For Immediate Release:
Contact: Danielle Myers
212.297.2105
AWARD-WINNING WINDOW COVERING PRODUCTS ANNOUNCED
Industry’s Engineering and Design Teams Celebrated
New York, NY (April 21, 2023) − The Window Covering Manufacturers Association (WCMA) announced the winners of the 31st Annual Product Awards which recognize the best of the window covering industry’s new products, educational and merchandising programs that were launched in 2022.
Winners were selected in ten categories including cellular and pleated shades; drapery hardware; “green” products; horizontal blinds; motorization and automation; Roman and roller shades; shadings and sheers; shutters; specialty applications and miscellaneous products and vertical/panel track products.
WCMA’s “green” category acknowledges window-covering products that increase energy efficiency or conservation of resources or employ sustainable practices in their manufacture.
Manufacturers’ marketing and merchandising programs were acknowledged for creativity and achieving projected results. This group of innovators includes marketing technology and point-of-sale displays.
In addition to the products and programs selected by the judges, this year WCMA honors all the submissions that advanced the industry’s ongoing commitment to child safety. Thirty-six (36) products were submitted that incorporated either cordless or inaccessible cord operating systems. WCMA congratulates the following companies for their innovations and encourages them to keep investing in this important area; Calendar Enterprises Co. Ltd; Coulisse; Draper, Inc.; Hunter Douglas; Levolor; Norman USA; Orion Ornamental Iron Inc.; Roll-a-Shade; and Rowley.
Hunter Douglas’ Luminette Privacy Sheers was selected as the 2022 WCMA Product of the Year. The Luminette® hardware system has been completely redesigned with the customer in mind. Operation is easy and intuitive, requiring 40% less pull force. The new “tilted traverse” function gives the ability to tilt the vanes while the fabric is in any position. The sleek, modern headrail design includes new hidden brackets. This hardware is available with 3 operating systems, including the reimagined PowerView® Gen 3 Automation.
“The Luminette Privacy Sheers submission was selected by the judges for its design and innovation. WCMA congratulates the team at Hunter Douglas and all the industry’s engineers and designers on their hard work and their vision”, said Ralph Vasami, executive director of WCMA. “You can view all of the 2022 innovations on the WCMA website: www.wcmanet.com."
WCMA PRODUCT AWARDS JUDGES
This year’s judges included design community experts Susan Arann and Susan Hirsh.
Susan Arann is an interior design director and principal of American & International Designs Inc., an award winning, multi-disciplined interior design firm based in New York City. Susan is a past president of the American Society of Interior Design’s (ASID) New York Metro chapter.
Susan Hirsh is a décor consultant and industry expert who formerly served as North American Manager for decorative programs at Benjamin Moore & Co, as president of the International Furnishing and Design Foundation (IFDA) and as the national chair of IFDA’s Educational Foundation.
The judges recognized Norman USA for their Normandy Shutters with OSMO Finish with the Judges’ Award, presented to a window covering product that exhibits measurable benefits and standout aesthetic appeal to end users. Submitted in WMCA’s Shutters category, the Normandy Shutters with OSMO Finish uses a safe and eco-friendly stain-finish made from natural plant oils and vegetable waxes, free from harmful substances. In a palette of on-trend colors, OSMO amplifies wood’s natural graining for intensely character-rich louvers. OSMO penetrates deeply, for durability and rich color that goes beyond the surface and protects against degradation over time. We’ve paired OSMO stains with Normandy shutters for a window covering that’ll last a lifetime both inside and out. All submissions will be featured on the WCMA website throughout the year: www.wcmanet.com.
The full list of the WCMA 2022 Product Awards winners are below.
WCMA 2022 PRODUCT OF THE YEAR
Luminette® Privacy Sheers
Hunter Douglas
JUDGES' AWARD
Normandy Shutters with OSMO Finish
Norman USA
Reserved for a submission selected by the judges that exhibits measurable benefit or standout aesthetic appeal to end users
PRODUCT CATEGORY WINNERS
Cellular & Pleated Shades Portrait Honeycomb Designer Fabric – Whispers
Best New Style Concept
Norman USA
Motorized TDBU Honeycomb Shades
Best New Technical Innovation
Norman USA
Drapery Hardware
Paris Texas Hardware - Clean Deco Collection
Best New Style Concept
Rowley
Paris Texas Hardware - Celebrating 30 Years!
Best New Technical Innovation
Rowley
Green Products – Sustainability
Normandy Shutters with OSMO Finish
Best New Style Concept
Norman USA
Norman Wireless Charging Wand
Best New Technical Innovation
Norman USA
Horizontal Blinds (all finishes)
LEVOLOR Trim+Go™ Strap Lift Faux Wood Blind
Best New Technical Innovation
LEVOLOR
Motorization & Automation
Eve MotionBlinds
Best New Style Concept
Coulisse
PowerView Automation (Gen 3)
Best New Technical Innovation
Hunter Douglas
Roman & Roller Shades
Vignette® Modern Roman Shades
Best New Style Concept
Hunter Douglas
FlexStyle™
Best New Technical Innovation
Draper, Inc.
Rey
Technical Innovation Honorable Mention
Roll-A-Shade
Shadings & Sheers
Silhouette® Halo™
Best New Style Concept
Hunter Douglas
Luminette® Privacy Sheers
Best New Technical Innovation
Hunter Douglas
Shutters
Normandy Shutters with OSMO Finish
Best New Style Concept
Norman USA
Heritance® Hardwood Shutters HiddenTilt™ with SoftClose Louvers with Quick Align
Best New Technical Innovation
Hunter Douglas
Vertical/ Panel Tracks (All Finishes)
Adjustable Sliding Panels (Urban Plaid Brick Pattern)
Best New Style
Concept Calendar Enterprises Co., Ltd.
MARKETING & MERCHANDISING AWARD WINNERS
Best Consumer Advertising Campaign
Child Safety Awareness Campaign Through Social Media
Best Consumer Advertising Campaign
Norman USA
Best Consumer Education Campaign
Child Safety Awareness Campaign
Best Consumer Education Campaign
Norman USA
Point of Sale Display (includes sampling)
Paris Texas Hardware Sales Tools
Best Hardware Display
Rowley
Norman® Showroom & Home Show Displays
Display Best In-Store Display Sale Display
Norman USA
2022 Heritance® Hardwood Shutters Sample Kit
Best Sample Book
Hunter Douglas
About WCMA: The Window Covering Manufacturers Association (WCMA), originally organized in the 1950’s as the Venetian Blind Council, represents the interests of the window covering industry manufacturers, fabricators and assemblers. WCMA has three membership categories: Manufacturer, Fabricator and Associate.
For the past 31 years, the WCMA Product Awards Program has bestowed more than 700 awards to window covering industry products that raise the bar on style and design innovations. For more information about WCMA and the 2022 WCMA Product Awards program, contact Danielle Myers at 212.297.2105.