Industry veteran Matt Wiese has joined Empire Comfort Systems as national service trainer, working with the company’s dealers and distributors. Wiese brings Empire Comfort Systems 18 years of experience in heating, air conditioning, and fireplace products, and he is a master certified trainer through the National Fireplace Institute.

HPBA is sad to announce that Tom Pugh passed away over the weekend. Tom ran Lloyd F. Pugh & Associates as a manufacturers’ rep, carrying on the business started by his father. He will be missed by many in the industry for his many contributions and his many hours of service to HPBA.

Tom chaired HPBA’s Government Affairs Committee twice, starting in the late 1990s. He brought HPBA’s government affairs efforts into the mainstream – something needed with the increased attention by federal, state, and local governments in the last ten years. Tom was adept at identifying new issues on…

A recent article predicts that housing prices for 2013 will see an increase. For more, click here.

Couristan, Inc., a leading manufacturer of fine, quality area rugs, residential broadloom and custom contract carpeting has signed a licensing agreement with emma gardner design, llc. Under this agreement, Couristan will be given the license to manufacture, promote, market and distribute a series of hand-tufted, power-loomed and outdoor/indoor performance area rugs as well as wall-to-wall carpeting for both residential and hospitality markets under the color and design guidance of Emma Gardner, Principal and Chief Creative Officer for her eponymous emma gardner design and emma at home brands. The series is expected to debut in department and specialty stores in the…

Pantone announced today that the color of the year for 2013 is Emerald (green). If this year’s color is anything like last year’s color of the year (tangerine), we’re likely to see emerald-colored fabrics incorporated into outdoor furniture designs.  For more, click here.

Graz, Austria- Global performance fabric manufacturer Sattler AG takes another step toward the future. After recently announcing the restructuring of its two US based subsidiaries, Sattler North America Corp and Outdura Corp into Sattler Corp, Sattler AG will formally unveil a new logo for the Outdura® brand.

In line with the company’s vision to further grow the brand, the Outdura logo has been refined and updated to reflect a modernized version of the previous logo and ascetically brings the two together. “We value and appreciate the virtues the Outdura logo represents – durability, longevity and high quality – and wanted…

The HammockSource, the world’s largest manufacturer and seller of hammocks, has just released the 2013 catalogs for its two largest brands as individual interactive iPad apps.

Hatteras Hammocks® and The Original Pawleys Island® Rope Hammock dealers can download these free apps through iTunes to flip through both popular brands with just the brush of a finger – and absolutely no risk of paper-cuts!

“These catalog apps make it so simple to browse up-to-the minute information, including pricing, on whole lines of Hatteras and Pawleys products,” said Reid Roney, HammockSource vice president of sales.

Both interactive catalogs are not only visually…

Tropitone Furniture Company, Inc. opened Boutique Design New York (bdny) by announcing the introduction of five new groups to its new Tropitone® MODA™ brand. Toulon, the first group of the new brand, was introduced in May and has created tremendous interest among designers. Trellis, Vue, Seven, Cruz and Tolo complete the initial introductions and build on that interest.

“Since our beginning in 1954, the core Tropitone® brand has been synonymous with high performance in the commercial marketplace,” stated Tanya Stevens, Vice President of Marketing and Service Operations. “ We wanted to create a new brand and products that communicates high…