International Glass Manufacturer PPG Industries Qualifies Crystal for Elite Program FLUSHING, NY, September 27, 2010 – Crystal Window & Door Systems is pleased to announce that it has attained PPG Certified Commercial Window Fabricator status. Crystal has qualified for the Silver Member Level within PPG’s elite network of certified fenestration manufacturers. “Crystal has a long standing relationship with PPG, one of the leading glass and coating suppliers in the world,” said Harold Kaye, Senior Vice President of Business Development for Crystal. “Our window products offering energy efficiency and value, and PPG’s quality glass, coating and paint products are a natural fit. We are extremely pleased to have achieved their prestigious certification.” The Certified Commercial Window Fabricator national network is limited to window manufacturers that meet PPG’s stringent criteria for production. To qualify, manufacturers must fabricate insulating glass units in accordance with standards and protocols of the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), Insulating Glass Certification Council (IGCC), and PPG’s own standards for glass coating applications. Companies in the certified network are also subject to an annual on-site technical audit of their manufacturing processes by PPG technical inspectors to ensure compliance. As a PPG Silver Level Certified Commercial Window Fabricator, Crystal is eligible to use PPG’s low-E Solarban glass strategic products, which are sold exclusively to certified fabricators. Solarban low-E glass coatings, such as industry-leading Solarban 70XL, significantly enhance the energy efficiency of windows through solar control to transmit a high percentage of visible light while blocking a significant amount of solar heat energy and delivering low U-values (a measure of thermal transmittance). Ultimately this results in reduced cooling, heating and lighting requirements for buildings and reduced energy bills for property owners. Crystal has always fabricated its own insulating glass units (IGUs) and acquired its first “warm edge” Intercept Spacer system in 1997. The Intercept Spacer system for insulating glass units is a licensed PPG technology. The company upgraded its IGU production equipment a few years ago to the new fully automated i-3 Intercept Spacer line. This equipment accommodates variable spacer sizes without process downtime, and the highly energy efficient glass washing and curing oven/roll press equipment recycles water and saves energy. Crystal also extrudes and finishes its own aluminum window frame profiles at its subsidiary facility in Union, MO. PPG supplies environmentally friendly powder coat paint products for Crystal’s high quality factory-finished extruded aluminum profiles in a variety of standard, stock and custom colors. Crystal’s paint finishing processes are also part of PPG’s Certified Commercial Window Fabricator program audits.

R&D Team Leader Earns Accredited Instructor Status For National Program FLUSHING, NY, September 20, 2010 – Crystal Window & Door Systems, the award-winning manufacturer, is very pleased to announce that its R&D Team Leader Constantine Quiban has recently received Accredited Instructor status for the newly launched InstallationMasters™ Commercial Window & Door Installer Certification Program. This is a nationwide program which is based upon the American Architectural Manufacturer’s Association (AAMA) Standard Practice for the Installation of Windows & Doors in Commercial Buildings. While several major installation and distribution firms and the program administrator Architectural Testing, Inc. (ATI) have Accredited Instructors on staff, Crystal Windows is the first fenestration manufacturer in the nation to do so. The Commercial InstallationMasters™ program instructs fenestration installers on industry-developed best practices and techniques for the installation of new construction and replacement windows and doors. Among many other topics, the training course includes accepted window installation techniques; proper material selection; sealing of receptor systems, subsills and panning; and project quality control. A separate InstallationMasters™ Installer Certification program for residential windows has been in existence for several years. Installers who take the course and pass the comprehensive final exam become Certified Commercial Installers. Firms employing Certified Commercial Installers will be able to promote the demonstrated professionalism of their workforce to architects, general contractors, developers, commercial property owners and the public. Utilization of Certified Commercial Installers is also expected to improve the quality, energy efficiency and longevity of fenestration projects. Persons seeking to become Accredited Instructors must first demonstrate specific relevant industry experience and then attend an Instructors Course given by the program administrator ATI. During the class, students learn both course material and methods for its effective teaching. Only upon successful completion of a final examination and positive evaluation of their ability to teach the course materials are candidates officially qualified to deliver the course to installers. Mr. Constantine Quiban leads Crystal’s R&D Engineering Department which handles all aspects of window design, product enhancement, and product technical support. He is an AAMA Certified Residential and Commercial Installer as well as an Accredited Commercial Installation Instructor. Crystal Windows is planning to offer the InstallationMasters™ Commercial program soon to fenestration installers in the New York City area, Chicago, and near its branch offices. Experienced commercial window installers and other industry professionals are encouraged to contact Steven Yu, Crystal Marketing Department Manager, at 800-472-9988 ext. 3222, for further information concerning upcoming certification courses.

WALTHAM, Mass., Sept. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Approximately 200 people gathered on Sunday, September 12, 2010 to celebrate the official opening of the 'Holcim Field - Home of the Catskill Soccer Club'. Cement manufacturer Holcim (US) Inc. donated ten acres of land to the Catskill Soccer Club earlier this year. "We are very proud to be a partner with the community surrounding our Catskill Plant," said Bernard Terver, president and chief executive officer of Holcim (US). "By donating this parcel of land to the local soccer club, we provide an opportunity to help support the children's activities in the local community while making friends and having some fun." "This is a great example of how Holcim works together with the community," said Deon Van Den Berg, plant manager of the Holcim (US) Catskill plant. "It also illustrates the investment we make in the local community -- community matters." Following the opening ceremonies, three children's games were held, followed by six games in the afternoon. More than 250 children are expected to play a full slate of soccer games on Holcim Field this Fall. The land, situated along Embought Road off of Route 9W in Catskill, north of the plant entrance, will be used for three soccer fields. About Holcim (US) Inc. Holcim (US) Inc. is a subsidiary of Holcim Ltd, and one of the nation's leading manufacturers and suppliers of cement and mineral components. Holcim (US) has approximately 2,000 employees and operates 13 manufacturing plants and 70 distribution facilities in the United States. Source: Holcim (US) Inc.