Woodard, a leader in the outdoorfurniture industry, is being featured in a major exhibition sponsored by the Shiawassee Art Center in Owosso, Michigan. As a U.S.-based, pioneering manufacturer of wrought-iron, aluminum, and all-seasons–wicker outdoor furniture, Woodard is being honored and recognized for its important and historic contributions to the U.S. furniture industry (made over the past 146 years).

Focusing on Woodard’s time-honored traditions of quality and innovation, the exhibit runs for two months, from June 1 through July 29, on the main floor of the Shiawassee Art Center. It displays designs from three centuries, from the original wooden chairs…

John Edward Davis, former vice president of sales and marketing at Simpson DuraVent, passed away on May 8, 2012, at the age of 67, after a long battle with liver cancer. He is survived by Helen, his wife of 45 years; their daughter, Daphne Moore; their son-in-law, Ben Moore; and two grandsons, John David Moore and Ben Davis Moore.

Davis earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Ouachita Baptist University. He was a Vietnam veteran who served as a U.S. Army captain in the early 1970s. He had…

The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA) turns its focus to the next generation of industry leaders: The new group, called HPBA Young Guns, represents professionals who are under the age of 40 or who have been in the industry for fewer than five years.

The mission of Young Guns is to provide educational, networking, social, and training opportunities at both the national and affiliate levels of HPBA, as well as to foster leadership and collegial relationships. Young Guns also hopes to help recruit new people into the industry.

The committee, which is cochaired by Nick Bauer (of…

With furniture manufacturers from around the world seeking cutting-edge innovation from big-name designers, it could have been easy to overlook a relatively small U.S. manufacturer whose chief designer began his career as a day laborer in a Miami, Florida, boatyard. As the chief shade architect for TUUCI (The Ultimate Umbrella Company, Inc.), Dougan Clarke is leading a transformation of outdoor furnishings through inspired designs that seamlessly combine world-class aesthetics with marine-worthy performance.

Leading resorts and hospitality venues are increasingly selecting TUUCI parasols for the unique experience that the shade…

Glen Raven launched its new Concept Gallery recently with a twoday special event that focused on the latest thinking concerning global innovation. More than 40 Glen Raven customers and trade partners took part in the event at Glen Raven’s corporate headquarters, attending keynote addresses and workshops, as well as sharing perspectives on future innovations.

Charles Munroe, COO of TUUCI, an innovative shade-products company, says, “Glen Raven is a great collaboration partner as we develop innovative new products. This event was an ideal opportunity to bring people together for the sharing of new ideas and the latest trends.”

The Concept…

Z-Line Designs is launching itself into the casual market with an expanded casual-furniture line designed to fill the need for high-quality styling targeting midrange pricing. The company presented its complete line at the High Point Market and will also exhibit at the ICFA Preview Show™in July and the Chicago International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market™in September.

Mark Gorr, senior vice president of the company’s casual-furniture division, says, “Full-line furniture and specialty retailers have responded very well to the quality, styling, and price points of our new casual furniture. That response translated to sales that were nearly triple our expectations…

RH Peterson Company, a leading manufacturer of premium gas grills and gas logs, has announced that industry veteran Robert J. Dischner has joined the company as vice president of marketing. In this role, Dischner will develop and lead marketing strategies that will drive the company’s continued growth in the years ahead.

“We’re thrilled to announce that Robert Dischner has joined RH Peterson,” Leslie S. Bortz, president, states. “Bob is a terrific addition to our management team. With more than 30 years of fireplace experience, Dischner brings seasoned marketing skills and unique talent in new-product development. His intelligence, reasoning capacity,…

The Comvest Group, through its Comvest Investment Partners IV fund, has acquired Lennox Hearth Products (LHP) from Lennox International, Inc. LHP is a manufacturer of fireplaces, fireplace inserts, freestanding stoves, gas log sets, accessories, and venting products.

John Caple, a managing director with Comvest, says, “We are excited about the opportunities for LHP to be a leader in the hearth industry. LHP has invested significantly, in the past few years, in innovation and new products, and we are looking forward to the company’s continued growth. We believe that LHP President and CEO Wendy Howells and her team are well positioned…