CHICAGO - The new Shokunin (show-koo-neen) kamado grill from Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet is now available for order. It is developed on the principles of kamado-style cooking, which date back more than 3,000 years.

“We knew we wanted to take key design principles of the traditional kamado-style cooker and really amplify them to take performance to new levels,” said Russ Faulk, chief designer and head of product for Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet. “For example, the Shokunin is more efficient than a traditional ceramic kamado thanks to two inches of insulation beneath its stainless steel exterior.  And the expanded…

RH Peterson Co. has received U.S. Patent D857,453 from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for its Diamond Sear cooking grids. The grids’ trapezoid-shaped design delivers more heat to the surface of the grill, retaining juices in the food.

Available in various types and sizes, the Diamond Sear grids are featured on Fire Magic and American Outdoor Grill (AOG) models. The tops of each individual bar of the Fire Magic grids measure .33” wide throughout and in total cover up to 50 percent of the grill’s cooking area. The AOG cooking grids are slightly smaller at .28-.29” wide and…

MINNEAPOLIS - The Outdoor GreatRoom Company has an updated contract and commercial program for builders, landscapers, and other outdoor design professionals. The new program includes the safe Direct Spark Ignition system, new standard burner sizes, commercial fire pit tables, in-stock and custom ready-to-finish fire table bases, and commercial safety accessories.

As a Minnesota manufacturer, The Outdoor GreatRoom Company now offers in-stock long, linear Crystal Fire® Plus burners in a variety of sizes to accommodate commercial outdoor spaces. Round, square, and rectangular standard burner options are available too.

Along with the Crystal Fire® Plus burner designs, stand-alone burner inserts…

CHICAGO - OW Lee, a manufacturer of high-end outdoor furniture, fire pits, and accessories located in Ontario, Calif., presented Justin Pfahl with the Sales Rep of the Year award for 2019. This special presentation was made during a sales meeting dinner at Harry Carey’s Steakhouse during the International Casual Furniture Market in Chicago, Illinois.

Justin Pfahl is a fairly new OW Lee sales rep, beginning his tenure in the spring of 2018 covering the Florida territory. Since his onboarding he has successfully opened 5 new accounts and grown the territory’s sales by 69%. Justin has been actively involved in the…

ST AUGUSTINE, FL – During the recent Casual Market, CASTELLE introduced its 2020 offerings including latest additions to its collaboration with designer Barclay Butera, as well as its Biltmore by Castelle with the Antler Hill Collection. The Prism and Bordeaux round out the full complement of introductions from Castelle. All will be available to retailers for the 2020 season.

“We are extremely excited about the positive response Castelle received from specialty retailers who visited our showroom in Chicago,” said Rory Rehmert, senior vice president, CASTELLE. “As with every season, our design team did a tremendous job designing and crafting products…

MINNEAPOLIS - The Outdoor GreatRoom Company recently debuted its Crystal Fire® Plus technology. Crystal Fire® Plus burners will be available individually and outfit all Outdoor GreatRoom Company fire pit tables. Crystal Fire® Plus burners are UL Listed to the ANSI Z21.97-2017/CSA 2.41-2017 standards. These updated standards ensure utmost safety and quality for residential homes and commercial use.

Crystal Fire® Plus burners include many construction and safety updates. The new burner design offers a taller, brighter, and fuller flame for a more natural, realistic appearance with a higher BTU capacity.

A new Variable Control Safety Valve (VCSV) provides a…

WADENA, MN - Homecrest Outdoor Living welcomes direct sales pro, Rob Quello, to their sales representative team. The new rep now promotes Homecrest in the Pacific Northwest. Quello brings nearly two decades of practice in the casual marketplace. Quello got his industry start at Homecrest years ago. Now, he returns with knowledge from being a successful sales team builder, sales rep, sales trainer and motivational speaker in the direct sales industry.

For Rob Quello, outdoor furniture has a rich tradition; his grandparents, Mert and Edith Bottemiller, originally founded Homecrest Outdoor Living in 1953. Over 60 years later, the Bottemillers’…

CHICAGO – The International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA) honored top retailers, manufacturers, sales representatives and designers this week at a gala awards celebration during Casual Market Chicago.

All segments of the industry gathered at the Hilton Chicago Wednesday, September 11, to recognize manufacturing and retailing excellence, spotlight top product designs and pay tribute to the 2019

Lifetime Achievement Award recipients. Awards presented or recognized during the event included the following:
The Apollo Awards recognize retail excellence in the sales and marketing of outdoor furnishings. Finalists must demonstrate outstanding accomplishments and commitment to customer service. Winners in…