Trim producer stretches out

r|-IHIS year. PVC trim manufacturer |- Koun Trim Products is refocusing on product innovation and contractor/ remodeler inspiration and education, launching several new product lines and programs.

"In 2006, we changed the name of our business from Koun Trim Boards to KoMA Trim Products," said Patrick Shabal, sales and marketing manager. "The bulk of our business has been linear boards. but now our customers are expecting innovations that favor more ornate levels of trim detail and economical installations."

One such creation is the launch of a new line of moldings designed to complement existing products, while providing flexibility and versatility on the jobsite. The collection features eight types of standard moldings and four specialized versions. Series I of the Allure Collection debuted in late May at the PCBC show in San Francisco.

New this year is Kotr,ra's Building Professional of the Year Program. The goal of the program is to educate and inspire others, enabling architects, builders and contractors to expand their use of Koun products. Each year a winner will named and given the opportunity to educate other professionals by sharing their ideas and concepts for using Kova, products.

Kove. is also now marketing a "millwork grade" product marketed as Kon,t.tyyT. The product extension supports a segment of the trim market where a fine core cell structure is desired for millwork and routed applications. "Our company has made thin freefoam for over two decades for the sign and graphics industry," Shabal said. "Our plant expansion and added capacity (100,000 sq. ft. in 2006), coupled with our dual technology offering, should put most customers large or small at ease."

An optional product wrap, introduced last year, helps keep trim from becoming damaged and soiled while in transit, storage or on a jobsite. "The market has convinced us that there is not a builder that wants their trim carpenter or painting crew spending one minute cleaning mud and footprints off trim," said Shabal. "We have always been known for our product's exceptional surface toughness, but now we are arriving to the jobsite 'paint ready clean.' We were certain this innovation would be appreciated by our distributors and dealers. In less than a year. over half of our orders leave our plant wrapped."

Looking ahead, Kotlra is planning additional new products and tools to better educate and inspire trimboard dealers, distributors and end-users.