WINDOW COVERING MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES 2009 PRODUCT INNOVATION AWARD WINNERS

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1 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Ralph Vasami WINDOW COVERING MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES 2009 PRODUCT INNOVATION AWARD WINNERS New York, NY (April 2, 2009) The Window Covering Manufacturers Association (WCMA) proudly announced the winners of its 2009 Product Innovation Awards today. The annual awards are designed to highlight the industry s most innovative products of the year. An expert panel of five judges from the interior design community selected the winners from over 75 entries received this year. A reception for the winners will be held on Thursday, May 14, 2009 at the International Window Coverings Expo (IWCE) in Atlanta, GA. Photographs of all entries will be displayed May 13 15, 2009 during the IWCE VISION 09 Expo and will be posted on the WCMA website, All winners are listed at end of page. The top award the coveted Product of the Year designation was given to Somfy Systems, Inc. for their. This product s outstanding feature includes an indoor wireless radio transmitter which reduces heat gain while providing UV protection. The sensor s small design (2 3/16 diameter x 3/4 depth) facilitates easy mounting with a suction cup. Operating motorized window coverings in accordance to the amount of sunlight received, the product s sunlight sensitivity (threshold) can be adjusted for varying degrees of sunlight intensity. The other 25 winning products were awarded within the following 11 product categories: Cellular Shades; Drapery Hardware; Green Products; Horizontal Blinds; Motorization; Roman, Roller and Pleated Shades; Shadings and Sheers; Shutters; Specialty Applications; Verticals / Panel Tracks; and Wood/Faux Wood Blinds. The judges singled out the year s best technical innovations, style concepts and innovative overall designs. Merchandising awards were also selected. WCMA congratulates each manufacturer and their engineering, design and marketing teams for their contributions to the window covering industry year after year, said Ralph Vasami, executive director of WCMA. The array of products submitted for awards consideration annually is always impressive and 2009 was no exception. The 2009 judges panel included Susan Hirsh, North American manager for decorative programs, Benjamin Moore & Co.; Susan Huckvale Arann, interior design consultant,

2 American & International Designs, Inc.; Rod Franz, senior buyer, JC Penney; Leonard Mozer, window fashions editor, LDB Interior Textiles; and Samantha Nestor, author and special projects editor, Metropolitan Home magazine. WINDOW COVERING MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION 2009 PRODUCT INNOVATION AWARD WINNERS INCLUDE: PRODUCT AWARDS 2009 PRODUCT OF THE YEAR CELLULAR SHADES 2009 Duette Honeycomb Shades Collection DRAPERY HARDWARE Paris Texas Hardware EasyPull Traverse System Orion Ornamental Iron, Inc. Designers Choice Iron Traversing Rods Honorable Mention, Levolor Kirsch Window Fashions Kirsch Buckingham Collection Most Innovative Overall Design Helser Brothers, Inc. Evita Honorable Mention, Most Innovative Overall Design Whispar Innovations V Sconce TM GREEN PRODUCTS ENERGY EFFICIENCY

3 Best Energy Efficiency Enhancements to Duette Architella honeycomb shades Honorable Mention, Best Energy Efficiency ComforTrack Plus Energy Saving Sidetrack System GREEN PRODUCTS HEALTH & ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY Vignette Modern Roman Shades with LiteRise Lifting System HORIZONTAL BLINDS Odysee Insulating Fabric Blinds Personal Color System Springs Window Fashions LLC Bali Diffusion 2" Glass Essence Blinds MOTORIZATION Honorable Mention, Best Enhancement to Existing Technology Platinum Technology Wireless Wall Switch from Most Innovative Overall Design ROMAN, ROLLER AND PLEATED SHADES

4 RollEase, Inc. Link System Infinite adjustment Best Environmental Product Contract GlacierScreen Solar Shading Fabrics Best Overall Design 2009 Vignette Modern Roman Shades Collection SHADINGS & SHEERS Honorable Mention, Best Enhancement of Existing Product Luminette PowerGlide 2.0 with Platinum Technology SHUTTERS Eclipse Shutters The Eclipse Arch SPECIALTY APPLICATIONS Silhouette Template Free Specialty Shapes Vignette Specialty Shapes Honorable Mention, Enhancements to Duette Architella honeycomb shades VERTICAL / PANEL TRACKS Plastibec

5 Eco Choice Louvers Plastibec Sunscreen Louvers Honorable Mention, Best Enhancement of Existing Product Skyline Gliding Window Panels with PowerGlide 2.0 Motorization and New Fabric Valance WOOD / FAUX WOOD BLINDS Best Enhanced Style Concept Levolor Kirsch Window Fashions Levolor Custom Real Wood, NuWood and Visions Faux Wood Coordination JUDGES AWARD: Awarded to a submission exhibiting measurable benefit or standout aesthetic appeal to end users. Odysee Insulating Fabric Blinds Personal Color System MERCHANDISING AWARDS Best Multi Platform Advertising Campaign Transformation :30 second TV Commercial Duette Architella Co op Ad Slicks Silhouette Dealer Co op Ads Best Consumer Education EcoGreen Rating System Best Digital Marketing Campaign The Learning Center My Brand Builder Internet Customer Management (icm) Program Enhancements E mail Marketing Best Point of Sale Display

6 Applause Sunterra Fabric Brochure/ P O P Display Honorable Mention, Best Point of Sale Display Custom Shutter Collection Poster Series Best New Sample Book Odysee Insulating Fabric Blinds Limited Edition Sampling Program Best Existing Sample Book Enhancement Skyline PowerGlide 2.0 Launch Kit Honorable Mention, Best New Sample Book 2009 Duette Sample Book Kit Best Trade Advertising and Promotional Program Promotional Programs Best Trade Education (Tie) Alliance Key Training Best Trade Education (Tie) Bracket and Headrail Mounting Booklet Honorable Mention, Best Trade Education Profits by Design Training Program Note to Editor: Product information and images are available upon request. Please contact: List of winning entries attached. About the Product Innovation Awards For the past nineteen years, the Product Innovation Awards Program has bestowed over 425 awards. For more information about WCMA and its Product Innovation Awards Program, contact Ralph Vasami at

7 About the Window Covering Manufacturers Association Originally organized in the 1950s as the Venetian Blind Council, the Window Covering Manufacturers Association (WCMA) represents the interests of the window covering industry manufacturers, fabricators and assemblers. WCMA has three membership categories: Manufacturers, Fabricators and Associates. The organization s annual Product Innovation Awards recognize significant product advancements in the window covering industry and help to highlight the important services and products it provides. For more information, visit ###