SCRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA

Olympia Chimney Supply has been supplying venting products to the Hearth & Chimney Sweep markets since 1999. While Olympia has become synonymous with chimney liners, components and venting products, it has gained market recognition for its extensive selection of chimney caps.  

Olympia feels that by acquiring Whitecaps, it will enhance its product offering by choosing a company that already has a renowned reputation for quality and craftsmanship. In addition to expanding its selection of chimney caps, Olympia will now be in a position to better serve the southeastern region of the United States by having a distribution center in Monroe, North Carolina.  

To enhance that service level, Olympia Chimney Supply has added Drew Stein to its family as the Regional Sales representative for the Southeast region. 

"This is an exciting time for both Olympia Chimney Supply and Whitecaps," said Scott Brickel, CEO of Olympia Chimney Supply. "The product fit is unsurpassed and nicely complements one another. In addition, assuming ownership of Whitecaps' Monroe, North Carolina, warehouse provides Olympia with the advantage of servicing the entire East Coast with a one-day ship point. Olympia is also very excited to make the reputable and respected Whitecap brand synonymous with the entire line of Olympia chimney caps." 

Olympia's assurance and commitment to the industry is to continue to provide superior products manufactured only with the finest quality materials and made from the most talented craftsmanship available within the industry. This acquisition supports that claim.   

CITY OF INDUSTRY, CALIFORNIA

The Robert H. Peterson Company, a leading manufacturer of premium gas products, launches American Fyre Designs (AFD), a complete line of uniquely designed and handcrafted exterior fire features. Formerly known as Designs by Garry, American Fyre Designs meets the growing demand for outdoor living products. 

The AFD line includes pre-fabricated exterior fireplaces, fire tables, fire urns, fire pits, fire walls and barbecue islands - all made from durable, lightweight, glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC). These distinctive items simply stack and bolt together for quick and easy installation. Decorative and functional, the AFD products are available in eight finish colors and are suitable for LP or natural gas installations. 

"As the trend in outdoor living continues, consumers are seeking high-quality products that can enhance their outdoor space and create an enjoyable year-round environment," said Jerry Scott, senior vice president Sales and Marketing. "The American Fyre Designs line of exterior fireplaces, fire pits and barbecue islands allows consumers to extend the use of their outdoor space and transform an ordinary yard into something extraordinary."  

The American Fyre Designs line, which also now includes the former Outdoor Campfyre brand, is made in the USA and like all R.H. Peterson products, uses stringent quality standards and the most advanced technology. For more information on American Fyre Designs contact Elaine Remy at (626) 369-5085 extension 114.  

MT. PLEASANT, SOUTH CAROLINA

Caravita Europe celebrates 20 years of designing, engineering and manufacturing custom outdoor umbrellas. A leader in quality outdoor shade products, Caravita has developed some of the most innovative, diverse and highest quality shade products. In celebration of this milestone achievement, Caravita Europe and Caravita USA will be celebrating by offering retailers promotional incentives for their customers throughout the season.

"We are very excited about this achievement, and we are even more excited to offer some great incentive programs to our retailers," said Michael Caravita.

In addition to new incentive programs for retailers, Caravita is introducing a new shade collection - the Amalfi Double Cantilever, along with four new powder finishes. The Amalfi Double Cantilever brings the maximum amount of shade without the obstruction of a center mast umbrella. Creative, eye-catching and functional, the Amalfi Double is an excellent expansion to Caravita's innovative shade products.

The Antica powder finish is a collection of four new powder coatings in metallic tones like bronze and copper. The new Antica finishes were showcased at the 2012 ICFA Casual Market.

"The new Antica finishes were very well received at market," said Caravita. "They bring a new design element to the shade industry by complementing some of the desired metallic powder finishes that are being selected on outdoor furniture. The new Antica collection offers a more luxurious finish option that creates a truly unique one-of-a-kind shade for the customer."

Michael Caravita got his start in the sunshade business as a wholesaler for patio and market umbrellas. In 1993, Caravita started his own sunshade company; the Riviera was his first umbrella. Not only was his principal shade perfect for home use, it was commercial grade, excellent for the restaurant terraces and piazzas of Europe.  

His vision was simple; provide better products to fulfill the wishes and imaginations of his most discerning clients. Now, with seven sunshade systems, all completely different in design and function, Caravita resonates globally as a superior shade solution. What started out to be a solely European company, with headquarters in Germany, Caravita USA was opened in 2009 with office and distribution center in Charleston, South Carolina.   

GLEN RAVEN, NORTH CAROLINA

While Joe Ruggiero is recognized for translating European and Asian cultures into compelling home furnishings for the North American marketplace, his emphasis for the April 2013 International Furniture Market in High Point will be on "made in America." From hand stitching and quilt making in the Colonial era to colorful apparel from the 1970s, visitors to the Miles Talbott Furniture showroom will discover new Sunbrella fabrics that continue to push the limits of design aesthetics for performance.  

"During my travels across the country, we have found that retailers are really gravitating toward products that are inspired by American culture and made in the USA," Ruggiero said. "It's important that we never lose sight of our classic American heritage, whether it's great architecture or menswear from design icons such as Bill Blass and Frank Lloyd Wright. These are themes that define the classic American look and are now captured in our new Sunbrella fabrics."

Ruggiero's Sunbrella fabrics debuting during April Furniture Market are comprised of four groups - Hand Woven, JOE Geometrics, Native American and American Quilts. The new fabrics emphasize deep color ways and rich textural effects throughout.

The sophistication of Sunbrella design and manufacturing technology is best illustrated in the Hand Woven group, which authentically mimics the effects of stitching and weaving by hand. Leading this group is the pattern Loomed in the colors Gravel and Parfait, creating an artsy, raw linen look in a striped effect. Loomed would be right at home at a fine crafts fair.     

JOE Geometrics.

The JOE Geometrics group is comprised of geometric shapes based on squares within squares popular in home décor and apparel. JOE represents a new design attitude for the Joe Ruggiero Collection that offers an edgy, colorful look. Leading this group is the pattern Savvy, which offers a youthful look in the colors of Coffee, Sunset and Dusk. Adding depth to the group is the pattern Graduation, which Ruggiero first introduced several years ago. Look for Graduation to re-emerge in two color ways: Paprika and Sand. 

The Native American Group was inspired by the looks of the Southwest, but with variations on traditional colorations. The pattern Pistrano is an ikat design with a hand-woven look in the color Dusk with hints of lavender mixed with shades of gray.

American Quilts.

American Quilts is the fourth group making its debut in the Ruggiero Sunbrella collection for Furniture Market. The inspiration for this fabric was Colonial times when early American settlers incorporated candle wicks into handmade fabrics, creating the effects of embroidered French knots found in the finest fabrics of the day.

Willis is the standout pattern in this group, representing one of the most complex constructions yet to join the Ruggiero collection for Sunbrella.  

With the sophistication of an antique textile, Willis has the look of fabrics that you might find in the Smithsonian as an early example of the finest quilters' art. It's a very traditional pattern in every way, yet offered in contemporary colors of Pebble and Putty.

"We are continuing to make great strides in our Sunbrella fabric designs, yet remaining highly attainable by most American families," Ruggiero said. "The fact that these are performance fabrics - fade resistant, cleanable with bleach - is simply a wonderful gift to the purchaser." 

VACAVILLE, CALIFORNIA

PolyPro.

Bosch Thermotechnology has approved PolyPro Concentric for its new gas tankless water heater Greentherm Series, Models C 950 ES and C 1050 ES and for Therm C 1210 ES and C 1210 ESC. Polypropylene venting provides the simplest and quickest venting option possible for a condensing tankless unit. 

The Greentherm Series is approved for three new Polypropylene (PP) venting systems: concentric up and out, twin pipe, and common venting of up to four appliances. Bosch provides complete venting kits for each approved venting systems. 

In addition to Greentherm C 950 ES and C 1050 ES, Bosch has also approved PP venting for condensing cascades for models Therm
C 1210 ES and C 1210 ESC. Bosch's common venting kits are offered either side-by-side or back-to-back configurations, allowing for a single vent pipe for all units.  

PolyPro is an engineered system specifically designed for venting heating appliances. Gasketed joints require no primers or adhesives and easily assemble in seconds with just a splash of water. Terminations are designed for superior performance in poor environmental conditions.  

PolyPro is tested and listed to the ULC S636 standard in Canada and rated as a Class IIA, IIB, and IIC vent system. PolyPro offers the only double-wall polypropylene flex in the U.S., making it durable for relining masonry chimneys, factory-built chimneys, and useful for relining B-vent pipe when retrofitting it to use as a chase.  

PolyPro is superior in performance and easier to install than PVC or CPVC pipe, which were designed for irrigation, not venting. PolyPro has been successfully venting appliances in Europe for over 15 years.
 
About M&G DuraVent
M&G DuraVent is a recognized technological leader in the venting industry. All M&G companies, including DuraVent, exclusively develop, manufacture and market a wide range of flue and vent products in aluminum, stainless steel and plastic for the HVAC and hearth industries. M&G has been the largest supplier of engineered venting systems for the high-efficiency heating market in Europe for 20 years.
 
About Bosch Thermotechnology
Bosch Thermotechnology is a leading source of high quality water heating and comfort heating systems. Bosch Thermotechnology is committed to reinventing energy efficiency by offering smart products that fit together and work together as integrated systems which enhance the quality of life in an ultra efficient and environmentally friendly manner.
 
To learn more about this approval, please contact
Tim Rothgeb, VP of Commercial and OEM Sales at M&G DuraVent - 1-800-835-4429, trothgeb@duravent.com