Duratex/Deca  acquired both American Standard operations in Brazil, with plants in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, and they have signed a supply agreement. The total production capacity of these two industrial units is 1.8 million pieces per year, which increases Deca's Division to 5.6 million pieces per year. Deca supplies metal fittings, high-end sanitary ware, showers and accessories to the building construction markets in Brazil. It specializes in developing products with water-saving features and innovative designs.

The SEN Design Group introduced its latest educational sponsorship program with Holiday Kitchens. The SEN  Design Group Partner Education Program (pictured) is designed to enhance kitchen and bath designers' bottom line by training sales staff and enhancing business owners' skills.

Crawford Supply opened a new distribution center including inside sales and counter sales at 751 Rohlwing Road in Itasca, IL , and a 5,000-sq.-ft. Kohler Premier showroom will open there in June. The company will host a Customer/Vendor night at this location June 12 from 4 to 8 p.m. All facets of the distribution center will be highlighted.

Ferguson opened its newly expanded 14,000-sq.-ft. showroom at 3003 Phillips Highway in Jacksonville, FL. The company also opened a new 7,000-sq.-ft. showroom in Rocky Mount, NC, on April 1, attached to its current location at 572 Sutter's Creek Blvd.

Plumbers Equipment of Pittsburgh will host a grand opening/open house for its new showroom in Canonsburg, PA, May 12-16. Its product mix will include TOTO, American Standard, Porcher, Basco, Cifial, Delta, Elkay, Hansgrohe, Fairmont, MTI, Jacuzzi and Laurel Mountain, among others.

Ihrie Supply will host a grand opening of the Rocky Mount, NC, showroom on May 5. This is its seventh premier showroom and will display a working model of Kohler's new Water Tile Ambient Rain.

Winston-Salem, NC-based Murray Supply Co. hosted the NAHB Remodelers' meeting at The Fuller House showroom on April 8. An informational session was held after dinner, including a brief discussion on various Delta products led by Delta representative Jeff Graham from Smith and Stevenson.

The American Supply Association (ASA), North Central Wholesalers Association (NCWA) and Western Suppliers Association (WSA) partnered to offer showroom training sessions based on Essentials of Profitable Showrooms, featuring Hank Darlington, showroom consultant, Supply House Times' columnist and primary author of the book. More than 70 representatives from member wholesalers attended the workshops held in Columbus, OH, and Oakland, CA.

Supply New England's Kitchen & Bath Gallery in West Yarmouth, MA, hosted a free seminar series on four consecutive Saturday afternoons during March that drew nearly 500 people into its 7,500-sq.-ft. Kohler Premier showroom. The seminars - discussing cabinetry, baths, tile and countertops - were conducted by Gallery designers, featured manufacturers and area contractors. Each session ended with a raffle drawing.

Christy Emens

Blanco America promoted Christy Emens to marketing communications manager.

Ihrie Supply named Kim Asycue lead showroom consultant for its new Rocky Mount, NC, showroom.

The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) has named Don Sciolaro chief executive officer. Sciolaro joined the NKBA in 2006 as director of member services.

Gerber Plumbing Fixtures hired Claude Dib as North American demand planning and inventory analyst, based in its Montreal office.

EnerWorks , a North American solar thermal technology provider, announced that several of its personnel have achieved accreditation or certification from industry regulatory bodies. Florin Plavosin, senior director of product development, was awarded LEED-Accredited Professional certification. Jay Raes, residential and commercial sales, and Robert Singlehurst, who provides product support and training for EnerWorks' distributors and dealers, have recently passed the CanSIA Solar Hot Water System Installer exam. Singlehurst has also become the first North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners Certified Solar Thermal Installer in Canada.

ALNO, a kitchen cabinet manufacturer, hosted a press breakfast April 12 at its Chicago-based showroom, featuring building scientist and green architect Peter Pfeiffer. He spoke on "greening" the kitchen, the most energy-consuming room in the home. For example: Choose low-watt lighting fixtures, including fluorescent and LED; install ENERGY STAR-labeled appliances; prepare food on induction cooktops; and cook meats on an outdoor grill. 

Caroma now has 34 dual-flush toilets approved for the EPA's WaterSense label. This label ensures that a toilet uses 20% less water than the currently mandated 1.6-gallon toilets and has met rigorous testing requirements for performance.

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry  (NARI) has updated its Green Certified Professional (GCP) certification, making the program more inclusive. Requirements to take the GCP exam are five years in the remodeling industry and 16 hours of continuing or formal education in green or sustainable remodeling practices.

Kohler Co. hosted an Ann Sacks/Kallista/Kohler New Products Reception at The Kohler Store located in the Merchandise Mart in downtown Chicago  the Thursday evening prior to the opening of the Kitchen/Bath Industry Show. Pictured from left to right are Suzanne Henry, regional sales manager for Kohler/Kallista; Lori Hymel, senior sales executive - showroom/Kohler Plumbing Americas, New Orleans branch; Joel Selzer, national sales manager -  showrooms/Morrison Supply in Houston; and Claudia Selzer. 

Symmons Industries hosted a hospitality event  with food and beverages at its booth on the K/BIS show floor Saturday, April 12. On hand to greet visitors were Bill O'Keeffe (right), president and CEO, and his son, Tim O'Keeffe, executive vice president. The company, which has been manufacturing commercial and residential plumbing products since 1939, unveiled a new look, new messaging and an updated, enhanced product portfolio at the show. Its new logo includes the tagline: "The Smart Choice."

 
Kenmore introduced a three-in-one refrigerator-door ice dispenser that offers users the choice of cubed, crushed or shaved ice. The refrigerator features Microban antimicrobial technology and PuR Ultimate II water filtration. Models meet or exceed ENERGY STAR standards.

Kohler Co. launched the Fountainhead VibrAcoustic bath with technology-based sound therapy that enables the user to hear and feel sound vibrations through the body. The bather is enveloped in a relaxing multi-sensory environment that synchronizes music, vibration and light with water. The acrylic tub is offered in two sizes: 88 x 48 x 24 inches or 72 x 42 x 26 inches to accommodate different heights.

Price Pfister  débuted the ½-inch TX8 thermostatic shower system and a customizable high-powered ¾-inch thermostatic shower system (pictured). Both include a 6-inch raincan shower head with self-cleaning nozzles and multiple body sprays that can be adjusted to 21 degrees full rotation and both offer "the industry's first diverter-less body spray," the company says.

Meyda Lighting introduced two fused glass pendants for its Metro Fusion Collection. The "Marina" (upper right in photo) combines amber, beige, smoke and clear iridescent art glass colors in a 30-inch diameter bowl-shaped pendant with aircraft cable that can be set 22 to 74 inches off the ceiling. The "Crinkle" (lower left in photo) integrates black and clear swirled art glass into a 26-inch-wide free-formed shape, complemented with nickel finished hardware.

Stone Care International now offers Grout Lock, a new easy-to-use aerosol grout sealer. Its "spray and go" application provides a barrier that resists water as well as oil-based and solvent-based stains on grout set with ceramic tile and sealed natural stone. It does not change or whiten the color of the grout and surfaces remain sealed for up to three years.

PM Engineer MEC WEBINAR SERIES CONTINUES IN 2008 

This series of intensive 90-minute Webinars presents state-of-the-art concepts for efficient, affordable, and reliable modern hydronic heating system design in both residential and commercial applications. CEU/PDH Credit* is available.

Upcoming topics include: 
   Active Solar Heating - New Opportunities For Hydronic Professionals, May 1, and 
   Home Run Distribution Systems - An Outstanding Alternative to Metal Piping, June 12.

They are presented by John Siegenthaler, P.E., a licensed engineer with more than 28 years of experience in hydronic heating. 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.

Bath & Kitchen Pro, a publication created for bath-and-kitchen installers, distributors with showrooms and designers, takes a closer look at universal design trends in the Spring 2008 issue.

Contact Publisher Bob Miodonski at 630-694-4007 and miodonskib@bnpmedia.com, Managing Editor Kelly Johnson at 630-694-4379 and johnsonk@bnpmedia.com, or visit www.bathandkitchenpro.com for more details.

Kitchen & Bath Project Costs: Planning and Estimating Successful Projects
   This book gives you 35 project estimates for the most popular kitchen and bath renovations ... from replacing a single fixture to whole-room and adjoining space remodels. Plus:
   • Takeoff and pricing worksheets - forms you can photocopy or access electronically from the book's Web site.
    • Alternate materials - unit costs for different finishes and fixtures - so you can match the estimates to the particulars of your projects.
   • Location factors - easy multipliers to adjust the book's costs to your own location. (More than 900 individual areas throughout the U.S. and Canada, organized by zip code.)
    • Also includes expert guidance on estimating methods, project design, contracts, marketing, working with homeowners and tips for each of the estimated projects.
   Retail Price: $29.95 CLICK HERE  to find out more information or to purchase!
   Visit AECstore.com to view all of our Kitchen & Bath products. Call 248-244-1275 with any questions.