Archives for 2010

“It fits like a glove” is an understatement with LFS, Inc.’s new Bellingham Gloves, innovative gloves that are being officially introduced at the National Hardware Show, May 4-6. They fit like a glove, and then some! With a new design that offers a better fit, improved grip, and the ability to keep hands cooler and more comfortable, they fully deserve a “Sneak Peek” on our blog, as part of our advanced round-up of some of the show’s top products and brands.

If a good fit is the effect, what then – many retailers and consumers will ask – is the cause? Simple, the answer is evident when taking a look at what sets these gloves apart from many others. These new Bellingham Gloves utilize two technological advancements. This includes Plied Yarn Technology (PYT™), a combination of nylon, cotton and spandex fibers, spun or plied together, and knit into seamless liners. Applied, this equates to the lightweight toughness of nylon, the absorbency and wicking ability of cotton, and the stretch and resilience of spandex. NFT™ is the second new technology, relating to the coating on the palm and fingertips. The NFT™ coatings are filled with micro capillaries that draw water and oil away from the surface of the gloves, providing better grip when handling wet and dry components. This provides more flexibility and better fingertip sensitivity than conventionally coated gloves. The combination produces gloves with superior fit, comfort, and durability.

Bellingham Glove’s 3005 glove comes in either berry or black PYT™ yarn with a 4NFT™ rubber-palm coating (left). The 3705 glove comes in midnight blue PYT™ with a 2NFT™ Nitrile palm (right). Both styles have many hardware and lawn / garden applications.

We already have plans to consider these great new gloves for our post-show coverage. They have qualified as a potential contender for our “Best of Products” articles or posts. If you are a media member and would like more information, let us know. Or, if you are a show attendee, drop by the LFS, Inc. booth (#10453) at the National Hardware Show.

~ Jeff

For those of you beginning to follow our “Sneak Peek” series of The National Hardware Show (see our introduction post below, if you haven’t yet read it), you know the show is the place for global manufacturers, associations, organizations, and the media to unveil new products, ideas and insights to a broad spectrum of home improvement resellers.

Our first “Sneak Peak” selection is from PureSpectrum, Inc., one of the exhibitors planned for the show in Las Vegas May 4-6, 2010. We picked the company’s new dimmable Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL), which is an energy-efficient light bulb that has its sights set on replacing energy-eating incandescent bulbs for residential applications. The new product’s features and benefits made choosing to feature it an easy decision for us. The new dimmable CFL from PureSpectrum does just that; it dims. No small feat when you consider the fact many other “dimmable” CFLs on the market leave consumers in the dark, or in bright light when not desired, for that matter.

Meanwhile, this new bulb addresses virtually every consumer concern we have heard or read pertaining to CFLs. We like it because it is truly and fully dimmable – from 100 to 20 percent of perceived light output. It is compatible with most brand-name wall dimmers and offers linear regressive dimming, smooth uninterrupted dimming that mirrors the dimming of incandescent bulbs. Possibly, the number one benefit is linear regressive reduction in power consumption. In short, unlike some other dimmable CFLs, power consumption is reduced proportionally during dimming. When consumers flip the switch, there is no flickering or buzzing, just quiet and consistent light levels during operation.

The company’s president, Lee Vanatta, says this new CFL supplies substantial energy savings through the dimming function, given the proportional reduction in energy consumption as the bulb is dimmed. – We can’t think of a better first “Sneak Peek” today since it is Earth Day. Take time to visit the folks from PureSpectrum at the show. This product launch will happen in Vegas, but it won’t stay in Vegas. When media members learn about this product, I think the news will spread like a shining light.

If you are a member of the media and cannot attend the show this year, let us know any questions at deberly@eberlycollardpr.com . Everyone is welcome to post comments here as well.

~ Don

We at Eberly & Collard Public Relations are gearing up for The National Hardware Show, which will be held May 4-6, 2010, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Appliance / storage companies like Whirlpool Corporation / Gladiator Garage, $23-billion science-based companies such as 3M, and some of the biggest tool, lawn & garden, electrical, house wares, and paint brands in the world will be participating. According to show officials, some 2,300 plus exhibitors will have their latest and greatest product innovations on display during the show.

This marks the 65th anniversary of the National Hardware Show, which is completely sold out of exhibit space to manufacturers from the Home Improvement, Lawn & Garden / Outdoor Living, Tailgating products, and other key industries. The list of attendees promises to be one of the strongest line-up of buyers, representing not only traditional retail and wholesale outlets but untraditional channels like grocery, mass, drug, catalog, Internet and international retailers. This includes industry giants like Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Sears, True Value, Costco, Sam’s Club, Ace Hardware, and many more, representing more than $210 billion in sales revenue.

Our ECPR team has developed an alliance with the show and various editors of both trade and consumer publications to cover select products and innovative trends, as introduced or launched by some of the show exhibitors. We will be writing pre-show product “Sneak Peeks” and publishing them on our blog, which is an online content and photo resource for members of the media. The “Sneak Peeks” will be featured based upon products we choose that offer key innovative qualities.

Though, covering significant and industry-changing products from the National Hardware Show goes even farther than this for our staff. In a number of 2010 byline articles assigned to us by editors of magazines, newspapers, syndicates, and websites, we will be including or featuring some of the top products and trend insights we gather before, during and after the show.

Keep checking our blog for an ongoing series of product “Sneak Peeks” leading up to May 4. Also, follow us on Twitter during the show, as we’ll be doing live tweets about products and trends from the show floor. Our picks of post-show product and exhibitor information will be published mid-May through summer on our:

· Blog: www.eberlycollardpr.blogspot.com
· Facebook Fanpage: http://tinyurl.com/ECPR-Facebook
· Twitter: http://twitter.com/eberlycollardpr
· Flickr photo pages: http://tinyurl.com/ECPR-Flickr

So, think of our social media channels as a means to learn about 2010’s advanced and new products for the home and outdoor remodeling industry and home improvement trade.
Members of the media whom have not tapped into this resource… Contact us if you would like to receive special articles, product profiles, photos, etc. – stemming from the show – on assignment.

Looking forward to seeing everyone in Vegas!

~ Don, Jeff & team

Social media is causing major changes in the ways consumers learn about and purchase products. In addition, trade professionals are seeking more information about wholesale or design-based products and services through social media channels. In short, people are not as easily swayed by paid-for ad space as they once were in the hay days of advertising. Public relations and social media are essentials in the current business environment.

Social networks like Facebook, Twitter and others are fast-becoming places for live streams of shared online activity. Where products and businesses are concerned, this is referred to as brand streams. Online communities are forming based upon specific interest topics, and companies stand real chances to gain referral traffic from these social networks. Best of all, company leaders can use social media to interface directly with their customers or clients, and participate in their online conversations. And, finding ways to interact with and engage customers or clients is an all-important goal for businesses, wouldn’t we all agree?

If you would like to develop social media channels for your own brand, products and company, and are unsure of the necessary phases and metrics of successful measurement. Or, if you are a company owner or management leader who set-up social media accounts such as a Facebook Fanpage, Twitter, or a blog, and you now are looking to invent a strategic plan of action, consider outsourcing your social media to us. At ECPR, we specialize in PR 2.0, as we define it, the combination of traditional public relations and today’s social media networks. This leads to building online communities – of existing customers, potential customers, supporters, media members, and others within your constituency groups.

Or, just keep checking our Fanpage and blog, as we will be posting an ongoing series of how-to and helpful social media narratives, ideas and comments. Post your questions and comments – what you think works, what doesn’t, social media best practices, ideas, etc. – here as well.

Check out our Media Channels:

Our Fanpage: http://tinyurl.com/ECPR-Facebook

Our Twitter: http://twitter.com/eberlycollardpr

Our Flickr: http://tinyurl.com/ECPR-Flickr

Our Web site: www.eberlycollardpr.com

~ Don

Stemming from introduction at last year’s K/BIS show, products from Kohler Co. have been making their mark among builders / designers and consumers during late 2009 and early 2010. The concept of ‘mise en place’ (a French phrase defined by the Culinary Institute of America meaning “everything in place”) is successfully integrated in Kohler Co.’s new Karbon articulating kitchen faucet. This model combines industry-focused technology with the design needs of today’s busy homeowner.



This faucet has all the versatile mobility of a pull-down faucet. While the concept of a pull-down faucet is not new, five pivoting joints of the Karbon faucet allow the user to precisely position – and keep – the water stream exactly where it is needed. This kind of streamlined functionality and ease-of-use was widely noticeable at the show. Additionally, the faucet offers both spray and aerated water flow options, eliminating the need for a side spray. All finishes are available in deck- and wall-mount models.

The company’s new line of Stages™ kitchen sinks was inspired by professional chefs. In much the same way professionals in other industries help shape product design, professional chefs helped develop this new line. These products provide true efficiency and beauty, trend factors magazine editors and television program producers tell us are essentials for media coverage.

From prep and cooking to cleanup, the Stages kitchen sink has been designed to integrate all related tasks around the sink area. Kohler product designers essentially created a hybrid of home and commercial restaurant kitchen sinks. Builders looking to impress a wide range of homeowners should consider this as an option that allows for commercial-quality kitchen appeal.

This sink is different from so many others out there, due to the number of culinary tools actually included with the sink. Among these is a utensil tray, which is perfect for organizing ladles, knives and other accessories used during the cooking process or to soak utensils when cleaning. A dual-sided flip tray serves as both a cutting board and serving tray; also included is a separate cutting tray to keep the kitchen area more sanitary.

Possibly, one of the best features is a wire rack that protects the sink’s basin, while providing a surface for cleaning and drying dishes.

From restaurateurs and hoteliers to builders and consumers in general, this sink is deserving of a close look. – Editors and producers, based upon our latest focus group findings (Quarter 4, 2009), in which builder- / trade-based and homeowner consumer magazine readers rated “Sinks and Appliances with Multiple Design and Technical Features” in their top 10 product preferences, they may very well send you a big “thank you” were you to share this information with them in 2010.

~ Don

The International Casual Furniture & Accessories (ICFA) Market is held during fall in Chicago each year, and it provides valuable insights to industry professionals regarding the latest casual (outdoor) furniture lines, trends and styles.

Part of the panel’s goal was to help audience members (designers, retailers, manufacturers, etc.) uncover trend information – both past and forthcoming. Since that time, it has been inspiring to see casual furniture and accessory manufacturers continue to develop their lines based upon trends. In essence, we are seeing the forecasted trends taking shape in the field. Many of our clients and industry friends are telling us the overall marketplace is rebounding for spring 2010, with sales exponentially increasing over last year. Indicators are pointing to a prosperous year, and we are already gearing up for the fall 2010 ICFA market. So, designers, retailers and manufactures alike, keep up the good work and send us your trend findings via emails or posts, and your product releases and images through email. If they are used, we will surely feature the product and credit the company. We’ll also track any magazine articles for everyone that stem from our trend research / writing.

I also wanted to share a great current article with our blog readers including helpful information from Jaclyn Kotzum, MMPI’s marketing director for the International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market. In the article, About.com’s furniture editor Abe Abbas asks Jaclyn for her take on the last market / show and this year’s trends and development in casual furniture.

The show, by the way, is fully dedicated to the casual furnishings industry and is recognized and formally endorsed by the International Casual Furnishings Association and Casual Furniture Retailers Association. It is managed by MMPI, and that is where Jaclyn comes into play. – And, as a side note, both Jaclyn and Abe are incredible industry enthusiasts. You can read Abe’s article here…

The article in mention (linked above) provides solid exposure to ICFA and all of us in the industry, because it supplies us with exposure and endorsement to the consumer audience on one of the most viewed Web sites online. Alexa, a top site ranking tool, places About.com as the 25th most viewed site in the U.S. and specifies that it spans 10 different countries with over 31 million global site viewers daily.

Register for Abe’s newsletter at this link: http://furniture.about.com/gi/pages/stay.htm

Last, take a look at two of our “Best of Show” picks for 2010. Yes, we selected a few “Best ofs…” though in varied categories.

Mondecasa’s Porcelain Bowl (dining set) was selected as our “Best of Creative Design.”

Jardin de Ville’s Terrace Concept pavilions were chosen as “Best of Combined Form and Function.”

Members of the media, touch base with us if you’d like to interview any of our casual furniture or designer clients and / or industry acquaintances. You can also learn more on our site, www.eberlycollardpr.com.

~ Don

 

As spring quickly approaches, gardeners around the country are eagerly anticipating the first visit to their local garden centers. With so many wonderful companies and unique varieties available, how do gardeners decide where to start?

Better Homes and Gardens’ March 4, e-newsletter Garden Notes, has simplified the selection process with a stellar collection of must-grow perennials for 2010. From succulents to grasses and a few heuchera varieties in between, there are plenty of beauties to get consumers growing.

Terra Nova Nurseries, among other great companies, was well represented with several impressive new plants. In particular, the dramatic foliage leaves of Heuchera ‘Midnight Bayou’ and Heucherella ‘Golden Zebra’ are rather vivid, and will certainly be a colorful addition to containers, beds, and borders. Another stand-out in the collection is the Echinacea ‘Firebird’, a great coneflower for gardeners looking to beat the summer heat, drought, rabbits, and deer.

All in all, this is a great showcase of new plants available to gardeners across the country. Keep checking Garden Notes for the latest and greatest plant insights.

What are some of your favorites? And, as industry professionals or members of the media, how else can we / you help make plant selection easier for consumers? Ideas are welcome.

~ Adam