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K i t ch e n w a r e N e w s & H o u s e w a r e s R e v i e w S h o w D a i l y 1 0 3 S u n d a y, M a r ch 6 , 2 0 1 6 and manufacturer of tableware, to create Crafthouse by Fortessa – the new bar col- lection that will raise home mixology to the highest level of professional-made craft cocktails. Crafthouse by Fortessa includes the bar tools and drinkware needed to give life to those special concoctions that have made the craft cocktail scene so current and exciting. To create this unique bar collection, Fortessa partnered with Joly from the outset. The selection of tools and drinkware, along with the design specifi- cations of each piece, were done with direct input from Joly, drawing on his years of professional experience and uncompromising dedication to his craft. The result is equal parts function and fashion; a comprehensive, authentic bar collection designed and endorsed by Charles Joly. For the first time ever, Joly is putting his name on a line of barware that will unify his world-class bartending ethos with the tools to bring the aspiring home bartender to life. Fo rtessa Tableware (C o nt'd. fro m p. 1 ) Whether you're muddling mint for a Prospector's Smash or giving a confi- dent shake to a classic Bond-style Martini, Crafthouse by Fortessa has the right tools for the job. Classic design cues echo the age of art deco, where every piece is elegantly sculpted and expressly functional. The collection also includes a com- plete glassware offering with Crafthouse by Schott Zwiesel. This is one of the only comprehensive, barware and bar tools programs in the market. The authoritative position Joly brings to the collection. Classic bar glasses, from glassware inno- vator Schott Zwiesel, feel solid to the touch and imbue each drink with an incomparable sense of style. With Crafthouse by Fortessa, that Mint Julep is a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. That Old Fashioned will make everyone shout, "Cheers!" Visit Fortessa Tableware Solutions at booth #S1462. For more information, go to www.ftsonline.com, email CPDSalesForce@fortessa.com or call 703.787.0357, ext. 1157. that is what I feel compelled to do this year, the first thing I have to say is how very grateful I am to still be in business. Thanks to our customers and the many retailers that have given us a chance. My heart would like to say our business is unique because it employs the desperately poor who otherwise would not have an opportunity to earn, but I have come to know that most employers feel the weight of responsi- bility to provide for those working for them. The weight of it is more then I had anticipated when I began this jour- ney. Now, I feel it an honor and a privi- lege to bear. Even if I fail, I have sup- ported more than 230 families for many years. That is what is in my heart along with the passionate desire to do more for them. What keeps me up at night is the constant dialogue of the day-to-day details of the running of it. Keeping all the balls in the air, so to speak. This year has been the most challenging since we started. This year we have added a mar- keting manager who has done great work on branding, a second production manager in India to refine the produc- tion process and added three new prod- ucts to the mix and expanded into a sec- ond village. On the other hand, our push Sink o C o rp (C o nt'd. fro m p. 1 ) to get distribution out of our small ware- house was a disaster that consumed pre- cious time, resources and our ability to deliver. This effort cost us so much it was truly heartbreaking. Village elders who are holding our materials ransom so they can line their pockets at the expense of the women we promised to help derailed our promising start in the second village. I struggled with health and my partner with caring for an elder- ly mother. I am so glad her family has returned to California and that we are all on the mend. What I hope for is that the commit- ments made to us last year are met and that we somehow find the funding to secure production in India. I hope to be able to rent some office space and hire a couple of sales people and an accounts receivable person. Miracles have hap- pened over these years so I will continue to hope. How far have we come? Well, we have survived nine years of doing busi- ness in a nontraditional way despite the many obstacles set before us. We now have 23 SKUs in three product lines and have maintained our mission of selling handmade organic housewares that bene- fit those who make, sell and use them, as well as our planet. Visit Sinko Corp. at booth #S150. "We are thrilled to have Bill join us as our business partner," said Kraigh Stewart. Bill will focus on business development, expanding U.S. sales and streamlining operations. "Bill brings a wealth of knowledge and industry expertise which will allow Anna and I to focus on product innovation," said Kraigh. Bill Reibl, Founder of Infusion Living LLC and former President of Progressive International has been named President and Chief Executive Officer of the newly formed Fusionbrands LLC. Bill has more than 30 years of experience in the housewares business in sales, marketing, senior oper- ating management and international busi- ness. "I am very excited to again be involved in the kitchen tool and gadget product category and to be able to form a partnership with Kraigh and Anna," said Reibl. "I am looking forward to working with them and further building the Fusionbrands business." "Bill's experience in a large corpora- tion, as well as being a smaller independ- ent entrepreneur was the exact fit we were looking for in a business partner," said Anna Stewart, Co-Founder. "With our successful growth, this was a perfect time to bring in a partner who can run and manage more of the business and operational side of the company so Kraigh and I can continue our passion of designing products, which is how Fusionbrands all began." The year 2016 will mark new begin- nings for Fusionbrands with a newly formed partnership, along with a new booth location in Discover Design where it will debut more new innovative prod- ucts such as the ShredMachine, Fusio nbrands (C o nt'd. fro m p. 1 ) KaleZipper, SpinOut Screen and more. Fusionbrands is a leader in develop- ing innovative cooking tools and kitchen gadgets that are problem solving, fun and easy to use. It has received numerous awards within its product line, most notably for the PoachPod, the original egg-poaching tool, and most recently for the WaveRack, a vertical drying dish mat. Other ingenious products include the CoverBlubber ® , a must-have eco- friendly reusable food storage solution, and GrillComb ® , a modern day skewer. About Fusionbrands Fusionbrands abandons standard prac- tices and excels at creating unique clever kitchen gadgets to solve life's everyday cooking and serving challenges. From beginner cook to the master chef, Fusionbrands' cooking tools and kitchen utensils are fun and easy to use. Fusionbrands' current collection includes: CitrusPod CoverBlubber, CrackPot, CurveUtensil-Stainless FoodLoop, FoodLoop Flame, FoodLoop Mini & Lace, FoodRazor, FoodPod, GoHook, GrillComb, HeatWave, HerbZipper, PetitePot, PoachPod, PoachPod Ceramic, PoachPod Stainless, PoachPod Lift, TriPod PoachPod, PopMeasure, PowerShears, Salt&PepperPod Set, ServeItUp, SpoonSpreader, StirStik, TenderPress, ToolProp, WaveRack and YolkR. Fusionbrands designing to make your everyday cooking and entertaining experiences … a whole lot cooler. Fusionbrands LLC is U.S. based and proudly serves both the domestic and international markets. Visit Fusionbrands at booth #N8307. For more information, go to www.fusion brands.com, call 877.279.2002 or email customerservice@fusionbrands.com. Fiberixx helps to reduce plastic waste by recycling water bottles into a product that is machine washable, color- safe and protects surfaces from conden- sation and heat. The patented process has the same high absorption as wool, and comes in select colors and neutrals. These premium quality recycled tex- tiles are made in Germany and will launch in the U.S. in Q2 in sets of four in D aff (C o nt'd. fro m p. 1 ) recycled packaging. Daff's line of tabletop accessories are a combination of vibrant colors and high- quality materials blended with modern design. Daff makes everyday products in an extraordinary way, creating beautiful décor items that are high-heat resistant, moisture-repellant and don't separate. For more information, visit booth #S3010, call 323.203.0554 or go to www.primarygroup.net. MV: AmericanMaid designs and manu- facturers various types of household plastics, from water bottles to food stor- age and more. With our cutting edge technology, we are able to bring a variety of new and exciting products to our cus- tomers that can proudly hold the label Made in America. KNSD: What would you say makes your company unique? MV: AmericanMaid is very unique. At American Maid, we are a one stop shop for our customer base. We are able to fill our customers' needs, from our vast product line from hydration, home storage, season- al/party plastic, to food storage and much more. This gives our customers the ability to logistically procure their product from one of our many warehouse locations. KNSD: What do you anticipate to be your greatest challenge in the year ahead? MV: AmericanMaid's greatest challenge for 2016 is to anticipate and forecast out the resin and oil industry. By forecasting out, we will be able to still bring the qual- ity and pricing to our customers in such a price sensitive market. Also, to insure that we have smooth expansion transition for 2016 and continually bring our cus- tomers their product on time. KNSD: Are you introducing any new A mericanMaid (C o nt'd. fro m p. 1 ) products? MV: AmericanMaid is continually pro- ducing and developing new products for our customers, for example, the Harvest pumpkin beverage dispenser. We are proud to say we have developed a new series of beverage dispensers that will take on new faces over the next several years. The pumpkin is just one example of the many new seasonal items we are planning for the upcoming years. We have made strong inroads with the devel- opment of new and exciting products. With all our product lines, it is difficult to isolate one item. KNSD: What distinguishes your prod- ucts from the competition? MV: AmericanMaid is very versatile in our plastic product line, which sets AmericanMaid apart from the competi- tion. We continue to develop new and exciting product for our consumer base, while keeping in mind the end user. One main feature that sets us apart from our competitors: we deliver to our customers, value product whether the product is import or domestic. AmericanMaid also provides customization of our product by the customization required is in case pack, colors and can focus on pricing manufacturing and tailoring programs to fit the needs of our retailers. Visit AmericanMaid at booth #N6316. For more information, call 877.864.2201 or email sales@vmi-am.com.