Heart of the Industry

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Please send your generosity and giving stories to be considered for our Heart of the Industry page. Submissions can be sent to: letters@retailobserver.com. We look forward to hearing from you!

GEA, FIRSTBUILD ANSWER THE CALL TO MANUFACTURE FACE SHIELDS

GE Appliances and the FirstBuild facility at the University of Louisville have teamed up to manufacture face shields for healthcare workers and first responders.
According to a release, engineers will be producing the face shields through 3-D printing technology available at GE Appliances and FirstBuild. These masks will then be donated to several places, including UofL Healthcare for distribution to medical workers.

North Texas Factory Switches From Producing Furniture to Face Masks - ​The Leather Sofa Company in Lewisville is making face masks to help fill a critical gap in protective equipment

The showroom at The Leather Furniture Company in Lewisville is quiet, but even though regular customer business is shut down due to COVID-19 restrictions, the factory behind the showroom is busy.
“I think Monday was the worst day I’ve ever had in my life,” said factory owner Mitch Lurie, who had to make the tough decision to send his employees home.
After seeing local pleas for masks for doctors and nurses on social media, Lurie brought back as many employees as he could to get back to work. They’re not making sofas – they’ve now turned into a mask making machine, using all of the available sofa fabric materials.

Half a million masks from China to Italy thanks to FederlegnoArredo, Salone del Mobile.Milano and VNU Exhibitions Asia

Thanks to the mobilisation of the entire Chinese design world and furnishing industry, and the crucial input of VNU Exhibitions Asia (organisers of the Salone del Mobile.Milano Shanghai along with FLA China), FederlegnoArredo and the Salone del Mobile.Milano have managed to collect 545,000 masks (surgical masks and types FFP2, FFP3, KN95 and N95) at the Italian Embassy in Beijing, which will be delivered to the Italian Red Cross, which will distribute them amongst the health facilities most in need of immediate help.
FederlegnoArredo, Salone del Mobile.Milano and VNU Exhibitions Asia hope this gesture will underscore the fact that only by helping each other and pulling together can the challenges and dangers facing us today be overcome, and that every single contribution takes on a huge importance and an enormous human value in the complex battle against the COVID-19 virus decimating the whole world, and Italy in particular at this time, a country that has always enjoyed friendly relations with China and which provided support, assistance and help to the Chinese government as soon as the epidemic broke out in the province of Hubei.
The Italian furniture and design industry has achieved amazing results in China over the last 20 years, and this has been made possible also thanks to the strong ties and friendship between Italian and Chinese professionals. This initiative, coordinated by VNU Exhibitions is thus not just an invaluable gesture of friendship and a means of helping Italy at this delicate time, it is also an expression of the desire and hope that we will all be able to start working together again as soon as possible, to further and bolster this profitable collaboration and achieve even better results for both countries.

Serta Simmons Bedding to Donate 10,000 Mattresses to New York Hospitals

Serta Simmons Bedding (SSB), the nation's largest bedding manufacturer, will donate 10,000 mattresses to New York City hospitals and temporary medical facilities fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is calling on its peers to do the same.
While the healthcare system's shortages of masks and ventilators have been heavily publicized, bedding is also expected to soon be dangerously scarce as the coronavirus spreads and hospitalizations surge. That is particularly the case in New York, where Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday said the state would soon require as many as 140,000 additional hospital beds; it currently has 53,000 in use.  
Beyond its 10,000 mattress donation, SSB also offered additional assistance, noting that its factories and expansive distribution network are capable of producing up to 20,000 beds per day at the lowest possible cost if needed.
"As the largest American producer of mattresses, Serta Simmons Bedding is committed to ensuring those who are hospitalized have a bed available where they can receive care and heal," SSB Chairman and CEO David Swift said. "We're calling on our peers in the bedding industry to join us in addressing this need."
SSB's donation, which is valued at $2 million, is being facilitated through its relationship with Relief Bed International, a nonprofit organization that provides beds to impoverished people and disaster victims around the world.

​LAKE INDUSTRIES ANNOUNCES OPERATIONS SHIFT TO MANUFACTURE AND DISTRIBUTE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) DURING THE COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY

Since 1979, Lake Industries has been an international leader supplying distributors products that improve the food we eat, the water we drink and the air we breathe. We have been fortunate to build strong relationships with suppliers around the world and formidable supply chains that meet our customer’s needs. In light of the shortage of face masks, surgical gowns and face shields, we have tapped into our supplier network to procure and make available high-quality, PPE supplies at the most reasonable price possible to bring products that matter most to our customer’s communities.
To meet the immediate need, we are having face masks and other supplies flown in daily on a rush basis. Orders will be hand-delivered to Las Vegas healthcare providers and shipped to outside providers on a first-order, first-serve basis.
“We plan to continue providing the essential supplies through Lake Industries for as long as the demand remains,” Saville Kellner, CEO of Lake Industries, stated. “In these unprecedented times, it’s gratifying for the Lake Industries team to carry out our commitment to the health and wellbeing of our customers, their families, and the communities they reside. We will continue to be here to accomplish this mission during and after the crisis.”
PRICING AND AVAILABILITYLake Industries is doing its very best to keep a low price point and consistent daily volume of supplies, however, there are several factors driving up prices for most PPE supplies.
“Every step of the supply chain is inflating the price of these essential items, and in some cases, disrupting the daily intake of supplies.” said Travis Keys, Chief Revenue Officer at Lake Industries. “Raw material prices have increase five-fold in the last two weeks, manufacturing equipment is impossible to obtain, and foreign governments are halting and confiscating shipments at their airports and borders. This increase in both cost and percentage of lost shipments is leading to an extremely fluid price point. We are working with many different manufacturers in order to minimize the risk to our supply chain.”
TO ORDER: KN95 DISPOSABLE MASK OVERVIEW KN95 masks come in a single size that fits most faces. The disposable masks should be replaced daily for best hygiene and are ideal for one-time use in a non-surgical setting.
Lake Industries is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday. It can be reached by phone at 1-800-261-4501 or online at lakeindustries.com.

Herndon's My Kitchen and Bath Will Deliver Groceries for Free to Local Community During COVID-19 Restrictions​

My Kitchen and Bath is dedicated to helping the community during the coronavirus-related restrictions in the Northern Virginia area. During this time, and as the spread of COVID-19 continues to be a growing concern, My Kitchen and Bath would like to help any single moms, the elderly or special needs adults with grocery delivery services.
Any interested parties should follow these instructions in order to have My Kitchen and Bath lend a helping hand:
  1. If you work with a grocery store that will collect your order for you, follow the normal process for filling out the order.
  2. Then, call or email My Kitchen and Bath, and we'll pick up the order for you and deliver it to your home.
  3. OR, email My Kitchen and Bath your grocery list and we will gather your groceries and deliver them to you.
There is no cost for either service; it is being offered free of charge by My Kitchen and Bath as a service to the community during the Corona Virus (Covid-19) outbreak. Customers are only responsible for the cost of the groceries, and nothing more.
Contact My Kitchen and Bath at 703-429-4323 or deliver@mykitchenandbath.com to get started.

MEMBERS OF NATIONWIDE DO WELL BY DOING GOOD

​Nationwide took advantage of PrimeTime to partner with No Child Hungry, the food distribution program of Orlando-based My Neighbor’s Children to harness the power of thousands of willing hands, all working together for good. On the heels of having packed over 125,000 meals at the group’s event in March, the group came to Las Vegas with a goal of matching their spring effort. According to Nationwide’s Strategy and Operations leader Sean Crane, they quickly realized reaching the goal was just the beginning.
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WHIRLPOOL & KB HOME - RONALD MCDONALD HOUSES

Whirlpool Corporation has joined KB Home’s 60 Acts of Kindness Effort in celebration of the home builder’s 60th anniversary. KB Home and Whirlpool Corporation will be working together to provide a new Whirlpool brand washer and dryer to 17 different Ronald McDonald Houses located in a KB Home market; one for each KB Home division. These appliances will service the needs of the families of critically ill children receiving medical treatment away from home.
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SPEED QUEEN - FUTURES WITHOUT VIOLENCE

Speed Queen recently concluded its 2015 national sponsorship of Mudderella, an outdoor 5-7 mile obstacle course event designed for women. Speed Queen joined forces with Mudderella to promote their “Dirty for a Difference” campaign, which raised money for Futures Without Violence (FUTURES). FUTURES is a national nonprofit organization working to end violence against women, children, and families. Throughout the course of the program, Speed Queen donated a total of $30,000 to FUTURES, raising awareness for the cause and giving a voice to those who have been affected by domestic violence.
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TRUE MANUFACTURING - ROB'S RIDERS

True Manufacturing is proud to join Pedal the Cause in the fight against cancer. The Trulaske and True Manufacturing family have been affected by cancer in many ways. Their founder of True Food Service, Rob Trulaske, passed away after a valiant battle to overcome cancer in 2008. Many of their cherished team members and families have also fought the good fight. Pedal the Cause is True Manufacturing's exclusive annual fundraising_ event because they want to see a world without cancer! Rob's Riders ride with TRUE pride.
Click Here to Donate to the True Team

BRANDSOURCE BUILDS BICYCLES FOR PHOENIX-AREA CHILDREN’S CHARITIES

Christmas is a time for giving. And BrandSource executives did just that this past holiday season as they built and donated two dozen brand new bicycles for Phoenix-area children’s charities including the Boys & Girls Club, Ronald McDonald House and The Salvation Army. 

During the annual BrandSource executive leadership conference at the Arizona Grand Resort, nearly 200 participants consisting of members, staff and vendors broke up into groups and assembled the bicycles as part of a team-building exercise. Each team had to complete a series of challenges to ‘earn’ the bike components, such as moving objects without the use of hands or being the first team to answer a series of trivia questions.
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Friedrich Air Conditioning - DYCD & NYCHA

To help keep young people and families cool on hot summer days and nights, Friedrich’s donated 150 air conditioners to Cornerstone Programs now operating extended evening hours at New York City Housing Authority Community Centers - 38 centers were selected based on their need for air conditioning or replacement of their existing units.

“For over 60 years the people of New York have supported Friedrich Air Conditioning—you can 
see our units keeping New Yorkers cool across the City,” said Wink Chapman, Vice President 
of Sales & Marketing for Friedrich Air Conditioning. “It is a privilege for us to work with the 
City on its mission to improve the quality of life for thousands of New Yorkers this summer and 
throughout the year.”
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Whirlpool & Maytag - HomeAid America

More than 630,000 people experience homelessness on any given night in the United States, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness. To support those in need, Maytag brand is teaming up with HomeAid America to help supply temporary shelter for homeless families working to get back on their feet. As part of the partnership, Maytag will contribute appliances and funding to HomeAid, a non-profit organization that builds and renovates multi-unit shelters for America’s temporary homeless families and individuals. To date, HomeAid has built more than 350 housing projects nationwide at a value of more than $200 million – nearly 50 percent of which was donated by the building industry.

“Now more than ever there are people in America that need help, and Whirlpool Corporation has always been a leader in assisting with safe and secure shelter,” said Bob Bergeth, general manager, Whirlpool Corporation builder sales. “Just as Maytag brand is known for dependability, HomeAid has served as a dependable lifeline for thousands of Americans who needed a place to stay as they rebuilt their lives. For this reason, we’re very pleased to partner with HomeAid.”
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Snow Brothers Appliance – American Cancer Society
By Sharon Bennett

Snow Bros. has been involved with the American Cancer Society since 2005.  Our Dad died of lung cancer in 2001 at age 66, Mom at 69 of colon cancer in 2005 and Jim Ager (long time employee and family friend) in 1999 at the age of 41 leaving behind his wife and 3 young children.  The connection began in 2005 when I attended my first Relay For Life.  I was immediately taken by the passion of the ACS staff and volunteers and felt comforted being with people who had been through or were going through similar situations.  After attending meetings and learning more about the American Cancer Society I was amazed at all the organization does that I was not even aware of (24 hour call center staffed with Drs. and nurses, research and development, clinical trials etc..)  ACS has several fundraising events in our area including Relay For Life, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and the PanOhio Hope Ride.   We created a team to participate yearly in Relay For Life and I chaired from 2007-2012.  Last year we also added Strides Against Breast Cancer.  We began having a yearly Golf Outing to help with fundraising and selling candy bars on our sales counter year round.  Our first Golf Outing in 2007 raised $3500 and was over $10,000 in 2013 thanks to the support of friends, family and vendors.  This past September we partnered with two other family businesses in our community in hopes of expanding our efforts.  Hopefully, other businesses in other communities will find that by pooling their resources they can achieve so much more than they would be able to on their own and continue to help spread the word about cancer prevention and all the great ways that this organization helps to save lives across the country. 
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Lake Industries – Scleroderma Foundation
By Saville Kellner

Las Vegas resident Saville Kellner is CEO of Lake Industries, an international leader in the wholesale supply of kitchenware. He’s also a member of the Board of Directors at the Scleroderma Research Foundation—and a patient. “About ten years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting celebrity chefs Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken through a radio promotion of one my companies was involved in and we became good friends. Susan was a dear friend of Scleroderma Research Foundation (SRF) founder, the late Sharon Monsky, and a founding Board Member. Susan shared with me her passion for the SRF and asked how I felt about getting involved. I was happy to do so based on her enthusiasm, having no idea what scleroderma was or what the word even meant.  So, we donated auction items and attended their gala Cool Comedy – Hot Cuisine events in Los Angeles; thrilled to participate.  I listened to the keynote speakers and thought I understood…
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