Industrial News

March 26, 2009

Toll Brothers Builds PR Success with Vocus On-Demand Public Relations Management Software

Vocus' Complete PR System Allows Toll Brothers to Monitor its News, Identify Targets and Track Activities in One Centralized Place

Lanham, MD (Vocus/PRWEB ) March 25, 2009 -- Vocus, Inc., (NASDAQ: VOCS) a leading provider of on-demand software for public relations management, today announced that Toll Brothers, Inc, the nation's leading builder of luxury homes, has selected Vocus' PR software to manage its public relations activities. With Vocus, Toll Brothers is able to distribute and monitor its news, research media contact information and coordinate its entire PR strategy, all in one centralized solution.

"Before using the Vocus system, we were using multiple PR programs that were not able to be linked with each other," said Kira McCarron, Chief Marketing Officer of Toll Brothers. "With Vocus, we have one central online program for tracking news, media interaction and press releases rather than having multiple vendors. It has allowed us to access everything from our daily news monitoring, to our daily PR tasks and media interaction and see the impact of each on our overall strategy."

McCarron continued, "It is a great way to track the distribution of our press releases. Once a press release is created and sent through Vocus, we can track which of our contacts read the email, clicked on our links within the message and then later see if it is printed by an outlet."

A Fortune 500 company, Toll Brothers, Inc. is the nation's leading builder of luxury homes. Toll Brothers takes pride in creating homes that are as beautiful to look at as they are comfortable to live in.

"Now, through Vocus, we are more aware of the stories printed about Toll Brothers and can track them more effectively. Vocus saves us time looking for news. Whether obtained through an RSS feed or directly through the Vocus system, our news is available to us in one consolidated view for easy reference," said McCarron.

McCarron concluded, "Our PR results have greatly increased and our program is much more efficient since we began using Vocus. We are able to track, report, and gather information and news from the system as well as send releases that come full circle and later populate as news to give us a clearer understanding of our PR efforts."

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

About Vocus, Inc.
Vocus, Inc. (NASDAQ: VOCS) is a leading provider of on-demand software for public relations management. Our web-based software suite helps organizations of all sizes to fundamentally change the way they communicate with both the media and the public, optimizing their public relations and increasing their ability to measure its impact. Our on-demand software addresses the critical functions of public relations including media relations, news distribution and news monitoring. We deliver our solutions over the Internet using a secure, scalable application and system architecture, which allows our customers to eliminate expensive up-front hardware and software costs and to quickly deploy and adopt our on-demand software. Vocus is used by more than 3,300 organizations worldwide and is available in seven languages. Vocus is based in Lanham, MD with offices in North America, Europe, and Asia. For more information please visit www.vocus.com or call 800.345.5572.

This release contains "forward-looking" statements that are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, or that include words such as "may," "will," "expects," "projects," "anticipates," "estimates," "believes," "intends," "plans," "should," "seeks," and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual future results to differ materially from those projected or contemplated in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may be significantly impacted by certain risks and uncertainties described in Vocus' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:54 AM | Comments (0)

No Bailout Money Needed Here, The Economy's Booming

The economy is not crumbling in Cresson, Texas. Economic and business growth continues at an accelerated pace. Devon Energy (NYSE: DVN) breaks ground on their new 57,000 square foot regional office building.

Cresson, TX (PRWEB) March 25, 2009 -- The economy is not crumbling in Cresson, Texas, where Cresson Crossroads, a 744 acre master-planned mixed use development located in the heart of the Barnett Shale, is pleased to announce the ground breaking of Devon Energy's (NYSE: DVN) new 57,000 square foot regional office building.

"There are numerous business and encouraging economic events happening in the area. Some of the items I've sworn to keep secret. I'd like to share with you everything that's going on, but I can't divulge some of the exciting things at this exact moment," states Bob Cornett, the Mayor of Cresson, Texas.

"In spite of poor economic conditions elsewhere, the economy is still very strong in Cresson because of the natural gas industry and the proximity to the Dallas/Fort Worth marketplace," says Ward Miller, a local commercial real estate broker.

"Cresson Crossroads continues to be a hot area for industrial use, but it's getting even hotter with the opening of the new multi-family and retail areas to serve the additional employees and businesses that are moving to the development. There is also a hotel under construction that is already 30% reserved and it hasn't even opened yet, plus Champion Technologies new building is just about finished," says Miller.

Cresson Crossroads is conveniently located at the crossroads of Highway 377 and Highway 171 just 20 minutes southwest of Fort Worth, 10 minutes from Granbury, and only 15 minutes from both Cleburne and Weatherford. Because of the close proximity, downtown Fort Worth can be seen from Cresson Crossroads on a clear day.

Prior to the development of Cresson Crossroads, the City of Cresson, which has no city property taxes, had been landlocked by large ranches. As a result, the city was unable to grow even though many companies were wishing to locate to Cresson because of its unique location to four nearby cities, as well as being strategically located in the Barnett Shale, one of America's largest natural gas fields.

"The time is now for this area, those who wait for bailout money and the national economy to turn around will have missed the boat on this one - it's already great here and getting better," according to Miller. "Plus there are recent announcements of a new $80 million processing facility and an automatic wakeboard water park opening soon in Cresson. I don't know what we'll do when the rest of the world discovers how good companies have it here, but it sure will be fun trying to figure it out."

For more information and to view a short online video about Cresson Crossroads, visit http://www.CressonTexas.com.

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

A New Way To Protect The Data Center

Computer equipment leasing is so popular because the cost can be spread out over time, and by the time the lease term has expired the equipment is obsolete. It is now possible to lease a custom designed and installed fireproof modular server vault with the same fiscal advantages, except when the lease is completed the vault is owned by the client and the vault is just as valuable as when it was new. Perhaps even more valuable.

Kutztown, PA (PRWEB) March 25, 2009 -- A new option for acquiring data center fire protection is now available. With the possible exception of the server racks themselves, all the components in the data center will eventually be replaced by new and more powerful equipment. That is why equipment leasing is so popular. When an IT equipment lease term is complete, the equipment has depreciated considerably. The leasing company picks up the old components so the lessee is not faced with the task of disposing of obsolete equipment with little or no resale value. Firelock® is now offering leasing options for their fireproof modular server vaults. Unlike IT equipment, however, when the lease is complete you own the vault and it is just as valuable as when it was new. In fact, it is likely to be even more valuable since the volume and value of the information protected within tends to increase over time.

Almost every data center is equipped with some kind of fire suppression system in the server room. But this gives a false sense of security. According to Todd Smith, Director of Marketing for Firelock®: "A fire suppression system only protects against fires that start inside the server room area." That leaves this critical area vulnerable to fires that start anywhere else in the building and burn their way into the server room. Water sprinklers are able to stop some fires from spreading, but there are too many examples of where they failed to ignore this risk. Mr. Smith goes on to say: "A sprinkler system malfunction may be the cause of failure, or maybe the intensity of the fire just overwhelms the water sprinklers." The only failsafe way to ensure the survival of mission critical information within the server room is to protect it with a Class 125 data vault.

To comply with NFPA 75 (the National Fire Protection Association's standard for protecting computer equipment and magnetic media) a Class 125 fireproof vault must be installed. This means the temperature inside the vault must remain below 125-degrees F. for the specified duration, even if temperatures reach 2,000-degrees F. outside the vault chamber. Firelock® builds fireproof Class 125-Two Hour, Three Hour, and Four Hour rated vaults. The duration of the rating depends upon the size of the vault. All components of Firelock® vaults, such as the doors, power and data cable penetrations, coolant line penetrations and damper assemblies, are Class 125-rated because a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. They are equipped with automatic door closers to ensure the vault will be sealed if the building must be evacuated immediately. Firelock® server vaults can even be expanded or moved if needed. With the modular design the panels can be reused in a new configuration if the shape of the new server vault requires it. This is a key advantage of the modular server vault design.

If a major fire strikes the data center it is likely there will be damage to the support systems, such as power or cooling systems, that will require a backup site to get up and running again. The time it takes to move intact server racks to a new location and bringing them back online is typically just a few hours. When the server racks are destroyed, even if critical data has been backed up on tape, a bare metal restore could take days. This could be the difference between surviving the disaster with a brief downtime period or going out of business. At the very least the cost of days of downtime would be astronomical.

Several lease options are available, with various lengths and buyout options. This makes it much easier to work into budgets and purchasing protocols. Each vault is custom designed, manufactured and installed by Firelock® to fit each clients' exact size and configuration requirements. In five years there may be a new data center technology that makes everything on today's market obsolete. No matter how it is processed, the information assets hosted by this equipment will still be where the real value lies. And Firelock® vaults will still be the most secure way to protect this mission critical information.

About FIRELOCK®:
FIRELOCK provides custom design expertise and manufactures and installs modular Server Vaults and record storage vaults in a variety of sizes, from small rooms up to 25,000 cu. ft. These vaults are designed to provide UL Class 125 fire protection, along with environmental controls for your critical or vital information assets. Lightweight, expandable panel systems are available to construct fire-safe and heat-safe vaults for the protection of IT infrastructure, magnetic media, micrographic media, and optical disks. The FIRELOCK vault is the highest rated fire protection storage environment for heat-sensitive processing equipment and computer media available in the industry. Our client list includes service organizations of all types and sizes from diverse industries, ranging from hospitals and pharmaceutical companies, to major financial houses and state and local government agencies. Information about FIRELOCK is available at www.servervaulting.com

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

OCV Architects is Making a Better New York By Bringing LEED Silver Standards to Supportive Housing in the Bronx

OCV Architects is creating a supportive housing breakthrough in Fox Point, a low income housing residence (sponsored by Palladia, Inc.), by bringing sustainable design in low income housing up to US Green Building Council LEED standards. OCV Architects is a proud member of the USGBC.

Bronx, NY (PRWEB) March 25, 2009 -- CV Architects. FOX POINT is 48 units of studios, one and two bedroom apartments and support facilities in 55,000 square feet of light and airy architecture. The new building envelope and engineering systems employ high-performance, sustainable design as a healthy background for living. The architecture is focused on being inviting and efficient, with every advantage of the natural light to realize both. The design also responds to the special typography of the site, with steps and levels of living space and green space. This not only makes for multiple 'green roof' and garden areas for the tenants to enjoy, they also help manage water, temperature, costs and impact of the building. Qualifying tenants are given affordable homes and access to a variety of social services on site. For those formerly homeless residents, HUD subsidizes their rent through HUD's Care +Shelter Program.

This project is registered for LEED silver accreditation, employing many of the opportunities for low impact development outlined by the USGBC. Through these sustainable materials and systems, Fox Point is housing with long-term viability in mind, reducing the need for future repair and prohibitive operational costs, and thereby protecting the project as an investment in affordable housing -- making a better New York.

Among these sustainable design systems featured at Fox Point is the use of a highly innovative micro turbine -- a highly efficient generator that recovers and reuses the wasted energy and heat produced by the conventional systems it piggybacks on. The energy recovered is reused for heat, light and other building operations, significantly supplementing the energy provided by utilities. City buildings create 79% of New York City's greenhouse gas emission, and Mayor Michael Bloomberg has identified micro turbines as part of the solution to our great city's high fossil fuel impact. Micro turbines expend sustainable energy that is 70-80% usable (where as only 35% of a power plants expended energy is usable).

Founding partner at OCV Architects, Richard Vitto RA AP knows from over three decades of experience that LEED establishes a high standard for future development, but not one we should shy away from. For affordable housing it creates a building and an environment that serve the population most in need of these benefits.

Download a brochure of Fox Point from OCV Architects here.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:52 AM | Comments (0)

'Urban SOS' Student Competition Offers $20,000 for Creative Responses to Distressed Cities

The "Urban SOS: Distressed Cities, Creative Responses" international student competition, sponsored by EDAW AECOM, is offering $20,000 for interventions addressing environmental, social, and economic challenges confronting cities worldwide. The competition is open to individual students or teams of up to four undergraduate and graduate students in design, planning, environmental studies, economics and related fields. Participants must register (via www.edaw.com/urbanSOS ) statements of intent by May 15, 2009; final board submissions are due July 31, 2009. The top four finalists will travel to Barcelona, Spain to present their treatments to a jury panel at the World Architecture Festival in November 2009.

San Francisco, USA and London, UK (PRWEB) March 25, 2009 -- Students around the world are invited to submit innovative solutions to the pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges confronting cities worldwide. The Urban SOS: Distressed Cities, Creative Responses student competition, sponsored by EDAW AECOM, is offering $20,000 in prize money to encourage creative interventions that have potential for lasting improvement.

"More than half the world's population now lives in urban areas," said Jason Prior, President of EDAW, an AECOM company. "Well-executed cities are vibrant cultural, social and economic centers and offer hope for addressing climate change and resource scarcity. But in many urban places serious challenges affect quality of life, limit opportunities and perpetuate inequalities. We want to encourage students' fresh ideas and creative solutions to a range of real issues."

The international competition is open to individual students or teams of up to four undergraduate and graduate students at all levels from all countries, in the design and planning fields--including landscape architecture, urban design, planning, architecture, landscape urbanism, economics, geography, engineering, environmental studies and related fields. In their submissions, students should address an actual site from any city in the world and develop an intervention that offers lasting improvement to problems ranging from economic collapse, environmental degradation, social disintegration, civil unrest, climate change or natural disaster.

To participate, students must register via the Urban SOS website and provide statements of intent by May 15, 2009; final board submissions are due July 31, 2009. Semi-finalists will be announced September 1, 2009. The semi-finalist teams will each be assigned a professional EDAW AECOM mentor who will work with the team to further articulate its proposed interventions. The top four finalists will travel to Barcelona, Spain to present their treatments to a jury panel at the World Architecture Festival in November 2009.

The Urban SOS competition is an evolution of the EDAW Intern Program. Since 1980, EDAW has guided students from around the world in holistic, cross-disciplinary approach to real-world projects involving issues of regional or international significance.

About EDAW
For 70 years, EDAW AECOM has shaped exemplary environments worldwide through a collaborative approach to design and planning. EDAW integrates design, master planning, environmental and ecological planning, and strategic planning and economic development to create productive, sustainable places. A global network of 34 offices and 1,800 professionals address complex challenges within a broad range of scales and contexts. Learn more at www.edaw.com.

About AECOM
AECOM is a global provider of professional technical and management support services to a broad range of markets, including transportation, facilities, environmental and energy. With 43,000 employees around the world, AECOM is a leader in all of the key markets that it serves. AECOM provides a blend of global reach, local knowledge, innovation, and technical excellence in delivering solutions that enhance and sustain the world's built, natural, and social environments. AECOM serves clients in more than 100 countries and had revenue of US$5.6 billion during the 12-month period ended December 31, 2008. More information on AECOM and its services can be found at www.aecom.com.

Contact:
Heather Topel
urbansos (at) edaw (dot) com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:52 AM | Comments (0)

Pimp My Shower! MyBathUSA.com Introduces the New Rainforest 78 Steam Shower: The Coolest Shower in America

MyBathUSA.com introduces "The Coolest Shower in America" which boasts 3 Showerheads, Built-In Hot Tub, Waterproof LCD TV, Sound System, Hands-Free Phone, Emergency Alarm, Head-to-Toe Acupressure Massages, Steam Room, Foot Massage System, and more. It even helps clean itself with the Ozone Sterilization System which kills bacteria and germs after each use automatically. Under $4,000 delivered anywhere in the continental USA, it can save homeowners thousands off a traditional remodel that comes with none of the benefits.

Kansas City, MO (PRWEB) March 24, 2009 -- Luxury Steam Shower Seller MyBathUSA.com takes aim on the traditional bathroom shower. Promising to have "The Coolest Shower in America", MyBathUSA.com is giving homeowners a new spin on the traditional bathroom shower.

The new model release of their Rainforest 78 Steam Shower gives the traditional bathroom shower an extraordinary one of a kind spa, entertainment, and technological design lift. You may feel like you've entered an episode of the Jetsons when you first lay eyes on the Rainforest 78 Steam Shower. A whimsical thought at one time, the Rainforest 78 Steam Shower takes the traditional bathroom shower to a whole new level.

So what can you experience inside the Rainforest 78 Steam Shower?

Entertainment and Communication System: Waterproof LCD TV, High Quality Speaker System, Cable/Satellite/DVD/CD/MP3/MP4 Inputs, FM Radio and Digital Receiver for Traditional TV, Water-Resistant Remote Control, and a Hands-Free Telephone.

Healing and Wellness: 16 Jet Built-in Hot Tub, Steam Room, Acupressure Back and Body Jets for Head-to-Toe Massages, Foot Massage System, Aromatherapy/Medicines Steam Box, and Chromotherapy Mood Lighting

Relaxation: 3 Showerheads including Rainfall Style Ceiling Shower, Waterfall Inlet, and Headrests

Advanced Technology: Computerized Digital Controls with LCD Display, Underwater LED Light, Ozone Sterilization System which kills bacteria and germs after each use automatically, Fog Free Mirror, and Emergency Alarm

Solid Design: Aluminum Alloy Frame, Durable Fiberglass Reinforced Acrylic, Tempered Glass, Pedal Drain, and Hand Grips

There comes a time when traditional bathroom showers need to be replaced due to aging concerns like cracks, mold, plumbing, and other issues. The Rainforest 78 Steam Shower offers homeowners remodeling their bathrooms the coolest, stylish, and most mind-boggling shower technology they'll find. At just shy of $4,000 delivered anywhere in the continental USA and inexpensive to install, it can save homeowners thousands compared to a traditional bathroom shower remodel that comes with none of the advantages.

If you would like an interview, further information, or a studio interview with a Rainforest 78 Steam Shower demonstration, please contact us and visit our Press Room.

About MyBathUSA.com:
MyBathUSA.com also found at MyBath.biz, sells luxury Steam Showers with the latest design, technology, and comfort features. Since opening, MyBathUSA.com has helped thousands of customers update and modernize their bathroom showers. Customers can also update their homes with MyBathUSA.com FAR Infrared Saunas, Hot Tubs, Glass Sink Vanities, Whirlpool Bathtubs, Swim Spas, and more.

Bath Comfort of the Future, Today!

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:50 AM | Comments (0)

New Energy Saving LED Tube Replaces Fluorescent Lighting

LEDs America, Inc. is proud to introduce a real alternative to fluorescent lighting: its new LED tubes, which contain absolutely no mercury, do not emit UV radiation and are truly energy saving, lasting six times as long as fluorescent bulbs.

Jupiter, FL (PRWEB) March 24, 2009 -- LEDs America, Inc.™, fluorescent lighting: its new Led-O™ LED tubes, which are both energy saving and safe. Led-O™ tubes use 40 to 70-percent less energy and last six times as long as fluorescent bulbs. They are also environmentally friendly and do not contain dangerous mercury or emit infrared or ultraviolet radiation. LEDs America is offering a product that finally retrofits old 4" fluorescent fixtures and gives off enough light to no longer be considered merely decorative.

"Up until now, most LED's only put out 800 to 1,200 Lumens. Led-O tubes give off 2,000 to 2,400 Lumens," says Michael Conner of LEDs America, Inc. And even with the increased light output, the tubes remain cool to the touch.

There are many other pluses, which include:

* Durability - LED-O bulbs do not break easily and have a high tolerance to vibration
* Not Sensitive to Cold - LED's perform well in temperatures from -40C° to 185C°, making them ideal for applications subject to frequent on-off cycling, such as garages and basements
* Directional distribution of light - good for interior task lighting
* Substantial savings on maintenance costs - thus ROI is 12 months, or so
* Fully dimmable - LED's do not change their color tint when dimmed unlike incandescent lamps that turn yellow
* No frequency interference - no ballast to interfere with radio and television signals
* Environmentally friendly - LED's do not contain Mercury, Argon, Xenon, Neon or Krypton gases
* Safe - LED's do not emit infrared or ultraviolet radiation
* Light up immediately
* Easily disposed

LED lamps have a higher initial cost, but the long term savings will more than make up for it. They are available in tubes, bulbs and light bars. Prices start at $46 for a 4" tube.

Visit to order: www.LedsAmerica.com

About LEDs America, Inc.™
LEDsAmerica was started to distribute the Led-O brand.

Led-O and LEDs America, Inc. are registered trademarks by LEDsAmerica, Inc.

Contact:
Michael Conner
(866) 418-9258
admin(at)LedsAmerica.com
http://www.ledsamerica.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:50 AM | Comments (0)

BrassCraft's 100% Compliant Plumbing Products are Perfect Solution for New Legislation

As a leader in developing innovative plumbing solutions, BrassCraft is proud to announce a full range of compliant products in response to new laws enacted in California and Vermont.

Novi, Mi (Vocus/PRWEB ) March 24, 2009 -- As a leader in developing innovative plumbing solutions, BrassCraft is proud to announce a full range of compliant products in response to new laws enacted in California and Vermont.

Beginning July 1, 2009, BrassCraft's compliant products will include brass stops, a vast array of solid brass fittings, and Speedi Plumb® PLUS connectors ideal for most any job, including water heater applications. California and Vermont legislation, effective January 1, 2010, will limit the lead content of pipes, pipe fittings or plumbing fittings / fixtures intended to convey or dispense water for human consumption through drinking or cooking.

In addition to being 100% compliant, BrassCraft offers brass compliant products - high quality that's synonymous with the company name. With manufacturing headquarters and facilities in the USA, BrassCraft has long been a trusted brand in plumbing supplies for more than 60 years. With the introduction of these compliant products, BrassCraft continues to deliver on their commitment of providing innovative products for the ever-changing industry.

Jim Whiteherse, Sr. Vice President of Sales, is confident that the compliant products are the perfect solution to the new legislation. "We offer plumbers a level of confidence with a brand they have trusted for years. They know that when confronted with situations such as new regulatory laws, they can count on BrassCraft to not only provide a timely solution, but to do so with a high quality product."

Additional information on BrassCraft compliant products can be found at www.brasscraft.com/Compliant.aspx. Visit the BrassCraft web site at www.brasscraft.com.

BrassCraft Manufacturing Company, a Masco Company, is a leading manufacturer of products for use in the new construction and repair/remodel markets. The company's motto; Committed to Quality-Driven by Innovation is reflected in the thousands of high-reputation plumbing products that are sold under the BrassCraft brand. Founded in 1946, BrassCraft is an international corporation headquartered in Novi, Michigan.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:50 AM | Comments (0)

Adolph Kiefer & Associates Adds New Tower to Forever™ Line of Lifeguard Equipment

Committed to swimming pool safety, Kiefer redesigned the lifeguard tower to help lifeguards keep their eyes on swimmers at all times, even during shift changes.

Zion, IL (Vocus/PRWEB ) March 24, 2009 -- Adolph Kiefer & Associates, a name long known for swimming safety, introduced a new lifeguard tower to its Forever™ line. Safety is of paramount importance in aquatics venues, and lifeguards are the key to safeguarding swimmers' enjoyment of the water. With its newest lifeguard tower, featuring dual-mount capability, Kiefer is dedicated to helping lifeguards work more efficiently at creating a safe environment for swimmers.

"Water safety has always been a primary concern of Kiefer, and the tower's dual-mount feature enhances swimmer safety by helping lifeguards keep their attention focused on the water at all times," said Shelley Kiefer. Dual mount capability ensures continuity during shift changes, allowing the outgoing lifeguard to remain vigilant while another ascends to the platform. He or she descends while the other watches the water, such that at least one pair of eyes is always focused on the swimmers. "An alert lifeguard is a patron's best friend when it comes to pool safety. This chair helps lifeguards do their job effectively," Kiefer added.

This tower is the newest addition to Kiefer’s line of Forever guard chairs and towers. Made from highly durable, maintenance-free, furniture-grade recycled plastic lumber, Forever guard equipment will not rot, rust or splinter. The equipment never needs paint and is easily cleaned with soap and water. The Forever line also features a slip-resistant texture for the safety of the lifeguard.

The company has a history of safety. Founder Adolph Kiefer developed a program for the navy during World War II that was instrumental in teaching two million American naval recruits how to swim. "My passion for swimming and safety continues today," exclaimed Adolph Kiefer. "The design of the new dual-mount guard chair is a natural progression of my life's work."

For more information about the new Forever Guard Tower and other Kiefer products, visit www.Kiefer.com.

About Adolph Kiefer & Associates
Adolph Kiefer & Associates was founded by Olympic gold medalist swimmer Adolph Kiefer in 1947. As the official aquatics supplier to the 1948 U.S. Olympic Swim Team, Kiefer's company introduced the nylon swimsuit as a lightweight alternative to wool and cotton suits and cost alternative to the silk suits used at the time. The 1948 Olympic Games debut launched the revolutionary nylon Kiefer suit to create a competitive swimming standard. Mr. Kiefer continues to dedicate his life to helping swimmers of all ages and abilities pursue dreams of swimming glory. The company sponsors a full calendar of competitive swimming events and is a top competitive swim team supplier. For more about Adolph Kiefer & Associates, visit www.Kiefer.com.

Media Contact:
Shelley Kiefer
Adolph Kiefer & Associates
Phone: 847-872-8866 ext. 623

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:49 AM | Comments (0)

Bianco Builds Quick Business Visibility with QlikView

Bianco Construction Supplies, a mid-market manufacturer and distributor for the Australian building and construction industry, has chosen QlikView business intelligence for sales and logistics analysis of Lawson M3 data, to increase management responsiveness to trends, customer demands and generate new sales opportunities.

Sydney, NSW (PRWEB) March 24, 2009 -- Bianco Construction Supplies, a mid-market manufacturer and distributor for the Australian building and construction industry, has chosen QlikView business intelligence for sales and logistics analysis of Lawson M3 data, to increase management responsiveness to trends, customer demands and generate new sales opportunities.

Headquartered in South Australia, Bianco Group employs over 350 people and is a leading supplier of structural steel, reinforcing, portable building hire, construction equipment, tools and services to the building, construction, civil, Government and mining industries. Bianco makes at least 800 customer deliveries every week around Australia.

Bianco had a limited view of sales and customer data, and disseminating and sharing this information across the business in a timely manner was a challenge. Its IT department needed to reduce the time and manpower required to respond to adhoc report requests while accelerating the availability of up to the minute sales, delivery and customer information.

After reviewing traditional 'cube'-based business intelligence approaches, Bianco chose QlikView as its business intelligence platform to build a firm base for quick decision-making. The speed and ease of deployment, depth of multidimensional information analysis and the proven Lawson M3 application templates were decisive factors in Bianco's choice of Inside Info and QlikView.

"It took one day for Inside Info to deliver our working QlikView sales performance application. We took a few weeks to become familiar, made some changes and had finished our first BI deployment by the 30th day. We were blown away," said Peter Crescitelli, IT Project Manager, Bianco.

Using QlikView, Bianco now automates analysis of sales, margin, dispatch and customer trends and impacts across its business at the click of a button. QlikView has improved IT staff productivity saving at least two hours out of each day in not serving ad hoc report requests, while senior management have more detailed visibility of operations.

"Since implementing QlikView into the Bianco sales department, our management team can now promptly drill down sales figures within minutes, without the need to rely on our IT department for reports. Having drill down by customer, selling divisions, product, margin and many other options has taken monitoring sales figures and identifying opportunities to the next level," said Alex Canova, National Sales Manager at Bianco.

"QlikView has driven a significant step change for Bianco in the way we work and think. We have more detailed, flexible and faster data analysis than we ever thought possible from our Lawson ERP system. We've increased our responsiveness to trends and customer demands and improved our ability to generate sales opportunities that quite possibly would not have existed before," explains Peter Crescitelli, IT Project Manager at Bianco. "Senior management are now analysing 'living' information themselves with QlikView, rather than relying on monthly automated hard copy reports. Each user has a personalised analysis dashboard, with the real-time data they need to better run their sales divisions and operations. By doing this, we turned what was a two-day delivery for ad hoc reports, into interactive on-demand access and instant insight for our business, while saving our IT team at least 500 hours a year in manual report development."

"QlikView has delivered Bianco extremely fast, flexibility to respond to changing business conditions. Bianco's sales managers now have '3D' visibility of where business is lacking, where it's striving, buying habits and product sales history to see where to improve to generate new sales opportunities. Operational teams use QlikView daily to easily spot any inefficiency in the supply chain over its 800+ weekly deliveries. Having this information personalised and easily at hand is what QlikView is all about," said Stuart Barnard, Managing Director of Inside Info.

About Bianco Group:
Headquartered in South Australia, Bianco Group employs over 350 people and is a leading supplier of structural steel, reinforcing, portable building hire, construction equipment, tools and services to the building, construction, civil, Government and mining industries. For more information visit www.bianco.com.au.

About Inside Info:
Inside Info is the exclusive distributor and local representative of QlikView in Australia - the world's fastest growing business intelligence software according to IDC. QlikView works the way your mind works - making associations by connecting data from many sources in a few clicks. This patented in-memory association technology brings fast results and better decision making. QlikView is intuitive to learn, simple to modify and can be deployed in a few weeks. Inside Info have over 230 QlikView customers including Bianco Group, Amcor, Border Express, Fujitsu General and Manassen Foods. Globally QlikView is the flagship product of QlikTech who has over 10,600 customers in 92 countries.

For more information, please visit www.insideinfo.com.au

For media enquiries, please contact
Jo Balfour
Progressiva
jobalfour (at) progressiva (dot) com.au
+61 2 9365 6258
+61 405 542 018

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:49 AM | Comments (0)

In a Challenging Market, Flexibility is the Key to Coming Out on Top

Due to today's challenging economic times, marketing firms specializing in the homebuilding industry, such as Manasquan, NJ-based Design 446, have taken a more flexible and cost-effective approach to marketing, promoting a greater emphasis on electronic advertising and web-based publicity instead of traditional print media.

Manasquan, NJ (PRWEB) March 24, 2009 -- It is clear that the homebuilding industry continues to be negatively affected by our country's current recession. In February 2009 alone, more than 290,000 properties completed foreclosure filings, which is a 6% jump from January of the same year, according to a recent news article posted on CNNMoney.com.

With inventory relatively stagnant, new homebuilders have been forced to drastically cut marketing budgets. Unfortunately, in a time when marketing, branding and promotions may be the most crucial, the advertising segment of many builders' marketing budgets has taken the hardest hit.

As a result, marketing firms specializing in the homebuilding industry, such as Manasquan, NJ-based Design 446, have taken a more flexible, innovative and cost-effective approach to marketing, promoting a greater emphasis on electronic advertising and web-based publicity instead of traditional print media.

"Prior to this recession, home builders primarily marketed through print advertising," explained Tom Villane, President of Design 446. "We noticed, before the market began to show signs of trouble however, an increasing trend toward internet-driven promotions mainly due to the rapidly changing home buying demographic. 'Generation Y' homebuyers, born after 1979, are internet-oriented when seeking information as opposed to researching in print. Traffic studies show that internet advertising is also providing more prospects than print at a lower cost per unit. We realized then that the best way for us to provide successful marketing for our clients, especially during the current Real Estate corrections, would be to offer accommodating pricing complemented by innovative and creative marketing; i.e. smart marketing."

Although the firm still continues to include traditional print, outdoor and sometimes broadcast advertising in the marketing mix, Design 446 has quickly secured their position on the ground floor of the internet marketing movement by expanding their electronic advertising department and enhancing their electronic and internet-driven services. As a result, the firm has become one of the top full-service agencies in the home building industry offering their clients variable options that promote and brand their companies to the fullest extent, while simultaneously meeting strict budgets.

One of Design 446's full-service clients, Marge Karahuta of Matzel Development said, "The team at Design 446 understands the market. They realize where the market is headed, and they understand the importance of being cooperative with their clients, providing the most effective marketing concepts at a recession-friendly rate."

Ann Marie Baker, Vice President of Design 446 noted, "For over 35 years we have been a company based on customer service. When the market was slow, we accommodated, and when the market was booming, we continued to produce creative, quality campaigns, that drove traffic through our clients' doors. Make no mistake, this is the toughest market downturn we have experienced, but as always, we will work with our clients so they, and we, come through this recession on top."

Design 446 is a full-service marketing company specializing in the homebuilding industry. Based in Manasquan, NJ, the firm creates sales environments, signage and brochures, in addition to direct mail, advertising, public relations, merchandising and web based marketing strategies.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:47 AM | Comments (0)

PressureWashersDirect.com Announces Best Large Electric Power Washers

Recommendations Bases on Sales History and Customer Reviews

Bolingbrook, IL (PRWEB) March 24, 2009 -- PressureWashersDirect.com today released its recommendations for the best large electric pressure washers.

Most retailers are loyal to whatever is on their shelves, according to Jon Hoch, founder & CEO of Power Equipment Direct.

PressureWashersDirect.com, however, isn't your ordinary retailer. The online superstore specializes exclusively in power washers and carries more than a 200 types of pressure washers from a dozen leading brands.

The online retailer combined recent sales history, customer reviews and personal insight to generate their final recommendations.

Once the dust and data settled, only 3 large electric pressure washers sold by PressureWashersDirect.com were given their prestigious "Recommended" status.

Good: Karcher 1800 PSI Electric Pressure Washer w/ Induction Motor
Better: Campbell Hausfeld 1800 PSI Power Washer w/ Dual Detergent Tanks
Best: Karcher 1850 PSI Electric Pressure Washer w/ Induction Motor

In addition, the expert staff personally wrote online reviews for each large electric power washer, explaining why the company recommended it.

By providing the recommendations and reviews, PressureWashersDirect.com hopes to arm shoppers with enough ammunition to pick the perfect large electric pressure washers for their needs.

Power Equipment Direct operates nine niche online superstores. In addition to PressureWashersDirect.com, the Bolingbrook, IL-based company operates AirCompressorsDirect.com, ElectricGeneratorsDirect.com, SnowBlowersDirect.com, MowersDirect.com, WaterPumpsDirect.com, SumpPumpsDirect.com, ChainSawsDirect.com and LogSplittersDirect.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:47 AM | Comments (0)

New Automatic Paper Towel Dispenser An Every Day Kitchen Appliance Consumers Will Love

Smart Product Innovations (SPI) will debut new Automatic Paper Towel Dispenser at the International Home + Housewares Show in Chicago, IL. The CleanCUT™ Automatic Paper Towel Dispenser features no-touch operation, no-waste length control, a fast self-sharpening blade and can handle any paper towel brand or size.

Pitman, NJ (PRWEB) March 24, 2009 -- Smart Product Innovations (SPI) set out with a lofty goal when development began on the CleanCUT™: Their mission was to produce a sanitary, easy-to-use automatic paper towel dispenser with no-touch operation, no-waste length control, the ability to handle any paper towel brand or size and a repeatable, fast self-sharpening blade. This was achieved through six years of development and reliability testing, with over 500 units in the field and having been featured in ABC'S Extreme Makeover:Home Edition season finale. The CleanCUT™ will be unveiled at the 2009 Housewares Show as an everyday appliance that consumers will love.

For the past six years consumers have dispensed and cut millions of paper towels using the CleanCUT™ dispenser. Any brand or size paper towel works in the CleanCUT™, and it dispenses any length sheet on demand, so the consumer gets exactly the amount they want with no waste. With hands free operation, it eliminates cross contamination and sanitation concerns. More importantly, there is no frustration that comes with the inconsistent performance of restroom type automated towel dispensers. That is because the CleanCUT™ uses a constant and safe infrared beam, comparable to the technology used with a TV remote control. Break the dispense beam and the paper towel instantly unrolls. When you have dispensed the length you need, just break the beam again to cut the towel. The CleanCUT™ dispenser installs easily under a cabinet, keeping counters clutter-free.

SPI partnered with an award winning design team, which has taken SPI'S proven and tested technology to a price point that will allow SPI to bring it to the mass consumer market. "The CleanCUT™ was designed with precision and functionality in mind, unlike many products that are rushed to market today," says Tom Little, Director of Marketing. "At Smart Product Innovations we only launch products that have sustainable, proven designs. This is not a battery- operated toy. It is a kitchen appliance workhorse that will be the most used appliance in homes." CleanCUT™ is a breakthrough solution to the frustrations of current paper towel dispensers, and consumers love it!

According to event coordinators, the show is the world's largest home goods & house wares marketplace, showcasing thousands of new products and designs in four related product expos with 60,000 attendees expected.

Smart Product Innovations representatives will be located at booth #N8746 in the Clean + Contain Product Expo (next to the Buyers Club) and coordinated private meetings in an effort to establish future sales. Interested parties can schedule a pre or post show meeting by contacting Tom Little at tlittle@smartproductinnovations.com or calling at (856) 718 5979.

"Exhibiting at a show as distinctive as the International Home + Houseware Show is a real opportunity to show the world the capabilities of our CleanCUT™Automatic Paper Towel Dispenser. Smart Product Innovations representatives will be conducting live demonstrations of the CleanCUT™ and also meeting with relevant industry professionals and the media. We are very excited to be at this show," said Tom Little.

Smart Product Innovations is an experienced manufacturing/design firm bringing great minds together to offer premier consumer lifestyle products to the market. SPI plans to market and sell the CleanCUT™Automatic Paper Towel Dispenser through catalogs, magazines, online and major retail and specialty stores.

To see the CleanCUT™ featured on HGTV'S "I WANT THAT" or to obtain further information visit www.smartproductinnovations.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:46 AM | Comments (0)

ECOHOME -- Winner of Best Start-Up Publication and Best New Web Site

ECOHOME, an integrated media network supporting the growth of sustainable home building, is the Jesse H. Neal Award winner for Best Start-Up Publication and the Best New B2B Web site winner in min's Best of the Web Awards.

Washington DC (PRWEB) March 24, 2009 -- Hanley Wood's ECOHOME magazine, the leading publication serving the sustainable housing industry, won top honors at last week's 55th Annual Jesse H. Neal Awards ceremony, bringing home the award for Best Start-Up Publication.

Open to members of the American Business Media association, the Jesse H. Neal Awards, which have been called "the Pulitzer Prize of business media," are the most prestigious and most sought-after national editorial excellence awards in business-to-business publishing. They are named after American Business Media's first managing director, who remained active in promoting business media throughout his life. Past Neal winners and finalists include Hanley Wood's BUILDER, BIG BUILDER, CUSTOM HOME, MULTIFAMILY EXECUTIVE, REMODELING and TOOLS OF THE TRADE magazines.

ECOHOME magazine was the winner in the Best Start-Up Publication category, recognizing the best new stand-alone periodicals. Launched in 2008, EcoHome magazine is entirely focused on the innovative products, outstanding projects, and breakthrough technologies used in green building that are changing the housing industry. The magazine's print circulation includes 30,000 builders, remodelers, and architects active in green building. ECOHOME also reaches an additional 270,000 building professionals via each issue's digital edition.

"We've worked hard this year to establish ECOHOME magazine as a reliable and trusted source of information for green building professionals and the response from our audience has been incredible. Winning this Neal Award is the perfect way to close out our first year," said Editor-in-Chief, Rick Schwolsky.

To follow the magazine's coverage of the sustainable building industry and to learn about what new green products are making an impact, go to ecohomemagazine.com.

In addition to taking home top honors at this year's Neal Awards, ECOHOME's Web site, ecohomemagazine.com, was honored as the Best New B2B Web Site in min's Best of the Web Awards.

min's Best of the Web Awards are the top honors for the digital side of magazine publishing. The Best of the Web Awards, presented by min's b2b and min magazine, recognize leaders in consumer and business-to-business magazine Web sites.

"The ECOHOME magazine Web site provides visitors with the most up-to-date, comprehensive information about green products, programs, and houses, as well as breaking news about green building" said Jean Dimeo, Chief Editor, ECOHOME Web site. "The site offers something for everyone--whether the visitor is a green building novice or a veteran sustainable builder. All building professionals can find the information they need to take their houses to the next level of green."

To track ECOHOME's complete coverage on the newest green products and technologies, green best practices, the latest building science techniques, and innovative green housing projects, visit ecohomemagazine.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 30 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 one of the ten largest B-to-B media companies in the United States. Hanley Wood is owned by affiliates of JPMorgan Partners, which uses CCMP Capital Advisors to manage this investment.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:46 AM | Comments (0)

FieldTurf Moves Manufacturing Plant to Calhoun, GA and Sets New Standard with Innovative Synthetic Turf Coating Process

The 455,000 square foot facility allows the world leader in sports surfacing to better focus on innovation and excellence at every step of the manufacturing process. FieldTurf's reputation for putting quality first is the primary reason that the company has installed more than 3000 sports fields across North America, making FieldTurf the undisputed industry leader.

Calhoun, GA (Vocus/PRWEB ) March 24, 2009 -- In response to growing market demand for synthetic turf and in keeping with the company's mantra of innovation, FieldTurf has opened a new manufacturing facility in Calhoun, GA. The 455,000 square foot facility allows the world leader in sports surfacing to better focus on innovation and excellence at every step of the manufacturing process. FieldTurf's reputation for putting quality first is the primary reason that the company has installed more than 3000 sports fields across North America, making FieldTurf the undisputed industry leader.

"From tufting, to coating, to full QC inspections, right on to shipping and installation, the new equipment in the Calhoun plant and the additional space work together to further ensure that FieldTurf is the market leader in quality product - whether the customer is an NFL team or a high school," said Michael MacNeil, SVP Operations for FieldTurf.

The new Calhoun facility is four times the size of the previous FieldTurf plant - a facility which the company built only three years ago, but quickly outgrew as volumes continuously outpaced the company's aggressive sales projections. The new facility has an annual production capacity of 630,000,000 square feet of turf - enough to supply over 7,800 football fields per year. The new coating line that is at the heart of the Calhoun plant allows FieldTurf to set a new standard for turf quality and durability. The world's most trusted turf system just got even better.

FieldTurf CEO Joe Fields added, "The fact that we can make a major investment in a new plant and facilities when most US industries are scaling back or closing facilities speaks volumes to the strength of the FieldTurf brand, the strength of the FieldTurf business and, importantly, to the strength of the FieldTurf balance sheet. We will continue to invest in business opportunities that enable us to further solidify our global market leadership position in sports surfaces."

FieldTurf Tarkett, a Division of the Tarkett Group, is the largest entity in the sports surfacing industry and offers unparalleled leasing capabilities, engineering, and manufacturing resources, while leading the turf industry on setting higher environmental standards. In addition to its world-renowned FieldTurf and Prestige brands of artificial turf, FieldTurf Tarkett provides an equally impressive range of sports flooring products that include synthetic and hardwood basketball, volleyball and gymnasium flooring, squash and racquetball courts, floor protection and covering systems, and weight room flooring. Also in the range of FieldTurf Tarkett products are high performance indoor and outdoor running tracks including the Beynon track surfaces, playground surfacing, commercial and residential landscaping, and a complete range of tennis and golf surfaces. All of FieldTurf Tarkett surfaces are developed, produced and installed with a concentration on sustainability and a commitment to protecting the environment. The company calls it 'Environmental Intelligence' and lives by this principle in every way.

For more information on FieldTurf, please visit www.fieldturf.com.

Contact:

Jason Smollett
FieldTurf Tarkett
800-724-2969

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:45 AM | Comments (0)

NSF/ANSI American National Standard for Drinking Water Products Incorporates New Requirements for Regenerated Water Treatment Media

NSF International announces new requirements in NSF/ANSI Standard 61: Drinking Water System Components -- Health Effects for regenerated and reactivated media used to treat public drinking water supplies.

Ann Arbor, MI (Vocus/PRWEB ) March 24, 2009 -- NSF International today announced new requirements in NSF/ANSI Standard 61: Drinking Water System Components -- Health Effects for regenerated and reactivated media used to treat public drinking water supplies. Most U.S. states currently require media and other products used to treat public drinking water to be certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 61 in order to verify that they will not contribute harmful levels of contaminants into drinking water.

"Considering that most state laws require compliance with NSF/ANSI Standard 61 for products used in public water supplies, drinking water utilities have additional options for their treatment media needs now that NSF/ANSI 61 addresses regenerated media," said Dave Purkiss, General Manager, NSF Water Treatment and Distribution Systems Program. "State regulatory officials worked with media manufacturers, water utility representatives and NSF to develop the new criteria to make this option possible."

The new requirements establish criteria for the inspection of regeneration facilities and periodic testing of regenerated media by certification organizations. NSF/ANSI Standard 61 also requires that the regeneration and reactivation facilities have a robust quality system, which includes ongoing evaluation of contaminants in the raw source water being treated and an evaluation of the regeneration process to verify removal of these contaminants.

NSF/ANSI Standard 61 originally addressed only virgin media and did not contain criteria for facilities to use regenerated or reactivated media capable of achieving the same treatment objectives at a reduced operating cost. Spent process media generated by drinking water treatment plants can be readily treated and processed at licensed regeneration facilities and returned for several regeneration cycles to the water treatment facility. While NSF/ANSI Standard 61 sets strict traceability requirements to help ensure utilities receive back the same media they sent to be treated, the standard also allows for commingling of media from several utilities as long as the purchasers agree.

"The commingling or pooling of media from multiple drinking water utilities is an important aspect since it allows for the certification of regeneration companies that provide services to very small public water systems," said Cynthia Klevens, PE, Sanitary Engineer from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. "New Hampshire requires all products that come into contact with drinking water to be certified under the appropriate NSF/ANSI standards. Without this certification and the associated safeguards it incorporates, we were unable to approve the use of regenerated media for these small systems, who are most in need of maintaining reasonable operating costs for their long-term sustainability."

Background on NSF/ANSI Standard 61
The requirements were recently incorporated into NSF/ANSI Standard 61, a standard that includes procedures to evaluate products that are used to treat and distribute public drinking water supplies and to screen out those products that could contribute excessive levels of contaminants into drinking water. Products covered in the standard include: pipes and related products; protective and barrier materials (including cements/coatings); joining and sealing materials (including gaskets, adhesives, lubricants); process media (including carbon, sand, zeolite, ion exchange media); mechanical devices (including water meters, in-line valves, filters, process equipment); mechanical plumbing devices (faucets, drinking fountains, and components); and potable water materials (non-metallic materials).

For more information on NSF/ANSI Standard 61 requirements or NSF testing and certification services to the standard, contact Dave Purkiss at 734-827-6855.

About NSF International: NSF International, an independent, not-for-profit organization, helps protect you by certifying products and writing standards for food, water and consumer goods (www.nsf.org). Founded in 1944, NSF is committed to protecting public health and safety worldwide. NSF is a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Food and Water Safety and Indoor Environment. Additional services include safety audits for the food and water industries, management systems registrations delivered through NSF International Strategic Registrations, organic certification provided by Quality Assurance International and education through the NSF Center for Public Health Education.

Contact: Greta Houlahan
Phone: 734-913-5723

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:45 AM | Comments (0)

Timmons Group to Provide Civil Engineering Services for Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology at Gateway University Research Park

Timmons Group, an ENR 500 Design Firm and a leader in multi-discipline civil engineering consulting services, announced today that the firm has been awarded a contract to provide civil engineering consulting services for the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (JSNN) at Gateway University Research Park in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Greensboro, NC -- Timmons Group, an ENR 500 Design Firm and a leader in multi-discipline civil engineering consulting services, announced today that the firm has been awarded a contract to provide civil engineering consulting services for the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (JSNN) at Gateway University Research Park in Greensboro, North Carolina.

The Gateway University Research Park is being jointly developed by the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and NC A&T State University. The Research Park will provide opportunities for faculty and private companies to collaborate on unique research and development opportunities. Timmons Group is collaborating with HDR who is the architect for the JSNN Building.

Timmons Group is undertaking initial civil engineering, site planning and has developed some preliminary maps for the development of the new JSNN laboratory, which will be located on the South Campus. The new JSNN Building is slated to become the signature building on the South Campus, and will focus on conducting nanotechnology research and development.

Timmons Group was involved in the original master planning of the 75-acre South Campus along with BJAC and Sasaki. Timmons Group and BJAC recently completed the design of the USDA Research Building One, also located on the South Campus.

"Timmons Group is very excited to support the design and development of the South Campus, which will be the site for the new Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology" said James Covington, PE, Principal at Timmons Group. "The Gateway University Research Park will be a key driver for encouraging long term economic development and establishing an environment for attracting future investments in research and technology innovations in the Triad."

About Timmons Group
Timmons Group is an ENR 500 multi-disciplined professional services firm and a leading provider of civil engineering, environmental services, GIS and Geospatial technology services, geotechnical engineering, construction management, landscape architecture and land surveying. The firm's subject-matter experts deliver a wide-range of specialties including site development design & engineering, transportation engineering and highway design, water and wastewater facilities design, land and community planning, traditional neighborhood design, stormwater management, LEED® and sustainable design and urban planning to both public and private clients throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. The firm employs more than 350 people and has corporate headquarters in Richmond, Virginia, and regional offices in Virginia Beach, Virginia; Charlottesville, Virginia; Prince George, Virginia; Ashburn, Virginia; Greensboro, North Carolina; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Raleigh, North Carolina.

For more information about Timmons Group, visit www.timmons.com.

Media Contact:
Tim Asimos, Marketing Manager
Timmons Group
804.200.6375

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:45 AM | Comments (0)

Wolfe Law Group Adds Practice Group to Respond to Chinese Drywall Crisis

Wolfe Law Group has formed a new practice group to respond to concerns surrounding the use of Chinese Drywall in Louisiana construction projects. The firm is prepared to represent developers, contractors, suppliers and other participants in the construction industry who are facing warranty claims, lawsuits, and other legal and business questions derived from the use of imported drywall.

New Orleans, Louisiana (PRWEB) March 24, 2009 -- In response to the growing concerns of developers, builders, suppliers and other construction professionals, Wolfe Law Group announced a new practice group to address the imported drywall crisis.

Chinese Drywall imported into the United States between 2001 and 2008 may be contaminated with sulfuric acid, and the issue is causing legal problems across the country. In Louisiana, some reports estimate that more than 6,000 post-Katrina homes were built with the material.

Many lawsuits, including class action suits, have already been filed against builders, developers, suppliers and other participants in construction projects that involved the use of Chinese Drywall. The plaintiffs in these suits allege that the drywall is defective, is responsible for damages to building elements, and the cause of health problems.

Wolfe Law Group is prepared to represent and advise construction industry participants implicated in litigation, facing warranty claims, or simply encountering legal uncertainties related to the use of Chinese Drywall.

"For construction companies and suppliers who have encountered Chinese Drywall, it's only a matter of time before a complaint affects their business," says Scott Wolfe, Jr., founding member of the firm. "With so much at stake, and huge class action lawsuits being filed, companies should be examining their exposure and mitigating their losses. Our new practice area is specifically geared to help contractors and suppliers accomplish this."

Following the news of Chinese Drywall problems in Louisiana, the law firm quickly made itself a valuable resource on the topic for the construction industry. It launched a new blog (www.ChineseDrywallBlog.com), published a Chinese Drywall How-To Legal Guide on Avvo.com, and set up a Chinese Drywall practice group (www.ChineseDrywallDefense.com).

The practice area fits perfectly with the boutique law firm's existing practice. Wolfe Law Group focuses its law practice on the construction industry, representing and defending suppliers, contractors, and construction professionals of all shapes and sizes in legal matters that affect their business. It has offices in New Orleans, Louisiana and Seattle, Washington.

About Wolfe Law Group
Founded in post-Katrina New Orleans in 2005, Wolfe Law Group is a construction law practice with offices in Seattle, Washington and New Orleans, Louisiana. The firm publishes a blog on Louisiana and Washington construction law titled the Construction Law Monitor, and prides itself on thinking different in the legal profession.

Contact
Jessica Hunter, director of public relations
504-894-9653

Press Links:
Media Center: http://media.wolfelaw.com
Press Releases RSS Feed: http://feeds2.feedburner.com/wlgmedia
Firm Site: http://www.wolfelaw.com

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

2008 SBIC Beyond Green™ High-Performance Building Award Winners Announced on Capitol Hill; As SBIC Board Member, BASF Lends Support to Stimulate High-Performance Construction

The Sustainable Buildings Industry Council (SBIC) presented the 2008 Beyond Green™ High-Performance Building Awards on Feb. 26, 2009 on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. The award recipients were honored as part of a Congressional briefing intended to recognize outstanding initiatives and real-world applications that shape, inform, and catalyze the market for high-performance buildings.

Florham Park, NJ (PRWEB) March 23, 2009 -- The Sustainable Buildings Industry Council (SBIC) presented the 2008 Beyond Green™ High-Performance Building Awards on Feb. 26, 2009 on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. The award recipients were honored as part of a Congressional briefing intended to recognize outstanding initiatives and real-world applications that shape, inform, and catalyze the market for high-performance buildings.

"Our intention is to sensitize government, industry professionals and the public to the benefits of high-performance buildings by showcasing actual examples of these buildings from across the country," said Sophia Greenbaum, SBIC Executive Director. "To that end, we are presenting our 2008 Beyond Green High-Performance Building Awards, and explaining why these projects exemplify best-in-class for high-performance construction practices and initiatives nationally."

The awards program took place in conjunction with the High-Performance Buildings Caucus of the U.S. Congress and the High-Performance Buildings Congressional Caucus Coalition (HPBCC), a public sector advocacy group organized to provide guidance and support to the Congressional caucus.

Following comments by Representative Russ Carnahan (D-MO), Jack Armstrong, Leader Construction Markets - North America for BASF, served as master of ceremonies and presented the awards to the winners. BASF, a Platinum sponsor for the awards program, partnered with SBIC.

"We share a common goal to promote better performance for the buildings in which we live and work," said Armstrong. "As market leaders in durable, energy-efficient building solutions and products, supporting organizations that stimulate high-performance construction is central to the BASF business strategy."

Awards were given in two categories: High-Performance Buildings (Category A) and High-Performance Initiatives (Category B). Applicants were challenged to demonstrate the successful application and proper balance of eight design objectives (accessible, aesthetic, cost-effective, functional, historic, productive, safe/secure and sustainable) that make up a high-performance building as defined in the Whole Building Design Guide, as well as in recent federal legislation mandating high-performance buildings.

The program highlighted three winning case studies:
First Place Category A: High-Performance Buildings: Nationals Park ballpark in Washington, D.C., presented by Joe Spear, FAIA, and Susan Klumpp, AIA, LEED AP, HOK Sport and HOK
First Place Category B: High-Performance Initiatives: High Performing Buildings (a publication), presented by Fred Turner and Ryan Colker, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers
Award Winner, Category A: California Public Employees' Retirement System Headquarters Complex, Sacramento, California presented by Anthony Markese, AIA, Pickard Chilton

All 14 winning submissions are currently featured on SBIC's website, described in depth as case studies in the Whole Building Design Guide, and integrated into SBIC educational programs.

The 2008 Beyond Green High-Performance Building Awards Jury
The 2008 jury was comprised of industry members whose commitment to excellence is longstanding and well documented. The jury included Mr. Gregg Ander, FAIA, Ms. Marianne Cusato, Mr. Kevin Kampschroer, Dr. Get Moy, Ms. Marcela Abadi Rhoads, AIA, RAS, and Mr. Mack Scogin. The program was chaired by SBIC member Mr. Christopher Fennell.
To learn more about BASF's sustainable construction solutions, please visit www.basf.com/construction, www.highperformancecommunity.com, or www.betterhomebetterplanet.com.

BASF - The Chemical Company. We don't make a lot of the products you buy. We make a lot of the products you buy better.®

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 15,000 employees in North America, and had sales of approximately $17.5 billion in 2008. For more information about BASF's North American operations, or to sign up to receive news releases by e-mail, visit www.basf.com/usa.

BASF is the world's leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals, as well as oil and gas. As a reliable partner, BASF helps its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges, such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF has approximately 97,000 employees and posted sales of more than €62 billion in 2008. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

About SBIC: The Sustainable Buildings Industry Council is an independent, nonprofit organization and a pioneer advocate of the whole building approach to sustainable facilities. SBIC was founded in 1980 as the Passive Solar Industries Council by the major building trade groups, large corporations, small businesses, and individual practitioners who recognized that energy and resource efficient design and construction are imperative to a sustainable built environment. Today, SBIC members view energy use and sustainability within a larger context of benefits related to productivity and overall efficiency, health and safety, serviceability, and other performance factors. These ideas are reflected in the Whole Building Design Guide (www.wbdg.org), and in recent federal legislation mandating high-performance buildings.

Beyond Green is a registered trademark of the Sustainable Buildings Industry Council.

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

New Apartment Rental Search Engine Offers Thirty Times More Listings Than Current Services, Product Launch At Web 2.0 Expo 2009

Renters Can Find Over Thirty Times More Apartment Listings Using Cazoodle's Vertical Search Technology Developed At University Of Illinois, Product Launch At Web 2.0 Expo 2009 In San Francisco, March 31-April 3

Champaign, IL (PRWEB) March 23, 2009 -- Apartment hunters can now find over thirty times more online rental apartment listings nationwide, using the new Cazoodle.com Apartment Search website. "The numbers for the San Francisco Bay Area provide a case in point." Stated by Cazoodle's CTO Govind Kabra. "Cazoodle.com's Apartment Search lists over 35,000 rental apartments in the San Francisco Bay Area. By contrast, for the same area, other rental search services such as Rent.com, Apartments.com, MyNewPlace.com and ApartmentSearch.com together offer less than a thousand rental apartment listings." Other locations show similar differences.

Cazoodle.com Apartment Search will publicly launch this national service during the Web 2.0 Expo 2009 being held in San Francisco March 31 - April 3. The service will provide nationwide coverage of the entire United States, including major metropolitan areas such as Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco Bay Area, and Seattle.

Cazoodle's intelligent crawling software automatically gathers apartment listings from thousands of landlord websites and other online sources, and goes beyond simply providing large numbers of rental apartment search results. Consumers can also take virtual tours of apartment surroundings using Cazoodle's integration with Google street view images. Search results include links to the original websites to facilitate contact with landlords. Landlords and real estate property owners do not pay any fees to get listed on Cazoodle.com. By contrast, other apartment search services often charge fees for rental properties to be listed.

About Cazoodle.com:
Cazoodle.com is a vertical search company that uses proprietary "deep Web" semantic search technology developed by University of Illinois computer science professor Dr. Kevin Chang. The company's Cazoodle.com Apartment Search is the first one-stop apartment search website to combine deep integration of map visualization with apartment rental information. Cazoodle is actively developing other products, including a consumer Shopping Search service for online electronics shopping. "We have the technology and we want to use it," says Dr. Chang. The company is located in Champaign, Illinois.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:43 AM | Comments (0)

Vegetable-Based Technology to Radically Change How Shipping, Construction, Textile, Healthcare and Energy Industries Approach Temperature Control

Entropy Solutions launches PureTemp; new biodegradable material sets standard for consistent thermal management over extended periods of time

Minneapolis (PRWEB) March 23, 2009 -- Mom was right: veggies are good for you. What she didn't know was that vegetable byproducts can reduce home energy usage by 30 percent, provide protection for police and military officers working in extreme heat and keep pharmaceuticals at a consistent temperature during shipment.

It's true. PureTempTM, launched today by Minneapolis-based Entropy Solutions, is a specially engineered vegetable oil derivative that controls temperatures to extremes - as cold as dry ice, as hot as coffee- for extended periods of time. PureTemp is the world's first and only 100 percent renewable, biodegradable and environmentally friendly material to answer age-old issues concerning temperature control and maintenance.

PureTemp, available in liquid, micro-encapsulated and macro-encapsulated forms, has myriad applications in the shipping, construction, textile, healthcare and energy industries - anywhere strict temperature control is required.

"PureTemp, when used in conjunction with our biopcmTM product, has shown to reduce energy usage in homes and commercial buildings," said Alex Chaffetz, president of Phase Change Energy Solutions, based in Asheboro, N.C. "We performed countless tests trying to find the optimal material, and those tests confirmed the superior performance of PureTemp to help keep a structure at a more consistent temperature throughout the day, improving energy efficiency and providing the construction industry with arguably the only true 'green' technology available today."

"We use PureTemp to 'power' our Cool VestTM products, which keep military and police personnel at a comfortable temperature when working in intensely hot environments," said Ray Booska, president of Glacier Tek, Inc., based in West Melbourne, Fla. "PureTemp enables our Chilly DogTM vest to do the same for working dogs who must stay cool to maintain a sharp sense of smell."

Entropy Solutions' own GREENBOXTM Thermal Management System, a reusable shipper designed to transport temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals, biologics and blood products, also uses PureTemp as its "secret sauce" in maintaining the box's payload temperature for more than five days.

PureTemp can also be used in the following ways:

In the construction industry:

* Residential and commercial construction materials, such as insulation, flooring, ceiling tiles or HVAC systems, can all incorporate PureTemp. In public utility testing, PureTemp has been shown to reduce a structure's energy costs by as much as 30 percent.
* PureTemp can help icy surfaces from forming on sidewalks, bridges and roads.

In the shipping industry:

* The GREENBOXTM Thermal Management System, GREENBOX Inflater Pack and GREENBOX Pallet Shipper, all manufactured by Entropy Solutions, use PureTemp to keep payloads at a consistent temperature for unprecedented periods of time.

In the textile industry:

* Apparel, footwear and outdoor gear can all be created with PureTemp, which will keep a person warmer or cooler based on personal preference.
* PureTemp "powers" cooling vests worn by Olympic athletes, which bring body temperature to optimal levels prior to or immediately following competition.
* Similarly, PureTemp can be used in vests designed for breast cancer patients, providing necessary cooling after radiation treatments.

In the healthcare industry:

* In hospital care, micro-encapsulated PureTemp in bed sheets and mattress pads can help facilitate blood flow in bedridden patients.
* In organ transplant procedures, PureTemp ensures vital organs make it from one hospital to another at the perfect temperature.

In the energy industry:

* PureTemp can be used in more efficient temperature control in batteries and electronics, evaporative swamp coolers, water heaters or tanks for geothermal storage.

And beyond…

* PureTemp can be incorporated into thermal coffee mugs that cool contents to a drinkable temperature quickly, and keep it there for hours.
* In serving dishes for catering or in-home use, PureTemp can keep hot or cold foods at an appropriate temperature for long periods of time.

Executive perspective
"Given the Obama administration's focus on driving renewable solutions throughout various industries, PureTemp is right on the mark," said Eric Lindquist, president of Entropy Solutions. "We believe PureTemp has the potential to positively impact every aspect of a person's life - from the sheets you sleep in, to the car you drive, to the office building you work in - all the while, protecting the environment and providing economic opportunity to America's farmers."

The science behind PureTemp
PureTemp's patented and proprietary formulation works by absorbing and releasing otherwise-wasted surrounding ambient energy, providing the ability to hold specific temperature ranges for long periods of time. Tests performed by the USDA and analyses completed by Independent Life-Cycle and BEES® have resulted in PureTemp being listed in the USDA BioPreferredTM directory as the only "green" choice in the Heat Transfer Fluid category.

PureTemp is a "phase change material," meaning it has the ability to change "phases" (for example, liquid to solid or solid to liquid) between set temperatures - anywhere between 40°F and 160°F. During the process of liquefying and solidifying within a set temperature range, phase change materials absorb, store and release large amounts of energy. These natural properties of latent heat energy help maintain a product's or structure's temperature and buffer it from temperature swings. PCMs recharge as ambient (outdoor) temperatures fluctuate, making them ideal for a multitude of everyday applications.

For more information
To learn more about PureTemp, please visit http://www.entropysolutionsinc.com.

About Entropy Solutions, Inc.
Entropy Solutions, Inc. is a thermal technology development company with its global headquarters based in Minneapolis. The company's mission is to provide renewable, innovative, cost-effective, temperature-controlled solutions for the shipping, construction, textile, healthcare and alternative energy industries. Entropy Solutions' GREENBOX technology is an innovative and next-generation passive thermal breakthrough in highly efficient shipping containers, intended for cold chain operations. Using PureTempTM renewable phase change technology, GREENBOX is capable of maintaining narrow temperature ranges for record durations, while reducing packaging waste.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:43 AM | Comments (0)

BidClerk Reports Construction Projects Up For Bid in the New York, NY Area

BidClerk's weekly update of new construction projects coming up for bids in the next 90 days.

New York, NY (PRWEB) March 23, 2009 -- BidClerk, the Construction Industry Search Engine, reported today that the following building projects are planning to go out for bids or start construction in the next 90 days in the New York, NY Metro Area. Businesses interested in providing services relative to these projects should visit www.BidClerk.com and reference the Project ID listed below to obtain direct contact information for each job:

New York, NY - 16 East 30th Street Hotel, 16 E. 30th St., 50,984-square-foot hotel, June 2009, $5.9 million. Project ID : 814299

Jamaica, NY - Burger King / Jamaica, JFK Expressway and South Cargo Road, 500-square-foot restaurant remodel, April 2009, $100,000. Project ID : 941756

New York, NY - TD Bank / Staten Island, 1600 Forest Ave., 3,000-square-foot bank branch, April 2009, $500,000. Project ID : 946825

Jamaica, NY - Stone Rose Bar & Grille, JFK Expressway and South Cargo Road, 2,311-square-foot restaurant build-out, May 2009, $350,000. Project ID : 941776

Marlton, NJ - St. Isaac Jogues Church - Phase II - Meeting Room Building, 349 Evesboro Medford Road, 12,925-square-foot religious facility, May 2009, $2 million. Project ID : 937721

About BidClerk.com:
BidClerk.com is the only Search Engine dedicated to providing businesses with in depth information on thousands of construction projects coming up for bid all throughout the United States. Our daily updates of commercial and residential construction projects are available to contractors and businesses in related industries that are seeking bid opportunities. For more information on bidding construction projects in your area, visit BidClerk online or call 877-737-6482.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:41 AM | Comments (0)

900th Home Closes at Heron Bay Golf and Country Club

Philadelphia couple to move into D.R. Horton home in Meadow Glen by summer.

Atlanta, GA (Vocus/PRWEB ) March 23, 2009 -- Minerva Properties is pleased to announce the closing of the 900th home at Heron Bay Golf and Country Club. This milestone was reached earlier this month Thadius and Mindy Nesbitt closed on their new D.R. Horton home in the Meadow Glen neighborhood at Heron Bay. The Philadelphia couple is moving to the Henry County master-planned community to be closer to family and plan to move into their new home this summer.

“We wanted a place that was warm to retire to, so we actually first considered moving out of the country to somewhere tropical, but decided that we did not want to be that far away from family,” said Mindy. “With its resort-style amenities and convenient location to Thadius’ family in Atlanta, Heron Bay was the perfect community for us.”

The Nesbitts' home is the two story Fieldstone floorplan by award winning, national homebuilder, DR Horton Homes and includes five bedrooms with three bathrooms. Located on a wooded homesite in a quiet cul-de-sac that backs up to preserved greenspace, the spacious home is in a peaceful area surrounded by nature. The beautiful open concept floorplan features a two-story foyer flanked by formal living and dining rooms, large gourmet kitchen with center island, spacious family room with gas fireplace and a guest suite on the main level. The second floor includes an owners retreat with a luxurious bathroom with large bathtub and separate shower.

“We are very excited about this milestone,” said Heron Bay's Marketing Director, Lisa Brutvan. “It comes at a time when many communities are feeling the discouraging pressures of a down market. Reaching this significant milestone energizes us about the response of our homebuyers and prospective homebuyers to the lifestyle available at Heron Bay. It also proves the dedication of our staff and development team. We are excited about the success we have seen at Heron Bay and the momentum that we have moving forward.”

D.R. Horton and Heron Bay have worked hard to make the Nesbitts transition from Philadelphia to Atlanta's southern crescent as easy as possible. “Purchasing our new home has been a great experience due in large part to the customer service here at Heron Bay. Everyone from the development team to the builder to the sales agents have been extremely friendly, helpful and willing to make special accommodations for us, which can be difficult for someone moving from another state. They were the nicest people I have ever met in my life,” said Mindy.

In addition to their new home, the Nesbitts are looking forward to taking advantage of Heron Bay’s resort-style amenity package that includes an aquatic center, clubhouse, tennis center, lake, golf course, parks and more. The Nesbitts' new neighborhood, Meadow Glen, is a short stroll from an adjacent neighborhood park and right down the street from the golf clubhouse and grille.

To visit Heron Bay, take I-75 South to Exit 216. Turn right and proceed five miles to Heron Bay Golf and Country Club.

About D.R. Horton, Inc.
D.R. Horton, Inc., America's Builder, is the largest homebuilder in the United States, delivering more than 41,000 new homes in its fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. Founded in 1978 in Fort Worth, Texas, D.R. Horton currently has communities in 80 markets in 27 states. The Company is engaged in the construction and sale of high quality single-family detached homes, town homes, duplexes, triplexes and condominiums with sales prices ranging from $90,000 to $900,000. D.R. Horton also provides mortgage financing and title services for homebuyers through DHI Mortgage and DHI Title. For more information, visit www.drhorton.com.

About Heron Bay Golf and Country Club
Named the “Community of the Year” in 2005 by the Greater Atlanta Homebuilders Association, and awarded the 2006 Grand Award for Outstanding Development by the Georgia Urban Forest Council, Heron Bay Golf and Country Club, developed by Minerva Properties, is a master-planned community that is setting new standards for development in the Atlanta marketplace. Heron Bay includes a variety of neighborhoods designed for every life stage and features a full complement of unparalleled amenities in a resort-like setting in Locust Grove, Ga., just south of Atlanta. For more information, visit www.heronbayinfo.com or call 770-957-5633.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:41 AM | Comments (0)

Fluorotherm's Chemically Resistant PTFE, FEP and PFA Products are the Materials of Choice

One of the unique characteristics of PTFE, FEP, and PFA fluoropolymers is that they are the materials of choice over other polymers for applications that require specific performance criteria. Some of these criteria may require electrical, chemical inertness, non-shedding, optical, thermal (both high temperature and cryogenic conditions), ultraviolet light transparency, lubricity, weathering and corrosion resistance characteristics, among others. Fluoropolymers such as PTFE, FEP and PFA uniquely meet one or a combination of these criteria.

Parsippany, NJ (PRWEB) March 23, 2009 -- One of the unique characteristics of PTFE, FEP, and PFA fluoropolymers is that they are the materials of choice over other polymers for applications that require specific performance criteria. Some of these criteria may require electrical, chemical inertness, non-shedding, optical, thermal (both high temperature and cryogenic conditions), ultraviolet light transparency, lubricity, weathering and corrosion resistance characteristics, among others. Fluoropolymers such as PTFE, FEP and PFA uniquely meet one or a combination of these criteria.

Chemical Resistance -

Fluoropolymers; specifically perfluorinated materials such as PTFE, FEP and PFA contain only carbon and fluorine with single chemical bonds in the chemical structure. Their hydrocarbon counterparts, such as polyethylene and polypropylene; contain carbon and hydrogen. The morphology or structural shape of the fluoropolymer molecule containing strong C-F single bonds is uniquely tailored to prevent chemical attack of the carbon-carbon backbone by most common chemicals. Think Caesar's Roman army with rectangular shields that received better protection against flying spears than the round shields of opposing armies.

PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) is very resistant to attack by most highly corrosive chemicals. For example, Fluorotherm has many instances of heat exchangers and other products that continue to operate in hot sulfuric, nitric and hydrochloric acids. Our design of heat exchangers were originally introduced to the market in the mid-1960's., and new combinations of increasingly robust design and materials have evolved since then. An example of our heat exchanger frame initially installed in 1982 is shown below. The tubing material has been replaced but the frame is relatively clean considering its exposure to hot nitric and hydrofluoric acids over the the past 26 years.

FEP (polytetrafluoroethylene-co-hexfluoropropylene) and PFA (polytetrafluoroethylene-co-perfluoro alkoxyvinyl ether) have chemical resistance similar to PTFE. Tubing made of these materials have a long life in aggressive environments in the simultaneous presence of harsh chemicals and high temperatures in comparison to other plastics and materials where failure may occur as a result of either structural or thermal degradation.

Extreme chemical inertness of perfluorinated polymers serves well in a broad range of industries and applications. Some of these include the chemical process industry (CPI); the oil well and oil services industries; refinery and petrochemicals, pharmaceutical applications; pulp and paper mills, environmental sampling and laboratory environments., among others.

The list of chemicals that are compatible with our tubing materials is too numerous to mention. In fact, it is easier to list the few materials that do not work with our fluoropolymers. For additional information please click on the following link:

http://www.fluorotherm.com/chemical_resistance.html

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:40 AM | Comments (0)

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Selects FieldTurf for Eco-Friendly Home Project in Tuscon, AZ

FieldTurf installation driven by significant contributions to environmentally sustainable construction.

Peachtree City, GA (Vocus/PRWEB ) March 23, 2009 -- “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”, the two-time Emmy Award-Winning ABC television show, selected the new FieldTurf Lush with Ecobac product for an eco-friendly home project. The FieldTurf installation completed by Heavenly Greens/SPEC International was completed in Tucson, AZ for the Bell family and aired on March 22, 2009 at 8PM (ET). The FieldTurf Lush with Ecobac product was chosen primarily for its ability to make significant contributions to the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building certification program - specifically in the areas of significant water, pesticides, fertilizer and maintenance reduction.

"We are honored to help the Bell Family and we are thrilled that Extreme Makeover: Home Edition chose the latest in synthetic turf landscaping innovation in order to complete their environmentally friendly project," stated Richard Spanjian, President of FieldTurf Tarkett's Greenscapes Division. "The featured backyard project by on-air designer, Eduardo Xol, was the ideal location to introduce our new FieldTurf Lush with Ecobac – our first low-infill 100% recyclable proprietary product, designed specifically for landscape applications. Unlike most synthetic turf surfacing solutions on the market, this product is ideal for areas around pools or on rooftops. Our products not only look and feel like lush, green grass, 365 days a year ...we're even greener than we look!"

In addition to being long-time members of the U.S. Green Building Council, FieldTurf Tarkett is an approved allied member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Greenscapes program setting national standards for recycling and reuse.

All of FieldTurf Tarkett's synthetic turf products have major environmental benefits, including:

* Reduced Water usage by 70%
* Qualification for water rebates in certain geographical areas (e.g. up to $1.00 per square foot in the Southern California 20-county Metropolitan Water District)
* No harmful pesticide or fertilizer run-off – improving community waterways and safety for family and pets
* Superior Drainage with exceptional erosion control

Beyond the significant and numerous environmental benefits, over 20,000 satisfied residential, commercial, municipalities, parks & recreation, government, aviation and military customers have chosen FieldTurf products for their natural look and feel, and unmatched durability-making it ideal for children and pets. In addition, FieldTurf reduces maintenance costs by up to 80%, which for the average homeowner is more than $600 per year. FieldTurf products are also 100% hypoallergenic, ideal for anyone with seasonal or grass allergies. FieldTurf Greenscapes products are available via a nationwide network of exclusive distributors who can be identified via the www.fieldturfgreenscapes.com website. Unlike many others in the industry, all FieldTurf installers must pass rigorous certification and annual recertification to ensure quality standards.

PLAYGROUND - Long-Term Safety Never Looked so Good!

* Superior fall-height safety-surpassing standards for up to 10-feet - Same on Day 5,000 as Day 1.
* Unmatched Drainage and Durability = Ready to play just minutes after heavy rain
* Eliminates dirt on children or coming inside

GOLF – The Most Advanced Practice System on the Market

* Combines putting and approach shot making for the truest roll and ideal experience
* Greens which roll true and the only system which can hold shots from 200+ yards.
* Utilized by Tour Players, Golf Professionals, Driving Ranges, Public and Private Clubs, Resorts, Colleges and homeowners in backyards and on rooftops.

About FieldTurf Tarkett:

FieldTurf Tarkett is the undisputed global leader of the synthetic turf industry with over 3,000 football and soccer sports fields installed globally (21 NFL teams, 14 FIFA and UEFA teams, 500+ NCAA teams, 2,000+ High Schools) and tens of thousands of satisfied homeowners and businesses nationwide. All of FieldTurf Tarkett's surfaces are developed, produced and installed with a concentration on sustainability and a commitment to protecting the environment. The company calls it 'Environmental Intelligence' and lives by this principle in every way.

About “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”

"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," which has won back-to-back Emmy Awards as Best Reality Program (non-competitive), is entering its 6th season on ABC. The program is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. Anthony Dominici is the executive producer; and David Goldberg is the president of Endemol USA.

For more information contact:
Richard Spanjian
888-364-6541 x2288
or
Michael Jones
888-364-6541 x2235
www.fieldturfgreenscapes.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:40 AM | Comments (0)

Official U.S. Sales Center To Open Promoting Bahamas Real Estate

The Paradise Is Mine company today unveiled plans to open the first "Official US Sales Center" to exclusively market Bahamas properties in the historic South Beach section of Miami. Paradise Is Mine, developer of innovative online marketing tools for the real estate industry, provided details for its US based sales centers as part of a global marketing strategy to promote Bahamas real estate.

Miami, FL (PRWEB) March 23, 2009 -- The Paradise Is Mine company today unveiled plans to open the first "Official US Sales Center" to exclusively market Bahamas properties in the historic South Beach section of Miami. Paradise Is Mine, developer of innovative online marketing tools for the real estate industry, provided details for its US based sales centers as part of a global marketing strategy to promote Bahamas real estate.

"The Bahamas government has taken a tremendously innovative approach in the way they market travel and tourism for their island. Bahamas.com is quickly becoming one of the most recognizable web properties and brands in the world. Their marketing and brand recognition is ingenious. Their logo is catchy and it's everywhere you look on the Internet," according to Lou Winthorpe, real estate and travel analyst and regular contributor to the BBC. "They are truly at the forefront of the way governments should market themselves online," Winthorpe further added.

Paradise Is Mine is parlaying the global appeal of Bahamas travel with the fact that the Bahamas real estate market, for the most part, has not been affected by the global economy. "This is a tremendous market opportunity for us," stated Ted Rover, Director of Sales for Paradise Is Mine. Who wouldn't want oceanfront property and a second home on a spectacular tropical paradise? At the end of the day this is not really that hard to sell," Rover went on to say.

The Bahamian government which has travel and tourism offices in London, Toronto, New York and South Florida has recently consolidated offices in Atlanta, Houston and Dallas in order to focus on the development of their online presence. This strategy is viewed by industry analysts as being at the forefront of governmental global marketing. Bahamas.com has aggressively marketed travel and tourism online most recently by partnering with the NFL by sponsoring numerous events for the upcoming Superbowl and Pro Bowl which will be held in South Florida in 2010.

South Florida, just 50 miles off the coast of the Bahamas, provides people interested in Bahamas real estate a perfect venue to get a feel for what the Bahamas has to offer without leaving the United States. "There are millions of tourists who visit Miami Beach every year and we feel that this is a perfect venue to promote the Bahamas," Rover went on to say.

"In the current global economic recession Bahamas real estate prices have remained stable which is truly remarkable. The Bahamas is a tremendous alternative for investors with money on the sideline, not to mention that it's a great place to have a second home. Opening a sales center is very strategic and should pay dividends for the company," said Winthorpe.

Currently Bahamas.com has between 8,000 and 9,000 unique visitors per day to their website. This contributes to the 5,000,000 visitors who visit the islands per year and Bahamas cruises which account for an additional 25,000,000 people per year. The Official US sales center for the Bahamas is slated to open in early summer of 2009.

Paradise Is Mine
1-888-RUM-CAY-8
www.ParadiseIsMine.com
Ted Rover

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:40 AM | Comments (0)

Reclamation Signs Final Record of Decision on Southern Delivery System Pipeline

The Bureau of Reclamation has released the Record of Decision on the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Southern Delivery System.

Billings, Montana (Vocus/PRWEB ) March 23, 2009 -- The Bureau of Reclamation has released the Record of Decision on the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Southern Delivery System. The SDS is a non-federal water delivery pipeline that would run from Pueblo Reservoir to Colorado Springs, Colo. It will connect to Pueblo Dam and require water contracts between Colorado Springs Utilities and the Bureau of Reclamation.

Michael Ryan, Regional Director for Reclamation's Great Plains Region, signed the Record of Decision later Friday afternoon.

"We have completed the environmental compliance and have provided the public with a detailed report on the impacts of the Southern Delivery System," said Ryan. "It is a positive step forward in providing a clean and efficient water supply for many Colorado communities, while also ensuring we remain diligent stewards of our natural resources."

Colorado Springs Mayor Lionel Rivera also gave his thoughts on Reclamation's review of the project, saying, "This is a critical milestone toward making the Southern Delivery System and the water it will provide for our future a reality. Reclamation's review of SDS was lengthy, thorough and complete and we ended up with a better project as a result."

Reclamation prepared its Environmental Impact Statement in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The Final EIS was released last month and is available at www.sdseis.com. The signing of the ROD concludes the NEPA process.

For more information on the Record of Decision for the Southern Delivery System EIS, please visit the www.sdseis.com website. To obtain a hard copy of the ROD, please contact Kara Lamb at (970) 962-4326.

Reclamation is the largest wholesale water supplier in the United States, and the nation's second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Its facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation, and fish and wildlife benefits. Visit our website at http://www.usbr.gov.

Media Contact:
Kara Lamb
(970) 962-4326

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:40 AM | Comments (0)

Enlighten's Environments For Living® Virtual Home Tour Helps People "See Green"

New site is "dynamic, content-rich learning tool" for builders and consumers.

Ann Arbor, MI (PRWEB) March 23, 2009 -- At a time when "living green" is at once a smart, responsible, and increasingly popular choice, web development and interactive marketing agency Enlighten has created Environments For Living (www.environmentsforliving.com), a site designed to connect homebuyers with the builders who know how to help minimize their environmental footprint. The Environments For Living® program, developed by Masco Home Services, Inc., is a national turn-key program designed to assist builders in constructing energy-efficient homes that are more comfortable and more durable than homes built using conventional methods.

The website was launched in conjunction with January's International Builders' Show (IBS) in Las Vegas, at which Environments For Living was represented. The site illuminates the many ways that "building science" (the science of considering the home as a "system of systems" that all work together) helps homeowners and builders go green when they build an Environments For Living home.

"The website is awesome; I was genuinely delighted with the final product," says Karen Mendelsohn, Vice President - Sales and Marketing for Masco Corporation. Tim Monteith, Vice President - Chief Information Officer for Masco, says the site "is dynamic and stylistic, as well as a content-rich learning tool that we are happy to share with our peers, as well as our customers. It is everything we hoped it would be, and more."

To successfully recreate the experience of touring an Environments For Living home, Enlighten's designers and engineers developed a detailed virtual replica of the actual 2,200-square-foot showcase home featured at IBS and allowed site visitors to explore it through an animated tour. The virtual home features materials and surfaces that are identical to the real house, a feat achieved by scanning the actual building materials and using their patterns to "skin" the surfaces of the digital home. Enlighten also used the same CAD (computer-aided design) files used by the builders to construct the house so that every virtual room is an exact match to the show home. The virtual tour demonstrates how different aspects of the new home are designed to work as a system to achieve the Environments For Living program benefits of Energy Efficiency, Durability, Indoor Environmental Quality, and Water Efficiency. Builders who toured the physical IBS showcase home in Las Vegas were also able to view clips of the virtual tour via onsite screens, and be directed to the website to learn even more.

"It's one of those perfect scenarios in which doing the right thing for the environment and the community is also the best business decision. It's all about controlling operating costs and protecting resale value," said Enlighten president Tom Beck. "This website makes it easy for consumers to get the big picture. And it has a parallel section that helps builders understand the program benefits and what's required for participation."

About Masco
Headquartered in Taylor, Michigan, Masco Corporation (www.masco.com) is one of the world's leading manufacturers of home improvement and building products, as well as a leading provider of services that include the installation of insulation and other building products.

About Enlighten
Enlighten (www.enlighten.com) is an interactive marketing, web development, data analytics, and strategic consulting firm building innovative online experiences for major brands including Hunter Douglas, Richmond American Homes, John Frieda Collection, Jergens, Bioré, illy caffè, Olympic Paint and Stain, Fruit2O, Jimmy John's, Comerica, Central Bancompany, HealthMedia and more. Based in Ann Arbor, the privately-held, award-winning firm was founded in 1983.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:38 AM | Comments (0)

Ccr Propiedades e Inversiones S.A. Announces Wireless Internet Services at Vistas de Chirripo

Ccr Propiedades e Inversiones S.A announces the addition of high speed wireless internet to the development services at Vistas de Chirripo. "This new service brings the latest in technology to Vistas de Chirripo", said developer Bill Herle, "Our residents now have economical, high-speed access to the internet in addition to all other established services at Vistas de Chirripo." Vistas de Chirripo is located in the Municipality of Perez Zeledon, 35 km inland from the Pacific coast, in southern Costa Rica.

Vistas De Chirripo Country Estates, San Isidro, Perez Zeledon, Costa Rica (PRWEB) March 23, 2009 -- Bill Herle, spokesman for CCR Propiedades e Inversiones S.A., announced the availability of high-speed internet service in the Vistas de Chirripo Country Estates development. Vistas de Chirripo is located in the Municipality of Perez Zeledon, 35 km inland from the Pacific coast, in southern Costa Rica. "This new service brings the latest in technology to Vistas de Chirripo", said Mr. Herle, "Our residents now have economical, high-speed access to the internet in addition to all other established services at Vistas de Chirripo."

Costa Rica's wonderful people and culture, social and political stability, positive attitude to foreign ownership of property, and tropical climate have made it one of the most popular locations for retirement and vacation homes. The specific attributes of the southern area around San Isidro in the Municipality of Perez Zeledon have until recently been a well-kept secret. 35 km. of paved highway leads inland from the Pacific coast to Vistas de Chirripo. On arrival, you will find a more temperate and less humid climate due to a higher altitude. Vistas de Chirripo is an eco-friendly development that has not required tree-cutting for roads and building sites. Its environmental impact has been minimal, and in fact the environment is benefitting from the ongoing reforestation in the development.

Vistas de Chirripo offers large building sites and accompanying land at much more affordable prices than coastal property. And Vistas has been designed to foster a real community-feel for its residents. A 35 acre common preserve is the centerpiece of the development. The community facilities include a preserve with nature trails along the Rio Penas Blancas, a common fruit orchard, and a central fully-equipped rancho facility as a gathering place A full-time caretaker is living on site, with his family, in a new home provided by the developer

"Vistas de Chirripo offers completely natural, green surroundings for your home with adjacent rainforest and spectacular mountain and valley views, yet only a short drive from both the city of San Isidro and the beautiful Pacific beaches," according to developer Bill Herle. As demand for these acreage properties has demonstrated, this is truly a wonderful combination. Phase 2 properties are now available, as well as a few remaining Phase 1 properties, starting at only $56,000. USD.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:38 AM | Comments (0)

Best Home Building Websites Trends Detailed in New Report from Web Marketing Association

Updated Web Marketing Association' Internet Standards Assessment Report Includes Historical Data Derived from a Decade of Hosting Internet Award Competition, WebAwards, and Provides Best Practices for Home Builder Web Design

West Simsbury, CT (PRWEB) March 23, 2009 -- WebAward.org- The Web Marketing Association, host of leading website awards competition WebAwards, released the 2009 Internet Standards Assessment Report (ISAR) to help home builders create more effective and engaging websites.

"As the standard of excellence for websites continues to increase, consumers (and WebAward judges) are increasingly picky about what they consider to be an effective website," said William Rice, president of the Web Marketing Association, Inc. "Going forward, home builder websites will need to integrate more multi-media to allow visitors to virtually tour homes and neighborhoods.

The WebAwards competition judges home builder websites on seven criteria that combined create award-winning websites:

* Design
* Innovation
* Content
* Technology
* Interactivity
* Copywriting
* Ease of use

Home building Web sites joined the WebAwards in 2003 and have outperformed the ISAR index every year they competed, until 2008 when they dropped sharply. These sites have beaten the 5-year criteria benchmark averages in design, content and ease of use. They have only narrowly underperformed the benchmarks in innovation, technology, innovation, and copywriting. As an industry, they are strongest in content, design, and ease of use. They could use improvement in innovation and technology.

The 2008 WebAward for Home Building website went to Armstrong World Industries for Armstrong Residential Ceilings.

Other past winners include:

* 2007 Creative Digital Group for the Home Depot Roofing, Siding, Windows Web site
* 2006 Hanley Wood LLC for BUILDER Online
* 2005 Critical Mass for Andersen Windows
* 2004 Liggett-Stashower Interactive for Crane Performance Siding Web Site
* 2003 Emco Building Products Corp for DreamRoofs.com

Companies and organizations wishing to have their home building Web site evaluated against the ISAR Index and be considered for a WebAward, which can help boost a Website's credibility and marketing efforts, can learn more at WebAward.org.

To request your copy of the 2009 WebAward ISAR report, please visit: WebAward.org

The Internet Standards Assessment report and the 2009 WebAwards are sponsored by the following leading organizations: Burst Media, B2B Magazine, BGT Partners, PRWeb, AllBusiness, ExactTarget, ad:tech conferences, NewsUSA, Microsoft PhizzPop, Internet World, AllBusiness, Search Engine Strategies, Webmaster Radio, Rovion, and Website Magazine.

2009 WebAward Call for Entries
The Web Marketing Association is now accepting entries into its 13th annual international WebAward Competition. The WebAwards is the standards-defining competition that sets industry benchmarks that the Internet Standards Assessment report is based upon. The home building industry represents an important category in the WebAward competition, and the Web Marketing Association will again be honoring the Best Home Building Web site of 2009. The deadline for entry is May 29, 2009 and the WebAward Web site is located at WebAward.org.

About the WebAwards
Now in its 13th year, the annual international WebAwards competition sets the standard of excellence in 96 industry categories by evaluating Web sites and defining benchmarks based on the seven essential criteria of successful Web site development. The goal of the Web Marketing Association, sponsor of the WebAwards, is to provide a forum to recognize the people and organizations responsible for developing some of the most effective Web sites on the Internet today. Entrants benefit from a Web site assessment by a professional judging panel and the marketing opportunities presented to an award-winning Web site. For more information, visit WebAward.org.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:37 AM | Comments (0)

Venbrook Announces Expansion Of Construction Group

Helmed by Tim Johnston; Venbrook's Construction Group adds industry experts Eileen Parnes, Donna Rowland and Julie Felix to its expanding division.

Woodland Hills, CA (PRWEB) March 23, 2009 -- Venbrook Insurance Services (VIS) is pleased to announce the expansion and enhancement of its Construction Group, helmed by industry veteran and Construction Insurance expert, Tim Johnston.

Johnston, whose more than 25 years of experience as a top producer in the Construction Insurance space, was tapped to helm Venbrook's expanding Construction Group earlier this year as Senior Vice President. Johnston is now joined by Commercial Insurance veterans Eileen Parnes, Donna Rowland and Julie Felix to offer enhanced services to meet the growing demand for solutions to challenges currently facing the construction industry.

Industry veteran Eileen Parnes has been named Account Executive and Unit Manager of Venbrook's growing Construction Group. Parnes has spent more than 30 years working in the greater Los Angeles Insurance industry, the last 10 of which have been spent exclusively working in the Construction Insurance Industry. In addition to managing the group, Parnes' primary focus will consist of working with major sub-contractors.

Donna Rowland has also joined the VIS Construction Group as a Senior Account Manager. Like Parnes, Rowland has spent her more than 30 year career in the insurance industry, with specializations in both residential and commercial Construction accounts. Her vast experience also includes expertise in Risk Management.

Julie Felix, newly appointed Account Manager for Venbrook's Construction Group, brings more than 20 years of experience to the Woodland Hills based company. Felix's specialties include expertise in certificates, excellence in customer service and expedient processing.

Venbrook's enhanced Construction Group will focus on serving not only insurance needs of clients in California, but will write business for the Construction Industry from coast to coast. Services offered by the enhanced group will include safety and loss control programs, the writing of property and casualty insurance, workers compensation and employee benefits.

According to Marc Bishara, President and C.O.O. of VIS, "Venbrook is both honored and thrilled to welcome Eileen, Donna and Julie to our growing Construction Group. The collective expertise of this group will allow us to take Venbrook's Construction Insurance Services to great new heights."

About Venbrook
Venbrook provides risk management, safety and loss control, claims administration, insurance and risk transfer solutions, captive management, and reinsurance placement for clients throughout the United States through its retail brokerage, specialty brokerage, insurance, and reinsurance entities. Venbrook is headquartered in Woodland Hills, CA www.venbrook.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:36 AM | Comments (0)

Superior Woodcraft, Inc. Takes Top Awards in NARI's 2009 Regional and Local Competition

Leader in handmade, custom cabinetry walks away with four CotY ™ Awards -- heads to nationals.

Doylestown, PA (PRWEB) March 22, 2009 -- Superior Woodcraft, Inc., Doylestown, PA, is pleased to announce its selection as a local and regional award-winner in the National Association of the Remodeling Industry's (NARI) 2009 Contractor of the Year competition. Superior Woodcraft, Inc. achieved first-place standing, locally and regionally, in the category of Residential Interior Under $100,000 (Steve Mumford, Designer) and first place locally in the Residential Kitchen $30,000 - $60,000 category (Ellyn Barr, CKD, Designer). Superior Woodcraft also achieved a Meritorious Award (local) for Residential Interior Over $100,000 (Steve Mumford, Designer). Regional judging took place at NARI's headquarters in Des Plaines, Illinois, and local awards were announced on January 23, 2009 at the Sellersville Theater in Sellersville, PA. Judging was based on problem solving, functionality, aesthetics, craftsmanship, innovation, and degree of difficulty. Superior's regional first-place win for a sustainable library design and installation (Residential Interior Under $100,000) qualifies the company to move on to NARI's national competition. Awards will be announced March 28, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia.

"We are delighted with the awards," states Michelle Geiger Kennedy, company president and daughter of Superior Woodcraft, Inc. founder, Karl Geiger. "Our thanks and congratulations go to everyone involved in the winning projects, especially designers Steve Mumford and Ellyn Barr, CKD. Producing fine custom cabinetry requires master craftsmanship, commitment to quality, creativity, and versatility. I'm proud to lead a company where these qualities are recognized and rewarded by such an outstanding organization like NARI."

Superior Woodcraft, Inc. (www.superiorwoodcraft.com) designs, builds and installs handcrafted, custom cabinetry for the entire home. Founded in 1967 by master cabinetmaker, Karl H. Geiger, Superior Woodcraft, Inc. is committed to preserving the time-honored skills, traditions and integrity of old-world cabinetmaking with sustainable methods and materials. Superior Woodcraft craftsmen create truly custom, fully functioning, highly aesthetic pieces of unparallel quality and everlasting beauty.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:36 AM | Comments (0)

Prospective Buyers Signing Up For March 28th Wealth Building Seminar at Henley on Hudson

Public interest is building for a unique Homebuyer Wealth Building Seminar featuring Weehawken, NJ Mayor Richard Turner and Wells Fargo industry veteran Sean Thomson. The informative event will be held on Saturday, March 28th from 10:00 am to 12:00 p.m. at Henley on Hudson, the distinctive collection of European-inspired homes located within Port Imperial along the Hudson River waterfront in Weehawken.

Weehawkin, NJ (PRWEB) March 22, 2009 -- Public interest is building for a unique Homebuyer Wealth Building Seminar featuring Weehawken, NJ Mayor Richard Turner and Wells Fargo industry veteran Sean Thomson. The informative event will be held on Saturday, March 28th from 10:00 am to 12:00 p.m. at Henley on Hudson, the distinctive collection of European-inspired homes located within Port Imperial along the Hudson River waterfront in Weehawken.

Sponsored by Lennar Urban, the seminar will provide an insightful analysis of today's historic real estate marketplace, including an in-depth look at where mortgage rates are heading and what programs are available to buyers. Real estate experts will also address the unlikelihood of a future potential dip in the market through a demonstration on the lack of inventory in the northern New Jersey submarket.

In addition, Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner will detail his vision for the continued development of Port Imperial South, a stretch of waterfront property that already features spectacular homes, a ferry terminal with service to Manhattan, a Light Rail station, a riverfront walkway, and a 14-acre park featuring tennis, softball, soccer and football fields. Henley on the Hudson is only the second residential community being built in Port Imperial South. Future plans for the property, which include mid-rise condominium buildings and a vibrant urban setting with fine dining establishments and boutique shops, will also be discussed.

Those interested in attending the event, which will be held in The Club at Henley, can register by visiting www.henleyonhudson.com or calling (201) 864-7788.

"These are historic times, but also confusing times, and we know the public is hungry for real information about what opportunities are available today and how to best take advantage of the current conditions," notes Michael Skea, Director of Operations for Lennar Urban's Northeast Division, which is developing Henley on Hudson in partnership with Roseland Property Company.

"This seminar will give prospective buyers the facts they need as they consider making important decisions about their future and illustrate how real estate has historically remained the bedrock of investment."

In addition to benefitting from the vast knowledge and years of experience of these two respected individuals, those in attendance will also be able to experience Henley on Hudson's outstanding 6,000 square-foot clubhouse, which includes a stately club room for reading, relaxing or entertaining; a theater room, billiards and gaming lounge, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a Yoga/Pilates room and a Children's Play Studio - all in an unparalleled setting that boasts breathtaking panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline.

What's more, tours will be given of the community's spectacular model homes, including a magnificent four-story Brownstone and a dramatic Penthouse residence.

The fully-furnished Brownstone model features a majestic four-level, 2,879-square-foot layout with three-bedroom suites, three full-baths and three half-baths, a wide array of high-end finishes and appointments and magnificent views of the Manhattan skyline and Hudson River. The Brownstones were designed to represent the traditional urban multi-level architecture commonly seen in upscale Manhattan streetscapes. The majestic designs feature grand layouts with a private entrance, two-car garage, private elevator and soaring living spaces.

The fully-furnished Penthouse model boasts a gracious 1,716-square-foot layout complemented by a wide array of high-end appointments and features an exclusive corner location and outdoor terrace which give way to magnificent views of the Manhattan skyline and the Hudson River.

Henley on Hudson features 164 homes in all, including stunning condominium residences, luxurious penthouses and classic brownstones. The distinctive collection of homes is currently priced from $1.425 million to $2.6 million -- a phenomenal value in today's marketplace. More than 55 homes have already closed.

An abundance of open space can be found within Henley on Hudson and throughout Port Imperial for active and passive recreation, including tree-lined walking and jogging paths and European gardens. Adjacent to Henley on Hudson is a 14-acre park featuring tennis courts and softball, soccer and football fields; while the waterfront walkway offers a picturesque setting for jogging, rollerblading, bike riding or just enjoying the beautiful landscape.

A vibrant downtown atmosphere that promotes pedestrian and street activity is further enhanced by The Shops at Riverwalk, Port Imperial's eclectic offering of boutique shops, restaurants and services, which are transforming this stretch of the "Gold Coast" into the new Hoboken.

Ideal for commuters, residents at Henley on Hudson also enjoy the convenience of the Port Imperial Ferry Terminal which provides direct service to Manhattan, while a Light-Rail station offers access to towns throughout the "Gold Coast." The community is also within close proximity to a highway network linking it to the Lincoln Tunnel, The New Jersey Turnpike and Newark Liberty International Airport.

For additional information on Henley on Hudson and to schedule an appointment to tour the furnished brownstone and penthouse model homes, please call (201) 864-7788, or visit the community's website at www.henleyonhudson.com. The community's onsite Sales Center is located at 2 Henley Place and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Media Contact:
George Cahn
CAHN Communications
201-876-3100

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:35 AM | Comments (0)

Disaster Restoration, Inc. (DRI) Announces New Company President

Disaster Restoration, Inc. (DRI) is please to announce the hiring of Jim Spinosa as the comapny President.

(PRWEB) March 21, 2009 -- Disaster Restoration, Inc., (DRI) Denver, CO announces the hiring of James Spinosa, formerly of Allentown, Pennsylvania as President. Mr. Spinosa brings 23 years of experience in the restoration and construction management industry to DRI. Disaster Restoration, Inc. is the Rocky Mountain Region's premier sole-focus disaster restoration company. Since 1987, DRI has focused on state-wide restoration and security of damage caused by fire, smoke, and environmental disasters. For 24/7/365 response contact DRI at 1-800-475-FIRE.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:35 AM | Comments (0)

ECOHOME -- Winner of Best Start-Up Publication and Best New Web Site

ECOHOME, an integrated media network supporting the growth of sustainable home building, is the Jesse H. Neal Award winner for Best Start-Up Publication and the Best New B2B Web site winner in min's Best of the Web Awards.

Washington DC (PRWEB) March 24, 2009 -- Hanley Wood's ECOHOME magazine, the leading publication serving the sustainable housing industry, won top honors at last week's 55th Annual Jesse H. Neal Awards ceremony, bringing home the award for Best Start-Up Publication.

Open to members of the American Business Media association, the Jesse H. Neal Awards, which have been called "the Pulitzer Prize of business media," are the most prestigious and most sought-after national editorial excellence awards in business-to-business publishing. They are named after American Business Media's first managing director, who remained active in promoting business media throughout his life. Past Neal winners and finalists include Hanley Wood's BUILDER, BIG BUILDER, CUSTOM HOME, MULTIFAMILY EXECUTIVE, REMODELING and TOOLS OF THE TRADE magazines.

ECOHOME magazine was the winner in the Best Start-Up Publication category, recognizing the best new stand-alone periodicals. Launched in 2008, EcoHome magazine is entirely focused on the innovative products, outstanding projects, and breakthrough technologies used in green building that are changing the housing industry. The magazine's print circulation includes 30,000 builders, remodelers, and architects active in green building. ECOHOME also reaches an additional 270,000 building professionals via each issue's digital edition.

"We've worked hard this year to establish ECOHOME magazine as a reliable and trusted source of information for green building professionals and the response from our audience has been incredible. Winning this Neal Award is the perfect way to close out our first year," said Editor-in-Chief, Rick Schwolsky.

To follow the magazine's coverage of the sustainable building industry and to learn about what new green products are making an impact, go to ecohomemagazine.com.

In addition to taking home top honors at this year's Neal Awards, ECOHOME's Web site, ecohomemagazine.com, was honored as the Best New B2B Web Site in min's Best of the Web Awards.

min's Best of the Web Awards are the top honors for the digital side of magazine publishing. The Best of the Web Awards, presented by min's b2b and min magazine, recognize leaders in consumer and business-to-business magazine Web sites.

"The ECOHOME magazine Web site provides visitors with the most up-to-date, comprehensive information about green products, programs, and houses, as well as breaking news about green building" said Jean Dimeo, Chief Editor, ECOHOME Web site. "The site offers something for everyone--whether the visitor is a green building novice or a veteran sustainable builder. All building professionals can find the information they need to take their houses to the next level of green."

To track ECOHOME's complete coverage on the newest green products and technologies, green best practices, the latest building science techniques, and innovative green housing projects, visit ecohomemagazine.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 30 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 one of the ten largest B-to-B media companies in the United States. Hanley Wood is owned by affiliates of JPMorgan Partners, which uses CCMP Capital Advisors to manage this investment.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:33 AM | Comments (0)

2008 SBIC Beyond Green™ High-Performance Building Award Winners Announced on Capitol Hill; As SBIC Board Member, BASF Lends Support to Stimulate High-Performance Construction

The Sustainable Buildings Industry Council (SBIC) presented the 2008 Beyond Green™ High-Performance Building Awards on Feb. 26, 2009 on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. The award recipients were honored as part of a Congressional briefing intended to recognize outstanding initiatives and real-world applications that shape, inform, and catalyze the market for high-performance buildings.

Florham Park, NJ (PRWEB) March 23, 2009 -- The Sustainable Buildings Industry Council (SBIC) presented the 2008 Beyond Green™ High-Performance Building Awards on Feb. 26, 2009 on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. The award recipients were honored as part of a Congressional briefing intended to recognize outstanding initiatives and real-world applications that shape, inform, and catalyze the market for high-performance buildings.

"Our intention is to sensitize government, industry professionals and the public to the benefits of high-performance buildings by showcasing actual examples of these buildings from across the country," said Sophia Greenbaum, SBIC Executive Director. "To that end, we are presenting our 2008 Beyond Green High-Performance Building Awards, and explaining why these projects exemplify best-in-class for high-performance construction practices and initiatives nationally."

The awards program took place in conjunction with the High-Performance Buildings Caucus of the U.S. Congress and the High-Performance Buildings Congressional Caucus Coalition (HPBCC), a public sector advocacy group organized to provide guidance and support to the Congressional caucus.

Following comments by Representative Russ Carnahan (D-MO), Jack Armstrong, Leader Construction Markets - North America for BASF, served as master of ceremonies and presented the awards to the winners. BASF, a Platinum sponsor for the awards program, partnered with SBIC.

"We share a common goal to promote better performance for the buildings in which we live and work," said Armstrong. "As market leaders in durable, energy-efficient building solutions and products, supporting organizations that stimulate high-performance construction is central to the BASF business strategy."

Awards were given in two categories: High-Performance Buildings (Category A) and High-Performance Initiatives (Category B). Applicants were challenged to demonstrate the successful application and proper balance of eight design objectives (accessible, aesthetic, cost-effective, functional, historic, productive, safe/secure and sustainable) that make up a high-performance building as defined in the Whole Building Design Guide, as well as in recent federal legislation mandating high-performance buildings.

The program highlighted three winning case studies:
First Place Category A: High-Performance Buildings: Nationals Park ballpark in Washington, D.C., presented by Joe Spear, FAIA, and Susan Klumpp, AIA, LEED AP, HOK Sport and HOK
First Place Category B: High-Performance Initiatives: High Performing Buildings (a publication), presented by Fred Turner and Ryan Colker, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers
Award Winner, Category A: California Public Employees' Retirement System Headquarters Complex, Sacramento, California presented by Anthony Markese, AIA, Pickard Chilton

All 14 winning submissions are currently featured on SBIC's website, described in depth as case studies in the Whole Building Design Guide, and integrated into SBIC educational programs.

The 2008 Beyond Green High-Performance Building Awards Jury
The 2008 jury was comprised of industry members whose commitment to excellence is longstanding and well documented. The jury included Mr. Gregg Ander, FAIA, Ms. Marianne Cusato, Mr. Kevin Kampschroer, Dr. Get Moy, Ms. Marcela Abadi Rhoads, AIA, RAS, and Mr. Mack Scogin. The program was chaired by SBIC member Mr. Christopher Fennell.
To learn more about BASF's sustainable construction solutions, please visit www.basf.com/construction, www.highperformancecommunity.com, or www.betterhomebetterplanet.com.

BASF - The Chemical Company. We don't make a lot of the products you buy. We make a lot of the products you buy better.®

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 15,000 employees in North America, and had sales of approximately $17.5 billion in 2008. For more information about BASF's North American operations, or to sign up to receive news releases by e-mail, visit www.basf.com/usa.

BASF is the world's leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals, as well as oil and gas. As a reliable partner, BASF helps its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges, such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF has approximately 97,000 employees and posted sales of more than €62 billion in 2008. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

About SBIC: The Sustainable Buildings Industry Council is an independent, nonprofit organization and a pioneer advocate of the whole building approach to sustainable facilities. SBIC was founded in 1980 as the Passive Solar Industries Council by the major building trade groups, large corporations, small businesses, and individual practitioners who recognized that energy and resource efficient design and construction are imperative to a sustainable built environment. Today, SBIC members view energy use and sustainability within a larger context of benefits related to productivity and overall efficiency, health and safety, serviceability, and other performance factors. These ideas are reflected in the Whole Building Design Guide (www.wbdg.org), and in recent federal legislation mandating high-performance buildings.

Beyond Green is a registered trademark of the Sustainable Buildings Industry Council.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 01:00 AM | Comments (0)

Atlanta Real Estate Firms Form Strategic Alliance to Offer Combined Accelerated Leasing and For-Sales Services

Sales Inc! and Evolv Real Estate Solutions Group are excited to announce a new joint venture to provide accelerated leasing and sales services for condominium reversions and broken conversion deals. Both groups, experts in their own market segments, have strategically aligned to offer a comprehensive solution to banks, developers, investors and owners, targeting both the rental and sales components of condominium or apartment projects in transition.

Atlanta, GA (Vocus/PRWEB ) March 24, 2009 -- Sales Inc! and Evolv Real Estate Solutions Group are excited to announce a new joint venture to provide accelerated leasing and sales services for condominium reversions and broken conversion deals. Both groups, experts in their own market segments, have strategically aligned to offer a comprehensive solution to banks, developers, investors and owners, targeting both the rental and sales components of condominium or apartment projects in transition.

Sales Inc! was founded by Stacy Crook in 1988, with the mission of quickly solving vacancy challenges for apartment developers, owners and property management companies. "Having spent the last 20 years providing accelerated leasing services at over 1600 communities nationwide, and for every multifamily product type, allows us to be extremely well positioned to help in today's real estate environment," said Dan Haefner, president of Sales, Inc!. "However, today's real estate market needs some new answers for how to handle certain challenges and opportunities we are facing. The more options we can bring to the table the better we can help our clients to create and protect value, which is why we are choosing to team up with Evolv."

Evolv Real Estate Solutions Group was formed in 2007 with two areas of concentration: brokerage of new condominiums, conversions, townhomes and active adult communities and marketing of residential real estate including apartments and the leisure industry. With a menu of services to choose from and flexibility in offerings, Evolv brings both short and long term solutions to the table. "Our challenges in the market today are unprecedented and by joining forces with Sales, Inc! on this particular effort, we offer the best of both the leasing and sales component to the client," said Gigi Giannoni, chief executive officer of Evolv Real Estate Solutions Group.

The strategic alliance will provide clients with a one stop solution to lease and sell units within a property, and the opportunity to expedite and improve cash flow while continuing with a sales program. With a concentrated focus on marketing, leasing and sales, the client has a combined team focusing on deliverables in unison, which is aligned to produce an overall successful outcome.

Having worked together before in the apartment and for-sale industry, Haefner and Giannoni look forward to this leasing and sales alliance, and believe it will solve a need that is not currently adequately addressed. "We both feel this is an opportune time to offer our expertise and joint services to clients," said Haefner. "Our organizations bring well over 100 years of combined real estate experience, and together we have the ability to provide something unique to the industry," said Giannoni.

Sales, Inc! has been in the accelerated leasing business since 1988, successfully solving vacancy challenges for clients all over the United States. As the top national apartment leasing firm, Sales, Inc! has leased thousands of apartments in almost every market throughout the country, creating additional cash flow and higher property values for owners. Sales Inc! offers services for all multifamily product types, and employs highly trained associates with significant sales experience. For a full overview of services visit www.salesinc.net, or contact Dan Haefner at dan (at) salesinc (dot) net.

Evolv is a full service real estate solutions group headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia that specializes in condominium, townhome, mixed-use/master plan community brokerage and marketing as well as apartment and leisure marketing services. Evolv offers a distinct menu of services ranging from the inception of a project through to its fruition with no long term commitments. To understand more of what Evolv can provide in marketing and sales support, visit www.evolvre.com, or contact Gigi Giannoni at ggiannoni (at) evolvre (dot) com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:59 AM | Comments (0)

Bianco Builds Quick Business Visibility with QlikView

Bianco Construction Supplies, a mid-market manufacturer and distributor for the Australian building and construction industry, has chosen QlikView business intelligence for sales and logistics analysis of Lawson M3 data, to increase management responsiveness to trends, customer demands and generate new sales opportunities.

Sydney, NSW (PRWEB) March 24, 2009 -- Bianco Construction Supplies, a mid-market manufacturer and distributor for the Australian building and construction industry, has chosen QlikView business intelligence for sales and logistics analysis of Lawson M3 data, to increase management responsiveness to trends, customer demands and generate new sales opportunities.

Headquartered in South Australia, Bianco Group employs over 350 people and is a leading supplier of structural steel, reinforcing, portable building hire, construction equipment, tools and services to the building, construction, civil, Government and mining industries. Bianco makes at least 800 customer deliveries every week around Australia.

Bianco had a limited view of sales and customer data, and disseminating and sharing this information across the business in a timely manner was a challenge. Its IT department needed to reduce the time and manpower required to respond to adhoc report requests while accelerating the availability of up to the minute sales, delivery and customer information.

After reviewing traditional 'cube'-based business intelligence approaches, Bianco chose QlikView as its business intelligence platform to build a firm base for quick decision-making. The speed and ease of deployment, depth of multidimensional information analysis and the proven Lawson M3 application templates were decisive factors in Bianco's choice of Inside Info and QlikView.

"It took one day for Inside Info to deliver our working QlikView sales performance application. We took a few weeks to become familiar, made some changes and had finished our first BI deployment by the 30th day. We were blown away," said Peter Crescitelli, IT Project Manager, Bianco.

Using QlikView, Bianco now automates analysis of sales, margin, dispatch and customer trends and impacts across its business at the click of a button. QlikView has improved IT staff productivity saving at least two hours out of each day in not serving ad hoc report requests, while senior management have more detailed visibility of operations.

"Since implementing QlikView into the Bianco sales department, our management team can now promptly drill down sales figures within minutes, without the need to rely on our IT department for reports. Having drill down by customer, selling divisions, product, margin and many other options has taken monitoring sales figures and identifying opportunities to the next level," said Alex Canova, National Sales Manager at Bianco.

"QlikView has driven a significant step change for Bianco in the way we work and think. We have more detailed, flexible and faster data analysis than we ever thought possible from our Lawson ERP system. We've increased our responsiveness to trends and customer demands and improved our ability to generate sales opportunities that quite possibly would not have existed before," explains Peter Crescitelli, IT Project Manager at Bianco. "Senior management are now analysing 'living' information themselves with QlikView, rather than relying on monthly automated hard copy reports. Each user has a personalised analysis dashboard, with the real-time data they need to better run their sales divisions and operations. By doing this, we turned what was a two-day delivery for ad hoc reports, into interactive on-demand access and instant insight for our business, while saving our IT team at least 500 hours a year in manual report development."

"QlikView has delivered Bianco extremely fast, flexibility to respond to changing business conditions. Bianco's sales managers now have '3D' visibility of where business is lacking, where it's striving, buying habits and product sales history to see where to improve to generate new sales opportunities. Operational teams use QlikView daily to easily spot any inefficiency in the supply chain over its 800+ weekly deliveries. Having this information personalised and easily at hand is what QlikView is all about," said Stuart Barnard, Managing Director of Inside Info.

About Bianco Group:
Headquartered in South Australia, Bianco Group employs over 350 people and is a leading supplier of structural steel, reinforcing, portable building hire, construction equipment, tools and services to the building, construction, civil, Government and mining industries. For more information visit www.bianco.com.au.

About Inside Info:
Inside Info is the exclusive distributor and local representative of QlikView in Australia - the world's fastest growing business intelligence software according to IDC. QlikView works the way your mind works - making associations by connecting data from many sources in a few clicks. This patented in-memory association technology brings fast results and better decision making. QlikView is intuitive to learn, simple to modify and can be deployed in a few weeks. Inside Info have over 230 QlikView customers including Bianco Group, Amcor, Border Express, Fujitsu General and Manassen Foods. Globally QlikView is the flagship product of QlikTech who has over 10,600 customers in 92 countries.

For more information, please visit www.insideinfo.com.au

For media enquiries, please contact
Jo Balfour
Progressiva
jobalfour (at) progressiva (dot) com.au
+61 2 9365 6258
+61 405 542 018

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:59 AM | Comments (0)

Wolfe Law Group Adds Practice Group to Respond to Chinese Drywall Crisis

Wolfe Law Group has formed a new practice group to respond to concerns surrounding the use of Chinese Drywall in Louisiana construction projects. The firm is prepared to represent developers, contractors, suppliers and other participants in the construction industry who are facing warranty claims, lawsuits, and other legal and business questions derived from the use of imported drywall.

New Orleans, Louisiana (PRWEB) March 24, 2009 -- In response to the growing concerns of developers, builders, suppliers and other construction professionals, Wolfe Law Group announced a new practice group to address the imported drywall crisis.

Chinese Drywall imported into the United States between 2001 and 2008 may be contaminated with sulfuric acid, and the issue is causing legal problems across the country. In Louisiana, some reports estimate that more than 6,000 post-Katrina homes were built with the material.

Many lawsuits, including class action suits, have already been filed against builders, developers, suppliers and other participants in construction projects that involved the use of Chinese Drywall. The plaintiffs in these suits allege that the drywall is defective, is responsible for damages to building elements, and the cause of health problems.

Wolfe Law Group is prepared to represent and advise construction industry participants implicated in litigation, facing warranty claims, or simply encountering legal uncertainties related to the use of Chinese Drywall.

"For construction companies and suppliers who have encountered Chinese Drywall, it's only a matter of time before a complaint affects their business," says Scott Wolfe, Jr., founding member of the firm. "With so much at stake, and huge class action lawsuits being filed, companies should be examining their exposure and mitigating their losses. Our new practice area is specifically geared to help contractors and suppliers accomplish this."

Following the news of Chinese Drywall problems in Louisiana, the law firm quickly made itself a valuable resource on the topic for the construction industry. It launched a new blog (www.ChineseDrywallBlog.com), published a Chinese Drywall How-To Legal Guide on Avvo.com, and set up a Chinese Drywall practice group (www.ChineseDrywallDefense.com).

The practice area fits perfectly with the boutique law firm's existing practice. Wolfe Law Group focuses its law practice on the construction industry, representing and defending suppliers, contractors, and construction professionals of all shapes and sizes in legal matters that affect their business. It has offices in New Orleans, Louisiana and Seattle, Washington.

About Wolfe Law Group
Founded in post-Katrina New Orleans in 2005, Wolfe Law Group is a construction law practice with offices in Seattle, Washington and New Orleans, Louisiana. The firm publishes a blog on Louisiana and Washington construction law titled the Construction Law Monitor, and prides itself on thinking different in the legal profession.

Contact
Jessica Hunter, director of public relations
504-894-9653

Press Links:
Media Center: http://media.wolfelaw.com
Press Releases RSS Feed: http://feeds2.feedburner.com/wlgmedia
Firm Site: http://www.wolfelaw.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:59 AM | Comments (0)

In a Challenging Market, Flexibility is the Key to Coming Out on Top

Due to today's challenging economic times, marketing firms specializing in the homebuilding industry, such as Manasquan, NJ-based Design 446, have taken a more flexible and cost-effective approach to marketing, promoting a greater emphasis on electronic advertising and web-based publicity instead of traditional print media.

Manasquan, NJ (PRWEB) March 24, 2009 -- It is clear that the homebuilding industry continues to be negatively affected by our country's current recession. In February 2009 alone, more than 290,000 properties completed foreclosure filings, which is a 6% jump from January of the same year, according to a recent news article posted on CNNMoney.com.

With inventory relatively stagnant, new homebuilders have been forced to drastically cut marketing budgets. Unfortunately, in a time when marketing, branding and promotions may be the most crucial, the advertising segment of many builders' marketing budgets has taken the hardest hit.

As a result, marketing firms specializing in the homebuilding industry, such as Manasquan, NJ-based Design 446, have taken a more flexible, innovative and cost-effective approach to marketing, promoting a greater emphasis on electronic advertising and web-based publicity instead of traditional print media.

"Prior to this recession, home builders primarily marketed through print advertising," explained Tom Villane, President of Design 446. "We noticed, before the market began to show signs of trouble however, an increasing trend toward internet-driven promotions mainly due to the rapidly changing home buying demographic. 'Generation Y' homebuyers, born after 1979, are internet-oriented when seeking information as opposed to researching in print. Traffic studies show that internet advertising is also providing more prospects than print at a lower cost per unit. We realized then that the best way for us to provide successful marketing for our clients, especially during the current Real Estate corrections, would be to offer accommodating pricing complemented by innovative and creative marketing; i.e. smart marketing."

Although the firm still continues to include traditional print, outdoor and sometimes broadcast advertising in the marketing mix, Design 446 has quickly secured their position on the ground floor of the internet marketing movement by expanding their electronic advertising department and enhancing their electronic and internet-driven services. As a result, the firm has become one of the top full-service agencies in the home building industry offering their clients variable options that promote and brand their companies to the fullest extent, while simultaneously meeting strict budgets.

One of Design 446's full-service clients, Marge Karahuta of Matzel Development said, "The team at Design 446 understands the market. They realize where the market is headed, and they understand the importance of being cooperative with their clients, providing the most effective marketing concepts at a recession-friendly rate."

Ann Marie Baker, Vice President of Design 446 noted, "For over 35 years we have been a company based on customer service. When the market was slow, we accommodated, and when the market was booming, we continued to produce creative, quality campaigns, that drove traffic through our clients' doors. Make no mistake, this is the toughest market downturn we have experienced, but as always, we will work with our clients so they, and we, come through this recession on top."

Design 446 is a full-service marketing company specializing in the homebuilding industry. Based in Manasquan, NJ, the firm creates sales environments, signage and brochures, in addition to direct mail, advertising, public relations, merchandising and web based marketing strategies.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:58 AM | Comments (0)

New Apartment Rental Search Engine Offers Thirty Times More Listings Than Current Services, Product Launch At Web 2.0 Expo 2009

Renters Can Find Over Thirty Times More Apartment Listings Using Cazoodle's Vertical Search Technology Developed At University Of Illinois, Product Launch At Web 2.0 Expo 2009 In San Francisco, March 31-April 3

Champaign, IL (PRWEB) March 23, 2009 -- Apartment hunters can now find over thirty times more online rental apartment listings nationwide, using the new Cazoodle.com Apartment Search website. "The numbers for the San Francisco Bay Area provide a case in point." Stated by Cazoodle's CTO Govind Kabra. "Cazoodle.com's Apartment Search lists over 35,000 rental apartments in the San Francisco Bay Area. By contrast, for the same area, other rental search services such as Rent.com, Apartments.com, MyNewPlace.com and ApartmentSearch.com together offer less than a thousand rental apartment listings." Other locations show similar differences.

Cazoodle.com Apartment Search will publicly launch this national service during the Web 2.0 Expo 2009 being held in San Francisco March 31 - April 3. The service will provide nationwide coverage of the entire United States, including major metropolitan areas such as Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco Bay Area, and Seattle.

Cazoodle's intelligent crawling software automatically gathers apartment listings from thousands of landlord websites and other online sources, and goes beyond simply providing large numbers of rental apartment search results. Consumers can also take virtual tours of apartment surroundings using Cazoodle's integration with Google street view images. Search results include links to the original websites to facilitate contact with landlords. Landlords and real estate property owners do not pay any fees to get listed on Cazoodle.com. By contrast, other apartment search services often charge fees for rental properties to be listed.

About Cazoodle.com:
Cazoodle.com is a vertical search company that uses proprietary "deep Web" semantic search technology developed by University of Illinois computer science professor Dr. Kevin Chang. The company's Cazoodle.com Apartment Search is the first one-stop apartment search website to combine deep integration of map visualization with apartment rental information. Cazoodle is actively developing other products, including a consumer Shopping Search service for online electronics shopping. "We have the technology and we want to use it," says Dr. Chang. The company is located in Champaign, Illinois.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:58 AM | Comments (0)

Vegetable-Based Technology to Radically Change How Shipping, Construction, Textile, Healthcare and Energy Industries Approach Temperature Control

Entropy Solutions launches PureTemp; new biodegradable material sets standard for consistent thermal management over extended periods of time

Minneapolis (PRWEB) March 23, 2009 -- Mom was right: veggies are good for you. What she didn't know was that vegetable byproducts can reduce home energy usage by 30 percent, provide protection for police and military officers working in extreme heat and keep pharmaceuticals at a consistent temperature during shipment.

It's true. PureTempTM, launched today by Minneapolis-based Entropy Solutions, is a specially engineered vegetable oil derivative that controls temperatures to extremes - as cold as dry ice, as hot as coffee- for extended periods of time. PureTemp is the world's first and only 100 percent renewable, biodegradable and environmentally friendly material to answer age-old issues concerning temperature control and maintenance.

PureTemp, available in liquid, micro-encapsulated and macro-encapsulated forms, has myriad applications in the shipping, construction, textile, healthcare and energy industries - anywhere strict temperature control is required.

"PureTemp, when used in conjunction with our biopcmTM product, has shown to reduce energy usage in homes and commercial buildings," said Alex Chaffetz, president of Phase Change Energy Solutions, based in Asheboro, N.C. "We performed countless tests trying to find the optimal material, and those tests confirmed the superior performance of PureTemp to help keep a structure at a more consistent temperature throughout the day, improving energy efficiency and providing the construction industry with arguably the only true 'green' technology available today."

"We use PureTemp to 'power' our Cool VestTM products, which keep military and police personnel at a comfortable temperature when working in intensely hot environments," said Ray Booska, president of Glacier Tek, Inc., based in West Melbourne, Fla. "PureTemp enables our Chilly DogTM vest to do the same for working dogs who must stay cool to maintain a sharp sense of smell."

Entropy Solutions' own GREENBOXTM Thermal Management System, a reusable shipper designed to transport temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals, biologics and blood products, also uses PureTemp as its "secret sauce" in maintaining the box's payload temperature for more than five days.

PureTemp can also be used in the following ways:

In the construction industry:

* Residential and commercial construction materials, such as insulation, flooring, ceiling tiles or HVAC systems, can all incorporate PureTemp. In public utility testing, PureTemp has been shown to reduce a structure's energy costs by as much as 30 percent.
* PureTemp can help icy surfaces from forming on sidewalks, bridges and roads.

In the shipping industry:

* The GREENBOXTM Thermal Management System, GREENBOX Inflater Pack and GREENBOX Pallet Shipper, all manufactured by Entropy Solutions, use PureTemp to keep payloads at a consistent temperature for unprecedented periods of time.

In the textile industry:

* Apparel, footwear and outdoor gear can all be created with PureTemp, which will keep a person warmer or cooler based on personal preference.
* PureTemp "powers" cooling vests worn by Olympic athletes, which bring body temperature to optimal levels prior to or immediately following competition.
* Similarly, PureTemp can be used in vests designed for breast cancer patients, providing necessary cooling after radiation treatments.

In the healthcare industry:

* In hospital care, micro-encapsulated PureTemp in bed sheets and mattress pads can help facilitate blood flow in bedridden patients.
* In organ transplant procedures, PureTemp ensures vital organs make it from one hospital to another at the perfect temperature.

In the energy industry:

* PureTemp can be used in more efficient temperature control in batteries and electronics, evaporative swamp coolers, water heaters or tanks for geothermal storage.

And beyond…

* PureTemp can be incorporated into thermal coffee mugs that cool contents to a drinkable temperature quickly, and keep it there for hours.
* In serving dishes for catering or in-home use, PureTemp can keep hot or cold foods at an appropriate temperature for long periods of time.

Executive perspective
"Given the Obama administration's focus on driving renewable solutions throughout various industries, PureTemp is right on the mark," said Eric Lindquist, president of Entropy Solutions. "We believe PureTemp has the potential to positively impact every aspect of a person's life - from the sheets you sleep in, to the car you drive, to the office building you work in - all the while, protecting the environment and providing economic opportunity to America's farmers."

The science behind PureTemp
PureTemp's patented and proprietary formulation works by absorbing and releasing otherwise-wasted surrounding ambient energy, providing the ability to hold specific temperature ranges for long periods of time. Tests performed by the USDA and analyses completed by Independent Life-Cycle and BEES® have resulted in PureTemp being listed in the USDA BioPreferredTM directory as the only "green" choice in the Heat Transfer Fluid category.

PureTemp is a "phase change material," meaning it has the ability to change "phases" (for example, liquid to solid or solid to liquid) between set temperatures - anywhere between 40°F and 160°F. During the process of liquefying and solidifying within a set temperature range, phase change materials absorb, store and release large amounts of energy. These natural properties of latent heat energy help maintain a product's or structure's temperature and buffer it from temperature swings. PCMs recharge as ambient (outdoor) temperatures fluctuate, making them ideal for a multitude of everyday applications.

For more information
To learn more about PureTemp, please visit http://www.entropysolutionsinc.com.

About Entropy Solutions, Inc.
Entropy Solutions, Inc. is a thermal technology development company with its global headquarters based in Minneapolis. The company's mission is to provide renewable, innovative, cost-effective, temperature-controlled solutions for the shipping, construction, textile, healthcare and alternative energy industries. Entropy Solutions' GREENBOX technology is an innovative and next-generation passive thermal breakthrough in highly efficient shipping containers, intended for cold chain operations. Using PureTempTM renewable phase change technology, GREENBOX is capable of maintaining narrow temperature ranges for record durations, while reducing packaging waste.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:57 AM | Comments (0)

Official U.S. Sales Center To Open Promoting Bahamas Real Estate

The Paradise Is Mine company today unveiled plans to open the first "Official US Sales Center" to exclusively market Bahamas properties in the historic South Beach section of Miami. Paradise Is Mine, developer of innovative online marketing tools for the real estate industry, provided details for its US based sales centers as part of a global marketing strategy to promote Bahamas real estate.

Miami, FL (PRWEB) March 23, 2009 -- The Paradise Is Mine company today unveiled plans to open the first "Official US Sales Center" to exclusively market Bahamas properties in the historic South Beach section of Miami. Paradise Is Mine, developer of innovative online marketing tools for the real estate industry, provided details for its US based sales centers as part of a global marketing strategy to promote Bahamas real estate.

"The Bahamas government has taken a tremendously innovative approach in the way they market travel and tourism for their island. Bahamas.com is quickly becoming one of the most recognizable web properties and brands in the world. Their marketing and brand recognition is ingenious. Their logo is catchy and it's everywhere you look on the Internet," according to Lou Winthorpe, real estate and travel analyst and regular contributor to the BBC. "They are truly at the forefront of the way governments should market themselves online," Winthorpe further added.

Paradise Is Mine is parlaying the global appeal of Bahamas travel with the fact that the Bahamas real estate market, for the most part, has not been affected by the global economy. "This is a tremendous market opportunity for us," stated Ted Rover, Director of Sales for Paradise Is Mine. Who wouldn't want oceanfront property and a second home on a spectacular tropical paradise? At the end of the day this is not really that hard to sell," Rover went on to say.

The Bahamian government which has travel and tourism offices in London, Toronto, New York and South Florida has recently consolidated offices in Atlanta, Houston and Dallas in order to focus on the development of their online presence. This strategy is viewed by industry analysts as being at the forefront of governmental global marketing. Bahamas.com has aggressively marketed travel and tourism online most recently by partnering with the NFL by sponsoring numerous events for the upcoming Superbowl and Pro Bowl which will be held in South Florida in 2010.

South Florida, just 50 miles off the coast of the Bahamas, provides people interested in Bahamas real estate a perfect venue to get a feel for what the Bahamas has to offer without leaving the United States. "There are millions of tourists who visit Miami Beach every year and we feel that this is a perfect venue to promote the Bahamas," Rover went on to say.

"In the current global economic recession Bahamas real estate prices have remained stable which is truly remarkable. The Bahamas is a tremendous alternative for investors with money on the sideline, not to mention that it's a great place to have a second home. Opening a sales center is very strategic and should pay dividends for the company," said Winthorpe.

Currently Bahamas.com has between 8,000 and 9,000 unique visitors per day to their website. This contributes to the 5,000,000 visitors who visit the islands per year and Bahamas cruises which account for an additional 25,000,000 people per year. The Official US sales center for the Bahamas is slated to open in early summer of 2009.

Paradise Is Mine
1-888-RUM-CAY-8
www.ParadiseIsMine.com
Ted Rover

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:57 AM | Comments (0)

BidClerk Reports Construction Projects Up For Bid in the New York, NY Area

BidClerk's weekly update of new construction projects coming up for bids in the next 90 days.

New York, NY (PRWEB) March 23, 2009 -- BidClerk, the Construction Industry Search Engine, reported today that the following building projects are planning to go out for bids or start construction in the next 90 days in the New York, NY Metro Area. Businesses interested in providing services relative to these projects should visit www.BidClerk.com and reference the Project ID listed below to obtain direct contact information for each job:

New York, NY - 16 East 30th Street Hotel, 16 E. 30th St., 50,984-square-foot hotel, June 2009, $5.9 million. Project ID : 814299

Jamaica, NY - Burger King / Jamaica, JFK Expressway and South Cargo Road, 500-square-foot restaurant remodel, April 2009, $100,000. Project ID : 941756

New York, NY - TD Bank / Staten Island, 1600 Forest Ave., 3,000-square-foot bank branch, April 2009, $500,000. Project ID : 946825

Jamaica, NY - Stone Rose Bar & Grille, JFK Expressway and South Cargo Road, 2,311-square-foot restaurant build-out, May 2009, $350,000. Project ID : 941776

Marlton, NJ - St. Isaac Jogues Church - Phase II - Meeting Room Building, 349 Evesboro Medford Road, 12,925-square-foot religious facility, May 2009, $2 million. Project ID : 937721

About BidClerk.com:
BidClerk.com is the only Search Engine dedicated to providing businesses with in depth information on thousands of construction projects coming up for bid all throughout the United States. Our daily updates of commercial and residential construction projects are available to contractors and businesses in related industries that are seeking bid opportunities. For more information on bidding construction projects in your area, visit BidClerk online or call 877-737-6482.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:56 AM | Comments (0)

Fluorotherm's Chemically Resistant PTFE, FEP and PFA Products are the Materials of Choice

One of the unique characteristics of PTFE, FEP, and PFA fluoropolymers is that they are the materials of choice over other polymers for applications that require specific performance criteria. Some of these criteria may require electrical, chemical inertness, non-shedding, optical, thermal (both high temperature and cryogenic conditions), ultraviolet light transparency, lubricity, weathering and corrosion resistance characteristics, among others. Fluoropolymers such as PTFE, FEP and PFA uniquely meet one or a combination of these criteria.

Parsippany, NJ (PRWEB) March 23, 2009 -- One of the unique characteristics of PTFE, FEP, and PFA fluoropolymers is that they are the materials of choice over other polymers for applications that require specific performance criteria. Some of these criteria may require electrical, chemical inertness, non-shedding, optical, thermal (both high temperature and cryogenic conditions), ultraviolet light transparency, lubricity, weathering and corrosion resistance characteristics, among others. Fluoropolymers such as PTFE, FEP and PFA uniquely meet one or a combination of these criteria.

Chemical Resistance -

Fluoropolymers; specifically perfluorinated materials such as PTFE, FEP and PFA contain only carbon and fluorine with single chemical bonds in the chemical structure. Their hydrocarbon counterparts, such as polyethylene and polypropylene; contain carbon and hydrogen. The morphology or structural shape of the fluoropolymer molecule containing strong C-F single bonds is uniquely tailored to prevent chemical attack of the carbon-carbon backbone by most common chemicals. Think Caesar's Roman army with rectangular shields that received better protection against flying spears than the round shields of opposing armies.

PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) is very resistant to attack by most highly corrosive chemicals. For example, Fluorotherm has many instances of heat exchangers and other products that continue to operate in hot sulfuric, nitric and hydrochloric acids. Our design of heat exchangers were originally introduced to the market in the mid-1960's., and new combinations of increasingly robust design and materials have evolved since then. An example of our heat exchanger frame initially installed in 1982 is shown below. The tubing material has been replaced but the frame is relatively clean considering its exposure to hot nitric and hydrofluoric acids over the the past 26 years.

FEP (polytetrafluoroethylene-co-hexfluoropropylene) and PFA (polytetrafluoroethylene-co-perfluoro alkoxyvinyl ether) have chemical resistance similar to PTFE. Tubing made of these materials have a long life in aggressive environments in the simultaneous presence of harsh chemicals and high temperatures in comparison to other plastics and materials where failure may occur as a result of either structural or thermal degradation.

Extreme chemical inertness of perfluorinated polymers serves well in a broad range of industries and applications. Some of these include the chemical process industry (CPI); the oil well and oil services industries; refinery and petrochemicals, pharmaceutical applications; pulp and paper mills, environmental sampling and laboratory environments., among others.

The list of chemicals that are compatible with our tubing materials is too numerous to mention. In fact, it is easier to list the few materials that do not work with our fluoropolymers. For additional information please click on the following link:

http://www.fluorotherm.com/chemical_resistance.html

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:55 AM | Comments (0)

900th Home Closes at Heron Bay Golf and Country Club

Philadelphia couple to move into D.R. Horton home in Meadow Glen by summer.

Atlanta, GA (Vocus/PRWEB ) March 23, 2009 -- Minerva Properties is pleased to announce the closing of the 900th home at Heron Bay Golf and Country Club. This milestone was reached earlier this month Thadius and Mindy Nesbitt closed on their new D.R. Horton home in the Meadow Glen neighborhood at Heron Bay. The Philadelphia couple is moving to the Henry County master-planned community to be closer to family and plan to move into their new home this summer.

“We wanted a place that was warm to retire to, so we actually first considered moving out of the country to somewhere tropical, but decided that we did not want to be that far away from family,” said Mindy. “With its resort-style amenities and convenient location to Thadius’ family in Atlanta, Heron Bay was the perfect community for us.”

The Nesbitts' home is the two story Fieldstone floorplan by award winning, national homebuilder, DR Horton Homes and includes five bedrooms with three bathrooms. Located on a wooded homesite in a quiet cul-de-sac that backs up to preserved greenspace, the spacious home is in a peaceful area surrounded by nature. The beautiful open concept floorplan features a two-story foyer flanked by formal living and dining rooms, large gourmet kitchen with center island, spacious family room with gas fireplace and a guest suite on the main level. The second floor includes an owners retreat with a luxurious bathroom with large bathtub and separate shower.

“We are very excited about this milestone,” said Heron Bay's Marketing Director, Lisa Brutvan. “It comes at a time when many communities are feeling the discouraging pressures of a down market. Reaching this significant milestone energizes us about the response of our homebuyers and prospective homebuyers to the lifestyle available at Heron Bay. It also proves the dedication of our staff and development team. We are excited about the success we have seen at Heron Bay and the momentum that we have moving forward.”

D.R. Horton and Heron Bay have worked hard to make the Nesbitts transition from Philadelphia to Atlanta's southern crescent as easy as possible. “Purchasing our new home has been a great experience due in large part to the customer service here at Heron Bay. Everyone from the development team to the builder to the sales agents have been extremely friendly, helpful and willing to make special accommodations for us, which can be difficult for someone moving from another state. They were the nicest people I have ever met in my life,” said Mindy.

In addition to their new home, the Nesbitts are looking forward to taking advantage of Heron Bay’s resort-style amenity package that includes an aquatic center, clubhouse, tennis center, lake, golf course, parks and more. The Nesbitts' new neighborhood, Meadow Glen, is a short stroll from an adjacent neighborhood park and right down the street from the golf clubhouse and grille.

To visit Heron Bay, take I-75 South to Exit 216. Turn right and proceed five miles to Heron Bay Golf and Country Club.

About D.R. Horton, Inc.
D.R. Horton, Inc., America's Builder, is the largest homebuilder in the United States, delivering more than 41,000 new homes in its fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. Founded in 1978 in Fort Worth, Texas, D.R. Horton currently has communities in 80 markets in 27 states. The Company is engaged in the construction and sale of high quality single-family detached homes, town homes, duplexes, triplexes and condominiums with sales prices ranging from $90,000 to $900,000. D.R. Horton also provides mortgage financing and title services for homebuyers through DHI Mortgage and DHI Title. For more information, visit www.drhorton.com.

About Heron Bay Golf and Country Club
Named the “Community of the Year” in 2005 by the Greater Atlanta Homebuilders Association, and awarded the 2006 Grand Award for Outstanding Development by the Georgia Urban Forest Council, Heron Bay Golf and Country Club, developed by Minerva Properties, is a master-planned community that is setting new standards for development in the Atlanta marketplace. Heron Bay includes a variety of neighborhoods designed for every life stage and features a full complement of unparalleled amenities in a resort-like setting in Locust Grove, Ga., just south of Atlanta. For more information, visit www.heronbayinfo.com or call 770-957-5633.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:55 AM | Comments (0)

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Selects FieldTurf for Eco-Friendly Home Project in Tuscon, AZ

FieldTurf installation driven by significant contributions to environmentally sustainable construction.

Peachtree City, GA (Vocus/PRWEB ) March 23, 2009 -- “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”, the two-time Emmy Award-Winning ABC television show, selected the new FieldTurf Lush with Ecobac product for an eco-friendly home project. The FieldTurf installation completed by Heavenly Greens/SPEC International was completed in Tucson, AZ for the Bell family and aired on March 22, 2009 at 8PM (ET). The FieldTurf Lush with Ecobac product was chosen primarily for its ability to make significant contributions to the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building certification program - specifically in the areas of significant water, pesticides, fertilizer and maintenance reduction.

"We are honored to help the Bell Family and we are thrilled that Extreme Makeover: Home Edition chose the latest in synthetic turf landscaping innovation in order to complete their environmentally friendly project," stated Richard Spanjian, President of FieldTurf Tarkett's Greenscapes Division. "The featured backyard project by on-air designer, Eduardo Xol, was the ideal location to introduce our new FieldTurf Lush with Ecobac – our first low-infill 100% recyclable proprietary product, designed specifically for landscape applications. Unlike most synthetic turf surfacing solutions on the market, this product is ideal for areas around pools or on rooftops. Our products not only look and feel like lush, green grass, 365 days a year ...we're even greener than we look!"

In addition to being long-time members of the U.S. Green Building Council, FieldTurf Tarkett is an approved allied member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Greenscapes program setting national standards for recycling and reuse.

All of FieldTurf Tarkett's synthetic turf products have major environmental benefits, including:

* Reduced Water usage by 70%
* Qualification for water rebates in certain geographical areas (e.g. up to $1.00 per square foot in the Southern California 20-county Metropolitan Water District)
* No harmful pesticide or fertilizer run-off – improving community waterways and safety for family and pets
* Superior Drainage with exceptional erosion control

Beyond the significant and numerous environmental benefits, over 20,000 satisfied residential, commercial, municipalities, parks & recreation, government, aviation and military customers have chosen FieldTurf products for their natural look and feel, and unmatched durability-making it ideal for children and pets. In addition, FieldTurf reduces maintenance costs by up to 80%, which for the average homeowner is more than $600 per year. FieldTurf products are also 100% hypoallergenic, ideal for anyone with seasonal or grass allergies. FieldTurf Greenscapes products are available via a nationwide network of exclusive distributors who can be identified via the www.fieldturfgreenscapes.com website. Unlike many others in the industry, all FieldTurf installers must pass rigorous certification and annual recertification to ensure quality standards.

PLAYGROUND - Long-Term Safety Never Looked so Good!

* Superior fall-height safety-surpassing standards for up to 10-feet - Same on Day 5,000 as Day 1.
* Unmatched Drainage and Durability = Ready to play just minutes after heavy rain
* Eliminates dirt on children or coming inside

GOLF – The Most Advanced Practice System on the Market

* Combines putting and approach shot making for the truest roll and ideal experience
* Greens which roll true and the only system which can hold shots from 200+ yards.
* Utilized by Tour Players, Golf Professionals, Driving Ranges, Public and Private Clubs, Resorts, Colleges and homeowners in backyards and on rooftops.

About FieldTurf Tarkett:

FieldTurf Tarkett is the undisputed global leader of the synthetic turf industry with over 3,000 football and soccer sports fields installed globally (21 NFL teams, 14 FIFA and UEFA teams, 500+ NCAA teams, 2,000+ High Schools) and tens of thousands of satisfied homeowners and businesses nationwide. All of FieldTurf Tarkett's surfaces are developed, produced and installed with a concentration on sustainability and a commitment to protecting the environment. The company calls it 'Environmental Intelligence' and lives by this principle in every way.

About “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”

"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," which has won back-to-back Emmy Awards as Best Reality Program (non-competitive), is entering its 6th season on ABC. The program is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. Anthony Dominici is the executive producer; and David Goldberg is the president of Endemol USA.

For more information contact:
Richard Spanjian
888-364-6541 x2288
or
Michael Jones
888-364-6541 x2235
www.fieldturfgreenscapes.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:54 AM | Comments (0)

Reclamation Signs Final Record of Decision on Southern Delivery System Pipeline

The Bureau of Reclamation has released the Record of Decision on the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Southern Delivery System.

Billings, Montana (Vocus/PRWEB ) March 23, 2009 -- The Bureau of Reclamation has released the Record of Decision on the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Southern Delivery System. The SDS is a non-federal water delivery pipeline that would run from Pueblo Reservoir to Colorado Springs, Colo. It will connect to Pueblo Dam and require water contracts between Colorado Springs Utilities and the Bureau of Reclamation.

Michael Ryan, Regional Director for Reclamation's Great Plains Region, signed the Record of Decision later Friday afternoon.

"We have completed the environmental compliance and have provided the public with a detailed report on the impacts of the Southern Delivery System," said Ryan. "It is a positive step forward in providing a clean and efficient water supply for many Colorado communities, while also ensuring we remain diligent stewards of our natural resources."

Colorado Springs Mayor Lionel Rivera also gave his thoughts on Reclamation's review of the project, saying, "This is a critical milestone toward making the Southern Delivery System and the water it will provide for our future a reality. Reclamation's review of SDS was lengthy, thorough and complete and we ended up with a better project as a result."

Reclamation prepared its Environmental Impact Statement in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The Final EIS was released last month and is available at www.sdseis.com. The signing of the ROD concludes the NEPA process.

For more information on the Record of Decision for the Southern Delivery System EIS, please visit the www.sdseis.com website. To obtain a hard copy of the ROD, please contact Kara Lamb at (970) 962-4326.

Reclamation is the largest wholesale water supplier in the United States, and the nation's second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Its facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation, and fish and wildlife benefits. Visit our website at http://www.usbr.gov.

Media Contact:
Kara Lamb
(970) 962-4326

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:54 AM | Comments (0)

Enlighten's Environments For Living® Virtual Home Tour Helps People "See Green"

New site is "dynamic, content-rich learning tool" for builders and consumers.

Ann Arbor, MI (PRWEB) March 23, 2009 -- At a time when "living green" is at once a smart, responsible, and increasingly popular choice, web development and interactive marketing agency Enlighten has created Environments For Living (www.environmentsforliving.com), a site designed to connect homebuyers with the builders who know how to help minimize their environmental footprint. The Environments For Living® program, developed by Masco Home Services, Inc., is a national turn-key program designed to assist builders in constructing energy-efficient homes that are more comfortable and more durable than homes built using conventional methods.

The website was launched in conjunction with January's International Builders' Show (IBS) in Las Vegas, at which Environments For Living was represented. The site illuminates the many ways that "building science" (the science of considering the home as a "system of systems" that all work together) helps homeowners and builders go green when they build an Environments For Living home.

"The website is awesome; I was genuinely delighted with the final product," says Karen Mendelsohn, Vice President - Sales and Marketing for Masco Corporation. Tim Monteith, Vice President - Chief Information Officer for Masco, says the site "is dynamic and stylistic, as well as a content-rich learning tool that we are happy to share with our peers, as well as our customers. It is everything we hoped it would be, and more."

To successfully recreate the experience of touring an Environments For Living home, Enlighten's designers and engineers developed a detailed virtual replica of the actual 2,200-square-foot showcase home featured at IBS and allowed site visitors to explore it through an animated tour. The virtual home features materials and surfaces that are identical to the real house, a feat achieved by scanning the actual building materials and using their patterns to "skin" the surfaces of the digital home. Enlighten also used the same CAD (computer-aided design) files used by the builders to construct the house so that every virtual room is an exact match to the show home. The virtual tour demonstrates how different aspects of the new home are designed to work as a system to achieve the Environments For Living program benefits of Energy Efficiency, Durability, Indoor Environmental Quality, and Water Efficiency. Builders who toured the physical IBS showcase home in Las Vegas were also able to view clips of the virtual tour via onsite screens, and be directed to the website to learn even more.

"It's one of those perfect scenarios in which doing the right thing for the environment and the community is also the best business decision. It's all about controlling operating costs and protecting resale value," said Enlighten president Tom Beck. "This website makes it easy for consumers to get the big picture. And it has a parallel section that helps builders understand the program benefits and what's required for participation."

About Masco
Headquartered in Taylor, Michigan, Masco Corporation (www.masco.com) is one of the world's leading manufacturers of home improvement and building products, as well as a leading provider of services that include the installation of insulation and other building products.

About Enlighten
Enlighten (www.enlighten.com) is an interactive marketing, web development, data analytics, and strategic consulting firm building innovative online experiences for major brands including Hunter Douglas, Richmond American Homes, John Frieda Collection, Jergens, Bioré, illy caffè, Olympic Paint and Stain, Fruit2O, Jimmy John's, Comerica, Central Bancompany, HealthMedia and more. Based in Ann Arbor, the privately-held, award-winning firm was founded in 1983.

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Venbrook Announces Expansion Of Construction Group

Helmed by Tim Johnston; Venbrook's Construction Group adds industry experts Eileen Parnes, Donna Rowland and Julie Felix to its expanding division.

Woodland Hills, CA (PRWEB) March 23, 2009 -- Venbrook Insurance Services (VIS) is pleased to announce the expansion and enhancement of its Construction Group, helmed by industry veteran and Construction Insurance expert, Tim Johnston.

Johnston, whose more than 25 years of experience as a top producer in the Construction Insurance space, was tapped to helm Venbrook's expanding Construction Group earlier this year as Senior Vice President. Johnston is now joined by Commercial Insurance veterans Eileen Parnes, Donna Rowland and Julie Felix to offer enhanced services to meet the growing demand for solutions to challenges currently facing the construction industry.

Industry veteran Eileen Parnes has been named Account Executive and Unit Manager of Venbrook's growing Construction Group. Parnes has spent more than 30 years working in the greater Los Angeles Insurance industry, the last 10 of which have been spent exclusively working in the Construction Insurance Industry. In addition to managing the group, Parnes' primary focus will consist of working with major sub-contractors.

Donna Rowland has also joined the VIS Construction Group as a Senior Account Manager. Like Parnes, Rowland has spent her more than 30 year career in the insurance industry, with specializations in both residential and commercial Construction accounts. Her vast experience also includes expertise in Risk Management.

Julie Felix, newly appointed Account Manager for Venbrook's Construction Group, brings more than 20 years of experience to the Woodland Hills based company. Felix's specialties include expertise in certificates, excellence in customer service and expedient processing.

Venbrook's enhanced Construction Group will focus on serving not only insurance needs of clients in California, but will write business for the Construction Industry from coast to coast. Services offered by the enhanced group will include safety and loss control programs, the writing of property and casualty insurance, workers compensation and employee benefits.

According to Marc Bishara, President and C.O.O. of VIS, "Venbrook is both honored and thrilled to welcome Eileen, Donna and Julie to our growing Construction Group. The collective expertise of this group will allow us to take Venbrook's Construction Insurance Services to great new heights."

About Venbrook
Venbrook provides risk management, safety and loss control, claims administration, insurance and risk transfer solutions, captive management, and reinsurance placement for clients throughout the United States through its retail brokerage, specialty brokerage, insurance, and reinsurance entities. Venbrook is headquartered in Woodland Hills, CA www.venbrook.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:52 AM | Comments (0)

Ccr Propiedades e Inversiones S.A. Announces Wireless Internet Services at Vistas de Chirripo

Ccr Propiedades e Inversiones S.A announces the addition of high speed wireless internet to the development services at Vistas de Chirripo. "This new service brings the latest in technology to Vistas de Chirripo", said developer Bill Herle, "Our residents now have economical, high-speed access to the internet in addition to all other established services at Vistas de Chirripo." Vistas de Chirripo is located in the Municipality of Perez Zeledon, 35 km inland from the Pacific coast, in southern Costa Rica.

Vistas De Chirripo Country Estates, San Isidro, Perez Zeledon, Costa Rica (PRWEB) March 23, 2009 -- Bill Herle, spokesman for CCR Propiedades e Inversiones S.A., announced the availability of high-speed internet service in the Vistas de Chirripo Country Estates development. Vistas de Chirripo is located in the Municipality of Perez Zeledon, 35 km inland from the Pacific coast, in southern Costa Rica. "This new service brings the latest in technology to Vistas de Chirripo", said Mr. Herle, "Our residents now have economical, high-speed access to the internet in addition to all other established services at Vistas de Chirripo."

Costa Rica's wonderful people and culture, social and political stability, positive attitude to foreign ownership of property, and tropical climate have made it one of the most popular locations for retirement and vacation homes. The specific attributes of the southern area around San Isidro in the Municipality of Perez Zeledon have until recently been a well-kept secret. 35 km. of paved highway leads inland from the Pacific coast to Vistas de Chirripo. On arrival, you will find a more temperate and less humid climate due to a higher altitude. Vistas de Chirripo is an eco-friendly development that has not required tree-cutting for roads and building sites. Its environmental impact has been minimal, and in fact the environment is benefitting from the ongoing reforestation in the development.

Vistas de Chirripo offers large building sites and accompanying land at much more affordable prices than coastal property. And Vistas has been designed to foster a real community-feel for its residents. A 35 acre common preserve is the centerpiece of the development. The community facilities include a preserve with nature trails along the Rio Penas Blancas, a common fruit orchard, and a central fully-equipped rancho facility as a gathering place A full-time caretaker is living on site, with his family, in a new home provided by the developer

"Vistas de Chirripo offers completely natural, green surroundings for your home with adjacent rainforest and spectacular mountain and valley views, yet only a short drive from both the city of San Isidro and the beautiful Pacific beaches," according to developer Bill Herle. As demand for these acreage properties has demonstrated, this is truly a wonderful combination. Phase 2 properties are now available, as well as a few remaining Phase 1 properties, starting at only $56,000. USD.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:52 AM | Comments (0)

Best Home Building Websites Trends Detailed in New Report from Web Marketing Association

Updated Web Marketing Association' Internet Standards Assessment Report Includes Historical Data Derived from a Decade of Hosting Internet Award Competition, WebAwards, and Provides Best Practices for Home Builder Web Design

West Simsbury, CT (PRWEB) March 23, 2009 -- WebAward.org- The Web Marketing Association, host of leading website awards competition WebAwards, released the 2009 Internet Standards Assessment Report (ISAR) to help home builders create more effective and engaging websites.

"As the standard of excellence for websites continues to increase, consumers (and WebAward judges) are increasingly picky about what they consider to be an effective website," said William Rice, president of the Web Marketing Association, Inc. "Going forward, home builder websites will need to integrate more multi-media to allow visitors to virtually tour homes and neighborhoods.

The WebAwards competition judges home builder websites on seven criteria that combined create award-winning websites:

* Design
* Innovation
* Content
* Technology
* Interactivity
* Copywriting
* Ease of use

Home building Web sites joined the WebAwards in 2003 and have outperformed the ISAR index every year they competed, until 2008 when they dropped sharply. These sites have beaten the 5-year criteria benchmark averages in design, content and ease of use. They have only narrowly underperformed the benchmarks in innovation, technology, innovation, and copywriting. As an industry, they are strongest in content, design, and ease of use. They could use improvement in innovation and technology.

The 2008 WebAward for Home Building website went to Armstrong World Industries for Armstrong Residential Ceilings.

Other past winners include:

* 2007 Creative Digital Group for the Home Depot Roofing, Siding, Windows Web site
* 2006 Hanley Wood LLC for BUILDER Online
* 2005 Critical Mass for Andersen Windows
* 2004 Liggett-Stashower Interactive for Crane Performance Siding Web Site
* 2003 Emco Building Products Corp for DreamRoofs.com

Companies and organizations wishing to have their home building Web site evaluated against the ISAR Index and be considered for a WebAward, which can help boost a Website's credibility and marketing efforts, can learn more at WebAward.org.

To request your copy of the 2009 WebAward ISAR report, please visit: WebAward.org

The Internet Standards Assessment report and the 2009 WebAwards are sponsored by the following leading organizations: Burst Media, B2B Magazine, BGT Partners, PRWeb, AllBusiness, ExactTarget, ad:tech conferences, NewsUSA, Microsoft PhizzPop, Internet World, AllBusiness, Search Engine Strategies, Webmaster Radio, Rovion, and Website Magazine.

2009 WebAward Call for Entries
The Web Marketing Association is now accepting entries into its 13th annual international WebAward Competition. The WebAwards is the standards-defining competition that sets industry benchmarks that the Internet Standards Assessment report is based upon. The home building industry represents an important category in the WebAward competition, and the Web Marketing Association will again be honoring the Best Home Building Web site of 2009. The deadline for entry is May 29, 2009 and the WebAward Web site is located at WebAward.org.

About the WebAwards
Now in its 13th year, the annual international WebAwards competition sets the standard of excellence in 96 industry categories by evaluating Web sites and defining benchmarks based on the seven essential criteria of successful Web site development. The goal of the Web Marketing Association, sponsor of the WebAwards, is to provide a forum to recognize the people and organizations responsible for developing some of the most effective Web sites on the Internet today. Entrants benefit from a Web site assessment by a professional judging panel and the marketing opportunities presented to an award-winning Web site. For more information, visit WebAward.org.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:51 AM | Comments (0)

Superior Woodcraft, Inc. Takes Top Awards in NARI's 2009 Regional and Local Competition

Leader in handmade, custom cabinetry walks away with four CotY ™ Awards -- heads to nationals.

Doylestown, PA (PRWEB) March 22, 2009 -- Superior Woodcraft, Inc., Doylestown, PA, is pleased to announce its selection as a local and regional award-winner in the National Association of the Remodeling Industry's (NARI) 2009 Contractor of the Year competition. Superior Woodcraft, Inc. achieved first-place standing, locally and regionally, in the category of Residential Interior Under $100,000 (Steve Mumford, Designer) and first place locally in the Residential Kitchen $30,000 - $60,000 category (Ellyn Barr, CKD, Designer). Superior Woodcraft also achieved a Meritorious Award (local) for Residential Interior Over $100,000 (Steve Mumford, Designer). Regional judging took place at NARI's headquarters in Des Plaines, Illinois, and local awards were announced on January 23, 2009 at the Sellersville Theater in Sellersville, PA. Judging was based on problem solving, functionality, aesthetics, craftsmanship, innovation, and degree of difficulty. Superior's regional first-place win for a sustainable library design and installation (Residential Interior Under $100,000) qualifies the company to move on to NARI's national competition. Awards will be announced March 28, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia.

"We are delighted with the awards," states Michelle Geiger Kennedy, company president and daughter of Superior Woodcraft, Inc. founder, Karl Geiger. "Our thanks and congratulations go to everyone involved in the winning projects, especially designers Steve Mumford and Ellyn Barr, CKD. Producing fine custom cabinetry requires master craftsmanship, commitment to quality, creativity, and versatility. I'm proud to lead a company where these qualities are recognized and rewarded by such an outstanding organization like NARI."

Superior Woodcraft, Inc. (www.superiorwoodcraft.com) designs, builds and installs handcrafted, custom cabinetry for the entire home. Founded in 1967 by master cabinetmaker, Karl H. Geiger, Superior Woodcraft, Inc. is committed to preserving the time-honored skills, traditions and integrity of old-world cabinetmaking with sustainable methods and materials. Superior Woodcraft craftsmen create truly custom, fully functioning, highly aesthetic pieces of unparallel quality and everlasting beauty.

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Prospective Buyers Signing Up For March 28th Wealth Building Seminar at Henley on Hudson

Public interest is building for a unique Homebuyer Wealth Building Seminar featuring Weehawken, NJ Mayor Richard Turner and Wells Fargo industry veteran Sean Thomson. The informative event will be held on Saturday, March 28th from 10:00 am to 12:00 p.m. at Henley on Hudson, the distinctive collection of European-inspired homes located within Port Imperial along the Hudson River waterfront in Weehawken.

Weehawkin, NJ (PRWEB) March 22, 2009 -- Public interest is building for a unique Homebuyer Wealth Building Seminar featuring Weehawken, NJ Mayor Richard Turner and Wells Fargo industry veteran Sean Thomson. The informative event will be held on Saturday, March 28th from 10:00 am to 12:00 p.m. at Henley on Hudson, the distinctive collection of European-inspired homes located within Port Imperial along the Hudson River waterfront in Weehawken.

Sponsored by Lennar Urban, the seminar will provide an insightful analysis of today's historic real estate marketplace, including an in-depth look at where mortgage rates are heading and what programs are available to buyers. Real estate experts will also address the unlikelihood of a future potential dip in the market through a demonstration on the lack of inventory in the northern New Jersey submarket.

In addition, Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner will detail his vision for the continued development of Port Imperial South, a stretch of waterfront property that already features spectacular homes, a ferry terminal with service to Manhattan, a Light Rail station, a riverfront walkway, and a 14-acre park featuring tennis, softball, soccer and football fields. Henley on the Hudson is only the second residential community being built in Port Imperial South. Future plans for the property, which include mid-rise condominium buildings and a vibrant urban setting with fine dining establishments and boutique shops, will also be discussed.

Those interested in attending the event, which will be held in The Club at Henley, can register by visiting www.henleyonhudson.com or calling (201) 864-7788.

"These are historic times, but also confusing times, and we know the public is hungry for real information about what opportunities are available today and how to best take advantage of the current conditions," notes Michael Skea, Director of Operations for Lennar Urban's Northeast Division, which is developing Henley on Hudson in partnership with Roseland Property Company.

"This seminar will give prospective buyers the facts they need as they consider making important decisions about their future and illustrate how real estate has historically remained the bedrock of investment."

In addition to benefitting from the vast knowledge and years of experience of these two respected individuals, those in attendance will also be able to experience Henley on Hudson's outstanding 6,000 square-foot clubhouse, which includes a stately club room for reading, relaxing or entertaining; a theater room, billiards and gaming lounge, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a Yoga/Pilates room and a Children's Play Studio - all in an unparalleled setting that boasts breathtaking panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline.

What's more, tours will be given of the community's spectacular model homes, including a magnificent four-story Brownstone and a dramatic Penthouse residence.

The fully-furnished Brownstone model features a majestic four-level, 2,879-square-foot layout with three-bedroom suites, three full-baths and three half-baths, a wide array of high-end finishes and appointments and magnificent views of the Manhattan skyline and Hudson River. The Brownstones were designed to represent the traditional urban multi-level architecture commonly seen in upscale Manhattan streetscapes. The majestic designs feature grand layouts with a private entrance, two-car garage, private elevator and soaring living spaces.

The fully-furnished Penthouse model boasts a gracious 1,716-square-foot layout complemented by a wide array of high-end appointments and features an exclusive corner location and outdoor terrace which give way to magnificent views of the Manhattan skyline and the Hudson River.

Henley on Hudson features 164 homes in all, including stunning condominium residences, luxurious penthouses and classic brownstones. The distinctive collection of homes is currently priced from $1.425 million to $2.6 million -- a phenomenal value in today's marketplace. More than 55 homes have already closed.

An abundance of open space can be found within Henley on Hudson and throughout Port Imperial for active and passive recreation, including tree-lined walking and jogging paths and European gardens. Adjacent to Henley on Hudson is a 14-acre park featuring tennis courts and softball, soccer and football fields; while the waterfront walkway offers a picturesque setting for jogging, rollerblading, bike riding or just enjoying the beautiful landscape.

A vibrant downtown atmosphere that promotes pedestrian and street activity is further enhanced by The Shops at Riverwalk, Port Imperial's eclectic offering of boutique shops, restaurants and services, which are transforming this stretch of the "Gold Coast" into the new Hoboken.

Ideal for commuters, residents at Henley on Hudson also enjoy the convenience of the Port Imperial Ferry Terminal which provides direct service to Manhattan, while a Light-Rail station offers access to towns throughout the "Gold Coast." The community is also within close proximity to a highway network linking it to the Lincoln Tunnel, The New Jersey Turnpike and Newark Liberty International Airport.

For additional information on Henley on Hudson and to schedule an appointment to tour the furnished brownstone and penthouse model homes, please call (201) 864-7788, or visit the community's website at www.henleyonhudson.com. The community's onsite Sales Center is located at 2 Henley Place and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Media Contact:
George Cahn
CAHN Communications
201-876-3100

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Disaster Restoration, Inc. Responds to House Fire in Boulder CO

Disaster Restoration (DRI) responds to house fire to assist family at thier time of need.

(PRWEB) March 21, 2009 -- Disaster Restoration, Inc., (DRI) Denver, CO responded to assist the Boulder Rural Fire Protection District at a house fire at 5065 Cottonwood Drive, Boulder, Colorado on February 28, 2009. DRI provided emergency board up of the home to assure stop-loss protection for the homeowners and their insurance company. The fire damaged the garage and burned a car in the neighbor's driveway. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:50 AM | Comments (0)

Disaster Restoration, Inc. (DRI) Announces New Company President

Disaster Restoration, Inc. (DRI) is please to announce the hiring of Jim Spinosa as the comapny President.

(PRWEB) March 21, 2009 -- Disaster Restoration, Inc., (DRI) Denver, CO announces the hiring of James Spinosa, formerly of Allentown, Pennsylvania as President. Mr. Spinosa brings 23 years of experience in the restoration and construction management industry to DRI. Disaster Restoration, Inc. is the Rocky Mountain Region's premier sole-focus disaster restoration company. Since 1987, DRI has focused on state-wide restoration and security of damage caused by fire, smoke, and environmental disasters. For 24/7/365 response contact DRI at 1-800-475-FIRE.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:49 AM | Comments (0)

Seaboard Weatherproofing Completes Restoration at The Jewish Museum

Seaboard Weatherproofing and Restoration Company, a leading metro New York restoration and alteration construction firm, recently completed restoration work on the façade, finials, and roof of the 1908 French Gothic structure originally known as the Warburg Mansion.

New York, NY March 21, 2009-- Like so many older buildings, The Jewish Museum was losing its battle with the weather and grime in New York City. Stones in its limestone façade were broken or loose, its finials were tarnished and broken, and its slate mansard roof was leaking. Seaboard Weatherproofing and Restoration Company, a leading metro New York restoration and alteration construction firm, recently completed restoration work on the façade, finials, and roof of the 1908 French Gothic structure originally known as the Warburg Mansion.

The Jewish Museum was founded in 1904, when Judge Mayer Sulzberger donated 26 objects to the Jewish Theological Seminary. The Seminary's collection grew over the next 40 years, inspiring Frieda Schiff Warburg to donate the family mansion in 1944 for use as a Jewish museum. The Jewish Museum opened its doors in the Warburg Mansion in 1947. The addition of a sculpture court in 1959 and expansions of gallery space in 1963 and 1989 brought the museum to its current size.

The extensive restoration project, under the direction of Walter B. Melvin Architects, LLC, lasted approximately one year. Members of the Seaboard team took out damaged limestone blocks and replaced them with milled or hand-carved stones that matched the original size and shape of the façade. They removed the finials and sent them to Petrillo Stone Corp. for repair or replacement. The slate roof tiles on the original mansion were removed, and reset with minimal slate replacement after repair of the underlying roof structure. Seaboard cleaned the building's exterior of dirt and carbon using a chemical-free fine water mist and then waterproofed the structure to help protect it from the elements.

"The most challenging aspect of the project was the roof repair," explains Jim Gradt, Senior Project Manager of Seaboard Weatherproofing & Restoration. "We had to pipe off the tiers and set-backs so that we could reach and remove the slate and do the necessary repairs to prevent further water seepage into the building."

"Seaboard takes great pride in returning historic buildings to their original grandeur," says Michael Y. Ahearn, President of Seaboard Weatherproofing and Restoration. "Frieda Schiff Warburg would be pleased with the preservation of her important cultural gift."

Seaboard Weatherproofing and Restoration is located at 530 Willett Avenue in Port Chester, NY. The Company recently celebrated its 60th anniversary in business.

About Seaboard Weatherproofing and Restoration Company:
Based in Port Chester, NY, Seaboard Weatherproofing and Restoration Company is one of the leading restoration and alteration construction firms in the New York City metropolitan area. The company has received several prestigious awards and numerous accolades for its work on high-profile projects, including The Elephant House at the Bronx Zoo, The Cloisters museum, and 90 West Street. For more information, please call (800) 347-7464 or visit www.seaboardwpr.com.

PRESS CONTACTS:
Beth Weiss/Mike Dardano
Co-Communications, Inc.
(914) 666-0066

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Tri North Lighting, Inc. Joins ABC's Extreme Makeover Home Edition to Help Build a Home for a Deserving Family in Indianapolis, Indiana

Tri North Lighting, Inc. announced today it will join the Emmy Award winning television show ABC's Extreme Makeover Home Edition and the Estridge Companies to help a deserving family in building a new home in Indianapolis, Indiana. On Friday March 27th the Extreme Makeover Home Edition bus will pull up to a house and Ty Pennington and his team of designers will surprise a family with a new home.

East Amherst, NY (PRWEB) March 20, 2009 -- Tri North Lighting, Inc. announced today it will join the Emmy Award winning television show ABC's Extreme Makeover Home Edition and the Estridge Companies to help a deserving family in building a new home in Indianapolis, Indiana. On Friday March 27th the Extreme Makeover Home Edition bus will pull up to a house and Ty Pennington and his team of designers will surprise a family with a new home. Shortly after the family departs from the location, the construction of a new home will begin as ABC's Extreme Makeover Home Edition team directs an army of contractors to begin the build. This episode will be the two-hour season finale and it is tentatively scheduled to air on ABC on Sunday, May 17th.

CEO Jeffrey Beach stated "I have personally been a very large fan of the Extreme Makeover Home Edition television show since their first season. I have always dreamed that some day that our company would take a part in helping a family on this great television show. Last week when I received a telephone call from the Design Team from the show, my dream of helping came true. I am personally very honored to work with ABC's Extreme Makeover Home Edition design team and to assist the Estridge Companies in giving a well deserving family a new home that they can enjoy for many years to come."

While Tri North Lighting, Inc. supplies many different types of lighting products that are energy efficient to a vast customer base, we consider this a privilege and we would like to thank ABC's Extreme Make Over Home Edition for this opportunity to help in building a new home for the family. Tri North Lighting, Inc. will be donating all the materials for their project and will take a team of 5 volunteers who are donating their time and skills to Indiana to assist in project. Tri North Lighting, Inc. would also like to invite as many of our own customers and manufacturers we work with to get involved as well. The Estridge Company has set up a complete website at Estridge Extreme Dream where volunteer information and donations for the project can be made. You can also learn more about the family, the sponsors and even track the progress of the build as it happens directly on their website.

Tri North Lighting, Inc. was founded in December of 2004 under the direction of CEO Jeffrey Beach and has been part of many projects across the world in incorporating energy efficient led lights and fiber optic lights and rope light products. The company is fully fledged C-Corporation incorporated in the State of Delaware and has locations in New York and Texas. For more information please visit our website at Tri North Lighting, Inc. for details. ABC's Extreme home makeover is a hit television show that has been broadcasted on ABC and season 6 has a theme of "Heroes" For more information on the television show you can go the ABC's website. The Estridge Companies was founded in 1967 and they specialize in home building and their headquarters is located in Carmel, Indiana.

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, which has won back-to-back Emmy Awards as Best Reality Program (non-competitive), is in its 6th season on ABC. The program is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. Anthony Dominici is the executive producer; and David Goldberg is the president of Endemol USA.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:48 AM | Comments (0)

Excess of Office Furniture Being Used to Measure Recession's Reach

Chicago Retailer of Used Office Furniture May Hold Important Key to Interpreting the Depth and Course of Current Recession.

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) March 20, 2009 -- The economic downturn has resulted in a flood of used office furniture hitting the re-sale market all at once -- so much so that Rightsize Facility Performance, LLC., a large Chicago retailer, is counting on growing industries and availability to move product.

But in a more important light, the sheer volume of second-hand cubicles, workstations and office desk sets on the market at the present time is viewed by economists as one very important economic indicator -- one that has been noted both by economists and government decision makers seeking to quantify and understand the flow of the economy.

For want of a better term, it has been called the "Cubicle Index."

In tallying the number of workplace cubicles and other used office items on the retail market at any given time, researchers find an uncannily accurate indicator of the health and direction of the overall economy. Combined with other statistics such as unemployment, housing starts and vacant office space, the Cubicle Index helps paint a fuller picture of just where the economy's headed.

As Rightsize Facility Performance's president, Mason Awtry, recently told the Chicago Tribune, "Last year we had access to 30,000 to 40,000 office cubicles across the country. We're estimating that by the summer our national distribution channel will be able to handle in upwards of 250,000 cubicles nationwide."

That's a very telling set of statistics, by any measure. At least one television network, Fox News, plans on covering a Rightsize March 20th sales event live as part of a national report on the current state of the economy.

For Awtry's company the sale marks a single event in an evolutionary process which will convert the detritus of today's economic bust into the trappings of tomorrow's economic boom. "It's natural enough," reflects Awtry. "Attractive pricing helps revitalize any economy, and both new and recycled furniture will soon enough be filled with a new economy's expanded work force."

About Rightsize Facility Performance, LLC: Headquartered in Chicago, IL, Rightsize Facility Performance is a nationwide provider of new, refurbished and used office furniture by top manufacturers. Their 200,000 sq. ft. showroom and warehouse facility is located at 5000 W. Roosevelt Rd. in Chicago, housing workstations, cubicles, desks, chairs, filing, reception and conference furniture. Other services include furniture buyback, facility decommissioning and nationwide delivery & installation. For more information call toll free, 877.842.9468 or visit their website at OfficeFurnitureCenter.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:48 AM | Comments (0)

ConcretePoolDecks.org Outlines 5 Common Pool Deck Design Mistakes

With the many options available in designing the perfect pool deck comes the possibility of making some design mistakes as well. ConcretePoolDecks.org is now offering it's expertise in pool deck design by outlining the five most common mistakes homeowners and builders make when designing a custom pool deck.

Yucaipa, CA (PRWEB) March 20, 2009 -- The proper design of a pool deck is imperative to its functionality. Oftentimes, the pool deck will become a home's most popular area for entertaining, and for this reason, ConcretePoolDecks.org has outlined five of the most common mistakes to avoid when designing the perfect deck. These helpful pool deck design tips cover proper size, layout and functionality.

More than just an area that surrounds a pool, pool decks are a multipurpose area where people can entertain, sunbathe or just relax on a warm afternoon. For proper pool deck design, one should consider the following five tips:
1. Provide plenty of seating.
2. Properly layout water spigots.
3. Take full advantage of the sun.
4. Decide how the deck will be used and consider the pools distance from the house.
5. Create functional walkways.

Outlined in greater detail on the site, these tips cover some of the most frequently made mistakes in pool deck design. Their consideration is crucial; after mistakes are made and pool decks are put in place, decks can often not be fixed.

The site also reminds consumers that while a pool deck may essentially look and function like a patio, one should also keep in mind that it has unique requirements for slip resistant surfaces beyond what the typical patio requires. By incorporating some decorative concrete elements, one can successfully avoid slippery finishes and incorporate a beautiful decorative finish as well. Visit the site's photo gallery for more pool deck design ideas.

ConcretePoolDecks.org is dedicated to helping consumers get started in asking the right questions and learning about what the possibilities are when it comes to designing a functional and appealing pool deck. The site also brings together consumers and local concrete contractors by pointing to a nationwide contractor directory. Consumers can use the site to learn about concrete pool decks, choose photos of designs they like, and then access the directory for contact information for concrete pool deck contractors in their local area.

Photos courtesy of CCS.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:47 AM | Comments (0)

Developer to Build ‘7 Wonders of the World’ Luxury Homes in Italy

VFI Overseas Property, a luxury homes builder, has announced details of The 7 Wonders of the World, a development that is being constructed in Soverato, in the region of Calabria.

Rome, Italy (PRWEB) March 20, 2009 -- Europe’s fastest growing property developer is now introducing a new standard to luxury homes construction in southern Italy. Named “The 7 Wonders of the World,” the gated community will feature indoor and outdoor pools along with a restaurant, bar, wellness spa centre, fitness suite as well as shops and boutiques, all set in manicured grounds with 24-hour security.

“This project will introduce a standard at the very top end of the luxury homes market to the southern Italian Riviera,” said VFI Overseas Property Director Antonio Velardo. “VFI Overseas Property is delighted to be at the forefront of this revolution in quality development and we intend to introduce more such exclusive communities in the future.”

He adds that The 7 Wonders of the World is set in beautiful unspoiled countryside overlooking one of the best beaches in the area and it is just 50 minutes from Lamezia International Airport, an airport that has two-hour flights to northern Europe.

The 7 Wonders of the World is an exclusive development of the finest full-service villas, each consisting of unique construction, four bedrooms and three bathrooms. Velardo says the company made the community in honour of the 7 wonders of the world from antiquity: the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, the Mausoleum of Maussollos at Halicarnassus, the Colossus of Rhodes, and the Lighthouse of Alexandria.

About VFI Overseas Property:
VFI Overseas Property was launched just over two years ago by Antonio Velardo and fellow director Harry Fitzsimons and now has a turnover of over €100 million having introduced highly successful levels of professionalism to the property development industry in southern Italy, especially in the luxury homes market. This, in turn, has helped bring new levels of prosperity and employment to the area and has introduced property investors from around the world.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:45 AM | Comments (0)

LED Sign Specialist AffordableLed.Com Now Ranks in Google Search Engine's Top 10 for LED Signs

LED signs mogul AffordableLed.Com has reached a new milestone by placing under Google Search Engine's Top 10 under the keyword "LED sign". Congratulations are in store for the online wholesale retailer of creative led signs for making its mark in the led signs industry.

Rowland Heights, CA (PRWEB) March 20, 2009 -- Search engines are the one of the most important tools in marketing a product, especially for businesses whose bulk of consumers come from the virtual world. A recent trend in internet marketing is the strategy of search engine optimizations, which functions by determining how search engines work and what people key in when searching for ideas, concepts or products.

Google.com, the most popular search engine that internet users maximize, has recently recognized AffordableLed.Com's expertise in the field of led signs. For most companies, belonging in the Top 10 of Google Search Engine's for whichever industry they belong to is indeed a milestone. This is certainly an acknowledgement for AffordableLed.Com's efforts in providing high-quality led signs with the lowest and most affordable price in led outdoor signs and customized led signs.

Providing high quality signage with durable and bright led signs, led sign wholesaler AffordableLed.Com offers lower-than-market prices, which allows retailers to earn a higher profit margin. The reputable led sign manufacturer ultimately aims to provide consumers a distinct competitive edge over competitors through top-of-the-line led signs that are guaranteed of a one-year full product warranty as well as a free exchange in the rare event of purchasing a defective led sign.

Putting up led signs to advertise is an effective way to market products and businesses because led signs are often animated and entertaining, sporting a number of vivid hues that customers usually find attractive and exciting. Compared to neon signs, led signs are easier and safer to operate. Investing in led signs is always a positive move towards generating more sales and attracting more consumers. Visit the online led signs distributor's website to find out more on how establishments can avail of AffordableLed.com's high quality led signs.

About AffordableLED.com
Based in Southern California, AffordableLED.com is the leading manufacturer of indoor and outdoor LED signs. All LED signs are of high quality, produced with cutting edge technology. LED signs can be customized to suit the needs of the clients. All LED signs sold have a 1 year warranty and a lower-than-market price guarantee.

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Obama Administration's Financial Assistance to Small Businesses Applauded

The nation's SBA Certified Development Companies, represented by their trade association, NADCO, attended the Obama administration's announcement of its greatly expanded plans to assist America's capital-starved small businesses. The industry, which last year funded over $12 billion in fixed asset and real estate expansion projects to small businesses, expects to play a key role in Obama's re-invigoration of TARP and TALF and the implementation of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act recently passed by Congress.

(Vocus/PRWEB ) March 20, 2009 -- The National Association of Development Companies (NADCO), the trade association for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA’s) partner Certified Development Companies, applauded President Obama and his economic team on their strategy for thawing frozen credit markets that are hurting small businesses across the country. NADCO members provide long-term financing to small business entrepreneurs through the SBA 504 loan program to purchase and construct commercial real estate.

NADCO President, Chris Crawford, attended the White House announcement Monday on the implementation of the Recovery and Reinvestment Act when President Obama rolled out the first phase of his plan to assist small businesses. “It is very encouraging to see President Obama and Treasury focusing on the urgent financial needs of America’s small businesses during these difficult economic times,” Crawford said.

NADCO actively advised the Congressional Small Business Committees on commercial lending measures that would be the most beneficial to small business borrowers for inclusion in the Recovery and Reinvestment Act. “We were gratified to see one of our early recommendations – the temporary elimination of fees for SBA 504 loans – become law on February 17,” Crawford remarked today during NADCO’s annual Government Relations Conference in Washington, DC.

Buildings are becoming more affordable now due to falling real estate prices and more attractive financing options. The temporary elimination processing and bank fees on SBA 504 loans will be a great incentive for small businesses who may now be considering purchasing real estate. Small business groups and chambers of commerce have commented that the President’s plans should make SBA’s 504 Loan program more attractive and more accessible to business owners.

Additionally, NADCO, working with banks and loan poolers, proposed that a mechanism for guaranteeing SBA 504 first mortgages in the secondary market be established by SBA to get money flowing again throughout the banking industry. The Recovery and Reinvestment Act includes up to $3 billion in 504 pool guarantees that will assist hundreds of banks in funding 504 loans to growing small businesses.

President Obama announced on Monday that Treasury will provide even greater assistance to the 504 program and its first mortgage lenders by authorizing the Treasury Department to directly purchase billions of dollars of 504 bank first mortgages. This will continue to add liquidity to banks across the country providing long term real estate loans.

Steve Suite, NADCO Chair remarked, “We are excited that President Obama and Congress felt it was appropriate to use the SBA’s existing 504 loan program to help reinvigorate small business lending. NADCO looks forward to continuing its dialogue with Members of Congress, the Obama team and the SBA as they work to implement these new policies.”

About the National Association of Development Companies (NADCO)

Created in 1981, the National Association of Development Companies is the trade association for America’s Certified Development Companies (CDCs). Certified by the U. S. Small Business Administration, CDCs are community-based economic development organizations that serve their local communities and states, and are dedicated to the promotion of small business expansion and job creation through SBA’s 504 Loan Program. In addition to the 504 program, many CDCs also provide small businesses with access to other Federal, state and local economic development loan programs.

Based in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., NADCO provides legislative and regulatory support for the 504 Loan Program on behalf of CDCs, the program’s lending partners (including first mortgage lenders, attorneys and others allied to the industry), and 504 small business borrowers. For more information, please call (703) 748-2575 or visit http://www.nadco.org.

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Eco-Construction Conference Goes CarbonNeutral® and Half Price through March 27th

Eco-Construction, the conference for the green building industry is reducing all CO2 emissions relating to the event to net zero. Attend the event for 50% off and celebrate Earth Day in style.

Portland, ME (PRWEB) March 20, 2009 --IntertechPira has partnered with The CarbonNeutral Company, a world leading carbon offset and carbon management company, to reduce the carbon emissions for this years Eco-Construction Conference, taking place April 21-22nd, in Chicago, IL USA, to net zero

With Eco-Construction 2009 coinciding with Earth Day, IntertechPira felt it was vital that they took responsibility for their own carbon footprint to help tackle climate change. They did this by working with The CarbonNeutral Company to measure and reduce the carbon emissions of the event to net zero. This means that all the CO2 emissions associated with the heating, lighting, waste, supplier and organizer travel were measured and then counter balanced with an equivalent amount of tonne saved by a validated emission reduction project.

Mark La Croix, Executive Vice President, Global Business Development , The CarbonNeutral Company said, "We are delighted to support the work that Eco Construction Conference are doing in taking responsibility for their carbon footprint. Reducing your emissions to net zero helps tackle climate, the next step is communicating and encouraging others within the construction sector that they too can make a difference to the climate by making simple changes."

Acknowledging the challenging economy and tightening corporate travel budgets, IntertechPira is offering a registration price of $500 through Friday, March 27. That's 50% off the standard registration rate. "Times are tough, but the green building industry is extremely important and moving forward," says Barbara Rojas, producer of Eco-Construction 2009. "IntertechPira wants to foster continued development, and offers this as an economic stimulus plan for you."

To take advantage of this offer, use promotion code ECOWEB when you register online at www.ecoconstructionconf.com.

To learn more or register, visit the event website at www.ecoconstructionconf.com, or contact Barbara Rojas at IntertechPira: +1 207 781 9608 or Barbara.rojas (at) pira-international (dot) com.

About IntertechPira
IntertechPira provides events, training, online information and publications across a wide range of niche commodities and disruptive technologies affecting industry. Our 100% independent products are provided globally 24/7 and delivered by teams of independent experts at sites in Portland, Maine, US and London, UK through 20 specialized industrial platforms. Our core competencies are information on: research and product development; globalization and new markets; production methods; regulatory and compliance.

About CarbonNeutral
The CarbonNeutral Company (www.carbonneutral.com) is a world leading carbon offset and carbon management business, working with over 300 major businesses and thousands of small and medium sized companies. Over the last ten years, they have purchased carbon credits from almost 200 projects spread over six continents.

CarbonNeutral® is the registered trademark of The CarbonNeutral Company and is the leading brand mark and quality standard for action on climate change. Permission to display the CarbonNeutral mark is only given to clients when CO2 emissions have been measured and reduced to net zero through a programme implemented in accordance with The CarbonNeutral Protocol. This Protocol assures quality of offset projects, carbon footprint assessments and communication and is regularly reviewed by an Independent Advisory Group. The 'audit trail' includes an annual independent verification of CarbonNeutral programs - from contracts with carbon offset partners through to contracts with clients and everything in between.

The CarbonNeutral Company has two regional operating headquarters in New York and London, as well as offices in San Francisco and Singapore, and a network of affiliates in Japan, Canada, France and UAE.

The CarbonNeutral Company is a founding member of The International Carbon Reduction and Offset Alliance (ICROA), which provides leadership and a unified voice advocating for rigorous industry standards www.icroa.org.

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Hyatt Orlando goes Green with new Federal Heath LED Signs

Hyatt Hotels chose Federal Heath Sign Company to manufacture and install new 8-ft LED brand signs for their Orlando location. Hyatt will be saving money due to less power consumption as well as reduced cost to maintain and service the LED signs.

Euless, TX--The Hyatt Orlando has gone green! The 750-room hotel recently decided to upgrade their brand visibility, and chose Federal Heath Sign to manufacture and install its new 8-ft LED Hyatt brand signs. The hotel is over 20 stories high, welcoming visitors on their way to Orlando vacation destinations.

Hyatt not only increased their brand awareness by adding exposure to a second major freeway but will also benefit from a reduction in energy costs. The new lettersets are illuminated with LEDs, which convert energy to light, and last up to 10 times longer than traditional lighting for signage. The Hyatt will be saving money due to less power consumption as well as reduced cost to maintain and service the LED signs. The LEDs also provide mercury and lead-free illumination.

Federal Heath's Manager of Custom Projects Bill Jezek said that he and his team were able to complete the job in less than three weeks. Installation required the workers to hang letters while rappelling 294 feet off the ground. Hyatt's Director of Engineering Larry Barr said the sharp, crisp and vibrant colors (on the new signs) "are awesome".

Federal Heath Sign Company, with nationwide offices, has been providing signs for the Hyatt hotel chain and its subsidiaries since 1995.

About Federal Heath Sign
Federal Heath Sign Company provides innovative, comprehensive and consistent solutions to sign product, maintenance and specialty contracting requirements. For over 100 years, Federal Heath has been providing quality, custom electric signage to high profile companies in the retail, restaurant, hotel, finance, petroleum, automotive, corporate identification and gaming markets. Federal Heath has more than twenty offices nationwide, including four state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. For more information about Federal Heath Sign Company, please visit us at www.federalheath.com

CONTACT:
Diana Panther
817 685 9075

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Australia's Best Confirm the Inclusion of McConnell Dowell in their Latest Edition of the Award-Winning Series of Business Publications Produced by Bean Media Group

McConnell Dowell Corporation Ltd is a world class engineering, construction and maintenance company with business branching out into many sectors including civil and marine; mechanical; electrical; pipelines and tunneling and underground services. This latest boost for the company will enhance their reputation as one of Australia's Best Building and Construction companies.

Sydney, NSW (PRWEB) March 20, 2009 -- Formed in 1960, by two New Zealand entrepreneurs Malcolm McConnell and Jim Dowell, McConnell Dowell has evolved into a global force within the construction industry. This company is now operating within Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, South East Asia and the Middle East.

With profits up over 40%, the 2007/2008 year was an excellent one for McConnell Dowell, with total revenue hitting an all time high of 1.45 billion. The ongoing success of the company was also confirmed with the company securing six high profile projects for this up coming year.

McConnell Dowell has been involved with many high profile projects in its time, such as the design and construction contract for the Bogong Hydro Power Project by AGL Southern Hydro. This was the largest hydro power project to be constructed in Australia in 25 years. McConnell Dowell was also awarded the stage one contract for the Common User Facility (CUF) Project by Port Adelaide Maritime Corporation (PAMC), South Australia. This early stage work was critical to delivery of world-class $6 billion dollar infrastructure development at Techport Australia.

Graeme Ritchie, McConnell Dowell's Procurement Manager in the Civil and Marine sector, believes that the success to completing all projects on time and maintaining a reliable reputation is greatly due to the efficiency of suppliers involved. "Suppliers are absolutely critical in achieving success. We are only as good as our worse supplier; therefore it is necessary to establish whether the relationship is beneficial to our business," he says.

McConnell Dowel strives to deliver safe, quality projects that are on time, preferring to be under or to budget in an environmentally sound manner, which is impossible without reliable suppliers with cost effective work methods. "Maintaining an open and robust relationship with suppliers allows the airways to be clear. Suppliers have got to be able to approach us with whatever is on their mind and vice versa," says Graeme.

The editorial feature that went to press with Bean Media Group and Australia's Best can be found here: http://beanmedia.com.au/profiles/McCD.pdf

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:43 AM | Comments (0)

Newmont Mining Corporation Given Massive Boost with Exclusive Feature in Award-Winning Business Publication

Australia's Best, published by the innovative Bean Media Group, have confirmed the inclusion of Newmont's APAC Supply Chain Regional Director, Cindy Dunham and Regional Purchasing Manager, Steve Cooper, for an exclusive interview highlighting supply chain at Newmont Mining.

Sydney, NSW (PRWEB) March 20, 2009 -- The Newmont Mining Corporation is a leading gold producer, with operations in five continents, the majority of which are based in the United States, Australia, Peru, Indonesia, Ghana, New Zealand and Mexico. The global corporation owns or has interests in five separate gold mining operations in Australia.

Newmont's Australian and New Zealand mines account for approximately 22 per cent of the company's total global equity gold sales. Due to the global nature of Newmont's operations, a strong chain of supply and solid working partnerships are vital to the company's growth and productivity.

When sourcing suppliers to work with Newmont the two most important qualities the company look for are total cost of ownership and community support.

"There are so many varying agreements and relationships that we look to establish," says Steve. "But I certainly think that when it comes to the supply of goods, equipment and products, we are looking for a supplier that understands the difference between cost and price, which is where the total cost of ownership theory becomes relevant. As Newmont moves forward with technology we are looking more and more for suppliers that can be compliant with the efficiencies that have already been established here."

Sustainable practices are a major factor in Newmont's global practices, and supply chain management is not an exception to this widespread initiative. The company maintains that sustainability can be broken down into four fundamental principles. Firstly, benefits of economic activity must be measured relative to their respective social and environmental consequences. Secondly, in using resources they must consider the requirements and expectations of generations to come.

Thirdly, Newmont believes that government, business and society in general must work together to balance such needs. Lastly the corporate governance contributes to sustainable economic development by enhancing the performance of the company and increasing its access to land and capital.

Newmont demonstrates leadership in this field and is the only gold company on the prestigious Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI-World), which reflects the company's commitment to conduct its business in an environmentally sound, economically efficient and socially sustainable way.

It is these principles which Newmont puts into practice when selecting and assessing its suppliers and contractors.

The entire feature that went to press with Australia's Best Magazine and Bean Media Group can be found here: http://beanmedia.com.au/profiles/Newmont.pdf

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:42 AM | Comments (0)

Selected For Inclusion In Award-Winning Business Magazine, Australia's Best

Lance Throneberry, General Manager of Supply Chain at Peabody, has been confirmed as a key interview in the highly-regarded set of business publications published by Bean Media Group entitled Australia's Best

Sydney, NSW (PRWEB) March 20, 2009 -- Peabody Energy is the world's largest private sector pure coal company. With products that fuel more than 10% of America's electricity supply and 2% of global demand, the company is well positioned to meet growth from electricity generators and steelmakers worldwide.

The Australian operations are managed by Peabody Pacific Pty Limited, a subsidiary of Peabody Energy, which employs more than 1000 people. A further 2500 people are employed under six major mining contracts.

Peabody Energy considers Australia to be a premier location for coal mine development and investment. After returning to Australia in 2002 with the acquisition of Wilkie Creek mine and Horse Creek coal resource in Queensland's Surat Basin, Peabody is aiming to become a permanent fixture in the Australian coal industry. With nine mines located in Queensland and New South Wales - as well as active coal trading in all major Australian coal regions through Peabody Coaltrade - Peabody is well on its way to achieving its goal.

Peabody Energy's mission is to be a leading worldwide producer and supplier of sustainable energy solutions, which power economic prosperity and result in a better quality of life. The company aims to develop and manage safe, efficient, low-cost, world-class coal mining operations that provide customers with quality products, reliable supply and superior service.

Peabody's relationship marketing approach reflects the company's ability to partner with its clients in their long-term supply chain planning processes.

Peabody is well aware of the importance of a strong supply chain for goods and services, inclusive of high performing suppliers in the coal sector. As such, Peabody actively seeks supply partners who provide the best total cost of ownership solutions with respect to performance, quality, price, service and delivery.

Lance Throneberry, General Manager of Supply Chain at Peabody, says "Suppliers and their related performance are critical to Peabody achieving its near and long term operating goals and objectives. If you look at our cost of goods sold, over 50% is attributable to third-party spend. This includes a range of goods and services including commodities, capital equipment / machines, parts, components, major and minor contracted services and temporary labour."

"A strong chain of supply is vital for Peabody to achieve consistent and predictable operating results - now and into the future," he says.

The editorial feature that appeared in Australia's Best Building, Construction and Mining can be downloaded from the Bean Media Group website here: http://beanmedia.com.au/profiles/Peabody.pdf

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:42 AM | Comments (0)

Permasteelisa Given Massive Boost with Exclusive Editorial in Top Business Magazine, Australia's Best, Published by Bean Media Group

Pradeep Rapandudi, Permasteelisa's Procurement Manager, has been awarded a place in the prestigious set of business magazines, Australia's Best.

Sydney, NSW (PRWEB) March 20, 2009 -- Permasteelisa is a worldwide leader in the engineering, manufacturing and installation of architectural envelopes, internal partitions and furniture systems. Permasteelisa's Procurement Manager, Pradeep Rupandudi spoke with Australia's Best as to why communication with suppliers is essential.

The Permasteelisa Group is internationally renowned for its capability to devise innovative design systems and architectonic shells. The dynamic company is constantly searching for new and customised technological solutions to expand their impressive portfolio of work.

Permasteelisa operates in four continents through more than 60 companies located in 27 countries and 20 directly and indirectly owned plants.

This global presence enables the Group to take full advantage of business opportunities and compensate for the cyclical trends in individual markets, allowing it to maximise efficiency in the management of resources and investment in new technology.

Throughout Permasteelisa's history the company have designed, produced and installed in excess of seven million m2 of architectural envelopes, encompassing more than one thousand buildings worldwide.

The architectural works built by Permasteelisa, ranging from the Sydney Opera House to Channel 4's headquarters in London showcase the company's ability to deliver outstanding results on high-profile projects. None of which, according to Pradeep, could be done without a strong communication ethic within every aspect of the business.

"Communication to a large extent is the key to the whole operation," explains Pradeep. Communication is imperative for Permasteelisa when dealing with external influences where management have limited control on the outcome.

"When there is a new product on the market in our area of activity, they let us know," says Pradeep. "Our suppliers always keep in touch about price changes, even when they are going down, which is rare. I don't need to make a price check, because I know my suppliers. I have confidence that what I'm looking at will be the best product at the best price."

The feature that Bean Media Group published in Australia's Best Building, Construction and Mining can be downloaded here: http://beanmedia.com.au/profiles/Permasteelisa.pdf.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:41 AM | Comments (0)

Richard Crookes Construction Selected for Inclusion in Leading Business Magazine

Bean Media Group, publishers of the impressive series of Australia's Best, have confirmed the inclusion of Richard Crookes Construction in their latest edition.

Sydney, NSW (PRWEB) March 20, 2009 -- Bean Media Group, publishers of the impressive series of Australia's Best, have confirmed the inclusion of Richard Crookes Construction in their latest edition.

Richard Crookes Construction is a privately-owned Australian company that continues to be a significant force in the construction industry due to its innovative design and construction.

Richard Crookes Constructions is an efficient, well managed and resourced organisation with a consistent track record of delivering successful results for clients by partnering closely with them. With over 30 years experience in delivering construction, refurbishment and fitout projects for all building types, Richard Crookes Constructions offer dedicated expertise capable of participation in everything from government infrastructure projects to small boutique private projects.

The company undertakes all forms of contract delivery including traditional lump sum, design and construction and construction management to provide enhanced project outcomes for their esteemed corporate, institutional, government and private clients. Richard Crookes Constructions' proven management systems, including ISO quality accreditation, OHS&R safety standards and environmental legislation compliance, has enabled the business to achieve the significant status of Department of Commerce Best Practice Contractors.

The company is committed to the concept of 'Best Practice' through client satisfaction, quality management, OHS&R management, cooperative contracting, workplace reform and environmental management.

The company's expertise can be seen in the world class vehicle crash test laboratory for the Roads and Traffic Authority as well as the design and construction of the Mannesmann Dematic Colby (Siemens) corporate headquarters and distribution centre. Large scale commercial developments from concept through to design documentation, construction and fitout are also a strong component in the company's extensive repertoire. Projects undertaken by the organisation can vary in size and scale from multi-storey CBD style buildings to corporate headquarters and business park office developments. The company recently completed two significant government office projects including an office block in Penrith and another in Queanbeyan. Both these projects have reached a 4.5 star ABGR rating.

Richard Crookes Constructions also provides a range of building services related to shopping centre, supermarket, bulky goods and retail outlets including the management of significant tenant requirements during construction. The Southpoint Shopping Centre redevelopment and retail fitout was completed while occupied and continuous trading was achieved by tenants who required uninterrupted services, easy access and a clean safe environment for customers.

The feature that was published in Australia's Best by Bean Media Group can be found here: http://beanmedia.com.au/profiles/Richard_Crookes.pdf.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:40 AM | Comments (0)

United Group Receive Thumbs Up From Award-Winning Business Publication, Australia's Best

Bean Media Group, publishers of the multi-award-winning series of business magazines entitled Australia's Best, have confirmed that United Group were selected for their most recent Building, Construction and Mining Magazine.

Sydney, NSW (PRWEB) March 20, 2009 -- Bean Media Group, publishers of the multi-award-winning series of business magazines entitled Australia's Best, have confirmed that United Group were selected for their most recent Building, Construction and Mining Magazine.

United Group Rail has designed, manufactured and maintained rail rolling stock since 1899 and is now the largest non-government rail service provider in the Asia Pacific Region.

From its origins as a Perth-based construction company founded in the early 1970s, United Group Limited (ASX - UGL) has emerged as a leading broad based service provider, delivering tailored solutions and services to governments and blue chip companies throughout Australia, New Zealand, Asia, North America and parts of Europe and the Middle East. Listed on the Australian Stock Exchange under the code UGL, the company has a market capitalisation of over $3 billion and annual revenue approaching $4 billion.

United Group consists of four businesses each with specific complementary services that are enhanced with the reliability, innovative skills and first class capabilities of United Group Limited's 40,000 people. These businesses include:

UGL Infrastructure is a multi-service business offering construction, engineering, operational and maintenance services to the water, power, communications, road and rail transport and defence industries.

UGL Rail offers customers in the rail sector a fully integrated solution including the design, engineering, manufacture, maintenance, refurbishment and asset management of locomotives, passenger cars, trams, and freight wagons.

UGL Resources provides engineering, project and construction management, asset management and maintenance and manufacturing services to customers in the resources sector; these include the mining and mineral processing, oil and gas, chemicals and industrial processing industries.

UGL Services is a premier global provider of outsourcing services. Services include corporate real estate, facilities management, project management, finance and accounting, procurement, human resource management and learning. The business includes UGL Premas, UGL Equis and UGL Unicco.

The feature that appeared in Australia's Best can be found here: http://beanmedia.com.au/profiles/United.pdf.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:40 AM | Comments (0)

Veolia Environmental Services Given Seal of Approval by Industry-Leading Business Magazine, Australia's Best, Published by Bean Media Group

Claude Camelin, Procurement Manager for Veolia, has been selected for an exclusive supply chain interview with the prestigious series of business magazines, Australia's Best.

Sydney, NSW (PRWEB) March 20, 2009 -- Claude Camelin, Procurement Manager for Veolia, has been selected for an exclusive supply chain interview with the prestigious series of business magazines, Australia's Best.

Veolia Environmental Services, formerly known as Collex, has been implementing innovative, effective and sustainable waste solutions for over 30 years within Australia. Across Australia, Veolia has become the industry leaders in all facets of resource recovery and waste management, as well as Industrial services such as Industrial Cleaning and Facilities Management.

Veolia Environmental Services (VES) provides more than waste collection services.

The organisation's strength is in harnessing their capabilities to provide innovative and sustainable environmental management solutions. Specialising in every area of solid and liquid waste management and industrial services, the continued growth that Veolia has experienced over the past three decades has helped them forge a reputation for reliability and environmental responsibility, whilst simultaneously satisfying the community's daily needs. As part of the global Veolia Environment Group, VES are able to access the resources necessary to deliver a leading edge approach to managing environmental issues.

Efficient supply chain management is becoming an increasingly important aspect for VES as it is an essential component in providing a first-rate service to the company's clients. The absence of strong relationships with their suppliers leads to negative outcomes such as an impacted performance and the compromised integrity within the supply chain process.

Efficient supply chain management has assisted VES in creating a successful business by helping the business to increase its revenue and enhance positive outcomes.

"An example of this is when we provide a good service to clients, they stick with us," says Claude. "In creating a long-term business relationship with a supplier may lead them to recommending VES to other businesses and companies - resulting in new customers for VES. On the other hand, during economical downturn long-term partnerships provide the opportunity for re-negotiations and potential savings during critical times within the supply chain and within the business."
When sourcing their suppliers, VES look for quality, delivery and reliability.

"We also look at the quality and reliability of the raw materials or products that we are going to purchase," says Claude. "And we need to ensure that these products are going to be delivered to us on time."

Price is also a consideration, particularly in the current economic climate. "We need to look at the best price suppliers can provide for us as it helps the company increase the net profit if the cost of goods sold is less. However not to compromised quality, delivery and reliability for a cheaper price ," explains Claude.

Meeting company standards is of optimal importance at VES. Being an environmental company, supplier's environmental policies and sustainability programs are carefully checked and certain criteria must be met before partnerships are established.

"VES has a contractor pre-selection process that suppliers and contractors follow that includes questions about their safety and compliance processes as well as other criteria, such as environmental factors," says Claude.

The feature that went to press with Australia's Best and Bean Media Group can be found here: http://beanmedia.com.au/profiles/Veolia.pdf.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:39 AM | Comments (0)

Australian Construction Experts, Walton Construction, Featured in Award-Winning Business Magazine, Australia's Best

Walton Construction is a multi-award winning Australian construction company that continues to expand its specialist skills in all areas of Commercial Construction, Heritage Projects, Aged Care Facilities, Health Care, Schools, Universities and Fit-out.

Sydney, NSW (PRWEB) March 20, 2009 -- Walton Construction is a multi-award winning Australian construction company that continues to expand its specialist skills in all areas of Commercial Construction, Heritage Projects, Aged Care Facilities, Health Care, Schools, Universities and Fit-out.

One of Australia's most progressive construction companies, Walton strives to make the impossible possible. They also build and market their own developments, further enhancing the expertise the company has on offer for their broad list of clients.

As one of the most trusted construction companies in Australia today, Walton operates throughout the eastern states in a range of market sectors. The organisation consistently wins competitive tenders and makes it a point of pride to deliver premium quality, cost effective projects on time, every time. Walton makes it their business rise to any challenge and has the systems, the know-how and the people to deliver outcomes that exceed expectations.

Pull-quote - "The company realises the positive relationships they have with their consultants and clients as critical to the businesses ongoing success ..."

The company realise the positive relationships they have with their consultants and clients as critical to the businesses ongoing success and involve them in the construction process via regular communication by their dedicated and highly experienced project team.

When Walton is involved in the planning process, they can help facilitate significant cost savings and efficiencies with timely advice on project planning issues, material availability and suitability as well as assistance with alternative construction solutions to suit specific market conditions.

The company's clients evidently respond to this approach as over 50% of Walton's business is repeat business. The company has also won a number of industry awards, including the Master Builders Association Excellence in Construction award in 2003, 2004 and 2006.

The feature in Australia's Best Magazine can be found here: http://beanmedia.com.au/profiles/Walton.pdf.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:39 AM | Comments (0)

WesTrac Given Huge Boost with Inclusion in Industry-Leading Business Magazine, Australia's Best, Published by Bean Media Group

WesTrac is one of the foremost Caterpillar Dealerships servicing Western Australia, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory and Northern China. Inclusion in the prestigious Australia's Best Building, Construction and Mining will further enhance the company's strong reputation within the industry.

Sydney, NSW (PRWEB) March 20, 2009 -- WesTrac is one of the foremost Caterpillar Dealerships servicing Western Australia, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory and Northern China. Inclusion in the prestigious Australia's Best Building, Construction and Mining will further enhance the company's strong reputation within the industry.

WesTrac is a wholly-owned subsidiary company of Australian Capital Equity. Founded in 1989, the network has grown to include 61 branches in key locations in Australia and China. With over 3000 employees, they deliver the very best in ongoing maintenance and support to customers and their equipment everyday of the year.

WesTrac's primary business is to supply new and used Caterpillar machinery that service the construction, mining, forestry, local government, quarry and aggregate, rental, highway truck and marine markets. WesTrac have designed and built their products over all the markets to ensure the lowest cost per hour possible for the customer.

When purchasing from WesTrac, each machine or engine will exceed the quality and performance of the competition, as well as providing superior after sales service and support. WesTrac are aware that one of the biggest decisions a business has to make is often about the choice of equipment. Therefore, the company does not offer any product that is not considered to be top shelf and enhanced with best in the industry features including the latest hydraulics technology with the focus on improving productivity, ease of operation and efficiency.

The Caterpillar equipment product line that WesTrac carry consists of more than 300 machines, as well as an equipment product line that extends well beyond just machines. Caterpillar also manufactures a complete range of engines and power systems. Work Tools tailor CAT® machines to the specific requirements of a customer's working needs. Caterpillar work tools enhance productivity and utility of Caterpillar machines, equipping them for a wide range of tasks and operating requirements, and providing total system solutions for any job application.

In addition to providing superior Caterpillar products, WesTrac aim to deliver a timely and efficient service that keeps businesses running on time and to budget. WesTrac's specialists work closely with their customers to determine the best strategies to maximise productivity and minimise costs. When it comes to Equipment Management, WesTrac set the benchmark. With the right expertise, technology and systems in place, WesTrac can assist in managing customers' owning and operating costs, based on budget, job size and maintenance requirements.

The feature that appeared in Australia's Best Magazine published by the innovative Bean Media Group can be found here: http://beanmedia.com.au/profiles/Westrac.pdf.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:38 AM | Comments (0)

Masterton Homes Selected for Inclusion in Top Business Publication, Australia's Best

Bean Media Group, publishers of the impressive series of business magazines, Australia's Best, have confirmed that Gary Mercer, Purchasing Expert at Masterton Homes, has been selected for an exclusive interview in the latest Building, Construction and Mining publication.

Sydney, NSW (PRWEB) March 20, 2009 -- Every supplier dealing with Masterton must undergo stringent reference checks. This ensures the best possible craftsmanship goes into the building of their homes and allows the company to offer a structural guarantee on every home that is built.

Some of the most important aspects that Masteron takes into consideration when assessing their suppliers are quality of goods, supply reliability, competitive and consistent pricing and what 'value adds' the supplier can offer.

Masterton also have specific techniques in place to ensure an efficient supply chain at all times such as having historical data on performance and pricing consistency and agreed relevant KPI's between Masterton and the supplier.

"I feel the relationship with our key suppliers and subcontractors is based on a mutual respect for eachother's business goals and the difficulties we all face in a very volatile building environment." -Garry Mercer

"Efficient supply chain management is essential to Masterton due to the fact that there are a myriad of trades that have to cohesively follow each other throughout the construction cycle," explains Garry.

"If efficient supply is not achieved, the down time on site, plus rescheduling trades to postpone and come back becomes very expensive due in part to contractors working primarily on hourly rates as opposed unit costs. Efficient supply management helps with the contractual obligations to our client and negates liquidated damages claims and increases our dollars per day yield on site, which improves cash flow and takes some pressure off holding costs."

Masterton have a history of being commercially loyal to suppliers and a reputation for not just seeking the cheapest price available. Masterton chose commit to a supplier and form a partnership.

"I feel the relationship with our key suppliers and subcontractors is based on a mutual respect for eachother's business goals and the difficulties we all face in a very volatile building environment," says Garry. "This coupled with open and honest dialogue helps both parties understand their relevant business aspirations."

The feature that went to press in Australia's Best Building, Construction and Mining can be downloaded here: http://beanmedia.com.au/profiles/Masterton.pdf

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:38 AM | Comments (0)

Fire Alarm Systems Company Wins Major New Contracts

Assured Fire & Security Limited announce the award of multiple new customer contracts to further emphasise it's position at the cutting edge of the UK Fire Alarm Systems industry.

Sheffield, UK (PRWEB) March 20, 2009 -- Assured Fire & Security Limited announce the award of multiple new customer contracts to further emphasise it's position at the cutting edge of the UK Fire Alarm Systems industry.

The company is a specialist in the installation and maintenance of fire alarm and fire suppression systems serving the UK and overseas markets. In the first two months of 2009, the company has announced high profile contracts with major companies including Nissan, Rolls Royce & the Bannatyne Group.

'We have found that the enquiries are still strong even during these difficult times' states Managing Director Simon Stokes. 'Through developing our marketing, staff training and focusing on customer service, we have won major new contracts which demonstrates and further reinforces our strong market position.'

The solutions offered by the company range from Addressable Fire Alarm Systems through to highly sophisticated Fire Suppression Systems which are designed to provide advanced fire protection to critical installations such as server rooms, switch rooms and control centres.

The company works in both the public and private sector providing solutions to Schools, Councils, Governments, Public and Private sector companies and has successful projects in many locations including Sudan & Nigeria.

More information on the company can be found by visiting the website at http://www.assured-ltd.co.uk

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:37 AM | Comments (0)

Americas Watchdog Says No More Undocumented Workers In US Residential Construction--AKA Toxic Chinese Drywall

Americas Watchdog is now saying 350,000-plus US homeowners are paying a huge price for undocumented workers building most of the new US homes, since 2001--AKA toxic Chinese drywall. According to the group, "we have been blasting US homebuilders for years, from appraisal fraud that created the US real estate-boom-bust, predatory mortgage lending, to a new potentially lethal development--toxic Chinese drywall. Was tax fraud, appraisal fraud and now a toxic building product really worth it?" The group says "US labor unions would not install the toxic drywall product, undocumented workers would." US homeowners who live in a new US home, built since 2001, that has a sulphur-type smell, charred electrical wiring, repeated AC coil failures should call the Homeowners Consumer Center at 866-714-6466, or contact them via their web site at Http://HomeownersConsumerCenter.Com.

(PRWEB) March 19, 2009 -- Americas Watchdog has been blasting US homebuilders for years. The issues range from appraisal fraud, to using undocumented workers to build most new US homes since 2001, to the newest outrage--toxic Chinese drywall, that has now put upwards of 350,000 US homeowners at risk (not to mention another 350,000-plus US homeowners, who had their homes remodeled using the toxic Chinese product). "There is one other important part--in most cases, the homebuilders forgot to pay taxes on the workers. They called the undocumented workers 1099 subcontractors. We figure the tax bill is $100,000,000,000-plus."

Americas Watchdog and its Homeowner Consumer Center are the most quoted groups in the world on imported toxic Chinese drywall.

Note to homebuilders and US city or county building inspectors: "Like you didn't notice all the residential construction workers spoke little to no English, or identification that was not real? No US city or county building inspector didn't notice the toxic Chines drywall smelled really bad, or it made the drywall hangers sick? Perhaps you got a payoff from the builder, or you never even showed up to the sub division."

Note to the US DEA and ICE/Homeland Security: "The workers either had to pay Mexican organized crime $1200 US dollars, or they would take illegal drugs across the US border, to save a few bucks." Does this mean Americas Watchdog is taking on the Mexican, Central American and South American drug cartels? Yes!

Note to President Obama: "It's time for a national ID system so undocumented workers no longer build US homes, unless they have an actual visa. US homebuilders forgot to pay federal, state or local taxes by using the 1099-coyote labor scam and no the homebuilders suggesting they had no idea would be a lie. It's time for change."

Gosh: Why would Americas Watchdog be so concerned about toxic Chinese drywall in Florida, California (taxifornia), Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Texas, or Florida? For starters, Americas Watchdog estimates 350,000 US homes built since 2001 might have to be bulldozed.

Question: So who installed most of the drywall in new homes in most US States from 2004-2007?

Answer: Undocumented workers. How many unducumented workers? Over 1,000,00 for each year--2004-2005-2006 and 550,000-plus in 2007.

Question: What about the air conditioning manufacturers? Wouldn't the AC manufacturers have noticed that all of a sudden air conditioning coils, that typically last 10 to 15 years were all of a sudden burning out in 8 months, to a year--by the thousands?

Answer: Americas Watchdog intends to find out. "If you work for an air conditioning manufacturer, and you are aware of a special (wink-wink) deal between AC makers and homebuilders, we want you to contact us at 866-714-6466, or contact us via our web site at Http://HomeownersConsumerCenter."

What Are The Indicators Of A Home or Condominium Having Toxic Chinese Drywall?

* The house has to have been built or remodeled after 2000.Most homes that will have the toxic Chinese drywall were built between 2004 & 2007
* There may be a rotten egg, sulfur-type, or acid type smell in the home or condominium.
* Homeowners, building owners, or occupants in most cases will have seen continuous failures of their air conditioning coils, or HVAC units beyond anything normal.
* Homeowners, building owners, or occupants may have noticed corroded, or black electrical wiring in their walls in properties built or remodeled since 2001.
* Homeowners who suspect their home may have the Chinese drywall can remove electrical receptacle plates to see if the cooper ground wire has turned black. If a homeowner in any state sees this, they should call the Homeowners Consumer Center immediately at 866-714-6466.
* Homeowners, building owners or occupants may have experienced mild to severe upper respiratory problems, nose bleeds, headaches or other potentially serious medical conditions.
* Oven, or stove elements, or refrigerator coils may have failed in the homes, or condominiums a number of times.
* Silver jewelry or silver plated utensils may be tarnished.
* Family pets may have died from exposure in US homes with Chinese toxic drywall.

Americas Watchdog is calling the imported toxic Chinese drywall issue, "the single worst environmental, and serious health disaster ever faced by US and Canadian homeowners. We are with you, and we will do our best to protect you, and to keep you informed about this disaster." For more information, homeowners who know, or suspect they have the imported Chinese drywall in their home, subdivision, condominium or town home, or members of local or national members of the news media, please call the Homeowners Consumer Center anytime at 866-714-6466 or contact them via their web site at Http://HomeownersConsumerCenter.Com.

Americas Watchdog's Homeowners Consumer Center is all about homeowner protection and corporate responsibility.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:37 AM | Comments (0)

Americas Watchdog Warns Homeowners About Toxic Chinese Drywall Homebuilder Quick Fixes--The Lies Must Stop

Americas Watchdog and its Homeowners Consumer Center is warning all Florida and Virginia homeowners that have been offered quick re-drywall fixes to not sign a quick fix re-drywall release, until we know more. "We know more about the toxic Chinese drywall than any group, organization, or agency in the world. Not only is it much worse than we ever thought possible in Florida, it's in every US state, including Nevada, Colorado, California, Arizona and Texas. It's also in Canada and Australia." New homes built in the US, Canada and Australia, between 2003 and 2007, that have had severe upper respiratory issues, combined with AC coil failures, or charred or blackened electrical wires ground wires should call the Homeowners Consumer Center at 866-714-6466, or contact the group via their web site at Http://HomeownersConsumerCenter.Com.

(PRWEB) March 19, 2009 -- Americas Watchdog's Homeowners Consumer Center is now saying the toxic Chinese drywall situation 1000 times worse that they ever dreamed. "Not only is the drywall in every US state, including Florida, California, Nevada, Arizona and Texas, it is also in Canada and Australia. Even worse, aside from turning electrical wiring or copper black, exposure to the toxic Chinese drywall could make homeowners, or their families very sick. Exposure could even kill." The Homeowners Consumer Center is strongly advising homeowners in Florida and Virginia to not take home builders offers of a quick fix re-drywall, until they know more. "If the gasses emitted from the toxic Chinese drywall has been absorbed by a home's studs, plywood, trusses, carpets and furniture, the home might have to be bulldozed. This is the worst environmental disaster ever faced by US homeowners." For more information please contact the Homeowners Consumer Center at Http://HomeownersConsumerCenter.Com or contact the group at 866-714-6466.

Note to US Homebuilders: "We have just spent the week in Florida. Homes you say have no Chinese toxic drywall in fact do have it. Stop lying to US homeowners, or we will make Hell look like a five star resort for your corporation."

What are the indications of toxic Chinese drywall?

* The house has to have been built or remodeled after 2000. Most homes that will have the toxic Chinese drywall were built between 2004 and 2007
* There may be a rotten egg, sulfur-type, or acid type smell in the home or condominium.
* Homeowners, building owners, or occupants in most cases will have seen continuous failures of their air conditioning coils, or HVAC units beyond anything normal.
* Homeowners, building owners, or occupants may have noticed corroded, or black electrical wiring in their walls, in properties built, or remodeled since 2001. Homeowners who suspect their home may have the Chinese drywall can remove electrical receptacle plates to see if the cooper ground wire has turned black. If a homeowner in any state sees this, they should call the Homeowners Consumer Center immediately at 866-714-6466.
* Homeowners, building owners or occupants may have experienced mild to severe upper respiratory problems, nose bleeds, headaches or other potentially serious medical conditions.
* Oven, or stove elements, or refrigerator coils may have failed in the homes, or condominiums a number of times.
* Silver jewelry or silver plated utensils may be tarnished.
* Family pets may have died from exposure in US homes with Chinese toxic drywall.

Note to California, Arizona, Colorado and Nevada media: Please call the Homeowners Conumer Center at 866-714-6466. The toxic Chinese drywall is all over the US Southwest and the US Mountain west

Americas Watchdog is calling the imported toxic Chinese drywall issue, "the single worst environmental, and serious health disaster ever faced by US and Canadian homeowners. We are with you, and we will do our best to protect you, and to keep you informed about this disaster." For more information, homeowners who know, or suspect they have the imported Chinese drywall in their home, subdivision, condominium or town home, or members of local or national members of the news media, please call the Homeowners Consumer Center anytime at 866-714-6466 or contact them via their web site at Http://HomeownersConsumerCenter.Com.

Americas Watchdog's Homeowners Consumer Center is all about homeowner protection and corporate responsibility.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:36 AM | Comments (0)

Security Rated Most Important Public Building Feature

A nationwide survey conducted by the Society for Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) shows building security to be Americans' most important feature in public buildings. Other features which ranked lower included comfort, fire safety, environmental friendliness and other amenities. In addition to protection from crime and terrorism, buildings must also offer strong fire safety features to provide maximum building security. Security concerns sometimes conflict with fire safety needs.

Bethesda, MD (PRWEB) March 19, 2009 -- A nationwide survey conducted by Bethesda, MD-based Society for Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) reveals that building security topped a list of characteristics as Americans' most important feature in public buildings. The list included comfort, fire safety, environmental friendliness and other amenities.

"The findings are not surprising given the threat from crime and terrorism that we face today," says Chris Jelenewicz, engineering program manager at SFPE. "However, Americans should recognize that thousands of people die each year in fires, and fire safety features are critical to protect people and property."

This survey revealed 28 percent of Americans feel security is the most important feature, while 12 percent of respondents indicated that fire safety is the most important aspect of a building's design. Americans also ranked comfort and amenities higher than fire safety.

The results are similar to SFPE's 2006 survey, in which the same question was asked.

"Throughout history, the desire for increased building security has contributed to countless deadly building fires. The most notable fire occurred at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York City in 1911, where locked exit doors contributed to 146 fatalities," said Jelenewicz. "Although the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire occurred almost 100 years ago, the threat can still exist today if security is not balanced with fire protection."

The survey also revealed that when compared to natural disasters, 45 percent believe fire is the event that will most likely cause harm to them or their family. Included in this list were lighting strikes (18%), hurricanes (15%), earthquakes (12%) and floods (10%).

These findings support statistics that show people are more likely to be harmed by fire when compared to natural disasters. Although natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes are covered widely in the national news media, many more people die each year as a result of fire.

Another noteworthy finding reveals that over 58 percent of those surveyed worry about the dangers of fire less than once a year. At the same time, wealthy Americans think about the risk of fire less frequently than those with lower incomes.

"As a nation, we face widespread misconceptions about fire safety, and that's worrisome," said Jelenewicz. "That is why it is important that fire protection engineers devote their careers to protecting people and property from fire."

The survey commissioned by the Society for Fire Protection Engineers and conducted in February, 2009 by Synovate, polled more than one thousand American adults. The findings have a margin of error of plus (+) or minus (-) three percent.

What is a Fire Protection Engineer?
According to the Society of Fire Protection Engineers, a fire protection engineer applies science and engineering principles to protect people, homes, workplaces, the economy and the environment from the devastating effects of fires. Fire protection engineers analyze how buildings are used, how fires start and grow, and how fires affect people and property. They use the latest technologies to design systems to control fires, alert people to danger, and provide means for escape. Fire protection engineers also work closely with other professionals, including engineers of other disciplines, architects, state and local building officials, and local fire departments to build fire safe communities. Fire protection engineers are in high demand. The number of available jobs far exceeds the supply.

About Society of Fire Protection Engineers
Organized in 1950, the Society of Fire Protection Engineers is the professional society for engineers involved in the field of fire protection engineering. The purposes of SFPE are to advance the science and practice of fire protection engineering, maintain a high ethical standing among its members and foster fire protection engineering education. SFPE's worldwide members include engineers in private practice, in industry and in local, regional and national government. Chapters are located in Canada, China, France, Italy, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden and the United States. More information about SFPE can be found at http://www.sfpe.org.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:36 AM | Comments (0)

Frost & Sullivan Rewards Ansell's North American Market Strategy, Leadership

Global growth consulting firm Frost & Sullivan presented Ansell Protective Products with two awards: the 2008 Frost & Sullivan Award for Market Strategy Leadership and the 2008 Frost & Sullivan Award for Market Leadership in the North American protective gloves market.

(PRWEB) March 19, 2009 -- Global growth consulting firm Frost & Sullivan presented Ansell Protective Products with two awards: the 2008 Frost & Sullivan Award for Market Strategy Leadership and the 2008 Frost & Sullivan Award for Market Leadership in the North American protective gloves market. Frost & Sullivan presents the respective awards each year to the leader in a particular marketplace, and to the company whose marketing strategy has yielded significant gains in market presence during the research period. This year, Ansell meets both those criteria.

"For more than 100 years, Ansell has been recognized for its innovations and leadership in the hand protection and safety apparel industry," stated Marina Rosemberg, PPE Analyst for North America, Frost & Sullivan. "These awards are presented in acknowledgement of Ansell's comprehensive market strategy and dominant leadership position in the U.S. protective gloves market."

According to the Frost & Sullivan announcements, the awards recognize Ansell's proactive market growth strategy, knowledge and skill at addressing end-user problems with the right solutions, and drive to develop novel products and services aimed at addressing unmet user needs. Frost & Sullivan detailed several factors in choosing Ansell for the award, including innovative hand protection products such as Sol-Vex®, Scorpio®, Hycron®, PawGard™, ArmorKnit™, AlphaTEC® and the HyFlex® line of gloves.

The Frost & Sullivan awards state that through a commitment to a comprehensive market strategy, Ansell has successfully differentiated itself from competitors through innovative new product development, an effective and innovative Web site, a high degree of end-user acceptance, and the continuous ability to innovate in an increasingly diverse market space.

Frost & Sullivan also noted Ansell's industry-leading online communication strategies. In 2008, Ansell was the first company in the safety industry to create and host an online social community dedicated to workplace safety across all personal protective equipment market segments. Located at www.safetycommunity.com, the site offers safety professionals an unprecedented opportunity to network, share information and ask questions of other members in real time.

For more information about Ansell's strategic business solutions and portfolio of protective gloves and apparel, visit http://www.ansellpro.com or call 800.800.0444.

About Ansell:
Celebrating more than 100 years, Ansell has long been recognized for the innovations and leadership it has provided the hand protection and safety apparel industry. Besides high quality products, the company offers a comprehensive business solutions approach to help manufacturers achieve their cost reduction mandates. Ansell personal protective clothing (PPC) specialists work directly with corporate and plant representatives to develop highly effective programs with quantifiable results.

With its regional U.S. headquarters located in Red Bank, New Jersey and with operations in Canada, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Australia, Ansell serves a wide range of industries, including chemical manufacturing and refining, automotive, food processing, general industrial, pharmaceutical, pulp and paper, construction, white goods, semiconductor and electronics manufacturing, and primary metals.

About Frost & Sullivan:
Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, enables clients to accelerate growth and achieve best in class positions in growth, innovation and leadership. The company's Growth Partnership Service provides the CEO and the CEO's Growth Team with disciplined research and best practice models to drive the generation, evaluation and implementation of powerful growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan leverages over 45 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from 31 offices on six continents. To join our Growth Partnership, please visit http://www.frost.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:35 AM | Comments (0)

RFID Technology Center to Open in Baltimore

Barcoding Inc., a Baltimore-based leader in enterprise-wide mobility solutions, today announced their plans to open an RFID Technology Center. The 6,000 square foot facility, operated by Barcoding Inc., will house their RFID research & design team, as well as a staging & configuration center for enterprise-wide roll-outs

Baltimore, MD (PRWEB) March 19, 2009 -- Barcoding Inc., a Baltimore-based leader in enterprise-wide mobility solutions, today announced their plans to open an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) technology center near their Global headquarters in Baltimore. The 6,000 square foot building will be refurbished and become Barcoding's RFID Technology Center, a research and design laboratory for RFID data collection technology, as well as a staging & configuration center for large scale integration projects.

According to the Maryland Department of Business & Economic Development Maryland is home to the second largest concentration of professional and technical workers in the US, as well as boasting one of the highest proportions of engineers in the nation.

"We are proud that Barcoding Inc., a successful Maryland company, is expanding its footprint into new markets," said Christian S. Johansson, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development. "Maryland is building its reputation as a technology leader by continuing to grow the types of cutting-edge companies like Barcoding Inc. that will help prepare us for the economy of tomorrow."

"The large talent pool of skilled workers in Maryland is certainly one of the main reasons that we decided to expand near our current headquarters," added Jay Steinmetz, CEO of Barcoding Inc. "The resources that are available to Barcoding for research, design, and engineering help when making decisions of where we expand our facilities, as we look to continue on the track of growth and expansion in the upcoming years."

The new facility on Essex Street will expand Barcoding's available space in Baltimore 60% allowing Barcoding Inc. to continue with plans of expansion and growth by opening up much needed space for research & design, as well as becoming a world class center for staging and configuration of mobile computers and wireless network devices.

"One of the added values that we bring to our customers is our ability to deliver data collection devices to their facilities already pre-loaded with their applications and configured to work on their network," said Martin Jack, Director of Software Services at Barcoding. "This new building will give us the much needed space to handle enterprise-wide roll-outs, as well as expand our existing integration & repair center."

About Barcoding Inc.
Barcoding Inc., an Inc. 5000 and Deloitte Fast 50 company, specializes in deploying and managing enterprise-wide mobility solutions. Founded in 1998, Barcoding's products and capabilities range from barcode and RFID data collection devices to wireless local area and wide area network integration.

For more information please visit www.barcoding.com or, to schedule an interview, contact Jon Stroz at 888.860.7226.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:34 AM | Comments (0)

New Features added to BUILDER LivingHome Web site

BUILDER, the number one information source for the home building industry, announces newly added features to www.BuilderLivingHome.com, the Web site for its latest show home.

Washington, DC (PRWEB) March 19, 2009 -- BUILDER, the number one information source for the home building industry, announces newly added features to www.BuilderLivingHome.com, the Web site for its latest show home.

The BUILDER LivingHome was the 11th show home produced by the magazine each year at the International Builders' Show. The show home Web site, hosted on BUILDER'S Web site (builderonline.com), provides a comprehensive source of information about this one-of-a-kind sustainable, modular home. Included is a full model of the home, time-lapse video of the build, slide shows of the construction and move-in of the home, profiles of the project team, photos and press information. The site also contains several blogs covering the home's off-site fabrication and articles about the project from BUILDER magazine. A webinar about the home's concept and features is now posted as well as an episode of BuilderTV about the home's fabrication and the finished product, among other topics.

The site also hosts a 360-degree panoramic tour of the finished home from the floor of the convention center, including links to the project sponsors Web sites. Full coverage of the Builder LivingHome will also appear in the April 2009 issue of BUILDER magazine and online at builderonline.com and builderlivinghome.com

"As far as most traditional builders are concerned, the great promise of modular homes is that they can be assembled so quickly. That advantage is magnified in today's economic environment, which finds every builder struggling to generate cash to pay construction interest. Putting a home together in five days instead of 60 or 90 can save a lot of money." says BUILDER editorial director Boyce Thompson.

The BUILDER LivingHome was built on the exhibit floor at the 2009 International Builders' Show (IBS) in Las Vegas (January 20-23) and toured by more than 600 builders at the show.

2009 BUILDER LivingHome sponsors included:

Andersen Windows & Doors
Whirlpool Corporation
Kohler
Kraftmaid
DuPont
Klip BioTechnologies
Propane Education & Research Council
Tyco Fire Suppression & Building Products
Beam Central Vacuums by Electrolux
Broan-NuTone
Crossville, Inc.
Eaton Corporation
Energy Saving Products, Ltd.
Ford Motor Company
Generac Power Systems
Goodman Manufacturing Company
iLevel by Weyerhaeuser
Lyptus by Weyerhaeuser
Owens Corning
Rinnai Corporation
The Sherwin-Williams Company
Therma-Tru Doors
Typar Weather Protection System
Uponor, Inc.

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 30 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 one of the ten largest B-to-B media companies in the United States. Hanley Wood is owned by affiliates of JPMorgan Partners, which uses CCMP Capital Advisors to manage this investment.

About LivingHomes®
Founded by CEO Steve Glenn, LivingHomes (www.livinghomes.net) is a premier developer of modern, prefab homes that combine world-class architecture with an unparalleled commitment to healthy and sustainable construction. LivingHomes are made in specially equipped factories that ensure unsurpassed quality, lower construction costs and waste and a shorter construction schedule. LivingHomes offers two lines of single and multi-family designs, one created by Ray Kappe, FAIA, the founder of the Southern California Institute of Architecture, and the other by KieranTimberlake (see below). The first LivingHome, designed by Ray Kappe, was the first in the nation to achieve LEED Platinum and was the only home to win the AIA's top sustainability award in 2007. LivingHomes are available in standard or customized configurations to builders, developers and individuals who want a more cost- and time-effective way to integrate homes that feature high design and low environmental impact into their projects.

About Profile Structures, Inc.
Since January, 1965, Feser Construction Co., and subsequently Profile Structures, Inc, has become one of the leading manufacturers of modular, light commercial buildings. Located in Santa Fe Springs, California, this company has applied assembly line production techniques to the manufacture of permanent, fully equipped, code-approved structures for varied commercial use. Utilizing pre-engineered components, custom buildings are produced in a matter of weeks from the approval of plans to occupancy. By virtue of their modular construction, the buildings can be inexpensively relocated at a future date if needed.

About KieranTimberlake
For over two decades, KieranTimberlake has designed beautifully crafted, thoughtfully made buildings which are holistically integrated to site, program and people. Established in Philadelphia in 1984, the firm has produced a diverse body of work for educational, cultural, civic, residential and corporate clients who have been drawn to the firm's environmentally ethical approach and its history of innovation. The design community has recognized the firm for its fusion of design research with architecture, bestowing over ninety design citations, including the 2008 Architecture Firm Award from the American Institute of Architects, the highest honor given to an architectural practice based on its proven consistent ability to accept complex challenges and envision design of elegant distinction.

About Color Design Art
Founded in 1970, Color Design Art (www.colordesignart.com) is one of the country's premier merchandising firms for the builder/developer community, having introduced the builder/designer team concept to the industry and completed nearly 4000 projects nationwide. Under the leadership of president Don Anderson, the company enjoys the reputation of being a leader in both lifestyle design and in-depth consumer research. A recipient of over 350 industry awards, Color Design Art remains committed to staying in touch with the latest consumer, marketing and design trends, and to translating those trends into the highest level of quality and efficiency in both product and service.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:34 AM | Comments (0)

Builders Using VAST Composite Masonry Products in Green Building and Sustainable Development Projects Can Now Qualify for Six or More LEED® Credits

Using VAST Composite Pavers in Landscaping Can Now Help Developers, Builders and Contractors Achieve LEED Certification for their Green Building Projects. Every 5,000 Square-Foot Landscape Installation of VAST Composite Pavers Diverts 2,500 Scrap Automobile Tires and 75,000 Gallon-Size Plastic Containers from U.S. Landfills.

Minneapolis, MN (PRWEB) March 19, 2009 -- VAST Enterprises, LLC, a material science research and manufacturing company, announced that using its composite pavers in construction applications can contribute to six or more LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) credits. VAST produces green building products with its patented technology that transforms post-consumer recycled rubber and plastics into an environmentally friendly material: composite masonry. All VAST products are made from up to 95 percent recycled car tires and plastic containers. VAST composite masonry products include standard landscape pavers, permeable pavers for stormwater management, deck pavers and brick wall fascia. VAST applications include commercial and residential landscaping, residential decking and commercial wall thin brick.

"We recycle an enormous quantity of tires and plastic jugs out of landfills and use our proprietary process to turn them into beautiful, durable, sustainable and affordable alternatives for landscape masonry," said Andy Vander Woude, chief executive officer, VAST Enterprises, LLC. "VAST composite masonry products are cradle-to-cradle green. We use recycled materials. Our manufacturing process has minimal greenhouse gas emissions compared to concrete, produces no volatile organic compounds, yields zero scrap, and creates products that are 100 percent recyclable."

"When it comes to companies claiming that their building products are earth-friendly, the proof is in the LEED® credits," said Troy Achterkirch, vice president, operations and engineering, VAST Enterprises, LLC. "VAST Composite Pavers can contribute to six or more LEED credits -- two to three times more possible credits than any other paver."

VAST can contribute to qualifying for LEED credits in the following sections:

2.1-2 Construction Waste Management (Materials & Resources Credit)
4.1-2 Recycled Content (Materials & Resources Credit)
5.1-2 Regional Materials (Materials & Resources Credit)
6.1-2 Stormwater Design (Sustainable Sites Credit)
7.1 Heat Island Effect (Sustainable Site Credit)
1.1 Innovation in Design (Innovation in Design Process Credit)

VAST Video

"Blueprint for Green" is an exciting television show that takes on the challenges of incorporating green design principles and green construction products in upscale, contemporary building projects. The "Blueprint for Green Goes VAST" episode details the selection and installation of VAST Composite Pavers for a new driveway. The video provides a good introduction to VAST composite masonry.

VAST Enterprises, LLC

VAST applies its patented technology to transform recycled materials into a new resource for green building: composite masonry. VAST composite products -- including landscape pavers, deck pavers and brick wall fascia -- offer an engineered alternative to both segmented concrete and clay. VAST meets the most demanding requirements for aesthetics, durability, sustainability and installation efficiency. Available in standard and permeable versions for stormwater management, VAST pavers contribute to more LEED® credits than any other paver. Today, every 5,000-square foot landscape application keeps 2,500 scrap automobile tires and 75,000 gallon-size plastic containers out of U.S. landfills. Tomorrow? The Future is VAST. Learn more at vastpavers.com. Then call (612) 234-8958.

NOTE: LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is registered trademark of the U.S. Green Building Council

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:32 AM | Comments (0)

Carteret, NJ, Apartment Community Thrives in Down Market

In a struggling housing marketing and bleak economy, one particular Carteret, New Jersey, apartment community is thriving, reporting high volumes of traffic and qualified renters.

(PRWEB) March 19, 2009 -- Due to the current state of the economy, high New York City rents, and a level of convenience not offered at most apartment complexes, one particular northern New Jersey rental community has seen a substantial increase in traffic and interested renters over the past six months.

Marge Karahuta, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Matzel Development explained, "Bristol Station, our rental lifestyle community in Carteret, has seen a huge jump in traffic since this time last year. Because of our country's economic state, many real estate professionals are now advising 'first-time buyers' to continue renting. Not only are apartments practically maintenance free, but our apartments provide a level of luxury, for nearly half the average rent in New York City that most 'first-time homebuyers' are unable to afford."

"Plus, our location is very convenient to public transportation, to Newark International Airport, as well as Manhattan," Karahuta continued. "Our renters work long hours, travel often and do not necessarily have the time to maintain a new home."

Somewhat of an innovator in apartment living, Matzel Development designed Bristol Station as a "lifestyle-enhanced" apartment community, according to Karahuta. "Bristol Station is a neighborhood of individuals who enjoy a luxurious lifestyle," Karahuta noted. "Our contemporary-styled clubhouse and outdoor pool and barbeque area were designed to offer something renters could not find anywhere else."

Bristol Station offers one and two-bedroom apartments, featuring full appliance packages, open floor plans and convenient elevator access to all residences. The community is gated and has a maintenance staff on the premises 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For more information about Bristol Station, visit Bristol Station or call 732-969-9000.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:32 AM | Comments (0)

Atlanta Real Estate Forum Expands Coverage

Community of the Week Feature Targets New Home Buyers

Atlanta, GA (Vocus/PRWEB ) March 19, 2009 -- Atlanta's most popular real estate news blog has expanded its coverage to include Community of the Week stories targeted to new home buyers. Highlighting condos, retirement communities, single family homes, golf communities, townhomes and more, these weekly features will give an inside view of projects from the interior designers, builders, homeowners, developers and others whose unique involvement in each development help to create the lifestyle at the community. The first Community of the Week features Sovereign, a beautiful luxury Atlanta condo.

Two of Atlanta's most popular real estate writers, Helen Cauley and Mary Booth Thomas join Atlanta Real Estate Forum to write these featured stories on a weekly basis. These experienced writers have covered the real estate news beat at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution for more than a decade and bring a wealth of talent to the site.

Atlanta Real Estate Forum covers the Atlanta Real Estate market seven days a week. As one of Atlanta's only daily real estate news mediums, many real estate professionals and potential homebuyers turn to the blog as their primary source for real estate news. "Our expanded coverage will ensure that browsers and buyers continue to come back to the site for fresh content," said Carol M. Flammer, Managing Partner of mRELEVANCE, LLC. In addition to Community of the Week stories, the site also features community and corporate profiles.

AtlantaRealEstateForum.com is a highly optimized Web site and is often included in home builders' social media optimization and social media marketing programs. Offering more opportunities for participation than ever before, builders, developers and others in the industry have the opportunity to participate on the site that's found most often by home buyers' online searches. Unlike most real estate sites, AtlantaRealEstateForum.com sends links directly to participants' Web sites, increasing their exposure and their search engine optimization (SEO).

AtlantaRealEstateForum.com is the City's most successful real estate blog. It is the recipient of the following prestigious awards Gold OBIE, Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association for Best Interactive Marketing 2007; Gold OBIE, Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association for Best Marketing Promotion 2007; Gold Phoenix Award, PRSA Georgia Chapter for Best Blog 2007; and Gold Hermes Award for Best Blog 2008.

Kelly Kenton Fink, Broker, MIRM, CSP and Regional Marketing and Internet Director for Bowen Family Homes states, "During four days of our 2008 Dollars for Dreams Home event, AtlantaRealEstateForum.com was Bowen Family Homes' number one referral source due to strategic posts promoting our sales event." The site is one of our top referral sources each month.

People from every state in the country visit Atlanta Real Estate Forum each week. Let Atlanta Real Estate Forum help those relocating to Atlanta find your communities, homes and corporate Web site. Atlanta Real Estate Forum is consistently a top 5 referral source for Atlanta home builders and developers who utilize the site. Forty percent of Atlanta's top real estate news blog's traffic is from out-of-state consumers!

For more information on AtlantaRealEstateForum.com, contact mRELEVANCE at 770-383-3360 or news (at) atlantarealestateforum (dot) com.

About mRELEVANCE: mRELEVANCE, LLC, is a public relations, Internet marketing and social media firm designed to meet client needs in a changing marketplace by building online and off line relationships that are relevant to client success. Combining the talents and resources of public relations and social media firm Flammer Relations with the power of Internet marketing services at MLC New Home Marketing, mRELEVANCE implements a combination of traditional PR services and up-to-date Web 2.0 tools (e-mail marketing, search engine optimization, social media and others) to create relevant results for clients.

With offices in Atlanta and Chicago, we can connect your company with buyers and build relevant relationships nationwide. For more information, visit www.mRELEVANCE.com or call 770-383-3360 or 847-259-7312.

"…mRELEVANCE…because all MARKETING should be RELEVANT…"

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:32 AM | Comments (0)

Experts Encourage Atlanta's Seniors to Ask Questions

"Behind the Headlines: Making the Most of Your Retirement" focused on estate planning, the economy, investing and being prepared

Atlanta, GA (Vocus/PRWEB ) March 19, 2009 -- On Monday, March 16, 2009 Peachtree Hills Place hosted "Behind the Headlines: Making the Most of Your Retirement," a panel discussion that addressed issues such as estate planning, asset allocation, health care management, living wills, retirement strategies and various other financial topics appealing to the 70+ age group. Atlanta's seniors turned out to listen to advice given by experts on investing, estate planning, family planning, writing wills and more. The overall theme of the discussion focused on the importance to this age group of being prepared and asking questions to make smart investments.

The discussion, held at the Atlanta History Center, featured an expert group of panelists including: Jim Hansberger, Managing Director, The Hansberger Group; John J. Geraghty, Executive Vice-President of SunTrust Bank; Henry Bowden, founder of The Bowden Law Firm; Michael A. Mohr, Managing Director of The Bank of New York Mellon in Atlanta; and Donna Barwick, Senior Director of Wealth Management for The Bank of New York Mellon.

Hansberger explained that every period has danger and opportunity and that it is up to the smart consumer to take advantage of the opportunity by asking the right questions. He believes that a lack of regulation lead to today's troubled market, but was optimistic that mistakes made in the past can be reversed.

Geraghty stated that now is the time for questions and that as investors, Atlanta's seniors must remember to approach investing unemotionally and be firm on an investment philosophy. He also reassured the audience that the market will return to normal over time.

Bowden presented audience members with several important questions to ask their estate planner and advised attendees to find an estate planner that they could trust to ask these questions.

Mohr advised attendees that need the returns on their investments within the next five years to withdraw from the stock market and invest in more dependable growth-generating assets such as municipal bonds, but to stringently evaluate any decision to be prepared for its consequences.

Barwick addressed planning for the time when seniors will no longer be able to do so themselves. According to Barwick, the best way to keep peace among family members is to have complete transparency and open communication. Seniors should designate individuals now to make choices for them once they can no longer make decisions for themselves. She also advised attendees to write down all important information and make sure that designated people know what you have and where to find it.

Peachtree Hills Place member, Emory Schwall, moderated the discussion. Schwall is an Atlanta attorney, Certified Estate Planner and Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Georgia representing the Insurance Commission.

"Behind the Headlines: Making the Most of Your Retirement" was the second discussion in a three-part series, hosted by Peachtree Hills Place, a residential community offering a continuum of care in Buckhead for people ages 55 and older, that will discuss he issues directly affecting this demographic.

The April discussion will focus on the health risks seniors face and how to manage the cost associated with future health care. For more information, visit www.peachtreehillsplace.com or call 404-467-4900.

Peachtree Hills Place is a residential community for people ages 55 and older seeking to live a secure, independent lifestyle with easy access to a continuum of healthcare. Peachtree Hills Place is being developed on the 23.3-acre site at the intersection of Peachtree Hills Avenue and Virginia Place, in the heart of south Buckhead, near Atlanta's best shopping, dining and cultural outlets. The new, $200 million community will include 274 independent residences, 36 skilled nursing and memory care suites, a clubhouse, fitness center, and greenhouse. Peachtree Hills Place will address the total wellness of its members, with programs and facilities in place to help members blend a satisfying life through Physical, Psychological, Social, Spiritual, Intellectual and Occupational components. When health status changes, members will have access to an on-site health center. Life Care Services, LLC, a leading management company of senior communities in the nation, will oversee management and administration of Peachtree Hills Place.

Isakson Living is Atlanta's leading developer of residential communities offering a continuum of care for adults ages 55 and older. Isakson Living upholds a personal and professional commitment to empowering members through groundbreaking wellness opportunities, concierge medicine and hands-on involvement in their communities. Isakson Living has won multiple awards for its flagship community, Park Springs in Stone Mountain, Ga., and Peachtree Hills Place in Atlanta, currently in development. For more information on Isakson Living, visit www.isaksonliving.com or call 770-559-4829.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Flammer Relations, Inc.
Amanda Winters
770-383-3360 x27
www.FlammerPR.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:32 AM | Comments (0)

Lowe's Kicks Off Tough Tools for Cool Schools Program to 515 SkillsUSA Chapters at Kobalt Tools 500 Race in Atlanta

Lowe's and Kobalt Tools in partnership with SkillsUSA are helping the next generation of skilled trade professionals through their new Tough Tools for Cool Schools program. Lowe's is donating approximately $300,000 worth of Kobalt tools to more than 500 SkillsUSA building and construction trades programs across the country for use in their classrooms.

Leesburg, Va. (Vocus/PRWEB ) March 19, 2009 -- Lowe's and Kobalt Tools in partnership with SkillsUSA are helping the next generation of skilled trade professionals through their new Tough Tools for Cool Schools program. Lowe's is donating approximately $300,000 worth of Kobalt tools to more than 500 SkillsUSA building and construction trades programs across the country for use in their classrooms.

The program kicked off Friday, March 6 at Lovejoy High School in Hampton, Georgia, where the first set of tools was personally delivered by the Kobalt team and three-time NASCAR champion, Jimmie Johnson. He made the visit to the school just prior to the March 8 Kobalt Tools 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. Johnson's No. 48 Impala SS will also showcase a Tough Tools for Cool Schools paint scheme when he races on April 5 at the Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.

The No. 48 team knows how important it is to have the right tools to be successful," said Johnson. "This program is great because we are literally putting those tools in the hands of students who need them and can use them to further their education. I hope it gives all the students involved with SkillsUSA some pride in knowing that we will be racing a car for them in Texas and hoping to put it in victory lane."

SkillsUSA advisor and construction trades instructor Price Jacobs, a 20-year instructor at Lovejoy High School, was selected to receive the first tool kit in the nation. "This was the greatest day of my teaching career," said Jacobs following the event. "SkillsUSA has had a huge part in the transformation of my students because it provides skills and leadership training that they would not have gotten anywhere else. Lowe's support just reinforces what we are teaching in the classroom and shows the value of education industry partnerships."

"Lowe's is proud to work with Kobalt Tools and SkillsUSA to continue to prepare America's future skilled workforce and help students excel in their chosen career paths," said Larry D. Stone, Lowe's president and chairman of Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation. "With Kobalt tools in their toolbox and the education and knowledge from SkillsUSA and their schools, we believe students will be ready to succeed when they enter the workforce."

SkillsUSA executive director Timothy Lawrence agrees. "The donation of Kobalt Tools to SkillsUSA's building trades labs nationwide will help prepare the next generation of workers and leaders for the challenging and competitive construction workforce of the 21st Century. The youth who will benefit from this generous donation will build and maintain our homes, schools and commercial structures in the future," said Lawrence. "Through the Tough Tools for Cool Schools program, SkillsUSA, Lowe's and our technical training schools are building something together that will truly make a lasting impact."

ABOUT SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization of students, teachers and industry, working together to ensure America has a skilled work force. SkillsUSA helps high school and college students enrolled in career and technical education programs to excel by teaching employability skills in conjunction with their trade, technical and service occupations skills. The association's annual membership exceeds 300,000 students and instructors in more than 3,700 schools and colleges in every state, three territories and the District of Columbia. For more information, visit http://www.skillsusa.org.

ABOUT LOWE'S
Lowe's is a proud supporter of Habitat for Humanity International, American Red Cross, United Way of America, and the Home Safety Council, in addition to numerous non-profit organizations and programs that help communities across the country. In 2007, Lowe's and the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation together contributed more than $27.5 million to support community and education projects in the United States and Canada. Lowe's also encourages volunteerism through the Lowe's Heroes program, a company-wide employee volunteer initiative. Lowe's is a FORTUNE® 50 company with fiscal year 2008 sales of $48.2 billion and has more than 1,650 stores in the United States and Canada. For more information, visit http://www.Lowes.com/community.

Contacts:
Abby Buford
Public Relations
Lowe's Companies, Inc.
(704) 758-349

Tom Holdsworth
(703) 737-0607

Jane DeShong Short
(703) 737-0612
SkillsUSA

Additional event photos available upon request. Contact Jane Short at 703-737-0612.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:30 AM | Comments (0)

New Shake Away Organic, Non-toxic Pest Repellent from Martinson-Nicholls

New Shake Away granules have the odor of a preditor to repell unwanted pests. The granules are non-toxic, safe to use around your home or business, and effective in repelling larger animals such as deer, elk and raccoons, or smaller pests including rats, skunks, moles, squirrels and rabbits.

Cleveland, OH (PRWEB) March 19, 2009 -- New Shake Away non-toxic pest repellent granules have an odor that signals the danger of preditors to unwanted pests.

It is available in two odors; coyote urine to repell larger animals, and fox urine to repell smaller pests. The patented formula won't burn plants, bushes or trees. The granules won't wash away in rain, and they're naturally moist for better "cling." Granules last longer than liquids, smell stronger, and won't evaporate or freeze.

For deer, elk and raccoons, the coyote urine powder is recommended. For chipmunks, groundhogs, mice, moles, possum, rabbits, shrew, rats, skunks, squirrels, voles and woodchucks, use the fox urine powder.

"I was having a terrible time with small animals in my flowerbeds. I heard about your fox urine powder and from the first day I used it, the animals stayed away." M.S., Pennsylvania

Damage to lawns, gardens, orchards, nurseries, cemeteries, and farm crops have created a need to develop damage control plans for deer and rodents. As a result, scientists examined the repellency of many items to see what best deters deer and small pests from various plants and shrubs without harming people or pets. Research has shown scent repellents containing predator urine smells to be the most effective means of driving unwanted animals off.

Shake Away can be used in any area to keep animals out, including patios, porches, playgrounds, parks, lawn, bushes, trees, gardens and flower beds. Available in 20 ounce size, each container covers approximately 600 linear feet.

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

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

Anti-slip safety tapes and treads are available in various sizes and textures from hand cut or die cut pieces to full rolls and special shapes. For more information, please visit www.floormat.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:30 AM | Comments (0)

Log Splitter Sale .com Relaunches with Informative and Educational Focus

Log Splitter Sale .com just relaunched their website with a focus on educating the consumer about log splitters, the types available, and suggestions on where to find the lowest prices. Log Splitter Sale simply wants to be an informational pit stop for all consumers before they purchase a log splitter.

Rexburg, Idaho (PRWEB) March 19, 2009 -- Log Splitter Sale .com just relaunched their website on March 15, 2009 with a brand new look, helpful content and suggestions on where to find the least expensive log splitters.

Log Splitter Sale .com's goals are two-fold: Educate and Inform. What will one find on their website? Visitors will find a glossary, a free buyer's guide to log splitters, and a fair amount of information on just about every kind of log splitter available today. This website is so easy to navigate, it isn't cluttered and the text is easy to read.

James, the CEO of Log Splitter Sale has this to say about the focus of the website: "We wanted this website to be something that consumers would find useful and helpful - regardless of the monetization of it. Our first priority is to educate and inform so a buyer does not get the wrong log splitter."

Log splitters are increasing in importance as Americans increase their quest for alternative fuels to keep their homes warm, for cooking and for camp fires. There are a relative few resources out there that have the consumer's interest at heart. Log Splitter Sale .com is one of those few resources people can trust to deliver solid information, educational articles and even a free log splitter buyer's guide.

Consumers should do regular research before purchasing any wood splitter. This research should include learning about the type of log splitter that will be good for their needs - is it going to be a manual log splitter, electric log splitter, hydraulic log splitter, horizontal or vertical log splitter? Log Splitter Sale .com answers these questions and more on their website.

Sometimes an axe is all a person needs if they're just tackling a really small pile of logs or wood. If an axe is too back breaking, then that person will want to consider purchasing a wood splitter.

Log splitters are a logical choice for anybody that plans on using wood to heat their homes for several years to come. They are usually durable and long lasting. A good wood splitter will make log splitting a breeze.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:27 AM | Comments (0)

Leica Geosystems Robotic Total Station Network Monitors in Real-Time San Pablo Dam Geologic Movement During Extensive Seismic Rehabilitation

Leica Geosystems announced today that its advanced robotic total station monitoring system is helping East Bay Municipal District (EBMUD) monitor the almost 90-year old San Pablo Dam in California as part of a $55 million seismic upgrade.

Norcross, Ga. (Vocus/PRWEB ) March 19, 2009 -- Leica Geosystems announced today that its advanced robotic total station monitoring system is helping East Bay Municipal District (EBMUD) monitor the almost 90-year old San Pablo Dam in California as part of a $55 million seismic upgrade.

The San Pablo Dam is an earthen dam constructed in 1920 that impounds an 834 acre reservoir that can store 38,600 acre feet of raw water. The reservoir serves several important water supply functions including emergency standby storage, regulation of an aqueduct supply, and conservation/storage of local runoff from Bear and San Pablo Creeks. The seismic upgrade includes the expansion of the downstream buttress for the dam with a series of shear walls using a cement-deep-soil-mixing-process.

The Leica Geosystems monitoring system incorporates three robotic total stations and is used for proactive monitoring and risk assessment of key points along the dam during construction. The system includes Leica TCA1201 robotic total stations set up in permanent, environmentally protected huts at the project site. These total stations automatically monitor a series of prisms positioned at key locations along the dam. Data from the total station are relayed in real-time via a wireless connection from the totals stations to the Leica GeoMoS software processing and analysis software. These data sets are easily accessed by EBMUD personnel and provide comprehensive information on displacement.

"As our infrastructure continues to age, it's vital that experts have the right tools to continuously monitor and assess risk. We are extremely pleased to be providing this advanced surveillance technology to EBMUD in keeping with this important need," said David Rutledge director of Leica Geosystems' Structural Monitoring program.

For additional information on these products, please go to:
http://www.leica-geosystems.com/us/en/lgs_4211.htm.

About the East Bay Municipal District

The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) supplies water and provides wastewater treatment for parts of Alameda and Contra Costa counties on the eastern side of San Francisco Bay in northern California. EBMUD is a publicly owned utility formed under the Municipal Utility District Act passed by the California Legislature in 1921.

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

Those who use Leica Geosystems products every day trust them for their dependability, the value they deliver, and the superior customer support. Based in Heerbrugg, Switzerland, Leica Geosystems is a global company with tens of thousands of customers supported by more than 2,600 employees in 23 countries and hundreds of partners located in more than 120 countries around the world. Leica Geosystems is part of the Hexagon Group, Sweden.

For further information please contact:

Leica Geosystems Inc.
Andre Ribeiro
Director of Marketing
Atlanta, GA 30092
Phone: +1 (770) 326-9557
Fax: +1 (770) 447-0710
www.leica-geosystems.us

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:27 AM | Comments (0)

Lahey Construction Featured in Award-Winning Business Magazine for Building and Construction Industry

Bean Media Group, publishers of the award-winning series of business magazines entitled Australia's Best, have confirmed that Lahey Construction's Construction and Operations Manager, Michael Bohlscheid, has been selected for an exclusive interview in the April 2009 edition.

Sydney, NSW (PRWEB) March 19, 2009 -- Bean Media Group, publishers of the award-winning series of business magazines entitled Australia's Best, have confirmed that Lahey Construction's Construction and Operations Manager, Michael Bohlscheid, has been selected for an exclusive interview in the April 2009 edition.

Lahey Constructions is a regionally based commercial construction company with a long and proud tradition of providing quality public and private infrastructure.

A Department of Commerce Best Practice contractor, Lahey is nationally accredited and certified in OHS, Environment and Quality Systems and demonstrates a proven track record of quality constructions by bringing projects to fruition on time and budget. The depth of our service offering provides clients with flexibility and the added measure of confidence in dealing with an established company that is known and trusted.

Lahey has strong relationships with its suppliers, which in some instances have been in place for over 50 years. We believe our past success and the key to ongoing success in our industry will be via the continued support of reliable suppliers, who produce a quality product to meet the needs of our end users and clients within our all important deadlines.

The entire editorial feature that went to press with Bean Media Group and Australia's Best Magazine can be found here: http://beanmedia.com.au/profiles/Lahey.pdf.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:23 AM | Comments (0)

Brookfield Multiplex Scoop Top Building and Construction Industry Award

Bean Media Group, publishers of the influential series of business magazine entitled Australia's Best, have confirmed that construction giant Brookfield Multiplex has been awarded the prestigious Australia's Best Platinum Award for Supply Chain and Project Excellence.

Sydney, NSW (PRWEB) March 19, 2009 -- Brookfield Multiplex are known for completing their projects on time, on budget and to the highest quality and design criteria. These fundamental skills have helped the company pocked Bean Media Group 'Platinum Award' in the popular series of business magazines, Australia's Best.

The Group is a fully integrated property and funds management business with activities in commercial, retail and residential property development, construction, management services and infrastructure. In Australasia, the group employs around 1,500 people and has a reputation for quality, innovation and the successful delivery of major projects.

Founded in 1962 as a private construction company, Brookfield Multiplex is now one of Australasia's leading integrated and diversified property groups. In January 2008, Multiplex became a wholly owned subsidiary of Brookfield Asset Management Inc., a global asset manager focused on property, power and other infrastructure assets with approximately US$90 billion assets under management.

Brookfield Multiplex are committed to creating structures that endure the test of time and incorporate the latest sustainable design and construction techniques with interiors that are sensitive to the needs their users.

The company's extensive portfolio includes some of Australia's best known addresses including Stadium Australia, Chifley Tower and King Street Wharf in New South Wales, Federation Square and St.Vincent's Hospital in Victoria as well as ANZ Stadium in Queensland, amongst many others. One of the company's current projects is the development of the Melbourne Convention Centre, which is set to inject an estimated $197 million a year into the state economy and create 2,500 jobs over 25 years.

Brookfield Multiplex is one of the most established and diverse builders in Australia with a history covering more than 40 years of expertise in successfully completing complex projects. Brookfield Multiplex innovate from the foundation to the fit out, so their buildings are built to the best capacity - for their users, owners and the community.

Internationally accredited to the highest safety and environmental standards, the company specialises in identifying opportunities, undertaking planning and design and developing facilities management plans for the entire life cycle of each project. Clients choose Brookfield Multiplex for commitment, capacity and certainty. They offer the resources and depth of experience to deliver innovative, creative, award-winning projects.

The award-winning feature that appeared in Australia's Best Building, Construction and Mining can be found here: http://beanmedia.com.au/profiles/Multiplex.pdf.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:23 AM | Comments (0)

Kiefer Product Guide Is Now Available For Commercial Pool Equipment

KieferPool.com features specifications, recommendations, instructions and drawings from Kiefer's 64-page product guide to help architects, contractors and administrators of aquatic facilities plan their projects.

Zion, Ill. March 18, 2009-- Adolph Kiefer & Associates has published their Product Guide for Commercial Pool Equipment, specifically intended for aquatic consultants, designers and builders. Designing, building and then maintaining a pool - or an entire aquatic center - is no small task. A wide variety of equipment must be researched and purchased, from starting blocks and racing lanes to lifeguard chairs and specialized sport equipment.

Quick and easy access to products and specifications is critical, especially when serving this market. Industry leader, Adolph Kiefer & Associates, founded by swimming legend and Olympian Adolph Kiefer, has long recognized the value of sharing access to their knowledge base. "Whether you're a local YMCA planning an aquatic addition or an architect designing an Olympic pool, and you need ideas on products, KieferPool.com is the place to go," said Kiefer. KieferPool.com now features downloadable pages from the company's 64-page product guide, including specifications, recommendations, instructions and drawings - precisely the information that architects, contractors and administrators of aquatic facilities need to plan their projects.

"As a commercial pool builder, I use KieferPool.com frequently," says Jim Barnes, co-owner of B & E Aquatics, which used the website to prepare for its Roselle, Ill., Park District project in 2007-08. "I find it very useful with regards to the selection process of competitive deck equipment, such as Kiefer starting platforms, lane lines and color choices. The site is easy to get around and very informative."

Another advantage KieferPool.com offers to its clients, according to Kiefer's Jenny Ruffner, is that they can research products online and gather information without an accompanying sales pitch. "Of course, we are always here to answer help," Ruffner added. In fact, Kiefer assigns dedicated project managers to assist with the construction efforts on large jobs. This group holds face-to-face meetings, makes recommendations and writes specs.

For information about Kiefer commercial pool services and products, visit www.KieferPool.com.

About Adolph Kiefer & Associates
Adolph Kiefer & Associates was founded by gold medalist Olympic swimmer Adolph Kiefer in 1947. As the official aquatics supplier to the 1948 U.S. Olympic Swim Team, Kiefer's company introduced the nylon swimsuit as a lightweight alternative to wool and cotton suits and cost alternative to the silk suits used at the time. The 1948 Olympic Games debut launched the revolutionary nylon Kiefer suit to create a competitive swimming standard. Mr. Kiefer continues to dedicate his life to helping swimmers of all ages and abilities pursue dreams of swimming glory. The company sponsors a full calendar of competitive swimming events and is a top competitive swim team supplier. For more about Adolph Kiefer & Associates, visit www.Kiefer.com.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:23 AM | Comments (0)

Best Website By a Builder -- and the Winner is LifeStyle Builders & Developers, Inc.

LifeStyle Builders and Developers, Inc, a Richmond, Virginia homebuilder, proudly accpeted the award for Best Website by a Builder at the 2009 MAME Awards at the Jefferson Hotel on March 5, 2009.

Richmond, VA (PRWEB) March 19, 2009 -- LifeStyle Builders and Developers, Inc., a Richmond based homebuilder, proudly accepted the award for Best Website by a Builder at the 2009 MAME Awards at the Jefferson Hotel on March 5, 2009.

The MAME Awards (Major Achievements Marketing Excellence), presented by the Sales & Marketing Council of the Home Building Association of Richmond, recognize outstanding accomplishments in the sales and marketing arenas of new home sales. Builders, developers, and real estate professionals are honored for their creativity, innovation and successes.

LifeStyle Builders and Developers performed a complete re-design of their website, www.lifestylebuilders.com in 2008. The newly updated site reflects LifeStyle Builders' corporate brand, contemporary style, and their commitment to the ultimate customer experience. Everything you need to make an informed decision about buying a new home is just a click away.

Besides the overall look and creative design of the website, LifeStyle Builders paid considerable attention to the site's functionality. The improved navigation is user-friendly with a site map that is intuitive and logical. Web users will find it easy to locate the information they are seeking. A considerable amount of content was also added to the website. In addition to the expected community information, floor plans and current inventory, visitors can access information about the homebuying process, LifeStyle's design studio, warranty and customer care, financing, company history, testimonials, and much more. Virtual tours of LifeStyle Builders' model homes and design studio are also available on the website. The site also promotes special "Internet Only" special offers for homebuyers, available only through the website.

"At LifeStyle Builders we are committed to creating a first class homebuying experience for our customers, from start to finish. Today, more than 80% of homebuyers begin searching for their new home on the Internet. That means our website needs to be as informative and easy to use as possible. Our new website's creative design, improved navigation and increased content provides an abundance of valuable research material for the on-line consumer," said Lloyd Poe, owner of LifeStyle Builders.

A Richmond-based and locally-owned company since 1990, LifeStyle Builders and Developers offers an extensive portfolio of award-winning homes with distinctive elevations and innovative designs. LifeStyle Builders is currently building in 10 neighborhoods, with homes priced from the mid $200's to the upper $500's. Additionally, LifeStyle Builders can build on your lot, anywhere in the Richmond metro area. For more information about LifeStyle Builders, please visit www.lifestylebuilders.com or call (804) 639-9440.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:22 AM | Comments (0)

DiFabion Remodeling Teams With Asterisk Creative

DiFabion Remodeling chooses Asterisk Creative as Agency of Record

Charlotte, NC-- DiFabion Remodeling chose Asterisk Creative to help embark on a their new marketing efforts. After analyzing DiFabion's current marketing efforts and identifying future goals, we focused on repositioning the company and utilizing interactive media to promote the expert service offerings of DiFabion Remodeling.

The DiFabion website is receiving a face lift to become more interactive and user friendly. They are also focusing on public relations to promote the current and new services being offered.

"DiFabion is a successful brand with years of experience and awards behind them," says Asterisk Creative Partner Wendy Shanahan. "We know have the opportunity to take the brand to the next level and increase their market share. We are able to build on their strength to introduce them to an entirely new market."

The strength of the DiFabion Remodeling brand is their business principle of personalized planning and service. This is "The DiFabion Difference."

For more information about DiFabion Remodeling, please visit www.difabionremodeling.com or email Michael DiFabion at Michael (at) difabionremodeling (dot) com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:21 AM | Comments (0)

AE Smith confirmed by Bean Media Group for Inclusion in Australia's Best Building, Construction and Mining Magazine

Bean Media Group, publishers of the impressive series of publications entitled 'Australia's Best', have confirmed that the industry-leading building and construction company, AE Smith, have been awarded a place in their most recent edition. The editorial feature that went to press won the prestigious Australia's Best Award.

Sydney, NSW (PRWEB) March 19, 2009 -- Bean Media Group, publishers of the impressive series of publications entitled 'Australia's Best', have confirmed that the industry-leading building and construction company, AE Smith, have been awarded a place in their most recent edition. The editorial feature that went to press won the prestigious Australia's Best Award.

From its humble beginnings in 1898 as a one man plumbing business in Richmond, founder Albert Edward Smith set in motion an industry-leading company that would become one of Australia's most successful family-owned businesses.

The growth of AE Smith into a formidable mechanical services company, with nine offices around the country, 600 employees and intrinsic involvement in Australia's built environment, has been anchored around a combination of family values and an innovative vision for the future. AE Smith's impressive success story is traced through four generations and hundreds of talented men and women who have worked with the company.

Originally the company's business success was due to the huge demand for plumbing services during Melbourne's settlement boom. Bert Smith, who was handed the business by his father and founder of the company, Albert, had a vision of broadening AE Smith's services to include mechanical services for heating, cooling and ventilation, which saw the business take on larger projects in Melbourne. This passion for expansion was shared by the founder's grandson, Barry Smith who took over the reins in 1953. Under his leadership, AE Smith opened offices throughout the country and added further landmark projects to the company's portfolio.

This latest award from Bean Media Group will do much to enhance the glowing reputation of AE Smith - the editorial feature can be downloaded here: http://beanmedia.com.au/profiles/AE%20Smith.pdf.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:21 AM | Comments (0)

Ahrens Group Given Thumbs Up By Industry-Leading Business Magazine

Australia's Best Building, Construction and Mining have confirmed that they have included Ahrens in their latest edition, released March 2009.

Sydney, NSW (PRWEB) March 19, 2009 -- Australia's Best Building, Construction and Mining have confirmed that they have included Ahrens in their latest edition, released March 2009.

Established in 1906, the Ahrens Group is a customer focused and solution driven business that supplies a number of diverse products to a variety of industry sectors.

Ahrens believe in developing innovative and cost effective solutions for their clients, which in turn provides positive results for Ahrens by adding value to their business as well as a competitive edge within the market. Taking the time to understand and interpret a client's needs and meet their expectations is of vital importance in regards to future relationships, business longevity and success. And with 100 plus years under their tool belt - Ahrens know how to maintain mutually beneficial partnerships and keep clients coming back for more.

Ahrens is a prominent leader in the design and construction of industrial and commercial buildings throughout Australia. Having major projects completed throughout Australia and offices located in Queensland, Northern Territory (Allbuilt), South Australia and Western Australia, the company believe that their success is due to a strong appreciation of time, price and quality as well as the ability to control the process from start to finish.

For example shop drawings, steel fabrication, pouring of footings, erection of steel and cladding are just some of the proficiencies that Ahrens have on offer. The company has also developed a number of long-term partnerships with sub-contractors which has ultimately enhanced its ability to provide consistent high level results in all of their projects.

In addition to design and construction, through its steel fabrication division, Ahrens also supplies structural steel to the mining, building and infrastructure sectors and operates a steel fabrication workshop in SA.

The editorial feature that went to press with Bean Media Group can be found here: http://beanmedia.com.au/profiles/Ahrens.pdf

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:20 AM | Comments (0)

Building Giant Boral Given Lift with Inclusion in Leading Industry Business Magazine, Australia's Best - Published by Bean Media Group in Sydney

Mattias Fuchs was selected for an exclusive interview on the Boral supply chain and the company was featured in the highly-respected business publication, Australia's Best Building, Construction and Mining.

Sydney, NSW (PRWEB) March 19, 2009 -- Mattias Fuchs was selected for an exclusive interview on the Boral supply chain and the company was featured in the highly-respected business publication, Australia's Best Building, Construction and Mining.

Boral is an integrated, resource-based manufacturing company with strong upstream and downstream positions in building and construction materials markets in Australia, the USA and Asia.

Boral produces and distributes a broad range of construction materials, including quarry products, cement, flyash, pre-mix concrete and asphalt; and building products, including clay bricks and pavers, clay and concrete roof tiles, concrete masonry products, plasterboard, windows and timber.

The company primarily serves customers in the building and construction industries with operations concentrated in three key geographical markets - Australia, the USA and Asia. The Boral Group has leading market positions in all three of these geographic markets.

Boral has operated solely as a construction materials and building products group since the company's demerger in January 2000, when the old Boral Group, which also included an energy business, was demerged into two industry specific listed companies, new Boral and Origin Energy Limited.

A key area in Boral's company objectives is to 'achieve superior returns in a sustainable way'. The company has embraced the need to produce sustainable outcomes and is setting an example within the industry about what needs to be considered in the future.

In 2000/01, Boral developed the Boral Sustainability Diagnostic Tool (BSDT) to assist the company to adopt business practices consistent with the principles of sustainable development in which performance assessments against 20 BSDT elements are undertaken across the businesses every two years. In 2001, a goal was set to reach a level of 'industry specific best practice' by 2007, which Boral achieved in October 2007.

Boral's sustainability priorities include human resources, energy and greenhouse gas emission reduction (or climate change), water conservation, waste management and land protection and rehabilitation as well as social responsibility, including community relations and engagement, external relations and communications and marketplace and supply chain.

The editorial feature that went to press with Australia's Best and Bean Media can be found here: http://beanmedia.com.au/profiles/Boral.pdf.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:20 AM | Comments (0)

Devine Constructions Boosted by Inclusion in Australia's Best Business Magazine

Bean Media Group, publishers of the award-winning series of publications entitled Australia's Best, have confirmed that Devine Constructions have been featured in their latest Building, Construction and Mining Magazine.

Sydney, NSW (PRWEB) March 19, 2009 -- Bean Media Group, publishers of the award-winning series of publications entitled Australia's Best, have confirmed that Devine Constructions have been featured in their latest Building, Construction and Mining Magazine.

One of Australia's most trusted residential brands, Devine has helped in excess of 17 000 Australians achieve their dream of owning a home.

As an ASX listed and a top 500 company, Devine is highly regarded for its innovation, modern approach and dedication to service. A leading provider of new home and land packages in Queensland, Victoria and South Australia, the company has now established a strong reputation for inner-city development with over a $1 billion worth of projects completed over the last decade. With a profit of $45.306 million in sales last financial year -a massive 49% jump from the year before - Devine are clearly reaping the rewards for their strong dedication to business.

Devine Constructions established in 2004, is Devine's in-house construction division. This division was established with the idea of maximising efficiencies from Devine's increasingly strong presence in the sector as a developer.

"Devine Constructions is a key part of our progression into a truly diversified property company with interests in housing, community development, medium density and high-rise residential developments, commercial property and body corporate management," said David Devine, Devine's founder and Managing Director.

Pull Quote: "The success of Devine Constructions has more than justified our decision to enter the sector and will be a fundamental part of the business for many years to come." -- David Devine

David believes that the construction of this new division gives the company a competitive advantage when considering new development opportunities. "The success of Devine Constructions has more than justified our decision to enter the sector and will be a fundamental part of the business for many years to come," he comments.

Devine Constructions' first project - the $169 million Charlotte Towers project with 416 apartments spread over 44 levels in the Brisbane CBD - established a high benchmark for all future projects.

The feature that appeared in Australia's Best Magazine can be found here: http://beanmedia.com.au/profiles/Devine.pdf.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:19 AM | Comments (0)

FKP Property Group Selected for Exclusive Editorial in Award-Winning Business Magazine

Australia's Best Building, Construction and Mining Magazine have confirmed the inclusion of FKP Property Group in their most-recent installment of the award-winning business magazines published by Bean Media Group.

Sydney, NSW (PRWEB) March 19, 2009 -- Australia's Best Building, Construction and Mining Magazine have confirmed the inclusion of FKP Property Group in their most-recent installment of the award-winning business magazines published by Bean Media Group.

With more than 30 years experience in the Australian property industry, FKP Property Group is one of Australia's leading diversified property and investment groups.

FKP Property Group has operations encompassing a diverse range of property development and investment activities throughout Australia including construction, design and project management; low, medium and high-density residential developments; industrial, commercial and retail projects; master planned residential communities; ownership and management of retirement villages; property investment and funds management.

One of FKP's most recent accomplishments is the new corporate headquarters for Victoria's Transport Accident Commission (TAC) in Geelong. The project, which FKP won by tender in 2006, consists of over 16,000²m of office and retail space, plus basement car parking. The development is within easy walking distance of the Geelong railway station, bus interchange, waterfront, Deakin University, as well as the CBD retail precinct - all of which make it a prime location.

As the first major Victorian government body to move into a regional area, the vision for the project was for the building to be one that provided services previously only available in the Melbourne CBD to those working, living and visiting Geelong. With public access from Brougham Street right through to Corio Street and a ready-made client base working directly above, it's easy to see the appeal for local businesses.

In line with FKP's environmentally conscious operations, the TAC headquarters has achieved a 5 star Green Star (design) rating from the Green Building Council of Australia, with certification awarded in November 2008. The building has additionally been designed to achieve a 4.5 star National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) Energy rating.

The building is designed to utilise ecologically sustainable principles such as 'low flow' water devices, black water treatment, solar shading, solar boosted hot water and under-flood air-conditioning sytems. All of which have set a new benchmark for commercial space in Geelong.

The feature that appeared in Australia's Best Magazine can be found here: http://beanmedia.com.au/profiles/FKP.pdf.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:19 AM | Comments (0)

DuPont Vice President Says Economic Crisis Will Bring Permanent Changes to Titanium Dioxide Industry

New economic realities resulting from the global recession will permanently change the business landscape, a DuPont vice president told business leaders here today.

Rome (Vocus/PRWEB ) March 18, 2009 -- New economic realities resulting from the global recession will permanently change the business landscape, a DuPont vice president told business leaders here today.

“Although it is difficult to predict when global economies will rebound from the current downturn, the new economic reality will force major industries to permanently change the way they operate,” Richard C. Olson, vice president and general manager -- DuPont Titanium Technologies, said at a global conference focused on the titanium dioxide industry. DuPont is the world’s largest manufacturer of titanium dioxide, a white pigment used widely in coatings, plastics and paper.

In a keynote speech at “TiO2 2009,” presented by Intertech Pira, Olson said during the economic downturn the titanium dioxide industry must operate more cautiously, keeping inventory at levels only sufficient to satisfy customer requirements, scrutinizing all capital expenditures and avoiding investment in new capacity without some certainty of a reasonable return.

“Longer term, the industry must emerge from the recession leaner, more in tune with customer needs, and better able to satisfy demand with just-in-time supply,” added Olson. “It may seem as though TiO2 is at the extreme end of the supply chain from consumer goods, but in tough times, when people stop buying cars, house paint and washing machines, we can suddenly find ourselves sitting on unproductive inventory. That has to change.”

The titanium dioxide industry is widely regarded as a bellwether business because it is closely tied to the construction and automotive industries, as well as a broad range of large consumer goods such as appliances.

Olson said DuPont is studying a variety of macroeconomic indicators and leading cyclical indices that can anticipate inflection points in the business cycle, including spending on infrastructure projects resulting from stimulus packages launched by many governments around the world.

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 12:16 AM | Comments (0)

Glenzeil Project Manager Selected for Exclusive Interview in Leading Business Publication, Australia's Best

Alan Moss, Glenzeil's key project Manager, has given his company a huge boost with the news that Glenzeil have been featured in the award-winning business magazines, Australia's Best - published by Bean Media Group in Sydney.

Sydney, NSW (PRWEB) March 19, 2009 -- Experience in building construction, project management and quantity surveying, allows Glenzeil to be part of a diverse range of projects, in a varied range of industries. Glenzeil's Project Manager, Alan Moss speaks to Australia's Best about the significance of supply chain management to Glenzeil.

Dedication to the industry and to consistency in building construction, project management and quantity surveying has enabled the Glenzeil to establish an outstanding management team.

The team of management professional at Glenzeil has the experience and qualifications to provide construction services for any type of development, including retail, commercial, residential, institutional, medical, tourism and industrial projects.

"In effect Glenzeil Pty Ltd really only provides management services," says Alan," "All of our onsite labour and materials are sourced from external contractors and suppliers. The selection and management of contractors and suppliers is therefore essential to our business.

Glenzeil's commitment to providing an expert approach to building is why the company's projects achieve such excellent standards in quality and value. Glenzeil takes pride in the management of the whole building process ensuring projects are built safely, deadlines and targets met and budgets strictly controlled. Having a hand in every aspect of the business leaves nothing to chance, particularly when external stakeholders such as suppliers are involved.

"Supply chain management has enabled us to manage risk better, build trust with our suppliers, encourages open and transparent communication, identify opportunities, improve quality, reduce costs, reduce programmes, increase safety awareness and keeps up to date with innovation," says Alan.

Whether a project is relatively small or of immense proportions, Glenzeil has the capacity to work in all market segments. Resources to ensure that a project will be finished with the best possible materials, on time and at the best possible price is guaranteed. Knowing suppliers and having a process to help choose the best supplier particular projects, gives Glenzeil the advantage.

"We consider the potential supplier's history- and ask questions such as - have they worked with us previously and was that relationship satisfactory? Having references from similar projects undertaken is important, as well as suppliers being licensed and qualified," explainsAlan.

Financially stability is another crucial factor for Glenzeil , as isavailability, which includes taking into consideration the current workload of a business. "Obviously price plays a big part in the selection process, but we will pay a premium for quality, reliability and trust," Alan adds.

The entire feature that appeared in Australia's Best Magazine can be found here: http://beanmedia.com.au/profiles/Glenzeil.pdf.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:16 AM | Comments (0)

Building and Construction Giant, Hansen Yuncken, Given Huge Boost by Leading Business Publication, Australia's Best

Hansen Yuncken operates nationally with offices in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania and Queensland and directly employs over 600 staff. This latest boost for the company will go a long way to enhance their reputation as an industry leader.

Sydney, NSW (PRWEB) March 19, 2009 -- Since its inception in 1918, the company has completed over 4000 projects and boasts an annual turnover exceeding $800 million. The business began as a partnership between Lauritz Hansen and Otto Yuncken in Melbourne, where the Hansen Yuncken name quickly became known for its innovative solutions to difficult problems - a reputation that continues today. The company has proudly retained its tradition of quality and integrity that was established at its inception, although the company's methods have continued to change and progress over time.

The Hansen Yuncken philosophy is one of fair dealing, high-quality client service and building value. Peter Hansen, Chairman of Hansen Yuncken believes that the company's success comes down to its people.

"Techniques and technologies change, but the basic principles of ethical behaviour, respect for fellow employees, respect for customers, hard work, teamwork, loyalty and pride in your work and company, have not," Peter conveys. "These principals remain the bedrock at Hansen Yuncken."

The company has maintained a competitive advantage over the years due to their commitment in developing and maintaining long-term associations. Relationships are the foundation of the company's longevity, earning the company a reputation for being a diligent, responsive and innovative contracting organisation.

Focusing on achieving their client's project objectives has always paramount at Hansen Yuncken, as is high-quality work that results in repeat business.

"Due to ongoing relationships that are maintained with existing suppliers and subcontractors, we are able to provide a service to the clients where we can ensure a quality product is maintained," says Ziad Ghenim, Project Manager for Hansen Yuncken.

"We tend to have continued work relations with repeat clients who demand quality products. By using the correct suppliers and subcontractors, we are assured repeat business. We have completed several projects for several different clients in areas such as defense, industrial and aged care. In a competitive market, this has placed Hansen Yuncken in a favorable position within the construction industry."

The editorial that appeared in Australia's Best can be found on the Bean Media website here: http://beanmedia.com.au/profiles/HansenYuncken.pdf.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:16 AM | Comments (0)

OxBlue Construction Camera Manufacturer Provides Industry Perspective

In a year when commercial construction bids are expected to be more competitive than in recent memory, OxBlue, Inc. provides some perspective. The company is recognized within the construction, security and transportation industries for its pioneering technological capabilities. OxBlue Inc. facilitates construction project management through high quality webcam images transmitted over cellular telephone signals.

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) March 18, 2009 -- Founded in 2001, OxBlue Inc is a leader in industry HD webcam and construction camera technologies. The company is viewing 2009 as an opportunity to expand their cellular construction camera's reach. OxBlue Inc. plans to increase their presence on jobsites throughout the United States. The outflow of federal stimulus dollars into the domestic market, and likely rebound, will provide a near-term incentive for construction companies to seek out the best tools.

"We are in a unique position to contribute perspective on project trends within the construction industry", CEO Chandler McCormack explains. "The nature of OxBlue's service, to provide web based camera solutions to project management issues, exposes us to virtually every geographical, financial and vertical segment of the construction industry." Found on construction sites crossing 6 continents, OxBlue's cameras are most often known for their presence on sites across the United States. Project types range from national commercial construction programs to the healthcare, transportation, bridges, and schools segments. OxBlue cameras are also being used in the small, but emerging, alternative energy construction segment.

To date, most insight has come from financial analysts outside of the construction industry and trade associations that concentrate on one specific portion. While most of OxBlue's internal data corresponds with industry publications, the nature of wireless construction camera technology allows a more ground level perspective. As a result, OxBlue has access to leading indicator information concerning how many projects start or stop each month, changes in patterns and other variations within the data, often buried when published as summary documents.

While OxBlue concurs with the industry economic coverage compiled by McGraw Hill, they feel that there is more at work. "For instance," says McCormack, "although we see the same 15% drop in construction starts over 2008, when we drill into the composition of that number, we see a 50% drop for some customers and a 25% increase for others. Although the economic declines at the macro level are irrefutable, individual companies within the construction industry vary widely in how they are performing and what types of projects they are constructing. The added insight has allowed us to recognize a number of recent bright spots, such as a sharp increase in both school and transportation related projects."

OxBlue also provides the construction industry with insight into technology sales. While the company reports a consistency between the average same-customer change in sales and the drop in construction starts, they are also reporting a shift in the reasons that companies are buying, as well as an increase in the number of new customers seeking construction management tools. "Companies can't afford to make a mistake right now and value engineering is a higher priority than it was even a year ago. Customers are also looking inward towards their own management process in an effort to reduce risk and increase efficiency. Companies who did not have the bandwidth to evaluate technology solutions when the economy was booming, including construction cameras, are now adopting them as a communication, documentation and marketing outreach tool."

Marketing: Expanded Competition for 2009 Commercial Construction Contracts
In the coming year, construction companies will have to contend with tighter margins and an increase in competition for a reduced number of bids. "In 2009 it's common to see twice the number of companies bidding for a new construction project than there would have been in mid-2008", Ernie White, VP, Sales & Marketing, adds. As a result, bids are coming in lower and the companies that are winning bids are those who are able to differentiate themselves on more than just cost. For example, "A client reported how we helped them to win a multi-site contract. A new owner came to town and interviewed several qualified and competitive firms. Our client offered something unique. The owner reported that he based his decision to contract with our client largely on their ability to demonstrate proactive management, as evidenced by their strong use of construction cameras on every project."

Increased competition and thinner margins dictate that construction project managers seek out a tool that allows them greater precision and scope. They need to easily see if the project is off schedule and make faster informed decisions, mitigating costly delays. OxBlue construction digital cameras help general contractors protect their profit margin while differentiating their services.

"Installing OxBlue cameras offers many benefits to the stakeholders of construction projects," said White. "Our customers frequently report that having our construction webcams present allows them to better manage projects, communicate project status more efficiently and provide the necessary documentation after the project is completed. During these challenging economic times, with fewer projects to chase, our customers use our construction cameras as part of their project management efforts to be more efficient since they cannot make it up on volume, as in the past."

Transparency:
The initial flow of stimulus related projects and the higher level of transparency that has resulted encourage OxBlue. In efforts championed by construction contractors and owners, more municipalities are requiring good faith efforts to show the local community how taxpayer dollars are spent on new construction projects. Legislation such as California's Proposition 39 includes a public outreach program to inform the public concerning the district's expenditure of school bond proceeds. As federal stimulus dollars fund more state and local construction projects, Transparency will become increasingly significant. The community as well as associated branches of government will be eager to monitor their investments. The OxBlue jobsite camera communication solution allows contractors to communicate jobsite progress with high-resolution images, document construction activity, improve project management with detailed images and easily share these images online. These services allow companies to attract more clients that value proactive management and transparency between project team members.

"We recognize the industry challenges for 2009-2010 and are optimistic as to how the construction industry is attempting to retool and succeed in the current environment. When you see as many construction projects still going strong as we do, and the number of new sites starting each day, you become encouraged by the number of construction firms that continue investing to succeed in this difficult market." Continued McCormack, "The construction owners and contractors that make the right decisions now will find themselves positioned to lead in the future and own more market share."

About OxBlue, Inc.:
OxBlue ignited the construction camera revolution with the release of its turnkey construction webcam service in 2001. Today, OxBlue continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award winning technology and first class customer service. OxBlue is committed to providing construction clients with effortless project management solutions via innovative, web-based camera technology backed by premier customer service. For more information about OxBlue and their line of solar powered wireless outdoor cameras, visit OxBlue.com or call 1-888-849-BLUE (2583).

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:16 AM | Comments (0)

San Diego State University Leads the Nation in Green Industry Education

San Diego State University's College of Extended Studies "is the first in the nation offering professional certificates in the green industry," according to Zacharie Mondel, CEO of the Globally Green Energy Consortium (ggec.org). By offering two new professional certificates in key areas of green industry growth - Green Building Construction, and Renewable Energy and Green Energy Management - SDSU's College of Extended Studies is leading the way in developing comprehensive and practical training for the green jobs of the future.

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) March 18, 2009 -- San Diego State University's College of Extended Studies "is the first in the nation offering professional certificates in the green industry," according to Zacharie Mondel, CEO of the Globally Green Energy Consortium (ggec.org). By offering two new professional certificates in key areas of green industry growth -- Green Building Construction, and Renewable Energy and Green Energy Management -- SDSU's College of Extended Studies is leading the way in developing comprehensive and practical training for the green jobs of the future.

The green industry is poised for major growth. In its Green Outlook 2009 report, McGraw-Hill Construction predicts the green building market will double from today's $36-49 billion level to $96-140 billion, representing 20-25% of new commercial and institutional construction starts by 2013.

In addition, hundreds of governmental initiatives are targeting and funding growth in this area. President Obama has committed to doubling U.S. renewable energy by 2012, and plans to invest $150 billion over 10 years toward the nation's clean energy economy. He expects these initiatives to create five million new green jobs, and has made it a priority to "ensure that American workers have the skills and tools they need to pioneer the first wave of green technologies that will be in high demand throughout the world."

"We expect President Obama's focus on the green industry to generate new opportunities and drive real job growth in the coming years," says Joe Shapiro, dean of SDSU's College of Extended Studies. "We see this as a mandate to provide the training and certificate programs that people entering this high-growth field are going to need to succeed."

The two new certificate offered by SDSU's College of Extended Studies are designed to teach the practical knowledge and skills that employers in green industries will need and value. All certificate courses are being offered online because this training is relevant to green jobs worldwide. International enrollments in these programs are increasing as countries around the world focus on driving their own green industries forward.

Students can earn each certificate within a short time frame by completing a series of five online courses. Courses may also be taken individually. Students can earn the Professional Certificate in Green Building Construction by completing Fundamentals of Green Building Design and Construction, Construction Materials and Processes, Building Information Modeling (BIM) with an Emphasis on Green Construction, Building Green Buildings - The Contractor's Perspective, and LEED for New Construction - Applying the Guidelines. Courses leading to the Professional Certificate in Renewable Energy and Green Energy Management include Introduction to Green Thermal Systems, Energy Conversion and Management, HVAC for Green Buildings, Solar Energy Conversion, and Renewable Energy Sources.

"We're committed to remaining the pace setters in providing training that effectively meets green industry needs," says Shapiro. "SDSU has formed a CES Sustainability Advisory Board that brings together 25 committed and energetic green industry leaders. Their expertise and feedback guides our course and program offerings. That's why we're the first program nationwide offering professional certificates in the green industry."

SDSU's College of Extended Studies reaches out to the greater San Diego community, the nation, and the world with a wide variety of lifelong learning classes, seminars, certificate and degree programs, and other learning opportunities. Career advancement courses are offered in many areas of management, leadership, and quality improvement while self-enrichment courses range from astronomy to web design. Additionally, the College offers more than 35 certificate programs, online courses, and workforce development courses, many of which are approved for tuition remission for eligible participants through the Workforce Investment Act.

Additional information about these new professional certificate programs can be found online at neverstoplearning.net/greencareers.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:16 AM | Comments (0)

Hanley Wood Business Media Announces First Annual Hanley Award for Vision and Leadership in Sustainable Housing

The Hanley Award winner is honored with $50,000, the largest annual award in the housing industry recognizing significant achievement in sustainable building.

Washington, D.C. (PRWEB) March 18, 2009 -- Hanley Wood Business Media and its ECOHOME magazine, in partnership with The Hanley Foundation, announce the creation of The Hanley Award for Vision and Leadership in Sustainable Housing. This annual award honors individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary, lasting, and far reaching contributions to the advancement of sustainable housing in the United States. The award winner will receive $50,000, the largest annual award ever established in the housing industry, and the only such award recognizing significant achievement in this crucial area. The first Hanley Award will be presented at The USGBC Hanley Award Dinner in November at the U.S. Green Building Council's annual Greenbuild International Conference and Expo in Phoenix.

Nominations for the award are submitted by members of a select and diverse nominating committee that this year includes national leaders from both the public and private sectors specializing in environmental building, sustainable architecture, affordable housing, building science, energy policy, performance standards and public outreach.

Eligible nominees are residential construction industry professionals, or those working in technical research, product development, educational outreach, environmental advocacy, governmental policy, and related areas, who have made deep, long-standing, and influential commitments to sustainability, and significant and lasting contributions to the widespread implementation of environmental building concepts, techniques, and innovations in advancing sustainable housing in the United States.

A distinguished panel of judges will meet in Washington, DC in June to review and evaluate the slate of nominees according to the program criteria, and select the award winner. The 2009 Hanley Award judges include Michael J. Hanley, co-founder and retired CEO of Hanley Wood and president of The Hanley Foundation; Frank Anton, longtime industry thought-leader and CEO of Hanley Wood; Steven Winter FAIA, environmental building pioneer and president of Steven Winter Associates; Sarah Susanka FAIA, acclaimed architect and author of the best-selling "Not So Big House" and "Home By Design" series; and Allison Ewing AIA LEED AP, award-winning sustainable design architect and principal of Hays + Ewing Design Studio.

The USGBC Hanley Award Dinner will host invited green building industry leaders from across the country, including executives from leading companies, agencies, and organizations active in sustainable housing.

The Hanley Award program and winner will be featured on the cover of ECOHOME magazine as well as covered on ECOHOME's Web site (www.ecohomemagazine.com) and in its weekly e-newsletter, ECOHOME Update. In addition, the announcement about the inaugural award will be delivered to more than 360,000 professional builders, architects and remodelers via Hanley Wood's extensive residential and commercial construction networks.

About The Hanley Foundation
The Hanley Foundation supports people and programs working to improve education, health care, the environment, and housing, as well as a variety of humanitarian issues. The Washington D.C. based Foundation was created in 1999 by Michael J. Hanley, co-founder and retired CEO of Hanley Wood, LLC.

About Greenbuild
The U.S. Green Building Council's Greenbuild International Conference & Expo convenes the industry's largest gathering of representatives from all sectors of the green building movement. Three days of extensive educational programming, workshops, a vast exhibition floor and ample networking events provide unrivaled opportunities to learn about the latest technological innovations, explore new products, and exchange ideas with other professionals. Greenbuild 2009 will be held on Nov. 11-13, 2009, in Phoenix, Arizona. This past year's conference in Boston drew over 28,000 attendees and featured more than 800 exhibit booths. Visit www.greenbuildexpo.org for more information. To view last year's Greenbuild show, go to www.greenbuild365.org.

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 30 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 one of the ten largest B-to-B media companies in the United States. Hanley Wood is owned by affiliates of JPMorgan Partners, which uses CCMP Capital Advisors to manage this investment.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:16 AM | Comments (0)

New Kiefer Surge Starting Block Combines Olympic Timing System Technology with Affordability

An affordable solution for accurate timing and scoring in swim competition, the Kiefer Surge Starting Block accommodates FINA decks and integrates with Colorado Time Systems timing mechanisms.

Zion, Ill. (Vocus/PRWEB ) March 18, 2009 -- Designed for seamless integration with Colorado Time Systems equipment, the Kiefer Surge Starting Block is an affordable solution that meets all FINA, United States Swim Schools Association, NCAA and NFHS specifications.

"Adolph Kiefer & Associates formed this alliance with Colorado Time Systems to allow even the most modest facility to make use of the latest technology in timing and scoring," says Robin Kiefer. "The Surge block is not only technically advanced, but has the look of a starting block that costs far more."

With the addition of Colorado's timing mechanisms, the Surge platform contains all the components necessary for timing accuracy and fast-start training. This includes Colorado's relay judging platform, a device that measures when a relay swimmer leaves the block during competition, which is subsequently measured against the arriving swimmer's time to determine if the departing swimmer "jumped."

The Surge platform is easily assembled and installed, is designed specifically to accommodate FINA decks and can be customized to match facility/team colors and display event or school logos. Cables and connections are housed internally for tangle free routing and a clean deck.

About Adolph Kiefer & Associates:
Adolph Kiefer & Associates was founded by gold medalist Olympic swimmer Adolph Kiefer in 1947. As the official aquatics supplier to the 1948 U.S. Olympic Swim Team, Kiefer's company introduced the nylon swimsuit as a lightweight alternative to wool and cotton suits and cost alternative to the silk suits used at the time. The 1948 Olympic Games debut launched the revolutionary nylon Kiefer suit to create a competitive swimming standard. Mr. Kiefer continues to dedicate his life to helping swimmers of all ages and abilities pursue dreams of swimming glory. The company sponsors a full calendar of competitive swimming events and is a top competitive swim team supplier. For more about Adolph Kiefer & Associates, visit www.Kiefer.com.

Media Contacts:
Jon Skovronski
Adolph Kiefer & Associates
Phone: (847) 872-8866 ext. 618

Robin Kiefer, Vice President of Marketing
Adolph Kiefer & Associates
Phone: (224) 789-2621

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 12:16 AM | Comments (0)

March 25, 2009

Rinnai Launches New TV Advertisement and Web Site

Marketing efforts are part of consumer education campaign around tankless technology

Peachtree City, Ga. (Vocus/PRWEB ) March 18, 2009 -- Rinnai America Corporation recently launched a new television advertisement as well as a revamped Web site as part of a consumer education campaign designed to teach consumers about the benefits of tankless water heaters. The company's new commercial positions traditional tank-style water heaters as energy wasting appliances, while the upgraded Web site (www.rinnai.us) features detailed tankless water heater benefits and purchasing information in an easy-to-understand format, arming consumers with the tools necessary to choose the right Rinnai product for their individual needs.

"Most consumers in North America are unfamiliar with tankless water heaters, so we realized that we have the perfect opportunity to educate consumers about the benefits of tankless water heater technology and why Rinnai is the best choice for them," said Phil Weeks, general manager of Rinnai America Corporation. "Our education efforts consist of a two-step process. First, the commercial reaches out to consumers and makes them aware of a household problem--that tank-style water heaters waste energy--then it directs consumers to our Web site, where they can find detailed information about the energy-saving and lifestyle-improving aspects of Rinnai's tankless water heaters."

The new TV spot is designed to highlight the inefficiency of tank-style water heaters, which heat water even when you are not using it, by likening the use of traditional tank technology to the absurd idea of leaving other appliances constantly running when they are not being used. Rinnai accomplishes this goal by chronicling a woman's morning routine as she gets ready to leave for work. As the audience follows her movements, it becomes clear that all of the appliances at her house are on, including her alarm clock, TV, hairdryer, blender and lawnmower, and she makes no effort to turn them off. The spot then cuts to a shot of a tank-style water heater, associating traditional tank technology with the wastefulness portrayed in the previous scene. The spot closes with shots of a modern Rinnai tankless water heater and a continuously hot shower with the Rinnai logo and Web address, so consumers know to visit www.rinnai.us for additional information about Rinnai.

The commercial is currently airing nationwide on HGTV in connection with Rinnai's support of the HGTV Dream Home 2009, and it will subsequently be shown on additional channels in the coming months.

Like the commercial, Rinnai's new, streamlined Web site is designed to educate consumers and offers an enhanced online experience for both consumers and dealers. By consolidating information previously housed on multiple Rinnai sites into one simple-to-navigate location, www.rinnai.us, Rinnai has made it easier for consumers to understand tankless water heater technology as well as the rest of the company's product portfolio including its direct vent wall furnaces, gas fireplaces, hydronic air handlers and cooking appliances.

"Online research plays a huge role in the home products purchasing process, so we took great care to make the new Rinnai Web site very informative and consumer-friendly," said Kelly Matheny, Rinnai's e-business manager. "We're thrilled with the success of the launch so far."

The new Rinnai site features a contemporary, uniform design that reflects the Rinnai brand, detailed product information, a dealer locator and a calculator for determining which Rinnai tankless water heater model is appropriate for a specific home; plus, consumers can sign up to have a Rinnai registered dealer contact them regarding product installation. A separate section of the site promotes special offers, rebates and incentives that are available to consumers and includes information about the company's leasing program, while an online press room contains the latest Rinnai news as well as recent media clips featuring Rinnai products. The site also houses a robust customer support section that is designed to assist in resolving product issues by connecting customers with Rinnai's 24-hour call center and providing a list of nearby Rinnai registered service providers.

"In developing the new site, we worked to maximize its functionality for every possible audience--our potential customers, our dealers, our internal teams and the press," said Matheny. "The site redesign, in conjunction with our new commercial, is having a definite impact on how consumers view Rinnai, and we look forward to seeing the positive effects these efforts will have on the rest of our business."

For more information, visit www.rinnai.us.

About Rinnai
Rinnai America Corporation, a subsidiary of Rinnai Corporation in Nagoya, Japan, was established in 1974 and is headquartered in Peachtree City, Ga. Rinnai Corporation manufactures gas appliances, including tankless water heaters, a wide range of kitchen appliances and heating and air conditioning units. Today, Rinnai is the largest gas appliance manufacturer in Japan and is the technology leader in its industry. Annual corporate revenues, including those of its subsidiaries, are in excess of $2.5 billion. With a global perspective to create 21st century products for the home and office, Rinnai Corporation commits itself to safety and the pursuit of comfortable lifestyles. For more information about the Rinnai Corporation and Rinnai products, visit www.rinnai.us.

FOR INFORMATION
Katie O'Neill
Three Public Relations
(404) 835-4527

Caitlin Mangum
Three Public Relations
(404) 835-4521

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:58 AM | Comments (0)

Stop Picking on Pools, Joe! APSP Asks for Clarification on VP Biden's Remarks Regarding Swimming Pools and Federal Stimulus

The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) urges Vice President Joe Biden to re-evaluate his remarks prohibiting the federal stimulus package to be used in the construction and servicing of swimming pools. Community pools and playgrounds are assets that must be maintained to allow safe use by America's families. Failure to support public pools will result in the loss of opportunity for families to engage in a healthy and enjoyable activity.

(PRWEB) March 18, 2009 --

Key Messages

* The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) urges Vice President Joe Biden to reconsider his "no swimming pools in this money" remark, regarding the federal stimulus package and swimming pools
* Public pools provide a recreational outlet for those who are suffering most during hard economic times, the working and middle class
* Public pools must comply with the federally mandated Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act to avoid entrapment injuries, which may require investments from states and municipalities
* Failure to maintain public pools results in increased economic, health, and safety problems
* Community pools and playgrounds are part of America's infrastructure and deserving of federal stimulus funding

Alexandria, VA March 18, 2009 -- The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) urges Vice President Joe Biden to re-evaluate his remarks prohibiting the federal stimulus package to be used in the construction and servicing of swimming pools. Community pools and playgrounds are assets that must be maintained to allow safe use by America's families. Failure to support public pools will result in the loss of opportunity for families to engage in a healthy and enjoyable activity.

"Community pools and playgrounds are an important part of American infrastructure and are deserving of federal stimulus funding," said Bill Weber, president and CEO of APSP. "The impact will most heavily effect those getting hit the hardest during these tough economic times, the middle and working classes. Similar to the relief measures of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the Great Depression, we have to provide these facilities for all to access, not just the wealthy."

A number of the public pools constructed by the WPA are still in operation today. Prohibiting states and municipalities from investing in swimming pool facilities is particularly devastating now, as many communities are working hard to bring their facilities into compliance with the federally mandated Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act for entrapment avoidance. In some cases, the cost of compliances is high enough to keep a pool from opening this coming Memorial Day.

Furthermore, poorly maintained pools may expose families to various health and safety risks. Notably, West Nile virus and Legionnaire's disease are common health threats associated with improperly maintained pools. Additionally, without a community pool available, children will not be able to swim in a safe, supervised environment and may be forced to engage in unhealthy and potentially dangerous activities--such as cooling off in an unguarded lake or stream where drowning and bacteria exposure are more probable than a neighborhood pool.

Further clarification is needed on whether or not the administration is going to take pools away from working class families this summer. An understanding is needed as to what restrictions apply to states and municipalities wishing to use stimulus funds to maintain valuable assets related to swimming and recreation. The pool industry employs about 300,000 people nationwide. Many of these jobs could be in jeopardy if public pool facilities shut down.

About APSP
The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) is the world's largest international trade association representing the swimming pool, spa and hot tub industry. APSP's mission is promoting consumer safety and enhancing the business success of its members. Members adhere to a code of business ethics and share a commitment to public health and safety in the use of pools, spas and hot tubs. APSP member companies include manufacturers, distributors, manufacturers' agents, designers, builders, installers, retailers, and service professionals. For more information, visit www.APSP.org.

Contact:
Christina Cozzi
Dick Wolfe
Gibbs & Soell, Inc.
212.697.2600

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

Stimulus Spending Targets Modernization of the Nation's Research Infrastructure

Research Facilities 2009 conference delivers critical components for successful projects.

Orinda, CA (PRWEB) March 18, 2009 -- The $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), allocates billions of dollars to the NIH, NSF, NIST, DOE and state governments for new construction, renovation, and modernization of the nation's research facilities. These funds will be distributed to research institutions across the country over the next 18 months.

Funding proposals will be due in the coming months. The Research Facilities 2009 conference, on April 20-21 in San Antonio, Texas provides a unique opportunity to gain critical knowledge of the components needed for a successful project - research program focus, renovation and construction strategies, sustainability features, green technologies, core facility features, equipment, and instrumentation.

The Research Facilities 2009 conference is an annual gathering of the nation's top research institutions - research program leaders, facility group leaders, capital planners, and project directors - who link up to benchmark plans and programs, monitor the successes of others, and shape actionable new research facility plans for their institutions.

The Research Facilities 2009 conference will feature speakers from some of the world's most renowned research institutions: Battelle Memorial Research Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, The National Institutes of Health, The University of Texas at San Antonio, Wyeth Research, Yale University, McGill University, DOE-National Renewable Energy Lab, and many more. Attendees will take away the most up-to-date renovation, new construction, and modernization strategies for research facilities; construction cost forecasts; LEED project strategies & carbon-neutral research facility strategies; new plans for alternative energy research labs; leading-edge reports on core facilities, equipment, and instrumentation; and research facility productivity features.

Conference attendees will also have an opportunity to tour The Texas Research Park - Barshop Institute for Longevity & Aging and The Institute for Biotechnology (IBT); The Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute; The Southwest Research Institute (SwRI); and The University of Texas at San Antonio Biotechnology, Sciences and Engineering Buildings I & II.

For more information about the Research Facilities 2009 conference on April 20-21 in San Antonio, Texas, go to http://www.TradelineInc.com/Research2009 .

About Tradeline Inc.
Tradeline Inc. produces a series of conferences on leading-edge planning, design, and construction of facilities, and the management of facilities portfolios and workplace support services. Now in its 30th year, this acclaimed conference series addresses research buildings, academic medical and health science centers, corporate facilities, and college and university campuses. The Tradeline web site provides a host of specialized tools and resources to facilities professionals enabling them to make the critical decisions that shape their organizations. Tradeline also publishes an online Directory of consultants, contractors, vendors, and service providers.

For more information go to http://www.TradelineInc.com.

Contact: Bill Nothofer, Tradeline Inc., (925) 254-1744 x 19

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

Isakson to Speak at the 2008 ElderCare Matters Symposium

Conference addresses important and timely elder care topics on April 24

Atlanta - Kevin Isakson, Managing Partner and Director of Sales and Marketing for Isakson Living will present "Experience the Continuum" at the upcoming ElderCare Matters Symposium. Isakson Living is Georgia's premier developer of nationally recognized, award-winning residential communities for those age 55 and over. In his presentation, Isakson will provide an overview of available senior housing options, including what are known as continuing care retirement communities or CCRCs. The ElderCare Matters Symposium will be held in Atlanta from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday, April 24, 2009.

Isakson's presentation will focus on the history of communities that offer a continuum of care, as well as a look at the current state and future of the senior housing industry in Georgia. Isakson will also provide information about various benefits, options and contracts available through CCRC as well as an explanation of the regulation of the contracts.

Isakson Living communities are designed to meet the complete needs and desires of Atlanta's older population, which is expected to double between 2000 and 2015. The Atlanta Regional Commission predicts that one in five metro Atlanta residents will be over the age of 60 by 2030.

The Spring 2009 ElderCare Matters Symposium will also include sessions on Social Security Disability and Medicaid planning.

Isakson is active as a member of the Atlanta Regional Commission's Aging Services Committee and a participant in DeKalb County's Bridge Builders. He has also served on the boards of DeKalb Senior Connections, a provider of quality services to the elderly, and of the DeKalb County Senior Citizens Advisory Council.

Isakson Living is Atlanta's leading developer of residential communities offering a continuum of care for adults ages 55 and older. Isakson Living upholds a personal and professional commitment to empowering members through groundbreaking wellness opportunities, concierge medicine and hands-on involvement in their communities. Isakson Living has won multiple awards for its flagship community, Park Springs in Stone Mountain, Ga., and Peachtree Hills Place in Atlanta, currently in development. For more information on Isakson Living, visit www.isaksonliving.com or call 770-559-4829.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:56 AM | Comments (0)

World's Greenest Building Seeks "Green" 21st Century Pioneers

Highest performing, most comprehensive Smart Grid building ever conceived rises in small Oregon town. Rendering available via e-mail.

Independence, OR - Independence Station, the Oregon development slated to become the World's Greenest Building when it opens in 2010, is now accepting priority pre-reservations for the 15 condominium-style homes included in the mixed-use development. Living in a building with the highest LEED rating ever awarded, these 21st Century Oregon Trail Pioneers have the potential to make history by setting new international benchmarks for full lifestyle energy and water efficiency.

The one- and two-bedroom condominiums in Independence Station range in size from 600 to 1,660 square feet and in price from the $300,000s into the $600,000s. As part of the World's Greenest Building, homeowners will enjoy many environment-saving benefits throughout the building such as radiant floor heating and cooling, displacement ventilation, solar water heating, day lighting design, an ice-based cooling storage system, water-based ground source heat pump, extensive use of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and electric cars, just to name a few. During sunny months, their homes will rely primarily on solar energy collected in a unique 120-kilowatt installation of photovoltaic panels. In cooler, cloudier months, energy will additionally be generated, stored and managed through a biofuel cogeneration and thermal storage system. The system's backups? A retired tugboat engine affectionately named Mabel, which runs on waste vegetable oil from local restaurants and a massive battery bank.

"The people who will live at Independence Station will be pioneers like those who braved the Oregon Trail and founded our town," said Steven Ribeiro, of Aldeia, LLC, and the driving force behind the development. "These pioneers, however, will be embarking on a quest to demonstrate to the world how responsible energy consumption can look. Our goal is to provide a platform for a very comfortable and elevated lifestyle while consuming just 17% of the energy and a fraction of the water that the average American consumes today. We want to document and demonstrate that National Energy Security is possible today with off-the-shelf components and common sense application of simple, junior high school level physics." Ribeiro says that this is a "Thomas Edison meets Bill Gates" project.

While enjoying all the comforts of a modern "Smart Grid home," the 15 homeowners within Independence Station must become the subjects of published open source data on energy and water usage. Because of the building's design, Ribeiro expects the homeowners to easily shatter current energy and water consumption records while inspiring more of this type of development worldwide. Independence Station will also be a marketing showcase for manufacturers of authentic green products and green technologies. Bus tours to the building and classes in an adjacent venue during construction are being planned as early as this summer. Ribeiro claims that Independence Station will be the highest performing, most comprehensive Smart Grid project ever built, anywhere in the world.

"Where else can you find a hybrid biodiesel condo"? asks Ribeiro.

To learn more about making priority pre-reservations for an ultra-efficient home at Independence Station, contact Aldeia Development at 877-793-9166.

About the World's Greenest Building:
Independence Station - The World's Greenest Building, an Aldeia, LLC community, is on track to earn the world's highest LEED rating when it is completed in 2010. Located in the historic pioneer town of Independence, OR, the building will obtain its energy primarily from the sun and vegetable oil with leftover energy going to the local utility to show how the new Smart Grid technologies can help solve National Energy Security challenges. A $15 million, 57,000-square-foot project, Independence Station will host real and virtual offices, a restaurant, an Internet café, a green data storage facility, research facilities and classroom space. In addition, 15 21st century Oregon Trail pioneers will make their homes in the building's one- and two-bedroom condominiums, providing published open source energy consumption data for all to study to set new benchmarks for responsible energy consumption in daily living. For more information or to set up a tour of Independence Station, an Aldeia, LLC, community, visit www.worldsgreenestbuilding.com.

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

Opus West Corporation Selected as Builder for Murrieta Education Center

Hundreds of Jobs Anticipated in Coming Months

Murrieta, CA-- At a time when building and development seem ground to a halt, AGK LLC is moving ahead solidly with their City approved $50-million Murrieta Education Center (MEC) in Southwest Riverside County. The company announced today the selection of Opus West Corporation as the builder for its higher-education center, a large-scale mixed-use project that will generate hundreds of jobs in the coming months. The MEC will front the 215 transition road to the 15 freeway, and serve residents in Riverside, Orange and San Diego Counties.

Opus West Corporation is a member of the Opus Group which is a leader in office, industrial, retail, multifamily and institutional development in the United States and Canada, and was selected for its expertise in large-scale mixed-use projects. With the selection process complete, plans for the facility are ramping into high gear, and groundbreaking has been slated for Fall, 2009.

"We are really excited to be part of this project, for several reasons," says Paul Marshall, Division President of Opus West Corporation. "First, the Murrieta Education Center offers an innovative, affordable approach to higher education. With the economic slowdown, the demand for higher education and new job training has never been greater. It's gratifying to be part of a much-needed solution," Marshall says. "Second, in the middle of a building-industry slowdown, developing a large-scale project and creating jobs represents positive progress. These are indicators everyone is looking for. Finally, we're pleased that in such a competitive environment, Opus West was selected as the right builder."

The Education Center concept created by the AGK Group LLC and Education Realty Group will provide convenient access to a wide variety of affordable educational resources. It will be one of the largest development projects in the city next year.

The Murrieta Education Center spans 11.5 acres and will feature twin 5-story towers available for classrooms and high-end Class "A" office space. The two 72,000-square-foot towers will be connected by a 16,000-square-foot core building with a two-story lobby. A separate 17,000-square-foot building is proposed for retail tenants providing food and other services to main building tenants.

The Education Center concept is the vision of A.G. Kading, managing partner of AGK LLC. "We're extremely pleased to have Opus West Corporation on board with us," said A.G. Kading. "The company has achieved an enviable reputation for quality throughout its 56-year history. We believe Opus West Corporation not only has the experience to develop this project according to the highest possible standards, but that they also share our vision and can enrich it."

Ultimately, the Murrieta Education Center will provide workforce development, continuing education through satellite campuses and technical training. This center will offer undergraduate, graduate level and continuing adult education opportunities to residents of Riverside, Orange and San Diego.

The proposed center is close to Promise Preschool and not far from the Riverside County Office of Education's proposed Murrieta Regional Education Center.

The micro campus concept embodied in the Murrieta Education Center is an accessible and affordable alternative to traditional four-year campuses, which have not expanded to meet the educational needs of a growing population. Better educational facilities mean higher worker salaries and bringing the region's emerging technology base closer to the research and development. Additional centers are being planned for in Sacramento, CA and Phoenix, AZ.

The AGK Group LLC is a real estate development company that focuses on today's needs and requirements of the future. The firm provides innovative business, educational and residential solutions. AGK Group has delivered a number of quality industrial, retail, residential and mixed-use projects throughout the Western United States.

For more information contact:
Peter Bretschger
949-833-3822

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

Fieldturf Launches 'Fieldcare' National Maintenance Program, Marks Another Industry First

FieldTurf has announced the launch of its 'FieldCare' national maintenance program geared towards making its synthetic turf field systems perform at their optimal level for even longer. The FieldCare program, which is being offered to the 3000+ FieldTurf clients, is comprised of complete field inspections and regular maintenance done only by FieldTurf authorized maintainers. FieldTurf's national network of trained professionals has allowed the world leader in synthetic turf surfacing to accomplish another ground-breaking offering to its clients and yet another industry-first.

(Vocus/PRWEB ) March 18, 2009 -- FieldTurf has announced the launch of its 'FieldCare' national maintenance program geared towards making its synthetic turf field systems perform at their optimal level for even longer. The FieldCare program, which is being offered to the 3000+ FieldTurf clients, is comprised of complete field inspections and regular maintenance done only by FieldTurf authorized maintainers. FieldTurf's national network of trained professionals has allowed the world leader in synthetic turf surfacing to accomplish another ground-breaking offering to its clients and yet another industry-first.

"This program is the best way for our clients to ensure that they are protecting their investments and to ensure the long-lasting high performance that has become synonymous with FieldTurf," stated FieldTurf Tarkett Senior VP Operations, Michael MacNeil. "Our large network of skilled maintainers has allowed us to put together a program for customers that will focus on even longer lasting fields which will equate to greater savings and an expanded potential for revenue generation."

Since its inception, FieldTurf has proven to be the most durable and longest-lasting synthetic turf system in the marketplace having installed more fields that are currently 8 years or older than all of its competitors combined.

"This is the most widespread and quality controlled maintenance program offering that our industry has seen," said FieldTurf Tarkett CEO Joe Fields. "The goal of our FieldCare program is to ensure that our certified FieldTurf maintainers allow for efficient and proper maintenance to prolong the field's life. This will help our clients to save even more money through a longer-lasting field that has benefitted from expert maintenance".

FieldTurf Tarkett, a Division of the Tarkett Group, is the largest entity in the sports surfacing industry and offers unparalleled leasing capabilities, engineering, manufacturing resources, and environmental standards. In addition to its world-renowned FieldTurf and Prestige brands of artificial turf, FieldTurf Tarkett provides an equally impressive range of sports flooring products that includes synthetic and hardwood basketball, volleyball and gymnasium flooring, squash and racquetball courts, floor protection and covering systems, and weight room flooring. Also in the range of FieldTurf Tarkett products are high performance indoor and outdoor running tracks including the Beynon track surfaces, playground surfacing, commercial and residential landscaping, and a complete range of tennis and golf surfaces. All of FieldTurf Tarkett surfaces are developed, produced and installed with a concentration on sustainability and a commitment to protecting the environment. The company calls it 'Environmental Intelligence' and lives by this principle in every way.

For more information please contact:
Tim Prochko
P: 248-977-4388
F: 248-977-4361

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:54 AM | Comments (0)

Anglian Website Gets A 'Tasty' New Look

Anglian Home Improvements' website was given a mouth-watering new look in the last few weeks with the introduction of a generous sweet-themed pick & mix promotion. This latest eye-catching offer from one of the biggest names in Home Improvements aims to entice customers with a generous assortment of free upgrades, from Free energy efficient A-rated glass for all casement windows purchased, to free installation on all Anglian conservatories

Norwich, East Anglia, UK (PRWEB) March 18, 2009 -- Anglian Home Improvements' website was given a mouth-watering new look in the last few weeks with the introduction of a generous sweet-themed pick & mix promotion. This latest eye-catching offer from one of the biggest names in Home Improvements aims to entice customers with a generous assortment of free upgrades, from Free energy efficient A-rated glass for all casement windows purchased, to free installation on all Anglian conservatories. The Pick & Mix promotion is available across Anglian's full range of products and offers homeowners the opportunity to save significant money on Double Glazing, Conservatories, Driveways, Garage conversions and more.

This latest scheme was conceived following in-depth market research into key influences on buyer decision making within the home improvements industry. With the current economic turbulence likely to affect homeowners more than most, Anglian proactively sought to identify what their target audience would most like to see. The overwhelming response from the study was that at times of financial uncertainty homeowners want 'value for money' and 'flexibility' from an established company they can trust. Anglian's reaction has been to create a scheme that not only offers generous discounts and free upgrades on all of their products but also flexibility in providing a range of incentives from which customers can choose the most appropriate for their requirements.

So far the promotion has been very well received and has certainly justified Anglian's investment in the study.

At the same time Anglian Home Improvements have also heeded the call to reinstate their White Knight logo which has been synonymous with the Norwich-based company since its inception in the late 1960s. Anglian removed the famous White Knight in 2007 but has made the decision to reinstate the iconic figure into their branding following feedback from suppliers and existing customers, who recognise the logo as a symbol of Anglian's long history and reputation for quality.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:54 AM | Comments (0)

Cleveland Tramrail® System Helps Company Move Up For Nearly 25 Years

Cleveland Tramrail® cranes by Gorbel have been helping a glass manufacturer safely move their product for over 25 years.

Fishers, NY (PRWEB) March 18, 2009 -- Cleveland Tramrail® cranes by Gorbel have been helping a glass manufacturer safely move their product for over 25 years.

Cardinal Glass CG is a major supplier of coated glass for residential window manufacturers. The company installed their first Cleveland Tramrail® system in 1984 to load and service its first glass coating machine. As the business grew and the process of coating glass evolved, Cleveland Tramrail® was the lifting solution they turned to for systems that would be reliable, compatible with existing cranes, and easy to maintain.

At one of Cardinal's coated glass facilities, clear glass is coated with an ultra-thin metallic layer to reflect the sun's rays in the summer time, and absorb them in the winter. The glass is coated in a process that sends raw product through a series of cathodes over a long conveyor. The cathode tubes rest in box casings that are 2 feet wide, 4 feet tall and 14 feet in length. Each casing weighs about 4,600 pounds. When a cathode needs maintenance or replacement, it needs to be quickly removed from the conveyor line and replaced to keep production flowing. Once the cathode has been removed, it is transferred to a maintenance area which is parallel to the main production line. This area features a 300 foot runway with two 34' bridges. According to the maintenance manager, this area services an average of five, but as many as 10 cathodes per day.

"Using the overhead bridge cranes to load and service the machines reduces handling time considerably compared to using a conventional fork truck," said a Cardinal Glass representative. "It is definitely a safer method and more efficient means of servicing the machines."

One of the many benefits that Cardinal Glass experiences with Cleveland Tramrail® is reduced maintenance costs and compatibility of new components with systems that were purchased in 1984. Throughout the facility are systems that have runways varying in depth and capacity, but compatible thanks to the consistent width of the patented track's lower running flange. This allows the Maintenance department to keep a low number of repair parts in stock since they are compatible throughout the factory's systems.

Since the installation of their first system, Cardinal Glass has added several CT systems in their facility, including one that has grown to more than 900' in length and features both single and dual girder bridges with mixed capacities to 4 tons.

"A lot has changed in 24 years," said Len McNamer of Cardinal Glass. "We could not have moved along without the Cleveland Tramrail® overhead bridge crane systems."

Contact for Interviews & More Information:
Jeff McNeil, Marketing Manager
Telephone: 800-821-0086, ext. 6241

Contact for High Res Photos, etc:
Susan Griepsma, Marketing Coordinator
Telephone: 800-821-0086, ext. 6733

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

Austin 360 Roofing Provides Extensive Repair Service and Insurance Claim Management for Simpson Property Group

Austin 360 Roofing, a leading, Texas-based roofing company, announced the completion of a roofing repair project for a 17 building, 250,000 square foot Simpson Property Group apartment complex. The project was completed in only three weeks, and by using state of the art satellite and GPS technology, Austin 360 Roofing was able to identify several inconsistencies in the adjuster's measurements and accurately negotiate the payout of the claim to reflect an accurate replacement cost for the project.

Austin, TX (PRWEB) March 18, 2009 -- Austin 360 Roofing, a leading, Texas-based roofing company, announced the completion of a roofing repair project for a 17 building, 250,000 square foot Simpson Property Group apartment complex. The project was completed in only three weeks, and by using state of the art satellite and GPS technology, Austin 360 Roofing was able to identify several inconsistencies in the adjuster's measurements and accurately negotiate the payout of the claim to reflect an accurate replacement cost for the project.

"When construction began I originally assumed it would take several months to complete a job of such magnitude," said Cassie Otworth, Regional Property Manager of Simpson Property Group, "but Austin 360 Roofing exceeded our expectations by completing the project in only three weeks. I realize that there is no way to avoid the sheer noise and mess of this such an extensive roofing project, so completing it so quickly really minimized the distress to our residents."

Austin 360 Roofing was originally hired to repair a routine roof leak caused by a hailstorm at a Simpson Property Group apartment complex located in Austin, TX. The company fixed the leak immediately, preventing water from penetrating residents' apartments. During a full, free assessment of the roof, it was discovered that the extent of the damage was severe enough to file an insurance claim.

Austin 360 Roofing actively managed the claims process for determining the full scope of repairs to the roof and gutter system. Based on negotiations with the claims adjustor, Austin 360 Roofing secured a settlement that was considerably higher than the insurance company originally offered due to some inaccuracies in the adjuster's initial measurements and covered damages not originally included in the report.

"Often, property managers don't have experience dealing with large insurance claims," said Eric Trybala, president of Austin 360 Roofing. "In many cases, the insurance adjuster will approve a claim for less than what should be covered. But we can ensure that the claims management process is conducted accurately so that the proper return for a covered loss is provided."

Managing the insurance claim was one aspect of Austin 360 Roofing's service to Simpson Property Group. Completing the endeavor in a timely manner was also critical to the company's business objectives.

"One of the biggest concerns of apartment communities is that a roofing project will last several months, and that it will be noisy and messy. That can be upsetting to residents and can interfere with new leases," Trybala said. "That was the situation with Simpson Property Group.

"We understand that time is of the essence to minimize disruption. So our commitment is that typically on any job involving 200,000 square feet or more, we're going to dedicate 50 or more people at all times to complete the project as rapidly as possible without sacrificing quality. Our roofing expertise, along with our project management experience with insurance adjusters, allows us to finish major projects with minimal inconvenience to the apartment community or frustration to the management company."

About Austin 360 Roofing
Austin 360 Roofing is the leading roofing company in Texas, specializing in houses, apartment complexes, office buildings, and industrial parks. The company provides expert craftsmanship in asphalt shingles, tile roofs, metal roofs, flat roofs, and green roofing solutions. Additionally, Austin 360 Roofing manages all aspects of insurance assessments and negotiations for roof repair due to hail, rain, lightning, wind, and fire damage. The company is locally owned and operated in Austin, TX, but also serves the Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio areas. For more information see www.austin360roofing.com.

Product and company names herein may be trademarks of their registered owners.

For more information, please contact:

Eric Trybala
President
Austin 360 Roofing
512-560-8366

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:50 AM | Comments (0)

Reed Construction Data Releases SmartBIM Library v3.2

Enhanced functionality and features available through upgraded version of BIM content management software

Norcross, GA (PRWEB) March 18, 2009 -- Reed Construction Data, a leading provider of building information modeling (BIM) solutions and construction information, today announced the launch of SmartBIM Library (SBL) v3.2 (http://www.reedconstructiondata.com/building-information-modeling/bim-library/), the leading BIM content management tool for architects and engineers.

The release of SBL v3.2 offers new features and enhancements including the drag-and-drop family publisher, allowing users to automatically publish and load Revit families into SmartBIM Library from a user's file system, Autodesk® Revit project files or Autodesk® Seek.

Additional functionality allows users to attach files, including text documents, spreadsheets and images, to SmartBIM Objects using the drag-and-drop feature, and to view them from the attachment pane. SBL 3.2 is also now an e-SPECS® Compliant BIM Library to assist users in automating the specification process.

"This release gives Revit users a way to significantly reduce the time spent looking for or creating BIM objects," said Candice Dobra, director of BIM solutions, Reed Construction Data. "The high-quality SmartBIM objects delivered in SmartBIM Library combined with the ability to easily manage existing content, bring a new level of efficiency in the design process."

Version 3.2 comes pre-loaded with over 21,000 high-quality Revit product types, including 200 new generic families. The SmartBIM Library will also publish content on a continual basis from a growing list of manufacturers including: Kolbe, Karona Inc., Hager Companies, LinEL Signature Skylights, Oldcastle Glass, Armstrong, Da-Lite Screen Company, Draper Inc., NanaWall Systems, ZeroFlush, Figueras International Seating, Next Door Company, Laticrete International, Skyco Shading Systems, Beta-Calco, Cornell Iron Works, Sun-Dome, GAF Materials Corp., PPG Industries, Coronet Lighting and more.

SmartBIM Library v3.2 still includes many features from prior versions including automatic content updates that deliver new Revit families directly to the users' desktops, automatic software updates to ensure users have the most up-to-date software features and drag-and-drop functionality that allows users to drag objects from SmartBIM Library directly into Revit projects.

SmartBIM Library is sold through authorized SmartBIM solutions providers starting at $500 per seat. For more information and a free demo, visit www.reedconstructiondata.com/building-information-modeling/bim-library/.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:50 AM | Comments (0)

Information Display Company Commits Stimulus Income To New Job Creation

Leading Manufacturer Of Traffic Calming Products Promises New Hires Based Upon Federal Stimulus Program Projects - Asks Others To Do Same.

Portland, OR (PRWEB) March 18, 2009 -- Information Display Company (IDC) today announced the creation of a new company program intended to help directly turn federal stimulus money into new jobs. Under the program, IDC has committed to an immediate investment of its own funds towards the hire of new employees. In addition, the company has committed to an aggressive new hiring program based upon projects received as a result of the federal stimulus package.

Both elements of the IDC program center upon a highly aggressive hiring formula. According to IDC president, Gary ODell, the company will hire one new employee for every $200,000 dollars of business it receives as a result of the stimulus package. This revenue-to-employee ratio is about one-third lower than the traditional industry standard.

By lowering the financial bar for new hires, IDC hopes to maximize the effectiveness of federal stimulus spending at putting Americans back to work. ODell believes IDC can sustain the more aggressive hiring formula for the short term and that the company will be able to grow into that employee count in the coming years as the economy recovers.

"We are also calling on our partners and other businesses to make similar commitments," said ODell. "IDC is currently working to build a consortium of like-minded companies that are all committed to helping get America back to work. Those interested in joining our efforts should contact us at stimulus(at)informationdisplay.com."

IDC is the largest manufacturer of speedcheck signs - radar speed display signs that show motorists how fast they're driving. Having proven to be a highly effective method for slowing traffic and increasing pedestrian safety, speedcheck signs will undoubtedly be used in a variety of stimulus funded transportation related projects. Permanently mounted radar speed display signs are used in school zones and on neighborhood streets where they help keep children safe and reduce accidents. Portable speedcheck signs are often used in and around work zones where road repairs and other construction projects are underway.

"Information Display Company is fortunate to be the leader in a fast growing market that we helped create," said ODell. "We now find ourselves in a position to potentially benefit as a result of economic stimulus spending, and we feel an obligation to do what we can to maximize the impact of this investment and help ensure the stimulus does what it's intended to do…create new jobs."

IDC is a privately held company and does not share financial information. In order to assure customers that the company is meeting its stated goals, IDC has contracted with a third-party accounting firm responsible for verifying compliance.

According to the Small Business Administration, companies with less than 50 employees account for approximately 96 percent of all U.S. businesses. By supporting these companies through stimulus projects authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the federal government is hoping to create jobs to kick-start an ailing economy.

Information Display Company currently has ten full time employees and supports an additional ten or more outside resellers, marketers and other partners. The company believes the implementation of their new hire policy could add an additional 3-10 full time employees to its workforce.

About Information Display Company
For the past 15 years, Information Display Company has played a leading role in designing, testing and manufacturing active traffic safety displays. As a result, their display signs are used in more cities than any other brand. For more information, visit www.informationdisplay.com or call (800) 421-8325.

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

The Lawn Magnum Helps Homeowners Protect Earth's Most Valuable Resource: Water

As more homeowners become concerned with protecting earth's most valuable resource, water, they are seeking ways to recycle stormwater runoff and sump pump discharge from their basements. One of the solutions they are turning to is a patented product called the Lawn Magnum, which is distributed by licensed dealers of Basement Technologies. A simple and effective method for filtering and balancing the water before returning it to the aquifer, the Lawn Magnum is an EPA approved device to manage stormwater runoff.

(Vocus/PRWEB ) March 18, 2009 -- As more homeowners become concerned with protecting earth's most valuable resource, water, they are seeking ways to recycle stormwater runoff and sump pump discharge from their basements. One of the solutions they are turning to is a patented product called the Lawn Magnum, which is distributed by licensed dealers of Basement Technologies. A simple and effective method for filtering and balancing the water before returning it to the aquifer, the Lawn Magnum is an EPA approved device to manage stormwater runoff.

The Environmental Protection Agency uses the term "green infrastructure" to generally refer to systems and practices that use or mimic natural processes to infiltrate, evapotranspirate (the return of water to the atmosphere either through evaporation or by plants), or reuse stormwater or runoff on the site where it is generated. Green infrastructure approaches currently in use include green roofs, trees and tree boxes, rain gardens, vegetated swales, and impervious driveways and walkways.

French drains are often used as a destination to direct discharge water from roof gutter systems and basement sump pumps. While effective, they do little to address the contaminants that accompany runoff water. Chuck Wilmot, president of the manufacturing firm, "the Lawn Magnum is constructed in a proprietary manner using activated charcoal and Portland cement. The permanent porosity and activated charcoal act as a filter to remove contaminants and balance the ph before the water is returned to the aquifer."

Another benefit is relieving the overburden on sewer systems so many municipalities are facing. As storm water flows over driveways, lawns, and sidewalks, it picks up debris, chemicals, dirt, and other pollutants, and empties into a storm water collection system. Anything that enters a storm water collection system is discharged untreated into the lakes and rivers we use for swimming, fishing, and providing drinking water.

Standing water in the yard can also be eliminated by installation of the Lawn Magnum. Even the smallest amount of standing water can give mosquitoes a hospitable place to multiply, which raises your risk of bites - and infections such as West Nile virus. With a grated fitting attached the water simply drains down and is dispersed underground, eliminating the health hazards of standing water.

The ease of installation also appeals to contractors and homeowners alike. Rather than having to excavate yards and yards of soil, the Lawn Magnum can be installed in a 24 inch wide by 4'-5' deep hole. The 4 inch drainage piping can be run from the discharge areas directly into the unit. The Lawn Magnum can handle up to 55 gallons of water per minute and works on hydrostatic pressure to move the water through the porous walls.

Basement Technologies developed the Lawn Magnum with a Canadian engineering firm and obtained a U.S. patent in February of 2009. Basement Technologies, headquartered in Brockton, MA, is the fastest growing dealer network of basement waterproofing contractors. The Lawn Magnum is available exclusively through our network of dealers.

As the awareness for treating stormwater runoff problems increases, so will the demand for effective solutions. This presents opportunities for eco-friendly entrepreneurs, landscaping and water drainage solution contractors to capitalize on the demand and make a positive environmental impact. Exclusive dealerships with protected territories are available for the Lawn Magnum.

Contact
Roderick Molleur
Marketing and Relations
www.basementtechnologies.com
800-287-9364

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

Windsong Properties' Mike Shina Named EarthCraft's Outstanding Project Manager

Windsong Properties' Mike Shina was recently recognized as an Outstanding Project Manager by the Southface Energy Institute and The Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association.

Atlanta-- Windsong Properties' Mike Shina was recently recognized as an Outstanding Project Manager by the Southface Energy Institute and The Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association. Each year, the EarthCraft House Awards honors builders, developers, renovators and manufacturers that are dedicated to protecting the environment through sustainable design and construction of homes. The Outstanding Project Manager award is presented in recognition of excellence in building and superior leadership in promoting the EarthCraft house program. All EarthCraft homes are Energy Star certified, and are designed to be the most high performance, durable, and resource-efficient homes you can buy. Demonstrating their commitment to minimizing their environmental impact, Windsong Properties builds only EarthCraft-certified new homes at their Woodstock active adult courtyard community, Somerset.

EarthCraft House is a voluntary green building program that serves as a blueprint for healthy comfortable homes that reduce utility bills and protect the environment. Nominees and winners of the annual EarthCraft House awards are selected by a team of EarthCraft House judges.

Shina was selected as an Outstanding Project Manager because he directly manages the construction of the EarthCraft-certified new homes at Windsong's Somerset community. Shina, a Certified Age-in-Place Specialist, implements responsible, sustainable building standards and pursues third-party recognized best practices in every aspect of construction. Shina is committed to new home building that leads to improved energy efficiency, sustainability and air quality.

Windsong Properties builds award winning, EarthCraft-certified detached, courtyard homes for adults 55 and older at Somerset. All Windsong homes are EasyLiving certified; the spacious floorplans are designed for accessibility, thus allowing homeowners to enjoy their homes, even if their lifestyle needs require change. "We put every effort into creating homes that meet the needs of our clients both now and in the future, and doing so in an environmentally responsible way," said Steve Romeyn, Managing Partner of Windsong Properties. "We are very proud of Mike's hard work, attention to detail and commitment to building to EarthCraft standards."

Windsong Properties currently has homes available at The Villas at Blackberry Run, in popular master-planned community Seven Hills in Dallas, Ga., and Somerset located in Woodstock, Ga. The Villas at Blackberry Run features 78 homes priced from $199,900 while Somerset features 58 ranch courtyard homes priced from $278,900. For more information on either of these beautiful communities, visit www.windsonglife.com.

About EarthCraft House
EarthCraft House is a green building program of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association developed through a partnership with Southface Energy Institute, government and industry leaders. The voluntary program serves as a blueprint for healthy, comfortable homes that reduce utility bills and protect the environment. Since EarthCraft's inception in 1999, more than 450 builders have become builder members and more than 7,150 homes in the Southeast region have been certified to EarthCraft standards. For more information, visit EarthCraft House at www.earthcrafthouse.org.

About Windsong Properties
Locally owned, Windsong Properties was founded by Mark Carruth and Managing Partner, Steve Romeyn. The two bring more than 50 years of local building experience to Windsong Properties, "Where Life's a Breeze." As empty nesters themselves, Mark and Steve have first hand knowledge of the desires of active adults and are passionate about creating communities and homes for empty nesters. Every decision made at Windsong Properties from the design of the community and its amenities to the award winning floor plans, and the unique customer service approach is target to the 50-plus, empty nester group. Windsong Properties earned the highest honor from the Certified Professional Home Builders association in 2007 and 2008 when it was awarded the Customer Satisfaction Award. Windsong Properties invites you to visit one of its communities and see for yourself just how easy living the Windsong Lifestyle can be. For more information, call 770-516-3409 or visit www.windsonglife.com.

Flammer Relations, Inc.
Amanda Winters: 770-383-3360x27
www.FlammerPR.com

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:40 AM | Comments (0)

NewAir Launches a Series of Affordable Wine Coolers

NewAir has launched a series of affordable, free-standing wine coolers that both casual wine drinkers and experienced oenophiles will find desirable. NewAir's sleek wine coolers also mean that Chardonnay, Merlot, and Riesling collections can be shown off in an elegant, sophisticated way.

Santa Ana, CA (PRWEB) March 18, 2009 -- A recent report published by Gomberg-Fredrikson revealed that California wine sales in the U.S. continue to increase to record highs of 457 million gallons (192.1 million nine-liter cases), up 2% over the previous year. Fueled by strong gains in premium California wine volume, this steady increase is expected to continue. Wine consumption has increased considerably in the United States over the past decade, and the U.S. is set to become the largest retail wine market in the world by value, in the next few years.

To ensure that your wine is served and stored at the optimum temperature and condition, NewAir has launched a series of affordable, free-standing wine coolers that both casual wine drinkers and experienced oenophiles will find desirable. NewAir's sleek wine coolers also mean that Chardonnay, Merlot, and Riesling collections can be shown off in an elegant, sophisticated way.

Every wine cooler in the NewAir AW series blends together practicality and looks. These energy-efficient wine cellars come in a variety of styles. From the dual-zone AW-320ED to the incredibly compact AW-180E, NewAir wine coolers have the features and styles customers can appreciate. Moreover, all NewAir wine coolers feature environmentally-friendly thermoelectric cooling technology that does not utilize ozone-depleting chemicals such as CFCs or HCFCs.

NewAir AW-320ED

This handsome dual-zone unit keeps up to 32 bottles of your favorite wine chilled. Featuring a sleek black cabinet with stainless steel handle and sturdy wire shelf racking for individual bottle storage, this free-standing wine cellar is the perfect addition to any home.

Features:

* 32-bottle capacity
* 2 independently-controlled temperature zones for simultaneous storage of both red and white wines
* Thermoelectric cooling system involves very few moving parts to help protect wine from unnecessary vibration
* Digital temperature display and push-button operation
* Internal LED light for added visibility

NewAir AW-210ED

This wine chiller allows you to accurately control the temperature of your wine with two zones for red and white wine that can be individually set. Heavy-duty tempered glass doors offer better insulation properties and increased UV protection.

Features:

* 21-bottle capacity
* 2 independently-controlled temperature zones for simultaneous storage of both red and white wines
* Thermoelectric cooling system involves very few moving parts to help protect wine from unnecessary vibration
* Digital temperature display and push-button operation
* Internal LED light softly illuminates wine collection

NewAir AW-280E

Featuring a black cabinet with stainless steel handle and sturdy wire shelf racking, this free-standing wine cooler holds up to 28 standard bottles. Thermoelectric technology results in energy efficiency and will lead to less electricity usage and savings in energy bills.

Features:

* 28-bottle capacity
* Single temperature zone
* Thermoelectric cooling system involves very few moving parts to help protect wine from unnecessary vibration
* Digital temperature display and push-button operation
* Interior blue light

NewAir AW-180E

This single-zone wine cooler features an incredibly compact design paired with the same reliable wine cooler technology as found in the larger NewAir wine coolers. Tempered glass door also offers additional insulation and UV protection.

Features:

* 18-bottle capacity
* Single temperature zone
* Thermoelectric cooling system involves very few moving parts to help protect wine from unnecessary vibration
* Digital temperature display and push-button operation
* Bright blue LED display

About NewAir

Founded in 2004, NewAir continues to be a leading manufacturer of heating and cooling products, as well as small home appliances such as wine coolers, ice makers, water dispensers, and humidifiers. Since the establishment of the company, NewAir's key objective has been to develop and manufacture superior products that will serve to meet the high demands of its customer base, and their research and development team works hard to offer the best in terms of quality and innovation.
NewAir also understands the needs of its customers, and they have built a solid reputation in the industry as a company who makes responsive customer service a priority - something consumers deserve from a supplier of high-quality home products.

NewAir products are offered exclusively on Air & Water, Inc (www.air-n-water.com).

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:40 AM | Comments (0)

Military Troops Benefit from Acoustical Solutions, Inc. Involvement With the DIY Network Television Series Man Caves

Acoustical Solutions, Inc. works with the DIY Network Television Series Man Caves, to create a dream theater and quite-rooms for the United Service Organization center at Camp Virginia. Episode will air multiple times On DIY Network between March 7 and May 23, 2009.

Richmond, VA (PRWEB) March 17, 2009 -- In its fourth project with Man Caves, Acoustical Solutions, Inc provides expert soundproofing and noise-control advice and supplies EcoSorpt™ acoustical wall panels and Green Glue® sound damping compound to the United Service Organization center at Camp Virginia.

The DIY Network's Man Caves television series transforms the United Service Organization center at Camp Virginia, to include a state-of-the-art movie theater and video-gaming station, as well as several quiet-rooms that troops can use to record audio and video messages to send to friends and family.

In order to create an environment for the military personnel to enjoy, Acoustical Solutions, Inc. recommended and supplied EcoSorpt™ acoustical panels, which are made of at least 85% post-industrial recycled content. The EcoSorpt™ acoustical panels were used to control noise levels in the military dream theater and quite-rooms. National Sales Manager for Acoustical Solutions, Inc., David Ingersoll said, "The eco-friendly sound panels absorb approximately 85% of harsh noises that bounce between the walls, ceiling and floor. Reducing the amount of excess noise from the theater increases the sound clarity, and allows the troops to really enjoy their movie."

Acoustical Solutions, Inc. also provided Green Glue® sound damping compound, which is used to block outdoor noise from passing through the interior walls, effectively soundproofing the different spaces. Green Glue® sound damping compound is an inexpensive, yet highly effective solution for soundproofing new and existing walls, floors and ceilings.

For more information about EcoSorpt™ acoustical panels or Green Glue® sound damping compound, please contact Acoustical Solutions, Inc. by calling 1-800-782-5742 or by visiting www.AcousticalSolutions.com

For more information on the DIY Network, Man Caves and show times please visit: www.diynetwork.com/mancaves

About Acoustical Solutions, Inc:
Acoustical Solutions, Inc. works with a wide variety of customers from worship facilities and office buildings to home theaters and construction companies looking for noise management. For 20 years, Acoustical Solutions, Inc. has provided the detailed expertise needed to serve the sound management community. Acoustical Solutions offers a full line of indoor and outdoor industrial, commercial, environmental and architectural noise control products.

For more information please visit www.AcousticalSolutions.com or call 1-800-782-5742.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:40 AM | Comments (0)

Chapin Estate Enlists Medium Blue Search Engine Marketing to Highlight the Quality of Its Luxury Homes in Upstate New York

Premier Developers of Catskill Lots Will Use SEO Firm's Services to Showcase the Features of Its Competitively-Priced Properties

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) March 17, 2009 -- Medium Blue Search Engine Marketing, a search engine optimization (SEO) firm in Atlanta, Georgia, has signed The Chapin Estate, a luxury homes and land developer in the Catskill Mountains, to a comprehensive online marketing campaign consisting of search engine optimization, pay-per-click, and online public relations services. The Chapin Estate's goals for the campaign are to increase site visibility as well as highlight the features and benefits of its luxury real estate properties nestled in the Catskills.

"The Chapin Estate builds its properties with both quality and selection in mind, taking cue from the beautiful Catskills that surround the area," said Jeffrey Loholdt, Director of Sales and Marketing of Chapin Estate. "Though our requirements for the site are high, Medium Blue's knowledgeable search engine marketing team has proven they have the know-how to get the job done right."

The Chapin Estate, which calls to mind a more rustic elegance, designs and builds high-end, luxury homes in the Catskill Mountains of New York, only one-and-a-half hours from Northern New Jersey and less than two hours from Manhattan, the only community of its kind in this close proximity to the city. Woodstone, Chapin Estate's preferred, skilled design and build team, crafts personalized lodges and homes for clients.

"Medium Blue will work with The Chapin Estate to generate awareness of its specially-constructed properties and the quality of its home designs," said Scott Buresh, CEO of Medium Blue. "We look forward to underscoring the company's dedication to fine designs with an effective search engine marketing campaign." Experience the tranquility and beauty of The Chapin Estate luxury homes and land in the breathtaking Catskills by visiting www.chapinestate.com.

About Chapin Estate

The Chapin Estate property dates back to 1891, when Chester W. Chapin, Jr., a successful urban entrepreneur from New York City, acquired 18,000 acres of land in The Catskill Mountains of New York. The extensive land holding was comprised of hills and valleys, lakes and winding brooks. Transformed today into the area's premier destination for successful individuals in need of a rustic retreat within a short drive from NYC and North Jersey, tranquil settings with many different land options from wooded, stream front or lake front parcels 5 acres to over 10 with or without the improvement of luxury homes or, in some cases, a more modest weekend getaway cottage can be found. Amenities include approximately 2,000 acres of fresh water lakes, various trout streams bordered by thousands of acres of conservation lands, and our own 9.5 mile hiking trail system within walking distance to our members only Lake Club and Concierge services for those with special requests. For more information, please visit www.chapinestate.com.

About Medium Blue

Medium Blue Search Engine Marketing, an Atlanta search engine optimization company, was recently named the number one search engine optimization firm in the world by respected industry resource PromotionWorld. Medium Blue's services include search engine optimization, website conversion, and online public relations. The company's experts in these areas are recognized leaders in the search engine marketing industry and have been featured in numerous publications, including ZDNet, WebProNews, MarketingProfs, DarwinMag, SiteProNews, SEO Today, ISEDB.com, and Search Engine Guide, and contributed to Building Your Business with Google for Dummies (Wiley, 2004). Medium Blue services a national client base, including Boston Scientific, DS Waters, and TOTO USA. Visit MediumBlue.com to request a custom SEO guarantee based on your goals and your data.

Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at 05:40 AM | Comments (0)