TOTO hosted a special event on Sept. 25 in its downtown Chicago gallery, to introduce the NEOREST 500 high-efficiency 1.28 gallon-per-flush integrated toilet/personal cleansing system. Guests were treated to music and refreshments as they watched a demonstration of the new product (pictured right). TOTO hosted similar events in other locations.

LuxeHome (Chicago) Open House Saturday, Oct. 4! LuxeHome, a collection of 30 luxury boutiques located on the first floor of Chicago's Merchandise Mart, will celebrate National Kitchen and Bath Month Saturday, Oct. 4, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will include a keynote presentation by Monica Pedersen of HGTV's Designed to Sell, guest appearances by design experts, the opening of The Design Resource Center and a sneak preview of a new boutique, Artistic Tile. View details...

Safety tips in Spanish.  Aqua Mix/Custom Building Products, a manufacturer of stone and tile care products, and the Marble Institute of America (MIA) have teamed up to translate the MIA Safety Meetings Toolkit into Spanish (pictured). The kit includes outlines on OSHA, personal protection equipment,electrical safety, hazard communications, respiratory protection, equipment operation procedures, slab handling, compressed air safety and a number of general safety issues.

Ferguson opened a 10,000-sq.-ft. showroom in Alexandria, VA , that carries plumbing products and fixtures, lighting, cabinetry, appliances and fireplaces. Jean Bell is showroom manager.

MGS was honored with platinum and gold awards at the 2008 ADEX competition for its Vela L faucet and thermostatic shower valve with handshower, respectively.

InSinkErator earned the National Society of Professional Engineers Professional Engineers in Industry 2008 New Product Award. The InSinkErator Evolution Series was recognized for its innovative application of engineering principals and overall impact on the national economy. 

American Standard Brands released a white paper, "High Efficiency Toilets (HETs): Why 'Flushing with Confidence' is Here to Stay." Written by C.J. Lagan, compliance engineering manager for American Standard Brands, it provides an overview of why HETs were developed, how American Standard perfected the flushing performance of its models and why low-flow toilets will be vital to the future. It can be downloaded for no charge at www.plumberprotects.com.

Julien has designed a progressive new Web site that follows a strategic restructuring of the company, in which the Home Refinement division took control of both Julien branded products and their OEM arm. Buttons prompt visitors to the commercial refinements or home refinements section. Also, the Web site now links to Julien's Extranet Program so that company-authorized clients can place an order, check stock and obtain other information online.

Elkay Manufacturing Co. 's Plumbing Products Division (PPD) has developed Commercial and Residential Wholesale business units. Jack Krecek is vice president, general manager of the PPD's commercial business unit. Gary Israelson is product manager for commercial faucets; Rod Magnuson , senior product manager, is focused on new products; Darold Vredberg is senior marketing manager; Kevin Keane is commercial financial manager and Franco Savoni is senior manager, engineering and technology. Tom Samanic is the new vice president, general manager of the PPD's residential wholesale business unit. Wally Moran is director of marketing and product development for sinks/accessories; Mark Hird is marketing manager and Martin Zummersch leads the engineering team. Angela Sheehan, director of marketing and product development for faucets, leads a second team that includes Jens Bolleyer, marketing manager, and Mike Douglass, leader of the faucet engineering team. Pete Wozniczka heads the PPD's market research and industrial design team while Laura Gicela manages the product engineering support team.

Blanco America named Javier Korneluk (right) its new national sales manager. Most recently he was regional sales manager for Delta Faucet Co. Before that, he held several positions with American Standard and prior to that he was with wholesaler Ferguson Enterprises (Newport News, VA).

Mr.Steam hired Bart Gorelik as regional sales manager for the Midwest, Great Plains and Canada. Formerly, Gorelik was president of his family's business, Shamrock Plumbing.

Basco Shower Enclosures promoted Jennifer Burke (left) to senior director of customer service. Most recently she was director of materials control.

MEC Webinar presented by John Siegenthaler, PE

The Application of Storage Tanks in Hydronic & Solar Thermal Systems

October 16 at 10am PT | 1pm ET

Register today for only $49!

This Webinar covers a wide range of tank applications and presents technical information on where the tanks are needed, how they are sized, and the best way to pipe them into specific systems. Although storage tanks have been part of some hydronic systems for years, this Webinar will present unique and state-of-the-art applications that will help define the future of hydronic and solar thermal systems. FIND OUT MORE

W.A.C. Lighting offers a color brochure (left) on energy-saving InvisiLED tape lights as part of its "Go Green" program. The lights can be used for new construction and retrofit projects, including under counters and bars.

Innovative Stone LLC has become a corporate member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to encourage eco-friendly building, education and green advocacy efforts throughout the building industry.

HydroCare USA is the exclusive distributor of a technology developed in Europe that uses radio waves to prevent and break-down mineral build-up in pipe and appliances. It is an energy-efficient, eco-friendly water treatment system that works without chemicals, salts or magnets.

Artisan Manufacturing offers a handcrafted, designer-inspired copper farmhouse sink with a decorative pattern crafted into the front apron and detailed interior hand tooling. The sink is 10 inches deep with a 28-inch by 17-inch interior. It can be installed above a cabinet or on legs.

Produits Neptune took two of life's simple pleasures - relaxing in a bathtub and resting in bed - and merged them into the Agata bathtub. It appears to be a minimalist platform bed decked out in rich exotic woods with built-in pillows, but it is actually a double-skirted bathtub that can fit two. It is offered in biscuit, bone, sterling silver and white and is available with additional options such as various types of jets, chromatherapy and a sound system.

 JSG Oceana offers the "Tranquil Tile Collection" in glass tile. The four feature colors are True Blue, Smooth Slue, Mellow Yellow and Serene Green. The tile is available in circles, triangles, elongated shapes and curves, signature logos and distinctive designs or it can be custom made in dimensions from 2-inch by 2-inch to 12-inch by 12-inch. The glass tile is made using a unique formulation of borosilicate glass. It is thermal shock resistant and can withstand fluctuations in temperature and humidity. 

Jacuzzi Whirlpool Bath offers the Maxima toilet with ultra-high performance. Its flushing power exceeds all industry performance standards, the company says. Its 17-inch chair height meets ADA standards. The Maxima is great for remodels because its large footprint will cover unfinished areas from the previous toilet mount.

 Meyda Lighting has introduced the "Crystal Sphere" in its BLING
Collection. This crystal ceiling fixture is crafted of a cluster of suspended crystals sparkling with the glow of three downlights. It is suspended by wires from a surface mounted pan. The sphere is 24 inches tall and 12.5 inches wide.

Tech Bits

TECH BITS by Gregg Marshall

Oil Prices are going up. Airfares are going up too (some say faster than oil). Looking for the best airfare? One of my favorite starting places is ITA Software. They wrote the Orbitz booking engine. This site is where they try new ideas. You know it's unbiased since they don't sell any tickets, just display the fares. Check out their help pages. They have a "route language" that lets you specify all sorts of things (like connecting through a certain city on a certain airline). And they have a monthly fare display. Say you need to go to Toledo sometime in December for 3 days, but you can be flexible when. They will show a calendar of the lowest fare each day. I've seen differences of 200% by changing a date by one day. I then go to the airline Web site to book (and get the booking bonuses).

Gregg Marshall, CPMR, CSP, is president of Rep Connection Inc. He can be reached by e-mail at gmarshall@repconnection.com, or visit his LinkedIn profile at http://www.linkedin.com/in/greggmarshall.

Bath & Kitchen Pro, a publication created for bath-and-kitchen installers, distributors with showrooms and designers, takes a closer look at ways to customize the bath and kitchen in the Fall 2008 issue. Also in that issue: an interview with contractor Gary Phillips about his showroom in Raleigh, NC; why green makes business sense; and how tankless water heaters can enhance a luxury bathroom.

Contact Publisher Bob Miodonski at 630-694-4007 and miodonskib@bnpmedia.com or visit www.bathandkitchenpro.com for more details.

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