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Industry News
ASID RELEASES REPORT ON STATE OF
THE INTERIOR DESIGN PROFESSION
The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), Washington, DC,
has released “The Interior Design Profession: Facts and Figures.”
This groundbreaking report provides facts, figures and statistics
on the current state of interior design to provide a comprehensive
picture of the profession in the United States and Canada.
The facts and figures contained in the report were gathered from
a wide variety of sources, both public and private, including the
Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario, Dun and
Bradstreet, the Foundation for Interior Design Education Research
and the University of Minnesota. The report includes practitioner
demographics, employment and earnings data, interior design registration
laws and terms, information on interior design degree programs and
the names and contact information for U.S., Canadian and other international
design organizations.
“This publication is the first step towards filling the information
vacuum that engulfs the interior design profession,” said ASID
President Linda Elliott Smith, FASID.“ASID hopes the contents
will provoke discussion and debate, and it will encourage the creation
and sharing of more and better information about our profession,
to help propel the profession to the next level of excellence.”
SAFETY MONTH CAMPAIGN RAISES CONSUMER
REQUESTS FOR REPAIR KITS
Widespread media coverage of October 2003’s national Window Covering
Safety Month served to double consumer requests for free repair kits,
according to the Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC).
From September through November 2003 phone calls to WCSC’s toll-free
hotline were more than double the normal average, said Carolynn Jennings,
WCSC deputy director. Internet visitors to the Web site jumped from
an average of 7,000 monthly to an average of 12,000 monthly, she said.
In addition, WCSC undertook a variety of umbrella pubic relations
and marketing activities for the safety month campaign, which was
sponsored in concert with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
These activities included developing news releases and feature stories
for the broadcast and print media, cooperative promotional efforts
with other safety and parents groups, special safety-month pages on
its Web site and the development of a campaign logo, ad slicks and
counter cards for retail use.
NEW SHOP-AT-HOME BRAND LAUNCHED
CustEmers.com, a leader in window coverings advertising, training
and Internet technology, introduces a new brand of shop-at-home window
coverings consulting service. Exciting Windows! will be featured by
qualified retailers to let homeowners know they can expect excellence
in window coverings services: at-home appointments without a fee,
a trained consultant to bring samples on the first visit, measuring
and pricing without a trip charge, and that the retailer will provide
a completely installed product—draperies, blinds, shadings or
shutters—that are guaranteed price competitive, to be delivered
on time and with 10-year performance assured.
The brand will be supported with a distinctive identity program, new
Web site to launch May 1, special customer service and sales training
for approved consultants, and national advertising to follow by yearend.
USP LAUNCHES PRE-FINISHED WOOD SHUTTER
COMPONENT PROGRAM
U.S. Polymers Inc. (USP) has launched MiraMonte, a line of pre-painted
wood shutter components featuring a high-quality finish. Available
for nationwide delivery to fabricators, the product is available in
USP’s local warehouses. The new line will be a part of USP’s
ShutterSMART division.
Pre-painted wood is the latest in a series of moves USP has made to
meet the growing demand in the shutter industry. “We see a tremendous
opportunity to revolutionize the way shutters are built in North America
with our pre-painted components,” said Viken
MICHAELS CELEBRATES 50 YEARS
Michaels Textiles, Petersburg, VA, is celebrating its 50th year
in business.
As part of the celebration, the company has launched the largest
one-time distribution of decorative fabrics for the first quarter
of 2004. The introduction includes the industry’s largest assortment
of the highly popular “Spotlight” pattern in more than
150 colors, and a return to “True Chintz” presented in
136 new colors.
Known for its extensive color lines and broad assortments, Michaels
Textiles has become a leading resource to the interior designer
and window fashion boutiques. Co-presidents Joel Lessem and Shelly
Delsack stated: “We are delighted to be celebrating this significant
milestone in our company’s history. Michaels’ five decades
serving the trade represents our commitment, stability and longevity
to the design community.”
Michaels’ sister brand, Krupnick Brothers, will celebrate its
75th anniversary this year.
HUNTER DOUGLAS PRESENTED WCMA PRODUCT
OF THE YEAR FOR SEVENTH CONSEWCUTIVE YEAR
Hunter Douglas Window Fashions, Upper Saddle River, NJ, was presented
the Window Covering Manufacturers Association’s (WCMA) Product
of the Year award in March—it marks the seventh consecutive year
the company has been so honored.
The Product of the Year award recognized Hunter Douglas’ Trio™
Convertible Shades: “Three Beautiful Views. One Beautiful Shade.”
The product also was selected as Best New Technical Innovation in
the Alternative Shading Products Category.
The Trio Convertible Shade is a soft fabric window covering featuring
1 1/8-inch individual, hexagonally shaped horizontal vanes that compress
and expand providing light control options never before available.
The vanes open for a full view-through; close for soft, diffused light
and complete privacy; and can be adjusted to anything in-between for
full control of an environment.
The annual WCMA Product Innovation Awards are the benchmark of excellence
in the window coverings industry. “We are very pleased that the
Window Covering Manufacturers Association panel of independent judges
has given such a strong endorsement to our new products and to the
marketing, merchandising and education programs we provide,”
said Marv Hopkins, Hunter Douglas president and CEO. “These results
are a testament to the dedication of our people to market leadership,
product innovation and customer support.”
TECHNIKU INTRODUCES NEW CONTROL PARADIGM
Techniku, Broomfield, CO, has launched a new control platform
for simple IR and RF configurations. With three basic elements,
automated window coverings can become true home appliances integrating
within broader home systems. The new line of simple-to-use products
includes an Intelligence Interface, Power Distribution Module and
multiple IR or RF control options from simple remote controls to
voice-activated computer systems.
The company’s line of open-protocol RF controls featuring Z-Wave
technology provides simple, cross-platform integration of automated
window coverings in residential and commercial applications. Z-Wave
is the premiere two-way RF control protocol for low bandwidth automation.
This solution allows for consumer-level integration of any appliance
in the home, ultimately leveraging the consumer’s investment
not only for their window coverings, but for other appliances such
as lighting, HVAC systems, garage doors, a/v systems and more. With
only minimal wiring required from the motor to the power source,
the intelligence and communication occurs at the window covering,
resulting in simple installation, programming and usage.
NEW WEB SITE FOR WINDOW FASHIONS, INC.
Window Fashions, Inc., Cheswick, PA, has updated its Web site.
The company’s new Web address is www.windowfashionsinc.com.
MARIAK EXPANDS PRODUCTION CAPACITY
Mariak Industries, Torrance, CA, has added 11,000 square feet
to its facility, increasing its total production space to more than
55,000 square feet.
The new building will house Mariak’s two- and 2 1/2-inch horizontal
blind fabrication. This expansion also will allow for the addition
of new mini-blind fabrication equipment, thus doubling Mariak’s
mini-blind production to 1,000 units per day.
SEW EASY PUBLISHES SWAG HANDBOOK
Sew Easy Windows has published “The Professional Workroom
Handbook of Swags, Volume 1.” This comprehensive, easy-to-follow
manual explains the engineering of the swag pattern for three of
the most common symmetrical swag styles: board mount, cutout and
point-to-point. Once the workroom understands how the swag pattern
works, it can design the finished dimensions of the swags and draw
the pattern with ease and precision.
The information in the handbook can reduce the learning curve for
fabricating swags, reduce dependence on patterns and provide an
invaluable resource for novices, veterans and designers. The book
is available online.
COLWELL PURCHASES EUROPEAN ASSETS
Colwell Industries, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, announces its purchase
of the color card operations of Communisis, PLC, Leeds, England,
also known as McCorquodale Color Card Co. North American operations,
including those in Toronto and Montreal, Canada, and Whiteford,
MD, will report to Patrick Van Arnam, president of Colwell, Inc.
European operations in Göttingen, Germany, and Besse Sur Braye,
France, will be under the guidance of Dirk Van Steen, managing director
of the newly named Colwell, Europe. Van Arnam and Van Steen will
report to William Byars, president of Colwell Industries, Inc.
This transaction expands Colwell’s capabilities in the decorating
products industry and adds capabilities in the automotive and cosmetic
industries. Colwell is a leading producer of color sampling tools.
CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS
Because of an error in information provided to Draperies &
Window Coverings, an incorrect toll-free telephone number was listed
in advertisements for Superior Roman Shades in the February and
March issues. The number was listed as (800) 799-9033, the correct
number is (800) 794-9033.
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