The United Kingdom’s largest dedicated trade show for the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom industry, kbb Birmingham, marked its 40th anniversary edition at the Birmingham NEC from March 1 to 4, 2026. The four-day event brought together nearly 16,000 industry professionals including retailers, designers, developers and installers. Throughout the exhibition, 320 companies operating across 26 different product categories presented the latest innovations and design trends in kitchen and bathroom design.
Commenting on the success of the event, Show Sales Director Jon Johnston said: “This special 40th edition became a remarkable celebration of our industry. We would like to thank all our colleagues within the KBB community who helped make this year’s event such a success. It was a pleasure to see returning exhibitors, brands making their debut on the show floor, and a diverse group of international representatives from more than 20 countries showcasing the very best in KBB design and innovation.”
Design Awards and Exhibitor Experiences
During the first day of the exhibition, companies that stood out for their innovative use of materials and effective space management were recognized as part of the “Stand Awards.” Matt Phillips, UK Operations Manager at Rotpunkt, which received the Best Kitchen Stand Award (Over 30 m²), commented: “2026 marks our 14th consecutive year at kbb Birmingham and reflects Rotpunkt’s continued evolution as a true furniture brand. The show consistently provides a valuable networking environment for the industry. This year, we introduced our cross-category program featuring new furniture, materials and décor designed for the entire home. Being honored with the Best Kitchen Stand (Over 30m²) award is a proud achievement for our brand and a strong recognition of our new 2026 Collection.”
Industry Innovation and New Product Launches
The exhibition also served as a strategic platform where many global brands introduced their latest technologies and solutions. Julia Livett, Sales and Marketing Manager at Midea UK, which participated in kbb Birmingham for the first time, shared her impressions: “It has been an incredible first experience at kbb Birmingham for Midea. We would like to thank everyone who visited our stand. Meeting so many retailers, distributors and studio partners was truly inspiring and once again confirmed the importance of the UK within our European vision. Showcasing TEKA as part of the Midea Group was a real highlight, and we were delighted by the positive feedback we received from visitors throughout the event. We are already looking forward to doing it all again in 2028.”
Michael Bennett, Commercial Director of House of Rohl and Aqualisa, which participated in the exhibition for the ninth time, also highlighted the event’s strong business impact: “kbb Birmingham was an excellent show for all of our brands. The atmosphere across the halls was incredibly positive, and our stand remained busy and vibrant throughout the four days. It provided the perfect setting to present the latest innovations from House of Rohl and Aqualisa, reconnect with long-standing partners, meet new customers, and engage in meaningful discussions about the future of the industry. What truly stood out this year was the quality of attendees, the depth of conversations, and the level of media presence. We met highly engaged visitors who were genuinely interested in doing business. It was an extremely valuable and successful few days for our teams.”
Ashley Munden, EMEA General Manager of InSinkErator, which focuses on food waste management solutions, emphasized the event’s importance within their annual calendar: “This year’s event was full of energy and provided a great opportunity to reconnect with the industry. It also served as a key platform for supporting retailers, designers and consumers in understanding the sector’s new recycling regulations, while enabling productive discussions on how food waste disposers can work alongside composting systems and food waste bins to promote cleaner and more hygienic kitchens. We always enjoy seeing familiar faces and building new connections at kbb Birmingham. It remains one of the standout moments in our calendar that we look forward to every time.”
Innovation Awards and Sustainability
The Innovation Awards, announced on the final day of the exhibition, highlighted both technological progress and sustainability within the industry. Ben Hughes, UK Sales Manager at Finsa, which received the Sustainability Award, shared his thoughts on the achievement: “We had a fantastic time at kbb Birmingham. It was a great opportunity to showcase our Habitat 360 range and connect with customers from across the entire KBB sector. Winning the Sustainability Award at the Innovation Awards with our FimapPan® Bio BDecor product truly crowned the experience and was a proud moment for the entire Finsa team.”
40 Years of Industry Legacy and the Vision for 2028
Reflecting on the exhibition’s four-decade legacy, Event Director Sam Fisher stated: “I am proud to celebrate forty years of kbb Birmingham as a key meeting point for the industry. Seeing our entire community come together at the show to connect, collaborate and build new relationships that drive progress across the sector is truly inspiring. The stands reflected the creativity and commitment of our exhibitors and partners, contributing to an energetic four days where face-to-face networking, meaningful conversations and lasting partnerships thrived. kbb Birmingham continues to shape the industry, and we look forward to building on this proud legacy while welcoming everyone back for the 2028 edition.”
Following the completion of its 40th anniversary edition, the dates for the next event have also been confirmed. kbb Birmingham will return to the NEC Birmingham from March 5 to 8, 2028.
FUAR HABER ONLINE