As reported in Immortal News and elsewhere, housing starts rose last month—a 26.6% jump over the same period last year. Permits rose by 30%.

According to reporter Victor Johnson (Immortal), both metrics amounted to eight-year highs, The NY Daily News placed apartment construction at its highest rate since November of 2007.

“New construction in May, which was previously reported at 1.04 million, saw an upward revision to a rate of 1.07 million-units and housing starts, which rose nearly 10%, reached an adjusted annual rate of 1.17 million units,” wrote Johnson. “Forbes noted in a report that Friday’s groundbreaking…

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA - Gensun Casual Living introduced one of their largest new product offerings ever at the recent Premarket in Chicago. Retailers were shown two new collections, many new tables and accessories, new fabrics, a new finish and a new woven color.

Another new introduction from the Calif-based Gensun Casual was RAIN Padded sling. This patent-pending design from features enhanced cushioning, rain fabrics from Sunbrella, and a unique construction. The item was a huge hit with retailers. The RAIN Padded Sling is available in seven collections and 14 product finish colors.

www.gensuncasual.com

LAS VEGAS - International Market Centers today announced the retirement of Craig Staack, vice president of Home Furnishings leasing for International Market Centers (IMC) – Las Vegas.

A furniture industry veteran, Staack has spent much of his career in executive management with top companies Lane Home Furnishings, Sealy and Montgomery Ward. He began working with Las Vegas Market in the summer of 2009, and when IMC was created through a series of acquisitions in High Point and Las Vegas in 2011, Staack took on the role of vice president of home furnishings for Las Vegas. Effective August 6, his…

TUSTIN, CA - California Outdoor Concepts tapped Clinton W. Blevins as its new Vice President of Business Development. A graduate of Chapman University, Blevins spent the past 7 years as a senior sales executive with the Los Angeles Angels Baseball team, after spending the previous three years with the Anaheim Ducks Hockey Club. 

Blevins’ primary focus will be to direct the company’s strategies for accelerated growth into related products and new market segments. The skill set Blevins developed over the last 10 years will aid him in this effort, and his tenure in the sales arena allowed him to…

GREENVILLE, NC - July 4th has come and gone, but there is another Independence Day coming. July 22nd is National Hammock Day – yes, it’s a real holiday. It’s the perfect observance to declare your independence from s-t-r-e-s-s.

“Simply march out into your backyard, settle into your hammock and relax. Participation is that easy,” said John Powell, marketing manager for The Hammock Source, the world’s largest producer and seller of hammocks. “But why celebrate a hammock? If you’re asking, then you’re exactly why this holiday exists. A hammock is a net for your body with holes just wide enough for…

ONTARIO, CA - OW Lee, an Ontario, Calif-based manufacturer of high-end outdoor furniture, fire pits, and accessories, has introduced its new Sol collection. Whether paired with a splash of warm colors or cool tones, Sol’s traditional but contemporary style makes this collection versatile and unique.

The bold lines of the Sol collection were inspired by the rising sun emerging above the rugged, soaring mountains of the American Southwest. This collection’s use of bold tubing with hammered detail gives a truly rustic quality while still maintaining distinctly modern lines.

Sol is a ponderous and powerful collection offering generous cushioning and the…

EAST HANOVER, NJ - Savvy retailers at July Preview Market were all in search of remarkable and marketable products to attract consumers to spring 2016 showrooms. Those who found their way to Veranda Classics by Foremost discovered TerraFab™, and, as Danny Jelley, senior vice president of Product Development, stated: “Customers’ first reactions to the product are exactly the same as my own first impression … ‘It looks real, this cannot be fake!’”

Veranda Classics TerraFab™ precisely imitates the surface textures of wood, stone, concrete, leather, woven wicker, metal (including cast aluminum) and almost any other surface texture that can be…

TUSCALOOSA, AL - Phifer Inc, a global manufacturer of sun control fabrics, indoor/outdoor performance fabrics, insect screening and engineered meshes and textiles, returns to the 2015 IFAI Specialty Fabrics Expo. Visit Booth #1480 for more information on the following products:

Designed Fabrics – Phifer’s vast line of indoor/outdoor, high-end performance cushion and sling fabrics, including the newest stock line additions, will also be on display. Phifer’s Designed Fabrics, a sprawling collection comprised of sleek Phifertex® sling and cozy GeoBella® cushion fabrics bursting with color, comfort and style. As durable as they are chic, this performance fabric collection serves up…