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March 28, 2008

Small Home Designer Wins Award at International Builders Show

House Plan Gallery, a leading nationally-published designer of stock house plans, wins "Most Marketable Designer - For Builders" award, for the second year in a row from Hanley Wood.

Hattiesburg, MS (PRWEB) March 28, 2008 - House Plan Gallery is a small, Hattiesburg, Mississippi-based home design firm that has been marketing its popular collection of over 200 stock house plans for over ten years, around the United States and Canada.

So it was only a matter of time before this leading house plan designer received an award for the marketability of its plan collection and its commitment to providing the highest levels of customer service.

On February 13th, 2008 at the International Builders Show in Orlando, Florida, House Plan Gallery was awarded the "Most Marketable Designer - For Builders" award by Hanley Wood, one of the North America's leading house plan publishers. The award was given at the "Top 25 Stock Home Plan Designers" dinner, hosted by Hanley Wood, and the 2008 award was House Plan Gallery's second time to win this award. The first award being at the 2007 International Builders Show.

"As our home plans collection has grown, in both size and diversity, we've been able to partner with the largest house plan publishers in the industry. Hanley Wood is, clearly, one of the leading publishers in the market, and we're very privileged to be able to work closely with their team to provide the highest-quality, and most-popular house plans in the industry", noted Mark Mathis, President of House Plan Gallery.

House Plan Gallery primarily designs floor plans from 600 to 3,000 square feet of living space, in a wide variety of Architectural styles including Southern, Country, Traditional, Craftsman, European and French Country.

To view a compiled listing of several of the most-purchased stock house plans in the industry right now, you can go to: http://www.houseplangallery.com/index_files/best-selling-house-plans.php

About House Plan Gallery:
House Plan Gallery is an Award-winning designer of stock house plans that include all the most-popular home amenities and most-requested floor plan features. The company's home designs have been purchased and built by thousands of satisfied consumers and home builders throughout North America.

To learn more, visit www.HousePlanGallery.com and search our large database of home plans in a wide variety of Architectural styles. Join our mailing list to receive special Subscriber-Only offers and to learn money-saving tips on building your first new home…

About Hanley Wood:
Hanley Wood, LLC, is the premier media and information company serving housing and construction. Through four operating divisions, the company produces award-winning magazines and Web sites, marquee trade shows and events, rich data and custom marketing solutions. The company also is North America's leading publisher of home plans. Hanley Wood Business Media (Washington, D.C.), publishes 36 award-winning residential and commercial construction titles, including Builder, Remodeling, Architect, Concrete, Construction, and Residential Architect. Hanley Wood Business Media also offers the construction industry's foremost collection of Web sites, including BUILDER ONLINE, REMODELING ONLINE, and ebuild, the comprehensive online guide to building products, as well as the largest collection of house plans online through eplans.com and Dream Home Source.

Founded in 1976, Hanley Wood is a $250 million company owned by affiliates of JPMorgan Partners, LLC. CCMP Capital Advisors manages the Hanley Wood investment for JPMorgan Partners.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 03:05 AM | Comments (0)

Anthem Steel Spurs Economic Reform in the Construction Sector

Commerce Department's final report on fourth quarter gross domestic product reveals 0.6% growth rate, that is not slowing down Anthem Steel. Anthem is creating innovative services to spur growth in the construction sector by saving clients time and money on their steel buildings.

(PRWEB) March 28, 2008 -- The economy continues to suffer through a devastating housing and building crisis. Main Street America is cutting back and looking for ways to save money and get the job done. Life doesn't stand still in a weak economy churches still need to be built, hangars constructed, schools expanded, and steel barns raised. Anthem Steel is creating innovative services to help clients save money and time on their steel buildings.

Design services will determine the design scope and spec any custom steel building project. The client uses this information to understand all cost factors involved with their project. Anthem's commitment to client's specific budgetary needs requires a "value engineer service" with "lowest cost objectives" while maintaining the highest level of quality.

"Anthem Steel Design Packages can be completed in a fraction of the time and for 25-40% less than architectural firm." Design Package pricing varies depending on the scope of work and take approximately 4-8 weeks for completion. These initial costs will typically be applied to the cost of the steel building package when ordered.

Communicate project plans with city officials, approval committees, and bankers to start your project faster and more cost effective. This low cost service can begin the fund raising process and achieve municipal approvals.

Please call Design Services at 800-840-2979 ext. 4936 for more details or visit www.anthemsteel.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 03:01 AM | Comments (0)

Employee Referral Program Developed by Business901

Create and build a referral system complimented by a coaching system that has been proven effective with small businesses for over 20 years. A service business, product business, retail business, construction business, professional services business ... it just doesn't matter, the Employee Referral System will help you "Find the Keepers" and succeed in ways you never imagined. The uniqueness of this program is that it takes the best Referral Marketing System developed by Duct Tape Marketing author John Jantsch and combines it with an authorized Duct Tape Marketing Coach, Joe Dager. "The principles are outlined in a 7-step process that will communicate the basic understanding on how to apply the Referral Flood program to an employee referral system. It offers several tips and tricks that will immediately jump-start a referral marketing program," says Dager. This guide can be downloaded for a limited time at http://www.youremployeereferral.com

Fort Wayne, IN (PRWEB) March 28, 2008 -- Joe Dager, owner of Business901 in Fort Wayne, IN, has just released "Your Employee Referral Program." This program creates a step-by-step, documented employee referral system based on your specific target market. Develop marketing tools, letters, and offers that will help you generate a flood of new employees. Devise a precise strategy for making referrals your core new employee weapon. Give and receive timely feedback on every aspect of the employee referral system.

Create and build a referral system complimented by a coaching system that has been proven effective with small businesses for over 20 years. A service business, product business, retail business, construction business, professional services business ... it just doesn't matter, an Employee Referral System will help you "Find the Keepers" and succeed in ways you never imagined. The system is perfect for those already in business, but want to make it soar. This system will build the perfect business establishing a proven employee referral system to their growing company. "Why reinvent the wheel? Take a proven process, a package of tools, a trained coach and run with it."

The uniqueness of this program is that it takes the best Referral Marketing System developed by Duct Tape Marketing author John Jantsch and combines it with an authorized Duct Tape Marketing Coach, Joe Dager. "The principles are outlined in a 7-step process that will communicate the basic understanding on how to apply the Referral Flood program to an employee referral system. It offers several tips and tricks that will immediately jump-start a referral marketing program," says Dager. This guide can be downloaded for a limited time at http://www.youremployeereferral.com.

But why, if employee referral is such a great way to go, why doesn't every small business in the world jump right on top of the band wagon and take full advantage of this obvious tool? The number one reason that small business owners don't use the secret weapon of employee referral to grow a business, fatten wallets, and crush competition is the belief that employees are already or will not do it. The simple fact is that it does not happen without a system. It takes a system and the system can be the hard part, it could take years and cost a small fortune to figure out just the right combinations that make plans work. The development of an employee referral system will provide consistent long-term growth. The 4 week program provides valuable material but is implemented with a DTM coach.

Week by week schedule:
Week 1 -- Introduction, goal setting and action plan for the program.
Week 2 -- Define Target Referral Market and Ideal referral employee.
Week 3 -- Create core referral message, offer and referral education system.
Week 4 -- Create referral marketing tools and follow-up system and implementation action steps.

Dager has been working with small businesses for over 30 years. His marketing strategies and principles have worked for many companies. Now, his affiliation with Duct Tape Marketing has allowed him to grow his own business through target and referral marketing, two of the core principles described in the document.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 03:01 AM | Comments (0)

Homebuyers are Thrilled with the Deals to be Found through the Latest Real Estate Trend to Hit California-An Online Auction

With low minimum bids and increased FHA loan limits, homebuyers are racing to get an amazing deal on a brand-new, luxury home in the California Central Valley with the click of a mouse. The Freedom Realty Exchange, the nation's leading online home auction website, is offering more than 60 gorgeous new homes in Gridley, Lathrop, Madera and Kerman on www.FRE.com/193R4. With about two weeks until the bid deadline, interested homebuyers are encouraged to visit the website and register to participate in the online auction as soon as possible.

Newport Beach, CA (PRWEB) March 27, 2008 -- A new luxury home valued at more than $700,000 for a buck seems too good to be true, but that really was the starting bid for several of the homes in an online auction currently on the Freedom Realty Exchange website (www.FRE.com/193R4). With about two weeks until the bid deadline, prospective homebuyers are jumping on the bandwagon and bidding to get a deal on one of more than 60 brand-new, luxury homes located in several cities across the California Central Valley.

The online auction includes 15 homes in Gridley, a quaint community between Chico and Yuba City; 18 homes in Lathrop, a short commute from the San Francisco Bay Area; and a total of 29 homes in Madera and Kerman, quiet suburbs just outside of Fresno.

Though originally priced as high as $715,000, the Freedom Realty Exchange, which is part of the LFC Group of Companies, the nation's premier online real estate auction marketing firm, is offering these homes with minimum bids as low as $140,000, in addition to the model homes that started at $1. Although most of these model homes are no longer going for their $1 minimum bids, their current high bids are considerably low, so interested homebuyers can still purchase one of these homes at a steal if they act fast.

More exciting news for homebuyers is the recent announcement by the Federal Housing Administration that FHA loan limits in these Central Valley counties have increased significantly, affording potential homebuyers an even better opportunity to buy a new home.

The spacious homes feature three to five bedrooms and two to four bathrooms, and range from approximately 2,000 sq. ft. to over 3,500 sq. ft. Many of these beautifully crafted homes are fully-upgraded and include attractive features like hardwood floors, granite countertops, central air conditioning, energy efficient windows, recessed lighting and walk-in closets.

"What differentiates these homes from all of the competition out there is that they have been built to the highest standard of quality," says Kelly Lovegrove, Director of Operations at the LFC Group of Companies. "We have received rave reviews from prospective bidders who have gone out to visit the properties over the past few weeks. They have expressed how beautiful these homes are and even compared them to 'celebrity' houses," continues Lovegrove.

There has never been a better opportunity to get a deal on that new, luxury California home you've always dreamed of. Forget wasting an entire day at a foreclosure auction in a hotel ballroom or convention center, this online auction makes it simple and convenient to purchase a gorgeous new home at a great price. The bid deadline is Thursday, April 10, so there is still plenty of time for interested buyers to visit the homes, prequalify for financing and place a bid with the click of a mouse. For more information and to register to participate in the online auction, go to www.FRE.com/193R4.

Freedom Realty Exchange - part of the LFC Group of Companies
For more than 30 years, the LFC Group of Companies have served numerous Fortunate 500 companies, real estate developers, investors, financial institutions and government agencies by auction-marketing thousands of commercial, industrial, land and residential properties with an aggregate value well in excess of $5 billion. www.FRE.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 03:01 AM | Comments (0)

Arizona Grand Resort's New Vision and Heightened Level of Excellence Earns International Recognition Distinction Highlights Resort's Top-Tier Amenities and Superb Guest Experience

Arizona Grand Resort joins the ranks of preferred hotels and resorts as well as highlights several key renovations to the property and the construction of the Arizona Grand Villas.

Phoenix, AZ (PRWEB) March 27, 2008 -- Arizona Grand Resort, formerly Pointe South Mountain Resort, today announced its membership to the Preferred Hotels® & Resorts Ultimate Luxury Collection, a distinction earned by only the most outstanding independently-owned and operated hotels in the country.

"Exceptional customer service tops our list of priorities and we've reached new heights," said Sam Grossman, founder of Grossman Company Properties, the company also known for its reinvigoration of the Arizona Biltmore Resort during the 1990's. "We take a hands-on approach with each of our properties and are excited that our amenities and service initiatives have been recognized by such a well-regarded organization as Preferred Hotels & Resorts. Their mark of excellence is truly an honor for an independently owned and operated luxury hotel such as the Arizona Grand Resort."
Preferred Hotels & Resorts requires rigorous testing of member properties that join the Ultimate Luxury Collection, including an extensive 1,600-item Standards of Excellence™ quality assurance program that has been honored with the "Best Practices Champion Award" by Cornell University.

This distinction highlights Arizona Grand Resort's renewed commitment to excellence following its purchase by Grossman Company Properties in 2006. Since taking ownership, Grossman has implemented a service culture designed to elevate the guest experience, created a new employee training program focused on customer service and personal attention, and initiated a $52 million renovation plan for the resort.
A three-phase renovation process began in 2007 with exterior building and landscaping enhancements, a new property lighting concept as well as guest suite enhancements. Total renovations, scheduled for completion in 2009, will include all 640 guest suites, restaurants, spa, a redesigned golf course and a brand new resort lobby complete with lobby bar and specialty restaurant.

"We're making history with these grand changes and are confident that our unprecedented revitalization will broaden our appeal to leisure and business travelers, as well as local residents," said Arizona Grand Resort Managing Director Richard Behr.

Additionally, 104 new one-and-two bedroom luxury Arizona Grand Villas are being added to the resort providing unique ownership opportunities. The Villas feature highly upgraded resort amenities and offer golf course, Oasis Water Park and city views.
"Combined with our recent renovations and more in the works, we believe that we are creating a guest experience like no other in Arizona," said Grossman.

About Arizona Grand Resort
The 640-suite Arizona Grand Resort is located on 164-beautifully landscaped acres at the base of the spectacular South Mountain Preserve. A member of the Preferred Hotels® & Resorts Ultimate Luxury Collection, it offers the 7-acre Oasis Water Park, an award-winning 18-hole golf course, five specialty themed restaurants, the full service Arizona Grand Athletic Club & Spa and 117,000 square feet of meeting and function space, including a 20,000-square-foot exhibit pavilion. The AAA Four Diamond rated Arizona Grand Resort recently began a $52 million renovation to enhance the property including all guest suites, main lobby, spa, golf course, and restaurants. The resort has also added Arizona Grand Villas, which offer resort ownership opportunities through 104 new one- and two-bedroom luxury Villas. Arizona Grand Resort is independently owned and operated by Grossman Company Properties (GCP), one of the premier commercial and residential developers in the western United States. During the past 45 years, GCP has built, developed and managed more than 14 million square feet of high-quality properties including the Arizona Biltmore Resort, Biltmore Fashion Park, and the Phoenix Spectrum Mall. More information on the resort is available at www.ArizonaGrandResort.com.

About Preferred Hotel Group
Preferred Hotel Group is a global leader in the hospitality industry, delivering high-performance sales, marketing and technology solutions to more than 600 independent hotels and resorts in over 65 countries. Its family of brands represents a collection of the finest hotels in the world and includes: Preferred Hotels® & Resorts (www.preferredhotels.com), Preferred Boutique (www.preferredboutique.com), Summit Hotels & Resorts (www.summithotels.com), Sterling Hotels (www.sterlinghotels.com) and Historic Hotels of America (www.historichotels.org). For more information please visit www.preferredhotelgroup.com.
In Fall 2007, the company entered the luxury real estate market with the launch of Preferred Residences - a membership and exchange program for luxury shared ownership resorts that provide an exceptional level of service and amenities. Properties are held to exacting standards derived from the same Preferred Global Standards of Excellence™ on which the company has built its 40-year heritage in the hospitality industry. For more information please visit www.preferredresidences.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 03:00 AM | Comments (0)

NDIA Announces Energy Efficiency Visionary to Address 2008 JSEM Conference

Dr. Amory Lovins, cofounder of the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) and coauthor of "Winning the Oil Endgame: Innovation for Profits, Jobs, and Security," a Pentagon-cofunded blueprint for making the United States oil-free will address attendees at the 2008 Joint Services Environmental Management Conference and Exhibition (http://www.jsemconference.com) May 5th-8th, 2008 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver.

Arlington, VA (PRWEB) March 27, 2008 -- Dr. Amory Lovins, cofounder of the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) and coauthor of "Winning the Oil Endgame: Innovation for Profits, Jobs, and Security," a Pentagon-cofunded blueprint for making the United States oil-free, will address attendees at the 2008 Joint Services Environmental Management Conference and Exhibition (http://www.jsemconference.com), May 5th-8th, 2008 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver.

Dr. Lovins and L. Hunter Lovins founded the Rocky Mountain Institute in 1982. This private, non-profit organization focuses on resource efficiency including the use of renewable energy, a topic heavy on the minds of Department of Defense leaders as they determine how to provide reliable, affordable and environmentally responsible energy solutions for personnel in the field and at home.

RMI’s "Winning the Oil Endgame" predicts that to fight better and save money, the Pentagon—the world’s largest oil buyer—will accelerate the market emergence of superefficient land, sea, and air platforms. A more efficient and effective military can protect American citizens instead of foreign oil, while moving to eliminate oil as a source of conflict.

“A fuel-efficient military could save tens of billions of dollars a year,” said Lovins, who served on a Pentagon task force studying this issue. “As our nation stops needing oil, think of the possibilities of being able to treat oil-rich countries the same as nations that don’t own a drop. Imagine too, our moral clarity if other countries no longer assume everything the United States does is about oil.”

“Amory Lovins has had more impact on our energy use than any single person in the world. Now his team has produced one of the most important energy studies in decades. It merits careful examination as a profitable strategy for achieving energy security, economic prosperity, and environmental quality through smart business strategies accelerated by efficient government policy.”
— William Martin, Chairman, Council on Foreign Relations Energy Security Group

“We can, as Amory Lovins and his colleagues show vividly, win the oil endgame…. an intriguing case that is important enough to merit careful attention by all of us, private citizens and business and political leaders alike.”
— George P. Shultz, Distinguished Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University; former Secretary of State, the Treasury, and Labor

Dr. Lovins will join Mr. Alex Beehler, Acting Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Installations and Environment as well as Dr. Stanley Bull, Executive Director for Strategic Partnerships at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in a plenary session May 6th.

JSEM will bring together professionals from the military services, industry, academia, local, state, and federal agencies to translate ideas, success stories, case histories, current trends, and technologies into solutions for environmental protection and enhancement. Conference general sessions, training and concurrent technical sessions are spread over 4 days of the event on topics such as sustainability, energy and climate change, and compliance management. In addition to the JSEM Conference’s training and technical sessions, an extensive exhibit hall will focus on industrial environmental and energy solutions. This event is presented by the National Defense Industrial Association Environmental and Energy Division supported by the Department of Defense.

To find out more information about the JSEM Conference or to register for this event go to www.jsemconference.com.

About NDIA:
The National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) (www.ndia.org) is America’s leading defense industry association promoting national security. NDIA’s Environmental and Energy Division advocates the development and application of cutting-edge technology, enlightened stewardship, superior programs and best-in-class systems and support toward the achievement of environmental excellence and the long-term security of our nation’s energy supplies.

Contact:
Press inquiries should be directed to Becky Breeden, Special projects contractor, National Defense Industrial Association
rbreeden @ ndia.org
703.247.9494
www.jsemconference.com/2008

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:57 AM | Comments (0)

Olson Homes Offers Free Appliances and Covers Closing Costs for Two Weekends Only

Olson Homes is attracting homebuyers by offering a unique incentive - stop driving and start living.

SEAL BEACH, CA (PRWEB) March 27, 2008 -- In-town or ghost town? Olson Homes, California's largest builder of new urban and sustainable living communities, will make the decision easy for buyers over the next two weekends. If homebuyers purchase by April 6, Olson Homes will include a free washer, dryer and refrigerator, plus cover closing costs at six of its Southern California new-home communities: Willow Walk in Compton, Fountain Walk in Cerritos, Depot Walk in Orange, Founders Walk in Buena Park, Lotus Walk in Garden Grove and SOCO Walk in Fullerton. These incentives reflect Olson's philosophy of creating "In Town, In Style, and In Reach" neighborhoods that are not only reasonably priced, but are also located in vibrant city centers and near transit hubs that connect homeowners to all of Southern California's hottest destinations from downtown L.A. to San Diego and Santa Barbara. According to Sandra Elliot, Sales Counselor at Olson Homes Depot Walk in Old Towne Orange, "For the next two weekends, Southland homebuyers have every reason to say "goodbye" to ghost town living and "hello" to in-town living by discovering what owning an Olson Home is all about. Living instead of driving."

In Compton, the gated community of Willow Walk offers a chance to own one of the first brand new homes in Compton--at a price that's affordable. These 124 brand-new townhomes feature 1,172 to 1,506 square feet, two to four bedrooms and two and one-half to four baths, plus an attached two-car garage for prices starting from $299,900. Many of the homes include private porches and decks, in addition to designer finishes and state-of-the-art amenities. A neighborhood park adds a real sense of community at Willow Walk. Those who are lucky enough to call Willow Walk home will also find a Metro Blue Line station next door, plus several new stores and restaurants close to home, including the new Gateway Town Center, a 500,000 square-foot mega-shopping center with a Target, Home Depot, Best Buy, Staples, Shoe Pavilion, 24 Hour Fitness and other retail establishments. Models are set to open soon. For more information about Willow Walk, please call (310) 609-1373 or log onto www.OlsonHomes.com. The sales office is located at 350 N. Willowbrook Avenue in Compton, CA 90220.

At Fountain Walk in Cerritos, low and moderate income buyers 62 years and better will have an opportunity to experience home ownership near shopping, public transportation, the Cerritos Senior Center at Pat Nixon Park and the 91, 5 and 605 freeways. These brand new Spanish-style flats offer up to 883 square feet of living space and a choice of one- or two- bedrooms, one bath, one-car garage, decks and interior laundry rooms. Onsite parking and stylish amenities throughout add comfort and convenience, while the gated Fountain Walk Clubhouse provides a wonderful place to relax with neighbors and friends. Prices start from $197,000, with affordable restrictions. For more information, please call (562) 234-9873, log on to www.OlsonHomes.com, or visit the sales office located at 3437 Cascade Court in Cerritos, CA 90703.

Not far away in Orange, CA, Depot Walk (LEED CERTIFIED) puts homeowners only two short blocks from all the charm and excitement of Old Towne Orange and the Orange Circle, where they'll discover rows of antique shops, galleries, restaurants, nightlife. In addition, the Orange Metrolink station is right next door, making transit travel easy. Depot Walk's spacious, contemporary, three-story California Brownstones and live/work spaces feature 1,277 to 2,010 square feet, private decks, a host of designer amenities and attached two-car garages. And since Depot Walk is a LEED-certified and all-solar community, a variety of environmentally friendly features will not only reduce the impact on Earth's limited resources, but also on homeowner's pocketbooks (thanks to lower energy bills). Prices start from $448,990. To find out more about Depot Walk, call (714) 744-8167, log on to OlsonHomes.com, or visit the sales office at 561 West Maple Avenue in Orange, CA 92868.

In Buena Park, the final homes at Founders Walk are located just minutes from all the best restaurants, shopping and entertainment in downtown Buena Park, plus the new Metrolink train station--which is part of the community. The spacious, two- and three-story homes offer 1,502 to 1,676 square feet, up to three bedrooms and three and one-half baths, and come loaded with designer amenities. state-of-the-art Whirlpool appliances, premium tiling and an attached two-car garage. Many homes even include covered porches and private balconies. Homeowners at Founders Walk also enjoy access to a clubhouse, pool and playground, perfect for enjoying quality time with family or friends. Prices start from $479,990. For more information on Founders Walk, please call (714) 736-0351, log on to OlsonHomes.com, or visit the sales office at 31 Walter Way in Buena Park, CA 90621.

Situated in the heart of Garden Grove, Lotus Walk blends a serene home setting with a dynamic in-town locale. Just minutes from all of the area's most exciting restaurants, nightlife, shopping and entertainment, Lotus Walk puts residents right at the center of the action, in one of Orange County's most central and up-and-coming areas. Homeowners will enjoy cozy amenities, like a warm outdoor fireplace that encourages residents to relax or mingle with neighbors and guests. At Lotus Walk, it's easy to live in complete harmony with seven different floorplans offering 750 to 1,683 square feet, one to two bedrooms, one to two and one-half baths, walk-in closets in the master room, studies or lofts (per plan) and indoor laundry spaces or rooms (per plan). Prices start from $335,990. For more information on Lotus Walk, call the sales office at (714) 537-2323 or visit the website at OlsonHomes.com. Interested homebuyers can also visit sales office and models, located at 12852 Palm Street in Garden Grove, CA 92840.

Set in the heart of Fullerton's thriving South of Commonwealth scene and right next door to a Metrolink station, SOCO Walk defines the quintessential in-town lifestyle, with contemporary new townhomes, California Brownstones and live/work spaces in one of So Cal's hottest new locales. The sleek, urban homes at SOCO Walk feature clean lines and dynamic open spaces, plus plenty of room to spread out with 1,421 to 1,850 square feet, three bedrooms, three baths and attached two-car garages. Most of the homes include office-or-bedroom options too, along with deluxe master suites, indoor washer/dryer spaces, decks, state-of-the-art amenities and stylish designer finishes throughout. Prices start from $399,990--a great deal for chic, brand new homes with a central Orange County address. SOCO Walk is almost 75% sold out. The sales office is located at the intersection of South Harbor Blvd and East Truslow Avenue in Fullerton, CA 92832. Additional information can also be found by calling (714) 578-5005 or logging on to www.OlsonHomes.com.

About Olson Homes:

All six of these communities are built by Olson Homes. Headquartered in Seal Beach, California, Olson Homes continues to build stylish new homes in some of California's most exciting neighborhoods. Since 1988, the company has brought the good life in town, in style and in reach by revitalizing "in-town locations" with a variety of attainably-priced homes including live-work, transit-oriented developments, lofts, brownstones and homes with historic architecture. Olson Homes has constructed thousands of new homes during its twenty-year history, putting a convenient, comfortable and vibrant urban lifestyle within reach of millions of Californians. Its reputation is unsurpassed in working with cities to create new neighborhoods within mature communities--which has earned the company many awards over the years, including America's "Builder of the Year." Further information about Olson Homes can be obtained online at www.OlsonHomes.com.

Contact:

Alan Sherin, Director of Web Marketing
The Olson Company
562-370-9348
http://www.olsonhomes.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:57 AM | Comments (0)

Postgreen Joins the United States Green Building Council Membership

Postgreen - a real estate development company focusing on modern, green & affordable development in Philadelphia - becomes a member of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).

Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) March 27, 2008 -- Postgreen joined the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) to be more involved with the LEED green building rating system. Postgreen is a small real estate development company focusing on green, modern and affordable development in Philadelphia - http://www.postgreen.com

Postgreen's President, Chad Ludeman, has been a member of the local chapter of the USGBC - the Delaware Valley Green Building Council (DVGBC) - since 2006. "Now that Postgreen is gaining momentum as a green real estate development company, we felt it was important to officially join the ranks of the members at the USGBC," said Chad Ludeman. "We are embarking on our first LEED for Homes project and feel it is important to both support and contribute to the evolving LEED standards that will continue to shape green building in the US and throughout the world."

Postgreen is currently working on their "100K House" project where they will be seeking LEED for Homes certification on two homes. Currently they are seeking LEED Gold at a minimum and may have slight chance at reaching Platinum on one of the homes. The project gets its name from the goal of building a modern and green home for a construction budget of only $100,000 USD and $100 per square foot.

About Postgreen:

Postgreen is a real estate development company focusing on modern, green and affordable buildings and homes in Philadelphia's urban neighborhoods. Our success is measured using a triple-bottom-line approach that ensures that each project benefits not only the bottom line, but the people in our community and the planet as a whole. Find out more at http://www.postgreen.com

Contact:

Chad Ludeman
President
Postgreen
215.739.1578
(chad @ postgreen.com)
http://www.postgreen.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:57 AM | Comments (0)

Bug-proof a House to Safeguard Against West Nile Virus with Screenmobile Screens

Screenmobile, a national home delivery screen installation company, is aiding homeowners in safeguarding their homes against West Nile infected mosquitoes.

Thousand Palms, CA (PRWEB) March 27, 2008 -- A new five-year study released last week from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston suggests many with severe West Nile Virus disease may never fully recover, and according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm, the virus is now in most of the United States. The CDC suggests mosquito-proofing homes as a crucial line of defense against the West Nile Virus by draining standing water, inspecting for insect breeding grounds, and repairing or installing screen doors and windows.

Screenmobile, a national home delivery screen installation company, is aiding homeowners in safeguarding their homes against West Nile infected mosquitoes. The company recommends that screens be replaced if they have tears or holes, or frames that are loose or bowed. Additionally, homeowners who live in areas where tinier insects are prevalent should look into a tighter weave. Homes with enclosed decks benefit from screens underneath to prevent insects from coming in through the floor.

"Everyone loves fresh in their homes, but it's necessary to be protected from insect invasion," says Scott Walker, president and CEO of Screenmobile. "Fixing and installing screen doors and windows is a quick and affordable way to stay protected from insect invasions."

Insect-control screens cost on average $20-$50 per window, depending on size, and come in a variety of fabrics, weaves and colors. In addition to protecting from mosquitoes, screens block the sun's heat and glare, offer excellent outward visibility and improve daytime privacy. They work with open or closed windows. It is recommended to replace screens every five years to seven years, (in some conditions, screens last much longer), to ensure effectiveness and safety.

About Screenmobile
With more than 20 years of experience and 98 locations nationwide, Screenmobile specializes in home delivery and installation of screens for windows, doors, patios, porches, lanais and garages, as well as sun shades, storm windows, and pet doors, screens and guards. For more information, visit www.screenmobile.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:56 AM | Comments (0)

Denver Architectural Firm Recognized as Best in Recreational Design

Denver-based Ohlson Lavoie Collaborative is recognized for its innovation and design of two buildings: the Aspen Lodge Recreation Center in Broomfield, Colo., and the Health and Fitness Center at Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Denver (PRWEB) March 27, 2008 -- Denver-based Ohlson Lavoie Collaborative, an architectural leader in recreation, fitness and aquatics, has won a pair of 2008 Innovative Architecture & Design Awards from Recreation Management Magazine. The awards recognize recreation facilities, new or remodeled, that are raising standards of excellence in the recreation community.

The Aspen Lodge Recreation Center at Anthem Ranch in Broomfield, Colo., and the Health and Fitness Center at Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, Mich., were the subjects of the award. OLC has now won the Innovative Architecture and Design Award five times in the last three years.

The Aspen Lodge Recreation Center complements its setting, embracing the site and spectacular views of the Colorado plains to the east and Rocky Mountains to the west. One of the design drivers in planning this Colorado Lodge building site was to emphasize the integration between indoor and outdoor spaces. The designers paid considerable attention to the transition between those spaces by using a raised roof, heavy timber, exposed beams and trellised walkways. OLC worked as the recreation design architect together with DTJ Design on this unique Colorado community center.

The Health and Fitness Center at Washtenaw Community College was designed to deliver the latest breakthroughs in sustainable design. OLC architects wanted to establish a functional facility that promotes healthy living for both the students on campus and the local residents who will be members. Some unique characteristics of the facility include lights that go on automatically when daylight falls below a certain level; floors and carpets made of non-toxic renewable materials; and a reflective white roof that reduces heating and cooling requirements. The WCC building is positioned to become the first gold-certified LEED™ building for health-and-fitness west of the Mid-Atlantic U.S.

LEED™ is a certification program that stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. The U.S. Green Building Council could make its final determination on the certification sometime this spring.
"Emphasis on client-centered design is a goal for every facility we help create," said Hervey Lavoie, president of OLC. "We are very pleased that these two projects have been honored."

The other OLC projects that received the same award in recent years were the West River Community Center in Dickinson, N.D., Laramie Community Recreation Center in Laramie, Wyo., and The Trails Recreation Center in Centennial, Colo.

About OLC
Ohlson Lavoie Collaborative is a full-service architectural firm that emphasizes client relationships and building functionality. With U.S. offices in Denver and Orlando, OLC specializes in designing fitness, recreation, medical wellness, aquatic and spa facilities. For more than 45 years the firm has set an industry standard for responsiveness, with its emphasis on Client-Centered Creativity. OLC also provides in-house aquatic design and interior design. OLC's recent projects include the Viera HealthFirst Wellness Center in Melbourne, Fla., Infinity Park in Glendale, Colo., and Summa Wellness Institute in Hudson, Ohio. OLC has designed facilities in 47 states and nine countries. For more information, visit www.olcdesigns.com or call 303-294-9244.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:53 AM | Comments (0)

Osiris Corporation Appoints Greg Duman Chief Financial Officer

Petter M. Etholm, President and CEO of Osiris Corporation (OSRS), announced Greg Duman to CFO. "We are confident he will make a major contribution to Osiris," said Etholm.

New York (PRWEB) March 27, 2008 -- Petter M. Etholm, President and Chief Executive Officer of Osiris Corporation (OSRS), announced the appointment of Greg Duman as Chief Financial Officer of Osiris.

Mr. Etholm said, “We are pleased Greg has joined our management team as CFO and feel confident he will make a major contribution to Osiris and its operating units. Since joining Osiris’ Board of Directors last year, Osiris has already benefitted greatly from Greg’s proven expertise.”

Mr. Duman’s accounting, financial, and management experience spans more than 25 years and includes executive and Board level positions with ACI Worldwide, Inc., a publicly traded software company, President of Prism Technologies LLC, a patent licensing company, and Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Transgenomic, Inc., a publicly traded bio-tech company.

Osiris is a holding company with subsidiaries engaged in manufacture and global distribution and marketing of skid steer loaders for construction, agricultural and other industries, the production and distribution of pneumatic and hydraulic systems for industrial use and the design and marketing of wireless devices for the telecommunications industry.

Osiris, online at www.osiriscorp.net, is the former Thomas Equipment, and is emerging from a period of financial difficulty. The company has embarked on a restructuring program to regain its market position and financial strength and has manufacturing plants in Canada and South Korea.

Osiris operating units include:

Thomas Equipment, online at www.thomasloaders.com, which operates a network of dealers and distributors of Thomas Skid Steer and Mini Skid Steer loaders.
Pneutech-Rousseau Inc., online at www.pneutech-rousseau.com, which specializes in the design engineering, manufacture and distribution of pneumatic and hydraulic systems and components for automation and motion control applications.
TcomT Inc., online at www.tcomt.com, which designs wireless telecommunications products.

Mr. Duman, elected to the Board of Directors of Osiris in 2007, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska.

Osiris Inc. (OSRS) is a global holding company based in New York, Boston and Omaha, and is dedicated to building business in the industrial, agricultural and related business sectors. Osiris’ operating subsidiaries are located in North America (Canada), Europe, and Asia. Subsidiaries of Osiris consist of Thomas Equipment, Inc. and its units, which provide branded and other products to the industrial markets; Thomas Equipment Asia Co. Ltd.; Thomas Ventures, Inc., Pneutech-Rousseau, Inc. and TcomT Inc. Osiris’ units manufacture and market industrial and construction equipment, distribute pneumatic and hydraulic systems and design wireless devices for the telecommunications industry, among other activities.

Safe Harbor Statement
Under the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995 – This press release discusses forward-looking statements with risks and uncertainties. OSRS results could differ materially due to various factors, including inability to finance operations or expansion and hire or retain personnel, economy and interest rate changes, and events such as terrorism. OSRS believes statements to be reasonable, but neither OSRS nor any other person can represent they will be achieved. OSRS is not obligated to update statements due to new information, events or otherwise. Please see the risk factors associated with our Company and review our SEC filings.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:53 AM | Comments (0)

New Weblog (“Blog”), MyMeso.org, Aims to Raise Awareness of Deadly Form of Lung Cancer

Current statistics show 2,000-3,000 people are diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma in the U.S. each year, and 10,000 Americans die from all asbestos-related diseases, according to statistics compiled by the Environmental Working Group.

Montgomery, Ala. (PRWEB) March 26, 2008 -- Current statistics show 2,000-3,000 people are diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma in the U.S. each year, and 10,000 Americans die from all asbestos-related diseases, according to statistics compiled by the Environmental Working Group. Mesothelioma was not tracked as a specific cause of death by federal health officials until 1999, so actual totals for mesothelioma may be much higher.

It is the primary goal of www.MyMeso.org to raise awareness in the public about mesothelioma and related asbestos diseases, to provide a forum for those affected by mesothelioma, and to create a network of information and resources expanding hope for a cure. MyMeso.org is a public awareness and community outreach effort of Beasley, Allen, Methvin, Portis & Miles, P.C.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer affecting the mesothelium, or the protective lining around our internal organs. It most commonly affects the linings of the lungs, abdomen and heart. Unfortunately, many symptoms of mesothelioma (shortness of breath, severe cough, chest pain) do not appear for 20 or more years, making it difficult to diagnose early. For this reason, the cancer is often diagnosed in the later stages, making it difficult for proper treatment and survival.

Mesothelioma is most strongly associated with exposure to asbestos. There are two main types – pleural, the more common form, which affects the lining of the chest; and peritoneal, affecting the lining of the abdominal cavity.

Lung cancer kills more people each year than breast, colon and prostate cancer combined, and 92 percent of people diagnosed with lung cancer die from the disease. However, lung cancer research receives only a tiny percentage of potential or available funding.

“In talking with people affected by mesothelioma, we found that there was a real lack of information out there,” said Scott Thomas, Director of Internet Services for Beasley Allen. “People are looking for information about the disease, its diagnosis and treatment, but beyond that they’re looking for a support network. They want to hear from other people that are going through what they are, and they want to find out what they can do to make a difference – in their treatment, in bringing this illness to the forefront for research and maybe, one day, a cure.”

Contact: Wendi Lewis
334-495-1308 / 334-221-3595 cell

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:53 AM | Comments (0)

IOTA Announces Expansion of its North American Business, with Strong Sales Growth in Garden Pots, Planters and Garden Sculpture

IOTA's exclusive modern garden pots, planters and garden sculpture continue to build in brand reputation and sales within North American markets, and 2007 delivered positive growth in all business divisions.

Bristol, UK (PRWEB) March 26, 2008 -- Kate Hancock, Marketing Director recently announced details of IOTA's latest results in Norh America. 2007 delivered positive sales growth in each of IOTA's major product categories (garden pots and planters, and garden art), and growth was achieved in all business divisions. Notable developments in 2007 included:

Wholesale distribution:
IOTA's contemporary garden planters and sculpture are now available to US retailers via local market wholesale distribution. The distributors selected by IOTA have coast-to-coast coverage, with both representative networks and regional showrooms. 2007 saw some notable sales achievements: such as a listing with Nieman Marcus, achieved by IOTA's Miami-based garden sculpture distributor.

Corporate direct:
Direct corporate enquiries grew significantly in 2007, with greatest interest in IOTA's large planters in natural stone. Orders were shipped as far afield as Chicago to Kentucky, and New York to Hollywood; and, in addition, IOTA is increasingly specified on major international projects controlled from within the North American market. For example, IOTA is now working with Toronto-based Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, most recently on a project requiring custom granite planters for a hotel in Mauritius.

Design professionals:
From large commercial plant containers to designer pots for the garden, supply via design professionals is a major activity for IOTA. The company has identified this business as a long-term strategic priority worldwide, and 2007 saw management focussed on identifying the needs of this customer community in North America. As a demonstrable measure of this commitment, in 2007 IOTA became a Corporate Member of ASLA - the American Society of Landscape Architects.

Said IOTA's Chief Executive, Mark Chessell: "2007 has been a good year in North America for IOTA's exclusive ranges of designer garden planters and garden art, and we now have strong strategic assets in place and significant momentum established. To select just one highlight from the year: I am personally delighted that IOTA has been accepted as an ASLA Corporate Member, as I think this is extremely important for us long-term. However, despite a positive year, I would be the first to admit that these are still very early days for IOTA in North America. These are markets which require sustained effort and strategic commitment over the long-term - so I guess you could say that we have only just begun to show what IOTA can deliver."

About IOTA
IOTA is a leading international designer and manufacturer of contemporary garden art and planters, and their products feature in numerous schemes worldwide for private residences, blue-chip corporations, public authorities and the hotel and leisure industry. Ranges include modern garden art, and exclusive ranges of contemporary garden pots, planters and water features. Their clients include high-profile designers, landscape architects, and garden centres - and IOTA's products are also available to the general public, via their website.

For more information, contact:
Kate Hancock, Marketing Director
+44 1934 522617
www.iotagarden.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:50 AM | Comments (0)

New Website for Finding Greek Homes Launched by GoldAcre Estates

A new website has just been launched for finding real estate in Greece, at www.goldacreestatesgreece.com.

(PRWEB) March 26, 2008 -- GoldAcre Estates is proud to announce the launch of its new website for finding Greek homes, at www.goldacreestatesgreece.com. Shrewd investors have long seen real estate in Greece as an opportunity. But now, Greece is emerging as the new destination for holiday and retirement homes. It is anticipated that the real estate market in Greece will experience exponential growth in the coming years.

"Though the recent slump in property markets along with the rise in euro interbank interest rates has caused alarm in many European countries, real estate in Greece is in much better shape than its Spanish and UK counterparts," says John Goldacre, Managing Director for GoldAcre Estates. "The time is right to fully exploit the opportunities that Greece has to offer."

The Greek market place is very consumer orientated which will be one of the drivers of the Greek homes market in the future. Greek families hold huge land banks that have been amassed over many years and it is anticipated that these will start to be released. In addition to this, Greek families and communities that are spread throughout the world such as the United States and Australia are starting to realize the value of the property that has been held in their families for generations.

GoldAcre Estates, one of the leading Canary Island Real Estate companies, has recognized the long term opportunity that Greece has to offer, as it has been involved in real estate in Greece for more than 8 years.

"Greece offers some of the most diverse beauty that can be found anywhere, with over 2,500 islands, ski resorts and some of the most beautiful beaches and coves that can be found not only in Europe, but the world," says Goldacre. "Together with the ancient monuments and history make Greece an irresistible place for a permanent vacation home, investment or place to retire."

GoldAcre Estates' new site, www.goldacreestatesgreece.com, is a comprehensive site that not only includes up-to-the-minute property listings, but the latest Google map technology and tourist information. The property information is identified by region, covering the whole of mainland Greece including the individual islands and ski resorts.

Greece is well served by many airlines. There is also an abundance of charter airlines that serve destinations throughout Greece both in the summer and winter months.

Elena Panagopoulou has been named new Operations Manager in Greece, charged with implementing GoldAcre Estates' total customer satisfaction policy.

Crete is already experiencing a building boom by the Cyprus based developers. In other regions of Greece, European development companies are building a mixture of quality properties that offer excellent value for the money. The main difference with the Greek real estate, says Goldacre, is that it is sustainable.

"The Greek homes market is no flash in the pan. Buyers will experience continual and steady growth over years to come because of factors like flight accessibility, European support and inward investment by the Greek government. Greece’s short winter makes it an ideal place for retirement and vacation homes. And, with the diversity of property and locations, it ensures that the Greek real estate market is the marketplace of the future."

About GoldAcres Estates
GoldAcre Estates’ success is based on total client satisfaction and is the main driver throughout its expansion into the Greek homes market. The company has scheduled a long term investment program which will eventually see a network of 10 offices throughout mainland Greece and the key Greek Islands. For further information, please visit www.goldacreestatesgreece.com or e-mail john@goldacre-estates.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:49 AM | Comments (0)

GEOSPAN Files Patent Infringement and Declaratory Judgment Lawsuit Against Pictometry International

GEOSPAN Corporation alleges that Pictometry International Corporation of Rochester, NY has infringed and is continuing to infringe GEOSPAN's U.S. Patent No. 5,633,946, entitled "Method and Apparatus for Collecting and Processing Visual and Spatial Position Information from a Moving Platform."

Minneapolis (PRWEB) March 26, 2008 -- GEOSPAN Corporation announced today that it has filed a patent infringement and declaratory judgment lawsuit against Pictometry International Corporation of Rochester, NY. The lawsuit, filed in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, alleges that Pictometry has infringed and is continuing to infringe GEOSPAN's U.S. Patent No. 5,633,946, which issued in 1997 and is entitled, "Method and Apparatus for Collecting and Processing Visual and Spatial Position Information from a Moving Platform."

In its Complaint, GEOSPAN asks the court to award monetary damages for Pictometry's past infringement and an injunction to prevent any infringing activity going forward. The lawsuit also seeks a declaratory judgment that Pictometry's U.S. Patent No. 5,247,356 is not infringed by GEOSPAN and that one or more claims of Pictometry's patent are invalid.

GEOSPAN’s GEOVISTA® Multi-Angle Imaging™ technology, pioneered by the company in the early 1990's, is used for collecting direct georeferenced imagery and a survey technique now known as Direct Image Photogrammetric Measurement using multiple "Any Aspect" cameras.

Embodiments of this technology are described in GEOSPAN’s U.S. Patent No. 5,633,946 and in patents in Australia, Canada, and Europe.

Direct Image Photogrammetric Measurement uses advanced georeferenced (e.g., orientation and GPS-enabled) camera technology for image surveying. Rapid, close-range surveys can be implemented with multiple, high-resolution cameras to obtain both detail and accuracy without the need for ground control. Image position and orientation data can be captured in real time when images are captured.

Hence, a database of these survey-ready images can be accessed at the desktop where any object can be measured, and its 3D real-world position can be accurately reported and inventoried. The capability to efficiently capture, view, and measure massive amounts of visual information from the air and ground has become a critical capability for local government and national visual map search companies. This capability has also become an integral component of real estate buying and selling and future navigation applications.

For further information please visit www.geospan.com or call Ted Lachinski at 1-800-GEOSPAN (1-800-436-7726).

GEOSPAN® is the provider of spatially accurate GEOVISTA® Multi-Angle Imagery™ and GEOVISTA® 3D Spatial Imagery™ products. GEOSPAN’s patented technology offers fully integrated high-resolution 360º oblique aerial and street-level GEOVISTA® imagery. GEOVISTA® panoramic imagery solutions support a variety of state and local government GIS applications including E9-1-1, emergency management, homeland security, law enforcement, planning, property assessing, infrastructure inventory, pavement analysis, and transportation. GEOVISTA® solutions also serve a variety of private sector markets including real estate buying and selling, visual mapping, insurance, mortgage lending and micro marketing.

Contact:
Ted Lachinski, President
GEOSPAN Corporation
1-800-436-7726
http://www.geospan.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:48 AM | Comments (0)

Woodford Environmental Secures Exclusive Non-WAC Compliant Hazardous Waste Direct Landfilling Rights

The waste management team have, for a limited period, negotiated exclusive access at Teesport No. 3 Landfill for the disposal of specified granular wastes with elevated hazardous WAC limits.

Preston, Lancashire (PRWEB) March 26, 2008 -- Woodford Environmental, have recently been granted, for a limited period, exclusive rights for direct landfilling of non-WAC compliant hazardous waste (parameter: TOC less than or equal to 47%) at Teesport No.3 Landfill.

This is in addition to the company's existing rights for the disposal of WAC compliant hazardous materials.

The former ICI site, three miles east of Middlesbrough with excellent rail, road and sea links, is now owned by Impetus Remediation Ltd and is the only merchant landfill in the country able to accept hazardous waste with elevated WAC limits.

Woodford Environmental is part of Woodford Global, a fast-growing, dynamic company with a diverse portfolio of brands from the sports, lifestyle and leisure industries. Visit www.woodfordgroup.com for more information.

Dr. Henry Clemmey, Group Managing Director of Woodford Global, said: "One of the key attributes of the Teesport site is their ability to accept non-WAC compliant hazardous waste for direct landfilling. This clearly provides a limited window of opportunity for the speedy and economic remediation of problematic sites that may not otherwise be viable.

"The area also benefits from excellent transport links via rail, road and sea which makes the site an attractive and competitive waste management proposition," he continued.

For further information or comment on Woodford Global PLC, please contact Andrew Barton at ORE UK Limited. Tel: 01772 318 700

About Woodford Environmental
Woodford Environmental offers a range of waste management and recycling services including its own landfill facility in Cambridgeshire, with a remaining void capacity in excess of 300,000m³ from a total void of 2,000,000m³.

The site is operated to the highest environmental standards, accepts non-hazardous waste streams as well as inert material for site restoration and features an Electricity Generation Plant, which supplies 1MW to the National Grid.

The company also offers total waste management solutions for individuals, small, local businesses, large blue chip organizations and local authorities by providing collection and disposal for a wide range of waste streams including inert, liquids, hazardous and non-hazardous through its comprehensive fleet of waste collection vehicles.

About Woodford Global PLC
Woodford Global PLC is a fast-growing, dynamic company with a diverse portfolio of brands from the sports, lifestyle and leisure industries. The success it has achieved has largely been due to the core values it stands for - integrity, excellence, performance and innovation, together with being passionate about the industries in which it operates.

Woodford Global PLC is part of the Woodford organization, which also includes Woodford Group PLC, the UK's largest and most successful land acquisition, remediation and residential development company.

Visit www.woodfordgroup.com for more information.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:47 AM | Comments (0)

Deck Out Your Outdoor Project with Pavilion Decking

BuildDirect's new Pavilion Decking products offer exciting possibilities for your wood decking ideas.

Vancouver, BC (PRWEB) March 26, 2008 -- BuildDirect, the world's leading online wholesaler of building materials, has launched a new line of decking just in time for spring. Pavilion Hardwood Decking from BuildDirect is the ideal product for any high-end decking project. Pavilion hardwood decking from BuildDirect is a perfect addition to make your wood decking ideas into a reality.

"The Pavilion Brand is a great choice for anyone looking to add an exotic look to their decking project," said Rob Banks. "Ipe and Cumaru decking are two of the most durable hardwood species available and they are also among the most attractive."

The new Pavilion Hardwood decking offers three different species to choose from; Tigerwood, Cumaru and Ipe. Tigerwood hardwood decking, also known as Zebrawood or Zorrowood, is a highly durable wood with a high resistance to beetle attack. Its most distinguishing features include a unique reddish and orange pattern, bold striping and a hardness of 2160 on the Janka Hardness scale.

Cumaru hardwood decking, commonly referred to as Brazilian Teak, is a South American species known primarily for its resistance to insect attack and decay. It is an irregular, slightly irregular grain which has a grainy texture. Cumaru decking is also extremely durable with a hardness of 3500.

Ipe hardwood decking, or Brazilian Walnut as it is more commonly known, is the hardest of the three species with a hardness of 3680 and has been known to last up to 50 years without treating. This species is very resistant to decay, fungi and termites.

With so much choice in hardwood, how do you know which species is right for you and your wood decking ideas? According to BuildDirect, three factors to consider before any decking purchase are durability, price and style.

"Before you begin building your deck, you should take some time to consider the scope of your outdoor project," said Rob Banks. "While it is important to consider your budget, you never want to compromise quality or cut corners, especially when building a new deck. Some projects require stronger surfaces. Consider your need for a hard or durable decking product to avoid upgrading to a more durable species half-way through your project."

Pavilion Ipe Decking is available at $2.58/lineal ft for the Premium Solid Air-Dried model. Pavilion Cumaru Decking is available at $2.09/lineal ft for the Premium Solid Kiln Dried model, and $2.29/lineal ft for the Premium Pre-grooved Kiln Dried model. Pavilion Tigerwood Decking is available at $2.10/lineal ft for the Solid Kiln Dried model.

About BuildDirect
BuildDirect is the world's leading online manufacturer/wholesaler of building materials. Since its start in 1999, the company has established a reputation for offering quality building supplies at the lowest pricing possible. BuildDirect currently operates in 60 countries on six continents. BuildDirect has developed the single most cost effective distribution channel in the building products industry for products such as flooring, roofing, decking, siding and countertops.

BuildDirect is based in Vancouver, Canada with distribution sites all over the United States, and is a member of the Canadian Green Building Council and the US Green Building Council. For more information about BuildDirect please visit the website at http://www.builddirect.com.

BuildDirect: Costs Less. Same Quality. End of Story.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:47 AM | Comments (0)

Bathroom Remodeling and Bath Design On New Website By Virginia Remodeling Contractor

Enterprise Tile and Bath today announced the launch of www.enterprisebathandtile.com as an information portal for Virginia home owners to find information about bathroom remodeling, and bathroom design tips.

Chantilly, VA (PRWEB) March 26, 2008 -- Enterprise Tile and Bath today announced the launch of bathroom remodeling.

Future plans include educational guides on renovating your home, professional advice from local experts, and a question and answer forum for Virginia homeowners.

The web site will be an invaluable resource for homeowners in finding accessible information to address their bathroom remodeling needs. Information will be efficiently categorized for easy navigation.

Andy Riley, president of Enterprise Tile and Bath stated, "Our goal is to be the best bathroom remodeling resource center and information portal for assisting all Virginia homeowners with their bathroom remodeling needs. The depth of knowledge and resources at www.enterprisebathandtile.com is simple, concise and offers every homeowner some information about their next bathroom remodeling project."

About Enterprise Tile and Bath
Enterprise Bath & Tile has been proudly serving the residents of Northern Virginia since 1987. Our commitment to quality workmanship and professionalism in bathroom remodeling is priority #1. We are a Class A Licensed contractor, insured, and have excellent customer references. We are a member of several professional associations within our specific industry as well as associations such as the Better Business Bureau. For More information please visit www.enterprisebathandtile.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:45 AM | Comments (0)

The olson Company Announces Grand Opening of Village Walk (TM) in San Lorenzo

Project marks first 'GREEN' community for Olson Homes in Northern California.

San Lorenzo, CA (PRWEB) March 26, 2008 -- The Olson Company, a leader in new urban communities throughout the Bay Area for more than 20 years, today announced the March 29, 2008 grand opening event for their first "green" new home community in Northern California at Village Walk(TM) in San Lorenzo, Calif. from 12 to 4 p.m.

After two years of planning with Alameda County officials, the San Lorenzo community and the San Lorenzo Village Homes Association, Village Walk's first phase opens with 28 eco-friendly, two-story condominiums with two floor plans ranging from 1,463 to 1,769 square feet, three to four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and attached two-car garages.

Village Walk(TM) homes are specially designed using the latest in GREEN building techniques to help make residents' carbon footprint as small as possible with homes that are among the most energy efficient available. Village Walk(TM) homes offer low energy and water bills, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and less exposure to mold, mildew and other indoor toxins. Just a few of the "green" in-home green features include integrated solar panels, low-emittance windows, tankless water heaters, pre-fabricated walls, and Energy Star appliances.

"We believe good green building starts with smart home design, eco-friendly home features and renewable energy like Village Walk's integrated solar panels," said Tony Bosowski, president of the Northern California Division of The Olson Company. "Village Walk(TM) homes use less energy, water and natural resources, create less waste, and are healthier and more comfortable for residents. In fact, Village Walk homes provide up to 50 percent in energy savings."

Village Walk(TM) marks the first Olson Homes community in Northern California to be built using the specifications of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System. LEED(R) certification involves rigorous requirements set by US Green Building Council that is considered the gold standard for green building standards. As the rating system for sustainable residential site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality, LEED(R) is the nationally accepted benchmark for high performance in eco-smart practices.

In addition to an eco-friendly lifestyle, Village Walk(TM) offers proximity to the greater East Bay and Silicon Valley, the Bayfair and Hayward BART stations and I-880, 238, 580 and the San Mateo Bridge. Nearby recreational activities include restaurants, shopping, entertainment and parks, including Southland Shopping Center, Bayfair Mall, San Lorenzo Commnity Park, Marina Park and Skywest Golf Course.

For more information on Village Walk(TM) please visit the sales center at the March 29 grand opening from 12 to 4 p.m. Village Walk is located on 1306 Bockman Road at Via Chiquita in San Lorenzo. From San Francisco: Take 80 east / Bay Bridge. Merge onto 880 south toward San Jose. Take the Lewelling exit toward San Lorenzo. Turn right on Lewlling Blvd., left on Washington Ave., continue on Via Alamitos. Turn left onto Bockman Road. From San Jose: Take 880 north, exit 29 for A St. toward San Lorenzo. Turn left on West A St., left on Hesperian Blvd. and right onto Bockman Road.

Interested homebuyers can also visit the companies website at www.olsonhomes.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:43 AM | Comments (0)

Keep Your Bathroom Mildew Free and Your Family Healthy – Sashco Sealants Provides Quick Tips that Banish Menacing Mildew

Mildew in the home is unsightly, unpleasant, and, if not addressed, can also pose certain health risks. Sashco Sealants offers easy, helpful tips for stopping mildew in its tracks.

Brighton, CO (Vocus/PRWEB ) March 26, 2008 -- The term mildew often refers to the more than 100,000 different species of mold or fungus that exist. According to Sashco Sealants, manufacturer of MildewFree Sealant* (www.sashco.com), mildew can be found living on a host of different surfaces and particularly thrives on surfaces like shower walls, tubs, bathroom sinks, bathroom windowsills and other areas where moisture and temperature levels are high. Sashco explains that, “Mildew can be transported by air, water, even insects and animals and can be nearly any color – black, orange, green, or white. Mildew can typically be identified by its thin, layered appearance than can quickly coat entire surfaces.”

Mildew is not only unsightly and can produce an unpleasant musty odor, but can also pose health risks if not eliminated. Although not necessarily always toxic or poisonous, molds and mildews are virtually inevitable in warm, moist environments like bathrooms. According to a quote by BetterHealthUSA.com, “EPA estimates indicate that 50 to 100 common indoor mold types have the potential for creating health problems.” If members of your family suffer from respiratory infections, asthma, or bronchitis, paying close attention to mildew control is particularly important as exposure to mildew may, in extreme cases, be the principal cause or at least contribute to making symptoms more severe.

Several factors can be attributed to bathrooms susceptibly to mildew growth. They are typically relativity small in size, and regularly generate humidity and temperature ranges of 70 – 90 degrees which provide an environment where mildew flourishes. Bathrooms can create a breeding ground for potentially bothersome and definitely unsightly mildew growth. Once mildew growth occurs, it can spread quickly on bathroom walls ceilings, shower tiles, and grout.

Don’t despair! With regular maintenance and use of products specially formulated for mildew control, maintaining a mildew free home can be simple. Sashco recommends following these easy steps:

1.) Use a mildew resistant sealant on tubs, showers, and sinks like MildewFree
Sealant* that is guaranteed to prevent mildew growth on the sealant for seven years or Sashco will not only replace the product, but also provide a contractor for re-installation.
2.) Keep things dry. Wipe shower walls after taking a shower, or dry any excessive moisture from bathroom walls and windows.
3.) Increase air circulation by opening doors and windows, running a fan, or installing an exhaust fan if necessary.
4.) Place a box or two of baking soda in damp areas such as under sinks.
5.) Clean susceptible areas regularly. Surfaces surrounding sinks, shower tiles, tubs, virtually any bathroom surface are highly susceptible to mildew growth and should be scrubbed regularly.
6.) For deeper cleaning and prevention of mildew, sanitize the area with a household bleach mixture (1:9 bleach to water) to kill any existing mildew. Work the mixture into the joint and scrub well using a scrub brush.
7.) If excessive mildew growth is already present on tub and tile surfaces, remove old caulking, thoroughly clean with bleach mixture and reapply new, mildew resistant caulking like MildewFree Sealant*.

*Cured sealant is mildew resistant.

About Sashco Sealants:
Since 1936, from chimney to foundation, Sashco Sealants has been manufacturing high performance caulks and sealants for specific home improvement and repair applications. Sashco’s line of home improvement products includes: Lexel – the first clear caulk in the clear tube; Big Stretch – for doors, windows and siding - won’t crack it just stretches; Mor-Flexx – textured mortar and stucco repair; Through the Roof – clear, flexible, permanent roof repair. Visit www.sashco.com

Contact:
Sarah Shaffer
Sashco Sealants
303-286-7271
sshaffer @ sashco.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:43 AM | Comments (0)

Kitchens Plus Announces Home Remodeling and Kitchen Tour Showcase, Social and Educational Event

Kitchens Plus has announced a date for their first Home Remodeling and Kitchen Tour in 2008. The open house tours will occur on April 26, between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM in and around La Mesa, CA. The Home Remodeling and Kitchen Tour is a free, open house tour of recently completed remodeling projects. It is a showcase, as well as a community social and educational event.

La Mesa, CA (PRWEB) March 26, 2008 -- Kitchens Plus has announced a date for their first Home Remodeling and Kitchen Tour in 2008. The Home Remodeling and Kitchen Tour is a free, open house tour of recently completed remodeling projects in a centralized area. It is not just a showcase of the home, the designs and the craftsmanship, but it is also a community social and educational event. Certified Designers and Vendors will be available at the event to answer questions and provide educational materials. Homeowners and Real Estate Agents are all invited. The open house tours will occur on April 26th between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM. The showcase homes will be in and around La Mesa, zip code 91941. For addresses and directions please visit www.KitchensPlusSD.com, or call one of the Kitchens Plus Showrooms at (619) 466-5100 or (858) 693-4000.

"In today's real estate market a remodel is the perfect solution to improving the lifestyle and financial position of the homeowner and their family" states Matt Barns, President of Kitchens Plus. "The Home Remodeling and Kitchen Tour is a program that we started in 2007 as a way to showcase our work. As our tours developed, it became apparent that they were much more than a showcase; they have become an opportunity to meet a neighbor, to socialize, and to gain an education on the processes and the impacts of a professional home remodel. You imagine, we create... then you enjoy your new lifestyle and reap the financial benefits of your investment."

Kitchens Plus is a full-service General Contractor specializing in kitchen and bathroom remodeling. They have been remodeling homes throughout San Diego for more than 24 years. Their remodeling process is unique and all-inclusive; it is a customer centered design-build approach that leads to complete satisfaction with cost-effective pricing. Kitchens Plus has a clear understanding that a home remodel is more than just a construction project; for their customers it is an improvement in lifestyle and an investment in their future.

For More information contact:

Matt Barns
Kitchens Plus, Inc.

La Mesa Showroom: 7943 University Ave.
La Mesa, CA 91941
(619) 466-5100

Miramar Showroom:
7160 Miramar Rd.
San Diego, CA 92121
(858) 693-4000

Web: www.KitchensPlusSD.com
License: #665346

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:40 AM | Comments (0)

Naval Square by Toll Brothers Named a 2008 Grand Jury Award Winner by the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia

Naval Square by Toll Brothers is honored to be recognized by the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia as a recipient of the 2008 Grand Jury Award for Preservation Achievement.

Horsham, PA (Vocus/PRWEB ) March 26, 2008 -- Naval Square by Toll Brothers is honored to be recognized by the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia as a recipient of the 2008 Grand Jury Award for Preservation Achievement. Chosen by a panel of industry experts, the awards recognize the efforts of organizations dedicated to the preservation of historically significant architecture and structures throughout the Philadelphia metropolitan region, South Jersey, and Delaware. The awards will be presented at the 15th Annual Anniversary Luncheon and Ceremony on May 1, 2008, at the Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue.

“We are so pleased that the Preservation Alliance has named us among the Grand Jury Award Winners for 2008,” remarked Chuck Breder, Vice President for Toll Brothers. “Naval Square is such an extraordinary community because of its historical significance, and our team has worked very hard to help restore the site to its original grandeur. In addition, we’ve made sure that any new buildings that were added complemented the existing structures by keeping with the architectural themes and elements.”

Dating back to the early 1800s, the property once served as the original site of the U.S. Naval Home, a hospital and retirement community for sailors, marines, and other service personnel. Its buildings were designed by architect William Strickland and included a large main building, Biddle Hall, and two smaller flanking structures, the Surgeon General’s Mansion and the Governor’s Mansion, all three of which have been preserved. In 1839, the first U.S. Naval Academy was established in Biddle Hall. Today, both Biddle Hall and the Surgeon General’s Mansion have had their exteriors fully restored by Toll Brothers to house luxury residences in awe-inspiring historical settings.

“Buyers have a unique opportunity to be part of a community that combines the ultimate in luxury living with a rich historical background,” adds Mr. Breder. “Naval Square represents the perfect symbiosis of past and present, allowing residents to feel like they truly own a piece of history.”

“We have enjoyed tremendous sales success with our first three condominium buildings - Biddle Hall, Surgeon’s Residence Collection, and Strickland Court - all now completely sold out. With the recent opening of the new Pemberton Collection, a striking building of studio, 1- and 2-bedroom condominium residences, we are giving prospective buyers another opportunity to be part of this special community.”

The homes in the Pemberton Collection will offer up to 1,479 square feet of luxury living space with an impressive selection of upscale appointments and finishes including rich hardwood flooring, exquisite bath fixtures, and gourmet kitchens with sleek stainless steel appliances. Studio residences are preconstruction priced from the $200,000s, and condominiums are priced from the low $300,000s.

Residents at Naval Square enjoy access to the community’s impressive roster of amenities including on-site deeded parking, a community fitness center, a 24-hour gate attendant, and complimentary shuttle service to the Central Business District, 30th Street Station, and University City. Plans are also currently underway for a new, larger state-of-the-art fitness center with cardio and weight equipment and a sizeable outdoor pool with a sundeck.

For more information on Naval Square, please visit NavalSquare.com or call (215) 732-TOLL. To view a full list of this year’s honorees, please visit the Preservation Alliance website, PreservationAlliance.com.

Toll Brothers, Inc. is the nation's leading builder of luxury homes. The Company began business in 1967 and became a public company in 1986. Its common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "TOL." The Company serves move-up, empty-nester, active-adult, and second-home buyers and operates in 21 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Toll Brothers builds luxury single-family detached and attached home communities; master planned luxury residential, resort-style golf communities; and urban low-, mid-, and high-rise communities, principally on land it develops and improves. The Company operates its own architectural, engineering, mortgage, title, land development and land sale, golf course development and management, home security, and landscape subsidiaries. The Company also operates its own lumber distribution, and house component assembly and manufacturing operations.

Toll Brothers, a Fortune 500 company, is the only publicly traded national home building company to have won all three of the industry's highest honors: America's Best Builder, the National Housing Quality Award, and National Builder of the Year. For more information, visit TollBrothers.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:38 AM | Comments (0)

Keltech Safety Shower Solutions: As Easy as 1-2-3

DELTON, Mich. (Business Wire EON/PRWEB ) March 26, 2008 -- Keltech Incorporated, a leading manufacturer of safety shower heaters and systems makes it as easy as 1-2-3 to determine your optimal safety shower solution. When workers are at risk from chemical injury, you need an ANSI compliant safety shower or emergency eyewash station. What type of system should you specify to protect workers, meet ANSI standards, and still provide an efficient solution? The answer may be as easy as 1-2-3. Dieter Lutz, Keltech’s marketing director explains the logic behind the 1-2-3 solution. “This simplified approach is reinforced by our experience. Engineers and plant managers generally fall into one of these three categories. By classifying which scenario reflects their need, we can provide the most effective solution.”

Which of these scenarios best describes your situation?

I already have a shower kit. I just need to heat the water.
I need a turnkey safety shower solution.
I need to provide safety shower access to multiple or remote locations.
1. You have a shower kit but need an efficient method to heat water.

Keltech tankless shower heaters can be paired with any high quality commercial safety shower apparatus and can be mounted near existing shower or eyewash facilities.

2. A simple, turnkey solution is required.

Keltech provides safety shower solutions pairing its tankless water heater with a high quality commercial shower kit. Installation is easy. Install the heater, install the shower and plumb together. Connect the water. Connect the power. You’re ANSI compliant and ready for duty.

3. Safety shower access is required to service a remote part of the facility or grounds.

Keltech’s portable skid-based emergency safety shower station is the perfect solution where workers are at risk to chemical injury at remote locations. The complete ANSI compliant skid-based heater with shower kit solution is forklift transportable. Just add water and power. It’s also an effective solution for supplying ANSI compliant tepid water to multiple remote locations.

Advantages of Keltech’s Tankless Safety Shower Heaters:

Provides ANSI Compliant tepid water on-demand
Water is quickly heated to ANSI standards in less than the required 20 to 30 seconds.
Energy efficient
Water is heated only when needed. That saves money, energy and water.
Easy to install–just add water and power
All you need is access to one electrical connection and a cold water line.
Built to last
Keltech safety shower heaters feature quality control systems and premium materials.
Background Information About Keltech Tankless Water Heaters

Founded in 1987, Keltech Incorporated manufactures innovative, energy saving, tankless water heaters for commercial and industrial applications, and water heating solutions for extreme environmental conditions, safety, and aircraft markets. Keltech heaters are designed to meet precise temperature and water flow specifications. Keltech also manufactures tankless heating solutions that require de-ionized water, reverse osmosis processing, corrosive fluid heating protection, and non-flammable fluid heating. For more information, visit www.keltech.us or call 800-999-4320.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:36 AM | Comments (0)

Vonya Global Helps to Reduce the Costs of Major Construction Projects

Organizations involved in major capital projects are missing out on significant opportunities to strengthen internal controls and reduce overall project costs. Not only will investing in audit early in the construction process save thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars throughout the project, it enhances the control environment and mitigates the risks of other cost overruns.

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) March 26, 2008 -- "Organizations involved in major capital projects are missing out on significant opportunities to strengthen internal controls and reduce costs," stated Steven Randall, Vonya Global Managing Partner. This is not to say that construction managers are fiscally irresponsible, conversely they are very reluctant to spend money where it is not absolutely necessary. So much so that in an effort to contain costs, most organizations don't budget funds for construction audits until the project is complete or nearing completion. However, this "Close-out" audit is only one component of a successful control and cost containment program. Vonya Global believes that investing in internal audit early in the construction process may save thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars throughout the project. "Full-scope" construction auditing optimizes the effectiveness of internal controls, reduces total project costs, and maximizes cost recovery.

Close-out Audit
At the project's conclusion, the owner requires assurance that the General Contractor/Construction Manager (CM) has completed the work in accordance with the contract. A close-out audit provides the owner confidence that the contracted obligations were fulfilled and the billing was accurate per the contract terms. While this is a critical step to verify compliance with the contract, it doesn't solve other problems caused by a poorly written contract. In fact, contracts rarely protect all the interests of the owner.

Involving Vonya Global's construction audit service at the beginning, rather than the end of a construction project is far more effective because it mitigates risk before it materializes. Vonya Global's first responsibility is to protect the owner's interest by creating favorable contractual agreements and improving the project control environment. Keeping Vonya Global engaged throughout the construction project assures the effectiveness of the control environment and identifies inappropriate cost overcharges.

In creating the contract (the binding agreement between the owner and all parties involved in the construction process), many owners place their trust in the knowledge of the General Contractor/CM and Architect to include all the appropriate provisions in the contracts. Most owners will then seek legal counsel to review the contract focusing on the insurance and indemnification sections. Additionally, the General Contractor/CM and Architect are often relied upon to track and control project costs. The result is an agreement which may not contain the necessary terms and conditions to adequately protect the interests of the owner, may not establish an effective system of internal controls, and may not establish a systematic means of monitoring contract compliance.

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) provides standard construction contracts, such as the:

AIA A101 for stipulated sum projects
AIA A111 and A121 agreements for cost reimbursable projects
A201 which contains the related General Conditions to the agreement

However, even these contract provisions require modification to fully protect the interest of the owner. For example, the Accounting Records or "Right-to-Audit" clause should be strengthened, and the Changes or "Change Order" clauses often require clarification. These modifications improve the owner's control over project costs, and allow for recoveries.

An effective "Full-scope" audit program utilizing the construction audit services of Vonya Global establishes an effective control environment, defines expectations for all parties, reduces the potential for conflict, reduces total project costs, and reduces the owner's risk. Performing a "Full-scope" construction project audit is a best practice, and the earlier a qualified Construction Auditor is involved in the project life-cycle, the greater the benefits to the project owner.

About Vonya Global
Vonya Global is a new idea in internal audit consulting and independent risk assurance services. With expertise in Finance, IT and Operations, Vonya Global helps its clients identify and assess risk, evaluate and improve internal controls, and implement continuous monitoring systems. Vonya Global is on a mission to prove there is a better way to serve clients by focusing on the basics; providing consistent quality, responsive service, and knowledge leadership. Having locations throughout the world, Vonya Global serves as a value added alternative to the large accounting firms. There is a better way, Vonya Global will show you.

Vonya Global LLC headquarters is located at 150 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 2935, Chicago, IL 60601. For more information please email info @ vonyaglobal.com or visit www.vonyaglobal.com.

Contact:
Steven Randall
Vonya Global LLC
Voice: +1.312.578.0700
Fax: +1.312.276.4210
www.vonyaglobal.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:01 AM | Comments (0)

Sales Gravy Press Adds Joe Crisara to Author Portfolio

Sales Gravy Press announced today that they will be publishing Joe Crisara's new book, If the Dog Whisperer Was Your Sales Manager. . .

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) March 26, 2008 -- Sales Gravy Press, The Sales Book Publisher™, announced today that they will be publishing Joe Crisara's new book, "If the Dog Whisperer Was Your Sales Manager. . ." In it he teaches sales managers and salespeople how they can benefit from using some of the same principles used by famed "Dog Whisperer," Cesar Millan, whose show is broadcast weekly on the National Geographic Channel.

Crisara, who resides in Los Angeles, says he admires how Millan helps families and pets learn to live productive lives together. "What Cesar Millan does so well is to retrain the owners, which, ultimately, rehabilitates the dogs. After watching several shows it occurred to me that there might be leadership lessons in Cesar's methodology. I asked the question, 'When sales managers are faced with underperforming sales reps if they simply changed their leadership style would more salespeople succeed?' For me clearly the answer was yes."

In the book Crisara starts with the premise that behind every struggling salesperson there is an ineffective manager. Then taking tools from The Dog Whisperer's leadership tool box he demonstrates step-by-step how sales leaders and salespeople can bring control to what seems like an out of control process and achieve success.

"We feel very fortunate to have Joe join our outstanding team of sales and leadership authors. Joe has been training Sales Professionals, leaders, and companies to succeed in sales for more than 25 years. He has built a successful business and a large following and we expect this project to be a great success." Said Jeb Blount, CEO of popular sales portal and community SalesGravy.com and founder of Sales Gravy Press.

When Crisara is not writing he runs his highly successful sales education firm and website www.ContractorSelling.com which help thousands of managers and frontline service and salespeople, in construction related industries, understand and utilize the principles of persuasion, selling, presentation, and closing to grow their businesses and earn more.

If The Dog Whisperer Was Your Sales Manager is the first book in a series that will explore and relate techniques and philosophies from well known leaders to sales management. It will be released in June of 2008.

Learn more about Sales Gravy press at: http://www.SalesGravy.com/press.php

Visit Joe Crisara at: http://www.ContractorSelling.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:58 AM | Comments (0)

simpleHome to Lead Home Technology Workshop

Workshop, entitled, "Emerging Trends in Home Theater and Home Entertainment Systems," will be held on Wednesday, April 2, from 6:00-8:00 PM at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston.

Westborough, MA (PRWEB) March 26, 2008 -- simpleHome, a leading provider of home entertainment & smart home solutions, today announced that its President and CEO, Mark Komanecky, will be leading a home technology workshop at the Residential Design and Construction (RDC) 2008 trade show and conference.

The workshop will be held on Wednesday, April 2, from 6:00-8:00 PM at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston.

Komanecky's workshop, entitled, "Emerging Trends in Home Theater and Home Entertainment Systems," will consist of a panel that features prominent executives from the home entertainment and custom integration industries sharing their viewpoints on the latest home technology solutions. The workshop will also offer a demonstration of some key home theater and control technologies along with a discussion of the key elements that are relevant for the architecture, design, and home building audiences. The workshop will appeal to registrants who have a wide range of experience with home technology; beginners will gain fundamental knowledge while experts will be able to draw upon the extensive expertise of the panelists.

The workshop will also feature Adam Gershon, Residential Product Manager for AMX, a leading provider of premium home automation and home entertainment products and systems; John Bishop, President of Bishop Audio Services, who has over 25 years of experience in high end home theater and home audio solutions; and Gary Thomerson of D&M Holdings/Escient, a leading provider of audio and video media servers and other premium home entertainment products.

"We are proud to be leading this comprehensive workshop at RDC 2008," said Komanecky. "The workshop panel brings together a great combination of knowledge and industry perspective of home technology that will greatly benefit attendees from both the architecture and interior design communities."

In addition to the workshop, simpleHome will be demonstrating various home entertainment and smart home solutions at booth 715.

With more than 25 years of experience in the home technology & telecommunications industries, Komanecky has led similar workshops at both the RDC 2006 and RDC 2007 events and has been a featured speaker at numerous high technology and financial conferences. Prior to founding simpleHome, Komanecky served as Vice President of Marketing and Product Management for the IP Cable Group of ADC Telecommunications and Broadband Access Systems (BAS), a company which he cofounded and that was acquired by ADC. Prior to cofounding BAS, Komanecky held senior marketing, sales, and engineering positions with Lucent Technologies, AT&T Bell Laboratories, and TranSwitch Corporation. Komanecky received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Syracuse University and an M.S. in Computer Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

About RDC 2008
RDC 2008 is a two-day convention and trade show for design and construction professionals, home owners, and consumers. The event is being held on April 2-3 at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston and features over 75 workshops and 240 exhibits from manufacturers and distributors of residential products, services and technologies. RDC focuses on the entire residential design and construction process. It is the only event in the country for residential architects, interior designers, construction professionals, specifiers, and consultants. For more information, please see http://www.buildboston.com/rd.
About simpleHome

simpleHome, founded in 2004, was established with a single vision: "Simple. Easy. Fun. The way life should be." As a result, the company provides homeowners with state-of-the-art smart home and home entertainment products and services that enable easy access to home entertainment; peace-of-mind for primary and vacation homes; security and surveillance of the home and property; and safety for children and pets. Unlike major retailers and other service providers, simpleHome focuses on providing solutions that converge home networking, home computing, home automation, and home entertainment into a single unique solution for any specific homeowner - all with an integrated, easy-to-use central control platform. As a result, the customers' experiences are hassle free and exceed expectations. As a member of the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA), simpleHome maintains a high standard of product, service and support training, expertise and innovation.

Based in Westborough, Massachusetts, simpleHome operates three design centers and works with clients throughout New England and the greater Philadelphia regions. For more information, visit www.simplehome.net.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:57 AM | Comments (0)

Outdoor Living: Propane Gas Systems Deliver Green Fuel for Spring

With Spring just around the corner, more and more homeowners are preparing to spend time outdoors. With this push toward outdoor living comes the demand for an efficient, economical energy source to fuel outdoor appliances -- a demand that is best met with a Central Propane Gas System from HBH Gas Systems. HBH Gas Systems is the world's leader in Central Propane Gas Systems innovation, design, and implementation.

Austin, TX (PRWEB) March 25, 2008 -- With Spring just around the corner, more and more homeowners are preparing to spend time outdoors. According to a survey of leading members of the American Society of Landscape Architects, the days of a simple barbecue grill have come and gone. The coming months will see homeowners adding entire outdoor great rooms to compliment their outdoor kitchens and fireplaces. With this push toward outdoor living comes the demand for an efficient, economical energy source to fuel outdoor appliances -- a demand that is best met with a Central Propane Gas System from HBH Gas Systems. HBH Gas Systems is the world's leader in Central Propane Gas Systems innovation, design, and implementation.

Central Propane Gas Systems deliver clean-burning fuel to off-grid communities, or communities without access to the natural gas grid. Providing individually metered gas to homeowners is an enormous marketing advantage for builders and developers, particularly in areas where most other homes are built all-electric. Central Propane Gas Systems can fuel the energy demands of an entire community, from standard residential appliances to commercial and retail applications. But this spring, homeowners in communities served by a Central Propane Gas System will be especially pleased with their options for outdoor living.

Whether they're entertaining the neighbors at a backyard barbecue or hosting friends for a patio dinner under the gentle glow of gas lamps, homeowners can rely on Central Propane Gas Systems to fuel all of their outdoor energy needs. Outdoor kitchens and fireplaces fueled by a Central Propane Gas System are more reliable because they do not use individual tanks. Homeowners are billed only for the gas they use, just like urban natural gas users. Propane can fuel outdoor fireplaces, swimming pool heaters and Jacuzzis, as well as a wide range of alternative applications. These include street lamps, barbecue smokers, patio heaters, door and yard lanterns, insect repellent systems, and even eco-friendly 'Alternative Fuel Vehicles' (AFVs) like golf carts, lawn care equipment, and fleet vehicles.

Discerning homeowners and resort visitors prefer high-end, professional gas appliances because they are more comfortable, economical, and efficient than electric appliances. Central Propane Gas Systems give developers the ability to steer their off-grid developments away from the inefficient, carbon-heavy electric grid toward more sustainable development fueled by gas. Faced with the prospect of building their community all-electric, it is no surprise that many developers choose to implement a Central Propane Gas System from HBH Gas Systems. In addition to the significant reduction of a community's pull on the electric grid, these systems are highly economical, saving homeowners about 50% on their heating bills when compared to electric heating.

Central Gas Systems are not only economical and versatile, but they are also environmentally friendly. One home fueling its space and water heating requirements with gas from a Central Propane Gas System in lieu of electricity effectively offsets the annual carbon emissions from one average vehicle. Central Propane Gas Systems from HBH Gas Systems are the most effective and efficient way to deliver this EPA-approved alternative green energy.

HBH Gas Systems specializes in the marketing, design, and implementation of fully-engineered Central Gas Distribution Systems, or Central Propane Systems, nationwide. To obtain more information about this project or HBH Gas Systems visit www.hbhsystems.com or contact Harris Baker at 512-306-0073 or info@hbhsystems.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:57 AM | Comments (0)

Florida Grand Estate Homes Hit the "Virtual" Auction Block on FRE.com

The LFC Group of Companies has just launched an online auction of eight grand estate homes on their residential auction website, Freedom Realty Exchange (www.FRE.com/206R2). Located in Fernandina Beach, Florida, near charming Amelia Island, these gorgeous homes are the perfect choice for those looking for a vacation or retirement home on the Florida coast. Best of all, interested homebueyrs can bid on these homes from the comfort and privacy of their own computer!

Newport Beach, CA (PRWEB) March 25, 2008 -- The current housing slump has hit Florida especially hard, resulting in dozens of "ballroom" foreclosure auctions across the state. But there is a silver lining: buyers can find a great deal on brand-new, estate homes, without wasting time at yet another auction in a chaotic hotel ballroom or convention center.

The LFC Group of Companies, the nation's premier online real estate auction marketing firm, has recently launched an online auction of eight gorgeous grand estate homes at Amelia RiverWalk, on their website, Freedom Realty Exchange (www.FRE.com/206R2).

Shaded by majestic canopies of tall oak trees, Amelia RiverWalk is a private gated community located in Fernandina Beach, Florida, just 30 miles outside of downtown Jacksonville and across from charming Amelia Island, named the "5th Best Island in America" by Conde Nast Traveler in 2004. An untouched paradise, Fernandina Beach offers recreational activities like kayaking, horseback riding, sunbathing, fishing and sailing, among miles of pristine waterways and beaches. For golf enthusiasts, Amelia Island offers three championship courses designed by Tom Fazio, Bobby Weed and Pete Dye, plus the newly opened 18-hole Royal Amelia, crafted by Tom Jackson. Immersed in southern charm and history, Fernandina Beach was recently named one of the "top 12 travel destinations in the U.S." by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

These luxurious grand estate homes feature 4 to 5 bedrooms and 3 to 4.5 bathrooms, and range from approximately 3,000 sq. ft. to 4,300 sq. ft. The homes include attractive features like covered front and rear patios, hardwood and ceramic tile floors, solid-surface countertops, an energy efficient central air conditioning and heating system, recessed lighting and walk-in closets. Though originally priced at an average of over $500,000, these homes will be offered on FRE.com with minimum bids as low as $223,000. Also included in the online home auction is the exquisite fully-furnished St. Augustine model. Previously priced at $1,000,000, this 4,334 sq. ft. home has a minimum bid of only $1!

"Homebuyers everywhere are looking for a deal, but not the hassle that comes with a live 'outcry' auction," says Bill Lange, president of the LFC Group of Companies. "FRE.com's auction format gives buyers convenience and transparency by allowing them to place bids and view the bidding activity online. Unlike ballroom auctions, our buyers can actually see that the bids are coming in from other interested buyers. This transparency not only empowers buyers, but it gives them reassurance that they are getting a fair deal."

If you've been looking to purchase a vacation or retirement home in Florida, this is the opportunity you've been waiting for. The bid deadline is Thursday, May 1, 2008. For more information and to register to participate in the online auction, go to www.FRE.com/206R2.

Freedom Realty Exchange - part of the LFC Group of Companies

For more than 30 years, the LFC Group of Companies have served numerous Fortunate 500 companies, real estate developers, investors, financial institutions and government agencies by auction-marketing thousands of commercial, industrial, land and residential properties with an aggregate value well in excess of $5 billion. www.FRE.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:56 AM | Comments (0)

FleetMatics Releases Innovative Upgrade to GPS Vehicle Tracking System

FleetMatics' new software version adds enhanced web-based reporting capabilities and a graphical fleet summary feature enabling users to significantly improve fleet management and reduce operating costs.

Boston, MA, London, England and Dublin, Ireland (PRWEB) March 25, 2008 -- FleetMatics, the fastest growing GPS vehicle tracking company offering solutions to commercial fleets, today announced the release of their new updated software. This release features enhanced web-based reporting capabilities and a comprehensive "dashboard", an immediate representation of total fleet performance. These features are firsts in the industry and are expected to revolutionize the way companies manage their fleet.

Jim Travers, FleetMatics CEO said, "With this latest release, FleetMatics strengthens its stance as the industry leader in both innovation and technology. Our new fleet dashboard and enhanced reporting capabilities give our customers an unprecedented management tool that enables them to improve fleet control while reducing hard operating costs."

The new FleetMatics dashboard feature is the first of its kind in providing users a precise summary of their fleet's activity. Fleet performance is compared against user-defined company standards through a series of simple graphs and pie charts showcasing their vehicles in each of the following categories: hours worked, excessive vehicle idling time, vehicle mileage analysis, and any speeding violations. As the FleetMatics solution can be accessed from any web connection, fleet owners can now quickly detect and eliminate non-optimum driver behavior leading to reduced fuel costs and substantially increased productivity.

Through their recent customer survey, FleetMatics found users wanted a faster way to identify costly activities such as excessive employee overtime hours, excessive time spent at a location and speeding violations. Based on these findings, FleetMatics designed "exception reporting". Fleet owners can specify acceptable daily company allowances including working hours, vehicle idling times and vehicle mileage. Exceptions to these allowances are flagged and can be addressed to optimize performance.

Peter Mitchell, FleetMatics CTO said, "Our new dashboard feature and exception reporting are additional firsts in the industry for FleetMatics. We were industry pioneers in web-based & GPRS technology, both of which are industry standards today. In designing this new release our R & D team found patterns in the way our customers were using our previous software and, along with extensive customer feedback, we designed the upgrade to meet our customers' needs and provide an advanced cost-saving solution."

These new features are in addition to FleetMatics' existing vehicle tracking system which includes Live Fleet Tracking, Route Replay, Key Management Reports and Real Time Alerts. Live Fleet allows fleet managers to view their vehicles in real-time, refreshed on a map every 90 seconds, and reports vehicle status, location and speed. This allows for improved dispatching efficiencies and customer service.

"FleetMatics has become a vital fleet management tool that we could not operate without. The enhanced reporting capabilities will greatly aid our fleet managers in monitoring drivers' hours and tracking DOT (Dept. of Transportation) time to ensure compliance with regulations." - Dave Hawkins, Director of Transportation of Sysco Food Services of Baltimore, Jessup, Maryland

"As a leading builder's merchant running over 80 vehicles, improving operational efficiencies throughout our fleet has been a continuous goal and implementing the FleetMatics system was our greatest cost-saving decision. Through the use of enhanced exception reporting, we expect to further improve productivity and increase sales revenue." - Jamie Pilbin, Commercial Director of UGS Limited, Banbury, England

"FleetMatics' new features are a fantastic improvement to what is already an excellent system. The fleet summary dashboard feature is a great management tool as we can now efficiently analyze vehicle down time and convert it into more deliveries." - David Tallon, Managing Director of Tallon Ready Chef, Dublin, Ireland

About FleetMatics
Fleetmatics is a global industry leader providing GPS vehicle tracking solutions to businesses with small to large fleets. The FleetMatics solution records fleet activity and presents this data in an internet based application consisting of live vehicle location maps and key management reports designed to drive down operational costs and increase revenue. Headquartered in Boston MA, FleetMatics is the fastest growing telematics company providing fleet management solutions throughout the U.S., the U.K., and Ireland.

For FleetMatics U.S. Sales information, contact FleetMatics USA Inc. at 1-866-844-2235 or visit www.fleetmatics.com. For FleetMatics U.K. Sales information, contact Fleetmatics Ltd at 44 (0)118 903 6150 or visit www.fleetmatics.co.uk. For FleetMatics IRL Sales information, contact FleetMatics Ltd at 353 1 499 6200 or visit www.fleetmatics.ie.

The FleetMatics media contact, Jamie Sene, Global Marketing Director, can be reached via email at Jamie.Sene(at)fleetmatics.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:53 AM | Comments (0)

Philips Solid-State Lighting Solutions Licenses Patent Portfolio to Renaissance Lighting

Philips Solid-State Lighting Solutions and Renaissance Lighting have completed a licensing agreement that provides Renaissance Lighting with access to Philips’ patents, enabling Renaissance Lighting to offer its own intelligent LED lighting products, as well as to use Philips Solid-State Lighting Solutions’ core technology in other new product development.

Burlington, MA and Herndon, VA (Vocus/PRWEB ) March 25, 2008 -- Philips Solid-State Lighting Solutions, the new entity formed by Philips’ acquisition of Color Kinetics, and Renaissance Lighting have completed a licensing agreement that provides Renaissance Lighting with access to Philips Solid-State Lighting Solutions’ worldwide patent portfolio. The agreement enables Renaissance Lighting to offer its own intelligent LED lighting products, as well as to use Philips Solid-State Lighting Solutions’ core technology in other new product development.

The global license agreement ends litigation previously brought by Color Kinetics against Renaissance Lighting and will apply in all markets covered by Philips Solid-State Lighting Solutions’ patent portfolio.

"The lighting industry is undergoing dramatic change as LED sources influence the design of completely new products and applications, particularly when combined with digital intelligence," said Bill Sims, CEO, Philips Solid-State Lighting Solutions.

"The power of our patented inventions makes it possible to customize environments with light as never before, and we continue to grant access to these inventions in part to help fuel greater adoption. We believe that Renaissance Lighting has a unique approach to color mixing that complements our own core method, and the combination should result in some powerful products."

"This licensing agreement moves Renaissance Lighting another step closer to its goal of becoming an important player in the solid-state lighting space," said Renaissance Lighting CEO, Barry Weinbaum. "The realization that we have acquired immediate access to global patents and the global markets they represent is a huge reinforcement of our strategy to expand Renaissance Lighting’s footprint and customer base while rapidly increasing shareholder value. We are being positioned to bring the advantages of LEDs and the dynamic impact they will have on the future of architectural lighting design."

Philips Solid-State Lighting Solutions’ patent portfolio focuses on a range of digital technologies and methods of controlling LED sources for a variety of lighting applications and environments.

Renaissance Lighting’s own patented lighting systems are utilized by architects and space designers using a technique which blends light from multiple LEDs (light-emitting diodes) in order to produce an elegant, pure single light source. The company’s environmentally green technology integrates internal sensors which constantly monitor and adjust light output and color. These same sensors have the ability to activate sleeper LEDs that compensate for the gradual degradation of a fixture’s original LEDs during their 50,000- to 70,000-hour life span.

About Renaissance Lighting
Renaissance Lighting, headquartered in Herndon, VA, produces highly creative lighting products delivering exceptional appearance, superior efficiency, and glare-free illumination for all architectural applications. The company’s innovative approach to product engineering and design is supported by 25 patents including its optical and feedback control technologies.

About Philips Solid-State Lighting Solutions
Philips Solid-State Lighting Solutions, the new entity formed by Philips’ acquisition of Color Kinetics, transforms environments through new, dynamic uses of light. Its award-winning lighting systems and technologies apply the benefits of LEDs as a highly efficient, long lasting, environmentally friendly, and inherently digital source of illumination - reinventing light itself as a highly controllable medium. Philips Solid-State Lighting Solutions also enables widespread adoption of LED lighting through OEM and licensing partnerships in diverse markets. The company is headquartered in Burlington, MA with offices in the UK and China. More information is available at www.colorkinetics.com.

About Royal Philips Electronics
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a global leader in healthcare, lighting and consumer lifestyle, delivering people-centric, innovative products, services and solutions through the brand promise of “sense and simplicity”. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs approximately 123,800 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of $36.8 billion (EUR 27 billion) in 2007, the company is a market leader in medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring systems, energy efficient lighting solutions, as well as lifestyle solutions for personal well-being. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.

Color Kinetics is a registered trademark of Philips Solid-State Lighting Solutions in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

Renaissance Lighting Contact:
Joe Arimond
ECI Communications
847-381-1205
joseph.k.arimond @ ecicommunications.com

Philips Media Contact:
Felicia Spagnoli
Philips Solid-State Lighting Solutions
781-418-9292
felicia.spagnoli @ philips.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:53 AM | Comments (0)

Progressive New Technology Impacts the Real Estate Marketplace

InvestorLoft.com is an emerging platform for real estate brokers and investors driven by progressive industry solutions and disruptive, patent-pending technologies. InvestorLoft.com connects real estate investors to the opportunities and resources they need and connects real estate professionals with qualified, active buyers with the desire, ability, and, in many cases, a need to buy real estate. InvestorLoft.com provides unprecedented value to just about everyone involved in a real estate transaction and has forged strategic relationships with significant market influencers who normally don't engage with companies as young as InvestorLoft.com.

Denver, CO (PRWEB) March 25, 2008 -- InvestorLoft.com is an emerging platform for real estate brokers and investors driven by progressive industry solutions and disruptive, patent-pending technologies. InvestorLoft.com connects real estate investors to the opportunities and resources they need and connects real estate professionals with qualified, active buyers with the desire, ability, and need to buy real estate.

"A Broker friendly real estate portal" seems more like an oxymoron than a description of an actual resource, but interestingly enough the phrase accurately describes a progressive new company that's making a big impact on the marketplace. "InvestorLoft.com believes that every buyer and seller of real estate investment listings should have broker representation," says Wally Charnoff, CEO of InvestorLoft.com. As a result only brokers can list real estate investment properties on InvestorLoft.com and must offer a coop or referral fee of at least 2.5% for the buyer's agent. Additionally, for a limited time, InvestorLoft.com allows brokers to list their real estate investment opportunities free of charge, and does not take a bite out of broker commissions.

Brokers and Agents, Click here to add your real estate investment listings to InvestorLoft.com

InvestorLoft.com also provides something every broker needs--qualified, active buyers with the desire, ability, and, in many cases, an actual need to buy real estate. InvestorLoft.com provides unprecedented value to real estate investors, 1031 Exchange QI's, self-directed IRA custodians, Brokers, real estate investment clubs, and just about everyone involved in a real estate transaction. As a result 1031 exchange participants in need of replacement properties, self-directed IRA investors looking for investment opportunities, and active real estate investors flock to InvestorLoft.com in droves, referred by the trusted resources who service them. "Currently InvestorLoft.com does not have enough real estate investment inventory to feed the appetite of "our members and we are calling out to brokers to list their real estate investment opportunities for investor review," Charnoff says.

Expose your real estate investment listings to 1031 Exchangers and Self-directed IRA investors

InvestorLoft.com is not just broker friendly; they actually take proactive steps to empower brokers. InvestorLoft.com has a patent-pending technology called ReferSafe™ designed to ensure brokers and referring sources remain in control of their referral's transactions, and get paid on their buyer's activity. Additionally, in some markets unrepresented buyers are connected with a local broker to inquire about InvestorLoft.com listings. According to Charnoff, "InvestorLoft.com is striving to build strategic relationships with qualified brokers across the US to ensure all unrepresented buyers are matched with a local broker when they inquire about listings on InvestorLoft.com."

Learn More About ReferSafe™ at InvestorLoft.com

InvestorLoft.com has received extremely high marks from real estate investors. InvestorLoft.com's patent-pending PropScout™ technology brings unrivaled efficiency to real estate search," says Frederick Heigold III, Chief Technology Officer, InvestorLoft.com. "Do you want to put down a specific amount of money and find a property in a specific location within a specific price range that will cash flow a specific amount with YOUR post-purchase debt service at today's updated interest rate? You can search with these parameters at InvestorLoft.com--and only at InvestorLoft.com."

Click here for more information on InvestorLoft.com or to post your real estate investment listings today!

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:53 AM | Comments (0)

U.S. CAD Wins 2008 Autodesk Platinum Club Award

Company Earns Top Honors for Achieving Highest Autodesk Sales Volume in U.S.

Costa Mesa, Calif. (PRWEB) March 25, 2008 -- U.S. CAD, Inc., the Western U.S.' s largest provider of computer-aided design (CAD) services and products and largest Autodesk solutions reseller, announced its selection as a 2008 Autodesk Platinum Club award winner for achieving the highest Autodesk sales volume nationwide. To qualify for the award, U.S. CAD exceeded sales expectations in its architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) and its Geospatial solutions divisions. This award marks the sixth consecutive year the company has earned Autodesk Platinum Club honors.

The Platinum Club awards were developed by Autodesk to recognize the industry's top-performing resellers in sales and customer service. The 2008 Platinum Club awards ceremony was held March 10, 2008, in Las Vegas. The winners were recognized in front of their peers and Autodesk senior management.

"Autodesk is proud to recognize the elite group of 2008 Platinum Club award recipients as the top performers in sales and customer service," said Steve Blum, senior vice president of Americas sales at Autodesk. "Partners like U.S. CAD are continually raising the bar by helping our customers achieve competitive advantage with Autodesk's advanced digital design technologies."

"We are very proud to have received this award," said U.S. CAD CEO Danny Counts. "Over the last few years, we have partnered closely with the architecture and engineering communities in the Western U.S. to increase their understanding of how Autodesk technologies relate to sustainable design initiatives, 'green building,' and LEED certification, as well as improve overall productivity to deliver better design quality and increased value to our customers.

"It's gratifying to see our customers embrace Autodesk technology and help them successfully transition to these sustainable design solutions," Counts added. "We see the momentum around many Autodesk technologies continuing to build and are excited about the impact these technologies are having in the industries we serve."

About U.S. CAD
Based in Costa Mesa, Calif., U.S. CAD, Inc. (formerly L.A. CAD) is a major provider of computer-aided design (CAD) consulting, training and support services, and Autodesk software solutions. Specializing in the civil, mechanical and architectural design, building-engineering and geospatial industries, the company provides technical expertise and customized training to deliver superior customer solutions. Customers value U.S. CAD's quality instruction from Autodesk Approved Instructors, and its flexible training options, including modular mobile training labs. With Autodesk Authorized Training Centers at its Costa Mesa, Los Angeles, San Diego, Honolulu and Guam locations, U.S. CAD has become the Autodesk provider of choice for many of the West's leading CAD-related companies. For more information, visit www.uscad.com.

U.S. CAD and L.A. CAD are trademarks of U.S. CAD, Inc.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:51 AM | Comments (0)

Zilliant Receives 'Positive' Rating in Leading Analyst Firm's Report on Price Optimization and Management

Gartner releases first MarketScope for Price Optimization and Management

Austin, TX (PRWEB) March 25, 2008 -- Zilliant today announced that it has received a "Positive" rating in Gartner's "MarketScope for Price Optimization and Management, 2008". Gartner evaluated the price optimization and management vendors in a number of areas including: overall viability, customer experience, products and services, and offering strategy.

Zilliant Precision Pricing Suite (ZPPS) comprises seven tightly-integrated applications built on proven pricing science, leading business intelligence tools, and flexible process automation capabilities. Together or stand-alone, ZPPS pricing software applications produce rapid, measurable profit improvement through better decision making, streamlined process execution, and enhance visibility and control.

Gartner's MarketScope notes that "the market for price optimization and management software is rapidly gaining visibility and growing by more than 30% per year, as enterprises increasingly look to capitalize on the business value such applications offer in improving margins, revenue and efficiencies with pricing processes". The report went on to say that "through 2010, price optimization technology will have a more-direct impact on increasing revenue or margins than any other CRM technology."

"Pricing may be the last bastion of guesswork in B2B companies," said Greg Peters, Zilliant CEO. "More and more companies are choosing ZPPS for its ability to provide data-driven answers to all facets of the pricing process. Zilliant is pleased to receive a 'positive' rating, which we believe affirms our focus on science capabilities that drive margin lift."

A copy of the Gartner MarketScope report can be requested on Zilliant's web site - www.zilliant.com.

About Zilliant
Zilliant drives measurable profitability improvement for industrial manufacturers, distributors, and service companies through superior price setting and execution. Zilliant Precision Pricing Suite (ZPPS) combines advanced pricing science, including our proprietary Precision Price Segmentation™ and Price Band Optimization™ technologies, with easy-to-use business applications to deliver an end-to-end solution for data-driven price optimization and management. Enhanced price differentiation and sales execution help Zilliant customers to achieve the best pricing possible on every transaction, increasing profits by 15% and more.

MarketScope Disclaimer
The MarketScope is copyrighted 2008 by Gartner, Inc. and is reused with permission. The MarketScope is an evaluation of a marketplace at and for a specific time period. It depicts Gartner's analysis of how certain vendors measure against criteria for that marketplace, as defined by Gartner. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in the MarketScope, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest rating. Gartner disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:48 AM | Comments (0)

Team Resources Launches New Website

Team Resources' new website www.TeamResources-Inc.com is now live

VENTURA, Calif. (Business Wire EON/PRWEB ) March 25, 2008 -- Team Resources, Inc., an independent oil and gas company specializing in developmental oil and gas production is happy to announce that it has launched its new website www.TeamResources-Inc.com.

The new Team Resources website has been revamped, and now has a plethora of information about the company and its oil and gas production and drilling activities," said Kevin Boyles, President & CEO of Team Resources, Inc.

“Our new website gives us a clean and modern look of a 21st century oil and gas company,” added Kevin Boyles.

About Team Resources, Inc.

"Team Resources, Inc, a Ventura California based oil and natural gas company, founded in 2002 by Mr. Kevin Boyles. The Company, with over 100 years combined experience in oil and gas, specializes in developmental drilling and production of ‘Proven Under Developed’ reserves. Team Resources’ sponsors Direct Participation Programs for accredited individuals to have direct ownership, entitling them to cash flows generated by these development sites. All of the Company’s Programs offer Federally Approved "flow through" Tax Benefits directly to the participants. Team Resources through its offices in Houston, Texas, manages various projects in development and production in California, Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas. To learn more about Team Resources, Inc. visit: www.TeamResources-Inc.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:48 AM | Comments (0)

UK School Children Limber Up To Go Strictly Dancing With Camilla Dallerup

Pupils across the UK are dusting off their dancing shoes in preparation to enter a competition supported by stars of the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing. They want to be in with a chance of winning professional dance lessons, the prize up for grabs in a competition launched by builder of new homes in Spain, Taylor Woodrow de España, to encourage children to be active.

London (PRWEB) March 25, 2008 -- Pupils across the UK are dusting off their dancing shoes in preparation to enter a competition supported by stars of the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing.

They want to be in with a chance of winning professional dance lessons, the prize up for grabs in a competition launched by builder of new homes in Spain, Taylor Woodrow de España, to encourage children to be active.

The UK's only major house builder in Spain is inviting school children to nominate a class which is keen to have fun and get fit, by filling in an entry form detailing why they should win the lessons.

Camilla Dallerup said: "We're delighted to support the Get Kids Dancing campaign. Dancing has fantastic health benefits and also helps give anyone taking part confidence; especially children. It will make them fitter and more able to handle themselves. Dancing is also great fun and children who get into it laugh a lot. It should not be about competition all the time, just about having fun and gaining a talent."

One lucky class in each nominated area will be given ballroom and Latin dance lessons from a professional tutor for a month. The winning class will then be able to enter into a grand, Get Kids Dancing final, competing against other winning classes from across the UK, for the chance to spend a day dancing with Camilla Dallerup and Ian Waite from the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing.

Nick Freeston, Head of UK Operations for Taylor Woodrow de España, adds: "The Get Kids Dancing campaign is designed to encourage children in the UK to become interested in dance and for schools to support this interest. According to a Government report which was published recently*, at the current rate, three in five children under 10 will be classed as overweight or obese by 2050.

Local School Children…

"Numerous studies have shown that any increase in activity is beneficial for health as it reduces fat, anxiety and stress and makes people feel good about themselves. Dancing is a fun and effective way of increasing the heart rate and everyone, even the youngest of children, can enjoy it. This is the first year we've launched the Get Kids Dancing campaign and if it's a success we'll look to open the competition up to even more areas across the UK next year."

The dancing competition is open to children in Birmingham, Nottingham, Bristol, Manchester, Leeds, Kent, Essex, Surrey, Newcastle, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Halifax, Berkshire, Hampshire, Bournemouth and Sussex.

If you know of a class who would love the opportunity to learn from a professional tutor, then why not step up to the challenge and enter Get Kids Dancing by Taylor Woodrow de España?

All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning the dance lessons is call 0121 362 4070 and leave your details - you will then be sent a full information pack and entry form. The competition is open to school children up to Year 9 Secondary in each nominated area. Closing date for entries is Monday 14th April.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:48 AM | Comments (0)

U-Box-It, North America's 1st Recyclable/ Disposable Garbage Bin, Is One Of The Main Attractions At The 2008 National Home Show

U-Box-It is a revolutionary new concept in Junk Removal. This one time use container is designed specifically for the Do-It-Yourself home renovation and clean up. The U-BOX-IT container was developed to eliminate the large bulky metal containers which take up space and to avoid damage to driveways and parking lots. U-Box-It was designed to be lightweight and compact so that the consumer can virtually purchase the U-BOX-IT flat pack at any retail outlet and will fit in most cars, and minivans. The versatility of the U-Box-It container allows the customer to load the container in the garage, backyard, and other tight places such as service elevators in Condominiums and Apartment Buildings, and Office Towers. The flat pack can be stored anywhere until the customer is ready to assemble and load it at their discretion. It is so versatile that it can also be sent by courier to the customer's home or business. These 100cm3 corrugated containers (1 cubic yard) took approximately 2 years to design for the sole purpose of providing a product for Junk Removal which will better serve today's market and provide a better and much more efficient service to thousands of customers looking for the best alternative.

Toronto, Ontario (PRWEB) March 25, 2008 -- U-Box-It is a revolutionary new concept in Junk Removal. This one time use container was designed specifically for the Do-It-Yourself home renovation and clean up. The U-Box-It container was developed to eliminate the large bulky metal containers which take up space and to avoid damage to driveways and parking lots.

U-Box-It was designed to be lightweight and compact so that the consumer can virtually purchase the U-BOX-IT flat pack at any retail outlet and will fit in most cars, and minivans. The versatility of the U-BOX-IT container allows the customer to load the container in the garage, backyard, and other tight places such as service elevators in Condominiums, Apartment Buildings, and Office Towers.

The flat pack can be stored anywhere until the customer is ready to assemble and load it at their discretion. It is so versatile that it can also be sent by courier to the customer's home or business.

This 100cm3 corrugated containers (1 cubic yard) took approximately 2 years to design for the sold purpose of providing a product for Junk Removal which will better serve today's market and provide a better and much more efficient service to thousands of customers looking for the best alternative.

As indicated by many sources, there is currently a waste disposal crisis, due to regulatory systems that limits innovation, population growth, and lack of landfill capacity

U-Box-It is North America's First Disposable Recyclable Bin, and can make a huge difference in solving this waste disposal crisis:

Addresses waste disposal in Condos, Apartment Buildings, and Office Towers
Can fit into an Elevator
Lowers dust content from clean-up
Lessens chance of personal injury
Can be placed in garages for year-round junk removal
Store many containers (stack-able)
Takes up very little space
Clean container each and every time.
No time restrictions
Lower cost
No damage to drive ways
Container fits in tight areas
Assembles in minutes
Available by courier and soon in major "Big-Box" Stores

Because U-Box-It is a smaller container, more waste can be diverted from the landfill versus with metal bins because it can be sorted more effectively.

In addition, by going into "high-rises" it now addresses the huge waste that is currently mixed together and ends up in landfills.

U-Box-It is changing the thinking of how the waste disposal industry, governments, and the public recycle in order to effect "Green Change"

Please see us online at www.uboxit.com as well as one of the top features of the 2008 National Home Show, April 4th-13th in Toronto at booth 1632: www.nationalhomeshow.com

Call U-Box-It at 1-877-7-U-Box-It (1- or )

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:44 AM | Comments (0)

Triumph Construction Holds Up Single Story California Bungalow, While Building Underneath and On Top to Create a Wonderful Ocean View Estate

Triumph Construction, Inc of Santa Monica proves that you do not need an estate size lot to create a beautiful estate feeling of a home. Building under the existing home as well as on top provided enough room on the lot for a large home, pool, entertaining patio and beautiful gardens.

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) March 25, 2008 -- Triumph Construction, Inc of Santa Monica proves that you do not need an estate size lot to create a beautiful estate feeling of a home.

The California bungalow located on the bluffs of the Pacific Palisades sits on a regular sized area corner lot, says Bill Rosenberg of Triumph Construction, Inc. "The project goal was to create a good sized home to fit a large family and capturing the beautiful ocean views, while providing the owners ample space for fun, games and hobbies."

The original house had a nice layout that was used and incorporated into the overall design. Triumph Construction held up the original structure with steel girders while digging underneath the building to create a new first floor or basement level with an amazing wine cellar that features a brick vaulted ceiling, a recreation room, and a three car garage. A new great room with 20' high beamed ceilings and a stone fireplace was created on the main floor, which fits perfectly with the existing living room with stone fireplace and bar, new gym, office and guest bedroom. The Third floor was added with sprawling views of the ocean from all three bedrooms, decks and den. Wide planked, distressed cherry hardwood floors, wood wainscoting, wood walls, and crown moldings give the house a true warm beach feeling.

The new 6,600 square foot home feels even larger since off the new great room a wall of doors fully open to bring in the outside living area, creating a true indoor outdoor flow. "With the doors open, the scent of the salty air filters into the home, always reminding us we are at the beach," says the home owner. The exterior work completes the home with a wood trellis over the outdoor living area, a stone fountain, stone fireplace, stone BBQ, swimming pool, spa and outdoor shower.

Lifting the house and adding living space and a garage underneath was key to providing enough exterior space for the family to enjoy the new lushly landscaped gardens, exterior living area and pool.

Bill Rosenberg mentioned that the project architect, designer and owners were all a pleasure to work with, and together created a true team effort while building this wonderful new home.

About Triumph Construction, Inc. General Contractor
Triumph Construction, Inc. is a Los Angeles General Contractor that specializes in new and remodeled high-end homes. The company has been working in the area for over 20 years building and remodeling all styles of homes including restoration work, traditional, modern and contemporary construction.

Contact:
Bill Rosenberg
Triumph Construction, Inc.
http//www.triumphconstruction.com
310 396 9796

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:44 AM | Comments (0)

Mid-America Development Partners Close Schwind Crossings Refinance

Mid-America Development Partners, a full-service commercial real estate firm specializing in retail and shopping center development, has announced the refinancing of one of its assets: Schwind Crossings, a 50,000-square-foot retail center in Wheeling, Ill., 27 miles northwest of Chicago.

Oak Brook, IL (PRWEB) March 25, 2008 - Mid-America Development Partners (www.midamdevelopment.com), a full-service commercial real estate firm specializing in retail and shopping center development, has announced the refinancing of one of its assets: Schwind Crossings, a 50,000-square-foot retail center in Wheeling, Ill., 27 miles northwest of Chicago.

Principals of Mid-America Development Partners represented themselves in the $8.8 million transaction with lender Charter One Bank.

"The refinance enabled us to take advantage of the stabilized shopping center with national retailers, which in turn attracted favorable loan terms," said Adam Firsel, development manager for Mid-America Development Partners.

Construction was completed in 2007 for the project, located at the northeast corner of Lake Cook Rd. and Weiland Ave. It is about 96% leased, with tenants including Staples, Fifth Third Bank, Potbelly Sandwich Works, Chipotle, TGI Fridays, Verizon Wireless, Luxury Nail Spa, Gamestop, 2nd Wind Exercise Equipment, Hair Cuttery, and Froots.

"This is a great location, convenient for residents of both Wheeling and Buffalo Grove, and on one of the most-traveled roads in the northern suburbs. Target, Wal-Mart and Sams Club are at the same intersection," said Firsel.

For information about Schwind Crossings, contact Firsel at 630-954-7202 or Caitlin Bossy, leasing manager, at 630-366-2308.

About Mid-America Development Partners
Based in Oak Brook, Ill., Mid-America Development Partners is a full-service commercial real estate firm building and managing more than 20 retail and mixed-use developments throughout the Chicago area. It is one of four companies comprising The Crescendo Companies (www.thecrescendocompanies.com), a privately-held company specializing in commercial real estate development and management, with more than $1.2 billion in projects under development.

Contact:
Cindy Martin
Treacy Marketing Group
cmartin@treacymarketing.com
312-482-8900 ext. 3043

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:44 AM | Comments (0)

Infinity® from Marvin Chooses nParallel to Design and Build a New Retail Display for Dealers that Sell its Replacement Windows

nParallel Crafts a Compact, Mobile Display to Showcase Different Products in the Complete Line of Infinity® from Marvin Replacement Windows

Minneapolis, MN (PRWEB) March 25, 2008 -- nParallel, the international brand communication, merchandising strategy and display agency, announced that it has been selected to design and fabricate a new retail display for Infinity® Replacement Windows from Marvin. The display gives retailers a new alternative for presenting the windows to consumers. The nParallel display, which complements other Infinity from Marvin displays, was designed to be highly mobile, easy to use and suitable for indoor and outdoor use.

"nParallel had designed our tradeshow display and demonstrated that they understand our products and how we go to market," said Rob McChane, Infinity marketing project manager. "We had confidence in entrusting nParallel with this retail display project."

"The display is a straightforward frame on wheels. We kept it simple to put the focus on the windows themselves," said Don Gonse, executive vice president, nParallel. "We engineered it to use the actual mounting slots of each window in the product line, so it is easy to change them out and secure them. Graphics panels slide in and out beneath the framed windows. They explain the essential attributes of Infinity Replacement Windows from Marvin and illustrate how different styles can present a solution for consumers' home remodeling needs."

About nParallel

Brand marketers and retailers know that store fixtures, merchandising systems and tradeshow displays establish the brand experience, engage customers and drive sales -- if they are planned with imagination, then skillfully crafted. But, too often, unfocused planning, uneven execution and unexpected costs squeeze the creative spark out of their most promising concepts. The alternative? nParallel (www.nparallel.com), the international brand communication, merchandising strategy and display agency based in Minneapolis. Whether the venue for connecting with your customers is a store or a show, nParallel fulfills the big-picture vision while keeping a sharp eye focused on the details of disciplined production, meticulous program management, and the budget bottom line. Seeking uncompromised excellence in brand communication? Call nParallel, 763.231.4800.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:44 AM | Comments (0)

March 24, 2008

Western Hardwood Announces the Release of the Colorado Collection of Solid Hardwood Flooring

Western Hardwood announces the release of the Colorado Collection of solid hickory, cherry and oak hardwood flooring. This collection focuses on a natural look and Colorado's western mountain heritage, and free delivery inquiries are welcomed.

(PRWEB) March 24, 2008 -- Western Hardwood, located in Montrose, announces the release of the Colorado Collection of solid hardwood flooring. The series features several wood species, including hickory, cherry, and oak hardwood flooring, and has been researched by professionals in the business in order to create a high quality designer look at a fraction of the cost. Customers may also inquire about free delivery within a 350 mile radius for those who purchase materials from the new collection.

The Colorado Collection intends to recreate the authentic hickory, cherry, and oak hardwood flooring of the Colorado tradition. The founders, Steve and Dale Zahniser, have roots and background in the western look and feel of the Colorado heritage, and what they have done with this solid hardwood flooring collection brings to mind the appearance and ambience of a rich mountain lodge.

Western Hardwood's Director of Sales, Steve Zahniser, is proud of the work done to create the new collection. "The Colorado Collection is a high grade character floor that compares to the very expensive designer look but for a much more reasonable price," Zahniser said. "It has that character look with lots of natural wood color, and in some species of wood a reclaimed look that many manufacturers charge 15 to 25 dollars per square foot. We offer that same look for a fraction of the cost."

The proprietors of Western Hardwood pride themselves on the organic look and rustic feel of the new Colorado Collection, and feel that they offer a product that larger manufacturers and designers cannot.

Zahniser continued: "Some solid hardwood flooring with this look has too many short lengths and more knots and does not look natural. The Colorado Collection is a more natural looking product. When you install it as your flooring, it has the right amount of knots, combined with a good board length. When installed, it will be a natural looking floor with a balanced amount of clear boards, knots, and color throughout the floor."

For more information about the Colorado Collection's selections of hickory, cherry, and oak hardwood flooring, visit Westhardwood.com.

About Western Hardwood:

Western Hardwood is located in Montrose, Colorado, and offers a complete line of solid and engineered wood flooring products. Their new Colorado Collection reflects the look and feel of rustic, richly furnished mountain lodges and cabins, and focuses on character, with natural wood color and a reclaimed look. Western Hardwood sells to installers, DIY homeowners, interior design professionals, and retailers.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 04:16 AM | Comments (0)

FenceQuotes.com to Help Improve Sales in Fence and Railing Industry

Online Lead Generation Site Makes Finding Targeted Customers Simpler Than Ever

New York, NY (PRWEB) March 24, 2008 -- Today’s $6 billion residential and commercial fence industry just received a new shot in the arm, with the launch of FenceQuotes.com. A revolutionary online sales and lead generation provider, FenceQuotes.com offers more targeted and qualified leads exclusively for the fence, deck and railing industry.

According to research by Steve Van Kouteren, at Principia Partners, the housing downturn has affected the overall demand for residential fence and will continue to do so over the next few years. The need for fast, effective and targeted leads for the fencing industry has become even more critical as demand from both the residential and consumer markets slow.

FenceQuotes.com connects qualified, ready-to-buy commercial and residential fence, deck and railing buyers with Fence installation, Deck Installation and Railing Installation local contractors, directly online. Online lead generation has proven to be much more effective and inexpensive than traditional forms of advertising.

Unlike other lead generation providers, FenceQuotes.com customers are only charged for each qualified lead they receive. There are no hidden maintenance, set-up or additional fees for this service. Fencing providers just sign up and go. FenceQuotes.com frees sales teams from the time and expense of advertising campaigns, while empowering them to quickly and easily close more sales.

FenceQuotes.com currently has a free trial offer and will provide $100 in qualified leads to fence companies and contractors, nationwide. This trial offer is without obligation and no contract or credit card information is required. Contractors can go to www.FenceQuotes.com and log in for the free trial.

“We’re so positive that FenceQuote.com is going to change the way that fence, deck and railing contractors do business, we’re giving them the chance to try it for free,” said CEO Ben Kirshner. “The trial offer will allow potential customers to take our system for a test drive and let the results speak for themselves.”

About FenceQuotes.com

FenceQuotes.com is a division of Service Leads Inc., the market leader in online lead generation with more than twenty industry-specific websites dedicated to helping companies effortlessly grow their business through online qualified sales leads. Founded in 2005, Service Leads is headquartered in New York City and employs the industry’s top software development, search engine and online marketing experts to deliver the most targeted leads to its customers. For more information regarding FenceQuotes.com, go to www.FenceQuotes.com or call 646-536-9276.

Media Contact:
Ben Kirshner
FenceQuotes.com
admin@fencequotes.com
646-536-9276

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 04:15 AM | Comments (0)

New ViSpa Floor Matting Helps Prevent Slip and Fall in Histology Labs

Martinson-Nicholls new ViSpa floor matting helps combat the dangers of slips and falls from paraffin wax on the floors of histology labs. The continuous filament-bonded matting catches paraffin in the weave, while a special surfactant prevents the wax from sticking to the surface.

Cleveland, OH (PRWEB) March 24, 2008 -- Martinson-Nicholls, a pioneer in creating new anti-slip floor mats, created ViSpa floor matting to prevent slips and falls in medical, chemical and industrial laboratories. For years, histology labs have contended with the dangers of paraffin wax dropping on the floor, creating extremely dangerous footing situations.

The Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland laboratory, one of many who experience the problem, was the first to pursue a solution. According to Gwen Goss, lab manager of anatomic pathology, "We had a surgeon who broke his wrist when he slipped in the hall on paraffin that had been tracked there from the lab. We contacted Martinson-Nicholls for matting to eliminate the slippery floors."

A distributor of 3M Safety Walk and Nomad Matting, Martinson-Nicholls was already providing the Cleveland Clinic labs with floor matting, but the lab needed matting that would eliminate slippery floors in and around the paraffin processing rooms. The lab was willing to help test any new products that might help solve this problem.

Dan Ruminski, president of Martinson-Nicholls, came up with a solution--larger versions of ViSpa floor mats that were being used for other applications in medical, chemical and industrial laboratories. Made of vinyl, the non-woven, continuous filament-bonded ViSpa matting withstands the constant abuse of foot traffic, paraffin spillage, and even corrosive, including sulfuric acid.

The continuous filament-bonded matting traps paraffin-embedded cuttings, while a special surfactant prevents the wax from sticking to the surface. For cleaning, the matting can be shaken, vacuumed, or rinsed with water.

"We used everything, chromic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, multiple stains," Goss said of the testing. "ViSpa floor matting stood up against it all."

The anti slip carpet mats are offered in sizes of 3' x 5' or 4' x 6' in four colors.

About Martinson-Nicholls
Martinson-Nicholls, has established itself as a leader in custom floor matting, heated floor mats, and safety solutions over the last 25 years.

Martinson-Nicholls provides the customer with the exact size needed-small, large, standard, nonstandard, special shapes and logos. Custom installations are also a specialty of the company.

Anti-slip safety tapes and treads are available in various sizes and textures from hand cut or die cut pieces to full rolls and special shapes.

Martinson-Nicholls concentrates on floor safety, noise reduction, and anti-fatigue and indoor and outdoor heated floor mat applications. They welcome the special applications that our customers present, as this has enabled them to satisfy come very unique and unusual problems for customers. For more information, please visit www.floormat.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 04:15 AM | Comments (0)

Americas Watchdog Urges US Homeowners With Good Credit To Use American Interbanc When Refinancing or Financing In Order To Get The Best Deal

In 2007 Americas Watchdog endorsed American Interbanc as the best mortgage lender in the United states for individuals with good to excellent credit. The group made this endorsement because of American Interbanc's commitment to ethics, and its commitment to excellent rates. Americas Watchdog is now warning that unscrupulous lenders will use bait and switch tactics to lure homeowners in to a more expensive interest rate or more expensive mortgage than what American Interbanc may have available. However, with recent real estate market changes consumers need to be informed about their homes actual worth.

(PRWEB) March 24, 2008 -- Americas Watchdog is strongly encouraging US homeowners or consumers with good to excellent credit to use American Interbanc for their next home purchase finance or home refinance. Americas Watchdog has endorsed American Interbanc as the most ethical and best priced mortgage lender for consumer with good to excellent credit. American Interbanc's web site is at www.AmericanInterbanc.Com .

Americas Watchdog is warning US homeowners or consumers to be on the look out for mortgage lenders that are offering interest rates that sound to good to be true or mortgage programs that would be great if they actually existed. According to the group here are some issues all US homeowners have to come to terms with before they start the financing or refinancing process as follow:

Homeowners or consumers about to refinance or finance a home need to be aware that a credit score of 720 is now the magic number to qualify for the best conforming home loans available. Jumbo type mortgages may be much more expensive given the current mortgage problems in the US.
Homeowners wishing to refinance their home need to adjust their thoughts about their homes value, to reflect current US real estate values. As an example, many current homeowners think their homes value is still what it was at the peak of the real estate bubble in late 2005. In fact many US real estate markets have seen an adjustment of 20% to even 30% downwards. Homeowners need to be prepared for this when refinancing.
Homeowners need avoid Internet or advertising come-ons that offer interest rates that do not exist, or pitches that say let 250 bankers wrestle each other for the best rate. Americas Watchdog is advising all consumers to avoid mortgage lead generation companies because in the end, they have to get paid, which only serves to make the mortgage or refinance much more expensive for the consumer.
Americas Watchdog endorsed American Interbanc because the group believes that their loan pricing and their ethics are the best in the United States. Americas Watchdog also believes that it is critical that homeowners who have good credit get the best possible mortgage programs. Homeowners or consumers can call Americas Interbanc at 1-800-724-0004 or again they can visit their web site at www.AmericanInterbanc.Com .

Americas Watchdog is all about consumer protection & corporate fair play. Americas Watchdog's web site is located at Http://AmericasWatchdog.Com . For additional homeowners advice or information, consumers are encouraged to visit the Homeowners Consumer Center at Http://HomeOwnersConsumerCenter.Com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 04:13 AM | Comments (0)

Americas Watchdog Suggests Wall Street's Talk About An Economic Turn Around Is A Big Lie

Americas Watchdog and its National Mortgage Complaint Center are warning consumers, and investors to not to buy into Wall Street's hype and suggestions that "the stock markets are about to rebound". According to Americas, we are at just the starting point of a biblical-type financial disaster for the United States that has all the earmarks of the greatest single financial disaster since the Great Depression in the late 1920's or even worse.

(PRWEB) March 24, 2008 -- Americas Watchdog and its Corporate Whistle Blower Center are warning consumers or small investors to not buy into Wall Street's embellishments about a quick turn around in the economy, based on recent moves by the Federal Reserve. Americas Watchdog says, "lower interest rates for Wall Street banks are not translating into lower mortgage rates and they will cause widespread inflation in US food and energy prices". In 2005, everyone on Wall Street and Congress were slapping themselves on the back for US home ownership reaching the highest levels in history. What almost everyone failed to see was that the value of the real estate was over inflated by as much as 40 percent, and when prices came crashing back to earth, consumers, investors, US pension funds and even greedy financial institutions would all be seriously at risk". Contrary to the analysis of Wall Street insiders and cheer leaders promoting investors to get back into the stock market, Americas Watchdog is suggesting the following as reasons to be very, very careful when dealing with Wall Street self promotions.

US Residential Real Estate: Real estate agent type groups are running TV advertising promoting the US real estate market as the most attractive it has been in years, and foreclosure hucksters are saying "buy now". According to Americas Watchdog; "why buy a house today that will be worth 20 percent less in many metro markets by the end of 2009?" Americas Watchdog's National Mortgage Complaint Center expects a 10 percent nationwide decline in US values in 2008, and a 10 percent decline in 2009. Americas Watchdog is on record as saying that they expect 2 million foreclosures in 2008, and at least 2 million foreclosures in 2009. The National Mortgage Complaint Center is indicating that 1 out of every 7 US homes has a mortgage balance greater than the home's worth. By the end of 2009, the ratio could be 1 out of 5 US homes with a mortgage balance greater than the home's worth. The National Mortgage Complaint Center's web site is located at Http://NationalMortgageComplaintCenter.Com

US Commercial Real Estate: US commercial real estate, investment devises called REIT's are all very risky propositions given the current outlook for the US economy. Americas Watchdog expects US commercial REIT's & US Commercial/Retail real estate to suffer from lower demand and rents in 2008 and 2009 because of the dire economic conditions in the US. Americas Watchdog expects to see hundreds of speculative high rise condo projects go into foreclosure in 2008 & 2009.

US Pension Funds: US pension funds will be the next large investor group to indicate that they are in very deep trouble. According to Americas Watchdog, "pension fund advisers in many cases foolishly purchased mortgage backed securities, that now may only be worth $0.65 on the dollar. The fund advisers did little to no due diligence, with respect to the mortgage backed security (MBS) portfolios they were buying. As a result some pension funds could be sitting on mortgage time bombs. The problem: the fund adviser may not want to admit to the actual pension fund, they failed to look at what they were buying, or they were simply blinded by a big commission".

Tens of Thousands of US citizens were told by a US bank, US financial institution or a stock broker that a "auction rate preferred share" (ARPS) was just like a money market account or a CD with the ability to "cash out at anytime". Now these same small, and big investors are being told their money is not currently available, and it could be nine months before they get their money. According to Americas Watchdog, "our big fear on auction rate preferred shares is the investors may not get their money back for years, if at all. ARPS may be one of the worst cases of fraud in US history". The group suggests, if the auction rate preferred shares fail, small US investors could be left holding the bag for hundreds of billions of dollars.

Because of US and other banks inability to refund tens of thousands of Americans investment in "auction rate preferred shares"(ARPS), Americas Watchdog is now strongly encouraging all US consumers to not have more than $100,000 in any one US bank. Having deposits of less than $100,000 in federally insured banks according to the group is a "smart proactive move, given obvious liquidity issues with some of the largest banks in the US".

According to Americas Watchdog, speaking of the biggest case of fraud in US history; "currently at least 50 million US homeowners pay a higher monthly mortgage payment because the bank or mortgage banker who provided the consumer with the loan, was not required to disclose a kick back called a yield spread premium (a kick back for inflating the homeowners interest rate/monthly mortgage payment). The best Congress has done so far about this gigantic kick back scheme is nothing. However, in an attempt to make it look like they are doing something, Congress may attempt to require mortgage brokers to go through back ground checks. The irony is that mortgage brokers are required to disclose the yield spread premium kick backs". Americas Watchdog is demanding that in an election year, Congress must make the mortgage process and mortgage fees 100% transparent, regardless if it is a bank or mortgage banker or a mortgage broker, with respect to kick backs for inflating a US citizens mortgage interest rate/ monthly mortgage payment.

Americas Watchdog thinks its time for a little honesty and integrity, from our elected leaders. At the same time Americas Watchdog thinks its time for Wall Street promoters to go packing. According to the group, "it might take a up to a generation for the nation to recover from Wall Street's unbridled greed, their lies, and the costs associated with the best US Congress money can buy".

Americas Watchdog and its Corporate Whistle Blower Center are all about consumer/shareholder protection and corporate integrity or the lack thereof. Americas Watchdogs web site is located at Http://AmericasWatchdog.Com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 04:13 AM | Comments (0)

ExhibitOne Named Top 10 Company for Third Year in a Row

For the third year in a row, Phoenix-based ExhibitOne Corporation has been recognized by the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce as a Top 10 IMPACT Award company.

(PRWEB) March 24, 2008 -- ExhibitOne is being recognized as a part of the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce annual IMPACT Award program, which evaluates companies of 100 or fewer employees on the basis of numerous criteria, including innovation, community involvement, management of challenges, and the company's overall manner of business.

This year's announcement comes as ExhibitOne celebrates its 10-year anniversary and quickly approaches its next milestone of 1,000 integrations throughout the country.

Company CEO and President Kevin Sandler said, "For our clients and those looking to do business with ExhibitOne, the recognition represents a reaffirmation of our long-standing commitment to being a true partner in business rather than just another vendor."

Sandler noted that much of the focus for ExhibitOne in this year's competition was on the commitment and contributions its employees have made to customers and to ExhibitOne itself. "This last year was exceptionally strong for us and laid the groundwork for solid growth in the years to come," said Sandler. "Our team has done a phenomenal job. The Chamber's recognition through an award program called IMPACT is quite apropos."

This is the 21st year for the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce IMPACT Award program.

The Chamber currently represents more than 4,100 businesses in the Phoenix area.

About ExhibitOne Corporation
Celebrating its 10th anniversary in the audio/visual technology industry, ExhibitOne is the country's leading design and engineering firm for integrating presentation and telepresence technologies. ExhibitOne designs, engineers, integrates, and supports custom audio/visual and videoconferencing systems for highly unique environments such as courtrooms, conference rooms, classrooms, auditoriums, casinos, medical facilities, and emergency operations centers. For more information, please visit http://www.ExhibitOne.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 04:10 AM | Comments (0)

GarageDoorDeadboltStore.com Provides More Than an Internet Point of Purchase for Garage Door Remote Deadbolt Lock System

Encinitas inventor entrusts Garagedoordeadboltstore.com, to market ''The Garage Door Lock' as the warehouse distributor offers up selling power, market insight and a winning strategy to fill the need created by an increase in home burglaries.

San Diego, California (PRWEB) March 23, 2008 -- Garagedoordeadboltstore.com has been chosen to market a North County inventor's patented electronic garage door deadbolt lock system.

Garagedoordeadblotstore.com, a division of Kraftwerk Solutions, LLC, was co-founded in San Diego by a team of entrepreneurs eager to provide solutions to everyman's quandary. Success driven, the group uncovered Bryan White's product through a mutual acquaintance and offered guerilla-marketing solutions previously un-attempted by White. Barron Hansen, co founder of Gargedooerdeadboltstore.com states, "We immediately recognized that the safety and security benefits offered by The Garage Door Lock filled a real consumer need and we knew that this was a product for everyone with a garage storing valuables."

It took White six years to develop 'The Garage Door Lock' (GDL) an electronic locking system that works with all garage door openers. The police endorsed GDL is a superior lock compatible with all residential garage door openers and is simple to use. A press of the button opens and closes the garage door and locks and unlocks the two-inch solid steel deadbolts. GDL has an auto-close feature that will automatically close the door if the user forgets to and a visible red LED indicates the system is working.

Today, the family car is parked in the driveway and the garage has become a vault for expensive, valuable and often irreplaceable items. The garage has also become a prime target for burglaries and break-ins. Not only is the garage a storehouse of costly and important property it is also an attractive entry for burglars into the home.

Police statistics show that one out of six homes will be burglarized this year. Police note that garages usually house ladders and tools that can be used by the criminals to break into the home. Garage security and locking systems have not changed all that much until 'The Garage Door Lock'.

"In order to prevent these types of burglaries, the first thing I had to do was learn how to break into garages," said White. "It's frightening just how quick and easy it is to pop open an automatic garage door with a coat hanger."

The strategic relationship between White and Garagedoordeadboltstore.com establishes The Garage Door Lock in more markets than previously recognized. A member of the International Door Association (IDA) and National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (NBFAA), Gargedoordeadboltstore.com is partnering with established security professionals, and garage door manufactures in a concerted effort to integrate and improve upon existing systems.

Garagedoordeadboltstore.com is also nurturing relationships with the National Association Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR), the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), National Association of Realtors (NAR), and the United States Cycling Federation (USCF) in an effort to educate consumers and professionals about security as it pertains to storage in the 21st century garage.

Hanson states, "As seen on HGTV, the market for The Garage Door Lock is growing daily as consumers spend more money and more time redefining the multifunctional use of their garages."

Gargedoordeadboltstore.com markets The Garage Door Lock online in Single Head Rolling & Fixed Code Garage Door Locks or Dual Head Rolling & Fixed Code Garage Door Locks with additional remote controls and a wireless keypad sold separately or in combination. The product is available wholesale with a valid resellers permit and can also be privately branded to work with an integrated product line.

For additional information on the news that is the subject of this release contact Barron Hanson or visit http://www.garagedoordeadboltstore.com. The Garage Door Lock is Elocksys Inc's patented deadbolt locking system for garage doors. Brian White, co-founder of Elocksys, Inc. and inventor of The Garage Door Lock, is available to media planners for interviews through Garagedoordeadboltstore.com.

About Garagedoordeadboltstore.com:
Garagedoordeadboltstore.com is a division of Kraftwerk Solutions, LLC formed to provide solutions to everyman's quandary. The Company handles all levels of delivery including but not limited to online retail, dealer direct sales, chain supply and international export.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 04:10 AM | Comments (0)

Fix the Home Looking for Articles for its Website

Submit home improvement ideas, tips, and advice in the form of short articles to FixtheHome.com and have your work published to the website along with a link to your own website.

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) March 22, 2008 -- Fix the Home, a website where homeowners can get do-it-yourself home improvement tips and request free estimates from local contractors, is accepting articles covering home improvement tips, ideas, and advice. Fix the Home - http://www.fixthehome.com - provides informative, up-to-date information on all types of home improvement projects and is part of Lead Storm Media, a service that generates leads for websites.

Fix the Home accepts only original articles and needs to have exclusive rights to those articles. In return for articles, authors will receive a byline and a link to their website. This article submission is perfect for homeowners who have completed projects around their house and have advice to share or home improvement professionals who have home improvement wisdom to impart and would like a little recognition. The articles can be about anything home improvement related from fun landscaping ideas to how to install kitchen cabinets to what to think about when remodeling your basement. Articles can be informal and range from a half to two pages, but they need to be original and not published anywhere else. Email articles to press@leadstormmedia.com.

Aside from being a provider of home improvement information, Fix the Home lets homeowners that would like to hire a home improvement professional to help with their projects such as remodeling http://www.fixthehome.com/cat/remodeling/regions/cali/la/, siding installation http://www.fixthehome.com/cat/siding/regions/cali/sf/, or door replacement http://www.fixthehome.com/cat/windows/regions/cali/sandiego/.

Fix the Home wants to be a provider of information to homeowners, information that's valuable whether they plan to tackle the home improvement project themselves or get a contractor to help. Knowing more information, homeowners can reach a better decision on the amount of time the project will take to complete, get a good idea of what's involved with the project, what is needed to complete the work, and whether it might be worthwhile to hire a contractor to complete a part of or all of the project.

Help homeowners make a wise decision. Email articles to press@leadstormmedia.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 04:07 AM | Comments (0)

US Capital Advisors Celebrates Seven Year Anniversary

Michael Balan, President of US Capital Advisors, announced anniversary of US Capital Advisors 7th year in operation. US Capital Advisors is a Commercial Mortgage Banking firm that specializes in investment and owner occupied real estate financing.

Miami Beach, FL (PRWEB) March 22, 2008 -- Michael Balan, President, announced the anniversary of US Capital Advisors 7th year in operation. US Capital Advisors is a Commercial Mortgage Banking firm that specializes in investment and owner occupied real estate financing. US Capital Advisors provides advisory services to numerous local, national and international clients.

The company recently obtained financing for the following transactions:

Refinance of a retail center in the Design District.
Purchase of a ground floor retail condo unit on South Beach.
Historic rehab and build out for a Victoria's Secret in South Beach.
Purchase of a retail property in the Design District.
Refinance of an office building in Downtown Miami.
Purchase of two office condos in Coconut Grove.
Refinance of a mixed use loft property in Little River.
Refinance of a warehouse in Cutler Bay.
Renovation of a boutique hotel and addition of a spa/restaurant.
Purchase of a janitorial business in Los Angeles
Purchase of an established catering company and facility.

US Capital Advisors' relationships with the nations most prominent financing sources have afforded them the ability to obtain competitive financing despite the turbulence in today's credit markets.

Financing for any property, anywhere.

For Interview or Contact:
Michael Balan at US Capital Advisors, 305-672-8850, Fax 305-777-3211.
US Capital Advisors is located at: 1680 Michigan Avenue, Suite 1001, Miami Beach, FL 33139
www.uscapitaladvisors.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 04:07 AM | Comments (0)

ATC Presents Its Support for Mining Industries at 21st Biennial Fairbanks Alaska Mining Conference

Mining industries have big problems on their supplies of giant OTR tires worldwide. American Tire Corporation is doing its best to develop all sizes of OTR tires that miners need. This presentation at the 21st Biennial Fairbanks Alaska Mining Conference was part of ATC's effort to support global mining industries.

Fairbanks, Alaska (PRWEB) March 23, 2008 -- American Tire Corporation (ATC) presented its support for global mining industries at the 21st Biennial Fairbanks Alaska Mining Conference held at Westmark Hotel and Conference Center, Fairbanks, Alaska, from March 18 through March 22, 2008.

Dr. Abraham Hengyucius, ATC President, delivered the presentation on ATC's support for global mining industries by developing quality OTR tires of all sizes up to 59/80R63 on Friday morning, March 21, 2008.

During this 40-minute presentation, ATC's product range, production capacity, product performance, its plans on further capacity, and marketing strategy, etc., were detailed. ATC's bright outlook on market and product advantages vs. other brands of OTR tires was emphasized. An Q & A session was held at the end for detailed insights for attendees.

After this presentation, ATC delegation visited different mines and local distributors in northwest America.

Hosted by Alaska Miners Association, this is the 1st time but very successful for ATC to enter into Alaska. With objective to become the largest and best manufacturer for 63" and 57" tires, American Tire Corporation is a well-established OTR tire manufacturer which has had several "firsts" in the OTR tire industry. For more information, please check its website http://www.americantire.us

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 04:07 AM | Comments (0)

Free Design Tips: Build an Outdoor Living Room before Summer Arrives

Build an ideal outdoor living area for family and friends to enjoy this summer. The Concrete Network offers tips and design ideas for creating the perfect outdoor living room.

Yucaipa, CA (PRWEB) March 21, 2008 - Outdoor entertaining has long been a staple of American summers. These days, outdoor entertainment doesn't only consist of barbequing hamburgers, homeowners and builders are creating one of a kind outdoor living and entertaining areas that include many of the usual interior amenities. Today, there are many options and possibilities available with concrete for creating the perfect outdoor living room.

ConcreteNetwork.com, the most comprehensive resource for concrete information on the web, has highlighted top tips and design ideas to tackle this tedious task. Throughout its sections, the site includes tips to consider for creating a beautiful outdoor area by incorporating concrete.

Below is a sample of the many tips you can find on outdoor living room design:
1. Determine the size and layout of your outdoor space. This will depend on what activities you want to accommodate and the size of your property. Whether your outdoor room is small or large, you'll want to create zones to separate various activities--such as cooking, conversation and relaxation--while allowing for good traffic flow throughout the space.
2. Complement your home's architectural style. The patterns and colors possible with decorative concrete are unlimited. Narrow down the options by choosing a design scheme that harmonizes with your home and landscape and echoes the design of your indoor rooms.
3. Create a room with a view by orienting seating areas to overlook flowerbeds, water features and other attractive scenery.
4. Provide a sheltered retreat. Awnings, umbrellas, gazebos, and pergolas supported by decorative concrete columns are all ways to shelter your outdoor guests from harsh sunlight and light rain while creating intimacy.
5. Get help pulling it all together. Work with a landscape architect and decorative concrete contractor to make your design ideas reality. These professionals can help you plan an outdoor room that matches your budget, aesthetic and functional requirements.

These are just a few of the many factors to consider when building an outdoor area. Browse through the site's outdoor living rooms section for many more tips and tricks.

Read more about concrete.

Established in 1999, The Concrete Network's purpose is to educate consumers, builders, and contractors on popular decorative techniques and applications. These include stamped concrete, stained concrete floors, concrete countertops, polished concrete, and much more. In 2007 The Concrete Network Website had over 11 million visitors researching decorative concrete.

The site excels at connecting buyers with local contractors in their area through its Find a Concrete Contractor service. The service provides visitors with a list of decorative concrete contractors throughout the U.S. and Canada, and is fully searchable by 23 types of decorative concrete work and 202 regional areas throughout North America.

Attached photos courtesy of The Green Scene.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 03:31 AM | Comments (0)

Granite Construction Inspections Names Bill Lundy of Lundy Home Inspections as Inspector of the Quarter

Granite Construction Inspections (GCI) a national construction inspection company is proud to announce the Inspector of the Quarter for the 4th Quarter of 2007

Denver, CO (PRWEB) March 22, 2008 -- Granite Construction Inspections (GCI) a national construction inspection company is proud to announce the Inspector of the Quarter for the 4th Quarter of 2007. Bill Lundy of Lundy Home Inspections in Bend, Oregon has won "Outstanding in the Field" for his hard work and dedication to GCI.

Mr. Lundy's work consistency and dedication to exceeding expectations has made him a great success in the industry. Mr. Lundy can be reached by phone at 541-330-6961.

For more information about GCI's inspection services visit www.gcinpects.com or send an email to info @ gcinspects.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 03:28 AM | Comments (0)

Pilot Culminates in the First LEED-Certified House in Chester County Pennsylvania built by TMG Homes, Inc.

TMG Homes Inc. is hosting an open house for the first LEED certified home to be built in Chester County Pennsylvania. A green home uses less energy, water and natural resources. It also creates less waste and is healthier and more comfortable for the occupants. Benefits of a green home include lower energy and water bills, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and less exposure to mold, mildew and other indoor toxins.

Glenmoore, PA (PRWEB) March 21, 2008 -- TMG Homes, Inc., will host an open house on Sunday, April 6, for the first LEED-certified house built in Chester County. LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a green building program run by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). In 2005, LEED began piloting a program for residential homes involving about 400 builders across the U.S. TMG Homes is the only builder in Chester County that participated in the pilot and now, with construction completed, is ready to open the house to the public.

"We're very excited to show this house off to the local community," says Chadd Martin, Vice President of TMG Homes. "Interest in green home building is gaining momentum, but there are still a lot of folks who are unsure about the process and the benefits. This house will serve as a model for what a green house looks like and how it works."

A green home uses less energy, water and natural resources. It also creates less waste and is healthier and more comfortable for the occupants. Benefits of a green home include lower energy and water bills, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and less exposure to mold, mildew and other indoor toxins.

According to Martin, it is this latter concept that he and partner Torrey Marks will try to impress upon visitors to the open house. "Most people think about the health of the environment when they think about going green," Martin says. "The environment is important, but we also want people to realize that green homes are healthier to live in, as well. And LEED-certified homes represent the absolute highest standard of healthier, more sustainable living."

LEED is a nationally recognized, third-party certification system that's based on measurable results. As such, LEED recognizes the highest quality in green homebuilding. LEED-certified homes are energy efficient, use non-toxic building materials, are water-smart, and respect the environment in which they're constructed. Best of all, these benefits don't come with a hefty price tag -- the net cost of owning a green home is comparable to that of owning a conventional home.

The first LEED-certified house in Chester County is located at 1560 Knob Hill Rd in Chester Springs, PA. Visitors can tour the house and talk with both Martin and Marks on April 6, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

For additional information about the open house or TMG Homes, contact Chadd Martin at (484) 645-7104. You can also find TMG Homes on the Web at

About TMG Homes, Inc.
TMG Homes is one of the area's premier green builders and the first to build a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified house. Our mission is to build homes to a higher standard using green building methods and materials that encourage healthier living, are energy efficient and minimize the impact on the environment. We belong to the United States Green Building Council, a nonprofit organization working to advance structures that are healthy, profitable and environmentally responsible places to live and work. We also participate in the ENERGY STAR program to build ENERGY STAR-qualified homes that save homeowners 30 percent on their energy bills every year.

TMG Homes was founded in 2005 and builds homes throughout Chester, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties. The company is one of the top 20 builders in this region, according to the Philadelphia Business Journal.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 03:28 AM | Comments (0)

Harris Teeter Leases at Constitution Square in NoMa, Washington, D.C.

Harris Teeter will open a 50,000 square foot full-service grocery store in the rapidly emerging NoMa (north of Massachusetts Avenue) neighborhood of Washington, D.C., under a 20-year lease announced today by StonebridgeCarras. The upscale North Carolina-based grocery chain will locate at Constitution Square, a mixed-use complex located directly west of the New York Avenue Metro station in the heart of NoMa. The store, located at the corner of First and M Streets, N.E., is scheduled to open in the winter of 2010/2011.

Washington, D.C. (PRWEB) March 21, 2008 -- Harris Teeter will open a 50,000 square foot full-service grocery store in the rapidly emerging NoMa (north of Massachusetts Avenue) neighborhood of Washington, D.C., under a 20-year lease announced today by StonebridgeCarras. The upscale North Carolina-based grocery chain will locate at Constitution Square, a mixed-use complex located directly west of the New York Avenue Metro station in the heart of NoMa. The store, located at the corner of First and M Streets, N.E., is scheduled to open in the winter of 2010/2011.

Constitution Square, under development by affiliates of StonebridgeCarras of Bethesda, MD and Walton Street Capital of Chicago, IL, was recently selected for a 521,000 square foot 15-year lease for the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ). This lease announcement came a day after NPR announced its decision to relocate its headquarters to 1111 North Capitol Street, N.E. in NoMa.

Constitution Square's first phase of development, scheduled to break ground in April and deliver in 2010, will total 1.6 million SF and include the Harris Teeter Store; Two Constitution Square with 589,000 SF, 88 percent of which will be occupied by the Department of Justice; the 340,000 SF One Constitution Square speculative office development; a residential building with 440 apartments; and 30,000 square feet of additional retail space.

The KLNB Retail team of Cary Judd and Melissa Lower Welch represented Harris Teeter in the lease transaction. JBG Rosenfeld Retail is the leasing agent for the balance of the Constitution Square retail space. SK&I Architectural Group of Bethesda, MD is the architect for the retail and residential components of Constitution Square.

A key aspect of completing this transaction was the District's commitment to provide a tax incentive to assist with the cost of providing 150 parking spaces for the Harris Teeter store. The Constitution Square Economic Development Act of 2008 was passed by the District of Columbia Council in January, 2008 and signed into law on January 29, 2008 by Mayor Adrian M. Fenty.

"We talk a lot about the importance of building dynamic new neighborhoods -- and NoMa is Exhibit A," said Mayor Fenty. "First NPR, then the Justice Department, and now a high-end, full- service grocery store -- all within a few feet of a Metrorail station. It's clear now that NoMa is no longer just a plan - it's a reality."

"The vision of NoMa is a true mixed-use environment - combining office, retail, and residential uses to create a neighborhood out of a former industrial warehouse center," commented StonebridgeCarras Principal Doug Firstenberg. "To truly accomplish that vision requires a great grocery store. Harris Teeter simply represents the best grocer to help us create this neighborhood. We greatly appreciate the District's support with enactment of special legislation to address the challenges of providing the right plan and parking necessary to attract a quality store such as Harris Teeter to an urban location."

"Harris Teeter has been studying the NoMa market for the past several years," noted Harris Teeter President Fred Morganthall. "We found that Constitution Square's mixed-use plan provides the type of urban location where we can provide an outstanding grocery store and become an
integral member of this emerging commercial and residential community."

Morgenthall added: "To create a 50,000 square foot store on a single level is highly unusual at the hub of a burgeoning urban area like NoMa. The combination of the location, the quality of the Constitution Square development, and the floor plan of the store will allow us to bring all of the best aspects of Harris Teeter stores to NoMa, such as our Fresh Foods Market, Fisherman's Market, and Farmer's Market."

"Our shared vision for NoMa has been a mixed-use, walkable, livable community that enhances the quality of life for the existing residents while also attracting new residents to this growing area," noted District of Columbia Council Member Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6), whose Ward includes Constitution Square. "A critical component to achieving this vision is having an easily accessible full service grocery store. Bringing Harris Teeter to Constitution Square and NoMa fulfills this key need."

"The District needs to carefully target its investment in development projects that will both meet the needs of our citizens as well as provide a reasonable return on our investment," said Council Member Jack Evans (D-Ward 2), who co-sponsored the Constitution Square legislation. "At Constitution Square, the District has been able to help secure a Harris Teeter grocery store that will meet the needs of our current citizens and help attract new residents, and already has been instrumental in attracting the Department of Justice and NPR to NoMa."

"It is quite unique for a high-end, full-service grocery store like Harris Teeter to commit to a new store so early in the development of an emerging neighborhood," said Elizabeth Price, President of the NoMa Business Improvement District. "You just have to look at how grocery stores have transformed neighborhoods in other parts of the District to realize the significance of this lease."

NoMa is an emerging mixed-use neighborhood north of the U.S. Capitol and Union Station in Washington DC. Private developers have invested approximately $1.5 billion to date with plans to develop over 20 million square feet of office, residential, hotel, and retail space in the area covered by the NoMa BID over the next 10 years. The BID provides daily street and sidewalk cleaning, safety ambassadors, marketing, events, and other services to make NoMa a clean, safe, and vibrant neighborhood for businesses, residents, and visitors.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 03:27 AM | Comments (0)

Sunwest Management - Service Above and Beyond the Call of Duty

Sunwest Management staff protects its residents and their families during the largest ice storm to hit Oklahoma. Sunwest Cares.

Salem, Oregon (PRWEB) March 20, 2008 -- Oklahama. Eleven senior living facilities, 740 residents and the worst ice storm in the state's history. In the dead of winter have you ever lost power in your home? Did your mind begin to race to decide how you could feed your family and keep them warm? Imagine the decision-making process when your home houses 50-100 people and their average age is 80. These are the circumstances the Sunwest administrators faced beginning on Monday December 10, 2007 at 1:20 am, that's when the first phone call from an Oklahoma City property that had lost power. At 6:00 am the second call came from Cedar Ridge in Broken Arrow with the news that it, too, was without power. Then the Statesman Club in Oklahoma City called to say they had lost power to half of their facility.

What did Sunwest Management do? Our regional manager made calls to all other facilities in the grasp of this ice storm to find that all administrators were searching for generators. Then the administrators were searching for electricians to install the generators. At the same time those administrators were communicating with state regulators, the corporate home office, families of the residents and staff of the facility.

The administrators watched the temperature in their buildings. Some facilities had gas stoves so the staff cooked breakfast and made coffee. Other facilities had a gas fireplace in the living and dining room and where all the residents gathered. All residents were kept calm and warm. The administrators were in regular communication with the corporate office in Salem, Oregon.

By mid-afternoon there was still no power. The administrators began to make arrangements to move all the Memory Care residents. Hotels throughout the area were booked and many of them were without electricity. One facility had a maintenance man who had previously driven a school bus for many years. He was the best driver to take our residents to one of our facilities that had not lost services. The resident aids on duty got blankets, pillows and extra clothing for the residents. The medicine cart and all necessary medical items were loaded on the bus.

The administrator at the receiving facility, who just three days before had lost her brother, is there to receive the bus load of guests with an open door and an open heart. She did whatever it took to settle the guests for the duration of the storm.

Several administrators spent the night with their residents. Our facilities also sheltered our employees and their families who were without power. One administrator with 155 residents didn't leave her building for three days and nights. She kept her residents in the area with heat and organized parties! Our staff members didn't miss a single shift, regardless of where their residents were located and they did what needed to be done to keep their residents needs met and comfortable. This effort included emergency runs to stores that were open for more towels, shampoo and deodorant.

Our fire department came by to see if we needed help. That is when our staff discovered that the fire department had responded to 40-50 fires a night and their fire station was without power. Our staff cooked a pot of hot soup and cornbread and took it to the fire stations.

By Wednesday afternoon all residents were able to return home to warm buildings and a hot meal. When the storm had passed our residents were moved back home. There were tears of joy, as the residents got off the bus and passed through a line of hugs from staff saying "Welcome home, we love you"!

Sunwest Management worked as a team to protect our residents in the face of this natural disaster. Our facility administrators praised our home office for the support and problem-solving assistance they received. Our home office praised our administrators for their care of our residents.

Sunwest Management, Inc. is a Salem, Oregon based company founded in 1991 to provide professional management services for assisted living, retirement and memory care communities throughout North America. As a national leader in senior housing, Sunwest Management has a commitment to honor our senior residents with a comfortable, quality living experience. To contact Sunwest Management, call (503) 375-9016 or visit our web site at www.SunwestManagement.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 03:23 AM | Comments (0)

Modular Homes Come of Age

Builders looking for a different option in a soft housing market are tuning into the benefits of modular construction and what HandCrafted Homes, LLC offers. The look and appearance of modular homes is no different than a traditional stick frame home. Builders' gain quality, speed and a green way of constructing a home.

Henderson, NC (PRWEB) March 20, 2008 -- Homebuilders are learning that there is a very 'green' side to modular homes. Factory-built homes are more "green" than most site-built homes. Steven Winter, of Steven Winter Associates, is chairman of the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED for Homes program which, rates homes for green certification on a number of criteria. Says Winter, "Because they're built in a factory and much of the lumber is pre-cut, there is less scrap and waste; the cut-off pieces are often ground up and recycled; the central location of a factory means no wasted transportation to get workers to an isolated job site, so there's a savings in fuel and energy. So, in a whole array of material savings attributes, time saving attributes, energy savings attributes, systems built homes go a long way toward achieving green objectives."

The National Association of Home Builders credits modular homes as being one of the fastest-growing segments of the residential construction industry, growing by 48% from 1992 - 2002. In 2004, a reported 42,700 modular homes were built in the United States, and in the northeast, modulars account for 1 out of every 10 homes built.

Modular homes - homes assembled as modules in a factory, then trucked to a home site to be assembled, are doing for the housing industry what ol' Henry did for the automobile - building them better, faster, and for less money than site built homes.

According to Chris Bailey, Director of Sales and Marketing for HandCrafted Homes a modular home producer in Henderson, NC, "Mobile homes are built to a different set of codes. The frame that the wheels are attached to for moving a manufactured home is permanently attached to the unit, so the codes and the construction are more like those of an RV than a permanent home. Modular homes, once they're set in place on a permanent foundation, aren't expected to move again. They have to meet all the codes of a site-built home, and sometimes more."

Looking at the finished products you might never be able to tell the difference between a modular and a site-built home. All the amenities that you would expect to find in a custom site-built home can be included in a modular, even higher-end features such as granite countertops, custom cabinetry, hardwood floors and spa tubs. The big differences are more in the how the home is constructed and the time it takes to build.

"Building a modular home is more like a surgical insertion - you put the foundation in and set the modules in place with a crane. Neighbors leave for work in the morning looking at a bare foundation and come home that evening to see a house - with windows, doors, roof and nearly-finished interior," says Bill Murray, General Manager of HandCrafted Homes, LLC. The "buttoning up" process - connecting the utilities, finish grading and landscaping, and some interior finish work is all that's left. In many cases, even the appliances are installed at the factory.

Speed of construction isn't the only reason modular homes are gaining in popularity. The brochure Modular Homes: The New Face of Home Building, produced by the Modular Building Systems Council, sites quality control, cost control, and energy efficiency as areas in which factory-built homes excel.

If there was a down side to modular homes, it was that the home had to be designed to be built in components and that they looked, well, modular. That no longer seems to be the case. The demand for greater character and individuality has prompted modular producers to continue to become more innovative in their designs and styles. Again quoting from the brochure Modular Homes: The New Face of Home Building, "Today's modular homes rival any site-built structure in design and functionality."

While the building business has experienced a slowdown over the recent year, HandCrafted Homes is busier than ever, largely due to the speed in which a modular home can be designed, delivered and completed. "We're getting more leads than we can effectively take care of, so we're passing leads over to our modular suppliers and other dealers in the region." Murray ads.

HandCrafted Homes, LLC offers guided tours each Saturday at 10:00am at their manufacturing facility in Hendersonville, NC. HandCrafted Homes, LLC will show you the advantages of modular construction and how you can benefit with this type of construction.

Resources:

Bill Murray
General Manager
HandCrafted Homes, LLC
101 Eastern Minerals Road
Henderson, NC 27536
252.436.0001 x101
252.430.6662 fax
www.handcraftedhomes.com
bmurray(at)handcraftedhomes.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 03:22 AM | Comments (0)

California Foreclosure Declines a Welcome Break Foreclosures Drop in February

ForeclosureRadar (www.foreclosureradar.com), the only website that tracks every California foreclosure with daily auction updates, today issued its monthly California Foreclosure Report. Statewide foreclosure rates declined in February, even on a daily average basis.

Discovery Bay, CA (PRWEB) March 20, 2008 -- ForeclosureRadar (www.foreclosureradar.com), the only website that tracks every California foreclosure with daily auction updates, today issued its monthly California Foreclosure Report. Statewide foreclosure rates declined in February, even on a daily average basis. Foreclosure sales at auction declined 15 percent to 16,931 sales with a combined loan value of $6.85 Billion. Notices of Defaults, the first step in the foreclosure process, were down 7.6 percent to 37,362. There were 18,636 Notices of Trustee Sale, which set the auction date and time, down 20 percent from January. Despite the declines the numbers are significantly higher than Q4'07 averages, - defaults higher by 26 percent, and foreclosure sales higher by 36 percent.

"February declines are a welcome break from the astonishing increases in December, 2007 and January, 2008," said Sean O'Toole, founder of ForeclosureRadar. "Unfortunately, those increases and the continued withdrawal of lending options point to more trouble ahead. Based on current activity levels, we still do not expect foreclosures to peak earlier than the third or fourth quarter of 2008."

Lenders continue to take back 98 percent of foreclosures at auction, despite offering substantial discounts. A year ago opening bids were discounted 30 percent or more on just 3 percent of sales. Today, 77 percent of sales are discounted an average of 19 percent and 31 percent are discounted 30 percent or more.

Of the foreclosed loans for which ForeclosureRadar has determined loan position, 98 percent were first mortgages with the majority of those properties having their second mortgage wiped out at sale. The majority of foreclosed loans were originated in 2006 (46 percent), followed closely by 2005 (36 percent), and for the first time 2007 (10 percent) which overtook 2004 (5 percent).

At the county level, the majority of large counties saw overall foreclosure declines, while a number of smaller inland counties saw continued increases despite the overall decline.

See Graph of Statewide Trends

See Table of County Foreclosure Activity

California Foreclosure Report Methodology
Rankings are based on population per foreclosure sale. NOD indicates the number of Notices of Default that were filed at the county, and NTS indicates filed Notices of Trustee Sale. Sales indicates the number of properties sold at foreclosure auction, including those "sold" back to the lender. Percentage changes are based on monthly Sales. The data presented by ForeclosureRadar is based on county records and individual sales results from daily foreclosure auctions throughout the state - not estimates or projections.

About ForeclosureRadar.com
ForeclosureRadar is the only web site that tracksevery foreclosure in California with daily updates on all foreclosure auctions. ForeclosureRadarfeatures unprecedented tools to search, manage, track and analyze preforeclosure, foreclosure auction, short sale and bank owned real estate. The web site was launched in May 2007 by Sean O'Toole, who spent 15 years building and launching software companies before entering the foreclosure business in 2002 where he has successfully bought and sold more than 150 foreclosure properties. ForeclosureRadar is an indispensable resource for real estate agents, brokers, lenders, investors, mortgage brokers, attorneys and other real estate professionals specializing in the California real estate market.

Sign up to receive the California Foreclosure Report.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 03:22 AM | Comments (0)

Conservatory Land Adds Cream to their Bespoke Conservatories Range

More homeowners than ever before are becoming aware of the extra kerb appeal created by choosing coloured profiles for their new conservatory.

Mansfield, Nottinghamshire (PRWEB) March 20, 2008 -- ConservatoryLand, based in Mansfield supplies high quality DIY conservatories for easy self-assembly to homeowners across the UK and offshore.

One homeowner that has created a stunning addition to their property is Mr M.Yousif of Sheffield who recently installed a cream coloured conservatory manufactured and supplied by ConservatoryLand. Mr Yousif, the owner of the property, explains: "Having a cream conservatory really sets off the whole house. Our friends and neighbours really like the fact that it looks so much better than anything else they have seen, in addition to providing the perfect backdrop to our garden."

The house has matching cream coloured windows which give the whole property a co-odinated look and one that creates a real aesthetic appeal. Cream is rapidly becoming the most popular colour following white because it enables homeowners to add a touch of individuality to their properties whilst still retaining universal appeal.

Me Yousif continues: "Installing the cream conservatory when we moved into the house was one of the best things we did. It certainly seems to have added value to the property and means that we can enjoy the views onto the garden all year round."

The conservatory was fabricated using the industry leading Eurocell conservatory system which has many unique features including through coloured profiles that reduce the visibility of post installation knocks and scratches, perfect for active family homes. In addition all Eurocell profiles are made from a specially formulated material which ensures it doesn't discolour over time. These two features create one of the most durable conservatories on the market.

Geoff Williams, Conservatory Roof Division Sales Manager at Eurocell explains: "We are seeing more of our fabricators asking for cream coloured profiles and all of them are delighted when they realize that we now offer the complete suite including a full range of accessories. This is an excellent selling point to their customers because they are now able to provide a completely bespoke conservatory in cream".

Eurocell recently introduced a matching cream roof vent which eliminates the need to spray white vents on site, again saving fabricators and installer's valuable time on site. The perfectly colour matched roof vent ensures that the attention to detail expected by ever more demanding homeowners is reflected throughout the entire conservatory.

Geoff Williams adds: "The idea of developing a full range of cream profiles and accessories was to make the new build offer, which tends to be standard size conservatories requiring just a basic range of cream components, available to the bespoke market. The bespoke market requires a wider range of cream components because each conservatory is different. Offering the complete cream range in this sector, including, accessories, now means that our fabricators have access to this additional business."

Dave Bingham, Manager at ConservatoryLand continues: "The cream conservatory from Eurocell is being really well received by homeowners. We like dealing with Eurocell because they are always looking at ways to help us grow our business, and offering cream coloured profiles in a full range of matching accessories has certainly helped us do just that!"

ConservatoryLand has been established for well over a decade and is one of the leading fabricators of quality self build conservatories, windows and doors.

Eurocell Profiles Ltd is an Alfreton based company that has been supplying quality Conservatory, door and window systems to ConservatoryLand for many years. Eurocell Profiles Ltd were recent winners of the Derbyshire Business Awards 2007, held at Chatsworth House.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 03:19 AM | Comments (0)

The Hoffman Group Announces Delivery of its 21st Oceanfront Condominium Resort Since 1999

Oceans One South Tower Receives Certificate of Occupancy Allowing Closings to Begin in Time for Vacation Season

Myrtle Beach, SC (Vocus/PRWEB ) March 20, 2008 -- The Hoffman Group, Myrtle Beach Real Estate Oceanfront Specialists, is pleased to announce that Oceans One South Tower received its official Certificate of Occupancy from the City of Myrtle Beach today. Condominium owners in the 20-story, 135-unit oceanfront resort are now preparing to close on their oceanfront condo.

The exciting new construction tower was marketed by The Hoffman Group in a Myrtle Beach pre-construction sales campaign and is the first phase of a future 7-acre resort that will encompass two city blocks and over 700 of Atlantic coastline. When complete, the area will boast a series of ultra-modern condominium high-rises surrounded by a host of amenities and services that will create a modernist mini-city wrapped within the Grand Strands growing and promising future. The change has already begun with the South Tower now replacing the Sea Shore and Lands Inn hotels that were previously on its oceanfront site.

2007 was an exceptional year for The Hoffman Groups condos for sale,” said Tim Horton, Vice President of Sales. The delivery of the Caribbean, Sandy Beach and Dunes Village Phase II oceanfront resort towers represented a huge milestone for our company.” Continued Horton, We look forward to Oceans One South Tower kicking off another good year for the oceanfront market.”

Oceans One South Tower will be the 21st oceanfront resort that The Hoffman Group has delivered from pre-sales to closing since 1999. Those 21 projects represent over 2800 new Myrtle Beach condos delivered to the market and over $820 million in sales volume. The Hoffman Group has truly been influential in changing both the physical and the economic landscape of Myrtle Beach.

Developer Smith Capital Corporation stated that General Contractor R.J. Griffin & Company, a part of JE Dunn Construction Group, began work in September 2006. The other development team principals are: Mozingo+Wallace Architects, PA; The Hoffman Group, real estate sales and marketing; and Shroff Development Company LLC, Project Advisor.

Oceans One South Tower is an 186,446 square foot oceanfront condominium building that features indoor and outdoor water amenities on the ground level. All the condominiums have oceanfront views and are offered in one, two and three bedroom floor plans. Standard features are upscale and include granite countertops in kitchen and master bath, Jacuzzi tub with tile surround in master baths, stainless steel appliances in kitchen, tile flooring in kitchen and baths, designer furnishings and accessories, and private balcony. The oceanfront portion of the building forms a curved semicircle of floor to ceiling glass. The boulevard side of the elegant building is complemented with a serpentine wave design accent and a contemporary color scheme.

About R. J. Griffin & Company
R. J. Griffin & Company, with offices in Charlotte, NC, Nashville, TN, Myrtle Beach, SC, Orlando, FL, is a JE Dunn Construction Group Company with corporate headquarters in Atlanta. The 2005-06 Engineering News Record ranked JE Dunn Group the 19th largest general contractor in the nation, 6th in general building and 7th in multi-unit residential. The JE Dunn Construction Group is also ranked 2nd largest contractor for religious and cultural projects, 5th in healthcare and 4th in office buildings.

About The Hoffman Group
Founded in 1984, The Hoffman Group rapidly carved out a special niche market in Myrtle Beach Real Estate by focusing on oceanfront properties. For the last three years, the firm has led the local real estate multiple listing service in condos sales and has ranked second in the area in all real estate transactions. With some 40 REALTOR Associates and over 1.5 billion in sales over the last three years, The Hoffman Group offers prospective purchasers the expertise to find the best condos for sale in the Myrtle Beach area…whether in new construction or a previously titled resale.

Contact:
Randy Zlobec
The Hoffman Group
1309 Professional Dr., Suite 100
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
843-692-3308
rzlobec@oceaninvestments.com
http://www.oceaninvestments.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 03:19 AM | Comments (0)

Texas Fifth Wall Roofing Announces the Addition of Jerry Craig as its Service Manager

With over 23 years of roofing experience, the most recent including Division Manager for a nationally recognized full-service roofing service company, Mr. Craig's experience will be a valuable resource for property managers.

Austin, TX (PRWEB) March 20, 2008 -- Texas Fifth Wall Roofing Systems, Inc., announces the addition of Jerry Craig as its Service Manager. Mr. Craig has over 23 years of roofing experience including over 10 years of experience as Division Manager for highly respected, leading regional and national commercial roofing service providers where he developed and managed service repair and maintenance programs. Mr. Craig will lead Texas Fifth Wall's Service Department, established in the 1980s and the largest in central Texas, which is staffed by courteous uniformed technicians who are specifically trained to solve roof problems quickly and permanently.

While the company's leak repair, tenant finish-out, waterproofing and other response-based services continue to grow at a healthy pace, a number of economic and environmental factors are driving property managers to get more out of the roof protecting their commercial properties.

"With an eye on maximizing real property investment returns, minimizing the impact of rising energy costs and controlling repair and maintenance costs, property managers are keen on proper roof maintenance," said Todd Hewitt, President. "Jerry's experience in managing responsive, well trained repair technicians and his knowledge in cost-effective preventative maintenance programs offers tremendous value to property managers. Jerry's leadership is key to meeting our core service growth and expansion goals with the added benefit of capitalizing on his background to further enhance the company's preventative maintenance offerings"

Mr. Craig will also lead the company's Roof Asset Management Service Program which provides routine, comprehensive roof assessments by qualified technicians, conditions reports and expert recommendations to enable the property managers to extend the useful life of their roof in a planned, cost-effective manner.

Texas Fifth Wall Roofing Systems, Inc., is a nationally recognized full-service commercial roofing company performing new construction, reroof, and repair and maintenance work throughout Texas and the southwestern United States. Founded in 1973, Texas Fifth Wall first gained prominence in our industry by pioneering the installation of single-ply roofing membranes in Texas in 1981. Cost effective and reflective single-ply membranes are the standard in today's commercial roofing market.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 03:19 AM | Comments (0)

Cedar Knoll Log Homes Adds Eco-Friendly Dealer

Cedar Knoll Log Homes, a leading designer and manufacturer of high quality Adirondack log homes, log cabins, log garages and log siding, announces the addition of Green Mountain Eco Homes of Colchester, Vermont as an authorized Cedar Knoll Log Homes Dealer.

Plattsburgh, NY (PRWEB) March 20, 2008 -- Cedar Knoll Log Homes, a leading designer and manufacturer of high quality Adirondack log homes, log cabins, log garages and log siding, announces the addition of Green Mountain Eco Homes as an authorized Cedar Knoll Log Homes Dealer. Green Mountain Eco Homes is located in Colchester, VT and will be responsible for assisting Cedar Knoll Log Home prospective owners who reside in Northern Vermont throughout the entire log home buying process from needs analysis and design development through construction and maintenance.

Ron Marx, President of Cedar Knoll Log Homes, said, "We are excited to have a new Dealer that has more than 20 years of home building experience, including log home building experience, represent the Cedar Knoll Log Homes brand in Vermont. As a green manufacturing facility, we are also delighted that Green Mountain Eco Homes brings with it a focus on alternative energy consumption and environmental conservatism."

"I am excited to join the Cedar Knoll Log Homes Dealer Network," said Pierre Martelle, President and founder of Green Mountain Eco Homes. "Cedar Knoll Log Homes' manufactured log homes are among the best quality products in the industry. Having had direct experience working with Ron Marx and the corporate staff, I know that their service is top notch and their commitment to green manufacturing has won awards in the past. Combining our eco-friendly model for new home construction with Cedar Knoll Log Homes' green manufacturing resulted in a perfect fit for potential log home owners who want not only the rustic charm of a log home, but one that is truly friendly to the environment."

Martelle continued, "Over the past several decades, we have developed a huge dependence on fossil fuels. Our job is to make consumers aware of the alternative energy sources that are available and how these alternative energy sources can not only save consumers money, but reduce the harmful effects on the environment by reducing the carbon footprint." Green Mountain Eco Homes offers the latest in green building / alternative energy technologies including: geothermal heating/cooling systems, radiant floor heating systems, solar hydronics, tankless water heaters, wind turbines and photovoltaics.

Adam Bouchard, Cedar Knoll Log Homes Director of Distributor Sales, added, "Green Mountain Eco Homes not only joins the Cedar Knoll Log Homes Dealer family, they also join our builder network. I encourage anyone interested in working with an eco-friendly log home builder to contact Pierre and/or Green Mountain Eco Homes to arrange a personal consultation. With Green Mountain Eco Homes part of the Cedar Knoll Log Homes family, Vermonters can now show the rest of the log home community why Vermont is called the Green State!"

Green Mountain Eco Homes (GMEH) is headquartered in Colchester, VT. GMEH is a family-owned (father-son) business with more than 20 years of experience in the building trades. GMEH is a subsidiary of Martelle Construction, LLC, which was founded in 1992. The principals are members of the Vermont Green Build Network and the Home Builders and Remodelers Association. For more information about Green Mountain Eco Homes visit www.gmecohomes.com, email pmartelle @ verizon.net, or call 802-324-0400.

Cedar Knoll Log Homes (CK Log Homes) is a family-owned business that has been designing and manufacturing custom and kit log homes and log cabins since 1979. CK Log Homes headquarters, 20,000 square foot state-of-the-art milling facility, and a 1680 square foot beautifully appointed log home model, are situated between the Adirondack Mountains and the shores of Lake Champlain in Plattsburgh, NY. CK Log Homes uses only the finest Adirondack cedar and pine available and dries logs at the company's onsite kiln. Prospective log home/log cabin buyers, builders, contractors, wholesalers or dealers are encouraged to call 800-315-0626 for additional information, or visit www.loghomeslogcabins.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 03:18 AM | Comments (0)

Novi Backyard, Pool & Spa Show Makes Splash March 28 - 30 at Rock Financial Showplace

The Novi Backyard, Pool & Spa Show opens Friday, March 28 runs through Sunday, March 30, 2008 at the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi, Michigan. The show features everything needed to make outdoor living fun including pools, spas, hot tubs, decks, patios, outdoor living spaces, landscape displays, fencing, patio furniture, outdoor court systems, patio enclosures, sunrooms, conservatories, pergolas and accessories.

Novi, MI (PRWEB) March 20, 2008 -- The Novi Backyard, Pool & Spa Show, opening Friday, March 28 and running through Sunday, March 30 at the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi Michigan, will have all the right information to help homeowners make an informed choice this spring about buying a pool, spa and much more.

"Everything needed to make outdoor living fun is represented at the show," said Mike Wilbraham, show producer of ShowSpan, Inc. "In addition to pools and spas, there will be decks, patios, outdoor living spaces, fencing, patio furniture, outdoor court systems, patio enclosures, sunrooms and accessories."

Basic to elaborate inground and above ground pools and spas will be exhibited including steel resin or aluminum structure vinyl, gunite, steel wall, vinyl liner, fiberglass and carbon fiber composite. Also available will be sport and exercise pools, ranging from 3 1/2 feet at the edge to 5 feet at the center of the pool, used for volleyball, basketball, badminton as well as exercising. Pools are available in several standard shapes, sizes and colors or can be customized. Some companies provide the design and construction or offer a turnkey program that includes the landscape and fencing for homeowners.

Information will be available on renovating, updating or repairing an existing pool with liner replacements, spas, waterfalls, steps, automatic covers and refinishing or resurfacing existing cement surface patios. Solar powered lights, wireless remote control options, music systems and salt generator sanitizing systems are among the pool and spa accessories also on display.

Standard to luxury one to eight person spas and hot tubs will be on display in a variety of acrylic colors and skirting options along with waterfalls, foot and neck jets, music, lights, built-in flip-up steps and insulated floors.

Also featured are outdoor living and landscape displays, outdoor sport systems, patio furniture that can be customized with hundreds of fabrics, finishes, sizes and models, sunrooms, conservatories and pergolas.

Experts will be available with advice on planning, purchasing, maintaining, financing and landscaping, as well as tips on safety, exercise and health. Homeowners can find out what they need to know to make a good decision when buying a pool or spa.

The show is sponsored by the Michigan Pool & Spa Association, a member of the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP).

Rock Financial Showplace is located on Grand River Avenue between Novi and Beck Road in Novi. Show hours are from 3 - 9:30 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $8; $4 for children 6-14 and children 5 and under admitted free. Internet Express Tickets, which include a free parking pass, are offered online. On site parking is available for a fee. For more information, visit www.NoviPoolShow.com or call (800) 328-6550.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 03:15 AM | Comments (0)

Aspen Contracting, Inc., Mobilizes in Atlanta to Serve Residential and Commercial Customers Addressing Damage from March 14-15 Storms

Aspen Contracting, a national contractor specializing in assessing and repairing/replacing roofs after hail and wind storms, expands in Atlanta

Atlanta (PRWEB) March 20, 2008 -- Aspen Contracting, Inc, (www.aspencontractinginc.com), a national contractor specializing in assessing and repairing or replacing roofs damaged by hail and wind, has expanded its team in the Atlanta area to help homeowners and commercial property owners and managers after last week's severe storms.

"Our sales staff is expert in handling insurance claims and restoration contracts, an area in which local contractors typically have limited experience," said L.C. Nussbeck, Aspen Contracting founder and president. "The Aspen Contracting team is fully mobilized to assist Atlanta-area property owners in returning their homes or commercial buildings to pre-storm condition as quickly as possible."

Aspen Contracting is licensed and insured as a general contractor in 34 states, including Georgia. The Atlanta-area office and operations center is located at 1800 Montreal Circle in Tucker. Property owners may contact Aspen at 1-877-784-7663 for a free inspection of their storm-damaged property.

The company is an endorsed member of the Better Business Bureau and member of Angie's List. It holds memberships in the National Roofing Contractors Association, the Midwest Roofing Contractors Association, the International Code Council and the National Slate Association.

In addition, Aspen Contracting is an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor, recognition given only 2 percent of the 3,000 preferred contractors recognized by Owens Corning for superior service and installation.

About Aspen Contracting, Inc.

Aspen Contracting, Inc., specializes in natural disaster exterior restoration, including roofing, siding and guttering. The company's national headquarters is in suburban Kansas City, Mo.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 03:15 AM | Comments (0)

Russian, World Renowned, Master Craftsman Creates Revolutionary Design in Flooring, Featured in Just Completed Project

Due to the level of artisanship required for an authentic American Craftsman home were Arts and Crafts philosophy strongly influenced architecture, interior design, furniture design, and design in general at the beginning of this century Architectural Interior Designer and Detailer, Boris Kushnir during stages of the Architectural Interior Design for materials and details selections across all trades, invented geometrically designed parquet wood flooring were he was Be Able To Integrate Industrialism Of Factories And Craftsmanship.

(PRWEB) March 19, 2008 -- Davidson Home Builders recently competed project features the revolutionary floor designs of Russian master craftsman Boris Kushnir (www.davidsonhomebuilders.com).

In 2004, the Mission Viejo Company selected Steve Davidson, President of Davidson Construction, Inc., as one of the Signature home builders approved to build in the custom development of Covenant Hills in Ladera Ranch, California. To add a sense of tradition and grace to the community, Davidson chose, as his first from the three (3) projects, an authentic American Craftsman home were Arts and Crafts philosophy strongly influenced architecture, interior design, furniture design, and design in general at the beginning of this century.

Due to the level of artisanship required for a American Craftsman style home, Davidson and company sought out the finest artisans in their fields. Master craftsman and woodworker, architectural interior designer and detailer, Boris Kushnir was selected by Davidson. For over 28 years in US his design build projects earned highest recognition on many projects including private aircraft interiors for Prince Saud al-Faisal of Saudi Arabia and President Reagan, and a custom built home for film producer, Andrew Lazar.

The home's original plans called for a herringbone and random-plank floor design to give it a cozy appearance. During stages of the Architectural Interior Design for materials and details selections across all trades, Kushnir decided that the majority of the 4300 sq. ft. of allocated floor space should be geometrically designed parquet wood flooring.

After a two month completion in the design phase and six field measurements, Boris persuaded Davidson and his brother Michael to additional investment and made three separate, one-month trips to Russia. There, he supervised the engineering staff and personnel of his family-owned factories, Siberian Forest, and at the Kovcheg Parquet Company. In all, fifteen major design, craftsmanship, and engineering appliquåre used.

For design, beauty and durability Russian Rift and Quarter Sawn, solid wood engineered, White Oak was selected. Thousands of different wood components were then fastened into different sized panels and replicated throughout the house. Borders mirrored a wood-coffered, reflected ceiling plan. The center of the ceiling light was calculated to the center of the mosaic composition and with specially designed patterns for transitional panels between the areas, giving each room a "warm, home-like feeling" and an individual appearance.

Boris Kusnir then found it necessary to invent a secondary mosaic frieze border and by using different size modules for the different areas to balance the design, allowed modules to be installed without cutting them to fit various room sizes. Each area was manufactured and assembled in Russia. Then it was disassembled, marked, and inventory-labeled and delivered to the site. Even treads, risers and elevator floor adopted same techniques.

Kushnir States: "It Was An Honor To Fulfill The Traditional Works Of The Masters Such As William Morris, Gustav Stickley, Frank Lloyd Wright And Others. It Was Also An Honor To Add To Their True Vision, Success In Experimental Design, And Be Able To Integrate Such Industrialism Of Factories And Craftsmanship."

By introducing old-world, international craftsmanship to a home stile admired by many influential people, Kushnir and Davidson have raised the bar for the rest of the field. The results have been hailed as revolutionary.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 03:15 AM | Comments (0)

Solar Innovations, Inc. Announces the Release of the New I-Beam Greenhouse Product Line

Solar Innovations, Inc., a custom manufacturer of residential and commercial greenhouses, conservatories, skylights, sunrooms, folding and sliding glass doors, walls, windows, and screens, announces the release of the new modular I-Beam Greenhouse Product Line.

Myerstown, PA (PRWEB) March 19, 2008 -- Solar Innovations, Inc., a custom manufacturer of residential and commercial greenhouses, conservatories, skylights, sunrooms, folding and sliding glass doors, walls, windows, and screens, announces the release of the new modular I-Beam Greenhouse Product Line.

After continuous research and development, Solar Innovations proudly announces the release of several new products suitable for a wide range of residential and commercial applications. "Developed through Solar Innovations' industry research and customer feedback, every detail within the new modular I-Beam Greenhouse was carefully configured and evaluated." With the resulting structure, Solar Innovations can meet any need, whether aesthetic or structural, bringing customers the finest greenhouse available worldwide.

Customer are able to choose from a basic, starter greenhouse [http://www.solarinnovations.com/residential/greenhouses/ to the largest institutional greenhouse depending on their needs. The basic two inch by two inch I-Beam rafter, coupled with a leading edge air and water performance system, creates the highest performing greenhouse in the industry, while maintaining a charming appearance. Although the new I-Beam system is reminiscent of greenhouses of yesteryear, it is the highest quality, technologically advanced product available in its category.

The finest I-Beam hobby greenhouses [http://www.solarinnovations.com/residential/greenhouses/ are available to those customers interested in utilizing a greenhouse smaller than 200ft2. In order to minimize investment, without sacrificing performance, Solar Innovations offers a standard glazing option of 8mm polycarbonate with these units. Customers are able, at their discretion, to upgrade their glazing to 16mm polycarbonate to increase their R and U values and the overall functionality of the greenhouse. Adding footers and/or foundations later can create a permanent greenhouse, glazed with tempered glass, under most residential codes; please check your local codes before purchasing a greenhouse with this intent.

Residential and small commercial I-Beam greenhouse systems are available in lean-to and double pitch structures with either curved or vertical single pane glazing; hip and valley designs are also offered. Various polycarbonate options and insulated glazing are available at the customer's request. Unique to the I-Beam system, Solar Innovations can accommodate six to eight foot spans without horizontal structural supports. Trusses and supports will also utilize the I-Beams to increase span and versatility of the structure.

Commercial greenhouses [http://www.solarinnovations.com/residential/greenhouses/ featuring the I-Beam system can incorporate spans limited only by substructure design options. These commercial greenhouses will feature Solar Innovations, Inc. designed trusses and gutter connect options, incorporating the last 10 years' best technology into a hybrid design. Options from clear span and truss greenhouses [http://www.solarinnovations.com/residential/greenhouses/ to post system can be designed to meet each customer's requirements and desired investment.

With each of Solar Innovations, Inc.'s greenhouse systems, customers can utilize an integrated substructure or basewall, whether supplied by other, or designed by SI. Solar's uniquely designed clip system maximizes installer ease and long-term performance by limiting penetration of the condensation control system. The design also creates rigid connections limiting fasteners and brackets. The amenities provided by this and other Solar Innovations integrated systems create an installer and user friendly environment.

For more information on Solar Innovations' greenhouse [http://www.solarinnovations.com/residential/greenhouses/ product line, decorative options, and extensive greenhouse accessory line please contact the marketing department at skylight(at)solarinnovations.com or call 800-618-0669.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 03:13 AM | Comments (0)

Vehicle Tracking Solutions' Customers See 11% Savings in Fuel Costs After Implementing Fleet Tracking System

GPS tracking reduces idling time, personal use of vehicles and improves routing

Deer Park, NY (PRWEB) March 19, 2008 -- As the cost of crude oil exceeds $100 per barrel, gasoline prices continue to rise. According to AAA (www.aaa.com), the average price of gasoline is at a national average of $3.28 per gallon. Analysts expect these prices to rise with the arrival of warm weather to above $3.50 per gallon. As fuel costs rise to record levels, more and more businesses look to GPS tracking to moderate these costs.

According to a recent study by the Aberdeen Group, the implementation of a GPS system provides an average 13.2% reduction in fuel costs. The same study found that nearly one-third of service companies are using GPS-based location data to improve service response times, workforce utilization, and service profitability.

John M. Cunningham Jr., President of Vehicle Tracking Solutions (VTS), a New York based fleet management company, has seen an increase in interest in GPS tracking from companies that operate fleets. "Fleet operators can minimize the impact of rising fuel prices by installing a VTS tracking system in their vehicles. Our customers realize an average of 11% to 13% savings in fuel costs after implementing our system," Cunningham stated.

Sources state that an hour of engine idling results in the consumption of one gallon of fuel. GPS tracking provided by Vehicle Tracking Solutions allows fleet operators to monitor engine status, to ensure vehicles are not wasting gas by idling.

Vehicles are most efficient at 50-55 mph; exceeding these speeds expends gas at an increased rate. The VTS system provides exception based text notifications that can alert fleet operators when a vehicle exceeds set speed limits, as well as when it starts moving or enters a designated area.

Although reducing fuel costs is a major factor in purchasing a fleet tracking system, the VTS solution also provides benefits such as reduced overtime pay and increased deliveries or service calls. The Aberdeen Group reports that implementing a GPS system reduces overtime costs by an average of 13.4% through increased efficiency and driver accountability.

Cunningham adds that, "as fuel costs continue to represent a higher proportion of operating expenses for fleet companies, the investment in a GPS system provides a faster ROI (return on investment). Many of our customers see savings in fuel costs, insurance rates and overtime pay in as little as 30 days."

About Vehicle Tracking Solutions:
Vehicle Tracking Solutions is a leading provider of Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) devices and fleet management solutions. VTS tracks nearly 10,000 vehicles 24 hours a day for clients in 32 states. Entering its sixth year of operation, VTS has experienced double-digit growth over the past four years. VTS operates offices in New York and New Hampshire, and is the only company in the AVL industry to offer franchise opportunities.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 03:10 AM | Comments (0)

New Construction Software Resource Center at CTS Helps Contractors Make Smarter Technology Choices

Resource Center provides a valuable educational component that complements CTS' signature Construction Software Selection Kit and shortlist advice.

Rockville, MD (PRWEB) March 19, 2008 -- CTS Guides, a leading publisher of construction software reviews and ratings, has launched a new Resource Center on its Web site. Contractors that visit the CTS site now have free access to a growing list of articles, tips and checklists designed to better prepare them for selecting new construction management software. There's even a short quiz that allows visitors to test their "Construction Software IQ" to see how knowledgeable they are in the selection process.

The Resource Center is a public adjunct to CTS' signature Construction Software Selection Kit, which provides in-depth reviews and ratings of 21 top construction software systems, along with personalized advice via the Smart Shortlist™ Consult. Although the Kit is also free, registration is required to gain access to the software reviews, ratings and comparisons and qualify for the shortlist consult.

"For more than 20 years, CTS has been helping construction company owners and managers make smarter technology decisions. The Resource Center is just one more way that we help create a more educated and prepared software buyer," stated CTS President, Sheldon Needle.

Tools within the Resource Center cover a wide range of construction software selection and implementation topics, including "Five Must-Haves for Your Construction Software Champion," "Six Best Practices for Selecting Construction Software" and "Top Tips to Ensure a Successful Software Conversion."

Construction companies are encouraged to take advantage of both the Resource Center and the Construction Software Selection Kit, by visiting www.ctsguides.com/construction.asp.

Highlighted systems include: AccuBuild, American Contractor, Budgetrac, BIS, ComputerEase, Computer Guidance, e-Builder, Deneb Winjob, Dexter + Chaney Forefront, Explorer Software, Foundation for Windows, JOBPOWER, Jonas, Maxwell Management Suite, Meridian Systems Prolog, Penta, Sage Master Builder, Sage Timberline Office, Solomon IV, Toolbox Software, and Viewpoint Software.

About CTS Guides:
Established in 1983, CTS was the first company to perform hands-on, independent evaluations of software for the middle market. Since then CTS has helped over 21,000 companies select new software and technology. CTS is also widely used by CPAs, consultants and software resellers to assist their clients.

For more information about CTS, contact Sheldon Needle, President and Founder, 6108 Stonehenge Place, Rockville, MD, 20852, 800-433-8015, Sheldon @ ctsguides.com, CTS, Inc..

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 03:10 AM | Comments (0)

DirectBuy Re-Opens West Palm Beach Members Only Design Showroom

Low-cost alternative to retail is a one-stop shopping destination for consumers furnishing, remodeling or building a new home.

West Palm Beach, FL (PRWEB) March 19, 2008 -- DirectBuy, the leading members-only showroom and home design center that offers merchandise at manufacturer-direct prices, has re-opened its showroom in West Palm Beach. The new full-service design showroom, located at 6076 Okeechobee Blvd. Suite 16, will enable consumers to purchase brand-name merchandise for their home and family at members-only, manufacturer-direct prices.

The showroom's owners, Stephen and Jennifer Levin, opened the new 13,150 square-foot showroom and adjacent warehouse to give new and existing DirectBuy members more space to walk through vignettes of products arranged in room settings, browse through catalogs from more than 700 top manufacturers and their authorized suppliers, and discuss ideas for their own homes with interior designers and product specialists on staff.

"DirectBuy has offered its members unmatched savings, selection and service for the past 35 years, and we are excited to continue that tradition with the new West Palm Beach showroom," said Bart Fesperman, vice president of sales and marketing for DirectBuy. "We offer the top home furnishings and home improvement brands at discounted prices that consumers will not find anywhere else. We're confident that area families will quickly benefit from this exciting concept at our new location."

By providing merchandise without traditional retail markup, DirectBuy dramatically increases the purchasing power of its members, enabling them to enjoy the home of their dreams. DirectBuy of The Palm Beaches is owned and operated by Stephen and Jennifer Levin.

"Consumers in the West Palm Beach area will be blown away by the wide array of merchandise and significant savings that we offer," said owner Stephen Levin. "DirectBuy of The Palm Beaches will set itself apart from traditional retailers by providing consumers with a low-cost, 'one-stop shopping' destination wherein they can furnish, build or renovate their home."

To assist members with their home renovation projects, DirectBuy of The Palm Beaches offers access to interior designers and product specialists who are specially trained in one of five areas of merchandise: Home Furnishings, Home Improvement, Flooring, Accessories, and Entertainment/Outdoor.

DirectBuy members also have exclusive access to renowned designer Christopher Lowell. Lowell has designed twelve room settings - created exclusively with products available through DirectBuy - using his Seven Layers of Design. An innovative approach to home dïr, The Seven Layers of Design keep homeowners on budget and from feeling overwhelmed by their project.

DirectBuy Membership
Consumers who are interested in joining DirectBuy of The Palm Beaches are encouraged to attend an exclusive Open House event, which is designed to educate families about DirectBuy's unique business model. The Open House also helps consumers better understand how DirectBuy members avoid traditional retail markup when purchasing brand-name merchandise.

To request a "Free Insider's Guide to Buying Direct" and a Visitor's Pass to learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, call 561-909-0111.

About DirectBuy
For more than 35 years, DirectBuy has been showing thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save as they shop for virtually everything for in and around their homes - from furniture, carpet and flooring, and custom window treatments, to kitchen cabinets and bath cabinets and fixtures, appliances and much, much more. DirectBuy enables members to purchase most every product offering from several hundred manufacturers at over 140 showrooms across North America. To learn more about DirectBuy, visit www.directbuy.com or www.directbuycares.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 03:10 AM | Comments (0)

Toll Brothers to Grand Open Three Exceptionally Decorated Models at Woodstock Knoll, near Atlanta Georgia

On March 29th, Toll Brothers, the leading builder of luxury homes, will grand open three exquisite model homes at Woodstock Knoll, its new master planned luxury home community.

(Vocus/PRWEB ) March 19, 2008 -- On March 29th, Toll Brothers, the leading builder of luxury homes, will grand open three exquisite model homes at Woodstock Knoll, its new master planned luxury home community. Buyers are invited to tour these spectacular models and select the home site of their choice. Located near the revitalized downtown Woodstock in Cherokee County, just off I-575, the community is convenient to Buckhead and downtown Atlanta.

Woodstock Knoll includes 311 home sites with three distinct collections -- the Georgia, Executive, and Estate -- ranging in size from approximately 2,800 square feet to approximately 4,800 square feet. The homes will be priced from the low $400,000s to the low $700,000s.

Home buyers and Realtors® alike have been eagerly awaiting the opening of the Hampton Renaissance, Waterford II Renaissance, and Ellsworth II Provincial decorated models,” said Teresa Ali, sales manager. The Hampton decorated model in the communitys Estate Collection will include a Chefs kitchen, a spacious playroom, a Naples sunroom, as well as a dual curved staircase. The Waterford decorated model in the Executive Collection will feature a Palm Beach sunroom, a playroom, an expanded gourmet kitchen, and a spectacular finished basement with a game room, sports bar, theater, and wine cellar. The Georgia Collections Ellsworth decorated model will include an expanded family room, a bonus room, and cozy screened porch.

Designed to provide an ideal setting for an active outdoor lifestyle, Woodstock Knoll offers residents a wide array of amenities, including a beautiful clubhouse, approximately 4,500 sq. ft. in size, a Junior Olympic-sized pool with waterslide, walking trails, lighted tennis courts, tot lot, and fitness center. The community will also feature a number of natural preserve areas and wooded buffers. Woodstock Knoll is located within walking distance of the charming Woodstock downtown area, J.J. Biello Park, and Woodstock Library.

Woodstock Knoll is Toll Brothers first master-planned community in Georgia. For more information on Woodstock Knoll and their award-winning floorplans, call our sales office today at 678-494-7001 or visit WoodstockKnoll.com.

From I-285: Take I-75 North to I-575 and proceed north to Exit 7. Turn right onto SR 92 East for 1 mile to Main Street/Canton Hwy./SR 5/SR 754 and turn left. (Canton Hwy./SR 5 turns into Main Street as you go through downtown Woodstock). Proceed 2 miles to Woodstock Knoll on the right.

Toll Brothers, Inc. is the nation's leading builder of luxury homes. The Company began business in 1967 and became a public company in 1986. Its common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "TOL." The Company serves move-up, empty-nester, active-adult, and second-home buyers and operates in 21 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Toll Brothers builds luxury single-family detached and attached home communities; master planned luxury residential, resort-style golf communities; and urban low-, mid-, and high-rise communities, principally on land it develops and improves. The Company operates its own architectural, engineering, mortgage, title, land development and land sale, golf course development and management, home security, and landscape subsidiaries. The Company also operates its own lumber distribution, and house component assembly and manufacturing operations.

Toll Brothers, a Fortune 500 company, is the only publicly traded national home building company to have won all three of the industry's highest honors: America's Best Builder, the National Housing Quality Award, and National Builder of the Year. For more information, visit TollBrothers.com.

CONTACT:
Cheryl Spais
215-938-8221

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 03:09 AM | Comments (0)

Canterbury Flooring Unveils Custom Millwork e-Catalog with 11,000 Profiles

As part of its continuing effort to provide architects, builders, and interior designers with the tools to improve their efficiency in specifying custom millwork solutions, Canterbury Wood Floors has unveiled their Custom Profile Catalog at the company's main website. The new Millwork Profile Catalog provides instant access to over 11,000 profiles that can be used to manufacture custom and semi-custom millwork.

Mocksville, NC (PRWEB) March 19, 2008 -- As part of its continuing effort to provide architects, builders, and interior designers with the tools to improve their efficiency in specifying custom millwork solutions, Canterbury Wood Floors has unveiled their Custom Profile Catalog at the company's main website. The new Millwork Profile Catalog provides instant access to over 11,000 profiles that can be used to manufacture custom and semi-custom millwork.

"We have had such positive feedback from the design community on the ease of use and flexibility this tool provides them. We are excited about the opportunity this provides Canterbury to further partner with our customers to increase their success when specifying custom millwork," stated Beth Burton, Director of wholesale sales for Canterbury Wood Floors.

Based on the company's success in a trial deployment that concluded in February, the decision was reached to integrate the entire millwork catalog with Canterbury's main site at http://www.canterburyflooring.com. This millwork catalog contains 11,000 profiles including baseboard, casing, crown moulding, and other related mouldings. Profiles can be printed at actual size to allow accurate comparisons and judgment of scale. Canterbury can then mill the selected profile(s) in any of the 50+ hardwood species they stock.

Canterbury will continue to enhance the profile catalog in both functionality and in the number of available profiles. The millwork site is already accessed by over 8,000 design and construction professionals per month, with visitor counts increasing daily. Please visit: http://www.canterburyflooring.com/millwork.php for more details on the Canterbury Flooring Millwork.

Canterbury Wood Floors is a leader in the development, manufacture, and distribution of custom real wood products, including solid wood flooring and millwork, and is transforming the manner in which hardwood flooring is specified and manufactured. Canterbury can be found at http://www.canterburyflooring.com.

Canterbury, the Canterbury Logo, Estate Plank, Signature Custom, Signature Engineered, and Canterbury Traditions are registered trademarks of Canterbury Wood Floors, LLC in the United States and certain other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 03:05 AM | Comments (0)

Caldwell Companies to Build Hamilton Hills Bridge in Towne Lake Development - Custom Designed Bridge Will Allow Boats to Navigate Waterways at New Active Adult Community in NW Houston

Caldwell Companies announced that it is beginning bridge construction on Hamilton Hills, a two-lane road that runs through the Towne Lake community. The bridge, custom designed by Realto Studios, will feature a 42-foot span with decorative rails and decorative handrails. The bridge will also feature a pedestrian walkway under the span and the walkway will continue along the shoreline of the community lake. There will be a 12-foot clearance from the normal water level enabling smaller boats to travel safely under the bridge.

Houston, TX (PRWEB) March 19, 2008 -- Caldwell Companies announced today that it is beginning bridge construction on Hamilton Hills, a two-lane road that runs through the Towne Lake community. The bridge, architecturally enhanced and custom designed by Realto Studios, will feature a 42-foot span with decorative rails and decorative handrails. The bridge will also feature a pedestrian walkway under the span and the walkway will continue along the shoreline of the community lake. There will be a 12-foot clearance from the normal water level enabling smaller boats to travel safely under the bridge.

The forecasted project cost is $1.45 million, and the estimated construction completion for the Hamilton Hills Bridge is by the end June of 2008.

"The Hamilton Hills bridge project is going to be a beautiful addition to the Towne Lake development. We're constructing another bridge on Greenhouse Road, so we're very pleased to be in the bridge building mode," said Fred Caldwell, CEO of Caldwell Companies. "The other great thing is an identical bridge will be constructed when the traffic needs expand to four lanes on Greenhouse. This will create a unique architectural focal point in the community."

About Caldwell Companies
Founded in 1991, Caldwell Companies is a fully integrated real estate services and development firm that creates 'communities' of single-family, multi-family, office, industrial, and retail assets. The company also provides land and commercial marketing services; using every opportunity to enhance people's lives where they work and live, The firm is committed to honoring God by stewarding resources, cultivating relationships and building communities that enrich lives. For more information, contact: www.Townelaketexas.com or Caldwell Companies at www.caldwellcos.com/ or call 281.256.2772.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 03:05 AM | Comments (0)

Global Roundwood Consumption to Exceed 2.5 Billion Cubic Meters by 2010, According to a New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

A wide gap between demand and supply is expected over the next few years in the forest products industry as a result of demand fluctuations worldwide. Given the industry's highly fragmented and capital-intensive nature, there is scope for more acquisitions, mergers and other strategic activity.

San Jose, CA (PRWEB) March 19, 2008 -- A wide range of factors affect the global demand for forest products, prominent ones being population and income levels, prices of products themselves and of substitutes, and trends in consumer preferences. Besides, most forest products, being intermediate goods, find extensive applications in other industrial processes or commercial activities. Consequently, the demand for forest products is also dependant on the growth rates, and technological and regulatory trends in end-use sectors such as construction, furniture manufacture, wood processing, and materials handling.

Global Roundwood consumption is projected to exceed 2.5 billion cubic meters by the end of the year 2010, while worldwide consumption of Wood-based Panels totaled an estimated 245 million cubic meters in 2006. Consumption of Paper and Paperboard in Europe is projected to exceed 91 million tons in the year 2010, while plywood consumption in China was an estimated 17.5 million cubic meters in 2006. Latin America ranks among the rapidly growing regional markets for paper and paperboard, with consumption projected to grow at a compounded annual rate of 2.5% over the years 2001 through 2010.

Key players listed in the report include Abitibi-Consolidated Inc., Ainsworth Lumber Company, Arjo Wiggins Appleton PLC, Boise Cascade, LLC, Bowater Incorporated, Georgia-Pacific Corporation, International Paper Company, Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, MeadWestvaco, Metsaliitto Group, Pope & Talbot, Inc., Potlatch Corporation, The Smurfit Kappa Group, Smurfit-Stone Container, Stora Enso Oyj, Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget, Universal Forest Products, UPM - Kymmene Corporation, and Weyerhaeuser Company

"Forest Products: A Global Strategic Business Report" published by Global Industry Analysts, Inc., analyzes the global market with hard-to-find data and analytics for key regional markets such as the China, Europe and the United States The report provides a comprehensive review of market trends and issues, drivers, business profile, players, competitive landscape, recent developments, mergers, acquisitions, alliances, product launches and other strategic industry activities.

Market size estimates and projections are presented in terms of annual consumption in cubic meters and metric tons (in case of paper and paperboard) over the years 2001 through 2010. Long-term projections are presented for the period 2011-2015. Forest Product production estimates have been provided over the years 2001 through 2006 for select regional markets. Product groups independently analyzed include Roundwood, Wood-based Panels (Fiberboard, Particleboard, Plywood, and Veneer Sheets), and Paper and Paperboard.

For more details about this research report, please visit http://www.strategyr.com/Forest_Products_Market_Report.asp.

About Global Industry Analysts, Inc.
Global Industry Analysts, Inc., (GIA) is a reputed publisher of off-the-shelf market research. Founded in 1987, the company is globally recognized as one of the world's largest market research publishers. The company employs over 700 people worldwide and publishes more than 880 full-scale research reports each year. Additionally, the company also offers a range of over 60,000 smaller research products including company reports, market trend reports, and industry reports encompassing all major industries worldwide.

Global Industry Analysts, Inc.
Telephone 408-528-9966
Fax 408-528-9977
Email press @ StrategyR.com
Web Site www.StrategyR.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 03:05 AM | Comments (0)

Tool Tote Survives All-Terrain Torture Test to Prove It’s Got Durability in the Bag

Duluth Trading Company Begins Tongue-in-cheek "Torture Tests" –
A Fiendish Series of Product Testing

BELLEVILLE, Wis. (Business Wire EON/PRWEB ) March 19, 2008 -- Can a utility bag made to tote tools survive two miles on gravel roads behind a 2-ton truck and then hoist a 250-pound engine block? If so, this utility bag can surely withstand everyday reckless dragging, side swipes and overloading by tough tradesmen and still be the tool organizer that protects their most valuable business asset. This was the logic behind the Crash Test Tote Torture Test, one in a series of punishing and just plain fun product tests by Duluth Trading Company in pursuit of beefed-up tool storage, tool organizers and workwear.

The Torture Tests were designed to prove the strength and durability of Duluth Trading Company’s job-tough, job-smart line of gear and work apparel for discriminating tradesmen and hobbyists. Other Torture Tests involve pushups on a bed of nails wearing DTPro™ Work Gloves, steamrolling an "uncrushable" Crusher hat and a “wild horses” suspenders test, viewable at duluthtrading.com.

"Tradesmen and hobbyists spend a huge chunk of change on tools,” said Mike Hollenstein, Vice President of Product Development for Duluth Trading Company. “These guys need to protect their tools. The Crash Test Tote is like iron-clad insurance for the tradesman’s most valuable business investment.”

The Crash Test Tote is named for its material, the same crash-tested seat belt webbing people trust their lives to every day. Duluth Trading Company has earned a reputation for using the strongest materials available to create products designed for tough tradesmen. “When we got a hold of the 1.2mm industrial-strength polyester webbing used in seat belts, we knew it could stand up to the rigors of the jobsite as a performance material,” said Hollenstein. All elements of the Crash Test Tote are made of these virtually indestructible seat belts, including the handles.

In the Crash Test Tote Torture Test, this utility tote was first loaded with 180 lbs. of sand and then dragged by a rope behind a Chevy Silverado down a rural county road. The Crash Test Tote endured more than two miles of all-terrain dragging before one of the handles broke. It was then loaded with a 250-pound, '66 Chevy V8 engine block and hoisted 4 feet off the ground without faltering.

“Our Torture Tests arose out of a call, really a challenge, from tradesmen to show what a product can do – not just tell,” said Hollenstein. “Many products that claim to be jobsite tough aren’t even tested. We go one step further to test the limits of our products. Some are tougher than we thought; a few could be beefed up even more.”

About Duluth Trading Company

Duluth Trading Company is a bright idea started by tradesmen in 1991. The first catalog included just nine tool organizers that were field-tested by a gaggle of grizzly construction men and hard-as-nails tradesmen. Still tradesman-tested and approved, Duluth has expanded its offering to include hundreds of unique clothing items, tool and car organizers and handy gadgets. Signature products include the Longtail T® (the cure for a common ailment plaguing plumbers), Ballroom Jeans (comfy crotch gusset for crouching without singing soprano) and Fire Hose® Workwear (made from tough Fire Hose material). Duluth Trading Company is headquartered in Belleville, Wisconsin to accommodate its crack staff, customer-friendly call center and 70,000-square foot warehouse.

Editor's Note: Images and footage are available at duluthtrading.com/press.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:53 AM | Comments (0)

American Clay Enterprises, LLC, Launches Single-Coat 'Enjarre', Sprayable Sustainable Plaster For Commercial Market

American Clay Enterprises, LLC, manufacturers of award-winning American Clay Earth Plasters, has created Enjarre (pronounced n-har-ray), a single-coat plaster directed at the commercial and multi-unit residential markets, launching April 1st. Sprayed on, Enjarre contains zero VOCs, is a hard, durable, mold-resistant, non-toxic, reimulsifiable plaster finish - with no inherent waste on-site - that comes pre-tinted, with eight colors initially available. The plaster can be applied to multiple substrates, cover CMU blocks in one pass, and typically lasts for the life of the walls. And at less than $.30 per square foot to contractors, with color and binder inclusive, Enjarre gives builders a product that helps provide top indoor air quality and beauty--and can contribute toward up to seven LEED points (five in most areas)--at a very competitive price.

Albuquerque, NM (PRWEB) March 19, 2008 -- American Clay Enterprises, LLC, manufacturers of award-winning American Clay Earth Plasters, has created Enjarre (pronounced n-har-ray), a single-coat plaster directed at the commercial and multi-unit residential markets, launching April 1st. Sprayed on, Enjarre contains zero VOCs, is a hard, durable, mold-resistant, non-toxic, reimulsifiable plaster finish - with no inherent waste on-site - that comes pre-tinted, with eight colors initially available. The plaster can be applied to multiple substrates, cover CMU blocks in one pass, and typically lasts for the life of the walls. And at less than $.30 per square foot to contractors, with color and binder inclusive, Enjarre gives builders a product that helps provide top indoor air quality and beauty--and can contribute toward up to seven LEED points (five in most areas)--at a very competitive price.

American Clay Enterprises' mission is to bring universal awareness to the value of environmentally conscious products for indoor spaces. With the drywall market the most dominant in commercial construction, the company has made this market its primary target with Enjarre and therefore, considered carefully the varying regional building habits/costs during their R&D phase to ensure their ability to compete. Typical wall finishes range from (a) gypsum plus paint on drywall with an average cost (product + labor) of $1.75/sq. ft. to (b) texture plus paint, average $.85/sq. ft., or (c) smooth wall plus paint, average $1.26/sq. ft. Enjarre, with labor, is estimated at $.85-1.20/square foot.

"The challenge with our premium products has been to compete with low installation costs for typical commercial finishes like 'texture & paint'," states Croft Elsaesser, American Clay CEO and co-Founder. "With Enjarre, we can provide the benefits of American Clay to production and commercial installations while providing the developers and builders with a competitive edge."

Labor for Enjarre application is minimal, thus a cost savings. Created to be sprayed on with statur tube driven texture machine, eight hours of labor equates to 2000 sq. ft. of completed wall space. The plaster can, however, also be hand-troweled, in order to gain more from the product's textural qualities. The plaster can be built to 3/8" thickness, if desired, and the end result is a matte finish, which is more reflective of today's desire for a more modern, natural and simple backdrop for residential and many commercial projects. Packaged in 80-pound recyclable sacks also reduces cost (less waste).

As with the award-winning earth plasters, Enjarre resists mold (without toxic fungicides), contains zero VOCs, is non-toxic, biodegradable, fade-resistant, non-flammable, easy to maintain, has high consistency, repels dust, and the manufacturing process uses low inherent energy. Enjarre is a blend of post-industrial aggregates, clays, and pigments. Clients can request the product be mixed with American Clay's most chemically-green binder, Mud Glue™. As an alternative, clients can use a PVA-based Enjarre AddMix binder that maintains the zero-VOC, non-toxic, biodegradable properties while providing workability similar to modern products, and at slightly lower cost than the Mud Glue™. These options make Enjarre the most sustainable product in this field. As a green-committed company, they are continually using R&D to move toward using sustainable versions of current polymer technology.

About Amercian Clay Enterprises, LLC:
American Clay produces award-winning, all-natural interior wall finishing products. Their Earth Plasters and the new commercial Enjarre single coat plaster are a unique combination of clays, aggregates and natural pigments that offer builders and consumers a natural and elegant option. There is no off-gassing nor inherent waste on-site. Moreover, the plasters contain zero VOCs, are non-flammable, are mold resisting (without toxic fungicides), absorb odors, provide temperature and humidity buffering, repair/clean easily and come in recyclable packaging. American Clay is uniquely manufactured in and made of materials found in the U.S. American Clay Enterprises, Inc., is based in Albuquerque, NM, and its products are patent pending. The product and various workshops are available through their New Mexico office or through one of the growing number of retailers and distributors across the U.S. The website, www.americanclay.com, offers information on additional products, ordering, technical specifications, product application and additional resources and links.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:53 AM | Comments (0)

ASE Systems' Versatile Inflatable Air Jacks Offer Real-Life Solutions

No longer just for industrial use, ASE Systems' complete line of inflatable air jacks can be adapted for use at home or on the job, making them a practical tool for your everyday problems. Change a flat tire quickly and easily or lift a boat trailer - the applications for these air jacks are limitless.

Houston, TX (PRWEB) March 19, 2008 -- Senior Captain Jeffery Lyons of the Houston Fire Department knows just how versatile an air jack system can be. He uses his air jack for lifting heavy loads while on the job. These jacks are standard, required gear for each emergency vehicle in the Houston Fire Department, because when it comes to saving lives in the fourth largest city in the U.S., the exceptional capabilities of these air jacks are indispensable.

ASE Systems, the ergonomics and productivity specialists, are dedicated to providing cost-effective material handling solutions, including these inflatable air jacks. When introduced to high-pressure air, the butyl rubber skin inflates, making these jacks well designed for lifting very heavy loads in awkward or inconvenient spaces.

Inflatable air jacks best traditional jacks in several categories: they require only one inch of insertion space, allowing them to work where conventional jacks won't. Ranging in size from 10"x10" up to 34"x34", a single air jack has the capacity to lift between six and 70 tons to a height of 15". Plus, the versatility of these air jacks provides an easier, safer alternative for lifting any type of heavy load.

From prying open the door in a wrecked vehicle to raising an overturned 18-wheeler on the interstate, Captain Lyons relies on his air jack in life-threatening situations when time is of the utmost importance. Yet with their adaptability and unique capacity to exert pressure evenly, Lyons has also found other uses for his air jack.

When he's not fighting fires, the Captain enjoys spending his spare time on Houston-area drag racing strips. When the chrome-molly steel parachute support bracket on his racing car needed realignment, the Captain chose innovation over spending thousands of dollars on a custom frame at a body shop. Using a 34"x34" air jack to exert an even amount of pressure on the top, bottom, and center of the bracket assembly, the Captain was able to bend and realign the dense and resistant chrome-molly steel.

Designed for industrial lifting and jacking purposes, the versatile applications of these air jacks make them an indispensable part of your daily life. Built to withstand continual use in the demanding commercial environments of the rigging, manufacturing, and production industries, air jack systems are both durable and lightweight, making them easy to carry, store, and transport.

Al Spencer, owner of ASE Systems, carries a range of multi-ton air jack systems, and can help you choose the correct air jack size for your needs. He recommends these air jack systems to his clients for moving just about anything. From saving lives to bending metal, the practical applications of these jacks are limitless. The simple operation instructions make air jack systems perfect for nudging, moving, or lifting heavy objects around the home, at work, or in the field.

Located in Cypress, Texas, ASE Systems has over 75 cumulative years of experience in the material handling solutions and equipment industry. For more information about ASE Systems, their services, or their inflatable air jack products, visit their website at http://www.asesystems.com or call 800-245-2163.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:53 AM | Comments (0)

"Great Taste" Show to Feature Niroo Construction

Husband-and-Wife builder/designer team re-introduces timeless luxury to custom-built mansions.

(PRWEB) March 19, 2008 -- The producers of Great Taste are pleased to announce that Niroo Construction will be featured in an upcoming episode as part of the show's series on Building the Home of your Dreams.

In a world of hastily built look-alike mansions, David and Haleh Niroo have dedicated themselves to the old ways of home construction: Durable, thick walls, high-end materials and strict attention to detail, in both structure and design. Niroo Construction Combines all these elements with 21st-Century integrated technologies like state-of-the-art security and remote-controlled entertainment systems, lighting and climate control. All of these amenities ensure a life of efficiency and convenience. The result is a luxury home that's timeless yet modern in every sense of the word, bringing aesthetics that enrich the lifestyle of those who live there. Sweeping staircases, statuesque pillars, front lime stone veneer and exquisite materials imported from all over the world give the homes a look reminiscent of 18th Century European architecture.

David Niroo has perfected the art of building luxury mansions in a timely and efficient manner. The company's impeccable organization skills allow for a project timeline of months, rather than years. Once the design and materials are selected, a 20,000 plus sq. ft. home will take approximately 16 months to build, as opposed to the 5 years it normally takes to build a similar-sized home.

David Niroo's wife, Haleh, is one of the industry's foremost designers of luxury homes. Haleh specializes in high end homes, incorporating the utmost in luxury in each design, from preconstruction to the last finishing detail. Her selection of materials from all over the world makes each project one of a kind. In the recent center page interview for Home and Design Magazine, one can see how her brilliant concepts are realized throughout the project.

This dynamic husband-and-wife team has sent a message that a dream home can be built in short time with the finest materials and meticulous attention to detail. The Niroos believe they have only scratched the surface. They operate under the philosophy that Americans deserve the finest houses; homes that become enduring landmarks for future generations to enjoy.

Both Niroo Construction's website and Haleh Design's website include a gallery of the grand mansions that they have designed and constructed. To view these galleries and to learn more about Niroo Construction and Haleh Design, please visit www.nirooconstruction.com and www.halehdesigninc.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:53 AM | Comments (0)

March 18, 2008

Platinum Funding Group Provides $25 Million Factoring Facility For An Acquisition.

The funding of Cumberland Valley Fabricators, Inc. and Waddell Construction, Inc. was facilitated by an investment banker who has previously worked with Platinum on funding an automotive supplier, Griswold Manufacturing, Inc.

New York, NY (PRWEB) March 18, 2008 -- Platinum Funding Group has signed an agreement for a $25-million accounts receivable factoring facility with Cumberland Valley Fabricators, Inc. and Waddell Construction, Inc. The facility funded the acquisition of the Virginia-based Waddell by Maryland-based Cumberland, both construction companies. The initial advance was provided against $3.4 million in Cumberland's and Waddell's invoices.

The combined entity has annual revenues near $20 million. The deal was facilitated by Elizabeth Jones, an investment banker who had utilized Platinum's resources in funding Griswold Manufacturing, Inc., an Ohio-based automotive supplier, in January 2007.

"What makes Platinum different is our ability to quickly provide very large advances, and find creative solutions for complicated transactions," said Eyal Levy, founder and CEO of Platinum Funding Group. "This makes us a go-to partner and for investment banks, private equity and venture capital firms at the time when liquidity is becoming increasingly limited."

"Working with Platinum Funding Group was very positive experience," said Elizabeth Jones, Chairman and CEO of Gilet Holdings. "Platinum's team worked to understand the unique needs of each individual company and to reach our specific goals. They provided us with quick, straightforward answers and I am confident that they are a group that will work with us to realize the business' full potential."

"Platinum Funding Group has worked diligently in assisting us in all procedures related to our funding," added Kathleen Neff, Controller of Cumberland Valley Fabricators, Inc. "They took the time to thoroughly educate us with hands-on training. We have a team that supports our needs and is flexible to work with."

For more information, visit www.PlatinumFundingGroup.com or contact:

Anna Belkina
Platinum Funding Group
212-944-2828 ext. 215
Press@PlatinumFundingGroup.com

Platinum Funding Group, a leading factoring company, provides clients with accounts receivable funding, letters of credit, bridge funding, and accounts receivable management. Established in 1992, the company has been consistently assisting companies with annual sales revenue between $1 million and $150 million. Platinum possesses the financial resources to serve the needs of clients across more than 30 industries, issuing same day advances on accounts receivable to early-stage companies, fast growing firms, and companies in Chapter 11. Platinum Funding Group is headquartered in New York City and has regional offices throughout the U.S.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:07 AM | Comments (0)

DirectBuy Design Showroom Now Open in Puget Sound

Members-only, one-stop shopping destination offers a low-cost alternative for home improvement needs.

Lacey, WA (PRWEB) March 18, 2008 -- DirectBuy, the leading members-only showroom and home design center that offers merchandise at manufacturer-direct prices, has opened a new full-service design showroom in Lacey, WA.

DirectBuy of Puget Sound offers Lacey area residents thousands of items, including kitchen cabinets, flat-screen televisions and major appliances from more than 700 top manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. The new 16,000 sq. foot showroom and adjacent warehouse are located at 8719 Commerce Place Drive NE.

"DirectBuy has offered its members unmatched savings, selection and service for the past 35 years, and we are excited to bring that tradition to Lacey," said Bart Fesperman, vice president of sales and marketing for DirectBuy. "We offer the top home furnishings and home improvement brands at discounted prices that consumers will not find anywhere else. We're confident that Lacey families will quickly benefit from this exciting concept."

DirectBuy allows consumers to purchase brand-name merchandise for their home and family at members-only, manufacturer-direct prices. By providing merchandise without traditional retail markup, DirectBuy dramatically increases the purchasing power of its members, enabling them to enjoy the home of their dreams. DirectBuy of Puget Sound is owned and operated by Dimitri and Crystal Olympidis, Tom Watrous and Steve Palagi.

"DirectBuy of Puget Sound sets itself apart from traditional retailers by providing consumers with a low-cost, 'one-stop shopping' destination where they can furnish, build or renovate their home," said co-owner Dimitri Olympidis. "Members will enjoy personalized service as they navigate through our extensive selection of brand-name, top-of-the-line merchandise."

To assist with home renovation, DirectBuy of Puget Sound members have access to licensed interior designers and product specialists who are specially trained in one of five areas of merchandise: Home Furnishing, Home Improvement, Flooring, Accessories, and Entertainment/Outdoor.

DirectBuy members also have exclusive access to renowned designer Christopher Lowell. Lowell has designed twelve room settings - created exclusively with products available through DirectBuy - using his Seven Layers of Design. An innovative approach to home décor, The Seven Layers of Design keep homeowners on budget and from feeling overwhelmed by their project.

DirectBuy Membership
Consumers who are interested in joining DirectBuy of Puget Sound are encouraged to attend an exclusive Open House event, which is designed to educate families about DirectBuy's unique business model. The Open House also helps consumers better understand how DirectBuy members avoid traditional retail markup when purchasing brand-name merchandise.

To request a "Free Insider's Guide to Buying Direct" and a Visitor's Pass to learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, call 800-782-3088.

About DirectBuy
For more than 35 years, DirectBuy has been showing thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save as they shop for virtually everything for in and around their homes - from furniture, carpet and flooring, and custom window treatments, to kitchen cabinets and bath cabinets and fixtures, appliances and much, much more. DirectBuy enables members to purchase most every product offering from several hundred manufacturers at over 140 showrooms across North America. To learn more about DirectBuy, visit www.directbuy.com or www.directbuycares.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:04 AM | Comments (0)

Commercial Real Estate Investors See Rough Road Ahead, Despite Strong Fundamentals

Commercial real estate investors see a rough road ahead according to the latest quarterly PricewaterhouseCoopers Korpacz Real Estate Investor Survey (www.pwcreval.com), released today.

New York, NY (PRWEB) March 18, 2008 -- Commercial real estate investors see a rough road ahead according to the latest quarterly PricewaterhouseCoopers Korpacz Real Estate Investor Survey (www.pwcreval.com), released today. According to the report, the commercial real estate market is showing telltale signs of weakness in office, retail, lodging and leasing activity, while areas less affected by the broad economy, such as industrial and warehouse properties, remain stable. Rental apartments are the only area of commercial real estate benefiting as supply tightens, homeownership rates decline and the number of renters grows.

"Even though the underlying fundamentals of commercial real estate are still sound, there are noticeable cracks forming in the foundation,” said Susan M. Smith, editor-in-chief of PricewaterhouseCoopers Korpacz Real Estate Investor Survey® and manager in PwC's real estate business advisory services group. "As a result, there is a palpable sense of uncertainty among investors we spoke with and surveyed this quarter," she said.

Key findings include:

Retail
Declining consumer confidence, a sharp rise in personal bankruptcy filings and a drop-off in consumer spending are taking their toll in the regional mall market. Lackluster retail sales growth and weaker consumer spending is causing would-be investors in the national power center market to exercise much more scrutiny and more conservative underwriting, with big-box retailers maintaining a significant role in the sector.

Rising vacancy rates continue to impact community/neighborhood shopping centers – the result of a slowdown in tenant expansions and constant additions to supply. In the fourth quarter of 2007, approximately 12.0 million square feet were completed in the U.S. community/neighborhood shopping center sector – the highest quarterly total in three years. Even so, regions with significant population growth report relatively strong results, including West Coast markets such as Orange County, Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco and San Diego, as well as certain infill areas such as Suburban Maryland and Northern Virginia.

Office
The ongoing decline in U.S. employment has added a new concern for landlords and investors of office properties. Among the hardest hit were office-using employment sectors such as financial services and professional-and-business service entities. Individual commercial business districts (CBDs) that reported sharp declines in overall absorption of office space in 2007 included Chicago, midtown and downtown Manhattan, Houston and Washington, DC. In contrast, CBDs that reported strong gains in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Bellevue, WA and Baltimore.

In the national suburban office market, leasing activity also slowed noticeably. Even so, the pace of new construction, much of it speculative space, continued to increase – leading to growing investor concerns about the long-term effects of oversupply. Suburban office markets posting some of the highest additions to supply in the fourth quarter of 2007 included Phoenix (4.0 million square feet), Northern Virginia (3.2 million square feet) and Dallas (2.7 million square feet).

Apartments
Growth in the number of renters – due in part to residential owners returning to the market, hard-pressed by the subprime mortgage fallout, and also to the inability of existing renters to afford to become homebuyers – is actually helping to spur demand in the national apartment market. At the same time, apartment developers nationwide have exercised a continued restraint on new building, thereby holding down additions to supply.

Industrial
Although individual market performances vary, overall the national flex/R&D market is seeing a steady increase in demand, thanks to steady growth in the high-tech sector and higher rental rates in comparable office building locations. The tightest markets tend to be located along the West Coast and include long-standing favorites like Silicon Valley, La Jolla and Los Angeles/Orange County. During the past quarter, the average overall cap rate for the national flex/R&D market stood at 7.47 percent, 100 basis points above that for the national warehouse market. Even though investments in flex/R&D can run “hot and cold,” the potential for higher returns is quite appealing to investors, the report says.

Warehouse
Favorable supply-demand fundamentals and the sector’s minimal sensitivity to changing consumer spending habits or job growth is helping to reinforce the warehouse sector’s image as a “safe haven” for many investors. And while the credit crunch did affect would-be buyers’ ability to acquire debt toward the end of 2007, huge portfolios in the first half of 2007 made it a record year in terms of sales volume.

Net Lease
The old saying that “cash is king” became especially evident in the national net lease market as transaction activity plunged during the fourth quarter of 2007 – a sharp response to the ongoing credit crisis. Between the third and fourth quarters of 2007 the number of net lease assets sold fell 73.0 percent. The greatest drop in transactions, occurred in the office sector, where a total of 18,164 net lease assets were available for sale at year-end 2007, down about 25 percent from the third quarter. Retail assets led the offerings, followed by office, and industrial.

PricewaterhouseCoopers Korpacz Real Estate Investor Survey®, now in its 21st year of publication, is one of the industry's longest continuously produced quarterly surveys. The current report provides detailed overviews of 29 separate markets, including the national retail markets (regional mall, power center and strip shopping centers); overviews of 18 major office markets, including the recently added markets of Charlotte, Denver, Phoenix and San Diego; and national overviews of the CBD and Suburban Office, Flex/R&D, Warehouse, Apartment, Net Lease and National Lodging Markets.

Information about subscribing to PricewaterhouseCoopers Korpacz Real Estate Investor Survey® can be found at www.pwcreval.com. Members of the media can obtain an electronic copy of the full report by contacting Thomas Derr at thomas.derr @ us.pwc.com or (646) 471-8268.

PricewaterhouseCoopers real estate group is part of the U.S. firm's financial services group, one of the leading providers of integrated professional services to major financial services organizations. Its integrated approach to problem-solving involves an international network of real estate accounting, tax and business advisory professionals who can quickly mobilize to form highly qualified teams to respond to a client’s opportunity or challenge.

About PricewaterhouseCoopers
PricewaterhouseCoopers (www.pwc.com) provides industry-focused assurance, tax and advisory services to build public trust and enhance value for its clients and their stakeholders. More than 146,000 people in 150 countries across our network share their thinking, experience and solutions to develop fresh perspectives and practical advice.

“PricewaterhouseCoopers” refers to the network of member firms of PricewaterhouseCoopers

International Limited, each of which is a separate and independent legal entity.

Contacts:
Thomas Derr
PricewaterhouseCoopers
646-471-8268
thomas.derr @ us.pwc.com

Laura Schooler
PricewaterhouseCoopers
646-471-3229
laura.schooler @ us.pwc.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:04 AM | Comments (0)

Bahamas Court of Appeals Upholds Baker's Bay Ruling

The right of Baker's Bay Golf & Ocean Club, one of the finest new luxury communities in The Bahamas developed by Discovery Land Company, was granted permission to move forward with its development plan by the Bahamas Court of Appeal.

Marsh Harbour, Bahamas (PRWEB) March 18, 2008 -- The right of Baker's Bay Golf & Ocean Club, one of the finest new luxury communities in The Bahamas, to move forward with its development plan was affirmed Monday, February 18, 2008. President Dame Joan Sawyer, Justice Lorris Gantpatsingh and Justice Emmanuel Osadeby of The Bahamas Court of Appeal unanimously dismissed the Save Guana Cay reef Association's (SGCRA) appeal and upheld Justice Norris Carroll's October 12, 2006 Supreme Court ruling in favor of Baker's Bay Golf & Ocean Club.

Responding to the decision, Michael S. Meldman, Chairman and CEO of Discovery Land Company, developers of the Baker's Bay community, said he was pleased with the court's decision.

"This is good news," said Meldman. "All of us at Discovery Land Company and Baker's Bay have a deep respect for the people, the laws and the environment of The Bahamas. We are pleased and honored that the courts have recognized this fact."

The ruling by the Bahamas Court of Appeal is another welcome and positive reassurance for the Baker's Bay community, according to Dr. Livingston Marshall, Sr. Vice President, Environmental and Community Affairs at Baker's Bay.

"It is wonderful that this issue is settled," said Dr. Marshall. "Discovery Land Company and Baker's Bay came to The Bahamas with an excellent development concept that passed through a very public consultative process which included input from individuals involved in SGCRA. This process made Baker's Bay an even better project. Today's Court of Appeal ruling has boosted our commitment to building the most environmentally sensitive development possible."

Baker's Bay Golf & Ocean Club is located in the beautiful Abaco Islands, Baker's Bay boasts more than six miles of spectacular beachfront with a luxurious beach club; a 180-slip deep-water marina; a world-class spa; a Tom Fazio golf course; a vibrant Caribbean village and breathtaking home sites.

Discovery Land Company is one of the world's leading private club and community developers. Currently, Discovery Land Company has 16 properties with 12 actively selling. Each is located in a proven destination that is easily accessible and renowned for its natural beauty. Discovery adds value to these destinations by offering exceptional member service and creating communities that are both respectful towards and enhanced by their natural settings. This enables Discovery's members to develop meaningful ties by blending their lifestyles and family structures into the surrounding environment.

To learn more about Discovery Land Company, please call (480) 624-5200 or visit http://www.discoverylandco.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:04 AM | Comments (0)

Best Buy, Ethan Allen Open at Algonquin Galleria, Algonquin, IL

Other Retailers, Restaurants Under Construction for Scheduled 2008 Openings

Oak Brook, IL (PRWEB) March 18, 2008 - Two anchor tenants are open for business at Phase I of Algonquin Galleria, a 35-acre outdoor shopping mall under construction in Algonquin, Ill., 40 miles northwest of Chicago.

A 30,000-square-foot Best Buy and a 20,000-square-foot Ethan Allen have recently opened, to be followed in early 2008 by a 60,000-square-foot Brunswick Zone and a 40,000-square-foot Dania, according to Adam Firsel, development manager for Mid-America Development Partners (www.midamdevelopment.com).

The projects 10,685-square-foot multi-tenant outlot building is completed and fully leased. PotBelly Sandwich Works and Jamba Juice are currently open, to be followed in early 2008 by LensCrafters and 2nd Wind Exercise Equipment.

Furniture retailer La-Z-Boy, plus restaurants Golden Corral and Famous Daves, are building on the site and are scheduled for mid-2008 openings.

This is a great location, with full access from Randall and County Line roads, and across the street from Algonquin Commons, the largest lifestyle center in Illinois,” said Firsel. When completed, it will have more furniture retailers than anywhere else in the area, plus specialty stores, restaurants, and plenty of opportunities for family-oriented entertainment.”

Restaurant pads are available for sale or lease, including an outlot at the main access to the center along Randall Road,” said Caitlin Bossy, leasing manager. Small shop owners can join Massage Envy in 7,000 square feet of divisible shop space which just began construction next to Best Buy.”

For information about Algonquin Galleria, contact Firsel at 630-954-7202 or Bossy at 630-366-2308.

About Mid-America Development Partners
Based in Oak Brook, Ill., Mid-America Development Partners is a full-service commercial real estate firm building and managing more than 20 retail and mixed-use developments throughout the Chicago area. It is one of four companies comprising The Crescendo Companies (www.thecrescendocompanies.com), a privately-held company specializing in commercial real estate development and management, with more than $1.2 billion in projects under development.

Contact:
Cindy Martin
Treacy Marketing Group
cmartin@treacymarketing.com
312-482-8900 ext. 3043

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:03 AM | Comments (0)

Southern Staircase Deploys BuyDesign® Guided Selling and Configurator Software from TDCI

Innovative Manufacturer Using BuyDesign to Streamline Sales of Pre-Built Stairs

Columbus, Ohio (PRWEB) March 18, 2008 -- TDCI, Inc. (TDCI), a leading provider of configurator-based software solutions, announced today that Southern Staircase, a premier supplier to home builders, commercial contractors and architects in the Southeast United States, has deployed the BuyDesign guided selling and configurator software solution from TDCI to provide sales representatives with configuration, quoting and ordering capabilities for the company's innovative pre-built custom staircases.

BuyDesign is a comprehensive Internet-based solution developed to streamline the selling process for highly customized products. BuyDesign helps companies that manufacture products with a wide range of features, options, and dimensions increase sales by becoming 'easy to do business with', while at the same time helping them improve profitability by reducing order processing time, cost, and errors.

"BuyDesign guides our sales people through staircase design and pricing in about half the time it took before," states Randy Scott, Southern Staircase VP of Operations. "Its intuitive user interface and ability to handle detail dimensions, features, and options make it ideal for a product like ours. The configuration rules development environment also makes it easier for us to introduce new products and features while ensuring accurate configurations and quotes."

"We're excited to be working with Southern Staircase," adds Dan DeMuth, TDCI President. "This is a good example of how a growing range of building product manufacturers are seeing that a product configurator can significantly streamline the way they do business."

Southern Staircase sales representatives utilize BuyDesign on laptop PCs when they work with builders to specify and price staircases. Designs are developed for both the stairway and handrails and combined into a quote. Accepted orders are sent via the Internet for entry into Southern Staircase's Infor ERP SyteLine business system. With BuyDesign, both online and distributed deployments are managed using a single central repository of product information, with synchronization of distributed users via automatic Internet-based updates.

About Southern Staircase
Southern Staircase (www.southernstaircase.com) manufactures custom straight, flair, curved, and spiral staircases with a wide range of wood and metal balusters, newels & handrails. Staircases can be pre-built and delivered to the home site ready to install, or as kits ready for assembly and installation by the builder. Headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia, Southern Staircase serves home builders, building product suppliers, architects, designers, and homeowners from sales offices in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida.

About TDCI and BuyDesign
TDCI is an enterprise solution provider that specializes in helping manufacturers and their distributors streamline the buying process for customized products. TDCI's BuyDesign™ software is a comprehensive guided selling and configuration solution developed to help companies increase sales by becoming 'easy to do business with' while improving profitability by reducing order processing time, cost, and errors. BuyDesign provides modular components for guided product selection and configuration, product visualization, quoting and ordering, drawing generation, and status inquiry. It also includes applications for front-end specification capture from within popular design products such as AutoCAD and others. For more information about TDCI and BuyDesign, visit www.tdci.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:01 AM | Comments (0)

Andrew "Andy" Karsner, Assistant Secretary Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy to Present Keynote Address at Ecobuild America

Andrew "Andy" Karsner, Assistant Secretary Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy will present a keynote address at the Ecobuild America® conference and exhibit which runs May 19-22 in Anaheim, CA. The title of the keynote is "EERE for the Building Community."

Centerville, MA (PRWEB) March 18, 2008 -- A keynote address by Andrew "Andy" Karsner, Assistant Secretary Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, will grant building industry professionals at Ecobuild America 2008 an intimate look at the national perspective on renewable energy policy. Mr. Karsner will take the stage Wednesday, May 21, 2008, 1:00pm - 2:00pm at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA.

His speech, "EERE for the Building Community" will be an exciting highlight of Ecobuild America taking place May 19-22. Learn what and where the Department of Energy/Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (DOE/EERE) Is budgeting and spending for the development and growth of green building, energy efficiency, and renewable energy for our build environment. Discover how that affects your projects and how to best work with these DOE initiatives.

The Ecobuild America conference and exhibit, welcomed by Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, is focused on sustainable, green, and high performance solutions for the built environment. Ecobuild America is held in cooperation with: Green Mechanical Council™; Specifications Consultants in Independent Practice (SCIP) U.S. Commercial Service, U.S. Department of Commerce and buildingSMART™ Alliance. The event is endorsed by: American Institute of Architects, Los Angeles Chapter and Construction Specifications Institute, Los Angeles Chapter. The Gold corporate sponsor is Autodesk® and Silver Corporate sponsors are: SG Blocks and US CAD.

About Alexander Karsner
Alexander "Andy" Karsner was unanimously confirmed by the Senate as America's ninth Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and sworn-in as a member of the sub-cabinet by Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman on March 23, 2006.

The Assistant Secretary manages the Department of Energy's (DOE) $1.47 billion applied science, research, development, and deployment portfolio, which promotes marketplace integration of renewable and environmentally sound energy technologies. His Office also bears primary responsibility for education, conservation, regulation and efficient use of our nation's energy resources, including federal energy management, building codes, appliance standards, and the Energy Star program, amongst others. Assistant Secretary Karsner leads Administration efforts to implement several prominent Presidential Initiatives, including " The 20 in 10 Plan" to reduce our dependency on gasoline 20% by 2017; and "The Advanced Energy Initiative" which aims to accelerate breakthroughs in the way we power our cars, homes, and businesses; both announced by President Bush in consecutive State of the Union Addresses.

How to attend
Admission to Mr. Karsner's keynote and the accompanying comprehensive two day exhibit May 21-22 is $25 before April 11, 2008. Register at http://www.ecobuildamerica.com.

About Ecobuild America, LLC
Ecobuild America, LLC (Centerville, MA) under the leadership of principals Richard C. Vendola, Jr., and George Borkovich manages and produces Ecobuild America, Ecobuild Fall, AEC-ST, and AEC-ST Fall. Together they have a depth of experience in technology and event planning, for the AEC industry, including creating and managing the former A/E/C SYSTEMS International conference and exhibition.

Note to Press: Please include Ecobuild America in your print and online event calendars. To receive a complimentary press pass, email your contact info. and a link to an article with your byline to laura.edwards @ ecobuildamerica.com. You may access additional press releases at www.ecobuildamerica.com or www.aecst.com - click on the Media tab.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:01 AM | Comments (0)

Autodesk to Present Keynote Address at Ecobuild America and AEC-ST Signs on as Gold Corporate Sponsor

"Digital Cities" : The Future of BIM and Sustainable Design at a Community and City Scale will be presented by industry leader Doug Eberhard, Sr. Director, Industry Evangelist at Autodesk as a keynote address for the Ecobuild America and AEC-ST conference and exhibit. The keynote will take place Thursday, May 22, 2008, 1:00pm - 2:00pm at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA.

Centerville, MA (PRWEB) March 18, 2008 -- "Digital Cities": The Future of BIM and Sustainable Design at a Community and City Scale will be presented by industry leader Doug Eberhard, Sr. Director, Industry Evangelist at Autodesk as a keynote address for the Ecobuild America and AEC-ST conference and exhibit. Mr. Eberhard will take the stage Thursday, May 22, 2008, from 1:00pm - 2:00pm at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA.

Today, we continue to see increased demand and democratization for information moving from 2D to 3D, to 4D and beyond, but how will we envision and engage BIM, Geospatial, Analysis, Visualization and Collaboration tools in the future? How can we work in a more informed, integrated and visual way, while maintaining the security and integrity of our designs, our data and our decisions? How will owners, agencies, businesses and the public interface with this process and information as it becomes more valuable and more available? How will the people, the policies, the projects and the tools come together to help us better plan, design, construct and maintain a more sustainable world? Mr. Eberhard's presentation will look into the future of sustainability for our professions, our passions and our communities. It will examine the general state of design technology today and offer a glimpse of what is yet to come as we look beyond BIM for a single project and consider it at the community or city scale.

About Doug Eberhard
For over 20 years, Doug has created, sold and implemented innovative IT solutions on over $120 Billion of Capital Planning, Design, Engineering, and Construction Management projects around the world. Doug helped pioneer many award-winning solutions to virtually communicate and manage proposed projects using advanced Computer Modeling and Visualization, Geospatial and Project Information Management Systems, Digital Multimedia and Internet Collaboration Technologies. Doug's more notable projects include 3D/4D Modeling for the NYC World Trade Center Rebuilding Program, Public and Private Information Websites for the NYC Lower Manhattan rebuilding effort and Internet-based Construction Program Management Systems for General Motors, AT&T, FEMA, New York City, Caltrans, Singapore Ministry of Environment and Level 3 Communications. Doug has been a featured speaker and guest lecturer at numerous events and academic institutions.

About Ecobuild America and AEC-ST
Mr. Eberhard's speech, sponsored by Autodesk®, will be just one of the exciting highlights taking place at Ecobuild America and AEC-ST May 19-22 which also features Andrew "Andy" Karsner, Assistant Secretary Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy presenting a keynote address on Wednesday, May 21. This important event, welcomed by Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, is comprised of Ecobuild America - focused on sustainable, green, and high performance solutions for the built environment and AEC-ST - Science and technology for architecture, engineering, and construction. Ecobuild America and AEC-ST is held in cooperation with: Green Mechanical Council™; Specifications Consultants in Independent Practice (SCIP) U.S. Commercial Service, U.S. Department of Commerce and buildingSMART™ Alliance. Autodesk has signed on as a Gold Corporate sponsor joining Silver Corporate Sponsors US CAD and SG Blocks. Visit www.ecobuildamerica.com or www.aecst.com for complete event information.

How to attend
Admission to Mr. Eberhard's and Mr. Karsner's keynotes and the accompanying comprehensive two day exhibit May 21-22 is $25 before April 11, 2008. Register at http://www.ecobuildamerica.com or http://www.aecst.com.

About Ecobuild America, LLC
Ecobuild America, LLC (Centerville, MA) under the leadership of principals Richard C. Vendola, Jr., and George Borkovich manages and produces Ecobuild America, Ecobuild Fall, AEC-ST, and AEC-ST Fall. Together they have a depth of experience in technology and event planning, for the AEC industry, including creating and managing the former A/E/C SYSTEMS International conference and exhibition.

NOTE TO PRESS: Please include Ecobuild America and AEC-ST in your print and online event calendars. To receive a complimentary press pass, email your contact info. and a link to an article with your byline to laura.edwards @ ecobuildamerica.com. You may access additional press releases at www.ecobuildamerica.com or www.aecst.com - click on the Media tab.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:01 AM | Comments (0)

Pac-Van, Inc. Opens New Bakersfield Branch, the Company’s First Branch in California and 23rd Nationwide

New Bakersfield Branch will serve much of Southern California.

Indianapolis, IN (PRWEB) March 17, 2008 -- New Bakersfield Branch will serve much of Southern California.

“Establishing operations in California is a key step in Pac-Van’s growth. Bakersfield is our third new location in the past eight months and marks Pac-Van’s coast-to-coast expansion,” Ted Mourouzis, Pac-Van COO and President stated.

He continued, “We’re excited to start a branch with Tom Svare as its leader. Tom’s breadth and depth of experience as a modular building sales consultant, combined with relationships in the Bakersfield community, and Pac-Van’s commitment to service and quality, will be a terrific combination -- providing great value to customers.”

The Bakersfield branch will provide portable building and storage solutions to the much of the Southern California area, including Bakersfield, Riverside, Fresno, Visalia, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Santa Barbara.

“Pac-Van will strive to be a valued partner to organizations in need of temporary or permanent modular buildings, mobile offices and storage equipment. Whether organizations need commercial office space, classrooms, small medical facilities, sales centers, or simply an office trailer, they will find that they can rely on Pac-Van to help them meet their needs,” Mourouzis said.

The new branch, located at 2801 E. Brundage Lane, Bakersfield, CA 93307 (tel: 1-800-587-1784) will be managed by Tom Svare. Tom brings 16 years of experience in modular and portable buildings in Bakersfield and throughout Southern California.

About Pac-Van, Inc.:
Pac-Van, Inc. (www.pacvan.com) is a nationwide provider of portable buildings, including modular offices, temporary classrooms, construction offices, jobsite trailers, steel storage containers, ground-level offices, special event units, modular kiosks, and more.

The company serves a diverse array of customers, including those in the commercial, industrial, construction, medical, special event, government, and education markets.

Pac-Van’s reputation for excellent quality and unsurpassed service has won the company many accolades, including multiple listings in the “Inc. 500” List of Fastest Growing Companies in the U.S. and the Inc. “Inner City 100” List of Fastest Growing, Privately Owned, Inner City Companies in the U.S. Pac-Van is headquartered in Indianapolis, IN and has branch offices in 23 cities in 15 states.

For further information, contact:
Angie Mason
VP Marketing
1-888-791-2020

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:59 AM | Comments (0)

Learn How Your Organization Can Avoid the Coming Datacenter Power Crisis

Jay Taylor, Dell Global Strategist and ITI Energy Star® Working Group Chairman, to Keynote the Advanced Datacenter Energy Solutions Seminar Series, Presented April 9 in New York City by Stony Brook University, the Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center, the Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology, the National Grid, AFCO Systems and Other Leaders in Education, Research, Energy Management and Technology

Farmingdale, NY (PRWEB) March 17, 2008 -- Managing power consumption today is a national concern shared among multiple groups within organizations of all sizes -- facilities, engineering and information technology. Nowhere is it a more delicate balancing act than in the corporate datacenter, where the growing demand for servers, storage and networking infrastructure is straining traditional cooling and power efficiency methods. According to recent EPA reports, datacenter energy usage, and the power and cooling infrastructure that support it, have doubled during the past five years. To help organizations assess datacenter energy efficiency and learn proactive datacenter power consumption and cooling techniques that can also reduce costs, leaders in education, research, energy management and technology are presenting the Advanced Datacenter Energy Solutions Seminar Series on Wednesday, April 9 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the American Conference Center in New York City. Dell Global Strategist and ITI Energy Star Working Group Chairman, Jay Taylor, will keynote this "must attend event" for professionals responsible for their organization's energy efficiency. More information is available at http://www.ADESC.org or by calling 516-997-1950.

"Stony Brook University recognizes the value of educational and industry leaders working together to establish real-world datacenter power efficiency solutions," said Jim Smith, Assistant Vice President of Economic Development at Stony Brook University. "The Advanced Datacenter Energy Solutions Center represents a positive step toward that goal."

"The Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center and the Center of Excellence in Wireless & Information Technology are pleased to be associated with ADESC and this seminar to educate and inform IT professionals about more efficient and effective models for datacenter power and cooling," said Yacov Shamash, Stony Brook Vice President for Economic Development and Dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

"There is a real need for education about what organizations can do to face the growing datacenter power and cooling crisis head-on," said Michael Mallia, CEO of AFCO Systems, lead sponsor of the seminar series. "We are pleased to support leading thinkers from the areas of education, research and energy management."

Presented by Stony Brook University, the Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center (AERTC), the Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology (CEWIT), and the National Grid, the conference will bring together academic and statewide utility companies, as well as other technology industry leaders, to discuss best practices and outline existing and emerging opportunities for improved energy efficiency in datacenters. Industry partner sponsors include: AFCO Systems, X-nth, International Integrated Solutions, Ltd., mindSHIFT Technologies and CA.

Dell Global Strategist and ITI Energy Star Working Group Chairman, Jay Taylor, will be the event's keynote speaker, commenting on a variety of topics including improving server delivery and avoiding the impending power and cooling crisis.

For more information on the Advanced Datacenter Energy Solutions Seminar Series call HJMT COMMUNICATIONS, LLC at 516-997-1950.

About Stony Brook University
Part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system, Stony Brook now encompasses 123 buildings on 1,100 acres. In the nearly 50 years since its founding, the University has grown tremendously, now with more than 22,000 students and 1,900 faculty, and is recognized as one of the nation's important centers of learning and scholarship. It is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities, the invitation-only organization of the best research universities in the country, and has been listed as one of the best universities in the world by the London Times. More information is available from http://www.stonybrook.edu.

About AERTC
The Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center (AERTC) is a true partnership of academic institutions, research institutions, energy providers and industrial corporations. Its mission is innovative energy research, education and technology deployment with a focus on conservation, renewable energy and nanotechnology applications for new and novel sources of energy. More information is available from http://www.AERTC.org.

About CEWIT
The Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology (CEWIT) is a world leader in innovative research and development. Since many companies in the region need to be on the leading edge of technical innovation, requiring a substantial investment in R&D, CEWIT was created to bridge the gap by utilizing its own faculty and PhD students, who are already involved in fostering regional enterprise and commercialization. CEWIT has 50 faculty members, 190 PhD students, and a project management team with superior experience handling the needs of industry. More information is available from http://www.CEWIT.org

About the National Grid
The National Grid (LSE: NG.; NYSE:NGG) is an international electricity and gas company, and one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the world. The Company plays a vital role in delivering gas and electricity to many millions of people across Great Britain and the northeastern US in an efficient, reliable and safe manner. It is committed to safeguarding the global environment for future generations and providing all customers with the highest standards of service through investment in its networks and through a talented, diverse workforce.

About AFCO Systems
AFCO Systems, a global leader in the design and manufacture of advanced enclosure technology for mission-critical datacenter environments, has the world's largest installed base of thermostatically-controlled, air-cooled and heat load-balancing enclosures. The company is headquartered in Farmingdale, NY, and has a global presence with operations in North America, Ireland, London, Singapore and Tokyo. For more information, visit http://www.AFCOSystems.com or call 631-249-9441.

About ADESC
The Advanced Datacenter Energy Solutions Center (ADESC) is dedicated to providing education and practical solutions for increasing datacenter energy efficiency while maintaining continuous availability. It is directed by an alliance of education, research and energy management leaders, as well as technology industry partners. Objective scientific studies form the foundation for developing best practices and creating tangible, real-world programs that organizations can implement immediately in accordance with recommendations from the US EPA. Member and sponsor organizations include: Stony Brook University, The Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center (AERTC), the Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology (CEWIT), the National Grid, AFCO Systems, X-nth, International Integrated Solutions, Ltd., mindSHIFT Technologies and CA.

Media contact:
Arthur Germain, Principal, Communication Strategy Group for ADESC
agermain@gocsg.com
631-239-6335
www.gocsg.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:56 AM | Comments (0)

Solar Innovations, Inc. Announces Three Skylight Assembly Options to Meet Customers' Needs

Solar Innovations, Inc., a custom manufacturer of residential and commercial skylights, greenhouses, conservatories, sunrooms, folding and sliding glass doors, walls, windows, and screens, announces three assembly and delivery options to meet customers' needs.

Myerstown, PA (PRWEB) March 17, 2008 -- Solar Innovations, Inc., a custom manufacturer of residential and commercial skylights, greenhouses, conservatories, sunrooms, folding and sliding glass doors, walls, windows, and screens, announces three assembly and delivery options to meet the needs of our customers.

For each of the standard skylights options, Solar Innovations, Inc. is now able to provide customers with choices for delivery and installation, dependent on engineering requirements, which can greatly alleviate the installation burden for customers and minimize the time necessary for an installation crew to be on site.

By offering customers several different delivery and assembly options, "Solar Innovations, Inc. has created yet another customization option" for our end users to further meet their specific needs.

Solar Innovations, Inc. offers three skylight delivery and assembly options.
1. KD skylights, or knock down skylights, have virtually no design size limitation. These skylights are shipped with each part premanufactured, wrapped, and labeled. Each piece is prepared with applied clips, gaskets, and tape for ease of assembly and cost effective installation, but will require the greatest amount of time from the installation crew.

2. Preassembled, not preglazed skylights feature welded curbs and a preassembled frame which can be lifted or hoisted into place for water tight and secure curb details. Installation time is reduced to install glass, exterior caps, and fasteners, and finishing the exterior seal. Preassembled, not preglazed roof lanterns require less expertise and time to install than the KD model.

3. Preassembled, preglazed skylights can be shipped up to eight foot by fifteen foot lanterns depending on the configuration, accessories, shipping, and installation logistics. (Larger and modular sizes are available based on job specific criteria.) The skylight is shipped as complete as possible, requiring a crane to hoist or lift the skylight into place. Once in place, only the fasteners thru the curb are required for the installation to be completed. This option provides the ultimate manufacturing control and, with the exception of the crane, the greatest ease in installation.

Solar Innovations, Inc. skylights are available in numerous styles including double pitch, single slope, dome, barrel vault, hip end, pyramid, conservatory nose, and many other custom applications. As always, Solar Innovations, Inc. is able to provide their customers with one of the largest customization ranges in the industry. Solar Innovations offers its customers eight standard skylight options as well as any custom structure. Seven standard painted colors, two Anodized finishes, and several custom cladding options of Copper, Brushed Stainless Steel, and simulated Lead Coated Copper are available. Decorative options such as ridge cresting, finials, and moldings can be incorporated into skylights. Solar Innovations, Inc. offers glass, polycarbonate, and acrylic glazing options in several tints to satisfy numerous aesthetic pallets.

For more information on Solar Innovations, Inc.'s products or their delivery options please contact the marketing department at skylight @ solarinnovations.com or call 800-618-0669.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:56 AM | Comments (0)

DirectBuy Opens New Atlanta Northeast Members-Only Design Showroom

Low-cost alternative to retail is a one-stop shopping destination for consumers furnishing, remodeling or building a new home.

Duluth, GA (PRWEB) March 17, 2008 -- DirectBuy, the leading members-only showroom and home design center that offers merchandise at manufacturer-direct prices, announced that it has opened a new 19,000 square-foot showroom and adjacent warehouse at 3079 Premiere Parkway #170 in Duluth. DirectBuy of Atlanta Northeast offers area residents thousands of items, including kitchen cabinets, flat-screen televisions and major appliances from more than 700 top manufacturers and their authorized suppliers.

"DirectBuy is proud to give homeowners in the Atlanta area the opportunity to purchase virtually everything for in and around the home with no traditional retail markup," said Bart Fesperman, vice president of sales and marketing for DirectBuy. "DirectBuy has offered its members unmatched savings, selection and service across North America for the past 35 years, and we are excited to bring that tradition to the community of Duluth."

DirectBuy is a membership-based company that allows consumers to purchase brand-name merchandise for their home and family at manufacturer-direct prices. By providing brand-name items without traditional retail markup, DirectBuy dramatically increases the purchasing power of its members, enabling them to enjoy the home of their dreams.

DirectBuy of Atlanta Northeast is owned and operated by local entrepreneurs Robert and Terri MacDonald. Both have had successful careers that have given them valuable experience that they will put to good use assisting DirectBuy members. For 20 years, Terri worked as a reporter and anchor in major markets throughout the United States. After the couple had children, Terri transitioned into commercial on-camera and voice-over work and teaching at Woodward Academy in Atlanta. Bob has made a name for himself in the building materials and home furnishings industry, spending two decades in sales and marketing at Armstrong, and later serving as CEO of Peachtree Doors and Windows before moving on as CEO of Douglas Furniture.

"We're very excited about introducing the DirectBuy concept to the community," said Terri. "Although DirectBuy is one of America's best-kept secrets, we know how much it will help families in the area."

"We're working to make the membership experience really valuable," said Robert. "We don't gain unless we're helping families. Everything else will come accordingly."

To assist them with their home renovation projects, DirectBuy of Atlanta Northeast members have access to licensed interior and kitchen cabinet designers, along with product specialists who are specially trained in one of five areas of merchandise: Home Furnishings, Home Improvement, Flooring, Accessories, and Entertainment/Outdoor.

DirectBuy members also have exclusive access to renowned designer Christopher Lowell. Lowell has designed twelve room settings - created exclusively with products available through DirectBuy - using his Seven Layers of Design. An innovative approach to home décor, The Seven Layers of Design keep homeowners on budget and from feeling overwhelmed by their project.

DirectBuy Membership
Consumers who are interested in joining DirectBuy of Atlanta Northeast are encouraged to attend an exclusive Open House event, which is designed to educate families about DirectBuy's unique business model. The Open House also helps consumers better understand how DirectBuy members avoid traditional retail markup when purchasing brand-name merchandise.

To request a "Free Insider's Guide to Buying Direct" and a Visitor's Pass to learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, call 678-281-0772 or visit www.directbuy.com or www.directbuycares.com.

About DirectBuy
For more than 35 years, DirectBuy has been showing thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save as they shop for virtually everything for in and around their homes - from furniture, carpet and flooring, and custom window treatments, to kitchen cabinets and bath cabinets and fixtures, appliances and much, much more. DirectBuy enables members to purchase most every product offering from several hundred manufacturers at over 140 showrooms across North America. To learn more about DirectBuy, visit www.directbuy.com or www.directbuycares.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:56 AM | Comments (0)

Engineering Professor Offers Innovative Solution for Blast Retrofit of Buildings

QuakeWrap, Inc. announces BlastWrap™, an innovative solution for blast protection of buildings.

Tucson, Arizona (PRWEB) March 17, 2008 -- QuakeWrap, Inc. announces BlastWrap™, an innovative solution for blast protection of buildings. The product is less than 1/8-inch thick and can be applied quickly and as easily as wallpaper. Government laboratory test results clearly confirm the effectiveness of BlastWrap™.

Recent terrorism activities worldwide offer unique challenges for protecting buildings against damage caused by blast. The majority of these structures were not originally designed to resist such forces and require retrofit.

To demonstrate the effectiveness of the product, two identical unreinforced block walls were tested. One of the walls was retrofitted by applying BlastWrap™ to both faces; the other was unretrofitted and served as control object. A blast load equivalent to 200 pounds of TNT was detonated at a distance of 30-ft from the walls. The blast caused a pressure of 200 psi (pounds per square inch) on both walls. The retrofitted wall vibrated and displaced about 9 inches at mid-height before resting at its original position. The wall remained intact and no debris was produced.

"To put this extremely large force in perspective, we need to be reminded that many building floors are designed to resist a pressure of 40 pounds per square foot. The blast loading of 200 psi that was imposed on the tested wall is more than 700 times higher than that," said Mo Ehsani, a Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Arizona who has developed this system.

The pressure inside the retrofitted room reached only 4 psi. It's important to remember that ear drum rupture and lung collapse occur at approximately 5 and 10 psi, respectively. Ehsani added "This clearly demonstrates that the occupants of the retrofitted room would have survived this blast with minor discomfort."

A video of the blast test is available on the company's website: www.QuakeWrap.com/Blast-Retrofit.php

QuakeWrap, Inc. specializes in repair and retrofit of structures with Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) products. They are applied to the building like wallpaper. The BlastWrap™ system is being designed for installation in several buildings and underground mines. The company holds a U.S. Patent (No. 5,640,825) entitled "Method of Strengthening Masonry and Concrete Walls with Composite Strap and High Strength Random Fibers."

For additional information on the BlastWrap™ system, contact Professor Mo Ehsani or visit www.QuakeWrap.com.

Mo Ehsani, Ph.D., P.E., S.E. President, QuakeWrap, Inc. and Professor of Civil Engineering, The University of Arizona
Office: (520) 791-7000
Mobile: (520) 250-7020
Fax :(520) 791-0600
Mo @ QuakeWrap.com
www.QuakeWrap.com

FRPs are used in structural strengthening as well as in protecting against moisture intrusion and corrosion. The system is made up of flexible fabrics composed of carbon or glass fibers that are saturated in the field with a resin. The fabric is applied much like wallpaper, reaching three times the strength of steel in 24 hours! Although the cost of the materials is relatively high, the ease and speed of installation almost always make FRPs a more economical alternative in retrofits and renovations.

A partial list of QuakeWrap's CFRP sucessfuly completed repair and strengthing projects includes:

- Seismic retrofit of the Anchorage AK Airport
- Tilt-up wall repair and retrofit Mitsubishi Corp, Compton CA
- Slab repair and retofit Trump Grande Condominiums, Miami FL
- Prestressed concretee cylinder pipe (PCCP) repair and retrofit,
Public Services of NM, Farmington NM
- Seismic retrofit Museum of Natural History, Los Angeles CA

QuakeWrap, Inc. was founded in 1994 by Dr. Mo Ehsani, an internationally recognized expert and researcher in the use of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRPs) and a professor of structural engineering at the University of Arizona. Dr. Ehsani has been featured on CNN, The History Channel, National Public Radio, and in other media, including Engineering News Record (ENR) for his expertise on the strengthening of structures, particularly related to earthquakes, terrorist attacks and other potential structural disasters.

Media Contact:
Bob O'Brien
V.P. Marketing, QuakeWrap, Inc.
Office: (520) 791-7000
Fax:(520) 791-0600
Bob @ QuakeWrap.com
www.QuakeWrap.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:54 AM | Comments (0)

Gene Forte Named to Supply and Demand Chain Executive Magazine's List of "2008 Pros to Know"

FORTE, a supply chain consulting and integration firm, announced today that founder Gene Forte has been named to Supply and Demand Chain Executive magazine's list of supply chain industry innovators in the Provider Pros to Know category.

Mason, OH (PRWEB) March 17, 2008 -- FORTE, a supply chain consulting and integration firm, announced today that founder Gene Forte has been named to Supply and Demand Chain Executive magazine's list of supply chain industry innovators in the Provider Pros to Know category.

"This year's Pros to Know were selected based on their vision for the '21st century supply chain,' and their view of the role of technology in enabling the 21st century economy," reports Andrew K. Reese, editor of Supply & Demand Chain Executive magazine. "The results that Forte's clients have achieved from moving toward this vision underscore his selection to this year's listing."

"We are pleased that Gene Forte has been recognized for his leadership and accomplishments toward helping clients build their 21st century supply chains," said Andrew Breckenridge, president of Forte. "His insight and leadership has helped define best practices in the planning, design and integration of supply chains for over 30 years, which has also allowed our clients to outpace their competition."

Gene Forte, who founded Forte in 1980, has executed the expansion and transformation of the company's product and service portfolio to help their clients better integrate and optimize their supply chains. Additionally, he has overseen the upgrade of Forte's proprietary distribution software applications to service oriented architectures. This approach simplifies integration with other enterprise systems and helps businesses respond more quickly and cost effectively to rapidly changing market conditions.

As a result, Forte clients have achieved operating improvements that include 5%--15% reductions in overall costs. These savings result from optimizing processes and systems to

reduce transportation and labor costs
shorten cycle times
increase capacity and throughput
improve order accuracy
The full listing of the 2008 Pros to Know is available on the Supply and Demand Chain Executive web site.

About Supply & Demand Chain Executive
Supply & Demand Chain Executive is the executive's user manual for successful supply and demand chain transformation, utilizing hard-hitting analysis, viewpoints and unbiased case studies to steer executives and supply management professionals through the complicated, yet critical, world of supply and demand chain enablement to gain competitive advantage. On the Web at www.SDCExec.com.

About Forte
Forte helps our clients transform supply chains for competitive advantage. We bring world-class supply chain management expertise and advanced analytic tools to all of our engagements. We work closely with our clients to identify and implement supply chain process, layout and systems improvements that create significant business value. Our supply chain services include; assessment, planning, network optimization, 3PL strategy, distribution facility design/implementation, WMS selection, warehouse systems integration and support services. Forte has a 26 year track record serving companies like IBM, Crate and Barrel, Pepsico, Polo Ralph Lauren, Lenox, CVS, Whirlpool, totes»ISOTONER, Newell/Rubbermaid and Procter & Gamble. For more information, please call 513-398-2800, or visit www.forte-industries.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:51 AM | Comments (0)

LUXIM Launches LIFI™ Entertainment Light Source Enabling Long Life, Rugged, Efficient and Intelligent Lighting

New 20,000 Hour Light Source Is the First in Its Class to Bring Low Maintenance and Efficiency to Entertainment Lighting

SUNNYVALE, Calif. (Business Wire EON/PRWEB ) March 17, 2008 -- LUXIM Corp. is pleased to announce the introduction of its new LIFI™ Entertainment solid state high intensity light source product line. The new module outputs up to 12,000 lumens from a small emitter in a forward intensity pattern with a color rendering index (CRI) of 91 and a 20,000 hour lifetime.

In applications like moving heads, scanners and follow spots, LIFI™ Entertainment light sources enable 50% higher fixture efficiency than conventional lamps. As a result, designers of entertainment lighting can increase beam intensity and reduce optical system size. In addition, LIFI™ Entertainment systems last seven times longer than those using conventional HID lamps and are safe to use in any application since they do not experience explosions or broken glass.

LIFI™ Entertainment light sources join other products in the LIFI™ portfolio with their full spectrum output achieving CRI of 91. Lighting equipment designers can use the wide spectral range of LIFI sources to achieve excellent illumination quality and densely saturated filtered effects.

Each LIFI™ Entertainment light source is equipped with an individually addressable microcontroller that can provide energy saving dimming and strobe. This smart lighting feature is compatible with various network protocols and can feed back system status.

Products will be on display at LUXIM’s exhibit at the Light & Building trade fair in Frankfurt Germany, April 6-11, 2008 and samples of LIFI™ Entertainment are available now along with datasheet, application and design references at info@luxim.com or tel: +1-408-734-1096.

About LUXIM Corporation

LUXIM is a pioneer and volume manufacturer of energy-efficient lighting solutions that offer reliable and extraordinarily compact technology for high-intensity applications. LUXIM’s innovative LIFI™ technology blends advanced solid state electronics with full-spectrum plasma emitter technology in a tiny bulb to deliver unmatched color quality and other performance benefits. With twice the efficiency and five times the lifespan of conventional high-intensity light sources, LUXIM’s LIFI™ enables diverse applications with “cleaner” and more cost-effective advantages. Headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif. and backed by leading venture capital firms, the company maintains sales, support and manufacturing centers in the U.S., Europe and Asia. To learn more, please visit www.luxim.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:50 AM | Comments (0)

Cosmopolitan Continues to Move Forward

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. (Business Wire EON/PRWEB ) March 17, 2008 -- Perini Corporation (NYSE: PCR), announces that Deutsche Bank has begun the foreclosure process on the Cosmopolitan Resort and Casino as a parallel track to its negotiations with Global Hyatt Corporation and New York-based Marathon Asset Management. The parties are actively engaged in discussions regarding a recapitalization of the condominium-hotel casino project.

The Cosmopolitan project is being constructed by Perini Building Company, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Perini Corporation, on an 8.5 acre site between MGM Mirage’s Bellagio Resort and Casino and the newest MGM project under construction, CityCenter. Deutsche Bank continues to pay Perini for work performed on a monthly basis under a previous agreement. As a result, the Company’s work at the Cosmopolitan continues on schedule.

About Perini Corporation

Perini Corporation is a leading construction services company offering diversified general contracting, construction management and design/build services to private clients and public agencies throughout the world. We have provided construction services since 1894 and have established a strong reputation within our markets by executing large complex projects on time and within budget while adhering to strict quality control measures. We offer general contracting, preconstruction planning and comprehensive project management services, including the planning and scheduling of the manpower, equipment, materials and subcontractors required for a project. We also offer self-performed construction services including sitework, concrete forming and placement and steel erection. We are known for our hospitality and gaming industry projects, sports and entertainment, educational, transportation, healthcare, biotech, pharmaceutical and high-tech facilities, as well as large and complex civil construction projects and construction management services to U.S. military and government agencies.

The statements contained in this Release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the Company. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting the Company will be those anticipated by the Company. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond the control of the Company) or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to successfully and timely complete construction projects; the Company’s ability to convert backlog into revenue; the potential delay, suspension, termination, or reduction in scope of a construction project; the continuing validity of the underlying assumptions and estimates of total forecasted project revenues, costs and profits and project schedules; the outcomes of pending or future litigation, arbitration or other dispute resolution proceedings; the availability of borrowed funds on terms acceptable to the Company; the ability to retain certain members of management; the ability to obtain surety bonds to secure its performance under certain construction contracts; possible labor disputes or work stoppages within the construction industry; changes in federal and state appropriations for infrastructure projects; possible changes or developments in worldwide or domestic political, social, economic, business, industry, market and regulatory conditions or circumstances; and actions taken or not taken by third parties, including the Company’s customers, suppliers, business partners, and competitors and legislative, regulatory, judicial and other governmental authorities and officials. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:50 AM | Comments (0)

Wincove Capital Acquires Connect-Air International

On March 6, 2008, Wincove Capital ("Wincove") acquired Connect-Air International, Inc. ("Connect-Air" or the "Company"). Based outside of Seattle, Connect-Air is one of the largest distributors of specialty low-voltage wire and cable products in the United States.

New York, NY (PRWEB) March 17, 2008 -- On March 6, 2008, Wincove Capital ("Wincove") acquired Connect-Air International, Inc. ("Connect-Air" or the "Company"). Based outside of Seattle, Connect-Air is one of the largest distributors of specialty low-voltage wire and cable products in the United States.

The Company's primary business is the distribution of control and signal wires and related devices that are used in commercial HVAC, security and fire alarm systems (both retrofits and new systems). The Company also provides outsourced manufacturing of custom, low-volume cable assemblies through its offshore partners. The Company's customer mix is highly diversified, ranging from small local contractors to major global OEM's of building automation systems.

Connect-Air currently has seven distribution facilities located in Washington, Oregon, Northern California, Southern California, Arizona, Georgia and Massachusetts. Wincove intends to build upon the Company's historical track record of organic growth through further penetration of existing markets as well as continued geographic expansion. Wincove will also seek to opportunistically grow Connect-Air via acquisition.

HighPoint Capital, based in Boston, provided the senior credit facilities to support Wincove's acquisition and also co-invested in the equity. Fidus Capital, with offices in Charlotte, Chicago and New York, invested subordinated debt and preferred equity in the transaction.

Wincove Capital is a New York-based lower middle-market private equity firm that was founded in late 2007. Wincove partners with profitable companies to help accelerate their growth and ultimately unlock value. The acquisition of Connect-Air is Wincove's first transaction.

For further information, please contact John Lenahan at (646) 216-2087. Alternatively, please visit www.wincovecapital.com and www.connect-air.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:47 AM | Comments (0)

Corporate Services Announces Executive Forum Event

Event geared toward senior executives and will focus on strategies to improve profits in asset-dependent businesses.

Baton Rouge, LA (PRWEB) March 17, 2008 -- Corporate Services LLC, developers of TrakQuip™ and RTMS, the premier equipment and rental software applications, will host the Executive Forum event on May 2, 2008 in Houston.

The Executive Forum will focus on strategies to improve the financial performance of asset-dependent businesses and is open to all senior executives. The event will feature two speakers; Grant Getman, CPA and Jim Wichterman.

Grant Getman is the former CFO of a very successful business who has walked in the shoes of senior executives. He is the founder of Enterprise Design Group (www.enterprise-design-group.com) and has significant experience with successfully turning around troubled companies. His presentation will focus on optimization, managing costs, measuring utilization and how to maximize the investment made in people, equipment and technology.

Jim Wichterman is a senior consultant with Management Action Programs (MAP - www.mapconsulting.com), a firm dedicated to accelerating sustainable growth for its clients. Additionally he has served MAP as the CEO and Chairman of the Board. As an executive for numerous companies in diverse industries, including healthcare, travel, food and insurance, Jim has directed or contributed significantly to a number of profit turnarounds. His presentation centers on leadership development and uses the film Twelve O'Clock High as a basis.

"We are thrilled to have both Grant and Jim share their knowledge, expertise and lessons learned with the attendees at the Executive Forum," said Michael Saint, Corporate Services' president. "We know this event will be impactful and attendees will walk away with at least one strategy to be more profitable."

For more information about the Executive Forum, please visit www.corpservice.com. Special pricing is available for multiple attendees and for early registration.

About Corporate Services, LLC
Since 1993 Corporate Services, LLC has provided premier equipment and rental software applications. First and foremost a service company, Corporate Services' applications - TrakQuip™ and RTMS Oilfield Rental Tool Management Software - are completely modifiable to a business' operational needs and integrate seamlessly with leading accounting packages. For more information, please visit www.corpservice.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:45 AM | Comments (0)

The StarvingCarpenter.com Launches Website To Help Remodeling and Home Repair Contractors Manage and Grow Their Business

With millions of contractors to choose from, many lacking basic business and follow up skills, The Starving Carpenter.com seeks to elevate small businesses from the fold through customer focus and business planning

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) March 17, 2008 -- The Starving Carpenter.com (www.theStarvingCarpenter.com), an online resource for contractors to grow their business, launched today as one of the first dedicated Websites to address the true business needs of millions of contractors and small businesses looking to grow their home repair or remodeling business.

With new home sales at record low levels and an aging housing stock, homeowners are turning to improving their existing homes as a way to weather the economic storm. Contractors who are prepared to professionally respond to their customer's needs will be in high demand. [Joint Center for Housing Studies, Harvard University, Foundations for Future Growth in the Remodeling Industry

The Starving Carpenter.com was launched to address this need and to bridge the gap between consumers need for home repairs and contractors who can get the job done professionally.

Cole Calhoun, contractor and author, has launched starvingcarpenter.com. Cole is a successful contractor and businessman in the Atlanta, Georgia area. With a solid background in marketing and sales and years of experience in interacting with customers in management roles at Home Depot, Cole has developed a few simple keys to insure success to any small contractor who will put them in place.

Recently quoted in Fortune Small Business magazine, Cole shares how each contractor must overcome the "Trust Gap."

"Every customer has a fear of being taken advantage of, whether it's in buying a new car or in having the house painted. As a contractor, the challenge is in approaching the customer in such a way as to virtually eliminate the gap of trust and put yourself in a position to get the job, every time," said Cole Calhoun, founder of The Starving Carpenter.

A New Resource for a Growing Market
Most consumers have had the experience of trying to find a good handyman, carpenter, or painter? If you are fortunate enough to get a phone number from a friend or coworker, you will be even luckier to get one of these guys to call you back. Are they in such demand that they can refuse potential sales?

Unfortunately, no.
In most cases, these small businessmen are much more comfortable with a hammer or paintbrush than a DayTimer or BlackBerry.

With historically the worst communication and follow up skills of any industry, the small remodeling and repair contractor has all but eliminated himself from the market.

"The Starving Carpenter" takes the most innovative promotional concepts in the marketing world and applies them to the world of the residential carpenter, painter or plumber. No MBA's here. Just breakthrough techniques stated in the everyday language of the craftsman.

The Website features:

Free E-course on the Six Biggest Mistakes for Small Contractors
Discussion and comment on the latest trends in marketing for the remodeling contractor

About The Starving Carpenter:
The Starving Carpenter is an online resource to help home contractors and remodelers succeed in business by providing the tools and business planning skills to help them better run their business.

Visit http://www.starvingcarpenter.com to see the breakthrough concepts that turn struggling craftsmen into market dominators.

Press contact:
media @ starvingcarpenter.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:44 AM | Comments (0)

First Comprehensive Salary Survey for the MEP Industry Launched

The first comprehensive salary survey for mechanical, electrical and plumbing professionals was launched today by MEP Jobs and co-sponsored by Nexstar and Contracting Business magazine.

Urbandale, IA (PRWEB) March 17, 2008 -- The first comprehensive salary survey for mechanical, electrical and plumbing professionals was launched today by MEP Jobs and co-sponsored by Nexstar and Contracting Business magazine. The survey page is located at http://www.mepjobs.com/salary.

"Thousands of mechanical, electrical and plumbing job seekers visit our Web site each month looking for employment opportunities," noted John von Harz, president of MEP Jobs. "Reliable information about wages throughout the industry is extremely useful. Our employer clients have asked for this information to help determine competitive wages."

Plumbers, electricians, HVAC technicians and other industry-specific job seekers can enter their current wage information at MEP Jobs (www.mepjobs.com/salary) and view current results. Job seekers can also have final results of the survey emailed to them.

MEP Jobs is the industry's leading job board and resume bank. Nexstar is a member-owned professional training and development organization providing sound business practices in management, operations, marketing and finance. Contracting Business is the HVAC industry's leading magazine.

About Contracting Business:
Contracting Business is dedicated to the residential, commercial and industrial mechanical systems contracting marketplace - HVACR mechanical systems and design/build/maintain contractors, wholesalers and commercial/industrial in-house service organizations. Editorial coverage includes new market opportunities, business management, design and engineering and the service and maintenance of HVACR systems.

About Nexstar:
Nexstar is a professional business-development company, delivering comprehensive business systems, training and support to independent home service providers in the plumbing, heating, cooling and electrical trades. Members are located across North America and as far reaching as Australia and the Caribbean.

About MEP Jobs:
MEP Jobs is the leading online job board and resume bank for professionals in the mechanical, electrical and plumbing industries. MEP Jobs focuses exclusively on the specialty trade contractor segment, including contractors, manufacturers, wholesalers, facility managers, service organizations and executive search firms. MEP Jobs was founded in 1996, and is a service of Industry People Group.
http://www.mepjobs.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:44 AM | Comments (0)

New Kitchen Cabinet Systems by ALNO® Signal a Revolution in Form Meets Function Innovative 2008 Collections Define the ALNO Ragline of 'The Kitchen, Perfected.'

Say hello to the Kitchen of the Future. A kitchen system that is so exquisite, it is compared to a fine German automobile, given the technical precision of its parts, fit and finish. A kitchen that is ergonomically-built to fit seamlessly with an individual's unique design, organizational and specified cooking needs. They are the advanced, kitchen systems of ALNO -- one of Europe's leading kitchen design innovators, which has been practicing their art since 1927.

Boston, MA (PRWEB) March 17, 2008 -- Say hello to the Kitchen of the Future. A kitchen system that is so exquisite, it is compared to a fine German automobile, given the technical precision of its parts, fit and finish. A kitchen that is ergonomically-built to fit seamlessly with an individual's unique design, organizational and specified cooking needs. They are the advanced, kitchen systems of ALNO -- one of Europe's leading kitchen design innovators, which has been practicing their art since 1927.

At the pulse of modern design, the German-based ALNO understands that an ideal kitchen system is all about using creative, individual and unusual design alternatives, in order to create the most efficient use of space. Working around the typical work triangle of the sink, fridge and oven, ALNO crafts kitchen cabinet systems that match the size and layout of a kitchen. Then, the homeowner gets to choose between limitless fittings for endless organization, an infinite color palette and little details, like whether they'd like handles or knobs or they'd prefer their cabinet doors to automatically open when gently tapped. In addition, the 2008 collection features modern, vibrantly-colored shelves, which seamlessly merge the kitchen with the home's living areas and extra wide drawers and extra high wall units to offer ideal storage solutions, without sacrificing style.

Sleek, streamlined, and above all functional, ALNO kitchen cabinet systems bring high-art to the home's most prominent living space. Utilizing wood, glass, gloss and colors, their 2008 collection elevates the working kitchen to a whole new level: "The Kitchen, Perfected."

Whether a homeowner is looking for upscale design, a stylish look or a cozy, comfortable kitchen -- the three new collections from ALNO: LIFESTYLE, COUNTRY and HOME offer numerous possibilities for expressing one's own distinctive style.

LIFESTYLE

ALNOART PRO: Revel in modernity with a completely handleless kitchen, featuring real aluminum molded frames and high-gloss lacquered glass doors for a brilliant, mirrored effect. Furthermore, this system debuts the latest trend in individual kitchen designs -- classic C-shaped shelves. They can be mounted anywhere on the wall and create a seamless transition between kitchen and living room in open-plan designs, and are also available in nine carcase finishes. The shelves have aluminum-colored edges and feature down lighting. Typical of all shelves is the mirrored glass back panel. It can be tailored to one's taste with an imprinted wood grain or colored lacquer. Color options include: Olive, Lime, Papaya, Blackberry and more. Let's face it: a modern classic needs no ornamentation.

ALNOART WOODGLAS: The ALNOART WOODGLAS illustrates nature in its ultimate technical perfection. Negating the need for real exotic wood veneers, the ALNOART Woodline program creates stunning, simulated wood grain finishes in an eco-friendly way. This patented, ink-jet technology, which prints directly on the kitchen doors to create a book-matched veneer effect in three exotic wood-grain finishes: Brazilian Rosewood, Zebra and Beech Heart.

ALNOLUX: A new collection that combines the opulence of ultra-high gloss and intense colors with outstanding resistance to wear. Utilizing highly durable and versatile acrylic -- known for its color-fastness -- this line conveys a brilliant mirrored effect which creates a superb, long-lasting kitchen. Furthermore, this line is equipped with "tap-on-fittings" -- an innovative feature -- which allows kitchen pull-outs, drawers and wall units to automatically open when gently tapped and easily close when tapped again. Available in rich coral, deep cocoa or metallic graphite.

COUNTRY

ALNOFINN: A naturally simple kitchen system constructed of solid, profiled frames and combined with high-quality, real-wood panels. The surfaces are brushed, stained and lacquered. Cabinets feature a clear, consistent design, which continues right down to the handles and pilasters. With its drawers, hinged door units and illuminated display cabinets, it combines well-organized storage space with modern comforts. Other functional adornments include cornices and grooved pilasters, which highlight the design's linear style.

HOME

ALNOLOOK: A timeless modern look that is low-maintenance and practical. The surfaces are coated with high-quality foil and the doors are slightly rounded on all sides. The ALNO shelf framework system features end shelf units and display shelf units which provide more storage and display space. Add-on table options equal additional work surfaces. Furthermore, a base unit on wheels provides mobile storage space.

ALNOSQUARE: Welcome to stylish oak. The ALNOSQUARE features doors with extra-wide stylish frames and veneered infill panels; a modern interpretation of the classic wood look. The surfaces are sealed with lacquer. Wall units with upward-folding doors provide more storage space without restricting headroom. Furthermore, narrow niche units keep everything that one needs on the work surface on hand behind a satined all-glass sliding door.

FITTINGS AND FIXTURES: ALNO cabinets offer more than just one's favorite color. Their numerous options for interior fittings allow for everything to be organized as one sees fit. With several choices for drawer depth and width, pull-out drawers that offer full display of contents, and adjustable and removable containers for advanced storage levels, ALNO has made kitchen life easy. Their unique Cross-Line system allows for complete organization of drawers. With cutlery inserts, dividers according to requirements and a beech drawer insert with removable stainless steel and glass containers, storing spices has become an art form. Furthermore -- task lighting systems can be implemented for ambiance and function. Finally, with a full slate of unit systems, the ALNO Magic Corner base and wall units have a surprising amount of space, thanks to a clever mechanism which allows every last corner of space to be used and thus opens up 38% more storage space.

For over 80 years, ALNO has been creating innovative and revolutionary kitchen systems, which boast of quality materials, skilled craftsmanship and technical precision. As one of Europe's largest kitchen manufacturers, all systems are imported from the company's base in Pfullendorf, Germany -- and feature only the finest wood, glass, gloss, color and overall architecture. Having practiced green manufacturing for decades, all ALNO cabinets are constructed from FSC-certified materials and reflect the company's devotion to environmentally-responsible practices. Constantly at the forefront of innovation, ALNO is always refining and exploring new ways to create the ultimate kitchen from a product and personal usage point of view. With a tagline of "The Kitchen, Perfected," ALNO kitchens are synonymous with high art, detailed in their many innovations including ALNO SoftClose, ALNO AllGlas and ALNO DualGlow. ALNO products are available through a select network of nationwide dealers.

http://www.alnousa.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:42 AM | Comments (0)

In Response to Aerospace Industry Requests, Master Chemical Corporation Develops New Product Extensions of Its Popular TRIM TASK™ Grime Fighter

Master Chemical Corporation has introduced two new product extensions of its industrial strength cleaner, TRIM® TASK2™ Grime Fighter. "We developed these two products in response to requests from the aerospace industry," said Product Manager, Dave Barned. "They were created to meet a need for mild cleaners that both pass the Hydrogen Embrittlement test and clean effectively without damaging surfaces. The new TRIM TASK2 All Purpose Cleaner and TRIM TASK2 Glass Cleaner meet industry leader Pratt & Whitney's requirements for use in its aerospace plants," he stated.

Perrysburg, Ohio (PRWEB) March 17, 2008 -- Master Chemical Corporation has introduced two new product extensions of its industrial strength cleaner, TRIM® TASK2™ Grime Fighter. "We developed these two products in response to requests from the aerospace industry," said Product Manager, Dave Barned. "They were created to meet a need for mild cleaners that both pass the Hydrogen Embrittlement test and clean effectively without damaging surfaces.

The new TRIM TASK2 All Purpose Cleaner and TRIM TASK2 Glass Cleaner meet industry leader Pratt & Whitney's requirements for use in its aerospace plants," he stated.

While the existing TASK 2 Grime Fighter is an industrial strength heavy duty cleaner, that meets the most stringent cleaning requirements in the plant; TASK 2 All-purpose Cleaner is a milder, water-based cleaning agent for general cleaning that will not harm surfaces, including seals, different alloys, and nonmetallic materials. Its unique formula allows for fast wetting and spreading to quickly clean oily, greasy soils. The TASK 2 Glass Cleaner cleans any transparent surface without leaving a residue. The products are environmentally friendly, biodegradable, and contain no ammonia, caustic, silicates, phosphates, nitrites, phenols, or borates.

According to Cleaners and Corrosion Inhibitors Applications Manager, Jennifer Rogers, "TASK2 All Purpose Cleaner is specially formulated with low solids to reduce unsightly residues and leave surfaces spotless. The Cleanability Score shows that the TASK2 All Purpose Cleaner is a superior cleaner on the five most common shop soils," she said. TASK2 All Purpose Cleaner is specifically formulated to be compatible with coolants in case of incidental contact. "The product's low conductivity and pH is another important benefit. TASK2 All Purpose Cleaner will not split coolants when in contact with them," said Jennifer Rogers.

Master Chemical compared three glass cleaners in use at aerospace plants and industrial settings. While all three products had similar pH levels, TASK2 Glass Cleaner truly shined on surface tension and percent solids parameters. TASK2 Glass Cleaner's surface tension is far lower than its competitors which translates to better cleaning through faster penetration of soils; and better wetting and spreading of the cleaner over the surface for more effective cleaning. TASK2 Glass Cleaner has a lower percent solids leading to less streaking and hazing of surfaces.

"TASK2 Grime Fighter, TASK2 All Purpose Cleaner, and TASK2 Glass Cleaner have all passed the ASTM 519-97 Type 1c Hydrogen Embrittlement test," said Vice President Strategic Technology Development, Milton Hoff. "The TASK2 family of products was tested in accordance to the ASTM F519-97 Type 1c Hydrogen Embrittlement test for 150 hours with no failure," he stated. Materials undergo hydrogen embrittlement and this can eventually result in metal failure. "Passage of the Hydrogen Embrittlement test is essential to gain approval for use in aerospace," said Mr. Hoff.

TASK2 products are labeled "readily biodegradable" because they exceed the requirements of OECD Method 301D, the test for Ready Biodegradability. The test, an international standard for product labeling, measures biodegradation of consumer and industrial products. In the degradation testing, the time it takes a product to break down in the environment is measured. The TASK2 products have required less than half the time allowed by the standard. In addition to being readily biodegradable, TASK2 products have a mild pH and a very light, pleasant scent. "TASK2 products are among the most user-friendly and environmentally friendly cleaning products available," said Dave Barned. "They are strong on industrial grease and grime, yet safe for people, products, and planet," he stated.

Unlike many of its competitors, TASK2 All Purpose Cleaner and TASK2 Glass Cleaner contain no butyl, phosphates, borates, silicates, or hydroxides. The solvent butyl, or "2 butoxyethanol", is commonly used in many cleaner formulations and can be listed by more than 30 different names but can be recognized by its CAS# of 111-76-2. According to "Concise International Chemical Assessment Document 10" published under the joint sponsorship of the United Nations Environment Programme, the International Labour Organization, and the World Health Organization, and produced within the framework of the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals, "The principal human health effects attributed to 2-butoxyethanol exposure have involved the central nervous system, the blood, and the kidneys. 2-Butoxyethanol is toxic to humans. Following long-term or repeated exposure, effects on the blood may be observed."

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) notes that "Animal studies have shown hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells that results in the release of hemoglobin) from exposure to 2-butoxyethanol and 2-butoxyethanol acetate. High doses of 2-butoxyethanol can also cause reproductive problems and minor birth defects in animals."

Markets for the entire family of TASK2 products--Grime Fighter, All-purpose Cleaner, and Glass Cleaner, include aerospace and other industries with strict demand for products that do not cause hydrogen embrittlement and are environmentally safe cleaners, as well as, industries and customers with a need for general cleaners. The TASK2 products are safe on all metals excellent for use on glass, ceramics, stainless steel, chrome, Formica, and more; and though mild, are strong enough to cut through tough shop soils. The TASK2 All Purpose Cleaner and TASK2 Glass Cleaner are designed to be used without dilution. TASK2 products are sold through Master Chemical's distributors and are available in convenient 32-ounce, full-quart spray bottles, one-gallon bottles, five-gallon pails, drums, or totes. For more information about these two new TASK2 products please visit
http://www.masterchemical.com/na_en/fluid_products/product.php?id=task2-all
http://www.masterchemical.com/na_en/fluid_products/product.php?id=task2-glass, or call Master Chemical at 419-874-7902.

About Master Chemical Corporation
Master Chemical Corporation was founded on November 13, 1951. Since then, working closely with the worldwide metalworking community, Master Chemical Corporation has developed and marketed a full line of specialty cutting and grinding fluids, cutting oils, concentrated washing and cleaning compounds, and rust preventives all under the TRIM® Brand trademark. These products are both environmentally sound and when used in conjunction with Master Chemical's XYBEX® Coolant Recycling and Filtration Systems, are the most durable and stable products available anywhere today. Master Chemical has always been committed to the safety of the people who use our products, the protection of our planet and the environment we live in, and the overall impact on our customers' profitability. For further information please contact a Distributor near you (http://www.masterchemical.com/na_en/distributors/index.php), visit www.masterchemical.com, or call us at 419-874-7902.

Photos:
http://www.masterchemical.com/db-docs15/images/TASK2-new_p.jpg (300 dpi file)
http://www.masterchemical.com/db-docs15/images/TASK2-new_w.jpg (72 dpi file)

Photo caption:
TRIM® TASK2™ All Purpose Cleaner and TRIM® TASK2™ Glass Cleaner in convenient 32-ounce, full-quart spray bottles, pictured with a full case of each. Also available in one-gallon bottles, five-gallon pails, drums, or totes.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:01 AM | Comments (0)

March 15, 2008

Davis Frame Company Builds Energy Star 5 Plus Rated Timber Frame Home

Davis Frame Company, a leader in the timber frame industry, is proud to announce that one of their timber frame homes recently qualified for the highest energy efficient home rating from Energy Star.

Claremont, NH (PRWEB) March 15, 2008 -- Davis Frame Company, one of the country's premiere timber frame home companies, is proud to announce that one of their timber frame homes recently qualified for the highest rating Energy Star awards. The client's home, located in central Vermont, received Energy Star 5+ rating which nearly exceeds perfection. The home is 4407 square feet and is a hybrid combining a unique blend of timber frame home design with conventional building.

The timbers in the timber frame portion of the home are carefully crafted with Douglas fir. This energy custom efficient home is insulated with structural insulated panels (SIPS) 4-1/2 wall panels (R21) and 10-1/4 EPS roof panels (R38), from Foard Panel. In order to qualify as an Energy Star home, the Vermont couple had a blower door test performed, which measures the air tightness of the home. To help create a more energy efficient home, high energy efficient doors, windows and appliances were incorporated into the home.

"The energy efficiency of our timber frame home is an unanticipated benefit which we are now appreciating. We're very happy with our choice!"- Joan and Brian

Davis Timber Frame Company Can Help Build Your Energy Star Timber Frame Home
Davis Frame Company's timber frames ensure that your timber frame home contains extremely high-quality craftsmanship combined with energy efficient structural insulated panels (SIPs) in the wall and roof system to create an energy efficient green house by design. With the use of passive solar into the design of your new timber frame home, energy efficient windows, and SIPs, a highly energy efficient home can be built that can be far superior than a typical log or conventional "stick-built" home.

"The timing is serendipitous," states Reid Greenberg, Director of Marketing and eCommerce for Davis Frame Company. "The consumer is asking for a combination of beautiful aesthetics and unmatched energy efficiency in their new homes. By default, the process we use for our timber frame homes fit this model perfectly. The time for the timber frame industry to reach the broader market has come."

Davis Frame's in-house design team has a wealth of knowledge in green building design, home orientation, and passive solar considerations, which fits in perfectly with the company's goal of providing energy efficient homes. Davis Frame can help your home or commercial buildings meet Energy Star standards as well as qualify for LEED certification.

More on Energy Star
There are many benefits for receiving an Energy Star rating for your new timber frame home which include a federal tax break as well a significant saving in energy costs. Here are some quick and easy solutions to make your current home more energy efficient such as the following:

Purchase Energy Star appliances
Install a qualified programmable thermostat
Use of compact fluorescent light bulbs
Install or replace highly efficient windows and doors
Do-it-yourself sealing of air leakage
The use of ceiling fans
Adding more insulation to your attic could help reduce energy costs
Replace your old HVAC heating and cooling system with an Energy Star rated system
Use Energy Star rated AC window units

About Davis Frame Company
Davis Frame Company's mission is to provide customers with the finest timber frame homes. Learning, growing and adapting over time has meant incorporating the latest advances in design and production, integrating more efficient building systems into home designs, and embracing new materials and technologies.

For more information or to order their free timber frame CD or information, please visit Davis Frame. You can also visit their Timber Frame Blog to find out more information on building your dream green timber frame home.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:17 AM | Comments (0)

BOMA St. Louis Travels to Capitol Hill to Educate Congress on Real Estate's Agenda

Members of BOMA St. Louis traveled to Washington, D.C., to discuss the concerns of the commercial real estate industry with senators and congressmen and women from Missouri.

St. Louis (PRWEB) March 15, 2008 -- The Building Owners and Managers Association of St. Louis (BOMA) journeyed to Capitol Hill Tuesday, March 11 to personally educate their U.S. Senators and Representatives on behalf of commercial real estate. Executive Director Larry Weintraub and Vice President Tim Moeller from St. Louis joined fellow members from local BOMA associations across the United States to collectively express the need to extend the 15-year depreciation period for tenant improvements; enact important incentives to promote energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and explore the federal government's role in resolving the growing reinsurance capacity crisis that has resulted following the high number of devastating natural disasters over the past few years.

These members of BOMA St. Louis visited Washington, D.C., as participants in the 2008 National Issues Conference, hosted by BOMA International. The conference allowed property owners and managers to analyze and discuss issues, hear presentations by members of Congress and the press, and actively support their profession by visiting Congressional offices for one-on-one meetings with their elected officials.

The delegation of five BOMA members from Missouri was led by BOMA St. Louis Executive Diector Larry Weintraub. Over the course of the day, the delegation visited the offices of Sen. Kit Bond, Sen. Claire McCaskill, Rep. Lacy Clay, Rep. Russ Carnahan, Rep. Todd Akin and Rep. Jo Ann Emerson to inform their elected officials about real estate's concerns.

As stated by BOMA St. Louis President Jim Tainter, "Our visit to Capitol Hill is the best opportunity for BOMA St. Louis and real estate to speak out forcefully about the issues that are of greatest concern to our industry."

Founded in 1932, the Building Owners and Managers Association of Metropolitan St. Louis (BOMA St. Louis) includes more than 400 members who own or manage more than 50 million square feet of downtown and suburban commercial properties and facilities. The mission of BOMA St. Louis is to represent and promote the interests of the commercial real estate industry through effective leadership, advocacy, exchange of information and professional development. For more information, visit the BOMA St. Louis web site at www.bomastl.org or visit the BOMA International web site at www.boma.org.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:15 AM | Comments (0)

Coatings and Repair Composite Company Announces New Distributor for Colorado

Belzona Inc., a leading industrial coatings and repair composite company, recently announced the addition of a new distributor for Colorado.

Miami, FL (PRWEB) March 15, 2008 -- Belzona Inc., a leading provider of coatings and repair composites, is pleased to announce the establishment of their most recent distributor covering the statewide territory of Colorado -- Colorado Belzona Inc. With their knowledge of the Colorado market and their dedication to success, Colorado Belzona promises to serve new and existing customers with the utmost precision and quality that is consistently found with Belzona.

"We are excited about our new relationship with Colorado Belzona and of the mutually shared benefits we will pass on to our customers," said Javier Palenque, Executive Vice President of Belzona Inc.

Eric Oakes of Colorado Belzona expressed his sincere appreciation to work in a state he has lived in for most of his life. Born and raised in Colorado, he has gained a great deal of knowledge about the market and its people, giving him an edge during the initial start-up phase of his business. Previous experiences in leadership while serving the military, in addition to business skills acquired as a landscape contractor and oil and gas field equipment operator, has made him a well-rounded individual for managing this new distributorship. His father Loy, a retired Continental Airlines Captain, and his brother Ryan, who became familiar with the industry through his work at a blasting company, assist with daily business duties. Together they run the warehouse, office facilities, shipping processes, and other daily operations while Eric gains new customers and serves existing clientele in the field.

Business has proven to be as successful as planned so far, with jobs coming in from the power industry, heavy equipment, commercial facilities and brewing manufacturers. But they have just begun their quest to reach full market potential, especially when considering Colorado's ever expanding military and oil and gas market. "As we work with clients, the cost savings of Belzona solutions will positively impact key decision makers who will pass on their experiences," said Oakes. "This value added engineering will begin to spread and become prevalent within the industries in dire need for repairs, maintenance, and protection."

Colorado Belzona Inc. is located at 2111 S. Trenton Way #107, Denver, CO 80231. For more information about the products and services provided by Colorado Belzona Inc., an authorized Belzona distributor, please contact Eric Oakes at (303) BEL-ZONA.

For more information about Belzona Inc., visit www.belzona.com.

About Belzona Inc:
As the manufacturer of industrial protective coatings and repair composites since 1952, Belzona provides a wide variety of solutions to rebuild, repair and maintain machinery, equipment and building structures. Belzona's local on-site Technical Consultants analyze the situation, recommend the solution, and supervise the application. With their Global Distribution Network covering more than 120 countries and 24-hour Technical Support, Belzona is established in the forefront of industry by serving such markets as oil and gas, power, marine and water/wastewater.

Contact:
Ray Rodriguez
rarodriguez@belzona.com
305-594-4994
Belzona Inc.
www.belzona.com
2000 NW 88th Court
Miami FL. 33172

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:13 AM | Comments (0)

Appellate Court Orders City of LA to Redo Environmental Review of Modification to Hollywoodland's Historic Granite Walls

Committee to Save the Hollywoodland Specific Plan and Hollywood Heritage v. City of Los Angeles (R.J. Cutler) Case: Case Number B197018, Court of Appeal 2nd District, Division 7

The Court of Appeal reversed a lower court ruling that upheld the City's approval of a homeowner putting a private fence on a designated Los Angeles cultural monument known as Hollywoodland's Historic Granite Walls and Staircases (Committee to Save the Hollywoodland Specific Plan and Hollywood Heritage v. City of Los Angeles (R.J. Cutler), Case Number B197018, Court of Appeal 2nd District, Division 7). Hollywood Heritage and a local organization named the Committee to Save the Hollywoodland Specific Plan challenged the City of Los Angeles' approval of the fence on a portion of the historic granite walls.

Hollywoodland is directly below the iconic "Hollywood" sign, which has been in the news because of plans to build houses nearby. The "Hollywood" sign originally said "Hollywoodland" when it was erected in the 1920's and it served as a marker over the Hollywoodland subdivision. The Hollywood sign is a designated City of Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument, as are Hollywoodland's Historic Granite Walls.

This ruling affirms the California Environmental Quality Act's protections for all of designated historic cultural monuments. Attorney Douglas Carstens with the Santa Monica based law firm Chatten-Brown & Carstens which represented the successful plaintiffs, said, "The Court determined the City of Los Angeles violated the California Environmental Quality Act. Before allowing a private party to modify a Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument such as the Granite Walls of Hollywoodland, the City must review the impacts of such action. This decision stands as a reminder that everyone has an interest in Los Angeles' treasured Historic Cultural Monuments and those resources must be protected."

Fran Offenhauser of Hollywood Heritage said, "Hollywood Heritage has pursued this lawsuit and others like it because the historic preservation community has seen a recent pattern of the City of Los Angeles engaging in serious backsliding when it comes to complying with CEQA and the City's own historic preservation ordinances. People worked long and hard to get these historic protections, and won't sit idly by while they lose their hardfought and hardwon protections. The Court has correctly ordered the City to go back and get it right. A decision like this reminds us that it is worth fighting to protect the heritage of our neighborhoods. While the issue being litigated was a flimsy wooden fence, it took on a wide significance as a test of Los Angeles' protections of its historic monuments."

Crosby Doe, a member of the Committee to Save the Hollywoodland Specific Plan, stated, "The Court's decision is one step toward recognizing the fact that historic preservation matters in this City and can't just be ignored. Everyone should respect the historic monuments that the City has created.

"Because the approval of the fence must be set aside, we will have an opportunity to make it clear to the City that there are better, safer, and more environmentally sensitive ways to forward the interests of property owners who are seeking privacy and address safety issues caused by steep drop-offs on winding streets, without compromising the walls and views that are a part of Hollywoodland's heritage and charm."

Ms. Offenhauser, an architect, also noted that the Court's statement that, "the City admitted that the existing eight-inch curb and metal K-rail guardrail were inadequate to prevent cars from driving over the curb or pedestrians from falling into the yard" would be a magnet for litigation against the City and that the City's position implied that a flimsy private fence would be superior protection than a well-engineered, Public Works designed vehicle barrier.

Background:

This action sought to compel the City of Los Angeles ("City") to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA"), the City's Municipal Code, and the provisions of the Hollywoodland Specific Plan ("Specific Plan") that were designed to protect the unique architectural and historical heritage of an area of Hollywood known as Hollywoodland. Hollywoodland is a small residential community just below the iconic "Hollywood" sign. Many of the streets of Hollywoodland were built into the Hollywood Hills in the 1920's using the skilled labor of Italian stone masons, who built granite walls as a support for the streets. These walls are now part of a City historic monument collectively known as Hollywoodland's Historic Granite Walls and Interconnecting Stairs, which is designated Historic-Cultural Monument No. 535. These shared scenic features of unusual beauty inspired an extraordinary citizen-led effort between 1990 and 1992 to convince the City to protect the granite walls through both an Historic Cultural Monument designation and adoption of the Hollywoodland Specific Plan ("Specific Plan").

Unfortunately, the integrity of the Hollywoodland Specific Plan's protection of the unique granite walls for the community of Hollywoodland was endangered by the City's approval of an exception to the Specific Plan in order to allow a privately owned, illegally-constructed fence to remain attached to a 168 foot portion of one of the protected historic granite walls along the property owned by Real Party in Interest Robert Cutler, in violation of the Specific Plan.

The Specific Plan expressly prohibits walls or fences from being attached to these historic granite walls, when the walls are located within the public right of way, or the fence is within three feet of the front lot line of a property. Nevertheless, the City approved an exception for just such a fence within three feet of the property line. The fence would necessarily be attached to the historic granite wall, but the City failed to approve a Specific Plan exception for such an attachment. The fence would be incompatible with the granite composition of the historic walls, impair views of travellers on Durand Drive, and be inconsistent with the Old World European character of the Hollywoodland area, which the Specific Plan was specifically intended to protect.

The City violated the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA)" because it relied upon a categorical exemption for minor variances to avoid environmental review prior to approving an exception to the Hollywoodland Specific Plan to allow the fence to remain. The use of such an exemption is not proper because the project may have significant impacts on Historic-Cultural Monument 535 and the Old World European character of the entire Hollywoodland area, which the Hollywoodland Specific Plan was purposefully designed to protect.

For the Court's opinion, go to the following web site:
http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/opinions.cgi?Courts=B

Contacts:
Attorney Douglas P. Carstens, Chatten-Brown and Carstens, 310-314-8040 x 2
Crosby Doe, Committee to Save the Hollywoodland Specific Plan, 310-275-2222
Fran Offenhauser, Hollywood Heritage, 310-659-6600

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:12 AM | Comments (0)

Solar Hot Water: Australian Households Capture the Power of the Sun

Origin is now offering Australian households the opportunity to go solar at home by installing a solar collector on their roofs, heating water using the power of the sun.

Melbourne, VIC, Australia (PRWEB) March 12, 2008 -- Origin is now offering Australian households the opportunity to go solar at home by installing a solar collector on their roofs, heating water using the power of the sun.

In adopting the process, households can reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and their energy bills by using solar energy, instead of electricity or gas, to heat water.

Water heating is the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the home.¹ It also contributes substantially to household energy costs. In fact, according to the Department of Environment and Water resources, an electric solar hot water system could save between $300-$700 off electricity bills every year. And, reduce average household greenhouse gas emissions by around 2-4 tonnes of CO2.²

Origin can install solar in your home in three easy steps:
1. After you order either online or over the phone, we'll arrange a time and day for installation that's convenient for you.
2. Origin's solar hot water systems include installation of a collector on the roof of your home, which captures energy from the sun.
3. The sun heats the water in the solar collector, which is connected to your new gas or electric hot water system.
4. Your Origin solar hot water system is ready to enjoy with no change to your water supply.

Dominic Drenen, Business Manager Origin Solar, says that more Australians can now reap the benefits of solar energy. "There are numerous advantages to harnessing the abundant power of the sun to heat water. A solar hot water system can save households on their annual hot water heating costs because it uses less energy. You'll also be producing less greenhouse gas emissions."

Origin's solar hot water systems can be purchased online and include a 10-year warranty and come fully installed at no extra cost. Households do not need to be existing Origin customers or switch to Origin to install solar hot water. What's more, installing a solar hot water system won't change water supply, pressure or temperature.

Origin, Australia's number one green energy provider and leading supplier of grid connected solar systems, has made switching to solar energy and solar hot water easy and affordable. Visit www.originenergy.com.au/solar or call 1300 791 468 for further information.

"Together we can make a difference.™"

¹Refer to Global Warming, Cool It! published by Department of Environment and Water Resources, 2007.
²Refer to Go Solar and Save, published by Department of Environment and Water Resources, 2007.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:10 AM | Comments (0)

Viega Partners with Orange County Choppers

"American Chopper" episode will air March 20, at 9 p.m. EST / 8 p.m. CST on TLC.

Wichita, Kan. – Thousands of Orange County Chopper fans lined the streets of Wichita, Kan. on Feb. 6, to witness the guys from Orange County Choppers unveil their latest creation: the Viega Chopper. The famous Teutul family trio – Paul Sr., Paulie and Mikey, presented the custom-built chopper to Viega CEO Dan Schmierer, following a VIP reception and parade down Main Street in Wichita.

“I was expecting excitement, but when the Teutuls showed up, it was uproar,” said Schmierer.

The Viega chopper is a one-of-a-kind motorcycle that reflects Viega’s dedication to the plumbing and heating industry. The bike features Viega’s signature colors of black and yellow, and incorporates copper and stainless steel Viega ProPress® fittings into its design. The Viega Chopper is a unique branding tool that will travel to trade shows across North America throughout 2008. In fact, next week, it will be at the CMX-CIPHEX show in Toronto, Canada.

Tune in next Thursday night, March 20 at 9 p.m. EST / 8 p.m. CST on The Learning Channel (TLC) to see the making of the Viega Orange County Chopper on the hit series “American Chopper.” Check local listings for the channel in your area.

THE VIEGA/OCC PARTNERSHIP:
Before there was a bike, there was a business connection. Orange County Choppers were starting to build their new 92,000 square-foot world headquarters in Newburgh, N.Y., and their contractor on the job chose to use Viega ProPress copper fittings for the plumbing systems in this new building. Installer and owner of Orange County Sheet Metal Larry Krug said, “I am the leading ‘green’ contractor in the northeast. I install the highest quality most progressive systems available, so Viega ProPress made sense on this project.”

The revolutionary ProPress system is a copper press joining method that is fast, easy and safer to use than the traditional, time-consuming method of soldering. Designed for potable water and hydronic heat applications, Krug installed ¾” to 2 ½” Viega fittings in the new OCC World Headquarters. He said, “Soldering all the fittings in this job would have taken too long -– I would estimate the ProPress system saved my crew at least ten days of work.”

From this initial contact, came the idea to partner with the OCC guys to build a Viega Custom Chopper –- creating a motorcycle equal in quality and technology to Viega’s own plumbing and heating products.

About Viega:
For more than 100 years, Viega has been manufacturing and supplying the highest quality plumbing and heating products in the world. Known for innovative offerings such as the ProPress® system, ProRadiant heating, ViegaPEX™ tubing, and the MANABLOC® water distribution manifold, Viega is taking industrial, commercial and residential plumbing and heating to the next level. With an in-house research and development department, and a commitment to listening to our customers, Viega offers the most consumer and installer-friendly systems available.

VIEGA -- The global leader in plumbing and heating systems.
301 N. Main, Floor 9
Wichita, KS 67202
Ph: 877-VIEGA-NA
Fax: 316-425-7618
www.viega.com

Contacts:
Jennifer Keller
Marketing Manager-Public Relations Manager
800-774-5237 Ext. 548

Tricia Musgrave
Media Communications Specialist
800-774-5237 Ext. 203

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:04 AM | Comments (0)

Seyfarth Shaw Welcomes David G. Williams to Atlanta Office as Partner in the Firm’s Real Estate Practice Group

ATLANTA (Business Wire EON/PRWEB ) March 13, 2008 -- Seyfarth Shaw LLP, one of America’s leading full-service law firms, today announced that David G. Williams has joined the firm’s Atlanta office as a partner in its Real Estate Practice Group. Williams had been a partner with King & Spalding in their Atlanta office.

Williams has extensive experience in a wide variety of complex real estate transactions. He represents international, national and local clients in connection with acquisitions, dispositions, secured financings and joint ventures. Williams’ clients range from local developers to large national and international real estate funds and REITs. He also works with clients to form partnerships and limited liability companies to serve as vehicles for the financing, development and management of real estate assets.

“David has strong experience representing real estate funds in acquiring and selling their portfolios,” said Mark A. Block, Chair of Seyfarth Shaw’s Real Estate Practice Group. “In addition to his work with real estate funds, David has handled complex deals for national and regional office and shopping center developers, as well as local developers, lenders and borrowers.”

Seyfarth Shaw’s real estate attorneys counsel individuals, corporations and other business entities to maximize the value and return on their real estate investments and assets. The firm’s national footprint, extensive business and legal networks, and broad array of legal services, allows the firm to provide comprehensive legal advice and assistance to its clients. Real Estate Practice Group attorneys help clients identify emerging opportunities and challenges, and develop forward-looking strategies to meet their short- and long-term goals.

“We are very pleased to welcome David to our team of attorneys in Atlanta,” said Paul Mattingly, Managing Partner of the firm’s Atlanta office. “David further strengthens our ability to serve the needs of our institutional real estate clients and developers. Equally important to us, he is a great personality fit with our firm, and is very committed to training and mentoring more junior lawyers.”

Williams was educated in Great Britain at New College, Oxford University, where he received his undergraduate degree in French and German. Williams earned his J. D. at the University of Chicago Law School, and is admitted to practice law in Georgia and Illinois (inactive). He is a member of the British American Business Group, the State Bar of Georgia and the American Bar Association.

“I am delighted to join Seyfarth Shaw’s thriving real estate practice group and look forward to working with my colleagues throughout the firm,” said Williams. “Seyfarth Shaw’s strong presence in Atlanta demonstrates our commitment to this market and strengthens the quality of service that my clients need and expect.”

Seyfarth Shaw is a full-service law firm with over 750 attorneys located in nine offices throughout the United States including Chicago, New York, Boston, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Sacramento, as well as Brussels, Belgium. The firm provides a broad range of legal services in the areas of real estate, labor and employment, employee benefits, litigation and business services. Seyfarth Shaw’s practice reflects virtually every industry and segment of the country’s business and social fabric. Clients include over 200 of the Fortune 500 companies, financial institutions, newspapers and other media, hotels, health care organizations, airlines and railroads. The firm also represents a number of federal, state, and local governmental and educational entities. For more information, please visit www.seyfarth.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:01 AM | Comments (0)

March 14, 2008

NDIA Announces Gen. Martin as Confirmed JSEM Environmental Conference Speaker

General Gregory "Speedy" Martin, USAF, (Ret) will present a keynote address on the Defense Science Board's recent energy study at the 2008 Joint Services Environmental Management (JSEM) Conference and Exhibition www.jsemconference.com May 5th - 8th, in Denver at the Colorado Convention Center. JSEM will bring together professionals from the military services, industry, academia, local, state, and federal agencies to translate ideas, success stories, case histories, current trends, and technologies into solutions for environmental protection and enhancement.

Arlington, VA (PRWEB) March 14, 2008 -- The National Defense Industrial Association announced today that General Gregory "Speedy" Martin, chair of the Air Force Study Board, will address JSEM conference (www.jsemconference.com) attendees regarding the recent release of the Defense Science Board's Energy Study. The release of the study addresses the need for immediate change in DoD's approach to energy research and development, acquisition and overall use.

Gen Martin will present a report on the study during the conference opening plenary session (http://www.jsemconference.com/2008/schedule.htm) on May 6th. Gen Martin is the former head of the Air Force Materiel Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio and of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe. He is currently the chair of the Air Force Study Board, which is part of the National Academies and is the convening authority for the discussion of science and technology on Air Force issues. The board also assists in the development of studies conducted by independent ad hoc committees of the National Academies.

In addition to Gen Martin's address, JSEM attendees and speakers will raise the level of dialogue on the most pressing environmental challenges and solutions occurring globally today, including Green Building initiatives and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). The event includes a full day of training for service personnel as well as four days of concurrent sessions covering 12 topics critical to government and industry environmental professionals.(http://www.jsemconference.com/2008/documents/JSEM08Brochure_001.pdf). Topics include clean up, range sustainment and energy issues. More information about the JSEM conference including online registration is available at http://www.jsemconference.com/2008/registration.htm

About NDIA:
The National Defense Industrial Association (www.ndia.org) is America's leading defense industry association promoting national security. NDIA's Environmental and Energy Division advocates the development and application of cutting-edge technology, enlightened stewardship, superior programs and best-in-class systems and support toward the achievement of environmental excellence and the long term security of our nation's energy supplies.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:52 AM | Comments (0)

Global property Chief Attacks Zillow.com Business Model

Real estate industry portal Globaledge.co.uk speaks exclusively to Simon Baker, CEO of Australia's REA Group. He expresses some strong opinions about Web 2.0 property portals, in particular US portal Zillow.com, and casts doubt on whether they are able to compete with some of the more established players in the market.

London (Bluehost/PRWEB ) March 14, 2008 -- Simon Baker, CEO of News Corporation-owned REA Group, today accuses real estate 2.0 sites as being a 'total fad'. In an interview with UK-based business to business real estate portal, Globaledge.co.uk, he singles out Zillow.com as having a flawed business model, saying he doubts they have the revenues to support a sustained assault on market leader Realtor.com. "Sites like Zillow.com get a lot of press and they look great but will they deliver?" he asks. "I doubt whether they do more than US$3 million a year compared to Realtor.com's US$300 million". Implying that lack of funds will hamper their marketing efforts.

Amanda Hoffman from Zillow.com does not deny Baker's financial comparisons but argues that the business has already established traction with consumers. "In just two years Zillow has become one of the most-visited real estate sites in the US, with nearly 5 million unique visitors per month," she says, claiming that having 88% of traffic from repeat visitors is proof they have a sustainable business model. "Many other US real estate sites, including Realtor.com, have begun to adopt many similar Web 2.0 strategies due to the increasing demand for this by consumers. Failure to meet this demand will only cause consumers to look elsewhere for their needs."

In the interview Baker goes on to criticise other Web 2.0 property portals, notably new start-up Globrix in the UK. He argues that in most mature markets, the land grab is over and that the established portals have an unassailable lead over their rivals. When asked about any advice he'd pass onto fledgling property portals he says: "Outside of Asia, South America and Eastern Europe, my advice would be, keep your money. In fact, if you were given £20 million to start a new real estate portal, the best thing to do would be [not to start the portal at all and to set up a consultancy to take the money from them."

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:51 AM | Comments (0)

Bank Turns to Martinson-Nicholls Greener Heat Mats as Space Heater Alternative

As many offices and organizations outlaw space heaters for safety and energy-consumption reason, they need an alternative means of supplemental heat. Martinson-Nicholls Greener Heat Heated Mats are filling this role, providing effective, radiant heat without the safety concerns and higher costs of space heaters.

Cleveland, OH (PRWEB) March 14, 2008 --As many organizations outlaw space heaters, the Willoughby Branch of Huntington Bank experienced a rather dramatic comparison between those heaters and Martinson-Nicholls newest Greener Heat heated floor mats. On average, space heaters draw 1100 watts of power, versus the 100 watts of the heated desk mats. But beyond energy consumption, space heaters may draw enough power to blow over-used circuits.

One such situation happened to the Willoughby, Ohio, branch of Huntington Bank. Four employees decided to turn on their space heaters all at once, totaling 4400 watts. As a result, their computers crashed at midday with a bank full of customers. This was an extremely serious issue that required three hours to fix, as their computer platforms suffered severe damage.

At the same time, two of the bank employees were testing the Greener Heat heated mats, and their computers continued to operate without incident. According to Donna T. Nason, branch manager, "Our people love their heated mats and were extremely reluctant to give them up for testing by other employees. Obviously, I have tested the product myself and love it. After our nightmare, I have strongly urged our facilities manager to establish this Martinson-Nicholls' heated mat as a standard throughout the Huntington Bank chain."

Martinson-Nicholls' Greener Heat heated mat provides a safe, cost-effective alternative to space heaters by adding safe, low voltage heat into a comfortable mat that fits under one's desk. Putting heat on the floor is more effective, and uses only 100 watts of energy to get a surface temperature of approximately 110 degrees in most environments. The heated mat also warms the area under the desk to warm legs and create a more comfortable, productive environment. The cost of operation is about the same as a 100-watt light bulb. The heated floor mat contains a built-in thermostat so the mat temperature will not get hot enough to cause combustion, the cause of most space heater fires. As Huntington learned, the lower voltage also puts less stress on power circuits, and can help avoid unexpected power incidents.

About Martinson-Nicholls
Martinson-Nicholls, over the last 25 years, has established itself as a leader in custom floor matting, heated floor mats, and safety solutions.

Martinson-Nicholls provides the customer with the exact size matting needed--small, large, standard, nonstandard, special shapes and logos. Custom installations are also a specialty of the company.

Anti-slip safety tapes and treads are available in various sizes and textures from hand cut or die cut pieces to full rolls and special shapes. For more information, please visit www.floormat.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:50 AM | Comments (0)

TBA Lending.com Offers Credible Mortgage Solutions in their Cincinnati-wide March Television Advertising Campaign

With the ability to serve not only the local Cincinnati area but the rest of the nation as well, TBA Lending's clients find themselves utilizing www.TBALending.com to aid in their search for credible solutions.

Tampa, FL (PRWEB) March 14, 2008 -- As a mortgage lending source Referral Company, www.TBAlending.com provides their clients the tools and educational resources to fulfill all their residential and commercial mortgage needs. Planning to highlight these options within their television commercials, TBA Lending will run their informative ads on network affiliates HGTV, The Discovery Channel, The Travel Channel, and the TLC channel later this month. With the ability to serve not only the local Cincinnati area but the rest of the nation as well, TBA Lending's clients find themselves utilizing TBALending.com to aid in their search for their next new home loan, commercial loan, or refinancing option.

TBA Lending's clients also find their solutions for home equity refinancing, pre-qualifying debt consolidation, divorce buyouts, and more. With the stability of the housing market a bit unsettled, TBA Lending also creates solutions for those facing such issues as one day out of foreclosure, one day out of bankruptcy, up to 120 days late for refinancing, and up to 120 days late for purchase mortgage issues.

In an article by Marcie Geffner, a leading mortgage consumer advocate, Ms. Geffner states the following optimistic news: "If you need to borrow more than $417,000 to buy a home or refinance your existing mortgage, you may be in luck. That's because the economic stimulus package, passed by Congress and signed by President Bush, contains a hefty hike in the size of mortgages that two government-sponsored mortgage-finance corporations, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, can buy from lenders."

Ms. Geffner continues, "Now, though, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be allowed to buy loans potentially as high as $729,750, and that could result in lower interest rates. If you live in a high-cost housing area, you might be able to save hundreds of dollars each month on your mortgage payment." Ostensibly, this is great news to the consumers of the greater Cincinnati area and nationwide borrows the same.

Undoubtedly, the residential and commercial consumer desiring to refinance or obtain a new mortgage faces the daunting task of choosing a lender who has their best interest in mind. Enter TBALending.com, this financial resource website operates on a sole directive to be the leading and most credible resource of home loan and commercial loan options available. TBA Lending's ability to source out a reliable lender for consumers nationwide is the center of the company's well deserved success.

With a company who offers credible solutions to those facing the overwhelming predominant issues surrounding predatory lending, the future now looks brighter thanks in large part to companies such as TBA Lending. As a solution driven company, TBA Lending allows their clients the ability to select the loan that best fits their needs regardless of their situation.

For further information please visit www.tbalending.com or contact Steve Tussey directly at 1-513-240-2972

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:49 AM | Comments (0)

"Contractor Marketing Guide" Powered by Duct Tape Marketing

Joe Dager, owner of Business901 in Fort Wayne, IN has just released a "Contractor Marketing Guide" designed specifically for the Small Business Contractor. "The principles outlined in this 16-page document will establish a basic understanding on how to apply the Duct Tape Marketing System to a contractors business. It offers several tips and tricks that will immediately jump-start a contractors marketing program," says Dager.

Fort Wayne, IN (PRWEB) March 14, 2008 -- Joe Dager, owner of Business901 in Fort Wayne, IN has just released a "Contractor Marketing Guide" designed specifically for the Small Business Contractor. It is based on the principles of Duct Tape Marketing by John Jantsch. Dager, an authorized Duct Tape Marketing Coach, is well versed in these principles selling and marketing within the construction industry for over 30-years.

"The principles outlined in this 16-page document will establish a basic understanding on how to apply the Duct Tape Marketing System to a contractors business. It offers several tips and tricks that will immediately jump-start a contractors marketing program," says Dager. "The document is the first of its kind. It has taken the DTM System and made it unique to a single trade." This e-book can be downloaded for a limited time at http://www.yourmarketingmachine.com. After this time it will be available for purchase on Amazon.com.

Dager has been working with contractors and process-equipment manufacturers for over 30-years. His marketing strategies and principles have worked for many companies. Now, his affiliation with Duct Tape Marketing has allowed him to grow his business through target and referral marketing, two of the core principles described in the document. This affiliation has allowed me to spend time on accelerating my customers needs. No longer, do I have to search for the componets and resources to make something hapen, we have them availalbe immediately and on a worldwide basis. But the greatest asset is that a great system with great resources enhances creativity, not hinder it.

The Duct Tape Marketing system allows contractors to create and build their very own marketing system complimented by a coaching system that has proven effective with small businesses for over 20 years. The system is perfect for those who already own a business, but want to make it soar. This system will help contractors or for that matter many process equipment manufacturer build the perfect business establishing a proven marketing system to their growing company. "Why reinvent the wheel? Take a proven process, a package of tools, a trained coach and run with it.

About Business901
http://www.business901.com uses proven methodologies to enable its customers to build applications in a very short amount of time. The result is increased development speed, higher customer satisfaction and decreased time. The simplicity of a single flexible model will create clarity for your staff and as a result better execution.

About Duct Tape Marketing
Duct Tape Marketing is a unique turnkey small business marketing system created by award-winning small business marketing expert John Jantsch. Visit the Duct Tape Marketing Blog, a Forbes favorite for small business.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:47 AM | Comments (0)

March 13, 2008

Navtrak: Aberdeen Study Reveals Financial Impact of GPS Tracking and Location Intelligence for Service Companies

Service companies looking to recession-proof their business find that leveraging GPS-based location intelligence provides an average 13.2% reduction in fuel costs and a 13.4% reduction in overtime costs.

Salisbury, MD (PRWEB) March 13, 2008 -- A recent survey of service companies nationwide by the AberdeenGroup revealed that nearly one-third of leading companies are using GPS-based location data to improve customer service and monitor assets.

The recently published study (valued at $399), partially underwritten by Navtrak, is titled "Impact of Location on Field Service" and is available as a FREE download resource at

http://www.navtrak.net/pressreleases/redirect.cfm?leadID=22&cID=ABDNIOL

Highlights of the survey data include service companies reporting reduced overtime costs on average of 13.4%, which equates to a reduction of $496,493 in recovered overtime with the deployment of GPS-based location enabled technology.

In addition, location data is in widespread use to improve the scheduling and dispatching of technicians, vehicles and parts delivery in real-time, so as to improve service delivery and overall customer experience.

"Service excellence enablers (such as real-time driving directions or geofences)
actively leveraged by Best-in-Class service firms stem from organizational investments in location-enabling hardware," notes Sumair Dutta, AberdeenGroup Research Analyst.

Dutta adds that "GPS-enabled geofences can serve as effective tools to accurately alert dispatchers or managers to the misuse of assets across predefined boundaries, without the need to constantly track each and every asset."

"This study should be carefully read by anyone who manages a mobile workforce," concludes Jim Duncan, Navtrak's President. "Navtrak's GPS-based fleet productivity service provides tremendous insight into a mobile workforce, and provides the business owner a suite of powerful tools that can bring a real sense of accountability to the drivers. You simply cannot underestimate the financial impact a system such as ours can have on your operations."

About Navtrak

Navtrak, Inc., located in Salisbury, MD, is an industry leader in providing GPS vehicle tracking services and mobile workforce productivity solutions. Founded in 1999 and now serving thousands of customers across the country, Navtrak is committed to Driving Business Productivity™ with valuable, real-time fleet tracking, reporting and communication tools that improve efficiency and enhance customer service. For more information, please call us at 800.787.2337 or e-mail sales@navtrak.net.

About Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company

Aberdeen is a leading provider of fact-based research and market intelligence that delivers demonstrable results. Having benchmarked more than 30,000 companies in the past two years, Aberdeen is uniquely positioned to educate users to action: driving market awareness, creating demand, enabling sales, and delivering meaningful return-on-investment analysis. As the trusted advisor to the global technology markets, corporations turn to AberdeenTM for insights that drive decisions.

As a Harte-Hanks Company, Aberdeen plays a key role of putting content in context for the global direct and targeted marketing company. Aberdeen's analytical and independent view of the "customer optimization" process of Harte-Hanks (Information - Opportunity - Insight - Engagement - Interaction) extends the client value and accentuates the strategic role Harte-Hanks brings to the market. For additional information, visit Aberdeen http://www.aberdeen.com or call (617) 723-7890, or to learn more about Harte-Hanks, call (800) 456-9748 or go to http://www.harte-hanks.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 03:03 AM | Comments (0)

MTU Demonstrates SCR Technology for Series 900 and Series 500 Engines

At Conexpo in Las Vegas, the Tognum subsidiary MTU Detroit Diesel is showing a Series 900 engines that is Tier 4i compliant using selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology to meet off-highway emission standards that will take effect on January 1, 2011.

(PRWEB) March 13, 2008 -- At the Conexpo trade show in Las Vegas, the Tognum subsidiary MTU Detroit Diesel displays one of its Series 900 engines that is Tier 4i compliant using selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology. Diesel engine manufacturer MTU Friedrichshafen has already demonstrated the experience and expertise necessary to offer its customers EPA Tier 4i compliant engines when these off-highway emission standards take effect on January 1, 2011.

The versatile Series 900 and Series 500 engine families were the ideal candidates for the use of selective catalytic reduction (SCR) to meet upcoming Tier 4 interim emissions regulations. "These engines have established themselves as the premier engines in their power class," said Scott Jenkins, Director of C&I Sales for MTU's North American division, MTU Detroit Diesel. "And they have proven to perform just as well with SCR."

Emissions reduction often works in opposition, explained Gerhard Kramer, Director, Application Center Industrial for MTU. For example, reducing particulate matter often increases the output of oxides of nitrogen (NOx), and vice-versa. "As designed, the Series 900 and Series 500 engines exhibit low particulate matter emissions," said Kramer. "To comply with NOx limiting values, an SCR system is added."

An SCR system works by injecting urea into the exhaust stream where it reacts with nitrous oxides to produce harmless nitrogen and water. This reaction takes place when the urea and exhaust gases pass over a catalyst material in the SCR unit. Urea consumption varies with duty cycle and other factors but is not expected to exceed five percent of fuel consumption. As a rule of thumb, fuel consumption compared to Tier 3 engines is reduced by a similar amount, so that total consumption of liquids remains the same.

The SCR system itself consists of engine-mounted hardware, urea lines, electrical wiring and a catalyst unit somewhat larger than a muffler. The catalyst unit is used instead of the standard muffler.

SCR is a proven technology already found in a wide range of applications. Some 200,000 on-highway versions of Series 900 and Series 500 engines have already been sold and are operating satisfactorily. In Europe, all major truck manufacturers have adopted this technology. Urea will likely also be required for diesel engines to meet the on-highway 2010 emissions standards in North America, so the delivery infrastructure is being built out rapidly. Urea is non-toxic and requires no special handling. Service trucks will refill off-highway equipment with urea at the same time as they refuel that equipment.

"Other emissions reduction technologies have merit and MTU has experience with all of them," said Jenkins. "Our philosophy is to match the best technology to the needs of the specific engine, and in this case SCR was by far the best choice. We wanted to take these proven engine families with state-of-the-art designs, and bring them into compliance with the next round of emissions standards without compromising the benefits the engines. SCR allowed us to do that optimally by adapting the existing on-highway technology for industrial use."

Inline four- and six-cylinder Series 900 engines have ratings from 120 to 322 bhp (90 to 240 kW), while V-configuration six- and eight-cylinder Series 500 engines cover ratings from 349 to 644 bhp (260 to 480 kW). OEMs appreciate the compact size of the Series 900, while end users praise the engines' performance characteristics, reliability and low cost of operation. More than a half-million Series 900 engines are in service today.

The same SCR technology will also be used in the related 460 inline six-cylinder engine, which covers a power range from 348 to 483 bhp (260 to 360 kW).

MTU Detroit Diesel
MTU Detroit Diesel, Inc. is the North American regional headquarters of MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH, one of the world's most important providers of diesel engines and drive and propulsion systems for ships, heavy-duty land and rail vehicles, and decentralized power plants. Under the brand names MTU and Detroit Diesel, it offers a complete line of power solutions from 30 to 12,200 bhp (20 to 9,100 kW) for applications in the marine, rail, power generation, oil and gas, agriculture, mining, construction and industrial, and defense markets. MTU Detroit Diesel is part of the Tognum MTU Engines division.

Tognum is one of the world's leading suppliers of high speed diesel engines and complete propulsion systems for ships, heavy land and rail vehicles and of industrial drive systems as well as decentralized power plants, set-up in the two divisions mtu Engines and Tognum Onsite Energy Systems and Components. Its product portfolio includes diesel engines in the power range from 20 to 9,100 kW, gas engine systems, gas turbines and fuel cells and is one of the most modern and comprehensive in its sector. In addition, the group develops and manufactures custom-made electronic control and monitoring systems for its engines and propulsion systems.

Sales of the Tognum Group amounted to more than EUR 2.8 billion in 2007. By the end of 2007, the Group employed approximately 8,200 personnel worldwide. It maintains a global sales and distribution network including 22 subsidiaries, more than 130 distribution partners and 1,100 authorized dealers.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 03:03 AM | Comments (0)

Inclinator® Introduces the Most Advanced Home Elevator

Inclinator Company of America, a leader in the residential elevator industry, introduces the most advanced elevator to ever enter the home – The INCLINATOR® LX.

Harrisburg, PA (Vocus/PRWEB ) March 13, 2008 -- Inclinator Company of America, a leader in the residential elevator industry, introduces the most advanced elevator to ever enter the home -– The INCLINATOR® LX.

After more than two years in development, the INCLINATOR LX, dubbed as the luxury car that never leaves your home, combines proven commercial elevator technology with one-of-kind custom interior design options -- taking the home elevator to a whole new level.

As part of the product launch, the new home elevator was unveiled to more than 90,000 custom home builders, architects, interior designers and other industry professionals during The 2008 International Builders Show (IBS), in Orlando Florida.

Tapping into knowledge of a European commercial elevator manufacturer, Inclinator, developed a more advanced gearless traction motor, creating a super smooth ride and a virtually noiseless operation. With absolutely no hydraulic or gear oil, the INCLINATOR LX is also friendlier to our environment than other home elevators.

And, while the near-silent drive system and smooth ride make the home elevator an attractive extra, it’s Inclinator’s new decorative panels that are catching the eye of the homeowners, architects and interior designers.

In this all-new car style, the walls, and even ceiling, are designed from a solid wood frame with hardwood veneer raised panels. By digitally printing a custom design and applying it to the wood, Inclinator creates a look resembling an inlaid finish.

“You can choose to match an existing home design, create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece using ornate patterns or family crests, or select one of Inclinator’s decorative panel options,” says Steve Nock, Inclinator CEO.

All of these features are in addition to Inclinator’s “best in the industry” custom cars. Inclinator handcrafts each elevator individually, allowing builders and homeowners to select car sizes up to 15 sq. ft. with up to three door openings in any configuration.

Inclinator Company of America, a residential elevator company based in Harrisburg, Pa., invented the home elevator in 1928. Today there are more Inclinator® elevators in homes across the country than any other brand. Inclinator® home elevators are popular with architects and builders because of their nearly limitless design possibilities. And homeowners love them because of their beauty and reliability.

All of Inclinator’s products are produced in its South Central Pennsylvania manufacturing facility. For information on Inclinator’s full product line visit www.inclinator.com.

Contact:
Hope Banner
Scheffey Integrated Marketing
717-569-8274

Steve Nock
COO, Inclinator
800-343-9007

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 03:01 AM | Comments (0)

Energy Bill Fuels SSOE Revenue Growth

Design firm positions itself to help build the biofuels infrastructure mandated in the recently passed Energy Bill.

St. Paul, MN (Vocus/PRWEB ) March 13, 2008 – SSOE, one of the nation's largest architecture and engineering firms, is leading a charge toward change through its work with the nation’s pre-eminent energy and alternative fuel companies. Embracing the recently passed Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection and Energy Efficiency Act of 2007, SSOE is collaborating with new investors and existing companies to design and build the infrastructure necessary to meet the ambitions biofuels goals this bill puts forth.

In 2007 SSOE recorded more than twice the revenue it generated in the biofuels sector the previous year, with $8.1 million worth of projects. In 2006, SSOE projects totaled nearly $3.7 million with companies such as Freedom Fuels, LLC and NewMech Companies, Inc. Most recently, SSOE announced the award of their first cellulostic ethanol project for the Equator Group – a cellulosic pilot plant engineering feasibility study. To support this growth, SSOE plans to open two more offices in the Central U.S. over the next year to support the development of new biofuel facilities. Existing projects are led by SSOE’s St. Paul, Minnesota office. Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Nashville, Tennessee, Toledo, Ohio and Shanghai, China have provided support to St Paul and are developing full biofuels design capability and notably, half of SSOE's staff have experience working on alternative energy projects.

"SSOE is helping build the foundation of a burgeoning new business sector, emerging from the fields and the hearts of America’s farmlands," said Vince DiPofi, PE, Senior Vice President, Biofuels of SSOE. "Expansion in the Central U.S. will extend SSOE's leadership in the region and bolster its reputation for offering the distinctive capabilities and the deep experience essential to the development of alternative-fuel facilities."

This past December the US Senate approved a landmark energy bill that requires the first increase in vehicle fuel economy standards in more than 30 years, raising the average fleet standard to 35 miles per gallon by 2020. The bill states that alternative or renewable home heating and motor vehicle fuel sold in the US is to increase from 8.5 billion gallons in 2008 to 36 billion gallons by the year 2022. This figure includes 15 million gallons of traditional corn-based ethanol and 21 million gallons of "advanced biofuels" such as cellulosic ethanol, biodiesel, higher alcohols, biogas and ethanol from waste.

Preparing for the necessary infrastructure build-up to meet these ambitious goals, SSOE's architectural and engineering work is making possible the growth of new businesses and new fuel sources.

"This energy bills clearly states the biofuel production needs and the timeline the US is required to meet them in. Based on an average plant capacity of 100 million gallons per year, this amounts to roughly 35 new plants needing to be built nationwide each year for the next 14 years totaling approximately 280 corn-based ethanol and advanced biofuel facilities," said Mark Hoffman, PE, Senior Project Manger and biofuels expert at SSOE, Inc.

Besides engineering and design services, the firm also assists their clients in obtaining government grants and subsidies. SSOE also provides design-build delivery through its partnership with NewMech, a construction firm offering services in plant development, construction management, fabrication and steel erection.

SSOE's expanding list of clients and projects serves as a barometer of the rapidly developing biofuels industry. Most recently, they have completed 2 biodiesel projects in the Midwest that are turning out a minimum of 30 million gallons per year, per facility.

Biofuels clients include:

American Biodiesel, LLC
Blue Earth Biodiesel
Boot Heel Biodiesel, LLC
Dakota Skies
Floyd Valley Ethanol
Freedom Fuels Biodiesel
Glacial Lakes
Great Lakes Ethanol
Great River Energy Park
Greater Ohio Ethanol
Global Ethanol
Memphis Biofuels
Northern Prairie Ethanol
Vision Fuels
Yellowstone Ethanol

About SSOE
Celebrating its 60th Anniversary this year, SSOE, Inc. is an international design firm and ranks 8th among the nation’s largest engineering and architecture firms (Building Design and Construction, 2007). Demonstrating fast and consistent growth, 2007 marks the third consecutive year the company has grown its revenue more than 25 percent. SSOE has also been named one of nine Best AEC Firms to Work For (Building Design and Construction, 2007) and as one of the fastest-growing US architecture, engineering, and environmental consulting firms by ZweigWhite, Hot List 2007.

With 1000 employees and multi-disciplined LEED™ accredited professionals employed in 18 offices around the world the company has earned a solid reputation in facility design for the healthcare, retail, automotive and science and technology markets, as well as process engineering for the alternative energy, biofuels, chemical, food and beverage, glass and personal care industries. SSOE has completed projects in 48 states and 32 countries, and has achieved 60 years of excellence in engineering and architectural design. Visit www.ssoe.com for additional information and career opportunities.

Contact:
Danielle Benninger
SSOE, Inc.
Office: 419.255.3830
dbenninger @ ssoe.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:59 AM | Comments (0)

HBH Gas Systems Announces Central Gas System Installation At Madrone Canyon Estates Development Near Austin, Texas

HBH Gas Systems has announced the planned installation of a Central Propane Gas System to fuel the exclusive Madrone Canyon Estates development located just outside of Austin in Lakeway, TX. Madrone Canyon Estates will include 33 one-acre lots along the ridges of a serene canyon in the heart of Lakeway. The developers of this luxury community knew their discerning homeowners would demand metered gas fuel in their homes, but the development is located far from the natural gas grid.

Austin, TX (PRWEB) March 13, 2008 -- HBH Gas Systems has announced the planned installation of a Central Propane Gas System to fuel the exclusive Madrone Canyon Estates development located just outside of Austin in Lakeway, TX.

Madrone Canyon Estates will include 33 one-acre lots along the ridges of a serene canyon in the heart of Lakeway. The developers of this luxury community knew their discerning homeowners would demand metered gas fuel in their homes, but the development is located far from the natural gas grid. HBH Gas Systems will implement a Central Gas System that provides each home in the community with individually metered gas from a single, centralized propane tank. HBH Gas Systems is the world's leader in Central Gas Systems innovation, design, and implementation. The system at Madrone Canyon Estates further illustrates the scalability and diversity of applications that are hallmarks of an HBH Gas System.

Central Gas Systems from HBH Gas Systems give developers the ability to steer their off-grid developments away from the inefficient, carbon-heavy electric grid toward more sustainable development fueled by gas. Extending natural gas lines to Madrone Canyon was not a viable option for both financial and logistical reasons. Faced with the prospect of building their community all-electric, the developers chose to implement a Central Gas System from HBH Gas Systems.

Central Gas Systems are economical, versatile and environmentally friendly. One home fueling its space and water heating requirements with gas from a Central Gas System in lieu of electricity effectively offsets the annual carbon emissions from one average vehicle. Central Gas Systems from HBH Gas Systems are the most effective and efficient way to deliver this EPA-approved alternative green energy. In addition to the significant reduction of a community's pull on the electric grid, these systems are highly economical, saving homeowners about 50% on their heating bills when compared to electric heating. Central Gas Systems from HBH can fuel anything from residential appliances to commercial, retail, and fleet vehicle applications.

The developers of Madrone Canyon Estates wanted the distinct marketing advantages of gas. The development combines a peaceful, natural setting with a close proximity to amenities, lakes, golf courses, and the City of Austin. The individual lot prices range from $290,000 to $385,000, with expected house prices ranging from $1M to $2M. Given the prevalence of all-electric homes in the area, the developers' and builders' ability to offer dual-fuels will give them a unique marketing advantage in a competitive housing market. The developers came to HBH Gas Systems for their financial strength and unsurpassed expertise in the implementation of propane systems designed to serve off-grid developments.

HBH Gas Systems specializes in the marketing, design, and implementation of fully-engineered Central Gas Distribution Systems, or Central Propane Systems, nationwide. To obtain more information about this project or HBH Gas Systems visit www.hbhsystems.com or contact Harris Baker at 512-306-0073 or info @ hbhsystems.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:59 AM | Comments (0)

Currahee Club Golf Community Ranked Among the Country's Elite

Acclaimed publications highlight picturesque golf clubhouse and community in 2008.

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) March 13, 2008 -- On the heels of its national Golfweek ranking as one of the "Top 100 Residential Golf Courses," Currahee Club golf community has now been selected as one of America's 100 Premier Properties by the editors of LINKS Magazine and named a "Best of the Mountains" community by Mountain Homes Magazine - receiving a top ranking in the publication's "Best Lake Living" category. Situated in northeast Georgia amidst the Blue Ridge Mountains and Lake Hartwell, the spectacular 1,200-acre community was chosen for the quality of its Jim Fazio-designed, 7,513-yard golf course and golf clubhouse, desirable waterfront location and premier amenities.

A testament to its focus on providing members with notable amenities, Currahee Club recently unveiled the social hub of the golf community - the unparalleled golf clubhouse. This 48,000-square foot masterpiece exudes a rustic yet luxurious ambience. Antiques and hand-made items abound, including a Cherokee spirit table, authentic Irish pub bar and intricately sculpted chandeliers. A casual dining room boasts coffered ceilings, warm oak wainscoting and antique seeded glass, while two private dining areas provide an opportunity for a one-of-a-kind gourmet experience. French doors beckon visitors onto the 3,000-square foot veranda, which is the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine and marvel at the panoramic views of Lake Hartwell and the 1st hole from the pinnacled vantage point. The golf clubhouse also will feature a state-of-the-art spa, including massage rooms, steam showers, workout facilities and more.

"We appreciate our LINKS Magazine and Mountain Homes recognition, and believe that the center of our community - the golf clubhouse - is an achievement that solidifies our position among elite properties," said Chris Whitley - partner, Currahee Club golf community. "We are bringing to life our vision of a family-focused retreat with outstanding amenities and unrivaled service," he continued.

Soon, Currahee Club will welcome a recreation center, swimming pool, tennis club, children's playground and the Currahee Trading Company - a general store with an old-time feel.

About Currahee Club
Currahee Club, a mountain, lake, and golf community, is located just 90 minutes from Atlanta and 60 minutes from Greenville, S.C., off of Highway 17 in Toccoa, Ga. Currahee Club is a development of Whitley Development Group, Inc., a father-son team involved with successful, notable properties including The Bear's Club in Palm Beach, Fla., The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club & Spa in Jupiter, Fla., Colleton River Plantation near Hilton Head, S.C. and the Piedmont Driving Club in Atlanta. For more information on Currahee Club, please visit www.curraheeclub.com or call 706.827.1000 or 888.560.2582.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:57 AM | Comments (0)

The Mark Condominium Comments on MarketPointe Realty Advisors New Report Suggesting Fewer Downtown San Diego High-Rise Units Planned in Near-Term Future

According to a new MarketPointe Realty Advisors report, a very limited number of new San Diego condos will be coming on line in downtown in the next few years. In combination with a strong sales pace in recent months, is leading several real estate experts to predict a shrinking supply of residences in this dynamic urban housing market.

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) March 13, 2008 -- According to a new MarketPointe Realty Advisors report, a very limited number of new San Diego condos will be coming on line in downtown in the next few years. In combination with a strong sales pace in recent months, is leading several real estate experts to predict a shrinking supply of residences in this dynamic urban housing market.

In an extremely popular market where thousands of condominiums have been built in recent years, only 571 units comprise the high-rise inventory throughout the entire downtown San Diego area, reports MarketPointe Realty Advisors, a statewide real estate market research and analysis firm.

Factoring in sales being projected this year, there will only be an additional 200 units available in 2009, according to market estimates. There are no additional units that will come on line the following year in the downtown San Diego real estate market.

Meanwhile, the research firm reported 470 resale, or pre-owned, condominiums were sold last year in the downtown San Diego area at an average sales price of $654,706, or $564 per square foot. The average time on market declined from 80 days in 2006 to 73 last year, indicating the growing strength of the downtown San Diego housing market, MarketPointe said.

Downtown real estate agents are now reporting the resale market has become even more active in the past several weeks with multiple offers on several units being made.

"I feel confident there is a pent-up demand that is reacting very favorably to what is perceived as rational pricing in downtown," MarketPointe economist Michael Colby wrote in a report released last month.

Housing experts are seeing the same signs in downtown San Diego's new-home market. Perhaps the strongest indication is at The Mark in downtown's East Village where nearly half its urban residences have been spoken for since the 244-unit complex opened just nine months ago.

Like anything else, there are specific reasons for that development's strong market acceptance. Buyers report The Mark's strong design, high quality of construction, rich amenities and its prime location two blocks from the San Diego Padres' Petco Park were factors that led them to purchase residences there.

A total of 53 floor plans are available in one-, two- and three-bedroom designs, ranging from 739 to 3,742 square feet. Some residences have sweeping views of downtown San Diego, Petco Park, and San Diego Bay and all units feature Studio Becker cabinetry, GE stainless steel appliances and gas cooktops; upgraded GE Monogram appliances in specific residences on the 20th floor and up; nine-foot ceilings in units on floors 2-19, 10-foot ceilings for those on the higher floors. Kitchens have granite slab countertops. Bathrooms feature limestone surrounds for showers and tubs and Toto bathroom fixtures.

Common area features include parking for 427 automobiles on three subterranean levels, 13 for motorcycles and 53 for bicycles; 24/7 lobby attendants; a concierge, and an onsite general manager; interior courtyard area. Resort-like amenities of this San Diego luxury condominium community include a swimming pool, spa and grass area, barbecues and tables; fitness center and floor exercise area; a conference room available for meetings, and a private interior street, The Mark Lane, which provides a convenient drop off at the lobby entry.

Prices currently range from the low $400,000's to $3.89 million, not including the two-story penthouse on the 32nd and 33rd floors. All are available for immediate occupancy. The Mark is located at The Mark Lane, between Eighth and Ninth avenues, and Island Avenue and Market Street. Please use the sales studio entrance located on Ninth Avenue, just south of Market Street. The sales studio is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:54 AM | Comments (0)

Industrial Coatings and Repair Compsite Company Uses New Approach to Surface Preparation

Belzona Inc., a leading manufacturer of industrial coatings and repair composite products, is announcing a new alternative for surface preparation.

Miami, FL (PRWEB) March 13, 2008 -- Belzona Inc., a leading provider of industrial coatings and industrial repair composites, is using a new alternative approach for surface preparation in situations when grit blasting is otherwise impossible. This new approach is an innovative process known as brittle blasting. The method both removes corrosion and generates an anchor profile (also known as an anchor pattern) by utilizing a specially designed rotary bristle tool.

Although most major industrial coatings manufacturers prefer that a substrate undergoes abrasive grit blasting prior to coating, which yields ideal results for product-to-surface adhesion, it is not always feasible. Lack of access, time, or money can preclude optimum surface preparation. Some coating applications are also too small to warrant blasting. Until recently, these scenarios were often compromised with grinding techniques that caused low production rates and high worker fatigue while producing at best a lackluster anchor profile.

In an effort to acquire a substitute for surface preparation that does not greatly sacrifice quality or convenience, Belzona intensely researched and lab tested several alternatives. Belzona recently conducted full scale testing and has found that bristle blasting can meet SSPC SP-11 on most substrates. Production rates, while not fast enough to accommodate large coating and industrial composite applications, are acceptable and vastly superior to grinding. Overall, Belzona Inc. found bristle blasting to offer a very appealing alternative in situations where conventional open blasting is not possible.

For more information about this new approach to industrial repair composites and coatings, visit www.belzona.com

About Belzona Inc:
As the manufacturer of industrial coatings and repair composites since 1952, Belzona provides a wide variety of solutions to rebuild, repair and maintain machinery, equipment and building structures. Belzona's local on-site Technical Consultants analyze the situation, recommend the solution, and supervise the application. With their Global Distribution Network covering more than 120 countries and 24-hour Technical Support, Belzona is established in the forefront of industry by serving such markets as oil and gas, power, marine, and water/wastewater.

Contact:
Ray Rodriguez
305-594-4994
Belzona Inc.
2000 NW 88th Court
Miami FL 33172

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:54 AM | Comments (0)

Thomas Equipment in Pact with Singapore Technologies' GJK Unit to Produce Skid Steer Loaders

Petter Etholm, CEO of Thomas Equipment, announced an agreement in principle for Thomas Skid Steer Loaders to be produced by Singapore Technologies Engineering's Guizhou Jonyang Kinetics (GJK) subsidiary. He said GJK also to distribute Thomas products in China.

New York (PRWEB) March 13, 2008 -- Thomas Equipment Inc., a company of Osiris Corporation (OSRS), announced that it entered into an agreement in principle for the production of Thomas Skid Steer Loaders with Singapore Technologies (ST) Engineering's Guizhou Jonyang Kinetics (GJK) subsidiary.

Petter Etholm, President and Chief Executive Officer of Thomas Equipment and Osiris, said, "Thomas is proud to align with a world-class manufacturer's of excavators and other heavy equipment for construction, agricultural and other industries and sees this as a major step in assuring that Thomas Skid Steer Loaders will continue to represent the best in engineering and performance."

Etholm added, "Thomas also signed a Letter of Intent for GJK to distribute Thomas Skid Steer Loaders in its markets, most notably China."

The Thomas Equipment CEO said, "The vast resources and product expertise at ST Engineering, a global company, and its GJK subsidiary, will provide Thomas with major support to bring our customers skid steer loaders that represent both value and quality. Thomas will be in an even stronger position to support its customers in every way in the highly competitive international skid steer market."

Thomas Equipment, celebrating its 65th year in business, will supervise all phases of production and quality control, added Etholm. Thomas Skid Steer Loaders produced by GJK are expected to begin shipping early next year, with shipments increasing throughout the year, augmenting production in Canada, which will phase out late next year.

Etholm said Thomas Equipment's marketing, sales, quality control and related staff in Centerville, New Brunswick, Canada, will spearhead all Thomas activities and oversee production.

Thomas Equipment is online at www.thomasloaders.com, with information about all models of Thomas Skid Steer Loaders. Each Thomas Skid Steer Loader has a bright yellow cab and Polar Bear Thomas logo that have represented excellence for the two-thirds of a century that Thomas has been providing top quality products to its customers.

Gilbert Bedard, Vice President of Sales at Thomas, said, "At Thomas Equipment we strive to produce the best quality skid steer loaders in the industry. Thomas' new manufacturing alignment further enhances our capability to offer customers the best in quality of product and service in the business."

Bedard added, "Thomas Skid Steer Loaders are marketed worldwide with strong presence in North America and Europe. We are pleased GJK will open avenues for Thomas to grow in the expanding China market, where massive construction and other projects are underway, calling for the best in heavy equipment and service."

ST Engineering, based in Singapore, is a global company and parent to GJK, which is located in China. GJK is also partially owned by the Peoples Republic of China, and is strongly positioned in that market.

Osiris Inc. (OSRS), online at www.osiriscorp.net, is a global holding company based in New York, Boston and Omaha, and is dedicated to building business in the industrial, agricultural and related business sectors. Osiris' operating subsidiaries are located in North America (Canada), Europe, and Asia. Subsidiaries of Osiris consist of Thomas Equipment Inc. and its units, which provide branded and other products to the industrial markets; Thomas Equipment Asia Co. Ltd.; Thomas Ventures, Inc., Pneutech, Inc. and TcomT Inc. Osiris' units manufacture and market industrial and construction equipment, distribute pneumatic and hydraulic systems and design wireless devices for the telecommunications industry, among other activities.

Safe Harbor Statement
Under the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995 - This press release discusses forward-looking statements with risks and uncertainties. OSRS results could differ materially due to various factors, including inability to finance operations or expansion and hire or retain personnel, economy and interest rate changes, and events such as terrorism. OSRS believes statements to be reasonable, but neither OSRS nor any other person can represent they will be achieved. OSRS is not obligated to update statements due to new information, events or otherwise. Please see the risk factors associated with our Company and review our SEC filings.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:53 AM | Comments (0)

Global Construction and Mining Machinery/Equipment Market to Exceed 890 Thousand Units by 2010, According to New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

Huge demand for construction equipment is drawn from developing countries with growing needs to construct highways, oil refineries, power plants, office buildings other infrastructure projects. Global market for Construction and Mining Machinery/Equipment is projected to exceed 890 Thousand Units by 2010.

San Jose, CA (PRWEB) March 13, 2008 -- The construction and mining machinery/equipment market is in the midst of a consolidation phase, as acquisitions and strategic partnerships are still continuing after a spurt in the consolidation wave of the nineties. The highly competitive industry has maintained price levels in the moderate range with slight fluctuations, over the last few years.

Nearly 4.8% growth is likely to be registered in the global construction investments by the year 2012. India and China are expected to grow at a healthy rate that is way above the average global growth rate. In terms of volume sales, United States is the largest regional market with an estimated share of 26.56% of the global unit sales in 2007. The new trend in US and Europe to combine a mini-excavator with a skid steer loader for optimum performance is one of the reasons behind the demand for mini-excavators. In terms of volume sales, skid-steer loaders represent the largest product segment in the United States with sales projected to exceed 71 thousand units for 2009. Sales of construction and mining machinery/equipment in Europe are projected to exceed 195 thousand units by the end of the year 2008.

Supply-demand dynamics for different types of construction & mining equipment is primarily determined by the nature of construction-related projects and level of mining activity in a country. Considering the diversity of projects in developed and developing nations, demand for construction equipment varies across regions. The developed world has well-established residential, commercial and industrial sectors, as well as advanced infrastructure.

Key competitive factors that affect construction & mining equipment manufacturers include service, distribution networks, quality, features and price. In addition, unprecedented growth in the rental industry transformed the landscape for customers, manufacturers and distributors of construction equipment. Further, key end markets for construction equipment such as mining and forestry exert a significant impact on the industry.

The report titled "Construction and Mining Machinery/Equipment: A Global Strategic Business Report" published by Global Industry Analysts, Inc., provides a comprehensive review of market trends, competitive scenario, mining equipment industry, product overview, product introductions/innovations, and recent industry activity. The study also analyzes market data and analytics in terms of sales volume for regions such as United States, Canada, Japan, China, Europe and Rest of World. Analytics are presented in terms of units over the years 2000 through 2010. Long-term projections are provided for the period 2011-2015. Select product segments independently analyzed include Mini Excavators, Hydraulic Excavators, Pavers, Compactors, Cranes, Crawler Loaders, Crawler Tractors, Backhoe Loaders, Graders, Haulers/Dump Trucks, Rough Terrain Forklifts, Scrapers, Wheeled Loaders, and Skid Steer Loaders.

Key players listed in the report include Caterpillar Inc., CNH Global, Deere & Co., Hitachi Construction Machinery, Komatsu Ltd., Liebherr Group, Sandvik Mining and Construction, Terex Corp., and Volvo Construction Equipment among others.

For more details about this research report, please visit http://www.strategyr.com/Construction_and_Mining_Machinery_Equipment_Market_Report.asp

About Global Industry Analysts, Inc.
Global Industry Analysts, Inc., (GIA) is a reputed publisher of off-the-shelf market research. Founded in 1987, the company is globally recognized as one of the world's largest market research publishers. The company employs over 700 people worldwide and publishes more than 880 full-scale research reports each year. Additionally, the company also offers a range of over 60,000 smaller research products including company reports, market trend reports, and industry reports encompassing all major industries worldwide.

Global Industry Analysts, Inc.
Telephone 408-528-9966
Fax 408-528-9977
Web Site www.StrategyR.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:50 AM | Comments (0)

Atlanta Roofer "iRoof" Opens New Office to Handle Demand

Increase in Demand Leads to Expansion for Atlanta Roofing Company

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) March 13, 2008 -- Business might be scarce in some pockets of home improvement in Atlanta, but for iRoof, an Atlanta Roofing company, business is pretty good. So much so that it's led to an expansion. Because of the continued demand, iRoof recently moved into a new, bigger office space to handle the demand, both externally and internally.

Their new office is now located at 619 Edgewood Avenue in Atlanta. The centrally located offices (off 75/85 near Martin Luther King drive) allow the company to serve all areas of metro Atlanta easily, from Douglasville to McDonough to Cumming. "We're excited about the changes", says Giovanni Rueda, the company's President. "Because of our location, we're able to serve anyone within the large 13 county area."

Because of a lack of roofing certification, Atlanta roofing and roofers are as common as kudzu. So competition is fierce. The ones who survive are the ones who focus on customer service and treating customers well. And this is iRoof's dedication. "Only through a genuine concern for the customers have we been able to grow", says Rueda. "Our expansion is a direct reflection of that dedication."

iRoof provides expert roofing, siding, gutter and hardware installation and repair to residences in the Atlanta metro area.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:50 AM | Comments (0)

The Body Tub to be Unveiled at Washington Home and Garden Show

A unique luxury bathing experience at home

Shepherdstown, West Virginia (Vocus/PRWEB ) March 13, 2008 -- The bathtub can be viewed as a sanctuary, a retreat, an escape, a place of relaxation. While available in different shapes and sizes, bathtubs typically fit a certain mold … until now. A new twist in bathtub design, The Body TubTM was created to provide a comfortable, luxury bathing experience in the privacy of your own home.

Designed by professionals and crafted with care, The Body Tub is the perfect blend of form and function, personalized to fit the natural curves of the human body. The Body Tub is completely customized based on your body and your preferences, limited only by your imagination. It can be created in any size or shape with tile, stone, marble or granite. They also offer a close-to-custom acrylic design, available in two standard adult body sizes which can fit into any standard bathtub space. All Body Tub products have lighting, aromatherapy, air jets, whirlpool jets, and heating options available.

In addition to comfort, The Body Tub also provides numerous health benefits. The combination of warm water and soothing jets helps relieve muscle and joint pain, while colored lights and aromatherapy aid in stress reduction. Having the body in perfect alignment can help relieve back and neck pain.

This unique product will be unveiled at the 48th annual Washington Home and Garden Show in Washington, D.C., March 13-16 at the Washington Convention Center. “I really want to bring the pampered spa experience home to the average person,” stated Scott Greeno, creator of The Body Tub. “I am pleased to be unveiling the product at the Home and Garden Show.” To learn more about The Body Tub and the many options available, visit www.thebodytub.com or call (301) 789-9322.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:49 AM | Comments (0)

MCT Industries Launches HeavyHog.com

MCT Industries launches HeavyHog.com at CONEXPO 2008; the largest heavy equipment show in North America.

Las Vegas, NV (PRWEB) March 13, 2008 -- MCT Industries, a leader in custom equipment manufacturing, announced the launch of HeavyHog.com at this year's CONEXPO show. The 5-day event is the largest show of its kind on this side of the globe with more than 2,000 exhibitors and 125,000 people expected to attend.

After 30 years of developing and selling government and commercial vehicles and ground systems, MCT Industries has taken a leap into the virtual world by developing a unique online business model dedicated to helping organizations and individuals sell unwanted heavy equipment and machines.

"You can't imagine how hard it is for someone to sell a $100,000 tractor, paving machine or crane without ending up on the wrong side of the deal. Companies and individuals are usually left selling their heavy equipment at an auction or through a broker for a fraction of its value," says Bennie Martinez, General Manager of MCT Industries. "With HeavyHog.com on the block, people have a new resource to buy, sell, and trade heavy equipment without paying any commissions or ridiculous fees."

HeavyHog.com currently has $1.2 million in inventory and is growing by the day. Users of the site can post just about any type of commercial equipment, including skidsters, scrapers, paving equipment, military machines and excavators. The site is also for individuals who want to sell smaller items such as utility trailers, trucks, storage containers and everything in between.

To kick off the launch of HeavyHog.com the company is offering its new and existing customers a free Platinum Membership, a value of $1,200 per month.

For patrons of the CONEXPO show, in conjunction with the website launch, they will be also be offering free rides to and from the Convention Center in the Heavy Hog limousines.

MCT Industries, founded in 1973, specializes in the research and development of government and commercial vehicles, ground systems and trailers. For more than 20 years, it has partnered with Sandia National Laboratories and Los Alamos National Laboratory to develop hazardous materials transportation systems.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:42 AM | Comments (0)

Consulting Group Finds the Niche for Small-Wind Turbine Developers

With small-scale alternative energy options increasingly abundant, Go Green Energy LLC mission is to help developers and manufacturers find their markets, and vice versa

Santa Cruz, CA (PRWEB) March 13, 2008 -- Along with the rise in energy costs comes an assortment of new alternatives to oil. Industrial energy users, investors and entrepreneurs are busy at the daunting task of identifying, separating and implementing those alternatives that offer the greatest near-term potential, according to Consultant Dennis Murray.

Murray formed the consulting group, Go Green Energy LLC as a resource to provide guidance through an alternative energy maze where solutions continue to emerge regularly - some "imaginative but not well thought out," he said, but others that "deserve close scrutiny" by prospective users and funding sources.

"Diverse applications such as small-wind turbines, photovoltaic films, algae-based biofuels, hydro turbines, and countless other leading-edge developments promise real solutions to our power needs in the very near future," Murray said, noting that a number of "very interesting technologies" have already entered, or are about to enter the market.

For example, he said, "Numerous wind turbine developments have started to appear on the market. These are totally new designs, quite unlike the traditional 2-3 blade turbines familiar to most of us." Many of the new wind turbines are vertical designs (VAWT) that are capable of substantial power output in low to modest winds.

"We are aware of more than 50 vertical turbine designs on the market or under development", he said. "Some are capable of near-utility grade power of 50 kilowatts or more in only 15 mph winds. With many wind solutions competing, each must develop its own niche markets quickly before the outcome of the game is determined by competitors.

Go Green Energy (GGE) helps small turbine developers establish their companies, develop their markets, and execute their marketing strategy. GGE also assists in second-round equity financing when required. "Rather than go head-to-head against competition and market incumbents, we help developers find niche opportunities that are overlooked or ignored by the competitors," Murray said. For more information, contact Dennis Murray 831-423-3333 or visit the Go Green Energy website: www.GoGreenEnergyLLC.com.

Contact:
VictorWortman
VW Communications
310-393-6281
vwortman @ earthlink.net

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:42 AM | Comments (0)

Finance North America Offers Real Estate Financing and Mortgage Lending of U.S. Property for citizens of Canada, Europe, Asia, Latin America and Australia

UK, Europe, Asian, Australian and the Americas citizens can now purchase and finance their U.S. property mortgage through Finance North America.

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) March 13, 2008 -- Finance North America announced today its latest offering of mortgage financing to international residents in the UK, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas looking to purchase or remortgage U.S. real estate. Finance North America specializes in providing mortgage financing to U.S. and Canadian citizens and is now proud to announce the expansion of their U.S. mortgage financing offering to the International market.

"Foreigners are taking an interest in purchasing property or wanting to cash in on their equity here in the US. With a weak dollar and low mortgage rates, real estate investments are becoming the choice for a growing number of people from other countries. Some see real estate as a great investment opportunity due to the low price while others are interested in enjoying the properties as a second or vacation residence." - Russ Schreier, CEO, Finance North America

Finance North America is dedicated to helping International citizens interested in purchasing real estate in the U.S. and Mexico. They offer purchase lending as well as refinance / remortgage lending. Awarded for successfully closing the most financing transactions in 2005, 2006 and 2007 for US citizen's real estate investments in Mexico, Finance North America now also provides UK, Canadian, European, Asian, Australian, and Latin American citizens a reliable partner to help with their U.S. property search and mortgage needs.

For additional information about Finance North America and their International financing options for UK, Europe, Asia, Australian, Canadians, and Latin American citizens, please send emails to: info @ FinanceNorthAmerica.com or visit www.FinanceNorthAmer