idX Seattle Earns the A.R.E. Above & Beyond Award for Superior Customer Service

Las Vegas (March 19, 2014)— Superior production and speed merited idX Seattle earning this year’s Above & Beyond Award from the Association for Retail Environments (A.R.E.).  Presented during the A.R.E. Design Awards ceremony last night at the Four Seasons Ballroom, the award recognizes member fixture suppliers that deliver exceptional service to their customers.

In just 15 days, manufacturer idX Seattle produced full-scale mockup fixtures for a new Sperry Top-Sider store, a time frame that allowed the project team to make informed decisions and save money, all while meeting the design intent.

Even before the company was selected to provide fixtures, millwork, construction, and installation for the project, idX Seattle provided multiple fixture prototypes modeled after a Nantucket beach house. The full-sized store mockup was produced in the company’s Payallup, Wash., warehouse to test fixtures and finishes before going live.

idX Seattle was nominated by design firm Callison, as it has been one of Callison’s preferred fixture manufacturers for more than 15 years.

“idX was everything you want in a partner on an important project like this —collaborative, committed, creative, cost-conscious and a true pleasure to work with,” said  Callison Principal Cindi Kato.

At the ceremony, A.R.E. unveiled a new logo for the Above & Beyond Award, which beginning next year will be named in honor of former executive director Klein Merriman.  For 18 years, Merriman led A.R.E., formerly the National Association of Store Fixture Manufacturers, and PAVE.  During his tenure, he broadened the member base and the number and types of member services the association currently offers, among other achievements.  He retired last year. 

A.R.E. fixture supplier member companies are eligible to be nominated for the Above & Beyond award by their retail customers. For full coverage of award-winning projects, visit www.aredesignawards.com, where you can also search award-winning projects and companies dating back to the year 2000. Print and digital versions of A.R.E.’s Winners Book will be available online and to magazine subscribers in early April. Copies of the Winners Book also are available at GlobalShop at A.R.E.’s booth No. 1207.

###

About A.R.E.:

A.R.E. (the Association for Retail Environments) is a nonprofit trade association advancing the retail environments industry and our member companies. These international leaders include store fixture suppliers, retail design firms, suppliers of visual merchandising products, suppliers of materials and equipment for the industry and service providers such as 3PLs and installers. Through on-site, online, and on-target venues, A.R.E. connects retailers and brand marketers with the professionals who bring their brands to life.

A.R.E. is sponsor of GlobalShop, the annual industry trade show, and producer of Retail Design Collective, the annual industry showroom event in New York City. A.R.E.'s educational events for retailers and designers also include regional Shoptalks, while educational events for members include the annual Industry Summit.

A.R.E.’s magazine, Retail Environments, provides proprietary research and business information. A.R.E. connects members with buyers through its online, mobile and print directory known as Supplier|Connect. In social media, the association operates the industry's largest discussion forum.