Sunward Division of Country Home Products spins off

Joe Perrotto, President and CEO of Country Home Products (CHP), today announced the spin-off of its Sunward solar hot water division. The new company -- Sunward Systems, LLC -- will continue to offer residential solar hot water systems and be headquartered in Vergennes.
‘Development of a solar hot water product line has been a great experience for CHP,’ said Perrotto. ‘Sunward sales grew by over 50% last year and it has become Vermont’s most popular brand of solar hot water system. But that growth was not in the sales channels we anticipated, and the more Sunward grows the more it will conflict with our core brand -- DR Power Equipment.’
Sunward Systems LLC will be located in lower level of 75 Meigs Road in Vergennes.
‘In most cases existing customers won’t notice the transition,’ said Perrotto. ‘This is a win-win. CHP and Sunward Systems will focus on what they each know best, and customers will reap the benefits.’
The new company will be lead by Tom Hughes (CEO) and Doug Merrill (COO). Hughes, has been in sales and marketing roles at CHP for four years, and has lead the Sunward division for the last year. Prior to CHP he managed various campaign and political activities for Vice President Al Gore and Governor Howard Dean. He directed the political action committee Democracy for America from 2005-2007 and is a graduate of the University of Vermont.
Merrill, an MBA and engineer with degrees from Cornell University, has been a consultant to CHP on product and supply chain issues since 2008. Prior to CHP, Merrill spent fourteen years with General Electric and three years in leadership roles at Husky Injection Molding. He teaches Manufacturing Processes and Manufacturing Systems as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Vermont.
‘Sunward has made going solar easy and affordable,’ said Hughes ‘We look forward to growing the Sunward brand and product line in Vermont and across the Northeast in the years ahead.’
The Sunward Systems website (www.GoSunward.com) and telephone numbers remain the same. Warranties on existing products will continue to be serviced by Country Home Products.
Vergennes, Vt., February 7, 2012 --Sunward