Outdoor GreatRoom Company™ founder and hearth-industry veteran Dan Shimek passed away on October 11, 2013, in his Apple Valley,Minnesota, home at the age of 65.His enthusiasm for life and dedication to friends and family will be missed by all. In 1975,Dan and Ron Shimek had an inspiration for indoor wood and gas fireplaces that changed an industry and became the foundation ofHeat&Glo® Fireplaces. Starting out small (in a garage) and building the company, from the ground up, into a $600 million business, Dan and Ron Shimek became successful entrepreneurs and visionaries in the hearth industry.

Brothers Steve andGerry Shimek…

As the exclusive North American distributor of the Fornetto™wood-fired dual-purpose oven and smoker, Alfresco Home is proud to introduce Fornetto premium hardwood lump charcoal and Fornetto European smoking chips. The company recently added high-quality tools, ceramic cookware, and melamine dinnerware to the Fornetto line as well.

The high-quality lump charcoal is made in Paraguay, from quebracho hardwood, using traditional methods certified as meeting international environmental standards. The charcoal (sold in 20-pound bags) is free of chemical additives and debris; it burns cleanly and at high temperatures, does not spark, and emits less smoke.

As Anthony Cilio, executive vice…

Brown Jordan has entered into a licensing agreement with Backyard America to develop and market a collection of high-quality, stylish shade structures. The Brown Jordan Structures collection will include a breadth of exclusive designs to meet the needs of today’s consumers, architects, designers, and builders who seek pergolas that fit the architectural style, decor, and owners’ personal taste of outdoor living environments.

Chris Carmicle, president of Brown Jordan Company, says, “Our partnership with Backyard America represents an ideal opportunity for Brown Jordan and our customers. Through the years, Brown Jordan has continued to explore new ways to create functional…

NorthCape International recently redesigned its corporate website, with a focus on improving the user experience and providing better resources for dealers. “We’ve invested in developing a corporate website that is not just pretty to look at, but is also easy to use, and that provides easy access to the resources that our dealers ask for most frequently,” TomMurray, president, explains.

The new website, found at www.northcapeoutdoors.com, includes these site enhancements: optimized layouts for desktop computers, tablets, and mobile devices; usability and organizational improvements; higher-quality imagery; easier site maintenance; and dealer-locator information. The site has been configured to allow users…

Outdoor-furniture and accessories manufacturer NorthCape International has relocated its corporate headquarters and warehouse from Bedford Park, Illinois, to a larger facility in Alsip, Illinois. TomMurray, president, says, “This move will increase efficiency for all aspects of the business and positionNorthCape well for continued growth and improved service.”

The new Alsip facility is approximately 50%larger than the previous headquarters location in Bedford Park. Office space has tripled, and manufacturing space has doubled.

A leader in the outdoor furniture industry,NorthCape is dedicated to providing customers with high-quality, stylish, comfortable furniture at an affordable price.NorthCape’s five distribution centers help to minimize…

William Bew White III, president and CEO of Summer Classics, recently received the Allan J.McDonald International Entrepreneur Award for 2013. The award was presented to White by the Society of International Business Fellows (SIBF) at a ceremony held onOctober 15 in Toronto, Ontario. Created by the SIBF class of 1987, this award serves to commemorate Allan J.McDonald, who both supported the organization and made major accomplishments in the field of international entrepreneurship.

An organization for global business leaders, SIBF both educates and connects those who are involved in the international business world. In addition, SIBF provides networking and mentoring…

For the second year in a row, Inc. magazine has recognized TUUCI (Miami, Florida) as one of the nation’s top job creators, ranking the maker of innovative shade structures among the leading manufacturing companies in the magazine’s Hire Power Awards. The competition was created to celebrate privately held companies in the fore front of U.S. job creation. From 2008 to 2013, TUUCI nearly doubled in size, creating 97 new jobs and growing from 102 total employees to 199 today.

Eric Schurenberg, Inc. editor-in-chief, says, “This achievement is an amazing feat, given that much of the job growth came during…

The Big Green Egg Company has announced several promotions and expanded staff positions as it looks ahead to 2014 and the continued growth of the BigGreen Egg brand. The sales department has been restructured, resulting in the creation of two new positions.

LouWest, formerly sales manager, will assume a new role as distributor services manager; Jerry Stone, formerly assistant sales manager, will assume a new role as business-development manager. Each will be responsible for key areas of the distribution network, in terms of growth and support. Jodi Burson, formerly marketing manager, has been promoted to director of brand enhancement,…