The Decorative Plumbing & Hardware Association will hold its 7^th annual conference Oct. 24-26 at the J.W. Marriott Desert Ridge resort and spa in Phoenix, AZ. Speakers include Chip Conley, Steve Cone, Gerry Layo, Duane Knapp and a joint presentation by Gary Kimmey and Ray Whitehead. In addition, DPHA will host a "Product Showcase" featuring more than 80 products, many of which are making their United States debut. These include new kitchen and lavatory faucets, bath furniture, tubs, shower systems, drains, cabinet and door hardware, steam systems, lighting, bath accessories, mirrors and medicine cabinets.

Crawford Supply (Morton Grove, IL ) plans to host a grand opening for its new Premier Kohler showroom at 751 N. Rohlwing Road, Itasca, IL, on Thursday, Oct. 16. Watch for coverage of this event in the next edition of this e-newsletter.

Acryline Custom Bathing Systems consolidated its U.S. and Canadian facilities effective Oct. 1. Acryline air system baths are produced in Canada at the company's manufacturing facility in Lyster, Quebec. Manufacturing and technical support are located in Canada, so the corporate headquarters has been relocated to the plant. The company will maintain a U.S. presence with several satellite offices. CEO William Tennant and President Steve Deland will continue to spearhead sales for the U.S. and Canada.

Rob Zimmerman

In a workshop Sept. 11 at The Remodeling Show in Baltimore, Rob Zimmerman, senior staff engineer for water conservation initiatives at Kohler Co., discussed strategies to conserve water and potential concerns regarding water-saving products. He presented his material in tandem with interior designer Jamie Gibbs. View the full story.

Blanco announced P.F. Valente & Associates ( Bridgeton, NJ) as its sales representative for New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania and the Western boundary including Adams, Perry, Juniata, Snyder, Clinton, Lycoming and Tioga counties; and New Castle County, DE .

Sterling Plumbing hosted builders, remodelers, plumbers, distributors and manufacturers representatives for a "Sterling Summit" at the Sterling plant in Huntsville, AL, Sept.29 - Oct. 1. A plant tour was included where visitors could see how Sterling 's Vikrell products are manufactured. Pictured are just a few of the attendees (L to R): Drew Nieswiadomy, outside sales for Morrison Supply Co. (Houston); Heath Archer of Kohler Co.'s Dallas branch; Dany Grantham, outside sales, Emily Mueller, builder sales, and Robbie Abbott, outside sales ( Dallas), all with Morrison Supply; and Joe Durrett of Enterprise Plumbing in Richardson, TX.

Delta Faucet Co. and the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors - National Association honored William J. Cocos, president of William G. Cocos Inc., a plumbing contracting company based in Lemay, MO, as Plumbing Contractor of the Year and Kyle Holcomb of Pasadena Plumbing, St. Petersburg, FL, as Plumbing Apprentice of the Year. The awards were presented at the PHCC 2008 Awards Luncheon during Network '08 in Atlanta.

Also at Network '08, Delta Faucet and PHCC awarded six $2,500 scholarships to students attending colleges, trade schools or participating in apprenticeship programs who are entering plumbing-heating-cooling careers.

Sonia named Delux DSM (Los-Angeles) as its sales representative for the Southern California region and McKinney Agency (Carrollton, TX) as its sales rep for Texas and Oklahoma.

Tasman Sinkware North America has chosen McGregor & Associates, based in Salt Lake City, to represent the Oliveri line of kitchen sinks in Utah and Idaho. The rep firm has a branch office in Boise, ID.

Ferguson (Newport News, VA) opened a 12,500-sq.-ft. showroom at 2451 17^th St. , Sarasota, FL. Maleah Jordan is branch manager.

The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) has restructured its marketing department. Bill Darcy, former manager of business development, has been promoted to senior manager of marketing. His duties will include overseeing all production elements of K/BIS and other NKBA-owned conferences. Also, Timothy Captain, formerly manager of editorial services, was named manager of editorial services & public relations.

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

Geberit is offering a new Bath Waste & Overflow Literature and Video CD formatted to provide product information in one easy-to-follow source. Users can access a literature library, image library and PushControl BWO Installation Video.

Sterling Plumbing launched the Accord bath/shower in a smooth wall version earlier this year. Like the faux tile version, it is made of solid Vikrell material and features a click-together, caulkless wall system for ease of installation. Four storage shelves are integrated into the back corners of the unit. The bath/shower is designed to fit 5-foot alcove spaces.

Wilsonart offers a laminate representation of soapstone in its Home Collection Soapstone Series of standard laminates for countertops. Six designs are available: tan, pearl, sable, flame, green and oiled soapstone. Natural soapstone countertops require coating with mineral oil several times a year vs. this laminate representation, which is non-porous and requires no oil treatments, the company said.

WAC Lighting unveiled new styles of Quick Connect Pendants featuring dome-shaped shades with natural stones. "Alpa" offers the look of alabaster (amber) and granite (white). La Luna is crafted with marble for a white textured look. The decorative lights can be mounted on a rail above a countertop or installed on standard line voltage track systems.

Rangecraft Manufacturing has developed the Pro-Line Foldaway range hood, designed to fold back into the cabinet when not in use. Hinged to open over the cooktop area, it turns on by pulling the hood out from its retracted position. It fits standard cabinet depths and is available in 30-inch, 36-inch or 42-inch widths.

Bradley Corp. introduced Aerix hand dryers featuring adjustable speed. The speed can be turned up for fast drying at the sports center or school or turned down for quiet operation at the library or museum.

MTI Basics consists of 14 white tubs handcrafted of Lucite high-gloss cast acrylic, reinforced with fiberglass and titanium. The tubs range from a simple soaker to a fully adjustable whirlpool with six point-massage jets. They can be shipped within 48 hours of ordering.

Tech Bits

TECH BITS by Gregg Marshall

ITA Software's site is good for finding a good airfare, but what about hotels and rental cars? Which site has the best deals?

One way to make sure you get a good deal is to check several sites. That takes time.

Another option is Kayak.  It is a meta-search engine, which means it searches other sites and presents all the results in one place. When you click on the deal you like, you are taken to the best site to book it.

Travel is expensive. Saving money on it goes to your bottom line (or stays in your pocket).

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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