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Edited By KRIS KYES
Todd Wingrove Appointed VP of Sales, Specialty Division, for Meadowcraft
Meadowcraft has announced that Todd Wingrove has been appointed vice president of sales, specialty division. “Todd brings to the company years of experience in the casual-furniture industry,” Timothy LeRoy, Meadowcraft’s executive vice-president of sales, says.
“His experience is enhanced by his time spent as a member of sales management, as well as his work as an independent territory rep in the casual-furniture industry. As we continue to evolve and position Meadowcraft for the future, Todd will provide an open channel for information and communication, while providing a balanced perspective.”
Wingrove most recently has been a representative in the Michigan territories, working with Lloyd/Flanders and Hooker Furniture Company. Prior to that, he held management sales positions with the manufacturing companies Hekman Furniture, DMI Furniture and Samsonite Furniture Company. Todd replaces Rory Rehmert, who left the company to pursue other interests.
Mendota Debuts New Hearth-products
Web Site
Mendota recently launched the company’s new hearth-products Web site on St. Patrick’s Day, but marketing executives from the high-end fireplace firm are counting on more than just the luck of the Irish when it comes to the Web site’s success.
“Our Web site can still be found at www.mendotahearth.com, but visitors to the site will be treated to a much more interactive experience,” Kent Roeder, national sales/marketing manager, explains. “We wanted to provide customers with an engaging way to browse our collection and create their own custom fireplace design, while still making it easy to find key information like product specifications or where to locate a Mendota dealer.”
Meadowcraft Announces Appointments
Meadowcraft recently announced the appointment of Kim Golson to the position of sales manager for the specialty division and the appointment of Bill Brown to the newly created position of brand manager for the Meadowcraft brand in its specialty division.
Golson has most recently been one of Meadowcraft’s specialty regional sales managers. Prior to that, she worked for the company for over 10 years in sales support and customer service within the Meadowcraft specialty division. Brown most recently has been one of Meadowcraft’s specialty regional sales managers. Prior to that, he held various management operations positions with Meadowcraft.
Timothy M. LeRoy, Meadowcraft’s executive vice president of sales, says, “Kim will report to Todd Wingrove, Meadowcraft’s vice president of sales, and will work closely with Todd in the sales and management of the Meadowcraft product line with our specialty dealers. With this change, we hope to bring a more consistent direction to the management of the sales and service expectations we have for the rep force in our specialty distribution channel.”
LeRoy adds, “Bill brings to this new position a valuable inside understanding of the manufacturing operation and its requirements, combined with his most recent experience with our dealers as one of our regional sales managers. His experience within manufacturing operations will ensure rapid speed to market, which is a requirement of today’s business environment.”
Second Annual Outdoor Kitchen Design
Competition Announced
The second annual competition for the Oasis Award for Outdoor Kitchen Design (the only national competition of its type) was announced recently by Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet™ and Garden Design magazine. The deadline for the 2008 competition is August 1, 2008. Created to recognize exceptional outdoor-kitchen design, the competition is open to architects, landscape architects, landscape designers, kitchen designers and interior designers, as well as students.
The competition recognizes site-specific residential outdoor rooms with an outdoor kitchen as a primary feature. The project may be real or conceptual. All entries must incorporate components of Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet’s Custom Outdoor Kitchen collection as central features of the outdoor kitchen. Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet and Garden Design magazine have partnered for the second year to present the 2008 award.
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Jøtul Wins Top Hearth-industry Award
Jøtul North America has won its fourth consecutive Vesta Award, the hearth-product industry’s top design and technology recognition. This year’s Vesta for Gas Stove or Insert was presented to Jøtul for its GF 370, a contemporary gas stove. Jøtul’s GZ 650, a modern gas fireplace, was also recognized by the industry as a Vesta Award finalist in the Gas Fireplace category. The Vesta Awards were recently presented in Atlanta at the 2008 HPBExpo, the world’s largest indoor/outdoor-living show.
IRSC Launches New Web Site
The Infrared Heater Safety Council, established by manufacturers of gas-fired infrared heating equipment to enhance user safety through education of building inspectors, fire authorities and end users, has introduced its new Web site: irsafetycouncil.org. The Web site features an educational brochure about infrared technology that can be downloaded and printed for consumers and other individuals.
Bella-DuraExpands Sales Team
Wearbest Sil-Tex Mills, Inc., the maker of Bella-Dura™ performance fabrics, announces that Linda Long (who has been serving as the marketing director for Bella-Dura Fabrics) has joined its sales team as a representative in the Southeast for marketing to the casual and marine industries. Long will also continue with her responsibilities in the marketing role for Bella-Dura Fabrics.
Irwin Gasner, president and CEO of Wearbest, is excited about the expansion and the possibilities that this allows for Bella-Dura Fabrics. He says, “Linda has a very strong textile sales, marketing and performance-fabric background, having held similar positions with Crypton and Guilford Mills. She has worked with us since our infancy to help us build the Bella-Dura brand, and we are pleased to have her expand that role into developing and cultivating sales within the casual and marine industries. Since these markets have not had choices of fabrics which offered both performance and environmentally friendly aspects, we believe that we have a tremendous opportunity for growth in these areas.”
AES Appoints New Director of Marketing
American Energy Systems Inc., the manufacturer of MagnuM and Country Flame lines of biomass, agrifuel and wood-burning appliances, is proud to announce the recent appointment of Dean Peters as director of marketing. Peters’ duties will range from developing marketing plans to creating advertising material to exploring new market opportunities.
Peters has over 20 years’ experience in advertising and marketing, with an emphasis on visual media. “My job’s easy. I’m marketing quality products that sell themselves during a time when the need for alternative energy is at an all-time high. I just have to get the message out,” he says.
Pride Family Brands Debuts at 2008 Hospitality-Design Expo
Pride Family Brands, designer of handcrafted outdoor furniture, was an exhibitor for the first time at the 2008 Hospitality-Design Expo, held in Las Vegas, May 15–17. The manufacturer of high-quality cast-aluminum products featured designs from its extensive line for residential or commercial use. In its 30-year history, Pride Family Brands has distinguished itself for its handcrafted custom styling. This individualized process lends itself to the requirements of designers and the hospitality industry.
“Over 40 percent of all orders are custom made for our specialty retailers,” Jamie Lowsky, CEO, Pride Family Brands, says. “We are set up to provide this same customization in a timely manner for designers and commercial facilities.” With Pride’s experience supplying prominent hotels in Florida, the introduction into the hospitality and contract arenas is viewed as a natural transition.
A computerized work-flow management system and vertical integration offer Pride’s manufacturing operation the ability to manage each individual unit for a custom order, including unique design specifications. The company currently offers over 40 lines, with hundreds of individual pieces and thousands of options for finishes and fabrics.
Bella-Dura Announces MBDC Certification
Wearbest Sil-Tex Mills, Inc., the maker of Bella-Dura™ performance fabrics, announces that Bella-Dura fabrics have achieved a Silver certification and are classified as preferred products by McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry. This certification confirms that Bella-Dura meets or exceeds MBDC’s strict standards for human and environmental health, environmentally preferable materials, strategy for renewable energy and a comprehensive material-re-utilization program.
New Staff Appointments at Selkirk
Selkirk Corp. recently announced three staff appointments. Tim Rothgeb has assumed the position of vice president, sales, for the United States. This position covers all U.S. market segments and customer service. Rothgeb previously served as vice president, logistics and marketing, for the United States.
John Vukanovich will assume the role of vice president, marketing, for Selkirk Corp. John was previously in the role of vice president, marketing and commercial sales, for Selkirk Canada.
Bob Emmell, vice president, sales, for Selkirk Canada, will assume responsibility for Canadian commercial sales. This position covers all Canadian market segments and customer service. “I am confident this new sales-and-marketing structure will lead us to increased communications and interaction with the customer base. This is a key to the future success of Selkirk,” Tim Valters, president, says.
Bungalow by E-Z UP Launches New Web Site
Bungalow by E-Z UP is pleased to announce the launch of its new and improved Web site, www.bungalowbyezup.com. Not only aesthetically pleasing, the new Web site is easy to navigate, is full of user-friendly product information and includes a new interactive space planner as well.
Created by the award-winning International E-Z UP, Inc. (the originator and worldwide leader in the instant-shade industry for 25 years), Bungalow by E-Z UP has exploded into the casual-furniture market with the only upscale pavilion in the industry that is completely portable, that sets up in minutes and that exceeds customer expectations due to its soundly engineered designs and stylish offerings.
Aspen Industries Updates Fully Vented Gas-log Product Line
Aspen Industries, Inc., has updated its Master Flame brand of fully vented gas-log fireplace systems to provide a fuller, more natural-looking appearance. Innovations include redesigned log sets to provide greater detail, elevated back log supports for a fuller flame and the addition of optional accessory kits to increase the overall aesthetic appeal of the installed gas-log system further. “These enhancements are the first steps in an ongoing program of product improvements that will assure customers that the Master Flame brand will continue to deliver the highest level of quality and aesthetic appeal well into the future,” Jeffrey M. Korpalski, comptroller of Aspen Industries, says.
Master Flame offers single-, double- and triple-burner fully vented gas-log fireplace systems. The product line features a one-piece, straight-port injection system with separate configurable logs. Aspen Industries also manufactures the Royal series of adjustable gas coal-effect burners and baskets, which are ideal for smaller fireplaces and for those who prefer a gas fire with a more distinctive look.
Dedon Receives 2008 reddot Design Award
Dedon Worldwide was once again honored with one of the most renowned international design awards, the 2008 reddot Design Award. The expert jury of the annual, prestigious reddot Award contest concluded that the Spa recliner XXL, designed by Richard Frinier, and the Phoenix lounge chair, designed by Nicolas Thomkins (both from the current 2008 Dedon collection), were among the best, most innovative and most valuable products of the year in the field of product design. The collections will be exhibited in the reddot Museum, described as the largest contemporary museum in the world, and then will be part of a traveling exhibit to visit countries around world throughout the year.
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Room Reservations for 2008 International Pool/Spa/Patio Expo
Online housing reservations can now be made for the 2008 International Pool/Spa/Patio Expo, taking place November 18–20 in the Bayside and Shoreline Halls at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. With special hotel, airline and car-rental discounts, show participants are guaranteed several choices that will suit their individual tastes and budgets.
The Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino will serve as the headquarters hotel and the site of most meetings and events. Offering a rate of $213 per night, this tropically themed hotel features a vast array of entertainment, dining and recreation experiences. A separate all-suite tower, THEhotel at Mandalay Bay, offers a rate of $240 per night.
RAIS Celebrates With Second Vesta Award
The new RAIS Opus took center stage with a 2008 Vesta Award-winning presentation at the HPBExpo in Atlanta. “RAIS is both pleased and proud that the industry has singled out the RAIS Opus as a winner for its cutting-edge innovations and intelligent technology,” Ann Charlotte Wellejus, marketing manager, explains. “With a second Vesta Award in hand, RAIS once again celebrates a winning Danish design history that began with the celebrated Original in 1970,” she says.
PHPR May/June 2008
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