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INDUSTRY NEWS
NEW INITIATIVES, PRODUCTS MARK GRABER’S
65TH ANNIVERSARY
Graber®, marketed by Springs Window Fashions, Middleton, WI,
has announced new initiatives and new products for 2005 to coincide
with the brand’s 65th anniversary. Among the initiatives is
an agreement with The Home Depot to remove Graber window treatments
from their stores in early 2005.
A company statement noted that Graber’s market research department
recently completed a segmentation study to better understand the
needs of the consumer. “The style-conscious Graber consumer
wants the help of a knowledgeable design specialist who offers personal
assistance and window treatment expertise. Graber is making a concerted
effort to sell its products where this consumer buys,” the
statement reads. Graber believes it is the only style-oriented brand
to take this position and remove products from this retail chain.
New products for 2005 include Graber Traditions™ custom shutters,
revitalized additions to its Graber Traditions wood and faux wood
window treatments, and the Nobility Collection™ of Graber decorative
drapery hardware. In addition, a never-seen-before product is in
development for introduction in late 2005.
Merchandising is being designed to spark the consumer’s interest
while giving the designer functional tools to help them close the
sale. Continued emphasis will be given to www.graberblinds.com as
an educational resource for both consumers and designers. Graber’s
popular professional and CEU-accredited “Designing Choices”
seminars, conducted by Bruce Knott, will continue to be conducted
throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico in 2005.
To further support this segment of its business, Graber has named
Tony Hamelink as its Style Side/E-Business Manager to work as a
liaison between the company and all field operations.
The Graber brand was founded by John N. Graber in 1939. It is celebrating
65 years of selling quality window treatments through its network
of distributor/fabricators, designers, decorators and specialty
store distribution channels. Graber, Bali® and Nanik® brands
are marketed by Springs Window Fashions LP. Springs Window Fashions,
Middleton, WI, is a subsidiary of Springs Industries, Inc., Ft.
Mill, SC, a major manufacturer and marketer of home furnishings.
NORMAN SHUTTERS™ INTRODUCES NEW SALES
TOOLS
Norman Shutters, Santa Fe Springs, CA, has unveiled new Sussex®,
Woodlore® and Normandy® samples.
The Sussex Color Inspirations™ briefcase contains hand-finished
individual louver sections in each of the 18 paints and 32 stains
that comprise the collection. Unlimited specialty shapes, French
door options, exclusive frame styles and hand-carved top and bottom
rails are featured.
The Sussex Briefcase features the finish samples as described above,
plus a sample of each of the 13 frame styles including Norman Shutters
Camber Deco Frame and various L, Z and hang strip designs. In addition,
samples of elliptical louvers are included in 4 1/2-, 3 1/2- and
2 1/2-inch sizes plus an S-shaped louver in 3 1/2- and a Colonial
Louver in 1 1/4-inch size.
The Woodlore Briefcase showcases individual louver sections in each
of the three painted and three stain-look colors: silk white, bisque,
pearl, golden mist, butterscotch and light pecan. In addition, 12
frame and five louver styles are included. Woodlore is a custom
wood composite shutter line manufactured with a patented process.
The Normandy Color & Frame Selector is a simple kit that presents
louver samples in the seven classic paint colors and a collection
of frame styles available. Normandy is an affordably priced custom
hardwood shutter line.
With more than 30 years of window coverings manufacturing experience,
Norman Shutters offers a lifetime limited warranty on materials
and workmanship.
HUNTER DOUGLAS ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF DEALER
SHOWROOM MAKEOVER CONTEST
Hunter Douglas, Upper Saddle River, NJ, in November announced 10
winners for its Dealer Showroom Makeover Contest, which ran from
January through April 2004.
Two Best Showroom Makeover Grand Prizes were awarded: Carpet Stop,
Inc., Port Charlotte, FL, and Mr. K’s Fabric Shop, Quincy,
IL. The stores received all-expense paid trips from Hunter Douglas
to a destination of their choice that includes Las Vegas, NV; San
Francisco, CA; or a Bahamas cruise.
Maureen Marrone, director of visual merchandising for Hunter Douglas,
who conceived of the contest, says, “Participants changed the
look of their showrooms for the better to become more professional,
more fashionable and project a more upscale image.” Dealers
who entered the contest submitted before-and-after photographs of
showroom makeovers.
Four runners up each received a $500 American Express Gift Certificate:
Walls & More, Loveland OH; Scheels Ace Hardware, Fargo, ND;
Starling Decorators, Babylon, NY; and Creative Custom Blinds, Friendswood,
TX.
Honorable mentions were awarded to: Custom Carpets, Indian River,
MI; Drapes & More Inc., Pompano Beach, FL; Premier Flooring,
Traverse City, MI; and Betz Blinds, Sious Falls, SD.
LARI WINDOW PRODUCTS RELOCATES
Lari Window Products, Lodi, CA, announces it has moved to a new
location. The company now is at 1720 Calmers St.; Suite 102, Lodi
CA 95240. The company’s new telephone number is (209) 334-4671.
NORMAN SHUTTERS™ LAUNCHES NEW WEB SITE
Norman Shutters, Santa Fe Springs, CA, has launched a new Web site
at www.normanshutters.com. The site features company and product
information and a photo gallery.
“We are delighted to showcase information about Norman Shutters
and our products,” said Paul Shih, vice president of sales
and marketing. “This Web site will help communicate the quality,
value and design features of our shutters.”
Shih views the site launch as another milestone in Norman Shutters’
growth in the window coverings industry. Enhancements are planned
for the future.
The Norman Shutters product family includes three distinct shutter
lines to satisfy unique segments of the marketplace: Sussex®
Shutters are completely customizable in hardwoods, Woodlore®
Shutters’ wood composite construction offers durable value,
and Normandy® is an affordably priced hardwood option.
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