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April 25, 2008

New York City Continues To See Construction Worker Accidents Due To Lack Of Implementation Of Stricter Laws

NYC Construction Accident Lawyer David Perecman Enlightens Public On Issues With Current Construction Laws Affecting New York City Construction Workers.

New York, NY (PRWEB) April 25, 2008 -- Following another tragic death of a New York Construction Worker, David H. Perecman, a veteran NYC construction accident lawyer and co-founder of New York construction accident attorneys law firm Perecman & Fanning, points more blame to New York construction practices. The construction worker who tragically died this time was Kevin Kelly, 25 who was installing windows at the Laurel, 400 East 67th Street at First Avenue.

"This is starting to happen too often, even once was too many as these construction workers are dying from crane accidents and construction mishaps that shouldn't be happening," said Mr. Perecman, of Perecman and Fanning, leading New York City construction accident lawyers. "This particular construction site had been cited by city inspectors for 25 code violations during the last year. Without laws protecting these workers and nobody wanting to make any changes, construction accidents will continue to rise until changes are made. This is now the third death in the last couple months with still no changes in the legislature" According to the New York Times, 10 people died since January this year in other New York City construction and crane accidents.

David Perecman is the current Secretary of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association (NYSTLA) and a chair of its Construction Accident Law Committee. "Every year there are efforts by groups like "Unshackle Upstate" and parts of the New York Chamber of Commerce and other pro-business groups to weaken, repeal or modify the law so that it becomes less effective in protecting workers and saving lives. One of these laws, a statute, Labor Law 240(1), relatively unique to New York, is under constant attack by pro-business groups as being too harsh on owners and contractors. Recent New York court decisions have made it more difficult to sue owners and contractors for some crane type accidents. We must continue to protect our workers and laws for everyone's safety," said Mr. Perecman.

Mr. Perecman continually works with legislators to help strengthen New York's construction and labor laws. His experience has lead him to testify before the Standing Committee on Housing of the New York State Assembly and the Standing Committee on Cities and the Standing Committee on Codes, regarding construction and crane accidents that have happened in the past. This construction accident in New York City is the reason that New York construction accident attorneys continually try to have these laws changed.

About Us:

For the past 25 years, Mr. Perecman of Perecman & Fanning has championed all types of personal injury and construction and crane accident cases in New York State. Mr. Perecman, one of the top New York City construction accident lawyers, has recovered millions of dollars for his clients over the course of his career, with $25 million in verdicts and settlements in the last year alone. Among his more recent victories, Mr. Perecman won a $15 million verdict for an injured NYC construction worker. NYC construction accident lawyer David Perecman's depth of expertise in civil rights court cases and breadth of knowledge are widely recognized, while his record and reputation speak for themselves. David Perecman is the current Secretary of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association (NYSTLA) and a chair of its Construction Accident Law Committee.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 06:05 AM | Comments (0)

Allana Buick & Bers Architectural Engineering Awarded Consulting Contract under World Renowned Architecture Firm, Rafael Vinoly Architects PC

Allana Buick & Bers, Inc. (ABB) is pleased to announce they have been awarded a sub-consultant contract from Rafael Vinoly Architects PC (RVA) for building envelope peer review and consulting services on Jebel Ali Zone 1 Central Plaza in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Palo Alto, CA (PRWEB) April 25, 2008 -- Allana Buick & Bers, Inc. (ABB) is pleased to announce they have been awarded a sub-consultant contract from Rafael Vinoly Architects PC (RVA) for building envelope peer review and consulting services on Jebel Ali Zone 1 Central Plaza in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

ABB has been retained by RVA to provide waterproofing consulting services throughout the design, bid, and construction phases for roofing, building entrances, plaza construction, exterior terraces, roof terraces, pool and related services pits, curtain wall systems, balconies, below-grade waterproofing, and canal seawall and bridge abutments. ABB has been working with RVA on the Vdara Condominium Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, which is expected to be completed late 2009. "Due to the successful relationship between ABB and RVA on the Vdara project, it was a natural progression requesting ABB to participate in the Jebel Ali Zone 1 Central Plaza," says Gerson Bers, Principal of Allana Buick & Bers, Inc.

The Central Plaza project is located in Zone 1 of Jebel Ali Free Zone. Jebel Ali lies 25 miles south of Dubai along Sheikh Zayed Road, which is a major thoroughfare between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Downtown Jebel Ali is a new, mixed-use development comprised of approximately one square mile in land area broken up into four zones. The Central Plaza area will be the focus and shopping hub of each of the four zones next to the new Dubai Light Rail Transit System station, which is expected to have a steady flow of people and activity.

ABB (www.abbae.com/jebel_ali.html)is a leading Architectural Engineering firm consulting in roofing, waterproofing, building envelope design, construction forensics, mechanical engineering, energy conservation and structural engineering. ABB has a team of highly adept, nationally recognized, licensed, and certified professionals who have been providing innovative design solutions to support new construction projects, building repairs, renovations, and construction defect consulting for over twenty years. ABB has offices throughout California, Hawaii, and Nevada and is licensed in 20 states throughout the U.S.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 06:05 AM | Comments (0)

InvitingHome.com Introduces Free Kitchen Design Guide

Home owners in search of inspiring new kitchen design ideas will enjoy this free Kitchen Design Guide which has loads of information on kitchen styles and architectural details.

Needham, MA (PRWEB) April 25, 2008 -- Homeowners looking for creative kitchen design ideas can now turn to InvitingHome.com's Kitchen Style Guide. This comprehensive new online resource is available at InvitingHome.com.

Today's kitchen is the most important room in most homes. This is where meals are prepared, but also where people linger to watch TV or do their work. For families, it might be the only room where everyone regularly hangs out together. You can use InvitingHome.com's Kitchen Style Guide to find kitchen design ideas that capture your distinctive tastes -- and help turn your house into a home.

The Kitchen Style Guide features overviews of seven basic kitchen styles: traditional, contemporary, country, cottage, provincial, shaker, and arts and crafts. Also included are dozens of links to articles on topics like kitchen cabinets, kitchen counters and kitchen hardware. Related photographs along with an Inspiration Gallery serve as useful sources for kitchen design ideas.

As explained in the Kitchen Style Guide, more and more homeowners today are adding fine architectural details to their kitchens such as wood corbels. Corbels are an excellent way to liven up and enhance your kitchen's beauty. And because corbels come in a variety of styles, you're sure to discover one that matches your decorating vision and complements the decor in the rest of your home.

InvitingHome.com, for example, offers over 80 wood corbel styles. Corbel styles range from simple and understated to intricate and sophisticated. Popular wood types for corbels include maple, oak, cherry, birch and alder. With the multitude of styles and woods, you should have no trouble finding corbels that spark exciting new kitchen design ideas.

Corbels and other architectural details can help you to make your kitchen your own -- and to ensure you enjoy spending time in what is likely the center of your home. For more information on corbels for your kitchen and other kitchen design ideas, please visit www.InvitingHome.com.

About InvitingHome.com:
InvitingHome.com is committed to providing exquisitely designed, handcrafted home furnishings and architectural products along with unique decorative elements, all manufactured to the highest quality standards. Their extensive selection of architectural accents and home improvement additions allow interior designers, decorators and homeowners to create the home decor of their dreams.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 06:04 AM | Comments (0)

Rubb Building Systems Awarded Maine Governor's Award for Business Excellence

Rubb Building Systems, an international leader in the fabrication of relocatable membrane-clad industrial buildings, announced their receipt of the State of Maine Governor's Award for Business Excellence, a status awarded to only 5 businesses this year and 94 to date.

Sanford, Maine (PRWEB) April 25, 2008 -- Rubb Building Systems, an international leader in the fabrication of relocatable membrane-clad industrial buildings, today announced their receipt of the State of Maine Governor's Award for Business Excellence, a status awarded to only 5 businesses this year and 94 to date. This award is given based on "a high level of commitment to their community, employees, and to manufacturing or service excellence." Also receiving the award this year were F.A. Peabody, Hannaford Supermarkets, Parker Lumber Company and Planet Dog.

Governor Baldacci said of the recipients, "This year's honorees represent the innovative spirit that has earned Maine a reputation for top quality workmanship, service and a commitment to excellence ... I am proud to honor ... distinguished members of our business community."

Attending the event of behalf of Rubb were employees from all departments. Controller Joe Kane gracefully received the award, thanking the hard work of Rubb's many employees in the United States and abroad, and the commitment to innovation and service that has made the company so successful. Concurrent with the Governor's Award ceremony, other representatives from Rubb Inc. attended the opening of a new sports facility in Magherafelt, Northern Ireland.

Sanford, Maine-based Rubb Building Systems is the United States branch of the industrial buildings company, with other locations in Norway and the United Kingdom. Rubb's durable, flexible fabric structures range are used in many applications including environmental storage, sports buildings, aircraft hangars and storage and port buildings. Familiar Rubb buildings in New England include the Merrill Marine Terminal and Sprague Energy Terminal in Portland, Maine and the AirTran hangar in Boston's Logan Airport.

About Rubb Building Systems
The Rubb organization, with production facilities in Great Britain, Norway and the United States is recognized as a world leader in the design, development and manufacture of relocatable structures and is quality certified to ISO9001: 2000.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 06:04 AM | Comments (0)

Recession Planning Toolkit Offers Businesses Protection from Uncertain Economy

Prepare Your Business to Thrive in Lean Times with Complimentary Planning Tool

Reno, NV (PRWEB) April 25, 2008 -- M3 Planning, a nationwide leader in on-demand strategic planning services has just released the Ultimate Recession Planning Toolkit to help business owners better prepare for an economic slowdown and improve their strategic decision making. Comprised of a compilation of articles, how-to's, and expert advice, the Ultimate Recession Planning Toolkit is also intended to assist in scenario planning as well as serve as an essential starting point for creating a strategic plan with MyStrategicPlan, the company's award-winning strategic planning software.

This arsenal of information is an invaluable antidote against the increasingly troublesome reports delivered daily with news stories lamenting the lagging economy here in the US and abroad. Economic forecasters and analysts are beginning to give in to recession language, with 51% of respondents to a recent poll conducted by the National Association for Business Economics (NABE) indicating they believe a stalled economy is where we may be headed, and Singapore's GIC (The Government of Singapore Investment Corp), one of the biggest sovereign wealth funds, warned on Monday the world could be facing its worst recession in 30 years and that financial markets will be highly volatile. As reported in The Economic Times, GIC Deputy Chairman Tony Tan said, "The financial contagion has now spread beyond US shores, increasing the likelihood of a global financial crisis and recession." He also opined that, "We could be facing a recession which is longer, deeper and wider than any recession we have encountered in the last 30 years."

With advance strategic planning and careful preparation, businesses can help lessen the impact of a slowdown and perhaps even identify new opportunities in the midst of economic turmoil. A company's strategic plan is the "game plan" management has for positioning the company, competing successfully, satisfying customers and achieving good business performance. Basic strategic planning tends to address the incidents of the day, but scenario planning and continuity planning, which are both subsets of strategic planning, should also be included in the planning process. Scenario planning is a way of simplifying a complex future by providing the opportunity to ask the "what if" questions and to rehearse responses while continuity planning lays out the details for ensuring a business doesn't stop running if a particular scenario happens. All three subjects are addressed along with expert advice in the new Ultimate Recession Planning Toolkit.

M3 Planning is a strategic planning firm that works with growth-oriented organizations to develop and execute their strategic plans and has established itself as a source for everything related to strategic planning. In addition to their award-winning strategic planning software, the company is also a resource for other strategic planning tools, books, articles, workshops, and facilitations.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 06:04 AM | Comments (0)

Announcing the Winners of the 2nd Annual Asia Pacific Real Estate Awards from a Stellar Gala Dinner and Ceremony

Leading firms and individuals within the dynamic real estate markets in the Asia Pacific Region gathered April 10, 2008 in Shanghai PRC to witness the anticipated celebration.

Shanghai, PRC (PRWEB) April 25, 2008 -- Leading firms and individuals within the dynamic real estate markets in the Asia Pacific Region gathered April 10, 2008 in Shanghai PRC to witness the anticipated celebration.

Mr. Craig Smith, Publisher and founder of AsiaCRE.com, a leading commercial real estate media firm and organizers of high-impact events and conferences throughout the world, commented on this year's event, "the atmosphere was electric as representatives from leading real estate firms mixed during the VIP reception. This marked our second annual event and the guests were not disappointed as the ceremonies revealed this year's winners. But let's not forget the many well deserving semi-finalists whose achievements were brilliant in their own right."

The evening's gala event ceremonies were kicked off by the Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Craig Smith, ECE Property Media Publisher and Mr. Bert Figearo, Director, with commendation presentations for recognition of achievements within specific markets and categories.

Main Awards followed in categories from five groupings: Company of the Year, Design Firm of the Year, Project of the Year, Overall Award for Most Accomplished Development, and the new categories for Sustainable Projects (Commercial and Urban) featuring green projects in China.

Special Commendation Presentations:
Firms recognized for outstanding contribution to the industry within their respective markets and sectors.

Thailand:
Sansiri Public Company Limited

Southeast Asia:
Intuit - MRI Real Estate Solutions
Pacific Rim:
New City Corporation

Greater China:
Zhong Lun Law Firm

India:
Menlo Capital Group, LLC

India:
Unitech Realty Investors India (Pvt.) Ltd.

Asia Pacific Awards:

Company of the Year Awards:

Developer
Ascendas

Investor
ING Real Estate Investment Management Asia

Banking and Finance
Credit Suisse Group

Consultant / Letting Agent
CB Richard Ellis

Professional Service Provider
PricewaterhouseCoopers

Law Firm
DLA Piper

Design Company of the Year Awards:

Architectural Design Firm
Aedas Ltd.

Interior Design Firm
Benoy

Urban Design Firm
HOK International (Asia/Pacific) Limited

The Project of the Year Awards:

Office Project - Sponsored by CISCO
Shiodome Building - by Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd

Retail Project
Elements Mall - by MTRC

Residential Project
Park Tower, Beijing - by Beijing Yintai Property Co., Ltd.
Industrial Project
Prologis Park Lingang (phase 3) - by Prologis

Sustainability Project of the Year Awards:
Sponsored by Jones Lang LaSalle

Commercial Sustainability
Fujian Provincial Electric Power Dispatching Center - by Fujian Provincial Electric & Power co., design by MulvannyG2 Architecture

Urban Sustainability
Dongtan Eco City - by Shanghai Industrial Investment Corp., design by ARUP

Overall Project of the Year:
The Venetian Hotel - Macau - by Sands Corporation, design by Aedas Ltd.

Asia Trends 2008 Conference
During the same day, the Asia Trends 2008 conference took place and was highlighted by a great lineup of speakers and panelists. Attendees from India, Japan, China, Singapore and Hong Kong were on-hand to discuss relevant and important industry topics.

Each group was spearheaded by industry professionals moderating and presenting in the following discussion groups:

Inward Investments; Market hotspots - India, China (Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen), Vietnam: what's next? -- Mr. Piers Brunner - Chief Operating Office, Asia & Managing Director, Colliers International Hong Kong.

Sustainability; Trends and Feasibility and Best Practice Models -- Mr. Chris Gawan-Taylor - Managing Director, Spinnaker Run.

Investment & Development in the Next Tier Cities; Asia Comparisons to China -- Mr. Chris Brooke, President & CEO - Greater China, CB Richard Ellis.

Upcoming Government Regulations; Impact and Implications -- Mr. Charles Wang, Partner, Zhong Lun Law Firm

Asia Pacific Real Estate Awards - April 2009
Don't miss next year's Asia Trends 2009 conference and Asia Pacific Real Estate Awards Gala recognizing the outstanding companies and projects for the year 2008.

For event sponsorship and participation in the Asia Pacific Real Estate Awards in 2009 contact Craig Smith at csmith@asiacre.com or Bert Figearo at bfigearo@asiacre.com tel. +852 6473 9360.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 06:01 AM | Comments (0)

Look Out Below - But Don't Try Blaming New York City If You Get Hurt

All sidewalk sheds and scaffolds are now required by New York City Local Law No. 33 to have a twenty-five foot sign on the outer wall of the shed that displays the permit holders name, address, telephone number, permit number and the permit expiration date.

(PRWEB) April 25, 2008 -- "Cross the street if you have to, take a different route home and to work, don't let your kids play underneath them and complain like hell if you see something that looks unsafe," warns Richard Gurfein, of the law firm Gurfein Douglas, commenting on the recent NYC Building Department report that cited safety hazards at hundreds of sidewalk sheds set up at construction sites to protect pedestrians from falling debris.

Mr. Gurfein, a personal injury lawyer in New York City with a degree in electrical engineering, explained that all sidewalk sheds and scaffolds are now required by Local Law No. 33 to have a twenty-five foot sign on the outer wall of the shed that displays the permit holders name, address, telephone number, permit number and the permit expiration date.

"If someone has a complaint or concern, they should look for the sign that identifies the permit holder and call the number on the sign," Gurfein urges. "If the information is missing, pedestrians should notify the borough's Department of Buildings, Construction Division immediately."

Gurfein recommends that pedestrians would be wise to look at the walls of the scaffolding to make sure they are solid, without gaps and that no part of them is hanging loosely. Regulations also require that adequate lighting be maintained under the shed and bulbs must be inspected daily and replaced as necessary.

"It's very important for people to realize," he added, "that the contractor, subcontractor who installed the shed, and the owner of the property are all responsible for pedestrian safety and can be held liable if someone is injured by falling wood, glass, hardware and other construction debris."

The City of New York, however, is not generally liable.

"Under the law, the City isn't responsible if a shed accident happens," Gurfein explained. "The City is merely exercising it's municipal duty to the population at large and can't be held liable unless a specific promise was made to a specific person about a specific condition. For example, the people who filed a notice of claim against the city for the recent crane collapse are wasting their time if their claim is merely that the City failed to perform its inspections properly."

Gurfein suggests that neighborhood residents who must live with the months-long, or years-long intrusion of a sidewalk shed should contact their borough's Construction Division of the Department of Buildings and ask for a speaker to come to a group meeting to assure residents that the shed is safe and to explain what the division intends to do to keep it that way.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 06:01 AM | Comments (0)

Contractors Licensing Practice Exam Home Study Program a Big Success

Educational Services is a company which is dedicated to helping others pass their contractors licensing state exam with a low cost and convenient home study program.

Brookings, OR (PRWEB) April 25, 2008 -- Happy Anniversary to Educational Services, who first launched the "Contractors Licensing Practice Exam Home Study Program" 4 years ago in April 2004 and has been a Big Success to this date.

Educational Services tells us that the secret to this success of each student passing the real contractors state exam is that each contractor's licensing practice exam was created to match the same subject matter that is on the real state exam.

The good news is that no matter which state that one wants to get their contractors license in or what trade one wants to get their contractors' license for, this home study program offered by Educational Services has them all, for every state every trade (Go to www.PassYourStateExam.com).

Most of the surveyed public prefer a home study program indicating that it is a convenient and to-the-point method of study and a way to pass the real contractors licensing state exam with confidence.

Quoting the owner of the Contractors Licensing Practice Exam Home Study Program, Educational Services, he says, "When the students use the contractors licensing practice exam, one is learning the contractors' laws and facts about the trade, so that they obtain a complete understanding of the subject. With these contractors licensing practice exams you can answer questions correctly no matter how many different ways a question is asked. The contractors practice exam will bring you to an understanding of the subject matter that is on the real exam. And that's why our students pass the real contractors licensing state exam."

(Go to www.PassYourStateExam.com)

Congratulations: 4 Year Anniversary
This program was started in April 2004 and has been in a continual expansion. There are few home study programs that have done as well as this Contractors Licensing Practice Exam Home Study Program.

The owner says, "This is a unique method of study, based on understanding the subject matter that the board wants you to know in order to pass the state exam. The contractors licensing practice exams are not based on memorization or having to buy books because the explanation and answers that is in the contractors preparation practice exam are from the same books the contractors board used to make their test, the Contractors Licensing Practice Exam Home Study Program is based on a complete understanding of the subject matter that is on the real state exam."

Here are a few testimonials:
1. Well Mario, thanks to you and your system, I passed the Mississippi Business Law test about and hour ago. Now sent me the structural steel test I just ordered and let me see if I can pass that test tomorrow. Great system, I like it. - Ronnie

2. FYI ... passed the structural steel test too! Thanks - Ronnie

3. Just wanted to let you know that your website is a godsend! We purchased your program on the 17th - with only a week to study- HE PASSED! Now he is on the road to starting his own business! I had a really hard time getting any info for the exam before stumbling onto your website. Thank you so much, we couldn't have done that with out you! - John & Shawna

Educational Services is a company which is dedicated to helping others pass their contractors licensing state exam with a convenient Contractors Licensing Practice Exam Home Study Program at a low cost.

Contact:
Luanne Kritzberg, director of public relations
541-469-4715
or
Mario Robles, owner
1-866-916-4087

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 06:01 AM | Comments (0)

Two Kinetic Sculptures Infuse Public Spaces with a Positive Psychology

Northern Colorado artist Mel Ristau announces the completed installation of two monumental aerial kinetic sculptures that infuse architectural interiors for Walker Brands, Tampa, Fla. and Children's Medical Center, Plano, Texas with an exceptionally positive aesthetic.

Fort Collins, Colo. (PRWEB) April 24, 2008 -- Colorado artist Mel Ristau announces the completed installation of two monumental hanging kinetic sculptures. The works of art represent the culmination of more than two years of design and construction for Ristau and are on permanent display in Texas and Florida.

On February 27, Ristau completed the installation of "AirPlay 11" for Children's Medical Center Legacy in Plano, Texas which opened its doors April 7, 2008. He collaborated with Robert F. Doane, AIA, ACHA, Senior Vice President of PageSoutherlandPage Dallas; Kathy Harper, RN, MBA; and Gena English, RID, AAHID, TAID of Children's Medical Center Dallas in the development of AirPlay 11. This playful, kinetic aerial sculpture drops more than 25 feet and quietly drifts and turns within a 30 foot area of the hospital's lobby. The mobile is composed of painted and unpainted stainless steel, aluminum and translucent polycarbonate.

On March 30, Ristau installed "Possibilities of Place" for Walker Brands offices in Tampa, Fla. Walker Brands teamed with BECK Group Tampa to develop Tampa's first LEED certified and award winning "green" building. As the primary interior feature, Ristau's work hangs in six cohesive sections that flow 30 feet through the open core of Walker Brand's new two-story facility. His kinetic work is at play with abstractions of place, navigation, environment and living--design concerns of the firm's clients. Additionally, the sculpture functions as a component of Walker Brands' own branding and demonstrates the Possibilities of Place.

"Art intersecting with and inspiring daily life is what my works are about," said Ristau, commenting on his recent work. "I design aerial sculptures that animate large interior spaces with color and whimsy - creating smiles and therapeutic destinations for children as well as adults. My sculptures are fun to both plan and build. The affect of this favorable process becomes part of each work and ultimately infuses it's intended space with the same positive spirit."

About Mel Ristau
Working from his studio in northern Colorado, Ristau has been building kinetic sculpture since 2003. Many lobbies and atriums of healthcare, museum, school, and corporate facilities from coast to coast offer public venues for Ristau's sculpture. His largest and most complex work to date--"River Garden 1"--spanning 50 feet was installed in the lobby of the Children's Hospital of Atlanta / Scottish Rite in 2006. Ristau, who is originally from Lafayette, La., moved from Dallas, Texas, to Fort Collins, Colo., in early 2002 to pursue his lifelong interest in designing and building large-scale kinetic sculpture. Prior to that, he was a successful visual communications designer and co-developer of small scale robotic modeling technologies used throughout the U.S. in the 1990's to enhance communication, systems thinking, teamwork and creative problem solving skills.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 06:00 AM | Comments (0)

Texas and Houston Buck National Real Estate Trends; Erratic Economic Outlook, However, Affects Single-Family Market

Texas and Houston appears to be eluding rising property foreclosure rates. A closer look, however, reveals a different story. And while Houston had its best sales month of the year, the seventh consecutive monthly slide in overall home and property sales --particularly the 15.7% drop in the price of affluent homes and the dropping number of pending salesgrowing -- is a clear signal that home sellers will need to be more patient, Realtors and brokers more aggresive, and bargain hunters less gleeful.

Houston (PRWEB) April 24, 2008 -- Texas appears to be bucking the national trend of rising property foreclosure rates, and in Houston, single-family home prices are holding up, despite the seventh consecutive monthly slide in overall property sales. But multiple challenges face both home buyers and sellers, according to one real estate veteran.

"Respected sources of industry trends are serving up some bright spots in residential real estate," says Steven Kleiman, Founder and CEO of Oakington Realty of Houston. "But the fact remains that Houston' housing market is clearly 'unsettled.' The erratic economy is putting some first-time home buyers on the sidelines even as it attracts a diverse group of bargain hunters for high-end housing.

"Although Inner Loop (inside IH 610) homes appear to be largely retaining their value levels, buying and selling tactics are changing dramatically as sales of luxury residences dropped significantly in March," Kleiman emphasized.

Oakington Realty, founded in 2004, handled more than $40 million worth of high-end property transactions in 2007, up from $30 million in 2006. The homes, ranging from $200,000 to more than $1 million, were in Houston's most prestigious Inner Loop (IH 610) neighborhoods -- Afton Oaks, Bellaire, Braes Heights, Memorial Park, Montrose, Museum District, River Oaks, Southgate, Southampton, Tanglewood, West University, et al. (www.oakingtonrealty.com)

California-based RealtyTrac recently reported a total of 10,700 Texas properties entered the foreclosure process during March, down more than 16% from the volume of filings recorded in March 2007, but up 5% over February filings.

Nationally, default notices and bank repossessions increased about 57% and 129%, respectively - on a year-over-year basis -- an indication that more defaulting homeowners are simply walking away and deeding their properties back to the foreclosing lender. By comparison, auction notices jumped 32% percent.

"Texas only appears to be bucking the trend because the deed-in-lieu-of-foreclosure process allows the lender to take possession of the property without putting it up for public foreclosure auction," Kleiman explained. "Houston, on the other hand exhibits a much clearer picture when one looks closely at March figures provided by the Houston Association of Realtors® (HAR)."

Houston Home Sales at '08 High

Houston home sales in March reached their highest level of the new year, with the average price of a single-family home continued to increase, up 2% in March over the year-ago month to $208,105. The median price of a single-family home was flat at $151,000, reported the Multiple Listing Service of HAR.

"Additionally, total March sales of single-family homes in Houston came in at 5,113 or 16.4 percent lower than March 2007 and the steepest decline since sales began to slide this past September," MLS-HAR reported.

"After enjoying monthly gains since last fall, sales of homes priced above $500,000 fell 15.7 percent in March. That directly impacts the high-end neighborhoods inside and outside Loop 610, Kleiman noted. "Single-family homes in Houston priced below $80,000 showed a 4.1 percent improvement in year-over-year sales activity.

"Obviously, brokers and their clients need to recognize the emerging trends brought on by the sub prime mortgage meltdown, the decline in interest rates, the growing drought in credit markets and significant lay-offs in a variety of industries," observed Kleiman, a member of the National, Texas and Houston Association(s) of Realtors®.

"All parties should be prepared to approach negotiations with greater flexibility and a spirit of compromise. Give and take should not descend into bitter pushing and shoving," he said. "Bargain hunters should not act like vultures and home sellers should not expect a lottery-like premium. Reality rules."

Oakington Realty, a niche real estate firm, pairs traditional and innovative marketing strategies with electronic communications technologies. Its six full and part-time sales associates work with buyers, sellers, investors and developers. The company offers high quality marketing campaigns plus realistic fee structures to the long-underserved, high-end real estate community.

Declining Sales. . . and Taking Longer

HAR also reported existing home statistics for the single-family home segment of the real estate market: "In March 2008, existing single-family home sales totaled 4,206, a 15.7% drop from March 2007. The Days-on-Market statistic for March dropped to 87 from 92 in February, but exceeded the 80 days recorded in March 2007.

For more details on average and median sales prices of existing homes and townhouse/condos, go to: http://www.har.com/mls/dispPressRelease.cfm

Kleiman, a Houston native, who grew up in the Fondren Southwest area and resides in the Braes Heights neighborhood (between Bellaire and West University), also specializes in finding urban-in-fill properties - vacant land and potential housing tear-downs -- sought by buyers, developers and homebuilders.

"Houston, the nation's fourth largest city and the largest metropolitan area in the state continues to add jobs and residents - an estimated 75,000 and 100,000, respectively in 2007. Not all those newcomers will be pushed into rental or multifamily properties, however. Apartment vacancies are shrinking and many multifamily projects are looking for lines of credit or investors," he said.

HAR-MLS has recognized Kleiman for his sales accomplishments in each of the past four years. In the second quarter of 2007, he was one of Houston's Top-Producing Buyer's agents in MLS sales transactions based on the number of buyer-size deals and on dollar volume.

"In February, we reported calculations by PMI Mortgage Insurance Company that ranked the Houston housing market among the lowest risk markets compared to cities nationwide," he recounted. http://www.houstonfacts.org/lowest_risk_markets.html

"Those same scores show risk of home values falling in 2009 in all U.S. metropolitan statistical areas and divisions. So, Houston's long-term immunity to the economic downturn - 'recession,' according to some pundits -- remains to be seen," he stated.

Pending sales at the end of March -- those listings expected to close within the next 30 days - reached 4,585, 18.9% lower than last year with the inventory of single-family homes in March at 6.3 months, a slight increase from 6.1 months in February.

"Those figures, while suggesting another possible sales decline for April, also indicate upwards of a $700 million worth of residential property changing hands," Kleiman emphasized. "Home sellers who are actively preparing their property for potential spring and summer buyers and engaging aggressive, knowledgeable brokers are going to fare better than those homeowners retreating to the sidelines."

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR INTERVIEWS:
Steven Kleiman, CEO, Oakington Realty, Inc., Houston, 713-875-9040; www.oakingtonrealty.com

Preston F. Kirk, APR, Kirk Public Relations, Austin TX, 830-693-4447

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:57 AM | Comments (0)

Green Building and Historic Preservation Create Luxury Apartments and Retail from Once Abandoned Broad Street Bank Building, a Turn-of-the-Century Skyscraper

Downtown Trenton, NJ's landmark building emerges from state's list of most endangered historic properties as a symbol of Capital City's revival via green building and historic preservation

(PRWEB) April 24, 2008 -- Historic preservation and urban revitalization advocates were among the 150 celebrants at last week's grand opening ceremony for downtown Trenton's landmark Broad Street Bank building, which was restored and converted to a green building with luxurious residential rental apartments with first floor retail spaces. Among the participants were several city and state officials as well as business and community leaders. Following the remarks and ribbon cutting ceremony were tours of the building's energy efficient apartments, including a model unit decorated by architect/designer Gordon Goode, as well the 4,000 square foot roof garden.

Once on Preservation New Jersey's list of the Top Ten Most Endangered Historic Sites, the building was rescued from a decade of abandonment and neglect by Long Island, NY developer Bayville Holdings LLC which turned an eyesore into a model of adaptive reuse, historic preservation, and sustainable, green redevelopment. Bayville also successfully had the property added to the National Register of Historic Places, making it the first historically designated green building in Central New Jersey.

The new development has 124 one and two-bedroom apartments and over 12,900 square feet of retail and commercial office space. Twenty percent of the apartments are deemed affordable housing and are reserved for working families with incomes below 50% of the area median income. The first commercial tenants include Environment New Jersey and NJ Public Information Research Group and the developer is actively courting a restaurant tenant for its largest retail space.

Market rate apartments range from $925 for a one bedroom to $1,250 for a two bedroom. Base asking rent for the commercial spaces is $18 per square foot gross plus tenant utilities. Because the property was restored with US Green Building Council's LEED certification in mind, utilities for both the residential and commercial spaces are significantly lower than a traditionally constructed building.

The ceremony was presented by the Trenton Downtown Association (TDA) and the Capital City Redevelopment Corporation (CCRC), the nonprofit manager of the special improvement district and the state agency tasked with managing downtown Trenton's redevelopment, respectively, which have joined forces to market the development.

Built in 1900 as an elegant banking and office center, the Broad Street Bank became the city's first "modern" skyscraper and a symbol of the city's prosperity. The construction of the original eight-story structure in the style of Louis Sullivan, built in 1900, was followed in 1913 by a twelve-story addition, and by another 8-story addition in 1923. The additions use architectural details from the original structure so the entire building appears as one cohesive design. The building remains the only example of early 20th century New York School skyscraper architecture in Trenton, as well as the only example in the downtown of French Renaissance architecture.

"In a city that is one of the great historical locations in America, the Broad Street Bank stands tall as a reminder of the many dimensions of Trenton's historical significance and present-day appeal," said Trenton Mayor Douglas H. Palmer of this historic preservation, green building success story. "Today, this landmark building is one of several key elements in a revitalization effort creating a capital city draw for tourism, entertainment, dining, shopping, and, of course, distinctive residential housing. The downtown master plan that we will be issuing soon will underscore the importance of the Broad Street Bank as part of a vibrant area that is attracting investment from businesses and residents alike."

Mayor Palmer also noted that the Broad Street Bank serves as a model of green building consistent with his "Trenton Green" initiative.

Bayville's George Fakiris added that the energy efficient lighting fixtures, appliances, and heat and cooling systems used in the building will mean lower utility bills for tenants. "There is a lot of history behind this building. The building is beautiful. We have spent over $30 million to make it a green building and even more beautiful and sustainable," he said.

"Governor [Jon Corzine is committed to providing 100,000 units of affordable housing for New Jersey residents and Broad Street Bank is one step further towards fulfilling that goal," said NJ Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Commissioner Joseph V. Doria. "This is a great day for Trenton and DCA and the HMFA look forward to being part of a continuing process of making our state capitol a vibrant place to live, work and visit."

"When the history is written about downtown Trenton's revitalization, the redevelopment of the Broad Street Bank building will be cited as one the key transformative moments," said Taneshia Nash Laird, TDA Executive Director. "As a development marketing consultant for the Broad Street Bank building, the TDA is pleased to be a part of downtown Trenton history in the making."

"The Broad Street Bank - Trenton's first skyscraper - is one of the City's most recognizable buildings and has been a symbol of Trenton's history," said CCRC Executive Director Monique King-Viehland. "Today - with the historic renovation of the structure and the conversion to market rate and affordable residential units as well as first floor office and commercial spaces - it has become a symbol of the future...the future of downtown Trenton's revitalization. This is a great place to live for anyone who wants to be a part of both Trenton's history as well as its future."

The Broad Street Bank apartment and retail building, which is being promoted with the slogan "luxury living in a landmark location," is located in the heart of downtown Trenton "One of the 10 Most Walkable Cities in America" according to Prevention Magazine. The building is brisk walk to the Trenton Train Station, a major transportation node consisting of NJ Transit, Amtrak, and SEPTA, as well as the RiverLINE light rail. City Hall and Mill Hill Park, the site of the Battle of Trenton in the Revolutionary War, are all only a block away from the building which is also within walking distance to the State House, State Museum & Planetarium, the War Memorial, the Old Barracks Museum, and the Battle Monument. The city of Trenton is also home to two minor league sports teams -- the New York Yankees-affiliated Trenton Thunder baseball team which calls the Waterfront Park home and the New Jersey Devils-affiliated Trenton Devils which has home ice at the Sovereign Bank Arena.

The stylish apartments feature hardwood floors, oversized windows, high ceilings, private, off-street parking, energy efficient appliances, a tenant-only exercise room with lockers, and a 4,000-square-foot, resident-only roof terrace garden that offers spectacular views of the Capital City.

The Trenton Downtown Association is the development marketing director. The leasing agent is Richardson Management for the apartments and Richardson Commercial for the commercial spaces. For more information about the Broad Street Bank, visit www.broadstreetbank.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:57 AM | Comments (0)

Portable Garage Supplier Reaps Benefits Protecting Autos During Recession

Portable Garage Depot, a Florida-based supplier of auto, boat and multi-purpose all-weather shelters, sees dramatic rise in sales from cost-effective alternative to fixed protective buildings.

Boca Raton, FL (PRWEB) April 24, 2008 -- Leading supplier of portable garage shelters and canopies for autos, boats, machinery and other storage reports a sudden and sharp increase in sales as slowing economy and continued climate change concerns causes need for affordable protection for investments that are prone to weather and element damage. Portable Garage Depot is experiencing unprecedented growth in revenue as the market for affordable shelters continues to expand. Protecting autos, boats, RV's, equipment and other valuable assets is becoming a top priority due to the slowdown in home buying and fixed garage additions and the damage done from instant climate change and continued exposure to common elements including sun, wind and rain.

Providing an alternative solution to expensive re-modeling and construction projects Portable Garage Depot has positioned itself to take advantage of a global economic slowdown by offering safe, durable and cost-effective shelters to protect diminishing assets during seasonal climate changes. Skyrocketing costs for materials, labor and taxable property has made custom building projects like garages and sheds a near economic impossibility. Owners of autos, boats, campers and other valuable assets like livestock, agriculture stores and machinery are turning to portable garage shelters for high-quality, durable protection that will save money and secure important personal commodities.

Using industrial strength Polyethylene material with a patented rip-stop core portable garage shelters are fire-retardant, all-weather resistant, easy to assemble and sturdy enough to withstand strong wind, heavy rain and ice depending on the model you choose. These high-grade portable auto garages stand on either powder coated or galvanized steel tubing to provide a flexibly strong frame. Portable garage shelters are ideal for autos, trucks, boats and RV's but can also be used as shed storage for piles of salt, sand or ice melt and even provide a safe haven for livestock, pets and food stores.

Most analysts will tell you the key to surviving a recession is protecting the assets you already own. Don't let weather ruin your possessions and cause even more belt-tightening. Portable canopies are safe, affordable and versatile and will protect all you value while putting your mind at ease. Portable Garage Depot also specializes in metal carports, truss buildings and anchors and accessories for complete protective care.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:57 AM | Comments (0)

Congressman Steve Israel Outlines Support for Plan to Help Ease Mortgage Crisis

“Appreciating America” Provides National Mortgage Relief Solution For Homeowners and Lenders

Plan Developed by Refinance.com

NEW YORK (Business Wire EON/PRWEB ) April 24, 2008 -- In an April 23 letter to Federal Housing Authority Commissioner Brian Montgomery, Congressman Steve Israel (D-NY) urged further action from the federal government to help address the national mortgage crisis and the burden it’s placing on America’s middle class families. In particular, Congressman Israel highlighted an innovative plan, “Appreciating America,” developed by the home financing experts at Refinance.com that was announced by its chief executive, Nicholas Bratsafolis, which could provide much needed mortgage relief for homeowners in need.

“As the vast impact of the mortgage crisis becomes apparent, it is clear that we in the federal government must do more to address the problem,” wrote Congressman Israel. “While legislation is pending before Congress, there are some other steps that might be taken immediately to alleviate the burden of the crisis on middle class families. A constituent of mine (Nicholas Bratsafolis) has developed the Appreciating America proposal. I believe it can play a critical part in fixing this problem and is particularly relevant for homeowners whose property is worth less than the original mortgage balance.” Congressman Israel also noted that when combined with counseling services, the Appreciate America plan could be one of many helpful resources that should be made available to those facing foreclosure.

In its simplest format, Appreciating America is a national plan to help homeowners, and their lenders, whose property is worth less than the original mortgage balance. Often, these properties need to be refinanced due to a resetting ARM which puts the property in danger of foreclosure.

The plan allows homeowners to refinance their “underwater” mortgage up to 85% of the current value of the home. Any remaining balance is put into a second mortgage with no payments for five years. After five years, the homeowner and lender will share in any appreciation of the home to pay off the second loan. The first mortgage offers an affordable monthly payment which prevents financial ruin and foreclosure for the borrower. After a defined period of time, the second mortgage is paid off to the lender, with the lender and borrower sharing in any appreciation on the home.

“Finding an answer to this unprecedented mortgage crisis cannot solely be the responsibility of Congress. Corporations have to step up and take some responsibility for navigating homeowners through this dark time,” said Nick Bratsafolis. “In developing Appreciating America, we believe we’ve found a solution that can prevent foreclosure for homeowners and reduce lender write-downs, beginning a process to repair the ailing US housing market.”

The existing servicer does not have to foreclose or write down the existing mortgage and, in fact, may recover some or its entire original principal and accrued interest under the shared appreciation second mortgage.

“As you continue to negotiate relief in the current housing crisis, I urge you to include the Appreciating America plan components that I have outlined in this letter,” wrote Congressman Israel. “While it is clear that there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution to the foreclosure crisis, I believe this plan could be one of many helpful resources to those facing foreclosure.”

To obtain a full copy of Congressman Israel’s letter, and further information on Appreciating America, please contact Jemile Dragovic at jdragovic@middlebergcommunications.com.

About Refinance.com

Refinance.com is one of the nation’s leading mortgage companies with nearly twenty years of mortgage refinancing expertise. The company has assisted thousands of clients in reaching their home refinancing goals through its diverse range of mortgage and refinancing options, and specializes in FHA mortgage lending. Founded in 1989, Refinance.com is based in New York City with offices in Syosset, NY and Boca Raton, FL. More information including mortgage rates and mortgage calculators is available at www.refinance.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:55 AM | Comments (0)

Atlanta Roofing Company KTM Roofing Hires TwentySix2 Marketing for Search Engine Optimization

KTM Roofing has hired TwentySix2 Marketing to provide search engine optimization and search engine marketing services. KTM Roofing is an Atlanta roofing company and leader in re-roofing in the Georgia community.

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) April 24, 2008 -- KTM Roofing has hired TwentySix2 Marketing, an Atlanta search engine optimization agency, to help the company increase the visibility of their website in the top search engines -- Google, Yahoo, MSN and Ask. For over 20 years, KTM Roofing has provided the Atlanta community with quality roof replacement services.

TwentySix2 Marketing has been a leader in the search engine marketing (SEM) industry since 1997. The agency has worked with both large and small businesses. TwentySix2 Marketing specializes in search engine optimization, paid search and professional website design. In addition, the agency also provides affiliate marketing, email marketing, blog marketing, and social media networking services.

"KTM Roofing offers the Georgia community extensive roofing experience and a passion for quality," explains Tim McLoughlin, President of KTM Roofing. "With the help of TwentySix2 Marketing we are able to better educate homeowners about various aspects of roofing, including different types of materials, roofing techniques and quality of workmanship."

John Waddy, CEO of TwentySix2 Marketing said, "The relationship between ktmroofing.com and TwentySix2 Marketing presents an opportunity for search engine optimization (SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM) to collaborate with the roofing community and help the Georgia consumer find better access to quality, experienced roofers."

The search engine optimization project will focus around online marketing efforts to increase visibility of KTM Roofing's website within the local community. The SEO project is scheduled to last six months and will include keyword research, additional content being added to the current website, and offsite link building.

For over 20 years, KTM Roofing has provided Georgia with high quality roof installations in the Georgia community. This Atlanta roof installation company has a reputation for dependability, professionalism and precise roofing proposals. Where other roofing companies may provide an Atlanta roof estimate, KTM Roofing goes further, extensively reviewing your property and providing a comprehensive roof proposal.

If you need an Atlanta free roof estimate, Atlanta roof repair or Atlanta new roof, consider contacting KTM Roofing. KTM prides itself in providing not only the standard Atlanta asphalt roof, but also other unique roofing solutions such as:

Atlanta Slate Roof: natural and synthetic roofs
Atlanta Tile Roof: clay and concrete styles
Atlanta Wood Roof: cedar, pine and cypress
Atlanta Flat Roof: modified bitumen

KTM Roofing is fully insured and bonded. They go above the standard in the Georgia roofing industry and provide the consumer with proof of comprehensive liability and workers comp insurance. KTM Roofing also gives a customer satisfaction pledge that the customer will receive a properly installed, sound roof that will protect the customer's property for years to come. They further guarantee quality and professionalism with:
- More than 20 years in business
- Highest quality skills and materials
- References and testimonials
- Free consultation and guaranteed pricing
- Full, written labor and manufacturer warranties
- More than $1 million in general liability and workers comp insurance

To learn more, go to ktmroofing.com.

About TwentySix2 Marketing:
Founded in 1997; TwentySix2 is one of the most advanced online marketing agencies dedicated to helping businesses achieve their full online potential. The firm assists both large and small businesses, including thirty of the top Fortune 1000 companies. TwentySix2 Marketing has been a leader in the online marketing industry, providing services in search engine optimization, paid search, affiliate marketing, email marketing, blog marketing, social media, web design and online consulting services and strategy.

About KTM Roofing:
KTM Roofing has been raising roofing standards in Georgia since 1984™. This Atlanta roofing company is dedicated to excellence in professional roofing. Specializing in roof replacements, KTM can work with a variety of roof materials including natural slate, synthetic slate, clay tile, concrete tile, cedar, pine, cypress, modified bitumen and asphalt. You can receive a roof proposal from KTM Roofing by visiting ktmroofing.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:53 AM | Comments (0)

Best Construction Web Site of 2008 to be Named by Web Marketing Association in Annual WebAward Competition

The Web Marketing Association announces the call for entries for its 12th annual international WebAward Competition for Web site development at www.webaward08.org. The Web Marketing Association will once again name the Best Construction Web site of 2008.

West Simsbury, CT (PRWEB) April 24, 2008 -- The Web Marketing Association announces the call for entries for its 12th annual international WebAward Competition for Web site development at the Web Award Web site. The WebAwards is the standards-defining competition that sets benchmarks for 96 industries, including construction web sites, based on the seven criteria of a successful Web site. The deadline for construction web sites to enter to be judged is May 31, 2008.

"As the standard of excellence for websites continues to increase, consumers (and WebAward judges) are increasingly picky about what they consider to be an effective website," said William Rice, president of the Web Marketing Association, Inc. "The best construction Websites are beginning to incorporate Flash and other multimedia into their pages. This results in a much richer online experience for potential customers and key stakeholders in development projects."

Web sites are judged on seven criteria including design, innovation, content, technology, interactivity, copy writing and ease of use. Each WebAward entry is judged against other entries in its industry category and then against an overall standard of excellence.

All entrants benefit from receiving valuable feedback in terms of their specific scores compared against the average scores for their industry. They also may receive specific comments from the WebAward's professional judging panel on their Web site development efforts.

Winners of a WebAward in the construction category will also receive:

Image plaque or certificate of achievement
Increased visibility for their company
Marketing opportunity to promote the company website to the media
Links to your site from the highly ranked WebAward site to help SEO
Admiration of peers, friends and co-workers

Each year the Web Marketing Association names the Best Construction Website based on the scores submitted by the competition judges. Recent winners of the Best Construction Web site include:

2007 AxxiemCorp www.mgaroofing.com.
2006 Axxiem Corp for PAF Painting
2005 FLEX360 for Bell-Corley.com
2004 MarketSource, LLC for Four Seasons Consumer Site and Franchise Portal
2003 The Lutgert Companies for Azure at Bonita Bay
2002 Razorfish, Inc for CEMEX

A complete list of past winners and the entry form for companies who wish to compete for 2008 honors can be found at the best Construction Web site page.

Using the quantifiable data collected from more than 15,000 Web site evaluations over the past decade, the WebAwards has defined and recognized industry-specific benchmarks for successful Web sites in each of the seven judging criteria and released an Internet Standards Assessment Report to detail the findings of the study. A copy of the 2009 Internet Standards Assessment Report, including details regarding the construction industry, will be provided to all participants.

Judging for the 2008 WebAwards will take place in June through August and winners will be announced in September. Judges will consist of a select group of Internet professionals who have direct experience designing and managing Web sites,-including members of the media, interactive creative directors, site designers, content providers and webmasters - with an in-depth understanding of the current state-of-the-art in Web site development and technology. Past judges have included top executives from leading organizations such as A&E Television Networks, Agency.com, Blattner Brunner, Bridge Worldwide, The Cincinnati Enquirer, Comedy Central, Disney, Euro RSCG, Ion Global, J. Walter Thompson, John Deere Company, New York Post Interactive, Organic, Inc., Refinery, R/GA, Saatchi & Saatchi, SAP, Starwood Hotels, Sun Microsystems, Warner Bros. Online, Xerox and Zugara.

The 2008 WebAwards are sponsored by the following leading organizations: Burst Media, PRWeb, AllBusiness, Misukanis & Odden, Small Army, ExactTarget, ad:tech conferences, NewsUSA, MediaPost's OMMA conference, TopRank Online Marketing, Creative Chocolate Printing Company, PhizzPop, Internet World UK, Search Engine Strategies, Webmaster Radio, Rovion's InPerson, Snap Shots and Website Magazine.

About the WebAwards:
Now in its 12th year, the annual international WebAwards competition sets the standard of excellence in 96 industry categories by evaluating Web sites and defining benchmarks based on the seven essential criteria of successful Web site development. The goal of the Web Marketing Association, sponsor of the WebAwards, is to provide a forum to recognize the people and organizations responsible for developing some of the most effective Web sites on the Internet today. Entrants benefit from a Web site assessment by a professional judging panel and the marketing opportunities presented to an award-winning Web site. For more information, visit www.webaward08.org.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:53 AM | Comments (0)

Knight Celotex Offers Superior Green Sound Deadening at a Reasonable Cost

New test results show how environmentally-friendly SoundStop® Fiberboard stands up against the competition.

(PRWEB) April 24, 2008 -- Recently released test results show that SoundStop® wall systems can now achieve higher sound transmission class (STC) ratings which compete with the premier (more expensive) sound proofing products on the market.

The high STC results are achieved by introducing an all-natural rockwool mineral fiber insulation into the standard Knight-Celotex SoundStop® fiberboard wall system. By utilizing this new wall system, users will experience STC ratings as high as 69.

The demand for green building products is on the rise. Builders and architects need to meet building codes and consumers are becoming more environmentally aware and product savvy. Homeowners are interested in sound deadening options but can't afford the high costs of premium products currently on the market.

Dan Stogner, with Emerald Insulation, has recently utilized the new rockwool/SoundStop® system. "After using rockwool and SoundStop combined there is no doubt in my mind that, for the money, this is the best product on the market for superior sound control."

Knight-Celotex SoundStop® offers a cost-effective, environmentally friendly sound deadening option for homeowners and builders.

Composed of 97% organic materials, SoundStop® is the cost effective, high quality, green choice for sound deadening in the home, office or business.

Knight-Celotex is headquartered in the Chicago suburb of Northfield, IL. The company is the world's leading manufacturer of fiberboard products for residential and commercial construction. Knight-Celotex brands include SoundStop® Sound Deadening Wall Systems, SturdyBrace® structural sheathing, Premium Wall Sheathing, Structodek® commercial roofing products, and Flexcell™ Expansion Joint Filler. Knight-Celotex manufacturing facilities are located in Danville, VA, Lisbon Falls, ME and Sunbury, PA.

Specific test results or installation information is available by calling 1-800-596-9699 or visit www.SoundStop.net

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:53 AM | Comments (0)

GuildQuality Announces the 2008 Guildmaster Award Winners

Awards recognize exceptional customer service among building, remodeling, and real estate professionals.

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) April 23, 2008 -- GuildQuality has announced the official 2008 Guildmaster Award winners. Guildmaster Award winners differ in their types of work, but all have a lengthy track record of superior customer service. These Awards were based upon a review of over 40,000 customer satisfaction survey responses for nearly 600 building and real estate professionals nationwide.

To be eligible for an award, a GuildQuality member must have achieved a recommendation rate of 90% or greater and at least 70% of their customers must have completed a customer satisfaction survey. For those eligible, GuildQuality then applies additional customer satisfaction metrics it deems indicative of superior customer service to generate the final list of Award winners. This year, GuildQuality honors 102 Guildmasters for their performances in 2007.

GuildQuality Founder and President Geoff Graham says, "GuildQuality's mission is to elevate the building and real estate profession to a stature commensurate with its importance in our lives. A tremendous part of that involves equipping home builders, remodelers, and developers with easy-to-use tools to monitor and improve the quality of their service. But we also take every opportunity we can to celebrate excellence when we see it. These 102 Guildmembers have demonstrated their commitment to exceptional service, and we're honored to be able to recognize them."

Rachel Foster of Atlanta based Construction Ahead, Inc., one of only six companies to have ever been awarded the Guildmaster with Highest Distinction Award in back to back years says, "... being honored with Guildmaster Awards enable us to instill the additional confidence and affirmation potential and referred clients need when making their decision to engage us as their contractor... The critique we receive from GuildQuality truly gives our company the tools we need to monitor and uphold our mission statement, 'Construction Ahead retains satisfied clients for life.'"

To view the complete list of recipients, visit http://www.guildquality.com/guildmaster/2008/.

About GuildQuality:
Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, GuildQuality provides nearly 600 building and real estate professionals with customer satisfaction surveying, real-time customer feedback, and web-based performance reporting.

If you'd like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Geoffrey Graham, President and Founder of GuildQuality, please contact Geoff Hartnett direct at 404.961.6136 or by emailmarketing @ guildquality.com. To read more, please visit www.guildquality.com/blog/.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:47 AM | Comments (0)

The John Buck Company Retains Slack Barshinger for PR, Marketing Services

Nation's leading business-to-business agency to support full-service international real estate agency.

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) April 24, 2008 -- Slack Barshinger, one of the nation's leading business-to-business marketing communications agencies, today announced it has been retained to provide public relations and marketing communications services by The John Buck Company, a privately owned, vertically integrated, full-service international real estate company headquartered in Chicago.

Based in Chicago and Silicon Valley, Slack Barshinger has been handling project work for JBC since October, including providing PR counsel, branding and digital and interactive services. The agency's most visible work to date is JBC's new corporate Web site, www.tjbc.com, and new tagline, "Building Strength."

"We are delighted to be associated with and serving The John Buck Company, one of the nation's strongest and most respected real estate companies," said Gary Slack, Slack Barshinger's founder and CEO. "The opportunity to help build this blue-chip real-estate brand both nationally and internationally is enormously attractive to us."

"To help fuel our escalating growth in the U.S. and internationally, we felt we needed a top business-to-business marketing services agency partner at our side," said Greg Gerber, a JBC principal and head of the firm's strategic advisory group. "There is no more highly respected b-to-b agency in the Chicago marketplace than Slack Barshinger, and we are delighted to be able to formalize this partnership."

About The John Buck Company:
Founded in 1981, JBC is a privately owned, vertically integrated, full-service real estate company headquartered in Chicago with more than 150 employees. JBC has developed, redeveloped and/or acquired more than 45 properties representing in excess of 28 million square feet of office, retail, hotel and residential projects that have generated more than $10 billion in cumulative transaction volume. The JBC Opportunity Funds are real estate equity funds that total more than $500 million and focus on opportunistic acquisitions and development of high-quality properties in major urban markets. Since their inception in 2000, investments have been made in Chicago, Minneapolis, New York and Washington, D.C.

About Slack Barshinger:
Slack Barshinger is an integrated marketing communications agency that works exclusively with b-to-b marketers to build strong brands and create profitable demand. Founded in 1988 and based in Chicago and Silicon Valley, the agency's 70-person staff works expertly across the entire marketing communications spectrum, combining deep expertise in demand creation with new marketing technologies to build solutions-neutral programs that deliver predictable ROI. In 2002, 2004 and 2006, the Business Marketing Association named Slack Barshinger its national Agency of the Year, and in 2005, 2006 and 2007 BtoB Magazine named Slack Barshinger one of the nation's top three b-to-b agencies.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:47 AM | Comments (0)

Full Disclosure Network® Presents: LAUSD's "Belmont The World's Most Expensive High School" a Commemorative DVD Collection from the Cable TV Series

To Commemorate the official opening celebration for the notorious Belmont Learning Center by the Los Angeles Unified School District the Full Disclosure Network® is releasing a Collectors DVD Series entitled "Belmont The World's Most Expensive High School". The opening ceremonies are set for Saturday, April 26, 2008.

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) April 23, 2008 -- The Full Disclosure Network® is releasing a Collectors Series of interviews on DVD entitled "Belmont the World's Most Expensive High School". This series is composed of hour-long interviews with each of the experts who were responsible for the planning, construction, financing and investigations of the controversial Belmont project. The series provides in-depth insight into how the Los Angeles Unified School District managed to spend over a half a Billion dollars while constructing, demolishing, and re-constructing the never occupied school.

Presented here is a video featuring clips from the series with all the players involved in the Belmont project. The school has been renamed twice since the trouble plagued project began in the late 1980's starting with the purchase ("as is") of the 30 acre site formerly known as the "Old Los Angeles Oil Field".

Watch this nine minute video preview from the Collectors Series of 23 DVDs, all interviews that have been featured on 45 cable television channels. More information on the series is available on the URL: http://www.fulldisclosure.net/belmont_learning_center_and_LAUSD.htm

The still partially completed school is expected to open its doors to students in September 2008. The opening ceremony will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2008 is to be attended by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and District officials in anticipation of the facility to be open for students and classes in September 2008.

Here are a few quotes from Belmont Investigators interviewed in the series:

Roger Carrick, special legal counsel to the LAUSD Inspector General who served on the D.A.'s Task force investigation of Belmont told Full Disclosure, "What we found was enormous waste, fraud and abuse."
Anthony Patchett Special Assistant District Attorney who headed the D.A.'s Task Force on Belmont referred to "the hundred and seventy five million dollar fraud known as Belmont Learning Center" and called Steve Cooley's report a "white wash".
Steve Cooley: L.A. County District Attorney told Full Disclosure, "The Belmont learning center was probably the worst public works disaster perhaps in the history of the country, at least in terms of school building."
Full Disclosure Network® programs have been billed as "the news behind the news" since 1992 and are produced by Emmy Award winning Host Leslie Dutton and Producer T. J. Johnston. In 2002 the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences presented a local public affairs Emmy for the Full Disclosure Series entitled "L.A.'s War Against Terrorism".

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:47 AM | Comments (0)

Navtrak: Restoring Lost Expenses Back to the Bottom Line - The Universal Refrigeration Success Story

Las Vegas-based service company uses Navtrak's GPS vehicle tracking service to recover unbillable hours.

Salisbury, MD (PRWEB) April 23, 2008 - Navtrak, Inc., a leading provider of GPS vehicle tracking and fleet productivity solutions announced today that Universal Refrigeration, a prominent Las Vegas-based refrigeration and A/C company, has implemented Navtrak's GPS vehicle tracking service on its 11 service trucks.

Salisbury, MD (PRWEB) April 23, 2008 - Navtrak, Inc., a leading provider of GPS vehicle tracking and fleet productivity solutions announced today that Universal Refrigeration, a prominent Las Vegas-based refrigeration and A/C company, has implemented Navtrak's GPS vehicle tracking service on its 11 service trucks.

For a free download of the complete success story, please click here:

http://www.navtrak.net/pressreleases/redirect.cfm?leadID=22&cID=UnRefrigPR

"We're an honest company, always have been," says Universal Refrigeration co-owner Mark Harrison. "Giving our customers exactly the service they pay for is part of what has made us successful. But without a way to verify what our guys are doing, we couldn't be sure of that. Once we became aware of the technology, we realized we would eventually need it."

Operating a field force of 11 service vans covering several hundred miles, Harrison and co-owner Jim Boyer decided that not being able to keep track of vehicle locations and activities was costing them too much, both in money and in lost productivity. "Our work is entirely out in the field, very little work is done here in the office," Boyer points out. "So most of it is being done where we can't see."

Universal Refrigeration chose Navtrak to gain greater visibility into its fleet, and to address specific business challenges, including:

Lack of accountability for time & equipment
Customer complaints for overcharges
Lack of security & liability protection
Wasteful patterns of behavior
To learn how Navtrak resolved these operational issues for Universal Refrigeration, please download the free success story:

www.navtrak.net/pressreleases/redirect.cfm?leadID=22&cID=UnRefrigPR

About Navtrak

Navtrak, Inc., located in Salisbury, MD, is an industry leader in providing GPS vehicle tracking systems, fleet productivity solutions and vehicle tracking devices for businesses with mobile workforces. Founded in 1999 and 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 contact Navtrak at 800-787-2337.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:47 AM | Comments (0)

Starry Night Lights to Sponsor the International Dark Sky Association's 20th Annual Meeting

The International Dark-Sky Association's (IDA) 20th Annual General Meeting will again be sponsored by Starry Night Lights, a company formed to protect the night sky from light pollution, by providing night sky friendly outdoor lighting fixtures for homes and businesses.

Park City, UT (PRWEB) April 23, 2008 -- The International Dark-Sky Association's (IDA) 20th Annual General Meeting will occur on June 8-10, 2008 and will take place in the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, in Tucson, Arizona.

The event will again be sponsored by Starry Night Lights, a company formed to protect the night sky from light pollution, by providing night sky friendly outdoor lighting fixtures. According to Anthony Arrigo, president and founder of Starry Night Lights "the relentless spread of light pollution threatens to eradicate the night sky for much of the world's population" as a result Mr. Arrigo seeks "to halt and eventually reverse this trend" so that wonders of the night sky can be seen by future generations.

The preservation of the night sky and the effects of light pollution are only a few the topics that will be part of this year's annual meeting. Energy savings, lighting design, and government reactions to light pollution, will also be some of the main subjects being presented this year.

Many well known and leading scientists, educators and government officials and a few lighting company executives are scheduled to appear and present, during the conference. Also, anyone interested in the protection of the night sky and environment, is encouraged to attend as well.

Of course, the entire conference will focus on light pollution and ways to help improve the current situation. The task of reducing light pollution is an essential part of what motivates Mr. Arrigo and he has founded his company, Starry Night Lights, around it. "Light pollution is a scourge to our environment. It wastes vast sums of money, needlessly consumes huge quantities of our energy resources and then contributes to air pollution and global warming by forcing utility companies to burn fossil fuels to produce all the electricity to drive all the needlessly produced outdoor lighting" said Mr. Arrigo.

Starry Night Lights has become a leading provider of night sky friendly outdoor lighting for both homes and commercial buildings. All Starry Night Lights exterior lights have been designed to be night sky friendly and safe. Starry Night Lights operates out of beautiful Park City, Utah.

"Starry Night Lights. Saving The Night Sky One Light At A Time." For more information, visit www.StarryNightLights.com

About The International Dark Sky Association
The International Dark Sky Association was incorporated in 1988 as a tax-exempt non-profit organization with the mission to preserve and protect the nighttime environment and our heritage of dark skies through quality outdoor lighting. For more information, visit www.DarkSky.org

Contact:
International Dark Sky Association, Tel: 520-293-3198
Starry Night Lights, Tel: 877-604-7377

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:45 AM | Comments (0)

DRI-STEEM Announces New XTR Electrode Steam Humidifier

DRI-STEEM's new XTR Electrode Steam Humidifier is fully automatic with low maintenance, and sized for homes and smaller office and clinic facilities.

Minneapolis, MN (PRWEB) April 23, 2008 -- Now there is a fully automatic and low-maintenance steam humidifier sized perfectly for homes and smaller office and clinic facilities -- the XTR Electrode Steam Humidifier. Homeowners and smaller-facility owners can now benefit from the reliability and peace-of-mind DRI STEEM quality guarantees.

The XTR humidifier generates steam in a disposable, plastic cylinder and disperses steam into ducts through a dispersion tube, or into open and finished spaces using a steam blower. DRI-STEEM's proven dispersion systems guarantee steam absorption within defined distances for safe, drip-free operation.

Contractors will especially appreciate the range of output capacities available with just one humidifier model, achieved by changing the single-phase voltage:

At 120V, capacity is 4 lbs/hr
At 208V, capacity is 7.1 lbs/hr
At 240V, capacity 8.1 lbs/hr

XTR humidifiers operate automatically. When the humidity level drops, the humidifier automatically makes steam. At the end of humidification season, the humidifier drains automatically after it has been idle for 72 hours.

XTR humidifiers are very easy to maintain -- just replace the affordable plastic cylinder. All water impurities and minerals remain in the cylinder; there are no messy evaporator pads, and no tanks to clean.

Low up-front costs, minimal maintenance requirements, and efficient steam production make the XTR Electrode Steam Humidifier one of the most affordable humidifiers to buy and operate.

To learn more about DRI-STEEM's XTR humidifier, visit http://www.dristeem.com/products_electric_XTR.jsp or call 1-800-328-4447.

DRI-STEEM. The humidification experts. Visit us at www.dristeem.com

DRI-STEEM designs and manufactures humidification systems to meet the unique requirements of commercial, residential, health care, industrial, and process-critical applications worldwide.

DRI-STEEM's reputation as the humidification industry leader is the result of over 40 years of product excellence, innovation, and responsive customer service.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:44 AM | Comments (0)

Comprehensive Warehouse Solutions Available on Miner Corporation's Revamped Website

Companies from Pepsi to PetSmart now have a definitive online resource for all of their warehouse and distribution channel needs with http://www.minercorp.com, which features improved user interface, brand messaging and online sales tools.

San Antonio, TX (PRWEB) April 23, 2008 -- Companies from Pepsi to PetSmart now have a definitive online resource for all of their warehouse and distribution channel needs with http://www.minercorp.com -- Miner Corporation's re-designed website. Ranked as one of the fastest growing privately-held companies in North America by Inc. Magazine, Miner Corporation evolved from a small company focused on warehouse parts sales and service to a national partner of Fortune 1000 companies by providing comprehensive solutions that drive down ownership costs while improving job site safety.

Designed by award-winning communication design firm Toolbox Studios and initiated by Miner consultant Erik Darmstetter of Sales by 5, the new website conveys the full breadth and depth of Miner's offerings as a comprehensive solution provider for the warehouse equipment industry.

Miner's largest marketing challenge--to position itself as the indispensable warehouse operations, data management and asset management partner to businesses of all sizes--evolved as a product of its success: Miner built its reputation in the industry by offering superior service via a sophisticated, national call center and, less than a decade later, became the go-to company for critical warehouse equipment sales and maintenance. As the company quietly grew into a full-scale, comprehensive solution provider offering world-class sales and service, fleet management, data mining and design-build expertise, Miner's management decided to showcase the complete range of capabilities via its Web presence.

Miner's new positioning is apparent on the home page where users are greeted by rotating banner messages highlighting Miner's commitment to expedient service. Miner's solutions are organized by target market and include Fortune 1000 retailers, specialty retailers, manufacturers, distributors, architects, developers and general contractors. The site features an interactive model of a warehouse allowing users to quickly identify the part they need and drill deeper to find detailed information about a complete line of dock, door, warehouse and materials handling equipment for all retail and warehouse applications.

Building on its reputation for top-notch service and safety, Miner's new site makes customer service requests easier than ever before. The new site enables current customers to quickly request service 24/7 through a simple online request form backed up by Miner's Superior Service Guarantee: Same-day response, 24-hour solution turn-around, available 24/7/365, and a 12-month warranty on parts and service. Each year, the Miner safety network is responsible for the emergency response to more than 30,000 service requests for more than 100,000 pieces of equipment.

About Miner Corporation
Miner Corporation is a single-source provider of sales, service and maintenance of retail and warehousing equipment for Fortune 1000 companies. Miner's comprehensive asset management solutions reduce equipment ownership costs and improve job site safety. With over 2,000 service professionals located throughout North America, Miner is the authority in materials handling equipment. www.minercorp.com

About Toolbox Studios, Inc.
Toolbox Studios is an award winning communication design firm that specializes in delivering creative solutions for highly complex marketing challenges. Toolbox offers strategy, design and execution services all under one roof, specializing in sports events, youth media, food and beverage, financial services, healthcare and corporate branding. Employing some of the most creative, award-winning minds in the industry, Toolbox is also uniquely staffed and equipped to execute any concept in virtually any medium--from podcast to broadcast, from outdoor boards to banner ads, from Web design to web press. For more information, visit: www.toolboxstudios.com

About Sales by 5
Sales By 5 CEO & Founder, Erik Darmstetter, has a successful track record of increasing sales with creative ideas and expert execution for companies and events. For more information, visit: www.salesby5.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:42 AM | Comments (0)

Design House Leads Building Industry with Matching WholeHouse™ Home Packages

The new Ironwood WholeHouse™ Package matches style and finish across multiple home décor categories to create a simple solution for home builders. WholeHouse™ packages save the builder time and money while adding style and value for the homeowner.

Mequon, WI (PRWEB) April 23, 2008 - Design House introduces the industry's first WholeHouse™ matching home package program. WholeHouse™ coordinates style and finish across multiple categories including indoor and outdoor lighting, ceiling fans, locksets, door hardware, faucets and bath accessories. In today's housing market, builders are looking for ways to save money and provide additional value to their customer, and they are finding that WholeHouse™ home packages do both. For builders, WholeHouse™ simplifies product selection, reduces the number of suppliers, and saves money. For the homeowner, WholeHouse™ provides high quality, fashionable products that match throughout the home.

The new Ironwood home package exemplifies the benefits of WholeHouse™. Every product in the Ironwood home package is designed to incorporate subtle details that define this inspiring collection, thus creating a cohesive, inviting look throughout the home. "With the Ironwood, we're able to do something that's never been done before in this industry; we've created products designed to match one another across major product categories," said Jon Gallun, Vice President of Marketing and Product Development for Design House. The Ironwood Collection includes 22 products across 5 different product categories. Ironwood products feature a statuary bronze TruMatch™ finish, which is a dark bronze-tone with a subtle texture that creates a tactile as well as visual experience. Design House is the first in the industry to provide a TruMatch™ finish program. Design House engineered seven TruMatch™ finishes that match from product to product across multiple categories. "We can all relate to the frustrating task of trying to find a towel ring that matches your faucet or a ceiling fan that matches your light fixtures," said Gallun. "TruMatch™ solves this problem." When customers choose a Design House TruMatch™ finish, they are assured of a true match and a consistent look throughout the home. The concept of matching finishes is simple, but Design House is the first to be able to incorporate this idea across a wide range of product categories. "We are seeing competitors attempt matching product collections, but no one has the depth or discipline of our WholeHouse™ and TruMatch™ programs," said Gallun.

With eleven WholeHouse™ Home Packages, Design House is making home décor simple for builders by providing one source for matching products throughout the home.

Design House has been serving the home improvement market for 135 years. Focused on adding value for the customer through innovation, packaging, and merchandising, Design House offers products balanced in both style and price point. Design House products are available at hardware stores and lumber yards across the country.

Design House is a registered brand of DHI Corp. DHI Corp is a collection of award winning brands covering multiple product categories within the home décor and lawn and garden industries. DHI Corp is headquartered in Mequon, Wisconsin.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:42 AM | Comments (0)

Digital Asset Management : Major Updates Released to FocusOPEN Digital Asset Manager

Digital Asset Management software specialists, Daydream, announce significant updates to their FocusOPEN Digital Asset Management system. System extensions include workflow features for enhanced production management and an audiovisual suite, complete with web-based editing, timeline metadata, logging, media streaming and live transcoding.

London, UK (PRWEB) April 23, 2008 -- Digital asset management software specialists, Daydream, have announced a series of updates to their FocusOPEN Digital Asset Manager system. The web-based system, designed for businesses to archive media such as video, photos and print artwork, has been extended with a range of optional 'add-ons', including comprehensive workflow features and a specialized audiovisual management suite, complete with web-based editing, timeline metadata, logging, media streaming and live transcoding.

Director, Ralph Windsor, said "This update is our most significant to date and has considerably broadened the facilities available to our users. As FocusOPEN has no licence fees, we are confident that it offers the best value to our clients and is guaranteed to cut their marketing and digital media production costs."

Designed for high-volume simultaneous use, FocusOPEN offers optimal performance when installed on to specialist, dedicated media servers, provided by Daydream to their clients in comprehensive, yet affordable hosting plans or from an alternative enterprise class data centre.

Available with 24x7 technical support services, dedicated help desks and Daydream's 100% availability Service-Level Agreements, FocusOPEN is an ideal solution for global corporations operating across multiple regions.

Further information regarding the latest updates released for FocusOPEN Digital Asset Manager can be found on Daydream's website.

About Daydream
Daydream are a software development company who specialise in digital asset management solutions. Their flagship product, FocusOPEN is a digital asset archiving and distribution system, which supports a range of digital assets including photos, video, audio and print artwork. Established since 1995, Daydream work with both private and public sector companies in the UK, Europe, United States and Canada. For further information, contact Emma Tappenden at press@daydream.co.uk or visit our website.

Further Reading On Digital Asset Management
Daydream's regularly updated reports service is offered free to journalists and provides the web's most comprehensive information resource on digital asset management and related IT and marketing topics. Register now at: http://www.daydream.co.uk or subscribe to our RSS feed.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:42 AM | Comments (0)

eImprovement.com, LLC Builds Up Customer Confidence With PowerReviews™

Top Online Home Improvement Retailer Adds Product Reviews to Enhance Customer Service and Satisfaction

Racine, Wis. (PRWEB) April 23, 2008 -- PowerReviews(TM) (www.powerreviews.com), the Internet's most comprehensive developer of customer review solutions for retailers and their shoppers, announced today that eImprovement.com, LLC, has chosen PowerReviews to harness the power of its customer reviews, increase sales and build stronger customer relationships. eImprovement will be using PowerReviews on its network of stores such as the award-winning eFaucets.com and LightingCatalog.com.

"Word of mouth has traditionally been a powerful way of driving sales," said Michael Fox, COO of eImprovement. "When other consumers give a 5-star rating, the endorsement can provide powerful credibility that we cannot convey otherwise on our product pages. Customers are more willing to take the advice of other shoppers versus what we may advise as best sellers or featured products."

The PowerReviews technology platform for collecting, organizing, structuring and moderating relevance-based reviews helps online retailers significantly leverage customer reviews and boost their sales by giving shoppers access to the most meaningful reviews from people just like them. The user-generated content and community drives the highest sales uplift in the industry.

"The end goal is to leverage this valuable review content across our network of sites as well as on Buzzillions.com - their product review and research shopping portal to drive additional traffic," said Nick Fox, President of eImprovement.

"We are pleased to work with eImprovement.com to provide their network of shoppers with highly relevant product reviews," said Jay Shaffer, VP of Sales and Marketing at PowerReviews.com. "Their customers are actively searching for insightful product feedback and recommendations on their highly personable and stylized products."

About eImprovement.com, LLC
eImprovement.com, parent of websites such as the award-winning eFaucets.com and LightingCatalog.com, is a fast-growing e-commerce company dedicated to providing consumers and professionals with a superior shopping experience. By offering competitive prices, top name brands, and the latest technology and services, eImprovement.com and its affiliates have earned the trust and loyalty of customers as well as industry leaders. The addition of PowerReviews is expected to build customer loyalty and satisfaction. To learn more about eImprovement.com and its affiliates, visit www.eImprovement.com, www.eFaucets.com or www.LightingCatalog.com.

About PowerReviews
PowerReviews (www.PowerReviews.com) is an enterprise solutions company that provides customer reviews and social merchandising solutions to multi-channel retailers and their shoppers. Our technology platform for collecting, organizing, structuring and moderating relevance-based reviews helps online retailers significantly boost their sales. PowerReviews' user-generated content and community drives the highest sales uplift in the industry, and in addition to working with more than 240 online retailers, including Staples, Toys "R" Us, REI, Ritz Camera, Walgreen's, Diapers.com and The Sports Authority, we have also launched our own shopping portal, Buzzillions (www.Buzzillions.com). The company is based in San Francisco and is backed by Menlo Ventures and Draper Richards.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:41 AM | Comments (0)

World Metal Matrix Composites Market to Exceed $271 Million by 2010, According to New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

High strength and stiffness are the major factors propelling the demand for composite materials. With innovations taking place, the market is expected to register substantial demand for applications in various sectors. World market for Metal Matrix Composites is projected to reach in excess of $271 billion by 2010.

San Jose, CA (PRWEB) April 23, 2008 -- In the modern world, metal composite materials have become an essential application part in civil engineering projects, fiberglass, etc. Rapid adoption of MMCs is attributed to their constant development in terms of such characteristics that are hard to find in alloys or metals. The cost-effective materials fill the gap of material requirement left by monolithic materials. The advanced materials offer increased strength (tensile & yield), wear resistance, stiffness, corrosion resistance, low thermal elongation, and thermal shock resistance.

World metal matrix composites market is all set for an above average growth over the 2001-2010 period, as stated by recent report published by Global Industry Analysts, Inc. Asia-Pacific (inclusive of Japan) is forecast as the fastest growing region, exhibiting a CAGR of 8% over 2001-2010, while the United States will continue to maintain its dominating presence in the global metal matrix composites market, with a share estimated at 36% for 2008.

In terms of product segment, refractory metal matrix composites market is anticipated to offer high growth potential with a CAGR of over 8% during 2001-2010. The segment is also the largest, accounting for an estimated share of 62% for 2008. aluminum matrix composites market is projected to exceed $68 million by 2010.

Among the various end-use industries for metal matrix composites, ground transportation market, with a share estimated at 57% for 2008, forms the largest, while the aerospace market is expected to emerge as the fastest, with a CAGR of 7% over 2001-2010. Other end-use industries analyzed include electronics/thermal management market, industrial market and other markets (including consumer products and defense sectors).

Metal matrix composites act as a perfect solution for several engineering tasks, where increased stiffness, strength, temperature, conductivity, and low weight are pre-requisites. Cost plays an important role in the growth of MMCs, as their production involves processing of pre-established metals with reinforcements. Despite its small market size, global metal matrix composites have become an important element for many technologies. Market players either are specialized in specific product categories or use particular production process or material. Rising power demand combined with the need for uninterrupted power supply is expected to propel the market for MMCs. In addition, reductions in production costs of MMCs would also boost demand in the transportation sector. The market is likely to further receive positive response from non-aerospace and non-transportation sectors, if the industry effectively promotes the product by highlighting its benefits.

Key industry participants profiled in the report include 3M Company, ADMA Products, Inc., Aerospace Metal Composites Limited, Ametek Specialty Metal Products, Brush Engineered Materials Inc, Ceradyne, Inc., CPS Technologies Corporation, Ceramic Protection Corporation, Composite Technology Corporation, DWA Aluminum Composites, Deutsche Edelstahlwerke GmbH, Electrovac AG, FMW Composite Systems, Inc., Foster-Miller, Inc., Momentive Performance Materials Inc., Hitachi Metals, Ltd., Metal Matrix Cast Composites LLC, MI-Tech Metals Inc., PLANSEE Thermal Management Solutions, Talon Composites LLC and Thermal Transfer Composites LLC.

The report titled "Metal Matrix Composites: A Global Strategic Business Report" published by Global Industry Analysts, Inc. discusses the prevailing trends, issues, demand forecasts, and activities that affect the industry. The metal matrix composites market is analyzed in $ Million by the following geographic regions - United States, Europe, Asia-Pacific (including Japan), and Rest of World. The study also enumerates recent developments, mergers, acquisitions, and other strategic industry activity.

For more details about this research report, please visit http://www.strategyr.com/Metal_Matrix_Composites_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 05:40 AM | Comments (0)

Solid or Engineered: BuildDirect Offers Helpful Tips on the Hardwood Flooring Debate

BuildDirect advises consumers on all their hardwood flooring options

Vancouver, BC (PRWEB) April 23, 2008 -- When it comes to hardwood flooring, BuildDirect, the world's leading online wholesaler of building materials wants consumers to know that not all wood is created equal. There is a lot of confusion about which is better, engineered or solid hardwood flooring. But according to the team at BuildDirect, it's not necessarily about one type being better - it's all about the right choice for you.

"There are important differences between solid and engineered hardwood," said Rob Banks, vice-president of sales, BuildDirect. "Issues such as moisture content and relative humidity should be considered before choosing any type of hardwood."

BuildDirect advises that engineered hardwood flooring can be installed in a greater number of locations when compared to solid hardwood flooring. When looking to install below grade, engineered flooring is the one to go with. For flooring over radiant heating systems, engineered flooring is also the right choice. And many engineered floors can be floated over a concrete slab, just like a laminate floor, which makes for a straightforward installation.

However, there are some great advantages to solid hardwood flooring that you won't find in engineered hardwood. Solid hardwood flooring is known for the superior structural strength it lends to a property. As such, the value of properties are raised when solid hardwood flooring is installed. . And with solid hardwood flooring, you have the option of re-finishing its surface more frequently than you would with engineered floors.

Hardwood requires very little maintenance and is fairly easy to clean. Just remember - the most important rule about cleaning hardwood floors is that you should never use water.

"Water can damage your hardwood floor and pretty much remove any of the benefits associated with choosing solid hardwood," said Banks. "Also, make sure to use a cleanser that doesn't contain a lot of harsh chemicals in order to preserve the floors natural look."

New Exotic Hardwood Flooring Launch From BuildDirect.

For those looking for superior exotic hardwood flooring, BuildDirect has recently launched their Hand scraped Tropical Collection of solid hardwood flooring. The new line on the Mazama label comes in several styles including, Acacia Dark Walnut, Mongolian Teak and Manchuria Cherry. All styles feature a 15 year warranty.

For more information, visit http://flooring.builddirect.com/Wood-Flooring.aspx

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 05:38 AM | Comments (0)

K & K Golf Enterprises Launches Site for Handyman Air Tools

Entrepreneurs Kevin and Karen McMahon of K & K Golf Enterprises open their second online business, www.HandyManAirTools.com, complete with an informational blog.

Moncton, NB (PRWEB) April 23, 2008 -- K & K Golf Enterprises, owners of www.SlumberTimeComforters.com, have launched their new quality air tool site, www.HandyManAirTools.com. "I had used air tools all my life and always paid full price for them," says Kevin McMahon, who runs the business with his wife, Karen. "I decided there had to be better prices out there for people. We spent quite a bit of research time checking out all of the different suppliers and shippers for tools, and we picked the best one we'd found."

Kevin's history as both a firefighter and a mechanic has made him very familiar with quality air tools and equipment. "We used air tools in the fire department as rescue tools, and we used air tools when I was a mechanic," he explains. "I always thought the prices were really high for what you were getting. On our site, you're getting much better quality at a lower price."

The site also has an accompanying blog at www.HandyManAirTools.net, where customers can go to get more information on products and to locate specific items. "I've always found it difficult trying to navigate through sites," confesses Kevin. "You end up in Timbuktu and don't know where you are. The blog will help with finding the items you want, and to build up trust with consumers. We'll put in as much information as possible about what tool is best for what job."

In the end, the customer is what is most important. "We just want to be able to pass the best price on to the customer," says Karen. "We look at ourselves as customers also, so we realize what they're looking for in a product, and at what price."

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:37 AM | Comments (0)

Waterhog Grand Classic Entrance Mats Combine Fashion with Dirt and Moisture Stopping Function

Martinson-Nicholls new Water Hog Grand Classic entrance mats offer the appearance of a fashionable carpet with the function of a doormat that traps dirt and water at your entranceway. The slip resistant surface has a green-friendly, cleated rubber backing made of 10-15% recycled content.

Cleveland, OH (PRWEB) April 23, 2008 -- Perfect for most entrance applications inside or out, Martinson-Nicholls new Waterhog Grand Classic carpet mats combine fashion with function. Rubber-reinforced nubs are combined with oval ends and a beautiful diamond design to provide crush-proof scraping action. The raised fabric water dam border traps dirt and water, keeping them off indoor carpets and floors.

"These mats are very elegant and have really dressed up our office space," offers Jennifer Sue.

This carpeted entrance mat is made from a premium, 24-ounce, anti-static, 100% polypropylene fiber system that dries quickly and won't fade and rot. When wet, the rubber-reinforced surface allows water to be wicked to the bottom of the mat, away from foot traffic, thereby providing a slip resistant surface. The new carpet mats have a green friendly, cleated rubber backing made of 10-15% recycled content.

The anti-static fiber system has a maximum average voltage of 1.6KV as measured by the AATCC. The floor mats are safe to use in computer rooms and around electrical equipment. The National Floor Safety Institute certifies all Waterhog mats slip resistant.

The Waterhog Grand Classic can be used on all types of flooring, including over carpet. A slip resistant backing works to hold the mat in place. There are eighteen colors available to fit any decor. Three radiused end options provide an elegant look to the Grand Classic.

About Martinson-Nicholls
Martinson-Nicholls, has established itself as a leader in custom floor matting, heated floor mats, and safety solutions for more than 25 years.

Martinson-Nicholls provides the customer with the exact size of floor 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.

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 05:36 AM | Comments (0)

Buildproof Launches First Online System to Protect Arizona Homeowners and Contractors against Remodeling Risks

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Business Wire EON/PRWEB ) April 23, 2008 -- Buildproof, the first online, secure payment and project management system that protects Arizona homeowners and contractors from remodeling risks, was launched today. The Web site, www.Buildproof.com, provides a simple-to-use solution to the financial risks and anxieties long associated with home remodeling. Arizona is the first target market for Buildproof and the company plans to expand nationwide in the coming months.

Here are a few key facts on Buildproof and the home remodeling industry:

Arizona homeowners experience up to $25 million in annual losses in the remodeling industry due to contractor fraud. Buildproof’s secure payment system not only protects these homeowners, but also provides contractors with the ability to secure payments before, during and upon completion of the home improvement project.
Buildproof brings safety and stability to the $300 billion home improvement and remodeling industry by providing a “safe house” money system. Project funds are held by an independent third-party financial institution to ensure safe handling and timely payment processing. There is no cost for homeowners to use the Buildproof system and contractors are only required to pay a small percentage of the total project cost.
According to the most recent study by the National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators, home improvement and repair is the number one most complained about industry in the United States. Buildproof’s project management system enables homeowners and contractors to streamline communication and track project milestones, resulting in improved communication and peace of mind for both parties.

The Buildproof system was developed after extensive research into the frustrations experienced by both homeowners and contractors. Buildproof’s founders created a multi-layered solution allowing every project, no matter how big or small, to be paid for, managed and tracked online. Each aspect of a remodel can be spelled out through the Web site, including project details and payment terms. The system has seen rigorous testing in the months leading up to the launch of the site.

“Buildproof proactively prevents problems by securing the payment process and improving communication throughout the project,” said Alan Farber, chief executive officer and founder of Buildproof. “Homeowners and contractors can both relax, knowing that all the work will be completed and that the money is safe and will be paid on time. Our chief priority is to provide a system that protects the interests of both parties while facilitating the best project outcome.”

Everyone has heard the stories of home remodeling gone wrong – contractors walking off with money, homeowners not facilitating timely payments or completed projects not up-to-par. Buildproof’s innovative technology is changing the way homeowners and contractors interact by eliminating the problems long associated with the home remodeling industry.

“Buildproof brings a new standard to the construction and remodeling world,” said Greyson Geiler, chief financial officer and founder of Buildproof. “The secure payment system ensures expectations are met and allows homeowners and contractors to focus on the project at hand and not the safety of their money.”

About Buildproof

Buildproof’s mission is to bring safety, simplicity and stability to the construction and remodeling industry.

It is an online payment and project management system for homeowners and contractors that removes the unnecessary financial risk and anxiety from home renovation. Buildproof provides a protected environment for both contractors and homeowners, to facilitate timely and proper payment, improve communication, and clear milestone and deadline management. For additional information, please visit www.buildproof.com, e-mail info@buildproof.com or call 888-295-7904. 6900 East Camelback Road, Suite A-37, Scottsdale, AZ 85251.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:33 AM | Comments (0)

Green Depot to Start Work on Green Living Manhattan Flagship Store May 1; Unique Showroom Experience to Open Late 2008

In the Heart of the Bowery, Showroom will be Sixth and Largest Retail Store for Leading Green Living and Green Products Supplier

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Business Wire EON/PRWEB ) April 23, 2008 -- Green Depot® (www.greendepot.com), the Brooklyn-based supplier of environmentally friendly, green building materials, green products as well as green living services and solutions, today announced it will begin construction on a new flagship consumer showroom in Manhattan on May 1. Green Depot Manhattan will take over the ground floor space in the building that was The 1885 Young Men's Institute at 222 Bowery between Prince and Spring and will open in November 2008.

The showroom, Green Depot's sixth and largest, will boast more than 3,000 square feet of retail space and will serve Manhattan's vast consumer population interested in green living and in easier access to green products and building materials, housewares and sustainable living concepts. The space will also accommodate Green Depot's significant professional and commercial customer base in the borough and will include a resource and design center where Green Depot staff will work with customers to find green building materials that are cost-efficient and easily adaptable into their construction or renovation projects. Green Depot has enlisted the architecture and design services of Mapos LLC to re-fashion the space at 222 Bowery and anticipates LEED-platinum or gold certification for this exciting new green living experience space.

“Green Depot Manhattan marks a significant expansion for our company as well as a fundamental recognition of the growing effort amongst customers to make healthier and more eco-friendly living choices,” explained Green Depot founder and CEO Sarah Beatty. “Green Depot is proud and poised to provide green living solutions that are easy, accessible, affordable and gratifying.”

GREEN DEPOT AT GO GREEN EXPO 2008:

Green Depot will enjoy a large presence at this year's Go Green Expo at the Hilton New York on Apr. 26 and 27. Sarah Beatty, founder and CEO, as well as other key Green Depot executives will be available for interviews and photo opportunities. Please contact Christian-Philippe Quilici at the number below with any such requests.

ABOUT GREEN DEPOT

Founded in November 2005, Green Depot is a leading supplier of environmentally friendly and sustainable building products, services and solutions. Its primary goal is to facilitate green living and building in communities so that it is easy, worthwhile and gratifying. Green Depot has showrooms in Brooklyn, Newark, Philadelphia, Boston, Greenport, N.Y. (opening summer 2008) and Manhattan (opening fall 2008), as well as 10 additional distribution centers spanning the East Coast. For more information, please visit www.greendepot.com.

Release Summary:

Green Depot today announced it begins construction on a new flagship consumer showroom in Manhattan's Bowery on May 1. Green Depot's new green living experience will offer green products and building materials.

Keyword Tags:

green building materials, green building products, green building supplies, green cleaning products, green construction materials, green home products, green house materials, green living, green materials, green products, environmentally friendly, green roofing materials

MULTIMEDIA GALLERY

http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=5665975

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:33 AM | Comments (0)

New Residential Lock Sets from DORMA Architectural Hardware Provide Functional Safety Solutions

DORMA's new, Grade 2 J200 Interconnected Lock Sets for exterior doors and C400 Tubular Lock Sets for interior doors provide security, safety and convenience for single- and multi-family residences as well as light to medium duty commercial applications. Together, they offer a lock package that combines reliable performance and complementary aesthetics.

Reamstown, Pa. (PRWEB) April 23, 2008 -- DORMA's new, Grade 2 J200 Interconnected Lock Sets for exterior doors and C400 Tubular Lock Sets for interior doors provide security, safety and convenience for single- and multi-family residences as well as light to medium duty commercial applications. Together, they offer a lock package that combines reliable performance and complementary aesthetics.

DORMA's J200 Interconnected Lock Sets, intended for exterior use, are built with a cylindrical chassis and tubular dead bolt for all applications where ANSI A156.12 Grade 2 products are required. The J200 meets A117.1 and ADA requirements for barrier-free accessibility. In addition, the J200 Lock Sets are three-hour fire rated and are U.L. and C.U.L. listed.

The J200 Lock Sets contain a free-spinning solid steel spin ring that provides superior protection of the upper cylinder against attack by wrenching and prying. The interior lever of the J200 retracts both the dead bolt and latch bolt in one motion allowing immediate exit from the building. The locks are available with two new residential lever designs which adds to DORMA's three traditional designs.

A variety of configurations are available including a simple pull, single cylinder entry, and entry double cylinder entry. Additionally eight strike combinations and four dead bolt combinations allow specifiers to choose a product unique to their application.
The J200 Series lock sets are available in DORMA's SKC keying system, which provides easy system management.

DORMA C400 Grade 2 Tubular Lock Sets are a perfect compliment to the J200 Lock Sets. These interior lock sets satisfy applications where ANSI Standard A156.2 Series 4000 Grade 2 products are required. In addition the C400 meets A117.1 and ADA requirements for barrier-free accessibility. DORMA C400 tubular lock sets are easy to install in both wood or hollow metal doors with ANSI Standard A115 preparations for bored-in locks. The versatile locks come in a variety of trims including five distinct lever designs. The non-handed tubular lock chassis are constructed of steel and pressure cast zinc components. The C400 Tubular Lock Sets are available in a number of configurations including a dummy set, a passage set, and a "privacy" option incorporating emergency release and an inside turn button.

Both the J200 and C400 Lock Sets are easy to install in both wood or hollow metal doors with ANSI Standard A156.115-2006 door preparations for interconnected locks and bored-in locks respectively. They are easily adjustable to accommodate door thicknesses from 1-3/8" to 1-7/8".
Available finishes for both lock sets include: Bright Brass (605), Oil Rubbed Bronze (613), Satin Nickel (619), and Satin Chrome (626).

The C400 and J200 Series lock sets are part of a comprehensive lock line from DORMA Architectural Hardware that includes dead bolts, mortise locks, bored-in locks, interconnected locks and the SKC keying management system.

For more information or a product brochure, call DORMA Architectural Hardware at 1-800-523-8483 or visit www.dorma-usa.com.

About DORMA Group North America
DORMA Group North America manufactures and markets a wide range of products for the architectural openings industry, with a particular focus on commercial and institutional openings. Part of The DORMA Group worldwide, DORMA Group North America comprises DORMA Architectural Hardware, DORMA Glas, Modernfold, DORMA Canada, DORMA Mexico, and DORMA Entrance Systems -- which markets products and services under the DORMA Automatics, Crane Revolving Door and Carolina Door Controls brands.

DORMA Group North America offerings include safety and security products, locks, door closers, exit devices, glass hardware and patch fittings, sliding and swinging automatic doors, revolving doors and operable partitions.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:33 AM | Comments (0)

April 22, 2008

High-rise Luxury Home Buyers Face Tight Inventories in Dallas, Now Nation's Fastest-growing Metro Market

The credit crunch has delayed previously-announced Dallas luxury builds, and the number of high-end high-rise residential homes on the Dallas books has been modest compared to that of other large cities. The result is that just when financially-stable high-end consumers are seeking to acquire luxury at pre-inflation costs, fewer than 100 new high-rise luxury homes are available in the heart of Dallas. The shortfall is expected to continue through 2010 in a city experiencing triple the job growth of other U.S. markets.

Dallas, Texas (PRWEB) April 22, 2008 -- In a tale that defies current trends, Uptown Dallas is experiencing a surge of interest among high-end luxury home purchasers -- but they're finding few places to buy. The credit crunch has delayed previously-announced Dallas luxury builds, and the number of high-end high-rise residential homes on the Dallas books has been modest compared to that of other large cities. The result is that just when financially-stable high-end consumers are seeking to acquire luxury at pre-inflation costs, fewer than 100 new high-rise luxury homes are available in the heart of Dallas. The shortfall is expected to continue through 2010 in a city experiencing triple the job growth of other U.S. markets.

Dallas' most noticeable high-rise expansion is occurring in residential Uptown, where cranes can be seen in every direction and job growth is robust. A walkable urban space with access to the arts, NBA and NHL games, shopping, parks, corporate headquarters and workplaces, world-class dining and live entertainment, Uptown is one of the Sunbelt's few mixed-use areas where residents can live, work, and play without a long commute -- or without a car, for that matter. The entire area is served by complimentary trolley service.

Eight years in the planning and built at a higher level of luxury than any Uptown high-rise to date, The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas opened in August 2007 as a tower of 70 ultra-high-end homes directly above the Robert A.M. Stern-designed Ritz-Carlton, Dallas hotel. All 70 of the Residences sold quickly, prompting the developer, Crescent Real Estate Equities Company, to pre-release an additional adjoining tower of 95 Residences with a projected 2009 completion date.

While project executives anticipated a two-year selling cycle that began at year-end 2007, the Tower Residences now have only 34 of 95 homes remaining for sale. Most of the Tower Residences' pending homeowners are Dallas professionals, couples and empty-nesters, the majority of whom have indicated an interest in trading high-maintenance Texas-sized homes and yards for new luxury construction, a branded, serviced concierge lifestyle, and The Ritz-Carlton neighborhood's coveted Uptown location.

Mindful of what could become a shortened sales cycle within the city's top luxury tier, The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas have just announced that potential purchasers may have the brief opportunity to view a privately-owned, designer-furnished Residence currently available for resale. With interiors by owners Virgil Barber and Aaron Osborn of the Virron Group, the richly-designed 4,200 square-foot home takes its cue from the Regency style of The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas and is highlighted by panoramic Dallas views, a gourmet chef's kitchen and covered veranda ideal for late afternoon gatherings. The Residence is also well-suited for the showcasing of personal art, antiques and sculptures, with several large walls and niches offering dedicated lighting. Surround-sound wiring, a dedicated 24-hour Concierge phone line from both the master bedroom and kitchen, and a dramatic powder room with custom hand-built vanity and Phylrich brown onyx plumbing and hardware are among the home's special features. The dining room is enhanced by a stunning custom Nierman Weeks chandelier.

The Tower Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas offer dedicated 24/7 concierge assistance; à la carte access to world-class housekeeping, security and engineering services; walking access to The Ritz-Carlton Spa for à la carte services and to Fearing's, ranked America's best new restaurant for 2007; a private swimming pool and fitness center; lushly landscaped grounds and gardens; and the world-class lifestyle that has quickly made The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas the city's premier luxury neighborhood.

Information on the 34 remaining Tower Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas may be obtained by calling 800-549-7489 or by visiting the property Marketing Center at 500 Crescent Court in Uptown Dallas.

For more information, please visit theresidencesdallas.com.

**Images available upon request

CONTACT:
Bonnie Crail
Crail Communications
(702) 882-9722
bcrail @ crailcommunications.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:15 AM | Comments (0)

Best Deals for a New Home in Moreno Valley Found in Online Auction

The LFC Group of Companies has just launched an online auction of thirteen new homes in Moreno Valley, California, on their residential auction website Freedom Realty Exchange (www.FRE.com/215R4). Unlike most of the other auctions occurring here in Southern California, this is not a foreclosure auction, but an auction of brand-new builder/developer inventory.

Newport Beach, CA (PRWEB) April 22, 2008 -- The LFC Group of Companies, a Newport Beach-based online real estate auction marketing firm, launches an online auction of thirteen new homes in Moreno Valley on their residential auction website Freedom Realty Exchange (www.FRE.com/215R4).

Recently ranked as one of the fastest growing cities in the nation, Moreno Valley, California, offers residents an outstanding lifestyle. Recreational opportunities abound at nearby golf courses and parks, including Lake Perris State Recreational Area, one of Southern California's most popular boating, fishing and camping locales. Situated among pristine lakes and the picturesque San Bernardino Mountains, the homes are located only five miles from the University of California, Riverside, with easy freeway access to Los Angeles and Orange County.

The single family homes range from approximately 1,377 to 1,954 square feet and feature 3 to 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Though previously priced in the upper $300,000's, the minimum bids for the homes will start as low as $99,000. Also included in the online auction is one fully-furnished model home with a minimum bid starting at only $1. Each home includes attractive features like vaulted ceilings, a concrete rear patio, dual pane insulated windows, designer selected carpeting, oak cabinetry, and pre-wiring for a home security system.

"For potential homebuyers out there who are waiting on the sidelines, ready and able to purchase that first home, this is the time; it's a buyers' market," remarks Bill Lange, president of the LFC Group of Companies. "Unlike most of the inventory on the market right now, these homes are not foreclosures, but brand-new product in an up-and-coming community. With minimum bids starting as low as $99,000, these homes are an affordable option and make perfect 'starter' homes."

This online auction is an incredible opportunity to purchase a new Southern California home at a bargain price. The bid deadline is Thursday, May 29th, 2008. For more information, go to www.FRE.com/215R4.

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 02:12 AM | Comments (0)

Samco Machinery "Rolls" Out New Web Site

As Samco Machinery Ltd. unveils its revamped website this month, customers are experiencing a combination of industry specific knowledge, innovation, and commitment to personal service at the touch of their fingertips.

Toronto, ON (PRWEB) April 22, 2008 -- Thirty-five years of experience in any given field affords a certain air of authority. From teaching schoolchildren to maintaining a competitive edge in the international business marketplace, experience lends to trust. As Samco Machinery Ltd. unveils its revamped website this month, customers are experiencing a combination of industry specific knowledge, innovation, and commitment to personal service at the touch of their fingertips.

With 30 engineers on staff, Samco understands the complexities and nuances of a given rollforming system. These multi-faceted systems are often challenging to understand without specific education, training, and hands-on practice. The new website eases this potential strain, offering customers a virtual academia. Informative articles and step-by-step guidance such as "Seven Questions to Ask When Selecting a Roll Form Equipment Provider" educate customers in user-friendly language.

The expertise of the Samco machinery staff represents more than practical knowledge of roll form equipment. In addition, the Samco Machinery team possesses a diverse skill set to meet the changing business needs of numerous international companies. They work in markets in Canada, Mexico, Columbia, and South Africa, each presenting specifics needs, and location constraints and challenges. Samco Machinery's recognition as an ISO 9001 Certified Company, issued for quality, further solidifies it as a trusted name on the global marketplace.

The Samco People Promise™, detailed on the company's redesigned website, allows clients to fully grasp the far-reaching service that they can expect in business ventures with Samco. "A true partnership doesn't end with the delivery of the rollformer. We continue to provide support where needed with easy two-way communication. Samco is proud to support positive and continuing relationships with all its customers." These words certainly are an extension of the Samco motto: People, Products, Passion.

Not only does the new site offer satisfied clients and potential customers alike the chance to learn from the thirty years of experience in the roll forming industry, but it also gives them the resources to make better decisions and, in turn, avoid costly mistakes. As Bob Reprovs, President of Samco Machinery Ltd aptly noted, "What most people don't know is these small surprises or issues can be avoided."

For more detailed information about Samco Machinery roll formers, support and services visit www.Samco-Machinery.com, or call Samco Machinery direct at 416-285-0619.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:12 AM | Comments (0)

World Copper Rollings, Drawings and Extrusions Market to Reach 35.4 million Metric Tons by 2010, According to New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

Consumption of copper rollings, drawings and extrusions in the world market is forecasted to reach 35.4 million metric tons by the year 2010. Germany and United States are the leading producers of copper rollings, drawings and extrusions. United States is a primary producer of copper wire and copper tubes & pipes. Japan, Korea and France are among the other major producers of copper rollings, drawings and extrusions. The Latin American belt comprising the Andes is a rich source of copper.

San Jose, CA (PRWEB) April 22, 2008 -- Copper, brass, bronze and other copper based alloys are rolled, drawn and extruded into plates, sheets, strip, bar and tubing. Copper and its alloys are available in rod, plate, strip, sheet, tube shapes, forgings, wire and castings. Rolled copper products include bars, rotating bands, sheets, shell discs, slugs, foil, film and strips. Rolled copper is primarily used for leadframes and connectors for the electronics industry, tubing for air-conditioners and radiators and general construction. Extrusions are manufactured by passing heated billets under high-pressure through a steel die in the shape of a required profile. After the extrusion process, the profile is cooled and is machined and heat-treated.

Global copper extrusions market is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 7.35% over the years 2011 through 2015. As stated in a recent report published by Global Industry Analysts, Inc., demand for copper drawings in Europe is projected to reach 6.67 million metric tons by the year 2012, while demand for copper rollings in Asia-Pacific is forecast to reach 2.64 million metric tons by the year 2015.

The global marketplace is characterized by the presence of players such as Asarco LLC, BHP Billiton Group, Codelco, Dowa Holdings Co Ltd, Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc, Furukawa Metal (Thailand) Public Co. Ltd., Global Brass and Copper Inc, Hindalco Industries Ltd., Hitachi Cable Ltd, KME Germany AG, Madeco S. A., Mitsubishi Materials Corporation, Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co. Ltd, Mueller Industries Inc., Nippon Mining & Metals Co. Ltd, Norddeutsche Affinerie AG/Cumerio NV/SA, and Yorkshire Copper Tube.

"Copper Rollings, Drawings and Extrusions: A Global Strategic Business Report", published by Global Industry Analysts, Inc. provides a comprehensive review of market trends, drivers, product profile, recent developments, mergers, acquisitions, profiles of major participants and other strategic industry activities. Analysis is presented for major geographic markets such as United States, Canada, Japan, France, Germany, the UK, Italy, Spain, Russia, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Middle East. Analytics from 2000 through 2015 are provided in terms of product segments including Copper Rollings, Copper Drawings, and Copper Extrusions.

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

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:12 AM | Comments (0)

Roofing Products Industry Professional to Spearhead Cosella-Dörken's North American Expansion

Peter Barrett, a 20-year veteran of the roofing products market, has joined Cosella-Dörken as National Product Manager. In this new position, Peter will direct the North American introduction of advanced new building products and technologies developed by Cosella-Dörken, Beamsville, ON, and Dörken, Germany.

Beamsville, Ont. (PRWEB) April 22, 2008 -- Peter Barrett, a 20-year veteran of the roofing products market, has joined Cosella-Dörken as National Product Manager. In this new position, Peter will direct the North American introduction of advanced new building products and technologies developed by Cosella-Dörken, Beamsville, ON, and Dörken, Germany.

Peter brings a proven track record in creating and growing new product lines in the building materials industry, securing large contracts in the U.S. and Canada including large sports facilities and waterproofing projects for demanding users such as the Toronto Transit Commission (Canada's largest transit authority). Peter also has extensive relationships with contractors, architects and distributors in North America and overseas.

"We are delighted to welcome a manager with Peter's wealth of experience and knowledge to Cosella-Dörken and expect he will play a major role in making our next-generation roofing materials the new North American standard," said Tom Fallon, Vice President of Marketing and Operations.

Most recently Peter was employed at roofing and building envelope manufacturer Lexcan/Lexor as sales manager, and prior to that held sales and marketing roles concentrating on building envelope products with W.R. Meadows of Canada, Canusa-CPS and W.R. Grace. Peter, who has his MBA from Wilfrid Laurier University, is a member of numerous professional associations including Construction Specifications Canada, the Ontario Building Envelope Council and the Sealant and Waterproofing Association.

Cosella-Dörken recently launched its DELTA family of roofing products at the 2008 International Builders Show in Orlando. The DELTA line includes advanced energy-saving breathable and non-breathable roof underlayments with new heat-reflective coatings. Other Cosella-Dörken products include DELTA-DRY, an advanced new "barrier" housewrap that drains and dries both the exterior and interior walls of the home; DELTA-MS, a top choice for basement waterproofing, DELTA-FL for dry, comfortable basements, and DELTA-DRAIN geocomposites used for drainage in numerous commercial and heavy construction applications.

Cosella-Dörken is the North American division of Ewald Dörken AG, a leading European developer and manufacturer of products for the building envelope sold in many world countries. For more information, visit www.cosella-dorken.com.

CONTACT:
Tom Fallon 1-888-4DELTA4
Paul Brent, MarketLink 416-690-3970

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:11 AM | Comments (0)

President of HBH Gas Systems to Speak at Land Development Breakthroughs Conference in Austin, TX

Harris Baker, President of HBH Gas Systems, has been asked to participate as a speaker at the Sustainable Land Development International sponsored 'Land Development Breakthroughs Conference' taking place May 1 and 2 at the Renaissance Hotel in Austin, Texas. His presentation is titled "Delivering Sustainability Off the Grid: Central Gas Systems." Providing individually metered gas from a centralized propane tank, Central Gas Systems facilitate a significantly reduced pull on the electric grid with the delivery of an EPA approved alternative green energy. In developments located off of the natural gas grid, central gas systems provide the best dual-fuel solution to facilitate sustainable development.

Austin, TX (PRWEB) April 21, 2008 -- Harris Baker, President of HBH Gas Systems, has been asked to participate as a speaker at the Sustainable Land Development International sponsored 'Land Development Breakthroughs Conference' taking place May 1 and 2 at the Renaissance Hotel in Austin, Texas. His presentation is titled "Delivering Sustainability Off the Grid: Central Gas Systems." Providing individually metered gas from a centralized propane tank, Central Gas Systems facilitate a significantly reduced pull on the electric grid with the delivery of an EPA approved alternative green energy. In developments located off of the natural gas grid, central gas systems provide the best dual-fuel solution to facilitate sustainable development. Applications range from traditional residential appliances to full-scale energy and fuel delivery solutions for entire communities, including commercial, retail and fleet vehicle applications.

In 2007, HBH was a finalist for the Land Development Today Visionary Project Award for contributions made toward sustainability by their Central Gas System at The Resort on Eagle Mountain Lake near Ft. Worth, Texas. Central Gas Systems provide underground piped gas that is individually metered, serviced and billed just like natural gas. Compared with the large capital cost of extending natural gas infrastructure to their communities, developers and builders who partner with HBH Gas Systems enjoy substantial cost savings. Furthermore, these developers and builders have the ability to offer gas service in virtually any location, affording them a distinct marketing advantage over competing subdivisions that have been built all-electric.

Gas contributes to strengthening the three pillars of sustainable development. From the economic standpoint, gas yields substantially lower electric bills for homeowners - heating a home with propane costs about half as much as using electricity. Socially, gas improves living standards through increased comfort and convenience. From the environmental perspective, gas allows communities to drastically decrease their pull on the electric grid. Just one home fueling its space and water heating energy requirements with a Central Gas System in lieu of electricity effectively offsets the carbon emissions of an average vehicle.

HBH Gas Systems has developed, designed, and installed central gas systems in residential communities and commercial developments throughout the US and abroad. HBH is committed to facilitating sustainable development worldwide by bringing gas to regions where it was previously unavailable. HBH Gas Systems is the largest independent provider of Central Gas Systems in the world. For more information about HBH Gas Systems, visit www.hbhsystems.com or contact Harris Baker at (512) 306-0073 or info@hbhsystems.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:08 AM | Comments (0)

Solar Innovations, Inc. Announces the Expansion of the Victorian Conservatory Line

Solar Innovations, Inc., a custom manufacturer of residential and commercial conservatories, greenhouses, skylights, sunrooms, folding and sliding glass doors, walls, windows, and screens, announces the expansion of the Victorian Conservatory line.

Myerstown, PA (PRWEB) April 21, 2008 -- Solar Innovations, Inc., a custom manufacturer of residential and commercial conservatories, greenhouses, skylights, sunrooms, folding and sliding glass doors, walls, windows, and screens, announces the expansion of the Victorian Conservatory line.

Designed in an exuberant, ornate architectural style, Victorian conservatories by Solar Innovations, Inc. can be used to enhance the vision and value of any property. Solar has released additional decorative elements to enhance any conservatory and increase the Victorian Conservatory options available. These creatively constructed features are an ideal place for relaxing with family and friends or seeking peaceful solitude.

Solar Innovations' conservatories can now embody the traditional characteristics of architecture in the Victorian Era through careful planning and design. Victorian structures are distinguished by highly decorative accessories, steeply pitched roofs, hipped roofs, gables, roof lanterns, a rectangular shape, and tall, narrow windows.

In keeping with the Victorian ornamental style, Solar Innovations, Inc. offers several standard and custom manufactured aluminum crestings and finials to adorn the conservatory roof line. These decorative elements are placed on the ridge of the structure and can be mixed and matched to suit each customer's taste. Beyond the typical adornments, Solar Innovations, Inc. offers decorative gutters and downspouts to create functional, aesthetically appealing elements. Grids are an additional enhancement for Solar Innovations' Victorian conservatory windows. Traditional grids add to the Victorian feel of the tall, narrow windows; however, Solar Innovations, Inc. offers four alternative exterior grid SDL designs. Transoms and base panels can also be embellished with traditional style grids.

Solar Innovations, Inc. also offers glazing patterns, either in etch, applied lead, applied grids, or v-groove, to be placed primarily in transoms. In addition to glazing embellishments, ornamental selections of decorative appliqués are available for use in ring and collar ties. Aluminum extruded and cast accessories like columns, headers and appliqués can also be incorporated into a conservatory to enhance its features. To further authenticate the Victorian architecture, Solar Innovations, Inc. has added fanlights to its accessories. These lites may be placed under the eaves of the conservatory, separated from the doors and windows by a transom. Solar Innovations' fanlights are semi-circular windows with rods or bars to represent an open fan.

A particularly Victorian feature, roof lanterns are also available from Solar Innovations, Inc. to complement the design of the new structure or to be installed independently. Incorporating a roof lantern into the conservatory can prove to be an appealing feature not only to the conservatory, but to the home as well. Roof lanterns are generally installed above the main roof line to increase their emphasis and create a focal point on the structure.

Victorian conservatories by Solar Innovations are available in all of the standard Solar Innovations, Inc. color options or cladding options can be incorporated: copper, stainless steel, and bronze. Some of the more tradition style conservatories are completed with wood; solid wood interior options include Mahogany and Spanish cedar, while wood laminates are available in Western Red Cedar and Southern Yellow Pine are also available from Solar Innovations, Inc.

For more information on Solar Innovations' new Victorian conservatory designs please contact the marketing department at (skylight @ solarinnovations.com) or call 800-618-0669.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:08 AM | Comments (0)

Global Outdoor Appliances & Power Tools Market to Cross the 100-Million Units Mark by 2012, According to New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

There has been a marked increase in recreational activity, which is in turn driving demand for outdoor appliances & power tools. The global outdoor appliances and power tools market is projected to cross 100 million units by 2012.

San Jose, California (PRWEB) April 21, 2008 -- Outdoor appliances & power tools are mostly used for recreational activities, and the increasing acceptance of gardening for recreational activities is driving demand for outdoor appliances & power tools. Demand for outdoor appliances & power tools market is dependent on the state of the economy, housing starts, weather conditions and increase in gardening activity. Increasing disposable incomes, new housing constructions and leisure activity are expected to drive the market in Asia-Pacific and Latin America.

Asia-Pacific region is expected to be the fastest growing outdoor appliances & power tools market, recording a CAGR of over 5.85% over the period 2000-2010, as stated by Global Industry Analysts, Inc. European outdoor appliances & power tools market is projected to reach 25 million units by the year 2010. Outdoor grills market in the US is estimated at 15.5 million units. Global trimmers/brush cutters market is projected to register a CAGR of close to 4.2% during the period 2000-2010.

Outdoor appliances & power tools have been evolving to cater to the preferences of consumers. New equipment is designed to be environment friendly, with low noise levels. Consumers' preference for easy to use equipment is driving the market for cordless/battery-operated equipment. New lawn mowers, lawn tractors, and other equipments have high quality finish, and also incorporate many consumer-friendly features. The size of the equipment has also been decreasing owing to the fact that the average housing plot has been decreasing in key markets such as United States. In response to the changing fuel inputs for outdoor grills, gas fired grills constitute the majority of grills sold.

The report titled "Outdoor Appliances & Power Tools: A Global Strategic Business Report" published by Global Industry Analysts, Inc., provides a comprehensive review of market trends, product overview, factors influencing the market, product introductions/innovations, and recent industry activity. The study also analyzes market data and analytics in volume sales for regions such as United States, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Latin America for the period 2000-2015. Product segments analyzed include Bug Killers, Chain Saws, Hedge Trimmers, Leaf Blowers, Outdoor Grills, Walk Behind Power Mowers, Riding Garden Tractors, Riding Mowers & Lawn Tractors, Rotary Tillers, Snow Throwers and Trimmers/Brush Cutters.

Key players dominating the global outdoor appliances & power tools market include Alamo Group, Black & Decker, Blount International, Bosch Lawn and Garden, Briggs & Stratton, Coleman Company, Deere & Company, Husqvarna AB, Jarden Corporation, Makita, McCulloch Motors, MTD Products, Techtronic Industries and The Toro Company.

For more details about this research report, please visit
http://www.strategyr.com/Outdoor_Appliances_and_Power_Tools_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 02:08 AM | Comments (0)

World Copper Consumption to Reach 21.2 Million Metric Tons by 2010, According to New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

Consumption of copper in the world market is forecast to reach 21.2 million metric tons by the year 2010. Chile is the largest producer of mined copper worldwide, followed by the United States. Other major producers of mined copper include Canada, Indonesia, Australia, Peru, Russia, Poland, India and Mexico.

San Jose, CA (PRWEB) April 21, 2008 -- Future growth in world copper consumption is expected to stem from the possible expansion of copper applications in electric/battery-powered cars. Additionally, rising demand for copper cables designed to handle digital transmissions is also forecast to drive growth in copper consumption in the upcoming years. In terms of regional market opportunities, Asia-Pacific, especially China is forecast to drive growth in the global copper market. Mirroring the unfavorable business climate in the domestic construction industry, demand for copper in building and construction end-use market in United States is forecast to lethargically inch upto 1.16 million metric tons by the year 2010. As stated in a recent report published by Global Industry Analysts Inc., copper consumption in electrical and electronic end-use market in Asia-Pacific is projected to reach 4.03 million metric tons by the year 2012.

Major players in the copper market include Anglo American PLC, Antofagasta Plc, BHP Billiton Group, Cambridge Lee Industries LLC, Codelco, Vale Inco, First Quantum Minerals Ltd, Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc, The Furukawa Electric Co., Grupo México S.A.B. DE C.V, Global Brass and Copper Inc, Inmet Mining Corporation, Jiangxi Copper Company Limited, KGHM Polska MiedŸ S.A, KME Germany AG, Mitsubishi Materials Corporation, Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co. Ltd, Nippon Mining & Metals Co., Ltd, Norddeutsche Affinerie AG, Norilsk Nickel, Rio Tinto Group, Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd, Teck Cominco Limited and UMMC Holding Corporation.

"Copper: A Global Strategic Business Report", published by Global Industry Analysts, Inc. provides a comprehensive review of market trends, drivers, product profile, recent developments, mergers, acquisitions, primary producers and consumers of copper, exports/imports scenario and other strategic industry activities. Analysis is presented for major geographic markets such as United States, Canada, Japan, France, Germany, the UK, Italy, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and rest of world. Analytics from 1991 through 2015 are provided in terms of end use segments including building and construction, electrical and electronic, industrial machinery and equipment, transportation and consumer and general products.

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

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

Digium and Dicar Networks Join Forces to Impact The World of VoIP and Telephony

Demonstrating their commitment to provide the world with full-featured telephony systems at low price points, Digium and Dicar Networks are joining forces to impact the world of VoIP and telephony in California.

San Jose, CA (PRWEB) April 21, 2008 - Demonstrating their commitment to provide the world with full-featured telephony systems at low price points, Digium and Dicar Networks are joining forces to impact the world of VoIP and telephony in California.

Recognizing that small and medium businesses have unique communication needs, this powerful duo will promote the latest generation of Switchvox IP PBX products, providing advanced communication systems with greater flexibility and freedom.

"We are thrilled to be chosen as Digium's select partner," announced Dicar Networks CEO Armando Garcia. "Switchvox is an exceptional product, backed by a world-class organization."

Switchvox, being compatible with today's high speed data networks and traditional telephony infrastructure is allowing businesses to say goodbye to cumbersome monolithic PBX systems of the past - giving smaller organizations the ability to grow from a single office into a global network, without breaking the bank.

"It seems unfathomable that in order to get something better, businesses are replacing expensive systems like Avaya with a solution that costs half as much, but that's exactly what's happening," said Dicar Networks CEO Armando Garcia.

This new generation of Switchvox is a highly advanced telephone solution that provides an innovative bridge between a business phone system and the power of Web 2.0. The switchboard which runs right in your web browser (IE or Firefox) has been proven to save time, save money and provide enhanced customer service.

Receptionists can see who's on the phone, transfer calls quickly and easily using drag and drop, as well as park and retrieve calls from the parking lot. Supervisors can see which employees are on the phone, know who they are talking to, as well as record and monitor calls.

Salespeople can integrate with Salesforce.com and SugarCRM for more efficient Customer Relations Management. Switchvox even integrates with Google Maps, placing a map pin to identify where a call originated, thus allowing businesses to provide locally relevant information in seconds.
And, if employees find themselves performing routine tasks when a phone call comes in, Switchvox can be set to automatically look up and display important information, such as recent orders or accounting data -- ensuring that front line personnel are prepared and well-informed. Clearly, advantages that a growing business will find hard to resist.

For additional information on the news that is the subject of this release (or for more information) visit http://www.dicarnetworks.com.

About Dicar Networks:
Since Dicar Networks opened in 2001 the San Jose, California based company has developed into a premier provider of network solutions -- including VoIP, cabling, PBX and now ESI systems. With a highly skilled team of engineers, designers and operations experts Dicar Networks offers custom fit, on-budget solutions which meet the current and future needs of customers in the Bay area.

Contact:
Armando Garcia, CEO
Dicar Networks
(408) 850-6400

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:03 AM | Comments (0)

LifeStyle Builders is Now Selling Final New Home Opportunities in Hawthorne Village at Charter Colony in Chesterfield County

LifeStyle Builders & Developers, Inc., a Richmond based homebuilder, announces the release of their final 20 homesites in The Cottages of Hawthorne Village, a Charter Colony community in Chesterfield County from the upper $200s. These 20 homesites represent the final opportunities to live in this distinctive neighborhood of craftsman-style homes.

Richmond, VA (PRWEB) April 21, 2008 -- LifeStyle Builders and Developers, Inc., a Richmond based homebuilder, announces the release of Sections B and C in The Cottages of Hawthorne Village, a Charter Colony community in Chesterfield County from the upper $200's. These 20 homesites represent the final opportunities to live in this distinctive neighborhood of craftsman-style homes.

Heavily influenced by the Arts and Crafts era of the 1920's, the unique home designs in Hawthorne Village have a universal appeal. The award winning Chatham model features charming interior details such as beamed ceilings, large stair newels and bead board wainscoting. Four other home designs are available, offering first floor owner suites, formal dining rooms, 3 to 4 bedrooms and 2-car garages. No detail has been overlooked in Hawthorne Village as stylized mailboxes, picket fencing and cottage courtyard landscaping adorn the streetscape.

Section A, with 50 homesites, sold out in less than two years. "We offer a unique product, in a desirable location, at a reasonable price," said Kevin McNulty, president of LifeStyle Builders. "No other builder can compare with our quality, style and price in such a close-in Chesterfield location. We feel sure that these remaining homesites will sell quickly."

The Cottages of Hawthorne Village is part of the master-planned Charter Colony community, an HHHunt development. Residents enjoy a host of amenities including a clubhouse, swimming pool, tennis courts, sidewalks, playgrounds and much more. Charter Colony offers a desirable location, close to shopping, dining and key business centers. Routes 288, 60 and Powhite Parkway are just minutes away for easy commuting throughout the Richmond area. Children attend top-ranked Chesterfield County schools, and the YMCA is less than 1 mile from Hawthorne Village.

Homebuyers that build in Hawthorne Village will have the opportunity to personalize their new home in LifeStyle Builder's 2600 square foot Design Studio. Here, a professional Design Consultant will assist homebuyers in selecting from hundreds of interior and exterior finishes to create the home of their dreams, all in one convenient location. State-of-the-art displays and vignettes feature the latest design trends in cabinetry, flooring, lighting, faucets and finishes. The Design Studio is open for Preview Tours, call (804) 639-9440 for dates and times.

Homes in The Cottages of Hawthorne Village start in the upper $200's. The furnished model home and sales center is open Wednesday through Saturday 11:00am to 6:00pm, and Sunday 1:00pm to 6:00pm. From Rt. 288 take the Woolridge Road exit and travel east; turn right on Coalfield Road; Hawthorne Village is less than 1 mile on the right. For more information, call Barrett Poe, Sales Consultant with Market Square Realty at (804) 379-1413.

A Richmond-based and locally-owned company since 1990, LifeStyle Builders and Developers offers an extensive portfolio of award-winning homes with distinctive elevations and innovative designs. LifeStyle Builders is currently building in 9 neighborhoods throughout the Richmond area, with another 4 neighborhoods coming on-line over the next 6 months. For more information about LifeStyle Builders, please visit www.lifestylebuilders.com or call (804) 639-9440.

For more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview, please call Nancy May at (804) 608-3240.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:03 AM | Comments (0)

Buffington Signature Homes Opens Doors to its First Model Home and Information Center in Round Rock's Silver Leaf Community

Veteran Austin home builder says it's the perfect time to build or buy a new home in Austin.

(PRWEB) April 21, 2008 -- Buffington Signature Homes announces the opening of their first model home and sales center in Silver Leaf, one of the premier communities for new homes in Round Rock. Silver Leaf is the first of several sought-after communities in the Austin area where Buffington is slated to begin building this year.

Despite the slowing national housing market, Buffington's leadership team remains confident that it's the right time to be building--and buying--new homes in Austin.

"Actually, now is a great time to build a new home in the Austin area," says Tom Buffington, founder and CEO of Buffington Signature Homes. "Builders and buyers both have opportunities today that they wouldn't have had six months ago."

Buffington led his first venture, Buffington Homes, to became the second largest builder in Austin before selling it to a national firm in the late 90s. After leading an equally successful acquisition and development company, he has returned to his home building roots with Buffington Signature Homes.

"With many of the national builders scaling back in the Austin market, there are some great opportunities for smaller local builders," explained Buffington. "As the major firms cut back, we're able to come in here with innovative floorplans and a level of personal service that you usually can't find in these areas. Being local makes a big difference in terms of the quality and features we can provide for our customers."

A key differentiator for Buffington Signature Homes is something they call Signature Features, more than 90 high-end fixtures, finishes and features that they include standard in every home. These include a 3rd car garage, island kitchens with granite countertops and custom cabinets, rounded corners, energy efficient appliances, covered patios and fully sodded yards, all standard in the price of the home. Customers can also choose from a collection of Signature Options, optional designs and features to further personalize their homes.

"Our approach is very different from the national builders," says James Giddens, president of Buffington Signature Homes. "Tom [Buffington and I have assembled a team of experienced leaders from many of these national firms, so we understand where their processes succeed and where they fall short. We spent a lot of time on product development, making sure our designs and our features pick up where the others guys drop off."

According to Buffington, Round Rock's highly-rated schools, major employers and easy access to downtown Austin make the Silver Leaf Community the perfect place to build a new home. And he's not alone: Entrepreneur Magazine recently placed the area at the top of its "Best Places to Buy" list, citing low prices and high job growth as key indicators. As an added bonus, buyers can now enjoy the difference of owning a Buffington Signature Home in this prime location.

"We just opened our Silver Leaf Sales Center, and it's exciting to have a model where people can walk in and really see the difference of our homes," said Grant Whittenberger, Vice President of Sales for Buffington Signature Homes. "The Sales Center gives our customers a chance to experience the innovative floorplans and features in a way you just can't do on paper. We're planning a big Grand Opening celebration in May, but people are welcome to stop in now to tour the homesites and check out our pre-construction pricing specials."

Buffington will soon launch sales in several other communities in the Austin area, and the team anticipates demand for their homes will be high. In May, they will open a model in Forest Oaks, located just off the new 183A toll road in Cedar Park. Later this summer, they will also begin offering homes two premier Austin communities, with openings in The Bridges of Bear Creek and Southpark Meadows.

About Buffington Signature Homes:
Buffington Signature Homes is dedicated to building homes that will last a lifetime. A locally owned company with a wealth of experience, Buffington Signature Homes combines innovative floor plans, skilled craftsmanship and an exceptional buying experience to deliver homes that each and every customer is proud to live in. Proudly building fine communities and new homes in Austin, Round Rock and Pflugerville.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:03 AM | Comments (0)

The Pineapple Corporation Announces Bellissimo, New Collection of Homes at Palermo

The Pineapple Corporation is proud to introduce a brand new collection of semi-custom homes priced from the mid-$400,000s at Palermo.

(PRWEB) April 21, 2008 -- The Pineapple Corporation, builder of new homes in Jacksonville, Florida, is proud to introduce Bellissimo, a brand new collection of semi-custom homes priced from the mid-$400,000s at Palermo. The company's European village-style community is located on Hodges Boulevard between J. Turner Butler and Beach boulevards.

"The Bellissimo Collection provides a great opportunity for homebuyers to purchase and enjoy remarkable semi-custom homes by The Pineapple Corporation with prices starting in the mid-$400,000s," said The Pineapple Corporation's Executive Vice President Spencer T. Calvert. "Our new Bellissimo home designs provide homebuyers with the same fine appointments and features as the Magnifico Home Collection at Palermo, but offered in a smaller-sized home that is attractively priced."

The Pineapple Corporation has created three distinct floor plans for The Bellissimo Collection. The homes range in size from 2,300 to 2,600 square feet and will be built on beautiful 60-foot homesites at Palermo. Homes in The Bellissimo Collection will be designed with superior architectural flow and function and include handsome tile flooring, generous trim packages with base and crown moulding, GE appliances and designer cabinetry. Bellissimo homes offer many of the same exceptional quality features, courtyard concept designs and European architectural details synonymous with the company's other new home collections at Palermo.

"Homebuyers are not going to have to spend money on extensive upgrades; these homes are very well appointed," Calvert said. "The Bellissimo Collection makes the dream of living in a home by The Pineapple Corporation a reality for even more buyers."

When complete, Palermo will feature 133 masterfully crafted semi-custom courtyard homes from The Pineapple Corporation's three distinct product lines - The Magnifico Collection, The Primo Collection and The Bellissimo Collection.

To enhance the community's wonderful setting and lifestyle, The Pineapple Corporation also offers homebuyers the opportunity to purchase a social membership at nearby Glen Kernan Golf & Country Club, which boasts a traditional 18-hole championship golf course and an elegant clubhouse as well as a community sports complex with a Junior Olympic swimming pool, eight lighted Har-Tru clay tennis courts and a fully staffed state-of-the-art fitness center. Homebuyers may upgrade to a full golf membership at Glen Kernan Golf & Country Club if desired.

To learn more, visit The Pineapple Corporation's models at Palermo, which is located on Hodges Boulevard south of Beach Boulevard in Jacksonville. The models are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call (904) 223-8793 or visit www.thepineapplecorp.com.

The Pineapple Corporation is one of the premier builders of luxury custom homes and semi-custom homes in Northeast Florida. Elegance, superior quality and building excellence create the foundation for the company's award-winning designs. The Pineapple Corporation's new homes are showcased in the area's most exclusive neighborhoods including Palermo, Villini at Glen Kernan and Glen Kernan Golf and Country Club. The company's custom home division builds magnificent residences throughout the area, including oceanfront and riverfront homes.

For more information, visit www.thepineapplecorp.com.

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

US-Based Kropp Woodworking, Inc. Partners With UK's Johnny Grey, Ltd.

Michigan Custom Woodworking Shop Teams Up With Top International Kitchen Designer

Mt. Clemens, MI (PRWEB) April 21, 2008 -- Michigan-based custom woodworking firm Kropp Woodworking has partnered with England's premier kitchen designer Johnny Grey. Kropp will be the exclusive US producer of Grey's unique kitchen and cabinetry installation designs.

The decision resulted from Grey's satisfaction with Kropp's previous work for his US presence. According to Grey, the move was cemented by Kropp's reputation for quality, timeliness and ability to execute ground-breaking design elements characteristic of Grey's style. "Kropp Woodworking's blend of state-of-the-art equipment, time-tested traditional techniques and passionate craftsmen ensures my designs are brought to life exactly as I envision them," says Grey. "I believe Kropp Woodworking will truly take Johnny Grey's American presence to the next level."

Paul Kropp, owner of Kropp Woodworking, is pleased to have the relationship with Grey. "Johnny's approach to design meshes well with our capabilities," says Kropp. "We pride ourselves on executing fresh and challenging projects, and our alliance with Johnny really lets us push the envelope." Because Kropp excels in high-end custom cabinetry, handmade furniture and architectural millwork, Kropp believes his shop will execute Grey's designs like no other. "Anyone can attempt to build straight from design drawings. But a close relationship between designer and maker and complete understanding of the philosophies behind those designs are imperative to achieve flawless execution," Kropp says. "The client receives a complete solution that works in perfect harmony with his or her needs and tastes."

Together, Kropp and Grey have executed work in diverse geographic areas including Alaska, California and the East Coast. Kropp and Grey currently are working currently on projects including the San Francisco Ritz Carlton, a multi-million dollar Sonoma, California ranch and a four-story Brooklyn, New York townhouse. They are also bidding on business executing designs for One York, an exclusive Manhattan residence building, as well as the Metropolitan Home Magazine Show House. Echoing Grey's sentiments, Kropp says that their alliance will strengthen both names in the US market. "As partners, we can now better serve our clients by way of full integration. We are successfully establishing the Johnny Grey name in America and are confident we will see continued growth and a lengthening list of satisfied clients as a result of our relationship."

About Kropp Woodworking Inc.
Kropp Woodworking, Inc. is a premier producer of high-end custom cabinetry, handmade furniture and architectural millwork located in Mount Clemens, MI. Through superior customer service and high quality Kropp Woodworking has grown from just the founder Paul Kropp to a solid team of 13 dedicated craftsmen in just 4 years. Through their partnership with English kitchen designer Johnny Grey, Kropp Woodworking now offers products to all of North America. For more information about Kropp Woodworking, please visit www.kroppwoodworking.com.

About Johnny Grey USA, Inc.
Johnny Grey USA, Inc. is the American arm of Johnny Grey Studios. Johnny Grey is a well-respected kitchen designer based in Hampshire, England, and has been heralded as the "The World's Best Kitchen Designer" by Metropolitan Home Magazine - NY, and "The Kitchen Designer's Designer" by Homes & Gardens - London. Johnny now works to train other designers and write about kitchen design. In the US, Johnny Grey trained and certified designers are based in both New York and San Francisco. Examples of their work can be viewed at www.johnnygrey.co.uk.

For more information about Kropp Woodworking, Inc., Johnny Grey USA, Inc. or to schedule an interview with Paul Kropp of Kropp Woodworking, please call 586-463-2300 or email mail@KroppWoodworking.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:00 AM | Comments (0)

InventHelp Client Invents a Redesigned Wrench

An InventHelp client from Charlevoix, Mich., has designed an alternative to traditional wrenches.

Pittsburgh, PA (PRWEB) April 21, 2008 -- InventHelp announces that one of its clients, an inventor from Charlevoix, Mich., has designed an alternative to traditional wrenches. The inventor has created a prototype.

The KLEIBER RATCHET would enable the user to tighten or loosen nuts and bolts quickly and easily, as the tool was developed to provide three to five times more torque than conventional wrenches. The invention also would provide enhanced control. In addition, the device would be ideal for removing lug nuts, and it is producible in a variety of sizes and from different materials.

The inventor came up with the idea based on his professional experience. "Working as a machinist, I realized that I needed a better wrench," he said. "This prompted me to create this tool."

The original design was submitted to the Telemarketing Van Zaig office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 07-AVZ-290, InventHelp, 217 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:00 AM | Comments (0)

American Tire Corporation Proposes Acquisition of Goodyear's OTR Tire Plant

Most of the Goodyear brand OTR tires sold in the U.S. are produced in Goodyear's Topeka plant which is Goodyear's largest and oldest OTR tire production facility with 69 acres under roof. American Tire Corporation proposes to acquire this facility in an official letter dated April 21, 2008 to further expand its OTR tire business.

Chino, Calif. (PRWEB) April 21, 2008 -- In a proposed letter to Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company Board of Directors dated April 21, 2008, American Tire Corporation (ATC) is planning to acquire Goodyear's OTR tire plant located in Topeka, Kansas.

Under the proposal, ATC is going to buy out Goodyear's OTR tire plant in Topeka, Kansas at any reasonable price. Built in 1944 by US government, Goodyear's Topeka tire plant is the largest Goodyear OTR tire plant in the world and the only one in North America. Based on a successful acquisition, ATC is going to spend US$200 million to modernize this old OTR tire plant, increase at least 20% production capacity for all sizes of OTR tires, and create more job opportunities with a better annul pay in the state of Kansas.

According to ATC's official, this proposed acquisition will not affect its manufacturing activities in Washington. It is just, beyond its Washington facility, a further expansion of its OTR tire business. If this acquisition is success, this Goodyear OTR tire facility will, as a complement to ATC Washington's capacity, be modernized by the most advanced technology and sufficient investment. Both production capacity and efficiency will be increased. Meanwhile, its product quality will be improved to the top level in the OTR tire industry.

With the 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 02:00 AM | Comments (0)

With Earth Day Approaching, Landscape Industry Website Aims to Enrich Earth and Contractors by Going Green

Ground Trades Xchange, one of the oldest and most respected landscape industry sites on the web, looks to make sweeping improvements in the environment by educating thousands of landscape contractors in how to install greener landscapes and land more eco-friendly commercial and municipal work. With the current green trend it's possible for landscaping businesses to profit from this work while at the same time improving the environment. With the launch of Greening, the "green wing" of the Ground Trades Xchange, the site intends to show landscape contractors how to achieve both objectives.

Appleton, WI (PRWEB) April 20, 2008 -- Ground Trades Xchange, one of the oldest and most respected landscape industry sites on the web, launches "Greening" content to educate landscape contractors on how to run more eco-friendly businesses while growing their operations via environment-improving contracts.

Greening was launched in an effort to teach contractors in the landscaping industry how to have a lighter environmental footprint, but also to inform contractors of the types of enviro-related work that's becoming both popular and available. Consumers are more interested in buying products and hiring services that are more earth-conscious. Municipalities have a greater interest in reducing the environmental impact of the construction projects within their boundaries. States are legislating environmental considerations as part of most new construction.

The market for eco-friendly landscapes is growing, and though the moniker for the field of landscaping is the 'green industry,' the larger majority of businesses operating in the field really aren't that 'green.' This new launch aims to change that.

"We're assembling a resource for landscape contractors who want learn about these new market opportunities to help them grow their businesses" says Jeff Pozniak, who is both the founder of the site and a landscape contractor in Wisconsin. Pozniak explains that even if some of the companies installing green landscaping projects aren't operating in an ideal, earth-friendly way, the net result is still positive. "And for those contractors with an interest in making their internal operations more eco-friendly, we're also helping those companies find their way. It's like eating grandma's raspberry jelly. You eat it because it tastes good. That it's good for you is a bonus."

Being a reference site for the landscaping industry, the site is in the unique position of being able to address many of the issues that affect the environment today. Planned topics for the site include:

Erosion control - From stream bank protection and restoration to controlling the erosion in residential and commercial developments. Vegetation can be wiped out by erosion and natural living and breeding habitats can be destroyed, caused by both man and nature.

Integrated Pest Management - The use of pesticides and herbicides in the landscape are a source of concern as they can cause disease both in humans and wildlife. Runoff from properties where pest-controlling chemicals were used can end up in the fish and foul we eat. Using an integrated pest management approach means using the least toxic methods for controlling a pest first, then using chemical controls as a means of last resort. Organics, the strict adherence to non-chemical pest controls, will also be covered.

Storm Water Management - The proliferation of impervious surfaces has made the management of storm water a difficult and expensive issue for municipalities to manage. Projects that lessen the impact of rain water on municipal sewer systems can save money and prevent localized flooding disasters. They can also help to recharge the groundwater, and provide one of the best filtration systems for that water on the planet: mother nature. Permeable pavements, rain garden design and installation of bio retention systems will be among the areas covered in this topic.

Green Roofs and waste reduction will also be important topics addressed.

Equally important to Ground Trades Xchange is educating it's member contractors in earning more work from the trend of going green. State departments of natural resources, state and local municipalities are creating or enforcing strict new guidelines for storm water detention and retention in new developments, as well as erosion control and stream bank restoration. "The doors to environmentally friendly work are swinging wide open, and we'd like to be there to introduce ourselves" Pozniak said. "Going green is good for the planet, but it's also going to be good for business. Just imagine the impact we could have on our environment if through this website we could change how a thousand landscape contractors manage their businesses. It's immeasurable."

The Ground Trades Xchange serves it's visitors and members as a repository of knowledge about starting, growing and maintaining a successful landscaping business. Launched in February of 2003, the site has seen steady growth in traffic and popularity and has been profiled in several trade magazines. In 2008 the site will serve content for over 1 million unique visits from contractors, landscape architects, landscape designers, nurseries, manufacturers as well as homeowners improving their backyards.

The site's discussion forums are currently it's most popular feature, with members from across the globe discussing plants and hardscapes as well as landscape design and small business issues. The site also hosts a plant database, technical how-to articles, the site founder's blog and a forum for do-it-yourselfers to get expert advice on their projects.

For additional information about Greening or the Ground Trades Xchange, contact Jeff Pozniak or visit www.groundtradesxchange.com.

Contact: Jeff Pozniak, president
Ground Trades Xchange, LLC
(920)850-3820
http://www.groundtradesxchange.com

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

American Tire Corporation Increases Capacity for 27.00-49 Tires

With a normal performance of 6 - 12 months, American Tire Corporation has to increase its OTR tires capacity, in which the 27.00-49's capacity reaches 10,000 units per year, to supply its confirmed orders worldwide. The 27.00-49 tires are primarily used in mining and construction industries and one of the smallest sizes made by American Tire Corporation.

Chino, California (PRWEB) April 19, 2008 -- American Tire Corporation (ATC) is pleased to announce that its production capacity for Colorado 27.00-49 tires has been increased up to 10,000 units per year.

ATC will, in full capacity, produce Colorado 27.00-49 tires and deliver all of the produced monthly to different countries after May 1, 2008 for the coming years.

ATC's field service engineers will also be sent, with the 27.00-49 tires, to users' mine sites, free of charge, to provide on-site service.

Dr. Abraham Hengyucius, ATC President, said, "Our current market clearly shows that we are doing the right jobs in the OTR tire business. All our current giant OTR tires are able to, and guaranteed to, normally perform more than half a year up to one year at various mine sites from very cold areas such as north Canada to extremely hot areas like Africa. This encourages more and more users so much to employ our Colorado tires for their mining operations. We are happy to see this happening. We will share our success with our global users."

With the 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 01:55 AM | Comments (0)

Thomas Equipment Salutes "Women in Construction" at Expo of Maine

Thomas Equipment and Butch Craig & Sons, a Thomas Skid Steer Dealer based in Auburn, Maine, joined exhibitors at the Construction Expo of Maine to salute "Women in Construction."

Augusta, ME (PRWEB) April 21, 2008 -- Thomas Equipment Inc. and Butch Craig & Sons, a Thomas dealer based in Auburn, Maine, teamed to display Thomas Skid Steer Loaders and attachments for visitors of the annual Construction EXPO of Maine, which this year saluted "Women in Construction."

The Maine Expo, sponsored by the Maine chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction, was held in Augusta, Maine, April 17-20.

Mary Jane Clark, Director of Sales and Services, said, "Thomas congratulates the NAWIC for sponsoring the Construction Expo of Maine in its salute to Women in Construction."

Allan Downey, Thomas' Regional Business Manager for Northeastern USA, said, "Butch Craig & Sons did an outstanding job of presenting the Thomas Skid Steer line at the Maine Expo. It offered an important opportunity to demonstrate to the construction, agriculture and other industries of Maine and New England how Thomas Skid Steer Loaders can add value to their operations."

Gilbert Bedard, Vice President of Global Sales, said, "Thomas was proud to be among companies saluting women in construction at the Maine Expo. Also, as Thomas expands internationally, we are focused on local market needs as we provide Thomas skid steer loaders for customers."

Thomas Equipment is online at www.thomasloaders.com.

Thomas Equipment, Inc. is a unit of Osiris Corporation (OSRS.PK), online at www.osiriscorp.net, which provides a variety of branded and other products to industrial markets through subsidiaries including: Thomas Equipment 2004, Inc.; Thomas Equipment Asia Co. Ltd.; Thomas Ventures, Inc., and Pneutech, Inc. The operating subsidiaries, located in Canada, Europe, and Asia, 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 01:53 AM | Comments (0)

Zoe Industries Launches Line of Eco-Friendly Luxury Shower Heads Online at showerbuddy.com

Zoe Industries announced the availability of their luxury-featured, environmentally friendly shower heads in the Arizona. The evolve(TM) showerhead combines European styling, drenching spray patterns, solid brass fittings, anti-clog spray nozzles and maximum flow rates with the company's innovative ShowerStart(TM) water- and energy-saving technology.

Scottsdale, AZ (PRWEB) April 19, 2008 -- Zoe Industries announced the availability of their luxury-featured, environmentally friendly shower heads in the United States. The evolve(TM) showerhead combines European styling, drenching spray patterns, solid brass fittings, anti-clog spray nozzles and maximum flow rates with the company's innovative ShowerStart(TM) water- and energy-saving technology.

The company says that evolve's integrated ShowerStart technology is driven by a temperature sensor that enables the showerhead to prevent hot water from running down the drain when no one is in the shower -- an event most commonly associated with waiting for the shower to get warm.

"Instead of saving water by reducing the shower's flow rate, evolve's ShowerStart technology saves the hot water that's wasted before you actually get in," "You'll save time, water, energy and money without compromising your comfort - the typical trade off of low-flow shower heads. The evolve shower heads offer a simple, convenient and easy way to be green--no sacrifices, no behavior changes."

According to the company, every time the shower is turned on, the evolve showerhead monitors the water's temperature. Once it is ready for bathing (95o F), evolve's ShowerStart technology automatically slows the water flow to a slight trickle. After finishing the activity they were doing while waiting for the shower to get warm, users simply return to the shower and flip a switch to resume the normal water flow.

Evolve shower heads Priced from $39.95 to $119.95.

Based in Scottsdale, Ariz., the guiding principle of ShowerStart, is to bring conservation into the mainstream by creating products and technologies capable of reducing water and energy consumption without requiring users to sacrifice personal comforts. evolve shower heads with ShowerStart technology were developed with the needs of the typical consumer in mind, and committed to continually creating convenient, simple and user-friendly products that save both water and energy.

For more information or to purchase evolve showerheads, please visit www.showerbuddy.com or Zoe Industries Inc. 1-888-287-1757

About Zoe Industries:
We have been supplying North America with specialty plumbin Suppliesl and Bathroom Accessory products for more than 30 years. It is our mission to simplify the process of finding unique plumbing products for the home thru plumbing wholesaler showrooms, catalogs, and hardware stores. We are proud to bring to you the exclusive luxury plumbing shower heads called Showerbuddy. It will be the style found in all custom homes in the future. Our full line of luxury faucets with PVD finishes will last a lifetime. Over 12,000 Plumbing products developed for the kitchen and bathroom. We supply sinks, faucets, toilets, whirlpools for 75 different manufacturers. Elegant bathroom accessories include towel bars, towel rings, towel racks, clothesline, soap dishes, safety grab bars, shower benches, tub hand rails, toothbrush holders, bath caddies, shower caddies, paper holders, door stoppers etc.

Contact:
David Dewey, President
ShowerBuddy.com
888-287-1757
http://www.showerbuddy.com

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

progeCAD Smart! Website Defaced

progeCAD Smart! the free CAD forum has fallen victim to hackers.

(PRWEB) April 19, 2008 -- progeCAD Smart! the free CAD forum has fallen victim to hackers.

25 March 2008 morning, the website usual content of the smart! forum (http://support.progesoft.com/smart) was replaced by an image claiming the action to be carried out by the Keravnos group.

The hacked material was quickly removed from the site, that meant the visitors managed to access the forum once again

progeCAD 2008 Smart!, powered by the most recent IntelliCAD engine, is derived directly from the professional versions of progeCAD, and maintains all the base functionality of its outstanding parents for free.

Not only progeCAD 2008 Smart! is free, but it is also related to a charitable initiative in favour of Doctors Without Borders for the Darfur.

"Who could be interested in attacking a website promoting free software and linked to charity initiatives?

I hope it is a problem of an error in estimation made by that unknown group presuming themselves 'Hacker'.

We also know many prankster hackers and computer vandals who used software tools and regularly probed the defenses of websites to see if they suffer well-known vulnerabilities. This experience will help us to improve security " said Damiano Croci, Smart! responsible for progeSOFT

progeSOFT website is back and intact again. Normal services are resumed.

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

http://www.poolpartsonline.com [PoolPartsonline.com] is Your Source for Pool and Spa Parts This Year

Pool Parts Store Inc. dba PoolPartsonline.com has taken many steps for this coming season to ensure their website is a valuable tool for replacement parts for swimming pool and spas.

Winter Garden, FL (PRWEB) April 18, 2008 -- The PoolPartsonline.com was designed with simplicity in mind. Easily navigate through thousands of pool parts and spa parts without fancy flash animations or useless pop-up links. From skimmer baskets to complete pumps and heaters and everything in between.

PoolPartsonline.com has everything that a homeowner or property manager would need to fix up that pool or spa at a home, hotel, motel, condominium, community pool or even aquariums.

Some of the new site features this year include an extended collection of replacement spa/jacuzzi parts, hundreds of replacement filter cartridges cross referenced by manufacturer name and number, anti-entrapment main drain covers for added safety and even alarms for the pool, spa or the gates entering the area.

For peace of mind, PoolPartsonline.com has partnered with Authorize.net, as well as Control Scan and Trustwave for PCI compliance verification. They have enabled 2 new payment options including PayPal and Google Checkout for convenience to shoppers. RatePoint has also been added so that consumers can feel re-assured shopping on their site with feed back and ratings from other clients.

As always PoolPartsonline.com takes pride in their quick customer response to inquiries and concerns. Lastly, rest assured that if a part is not on their site, they will do their best to scour the country looking for it and its availability.

PoolPartsonline.com, the world's most comprehensive Pool Parts Store and your Spa Parts source as well. They carry products from all of the major pool equipment and spa equipment manufacturers.

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

April 18, 2008

Prescolite Introduces Upgrades In Emergency Battery Pack Options

New features lead to easier maintenance without jeopardizing optical performance.

Greenville, SC (Vocus/PRWEB ) April 18, 2008 -- Prescolite, a major manufacturer of recessed downlighting for commercial, industrial and residential applications, announces the introduction of its EM Integral option, which combines the indicator light and test button into one component inside the reflector. This removes the traditionally unsightly red button from the ceiling, minimizing distractions for occupants.

Designed to work with the company’s Architektur family of specification-grade six-, eight- and nine- inch downlights, EM Integral was created so it doesn’t affect the optical performance of the intended lighting scheme.

In this updated version, the indicator light can only be seen when standing directly under the fixture. This removes any visible presence of emergency lighting, thus enhancing the comfort of the space.

To reduce the chance of human error, the test switch is pre-wired –- no modification is required upon delivery –- so a contractor can simply install the fixture and then the reflector. Additionally, a dowel rod can be used after installation to access the test switch, which eliminates the need for using a ladder to perform maintenance.

According to Ron Newbold, director of brand management for Prescolite, EM Integral was designed to increase safety for individuals that work, live and play in hospitality, commercial and residential structures, while offering high-performance and ease-of-maintenance benefits for contractors and service personnel.

“One of Prescolite’s objectives is to continually improve our designs to not only ensure safety, but to maximize optical performance in any setting,” added Newbold.

Prescolite, a division of Hubbell Lighting, is a major manufacturer of high performance down lighting, track lighting, and surface lighting serving commercial, industrial and residential markets. Literature, specifications and pricing information is available from Prescolite, 701 Millennium Drive, Greenville, S.C. 29607. Telephone: (864) 678-1121. Fax: (864) 678-1141. Visit Prescolite online at www.prescolite.com.

Media Contact:
Kim Banks
Prescolite
864.678.1121

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:37 AM | Comments (0)

Utility Industry Veteran Joins AirAdvice Energy Team

AirAdvice, Inc., announced today a consulting agreement with Tom Foley, a 30-year utility industry veteran who was most recently President and Chairman of the Board for the Energy Trust of Oregon. His leadership at the Trust helped to develop one of the most innovative, nationally recognized efforts to promote energy conservation programs to consumers and businesses.

Portland, OR (PRWEB) April 18, 2008 -- AirAdvice, Inc., announced today a consulting agreement with Tom Foley, a 30-year utility industry veteran who was most recently President and Chairman of the Board for the Energy Trust of Oregon. His leadership at the Trust helped to develop one of the most innovative, nationally recognized efforts to promote energy conservation programs to consumers and businesses. Many of those programs are now being used by utilities in other parts of the country.

At AirAdvice, Foley will work closely with the leadership team to shape the company's strategic direction in the utility market as the company expands its BuildingAdvice™ program for commercial building energy diagnostic solutions.

"I quickly became a big believer in AirAdvice's hardware and software solutions," says Foley. "The opportunity for this technology to contribute to the effectiveness of energy assessments, building certification, and the measurement and verification of energy savings is significant. It's exactly what the industry needs to increase the scale by which energy assessments are conducted and conservation measures are implemented, ultimately ensuring power is removed from the grid."

AirAdvice began shipping BuildingAdvice in November 2007. BuildingAdvice, a portable building performance assessment platform, integrates a network of wireless sensors with energy assessment software to:

Quickly rate the energy performance of commercial buildings
Identify opportunities for reducing energy costs and improving the efficiency of HVAC systems
Accurately calculate the return on investment for proposed energy conservation measures

"In just a few months since the launch of BuildingAdvice we've gained momentum with HVAC mechanical service and controls contractors, consulting engineers, and some large, national service organizations," says Jim Crowder, AirAdvice CEO. "Every day we are seeing first-hand how bringing the capability to provide energy services where it didn't exist before fuels additional demand for the service. It opens the door for exciting growth potential for our customers. Having access to an industry expert with Tom's wealth of experience brings us a great sounding board on which to test new ideas and accelerate our pace of innovation."

Foley adds, "One of the big challenges utilities face is reaching the vast numbers of small and medium sized customers with viable programs to not just identify opportunities to reduce energy use, but more importantly, to create action at the building owner to affect change. Everyone immediately sees the value in BuildingAdvice to do that. AirAdvice's ability to develop a channel to deliver this service on a large scale will be very valuable to utilities."

Foley brings over 30 years of utility experience to AirAdvice. In addition to his leadership role at the Energy Trust of Oregon, he has held management positions as the Northwest Power Planning Council and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. He has also worked as an independent consultant to the energy industry since 1995.

About AirAdvice, Inc.
AirAdvice, Inc., headquartered in Portland, Oregon, was founded in 1999 to help people improve their quality of life by taking charge of their indoor environment.

AirAdvice develops innovative technologies to monitor and analyze building performance and indoor environment factors that impact system and building efficiency, as well as occupant comfort, health, and safety. The company's HomeAdvice™ and BuildingAdvice™ systems enable contractors, facility managers, and building owners to identify opportunities to reduce energy costs, improve the operational efficiency of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and solve indoor environmental quality issues.

More than 1,500 contractors and 30 distribution companies across North America use the HomeAdvice™ and BuildingAdvice™ systems. For more information, contact AirAdvice at www.airadvice.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:34 AM | Comments (0)

Inspiration on Green Mountain Breaks Ground 1st Quarter of 2008

Huntsville's first NAHB certified community begins road construction in the first quarter of 2008.

(PRWEB) April 18, 2008 -- In early February, Love Development of Alabama received the final approval for construction of the much anticipated project, Inspiration on Green Mountain. This is the first Green Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Development certified by the NAHB (National Association of Home Builder's) Standards. "We understand there are limited natural resources available", stated Bob Spence, managing partner of Love Development. Their company recognizes the need to minimize the environmental impact by creating communities engineered as part of the natural environment.

Deliberate care is being taken by the developer to create balance and harmony with nature. The project has multiple options for green home sites and home styles. There are three types of home sites to choose from: Manor Sites, Bluff Sites, and Estate Sites. These sites have pre-engineered landscaping guidelines designed to preserve green areas on each lot. There will be many custom designed home plans to choose. The plans are Southern Mountain Vernacular homes expressive in three distinct styles: Arts & Crafts, Victorian and Classical styles.

The infrastructure construction and home site layout are in progress, and will last for several months. The first home will begin construction late in 2008. Presales of Phase-I will begin in a few months but reservations maybe submitted at anytime. Bob Spence and the Inspiration staff will be overseeing all phases of sales and construction.

Inspiration on Green Mountain offers residents world-class amenities designed to embrace nature at her finest. At Inspiration Point Clubhouse, reserved exclusively for home site owners, residents can cool off in the refreshing waters of the pool or challenge themselves with a workout in the fitness room. The outdoor pavilion area, overlooking the pool, provides panoramic bluff views of the Flint River Valley below and is perfect for outdoor entertainment and gatherings with family and friends. For a relaxing afternoon, take a walk along quiet streets or venture below the bluff to explore nature on a meandering trail of hardwood canopy, budding dogwood and cool, green landscape.

Huntsville is experiencing explosive growth and Huntsville AL Real Estate market is strong. Inspiration on Green Mountain is a needed project of Huntsville Homes for sale. Green is becoming more important for our planet and this community will set the standard for Huntsville Alabama and northern Alabama. The surrounding area has abundant green space. With the majestic mountains, lush meadows and flowing waterways, it is a nature lover's paradise. As the population grows, Love Development of Alabama, is designing communities to complement our nature and create a heritage for years to come.

For more information about Inspiration on Green Mountain
Contact Bob Spence 256-883-1801

Press release service provided by Legacy Real Estate Marketing
For marketing information contact Bryan Pearl 256-513-1801

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:34 AM | Comments (0)

LegalView Mesothelioma Blog Reports on Whistleblower Who Was Allegedly Fired for Reporting Improper Asbestos Cleanup to Authorities

LegalView recently updated its mesothelioma blog to include reports of a whistleblower being fired after he reported improper asbestos cleanup. The worker who refused to sign off on the demolition of the school was dismissed from his job duties permanently after he reported the improper procedure cleanup to officials.

Denver, CO (PRWEB) April 18, 2008 -- LegalView, the number one resource for everything legal on the Web, recently updated its mesothelioma blog with news of the firing of an alleged whistleblower who attempted to report improper asbestos cleanup of a local high school. The city worker was part of a crew that was to demolition an old schoolhouse. The worker allegedly told city managers that the schoolhouse was filled with asbestos and would be hazardous if improper asbestos removal procedures were not followed. However, after the worker refused to sign off on the demolition and spoke out, he was fired, according to reports.

Asbestos is a hazardous chemical that is often found in insulation of many older buildings including government buildings, offices, homes, apartments, universities and schools. It is derived of vermiculite, which was heavily mined early on in the 20th century throughout the world. Asbestos was revered for its qualities of being cost efficient and its ability to insulate sufficiently without catching on fire as easily as other insulations. However, it was discovered that breathing in asbestos fibers and dust caused a deadly form of lung cancer to develop. Additionally, areas that currently contain asbestos must follow strict procedures and methods from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for removal, otherwise asbestos fibers will likely be released into the air and contaminate surrounding areas and individuals. Those who feel they have been previously exposed to asbestos fibers should contact a mesothelioma lawyer for immediate assistance on building a case.

Mesothelioma cancer can take years to develop and is incurable. It is often misdiagnosed, as symptoms of mesothelioma cancer are similar to many other illnesses. Individuals who have contracted mesothelioma should speak with an experienced medical attorney and receive a consultation on a potential mesothelioma lawsuit. To learn more about this recent mesothelioma blog posting as well as additional up-to-date news, reports and information on recent mesothelioma jury verdicts, visit http://mesothelioma.legalview.com/.

In addition to the extensive mesothelioma information portal, LegalView offers information on an assortment of other legal issues that may disrupt the lives of millions of Americans. Information on issues such as pharmaceutical investigations, including the latest Singulair recall, preventable conditions like Erb's Palsy, diseases, illnesses, accidents, chemical exposure, employment discrimination, etc.

LegalView even provides news on the most recent traumatic brain injury treatments, available through LegalView's Web site. Also on the brain injury site, readers can find information on what may be involved with filing a brain injury lawsuit.

On the Singulair practice area, readers will be able to access the latest news on the prescription drug, which had been under investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after reports began to surface about Singulair side effects that can allegedly include moodiness, suicidal behaviors and thoughts.

Additionally, using the Erb's Palsy information portal will provide victims and their families insight into the cause of their condition as well as opportunities for developing an Erb's Palsy lawsuit for potential monetary compensation to help pay for costly medical bills commonly associated with this condition. Erb's Palsy can be a debilitating condition and is usually preventable. It is associated with birth-canal complications that have occurred when an infant's shoulders or head became lodged, causing damage to the nerve system controlling arm movement. While Erb's Palsy often can clear on its own through time, many individuals still require physical therapy and many will need surgery to fix their condition. Those who suffer from this disease are advised to use LegalView's site to easily be referred to a qualified Erb's Palsy lawyer.

About LegalView:
LegalView.com is a public service brought to you by Legal WebTV Network, LLC, a Limited Liability Corporation created by a group of the nation's most highly respected law firms: Anapol Schwartz; Brent Coon and Associates; Burg Simpson; Cohen, Placitella and Roth; James F. Humphreys and Associates; Lopez McHugh; and Thornton and Naumes. For more information on the accomplishments and track records of LegalView.com's superior sponsoring law firms and to get in touch with LegalView attorneys, visit LegalView at www.LegalView.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:34 AM | Comments (0)

AmericaHomeToday.com Launches Utah Home Makeover 2008

AmericaHomeToday.com today announced the launch of Home Makeover 2008, a contest that will award one deserving Utah family with a $50,000 home remodel.

Salt Lake City, Utah (PRWEB) April 18, 2008 -- AmericaHomeToday.com today announced the launch of Home Makeover 2008, a contest that will award one deserving Utah family with a $50,000 home remodel. AmericaHomeToday.com is a localized resource and rating community connecting homeowners and home service professionals. The company will join with KSL and the home service professionals featured on their site to give one lucky homeowner a home remodel later this year.

Utahans can nominate deserving families from April 18 to September 1 at http://www.americahometoday.com/homemakeover/stories.php after completing a simple site registration. Each submission should include a description of the family being nominated and why they are deserving of a home makeover. Photos and video of the nominated families are also encouraged.

"With a slowing economy and housing market, we know there are many struggling Utah families," said Zak Nugent, CEO of AmericaHomeToday.com. "As a local resource for Utah homeowners, we want to lighten the burden for one deserving family. I'm excited to see the inspiring submissions, and can't wait to complete the winning remodel."

During the submission period, each nominated family can be rated by the public on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the most deserving of a home makeover. After the September 1 deadline, the top 10 rated families will be researched to confirm they are truly in need of a home remodel, and then a celebrity panel will choose the winning family.

AmericaHomeToday.com and their home service professionals will then award the winning family with a $50,000 home remodel to be completed in just 10 days. For more information or to nominate a deserving family, please visit http://www.americahometoday.com/homemakeover/stories.php.

About AmericaHomeToday.com:
AmericaHomeToday.com is a localized resource and rating community connecting homeowners and home service professionals who share a common goal - excellence. The site offers homeowners resources in four essential categories: contractors, mortgage lenders, real estate agents and suppliers. Homeowners use AmericaHomeToday.com to find answers to home-related questions, rate and review home service professionals and build the right team to get the home they want. Home service professionals increase their credibility and grow their business by finding motivated homeowners on AmericaHomeToday.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:33 AM | Comments (0)

Lending Firm Set to Begin Development Projects in Baja California

LendingGateway.com has a master plan of action to begin further development around the remote beach community of San Felipe on the Sea of Cortez.

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) April 18, 2008 -- LendingGateway.com announced at a developer lunch yesterday the company's plans to spearhead development of resorts, condos, infrastructure, and community projects and housing in and around the beautiful San Felipe beach community. Earlier this month, several executives representing LendingGateway.com and investors visited the area to inspect some of the company's client properties and found the region untapped and miles of beachfront property in need of investment and development.

Alex Capio, CEO of Lending Gateway, and Ian Boshoff, CFO of Lending Gateway, attended meetings with local land owners, developers, and local and regional government officials of the San Felipe area. The general consensus of the meetings is the region needs more marketing to attract more North American retirees, more infrastructure, and more affordable housing for the growing local population.

"Currently, over 10,000 North Americans have purchased condos or houses in the San Felipe area," said Alex Capio at the developer lunch, "The area has outstanding weather and a peaceful atmosphere. With all the untapped potential, we will bring our partners and invite additional investors to lead development in the region."

The Lending Gateway team has planed additional trips to the area to work with the local government to secure humanitarian project funding to assist not only in hotel and resort construction, but also to create jobs and aid the local economy.

"We are seeking to fund humanitarian projects in San Felipe" explains Ian Boshoff, "We require a 15MM investment to lock in our funding of 130MM. The investor's funds will remain in the investor's account, never moved, and will remain blocked until the project is completed. There is a need for low-income housing, schools, and hospitals in this area."

San Felipe is 125 miles south of the International border between Calexico, California and Mexicali, Baja California, the primary route to San Felipe is via Mexico's Federal Highway 5. A secondary route exists via Tijuana following Highway 1 south to Ensenada, Highway 3 east to Highway 5 and south from there to San Felipe.

LendingGateway.com's lending partners allow for funding of all types of commercial loans. In addition the company is frequently adding lenders, banks, and private investment groups, including hedge funds, to take on larger commercial development projects. To apply for a residential loan click here. To submit your commercial or investment project click here. If you have any questions call our office at 619-624-9198 or email (info @ lendinggateway.com).

LendingGateway.com is a privately owned online financial network with lenders and consumers. Borrowers can get help with their loans by visiting to sign up for lender services or call 619-624-9198.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:30 AM | Comments (0)

Blade Sharpening Device Invented by InventHelp Client

An InventHelp client from Flag Pond, Tenn., has designed a device to be used with wood planer blades.

Pittsburgh, PA (PRWEB) April 18, 2008 -- InventHelp announces that one of its clients, an inventor from Flag Pond, Tenn., has designed a device to be used with wood planer blades. The inventor has created a prototype.

The PLANER BLADE SHARPENER is designed to sharpen wood planer blades, and it would eliminate the need to discard dull blades. This device would save time and effort and also would be ideal for use by woodworkers. In addition, the PLANER BLADE SHARPENER would be producible for use with a variety of blades.

The inventor developed the PLANER BLADE SHARPENER to help him out with a hobby. He said, "I enjoy woodworking in my spare time, but each blade I used had to be thrown away as it dulled. I came up with this as way to save not only my blades, but also my time."

The original design was submitted to the Columbia office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 07-CBA-833, InventHelp, 217 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:30 AM | Comments (0)

InventHelp Client Invents Hole Saw Accessory

An InventHelp client from Hurricane, Utah, has designed an accessory that would increase the versatility of a hole saw.

Pittsburgh, PA (PRWEB) April 18, 2008 -- InventHelp announces that one of its clients, an inventor from Hurricane, Utah, has designed an accessory that would increase the versatility of a hole saw. The inventor has created a prototype.

PETE'S 2ND CHANCE was developed to provide a convenient way to make adjustments to an existing hole. The invention would enable the user to correct mistakes quickly and easily. The device also would reduce the amount of material wasted due to improper hole sizing. In addition,

PETE'S 2ND CHANCE would be adaptable for use with any hole saw, and it is producible in a variety of sizes.

The inventor came up with the idea based on his personal experience. "If I make a mistake when using my hole saw and drill a hole too small, there's no easy way to enlarge it. I came up with this idea to solve the problem," he said.

The original design was submitted to the Las Vegas office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 07-VEG-201, InventHelp, 217 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:30 AM | Comments (0)

Penetron Strives to Improve Global Health Through Support of Engineers Without Borders

ICS Penetron International, Ltd. announced their support of Engineers Without Borders-USA.

East Setauket, NY (PRWEB) April 18, 2008 -- ICS Penetron International, Ltd. announced their involvement and support of Engineers Without Borders-USA, a non-profit humanitarian organization that strives to improve the quality of life of developing communities worldwide. Penetron, a leading manufacturer in the field of integral crystalline capillary systems for the waterproofing, protection and repair of concrete, has committed its forces to the EWB organization through corporate, chapter and individual member sponsorships as well as material and technical support.

The EWB-USA Annual Conference held at the University of Washington had over 600 attendees comprised of engineering students, academia and private enterprise professionals. The conference focused on the issues related to Sustainable Engineering and Global Health. "Both topics are interrelated and cannot be separated when developing healthy, peaceful and sustainable communities. Engineers need to know about health conditions in order to select appropriate and sustainable solutions," stated Bernard Amadei, PhD/Founder of EWB-USA.

The keynote speaker Bill Gates Sr., co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation offered an inspirational speech to the attendees, affirming the audience of their social responsibility and challenging them to be active in implementing sustainable engineering solutions to significantly impact the developing communities in which they serve. The keynote speech was followed by an open Q & A session which Gates Sr. tackled difficult questions/issues from students and professionals alike. The Awards Gala was held at the Boeing Museum of Flight and was headed up by Bonnie Dunbar, the president and CEO of the Museum and former NASA astronaut. Accolades and awards were presented to the various chapters for their work in disadvantaged communities across the globe.

In support of the event, Penetron provided scholarships for two Student Chapters; the University of Iowa and the University of Texas at Austin. Jessica Smith, chapter President of the University of Iowa (http://www.uiesw.org/) shared their process of implementing a future project in Ecuador. Christopher Lombardo, chapter President of EWB-UT/Electrical Engineering PhD student, and his colleagues offered insight to their missions to utilize their available resources to implement basic infrastructure projects in developing communities and to train internationally responsible engineering students through real-life, hands-on projects. Currently the EWB-UT chapter has five ongoing projects--water projects in Limbe, Cameroon; Sieykin Naso Community in Panama and Jaboncillos Chicos, Mexico; a computer project in Coahuila Desert and a Mobile HQ Project to improve overall project functionality. Further information can be found at http://www.engr.utexas.edu/ewb/projects.html.

"It's amazing to feel the level of empowerment from EWB's mission that has energized the organization, both collectively and individually, to fight against the injustices that exist across the globe today. The level of professionalism, responsibility and action displayed by EWB is truly inspiring and is an excellent framework for igniting and accomplishing social change. Penetron is fortunate to be a part of this essential and emergent movement," stated Sue Yi, Corporate Relations of ICS Penetron International.

EWB-USA is a national non-profit whose mission is to partner with developing communities around the world to implement environmentally, economically and socially sustainable engineering projects, while providing training and experience to globally responsible students and professionals. Established in 2002, EWB-USA now has over 11,000 members engaged in over 300 projects around the world, providing access to basic needs like clean water, sanitation and renewable energy. For more information on Engineers Without Borders-USA or to learn how you can get involved, please visit http://www.ewb-usa.org/index.php or contact Heidi Dormody at heidi.dormody@ewb-usa.org or 720-204-3194.

ICS Penetron International, Ltd., is a leading manufacturer of integral crystalline waterproofing and repair products for concrete with a manufacturing and service network that spans more than 60 countries. For more information on Penetron products, please visit our website at www.penetron.com, contact Ann Martucci or Sue Yi at 631-941-9700 or email at info@penetron.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:29 AM | Comments (0)

Builder Radio Takes Program to Local Markets

BuilderRadio.com, an on-line training support system for new home sales professionals, will be taking its programs to 4 local markets in May and June, with a seminar series titled "Selling New Homes the Easy Way". These programs will be conducted by some of the top sales and marketing professionals in the housing industry.

Farmington, CT (PRWEB) April 17, 2008 -- BuilderRadio, an on-line training support system for new home sales professionals, will be taking its programs to 4 local markets in May and June, with a seminar series titled "Selling New Homes the Easy Way". These programs will be conducted by some of the top sales and marketing professionals in the housing industry.

Locations:
May 14th Houston, TX
Presenters: Brian Flook, MIRM, Bob Hafer, MIRM, CSP, Ross Robbins, MIRM, CMP, Jerry Rouleau, Scott Stroud & Bill Webb, MIRM, CMP, CSP

May 16th Minneapolis, MN
Presenters: Brian Flook, MIRM, Bob Hafer, MIRM, CSP, Ross Robbins, MIRM, CMP, Jerry Rouleau, Tom Stephani, MIRM, MCSP, GMB & Scott Stroud

June 3rd Los Angeles, CA (metro market area)
Presenters: Bob Hafer, MIRM, CSP, Brian Flook, MIRM, Jerry Rouleau, Manny Schatz, MIRM, ARCS, & Scott Stroud

June 5th San Francisco, CA (metro market area)
Presenters: Bob Hafer, MIRM, CSP, Brian Flook, MIRM, Jerry Rouleau, Manny Schatz, MIRM, ARCS, CAASH & Scott Stroud

BuilderRadio.com is an online radio show, focusing on sales tips for builders and new home salespeople. Currently, an estimated 1,500 people per week, listen to the program that offers tips and ideas on how to connect with buyers, drive traffic and increase sales. The program interviews top sales people, sales managers and trainers from all over the country and they share with the listening audience, what's working for them now to drive sales.

The weekly program, subtitled "The Monday Morning Sales Meeting", is posted on their website every Monday morning, in time for salespeople or groups to 'click on' and get an instant guest speaker for their sales meetings. Recent programs have included nationally known trainers such as Robert August, Ross Robbins, Bonnie Alfriend, Hal Von Nessen, Charles J. Clark III, Manny Schatz, Bill Webb, Jerry Costanzo, Brian Flook, Mary Dewalt, John Underwood, Bob Hafer, Roger Fiehn, & William Woodard as well as many top builders and salespeople. Eric Lipar, of LGI Homes, one of the top 200 builders in the country, was interviewed about how his company continues to set sales records, while other builders are going bust. Other programs feature topics such as model merchandising, market positioning, and how to host a homebuyer seminar. "We try to cover topics and ideas that salespeople can hear and put to immediate use," says Jerry Rouleau the creator of the program, himself a popular trainer and speaker. "There's no fluff. Here, the training if free. Sales people just click the 'play' button and listen."

All programs are archived on their site, so visitors can visit the website and take their pick from over 25 pre-recorded meetings, with a new one being added each week. In addition to the audio, an article about the interview is also available so that visitors have their choice of listening to the interview or reading the highlights. Both the articles and the audio files can be downloaded to a computer, on an mp3 player, or iPod.

Housing professionals, who are looking to increase your income by increasing your skill levels, will find this seminar series very beneficial. Attendee cost for these one-day events is $89. Additional information on topics, speakers and registration, can be found on www.BuilderRadio.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:27 AM | Comments (0)

Getting Eco-Friendly With An EcoBroker

Catalyst Communities, the developer of Aura at Camelback, a transformative 36-unit sustainable luxury living community to be built in Phoenix's Camelback Corridor has teamed up with Prudential Arizona Properties and EcoBroker Certified® real estate professional Sara Fritz to give home buyers expert guidance from specially-trained real estate brokers in identifying and buying energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly homes such as Aura at Camelback.

Phoenix, AZ (PRWEB) April 17, 2008 -- Catalyst Communities, the developer of Aura at Camelback, a transformative 36-unit sustainable luxury living community to be built in Phoenix's Camelback Corridor has teamed up with Prudential Arizona Properties and EcoBroker Certified® real estate professional Sara Fritz to give home buyers expert guidance from specially-trained real estate brokers in identifying and buying energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly homes such as Aura at Camelback.

CEO/Owner and Designated Broker of Prudential Arizona Properties, Vic Getsinger, said the EcoBroker premise is simply a sign of the times. "Environmentally-friendly programs such as this are a response to what the market is asking for and a service we are proud to give back to the community in this way," Getsinger said.

Sara Fritz, Associate Broker, is Prudential Arizona Properties' first Certified EcoBroker®, focused exclusively on the Aura at Camelback development. Fritz explained her interest in the program saying, "I was intrigued with the program since I have always been interested in the environment, healthy living and how to incorporate more green elements into my daily life."

Aura at Camelback is located in a business, shopping and entertainment district known as the Camelback Corridor, one of the most sought after destinations in Arizona. Units at Aura range from 2,469 to 3,147 square feet and are priced from $900,000 to $1.3 million. Each residence will be fitted with a state-of-the-art solar photovoltaic system from Agenera, a Phoenix-based solar electricity service provider and will generate up to 100 percent of the electricity needs of the unit. The solar electricity system is so efficient Catalyst Communities is offering a zero electricity bill "guarantee" for the first five years of residence. Aura at Camelback is designed as a Silver LEED for Homes (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) development, a national benchmark from the U.S. Green Building Council for the design, construction and operation of high performing green buildings.

"Aura at Camelback's philosophy is built upon attracting like-minded individuals who are looking for Sustainable Luxury Living," said Chad Gifford, president of Catalyst Communities, the developer of Aura at Camelback. "The EcoBroker concept simply solidifies this ideology."

The EcoBroker International's education and designation program is designed exclusively for real estate professionals who care about the environment. The program provides a complete curriculum of energy and environmental training to licensed real estate agents. Aura at Camelback will break ground in May 2008 with completion scheduled for mid-2009.

About Aura at Camelback by Catalyst Communities
Based in Phoenix, Arizona, Catalyst Communities was formed in 2006 to promote a new approach to homebuilding called "sustainable luxury living" and branded "Aura." The first development, "Aura at Camelback" is Catalyst's flagship urban townhouse community being built in Phoenix's Camelback Corridor. To be completed in mid-2009, the development redefines how developers can creatively combine three key elements of a quality lifestyle: luxury living, environmentally conscious design and a close-knit community. With Aura at Camelback, Catalyst Communities has pledged to make an energy efficient property certified as a silver LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) residential community as determined by the U.S. Green Building Council and Zero Energy Homes as determined by the U.S. Department of Energy. Dates and pricing are provided in good faith, but not guaranteed. Aura at Camelback is an Equal Opportunity housing provider. For more information, please visit www.auraatcamelback.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:27 AM | Comments (0)

Five Tips to Enhance Your Pool Deck Before Summer Arrives

Spruce up your pool deck before summer arrives using these five tips. ConcreteNetwork.com has put together a list of helpful tips for enhancing and getting the most out of your pool deck.

Yucaipa, CA (PRWEB) April 17, 2008 -- With summer just around the corner, it's likely your pool will be getting used more frequently. If it needs some freshening up, the Concrete Network offers five easy tips to spruce up a pool deck without having to tear out and replace it. Oftentimes, just simple fixes can give your pool deck a fresh, new look.

One of the biggest trends in outdoor design today is a decorative concrete pool deck, a colored, textured and inviting area surrounding the pool that does more than provide a an area for sunbathing and barbecuing. Concrete pool decks are now given nearly as much attention as the interior design of the home.

Below is a sample of the many tips you can find on enhancing an existing pool deck before summer arrives:
1. Planters and foliage. With the addition of colorful planters, pool decks can be given a fresh, new look. Exotic foliage surrounding pool areas can transform plain backyards into tropical oases. Exotic plants and flowers can also soothe the senses with exotic aromas.
2. Storage containers. Hard to come by storage space can be easily remedied with a lightweight storage container. Pool supplies and toys can be conveniently stored in these containers that often double as a seat bench when closed. Pool decks will look clean and free from clutter.
3. Liven up the mood with music. Outdoor, all-weather speakers can bring the party outside. Wireless speakers offer relatively easy installation, and often they can be concealed in planters, or are made to look like rocks that fit in with the surroundings.
4. New furniture. Tables, lawn chairs and other furniture pieces can provide a comfortable sitting area for guests to dry off after a cool dip in the pool. Lawn chairs provide a nice seating area for relaxing and reading by the pool.
5. Apply a decorative stain. A plain, gray concrete patio can be transformed into a colorful work of art with decorative concrete stains. Although a more advanced tip, contractors can be hired to complete a project in just one weekend. Custom colors can be created to match the existing home's exterior or the surrounding landscape.

These are just a few of the many factors to consider when enhancing your pool deck. Browse through the site's concrete pool decks 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 Davis Colors; photo by John Siskin.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:27 AM | Comments (0)

Summerour and Associates Design Cottage-Style Homes at Mountain and Golf Community Currahee Club

Renowned Architect Keith Summerour Showcases His Architectural Talent in Currahee's Cottage Homes

Atlanta (PRWEB) April 17, 2008 -- Batson Cook Development Co., in partnership with Millichap Development Group, has broken ground on the Coneflower Lane Cottages, a charming 20-cottage neighborhood in the midst of Currahee Club, a gated mountain and golf community. Designed by nationally acclaimed architect Keith Summerour of Summerour and Associates, these inspired cottage homes blend traditional southern architecture with high-quality craftsmanship characteristic of Summerour design. Coneflower Lane Cottages recently welcomed its first homeowner, and is the perfect respite for golfers, outdoor enthusiasts and those simply seeking a peaceful mountain and golf retreat.

The Coneflower Lane Cottages are set among an expanse of beautiful purple coneflowers, for which the cottage homes are named, and offer unprecedented views of the sixth, seventh and eighth holes and surrounding ridgelines. The cottages reflect Summerour's love for the traditions of an earlier age, as evidenced by the neighborhood's design elements that encourage interaction amongst homeowners.

"Currahee Club is focused on family, and we wanted that to be evident in the design and layout of the cottage homes," said Keith Summerour - principal, Summerour and Associates. "The floor plans of these homes are conducive to conversation and interaction, and natural elements are showcased throughout the homes to complement their surroundings," he added.

The semi-circular layout of the Coneflower Lane Cottages features a central motorcourt where homeowners can store their cars and golf carts, the latter which can be used for transportation throughout the close-knit mountain and golf community. A stone fireplace with an oak timber mantel is the centerpiece of each home, providing a gathering spot for family and friends. Oil-rubbed bronze hardware and antique oak details create an old-world ambience. With thoughtful architectural accents like rough-sawn wood walls and cedar shingles, the cottage homes blend seamlessly into the untouched mountain landscape. Oversized screened-in porches provide the ideal spot to watch the sun set over the Blue Ridge Mountains or colorful butterflies gather atop the myriad of coneflowers and perennials that envelop the setting.

"Keith Summerour's talent for innovative, customized design has allowed us to further establish Currahee Club as the premier lake, mountain, and golf community in the southeast," said Chris Whitley - partner, Currahee Club.

Prices for the Coneflower Lane Cottages begin at $729,000. The available floor plans for these two-story cottage homes include 4 bedrooms and 3.5 baths, 3 bedrooms and 3.5 baths and 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. Located adjacent to the planned swimming pool, playgrounds and amphitheater and a stone's throw from the recently-opened magnificent 48,000-square-foot Golf Clubhouse, cottage homeowners will enjoy living near many of Currahee Club's amenities, from hiking the mountain to a golf course that is nationally renowned. The cottage homes are being developed by Batson-Cook Development Co., whose parent company constructed the Five-Star Cloister Hotel at Sea Island, Ga., and Millichap Development Group.

About Currahee Club
Currahee Club, a golf, lake and mountain 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.

About Summerour and Associates
Summerour and Associates was founded by Keith Summerour in 1991 and emphasizes personal service, design, urban planning and project management. The firm's work includes private residences, boutique commercial projects, mixed use buildings and resort development projects. Summerour and Associates is headquartered in Atlanta, Ga. with additional studios in St. Simons Island, Ga., Cashiers, N.C. and Florence, Italy. The firm also has received recognition as one of the top 100 architecture firms by the Institute of Classical Architecture.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:26 AM | Comments (0)

artnet Launches Design Marketplace

artnet launches Design Marketplace featuring modern and contemporary design by renowned designers including Carlo Mollino, Isamu Noguchi, Jean Royère, Marc Newson and Zaha Hadid. The launch features modern & contemporary furniture and decorative arts from over 150 galleries in 75 countries.

New York, NY and Berlin, Germany (PRWEB) April 17, 2008 -- artnet today announced the launch of its online Design Marketplace, www.artnet.com/designmarketplace, featuring modern & contemporary furniture and decorative arts from over 150 galleries in 75 countries.

The site features over 3,000 works for sale at the world's leading design galleries and upcoming auctions worldwide. The works offered on the site represent the finest in modern and contemporary design by over 1,000 renowned designers including Carlo Mollino, Isamu Noguchi, Jean Royère, Marc Newson and Zaha Hadid, among many others.

The site's search functionality enables users to browse the Marketplace by designer, object type, style/period, price and location of the item. Detailed information is provided for each work, and interested buyers can email the seller directly from the site. All sellers are members of artnet's gallery network. New works are added daily.

"We are delighted to provide this service to the design community," said Bill Fine, President of artnet. "artnet's Design Marketplace provides a centralized site for design buyers and sellers to communicate instantly, inexpensively and globally."

About artnet:
artnet has been online since 1995 and is host to 2,000,000 visitors each month. Through its Price Database of 3.6 million auction sales results and its Gallery Network of over 2,000 galleries worldwide, artnet is the leading online resource for the international art market. With the new Design Marketplace, artnet is adding a searchable database of modern and contemporary design to its successful information services, as well as online art auctions.

Press contact:
Sarah Bradley
artnet Worldwide Inc.
61 Broadway, 23rd floor
New York, NY 10006-2701, U.S.A.
Tel: +1-212-497-9700 ext: 197
sbradley(at)artnet.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:22 AM | Comments (0)

Davis Frame Timber Frame Company Announces Release of new Timber Frame Design Workbook

A companion to their award winning Timber Frames: Designing Your Custom Home timber frame book, the Design Workbook includes useful tools to start documenting your needs and wants in a custom timber frame home. Included are budget plans, needs analysis, reference materials, building timelines...and more.

Claremont, NH (PRWEB) April 17, 2008 -- Davis Frame Company is proud to announce that their Timber Frame Design Workbook is ready for purchase!

The Design Workbook is intended to help the Davis Frame client focus his or her ideas about the timber frame home he or she would like to build. This process includes duel benefits: it allows you to become very clear about what you want; and it enables you to communicate your ideas effectively to your builder to help ensure the final outcome is what your vision is. Davis Frame has also included worksheets, photographs for inspiration, as well as graph paper and sample layouts to help you visualize the proportions and aesthetics of the rooms you are considering.

All in all, if you are thinking about building a new timber frame home, Davis Frame's Timber Frame Design Workbook is an invaluable "must have!"

To order, please call 800.636.0993 and ask for Nancy.

For a limited time, Davis Frame will include a free copy of their Designing Your Custom Home timber frame book with every purchase of our Timber Frame Design Workbook.

For more information on timber frame and post and beam design, please visit Davis Frame or their timber frame blog.

About Davis Frame:
Davis Frame designs and manufactures energy efficient and luxury timber frame and post and beam homes. The company also builds heavy timber trusses, commercial timber frames, prefabricated timber trusses, prefabricated timber bents, timber frame homes, barn homes, timber frame additions, stairs, and porches from a variety of wood species. Davis Frame also provide Structural Insulated Panels (SIPS), Loewen and Integrity windows, pre-finished T&G, cedar siding and trim, custom fir railing, and a variety of other building products.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:21 AM | Comments (0)

Leica Geosystems Introduces Exciting Advancements to the Industry's Most Extensive Line of High-Performance GNSS Reference Station and Structural Monitoring Solutions

Leica Geosystems announces the release of an extraordinary line of monitoring solutions, software and tools that offer even greater functionality and performance for a wide-range of applications from single reference station monitoring to regional and statewide RTK systems.

Norcross, GA (Vocus/PRWEB ) April 17, 2008 -- Leica Geosystems, a recognized leader in GNSS reference station technology and structural monitoring solutions, announces the release of an extraordinary line of monitoring solutions, software and tools that offer even greater functionality and performance for a wide-range of applications from single reference station monitoring to regional and statewide RTK systems.

"This latest series of GNSS reference station and structural monitoring advancements further solidifies our leadership position in the industry,” says Gerard Manley, vice president of engineered solutions for Leica Geosystems. “Our dedication and ongoing commitment to provide the best training, support, and consulting services has been and will continue to be our competitive advantage. We’re excited about the future and will continue to dedicate our resources to the further commercial advancement of these powerful solutions either directly or through our authorized dealer network.”

The new line of new reference station and structural monitoring capabilities include:

Geotechnical options – The Leica GeoMoS Version 4.0 advanced multipurpose automatic deformation monitoring software now features the ability to gather, store and analyze data recorded by Campbell® Scientific datalogger geotechnical devices, such as sensors and gauges, along with data gathered by geodetic instruments, such as GPS or total stations, into a single database. These sensors allow observations below the surface of the ground and directly on or inside structures with very high accuracy.

Expanded Web Access – The new Leica SpiderWeb version 2.2 GNSS Internet network distribution solution makes presenting GNSS station or network data for public or internal access via standard web browsers much easier for both service users and service providers. Users can apply full network correction information to create Virtual RINEX observation files for individual rover locations using Leica GNSS Spider real-time network processing archives. Additionally, this version includes advanced services and add-ons for GNSS network web services such as the availability of a centralized automatic coordinate computing service. The smooth integrated interface with Leica GNSS QC quality control software provides permanent up-to-date status and quality information for each station. Those looking for an affordable start-up solution for GNSS data web services similar to SpiderWeb also have the option of the new Leica SpiderWeb ‘Lite’ entry level web service application.

Quality Control/Analysis – The latest release of Leica GNSS QC V2.0 offers greater GNSS quality control and data analysis, including real time analysis of residual ionospheric and tropospheric/geometric error across an RTK network. Leica GNSS QC V2.0 also contains many improvements for reference station integrity monitoring, quality control of GNSS data and analysis of GNSS monitoring results. Support for global navigation files, Hatanaka and Z compression enable the automatic RINEX quality check function to be used with a broader range of GNSS reference networks.

Extended Support – The Leica GNSS Spider V3.0, the Leica Geosystems solution for GNSS Infrastructure and Network RTK, incorporates comprehensive GPS and GLONASS Network RTK services with future-proof capabilities to capture GNSS signals, such as GPS L5 and Galileo. Additionally, the new ‘Spider Business Center’ supports exciting new features for advanced users and service management. With all its improvements, this new GNSS Spider V3.0 significantly enhances the software usability and performance.

To-date, Leica Geosystems has consulted and participated in the design, development and deployment of more than 67 CORS networks worldwide including those for the Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Oklahoma and Texas DOTs, Lane County, Oregon, Ford Engineering in Texas, Eastside Reservoir project. The 4,500-acre Eastside Reservoir project in Riverside, California, the largest dam project in the United States, is completely managed in real time by the reference stations, as is the world’s longest cable-stayed concrete bridge, Florida’s Sunshine Skyway. The Minnesota DOT relied on a fully automated, on-site geodetic monitoring system to manage train track shifts and ground settling during a highway underpass reconstruction project over the course of two years.

The full range of Leica Geosystems GNSS references station and structural monitoring solutions, such as those listed above, along with expert training, support, and consulting services plays a critical role in construction and survey projects across the country. The innovation in this type technology is rapidly advancing. We want to ensure the critical processes required being effective in the usage and future changes in these products are properly communicated. Only specific authorized Leica Geosystems dealers approved by Leica Geosystems, Inc. or Leica Geosystems Inc. directly are authorized to sell, support, train, consult and provide warranty service on any Leica Geosystems Inc. product or consulting services.

Leica Geosystems – when it has to be right
With close to 200 years of pioneering solutions to measure the world, Leica Geosystems products and services are trusted by professionals worldwide to help them capture, analyze, and present spatial information. Leica Geosystems is best known for its broad array of products that capture accurately, model quickly, analyze easily, and visualize and present spatial information.

Those who use Leica Geosystems products every day trust them for their dependability, the value they deliver, and the superior customer support. Based in Heerbrugg, Switzerland, Leica Geosystems is a global company with tens of thousands of customers supported by more than 3’500 employees in 28 countries and hundreds of partners located in more than 120 countries around the world. Leica Geosystems is part of the Hexagon Group, Sweden.

For further information please contact:

Leica Geosystems Inc.
Andre Ribeiro
Director of Marketing
Atlanta, GA 30092
United States

Phone: +1 (770) 326-9557
Fax: +1 (770) 447-0710

www.leica-geosystems.us

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:21 AM | Comments (0)

San Francisco Lawyer, Personal Injury Attorney Mary Alexander Interviewed By KTVU Channel 2 News

In the wake of a fatal crane collapse on Manhattan's Upper East Side, Mary Alexander was interviewed as an expert on construction accident law by San Francisco's KTVU Channel 2 News.

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) April 17, 2008 -- In the wake of a fatal crane collapse on Manhattan's Upper East Side, Mary Alexander was interviewed as an expert on construction accident law by San Francisco's KTVU Channel 2 News.

In a report that aired March 17, Ms. Alexander discussed changes in California law after a 1989 accident in which a crane fell more than 16 stories in San Francisco's financial district, killing five people. Both the California and New York collapses, Ms. Alexander told Channel 2, had occurred during a process known as 'jumping' the crane, when the crane is extended to enable construction of upper-level floors. It is a particularly dangerous process, she said, because the crane is less stable at this point and crews need to be vigilant in taking the proper safety precautions.

Since the San Francisco accident, Ms. Alexander told Channel 2, California law has been amended to require more training - through in-the-seat sessions and written exams - for crane operators. Drug tests are now mandatory, and all crane operators must be licensed, which wasn't the case in 1989. The new law, which wasn't passed until 2005, had faced heavy resistance from the construction industry.

With a surge of high-rise construction projects in the Bay Area, Channel 2 asked Ms. Alexander about the chances of another crane collapse. Construction, Ms. Alexander said, is always a risky business, and different buildings have different requirements. Each day engineers have to carefully consider the situation and make decisions - and at few times are their actions as important, or as potentially perilous, as when workers jump a crane. Tougher laws are a start, but in the end, it's the people on site who need to be properly trained - and careful.

Mary Alexander is lead counsel for the Mary Alexander & Associates law firm. The San Francisco attorney specializes in personal injury law, and has more than 25 years of experience in the field. Her firm's trademark is courtroom preparation with the use of innovative practices to try complex cases. Mary Alexander & Associates is encouraging individuals who suspect they have a personal injury or wrongful death claim to visit their website at http://www.maryalexanderlaw.com for a free case review. For more information about Mary Alexander & Associates, please visit
website.

Ms. Mary Alexander has also launched San Francisco Injury News to continue to educate the public on such catastrophic accidents.

Mary Alexander & Associates
44 Montgomery Street, Suite 1303
San Francisco, CA 94104

Phone: (866) 698-5155

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:20 AM | Comments (0)

HOK-Designed Office Tower In Downtown Cincinnati Will Be Iconic Landmark In The ‘Queen City’

41-story Great American Building at Queen City Square will be city’s tallest tower, crowned by a distinctive tiara.

Cincinnati (Vocus/PRWEB ) April 17, 2008 -- The crown jewel of Cincinnati’s skyline – the Great American Building at Queen City Square – is moving toward reality following approval by the city’s Urban Design Review Board.

Designed by HOK, the 41-story, 800,000 square-foot office tower awaits final approval from the City Council before taking shape as the city’s tallest and most iconic structure.

HOK Founding Partner Gyo Obata designed the building and its unique tiara top to serve as a distinctive landmark for Cincinnati, the “Queen City.”

“This building will redefine the Cincinnati skyline and serve as an instantly recognizable beacon to the city,” Obata said. “There isn’t another building in the world that resembles this.”

The façade of the building will include a contemporary look, constructed with glass and aluminum. The building will include numerous environmentally sustainable features and is expected to be the “greenest” office tower in downtown Cincinnati.

A 25,000-square-foot promenade, lobby and retail areas will welcome occupants and visitors inside the building, creating a spacious internal streetscape adjacent to a 1,700-space parking structure. The tower is sited on the southern portion of the site to provide unobstructed views in all four directions, including of the city, the riverfront and the HOK-designed Great American Ballpark.

The building will be developed and managed by Eagle Realty Group, a real estate investment and management subsidiary of Western & Southern Financial Group.

“This world-class, signature office building will complete our one-million-square-foot Queen City Square master-planned development,” said John F. Barrett, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Western & Southern Financial Group. “It is the fruition of a long-term vision for Western & Southern and adds to the vitality of Cincinnati.”

American Financial Group, Inc. (AFG), the anchor tenant, will occupy 22 floors, or about two-thirds of the building. AFG will consolidate many operations of its subsidiaries, Great American Insurance Company and Great American Financial Resources, into a single location, while allowing for future growth and expansion.

Accent lighting at the upper levels of the building will illuminate the distinctive tiara, and additional lighting also will illuminate the building’s architectural massing at the corner and center of each façade. Great American's logo, a red eagle with blue script, will be illuminated in an area beneath the tiara.

The first phase of Queen City Square – the 303 Broadway building – was completed in 2006. This HOK-designed office building includes eight floors of office space atop a 665-space parking facility.

Construction of the Great American Building at Queen City Square is anticipated to begin in mid-2008, with completion expected in 2011.
HOK is a global architectural firm that specializes in planning, design and delivery solutions for buildings and communities. Through its collaborative network of 26 offices worldwide, the firm serves diverse clients within the corporate, commercial, public and institutional markets. HOK is committed to developing resources and expertise to help lead the world toward sustainable communities and building environments. Founded in 1955, the firm’s expertise includes architecture, engineering, interiors, planning, lighting, graphics, facilities planning and assessment and construction services.

Contact:
Rachel Kaatmann
314.754.4154
rachel.kaatmann @ hok.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:18 AM | Comments (0)

Barclay Butera Updates Historic Resort, L'Auberge del Mar, As Creative Director of $25MM Major Renovation

Lifestyle designer Barclay Butera, is known for the timeless quality of his work, the attention to detail in both his furniture and space design, and for his respectful makeovers of homes with a Hollywood legacy. All this, combined with the designer's highly-regarded casual elegance with a contemporary twist, is what makes Barclay Butera the perfect Creative Director for the renovation of luxury resort and spa L'Auberge del Mar. Located in Del Mar, CA, the resort is adjacent to the Del Mar Race Track, a hot spot for Hollywood celebrities and locals alike throughout its history. Butera's mission is to bring a fresh approach with an air of sophistication to the 140-room resort that overlooks the Pacific Ocean, and is set to reopen in June 2008.

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) April 17, 2008 -- Lifestyle designer Barclay Butera, is known for the timeless quality of his work, the attention to detail in both his furniture and space design, and for his respectful makeovers of homes with a Hollywood legacy. All this, combined with the designer's highly-regarded casual elegance with a contemporary twist, is what makes Barclay Butera the perfect Creative Director for the renovation of luxury resort and spa L'Auberge del Mar. Located in Del Mar, CA, the resort is adjacent to the Del Mar Race Track, a hot spot for Hollywood celebrities and locals alike throughout its history. Butera's mission is to bring a fresh approach with an air of sophistication to the 140-room resort that overlooks the Pacific Ocean, and is set to reopen in June 2008.

Due to his distinct style and national media acclaim, Barclay Butera was recognized by L'Auberge del Mar's parent company, Destination Hotels & Resorts, as a premier luxury designer in today's residential market. Butera's approach embraces L'Auberge's grand chateau environment, while creating a new, desired residential essence for the impressively scaled hospitality structure. As the company's flagship property, L'Auberge needed to make a visionary 'statement' in hospitality design, and Barclay was given the reins to create a no-holds barred paradise retreat for their discriminating clientele.

"I consider this project to be a great opportunity for me to showcase my work in the hospitality industry, and I am looking forward to being a significant force in hotel design," states Barclay Butera CEO of Barclay Butera Inc.

As Creative Director of the $25 million renovation, Butera is overseeing every aspect -- from exterior colors and landscaping, to the main entrance, a circular approach to the lobby and valet parking. Every item has his input: the front desk, the lobby seating arrangement, hardwood floors, water features, cabana details, textures, and so on. Working directly with the architect, landscaper, and contractor has resulted in a harmonious environment incorporating more than 90% of Barclay Butera Home-branded collections throughout the hotel.

The lobby is entirely furnished in Barclay Butera Home furniture and textiles. This carries through all the common areas, and the 140 hotel rooms, which themselves are dramatically different from hotel rooms throughout the country. A cohesive color palette of mossy greens and chocolates is highlighted, along with many of Barclay's signature animal and abstract and prints. Textures include velvet, mohair, woven silk and wool, along with crisp bed linen. Accessories, too, are by Barclay Butera Home, including picture frames, vases, pillows, and bedding. The contiguous feel Butera has created is that of walking into a grand estate and entering an estate bedroom.

L'Auberge del Mar is all about indoor / outdoor living and great outdoor gathering spaces - matching Butera's design philosophy - with unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean. Ground floor rooms surrounding the pool area will each have a cabana to extend the room outdoors. This design also evokes the hotel's original Hollywood era and history, when Bing Crosby, Lucille Ball and Pat O'Brien graced the area, particularly while visiting the Del Mar Faigrounds and Racetrack ("Where the Surf Meets the Turf"). Originally named The Stratford Inn when built in 1910, in 1926 it became the Hotel Del Mar. Torn down in 1969, the hotel was rebuilt on its historic site, and opened its doors as L'Auberge in 1989. (www.delmarhistoricalsociety.com)

The hotel pays homage to its celebrated past with a montage of black-and-white photos of classic Hollywood visitors who frequented the hotel. Being an expert in residential interiors and an admirer of that early Hollywood era, the designer has owned several significant homes, including those of Frank Sinatra, Bette Davis and Desi Arnaz, Jr., Butera's mission includes honoring its history, but not being tied to a specific style. Transitional with an added contemporary twist is his specialty; embracing the indoor / outdoor concept adds a soothing element, enhanced with a number of water features and fire elements.

This renovation will mark Butera's first major hospitality project. Last year, he worked with the St. Regis New York, and he is currently working on a large commercial project in Mexico City, as well as working toward significant hospitality involvement in the coming years.

In additional news, Barclay Butera this past Fall designed New York apartments for both Veranda and Esquire magazines. The designer's own Newport Beach, CA, home was also featured in Traditional Home magazine (October 2007). He is also one of 17 renowned designers featured in Assouline Publishing's new Inspired Styles coffee table book, which highlights designers with licensed collections for Kravet or Lee Jofa.

ABOUT BARCLAY BUTERA
Barclay Butera, Inc. is based in Newport Beach, CA, and entails the Barclay Butera collection showrooms in Newport Beach and Los Angeles, CA, and Park City, UT. Barclay Butera Home, Inc. products (www.barclaybuterahome.com) are distributed through over 300 showrooms and To the Trade nationwide, and are represented in the designer's retail showrooms and his 'to the trade' showroom in New York's Design & Decoration (D&D) Building. Butera designs and manufactures his products in Los Angeles, CA. Please visit www.barclaybutera.com/media for a full introduction.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:18 AM | Comments (0)

InventHelp Client Invents Cutting Tool

InventHelp clients from Marblehead and Methuen, Mass., have designed a device to be used by carpenters and do-it-yourselfers.

Pittsburgh, PA (PRWEB) April 17, 2008 -- InventHelp announces that two of its clients, inventors from Marblehead and Methuen, Mass. have designed a device to be used by carpenters and do-it-yourselfers.

The CORA SCORER is designed to enable an individual to cut materials accurately. This device would offer added comfort to the user, which could possibly increase production. In addition, the CORA SCORER would be ideal for cutting blue board and other similar materials, and would be designed to stay securely in place during use.

Professional experience led them to develop the CORA SCORER. "I am a carpenter, and am always forgetting my tools," one inventor said. "I find myself having to go up and down the ladder to retrieve things. I wanted to come up with a device that could simplify the job."

The original design was submitted to the Boston office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 07-BMA-3189, InventHelp, 217 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:17 AM | Comments (0)

Highly Sustainable British Hemcrete® Building System Makes Its Debut in the United States

Chicago, IL: American Lime Technology is pleased to announce its inaugural project, which represents the first use of the highly sustainable hemp and lime-based Hemcrete® building system in the United States.

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) April 17, 2008 -- American Lime Technology is pleased to announce its inaugural project, which represents the first use of the highly sustainable Hemcrete® building system in the United States. This "green" project will be comprised of a chapel and a pottery studio that are being commissioned by Caribe Properties in Montgomery, Texas. According to Gail Moran, president of Caribe Properties, "having originally been drawn to lime products for aesthetic reasons, I was thrilled to learn that these products also held 'green' properties. The discovery of Hemcrete was a great bonus because not only could I obtain the thick walls that are crucial in the design of these structures but I could also have a 'breathable building.'"

Although new to the American market, Hemcrete® has been used successfully in the United Kingdom and Europe for over ten years. This proprietary system, which relies on sustainably produced hemp fiber and lime binder, is being used to construct seamless walls and to insulate floors and roofs. The resulting buildings are thermally efficient, attractive, pest-resistant, fire-resistant, and durable, and these nontoxic, all-natural materials contain no harmful chemical. Unlike typical new construction materials, hemp and lime are breathable, which discourages harmful mold growth while providing better air quality for the building's occupants.

Construction on the two buildings is underway. The general contractor for the project is Don Mapston of Mapston Contracting, Conroe, Texas. The Hemcrete® contractor is Monaco Restorations, Inc. of Southbridge, Massachussetts. Construction site tours will be available to all interested parties. To arrange a tour, please contact Bruce Petersen at 773-414-5486.

American Lime Technology (AMT) is a joint venture of UK-based Lime Technology Limited and U.S. Heritage Group, Inc., which is located in Chicago, Illinois. AMT is the exclusive North American distributor of Hemcrete® construction materials, a highly sustainable hemp-lime product that can be used to create insulating walls in new structures or to retrofit existing floors, roofs, and walls with thermally efficient, breathable insulating layers. www.americanlimetec.com

Caribe Properties is a general construction/commercial development company based in The Woodlands, Texas, currently meeting the local market need for smaller (5000 - 15,000 S.F.) office and warehouse buildings.

Don Mapston of Mapston Contracting (Conroe, Texas). Donald Mapston founded his company on the philosophy of providing quality workmanship, performance, economy and integrity, and he has been in the commercial and residential construction industry for more than 30 years.

Monaco Restorations, Inc. was established in 1989 with the single goal of providing the highest quality craftsmanship to the historic community. The combination of "old-world workmanship" and today's modern technology allow them to achieve the highest standards in structural preservation. www.monacorestorations.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:16 AM | Comments (0)

Thomas Equipment Names Daniel Casey Regional Business Manager, Midwest USA

Thomas Equipment appoints Daniel J. Casey as Regional Business Manager, Midwest USA. Gilbert Bedard, V.P. Global Sales, said, "Dan, with his great experience meeting heavy equipment needs of cities, industry and agriculture, will be a strong addition to the Thomas team."

Centreville, New Brunswick (PRWEB) April 17, 2008 -- Gilbert Bedard, Vice President of Global Sales at http://www.thomasloaders.com[Thomas Equipment Inc., a manufacturer and marketer of Thomas Skid Steer Loaders, announced that Daniel J. Casey has joined the company as Regional Business Manager, Midwest USA.

"Dan Casey joins Thomas with a wealth of experience meeting heavy equipment needs of cities, industry and agriculture and we are confident he will make a major contribution to the Thomas team," said Bedard.

Previously, Casey was Compact Equipment Specialist at Ditch Witch of Minnesota, marketing construction equipment, and was a Commercial Sales representative for Polfus Implement, selling utility tractors for municipalities, industry and farms.

Petter M. Etholm, President and Chief Executive Officer of both Thomas Equipment and its parent company, Osiris Corporation (OSRS), said, "We welcome Dan and wish him great success in his new position and look forward to working with him as we achieve our growth goals in the United States."

Ilan Danieli, Chief Operating Officer, added, "Dan's extensive experience meeting the heavy equipment needs of utility contractors and utility cooperatives and providers positions him very well to serve Thomas customers throughout the Midwest."

Casey said, "Thomas enjoys a 65-year tradition of providing excellent quality of product and customer service and I am proud to now represent the great Thomas line and help grow the company's business throughout the Midwestern United States."

Casey knows the demands placed on skid steer products first hand, having begun his experience on his family's farm where he was responsible for the heavy equipment used in crop production and processing. He utilized that base of knowledge when he founded DJC Commercial Services to provide ground maintenance services for businesses before his positions at Polfus and Ditch Witch. He began his career in heavy equipment in Minneapolis-St. Paul, where he provided grounds and maintenance products in the twin cities.

Dan received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota and lives with his wife and children in Prior Lake, Minnesota, where he is involved in community activities.

Thomas Equipment Inc. is a unit of Osiris Corporation (OSRS.PK), www.osiriscorp.net, which provides a variety of branded and other products to industrial markets through subsidiaries including: Thomas Equipment 2004, Inc.; 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. For more information about Thomas Equipment, visit the company's website at: www.thomasloaders.com.

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 02:13 AM | Comments (0)

BCBSNC Constructing 100,000-Square-Foot ‘Green’ Building

Announces Companywide Focus to Reduce Energy, Water Consumption

Chapel Hill, N.C. (Vocus/PRWEB ) April 16, 2008 -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) today broke ground on an environmentally friendly building that will use 65 percent less energy and half the water per square foot of the company’s traditional office space.

The five-story building, which will include a six-level parking deck, is being built across the street from the company’s Customer Service Center on Ivy Creek Boulevard in Durham. The energy savings will be enough to power about 100 typical households(1). The amount of water saved will be enough to supply more than 10 local homes(2).

“With this new building, we’re making environmental stewardship a central business practice,” said BCBSNC President and CEO Bob Greczyn. “This is more than a green coat of paint; we’re committed to setting a standard for others to follow.”

The building, which will house about 550 BCBSNC employees, will increase company efficiency by consolidating some business units that are now in separate buildings. It will save water and energy through features that include:

Efficient light fixtures and use of natural light
Water- and energy-conserving heating and air conditioning systems
Use of captured rain water for toilets and air conditioning
Drought resistant plants and landscaping

Up to 20 percent of the materials used in construction will be recycled, particularly in masonry, countertops and other interior finishes, and the parking area. The most convenient parking spaces, accounting for 10 percent of the overall parking, will be reserved for carpoolers and energy-efficient vehicles. The structure will also have weather-protected racks for more than 50 bicycles. By joining related functions that had previously been physically separated, the building will encourage carpooling and help employees save energy costs previously spent traveling between buildings for meetings.

“With this new building, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is establishing a new threshold for businesses and governments in North Carolina with regards to energy and water efficiency,” said Larry Shirley, director of the State Energy Office. “Their leadership should inspire many others to incorporate sustainable features into their buildings that will result in lower operating costs while helping to preserve the environment.”

The 100,000-square-foot building – expected to be completed by next summer – is the centerpiece of a long-term effort to reduce the company’s environmental impact. BCBSNC has set corporate-wide goals to reduce its overall energy consumption by 25 percent and its water consumption by 20 percent by the end of 2010. The company is also in the process of establishing corporate-wide goals for a significant reduction in landfill-bound trash.

Companywide environmental practices include:

Redesigning ventilation systems at all its major buildings to reduce water and electricity use.
Installing water-saving plumbing fixtures.
Using environmentally friendly cleaning products.
Placing prominent recycling centers in all buildings.
Along with current aggressive paper and cardboard recycling, expanding efforts to collect plastic, glass, aluminum and other materials.

The company is creating a sustainability project manual for all its building projects that includes requirements for use of recycled materials, proper disposal of construction debris and maximizing purchase of materials from regional sources.

When the company has several months’ worth of documented energy and water savings, as well as other demonstrated environmental protection measures, it intends to seek appropriate certification for the building under LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). The building is expected to cost about 3 percent more than traditional construction, but the company expects to recoup that cost within five years through energy savings and other conservation measures.

“North Carolina’s quality of life is one of our most valuable resources; there’s no replacing it if we lose it,” Greczyn said. “We’re ready to demonstrate that we can both thrive as a business and protect the state’s environment for our children and grandchildren to enjoy.”

About BCBSNC:
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is a leader in delivering innovative health care products, services and information to nearly 3.6 million members, including approximately 825,000 served on behalf of other Blue Plans. For 75 years, the company has served its customers by offering health insurance at a competitive price and has served the people of North Carolina through support of community organizations, programs and events that promote good health. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Access BCBSNC online at www.bcbsnc.com.

1) Based on the average annual energy use of 87,500,000 BTU per year of a detached, single-family residence. (Source: The Cadmus Group, Inc., based on data from The Department of Energy and the National Climatic Data Center.)
2) Based on an average annual household water consumption of 61,538 gallons per year in the city of Durham. Calculation made by BCBSNC from statistics from the city of Durham.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:12 AM | Comments (0)

Key players operating in the market include - American Hydrotech Inc., Atlas Roofing Corporation, BASF Aktiengesellschaft, GAF Materials Corporation, Icopal Limited, Johns Manville, Knauf Insulation Inc., Lafarge Roofing GmbH, Owens Corning, Royal Group I

Collinstock (www.collinstock.com) officially launches this month as a new resource for on-location photography in the architectural industry, but with a twist. Backed by more than 40 highly acclaimed architectural photographers across North America and Europe, Collinstock helps architects, builders, remodelers and designers get very good pictures of their projects. It then "harvests" images of building products and licenses them to manufacturers, dealers and their agencies. Headed by Steve Collins, former CEO of the Omnicom-owned Martin Williams ad agency in the Twin Cities, the company currently has signed on photographers in 28 cities across North America and the United Kingdom.

Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN (PRWEB) April 16, 2008 -- Collinstock.com launches this month as a new resource for on-location photography in the architectural industry, but with a twist.

Backed by more than 40 highly acclaimed architectural photographers across North America and Europe, Collinstock helps architects, builders, remodelers and designers get very good pictures of their projects. It then "harvests" images of building products and licenses them to manufacturers, dealers and their agencies.

Headed by Steve Collins, former CEO of the Omnicom-owned Martin Williams ad agency in the Twin Cities, the company currently has signed on photographers in 28 cities across North America and the United Kingdom. It hopes to have 75 photographers by the end of the year at different price levels in most major cities in throughout North America and Europe (See List of Photographers below*).

"We know it is very difficult for many manufacturers to get images of their projects in the market, because there is a lack of specific information about the "who, what, when, and where" of the project. Many hours are spent doing the backgrounding and research, just to get to the point of hiring a photographer. We do all that work for the manufacturer," said Collins.

The site will also serve as a resource to anyone looking for professional images and photographers for residential, commercial, landscape and golf architecture, as well as famous places, products and brands.

"This is a win/win/win for everyone," said Collins. "Through Collinstock, the architect, builder, designer and others can get premium photography at a subsided cost and gain greater visibility for their projects in the publishing world; the manufacturer gets access to important location images at very good rates; and photographers have a bigger market for their images."

Collinstock will also manage photography process:
Collinstock provides outsourcing services to manage the entire year's photography budget, and then help clients leverage the images successfully. "If we manage it, I can almost guarantee the client will save anywhere from 10-20% of their photography budget, because we match the photographer appropriately to the job and also incorporate volume discount savings," said Collins.

Helps small or large companies market client projects:
Probably the biggest benefit of the company is for smaller, local companies, or very large national companies, to get their work organized, shot and put in front of editors. "We run into architects all the time who are so busy, they don't have time to think about getting shots of their projects, let alone how they get shots sent to the right influencers in the publishing world, Collins says. "We have a turnkey approach to help this group and others begin a dialog with editors. In addition, for a small consulting fee, we can help them make better use of the images in public relations, collateral, website and search engine marketing," said Collins.

About Collinstock.com:
The Collinstock website, www.collinstock.com, offers a wide variety of photographers for hire and architectural images to license. Image categories include residential and commercial architecture, landscape and golf architecture, products, brands and famous places. The company also offers consulting services to help manufacturers, architects, builders, remodelers and designers create better marketing materials and strategies.

For more information contact Steve Collins at 612-735-7717 or 866-917-4974, (toll free) or steve @ collinstock.com.

*Some of the well-known photographers include:

Atlanta: Rion Rizzo, Jim Roof, Jonathan Harper
Boston: Greg Premru, Edua Wilde, Eric Scott
Buffalo: James Cavanaugh
Toronto, Canada: Peter Sellar
Colorado Springs: David Beightol
Connecticut: John and Cassidy Olson, John Kane, Jeff Yardis
Chicago: Susan Carr, Gary Cialdella
Denver: Monika Hileary
Los Angeles: Brian Jones, Doug Hill
Miami: Mike Butler
Milwaukee: David Bader
Minneapolis: Peter Wong, Dana Wheelock, Andrea Rugg, Karen Melvin, Troy Thies, Shawn Nielsen
Montana: Gordon Gregory, Mark Bryant
Maine: Scott Dorrance
Napa Valley: Douglas Sterling
Philadelphia: Peter Kubilus
San Francisco: Paul Dyer
San Diego: Roland Bishop
Washington DC: Carol Highsmith, Erik Kvalsvik
Washington State: Laurie Black
England: Niall Cotton, Jack Eames, John Evans, Paul Freeman, Simon Kirwan, Colin Streater, Charlotte Junker
Scotland: Paul Bock
Contact:
Steve Collins, Collinstock
Hi-Res Images Available Upon Request
612-735-7717 or 866-917-4974 (toll free)
steve @ collinstock.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:12 AM | Comments (0)

Global Roofing Market to Reach $59.81 Billion, While Global Insulation Market to Reach $31.49 Billion by 2010, According to New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

Marred by the slowdown in the US construction industry, world roofing market is forecasted to grow at a rundown CAGR of 3.97% over the years 2007 through 2010, while insulation market is forecast to post a CAGR of 4.66% for the same period.

San Jose, CA (PRWEB) April 16, 2008 -- As the world roofing and insulation market recovers poise, new materials and energy savings are expected to emerge into top priorities among retailers, and building owners alike. Distributors are increasingly teaming up with sophisticated landmark architects, building owners, and specifiers to bolster sales of huge roofing and insulation systems. Information dissemination is an added key trend prevailing in the markets. Manufacturers are channeling substantial efforts to detail the designs and to further simplify the installation process along with formalized training and supervision modules. Independent quality certification is another growing trend attempting to stipulate and ensure adherence to efficiency standards. Europe is the largest region for insulation in the world, and is projected cross $16.9 billion by 2015, as stated by Global Industry Analysts, Inc. In terms of growth rate, Asia-Pacific is projected to be the fastest growing region with a CAGR of about 7.32% over the period 2011 through 2015. World

Metal roofing market is projected to reach $13.0 billion by the year 2012, encouraged largely by the efforts taken by manufacturers, and retailers to dispel myths surrounding issues such as noise made by metal roofs, walkability on metal rooftop, susceptibility to rust, and lack of aesthetic appeal. Foamed Plastics Insulation Market in Latin America is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.11% over the years 2011 through 2015.

Key players operating in the market include - American Hydrotech Inc., Atlas Roofing Corporation, BASF Aktiengesellschaft, GAF Materials Corporation, Icopal Limited, Johns Manville, Knauf Insulation Inc., Lafarge Roofing GmbH, Owens Corning, Royal Group Inc, Saint-Gobain, CertainTeed Insulation Group, Sika Sarnafil Inc., SIG Plc, The Garland Company Inc., The Rockwool Group, and Top Global Limited, among others.

The report titled "Roofing & Insulation: A Global Strategic Business Report" published by Global Industry Analysts, Inc., provides a comprehensive review of market trends, competition, research & development, product overview, product introductions/innovations, and recent industry activity. The study also analyzes market data and analytics in value sales for regions such as United States, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East, and Latin America. Product segments analyzed for the roofing market include Asphalt Shingles, Metal, Elastomeric, Built-Up, Roofing Tile, Modified Bitumen, and Plastic, while product segments analyzed for the insulation market include Foamed Plastics, Fiberglass, Mineral Wool, and Others.

For more details about this research report, please visit
http://www.strategyr.com/Roofing_And_Insulation_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(at)StrategyR.com
Web Site www.StrategyR.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:11 AM | Comments (0)

Gypsum & Anhydrite Market to Reach 132 Million Metric Tons by 2010, According to New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

Future of the gypsum industry, mainly in North America is largely dependent on the construction industry, where the residential market comprises the main driving force and holds nearly 65% of demand for gypsum products. Against the backdrop, world market for Gypsum & Anhydrite is set to reach about 132 million metric tons by 2010.

San Jose, CA (PRWEB) April 16, 2008 -- Gypsum products are capable of surviving heavy construction traffic without powdering, dusting, cracking, or chipping. The major use of gypsum is in the building industry where it is used to produce plasterboard/wallboard and in portland cement. Gypsum is used in combination with a wide range of floor coverings such as wood laminate, hard wood flooring, carpeting, vinyl, and ceramic tiles. The advantage of gypsum is that the ¼ in. floor is generally ready within a week's time for applying finishing material, while concrete floors requires about a months time. Demand for gypsum floor underlayments is steadily growing due to its increased compressive potential.

The United States, Europe and Asia-Pacific form leading markets for gypsum and anhydrite, collectively accounting for 80% of global demand in 2008, as stated by recent report published by Global Industry Analysts, Inc. In terms of growth, Asia-Pacific and Latin America are forecast to register the fastest CAGRs over the analysis period. Analyzing the market by end-use applications, prefabricated products represents the largest consumption sector for gypsum and anhydrite, accounting for 76% of the demand in 2008. In the United States, as in other industrialized nations, major use of gypsum is in the manufacture of gypsum wallboard products. Demand for gypsum and anhydrite in the production of portland cement in the US is projected to reach 3.5 million metric tons by 2010.

Key players profiled in the report include Eagle Materials Inc., Georgia-Pacific Gypsum, Knauf AG, Lafarge SA, National Gypsum Company, Saint Gobain SA, and USG Corporation.

"Gypsum & Anhydrite: A Global Strategic Business Report" published by Global Industry Analysts, Inc. analyzes the market across four end-use segments, namely Prefabricated Products, Plasters, Portland Cement and Agriculture & Miscellaneous. Analysis is presented in Metric Tons for major geographic markets including United States, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan), Latin America, and Rest of World. The study also enumerates recent developments, mergers, acquisitions, and other strategic industry activities of key market participants. The report analyzes the current and future projections over the period 2001-2015, while historic review (1991-2000) examines the industry's performance in the past.

For more details about this research report, please visit http://www.strategyr.com/Gypsum_And_Anhydrite_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 02:08 AM | Comments (0)

ICPI Releases New Brochure Comparing Permeable Pavements

The Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute released a new guide that compares the different types of permeable pavements.

Washington, DC (PRWEB) April 16, 2008 -- Recently the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI) released the new Permeable Pavement Comparison Guide. This guide compares the similarities and differences among alternative pavements used for stormwater and sustainable best management practices such as permeable interlocking concrete pavement, pervious concrete and porous asphalt. The guide provides a side-by-side comparison of the available colors, construction efficiencies, costs, winter durability, surface cleaning, repairs, water quantity reduction/water and air quality improvement, urban heat island reduction and recycled content. It also offers stormwater agencies, design professionals, contractors and homeowners an overview of each system and presents the advantages of permeable interlocking concrete pavement over the alternatives.

As municipalities review their stormwater management programs, many are looking to permeable pavements as environmental and sustainable ways to reduce stormwater runoff. Permeable pavement systems are also recognized as a best management practice by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and as a green system by LEED® and GreenGlobes. Permeable interlocking concrete pavement relies on the ability of open-graded aggregate on the surface and base to receive, store and infiltrate runoff back into the soil beneath. Over the past 15 years, permeable interlocking concrete pavement has been researched extensively in North America and overseas.

For a copy of the Permeable Pavement Comparison Guide and additional permeable interlocking concrete pavement resources provided by ICPI, visit icpi.org or permeablepavement.org.

About ICPI
The Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI) represents producers, suppliers, contractors, design professionals and consultants. ICPI promotes the highest product standards through ICPI product certification and installation guidelines through ICPI concrete paver installer certification. ICPI publishes the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Magazine, along with marketing and technical resources for design professionals, contractors and homeowners. The Hardscape North America trade show for hardscape contractors is also produced by ICPI. Applications for pavers include driveways, patios, plazas, walkways, roofs, airports, streets, ports and stadiums. To learn more about ICPI, visit icpi.org.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:08 AM | Comments (0)

Green Depot to Open Long Island Showroom Late Summer 2008

Green building supplies, services and solutions soon to be readily available for commercial and residential builders and homeowners in Greenport, N.Y. area

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Business Wire EON/PRWEB ) April 16, 2008 -- Green Depot (www.greendepot.com), the Brooklyn-based supplier of environmentally friendly and sustainable building products, services and solutions, today announced it will open its newest showroom space in Greenport, N.Y. in summer 2008.

The store, Green Depot's fifth on the East coast and second in New York, will be located near the northeastern tip of Long Island at 67380 Main Rd/CR-48 in Greenport. Green Depot will showcase the very best of green building materials in a two-level space of more than 1,400 square ft. It will also feature a design center where Green Depot staff works with customers to find building solutions hat are green, cost-efficient and easily adaptable into their construction or renovation projects.

“As New Yorkers realize the health and cost benefits of green building, the demand on Long Island and in the Hamptons, Sag Harbor and Greenport areas in particular, is on the rise,” said Carmen Arguelles, president of Green Depot. “Green Depot is proud and poised to provide solutions that are easy, accessible, affordable and gratifying for the building community on Long Island.”

All Green Depot staff members have extensive experience in both building and with environmental products such as those that will be on display in the showroom. Green Depot offers environmentally sound and healthy home products and alternatives including zero-VOC paint, soy foam insulation and organic cleaning supplies. Green Depot is proud to feature products such as AFM Safecoat Paint, FSC Lumber, UltraTouch insulation and Moldex, to name a few. Green Depot will also offer customers access to its 360 Network of qualified green professionals and LEED accredited contractors.

ABOUT GREEN DEPOT

Founded in November 2005, Green Depot is a leading supplier of environmentally friendly and sustainable building products, services and solutions. Its primary goal is to facilitate green living and building in communities so that it is easy, worthwhile and gratifying. Green Depot has showrooms in Brooklyn, Newark, Philadelphia, Boston and Greenport, N.Y. (opening summer 2008), as well as 10 additional distribution centers spanning the East Coast. For more information, please visit www.greendepot.com.

Release Summary:

Green Depot (www.greendepot.com), the Brooklyn-based supplier of environmentally friendly and sustainable building products, services and solutions, today announced it will open its newest showroom space in Greenport, N.Y. in summer 2008.

Keyword Tags:

building, environmentally friendly, environmentally friendly cleaning products, environmentally friendly homes, environmentally friendly products, green, long island, renovation, solutions, sustainable

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:08 AM | Comments (0)

Water Damage Service Ends Litigation with State Farm Insurance

Dryout Inc., a Florida company that specializes in water damage services nationwide, has agreed to drop a court case with State Farm Insurance.

Fort Myers, FL (PRWEB) April 16, 2008 -- After a court battle that lasted several years, Dryout Inc. and State Farm Insurance have agreed to disagree. It all began with a $300 bill for water damage remediation that State Farm refused to cover. Two years of filings and motions along with a rotation of three judges and lawyer fees in excess of $50,000 have come to an end as both parties have decided to drop the case.

"Some things are worth fighting for when you're right," said Dryout's owner Mark Decherd. "We've changed the industry and have made drying out water damage an art form. The powers that be don't like it."

Decherd spent more than $25,000 in litigation fees to get a $300 bill paid, but State Farm also spent a great deal of money and manpower in the court case. A disagreement over an overflowed toilet stretched out for over two years with neither party winning the case.

"Insurance companies have severely limited their coverage for mold claims to the point of exclusion in many instances," said Decherd. "Mold can be prevented using water remediation technology but the insurance companies don't want to pay for that either."

Since insurance companies are reacting to mold concerns by excluding coverage, it's important for homeowners to find out exactly what's covered under their policy. Many policies cover mold cleanup and damage to the property if the mold is the result of a covered loss such as a burst pipe. Water damage remediation services such as Dryout can minimize the damage. "It makes sense to clean up the water right away and dry out the home," added Decherd. "Doing so prevents larger losses but insurance companies don't see it that way."

Consumers should immediately contact their insurance company after a covered water loss and ask for assistance in drying out the flooded area. If their policy covers mold damage as a result of a covered loss, it's in their best interest to prevent the mold from occurring.

"Our company went head-to-head with State Farm and came out poorer but wiser," Decherd concluded. "We know that some things are worth fighting for."

Case Number: 99-SP-1105 Uniform Case Number: 361999SC0011050001CH Case Type: SC Damages CV Sub Case Type: Judge: Duryea, John E, Jr. Filed Date: 3/30/1999 Disposition: Order Disposition Date: 4/4/2001

For more information about water damage services, visit www.dryout.net

About Dryout Inc:
Dryout Inc. was incorporated in 1997 with a mission to serve waterlogged customers in Southern Florida. They specialize in water damage, mold remediation, and flood work. After working to dry out Florida residences and businesses, they soon found that their efforts alone were not enough. As a result, they developed a nationwide network of affiliates. Owner Mark Decherd's vision has become reality with more than 13,000 nationwide claims processed in the last two years. They have established working relationships with numerous insurance companies to help the processing of claims for water damage losses.

The Dryout network is state-of-the-art, featuring proprietary claims processing software which is used on numerous Dryout affiliate Web sites. No matter where in the country a customer resides, if they need water damage service, a Dryout affiliate is ready to serve. The customer simply fills out a form detailing the nature of their claim and hit the "submit" button. The Dryout software instantly processes the claim and routes it to the local Dryout affiliate who takes over from there.
In addition to strong relationships with all of the major insurance companies, Dryout is also an active government vendor. The Dryout name is familiar to purchasing agents as well as large corporations and individuals.
Contact:

Mark Decherd
Phone: 239-437-7100
Fax: 239-768-3348
1415-3 Colonial Blvd.
Fort Myers, FL 33907

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

Explosives Market Projected to Reach 11.2 Million Metric Tons in 2012, According to New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

Worldwide explosives demand is impacted by economic development, energy and base minerals demand, environmental push for cleaner fuels, transition from underground to surface mining and lack of viable mainstream competitive technologies. Global explosives market is expected to be 11.22 million metric tons in 2012.

San Jose, CA (PRWEB) April 16, 2008 -- Global industrialization and high prices of alternative energy sources have driven demand for thermal coal, which in turn has bolstered the worldwide market for coal mining. Explosives such as ammonium nitrate and dynamite are scaling new heights in the mining industry. In addition to coal mining, other end-use sectors include metal mining, quarrying operations and industrial minerals. In the construction industry, growth in infrastructure and non-residential sector is projected to propel consumption of explosives, particularly specialized and high-margin products.

The US market for explosives is estimated at 3.4 million metric tons for 2008, as stated by Global Industry Analysts, Inc. The US, Europe and Asia collectively account for about 85 percent of the global explosives market. In terms of value, worldwide explosive market is estimated at US$8.6 billion for 2008. Growth in the mining industry in Africa is a major factor boosting consumption. Countries in the Pacific Rim and Latin America, where penetration levels are low despite rich metal and coal reserves, offer tremendous scope for growth. World ANFO market is estimated at 1.65 million metric tons for 2008.

The global marketplace includes participants such as AECI Ltd, Alliant Techsystems Inc, Austin Powders, Dyno Nobel, ENAEX, LSB Industries, NOF Corp, Orica Ltd, Pacific Scientific Energetic Materials Co, Sasol, SA d'Explosifs et de Produits Chimique, Exchem Plc, Societe Nationale Des Poudres Et Explosifs and Unión Española de Explosives.

"Explosives: A Global Strategic Business Report" published by Global Industry Analysts, Inc., provides a comprehensive review of market trends, drivers, product profile, players, recent developments, mergers, acquisitions, alliances and other strategic industry activities. Analysis is presented for major geographic markets such as United States, Canada, Japan, France, Germany, the UK, Italy, Spain, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East/Africa. Analytics are provided in terms of product segments including Blasting Agents, (Unprocessed Ammonium Nitrate, ANFO, and Water Explosives), Propellants and Pyrotechnics for the period 1991-2015.

For more details about this research report, please visit
http://www.strategyr.com/Explosives_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 02:03 AM | Comments (0)

Steel Building Leader, General Steel, Growing More than Ever

Has the Construction Sector stopped growing? General Steel doesn't think so. With continued growth General Steel Corporation is expanding and moving into brand new offices in Littleton Colorado with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 19, 2008.

(PRWEB) April 16, 2008 --General Steel Corporation, one of the most recognized names in the pre-engineered steel buildings, will be conducting a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 19, 2008 for their new offices located at 10639 West Bradford Rd., Littleton, CO 80127.

On their national radio and television commercials, "The General" has often coached business owners to expand their space in order to grow and be more competitive. General Steel has also emphasized the benefits of "owning your business facility rather than paying rent."

Jeff Knight, the Founder & President of General Steel Corporation recently stated; "As a business owner myself, I know that at times like these, it is very hard to make decisions with confidence about your organization's growth. At General Steel, our vision is for the long term, that's why we are moving into new offices and planning for additional new growth."

The General's growth has already exceeded the 20,000 Sq ft of their new office building requiring the need for more expansion to house some 180 people on staff.

For more information, visit: www.generalsteel.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:03 AM | Comments (0)

RE/MAX Illinois Offers Tips to Successful Real Estate Open Houses in a Slow Economy

People with homes for sale in Illinois are working to attract potential buyers. Sellers are offering more open houses, which can be effective marketing tools. RE/MAX Northern Illinois has assembled tips from real estate professionals on how to hold successful open houses in a soft economy.

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) April 16, 2008 -- Illinois real estate isn't selling like it used to and that means sellers and their agents are being more proactive. According to RE/MAX real estate agents around Chicago, a slower economy means more open houses than ever in Illinois.

"To see what we mean, just take a drive through almost any prime residential neighborhood early on a Sunday afternoon. Count all the 'Open House' signs there are," says Jim Merrion, regional director of RE/MAX Northern Illinois.

"In the last 18 months there has been a higher inventory of unsold homes. That has contributed to an increase in the use of open houses as a sales tool. It is an effective way to get the word out in the immediate neighborhood about your property. Also, your neighbors can be your best sales team because they know people - friends, family, and colleagues - who might like to live nearby," he said.

More People Going Online to Find Open Houses
"I've seen a shift in buyer behavior over the last five years," said Carrie Georgitsis of RE/MAX Signature in the Lake View neighborhood of Chicago.

"They are doing more on-line research, which makes it easy to find open houses listed. When they like a property that has an open house scheduled, they will go to the open house. Then, if they like the property, they will come back with their agent for a second look."

Open Houses Motivate Potential Buyers
Karen Hilgers of RE/MAX Blackhawk Valley in Andalusia, Illinois finds that an open house can be a good way to motivate hesitant buyers who are already interested in the home. "It lets those interested buyers know they may suddenly have some competition, and that can be all you need to get an offer on the table," she said.

Open house are also one of the few ways to attract "impulse buyers," the kind of buyer who sees a house for sale, takes a good look at it and falls in love with it, notes Marrion.

More Time for Open Houses in a Slow Market
Open houses are more common now than they were three years ago in a slower Chicago real estate market, according to Judy Kratville of RE/MAX Brokers in Westchester, Illinois.
"A few years ago, you might get 12 or 15 different buyers, couples or singles, at an open house. Now, the average is closer to three or four," she said.

"I'm not a big advocate of open houses, but in this market I'm doing more of them," said Gwen Broughton of RE/MAX Showcase in Waukegan, Illinois. "Sellers want to see you doing everything you can to get their home sold."

More Tips from Illinois Real Estate Agents

Sunday afternoons are the best times for attracting visitors to an open house.
Mail post cards to invite neighbors and prospects. Also list in the local newspaper and on Web sites.
Be sure the home for sale is as clean and neat as possible for the open house. Empty the garbage cans, clean out the closets, get rid of the clutter and polish the bathroom fixtures. Think model home.
Real estate agents should attend open houses and get valuable feedback by watching and listening to potential buyers.
Think of creative ways to attract word of mouth marketing that could lead to a sale.
About the Northern Illinois RE/MAX Network
RE/MAX offices have been number one in residential sales in the Chicago metropolitan area since 1989. Its website, www.illinoisproperty.com, receives more than 1 million unique visitors each month. The Northern Illinois region is part of RE/MAX International.

Visit our Illinois real estate blog for more tips on how to improve the results of your next open house.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:03 AM | Comments (0)

No End in Sight for California Foreclosure Mess March Sees Record Levels of California Foreclosure Filings

ForeclosureRadar (www.foreclosureradar.com), the only website that tracks every California foreclosure with daily auction updates; today issued it's California Foreclosure Report. March data indicates California's foreclosure crisis is accelerating and suggests that the normalization of the state's real estate market is still far from complete.

Discovery Bay, CA (PRWEB) April 16, 2008 -- ForeclosureRadar (www.foreclosureradar.com), the only website that tracks every California foreclosure with daily auction updates; today issued it's California Foreclosure Report. March data indicates California's foreclosure crisis is accelerating and suggests that the normalization of the state's real estate market is still far from complete.

High-level findings include:

Notices of Default - the first step in California's foreclosure process - jumped 14.3 percent during March, reaching a record high of 42,704. These new entries into the foreclosure pipeline will produce a jump in foreclosure sales and bank owned (REO) properties for months to come.
Notices of Trustee Sale, which are issued approximately 3 months following a Notice of Default, jumped 47.9 percent in March setting a record high of 27,571 filings.
Foreclosure sales at auction declined 6.5 percent in March to 15,833 with a combined loan value of $6.87 Billion. Lender inventories continue to swell as they failed to sell 97.7 percent of these properties despite offering an average discount of 21 percent off of loan value.
"Unfortunately, the foreclosure crisis in California is still deepening" said Sean O'Toole, founder of ForeclosureRadar. "The record jump in defaults last December are just now showing up in early April foreclosure sales, and the new record level of defaults this month won't begin to appear at auction until July."

Continues O'Toole, "We see the housing pain in California continuing through the end of this year, as the market shakes off the effects of the credit mess and rampant overbuilding. As devastating as this may be, we do think that the end result - greater housing affordability for the average Californian, using conventional loan products - will benefit consumers and the housing industry alike.

The largest discounts offered at auction were available in Merced County (32 percent off loan value on average), San Joaquin County (31 percent), and Monterey County (29 percent). Lenders offering the deepest discounts included Wilshire Credit Corp. (43.1 percent on average), World Savings (32.8 percent) and Downey Savings and Loan (30.4 percent).

Properties are sold, on average, 145 days after the Notice of Default is recorded, up 13 days from March 2007. Total time to foreclosure can vary by Lender, for example, World Savings takes an average of 158 days from Notice of Default to sale at auction, while Indymac completes the foreclosure process in just 121 days on average.

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 02:02 AM | Comments (0)

Workplace Languages, LLC Launches Pocket-Sized Survival Spanish & ESL Booklets

A more complex, interrelated world demands fast, easy and accurate real-time translations. Workplace Languages, LLC offers KwikFix booklets to facilitate workplace communications.

(PRWEB) April 16, 2008 -- To meet the growing demand for workplace language tools, Workplace Languages, LLC has developed a series of industry-specific survival Spanish and ESL booklets. The pocket-sized KwikFix™ booklets have been designed for management needing to get their point across in Spanish and a “reverse” version is also available – a KwikFix™ English booklet for Latino employees needing to communicate effectively in English. Industries include: Restaurants, Hotels, Construction, Landscaping, Healthcare and Travel.

The KwikFix™ Spanish & ESL booklets will assist your company in increasing:

Productivity
Employee Satisfaction
Quality of Training
Customer Service
Retention Rates

They will:

Improve Your Workplace
Increase Your Competitiveness
Reduce Supervision Time
Improve Your Bottom Line
Enhance Your Corporate Image
The KwikFix™ Spanish & ESL Booklets are a laminated pocket-sized tool. They will instantly bridge the communication gap that often exists between your managers and your employees by providing instant translations.

Designed with input from industry experts, the KwikFix™ Spanish & ESL Booklets include complete industry-specific phrases and requests and information related to: hygiene, safety, hiring, scheduling and making small talk. And it includes an easy-to-use pronunciation guide for those phrases assuring your managers & Spanish-speaking employees will be quickly understood – even if they’ve never spoken Spanish or English before!

The KwikFix™ booklets:

Provide Instant Communication in survival Spanish and English
Provide “Grammar-less” Translations
Lessen Frustration
Are Slim, Pocket-Sized, 6.5” x 3.75
Are in a Customizable Format able to Include Your Logo and Meet the Needs of your Staff or Clientele
Workplace Languages, LLC offer a large number of bilingual training tools to a variety of industries. They are all ultra user-friendly and are all customizable with content and a company logo. With their bilingual training tools there is nothing to retain, no classes to attend and no huge time or financial commitment, just easy translations.

They also offer customized onsite Survival Spanish Classes & Seminars (or other languages) to management in a variety of industries. And Workplace Languages, LLC teaches a very functional workplace English to those employees with limited English proficiency. Classes & seminars are always taught on-site at the company 24/7.

Workplace Languages, LLC has developed a global presence with their written translation services. They translate into 80+ languages and have a network of over 200 experienced translators. You can fill out a brief form on their website and attach your document and they will give you a free no obligation quote within 24 hours. They guarantee the best written translations, superior customer service and unmatched prices.

If your company needs to improve productivity, wants to retain great employees and values diversity, Workplace Languages, LLC has language solutions to improve your bottom line. Workplace Languages provides an easy, effective and immediate way to close the communication gap at your company.

If you would like more information about written translations, ESL or survival Spanish-language workplace resources please call Ed Rosheim at 651-330-9419 or email at erosheim(at)WorkplaceLanguages.com.

Contact: Ed Rosheim, President
Workplace Languages, LLC
1702 Regatta Drive
Woodbury, MN 55125
Phone: 651.330.9419
Fax: 651.330.9426
E-mail: erosheim(at)WorkplaceLanguages.com
URL: www.WorkplaceLanguages.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:00 AM | Comments (0)

NEXREGEN’s Commercial Real Estate Investment Weathers Credit Storm, 2/3 Interests Already Sold

DALLAS (Business Wire EON/PRWEB ) April 16, 2008 -- Although the credit crunch has caused investor anxiety, some real estate investments are still solid. NEXREGEN™, a new online commercial real estate portal through which smaller investors can own commercial real estate property, has already sold 2/3 of its interests to buyers.

Within a few clicks of a mouse and a $2500 investment, a new generation of commercial real estate investors now own shares in a 148,000 square foot retail shopping center in the highly successful Firewheel area of Garland, Texas.

NEXREGEN™, a combination of words which mean the next real estate generation, is a proprietary web-based system through which registered users are able to view featured properties for sale online and download vital information such as property descriptions, site plans, photos, aerial views, local demographics, prospectus, and tenant rosters. They can also drive by the site to see it for themselves.

“We believe that if given the right information buyers can make their own investment decisions online without the help of commissioned-based brokers,” said Ray Wirta, founder of NEXREGEN™ and former CEO of CB Richard Ellis, the largest real estate services firm in the world. Wirta has over 40 years of real estate experience.

NEXREGEN’s™ commercial property is being offered through a private REIT with shares still available for purchase.

Wirta and partners founded NEXREGEN™ on the principle that individual investors should be empowered to make their own investment choices and have available the same real estate investment opportunities typically reserved for high net worth individuals and institutions.

According to a recent study released by Deloitte Consulting LLP, commercial real estate remains a viable investment option for those seeking to diversify and insulate their portfolios.

The study, entitled 2008 Real Estate Capital Markets Industry Outlook: Top Ten Issues, says the commercial real estate industry is in a strong position to withstand recession, should one occur. “Commercial real estate remains comparatively attractive with solid underlying fundamentals, plentiful capital and steady allocations.”

“NEXREGEN’s offerings are designed to withstand the volatile credit environment and minimize risks of investors,” Wirta said. “When we bought the Firewheel Village property last May and put it into inventory for our REIT investors, we placed a mortgage loan on the property that is very favorable in light of current credit market conditions. So, the volatile credit market has no influence on our Firewheel Village investment.”

Offers of securities are made only by Prospectus, which contains a discussion of risks involved in making the investment. The Prospectus can be viewed by Texas residents who register on the NEXREGEN.com website.

More Information about NEXREGEN™ can be obtained at http://www.nexregen.com, or call 1-888-749-3026.

MULTIMEDIA GALLERY

http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=5659960

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:59 AM | Comments (0)

A Positive Voice Amongst the Mob of Negativity Surrounding New Home Builders! Upcoming Book Release: 21st Century Advertising for New Home Builders by Preston John

'21st Century Advertising for New Home Builders' by Preston John and published by LJW Publishing set to release on July 18, 2008. The 196 page book offers new home builders the opportunity to create advertising, sales & marketing strategies that set them apart in their industry.

Mesa, AZ (PRWEB) April 16, 2008 -- LJW Publishing's upcoming release, "21st Century Advertising for New Home Builders" by Preston John, will be on shelves July 18, 2008. The book is a timely addition to an industry that is currently being overwhelmed by the negative effects of a changing economy. The upcoming release may be described by some as a "survival guide" for those in the new home building industry, but Preston John would describe it as a guide to thriving in an industry of change.

The Book: 21st Century Advertising for New Home Builders
Publisher: LJW Publishing
Distributor: Atlas Books
Author: Preston John
ISBN 13: 978-0-9761986-5-9
Publication Date: July 18, 2008
Price: $12.95
Binding: paperback, perfect binding
Page Count: 196
Book Category: Business/General;Business/Construction;Business/Advertising

About the Author: Preston John
The author, Preston John, is the C.E.O. of the nation's largest Sales & Marketing firm specializing in New Home Builders. He is aware of the necessary steps to take during industry climate changes to ensure that his clients outlast their less prepared competitors. He has dedicated his career to sales and marketing in the real estate industry and continues to thrive on the never ending growth that completing the job successfully requires.

About the Publisher: LJW Publishing
LJW Publishing is a division of LJW, Inc., founded 23 years ago and still experiencing new and exciting possibilities. LJW Publishing's main offices are located in Mesa, Arizona just outside of Phoenix. The company is excited to publish this particular work as it is so applicable to current economic issues in the nation and in the new home building industry specifically.

For More Information:
For more information on the book, the author, or the publishing company contact Sarah Carter at sarah @ larryjohnwright.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:59 AM | Comments (0)

Best Home Building Web Site of 2008 to be Named by Web Marketing Association in Annual WebAward Competition

The Web Marketing Association announces the call for entries for its 12th annual international WebAward Competition for Web site development at www.webaward08.org. The Web Marketing Association will once again name the Best Home Building Web site of 2008.

West Simsbury, CT (PRWEB) April 16, 2008 -- The Web Marketing Association announces the call for entries for its 12th annual international WebAward Competition for Web site development at Web Award Web site. The WebAwards is the standards-defining competition that sets benchmarks for 96 industries, including home building web sites, based on the seven criteria of a successful Web site. The deadline for home building web sites to enter to be judged is May 31, 2008.

"The home building industry is very competitive when it comes to Web development and companies can benefit from the independent evaluation of their online efforts," said William Rice, President of the Web Marketing Association. "By offering virtual tours of properties, home building sites have successfully placed themselves at the top for the integration of technology. They also have some of the highest scores in content for any industry."

Web sites are judged on seven criteria including design, innovation, content, technology, interactivity, copy writing and ease of use. Each WebAward entry is judged against other entries in its industry category and then against an overall standard of excellence.

All entrants benefit from receiving valuable feedback in terms of their specific scores compared against the average scores for their industry. They also may receive specific comments from the WebAward's professional judging panel on their Web site development efforts.

Winners of a WebAward in the home building category will also receive:

Image plaque or certificate of achievement
Increased visibility for their company
Marketing opportunity to promote the company website to the media
Links to your site from the highly ranked WebAward site to help SEO
Admiration of peers, friends and co-workers

Each year the Web Marketing Association names the Best Home Building Website based on the scores submitted by the competition judges. Recent winners of the Best Home Building Web site include:

2007 - Creative Digital Group for The Home Depot Roofing, Siding, Windows
2006 - Hanley Wood LLC for BUILDER Online
2005 - Critical Mass for Andersen Windows
2004 - Liggett-Stashower Interactive for Crane Performance Siding web site
2003 - Emco Building Products Corp. for DreamRoofs.com

Using the quantifiable data collected from more than 15,000 Web site evaluations over the past decade, the WebAwards has defined and recognized industry-specific benchmarks for successful Web sites in each of the seven judging criteria and released an Internet Standards Assessment Report to detail the findings of the study. A copy of the 2009 Internet Standards Assessment Report, including details regarding the home building industry, will be provided to all participants.

Judging for the 2008 WebAwards will take place in June through August and winners will be announced in September. Judges will consist of a select group of Internet professionals who have direct experience designing and managing Web sites,-including members of the media, interactive creative directors, site designers, content providers and webmasters - with an in-depth understanding of the current state-of-the-art in Web site development and technology. Past judges have included top executives from leading organizations such as A&E Television Networks, Agency.com, Blattner Brunner, Bridge Worldwide, The Cincinnati Enquirer, Comedy Central, Disney, Euro RSCG, Ion Global, J. Walter Thompson, John Deere Company, New York Post Interactive, Organic, Inc., Refinery, R/GA, Saatchi & Saatchi, SAP, Starwood Hotels, Sun Microsystems, Warner Bros. Online, Xerox and Zugara.

The 2008 WebAwards are sponsored by the following leading organizations: Burst Media, PRWeb, AllBusiness, Misukanis & Odden, Small Army, ExactTarget, ad:tech conferences, NewsUSA, MediaPost's OMMA conference, TopRank Online Marketing, Creative Chocolate Printing Company, PhizzPop, Internet World UK, Search Engine Strategies, Webmaster Radio, Rovion's InPerson, Snap Shots and Website Magazine.

About the WebAwards:
Now in its 12th year, the annual international WebAwards competition sets the standard of excellence in 96 industry categories by evaluating Web sites and defining benchmarks based on the seven essential criteria of successful Web site development. The goal of the Web Marketing Association, sponsor of the WebAwards, is to provide a forum to recognize the people and organizations responsible for developing some of the most effective Web sites on the Internet today. Entrants benefit from a Web site assessment by a professional judging panel and the marketing opportunities presented to an award-winning Web site. For more information, visit www.webaward08.org.

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

Economic Downturn - Now What? - TruckerToTrucker is Expanding

The economy is facing difficult times. Businesses are looking for ways to obtain the most effective use of their advertising dollar. Many are cutting back and the astute business is carefully evaluating their advertising expenditures. Is it best to cut back or is the time right to aggressively increase visibility and invest in filling the information vacuum?

Culver, IN (PRWEB) April 16, 2008 -- Jim McCormack, the owner of TruckerToTrucker.com recognizes that even in tough economic times opportunities exist. He is conducting a sale while simultaneously expanding his business. Additional products are being offered, advertising is being expanded and he has increased his staff to deal with the anticipated economic rebound that most assuredly will occur. McCormack states that he is not an economist, but he does recognize some essential tenets that businesses always tout, but sometimes have difficulty following in a competitive economic environment. Many are decreasing their advertising budgets while he's increasing his expenditures and inviting others to do the same because he believes that an information void is developing and the time is right to invest in increasing market visibility especially when others are shrinking their presence.

TruckerToTrucker specializes in attracting buyers and sellers of heavy trucks, trailers and the associated equipment essential for local or long haul transport operations. The current economic climate dictates that it is currently a buyers market, so inventory may move slower than expected. To that end, TruckerToTrucker is providing a 90 day advertising cycle that will realize a 10% savings for clients over the normal month to month plan. The present monthly advertising rates are currently the least expensive of any competitor with extensive reach in the trucking community, but this program provides extraordinary value and offers an opportunity for both buyers and sellers. Buyers of heavy trucks as well as virtually all other products are seeking the best value for their purchases, so this strategy exists to promote that value which can only be accomplished through aggressive marketing in a very visible way. Information for truck and trailer dealers.

TruckerToTrucker provides buyers with detailed information, specifications and multiple photographs for hundreds of trucks and trailers as well as associated trucking equipment. Current trucking news as well as a wide variety of general information for the trucking community is complimented by a trucker forum which is available to the thousands that visit this site every day. The extensive Internet links within the community are being expanded daily to insure that the TruckerToTrucker is maintaining and increasing its presence in the trucking industry. Jim McCormack states that, "I have faith in America and the resilience of our economy. One would be remiss if they didn't note that our nation has experienced economic downturns in the past and businesses and individuals who have maintained their edge have emerged stronger, more competitive and more capable."

Contact:
George Wilkins, Director of Marketing
Trucker To Trucker LLC
1-800-240-5811
http://www.TruckerToTrucker.com

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

Sapphire Condominium Is Topped Off - The Altman Companies Celebrates a Building Milestone

The stunning Sapphire condominium in Fort Lauderdale celebrated a construction milestone recently as the twin 12-story towers were topped off. A ceremonial 20-foot Royal Palm tree and an American flag, in honor of the troops serving abroad, were placed on the roof signifying the completion of vertical construction.

Fort Lauderdale, FL (PRWEB) April 16, 2008 -- The stunning Sapphire condominium in Fort Lauderdale celebrated a construction milestone recently as the twin 12-story towers were topped off. A ceremonial 20-foot Royal Palm tree and an American flag, in honor of the troops serving abroad, were placed on the roof signifying the completion of vertical construction.

"Sapphire will be the newest, most luxurious addition to the rejuvenated Fort Lauderdale beach skyline," said Joel Altman, chairman and CEO of The Altman Companies, developer of Sapphire and other luxurious residences in South Florida. "What makes this milestone especially significant to us is that it comes during our company's 40th anniversary year. Sapphire is a magnificent addition to our family of communities."

Sapphire will feature 172 spacious condominium residences many with ocean and Intracoastal views. Residents can choose from a selection of floor plans ranging in size from 1,274 to 2,680 square feet of living space. Two-bedroom-plus-den residences are priced from the mid-$500,000s, three-bedroom residences from the $800,000s and penthouses from $1.28 million. Occupancy is anticipated for next season.

Adding to the allure of Sapphire are the resort-style amenities, exciting beach lifestyle and a complimentary membership to the prominent Club at Harbor Beach Marriot Resort & Spa presented to each resident.

"The Altman Companies has set the standard of excellence in the industry with Sapphire as the ultimate example," said Laurie Ingber, co-owner of Premier Sales Group, the exclusive sales and marketing agent for Sapphire. "Sapphire has it all - beauty, elegance, attention to detail, breathtaking ocean and Intracoastal views, phenomenal amenities, The Club at Harbor Beach and much more. That's what sets Sapphire apart."

Homebuyers interested in living the Sapphire lifestyle are invited to visit the Sales Center at 3330 East Oakland Park Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, just east of the Intracoastal Bridge. Call (954) 567-4777 or visit www.sapphirecondos.com for more information.

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

San Jose Pool Construction Company Teams With Senior Mortgage Banker

Swan Pools of San Jose, part of a leading swimming pool company based throughout California, is partnering with Central Financial to provide loans for swimming pools.

San Jose, CA (PRWEB) April 16, 2008 -- Swan Pools of San Jose is announcing their new financial products that are available for affordable swimming pool construction. The swimming pool company has partnered with senior mortgage banker Central Financial as a prime source for a multitude of loan products. Reasonably priced loans for swimming pools is a welcome change for many consumers in the tough economic climate that exists today.

The team at Swan Pools is providing these swimming pool construction loans to relieve stress on customers' budgets and enhance their lives with beautiful swimming pools. Not only do they have debt consolidation combined with home improvement loans at low rates, but there are also deferred payments available to those who qualify.

The team at Swan Pools would like consumers to know that now is a great time to take advantage of pre-inflationary swimming pool construction and affordable low interest loans with excellent terms. To learn more about these products for planning a dream pool, visit Swan Pools' showroom at 1495 South Winchester Blvd. in San Jose or contact them online at www.swanpools.com

About Swan Pools:

For more than 50 years, the Swan Pools swimming pool company has been creating outdoor family environments that are built to last a lifetime.

Incorporated in 1954, Swan Pools has one of the longest and most dependable track records in the pool and spa industry. Not many swimming pool companies claim to have built 50,000 pools in California. The value to the consumer is the immeasurable confidence that their customers have in not only the construction process but also the ongoing future relationship that exists as long as they own their pool.

Through the generations, lifestyles have changed and so has today's swimming pool. To stay on the cutting edge of this changing technology, Swan Pools is constantly developing new design techniques and installation procedures that must pass specific quality control standards. This ensures that each new product or material that a consumer may want will stand the test of time. They build pools, not just for today, but for tomorrow.

Contact:

Swan Pools Inc.
www.swanpools.com
Paul Workman
1-800-FOR-SWAN

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

TDCI Sponsors Aberdeen Research on Benefits of Product Configurators

Aberdeen Group benchmark report finds profit margins improve up to 80% for companies using Configurator Solutions.

Columbus, Ohio (PRWEB) April 16, 2008 -- In a newly released benchmark report, "Tailoring Products to Customer Preferences: Configuring Profits to Order," Aberdeen Group found that manufacturers are increasingly turning to customization as a way to win business. However, capturing and validating exactly what customers want, accurately quoting orders, while still delivering products quickly is challenging. Companies that are successfully addressing these challenges are able to reap the benefits of higher product profitability. Some are even seeing product profit margins improve by up to 80%, just by using configuration solutions.

"Companies who have not deployed a configuration solution will be at a competitive disadvantage and will forego the benefits of higher profit margins," says Michelle Boucher, Research Analyst for Aberdeen Group's Product Innovation and Engineering practice. "A sales configurator alone can translate to profit margins that are 12% higher. An integrated sales, product and manufacturing configurator solution can mean profit margins that are 21% higher.

This report analyzed the experiences of over three hundred companies to uncover what industry leaders are doing differently. The report details how leaders:

Validate custom orders and develop accurate quotes 20% more often than competitors.
Achieve higher customer satisfaction with 3.5 times as many customizable features as competitors.
Meet promised delivery dates 14% more often than competitors.

TDCI, Inc. (TDCI), a leading provider of configurator-based guided selling and quoting software sponsored this research as part of on-going efforts to further understand the issues facing manufacturers of highly customized products.

A download of the report is available at no cost complementary of TDCI at: www.aberdeen.com/link/sponsor.asp?spid=30411119&cid=4666.

About TDCI and BuyDesign
TDCI (www.tdci.com) is an enterprise solution provider that specializes in helping manufacturers and their distributors streamline the interest-to-order cycle for customized products. TDCI's BuyDesign® software is a comprehensive web-based guided selling and configuration solution developed to help companies increase sales by becoming 'easy to do business with' while reducing order processing time, cost, and errors. BuyDesign provides modular components for guided product selection and configuration, 2D and 3D product visualization, quoting, ordering, manufacturing data generation, and more. BuyDesign can be deployed online or distributed with centrally managed Internet-based synchronization.

Press contact: Sharon Binkley (sbinkley @ tdci.com ; 614-781-2325)

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

April 15, 2008

Homebuyers Can Bid on a Brand-New Luxury Home in Redlands with the Click of a Mouse

The LFC Group of Companies has just launched an online auction of twelve new homes in Redlands, California, on their residential auction website Freedom Realty Exchange (www.FRE.com/215R3). This is not another foreclosure auction, but an online auction of brand-new, beautifully appointed homes in an exclusive, gated community.

Newport Beach, CA (PRWEB) April 15, 2008 -- The LFC Group of Companies, a Newport Beach-based online real estate auction marketing firm, launches an online auction of twelve new homes at Casalingo Estates on their residential auction website Freedom Realty Exchange (www.FRE.com/215R3).

Perched upon the hills of Redlands, California, Casalingo Estates is an upscale, gated community featuring elegant Tuscan-style homes on a secluded cul-de-sac. The exclusive community includes a private clubhouse that will house a state-of-the-art workout and exercise facility. Conveniently situated off of Wabash Avenue, just minutes from Interstate 10, the brand-new development is only two blocks from the prestigious Redlands Golf and Country Club.

Located in the heart of Southern California, Redlands is less than an hour's drive from Palm Springs, known for its casinos, five star dining and some of the best golf courses in the nation. Commuting is a breeze with convenient freeway access to both Los Angeles and Orange County. Historic downtown Redlands boasts beautiful Victorian mansions and charming, locally-owned shops, boutiques and art galleries. Particularly quaint is tree-lined State Street, home to the Redlands Farmers' Market every Thursday. A center of art and culture, Redlands is home to the Redlands Historical Museum, the San Bernardino County Museum, the Redlands Historical Glass Museum, as well as the Redlands Bowl, which hosts the country's oldest free outdoor concert series and the annual Redlands Shakespeare Festival every May. Also located near downtown is the University of Redlands, a private liberal arts and sciences college founded in 1907.

The custom, single-story homes range in size from approximately 2,556 to 2,704 square feet. Previously valued from about $950,000 to over $1 million, the minimum bids for the homes will start as low as $370,000. Also included in the online auction is one fully-furnished model home with a minimum bid starting at only $1!

The 2,556-sq.-ft. Villa D'Barresa floor plan features two bedrooms with an additional den or study, two and a half baths, a three-car garage, family room, living room and a formal dining room. The 2,704-sq.-ft. Villa D'Aosta plan features three bedrooms, three and a half baths, a three-car garage, family room, breakfast room, living room and a formal dining room. Each home is fully-upgraded with attractive features like solid wood interior doors, surround sound, an alarm system, smooth textured walls with bullnose finish and a boosted clay tile roof. Additionally, each home has a gourmet kitchen complete with custom wood cabinetry, granite countertops, Kohler® plumbing fixtures, a wet bar with wine fridge and stainless steel Kitchen Aid® appliances. Lastly, every home site has panoramic views of the beautiful San Bernardino Mountains and includes a fully-landscaped front and back yard that are maintained by Casalingo's homeowner's association. Each lush backyard retreat includes an outdoor fireplace and a built-in barbeque area.

Special financing packages are available to potential buyers, exclusively for the purchase of Casalingo homes in this online auction.

"Unlike most of the other auctions occurring here in Southern California, this is not a foreclosure auction, but an auction of new builder/developer inventory," comments Bill Lange, president of the LFC Group of Companies. "This builder understands that the most effective way to sell a home in this turbulent market is to let buyers determine the price; and that's best achieved through an auction."

These exquisitely appointed abodes are perfect for any homebuyer looking for a new home with minimal upkeep and maintenance. So if you've been looking to purchase a new Southern California luxury home, this online auction is the opportunity you've been waiting for!

The bid deadline is Thursday, May 29th, 2008. For more information, go to www.FRE.com/215R3.

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 12:59 AM | Comments (0)

Equity Based Services, Inc. Announces Acquisition of Storage One Portfolio in Las Vegas for $12 Million

EBS closed a $12 Million acquisition in the Las Vegas market today, once again showing that it is one of the few players in self storage acquisitions that is still able to close deals in an uncertain credit market.

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) April 15, 2008 -- Equity Based Services, Inc. (EBS), a private real estate investment and management firm announced today that it has acquired a two property Storage One portfolio in Las Vegas, NV and Henderson Nevada for $12 million.

EBS closed a $12 million acquisition in the Las Vegas market today, once again showing that it is one of the few players in self storage acquisitions that is still able to close deals in an uncertain credit market.

EBS has terminated the management and licensing agreement with Storage One and will re-brand these two properties as American Mini Storage (AMS) properties. The entire portfolio of AMS properties can be found online at http://www.ams-storage.com.

The Storage One portfolio consists of two properties. The first property is located at 4851 East Bonanza Road in Las Vegas, NV and consists of 58,125 Net Rentable Square Feet (NRSF) of storage space. This includes 543 storage units and 149 covered RV parking spaces. The second property is located at 733 South Racetrack Road in Henderson, NV and offers 60,675 Net Rentable Square Feet comprised of 453 storage units and 49 RV parking spaces.

This acquisition adds a total of 118,800 NRSF to the EBS portfolio, bringing EBS' holdings in the southern Nevada market up to six properties totaling 378,600 NRSF and 3,255 total storage units. EBS now has total holdings of 50 self storage properties in nine states with a total of 3,145,814 NRSF and 25,252 total storage units with a current market value exceeding $200 million.

EBS drew upon the strength of its more than 300 individual private client investors and cash from its fully subscribed, and closed private equity fund The EBS Income and Growth Fund II in order to close this deal.

"Experience, track record, cash on hand, and excellent banking relationships have enabled us to close this deal in a market where few organizations are able to find financing for value added self storage deals," said Troy Downing, Manager, Equity Based Services, Inc.

EBS obtained a loan for $9.6 million leveraging a $12 million purchase price. The loan has very favorable terms including a 30 month Interest-Only period. Interest-Only periods allow value added income properties to maximize cash flow unburdened by amortization. This results in increased cash flow to the owners and investors of these properties.

An increasingly difficult and tumultuous lending market in the throws of a "Credit Crunch" has greatly slowed the acquisitions of commercial real estate. Only well qualified borrowers and experienced owner/operators are able to obtain cost effective financing for transactions in this environment. This has forced many small and inexperienced operators out of the market and has forced sellers to price their properties correctly for the current market. The net effect of the current real estate and lending markets is that well qualified buyers can acquire properties at values that make sense rather than the extremely exaggerated prices that cheap loan dollars and indiscriminate lending practices have afforded in the past.

"EBS continues to pursue great deals in the Las Vegas Market. We feel that this will continue to be a very strong market. The Self Storage Industry thrives on volatility, which perfectly describes Las Vegas," said Stephen Kaplan, CEO, Equity Based Services, LLC. "People are constantly moving in, moving out, going into business, going out of business, going to school, graduating, getting married, and getting divorced... These changes and an ever increasing population base propel people into self storage use. This very "Las Vegas" model allows us to maximize the potential income of every one of our properties in the Las Vegas market and this ultimately translates into superior returns for EBS, our Private Equity Funds, and our Private Client Investors."

In addition to the Storage One portfolio, EBS owns and operates the following properties in the Las Vegas market:

AMS at 5220 S. Jones Blvd, LV acquired on 8/18/05
AMS 2 at 1011 Stufflebeam Ave, Henderson acquired on 6/12/06
AMS 3 at 5250 East Craig Rd., LV acquired on 4/29/07
Storage Inn at 4950 Duneville St., LV acquired on 6/5/07
About Equity Based Services, Inc.
EBS is a private real estate company specializing in the opportunistic acquisition and management of self-storage commercial property. EBS currently owns and operates 50 Self-Storage properties in nine states worth approximately $200 million. EBS also manages a family of equity funds for institutional and high net worth individual investors. EBS funds invest in both stabilized income producing commercial property and value added, opportunistic commercial real estate. The EBS Income Fund, the EBS Income and Growth Fund II, and the Pilot Equity Value Added Fund all closed in 2007 and represent more than $16 million in capital contributions. All portfolio properties are aggressively managed by All American Property Management, Inc., an EBS company, to maximize returns to Investors. For more information, contact Katie Raden at 619-220-6700.

This Press Release is for general informational purposes only and does not, in any way, constitute an offering to purchase or sell securities.

Media Contact:
Katie Raden
619-220-6700
katieraden @ equitybasedservices.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:57 AM | Comments (0)

Independent Bank Austin (TX) Continues Growth; Q1 '08 Assets, Loans, Deposits Rise - Sub-prime Lending Chaos Creates Opportunity for Community Banks -- CEO

Independent Bank of Austin, SSB, based in Lakeway and also serving the Georgetown-Sun City areas of Central Texas, reported a 27% rise in net profits over the year-ago first quarter; a 33% increase in assets, 18% growth in loans and a 19% rise in local deposits for the first quarter of 2008. Customer relationships grew 4% during the past quarter, and the average life of a loan this past quarter was 12.9 months and the average size about $265,776. CEO Denny Buchanan says the sub prime mortgage mess may be affecting his Travis-Williamson County market, but is actually creating solid lending opportunities for the 33-month-old state savings bank that expects to reach $180 million in assets by year-end 2008.

Lakeway and Georgetown, TX (PRWEB) April 15, 2008 -- The "trickle down effect" from the sub prime lending mortgage mess may be affecting the market and many communities, but "it's also actually creating opportunity for financially strong community banks," contends Denny Buchanan, President and CEO of Independent Bank of Austin, SSB.

The bank, based in Lakeway, TX with operations in the Georgetown-Sun City area, reported today a first quarter 2008 net profit of $587,015, up 17% over fourth quarter 2007 profit of $502,120 and up 27% over the year-ago results.

Total assets at March 31, 2008, for the 33-month-old bank were $158.5 million, up 4% over the $152.9 million recorded at Dec. 31, 2007, and up 33% over the year-ago first quarter assets of $119.6 million. Loans at March 31 represented $140.9 million, up 4% over the $135.9 million reported at year-end 2007 and up18% over the year-ago quarter total of $119 million. (More year-ago quarterly comparisons are in the table below.)

Bank-wide deposits were $95.9 million, down 9% compared to the $105.3 million reported at year-end 2007. This declining trend was a direct result of allowing some non-local deposits to run off in order to take advantage of a cheaper source of funding from the Federal Home Loan Bank in Dallas. Local deposits - funds generated in the immediate market area - were up 19% over the year-ago quarter.

"Community banks, on the whole, did not participate in sub prime lending because of the availability of secondary market financing, but the crisis affects our market, since we do lend funds for projects to buy and develop properties or to own a residence," the veteran banker explained. http://www.ibankaustin.com/3004-01-IBA/UserFiles/Image/denny.jpg "Certainly, the players on the field have changed dramatically."

"Mortgage firms that previously made many such loans were strong competitors. Now they are essentially gone. The large banks, which had sub prime lending arms and invested heavily in sub prime securities, are also no longer making as many loans," Buchanan elaborated.

"As a result, Independent Bank of Austin and other community banks are getting many great opportunities to be selective in funding solid loans - prudent choices based on sound principals. The current lending environment also allows us to get more equity into each project," he noted. That's a huge change from even six months ago. We can be selective and still help prospective homebuyers on occasions when there is not a secondary mortgage market for that program.

"Banks are interested in long-term customer relationships, so we won't try to sell a customer a loan he or she cannot afford," he emphasized. "We'll make a loan that's right for them and the bank, and by doing so, we'll be doing what's right for the community and the economy at large."

Open House ... New VP-Lending

Large crowds are expected for the open houses on Thursday, April 17th and Friday, April 18th, when Independent Bank formally shows off its new $1.5 million, 3,500-square-foot corporate headquarters at 3209 Ranch Road 620. (PHOTOS -- Five high-res digital images at: http://www.ibankaustin.com/default.aspx?v=62555497-70e4-4c78-821e-af3c97d5a37b&t=iba).

The more accessible location, which opened in late December, has a drive-in facility and stunning Hill Country and canyon views. It is across from Lake Travis High School and1.5 miles from the newly opened Hill Country Galleria shopping Center.

The one-story building is located near the Alta Vista Development in a project known as Honey Creek Development Center. It is adjacent to a major planned community and rapidly expanding residential developments in a high-growth corridor between Bee Cave, Texas on Austin's southwest fringe and Georgetown in Williamson County, 25 miles north of the capitol city.

Visitors also will be able to meet the newest executive - Georgia Bond, Vice President-Lending Operations, who joined the staff this past winter. Bond is responsible for oversight of loan operations personnel, including loan fundings, closings, credit department and draw management. She's not a new face, however, having worked with the bank's leadership at other institutions for more than 15 years. (PHOTO: http://www.ibankaustin.com/default.aspx?v=1fbb9999-1bdb-40f4-9961-6f109b8d9447&t=iba and scroll to her headshot.)

The bank now has 16 headquarters employees and 19.5 personnel company-wide.

Georgetown Results ... Growth Outlook

The bank's branch office, (at 3613 Williams Dr., Ste. 201, Village Lake Office Condominiums) serving Georgetown and Sun City businesses and residents, also experienced healthy quarterly growth. At March 31, deposits were $35.6 million, up 19 %over the year-ago quarter deposits of $29.8 million.

"Systemwide, the new deposits are funding our loan portfolio, largely comprised of commercial development, residential construction and mortgages," emphasized Julie Buchanan, Executive VP-Operations. "We market to small home builders and their customers, primarily, with the majority of our loans for single-family construction projects. The average life of a loan this past quarter was 12.9 months and the average size, about $265,776."

"While our quarter-over-quarter growth is showing slower improvement due to our maturing size, we still believe Independents growth will remain stable for the next six or at least until the economic environment is more settled," she stated.

"At start-up, the bank's management projected to regulators its intent to generate $100 million in assets within five to 10 years. That was achieved in only 1.5 years," she noted. "Our year-end 2007 estimates to state authorities projects Independent Bank at $180 million in assets by year-end 2008."

"Our expanding services, prompt lending decisions and competitive rates on customer deposits reinforce our 'The People's Bank' philosophy," Denny Buchanan said. "Those qualities helped us grow customer relationships 4 percent this past quarter to a total of 1,707."

Independent Bank offers a highly competitive Platinum Account paying a 2.25% to 2.75% APY (annual percentage yield) interest rate. These accounts, available to individuals and corporations, require deposits of $50,000 or more, with unlimited check writing for individuals. For all current rates, see www.ibankaustin.com or call 512-261-3355.

QUARTERLY COMPARISONS - 2008 & 2007

Assets March 31, 2008 March 31, 2007

Cash $1,221,000 $1,072,000

Investments & Interest-

bearing Cash $14,846,000 $9,316,000

Fed funds sold $0 $3,042,000

Loans $140,660,000 $87,590,000

Less Reserves ($1,415,000) ($839,000)

Fixed Assets $2,022,000 $720,000

Other Assets $1,223,000 $859,000

Total Assets $158,557,000 $101,760,000

Liabilities

Deposits $95,947,000 $88,461,000

Borrowings $47,043,000 $0

Other Liabilities $877,000 $1,449,000

Total Liabilities $143,867,000 $89,910,000

Equity

Common Stock $8,000,000 $8,000,000

Surplus $6,103,000 $3,034,000

Undivided Profits $587,000 $817,000

Total Equity $14,690,000 $11,851,000

Total Liabilities and Equity $158,557,000 $101,760,000

Additional financial performance can be seen at https://cdr.ffiec.gov/public/ManageFacsimiles.aspx

Independent Bank is approved by the Texas Savings and Mortgage Lending Dept. and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC). The bank's deposits are insured by the FDIC.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR INTERVIEWS:
Denny Buchanan, President/CEO, Independent Bank of Austin SSB, Lakeway, TX, 512-261-3355, fax 512-261-3356

Preston F. Kirk, APR, Kirk Public Relations, Austin, TX, 830-693-4447

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:57 AM | Comments (0)

Smart Construction Windscreen Equals A Better Job Site

As outdoor construction season begins to heat up, windscreen manufacturer Larry Brown reminds project managers that correctly installed windscreens maximize construction site productivity and profitability.

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) April 15, 2008 -- Recently in downtown Chicago a towering new Trump high rise broke ground. Little noticed but an important part of the job site was the fence windscreen the general contractor installed. The fence screening not only put the site in municipal code compliance, it made for a cleaner job site with less distractions in one of the city's busiest neighborhoods. Additionally, the general contractor received thousands of dollars of free publicity with a custom logo printed on the screening.

Midwest Cover, a national manufacturer of windscreen products, helped the building's contractor maximize their investment in mandatory construction screening.

"A good windscreen install makes for a better job site," says Midwest Cover President, Larry Brown. "There are less distractions to workers. It makes for a physically cleaner site. Don't forget customized logos on screening will have an impact on the job site bottom line."

Brown says picking the right type fence screen material is the first step in making windscreen a profitable part of the construction project.

"Calculate the length of the project and pick your fence screen material accordingly," says Brown. A good manufacturer will have different degrees of opacity and lifespan depending on job duration.

Proper installation is also critical to making windscreen a profitable part of the job. Brown says that contractors need to install windscreen taut against fencing to prevent abrasion and material wear. Brown recommends ensuring placement with quality, UV stabilized tie wraps. Windscreen over six feet high should be tied in the middle to decrease wind load and stress on the fence.

Brown reminds managers that more and more building codes require windscreen installation before work can begin. He has heard of heavy fines meted out in Chicago to confused construction companies not up to date with compliance.

"But don't think of it only as a requirement," Brown says. "There is a real benefit to a construction company's brand and image with quality windscreen. Especially in high traffic sites, custom logos can lure real prospects. Well-installed fence screen is a net positive on a contractor's image."

Along with the real dollar savings in job site productivity and cleanup costs, a custom branded fence screen installation is the smart way to begin a profitable construction project.

Contact:
Midwest Cover Construction Windscreen
800.594.0744

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:57 AM | Comments (0)

Global Carpets Market to Reach $23.9 Billion by 2010, According to New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

Carpet industry is increasingly leveraging the ergonomic benefits provided by carpets such as lower fatigue while standing/walking, and increased safety due to reduced incidence of falls and injuries. This guided choice for floor covering is emerging as the main propellant for the industry's sales. While the traditional markets of United States and Europe continue to dominate the global scenario, the emerging markets of Eastern Europe and Asia are projected to drive future growth.

San Jose, California (PRWEB) April 15, 2008 -- World carpets (wall-to-wall) market is forecast to post sales of $23.9 billion by 2010. Construction industry is the lead indicator of growth in the carpet industry, with residential sector accounting for a large share of new wall-to-wall carpets purchased. Factors such as construction frequency, house renovation, and consumer expenditure on durable goods influence the growth of carpet industry. Consumers and businesses tend to defer the purchase of goods such as carpets during adverse economic conditions, which significantly affects the revenue generation capabilities of the industry.

Tufted carpets (wall-to-wall) dominate the global sales scenario, with a share in excess of 88% for 2008, as stated in a recent report published by Global Industry Analysts, Inc. However, the woven carpets market is projected to be the fastest growing segment with a CAGR of 2.5% over 2000-2010. Faced with adverse market conditions, manufacturers are developing innovative products that incorporate new designs, materials and textures, to encourage carpet purchases among consumers. Besides, the growing consumer awareness about environment friendly products has contributed to the higher demand for products made from natural materials such as wool.

United States and Europe are key markets in the global carpets (wall-to-wall) market. In the United States, Tufted carpets represents the leading segment capturing a share of 88% in 2008. The United States is characterized by mature conditions, which has paved the way for market consolidation. A slow down in the residential construction activities coupled with the growing trend towards outsourcing has dampened growth in the overall market. Emerging markets of Eastern Europe, China and other Asian countries have emerged as potential revenue generators for the market. Accordingly, the commercial carpets industry is shifting frontiers to these high growth markets, which are witnessing a surge in commercial construction activities.

These and other market data and trends are presented in "Carpets (Wall-to-Wall): A Global Strategic Business Report" published by Global Industry Analysts, Inc. The report discusses the trends, issues, demand forecasts, and activities that affect the industry. The carpets market is analyzed in US$ million by the following geographic regions -- United States, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan), Middle East, and Latin America.

Dominant global forces profiled in the report include Allied Carpets, Beaulieu of America, Costikyan Carpets, Interface Inc., Mohawk Industries, Shaw Industries Inc., Thomas Industries LLC and Victoria Carpets Pty. Ltd. The study enumerates recent developments, mergers, acquisitions, and other strategic industry activities.

For more details about this research report, please visit http://www.strategyr.com/Carpets_Wall_to_Wall_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 12:56 AM | Comments (0)

New Anti-Slip Tape from Martinson-Nicholls Prevents Slips on Coast Guard Ships

Martinson-Nicholls new Safety Walk 710 gray anti-slip tape was developed to meet the demanding needs of Coast Guard ships. The tape features an aggressive, slip-resistant, larger grit surface to provide more friction in the wettest conditions. Available in tape or custom, die-cut forms, it may be applied in a variety of military, industrial, commercial, or residential applications.

Cleveland, OH (PRWEB) April 15, 2008 -- Martinson-Nicholls, an innovator in pressure sensitive anti-slip tapes has, along with 3M, developed a new, more aggressive tape for the United States Coast Guard. Along with requesting a more aggressive tape, the Coast Guard also wanted to switch from black to a gray colored tape. The requirements were accomplished with the introduction of the new 3M Safety Walk 710 series tape in the color gray.

The new 710 series gray tape uses a larger mineral for the surface, creating more friction even in the wettest conditions. This is exactly what the Coast Guard needed. Available now for all Martinson-Nicholls customers, the 710 series tape comes in 24" X 30' rolls only. Martinson-Nicholls will cut pieces for its customers as well as die cut pieces in both long and short runs. This versatility makes Martinson-Nicholls unique among pressure sensitive, anti slip tape suppliers.

"Martinson-Nicholls began a history of supplying anti-slip tapes to the Coast Guard about 10 years ago through a ship builder named Bollinger's," quoted Dan Ruminski, president of Martinson-Nicholls.

Bollinger's of New Orleans, one of the world's largest shipbuilders, had the opportunity to build 50 Coast Guard Cutters. An anti-slip surface had to be created for the entire deck of the ship. The other criteria were easy replacement of worn or damaged material without taking the ship out of service.

Martinson-Nicholls went to New Orleans to create detailed engineered drawings of the ship's deck. An anti-slip surface was designed of custom cut pieces of the company's most aggressive, pressure sensitive, anti-slip tape. Complete ship sets were supplied.

The new 710 tape is also used to provide complete replacement sets to allow installation if a section is damaged while the ships are out to sea. The anti-slip tape's flexibility makes the surface more durable and easier to patch than the older, epoxy-and-grit systems formerly used by the ships.

The tape is also available for other anti-slip requirements in industrial, commercial, and residential applications.

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 12:53 AM | Comments (0)

Pembroke Consulting Releases New Comprehensive Guide to the U.S. Wholesale Distribution Industry

Today, Pembroke Consulting announced the availability of "The 2008 Wholesale Distribution Economic Factbook," the third edition of its comprehensive market data reference guide to the $4.2 trillion U.S. wholesale distribution industry. The new report contains detailed economic statistics on the 112 distinct sub-sectors within the wholesale distribution industry.

Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) April 15, 2008 -- Today, Pembroke Consulting announced the availability of "The 2008 Wholesale Distribution Economic Factbook," the third edition of its comprehensive market data reference guide to the $4.2 trillion U.S. wholesale distribution industry. The new report contains detailed economic statistics on the 112 distinct sub-sectors within the wholesale distribution industry.

"Revenues of wholesaler-distributors grew by 8.6% in 2007, marking another year of strong overall performance. However, the performance of individual sub-sectors varied more than in previous years," said Pembroke Consulting President Adam J. Fein, Ph.D., the study's author. "The ongoing surge in commodity prices continues to ripple through wholesale distribution. Some sectors actually shrank in 2007 after revenues are adjusted for price inflation."

The Factbook supplies a wealth of detailed channel benchmarking data for each of the 112 sub-sectors, including revenue and employment growth trends, the number and size distribution of companies, gross margins, wages, and many other operating statistics. All data are presented using a single, internally consistent format to permit direct comparisons among the sub-sectors.

By special arrangement with the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW), Pembroke Consulting is also making individual sections of the Factbook available for purchase as the "2008 Wholesale Distribution Economic Reports." Each Report includes economic analyses of one of the 19 major wholesale distribution sectors in an easy-to-read and immediately downloadable format.

"We are pleased to provide an effective way for executives to access the specific data that are most relevant for their own business and line of trade," said Ron Schreibman, Executive Director of the NAW Institute for Distribution Excellence. "Dr. Fein's reports provide the most complete roadmap to understanding the economics of the wholesale distribution industry."

To order and download the complete Economic Factbook, please visit http://www.pembrokeconsulting.com/factbook or call 215-523-5700 ext. 14. To order any of the 19 individual Economic Reports from NAW, please visit http://www.naw.org/wder or call 202-872-0885.

Pembroke Consulting is a boutique management consulting and research firm that helps executives to improve strategic and tactical decision making. To learn more about the firm and its services visit www.PembrokeConsulting.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:53 AM | Comments (0)

Wilson-Mohr, Inc. Acquires INTEC Controls, Inc.

Wilson-Mohr announced today that it has acquired INTEC Controls, Inc., a HVAC products and solutions provider. Combination will create expanded products offerings and solutions for all customers.

Sugar Land, Texas (PRWEB) April 15, 2008 - Wilson-Mohr announced today that it has acquired INTEC Controls, Inc., a HVAC products and solutions provider. Following the acquisition, INTEC Controls will operate independently to preserve its successful brand and dedicated clientele.

The acquisition continues Wilson-Mohrs fast growing expansion into the commercial building automation controls marketplace. The combination of Wilson-Mohrs 40 years of industrial controls expertise and INTEC Controls 17 years in Commercial controls systems will provide more comprehensive solutions for both companys customers.

About INTEC Controls, Inc.
INTEC Controls, based in San Diego, has built a strong core product offering for its commercial HVAC and building control client base. The acquisition will help to expand these core products and the offerings of its final product assembly, factory calibration and authorized repair. INTECs excellence in product and engineering support has led to sustained domestic growth into 47 states and internationally into 6 countries.

Visit www.IntecControls.com for more details.

About Wilson-Mohr
Wilson-Mohr, based in Sugar Land, Texas, will surpass $50 million in revenue for 2008 by continuing to provide clients with the right solutions at the right time. Wilson-Mohr provides solutions from market-leading manufacturers of industrial process control and HVAC products, performs quality instrument repair and configuration services, and provides project engineering services in industrial process control and building automation areas. Wilson-Mohrs trusted professionals will do whatever it takes to ensure you made the right choice.

Visit www.WilsonMohr.com for more details.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:53 AM | Comments (0)

Leisure Woods Reminds Home and Business Owners That Spring Is Here - The Perfect Time To Plan a New Outdoor Space

With harsher than average winter temperatures and snowfall in many parts of the country, some are wondering when spring temperatures will start arriving. With these cooler temperatures, many homeowners may not have their outdoor space on their mind, but Leisure Woods, manufacturer of premium gazebos reminds home and building owners that now is the time to start planning a new outdoor space.

Genoa, IL (PRWEB) April 15, 2008 -- Many homeowners are anxious to put the brutal winter behind them and start enjoying spring and summer days in their yard. Yet, with spring temperatures still not a reality in many parts of the country, some homeowners are forgetting that now is the time to start planning any yard renovations.

"This has been a tough winter and I have many clients and friends who are fed up and just want the warm temperatures to arrive," states Charles Scordato, owner of Leisure Woods. "When spring takes it's time, we often find that people neglect to start planning for their outdoor renovations and then they are in a mad rush come May."

Smart homeowners are taking the time now to make their plans like a new patio or outdoor gazebo. "We design, manufacture and sell gazebo kits and always suggest that homeowners place their orders as early in the season as possible so that they are assured of having their kit to assemble as soon as the ground is dry." Scordato explains. "That way they can put this brutal winter behind them and get maximum use of their outdoor gazebo this season and can enjoy every minute of spring and summer."

Any homeowner interested in learning more about how easy gazebo kits are to assemble is encouraged to contact Leisure Woods directly or to visit their website.

About Leisure Woods
Leisure Woods, Inc., a family owned business, is a premier manufacturer of cedar gazebo kits. Leisure Woods Inc. has a variety of pre-engineered gazebos designed to compliment both the residential and commercial environments. They currently manufacture two gazebo series, the Lake Wood Gazebo and the Cedar Cove Gazebo and also offer select styles from each of these series in vinyl and treated.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:52 AM | Comments (0)

Daddy Tool Belts - a New Resource for New Dads

Daddy Tool Belts announces the launching of its new store to provide resources for today's New Dad. Dedicated to providing the largest selection of daddy diaper tool belts on the web, Daddy Tool Belts offers a variety of tool belts to help Dad debut for his new career as "handy diaper man". The site offers advice, tips, and hints to help the new dad in his role.

Salem, OR (PRWEB) April 15, 2008 -- Daddy Tool Belts (www.daddytoolbelts.com) announces the launching of its new website offering gifts and services for the new dad, new grandpa, and more.

Daddy Tool Belts was created to offer a perfect solution for what to give a New Dad, or where New Dads can go for helpful and timely advice. Dedicated to providing the largest selection of daddy diaper tool belts on the web, Daddy Tool Belts offers a variety of tool belts to help Dad debut for his new career as "handy diaper man". Every tool belt comes equipped with the necessary tools to do the job, including diapers, baby powder, and ointment. The fun of the diaper belts come with the extras - nose clips or clothes pins for dad's nose, rubber gloves, diaper tongs, and more. The site also focuses on advice, tips, and hints including how to change a diaper, how to get baby to sleep, how to travel with baby, and other important information to help the new dad in his role.

Big brothers and sisters play and important role when a new baby arrives, and Daddy Tool Belts also features great articles on how mom and dad can help the new big brother or sister adjust to their new role. Diaper kits for the big brother and big sister, filled with goodies to help the new big brother or sister adjust to life as an older sibling are available, too.

Daddy Tool Belts is also pleased to announce the addition of the Daddy Tactical Vest. Created by a dad who didn't like the diaper bag, the Daddy Tactical Vest features pockets for all the baby stuff plus those extra gadgets for dad needed on a day out. These vests aren't just for Dads - moms love the hands-free diaper vests as well. With over 16 specialized pockets to store bottles, wipes, diapers, a changing pad, keys, camera, cell phone plus other items needed, these vests won't wear out before you do.

For additional information on the news that is the subject of this release, visit www.daddytoolbelts.com.

About Daddy Tool Belts:

Daddy Tool Belts is a family-owned business located in Salem, Oregon. Daddy Tool Belts believes having fun is important, laughing every day is a must, and showing appreciation to others is something that should be done as often as possible.

Contact:

Torey McCullough
Daddy Tool Belts
888-998-8669
http://www.daddytoolbelts.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:50 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) April 14, 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 12:49 AM | Comments (0)

CAI Communications Updates Ready Mix Concrete Company's Web Site: Interactive Features Make the Content More User-Friendly

CAI Communications, a business-focused, branding, marketing, and employee communications firm in Raleigh, NC, recently completed a revision of the Ready Mix Concrete Company (RMCC) Web site (www.rmcc.com).

Raleigh, NC (PRWEB) April 15, 2008 -- CAI Communications, a business-focused, branding, marketing, and employee communications firm in Raleigh, NC, recently completed a revision of the Ready Mix Concrete Company (RMCC) Web site (www.rmcc.com).

"This revision of the Web site helps our sales staff sell more concrete as well as re-establishes us as one of the leading concrete suppliers in the Southeast," states Dexter Tart, Assets Manager, RMCC.

The new Web site includes an interactive map that allows the user to scroll over the 11 regions RMCC serves, and pull up a database of names, phone numbers and addresses for the right contact for each region. In addition the site has a Concrete Tool Box Calculator that calculates the number of yards of concrete needed for flat slab, columns and walls. There are also extensive educational materials posted on the site on the types of concrete and how to properly pour and cure concrete.

"This updated Web site includes educational materials that will help residential and commercial contractors determine what type of concrete will match the project," Tart continues. "Now our sales people can direct prospects to the materials on the site and walk them through the information. These materials make the sales cycle work better," Tart concluded.

"Ready Mix Concrete had a clear set of objectives and we worked with them to deliver a Web site that will improve their business," comments Steve McCulloch, Director of CAI Communications (www.caicommunications.com). "The interactive map, contact database, and educational sections give the site much more depth, and the user will be more motivated to return to the site," McCulloch states.

The Web site went live in December 2007 and Ready Mix Concrete is already updating contacts so that the information is current and an effective selling tool. The first Ready Mix Web Concrete site was created in 2002 and no changes were made for five years. "We are committed to keeping this site current and excited about how it will help our sales staff be more effective," added Melissa Swanson, Region 6 Sales Manager.

About Ready Mix Concrete
Southern Equipment Company, Inc., d/b/a Ready Mixed Concrete Company (www.rmcc.com) has served the construction industry's needs since 1935.
As the major supplier in the Carolinas and with a strong presence in Georgia and Virginia, Ready Mixed operates over 85 concrete plants, utilizing over approximately 700 mixer trucks to produce nearly 3 million cubic yards of concrete annually. The four-state territory is segregated into eleven regions and manned by 1,100 highly trained employees. Each region's projects are independently dispatched with each load being monitored by the industry's best-trained quality assurance personnel. Both dispatch and quality assurance use the most state-of-the-art equipment to ensure on-time delivery of the highest quality concrete.

Southern Equipment Company, Inc., is owned by Compañia de Cemento Argos S.A. and Cementos del Caribe S.A., both of which are based in Columbia, South America. For more information on Argos, visit http://www.argos.com.co/wps/portal/home_en.

About CAI Communications
CAI Communications (www.caicommunications.com) has implemented B2B branding, marketing, advertising, and PR strategies and communications tools for North Carolina businesses since 1983. We create strategies and designs that take businesses to the next level on their path to success. In addition we, have expertise in employee communications through our parent organization CAI, a nationally recognized employers' association. We have a long history of combining our business knowledge with award winning creativity. Whether you want to clarify your brand, develop a marketing strategy, or create a print, web or video communications tool, we deliver solutions to grow your business.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:49 AM | Comments (0)

InventHelp Client Invents Wiring Installation Aid

InventHelp Clients from Portsmouth, R.I., have developed an accessory to facilitate the installation of electrical wiring.

Pittsburgh, PA (PRWEB) April 14, 2008 -- InventHelp announces that inventors from Portsmouth, R.I., have developed an accessory to facilitate the installation of electrical wiring. The inventors have a working prototype.

The REEL QUIC accessory is designed to provide tradespeople with a quick, convenient way to work with heavy reels of electrical wire. A reusable design with simple installation and removal procedures, the REEL QUIC device could be an ideal tool for both commercial and home do-it-yourself wiring projects. By offering a non-destructive alternative to traditional methods of mounting wire reels, it could eliminate unnecessary damage to interior wall studs.

The REEL QUIC prototype was created to both simplify and expedite the process of wiring residences, and according to the inventors, was designed and tested by a professional electrician and manufactured by a metal fabricator. "We wanted to be able to go right into a house, get it wired and get it done," said one inventor. "We made this accessory to take care of the wire while we take care of the rest."

The original design was submitted to the Boston office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 06-BMA-3015, InventHelp, 217 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:46 AM | Comments (0)

Acoustical Solutions, Inc. Launches Impressive How-To Video Library

Acoustical Solutions, Inc., an industry leader in soundproofing and noise control products and services, is launching an impressive How-To Video Library to further increase the customer support offered to their growing client base.

Richmond, VA (PRWEB) April 14, 2008 -- Acoustical Solutions, Inc., an industry leader in soundproofing and noise control products and services, is launching an impressive How-To Video Library to further increase the customer support offered to their growing client base.

The videos will be placed on AcousticalSolutions.com for convenient access to step-by-step installation guides for some of Acoustical Solutions, Inc.'s most popular noise control products.

In addition to How-To videos, several Before & After videos will added to demonstrate how proper acoustical treatments can enhance a wide variety of spaces.

Acoustical Solutions, Inc. Owner, Michael Binns said "The video library is one of several online enhancements aimed to improve customer experience." Other enhancements like Acoustical Solutions, Inc.'s weekly Blog offer insight into new products and application profiles. "The Blog has been an excellent resource for our customers," said Acoustical Solutions, Inc. Sales Manager, David Ingersoll. Ingersoll continued, "The addition of the video library and the soon-to-come updated application profiles will help empower and educate our customers, placing them in driver's seat."

Acoustical Solutions, Inc. works with a wide variety of customers from worship facilities and office buildings to home theaters and construction companies looking for noise management--each application requires special attention to detail in order to achieve an optimal acoustical solution. For 20 years, Acoustical Solutions, Inc. has provided the detailed expertise needed to serve the sound management community. Acoustical Solutions offers a full line of indoor and outdoor industrial, commercial, environmental and architectural noise control products including enclosures, wall and fencing systems, acoustical panels, tiles, vibration and isolation control, doors and door hardware. For more information please visit AcousticalSolutions.com or call 1-800-782-5742.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:44 AM | Comments (0)

Real Estate Company Applies Innovative Methods to Introduce Small Seaside Community to the World

Vintage Estates Realty, exclusive affiliate of Christie's Great Estates, has launched several innovative measures to introduce the seaside community of Pawleys Island to potential buyers.

Pawleys Island, SC (PRWEB) April 14, 2008 -- The famed real estate slogan is "location, location, location." However, in a soft real estate market it may take more than just an ideal location to motivate buyers. The founders of the recently launched Vintage Estates Realty are incorporating some non-traditional means to introduce buyers to one of South Carolina's best kept secrets along the Palmetto Coast.

Over the years, the Real Estate brokerage landscape has not been widely known for its "out of box" thinking or innovation when speaking in terms of marketing or branding experiences. Consumers think of companies like Apple or BMW when discussing brands that create an experience rather than a product. This is exactly where the founders of Vintage Estates Realty aimed to position their new company.

"We live in one of the best kept secrets along the southeastern coast. Pawleys Island is tucked away between the famous Brookgreen Gardens to the north, the Vanderbilt plantation to the south, the blue Atlantic Ocean to the east and the intra-coastal waterway to the west," says Brady Stump, co-founder of Vintage Estates Realty. "We needed an exclusive brand to help us introduce our charming seaside community to potential buyers and that's when we approached Christie's Great Estates."

Christie's Great Estates is the real estate subsidiary of Christie's, the world's oldest art auction house. The exclusive Christie's Great Estates affiliate network accounts for approximately $125 billion in high end real estate sales. After several weeks of conversations and meetings, Christie's awarded Vintage Estates Realty with the coveted Christie's Great Estates designation.

As soon as the Vintage team, comprised of Stump and co-founders Chuck Cooper and Johnny Besser, had secured the Christie's Great Estates brand to its arsenal, it began to build a very unique marketing plan that was rooted in technology and non-traditional practices.

The Vintage Estates website (www.MyVintageEstates.com) incorporates many of these non-traditional ideas. One feature on the site includes "local profiles" that spotlight area businesses and events in the community. The profiles build good will with local businesses by giving them added exposure, while creating buzz for Vintage Estates through positive word of mouth generated by the business owner being featured in the profile.

The Vintage Estates website also incorporates several search engine optimization techniques to ensure all of its content will be placed high within search engines like Google and Yahoo. The site also has "tags" where visitors can click on specific words and view other pages of similar content.

More non-traditional methods such as attending wine festivals, art gatherings and boat shows will be implemented so that Vintage Estates can take its real estate product directly to the consumer.

With the backing of the Christie's Great Estates brand and the innovative ideas being launched, Vintage Estates Realty should be well positioned to turn their sleepy seaside community into possibly the next Martha's Vineyard of the south.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:44 AM | Comments (0)

InventHelp Clients Invent a Drywall Installation Accessory

InventHelp clients from Mooresville, S.C., have developed an easy-to-use drywall accessory for use with metal stud framing.

Pittsburgh, PA (PRWEB) April 14, 2008 -- InventHelp announces that two of its clients, inventors from Mooresville, S.C., have developed an easy-to-use drywall accessory for use with metal stud framing. The inventors have developed a prototype.

The CLEAN N DRY would prevent mold and mildew absorption or "wicking" from occurring. The system also would help an installer to maintain an even top and bottom joint and avoid having to cut scraps of drywall to use for support.

The inventors' observations and professional experiences fueled the idea for the CLEAN N DRY. "I developed this idea from hanging drywall and recognizing ways that time-consuming repair work could be avoided," he said.

The original design was submitted to the Charlotte office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 05-CHR-1490, InventHelp, 217 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.inventhelp.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:44 AM | Comments (0)

InventHelp Client Invents Electrician's Cable Tool

An InventHelp Client from Dover, Del., has developed a tool to reduce the time and effort involved in wiring houses.

Pittsburgh, PA (PRWEB) April 14, 2008 -- InventHelp announces that one of its clients, an inventor from Dover, Del., has developed a tool to reduce the time and effort involved in wiring houses.

The Hartley Wire Xpress is designed to make it faster and easier for electricians to install non-metallic, sheathed electrical cable in residential construction. It would be especially useful for electricians working by themselves. This tool could be used with cables of various gauges, and also could be produced in a commercial version for use with metal-clad cable. It would help to boost electrical construction productivity in the home building industry.

As a journeyman electrician, the inventor based the design of the Hartley Wire Xpress on his understanding of industry needs. "I wanted to come up with a way to make the task of installing non-metallic sheathed cable in residences much quicker and less labor-intensive," he said. "I knew that such a tool could help a residential electrician to compete in a very competitive market."

The original design was submitted to the Baltimore office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 06-BTM-196, InventHelp, 217 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:42 AM | Comments (0)

Xactware and ServiceMaster Clean Expand Partnership to Include Complete Contents Estimating Service

Xactware Solutions, Inc. and ServiceMaster Clean announced an exciting enhancement to their list of services by implementing a contents estimating service using Xactware's industry-leading XactContents estimating platform. Now insurance companies everywhere looking for local contents experts will be able to turn to ServiceMaster's extensive nationwide network of over 1,400 Disaster Restoration franchisees for consistent contents estimation results.

Orem, Utah (PRWEB) April 14, 2008 -- Xactware Solutions, Inc. and ServiceMaster Clean announced an exciting enhancement to their list of services by implementing a contents estimating service using Xactware's industry-leading XactContents estimating platform. Now insurance companies everywhere looking for local contents experts will be able to turn to ServiceMaster's extensive nationwide network of over 1,400 Disaster Restoration franchisees for consistent contents estimation results.

ServiceMaster is a leading provider of structural and property-contents estimation with trained disaster-recovery specialists in nearly every neighborhood in the United States and Canada. These local experts are uniquely qualified to assist insureds in every stage of loss recovery.

XactContents is Xactware's ground-breaking software that dramatically increases the speed and accuracy of estimating personal property. XactContents features include:

connectivity with XactNet for real-time claims assignments, data capture, and XactAnalysis reports;
the ability to produce P & C and Contents reports for business analytics;
hundreds of thousands of contents line items, updated weekly;
the ability to search items by brand name, features, or model number;
automatic like-kind-and-quality options for obsolete items;
built-in depreciation tables, including deductible and salvage options, that automatically calculate benefits.

Currently ServiceMaster uses Xactware tools to receive assignments, estimate structural damage, and to send complete assignments. The XactContents estimation module fits seamlessly into ServiceMaster's workflow and enables ServiceMaster to add a contents inventory and estimating service to the mitigation and structural estimating services already provided.

"One of the biggest benefits of integrating XactContents into our contents inventory workflow is that our carriers won't have to change their behavior," says Jeff Coulter, Vice President of Disaster Restoration for ServiceMaster. "It's the same electronic process we are currently utilizing for property damage, only now we can manage total loss contents claims using the Xactware technology that our carrier customers are already familiar with."

With XactContents, insurance carriers have an automated solution that will drastically reduce the overall time it takes to process a claim. ServiceMaster experts who live in the communities they serve can quickly respond, provide estimation and restoration services, close files, and get customers back on their feet again.

"ServiceMaster has always had an impressive reputation for and commitment to customer service and quality within the insurance industry," says Jim Loveland, Xactware President. "We are excited to come together and offer the contents claims market a more streamlined approach to contents claims management."

About Xactware
Xactware Solutions, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of ISO specializing in the property insurance, remodeling and restoration industries. Xactware's technology tools include software estimating programs for PCs and tablet PCs, as well as powerful online systems for replacement-cost calculations, estimate tracking and data trending in real time.

For more information about Xactware's products and services, contact Xactware at 1-800-424-9228 or visit Xactware.com.

About ISO
A leading source of information about risk, ISO provides data, analytics, and decision-support services to professionals in many fields, including insurance, finance, real estate, health services, government, human resources, and risk management. Using advanced technologies to collect, analyze, develop, and deliver information, ISO helps customers evaluate and manage risk. The company draws on vast expertise in actuarial science, insurance coverages, fire protection, fraud prevention, catastrophe and weather risk, predictive modeling, data management, economic forecasting, social and technological trends, and many other fields. To meet the needs of diverse clients, ISO employs an experienced staff of business and technical specialists, analysts, and certified professionals. In the United States and around the world, ISO helps customers protect people, property, and financial assets. For more information, visit ISO.com.

About ServiceMaster
ServiceMaster currently serves residential and commercial customers through a network of over 5,500 company-owned locations and franchised licenses. The Company's brands include TruGreen, TruGreen LandCare, Terminix, American Home Shield, InStar Services Group, ServiceMaster Clean, Merry Maids, Furniture Medic, and AmeriSpec. The core services of the Company include lawn care and landscape maintenance, termite and pest control, home warranties, disaster response and reconstruction, cleaning and disaster restoration, house cleaning, furniture repair, and home inspection.

To learn more about ServiceMaster, please visit ServiceMaster.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:39 AM | Comments (0)

Going Green Saves More Than Just the Environment

Sea wolf's products and services are as economically advantageous as they are ecologically sound.

New Smyrna Beach, FL (PRWEB) April 13, 2008 -- Seawolf Design Inc. has put together a system that can take a company's Fiberglass Reinforced Plastics (FRP), recycle it, and make high-quality products.

This system is able to maintain the integrity of the scrap allowing one to construct products like bathtubs, spas, sinks, and boats.

According to Wolfgang Unger, CEO of Seawolf Design Inc, "Our green machine not only increases the quality of products, but companies can reduce costs and increase profits which are really helpful in today's uncertain economy."

Seawolf Design Industries can readily accept FRP scrap, supply samples, and test results upon request. They also schedule demonstrations twice monthly.

For additional information, contact Seawolf Design, Inc. at (386) 428-4722 or visit their websites: www.seawolfindustries.com, www.thermoformequip.com, www.compositeworld.com.

Sea wolf Design, Inc is a full service company offering innovative solutions to the FRP, Composites Fabrication, or Thermoforming Industries. Sea wolf Design, Inc. is a subsidiary of FRP Equipment, Inc.

Contact: Jonathan Welsh, Public Relations Manager. Sea wolf Design Inc. (386) 428-4722

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:39 AM | Comments (0)

Sticky Ass Glue Continues Nationwide Expansion; Sets Sights on Securing New Retailers, Distributors at National Hardware Show, Las Vegas May 6-8 2008

Sticky Ass Glue, the stubbornly strong Polyurethane Glue, perfect for repairing and fixing everything under the stars, will make its first ever appearance at the 2008 National Hardware Show in Las Vegas May 5-8, 2008.

Pasadena, CA (PRWEB) April 14, 2008 -- Hot on the heels of its successful debut at the 2008 Craft & Hobby Association Convention and Trade Show; "Stubbornly Strong" Sticky Ass Glue will soon be making its first appearance at the National Hardware Show held in Las Vegas, NV, May 5-8 2008.

"The response we received from the CHA Show was incredible," says Marketing Director Jan Minnich. "Since that show in February, we have secured dozens of new retailers and secured national distribution through MacPherson's, a nationwide distributor of art supplies,"

"The efforts we've spent over the last two years to ensure that the quality of Sticky Ass Glue is unmatched by other polyurethane glues really paid off for us at the CHA show. Visitors to our booth were awed by the bonding strength of Sticky Ass Glue, not to mention amused by our name and logo. As a result, the Sticky Ass Glue Crew is nothing short of ecstatic to be exhibiting our product to hardware retailers and distributors at the National Hardware Show," she continues.

"We're confident that once retailers at the National Hardware Show see the reduced foaming properties, minimal expansion, and superior bonding strength that distinguish Sticky Ass Glue from other polyurethane glues; we'll be appearing in thousands of small to mid-size hardware retailers nationwide in no time," Minnich says.

"But more importantly, hardware retailers' customers will find Sticky Ass Glue to be, frankly the best polyurethane glue available today. From repairing ceramic tile, to woodworking, to repairing furniture, to mending fences, to repairing loose bricks and so much more; retailers carrying Sticky Ass Glue will offer a product to their customers that truly lives up to its name," Minnich says.

Sticky Ass Glue entered the marketplace in late 2006, and is a 100% waterproof, moisture cure adhesive made in the U.S.A. Shear Strength Tests performed on Formica, Fiberglass, Steel and ABS substrates have proven Sticky Ass Glue to be stronger than competing polyurethane adhesives. In Peel Tests as well, Sticky Ass Glue outperformed the current leading polyurethane glues, on Plywood and Aluminum substrates in addition to ABS, Formica, Fiberglass and Steel.

Sticky Ass Glue will be showcasing their polyurethane glue at booth #36338, located in the tools and hardware section in the Central Hall, Level 1 of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

For a complete listing of all substrates that Sticky Ass Glue will successfully bond, or to learn more about the thousands of uses for Sticky Ass Glue, visit www.stickyassglue.com, email glue@stickyassglue.com or call toll free 877-845-8530.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:36 AM | Comments (0)

New Florida Website Sets Its Sights On Overseas Home Buyers

TheHomeHunter.com has been rebuilt and launched as Florida's Real Estate Classifieds Online, offering both the public and agents a place for their property to be seen by millions of overseas homebuyers.

Sarasota, FL (PRWEB) April 12, 2008 -- www.TheHomeHunter.com, formerly a Florida Real Estate Agent's personal website, has been rebuilt offering both "by owner" and "by agent" Florida property sellers a do-it- yourself place to advertise their property to potential out of state and overseas home buyers.

Garrick Newman, founder of TheHomeHunter.com launched the original version of the site in 2002, with the intention of offering his own listings Internet exposure and home- buyers an easy, searchable database to find properties that fit their specific criteria. It was one of the first websites on the Gulf Coast of Florida to allow the public to access the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) -- the Real Estate industry's most protected database of agent-listed property.

"As you could imagine, we became quite popular with both home sellers and home buyers," Newman said. "After five years of branding the site locally and out of state through TV, radio, newspapers, billboards and magazines, we were bursting at the seams and ready to offer our site and our web traffic to everybody."

TheHomeHunter.com has no affiliation with any Real Estate or "by owner" company and uses the same logo with the new tag "Florida's Real Estate Classifieds Online-You Place The Ad, We Show The World". It now offers any seller, by owner or by agent, a place to advertise their homes, condos, land and rentals for a nominal fee of $9.95 a month ($14.95 for a featured spot). There are no distracting banner advertisers or pop-ups and the contact information is that of the owner or agent.

"We are not a referral site which means potential buyers can search free without inputting any of their personal information," Newman adds. "One of the biggest problems with the now dozens of free Real Estate sites that have diluted the web, is that they take listings from the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and then turn around and charge other agents a fee to receive the leads." "As Realtors, we thought these sites offered great Internet exposure for our listings, but this practice has all but eliminated the original listing agents' contact information and has forced truly interested buyers to either click away or even worse, into the hands of other competing agents with their own listings to sell."

The new site will continue to be marketed in print and other media, out of state to attract potential buyers directly, but will soon add the UK, Europe and Canada to the mix.

"We've done our homework and are very excited about our overseas campaign- We hope that we will fill the need for Florida sellers wanting to get their property seen by these overseas investors," Newman said. "We will continue to follow the weak dollar and moving trends, marketing wherever we see a potential for Florida buyers- it's what we have been doing for years and now hope to spread our success to others."

TheHomeHunter.com has launched its test market in four Gulf Coast Florida counties: Manatee, Sarasota, Hillsborough and Pinellas and is offering the public and agents in these areas free access in the hopes of getting the site populated with properties. The launch will gradually move across Florida, adding counties until the entire state is represented.

For more information on this site visit www.TheHomeHunter.com
Public Relations contact:
Garrick Newman, PA
888-589-8898
garrick @ thehomehunter.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:36 AM | Comments (0)

LegalView Releases News on Asbestos Contaminated Housing Project Where Crews Hid Asbestos Leak with Dirt

LegalView reported on its mesothelioma blog about an asbestos contamination that occurred in Miami during the construction of an affordable housing project. The project, now likely to cost five times the original estimate, was contaminated after crews clearing the area hid an asbestos leak with piles of dirt.

Denver, CO (PRWEB) April 12, 2008 -- LegalView.com updated its mesothelioma blog with reports of an asbestos contamination that was concealed with piles of dirt by construction crews who were clearing the area for an affordable housing project. The contamination not only increased the risk of exposure to asbestos and thus development of mesothelioma for individuals in the area, but increased the cost of the affordable housing project by five times the originally estimated amount. Individuals living in the area may have been exposed to asbestos fibers and are urged to contact a medical professional as soon as possible. Additionally, Americans who may have been exposed to asbestos should also contact an experienced mesothelioma law firm.

Asbestos is derived vermiculite, a mineral that was heavily mined in the 20th Century. Asbestos was prized for its ability to insulate buildings with a decreased risk of catching fire. It was used for all types of constructions including schools, offices, homes and apartment buildings. However, after discovering that asbestos exposure caused a deadly lung disease among exposed individuals, mining stopped and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was charged with the task of cleaning up any asbestos. Mesothelioma cancer, which is an untreatable form of lung cancer, is often the outcome for individuals who were previously exposed to asbestos. Those who feel they are at risk for this illness should locate an attorney to explore the possibility of a mesothelioma lawsuit.

The area known as North Miami's Pioneer Gardens was expected to house 136 units for low-income individuals. However, when a contractor began digging, it was discovered that workers who had previously cleared the site had inadvertently caused an asbestos leak when underground pipes containing the contaminant were broken. The workers allegedly covered the leak with piles of dirt and it was left until just recently when digging began. It can take years to develop the cancer and even then a mesothelioma diagnosis is often overlooked, causing the cancer to spread among its victim. To learn about the potential for monetary compensation, individuals are advised to contact an experienced mesothelioma lawyer for an attorney consultation on their individual case.

Other issues that are covered on LegalView's Web site, which have largely negatively impacted thousands of Americans recently, include several prescription drugs - Chantix, Singulair, as well as Vytorin and Zetia. Chantix is a smoking cessation drug that is prescribed to millions of Americans struggling to quit their tobacco addiction. In late 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began receiving reports from patients taking Chantix that the drug was linked with instances of depression, erratic behavior and suicidal tendencies and thoughts. Overall, nearly 400 individuals reported this behavior and the drug was also allegedly linked to 37 suicides among patients. The FDA quickly began investigating the drug and are currently studying the Chantix side effects to determine the drug's dangers.

Similar to the dangerous side effects that have been associated with Chantix, are those that have been linked to Singulair, also a prescription drug, which is given to patients who suffer from severe asthma and allergy symptoms. However, in March 2008, reports began to surface about Singulair's potentially dangerous side effects, which may include mood and behavior changes including suicidal behavior among adults and children. The FDA is currently investigating the Singulair risks that may exist with taking this drug.

Vytorin and Zetia are similar in that both are prescription drugs used to lower cholesterol and prevent heart disease among patients. Often Vytorin and Zetia are used in combination of each other and both are manufactured from Merck/Shering-Plough. Recently, the company made headlines because of an extensive study that was completed in 2006 on the two drugs, which detailed the benefits, or lack thereof, of the medications. However, the Zetia and Vytorin manufacturer allegedly delayed the release of the study to the public because findings that Vytorin and Zetia were not as effective as cheaper alternatives. This information has prompted many patients to consider a Vytorin lawsuit.

About LegalView:

LegalView.com is a public service brought to you by Legal WebTV Network, LLC, a Limited Liability Corporation created by a group of the nation's most highly respected law firms: Anapol Schwartz; Brent Coon and Associates; Burg Simpson; Cohen, Placitella and Roth; James F. Humphreys and Associates; Lopez McHugh; and Thornton and Naumes. For more information on the accomplishments and track records of LegalView.com's superior sponsoring law firms and to get in touch with LegalView attorneys, visit LegalView at www.LegalView.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:36 AM | Comments (0)

Industrial Nanotech, Inc. Energy Saving Coating Receives Official Building Code Approvals For the European Union

Industrial Nanotech, Inc. (Pink Sheets:INTK), an emerging global leader in nanotechnology, announced today that the Company's patented Nansulate energy saving protective coatings are now approved under the stringent EU building codes. The approval certification for building construction standards in the European Union was obtained by the Company's distributor for Italy and Spain, Aktarus Group, based in Milan, Italy.

Naples, FL (PRWEB) April 12, 2008 -- Industrial Nanotech, Inc. (Pink Sheets:INTK), an emerging global leader in nanotechnology, announced today that the Company's patented Nansulate energy saving protective coatings are now approved under the stringent EU building codes. The approval certification for building construction standards in the European Union was obtained by the Company's distributor for Italy and Spain, Aktarus Group, based in Milan, Italy.

"This is a significant milestone for Industrial Nanotech in the European building insulation market," stated Francesca Crolley, V.P. of Operations and Marketing. "Nansulate has proven its effectiveness and gained market share in the EU in the industrial and 'do-it-yourself' homeowner markets for the last four years. This certification will open many doors for its use throughout Europe in the burgeoning market of commercial and residential building insulation. Energy conservation through the efficient use of resources has become a priority for governments across Europe. Energy prices continue to soar and governments are putting in place standards and guidelines to compel limitation of energy consumption. Hence, the government, builders, and consumers are demanding more efficient thermal insulation materials for buildings and our Nansulate products offer them that solution."

Nansulate was tested by Istituto De Ricerche E Collaudi M. Massini, of Milan, Italy, a highly regarded institute which has been operating in the field of quality control and certification of products for over 35 years. Their product test and certification activities include food, chemical, ecological, building, electrical, mechanical, metallurgy, health, and textile sectors. Nansulate was tested according to building insulation specifications and was approved according to results from the UNI EN ISO 8990:1999 test method.

Recent EU energy conservation legislation, The European Union Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings, was mandated to be incorporated into national legislation for all Member Countries by January 2006. This legislation requires a decrease in the energy consumption of public, commercial, and private buildings in all Member States and is a vital component of the EU's strategy to meet its Kyoto Protocol commitments.

About Nansulate(R)
Nansulate(R) is the Company's patented product line of specialty coatings containing a nanotechnology based material and which are well-documented to provide the combined performance qualities of thermal insulation, corrosion prevention, resistance to mold growth, and lead encapsulation in an environmentally safe, water-based, coating formulation. The Nansulate(R) Product Line includes both industrial and residential coatings.
About Industrial Nanotech Inc.
Industrial Nanotech Inc. is quickly emerging as a global nanoscience solutions and research leader. The Company develops and commercializes new and innovative applications for nanotechnology. Additional information about the Company and its products can be found at their websites, (http://www.industrial-nanotech.com) and (http://www.nansulate.com).
Safe Harbor Statement
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This release includes forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the impact of competitive products, the ability to meet customer demand, the ability to manage growth, acquisitions of technology, equipment, or human resources, the effect of economic and business conditions, and the ability to attract and retain skilled personnel. The Company is not obligated to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release.
SOURCE: Industrial Nanotech, Inc.
CONTACT: For Industrial Nanotech Inc., Naples
Investor Relations:
The Cervelle Group, LLC
Rob Karbowsky, 407-475-9966 ext. 227.
rob @ thecervellegroup.com

or
Media Inquiries:
The Cervelle Group, LLC
Tina Kuhn, 407-475-9966
tina @ thecervellegroup.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:36 AM | Comments (0)

April 11, 2008

Intertek signs agreement with BRE Global to provide life safety/security product testing for North America (ETL) OR EMEA (LPCB) certification

Manufacturers Gain Time/Cost Efficiencies With A Single Source For ETL And LPCB Certification

Boxborough, MA (PRWEB) April 11, 2008 -- Intertek (LSE: ITRK), a global leader in testing, inspection and certification, has announced an agreement with BRE Global, a leading European certification/approvals body, to provide Life Safety/Security product manufacturers with testing and certification for the North America, Europe, Middle East, African and Asian markets. One call to either party can lead to Intertek's ETL certification for access to North America or BRE Global's LPCB certification for Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa.

Intertek and BRE Global have created a single-point-of-contact model that will help manufacturers streamline the process and save them time and money. Clients running a concurrent certification program for both North America and EMEA will benefit from dedicated project management assistance and cost efficiencies.

"This partnership enables fast, efficient testing and certification for Life Safety and Security product manufacturers" said Gregg Tiemann, president of Intertek Commercial and Electrical division. "For those industry leaders who emphasize bringing life-saving products to market faster, this is an opportunity for them to deliver on that promise".

Intertek is a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) in the U.S. and a Testing Organization and Certifying Body in Canada. It issues the ETL Listed Mark as proof of compliance to applicable UL, CSA, and ANSI safety standards. The ETL Listed Mark is the fastest growing safety certification mark in North America. BRE Global is a Notified Body (NB) in the EU to the Construction Products Directive and issues certificates of conformance to the CPD. It also owns and issues the LPCB Listed Mark that demonstrates independent third party compliance to applicable fire and security standards. LPCB is highly regarded and accepted throughout the growing economies of the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

Manufacturers of Life Safety/Security products around the world stand to gain efficiencies from this joint effort. "Our arrangement with Intertek is designed to service those companies in our growing client base who want a joint approach to testing and certification for European and North American markets and beyond," added Philip Field, Director of Fire and Security for BRE Global.

Contacts
For further information, please contact
Derek Silva, Field Marketing Manager
Telephone: +1-978-263-2662
derek.silva(at)intertek.com

About Intertek's testing and certification services
The Commercial & Electrical division of Intertek provides testing and certification services, including product safety testing and certification, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing, performance testing, and management systems certification. These services provide global market access to customers in industries such as building products and materials. Visit www.intertek-etlsemko.com for further information or to contact your local Intertek office.

About Intertek
Intertek is a leading international provider of quality and safety services to a wide range of global and local industries. Partnership with Intertek brings increased value to customers' products and processes, ultimately supporting their success in the global market place. Intertek has the experience, expertise, resources and global reach to support its customers through their network of more than 1000 laboratories and offices, 21,000 people in 110 countries around the world. For more information, visit www.intertek.com.

About BRE Global
BRE Global is a leading third party certification/approvals body dedicated to approving fire, security, construction, and environmental, products and services worldwide. Their approvals are designed to help a wide range of sectors, including: construction, healthcare, insurance, offices, manufacturers, shops, schools, transport & infrastructure etc. They are accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) for most of their schemes, and their accreditation covers product, personnel and quality management systems. BRE Global is a Notified Body under the Construction Products Directive (CPD), the Marine Equipment Directive (MED), the Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) and the Transportable Pressure Equipment Directive (TPED). For more information, visit www.breglobal.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:10 AM | Comments (0)

Agilewaves Deploys Resource Monitor At Nueva School - First Ever Monitoring Solution for Living Roofs and Solar Cells

For the first time, innovations in green building can be monitored and their value measured. Agilewaves' Resource Monitor has been deployed in Hillsborough, CA's LEED Gold Nueva School, and will monitor gas, electricity and water output, solar input and the conditions of the Rana Creek living roofs, including storm water retention and filtration.

Palo Alto, CA (PRWEB) April 11, 2008 -- Agilewaves, Inc., leading provider of conservation technology solutions, today announced the deployment of its flagship product, the Resource Monitor™ into the Pre K-8 independent Nueva School, in Hillsborough, CA. The system is the most in-depth monitoring device ever installed in a school and will be used to measure and display both standard utilities (gas, electricity and water), and the impact of innovative green architectural systems on the buildings' overall carbon footprint. The information gleaned from the Agilewaves Resource Monitor will be featured in the school's science curriculum and will serve as a tool for facilities managers.

Based on the proven Agilewaves Research notion that quantitative feedback drives behavioral change, the Agilewaves Resource Monitor delivers real-time information about gas, electricity and water use so that consumers can make informed choices about their consumption of these utilities. This system also measures the impact of the innovative green building technologies that contributed to the Nueva School winning the 2007 AIA architectural design award.

The Nueva School's green innovations include a 30 kW solar system and two "living roofs". Designed by ecological design firm Rana Creek, the school's roofs are planted with native grasses and wild flowers that not only preserve the area's natural ecosystem, but also help to insulate the buildings, reduce the energy required to heat and cool them, mitigate storm water runoff and minimize the heat-island effect. The plants selected for the Nueva School roofs also provide a natural habitat for the endangered Bay Checkerspot butterfly.

Agilewaves and Rana Creek worked with the San Francisco Estuary Institute to determine the performance characteristics of the roofs that the Agilewaves Resource Monitor measures, including:

Thermal insulation and cooling through water loss by vegetation and evaporation (evapotranspiration): Agilewaves monitors the temperature, humidity and soil moisture to provide real time data about the efficacy and general condition of the roof for maintenance and management.
Stormwater mitigation/retention: Agilewaves monitors the flow of stormwater through the roof.
Stormwater filtration: Agilewaves monitors the quality of the water coming off the living roof as the soil and roots filter pollutants.

"The Nueva School is committed to teaching our students about human impact on the environment, so we are thrilled with the deployment of this unique innovation," said Diane Rosenberg, executive director Nueva School. "The Resource Monitor gives Nueva School a way to measure the impact of our proactive environmental initiatives and our students a state-of-the-art pedagogic tool for learning about how we can mitigate climate change. Additionally, it will be a vital tool for the facilities managers to monitor the conditions and efficacy of the living roof to maintain the roof's health."

"Agilewaves, together with Rana Creek and the San Francisco Estuary Institute, has merged the disciplines of science, technology and design, to deliver a solution to a significant and urgent problem: quantifying energy waste from buildings that has until now, been impossible to measure," said Peter Sharer, CEO Agilewaves. "We are excited to be pushing the boundaries of the Resource Monitor to drive widespread adoption of green technologies."

About Agilewaves
Founded in 2006, Agilewaves is a leader in conservation technology, providing the most in-depth building utilities management solutions available on the market. The flagship Resource Monitor™ displays on a touch-screen or custom website a building's activity and vital statistics, including gas, electricity and water usage and solar power input. Users of the Resource Monitor are able to understand and therefore reduce their utility consumption. Agilewaves' Resource Monitors are for residential, small business, and educational use. Agilewaves is a member of the Business Council on Climate Change (BC3). Agilewaves is based in Palo Alto and is privately held. For more information, visit www.agilewaves.com.

About Nueva School
Founded in 1967, Nueva is a nationally recognized independent school serving gifted and talented students. Nueva, prekindergarten-eighth grade, emphasizes integrated studies, creative arts, and social-emotional learning. Nueva offers a constructivist program, project-based learning, and special area teachers in the arts, reading, math, science, music, physical education, and social-emotional learning. For more information, visit www.nuevaschool.org.

About Rana Creek
Founded in 1997, Rana Creek offers a broad range of environmental planning, ecological design/build and AEC services dedicated to sustainable solutions for rural landscapes and built environments. Rana Creek manages each project from concept design development to the complete issuance of construction documents, including managing plant propagation, landscape and living roof installation, ecological maintenance and monitoring. Rana Creek is located in Carmel Valley and is privately held. For more information, visit www.ranacreek.com.

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

FreePoolQuotes.com Forms Strategic Alliance With Pool Pro Office, Helping Pool Builders Manage Sales Leads From Start to Finish

FreePoolQuotes.com announced today that they have formed a strategic alliance partnership with Pool Pro Office.

Royal Palm Beach, FL (PRWEB) April 11, 2008 -- FreePoolQuotes.com (http://www.freepoolquotes.com) announced today that they have formed a strategic alliance partnership with Pool Pro Office (http://www.poolprooffice.com), the complete management solution for swimming pool builders. The partnership will allow both companies to jointly market their services to pool builders across the US.

"Aligning with Pool Pro Office makes total sense. FreePoolQuotes.com provides the leads for pool companies, which is the start of the entire sales and building cycle. Pool Pro Office takes it from there, and enables pool contractors to manage and track those leads more effectively." Said Gregg Weiss, President of FreePoolQuotes.com.

"Pool Pro Office looks forward to assisting pool builders using FreePoolQuotes.com in managing and marketing their leads more effectively thru the technology of our pool office management solution." Said Mark Richter, VP of Sales for Pool Pro Office.

About FreePoolQuotes.com
FreePoolQuotes.com is the leading provider of free swimming pool quotes. FreePoolQuotes.com provides homeowners with an easy online form to complete. Within 24 hours, homeowners will be contacted by up to 5 local, licensed and insured swimming pool builders, ready to answer any questions about your pool project and provide you with free pool estimates.

For swimming pool contractors, FreePoolQuotes.com offers an online marketing solution, an affordable alternative to pay per click. Our unique subscription based business model allows builders to join the network for a low, flat monthly fee entitling them to unlimited leads in the counties they service.

For more information, contact:
Gregg Weiss
FreePoolQuotes.com
888-766-6821
support @ freepoolquotes.com

About Pool Pro Office
Pool Pro Office is a complete pool construction and service/warranty management solution. Pool Pro Office enhances the management of pool construction by tracking and storing a wide variety of data.
Pool Pro Office allows the pool professional to:

create/track permitting,
create draw schedule,
receive draw payments,
create change order,
receive change order payment,
archive pool drawings,
schedule construction events
log electronic communications (email, fax, notes, etc)

With these great features all in one easy to use software solution no pool professional will need to look for the pesky job folder that never has the needed information ever again.
Pool Pro Office is a cross platform (runs on Mac OS X and Windows 2000) networked solution that runs on FileMaker Pro 8.5, the award-winning database software from FileMaker, Inc.

Mark Richter
Sales Manager
Construction Pro Office
Pool Pro Office, Inc.
PO Box 542942
Merritt Island, FL 32954
(321) 574-0358
sales @ poolprooffice.com

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

RealtyJuggler Desktop Real Estate Software Awarded CRS Quality Tested Product Seal

Today the Council of Residential Specialists (CRS) announced that RealtyJuggler Desktop Real Estate Software has been awarded the coveted Quality Tested Product Seal.

Windsor, Colorado (PRWEB) April 11, 2008 -- Today the Council of Residential Specialists (CRS) announced that RealtyJuggler Desktop Real Estate Software has been awarded the coveted Quality Tested Product Seal.

To be awarded this seal, software applications must passed a rigorous three-part review conducted by an independent technical advisor, the Council's Product Review Panel, and the Council's select Product Review Committee. Only after the application is determined to be at the highest levels of accuracy and user-friendliness, usingthe most current technology, and displaying a superior quality of output, completeness of documentation, and exemplary technical support, is it awarded the Council's Quality Tested Seal.

"We pride ourselves on creating the most user-friendly real estate software out there. So, being awarded this seal is a wonderful validation to us, and our customers. The CRS Quality Tested Seal is awarded to only a handful of products each year, so to be singled out is especially gratifying." Stated Scott Schmitz, President of RealOrganized, Inc. the publisher of RealtyJuggler.

About RealOrganized, Inc. - RealOrganized is a corporation founded in 2003 by a former executive from AOL and a top real estate agent, each with over a dozen years experience in their respective fields. The company's mission is to create organizational software for the real estate industry.

About CRS - The Council of Residential Specialists is the largest not-for-profit affiliate of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, with its headquarters in Chicago, Ill. It is composed of nearly 40,000 Certified Residential Specialists (CRS) Designees and Candidates/General Members. The association was created to attract and retain those REALTORS® seeking the knowledge, tools and relationship-building opportunities needed to maximize their income and professionalism in residential real estate. Products who have been awarded the Quality Tested product Seal are located here: http://www.crsstore.com/

RealOrganized and RealtyJuggler and are trademarks of RealOrganized, Inc. Realtor is a registered trademark of the National Association of Realtors.

Contact:
RealOrganized, Inc.
RealtyJuggler Desktop Real Estate Software
Telephone: 800-681-5089

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:06 AM | Comments (0)

Del Webb Host 80 for Ground Breaking

Ground breaking ceremony marks the official introduction for Del Webb in Houston.

Houston, TX (PRWEB) April 11, 2008 -- Construction is officially underway for Houston's first Del Webb active adult community. An official VIP ceremony was held in Richmond to formally break ground on the community in Fort Bend County. The community is restricted to residents ages 55 and better who are looking for a resort-style community where they can enjoy an active lifestyle. At completion, it is expected that the community will consist of approximately 1,500 single-family homes, acres of open space and a 28,000-square-foot lifestyle center located within a seven-acre amenity area.

The significant economic impact the community will have on Richmond (and the greater Houston area) was shared at the ground breaking ceremony and more than 80 local politicians, community leaders and local residents attended. Also presented were the unique features and amenities of Del Webb. Home construction is expected to begin in the fourth quarter 2008, with the first models projected for completion by spring 2009. Residents will be able to start moving in as early as summer 2009.

"This ground breaking ceremony marks an exciting step as we move closer to making this unique community a reality," said Kimberly Paulus, Director of Del Webb Operations in Houston. "Del Webb has been building active adult communities for more than 45 years, but this is the first time we've introduced our resort-living concept to Houston. We expect Del Webb to attract people who want to enjoy an active retirement without having to move away from family and the familiarity of the community where they've spent much of their lives."

The development of Del Webb will significantly enhance the area's growth by attracting thousands of residents who will support local businesses. Upon completion, the community is expected to generate approximately $8 million in property taxes annually with no burden on the school district.

Fort Bend County has been a premium destination for housing in recent years because it offers an attractive combination of major highways, commercial and medial facilities that drive employment, and comprehensive retail opportunities to serve its residents. Fort Bend County is a leader in new construction from the Houston Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), accounting for 8,441 housing closings in 2007 -- representing 20% of the Houston market.

The new Houston Del Webb community is expected to have approximately 1,500 homes along with expansive open spaces and water features. Paulus expects presales to occur in early 2009 and encourages people who have an interest in this community to join the VIP list by calling (866) 232.6072. For more information about Del Webb communities, please visit www.delwebb.com.

About Del Webb:
Award-winning Del Webb active adult communities provide a vibrant, facilitated lifestyle for individuals age 55 and better throughout America. The Del Webb concept began in 1960 in Phoenix and has grown to include more than 50 communities currently open for sale in 20 states. Pulte Homes, Inc., which acquired Del Webb in 2001, has been building homes since 1950 and currently operates in 51 markets and 26 states.

Websites: www.delwebb.com; www.pulte.com

About Caldwell Companies:
Founded in 1991, Caldwell Companies is a fully-integrated real estate services and development firm providing commercial and residential development, brokerage and property management. The firm is committed to the practice of doing business with a true sense of purpose - building community. Caldwell Companies is privately owned by Fred Caldwell and managed by senior managing partners. The goal of the company is to serve the commercial real estate needs of corporations and private equity investors by capitalizing on our market experience to gain distinct competitive advantages. Caldwell Companies and related investment ventures own, manage and market nearly six million square feet of office and office/flex space. Caldwell Companies' growing residential development team specializes in high amenity resort communities for a new style of residential living.

Websites: www.caldwellcos.com, www.townelaketexas.com, www.remingtonsquare.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:06 AM | Comments (0)

Seattle Firm Dramatically Lowers Costs for Companies Worldwide with New Disposable Traffic Cones

Vanguard ADA Systems announces new cost effective disposable traffic cones, saving time and money for companies worldwide. DisposaCone products eliminate return trips, lowers costs for all.

Seattle, WA (PRWEB) April 10, 2008 -- Vanguard ADA Systems, a firm well known for safety products in ADA fields, recently branched out to include its most recent product; DisposaCones, the world's first disposable traffic barricade system.

Introduced just in the first week of March 2008, DisposaCone's are already in use in Sweden, Denmark, Australia, Canada and the U.S. markets. Jon Julnes, owner of Vanguard ADA Systems as well as the DisposaCone product line invented the product after years of frustration at running back and forth to construction and other sites to pick up 3 of the 10 traffic cones his firm left only the day before, eventually pondering "there has to be a better way!" Indeed there was, and DisposaCone's were the natural solution.

When asked about the product Mr. Julnes said, "years ago one of my firms used traffic cones fairly often. One day I thought...we really ought to change our company slogan to 'cone supplier of the known Universe', since we're always leaving 10 cones, only to come back the next day and pick up 3 or 4. It seemed like we were always spending $60.00 to send someone out to pick up the $30.00 worth of cones that remained, or weren't already on their way to someone's soccer field."

DisposaCone was born.

Folding flat and made of biodegradable paper with a small butyl (tar) adhesive strip on the base that keeps them attached to any dry hard surface, they can be picked up by onsite personnel while the contractor who's work needs protecting can send their people to other projects, instead of clogging freeways and wasting valuable resources picking up products that aren't even as valuable as the resources spent to retrieve them in the first place.

Sized perfectly to fit motorcycle saddlebags, emergency preparedness kits, construction trucks, buses, mail carriers and the like, 25 easily fit under most car seats, DisposaCone's are available at www.DisposaCone.com, and soon at retail outlets worldwide.

Media Contact:
Jon Julnes
PR Manager
Tel. 360 668 5700

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:03 AM | Comments (0)

Ademero Inc. Releases Content Central™ Version 4.5

Document management software vendor releases new version of Content Central™.

Tampa, FL (PRWEB) April 10, 2008 -- Ademero Inc. today announced the release of Content Central™ version 4.5. This new version of the browser-based document management software application adds several new features based on user feedback. Ademero has updated both the Enterprise Edition and Workgroup Edition.

Drag-and-Drop Uploading Simplifies the Capture Process

Users can now drag and drop one or more folders or files directly into the web browser running Content Central™. Two drag-and-drop applets exist within the application. The first will instantly upload any files dropped into the browser; the other allows the user to review and confirm the files to be uploaded. The interface will accept any type of file. "We've successfully brought the elementary drag-and-drop function to the Content Central™ browser interface. This exciting new capture feature, along with our existing QCard™ and DirectScan™ capture technologies, moves Content Central™ to the forefront of available document-management and content-management applications." says Manuel Montesino, marketing director for Ademero.

New Dashboard Provides Overview of Work & Activities

Content Central™ now displays the new dashboard to all users upon logging in. The dashboard provides a convenient overview of recently received messages, checked-out documents, documents waiting for approval, and captured documents requiring coding. The dashboard makes use of existing themes designed for the presentation layer.

Active Directory Integration Streamlines Access Control

Administrators can now connect the Content Central™ server to an available Microsoft® Windows® Active Directory implementation. The integration lets Content Central™ make use of existing user accounts assigned in Active Directory and allows administrators to manage usernames and passwords from one central database. Users benefit from this feature by only needing their Windows username and password to access Content Central™.

New Image Review Tools for DirectScan™

The DirectScan™ scan-to-browser applet now contains several image reviewing tools for quality assurance processing. The zoom feature allows users to increase or decrease the preview size of the scanned images. The rotate function helps when scanning pages of different orientation together. The delete tool allows selective page removal within a captured batch. The move feature allows pages within a batch to be arranged in a different order.

About Content Central™ Version 4

As a fully browser-based document management system, Content Central™ extends the boundaries of the traditional office. The server-based software package works well as an intranet, extranet, or stand-alone application. Client workstations only need a standard web browser to access the Content Central™ server. This not only provides quick deployment, but also allows secure, remote access to the application. Tools for capturing, managing, and searching documents and other content exist entirely within the browser-based interface. Ademero provides Content Central™ for both the enterprise and small business.

About Ademero Inc.

Ademero develops document management software and document imaging software and provides professional services related to both. Based largely on user experience and feedback, the company's flagship product, Content Central™, is a browser-based document management system created to provide businesses and other organizations with a convenient way to capture, retrieve, and manage information originating in hard copy or digital form.

For more information on Ademero, or Content Central™, visit http://www.ademero.com/

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 02:03 AM | Comments (0)

World Zirconium Consumption Projected to Reach 2.0 Million Metric Tons by 2012, According to New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

Backed by strong demand from China, Asia continues to shape zirconium consumption trends worldwide. Spurred by a robust Chinese market, global consumption is projected to reach 2.0 million tons by 2012.

San Jose, CA (PRWEB) April 10, 2008 -- The 'China' Factor has emerged as a key demand determinant shaping trends in several products, services and applications. Spurred by booming construction trends, the country's production and consumption of ceramic ware is expected to outpace that of Europe, traditionally the largest producer. Oversupply of titanium feedstocks has restricted mining of zircon. Restricted supply and robust demand have led to a dramatic rise in global prices in the past few years. The gap between supply and demand is expected to even out in coming years due to supply of Indonesian concentrates to China and new mine supply. Zircon is widely used in ceramics, refractories, and foundry applications.

Asia Pacific represents the world's largest and the fastest growing market for Zirconium, with consumption estimated at 532 thousand MT in 2007. Europe is the second largest market followed by the United States at third position as stated by Global Industry Analysts, Inc. Asia and Europe together are estimated to account for 73.5% of the global zirconium consumption in 2008. Zirconium consumption in the US is estimated at 188 thousand MT in 2008 and is projected to exceed 239 thousand MT by the end of the year 2012.

Key players analyzed in the report include Alkane Resources Ltd., Allegheny Technologies, Inc., Anglo American Plc, China Zirconium, Astron Ltd, Australian Zircon NL, Bemax Resources Limited, E.I DuPont, Foskor Ltd., Iluka Resources Limited, Exxaro Resources Ltd, Luxfer Group, Neo Material Technologies Inc., Rio Tinto Plc, Richards Bay Minerals, and Tosoh.

"Zirconium: A Global Strategic Business Report" published by Global Industry Analysts, Inc., provides a comprehensive review of market trends and issues, drivers, product profile, end-use applications, production scenario, players, competitive landscape, technological developments, recent developments, mergers, acquisitions, alliances and other strategic industry activities. Analysis is presented for major geographic markets such as United States, Japan, France, Germany, the UK, Italy, and Asia-Pacific. Consumption estimates are presented over the years 2001 through 2010, with long-term projections over the years 2011 through 2015. Historic analytics has been presented over the years 1991 through 2000. End-use segments independently analyzed include Ceramics (Tiles, Tableware and Sanitaryware), Refractories, Foundries, TV Glass and Other Applications.

For more details about this research report, please visit http://www.strategyr.com/Zirconium_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 02:03 AM | Comments (0)

New Beekman Model Home to Debut This Weekend at Round Top at Sparta

The Beekman, the latest model home to be unveiled at Round Top at Sparta, will make its much-anticipated debut this weekend (Saturday and Sunday, April 12th and 13th) at the collection of 120 condo-style and townhome residences rising in this Sussex County town.

Sparta, NJ (PRWEB) April 10, 2008 -- The Beekman, the latest model home to be unveiled at Round Top at Sparta, will make its much-anticipated debut this weekend (Saturday and Sunday, April 12th and 13th) at the collection of 120 condo-style and townhome residences rising in this Sussex County town.

The fully-furnished townhome model will offer visitors a first hand look at its spacious 2,165-square-foot layout which boasts three-bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms, according to Garden Homes, developer of Round Top. The Grand Opening event will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with refreshments served.

"We've fielded countless phone calls from prospects eager to view the Beekman model in the weeks leading up to the grand opening event," says Sales Manager Lee Boyer. "As a result, we expect buyers in large numbers to visit Round Top this weekend and see for themselves the incredible interiors and exquisite appointments that have already made the Beekman a hit with today's purchasers."

Homes at Round Top at Sparta are priced from $299,900 and are being offered with special incentives. These include a unique offer in which the developer will pay one year of maintenance fees, the opportunity to add $5,000 of free upgrades and options to home interiors and $5,000 off of closing costs provided if Wells Fargo Home Mortgage is used.

The two-and three-bedroom townhomes at Round Top range from 2,100 to 2,300 square feet of living space while the distinct one-floor condo-style homes boast 1,300 square feet. Both designs feature two or two-and-a-half baths with decorator vanities, soaking tubs and ceramic tile floors.

While purchasers can customize their new home by choosing from an array of high-end options including tiles, cabinetry, flooring and paint, standard upscale features include hardwood floors in the entry and dining room, wall-to-wall carpeting, nine-foot first floor ceilings and open living rooms with formal dining areas. Spacious kitchens are equipped with ceramic floors, GE® appliances including gas oven/range, microwave and a built-in dishwasher, stainless steel sink, oak or maple wood cabinets, 36" high wall cabinets with decorative crown molding, Corian® countertops, Kohler® faucets and fixtures and Pella® windows.

Most townhomes also feature full basements and one- and two-car garages, two-zone air-conditioning and heating, wood-burning fireplaces and glass doors.

"Residents of Round Top also enjoy a low-maintenance lifestyle which relieves them of additional stresses such as snow removal or property upkeep," notes Ms. Boyer.

Round Top at Sparta benefits from an ideal Sussex County location which offers access to countless conveniences and amenities including a bowling alley and movie theater as well as an eclectic array of restaurants and shops just a short distance away.

Residents of Sparta enjoy the town's breathtaking landscape which is highlighted by pristine lakes, rolling mountains and tranquil farmlands as well as its close proximity to larger towns such as historic Morristown -- just 25 miles away -- and the heart of New York City, a mere 45 miles away.

"Commuting is made easy with Route 15 crossing Sparta, providing quick access to Route 94 and northern destinations and I-80 to southern areas," notes Ms. Boyer. "New Jersey Transit also operates Manhattan-bound express train service from the nearby Dover station in Morris County, as well as Park-and-Ride station conveniently located within minutes of the community."

For additional information on the exclusive townhomes and condominium-style homes at Round Top at Sparta, please call (973) 726-5600 or visit our website at www.gardenhomes.com.

Directions: From the New Jersey Turnpike or Garden State Parkway (North or South), exit onto Route 280 West and follow to Route 80 West.

From Route 80 West: Exit 34B (Sparta-Jefferson) to Route 15 North. Proceed on Route 15 North approx. 8.5 miles to Sparta/Lake Mohawk Business District Exit. Bear right at top of ramp onto Route 181 North. Continue two miles to Round Top site on right.

From Route 80 East: Exit 33 (Wharton/Sparta/Dover) to Route 15 North and follow directions above.

CAHN Communications
Robert Kelly
RKelly @ Cahncomm.com
201-876-3100

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

IDEAL Solutions Feature High Performance with New Contex HD Scanners

Contex High Definition Technology now Included in IDEAL’s Scan-to-Print and Scan-to-File Solutions

Rockville, Maryland (PRWEB) April 10, 2008 -- With the introduction of Contex’s new HD line of scanners, IDEAL’s scan-to-print and scan-to-file solutions take a step forward in performance. The new line of scanners is now included in IDEAL’s ScanCENTRAL for world class scan-to-print image quality. IDEAL’s scan-to-file solutions benefit from faster scanning with the HD scanners’ new Extended Data Transfer Rate.

In addition, IDEAL’s solutions are enhanced further by the Contex HD scanners unmatched resolution, on-board image processing, true-to-life color and monochrome data capture, proven CCD technology, Accurate Lens Enhancement Technology (ALE) and precision color system. With instant-on, All Wheel Drive and one-touch functionality, these scanners are designed to meet the demands required by technical applications such as AEC, GIS and mapping as well as artistic applications such as graphics, fine art and photography, as well as all Reprographic applications.

New IDEAL/Contex HD Scanner models include:

FLEX50i, an 18x24-inch flatbed scanner with 400dpi optical resolution, scanning speed of 3.0ips color and 5.0ips monochrome, 48-bit color, 0.1% Accuracy, Ethernet port and Web interface.

HD2530, a 25-inch scanner with 424dpi optical resolution, scanning speed of 1.5ips color and 4.0ips monochrome, 48-bit color, 0.1% Accuracy and ALE (Accurate Lens Enhancement) technology.

HD3630, a 36-inch scanner with 600dpi optical resolution, scanning speed of 1.0ips color and 12.0ips monochrome, 48-bit color, 0.1% Accuracy ATAC (Automatic Thickness Adjustment Control) and ALE.

HD3650, a 36-inch scanner with 600dpi optical resolution, scanning speed of 3.0ips color and
12.0ips monochrome, 48-bit color, 0.1% Accuracy, ATAC and ALE.

HD4230, a 42-inch scanner with 600dpi optical resolution, scanning speed of 1.0ips color and 12.0ips monochrome, 48-bit color, 0.1% Accuracy, ATAC, ALE

HD42301, a 42-inch scanner with 600dpi optical resolution, scanning speed of 1.0ips color and 12.0ips monochrome, 48-bit color, 0.1% Accuracy, Ethernet port and Web interface

HD4250, a 42-inch scanner with 600dpi optical resolution, scanning speed of 3.0ips color and
12.0ips monochrome, 48-bit color, 0.1% Accuracy, ATAC, ALE

HD5440, a 54-inch scanner with 508dpi optical resolution, scanning speed of 3.0ips color and 12.0ips monochrome, 48-bit color, 0.1% Accuracy, ATAC, ALE

IDEAL’s Scan-to-Print Solutions:
IDEAL ScanCENTRAL are single foot print, stand-alone, color scan to print systems that are perfect for AEC, CAD, GIS, Reprographics, and Copy Shop Applications. Scan, print and copy originals (24" to 44") depending upon system chosen) including blueprints, maps, and c