We're still cooking

While you can still find the occasional update on this page, most of our news is now posted on the blog found at our Dealer Site. If you're a current or potential dealer of Rome products, give us a call at 800/818-7603 or email for your password to gain access. At our dealer site you'll find the most up to date information on new products, inventory, prices etc... There is also online wholesale ordering.

If you're a consumer looking for the latest news on our outdoor cookware, please visit us on our Facebook or at www,pieiron.com. 

Upcoming event in Atlanta

TheGardens wholesale showrooms at AmericasMart are planning some events to coincide with the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Expo which is being held in Atlanta from February 29 – March 2nd.

In celebration we'll be offering showroom only booth specials during Expo dates. We will not be exhibiting the at the Expo, but our showroom in theGardens will be open and we'll be offering a special in showroom special on orders. Please stop by.
Rome Industries
Showroom #B-54
2WW, 9th floor
AmericasMart

Rome featured on the TODAY show

We were excited to see Kathie Lee and Hoda feature Rome s'more maker and dog'n brat cooker on the TODAY show this morning. They were doing a segment on "glamping" which is basically camping with all the creature comforts of home. The term first appeared a few years ago in the UK where people attending large rock festivals such as Glastonbury would bring everything but the kitchen sink to their campsite. Glamorous Camping or 'glamping' was born.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Rome Announces New Outdoor Rep For Southwest

Madison, WI – Outdoor cookware manufacturer, Rome Industries, Inc. is pleased to announce that Specialty Reps West has joined their roster of outdoor industry independent reps.

Based in Southern California and covering Nevada, Arizona and California, Specialty Reps West is a 30 year old agency led by Richard Stone who is well known by his account base and industry peers for his product knowledge and understanding of the outdoor industry. Presently the southwest agency for such manufacturers as Wisconsin Pharmacal and Nitz Ize, the Rome product line of fun base camp cookware will add to a solid base of core accessory vendors.

A family business since 1964, Rome Industries, Inc. is known for their niche selection of unique campfire products such as Pie Irons, marshmallow roasting forks and grilling tools.

download press release

Online Ordering Available

We're pleased to announce that you may now place your wholesale Rome orders online, 24/7

To access the online order system, simply go to www.romeindustries.com and click on “Dealer Log-In”.

You’ll be prompted for a password which you may obtain by writing us at sales(at)romeindustries.com or giving us a call at 800-818-7603.

In addition to placing orders, this is the first place to find out about new items, discontinued & out of stock sku’s plus any specials or closeout promotions that we’re running.

Upcoming Trade Shows

We'll be hitting the road over the next couple months and will attending a number of trade shows. Stop by the booth to see what's new and take advantage of in-booth show specials.

Atlanta Gift Show
Rome Showroom #9-B-54
Building 2 West Wing
TheGardens
July 14th - 21st
http://americasmart.com

ORA (Outdoor Reps Assoc.) Show
Madison, WI
Voyageur Sales Booth
July 20th - 22nd
http://outdoorrepsassoc.com

Independent Garden Center Show (IGC)
Navy Pier, Chicago
Rome Booth #2529
August 17th - 19th
http://igcshow.com

Outdoor Retailer
Salt Lake City, UT
Rome Booth #108
August 3rd - 6th
http://outdoorretailer.com

EORA (Eastern Outdoor Reps Assoc) Show
Oaks, PA
Mansback Assoc. Booth #30-31
August 11th - 13th
http://eora.org

MRA (Midwest Reps Assoc) Show
Lansing, MI
Marc Nigg Assoc Booth
August 16th - 18th
http://midwestreps.net

NBS (Nations Best Sports) Show
Fr Worth, TX
Rome Booth tbd
Sept 11th - 13th
http://nationsbestsports.com

Position Openings

We're now taking applications for Independent Sales Rep positions for the Rome outdoor cookware line (not garden products) in the following territories:

Southwest: California/Arizona/New Mexico/Nevada

Southeast: All of the southeast is open and parts of the Mid-Atlantic. We will look at large groups that cover the whole territory as well as breaking up the states into several territories. It all depends on territory strengths of the right candidates

The applicant should have extensive & active experience in the outdoor industry and have complementary hardgood lines to Rome cookware & accessories. A deep knowledge of various retail channels in the territory is a must.

Accounts called on include independent outdoor retailers, regional sporting good chains, distributors, general stores, RV dealers, campgrounds & resorts. Mail order/dot com may be available to the rep on a case by case basis.

Ideally, positions will be filled by Outdoor Retailer Summer Market.

Interested applicants should contact Michael O'Russa, (michael at romeindustries.com)

Camping Life 2010 Gear Guide

Just received Camping Life magazine's annual "Gear Guide" and was very pleased to see that both our Marshmallow Tree and Kebab'n Grill made the cut.

The Kebab'n Grill is new for 2010 and it's a beauty for those that want to bring a grill that uses charcoal or wood to a picnic or camping trip. Portable gas/fuel grills have their place, but there's something to be said for cooking over a flame made by briquets.

Our folding grill converts from a traditional grill with a grid to a kebab grill and comes with 6 kebab skewers. Packs in a storage case to 10.5" x 16" x 2.25".

Rome Sundial & Base Special

The #B25 Combo Promotion

Here’s the skinny –

Buy 1 #2308 Solid Brass Grow Old With Me Sundial & 1 #2316 Solid Brass Cherub Sundial at regular wholesale and receive 1 #B25 Set of 2 Wire Frame Pedestals For Free.

We only have 100 Sets to sell and when they’re gone, they’re gone.

Special Notes -

- Limit of 5 dial & base combos per account

- No product substitutions

- Use code B25Combo when ordering

- Orders must be for asap shipping

- Regular minimum order of $125 has been waived for this promo

- Net 30 terms if already established or AMEX/VISA/MAST/DISC
This is a Wholesale Only Promotion

Log in to the dealer area for info on this Special Sundial & Base Promotion.

New Outdoor Rep For Michigan & Indiana

Madison, WI – Outdoor cookware manufacturer, Rome Industries, Inc. is pleased to announce the addition of Marc Nigg to their roster of independent reps for the outdoor sports industry. Marc will be joining forces with longtime Rome rep, Don Schuller in the great lake states with a primary focus on accounts in Michigan and Indiana.

Based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Marc comes to Rome with over 20 years in the outdoor industry and is an avid camper, hiker and alpine and nordic skier. Some of the other lines represented by Marc include Chinook, Manzella and Terramar.

A family business since 1964, Rome Industries, Inc. is known for their niche selection of unique and fun campfire products such as Pie Irons and marshmallow roasting forks.

download press release

Rome Teams With Nielsen Outdoor To Broaden European Distribution

Madison, WI - Family camping cookware manufacturer, Rome Industries has reached a European distribution agreement with the Danish manufacturing company, Nielsen Outdoor Solutions. With an offering of Danish designed firepits, grills and smokers, Nielsen Outdoor Solutions currently reaches a diverse account base of European dealers in the outdoor and bbq market. Combined with Rome’s classic cast iron Pie Iron sandwich cookers, roasting forks and grilling accessories, the two companies offer European dealers a complete package for open fire cooking and relaxation.

Distribution territory of the Rome brand of products by Nielsen includes all of Scandinavia and Europe excluding the Benelux countries, UK and Ireland which are distributed by Qvist Cookware & Grakka Ltd, respectively. Prior to this agreement, Rome cookware was distributed in Scandinavia and Germany by Danish Outdoor. Managing director of Danish Outdoor, Jacob Andersen will be employed by Nielsen Outdoor Solutions as an advisor and strategist of the Rome program.

Michael O’Russa, Rome’s director of sales and marketing says “Jacob has developed a robust dealer network for Rome in Scandinavia over the past few years and I’m thrilled that he will be working closely with Nielsen Outdoor as we introduce our unique range of outdoor cookware to the rest of Europe. “

A family run business since 1964, Peoria IL based Rome Industries is best known for their wide selection of fun & original cookware for open fire use.

For more information contact:
Rome Industries, Inc. (800) 818-7603, www.romeindustries.com.
Nielsen Outdoor Solutions 45 70 20 76 74, www.baal-grill.eu/
Download press release














Rome products in the Nielsen booth at the recent Spoga show in Germany

ACE Hardware

Wednesday, October 21st is ACE Hardware Day at AmericasMart in Atlanta. if you're an Ace dealer, stop by our showroom and check out our unique line of outdoor cookware and distinctive garden decor.

As an Ace drop ship vendor, all orders written in the Rome showroom will receive exclusive booking specials.

Showroom Location:
TheGardens
Building 2 West Wing, 9th floor
#B-54

You may also place your order with our sales rep group, Total Marketing at:
tel 800-323-0780
fax 800-852-8916
TeamTotal
AmericasMart

and let's not forget simplicity

I just finished reading this gem of a piece by Iconoclast's Nissa Hanna on the value of both visual and emotional simplicity in today's market.

Last month, while browsing the booths at the International Home and Housewares Show, I noticed a strong theme: simplicity.

Spotted on the showroom floor: Sagafrom's minimalist self-watering plant container; Simple Human's shower dispensers, which edit the visual clutter of personal care products (and their packaging); and tabletop trends kickin' it earthenware-style with rustic and raw designs.

In this economy, is it any surprise that consumers are craving a redirect to simplicity? A recent survey by Euro RSCG found that shopper mindsets in the U.S., U.K. and France are shifting to a desire for "voluntary simplicity" (Financial Times 4.8.09). Whether personal bank accounts are affected or not, there's a sense that the accumulation of stuff is part of what got us into this mess.

Luckily, simplicity is a value that can be telegraphed to multiple marketing opportunities, whether product design, packaging or positioning. To start, offer the consumer an escape — mentally, emotionally, physically, visually — from the disorder of the economic downturn.

I often think of Rome cookware as having just the right amount of simplicity to make the products easy for anyone to use, yet with enough twists to the designs to keep them interesting and unique. That's probably one of the real appeals to our line and a key areas of continuity for what we're doing.

Iconoculture, Inc.

Staycation 2.0

While it would be crazy talk to say that the economy is buzzing along, it does seem like the few bright spots are in the outdoor industry. All signs indicate that staycation 2.0 is on it's way. Remember, the staycation is not just the backyard, it's local & state parks and visits within a day's drive. Campground pre-bookings are up all over the country & camping product sales are holding their own so far.

"Chain Stores Ring Up Early Camping Sales
Chain stores brought in $99M, down 17% in units and 18% in dollars from last February. As in specialty stores, nearly every category declined this month, with apparel categories falling the hardest. Positively, sales growth came out of water bottles, recreation tents, rectangular sleeping bags, camp cookware, water purification and hiking boots, suggesting that camping and outdoor vacations continue to resonate with cash-strapped consumers in early 2009."
source: Outdoor Industry Association

Rome's Good Chimin' Promotion

Dealers - We have a great promotion for first quarter wholesale orders.

Free Solid Brass Rome Windchime for every $200. (at dealer cost) ordered

Value of individual windchimes range from $8.00 - $15.00 dollars wholesale! That’s $16. - $30 of pure profit at retail for every chime.

We choose the windchimes. They’ll be selected from our item #s 502, 503, 504, 508, 509, 512, 513

No limit on chimes. For example, If you order $1,500 you’ll receive 7 free chimes.

When writing an order, put the code “CHQ1Promo” on the paperwork. We’ll add up the order and determine how many free chimes you qualify for.

Our solid brass windchimes are a tremendous value when we sell them – just think about what a deal they are when they’re free.

The chimes are on page 10 of the catalog and here http://romeindustries.com/bells.html

Bookings must be made between 01/27/09 – 03/31/09
All orders must ship by 04/01/09

To order contact your local rep or call Tait in our sales department at 800-818-7603.