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American Standard Acquires Safety Tubs American Standard Brands has acquired Safety Tubs, LLC, a privately held U.S. business specializing in the design and manufacturing of walk-in bathtubs.

Danze Named Partner Of Energy Star-Approved House Plans Kitchen and bath plumbing manufacturer Danze was recently named a sponsor of The House Designers’ first-ever Energy Star-approved house plans.

European Commission Fines Bath Product Makers For Price-Fixing Seventeen bathroom equipment makers were fined a total of about $760 million.

PMI, ASA, 11 Other Groups Challenge Showerhead Ruling A coalition of 13 trade and interest organizations has endorsed the following letter in opposition to a DOE interpretive ruling that would effectively limit the use of multiple showerhead systems.

PMI Calls For Action on DOE Showerhead Ruling PMI is urging its members to write to the U.S. Department of Energy by tomorrow opposing the re-definition of shower heads.

DOE Sheds Light On Showerhead Re-Definition With the plumbing industry showing widespread disapproval of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) proposed re-definition of showerheads as shower valves, the legislative body recently clarified a number of points in an e-mail exchange with Plumbing & Mechanical.

Tile & Stone Expo in Pennsylvania Arley Wholesale in Scranton will host a tile and stone expo June 15.

Rinnai Sends Dealers on Vacation Rinnai America Corp. is offering dealers the chance to win one of five vacation packages in its Summer Vacation Giveaway promotion that runs through June 30, 2010.

Basco Expands Factory Installation Program Factory-backed program helps Basco customers sell the measurement and installation piece while selling the shower enclosure.

Michigan Parks Monitor Restrooms Chicago Faucets software tracks public restroom traffic and usage.

	2010 Showroom Of The Year Competition NOTICE: Nomination forms are due August 13, 2010!

	0.8 GPF Toilet Tops Most Water-Efficient Product List With potential annual potable water savings of 1 trillion gallons in the United States and Canada, a 0.8 gpf high-efficiency residential toilet was recognized as the “Top New and Innovative Water-Efficient Product of 2010”.

Showerhead Manufacturers Blindsided By DOE Without advance notice to stakeholders, the U.S. Department of Energy has proposed to re-define showerheads as shower valves. by Jim Olsztynski

	Gerber Appoints Dougherty as National Sales Manager Gerber Plumbing Fixtures promoted Brian Dougherty to National Sales Manager - New Construction.

Optimistic Outlook for Housing, But Challenges Remain According to a recent NAHB Construction Forecast Conference Webinar, the housing market is on the road to recovery, being carried forward by low interest rates, pent up household formations, stabilizing prices and budding employment growth.

	Bradley Corp. Names Bryan Mullet President of Fixtures Division Bradley Corp. announces two new appointments to its management team.

U.S. Regenerative Network Unites Green Manufacturers with Designers, Construction Pros David Gottfried, founder of the U.S. Green Building Council and World Green Building Council, introduced the U.S. Regenerative Network at a forum held April 28-29, in Berkeley, CA.

History Channel Airs Plumbing Episode of SLICED This week’s episode is about bathrooms and plumbing, and will air on Thursday, May 13, at 10/9c.

Remodeling Projects Expected to Jump 5% From Last Year According to a recent report from the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University, annual spending on remodeling is expected to accelerate this year, with nearly 5% growth over 2009.

Survey Reveals Homeowners Want Innovation, Green Benefits According to a recent study by TOTO USA, today’s consumers want innovative products, but only if they have real-world benefits, like saving water and money.

Live at K/BIS: Fisher & Paykel Today is the start of the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show in Chicago at McCormick Place, which continues through Sunday, April 18.

Globe Union and Hajoca Receive Crystal Vision Award The Storehouse of World Vision will honor Globe Union and Hajoca Corp. at its 10th annual Crystal Vision Award Breakfast during K/BIS.

	American Standard Launches Responsible Bathroom Tour With a goal of saving two billion gallons of water this year, the American Standard Responsible Bathroom Tour kicks off this month with visits to more than 300 plumbing wholesale locations.

Charles L. Jones Named Masco Chief Design Officer Masco Corp. named Charles L. Jones Chief Design Officer effective May 3.

Showroom Managers K/BIS Event The ASA Showroom Managers Council will host a reception for showroom managers on April 17 during K/BIS.

Franke Launches ‘Partner Loyalty Program’ Franke Luxury Products Group (FLPG) has designed a unique brand integrity program — The Franke Authorized Reseller program — that launches this spring.

Caroma Celebrates Earth Month With 50% Off Promo Caroma announces the “One Flush Makes a Difference” promotion in honor of Earth Month with 50% off coupon.

NKBA Announces Student Design Winners The National Kitchen & Bath Association announced the eight winners of the 2009/2010 NKBA Student Design Competition, which offers $10,000 in scholarships.

Irr Supply Acquires L.A. Hazard & Sons Irr Supply Centers Inc., a regional distributor of plumbing, heating, cooling and refrigeration supplies, has acquired the assets of Derby, NY-based distributor, L.A. Hazard & Sons Inc.

Whirlpool Receives EPA Sustained Excellence Award Whirlpool Corp. was recently recognized as a 2010 Energy Star award winner by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

American Standard Attempts Guinness World Record On Tuesday, March 23, American Standard Brands will stand up 12 high-efficiency toilets outside the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the world’s longest toilet queue.

Hansgrohe To Stick With Gänßlen The supervisory board of www.hansgrohe.comHansgrohe AG has extended the contract of Chairman of the management board Siegfried Gänßlen for another three years.

Masco Cabinetry Relocates Headquarters Masco Cabinetry, which includes KraftMaid, Merillat and QualityCabinets, several private label product lines and the DeNova countertop brand, plans to move its corporate headquarters to Ann Arbor, MI.

NKBA And GE Award Scholarships

WaterSense Ready To Label Showerheads The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program released its final specification for showerheads on March 4, 2010.

	American Standard CEO Signs "Statement of Support" Donald C. Devine, president and chief executive officer of American Standard Brands, recently signed a Statement of Support for the National Guard and Reserve.

Kohler Residential Faucets Comply With Low-Lead Standard Kohler Co. announced all of its residential bathroom and kitchen faucets have been converted for compliance with California legislation AB1953 and Vermont’s bill number S.015.

	Sloan Names Davenport as Executive Director of Marketing Sloan Valve Co. hired Sherry Davenport as executive director of marketing.

Pioneer Industries Completes Restructure Pioneer Industries Inc., a provider of lead-free faucets and plumbing products through the plumbing wholesale market, has completed restructuring its company.

DDI To Host Free Business Webinar DDI System's Adam Waller will be hosting a free Webinar on Tuesday, March 23, at 1:00 p.m. EST.

	TOTO Launches Web site In Español TOTO announced the launch of a Spanish-language edition of its Web site designed to assist its Hispanic consumers.

	WaterSense ‘Fix a Leak Week’ March 15-21 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is promoting its second annual WaterSense "Fix a Leak Week," March 15 to 21, 2010.

	Speakman Selects 1st Non-Family President Rob Cook has been named by Speakman Co. as its 6th president and first non-family member to lead the company in its 141-year history.

Geberit Named Global Top 10 Greenie Geberit, a provider of water-saving plumbing systems, has been named one of the Top 10 in a new study that ranks the world's most sustainable companies.

Elkay Offers Rewards For Selling Webert Italian Products Elkay has created the Webert Rewards program where showrooms can earn “extra” cash incentives for selling Webert Italian Design bath products.

	Gerber Appoints McJoynt Vice President of Marketing Gerber Plumbing Fixtures promoted Kevin McJoynt to vice president of marketing.

NKBA Design Competition Finalists Announced The National Kitchen & Bath Association has announced the 30 finalists in the 2010 NKBA Design Competition, honoring the best kitchen and bath designs of the year.

	Barnett Named as Authorized Kohler Distributor Jacksonville, FL-based Barnet has added more than 100 models of Kohler faucets, toilets, urinals, and lavatories in its distribution centers across the country.

WQA Aquatech USA 2010 To Focus on New Technology This year’s WQA Aquatech USA, being March 9-12, in Orlando will be highlighting various changes and advances in the industry as a result of the recession, as well as legislative challenges.

BLÜCHER Joins Watts Water Technologies BLÜCHER North America, leader in stainless steel drainage and pipe solutions, is now part of Watts Water Technologies.

Laticrete Tags Products With New Bar Code Technology Tile and stone grout/adhesive manufacturer Laticrete announced the introduction of Microsoft Tag reader technology to all product packaging, catalogs, marketing tools, displays, advertising, press releases and all other marketing initiatives across North America.

Toto Announces Name Change For U.S. Holding Company Effective Jan. 1, 2010, Toto U.S.A. Holdings Inc. will change its name to Toto Americas Holdings Inc.

Kohler Seminars To Help Contractors Profit In 2010 Kohler Co. recently made a $25,000 contribution to the PHCC Educational Foundation in support of the 2010 Kohler/Foundation Seminar Series.

Chicago Faucets Earns ISO 9001/ISO 14001 Certification Chicago Faucets announced that its management systems recently earned a three-year certificate for ISO 9001:2008/ISO 14001:2004 certification of its U.S. headquarters and three manufacturing sites.

Survey Finds Efficiency Playing Second Fiddle Once Again Americans are once again preferring aesthetic home improvements over money-saving ones according to the latest Energy Pulse survey by Shelton Group.

	Laufen Creates Stunning New Exhibition, Visitor Center The new Laufen Forum is an architecturally significant building that invites consumers, designers, architects, distributors and retailers to experience the best in bathroom design.

NKBA Elects 2010 President, Executive Committee The National Kitchen & Bath Association elected Mark L. Karas, CMKBD of Stoneham, MA, as its incoming president for 2010.

	1 Millionth Energy Star Home Built In U.S. Houston, Dallas and Las Vegas top the list for most Energy Star homes.

Symmons Donates Time, Materials To Homes For Our Troops Symmons Industries spent National Kitchen and Bath month by donating Symmons product to an organization that builds custom homes for severely injured veterans.

Economy Plumbing Supply Celebrates 77 Years When Economy Plumbing Supply opened its doors in 1932, it faced numerous challenges – including the staggering financial pressures of the Great Depression.

Laufen Appoints Mike Teresso North American Executive Director Mike Teresso has joined Laufen Bathroom Products Division as its executive director of North America.

	Bear Creek Glass Acquires Robert Jones Designs Bear Creek of Orange Beach, AL, announced their acquisition of Robert Jones Designs of Seattle, WA, becoming the largest producer of designer handmade glass sinks in North America.

Gerber Recognized For Successful Turnaround Gerber was selected by TMA in honor of its strategic revival from near bankruptcy in 2002, prior to the acquisition of its assets by Globe Union, to profitable growth in the current global recession.

Danze Extends Rebate Program Danze's rebate program could save homeowners up to $500 per bathroom project, and the company has now extended the rebate deadline to Dec. 31, 2009.

	Sonia Opens Revolutionary Showroom in Spain Sonia – a manufacturer of bath vanities, storage solutions, and accessories has announced the opening of their new, state-of-the-art showroom in Valencia, Spain.

US Plumbing Fitting, Fixture Demand To Reach $11 billion In 2013 Gains will be driven by the rebounding U.S. residential construction market, as housing completions rise from the low levels experienced in 2008.

	TOTO Boston Gallery Is Resource For Architecture & Design Community TOTO’s Corporate Galleries serve as an educational resource where architects and their clients can learn about the company's Eco Luxury plumbing products.

DeVerre Elements Introduces Interactive Web site DeVerre Elements LLC, manufacturer of recycled glass emulations of stone, brick and wood, has developed a user-friendly Web site for architects, designers and specifiers.

American Standard Launches Online Repair Parts Store More than 150 American Standard repair and replacement parts are now available 24/7/365.

NKBA Approves Steam Shower Training Course Course by Steamist offers designers an opportunity to improve knowledge of steam showers.

	Sloan Tests Own Sustainable Energy With Wind Turbines, Solar Array Sloan Valve Co. recently installed two wind turbines and a solar array on the roof of its headquarters in Franklin Park, IL, continuing its commitment to renewable energy.

	EPA Releases Draft Showerhead Specification The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released the draft of its WaterSense specification for showerheads.

	Danze Uses Twitter For HET Give Away The manufacturer of kitchen and bath fixtures and faucets will give away a high-efficiency toilet (HET) to one lucky Twitter user.

	Laufen Wins Prestigious red dot Design Award Mimo, called the “Mini Cooper of the bathroom fleet,” features scaled down sinks, toilets, vanities and a small bathtub, illustrating that big things come in small packages.

	Decolav Announces Mini-Makeover Sweepstakes Winner Decolav promoted the contest through Facebook and grew its social media membership.

	Delta Offers Brizo Rebate Program From now until the end of the year, Delta customers who purchase any Vesi or Tresa bath faucet from Brizo can qualify for a rebate of up to $500.

Takagi Celebrates Anniversary With Contractor Rebate After 15 years in business, tankless water heater manufacturer Takagi will give back to contractors with a special rebate.

	Danze Launches Homeowner Rebate Program Manufacturer direct rebates save homeowners $500 per bathroom.

	October Is National Kitchen & Bath Month The DOE will also launch its “Cash for Appliances” program.

Ferguson Tent Sale To Feature Water-Saving Plumbing Products To help homeowners better understand how they can save water and energy, Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery; Kohler and Seagull Lighting will host a tent sale on September 12, from 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

Architecture Billings Index Bounces Back After Substantial Dip Improvement in business conditions tempered by a leveling off in project inquiries.

Winners Announced For Designers Of Tomorrow Contest Grand-prize winner Rebecca Midden will receive a $5,000 scholarship.

Contest Winner Receives Dramatic Before-And-After A stunning bathroom remodel completes Tile Shop's dream bath makeover contest.

	2009 SHOWROOM OF THE YEAR: SPECIAL NOTICE The deadline for the 2009 SHOWROOM OF THE YEAR COMPETITION has been extended!

	2009 Showroom Of The Year Competition NOTICE: Nomination forms are now extended for submission until Aug. 22nd!

Following Fire, Dornbracht Focuses On Core Products After a fire struck Dornbracht’s Iserlohn, Germany-based corporate headquarters and production facilities last month, the bath and kitchen fittings manufacturer is refocusing on its core product line.

Whirlpool Account Manager Earns Certified Green Professional Designation Whirlpool Corp. announced its Florida Contract division account manager John Whiteley has earned a Certified Green Professional (CGP) designation from the National Association of Home Builders.

Haier America Names Jemal Chairman of the Board Michael Jemal, previously President and CEO of Haier America, has been promoted to Chairman of the Board for the company.

	Franke Promotes Lawrence Head of Luxury Products Group Swiss-based Franke Group named Charles F. Lawrence President of its Luxury Products Group (LPG.)

GerrityStone Featured in York Maine’s 20th Annual Decorator Show House GerrityStone, an interior and exterior custom stonework specialist, is being featured in York Maine’s 20th Annual Decorator Show House presented by the Museums of Old York.

LATICRETE Launches Online LEED Project Certification Tool LATICRETE now offers its LEED Project Certification Assistant.

Caroma Donates HE Toilets to Habitat for Humanity Caroma recently donated high efficiency dual-flush toilets to Habitat for Humanity’s first certified “green” home in Baldwin County, AL.

2009 U.S. Ceramic Tile and Sanitary Ware Trade Mission to China — Oct. 18-20 The 2009 U.S. Ceramic Tile and Sanitary Ware Trade Mission to China will be held Oct. 18- 20, 2009, in Foshan, China, hosted and sponsored by China Ceramics City/China Ceramics Industry Headquarters.

Ferguson, Mastercraft Cabinets Continue to Expand Mastercraft Cabinets and Ferguson continue to expand services in Southwest Florida.

American Standard Announces New Personnel Appointments

	Darlington Completes Cross-Country Trek for DPHA’s Scholarship Fund He did it! Read Hank Darlington’s final thoughts on this amazing and eventful trek across the USA.

Crane Plumbing Recalls Whirlpool Tubs Due To Entrapment, Drowning Hazards The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Crane Plumbing announced a voluntary recall of about 5,500 Crane whirlpool bathtubs — the drain covers in the tubs can entangle a bather’s hair in the openings, causing the bather’s head to be held under water, which can result in drowning.

EPA WaterSense Approves of IAS International Accreditation Service (IAS) has been designated as an approved accreditation body by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the EPA WaterSense Program.

2 Brizo Faucets Win Design Awards The Belo Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet received a Platinum ADEX Award and the Tresa Bath Collection received a Silver Award.

	Hansgrohe Launches Free, Monthly Training Sessions Offered the first Wednesday of each month for plumbing and mechanical pros, each one-day program discusses specification, installation and maintenance of all Hansgrohe and Axor products.

	New Web site…Staron Surfaces Staron Surfaces, a division of Samsung, introduced Colors2U, a Web site that enables dealers, designers and homeowners to view and purchase Staron color samples online.

New On-Line eTool Database Keercutter & Associates, an executive search firm dedicated to the kitchen and bath industry, has developed an on-line eTool database that will provide manufacturers with the opportunity to view rep agency blind profiles.

	Eco-Friendly Showroom Davis & Warshow, Maspeth, NY, has completed an expansion and makeover of its bath and kitchen showroom at 150 East 58th St., New York, NY, in the Architects & Designers Building.

NARI Announces Two New Certifications The National Association of the Remodeling Industry announced two new certification programs: The Universal Design Certified Remodeler (UDCR) and the Master Certified Remodeler (MCR). Both will launch in the Fall 2009.

First Remodeled Home Certified to National Green Building Standard The National Association of Home Builders reports that a recently completed remodeling project in Munster, Ind., is the first home remodel to earn certification under the National Green Building Standard.

	Charlotte Pipe Cast Iron Chosen For ‘This Old House’ NYC Project “This Old House” recently tackled its first-ever New York City project, where the contractors chose Charlotte Pipe and Foundry’s cast-iron pipe and fittings for the plumbing.

	Elkay Names Its Rep Of Year Elkay Manufacturing Co. presented its 2008 Rep of the Year award for the Plumbing Products Division to Braswell & Associates, Farmers Branch, TX.

	Fortune Brands Receives Crystal Vision Award The Storehouse of World Vision presented its Crystal Vision award to Fortune Brands Home and Hardware at its annual breakfast meeting during the Kitchen/Bath Industry Show in Atlanta in May.

	HD Supply Honored By Storehouse Of World Vision The Storehouse of World Vision presented its Distributor of the Year award to HD Supply at its Crystal Vision awards breakfast on May 2 during the Kitchen/Bath Industry Show in Atlanta.

	Globe Union Recognized As Five-Year Donor Michael Werner, president/CEO of Globe Union Group, was presented with a plaque in honor of the company’s five-year relationship with the Storehouse of World Vision at its annual Crystal Vision Award breakfast.

	Mr. Steam Offers Incentive Program Mr.Steam announced its 2009 Passport to London Program designed to motivate and reward eligible showroom personnel and sales associates who sell Mr.Steam products.

Showroom of the Year Contest SHT Showroom of the Year Contest
Deadline August 13, 2010. Click here for more information!

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