Pride Family Brands has hired Marcia Blake as an independent design consultant for the award-winning manufacturer of luxury cast-aluminum outdoor furnishings and accessories. Blake currently is the president and creative director of a full-service design company specializing in outdoor environments.

Steve Lowsky, president of Pride Family Brands, says, “Marcia’s work within the casual industry is well recognized. We are looking forward to applying her design talents and expertise in the outdoor segment to define further the luxury message of Pride Family Brands within our catalogs and showrooms.” Blake’s responsibilities…

Over 100 people attended the third annual Associated Energy Systems Spring Break on April 26, 2012, in Denver, Colorado. Attendees were treated to a full day of technical and businessbuilding classes. Class topics ranged from gas-valve troubleshooting for intermittent- pilot ignition to how to design and sell outdoor kitchens.

When attendees weren’t busy learning, they were able to visit all the vendors at the on-site trade show. It was an excellent opportunity to see many items that had debuted at HPBExpo in March. Added attractions were the multitude of…

Twin-Star International, manufacturer of electric fireplaces, bathroom furniture, media consoles, wine cabinets, heaters, infrared heaters and stoves within the brands of ClassicFlame, Chimney Free, Tresanti, Black & Decker, Duraflame and Luxe Bath Works has named Robert Cohen as their Chief Executive Officer.

Cohen spent 11 years with Armstrong World Industries, culminating in his role as President and CEO of Armstrong Cabinet Products. Under his leadership the company posted record revenues and collected three JD Power Awards for the industry’s highest customer satisfaction. Previous experience also includes positions at Procter & Gamble, American Airlines, and Sunbeam Corporation.

“It’s a great honor…

Tropitone Furniture Company, Inc., has announced the endorsement of its innovative URComfort™ self-adjusting seating by the American Chiropractic Association (ACA). This endorsement is a first for outdoor casual seating and one of very few for seating in general. Frank Verna, director of consumer sales and business development, says, “We are extremely pleased that the ACA has endorsed Tropitone URComfort seating. The ACA endorsement process is very rigorous. They want to ensure that any product that carries their endorsement label satisfies the high expectations of the buying public. Their reputation is…

Heatilator® introduces the next generation of Direct Vent gas fireplaces with the Heirloom. This clean face fireplace delivers authentic masonry looks without the cost of a site-built masonry fireplace, and is now available.

Superior Style, Exceptional Value
The Heirloom is available in 36, 42 and 50-inch sizes. Its tall opening, flush hearth and clean face design appeals to a wide range of homebuyers. Multiple fronts and interiors offer personalization for homebuyers and do not affect building plans. Each unit ships with its refractory in place and all three sizes have standard 24-inch framing dimensions. This saves time and money…

After a 3-year hiatus, Sunset West Fine Outdoor Furnishings is proud to announce that they will be returning to the Las Vegas World Market Center.

Sunset West will be showing the successful Coronado Collection for the first time in Las Vegas. Sunset West has taken space on the temporary 2nd floor of Building B, Space 0200-11.

“We are excited about the prospects of showing once again at the World Market Center. In the past Sunset West has attended Vegas to support our San Diego warehouse; but with the addition of our Dallas distribution facility, we feel that we have a…

Galaxy Outdoor, the largest manufacturer of custom-built outdoor kitchens and seating bars in the United States and Canada, continues to gain strength in the marketplace. All of the material used in the construction of its islands is made in the United States, and 100% of the products are built in Las Vegas, Nevada. All of its cabinets, bars, and firepits are constructed of 12-gauge, #120 galvanized tubing and welded together. No screws are used in the assembly of the frames. All sections are designed to be bolted together and self-aligned…

Longtime Empire Comfort Systems sales representative Al Bradtke passed away on April 25, 2012, at the age of 98. Bradtke served as a Navy Seabee during World War II. He worked for Whirlpool for more than 18 years before striking out on his own, as an independent sales representative, in 1983.

The Bradtke Sales Agency represented Empire for more than 15 years and was instrumental in carving out a market for Empire’s vent-free heaters in the Southeast. Empire initially imported ventfree heaters from Spain, under the brand name Corcho.…