NEWH - Summer 2014 - 67

Partner Profiles
Milliken recently introduced the Cartesian collection, part of the company's étage® series, which enables
designers to create custom carpets while using existing patterns. Inspired by architecture wireframes, Cartesian
brings the architect's linear point of view to the floor plane. Seven patterns play on the proportion and scale of
squares and rectangles, lending personality with perfected geometry to interiors.
Milliken has been receiving multiple awards in the last year. The Moment collection, which debuted at HD Expo 2013, was named Interior Design
magazine's Best of Year for hospitality flooring. Art Media,introduced at NeoCon, received Contract magazine's Best of NeoCon Gold. Both collections
also received GOOD DESIGN Awards, the oldest awards program in the industry. And Milliken was recognized in 2014 by the Ethisphere Institute as one
of the "World's Most Ethical Companies" for the eighth consecutive year-"a distinction we deeply value," says Bill Blackstock, Milliken's regional vice
president of sales for the Americas.
Other sustainability initiatives: the company discloses the components of its commercial carpet tile products through Declare, a voluntary labeling
program and database operated by the International Living Future Institute, and all Milliken North American standard modular carpet collections have
Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) that identify environmental impacts over their lifecycle. Says Blackstock: "We create our collections to inspire
and allow designers to reimagine the floor plane in unexpected ways, and to 'do good' for the world."
Inspiration comes from NEWH as well. "Milliken has been a longtime supporter of NEWH, and we greatly value our relationship with members and
how we can learn from-and inspire-one another." Says Blackstock. "Through NEWH, we are able to constantly engage with visionary designers in
the hospitality industry, which helps shape Milliken's direction in the hospitality market."

Moen has a variety of new product introductions in 2014, including the Align™ bathroom collection. The suite,
available in Chrome and LifeShine® Brushed Nickel fi nishes, features chic, cylindrical, geometric shapes to
offer not only a stylish solution-but a functional one as well. Align offers several product platforms, to provide
designers and specifiers high-end style and functionality. In particular, the low-profi le faucet offers an ideal
and sophisticated solution when designing in small spaces. Moen products will be showcased in a few highprofi le projects, including the Ritz-Carlton Reserve on pearl Island, Panama, and the Nobu Hotel in Manila, Philippines.
This year marks a significant milestone for the company. Explains, Mark Fales, Moen's senior director of strategic accounts: "This year marks the
75th anniversary of Al Moen's invention of the single-handle mixing faucet. In 1937, after burning himself at a sink with traditional single taps for hot
and cold water, a young, determined Al Moen set about inventing a single-handle faucet designed to mix hot and cold. The invention, finalized in 1939,
revolutionized the plumbing industry and set the stage for 75 years of innovation at a company later named after this strong-minded inventor. In 2014,
Moen associates around the world are celebrating this significant advancement, and the founder that made it all happen."
The biggest challenge today says Fales, is the perception that accompanies green initiatives in hospitality. "There's a misconception that the
guest experience must be sacrificed in order to meet green requirements," he says. "However, reduced flow rates do not have to mean decreased
performance. Moen is committed to developing eco-performance products that significantly preserve the quality of a guest's experience-both in the
shower and at the sink-while still meeting any required or preferred building codes and standards."
"NEWH has proven to be a significant partnership for Moen, and our involvement at the national and chapter levels greatly improves our visibility
with key decision makers in the hospitality industry. We value NEWH's commitment to continuing education for future designers and executives and are
looking forward to all that 2014 will bring to the marketplace."

Tropitone-which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year-has been busy launching new products. The
company recently introduced new cushion seating, ottomans, and accessory tables to its South Beach group of
outdoor furniture. Thought up by designer Richard Holbrook, it is inspired by the clean, dynamic lines of sports cars
and South Beach's Art Deco architecture. Tropitone also released two new metallic powder coat finishes, Cobalt
and Merlot. In contrast are the new Vineyard triple-strand, twisted-cord weave for the Evo and Mia groups done in
serene brown and gray hues. And Tropitone now has four new accessories designed for hospitality and resorts: an adjustable chaise lounge shade; a
drink service flag; an aluminum towel and waste bin; and an aluminum towel cabinet.
Tropitone also launched new websites for its three primary brands: Tropitone, Tropitone MODA, and Tropitone Valora. "We were at the forefront
of website platform technology when we created our old website and it was continuously improved over time," explains John Mattson, Tropitone's
vice president of sales. "But we reached the point that we needed to utilize state-of-the-art framework technology to create the features and benefi ts
demanded by today's users." Users can explore products, configure selections, call up prior product selections, and complete purchase transactions.
Mattson says one of the biggest challenges in today's industry is attracting, developing, and retaining people-those who can be successful in the
knowledge-based economy-who will successfully lead the industry into the future. "NEWH plays a vital role in addressing this critical challenge," says
Mattson, adding, "NEWH allows our company a chance to support a great cause where students that have decided to make a career in the hospitality
industry have a chance at financial assistance to pursue their dreams," says Mattson. "This is very rewarding and allows us to give back to the industry.
The students today are our future. NEWH also brings many opportunities for all hospitality industry people to interact and meet one another for
personal and/or business aspirations."

NEWH - Summer 2014

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