HIGH POINT, NC - Entries are now being accepted for the 2015 Design Excellence Awards, the premier design recognition for home furnishings and accessories produced for outdoor living.

The competition is open to all companies exhibiting at the 2015 Casual Market Chicago, as well as outdoor fabric suppliers, who are not required to be exhibitors. The entry fee is $100 per product for members of the International Casual Furnishings Association, which coordinates the competition.  Non-members may enter for $500 per product. The entry deadline is 5:00 p.m. Friday, June 19, 2015.

Entries are sought in 11 categories: dining or bar…

VACAVILLE, CA - M&G DuraVent has obtained a key approval for PolyPro Venting Systems. PolyPro single-wall and concentric pipe have been approved for Raypak’s model XPakFT Boiler, and X94 Condensing Gas Pool Heater.

When using the PolyPro venting system, the vent pipe requirements in the unit installation instruction include minimum and maximum vent lengths, as well as as termination clearances that must be applied and followed. Instructions are provided with PolyPro’s venting system where applicable, or if requirements are more restrictive.

All M&G companies, including DuraVent, exclusively develop, manufacture, and market a wide range of flue and vent products in…

LAS VEGAS - Outdoor manufacturers ScanCom and NorthCape International have signed long-term leases, joining the casual furnishings category major launch into Las Vegas World Market from August 2-6, 2015. Summer Market will debut 250,000 square feet of permanent showrooms on the 12th and 13th floors in Building C devoted to the Casual/Outdoor category.

ScanCom and NorthCape will share a 17,463-square foot showroom on the 12th floor of Building C – C-1212. ScanCom is one of the industry’s largest casual furniture manufacturers, offering a full line of outdoor furniture in eucalyptus, teak, wrought iron, recycled plastic, and all-weather wicker, as…

FT LAUDERDALE, FL – Pride Family Brands has tapped Erwin Gremmer as its new vice president of Sales. Gremmer will be responsible for business development for the manufacturer’s Castelle luxury brand of award winning cast aluminum casual furniture and accessories.

“We are very excited to welcome Erwin to Pride Family Brands. He will be focused on the sales efforts for the Castelle brand including new business development especially within expanding retail markets,” said Rory Rehmert, senior vice president of Sales and Marketing, Pride Family Brands. “Erwin will work closely with our current and prospective retail partners and our network…

FT LAUDERDALE, FL - Pride Family Brands, designer and manufacturer of luxury cast aluminum casual furniture, has promoted Rory Rehmert to senior vice president of Sales and Marketing. With the promotion, Rehmert will continue to oversee the entire sales and marketing efforts for the manufacturer, including coordination of the company’s independent rep force.

“Since joining Pride Family Brands, Rory has worked to build an award-winning sales and marketing team designed to position our company into its current prominence within our industry,” said Steve Lowsky, president, Pride Family Brands. “Rory has been a vital component in Pride’s growth. As he…

WALLINGFORD, CT - Brown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens’ new line of mobile outdoor kitchens for the hospitality industry has received a 2015 IIDA / HD Product Design Award. Honored in the casegoods and freestanding furniture category, Brown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens accepted the award at this year’s Hospitality Design Expo (HDExpo) in Las Vegas, May 13-15, 2015.

Award winners were selected based on innovation, technical advancements, cost effectiveness, environmental responsibility, aesthetics, client and user benefits, and for need and usage in the hospitality industry. The esteemed panel of judges included Fabio Grego, AIA, LEED Associate, Hyatt International, Chicago; Scott Hierlinger, IIDA, LEED…

SIMPSONVILLE, KY - Cleverly designed for comfort and versatility, Connexion’s elegantly styled framework is tautly upholstered using Brown Jordan’s Versatex® sling fabrics, and then fitted with cushions and pillows in chic and colorful Suncloth® textiles, ranging from a calm palette of relaxing hues to captivating colors and patterns.

Available in 28 Brown Jordan signature frame finishes, the styling options are unlimited, from transitional to contemporary, to imprint a personal style.

Individual modular pieces come together in perfect balance to optimize relaxation or entertaining, allowing for the effortless and infinite compositions of compelling and functional gathering areas. Removable fasteners…

GREENVILLE, NC - You might be chuckling to yourself right now and saying, “If we get dad in a hammock, we’ll never get him out.” That may be true. Numerous online reports describe the benefits of sleeping in a hammock – the slight swaying movement allows individuals to fall asleep faster than traditional beds.

Hammock sways can be compared to rocking an infant to sleep. Research in Switzerland has found that participants in a study, “had a faster transitions to sleep in each and every subject in the swinging condition.” Additionally, the research determined that “sleep spindles”—sleep-related oscillations in…