The PFI Standards Program

Certifies Two New Companies

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA

 

The Pellet Fuels Institute (PFI) recently announced the addition of two new companies to its pellet fuel standards program. Curran Renewable Energy (Massena, New York) and American Wood Fibers (Circleville, Ohio and Marion, Virginia) have officially qualified under the PFI pellet fuel standards program. The PFI Standards Program is a third party certification program providing standard specifications for residential and commercial grade fuel.

 

In its role as the leading authority on the North American pellet industry, PFI established the standards program as a mechanism to ensure consumers and retailers that the fuel consistency and quality matches manufacturer claims found on bags of fuel and other informational materials.

 

"PFI applauds the efforts of Curran Renewable Fuels and American Wood Fibers to qualify for the PFI Standards Program," said PFI's executive director Jennifer Hedrick. "It shows their commitment to developing pellets that meet consumers' heating needs, and we're looking forward to the enrollment of other companies to the program in the next several months."

 

Curran and American Wood Fibers (AWF) join New England Wood Pellet (Jaffrey, New Hampshire; Deposit, New York and Schuyler, New York) as the only pellet manufacturers able to display the PFI Quality Mark on their bags.

 

President and CEO of Curran, Patrick J. Curran, sees the qualification as a challenge to ensure they are producing the best product, and as a way to stand out to consumers.

 

"We believe with the PFI certification and a standard that we know we can meet, our quality level will be exceptional and will help us grow to the capacity that we're looking to be at," he said.

 

This qualification is the result of work that Curran and AWF have done in conjunction with PFI, the American Lumber Standard Committee and Timber Products Inspection (Conyers, Georgia). Both AWF and Curran have agreements with Timber Products Inspection for the company to provide auditing and third party laboratory testing services.

 

For further details on the PFI Standards Program, including a list of qualified auditing agencies and testing labs, producers and consumers should visit the Pellet Heat website or the ALSC website.

 

For more information, Jennifer Hedrick, executive director, Pellet Fuels Institute, 703-522-6778.

Viking Adds New Distributor

GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI

 

Viking Range, the originator of commercial-type appliances for the home, announces that effective Sept. 3, 2013, Viking Range Distribution South Central will become the distributor serving Texas and Oklahoma, which were previously served by Milestone Distributors. New Mexico, also previously served by Milestone, will now be served by Viking Range Distribution Northwest - Denver division.

 

"We are reassigning the distribution of Viking products in the South Central region in order to sharpen our focus on better serving Viking dealers and consumers in this territory," said Brian Waldrop, president, Viking Range. "We have a strong team in place at Viking Distribution South Central that will continue to strengthen the Viking business and dealer support in Texas and Oklahoma as we move forward. The Denver division of Viking Distribution Northwest is also very eager to work with and support the dealers in New Mexico."

 

Jamie Bird has been appointed vice president of Sales for the Texas and Oklahoma markets and is overseeing this transition. Bird has been a member of the Viking Sales organization for eight months and brings 31 years of sales experience to the new distributorship.

 

"We look forward to working directly with our dealers throughout Texas and Oklahoma to improve the Viking presence in their showrooms as we prepare to launch many exciting new Viking products in the coming months," said Bird.

 

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Summer Classics Purchases

Remaining Shares of Parker James

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA

 

Summer Classics, one of the leading manufacturers of high quality casual and outdoor furniture in the United States, has announced the purchase of the remaining shares of Parker International, LLC, dba Parker James, an outdoor furniture company. Jim Parker, CEO and 60 percent owner of Parker International, LLC, sold his remaining ownership to Summer Classics which owned the remaining 40 percent.

 

The company is now a subsidiary of Summer Classics; terms of the transaction are private.

 

Harold Hudson.

Parker James' new president is Harold Hudson, the former senior vice president of Marketing, National Accounts for Summer Classics and an employee of Summer Classics for more than 20 years. He will oversee daily operations.

 

"We are excited about this next phase of the Parker legacy, said Bew White III, CEO of Summer Classics, and plan to grow what Jim has built for the last 11 years. Harold has assembled an operations team from Summer Classics that, frankly, is incredible."

 

"I'm excited about this opportunity to take Parker James to the next level under the Summer Classics umbrella," said Hudson. "We have assembled a great team here at Summer Classics to help us accomplish this goal."

 

Parker James designs and manufactures casual furnishings for leading U.S. retailers and design professionals throughout North America. It seamlessly combines the best available materials and finishes to produce authentic, comfortable, timeless furniture built to last.

 

Summer Classics is a premier innovator, manufacturer and retailer of fine outdoor furniture in the U.S. For over a quarter century, the family-owned company has aimed to delight its customers by passionately designing patio furniture from the belief that timeless designs can and will be embraced for years. Life's best moments. Furnished.

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