NO LONGER JUST A FLASH IN THE PAN ; VENDORS ARE STEPPING UP THEIR PRESENCE WITH NEW ADS AND BRANDS.(advertisments)

HFN: The Weekly Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network, October, 2004 by Porter, Thyra

Byline: Thyra Porter

Facing increased competition, eroding margins and cost-conscious consumers, kitchenware vendors have turned to mergers, marketing and clever products as a way to ride out the rest of 2004.

Sales of metal cookware are flat, due mostly to price erosion. While more units were sold in 2003 over the year before, falling prices and increased competition set up challenges for vendors this year.

To combat these tough conditions, All-Clad, one of the most successful upper-tier names in cookware and bakeware, is turning -- as many vendors are -- to stepped-up ...