GENEVA, March 29 /PRNewswire/ -- The World Business Council for Sustainable Development announced today that it is forming an alliance of leading global companies to determine how buildings can be designed and constructed so that they use no energy from external power grids, are carbon neutral, and can be built and operated at fair market values. The industry effort is led by United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) , the world's largest supplier of capital goods including elevators, cooling/heating and on-site power systems to the commercial building industry, and Lafarge Group (NYSE:LR) (NYSE:Euronext:) (NYSE:LG) , the world leader in building materials including cement, concrete, aggregates, gypsum and roofing. The WBCSD and the two lead companies are in discussions with many other leading global companies that are expected to join the project and will be announced shortly. Buildings today account for 40 percent of energy consumption in developed countries according to the OECD. The effort announced today for transforming the way buildings are conceived, constructed, operated and dismantled has ambitious targets: By 2050 new buildings will consume zero net energy from external power supplies and produce zero net carbon dioxide emissions while being economically viable to construct and operate.

ATLANTA, March 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Building Systems Design (BSD) announced today the launch of a new lead service for building product manufacturers. Available by subscription, this lead service provides manufacturers with specific project information about how particular specification sections in the BSD SpecLink product are being used nationwide, including which manufacturers have been specified on each project. The new service is in addition to an existing quarterly statistical report that has been available to participating manufacturers for several years. BSD gathers data automatically from the computers of SpecLink subscribers that enable the company to compile reports on the frequency of use of specific sections and the number of times particular manufacturers have been specified. The original statistical data does not identify particular users or projects, so it is of interest primarily as a trend indicator and a tool to determine the relative popularity of specific products. BSD also uses this data to help determine which sections should receive more maintenance attention. With the current spring release of BSD SpecLink, architecture and engineering customers have the option to release specific project information to BSD for use in the new, more detailed lead service, which provides monthly reports to participating manufacturers that are organized by specification section, state, architect/engineer, and project. Data for these more detailed reports is provided voluntarily by SpecLink users, and the type of information gathered includes: project name and location; owner's name; and facility type, size, approximate cost, and approximate completion date. To encourage users to provide this data, the software includes the same information on optional cover sheets for the administrative reports that are automatically generated by the specification system for use during the construction phase of a project.

CHICAGO, March 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP has won an international competition in China to design one of the most environmentally-sustainable buildings in the world, the Chicago-based architecture and engineering firm announced today. SOM -- in cooperation with the Guangzhou Pearl River Engineering Construction Supervision Corp., and Guangzhou Design Institute -- will design Pearl River Tower, a 69-story corporate headquarters, for the CNTC Guangdong Company. The tower will be located in Guangzhou China, a subtropical port city of 6.6 million located 182 kilometers from Hong Kong. The tower boasts an array of design and mechanical features. Winds directed into openings on the mechanical floor would power turbines that operate the tower's heating, cooling and ventilation systems. Solar collectors convert the sun's energy into electricity. Energy consumption is diminished by maximizing natural day-lighting, reducing solar gain in air conditioned spaces, retaining rainwater for consumption by HVAC systems and using the sun to heat the hot water supply. Stack venting, heat sinks and slab cooling cool the building.

PHILADELPHIA, March 27 /PRNewswire/ -- EwingCole, a national architecture, engineering, interior design and planning firm, today announced plans to expand its offerings in the area of academic design. As part of its efforts, the firm announced the hiring of Gregory Ninow, a widely-recognized expert in the field, as leader of its academic practice. Mr. Ninow, who has focused on higher education facilities for the last 25 years, has designed numerous prominent projects on college and university campuses. His clients include Saint Joseph's College, University of Maine, University of Southern Maine, Saint Michael's College, Bates College, Kennebec Valley Technical College and Northwestern Connecticut Community College. His work has been recognized for excellence in design and has also been the subject of articles in national magazines. The firm's accomplishments include winning awards from both the Philadelphia and Cleveland chapters of the American Institute of Architects for its design of new residence facilities for Muhlenberg College, as well as the renovation of an existing facility at Hamilton College in New York State.

Houseplans.com Becomes a Preferred Provider of Stock House Plans for COBS Homes NOVATO, Calif., March 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Houseplans, Inc. ("Houseplans"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of International Microcomputer Software, Inc. ("IMSI") (BULLETIN BOARD: IMSI) and a leading supplier of stock house plans online, today announced a partnership with COBS Homes, a national building management company operating in 46 states. Headquartered in Oceanside, California, COBS has distinguished itself as one of the nation's fastest-growing online homebuilder management companies, and is supported by a marketing partnership with The Home Depot. Houseplans.com will become a preferred house plans supplier for COBS Homes. "Owner builders need home plan options, and we feel Houseplans.com is the premier resource for finding the right house design that meets individual customer needs," said Dan McCloskey, Vice President of Sales with COBS Homes. "Partnering with a nationally renowned provider of homebuilder services such as COBS is a win-win scenario for Houseplans customers," said Marvin Mauer, President of Houseplans, Inc. "Many of our customers are owner builders who can greatly benefit from receiving expert homebuilding assistance and services from a proven industry leader like COBS Homes. And COBS Homes is the perfect industry partner because they offer a strong marketing advantage through their alliance with The Home Depot." http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.imsisoft.com http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.cobshomes.com

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 23, 2006--The pleasant "new home smell" wafting through your house could be a symptom of Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) - a term that describes various medical conditions caused by hazardous chemicals, pathogens and other airborne contaminants found in many homes and office buildings. The World Health Organization estimates that 30% of new and remodeled buildings may suffer from SBS, which can produce headaches and nausea, aggravate asthma and allergies, and lead to life-threatening lung diseases. "The problem became acute in the '70s when many builders inadvertently sacrificed indoor air quality for energy conservation," says Nico Sarelli, Managing Director of Sutton Hill Homes of White Plains, New York. "In an attempt to seal in heated or cooled air, they also sealed in the hazardous chemicals contained in some building materials, and facilitated the spread of mold, mildew and viruses through poor ventilation. Today, you can build homes that are healthy and energy efficient using eco-friendly materials and technologies." Pollutant Found In Airborne Particles Carpets, Ducts Formaldehyde Resin-based Particleboard, Fiberboard, Cabinets, Countertops, Carpet, Fabric Mold & Mildew Air Conditioner, Humidifier, Heat Ducts Nitrogen Dioxide Wood-burning Stove & Fireplace Smoke Radon Gas Seeps Through Cracks in Foundation VOCS Carpet, Paint, Fabric Sutton Hill Homes is one of a handful of firms that uses only "green" construction materials, avoiding volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and formaldehyde-based components. Using a panelized building process, the company constructs individual walls or sections of a home in a controlled indoor atmosphere, where materials can't be damaged by the weather or other factors. Sutton Hill's houses qualify for the Department of Energy's "Energy Star" rating, meaning they are at least 30% more efficient than a home built to the Model Energy Code. This is achieved through improved insulation, energy-efficient windows and "right-sized" heating and cooling equipment - including geothermal technology. "Although it may cost a little more to build an energy-efficient green home, buyers can recoup their investment in two to five years, thanks to fuel savings," says Sarelli. "And because houses are constructed with longer-lived materials, they require less maintenance and repair. Add the new IRS tax credits for homeowners who improve energy efficiency, and buyers are not just helping the environment, they're helping their bottom lines."

Prescott Quarry achieves remarkable 10th consecutive citation-free inspection HARRISBURG, Pa., March 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Officials from the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), U.S. Department of Labor, yesterday presented Pennsy Supply, southcentral Pennsylvania's leading supplier of aggregate, concrete and asphalt, with a Certificate of Accomplishment as Pennsy continues to lead the way in surface mining safety. This unique and rarely bestowed award is in recognition of Pennsy's Prescott Quarry in Lebanon, Pa., completing 10 consecutive regular assessments without violation of the Mine Safety & Health Act of 1977. Ten consecutive citation-free inspections is a remarkable feat in the mining industry, with only one other facility in the Northeastern District earning this honor in the past 20 years. Pennsy, which operates 13 surface metal/non-metal mining quarries and 11 manufacturing plants that turn aggregate into asphalt and concrete, is also an active participant in MSHA's "Stay Out, Stay Alive" program and has partnered with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in a video promoting the program across the state.

Houseplans.com to be Exclusive Provider of Stock House Plans for HomeTips.com NOVATO, Calif., March 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Houseplans, Inc. ("Houseplans"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of International Microcomputer Software, Inc. ("IMSI") (BULLETIN BOARD: IMSI) and a leading supplier of stock house plans online, announced today that HomeTips, Inc. has selected Houseplans.com as the exclusive house plans provider for HomeTips.com. HomeTips provides online home building and planning advice, and produces books, web content, and related material for businesses such as Sunset Publishing Corporation and Lowe's. "We are thrilled that a nationally recognized and highly-respected home construction authority such as HomeTips and Don Vandervort (President of HomeTips, Inc.) chose Houseplans' collection of 22,500 exceptional house plans to offer on their site," said Marvin Mauer, President of Houseplans, Inc. "By partnering with HomeTips, we will also be able to bring HomeTips' expert advice, home building content, and tools to Houseplans.com customers who need this information when planning for their most significant investment, their dream home. We are pleased to be able to do this for our customers." http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.hometips.com/ http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.imsisoft.com/

First Five-Sided VR Environment Powered by SGI in Finland; Key to Display of Billions of Polygons for Manufacturing and Industrial Planning MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., March 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- To perform highly realistic walk-throughs and simulations of engineering, industrial planning and design projects, the School of ICT at the Seinajoki University of Applied Sciences selected technology from Silicon Graphics for a virtual reality (VR) CAVE environment. The VR CAVE at the Finnish university, formerly called Seinajoki Polytechnic, enables them to offer their services to local, national and international companies interested in the use of cost-saving VR techniques in businesses ranging from pulp paper production to design of oil drilling platforms. University students learn the basics of VR technology, as well as using the Silicon Graphics(R) visualization system to write programming for the CAVE and to write new software using SGI(R) OpenGL(R) Performer. Some of the unique industrial planning and design software that has been created over the past year will allow the university to partner with CAD software manufacturers. The School of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) offers degrees in Mechatronics, (mechanics, electronics and computer control), Software Engineering, and Embedded Systems (microcontrollers for various devices).

Major Window Producer Answers Needs of Home Repair and Remodeling Market TACOMA, Wash., March 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Milgard Windows, one of America's largest producers of high-quality windows and patio doors, is introducing the new Mastri(TM) premium replacement vinyl windows and patio doors series to meet the needs of Midwest and East Coast homeowners looking to invest in affordable yet durable, high quality replacement vinyl windows and doors. "Replacing old windows is one of the most value-added improvements homeowners can do to decrease energy loss while adding beauty, durability and individual style to their homes," says Mark Gallant, Sr. Marketing Manager. "Milgard is introducing the Mastri premium replacement vinyl windows line to provide the best quality options matched with excellent energy efficiency potential and affordability." Energy Efficient Design Replacing old windows offers immediate aesthetic and energy-saving improvements, refreshing older looking homes and protecting homes where energy loss potential is the greatest -- through the windows. To maximize energy savings and lifetime durability, the Milgard Mastri series offers an argon gas-filled, dual-glazed insulated glass unit featuring non-metallic Super Spacer technology to separate the glass panes and reduce energy loss compared with older metal spacer technology. This reduces interior condensation problems when it's cold outside. For additional energy savings and temperature control in any season, the windows feature Milgard SunCoat(TM) low-e insulating glass, which both reduces summertime solar heat gain and helps block wintertime heat loss. Improved Indoor Comfort The Milgard Mastri series offers unique frame design features to reduce air infiltration potential through the use of a superior weather-stripping seal combined with a triple interlock frame on their popular double-hung windows to further prevent air slippage around the operable window sashes. Homeowners who choose the Milgard Mastri series also will enjoy a quieter atmosphere due to its dual pane glass and noise-dampening frame configurations. For even higher noise control performance, Milgard offers additional glass options to yield further outside noise reductions. Clean Design for Increased Curb Appeal The appeal of never having to paint the window frames again is another major advantage of choosing the Milgard Mastri series. Reminiscent of freshly-painted wood, the series creates a classic natural wood look without the maintenance headaches. Plus, the overall glass viewing area is maximized with up to a 20 percent improvement over competitive windows due to its innovative frame design. A variety of style and design choices also opens up a new world of individualized remodeling options. These include the choice of white or beige frame colors, which are solid throughout the frame to hide scratches. The Mastri(TM) series also offers several optional interior natural wood-grain finishes to choose from, including light oak, medium oak and cherry -- all perfect finishes to complement your home's cabinets and furnishings. http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.milgard.com http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.masco.com

New Breakthrough Products Meet Stringent SCIF Requirements for 75% Less Cost SUNNYVALE, Calif., March 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Quiet Solution, LLC, provider of award-winning soundproofing products, today announced the availability of the lowest-cost, high-performance soundproof/RF shielded drywall and wood panels for SCIF rooms as well as commercial applications. A Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) is a facility providing formal access controls (approved by the Director of Central Intelligence) and typically requires sound isolation as well as RF shielding throughout the room to prevent unauthorized information flow. Over 120,000 SCIF rooms have been targeted for conversion over the next several years at government offices, government subcontractors and embassies throughout the world. The QuietRF family of products includes special drywall, wood and sealants to meet the stringent requirements of RF shielded and acoustically isolated SCIF rooms as required by DCI. Since the construction methods are more standardized than older techniques (such as copper shells), standard subcontractors can be used throughout construction, cutting labor costs by 4X or more. With STC values of up to 74 and RF shielding tested from 0Hz to 10Ghz with 60dB to 80dB of attenuation, QuietRF provides the first one-stop solution for complete SCIF room and RF shielded buildouts. In addition, QuietRF products may be used in commercial settings such as hospitals or theaters where RF shielding may be desired, but had been too expensive or impossible until now. "QuietRock and QuietWood products have been used over the past three years in over 10,000 successful soundproofing projects. While our earlier products provide no RF shielding, we developed the new RF product line to make RF and soundproof SCIF room construction more affordable than earlier methods. Now builders and architects can achieve the lowest installed cost and deliver solid acoustic and RF shielded performance with proven QuietRock technology," said Kevin Surace, CEO of Quiet Solution. QuietRF delivers lab-tested performance The patent-pending 5/8" panels were tested by globally recognized labs at the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) to ASTM E90, which showed the panel delivered an STC value of 52 to 74 depending on the assembly. This exceeds DCID 6/9 Annex E and DIAM 50-3 Sound Group 4. The panels were also tested by Southwest Research (SWRI) for RF to IEEE-STD-299 when used in a field install assembly (including panel cuts) achieving 80dB or greater isolation up to 1Ghz and 60dB or more to 10Ghz meeting certain requirements of NSA 65-5, NSA 65-6 and NSA 73-2A including over 100dB of RF attenuation at specified critical frequency bands. QuietRock 530RF is also fire-rated and equivalent to Type X drywall. In commercial settings, rooms built specifically with QuietRF products and following the installation guide block cell phones, Blackberry, wireless PDA's and other wireless devices in both directions while meeting high levels of acoustic isolation at the same time. Copies of test results are available on the company's website.

Stone Exhibition Surface and Fabrication Design Expo COSTA MESA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 17, 2006--Tekon Universal Sciences (Tekon US) is part of the Green Disruptive Technolgoy (GDT) sweeping the United States. Tekon and its team of high tech researchers are launching Easy Clean for Granite, Marble, Ceramic Tile and Stone, safe for home use and utilized by transportation, building and other industries, too. This easy to use system is chemical free, fights germs, mold, and bacteria and seals the surface, making it stain resistant and keeping germs on top where they are easily destroyed. Tekon produces this revolutionary product by altering the properties of water to create a substance that is odorless, leaves no residue, and is not harmful for humans or pets. Tekon's Easy Clean for Granite, Marble, Ceramic Tile, Stone and Glass was selected from 287,000 other products in a search for the "Decade of Discovery Series" by QVC. A Tekon demonstration aired on the home shopping channel on September 9, 2005. Tekon US will present Easy Clean for Granite, Marble, Ceramic Tile, Stone and Glass at the Stone Exhibition Surface and Fabrication Design Expo from March 17-18 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Tekon product line is a great way to keep bathroom and kitchen environments hygienic, when used with microfiber cloths. Tekon representatives will demonstrate to onlookers how to properly clean and seal a surface with Tekon's Base Coat and Protective Treatment. A Tekon professional will also demonstrate Empowered Daily and Empowered Plus Weekly sprays that are contained in home kits so users can maintain surfaces, stainless steel, and kitchen appliances and bring them back to their original luster. With Tekon's complete cleaning solution, there's no need to use harsh chemicals that can damage the surface or create an unhealthy environment. Microfiber cloth must be used to apply the Empowered and Empowered Plus sprays for the best results. Tekon's Easy Clean Forever system maintains surfaces in optimum condition and leaves no residue or streaks. Tekon's coatings are ideal for food preparation areas made from stone because they are designed to create and maintain a hygienic environment. TekonHome is a professional team for residences who are trained to clean and seal surfaces to create chemical free home environments. An excellent choice for individuals with sensitivities to allergens and chemicals, TekonHome reduces maintenance and exposure to harsh chemicals and creates an ultra hygienic environment. Tekon US is a member of the US Green Building Council. Through a complete line of chemical free products for the home, Tekon US hopes to contribute to the prevention of the spread of illness through bacteria and viruses and the spread of mold spores and other toxins which render home environments unsafe. Call 888-749-1705 or visit http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.tekon.com for more information on chemical free cleaning solutions for stone and glass surfaces in the home. Tekon US products create a warm sense of security in the home amidst the backdrop of a hostile and uncertain outside environment. Through use of Tekon's products, Tekon's team hopes individuals and industries will create a healthier and more prosperous life for themselves and those they serve.

HOLLYWOOD, Fla., March 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Builders of the planned 38-acre Sheridan Stationside Village today released new details for a dynamic community linked with public transportation that includes a mixture of workforce housing, condominiums and townhomes, along with retail and office space, a hotel and mass-transit parking. The mixed-use community is believed to be the first development to be constructed under Florida's new Transit Oriented Development (TOD) land-use designation, which is reserved for mixed-use communities that are adjacent to and encourage the use of mass transportation for residents and visitors. It is located at the Sheridan Street stop on the Tri-Rail commuter railroad service and has easy access to Broward County Transit buses. The Village, located between I-95 and the CSX railroad tracks at Sheridan Street, is being developed by Stationside Village Associates, LLC, an affiliate of Pinnacle Housing Group of Miami, in partnership with Ram Development Company of Fort Lauderdale. "This is one of the most unique developments to be built in Florida, as it simultaneously addresses the region's need for quality housing and the creation of a mixed-use community that features mass transportation," said Michael Wohl, a partner in Stationside Village Associates. "This will be a beautiful Village designed by a team of award-winning architectural firms," said Wohl. He said the master planner will be the national firm of Cooper Carry of Atlanta, Ga., known in South Florida for its work on Mizner Park in Boca Raton and on many of the new buildings in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Cooper Carry will be working with local architects Marc Wiener and Roger Fry, both prominent architects in South Florida. The developers have been working closely with the Center for Transit Oriented Development, a nonprofit organization that helps regions and communities around the country seeking a clearer understanding of the potential for transit-oriented development and the steps necessary to achieve that potential. "The homeowners in the Village could conceivably get by with only one car, as we anticipate many people will work in the Village itself or commute to work on the Tri-Rail system," said Casey Cummings, president of Ram Development. "Public transportation must be easily accessible if we are to get commuters off the roads and into trains and buses." The project is being built on a former Florida Department of Transportation park-and-ride lot and abutting land at Sheridan Street and the CSX railroad tracks, which are currently being double-tracked for increased Tri-Rail service along its full 72-mile route from Miami to just north of West Palm Beach. The Hollywood City Commission has approved the Transit Oriented Development designation and given preliminary approval for the development, and a new land-use plan amendment is being filed with the city today. The project is consistent with the city's master plan, which was created in 2001 and envisioned mixed-use transit-oriented development at this site. The plans call for up to 1,600 housing units, 300,000 square feet of retail and office space, a 150-room hotel and a 793-space parking structure for Tri-Rail riders. Stationside Village Associates, LLC, is an affiliate of Pinnacle Housing Group of Miami, which develops market-rate and affordable housing communities throughout Florida, and Ram Development Company, which develops, acquires, leases and manages retail and multifamily real estate with offices in Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach Gardens.

BUDAPEST, Hungary, March 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Graphisoft, world leader in Virtual Building(TM) solutions, today announced a global alliance with Oracle, the world's largest enterprise software company, that will focus on the expertise of both companies in the construction industry. The alliance will deliver solutions to the construction sector with the aim of addressing key industry issues around inefficiency, waste and the mismanagement of projects. The first combined initiative from the alliance will be a UK-wide series of seminars designed to show construction executives how technology can be applied to building projects to improve efficiency on time, and on budget, delivery. The timing of this alliance comes at a critical time for the construction industry in the UK. The sector is in the midst of criticism of the healthcare PFI procurement process and the management of large-scale projects is under scrutiny. It is widely viewed that the real test for the industry will be the management of the construction of the 2012 Olympic venues, where improving the industry's poor record to date will be vital. Spear-heading the thrust into the industry is Graphisoft's Virtual Construction(TM) solution -- the world's first 5-dimensional management system dedicated to the construction industry. Interlinking time and cost parameters with a fully interactive 3D model, Virtual Construction can take upwards of 3 percent out of project costs. Adopted as the standard technology for a project with the magnitude of the Olympic building program, Virtual Construction has the capability to provide much faster and hugely more accurate estimating, a reduction in sub-contractor costs, more accurate build forecasts, a faster reaction to build problems and a reduction in build defects, which offer better quality buildings delivered on time and at a lower cost. "In terms of supply chain integration, planning and collaboration, Virtual Construction is a classic example of how a sector-specific IT solution can lead to huge reductions in the inefficiencies, waste and rework that characterise the construction industry," comments Garreth Evans, Graphisoft UK Managing Director. "Together with Oracle, we aim to convince contractors and construction companies that the benefits from our software and service solutions offer them an absolutely compelling return on investment." About Oracle PartnerNetwork Oracle PartnerNetwork is a global business network of 15,000 companies who deliver innovative enterprise software solutions based on Oracle software. Through access to Oracle's premier products, education, technical services, marketing and sales support, the Oracle PartnerNetwork program provides partners with the resources they need to be successful in today's global economy. Oracle partners are able to offer customers leading-edge solutions backed by Oracle's position as the world's largest enterprise software company.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., March 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Platinum Advanced Technologies Inc. (PAT), headquartered here, today announced the construction of the first house in Florida using its innovative Platinum Technology(TM) for walls, ceilings and roofs. The company's products, known in the construction industry as the building envelope, mean contractors can build better homes faster and less expensively. (Logo: http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060316/FLTH002LOGO ) PAT's patent-pending composite technology combines fiber-reinforced polyurethane and light-gage steel to make walls, ceilings and roofs stronger and more energy-efficient than either conventional cement block or stick-built construction. The technology is about 20-25 percent less expensive yet provides features and benefits beyond those of conventional building materials and methods, according to the company. PAT's building envelope withstands winds in excess of 200 M.P.H. and cuts heating and cooling costs in half, according to Ron Donnini, company president. The company's website ( http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.platinumadvanced.com/ ) shows dramatic video of an independent laboratory's test that proves its products are hurricane-strong. As impressive as strength and safety are, the company said the energy- efficiency of its products is driving inquiries from builders and consumers. R-value measures a material's resistance to heat flow, or its insulation ability. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation ability. Generally, new homes in Florida have R-values between four and 19 for walls and between 19 and 30 for ceilings or roofs. The R-values of PAT's products are 24.5 for walls, and 38.5 for ceilings or roofs. Also, the company's products resist wood destroying organisms (WDO) that have long plagued homeowners, including termites, carpenter ants and mold. And since the walls and ceilings are steel and fiber-reinforced polyurethane, there's nothing to fuel fires. Moreover, the house is much more soundproof than most other homes. Charles Vachon Construction is building the 3,264-square-foot, three- bedroom, two-bath home in Ocala, one of the state's fastest-growing housing markets. Mr. Vachon said the technology saves about 30 days of building time and is an idea whose time has come. The homeowner, Chris Eardley, 28, a financial consultant for A.G. Edwards, agrees and believes the company's technology will change the way homes are built worldwide. "My home saved about 100 trees," explained Mr. Eardley. "The studs are formed from recycled steel, and the polyurethane requires less renewable resources to make than it saves in a couple weeks of heating or cooling. And the manufacturing process for these products doesn't affect the ozone layer or release dangerous compounds into the atmosphere." Mr. Donnini, who previously headed one of the nation's largest companies in the truss industry, Alpine Engineered Products, said he sees a clear trend toward innovation in the construction of homes and light commercial buildings. "Our sole focus is providing builders with solutions that help them combat today's challenging cost pressures," said Mr. Donnini. "Homebuyers and builders are battling spiraling price increases on virtually every front. Most materials, labor and land continue to escalate, so we intend to deliver products that mean better, faster built homes for less cost." The company just moved from research and development to full-scale production, according to Mr. Donnini, who added that the company will add manufacturing facilities in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Florida to meet demand for the company's products. Currently, the company operates an 80,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Harlingen, Texas.

Roofing Professionals Gathering in Orlando Will Learn How to Address Florida's Ever-Changing Construction Requirements WINTER PARK, Fla., March 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Florida's roofing contractors will be gathering in Orlando, Florida from June 28 - July 1, 2006 to attend the Florida Roofing, Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors Association's (FRSA) 84th Annual Convention and their trade show, the Southeast Roofing and Sheet Metal Spectacular. The trade show will take place at the Orange County Convention Center, Hall WA2, and the convention site is the adjacent Rosen Center Hotel. Last year over 3,400 visited the exhibit hall and viewed the products and services offered by 200 companies. In light of the state's ever-changing construction requirements, FRSA anticipates increased participation in this year's event. The trade show allows industry professionals an opportunity to increase their product knowledge by visiting leading providers of roofing and sheet metal materials and services. They may also participate in a variety of industry-related seminars scheduled prior to the opening of the exhibit hall, many of which are qualified by the CILB and Dade County to earn continuing education credits needed by licensed roofing professionals to maintain their state licenses. There is no charge for admittance to the exhibit hall. FRSA's annual convention includes a variety of customized programs formatted to appeal to both roofing professionals and their families. Included are golf, fishing and bowling tournaments, ladies and kid/teen's programs, a Las Vegas theme party and a grand reception and banquet. All of these events are open to both FRSA members and nonmembers of the roofing and sheet metal community.

QUAKERTOWN, Pa., March 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Synergis(R) Technologies Engineering Design Solutions Division announced today that Gilmore & Associates, Inc. (http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.gilmore-assoc.com/), a full-service Pennsylvania engineering and consulting firm serving municipalities, turned to Synergis Engineering Design Solutions for training and support during their implementation of Autodesk Civil 3D. The company credited the support and service offerings from Synergis and the quality of Autodesk software for helping them perform their job at the highest level of efficiency and accuracy. "We realized that the release of Civil 3D was not a 'use it out of the box' upgrade. The software is completely new," said John Tully, a civil designer at Gilmore & Associates, Inc. "Training allowed us a focused approach to learning what to do and not to do with our new software. I've had dealings with other Autodesk resellers during my career and by far, Synergis offers the quickest response, widest variety of services and expertise. I would recommend them to anyone." The on-site training at Gilmore's offices was led by Bill Frederick, a Synergis Design Applications Engineer with more than 11 years of industry experience and an Autodesk Civil 3D Implementation Certified Expert. He said, "Gilmore & Associates needed a training solution that would accelerate their software integration and provide a fast return on their investment. We were able to deliver exactly what they needed. Now proficient with Civil 3D, they are more productive than ever." Synergis Engineering Design Solutions hosts learning events throughout the year to help companies better understand how to maximize their Autodesk investment through education and customized programs. The company boasts a pedigreed group of infrastructure experts who teach classes. Classes are purposely small with only up to eight students enrolled to ensure personal attention. About Gilmore & Associates, Inc. Since 1918, Gilmore & Associates, Inc. has provided an ever-growing pallet of professional technical services including: Land Planning, Survey, Site/Civil, Environmental, Geo-technical, Geographic Information Services, Landscape Architecture, Municipal, Water/Wastewater, Traffic/Transportation and Construction Administration. Their Pennsylvania offices are located at New Britain & Langhorne, Bucks County; Trappe, Montgomery County; Allentown, Lehigh County; Kennett Square, Chester County and Flemington, Hunterdon County, NJ. To learn more about the services offered at Gilmore & Associates, Inc., please visit their website at http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.gilmore-assoc.com/ or call 215-345-4330. About Synergis Engineering Design Solutions Synergis' Engineering Design Solutions, an independent division of Synergis(R) Technologies, Inc., is a leading Autodesk(R) Value Added Reseller for Manufacturing, Infrastructure, Building Solutions, and Academic solutions in the Mid-Atlantic region. Headquartered in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, it's recognized as an Autodesk(R) Premier Solutions Provider (PSP), a specialist for both Academic and Manufacturing Solutions. As an Autodesk(R) Authorized Training Center, Synergis provides onsite customized and classroom training at five locations, taught by Autodesk Certified Experts. For information on the Engineering Design Solutions Division, visit http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.synergis.com/ or call 800-836-5440.

CALIFON, N.J.)—EB-TY® Hidden Deck Fastening Systems™ for composite and wood decks has received the prestigious 2005 Most Valuable Product (MVP) award from Building Products magazine. EB-TY is one of 28 unique products selected by the magazine in its annual MVP awards issue. Editor Jean Dimeo said a six-judge panel consisting of builders, remodelers and architects called EB-TY hidden fasteners “innovative alternatives to traditional systems.” Hidden fasteners provide nail-free look and solve nail popping “We created EB-TY hidden fasteners because builders and homeowners don’t want to see rusty nails and screws on their decks,” said Harry W. Eberle III, estate home builder and company founder, who designed the EB-TY Hidden Fastening System. “With EB-TY, decks always have a clean, nail-free look. The fasteners, used with either composite or wood decking, adjust to climatic conditions allowing a natural expansion and contraction. This is an improvement over traditional systems where decking materials are forced into a rigid position, causing a tendency to ‘pop nails.’ We refer to it as a ‘living deck’ because the adjustment process is ongoing.” Six different EB-TY Fasteners™ One size does not fit all when it comes to EB-TY Hidden Deck Fasteners™. The company has created six customized fasteners to meet the different needs of decks, docks and boardwalks. Each fastener is designed for specific board widths, board thickness and spacing in use with composites, mahogany, Ipé or other types of wood. Because EB-TY fasteners are made with strong and durable UV-resistant polypropylene, they offer lasting performance and a lifetime warranty. Independent testing has confirmed that EB-TY hidden fasteners can withstand high winds and keep decking materials fastened. About Hanley Wood Hanley Wood, LLC, is the premier media company serving housing and construction. Through five 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 Magazines (Washington, D.C.), publishes 22 award-winning residential and commercial construction titles, including BUILDER, REMODELING, CUSTOM HOME, CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION and RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECT. In 2004, BUILDER was named to B-to-B magazine’s Media Power 50. For consumers, Hanley Wood Magazines publishes 14 shelter magazines and home plans titles and distributes more than 9 million copies to newsstands. Founded in 1976, Hanley Wood is a $225 million company owned by JPMorgan Partners, LLC, a private equity affiliate of JPMorgan Chase & Co. EB-TY® Hidden Deck Fastening Systems™ are manufactured by Blue Heron Enterprises, LLC. Founder and President Harry W. Eberle III created and developed the hidden fasteners in 1997 to meet the needs of architects, builders, contractors, developers and homeowners. EB-TY is available in six different fastening systems for all types of wood, composites and Ipé decking. The company is headquartered in Califon, N.J.

The Baker Group, a foodservice consulting firm specializing in planning and design since 1984, today announced launch of its SUPERTEAM program. In a move designed to facilitate a new market penetration agenda, President and Principal Jim Sukenik characterized the innovative program as "an industry first;" providing a conduit for renowned, geographically dispersed industry leaders to join Baker on consulting projects based on expertise wiyh relevant trends and cultural shifts. By bringing together expertise in sustainable building design, LEED accreditation, master planning, market research, and much more, the SUPERTEAM enables the firm to support clients and collaborators with greater precision than the conventional consulting model. The Baker Group expects to extend its leadership position with the SUPERTEAM approach as clients benefit from enhanced expertise and flexibility that is a solid fit with their needs and interests. "Our corporate structure and mission should reflect the priorities and objectives of our clients." Sukenik said. "And the SUPERTEAM will continue to evolve with that in mind." About the Baker Group Established in 1984, the Baker Group has earned a reputation as a leader in foodservice consulting and is best known for inspired foodservice design created with meticulous attention to detail and world-class service for clients across the country. Completing kitchen, dining and servery facility designs for 50 or more clients each year, The Baker Group has received numerous awards including recognition for outstanding achievement and contribution to the industry.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- HouseRaising, Inc. (BULLETIN BOARD: HRAI.OB) , a managed service provider that utilizes its patent-pending software and support system to manage custom home projects for affiliated builders, today announced that it has expanded its proprietary custom home management software to include a version designed specifically for managing projects as part of a disaster relief effort. The software addresses issues facing homeowners, local building and governmental authorities and insurance carriers working in disaster related environments. Gregory Wessling, HouseRaising's Chairman and CEO stated: "I am pleased to announce that HouseRaising has just completed version one of its Disaster Relief Operating Platform. The software is designed to be used in managing rebuilding efforts from the point of accumulating project data and cost estimating to designing replacement homes, clean-up, addressing and coordinating funding issues and managing the building process to completion and occupancy. I am very encouraged with the reception we have received so far from insurance company officials, local officials and from Gulfport's Homebuilders Association. We are ready to begin demonstrating our software and support services to local insurance companies and to any federal, state or local governmental agency that needs our assistance in organizing rebuilding efforts." Today, HouseRaising also announced the hiring of R. Andrew Garverick as its Gulf Coast Development Executive implementing Zone II operations. Mr. Wessling stated: "We are pleased to have located someone with Andy's experience and management skills to assist us in our Gulf Coast operation. Having decades of experience in banking and managing regional homebuilding operations, Andy will help us expedite our plans to present our system to local officials and start rebuilding homes destroyed in recent storms in the area."

PITTSBURGH, March 10 /PRNewswire/ -- SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings will be presenting its new training course Bridge Coatings Inspector Training and Certification (BCI). SSPC is a non-profit association focused on the protection and preservation of concrete, steel and other industrial and marine structures and surfaces through the use of high-performance industrial coatings. The BCI course will be held on March 28-31, 2006 in Frankfort, Kentucky at the offices of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (DOT). The course instructor will be Derrick Castle, of the Kentucky DOT. Inception of the BCI course dates from a DOT peer forum held during the SSPC Conference 2001. During that meeting, the general consensus was a need existed for more defined training in the field of bridge coatings inspection. Facility owners (DOT's) were interested in a comprehensive program that could be administered consistently across the nation. From that meeting in 2001, there evolved a coatings expert task group made up of representatives from seven states and a bridge/tunnel authority. The task group decided that in order to gain acceptance of the program by facility owners, it had to be managed by an independent organization with a track record of administering similar programs -- such as SSPC. In addition to conducting the BCI course, SSPC will manage the tracking, certification and auditing of bridge coatings inspectors as well as the contractors and consultants that employ them. Over the past five years, the task group has worked with SSPC to refine the course curriculum and establish the certification and auditing processes. SSPC is also trying to be flexible in its prerequisite requirements for the certification portion of the program. In addition to taking the BCI course itself, SSPC will also accept prior work experience in the bridge coatings industry, as well as successful completion of the SSPC Protective Coatings Specialist certification program or Level 2 or greater of the NACE CIP program.

WORCESTER, Mass., March 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Engineering educators from across the nation will gather on the campus of Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) on March 17 and 18 for the 2006 American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) New England Section Conference. This year's conference will focus on the theme of "Engineering Education and Practice for the Global Community," and it will be highlighted by a keynote talk from Ranch C. Kimball, secretary of Economic Affairs for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and a banquet presentation from Ioannis (Yannis) N. Miaoulis, president and director of the Museum of Science, Boston. The conference will also include three panel discussions with numerous experts in the field, the presentation of original research and development papers, and sessions on current issues and topics in engineering education. Exhibits featuring the latest engineering technologies will be on display throughout the first day of the conference.

CHICAGO, March 8 /PRNewswire/ -- The need for the United States to build a new generation of leaders proficient in science, technology, engineering and math is at the top of the nation's agenda. While encouraging all young people to take more math and science classes and pursue careers in related fields is critical, this initiative has even greater significance among the nation's young women. Less than 10 percent of American engineers today are women. Yet, this is where we face the greatest challenges. According to survey results released today by the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), 75 percent of girls surveyed do not plan on pursuing a career in science, math or technology, and only 10 percent of those surveyed have considered engineering as a future career option. In order to change negative perceptions and to encourage young women across the country to get involved in engineering and technology, SWE today announced a new program: "Develop, Design, Discover ... Women Innovating with Technology." And the timing couldn't be better. SWE's survey reveals that while 95 percent of girls said that careers in science fields are "cool," 66 percent of the same group claimed these careers are "not for them," citing that careers in entertainment (49 percent), fashion (46 percent), and cosmetics (48 percent) would be more interesting. It also underlines a major disconnect between girls' perceptions of engineering and those careers that actually need engineers to deliver new products: fashion, cosmetics, entertainment. Girls simply don't know that the very industries that they would be interested in pursuing as a future career require engineers and technologists in all facets of the business. The program kicks off with an inspiring and educational special event series called "Wow! That's Engineering?", a new Web site (http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.developdesigndiscover.org/), the survey on girl's attitudes toward engineering, and a nationwide contest to find out what young women will discover next. "With today's multi media, multi influence culture, young women in the United States are continuing to drift away from careers in areas that are vital to the country's economic future," said Ronna Robertson, president of the Society of Women Engineers. "American culture has traditionally misled young girls to believe that they cannot excel in math or science and as a result, they harbor negative perceptions of engineering. Now more than ever we face an urgent need to build a generation of leaders proficient in science, technology, engineering and math. We have a real opportunity to right previous wrongs and show young women what engineering is all about and give them a chance to change the future."

ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 8, 2006--The House That Faux Built: one of the most creative makeover projects ever completed! Shack to chic! An unattractive Arlington, VA fixer-upper is being transformed using only faux, paints, plasters and imagination to create a living showroom of innovative, affordable solutions in home decor. A sister project is taking place in a church in Chicago, IL. Typical expensive home renovation methods were shunned in favor of transforming what is in place in a dated 1940s brick colonial using techniques few even know exist. The Arlington Project is dubbed "The House That Faux Built," because it sponsors a house to be built for a family made homeless by recent hurricanes. A birdhouse auction will benefit animals made homeless by the hurricanes. Featured are a refrigerator and dishwasher painted to look like expensive built ins, faux "inlayed" wood on an ugly stained parquet floor, 5 ways to transform a grey cement floor to wow, fake stone and tumbled marble techniques right over existing bath tile, iridescent plasters, new cement trowel-on products, faux "slate" right over linoleum, ornamentation steamed on to make "custom" cabinets and furniture, color schemes, antiqued mirrors and trompe L'oiel murals that make small rooms look larger and low ceilings appear taller. The House That Faux Built will inspire, delight, and educate everyday homeowners. It will also appeal to designers, artisans, real estate professionals and contractors. The project will be completed in March. Private fundraising and press events will be held March-May and public open houses in June. In conjunction with these events the book The House That Faux Built: How to Transform Your Home From Shabby to Showplace Using Paints, Plasters and Creativity will be published showing full color before and after photos of the Arlington project and its sister project in Chicago. This is a homeowner's guide to brilliant decorating on a shoestring. Internationally known artisans and craftspeople (from Rome, England, France, and across the U.S.) donated both their time and talents. Included are Nationally published artists including Gary Lord "It's Faux Easy", Pierre Finkelstein "The Art of Faux" and Melanie Royals "Stenciling on a Grand Scale" Product Sponsors include Ralph Lauren, Krylon, Little Giant Ladders, Behr, Benjamin Moore, Faux Effects, Storehouse Furniture and many others.

QUAKERTOWN, Pa., March 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Synergis(R) Technologies Engineering Design Solutions Division announced today that Bill Frederick, a Synergis Design Applications Engineer, successfully completed the rigorous Autodesk Civil 3D Implementation certification course and exam, making him just one of a handful of application engineers in the country to earn this expert status. This certification offers Synergis Engineering Design Solutions customers the comfort of knowing they can, without reservation, rely on Synergis not only for expert training, but also to assess, plan and deliver successful implementations that ensure customer success with the Autodesk Civil 3D solution. Customers appreciate the piece of mind that comes with using an established expert and being able to avoid costly errors and lost productivity that can result from improper software implementation.

BATON ROUGE, La., March 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Wood-plastic composites (WPC) and plastic lumber are quickly establishing themselves in the building and construction industry as superior alternatives to wood and other materials in decking, siding, and roofing applications. The use of these innovative materials -- products that look like wood but can be processed like plastic -- in other applications such as automotive, furniture and pallets, to name a few, is only likely to increase as manufacturers discover easy solutions for flame retarding their resins to meet product safety and regulatory requirements.

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 6, 2006--O2 Interactive raised the bar again in homebuilder customer management systems with their release of version 3.0 of OnSite CRM. OnSite CRM provides a full life cycle of customer management for residential homebuilders and design centers. Version 3.0 now includes a wireless BlackBerry(R) interface, interactive flooring and electrical editors, geographic prospect analysis, and external portals, providing access to time critical information. OnSite CRM for BlackBerry(R) provides many features found in OnSite CRM in your handheld, wireless device. Now it is possible to access real-time information when sales, service and design center personnel are not near a desktop computer. OnSite CRM for BlackBerry allows people in the field to access customer information, lot inventories, and manages punch lists during quality control inspections. The wireless punch lists also allow the field manager to submit service requests directly to OnSite CRM for immediate action. Future releases will incorporate a broader range of functionality from OnSite CRM.

H. Hendy Associates, one of the nation's leading architectural design firms, announced today that it ranked in the "Top 100 Giants" list compiled by Interior Design magazine, the design industry's leading information source. H. Hendy Associates, the only Newport Beach-headquartered company to make the list, was selected based on the firm's size and revenue growth. "We are pleased to be recognized as an industry leader, and to represent Orange County as part of a list that features the most prestigious design firms in the country," said Heidi Hendy, principal of H. Hendy Associates. Interior Design annually ranks the Top 100 firms based on their previous year's revenue. A series of successful project installations in 2005 contributed to H. Hendy Associates' success including: the Herman Miller showroom in Costa Mesa, Calif.; El Tapatio Markets' corporate office in Santa Fe Springs, Calif.; Corporate Synergies Group's headquarters in New Jersey; and many others.

General Growth Properties, Inc. (NYSE:GGP), the country's second largest owner and developer of regional shopping centers, announced today an agreement to enter into a joint venture with Hamburg-based ECE Projektmanagement G.m.b.H. & Co. KG, Europe's leading developer of urban shopping centers. Under the terms of the joint venture, the two developers have formed CURA GGP Gayrimenkul Gelistrime A.S. to invest in shopping center development and acquisitions of existing shopping centers in Turkey on a 50/50 basis, and will begin construction of their first joint project in March 2006. General Growth also has acquired from ECE 48 percent of ECE Turkiye Proje Yonetimi A.S., the leading manager of shopping centers in Turkey with currently six properties under management. Closing of the joint venture is expected shortly. "Turkey's geographic location at the junction of Europe and Asia, its size and population growth, as well as recent economic development have created tremendous opportunities for investment," said John Bucksbaum, chief executive officer of General Growth Properties. "This is a great opportunity to collaborate and invest with such an experienced development and management company as ECE."

ERSystems, Inc. Introduces KynaKote, EG 1000 QC and EG CleanCoat ROCKFORD, Minn., March 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Representatives from ERSystems, Inc. announced today the launch of three new products in their roof coating line. The products include ER KynaKote, a coating that adheres to Kynar500 based paints used on metal roofs, Eraguard 1000 QC, a quick cure coating that dries independent of humidity and Eraguard CleanCoat, a coating that resists dirt pickup. "These products address a strong need in roofing technology that we've identified based on customer feedback and our own industry observations. CleanCoat in particular has been needed for reflective roofing for quite some time," said CEO Tim Leonard. Leonard added all three new products were formally introduced at the International Roofing Exposition in Las Vegas in February. KynaKote adheres to existing fluoro-polymer based paints. The product exhibits excellent color retention, resistance to mildew and stains, and physical properties improve as it is exposed to sunlight. Other roof coatings typically do not adhere well to pre-existing fluoro-polymer based paints like Kynar 500. ER 1000 QC addresses the problem of curing in humidity and sets nearly three times faster than other roof coatings. ER CleanCoat incorporates both Teflon and Kynar to provide a highly reflective surface that is also extremely resistant to dirt pick up. Leonard and his brother, Tony Leonard, own ER Systems and its sister company, Prairie Technologies. Both companies are based in Rockford, Minnesota. ER Systems was founded by James Leonard in 1993. The company manufactures a complete line of highly reflective coatings, sealants, membranes and adhesives for roofs. About ERSystems: ERSystems (Elastomeric Roofing Systems, Inc.) is a national leader in cool roofing technology and a strong supporter of sustainable and renewable building technologies. ERSystems highly reflective roof coatings and membranes are Energy Star certified, meet LEED requirements and have been used to restore millions of square feet of metal, BUR, single ply membrane and foam roofing systems. For more information visit http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.ersystems.com/ . About Prairie Technologies: Prairie Technologies specializes in sustainable and renewable building technologies applied to the roof. Prairie Technologies emphasizes roof top utilization as an asset with Prairie Green Roofs, highly reflective roofing membranes and coatings, and small scale roof top renewable energy resources including solar and wind. For more information visit http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.prairie-tech.com/

MINNEAPOLIS, March 1 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study comparing the cleanability of four widely used countertop materials showed that granite, marble and engineered quartz surfaces are all easily cleaned to meet FDA surface sanitizer criteria of 5-log reduction pathogens on the surface. The Hospitality Institute of Technology and Management in Minneapolis, MN conducted the study, comparing Dakota Mahogany Granite from South Dakota, Uba Tuba Granite from Brazil, Carrara White Marble from Italy and Snowdon White Engineered "Stone" by Cambria.

BALTIMORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 1, 2006--Vertis today announced the results of its proprietary Customer Focus(R) 2006: Furniture study, which shows adults 18-34 are more likely to plan furniture purchases this year, compared to other age groups. These adults are also more likely to buy or build a new home in the next twelve months as stated by 14 percent of women and 13 percent of men 18-34. "New homeowners are emerging consumers for furniture stores, and it is important for advertisers and marketers to reach out to this demographic through a medium that resonates with them," said Jim Litwin, vice president, market insights, at Vertis.

WindStrand(TM) Allows Longer, Stiffer, Lighter Blades for up to 20 Percent Less Cost Than Other High-Performance Materials Product is First Application of Company's New Stronger, Lighter High-Performance Reinforcement Platform, HiPer-tex(TM) TOLEDO, Ohio, Feb. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Owens Corning (BULLETIN BOARD: OWENQ) announced at the European Wind Energy Conference and Exhibition in Athens, Greece, a breakthrough single-end roving and knitted fabric, WindStrand(TM), which will allow the wind energy market to take another step forward in competing successfully against other alternative energy sources by reducing the cost per kilowatt-hour (kwh). The product will allow turbine manufacturers to increase blade lengths by as much as six percent and deliver up to 12 percent more power -- for up to 20 percent less cost than any competing carbon-glass hybrid solution currently on the market.

Partnership increases availability of RADEL(R) R polyphenylsulfone to medical industry in North America ALPHARETTA, Ga., Feb. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Solvay Advanced Polymers, L.L.C. has signed an agreement with Modern Plastics, Inc., a Bridgeport, Conn.-based plastics distribution company, to distribute RADEL(R) R polyphenylsulfone to the medical industry in North America.