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October 17, 2008

Discover Hagan Lodge - Virgin Snow for UK Skiers

The Austrians could be forgiven for trying to keep their holiday hot spots a local secret; why wouldn't they? With one of the longest ski seasons in Europe and some of the most breathtaking views around, Austria is a skiers paradise. Thankfully, Austria's largest ski resort developer, AlpenParks, is now making its resorts available to UK skiers, offering an enviable holiday escape and a secure return on investment. The first resort available is Hagan Lodge - it's ideal for families and situated directly on the slopes of the Loser Mountain which was recently voted the third best ski area in Austria. www.hagan-lodge.co.uk.

London, UK (PRWEB) October 17, 2008 -- The headlines could have people believing that no-one has any money - not so. The fact is, people are still looking for investment opportunities, albeit safer ones. "One option is to invest in something you enjoy, and with the ski season about to start, investing in hot ski property in Austria is a good place to look," says Jonathan Jennings, UK Director of AlpenParks. "The snowfall is expected from November through to Easter and the Austrian economy is robust. There's nowhere better to visit than where the Austrians themselves go on holiday."

The popular Ausseerland region east of Salzburg is a hidden gem, and it's where the new Hagan Lodge ski resort from AlpenParks is located. Around 60% of visitors to the region are Austrian, with most others being either Dutch or German. Russian and Croatian visitors are quickly getting to know about the resort too, giving it a completely cosmopolitan feel, yet it's still largely undiscovered by the British market.

AlpenParks is Austria's largest ski resort developer and Hagan Lodge is its first resort available to UK residents, offering the chance to buy into exceptional holidays and a secure return on investment of between 5.9% and 6.2% pa. Hagan Lodge is built right on the slopes of the Loser Mountain, only 98km east of Salzburg. The region was recently voted the third best ski area in Austria by journal "NEWS", and better still, at Hagan Lodge people can ski right to their chalet's front door. www.hagan-lodge.co.uk

Hagan Lodge is only 2½ miles from the nearby village of Altaussee and is an ideal lifestyle investment for passionate skiers seeking family-friendly holidays. The Loser area has around 29 km of pristine, well managed pistes - offering wide, non-congested and stress free skiing. For the more experienced skier there are a host of challenges, downhill descents and a network of cross country trails to work up an appetite. There's even a new fun park for freestyle boarders.

"Hagan Lodge has its own children's ski school with English speaking instructors so people can hit the slopes knowing their kids are learning in a safe environment," says Jonathan. "When (and if) people tire of skiing, they can always enjoy tobogganing, curling, off piste tours, ice climbing, ice skating and horse drawn sleigh rides."

It's not just in winter that the resort shines; in summer there is an abundance of activities in the nearby regions of Altaussee, Bad Aussee and Styria in the region of Salzkammergut, all set among a backdrop of lush meadows and crystal clear lakes. Within 15 minutes of Hagan Lodge people can try their hand at paragliding, hang gliding, swimming, hiking, fishing, mountain biking, tennis, boating and alpine walking. For a more relaxing day, they can indulge in a spa treatment, moonlight hike or good cup of local coffee in a cosy mountain café. There are also a number of musical and cultural festivals throughout the year, and day trips to the salt mines, literature and folk museums, provide a touch of culture.

Evenings at the resort are quietly sophisticated. There are seven bars or restaurants to choose from on the slopes adjacent to Hagan Lodge which are floodlit at night to emphasise their beauty.

"A chalet at Hagan Lodge is more than just a holiday home; it's a secure investment offering between 5.9 and 6.2% return each year, all managed for you by AlpenParks," says Jonathan. "On average, and after all maintenance costs, rental commission and taxes have been deducted, owners can expect to make approximately 18,000 euros each year in rental income - even accounting for the owner using their chalet for two weeks in peak season."

Chalets start at €365,000 and include the latest luxury fittings and all the costs are included in the purchase price. The chalets can sleep up to nine and come fully furnished each with its own Swedish sauna and private balcony. And of course the walls, floors and ceilings are all heated to ensure maximum comfort.

"If you're going to invest in property, it may as well be in one of the world's most stable economies, especially in the current climate," says Jonathan. Austria is the 3rd wealthiest nation in the EU and there is no 'sub-prime' mortgage market as banks only offer mortgages of 60% loan to value. Property values have steadily increased between 5% and 10% per annum in recent years, and to encourage long-term investment in Austria, the capital gains tax of 50% is waived after ten years. There is also no inheritance tax.

"The first phase of Hagan Lodge is already fully booked throughout December, January and February so it's clearly proving popular with skiers - although new owners can use their chalet during this period with short notice," concludes Jonathan.

Visit www.hagan-lodge.co.uk or www.alpenparks.co.uk

About AlpenParks

AlpenParks was established in 2001 and is the largest ski resort developer in Austria. The company is the only developer in Austria that not only builds ski resorts but also continues to own and manage them on behalf of the properties' owners. The company's rentals agency retains 20% of rental income as commission and works with all of the largest tour operators to achieve excellent lettings over peak ski and summer periods. If owners wish to rent their property privately they pay a reduced commission of 10% for maintenance purposes.

Mortgages of 60% loan to value can be arranged through AlpenParks.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:45 PM | Comments (0)

Africa Trade Office Sponsors International Economic Summit 2008 - Africa in Prince George's County, MD

"Brewing Up Business With Africa" will be taking place November 10-11, at Martin's Crosswinds in Greenbelt, Maryland.

Largo, MD (Vocus/PRWEB ) October 17, 2008 -- The Africa Trade Office, Prince George's County Economic Development Corporation, African Business Owners Forum, Inc, African Business Roundtable-USA and Prince George's County present the 2008 International Economic Summit, (IES) "Brewing Up Business With Africa" on November 10-11, at Martin's Crosswinds, 7400 Greenway Center Drive, Greenbelt, Maryland. The two-day event includes a full day of business-to-business meetings, with information sessions, followed by tours of The Port of Baltimore, BWI/Cargo, major development projects in Prince Georges County and a Gala Dinner. A fee of $65 includes participation in all events.

This deal-making conference results from business-to-business meetings pre-scheduled in an electronic matchmaking matrix established by the Africa Trade Office. The new business model has shifted the paradigm of how business is conducted globally, which has expanded trade and investment opportunities for participants.

Once registered, local companies will be able to engage in discussions directly with prospects, which may lead to deals with businesses from as many as sixteen African countries. However, each trader only has a few meeting slots, which is why businesses are encouraged to register early. While the business-to-business meetings are being conducted, information sessions will also be held on topics including exporting agricultural products; financing, tourism and infrastructure; logistics and forming strategic international partnerships.

On the second day, following a tour of Prince George's County, at the Gala remarks will be given by several distinguished leaders, including the Assistant Trade Representative For Africa, Maryland's Secretary of State and County Executive Jack B. Johnson. Several delegations from Africa will also attend the Summit including Governor and First Lady from the Cross River State and First Lady from Osun State in Nigeria; Chairmen of various chapters of The African Business Roundtable worldwide, Ministers, CEOs of multinational corporations headquartered here and abroad and Managing Directors of several leading African banks.

This is a signature event for the newly established Africa Trade Office. From the moment participants enter Martin's Crosswinds they will be transported to the continent of Africa and greeted with the aroma and samples of many of the coffee blends. In an effort to expand their U.S. distribution, coffee and roasting companies from Cameroon, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda will display their specialty brands throughout the entire Summit. Participants will also have an opportunity to meet with traders of goods and services, while learning the intricacies of international trade, all over a cup of freshly brewed coffee.

Online registration is available at www.pgcedc.com

Media Contact:
Pat Thornton
office 301.583.4614
cell 240.533.5084
Info: 301.583.4650
ies2008@pgcedc.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:43 PM | Comments (0)

For Immediate Disposal West Midlands Heavy Side / Civils Builders Merchants Freehold Property

Well established regional Heavy Side Builders Merchants for immediate sale.

Nuneaton, UK (PRWEB) October 17, 2008 -- On Behalf of the Joint Administrators Stephen Katz and Brian Johnson of Fisher partners Amco Agency offer for sale the business and / or assets of an Independent Builders Merchant located in the West Midlands.

Established in 2002 the business is well respected and has a loyal customer base. The business trades from its own freehold yard and warehouse with a total area of 0.14 Hectares.

The business achieved turnover in 2006 of £4,229,654, 2007 £6,404,672, (2008 Draft £4,747,345). Trade sales account for 95% of the turnover from around 120 active account customers. Cash sales are just £169k per annum of turnover with considerable scope for expansion.

The business targets construction clients within the Midlands and regularly services an area North to Nottingham and South to Banbury.

The accounting and billing is controlled by a bespoke system owned by the company. The company runs three flat bed trucks with loading equipment fitted.

The 2007 Accounts show a closing stock of £171,848. The 2008 (draft) accounts show a closing stock of £272,055. This will have reduced considerably of late.

Michael Charles of Amco said, "This was a good regional operation that was going forward each and every year. There is a first class opportunity here for a similar business to purchase the business at a sensible price."

Stocking Strategy
Plasterboards and insulation 15%
Bricks and Blocks and Decorative Paving 30%
Timber and Fencing 20%
Drainage Goods 30%
Miscellaneous 5%

Interested parties are requested to contact Michael Charles of Amco Agency +44 (0)8452 300 700 or Email: mc@amco-agency.co.uk . A non disclosure agreement will be required prior to the release of the sales memorandum.

Michael Charles, F.N.A.V.A
Amco Agency Limited
Suite 501 International House
223 Regent Street
London W1B 2QD
Telephone +44 (0)8452 300 700
Website: www.amco-agency.co.uk
Email: mc@amco-agency.co.uk

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:43 PM | Comments (0)

Hainan Island, China is Next Stop for Outrigger Enterprises Group

Outrigger to manage new luxury, five-star resort being built on tropical Hainan Island in the South China Sea

Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii (Vocus/PRWEB ) October 17, 2008 -- David Carey, president and chief executive officer of Outrigger Enterprises Group, announced today that the company has been selected to develop and manage the Outrigger Qingshui Bay Resort, Sanya, China, a new 500 plus room, five-star, full service luxury hotel to be built as part of Qingshui Bay Resort, an exciting new, multi-billion dollar mixed use development being built on the island of Hainan in the People's Republic of China. Located along 7.5 miles of prime beachfront property within Hainan Island's Sanya Administrative Prefecture on the South China Sea, the Qingshui Bay Resort will feature six luxury hotels, a diverse range of residential apartments and villas, multiple championship golf courses and a comprehensive mix of commercial, retail and entertainment offerings.

"This is an extraordinary opportunity for Outrigger's first venture into China and to be a part of China's growing tourism industry," said Mr. Carey. "The Qingshui Bay Resort is one of the largest projects the area has seen in recent years. We are excited that the developers have selected Outrigger to be a part of such an expansive world class project. The Qingshui Bay Resort represents a strategic opportunity for Outrigger to build brand awareness by operating a flagship property in China's premier resort destination."

Qingshui Bay Resort is being developed by a joint venture between funds managed by Morgan Stanley and Agile Property Holdings Limited, a Hong Kong listed property developer specializing in large-scale, high end, design-oriented residential and resort developments. Overseeing the hotel component of the master planned project is Panorama Hospitality, a unit of Morgan Stanley specializing in hotel asset management, operating and advisory services in the Asia Pacific and Europe regions.

"We are pleased to have Outrigger join us in what will be one of China's premier leisure destination resorts," said Chen Zhuo Lin, Chairman of Agile. "Their experience and reputation, as well as its focus on warm weather, beachfront resort leisure destinations, made Outrigger a natural choice for our Qingshui Bay Resort.

The Outrigger Qingshui Bay Resort, which is slated for completion by 2013, will be one of six luxurious accommodation choices within the Qingshui Bay Resort. According to Darren Edmonstone, senior vice president-Asia for Outrigger Enterprises Group, Outrigger will be heavily involved in the design and development of the Outrigger Qingshui Bay Resort. "We will be leading the conceptual design and development planning and are currently in the process of putting together a team of world-renowned consultants to assist us in building a distinctive, world class property," Mr. Edmonstone said. Multiple food and beverage outlets, an exclusive beach club, extensive landscaping, including a variety of specialized water features and high end retail are all expected to be a part of the new Outrigger resort.

Located just off the southern coast of the People's Republic of China, Hainan is China's second largest island. Over the years it has developed into one of Asia's premier resort destinations. The island enjoys easy international access via Sanya Phoenix International Airport, servicing a growing number of domestic and international destinations, including Hong Kong, Seoul and Moscow.

Because of its expansive beaches, natural beauty and tropical setting, as well as its location along the same latitude as Hawaii, Hainan is sometimes referred to as the "Hawaii of China." Like Hawaii, visitors can enjoy an array of water sports, including scuba diving, snorkeling, water skiing and parasailing, as well as world class golf and cultural activities. There are also wildlife preserves with exotic animals and birds in the island's rainforests as well as geothermal hot springs across the island.

Outrigger's Asia Expansion
In the two short years since Outrigger began its growth into Asia, the company has acquired properties in Bali and Phuket, with discussions now underway for additional properties in Phuket and Koh Samui in Thailand. At the present time, Outrigger also is investigating other opportunities in Hua Hin, Krabi and Pattaya in Thailand, another location in Bali and several locations in Vietnam.

According to Mr. Edmonstone, "The fast-changing, highly-competitive leisure hospitality market requires specialized expertise and understanding, which Outrigger brings. Owners and developers of hospitality product in Asia are especially interested in our total focus on leisure resort properties in warm weather, beach front locations and our ability to provide a total management solution for hotel, timeshare, condominium and retail components of a resort," Mr. Edmonstone added.

About Outrigger Enterprises Group
Outrigger Enterprises Group is one of the largest and fastest growing privately-held leisure lodging and hospitality companies in the Asia Pacific and Oceania regions and continues to expand its presence throughout the area.

A family-owned company with more than 60 years of hospitality experience, Outrigger runs a highly-successful, multi-branded line of hotels, condominiums and vacation resort properties, including Outrigger® Hotels & Resorts, OHANA® Hotels & Resorts, Outrigger Condominium Collection®, Embassy Suites®, Best Western® and Wyndham Vacation Ownership®. Currently, Outrigger operates and/or has under development 47 properties with close to 12,000 rooms located in Hawaii, Australia, Guam, Fiji, Bali and Phuket, Thailand.

Outrigger Enterprises Group also operates and develops hotel properties and hospitality-related retail and real estate opportunities for partners in Hawaii, the Pacific, the mainland USA and Asia. For on-line information, log on at www.outriggerenterprisesgroup.com and www.outrigger.com.

*Embassy Suites is a registered trade mark of Hilton Hotels Corporation.

About Agile Property Holdings Limited
Agile Property Holdings Limited (Stock code:3383), is a Hong Kong-listed company, which focuses on property development and operations, and has extensive involvement in property management and decoration services, as well as a renowned brand name nationwide. Agile is one of the few developers that is included in Morgan Stanley Capital International China Index and the Hang Seng Composite Index and Hang Seng Freefloat Composite Index.

Relying on its outstanding management team and operational strategies, Agile's pursuit of global living standards and perfection has never wavered since the birth of its first project in 1992. From its international architectural vision to "develop our future with vision and enthusiasm," Agile's strong brand is built and experience of property development is accumulated through fierce competition in the market that makes Agile the leading brand name among property developers in Greater China Region.

Currently, the Group has projects in more than 20 cities, including Zhongshan, Guangzhou, Foshan, Jiangmen, Heyuan, Huizhou, Shanghai, Nanjing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xian, Shenyang, and Hainan. Agile develops various types of properties including low density apartments, villas and commercial buildings to satisfy its customers' needs.

For more information about Agile, please visit www.agile.com.cn.

CONTACT:
Nancy Daniels, APR, Director of PR
Outrigger Enterprises Group
Phone: 808-921-6839
Email: nancy.daniels @ outrigger.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:43 PM | Comments (0)

ParkSouth Offers New Industrial, Office and Retail Real Estate Options in Homestead

HOMESTEAD, Fla. (Business Wire EON/PRWEB ) October 17, 2008 -- Near the Florida Turnpike and adjacent to the Homestead Miami Speedway, ParkSouth is bringing more than 1.4 million square-feet of commercial real estate development and leasing opportunities to south Miami-Dade. Construction of the ready-to-build industrial and office park, which comprises more than 100 contiguous acres, is scheduled to begin in late 2008.

ParkSouth offers various options for industrial build-to-suit property, land sales, flex space, corporate offices/campus, retail space, warehouse, small offices and flexible leasing. In addition, its status as part of an officially designated Foreign Trade Zone in the Homestead Park of Commerce makes ParkSouth an ideal cost-saving option for many companies.

“From large corporations and organizations seeking a major campus setting to small businesses searching for practical and convenient office/warehouse space, ParkSouth offers one of the most enticing real estate opportunities in the entire South Florida region,” said Ernesto Casal, principal of Capital Commercial Group, the exclusive sales and leasing agency for ParkSouth. “The industrial/office park is ideally located between Miami and the Florida Keys, and its status as part of a Foreign Trade Zone makes it ideal for businesses involved in international trade and commerce.”

ParkSouth offers convenient nearby access to the South Florida area’s major arteries of transportation, the Florida Turnpike and U.S. 1. It is just 30 to 45 minutes from Miami International Airport and the Port of Miami. Its location offers opportunities for flex/retail space in the fast-growing city of Homestead, which is expected to reach a population of more than 84,000 residents by 2011 and 137,000 by 2015. The park is near three of the area’s largest residential communities, and it is adjacent to two of Homestead’s most popular attractions, the Homestead Miami Speedway and Homestead Sports Complex.

Located within an official Foreign Trade Zone, ParkSouth offers one of the best values and soundest investments in industrial and commercial space in Miami-Dade County for businesses that import or export merchandise. Foreign or “free” trade zones are federally designated secured areas that have the special legal status of being outside of the country’s customs territory. There are no additional fees for businesses to be located within a Foreign Trade Zone, but the benefits can be significant. As part of an FTZ, companies can store, process, label, distribute and manufacture (requires special permission) merchandise at ParkSouth without being subject to the fees and duties under United States customs laws governing the entry of goods. ParkSouth allows U.S.-based companies to defer, reduce or even eliminate customs duties on their products.

ParkSouth is being developed by A&H Commerce Park, LLC, which is comprised of a team of highly experienced South Florida real estate professionals. The members of the ParkSouth development team have developed, sold and leased commercial as well as residential real estate projects throughout South Florida for the past 20 years.

Additional information is available at www.parksouthfl.com or by calling (305) 591-3606.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:41 PM | Comments (0)

ESRI Publishes Open Data Model for Managing Information about Assets and Operations

Data Model Helps Integrate GIS with Planning, Maintaining and Modeling Software for Improved Facilities Management

Redlands, California (PRWEB) October 17, 2008 -- ESRI, along with other organizations in the facilities management industry, has published a data model for creating, storing, and sharing information about structures and their assets. The building interior space data model (BISDM) is geographic information system (GIS) based and will allow companies to more effectively share facilities data and collaborate with other technologies commonly used for real property portfolio, asset, and facilities management. The model can be easily extended for a variety of other purposes, for example, landscape-level planning and site selection, building-level energy and environmental management, and security and emergency preparedness.

The BISDM was created for facility and real property managers who find it difficult to query, analyze, and report information about buildings and assets because it is not stored in a common database. The BISDM overcomes these challenges by creating a foundation for a seamless "all-buildings" data source, making the information available throughout an organization. The BISDM can be easily integrated with partner technologies (www.esri.com/partners) for a complete facility information management system (FIMS).

"GIS's core strengths are managing information about locations on the earth and applying spatial analysis tools to gain a better understanding of how objects are affected by where they are," says Simon Thompson, commercial business industry manager, ESRI. "Traditionally, CAD and BIM [Building Information Model users have focused on the building itself while GIS was used to manage infrastructure assets outside and up to the buildings. This data model and the applications that use it will overcome this artificial barrier."

The BISDM supports common standards for defining, classifying, and evaluating building space and assets as well as scalability for all levels of detail; enterprise system interoperability with computer-aided facility management/integrated workplace management (CAFM/IWM), ERP, and EAM systems; and business workflows through APIs, Web services, and service-oriented architecture (SOA).

"The data model allows GIS, CAFM, IWM, and BIM systems to tightly integrate data and workflows from a national level down to an individual office or workspace," says John Young, account manager, enterprise facility management solutions, ESRI. "With all this data pulled together into a geospatially enabled FIMS, FM [facility management and real property professionals can use the rich sets of GIS query, analysis, reporting, and visualization capabilities to get a faster, more accurate assessment of all their facility assets."

The BISDM will help users in government, retail, real estate, telecommunications, transportation, utilities, and more, manage information about assets and operations more effectively. Increased revenues through opened lease space, reduced operations and maintenance (O&M) costs by better management of facility spaces, more efficient staff moves, and the ability to plan for lower energy costs are just a few of the benefits of applying the BISDM and using GIS for facilities management in general.

The BISDM development program involved more than 30 organizations and has resulted in the first such collaborative effort to apply GIS-based models to different building, real property, and facilities management scenarios. "There are many applications where GIS is being used with CAD, CAFM, and BIM today. This data model makes it easier to combine the strengths of all these systems and make the data much more useful and applicable," says Stu Rich of Penobscot Bay Media, a leading partner in the development of the BISDM. "Any models or spatial analyses that were traditionally applied to the outside world can now be used inside the building. GIS analyses, like way finding and environmental assessment, can now be fully connected to the design, management, and operation of the building and assets themselves. It doesn't stop with visualization or space optimization--the possibilities are endless."

The BISDM community ratified the data model at the 2008 ESRI International User Conference. ESRI released the model on behalf of the community, along with supporting templates and documentation, at the end of August 2008. For more information, please visit http://www.esri.com/datamodels/bisdm.

About ESR
Since 1969, ESRI has been giving customers around the world the power to think and plan geographically. The market leader in GIS, ESRI software is used in more than 300,000 organizations worldwide including each of the 200 largest cities in the United States, most national governments, more than two-thirds of Fortune 500 companies, and more than 7,000 colleges and universities. ESRI applications, running on more than one million desktops and thousands of Web and enterprise servers, provide the backbone for the world's mapping and spatial analysis. ESRI is the only vendor that provides complete technical solutions for desktop, mobile, server, and Internet platforms. Visit us at www.esri.com.

ESRI, the ESRI globe logo, GIS by ESRI, www.esri.com, and @esri.com are trademarks, registered trademarks, or service marks of ESRI in the United States, the European Community, or certain other jurisdictions. Other companies and products mentioned herein may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective trademark owners.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:41 PM | Comments (0)

Thomas Skid Steer Loaders Appoints John Andrews as Regional Business Manager, Western Europe

Thomas Equipment named John Andrews as Regional Business Manager, Western Europe, to expand its Thomas Skid Steer Loaders business. Andrews has over two decades of heavy equipment industry experience in Europe and North America.

Centreville, Canada (PRWEB) October 17, 2008 -- Thomas Equipment Inc., a global manufacturer and marketer of Thomas Skid Steer Loaders, appointed John Andrews as Regional Business Manager, Western Europe, announced Gilbert Bedard, Vice President of Global Sales.

Andrews, with over two decades of heavy equipment industry experience for firms such as Caterpillar and others in North America and Europe, will be based in the U.K.

Petter Etholm, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Thomas welcomes John to the Thomas team and looks forward to benefiting from his expertise as we build our Thomas Skid Steer Loader brand and business in Western Europe."

Bedard said, "John brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Thomas and will play a key role in furthering our strategic initiatives in the Europe."

Andrews will report to Mary Jane Clark, Director of European and Australian Operations, who said, "As we expand Thomas' business in existing markets and open new areas of growth in Europe, we are confident John will make a vital contribution to our progress."

Before joining Thomas, Andrews was a consultant for European companies. Prior to that, at Dana Commercial Credit and First Fleet Corp. he was responsible for business development and sales of equipment fleet management and leasing programs for Fortune 500 clients. He was also Business Development Manager of West Coast Services, Canada, for sales of construction, crane, ship loaders and other equipment. He began his career in the U.K. as a sales representative of Hall Thermotank International, focused on the European shipping industry.

Andrews said, "I am proud to be part of such a dynamic company and feel that Western Europe holds tremendous growth opportunity for ruggedly dependable Thomas Skid Steer Loaders."

Andrews was born in England, served in the Royal Navy and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics.

Thomas Equipment, online at www.thomas-equipment.com, is a unit of Osiris Corporation (OSRS), www.osiriscorp.net, which provides a variety of branded and other products to industrial markets through subsidiaries including: Thomas Equipment 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.

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 10:40 PM | Comments (0)

NOAA Engages VISTA for Real Property Facilities Management: VISTA to Automate and Streamline Facilities Asset Planning and Management using ARCHIBUS Enterprise Solution

VISTA Technology Services, Inc. (VISTA) will provide ARCHIBUS Planning and Implementation Services for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The implementation of an enterprise automated facility management system solution (also referred to as Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) or Computer Aided Facility Management (CAFM) system) will support real property facilities management functions for three NOAA regional centers.

Herndon, VA (PRWEB) October 17, 2008 -- VISTA Technology Services, Inc. (VISTA), a recognized leader in facility management and computer-aided decision support systems, announced today that it will provide ARCHIBUS Planning and Implementation Services for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

"VISTA has a wide range of experience in real property transformation activities for civilian and military federal agencies," commented VISTA President and CEO David Baxa. "We understand that facility management requires both excellent tools and proven processes. VISTA's solution provides NOAA with both."

The implementation of an enterprise automated facility management system solution (also referred to as Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) or Computer Aided Facility Management (CAFM) system) will support real property facilities management functions for three NOAA regional centers. NOAA selected ARCHIBUS as the preferred solution based on its usability, performance and overall ability to meet the agency's functional requirements.

"VISTA's strategic partnership with ARCHIBUS provides NOAA a 'best in class' solution for implementing a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS)," explained David Baker, VISTA's National Director for Asset Management Solutions. "VISTA's experience with computerized maintenance and facilities management tools, data analysis, and work prioritization and management processes, allows us to recommend best value strategies, business processes, and options to improve annual savings and costs."

As an ARCHIBUS AAS Partner, VISTA regularly participates with ARCHIBUS personnel in fielding their technology. In addition, VISTA is an ARCHIBUS Geospatial Partner and one of the few companies that have direct experience with BIM/REVIT and ARCHIBUS integration. VISTA has implemented ARCHIBUS in locations across the United States for other government agencies.

The VISTA-ARCHIBUS model gives clients the ability to optimize their utilization of facilities and real property through Building Information Modeling (BIM). BIM is the process of generating and managing building data during its life cycle. This is typically done with three-dimensional, real-time, dynamic building modeling software to increase productivity in building design and construction.

"We have direct experience using BIM technology," Baker said. "However, our BIM participation goes beyond software tools. We participate in industry events such as BIMStorm to help make BIM a living industry standard."

BIMstorm™ is a formal collaboration of facility planners, architects and builders to promote information integrity for the built environment. VISTA was a sponsor and active participant for the recent BIMstorm™ Alexandria, Federal Friendly Zones™ event.

"Our experience in deploying and supporting computerized maintenance and management solutions will provide NOAA with a cost-effective maintenance management tool," explained Baxa, "While, at the same time, benefiting from VISTA's thought leadership in best practices and industry standards."

Work will be conducted in three phases: Solution Design and Planning; Implementation; and Technical Support Services. The contract has a performance period of one year, with four consecutive option years.

About VISTA:
VISTA is a leader in decision support analytics for government and business.

Government executives use VISTA for information technology, management consulting, decision support systems and services. Our focus on real property helps our clients gain the greatest value from money they spend on buildings, land and infrastructure.

VISTA's services and solutions help collect and analyze massive volumes of data. The result is high quality financial performance information that makes it easier to plan and implement effective policy, management, resource stewardship, and budget choices.

In short - VISTA builds better decision support. We help customers evolve best practices, consistent reporting and performance measures, all related to the best use of assets while managing costs.

For more than 20 years, VISTA's solutions have helped government run better - cutting costs, eliminating waste and improving performance. To learn more, visit www.vistatsi.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:40 PM | Comments (0)

MEP Jobs Publishes White Paper on Recruitment Outsourcing

MEP Jobs, the leading job board for the HVAC, electrical, and plumbing industries, has released a new white paper, "Is Recruitment Outsourcing Right for You?." The paper describes how recruitment outsourcing works and how it can be used effectively in a company's hiring strategy.

Urbandale, IA (PRWEB) October 17, 2008 -- , the leading job board for the HVAC, electrical, facilities, and plumbing industries, has released a new white paper, "Is Recruitment Outsourcing Right for You?. The study paper shows companies how to use relocation as an effective part of their overall recruitment strategy.

"For many MEP companies, available staff time for recruitment is at a premium.", said John von Harz, president of MEP Jobs. "Recruitment outsourcing can relieve some of the pressure while providing a high quality sourcing option. Our paper helps companies learn more about recruitment outsourcing while avoiding any pitfalls."

Topics include:

* what is recruitment outsourcing?
* costs - upfront and hidden
* how to evaluate vendors

If you would like to download a copy of the white paper, please visit:
"Is Recruitment Outsourcing Right for You?

About

MEP Jobs is the leading online job board and resume bank for professionals in the mechanical, electrical and plumbing industries. MEP Jobs focuses exclusively on the specialty trade contractor segment, including contractors, manufacturers, wholesalers, facility managers, service organizations and executive search firms. MEP Jobs was founded in 1996, and is a service of Industry People Group.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:38 PM | Comments (0)

Register For The Self-Storage Market Analysis Free Webinar Hosted By MiniCo Publishing

It's not too late to register for the "Market Analysis" free webinar, part of the Mini-Storage Messenger Self-Storage Webinar Series. The webinar will provide useful information on self-storage market analysis, a critical step for anyone considering self storage investment. The live webinar on October 29 will provide a step-by-step demonstration of how developers may perform their own preliminary research for a market analysis.

Phoenix, AZ (PRWEB) October 17, 2008 -- It's not too late to register for the "Market Analysis" free webinar, part of the Mini-Storage Messenger Self-Storage Webinar Series. The webinar will provide useful information on self-storage market analysis, a critical step for anyone considering self storage investment.

Presented by Michelle DeIasi, a Development Project Manager and Consultant for Noah's Ark Development, a subsidiary of The Parham Group, the live webinar on October 29 will provide a step-by-step demonstration of how developers may perform their own preliminary research for a market analysis. Topics will include supply and demand, market definition, and competitor analysis. The webinar will be sponsored by Noah's Ark Development and moderated by Poppy Behrens, Co-Publisher, MiniCo Publishing.

The Mini-Storage Messenger Self-Storage Webinar Series offers informative monthly webinars free of charge to self-storage professionals and other individuals. For more information or to register, visit www.ministoragemessenger.com. Online registration is required for this free live event.

MiniCo Publishing, a division of MiniCo, Inc., publishes the "Mini-Storage Messenger," the leading monthly trade magazine covering the global self-storage industry. Other publications include "Self-Storage Now!," the annual "Self-Storage Almanac," and the annual "Self-Storage Development Handbook."

Since 1974, Phoenix-based MiniCo, Inc. has been a self-storage leader providing superior specialty insurance programs, informative publications and valuable products and services created expressly for the self storage industry.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:38 PM | Comments (0)

Home Inspection Firm Approved for Cancer Causing Radon Gas Testing

Guaranteed Property Inspection Inc., an industry leader in home inspection / environmental services, announced today National Certification to test for Cancer causing Radon by the National Environmental Health Association. The EPA recommends that all homes, schools and buildings be tested for Radon, an invisible odorless gas that is the second leading cause of Lung Cancer in the U.S.

Irvine, CA (PRWEB) October 17, 2008 -- Starting immediately, real estate professionals, homebuyers, sellers and schools in Southern California will have access to a 48-hour test service, which provides important health information on exposure to cancer causing Radon Gas.

Steve Zivolich, the senior inspector stated, "Guaranteed Property Inspection (GPI) is proud to be registered with the California Department of Health, the National Radon Proficiency Program and the National Environmental Health Association to offer this important Radon safety testing for our clients. GPI will use state-of-the art, continuous electronic radon monitors for accurate 48 hour testing results under EPA guidelines."

Testing is the only way to know if home or building occupants are at risk from radon. EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes below the third floor for radon. EPA also recommends testing in schools.

Radon is estimated to cause 22,000 thousand deaths each year in the US. That's because when a person breathes air-containing radon, they can get lung cancer. In fact, the Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths. If a person smokes and their home has high radon levels, the risk of lung cancer is especially high.

Recent news reports have cautioned about granite counter tops producing harmful radon. Several companies that are not legally registered with the CA Department of Health have been providing invalid testing methods for frightened homeowners. The GPI registered and certified Radon specialist will provide proper EPA radon testing methods and analysis for homeowners with granite counter top concerns.

About Guaranteed Property Inspection and Mold Investigation, Inc.

Guaranteed Property Inspection and Mold Investigation, Inc., is located in Irvine, CA. Steve Zivolich, the senior inspector has conducted over 5,000 property and environmental investigations in southern California since 1998. Mr. Zivolich is a certified property and environmental inspector by the California Real Estate Inspector's Association, American Association of Home Inspectors, National Environmental Health Association, American Industrial Hygiene Association and the American Indoor Air Quality Council.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:38 PM | Comments (0)

Only Two Weeks Left to Bid in Online Auction of Charlotte "Live and Work" Condos

Auction of Professional Condos in Charlotte's South End District Quickly Draws to a Close

Newport Beach, CA (PRWEB) October 16, 2008 -- Bidders still have a chance to purchase a home in one of America's most prosperous cities according to Time magazine--but the deadline is approaching soon. The auction of 14 "Live and Work" condos by LFC Group of Companies, on its residential real estate website FRE.com (www.FRE.com/281R6), ends October 30.

Charlotte's real estate market has suffered comparably less than markets across the nation, maintaining a steady rate of sales. To go the extra mile and attract buyers from all over North Carolina and beyond, one developer has strengthened the appeal of his unique product by utilizing LFC's innovative online auction format. Buyers from anywhere can research and bid on properties from the comfort and convenience of their own computer.

There has already been a great deal of interest in The Abbott tri-level condos, which is no surprise considering that the lowest minimum bids, reduced from $269,000, now start at an incredibly low $169,000 for properties valued in the high $400,000s. One home even comes fully-furnished.

The contemporary appearance of The Abbot Professional Condos complements the uniquely designed layout of each model, which features a ground floor built to accommodate a variety of uses, including home office or studio. The mix of quaint and modern design that sets the South End District apart from the rest of the city is echoed in the industrial style brick exterior and the open, loft-style interior. Affording residents +/-1700 square feet of space inside, the condos offer so much more with the convenient and attractive amenities right outside in the South End District.

"Our client is incredibly proactive in choosing to auction these properties online," states Kelly Lovegrove, Director of Operations for LFC Group of Companies. "In these times, with the market the way it is, it is important for sellers to get the news out about their products to as many people possible and make it easy for buyers to purchase conveniently and at a good price."

Charlotte boasts a strong business community, promising a wealth of opportunity even in bleaker times. The Abbott's location, close to the City Center and within easy access to the whole of Charlotte via the newly built light rail system, gives residents access to the heart of the city's thriving business, arts, and entertainment industries. For sports fans, the city boasts the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte Bobcats, as well as a NASCAR race track and soon the NASCAR Hall of Fame

Interested parties should visit www.FRE.com/281R6 before October 30 for more information, important documents, and photos of The Abbott condos.

Freedom Realty Exchange -- part of the LFC Group of Companies
For more than 30 years, the LFC Group of Companies has served numerous Fortune 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 10:32 PM | Comments (0)

15 Days Left and Counting: Online Auction of Lake Havasu Homesites Almost Over

Time is Running Out to Bid on FRE.com for a Ready-to-Build Lot in a Gated Golf Community in Lake Havasu

Newport Beach, CA (PRWEB) October 16, 2008 -- Escape the nation's financial woes by purchasing a picturesque golf and river retreat in the gated golf community, The Refuge, in Lake Havasu, Arizona. With only two weeks left to bid, buyers must act fast to get one of the ready-to-build homesites. The auction of these lots is being held by LFC Group of Companies, the leader in online real estate auctions, on its residential real estate website FRE.com.

Ranging in size from +/-7,700 square feet to well over 13,000 square feet, the ready-to-build homesites in The Refuge, a gated, master-planned golf community, have minimum bids starting as low as $40,000. Buyers can feel confident, even in the midst of nationwide economic struggles, knowing that the seller has secured special financing for these homesites. Financing matched with the ease of the online auction format means now is the time to invest in your own recreational getaway.

"Even though times look bleak now, an auction of vacant lots like these offers buyers, even from as far as Canada, an investment in a highly desirable getaway destination," states William W. Lange, president of LFC Group of Companies.

Life at The Refuge, located near Lake Havasu City and surrounded by the natural calm of the American southwest, promises to be filled with recreation and luxury. The central feature of the community, the Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course, affords residents a challenging course to play on, as well as a Golf Club complete with elegant restaurant and bar, and sweeping views of the surrounding mountains. Besides the beautiful Lake Havasu, which draws thousands of visitors yearly, the area boasts 300+ days of annual sunshine, a nearby wildlife refuge, the Colorado River, and numerous golf clubs.

Interested buyers need to hurry--the bid deadline is October 30, 2008! Visit www.FRE.com/277R6 to place a bid before time runs out.

Freedom Realty Exchange - part of the LFC Group of Companies
For more than 30 years, the LFC Group of Companies has served numerous Fortune 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 10:32 PM | Comments (0)

New Technology for Mold Remediation from Alliance Environmental Group

Staying on the cutting edge of new technologies, Alliance Environmental Group is now using patented Electric Radiant Heaters for bed bug removal, mold remediation and other processes.

(PRWEB) October 16, 2008 -- Alliance Environmental Group continues its tradition of applying the most innovative technology available, and introduces new, patented radiant heaters for mold remediation, bed bug treatment and similar projects. This new technology for mold remediation is more efficient than previous heating options.

Using radiant heat provides a new green solution in the industry. Unlike traditional mold remediation in California, a radiant-heat-based solution does not require the use of harmful chemicals.

The approach provides similar benefits when used for pest management. The Alliance Environmental Group's patented heating technology can be used for bed bug removal, mold remediation and structural pasteurization.

"It's a clean solution that doesn't pollute the environment and is incredibly energy efficient," explain owners Jeff and Joe Mclean, "Building studies document 40% to 70% energy savings with this new technology for mold remediation."

ThermaPureHeat, used to target specific areas or treat entire buildings, represents an exciting new strategy for mold remediation in California, where the problem is found in both commercial and residential situations.

Using heat to combat contaminants is a new idea but it is based on traditional scientific findings dating back to the 19th century, when Louis Pasteur proved that heat is an effective way to eliminate bacteria and other contaminants. This process, known as pasteurization, is a common technique in the food industry. The same principle, applied using ThermaPureHeat in buildings meets mold remediation standards, eliminates dust mites and bed bugs, and more. A single treatment is able to eliminate several potential hazards without introducing potentially harmful chemicals into the structure or surrounding environment.

In addition to mold remediation services, Alliance Environmental Group provides commercial and residential clients with assistance eliminating dust mites, bed bug removal, and elimination of fungus, bacteria, mold and even emergency cleaning services.

As one of many tools used by the Alliance Environmental Group, ThermaPureHeat reflects a continuing commitment to developing and implementing green technologies while surpassing all mold remediation standards.

To find more information or schedule an appointment for a free estimate, visit alliance-enviro.com.

About Alliance Environmental Group:

With 51 years of combined experience, Alliance Environmental Group provides innovative solutions for asbestos, lead, and mold abatement, demolition, air duct cleaning, and pest control for both residential and commercial clients. The organization has successfully completed more than 45,000 projects ranging from bed bug elimination to mold remediation in California and surrounding areas.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:32 PM | Comments (0)

Announcing the Speakers for the 10th Annual Strategies for Success in Construction Lending Seminar

Construction lending industry experts and New Orleans' "Category 5 General" will speak at the 10th anniversary Strategies for Success in Construction Lending (SSCL) Seminar on December 2-4, 2008 at The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans.

Denver, Colorado (PRWEB) October 17, 2008 -- Construction lending industry experts and New Orleans' "Category 5 General" will speak at the 10th anniversary Strategies for Success in Construction Lending (SSCL) Seminar on December 2-4, 2008 at The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans.

Keynote speaker, Lt. General Honoré, (Ret.), Commander of Joint Task Force Katrina will kick-off the conference following a pre-conference "Big Hearts in the Big Easy" service day to benefit New Orleans. Honoré will give his take on Hurricane Katrina and how unexpected crisis can be managed and their impacts minimized.

Other featured speakers include:

* Doug Duncan, Vice President and Chief Economist for Fannie Mae
* Jack Haynes, EVP of Countrywide Builders' Division
* Tim Sullivan, President of Sullivan Group Real Estate Advisors
* Ivy Zelman, CEO, Zelman & Associates
* Marty Clarke, Leadership Coach and Author of Communication Land Mines: 18 Communication Catastrophes and How to Avoid Them and Leadership Land Mines: 8 Management Catastrophes and How to Avoid Them

Presented by the Granite Companies, the event will run in two simultaneous tracks for both residential and commercial industries. This educational conference covers core issues facing the construction lending industry, including such topics as regulatory changes, industry best practices, SBA regulations, secondary market outlook, managing distressed assets, economic updates, and legal issues.

For a limited time, attendees will receive early bird pricing of $795 for lenders and $1,995 for vendors. Online registration is available at www.SSCLseminar.com along with hotel and transportation information. The Early Bird Special and exclusive hotel rates expire November 5, 2008. Registration fee includes full program, breakfast and lunch each day, and networking receptions. Spouse and guest tickets are only $150 and provide entry into both receptions and pre-conference "Big Hearts in the Big Easy" service day events.

Sponsorships remain available! Sponsors currently include Construction Monitoring Systems LLC, Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation, law firm McGlinchey Stafford PLLC, The National Association of Residential Construction Lenders (NARCL) and National Mortgage News.

For more information and to register online, visit www.SSCLseminar.com. To receive event updates and our Construction Lending News quarterly periodical, contact Granite Loan Management at 866.710.4087.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:30 PM | Comments (0)

New Bri-Mar Line of Dump Inserts Expands Pick-up Truck Versatility

Bri-Mar Manufacturing designs and builds pick-up truck dump inserts to convert pickup truck beds into "dump trucks" making the insert a versatile add on capable of moving mulch, stone, brush or other materials to and from a given location.

Chambersburg, PA (PRWEB) October 16, 2008 -- Bri-Mar has done it again. Through innovative technology and adaptation of their field-proven dump trailer, come the DI-100 and DI-100-6 Dump Inserts. Available now for both 8' and 6' beds, these inserts aid in the removal and transport of mulch, stone, dirt and debris. The dump insert fits easily and securely in the back of any pick-up truck, quickly converting it into a cost-effective dump truck.

Much like the dump trailer, the dump insert uses a heavy-duty hydraulic scissors lift, powered by a Monarch electric/hydraulic system with a 20' remote. Save precious time and energy that are better spent elsewhere. This line of products eliminates the need for manual material removal, preventing extra work, injuries and possible damage to the bed of the truck.

The insert comes in both 64" x 101¾" (DI-100) and 64" x 76" (DI-100-6) sizes and offers a rated lift capacity of 6,000 pounds. Due to its smaller, more compact size, the DI-100-6 holds a volume of 1.5 cubic yards while the DI-100 transports up to 2 cubic yards. A Bri-Mar dump insert becomes an invaluable tool for any landscaper, renovation contractor, roofing & siding contractor or homeowner with a pick-up truck.

To resist the elements, Bri-Mar designed and built the dump inserts with 12-gauge steel floor and 14-gauge sides and they are acid etched and then finished in a black Valspar powder-coated paint for professional appearance and long-term durability. To increase carrying capacity, four stake pockets run the length of each side, allowing easy insertion of posts and construction of higher walls to increase capacity for lighter materials. Each model comes with a standard one-piece tailgate, complete with chains.

Options for both models include a full-height cab protector to ensure visibility and the integrity of rear-window glass; a tarp kit, and a convenient wireless remote. As with all reliable Bri-Mar products, a two-year warranty is standard.

Since 1995, Bri-Mar Manufacturing has been providing high quality products at an affordable price point. They continue to design value and durability into their diverse product lines: Hydraulic Dump Trailers, Equipment and Car Haulers, Tilt Trailers and now the new Dump Inserts. Bri-Mar is one of the leading manufacturers of hydraulic dump trailers in North America.

For more information or to find a Bri-Mar dealer near you, please call 1-717-263-6116 or visit Bri-Mar Pick-up Truck Dump Trailers.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:30 PM | Comments (0)

Mackenzie Keck Construction Expands to State-of-the-Art Headquarters

Showcase Facility Synthesizes Green Building Technology with High-End Custom Design

Rockaway, NJ (PRWEB) October 16, 2008 -- Mackenzie Keck Construction, Inc., a leading provider of general contracting, construction management and consulting services for upscale retail clientele and other commercial enterprises, announced the opening of its new headquarters at 301 Round Hill Drive in Rockaway, NJ.

Formerly headquartered in Hackettstown, NJ, the company has national offices in California and international offices in London, UK and Karlsruhe, DE. The state-of-the-art, 50,000 square-foot facility in Rockaway is designed to be a showcase for the high-end custom design work that has come to distinguish Mackenzie Keck Construction.

Founded in 1990, the company continues to expand geographically and with additional client services. The most recent developments include the MK Full Service division to provide project integration and facilitation, and the acquisition of green consulting firm, Global Thinking.

"The core values of our company are reflected in our new headquarters," said Dan Keck, founder and CEO of Mackenzie Keck Construction. "This facility demonstrates that a building can - and should - offer innovative design, environmentally-friendly operation and a high degree of versatility."

The interior detailing of the headquarters building draws upon the aesthetic of Mackenzie Keck's retail clientele, which includes Abercrombie & Fitch, Urban Outfitters, M&M's World, Mars Snackfood, Under Armour, Louis Vuitton, Salvatore Ferragamo, Gucci, Luxottica, Helmut Lang, Lancôme, L'Occitane, Theory, Versace and others.

"Our headquarters enables new clients to witness first-hand the craftsmanship, detailing and realization of custom design that distinguish our projects," said Vikram Reddi, president of Mackenzie Keck Construction. In addition to offices, gym and warehouse, a large prototyping area provides clients the ability to experience their new design as a 'vignette' or in its entirety.

Rather than building from the ground up, Mackenzie Keck chose to "recycle" a former ice cream distribution facility that included offices, a freezer warehouse, and distribution center. The well-insulated warehouse was ideally suited for the operations of a sister company that produces custom architectural concrete, and the office wing provides ample growth opportunity for Mackenzie Keck Construction.

In the building's open office areas, energy-saving HID lights supplement extensive natural daylight, with warm fluorescent task lights providing balanced lighting in offices and work areas. Artisan concrete sheaths the new central stairwell inserted to bring additional natural light into the building. The 'dressed' stone block evokes the image of an ancient ruin. Leather-like concrete panels clad the Key, a modernistic element inserted to frame the entrance and two-story lobby.

Founded in 1990, Mackenzie Keck Construction has grown from its New Jersey roots to offer national and global general contracting, construction management and consulting services for upscale retail and other enterprises. Mackenzie Keck's projects have included industries such as apparel, furnishings, fashion and beauty, spas and hospitality, restaurants and galleries, corporate interiors and other sectors.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:30 PM | Comments (0)

Non Profit Program Supports Renewable Energy Projects With Low Interest Loans

New Generation Energy announces project development initiative for community scale projects.

Boston, MA (PRWEB) October 16, 2008 -- New Generation Energy (NGE), a non-profit organization that supports community-based renewable energy projects, today announced that it will be launching a Project Development Initiative (PDI) to provide low interest loans to support community solar, wind, biomass, and efficiency projects.

New Generation Energy's PDI seeks to invest in the development of community based renewable energy projects in New England and New York by providing loans of $25K - $2.5M with interest rates as low as 3.0%. Eligible projects include those based at community colleges, universities, primary and secondary schools, hospitals & health care clinics, non-profits, businesses, designated low income housing, and municipal or public buildings.

Typical terms for these loans are between 3 and 10 years in length. Funds are invested directly in specific projects, or through partners such as community banks, ESCOs (Energy Service Companies), regional energy initiatives, or other project investors. Loans are available for projects which utilize solar-PV, solar-thermal, wind, biomass, and cogeneration capacity, as well as loans which support energy efficiency improvements.

Funds for NGE's community project investments come from the sale of Renewable Energy Investment Notes. These investments are fixed interest, fixed term, debt notes that are offered in denominations from $1,000 to $1,000,000+. Proceeds from REIN's are used to provide loans that significantly reduce the cost of developing renewable energy projects for non-profits, municipalities, and community-based businesses.

Chuck Lewin, Director of New Generation Energy, comments: "NGE's Project Development Initiative will serve as a catalyst for increasing renewable energy production in the US. By offering below market loans to qualifying community-based renewable energy and energy efficiency projects, NGE will make clean energy more affordable and available."

About New Generation Energy:
New Generation Energy, founded in 2006, provides investment opportunities for consumers and businesses in the areas of renewable energy, conservation, and the environment. Our investments provide affordable capital that helps get America on a clean and safe energy path, supports communities, and provides returns to our investors. NGE's work is aimed at addressing the key barriers to the creation of renewable energy through an investment vehicle that maximizes environmental impact and clean energy production for each dollar invested.

For more information on New Generation Energy please contact Associate Director Karla Franco at (617) 624-3688, email at: kfranco @ newgenerationenergy.org, or visit our website at www.newgenerationenergy.org.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:28 PM | Comments (0)

Great Fence Distributors Announces Fall 2008 Discounts on Ornamental Aluminum Fencing

Leading online fencing retailer Great Fence Distributors is pleased to announce that all products, including all styles and grades of fencing, will be available for a limited time at a special Fall 2008 discount.

(PRWEB) October 16, 2008 -- Great Fence Distributors is seeking to help homeowners by offering deep discounts during Fall 2008. This will allow families to easily purchase pre-built aluminum fencing and have it delivered directly to their job sites for unheard of low prices.

Recipients of Gold Stars from the Better Business Bureau in both 2007 and 2008, Great Fence Distributors have earned a reputation as a trustworthy online retailer. They have taken care to train their staff for superior customer service. Customer Charles Berg said, "I have just one thing to say about this company… Great Fence Distributors has great customer service!" and in this market customer service is important as it makes pre-built aluminum fencing accessible to do it yourselfers as well as contractors.

There are four grades and nine styles of pre-built aluminum fencing available from Great Fence Distributors. All grades and styles are on sale. This includes ornamental aluminum fencing and BOCA compliant pool fence products. All of these fences are designed for owner installation although they are commercial aluminum fencing quality. Contented customer Katie Grove told Great Fence Distributors "I was able to assist my husband with the entire system over the course of one weekend using the Installation Manual on your website." All grades and styles of fence, from the simple styles to ornamental aluminum fencing, include a lifetime warranty. There is also a selection of gate latches for aluminum fence products, including the BOCA compliant Magna Latch.

Great Fence Distributors believes that this sale will help all homeowners hoping to add value to their homes with a do it yourself project. They have made every attempt to make installing an aluminum fence as easy as possible while still providing a sturdy, reliable barrier. Every step of the process has been analyzed. This not only makes installation easy, but also selecting and purchasing fence products. Thanks to an easily navigated website with many aluminum fence photos, it is easier than ever before to select and purchase fences online.

For more information, please visit GreatFence.com.

About Great Fence Distributors:
A member of the American Fence Association, Inc., participant in the Better Business Bureau OnLine Reliability program, winner of BBB Gold Stars in 2007 and 2008 as well as certified SiteSafe by Network Solutions, Great Fence Distributors has proven itself to be a leading supplier of residential and commercial aluminum fencing. Fence sections and gates are shipped anywhere in the United States. Great Fence Distributors prides itself on flawless customer service, and easily navigated website and one of the best warranties available.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:27 PM | Comments (0)

Universal Forest Products Western Division President Pat Webster to Become President and COO

Webster to be Succeeded in West by Former Regional VP Dick Frazier

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Business Wire EON/PRWEB ) October 16, 2008 -- Michael B. Glenn, president and chief executive officer of Universal Forest Products, Inc. (Nasdaq: UFPI) today announced the appointment of Pat Webster, president of Universal Western Division and a 24-year veteran of the Company, as president and chief operating officer of the corporation, effective January 1, 2009. Webster will be succeeded in the West by Dick Frazier, a former regional vice president who has been with Universal for 23 years. The appointments were approved by the Board of Directors at their Oct. 15, 2008 meeting.

Glenn said the appointments come at a critical time, as the company is developing strategies and initiatives for long-term growth and opportunity against the backdrop of a difficult economy. “Universal has many opportunities for success in these turbulent times and beyond, and no one is better qualified to help drive our success and growth than Pat and Dick,” he said. “They’re highly respected by employees, customers and leaders in the industry and, with their knowledge and years of experience, they’ll help us achieve critical short- and long-term goals.”

“This marks a great new era of leadership at Universal,” added Executive Chairman William G. Currie, who will retire as an active employee of the Company in July 2009. “Mike Glenn has created the strongest leadership team in the industry. Putting Pat and Dick in these vital positions is good for the company, its employees, shareholders and stakeholders—and its future.”

Webster began his career at Universal in January 1985, as a trainee at the Company’s Grand Rapids, Mich., headquarters. He then worked in sales in Illinois and, in 1986, became a buyer for the purchasing department of the then-Midwest Company. He was promoted to director of that department and then to vice president of purchasing for Universal’s then-Far West Company.

In 1996, Webster became general manager of operations at the Company’s Woodburn, Ore., plant. A year later, he was promoted to vice president of operations. In 1998, he was promoted to vice president of the Far West Region and, in July 2007, he became president of the Western Division, one of the Company’s two operating divisions. Noting Webster’s breadth of experience, Glenn said: “Pat’s thorough understanding of our business, customers, vendor mills and employees gives him a unique perspective and opportunity to help take Universal into the next decade and beyond. He’s a strong consensus builder and leader, and will be an excellent chief operating officer for our company.”

Webster said he is honored to be trusted with the vast responsibility of the position and looks forward to helping create new opportunities for growth. “Universal’s success and strong reputation have been built by hardworking people who make it a better place day by day,” Webster said. “I look forward to continuing to serve the Company in this new role and to working with the best employees in the industry to grow our success. I’ll work hard to live up to the high standards of the company and its people.”

Frazier joined Universal in 1985 as vice president of the Southwest Region, a position he held until Jan. 1, 2008, when he took on a new position to work on special projects throughout the company, focused on continuous improvement and on assisting underperforming operations. “Dick is the best lumberman in America,” Glenn said. “He was always the strongest performer in our company—and perhaps in its history—and he consistently led his operations to new heights. The man knows how to create profitability.”

“I look forward to the opportunity to work with the strong team in the West to bring its operations through these tough economic times stronger for the battle, and ready for new and significant growth,” Frazier said.

Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., with approximately 85 facilities throughout North America, Universal Forest Products engineers, manufactures and markets wood and wood-alternative products for DIY/retail home centers, structural lumber products for the manufactured housing industry, engineered wood components for the site-built construction market, and specialty wood packaging and components for various industries. The 53-year-old Company also provides framing services for the site-built market and forms for concrete construction. For 2007, the Company reported sales of more than $2.5 billion. For information about Universal Forest Products, visit www.ufpi.com.

Please be aware that: Any statements included in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of the Company's management as well as on assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Company at the time such statements were made. The Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect facts, circumstances, assumptions or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made. Actual results could differ materially from those included in such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainty. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements are the following: Adverse lumber market trends, competitive activity, negative economic trends, government regulations and weather. Certain of these risk factors and additional information are included in the Company's reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:27 PM | Comments (0)

Whole Log Lumber Company Increases Profits by Recycling Antique Wood

Company sales have soared, thanks to environmental stewardship and help from North Carolina's Small Business & Technology Development Center.

Zirconia, NC (PRWEB) October 16, 2008 -- Whole Log Lumber Company -- based in the small mountain community of Zirconia, North Carolina -- is having a banner year and enjoying robust sales despite the economic doom and gloom that grips many American businesses. The innovative company recycles and sells authentic pine flooring and other gorgeous woods that are used in some of the most gracious homes in the USA.

Whole Log Lumber -- an active member of the North Carolina Green Building Council -- was recently featured as one of the top 10 client success stories in the annual report of North Carolina's Small Business & Technology Development Center (SBTDC). With support from SBTDC the company has grown, expanded, and received vital financial and professional resources and strategic planning assistance along the way. The firm offers a beautiful diversity of authentic reclaimed and recycled woods including maple, oak, fir, redwood, and even rare chestnut.

"But long leaf yellow pine flooring -- also known as heart pine -- is our specialty," explains Jim Stowell, who founded Whole Log Lumber. "We have been operating our antique pine lumber mill on the Green River in Western North Carolina since 1984," Stowell says.

Antique and reclaimed wood is generally superior when compared to new growth materials because of its unique strength and stability. Clients can feel happy about supporting the environment, too, because no new trees have to be cut down to harvest the building materials.

In 2006 the Stowells began working in partnership with the SBTDC. After an initial Strategic Needs Assessment they set up a strategic planning retreat. "The retreat was wonderful," says Loy Lauden-Stowell. "It showed us how to identify our desires for the business and what we needed to do to get where we wanted to go. It provided a renewed synergy in the company by involving our management staff in the planning process."

The rest, as they say, is history. Whole Log Lumber's sales have soared, and now a number of new clients have been added to quite a respectful list of established clientele: from architects and builders to rock stars and sports celebrities. But remarkably the company thrives by word-of-mouth. "For almost 20 years our customer referrals were our only advertising," says Jim Stowell. "And repeat business is evidence of complete customer satisfaction."

To learn more please visit http://www.wholeloglumber.com, the company's web site.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:26 PM | Comments (0)

Birmingham Business Journal Discusses Benefits of Seedco Financial's Green Building Program

Seedco Financial, a subsidiary of Seedco, is working to create opportunities for those in underserved developments to benefit from green living

Birmingham, AL (PRWEB) October 16, 2008 -- In an article of Birmingham Business Journal on October 3, 2008, Seedco Financial spoke about their Green Building Program. Seedco Financial's non-profit programs help poor communities to flourish by providing them with the affordable financing and comprehensive technical assistance.

The organization operates by raising money from businesses within the local community and applying it to strengthen the foundation of the homes, businesses, and organizations that reside there.

The Green Building Program supports developers in an effort to provide affordable green housing to households that could otherwise not afford it.

Ivan Holloway, Vice President of Alabama Field Operations for Seedco told the Birmingham Business Journal, "One of the things we have noticed is that when people talk about green building, it is only for people who can afford the cost it takes to incorporate these aspects into houses"

The goal of green housing is to build homes that are environmentally conscious and do not promote or create waste that can be detrimental to the surrounding areas. The funding is obtained through training, loans and grants. Seedco Financial reaches out to financial intuitions within a given community, and the amount of aid they are able to give depends on the financing they are able to ascertain.

For more information on Seedco Financial, please visit: www.seedco.org

About Seedco Financial
Seedco Financial is a non-profit organization that promotes positive growth in poor or low-income communities. They have helped several small communities, but most memorable is their aid to Lower Manhattan Workforce Retention after the attacks of 9/11. Willaim J. Grinker is the founder of Seedco Financial. They also have another location in Memphis Tennessee.

Contact:
Jackie Carter
Seedco Financial
505 N 20th Street, Suite 1525

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:26 PM | Comments (0)

Announcing the 3rd Quarter 2008 Edition of Granite Loan Management's publication, Construction Lending News (CLN)

The quarterly newsletter covers news and articles related to the construction lending industry and has a circulation of more than 5,000 readers throughout the United States.

Denver, Colorado (PRWEB) October 16, 2008 -- Granite Loan Management published the 3rd Quarter 2008 edition of the Construction Lending News.

Highlights of this edition:

* Overview of West Virginia Mechanics' Lien Law
* Update on New Orleans
* Communities Becoming Homebuyers
* National Association of Residential Construction Lenders (NARCL)
* Strategies for Success in Construction Lending seminar
* Commercial Industry and Homebuilding Updates
* Current Construction and Unemployment Statistics

The quarterly newsletter covers news and articles related to the construction lending industry and has a circulation of more than 5,000 readers throughout the United States. CLN also discusses mechanics' lien law for a given state in every issue. Granite Loan Management, a company that specializes in fund control and risk mitigation for both residential and commercial construction lenders, publishes CLN.

To be added to the CLN mailing list, call 866-710-4099 or visit www.constructionlendingnews.com. To learn more about fund control or Granite Loan Management visit www.graniteloan.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:25 PM | Comments (0)

Doopoco Enterprises Fine Cabinetry Announces a New Web Site and Sustains Extraordinary Growth Through 2007

Doopoco Enterprises is proud to announce a new web site at www.doopoco.com. The new site features a visually stunning design showcasing some of their most recent work while continuing to provide valuable information to those interested in having custom cabinetry made. In 2007 Doopoco Enterprises experienced 74% growth over 41% growth in 2006 and was acknowledged as the 11th fastest growing wood products company in North America.

Thousand Oaks, CA (PRWEB) October 16, 2008 -- This past summer Doopoco Enterprises retained the services of Sunni Chapman at Bella Fiore Art & Design to recreate and update www.doopoco.com. The changes reflect Doopoco's continuing commitment to providing high quality cabinetry and service to their clients. The new site showcases some of Doopoco's most recent work with beautiful high resolution images and informative descriptions of each project.

Jim Doolittle, Owner of Doopoco Enterprises, says, "There is a wealth of information on our new site to educate and inform our clients to help make the process of having custom cabinetry made for their home be an enjoyable journey."

Sunni Chapman can be reached through www.bellafiorei.com or at 530-320-2936.

Doopoco Enterprises has received the Wood 100 Award from the publishers of Wood and Wood Products Magazine for the second consecutive year for being the 11th fastest growing wood products company in North America for 2007. The award acknowledges companies with consistent and productive growth.

While continuing to serve their local clientele, Doopoco expanded their operation to serve the communities of Palm Desert and Palm Springs California. Doopoco completed two large custom home projects designed by architect Kristi Hanson. Some of this cabinetry can be viewed at www.doopoco.com.

Doopoco Enterprises received coverage in Wood & Wood Products Magazine's September 2008 issue for being # 11 on the magazine's Wood 100 list of the fastest growing wood products companies in North America for 2007.

About Doopoco Enterprises:

Doopoco Enterprises designs and manufactures high quality custom cabinetry and residential furniture.

Doopoco has the ability to execute a variety of styles with the imagination and design creativity to create cabinetry that is unique for each of their clients.

"We understand the importance of service and attention to your needs through all phases of a project. We make it a priority to keep in touch with you, keep the project on schedule and keep you updated with information pertinent to the project's success. Having custom cabinetry designed and built can be exciting and fun, we know how keep it enjoyable from start to finish." -- Jim Doolittle

Contact: Jim or Jamie Doolittle at 866-514-7776 or 805-983-2701

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:25 PM | Comments (0)

4tell™ Appoints Julia White MacMillan as Senior Vice President of Business Development

4tell™ Solutions, LLC, (www.4tellsolutions.com), which provides technology solutions and consulting services that enable companies to adopt "green" governance practices for their facilities, infrastructure and buildings, announced today the appointment of Julia White MacMillan as its Senior Vice President of Business Development.

Portland, Maine (PRWEB) October 15, 2008 -- 4tell™ Solutions, LLC, (www.4tellsolutions.com), which provides technology solutions and consulting services that enable companies to adopt "green" governance practices for their facilities, infrastructure and buildings, announced today the appointment of Julia White MacMillan as its Senior Vice President of Business Development.

Ms. MacMillan brings more than 17 years of experience in business development, client servicing, marketing and sales. Based in Wilmington, DE, she is a member of the senior management team and is responsible for building and advancing the company's strategic business plan. Ms. MacMillan will specifically be charged with helping 4tell achieve its growth objectives as the company expands throughout North America, the United Kingdom and around the world.

"We are delighted to have Julia as part of the 4tell team," said Shane Flynn, managing partner of Cordjia, LLC, a private equity firm that acquired a major interest in 4tell earlier this year. "Julia's appointment reflects 4tell's commitment to expanding its market position as well as to deepening the value proposition for its clients."

4tell's solutions help its clients achieve the economic, energy, environmental and social mandates required to support their mission and business objectives in today's global community. 4tell's clients optimize their asset governance, capital investment planning, performance management and stakeholder reporting processes and benefit from improved return on investments and enhanced operational efficiencies.

Ms. MacMillan is an experienced business development professional who joins 4tell from Bank of America where she worked for the last 14 years, most recently as Senior Vice President of Strategic Marketing. She has proven success in strategic product, partner and marketing development as well as expertise in creating and selling enterprise solutions.

Ms. MacMillan started her career with the American Medical Association and then joined Ryder Systems, Inc. in 1992. She joined MBNA in 1994 and remained through its merger with Bank of America. Ms. MacMillan received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN.

Jim Kavanagh, 4tell's President and Chief Executive Officer stated, "Julia is highly respected and skilled at identifying and designing strategies for innovative business development initiatives to leverage market opportunities. She will be an effective leader driving growth and client value for the company. Current market and economic conditions continue to drive strong demand for 4tell's solutions and we are building a team that can manage rapid expansion."

About 4tell Solutions - 4tell™ Solutions, LLC (formerly HCI Solutions, LLC) is a Delaware company with its headquarters located in Portland, Maine. The company's roots date from 1997 and it is a recognized industry leader in technology-based sustainable facility governance solutions. 4tell provides technology solutions and consulting services that enable organizations to optimize operations and adopt "green" business practices for their built environment including facilities, infrastructure and buildings. Combining leading strategic management methods with proven engineering and economic models, 4tell helps its clients to mange capital and operating lifecycle budgets, streamline facility governance processes, keep environmental commitments, comply with regulations and reporting requirements and inform stakeholders through sustainability reporting. 4tell's solutions support the business processes of executives in charge of capital investment performance as well as the processes of facility, energy and security managers charged with improving the financial, energy, environmental, and safety performance of their facilities. To learn more about 4tell, please visit www.4tellsolutions.com. 4tell is a member of the Cordjia group of companies (www.cordjia.com).

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:24 PM | Comments (0)

Second LEED Gold Project Begins at Hallmark Development's Offices at Park Place in Clearwater, Florida

West Central Florida's Hallmark Development continues its leadership in LEED-registered green building with the launch of Phase II development at Offices at Park Place in Clearwater, Florida. The building is part of 148,300 square feet of Class A, Green Office Space coming to Pinellas County. Hallmark has pre-leased 1/3 of the New Construction building and assembled the project team, including general contractors The Murray Company, Collman and Karsky Architects, and civil engineering firm Gulf Coast Engineering.

Clearwater, Fla. (PRWEB) October 15, 2008 -- West Central Florida's Hallmark Development continues its leadership in LEED-registered green building with the launch of Phase II development at Offices at Park Place at 83 Park Place Blvd. in Clearwater, Fla. Hallmark Development has pre-leased 1/3 of the new construction building and assembled the project team, including general contractors The Murray Company, Collman and Karsky Architects, and civil engineering firm Gulf Coast Engineering.

Hallmark Development celebrated the grand opening of the first Offices at Park Place LEED-Gold project in July of this year. The building, which is expected to receive its official LEED certification within the next 30 days, is the new international headquarters for TUI Marine. It has been selected as the site for the October 28 Annual Member Meeting of the US Green Building Council Florida Gulf Coast Chapter.

"It's rewarding to be at the cutting edge of green building in our community," said Paul Engelhardt, vice president of Hallmark Development. "We've operated here for over 40 years, and we consider it an honor to find creative solutions to protect our environment."

The site for the second building at Offices at Park Place exceeds local zoning requirements for open space by 163% and includes an irrigation system that uses 75.8% less water than a baseline property. Its parking lot will include more than a dozen reserved parking spaces for high efficiency, low emission vehicles.

Plans for the building itself include energy systems to reduce consumption by 24% and dual-flush water closets and lavatory fixtures with automatic shut off, which combined will use 40% less water. In addition, renewable energy has been purchased to offset 70% of electrical use over two years. Over 75% of the wood products used in the building will be certified through the Forest Stewardship Council's Principles and Criteria, and over 83% of construction debris will be recycled rather than sent to landfills.

As part of its commitment to green goals, Hallmark will measure and evaluate the building's energy use over one year to verify that systems are performing as designed. In addition, a third party will test and confirm that concentration levels are acceptable for formaldehyde, particulates (PM-10), total volatile organic compounds, and carbon monoxide.

LEED is a third-party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED rates buildings in categories for sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality.

About Hallmark Development of Florida, Inc.
Hallmark Development of Florida is a diversified real estate development firm founded 43 years ago. It has developed roughly 630,000 square feet of office and service-center space on Florida's Gulf Coast. It owns and operates the Airport Business Center with nearly 160 tenants near the St. Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport on 140th Avenue North in Clearwater. In addition, Hallmark manages several other commercial properties, including Roosevelt Lakes Office Park in the Feather Sound area and Enterprise Office Center in the Countryside area, both in Pinellas County. For more information on Hallmark Development, Inc., call (727) 539-7002 or visit www.HallmarkDevelopment.net.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:24 PM | Comments (0)

DirectBuy $25,000 Grand Prize Makes College Dream a Reality

DirectBuy awards single mom with cash prize.

Waterloo, Ontario (PRWEB) October 15, 2008 -- Winning $25,000 can be a life changing event for most people, but for DirectBuy's Home Makeover Contest winner Michaela Roder, it changed her daughter's future. Upon accepting the winning cash prize, she immediately opened a college fund in her daughter's name.

"Being a single mom is hard and the one thing I want most for my daughter is a college education," said Michaela. "DirectBuy helps people realize their dreams and through the Home Makeover Contest, they helped make my dreams for my daughter come true."

Prior to being named the winner, Michaela wasn't sure how she was going to put her daughter through college on one income. Incredible enough, she was one of the lucky winners to enter and win DirectBuy's 10th Canadian Home Makeover Giveaway.

"It's a wonderful feeling to know that we contributed to her daughter's education and we were able to relieve some of that pressure from her mother," said Owner Wayne Budd. "She really did a wonderful job raising her daughter and I can't think of a more deserving family."

The Roder family entered the $25,000 Home Makeover Contest by attending an Open House at DirectBuy of Waterloo. The Open House is designed to educate consumers about DirectBuy's unique business model, and how it enables members to avoid traditional markup on top brand-name products for in and around their homes. DirectBuy takes special care to help prospective members determine whether a membership is appropriate for their lifestyle and buying habits.

Members of DirectBuy have access to thousands of items, including kitchen cabinets, flat-screen televisions and major appliances from hundreds of top manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. Since DirectBuy offers brand-name merchandise with no traditional retail markup, members are able to save hundreds, even thousands, of dollars on purchases for their homes. To assist with home renovation, DirectBuy members also have access to licensed interior designers and product specialists who are specifically trained in one of five areas of merchandise: Home Furnishings, Home Improvement, Flooring, Accessories, and Entertainment/Outdoor.

About DirectBuy
For more than 37 years, DirectBuy has been showing thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save as they shop for virtually everything for in and around their homes - from furniture, carpet and flooring, custom window treatments, to kitchen cabinets, bath cabinets and fixtures, appliances and much, much more.

DirectBuy enables members to purchase most every product offering from several hundred manufacturers at more than 160 showrooms across North America. To request a "Free Insider's Guide to Buying Direct" and a Visitor's Pass to learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, visit www.directbuy.com or www.directbuycares.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:22 PM | Comments (0)

Ex-Mayor of Charlotte Hosts Groundbreaking Event for new builder Bellamy Homes

New Builder has nothing but success at Verdict Ridge despite tough market

Charlotte, NC (PRWEB) October 15, 2008 -- Despite the difficult market conditions, new homebuilder Bellamy Homes has experienced nothing short of complete success. Their formula consists of great value and an exceptional commitment to customer service. They are hosting a groundbreaking event in which the ex-mayor of Charlotte Edward Knox, will be speaking on their behalf. The company was founded by three gentlemen who attended Purdue University together. After years of consideration they decided that now is the time. "We were able to partner with an amazing community and developer, we are very fortunate", says Matt Dausch VP of Production.

Bellamy Homes is having their groundbreaking event on Saturday the 18th of October and will have food and beverages as well as a drawing for attendees. Sales have been steady for the new builder and they expect that their good fortune will continue. "We are so excited to build homes for people, it is one of the most important decisions they will ever make, and we are happy they are choosing us over the competition" says Wade Miller VP of Operations. The community has a top ranked golf course, lighted tennis courts and pool, as well as a clubhouse to host special events.

About Bellamy Homes: Bellamy Homes is a new builder in Charlotte, offering three floor plans in the Verdict Ridge community. Prices start at $279,990 and offer granite countertops, hardwood floors, and ceramic baths. All homes are basement home sites, and include stone and Hardi-plank fronts. For more info on Bellamy Homes visit their website at www.bellamyhomebuilders.com.

About Verdict Ridge: Verdict Ridge is a Golf Course Community located in Denver North Carolina. Amenities include a pool, lighted tennis courts, clubhouse, workout facility, and restaurant, which is able to host large functions such as weddings. For more information please visit www.verdictridge.com.

For additional information on Bellamy Homes or media inquiries, please feel free to contact:

Frank Hereda
V.P. Sales and Marketing
Bellamy Homes, Inc.
19825B North Cove Rd, Ste 180
Cornelius, NC 28031
Phone: 704.910.7173
Fax: 800.370.3051

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:22 PM | Comments (0)

Duro-Last® Roofing, Inc. Announces New Roofing Blog Added To Web Site

Duro-Last Roofing, Inc. is pleased to announce the addition of a roofing blog to its web site. This Internet tool is one of a new generation of web-based social media applications that businesses are increasingly using to strengthen relationships with their customers and pursue new business opportunities.

Saginaw, MI (Vocus/PRWEB ) October 15, 2008 -- Duro-Last Roofing, Inc. is pleased to announce the addition of a roofing blog to its web site. This Internet tool is one of a new generation of web-based social media applications that businesses are increasingly using to strengthen relationships with their customers and pursue new business opportunities.

The purpose of the Duro-Last blog is to communicate with readers about roofing industry issues, while enabling readers to respond to posts with their own comments. The Duro-Last roofing blog will provide a forum for key Duro-Last personnel to interact with building owners, architects, roofing contractors, and other stakeholders in the industry.

Blog content will include, but not be limited to:

* Roofing industry news
* Sustainability (cool roofing, photovoltaic and garden systems, other environmental issues)
* Roofing system purchase considerations
* Duro-Last projects
* Faces of Duro-Last

"The growing sophistication of contractors and others in the buildings industry, and their increasing use of new electronic communication tools have spurred us to introduce our blog," said Fred Sitter, Duro-Last Marketing Communications Director. "We're excited about this new way to keep in touch with our customers and the commercial building and construction market as a whole."

The Duro-Last roofing blog can be found at: www.duro-last.com/blog. There is also a link on the Duro-Last home page: www.duro-last.com.

With corporate headquarters and a manufacturing facility in Saginaw, Michigan as well as other manufacturing facilities in Grants Pass, Oregon; Jackson, Mississippi; and Sigourney, Iowa, the Duro-Last roofing system has become known as the "World's Best Roof"®. Since 1978, Duro-Last Roofing, Inc. has manufactured a custom-fabricated, reinforced, thermoplastic membrane roofing system that is ideal for any flat or low-sloped commercial or industrial building. Energy-efficient and extremely durable, the Duro-Last roofing system is also leak-proof, virtually maintenance-free and resistant to chemicals, fire, and high winds. For more information, contact Fred Sitter at 800-248-0280 or visit www.duro-last.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:21 PM | Comments (0)

DirectBuy Helps Family Host for the Holidays

DirectBuy awards Barryville family $50,000 to complete kitchen renovations in time for Thanksgiving.

Wappingers Falls, NY (PRWEB) October 15, 2008 -- Can you imagine being in the middle of a kitchen remodel when you realize you have no money left to complete it? This is exactly what happened to Jack and Ann Sardina from Barryville, New York before they won DirectBuy's Home Makeover Contest.

Prior to being announced the $50,000 Home Makeover Contest winners on September 12, 2008, Ann had no plans on hosting this year's Thanksgiving dinner. "My kitchen hasn't been fully functional for over a year now," said Ann. "I am really looking forward to completing the renovation in time for Thanksgiving, so both families can get together."

"As a young couple with two small children, it's not easy to save," said Jack. "Both my wife and I work and we still can't set aside enough money for our home improvement projects. We are so thankful to DirectBuy and their Home Makeover Contest. It proves that DirectBuy really does have a goal of helping people realize their dreams."

The Sardina family entered the $50,000 Home Makeover Contest by attending an Open House at DirectBuy of Dutchess County. The Open House is designed to educate consumers about DirectBuy's unique business model, and how it enables members to avoid traditional markup on top brand-name products for in and around their homes. DirectBuy takes special care to help prospective members determine whether a membership is appropriate for their lifestyle and buying habits.

"We are so happy that our showroom was one of the lucky ones to have a Home Makeover winner," said Phil Kadish, owner of DirectBuy of Dutchess County. "It was a great experience for our staff, members, and visitors. We will never forget the Sardina family and we wish them well with their new kitchen remodel."

Members of DirectBuy have access to thousands of items, including kitchen cabinets, flat-screen televisions and major appliances from hundreds of top manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. Since DirectBuy offers brand-name merchandise with no traditional retail markup, members are able to save hundreds, even thousands, of dollars on purchases for their homes. To assist with home renovation, DirectBuy members also have access to licensed interior designers and product specialists who are specifically trained in one of five areas of merchandise: Home Furnishings, Home Improvement, Flooring, Accessories, and Entertainment/Outdoor.

About DirectBuy
For more than 37 years, DirectBuy has been showing thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save as they shop for virtually everything for in and around their homes -- from furniture, carpet and flooring, and custom window treatments, to kitchen cabinets, bath cabinets and fixtures, appliances and much, much more.

DirectBuy enables members to purchase most every product offering from several hundred manufacturers at more than 160 showrooms across North America. To request a "Free Insider's Guide to Buying Direct" and a Visitor's Pass to learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, visit www.directbuy.com or www.directbuycares.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:21 PM | Comments (0)

New Athletic Complex Kicks Off With Historic High School Rivalry

Paramount High School's Pirate Stadium Celebrates its First Upgrade in 55 Years

Paramount, Calif. (Vocus/PRWEB ) October 15, 2008 -- Friday night lights will flood the new field at Paramount High School as the Pirates and their faithful fans gather for a gridiron clash with long-time rival Downey High School. The historic meeting will showcase the school's $13 million stadium facelift, the first significant upgrade since 1953.

Designed by educational facility experts at LPA Inc., the multi-purpose 6,000-seat Paramount High School Pirate Stadium features a Field Turf synthetic field, an all-weather, nine-lane urethane track, a lighted score board, press box with elevator, two pole vault pads, a high jump area, and two long jump runways with four sand pits.

To mark the event, PHS is celebrating with a grand opening ceremony before the first league game of the season is played. An expected standing-room only crowd of students, parents, boosters, school faculty and administrators will attend a VIP reception scheduled to start at 6 p.m. on October 17, 2008 in the Paramount High School gymnasium. The festivities will continue on the field with a special presentation and fireworks show at halftime.

"Students have been playing their hearts out on this dusty old field for decades. We just wanted to give them the same opportunities that other students at surrounding school districts have--state-of-the-art facilities that enhance student-athlete experiences," said Paramount High School District Superintendent Dr. David J. Verdugo.

Fans attending events at the new facility will soon enjoy a central promenade and entry plaza with separate ticketing booths, restroom facilities and concession buildings for both home and visiting teams. The athletic promenade will be anchored by a 29,000-square-foot Field House Building which includes dedicated team/ locker rooms, classrooms, weight room, wrestling facility, and instrumental room for the marching band. The athletic promenade also serves as a gateway to a new 450-seat baseball complex.

"Paramount's goal for the stadium and the campus has always been transforming lives by creating places the community can take pride in. It's what the district calls 'The Paramount Experience.' This will be an icon for the future student athletes and a community gateway to the athletic complex," said LPA Principal Architect Don Pender.

The baseball complex is a collegiate-level field with 350-foot left and right field lines, 385-foot center field fence, 37-foot vinyl-coated backstop, fully sub-drained natural turf area to ensure durability and year-round access, concrete dugouts, multiple batting cages, and enclosed bullpens.

Funding for the stadium and all projects throughout the district is made possible by a $100-million-bond referendum passed by Paramount voters. The Measure AA Campaign for Kids passed in November 2006 with the highest percentage of voter support of any bond measure in the state.

Paramount High School Senior Campus address:
14429 South Downey Avenue
Paramount CA 90723
Click here for the Paramount Online Photo Gallery.

For more information, visit www.LPAinc.com.
For interview opportunities contact:
Rochelle Veturis
LPA, Inc.
5161 California Ave., Suite 100
Irvine, CA 92617
(949) 701-4148
rveturis @ LPAinc.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:20 PM | Comments (0)

Millenia Wall Solutions' Unique Retaining Wall System Now Available Throughout Iowa from King's Material, Inc.

King's Material is the Exclusive Dealer for Millenia® Retaining Walls in Iowa

Minneapolis, MN and Cedar Rapids, Iowa (PRWEB) October 15, 2008 -- The Millenia® Retaining Wall System from Millenia Wall Solutions is redefining the segmental retaining wall (SRW) industry. King's Material, Inc. has entered into an agreement to become Millenia's exclusive dealer in Iowa in order to make this new SRW product available to landscape contractors and other building professionals across the state. Millenia Wall Solutions' polymer retaining wall system offers finer aesthetics, greater durability, labor-saving installation efficiency, plus a lower environmental impact than traditional wall products. King's Material, Inc., founded in 1882 when William King established a plaster mill on the west bank of the Cedar River, is Iowa's trusted source of ready mix concrete, concrete blocks and pavers, brick masonry, retaining walls, and a wide selection of other landscaping and masonry products. Millenia® wall units are now available at all seven King's and Marquart Concrete locations in Iowa.

"Contractors are asking us for new retaining wall alternatives with more style, textures and colors. They also want easier installation to reduce labor costs," said Gary Pribyl, vice president of sales, King's Material, Inc. "Millenia has attained the look and feel of natural stone in its products, and the light weight of their wall units offers cost-saving advantages."

With its patented Structural Cell Technology™ (SCT™), Millenia uses 100 percent recycled, pre-consumer polymers to produce lightweight wall units that consist of a confinement cell secured to a rigid frame. "Millenia's concept of using recycled materials to reduce the environmental impact of retaining walls is a big change," said Pribyl. "The system is solidly engineered, and two SRW industry veterans, Paul Forsberg and Robert Race, guide product development at Millenia. That gives me confidence in the performance of their product."

The structural cross ribbing of the Millenia® wall units' frames imparts strength and rigidity. Unit-to-unit connection locks them together with superior holding power and forms solid integral walls with consistent spacing and straight lines. The units weigh just five pounds per square foot, whereas conventional concrete SRW blocks weigh from 60 to 100 pounds. After the units are placed and secured, weight is achieved by adding crushed stone fill - brought to the wall with a front-end loader. Top-to-bottom distribution of the fill in the confinement cells, and all throughout the frames, results in a wall with all the strength and stability of any other SRW - without installers having to lift and position heavy blocks or stones.

Because of the light weight of Millenia® units, a crew constructing a wall with Millenia lifts ten percent of the weight that a crew lifts when constructing a wall of equivalent size with concrete blocks. Installers work with less strain and more productivity. Using manufactured concrete blocks to construct an SRW, a typical five-man crew can complete about 750 square feet per day. With the Millenia® system, a three-man crew can install up to 1,500 to 2,000 square feet per day. "Contractors can decrease the size of their crews when they use Millenia," said Pribyl. "That reduces labor costs."

Light weight also means that up to 2,880 square feet of Millenia® units can be delivered in one truckload. It would take approximately eight or more truckloads to deliver the same square footage of concrete blocks. "With energy costs these days, transportation is a significant cost factor now," said Pribyl. "Millenia offers a real advantage. Millenia's light weight reduces SRW material handling and shipping costs."

Millenia's proprietary imaging technology enables the company to take exact impressions of stone faces from rock formations and quarried stone from which it creates the molds used to produce its retaining wall faces and caps. When the recycled polymeric material is injected into the molds, it flows and fills completely to get into all the fine details of the real stone faces. "Millenia manufactures each style of its wall units in five different face patterns," said Pribyl. "They deliver the variation in color and texture that contractors want today."

About King's Material, Inc.

King's Material (www.kingsmaterial.com), established in 1882 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, strives to satisfy its customers with the best possible products and service. In 1998, King's purchased Stone Concepts, a stone fabricating facility, to complement its masonry product line of brick and other masonry goods. King's acquired Zeidler Concrete Products in 2003 and Marquart Concrete Products in 2005 to expand and serve all of Iowa. Today, King's Material has eight locations and offers ready mix services, brick and concrete masonry, masonry products and tools, stone products, landscape products, and retaining wall systems.

About Millenia Wall Solutions

Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., Millenia Wall Solutions (www.milleniawalls.com) is setting the 21st century standard for the construction of segmental retaining walls by advancing the most significant innovation in the industry since the 1980s. Millenia has introduced an inventive, high-tech alternative to conventional building materials. Millenia is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council and GreenSpec-listed. Our retaining walls are eco-friendly and offer incomparable beauty, strength, stability and durability - achieved with lightweight, recycled polymeric resin materials that contractors can install easily, quickly and with less labor. The Weight is Over™. Ready to Build Intelligently®? Check out Millenia on our Web site. Then give us a call at 1.866.549.WALLS (9255).

Millenia will exhibit its retaining wall system at the Greenbuild International Conference & Expo (booth #1769), November 19-21, 2008, Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, Boston, Mass. and at Hardscapes North America (booth #932), January 16-17, 2009, Cobb Galleria Center, Atlanta, Ga.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:20 PM | Comments (0)

Enerquip, Inc. Sold to Private Wyoming Investor

Enerquip, Inc., Medford, Wisconsin, announced that it was sold in August to Mr. Jim Nielson, an investor from Cody, Wyoming in a private sale. The new name will be Enerquip, LLC. The company provides Stainless Steel Heat Exchangers for the Food, Dairy, Beverage and Pharmaceutical industrie.

Medford, WI (PRWEB) October 15, 2008 -- Enerquip, Inc., Medford, Wisconsin, announced that it was sold in August to Mr. Jim Nielson, an investor from Cody, Wyoming in a private sale. Mr. Nielson, formerly the President of Husky Oil, has been a private Oil & Gas executive since the late-1970's. In his comments to the Enerquip team last week, Nielson said "Capturing energy through specialized heat exchange technology is one of the future energy sources. Enerquip has the people and the manufacturing talent to meet this challenge."

The new company has been called Enerquip, LLC and will remain in Medford, Wisconsin, an important factor to its former owners, Mr. Pep Simek and Mr. John Holroyd. As part of the sale, Mr. Kirk Novak joined the Enerquip team as President and CEO. Novak brings over 25 years of global business experience within the Oil & Gas, Chemical, Technology and Consulting Industries. "Our objective is simple - grow Enerquip's existing stainless steel heat exchanger business within the markets we currently serve and leverage this manufacturing expertise into other markets as appropriate" said Novak. Assisting with the transaction was Mid-Wisconsin Bank of Medford.

About Enerquip

Formed in 1985 following the asset purchase of Conseco, Enerquip produces sanitary and non-sanitary stainless steel heat exchangers for Food, Dairy, Beverage and Pharmaceutical applications through the United States, Canada, and 10 countries internationally. Enerquip is a leader in the food markets with a reputation for innovative designs, highly efficient manufacturing, excellent quality and outstanding customer service. Enerquip's corporate headquarters and plant are located in Medford, Wisconsin. It is represented by Oliver M. Dean in New England, ALB Associates in New Jersey and Southwest Thermal Technology, Inc. in California. For more information, visit www.enerquip.com (Enerquip).

For Further Information Contact:
Jeannie Deml
Enerquip, Inc.
715-748-5888 Telephone
715-748-6484 FAX
jeanniedemo(at)enerquip.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:19 PM | Comments (0)

Thomas Equipment Showcases Thomas Skid Steer Loaders at Annual SAIE Building Expo in Italy

At the annual SAIE Building Expo, Gilbert Bedard, Thomas Equipment V.P. of Global Sales, said rugged Thomas Skid Steer Loaders are easy-to-service and meet the rigorous demands of Europe's construction industry.

Bologna, Italy (PRWEB) October 15, 2008 -- The SAIE 2008 International Building Exposition will showcase a full display of Thomas Skid Steer Loaders at its 44th Annual gathering, announced Gilbert Bedard, Vice President of Global Sales of Thomas Equipment Inc.

Bedard said, "SAIE offers an opportunity for Thomas to demonstrate its scope of product, range of operations and commitment to help our customers succeed."

Petter Etholm, President of Thomas, said, "SAIE presents a dynamic international forum for Thomas to present its ruggedly durable and dependable Thomas Skid Steer Loaders and we expect to further build global awareness of our great Thomas brand."

Mary Jane Clark, Director of European and Australian Operations, said, "The European building industry and markets around the world need easy-to-service Thomas skid steer loaders that perform day-in and day-out."

Thomas Skid Steer Loaders will be displayed at Area 45 Stand D-10 at the international event that draws more than 175,000 visitors primarily from the building and construction industry. The show will be held at the Bologna Exposition Centre, October 15 to 18.

Thomas Equipment is online at www.thomas-equipment.com, where customers can learn more about Thomas Skid Steer Loaders.

Thomas Equipment Inc., based in Centreville, New Brunswick, Canada, is a unit of Osiris Corporation (OSRS), 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 10:19 PM | Comments (0)

Creative Environments Design & Landscape Offers Financing at Great Rates on Arizona Landscaping and pool Design for Customers who sign Contracts in October 2008

Creative Environments Design & Landscape, the #1 Arizona Landscape Design / Build Company, is offering great rates on landscaping and pool design for customers who sign contracts in October 2008.

Tempe, AZ (PRWEB) October 14, 2008 - Creative Environments Design & Landscape, the #1 Arizona Landscape Design / Build Company, is offering great rates on landscaping and pool design for customers who sign contracts in October 2008.

"With the weather improving, it's a great time to make your backyard living space the environment of your dreams," said John Waters, Owner of Creative Environments. "We are thrilled to be able to offer attractive pricing and financing options on our custom landscape design and pool remodel packages to qualified customers."

Qualified customers may receive financing rates as low as 6.99% - 7.99% when they sign a new landscape or pool design contract by October 31. Financing is subject to approval.

To learn more about Creative Environments custom Arizona landscaping design and pool remodel services call 480-458-4100 or visit Creative Environments Arizona Landscaping.

About Creative Environments:
Creative Environments Design & Landscape, an industry leader since 1950, is the largest and most respected landscape design company in Arizona. We continue to win local and national awards from industry peers, as well as receive the honor of #1 Landscape Design / Build Company, as voted by the residents of the Phoenix-metro area.

Although unique and functional design is our passion, outstanding customers is our number one priority. Our talented Design Consultants will listen to you and then they will use their expertise to develop an architectural-quality landscape design plan that will create the outdoor living space of your dreams.

With our specialized construction crews and a fully-staffed customer care department, you can rest assured that your outdoor living environment will be installed correctly and on time.

Creative Environments can be found on the web at Creative Environments.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:18 PM | Comments (0)

Manitex International Announces New Director of Operations--The Boom Truck and Truck Mounted Crane Company is Expanding its Footprint in the World Market

Manitex International, after acquiring the operations of Crane and Machinery, Inc., and Schaeff, Inc. brings Phil Fridley to the executive team to streamline operations adding to the bottom line. The hiring of a new Director of Operations is a response from Manitex International to the increased demand of its products in the international markets including Europe, Asia and South America.

Austin, TX (PRWEB) October 14, 2008 -- Manitex announced on Tuesday, October 14, 2008, that Phil Fridley is now part of the Manitex executive team as their new Director of Operations. Fridley was formerly the Plant Manager and North American Director of Quality, Health, Safety & Environment at global giant GKN Sinter Metals, serving commercial, consumer and automotive industries.

Fridley offers nearly 30 years of experience in streamlining management for other leading companies, including Grove Worldwide and AAI Corporation. "We are thrilled to have Phil as part of Manitex. His experience and knowledge will add tremendously to our process," says David Langevin, CEO of Manitex International.

Hiring a new Director of Operations is part of Manitex's response to the growing demand of its products in national and international markets. Fridley will head a number of initiatives internally and externally to further expand the reach of Manitex International and its subsidiaries.

Manitex International is steadily increasing its footprint in the market, having gained over 100% in gross revenue in 2007 over 2006, and is actively implementing measures to continue the trend.

Earlier this month, Manitex announced the acquisition of Crane and Machinery, Inc., and Schaeff, Inc. Andrew Rooke, President and Chief Operating Officer of Manitex, commented, "The acquisition of Crane supports our diversification strategy and adds to our existing replacement parts business. We expect Crane's distribution network to accelerate our penetration into international markets, which is a key part of our growth strategy."

According to executives in the company, Fridley will bring together the new divisions in the company while streamlining operational processes, focusing on expanding capabilities, quality control and development.

About Manitex International, Inc.:
Manitex International, Corp. is a leading provider of engineered lifting solutions including boom truck cranes, rough terrain forklifts and special mission oriented vehicles. Manitex subsidiary manufactures and markets a comprehensive line of boom trucks and sign cranes. The boom trucks and crane products are primarily used in industrial projects, energy exploration and infrastructure development, including roads, bridges and commercial construction. The Manitex Liftking subsidiary, which includes the Noble forklift product line, manufactures and sells a complete line of rough terrain forklifts and special mission oriented vehicles, as well as other specialized carriers, heavy material handling transporters and steel mill equipment. Manitex Liftking's rough terrain forklifts are used in both commercial and military applications.

Source: Fahrenheit Marketing Public Relations

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:17 PM | Comments (0)

Screw It -- Make DIY Mishaps a Thing of the Past

Black & Decker® expands the Autoselect® Family.

Slough, UK (PRWEB) October 14, 2008 -- As the UK's leading DIY expert Black & Decker® continues in its mission to demystify DIY and provide practical solutions for a new generation of home improvers. Their latest offering, the 3.6V Autoselect® Screwdriver, is an extension to the Autoselect® family, a collection of power tools that take the guess work and uncertainty out of a host of jobs, reducing the need for in-depth knowledge of torque, gears and speed.

Each tool in the Autoselect® family, which includes cordless drills, jigsaws and now a screwdriver, are pre-set by experts, making them easier and faster to use. Simply turn to select the application and they adjust to the optimal power and speed, ensuring the less experienced or not so confident achieve a perfect finish every time.

The new Autoselect® Screwdriver boasts a lithium ion battery which not only makes it lightweight and easy to handle, it also ensures that the tool stays charged and ready to use for up to 18 months. As with the other tools in this range, it is controlled by a series of task led settings displayed on an easy to read picture dial. Another key feature is the magnetic retractable screw holder. This holds the screw in place so it can be used with just one hand. This tool is ideal for taking the hassle out of everything from flat packed furniture to a range of quick fix household DIY jobs.

Black & Decker® created the Autoselect® family following extensive customer research which found that the new generation of home improvers simply don't have the 'know how' to get the best performance from power tools which is why they resort to 'getting someone in'. DIY needn't be a daunting or difficult task, as the Autoselect® technology simplifies the process enabling everyone to make changes to their home, something which is becoming increasingly popular as consumers opt to improve -- not move.

For general enquiries, power tools stockists, service and technical advice, please contact 01753 511234 or visit www.blackanddecker.eu

For further information or images please contact Kate Blinkhorn or Collette O'Neill at Mercieca PR email: kate @ mercieca.co.uk/collette @ mercieca.co.uk or tel: 0207 485 0100/07740 192823

Autoselect™ 3.6V Li-ion Screwdriver, AS36LN: RRP

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:16 PM | Comments (0)

The Prince George's County Small Business Initiative Partners with George Mason University to Offer Contracting With the Federal Government Certificate Program

The Prince George's Economic Development Corporation's Small Business Initiative Program (SBI) has partnered with George Mason University's Office of Continuing Professional Education, to offer the Contracting with the Federal Government Certificate Program.

Largo, MD (Vocus/PRWEB ) October 14, 2008 -- The Prince George's Economic Development Corporation's Small Business Initiative Program (SBI) has partnered with George Mason University's Office of Continuing Professional Education, to offer the Contracting with the Federal Government Certificate Program. The program is designed for government contracting professionals to proactively ensure that their business operations remain compliant with current federal standards. This comprehensive program includes five in-depth courses taught by instructors with strong backgrounds in government contracting. This core curriculum is offered in three series: Series I, October 20 - November 13; Series II, January 28 - March 26; and Series III, April 15 - June 25, 2009.

Course content is drawn from Deltek's experience in diverse government contracting environments. The classes are taught by Deltek instructors, in an academic setting at Mason's Herndon Training Center, and cooperatively with Prince George's County Economic Development Corporation, at their training center in Largo, Maryland. In addition, these courses can be scheduled for group training, and delivered at a time and location chosen by the group sponsor.

The series content focuses on recent government contracting trends, including the current regulatory environment, as well as proposed changes to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS). These highly participatory courses include extensive course material, examples, and resource materials. All courses qualify for 1.3 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and 16 (CPE's) through George Mason University, and may also lead to a George Mason University certificate award. No advance preparation or prerequisites are required to attend. However, participating students with limited contracting experience are encouraged to attend the "World of Government Contracting" course before attending any of the remaining four seminars.

Courses are scheduled throughout the academic year and can be taken alone or completed as a series to earn a Certificate of Completion in Federal Government Contracting through George Mason University. Experienced professionals who are new or nearly new to government contracting, and professionals in need of a refresher should attend. Participants will gain valuable information and guidance from real world examples of government contracting, expand their knowledge and clarify processes.

The Small Business Initiative Program is a division of the Prince George's County Economic Development Corporation. SBI provides direct assistance to the rapid-growth companies located in Prince George's County to provide access to capital, and contract opportunities. It's partner, named the #1 national university to watch by U.S. News & World Report, George Mason University is an innovative, entrepreneurial institution with global distinction in a range of academic fields. Located in the heart of Northern Virginia's technology corridor near Washington, D.C., Mason prepares its students to succeed in the work force and meet the needs of the region and the world. With strong undergraduate and graduate degree programs in engineering and information technology, dance, organizational psychology and health care, Mason students are routinely recognized with national and international scholarships.

For program information or to register Contact: George Mason University's Office of Continuing Professional Education Tel: 703-993-4800, or visit www.pgcedc.com/sbi/calendarSBI.php or www.ocpe.gmu.edu/cfgpgc.html

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:16 PM | Comments (0)

Mori Hills REIT's Financial Presentation is Now Available Online at http://www.mori-hills-reit.co.jp/eng/

TOKYO (Business Wire EON/PRWEB ) October 14, 2008 -- Mori Hills REIT Investment Corporation (MHR)(TOKYO:3234), a Japan office building real estate investment trust, announces that the presentation of results for the fourth period ended July 31, 2008 (from February 1, 2008 to July 31, 2008) is now available at http://www.mori-hills-reit.co.jp/eng/

MHR recorded 4,823 million yen in operation revenues, 2,442 million yen in operation profit and 1,832 million yen in net profit in the fourth period, and declared a dividend per unit of 14,117 yen.

As for the outlook for the fifth fiscal period, MHR has acquired a portion of Akasaka Tameike Tower and ARK Mori Building on September 30, 2008, and its portfolio has grown over 200 billion yen (acquisition price basis). MHR plans to sell one residential unit of Moto-Azabu Hills during this period, and forecasts a dividend per unit of 13,500 yen.

About Mori Hills REIT

Mori Hills REIT Investment Corporation (MHR) seeks to increasingly enhance the profitability of assets under management and the value of assets by focusing on the competitiveness and the ability to create value attributable to “urban” assets (central Tokyo being the core area) and by concentrating investment into “urban” areas.

Mori Hills REIT invests largely in properties that reflect the company’s “Hills” concept – areas that typify the lifestyles and work-styles of the 21st century. Mori Hills REIT is the realization of Mori Building’s goal of creating an investment vehicle that will enable all investors to own premium, central Tokyo property and participate in the enhancement of our cities.
Ratings:
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. Issuer rating

A3
Japan Credit Rating Agency, Ltd. (JCR) Senior Long-term credit rating AA-

For more information, please visit our website http://www.mori-hills-reit.co.jp/eng/

This press release includes forward-looking statements about business performance; however, no guarantees are implied concerning future business performance. Although the data and opinions contained in this press release are derived from what we believe are reliable and accurate sources, we do not guarantee their accuracy or completeness.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:16 PM | Comments (0)

Granite Commercial Management to Attend the Risk Management Association's (RMA) Annual Risk Management Conference

Granite Commercial Management (GCM) will attend and host an exhibit booth at the Risk Management Conference presented by the Risk Management Association (RMA) at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront in Baltimore, Maryland on October 18-21, 2008.

Denver, Colorado (PRWEB) October 14, 2008 -- Granite Commercial Management (GCM) will attend and host an exhibit booth at the Risk Management Conference presented by the Risk Management Association (RMA) at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront in Baltimore, Maryland on October 18-21, 2008.

Granite Commercial Management will showcase their full suite of construction risk mitigation services, including contractor acceptance, project review and recommendation, draws disbursement, national inspector network and statutory compliance in mechanics' lien laws.

For more information on Granite Commercial Management, visit www.granitecm.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:14 PM | Comments (0)

Penta Named a 2008 Hottest Construction Software Company for Commercial Contractors

Penta Recognized for Focus on Outcomes in Best Practice Process Execution, Frequency of New Releases of PENTA Construction ERP Software

Milwaukee, WI (PRWEB) October 13, 2008 -- Penta Technologies, Inc., a leading provider of construction enterprise software, announces today that is has been named a 2008 Hottest Construction Software company for Commercial Contractors by Constructech Magazine in the construction ERP (enterprise resource planning) software category. Participating companies were judged by the Constructech editorial staff based on a range of criteria, including the description of the company's product and/or service, significant accomplishments in the past year, the growth record for the past three years, noteworthy customer wins, and new products impacting the marketplace.

"The winning companies this year bring strong solutions to the table for their customers," said Peggy Smedley, editorial director of Constructech magazine. "Every year Constructech's editorial team becomes more discerning, determined to give the readers a look at the best of the best that construction technology has to offer. These companies define 'hot' this year and make up what could be the most solid list yet."

Key to the selection of Penta as a 2008 Hottest Company was the frequency of new software version releases. Penta introduced four new product releases, including the launch of PENTA Business Analytics, and functional improvements to PENTA Project Management, Service Management, Purchasing, Payroll and more. Penta was also chosen for its concerted focus in helping customers achieve the desired outcome of their business processes managed with PENTA Construction ERP Software.

"With Penta I feel that they are always on a path of constant improvement," said Ken Lindlau, CFO of Ajax Building Corporation. "I have always been impressed with their level of knowledge and cooperation. They all work well together and try to help you get better."

"It's exciting to recognized by Constructech as a 2008 Hottest Company for our hard work in helping our customers do what they do better," said Harvey Shovers, VP of Sales and Marketing for Penta.

"Constructech has named 16 companies to its annual Hottest Companies list this year," said Mike Carrozzo, editor of Constructech. "Each of the 2008 winners have really stepped up and met the market demand head-on with innovative, leading edge solutions."

Engineering and construction firms are seeking systems that:

* Project Managers can use to effectively manage and deliver multiple construction projects to their customers meeting the highest standards of budget, schedule, quality and safety.
* Support the decentralized and mobile nature of engineering and construction by being available anywhere,
anytime though use of Web, mobile and other advanced technologies.
* Analyze historical performance for planning, identify exceptions for action, and trend current performance for forecasting, while "drilling down" to critical supporting detail.
* Integrate customer, vendor and employee data throughout engineering and construction operations.

About Penta
PENTA Construction ERP is an innovative construction enterprise software system designed to help engineering, construction and service enterprises improve business performance. From integrated Multi-Company Financials, Projects, Service, Labor and Equipment, to Analytics, Document Imaging, Workflow and Mobile Field software, PENTA provides the deep, industry-specific feature set and forward-looking technology engineering, construction and service firms need to improve and grow their businesses. For more information, please visit http://www.penta.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:13 PM | Comments (0)

Construction Business Coach to Address Stone Industry Business Owners at StonExpo 2008

On October 16, 2008, construction business coach Clay S. Nelson will share his business experiences with attendees of StoneExpo 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he will present two programs designed to help stone industry business owners put their companies on the path to greater success through leadership and team building.

Santa Barbara, CA (PRWEB) October 13, 2008 -- Construction business and life coach Clay S. Nelson will give stone industry professionals a fresh perspective on leadership and team building when he presents two new programs at the upcoming StonExpo 2008 trade show and conference in Las Vegas, NV, on October 16, 2008.

Leaders Growing Leaders
Growth in many companies over the past several years has happened at a very fast rate, requiring teams to grow at the same if not faster rate. When we grow at this pace much of our team's training consists of being thrown into the fire and doing what they are told to do, when they are told to do it. However, in more challenging times, we can't afford to rely on having our company's direction, motivation, and profitability be sustained by a team of followers. We need teams of leaders and this program will help construction business owners grow their teams into the leaders they are capable of being.

Team Building: Don't Just Survive... Thrive!
When times are tough, more often than not, we retreat into the feeling of "Only I Can Do It". Yet, if any of us could get to where we are going without a team, we would be there already.

"Making it through rough market conditions isn't about tightening our grip and controlling everything within our grasp," Nelson explains. "As a matter of fact, not just surviving, but thriving in tough market conditions is about creating and utilizing an unstoppable team, from architects and specifiers to fabricators and installers whose common goals and combined efforts propel us further than we ever dreamed possible on our own!"

This program teaches five keys to building a cohesive and unstoppable team that supports stone industry business owners and their companies as they strive to not just survive, but to thrive in today's construction and remodeling market conditions.

After 30 years of corporate leadership, including 14 years as a nail-belt wearing professional himself, Clay Nelson understands the key elements that make a construction business successful. Combining this understanding with his instinctive ability to uncover the growth potential within companies, Clay helps business owners transform challenges into opportunities.

Clay Nelson Life Balance was founded out of Nelson's own life philosophy: To teach what one has learned in life is the greatest gift one has to give. The company's innovative programs teach individuals and businesses how to set goals, get past what stops them from accomplishing them, and create written plans that help them attain extraordinary results.

Nelson has been a featured speaker at several national construction events and conferences this year, including the Remodeling Show 2008 and International Builders Show, and is scheduled to present at the 2009 Midwest Builders Show this March in Rosemont, Illinois. Nelson's presentations and workshops on business and life balance concepts give conference attendees the insights, encouragement, and straightforward tools they need to get the most out of their conference experience and keep the momentum going once they've returned to the jobsite.

For more information about Clay Nelson's speaking schedule, and to learn more about the products and services Clay Nelson Life Balance provides for contractors and remodelers, please visit http://www.claynelsonlifebalance.com">http://www.claynelsonlifebalance.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:13 PM | Comments (0)

Maryland State & County Officials Join CDC's and Economic Development Corp. to Sponsor Conference on Revitalization In Prince George's County

The conference will be held on October 29, 2008, 8am - 4pm, at Joe's Movement Emporium, l3309 Bunker Hill Road in Mt Rainier, Maryland.

Largo, MD (Vocus/PRWEB ) October 13, 2008 -- Local nonprofit community developers, Gateway CDC, Hyattsville CDC, and the Port Towns CDC are teaming up with the Prince George's County Economic Development Corporation to host their second annual primer on community development, 'The Urban Edge Conference series.' This year's theme, "Discovering Overlooked Opportunities at the Urban Edge," will highlight overlooked opportunities throughout the Urban Edge communities of Prince George's County, and offer asset-based development approaches, and local land use tools to help community based organizations structure projects. The conference will be held on October 29, 2008, 8am - 4pm, at Joe's Movement Emporium, l3309 Bunker Hill Road in Mt Rainier, Maryland.

The Urban Edge conference will feature key development practitioners, such as John Porcari, Secretary of Transportation for the State of Maryland, Honorable Samuel Parker, Jr., Chairman, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission's Planning Board, Douglas Duncan, Vice-President for Administrative Affairs for the University of Maryland, College Park, Will Reed, Vice President of Stainback Public/Private Real Estate LLC, and Garth Rockcastle, Dean of the School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation at the University of Maryland and a principle of MS&R Architects.

Conference participants will be exposed to the ways businesses, developers, and residents can benefit from discovering and building upon the overlooked core strengths and fundamental character of Prince George's County's established communities. Critical examination of recent transit oriented development activity, public/private partnership structures, asset-based development approaches, and local land use tools will be among the featured topics covered during the three-session, day-long event.

According to Stuart Eisenberg, Executive Director of the Hyattsville CDC, "Development and real estate investment opportunities are abound in Prince George's County. This conference's community development sponsors know where they are how and to find them. The Urban Edge conference series highlights those opportunities and the inevitable pitfalls to avoid; drawing on the experiences of recent development efforts: and explores some of the methods available to work effectively with local community groups and governments to craft feasible projects."

For more information on the Urban Edge Conference, visit www.urban-edge.org

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:12 PM | Comments (0)

Small Businesses Avert Economic Disaster With GPS Tracking

GPS fleet tracking gains popularity as economic woes force small businesses to cut costs and increase productivity.

Chicago, IL (Vocus/PRWEB ) October 13, 2008 -- As the current economic crisis forces many small businesses to settle for decreased revenue or shut their doors, some have found financial relief by utilizing GPS technology. GPS vehicle tracking allows businesses with vehicle fleets to monitor mobile assets and reduce associated fleet costs based on critical data.

"Within the first year of installing GPS tracking in our fleet, we increased our bottom line by tens of thousands of dollars," said Dan Servellos, Operations Manager at I.N.R. Beatty Lumber in Chicago. "The system helps us use less fuel and manage our fleet resources with greater efficiency."

FleetMatics, a provider of GPS tracking solutions, has seen demand for its services increase as businesses realize the benefits and return on investment of GPS tracking. The company recently expanded its infrastructure and U.S. central sales office in Chicago to meet growing client needs.

"During normal economic times, a business may still survive even if they don't make cost reduction a priority," said John Goggin, FleetMatics Global Vice President of Sales. "But in this economy, it's more important than ever for businesses to run smarter, and GPS tracking can help."

With the FleetMatics GPS solution, a tracking unit placed in each vehicle monitors vehicle speed, idle times, location, start up and shut down times and routes taken. This data can be accessed by managers via online reports and used to encourage fuel efficient driving habits including slower speeds, reduced idle times and improved routing and dispatching.

Business owners find that these fuel savings alone more than offset the costs of GPS tracking and significantly reduce fleet costs. But GPS tracking also encourages increased productivity through automation and improved employee oversight.

Aberdeen Group, a research firm focused on understanding the results of technology in business, found that organizations with small fleets have seen a 23 percent increase in the total number of service calls completed per day per technician since implementing GPS technology.

About FleetMatics:
FleetMatics is a rapidly growing venture-backed telematics company with offices in the USA, UK and Ireland. The company’s fleet tracking software solution provides customers with real-time information about their mobile assets anytime/anywhere, 24/7. www.fleetmatics.com

Contact:
Jamie Sene, Global Marketing Director
(617) 365-1546
jamie.sene @ fleetmatics.com
www.fleetmatics.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:12 PM | Comments (0)

San Francisco Awarded $3.4 Million in Attorneys' Fees Against a Texas Developer and its Law Firm

San Francisco lawyer David Newdorf won a $3.4 million attorneys' fee award for the City and County of San Francisco from a developer and its lawyers at Duane Morris LLP.

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) October 13, 2008 -- A San Mateo County (California) judge ordered a large national law firm and a Texas developer to pay the City and County of San Francisco $3.43 million in attorneys' fees and costs for their unsuccessful four-year legal battle against the San Francisco International Airport. This is the largest fee ever awarded to the San Francisco City Attorney's Office, represented in this case by Newdorf Legal, for its successful defense of a lawsuit.

Developer Airis Holdings LLC of Houston, Texas, and its attorneys from Duane Morris LLP had sued San Francisco for breach of contract stemming from the City's rejection of a proposed $250 million air cargo facility at the airport. The Board of Supervisors voted against the project in December 2003, citing concerns over the sufficiency of lease payments to the Airport, use of a private developer to build and manage the facility, and the fairness of the process by which Airis had been granted exclusive negotiation rights for the project.

The case is unusual both for the size of the fee award and the fact that a major law firm is liable for its opponent's fees and costs, said San Francisco litigator David Newdorf, who represents the Airport. Duane Morris entered into an arrangement with Airis whereby the law firm wrote-off $750,000 in legal fees owed by Airis for an assignment of the developer's right to sue. The developer and law firm then joined as plaintiffs in the lawsuit against the City.

In explaining the size of the fee award at a court hearing on Friday, October 10, 2008, San Mateo Superior Court Judge Carol L. Mittlesteadt said that the case had been "litigated, and litigated, and litigated" since it was filed in 2005. She praised the legal work done by the San Francisco City Attorney's Office as "excellent" and comparable in quality to major national law firms that undertake similar complex litigation. Newdorf headed the defense as a Deputy City Attorney and continued to represent the City after he opened his own litigation firm in San Francisco, Newdorf Legal.

Aaron Peskin, president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, said, "David Newdorf's tireless advocacy made the difference and saved taxpayers millions of dollars."

Airis Holdings LLC develops and manages air cargo facilities around the world. Duane Morris LLP employs more than 700 lawyers in 24 offices from coast to coast in the U.S., in Europe and Asia. Duane Morris was ranked the 71st largest law firm in the United States based on 2007 gross revenue, according to American Lawyer magazine.

Duane Morris's lawsuit against San Francisco was marked by ups and down for both sides. The developer originally pressed claims for lost profits, breach of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, promissory estoppel and unjust enrichment. The developer and their lawyers sought $40 million and were motivated to take the case to trial, Newdorf said.

Facing numerous legal and factual theories, the City Attorney's Office mapped out a legal strategy to eliminate the developer's claims one by one, according to Newdorf. After two years of discovery and pre-trial motions, the case had been reduced to only three legal theories and a monetary demand of $2.1 million. At a five-week trial in May and June 2007, the City prevailed on two of the three claims, but was hit with a jury verdict of $1.05 million for breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

The City filed a post-trial motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict (known as a JNOV motion). In granting the City's motion, the judge ruled that Airis's and Duane Morris's claims and evidence were insufficient as a matter of law and threw out the verdict. The Exclusive Negotiation Agreement between Airis and the City required the loser in any lawsuit concerning the agreement to pay reasonable costs and attorneys fees to the prevailing party. The post-trial order granting judgment in favor of the City laid the groundwork for the fee application that was granted last week.

"We're of course disappointed, but we anticipated this outcome," Duane Morris partner Oliver Lock Holmes told a reporter as he left court. Duane Morris said it would appeal the rulings.

"Perhaps because they were so involved themselves in the case, Duane Morris didn't have the detached judgment that an attorney should have about the strengths and weaknesses of its case," said Newdorf. "The firm undertook a financial risk that I think was larger than they truly understood."

The case had high stakes for both sides. If the developer had won, the City would have been liable for the $1 million verdict and an additional $4 million to $5.5 million in attorneys' fees and costs incurred by Duane Morris. Including the fee award to San Francisco, the litigation has cost Duane Morris and its client $9 million or more, Newdorf estimated.

Newdorf said that Airis knew going into the negotiations with the Airport that there would be no deal unless and until the Board of Supervisors approved the project and that the developer bore the financial risk that the Board might not approve it.

"This award is fair and reasonable compensation for the thousands of hours of attorney time required to fend off this lawsuit," Newdorf said. "But the taxpayers will never recoup the true cost of the litigation because the City will not be compensated for the thousands of hours that Airport and City officials were required to spend on this lawsuit."

The lawsuit is Airis SFO LLC, Airis Holdings LLC, and Duane Morris LLP v. City and County of San Francisco, No. CIV 448274, San Mateo County Superior Court.

About Newdorf Legal:
David Newdorf has represented businesses and public entities in trials and appeals for 14 years. He was a litigator at the San Francisco office of O'Melveny & Myers LLP and a trial attorney and supervisor at the San Francisco City Attorney's Office. He has been lead counsel in hundreds of lawsuits, including class actions and high-stakes commercial disputes. He founded Newdorf Legal to provide business and public entities large-firm results combined with small-firm service and attention. For more information, visit the firm's website, http://www.newdorflegal.com.

Contact:
David Newdorf
Newdorf Legal
220 Montgomery Street, Suite 1850
San Francisco, CA 94104
415-357-1234 (telephone)
david @ newdorf.com
www.NewdorfLegal.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:11 PM | Comments (0)

Urethane Hybrid Resin, Dion® 31040-00, Introduced for Pultrusion

One Component, Urethane Hybrid

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. (Business Wire EON/PRWEB ) October 13, 2008 -- Reichhold has introduced a new urethane hybrid resin, DION® 31040-00, for the pultrusion market.

Dion® 31040-00 is a low viscosity, urethane hybrid resin designed for high performance composite applications. Dion® 31040-00 is a medium to high reactivity urethane hybrid resin developed to give excellent impact strength and toughness. It is a unique system for customers in search of a tough resin with excellent short beam shear properties when compared to conventional polyester and vinyl ester resins. It is specifically designed for closed mold applications such as pultrusion where composite applications demand enhanced mechanical properties.

Additionally, the material was developed to allow customers to simultaneously achieve the excellent flexibility and toughness of polyurethanes combined with the high strength, stiffness, and temperature resistance of polyesters. This material has substantially better impact properties as compared to vinyl esters. This resin is compatible with both nano-clays and carbon fiber materials.

This low viscosity, outstanding physical properties and all around toughness make it suitable for a wide variety of FRP production applications allowing for high production rates.

Applications for Dion® 31040-00 include:

* Window Lineals
* Ladder Rails
* Tool Handles
* Waterfront Structures
* Structural Shapes
* Utility Pole Cross-Arms
* Composite Utility Poles

For more information, contact Reichhold Closed Mold Business Manager John Ilkka at (248) 582-9236 or via e-mail at john.ilkka@reichhold.com.

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

BestContractors.com Releases New Features Enhancing User Experience

BestContractors.com, a web-based community connecting homeowners with pre-screened service professionals, introduced new features designed to give homeowners a more intuitive and informative experience as well as provide service professionals with additional tools to boost their presence on the web.

Denver, CO (PRWEB) October 13, 2008 -- BestContractors.com, a web-based community connecting homeowners with pre-screened service professionals, introduced new features designed to give homeowners a more intuitive and informative experience as well as provide service professionals with additional tools to boost their presence on the web.

One of the new features launched is BestContractors.com's "New Project Wizard". The wizard guides homeowners through a simplified process to request bids and submit the details of their projects.

"Homeowners have told us that describing their projects can be an intimidating process," said CTO and founder Mark Henninger. "They don't know all the trade terminology and aren't always sure about measurements and available materials. So we've made this process more like completing an easy questionnaire instead of a lengthy and detailed business form. We also added contextual tool tips explaining why we ask every question."

Also launched were re-vamped "contractor showrooms", informative virtual profiles which contain photos, ratings and company information for each member service pro. Homeowners use these showrooms to choose pros to bid on their project. Service pros can now include even more photos to show off their skills and workmanship. A new five-star rating system provides a quick summary to homeowners of each contractor's past performance.

To help service professionals increase their web presence and exposure, BestContractors.com launched the "Extended Showroom". This expanded version of the contractor's profile displays additional service area and skill set information, along with extensive homeowner reviews. The Extended Showroom will make member service professionals searchable through major search engines.

"Good pros are on the job site doing what they do best, and we're doing what we do best by helping them gain more exposure and connect with a larger audience of qualified homeowners," says Henninger. "They can now use their extended showroom like a home page and direct clients to it to find out more information about their company."

The launch of these new features is another key part of an aggressive and strategic growth plan. The company continues to introduce its service to new markets across the United States and expects to complete a nationwide rollout in the near future.

About BestContractors.com
Since 2005, BestContractors.com, Inc. has provided homeowners the tools necessary to research and choose reliable home improvement professionals. Each service professional on the site must meet strict qualification requirements, including Better Business Bureau standing, current licensing, adequate insurance coverage, and other critical factors. Combining this unbiased listing of high-quality service professionals with informative articles, product marketplaces and contextually-specific search technology has created an information-driven community that redefines how the home improvement industry does business.

Contact:
Chris Seahorn
Vice President, Marketing
BestContractors.com, Inc.
Phone: 720-259-2740
Email: ChrisS@BestContractors.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:09 PM | Comments (0)

Thomas Equipment Names McGowan Tractor & Equipment New Dealer for Thomas Skid Steer Loaders

Thomas Equipment announced McGowan Tractor & Equipment, of Prince Edward Island, Canada, is a new Thomas Dealer for ruggedly dependable Thomas Skid Steer Loaders.

Freetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada (PRWEB) October 13, 2008 -- Thomas Equipment Inc. announced the appointment of McGowan Tractor & Equipment, a major supplier to the agricultural, construction, lawn care and other industries of Prince Edward Island, as a Thomas Skid Steer Loaders Dealer, based in Freetown.

With a tradition of service spanning four decades, McGowan Tractor is online at www.mcgowantractor.pe.ca and represents brands such as Schulte snow blowers, Agric roto-cultivators, Lockwood harvesters, Walker mowers, Farmi winches, Hardi sprayers and Landpride rotary cutters, among other brand name products.

Petter Etholm, President of Thomas said, "We welcome McGowan Tractor to the Thomas Dealers team and are proud McGowan chose rugged, durable and dependable Thomas Skid Steer Loaders to present to its valued customers."

Robert Ennis of McGowan Tractor Sales Team, said, "Thomas is a proven skid steer line and McGowan's customers will grow to depend on and appreciate the durability and easy service for which Thomas is known."

Gilbert Bedard, Vice President of Global Sales at Thomas, said, "As we build our dealer network worldwide, we are confident Thomas has a bright future in Prince Edward Island with McGowan."

Allan Downey, Regional Business Manager for Coastal Canada and the Midwest USA, added, "McGowan exemplifies the quality and commitment we seek in Thomas dealers. Its unsurpassed knowledge of the local market and its awareness of the developing trends in industries it serves will position Thomas for great success in our new partnership."

Thomas offers a wide range of skid steers loaders for any task. From the Thomas 85 and 105, that can turn in a tight barn stall, to the larger Thomas 153, 185 or 250 models, all Thomas Skid Steer Loaders lift, load and haul in tough conditions while keeping labor costs down.

Thomas Equipment, based in Centreville, New Brunswick, Canada, is online at www.thomas-equipment.com, and is a unit of Osiris Corporation (OSRS), www.osiriscorp.net, which provides a variety of branded and other products to industrial markets through subsidiaries including: Thomas Equipment 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.

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 10:09 PM | Comments (0)

RSVP Today for Zelman's "Outlook for the Housing Market and Economy" Quarterly Industry Call on November 6, 2008

Granite Loan Management (GLM) and Homebuilding Power Analyst, Ivy Zelman, will host a Quarterly Industry Call on November 6, 2008 at 2:00pm (EST). The conference call will be focused on industry trends and hot topics.

Denver, CO (PRWEB) October 13, 2008 -- RSVP Today for Zelman's "Outlook for the Housing Market and Economy" Quarterly Industry Call on November 6, 2008

Granite Loan Management (GLM) and Homebuilding Power Analyst, Ivy Zelman, will host a Quarterly Industry Call on November 6, 2008 at 2:00pm (EST). The conference call will be focused on industry trends and hot topics.

Event Details:
Who: Ivy Zelman, CEO Zelman & Associates
What: Homebuilding and Construction Outlook
When: Thursday, November 6, 2:00pm (EST)
RSVP: To reserve your space for the Zelman Industry Call, visit www.graniteloan.com and select "Zelman's Corner" to register. Access information and a confirmation code will be provided prior to the conference call.

Ms. Zelman has over 15 years of experience covering the homebuilding, building products, furniture and manufactured housing industries at various points in her career. Prior to the founding of Zelman & Associates, a housing research boutique, Ivy worked at Credit Suisse Group from 1998 to 2007, the last 7 years as a Managing Director. During her tenure at the company, she established herself as the leading industry source for homebuilding related equity research and was widely recognized as one of the most preeminent figures in the entire industry.

Zelman will be a special guest speaker at the 10th Annual Strategies for Success in Construction Lending Event, presenting a "Spotlight on the Market" on December 2-4, 2008 at The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans.

Look for more from Ivy Zelman in "Zelman's Corner" featured in the Construction Lending News (CLN) and online at www.graniteloan.com. Visit Zelman and Associates' website at www.zelmanassociates.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:08 PM | Comments (0)

Rain Bird Crowns Winners of the 2008 Intelligent Use of Water Film Competition

Glass Half Full and Water Thicker Than Oil Take Home the Environmentally Focused Competition’s Top Awards for their Insightful And Clever Take On The Need for Water Conservation

AZUSA, Calif. (Business Wire EON/PRWEB ) October 12, 2008 -- Rain Bird, the leading manufacturer and provider of irrigation products and services, tonight announced the winners of the 2008 Intelligent Use of Water™ Film Competition (http://www.iuowfilm.com), an environmentally focused film competition that gave both amateur and experienced filmmakers the opportunity to showcase their talents and use the power of film to bring about a greater awareness of the need for responsible water use. Following this evening’s screening event at The Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden, in which each of the five finalists’ films were viewed by attendees and judges, filmmakers David Sutera and Michael McGuire were presented with the Jury Prize and the Audience Choice Prize respectively for their film entries titled Glass Half Full and Water Thicker Than Oil.

“All of the finalists in the competition have taken on the world’s water issues through a personal lens that will undoubtedly encourage discussion on the efficient, effective and responsible use of Earth’s most precious resource,” said Dave Johnson, Rain Bird’s Corporate Marketing Director. “In sponsoring the 2008 Intelligent Use of Water Film Competition we aim to provide filmmakers like these six finalists with a forum to exercise their influence, and actively raise awareness of this important issue in a manner that will inspire others to take action in their own way.”

As the winner of the Jury Prize, David Sutera was awarded $6,000 for his film entry, Glass Half Full, a mockery of the film noir genre that drives home an important message of water conservation in an entertaining and comedic manner.

Michael McGuire, the Audience Choice Prize winner, was awarded $3,000 for his film entry titled Water Thicker Than Oil, a simplified approach to water conservation as seen through a child’s eyes.

This year’s Jury Award was chosen by a panel of judges consisting of Gary McVey, executive director of the American Cinema Foundation, documentarian Jim Thebaut and Timothy Brick, chairman of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

Shalini Kantayya, director of the 2007 Audience Choice Award Winner “A Drop of Life,” served as the master of ceremonies for the evening’s event.

Prior to the screening of the finalists’ films, the evening’s guests were treated to a special showing of The American Southwest: Are We Running Dry?, critically acclaimed writer, director, producer and competition judge Jim Thebaut’s definitive look at how the water crisis is affecting the American Southwest and its escalating economic toll.

In addition to this evening’s awarding of the film competition winners, Rain Bird presented Christopher S. Gray Sr. with a check for $10,000 in recognition of his being selected as the winner of Rain Bird’s 2008 Intelligent Use of Water Award for his role in the development and implementation of an innovative wastewater recapture program as Superintendent at Marvel Golf Club in Benton, Kentucky.

The Intelligent Use of Water Film Competition is part of a range of programs and initiatives to boost awareness of the need for water conservation. Rain Bird devotes significant resources to its Intelligent Use of Water public initiatives, which include The Intelligent Use of Water Award; biannual Intelligent Use of Water Summits; a series of white papers; public service announcements; membership on the Alliance for Water Efficiency and the steering committee advising the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on its WaterSense product labeling program; partnerships with nonprofit organizations; development and support of elementary and middle school curriculums; and participation in the Tournament of Roses Parade®, an annual worldwide stage to communicate the need for water conservation.

ABOUT RAIN BIRD CORPORATION

Based in Azusa, Calif., Rain Bird Corporation is the leading manufacturer and provider of irrigation products and services. Since its beginnings in 1933, Rain Bird has offered the industry's broadest range of irrigation products for farms, golf courses, sports arenas, commercial developments and homes in more than 130 countries around the world. Rain Bird has been awarded more than 130 patents, including the first in 1935 for the impact sprinkler. Rain Bird and The Intelligent Use of Water is about using water wisely. Its commitment extends beyond products to education, training and services for the industry and the community. Rain Bird maintains state-of-the-art manufacturing assembly facilities in the United States, France, Sweden and Mexico. www.rainbird.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:08 PM | Comments (0)

Website Launch - ThreeSpringsDurango.com - A New, Interactive, and User Friendly Website

Master Planned Community in Durango, CO is pleased to announce a comprehensive and user-friendly resource for new home buyers.

Durango, CO (PRWEB) October 12, 2008 -- Three Springs, Durango's most unique and only traditional neighborhood development, located just a few minutes from the center of Historic Downtown Durango, is an all new community that combines front porch living, urban work environments, a neighborhood shopping experience, and access to open space and public lands. Three Springs' new website-ThreeSpringsDurango.com- is a comprehensive and user-friendly resource for those looking for new homes for sale in Durango and those looking to relocate to Colorado. Whether you are looking to buy a new home, are interested in green built communities and responsible growth, or looking for recreational activities or events in Durango, CO- ThreeSpringsDurango.com is a great new on-line resource.

"As the Three Springs community grows, so does our need to be competitive with the intricate and ever-evolving Internet world," says Tim Zink, General Manager of Three Springs. "Our new website provides virtual tours of the information center, interactive and educational components of living in a built green, traditional neighborhood development, and a home finder tool that allows the user to find homes for sale in the style and price range that they are looking for- before they even get to experience Three Springs in person." The new website is content rich and has been designed to be user-friendly and accessible on both personal computers (PCs) and Macintosh OS (MACs)- regardless of internet connection speed.

A unique feature of the new website is the customer service element. Web-users can still rely on person to person interface because of the many opportunities that exist to be contacted by or contact Three Springs, selected Durango home builders, or any of its affiliates: Tierra Group, Tierra Realty, Timberline Builders, and the growing list of tenants in the Mercado District of the development. Signing up for the E-Newsletter, and opting in to receive Neighborhood News, Commercial Real Estate Updates, or New Community Event information- allows the user to receive up to date information on Durango homes for sale in Three Springs, without overwhelming their In-Box. "The ThreeSpringsDurango.com web development team, dynamically captured the sense of community that Three Springs is trying to achieve and successfully integrated that into the website," says Patrick Vaughn-President of GF Development Group, LLC. GF Development Group, LLC is the development group for Three Springs and is part of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe Growth Fund.

Future phases of the website launch will include Neighborhood Intranet providing neighbors with specialized use of the website, an enhanced home finder tool that will optimize navigation of Durango Colorado homes- including features and photos of individual homes and maps of Three Springs neighborhoods. In addition, A Development Timeline will be added, providing a history of the development, showing the commitment Three Springs has towards this community, its surrounding area, and to sustainability. To learn more about Three Springs, visit ThreeSpringsDurango.com and sign up for the E-Newsletter.

Contact:
Tim Zink, General Manager
Three Springs Durango
970-764-6000
http://www.threespringsdurango.com/

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:08 PM | Comments (0)

VersaTube® Building Systems Offers Metering Facility Shelters, Pump Covers & Compressor Sheds for the Oil and Gas Industry

New product applications include sun shields, shade canopies, well pump covers and houses, compressor sheds, and metering facility shelters for the liquid pipeline industry.

Collierville, Tenn., (PRWEB) October 11, 2008 -- VersaTube® Building Systems, a leading manufacturer of pre-engineered steel framing components and systems, announces the development of another new application for its shelter products - as sun shields, shade canopies, well pump covers, or metering facility shelters for the nation's oil, gas and liquid pipeline industry.

Prompted by a request from a national contractor, VersaTube® designed and produced a custom shelter for use at metering facilities placed at interconnect locations along a natural gas pipeline. Sun shields provide the necessary shade at each location to allow accurate gas readings where the pipeline is above ground and exposed to the weather.

The configuration flexibility of the VersaTube® framing system easily addresses the variety of shelter sizes required. The sun shield units ranged in size from 12-foot wide by 32-foot long up to the largest at 25-foot wide by 140-foot long - all with 7.5-foot rafter heights. Some were also enclosed on each side with additional sheet metal panels. All units were configured to exceed coastal wind load requirements and were shipped with stamped engineering plans. Each cover was customized to include mounting plates for lighting fixtures and designed to allow rapid disassembly in the event of a facility emergency or the required replacement of exposed pipeline components.

VersaTube® Building Systems, with plants at corporate headquarters in Collierville, Tenn., and in Guadalupe, Ariz., near Tempe, offers complete engineering and design services on shelter products ranging from sun shields and pump covers to compressor sheds and fully-enclosed meter houses to custom applications for the oil, gas and liquid pipeline industry. Worldwide shipping available.

VersaTube® designs, manufactures, distributes and markets pre-engineered steel framing components and systems for residential, agricultural, commercial, and light industrial building and shelter applications. The heart of the VersaTube® Building System is a patented "Slip-Fit" connection that simplifies assembly of structural steel frames, thereby reducing construction time. This also allows for the system to be designed with frame components that are manageable in size for easy handling and compact packaging.

Additional company and product information is available from the VersaTube® website at VersaTube.com. Dealer inquiries welcome. For more information, contact Gregg Rezabek, VersaTube® Building Systems, (800) 900-7222, extension 314 or grezabek@versatube.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:06 PM | Comments (0)

Hurricane Ike Disaster Cleanup Discount Offer

BigSlider™ utility mover announces a $20 discount for the month of October to help clean up the impact of Hurricane Ike for persons living in Southeast Texas.

Houston, TX (PRWEB) October 11, 2008 -- BigSlider™ utility mover announced today a price reduction for anyone living in Galveston, Chambers, Liberty, Jefferson and Orange counties in Texas, and for those working on the hurricane clean up, relief and recovery efforts in the aftermath of hurricane Ike. Look for www.bigslider.com/articles/hurricane-disaster-relief.html.

"We want to help people easily move heavy debris from streets and yards so the clean up effort will go as quickly as possible. We live on the Texas Gulf Coast in this area, and know how much everyone wants to get back to their own homes," said Jeri Masterson, owner. If you have a mailing address in any of these counties in Texas (Galveston, Chambers, Liberty, Jefferson and Orange counties), you'll receive a $20 discount on the Professional model any time during October. Relief agencies dealing with Hurricane Ike disaster relief and recovery efforts will receive further discounts.

We want to help people easily move heavy debris from streets and yards so the clean up effort will go as quickly as possible. We live on the Texas Gulf Coast and know how much everyone wants to get back to their own homes. BigSlider™ is ideal for moving up to 30 cu ft such as six 39-gal trash bags, heavy boxes and furniture, or moving heavy limbs and logs outdoors. Here's a story from one man who cleaned up his hurricane debris:

"We had trees downed in hurricane Rita that we'd cut up in fire wood length, and they were laying in a boggy area. I'd started carrying the 5- to 100-pound logs uphill to the trailer by hand for about 30 minutes, and my wife reminded me to use BigSlider™.

My productivity went up at least by a factor of four or more. I would dig the logs out of the mud roll them on BigSlider™, and my wife would pull them up to the trailer for me to load later.

BigSlider™ worked great in the mud and rough slope where we couldn't use a wheelbarrow or place the trailer any closer. We effectively loaded an 8 x 16 foot trailer with approximately 3 tons of fire wood…A big thanks to BigSlider™." -- SDS, Texas

Cleaning up after Hurricane Ike, two men moved a 1,000 pound stump using their Bigslider. You can read their story at http://bigslider.com/stories/2008/09/hurricane-ike-cleanup-moving-big-stump.html

BigSlider™ is a huge 2 ft by 5 ft sheet of tough, slick plastic with a big comfortable handle. It's only one-sixteenth inch thick, so you only have to tilt, roll, walk or slide your item 1/16 inch to get it started. BigSlider™ can move up to 500 lbs on concrete, and it also works great grass, sand, mud, or carpet and tile. "There are no wheels, so it can't get stuck in the mud," said Masterson.

When you're done, BigSlider™ doesn't take up storage space. "Just put it in your trunk, behind a shelf, or under the couch. It's a 3 lb tool that stores anywhere," said Masterson.

Go to the website at http://www.bigslider.com/products.html to get your BigSlider™ at this great discount.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:06 PM | Comments (0)

Online Training Available on Building Safer, Stronger Homes to Withstand Hurricanes, Earthquakes

BuildIQ® University, the leading provider of Best Practices in Homebuilding®, has teamed up with Simpson Strong-Tie® to offer five online courses that train builders and contractors on how to use structural connectors to create safer, stronger homes to withstand hurricanes, earthquakes, and other natural disasters. The courses are available through BuildIQ University's online store, http://university.buildiq.com.

Pittsburgh, PA (PRWEB) October 10, 2008 -- BuildIQ® University, the leading provider of Best Practices in Homebuilding®, has teamed up with Simpson Strong-Tie® to offer five online courses that train builders and contractors on how to use structural connectors to create safer, stronger homes. The courses are available free of charge through BuildIQ University's online store.

The devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina and more recently, Ike, demonstrates exactly why it's so important to ensure that builders and contractors are educated on how to use and install structural connectors. "The importance of properly installing structural connectors is a critical message we want to help spread," says Michael Dickens, founder and CEO of BuildIQ.

"There's a great need to create homes and buildings that are better able to withstand these hurricanes and other natural disasters," says Mike Moran, Vice President of Builder Programs at Simpson Strong-Tie. "For example, in a hurricane, structural connectors redistribute the pressure of the wind on the exterior of the home to the frame, and then to the foundation--as long as they're installed properly. Educating the homebuilding industry is an essential step in helping to minimize the structural damage that results from high winds and earthquakes."

The five new Simpson Strong-Tie courses available now at BuildIQ University are:

* Basic Fastener Installation. This course covers the basics of correctly installing Simpson Strong-Tie connectors, including how to correctly choose and install nails and work with screws and machine bolts.
* Plated Truss Products. This course covers truss types and terminology and covers the basics of correctly installing Simpson Strong-Tie truss hangers and bracing products.
* Steel Strong-Wall® Shearwall Installations. This course covers how to install the Simpson Strong-Tie Steel Strong-Wall Shearwall (SSW), going over important terminology, describing how to use concrete templates, showing how to install the SSW in four applications, and teaching how to avoid common mistakes during installation.
* Introduction to Joist and Beam Hangers. This course covers the basics of correctly installing Simpson Strong-Tie joist and beam hangers.
* Introduction to Mudsill Anchors. This course covers the basics of correctly installing Simpson Strong-Tie mudsill anchors.

Standard Pacific Homes®, a large homebuilder based in Irvine, CA, has already taken advantage of these courses. "The Simpson Strong-Tie series presents very rich content in an aesthetically pleasing manner. Our students have reacted favorably to the presentation style and the manageable length of the courses. The Simpson offerings are a great supplement to the existing BuildIQ course catalog," says Steve Metzger, Standard Pacific's Manager of Organizational Training and Development.

Companies, teams, or individuals interested in signing up for any of these courses should visit the BuildIQ University online education store. All five online courses are available now.

About BuildIQ
BuildIQ creates, publishes, and hosts a comprehensive curriculum of web-based training courses, content, and tools, which focus on Best Practices in Homebuilding®. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, BuildIQ works nationally with some of the best homebuilders in the country. Since the company started in 2001, the mission of BuildIQ and its sister company IBACOS has remained the same: to enable homebuilders to deliver high-quality homes. The BuildIQ team works closely with leading homebuilders, building scientists, and manufacturers to produce a growing body of free and subscription-based content and tools, covering a wide range of topics critical to business performance. For more information about BuildIQ, please visit our main website at BuildIQ.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:05 PM | Comments (0)

Granite Construction Inspections Names Charles Dunn of Torrence, CA as Inspector of the Quarter

Charles T. Dunn of Torrence, California , has been awarded Inspector of the Quarter for the 3rd Quarter of 2008.

Denver, Colorado (PRWEB) October 11, 2008 -- Granite Construction Inspections (GCI) a national construction inspection company is proud to announce the Inspector of the Quarter for the 3rd Quarter of 2008. Charles T. Dunn of Torrence, California has won "Outstanding in the Field" for his hard work and dedication to GCI. Mr. Dunn's extensive background in residential and commercial construction has made him an industry expert. He has performed more than 8,000 inspections including residential, multi-unit, commercial, and foreclosure properties.

Each quarter, GCI selects an exemplary inspector to receive the honor of Inspector of the Quarter. For more information about draw inspections and GCI's full-range of inspections services, visit www.gcinspects.com.

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

Recently Launched, ConcretePatio.org, Focuses on Designing Outdoor Patio Retreats

Newly launched website, ConcretePatio.org offers consumers detailed information on designing and building outdoor patios with concrete. Built as a guide for consumers researching patios, the site covers design ideas, popular decorative concrete applications, surface options, accessories and includes numerous photos.

Yucaipa, CA (PRWEB) October 10, 2008 -- New website, ConcretePatio.org functions as an A to Z guide for consumers interested in investing into their backyard living spaces. Because there are so many options to designing a great backyard patio, this site will help homeowners get started in asking the right questions and learning about what the possibilities are.

Covering topics like popular concrete surfaces, patio design and ideas, and accessories the site also features an extensive online photo gallery to gain inspiration from. Its comprehensive articles cover popular concrete surfaces, why to choose concrete over other materials and patio shapes and layouts to help consumers sort through the many options.

Although the sizes range, from courtyards to side yards to sprawling outdoor living areas, the American home just isn't the same without a backyard patio. The backyard patio allows for fun outdoor activities such as grilling during the summer months to relaxing around a fire pit in the winter.

According to Michelle Snyder of the American Society of Interior Designers, "It's kind of about creating a unified space between inside and outside--so that you can't tell so much where the one space ends and the other begins.

For this reason, ConcretePatio.org was created, to guide homeowners and provide them with the proper tools and knowledge to create a patio that is an extension of an already existing home. And using concrete is the start that will provide any patio with a firm foundation and an appealing, multi-use surface.

Once size, shape, and design have been determined, and the patio has been installed, it's time to accessorize. Under Patio Accessories, the site offers valuable resources for shopping for umbrellas, patio covers, furniture, barbeques and more.

ConcretePatio.org also brings together consumers and local concrete contractors by pointing to a nationwide contractor directory. Consumers can use the site to learn about concrete patios, choose photos of designs they like, and then access the directory for contact information for concrete patio contractors in their local area.

Photos courtesy of J & H Concrete.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:00 PM | Comments (0)

GeoEye-1 Satellite Sensor Acquires First Color Image, Showcasing its High-resolution and Image Quality

World’s Highest-Resolution Natural Color Satellite Image was collected by GeoEye from its new GeoEye-1 Satellite sensor over Kutztown University in Pennsylvania on October 7, 2008. The high-resolution and Image quality showcases GeoEye-1’s Imaging capabilities with a resolution of 0.41- meter or 1.35- feet at Nadir.

Houston, Texas (Vocus/PRWEB ) October 10, 2008 -- The GeoEye-1 satellite sensor acquired its first high-resolution satellite image over Kutztown, Pennsylvania on October 7, 2008. Though the satellite collects imagery at 0.41-meter ground resolution, due to U.S. licensing restrictions, commercial customers will only get access to imagery that has been processed to half-meter ground resolution (0.5-meter or 1.64-feet).

The satellite has been undergoing calibration and check-out since it was launched on September 6, 2008 from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. GeoEye and Satellite Imaging Corporation will begin selling GeoEye-1 imagery products later this fall.

For GeoEye-1 Satellite Sensor specifications Click Here.

Leopold J. Romeijn, Satellite Imaging Corporation’s President, said, “The collection and release of the first GeoEye-1 satellite image is a great achievement by the GeoEye team demonstrating GeoEye's capability to collect new high-resolution satellite image data on time and at superior imaging quality.”

GeoEye-1 is designed to have better than three-meter (<3m) WGS-84 ECEF geospatial position accuracy, which means that customers can map natural and man-made features to within three meters of their actual locations on the surface of the Earth, without establishing GPS derived ground control points (GCP's). This degree of inherent accuracy will benefit customers requiring the best accuracy possible for commercial imaging, covering large areas.

Customers interested in GeoEye-1 geospatial products will have a choice of ordering basic, georeferenced, orthorectified image data for standard products or stereo imagery for the production of Digital Elevation Models (DEM’s) to support 3D Terrain models for various applications including flight simulation and 3D GIS projects.

The imaging capabilities of the GeoEye-1 satellite sensor will benefit a broad array of industries including national defense and intelligence, online mapping, state and local governments, environmental monitoring and land use management, oil and gas, mining, utilities, disaster management, insurance and others.

For more information about GeoEye-1 or IKONOS satellite imaging products and services, please contact;

Satellite Imaging Corporation
12777 Jones Road, Suite 370
Houston, TX 77070-4671
USA

Toll Free: (866) 283-2952 (US and Canada only)
Tel: (832) 237-2900
Fax: (832) 237-2910
Website: http://www.satimagingcorp.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 10:00 PM | Comments (0)

MiniCo Publishing Webinar Focuses On Self-Storage Market Analysis

The Mini-Storage Messenger Self-Storage Webinar Series will offer a free webinar on self-storage market analysis, a critical step for anyone considering self storage investment. Sponsored by Noah's Ark Development, the live webinar on October 29 will provide a step-by-step demonstration of how developers may perform their own preliminary research for a market analysis. Topics will include supply and demand, market definition, and competitor analysis.

Phoenix, AZ (PRWEB) October 10, 2008 -- The Mini-Storage Messenger Self-Storage Webinar Series will offer a free webinar on self-storage market analysis, a critical step for anyone considering self storage investment.

Presented by Michelle DeIasi, a Development Project Manager and Consultant for Noah's Ark Development, a subsidiary of The Parham Group, the live webinar on October 29 will provide a step-by-step demonstration of how developers may perform their own preliminary research for a market analysis. Topics will include supply and demand, market definition, and competitor analysis. The webinar will be sponsored by Noah's Ark Development and moderated by Poppy Behrens, Co-Publisher, MiniCo Publishing.

The Mini-Storage Messenger Self-Storage Webinar Series offers informative monthly webinars free of charge to self-storage professionals and other individuals. For more information or to register, visit www.ministoragemessenger.com. Online registration is required for this free live event.

MiniCo Publishing, a division of MiniCo, Inc., publishes the "Mini-Storage Messenger," the leading monthly trade magazine covering the global self-storage industry. Other publications include the bimonthly "Self-Storage Now!" magazine, the annual "Self-Storage Almanac," and the annual "Development Handbook."

Since 1974, Phoenix-based MiniCo, Inc. has been a self-storage leader providing superior specialty insurance programs, informative publications and valuable products and services created expressly for the self storage industry.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 09:56 PM | Comments (0)

Newcomb Partners with DORMA as Specifications Writer on West Coast

To expand its ability to help architects and specifiers properly select products, DORMA Group North America (DGNA) has partnered with Ethan Newcomb, AHC, CDT as Specifications Writer.

Reamstown, Pa. (PRWEB) October 10, 2008 -- To expand its ability to help architects and specifiers properly select products, DORMA Group North America (DGNA) (www.dorma-usa.com) has partnered with Ethan Newcomb, AHC, CDT as Specifications Writer.

Newcomb will assist design professionals in Northern California and other West Coast markets with writing architectural specifications for DGNA products and systems, including architectural hardware, automatic doors, glass hardware, revolving doors and operable partitions.

He brings more than three decades of experience in the architectural hardware market from senior management to field capacities. His past responsibilities have included project management, outside and inside specification consulting, estimating, bidding, sales and inventory management.

Newcomb is an AHC member of the Doors and Hardware Institute and a professional member of the Construction Specification Institute.

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 09:56 PM | Comments (0)

Green Bay Adds Kramer Industries Media to Graffiti Arsenal

The Parks Department of Green Bay, WI has found a new way to get tough on graffiti, without damaging the underlying surfaces in the process. Starting this year, Green Bay is using crushed glass grit purchased from Kramer Industries to remove graffiti from select surfaces throughout the city.

Piscataway, NJ (PRWEB) October 10, 2008 -- The Parks Department of Green Bay, WI has found a new way to get tough on graffiti, without damaging the underlying surfaces in the process. Starting this year, Green Bay is using crushed glass grit purchased from Kramer Industries to remove graffiti from select surfaces throughout the city.

According to Green Bay officials, concrete block, asphalt and sheet metal are among the surfaces now targeted for graffiti removal with crushed glass grit.

Dan Ladinois, Maintenance and Equipment Supervisor for Green Bay, said the city had tried black jack slag for these surfaces. "Slag was too aggressive. We needed a less abrasive media," said Ladinois, who has been an employee of the Green Bay for 30 years, and has held his current post for 17 years. "I did some research and chose to give Kramer's crushed glass grit a try. So far my field personnel are very pleased with how it's working."

Crushed glass grit is manufactured from 100% recycled bottle glass. Although abrasive enough to offer aggressive surface profiling and removal of a variety of coatings, glass grit is inert, contains no free silica, and is non-toxic.

According to Steven Schneider, Sales Manager of Kramer Industries, "The angular particles in crushed glass grit allow for aggressive surface profiling and removal of coatings such as epoxy, paint, alkyds, vinyl, polyurea, coal tar and elastomers. It delivers a very low particle embedment, which produces a whiter, cleaner finish relative to slag abrasives. In fact, it was recently added to the US Navy's Qualified Products List."

Schneider also noted that glass grit is lighter weight than many slags, allowing for increased consumption efficiency and production time. "Some of our customers tell us they use anywhere from 30% to 50% less grit with our glass."

Besides cleaning up graffiti, there are a few other reasons why the use of crushed glass benefits the world around us according to environmentalists. Not only does it lighten the load of discarded glass going into our land fills every day, but crushed glass grit is free of heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, asbestos, beryllium, and titanium; all typically found in coal and mineral slags.

Located in Piscataway NJ, Kramer Industries was founded by Harry Kramer in 1911, when he started a small manufacturing business in the basement of his home. Today the company offers a full range of dry blasting media for cleaning, stripping, peening, etching, finishing and deflashing operations. The Kramer line of equipment includes barrel finishing, abrasive blasting, vibratory finishing and parts separating machines. The company has also become a resource for cleaning professionals in dozens of industries, offering advice to customers around the world on a daily basis. Visit www.KramerIndustriesOnline.com for additional information.

For additional press information, please contact:
Mr. Ed Delia
President
Delia Associates
Tel: 908-534-9044
Fax: 908-534-6856
E-mail: edelia@delianet.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 09:56 PM | Comments (0)

IEM Announces the Termination of Their Commercial Collaboration with Kuhlman Corporation

IEM announces the termination of their commercial collaboration with Kuhlman Corporation. The termination was necessary due to the recent acquisition of Kuhlman by ABB. Scott Becker named Sales Manager of IEM for US and Canada markets. IEM has manufactured large power transformers for over 60 years.

Grand Prairie, TX (PRWEB) October 11, 2008 -- Industrias IEM announced today the termination of the commercial collaboration agreement held with Kuhlman Electric Corporation since 2006. The arrangement was formed to supplement the commercial efforts of IEM in the U.S. and Canadian markets -- conducted by Condumex, Inc., an IEM affiliate -- and allowed IEM to manufacture from their plant in Mexico, large power transformers for Kuhlman Electric for the U.S. market. The termination was necessary due to the recent acquisition of Kuhlman Electric by ABB. IEM, Kuhlman and Condumex, Inc. are working together to ensure a smooth transition to all joint customers.

Industrias IEM (www.iemtransformers.com) manufactures distribution, large core and shell type power transformers from their plant just outside of Mexico City, MX.

In addition to the continued commercial efforts of Condumex, Inc. in the U.S. and Canada, IEM has recently expanded its sales management force bringing Scott Becker (sbecker@iemtransformers.com) to the team. Mr. Becker, based in Austin, Texas, joined IEM early this summer and brings more than 14 years of transformer sales experience to his new role at IEM.

IEM was founded in 1948 by Mexican investors and Westinghouse Electric for the manufacture of transformers and other electrical products and is currently a Company of Grupo Condumex, the industrial division of GRUPO CARSO, one of the largest conglomerates in Latin America.

Industrias IEM
Vía Dr. Gustavo Baz No. 40
Tlalnepantla, Edo. De Mex., Mexico

U.S. and Canada Sales Contacts
Condumex, Inc.
2590 114th Street, Suite 200,
Grand Prairie, TX 75050
Phone (972) 352 2321 (817) 455 8024
E mail sbauer @ condumex.com
Phone (972) 352 2304 (817) 602 0623
E mail sbecker @ iemtransformers.com
Source: Industrias IEM

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 09:53 PM | Comments (0)

Belzona Inc. Houston Distributor Aids Those Affected by Hurricane Ike

The leaders in the industrial protective coating and repair composite industry have taken it upon themselves to offer deep discounts on flexible waterproof membranes that will help hurricane victims repair their damaged homes.

Miami, FL (PRWEB) October 10, 2008 --Belzona Inc. (www.belzona.com) is pleased to announce that its distributor in Houston is reaching out to the local community by relieving the structural damage impact suffered by local businesses due to Hurricane Ike. The company is offering a 40 percent discount during the month of October on Belzona® 3111 (Flexible Membrane) - a single component material ideal for repairing skylights, roof penetrations, gutters, parapet walls, or as a total roof coating which can be applied onto any type of roof surface (metal, tar and gravel, concrete, rubber) by brush, roller or spray. Belzona is the service provider at the forefront of repair and maintenance solutions for industrial equipment, buildings and structures worldwide through its protective coatings and repair composites.

"This was an initial move on our part as new management for Belzona Houston, a mindset which previously worked well for us as the former Distributor of Belzona River States in the North Alabama area - to reach out to our local community in a 'distributor helping neighbors' program," said Brian Burgess, the newly appointed Distributor of Belzona Houston. "Our aim is to promote our services and expertise in order to provide sound solutions to local businesses affected by Hurricane Ike in repairing their roofs and expansion joints properly."

Belzona Houston Inc., an authorized Belzona Distributor, is located at 363 E. Nasa Road 1 Webster, Texas 77598. For more information on the industrial protective coating and repair composite products and services Belzona Houston provides to help solve the problems left behind by Hurricane Ike, please contact Brian Burgess at belzonahouston@pdq.net or (281) 488-8345. For more information about Belzona Inc. and their entire range of protective coatsings and repair composites, visit www.belzona.com

About Belzona Inc:

As the manufacturer of industrial protective coatings and repair composites since 1952, Belzona provides a wide variety of solutions to rebuild, repair and maintain machinery, equipment and building structures. Belzona's local on-site technical consultants analyze the situation, recommend the solution and supervise the application. With their global distribution network covering more than 120 countries and 24-hour technical support, Belzona is established in the forefront of industry by serving such markets as oil and gas, power, marine and water/wastewater.

Contact:

Ray Rodriguez
rarodriguez@belzona.com
(305)594-4994
Belzona, Inc.
www.belzona.com
2000 NW 88th Court
Miami FL. 33172

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 09:52 PM | Comments (0)

Two Weeks Left in Online Auction of New Homes in San Jacinto

Online auction offers buyers a deal on a brand new home, even amidst rising foreclosures in Riverside County.

Newport Beach, CA (PRWEB) October 9, 2008 -- There are only two weeks left to bid on beautiful new homes in Parkside Village, a community in San Jacinto, California. The online auction, held by LFC Group of Companies on its residential real estate website FRE.com ends October 23, 2008.

Already, hundreds of interested buyers have visited Parkside Village to view the properties and hundreds more are expected in the weeks to come.

Amidst faltering financial markets and rising foreclosures, clever builders have turned to LFC's internet auction format to market their inventory, attracting buyers from communities across the nation. Prospective buyers are also looking to LFC, eager for the opportunity to own a new home--rather than a foreclosure -- at a price they decide.

The homes are incredibly spacious, ranging in size from +/- 2,462 square feet to over 3,800 square feet, with four or five bedrooms each. With minimum bids starting as low as $99,000 for properties valued between $385,000 and $549,000, these homes are well within most homebuyers' budgets. The preferred lender for the auction, PrimeLending®, owned by the 15th largest privately held bank in the nation, PlainsCapital Bank, is ready to prequalify prospective bidders and put buyers into new homes. It is reassuring during these tough economic times that there is a lender working hard to help buyers purchase the homes of their dreams.

Visitors who bring a friend or family member to Parkside Village this weekend, October 11 or 12, can take advantage of a special financing offer. See website for more details.

"There are so many foreclosures these days, but what people really want is a brand new home for a deal," notes Director of Operations Kelly Lovegrove. "Our auction delivers what buyers are looking for, empowering them by giving them a voice in determining their own prices."

Parkside Village is situated in the heart of budding San Jacinto. Residents will enjoy the shopping and entertainment, as well as the natural wonders surrounding the city. The San Gorgonio Mountains and Diamond Valley Lake present year round opportunities for outdoor activities, while the many nearby golf clubs provide access to sport and recreation. San Jacinto's close proximity to major California city centers like San Diego and Los Angeles make it an ideal city to make home.

Hurry and visit FRE.com/233R6 to learn more about the auction of these beautiful brand new properties in Southern California.

Freedom Realty Exchange - part of the LFC Group of Companies
For more than 30 years, the LFC Group of Companies has served numerous Fortune 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 09:52 PM | Comments (0)

Hubbell Customer Complaint System Measures Up to High ISO Standards

Customer Expressions announced today that Hubbell has successfully implemented the i-Sight Customer Complaint System to improve the management of customer feedback. Hubbell is ISO certified, and i-Sight was implemented to ensure a customer feedback process was in place to meet the ISO standards.

Ottawa, Canada (PRWEB) October 9, 2008 -- Customer Expressions announced todaythat Hubbell has successfully implemented the i-Sight Customer Complaint System to improve the management of customer feedback. Hubbell is ISO certified, and i-Sight was implemented to ensure a customer feedback process was in place to meet the ISO standards.

From Harvey Hubbell's invention of the electrical power plug to modern fiber-optics, Hubbell Incorporated has become one of the world's most trusted names in electrical and lighting products. Today, the company makes tens of thousands of products for connecting and utilizing electrical, telecommunication and lighting needs.

Hubbell Canada, based in Pickering, Ontario, specializes in a broad range of wiring and lighting products for commercial, industrial and residential environments. As with all Hubbell divisions, ISO-certified Hubbell Canada is committed to quality products and operations.

The Challenge
Hubbell Canada continuously works toward higher standards for managing customer feedback. To that end, the division formed the Service Excellence department in 2005. However, Jason Bedford, manager of the department, found that his team could only go so far by tracking customer issues manually in Excel spreadsheets. Moreover, Marketing, Sales and Customer Service each had their own methods of logging customer issues, preventing a centralized, unified approach or aggregate trending and reporting.

"We're very proactive and preventive, and have corrective action processes in place. We're using the Kaizen process for streamlining our business," Bedford said. "But different business managers had their own method of filing customer issues, so we couldn't process or report on them centrally. Without a big-picture view, it was hard to know whether we were directing money to the right things to get the best return on our investment and ultimately contributing to higher customer satisfaction."

About that time, the company's ISO auditor encouraged the team to centralize customer feedback so that the company could better identify recurring issues and begin taking corrective action measures. With the newly formed Service Excellence department to take in all customer issues, Hubbell Canada had the right organizational structure in place, and now needed a centralized customer feedback system to centralize this data and to automate the workflow.

The Solution
The company evaluated a number of issue-tracking applications before selecting i-Sight Service and Complaints from Customer Expressions. A customizable, web-based solution, i-Sight centralizes all customer issues, allowing teams to collaborate, improve response times, ensure issues are resolved, and identify root causes. The software's customizability meant that the company could tailor it with "Hubbell terminology," rather than generic software terms. Plus, the software provided a high level of functionality combined with affordability.

A Customer Expressions consultant assisted with the initial setup to ensure workflows and terminology match Hubbell Canada's specific environment. Today, about 90 employees access the system across Service Excellence, Operations, Distribution, Planning, Sales and Marketing teams. About 30 of those users serve as case managers, ensuring that all customer issues are addressed appropriately and in a timely fashion.

Hubbell Canada tracks three main types of customer input: general customer feedback; product notifications related to quality issues and replacement products; and warranty claims. Customer issues come in either by phone, e-mail or through an online form on the home page of the company's Web site that is tied to i-Sight. i-Sight workflow capabilities ensure that issues follow a consistent process all the way through to resolution. It assigns action items for relevant divisions, and automatically sends reminders and alarms to keep all case managers on schedule to resolve issues in set timeframes.

"Issues receive a higher level of attention than if they came in through email," Bedford said. "I get about 250 emails a day, so centralizing customer issues in i-Sight ensures that they are assigned, action items are issued and a timeframe is established to respond in."

i-Sight also automatically sends notifications to customers. The software emails customers as soon as issues are submitted, again when they have been assigned -- along with the case manager's contact information -- and when the issue is resolved. Automating that complete process ensures continuous communication with customers. "i-Sight gives us that complete closed-loop feedback process so we can say, 'Here's what we've done to resolve your issue,'" Bedford said.

With customized drop-down boxes, Service Excellence has the fields it needs to query on certain issues. For example, Bedford can drill down to understand the exact labor and materials costs involved in specific issues, such as warranty claims for certain products or specific brands.

Service Excellence sends monthly reports to Sales, Marketing and Operations to show trends in those areas. Instead of guessing about the biggest issues or focusing on the squeakiest wheels, the company now knows specifically which issues occur most often.

"Before, we addressed issues more based on passion and emotion rather than on fact," Bedford said. "In the last 18 months, we now know a problem has occurred X times and here's what we did to resolve it. Now it's about identifying the root cause and working toward a resolution."

According to Bedford, i-Sight not only helps Hubbell Canada manage product issues, but all customer feedback. "Anything that customers are telling us, let's capture it," Bedford said. When customers had specific input about the company's Web site, Service Excellence took that in and put it through the same processes as all other issues. We even capture positive feedback about our employees, and use this in our performance appraisal process.

i-Sight also delivers on the company's expectations for ease of use and flexibility. Service Excellence expanded use of the software without the need to bring in a programmer. Moreover, Customer Expressions has proved to be a partner more than a vendor.

"The consistency and uptime of i-Sight has been outstanding," he said. "The relationship has continued to be there as well. They respond very quickly. It's nice to know we're not a number, or that they sold us and we never hear from them again."

Results
With a centralized issue-tracking system, Service Excellence has a process in place to ensure it captures, prioritizes and takes action on all customer feedback. Ultimately, the company expects that to help reduce the costs associated with process breakdowns, warranty claims and product issues in the future.

At the same time, the system reduces the amount of time that Service Excellence spends on activities like month-end reporting. They can use the built-in i-Sight reports or easily run custom reports. Previously, it may have taken days to collect all the relevant data from various departments and then manually create reports.

"I can generate what someone wants, how they want it. I can say, 'Go grab some coffee and I'll have it for you in 15 minutes,'" Bedford said.

The company's annual ISO audits are likewise simpler now, also reducing audit preparation time by several days. All the information is right there at the click of a few buttons.

"Our ISO auditor was impressed when I sat down and gave him a test drive of our i-Sight system," Bedford said. "In our most recent audit, he commented that, in the past three to four years, he's seen us move from a distributed, disorganized feedback method to a centralized system that lets us analyze trends, close feedback loops and set expectations with customers."

All that contributes to higher service levels at Hubbell. "Our mandate is to offer exceptional customer service, quick response, and give customers the answers they need," Bedford said. "With i-Sight, we can see trends and look at what we can do as a business to change them, and then go back to the customer and let them know they helped shape our business in a positive way. i-Sight reassures the customers that there is a higher level of accountability, and that if they speak out, their problems are going to quickly get resolved."

"i-Sight has allowed us to develop a tool that takes customers feedback, and to develop longer-term action plans to reduce them from happening again in the future," he added. "We see this as a service differentiator within our industry, which allows us to add value to the process, in turn making it easier for our customers to do business with us."

About Customer Expressions:
Based in Ottawa, Canada, Customer Expressions is a leading provider of web-based customer complaint software, case management software and customer service solutions. Customer Expressions has gained an international reputation for best-in-class software to optimize the management of various business processes. The privately held firm provides i-Sight, integrated case management software for investigations, call tracking, customer service, complaint tracking, corrective and preventive action management (CAPA Management), and other business processes that require case management.

For further information, please contact:
Joe Gerard
Vice-President
Sales & Marketing
800-465-6089
media @ customerexpressions.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 09:52 PM | Comments (0)

PrecisionCraft Joins Forces with LandWatch.com: Thousands of Home Sites Perfect for Log Homes

SecondSpace, the leading online marketplace for second homes and recreational retreats, has teamed with PrecisionCraft Log Homes, the first name in environmentally sustainable luxury log home design and construction in a co-branded marketing agreement that lets consumers search for that choice piece of land where they can build the perfect home and lifestyle from the ground up!

Meridian, ID (PRWEB) October 9, 2008 -- What's your definition of heaven on earth? A serene stretch of beach alongside a majestic alpine lake? An eagle eye's view from a mountain crest overlooking a shimmering mirror of sky blue water? Or a forest retreat nestled along a sun-drenched valley and babbling brook? Finding the perfect place to settle into retirement, creating the ideal recreation and vacation home, or luxuriating in the communion of nature in an eco-friendly retreat does not need to take a lifetime. In fact, it just became a few, short clicks away at http://precisioncraft.landwatch.com/.

SecondSpace, the leading online marketplace for second homes and recreational retreats, has teamed with PrecisionCraft Log Homes, the first name in environmentally sustainable luxury log home design and construction in a co-branded marketing agreement that lets consumers search for that choice piece of land where they can build the perfect home and lifestyle from the ground up! PrecisionCraft Log Homes with their architectural firm, Mountain Architects, the first name in environmentally sustainable luxury log home design and construction has integrated more than 100,000 vacations homes and land property listings from LandWatch.com, one of SecondSpace's flagship sites into the PrecisionCraft Log Homes Web site.

"PrecisionCraft has built its first-class, full-service reputation by providing a 'Total Log Home Solution,' explained president Jim Young who serves as the co-chair of the Log Home Council for the National Association of Home Builders. From custom design to turnkey estimating to project coordination, installation, inspection and the finishing touches, our cohesive management and oversight assures the highest efficiency and the greatest degree of homeowner satisfaction. By working with LandWatch.com to assist in the site scouting phase, we can help facilitate even greater coordination in making sure a land purchase conforms to all necessary code and building requirements," said Young.

LandWatch.com helps custom home builders find investment or recreation property, land for sale, hunting land and leases, large acreages, farms and ranches for sale, and allows land buyers to create an individual search agent that will notify them when property is listed that matches their individual interests and preferences. As the #1 site for land in the United States, visitors can explore more than 100,000 properties for sale, including the United States and Canada with more than 420,000 listings from approximately 70 countries.

About PrecisionCraft
PrecisionCraft, Inc. (Green Log Homes & Lifestyle Awards, a first of its kind program. PrecisionCraft is also affiliated with the architectural design firm of Mountain Architects which has earned more national awards for log home plans than any other firm in the industry. PrecisionCraft is led by Jim Young who is the co-chair of the Log Homes Council for the National Association of Homebuilders.

About SecondSpace
SecondSpace, Inc. (http://www.SecondSpace.com) is an online services company operating a network of highly immersive Web sites that enable people to make the most of the "second home" lifestyle. The company's sites include ResortScape.com (http://www.ResortScape.com), LandWatch.com (http://www.LandWatch.com), and a fast-growing network of international and co-branded sites that connect out-of-region buyers with knowledgeable professionals who have a local presence in thousands of rural and resort communities across the Americas and around the world. SecondSpace's sites are powered by the company's innovative, patent-pending Lifestyle Search & Discovery™ platform. The company is headquartered in Bellevue, WA, USA and led by a team of internet veterans with backgrounds from Amazon.com, American Express, Classmates.com, IMDb, Microsoft, VeriSign, Trendwest and other leading companies.

Find you piece of heaven by visiting http://precisioncraft.landwatch.com/

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 09:52 PM | Comments (0)

Retail Development Underway at Point Ruston Waterfront

Tacoma, Wash. (Vocus/PRWEB ) October 9, 2008 -- Construction of Point Ruston, a 97-acre mixed use neighborhood on the shores of the Puget Sound, is underway. With a retail core of approximately 120,000 square feet, this open air, waterfront lifestyle center will feature views of Mount Rainier, the Cascade Foothills and Olympic Mountains.

In addition to retail, plans call for 100,000 to 125,000 square feet of Class A office space and 1,000 condominiums, town homes and apartments. The approximate value of the development is $1.2 billion.

"Our low bank waterfront location and stunning mountain views will help make Point Ruston a popular Northwest destination," says Mike Cohen, managing partner of developer Point Ruston LLC. "Area demographics, coupled with Tacoma's growing popularity as a regional draw, will bolster our ability to bring high quality retail and restaurants to the neighborhood."

Cohen has retained the services of Colliers International for leasing activities at Point Ruston. The first phase of construction offers nearly 20,000 square feet of retail and commercial space with occupancy targeted in fall 2009.

Point Ruston has secured a formal commitment from Silver Cloud Inns and Hotels to operate a four-star, destination hotel at the waterfront community. Silver Cloud, based in Bellevue, Wash., operates 10 hotels in Washington and Oregon. The 150-room Point Ruston Silver Cloud Hotel will feature an upscale restaurant, lounge and conference facilities.

Cohen expects to start construction of several more neighborhood commercial and retail buildings in late 2009, including the hotel. About 80,000 square feet of restaurant, retail and commercial space is slated for occupancy in 2011, coinciding with Silver Cloud's debut.

Groundbreaking of the first mixed-use building last April marked the first construction activity on the waterfront property since plans for redevelopment were first envisioned in the early 1990s. Developer Point Ruston LLC is currently placing the foundation for the first mixed-use building at the Built Green community, located at a former industrial site along Commencement Bay.

The 97-acre site is located next to Point Defiance Park, Zoo & Aquarium and the Tacoma Yacht Club. The development area is in two separate jurisdictions, the City of Tacoma and the Town of Ruston.

Point Ruston's master plans include approximately 50 acres of publicly accessible areas and open spaces, including view corridors, pedestrian and vehicle access, recreational facilities, park areas, public art and a mile-long "Waterwalk." This pedestrian path, encompassing more than 10 acres and averaging 100-plus feet in width, will complete the link between 702-acre Point Defiance Park and Ruston Way's popular promenade and restaurant row.

To learn more about our retail offering and tenant mix plan, please visit www.pointruston.com/retail. Retail and restaurant executives may contact Michael Horner of Colliers International at (360) 943-5079, ext. 210 or mike.horner @ colliers.com. An online media kit is available at www.pointrustonnewsroom.wordpress.com.

About Point Ruston LLC
Point Ruston's developer is Point Ruston LLC, a real estate partnership based in Ruston, Wash., led by managing partner Mike Cohen. Cohen is president of MC Construction, the company providing planning, management and construction expertise to the development. With offices in Olympia, Ruston and Tacoma, Wash., MC Construction has a 25-year track record as an award-winning builder of custom homes, condominiums, apartments and commercial buildings in the South Puget Sound region, including Hawthorne Hill and Apex Apartments and Penthouses, both in Tacoma. For more information, visit www.PointRuston.com or www.mcconstruction.com.

For more information:

Mike Cohen
President, MC Construction Consultants, Inc
Managing Partner, Point Ruston, LLC
mike @ pointruston.com
Office: (253) 752-2185 ext. 208
Cell: (360) 280-5050

Michael Horner
Vice President
Retail Leasing, Sales and Acquisitions
Colliers International
mike.horner @ colliers.com
(360) 943-5079 ext. 210

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 09:51 PM | Comments (0)

Safeguard Self Storage Opens Another Self Storage Facility in the Bronx

Safeguard Self Storage continues to expand its presence in the New York self storage market with the opening of its newest location in the Bronx (High Bridge, NY). This self storage facility, located at 1253 Jerome Ave., offers the High Bridge community 681 storage units in a variety of sizes, with modern security features and many amenities.

Atlanta (PRWEB) October 9, 2008 -- Safeguard Self Storage, a premium provider of self storage solutions, recently opened its sixteenth operating location in the New York self storage market. This self storage facility, conveniently located at 1253 Jerome Ave. in the Bronx (High Bridge, NY), will help supplement this community's growing demand for high-quality storage units and self storage space.

Safeguard has an established presence in the metro New York and New Jersey areas, currently with more than 20 locations in these two states. As is typical of Safeguard's many locations, Safeguard's High Bridge self storage facility is designed with security, convenience and customer service in mind. Amenities at this location include: Climate-controlled units (fully heated and air conditioned), a covered loading area, computer-controlled recorded access to the building, video recorded surveillance of the property, and individual door alarms on each unit.

Ken Finlay, Divisional Vice President, explains, "The new 1253 Jerome Avenue self storage location is the latest of our premium New York self storage facilities. Our facilities focus on providing a superior customer experience. Upon visiting the facility your will notice the superior blend of convenience and security, key factors to Safeguard's continue leadership in the NYC community."

"Our new Bronx location gives us another opportunity to continue building relationships with metro New York City," says Regional Vice President Andrew Khan. "We are excited for the opportunity that the new High Bridge location offers and we look forward to serving the residents and business people within the community."

High Bridge, NY Location:
Safeguard opened this Bronx self storage facility, located at 1253 Jerome Ave., on September 30, 2008. This self storage location has already rented nearly 100 of its 681 units. This facility has a variety of climate-controlled storage units currently available. The High Bridge facility is led by Manager Jerry Dominguez and Assistant Manager Duane Reid.

For more details, please call (718) 475-5640 or visit our website at safeguardit.com where you can reserve a self storage unit online.

About Safeguard Self Storage:
Safeguard was founded in New Orleans in 1989. As an industry leader, its brand hinges on high-quality, conveniently located facilities that feature innovative design, modern security and plentiful amenities. The company has over 70 self storage facility locations in FL, GA, IL, LA, NJ, NY, PA and VA. Headquartered in Atlanta, Safeguard defines success by meeting the expectations of its investors, customers and colleagues. Safeguard is a privately held company with a financial partnership with Morgan Stanley.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 09:47 PM | Comments (0)

Tips for Enhancing Child Safety at the Window from American Blinds, Wallpaper and More

When it comes to increasing child safety in the home, the window is a fixture that should not be forgotten. American Blinds, Wallpaper and More offers tips for enhancing child safety at the window.

Livonia, MI (Vocus/PRWEB ) October 9, 2008 -- When it comes to increasing child safety in the home, the window is a fixture that should not be forgotten. American Blinds, Wallpaper and More offers tips for enhancing child safety at the window:

* Don't forget window covering cords can be hazardous.
* Use window guards on all windows above the first floor. Screens aren't strong enough to stop a fall; they are meant to keep insects out, not to keep children in.
* If it's necessary to keep windows open for ventilation, install locks that limit the size of the opening.
* For sliding glass doors, install safety glass that won't shatter. Additionally, apply bright stickers at a child's eye level (and also adult eye level) to alert him or her to the presence of glass.
* Be sure to keep all furniture and cribs away from windows.

Put safety first in your home during Window Covering Safety Month with Cordless Blinds from American Blinds, Wallpaper and More. One of the most recent safety innovations is the cordless lifting system that allows shades or blinds to be raised and lowered with the touch of a finger. Cellular shades eliminate pull cords, enhancing child & pet safety and creating a clean look. Colorful and durable, cellular shades are a great choice for a child's room. They not only help block the sun's harmful UV rays, they feature a unique honeycomb construction that "traps" air for greater energy efficiency, helping to reduce energy bills during the upcoming winter months. The shades also softly diffuse incoming natural light to cut the glare and heat on warm days.

"We're happy to partner with the Window Covering Safety Council and our product vendors to inform consumers about these very important safety tips" said Rick Isenberg, Chief Marketing Officer of American Blinds, Wallpaper and More. "As parents, we tend to focus on child-safe things like car seats and outlets, and may forget about dangling cords. We've put extensive information in our Resource Center on Child Safety, including the Window Covering Safety Council's SuperBaby videos, which will help parents focus on safety and smile at the same time."

Join Window Covering Safety Month and keep your children safe and warm with cordless blinds from American Blinds, Wallpaper and More. To purchase cordless window blinds or shades, visit www.americanblinds.com/cordless.

ABOUT AMERICAN BLINDS, WALLPAPER AND MORE:
American Blinds, Wallpaper and More is the largest online retailer of brand name custom window treatments and wall coverings at savings from 25% - 85% off most retail store and home center prices. They carry all brand name blinds and wallpaper, including Hunter Douglas®, Bali®, Levolor®, Kirsch®, Waverly® and American Blinds®, their most popular brand. The company also sells home decorating products including curtains, draperies, custom framed wall art, and area rugs. Their website, www.americanblinds.com can search for over 500,000 wallpaper, border and fabric patterns by color, style and other keywords. Most merchandise is shipped via free ground delivery and is covered by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee and a Lowest Price Guarantee. For more than fifty years American Blinds, Wallpaper and More has provided high quality products to over 6 million customers nationwide.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
American Blinds, Wallpaper and More
Jeff Alderman
Director of Online Marketing & Business Development
734-207-5992
jeffa@americanblinds.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 09:47 PM | Comments (0)

Patio Enclosures, Inc. To Merge with Resilience Capital Partners Portfolio Company

Patio Enclosures, Inc. today announced its intent to merge with Branstrator Sunrooms, a Resilience Capital Partners portfolio company.

Macedonia, OH (Vocus/PRWEB ) October 9, 2008 -- Patio Enclosures, Inc. today announced its intent to merge with Branstrator Sunrooms, a Resilience Capital Partners portfolio company.

Both companies have a heritage of designing and manufacturing practical and imaginative sunroom and related products. Patio Enclosures will continue to supply the Patio Enclosures line of custom Sunroom products through its existing branches, franchises and dealer locations.

Branstrator Sunrooms, located in Fort Wayne, IN, will continue to supply their range of Sunroom and basement products through their existing dealer network and will be supported by the world class manufacturing, customer service, shipping and design expertise of Patio Enclosures.

"We are excited about the opportunity to extend our industry leadership and to provide customers with enhanced sunroom products." said Ken Sekley, President and CEO of Patio Enclosures.

"In an economy as challenging as ours and a market so fragmented, this merger allows us to combine the core strengths of each business and provide our customers with the optimal product and service offerings." commented Mike Francis, Branstrator President and CEO.

About Patio Enclosures
Located in Macedonia, OH, Patio Enclosures, Inc., the largest manufacturer and installer of sunrooms in North America, operates 30 branches, 11 franchises, and 10 dealers across the United States and Canada and has more than 750 employee-owners. The company also operates two casual living furniture stores in Macedonia, OH and Pittsburgh, PA. For more than 40 years, Patio Enclosures has been at the forefront of technology developments in the sunroom industry and is the only sunroom company today offering ENERGY STAR® qualified roof panels, doors, windows and floor panels to provide ultimate comfort and energy efficiency. For more information, please visit www.patioenc.com.

About Resilience Capital Partners
Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Resilience Capital Partners is a leading private equity firm specializing in investing in lower middle market companies within a broad range of industries. Resilience's value oriented investment strategy is to acquire companies with solid business prospects in a wide variety of special situations including underperformers, corporate divestitures, turnarounds, and orphan public companies. Since its inception in 2001, Resilience has acquired 16 companies with total revenue in excess of $1.5 billion. For more information, please visit www.resiliencecapital.com.

Contact Information:
Patio Enclosures, Inc.
Mr. Ken Sekley
330-468-0700 Ext 12221
Kenneth.Sekley@patioenc.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 09:47 PM | Comments (0)

Rain Bird Presents Leading Climatologist Jonathan Overpeck as Keynote Speaker at the 2008 WaterSmart Innovations Conference and Exposition

Irrigation Industry Leader Showcases the Intelligent Use of Water During Thursday Morning Session Followed by Presentation of Keynote Session Focusing on Climate Change and the Global Water Supply

AZUSA, Calif. (Business Wire EON/PRWEB ) October 9, 2008 -- Rain Bird®, the leading manufacturer and provider of irrigation products and services and a lead sponsor of the 2008 WaterSmart Innovations Conference and Exposition, set the tone for the 2nd day of the water-focused conference with the presenting of climatologist Dr. Jonathan Overpeck as the luncheon keynote speaker.

As the director of the Institute for Environment and Society at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Ariz., and a lead author for the Nobel Peace Prize-winning United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, Overpeck’s much anticipated keynote address focused on how climate change is imposing an expanding new set of responsibilities on water industry professionals worldwide.

“The issue of global warming is especially critical in the semi-arid regions such as the Western United States where rising temperatures and decreasing precipitation rates are already having an effect on snow pack levels, and ultimately the availability of water in the Colorado River basin,” commented Dr. Overpeck during his presentation earlier today. “We must develop an adaptation capability, and our ability to use water more efficiently is going to be a critical step in doing so.”

Dr. Overpeck’s address was preceded by a Rain Bird presentation aimed at educating the industry and public on the realities of the current state of the Earth’s water situation, while addressing the options available through improved irrigation practices. Titled Irrigation For a Growing World, the presentation examined the depletion of the Earth's supply of usable water, options to address water-scarcity issues and the role of irrigation technology in finding a solution to the world’s water crisis.

“Rain Bird recognizes the responsibility that we all bear in educating others on the severity of global water shortage problems and the solutions offered through efficient irrigation technologies and practices,” said Rain Bird Corporate Marketing Director Dave Johnson. “Water is the resource that most affects human life, and keeping the planet’s water resources viable into the foreseeable future requires advanced water conservation and better water efficiency through education and innovation.”

Also joining Dr. Overpeck at today’s keynote luncheon was Benjamin Grumbles, assistant administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Water, who presented the first ever WaterSense Awards in recognition of the top efforts and innovations in water efficiency during the past year.

Presented by the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) in conjunction with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) WaterSense Program, WaterSmart Innovations Conference and Exposition serves to broaden the knowledge of innovations in urban water efficiency and water conservation, including products, programs and outreach. The largest and most comprehensive conference of its kind, it is the premier venue for showcasing new water-efficiency technology to a wide range of professionals from public and private sectors who are interested in establishing and putting into practice water management best-practices.

“One of the primary goals of this conference is to strengthen the collaboration and information transfer between the private and public sector,” said Doug Bennett, conservation manager for the Southern Nevada Water Authority. “It is only by working in concert with companies, such as Rain Bird, that are committed to taking the message of resource responsibility into the communities they serve, will we be able to affect positive change on the environment.”

ABOUT RAIN BIRD CORPORATION

Based in Azusa, Calif., Rain Bird Corporation is the leading manufacturer and provider of irrigation products and services. Since its beginnings in 1933, Rain Bird has offered the industry's broadest range of irrigation products for farms, golf courses, sports arenas, commercial developments and homes in more than 130 countries around the world. Rain Bird has been awarded more than 130 patents, including the first in 1935 for the impact sprinkler. Rain Bird and The Intelligent Use of Water is about using water wisely. Its commitment extends beyond products to education, training and services for the industry and the community. Rain Bird maintains state-of-the-art manufacturing assembly facilities in the United States, France, Sweden and Mexico. www.rainbird.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 09:47 PM | Comments (0)

NJ Kitchen/Bathroom Tips By MyHome: Additions & Construction NJ

MyHome (http://www.myhomeus.com) offers NJ homeowners tips for additions and construction to bathrooms and kitchens.

(PRWEB) October 9, 2008 -- Tri-state area renovation firm, MyHome, LLC (http://www.myhomeus.com), is helping area homeowners avert moving costs by adding home additions and extensions to accommodate growing families instead of selling for ever-plummeting prices. MyHome is advising more and more clients who visit their Bergen County, NJ showroom about how a simple addition can transform a cramped home into a spacious haven.

This past year's housing and consumer credit crises has convinced more and more New Jersey homeowners to stay put in their current homes rather than moving to a new location and risk loosing thousands of dollars.

"A lot of our clients are deciding that it's a much better long-term investment to remodel their homes than sell right now," says MyHome CEO Yoel Piotraut. "Housing prices all over Northern New Jersey are falling. Nobody really wants to sell their home for less than they paid."

A good portion of the remodeling work that clients are requesting at MyHome involves additions and extensions. Why? Growing families are simply running out of space and finding themselves caught in a too-small home.

"An addition can make all the difference," notes MyHome President Mayan Metzler. "If you have a second or third child--or even decide you need a home office--things can get really crowded really quickly. And an addition is ultimately much cheaper than selling your home, especially in today's market"

Popular additions and extensions involve expanding an existing room like a kitchen, living area or bathroom, adding another bedroom, or adding a sunroom or solarium.

"Kitchen extensions are probably our most popular requests," says Piotraut. "Everybody gathers in the kitchen, not just for meals but for meal preparation, a cup of coffee after dinner, or even to read the paper on Sunday morning. Having a kitchen large enough to accommodate a large table becomes very important to a lot of New Jersey homeowners."

Solariums are also quite popular. These glass rooms permit homeowners to enjoy the great outdoors all year long and add much-needed sitting room or a quiet area for reading and study.

As full-service NY & NJ home improvement specialists, MyHome prides itself on its dedication to customer education as well as its exemplary service and track record, all of which have proven invaluable for New Jersey homeowners interested in adding an extension or addition to their homes. For more information on MyHome and its many products and services call 1-800-730-0148 or log on at http://www.myhomeus.com.

About MyHome

MyHome is a full-service home improvement provider focused on client relations. A corporate leader in delivering world-class service for the past ten years, MyHome specializes in designing, managing, building, and coordinating every part of your sustainable building project. With recent media coverage from Forbes.com to NBC's "The Today Show" MyHome's development projects are getting noticed nationwide. For more information please visit to www.myhomeus.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 09:47 PM | Comments (0)

Acoma Roofing Announced Today That it Has Launched New Updated Website Promoting its 55 Year Old Family Run Roofing Business

Acoma Roofing announced today that it has launched a new updated website promoting its 55 year old family run roofing business. This family run business is known for quality materials, friendliness and perfect workmanship

Dunedin, Florida (PRWEB) October 9, 2008 -- Acoma Roofing announced today that it has launched a new updated website promoting its 55 year old family run roofing business. This family run business is known for quality materials, friendliness and perfect workmanship

"Our father started his own Roofing Company in New York, in 1953. He moved his family to Dunedin, Florida in 1973 and established Acoma Roofing Company" said Santis Squitiro co owner of Acoma Roofing. "We believe in a "Family Business" attitude and this carries over to our employees; some of which have been working with us for over twenty years. We are committed to doing quality work and back that commitment up with "TEN YEAR LEAK FREE" guarantees on all of our re-roofing" added Santis' brother and co-owner Steve Squitiro.

Acoma provides its quality roofing in both the residential and commercial markets in the Tampa Bay area; no job is too big or too small for these roofing pros. Property managers and homeowner associations have relied on Acoma for their roofing needs for generations. Their commitment to quality workmanship and customer care has provided great comfort for both their commercial and residential roofing clients since 1953.

Roofing services from Acoma include: All roof repairs, tile valley repairs, skylight repairs and replacement, re-roofing, flat roofs, tile roofs, clay roofs, shingle roofs, slate roofs, metal roofs, wood shakes, soffit, fascia, sheathing repair and replacements. Acoma is expert at all roof repairs, installation and even additions.

Acoma Roofing is a preferred contractor for Owens Corning roofing products so they can offer stronger warranties on both new and re-roofing projects. Their preferred warranty provides non-prorated protection of up to 50 years and protection of up to 130 mile per hour winds depending on the choice of shingle. This includes labor materials and dump fees. This is a significant increase in warranty protection over most other roofing contractors.

Acoma Roofing serves the entire Tampa Bay Area including:
Pinellas County, Hillsborough County, and Pasco County.
Palm Harbor, Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, Sand Key, Ozona, Largo, Seminole, Indian Rocks Beach, Oldsmar, Belleair, Belleair Bluffs, Belleair Beach, Kenneth City, Treasure Island, St. Pete, St. Pete Beach, Pinellas Park, Tarpon Springs, Tampa, Carollwood, Hyde Park, Brandon, Riverview, Arcadia, Bradenton, Lutz, Odessa.

They are State licensed. As Florida's hurricane season often dictates roofing contractors are needed throughout the entire State of Florida and Acoma is willing to travel to aid homeowners and businesses in hurricane damaged areas.

For further information visit www.acomaroofing.com

Contact Santis or Steve Squitiro
727 733-5580

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 09:44 PM | Comments (0)

Synergy Business Solutions and Madrona Solutions Group to Develop Integration between Microsoft Dynamics™ SL and Microsoft CRM

Microsoft Partners Team Up to Provide Cost-effective, Turnkey Integration for CRM and Project Accounting ERP Software

Seattle, WA (PRWEB) October 9, 2008 -- Synergy Business Solutions, a leading solution provider of integrated project-accounting software and a Microsoft Gold Certified partner, announced today a cooperative project with Madrona Solutions Group, also a Microsoft Gold Certified partner, to release updated software that integrates Microsoft Dynamics™ SL and Microsoft Dynamics™ CRM.

Using Synergy's expertise with Dynamics™ SL, Madrona has enhanced their Connection Manager application enabling partners to integrate the two solutions to seamlessly share information across business applications and get a 360-degree view of their customers and projects. The integration tool is expected to be completed and ready to deploy by December 1, 2008.

"This is huge for project-driven companies, such as architects, engineers, contractors, and other professional service organizations for which Dynamics™ SL is a good fit," said Jered Cady, Executive Vice President of Synergy Business Solutions. "This solution will help them easily bridge islands of data on customers and project information, provide a one-click customer view from accounting and project modules, and significantly increase worker productivity."

The solution will allow for key data created in each application to automatically pass to the other application, reducing duplicate data entry and giving all stakeholders complete visibility of a customer's status in real time.

"We wanted to deliver a big business benefit for Dynamics™ SL and Microsoft Dynamics™ CRM users when we first conceived of the project," said Scott Kostojohn, Principal of Madrona Solutions Group. "The outcome will be a valuable tool that supports the most advanced integration mapping requirements. It will also enable companies to reduce errors and time administrating data, increase visibility, and improve decision making for business-development managers."

The new integration tool will be affordable and flexible and will prove valuable for companies who already have Dynamics™ SL and need Microsoft Dynamics™ CRM integration or for companies that are looking for a new ERP solution with integration to Microsoft Dynamics™ CRM.

About Synergy Business Solutions
A Microsoft Gold Certified Partner with operations on the U.S. West Coast, Synergy Business Solutions provides comprehensive software solutions to companies primarily doing project-based work. Through implementing Microsoft Dynamics™ SL, Synergy helps organizations that have outgrown their systems and procedures or identified cumbersome processes to operate more efficiently while effectively managing projects, resources, time, financials, and growth. Through flexible, integrated, and Web-accessible solutions, Synergy delivers insight, visibility, and control to an organization's managers. Synergy's method of prototyping systems with real company data allows organizations to see how Dynamics™ SL can meet their business needs before they purchase. For more information, visit http://www.synergybusiness.com or call 800-481-8590.

About Madrona Solutions Group
Madrona Solutions Group is a Seattle based, Microsoft Gold Certified consulting company founded to help Northwest businesses use technology to boost their productivity and effectiveness. Key practice areas include full lifecycle customer relationship management services, focused on the Microsoft Dynamics™ CRM product, business intelligence solutions including executive dashboards and scorecards, and technology project management. Madrona Solutions Group brings together professionals with deep experience helping businesses get real results from their CRM and business intelligence initiatives. For more information about Madrona Solutions Group, visit their website at http://www.madronasg.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 09:44 PM | Comments (0)

New Statistics Reveal Tucson's Office Real Estate Market Has Attractive Options

Commercial Real Estate Group of Tucson has compiled some meaningful statistics about the local market on its website, cretucson.com.

(PRWEB) October 8, 2008 -- Businesses who need to strategically reconsider their office space needs could find an accommodating market in Tucson, Arizona, according to recent statistics released by Commercial Real Estate Group of Tucson.

Tucson has more than 2 million square feet of vacant office space, including nearly 72,000 square feet of attractive vacant sublease space, according to the mid-year 2008 CoStar Office Report for the Tucson market.

At $20.58 a square foot, quoted rental rates are stagnant overall and decreasing in some segments, the report said.

While many businesses have responded to the credit crunch and slowing economy by choosing to remain in their current office space, a wiser strategy is to respond intelligently to changing conditions, said a broker with Commercial Real Estate Group of Tucson.

"Even in this bleak economic environment, business owners still need to look for ways to maximize their real estate situation, whether it's to relocate, downsize or renegotiate leases," said Michael S. Coretz, whose company represents corporate tenants and buyers.

"In reality, no matter what's happening, businesses still face the need to run their businesses," said Coretz.

Commercial Real Estate Group of Tucson offers an up-to-date profile on the local office real estate market on its web site, www.cretucson.com.

"We want to provide an accurate picture of what's happening in office real estate," Coretz said, "so that tenants can make smart decisions."

Commercial Real Estate Group of Tucson assists corporate tenants and buyers in locating, negotiating and leasing or buying business space in the Tucson metropolitan area. Its websites, www.cretucson.com and www.tucson-tenant-representation.com, provide several reports on how to navigate the commercial real estate transaction. It is affiliated with ITRA Realty Group (itrarealtygroup.com) and its worldwide offices.

More information is available by phoning 520-299-3400 or emailing michael @ cretucson.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 09:44 PM | Comments (0)

September's BUILDER Magazine Helps Builders Find Home Buyers Despite The Bleak Housing Market

A little creativity may be what builders need to entice home buyers, says BUILDER's September issue.

Washington, D.C. (PRWEB) October 8, 2008 -- A little creativity may be what builders need to entice home buyers, says BUILDER's September issue. BUILDER's cover story, "Off the Fence," explores 10 creative projects that captured home buyers' attention despite the housing market decline.

Today's new home buyers have different interests than they did during the housing market boom, the article reveals. They have become more frugal and more energy-aware. Builders who capitalize on these preferences creatively could boost sales. Builders from The Hastings Co. in Massachusetts, for example, captured home buyers' attention with townhomes disguised as coastal estates. Builders from Neal Communities in Florida seized market share with energy-efficient cottages.

"Few home buyers still believe that 'bigger is better,'" says BUILDER's Editor in Chief Denise Dersin. "The housing market has changed people's priorities. Now, many families are looking for intimate living spaces with low upkeep and lots of personality. Builders who meet those needs are rewarded with more sales."

In a building industry where every sale counts, that advice could keep some builders afloat. Another BUILDER feature, "Fast Track 2008: Still on Their Rails," examines how still-growing builders have managed to stay successful during the housing market downturn. The answers include adaptability, long-range vision and luck.

BUILDER's September issue also features "Viewpoint," an annual window and door supplement. This year's supplement includes product reviews, trend analyses and an illustrated guide to help builders optimize efficiency.

By visiting the BUILDER Web site, builders can view archives of past "Fast Track" reports and PDF charts. Exclusive online floor plans and project photos complement this month's cover story, "Off the Fence." Users can also view all-new episodes of Builder TV and get information about the business conditions of the building industry at www.builderonline.com/business.

For breaking news, past issues of BUILDER magazine and other builder features, visit BuilderOnline.com.

About Hanley Wood

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

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 09:43 PM | Comments (0)

Dean Machinery Co. Unveils New Headquarters in South Kansas City

Dean Machinery Co.--a 53-year member of the Kansas City business community and recognized leader in Caterpillar equipment solutions--will open a new headquarters at 5701 East 87th Street on October 13.

Kansas City, Mo. (PRWEB) October 8, 2008 -- Dean Machinery Co.--a 53-year member of the Kansas City business community and recognized leader in Caterpillar equipment solutions--will open a new headquarters at 5701 East 87th Street on October 13.

The 25-acre campus features two major buildings that provide more than 180,000 square feet of increased service bays, parts capacity and added state-of-the-art resources. With more than three times the space of the old headquarters, these buildings enable Dean Machinery Co. to continue expanding its ability to provide sales, rental, parts and service to diverse business segments, according to Lori Dean, president, Dean Machinery Co.

"We made a significant commitment to build this facility," Dean said. "It's an important tool that was necessary to continue providing the best possible experience and most complete support resources to our customers."

The main shop, which encompasses 27,000 square feet, can serve up to 18 large machines at once. It has an all-season climate management system with advanced contamination control to provide a consistent, maintained environment that supports quicker, longer lasting service repairs while providing a comfortable year-round working environment for service technicians. Also included is a 45,000 square-foot warehouse for parts and inside component storage, providing significantly increased in-stock parts availability for more comprehensive support of customer needs. The main building also accommodates a 25,000 square-foot specialization shop, which features an enclosed clean room for longer-lasting hydraulic repairs and improved response times, minimizing contamination issues. A second building behind the main shop houses the track press, welding and fabrication areas, the machine shop and more. An additional 10 acres located just west of the current campus provides room for future growth.

The campus features the latest advances in sustainable technologies. The entire main facility is engineered as a closed environment, which means it's sealed from the outside climate for more efficient energy use. The building is designed to take maximum advantage of natural light and motion detectors control lighting in many areas to reduce electrical usage. All possible materials are recycled--including paper, cardboard and plastics. The campus takes advantage of an array of onsite renewable energy sources--including waste oil, which is used for heating--and every chemical and cleaner is environmentally friendly, down to the hand soap used in the shop and restrooms. Even the golf carts that help employees travel around the sizeable campus are electric instead of gas-powered.

Dean Machinery Co. employs more than 320 people at 11 locations in Missouri and Kansas, including the Kansas City metropolitan area, Chillicothe, Sedalia, St. Joseph, Sunrise Beach, Mo. and Elwood, Kan. About 170 employees will move to the new headquarters. The 31st Street Dean Rental Store remains at its current location.

"The new headquarters is a clear indication of our commitment to our customers, our employees, the industries we serve and the Kansas City community. It shows that we're on track and growing for the future," Dean said.

About Dean Machinery Co.
Founded by visionary businessman Lester M. Dean Sr. in 1955, Dean Machinery Co. provides complete Caterpillar equipment solutions--including sales of new equipment, rental equipment, parts and service--to the construction, agriculture, power systems and transportation markets. The company, which is part of the Dean Operations family of companies, is headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., and serves customers in 45 counties in eastern Kansas and western Missouri. For more, call 816-753-5300 or visit www.deancat.com.

Contact:
Joyce DeLay
Weyforth-Haas Marketing
913/901-2123
delayj@whmdelivers.com

To download images and additional information, please click on the link below, refresh the screen and then select file save as.

Sidebar: http://emailmarketing.weyforth-haas.com/pr/dean/DeanMachinerySidebar.pdf

Image 1:
http://emailmarketing.weyforth-haas.com/pr/dean/DSCN4332.JPG

Cutline Image 1: An aerial view of the new Dean Machinery Co. headquarters at 5701 E. 87th Street in Kansas City, Mo.

Image 2:
http://emailmarketing.weyforth-haas.com/pr/dean/DSCN4347.JPG

Cutline Image 2: The 27,000 sq. ft. main shop at Dean Machinery's new headquarters significantly expands customer repair capabilities.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 09:41 PM | Comments (0)

TAH Industries' New Generation II Universal Cartridge Simplifies Packaging and Dispensing of Two-Component Materials

Unique design provides significant benefits to manufacturers in growing adhesives market

ROBBINSVILLE, N.J. (Business Wire EON/PRWEB ) October 8, 2008 -- TAH Industries, a subsidiary of Nordson Corporation (Nasdaq: NDSN), has announced the u-TAH® Generation II Universal Cartridge—a unique system for packaging and dispensing two-component materials like epoxies, urethanes and structural adhesives.

A recent report projects the global adhesives market to exceed $30 billion USD by 2010. Applications include automotive, aerospace, construction, electronics and industrial assembly. Helping drive this growth is the increasing use of adhesives as alternatives to mechanical fasteners like screws and rivets.

The Generation II Universal Cartridge features a unique in-line design that places one adhesive component behind the other, instead of the traditional side-by-side configuration. This allows the Universal Cartridge to be used with a standard caulking gun instead of the more expensive, product-specific dispensers required for side-by side cartridges.

For adhesive manufacturers, the ability to introduce new products in a package that can be used with an inexpensive, readily available application tool can help facilitate market acceptance and gain market share. Other benefits include:

* Maintains correct ratio between adhesive components to ensure performance and bond strength
* Preassembled and 100% factory tested for trouble-free filling
* Superior shelf life
* Eco-friendly design minimizes waste
* Easily resealed to preserve unused material

TAH Industries is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nordson Corporation, and a leading manufacturer of motionless mixer dispensing systems for two-component adhesives and sealants. TAH Industries specializes in the design and production of disposable plastic mixers and cartridge dispensing systems, meter mix dispense valves and accessories. Their products are used in the dental, construction, automotive, life science, food, DIY, marine and aerospace industries.

Nordson Corporation is one of the world’s leading producers of precision dispensing equipment that applies adhesives, sealants and coatings to a broad range of consumer and industrial products during manufacturing operations. The company also manufactures equipment used in the testing and inspection of electronic components as well as technology-based systems for curing and surface treatment processes. Headquartered in Westlake, Ohio, Nordson has more than 4,100 employees worldwide, and direct operations and sales support offices in 34 countries.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 09:41 PM | Comments (0)

Patio Enclosures Named "Top Performing Sunroom Company" for the Fifth Consecutive Year

Patio Enclosures, Inc., the largest manufacturer and installer of sunrooms in North America, has been named the "Top Performing Sunroom Company" in North America for the fifth consecutive year by Qualified Remodeler Magazine.

Macedonia, OH (Vocus/PRWEB ) October 8, 2008 -- Patio Enclosures, Inc., the largest manufacturer and installer of sunrooms in North America, has been named the 'Top Performing Sunroom Company' in North America for the fifth consecutive year by Qualified Remodeler Magazine. In addition, Qualified Remodeler's annual ranking of the Top 500 Remodeling Companies, Patio Enclosures, Inc. was listed as the 'fourth largest Remodeler.'

"Being recognized once more as the 'Top Performer' in the sunroom category is very gratifying," stated Patio Enclosures, Inc. President and CEO Ken Sekley. "We continually improve our sunrooms to bring customers superior, energy-efficient sunroom products that increase homeowner value and more enjoyable living space. In turn, we have been rewarded with their business." Patio Enclosures, Inc. recent initiatives include attaining ENERGY STAR® qualifications on its ComfortGard Plus® glass, insulated Roof Panel System, and ComfortDeck® flooring, to ensure the highest comfort and energy-efficiencies for its sunroom offerings.

Patio Enclosures, Inc. employs a 'custom manufacturing' approach to all sunrooms, solariums and conservatories whereby its design consultants determine how the consumer will utilize the sunroom, then manufacture it to custom specifications in virtually any sunroom style to blend seamlessly with a home's existing architecture. Because it doesn't use standard-sized doors and windows, Patio Enclosures, Inc. sunrooms can provide its customers with what it calls the 'Edge-to-Edge AdvantageTM', the ability to produce sunroom designs with floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall glass for maximum outdoor views.

About Patio Enclosures, Inc.
Founded in 1966, Patio Enclosures, Inc. is headquartered in Macedonia, Ohio and is the largest manufacturer and installer of sunrooms in North America. It has branches, franchises, and dealers throughout the United States and Canada serving residential and commercial markets. In addition to sunroom products, Patio Enclosures, Inc. also markets a complete line of vinyl replacement windows, retractable and window and door awnings, and custom blinds and shades for sunrooms.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
David Hanni, Director Marketing Communications
Patio Enclosures, Inc.
750 East Highland Road
Macedonia, Ohio 44056
phone (330) 468-0700 ext. 12246
fax (330) 908-1123
david.hanni @ patioenc.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 09:38 PM | Comments (0)

Christopher S. Gray, Sr. of Marvel Golf Club in Benton, Kentucky is the 2008 Recipient of Rain Bird’s Intelligent Use of Water Award

Golf Course Industry Veteran is Selected by an Independent Judging Panel for Creating and Implementing Innovative and Effective Golf Course Environmental Stewardship Programs Supporting Responsible Water Use

AZUSA, Calif. (Business Wire EON/PRWEB ) October 8, 2008 -- Rain Bird, the leading manufacturer and provider of irrigation products and services, announced today that Christopher S. Gray, Sr., Golf Course Superintendent at Marvel Golf Club in Benton, Kentucky, is the recipient of the 2008 Intelligent Use of Water™ Award.

In his position at Marvel Golf Club in Benton, Kentucky, Gray has been extremely proactive in developing and implementing innovative water conservation programs both on and off the golf course. Most recently, Gray has led the development and implementation of a very unique wastewater recapture program in which all storm water and household wastewater generated by the homes surrounding the golf course is captured, treated and pumped into the course’s irrigation retention ponds where it is used to irrigate the course.

“I believe it is very important to use water as intelligently as possible and it is our responsibility as an industry to commit to finding alternative sources of water to meet the needs of golf courses,” said Gray. “We need to leave this world a better place for future generations. None of us wants our children to have to worry about where their water is going to come from.”

Harvesting over 14 million gallons of reclaimed water per year, the innovative system eliminates the need to pull water from the local water district or nearby Kentucky Lake for irrigation purposes and significantly reduces the risk of any lake contamination from the use of pesticides and fertilizers on the golf course.

“Beyond water savings, the system has proven to be beneficial in a number of ways as it helps keep Kentucky Lake clean, and significantly reduces the amount of energy used by the course as we no longer need to pump water out of the lake,” added Gray.

As the 2008 Intelligent Use of Water Award winner, Rain Bird will present Gray with a check for $10,000 in acknowledgment of his contributions toward protecting Earth’s most precious resource at the Intelligent Use of Water Film Competition, October 11, 2008 in Los Angeles, Calif.

Emanating from the same ideals that provide the basis for Rain Bird's core commitment to The Intelligent Use of Water, The Intelligent Use of Water Award program seeks to bring about a greater knowledge and awareness of the need for water conservation by recognizing outstanding contributions by individuals and or organizations towards the advancement of landscape water efficiency. Selected by a panel of judges according to pre-determined criteria, including demonstrated water savings, preservation of landscapes, innovation and overall impact on the community, the 2008 Intelligent Use of Water Award finalists included a mix of organizations and individuals, each with a unique commitment to improved water efficiency.

“All of the finalists were exceptional and Rain Bird is proud to be able to salute each for their outstanding efforts and innovative water management practices resulting in improved water landscape conservation,” said Dave Johnson, Rain Bird's Director of Corporate Marketing. “As this year’s winner, Christopher’s leadership, ingenuity and overall commitment to sustainability is a real testament to the ability of golf courses to not only be compatible with the environment, but in many ways enhance it.”

Judging this year’s entries were Elizabeth Cutright, Editor, Water Efficiency, The Journal for Water Conservation Professionals; Dan Stark, Executive Director of the American Public Gardens Association; Ron Stoltz, Director of the School of Landscape Architecture at The University of Arizona and Marty Eberhardt, Executive Director of The Water Conservation Garden, 2007 winner of The Intelligent Use of Water Award.

Rain Bird’s Intelligent Use of Water Award program is part of a range of programs and initiatives to boost awareness of the need for water conservation. Rain Bird devotes significant resources to its Intelligent Use of Water public initiatives, which include a series of white papers; public service announcements; membership on the Alliance for Water Efficiency and the steering committee advising the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on its WaterSense product labeling program; biannual Intelligent Use of Water Summits; partnerships with nonprofit organizations; development and support of elementary and middle school curricula; The Intelligent Use of Water Film Competition; and participation in the Tournament of Roses Parade®, an annual worldwide stage to communicate the need for water conservation.

To learn more about Rain Bird’s commitment to The Intelligent Use of Water, visit http://www.rainbird.com/iuow/.

ABOUT RAIN BIRD CORPORATION

Based in Azusa, Calif., Rain Bird Corporation is the leading manufacturer and provider of irrigation products and services. Since its beginnings in 1933, Rain Bird has offered the industry’s broadest range of irrigation products for farms, golf courses, sports arenas, commercial developments and homes in more than 130 countries around the world. Rain Bird has been awarded more than 130 patents, including the first in 1935 for the impact sprinkler. Rain Bird and The Intelligent Use of Water™ is about using water wisely. Its commitment extends beyond products to education, training and services for the industry and the community. Rain Bird maintains state-of-the-art manufacturing assembly facilities in the United States, France, Sweden and Mexico http://www.rainbird.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 09:38 PM | Comments (0)

Upcoming Symposium To Demonstrate Highly Sustainable Hemp and Lime Biocomposite Building Material

American Lime Technology and Olde World Exteriors are pleased to announce their upcoming architectural symposium on environmentally-friendly hemp and lime biocomposite building materials. This event, titled "Designing with Hemp and Lime Biocomposite," will take place on November 12, 2008 in Montgomery, Texas and will feature world-recognized experts and practitioners in the field of sustainable design and construction.

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) October 8, 2008 -- American Lime Technology and Olde World Exteriors are pleased to announce their upcoming architectural symposium on environmentally-friendly hemp and lime biocomposite building materials. This event, titled "Designing with Hemp and Lime Biocomposite," will take place on November 12, 2008 in Montgomery, Texas and will feature world-recognized experts and practitioners in the field of sustainable design and construction. Presenters will include Ian Pritchett, Managing Director of UK-based Lime Technology, Ltd.; Jeremy Blake, Principal in the UK-based architecture firm Purcell Miller Tritton; and Bruce King, author and structural engineer, among others. There will also be onsite demonstrations of hemp and lime construction techniques, and attendees will enjoy a tour of the Hopewell Project, including the Pottery Studio and Chapel, which is the first Tradical® Hemcrete® building project constructed in the United States. The event will also feature exhibitions by American Clay, an Albuquerque, New Mexico-based company;and the Environmental Science program at John Cooper School, in The Woodlands, Texas.

While new to the American market, Hemcrete® has been used successfully in the United Kingdom and Europe for over ten years. This system, which relies on sustainably produced hemp shiv and lime binder, is being used to construct walls and to insulate floors and roofs, making it a low impact, sustainable and commercially viable construction method. The resulting buildings are thermally efficient, attractive, pest-resistant, fire-resistant, and durable, and these nontoxic, all-natural materials contain no harmful chemicals. 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. Hemcrete® is also completely recyclable and can be converted to fertilizer at the end of a building's lifespan.

Hemcrete® is particularly notable for its carbon-capturing properties. Hemcrete® mitigates the damaging effects of greenhouse gases by sequestering approximately seven pounds of carbon dioxide per cubic foot of wall area. Hemp, which requires little irrigation or fertilization, consumes carbon dioxide during its growing cycle, and the lime based binder captures carbon dioxide during its curing cycle. As a result, in a typical application the material sequesters more greenhouse gas than is produced during the manufacture and transportation of the material.

This event will be of particular interest to architects and specifiers who are involved in sustainable design and construction. For more information and to register, please visit www.americanlimetec.com or call Bruce Petersen at 773-414-5486.

This event will be followed by an open house on November 13, 2008, at Olde World Exterior showroom, in The Woodlands, TX. The openhouse will feature hands-on demonstrations of a range of sustainable material, including Hemcrete®, lime stucco, and limewash.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 09:38 PM | Comments (0)

Defence Doors Ltd Secures Major Works Contract on Carlisle Flood Defence Scheme

UK based company, Defence Doors Ltd (http://www.defencedoors.com), has secured a major contract for the design, manufacture and installation of steel flood gates as part of the Carlisle Flood Defence Scheme in Cumbria. The work is expected to start in October 2008 and run for 12 months. The project will comprise single and double leaf flood gate units for pedestrian and vehicular access through flood defence walls. The flood defence system will feature a new anti-tamper latching system.

Driffield, UK (PRWEB) October 8, 2008 -- UK based company, Defence Doors Ltd http://www.defencedoors.com , has secured a major contract for the design, manufacture and installation of steel flood gates as part of the Carlisle Flood Defence Scheme in Cumbria. The work is expected to start in October 2008 and run for 12 months. The project will comprise single and double leaf flood gate units for pedestrian and vehicular access through flood defence walls. The flood defence system will feature a new anti-tamper latching system.

Having supplied flood gates to the Environment Agency on the Carlisle Flood Alleviation Scheme 2008 Defence Doors Ltd has secured the contract for the design, manufacture and installation of a series of steel flood gates to be used in the major works on the Carlisle flood defence scheme. Working closely with the Environment Agency for over 15 years managing director of Defence Doors Ltd Mr Shane Turrell designed and developed a range of "standard floodgates" both single and double leaf units for pedestrian and vehicular for access through flood defence walls.

Carlisle has a significant history of flooding with serious events since 1963 up to the most recent and most publicised flood event 2005 when 1844 properties were flooded power and telephone connections were disrupted and roads and rail links were closed. The Environment Agency carried out risk assessments identifying the main areas requiring flood protection from The Eden and Petteril, Caldew and Low Crosby. Complex design was undertaken to develop a series flood defences with the construction of new embankments and flood defence walls incorporating steel flood gates.

Defence Doors standard designs have now progressed to forth generation floodgates with additional features in 2008 for the latest Environment Agency requirements. In areas of heavy traffic the thresholds are now installed as flat stainless steel plates removing potential trip hazards for pedestrians with no requirement to raise or drop the base seal. The steelwork is protected by a high build epoxy paint system to ensure long life of the gate

A new latching system with copyright protection has been designed and built by Defence Doors Ltd enabling the operation of single leaf gates up to six meters in length to be opened and closed in less then two minutes with the operation achievable by a single person in normal weather conditions with very little effort and using a simple tool that remains securely stored inside the gate leaf.

MD Shane Turrell said, "Our new anti tamper latching system is securely stored out of sight in both the open and closed positions preventing unauthorised access or opening of the gate leaf once it has been deployed. This system adds great security benefits to an already impressive range of products." The latch mechanism has an added option for remote monitoring with telemetry sensors built into the latch housing not only identifying the gate is closed but also the gate has been fully latched and the seals are in a compressed state.

With these additions now used as our standard product for most applications floodgates can now be produced in a fast track programme from order to site including the paint system in as little as 4-6 weeks.

Defence Doors Ltd is a registered manufacturer of flood defence products supplying direct to the Environment Agency - Supplier No ref 19667 and further orders have been secured to supply the Agency for floodgates 3 other sites in the North West, progress and images will be posted on the website as the contract progresses - http://www.defencedoors.com

For more information on Flood Defence Systems, or other services that Defence Doors provide, including Prison Doors, Blast Doors, Airtight Doors and other steel fabrications, please contact: Shane Turrell, Defence Doors Ltd, Fairways, Thornholme, Driffield, East Yorkshire, UK. YO25 4NN.
http://www.defencedoors.com
Tel: +44 (0) 1262 490 219
Email: sales@defencedoors.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 09:37 PM | Comments (0)

Introducing New Franchise Opportunities: FranchiseFloorguard.com

Floorguard, a garage flooring and storage solution company, recently launched a new website that focuses on their franchise opportunities, www.FranchiseFloorguard.com

Chicago, Illinois (PRWEB) October 8, 2008 -- Floorguard, a garage flooring and storage system provider, is pleased to announce the launch of their new website, franchisefloorguard.com, home to information about the franchise opportunities the company offers.

On this new website, individuals interested in opening a Floorguard franchise can find information about the company and its products, view the pre-qualifications for franchise ownership, and fill out an online application to become a franchise business. Floorguard franchisees have the distinct advantage of having one of the most respected names in the garage flooring business behind them, as well as Floorguard's exceptional line of products including various types of garage flooring and customizable storage solutions.

About: Floorguard has been in business for nearly twenty years, and over these years the company has developed proprietary garage flooring solutions that have stood the test of time, proving to be durable in the face of harsh weather and extreme conditions. Floorguard also offers fully customizable and durable storage solutions to compliment their garage flooring systems.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 09:37 PM | Comments (0)

Pembroke Consulting to Examine How Financial Crisis Affects Wholesale Distribution in 2009 Economic Forecast

Pembroke Consulting today announced a new webcast, The 2009 Economic Forecast for Wholesale Distribution, to help wholesaler-distributors plan in this uncertain economy. This 90-minute live webcast will take place on November 13, 2008. Online registration is available at http://www.mdm.com/2009forecast.

Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) October 8, 2008 -- Pembroke Consulting today announced a new webcast, The 2009 Economic Forecast for Wholesale Distribution, to help wholesaler-distributors plan in this uncertain economy. This 90-minute live webcast will take place on November 13, 2008. Online registration is available at http://www.mdm.com/2009forecast.

The webcast will feature Adam J. Fein, Ph.D., one of the country’s foremost experts on distribution channel economics. Dr. Fein will explain the impact of the current financial crisis on the wholesale distribution industry, discuss how economic trends are shaping up for wholesaler-distributors in 2009, and provide detailed quantitative forecasts for each of the 19 major wholesale distribution sectors. All attendees will receive an exclusive written report with all data and forecasts.

“Revenues of wholesaler-distributors grew by only 1.5 percent in the first half of 2008 after adjusting for price inflation,” said Dr. Fein. “The information and data in this webcast will help wholesale distribution executives develop effective strategies for surviving the economic slowdown and credit crunch.”

This event is being underwritten in part by IBM Corporation and produced by Modern Distribution Management. An archived recording of the event will be available through the end of 2008 at http://www.mdm.com/2009forecast.

“This event will help wholesale distribution executives refine their 2009 business plans to help address the challenging economic times which are upon us,” said Mike Briglia, Vice President - Wholesale Distribution/CPG Industry at IBM. “We encourage wholesaler-distributors to bring their entire management team to this important webcast.”

Pembroke Consulting is a management advisory and business research firm that helps executives to improve strategic and tactical decision making. To learn more about the firm and its services, visit http://www.PembrokeConsulting.com.

Adam J. Fein
Pembroke Consulting, Inc.
215-523-5700
afein @ pembrokeconsulting.com
http://www.pembrokeconsulting.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 09:34 PM | Comments (0)

Progress at New Home Community on the Southern Shores Overlooking Lake Powell

Construction has commenced on Indigo Ridge at Lake Powell, a beautifully-designed, master-planned community located on the southern edge of Lake Powell, in Page, Arizona. Utilities have been installed, curbs, sidewalks and paving are nearly complete, and construction has begun on model homes.

Page, AZ (PRWEB) October 8, 2008 -- Construction has commenced on Indigo Ridge at Lake Powell, a beautifully-designed, master-planned community located on the southern edge of Lake Powell, in Page, Arizona. Utilities have been installed, curbs, sidewalks and paving are nearly complete, and construction has begun on model homes.

Indigo Ridge at Lake Powell is perched on a mesa overlooking Lake Powell, on the border between Utah and Arizona. The development features energy-efficient, single family homes and town homes ranging from 1,500 to more than 3,000 square feet, built in a contemporary Southwest, village-like setting.

The stunning homes at Indigo Ridge at Lake Powell have been designed by award-winning architects Clay Scrivner Design Group, based in Scottsdale, Arizona. The homes feature contemporary southwestern architecture, and private pools, decks and patio options. With Lake Powell, a trail system to the neighboring national park, and engaging outdoor areas, residents can take advantage of Arizona's abundant sunshine and boater-friendly weather. Average annual precipitation is just 6.5 inches and, at 4,300 feet in elevation, Page enjoys summertime high temperatures in the 90s, rarely exceeding 104 degrees. Winter daytime temperatures hover in the 50s.

The eco-friendly developer is targeting LEED Certification. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a national benchmark from the U.S. Green Building Council for the design, construction and operation of high performing green buildings. Up until February 2008, LEED certification was limited to commercial buildings, but is now open to residential properties. The homes at Indigo Ridge at Lake Powell will be energy efficient and feature non-toxic materials. The development will employ water saving techniques and use indigenous plants in the landscaping to protect and align the community with the native environment. Building materials and labor will be sourced locally whenever possible, and the developer is minimizing the transport of materials.

Indigo Ridge at Lake Powell offers a small-town environment for people seeking a simpler, less complicated lifestyle. Residents will awake each day with stunning views overlooking Lake Powell, Wahweap Bay, Castle Rock, Warm Creek, Antelope Point, Tower Butte, Navajo Mountain and the Vermillion Cliffs.

This master-plan is one of several recent developments in the community. Antelope Point Marina at Lake Powell, with its Native-influenced architecture, has a new floating restaurant, shop and fishing dock. Wahweap Marina, which is only six miles from Page, now offers access through the Castle Rock cut as lake water levels have risen to new heights. Near Page, Aman Resorts, one of the world's premier boutique resorts, is building the luxurious Amangari Resort and Spa which will include a hotel, bar and restaurant. The resort's 1,900 acres are tucked away in a neighboring canyon.

Indigo Ridge at Lake Powell is one of several projects happening in the City of Page and near the lake. Several residential communities and an increased level of sophistication - both on and off Lake Powell - are adding a new, vibrant dimension to the city. Today, Page is taking on a renewed look as new businesses, restaurants, housing, hospitality and recreational amenities open and existing venues expand. "The city is truly in a renaissance period," said Steve Harvey, a principal with Huntley, LLC, the developer of Indigo Ridge at Lake Powell. "This is an exciting time for the city and for Lake Powell. We are both excited and proud to be a part of this dynamic future."

Page and Lake Powell are situated in the heart of an area known as the "Grand Circle," a five-state region comprised of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada and Utah that is home to numerous natural wonders, world-class ecological adventures and entertainment destinations. Some of the most notable points of interest include the Grand Canyon, Glen Canyon Dam, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Monument Valley and the Grand Staircase-Escalante to name just a few. For those who prefer a manicured view of nature, the Lake Powell National Golf Course, an 18-hole course in Page, offers championship golf and incredible scenery of both Lake Powell and the Grand Canyon.

For more information on Indigo Ridge at Lake Powell, please visit http://www.livingontheridge.com. Sales at Indigo Ridge at Lake Powell are conditioned upon buyer's receipt and acceptance of ADRE Public Report. Prices, plans, architectural renderings, specifications and availability are preliminary and subject to change without notice. Indigo Ridge at Lake Powell is an Equal Opportunity Housing provider.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 09:34 PM | Comments (0)

Manhattan Kitchen/Bathroom Remodeling Tips By MyHome LLC: Maximizing Space in NYC

NYC remodeling firm helps apartment dwellers learn how to maximize space in NYC.

(PRWEB) October 8, 2008 -- MyHome LLC (http://www.myhomeus.com) owners Mayan Metzler and Yoel Piotraut, in response to increasing queries by Manhattan apartment owners, have dedicated a good portion of their Manhattan remodeling consultancy to helping people maximize space.

"New York apartments are infamously small," says Metzler. "And anyone who's lived in here becomes an expert at whittling their belongings down to the bare minimum. But that this can only take you so far. Now we're finding more apartment owners asking us for strategies to open us apartment layouts and fully utilize the space they do have."

As a full-service remodeling firm with showrooms in Midtown Manhattan, Bergen County, NJ and Westchester, NY, MyHome has become quite accomplished at opening up and maximizing often-cramped urban dwellings.

"One of the most effective strategies involves remodeling the apartment's layout," says Piotraut. "Knocking down walls between kitchens and living rooms to create a pass-through breakfast bar increases light and creates the illusion of space."

Pass-through breakfast bars also add much needed seating and counter space. It also means that busy chefs can still socialize with family members and guests gathered in the living room. For smaller apartments with no separate kitchen area, adding a breakfast bar where in open spaces helps visually delineate the rooms and their functions as well as adding seating and counter space.

Another strategy that MyHome's clients have enjoyed is to expand rooms such as a bathroom, bedroom, or even a closet by shaving a few inches or even feet from an adjacent room or hallway. Bathrooms and closets in particular can seem much more open and accessible with just a small amount of added space.

MyHome also suggests maximizing natural light, because while not actually creating more space, it creates the illusion of roominess and airiness. Replacing traditional windows with paneless windows, using window coverings, or even creating a skylight (if possible) will open up the apartment.

"Don't underestimate the power of appropriate lighting--especially natural night," says Metzler. "A bright, open room will always seem bigger than a dark room regardless of the actual amount of square footage available."

MyHome's final strategy is a much simpler approach and a favorite of budget conscious apartment owners: organize effectively so that you get the most out of the space you do have. To that end, MyHome's consultants suggest installing a custom closet organizer so you can store your personal belongings neatly. Reducing clutter and creating clean unfettered lines will make every apartment seem more open and inviting.

As full-service NY & NJ home improvement specialists, MyHome prides itself on its customer education process along with its exemplary service and track record. For more information on MyHome and its many products and services call 1-800-730-0148 or log on at http://www.myhomeus.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 09:34 PM | Comments (0)

Ministry of Construction, Vietnam Supporting Viet Traffic 2008

Ministry of Construction, Vietnam has confirmed their support for Viet Traffic 2008, Vietnam's premier international traffic and land transport conference & exhibition to be held from the 15th to the 17th of October 2008.

Hanoi, Vietnam (PRWEB) October 9, 2008 -- Ministry of Construction, Vietnam has confirmed their support for Viet Traffic 2008, Vietnam's premier international traffic and land transport conference & exhibition to be held from the 15th to the 17th of October 2008.

In his letter of support, Mr Cao Lai Quang, Vice Minister, Ministry of Construction, Vietnam stated, "Viet Traffic will be a timely platform for agencies, organisations, investors and businesses to share their information and gain critical insights into Vietnam's transport infrastructure development plans, its opportunities and challenges, solutions and policy options. The event will also present an excellent opportunity for transport professionals and others to expand business partnerships, infrastructure development and investment in response to the modernisation and industrialisation of Vietnam".

Up to date, Viet Traffic 2008 has also secured tremendous support from other Vietnam Ministries and Leading local and foreign agencies and associations which includes Vietnam's Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Industry and Trade, Vietnam Railway Administration, the Vietnam Association of Construction Contractors (VACC), the International Road Federation (IRF), Vietnam Bridge and Road Association (VIBRA), Vietnam's Association of Foreign Invested Enterprises (VAFIE) and the Institution of Railway Signal Engineers (IRSE).

Expecting more than 500 high level road and rail professionals, Viet Traffic 2008 will see a series of exciting events promising abundant knowledge sharing and networking opportunities. Through 28 top speakers from 10 countries at the Viet Traffic Conference, attendees will learn about urban transport planning and sustainability, technology advancements, transport financing and investments, intelligent transport systems and road safety as well as first-hand information on Vietnam's current and priority transport infrastructure projects.

In addition, the Viet Traffic Exhibition provides face-to-face meetings with international companies offering a multitude of relevant land transport products and services available for the Vietnam market. The exhibition features solutions and technologies for railway infrastructure, highway construction and management, roadside accessories and public utilities, ITS for traffic management and safety, parking facilities and systems and management.

Other activities at Viet Traffic 2008 includes the Viet Traffic Speed Networking Exchange, an exclusive networking session organised in association with the Vietnam Bridge and Road Association (VIBRA) which ensures maximum networking opportunities by enabling participants to meet all their peers in the land transport industry in a "business matching" service. Hosted by expert speakers, Viet Traffic Roundtable Exchange opens up opportunities for attendees to be involved in in-depth discussions of hot conference topics to broaden their knowledge on the latest infrastructure projects and land transport technology. Viet Traffic Networking Evening allows specially invited buyers to meet delegates, exhibiting companies and government personnel. Conducted by leading experts from TELEGRA, Siemens & International Road Dynamics, Viet Traffic Exhibitor Seminars focus on topics like road / rail development projects, new products and technologies, industry studies / researches and technical subjects. There is also a site visit organised by the Ministry of Transport, Vietnam to two showcase highway and bridge projects. One is currently underway in Vietnam's Ninh Binh province, about 91km (1.5 hrs) south-east of Hanoi and the other links districts in Hanoi's south and west with highways 1, 5, 6 and 18 and the Noi Bai junction.

For more information and updates, visit www.viettraffic.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 09:31 PM | Comments (0)

Auditing Self-Storage The Focus Of MiniCo Publishing Webinar

The next webinar in the Mini-Storage Messenger Self-Storage Webinar Series is entitled "Auditing Self-Storage: Preventing Employee Theft & Embezzlement." Presented by Tom Litton, owner of Litton Property Management, the live webinar on October 22 will provide useful tools and information to help owners audit their self-storage businesses and prevent employee theft. Topics will include why you should audit, why employees steal, embezzlement techniques, warning signs, and the audit process. The webinar will be sponsored by Litton Property Management and moderated by Poppy Behrens, Co-Publisher, MiniCo Publishing.

Phoenix, AZ (PRWEB) October 8, 2008 -- The next webinar in the Mini-Storage Messenger Self-Storage Webinar Series is entitled "Auditing Self-Storage: Preventing Employee Theft & Embezzlement."

Presented by Tom Litton, owner of Litton Property Management, the live webinar on October 22 will provide useful tools and information to help owners audit their self-storage businesses and prevent employee theft. Topics will include why you should audit, why employees steal, embezzlement techniques, warning signs, and the audit process. The webinar will be sponsored by Litton Property Management and moderated by Poppy Behrens, Co-Publisher, MiniCo Publishing.

The Mini-Storage Messenger Self-Storage Webinar Series offers informative monthly webinars free of charge to self-storage professionals and other individuals. For more information or to register, visit www.ministoragemessenger.com. Online registration is required for this free live event.

MiniCo Publishing, a division of MiniCo, Inc., publishes the "Mini-Storage Messenger," the leading monthly trade magazine covering the global self-storage industry. Other publications include the bimonthly "Self-Storage Now!" magazine, the annual "Self-Storage Almanac," and the annual "Development Handbook."

Since 1974, Phoenix-based MiniCo, Inc. has been a self-storage leader providing superior specialty insurance programs, informative publications and valuable products and services created expressly for the self storage industry.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 09:31 PM | Comments (0)

Premier Faucet Introduces New PVD Brushed Nickel Faucets and Accessories

Premier adds thirteen PVD products to its popular Bayview collection.

Jacksonville, Fla. (PRWEB) October 8, 2008 -- Premier Faucet announced the immediate availability of its new PVD brushed nickel faucets and accessories.

Premier faucets are recognized industry-wide for their dependability and value. Now, Premier has expanded its popular Bayview faucet collection to include a PVD brushed nickel finish which provides a durable luster on each fixture. PVD (physical vapor deposition) technology is a plating process whereby a layer of a decorative metal is applied to a substrate, producing an armor-like finish that is molecularly bonded to the surface. PVD finishes are very durable and possess exceptional resistance to corrosion, tarnishing, and scratching.

Premier added single-handle kitchen faucets, kitchen pull-out faucets, lavatory faucets, tub and shower faucets, towel bars, towel rings, toilet paper holders, and robe hooks with the new PVD brushed nickel finish to its Bayview collection. These Bayview faucets and accessories are also available in a chrome finish.

"Premier faucets and accessories are designed to withstand the demands of daily use while complementing the décor of any kitchen or bath," said Brian Wenzel, Premier's Marketing Manager. "Our new faucets combine outstanding features--PVD brushed nickel finish, streamlined styling, and ceramic disc cartridges--with exceptional value and traditional Premier quality. We've also made installation even easier; some of our new Bayview chrome kitchen and lavatory models now include 24-inch braided stainless steel supply lines."

Premier's latest Bayview faucets use ceramic disc technology to deliver consistent performance and provide a lifetime of trouble-free operation, even in harsh hard water environments. The new Bayview faucets also meet ADA requirements for the physically challenged. All Premier faucets are backed by a Limited Lifetime Warranty.

Premier Faucet is a leading marketer of decorative and durable plumbing products. Premier's product line includes high quality kitchen and bath faucets, specialty faucets, commercial faucets, showerheads, vanities, vessel sinks, and bath accessories. Premier is a registered trademark of Interline Brands. For more information on Premier, please visit www.premierfaucet.com or call Premier toll-free at 866-745-4010.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 09:31 PM | Comments (0)

Plant Closure, Demolition and Remediation Experts Launch Redevelopment Campaign

Restoration Environmental Contractors (REC), experts in environmental remediation, demolition, disaster recovery, plant closures and industrial site remediation, has launched a plan to help businesses strengthen their competitive positions after the decision has been made to close plants, and further, promote a positive corporate image through retraining and employing the local workforce.

Toronto, ON (PRWEB) October 7, 2008 -- Restoration Environmental Contractors (REC), www.environmentalhazards.com, experts in demolition, disaster recovery, plant closures and industrial site remediation, is proud to announce the launch of a redevelopment strategy and anti-recession campaign, designed to help businesses who have decided to shut down their plants, sell off assets, to recover idle property, save on taxes, and re-train and employ the former local workforce while redeveloping old sites.

"The number of plants closing throughout Ontario and the U.S. is on the rise. Businesses see this as a necessary move in order to remain competitive through tough economic times," says Don Bremner, CEO and President of Restoration Environmental Contractors. "Many corporations are writing off old, inefficient or obsolete plants, old technology assets and capital project spending that has been determined to be of no further value. Corporate expectations are that these actions will reduce overhead and ultimately produce positive income. Nevertheless, companies will still need to pay industrial building taxes, even though the facility is shut down. Further, is the effect on families and the community. The shutdown of hundreds of manufacturing facilities has meant the complete loss of hundreds of thousands jobs. All of this goes into creating a tremendously negative impression about the corporation."

REC's program can help. Its new redevelopment strategy will allow for job creation and retraining, for this workforce to help with the environmental remediation, decommissioning and/or demolition of the site, thereby minimizing the negative consequences of necessary business decisions. The result is a win-win for both the local economy and the parent company, which ends up with a much more positive corporate image.

Since 1989, REC has successfully completed over 9,000 environmental remediation and demolition projects throughout Canada, specializing in industrial plant cleaning, decommissioning closures, site remediation and disaster recovery in the industrial, commercial, government, and institutional sectors.

REC senior project management and site supervisory team has accumulated more than one million hours of on-site environmental remediation contracting experience in the removal of all hazardous materials, including; asbestos, mould, lead dust, PCBs, heavy metals, plant decommissioning, site decontamination, soil remediation, and demolition.

REC is a full-service emergency response contractor committed to excellence in health and safety whose record is impeccable. REC's strength lies with its highly trained people, and has over 100 unionized professionals on call to address a variety of needs.

REC's reputation has been established by the quality of the services it provides and by relationships built on trust. This philosophy has become the cornerstone of its business.

Because each environmental and demolition project is unique, REC assembles a specific team of professionals that will bring the desired solutions to the project. REC has the vision and the experience to deliver quality environmental and demolition services at a competitive price to meet every business need.

REC provides remediation options tailor-made for each project from the start, whether they are emergency service calls, small maintenance calls, or multi-million dollar demolition and environmental abatement projects. REC believes that the process should be simple, so the company creates options that offer sound environmental solutions.

REC can meet the needs of businesses planning a plant closure, an abatement, environmental, demolition or restoration project. REC can help businesses prepare for a disaster or emergency. REC can also provide on-call Emergency Response services.

REC services include:

* Environmental Abatement and Remediation Contractors
* Demolition; Deconstruction, Asset Recovery, Equipment Dismantling
* Hazardous Materials Removal; Asbestos, Mould, PCBs, Lead
* Plant Closures: Industrial Plant Decommissioning/Cleaning of Heavy Metals
* Disaster Recovery: Fire, Sewage Backup, Flood, Water, Wind Damage Restoration
* Emergency Response Service - Bonded/Police approved Staff for Security

REC is a turnkey, full-service, emergency response contractor. As a recognized leader in the industry, REC can provide up to $20 million dollars, 100% Performance Bond capacity and up to $10 million in environmental/pollution general liability insurance coverage for every project. REC has worked for a number of government agencies and other corporate clients where a high level of security or police clearance (CPIC) is required and REC is an approved NATO Department of National Defense Contractor. For more information on REC's services, please visit www.recdemolition.com, www.environmentalhazards.com, www.recdisaster.com or www.soilremediation.com.

Contact:
Don Bremner
CEO, President
416-717-0541
rec@restorationenvironmental.com

Restoration Environmental Contractors - REC Demolition - REC Disaster Recovery - REC Fire Water Flood Damage Restoration
P.O. Box 746
10 Stalwart Industrial Drive, Unit 5
Gormley, Ontario L0H 1G0

Head Office: Telephone (905) 888-0066
Fax (905) 888-0071
Toronto: (416)-543-4719
Calgary (403) 369-4500
Brockville (866) 619-0329

Vancouver (604) 861-8400
Tampa (727) 866-7606
1-800-894-4924 (Canada/USA)

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 09:31 PM | Comments (0)

"Greenest of the Green" Campaign Launched by Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association (CIMA)

The Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association (CIMA) launches "Greenest of the Green" industry campaign in conjunction with a new industry website to educate consumers, architects, builders and contractors about Cellulose Insulation -- the insulation with the lowest "embodied energy," the highest recycled content and excellent performance.

Dayton, Ohio (PRWEB) October 7, 2008 -- The Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association (CIMA) launches "Greenest of the Green" industry campaign in conjunction with a new industry website (www.cellulose.org) to educate consumers, architects, builders and contractors about Cellulose Insulation -- the insulation with the lowest "embodied energy," the highest recycled content and excellent performance.

The Greenest of the Green campaign is the industry's effort to work with charities to provide the highest performing and most environmentally friendly insulation material to those who really need it. Programs have already been started with the donation of material and installation services to Habitat for Humanity.

With the rapidly rising cost of energy, more and more people are aware of the importance of insulating their homes and businesses to save money. But not all of them are aware of the significant impact their decisions can make on the environment by selecting cellulose as their insulation of choice.

The "Greenest of the Green" campaign's environmental highlights include the facts that:

* Cellulose has the lowest estimated "embodied energy" of any insulation product. "Embodied Energy" is the energy required to produce and transport materials. Fiberglass, common insulation in homes, has 10 times more embodied energy and foam products have up to 64 times more embodied energy than Cellulose insulation.
* Cellulose has the largest amount of recycled content in the industry - up to 85% post-consumer recycled newspaper. Utilizing recycled paper is less energy than other manufacturing process for insulation. In addition, paper is the largest component of landfills and using this paper to produce cellulose insulation diverts waste from the landfills preserving valuable landfill space.
* Cellulose insulation prevents the release of "greenhouse" gases (methane) which is released when newspaper decomposes in landfills.
* Cellulose earns LEED and US Green Building credits for green construction. Architects and builders can earn credits towards certification under both the LEED and US Green Building green building programs.
* Cellulose insulation can be locally produced. Local recycling programs and processing brings new meaning to the old slogan "Think Globally, Act Locally." In addition to saving transportation costs, local recycling can be used as a fund-raising tool to help local community groups.

By increasing cellulose usage in homes and businesses, the environment can be positively impacted by:

* using less energy in production
* utilizing recycled content
* minimizing greenhouse gas emissions by diverting newspaper from landfills
* helping local communities in fund raising and "downcycling" landfill materials
* delivering financial and energy savings

"We feel that the Cellulose story has not been fully explained to consumers, contractors and architects and we aim to correct that," said Lea. "While any insulation is better than none we believe strongly that the choice of cellulose is 'Greener' than others."

Besides the environmental advantages, the product performance of cellulose has been proved in a variety of studies to offer better results than fiberglass and foam.

* better R-Value performance in areas with wide temperature variations
* better sound insulation
* better resistance to mold and
* better fire protection.

For more information contact:

Dan Lea
Executive Director
Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association (CIMA)
136 S. Keowee St., Dayton, OH 45402
Tel: 1-937-222-CIMA (222-2462)
Fax: 1-937-222-5794
Email: cima@cellulose.org

Paul Wood
Principal
REV International Consultancy Group
Mobile: 1-515-707-4521
Email: paul.wood@revbydesign.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 09:31 PM | Comments (0)

Designs For You Celebrating Four Years of Offering Professional Interior Design in California

In 2004, renowned interior designer and color coach Patty Spielberg started Designs For You, a professional interior design firm based in Long Beach, California. Her company is now celebrating four years of rapid growth with new deals for its customers and an expanded menu of professional design services.

(PRWEB) October 7, 2008 -- The world of high-end interior design has been revealed in great detail to mainstream audiences in recent years, helped along by the popularity of television reality shows like Bravo's Top Design, HGTV's Design Star and TLC's Trading Spaces. The expanded appreciation of thoughtful interior design has been a boon for firms specializing in interior design in California such as the Long Beach-based Designs For You, which has thrived since its startup in 2004. Designs For You is now celebrating its 4th anniversary by offering better deals to its customers and new perspectives on the transformation of home and office interiors.

Since the company started creating buzz with its custom home designs, its range of services has expanded to meet the increasingly diverse needs of Southern California homeowners and business owners. Instead of specializing in a defined range of house remodel and interior design disciplines, Design For You now offers comprehensive design expertise that includes evaluating and selecting custom builders for unique and challenging fixtures and installations.

"We're overwhelmingly excited about reaching this four-year milestone and using it to share and create beautiful new solutions for interior design in California," explains Patty Spielberg, owner of Designs For You.

Designs For You has also negotiated discounted rates with several of its most fashionable and in-demand vendors and suppliers. Spielberg says she's eager to leverage these discounts as a means of giving her clients the looks they want without sacrificing quality or exceeding budget limitations.

"We're all about customer service and the customer's experience," says Spielberg. "The changes we've made have been engineered to enhance the customer's experience so that they'll come back again and again, and recommend us to their family and friends."

Spielberg has specialized in the design of bathrooms, kitchens and window treatments and places an emphasis on the thoughtful selection of flooring, light fixtures and interior colors. She has more than 18 years of interior design experience and a Bachelors of Science in Design from the University of California-Davis.

To learn more about the custom home designs offered by Designs For You and to see their before-and-after interior design pictures, please visit designsforyou.us.

About Designs For You:
Design For You is a full service interior design firm specializing in custom home designs, office interiors and commercial property interior design. Available services include creating custom design concepts, selection of interior finishes, paints and material colors, furniture selection, custom home office design, bedroom interior design and professional decorating. In 2008, Designs For You celebrated its fourth anniversary of providing superior interior design in California.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 09:31 PM | Comments (0)

October 15, 2008

Millenia Wall Solutions® Enters into Dealer Agreement with RidgeRock® Retaining Walls Inc.

RidgeRock is the exclusive dealer for Millenia's Retaining Wall System in North and South Carolina and southern Virginia.

Minneapolis, MN and Charlotte, NC (PRWEB) October 7, 2008 -- Millenia Wall Solutions, developer of the Millenia® Retaining Wall System, announced that it has named RidgeRock Retaining Walls Inc. as its exclusive dealer in North and South Carolina and southern Virginia. Millenia is transforming the segmental retaining wall (SRW) industry with its ingenious retaining wall system, the most advanced SRW technology available today. RidgeRock (Charlotte, N.C.), developer of the RidgeRock® Retaining Wall System, is now selling Millenia® Retaining Walls as a new option for contractors.

"Big changes in construction materials don't come along too often. Millenia has come up with the first major technological development in retaining walls in a very long time. By fulfilling the demand for high-end aesthetics and earth-friendly materials, Millenia establishes a new niche in the SRW product mix between concrete blocks and real stone," said James S. Martin, president, RidgeRock Retaining Walls Inc. "Millenia is becoming a design-specified material by architects and engineers -- particularly for walls that are prominent landscaping features. That's why we are offering the Millenia® system as an alternative to our concrete products."

"RidgeRock is well known for its commitment to meeting the design and engineering requirements of its contractor customers," said Paul Forsberg, president, Millenia Wall Solutions. "Jim Martin's decision to supplement his product line with our system signals that there is market demand for a new SRW alternative."

The Millenia® system sets the 21st century standard for the design and construction of segmental retaining walls:

SUPERIOR AESTHETICS: Millenia produces its wall products in 100 percent recycled, pre-consumer polymeric resins. "Millenia gets closer to the look of a real stone wall than any other material I've seen," said Martin. "With concrete, given the limitations of the material and inflexibility of the dry-cast process and machinery, you just can't get the detail that Millenia achieves." Millenia Wall Solutions takes precise impressions of natural stone faces and quarried stone from which it creates the molds used to produce its retaining wall faces and caps. Injection molding gets the pliable polymer material into all the details of the molds and captures the nuances of natural stone and quarried rock. Each style of the product is produced in five different patterns, so the faces of a Millenia® wall have natural variations.

BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT: According to an independent Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), when used instead of concrete SRW blocks, Millenia® polymer wall units reduce total environmental impact by 55 percent (including a 65 percent decrease in greenhouse gas emissions). "The availability of up to eight LEED credits points is a strong selling point for Millenia," said Martin.

MORE ECONOMICAL TO SHIP AND INSTALL: Millenia® wall units weigh just five pounds per square foot. When installed with crushed stone fill, a Millenia® wall has all the weight and stability of any other SRW. Because of their much lighter weight, Millenia® wall units offer easy and fast installation that can double installer productivity. "Millenia's light weight reduces shipping and material handling costs," said Martin. "Plus, it's an ideal product for especially steep sites with difficult access."

About RidgeRock Retaining Walls Inc.:
Established in 1997 and headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., RidgeRock Retaining Walls Inc. is the developer, marketer, and patent holder of the RidgeRock Retaining Wall System. RidgeRock Retaining Walls Inc. was formed to meet the specific requirements of the rapidly growing market for engineered wall systems. RidgeRock's successful growth can be attributed to the company's interest in addressing all unique aesthetic design and installation requirements of designers, contractors, and owners. Additional information is available at www.ridge-rock.com or by calling 704.504.3358.

About Millenia Wall Solutions:
Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., Millenia Wall Solutions (www.milleniawalls.com) is setting the 21st century standard for the construction of segmental retaining walls by advancing the most significant innovation in the industry since the 1980s. Millenia has introduced an inventive, high-tech alternative to conventional building materials. Millenia is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council and GreenSpec-listed. Our retaining walls are eco-friendly and offer incomparable beauty, strength, stability and durability - achieved with lightweight, recycled polymeric resin materials that contractors can install easily, quickly and with less labor. The Weight is Over™. Ready to Build Intelligently®? Check out Millenia on our Web site. Then give us a call at 1.866.549.WALL (9255).

Millenia will exhibit its retaining wall system at the Greenbuild International Conference & Expo (booth #1769), November 19-21, 2008, Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, Boston, Mass. and at Hardscapes North America (booth #932), January 16-17, 2009, Cobb Galleria Center, Atlanta, Ga.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:58 AM | Comments (0)

Despite Homebuilders Concerns, Arizona Proposition 201 May Actually Decrease Litigation

Most Arizona homebuilders are adamantly opposed to Proposition 201, fearing that the proposed revisions will increase litigation. Arizona real estate attorney Kevin Harper believes that if Proposition 201 is successful it could decrease litigation because homebuilders will have greater incentive to avoid mistakes in construction and correct defects when they are discovered.

(PRWEB) October 6, 2008 -- Most Arizona homebuilders are adamantly opposed to Proposition 201, which will be before Arizona voters on November 4, 2008. Homebuilders fear that the proposed revisions will increase litigation. What they are not telling the public or failing to see themselves is that the proposition may actually decrease litigation for homebuilders by forcing builders to improve the quality of construction and make repairs in a timely manner before homeowners are forced to file suit. Arizona real estate attorney Kevin Harper believes that if Proposition 201 is successful it could decrease litigation because homebuilders will have greater incentive to avoid mistakes in construction and correct defects when they are discovered.

Opponents of Proposition 201, including Homebuilders, are stating that Proposition 201 would create a lawsuit nightmare for Arizona consumers and would dramatically increase the cost of housing at a time when our housing industry is in crisis. Mr. Harper counters that the threat of an increased cost of housing is a red herring, being used to discourage buyers from voting for the proposition. "Although there is no question Proposition 201 holds builders to a higher standard, which should ultimately result in better initial quality and better ongoing service -- and that's a good thing," states Harper.

Harper explains that Proposition 201 may actually decrease litigation in the long run because it puts some teeth into a current statutory scheme that has not proven to be an effective litigation deterrent or mechanism to get defects fixed. Proposition 201 reduces the builders time to respond, requires the builder to conduct an inspection, and requires more complete disclosure to buyers. By compelling a meaningful response, buyers will often be satisfied with the outcome and no litigation will proceed.

Historically home builders could receive a notice of alleged defects but there was no requirement to respond. These notices frequently were ignored and litigation ensued after buyers sat idly waiting. "With the new proposition builders would have to respond and potentially fix any problems before the buyers can file a lawsuit. In the end, it could save buyers and builders millions in litigation expenses by forcing a meaningful investigation before litigation ensues," says Harper. "In many cases builders are not aware of the extent and seriousness of problems until we are mired in a lawsuit, because they never really investigated the problem. Hopefully, this law would change that."

If you have questions regarding how Proposition 201 could affect you or your business, or for additional information about Harper Law PLC, please contact Kevin Harper at 602-256-6400 or visit www.HarperLawArizona.com.

About Harper Law PLC -- Harper Law represents individuals and businesses throughout the State of Arizona and around the world, from our offices in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. The firm's focus is on providing quality legal services as affordably and expeditiously as possible.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:56 AM | Comments (0)

Introducing the Solution to Fogged Up Windows Around Indoor Pools or Saunas

Windows with Thermique™ Heated Glass Solve Condensation Problems

Chicago, IL (Vocus/PRWEB ) October 7, 2008 -- Thermique Technologies offers the solution to condensation on the windows around indoor pools, saunas, and steam showers. By installing window units with Thermique™ heated glass, problems with fog, steam, and moisture simply disappear. In addition to complete condensation control, swimmers/bathers coming out of an indoor pool or steam shower will feel no chill or drafts coming off the windows. They are able to dry off in complete comfort.

Thermique technology transforms an ordinary pane of glass into an extraordinary heating device. The glass itself radiates warmth uniformly and with precise control. When the glass temperature is above the indoor air temperature, moisture will remain in the air and off the glass. Condensation problems are solved.

Less advanced heated glass technologies have been available to architects, builders, and homeowners in Europe for more than a decade. Now, Thermique Technologies is taking the lead in introducing a superior heated glass for architectural windows throughout the United States and Canada. Only Thermique is UL® approved to provide heated glass for architectural windows.

The initial installations are producing amazing results. Gary Truax served as construction manager for the remodeling of a luxury ranch in the mountains near Durango, Colorado. The homeowner challenged him to find a solution to the steamed-up windows surrounding his indoor pool. "Those rooms are famous for getting riddled with condensation,'' said Truax. ''Right off the bat, I thought Thermique heated glass would be a perfect fit."

After hearing about the benefits of heated windows, the homeowner requested that they be installed inside a steam shower area in the master bath as well. The homeowner reports that when the Thermique heated glass is turned on, condensation is never a problem. "The windows have been completely clear,'' he noted. ''There hasn't been a drop of water on it."

As a heating device, windows with Thermique heated glass are perfectly transparent, completely quiet, and energy efficient. Architects are free to design with as much window space as they can imagine without any of the drawbacks associated with cold glass. The glass temperature is adjustable with a patented, wall-mounted controller. At the highest setting, the window can reach up to 105º F.

Builders report that windows with Thermique heated glass are remarkably easy to install. ''When you have a product like this, it's almost like a day off because it's self-explanatory,'' Truax said. "Everything went smoothly from start to finish. It's great to work on a project where the glass has not done anything but perform as promised. It takes the whole call-back consideration away from us."

About Thermique Technologies

Combining more than 60 years of experience with cutting-edge expertise, Thermique Technologies, LLC, is today's premier developer of heated glass technology. Thermique heated glass is utilized in heated windows, glass towel warmers, and heated food service cabinets. Headquartered in Chicago, Ill., Thermique Technologies is a wholly owned subsidiary of Engineered Glass Products (EGP).

To learn more about Thermique heated glass technology and its many applications, call (312) 326-9193 or visit www.thermiquetech.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:56 AM | Comments (0)

Commercial Real Estate Group of Tucson Compiles New Statistics on Tucson Industrial Real Estate Market

Commercial Real Estate Group of Tucson has compiled some meaningful statistics about the local market on its website, cretucson.com.

(PRWEB) October 7, 2008 -- According to Commercial Real Estate Group of Tucson research, nearly 110,000 square feet of new industrial real estate will come into the Tucson, Arizona market in the next few months, giving businesses fresh choices on where to locate their operations.

Only about 26 percent of the space under construction at mid-year 2008 was preleased, according to the CoStar Industrial Report for the Tucson market.

"There are some good opportunities down the road for tenants and buyers to find new space that ideally fits their needs," said Michael S. Coretz, a broker with Commercial Real Estate Group of Tucson.

Tucson's industrial real estate market reflects national trends of increasing vacancy rates, a drop in net absorption and smaller increases in rental rates, the report said.

The Tucson metropolitan area in Southern Arizona currently has about 2.6 million square feet of vacant industrial space. Quoted rental rates are at $8.76 a square foot.

Commercial Real Estate Group of Tucson has compiled these and other meaningful statistics about the local market on its website, www.cretucson.com. "We want to arm potential tenants and buyers with an accurate picture of our market conditions," said Coretz. "That can only help them make smart, informed choices, especially in this current economic condition of tight credit."

Commercial Real Estate Group of Tucson represents corporate clients and buyers, assisting them in locating, negotiating and leasing or buying business space in the Tucson metropolitan area. Its website, www.tucson-tenant-representation.com, provides several reports on how to navigate the commercial real estate transaction. More information is available by phoning 520-299-3400.

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

VHT Chooses MapsAlive For Interactive Floor Plans

Interactive floor plans significantly improve the effectiveness of online real estate listings, allowing buyers to walk through a property just as they would in person.

Waitsfield, VT (PRWEB) October 7, 2008 -- AvantLogic, developers of MapsAlive, the premier interactive map and floor plan application, today announced that VHT, Inc., a leading provider of visual marketing services, has selected MapsAlive for its customized Interactive Floor Plan tool. MapsAlive allows VHT Image Specialists to integrate professional VHT photography with floor plans to create engaging visual presentations. The resulting interactive floor plans give buyers the ability to view any room, go upstairs, and really see what a home looks like.

"Real estate professionals who invest in interactive, informative marketing tools attract more attention for their listings and themselves," said Brannon Lambert, COO of VHT, Inc. "VHT's Interactive Floor Plan delivers an engaging tool that focuses the buyer's attention on a property's most marketable attributes. This increases the property's perceived value and increases the likelihood that a buyer will take interest and visit the house."

With MapsAlive, any floor plan can be made interactive to display photos, text, and video when the mouse moves over locations on the floor plan. Real estate professionals can embed MapsAlive interactive floor plans directly into their own listings for a seamless presentation that entices potential buyers to view the property in more detail. MapsAlive can also be used to make interactive location maps, images, and diagrams.

"MapsAlive is a great way to improve the effectiveness of your property listings. Adding interactive maps, diagrams, or floor plans to your website attracts more attention and keeps visitors interested longer," said George Soules, President of AvantLogic. "Anyone can use MapsAlive - all the power and flexibility to create interactive tours is built in. You don't need any technical expertise."

To try MapsAlive for free, visit www.mapsalive.com.

About AvantLogic:
AvantLogic is the creator of MapsAlive, a web application that can make any map interactive for use on web pages. A map can be any image such as a diagram, floor plan, photo, or geographic map. Interactive maps allow viewers to move their mouse over markers to quickly gather information and see images and text associated with locations on the map. MapsAlive is popular among residential and commercial real estate professionals, and is also used to create interactive location maps and web content for travel and tourism, education, and law enforcement.

Based in Waitsfield, Vermont, AvantLogic was founded in 1999 as a software consulting company specializing in web applications, commercial grade software, and safety-critical computer systems. Clients include ABC Television, Bombardier, DaimlerChrysler and the New York Power Authority. AvantLogic launched MapsAlive in 2007, and is now focused on making MapsAlive the premier tool for creating online interactive map tours.

About VHT, Inc.:
VHT provides professional production, management and distribution of visual content - including photographs, video, multimedia tours and Video on Demand television spots - for more than $1.5 billion in properties for 3,500 clients and 75,000 real estate professionals. VHT's production services include the creation of visual content by VHT's nationwide team of professional photographers and videographers as well as the award-winning video editors and image specialists at VHT Studios. VHT's ImageWorks visual asset management services provide for the resizing, reformatting, repurposing, tracking and distribution of visual assets for use in all media.

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

What do Custom Made Kitchen Cabinets, Antique Reproductions, Wholesale Furniture, Copper Cupolas and Bathroom Vanities Have In Common?

East Indies TradUR Old World style cabinets and quality combined with modern furniture designs. Custom made furniture for the kitchen, bedroom, livingroom, bath, dining room, and outdoor. We build what you want, the way you want it.

Jepara, Indonesia (PRWEB) October 6, 2008 -- East Indies TradUR started as American TradUR six years ago selling wholesale furniture warehouse factory direct from Indonesia. East Indies TradUR changed their name to reflect more clearly whom and where they are located.

East Indies TradUR employees are proud of what they have achieved these past six years. In 2006 East Indies TradUR opened a new division Cabinet Global producing kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities and other architectural products. The furniture built by East Indies TradUR is of a quality the world has not seen for hundreds of years. Through extensive research of what made antiques become antiques, East Indies TradUR changed the construction methods to implement old world techniques into modern furniture designs. They only use the best Mahogany or Teak old growth plantation wood, kiln dried in their own oven.

Owner of East Indies TradUR, Glenn Madden from Laurens, SC, started out in 2002 producing outdoor furniture and antique reproduction furniture in a small family owned home-based factory from Bandung, Indonesia. Two years ago East Indies TradUR moved their production to Jepara, Indonesia and upgraded their facility to support the growing demand of custom made furniture and a new partnership.

In 2006 East Indies Tradur partners with Architectural Market in Tulsa, Oklahoma to produce their line of old world style kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities. Over the past two years with them East Indies TradUR has been developing a line of high-end custom made kitchen and bath furniture building on age-old traditions of furniture building. March 2008 Architectural Market opened their new Tulsa showroom that displays furniture East Indies TradUR helped design and built.

East Indies TradUR now only sells in bulk through their partner, Architectural Market. But for those whom are still interested to buy custom made furniture factory direct in small volumes, you still can. East Indies TradUR opened a new online store, Cabinet Global that displays some of their new kitchen and bathroom product lines and unique custom designs they have completed over the past two years.

East Indies TradUR bestseller is your design, custom made furniture. You tell East Indies TradUR design engineers what you want and your furniture is built the way you want it. East Indies TradUR engineers will work with you to create a 3D model of your design. All East Indies TradUR needs from you is an email description, photo, or a rough sketch. Imagine sketching out your own furniture design and bringing it to life. After East Indies TradUR designers reach an agreement of the design you want their professional artisans start to build your furniture. East Indies TradUR provides you with weekly photo feedback, as your furniture is custom built for you the way you want it done.

East Indies TradUR also manufactures other architectural products for your home including interior and exterior doors, window shutters, and copper cupolas.

To find out more about how to purchases their products visit one of these web sites.
East Indies TradUR - http://www.tradur.com
Cabinet Global - http://cabinetglobal.com
Architectural Market - http://www.architecturalmarket.com

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

October 06, 2008

Hanley Wood Business Media Launches Advertiser and Marketer Resource Web Site

Hanley Wood Business Media has launched a new marketing Web site www.hanleywoodbusinessmedia.com, a unique tool to help building product manufacturers and advertising agencies integrate content, advertising and audience strategies in order to achieve marketing goals.

Washington, D.C. (PRWEB) October 6, 2008 -- Hanley Wood Business Media has launched a new marketing Web site www.hanleywoodbusinessmedia.com. For more than 30 years, Hanley Wood's mission has been to fulfill the information needs of construction professionals and building product manufacturers through an expanding group of products and services across all relevant media. The purpose of the new Web site is to provide a dedicated marketing resource for the residential and commercial construction industry, gathering in one place:

B-to-B marketing information from a wide range of sources
- Construction industry news and blogs from Hanley Wood's Web sites and e-newsletters
- Industry research from Hanley Wood and other industry sources
- Product information and demos from Hanley Wood's extensive brand network
- Convenient new product finder to allow marketers to identify products by audience, brand or product type
- Webinar series on media marketing
- One-stop connection to Hanley Wood's individual brand media kits

The Web site is a unique tool to help building product manufacturers and advertising agencies integrate content, advertising and audience strategies in order to achieve marketing goals. The site is organized to provide quick and direct access to solutions as well as continually updated marketing and industry information.

"This site underscores Hanley Wood's unwavering commitment to client relationships and our continued focus on being the leading information provider in the construction industry," says Peter Goldstone, President, Hanley Wood Business Media. In addition to the Hanley Wood Business Media site, Hanley Wood converted all media kits to e-media for 2009, creating individual sites for each brand.

Features of the Hanley Wood Business Media site include the construction industry news section, which aggregates news from Hanley Wood's network of Web sites; marketing updates with RSS feeds from leading business-to-business marketing sources. A product showcase provides product demos for over 15 Hanley Wood product categories. An interactive product finder helps determine how to match audience, product and brand. The product demo and the product finder serve as an easy to use guide to our products. Visitors will also find a complete overview of Hanley Wood's media portfolio.

The site also provides customers access to educational research, and Webinars that deliver information, like the recently released M2 study on how construction professionals use media.

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

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

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 04:49 AM | Comments (0)

What do Custom Made Kitchen Cabinets, Antique Reproductions, Wholesale Furniture, Copper Cupolas and Bathroom Vanities Have In Common?

East Indies TradUR Old World style cabinets and quality combined with modern furniture designs. Custom made furniture for the kitchen, bedroom, livingroom, bath, dining room, and outdoor. We build what you want, the way you want it.

Jepara, Indonesia (PRWEB) October 6, 2008 -- East Indies TradUR started as American TradUR six years ago selling wholesale furniture warehouse factory direct from Indonesia. East Indies TradUR changed their name to reflect more clearly whom and where they are located.

East Indies TradUR employees are proud of what they have achieved these past six years. In 2006 East Indies TradUR opened a new division Cabinet Global producing kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities and other architectural products. The furniture built by East Indies TradUR is of a quality the world has not seen for hundreds of years. Through extensive research of what made antiques become antiques, East Indies TradUR changed the construction methods to implement old world techniques into modern furniture designs. They only use the best Mahogany or Teak old growth plantation wood, kiln dried in their own oven.

Owner of East Indies TradUR, Glenn Madden from Laurens, SC, started out in 2002 producing outdoor furniture and antique reproduction furniture in a small family owned home-based factory from Bandung, Indonesia. Two years ago East Indies TradUR moved their production to Jepara, Indonesia and upgraded their facility to support the growing demand of custom made furniture and a new partnership.

In 2006 East Indies Tradur partners with Architectural Market in Tulsa, Oklahoma to produce their line of old world style kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities. Over the past two years with them East Indies TradUR has been developing a line of high-end custom made kitchen and bath furniture building on age-old traditions of furniture building. March 2008 Architectural Market opened their new Tulsa showroom that displays furniture East Indies TradUR helped design and built.

East Indies TradUR now only sells in bulk through their partner, Architectural Market. But for those whom are still interested to buy custom made furniture factory direct in small volumes, you still can. East Indies TradUR opened a new online store, Cabinet Global that displays some of their new kitchen and bathroom product lines and unique custom designs they have completed over the past two years.

East Indies TradUR bestseller is your design, custom made furniture. You tell East Indies TradUR design engineers what you want and your furniture is built the way you want it. East Indies TradUR engineers will work with you to create a 3D model of your design. All East Indies TradUR needs from you is an email description, photo, or a rough sketch. Imagine sketching out your own furniture design and bringing it to life. After East Indies TradUR designers reach an agreement of the design you want their professional artisans start to build your furniture. East Indies TradUR provides you with weekly photo feedback, as your furniture is custom built for you the way you want it done.

East Indies TradUR also manufactures other architectural products for your home including interior and exterior doors, window shutters, and copper cupolas.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 04:49 AM | Comments (0)

Trade Price Conservatories Add Two New Conservatory Styles to Range

Trade Price Conservatories announce the addition of two new conservatory styles to their extensive range of DIY self-build conservatories.

Bournemouth, Dorset (PRWEB) October 6, 2008 -- Trade Price Conservatories have today announced two new conservatory styles to their extensive range.

The two new styles; Gullwing & P-Shape Edwardian have been added to their online range, giving customers more choice when it comes to configuring their dream conservatory.

The Gullwing conservatory earns its name due to its distinctive 'wings' and is more suited to a wider area than a traditional conservatory, ideal for wider properties of for those looking for a larger living area inside their conservatory.

The Edwardian, already a best seller, now has the benefit of being available in a P-shape configuration, combining the practicality of a standard P-shape conservatory with the style of an Edwardian design.

Owner Karl Muspratt commented: "The addition of the Gullwing & Edwardian P-shape conservatories gives our customers even more choice and better enables them to pick the perfect conservatory to suit their home. In particular we are hoping the Edwardian P-shape will prove a big hit with our customers as it's something they have been asking us for, which we have bought in due to that demand."

The property market in the UK may be in freefall at the moment but cash-strapped Britons are instead spend money on improving their homes rather than moving, resulting in Trade Price Conservatories posting very strong growth figures for 2008 so far with customers opting to add value to their homes rather than opting to sell and move in a property market slump.

Trade Price Conservatories are a leading supplier of DIY conservatories nationwide in the UK. Visit http://www.tradepriceconservatories.com to see their range of conservatories including the 0% finance range.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 04:47 AM | Comments (0)

Mesothelioma Diagnosis Call The Mesothelioma Victims Center First For Help & Honesty

The President of Americas Watchdog created the Mesothelioma Victims Center, because he had this incurable form of cancer touch his family. The Mesothelioma Victims Center is not only the most honest & reliable resource center for a mesothelioma victim or their family in the United States, it also offers honest answers about what law firms are the most capable, to help the victims and their families. Beyond that, the Mesothelioma Victims Center will actually help & assist mesothelioma victims get social security disability payments, VA Benefits for US Navy or US Armed Forces victims of mesothelioma, health care options for all mesothelioma victims, and much more. According to Americas Watchdog, "don't get suckered in by a yellow pages ad, or a slick Internet site offering help for a victim of mesothelioma. They are often lies, typically from law firms, that in fact don't even do the mesothelioma cases. If a mesothelioma victim or their family really wants real help & honest answers, they should call us at 866-714-6466 or visit our web site at Http://MesotheliomaVictimsCenter.Com "

(PRWEB) October 6, 2008 -- Americas Watchdog created the Mesothelioma Victims Center to be a free safety net, for a victim, or the family members and or loved ones of a victim of mesothelioma. There is no service in the world, that is close to the Mesothelioma Victims Center, when it comes to to helping mesothelioma victims with honest answers about everything from who are the best law firms in the nation that will do the best job for the victim & their family, to obtaining government health or disability payments, to everything else a victim and their family needs to know about mesothelioma. A victim of mesothelioma or their family can call the Mesotheliooma Victims Center 24-7 at 866-714-6466 or visit their web site at Http://MesotheliomaVictimsCenter.Com

Mesothelioma Do's & Don'ts.

* "Do not fall for a slick web site saying we can help, from a law firm on the Internet. If a mesothelioma victim wants to know who the absolute best and most capable law firms are in the country, call the Mesothelioma Victims Center at 866-714-6466".

Important Note: Most mesothelioma web sites are simply marketing ploys for law firms wanting to get a piece of a mesothelioma law suit. These firms typically do not even do the mesothelioma cases, or trials.

* If a oil refinery worker, carpenter, plumber, ship yard worker, rail road employee, a former US Navy Veteran, a US Armed Forces Veteran, an auto mechanic, a miner, or anyone else has been diagnosed with mesothelioma & they or their family want world class help & information: at no charge, the Mesothelioma Victims Center will give the most honest and best advise as to how to proceed after a diagnosis.

* A family member of Americas Watchdog honorably served in the US Navy, was exposed to asbestos in a US Navy Ship and died from mesothelioma." If you are a Veteran of the US Navy or US Armed Forces, the Mesothelioma Victims Center will go out of their way to make sure you get the absolute best service in the world, from the right law firm, to making sure that every family need is addressed and taken care of in every possible way."

* Don't fall for a slick web site that says, mesothelioma loving care center, or mesothelioma loving support groups in your area. Americas Watchdog says, "these are in most cases Internet con jobs, from a law firm marketing mesothelioma lawsuits to the highest bidder. If a victim of Mesothelioma, their family, or loved ones wants real help, with what to do after a mesothelioma diagnosis, call the Mesothelioma Victims Center at 866-714-6466 for the best free service in the world".

* "if a family member, a loved one, or a patient of yours has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, tell them to call us at 866-714-6466, and tell them that no organization on the planet is more devoted to helping and assisting a mesothelioma victim, or their family with honesty & integrity.

* If a nurse, physician, or health care professional has a patient who has been diagnosed with mesothlioma, please tell the patient or their family to call the Mesothelioma Victims Center in order that they be given the truth, as opposed to having the victim or his/her family left to try to sort things out, with no honest or objective advice----just a law firm on the Internet trying to cash in on someone else's misery, as a way to get a piece of the action"

The President of Americas Watchdog will personally handle all issues related to assisting mesothelioma victims, their families or their loved ones. Anyone wishing more information about this world class free service can call the Mesothelioma Victims Center anytime, at 866-714-6466 or visit their web site at Http://MesotheliomaVictimsCenter.Com

Americas Watchdog is all about consumer protection and being their for US Citizens & US Veterans in a time of need.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 04:46 AM | Comments (0)

Julien Creates a Signature Sink Collection for Dornbracht to Reach the Premium Segment of the European Market

Julien® - the perennial leader in stainless steel fabrication for over 60 years - has announced their introduction to the European market with Dornbracht as they debut 28 new kitchen sink models. Carefully crafted to the discerning requirements of the European market, the innovative and upscale sink line will be available throughout Europe on January 1, 2009. This Dornbracht branded collection will not be available in North America.

(PRWEB) October 6, 2008 -- The new models will make their debut at the IMM Furniture Fair in Cologne, Germany, which takes place January 19 - 25, 2009. Featuring a distinctive appeal, perfectly rounded corners and meticulously welded and hand polished by the true master of their craft, the new series reflects the quality and reputation of the Julien and Dornbracht brands. Dornbracht's extensive recognition and distribution reach throughout the European market will add to the successful launch of the collection.

"We are very excited to enter the European market with Dornbracht - who is world renowned for their fine German craftsmanship and keen ability to combine design with substance," said Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Business Development for Julien Lloyd Leblanc. "With Dornbracht, high-grade materials, sound craftsmanship and substance are at the heart of the product. At Julien, we also offer only the best: premium 16-gage stainless steel, hand welding and maximum functionality. We are honored to have been selected by Dornbracht as their kitchen sink fabricator. Our goal is to set the European standard for exceptional style and ease of living."

Sink production for Dornbracht begins November 1, 2008.

Celebrating 63 years, Julien continues to rise as an industry leader in stainless steel fabrication. Renowned for their high-quality professional grade commercial kitchen equipment, the company has recently forayed into the residential market by offering luxury-minded consumers seamless and stylish designs for the kitchen and bath. Their award-winning residential kitchen products collections and innovative Bathroom Suite by Troy Adams Design, aim to further solidify their presence in the residential market as they continue to manufacture ground-breaking, hand-crafted stainless steel products. With a focus on fine living, the Julien collections enhance daily rituals with their elegance and panache. Julien is a green company and uses 100% recycled and recyclable stainless steel in their manufacturing process. For more information on Julien® Home Refinements®, please visit www.julien.ca or call DRS & Associates at (818) 981-8210.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 04:46 AM | Comments (0)

Americas Watchdog's Homeowner Consumer Center Announces a National Investigation Of Trex Decking Material Used in New Homes Built After 2004

Americas Watchdog's Homeowners Consumer Center is announcing a national investigation of Trex decks, or Trex decking material used in new homes built after 2004 in the United States. A national class action (#CV-00047)has been initiated related to Trex. Possible issues related to this building product include mold, warping, splitting, mildew, or deck deterioration. Trex was sold to U.S. consumers as "maintenance free". Homeowners who have purchased a new home with Trex decking, or a decking material called Trex, should call the Homeowners Consumer Center for a free consultation at 866-714-6466, or visit their web site at http://HomeownersConsumerCenter.com

(PRWEB) October 6, 2008 -- Americas Watchdog & its Homeowners Consumer Center are launching a national investigation involving a residential building product called Trex decks or Trex decking material. Trex decks or Trex decking material was used in exterior home decks, built after 2004. According to Americas Watchdog, "While the manufacturer claimed Trex decking products or material sold after 2004 was, easier to install, cheaper, and longer lasting than wood, these statements are now being contradicted by homeowners, who now have possible mold issues, possible fungus, possible warping and splitting issues, with this product." The Homeowners Consumer Center would like to hear from any homeowner who is having a problem with their Trex deck, or Trex decking material at 866-714-6466.

The Homeowners Consumer Center wants to hear from all U.S. homeowners who purchased a new home from 2004-2008 with Trex decks or Trex decking material, and existing homeowners who used Trex decks, or decking material after 2004. Homeowners who purchased a new home with Trex decks, or Trex decking material can call the Homeowners Consumer Center anytime at 866-714-6466, or visit their web site at http://HomeownersConsumerCenter.com for a free consultation.

A lawsuit has been filed in Virginia related to Trex, docket # CV-00047.

The Homeowners Consumer Center is a national leader in protecting homeowners in the United States. The Homeowners Consumer Center is also a national leader in addressing possible defective building material or products used in U.S. homes.

Trex has used different names for its decks or decking material since 1999, including, Trex Accents, Trex Accents: Fire Defense, Trex Origins, Trex Brasilia, and Trex Contours.

Signs that a Trex Deck or Trex decking material could be failing include the following:

* The deck or decking material might be showing signs of mold or mildew
* The decking material could be warping
* The decking material could be splitting or cracking
* There may be spots on your deck

How does a homeowner discover if Trex decks or Trex decking material was used on their home's exterior deck?

* Call your home builder to see if they used this product on, or as part of your home's exterior deck.
* Consult your home builders product information package that should have been provided at closing.

If a homeowner has observed possible problems with their Trex Deck or Trex decking material in a home built after 2004, or with a exterior Trex deck installed after 2004, they should call the Homeowners Consumer Center at 866-714-6466 immediately, or visit their web site at http://HomeownersConsumerCenter.com

Americas Watchdog & Its Homeowners Consumer Center are among the most prominent homeowner advocates in the United States.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 04:46 AM | Comments (0)

Sound Isolation Store is One New Company That Finds Success in a Slowed Economy

Sound Isolation Store, a national stocking distributor for the Green Glue Company, Kinetics Noise Control, and Pac-International, is proud to announce the launch of their new website, www.SoundIsolationStore.com.

Meridian, ID (PRWEB) October 6, 2008 -- The Sound Isolation Store just launched their new site SoundIsolationStore.com and has quickly become the premier source for sound isolation products. Their site came online early in July in the midst of talks of a slowing economy and the possibility of an upcoming recession. Owner, Eric Pollard, of Sound Isolation Store was well aware of the trouble facing his newly founded company, but felt they had something more to offer and could overcome the pitfalls new companies typically can face in a poor economic climate.

Sound Isolation Store owner, Eric Pollard, commented, "I knew the products our company had to offer and the services we could provide to customers and contractors interested in sound isolation. I went online to research competitors and felt the demand for easily accessible products and information was not being met." He went on to add, "So many sites were comprised of a few products with cut-and-pasted information from manufacturers' sites. I knew that if we brought our products online, brought our knowledge of products online, and provided the same quality customer service we have been providing locally that we would be a success online."

This simple business logic has been proven to work for Sound Isolation Store. While congress debated on a $700 billion-plus bail-out for Wall Street and the future of the economy was looking grim; SoundIsolationStore.com was increasing business by over 70% in a 4 week period. Part of this company's recent growth includes a partnership with an east coast distributor in Massachusetts. The new distributor is fully stocked with Sound Isolation Store's main products, Green Glue tubes and SilenSeal tubes. A product manufactured by the most respected sound isolation manufacturer in the business, Green Glue Company.

"The new East Coast distribution point is huge for us. A high percentage of our business is on the East Coast and what this means for those customers is that they will now receive Green Glue and SilenSeal up to 5 days sooner then before," says Eric Pollard. Green Glue is widely known in the sound isolation market as the premier product for use in home theaters, recording studios, and even for apartment dwellers dealing with impact noise from neighbors.

Sound Isolation Store operates in the state of Idaho as a drywall contractor and the operators of this business have had years of experience in applying sound isolation methods to real life situations.

For additional information on all the products available from Sound Isolation Store visit their website at http://www.SoundIsolationStore.com or contact Eric Pollard directly through Sound Isolation Store's site. Product samples for Green Glue, SilenSeal, WhisperClips, and many other products are available upon request.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 04:41 AM | Comments (0)

California Self Storage Association Selects MiniCo Publication as Member Benefit

MiniCo Publishing has announced an agreement with the California Self Storage Association (CSSA) to provide the company's "Self-Storage Now!" magazine as a member benefit beginning in November 2008. CSSA members also will be able to purchase digital subscriptions to the monthly "Mini Storage Messenger" magazine at a members-only discounted rate. In addition, CSSA members will receive discounts on other MiniCo publications to include the annual "Self-Storage Almanac" and "Self-Storage Development Handbook."

Phoenix, AZ (PRWEB) October 6, 2008 -- Poppy Behrens and Lauri Longstrom-Henderson, Co-Publishers, MiniCo Publishing, have announced an agreement with the California Self Storage Association (CSSA) to provide the company's "Self-Storage Now!" magazine as a member benefit beginning in November 2008.

CSSA members also will be able to purchase digital subscriptions to the monthly "Mini Storage Messenger" magazine at a members-only discounted rate. In addition, CSSA members will receive discounts on other MiniCo publications to include the annual "Self-Storage Almanac" and "Self-Storage Development Handbook."

CSSA Executive Director Erin King commented, "'Self-Storage Now!' is an excellent resource for self-storage owners, operators and managers. We look forward to working with MiniCo Publishing to provide this publication to our members."

Ms. Behrens stated, "MiniCo Publishing is excited to have the opportunity to work closely with the California Self Storage Association in its efforts to serve one of the largest groups of self storage professionals in the nation."

MiniCo Publishing, a division of MiniCo, Inc., publishes the "Mini-Storage Messenger," the leading monthly trade magazine covering the global self-storage industry. Other publications include the bimonthly "Self-Storage Now!" magazine, the annual "Self-Storage Almanac," and the annual "Development Handbook."

Since 1974, Phoenix-based MiniCo, Inc. has been a self-storage leader providing superior specialty insurance programs, informative publications and valuable products and services created expressly for the self storage industry.

For More Information:
MiniCo Publishing - www.ministoragemessenger.com
California Self Storage Association - www.cssaweb.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 04:40 AM | Comments (0)

Nature Bridges, Builders of Pedestrian Bridges, Complete Alys Beach Educational Trail System

Leading builders of pedestrian bridges complete boardwalk construction on a nature trail at the Alys Beach community in Northwest Florida.

Franklin County, FL (PRWEB) October 5, 2008 -- Nature Bridges (naturebridges.com), specialists in pedestrian bridges and boardwalk construction, announced today it has completed the Alys Beach Educational Trail System along the Gulf coast in Northwest Florida.

Nature Bridges utilized the top-down construction method to construct a wooden boardwalk so residents and visitors could enjoy the nature preserve within the Alys Beach community. The boardwalk is six feet wide and 1,820 linear feet of elevated pedestrian boardwalk with handrails and curbing. The materials used to build the boardwalk were Master Deck, cypress handrails and cable rail system.

With top-down construction, all large equipment stays on top of the new structure during the entire building process. This method provides a long-lasting, durable structure and helps to preserve the surrounding plant and animal habitats during and after construction.
Alys Beach is a 158-acre community, master planned by Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company that includes 1,500 feet of beach front and a 20-acre nature preserve.

About Nature Bridges: Pedestrian Bridges and Boardwalk Construction Specialists
Located in Monticello, Florida, Nature Bridges is a leading boardwalk construction firm specializing in top-down construction of pedestrian bridges and boardwalks through environmentally sensitive areas. The company also offers a wide variety of development amenities including golf cart bridges, architecturally-designed trellises, fencing, pavilions, decks, docks, timber retaining walls as well as DOT-approved timber curbing, guardrails, and roadside walkways. For more information, contact Nature Bridges at 850-997-8585 or visit them on the web at www.naturebridges.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 04:40 AM | Comments (0)

Custom Properties (CPDFW.com) Provides a Co-Development Opportunity in High-Barriers to Entry Market

Custom Properties (CPDFW.com) provides an opportunity to earn above 20% returns in co-development deal for a joint-venture partner or private equity institutional investor.

Dallas, TX (PRWEB) October 5, 2008 -- A 153-unit class C complex on a 5.33-acre corner in the Medical District has caught the eye of a major developer in the first round of quiet showings. After Wednesday, the deal's broker plans to knock on more doors.

The early look is over the land and not really about the 95%-leased San Carlos Apartments at 2516 New Orleans Place. Joshua Shatz, principal of Dallas-based Custom Properties LLC, tells GlobeSt.com that the seller of record, San Carlos Associates LP of Dallas, is hoping to latch onto a co-developer deal to rework the dirt into a residential and retail redevelopment.

"This property will be able to get a zoning change for a mid-rise," Shatz says. "That's what we think and that's our expectations."

The owner acquired the complex two years ago, buying into a redevelopment pocket being spurred by Parkland Hospital's expansion plan.

In addition, the complex practically neighbors Children's Medical Center and is within blocks of an under-construction Dallas Area Rapid Transit station. And right across the street is 5225 Maple Ave., where the top rent quote is $1,375 per month.

Shatz says San Carlos Apartments is being marketed to just a select few, with developers at the top of the list. And, he's not ruling out an outright sale although he believes the real opportunity lies in the dirt. He adds that Parkland's expansion will create "the right traffic pattern" and demand for residential and retail space.

To keep cash flowing, he says the owner is still signing leases for the mix of efficiencies and one- and two-bedroom apartments, which average 894 sf. The average rent is 80 cents per sf. "At this point, we don't want cash flow to suffer," Shatz says. "But, we think it's just a great opportunity. It's just the timing of it."

http://www.cpdfw.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 04:39 AM | Comments (0)

Pegg-Whitney Woodworks Announces Launch of New Company Website

Minneapolis- Pegg-Whitney Woodworks, LLC announced today that it has launched its newly designed website. The Company intends for the site to provide potential clients with a deeper understanding of the work provided by Pegg-Whitney as well as allow the public to learn about quality craftsmanship in woodworking.

Minneapolis, MN (PRWEB) October 5, 2008 -- Pegg-Whitney Woodworks, LLC announced today that it has launched its newly designed website. The Company intends for the site to provide potential clients with a deeper understanding of the work provided by Pegg-Whitney as well as allow the public to learn about quality craftsmanship in woodworking.

"After 25 years in business we knew it was time to give potential clients a professional website to learn about our company, our products and ask us any woodworking related questions they may have," said Roger Pegg, president and CEO of Pegg-Whitney Woodworks. "We provide superior products and this website will enable us to relay that information to both homeowners and companies within the industry."

The Company has stated that the website is designed primarily for the exchange of information between the Company and the end user. The site allows the end user to view samples of the Company's work, learn about the Company's management team and view testimonials from past clients. Because of the custom products Pegg-Whitney Woodworks provides, the website does not support electronic commerce at this time.

About Pegg-Whitney Woodworks, LLC

Pegg-Whitney Woodworks, LLC, a Minnesota company, is the Twin Cities' premier manufacturer of custom, hand-made wood doors and windows. Pegg-Whitney Woodworks produces original designs, replicates existing pieces and works closely with clients to design completely unique items. The Company's headquarters and manufacturing plant are located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and the Company provides work throughout the United States and Canada. The Company's new website is located at
www.Pegg-Whitney.com.

Contact:
George Pegg
612-782-1852

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 04:39 AM | Comments (0)

Artisan™ Series Chosen as Top 50 Most Innovative New Product

Professional Remodeler magazine selects AMSCO Windows' Artisan Series for honor

Salt Lake City (PRWEB) October 5, 2008 -- October 3, 2008 - Professional Remodeler magazine has recently named AMSCO Windows' new Artisan™ Series as one of its 50 Most Innovative New Products for 2008. The magazine featured the unique and innovative new window line in its September issue. The program recognizes technological advances in the residential building market.

The new Artisan Series creates a beautiful appearance by combining unique design with energy efficiency. Featuring a distinctive beveled-in profile, innovative hidden accessory grooves, breakthrough color technology and one of the industry's first magnetic action locks, the Artisan Series is specifically designed to make your home a masterpiece.

The magazine award serves to recognize new products that feature technological advancements that put a product ahead of its competitors; a new product line introduction or significant product improvement such as a categorical shift in the product's structure or features; and other innovations that increase the competition of a product line in the marketplace.

"We are honored by Professional Remodeler's recognition of Artisan Series and its unique design and innovative color technology for its Top 50 Innovative New Products issue," said Kyle Hendren, product marketing manager for AMSCO Windows. "We've spent more than a year developing and testing the product and are convinced the new technology provides Artisan Series with the best, durable two-tone color option on the market today."

The breakthrough technology of the Artisan Series allows for additional color options far superior to paint. The integral color layer is highly scratch-resistant resulting in fewer callbacks. The color cap is highly durable, fade resistant and won't crack, chip, flake or chalk like paint.

"We designed the new Artisan Series window specifically for the remodel and retrofit markets as well as for upper-end new construction," said Steve Sullivan, director of marketing for AMSCO. "Through our research we found that homeowners are looking for aesthetics that go beyond flat white rectangles. The unique beveled-in design and new exterior color options add architectural interest to the windows, which home owners desire."

The Artisan Series is available in mono colors white, almond and taupe plus the new exterior colors autumn red, evergreen and bronze with a white interior. The new Artisan Series with standard CōzE™ performance glass is available in many styles, colors and options for both new construction and remodeling projects and comes with a lifetime warranty. Visit the Artisan Series web site at www.amscowindows.com/artisanseries.asp to learn more about the new window line and its breakthrough color cap technology.

50 Most Innovative New Products were featured in the September 2008 issue of Professional Remodeler magazine and can be viewed on www.ProRemodeler.com.

About AMSCO Windows
Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, AMSCO Windows has a strong heritage of providing innovative products and services for dealers, builders and homeowners for more than 50 years. As a growing company setting the pace for the emerging composite window industry, AMSCO prides itself on adding aesthetics and functionality to a homeowner's most prized possession - their home. For more information, please visit www.amscowindows.com or call (888) 82-AMSCO.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 04:38 AM | Comments (0)

New Environmentally Preferable Soybean Urinals Introduced

A new line of environmentally preferable No-Flush™urinals made of approximately 30 percent soybean resin have just been introduced. The manufacturer adds that the soy bean resin percentages will likely increase as the manufacturing technology evolves.

Vista, CA (PRWEB) October 5, 2008 -- Waterless Co LLC urinals introduces a new line of environmentally preferable No-Flush™urinals made of approximately 30 percent soybean resin. The company adds that the percentages will likely increase as the manufacturing technology evolves.

The High Performance Composite (HPC) urinal models look and function just as its other waterless urinals do, says Niki Bradley, marketing manager for Waterless Co. LLC.

Users will notice no appearance or functionality difference. However, each urinal will come with a label stating that it is made partially with soybean resin.

More and More Uses for Soybeans
Soybean plants are hardy plants that grow all over the world, which makes them one of the earth's most sustainable plants and scientists have developed a variety of commercial uses for soybean resin.

For instance, some inks and colored markers now contain soy, replacing the petroleum-based oils that are traditionally used for these products. Soy is also used in fuel. Referred to as biodiesel, this fuel is used in cars as well as in buses and boats. And, biodiesel burns cleanly, making it the only alternative fuel to have successfully completed the health effects testing requirements of the Clean Air Act.

"The idea of using soybean resin to help manufacture urinals evolved a few years ago as company engineers were looking to for new ways to improve the current product line and help protect the environment." says Bradley, Marketing Director for Waterless Co. "Waterless No-Flush™ urinals are already environmentally responsible and efficient; they can save as much as 40,000 gallons of water annually per urinal and reduce maintenance"

According to Bradley, the U.S.-made HPC urinals are being delivered to U.S. distributors now. The company also plans to market the urinals in other parts of the world.

About Waterless
Waterless Co. LLC has established a reputation as an innovative manufacturer, serving the building, plumbing, and janitorial industry for more than 18 years. Based in Vista, California, Waterless Co. offers expertise in water conservation and quality, high-efficiency products for building owners with a full line of Waterless No-Flush™ urinals, cleaning liquids, and cost-saving accessories. Visit them at www.waterless.com.

Waterless Co.
1050 Joshua Way
Vista, CA 92081 USA
888-NOFLUSH (888-663-5874)

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 04:37 AM | Comments (0)

There's a New Fire Stopping Sheriff in Town ... and He's at Tridon Industries

Tridon Industries named U.S. distributor for A/D FireBarrier Firestop Systems

Pottstown, PA (PRWEB) October 5, 2008 -- Tridon Industries, a premier installer of fireproofing and insulation products, is proud to announce it has become a U.S. distributing agent for A/D FireBarrier Firestop Systems, a world leader in quality approved firestopping products.

Tridon's expansion into premier firestopping products enhances the firm's line of offerings to new and rehab building contractors in fireproofing, insulation and fire protection.

"There's a new fire stopping sheriff in town, and he is at Tridon Industries," said Mary Beth Yannessa, company owner and president. Yannessa said the need for better firestopping protection is evident both regionally and nationwide.

In 2007, a structure fire was reported every 59 seconds in the United States, resulting in $14.6 billion in property damage and 3,430 deaths. Fire safety experts are on record noting that much of this damage is caused by the spread of fires particularly in rehabbed construction.

A/D FireBarrier Firestop Systems prevent fires from spreading and limit a building owner's damages and liability. A/D FireBarrier Firestop Systems' products comprise of a complete line of firestopping applications, all independently certified and tested to assure rated fire protection. The products are especially adaptable for difficult penetrations and openings in fire-rated floors and walls.

"We believe these products are superior to anything currently on the market for stopping the spread of fire, particularly through penetrations where fire flows undetected," said Yannessa. "The devastation that we have seen in fire-damaged buildings, even though owners thought firewalls protected the spread of flames, is the reason we believe A/D FireBarrier Firestop Systems is essential for all construction and remodeling."

Tridon Industries is a premier distributor and installer of high quality insulation, soundproofing and fireproofing products. The company installs insulation and fireproofing products throughout Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and the entire New England area, and sells fire stopping materials nationwide. Tridon Industries has been named to the Philadelphia 100®, a list that honors the fastest-growing independently held companies in the greater Philadelphia region. The company is a certified Women's Business Enterprise.

For additional information, call the company toll-free at 800-760-8044 or visit their website at www.tridonindustries.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 04:37 AM | Comments (0)

Tridon Fireproofing, LLC, a Subsidiary of Tridon Industries, to Host Second Annual Fire Protection Seminar

In light of many recent devastating residential and commercial fires, Tridon Fireproofing, an installer of fireproofing products, is planning to host a fire protection seminar, geared towards general contractros, fire marshals, building code officials, building inspectors, engineers, and architects.

Pottstown, PA (PRWEB) October 5, 2008 -- Tridon Fireproofing, LLC, a subsidiary of Tridon Industries, is holding an educational fire protection seminar on Friday, November 7, 2008 at the Montgomery County Fire Academy in Conshohocken, PA.

Tridon Fireproofing held a seminar two years ago for building inspectors, code enforcers, general contractors, fire marshals, engineers and architects that focused on spray-applied fireproofing materials. In the wake of recent commercial and residential building fires, the company has expanded this year's seminar to include other forms of fire protection for buildings, including fire stopping materials, intumescent coatings, and sprinkler systems. Any trade involved in the design, construction, and maintenance of commercial and residential buildings is encouraged to attend.

Attendees will have the opportunity to listen to educational lectures provided by several industry professionals, participate in a Q & A panel discussion, network, and watch demonstrations. Participants will be provided with technical information to ensure their buildings and projects are completed on time, in a cost-effective manner, and in accordance with all Building Code / UL Guidelines. Emphasis will be placed on product solutions, jobsite conditions, and other industry issues. The program is eligible for AIA/CES credits.

Complimentary continental breakfast and lunch will be served. The cost is $25 per person and must be paid in advance. Pre-registration is required by October 24, 2008.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Burn Unit of St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, located in Philadelphia, PA.

Tridon Fireproofing, headquartered in Pottstown, PA, is a premiere distributor and installer of fire stopping and fireproofing products. The company installs fireproofing products throughout Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and the entire New England area, and sells fire stopping materials nationwide.

For additional information on the fire protection seminar or to pre-register for the event, call the company toll-free at 800-760-8044. For more information on Tridon Industries, visit their website at www.tridonindustries.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 04:36 AM | Comments (0)

Steel Building Industry Company, Capital Steel Industries, Welcomes New Dealers

Steel Building Dealer training program helps construction and building industry professionals get started in the steel building industry.

Littleton, CO (PRWEB) October 4, 2008 -- In the time of an economic slow-down, building with steel is becoming an increasingly popular choice for construction industry professionals.

Capital Steel Industries, a leader in the steel building industry, welcomed more than a dozen new Dealer representatives from across the country to quarterly training in Littleton, Colorado last month. During the intensive one-day training session, Dealers meet the Capital Steel staff members, share and learn marketing strategies and gain familiarity with the administrative and on-site steel building construction processes.

Independent Dealers in the Capital Steel network find innovative ways to provide quality steel building construction and "turn key" service for their customers while keeping a close eye on the customer's budget.

Steel buildings provide customers with substantial savings over traditional brick, masonry and wood construction.

As Americans become more environmentally conscious, more and more new construction projects incorporate steel for its ecological or "green" benefits. According to the Steel Recycling Institute, two out of every three pounds of new steel are produced from old steel and in 2007, over 67 million tons of steel scrap was recycled in the United States.

"Many business owners and construction professionals are diversifying their services to increase revenue and build their customer base, and we are happy to help them grow their businesses. Capital Steel Industries looks forward to welcoming more Independent Dealers to the network," said Mike Downing, Capital Steel Industries' General Manager.

The corporate home of Capital Steel Industries is located in the town of Littleton, Colorado. Just minutes from scenic Red Rocks Amphitheater and 25 miles from downtown Denver, many Dealers arrive a day prior to the training to enjoy regional attractions and the beauty of the Rocky Mountains.

About Capital Steel Industries:
Capital Steel Industries supplies the highest quality pre-engineered steel buildings available to the North American and Hawaiian market. Capital Steel's leadership and management team have over 60 years experience in designing and managing the fabrication of pre-engineered steel buildings. The company's corporate office is located in Littleton, Colorado.

Written By: Carolyn Ennis

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 04:36 AM | Comments (0)

U.S. Freedom Bio Fuels, LLC Secures the Latest Technology for Biodiesel Production

U.S. Freedom Bio Fuels, LLC, manufacturer of commercial Biodiesel production equipment for the end user, has integrated the latest dry wash technology into thier BD40 and BD65 Biodiesel Processors, allowing for production of 450 gallons per 8 hour shift.

Mosinee, WI (PRWEB) October 4, 2008 -- Integrating the knowledge and product from Europe's leader in Biodiesel technology;
U.S Freedom Bio Fuels has catapulted to the front of the biodiesel equipment field. Their focus is building cost effective bio diesel production equipment for the end user. http://www.usfreedombiofuels.com

Clients of U.S. Freedom Bio Fuels are able to convert waste vegetable oil into B100 (Biodiesel fuel) for use in any diesel engine in production today without modification. Consistent fuel quality is achieved by their dry wash process.

A single 10KG dry wash tower with polishing filter can wash up to 1800 gallons of bio diesel fuel at a constant flow rate of 1 GPM.
Increased volume and flow rate can be obtained by adding additional towers.

With a single 10KG dry wash tower, U.S. Freedom Bio Fuels most popular processor; the BD65 can produce 450 gallons of ready to use bio diesel fuel in 8 hours.

The 10KG dry wash tower is filled with Eco2PureTM a unique cellulose based natural and sustainable composition of adsorbent technologies, specifically formulated for biodiesel purification from any feedstock. Eco2PureTM's composition is designed to optimize purification efficiency and contamination removal, combined with increased flow enhancement characteristics. Eco2PureTM is designed to be a filter-free wash process with no consumables in the wash stage. Each kilogram of Eco2PureTM is capable of purifying between 93 - 180 gallons of biodiesel, making it the lowest cost drywash biodiesel purification method in existence today. http://www.usfreedombiofuels.com

Eco2PureTM removes soaps, catalyst traces, residual methanol, moisture and other production residues form biodiesel, thereby assisting in the attainment of EN14212 & ASTM-D6751 quality standards.

Eco2PureTM outperforms existing Ion Exchange Resin (IOX) technologies in terms of fuel quality, purification costs on the market today.

Eco2PureTM can be used to replace or compliment your existing purification system whilst allowing for a reduction in overall purification costs.

The following is a quote from company president, John Harrod.
"Nearly two years ago we began searching for methods to produce our own fuel for the sole purpose of keeping our business and equipment running.

We tested everything from all the silly gimmick filters to commercial grade processing equipment.

The bottom line is nothing was working. We were either spending too much time on producing our own fuel or the quality was inconsistent and we couldn't run the risk of losing any machines.

In 2008 we perfected our dry washing method and we're producing up to 500 gallons from a single machine a day every day at commercial grade quality".
http://www.usfreedombiofuels.com

U.S. Freedom Bio Fuels, LLC is currently seeking distributors in various states.
For more information they welcome you to call or visit.

Contact:
John Harrod, President
U.S. Freedom Bio Fuels, LLC
847-756-7600
http://www.usfreedombiofuels.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 04:35 AM | Comments (0)

President Signs Green Building Tax Deduction and R&D Tax Credit

FORT WORTH, Texas (Business Wire EON/PRWEB ) October 3, 2008 -- SourceCorp announces the extension of the Energy Efficient “Green” Building Tax Deduction and the two-year extension of the R&D Tax Credit. Today, Congress approved an unprecedented $700 billion government bailout and sent it to President Bush who quickly signed it.

Energy Efficient Commercial Building Tax Deduction

Extended through December 31, 2013. Section 179D(a) is a deduction for commercial building owners whose buildings meet certain energy standards. The deduction is as much as $1.80 per square foot for buildings that achieve a 50 percent energy savings target. Before claiming the deduction, the owner must obtain written certification from a professional engineer not related to the company using approved software that the required energy savings will be achieved.

Research and Development Tax Credit

The R&D tax credit was extended for two years through December 31, 2009. If you are involved in developing new products/processes, improving existing products, creating more reliable products, developing prototypes, design tools/jigs/molds/dies, apply for patents, testing new concepts, investment in manufacturing process activity, developing new technology or employ outside consultants and/or contractors to do any of these activities, you may qualify for the R&D Tax Credit.

About SourceCorp Professional Services

Celebrating our 25th year in business, SourceCorp Professional Services is the leading provider of R&D Tax Credit Studies, Energy Efficient Commercial Building Tax Deductions, Cost Segregation Studies, and LIFO Accounting in the U.S. SourceCorp serves many of the nation’s most prominent CPA firms, Associations, and Fortune 1000 companies. For more information or for a FREE analysis to see what your benefit would be, please visit: www.SourceCorpTax.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 04:34 AM | Comments (0)

No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet Racecar Blazes into 2009 With “Firestorm” Design

Jeff Gordon to Debut Paint Scheme at Daytona 500.

Wilmington, DE (Vocus/PRWEB ) October 2, 2008 –- DuPont and Hendrick Motorsports today unveiled a new design and color scheme that will appear on the No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet race car, driven by Jeff Gordon, beginning in the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup racing series. The Daytona 500, scheduled for Feb. 15, 2009, will be the first official points race of the 2009 season.

The new design, called “Firestorm,” was conceived by well-known NASCAR artist Sam Bass, who created the car’s previous two designs, including the original “Rainbow Warrior” scheme that appeared on the car when the alliance between DuPont, Hendrick Motorsports and Jeff Gordon was launched in 1992.

In May, DuPont, Hendrick and Gordon announced a contract renewal for the current longest-running sponsor/driver/owner combination in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

“We're in the thick of the 2008 Chase for the Sprint Cup, but we're already looking forward to next year,” said DuPont Chief Marketing and Sales Officer David G. Bills. “We think this exciting new design is the perfect vehicle for carrying our brands and messages throughout the 2009 racing season.”

In addition to the DuPont “oval” logo, a long roster of DuPont brands and company messages appear with varying frequency on the No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet race car. The list includes DuPont™ Tyvek® Home Wrap, Pioneer® Hi-Bred Seed, DuPont Automotive Finishes, DuPont™ Corian® solid surfaces, DuPont™ Kevlar® high strength material and many others.

DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 04:31 AM | Comments (0)

Cooper Construction Offers Last Available Milton/401 Business Park Site

Custom design/build options up to 304,000 sq.ft. on prime 15-acre location

Toronto, ON (PRWEB) October 2, 2008 -- Cooper Construction is inviting pre-build interest in Building A, the last available site in the Milton/401 Business Park, just north of the 401 on Hwy 25.

"This is a prime location, with excellent access to Toronto Airport, the U.S. borders, and the Greater Toronto region" stated Bill Cooper, Jr, leasing manager for the project. "Depending on the end-user's unique requirements, we can design-build to suit. Corporate neighbors in the Business Park include 3M, Lowes, Sysco Cold Storage and Smurfit MBI."

Building A will occupy a 15-acre site capable of accepting up to 304,000 sq. ft. Building specifications include: 32 ft. clear height; 54 x 36 ft. bay size; 60-ft. staging bay;
63 truck-level doors; two drive-in doors; 78 trailer parking spaces; 7-inch reinforced concrete floors.

About Cooper Construction
Cooper Construction is a third-generation family-owned Canadian best-practices company in commercial real estate development and leasing, design-build construction, construction management, and property management.

For more information, please contact:
Bill Cooper, Jr.
905.829.0444, ext. 222
www.coopercon.com
Cooper Construction Ltd.,
2381 Bristol Circle, Suite C200,
Oakville, Ontario L6H 5S9

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 04:31 AM | Comments (0)

Over 50 Branson Properties up for Auction Live on Auction Network

Over 50 Branson, Missouri resort properties to be sold in an interactive auction, broadcast live on Auction Network.

Branson, MO (PRWEB) October 3, 2008 - Bailey's Auction Brokers is selling over 50 high-end real estate properties in beautiful Branson, Missouri in the "Grand Real Estate Auction" on Saturday, October 4, 2008 at the Branson Convention Center.

The auction features lakefront, waterfront and mountain-view properties including commercial real estate. The properties cover 7 counties and include acreage, lots, condos, single and multi-family homes and water-front businesses in The Landing.

And if you can't attend in person, Auction Network will broadcast the event live in real-time in high definition starting at 2 p.m. EDT, 1 p.m. CDT on auctionnetwork.com. General Manager, Fontana Fitzwilson, says, "Auction Network provides viewers a front row seat and the opportunity to bid real time just as if they were there in person." To participate they simply register free at auctionnetwork.com and can check out the photos, virtual tours and preview show prior to the auction.

"This is the best buying opportunity in Branson because these are the high-end, most desirable properties in the area. If you have been thinking about buying property in beautiful Branson, now is the time," said Jay Bailey, owner of Bailey's Auction Brokers.

Auction Network is the first 24/7, multimedia network solely dedicated to auctions. Auction Network celebrates the sport and competitive spirit of auctions with a fast-paced, interactive programming environment where buyers meet sellers.

Media contact:
DC Roberts
Auction Network
918-362-6794

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 04:31 AM | Comments (0)

Carpenter Oak & Woodland: Full Size Roman Siege Catapult for Sale on eBay

Leading timber-framing company Carpenter Oak & Woodland has placed for sale on eBay a full-size recreation of a Roman war machine.

BATH, England (Business Wire EON/PRWEB ) October 2, 2008 -- eBay may be the place that most people find their next computer, summer dress or favourite gadget, but wannabe siege barons can now find something of interest there too – a full-size Roman war machine, or ‘ballista’.

The ballista is a faithful recreation, built in 2002 for the BBC ‘Building the Impossible’. It was built by a team of experts and fired – to prove that the Roman’s written account of their siege methods (there are no surviving drawings) are accurate. The successful firing sent a stone ball 115 metres, but did damage the war machine in doing so.

Built by expert timber framers from Carpenter Oak & Woodland, the ballista has since lain, disassembled, in the company’s Scotland timber yard. It has now been decided that it should have a new home, so the company is selling it on eBay.

Although it requires some restoration – it can be restored as a demonstration piece rather than as a fireable weapon – Carpenter Oak & Woodland is also offering to restore, deliver and reassemble the completed war machine to any location in the UK.

Andy Parker, commercial director of Carpenter Oak & Woodland, wants it to go to a good home. “We have built three different war machines – and one of these, a trebuchet, resides now at Warwick Castle and is fired every day. It has attracted tens of thousands of tourists. So it would be ideal for many English castles or recreation venues. Of course, someone may want to use it to lay siege to a neighbour’s castle, though of course it isn’t a fireable weapon – even if it were, it would need around half a dozen skilled operators in order to do it, and all of those have been dead for 2000 years.”

The ballista is 7.5 meters tall, it is 8.5 meters long and weighs 12 tons. “Clearly, this isn’t something that we’re going to send by post or courier, and unless you have a big team of lifters and a massive articulated truck then you won’t get it very far. That’s why we are also offering restoration, delivery and assembly.”

The war machine has gone on sale on eBay and will be listed for 10 days. You can see a video of the ballista being built at: Web: http://www.carpenteroakandwoodland.com/ballista

About Carpenter Oak & Woodland

Carpenter Oak & Woodland has built more bespoke timber-frame buildings than any other company and has appeared on Channel 4’s Grand Designs 3 times. The company’s skills have also been vital when recreating timber war machines such as this ballista and the trebuchet at Warwick Castle.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 04:31 AM | Comments (0)

New York Construction Worker Dies from Injuries Received in Scaffold Accident, Boss Blames Worker

David Perecman, New York construction accident attorney, discusses the latest scaffold accident that occurred in Harlem, New York and reasons to not just blame employee.

New York, NY (PRWEB) October 2, 2008 -- David Perecman, New York construction accident attorney, is standing up for the New York construction worker, Miguel Rodriguez, who died from the recent scaffold accident that occurred in Harlem, New York. This is just the most recent of construction injuries and accidents that have taken place in New York at construction sites.

In a New York Times article, Malik Hussain, the owner of the paint company that employed Miguel Rodriguez, claimed the construction worker was at fault for trying to lower the scaffold alone. What the article fails to look at is the real issue at hand: Why was Miguel Rodriguez left alone on that scaffold. If there had been proper supervision by the contractor that scaffold accident might have been avoided. Why did he need to move the scaffold by himself?

Also, we will never know Miguel's side of the story. As for the co-worker, even if he has the best of intentions, he has a job that he wants to keep and blaming the boss is not going to help him on that score.

What we see here is a classic scenario when a construction accident in New York occurs and the worker dies. It's hard to get the whole story about what happened and why.

"I handled a case like this years ago. The worker was lowering the scaffold by himself and fell to his death. We couldn't even get a witness working on the site to confirm he was on the scaffold before he fell. We distributed and posted flyers all over the area until two of the good citizens of the City of New York came forward and testified that they saw him fall off the scaffold. But still we only got the whole story because his brother worked on the site too and we found out from him, although he did not see the fall, that the employer failed to provide an important safety device. We won that one," Perecman said.

Lets hope Miguel Rodriquez's family is just as lucky.

"New York construction injuries have been on the rise lately, several contractors are cutting corners and are not putting their workers safety first. I've won several scaffolding accidents cases where the employer was found guilty for not providing proper supervision and equipment to the workers," said David Perecman. "This type of construction accident is unfortunate; however, it does happen more frequently than thought due to the improper oversight and poor quality of the equipment being used."

Recently, there have been several accidents on construction sites, from window washers to cranes collapsing. Scaffolding accidents are nothing new and has become another issue on construction sites especially in New York. Injuries received are probably not the construction worker's fault if he didn't receive proper supervision and equipment to do his job.

About David Perecman and The Perecman Firm, PLLC:
For the past 25 years, New York construction accident attorney David H. Perecman, The Perecman Firm, PLLC has championed all types of cases for personal and construction injuries in New York State. David Perecman is the current Secretary of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association (NYSTLA) and a chair of its Labor Law (Construction Accident Law) Committee. Mr. Perecman's achievements, often in the construction accident field, have brought him recognition as an Honoree in the National Law Journal's 2008 Hall of Fame, in New York Magazine's 2007 publication of "The Best Lawyers in America" and has earned him the votes by his peers as among the top 5% of lawyers in the New York region as published in The New York Times Magazine "New York Super Lawyers, Metro Edition".

He has recovered millions of dollars for his clients over the course of his career. Among his more recent victories, Mr. Perecman won a $15 million verdict* for an injured NYC construction worker who fractured his arm and injured his knee. Mr. Perecman has spent much of his career advocating for injured victims' rights and addressing safety issues in the workplace including his recent statements regarding New York City crane construction accidents. The New York personal injury attorneys at The Perecman Firm have a depth of expertise in and breadth of knowledge well recognized in NYC, while their record and reputation speaks for itself.

*later settled while on appeal for $7.940 million.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 04:21 AM | Comments (0)

Spotlight on ATAL B.V., the Netherlands' Resource for Extech's Leading Meters and Testers

Extech Instruments, a subsidiary of FLIR Systems, Inc., has increased Dutch distribution of its broad line of test and measurement equipment through its relationship with ATAL B.V., a distribution partner based in Purmerend, in the North Holland province. With Extech and ATAL, electrical, environmental/indoor air quality, HVAC/R, and industrial building MRO (maintenance, repair, and operations) professionals in the Netherlands have choices when it comes to selecting high-quality test and measurement equipment with built-in infrared technology including digital multimeters (DMMs), clamp-on meters, tachometers, thermometers, and over 300 other precision instruments.

Purmerend, The Netherlands (PRWEB) October 2, 2008 -- Extech Instruments (http://www.extech.com), a subsidiary of FLIR Systems, Inc., has increased Dutch distribution of its broad line of test and measurement equipment through its relationship with ATAL B.V., (http://www.atal.nl) a distribution partner based in Purmerend, in the North Holland province. With Extech and ATAL, electrical, environmental/indoor air quality, HVAC/R, and industrial building MRO (maintenance, repair, and operations) professionals in the Netherlands have choices when it comes to selecting high-quality test and measurement equipment with built-in infrared technology including digital multimeters (DMMs), clamp-on meters, tachometers, thermometers, and over 300 other precision instruments.

Jerry Blakeley, general manager of Extech Instruments, commented, "Extech highly values our relationship with ATAL. They are truly Extech's ambassadors for our wide-ranging line of feature-rich precision instruments in the Dutch market. Through ATAL, customers in the Netherlands have come to discover the 'Extech advantage:' innovative and diverse product selection, committed customer support and a reputation for quality."

Customers are invited to learn more about the Extech catalog at ATAL by visiting www.atal.nl, calling +31 (0)299 630 610 or emailing info (at) atal (dot) nl.

Extech's extensive catalog covers sixteen product categories including airflow meters (anemometers); moisture and humidity meters (hygrometers and psychrometers); fiber optic, light and sound meters (including dosimeters); water quality meters; gas detectors; pressure meters; calibrators; thermocouple thermometers; voltmeters; and numerous other test and measurement devices. Well-known for its innovation-focused approach to product development, Extech has aggressively implemented built-in infrared technology across its product range. (Extech holds five patents incorporating infrared (IR) in measurement instruments.) Visit www.extech.com for a complete product listing.

About Extech Instruments, a FLIR Company
Headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, USA, Extech Instruments is one of the largest suppliers of test and measurement equipment worldwide. Founded in 1971, Extech is known for its depth and breadth of products and its innovation in providing instruments with unique combinations of features that make them highly useful and very convenient. All Extech meters are distributed worldwide through leading representatives, distributors and OEMs. The company is ISO 9001 2000 certified and is a wholly owned subsidiary of FLIR Systems, Inc. For more information about Extech Instruments, visit www.extech.com.

Contact
André Rebelo
Global PR Manager
Extech Instruments
781-434-3901
andre (dot) rebelo (at) extech (dot) com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 04:21 AM | Comments (0)

Australian Green Building Market Report 2008 Released

The Green Building Market Report 2008 is a watershed study on the adoption and ramifications of green building in Australia and the Asian region. It is the follow-on report of the inaugural Green Building Market Report published by BCI Australia and the Green Building Council of Australia in 2006 and includes a large-scale empirical market study conducted by the BCI Group of Companies between late 2007 and early 2008.

Melbourne, Australia (PRWEB) October 2, 2008 -- The building sector accounts for 33 percent of the world's carbon emissions and 30 to 40 percent of the global energy consumption. Green building can help reduce the sector's environmental footprint and as a result 85 percent of Australian architects, engineers, contractors and building owners have embraced the concept - a finding from the Green Building Market Report 2008.

The Green Building Market Report 2008 is a watershed study on the adoption and ramifications of green building in Australia and the Asian region. It is the follow-on report of the inaugural Green Building Market Report published by BCI Australia and the Green Building Council of Australia in 2006 and includes a large-scale empirical market study conducted by the BCI Group of Companies between late 2007 and early 2008.

Its purpose is to establish the current state of play of green building in Australia and to contrast the assessment made against the status quo of 2006, as well as the situation currently found in major Southeast Asian economies, Hong Kong and Mainland China.

The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) participated in this research and provided its own contributions on the progress of Green Star certifications in Australia.

The report was officially released at SB08 - The World Sustainable Building Conference in Melbourne on Monday, 22nd September 2008.

Green building is becoming a mainstream market phenomenon in Australia. Although energy costs have been increasing significantly since 2006, it is more the awareness of our carbon footprint that is driving the trend to green building. At the same time, the positive business impact of green building (rising value premium of green projects, increasing appreciation of operating cost savings) is more and more beyond question. Green building regulation - be it through the GBCA's Green Star ratings or a pending national standard for green products - is widely supported.

BCI Australia CEO, Dr Matthias Krups, said the results showed a higher level of involvement & commitment to green building: "Our research shows that Australia is well placed to take on a leadership role in sustainable design and green building in the region."

Other key findings of the survey include:

The fundamental motive for architects to be involved in green building is the desire to be 'part of an industry that values the environment' (84 percent, in comparison to 77 percent in 2006). Whilst for building owners the motivation to build green is to 'achieve lower lifecycle costs' (100 percent).

Strong growth is expected in government & commercial office green buildings.

'Reducing climate change and carbon emissions' and 'protecting the environment' are the most salient reasons for architects, engineers, contractors and building owners involvement in green building.
Energy cost is seen as the most important driver of green building (77 percent).

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 04:20 AM | Comments (0)

Enhance Home Décor and Value with New Blinds, Shutters, and More by Window Dressing Experts Thomas Sanderson

To help homeowners spruce up their residences, discounted blinds, shutters, awnings, and more are now being offered by window dressing experts Thomas Sanderson. The UK-based company is offering up to 50 percent off its entire collection.

London, UK (PRWEB) October 1, 2008 -- Window blinds and shutters are now up to half off during window dressing authorities Thomas Sanderson's latest major sale.

According to a recent survey, the current economic trend has forced 62 percent of UK homeowners to make improvements to their homes rather than re-enter the housing market. Fortunately, Thomas Sanderson offer a myriad of window dressing options able to transform any conservatory or living room into a stylish and affordable space.

The unrivaled range of custom-made conservatory and window blinds from Thomas Sanderson instantly adds style and character to a living space. A variety of designs and colours fit any room and taste and make Thomas Sanderson the definitive supplier of conservatory and window blinds.

Whether it's wooden shutters for the bathroom, the kitchen, or the office, Thomas Sanderson's beautifully handcrafted and individually designed window shutters add a touch of style to any room in the house. Made from the finest materials, Thomas Sanderson window shutters come in an extensive collection of styles, colours and trims, plus a 5-year guarantee across the range.

In addition to shutters and conservatory and window blinds, Thomas Sanderson are also offering up to half off their patio awnings, which immediately add value to a home by converting outdoor areas into practical outdoor space.

Not simply a window dressing vendor, Thomas Sanderson pride themselves in providing complete service from a design consultation to installation to service and care. The free design consultation allows customers to browse through the all of the Thomas Sanderson collections in their entirety with the assistance of a professional and experienced designer.

About Thomas Sanderson )
Over the last 17 years, Thomas Sanderson have grown from a family run business to an international company offering products and services throughout the UK and Ireland. They are Europe's largest manufacturer and supplier of conservatory blinds, window blinds, shutters and patio awnings.

Thomas Sanderson have remained true to their roots, offering a local service and continuing to make their relationship with each and every customer their main priority. They take pride in ensuring their standards of service match the high standards of their products.

To learn more about Thomas Sanderson's discount of up to 50 percent on conservatory blinds, patio awnings, window shutters and window blinds, visit thomas-sanderson.co.uk.

Media contact:
Nick Tyler
tylern @ thomas-sanderson.co.uk

* 02392238230

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 04:20 AM | Comments (0)

Cutting-Edge Marketing System for Insurance Vendors

Insurance Claim Contractor Group had launched a redesign of its online directory of insurance claim service providers. InsuranceClaimContractor.Com is designed to increase visibility within the online market for insurance vendors who specialize in insurance claims services. Their goal is to connect the insurance claims vendors with the insured, the agents and the adjusters seeking their products and services using simple navigation features and offering "one-stop" shopping for vendors marketing campaigns.

Plantsville, CT (PRWEB) October 1, 2008 -- Online marketing directory for insurance claim service providers, offers cutting-edge solutions to increase visibility and drive unlimited targeted traffic directly to insurance claim vendors at http://www.insuranceclaimcontractor.com.

InsuranceClaimContractor.Com is the leader in providing a nationwide, centralized system of experienced insurance claim vendors. The company is founded and supported by contractors, adjusters and marketing experts working within the insurance claim field. The use of the internet continues to be recognized as a primary source of searching for services and provides tremendous opportunity for growing a business, therefore Insurance Claim Contractor Group is committed to assisting vendors develop a solid online presence in their local area and profit from the claims industry's most innovative resources.

InsuranceClaimContractor.Com is becoming the preferred stop for the insured. With insurance industry losses in the tens of billions each year, coupled with the delays in claim settlements and higher claims costs, our experienced vendor resources are a welcome benefit for the customers filing property, casualty and auto claims.

InsuranceClaimContractor.Com offers everything insurance claim providers need to advertise their services. From directory listing packages, banner and video advertising to website design, re-design and hosting, insurance claim vendors will enhance their online presence for a fraction of the cost of traditional advertising. ICC maintains a full source search engine optimization department whose primary focus is to maintain the sites' presence in the forefront with all major and local search engines, as well as marketing the site through insurance agents, adjusters and various claim providers on a local level.

With decades of experience marketing online, InsuranceClaimContractor.Com strives to stay ahead of industry trends, while eliminating the guess work for vendors seeking new ways to market their services. InsuranceClaimContractor.Com stands out by concentrating on the insurance claim niche. Their blueprint for success encompasses a reputation of honesty and integrity, as their sales team and customer service department work closely with its vendors to ensure that their advertising campaign is effective and reinforces future customer retention.

InsuranceClaimContractor.Com's business plan projects rapid growth in its first year and continuing into future years of operation. They understand where the insurance industry is moving, therefore implementing new and innovative marketing strategies will ensure that its customers' business remains a profitable venture.

For additional information on the news that is subject of this release, visit Insurance Claim Contractor or contact a representative at 877-ICC-8811.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 04:19 AM | Comments (0)

HDA Introduces The Builder of the Year Award

HDA, Inc., a St. Louis-based distributing, publishing and merchandising company, is giving the builders who are members of their Builder's Advantage Program a chance to share their successes with their first annual Builder of The Year award.

St. Louis, MO (PRWEB) October 1, 2008 -- HDA, Inc., a St. Louis-based distributing, publishing and merchandising company, is giving the builders who are members of their Builder's Advantage Program a chance to share their successes with their first annual Builder of The Year award. With economic pressures continuing to challenge the building industry, many builders are taking steps to cut costs and build smarter in many ways. HDA would like to take the opportunity to reward one of the builders who has bought at least two sets of blueprints this year from them. When one of these builders shares some of their successes with HDA, they are entered into a contest to win a free trip to attend the International Builders' Show in Las Vegas, Nevada from January 20th-23rd, 2009.

HDA would like to hear from the builders in the Builder's Advantage Program and how they were able to remain successful during this housing downturn. By simply sharing their story and explaining their personal experience as a builder, the builders who are currently a part of their Builder's Advantage Program can provide insight to other builders while getting the chance to win this award and attend the International Builders' Show along with free airfare for two, a Builder of the Year plaque and an invitation to attend HDA's cocktail party at the Las Vegas Hilton.

Builder's Advantage, a free program, was created as a response to HDA's consumers frequently asking the question, "Do you know a builder in my area?" The idea was to create a network of builders to list on HDA's Web site, categorized by state, so consumers buying house plans could easily find builders in their area. In addition, this allows free publicity for builders looking for consumers who are ready to build a new home.

Adding to the publicity gathered from the Locate-A-Builder network, HDA provides exclusive benefits to participating builders including free ground shipping, 10% off home plan orders, discounted material lists and HDA Estimating software, free home plan publications, an emailed quarterly newsletter, and a toll-free builder line for fast and easy customer service access.

"With all of these amazing benefits, builders are curious as to what the catch is," says Jenn Ernst, Marketing Supervisor for HDA. "At first they don't understand why we would give them all of these things without getting a payment in return, but our goal is to gain customer loyalty so these builders continually look to HDA to purchase their home plans."

It is easy to become a member of the Builder's Advantage program. Visit HDA's home plan website, www.houseplansandmore.com and join online or call 1-800-373-2646 and speak with a customer service representative. To be eligible for the free trip to Las Vegas, you must be a Builder's Advantage member with at least two home plan purchases from HDA this year. Any home plan purchase before the contest deadline is included. All entries are due by December 1 th, 2008 and the winner will be chosen December 8th, 2008. Go to HDA's home page for more information.

As a home plan publisher, HDA offers a staggering collection of more than 17,000 blueprint designs ranging from luxury home plans, Beach Cottages, ranch house plans and everything in-between. All designs are available for purchase on their Web site. They also publish approximately 30 home plan titles distributed to home improvement stores nationwide. Additionally, HDA distributes books and magazines to specialty retail customers including Michaels Crafts, Macy's, Dollar General and Bed, Bath and Beyond. As a Merchandiser, HDA supplies industry-leading service to all of their stores. For more information on HDA, Inc., please visit www.hdainc.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 04:18 AM | Comments (0)

Pilot Asset Management, L.L.C. Advises Foreclosing Land Lenders

New company created to manage foreclosed business assets and to consult on investment opportunities for real estate businesses.

Phoenix (PRWEB) October 1, 2008 -- Valley real estate entrepreneurs Peter Gooding and John Fortini have formed Pilot Asset Management, L.L.C. (Pilot) to help commercial lenders maximize the value of foreclosed land developments.

Fortini, president and owner of Silver Fern Management, LLC, has over the past 10 years managed the construction of some of metro Phoenix, Arizona's largest residential land developments for public and private developers. Gooding, through his True West Companies, has planned and developed a dozen residential developments in Arizona over the past 15 years.

Lenders managing foreclosed properties often don't have available in-house expertise to assess the complex agreements and issues that are typically part of residential land developments. And in today's challenging business environment, bank OREO departments can't justify the expense of hiring such expertise full time. Pilot meets this need by providing commercial lenders residential land development expertise, helping them realize more of the value of their land holdings.

According to Fortini, "With our extensive development background, Pilot quickly provides clients accurate base data, clear explanations of issues, and strategies tailored to minimize holding costs." Gooding added: "Foreclosed land developments are often complicated with real and perceived risks which depress an asset's market value. Pilot clarifies and often resolves these risks, enabling owners and brokers to sell foreclosed assets at higher prices and in shorter time frames."

Since its formation in April of this year, Pilot has worked on nine foreclosed residential projects in five states on behalf of national and regional banks.

For more information about Pilot Asset Management, L.L.C. contact Peter Gooding at 480.315.8085 or visit http://www.pilotasset.com/.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 04:18 AM | Comments (0)

2008-2009 NAWIC National President is Installed

Pat McDonald, CCA, CIT takes the helm to guide NAWIC on its mission as its 54th National President.

Fort Worth, TX (PRWEB) October 1, 2008 -- The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) installed Pat McDonald CCA, CIT, as its 54th national president during NAWIC's Annual Meeting and Convention in Las Vegas, Nev. September 3-6. McDonald founded and owns STI Trucking based in Metropolitan San Jose, CA.

McDonald is a native Californian. She has spent the last 15 years dedicated to growing STI Trucking, based in San Jose. Being one to lead by example, she has done all functions of her business from changing oil and greasing to estimating, dispatching and every imaginable office functions. In the last five years, she has engaged in co-opetition with other trucking firms in the area to help improve teamwork, efficiency and morale among her employees. In addition to NAWIC, her interests include square dancing and taking trips on her "speeder" with canine companion Rails.

McDonald joined the Santa Clara, Cal. Chapter of NAWIC in 1992. There, she served as chapter president and membership chair. She later served as a national director for Region 10, which encompasses northern California and Nevada. McDonald has also participated on the National Executive Committee in the capacities of Treasurer, 2005-2006; Vice President, 2006-2007; and President-Elect, 2007-2008.

McDonald realizes the importance of leadership and seeks to enhance the success of women in the construction industry by infusing the "Power of Women and NAWIC" into the lives of all women in or considering the construction industry.

NAWIC is an international Association serving approximately 5,500 members in close to 160 chapters across the United States. It was founded in 1953 to enhance the success of women in the construction industry as "Women in Construction of Fort Worth, Texas." In 1955, the charter was expanded to allow chapters to form across the country, and the National Association of Women in Construction was born. NAWIC's Core Purpose is "To enhance the success of women in the construction industry." Visit NAWIC's Web site for more information.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 04:17 AM | Comments (0)

Wrap Up Experts:Contractor Survival Guide Helps Construction Companies and Their Insurance Agents Navigate Wrap-up Bids and Projects

LAKELAND, Fla. (Business Wire EON/PRWEB ) October 1, 2008 -- After a decade of helping contractors wrestle with wrap-up insurance programs, Duke Mills, president of WorkComp Solutions, a workers’ compensation insurance agency based in Central Florida, has published the “Contractor Survival Guide for Wrap-Ups.”

In controlled insurance programs (CIP) or wrap-up insurance programs, the sponsor purchases insurance policies to cover the construction project and asks contractors to back out the costs of general liability, excess/umbrella and workers’ compensation insurance on their bids. Insurance agents and wrap-up administrators who market these programs say they offer higher liability limits and reduce cross-contractor litigation, positioning them as an “insurance utopia” for contractors.

Mills and most contractors disagree. The International Risk Management Institute (IRMI) surveyed 600 subcontractors to assess their satisfaction with CIPs and found that only 20 percent like them, 50 percent tolerate them and a good 30 percent hate CIPs.

“Frankly, wrap-ups create a financial Armageddon for many contractors,” Mills said.

Confusing documentation, shoddy administration, and unexpected coverage gaps are just a few of the problems. Surprisingly, participating in wrap-ups can result in higher workers’ compensation premiums on the contractor’s non-wrap insurance policies. As an example, Mills points to a steel erector with a payroll of $3.5 million that generated a workers’ compensation premium of $1 million. “This company was in a retrospective rating program, which meant they only paid 30 percent of the premium, or $300,000, plus any claims that occurred during the policy period. If there were no claims, they only paid $300,000,” he said.

Then, the company participated in a wrap-up project, moving $200,000 of payroll from its traditional workers’ compensation policy into the wrap-up. This reduced its payroll to $3.3 million, and the company’s comp premiums went down to $990,000. “That sounds okay, but what the contractor didn’t know was that with its carrier, premiums under $1 million are subject to an adjustment in the minimum percentage,” Mills continued. “Rather than paying 30 percent, they now had to pay 38 percent, which brought their premium up from $300,000 to $376,200 -- an additional $76,200.”

Construction companies involved in wrap-ups also face higher administrative costs. They often have to deduct insurance costs using an inequitable worksheet. They are required to maintain duplicate payroll records and are subjected to fines, penalties and deductibles. Additionally, contractors have to undergo audits for each wrap-up project in addition to normal audits of their traditional insurance programs. Other unexpected consequences:

* Delayed and inaccurate audits affecting final payment and incorrect experience modifiers;
* Implementation of additional safety programs that can exceed OSHA guidelines;
* High deductibles – some as high as $50,000 per claim.

Despite the downside for contractors, there is a growing trend toward wrap-ups on large ($100 million-plus) construction projects. It is estimated that Florida alone has more than 40 wrap-up projects under construction, including Florida Marlins Stadium in Miami and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios in Orlando.

“With little to no help from their insurance agents, contractors and subcontractors are at the mercy of wrap-up administrators and are routinely held hostage by confusing wrap-up documents, additional paperwork and unexpected expenses,” said Mills.

These and other pitfalls are covered in Mills’ 37-page “Contractor Survival Guide for Wrap-Ups.” The easy-to-read guide cites real company experiences, offers concise definitions and explanations, valuable forms and flow charts, and “killer tips” to help contractors protect their profits from bid errors and audit overpayments. The colorful, useful manual selling for $995, including telephonic support and monthly killer tips, can be purchased via www.wrapupexperts.com or by calling 863-646-4642.

While end-users are contractors, insurance agents can use the guide to help clients maneuver the intricacies of wrap-ups. Mills’ company has also launched a Wrap-Up Experts consulting division to help insurance agents use the guide to educate their clients on the financial consequences of these insurance programs.

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

Contex Releases Nextimage 1.5 Software with TWAIN, Scan-to-Email and DWF Format

Contex and VIDAR brand of Contex - the world's leading wide format scanner manufacturer - today announced the global availability of a new upgrade to Nextimage multi-function scanning and copying software.

Derwood, Maryland (PRWEB) October 1, 2008 -- Contex and VIDAR brand of Contex - the world's leading wide format scanner manufacturer - today announced the global availability of a new upgrade to Nextimage multi-function scanning and copying software. This upgrade, available in 10 languages, includes innovations that extend the value and capabilities of installed first release Nextimage. Earlier this year, Contex released a completely new user experience with Nextimage. Now, with many new and enhanced features including a built-in TWAIN driver, Scan-to-Email, DWF file format support and automatic palette creation in 8-bit color mode, Nextimage advances its position as the most powerful scanning and copying software in the industry today. Nextimage version 1.5 is a free upgrade to existing Nextimage users. WIDEimage users, Contex's previous generation of scanning software, can now save 40% if they upgrade to Nextimage SCAN before Dec 31, 2008.

"Offering software upgrades is another part of our overall plan to achieve the highest levels of customer satisfaction and help our customers get more value out of their existing solutions", says Niels Appel, Executive VP, Sales and Marketing for Contex operations. "What drives software development at Contex is making feature-rich and comprehensive software that is easy-to-learn and easy-to-use for both occasional and advanced users. Nextimage makes you more productive, straight out of the box."

Along with Contex's professional scanners, Nextimage has been awarded BERTL's Four and a Half Star "Outstanding" rating - higher than any other wide format product reviewed by BERTL. Contex's Nextimage scanning software is .."the best scanning software we have seen. Simple, logical, and easy to use, yet it offers all the powerful features that you need in the scanning or viewing process… a professional scanning tool."

Connectivity, Productivity and Image Enhancement in One Package!

Combined with Contex and VIDAR's SD Series and HD Series scanners, Nextimage software seamlessly integrates into your office workflow whether you are working in technical, GIS, copy and reprographics or other wide format segments -- it has never been so easy to get professional results - even for new users.

* The new TWAIN driver lets you import images directly into your existing photo/imaging and/or EDM software, with all the image enhancing features of the Nextimage application.

* Scan-to-email is a new feature that enables scanning directly into your email application. One click attaches your scanned file to an email, ready to send to anyone, anywhere.

* By scanning to DWF file format, you can mark up and share hard-copy drawings with customers and colleagues using Autodesk applications.

* Improved 8-bit color scanning, with an auto-palette option that lets you automatically generate a palette from the existing 24-bit scan. Remove or highlight color information easily by merging, re-mapping, or deleting palette colors.

* Preview during scan, which gives you a rolling 1:1 view of your file as you scan so you don't have to wait to find out if you need to adjust resolution, sharpness, or color settings.

* One-click file validation, great for when you need to review files before a final save or if you want to save multiple versions of a single scan in different sizes or with different bit depth levels. After you scan, just click one button to check image quality, make adjustments, and save.

* Supported languages: Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Russian

* Visit www.contex.com and download a free 30-day trial version of Nextimage SCAN+COPY

About Contex:

Contex is the world's largest producer of large format imaging solutions, leading the market with constant innovation and technology development. Focused on providing the best image quality possible, Contex is the preferred supplier of scanning technology to the large format market. Contex's scanning solutions are supported by advanced scan and copy software applications - giving customers a full range of solutions for image capturing. Sold in over 80 countries worldwide, Contex products are praised for their reliability, value and performance. For more information, please visit www.contex.com.

About VIDAR:

VIDAR is the world leading manufacturer with the largest installed population of wide-format color and monochrome scanners as well as expert developers of advanced scanning and copying software. Through its worldwide distribution, VIDAR provides scanning and copying solutions to companies and public agencies in architecture, engineering, construction, manufacturing, reprographics, graphics art, CAD, GIS and more.

Information about VIDAR, its products and image capture and enhancement solutions can be found on the World Wide Web at www.vidar.com

CONTACT: Diane Mitol, Director of Marketing N&S America
EMAIL: dmitol @ contex.com

Contex Americas Inc.
15737 Crabbs Branch Way
Derwood, MD 20855 USA
Toll Free: +1 (888) 524 3325
Fax: +1 (240) 268 1118
www.contex.com

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

Gingrich, Zelman To Speak On Housing Outlook; Curtis, Keim Lumber To Be Honored At NLBMDA and Home Channel News ProDealer Industry Summit

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, and renowned housing analyst Ivy Zelman, will be among the all-star roster of speakers at the 2008 ProDealer Industry Summit Oct. 1-3, hosted by the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA) and Home Channel News (HCN), at the Westfields Marriott in Chantilly, Va. Now the only top-to-top educational and networking LBM conference, the summit features educational sessions focused on critical issues including the economic outlook for the housing industry, preparing for the next phase of the green revolution, boosting supply chain efficiency and improving credit operations. Home Channel News is also proud to honor Curtis Lumber as ProDealer of the Year and Keim Lumber as Independent ProDealer of the Year at the 2008 ProDealer of the Year Awards Dinner hosted during the summit on the evening of Oct. 2.

Chantilly, Va. (PRWEB) October 1, 2008 -- Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, and renowned housing analyst Ivy Zelman, will be among the all-star roster of speakers at the 2008 ProDealer Industry Summit Oct. 1-3, hosted by the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA) and Home Channel News (HCN), at the Westfields Marriott in Chantilly, Va.

The 2008 ProDealer Industry Summit marks an exciting milestone for the LBM industry as the NLBMDA Industry Summit and HCN ProDealer Conference merge. Now the only top-to-top educational and networking LBM conference, the summit features educational sessions focused on critical issues including the economic outlook for the housing industry, preparing for the next phase of the green revolution, boosting supply chain efficiency and improving credit operations.

Home Channel News is proud to honor Curtis Lumber as ProDealer of the Year and Keim Lumber as Independent ProDealer of the Year at the 2008 ProDealer of the Year Awards Dinner hosted during the summit on the evening of Oct. 2. Now in their 12th year, the ProDealer of the Year Awards commend excellence in the LBM industry.

"Ballston Spa, N.Y.-based Curtis Lumber deserves recognition as a major ProDealer that has shown the ability to grow," said Ken Clark, editor in chief of Home Channel News. "The company recorded an 11 percent sales increase on the HCN Top 500 Industry Scoreboard and is looking to capture long-term benefits through its acquisition of Gregory Supply."

Holmes County Ohio-based Keim Lumber has been in the building materials industry for nearly 100 years. With double-digit growth in 2007, Keim brought in sales of $51 million - ranking them No. 170 on the HCN Pro Dealer Top 350.

"Keim lumber thanks Home Channel News for the 2008 Independent ProDealer of the Year Award," said fourth generation Keim Lumber Vice President Robbie Keim. "Keim Lumber is grateful for God's guidance through the years and for the dedicated and talented staff (God) has given us. Keim Lumber looks forward to continued growth in the professional building industry."

Home Channel News is the leading news and analysis magazine for the home improvement/LBM industry serving the marketplace since 1975. The newsmagazine focuses on pro dealers, retailers, wholesalers, distributors, manufacturers and buying co-ops selling lumber, building materials, hardware and home improvement products. Home Channel News is published by Lebhar-Friedman, Inc. http://www.homechannelnews.com

The National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association represents more than 8,000 lumber and building material companies with over 400,000 employees, 20 state and regional associations, and the industry's leading manufacturers and service providers. NLBMDA's member companies are the suppliers of builders in every state across the U.S. http://www.dealer.org

For information on the 2008 ProDealer of the Year Awards Dinner or the ProDealer Industry Summit please visit www.ProDealer.com or contact Hilary Cohen, Event Manager, at hcohen@lf.com, Tel: (212) 756-5036.

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

Patented Drive System Gives Topsoil Screening Company Advantage Over Competition

EZ Screen Topsoil Screeners save money for contractors due to advanced kinetic drive system that requires less fuel for operation.

Pontiac, MI (PRWEB) October 1, 2008 -- EZ Screen, a division of Argus Industrial, has made waves in the construction industry recently with their line of portable screening plants that use kinetic technology to reduce fuel consumption. The patented kinetic drive system requires significantly less fuel to screen the same amount of soil and dirt onsite, saving contractors additional money on top of what they save by screening onsite instead of replacing topsoil.

"With the cost of fuel increasing significantly in the past 12-18 months, contractors have really been feeling the pinch," said Al Skoropa, President of EZ Screen. "It's just not cost efficient to haul everything away and then pay to haul entirely new topsoil in. The cost of the time, fuel and labor for all of that is just astronomical today. The cost of all that unnecessary hauling off-site and you're looking at a significant expenditure."

"On the other hand, EZ Screen topsoil screens let contractors screen topsoil onsite, remove the unusable debris and save a significant amount of money by hauling away only what can't be used," explains Skoropa. "It cuts down on time, labor and leaves them with topsoil they can use."

Skoropa went on to explain what makes EZ Screen's line of topsoil screening machines unique, "Of course, contractors can use a portable topsoil screening plant by someone else, but the horsepower that other systems need to properly screen out debris can require an awful lot of fuel. When you're paying as much for fuel as everyone is these days, the expense can add up quickly. Our kinetic drive system is different; it harnesses the kinetic energy produced by the screening action and turns it back into power to keep the system running and supplies power to the hydraulic pump. Less horsepower, and therefore less fuel, is needed for the job. By using one of our Kinetic Drive topsoil screeners, a contractor is making an investment in saving money on every job."

For more information about Argus Industrial Company and their EZ Screen line of topsoil screeners, please visit http://www.ez-screen.com or call 248-745-5828.

About EZ-Screen
EZ Screen, based in Pontiac, Michigan, manufactures and sells a complete line of portable dirt screening plants for contractors of all sizes. They manufacture topsoil screen machines for projects from shovel by shovel to industrial construction site size. For more information on their products, visit www.ez-screen.com.

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

Kalosoft Technologies Launches Galaxyretail.com

The new e-commerce business portal for the small and medium size business who wants to sell their products in India, and for those who like to shop and sell online.

Dehradun, Uttarakhand (PRWEB) October 1, 2008 -- Galaxyretail.com is an online marketplace where the companies or individuals who are interested in doing business with India, can get themselves registered to cater to the Indian buyers and get the trading leads, contacts in the Indian business economy.

The site is designed with the concept of creating a business place where all small and big organisations can participate in promoting their business to India, keeping their Individuality as well, here the organisations can express them and decide how they like to promote their business on the web to the Indian economy. The company also offers procurement handling, business consultancy along with the dynamic individual website for their clients, on which they can put their bids, offers, services, projects, online stores, careers, the company Galaxyretail.com have tried to put maximum of the needs, which a company is looking for to do business in India, the website is equally designed for the individuals as well, who wants to sell their new or used items, or for the individuals who are looking for the Indian products and their ethnic culture.

"I really feel galaxyretail.com is a good market place for the company who wants to start their operations in India," tells client Jeff Neonate.

The company is dedicated towards giving the best value to their clients and trying to understand what best essential can be done to make it a good marketplace for all the business men across the globe.

"The company has also started with a new website http://www.mytenderworld.com for the top business men, where you can buy the tenders and contracts. It's for the business houses that are looking to bid for the Indian projects," says managing director Gopal Mathur.

Mytenderworld.com upload tenders form 300 newspapers published every day in India, covering all the states and business categories. The company is trying to develop a network where the business can grow itself, and easier for the foreign clients do get the share in world's fastest growing economy.

Kalosoft Technologies Pvt Ltd.
The company is based in Dehradun Uttarakhand India, having the team of experienced engineers, involved in the development of customised software solutions for medium and small scale business.

For more information
Contact
Ankit Mathur
Director Sales and Marketing
267, Panditwari,
Dehradun
India.
+91-9884870933
http://www.galaxyretail.com
E mail: support@galaxyretail.com

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

Landscape Show 2008 Showcases Thomas Skid Steer Loaders

Thomas Equipment has a Thomas Skid Steer Loader to fit every landscape and nursery industry need, says Petter M. Etholm, President & CEO.

Orlando, FL (PRWEB) October 1, 2008 -- Thomas Skid Steer Loaders were showcased at The Landscape Show 2008, a major international gathering hosted by the Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association (FNGLA), held in Orlando.

Petter M. Etholm, President of Thomas Equipment Inc., said, "Thomas has been committed to the nursery and landscape business and today we have a skid steer loader to fit every need in the growing industry."

Gilbert Bedard, Vice President of Global Sales, said, "Thomas Equipment values business with landscapers and nurseries and is dedicated to providing Thomas Skid Steer Loaders to the $15 billion Florida nursery grower, landscape and garden center retail business, as well as throughout North America and markets worldwide."

Frank Auer, Regional Business Manager for Southeastern USA, South America and Central America, said, "From the Thomas 85 that fits through a doorway carrying 850 pounds, to the Thomas 250 that carries 2,500 pounds with ease, no job is too tough for dependable Thomas Skid Steer Loaders."

Thomas Skid Steer Loaders and attachments were on display at Booth 955 at The Landscape Show.

Thomas Equipment, online at www.thomasloaders.com, is a unit of Osiris Corporation (OSRS), www.osiriscorp.net, which provides a variety of branded and other products to industrial markets through subsidiaries including: Thomas Equipment 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.

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 04:13 AM | Comments (0)

ETAP Wins 2008 Gold Product of the Year Award

Consulting-Specifying Engineer magazine awards top honor to ETAP in the category of Software Design, Model and Analysis.

Irvine, CA (PRWEB) October 1, 2008 -- ETAP Energy Management System has been awarded the highest honor in Consulting-Specifying Engineer magazine's 2008 Product of the Year annual competition. ETAP won the Gold award in the category of Software Design, Model and Analysis and will be recognized in the October 2008 issue.

The Consulting-Specifying Engineer Product of The Year awards were established to provide a compilation of the best new products in the major engineering system disciplines. Winners are chosen in a two-step process. First, by an independent panel of engineering judges that score all entrants as finalist. Subscribers then score each product finalist, with the top winner taking the Gold honor.

"The Product of the Year competition highlights new or refined products that engineers have found valuable during the products' first year in the market," said Michael Ivanovich, Editor-in-Chief of Consulting-Specifying Engineer magazine.

"Competition was fierce this year; the judges had a hard time narrowing the finalists down to three for each category," said Jim Langhenry, Publisher of Consulting-Specifying Engineer magazine. "We take this as a sign that manufacturers are investing more in new-product R&D."

"We are proud to have ETAP selected the best software in design, modeling, and analysis of power systems by Consulting-Specifying Engineer judges and readers," said Dr. Farrokh Shokooh, President and CEO of OTI. "This honor confirms that ETAP is filling an important product need for real-time systems with a comprehensive modeling environment, system optimization and automation, and state-of-the-art energy management applications."

About Operation Technology, Inc.:
Operation Technology, Inc. (OTI) is the designer and developer of ETAP, the most comprehensive analysis platform for electrical power systems worldwide. With more than 50,000 licenses in over 100 countries, ETAP is used in all stages of the power process, from power generation, to transmission and distribution, to utilization. ETAP is used at 88% of nuclear generation plants in the U.S. and is the only high-impact electrical engineering software to comply with widely accepted and firmly established quality standards and regulations. For more information, visit etap.com.

About Consulting-Specifying Engineer Magazine:
Consulting-Specifying Engineer (csemag.com) is a monthly magazine serving more than 46,000 mechanical and electrical engineers. It covers mechanical, electrical, and fire/life-safety engineering for commercial, industrial, government, healthcare, and high-tech buildings. Consulting-Specifying Engineer is published by Reed Business Information, part of Reed Elsevier (NYSE: RUK and ENL) - a world-leading publisher and information provider operating in the science and medical, legal and business-to-business industry sectors.

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