MILL VALLEY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 31, 2006--When home and business owners think of products that can decrease energy costs, typically they think of anything that uses power. The NanaWall(R) opening glass wall system from NANA WALL SYSTEMS may not use power, but it can save money on energy bills. The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded the esteemed ENERGY STAR qualification to the NanaWall(R) models SL70, SL50, WD66 and WA67. Because the closed NanaWall(R) seals remain air tight when closed, hot or cold air does not breach the barrier. This helps the inside temperature to remain at a constant level, cutting heating and cooling costs. The NanaWall(R) utilizes insulated glass with low-E film to ensure proper insulation from extreme temperatures. The aluminum framed SL70 and SL50 models are thermally broken to prevent temperatures from transferring from the outside in, and visa versa. The WD66 and WA67 models are framed with wood, which is the best insulator of all the materials. "We are very excited to receive ENERGY STAR approval," said Ebrahim Nana, president of NANA WALL SYSTEMS. "With four of our most popular NanaWall(R) models meeting the ENERGY STAR qualifications, we hope to provide new architectural opportunities to those concerned about energy efficient design." Every ENERGY STAR qualified window, door, or skylight, including the NanaWall(R), is independently tested and certified to perform at levels that meet or exceed strict energy efficiency criteria set by the U.S. Department of Energy. The NanaWall(R) consists of floor to ceiling glass panels that utilize an overhead track system to easily open or close, acting as both a window and a door. The NanaWall(R) folds and stacks to the side, opening the entire room to increase space and redefine boundaries. When closed, the NanaWall(R) provides weather tight, sound efficient privacy. For more information about NANA WALL SYSTEMS, INC., part of the Solarlux International Group, or the NanaWall(R) opening glass wall products, call NANA WALL SYSTEMS, INC. at (800) 873-5673, or visit the award-winning Web site (including an extensive photo gallery, case studies, and complete animations of the NanaWall(R)) at www.nanawall.com.

PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 30, 2006--PDG Environmental, Inc. (OTC BB: PDGE), a leading provider of environmental remediation and specialty contracting services, announced that it has been awarded a number of contracts for mold remediation, reconstruction, and related services in Mississippi and Florida. These projects all relate to recovery work still being performed in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma. Of the total, two contracts at a large military complex in Mississippi are worth, in aggregate, over $8.5 million, to be completed by the end of October. In addition, work has begun on two "indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity" (IDIQ) contracts, issued by a multi-county government agency in Florida, for mold remediation and reconstruction; while the ultimate value of these IDIQ contracts to PDGE is not yet determined, the funded budget is in excess of $15 million. "These projects show the continued strong demand for reconstruction work following the devastating effects of last year's hurricanes," commented chairman and chief executive officer John Regan. "Both in Florida and along the Gulf Coast, there appears to be an acceleration in awarding such projects, as local communities strive to improve the impacted areas for residents and visitors alike. Our pipeline of opportunities remains very active, and we do not see any slowing of demand for our expanded mold remediation, reconstruction, and disaster recovery services as we head into this year's hurricane season."

BOCA RATON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 26, 2006--Quincy Johnson, Jones, Myott, Williams, Acevedo, Vaughn, Architects Inc. turned 30 this Spring. Founded in 1976 by Quincy R. Johnson III, who recently announced his retirement, the firm is now under the new leadership of Partners Richard C. Jones, Steve E. Myott, James R. Williams, Rodolfo C. Acevedo, and Robert E. Vaughn. "We are poised for growth over the next 30 years," says Richard Jones. "Our design talent, commitment to service, and integration of the latest technologies give us the competitive edge." Frequently recognized as a leader in the industry, QJJMWAV has been featured multiple times in Southeast Construction's 100 Top Design Firms, Multi-Housing News' Top Multi-Housing Architects, and the South Florida Business Journal's Top Architectural firms. Having collected numerous awards in various categories over the years the firm prides itself on its diversity. Each Partner under the new leadership brings a unique quality to the firm that when combined ensures consistency on projects from conception to completion. "We have a synergy amongst the Partners," said Jones. "We share a common vision to be the leaders in the design of our built environment." About QJJMWAV: Quincy Johnson, Jones, Myott, Williams, Acevedo, Vaughn Architects, Inc. is a 30 year-old, full-service architectural firm headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, and is registered in multiple states nationwide. The firm maintains a staff of 50 professionals and support personnel to provide innovative exterior and interior design and 3D visualization to the residential, commercial, retail and hospitality industries. For additional information call 561-997-9997, or visit the website at http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.qjjmwav.com.

NEWPORT BEACH, CA – May 25, 2006 – Hacker Industries, Inc., the leading supplier of gypsum floor underlayments, sound abatement products and self-leveling underlayments, announces the addition of James Longo as Technical Service Manager to its team of underlayment specialists. In his new role, Longo will lead the technical and product development efforts related to the company’s new self-leveling underlayments - DYNA-SCREED® SLU and TRUE-SCREED® CLU. Longo will provide proactive consultation to Hacker Industries, Inc.’s Licensed Applicators, coordinate and facilitate competitive analyses, provide internal technical training, and assist with proposals, writing specifications, and provide technical assistance to architects, general contractors and floor covering professionals. Longo has extensive experience in the specialty flooring installation business working with numerous manufacturers of epoxy products, finished floor coverings, and moisture control products. Over the past 13 years in the flooring industry he became well-versed in surface preparation methods and is knowledgeable about self-leveling underlayments & toppings, epoxies, polished concrete, chemical hardeners and more. Since 1983, Hacker Industries, Inc. has supplied value to the construction community by delivering only the highest quality floor underlayments. With over a billion square feet installed nationwide, the full line of FIRM-FILL Gypsum Concretes, GYP-SPAN Radiant and Hacker Sound Mats provide the solution to the most demanding project specifications. The recently introduced self-leveling product line – TRUE-SCREED® CLU and DYNA-SCREED® SLU - is desirable for fast-track renovation projects over damaged or cracked concrete floors. Hacker Floor Underlayments are listed in over 84 UL floor/ceiling assemblies and achieve excellent STC and IIC sound ratings. For more information about Hacker Industries, Inc. or for the name of a Licensed Applicator in your area, please call (800) 642-3455, visit http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.HackerIndustries.com or e-mail info@hackerindustries.com

Granite Certified by DuPont Broadens Spectrum of Premium Surfacing Solutions WILMINGTON, Del., May 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- As the global leader in the surfaces industry, DuPont is expanding its surfaces portfolio by launching Granite Certified by DuPont, the company's first all-natural stone surface. The company's addition of granite to its surfaces offering responds to the growing demand for premium-grade material and provides consumers and designers with a broader spectrum of premium surfacing solutions. "With this newest offering, DuPont continues our leadership role in the surfaces industry -- providing customers with the unsurpassed performance, selection and service they expect from a leader," said Mark P. Vergnano, vice president and general manager - DuPont Building Innovations. "For example, the demand for granite has grown tremendously over the last few years, leading to a reduction in quality. In response, the new Granite Certified by DuPont undergoes an extremely careful inspection and selection process to assure the product meets the rigorous quality standards set by DuPont. In addition, it is protected by an innovative DuPont proprietary sealant that fills in natural cracks, helps repel stains and maintains the stone's natural hue." Granite Certified by DuPont is available in 15 core colors with an expanded retail channel offering based on regional market needs. DuPont also has trained and authorized each installer to assure that customers' overall installation experience of Granite Certified by DuPont is positive.

VALLEY FORGE, Pa., May 22 /PRNewswire/ -- CertainTeed Corporation, one of North America's leading building products manufacturers, continues its commitment to high-quality standards by meeting the stringent GREENGUARD Product Emission Standard for Children and Schools(TM). CertainTeed fiber glass insulation batts, wraps and premium blowing wool products, including InsulSafe(R)4 and OPTIMA(R), all meet the rigorous criteria. "Our fiber glass insulation is designed to improve indoor comfort, and that includes thermal performance, acoustical performance and having a positive impact on indoor air quality. I'm proud our products have received the stamp of approval by GREENGUARD for use in schools," says Howard Deck, President of CertainTeed's Insulation Group. Developed by the industry-independent GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI), the tough new scientific standard provides school administrators, facility professionals, parents and teachers an accessible guideline for finding low-emission products and materials for use in daycare facilities and schools. Products that have passed the GREENGUARD Product Emission Standard for Children and Schools test can be found online at http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.greenguard.com/ . According to GEI, a typical school can have up to four times as many occupants as an office building for the same amount of floor space, leading to much greater occupant density. And because children are still growing and breathe proportionately more air than adults, indoor pollutants can cause more severe health effects in children. Products, such as CertainTeed fiber glass insulation, can more effectively protect school children from exposure to high levels of potentially harmful pollutants. "CertainTeed continues to support the betterment of indoor air quality by manufacturing quality insulation with low emissions. Ability to meet the new criteria for children and schools is testament to CertainTeed's commitment to the community, their customers and our children," says Carl Smith, CEO and executive director of GEI.

In and out of the home, transparent window film helps block harmful solar rays SAN DIEGO, May 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Bekaert offers solar protection window films that provide an extra layer of protection for people concerned about the harmful effects of the sun on their skin. Excessive exposure to the sun, which can even occur while enjoying a break in your local coffee house, increases the likelihood of developing skin cancer. In fact, the most common form of skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma) affects 800,000 Americans each year, according to The Skin Cancer Foundation. Bekaert developed technically advanced window films that help block harmful ultraviolet radiation (UVR) without altering the appearance of homes or automobiles. "We think it is important during Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month to let consumers know that our Panorama window films can protect their skin from the damaging rays of the sun," said Christophe Fremont, General Manager. "Even more reassuring may be the fact that our Panorama window films have the Seal of Recommendation from The Skin Cancer Foundation, recognizing Panorama window films as effective protection against ultraviolet light." The Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated solely to skin cancer prevention and education, has stringent qualifications for product endorsement, developed by an independent committee of photo biologists. They include the repeated testing of a product's SPF factor and evaluation of phototoxic reactions and contact irritation. Today's Panorama window films are available in a variety of tints that also include clear. These technically advanced films offer solar protection plus protection from dangerous shards of broken glass. In addition, they impede burglaries by slowing down ingress through smashing windows and other glass areas.

TUSTIN, Calif., and SPARTANBURG, S.C., May 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Permlight and Progress Lighting announced that the launch of a complete line of over 50 new LED residential lighting fixtures will be introduced at Pacific Coast Builders Conference (www.pcbc.com) on June 20, 2006 at a massive HI-EF LED Launch Event held at The Marriott Hotel in San Francisco from 6-10pm. The hotel is walking distance and across the street from the Moscone Center. Event: Name: HI-EF Residential LED Line Introduction Location: The Marriott Hotel 55 Fourth Street, San Francisco, CA http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/marriott.com/property/propertypage/SFODT Time: 6-10pm Items Served: Happy Hour and Appetizers Coincides with: Pacific Coast Builders Conference www.pcbc.com Permlight Products, the leading developer of patented thermally managed and modular LED lighting systems and Progress Lighting, a division of Hubbell Lighting, the leading North American supplier of residential lighting fixtures to the new construction market, will be showcasing a complete line of Title 24 (California Energy Code) and Title 22 (California Hazardous Waste Code) compliant products that consume up to 20X less power than conventional lighting fixtures. The two companies also announced that its upcoming new recessed LED can trim has been tested by California Lighting Technology Center (CLTC) and been shown to comply with Title 24 and be in excess of 40LPW. The new fixture features warm white (2750K) output, is fully dimmable using standard off-the-shelf dimmers, contains no mercury or cadmium, and is expected to be priced below dimmable fluorescent recessed cans. The new product consumes 1/2 the power of conventional fluorescent systems and 5X less than comparable incandescent systems.

NEWINGTON, Conn., May 17 /PRNewswire/ -- The industry's leading water- resistant concrete form is now available for purchase throughout the northeastern United States. Based in Connecticut, A.H. Harris & Sons, Inc. has begun to distribute new Sonotube(R) with RainGuard(TM) concrete forms at its 38 locations throughout the Northeast. Manufactured by Sonoco, new Sonotube with RainGuard brand forms incorporate a proprietary, high-strength, water-resistant paper that allows contractors to set them in wet weather and pour concrete the next day. This gives contractors additional scheduling flexibility to complete their construction projects on time. "We're pleased to be able to bring this kind of innovation to our customers," said Saul Mazur, director of marketing at A.H. Harris. "We are constantly looking for products that will help our contractors and builders save time and money. Our ability to offer them a breakthrough product like Sonotube, which makes wet weather less of a detrimental factor, is very exciting." In 2005, Sonoco conducted extensive market research to understand the unmet needs and issues facing contractors who use fiber concrete forms. Out of a list of 14 issues, contractors most frequently mentioned rain or inclement weather as the top issue that inhibits their ability to complete a job within the committed timeframe. The forms are used for a wide variety of applications, including light poles, outdoor signposts and columns for residential and commercial buildings. Sonoco leveraged more than a century of paper making experience to re- engineer its Sonotube concrete column forms. The outcome is a proprietary fiber form with improved strength, toughness and durability in wet conditions that has resulted in superior strength-to-weight properties and the virtual elimination of "blowouts" -- the most frequent mode of failure of wet fiber concrete forms. http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.sonoco.com

ST. LOUIS, May 15 /PRNewswire/ -- When building or purchasing a home, chances are that you will have it inspected, and with good reason. Your home likely represents your largest investment, and you want to be sure it is in good condition before you buy. During the inspection, don't neglect the floors. Flooring represents the home's largest horizontal surface, and if you have wood floors underfoot, there are some things you'll want to look for. Wood floors should be inspected from a standing position in normal lighting. It is important to understand that no two floor boards are identical. Appearance variations are normal. As the floor ages, color change can occur. This is normal, but can be minimized by limiting direct sunlight exposure, and periodically moving furniture and rugs. Wood is a natural product and gaps naturally occur with the changing seasons. When humidity levels are high, wood floors will expand. When humidity levels are low, they will contract. Any gaps measuring the thickness of a dime or less are normal; however, with boards wider than 2-1/4 inches, larger gaps are considered normal. Square edged floors will show more gaps than beveled floors, and light floors will show more gaps than dark floors. These gaps can be minimized using the home's HVAC system to control humidity levels. Squeaky floors can have several causes, including subfloor systems, nailing schedules, the type or amount of adhesive used, and even exposure to excessive moisture or dryness. Chances are that isolated noises can be fixed easily, but a certified wood flooring inspector will be your best bet in identifying, isolating, and eliminating these kinds of problems.

Atlantic Design & Manufacturing 2006 Booth 107 PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 11, 2006--ALGOR, Inc., a leading provider of design, analysis and simulation software, announced that it will showcase its latest software release, ALGOR V19.1, at Atlantic Design & Manufacturing 2006, being held from June 6 - 8, 2006 in New York, New York. The East Coast's premier design and manufacturing event, Atlantic Design & Manufacturing 2006, will allow attendees to meet with hundreds of leading suppliers in the aerospace/aviation, defense, electronics, industrial equipment, medical, telecommunications and other high-tech industries. During the event, ALGOR will show how its finite element analysis (FEA) software can help companies virtually test and predict real-world behavior of new and existing product designs, speed up time to market and make better, safer products at a lower cost. ALGOR FEA features an easy-to-use single user interface, FEMPRO, which provides direct CAD/CAE data exchange and full associativity with most CAD solid modelers. This allows engineers to simply choose the analysis tools they need, giving them access to ALGOR's wide range of design, analysis and simulation capabilities including static stress and Mechanical Event Simulation (MES) with linear and nonlinear material models, linear dynamics, fatigue, steady-state and transient heat transfer, steady and unsteady fluid flow, electrostatics, full multiphysics and piping. "At Atlantic Design & Manufacturing 2006, attendees will see free demonstrations of how our wide range of analysis and simulation tools can have an immediate, positive impact on their design and manufacturing process - resulting in savings of time and money," said ALGOR Product Manager, Bob Williams. "Attendees will see our latest software release, V19.1, which features support for the 64-bit HP-UX(R) operating system for all analysis types, a new gasket material model and element type for accurately simulating mechanical seals, report publishing to the PDF file format, equilibrium temperature calculation for heat transfer results, the ability to display fluid flow results as streaklines and much more."

Visitors to Galleries in Nation's Capital Can Tour an Actual Model Home Designed by One of the Nation's Most Influential Young Architects On View: May 20, 2006 through June 3, 2007 WASHINGTON, May 9 /PRNewswire/ -- If Mr. Blandings were building his dream house today, it would be green -- in the environmental sense that is. While most Americans regard home ownership as nothing short of a birthright, rapidly escalating costs of land, energy, and materials are fueling a growing interest in sustainability in home design and construction. The growing mandate for green design in home building is explored comprehensively for the first time by the National Building Museum in the exhibition "The Green House: New Directions in Sustainable Architecture and Design." The milestone exhibition will be on view from May 20, 2006 through June 3, 2007, and will be supported by a fully-illustrated book; a major scholarly symposium; a wide array of tours, talks, workshops and special family programming; and a website focusing on the marketplace, methods, principles, and history of sustainable design. "The Green House" will reveal the exciting trends in green technology, materials, and design, yielding homes that are as aesthetically compelling as they are environmentally friendly. Featuring an international survey of 20 contemporary residences by such architects as American William McDonough, Australian Peter Carmichael, and German Werner Sobek -- plus a full-size, furnished version of architect Michelle Kaufmann's Glidehouse(TM) -- "The Green House" will answer key questions: What makes a home or product green? How is a green home healthier, safer, and more comfortable? What are the costs of going green? Visitors will emerge armed with useful knowledge about how to lead more sustainable lives. "The Green House: New Directions in Sustainable Architecture and Design" is presented by The Home Depot Foundation with generous support from the ASID Foundation of the American Society of Interior Designers, Bosch home appliances, Portland Cement Association, Benjamin Moore(R) Paints, EPA/Energy Star, The Nathan Cummings Foundation, U.S. Department of Energy, Band Inc., Global Green, James G. Davis Construction Corporation, The American Institute of Architects, National Association of Home Builders, Smith & Fong Plyboo(R), U.S. Green Building Council, 3form Inc., Andersen Corporation, Brighton Cabinetry, Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co., Hardwood Manufacturers Association, Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates PC, MBCI, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS(R), Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, and The Tower Companies. Dwell is the exclusive media partner.

FORT MYERS, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 8, 2006--Cameratta Properties is pleased to announce the opening of a new design center, CP Interiors. The design studio will offer private selection consultations and interior design services to the future residents of High Point Place and First Street Village, as well as the Fort Myers community. With a combined 35 years of experience in the field, the CP Interiors design team has perfected an effortless selection process. From faucets to fabrics, customize every square inch of your new home by just visiting the CP Interiors Design Center. The professional design consultants will offer their undivided attention to insure your new home truly reflects your personal style. Rest assured, the design center has everything you've ever dreamed of and more in the fully appointed showcase rooms. Their selection showcase features top of the line, gourmet kitchen packages, ceramic and marble tile, the finest grade carpet, laminate and hardwood flooring, as well as, imported marble and granite countertops. Other available options include built-in custom closet systems and full selection of designer window treatments. The highlight of the decor showcase is an extensive library of handpicked fabrics. Customize and coordinate your upholstered furniture, window treatments, bedding and pillows with the finest designer fabrics and trimmings from all over the world. CP Interiors has also compiled a vast array of lighting options and an extensive collection of furniture books to capture your unique style.

BOCA RATON, Fla., May 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Looking for someone reliable to repair your roof, pour a pool patio, design a den or clean a carpet? For residents of the Sunshine State, finding a home services provider of any kind is now possible with the ease of your mouse. At the new floridahomeservicesdirectory.com, every imaginable home service is easy to find on one user-friendly website. Searches are free and no enrollment is required. Whether seeking home repair, renovation or general maintenance, homeowners and other consumers can search floridahomeservicesdirectory.com to locate a wide range of services. The listings include scores of categories and thousands of home service businesses that can be searched by type and geographic location. The key feature of the site is that visitors can conveniently access information in any of three ways: by zip code, Florida county, or type of service throughout the state. The site also is of interest to business owners who are seeking economical exposure. According to Ron Barnhard, President of Boca Raton-based Qread, which created floridahomeservicesdirectory.com, "Smart business operators understand the importance of marketing. Increasingly, business owners are finding the Internet key to promoting their businesses, now that nearly every homeowner is computer savvy."

Kicks Off Month of Events With 'Smartest Home in America' Contest IRVINE, Calif., May 4 /PRNewswire/ -- SmartLabs, Inc., the world's leading provider of home automation and electronic home improvement products, will celebrate electronic home improvement month during May. It will host events throughout the month and kick off the celebration today with its "Smartest Home in America" contest. While many think of home improvement as remodeling bathrooms and upgrading kitchen countertops, there is a much simpler and more cost effective way to add value to your home called electronic home improvement. SmartLabs, Inc. and its subsidiary Smarthome.com are championing this new concept in home improvement and want homeowners to know that there are simple, affordable and easy to install products available that add convenience, safety and fun to the home. Electronic home improvement means upgrading your home's electrical switches that control lights, ceiling and ventilation fans and other devices is a simple way to add value to your home. It's simple to do and it does not have to cost a lot of money. SmartLabs products have a "smart" technology built-in called INSTEON, which enables their switches to "talk" to each other, making installation simple and creating the foundation for a home control network. The "Smartest Home in America" contest is designed to find out the best new ideas of how homeowners are improving everyday life in the home through automation. The grand prize winner will receive a $1,000 shopping spree at Smarthome.com. The second prize will receive a $500 gift certificate and the third prize winner $250. To enter, contestants simply visit www.smarthome.com/ehihacontest.html complete the entry from and describe how they have electronically improved their home.

Alexandria, Va. (April 12, 2006): The Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) and AEC Daily have launched the first of 10 online education modules for the Construction Documents Education Program. Topics available thus far include: * Introduction and Overview of Construction Documents * Construction Documents * Agreements, Contract Document and Document Relationships * Project Delivery Concepts * Conditions of the Contract * Procurement and Project Document Modifications These courses are available free of charge and are a recommended resource for individuals participating in the Construction Documents Technology (CDT) Program. The online courses do not replace the official CDT study guide, which is available at www.csinet.org (click "Certification"). The CDT certificate program is designed to enhance participant’s knowledge of writing, interpreting, enforcing, or managing construction documents. To earn the CDT designation, participants must successfully complete a comprehensive two-hour examination. Project architects, contractors, contract administrators, material suppliers, and manufacturers’ representatives are all realizing the advantages of being Construction Documents Technologists. Professionals who pass the CDT exam may use the suffix "CDT" after their names. The CDT exam was recently revised to reflect the Project Resource Manual – The CSI Manual of Practice. "CSI online courses are excellent avenues for continuing education," said Tracy Lofty, CSI’s Director of Professional Development. "You’re able to complete a course at a time and location convenient for you. In addition, you will receive one hour of AIA/CES Learning Units, which is equivalent to .1 CEUs." AEC Daily has become the leader in distance learning by building an educational resource that provides a variety of quality education in all areas of the architectural, engineering, and construction industry. With more than 70 free courses, the Online Learning Center is one of the most important features of the AEC Daily Corporation. Its courses are designed to meet all state and professional continuing education requirements. For information regarding the CSI online courses or the Construction Documents Technology (CDT) Program, visit the CSI website, www.csinet.org and click "Certification." About CSI: CSI is a national association of specifiers, architects, engineers, contractors, building materials suppliers and others involved in commercial and institutional building design and construction. The organization has 145 chapters and more than 16,000 members. CSI provides technical information and products, continuing education, professional conferences, and product shows to enhance communication among all disciplines of building design and construction. For more information, visit www.csinet.org or call 800-689-2900. About AEC Daily: AEC Daily provides access to educational resources, drag and drop compatible CAD details, building products information, industry news, discussion forums and much more. The services of AEC Daily are made available to architects, engineers, owners, interior designers, and construction professionals at no charge.

TEMPE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 2, 2006--AirToolz Software, provider of the AirWavz construction scheduling and communications solution is pleased to announce an enterprisewide software agreement with Kimball Hill Homes. Based in Rolling Meadows, Ill., Kimball Hill Homes(R) is a top 25 U.S. homebuilder with revenues in fiscal 2005 of more than $1.1 billion. Known for its award-winning designs for new homes and neighborhoods in nine states and 17 major markets, the company chose to expand a successful regional partnership into a national agreement with AirToolz Software. The AirToolz Software solution uniquely offers builders the best of both worlds: a reliable handheld piece providing instant response without a wireless connection; and a Web-based portion which gives management visibility into all aspects of the build process such as build schedule changes, slippage and trade performance reports. By implementing AirWavz technology nationwide, Kimball Hill Homes will continue a track record of success with AirWavz through improved schedule efficiency, reduced operating expenses, build cycle timesavings and detailed performance reporting throughout the entire build process. Surveys of current Kimball Hill users conclude that the AirWavz handheld responds instantly and is easy to use, providing a true stand-alone, connection-free electronic walkbook. The AirWavz handheld allows construction managers to spend more time walking homes and less time in the trailer working on administrative tasks. Some of the field staff for Kimball Hill are reportedly spending two to three hours less per day in the trailer, allowing them to spend more time walking their homes. Kimball Hill Homes is one of the largest private homebuilders in the United States. AirToolz Software has been providing the residential building market with proven construction scheduling and communication solutions for more than six years. AirToolz provides builders and their trade partners with solutions that improve the consistency of the building process, increase accountability between the participants, lower costs and increase profits. AirToolz is committed to ensuring builders' success and value with best-of-breed and proven easy-to-use handheld and Web-based software solutions. AirToolz is revolutionizing homebuilding with wireless communication tools that streamline all phases of the building process. www.AirToolz.com

ATLANTA, April 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Revolutionary flexible molding technology is now available to designers and homeowners with the introduction of Arstyl(R) Flex from NMC America. NMC is the innovator in wood-alternative moldings. Arstyl Flex molding curves around walls allowing creative design to flow throughout the home. Arstyl Flex moldings are compatible with the corresponding traditional Arstyl(R) moldings, including pilasters and ceiling centers, to create a complete look in every room. Similar to the traditional Arstyl moldings, Arstyl Flex provides architects, builders and designers with a quality polyurethane material. This lightweight, easy to install molding meets the most stringent quality standards and ensures the right fit every time. NMC manufactures the Arstyl collection using aluminum molds. This assures the most consistent part to part matching to prevent installation hassles or delays and to create the deepest and sharpest ornamental design detail possible. Furthermore, the moldings are produced with an outer foil and an acrylic primer. This provides the smoothest surface and the best paint bonding possible for long-term protection against scratches and humidity infiltration. The products are then coated with an acrylic primer so they are ready to paint or stain. The Arstyl line offers over 170 SKU's including crown moldings, picture framing, ceiling medallions, corbels, columns and pilasters that work together to create the ultimate fashion look for every room in the house. As a member of Responsible Care, NMC is dedicated to preserving the environment through creating wood-alternative products that are CFC and HCFC free.