ATLANTA - Masterbuilt, creator of the first digitally controlled charcoal grill + smoker, has announced the expansion of the Gravity Series in the charcoal grilling category. The series takes the guesswork out of backyard cooking with charcoal, offering dynamic charcoal flavor with the convenience and control of gas or pellets.

“Masterbuilt has been empowering outdoor cooks for decades by offering hassle-free solutions to deliver maximum flavor with minimal effort,” said Cara Finger, chief marketing officer of Masterbuilt. “Seven months ago, we introduced the Gravity Series 560. We have been overwhelmed by the response to this grill and…

The first mass-produced pellet stove (aka biomass stove) was introduced to North America in 1983.  Since then, their popularity has ebbed and flowed along with energy prices and the severity of winters. At the same time, the surplus or scarcity of various types of pellets has often dictated what some homeowners toss into the hopper.

Shortage in wood pellets? What about corn fuel, walnut husks, or cherry pits? As a result, stove manufacturers have faced challenges designing equipment and developing venting specifications to keep pace with variances in consumer fuel options.

Consequently, vent selection has never been more…

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – Agio, USA recently tapped executive vice president Doug Peppler (pictured right) to become Agio’s new president as part of a long-planned management succession arrangement.  He succeeds Bob Gaylord, Agio’s co-founder, who will move into a newly created position, executive committee chairman. 

In his new role, Gaylord will step aside from daily operations into a strategic advisory position. Peppler is a company partner and has been with Agio for nearly 20 years, rising through Agio’s senior management positions from vice president, senior vice president and executive vice president.

In his latest position, Peppler managed and…

HIGH POINT, N.C. – The International Casual Furnishings Association is adding a new award recognizing outstanding customer service to its roster of honors at the annual Awards Gala. The Unsung Hero Award pays tribute to the manufacturers’ employees who serve as company liaisons with dealers and sales representatives.

“The ICFA has long recognized that there is a group of ‘unsung heroes’ in our business that the industry would be hard-pressed to do without and that is our brave, hardworking customer service representatives,” said Candy Chase, national sales manager of Treasure Garden and chair of ICFA’s Awards Committee. “These unsung heroes…

Hospitality Design (HD) magazine has selected Dometic MoBar, a premium mobile beverage center for outdoor living space, as a finalist for this year’s Hospitality Design Award.

The HD Awards from Hospitality Design (HD) magazine honor the best and most innovative in project and product design. Finalists are selected by an accomplished panel of industry professionals. The Dometic MoBar™ was named a finalist in the Special Judges’ Award: F&B (Food & Beverage) category for 16th annual Hospitality Design Awards.

Professionally graded with a timeless patented design, the MoBar doesn’t compromise style for functionality or convenience, allowing hosts and their guests to…

The Hammock Source hired Todd H. Nifong to serve as vice president of sales and marketing. Nifong is an innovative and dynamic executive bringing 18 years of experience in the home furnishings and textile industry. He is a strong leader with a progressive career encompassing operations, sales, design, merchandising, marketing, business management, and distribution in both domestic and international markets.

Prior to joining the Hammock Source, Nifong held executive positions with Swavelle Performance Fabrics LLC, New York, New York; and Al Fresco Functional Fabrics, High Point, North Carolina. He is an industry award winner and has been chairman of…

Dan Binzer, founder of Montigo/ Canadian Heating Products, died on March 11. Binzer began building the company we now know as Montigo in the early 1970s. Ever the creative inventor, Binzer’s innovations changed the landscape of the hearth industry. An intensely private man, he never wanted to be the face of the company he built, but he touched many lives throughout the years and was widely respected throughout the hearth industry.

Although Binzer sold the company in June 2016, he remained involved in product design until he officially retired in late 2019. Product development was the part of the…

Bernhardt Furniture has tapped Erin Sullivan, former vice president and general merchandise manager of luxury home furnishings brand Frontgate, to lead its Bernhardt Exteriors outdoor furniture line.

Launched in October 2019, the Bernhardt Exteriors brand offers a range of approximately 70 pieces, including sofas, sectionals, accent and swivel chairs, dining tables, dining chairs, and occasional tables in custom materials and finishes and luxury performance fabrics.

Sullivan, who will serve as director of Bernhardt Exteriors, held various senior merchandising positions at Frontgate for 19 years and most recently was vice president of product development and merchandising at Fine Furniture…