German ceramics company Villeroy & Boch AG has purchased the sanitary ware business from Grupo Industrial Saltillo, one of Mexico's leading industrial corporations, including three factories that produce St. Thomas Creations and Vitromex. This is Villeroy & Boch's first acquisition of a North American company.

Bradley Corp. was founded by Howard A. Mullett in 1921 after he and several partners bought the rights to the washfountain from inventor Harry Bradley of the Allen-Bradley Corp. According to the company, Bradley created the group handwashing concept to keep his workers on the shop floor.

Murray Supply Co. (Charlotte, NC) took a group of sales associates and customers, including Alan Honeycutt, branch manager in Apex, NC, and showroom sales associates Cyndi Fuller and Allison Atkins from The Fuller House, to the Lasco Bathware plant in South Boston, VA.

Hansgrohe announced Russ A. Wheeler is the new president of Hansgrohe-North America, the company's largest subsidiary. He succeeds Chris Marshall, who was promoted in August 2005 within the Masco Corp.

Steam bath manufacturer ThermaSol launched a national promotion in January that will continue through Dec. 25, in which it will do 12 monthly drawings for a Fast Start Pocket Bike. Only licensed plumbing professionals can enter the contest when they purchase a ThermaSol ProSeries steam bath generator.

DECOLAV® appointed Karin Klein to strategic account manager - The Home Depot. Klein is joining the company from The Home Depot, where she served in the plumbing, HVAC and storage and organization categories.

Briggs Industries hired Mauricio Lavandero as vice president/marketing. He has more than 15 years of experience in executive management, marketing and business development and marketing consultation for both consumer and commercial durable goods, particularly in the Latin American market.

Basco promoted Linda Garman to director of marketing communications, a new position, and hired Jeff Roy as director of customer service.

Brizo™ has introduced the Pascal™ culinary faucet with Smart Technology. The faucet combines hands-free and touch-control technology and also has a pull-down spout.

American Standard created the Lifetime whirlpool based on research indicating that consumers want whirlpool tubs that are quieter, more spacious, deep and easy to clean.