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Industry News
MARIAK BECOMES LEVOLOR CONTRACT FABRICATOR
Mariak Industries, Torrance, CA, has become a licensed Levolor contract
fabricator serving the United States and Canada. Levolor has partnered
with Mariak Industries to fabricate the Riviera metal blind and
the Zirlon vertical blind headrail based upon Mariak’s extensive
experience in the contract market.
Since 1986 Mariak has developed a reputation for providing superior
service levels specifically designed to serve contract dealers.
In addition, Mariak specializes in quick deliveries of contract
jobs, competitive prices and the flexibility to accommodate contract
customers’ needs.
In a separate announcement, Mariak announces its entry into The
Sweets Catalog, the major architectural reference manual for product
specifications. Mariak’s product information and specifications
will be readily accessible to architects and specifiers through
the Sweets Construction Catalog, the Sweets CD-ROM and the Sweets
Web site (www.sweets.com) as of January 2004. It also is available
for download from Mariak’s Web site (www.mariak.com).
D&WC, SPYRALVISION TEAM ON E-LEARNING
L.C. Clark Publishing Co., North Palm Beach, FL, publisher of Draperies
& Window Coverings magazine, has partnered with Spyralvision,
Inc., Oak Park, IL, in an alliance to enhance specialized online e-learning
opportunities. Aptly named CSA (Clark-Spyralvision Alliance), the
venture will provide a high-quality online educational program to
design professionals seeking additional ways to increase knowledge
in their field of expertise.
D&WC offers its extensive relationships with industry known seminar
speakers, columnists and professionals in design, workroom fabrication
and business management. Spyralvision lends its expertise in the development
of e-learning. A slate of online educational seminars is currently
in development.
TECHNIKU INTRODUCES NEW AUTOMATION PLATFORM
Techniku, Inc., Broomfield, CO, has introduced the LR1000 motor, a
new platform of automation features and design with TouchControl.
The focus of the LR1000 is on simplicity for the consumer, installer,
fabricator and home automation integrator. In addition to standard
IR and RF controls, the LR1000 utilizes patented torque-sensing technology.
By simply touching the bottom of the shade, it will raise, lower or
stop. Combined with the first-ever automated roller system featuring
obstacle detection, the LR1000 motor will safely shut off if it contacts
an object during operation.
With simple fabrication, the LR1000 fits into a tube as small as 24mm
and, with a variety of adapters, can fit most tubes up to 45mm. The
12-volt (battery or low-voltage) automation system is as easy to install
as any manually operated clutch system.
Techniku demonstrated its new LR1000 with Z-Wave™ control technology
at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, NV, in January.
It is part of the company’s strategic participation and support
of many consumer electronic leaders at the CES. With over 2,300 exhibitors
and 100 conferences, CES is the world’s largest consumer electronic
trade show.
SUPERIOR ROMAN SHADES ADDS FOUR FABRIC
LINES
Southern California based Superior Roman Shades™ announces it
has added Kravet, Robert Allen, ADO and Kasmir to its list of preferred
jobbers. These major lines join Waverly, Kaslen and Fabricut in effectively
expanding Superior’s line of Roman shade fabrics to several thousand
available choices for consumers.
This new program enables Superior’s dealers to easily price and
order custom Roman shades in any preferred jobber’s fabric directly
through Superior. Superior provides the fabric at the same price as
ordering direct from the jobber. Dealers use a simple price chart
that shows labor charges and specifies yardage required. “Since
they already know their wholesale cost of the fabric, quoting a price
on the spot now takes only a few seconds,” says spokesperson
Roger Gold.
GULF COAST WINDOW COVERING UNVEILS NEW
LOGO, FACILITY
Gulf Coast Window Covering, Houston, TX, has unveiled its new
company logo. The contemporary new mark demonstrates the company’s
commitment to the future growth of its window covering dealers as
well as its employees.
Developed by a well-known national design firm, the new logo incorporates
a three dimensional look featuring a window, blind slats and a tassel
in bold navy and gold tones.
The logo was created to coincide with the company’s move to
a newly renovated complex that houses both its office and manufacturing
facility near the Galleria in Houston. The 83,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art
building, located on more than six acres of property, houses 225
employees for the company’s office and manufacturing facilities.
The relocation has been a long-time vision for Gulf Coast as it
has been operating in five separate facilities for several years.
The move has given it the opportunity to consolidate all of its
operations under one roof for more efficiency.
The new facility offers 17,000 square feet of office space, which
includes an expanded customer service call center as well as sales,
marketing and accounting areas, a state-of-the-art Hunter Douglas
Window Fashions Gallery showroom and several dealer training facilities.
The 66,000 square feet of manufacturing space will allow for additional
product lines, most recently including the new Heritance® Hardwood
Shutters from Hunter Douglas as well as increased productivity.
Gulf Coast celebrated the opening of its new facility with a ribbon
cutting and dedication ceremony in February. An open house for all
of its dealers and suppliers complete with facility tours, hors
d’oeuvres, cocktails and entertainment was included.
ENDISCO DOUBLES FACILITY
Endisco Supply Co., Tulsa, OK, has added a 32,500-square-foot facility
to its current location. This building is home to the manufacturing
division of Endisco custom wood shutters.
The expansion not only has increased the shutter division’s manufacturing
capabilities, but also multiplies warehouse space by 100 percent for
an increase in stock of domestic and imported products such as brass,
iron, nickel and wood drapery hardware products, motorization and
workroom supplies.
HUNTER DOUGLAS SUPPORTS YOUTH MENTORING
GROUP WITH SCHOLARSHIP DONATION
Hunter Douglas, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ, has again honored
Minority Athletes Networking (MAN etc., Inc.) with a $50,000 donation.
MAN etc., Inc. is a youth mentoring organization founded by former
NFL Giants football players and Super Bowl champions.
The donation will be used for the youth organization’s Jerry
Fuchs Memorial Making-A-Difference scholarship. Students demonstrating
excellent potential for and commitment to higher education are eligible
to received college scholarships.
MARIAK'S CONTRACT DIVISION LAUNCHES
WEB SITE
Mariak Industries, Torrance, CA, has launched a Web site: www.mariak.com.
The site features detailed product information useful to Mariak
dealers such as product specifications, order forms and warranty
information.
Additional information on the Levolor products fabricated by Mariak’s
contract division are highlighted making it an informational tool
for the dealer and architects as well.
ELMAR UPDATES WEB SITE
Elmar Window Fashions® announces the launch of
its new Web site: www.elmarinc.com.
A completely new design and revised links make the site user-friendly
and easy to navigate. From company background to product descriptions
to merchandising, Elmar’s new site offers valuable information.
FASNAP ACQUIRES SNAPFAST INDUSTRIES
Fasnap Corp., Elkhart,IN, has recently acquired the
intellectual properties and assets of SnapFast Industries, Inc. formerly
based in Harper Woods, MI. Fasnap is a leader in textile fastening
solutions.
SnapFast directional locking fasteners are made in the United States
and consist of three components: a glass-filled nylon, UV-stabilized
stud and socket, and a self-piercing stainless steel prong cap. The
system is easily installed using Fasnap’s industry standard bench-mounted
machines or by using hand tools. The stud can be installed in fiberglass,
wood or other hard substances using a standard #8 screw, or to fabric
using a standard eyelet.
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