FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ralph Vasami 212.297.2125
WINDOW COVERING MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES
2008 PRODUCT INNOVATION AWARD WINNERS
New York, NY (February 18, 2008)—The Window Covering Manufacturers Association (WCMA) proudly announced the winners of its 2008 Product Innovation Awards today. The annual awards are designed to highlight the industry’s most innovative products of the year. An expert panel of five judges from the interior design community selected 32 winners from among the 86 entries received this year. A reception for the winners will be held on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at The International Window Coverings Expo (IWCE) in Atlanta, GA. Photographs of all entries will be displayed March 27-29, 2008 during the IWCE and will be posted on the WCMA website, www.wcmanet.org. All winners are listed at end of page.
The top award -- the coveted “Product of the Year” designation -- was given to Hunter Douglas for their Pirouette® window shadings. This product’s outstanding features include adjustable horizontal fabric vanes attached to a sheer backing. When adjusted, the textured fabric transforms from what appears to be cascading folds to contoured vanes, while filtering light and outside views.
The other 33 winning products were awarded within the following 10 categories: Cellular Shades; Drapery Hardware; ‘Green’ Products; Horizontal Blinds; Motorization; Roman, Roller and Pleated Shades; Shutters; Verticals / Panel Tracks; Wood / Faux Wood Blinds; and Merchandising. The judges also recognized entries for Best New Technical Innovation, Best New Style Concept and Most Innovative Overall Design.
“The judges rigorously reviewed many strong product entries for technical, style, and design innovations. On behalf of WCMA we congratulate each of the manufacturers who received one of these prestigious awards,” said Ralph Vasami, executive director of WCMA. “We thank each of the engineering and design teams for raising the level of overall ingenuity and appreciate each company’s support of the industry’s premier awards competition.”
This year’s judges included Susan Hirsh, senior merchandiser, Benjamin Moore; Susan Huckvale Arann, interior design consultant, American and International Designs; Alan Holland; senior buyer, JC Penney; Leonard Mozer, window fashions editor, LDB Interior Textiles; and Samantha Nestor, special projects editor, Metropolitan Home Magazine.
About the Product Innovation Awards For the past eighteen years, the Product Innovation Awards Program has bestowed over 400 awards. For more information about WCMA and its Product Innovation Awards Program, contact Ralph Vasami at 212.297.2125.
About the Window Covering Manufacturers Association Organized in the 1950s as the Venetian Blind Council, the Window Covering Manufacturers Association (WCMA) represents the interests of the window covering industry manufacturers, fabricators and assemblers. WCMA has three membership categories: Manufacturers, Fabricators and Associates. The organization’s annual Product Innovation Awards recognize significant product advancements in the window covering industry and help to highlight the important services and products it provides.
For more information, visit www.wcmanet.org.
Note to Editor: Product information and images are available upon request. Please contact: 212.297.2122. List of entries attached.
WINDOW COVERING MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION
2008 PRODUCT INNOVATION AWARD WINNERS
PRODUCT OF THE YEAR
Hunter Douglas
Pirouette® window shadings
CELLULAR SHADES
Best New Style Concept
Hunter Douglas
Ariosa™ fabric for Duette® honeycomb shades
Best New Technical Innovation
Comfortex Window Fashions
Comfortex Symphony® Blackout DoubleHoneycomb Shades “The Insulator”
Best New Style Concept
Helser Brothers
Jewels™ By Debra MayHimes
Best New Technical Innovation
StayFold, Inc.
StayFold
GREEN PRODUCTS
Best New Style Concept
Hunter Douglas
Alustra® Duette® Architella™ Sheer Opalessence™
Best New Technical Innovation
Comfortex Window Fashions
Comfortex Envision™ Roller Shadesfeaturing the Ecogreen™ Collection
Honorable Mention, Most Innovative Overall Design
Provinaire Window Fashions by Heritage
Provinaire™ E-ScreenFabrics
HORIZONTAL BLINDS
Best New Technical Innovation
Radiant Blinds, Inc.
Radiant Blinds
MOTORIZATION
Best New Technical Innovation
Somfy Systems, Inc.
Tilt Wirefree™ RTS System Remote Control
Honorable Mention, Best New Technical Innovation
ShutterEaze
ShutterEaze™
ROMAN, ROLLER AND PLEATED SHADES
Best New Style Concept
Levolor Kirsch Window Fashions
Kirsch Roman Shade with Decorative Drapery Hardware Headrail
Honorable Mention, Best New Style Concept
Hunter Douglas
Designer Roller Shades
Best New Technical Innovation
RollEase, Inc.
EasyRoll™ Automatic Roller Shade
Honorable Mention, Best New Technical Innovation
Levolor Kirsch Window Fashions
Levolor Roman Shade with Cordless Lift Systems and Top Down/Bottom Up
SHADINGS AND SHEERS
Best New Style Concept
Hunter Douglas
Pirouette® window shadings
Best New Technical Innovation
Hunter Douglas
Pirouette® window shadings
Most Innovative Overall Design
Hunter Douglas
Pirouette® window shadings
SHUTTERS
Best New Style Concept
Hunter Douglas
Enhancements to Heritance® hardwood shutters
Best New Technical Innovation
Norman® USA
PerfectTilt™ Solar Shutters
VERTICALS AND PANEL TRACKS
Best New Style Concept
Levolor Kirsch Window Fashions
Levolor Perceptions Custom Soft vertical finish/color coordination with Levolor Cellular shades
WOOD/FAUX WOOD BLINDS
Best New Style Concept
Hunter Douglas
Enhancements to Country Woods® and The EverWood® Collection blinds
MERCHANDISING
Best Consumer Advertising and Promotional Program
Hunter Douglas
Hunter Douglas Summer Sale Event and Fall 3-in-1 Promotion
Best Trade Advertising and Promotional Program
Hunter Douglas
Hunter Douglas 2007 Trade Advertising Inserts
Best Consumer Education Program
Hunter Douglas
Designing Windows
Honorable Mention, Best Consumer Education Program
Comfortex Window Fashions
Save Now, Recycle and Save Again Campaign: Woodwinds® Wood Alloy Blinds Recycling
Best Trade Education Program
Hunter Douglas
International Alliance Conference
Honorable Mention, Best Trade Education Program
Hunter Douglas
The Hunter Douglas Learning Center
Best Marketing Technology
Hunter Douglas
iMagine™ Design Center
Most Innovative Point of Sale Display Program
Hunter Douglas
Duette® Architella™ Collection Display Board
Best New Sampling Program
Hunter Douglas
Designer Roller Shades Sample Book
Honorable Mention, Best New Sampling Program
Springs Window Fashions
Graber® CrystalPleat® Cellular Shade Sampling Program
Honorable Mention, Best New Sampling Program
Levolor Kirsch Window Fashions
Levolor Custom Natural Shades Sample Book