Innovators dominate Hardware Show '99

Discount Store News, Sept 6, 1999 by Debbie Howell, Mike Duff

Lighting products incorporated both practical and home decorating features. Phillips added dimmable flood lights, decorative halogen bulbs and surge-proof bulbs; General Electric touted shatter-proof fluorescent bulbs, a long-lasting halogen flood lamp and a new TV advertising campaign to market its Enrich color-enhancing bulb line; and Osram-Sylvania added new shapes to its Dulux compact fluorescent line and more bulbs in its Double Life group.

Fiskars expanded its line of nightlights for kids and will soon be offering NFL-licensed nightlights and wall plates, while Verilux touted a new lamp design by Stephen Blackman that helps folks wake up more naturally. Available in contemporary and traditional styles, the lamps have an alarm built in and wake sleepers by gradually increasing light and sound output. Over at Satco, Blackman offered Lite Line accent lamps that allowed easy changing bulbs. Also in lighting, battery maker Rayovac jumped into licensing with a line of Harley-Davidson flashlights, while Eveready added new novelty flashlights and new work and camp lights.

In safety and security, new remote keyless lighting and home locking/opening systems from Kwikset garnered interest. Sunbeam's First Alert added a plug-in carbon monoxide alarm with digital display, while Kidde launched a combo smoke/carbon monoxide alarm with a talking warning. Meanwhile, American Sensors' new offerings included a dual carbon monoxide/natural gas alarm and a star-glow decorative smoke alarm for a child's room. Intermatic added new 7-day and 24-hour digital home security timers, while Sentry launched new fire-resistant safes.

Safety issues extended to large appliances, such as America Water Heater Company's new Flame Guard technology that reduces the risk of fires from a gas water heater's vapors.

As for other hardware products, Manco offered a new line of "extreme" duck tape in bright colors and Woods Industries was showcasing its recent licensing partnerships to market its electrical products under the brands Zenith, ACDelco, IBM and Ameritech. Woods also expanded its Yellow Jacket power cord line to work lights, circuit analyzers and related accessories.

Several companies seemed to be marketing new water and air filter products, including a new water filter line by former football quarterback Boomer Esiason that will benefit cystic fibrosis research. The Idea Factory launched a colorful anti-scald showerhead for children called My Own Shower, while Teledyne Water Pik added its first shower filter product, an adjustable shower massage head and the Misting Massage, a showerhead that imitates a soothing spa experience. Moen also debuted a shower therapy line and launched new upscale faucet designs, such as the Villeta polished brass, white and chrome series.

Other innovative plumbing products included the self-closing toilet lid from Ginsey Industries and Soap 'N Spray, a one-piece sink sprayer, soap dispenser and brush from Waxman Industries' Plumb-Craft division.

In the home dec arena, Hunter added more upscale fans with antique looks such as brushed nickel finishes and swirled marble glass.