|
INDUSTRY NEWS
ROLLEASE, SOMFY REACH SETTLEMENT IN INFRINGEMENT
COMPLAINT
RollEase, Inc., Stamford, CT, and Somfy Systems, Inc., Cranbury,
NJ, announced in March a mutual settlement of Somfy’s patent
infringement complaint against RollEase regarding the TS1 and TS2
spooling systems presently being sold by RollEase. Under the terms
of the agreement, RollEase has taken a license for the patents owned
by Somfy and its subsidiary Harmonic Design for spooling systems
placed in window coverings for application to its TS1, TS2 and future
systems that may incorporate such technology, according to a statement
released by Somfy.
RollEase designs and manufactures patented components for manual
window covering operating systems for residential and commercial
applications. Somfy designs and manufactures patented motors and
controls for awnings, rolling shutters, window treatments and other
roll-up systems.
NORMAN SALES AND INSTALLATION TRAINING TOUR
SET
Norman International® Co., Santa Fe Springs, CA, has launched
a sales and installation training regional tour targeted at window
coverings distributors, retailers and installers. The tour began
in Pheonix, AZ, in March and runs through mid-October, ending in
Santa Fe Springs.
The sales segment of the tour features information on how to present
Norman Shutters’ products in a variety of situations. It includes
instruction on shutter specifications and selling shutter options.
There are two levels of installation training. The first covers
shutter fundamentals and basic installation. The second progresses
to troubleshooting and measuring, and installing common and specialty
shapes.
The training team leading the sessions boasts more than 40 years
of combined window coverings sales and installation experience.
More on the training tour and tour dates, and updated information
is available at www. normanshutters.com.
HT WINDOW FASHIONS UPDATES WEB SITE
HT Window Fashions, City of Industry, CA, formerly known as Richview
Window Coverings, has launched its newly redesigned Web site: www.htwfonline.com.
The site is currently operational, and visitors are welcome to learn
about the company’s new products and offerings.
OLDE TOWNE WINDOW WORKS EXPANDS FABRIC, TRIM
SELECTIONS
Olde Towne Window Works, Fredericksburg, VA, introduced its spring
line of fabrics in March. Olde Towne added 41 new patterns to its
existing collection of drapery fabrics. There are now more than
220 fabrics in the Uptown Line of Home Fashions (see D&WC, September
2004, page 28).
In addition, Olde Towne Window Works introduced its new trim book
with more than 100 styles and colors of decorative trimmings.
LUTRON’S ROLLER 64 AWARDED BEST OF CATEGORY
AT LIGHTFAIR
The new Sivoia QED (quiet electronic drive) Roller 64 shade system
from Lutron Electronics, Coopersburg, PA, won a New Product Showcase
Award at the 16th annual Lightfair International, the industry’s
premier North American event. The product secured the Best of Category
Award in the Daylighting Integration Products Category, as voted
by a panel of industry judges.
Roller 64 is the newest member of the Sivoia QED family of controllable
shading systems, providing precise, smooth movement and control,
plus near-silent operation, the company states. Roller 64 fits into
small 3 1/2- by 3 1/2-inch installation pockets and has a sleek
roller tube that’s just 1 5/8 inches in diameter, 40 percent
smaller than other roller shades in the Sivoia QED product line.
Lightfair International is sponsored by the International Association
of Lighting Designers (IALD) and the Illuminating Engineering Society
of North America (IESNA).
“The addition of Roller 64 to the . . . Sivoia QED family means
a product line that provides roller shade solutions for practically
any sized window,” said Ari Supran, Lutron residential marketing
manager. “We are excited to receive this coveted award.”
DRAPER MARKETING PROGRAM RECOGNIZED BY SWEET’S
Draper, Inc., Spiceland, IN, has been recognized by McGraw-Hill
for its marketing efforts in the construction marketplace for the
third time in four years. The McGraw-Hill Construction Information
Group, publishers of Sweet’s, has awarded Draper its
“Best in Sweet’s—Most Outstanding Marketplace Program
(Print and Electronic)” award, as part of the 2005 Sweet’s
Marketplace Awards. Draper also received honorable mention for Best
Electronic Program.
According to Sweet’s, “Winners in this category
represent the finest examples of marketing in the construction marketplace.
Utilizing print and electronic programs, they create a complete,
easy-to-use resource for industry professionals.”
“This was totally unexpected, but gratifying,” Draper
advertising manager Penny Sitler said following the announcement.
The awards were announced April 21 during the 2005 Construction
Specifications Institute Show in Chicago, IL.
DRAPESTYLE.COM RECEIVES SURPRISE RECOMMENDATION
Online drapery retailer DrapeStyle.com was selected by House
and Garden magazine in its June issue focusing on where to buy
luxury home items and “get it fast.”
DrapeStyle was selected along with nine other firms through a blind
test purchase made by editors at House and Garden, according to
a statement by DrapeStyle.com. “We had no idea we were being
tested,” said DrapeStyle President and Founder Lisa Sinatra.
“We just handled the order as we do every other.”
House and Garden, produced by Condé Nast Publications,
reported on each purchase experience and product quality as part
of its Special Report.
DrapeStyle.com is a direct-to-consumer manufacturer and retailer
of high-quality drapery based in Newport Beach, CA.
DURALEE PURCHASES NC FACILITY
Duralee Fabrics, Ltd., Bay Shore, NY, has purchased a 180,000-square-foot
facility on 32 acres in Morganton, NC. The purchase was prompted
by the need to accommodate the company’s recent growth and
to meet the needs for future expansions, it says.
The new facility will be used as additional warehouse space for
the company’s Duralee and Highland Court product lines. In
addition, the company was set to begin manufacturing its Duralee
Fine Furniture line at the facility in May. The company introduced
its furniture line in 2003 to complement its fabric and trimming
collections (see D&WC, December 2003, page 14). The Duralee
furniture collection offers more than 550 SKUs in designs, from
traditional to transitional.
“Sales exceeded our initial expectations within the first 18
months,” said Peter Mandel, director of product development.
“The new facility will become a source for production to keep
up with our growth.”
ASID APPLAUDS IOWA LAW LEGALLY RECOGNIZING
INTERIOR DESIGN PROFESSION
The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), Washington, DC,
applauds the new Iowa law, the Iowa Interior Design Title Act, which
registers professional interior designers in the state. Iowa Gov.
Tom Vilsack signed the bill into law in early May. With his signature,
Iowa becomes the 25th U.S. state and jurisdiction to legally recognize
the interior design profession.
“ASID is thrilled to add Iowa to the growing list of U.S. states
and jurisdictions that have professional interior design legislation
in place,” said ASID President Anita Baltimore, FASID. “Interior
designers protect the health, safety and welfare of the public.
The new law will protect the citizens of Iowa because they will
know if an individual entrusted to create their interior spaces
meets baseline professional standards.”
To use the title “registered interior designer” in Iowa,
professionals must meet the education and experience requirements
set by the law (a combination of six years of education and experience)
and pass the qualifying examination for interior designers administered
by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ).
They also must register with a soon-to-be-established interior design
examining board that will operate under the auspices of the Professional
Licensing and Regulatory Division of the Iowa Department of Commerce.
“The law will raise the accountability of interior designers
in Iowa to the betterment of consumers in the state,” said
Linda Newton, FASID, chair, ASID Legislative and Codes Advisory
Council. “Interior designers must be knowledgeable about several
issues including flammability of fabrics and finishes, ergonomics,
building codes and the Americans with Disabilities Act.”
|
