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Bath & Kitchen Pro eNews for February 7, 2008 |
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 Believe it or not, there is an upside to the housing slump.
This is a prime time for kitchen and bath remodels, because contractors are charging prices as low as they were five years ago, according to the Omaha World Herald, as quoted in the February 2008 edition of the BRG Consult Newsletter. With fewer homes being built, contractors are accepting more renovation jobs. Lumber and drywall prices have dropped.
This is a national trend, according to Ken Simonson, chief economist for the Associated General Contractors of America, quoted in the article. He said drywall and lumber prices are down as much as 25% nationwide.
Also, homeowners who might have considered selling their homes are opting to keep them and remodel instead because of the market conditions. Let us know if you agree or disagree. You can reach us at leniusp@bnpmedia.com or johnsonk@bnpmedia.com
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2008 PREMIER DISTRIBUTORS SURVEY
ATTENTION PHCP WHOLESALERS: Supply House Times and Clear Seas Research have started gathering data for the annual Premier Distributors survey. Visit www.supplyht.com and scroll down the far right column on the home page to click on the link for the online version, or e-mail Michelle Maki at
makim@bnpmedia.com or Pat Lenius at leniusp@bnpmedia.com for a survey form. |
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Announcing Bath & Kitchen Pro — New in 2008
BNP Media announces the debut of Bath & Kitchen Pro, a unique publication created for a powerful audience of bath-and-kitchen installers, distributors with showrooms and designers. Unlike other magazines that focus purely on design, Bath & Kitchen Pro will provide information on installation and purchasing as well as design trends.
Bath & Kitchen Pro will be published three times in 2008, starting in February; its Winter, Spring and Fall issues will be distributed at major B&K shows in addition to its 55,000 circulation drawn from the readers of Plumbing & Mechanical, Supply House Times, Tile, Stone World, and Environmental Design + Construction.
For additional information, contact Publisher Bob Miodonski at 630-694-4007 and miodonskib@bnpmedia.com or Managing Editor Kelly Johnson at 630-694-4379 and johnsonk@bnpmedia.com. Or, visit
www.bathandkitchenpro.com. |
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Mike Wurth |
Danze Inc. has promoted Michael Wurth to director of design. Wurth (IDSA) previously served as product manager/fittings for the company and has more than 25 years of design expertise.
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Mark Rhoades |
Fluidmaster has named Mark Rhoades as its chief marketing officer. Most recently, Rhoades served as president of SitOnIt Inc., a manufacturer of commercial seating products. |
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Blanco has been awarded the 2007 Chicago Athenaeum GOOD DESIGN Award for excellence in industrial design for its BLANCOPRECISION 10 sinks (shown here in the 1-1/2-bowl design with an integral drainboard). GOOD DESIGN Awards honor the most innovative, cutting-edge industrial, graphic and product designs of the year.
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Pictured L to R: Greg Palagi, LA-CO
Industries; Robert Zvanut, PMI Sales;
Tim Hayden Jr., JD Precision Services;
Greg Meyer, Morrison Supply Co.; and
Bob Benacka, LA-CO Industries. |
LA-CO Industries Inc./Markal Co.
has announced the grand prize winner of the "Pick Up and Win" promotion. Tim Hayden Jr., a plumbing technician for JD Precision Services located in Conroe, TX, was randomly chosen as the grand prize winner and given the choice of a new Ford F-150 Pickup Truck or $30,000 in cash. Hayden was chosen from a group of plumbing, mechanical and HVAC contractors who purchased individual products or promotional bonus packs of Cool Gel Heat Barrier Spray, Slic-Tite Thread Sealant or Regular Flux.
Symmons Industries
will be unveiling its complete new look and updated, enhanced product portfolio in booth #S1976 at the upcoming Kitchen/Bath Industry Show, from April 11-13 at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL. With over 20 new products and enhancements to its existing offering, Symmons will exhibit several new finishes, faucets, showerhead options, and accessories. Among the new products being showcased are the Oxford and Naru, two suites of fittings and accessories for the bath that come complete with a hand spray option for the shower. Also on display will be the Max Line Thermostatic Tempering Device, a newly redesigned solution for controlling water temperature and
regulating flow.
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ThermaSol Manufacturing
Buyer Sue Sereno-Neary,
recipient of the Murray Altman
Lifetime Achievement Award,
with Murray Altman. |
Luxury steam shower manufacturer ThermaSol
held its 50th anniversary Christmas party and awards ceremony at the Ronald Reagan Library December 21. Murray Altman — the second generation of Altmans to run ThermaSol — spoke on the history of ThermaSol’s 50-year evolution. Award winners included: Manufacturing Buyer Sue Sereno-Neary, recipient of the Murray Altman Lifetime Achievement Award; Hardware/Software Engineer Paul Ulman, recipient of the David Altman Award; Account Manager for Outside Sales Kathy Hart, recipient of the Salesperson of the Year Award; Inventory Controller Ana Cristina Banuelos, recipient of the Team Member of the Year Award; and the company’s public relations and advertising
firm, DRS & Associates, received the Partner of the Year Award. |
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PM Engineer MEC WEBINAR SERIES CONTINUES IN 2008
This series of intensive 90-minute Webinars presents the latest concepts for modern hydronic heating system design in both residential and commercial applications. Attendees learn state-of-the-art concepts that enable them to design efficient, affordable, and reliable hydronic systems. Economically priced, they are a fraction of the cost of travel and attendance fees for other high-priced conferences or seminars. CEU/PDH Credit* is available.
This year’s Webinar topics include:
Multiple Mod/Con Boiler Systems – Defining the Future of Hydronic Heating
Thursday, February 14, 2008, at 1:00 pm ET
$49 for the Webinar, downloadable reference and Q&A session. [Early Bird Rate of $49 Expires January 31, 2008. Price after 1/31/08: $79 (US)]
Sponsored by: Lochinvar
A Survey of Modern Mixing Methods
Thursday, March 20, 2008, at 1:00 pm ET
$49 for the Webinar, downloadable reference and Q&A session. [Early Bird Rate of $49 Expires March 6, 2008. Price after 3/6/08: $79 (US)]
Active Solar Heating — New Opportunities For Hydronic Professionals
Thursday, May 1, 2008, at 1:00 pm ET
$49 for the Webinar, downloadable reference and Q&A session. [Early Bird Rate of $49 Expires April 17, 2008. Price after 4/17/08: $79 (US)]
Home Run Distribution Systems — An Outstanding Alternative to Metal Piping
Thursday, June 12, 2008, at 1:00 pm ET
$49 for the Webinar, downloadable reference and Q&A session. [Early Bird Rate of $49 Expires May 29, 2008. Price after 5/29/08: $79 (US)]
Presented by:
John Siegenthaler, P.E.
John is a licensed engineer with more than 28 years of experience in hydronic heating. He also is a writer, software developer and columnist for PM and PM Engineer magazines.
Register today at: http://webinar.pmengineer.com. If you're busy that day, sign up anyway
. You have 12 months to play back the scheduled broadcast any time you like.
Missed one of our 2007 MEC Webinars? No Problem! They are now available On-Demand! Visit the archive section at http://webinar.pmengineer.com to view these and other Webinars.
*CEU/PDH 1.5 credit hour Certificate of Completion will be made available for those who attend. It is up to each individual to verify if a given course is approved by their state licensing board.
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Gerber Plumbing Fixtures said that the installation of its Viper toilets (pictured) at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, to replace old inefficient toilets, saved the college more than 450,000 gallons of water over the course of a year. The college installed 33 Viper toilets and announced plans to install another 100.
TOTO USA
signed an agreement with Georgia Power to begin providing the company with Green Energy. TOTO USA has agreed to purchase 480,000 kilowatt-hours of environmentally friendly electricity generated from sources such as the sun, wind, water, landfill methane and biomass, referred to as "Green Energy." Since Georgia Power began the Green Energy program in October 2006, more than 4,000 customers have committed to purchase in excess of 19 million kilowatt-hours of Green Energy annually. The majority of the electricity Georgia Power purchases for the program comes from a methane gas landfill facility in DeKalb County, southeast of Atlanta. Atlanta-based TOTO USA
is the North American division of TOTO Ltd., based in Japan.
Geberit Group published its second sustainability report: The "Sustainably enhancing quality of life Sustainability Report 2007." The 52-page report presents an overview of Geberit's objective of a sustained improvement in the quality of people's lives through innovative solutions in plumbing technology.
Geberit’s concealed tank and carrier system, which allows for the toilet to be mounted on the wall vs. the floor, has been introduced to the U.S. market. Its carrier system incorporates dual-flush capability for water conservation. The flushing system meets all requirements for use with IAPMO-listed low-consumption toilets, as well as certified High Efficiency Toilets, according to Geberit.
In other news, Geberit North America announced it has become a member of the EPA WaterSense Partnership program.
 Q-Tran Inc.
, a designer and manufacturer of power supply systems, transformers and components for low voltage lighting, announced its 15th anniversary is being celebrated this year. Its transformers power low voltage lighting fixtures used in residential and commercial applications. Pictured: company founder John Tremaine (center) flanked by sons Gean Tremaine, vice president/sales and marketing (left) and Jordan Nodelman, vice president/operations.
The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA) – in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other partners – released data on a
two-year program
to reduce wood smoke and help non-complying areas meet federal clean air standards. As a test model for potential implementation nationally, this public-private partnership invested $2.5 million in Libby, MT, to replace nearly 1,200 outdated wood-burning stoves with new, cleaner units certified to strict EPA standards. Initial results indicate improved indoor and outdoor air quality for local residents, according to HPBA. |
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 ASA
hosted a Showroom Managers Council December 4-5 in Chicago that sold out, with 80 attendees. Pictured here with Supply House Times Publisher Scott Franz (left) are the featured speakers from that event: Michelle Kowalski, manager of The KOHLER Store located in the Chicago Merchandise Mart’s LuxeHome (center) and showroom consultant and Supply House Times
columnist Hank Darlington (right). Coming up next are ASA’s Warehouse & Operations Council meeting in Dallas February 26-27, followed by ASA’s second Training Council for HR Professionals, "Recruitment & Retention Solutions," also in Dallas, February 28-29. Go here for more information.
Celebrity interior designer Doug Wilson is working with LG Electronics
to help consumers by offering tips and ideas on how to "techorate" their homes by melding innovative consumer electronics with interior design. Wilson, best known from TLC’s "Trading Spaces," will be highlighting common issues consumers have when purchasing home electronics — such as how to blend electronics and design to reflect their personal style, selecting the right size television for a room’s space, and how to choose between plasma and LCD, in addition to offering helpful guidelines for techorating. |
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