For Immediate Release Contact: Ralph Vasami 212.297.2125 rvasami@kellencompany.com WINDOW COVERING MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES 2010 WCMA PRODUCT AWARDS WINNERS New York, NY (April 19, 2010) The Window Covering Manufacturers Association (WCMA) has announced the winners of the 2010 WCMA Product Awards. The WCMA Product Awards recognize the industry s most innovative new products and ideas in a variety of categories. A panel of design community experts reviewed over 75 entries and singled out Kirbé vertical drapery system from Lutron Electronics Co., Inc as the winner of WCMA s coveted Product of the Year designation. Described as an industry first, the Kirbé vertical drapery system smoothly pulls drapery up and completely out of the way - unlike traditional drapery that move from sideto-side. WCMA Product Awards winners will be honored during a reception at the VISION10 Expo (formerly IWCE) in Atlanta, GA on May 12, 2010. Photographs of all the entries will be on display at the VISION10 Expo from May 13-15 and will also be featured on the WCMA Web site, www.wcmanet.org. List of all award winners is attached. Winning products were selected for their technical innovations and enhancements, style concepts and overall design. Product categories include: cellular shades; drapery hardware; green products; horizontal blinds; motorization; Roman, roller, and pleated shades; shadings and sheers; shutters; specialty applications; vertical and panel tracks; and miscellaneous products. Breakout merchandising programs were also recognized for their accomplishments. Every manufacturer, engineer, designer and marketing team deserves to be lauded for their contributions to the window coverings industry in 2010, said Ralph Vasami, executive director of WCMA. WCMA proudly recognizes these companies for their achievements during this past year s tough economic climate. The 2010 judges were Debra Haire, senior buyer, JC Penney; Susan Hirsh, North American manager for decorative programs, Benjamin Moore & Co; Susan Huckvale Arann, interior designer and president, American & International Designs, Inc.; and Leonard Mozer, window fashions editor, LDB Interior Textiles.
2010 WCMA PRODUCT AWARDS WINNERS INCLUDE: PRODUCT AWARDS 2010 WCMA PRODUCT OF THE YEAR Kirbé vertical drapery system Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. CELLULAR SHADES Mirage Cellular Shade PHASE II Honorable Mention Duette and Applause PowerRise 2.0 with Platinum Technology DRAPERY HARDWARE Best New Style Concept Designers Choice SleekFascia Traversing Orion Ornamental Iron, Inc. Honorable Mention Best New Style Concept 1 Metal Collection Paris Texas Hardware Clip-A-Crown Orion Ornamental Iron, Inc. GREEN PRODUCTS SUSTAINABILITY Best Utilization of Sustainable Materials EcoVeil Naturals Shadecloth 8050 Series MechoShade Home Systems, Inc. Best Utilization of Recyclable Materials Vintage fabric for Applause honeycomb shades
GREEN PRODUCTS HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY Roman-style Shades with New Cord Ladder Honorable Mention Ribbon Weights and Dumplings Theatrical and Drapery Supply Best New Style Concept Vignette Tiered Modern Roman Shades with UltraGlide HiTech Ultimate Roman Shade DSC Window Fashions GREEN PRODUCTS ENERGY EFFICIENCY SunDialer System MechoShade Home Systems, Inc. 3/8 Duette Architella Classic fabric HORIZONTAL BLINDS EPIC Operating System RUSTIC Plastibec One Touch CORDLESS 1 aluminum blind PHASE II
MOTORIZATION Tumo Xcel Eco-line BTX Window Automation, Inc. Best Technical Enhancement PowerRise 2.0 with Platinum Technology DecoFlex WireFree RTS Table Top Control Somfy Systems Inc. Kirbé vertical drapery system Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. ROMAN, ROLLER, AND PLEATED SHADES Roman shades with CERUS safety technology Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. Honorable Mention PERSONA Custom Graphics Enhancements to Provenance Woven Wood Shades Most Innovative Overall Roller Shade Design PERSONA Roller and Roman Shades SHADINGS AND SHEERS Best Technical Enhancement Enhancements to Pirouette window shadings Best New Style Concept Luminette Modern Draperies Dual Panel Honorable Mention Best New Style Concept Nantucket Sunscreen privacy shadings
SHUTTERS Best Technical Enhancement Reinvigorated/Refreshed Palm Beach polysatin shutters Best New Style Concept Masterpiece Shutters Masterpiece Shutters Honorable Mention Best New Style Concept EcoMaxxWood Designer Shutters - San Marco Collection Maxxmar Window Fashions Bali EuroVue Shutters Springs Window Fashions, LLC SPECIALTY APPLICATIONS Best Technical Enhancement Supreme Performance Combi Specialty Shapes and Arches Maxxmar Window Fashions Pirouette window shadings Specialty Shapes Best Overall Design Harmony Program VERTICAL AND PANEL TRACKS Enhancements to Skyline Gliding Window Panels MISCELLANEOUS PRODUCTS CamilyWand Camily, LLC Honorable Mention Designer Metallic Hardware for Cellular, Pleated, Roller and Roman Programs
JUDGES' AWARD Awarded to a submission exhibiting measurable benefit or standout aesthetic appeal to end users. PERSONA Roller and Roman Shades JUDGES' AWARD Awarded to a submission exhibiting measurable benefit or standout aesthetic appeal to end users. Roman shades with CERUS safety technology Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. MERCHANDISING AWARDS Best Online Trade Technology My Honorable Mention Best Online Trade Technology Composer Helser Brothers, Inc. Best Online Consumer Technology imagine Design Center Upload Your Own photo feature Best Point of Sale Merchandising 2010 Nantucket Sample Book Best Point of Sale Merchandising 2nd Place Design Studio Roman Shades Merchandising Kit Best Point of Sale Merchandising 3rd Place PERSONA Roller and Roman Shades Sample Book Best Point of Sale Display Architella Energy Efficiency Demonstration Kit Best Point of Sale Display 2nd Place 2009 Promotional Programs
Best Integrated Marketing Campaign - Consumer Advertising - Database Marketing - Consumer Collateral - Website Support - Multi-Faceted Public Relations - Dealer Promotional Kits - Dealer Communications Duette Architella Federal Tax Credit Opportunity Integrated Marketing Program Best Educational Programs 2010 E-learning Product Courses WebEx seminars Custom Shutter Collection Environmental Brochure Note to Editor: Product information and images are available upon request. Please contact: 212.297.2108. About the WCMA Product Awards For the past nineteen years, the WCMA Product Awards Program has bestowed over 425 awards. For more information about WCMA and its Product Awards Program, contact Ralph Vasami at 212.297.2125. About the Window Covering Manufacturers Association Originally 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. ###