As I See It – Greener is Better

GreenerisBetter

POLYWOOD’S eco-friendly designs are a hit with customers who desire sustainable products.

BY SHARON SANDERS

POLYWOODhasbeenin

the business ofhelpingpeoplecreatebeautiful,livablespacessince1990. Astheoriginatoroftheoutdoorindustry’s recycled lumber furniture category, the Syracuse, Indiana-based company continues to lead the way in sustainability, design, and durability. Patio & Hearth Products Report recently spent some time with Megan Pierson, senior vice president of business development, to tap into the latest company news and find out how POLYWOOD plans to continue meeting the changing needs of the marketplace.

HowdidPOLYWOODmakea name for itself? Pierson: TheAdirondackchairwas our first product to gain widespread popularity, and we grew it from there. Today, it’s still our signature product and is a best seller. We have since expanded in many other categories that give us a complete lineup of furniture. To keep up with the demand of our market, we have expanded our Adirondack choices as well. We now offer 13 basic options with three different back styles: classic, shell back, and a square modern look. We also offer different heights and a folding version that is easy to store.

WhatisthePOLYWOOD philosophy? Pierson: Whilewehaveatremendous passion for making quality products, at our core, POLYWOOD is a company that wants to do something meaningful for the environment. Pollution affects every part of the world, and we want to be a part of the solution. Our company mission is to recover and transform landfill-bound and ocean-bound plastic into durable outdoor furniture that will last for generations. It is the driving force behind everything we do and create at POLYWOOD. We strive for excellence from the sourcing of our own raw materials to delivering a beautiful new furniture set.

Whydoesrecycledlumber furniture appeal to so many consumers? Pierson: Consumerspurchaseoutdoor recycled furniture for many reasons and durability tops the list. Genuine POLYWOOD furniture stands up to anything, making it ideal for any climate. It’s also easy to maintain with no painting, staining or waterproofing needed—wipe it down with a damp cloth and that’s it. We’ve found that once people give recycled lumber furniture a try, it’s hard to go back to anything else. Lately, more than ever before, sustainability is also in the forefront of consumers’ minds. They love that POLYWOOD takes oceanand landfill-bound plastic from the environment and turns it into longlasting furniture. Whatisthelatestnewsabout your recycling initiatives? Pierson: Lastyear,inadditiontoour landfill-bound recycling, we created an ocean-bound plastic initiative to help clean up plastic waste that is streaming into the oceans. It is a big issue in many countries because there are no local facilities to recycle the waste. We have partnered with a company that operates mostly in Haiti and Indonesia to help. They hire locals to collect plastic and then they ship it to our recycling facility in Indiana. We sort, clean, and turn the raw materials into lumber for our furniture. For 2020, we committed to recycling 1 million pounds of plastic, and we are growing upon that for this year.

HowhasPOLYWOOD grown/changed in recent years? Pierson: POLYWOODisalways looking for new ways to design and create different aesthetics. There are new technologies that allow us to offer sleek designs and aesthetics that weren’t attainable even five years ago. We have a full lineup of products from rocking chairs and chaise lounges to tables, swings, and gliders—and we even have a kids collection. We most recently added deep seating and fire pit tables, both of which have been extremely popular. We

Vineyard 4-piece bench set Colorful fire set

alsointroducedavintagefinishforselectproducts.Ithasawirebrushtextureandamore matteappearancethanourclassicfinish.It’s availableinWhite,Sahara,andCoffeecolors.

What new product introductions are you most excited about for 2021? Pierson: For this year, we are excited to introduce a beautiful new modular sectional. One area of opportunity that we found as more families are gathering outdoors was the desire for larger seating groups, so our sectionals fit the bill. The collection also features a dining group and chaise lounge accessory that was thoughtfully designed, based on feedback we received from our specialty retailers. We are also very excited to launch our expanded fabric selections that include a new collaboration for this year with Revolution Fabrics and Shayla Copas Interiors.

HowisPOLYWOODpartneringwithretailers tohelpthemgrowtheirbusiness? Pierson: SpecialtyretailersareapriorityforPOLYWOOD.Wecontinuetoofferthemaccesstoexpandedassortments,suchascustomizedfabricoptionsand productstohelpsetthemapartfromotherretailers. Wehaveadaptedourbusinessmodeltoensurespecialtyretailersaresetupforsuccessallseasonlong,bysupportingthemwithstrongdigitaltoolsandshipping directlytotheircustomerswhenneeded. Whatdoyouthinkthefutureholdsforthe recycledlumberfurniturecategory? Pierson: Thecurrentenvironmenthasmadefindingwaystosafelygatheratoppriority.Theability toeasilydisinfectsurfacesissuperimportanttoconsumersandrecycledlumberistheidealanswer.It’s notporoussoitdoesn’tharborgerms,anditcanbe completely sanitized by wiping it clean with a disinfectant—it can even be power washed. We believe beautiful, durable, low maintenance, made-in-America products will continue to be important to our customers and the category.

Withpeoplespendingmoretimeoutdoors year-round,doyouthinkthat’sincreasing demandforall-weatherrecycledlumber furniture? Pierson: Weareseeingmorepeopleinvestintheir ownhomesbycreatingbeautifuloutdoorareas.It’sa placetospendqualitytimewithlovedoneswhile unwindingfromtheirday.Severalgenerationsof familyarecomingtogetheroutdoorswitha renewedsenseofconnection,andpeopledeserve furniturethatlastsintothenextgeneration beyondjusttheirmemories.Weremaincommitted to providing that as a company.

How has the increased interest in yearround outdoor living affected your business and products? Pierson: Ithaschangedthecategory.Weusedto bringonmoreseasonalemployeesandnowwe employmorepeopleyear-roundbecausethedemand foroutdoorfurnitureisalwaysthere.Anotheropportunitythathasarisenismorecustomersareinterested indeepseatinggroupspairedwithfirepittablesso they can be warm and cozy while lounging by the fire in the colder months. We offer several deep seating conversation sets including the Braxton, Vineyard, and Harbour.

WhatdoesthefutureholdforPOLYWOOD? Pierson: Weareexploringnew,creativewaysto connectwithourretailcustomers.Weareexpanding ourcampustoincreaseproductioncapacityand warehousespace,withthegoaltogetproductstothe customerasquicklyaspossible.Wewillcontinueto launchnewproductdesignsandarereallyexcited aboutthefutureofoutdoorfurniture.

Above & Beyond

Pit Boss 4-burner Ultimate Griddle

Louisiana Grills Black Label 1000

Dansonsishittingitsstride.Asinterest

ingrillinghasseenasignificantspikeoverthepast year, the family-owned manufacturer—which brought Pit Boss, Louisiana Grills, and Country Smokers to the pellet grilling market—is gaining major momentum. “Many people are discovering pellet grills for the first time and are falling in love with the way the food tastes, as well as the fact that they’re easy to use,” says Jeff Thiessen, president. For 2021, Dansons (Phoenix, Arizona) has big plans for all of its grills, and is celebrating the opening of its new wood pellet facility, which is the largest in the UnitedStates.

Dansons is a Christian, faith-based, and familyowned organization founded in 1999. The name Dansons reflects the relationship of CEO Dan Thiessen, and “Dan’s sons,” Jeff and Jordan Thiessen, chief operating officer, who run the company alongside their father. “We are fortunate to be surrounded by a group of talented leaders, business professionals, and industry experts who are uniquely qualified to lead in their respective company categories,” Jeff Thiessen explains.

The company was originally rooted in the concept of transforming wood by-products from sawmill operations into wood shavings for horse bedding and wood pellet fuel for heating products. That idea grew into the production of wood pellet heating stoves, which ultimately evolved to manufacturing wood pellet barbecue grills. “God truly does work in mysterious ways and continues to bless our business every day.”

Today, Dansons is a leading manufacturer of value-engineered, technologically innovative products, including wood pellet, gas, charcoal, and combination-fueled grills, barbecues, smokers, and portable grills sold under its Pit Boss, Louisiana Grills, and Country Smokers brands. Within those brands are also full lines of pellet fuel, cooking accessories, spices, and sauces that are available across multiple leading retailers and direct-to-consumer sales and are sold in more than 20 countries worldwide.

ASTRONGFOUNDATION OnethingthatsetsDansonsapartintheindustryis its superior value proposition. “Having the ability to produce quality, industry-leading products at competitive prices is the catalyst behind making that happen. It is the foundation of everything we do,” Theissen explains. The company also backs up its products with an industry-leading five-year warranty, which is double the length of other competitors. “We do this because we are confident in our superior bigger, hotter, and heavier value proposition.”

As a family-owned and operated business, Dansons does not have any outside capital invested in its company, is not led by an outside committee nor does it deal with any outside forces. This means it has the capability to deliver much quicker results when compared to its competitors—it’s able to go from concept to retail shelf in less than a year. “Our speed to execution and the fact that we are well-capitalized has been absolutely pivotal in our ability to grow the business. It is also a key reason why we’re continuing to grow at the rate we have been.”

NEWFOR2021 BoththePitBossGrillsandLouisianaGrillsbrands are looking forward to launching a solid lineup of products this year.

For Pit Boss, the company is excited about its allnew Ultimate Griddle series to hit the market during the early summer months. The griddles will feature a first-of-its-kind in North America— a Non-Stick Armored Ceramic Cooking Surface that is a true game-changer in the grilling category. The exclusive surface is ready to use out of the box and is a dream to clean, needing just a gentle wipe after use. The ceramic coating also protects the griddle from chipping and rust, keeping your unit looking better for longer. “The units look great and make even better food,”

Keeping customers happy with premium products and appealing price points contributes to Dansons’ record growth.

BY SHARON SANDERS

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FAVE FLAMES

Regency’s original mission to create the absolute best fireplaces has fueled a loyal fan base. BY MAURA KELLER

Theysayacompany’shistory

andinitialfoundationsayalotabout the core tenets of a company’s purpose. When Robert Little founded Regency Fireplace Products on the outskirts of Vancouver, Canada, in 1979, Little had a vision of creating high-quality hearth products that stood the test of time.

This idea led to Regency’s core competencies that are at work today—quality, service, and reliability. In fact, Little’s goal was to create fireplace products that would work from the first time to the 1,000th time they were used. That idea alone shows the tenacity that Little had in engineering and manufacturing exceptionally wellbuilt products that consumers could enjoy for decades.

Regency can offer a lifetime guarantee on their products, thanks in part to the four key cornerstones that make their fireplace products truly exceptional. These cornerstones include products that exude high quality, good value, clean-burning efficiency, and beautiful aesthetics. Simply put, Regency’s team of designers, creators, marketers, and innovators work together to achieve a common goal: Creating quality products that bring people together.

And thanks in part to this vision that was established 42 years ago, when Little designed and made his first wood stoves in a small garage, Regency is now a world leader in the design, manufacture, and marketing of hearth products. The company’s 300 employees work seamlessly to provide products to over 2,000 retailers across North America, Europe, Japan, China, and Australia. And Regency’s reputation for providing exceptional hearth products has earned the company accolades aplenty by consumers and dealers, retailers, and other professionals within the hearth industry.

“This is what Regency aims to reflect in our products and our brand,” says Kyle Grant, director of marketing. “When consumers or retailers see a Regency product, we hope they see the details that make us stand out—quality materials, expert craftsmanship, attention to detail, and innovative technologies—all designed to make sure the firebox lasts a lifetime. We guarantee it!”

MORECHOICES WhileRegencyoffersawealthoffireplace product designs that meet the eclectic interests of today’s consumers, the company is continuing to expand its product offerings within its increasingly successful Regency City Series. This year, the City Series lineup will add see-through and threesided pier models. These additions will help round out the City Series, allowing homeowners to enjoy the stunning flame picture, unlimited finishing options, and advanced technology in more spaces and more applications than ever before.

The City Series has proven to be popular among consumers who are looking for extra-large glass viewing areas, unlimited finishing options, flexible installation, and Regency’s patented Cool Wall System, which allows TVs and artwork to be placed safely above the fireplace.

In 2021, Regency will also be expanding the company’s insert lineup with a new gas and wood-burning insert. “Our i3000 wood-burning insert will provide high efficiency, long burns, and class-leading glass size in a contemporary or traditional styling,” Grant says.

What’s more, Regency’s new gas insert features innovative technology, an impressive, ultra-realistic flame picture, and stunning accessories to maxi-

Regency City Series 60 gas fireplace with black crystals

Regency City Series 60 gas fireplace with wood log set

mizeinstallationflexibility.“Weareveryexcitedabout ournewgasinsertlineup,”Grantsays.“Staytunedand checkoutourproductannouncementscomingin Regency’sJunereleaseofourVision2021toseethe nextgenerationofRegencyInserts.”

Regency also continues to develop some of its longstanding classic product lines that are a favorite among consumers. For example, the Regency Classic series of wood-burning stoves and inserts are still very popular with homeowners. While re-engineered to meet 2020 EPA standards, as Grant explains, this stove has remained relatively constant since the company first launched it. With long burn times, high efficiency, and ease-of-use, the Regency Classic series of wood stoves and inserts continues to be a market favorite.

“The Classic Series combines the high-efficiencies and clean burns of EPA stoves with a simplified single air control burn system to provide unmatched warmth and comfort to any type of wood burner,” Grant says.

And whether they are classic wood stoves or state-of-the-art modern gems, Regency strives to make sure all of its products are high-quality, reliable, and innovative. “These three ideas go into everything we do, from product design to finished units,” Grant says. “As a full-service manufacturer, raw materials enter one-side of our plant and finished products come out the other. We create our products in North America using advanced technology and highly skilled labor.”

By controlling the entire process, the Regency team builds in checks and balances to ensure all Regency products and parts meet rigorous standards. And it shows through the company’s commitment to quality and positive customer response, Grant notes. “By checking the details, such as thicker gauge steel, reinforced door hinges, larger glass viewing areas, and so much more, you can see how we have made our name in the industry.”

MONITORINGTRENDS Inthiseraofe-commerceandwell-informedconsumers,Regencyrecognizesthatcustomizationand choice are key to successful product marketing. As Grant explains, today’s consumers want to pick and choose what their fireplace will exactly look like—to a point that the Regency team has never seen before. “The rise of communities like Instagram and Pinterest has led people to desire very particular looks and styles for their spaces,” Grant says. “They need a fireplace that will fit into that aesthetic.”

Regency has responded by offering more customization and choice than ever before. For example, the company’s new gas units work off a single fireplace chassis and can be customized for any customer needs— including installation and accessories. Regency’s wood lineup offers a unit for anyone and any style—contemporary, modern, or traditional and hybrid-catalytic or non-catalytic.

“At the moment, we are seeing many people spending more on home improvements, which has been a plus for many industries, including the hearth industry,” Grant says. “As people are spending more time at home, we’ve seen an increase in projects that beautify the home and make it more comfortable. With vacations and out-of-home spending being curtailed, the always-put-off renovation project has come to the forefront.”

In addition to consumers spending more of their expendable income on home improvement projects in general, there also is a trend toward renovations and adding or upgrading fireplaces in people’s homes, leading to an increase in demand.

“One particular category that was surprising was the growth of outdoor fireplaces. We have seen a significant trend of consumers improving the outdoor living area and investing in extending the patio season, including installing fire and outdoor heating features,” Grant says. “We expect that trend to continue and for fireplace and hearth sales to continue to be strong throughout 2021.”

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EclecticExteriors

Bernhardt ventures into outdoor market with pieces that stand out with their artistic, interior stylings. BY LAURIE RUDD

Bernhardt Exteriors’ Madura Sofa, Wailea Chairs and Paseo Table

Withalegacyoficonicfurnituredesign,

Bernhardtholdsatrustedpositionwithinthehome industry.Followingina130-yearhistoryofcrafting fine furniture, the manufacturer is now making its mark on the outdoor category. Built on artistry and innovation, Bernhardt Exteriors was launched at the October 2019 High Point Market. With a modern design aesthetic, the introduction was met with an overwhelming positive response and is proving to deliver an exciting extension to the Bernhardt design legacy.

“Bernhardt Exteriors was inspired by our iconic Bernhardt Interiors brand and created to bring the modern styling of our indoor products to the world of outdoor furnishings,” says Erin Sullivan, director of Bernhardt Exteriors. “The brand is characterized by an elevated aesthetic focused on unique materials, constructions, and design details—all with a modern organic sensibility.”

Due to its foundation within the interior segment and its focus on the task of blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor living, Bernhardt was perfectly positioned for this introduction.

Headquartered in Lenoir, North Carolina, Bernhardt has a legacy of meeting the needs of retail partners and designer clientele. Under the consistent leadership of four generations of the Bernhardt family, the move into exterior furnishings was recognized as a natural progression in the expansion of the Bernhardt brand.

“Our Bernhardt clientele were instrumental in our transition into outdoor furnishings,” Sullivan says. “Customers kept asking for product to meet requests for outdoor living. We saw this as a great opportunity due to our existing relationships with retailers as well as suppliers worldwide, making it a natural progression.”

Just as with Bernhardt’s interior furnishings, a design focus was at the forefront of the brand’s entry into the outdoor category. Under the direction of president and CEO Alex Bernhardt Jr., design, quality materials, and constructions were constant considerations in the creation of the outdoor line.

“The Bernhardt Exteriors design philosophy encompasses eclectic styling, unique materials, modern forms, and artistic details,” Sullivan explains. “We find inspiration in not only iconic pieces from our indoor line, but also travel, boutique hotels, architecture, high fashion, and unique materials.”

Additionally, Sullivan notes that the line uses an eclectic approach in its design process that is “item driven” vs. being collection or “suit” driven. Where other outdoor manufacturers develop collections to dress an entire outdoor space, Bernhardt Exteriors concentrates on perfecting individual pieces to be complementary through materials and finishes across the line.

“Our designs have set us apart from others in the category from the time of our launch,” Sullivan says. “We developed pieces with natural-looking materials, but with an appealing interior furniture vibe.”

The secret to this was the design team’s concentration on innovation and new techniques and materials. Bernhardt has partnered with global artisan manufacturing partners in the pursuit of materials and design detailing that resulted in the success of the Bernhardt Exteriors line.

For 2021, this collaborative process is on full display with its latest outdoor living introductions. Through the use of specific materials, processes, and customer input, a wide variety of pieces and coordinated collections are being developed. One example of the Bernhardt Exteriors’ focus on design was introduced with an artistic twist on an outdoor favorite, teak. Through an innovative process, a collection of seating and tables debuted utilizing carbonized teak. In this process, teak wood is thermally modified by slowly drawing moisture and sugars out of the timber, which stabilizes the wood and allows for more artistic design details. One such design detail is a process of hand-carving pieces of teak and forming them into a mosaic pattern, as seen in the Madura collection of pieces.

“The sliced teak used in our Madura products are pieced together in a mosaic design and speaks to our focus on artistic details and the use of unique materials,” Sullivan says. “The wood is handcrafted into furnishings that highlight the materials in round or linear pieces to deliver dramatic appeal.”

The Madura design uses the new carbonized teak in multiple shapes and with durable solution-dyed upholstered seating. Plush cushions and loose design back pillows make the Madura seating pieces as comfortable as eye-catching. The carbonized teak is also featured on dining tables with the sliced teak tabletop design.

“Signature to our outdoor line are wholly upholstered pieces,” says Sullivan, describing new introductions. “These are an example of how we were able to leverage our indoor capabilities with an ability to perform in the outdoors. The upholstered looks allow

Bernhardt Exteriors’ Madura Table with Santa Cruz Chairs

forasofter,moreeclecticlookthat caneasilymixandmatchwithother piecesintheline,allfocusedonan invitingandcomfortableoutdoorliving experience.”

Bernhardt Exteriors’ Wailea pieces incorporate an organic vibe with a unique woven sock material. Lounge chairs are formed with embracing frame curves and finished by the oversized woven elements. This plush weave also is available on the Wailea daybed or dining chair with a contrasting slender leg design. Each piece exhibits generous cushioning and the signature loose pillow seat backs.

One unique design that was crafted to accent outdoor lounging is the Playa collection. Each chair combines a durable teak wood frame with a sleek performance rope seat and back. The chairs have an engineered recline for greater comfort.

An organic, sculptural design is seen on the Bali collection. An open configuration of circular elements wrapped in a wicker or rope material provide a structural yet casual look. Simplicity of curves in the overall frame design is accompanied by solution-dyed rope that adds softness to the overall look.

“Our Bernhardt Exteriors design team has not only developed a great complement of seating motifs, but also unique constructions in our outdoor occasional tables,” Sullivan adds. “The Tenerife Table is one that combines a starburst design created by using natural coco twigs to cast an organic imprint to the surfaces of the cubed tables. This table has been well received as an item that completes an outdoor setting.” The Bernhardt Exteriors line was rounded out through the development of a unique selection of occasional tables constructed from natural stone to glassreinforced concrete with inlaid marble. Also, to complement seating groups, tables from faux bois casting to terrazzo stone in designer shapes have been developed.

An accent pillow program punctuates the Bernhardt Exteriors offering with original configurations of fabric textures and hues. A total of 75 fabric selections are available for Bernhardt Exteriors pillows as well as upholstered pieces.

“We are excited about what is on the drawing board for the upcoming market,” Sullivan says. “We’re looking to add more natural wood designs with new finishes; and due to the popularity of the modern woven designs, we will also be adding more original weaves. Of course, our upholstered looks have been the cornerstone of our brand, and we will continue to add more to the outdoor line. Finally, our customers will be thrilled to see a number of our Bernhardt interior designs move to the Exteriors line.”

Sullivan concludes that a key component of the Bernhardt Exteriors business is its ability to be continuously growing. As an elevated line, Sullivan sees the company building upon its valued retail and design professional customer base and continuing to reach out to more segments. “We are proud that the Bernhardt Exteriors line has been an overwhelming success and going forward, our plan is to continue to intensify our product offerings and expand into new categories while always focusing on iconic design.”

BernhardtExteriors’ Monterey Sofa with Tenerife Table

Circle Reader Service No. 56