The International Casual Furnishings Association has announced that Eli Hymer of Gasper Home & Garden Showplace in Richboro, Pennsylvania, is the 2022 Chair of ICFA’s Retail Council. He is joined on the executive committee by First Vice Chair Melissa Glikes of Sisset’s in Gainesville, Florida.

Hymer is a department manager, buyer, and designer at Gasper’s, which won ICFA’s prestigious Apollo Award for retail excellence in 2020. In addition to leading the Retail Council, Hymer serves on ICFA’s board of directors.

The ICFA Retail Council represents approximately 120 outdoor specialty store members nationwide and provides a strong voice in…

Outdoor furniture manufacturer Windward has begun a substantial initiative to elevate its MRP/ERP business software platform for 2022. This major investment is designed to elevate Windward’s level of communication and tracking across all areas of sales and manufacturing processes as well as enhance collaborative information sharing.

“Our goal is to have all areas of our business including accounting, operations, purchasing, inventory, customer service, sales and marketing on one software platform,” says Charles Emmons, executive vice president of sales and marketing. “Once totally implemented, Windward will have the capability for full, real-time visibility extending into every aspect of our business.”…

Hooker Furnishings has completed the acquisition of Sunset West, a leading West Coast-based manufacturer of outdoor furniture. The deal enables Hooker Furnishings to immediately gain market share in the growing outdoor furniture segment of the industry with one of the most respected brands in the category.

Under terms of the deal, Sunset West’s management team and all the company’s employees will continue to serve its customers from its headquarters in Vista, California.

For more than 15 years, Sunset West has designed and manufactured comfortable, stylish, and high-quality outdoor furniture. With its distinctive collections, Sunset West designs…

Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet has debuted its most expanded and advanced product launch in the company’s history. The next-generation cooking collection sets new industry standards and introduces a new gas grill as the company’s first drop-in style grill head. Kalamazoo’s first-ever global product lineup is driven by industry-leading safety features, increased performance, and an updated aesthetic.

The company’s announcement came as the National Kitchen & Bath Association reported that 60% of homeowners desire an outdoor kitchen as a primary need for their exterior living space. “At Kalamazoo, we’re driven by a century-long legacy of innovation. Our new lineup builds upon…

R.H. Peterson Co. (RHP), a leading manufacturer of premium gas fire products, grills, and outdoor fire features, reports several significant promotions of staff members.

Dominque Seim was promoted to senior vice president. Seim spearheads operations, including overseeing all aspects of the factory, inventory, production, maintenance, and shipping. He has been instrumental in developing processes and plans that have maximized the company’s operational efficiencies, resulting in increased production and shipping capabilities. Seim has worked for RHP since 2004.

Also promoted to vice president is Samir Barudi, who is responsible for overseeing the Technical Services department, managing product support for…

The International Casual Furnishings Association and theMART will consolidate their two currently scheduled trade shows this year. The original events included a preview event in midsummer and a market in mid-September. These will be combined into a larger Casual Market Chicago slated for July 19-22. The move comes as the result of concerns to address industry-wide supply chain issues and the desire of both manufacturers and retailers to place orders early.

“I’m glad that theMART was willing to work with the ICFA to develop the best solution for the industry,” says Steve Elton, chief brand curator at Brown Jordan…

FOLSOM, CA – HPBA Pacific hosts its in-person Pacific Dealer Round Up 2022 on May 22-24 at Lake Natoma Inn in Folsom, CA. Attendees will be able to get ideas, get solutions, and get social.  There will be indoor and outdoor product exhibits.

The Pacific Dealer Round Up is an opportunity to get technical training, learn about government updates that impact the industry, and earn CEUs at business, health, or tech seminars. There will be indoor and outdoor displays of new products. And the Beer Bash at The Powerhouse Pub on Monday May 23 at 6 p.m. will bring everyone…

ELMIRA, ON – Elmira Stove Works maker of premium vintage-inspired appliances, has announced its newest curated color offering, now available as a custom option for both its Northstar and Elmira Stove Works lines. The Gemology Collection features four bold jewel tones based on the colors found in some of the world’s most admired gemstones.

Precious gems have long been coveted for their vibrant colors and rich history. Today, jewel tones are used to add intense pops of color that accentuate both shape and form. Also referred to as the cardinal gemstones, the jewels that inspired Elmira’s newest…