Mr. Bar-B-Q® continues its 40thanniversary celebration by forming a partnership with culinary expert and gourmet chef Michael Steifman, president of Michael Stuart New York, a popular catering company. This alliance is one of many recent initiatives (including rebranding; a new website, www.mrbarbq.com; and improved, eye-catching packaging) to appeal to a new market of grillers and to maintain the company’s industry-leading position into 2013.

Marc Zemel, CEO of Mr. Bar-B-Q, says, “As the grilling category evolves, we will continue to be the leader of grill-tool innovations, just as we’ve done for more than 40 years. Michael is the perfect partner…

The International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA) has announced that Bruce Erickson of Williams All Seasons (Highland Park, Illinois) will continue as chair of the organization’s Retail Council in 2013. ICFA members include all sectors of the casual-furnishings industry: retailers, manufacturers, suppliers, sales representatives, and designers. The Retail Council provides leadership for programming and services designed to meet the needs of the industry’s retail stores.

Kristine Schultz-Hutchinson of Patios Plus (Rancho Mirage, California) will serve as vice chair of the council in 2013. Gail Williams of Sunshine Furniture (Vero Beach, Florida) and Mary Beth Singleton of Tropic Aire Patio Gallery…

Beginning March 1st Galaxy Outdoor is offering our customers the opportunity to take advantage of our Early Buy Program which is designed to save you money and in return will increase your margins and profits.
 
With a minimum of $5000 on your 1st order of any Galaxy Outdoor products, your company can earn FREE freight on all orders for the rest of 2013, therefore, saving you thousands of dollars throughout the year. 

Galaxy Outdoor LLC offers products in six categories; Custom Islands, Kamado Rocket Grill/Smokers, Fire Pits and Tables, Fire Glass, Burners and Pans, Stainless…

Total attendance at the recent 2012 International Pool/Spa/Patio Expo was 10,202, a 5% increase over the 2011 show’s attendance, marking the third year in a row that the show has seen an increase in total attendance. Attendees represented all segments of the industry, including pool/spa builders, retailers, service companies, designers, and landscape architects. The 2012 show was held in New Orleans, Louisiana, for the first time since 2003.

Lindsay Roberts, director of the show, says, “We are very pleased with the number of attendees and with the enthusiasm they brought to the buying and selling activity on the show…

M&G DuraVent announced today that it has the industry’s first UL listed factory-built chimney relining system for use in the US. To date, there has never been a UL approved product standard for such installations. All M&G DuraVent UL1777 listed relining systems combined with a patent-pending termination have been approved.

Safely relining factory-built chimney systems has been a long term industry unknown. Many factory-built chimneys were designed and installed as a system with a solid fuel burning appliance, often a “zero-clearance” fireplace. This combined system was initially installed under its own UL safety standard, typically UL127. Installing a…

TRIVANTAGE™, the nation’s one-stop shop for awning, marine, and furniture markets, is rolling out a new customer- service vision that emphasizes a steadfast commitment to getting procurement off its customers’ plates, the company says, with high-quality products and fair pricing backed by urgent, efficient, and expert service. The TRIVANTAGE service vision is being communicated to the industry through a new customerfocused tagline: Order. Done. Good Call. It was unveiled during the IFAI Expo in Boston, Massachusetts, in November 2012.

Steve Ellington, president of TRIVANTAGE, says, “Our customers are craftspeople who want to focus their energies and their talents on…

On January 19, 2013, in Dallas, Texas, Sunset West (Vista, California) was named as the winner in the Manufacturer: Outdoor Living category of the 24th annual awards presented by the nonproft Accessories Resource Team (ART): The Creative Home Furnishings Network, a trade association for home-decor professionals. The ARTS Awards were presented at the Hilton Anatole Hotel, at a black-tie gala that was held in conjunction with the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market at the Dallas Market Center.

Wes Stewart, CEO of Sunset West, says, “We are very honored and excited to have received the 2013 ARTS Award; it…

Monessen Hearth Systems Company has changed its name to Vermont Castings Group. The overall structure, size, and organization of the Paris, Kentucky, company remain the same. No personnel changes are expected as a result of the corporate name change.

Dan Clifford, president and CEO of Vermont Castings Group, says, “Changing our name will help us leverage the heritage of our iconic Vermont Castings brand to generate growth for our full portfolio of industry-leading brands and product lines. Vermont Castings is one of the most recognized brands in the hearth and outdoor industries and is synonymous with efficiency and quality.…