Daredevils enjoy hot-tub soak hanging from bridge in Switzerland
Twenty-five risk takers spent six hours assembling and then soaking in a hot tub suspended from the New Gueuroz Bridge in Switzerland. The group estimated it took 2,500 hours planning the stunt, which included only two-and-a-half hours in the hot tub. Click the link above for more information and more photos.

U.S. plumbing fixtures, fittings demand to reach $11 billion
According to a new study by The Freedonia Group, the demand for plumbing fixtures and fittings in the United States will rise 7.1% per year to $10.9 billion in 2015, spurred by a recovery in building construction expenditures from a low 2010 base. Click the link above for more information.

Delta is WaterSense's Manufacturer Partner Of The Year
The Environmental Protection Agency presented Delta Faucet Co. its 2011 WaterSense Manufacturer Partner of the Year Award at the WaterSmart Innovations Conference in Las Vegas during the annual WaterSense Awards Banquet. Click the link above for more information.

HD Supply announces second quarter results
HD Supply recently announced its second quarter fiscal results. For a complete rundown of the second quarter, click the link above.

ITT board approves spinoffs of fluid technology, defense system divisions
ITT Corp. announced that its board has approved the split of the company into three distinct entities: ITT, Xylem (the fluid technology business, which includes Bell & Gossett, McDonnell & Miller and Goulds Pumps brands) and ITT Exelis (the defense and information solutions business).

Unknown donor leaves 10 million yen in Japanese bathroom
An anonymous donor left 10 million yen in a public bathroom with a note saying that the money should go to victims of the Japan tsunami last March. The money was found in Sakado, Saitama Prefecture, with instructions that it be used to help the people of Tohoku. Click the link above for more information.

Mother angered daughter had to scrub toilets at school as punishment
A Houston mom is upset that her nine-year-old daughter was made to clean toilets as punishment over tardies. Click the link above for more information, including video.

Ten different ways to store toilet paper
Want to shake things up in the bathroom? Try an over-the-tank toilet paper holder. Here are 10 different ways to store the toilet paper in your bathroom from the Mother Nature Network. Click the link above for more information.

Bathroom breaks increase workers' focus
Rhode Island Hospital researchers have found that if someone "holds it" it has similar effects like drinking alcohol or not sleeping for 24 hours. Click the link above to learn more from a story by The Providence (R.I.) Journal.

Is your plumbing prepared for winter?
Are your pipes primed to freeze? Will your boiler make it through subzero temperatures? Click the link above for tips from Marketwire to see the plumbing is ready for wintertime.

Bath and Kitchen salary data
If you missed it from our last edition, from time to time we like to list some sites that provide industry salary information. From SimplyHired.com, you can punch in your job title (kitchen and/or bathroom designer for example) and location and see what the average salary for that position is in your area.

Mike Rowe tackles plumbing
BNP Media, parent company of Bath and Kitchen Pro enews and Supply House Times, has entered into a partnership with Mike Rowe, host of the cable television show "Dirty Jobs." To learn the particulars of this new partnership, click the link above.

Find that perfect employee
BNP Media, parent company of pme, is pleased to announce a partnership with BirdDog Career Centers. The partnership combines the resources of the leading media company serving the mechanical systems field with the leading job/career center resource focused on this market. Click the link above for more information on the partnership.
 

Movers and Shakers

Fluidmaster Inc. hires industry veteran Jim Whiteherse
Jim Whiteherse as Senior Vice President of Global Sales. Whiteherse was a Senior Vice President of Sales for Brass Craft, Inc., until 2010 where he was responsible for sales, marketing and product development.

NSF International appoints Zhang to Managing Director
Global testing, auditing and certification organization NSF International appointed Alex Zhang to Managing Director, Water Systems, Asia-Pacific. Zhang was promoted from his general manager position overseeing NSF's Shanghai operations.

BK Pro Voices

There Are No Bookstores in Nashville
By Scott Benfield

Feed Valves -- Open or Closed
By Dan Holohan

Buying Habits of the  Affluent
By Hank Darlington

Moving On: The Construction Division of BNP Media Co. has established a microsite inviting readers to share encouraging news about how they've weathered the tough times and are getting stronger. NEW! View a slide show that demonstrates the courage, creativity and cunning of pros in the construction, mechanical systems, maintenance, engineering and architectural fields. Got a story of your own? Whether your company is big or small, we'd like to hear what you have done. Click on the Submit Story tab, follow the directions, and join those who have moved on to success.

Elevance Rising Wall Bath from Kohler offers a stylish alternative
The new Kohler Elevance Rising Wall Bath gives a new alternative to the traditional walk-in and institutional-looking baths. The integrated footwell allows users to test water tempature before entering the bath and the bath has a soaking depth of 14 inches from seat to overflow emulates standard bathing depth.




Component Hardware Group Stoko refresh 4-in-1 dispenser is economical
The Stoko Refresh 4-in-1 dispenser from Component Hardware Group works in conjunction with Refresh 4-in-1 foaming soaps and hand sanitizers. It gives more washes per refill, resulting in a more hygienic facility and lower operating costs.




Duravit and Philippe Starck update a classic
Duravit and designer Philippe Starck got together to infuse updates into a Duravit classic: the 1994 Starck 1 collection. Some of the additions include geometric variations to Starck's conical vanity known as 'the barrel,' which now come in cylindrical and cuboid options.



BR-111 launches Provence Pecan hardwood flooring
Wood floors add charm and sophistication to any bath environment and with Provence Pecan exotic engineered wood flooring from BR-111 can help you create a bathroom that gives off warmth. Provence Pecan features ultra-wide 6-12" planks, ½" thickness that come in 12-48" lengths.




Budget-friendly Vivian Faucet Collection from Toto
Toto launched the affordably priced Vivian Faucet Collection offers clean sculptural lines and classic forms that feature both cross handle and Universal Design lever handle options from the lavatory faucet, shower trim and tub filler. The collection is lead-free compliant.




Diamond Spas new Regal Stainless Steel Bath is fit for royalty
The new Regal Bath from Diamond Spas is a double-walled bath, neatly tailored with a bowed top ledge and supportive bottom frame. The legs and frame are made from sustainable 16-gauge stainless steel. The metal is corrosion resistant, durable, completely recyclable and measures 36"x72"x25".



Bellavita's Corduroy Glass Tile Series has subtle blend of tone and mixed color
The new "Corduroy Series" of glass tile captures a contemporary linear style with a blend of tone and mixed color. The series' textured surface emulates the feel of corduroy with its front grooves. The textured glass series comes in seven blends; cedar, cocoa, aubergine, ash, ecru, fawn and stealth.



Watermark Designs' grab bars bring stylish design
Decorative plumbing fixtures and bath accessories manufacturer Watermark Designs has put the days of institutional-style grab bars behind its collection of exquisitely crafted grab bars. The stylish and practical accessories complement a bathroom's overall design and are an ideal choice fore the hospitality industry because they're low maintenance and enhance the look and feel of luxury.





Delta introduces Proximity sensing technology
The next generation of hands-free functionality comes from Delta Faucet in its Proximity Sensing Technology. The technology enables easy operation by forming a 4" field around the body of the faucet. When the users' hands are removed from the water stream, the faucet turns off within two seconds. The designs are free of optics and infrared.