Valli & Valli (U.S.A) unveiled its newly designed showroom (right) at a new location in the Architects and Designers Building, 964 Third Ave., Suite 563/Annex, New York, NY. Two angled entry panels bear the logos of the company's trademark collections, Fusital and V&V. The entire product mix is displayed in all possible finishes.

Moore Supply, Conroe, TX, opened a renovated and expanded Bath & Kitchen Showplace in Humble, TX, in September. Among the brands carried are Mr. Steam, Kohler and Hansgrohe. The showroom features many working displays, including a functioning steam system that demonstrates Mr. Steam technology. Joe Simmons is showroom manager.

Laufen

American Standard Brands opened its online repair parts store Oct. 1, with 150 American Standard parts available for sale any time, day or night. The online store also includes a repair parts diagram tool to assist users in visually identifying the repair parts necessary to complete the job. Customer service support is available via a toll-free number Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET, and on Saturdays between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. ET.

GROHE opened its first sales office in Latin America and also launched its first Galleria in Brazil at Vallvé, the largest network of bathroom showrooms in the country. More on this.

Xylem Group LLC acquired the Loft & Bath and Coret luxury brands from Zoli Corp. Farshad Tafazzoli, founder and president of Zoli, will join Xylem Group and assist Hal Weinstein, Xylem president, with the integration of the new luxury brands. The Loft & Bath series includes bath furniture, bath accessories, fixtures and lighting. Coret fixtures are manufactured from an amalgam of resin and stone that is hygienic, burn resistant, and stain resistant.

The Swan Corp. said its Virtual Bath & Shower Planner enables anyone designing a shower or bath to create a unique design in a virtual 3D environment at www.swanstone.com/visualizer. Options include color, trim and accessories, such as a corner soap dish, shower seat or recessed accessory shelf. Once designed, a list of Swanstone products is produced, which customers can then download and take to their nearest Swan dealer.

Speakman Co. unveiled its redesigned Speakmancompany.com commercial Web site, which marks the beginning of its external rebrand launch to the commercial plumbing and emergency safety markets. The site now features an updated contemporary look and offers users a clean and simple interface. Expanded sections highlight Speakman's green products, no-lead products and hospitality products.

Haws Corp. selected CADdetails to help execute its online product library program. CADdetails integrates CAD drawings, CSI-formatted specifications, 3-D models, and product photographs and provides this information to specifiers free of charge on their Web site.

The Marble Institute of America said its CEU (continuing education units) credits are now recognized by American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), Interior Designers of Canada (IDC), Interior Design Educators Council (IDEC) and International Interior Design Association (IIDA).

Moen named Kristin Meyers (left) associate product manager, Moen Commercial. She joined the company in May 2008. Most recently she had been marketing support specialist. 

LATICRETE promoted Bernadette Anderson (right) to regional sales manager for the Oregon region, including Alaska, Northern California, Oregon, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and  Western Canada. Anderson joined the company in 2008 as a senior architectural specialist for the same territory. Prior to that, she was district sales manager for Master Tile West.

LG Hausys FLOORS appointed Jim Hall (left) western U.S. regional sales manager for its new line of resilient flooring targeted for the residential contract marketplace.  Hall spent 23 years in a similar capacity with Mannington Mills.

The Contract and Hospitality Services Group named Joane Franks (right)
vice president of sales and marketing. The CHS Group specializes in warehousing, distribution and installation services, with locations in New York City, Miami, and Las Vegas.

Hakatai, an importer and distributor of glass mosaic tile, helped Vision Development achieve LEED for Homes Platinum-level certification for the "Tree House Project," a 2,400-sq.-ft. two-story house with four bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms, located in the Studio City district of Los Angeles, CA. Hakatai's Ashland-e series glass mosaic tile, comprised of 30% to 70% glass from bottles and/or other waste glass that would otherwise have entered the solid waste stream, was used in the home's kitchen, master bath, children's bath and powder room.

Dornbracht announced that all of its kitchen and bath products sold in North America will either meet or exceed the new limits for lead content regulated by the state of California by the Jan. 1, 2010 deadline.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released its third list of drinking water contaminants known or anticipated to occur in public water systems, which may require regulation. More on this.

Fluid Designs, based in Scottsdale, AZ, is an alliance of several highly experienced consultants in the field of plumbing product design and engineering. Its services include industrial design (Tom Robbins Design), development and production engineering (Don Arnold and Mario Semchuck); and electronics (eTap Associates).  For information, contact Don Arnold at 847-918-7015 or e-mail: donarnold@earthlink.net.

Cikel America, the North American subsidiary of a Brazilian hardwood flooring manufacturer, has created a full-color tri-fold sales brochure printed on FSC-certified paper using soy-based ink.

Blog, Blog, Blog

Water, Water, But Not Everywhere by Jim Olsztynski
The Pope's Toilet by Katie Rotella
Secret Footage [Part 2] (about mystery shopper programs) by Al Levi

These are just a few of the blogs you can read and comment on at www.supplyht.com and www.pmmag.com. Stop by and browse! We'd love to hear what you think!

Strategies For Success - Both Now And During Economic Recovery

ThomasNet's recent survey of 800+ manufacturing and industrial professionals points to an optimistic landscape. Respondents said their biggest challenge is managing customer loss, either through dissolution or spending cutbacks. In response, these industrial service and product companies are a) applying new sales strategies and b) innovating new products. In aggregate, 70% said they're taking a new approach to sales by entering new industries, widening their sales channels and/or increasing online marketing. The following statements by survey respondents form the foundation for their new strategies:

* You can't be diversified enough in a down market.
* Always energize around sales, innovation, marketing and cost control measures.
* Stay customer-focused. Be flexible to meet customer expectations. Be proactive in responding to customers and/or anticipating customer needs.
* The Internet is one of the best business tools available, period.
* Innovation must never end.

Other survey results:
* The U.S. economy will improve by the second quarter of 2010 or sooner - 76%
* Their own business will grow by the end of this year - 35%
* Their businesses suffered a decline during the first half of 2009, mostly fueled by customer losses - 54%
* They don't expect the Federal  Stimulus Package to help their businesses - 61%

 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.

Matco-Norca says its Padova faucet line combines quality and a high-end modern style at an affordable price. Its design is simple stated elegance in straight lines, angled handles and unique bends. The Padova line consists of kitchen and lavatory faucets, bath and shower sets, vessel faucets, bath fillers, and accessories including robe hooks, towel rings, towel bars and paper holders. Offered in chrome and brushed nickel, the line employs ceramic cartridges and comes with a lifetime finish and function warranty.

Barclay Products offers its Ceylon suite of matching furniture pieces in cherry, chestnut or walnut finish. The wall-hung Ceylon basin cabinet has a natural marble top set on solid hardwood crafted with a lattice design. Also available is a side cabinet of solid hardwood with natural marble top, featuring the lattice pattern on its bottom door, and a mirror framed in hardwood to complement the furniture style.

DeVerre Elements LLC is an American manufacturer of glass coverings with a distinctive appearance. Its patent-pending, hand-crafted process has resulted in three unique collections: Stone, Brick, and Wood DeVerre. The firm uses 100% recycled materials and a low-emission, low-energy manufacturing process. According to founder Michael Fisher, these products can be used as stand-alone surfacing or they can continue an existing design of stone, brick, or wood, with the same shapes and textures in glass. DeVerre Elements are suitable for either commercial or residential projects in both interior and exterior environments.

Elite Crete Systems says its new REFLECTOR Enhancer Flooring Systems can provide a custom seamless floor that is strong enough to take heavy vehicle traffic while still providing a "wow" factor. Its products are only available to trained installers.The company offers monthly training at more than 50 locations worldwide to teach individuals and companies how to properly install its applications and finishes.

Waterless Co. LLC offers BlueSeal, which it describes as a long-lasting, environmentally friendly trap sealant for waterless urinal systems. It has a specific gravity lower than water or urine so it lasts for extended periods of time. Adding three one-ounce portions of BlueSeal helps keep sewer odors from being released into the air. It has zero evaporation at 100 degrees F. and does not freeze above minus 70 degrees.

JSG Oceana introduced the Zen Art glass vessel sink, which spans 17 inches in width. Made of "Hard Roc Glass," a unique formulation of borosilicate glass created by Jeannette Specialty Glass for Oceana, it is resistant to scratches, stains, cracks, chemicals and thermal shock. JSG Oceana glass vessels are IAPMO approved.

AEC Store Corner

Piping Materials Guide -$90.40

This book covers the entire piping process, including the selection of piping materials according to the job, the application of the materials and fitting, trouble-shooting techniques for corrosion control, inspections for OSHA regulations, and even the warehousing, distributing, and ordering of materials. More information or purchase here. To order by phone, call 248/244-1275.

Visit AECStore.com to view all of our bath & kitchen and plumbing-related products.