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Bath & Kitchen eNews for June 12, 2007 |
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 June is bustin’ out all over!
Fans of musical theatre may recognize the song lyrics from “Carousel” by Rodgers and Hammerstein. As the days get hotter, the refreshing attributes of a home spa gain greater appeal. What’s more invigorating than a drenching downpour of cool water after being scorched by the sun? There were plenty of showerheads on display at the 2007 Kitchen/Bath Industry Show and we’ll discuss some of them in this edition of Bath & Kitchen E-News. Pictured here is a spoke showerhead by
Danze.
For some of you, this may be your first issue of Bath & Kitchen e-News. You are receiving it because you indicated you wished to receive the Plumbing & Mechanical or Supply House Times e-Newsletters for free when you signed up for your magazine subscription. We believe you'll find the B&K e-News to be a truly valuable resource for your business. If for any reason you find the B&K e-News
is not meeting your needs, simply scroll to the bottom and click on “opting-out” and we’ll be happy to remove you. Whether this is your first issue or you've subscribed since the launch edition in January, we value your patronage and look forward to serving you. |
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Inge Calderon |
The American Supply Association (ASA) announced that Inge Calderon has elected to step down as executive vice president and is taking on a new role as executive director of the ASA Education Foundation. A search is underway for a new executive vice president.
Full story >>
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Shawn Martin | The Plumbing Manufacturers Institute named Shawn Martin its new technical director, effective July 9. He replaces Dave Viola who is taking a new position with IAPMO when his contract with PMI runs out at the end of June.
Full story >>
Masco Corp. elected Timothy Wadhams, currently senior vice president and chief financial officer, its chief executive officer effective July 1. He succeeds Richard Manoogian, who is transitioning to executive chairman of the company. Also, Donald J. DeMarie, Jr.
, currently Masco's group president for the Installation and Other Services segment was appointed executive vice president. DeMarie will assume an increasing leadership role for the company’s operating divisions as Alan Barry, Masco's president and chief operating officer, transitions toward his previously announced retirement in early 2008. In other news, John G. Sznewajs, currently treasurer and vice president for corporate development, was named vice president – chief financial officer. All of these changes take effect July 1.
Full story >>
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Robert Dieckman |
In an award competition sponsored by the Cincinnati Business Courier, Robert Dieckman, vice president of finance and chief financial officer of Basco Shower Enclosures
in Mason, OH, was recently named CFO of the Year in the small private company category. The competition generated 50 nominations that were then narrowed to a field of 19 finalists. Dieckman was nominated by David Lingler, partner in charge of accounting and auditing at Cassady Schiller & Associates, Basco’s accounting firm.
IAPMO announced that Duane Huisken
has been named director of marketing and communications. With a background in construction, he brings the perspective of someone who knows our industries’ products. He has sold and marketed for such manufacturers as Lafarge, James Hardie, and Oldcastle, progressing from sales representative, sales manager, product manager, marketing manager, new market development, and finally, to director of marketing and product development.
InSinkErator®, a leading manufacturer of food waste disposers and hot water dispensers, announced the addition of Michelle Gross
to its Water Products Division leadership team. Gross will serve as the unit’s marketing manager and will be responsible for managing the marketing strategy and category development for the company’s water products. Gross will also oversee new product development, work with key retail accounts such as Home Depot and Lowe’s and manage the InSinkErator Design Circle™ program for showrooms. Employed at InSinkErator for eight years, Gross previously served as a product manager in the Household Disposer Group. |
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Julien BenchToilet | Julien announced that its BenchToilet™ was among the 13 winning products honored by HOME
Magazine at an awards event held in May during K/BIS. The BenchToilet, part of the Julien® bathroom suite by Troy Adams Design™, incorporates a sliding wood panel that conceals the fixture while doubling as a powder room bench. Another winner
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Stone Forest Opus vessel | recognized by HOME Magazine was Stone Forest, for its nature-inspired Opus vessel. The vessel is hand-carved from a single block of sandstone, with crisp, clean edges. The basin is a slightly angled ramp.
In other news, Julien said it has opened a new distribution facility in Boston and will open sister facilities in Los Angeles and Denver in the near future. Additional distribution hubs will be opened in Miami and Chicago in 2008, according to Lloyd Leblanc, vice president of Julien Home Refinements. The company’s production department will remain in Quebec City.
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Hickory Hardware display |
Hickory Hardware™
announced that its new Designer Collection of door hardware has launched in The Great Indoors® (TGI) home improvement retail chain. Available in eight design families, the Designer Collection features custom-made quality and several new finishes that best highlight the character of each design. Each Designer Collection family offers a suite of matching door hardware — including entrance handle-sets, bed and bath, hall and closet, dummy trim, and single and double deadbolts — as well as kitchen cabinet hardware and other accessories to achieve whole-house coordination.
Sloan Valve Co. has announced that effective June 1, 2007, Benisek Sales has been acquired, in total, by Delco Sales, combining the organizations to serve the burgeoning Southern California marketplace. The sales and service team from the Benisek organization will remain in place aided by the resources of Delco Sales.
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The Green Side Of Steam
The water heater is the second most energy-consuming unit in the home aside from the heating system. The best way to reduce water heating costs is to increase efficiency and reduce consumption. This can be as simple as incorporating more steam showers into your bathing rituals.
Data supports that steam bath users take considerably shorter showers than non-users. Most people spend up to 20 minutes in their steam bath and then complete their bathing experience with a short 5-10 minute shower. Those who do not partake in steam baths take a 20-minute regular shower on average. Steam showers require only one gallon of water to power a 20-minute shower; it takes more than 40 gallons of water to power a regular shower for a 20-minute session.
“Most consumers feel like they have to give something up to go green,” Mitch Altman, president of
ThermaSol, said in a statement. “But with steam showers not only do you not have to give something up — you get something in return in the form of a luxurious in-home spa.” Steam bath users conserve water and can cut their water bill in half simultaneously, he added.
ThermaSol offers steam bath units for residential use.
Energy Efficiency Forum Announced
The 18th Annual Energy Efficiency Forum, co-sponsored by the U.S. Energy Association and Johnson Controls, Inc., has lined up a full array of speakers who will address hundreds of business executives and government officials involved with managing energy policies for their respective organizations. Topics of discussion will touch on building efficiency, hybrid electric vehicles, sustainability and renewable energy. The keynote speaker is Samuel W. Bodman, U.S. Secretary of Energy. The forum will be held at the National Press Club Grand Ballroom (13th Floor), 14th and F Streets, NW, Washington, D.C. Contact
swells@godfrey.com or call Sam Wells at 717-393-3831 ext. 146 for information.
AIA’s COTE 2007 Top Ten Green Projects
Each year the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) Committee on the Environment (COTE) selects and awards examples of architecture and green design solutions that protect and enhance the environment. Check out the winning projects on Environmental Design & Construction magazine’s website.
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Security Supply (Selkirk, NY) opened a 4,400-sq.-ft. Bath Expressions showroom in
Poughkeepsie, NY, in May. More than 200 guests attended the grand opening. Pictured here at the ribboncutting event were, front row, L to R: Gabrielle Dingee, Poughkeepsie showroom manager; Erik Haight, City Councilman; Keith W. Bennett, president, Security Supply Corp.; Nancy Cozeon, Mayor of Poughkeepsie; and Brian Fowler, VP sales & marketing, Security Supply.
The showroom features brands including Delta, Eljer, Elkay, Grohe, Jacuzzi, Maax, Moen, Rohl and
TOTO.
Also pictured here (left) is one of the fully functional bath displays at the new Bath Expressions showroom.
Sondik Supply Co. (South Portland, ME) hosted the official grand opening of its 3,200-sq.-ft. showroom in April. More than 200 people attended, including representatives from the Kohler Co. and Robern. Craig McEvoy and Susan Hayes of Kohler were among those present at the opening. Paul Crossman is the showroom manager. The showroom features products from Kohler, Robern, Aker-Maax, Moen, Elkay, Grohe and Mansfield, among others. Sondik Supply also has locations in Burlington, VT, and Lebanon, NH.
VitrA said its one-year-old Showrooms of Excellence Program — designed to provide participating showrooms with display advice, marketing support and point of sale materials — is gaining momentum in key markets such as Atlanta, Washington and Nashville.
Since the program’s introduction in 2006, about 100% of showroom participants were recognized at the platinum level, the highest classification offered by VitrA.
To be classified as a Showroom of Excellence, a showroom must meet the criteria outlined below:
1. Platinum Level – showroom must contain four suites, two furniture pieces and four pieces of CounterWare™.
2. Gold Level – showroom should have three suites, one furniture piece and four pieces of CounterWare™.
3. Silver Level – showroom must feature two suites and four pieces of CounterWare™.
In 2007, VitrA plans to implement its Showrooms of Excellence Program in more than 15 additional showrooms, with even more in 2008.
Showrooms that wish to participate in the program should contact their manufacturers rep.
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MrSteam
’s Towel Warmer W634 (pictured) was awarded the Silver ADEX in the 2006-7 Awards for Design Excellence competition. The 2006-7 ADEX competition brought a record 1,858 product entries. ADEX is the largest and most prestigious awards competition for product design of furnishings marketed through the design trade. Awards are judged on form and function. |
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