CALL FOR ENTRIES:
SUPPLY HOUSE TIMES'

2010 SHOWROOM OF THE YEAR COMPETITION
 
Enter your showroom or a showroom you admire to be one of the three 2010 Showrooms of the Year honored by Supply House Times. Size categories are: less than 2,500 sq. ft., 2,500 to 9,999 sq. ft.,  or 10,000 (or more) sq. ft.
NOTE: We have revised the requirements this year to make it easier to enter. Your entry should include all of the following:

·  Standard 4-1/2 inch CD of jpeg images (at least one exterior and three interior shots - can be low-res).
·  8-1/2 x 11 inch page(s) explaining why the showroom merits consideration. Showrooms are judged on the following, so please include descriptions of:
·  Showroom training program
·  Showroom marketing program
·  Customer service program
·  Merchandising efforts
·  Any innovative presentation of displays and products
·  Plus: Examples of marketing materials (brochures, advertisements, direct mail pieces)
[NOTE: You may include completed nomination form and explanation sheet(s) on CD vs. printing them out.]
 DEADLINE: August 13, 2010. Access nomination form. For more information, contact Hank Darlington at 916-852-6855 or darlingtonconsulting@gmail.com, or Pat Lenius at leniusp@bnpmedia.com.  

Have A Memorial Day Of Remembrance by Jim Olsztynski

Gulf Coast Oil Leak: Environmental Catastrophe vs. U.S. Independence by Tim Fausch

Practical Solutions to Negative Profits in the Era of Cost to Serve by Scott Benfield

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

Gerber Plumbing Fixtures promoted Brian Dougherty (right) to national sales manager - new construction. Read more.

Harvel Plastics appointed Patrick Foose as its president and general manager. Most recently he was chief operating officer. More on this.

Delta Faucet Co. announced that its Proximity Sensing Technology is a finalist in the People's Choice Stevie Awards for Favorite New Product. Building, remodeling and design professionals and consumers will determine the outcome. The award is open to voting by the general public until June 4, 2010.  Vote here. Click on the People's Choice Award logo. The 2010 Stevie winners will be announced at the American Business Awards Banquet in New York on June 21.

The New Jersey Chapter of the American Institute of Architects presented awards at a recent event: "Architectural Firm of the Year" to KSS Architects LLP; "Distinguished Service" to Bruce D. Turner, AIA, of Bruce D. Turner Architect; "Architect of the Year" to Robert Cozzarelli , AIA, principal in charge of Bertone Cozzarelli Healthcare Architects; "Young Architect of the Year" to Michael Hanrahan, AIA, senior associate at Clarke Canton Hintz; "Intern of the Year" to Jason Peist, Associate AIA, member of the design team at T.M. Rybak & Associates; and "Resident of the Year" to Steven Littleson, president of Jersey Shore University Medical Center.
AIA-NJ also posthumously recognized architect Eleanore Pettersen with the "Michael Graves Lifetime Achievement Award."

Defining The Luxury Consumer
 
Today there are two sub-groups among luxury consumers, according to Charles Lawrence, General Manager, Luxury Products Group, Franke USA. In an interview with Supply House Times to be published in a future issue, he explained:
 
·    The Truly Affluent. They own multiple homes and don't have to borrow money for a home or remodeling project, or for cars or gifts. 
·    The American Dream Affluent. Whether through hard work/successful career, sheer good fortune or a combination of these, they are able to afford things they did not have while growing up. 

Both sub-groups face time constraints and are looking for things that will make their lives easier. Both want something unique, that not everyone has.

While both sub-groups seek service, quality and style, they seek help in their buying decisions in slightly different ways.

The Truly Affluent customers know what they want - they start with an idea of the quality and style they want to achieve. If they see it and like it, money is no object. They trust others, including designers and builders, to implement their choices.

The American Dream customers tend to be a bit more involved, inquisitive and conservative in how they seek the finer things. They need help in understanding why a particular product is superior.

For all these reasons, both sub-groups want to work with professionals they trust.

Visit  Franke Kitchen Systems Luxury Products Group.

Can't wait for, or not able to obtain, the print magazine? Our Web sites provide a digital edition of each month's print issue, with all editorial and advertising content.

ShowHouse by Moen now offers lighting fixtures to complement four of its most popular bathroom collections: the traditional styled Waterhill, geometric yet flowing Felicity, transitional styled Savvy, and pictured here, the cylindrical Solace. One-, two- or three-light configurations of the Solace lighting fixtures can be mounted vertically or horizontally. Solace lights feature simple, clean lines and are available in chrome and brushed nickel finishes. Quick-connect wiring allows installers to pre-wire the light fixture to the junction box. The UL-listed fixtures are backed by ShowHouse's limited-lifetime warranty.

Webstone offers tankless water heater installation kits. Its E-X-P Complete is available with your choice of three different Webstone service valves and includes a 200,000 btu pressure relief valve, gas flex line, two braided water connectors, and CGA gas ball valve. The kit also can be customized. Webstone is known for its residential and commercial valves used in plumbing, hydronic, radiant, solar and geothermal applications.

Saniflo U.S.A. unveiled the SANITOP, part of its "Quiet Range" line-up of upflush plumbing systems. The small, quiet macerator has a noise level nearly 10 decibels less than the older upflush toilet systems, the company says. Measuring only 13 inches wide, it can be used to create an additional half bathroom in residential spaces that lack below-floor drainage. SANITOP uses above-floor plumbing technology to handle waste from a rear-discharge-type toilet and a sink. It can pump 12 feet vertically and 120 feet horizontally to the sewer line or the septic tank. An 18-inch extension pipe is offered for installing the macerator unit behind the wall. The SANITOP is available with a round or an ADA-compliant elongated bowl in white or with an elongated bowl in biscuit.

Big Ass Fans now offers its Isis fan for residential use as well as commercial applications. It is available in 8-foot to 10-foot diameters, weighs no more than 100 lbs. and can be hung from ceilings as low as 12 ft. The Isis has a contemporary design and works well in many rooms of the home. It comes in a standard aluminum finish, but is also available in chestnut, black, white and silver, or can be color-customized to match interior décor. Its sweeping airfoil blades, shaped like aircraft wings, revolve slowly and quietly to produce gentle, yet powerful currents of air.

American Standard Brands introduced the Extender flush-mounted, multifunction body sprays that provide the choice of three invigorating spray patterns while incorporating a convenient auto-retract feature. The spray head automatically extends from the wall when the water is turned on and discreetly retracts when turned off.  Once extended, users can easily adjust the spray angle by 30 degrees, as well as select a full, massage or combination spray pattern. When not in use, the flush mount design has just a 1/2-inch profile. The Extender spray uses only 1.5 gallons per minute (gpm) maximum flow rate and is quickly installed in standard  2-1/4-inch rough-ins with no special tools.

Training books and DVDS for bath and kitchen pros

Featured product:
The Basics by Sunny McLean  

This new workbook offers training in sales support skills for associates at high-end tile and stone or kitchen and bath showrooms. The workbook format includes lessons, illustrations, activities and tests, providing a self-managed program that can be completed in as little as eight hours, spread over four weeks. Purchase this item.

View more products at www.AECStore.com.