ARLINGTON, VA - The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA) announced today that it has made the difficult decision to postpone HPBExpo 2021 due to the ongoing uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally scheduled for early March in Nashville, Tennessee, HPBExpo 2021 will now be held June 23-26 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville.

“The health and safety of our attendees, exhibitors and staff have always been our number one priority,” stated Kelly VanDermark, HPBA’s vice president of Expositions and Events. “Based on the current situation, the leadership of HPBA and the Expo Committee have decided it is in…

MIAMI - Argenexport, the exclusive US importer of Ñuke artisan-crafted Argentinian gaucho grills and wood-fired outdoor ovens, announced the availability of the Ñuke Pizzero, its new outdoor pizza oven.

As the popularity of outdoor cooking continues to grow with Americans spending more leisure time at home, the Ñuke Pizzero stands out as a centerpiece for the outdoor cooking space of any fire-worshiping foodie. Like all Ñuke products, the Pizzero is hand-made by South American artisans and puts real fire cooking at center stage.

The Pizzero ships with all the necessary fire-managing accessories and an easy-to-assemble steel rolling cart.…

WEST LEBANON, N.H. - Progressive Manufacturing Inc. has bolstered its engineering department with the addition of a new project engineer, Andrew Metz. In his role, Metz will bring a fresh perspective to product development for Progressive Manufacturing’s fireplace brand, SÓLAS.

As part of the SÓLAS team, Metz will work to further accelerate the development of SOLAS’ innovative fireplace products. Additionally, Metz will help support Progressive Manufacturing’s contract manufacturing customer base within the New England market.

Prior to joining Progressive Manufacturing, Metz graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Roger Williams University in…

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…