PHIFER HAS UNVEILED its 2015–16 stock-line swatch cards, which showcase a compilation of inspired designs and updated hues. The new selections offer a seamless transition between Phifertex®sling and GeoBella®indoor/outdoor performance-fabric collections. Phifer’s new designs display colors and trends for both Phifertex and GeoBella, encouraging effortless mixing and matching between the sling and cushion lines.

The 2015–16 stock-line cards are designed to accompany the current selection guide for fabrics, offering a bountiful selection in Phifer’s stock-line options. For design and application ideas using the new fabrics, see Designed Fabrics by Phifer on Pinterest and browse the style boards for Phifertex…

HOMECREST OUTDOOR LIVING named ABW Marketing its Sales Representative of the Year. ABW received the award at Homecrest’s national sales meeting, just prior to Casual Market Chicago. ABW has been with Homecrest for several years as a sales-representative organization, successfully covering California and Nevada with superior customer service and dedication. Marty Burley, owner and president of the agency, is assisted by Nick Thoele and Kevin Ryan.

AMID STIFF AND QUALIFIED COMPETITION, Piereth Sales Associates has been named by Ebel Inc. as its Sales Representative of the Year. Piereth Sales Associates received its award at Ebel’s national sales meeting, just prior to Casual Market Chicago. The award is given to the representative organization that attains superior sales results, combined with exemplary customer service and dedication to Ebel and its product lines.

Piereth Sales Associates has been with Ebel for more than five years as a sales-representative organization, successfully covering Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The Piereth Sales Associates…

PATRICIA (PATSY) PERKINS, who helped Walter Perkins Jr. start and grow Hatteras Hammocks (which later became The Hammock Source), died on November 4, after a courageous battle with cancer. She attended Meredith College and graduated from East Carolina University. After graduating, she began a teaching career, which she left to bring up her two sons.

In 1970, her husband, an ardent tinkerer and entrepreneur, began selling hammocks that he had developed, as a side business, to help provide for his family while he continued to work as a tobacco buyer. From the company’s inception, Patricia Perkins was essential to…

OW LEE presented Dave Digirolamo & Associates with the Sales Representative of the Year Award. This special presentation was made at Casual Market Chicago.

Digirolamo has been selling OW Lee products since 1994 and has successfully developed OW Lee’s markets in Northern California and Northern Nevada. Digirolamo started in business working for his father, Joe, who was also an esteemed sales representative working in the casual-furniture industry. Jeff Glarrow joined Dave Digirolamo & Associates in 2013.

Terri Lee Rogers, president, says, “Dave was the clear choice for the award this year. His professionalism and commitment to OW Lee…

OW LEE (Ontario, California), manufacturer of high-end outdoor furniture, firepits, and accessories, was honored with its fourth straight Manufacturer of the Year Award at the International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA) Apollo Awards at Casual Market Chicago. The event was full of excitement as manufacturers and specialty stores gathered to celebrate excellence in the casual-furniture industry.

The Manufacturer of the Year Award is one of ICFA’s top honors. ICFA, a sister organization of the American Home Furnishings Alliance, is a global leader in promoting business development and partnerships in the outdoor/casual-furnishings industry. ICFA retail members are invited to vote on…

ATTENDEES AT CASUAL MARKET CHICAGO were the first to hear Agio USA’s plans about its new domestic fulfillment program, intended to help cater to the needs of smaller retailers. According to Andy Sokol, Agio’s vice president for sales/retail stores, effective immediately, retailers are able to begin carrying select Agio collections with no container requirement or minimum order. Agio’s current sales representatives will also coordinate this program with retailers in their territories and will have all the details and terms.

Agio has partnered with Almo, a well-established distribution company. Sokol says, “Almo has served the appliance industry for years and,…

EUROKERA, A GLOBAL glass-ceramic manufacturer, is celebrating 25 years of providing innovative solutions for cooking surfaces, as well as hearth applications. From two sites in France to five worldwide locations, EuroKera has become the world’s reference supplier of advanced cooking surfaces. Formed through a merger of Saint-Gobain and Corning Inc., EuroKera has prospered due to the Corning discovery of glass-ceramic and its more than 150 years of experience with specialty glass and ceramics, as well as the glass-manufacturing expertise of Saint-Gobain (founded in 1665).

Two of the company’s most successful products are Pyroceram®III and Pyroceram Reflections™. Pyroceram III is…