Hanamint receives award from Georgia Backyard

Staff -- Casual Living, 2/1/2005

Georgia Backyard, Inc., parent company of Georgia Backyard and American Backyard, has named Hanamint Corporation as recipient of the 2004 Georgia Backyard/American Backyard Manufacturer of the Year Award.

"It is energizing to partner with a manufacturer like Hanamint, who shares our commitment to business excellence, who exhibits a practical understanding of our affairs, and who is dedicated to an operating philosophy consistent with our mutual success," said Dean Luckino, president and CEO of Georgia Backyard. "We extend our heartiest congratulations to Jim Lee and his dedicated team of professionals."

A manufacturer of high-quality casual furniture for the outdoor market, Hanamint has offices and distribution facilities in North Carolina and Nevada, and manufacturing facilities in Shanghai and Jiaxing, China.

"Each year, we go to great lengths to identify the manufacturer most deserving of the award," Luckino added. "From CEO to receiving dock, everyone has a say. This is important because each employee has a unique perspective and experience set with our vendors. Consequently, the award truly represents the collective opinion of the entire Georgia Backyard/American Backyard family."

Factors determining who receives the award include product quality, design, product support, execution and delivery, product packaging and sales performance.

From left, Representative Mike Chance from Hanamint; Brian McMillan, vp/chief merchandising officer, Georgia Backyard; Hanamint President Jim Lee; Dean Luckino, president and CEO, Georgia Backyard; Hanamint Vice President Russ Sorenson; Tirro Luckino, general manager, Georgia Backyard; and Lee Recchia, vp/COO, Georgia Backyard