COOPERSBURG, PA.—Lutron Electronics is pleased to announce that its AuroRa lighting control security kit and Sivoia QS shading system have been recognized by Electronic House magazine with its 2007 “Product of the Year” awards. The winning products will be featured in the September issue of Electronic House magazine and honored at a ceremony during the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA) Expo, September 6-9, in Denver, Colorado. The AuroRa lighting control security kit is a do-it-yourself package that offers remote control of five lights in a home and links to a security system. The Sivoia QS shading...

CAMBRIDGE, MASS.—PlanetTran, the all-hybrid car limousine service, rolled out a new mobile text reservation feature, as well as a first-of-its-kind Environmental Impact Calculator. The new mobile feature allows busy travelers to access the reservation system by text-message. Now customers can switch flights or change their travel plans, and still have their PlanetTran car waiting punctually at the gate. Travelers simply send a text message, and receive text confirmation of the changes. “First and foremost, our customers want to reduce their environmental footprint,” says R. Seth Riney, founder and president of PlanetTran. “We provide a tangible way for businesses and individuals...

CALGARY, AB.—More than 75 percent of travellers do not carry laptops, so in an age when Internet access in hotels is expected as much as towels and soap, hotels need to offer computer access to their guests. Userful Corp., a leader in public computing, has a solution for hotels wanting to offer public internet access—EcoPod. Its pay-per-use EcoPod Internet stations are a turnkey, environmentally responsible and headache-free solution for hotels, restaurants and other venues that see large numbers of visitors or tourists. “DiscoverStation is a great way to make money,” says Jude Joseph, president and CEO of Calgary-based Netsys...

ST. PAUL, MINN. —Ecolab Inc. introduced Apex, a new warewashing system that helps restaurants gain better control of their warewashing process by decreasing costs and environmental impact through optimized efficiency. Apex uses a unique combination of products, equipment and consulting services to address the operational challenges in foodservice warewashing. A complete warewashing system, the Apex products include four detergents, two rinse additives, a presoak and manual pot and pan detergent. Ecolab’s sales-and-service associates use a tablet PC and wireless technology to communicate with the Apex system’s controller to download, process and analyze data to establish each restaurant’s “rack-to-guest ratio.” By...

ATLANTA—Decca Hospitality Furnishings announced that it will convert its entire product line of high-end and custom furnishings to new, environmentally conscious green standards by the end of this year. This action reflects a corporate culture at Decca that is mindful of the environment across its business practices, while underscoring the need for all companies to be good stewards of our environment. Decca’s manufacturing operation will be the first in Asia to meet these rigorous environmental standards. The company’s initiative will also ensure that its products contribute points toward the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED rating systems and the Green Building...

SANTA CLARA, CALIF.—Watt Stopper/Legrand has created an e-Book encompassing its 2007/2008 Product Selection Guide. The convenient e-Book format gives customers quick and easy access to comprehensive information about energy-saving lighting controls. Specifiers, contractors and others are encouraged to tap this new resource for design and application guidelines as well as data on Watt Stopper/Legrand’s full line of products including occupancy sensors, lighting control panels, daylighting controls and more. The e-Book provides faster access to a large volume of information than alternative formats like Web pages or downloadable PDF files. Navigation is simple and each catalog section can be immediately accessed...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Trillium Organics as a Green Product Directory partner. Trillium Organics, established in 1994, offers authentic luxury certified organic amenities as Trillium Organics or with a private label. Trillium products include recyclable dispensing containers, flat flexible packets, and bulk quantities of liquid soaps/shampoos (Castile Gel), moisturizers (oils and butters), and body polish (salt scrub). Go to Trillium Organics or call 800-734-7253 for more information.

RIPON, WISC.—For years, on-premises laundries have relied on the labor and cost saving features of UniMac equipment. With the September 2007 launch of the new UniLinc control for its UW line of washer-extractors, UniMac takes efficiency to a higher level. The user-friendly control and management software bridge the gap between the laundry room and management offices—putting laundry operations data at the fingertips of general managers. “With its advanced reporting and labor-saving traits, UniLinc will have managers looking at their laundries less as cost centers and more as contributors to overall profitability,” says Kim Shady, vice president of distributor sales for...

MUSCATINE, IOWA—The HON Company has improved upon its popular F3 chair, which represents three elements of comfort—fit, form and function. It is now available in a new material called ilira-stretch. This innovative material features a three-dimensional knit with an open-weave pattern, which allows for enhanced airflow, resulting in a more comfortable sitting experience. The HON Company is the exclusive U.S. furniture manufacturer to offer the unique ilira-stretch fabric in its product line. “The F3 is one of our most popular seating lines, thanks to its inherent comfort, versatility and function,” says Brian Miller, vice president of seating for The HON...

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.—Valley Forge Fabrics Inc. welcomes 200 new fabrics spanning two fashion-driven collections to its FRESH line. FRESH launched earlier this year to rave reviews and is an acronym for Fabrics Redefining Environmental Standards (for) Hospitality. FRESH represents the first environmentally friendly comprehensive fabric program designed specifically for the hospitality industry. Prominent New York designer Celerie Kemble has created the Celerie Collection for FRESH. World renowned Palm Beach designers Mimi McMakin and Brooke Hutting developed The Palm Beach Collection for FRESH. The Celerie Collection was designed by Celerie Kemble from her New York studio and reflects Celerie’s urban sense...