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AHC OPENS EAST COAST DISTRIBUTION CENTER American Hardwood Co. (AHC), Los Angeles, CA, announces an alliance with the management of the former American Wood Finishers, Tucker, GA, and the opening of its new East Coast distribution center. The new 60,000-square-foot Tucker facility was reintroduced as American Hardwood's East Coast Distribution Center at the end of July. "Within the past six months we have effectively tripled our size and expanded our horizons with the intent to even better service the fabricator channel of business," said Sandy Gray, AHC president and CEO. In January, the company moved its California distribution center to a new, larger 80,000-square-foot facility. (See D&WC, March 1999) The new East Coast facility will offer AHC's full line of wood blind componentry and completes the company's quest to provide coast-to-coast service without the high costs incurred for shipping and handling to eastern customers. "We are the only wood component supplier that will have the capability of taking the order and pulling, packing and shipping it all in the same day, then delivering by standard low-cost freight methods within three days," said Tim Secker, director of sales and marketing. Comfortex AWARDED DESIGN PATENT Comfortex Window Fashions, Maplewood, NY, has been awarded a design patent for its Woodwinds® and Reed[TM] wood alloy blinds. The U.S. Patent Office issued patent Des. 409,869 to Comfortex to cover the design of the wood alloy core and surrounding thermalplastic finish. Woodwind blinds were introduced in 1996 and feature an S-shape design. They quickly became a top seller for the company. The traditional flat style Reed line was introduced in 1997. LEVOLOR RECEIVES BEST OF NEOCON AWARD Levolor Home Fashions, High Point, NC, received the Silver Award in the Architectural Products category in the Best of NeoCon 1999 competition in July in Chicago, IL. The award honors Levolor's cordless Designer Texture cellular shades. In all, 242 products were entered in 24 product and furnishings categories in the competition, which is sponsored by Facilities Design & Management magazine, Contract Design magazine, the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) and Merchandise Mart Properties. Sixty-three products were accorded Gold and Silver Awards. Levolor's Silver Award follows others already received for its cordless category of blinds and shades. Earlier this year the company received the Safety Innovation of the Year Award from the Window Covering Manufacturers Association (WCMA). (See D&WC, April 1999) The cordless blinds and shades eliminate lift cords providing safety, ease of use and enhanced aesthetics.

INSIGHT ADDED TO HUNTER DOUGLAS TRAINING PROGRAMS Hunter Douglas Window Fashions, Upper Saddle River, NJ, has bolstered its ongoing dealer training services with the introduction of its Insight program, now one of three educational programs for dealers. Insight: A Product and Design Fair is a one-day educational event that allows attendees to customize their programs to suit their schedules and information needs. The attendees visit the Hunter Douglas Show Place featuring the Show Place Theatre, product displays, interactive technology center and sample shop. Industry speakers cover topics from design and managing difficult clients to business building and marketing. The Premieres program showcases new products from the company's spring 1999 introduction. The program is supported by an interactive workbook, videotape materials, professional photography and a certification of completion. Premieres has trained more than 10,000 dealers during 260 sessions. The Discover program is a product training workshop that offers practical product information in small, hands-on environments. Enhanced by speaker presentations, attendees familiarize themselves with the company's products during interactive half-day sessions limited to 75 participants. (See D&WC, July 1998) DDI MARKS 30TH ANNIVERSARY Decorating Den Interiors (DDI), Montgomery Village, MD, celebrated its 30th Annual Market Conference in July at the Riviera Resort & Racquet Club in Palm Springs, CA. More than 550 franchise owners, decorators, approved suppliers and others participated in the event. The theme of the four-day event was "From Dreams to Reality," recognizing the company's 30th anniversary milestone. Announced at the sessions were two new turn-key target marketing programs geared toward customer care and new home owners, the unveiling of DDI's new broadcast and radio commercials, DDI's Design Center On Line that allows franchisees to communicate directly with suppliers, and the unveiling of a new print advertising campaign. A conference highlight was the premiere of Time/Life Books' "Smart & Simple Decorating," a hardcover book on interior design authored by Carol Donayre Bugg, ASID, DDI's vice president of design. ICG REINTRODUCES SHADE FABRIC LINE Industrial Coatings Group (ICG), Chicago, IL, announces the availability of four new products in its Decor ShadeLine family of roller shade material. Phoenix, Monticello and Versailles are natural and natural-blend fabrics that are offered in three stock colors with custom color matching on orders of 2,500 yards or more. The re-entry of shade fabric into the company's product mix comes in the wake of a successful manufacturing consolidation in Kingsport, TN. ICG began manufacturing roller shades in the 1890s. After producing coated substrates for book publishing, screen printing and industrial markets, the company has come full circle.