The next VDTA/SDTA Convention & Show will be in
New Orleans, LA
February 27 - 29, 2012
at the Ernest Morial Convention Center
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The next VDTA/SDTA Convention & Show will be in |
Breaking News:
1-19-12 VAPAMORE'S MR-100 PRIMO STEAM CLEANER RECEIVES A CONSUMERS DIGEST BEST BUY RATING Vapamore's MR-100 Primo Has Earned a Best Buy Rating by Consumers Digest in its February 2012 Edition Following a Comparison of Steam Cleaners. The designation was awarded to Vapamore's MR-100 Primo in the "Best Buys in Steam Cleaners" section of the issue. Editors noted; "No other canister has a better warranty than the MR-100 Primo has." They also noted; "no other model that costs less than $300 has a longer cleaning time (50-60 minutes) that this model has." Consumers Digest awards a Best Buy in recognition of products the staff deems to deliver exceptional value for a given amount of money. Consumers Digest Best Buys are not based purely on features and price, but the value to consumers. "We are proud to earn a Consumers Digest Best Buy rating for our MR-100 Primo steam cleaner," said Randy Marchetti, President and CEO of Vapamore. "The success of the MR-100 Primo can be attributed to the consumer input we have received over the years in the making." Since the launch of the product in mid 2011 sales have been significantly increasing. Vapamore's dedication to customer service and innovative product development remains the company's core focus. "The essence of a Consumers Digest Best Buy rating coincides with Vapamore's own philosophy in providing quality products at excellent value." said Marchetti. "2011 has been a very exciting year for Vapamore, with increasing sales and another new product in development, we expect 2012 to be even better." Vapamore is a leader in the steam cleaning product industry. They manufacture innovative steam cleaning products that are designed and tested for usability and longevity. Vapamore ensures that their products meet consumer needs through a rigorous customer based product development process. To learn more about Vapamore, visit www.vapamore.com or telephone 480-951-8900. 1-3-12 Over 20 years of marketing and business expansion experience in developed and emerging markets AURORA, Ill. – January 3, 2012 – BERNINA of America, the premier manufacturer of sewing, embroidery and quilting machines, is pleased to announce the appointment of Paul Ashworth as its new president. Mr. Ashworth brings over 20 years of marketing and business expansion experience in developed and emerging markets. "I am very pleased to welcome Paul Ashworth as president of BERNINA of America," said Claude Dreyer, CEO of BERNINA International. "Paul has a proven track record of building companies' market share. I am confident that he will play a critical role in driving the continued success of BERNINA in the U.S." Prior to joining BERNINA, Mr. Ashworth served as vice president of marketing at Terlato Wines International where he built a portfolio of successful brands. Mr. Ashworth also held several positions at Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy (LVMH) where he began as the global still wine director for Moët Hennessy Argentina. Mr. Ashworth later relocated to the U.S. and served as vice president of the Wines Division for Moët Hennessy USA. He also later held the position of senior vice president and general manager of Moët Hennessy USA's West region. Previously, Mr. Ashworth also served as business development executive for Paterson Zochonis (PZ) Cussons Plc in Manchester, England where he managed the company's strategy and expansion into Eastern Europe, opening offices in Russia and the Ukraine. He also held several positions with the Seagram Spirits and Wine Group, both in London and Buenos Aires, Argentina. Mr. Ashworth received his undergraduate degree from the Millfield School in Somerset, England and earned his International M.B.A. from École Supérieure de Commerce de Paris (ESCP) Europe in Paris. Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Ashworth said, "BERNINA has tremendous recognition in the industry as a trusted brand that provides innovative products with unparalleled quality. I look forward to building upon its strong dealer network to increase market share in the U.S." About BERNINA 1-2-12 VDTA hall of fame member Maurine Smith, age 92, passed away peacefully at home Monday, December 19. She was born June 22, 1919, in Salt Lake City, the eldest child of Aram & Elsie Plowgian. After graduation from LDS Business College, Maurine worked as an accountant for Anderson Jewelry. She married Blair Leon Smith in Los Angeles, California, on May 21, 1941. Blair passed away July 7, 1976. In January 1981, Maurine married Jack D. Scott, who passed away November 6, 2000. In 1947, Maurine & Blair started Smith-Crown Company, as a single line door-to-door business and through the years changed to be a multi-lined business that is recognized as one of the finest examples of a floor-care center in the Western States and a fixture of Salt Lake City. Her daughter, Barbara Green will continue as the new owner of the company built by her mother. Two of her grandchildren, Alisyn Wallace and Michael Thayne will continue their careers in the floor-care industry in the business founded by their grandmother over 64 years ago. Maurine, a recognized leader in the vacuum industry, was inducted into the Vacuum Dealer Trade Association Hall of Fame in 2010. She continued working every day until August of this year. Maurine loved her family & was proud of her Armenian heritage. Maurine was an avid golfer, bowler, and loved to play the card game of Pan on Friday nights. She & Blair loved to dance with their friends on Saturday nights at Willow Creek Country Club. Maurine enjoyed traveling, and visited many places in the world. Maurine will be an example of the full potential our industry holds. Through hard work and diligence in tough times she created a prosperous business that provided her with an exceptional life and now will be carried on by her children and grand children Maurine is survived by her three daughters, Barbara (Jerry) Green, Kathie Packer, and Robyn (Michael) Still; grandchildren, Michael (Darleen) Thayne, Alisyn (John) Wallace, Erin (Jeremy) Elliott, Kristin (Jared) Jones, Jennifer (Jeffery) Taylor, Erin (Justin) Brown, Amy (Christian) Jenni, Michelle Mower, Jennifer Still, Melissa Still, Caitlin Still; 25 great-grandchildren; and her sister, Marilyn (Richard) Hendry. She is also survived by four children, their spouses, and numerous grandchildren of the Jack Scott family. Maurine was preceded in death by her two husbands, her parents, brother Robert Plowgian, sisters Helen Hansen and Lorraine Borg, and son-in-law James Packer. 12-20-11 12-12-11 In Memory of Clotilde Clotilde Robison La mpe, died on Monday, November 28, 2011. She was born on February 11, 1928 to Arch and Clotilde Robison. At the time of her death she was living in the Seattle area. Five children survive her: Mark, Lisanne, Dirk, Dana, and Tanja, all living on the west coast with Dana in the London, England area. Her twin sister, Rosalinda Robison Paul, survives her and resides in Findlay, Ohio and a brother Arch Robison in the Philadelphia area. Clotilde had always made all of her clothing and eventually started lecturing and writing tips about new sewing products and how to produce a professionally finished garment. Her first discovery was the IRO NALL -an attachment for the iron to keep it from burning the new polyester fabrics that were appearing in the late 1950s. She discovered that the product was being made in a suburb next to her home in the L.A. area, and drove over to the location to find the inventor making the product in his garage. Clotilde went on to promote the product during her numerous lectures and worldwide sewing shows. She was a mentor to many in her field and encouraged all to try their "wings." Her company and catalog was called CLOTILDE. She was a trailblazer in introducing many new sewing products. She has many friends whose lives have been enriched through her unselfish giving to all she encountered, particularly in the field of sewing products. 11-17-11 HIGH ROAD CAPITAL PARTNERS ACQUIRES LEADING QUILTING MACHINE MANUFACTURER "High Road believes there is significant opportunity in the quilting market, with over 20 million quilters just in the United States," said Bob Fitzsimmons, High Road's Managing Partner. "In addition to an aging demographic with more time for hobbies, there is a growing number of serious quilting enthusiasts who seek to use the tools of the professional quilter at home." High Road Partner Bill Connell added, "We are delighted to partner with Handi Quilter's excellent management team, which has steadily increased the company's dedicated user base and successfully created innovative products for different market segments. We plan to build upon the company's market-leading position by further expanding its distribution network and making complimentary add-on acquisitions." "Handi Quilter has grown 50 percent over the past three years and we now distribute our products in 13 countries," said Mark D. Hyland, President and Chief Executive Officer of Handi Quilter. "Under this new partnership and ownership, Handi Quilter can further expand domestically and internationally, and continue to create new and innovative products for quilters throughout the world." CEO Mark Hyland and Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer Darren Denning, along with other key management members, will remain with the Company in their current roles. The company's management team made a significant investment in the transaction along side High Road. Bill Connell, Partner, and Dan Gaspar, Vice President, led the transaction for High Road. Also working on the transaction from High Road were Partner William Hobbs and Associate Paul Langley. Senior debt financing for the transaction was provided by U.S. Bank and subordinated debt was provided by Babson Capital Management. Prestwick Partners advised the sellers. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. High Road has completed 15 transactions – eight platform investments and seven add-on acquisitions – over the past three years for its debut fund, High Road Capital Partners Fund I, LP. For further information, please contact Bob Fitzsimmons of High Road Capital Partners at (212) 554-3265. High Road Capital Partners Handi Quilter, Inc. 10-24-11 Allyn International Sells Last Sewing Machine
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