Delta has launched an integrated marketing effort called "Touch," inspired by its Pilar pull-down kitchen faucet with Touch2O Technology. The user is able to turn the faucet on and off with a simple touch anywhere on the spout or handle. The campaign includes two print ads, a television spot and at least five online executions.

U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced the availability of nearly $300 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for state-run rebate programs for consumer purchases of new Energy Star-qualified home appliances, including dishwashers, clothes washers, freezers and refrigerators. Read more.

A series of showroom-quality posters featuring examples of natural stone installations are the latest offering from the Marble Institute of America (MIA). Read more.

Dave Kahle, president of The DaCo Corp., will bring his "Top Gun" seminar for distributor salespeople to 13 sites in the U.S. starting in September. The focus this year is on how to survive and thrive by gaining market share in this precarious economy. More information.

Cosentino North America, a producer of quartz surfacing, is sponsoring the "Ugly Kitchen" contest to correspond with the recent addition of seven new designer colors to its Silestone offering. More information.

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Bradley Corp. promoted Erik Mullett (left) to vice president of Division 10 Sales. Previously, he was regional sales manager for Division 10 Products.

NSF International announced the appointment of Elizabeth A. Jones as its new vice president of marketing. More information.

LATICRETE hired master tile setter Jeff Kimmerling (right) as contractor sales representative for the Indiana Territory. Formerly he was a project manager for Lakeside Stoneworks.

Bradford White Water Heaters has introduced 14 indirect solar water heating units, increasing its offerings in the solar category to a total of 32 models. The 14 new water heaters include six EcoStor2 SC double wall, single coil gas backup models, six EcoStor2 SC double wall, single coil TTW gas backup models and two EcoStor2 SC double wall, single-coil Eco-Defender gas backup models.

Xylem, a bath furniture and fixture manufacturer, said that
all of its products are co mpliant with the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The regulation initiated January 1, 2009 implements new limits for formaldehyde emitted from raw composite wood panels and products sold or used in California.

LATICRETE announced that its entire range of GREENGUARD certified products have passed "the most stringent emissions criteria to-date" and are now certified under GREENGUARD for Children & Schools, the criteria developed for low-emitting building materials used in daycare, K-12 and health care facilities.

The kitchen area of the teachers' lounge at San Diego's Balboa Elementary School was redesigned in June by Evette Ríos, the spokesperson for Eight O'Clock Coffee and "design-on-a-dime guru" seen regularly on The Rachael Ray Show, who donated her talents for Outreach to Teach. The school, which has a Hispanic population of 97%, was selected for this year's Outreach to Teach project sponsored by the National Education Association. Eight O'Clock Coffee donated coffee, coffee makers and coffee mugs and provided breakfast for the 87 Balboa Elementary School staff members who were onsite for the unveiling. The kitchen counter was designed using the Eight O'clock Coffee bag colors.

The National Kitchen & Bath Association presented its Outstanding Student Awards, recognizing kitchen and bath design students, sponsored by TOTO. The top student at each of 33 schools with kitchen and bath design programs accredited by the NKBA received a $450 scholarship.

Don Arnold says in a recent blog: "...there is one European approach to product design - or more accurately, product installation - that never seems to have been accepted here, and lately, I've begun to wonder why. I'm talking about exposed tub and shower valve installations, which are the norm across the pond."  Read his blog:Hey, What's Wrong With European Shower Valves?

Entries are due August 14. Visit www.supplyht.com and www.bathandkitchenpro.com for guidelines and the nomination form. Click on the box for the "Showroom of the Year" competition in the upper right-hand side of either homepage and enter today!

Water efficiency will become increasingly important to green building efforts in the U.S. during the next five years, according to the newly released "Water Use in Buildings: Achieving Business Performance Benefits through Efficiency," a SmartMarket Report sponsored by Chicago Faucets. Among the findings:

·   42% of building owners report that three-quarters of their projects include water-efficient practices in their designs.

·   85% of commercial building industry players say that water efficiency will be a very important part of green building in the year 2013, up from 69% in 2008.

·   50% of building owners expect they will incorporate water-efficient practices into at least 50% of their building projects.

·   Companies planning to utilize water-efficient technology will experience a 15% reduction in water use, a 10-11% decrease in energy use and operating cost reductions of 11-12% on average.

Courtesy of Chicago Faucets/the Geberit Group.

 Bath & Kitchen Pro, a publication created for bath-and-kitchen installers, distributors with showrooms and designers, looks at Milton Frank Plumbing's "just like home" showroom, describes how consumers are looking to achieve high style at a lower cost, and offers advice on becoming the green expert for kitchens and baths in the Spring 2009 issue.

Contact Publisher Bob Miodonski at 630-694-4007, e-mail: miodonskib@bnpmedia.com or visit the Web http://www.bathandkitchenpro.com www.bathandkitchenpro.com for more details.

RIDGID's SeeSnake DVDPak Monitor features a high-contrast 4.3-inch OLED monitor that provides clear imaging in the most extreme weather conditions. It is also available in a 5.7-inch LCD monitor.  Lightweight and compact, it can be powered by lithium-ion battery or AC power. The SeeSnake DVDBase recording accessory provides a modular approach to adopting DVD recording technology for inspections. It is compatible with all SeeSnake video output-equipped monitors.

Hercules Chemical Co. added AirSpray, an environmentally-friendly, non-aerosol, industrial-strength odor eliminator, to its plumber-oriented product line. Formulated to eliminate unpleasant odors originating from heating oil, petroleum and septic systems, its hydrocarbon-attacking ingredients are also highly effective for cooking, tobacco smoke and animal odors. It comes in a 16-oz. plastic spray bottle.

SFA Saniflo is introducing the SANICUBIC CLASSIC Lifting Station, a powerful grinder system capable of handling multiple fixtures throughout an entire house or a small commercial structure. It is capable of handling 25 gallons of effluent per minute at 36 feet. The new system consists of two, 2-horsepower motors housed inside a compact but highly durable plastic enclosure, measuring 23-3/4 inches wide x 19-1/4 inches deep x 16-1/2 inches high. Each independently operating grinder has its own high-performance grinding system: a fast-rotating cutting blade to reduce solids in the wastewater stream from toilets, tubs and showers, sinks, washing machines and dishwashers.

JSG Oceana added the Cambridge vanity to its bathroom vanity collection. Composed of solid birch wood frame with natural cherry wood veneer, which is California Regulation compliant, it stands 30 or 34 inches tall and 26.5 inches tall. It has a removable 4-inch extension base and features a hand-carved solid birch cabinet door, with fully adjustable "Euro" style hinges, for storage. The vanity is available in either Espresso or Oak finishes. It includes a beige granite top with backsplash.

BLANCO introduced the FLOW sink to its STEELART brand. It features MicroEdge technology, which creates the illusion of a flushmount installation, integrating fully with the counter surface. Seamless and functional stainless side drainers flow gently into the elegant, purist bowl for a design that's both focal point and functional workspace. Its dimensions are 46 inches long by 20 inches wide.

Moen's Commercial Division offers M•Press, a new line of metering faucets that feature an exclusive sealed silicon metering mechanism for consistent water flow with accurate timing and proper shut-off every time, while providing protection against impurities and clogs in the waterway. The M•Press metering cartridge uses an internal pressure-balancing spool, so varying water pressures will not affect the performance of the faucet - whether it's on the first floor or the penthouse suite.

Clearance Close-Out Sale!

College of Product Knowledge CD

by Don Arnold and Supply House Times
Was $127, now only $89.95

This highly acclaimed product training series is ideal for wholesalers, manufacturers, agents, representatives, designers, contractors, technicians, engineers, architects and other pros in the plumbing industry. The CD provides information on more than 100 products. It is divided into 27 sections and features 4-color diagrams showing product cut-aways and flow direction. There is also a section on tankless water heaters. It includes an overview, glossary and section quizzes (and answers). This expert compilation was done by Don Arnold, a respected industry consultant and writer.

More information or purchase here.

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