|
INDUSTRY
NEWS
KALEIDOSCOPE INDUSTRIES BREAKS
GROUND FOR NEW FACILITY
Kaleidoscope Industries, Inc., Howell, MI, held a groundbreaking ceremony
in late April for its new, larger state-of-the-art facility.
The building, at 2123 Grand Commerce Dr. in Grand Commerce Industrial
Park, will encompass more than 35,000 square feet and will include
corporate offices, fabrication facilities and a distribution center.
The company will relocate from its present offices in the fall.
“We’re very excited about this groundbreaking for our
new facility,” said Joseph G. Sommer, president, Kaleidoscope
Industries, Inc. “It represents our commitment to Howell and
to the industry as well as the success of our partnership with Hunter
Douglas.”
PRECISION DRAPERIES EDUCATION
RELEASES YARDAGE CALCULATOR ON CD
Precision Draperies Education, Westminster, CO, has developed the
Window Treatment Yardage Calculator, an easy-to-use program that will
calculate yardages and labor costs for soft window coverings. The
program is Windows compatible.
“Our challenge was to develop a tool that would calculate the
basic treatments, but also be easy for users to learn and use,”
sad Kirk Axelson, president.
The program calculates draperies, drapery valances, rod pockets and
valances, fabric shades, cornices and toppers. Users should be up
and running in about 30 minutes, Axelson adds.
In addition to the program, there is a short videotape that teaches
the user about the Window Treatment Yardage Calculator. The program
is available on CD and installs in minutes.
KIRSCH ANNOUNCES NEW DISTRIBUTOR
IN ILLINOIS
Interior Fashions, Inc. Palatine, IL, is a new authorized distributor
for Kirsch drapery hardware in Illinois. Together, a wide range of
products and services will be available from a full line of drapery
hardware to a variety of custom window products to a repair service
center for Levolor/Kirsch products.
Interior Fashions Inc. began in 1960 making tailored draperies. Today
the family owned and operating business has grown into a full-service
interior design company, offering custom made draperies and soft treatments
and now a full line of drapery hardware.
Randy McCormick, a former Kirsch Sales rep, and his two sons Brian
and David offer their knowledge and experience to answer all of product
questions and applications needs.
HUNTER DOUGLAS HONORED FOR
DONATION TOWARDS HURRICANE KATRINA RELIEF
Hunter Douglas Inc, Upper Saddle River, NJ, was honored by America’s
Second Harvest for its $400,000 contribution last fall towards the
Hurricane Katrina relief effort.
Hunter Douglas matched all contributions from its employees and independent
fabricator partners and Hunter Douglas Window Fashions Gallery®
retail dealers. The company raised a total of $800,000, with half
of it going to America’s Second Harvest and the other going
to the AmeriCares Foundation, Inc. (See D&WC, October 2005, page
16.)
America’s Second Harvest, along with the AmeriCares, is one
of America’s most highly rated U.S.-based charitable organizations,
and it committed to absorbing 100 percent of its own administrative
costs associated with the donations for the Hurricane Katrina disaster.
Dina Vaz, individual philanthropy officer for America’s Second
Harvest, presented a plaque to Hunter Douglas executives at the company’s
headquarters.
“We appreciate the recognition from America’s
Second Harvest,” said Marv Hopkins, president and CEO. “Hurricane
Katrina caused unprecedented destruction of homes, businesses and
infrastructure in addition to taking countless lives. It is the worst
and most costly natural disaster in our nation’s history. We’re
honored to be able to help and are most grateful to all those who
gave so generously.”
GLEN OAK OFFERS NEXT GENERATION
PAINT-PRIMED SHUTTER COMPONENTS
Glen Oak Lumber & Milling, Somerset, KY, has begun supplying its
enhanced Arrow-Straight FJ shutter components to fabricators. Louver
samples of this next generation paint-primed poplar product were distributed
at the International Window Coverings Expo in early April.
Arrow-Straight FJ shutter components now can be finished with a single
topcoat. They feature a proprietary stain-blocking anti-fungal SB43
primer that has been improved with a superior resin and enhanced bonding
agents, which include more titanium dioxide (Ti02). The additional
Ti02 provides for increased hardness, whiteness and hide. When priming
these shutter components at the mill, Glen Oak utilizes a five-step
sand-prime-sand-prime-sand process. Shutter fabricators using Arrow-Straight
F.J. components featuring the reformulated primer realize additional
savings in labor, material and lead times.
BLUE MOUNTAIN, FSC PARTNER
IN WALL COVERINGS BUSINESS
Blue Mountain Wallcoverings, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,
has entered into a long-term licensing agreement to manufacture wallpaper
under the Gramercy®, Waverly® and Village® brands. Effective
immediately Blue Mountain will handle all sales and distribution of
existing and future wallpaper collections thus converting the FSC
Wallcoverings business to a licensing model.
The Waverly/FSC division, New York, NY, will retain and be actively
involved in the creative content of the collections and the marketing
communications for these key brands.
The brands of F. Schumacher & Co. have played a role in decorating
homes around the world for more than 100 years. The company offers
the consumer fabrics, wallpaper, and coordinated home fashions available
at various retail channels.
Blue Mountain Wallcoverings Inc. has been in business for more than
30 years. It manufactures and distributes residential wall coverings
throughout North America. Blue Mountain’s products are sold
worldwide under several brand names including licensing agreements
with well-known names such as Disney and Thomas Kinkade.
DESIGN SHOJI PANELS SELECTED
FOR PBS SHOW Design Shoji, Ukiah, CA, announces
its participation in the PBS television program, This Old House.
This current season, the program features a minimalist-style home
in Cambridge, MA. Interior designer Todd Tsiang chose shoji screens
for 10 long transom windows covered by ebony wash-stained panels
with a textured polyester resin insert. The windows range in size
from 19 to 140 inches.
For the project, Jarrah wood was chosen to withstand possible condensation
concerns in the windows, and a minimum of grid was used to keep
the treatment as simple as possible. Designer Tsiang focused on
the beauty of the furniture quality custom finish and woodworking
that enhance the precise fit; the shoji treatments fit seamlessly
in the window openings with no visible hardware.
An excellent insulator, the shoji panels solved the client’s
need for complete privacy while subtly enhancing the sleek, clean
lines of this contemporary home.
ASID ILLINOIS CHAPTER CELEBRATES
75TH ANNIVERSARY This fall, the Illinois chapter
of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) will celebrate
its 75th diamond anniversary on Thursday, September 21, at Chicago’s
Merchandise Mart.
The anniversary bash is titled Denim, Diamonds and Dazzling Designers
and will feature music, food and beverages, plus ASID-IL’s
history in pictures display, showcasing highlights of the organization
over the past 75 years.
Open to ASID members and the design community, the event will be
held in conjunction with the ASID-IL Chapter’s annual meeting.
As a sponsor, Steelcase will host the event and provide the event’s
refreshments and cocktails. Chapter president Mary Dluzen will present
awards and recognition to members for their work this year and introduce
the incoming 2006-07 board. |
