Leeps Supply Co., Merrillville, IN, acquired WaterPlace, a decorative plumbing and hardware showroom based in New Buffalo, MI. Ralph Herrbach, who founded WaterPlace in 2008, and Nancy Jesko, who joined the showroom in the past year, will now become part of the Leeps Supply team. Leeps Supply also operates showrooms in Merrillville and Michigan City, IN.

The 2009 International Code Council announced it will hold Code Development Hearings Oct. 24-31 and Nov. 4-11 at the Hilton Baltimore. Also, ICC will host its annual conference at the Baltimore Convention Center. More information.

American Standard said it will give away five Champion 4 toilets to the authors of the best toilet stories submitted through the brand's Facebook fan page, www.facebook.com/AmericanStandardBrands, between Sept. 9 and Oct 9, 2009. Read more.

Danze has launched a nationwide manufacturer direct rebate program that could save homeowners up to $500 per bathroom remodeling project. The program ends Nov. 15, 2009. More on this.

Delta announced that customers who purchase any Vesi or Tresa bath faucet from Brizo from now until the end of the year can qualify for a rebate of up to $500 on additional purchases from these two collections. Read more.

BLANCO said it has received four red dot design awards, most notably for BLANCO STEELART's FLOW sink (right), which is currently available in the United States. The red dot award recognizes outstanding quality, craftsmanship, superior design and functionality in a world-renowned design competition.

Decolav announced the winner of its social media contest, the "DECOLAV Designer Bathroom Mini-Makeover Sweepstakes." Florencia Turco will receive a Decolav 5300T bathroom vanity, mirror and side shelf, as well as a single-hole faucet donated by Hansgrohe. Read more.

Tile Redi said its Tile Ready shower products will now be available at nearly 50 Standard Plumbing Supply locations in California, Oregon, Arizona, Nevada, Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado and Utah. Also, Atlas Supply Co., a St. Louis, MO-based wholesaler, now distributes Tile Ready shower products.

Ferguson ( Newport News, VA) appointed Bill Thees (left) to vice president of Waterworks. Since joining Ferguson in 1990 as a trainee, he has held several key positions, most recently as the Waterworks business group owner.

ThermaSol promoted Mike Straw (right) to national sales manager. For the past three years, Straw served as Eastern regional sales manager, covering half of the United States.

LG Hausys Floors hired Curt Robinson to direct its new residential business.  More on this.

Rheem  introduced SolPak, an all-inclusive active solar water heating system that comes complete with a heat exchanger tank, collector panels, a controller, multi-speed pump, thermal expansion tank and other essential items. Solar water heating systems can lower a home's water heating bills by as much as 80%, Rheem said.

Kohler Co. was awarded Silver LEED Status from the U.S. Green Building Council for its work to transform the company's Environmental, Health and Safety building into a more environmentally efficient structure. The certification was based on the building's energy use, lighting, water and material use as well as its incorporation of other sustainable strategies.

MGS, a luxury stainless steel faucet and fixture manufacturer, said it has demonstrated compliance with the NSF's Annex G. Certification, which contains requirements for low lead plumbing products. MGS products bear the NSF Annex G Certification Mark and are now listed on the NSF Web site.

The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials offers an eco-friendly alternative to code users by providing online access to its most current Uniform Plumbing and Mechanical Codes as well as prior editions. More information.

Hy-Lite/U S Block Windows recently moved all their Hy-Lite vinyl extrusion purchases and acrylic block manufacturing out of China and back into the United States. Now the company obtains vinyl extrusions from U.S.-based extruders and manufactures Hy-Lite acrylic blocks at a company facility in Florida and at a contract molding company in Ohio, according to Roger Murphy, president of Hy-Lite/U S Block Windows.

Visit www.dpha.net for news, showrooms, product information and helpful tips for various projects in the kitchen and bath.

RAK Ceramics Corp. (USA), a manufacturer of ceramic and porcelain tile products for walls and floors, announced an increased focus on the U.S. marketplace. Despite the economic downturn and its effect on construction figures, the company said it has enjoyed steady growth in recent years, including 29% sales growth in 2008. Its U.S. office is in Gurnee, IL.

 Hand Washing Survey, Restroom Preferences

Worries about the spread of the H1N1 virus haven't changed the majority of Americans' hand washing habits, according to a national survey conducted by Bradley Corp., a manufacturer of commercial plumbing fixtures and washroom accessories.

Bradley's first Healthy Hand Washing Survey found that 54% of respondents said they "wash their hands no more or less frequently" in public restrooms as a result of the H1N1 virus. 

The survey was conducted online July 28-31, 2009, and queried 1,020 American adults from around the country, evenly divided among men and women, and ranging in age from 18 to 65 and older.

Overall, 87% of respondents said they did wash their hands after using public lavatories, but other responses indicated that some may have exaggerated how often they actually did the job correctly. In contrast to what people say they do, numerous observational studies question what Americans actually do. 

In terms of the type of public restroom most preferred, 45% identified casual dining restaurants. Restrooms in retail stores were cited by 15% and those in airports by 13%. Restrooms in movie theaters, fast-food restaurants and grocery stores scored below 10% and restrooms at parks, sports arenas and zoos earned just 1% approval. Gas stations and convenience stores had the least favorite public restrooms, the study found.

 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.

Mansfield Plumbing Products released its Enso Suite, its first organic design. One luxury component is the elongated dual-flush toilet. The suite includes both drop-in and pedestal lavatories and a drop-in oval tub available in four different sizes and three different options:  Soaker, air massage or whirlpool.

Valli & Valli added Series Porgy H 1041 satin chrome door and window handles, designed by Yoshimi Kono, to its V&V Collection. Among its features: A discrete handle characterized by plain lines; an oval section that is constant and uninterrupted from the neck to the grip; a simple, traditional shape suitable for use in any kind of interior. The collection includes a wide range of door hardware and accessories in modern, classic and neoclassic design styles.  

Hansgrohe introduced Talis C faucets created in collaboration with Phoenix Design, which blend sleek surfaces and soft curves with distinctive traditional design elements. All of the lav faucets use EcoRight technology to limit flow rates to 1.35 or 1.5 gallons per minute. The line includes three different single-hole faucets for the lavatory, a widespread lav faucet, single-hole bidet faucet, both a two-hole and three-hole thermostatic tub filler, and both a three-hole and four-hole Roman tub set.

The RIDGID 2-in-1 Close Quarters AUTOFEED Cutter combines the RIDGID Model 118 Close Quarters AUTOFEED Cutter with a ratchet handle that allows for fine indexing of the cutter to operate in tight, restricted spaces where it cannot be rotated by hand. The cutter is designed for use on hard and soft copper, aluminum, brass and plastic tubing.

MAAX unveiled its Exposé customizable walk-in shower series designed exclusively for MAAX Collection, featuring a streamlined, modern, rich design. Design elements include thick curved glass, aluminum finishes, wood trim touches, a low shower base, a unique square flush drain and novel accessories. It is entirely customizable, available as a corner, alcove or wall-mounted installation, and offered in three sizes. Among the accessories: An improved Steamax, a relaxation seat, a storage solution, a shower grate, a roofcap, a towel bar and handrail.

 AEC Store Corner

The updated Second Edition of The Plumber's Troubleshooting Guide shows how to solve many residential and commercial plumbing problems. It uses photographs, line drawings and charts to illustrate the easiest, most effective troubleshooting techniques for servicing toilets, sinks, and showers and repairing specialty fixtures. It offers details on new equipment, materials and working procedures.
More information or place an order. To order by phone, call Stephanie at 248-244-1275.

Visit www.aecstore.com for a huge selection of resources for the bath and kitchen, plumbing and PVF industries.