Management Changes:
Avila Design (Oakland, Calif., architecture firm) has added Alex Albani to its architectural practice. Albani was previously regional architect for Mexx stores in the Middle East.
Cubellis Associates Inc. (Boston design firm) has hired Karen Randal as a principal.
Store Openings/Contracts:
Trek Bicycle Corp. (Waterloo, Wis.) has opened a new concept store prototype in Westchester, Ohio, and plans to open a new flagship store in early 2006 in Madison, Wis. Both stores were designed in collaboration with Cowan + Associates (Worthington, Ohio). The stores, built by Horizon Retail Construction (Racine, Wis.), feature custom cashwraps, counters and cabinetry by Advance Fixture Mart (Waukegan, Ill.).
Business Briefs:
spg3 (Philadelphia architecture and design firm) designed the renovations for the recently reopened Coventry Mall in Pottstown, Pa. The 800,000-square-foot complex features new exterior entrances and an updated color palette inside.
GFX Intl. (Grayslake, Ill., provider of retail graphics) has formed GFX Display, a new business unit that provides custom permanent display options for retailers and brand marketers.
Visual Graphic Systems Inc. (VGS, New York) has teamed with Digital View Inc. (London) to install digital signage in several dining facilities at The Ohio State University's main campus in Columbus.
Carmanah Technologies Corp. (Victoria, B.C., manufacturer of LED illuminated signs, solar power systems and solar/LED lighting) announced that it has entered into an agreement with a syndicate of underwriters, led by GMP Securities Ltd. and including Canaccord Capital Corp. and Sprott Securities Inc., for private-placement financing totaling $10 million.
Mannington Mills (Salem, N.J.) announced that its commercial tile and inlaid flooring operations have been awarded ISO 9001 quality standard and ISO 14001 environmental standard certifications.
ACI Distribution (Fayetteville, N.C.) is now distributing fire-rated glazing materials from Technical Glass Products (TGP, Kirkland, Wash.) on the East Coast.
Universal Lighting (Nashville, Tenn.) has launched an online e-learning center for contractors, end-users, lighting designers and distributors at www.universalballast.com.