Launched last month, PVF e-News is a twice-monthly electronic newsletter bringing the latest news and insights targeted to the interests of industrial PVF manufacturers, distributors and other industrial construction interests. It is compiled and edited by Supply House Times Editor Jim Olsztynski, and sponsored by the ASA Industrial Piping Division, whose expertise is tapped for content.
  Content includes the latest breaking news, commentary and interpretation, economic data, an events calendar, new product information and other articles — all with a PVF slant. Click here to sign up, or visit www.supplyht.com and click on the PVF e-News link in the right-hand column.

Jeff Kessler was recently promoted to vice president of wholesale sales and marketing of Creative Specialties International®, a division of Moen, Inc. and a leading manufacturer of decorative bath accessories and innovative bath safety products. Most recently, Kessler held the position of director of strategic accounts.

To celebrate the opening of its gallery-like kitchen and bath showroom on Spring Street in New York City, Davis & Warshow has launched “Dialogue on Design,” a series of interview conversations with a host of New York’s top architects, designers, journalists and tastemakers. Acclaimed interior designer Jamie Drake was the program’s inaugural guest at the new showroom on July 17. Rima Suqi, design journalist and former “Best Bets” editor at NEW YORK, conducted the interview. Drake spoke of his lifelong passion for design — demonstrated by his drawings of artfully rendered interiors dating back to his childhood — and detailed notable projects, clients and sources of inspiration from throughout his nearly 30-year career.

In conjunction with the launch of the “Dialogue on Design” series, Davis & Warshow has established a companion website, www.dialogueondesign.com . The site features a blog hosted by Suqi, where she’ll pontificate frequently on a wide range of design-related topics.

Salem Plumbing Supply™ — Designer Bath™ of Beverly, MA, announced the opening of its second store, a new trade location at 105 Rear Maplewood Ave. in Gloucester, MA. The new facility is geared toward plumbers and contractors to provide convenience for the busy and growing Cape Ann market. Featuring a trade counter and warehouse, the new 10,000-sq.-ft. Gloucester facility will have all the same trade brands available as in the Beverly store. In addition, longtime industry veterans will be on hand at the Gloucester location, including Michael Frontiera, manager; Paul St. Pierre, assistant manager; Keith Tyler, warehouse manager; along with Kevin Costigan, warehouse and driver.

Supply House Times and its sister magazines have unveiled a website for the plumbing and heating industry filled with news, events, products and resources. The new gateway is called MyPlumbingPortal.com, and we urge you to bookmark the site. It will feature daily updates, such as industry news, economic and market flux information, links to useful tools and products, training events — a one-stop online portal for your industry! And more features will be added in the coming weeks. Don't miss out on this new access to knowledge.

Vendor News

Dolphins Enterprises CEO Joe Bailey announced a partnership with Kohler Co. extending through the 2007 season. As part of Dolphin Stadium’s $300 million renovations, KOHLER® will introduce its bath products during the 2007 Miami Dolphins season. The all-new Club Level restrooms at Dolphin Stadium will feature Kohler fixtures and faucets with the “KOHLER® Fan Experience,” the first all-touchless, luxurious restrooms in a sports and entertainment complex (pictured). Among the sponsorship benefits Dolphin Stadium will provide Kohler® are the “KOHLER® Finishing Touches” video on Dolphin Stadium’s video boards and the Miami Dolphins website, as well as various hospitality opportunities.

ThermaSol announced that it has changed its tagline from “Cleanse the Body. Purify the Soul” to “Superior Steamshower Systems.” ThermaSol recently celebrated its 50th year in business and President Mitch Altman decided that the new tagline was more definitive of the product they create as well as their position within the market.

Cambria, a producer of natural quartz surfaces, was ranked No. 4 in the 13th annual “Hot 500” issue of Entrepreneur magazine. The August 2007 issue is dedicated to America’s top 500 fast-growing companies and the entrepreneurs who built them. Of the initial 95,000 qualifying companies, Cambria ranked fourth. Eligible companies must have founders who are actively involved, cannot be a spin-off or subdivision of another company, show positive job growth and have sales of at least $1 million. 

Kohler Co. announced that its KOHLER® Cimarron Comfort Height™ toilet with Class Five™ flushing technology has earned the best New Product Award in a national competition sponsored by the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE). Kohler competed in the mega-sized company category. It is the second time that Kohler has won the best New Product Award from NSPE, having done so in 1998 with its KOHLER 18 horsepower OHC gasoline-powered utility engine.

Schier Products has announced a lifetime warranty on the Trapper II™ (indoor polyethylene grease interceptor series) and Great Basin™ (indoor/outdoor polyethylene grease interceptor series). The Trapper II and Great Basin Series (pictured) feature 100% corrosion-proof polyethylene construction, Built-In Flow Control™, Built-In Triple Outlet™, and low maintenance costs.

Sub-Zero, Inc. and Wolf Appliance, Inc., leading manufacturers of premium refrigeration and cooking appliances, hosted the inaugural Cabinet Manufacturers’ Design Leadership Seminar May 21-23. Design engineers, specification personnel and customer service staff from leading domestic and international kitchen cabinet manufacturers viewed the company’s new appliances and discussed how these integrate easily into great kitchen design. Speakers at the seminar included Mick de Giulio, internationally recognized kitchen designer, of de Giulio kitchen design Inc., Chicago; Bill Draper, nationally known for creative cabinetry design and founder of Draper DBS, Perkasie, PA; and Jamie Drake, founder of Drake Design Associates.

Green Street

A new study by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) finds that key players in real estate and construction misjudge the costs and benefits of “green” buildings, creating a major barrier to more energy efficiency in the building sector. Full story >>

The Ecobuild America and AEC Science & Technology (AEC-ST) Fall conference will feature two exciting keynote sessions. This annual event for design and construction professionals will take place Dec. 10-13, 2007, at the Washington Convention Center, Washington, D.C. On Wednesday, Dec. 12, R.K. Stewart, principal of Gensler and president of the American Institute of Architects, will speak on “Creating a Case For Sustainable Design,” and on Thursday, Dec. 13, Patrick MacLeamy, CEO of HOK and a founder of the IAI/buildingSMART Alliance, presents “buildingSMART: The Transformation of the Building Industry.” Visit www.ecobuildfall.com or www.aecstfall.com for more information.

Chicago Faucets recently introduced a six-page brochure (pictured) that features components and fixtures designed to assist in maximizing water conservation and reducing costs, as well as information about how these fixtures can help earn green building rating points toward a facility’s LEED certification. Products presented in the catalog include: electronic faucets, metering faucets, pedal boxes and pre-rinse fittings, as well as a variety of outlets, flow control devices and cartridges.

Pennsylvania State Treasurer Robin L. Wiessmann reminded the states’ homeowners at the beginning of air-conditioning season that the Keystone Home Energy Loan Program (KeystoneHELP) provides low-interest, unsecured loans for ENERGY STAR home improvements that will reduce cooling costs and conserve energy. KeystoneHELP can help finance one of these pieces of ENERGY STAR residential cooling equipment: central and window air conditioning, ceiling fans, thermostats and insulation. Visit www.KeystoneHELP.com for more information.

A new pocket-sized, fold-out brochure (pictured) describes Sloan Valve Co. 's line of water-efficient plumbing fixtures and how much water each model saves compared to Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 1992 water-use regulations. The "Eco-Design Guide" highlights Sloan’s Waterfree Urinals, manual and sensor-operated Flushometers for High-Efficiency Urinals and High-Efficiency Toilets, and pressure-assist flushing technology. Other water- and energy-saving plumbing fixtures include low-flow faucets and showerheads and energy-efficient hand dryers.

The guide also provides several helpful charts, such as water-efficiency calculations using EPAct fixture flow requirements as the baseline. Calculation charts show examples of potential savings, based on number of uses, fixture type, duration and flow rate. A product chart displays Sloan's water-efficiency product line-up, noting manual and electronic models and water-savings estimates.

Sustainable Facility , a new publication from the editors and publishers of Environmental Design + Construction (ED+C) and Sustainable Home magazines, will debut in October to more than 30,000 BPA-audited facility and energy management subscribers. The magazine will publish twice in 2007 with editorial content written for professionals overseeing commercial, institutional, industrial and government facilities. Editorial content will include all phases of commercial resource conservation unique to the “green” facility community, including alternative energy, building automation efficiency, sustainable design/build techniques for interiors and envelopes, and water conservation techniques, among others.

Website News

Kohler Co. has introduced a content-rich new video player with hundreds of original videos on its website, www.KOHLER.com . With this new online player, consumers can now view everything from basic installation instructions for Kohler plumbing products to an insider’s take on what’s new in interior styles from some of the world’s most well-known interior designers and architects — all in a format that feels like a website and looks like TV. The Kohler website has also been updated to house information on all Kohler products and businesses on one main site, replacing the more complex and divided site that existed before.

Association News

The American Supply Association and the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors-National Association announced that Rick Franklin from Plumbers Supply of St. Louis is the winner of the Network ’07 Early Bird Registration contest. Everyone who registered for Network ’07 before July 24 was entered to win a complimentary stay at the Anaheim Marriott during the event — valid for up to three nights of room fees and taxes. For more information on Network ‘07, call 312-464-0090 or visit www.network07.org.

In recognition of its members’ ongoing support of the ASA Education Foundation for the past 30 years, and to celebrate the legacy of the Karl E. Neupert Endowment Fund in its 10th anniversary year, the American Supply Association (ASA) announced discounted Education Foundation training materials. Now through Oct. 31, 2007, ASA is offering every ASA member distributor and vendor 75% off the member price on their first $1,000 of purchases of training and education programs from the ASA Education Foundation. Visit www.asa.net to see a full product catalog and to download order forms.

The Washlet is a personal hygiene system inspired by water. This high-tech toilet seat features a gentle front and back aerated warm water spray, which can be regulated for preferred water pressure and temperature; heated seat; automatic air deodorizer; and warm air dryer, all of which are governed by TOTO’s energy-saving mode. A battery-powered remote control keypad operates the easy-view LCD read-out, which can be hand-held or wall mounted. Models include the top of the line sensor-operated Washlet S400 (paired with select TOTO toilets), the advanced level Washlet S300, the mid-level Washlet E200, and the introductory level C100.

TOTO “cleaned up” Times Square by demonstrating the Washlet to fascinated New Yorkers on the Island in Times Square at the Corner of 45th St. & Broadway (pictured). Other activities included the “Clean Dream” Street Teams that canvassed Times Square, the Financial District, and Penn Station handing out maps to Washlet Showrooms all over Manhattan and giving passing New Yorkers a warm, friendly smile and a “Clean is Happy” smiley face button (pictured). Also, the Washlet’s clothed “happy bottoms” smiled down over the day’s activities from their perch on the “Clean is Happy” billboard at the corner of 51st St. and Broadway.

The Hamptons Collection of knobs and pulls from Atlas Homewares has added leather to its portfolio of style. The line of hardware continues to celebrate nature, as leather joins knob and pull finishes in bamboo and earth-toned hues. A fluid hook rounds out the collection. The line is available in finishes of Aged Bronzed/Expresso, Polished Chrome/Expresso, Aged Bronzed/Saddle and Polished Chrome/Saddle. Leather pulls come in 4.5-inch and 8.25-inch sizes, and the leather hook is 3 inches.

Eljer, Inc. introduces the new Elite pedestal sink to complement the Titan™ Elite toilet. The Elite pedestal sink features a rectangular bowl design atop a pedestal that increases in width from floor to basin. The Titan Elite toilet is an extension of the company’s Titan toilet line and features the distinctive “V” shaped tank. This gravity-fed toilet uses a one-of-a-kind design to ensure total bowl evacuation in one flush, every time.

The newest addition to Hansgrohe ’s World of Styles, Euroaktiv, brings modern to the mainstream with three series — Metris, Talis and Focus. Metris presents a minimalist style of contemporary European design. The Metris series features several versions of the lav mixer as well as tub sets. One of the unique characteristics of the Talis line is the angle of the faucet spouts. In the single-hole and widespread models, the spouts point toward the washbasin in a perfect 45-degree angle, resulting in a stream of water that extends the graceful form of the faucets. Focus accentuates faucet design with a reduced handle style and an emphasis on water delivery.

CorStone Industries has introduced six new members to its acrylic sink product line. One of the new items is the Cranston (pictured) in the Advantage 3.2 Series. The Cranston is a self-rimming high-low double bowl. It has a dropped dam with 33-inch by 22-inch dimensions. The main bowl depth is 9.5 inches and the small bowl depth is 6.5 inches.

JACLO ’s Pot Fillers eliminate the need to hoist 20-lb. pots of water onto the stove, which allows more time for preparation and creativity. They also bring an old-fashioned and stylish dimension to the kitchen, in finish options including a warm, oil-rubbed bronze. Crafted from durable solid brass, pot fillers swing out over the stove, enabling users to easily reach all burners. Some models feature a smooth folding action that allows for easy storage against the wall with one motion. Select versions feature a front handle with a positive shutoff, eliminating the need to reach over hot appliances to turn off the water. Available in 16 decorative finishes, JACLO offers wall- and deck-mount applications.

Taking its cues from music and nature, Adagio fireplace mantels are named for their inspirations. Crescendo is reminiscent of an inspiring musical piece. Jaguar is identified by its unique markings and movement. Bijoux replicates the intricate cuttings of a master jeweler. Tapestry creates a delicate, woven pattern into the granite. City is sophisticated and uncomplicated in design.

Stow away bed pans in a convenient leak-proof storage cabinet from Bradley Corp. The recessed bed pan storage cabinet (model 990) holds two bed pans and features a removable drip pan for drainage and easy cleaning. The cabinet is constructed of heavy-duty stainless steel in an architectural satin finish. Louvered doors permit air to circulate and dry out bed pans. The door has a full-length piano hinge and rodstop for durability, as well as a magnetic catch to keep the door securely closed. Inside, the bed pan storage cabinet has two hanging rods and a leak-proof drip pan made of low-density polyethylene plastic.

MJSI, Inc. has released its new HydroFix Toilet Repair Kit that includes the HydroClean™ toilet fill valve, the patented J-Tube™, and the HydroForce™ flapper. The HydroClean is specifically engineered to save water with every flush. Some toilet fill valves send too much water to the toilet bowl, creating an overflow in the back of the toilet that gets wasted down the drain. The HydroClean can be accurately calibrated to almost any toilet and can save thousands of gallons of water every year, the company says.

ThermaSol , manufacturer of steam bath units for the home, has brought color, scent and sound into the shower stall. Calming essential oils and color therapy, as well as a state-of-the-art surround sound stereo system, are now available options for its steamshowers. ThermaSol has published a guide that takes users through its different steamshower generator packages and the available options, including aromatherapy, chromatherapy and surround-sound music.

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