TRADE GROUPS OPPOSE INTERIOR DESIGN LEGISLATION.  The National Association of the Remodeling Industry has joined with the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), American Institute of Architects, Interior Design Society, the International Furnishings and Design Association and other national organizations in opposing design regulation that they say would prevent some designers from describing themselves or practicing as "interior designers" and restrict competition. According to NKBA, the proposed regulation stems from the efforts of a small but influential group of interior designers who are lobbying state legislatures across the United States for legislation that would regulate who may provide interior design services to the public and would prohibit the large majority of designers from practicing their profession. For more information on this, visit NKBA's legislative Web site at www.capwiz.com/nkba.

Mr. Stea m awarded a $250 spa certificate to Cherie Beivers, showroom sales consultant for Fine Faucets in San Juan Capistrano, CA , as one of the latest winners of its new Passport to Venice program. Launched in May, the program provides Mr.Steam's showrooms and sales associates with sales incentives and enhanced marketing and sales tools. The Passport to Venice program will continue to reward its monthly winner with a spa gift certificate. The program culminates in December 2008 when the leading Mr.Steam sales associate will win an all-inclusive trip for two to Venice. 

HD Supply Plumbing/HVAC announced the grand re-opening of its kitchen and bath collection showroom in Scottsdale, AZ. The showroom hosted a Hawaiian luau-style customer and community event. The renovated 4,500-sq.-ft. showroom includes full-size kitchens that showcase sinks and faucets and seven full bathrooms.

"By renovating this showroom, we are able to offer our customers more than 150 new kitchen and bath products and showcase the latest design elements," said HD Supply Plumbing/HVAC Regional Vice President Paul Tuff. 

This year HD Supply Plumbing/HVAC opened four new locations in Macon, GA.; Salisbury and Raleigh, NC; and Richland Hills, TX.

In other news, HD Supply White Cap, a distributor of specialty hardware, tools and materials for large and medium-sized professional contractors, hosted a grand re-opening of its 38,000-sq.-ft. facility in Fort Myers, FL. The renovated space is now an open warehouse carrying more than 2,000 products, and it also has a merchandise showroom.

Ferguson (Newport News, VA) opened a 10,000-sq.-ft. showroom in Colorado Springs, CO , which it says is the largest showroom in southern Colorado. The showroom's product mix includes plumbing, lighting, appliances, fireplaces, countertops and cabinets from companies such as Sub-Zero/Wolf, Kohler, Brizo, ShowHouse, Dornbracht, Duravit, LBL, Minka, Caesarstone countertops and Omega cabinets. Caroline Swift is branch manager.

Also, Ferguson announced it will open a 6,500-sq.-ft. showroom in Chicago Aug. 21. Among the product lines offered in the Chicago showroom are Sub-Zero/Wolf, Dacor, Viking, Miele, Kohler, Jacuzzi, Hansgrohe, Elkay, Hinkley, Minka and Progress. John MacKay is the showroom manager.

Delp

Superior Radiant Products Ltd. (SRP) appointed Thomas Delp national sales manager. Delp has more than 30 years of experience in the HVAC industry. Also, Olena Shaposhnykova was named controller. She joined SRP in 2004 as senior accountant and has more than 20 years of accounting experience.

Viega announced that Dan Schmierer , who has served as CEO of Viega North America since 2000, will stay at the helm until 2012. When Schmierer joined Viega, the company had more than 100 years of history as a plumbing and heating manufacturer in Germany, but no presence in North America. It became Schmierer's job to introduce this "new" company to America, and he has done just that.

Chicago Faucets introduced a brochure focusing on its commitment to water conservation and sustainability. Products featured include HyTronic sensor-operated faucets, manual faucets with adjustable metering cartridges, low-flow outlet devices and pressure-activated foot pedals. The brochure also explains the LEED program and the Green Building Rating System performance standard.

Lamar Lighting introduced Switch-smart, part of its
Occu-smart® family of technology enhanced lighting products. The individual luminaires can be controlled either on/off or dimmed with wireless self-powered remote controls or rocker switches, with no batteries needed. This meets LEED Credit 6.1 (Controllability of Lighting Systems).

The SEN Design Group has published an informative consumer booklet, "10 Real Advantages to Remodel Now," that can be used as a marketing tool by its members, including independent kitchen and bath design firms. Written by Ken Peterson , CKD, LPBC, an industry consultant and columnist who is also president of SEN Design Group, it provides compelling economic reasons for people to take action during the current conditions.

ISH North America Presents: The Green Revolution In Plumbing & Heating

A Plumbing & Mechanical and Supply House Times FREE Webinar

Wednesday, September 3, 2008 at 10am ET

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Get a sneak peek into ISH North America, taking place in Atlanta, October 1-3, 2008 with green plumbing-heating experts John Siegenthaler, Pete DeMarco, Mark Eatherton, David Yates and more! This 30-minute Webinar will preview some of the extraordinary education programs taking place in conjunction with ISH North America and will feature interviews with several industry experts and highlight their insights into the dynamic opportunities taking place with the green movement in our industry.

Tomlinson Industries'  Pro-Flo Products has added the PF500SS and PF500SSAG stainless steel faucets to their line of point-of-use faucets. The faucet features include: stainless steel faucet body and spout, nickel-plated brass inlet fitting, protective spout tip, self-closing handle and flow rate of 1.5 gallons per minute at 40 PSI. Each faucet is individually poly-bagged with all mounting hardware.

Porcher's Equility collection offers both the clean, simple form of European minimalism and traditional Asian styling. Four Italian-made basins provide flexible styling for baths ranging from traditional to contemporary.  Components include a cabinet that can be wall-mounted or joined with the vanity base for a floor-standing furnishing.

Kallista introduced its Inigo collection designed by Michael S. Smith earlier this year. It references the classic beauty of the Mediterranean and complements both contemporary and traditional interiors. Shown here is the toilet paper holder, which is offered in polished chrome, nickel silver and brushed nickel.

Grothouse Lumber has developed the Durata wood finish that is waterproof, durable and impervious to most household chemicals. Water left on the surface dries with no water rings, and red wine, vinegar, alcohol, soaps and coffee will not affect the finish, the company says.  As a finish for wood tables and countertops it can be used in residential and commercial kitchens, bars and bathrooms.

 Revere Sink has added seven new faucets to its line of stainless steel sinks and accessories, providing countertop fabricators with a complete, customized look for each of their customers. The faucets are available in chrome or brushed nickel. The line includes pull-out models with dual spray, pull-down models, a model with side spray, a pre-rinse model with 360-degree rotation and a bar/hospitality faucet.

Jacuzzi introduced the Espree high-efficiency, high-performance toilet at the 2008 Kitchen/Bath Industry Show. The Espree saves 20% more water than a standard 1.6 gpf toilet, earning it Water Sense certification. It features a concealed trapway for a stylish streamlined look and easy cleaning. The 17-inch chair height meets ADA standards and allows for easier and more comfortable use.

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 or visit www.bathandkitchenpro.com for more details.

Customer Service: The Path to Higher Profits, by ASA Education Foundation

This highly interactive, 40-page workbook makes your team smarter about your internal and external customers. It introduces them to basic concepts of customer service and the connection between "Superb Service" and increased profit levels. Employees learn that the customers define service. They also discover how specific groups such as contractors and MRO/OEM customers define what they value most from the wholesale distributor. In addition, the workbook describes several measures of service, connects service decisions to customer profitability, teaches the connection between the internal and external customers, and offers several tips and techniques for communicating positively with customers. The workbook uses "bringing-it-in-house" exercises to encourage employees to make recommendations on how the principles and techniques they are learning can make immediate service improvements within their own company.

BOOK: Includes book, end-of-chapter quizzes with answer keys, final exam, and certificate of completion.  $36.00 CLICK HERE to order.

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