industry news industry, as well as characterized by innovative marketing and merchandising strategies. The ICFA membership voted via an online ballot for a winner in each of two categories in the summer.
ICFA Names Manufacturer of the Year OW Lee (Ontario, California) received the 2020 Manufacturer of the Year Award from the International Casual Furnishings Association. Five manufacturers of outdoor furnishings were named finalists for this year’s award. The other honorees included Lloyd Flanders (Menominee, Michigan), Telescope Casual (Granville, New York), Treasure Garden (Baldwin Park, California), and Tropitone (Irvine, California). These companies were selected for the award from online nominations in August among ICFA’s membership. The finalists were selected based on the overall design and quality of their products, along with their merchandising, customer service, ethics, communications, and trade relations. Company profiles of the finalists were distributed to the ICFA members for a second round of voting, and the company with the most votes won. The ICFA’s first Unsung Hero Award was awarded to Ebel's Mia Nault (In Memoriam). In 2020, ICFA created the award to recognize exemplary customer service reps at manufacturing companies. Nault was an important part of the Ebel team for 10 years until she was tragically lost in an automobile accident in February.
Homecrest: Made in the USA and Aiming to Expand Magneta Cushion Collection with Stonegate Fire Pit
Magneta Sling Dining with Timber Table
Even prior to the pandemic, the made in America ethos of Homecrest Outdoor Living (Wadena, Minnesota) was becoming increasingly important to consumers, primarily due to ongoing trade disputes with America’s largest international trading partner. “As that relationship has become more complex, and American consumers have begun to
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Grand Canyon Gas Logs Celebrates 2nd Year of Inclusion in the Inc. 5000 Grand Canyon Gas Logs, an emerging leader in the hearth industry, for the second year in a row has been ranked by Inc. magazine in their annual list of the 5,000 fastest-growing companies. This year, they achieved the rank of #1085. Inc. began publication in 1979 and is renowned across the United States for spotlighting private companies achieving greatness across all industries. Grand Canyon Gas Logs celebrates a second year of being listed in Inc. magazine’s ranking of To be considered for the Inc. 5000 list, companies fastest-growing companies must submit three years of financial growth data. Established in 2014, Grand Canyon Gas Logs began showcasing its growth almost from the outset, achieving a ranking in the prestigious list for the first time in 2019. They have now repeated that feat for 2020. “It is an honor to be recognized with these other great companies in this year’s Inc. 5000,” says Elliott White, general manager. “I would especially like to thank our customers for making this possible two years in a row so early in our company’s history! It just goes to show that America was ready for a 100% U.S.-based company, with all the quality that entails, to make a product that could be the focal point of their living space as they enjoy time with friends and family.”
Doug Sanicola Named Acting Chair of ICFA
Doug Sanicola
Doug Sanicola has been named Acting Chair of the International Casual Furnishings Association following the resignation of Joe Pucci of Great Gatherings. He will fill the unexpired term through year-end. Sanicola, president of Outdoor Elegance in La Verne, Calif., served as the trade group’s first retail chair in 2017. He was elected to the Board of Directors in 2012 for a three-year term and later served as vice chair in 2015 and 2016. Sanicola and his wife, Sharon, purchased Outdoor Elegance in May 2001. The single-store operation has been an ICFA Apollo Award finalist for retailing excellence in 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2019.
develop an increasing awareness of political and human rights concerns abroad, the desire to purchase products manufactured closer to home has increased,” says CEO Tim DeJong. Over the last six months, DeJong notes that there has also been a pragmatic side to buying furniture made in the USA. Because of the pandemic, global supply chains have been interrupted, with many suppliers experiencing serious delays in procuring components or finished goods from offshore. “Being able to purchase fully customized furniture with reasonable lead times often makes the decision for shoppers,” DeJong says. “This is simply because buying locally-made goods, manufactured with Americanmade components, makes it possible for customers to get exactly what they want sooner.” DeJong and his team have been busy manufacturing many new American-made products that offer advantages for retailers and end users. Patio & Hearth Products Report (P&HPR) sat down with DeJong to review the company’s latest products, marketing efforts, and dealer support programs. P&HPR: What are your latest collections and what
makes these lines stand out? DeJong: For the 2020-21 season, our three main collection launches are Magneta, a Streamline Moderne-inspired cushion and sling dining collection; Elevate, an attractive weighted café collection in sling and aluminum mesh (ideal for environments that require serious wind resistance); and our Concrete occasional and fire table series. Magneta stands out because it’s visually compelling and incredibly comfortable. There’s nothing quite like it in the marketplace. It’s instantly inviting with its aerodynamic silhouette, and it’s very difficult to find anything that can match it for comfort. Magneta is part of our DreamCore cushion category, which is known for its supreme seating. Our complementing Magneta sling dining collection features the same unique design, while pairing with our hallmark double layer sling and patented swivel rock mechanism. We believe this combination presents the most comfortable sling chair currently available. Elevate is an excellent addition to our commercial portfolio. Although it presents a light and airy design style, we’ve crafted it with solid aluminum compocontinued on page 85