Bemis(R) Takes Top Plastic Toilet Seat to the Next Level

SHEBOYGAN FALLS, Wis., March 15 /PRNewswire/ -- What if you could have the best of both worlds when it comes to innovative commercial and residential toilet seat features? The world leader in toilet seat design has just made it possible.

(Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100315/CG70200)

Bemis Manufacturing Company introduces a stylish redesign of its most popular plastic toilet seat that is now available with its traditional Top-Close hinge as well as a premium version that incorporates innovative features from commercial and residential product lines, including:

• the revolutionary STA-TITE® Seat Fastening System™, which eliminates loose seats while speeding up installation times
• Whisper-Close® with Easy-Clean & Change™ eliminates slamming of ring and cover while also allowing quick, easy removal for cleaning or replacing with a new seat
• DuraGuard®, an antimicrobial agent integrated into the seat

Both versions of the seat feature a stylish new design that delivers an improved fit that complements the toilet bowl. Both are now available in retail and wholesale showrooms under the Bemis®, Mayfair® and Church® brands in round and elongated sizes to fit all manufacturers' toilet bowls.

"This redesign has taken our most popular seat to the next level while offering an enhanced version with innovative features that we have developed and refined across our product lines," said Melissa Glancey, Bemis Channel Manager, North America Plumbing Products.

The STA-TITE system, recently developed for the commercial market, eliminates the problem of loose, shifting toilet seats with a revolutionary one-piece fastener that promotes easy installation and ensures the correct tightness needed to keep seats securely fastened without risking bowl damage from over-tightening.

"In high-use commercial applications, the STA-TITE system has virtually eliminated the need for maintenance staff to ever have to tighten loose seats while cutting installation times by as much as a third," said Bob Davis, Bemis Director of Marketing – Plumbing North America. "It has proven very popular with housekeeping and maintenance staff."

Because of STA-TITE's success in the commercial market, Bemis decided to test it with residential consumers, said Glancey. That testing included consumer research on what they consider most important when selecting a toilet seat for their home.

"When we asked consumers what characteristics are most important when purchasing a toilet seat for their home, the top two responses were having a toilet seat that stays firmly attached to the toilet and a seat that doesn't shift around when in use," Glancey said. "STA-TITE directly addresses those concerns and eliminates them."

Whisper-Close hinge technology allows ring and cover to close quietly and conveniently without slamming and without risking pinched fingers. The Easy-Clean & Change system allows the seat to be lifted off with a simple twist of the hinge cap for easy cleaning or replacement (with a new seat) while the mounting bolts stay in place.

The offering of DuraGuard in the premium version of the newly designed seat reflects increasing customer focus on hygiene and image. "By inhibiting the growth of bacteria that cause stain and odors on seats, DuraGuard not only promotes better hygiene but also delivers a cleaner, fresher feeling," Davis said.

Bemis Manufacturing Company, the world's largest manufacturer of toilet seats, serves residential and commercial buildings and OEM industries. Founded in 1901, Bemis continues to be privately owned and operated. Headquartered in Sheboygan Falls, Wis., Bemis has worldwide distribution in North, Central and South Americas, Europe and the Far East.  Bemis utilizes environmentally friendly processes and materials including rediscovered wood and water-based paints that greatly minimize the emission of VOCs. All seats are packaged in recycled and recyclable corrugate. For more information, visit www.bemismfg.com.

SOURCE Bemis Manufacturing Company