Miles Industries, manufacturer of Valor fireplaces for North America, announced today that it has reached a preliminary settlement in a class action lawsuit. That agreement was filed today in United States District Court, Northern District of California.

Miles Industries specializes in the design and manufacture of energy efficient natural gas and propane burning units for fireplace retrofit and home renovations. Their Valor brand products are sold exclusively through North American specialty fireplace retailers.

The lawsuit claimed that Miles Industries failed to adequately warn that the sealed glass front of gas fireplaces can cause…

Although The Casual Market doesn’t convene until next month in Chicago, it seems that everyone is asking the same question: What’s the ‘hot’ outdoor category this year? Agio’s answer, as the recognized leader in the category, is that firepit chat group sales are sizzling. “Even this late into the season they’re on fire,” quipped Doug Peppler, Senior Vice President of Sales for Agio-USA.  “Consumers are really looking to extend their summers by buying this type of product.” 

Based on this annual phenomenon, at next month’s show, Peppler and other Agio reps will be advising their customers to plan ahead…

From traditional seating arrangements and creative sectional configurations to a generous curved sectional, Flair from Lloyd/Flanders offers limitless outdoor seating options. With flared arms and open air accent tables, the Flair Collection from Lloyd/Flanders provides unique styling with exceptional function. Stylish originality and comfort combine to make this a collection worthy of the most discerning homeowner.

Summer Classics, Inc., one of the leading manufacturers of high quality casual and outdoor furniture in the United States, conducted its annual Garden Party last week where dealers were flown in to preview the new product line, learn some best practices from rousing speakers, and be present for awards given to dealers, vendors and staff. Awards are as follows:

• Sales Representative of the Year: Steve Bennett (TX, OK, AZ)
• “Whatever It Takes” W.I.T. Award: Beth Goggins, Customer Service
• SHOPS Dealer of the Year: Victory Furniture, Los Angeles
• A new “Connie Kasper - Outstanding…

A truly unique outdoor fireplace with a linear, modern design is adding to the excitement of outdoor living.

“We’ve been asked by our dealers and customers to develop an outdoor linear gas fireplace,” said David Coulson, Napoleon’s Corporate Advertising Manager. “Having already designed a linear direct vent gas fireplace series, we gained the knowledge we needed to create a unique outdoor linear fireplace that can be installed as either a one-sided or two-sided (See Thru) unit. You asked, we listened,” said Coulson.

Napoleon’s Galaxy™ outdoor linear gas fireplace is constructed of weather resistant 304…

Soundcast Systems, developer and manufacturer of high-performance wireless music systems, has launched Melody, its newest, compact omnidirectional Bluetooth®wireless speaker system with a fresh, new modern look and styling. Melody’s high-quality speaker design produces exceptional sound in any environment.

At only 9 pounds, weighing far less than a Louis Vuitton handbag, Melody is designed to go places. Its water and UV resistant, all-weather–plastic enclosure; its high-capacity internal rechargeable battery; and its stylish, built-in, sturdy carrying handle let music lovers stream their playlists from any location—from the kitchen counter (while cooking) to the beach (for an afternoon in the sun) to…

Cal Spas has hired Ted Helgert as the organization’s new operations manager. Helgert will be responsible for optimizing the manufacturing operations and quality-assurance results of Cal Spas. With more than 20 years of spa-manufacturing experience from his tenure with Sundance Spas and L.A. Spas, Helgert joins Cal Spas with a background in senior- and executive level operations, manufacturing, and quality-assurance management.

Helgert has a proven business record in the spa industry and has been critical to the success of many key initiatives, including the launch of the ISO 9001 quality manufacturing process for Sundance Spas. His experience was successfully…

Construction is now complete on the 1,300–square foot test lab at the Selkirk Corp. headquarters in Grand Rapids, Michigan. For many decades, contractors, engineers, and architects have come to trust Selkirk to engineer and manufacture products to the highest standards. The new lab is one additional way that Selkirk continues to build on this trust. This new, three-story addition was designed to make testing possible on test chimneys, vents, ducts, and accessories (for compliance, design specifications, industry requirements, and standards).

Having the lab in-house allows timely, cost-effective testing to ensure that every product meets all quality requirements and has…