March 2017

March 2017 Articles

Perspective:
Time for Women

Here’s a bit of HPBA trivia. Becoming chairman of the association is an honor, a sign of respect for someone who has spent a number of years on the board, and understands the workings of the organization.

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Impact on Business: Climate Change

By James E. Houck

In the near term, the tangible repercussions of climate change are not nearly as important to hearth, patio and barbecue businesses as consumer perception and governmental policies and regulations it arouses. Conversely, in the long term, if scientific projections are correct, its physical manifestations may become very important to these businesses.

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Meet Ingrid Schroeter

By Richard Wright

She’s the incoming chairman of the HPBA, co-owner of the Napoleon Group of Companies based in Barrie, Ontario, and she already has plans to improve business education, and to increase retail membership in the association.

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Fireside Chats

By Richard Wright

It certainly wasn’t the best year, but manufacturers we interviewed weren’t complaining. They’re just happy to be moving the needle a bit, while they worry about coming Net Zero regulations that could gravely damage their business.

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Eeeeeasy Grillin’

By Lisa Readie Mayer

Pellet grills offer great flavor and ease of use – just push the button.

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Wood and…

By Tom Lassiter

The hot look in wood is contemporary; paired with another material it may well become a best-seller.

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Building Relationships

By Bill Sendelback

The Woodway helps its customers create a comfortable home in the dark and frigid Arctic.

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Hearth Retail Survey Report – Gas Remains King

By Richard Wright

Aesthetics drive sales as heating units take a beating.

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Through a Glass Brightly

By Lisa Readie Mayer

Improved glass technology makes it time to revisit windows in grills.

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Patio Retail Survey Report – The Right Direction

By Richard Wright

A 3% gain over the prior year doesn’t seem like much, but it’s the sixth year in a row with positive numbers; that adds up.

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2017 New Products

A sampling of what you’ll see in Atlanta, Georgia, at the HPBExpo.

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2017 January Business Climate

In early February, Hearth & Home faxed a survey to 2,500 specialty retailers of hearth, barbecue and patio products asking them to compare January 2017 sales to January 2016. The accompanying charts and selected comments are from the 231 useable returns.

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