Trade Secrets
The Word Is Out About Flathead Valley’s Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery
“We’re one of the best-kept secrets around. We have a large presence when it comes to dealing with designers, contractors, and plumbers. The word is still getting out to homeowners themselves.”
–Emily Krieger, Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery, Showroom and Building Sales Manager
In Montana, the land always seems to be the dominant influence. Mountains rise in all directions. Rivers cut their way through expansive valleys. And here in the Flathead Valley, the lake remains a large presence. But most of us who call this place home know it is also the people who make Montana so special. Maybe it’s because there are so few of us that we put a strong emphasis on treating each other well.
The moment you step into the Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery showroom in Kalispell, you know that how they treat people is a big part of their approach to business. “We are focused on enhancing the customer experience with clients who are selecting plumbing, lighting, and appliances,” says Emily Krieger, Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery Showroom and Building Sales Manager. She oversees the Kalispell location. “We strive to be a one-stop shop for a stress-free shopping experience,” she adds.
If this is your first exposure to Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery, it’s not necessarily a surprise. “We’re one of the best-kept secrets around. We do not do a lot of advertising and historically, we’ve dealt most directly with our trades partners.” Krieger goes on to explain, “We are the largest plumbing supplier in the United States with locations in all 50 states. We have a very large presence when it comes to dealing with designers, contractors, and plumbers. The word is still getting out to homeowners themselves.”
As the word gets out, one of the things that will draw people to Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery is Showroom Consultant, Darci Hanson. “Darci is extremely qualified to provide plumbing, lighting, and appliance consultations. She sees everything through the design lens. She takes into consideration all the different features of the home and ties the entire project together into the customers’ vision,” says Krieger. This is no accident. Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery places a strong emphasis on training their consultants and it’s one of the things that steers their success in locations across the country.
The real emphasis in the Kalispell showroom is on plumbing and appliances. You will find a wealth of options to touch and feel. “In the showroom we display and showcase everything from the high-end manufacturers—Wolf, Sub-Zero, and Cove—as well as more economical options. This is just scraping the surface of the manufacturers we offer,” explains Krieger. It can certainly be easy to spend a good deal of time browsing in the showroom.
Every brand you’ll find at Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery is selected with a great deal of consideration. Offering a good product isn’t enough to get on the showroom floor. Krieger points out, “We partner ourselves with name brands that allow us to provide the best customer service experience and stand behind their product. We pride ourselves on a holistic approach to meet every possible consideration of our customers.”
“This year’s ‘Trends & Influences, Vol. VI’ talked about using ‘Living Color’. This could be a lime-green range or hood in your kitchen that has neutral countertops and cabinets. We’re seeing more appliance manufacturers offer the option to customize color.”
–Emily Krieger, Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery, Showroom and Building Sales Manager
Again, it’s all about an exemplary level of customer service—delivering the best products and making the client’s experience positive. To do that goes beyond taking directions. It means adding value. Krieger explains, “We try to keep all the lines of communication open to our customers. We are very transparent as to how we do business—especially across markets. We are a large organization but it’s important to us that the customer have a very consistent experience. Whether the journey begins in Washington and ends in Montana, the customer knows what they can count on when working with Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery.”
Technology has certainly had its effect on the planning of any home project. Online experiences have influenced the selection process, and will continue to do so. “Today’s homeowners are savvy. Thanks to the internet, our customers are self-educated. When they come in, they are familiar with styles, trends, and costs,” adds Krieger. Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery publishes an annual internal Trends and Influences guide geared towards keeping their clientele attuned to market designs.
How does that play out in the Mountain West? “The overall trend is mountain modern; some even call it Montana Modern. You get that heavy western feel, big stonework or heavy beams with oversized light fixtures, but then appliances and plumbing go for a modern, sleek look to provide balance. Sometimes we see softer colors to balance those formidable elements. It feels very much like the Montana cabin but simplified with an urban flare,” says Krieger.
Krieger continues, “This year’s Trends & Influences, Vol. VI talked about using ‘Living Color’. This could be a lime-green range or hood in your kitchen that has neutral countertops and cabinets. We’re seeing more appliance manufacturers offer the option to customize color. For plumbing we’re seeing the aesthetic trend towards a sleek, minimalist style that requires less cleaning. That’s especially relevant in the Mountain West where a big reason people live here is for the outdoor recreational opportunities. Homeowners are trending less toward the faucets with intricate details that are more difficult to clean.” Lifestyle plays a big part in what ultimately becomes style.
