EMPIRE COMFORT SYSTEMS HAS acquired the manufacturing rights to the Signature series of grills currently produced by Vermont Castings. Nick Bauer, Empire president, says that the acquisition will help his company in several ways. “These are high-end, U.S.–made stainless-steel grills with a great reputation for quality and durability,” Bauer says. “They will give our sales force new inroads into markets where luxury stainless-steel grills dominate.”

Empire already builds Broilmaster premium grills, and Bauer is especially excited about adding these grills. “Empire is family owned, with a passion for U.S. manufacturing, and the Signature series grills represent more products we can sell to the family-owned businesses that make up the bulk of our customers,” Bauer says. “These grills are not new and will not be sold to the big boxes—ever.” Empire plans to roll out these rebranded grills in late 2016 for the 2017 grill season—just in time for the company’s 85th anniversary.