop design programs as well. Louis' company won the 2017 AWFS Visionary Award for Productivity and Innovation. Over 80 percent of U.S. countertop fabricators who use digital templating own an LPI product. Louis is a frequent speaker at Coverings and TISE seminars and also a member of the MIA (Marble Institute of America, also known as the Natural Stone Institute). He is a contributing member of the Stone Fabricators Alliance (SFA), International Surface Fabricators Association (ISFA), and the Rockheads Group. He also holds memberships in the National Tile Council of America (NTCA), Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI), Wood Machinery Manufacturers of America (WMMA) and the Wood Machine Industry Association (WMIA). Louis joins more than 80 kitchen and bath industry professionals in the prestigious NKBA Hall of Fame. He will receive his award before industry colleagues at an awards event on Monday, January 8, 2018 at KBIS ® . Please visit www.nkba.org/info/about/hall-of-fame for more detailed infor- mation on all recipients. For more information, visit www.NKBA.org or call 1-800-THE- NKBA (843-6522). NATIONAL KITCHEN AND BATH ASSOCIATION REVEALS 2017 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE Visionary inventor to join the NKBA Kitchen & Bath Industry Hall of Fame D A N I E L L O U I S RO

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