HIGH POINT, N.C. – The International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA) announced that Harold Hudson, president, Summer Classics Private Label, Pelham, Ala., will serve as chairman of the Board of Directors for 2021.

Steve Elton, chief brand curator of Brown Jordan in St. Augustine, Fla., will serve as vice chairman. Completing the Executive Committee are Karen Brams, president of Island Living & Patio, West Palm Beach, Fla.; Teresa Buelin, business development and marketing manager, Sattler Outdura, Hudson, N.C.; and Russell Sorenson, president of Hanamint Corp., Las Vegas.

ICFA’s 2021 officers were elected during a virtual membership meeting held October 1 and…

MINNEAPOLIS - The Outdoor GreatRoom CompanyTM has hired Gregg Achman as its new vice president of Engineering. His position will focus on overseeing the new product process including research, technical services, and quality control.

“As a leader, I hope to use my experiences to continue growing the business,” Achman said. “I look forward to getting back to my roots and being more involved in the day-to-day product development cycle.”

Achman brings 33 years of experience in the hearth industry to his new position. He is currently active in the ANSI/CSA test standards process and resides on multiple technical…

LITTLE ROCK, AR - Shayla Copas, national award-winning interior designer and author of Four Season of Entertaining announces the launch of an additional brand to her growing line up. The Hive Marketing and Public Relations is a boutique marketing and public relations firm specializing in the branding and promotion of companies and individuals in the creative industries and non-profit sectors.

Copas founded The Hive after years of searching to find the right representation. “I was looking for a boutique firm that understood the intricacies of marketing in creative industries. There are so many talented firms, but I knew there…

BALDWIN PARK CA –  Shademaker, a line of umbrellas for restaurants, resorts, country clubs and high end residential designers, has redesigned its website at www.shademakerusa.com, featuring a cleaner and more contemporary design. The website includes visual enhancements to deliver a more engaging user-friendly experience and allow visitors to easily find the information they need.

The recently launched website was designed to provide a platform for each of the brand’s six designer collections and include valuable information for existing and prospective customers. Not only does Shademaker focus on delivering the highest standards in quality product but also continuing to follow the…

Hart & Cooley LLC, a manufacturer of air distribution products, announced today its ownership has transferred from Johnson Controls International plc to an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital (“H.I.G.”), a Miami-based global private equity firm.

H.I.G. is investing in Hart & Cooley to make them an independent entity once again and secure their future as a leading provider of HVAC products. “We are excited that H.I.G. has committed to investing in our business. They have a successful track record of adding value to companies like ours,” stated Jim Kaboski, chief operating officer of Hart & Cooley LLC. “This partnership will…

—by Rachael Pritz, RB Retail & Service Solutions

Aside from outstanding customer service, hearth and home professionals agree that great deals help lure customers back into the retail store. Once someone owns a new wood stove, fireplace, BBQ or outdoor kitchen, it is important to stay top of mind with these potential repeat customers and it is critical to ensure they do not do take their business elsewhere.

Today’s software technology gives hearth and home businesses a guaranteed system for scheduling sales promotions. Superior business software allows you to create promotions with definitive start-and-stop dates that can be applied to…

MONROEVILLE, PA - New RB Smart Pay makes payments easy and more profitable by combining software and payment systems into a single solution. Software, payment and terminals are all in one place—no more guesswork on who to call or what to do next. No more mistakes caused by ‘double entry’ and payments can be taken anywhere with Wifi hardware. 

www.rbchimneyandhearth.com
http://www.rbretailandservicesolutions.com/rb-smart-pay/

HIGH POINT – The International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA) honored top retailers, manufacturers, sales representatives and designers yesterday at a virtual gala awards celebration.

More than 300 members and guests joined in the online presentation to recognize manufacturing and retailing excellence, spotlight top product designs, recognize the 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award honoree and announce the recipient of the inaugural Unsung Hero Award. Awards presented or recognized during the event included the following:

Apollo Awards
The Apollo Awards recognize retail excellence in the sales and marketing of outdoor furnishings. Finalists must demonstrate outstanding accomplishments and commitment to…