HIGH POINT, N.C.—Custom Contract Furnishings (CCF) will be the first hospitality manufacturer to debut an innovative new natural foam, Enviro-Fiber Foam™, for use in its upholstery products, at BDNY. The company will be in booth No. 486 on November 9 and 10.Enviro-Fiber Foam™ is a natural alternative to polyurethane foam and carries with it many advantages. Not only does it feel and sit like traditional foam, but due to its natural fiber content, it is more environmentally friendly without the indoor toxicity concerns of polyurethane foam.According to Chris Morris, Director of Sales & Marketing at CCF, “The new Enviro-Fiber...

SAN FRANCISCO—Bamboo innovator Smith & Fong Co. announced the appointment of Stacy Willard to the position of Chief Operations Officer (COO), according to Smith & Fong founder and CEO Dan Smith.Willard, who joined the company in 2007 as inventory and logistics manager, has been instrumental in both shaping and organizing this area of the company’s operations. “Over the past eight years, Stacy has come to know the company and our mission in a broader dimension, and he was the natural choice to take on this new and challenging position,” Smith said.“Stacy has played a key role in Smith &...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the American Chemistry Council (ACC) recently announced a new initiative designed to ensure the use of sustainable and environmentally protective products in buildings by applying technical and science-based approaches to the LEED green building program. This new initiative acknowledges USGBC’s success in leading the transformation of the built environment and sets up a pathway to take advantage of the materials science expertise of ACC and its members.“USGBC and ACC share the goal of advancing sustainability in the built environment, and we will work together to take advantage of our collective strength...

NEW YORK—Sina Pearson, New York City-based designer/manufacturer of innovative commercial textiles, introduces a new collection titled Jubilee. Confetti, an indoor/outdoor fabric woven with Sunbrella Contract yarns, harmonizes with Sparkler, a glittery, sustainable polyurethane. Offered in many colorways, both patterns are beach cleanable, stain-resistant and durable.The new twosome complements Pearson’s All Spaces and Geometry 101 collections and is ideal for contract, healthcare, institutional, hospitality and residential use.Confetti combines its geometric motifs and color contrasts in unexpected, lively rhythms. The eight colorways, with names like Fruit Punch and Crayon, blend vivid hues with neutrals for effects that pop. Confetti complements Sparkler,...

SALEM, N.J.—Concurrent with a ribbon cutting ceremony at its newly-expanded manufacturing facility in Madison, Ga., Mannington Mills, Inc. announced that it has committed to yet another major investment at that same location.  The ribbon cutting celebrates the opening of its expanded manufacturing facility, which broke ground just one year ago. That facility’s footprint has doubled in size and quadrupled in capacity and, with that, significantly increased Mannington’s local workforce. By early 2015, 219 new jobs will have been added at this site.  “Thanks to Governor Deal and officials at the Georgia Department of Economic Development and the Madison-Morgan Chamber...

ADVANCE, N.C.—Beaufurn, designer and manufacturer of hospitality, contract, and entertainment furnishings, announces the hire of two sales representative groups to enhance their market reach in Texas and the Northeast: KC Rep Source  and Furniture Solutions & Resources.“Beaufurn is proud to add these partners to our already-robust network of sales representatives across the nation,” said Beaufurn President Bill Bongaerts. “With expertise in hospitality, contract and entertainment furnishings, KC Rep Source and Furniture Solutions & Resources are both natural fits to represent Beaufurn’s contemporary and transitional offerings.”KC Rep Source will be representing Beaufurn in Houston, Austin, San Antonio, The Woodlands and...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced that it will allow LEED users to register projects under the LEED 2009 rating system until October 31, 2016. The original date for LEED 2009 registration to close was June 15, 2015. Extending to October 2016 gives LEED users and members of the green building industry additional time to prepare for LEED v4, the latest version of LEED, which features increased rigor and multiple updates.  “When USGBC launched LEED v4 last year, we set out with one goal in mind—to raise the bar in a way that challenges the building industry...

LOS ANGELES—Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, recently announced a $30 million rennovation—which includes all new guestroom interiors as well as upgrades in the hotel’s meeting areas and its famous pools with a completion date set for early 2015. Known for reflecting a stunning blend of Hawaii’s culture and natural beauty, the upgrades are designed to further enhance the guest experience with a fresh, contemporary island look.  Room design updates are being headed by interior architect Robert Barry of the Los Angeles based Barry Design Associates (BDA) who won the account via a design competition. The firm was behind...

TORONTO—Du Verre Hardware Company introduces the Argyle Collection of knobs and pulls. An iconic pattern, Argyle was born in the Scottish Highlands, home of fine whiskey and tartans. This timeless pattern has had many incarnations from the famous Scottish clans of Campbell to great knitwear and golfing gear more popular today.Designed by Du Verre co-founder, Gina Lubin, Du Verre’s Argyle plays on the strong graphic pattern of small diamond shapes. This new collection is ideal for cabinetry and furniture whether used as an accent or for an entire kitchen or bath.The Argyle Collection is offered in three finishes and...

CHINO, CALIF.—Bertolini Hospitality & Design presents The Amera banquet chair. The ergonomics of the new Amera are built right into the structure of the frame and seat foundation to provide banquet and conference guests with all day comfort. The Amera features The Flex-Fit seat’s contoured S-shape saddle with high resiliency 3 lb. foam cushioning and rolled front. The Flex-Fit seat gains its unique ability to take on ergonomic characteristics, produce rock-solid durability and maintain a lightweight contribution to the chair through an innovative process referred to as blow molding. Paired up with the Flex-Fit seat is the Fit-Tight fastening...