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INDUSTRY
NEWS
SEVENTH SLIPCOVER SUMMIT SLATED
The 7th Annual Slipcover Summit 2007 is scheduled for June 27 through 29 in Waltham, MA. This event is devoted to the art and profession of slipcovers for furniture.
Designers, decorators and those with sewing workrooms have the opportunity to learn from seven instructors actively involved in slipcovering furniture in their own businesses. All instructors volunteer to teach at the Summit in a particular slipcover method, technique or expertise.
Limits are set on the size of each workshop presented to give each participant the opportunity to experience hands-on training and to be up close to view the demonstrations.
Scholarship are available to those who have never attended a Slipcover Summit.
For more information on workshops, instructors and how to register visit www.slipcoveramerica.com/summit2007.html, or call (800) 267-4958.
HUNTER DOUGLAS ASSISTS HARDWORKING INNER CITY YOUTH WITH SCHOLARSHIP DONATION
Hunter Douglas, Upper Saddle River, NJ, has again honored Minority Athletes Networking (MAN etc., Inc.)—a youth mentoring organization founded by former NFL Giants football players and Super Bowl champions—at the company’s corporate headquarters with a $50,000 donation.
The donation will be used for MAN’s Jerry Fuchs Memorial Making-A-Difference scholarship, sponsored by Hunter Douglas and named, in 1999, for the late Jerry Fuchs, humanitarian and former company chairman. Students demonstrating excellent potential for and commitment to higher education are eligible to receive college scholarships.
Hunter Douglas Senior Vice President and CFO Gordon Khan, who is also an advisory member of the MAN Board, along with Betty Lou Smith, Hunter Douglas vice president of corporate human resources, presented the check to George Martin, MAN co-founder and chairman of the executive board.
“MAN and programs like it positively impact the lives of young people,” said Kahn. “We are proud to be a partner and supporter of such an important organization.”
Founded in 1989, MAN is an organization dedicated to improving the futures of disadvantaged youth in the tri-state area through direct interaction. The members of MAN contribute their personal time and resources to develop initiatives that address the needs of young people of the inner city and inspire these individuals to become valuable, positive contributors to their communities.
WORLDWIDE WINDOW FASHIONS ADDS ECLIPSE SHUTTERS
Worldwide Window Fashions, Philadelphia, PA, announces the addition of Eclipse Shutters to its product offering. Worldwide Window Fashions’ markets include Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Virginia, Maryland and Delware.
Worldwide Window Fashions owner, Andy Yuen, states, “Adding the Eclipse Shutter program to our product offering allows us to provide our customer base with a product that is regarded for quality and value and guaranteed production in seven days.” An Eclipse dealer training seminar was held at Worldwide Window Fashions in the fall to launch the program.
'ELEMENTS OF SOFT TREATMENTS' BECOME REQUIRED TEXT
Arapahoe Community College, Denver, CO, has made “Elements of Soft Treatments,” published by Precision Draperies Education, the required textbook for its window coverings design classes for the spring semester 2007.
After reviewing the book, Bev Moriarty, window treatments instructor at the college and an interior designer, said, “The information in ‘Elements’ could only have come from people who have worked in the business for years to gain this kind of knowledge. ‘Elements’ is a complete resource. It answers many questions and contains tons of tips to help the workroom and designer do it right the first time.”
“Elements of Soft Treatments” is the third publication from Precision Draperies Education, a company dedicated to setting industry standards in style and education. Previously published books include “The Ultimate Designer’s Workbook,” a comprehensive specification manual; and “Study Guide,” the designer’s companion for “The Ultimate Designer’s Workbook.”
STUDIO PLANNER ADDED FOR MINUTES MATTER STUDIO
Minutes Matter, Hendersonville, TN, announces its newest release: Studio Planner. This addition means users get everything they need in one software program to create window treatment illustrations or move furniture with a click of a button. Simply drag-and-drop images to see where to place furniture in room setting plans.
All images are rendered to scale and are filled with a neutral color palette to make illustrating even faster, the company states. Minutes Matter Studio offers several packages to meet customer needs: Studio 2.0, Studio Lite, Studio Planner Upgrade, Studio Design, and Studio Design Suite.
SHUTTERSMART ANNOUNCES NEW FINISH IN POLYCLAD LINE
ShutterSmart, a division of US Polymers Inc., Los Angeles, CA, announces the launch of a new WoodTex finish in its PolyClad Hardwood shutter. The finish is proprietary and comes in a new color line.
ShutterSmart PolyClad Hardwood shutters are built with a hardwood core and clad in a polyresin surface. The combination delivers a shutter that can do everything a wood shutter can with the advantages of durability and low maintenance. “Our new WoodTex finish feels like painted wood to the touch. This addition really elevates ShutterSmart into a whole new category,” said Viken Ohanesian, president .
STUDENTS LEARN BENEFITS OF WINDOW FASHIONS
Approximately 20 juniors and seniors at New York City’s Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) received a crash course in window fashions in mid-November when Joe Jankoski, Hunter Douglas corporate vice president of merchandising, stopped by to share his expertise.
Jankoski educated students on topics ranging from advantages of vertically integrated manufacturing to common problems consumers hope to solve with window fashions. The session also addressed some of the real world realities of running a successful business.
Students responded with questions following the presentation, including how to stay ahead of the competition with product development.
FIT boasts a Home Products Development and Marketing program that prepares students for a career in the home furnishings business.
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