The Big Green Egg Company has announced that it has successfully tested a supercapacity unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), more commonly known as a commercial drone, with the ability to enable the company to offer same-day home delivery of the new MiniMax EGG by August 2014. The Green Egg rapid-delivery system (GERDS) has passed numerous safety tests and has successfully lifted the new MiniMax EGG and transported it safely to various delivery locations.

The GERDS uses a groundbreaking technology based on the same autorotational safety system used in commercial helicopters to prevent any possibility of the UAV’s reaching the ground…

Twin-Star International recently celebrated its fifth annual Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day. Employees showed the children how to color and build 3D miniature mantels.

Other activities included making birdhouses, holding mock job interviews, and learning teamwork by building real mantels. The day ended with

Twin-Star International, home-furnishings manufacturer of high-quality furniture, thermoelectric wine coolers, and electric heaters, has appointed Steve Ashman as vice president of operations. He will be responsible for the company’s global operations and will be based at Twin-Star’s global headquarters in Delray Beach, Florida.

He reports to Rob Cohen, president and CEO. Previously, he served as vice president, supply chain, with Masco Asia, Slam Brands, and W.E. Connor (Hong Kong). His experience includes manufacturing operations, product development, strategic sourcing, vendor-quality management, and product distribution in the United States and Asia.

Twin-Star International Home Furnishings of Delray Beach, Florida, presented a check for $1,500 to Habitat for Humanity of Palm Beach County in April 2014, during the company’s TEAM Build project. Robert Cohen, Twin- Star president, was joined by 18 energetic employees to frame, roof, paint, and landscape a Habitat for Humanity home in West Palm Beach. “We encourage all of our employees to give back to the community, and it is our pleasure to advance the wonderful work of Habitat for Humanity of Palm Beach County,” Cohen says.

Casual-furniture manufacturer Cabana Coast (Mississauga, Ontario) has increased its presence in the United States by hiring sales representatives who previously worked for Lane Venture. Newly assigned staff include Linda and Dana Fitts (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Kansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska); Dennis Dobbratz and Brian Bywaters (Florida); Lori and Jim Cooke (Illinois and Missouri); John O’Hare (New England states); Jim Hamlin (Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi); and Rick Dale (Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Alaska). Other representatives assigned include Tim Crowley (New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and New York); Jon Scheaf (Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia); and…

Poly-Wood Inc. has announced the launch of its new outdoor-accessories brand, Ateeva™, and its website (focused on a direct-to-consumer marketing platform). The Ateeva brand from Poly-Wood, manufacturer of outdoor performance furnishings, will initially include replacement cushions for outdoor furniture—as well as pillows in multiple styles, sizes, and fabric selections— and will be available through a newly launched online-commerce site: www.ateevaoutdoor.com. Expansion plans for the brand include building on options in the replacement-cushion category, in addition to introducing additional outdoor accessories and performance products.

Joel Wolfgang, digital marketing manager for Poly-Wood, says, “Initially, the Ateeva brand will include two tiers…

Tropitone® Furniture Company Inc. recently introduced its Spasso outdoor upholstered group (with linking system) for the Tropitone Moda™brand. Tanya Stevens, vice president of marketing and service operations, says, “We are excited about the addition of the Spasso outdoor upholstered group with linking system to the Tropitone Moda brand. Tropitone Moda offers distinctive fashion solutions for extraordinary spaces. All products have refined designs and meticulous workmanship. The brand personality is elegant, gracious, and sophisticated.”

Stevens adds, “Although the brand is targeted primarily at the commercial market segment, we believe many products will cross over and appeal to certain residential customers.…

From a humble beginning, crafting wood stoves in the back of a small retail store in Barrie, Ontario, in the mid- 1970s, Napoleon has grown into one of Canada’s most innovative and strongest companies. Now employing close to 1,000 employees and occupying more than 1.4 million square feet of manufacturing and warehouse space in Canada, the United States, China, Europe, and the United Kingdom, the family-owned Napoleon has been recognized as one of Canada’s Top 50 Best Managed Companies, an annual distinction sponsored by CIBC World Markets, Deloitte, National Post, Queen’s School of Business, and CEO Forum.

Stephen Schroeter,…