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Industry News
VINYLBILT SIGNS ABBEY
TO FABRICATION AGREEMENT
Vinylbilt Shutter Systems, Inc., St. Augustine, FL, has signed an
agreement for the fabrication of the company’s patented vinyl
shutter systems with Abbey Window Coverings, Inc., Vancouver, British
Columbia, Canada. Vinylbilit now has a global network of 25 active
fabricators supplying dealers worldwide.
Abbey Window Coverings is one of Canada’s largest manufacturers
and distributors of custom window coverings, selling through more
than 700 independent dealers, retailers and outlets.
Besides adding a new sales channel to Vinylbilt’s growing worldwide
network, the fabrication agreement signals further geographic expansion
of the shutter market in mid- and upper-North America. “We attribute
this expansion to the increasing recognition of vinyl shutters as
a durable, functionally versatile yet high-end window fashion,”
said Dennis Walker, director of sales.
HUNTER DOUGLAS PUBLICATIONS HONORED WITH GALAXY AWARDS
Two new custom publications from Hunter Douglas Window Fashions, Upper
Saddle River, NJ, have garnered awards in the 13th Annual Galaxy 2002
Awards Competition, which honors excellence in product and service
marketing.
Solutions, a 24-page custom magazine produced by Hunter Douglas and
Meredith Integrated Marketing, received an honorable mention for Brand
Positioning. Child Safety for Your Home received a bronze award for
Consumer Education.
The Annual Galaxy Awards Competition is sponsored by MerComm, an independent
organization dedicated to defining standards in the marketing communications
field. This year there were more than 450 entries from 12 countries.
ELMAR LAUNCHES LEADINGEDGE TRAINING SERIES
Elmar Window Fashions™, Willow Grove, PA, is launching its new,
exclusive LeadingEdge Training Series 2003™. A slate of seminars
is scheduled to be held over two days in nine cities throughout the
United States. Those who attend can learn about all Hunter Douglas
products, installation skills and marketing insights, the company
says.
The curriculum includes ProfitPower, which focuses on understanding
and selling the higher-end “ette” products; ShutterSolutions,
which spotlights the essentials of selling custom shutters; TechSummit,
which will advance Internet computer technology skills; InstallerEssentials,
which targets the fundamentals of installation; and BusinessSolutions,
which motivates retail owners to achieve greater success.
This unique training series will help businesses become more profitable
by offering real value and real quality. Elmar Window Fashions is
a full-line independent Hunter Douglas Fabricator. For information,
contact the Elmar Customer Education Department at (800) 356-2710,
or visit www.elmarinc.com.
HUNTER DOUGLAS NAMED CORPORATE CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
Hunter Douglas Window Fashions Division, Broomfield, CO, was named
Corporate Citizen of the Year by The Denver [CO] Business Journal
for shining brighter than any others in charitable outreach.
Giving back to the community is something every company claims to
do, the Journal notes, “but only a few exhibit efforts that go
beyond the norm and are justifiably lauded for their endeavors.”
The publication went on to state that the Division does not just support
one or two charities, but a diverse group chosen by a Contributions
Committee consisting of a volunteer group representing all departments
of the company. The company supports these organizations through the
contribution of funds, product donations and employee time.
Some of the charities the Division supports include Bal Swan Children’s
Center, Humane Society of Boulder, Broomfield Senior Center, Boulder
County AIDS Project, Mamie Doud Eisenhower Summer Reading Program
and Ronald McDonald House in Denver.
CREATIVE CORNICES ADDS REAL WOOD LINE
Creative Cornices, Deer Park, NY, is introducing a new line of real
wood cornices offered in mahogany, cherry, oak, maple, poplar and
pine.
The new line will feature unique fiber cording incorporated into each
wood-grained cornice as a way to add a splash of color into each cornice
and give the designer an opportunity to coordinate wood floors and
furniture at the same time, says Ruth Barron, vice president.
“Each cornice is hand crafted by our team of trained artisans.
We will continue to add new designs to the line as time goes on to
keep up with and set design trends,” Barron adds.
The new line, which will be debuted in April at the International
Window Coverings Expo in Baltimore, MD, will be added to the company’s
Web site as well (www.creativecornices.com).
RAK ADDS PEWTER FINISH TO LINE
RAK Ltd., Chicago, IL, has added a pewter finish to its X-10-Dor.
The X-10-Dor is an extension for door handles that allows room between
the door and handle hardware to accommodate plantation shutters and
wide blinds. The X-10-Dor also comes in polished brass, polished chrome,
brushed (nickel) aluminum and antique brass.
Founded in 1999, RAK Ltd. is an innovator in the window treatments
and door hardware market. It has a manufacturing and distribution
facility in Girton, OH.
FSC ROLLS OUT SUPPORT FOR PROFESSIONAL PAPERHANGERS
FSC Wallcoverings, New York, NY, has launched a No-Problem Help Line
and a No-Problem Guarantee for members of the National Guild of Professional
Paperhangers (NGPP).
The toll-free help line is staffed Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.
to 7 p.m. EST to immediately answer paperhangers’ questions.
The No-Problem Guarantee compensates NGPP members for lost time (up
to $100) due to product quality or technical issues.
Marcy Graham, vice president of marketing for FSC, says the company
also is sponsoring a 10-minute television segment stressing the benefits
to home decorators of using professional paperhangers. The “For
Your Home” segment will air on PBS this month.
NGPP has headquarters in Dayton, OH, and 800 members nationwide.
CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS
The product depicted in a photograph that ran in November’s “Design
Perspective” article (D&WC, November 2002, page 33)
was incorrectly identified as Country Woods® Select™ blinds
from Hunter Douglas. In fact, the photograph shows the company’s
Silhouette® window shadings. We regret the error. |
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