HIGH POINT, N.C. – Eric Parsons, President, Gloster Furniture, Inc. in South Boston, Virginia, has been named Chairman of the Board of Directors for the International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA).

Parsons, who resides in Raleigh, NC, will serve a one year term. ICFA is a trade Association comprised of manufacturers, importers, retailers, designers, sales representatives and suppliers in the outdoor furnishings industry. Its mission is to create the desire for quality outdoor furnishings through industry partnerships. The Association is the sponsor of the International Casual Furniture and Accessories Market, held each September at Chicago’s Merchandise Mart.

Thirty executives from leading…

Joe Brueggemann, industry veteran and Empire Comfort Systems’ sales vice president, marked a 20-year milestone with the company in January. Brueggemann began his career with Empire Comfort in 1985, as marketing manager. He later served as sales vice president before leaving in 2000 to pursue other interests in the hearth and barbecue industry. Brueggemann returned to the company in 2007, resuming his sales role just as the company embarked on an aggressive product-expansion campaign.

“In my 20 years at Empire, I have seen the consumers and our customers drive…

In a move that will offer builders, remodelers, and homeowners true single-stop shopping for their fireplace needs, Lennox Hearth Products (LHP) and European Copper by Jack Arnold have reached an agreement for distribution of European Copper by Jack Arnold brand chimney pots to the U.S. and Canadian hearth industry.

Pat Keegan, president of European Copper by Jack Arnold, says, “We are very pleased to enter this exclusive master-distributor partnership with LHP. We know LHP will do a great job of promoting and distributing the Jack Arnold line through its North…

The Quadra-Fire® Voyageur wood-burning fireplace insert was named a Top 100 best new home product for 2011 by This Old House magazine. The Top 100 is a comprehensive list of the industry’s best, most helpful, and unique home-improvement products introduced over the past year. The entire list is published in the November issue of This Old House and online (at www.ThisOldHouse.com/top100).

Evaluators deemed the cast-iron Voyageur an easy upgrade that bolsters a home’s traditional character—with 21st century technology. Installing a Voyageur in an existing masonrybuilt fireplace provides more than…

HIGH POINT, NC – For the first time, Agio International will exhibit a selection of outdoor furniture collections at the Spring 2012 High Point Furniture Market. Agio officials credit traditional furniture retailers who have recognized the benefit of adding outdoor collections to their product mix as the motivation behind the manufacturer’s entry into the High Point marketplace.

“We are coming to High Point for the first time because we know there are indoor retailers who are ready to go into the outdoor casual category,” said Bob Gaylord, President…

The Efel line of woodstoves, crafted in Belgium, is now available exclusively from Lehman’s in Kidron, OH

Lehman’s is pleased to announce the USA distribution of Efel wood burning stoves. Trusted by Europeans for efficiency and environmental friendliness, Efel stoves feature brand new woodbox technology.

“This technology gives you the most control you can get burning wood as fuel, period,” said Galen Lehman, President of Lehman’s, a general store in Kidron specializing in brand new, but non-electric products. “It is not available on any other wood stove line…

Great American Woodies, a division of Richey Industries, has added new traditional rockers to its extensive line of wood products for the 2012 season. The new rockers are available as part of the Southern Cypress collection (which offers long-lasting natural beauty) and the distinctive Cottage Classic collection (in attractive white and Charleston green stain). All Great American Woodies products are proudly made in the United States and carry a limited lifetime warranty.

Great American Woodies also recently appointed several new sales representatives. Clayton Brown will represent the company in the West region, while Jeff Hagedorn will cover the Mid-South…

Pelican Reef Inc., manufacturer and distributor of high-quality casual furnishings, has announced the appointment of Allen Calzadilla as president of the company and all of its subsidiary companies. Calzadilla grew up in the business (beginning in 1996) and received his bachelor’s degree in 2001. Over the past five years, he has successfully filled the position of executive vice president of Pelican Reef. Under his leadership, the company has experienced unprecedented growth and has introduced a significantly broader range of products.

“I am honored to have the support of the company and appreciate the confidence they have in my ability…