New Product Showcase: Colorful new entrants

After a brutal winter, what the industry can use now is a splash of color — from raspberry red to lime to black and white. Even “green” qualifies, when used to conserve energy. On the following pages, the New Product Showcase opens on a colorful collection of handy or heavyweight home solutions for the 2011 selling season.

Gardening Colors

MidWest Gloves & Gear of Chillicothe, Mo., injected some extra color into its new line of products for women gardeners called “Gardening Colors.” Raspberry red, lime green and teal blue — in solids, stripes and combinations — create the distinctive look. “Women love the fashion-forward colors,” said president Stephen J. Franke. The line includes canvas gloves, sun visors and waist aprons. (midwestglove.com)

Grunt Can Carrier

Minneapolis-based Grunt Products introduced a handle for a 1-gallon can of paint. The Grunt CanCarrier eliminates the need to pour paint out of its original gallon can and into another container. In so doing, the company says, the product saves time and saves paint. The wire handle of the typical gallon paint can locks into place on the back of the big blue handle. A ladder-hook feature adds to the convenience. It carries a price point of about $13. (gruntproducts.com)

GloWear PowerCap

With four LED lights attached to the brim of a baseball cap, the Ergodyne GloWear 8940 PowerCap brings illumination to the job site. And with illumination comes safety. The cap offers light, “without the need to hold a flashlight or don a bulky headlamp,” said Tom Votel, CEO of St. Paul, Minn.-based Ergodyne. Four replaceable long-life lithium batteries come with the hat, and deliver more than 30 hours of continuous light. The product comes in orange, lime, black, navy or RealTree Camo. (ergodyne.com)

Haier Front-Load laundry line

Haier began shipping its first Front-Load laundry line for the U.S. market last month. Matt Sekelick,senior VP product marketing, calls it premium features at non-premium price points. The line opens with the HWF5000AW washer, featuring 4.3 Cu. Ft. Capacity and 1000 RPM max spin speed and 10 wash cycles. Consumers can step up to the HWF5300AW 4.3 Cu. Ft. 1300 RPM Energy Star washer with Touch Sense Controls and 12 wash cycles. The Energy Star-rated products also offer ergonomic Electronic Touch Sense controls. (haieramerica.com) 

EnviroGarden rubber paver

The EnviroGarden rubber paver covers old, cracked and damaged concrete and can be used on roof tops, patios, playgrounds and sidewalks. The company’s patent-pending Corner-Interlocking mechanism ensures a smooth surface and no-lateral movements for glue-down and no-glue-down installation. The pavers — made of 100% recycled rubber — are available in two designs, Brickface and Etna. Each design is offered in three colors: red, brown and gray. (ahfurnico.com)

Master Flow Green Machine solar-powered ridge vent

While traditional ridge vents and roof louvers can often provide less airflow than powered roof vents,powered ventilation options are generally less attractive; require installation by electricians; and run using electricity, which adds to their cost. That’s where the “Green Machine” comes in. The Master Flow Green Machine Solar Powered Ridge Vent from Wayne, N.J.-based roofing and ventilation manufacturer GAF provides 25 times more airflow than traditional ridge vents, according to the company. (gaf.com)

Correction: In the February “Made in the USA” issue of Home Channel News, the following content was intended for inclusion.

Zenith Shower Rods

Product: Zenith Shower Rods

Made In: New Castle, Del.

Pitch: The patented Twist-Tight mechanism installs easily and securely with an industry-leading assortment of styles and colors. (zenith-products.com)