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O C G S h o w D a i l y Fe b ru a r y 3 , 2 0 1 4 4 By Anna Wallace Barrett, VP Sales, Anali Inc. Anali has been producing USA Made lux- ury linens to the market for over 20 years. Recognizing that Internet sales are here to stay, Anali has partnered with a Calif.- based company called Shopatron over the past year and a half to slowly launch a shop website. It is an important way to brand your line, and get to a whole new customer base. Recognizing that Internet sales can- not be ignored but not wanting to compete with stocking dealers, Anali found that the Shopatron model was the perfect solution. Orders placed through the Anali website can be fulfilled by a retailer if they have the product in stock. The end result is business growth with the retailer and Anali the man- ufacturer. The packing slip, generated by Shopatron, will have the store's name and information on it, so it can also lead to gaining a new customer, as they may go to that store for other products they carry. There is even an option for the customer to pick the product up in store, bringing the new customer into the store. So far, the site only features a small amount of products. However, this year in 2014, Anali plans to put more onto the site and hopes more retailers will sign onto the program. As a manufacturer, Anali hopes to gain more sales on the site, and if the plan works correctly, most of the orders will be fulfilled by its stock- ing dealers, because that would mean there is stock of product on its shelves. Anali is hoping this business model will help grow business with its valued stock- ing dealers, as well as increase Internet sales and brand recognition. For more information, visit www. anali.com, call 425-558-4316, email anna@anali.com or stop by booth #2532 at NY NOW. ANALI PARTNERS WITH SHOPATRON TO GAIN INTERNET SALES TOGETHER WITH THEIR RETAILERS INTRODUCING THE CRIMSON LINE FROM ERGO CHEF By Lorrie Baumann Ergo Chef is introducing its CRIM- SON™ line of premium knives that bring a new ergonomic blade and bolster design, durable G10 handles and the combination of high-carbon German steel and Japanese blade angles for preci- sion cutting along with superior edge retention. The line is available for ship- ment in January but is making its formal debut to the marketplace at the International Home + Housewares Show in March, when it will be available direct from Ergo Chef and from Harold Import Company. The line includes 11 items in open stock plus an 18-piece block set. The CRIMSON Chefs knife, Santoku and 7" Nakiri all have a distinc- tive curved blade shape that reflects an ergonomic edge that's more comfortable to rock and slice through foods without any abrupt stop. "It's ergonomically designed and tested for proven comfort and reduced strain on the hand, wrist and forearm," says Mike Staib, Vice President of Sales for Ergo Chef. "It's a natural extension of your hand and has helped many cooks cut more efficiently and easily with less strain and effort." The knives also have a new tapered bolster designed for comfort. "Since the beginning, man has created knives with straight handles, which in the motion of a chef knife causes you to over-bend your hand and wrist when chopping," Staib says. "We created a design of fit and form that keeps your hand in a natural position through the cut as well as blade geometry that creates a smooth rocking motion without an abrupt stop found on many other kitchen knives. These qualities along with balance and precision cutting edges make our knives the best choice." The Nakiri knife that's part of the line is a Japanese shape that traditionally has a rectangular blade and looks like a small cleaver. This knife, useful for dic- ing vegetables, isn't all that common yet in American kitchens, but Staib sees that it's catching on. The 18-piece block set includes an eight-piece steak knife set, kitchen shears and a honing steel as well as the bamboo block designed specifically for the CRIMSON knives. The block's slots were carved to match the angle of the knives' bolster, so that the knives will sit comfortably and securely in the block, and thought went into how to widen and angle those slots just a bit to allow for the bolster without making the block too large. "We hear from a lot of people that they don't want a very large block, they just want something that fits their knives comfortably without taking up a lot of room on the counter," Staib says. Blades are highly polished high-car- bon German steel. The chefs knife and Santoku have ovals hollow-ground into the blade for easier food release, while the Nakiri has the traditional polished flat blade that can be easily wiped for clean- ing. They are heat-treated to hold their edge longer. "Higher polished blades also reduce chances for getting any rust on the blade," Staib says. Handles are G10 fiberglass resin with a wood grain look. "We always wanted to produce a line with a nice wood grain, but there's more mainte- nance with the nice woods, and they don't hold up as well. G10 is one of the world's strongest knife handle materi- als." G10 is durable enough to be dish- washer-safe, but Ergo Chef recommends not making that a habit. "It's dishwasher safe but would you put this beautiful knife in the dishwasher?" Staib com- mented. "We still recommend hand washing all good knives." The knives have a limited lifetime warranty. Suggested retail prices range from $44.99 for the paring knife to $699 for the block set. First-time customers should contact Ergo Chef for a special discount. CALPHALON INTRODUCES NEW LINE Calphalon, the leader in premium cook- ware and kitchenware, announced the introduction of Elite Nonstick, a techno- logically advanced cookware collection developed exclusively for specialty retail- er Williams-Sonoma. Featuring new metal utensil-safe nonstick interiors, Elite Nonstick is engineered for metal whisk, spoon and spatula use and offers a lifetime of nonstick durability and superior, com- mercial-style performance. "We worked closely with Williams- Sonoma to create this new line of excep- tionally durable nonstick cookware," said Justin Bluth, Director of Brand Marketing for Calphalon. "Home cooks told us that they prefer to use metal utensils when they cook, but weren't able to because they didn't want to damage their nonstick cookware. Now, with Elite Nonstick, they can have the freedom to cook with metal utensils as well as experience the highest levels of nonstick performance." With a 50-year history of culinary innovation and a reputation for cook- ware excellence, Calphalon was uniquely positioned to create this exclu- sive line. Elite Nonstick is crafted from Calphalon's signature heavy-gauge, hard-anodized aluminum for fast, supe- rior heat conductivity and is made in the USA in Calphalon's Toledo, Ohio man- ufacturing facility. Commercial-style designs are finished with premium fea- tures including custom ergonomic han- dles, low-profile glass covers and quad- riveted loop handles. In addition to being metal utensil- safe, Elite Nonstick pans feature triple- layer, PFOA-free Sear Nonstick interi- ors that are designed with a unique tex- tured surface that helps seal in flavor when browning, sautéing or searing foods, yet still releases food easily. Elite Nonstick is also dishwasher safe for fast and easy cleanup. "Elite Nonstick are the perfect every- day pans. Not only is the nonstick release fantastic, but you can brown anything from steaks to vegetables, as well as cook eggs and pancakes," said Michelle Foss, Vice President of Merchandising, Williams-Sonoma. "We're excited to work with Calphalon to bring this new development to our customers, allowing them to use any tool and not damage the pans. As an added bonus, the pans are dishwasher-safe for effortless clean-up." Calphalon Elite Nonstick is available exclusively at Williams-Sonoma retail stores throughout the U.S. and Canada and online at williams-sonoma.com. About Calphalon Calphalon is a leading manufacturer of professional quality cookware, cutlery, bakeware, kitchen electrics and acces- sories for the home cook. Based in Atlanta, Calphalon is a part of Newell Rubbermaid's global portfolio of leading brands. For more information about Calphalon Williams-Sonoma Elite Nonstick cook- ware or other Calphalon products, visit calphalon.com, or visit brand social media sites at www.facebook.com/cal- phalon and www.twitter.com/calphalon. HOUSEWARES DESIGN AWARDS FINALISTS NAMED Sixty-five finalists for the 11th annual Housewares Design Awards have been named, selected by an independent panel of industry experts that reviewed hun- dreds of recently introduced products for the home. Twelve "Best in Category" winners that stand out for both aesthetics and func- tionality will be chosen from the 60 final- ists. Three "Best of the Best" recipients at the Gold, Silver and Bronze levels will be chosen from the 12 category winners, honored as the best designed housewares products of the year. In addition, a "Green House" design award will be given to the best-designed eco-friendly products. Winners will be announced in February. Lee M. Oser CEO and Editor-in-Chief Kim Forrester Paul Harris Jeff Rosano Associate Publishers Lorrie Baumann Editorial Director Jeanie Catron JoEllen Lowry Associate Editors Yasmine Brown Vicky Glover Graphic Designers Ruth Haltiwanger Traffic Manager Enrico Cecchi European Sales OCG Show Daily is published by Oser Communications Group ©2014 All rights reserved. Executive and editorial offices at: 1877 N. Kolb Road, Tucson, AZ 85715 520.721.1300/Fax: 520.721.6300 www.oser.com European offices located at Lungarno Benvenuto Cellini, 11, 50125 Florence, Italy. AN INDEPENDENT PUBLICATION NOT AFFILIATED WITH NY NOW