Ferguson/J.D. Daddario and Stock Building Supply are set to debut their first destination showroom in Lynn, MA. For the first time, the showroom includes lighting, appliances, and kitchen cabinetry, in addition to standard bath/plumbing products.

Ferguson/J.D. Daddario and Stock Building Supply will host a private VIP reception on March 21 in the newly completed showroom with the Mayor of Lynn, Edward J. Clancy, Jr., as well as other industry and community leaders.

The open house for members of the general public will take place from March 26 - 31.

Mansfield Plumbing Products has completed an asset sale of its brass fitting business to Prier Products Inc. of Grandview, MO. Mansfield Plumbing Products (MPP) is a 75-year-old, Ohio-based company producing a variety of sanitary and bathware.

This sale allows MPP to more effectively focus its attention and resources on its core expertise in designing, manufacturing, and selling ceramic and acrylic bathroom products. Historically, Mansfield has manufactured and sold a variety of brass products, including frostproof hydrants, ballcocks, valves and brass accessories.

Prier Products Inc. provides an extensive offering of wall hydrants, angle sill faucets, drainage products and gas log lighter equipment.

To provide a smooth transition, Mansfield will produce an initial supply of product for Prier to sell. Technical support will also be provided during the transition phase.

Industry Field Report

A Yankee At ISH Frankfurt

Plumbing & Mechanical's managing editor, Kelly Faloon, attended the ISH trade fair in Frankfurt, Germany, earlier this month and e-mailed her observations, which are posted on our Web site at www.supplyht.com. See the “Today’s Top News” box.

Chicago Faucets named Stewart L. Hammond commercial sales manager-Eastern Region. He has more than 15 years of sales management experience in the plumbing industry. Most recently he was Eastern regional manager for Symmons Industries.

The George Morlan Plumbing Design Center in Portland, OR, hosted a private “faucet fashion show” for about 200 building contractors and designers in February. Models from the local Saks Fifth Avenue posed and presented a sophisticated line of taps and faucets by Kallista, a high-end division of Kohler (pictured). A temporary runway was set up in the warehouse space where George Morlan’s tub and whirlpool displays usually stand. The models presented about two dozen bath and kitchen fixtures. Kallista representatives were present to discuss their products. Family-owned George Morlan Plumbing operates eight plumbing stores and showrooms around the state.

Sonia said it would pay 50% of its independent sales reps’ Decorative Plumbing & Hardware Association (DPHA) fees in 2007 for new members. Jody Rosenberg, national sales manager, made this announcement during Sonia’s 2006 sales meeting on board a Mexico-bound cruise ship.

Hansgrohe announced the national and international awards it received in 2006 included: iF Product Design for its ShowerArc; red dot for the Axor Citterio kitchen faucet; and the Chicago Athenaeum’s GOOD DESIGN Award for Raindance AIR showerheads and handshowers, among others.

Julien announced that the Julien® bathroom suite by Troy Adams Design™ is now available at Cantu Bathrooms and Hardware Ltd. in Vancouver, British Columbia. Julien® Home Refinements teamed up with designer Troy Adams to create the suite. Featured components from the suite include the freestanding bath console, stainless steel soaking tub, Tansu chest and BenchToilet™. Pictured, Troy Adams is flanked by Celine Marcotte, marketing director (left), and Heidi Finch, national sales manager, both with Julien.

Steamist has created a brochure that explains how personal steam baths can help homeowners create a space of tranquility to enjoy on a daily basis. The brochure offers installation tips, control options and describes the health benefits of steam bathing.  Steam baths can improve a person’s complexion, boost the immune system and increase circulation. A steam bath generator can be mounted and installed in a vanity cabinet, closet, basement or insulated attic. Steamist offers generators to accommodate steam baths from 60 to 1,100 cubic feet.

Software & Web Sites

California Faucets recently rolled out proprietary manufacturing software that enables it to quickly deliver build-to-order product. Customers can mix and match components, such as handles, spouts and finishes, to design their own faucets. With more than 25 styles and 30-plus decorative finishes, that means plenty of options are available. The software system manages inventory, plating, build-to-order assembly and shipping.

Acryline® USA unveiled its new user-friendly Web site, www.acrylineusa.com . It is divided into seven sections: Who We Are, Massage Therapy, Products, Practical Info, Dealer Locator, FAQs and the Library. The Products section is a database that allows the customer to search for a size, shape, look and system configuration. In the library section, people can obtain operating instructions, installation information, articles and other information.

The Answer Line promises to provide information on toilets, toilet parts and toilet repair from the 1930s to the present. Membership fees to access the database start at $9.99 for two hours of site access within a five consecutive day period. Special programs are offered for manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers. Members can search the site to locate a specific part by color, manufacturer, flapper, ballcock, flush valve or how it attaches to the wall or floor. They can also post and read helpful hints regarding toilet repair.

NEOPERL ’s 2007 wholesale price list brochure (pictured) features the new Perlator® 1.5 gpm products for water conservation and green building programs, Careguard® laminar outlets with built-in AgION® natural silver anti-microbial protection for the healthcare industry and the new Vario® kitchen swivel spray/aerator.

Delta Faucet reports on the four basic styles for kitchens. The “Casual” style is about timeless design. It mixes contemporary and traditional design elements, such as pairing a farmhouse sink with state-of-the-art stainless steel appliances or accenting whitewashed cabinets with wrought iron hardware.

At the other end of the spectrum is the “Stately style” for kitchens, which is heavily ornate, inspired by classical design periods. This type of kitchen features extensive wood cabinetry and trim detailing such as corbels, columns and decorative moldings, and timeless natural materials such as marble, limestone and granite on countertops and backsplashes.

In between are “Contemporary” and “Traditional” styles. Contemporary is minimalist with clean lines and simple designs. For example, a contemporary kitchen may pair flat-panel cabinets with sleek, streamlined hardware. Traditional style kitchens will more likely have natural stone countertops such as soapstone or marble, and rustic wood or stone flooring. This style carries a sense of heritage and features a more broken-in or handcrafted look.

Chicago Faucets recently redesigned its bubblers to incorporate a clean, sleek appearance with an increased emphasis on safety and durability. The line includes new models with flexible heads that help to protect against injury by flexing on impact and also feature anti-microbial properties that inhibit disease-causing organisms. The new models also have vandal-resistant features and a heavy-duty design. The bubblers are used primarily in classroom applications.

Gerber Plumbing Fixtures LLC introduced three vitreous china bath suites, the Allerton™, the Brianne™ and the Picturesque™, comprised of Gerber's high-performance toilets and matching fashionable pedestal lavatories. Each includes a gravity-fed toilet equipped with Gerber’s HP2 or XP3 flushing technology. The Allerton Suite, identified by clean lines and square edges, bridges traditional and contemporary styles. The Picturesque Suite, with its fine beveled edges (shown here), is available exclusively in white. The Brianne offers traditional elegance in its styling.

Danze added the South Sea single-handle lavatory faucet to its South Sea Collection. Inspired by natural classic bamboo styling, the collection is designed to meet the growing popularity in natural textures and finishes. Other products in the collection include centerset, mini-widespread, widespread and deck-mounted vessel filler faucet options, as well as matching bath accessories. All are available in brushed nickel and distressed bronze finishes.