Ribbon cutting of Best Bath’s relocation to Caldwell, Idaho. Filmed and Produced by CaldwellEDCouncil
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Best Bath News
Best Bath Systems Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting at New Caldwell, Idaho Manufacturing Plant
Caldwell, Idaho Mayor Garret Nancolas, Best Bath founder Gary Multanen and members of the Caldwell business community help us open our new 106,000 square foot manufacturing plant in July, 2010.
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Best Bath’s New Manufacturing Facility Opens in Caldwell
We are pleased to announce that our new 106,000 sq. ft manufacturing center in Caldwell, Idaho is now open! To mark this key milestone for Best Bath and for the City of Caldwell, we will be hosting a open house on Tuesday, July 20th. Here is the press release that covers all the details of this exciting news:
Caldwell, Idaho – Best Bath Systems, a leading innovator in safe and accessible shower and walk-in tub products, has purchased a 106,000 sq. ft. plant in Caldwell, ID to serve as their new manufacturing center. The facility began operations on June 28, 2010. The company has also relocated their sales and marketing departments to their Kuna offices.
“Purchasing the Purdue Building in Caldwell was the correct economic decision for us,” stated Gary Multanen, CEO of Best Bath Systems. He added that the City of Caldwell was very helpful during the transition. “Everyone we had contact with was first class. It is very evident to us that Caldwell wants to increase their employment base and we are pleased to be a part of that effort.”
“Caldwell is truly excited to have quality corporate citizens moving to the community. Mr. Multanen has been wonderful to work with and his company will be a tremendous addition to the city,” said City of Caldwell Mayor Garret Nancolas.
Grand opening festivities are scheduled for Tuesday, July 20th. Best Bath senior managers are joining Mayor Nancolas, local business leaders and the Caldwell/Canyon County Economic Development Council for lunch at 11:30 a.m. at the College of Idaho. The ribbon cutting ceremony and plant tour follows at 12:45 p.m. at 723 Garber Street in Caldwell. The Caldwell business community is invited for tours from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. with a kid-friendly public open house from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Hot dogs and refreshments will be served at the public open house. The manufacturing plant will be in operation for those attendees who are curious how composite bathing units are manufactured.
Best Bath Systems has been manufacturing bathing products in the Treasure Valley since 1971. Privately held by Gary and Susan Multanen, the company employs 87 people. Current plans call for the staff to grow to over 100 employees by the end of 2011.
For ten years Multanen has been focused on a strategy to position Best Bath for the continued growth he is confident will take place. He said the Garber Street location is an ideal facility for 40-50 years into the future. The recent economic recession delayed Best Bath’s growth plans with sales dropping from $23 million in 2008 to $18 million in 2009. There will be modest growth in 2010 and projections for 2011 show sales should top $20 million again.
Best Bath products are sold throughout the USA and Canada. More than 50% of their sales are east of the Mississippi River. “That is simply a matter of demographics,” commented Jeff Mooney, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. The company has two sales divisions, one focused on the commercial market and the other on residential renovation. There are 300 Best Bath Systems dealers nationwide who sell and install safe bathing products in residential homes for people who find they can no longer navigate the barriers of traditional bathtubs and showers.
The commercial sales team is made up of eight territory managers, each with multiple-state responsibility. They concentrate their efforts calling on architectural firms securing specifications for Best Bath products in senior housing facilities, assisted living facilities, university housing and hospitals. Recent housing authority renovation initiatives, especially on the east coast and in Texas, have contributed to their sales rebound.
Safe bathing products that receive the most attention in today’s marketplace are walk-in bathtubs. Best Bath was the first company in the USA to manufacture walk-in tubs on a commercial basis. They currently private label for two companies and manufacture their own brand sold through the dealer network.
Custom Home Solutions is the Best Bath Systems local authorized dealer showroom in the Treasure Valley. They are located at 480 E. Franklin Rd. in Meridian, Idaho and can be reached by phone at 208-888-7561.
About Best Bath Systems: Since 1971, Best Bath Systems has focused on providing safe bathing solutions for people of all abilities. Specializing in the design of durable and accessible bathing options for both home and commercial applications, Best Bath showers are backed by a 30 year warranty.
Catch the Best Bath Systems Channel on YouTube
In case you haven’t tuned in yet, the Best Bath Systems YouTube channel is up and running. We have a wide range of videos that cover the full line of safe and accessible showers and walk-in tubs for seniors and those with limited mobility. Watch bathtub and shower installation demonstrations, customer testimonials and informative pieces on independent living and aging in place for families.
You can find our ever-growing collection of videos at: http://www.youtube.com/user/BestBathUSA
Community Block Grant Funds Wyoming Low Income Retirement Home Remodel
Rocky Mountain Manor, an assisted living facility for seniors in Powell, Wyoming, needed a hand. They required funding for a major remodeling project, so they approached the Powell City Council to sponsor a community block grant. Another organization focused on affordable housing, Mountain Spirit Habitat for Humanity, was also in dire need of funds – but there was only enough for one. While Rocky Mountain received the funds, another grant was sought out and, in the end, both organizations got the money they needed to continue to provide quality, affordable living options for area residents in need.
You can read an article about the projects at the Powell Tribune website.
Best Bath Systems is pleased to have been chosen as the supplier of bathroom shower units for the Rocky Mountain Manor. Marla Pierson, Manager of the Manor chose Best Bath showers for their structural integrity, new construction look and visual appeal.
“We didn’t have to build in supports or backing, and the showers provide a system that gives us a long-term fix for bathing,” Pierson explained. Additionally the units included a custom built shower base to align with the drains, saving additional on-site fabrication time and costs. She also commented on the ease of installation, saying “installation, including removal of the existing tub took a day to a day and a half to complete. Two contractors were used in our project of nearly 50 installs and they completed them all well under deadline.”
All Shower Products Now Backed by a 30 Year Warranty
We are pleased to announce that all Best Bath shower products are now backed by a 30 year limited warranty. All showers are manufactured with durable plywood cores, composite materials and tough gelcoat finishes, and are warranted to be free from all manufacturer defects under this expanded 30 year warranty.
“It is incredibly important to us that our customers have the security of knowing that their shower investment is built to last for the life of the building,” stated Jeff Mooney, VP of Sales for Best Bath Systems.
Best Bath commercial products are manufactured to match the life of the building and exceed ANSI standards for strength and durability. They are ideally suited for the bathing needs of private residences, hospitals, independent living communities, and university dormitories where safety and accessibility are of the utmost concern.
All bathing units are designed and manufactured using extremely durable materials. Walls are comprised of six layers. Two layers of composite laminate surround a plywood core. A skin laminate is laid and covered by a barrier coat. The surface is a hard-wearing gelcoat finish. Shower pans are built on a self leveling base and layered with a composite laminate, skin laminate and barrier coat with a gelcoat finish. The plywood reinforcement throughout all walls eliminates the need for additional backing during construction and allows for easy installation of safety grab bars, shower seats and other accessories during installation or at a later date.
Our products are manufactured either as one-piece units, ideal for new construction or as multi-piece units for quick installation in bathroom remodeling projects. All seams are completely waterproof and pre-leveled floors eliminate mud setting and ensure that the building will be safe from water damage.
Prefabricated showers also eliminate the many steps necessary when installing ceramic tile: hanging cement backer boards, applying thin set mortar, laying tile, adding reinforced bracing for safety bars, grouting and grout sealing. Best Bath showers merely require screws, adhesive and, in the case of multi-piece units, a line of caulk at the seams. All installation materials are included with the shower. This significantly reduces labor costs, and virtually eliminates the pitfalls that come with tile surrounds, including grout degradation, difficult safety bar installs and relocation, inadequate floor slopes and unseen water leaks. Gelcoat walls are grout-free, easy to clean and maintain and do not attract dangerous bacterial growth.
To view the complete warranty, click here.
Welcome to the Best Bath Commercial Products Blog
Hello from the Best Bath Systems commercial division. Our goal is to share the latest safe bathing news and industry insights with commercial builders, owners and designers that are seeking durable and cost effective accessible wet area solutions for hospitals, universities and assisted living facilities.
We hope you stop by often and look forward to hearing from you.
