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Vt. Castings Lays Off 100 Workers
PARIS, KENTUCKY
From the Barre/Montpelier Times Argus
 Vermont Castings Group laid off 100 workers immediately after the new ownership group took over the company this month. Jess Baldwin, a management team member, said 100 of the company's 750 workers were let go, including 30 workers at the Vermont Castings facilities in Bethel and Randolph. The company now has 120 workers in Vermont.
Other layoffs were made at its plants in Kentucky and Mexicali, Mexico.
"These were seasonal layoffs after we took over the company," Baldwin said. He said if business picks up in the fall, workers will be called back or new workers hired.
"It's the old law of supply and demand," he said. According to Baldwin, the company did not offer a severance package to the workers who lost their jobs. Baldwin and several other managers purchased the wood stove and hearth company from The Riverside Company, a private equity firm. No sale price was announced.
Visit the website.
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Remodeling Gains Expected
to Continue Into 2014
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS
General strengthening in the housing market over the past 18 months is translating into increased spending on home improvements, according to the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) released by the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. Remodeling contractors have been reporting improving market conditions for the past four quarters, and are seeing strength in future market indicators.
Spending trends have been on a solid upward slope, with the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) projecting continued strengthening of the market through the end of this year and into the first quarter of 2014.
"Homeowners are more comfortable investing in their homes right now," says Eric S. Belsky, managing director of the Joint Center. "Consumer confidence scores are back to pre-recession levels, and since recent homebuyers are traditionally the most active in the home improvement market, the growth in sales of existing homes is providing more opportunities for these improvement projects."
"Yet, with housing starts leveling off in the second quarter and financing costs beginning to edge up, we may be seeing the beginning of more measured growth in the residential markets," says Kermit Baker, director of the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center. "Given normal timing patterns, this suggests that the pace of growth for home improvement spending should begin to moderate as we move into 2014."
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64-in. square fire table.
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Pride Family Brands Introduces
Luxury Fire Table Design
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA
Pride Family Brands, award-winning design innovator and manufacturer of cast-aluminum outdoor furniture, has introduced its newest design in its collection of luxury fire tables. Delivering design beauty and entertaining functionality, the new 64 in. square fire table is crafted to provide dining for up to eight. The new table design is available in nine cast-aluminum table top motifs including resort, vintage and classic styles.
"The Pride customer looks to us for the latest in innovation in not only our seating selections but table styles as well, and our luxury fire tables have been popular additions," said Steve Lowsky, president, Pride Family Brands. "The new family-sized fire table this season builds upon the luxury dining and entertainment experience that other fire tables in our collection have provided."
The new 64-in. square fire table will debut within Pride Family Brands' new showroom #1576 at the Chicago, Ill. Merchandise Mart during the ICFA International Casual Furniture and Accessories Market being held September 17-20, 2013.
For more information about Pride Family Brands and their distinguished lines of casual furniture visit the website or call (954) 735-9800.
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(L to R) Gary McCray - president, Lane Venture; Dana Fitts - territory manager; Teresa Buelin - vice president, Sales and Marketing.
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Lane Venture Honors
Territory Manager Dana Fitts
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
Outdoor furniture manufacturer Lane Venture presented Dana Fitts, territory manager from Minnesota, with the Carlton P. Bywaters Salesman of the Year award for 2012. Fitts, alongside his wife Linda, has represented Lane Venture in the Midwest since 1984.
The award was presented at the recent Chicago Preview Show. Previous recipients of the award have been David Mowery, Steve Kline, Dan Crone and Brett French. The award is presented each year to the territory manager who represents Lane Venture's high standards of salesmanship, service and dedication.
In addition, eight territory managers were recognized as Quota Busters for the first half of 2013. Along with Fitts, Steve Kline, Dennis Dobbratz, Greg Kavoklis, Brett French, Dan Crone, Paul Oliveira and Steve Aman were honored.
"It's an honor to be represented by people as dedicated to their dealers, our company and this industry as Dana and Linda Fitts. They work together to assure the dealer not only has the right product on their floor but to also provide the highest level of service and support," said Lane Venture president Gary McCray.
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