ORION ORNAMENTAL IRON INC. OFFERS SUMMER SALES

Orion Ornamental Iron Inc., winner of the prestigious WOW award from Vision magazine and the WCMA Product Innovation Award 2009, is best known for its iron drapery hardware. In recent years, the company has broadened its appeal for designers by adding new hardware collections in crystal, glass, resin and wood.

This summer, Orion has some enticing sales to aid in those special summer decorating projects. All Wood Art by Orion hardware has an additional discount of 25 percent on the New York Wood and Rosina Collections.

Tropical-themed hardware is also on sale, with the Tropical Bamboo on Iron Collection now an additional 20 percent off. And, Orion’s unique Bavaria line, iron fascia with traverse hardware, is also 20 percent off. Visit www.ironartbyorion.com for more details.

TAYLOR ELECTED TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF WINDOW COVERINGS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

The Window Coverings Association of America (WCAA) recently announced that William J. Taylor, CEO of Rowley Company, was elected to its Board of Directors. In addition, Linda Principe and Ramon Hardy were also elected to office.

"I’m excited about the skills and energy this slate of Directors brings to the table and I look forward to working with them to expand Member and Industry Partner Benefits," said Jenna Abbott, WCAA executive director. "Our Members and Partners are the lifeblood of the Association; increasing membership and crafting new programs for them is the board’s primary goal."

"I am pleased to join the WCAA Board of Directors," said William J. Taylor, CEO of Rowley Company. "I am anxious to work with the other board members to develop plans to strengthen and grow the WCAA which provides a critical connection between independent businesses in the window fashions industry. The new board strives to improve value added benefits for both WCAA Members and Industry Partners." Visit www.RowleyCompany.com and www.wcaa.org.

Shown above: William J. Taylor, CEO of Rowley Company

JIM MATHEWS, HUNTER DOUGLAS VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING, HONORED FOR 20 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE

Jim Mathews, vice president of marketing for Hunter Douglas Inc., was honored for 20 years of outstanding service to the window fashions leader and the industry as a whole at the company’s annual Service Awards Luncheon recognizing employee milestones.

During the luncheon, President and CEO Marv Hopkins presented Mathews with a plaque and service pin and commended him as one of the most important and effective contributors to Hunter Douglas’ growth and success over the past two decades. "Jim has created this industry’s leading marketing organization, assembling and developing the talents of a group of individuals whose skills, knowledge and dedication, together with his strong vision and dynamic leadership, are reshaping the American marketplace for innovative, high-quality window coverings."

Among the many highlights of Mathews' 20 years, Hopkins recognized Mathews for spearheading the development of the company’s award-winning Web site (www.hunterdouglas.com), a destination for many hundreds of thousands of American consumers. Hopkins also credited Mathews with creating the highly successful Hunter Douglas Gallery, Showcase Priority and Priority Dealer alliance programs and with overseeing and guiding the company’s industry-leading consumer advertising, marketing and promotional initiatives.

Mathews came to Hunter Douglas in 1989 as Director of Sales and Marketing for the Window Coverings Division after a distinguished tenure at Armstrong World Industries. He was promoted the following year to Hunter Douglas Vice President of Marketing, a position he has held for 19 years.

Mathews’ stated objective for the Hunter Douglas marketing organization is to ensure that American consumers have thoroughly satisfying experiences shopping for and living with the company’s diverse collection of innovative, stylish and energy-efficient window fashions. That goal is achieved by effectively attracting consumers to the brand, and linking them to those professional dealers, designers and installers throughout the United States and Canada who are closely aligned with Hunter Douglas. Mathews and his wife, Kathy, have two children and live in Ho-Ho-Kus, N.J. Visit www.hunterdouglas.com.

JENNA ABBOTT, CWP CWTC, ANNOUNCED AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE WCAA

Jenna Abbott has accepted the role of Executive Director for the Window Coverings Association of America (WCAA). The official announcement was made during the association’s national meeting, held during Vision09: IWCE in Atlanta, Ga., on May 15, 2009.

Since 2001, Abbott has owned and operated a full-service wholesale workroom out of Sacramento, Calif. "She is acutely aware of the challenges facing the industry and uniquely qualified to lead the organization into the future," stated Bob Hipps, WCAA president, in a statement to members. Hipps went on to say, "Jenna is an astute business woman who possesses both the drive and skill to catapult the Window Coverings Association of America forward and to make it the organization of choice for the designers, decorators, installers, dealers, fabricators and workrooms who are our members and industry partners. Her prior background in corporate financial services and human resources with a specialty in business development and her strong commitment and participation in our industry makes her a great fit for the role of executive director."

Abbott has been a WCAA member since 2007 and helped to start the Northern California Chapter as the founding vice president that same year. In 2008, she was elected to the National Board of Directors. Abbott is also the sole proprietor of Sew Elegant by Jenna, a "to the trade" workroom specializing in fabricating exquisite custom drapery, valances, custom bedding and pillows, fabric shades, upholstered cornices and headboards and table linens for the Sacramento Interior Design community. She is also an alumnus of the Custom Home Furnishings Academy in Charlotte, N.C.

In addition, the Association will relocate to 11230 Gold Express Drive, Suite 310-149, Gold River, CA 95670-4484, effective July 31, 2009. Visit www.wcaa.org.

EXCITING WINDOWS! UNVEILS INTERACTIVE IDEA STUDIO AT REGIONAL CONFERENCE IN ATLANTA

Exciting Windows!, the leading full service network of shop-at-home custom window coverings decorators, announced its new Interactive IDEA Studio Website system at its regional meeting held last month in Atlanta. Additional marketing tools including "Preferred Customer" marketing, new mailing service, Color Certification and advanced Internet social networking techniques, assuring that Exciting Windows! Members have strong lead flow in spite of the current economy.

The Interactive IDEA Studio will launch Sept. 1, in time for the fall season. By visiting the Exciting Windows! website (www.excitingwindows.com/trade), potential customers can connect directly with an Exciting Windows! decorator in their community and interact through a visual exchange of window treatment ideas, different design styles, colors, fabric choices and other options.

"This interactive technology is a whole new approach to the concept of Internet marketing that is far advanced from anything like it on the web," cites Steve Bursten, CEO. "By directly engaging the new customer with dozens of window styling designs and decorating information we build customer relationships before meeting the customer. Search engines look for recent change and traffic linking to the site."

This site is designed to assure high rankings for co-branded and franchised business owners, advised Bursten. Steve Wishnow, president, added, "The IDEA Studio will be updated by the decorator/manager with blogging, customer work, community events and more. Then, from the home office, we will update monthly with new style designs. The customer, herself, can join in by adding her own photos and ask questions for us to help her."

"The benefit to homeowners is to have a super, in-depth resource for complete window design ideas, and to know that a friendly, certified window designer will come to her home without cost to listen to her ideas and help pull it all together," explained Project Manager Ada Lloyd, working under VP of Marketing and Support Kathy Cragg.

Exciting Windows! window designers begin building a personal relationship with customers as customers return frequently to view new photos and renderings on the Web site. Renderings are created in the Minutes Matter Studio computer design program by Kimberly Chafee. Decorators gain trust while gathering data based on the client’s lifestyle, decorating choices, window types, room size and more. This way, designers are fully prepared with decorating options before they even make their first home appointment.

Other key marketing developments from Exciting Windows! include:
• Preferred Customer Marketing System: An innovation in consistent follow-up with top customers—leading to increased awareness, higher repeat business and more referral sales. This new low-cost subscription system has a "set and forget" program that provides hassle-free marketing efforts to past customers by processing customer lists and emailing notices and advertisements.
• Target Neighborhood Development Program: Building awareness, generating new leads and sales through continued efforts to "own" neighborhoods and make friends with residents through cumulative marketing strategies.
• Color Certification: Members who attended this conference were trained and certified by color expert Sarah Youngblood on the techniques to close more window coverings sales by using color selection skills and trends.
• Social Networking: A comprehensive training session on methods of blogging and opportunities to join Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and other social networking tools.
• Implementation of an automated, Web-based rating and referral system to increase customer satisfaction and loyalty, along with gift referrals to friends. Visit www.excitingwindows.com/trade.

Shown here: Exciting Windows! CEO Steve Bursten, left, in front of the new Interactive Idea Studio technology, with Kathy Cragg, VP of member services and Steve Wishnow, president.

DELAINE JAMES INC. COMPLETES INSTALLATION OF STATE-OF-THE-ART SHUTTER PRODUCTION FACILITY

DeLaine James has installed the only production facility of its kind in America for producing wood shutters. The high-tech operation provides an efficient means of producing a high volume of top quality interior wood shutters with unprecedented delivery times and service. DeLaine James will market the real wood shutters to designers as well as to specialty shutter companies throughout North America.

DeLaine James has been importing shutters from China for the past three years and is moving jobs to Austin, Texas with this operation. New positions will include customer service, production, assembly, finishing, shipping/receiving/warehousing and installation. The initial equipment installation was completed on June 30, 2009. Additional capabilities will be added over the coming months. Future products will include an economy faux wood shutter as well as exotic species shutters. DeLaine James currently offers bass wood shutters as well as its exclusive "Old World Rustic" shutter.

DeLaine James is a privately-held Austin-based wholesale only supplier of high fashion custom window coverings. "We focus on shutters for high-end residential and solar/screen radiant barrier shades for lofts and commercial markets," said Devin Kicks, owner. "Our products are beautiful, functional, reliable, green and energy efficient. The new shutter operation will add a level of service unique to the industry." Visit www.delainejames.com.

RJF INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION ACQUIRES CHESAPEAKE WALLCOVERINGS

RJF International Corporation, manufacturer and distributor of commercial wallcoverings, has acquired the assets of Chesapeake Wallcoverings.

Chesapeake Wallcoverings will be integrated into Warner Wallcoverings, a leader in the residential wallcovering market.

"Integrating Chesapeake Wallcoverings into RJF's Warner Wallcoverings business will ensure a continued supply of Chesapeake's products to the market," according to John Baechle, chairman and CEO of RJF International Corporation.

The acquisition further solidifies RJF's leadership position in the wallcovering market by significantly expanding its breadth of product offerings in the residential market. Visit www.rjfinternational.com.