SHEBOYGAN FALLS, Wis., December 8, 2009 — Bemis Manufacturing Company, the world leader in toilet seat engineering and design, has simplified the realm of potty training for both parents and toddlers with the launch of its NextStep® Built-In Potty Seat™.

The durable wood, two-in-one toilet seat accommodates both adult and child users equally. The seat's design features a built-in potty seat that recesses into the seat cover where it is secured magnetically when not in use.

When the cover closes, the magnetic feature automatically picks up and secures the child potty seat in the cover recess, eliminating the need for adult users to manually lift the child seat. When it is time to use the potty seat, toddlers can easily pull it down into position by themselves, allowing them to exercise their growing independence and reinforce their "I can do it myself" sense of confidence. The built-in magnet is not visible to the eye and is just strong enough to secure the potty seat to the cover but not so strong that a child cannot pull the potty seat down into position.

"The way this seat integrates right into the cover to eliminate clutter is a huge benefit to parents," said Melissa Glancey, product manager of North American Plumbing Products for Bemis. "They don't have to have that additional seat on the floor, and it's always ready to use. When you're potty training a toddler, having a system that's quick to react to your child's need makes a big difference for everyone.

"The NextStep seat is designed to equally accommodate children and adults. It also appeals to parents who want to maintain an adult-style seat in their bathroom. The seat has a sleek design that comes in white, in both round and elongated sizes to fit all manufacturers' toilet bowls. It features a chrome hinge that complements bathroom hardware."

With the NextStep seat, toddlers are able to use the regular toilet immediately and foster a grown-up feeling instead of first learning to use a small potty chair and then transitioning to the adult toilet as potty training progresses. Toddlers can use the seat with confidence knowing it is sized to hold them, is securely attached to the toilet and will not shift underneath them.

The NextStep seat also improves hygiene and simplifies cleaning. No need to handle and store a portable insert seat to enable adults to use the same toilet. No need to empty the content of a potty chair after each use. And no need to clean an additional toilet.

Shiela Warman, a licensed in-home day care provider of 40 years, found stand-alone potty chairs to be messy because toddlers would knock them over. Her daycare toddlers also had problems with the insert seats, which would wiggle around and sometimes cause the children to pinch their fingers when they tried to hold onto the sides.

"I've potty trained hundreds of children, and this is just the easiest it has ever been," Warman said. "The seat is easy for them to operate. It doesn't wiggle around like the other ones you put on the toilet and you don't have to worry about storing it when you're not using it. It's also very easy to clean. I just love it."

The children at Warman's daycare, located near Sacramento, Calif., are just as happy about the NextStep seat as she is. She has a potty-trained four-year old who still likes to use it.

"They love it because it makes them feel safe," Warman said. "The seat has just the right amount of magnetism that they can operate it themselves."

The NextStep seat is available in the Bemis® brand at The Home Depot. The suggested retail price for the round NextStep is $29.99 and $34.99 for the elongated version.

Bemis, 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, Wisconsin, Bemis has worldwide distribution in North, Central and South Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific. For more information, visit www.Sta-TiteSystem.com.

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Next Step Boy

Next Step Bathroom

Next Step Isolated

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