PEACHTREE CITY, GA.—Takashi Sonoda was recently appointed president of Rinnai America Corp. He is a 30-year veteran of the company. Sonoda previously managed a 400-person staff at the company’s Brazil facility and most recently served as president of Rinnai R. B. Controls Co., Ltd., in Japan.“Takashi brings a unique perspective,” said Yuzo Yoshida, general manager of overseas business headquarters at Rinnai. “His extensive global-industry background, strong management skills, and logistics and sales experience are valuable additions to the Rinnai America team.”In addition to welcoming a new president, Rinnai America is growing its advisory committee. Phil Weeks, previously the COO...

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.—Valley Forge Fabrics, the world’s largest supplier of decorative textiles to the hospitality industry based in South Florida, announced the appointment of Amber Gapinski as marketing manager. Gapinski will report directly to president Diana Dobin and replaces Ken Koneck, who currently holds the position. “Amber was selected after a long and extensive search,” Dobin says. “Her background of marketing, social media and public relations brings a fresh perspective and energy to Valley Forge.” Amber comes to Valley Forge with previous marketing experience with The Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and Stress Free Corporate Housing. Amber brings strong passion...

LONDON—Global carpet tile manufacturer Interface, Inc. and conservation charity the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) are celebrating the successful completion of a pilot project and the start of a commercial venture with both conservation and socio-economic benefits. The innovative collaboration, called Net-Works, has been created to tackle the growing environmental problem of discarded fishing nets in some of the world’s poorest coastal communities.By establishing a community-based supply chain for discarded nets, Net-Works aims to improve the livelihood of local fishers, while providing Interface with an innovative source of recycled materials for its carpet tiles. Discarded nets on the beaches...

OTTAWA, ONT.—Green Key Global announced that The Hotel Association of New York City (HANYC) has adopted Green Key Global’s flagship program, the Green Key Eco-Rating Program, as its preferred environmental certification system for the city’s lodging industry. New York is the first city in the United States to make this designation.An initiative of the HANYC’s Sustainable Hospitality Committee, the selection of Green Key as its certification partner complements a drive by the association to provide its members with direction in the move to increase their overall sustainability efforts. A Get Certified page on the HANYC’s website provides its members...

ARCHBOLD, OHIO—WoodTrac by Sauder announced that it has received Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Chain-of-Custody Certification for its WoodTrac Ceiling Systems. The FSC Chain-of-Custody certification is awarded to companies that meet FSC standards for traceability in their wood supply chain. Before a product can carry an FSC label, all stages of the production, distribution, and sales of the product must be tracked from the certified forest to the finished product. The certification indicates that the timber was harvested from responsibly managed forests.In addition, the certification means that builders, architects, interior designers, and developers using WoodTrac Ceiling Systems can earn Leadership...

ORLANDO, FLA.—The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (EI) celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. The training arm of the American Hotel & Lodging Association since 1953, EI is committed to providing hospitality professionals with industry-focused training, professional certification, workforce development programs, and online learning.“At a time when there were very few professional development opportunities available for hotel workers, EI stepped in and filled a need,” said Robert L. Steele, III, CHA, president and COO of the Educational Institute.The idea for EI was first proposed in 1949, when Arthur Landstreet, a Tennessee hotelier and chair of the American Hotel...

LAS VEGAS—Bartech, a provider of automatic minibar solutions for the hospitality industry, has announced a partnership with INNCOM and certified integration with the company’s INNcontrol 3 system. INNCOM develops, manufactures, and markets advanced guestroom control systems for the global lodging industry. The Bartech/INNCOM partnership will give hotels access to a rooms control system that controls in-room minibars along with various other technologies, in order to maximize operations and minimize costs.INNCOM’s INNcontrol 3 system is specifically designed to communicate with intelligent guestroom devices such as Bartech minibars. The system reports on room occupancy, network connectivity and equipment run-time, which helps...

TEMPERANCE, MICH.—MTS announced that its Studio Twist has earned recognition at the upcoming NAFEM (North American Food Equipment Manufacturers) show in February. This is one of the largest trade shows focusing on the foodservice market.“The clean lines and eclectic appearance of the Studio Twist makes it a great addition to our ‘Twist’ models of restaurant seating,” said MTS CEO Phil Swy.Envisioned by renowned, European designer Kirsten Bartlmae, the Studio Twist features a tapered leg design and a minimalist back and seat profile. Like all MTS Café Twist and Bistro Twist models, the Studio Twist nests six high in a...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, has added a High Sierra Showerheads video to its Vendor Videos section. The video highlights the environmental and business benefits to using the High Sierra Shower Head. The 1.5 gallon per minute showerhead saves on water and water heating costs and with its patented nozzle technology will not clog. It is made in the United States from solid metal, with an ABS splash guard that is well suited to shower-over-bath installations. Tens of thousands of these showerheads are saving water, energy, and money in hotels across the country....

WATERFORD, N.Y.—Cascades Tissue Group announced that it has achieved Green Seal Standard, GS-1 re-certification of Sanitary Paper Products for its entire line of Cascades and North River away-from-home towel and tissue products. In September 2011, Green Seal made major revisions to its GS-1 standard. The standard was first established more than 20 years ago for products such as bathroom tissue, facial tissue, paper towels, napkins, wipes and placemats. Overall, it sets the environmental, health, and social requirements for sanitary paper products and comprehensively addresses environmental life-cycle issues spanning raw materials, manufacturing, packaging and product use and performance.With this latest...