TOTO has opened its newest corporate gallery in Boston. Like the others located in the design districts of New York, NY; West Hollywood, CA; Chicago, IL; and Fort Lauderdale, FL, it is a viewing gallery intended to serve as an educational resource for the architecture and design communities, providing information and inspiration to both professionals and homeowners. TOTO does not sell from these spaces, but directs customers to its local partners, wholesalers and kitchen & bath dealers. Bergmeyer Associates architects partnered with TOTO on a sustainable design strategy for the gallery in Boston's North End.

ELKAY acquired Spokane Stainless Products (SSP, Inc.), a fabricator and importer of stainless steel commercial kitchen products primarily for the foodservice industry. SSP's business model complements ELKAY's existing Commercial Business Unit and opens doors for ELKAY commercial cabinetry, case work, commercial faucets and natural stone countertops, according to Jack Krecek, vice president of the ELKAY Plumbing Products Division, Commercial Business Unit.
ELKAY plans to integrate SSP into its Commercial Business Unit and SSP will be officially known as ELKAY SSP, LLC. Lovon Fausett , former owner of SSP, is now vice president of business development and operations for ELKAY SSP, LLC.

Gerber Plumbing Fixtures LLC said its toilets, including the Viper and Avalanche, and its Maxwell faucets were selected by the Marriott Residence Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Comfort Inn & Suites, all of which plan to open hotels in Florence, AL, in early 2010.
"We are very excited to have three separate hotel installations in one city," said Kevin McJoynt, director of marketing for Gerber.

DriTac Flooring Products LLC has moved to a new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility for its line of environmentally friendly adhesives, concrete sealers and repair systems for hardwood flooring installations. The Clifton, NJ, facility will also serve as the company's corporate headquarters. The new plant will enable DriTac to expand its manufacturing capabilities, improve production and distribution, and offer sales and technical training and support. The company said it has experienced significant growth in recent years, requiring a larger facility.

BrassCraft encourages employees to become involved in community activities, especially those that relate to building, through a volunteer program it calls "BC Build."  In September, 20 BrassCraft employees
volunteered to help build a Habitat for Humanity home in Pontiac, MI, as part of the program. The BrassCraft Build team performed so well they were recruited to assist at a second Habitat for Humanity
home under construction a short distance away. Pictured here, surrounded by BrassCraft employees who volunteered for this project, are Brad Irwin (center, arms folded), director of partnerships, Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County, and (to his left) David Tisch, product designer for BrassCraft and coordinator of the BrassCraft Build program.

The National Kitchen & Bath Association has approved the training course "Designing and Specifying Steamist Steam Showers" as part of its Continuing Education program. Steam shower manufacturer Steamist developed the course for all NKBA members interested in furthering their knowledge of steam showers and fine-tuning their specifying skills. Read more.

ThermaSol hired Martin Siwy (left) as western regional sales manager. Most recently Siwy was the western regional sales manager for Sonia. He has more than nine years of sales experience in the design plumbing industry.

THG USA, the North American importer of luxury bath products from the House of Tetard, Haudiquez and Grisoni (THG), named Keith Amado (right)

commercial project manager, a new position. He will oversee sales development in the commercial, hospitality, yachting and multi-housing industries. Most recently Amado was general manager of the Los Angeles, CA, market for Waterworks.

DeVerre Elements LLC, manufacturer of recycled glass emulations of stone, brick and wood, has developed a user-friendly Web site for architects, designers and specifiers. Read more.

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

Hopeful Outlook For Remodeling

A recent census study showed that a mere 11% of Americans changed residences between 2007 and 2008, the smallest share since the late 1940s when the government began tracking such information. With homeowners staying put and record-low financing costs, industry experts predict the remodeling industry should show signs of renewed strength as we move into 2010.
"Many homeowners are spending more time in their homes than ever before. With that cocooning tendency comes the desire to make their home more inviting, up-to-date and personal," said Michael E. Werner, president and CEO of Danze. Pictured: Danze Cirtangular-Knightsbridge.

Courtesy of Danze, which is offering a nationwide manufacturer direct rebate program, available thru Nov. 15, 2009.

 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.

Delta Faucet is launching its Foundations line, including two new product suites, Core-B and Windemere, which will offer relevant technologies at a lower price point. The new Foundations line will offer full bath and kitchen suites, including a kitchen pull-out option, through the Core-B series. The Windemere series, which launches in January 2010, will offer a full bath suite with an attractive "J-spout" architecture. Both feature MultiChoice Universal, which when installed enables easy upgrades or style functions without altering the plumbing behind the wall, and both offer WaterSense-labeled lavatories.

Alsons offers ActivTouch, a touch-activated hand shower that combines innovation and functionality for an invigorating shower experience. The user can control the shower with one hand and three simple buttons. It features sleek styling and is made to be durable and provide dependable performance.

Kohler Co. 's culinary team from Destination Kohler helped to develop the inaugural Chef Inspired Collection of stainless-steel kitchen sinks. The first of this collection is the multi-task Stages kitchen sink. It comes with multiple accessories, all of which can be stored under the counter with an integral storage rack. Constructed of fabricated stainless steel, the Stages sinks have a deep single basin with a stepped, side platform. Two sizes are offered: a 33-inch by 18-inch and a 45-inch by 18-inch, both with a basin depth of 9 inches.

Tile Redi , a manufacturer and marketer of pre-formed, one-piece shower pans, offers designer drain plates for a perfect fit when used in combination with its shower pans. Each drain is manufactured in a square form, rather than a circle, to make the drain easier to tile around. The designer drain plates are available in 18 variations of the standard base colors, including black, brass, bronze, chrome, copper, nickel and white. Shown here is the drain plate in gloss black.

Sloan Valve Co. now offers vitreous china fixtures, including lavatory sinks that may be paired with its water-efficient, sensor-operated faucets. Three sink types are available: wall-hung, undermount and drop-in. Pre-drilled holes on the undermount and wall-hung models fit any of Sloan's 4- or 8-inch centerset faucets. Wall-hung models are available with or without backsplash. Pictured is an undermount vitreous china lavatory with a solar-powered, sensor-operated Sloan SOLIS faucet.

Bazzèo has introduced one-touch drawer technology on its handle-free GAIA collection. The automatic drawer system activates at the touch of a finger. Once activated, the electrical drive opens the drawer. The drawers also feature the BLUMOTION self-closing glide, which allows the drawer to close silently and effortlessly back into its cavity with the touch of a finger. Bazzèo kitchens are manufactured in the U.S. using recycled and regenerated wood from certified resources as well as nontoxic laminates, aluminum, glass and technical veneers.

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