Local Partners S&S Electric and Mercedes Homes Honored with National TechHome Awards

March 13, 2009 - PRLog -- S&S Electric, an electric and electronic systems contracting company dedicated to leveraging the latest technology, and Mercedes Homes, the nation’s largest 100 percent employee-owned builder, were jointly presented with the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) 2009 TechHome Mark of Excellence awards for both the ‘Home of the Year’ and the new category of ‘Community of the Year’. Winners were recognized at the Mark of Excellence Award Dinner on Friday, March 13, 2009 at The Rosen Centre Hotel in conjunction with the tenth annual Electronic House Expo (EHX) Spring 2009, in Orlando, Florida.

The CEA® TechHomeTM Mark of Excellence Awards honor outstanding innovation and achievement in home technology, services and installation trends throughout the nation and abroad. The ‘Home of the Year’ category for the Mark of Excellence Awards recognizes how an Electronics System Contractor demonstrates the use of technology to enhance a home, resulting in value for the consumer. The newly designated ‘Community of the Year’ Category recognizes an Electronics System Contractor and Builder/Developer team for the strategic partnership through which they promote the use of technology to enhance residences within a production community development. Both distinguished awards recognize S&S Electric’s ongoing partnership with Mercedes Homes in the Seffner, Florida, Community of Toulon.

“We are honored to be recognized by CEA TechHome with the Mark of Excellence awards for Home of the Year and Community of the Year,” said Shawn Smith, President of S&S Electric. “Through our ongoing partnerships with tech-savvy builders such as Mercedes Homes, we ensure that customer demand for fully-wired homes is completely fulfilled, while simultaneously distinguishing the builders from their competition with unique electric and electronic systems option packages.”

Upgrade options such as the lighting control, entertainment packages and wireless Internet found in the Toulon Community add to the ambiance and overall experience for the potential homebuyer.

“I think it goes without saying that today’s technology is often times over the head of new home sales people as well as many of the buyers. Home owners want their homes ready for computers, internet and fax machines as well as ready for the next new ’must have’ that may be introduced,” said Pamela Malone, Regional VP, Mercedes Homes.  “Therefore, it is imperative that builders partner with knowledgeable electric and electronic systems contractors who work in tandem with the new home buyers and builders to produce the desired fully wired home components. We are honored that CEA TechHome has recognized our ongoing partnership with S&S Electric as a positive alliance, leading to the enhancement of our Toulon Community.  S&S Electric’s team of experts met directly with our buyers, walked them through the home and helped them place everything they need for their high tech home.”

Earlier this year, S&S Electric and Mercedes Homes received the “Award of Excellence in Residential Electrical Construction” from the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) Association which also recognized their partnership in the Community of Toulon.

About CEA TechHome Division
TechHome is a division of CEA that represents the entire channel for home technology products. Membership is composed of manufacturers, professional installers and distributors. The mission of the TechHome Division is simple - to increase sales and support of home technology products by professional installers.  For more information visit www.ce.org/techhome

About Mercedes Homes
Mercedes Homes builds quality homes of outstanding design, enduring value and award-winning craftsmanship. Established in 1983 by the Buescher family, Mercedes homes is the nation’s largest 100 percent employee-owned home builder with 120 locations in Florida, Texas, North and South Carolina. Mercedes Homes is a recognized industry leader in technology and homebuilding innovation. More information about Mercedes Homes is available on their Web site at www.mercedeshomes.com.

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About S&S Electric | S&S Air Conditioning
For over 60 years and three generations, the Smith Family has been dedicated to the design and installation of innovative, high-quality home technology systems. Boast award-winning teams of designers, installers and technicians S&S is recognized throughout the industry for providing customers with value-added, reliable, quality electrical and air conditioning system installations. S&S Electric has taken a leadership role in the establishment of best practices within the Home Technology market because of the increasing demand from homeowners to have a fully-connected home. For more information, please visit: www.ss-electric.com