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C o n s t r u c t i o n M a r k e t p l a c e W e d n e s d a y, J a n u a r y 2 1 , 2 0 1 5 3 6 SLIDE & SEAL: THE NEXT-GENERATION IN SLIDING DOOR TECHNOLOGY Pacific Architectural Millwork is pleased to present the most significant advance- ment in sliding door technology in over 50 years: the exclusive Slide & Seal™ door system. Most people are familiar with stan- dard patio sliders, which are easy to oper- ate, but do not typically offer much weather performance unless they have a bulky bottom threshold. Others may know about lift and slide doors, an improved technology which emerged from Europe over fifty years ago. Lift and slide doors can utilize low-profile tracks, but in order to create a weather seal against the floor, each operable panel must be manually lowered using a large handle. The Slide & Seal was developed to address the limitations of other sliding doors on the market. All panels automat- ically seal against the floor and head track when the door is in the closed posi- tion, which eliminates the need to manu- ally raise and lower each panel individu- ally to achieve weather performance. The patented trigger and sealing mechanism also gets rid of the bulky, expensive han- dles on each panel to operate the doors. Instead, Pacific developed an elegant handle that folds neatly into the lead panel itself, allowing the doors to be stacked flush into a pocket. Furthermore, the rollers, triggers and multi-point lock on the Slide & Seal are all adjustable – unlike the lift and slide – so service and installation are much easier. The Slide & Seal is also capable of being automated, so entire walls can disappear at the push of a button. Other products such as lift and slide can be motorized to open or close, but users must then manually operate each panel to achieve weather performance. Slide & Seal systems can be built up to 12' high and over 30'W, and configurations can include pockets, fixed panels or zero-post corner units, with options for screens, louver panels and flush drain tracks. Pacific has had the Slide & Seal test- ed and rated for air, water, structural and thermal performance. The Slide & Seal is currently available in the popular alu- minum-exterior, wood-interior version, with plans in the works for all-wood and all-aluminum versions of the system. "We will continue to innovate and develop new window and door prod- ucts," said Eric Hans, V.P. of Operations at Pacific and inventor of the Slide & Seal. "We don't want to be another 'me-too' compa- ny." With its full range of premium wood and clad windows and doors, including Slide & Seals, bi-folds, pivot doors and timber curtain wall systems, Pacific has much to offer the high-end homeowner, builder or architect who is looking for something new and demands the very best. For more information on Pacific Architectural Millwork, visit www.pacmill- work.com, call 562.905.3200 or stop by booth #C1856 for a demonstration. KITCHENAID GAS COOKTOPS DESIGNED FOR COOKING ENTHUSIAST Tapping into nearly a century of iconic design, innovation and craftsmanship, KitchenAid has introduced a line of six professionally-inspired gas cooktops rep- resenting a new level of premium aes- thetics and performance for the brand. "Just as automotive companies design specific models for car enthusi- asts, our goal with these newest cooktops is to catch the eye and raise the pulse of cooking enthusiasts with easily visible upgrades in craftsmanship, performance and fit, feel and finish," said Beth Robinson, Senior Manager of Brand Experience for KitchenAid. "The kitchen may be the heart of the home, but it's the cooktop that's the heart of the kitchen, which for cooks makes it the single most important vehicle for expressing their passion and creativity." Designed to meet a wide range of cooking needs, these latest cooktops are equipped with a variety of burners ranging from 5,000 to 20,000 BTUs. Depending on the model, all-purpose multiflame or professional dual ring burners allow cooks to go from a boil to a simmer without changing burners. For more control of the flame at the lowest setting, a diffuser plate incorporated into an Even-Heat™ simmer burner allows for more precise simmering and melting of sauces, butter, chocolate and other delicate ingredients. To help protect the cooktops from spills and stains that may occur with high-temperature cooking – and to ensure they will look clean and bright longer – the new models feature CookShield, a permanent finish that makes it easy to wipe surfaces clean without harsh chemicals. The new cooktops, available in 30- inch and 36-inch models, combine pro- fessional-style design with a number of sleek and practical touches more suitable for the home. Each features multi-finish knobs with a unique barrel design for precise dialing, a non-slip brushed metal surface, sleek chrome highlights, and an easy-to-clean satin texture. In certain models, the knobs incorporate LED back lighting that glows elegantly from the bezel, both for visual effect and to indi- cate when the cooktop is turned on. All models feature full-width cast iron grates, electronic ignition and LP conversion kits for use with LP gas. Two models offer a removable, non-stick griddle. The new KitchenAid gas cooktops carry suggested retail prices of $1,099 to $1,899. ELECTROLUX TO ACQUIRE GE APPLIANCES AB Electrolux has entered into an agree- ment to acquire the appliances business of General Electric for $3.3 billion in cash. "This is an historic moment and important strategic move for the Electrolux Group, which takes our com- pany to a new level in terms of global reach and market coverage. GE's premi- um, high-quality appliances complement our own iconic brands and will enhance our presence in North America," said Keith McLoughlin, President and CEO of Electrolux. "The acquisition, which is our largest ever, strengthens our commit- ment to the appliance business and also provides Electrolux with the scale and opportunity to accelerate our investments in innovation and global growth." Jeff Immelt, Chairman and CEO of GE, said, "Electrolux is the right global business for our customers, consumers and employees. GE Appliances' people, valuable home appliances brand, prod- ucts, distribution, and service capabilities make it a perfect fit with Electrolux and its goal of accelerating growth in the U.S." GE Appliances is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, and generates more than 90 percent of its revenue in North America. GE Appliances' product portfolio includes refrigerators, freezers, cooking products, dishwashers, washers, dryers, air conditioners, water filtration systems and water heaters. Its revenue split by major product category is approximately 35 percent cooking, 25 percent refrigeration, 20 percent laundry, 10 percent dishwashers and 10 percent home comfort (air conditioning). The company operates its own distribution and logistics network and has nine well- invested manufacturing facilities with 12,000 employees. The acquisition includes a 48.4 per- cent shareholding in the Mexican appli- ance company Mabe. For nearly 30 years, GE Appliances has had a joint ven- ture with Mabe in Mexico, where Mabe develops and manufactures portions of GE Appliances' product offering. Electrolux has secured the right to the GE Appliances brands through a long term license agreement with GE. GE Appliances' nationwide distribution and logistics network also provides an oppor- tunity to offer an even wider range of products to a broader consumer base. "GE Appliances is a well-run opera- tion with strong capabilities in key areas such as R&D, engineering, supply chain and customer service, and we look for- ward to joining forces with their team of talented and competent people," Keith McLoughlin said. The transaction is expected to gener- ate annual cost synergies of approximate- ly $300 million. One-off implementation costs and capital expenditures are esti- mated to be $300 million and $50-70 mil- lion respectively. The largest parts of the synergies are expected in sourcing, oper- ations, logistics and brands. The deal is structured primarily as an asset transaction. Completion of the transaction is mainly subject to regulato- ry approvals. The acquisition is expected to close during 2015. Electrolux has agreed to pay a termination fee of $175 million in certain circumstances involv- ing the failure to obtain regulatory approvals. POLDER HOUSEWARES SETS UP SHOP IN U.K. Multi-category housewares brand Polder Housewares is opening operations in the United Kingdom. The company will offer warehousing of its products and a full sales and customer service capability to the UK wholesale market beginning in January 2015. Polder's warehousing and customer service team will be based in the south of London, in addition to management and sales agent coverage for all UK markets. "We are excited to offer the UK con- sumer our full line of innovative products for the home," said Calvin Scott, President of Polder. "The company's expansion into the United Kingdom is a key component of our ongoing growth strategy, and is the next step in becoming a global brand." Currently, Polder serves the U.S. through its warehouse facilities in Oxford, Connecticut and Los Angeles, California. The company also supplies Canada, Mexico and multiple other countries through exclusive distribution. Now, by using the new UK operation as a base, Polder will not only have the ability to sell its products throughout the United Kingdom, but in the rest of Europe as well. The company will officially kick off this launch through its exhibition at Spring Fair in Birmingham, UK in early February, as well as through ongoing integrated marketing efforts. Kerry Cooper, General Manager at Polder, said "Our full-service expansion into the United Kingdom was a natural progres- sion for the company, building on the solid market success we've had with sev- eral UK retailers over the past few years. We are confident that our full line of bath, kitchen and laundry solutions will be well received by the UK consumer."