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Texas Rangers Team With Reliant Energy and Rebuilding Together to Make Homes More Energy Efficient

July 27, 2006

ARLINGTON, Texas, July 25 /PRNewswire/ -- The Texas Rangers Baseball Club and Reliant Energy, along with the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), are teaming with the local chapter of Rebuilding Together Greater Dallas to help three local homeowners make their homes more energy efficient during the hot Texas summer. Today, July 25, Texas Rangers outfielder Kevin Mench, along with Reliant Energy volunteers and Reliant Home Energy Advisors, will take part in a Rebuilding Together event to significantly improve the energy efficiency of three Dallas homes and help lower the electricity bills for the deserving homeowners. Volunteers will replace light bulbs, re-caulk window frames, install new window air-conditioning units and update some household appliances. "The Texas Rangers are proud to be part of this community initiative with our partners at Reliant Energy," stated Rangers President Jeff Cogen. "We hope that our involvement will help Rebuilding Together make a difference in Greater Dallas." "The Texas Rangers and Rebuilding Together are valued community partners of Reliant Energy, and today's event demonstrates the power of that partnership to improve the lives of North Texans," said Reliant Energy Vice President Gregg Hollenberg. Reliant Energy also will donate $100 to Rebuilding Together Greater Dallas for every home run hit by the Texas Rangers at Ameriquest Field in Arlington during the 2006 season. Known as "Home Runs for Homes," this program will contribute to repairs and reconstruction during the fall and winter months. Rebuilding Together is the nation's premiere charity providing low-income homeowners with home repairs, reconstruction, and home modification services through a network of affiliates and volunteers. The mission of Rebuilding Together Greater Dallas is to insure that low-income, elderly homeowners, individuals with disabilities, and families with children live in proper housing that will give them warmth, safety and independence. The Greater Dallas chapter of Rebuilding Together has been assisting homeowners in need for the last three years and has repaired more than 25 homes in the Dallas area during 2006. The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) is made up of contractors, design-building firms, manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, subcontractors, and other professionals who work in the remodeling industry. NARI develops and maintains programs that expand and unite the remodeling industry and as an independent association, requires its members to follow its code of ethics and follow sound business practices.
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TimberTech(R) DrySpace Named Most Valuable Product

July 27, 2006

Recommended By Contractors and Deck Builders - WILMINGTON, Ohio, July 25 /PRNewswire/ -- TimberTech(R) DrySpace reigns victorious as a recipient of Building Products' 2006 Most Valuable Product (MVP) Award, for the contractor-recommended and revolutionary deck drainage system. A new building product ideal for second-story decks, DrySpace collects the water that falls between the gaps in the planks and channels it away, leaving a dry and functional space below. A panel of respected builders and remodelers chose DrySpace as the MVP for exterior products based on superior quality and value to contractors. The solution-oriented product is easily installed to the underside of any new or existing deck spanning 12", 16" or 24" on-center. Homeowners appreciate the added functionality and storage DrySpace provides below a deck without the hassle or expense of a renovation project. DrySpace also lightens and brightens the area under a deck with its off-white color for a clean, finished look. "The popularity surrounding DrySpace continues for this innovative product. Homeowners love the benefits of DrySpace and also the look it provides for a fully finished deck, down to the details. We are thrilled to be recognized as the 'Most Valuable Product' and look forward to our deck builders continuing to benefit from its features," says Jeffrey Burr, TimberTech Product Manager. Award-winning DrySpace is featured in the July/August issue of Building Products and on various Web sites. The system is sold in kits or by bulk, which allows for purchasing only the needed amount. Builders and homeowners can trust the quality of DrySpace, made only of solid extruded vinyl, providing maximum strength, durability and weather resistance. "Everybody we put DrySpace in for really liked it. It's not very difficult to install, and it's great that it's sold by piece price. If I'm putting in a 10' x 30' deck, I don't need to buy the kit, so there's virtually no waste. We haven't had any call backs on the product," says Tim Clyde, Owner of Vinyl Specialist. DrySpace is backed by a 5-year limited warranty, which covers material defects. To receive a free TimberTech brochure or to find a local TimberTech dealer, call 800-307-7780 or visit www.timbertech.com for more information. TimberTech is a leading manufacturer of wood composite decking products for residential and commercial use. TimberTech offers a wide variety of wood composite decking profiles including the industry's leading Floorizon decking plank. All TimberTech products are available through a nationwide network of lumberyards and building products dealers. The company is a leader in the research, development and marketing of long lasting, low-maintenance decking products. TimberTech is a Crane Plastics Company.
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McHugh Building Chicago's First Cable-Stayed Bridge

July 25, 2006

CHICAGO, July 24 /PRNewswire/ -- In a city famed for the quantity and variety of its bridges, cable-stayed and suspension bridges have been noticeably absent, but no more. James McHugh Construction Co. has begun the preliminaries to erect a hybrid cable stayed/suspension bridge over the Chicago River at North Avenue, company officials announced. An unusual blend of a self-anchored suspension bridge and a cable-stayed bridge, the North Avenue Bridge will be one of the first such hybrid systems in the country, according to Mike Gould, McHugh senior vice president of infrastructure construction. The City of Chicago's Department of Transportation selected McHugh as general contractor for the $19.7 million project. HNTB Corp. is the design architect, with Chicago-based Muller and Muller the consulting architects. McHugh has contracted with Chicago-based H.W. Lochner Inc. and Tampa, Fla.-based Bridge Concepts for construction engineering. Most cable bridges are either suspension -- think Golden Gate Bridge, with the "draping" look -- or cable stayed -- think Sunshine Skyway, with its straight lines. The clean lines of the North Avenue Bridge will feature both, with stainless steel cladding and architectural uplighting. Actual construction of the bridge will comprise only the last part of this multiphase project. McHugh first will erect a temporary vehicular and pedestrian bridge over the Chicago River. It is scheduled for completion in August. Next, the team will demolish the old bridge, an inoperable bascule bridge, through November. After that, the contracting team must relocate and adjust utilities. Finally, erection of the bridge will take place in winter of 2006 through spring of 2007, with completion targeted for August 2007. The new, 420-foot span actually features three separate segments. The east and west approach spans will be supported by the cable stays. The middle span, over the river, will be supported by the suspension cable system. Both of these systems will share two sets of support pylons, constructed of built- up, rolled stainless steel plates. As part of the project, McHugh will create wide, accessible sidewalks and landscaped plazas around and beneath each pier of the bridge on both sides of North Avenue and the riverbanks. Founded in 1897, McHugh is one of Chicago's oldest and largest general contracting, construction management and consulting firms.
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The Future of Residential Lighting is Now - Permlight LED Lighting Used in Warmington Fiori Homes in Carlsbad California

July 24, 2006

TUSTIN, Calif., July 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Permlight announced today that it continues to drive forward with massive adoption of its residential LED technology in the new home construction market with the opening of the Fiori at La Costa Ridge model homes built by Warmington Homes. The Fiori at La Costa Ridge homes range in size from 3,500 - 5,000 square feet and use the newest and highest technology lighting product available in the market. The line of Enbryten HI-EF LEDs are used for overhead lighting and undercabinet lighting and offer warm white lighting at 1/5th the power of comparable incandescent lighting. "The acceptance of our LED lighting technology in homes is taking off quickly," commented Stephanie Moon, Residential Sales Manager of Permlight. "We see Warmington Homes as being one of the most progressive builders in California by offering LED lighting as a standard feature in their homes. The lighting will last 15-20 years before it needs to be replaced, is fully dimmable, and doesn't contain an ounce of hazardous materials like fluorescent lighting." Permlight's line of Enbryten products won the Green Building product of the year award in 2005 and are being used extensively by homebuilders in California to comply with Title 24, a new Energy law. Four generations ago, the Warmington name achievd recognition as one of the region's foremost builders of classic estate homes for some of the decade's emerging screen legends including Claudette Colbert, Bing Crosby, Henry Fonda, Tyrone Power and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. By the 1930's Warmington had become unofficially known as the "builder to the stars," and was designing and building custom homes in some of the country's most prestigious locations -- Beverly Hills, Bel Air and Westwood, among others. In the 1940's Warmington began to make a mark in the homebuilding industry by creating well-planned neighborhoods designed to meet the needs of the middle American family. Although less grand in scale, these homes reflected the same quality craftsmanship and attention to detail that were present in the grand estate homes first built.
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NOVA Chemicals and Dietrich Metal Framing Form Joint Venture to Produce New, Energy-Efficient Building Systems

July 21, 2006

PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 20, 2006--NOVA Chemicals Corporation (NYSE:NCX) and Dietrich Metal Framing, a Worthington Industries company (NYSE:WOR), today announced they have formed a 50:50 joint venture that will develop and manufacture durable, energy-saving composite construction products and systems. The joint venture combines Dietrich's expertise in light-gauge steel framing with NOVA Chemicals' expandable polystyrene (EPS) technology to produce strong, efficient building systems for residential and light commercial use. "We are very pleased to partner with Dietrich, the industry leader in metal framing, to introduce construction products that meet the growing demand for durable, energy-saving structures that are also cost-effective to build," said Tony Torres, vice president of NOVA Chemicals' Building and Construction business. The joint venture's building products will provide many advantages to building owners and homeowners over traditional wood construction including lower heating and cooling costs, improved strength and durability under adverse weather conditions and resistance to termites and mold. The joint venture's panelized composite building systems also are expected to reduce labor costs and time-to-completion over "stick-built" construction. "By combining the extensive experience of NOVA Chemicals and Dietrich in manufacturing and construction, we can offer innovative construction products that feature the design advantages and strength of steel as well as the thermal and sound insulation of EPS," said Ed Ponko, president of Dietrich Metal Framing. The new joint venture is expected to be fully operational by January 2007 and will have offices in Pittsburgh. Andy Claypole, currently director of NOVA Chemicals' Building and Construction business, will serve as president and general manager of the new joint venture. "We are delighted to introduce construction products that help builders stay competitive in a dynamic and demanding marketplace - and help building owners reduce ownership costs," said Claypole. Dietrich Metal Framing, a Worthington Industries company (NYSE:WOR), operates 26 manufacturing locations throughout the U.S. and Canada. Dietrich is the leading manufacturer of light-gauge metal framing and finishing products, systems and services for commercial and residential construction. Dietrich offers the largest selection of cold-formed steel framing and drywall finishing products including drywall and structural metal stud framing, contour flexible track framing, floor joists, roof trusses, metal lath, fire-rated assemblies including h-stud for area separation and CT studs for shaft walls. Dietrich also offers one of the largest selection of clips and connectors, numerous deflection systems including slotted slip track and an extensive line of metal, vinyl and paper-faced corner beads and trims. Worthington Industries is a leading diversified metal processing company with annual sales of nearly $3 billion. The Columbus, Ohio-based company is North America's premier value-added steel processor and a leader in manufactured metal products such as automotive aftermarket stampings, pressure cylinders, metal framing, metal ceiling grid systems and laser-welded blanks. NOVA Chemicals produces plastics and chemicals that are essential to everyday life. The company develops and manufactures materials for customers worldwide that produce consumer, industrial and packaging products. NOVA Chemicals works with a commitment to Responsible Care(R) to ensure effective health, safety, security and environmental stewardship.
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Minimize Hurricane Damage With Attention to Building Envelope

July 19, 2006

TACOMA, Wash., July 18 /PRNewswire/ -- The six-month hurricane season is well underway and how your home weathers the onslaught will depend in large measure on how well your building envelope performs. Building envelopes (walls and roof) that remain intact during high wind events are less likely to experience catastrophic failure than those with breeched windows, doors and roof elements. APA - The Engineered Wood Association offers several recommendations to help builders and homeowners improve their structure's survival odds. "The first measure of defense when building in high wind regions is to fully sheath the home with wood structural panels. Using plywood or oriented strand board (OSB) walls is the best-known way to strengthen wood frame buildings," said Bryan Readling, a staff engineer with APA's Field Services Division. Flying debris is a significant cause of damage with hurricanes and wood walls are a great defense against airborne projectiles. As part of several damage assessment teams investigating tornado and hurricane aftermath, Readling has noted that fully sheathed wood homes experience far less debris penetration. "In many instances the wood panel sheathing helped keep the structure intact," said Readling. The second area of defense concerns the roof. APA recently updated Roof Sheathing Fastening Schedules for Wind Uplift, which provides recommended nailing schedules for wood structural panel sheathing -- plywood or oriented strand board (OSB). Developed through engineering analysis and full-scale laboratory testing of wet and dry panel specimens, the schedules give nailing recommendations for 90 mph, 120 mph and 150 mph wind conditions (3-second gust). The 150 mph schedules are appropriate for most hurricane oceanline regions in the Atlantic and Gulf Coast regions. Another important consideration is the wood species of the roof framing members. According to APA research, more dense species such as Douglas-fir or southern pine provide greater nail withdrawal resistance and significantly improve the performance of the sheathing nailing. During high wind events, a home's garage opening is another vulnerable spot where breeches may occur. "We noted inadequate lateral capacity in walls adjacent to the garage opening as another mechanism which triggers large-scale failure," said Readling. Fully sheathed homes can take advantage of APA's prescriptive narrow garage wall details that permit 16-inch walls adjacent to the garage opening (International Residential Code 2006 IRC 602.10.5). APA's Narrow Walls That Work includes details for building over permanent foundations and raised wood floors. This site-built, bracing solution may be used in wind zones up to 109 mph. Keeping the windows intact under a barrage of windborne debris is imperative to a home's survival. Wood structural panels provide an effective barrier to both flying debris and the sudden pressure changes that result from minor breeches in the building envelope. APA provides two alternatives for builders and homeowners in the 18-page Hurricane Shutter Designs. The first approach provides code minimum requirements for using wood structural panels as shutters. The second approach offers five designs, which provide additional strength and stiffness beyond code requirements. These designs include several attachment options for use with masonry block and wood framed structures.
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Design Group Study Targets Sun Valley & Panorama City Improvements

July 17, 2006

SHERMAN OAKS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 14, 2006--Visioning and collaborating on a cohesive plan for revitalizing Sun Valley and Panorama City are the goals of a coalition of local architects, businesses, engineers, economic development officials, and college students in the San Fernando Valley. The American Institute of Architects (AIA), San Fernando Valley Chapter, and the Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley, have formed a cooperative partnership to develop a comprehensive study that will assess existing land-use of a 1,500-acre area in the Sun Valley-Hansen Dam community. They will then utilize a 20-member team to develop a sustainable growth plan and economic development strategy for this long neglected and environmentally challenged area. A similar team completed a Panorama City Commercial Area Concept Plan -- part of the Economic Alliance Livable Communities Council's plan to encourage the revitalization of various San Fernando Valley town centers and communities. This plan was adopted by the Los Angeles City Planning Commission as the official overlay guideline for the Central Panorama City Area, and it has attracted a number of developers and individuals, who have recognized the area's potential. The AIA and Economic Alliance have developed design plans, conceptual drawings, commercial and residential policies that will lead to a comprehensive and mutually agreeable revitalization plan. Sun Valley's proximity to two Los Angeles watersheds, its growing residential community, and its prominence as an industrial center have made it the target for economic and environmental renewal by numerous civic groups. Initial research has revealed that Sun Valley's industrial land use should be preserved and upgraded to attract and retain designed-based manufacturers. Demand for such development is validated by the area's current industrial property vacancy rate hovering at 2 percent. According to Jerry Pollak, AIA architect and project team leader, "This team is ready and dedicated to collaborate with businesses, property owners and city officials to develop plans to deal with the myriad of issues and concerns impacting this community." The AIACC represents the interests of 10,000 architects and allied professionals in California. Founded in 1944, AIACC's mission supports architects in their endeavor to improve the quality of life for all Californians by creating more livable communities, sustainable designs and quality work environments. Today the AIACC is the largest component of the national AIA organization.
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Washington Group International to Perform Clean Air System Retrofit for Allegheny Energy

July 14, 2006

BOISE, Idaho and PRINCETON, N.J., July 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Washington Group International Inc. (NASDAQ:WGII) announced today that it has been selected to provide engineering, procurement and construction services for a major environmental project at Allegheny Energy's Hatfield's Ferry power plant in Masontown, Pa. This initiative is part of Allegheny's extensive environmental stewardship program to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions. As part of the contract, Washington Group will provide certain engineering, procurement and construction services for flue gas desulfurization systems (scrubbers) at the three-unit, 1710-megawatt Hatfield's Ferry power plant. The scrubbers will be designed to remove more than 90 percent of the sulfur dioxide emissions from the station. The project is expected to be operational in 2009. "Washington Group International's ability to quickly respond to the fast-track project schedules with highly qualified resources was a key factor in Allegheny's selection of the firm," said Michael V. Herriott, vice president, Construction and Engineering Services for Allegheny Energy Supply. "Washington Group has significant air quality project experience and a proven track record. We look forward to their partnership in meeting our aggressive environmental stewardship and operational excellence goals." "We are delighted to support Allegheny in this important program to provide clean, efficient power in the mid-Atlantic," said Lou Pardi, president of Washington Group's Power Business Unit, based in Princeton, N.J. "With our technological expertise, innovative approaches and proven performance in clean air systems as well as engineering, constructing and maintaining new generation power plants, we will provide Allegheny with the superior service they've come to expect from Washington Group International over the many years we have served them." Washington Group International Inc. (NASDAQ:WGII) provides the talent, innovation, and proven performance to deliver integrated engineering, construction, and management solutions for businesses and governments worldwide. Headquartered in Boise, Idaho, with more than $3 billion in annual revenue, the company has approximately 24,000 people at work around the world providing solutions in power, environmental management, defense, oil and gas processing, mining, industrial facilities, transportation and water resources.
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Egress Windows Now Available Through U.S. Waterproofing

July 12, 2006

Attractive, Functional System Provides Hassle-Free Safety at Basement Access Points SCHAUMBURG, Ill., July 11 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. Waterproofing today announced it is now installing an Egress Basement Window System called "Escape Well." Escape Well has been developed during the past two years and now can be installed quickly and professionally, with the same high standards it has for its basement waterproofing products. Escape Well meets or exceeds most local building code requirements when a sleeping area is located in the basement and allows for easy exit in case of emergency. Should there be a fire or some other hazard that makes exiting the building via the basement stairs dangerous or impossible, the Escape Well window (also known as an escape window) provides an alternative means of exit. The U.S. Waterproofing Escape Well is constructed to be an attractive and functional addition to any home. With all construction meeting U.S. Waterproofing's exacting standards of quality workmanship, its Escape Well includes: -- An escape ladder that is securely fastened to the heavy gage corrugated metal window well liner, affording an easy climb to grade; -- An oversized 35-inch-wide x 42-inch-high (10.2 square feet) window which is large enough to be an easy exit for children or adults; small enough to preserve privacy and also allows more natural light into the basement, and; -- A welded steel grate that covers the window well, minimizing the hassle of cleaning up leaves and other debris and to help keep your home safe and secure from intruders.
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Home Safety Council Awards MSA Safety Works for Product Innovation

July 11, 2006

Recognized for contribution to home safety PITTSBURGH, July 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MSA (NYSE:MSA) announced today that its consumer products group, MSA Safety Works, has earned a Commendation Award from the Home Safety Council for its Small Faces Safety Glasses. MSA Safety Works received this recognition for outstanding product innovation in consumer safety. The Home Safety Council presents the awards annually to manufacturers who advance safety at home through product design and development. "We're very pleased with this recognition by the Home Safety Council, especially knowing we were measured against some of the best known brands in the home improvement industry," said John Quinn, Retail and Construction Market Manager for MSA. "Developing child safety products gets young users thinking about home safety at an early age. We see this as an important step in our education efforts because research shows that more than 90% of Do-It- Yourselfers do not think about safety when tackling home improvement projects." Developed to accommodate the smaller faces of women and children, Small Faces Safety Glasses are appreciably narrower than standard size glasses. To improve fit and comfort, the glasses come with flexible rubber-tipped temples. Anti-fog and anti-UV lenses help block debris and sunlight from entering the side of the glasses, while helping protect the wearer from high-impact projectiles. The Home Safety Council's Commendation Award for Product Innovation for Consumer Safety was established in 2004. Since its inception, more than 30 product innovations have been recognized. Past winners include Moen's Flow Control Hand Held Shower Head, Target's ClearRx Prescription Program and Maxitrol's Plug1 Gas Outlet. "This year's winners represent a wide range of home safety product innovations and all demonstrate a clear commitment to health and safety," said Meri-K Appy, President of the Home Safety Council. "We applaud their efforts and are honored to present them with this award." MSA is one of two Pittsburgh companies to be recognized this year by the Home Safety Council. PPG Industries was honored for its Olympic Premium Interior Paints. The paints, which contain no volatile organic compounds, reduce indoor air pollution and advance the safety of home improvement. MSA Safety Works offers a comprehensive line of consumer project safety products for use in home improvement and repair work. The line includes respirators, hard hats, hearing protection, eye and face protection, protective clothing, fall protection equipment and first aid kits for use in all home improvement projects. MSA Safety Works' emphasis on product quality, comfort and unparalleled performance has helped make it one of the fastest growing brands in consumer safety products in the U.S.
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Veri-Tek International Closes Acquisition of Manitex

July 11, 2006

WIXOM, Mich., July 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Veri-Tek International, Corp. (AMEX:VCC) ("Veri-Tek" or the "Company") today announced that, effective July 3, 2006, it has purchased Manitex, Inc. ("Manitex") through the acquisition of all of the membership interests of Quantum Value Management, LLC. Manitex is a leading provider of engineered lift solutions in North America. Manitex, based in Georgetown, Texas, is a leading designer, manufacturer, and marketer of a comprehensive line of boom trucks, sign cranes and trolley boom unloaders. Manitex's boom trucks and crane products are primarily used for industrial projects and infrastructure development, including roads, bridges and commercial construction, and most recently, energy exploration. Manitex has experienced growth in its business as evidenced by the increase in its revenues from approximately $38 million in 2003 to approximately $62 million in 2005. Donald Brown, Veri-Tek's President and Chief Operating Officer, commenting on the transaction, stated, "We are very excited to complete this acquisition of Manitex. Manitex is a leader in its industry and they will provide us with a strong revenue and earnings base in a very active market. Their manufacturing success will supplement our growing line of testing and manufacturing equipment."
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Sustainable School Selects SageGlass Products for Energy Conservation, Daylighting Control

July 07, 2006

Expected to open in 2007, Twin Lakes Elementary School in Elk River, Minn., will feature electronically tintable SageGlass® windows installed in the building's science center. At the push of a button, the glass will switch from a clear to highly tinted state, actively controlling daylight, heat gain and glare, while maintaining the view outdoors. These benefits along with other sustainable design strategies aid the school district's pursuit of U.S. Green Building Council's Gold Certification under the LEED Rating System®. In addition to contributing to its learning environment, the innovative window system will be become part of the curriculum for the school's 750 students. "One of the main drivers of the design and construction of this $18 million project is energy conservation, and that is one of the things that spurred our choice of SageGlass units," says Bratlie. "This product's capacity for suppressing solar heat gain will result in significant cooling and heating savings for Twin Lakes." "This is our first use of SageGlass products, and we are excited," says Mike Schrock, a principal in Schrock DeVetter Architects, P.A., "We designed Twin Lakes in accordance with high-performance building standards and 100% daylighting concepts, so it made good sense to incorporate sustainable tintable window technology that promotes daylighting and adds to the building's quality of life." Schrock notes that the building has many dormers and clerestory windows, giving it an "old school" flavor that harkens back to a time when large windows and other daylighting elements were hallmarks of school buildings. Leaders in electrochromic technology for more than 15 years, SAGE Electrochromics, Inc. electronically tintable glass products are available to the international architectural building market. Consistently proven reliable for use in exterior building applications, SageGlass® products help reduce energy bills by controlling solar heat gain and increase worker productivity by allowing additional daylighting, minimizing glare, and enhancing occupant comfort.
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RDV-Systems Launches Rapid Design Visualization 2007 for Autodesk Civil3D

July 06, 2006

RDV 2007 Delivers an Enhanced Set of Powerful Tools for the Creation of Professional Interactive Visualizations Directly From a Civil3D Project LOD, Israel, July 5/PRNewswire/ -- RDV Systems Ltd. today announces the release of Rapid Design Visualization 2007. The latest release makes it even easier for Autodesk Civil3D designers and engineers to create professional drive throughs, flyovers and interactive simulations for proposed roads, subdivisions, commercial site development and underground infrastructure. RDV 2007 delivers a new and enhanced set of visualization and simulation capabilities to Autodesk users such as object animation, support of Google Earth, real physical interaction and full support of all images inside AutoCAD, including MrSid, ECW, and more. RDV 2007 supports all AutoCAD platforms from 2004 and up. RDV's innovative approach to 3D modeling and simulation delivers enough power and refinement to even the most complex multi-disciplinary civil engineering and infrastructure projects, and yet is accessible to Civil3D users. RDV 2007 is exemplary for civil engineering firms that use modeling and simulation to gain approval for their projects, enabling civil engineers and designers to produce interactive and professional presentations more efficiently and in significantly less time. "Our customers benefit from RDV's modeling and simulations capabilities through streamlined project design and review processes, and substantial productivity gains that result in a speedy ROI," said Aran Ariel, Director of Marketing and Sales of RDV-Systems. "These benefits transform into a competitive advantage for our customers." Developed in conjunction with Autodesk (NASDAQ; ADSK), RDV 2007 is fully integrated with Autodesk Civil 3D, Autodesk Land Desktop, Autodesk Map 3D, Autodesk Architectural Desktop and other AutoCAD-based environments, enabling designers and engineers to quickly and easily create advanced interactive 3D simulations and visualizations from directly within their familiar AutoCAD environment.
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Vinyl Siding Institute Introduces New Color Retention Certification Program

July 04, 2006

WASHINGTON, June 30 /PRNewswire/ -- The Vinyl Siding Institute (VSI) has announced a new way for homeowners to be assured that the vinyl siding colors they choose meet the standard for color retention. VSI recently expanded its successful Vinyl Siding Product Certification Program to include certification based on the performance standard for color retention, ASTM D6864. To qualify, vinyl siding products must first receive certification for overall quality and performance based on the industry standard ASTM D3679, which covers criteria such as weatherability, wind load, and impact resistance, among others. "Since vinyl siding is a durable product that never needs painting, customers want to make sure their homes look beautiful after the passage of time and exposure to the elements," said VSI President Jery Y. Huntley. "Vinyl siding has always been available in a wide variety of attractive colors, and now there is a process to certify these colors for color retention." More than 1,000 products are currently certified for quality through VSI's program, and nearly 200 colors of those products have been certified for color retention as well. VSI's color retention certification process requires a two-year, outdoor weathering study conducted for each color being considered. Each certified color must demonstrate the ability to resist major changes in a variety of climates. All vinyl siding certified through VSI's program is verified to meet or exceed ASTM D3679 through twice yearly review and unannounced inspections by an independent, accredited quality control agency. Additionally, each color must undergo ongoing verification and a re-certification process for color retention, including a new two-year, outdoor weathering study, every six years. A complete, updated list of products and colors certified through VSI's Vinyl Siding Product Certification Program is available online at www.vinylsiding.org or by calling the Vinyl Siding Information Center toll-free at 1-888-FOR-VSI-1 (888-367-8471). The Vinyl Siding Institute, Inc., is located in Washington, D.C., and represents manufacturers of vinyl and polymeric siding and suppliers to the industry. VSI is the sponsor of the VSI Vinyl Siding Product Certification Program and the VSI Certified Installer Program.
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