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INDUSTRY NEWS
INDUSTRY ADDS TO TSUNAMI RELIEF
The U.S. window coverings industry responded quickly to help provide
relief to survivors of the earthquake and tsunami in Southeast Asia.
C & M Wood Industries, Hesperia, CA, has donated $10,000 to
the International Red Cross to assist those in need of shelter,
food and other essential items.
The company also respectfully encourages others—valued customers,
vendors and friends—to join it in contributing to the American
Red Cross by sending a donation. “In such an overwhelming disaster,
no contribution can be considered too small,” said Lisa Altman,
C & M national sales director.
Donations may be sent to: American Red Cross International Response
Fund, Tsunami Earthquake Fund, P.O. Box 97089, Washington DC 20090-7089;
(800) 435-7669.
Norman Shutters, Santa Fe Springs, CA, has reached out to those
in need by donating 1 percent of its total sales in December to
Care USA, The American Red Cross and Tzu Chi Foundation.
“As we celebrate the holidays and the New Year, we cannot ignore
those who have suffered such a tremendous loss,” stated Norman
Shutters President Morgan Chuang.
These contributions will help to ensure that the affected communities
in India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand can survive the immediate
crisis and rebuild their lives and livelihoods in its aftermath.
“Each of us has so much to be grateful for, that is why I am
personally challenging the businesses in the window coverings industry,
Norman Shutters’ own customers and vendors to get involved
and donate what they can to help those affected by this disaster,”
Chuang said.
To support the efforts in gaining more contributors, Norman Shutters
has sent a letter of challenge and encouragement to its customers
and vendors. The letter also contains Internet links and resources
for charities working on the Indian Ocean catastrophe.
INTERNATIONAL WINDOW COVERINGS EXCHANGE SCHEDULES
APRIL MEETING
The International Window Coverings Exchange has scheduled its semi-annual
conference for April 4 - 6, 2005, in Atlanta, GA.
The International Window Coverings Exchange is a group of shop-at-home
window fashions retailers who collectively sell more than $110 million
annually in window fashions products and services. Since August
2000, members have traveled to each other’s stores twice a
year to critique a host business and to exchange confidential operating
information to enhance standards and improve individual profitability.
The group was organized to fill the void of business information
for owners with more than $3 million in annual sales. The group’s
originators are Carl Movrich, Drapery Connection, Chicago, IL, (see
D&WC, November 2004, page 32) and Steven Bursten, custEmers.com,
Bethesda, MD (see page 52). Movrich served as founding chairperson
the first three years and set policies and standards for the group.
Currently, the International Window Coverings Exchange is limited
to 12 members, the maximum the group believes can report and exchange
information in a two-day meeting. With 10 active members, the Executive
Committee recently authorized two membership openings. Qualifications
require substantial shop-at-home window fashions sales and preferably
$10 million in overall annual sales. Members must be willing to
openly share operating information on a confidential basis.
ILLINOIS RESIDENT WINS FREE SUNBURST SHUTTERS
Sunburst Shutters®, Las Vegas, NV, announces Dinna Billote,
La Grange, IL, as the first winner of 100 square feet of free plantation
shutters (worth approximately $2,500) as part of the company’s
25th anniversary celebration.
Sunburst is selecting one winner a week from across the country
to win 100 square feet of its premium Polywood® shutter.
Statistics demonstrate that shutters are growing into America’s
favorite window treatment, and Illinois is in line with the trend.
Sunburst Shutters has a showroom located at 1315 Howard St., Elk
Grove Village, IL, just west of Chicago.
According to the contest rules, customers who purchase 100 square
feet of Sunburst Shutters were automatically entered to win, however
no purchase was necessary to enter. By Dec. 31, Sunburst Shutters
had selected 12 winners and had given away more than $30,000 in
free shutters. That’s 1,200 square feet—enough to cover
60 average-sized windows with shutters.
ON-SITE MOVES EAST COAST FACILITY TO NORTH
CAROLINA
The On-Site Corp., Coeur d’Alene, ID, has moved its Groton,
CT, training and research facility to Charlotte, NC. The new location
opened February 1, and the company has scheduled its first training
class there for February 17.
The new address for the East Coast On-Site University is 2520 Whitehall
Park Dr., Ste. 500, Charlotte, NC 28273. The telephone number is
(704) 504-8665; fax: (704) 504-8667. The toll-free telephone number
remains the same at (800) 811-9367. The new e-mail address is onsitecorp@bellsouth.net.
MECHOSHADE'S ECOVEIL NAMED TO TOP 10 GREEN
PRODUCTS LIST
EcoVeil™ by MechoShade Systems Inc., Long Island City, NY,
was named one of GreenSpec’s Top 10 green building products
for 2004. The product was featured in the presentation “High
Performance Building Materials: GreenSpec’s Top-10 Best Products
of 2004” at the Center for Architecture, NY, in early December.
Ecoveil is the first cradle-to-cradle solar shade cloth. It was
developed during the course of six years with green architect Michael
McDonough and his product development firm MBDC (www.mbdc.com).
EcoVeil is truly eco-effective. More than just PVC-free, the product
is “green” because of its non-hazardous chemical components
and because it also is recyclable into new shade cloth fabrics or
other materials without downgrading to a lesser value.
MechoShade Systems is a leading provider of window management solutions
to architects and interior designers. Launched in 1969, the company
grew quickly by responding to the demand for energy-efficient window
management systems.
GreenSpec’s Top 10 includes products for commercial interiors,
landscaping, mechanicals, solar electricity and more.
HALCYON SHADES SCORE HIGH IN ASTM ENERGY
TESTING
Halcyon™Shades, Martinsville, VA, a transparent window shade
that allows a view of the outside, recently scored high marks in
ASTM C 1363-97 Thermal Performance Tests. In the independent testing
process, solar heat gain reduction was 76 percent better when using
Halcyon Shades on a single-pane window with side rails. Also, the
insulating U-factor was 24 percent better and the shading coefficient
was 76 percent better.
“In today’s marketplace, companies have reduced workforces
to gain cost efficiencies and home heating and cooling costs have
skyrocketed. Even a small increase in energy savings yields significant
financial return,” said Ralph Sink, vice president, strategic
business and organizational development, CPFilms Inc.
The proprietary technology of transparent Halcyon Shades maximizes
natural light, offering the flexibility to save energy regardless
of solar impact. The shades conserve energy, prevent glare and UV
rays, maintain daytime privacy and protect furnishings.
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