The Companion Group hired David Collins as a sales manager. Collins is managing key retail accounts, including department stores and housewares retailers such as Macy’s and Crate & Barrel.

Sarah Farrar, sales director, says, “David has experience as a manufacturer and a buyer, so he has the benefit of understanding both sides of the business. We are thrilled that he has joined us and see him as a huge asset to our team.”

In his free time, Collins operates a monthly underground private-dining pop-up that serves innovative California seasonal fusion food. “Prior to joining The Companion Group, I…

A new look and feel for the Sunbrella® brand that showcases the design appeal of the legendary performance fabric will launch globally, across all markets, this year. Hal Hunnicutt, vice president of marketing, says, “Textiles are an important ingredient in great product design. Sunbrella has evolved to combine our advanced performance features with globally inspired designs that are quite surprising, if you’re still thinking of us as strictly solid and striped canvas.”

Sunbrella began in 1961 as a trusted brand for the awning industry, with unmatched fading and mildew resistance and easy cleanability, and it quickly extended into the…

Village Green (Rockford, Illinois) received the Apollo Award in the singlestore category, while ABSCO Fireplace and Patio (Birmingham and Pelham, Alabama) received the prestigious award in the multistore category. The Apollo Awards recognize retail excellence in the sales and marketing of outdoor furnishings.

Finalists must demonstrate outstanding accomplishments and commitment to customer service.Finalists in the single store category were Kolo Collection (Atlanta, Georgia); Outdoor Elegance (LaVerne, California); Patios Plus (Rancho Mirage, California); and Sunnyland Furniture (Dallas, Texas). Finalists in the multistore category were Daylight Home, Lighting & Patio (San Luis Obispo, California); Elegant Outdoor Living (Bonita Springs, Naples, and…

At Casual Market Chicago, the Lillian B. Winchester Best of Show Award from the International Casual Furnishings Association went to Gloster’s Grand Weave seating. In addition, Gloster’s Grand Weave was selected for the Lilly Award in the outdoor-furniture category. TUUCI’s Equinox cabana received the Lilly Award for outdoor accents.

In 11 categories, Design Excellence Awards were given for these outstanding products:
• for dining bar tables, Gloster’s Split Raw dining table by Henrik Petersen;
• for outdoor lighting, Gloster’s Ambient Cocoon by Henrik Petersen;
• for lounge seating with cushions, Gloster’s Grand Weave by…

For the fifth year in a row, OW Lee received the Manufacturer of the Year Award from the International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA) at Casual Market Chicago. These manufacturers of outdoor furnishings were also named as 2016 finalists for the prestigious award: Brown Jordan, Castelle, Gloster, Jensen Leisure Furniture, Lloyd Flanders, Patio Renaissance, Telescope Casual Furniture, Treasure Garden, and Tropitone.

They were selected after online voting in August by ICFA’s retail, designer, and supplier members. The finalists were chosen based on the overall design and quality of their products, along with their merchandising, customer service, ethics, communications, and trade…

Outdoor-furniture manufacturer SunVilla Corp. has launched its new website, which is now mobile and tablet responsive to enrich the online experience for customers and consumers. The redesign includes the new 2017 collections, as well as the new domain www.sunvilla.com.

Matt Weiss, senior vice president of sales, says, “We are excited to launch our new website in conjunction with the introduction of our new product offerings for 2017. The updated layout and new features allow customers to navigate the site easily while experiencing our beautiful products. Our new Dealer Locator makes it easier for consumers to connect with our retailers.”…

The Outdoor GreatRoom Company (OGC) hosted its second annual Outdoor GreatRoom Conference in September at its new corporate headquarters in Burnsville, Minnesota. The two-day event included staff, sales representatives, and a number of customers. This educational event, themed Place Your Bets on OGC, featured showroom, factory, and engineering tours; hands-on product training; and round-table discussions, as well as evening festivities. Eric Cannon, territory representative for the Rocky Mountain States, comments, “It was a fun and informative team building experience.”

This event brought the company closer to its customers and provided a lot of feedback on how OGC can help…

The International Casual Furnishings Association named Bryan Echols (Charlotte, North Carolina) as the 2016 Sales Representative of the Year at Casual Market Chicago. The award recognizes an outstanding sales representative in the casual-furnishings industry.

Finalists were selected based on leadership, professionalism, exceptional service, communication skills, knowledge, and product-training expertise. After a short stint in the banking industry, Echols realized a cubicle was not where he wanted to spend his future. Through his father, Bill Echols, he learned of a sale-representative opportunity with Samsonite Furniture Company, and he soon realized that he had found his career path.

Echols now…