Dynastructure™ withstands “2,500-year” earthquake replication (HARVEY, ILL) Aug. 21, 2007 – Earthquakes are often associated with collapsed buildings, flattened homes and widespread devastation. The magnitude 7.9 earthquake that shook Peru last week displaced tens of thousands of people and caused millions of dollars in damage. However, findings from a recent earthquake simulation test conducted on a steel framing system may help decrease future destruction caused by an earthquake’s force. Allied Tube & Conduit (ACD), together with the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), recently shook Dynastructure™, a pre-engineered, cold-formed structural steel framing system, at UCSD’s Englekirk Structural Engineering Center. ACD is the first manufacturer to conduct a shake test using a whole building for this type of system in the United States. Typically, these tests are conducted on individual components rather than complete structures. The seismic test, which took place in June 2007, shook the one story building (32 ft long x 20 ft wide x 12 ft tall) for 30 seconds, simulating a 7.3 magnitude earthquake. “Although it was expected that the simulation would be adverse to this type of structure, not only did it not fail, it didn’t exhibit any signs of faults, cracks or connection issues,” said Jeff Galland, director of engineering and operations, S2 Specialty Structures. The first shake duplicated the ground motions of the notorious “Landers” earthquake that rocked California in 1992. The magnitude 7.3 earthquake was one of the most powerful documented earthquakes to occur in the contiguous 48 states in the last 40 years, and caused almost $100 million in damage. A second test conducted on Dynastructure increased the intensity of the shake by 1.5 times to represent the International Building Code's Maximum Considered Earthquake. This shake was equivalent to a 2,500-year earthquake, and yielded the same results – no damages. “We wanted to provide the capability to more accurately engineer structures constructed with light gauge steel framing systems,” said Michael Mendralla, general manager, Allied Tube & Conduit – Construction Division. “Our results demonstrate that Dynastructure is able to withstand even the most powerful of natural forces.” Added Galland, “In comparison to Dynastructure, wood-framed buildings shaken at this magnitude would suffer significant and appreciable damage.” When erecting the system for the test, the manufacturing and construction teams used the standard procedures to ensure that what was tested represented a typical Dynastructure product. Dynastructure is a pre-engineered steel framing system that is suitable for all types of structures, from commercial and light industrial to residential, recreational and essential facilities. Components are built through precision fabrication using cold-formed tubular steel elements pre-drilled to precise measurements and welded in a tight tolerance jig. Custom-engineered to exact specifications, Dynastructure frames buildings faster and for a lower cost than other construction methods. About the Englekirk Structural Engineering Center The Englekirk Structural Engineering Center is a Charles Lee Powell Laboratory test facility within the Department of Structural Engineering at The University of California, San Diego. The center is a one-of-a-kind facility equipped with the world’s largest outdoor shake table allowing researchers to perform dynamic earthquake tests on large and full-scale structural systems. For more information about the UCSD Structural Engineering program, please visit www.structures.ucsd.edu About Dynastructure™ Dynastructure pre-engineered, cold-formed steel framing systems frame buildings faster and for a lower cost than other construction methods such as wood and standard cold-formed steel framing or concrete block. Custom-engineered to exact specifications, the system is easy to erect on-site from factory-fabricated components, is fire-resistant and strong, lightweight and durable enough to meet facility requirements for everything from restaurants to schools, fire stations and other municipal structures. More information about Dynastructure is available by calling 877.336.5542 or visiting www.dynastructure.com/shake About Allied Tube & Conduit Allied Tube & Conduit is a leading manufacturer of cold-formed steel framing, pre-engineered tubular building systems and truss products for the commercial construction industry. Key products include Studco™, Dynatruss™ and Dynastructure™. Headquartered in Harvey, Ill., Allied has state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Phoenix; Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.; Monee, Ill.; and Houston. Allied is also a market leader in the mechanical tubing, fire sprinkler pipe and electrical conduit markets, and is the largest business unit of Tyco Electrical & Metal Products. For more information about Allied’s commercial construction offerings, visit www.alliedtube-construction.com.

Whirlpool and KitchenAid Brand Appliances Selected to Help Make PATH Mold Safe Model an Energy Efficient, Healthy Home BENTON HARBOR, Mich. (August 21, 2007) – Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) has teamed with Whirlpool Corporation and other partners to build a first-of-its-kind Mold Safe Model Home (MSMH) in Northeastern New Hampshire. The project incorporates a new mold prevention protocol that focuses on smart building practices, energy and water efficiency, and healthy air quality. “With the help of PATH and its partners, we are discovering products and building techniques that will be instrumental in developing healthy homes that are protected from mold infestation,” said Charlie Perry, principal of Environmental Assurance Group, a lending and real estate consulting firm leading the project. “Appliances from Whirlpool Corporation help impact the home’s water and energy efficiency, as well as indoor air quality.” The kitchen includes the KitchenAid(R) Architect(R) Series II suite, which includes an ENERGY STAR(R) qualified dishwasher and 48" built-in refrigerator, beverage center, ice maker, built-in double oven with steam assist technology, built-in microwave with convection cooking capabilities in less time, built-in compactor that reduces trash volume by up to 80 percent, an induction cooktop and an exceptionally ventilating canopy hood to promote healthy indoor air quality. In the laundry area, the home features the new Whirlpool(R) Duet HT(R) laundry pair. The washer uses half the water and energy of a top-load washer. In fact, using the normal cycle, it can save up to 70 percent more energy and uses 70 percent less water than top-load washers manufactured before 2004. As with all Duet(R) models, the new Duet HT(R) system is ENERGY STAR(R) qualified. “PATH aims to improve the quality and value of the U.S. housing market through every aspect of the home; that resonates with us,” said Tracy Frye, senior contract marketing manager at Whirlpool Corporation. “Mold prevention is a serious air quality issue, and we’re proud to play a part in keeping this home healthy and energy efficient.” “PATH identifies the latest technologies that will help improve the quality, durability, energy efficiency and affordability of America’s housing,” says Darlene F. Williams, Assistant Secretary of HUD’s Office of Policy Development and Research. “The Mold Safe Model Home and its components address those issues. We’re happy Whirlpool Corporation and other PATH Partners participated in this valuable project.” Construction on the project began in October 2006 in Chesterfield, New Hampshire, and is expected to be complete this summer. The 3,000 square-foot, two-story lakeside home will have a walkout basement, a small roofed side porch and several decks. For more than 30 years, Whirlpool Corporation has been committed to effectively utilizing and preserving natural resources. In 1970, Whirlpool Corporation created a corporate office for environmental control; and in 2003, the company became the world’s first appliance manufacturer to announce a greenhouse gas reduction strategy. The company manufactures more ENERGY STAR(R) qualified home appliances than any other appliance manufacturer. Additionally, Whirlpool Corporation received the ENERGY STAR(R) Sustained Excellence Award from the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in both 2006 and 2007. The award was extended to Whirlpool Corporation for exhibiting outstanding environmental leadership year after year, while sustaining product and marketing excellence. This honor represents the company’s eighth ENERGY STAR(R) Award in the nine years it has been awarded. Whirlpool Corporation is the world’s leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $18 billion, more than 73,000 employees, and more than 70 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. The company markets Jenn-Air, KitchenAid, Maytag, Whirlpool, Amana, Gladiator, Brastemp, Bauknecht, and other major brand names to consumers in nearly every country around the world. For more information on Whirlpool Corporation and its offerings for building and design professionals, please visit www.insideadvantage.com or call 1-800-253-3977.

Hampshire, IL – PERMINATOR underslab vapor mat from W. R. MEADOWS is a new generation of polyolefin-based resin/chemical technology.PERMINATOR provides the vapor barrier industry with a highly effective, economical choice for helping to reduce the penetration of moisture and water vapor through the slab into the structure, thereby helping to reduce fungus, mildew and mold growth. PERMINATOR also helps reduce radon gas from entering the structure. PERMINATOR is tough enough to withstand normal construction jobsite conditions and traffic. It will not crack, puncture, snag, split or tear easily. PERMINATOR helps meet and maintain the maximum slab moisture transfer rate of 3 lbs/1000 sq. ft./24 hours, as allowed by the flooring industry’s specifications. PERMINATOR is available in 15 mil and 10 mil thicknesses. Both versions are furnished in 200-foot (61 m) long rolls. PERMINATOR meets or exceeds all requirements of ASTM E 1745 Classes A, B & C. For more information, call (847) 214-2100, e-mail wrmil@wrmeadows.com or visit www.wrmeadows.com.

Pointe 400 Developers Specify Whirlpool(R) Stainless Steel Appliances to Contribute to High-End Luxury Appeal BENTON HARBOR, Mich. (August 16, 2007) – Downtown St. Louis has experienced a period of reinvention in the last few years, with increasing shopping and entertainment options, such as the new Busch Stadium and Pinnacle Entertainment Complex, as well as a growing number of options for downtown luxury living. This growth inspired St. Louis developer, Balke Brown Associates, to step up to the plate with a luxury apartment community of its own — a 15-story, 275,000 square-foot high rise known as Pointe 400, located between Busch Stadium and the St. Louis Gateway Arch. Pointe 400 is housed in the former corporate headquarters of condensed milk company PET, Inc., based in the St. Louis area for several years before Pillsbury bought the company in 1994 and relocated the headquarters. Balke Brown purchased the building in 2005 and completely renovated the structure to create Pointe 400. The building was constructed in 1969 in New Brutalism architectural style, which is still well represented in the exterior façade. Pointe 400 is on the National Regester of Historic Places. Opened in December 2006, Pointe 400 features 118 high-end luxury apartment units, with floor plans ranging from one-bedroom to three-bedroom and plenty of luxurious amenities. When looking for an appliance line that would match with the upscale look they wanted, Balke Brown chose Whirlpool brand stainless steel appliances for the job. “Whirlpool brand stainless steel appliances have the visual appeal we want to promote in Pointe 400,” said Randy Rathert, director of project management for Balke Brown Associates. “They fit well with the character of the apartment units and the architectural style of the building. “The Pointe 400 apartments are contemporary, unique for St. Louis — more like something you would see in downtown Chicago. They’re on the higher end of luxury for downtown St. Louis.” Each Pointe 400 kitchen is furnished with a Whirlpool brand stainless steel electric slide-in range with ceramic cooktop, microwave-hood combination, an ENERGY-STAR(R) qualified dishwasher and an ENERGY STAR(R) top-mount refrigerator with Satina® Stainless Look Finish for the sophisticated look of stainless steel without the maintenance. The apartments also feature a Whirlpool(R) Thin Twin(R) large capacity washer and dryer combination unit designed to fit into small spaces. Other luxury amenities include granite countertops, ceramic tile, a 24-hour state-of-the-art health club, two below-grade levels of parking, a 40,000 square-foot river view terrace, a library with a balcony, and an outdoor spa and club room. Apartment prices range from $1,200 a month for a one-bedroom to $1,900 a month for a two-bedroom. For more information on Pointe 400, go to www.pointe400.com. Whirlpool Corporation is the world’s leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $18 billion, more than 73,000 employees, and more than 70 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. The company markets Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Gladiator, Brastemp, Bauknecht, and other major brand names to consumers in nearly every country around the world. For more information on Whirlpool Corporation and its offerings for building and design professionals, please visit www.insideadvantage.com or call 1-800-253-3977.

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. (August 8, 2007) – Fox Hollow, Connecticut’s first universal design, single-family community, located in the city of Naugatuck, has included Whirlpool and KitchenAid brand appliances in its strategy to provide homes with the utmost accessibility and energy efficiency, as well as a striking visual appearance. Homes that incorporate universal design, such as those in the Fox Hollow community, allow homeowners to age in place with appliances and fixtures that are accessible to all, yet are not obvious or obscure. “We’ve put in every convenience feature adults over the age of 55 could ever need, but we’ve also paid close attention to the aesthetics,” said Gary Bonomo, president and CEO of Community Development Investment Fund, LLC (CDIF), the developer of Fox Hollow. Featured among the universal design amenities at Fox Hollow are Whirlpool and KitchenAid brand appliances. All homes feature KitchenAid brand stainless steel refrigerators, True Convection Upper & Lower Wall Ovens, 36-inch six-burner Commercial Cooktops, 15-inch Ceramic-Glass Two-Burner Cooktops, Drawer Dishwashers and Whirlpool® Duet® Fabric Care Systems. Featured appliances offer visual appeal with high-energy efficiency and accessibility, a Fox Hollow design requirement, and include elements of universal design, such as: -Refrigerators with controls in the front, eliminating the hassle of reaching behind groceries to make adjustments -Cooktops with handles, buttons and graphics located on the front of the unit, where they’re closer to the user. This design change reduces the need to reach, if that is the user’s physical challenge. It also reduces the potential for burns from a hot stovetop by eliminating the need to reach over electric or gas burners -Drawer dishwashers that reduce bending and stress on the back when loading and unloading dishes in the upper drawer. Homeowners can wash smaller loads using less water and power in one drawer -Washers and dryers with controls in the front of the units where they are easier to use. Optional pedestals raise the appliances so there is less bending and stretching. “We needed to work with an appliance company that understood that we would not and could not accept any appliances that were not energy efficient and in compliance with universal design,” Bonomo said. “We embraced Whirlpool Corporation because they have several brands and appliances that are stylish, very energy efficient and accessible to all. One of our goals is to provide accessible homes without the typical institutional appearance inside. KitchenAid and Whirlpool brand appliances help meet those needs.” Other universal design and luxury amenities at Fox Hollow include a choice of hardwood or stone tile floors; spacious doorways, hallways and rooms, illuminated light switches that are easily accessible from a wheelchair, cabinets, faucets and doors outfitted with levers instead of knobs for homeowners with arthritis; and cabinets under sinks with pull-out shelves and slide-back doors. With all of its amenities, Fox Hollow meets and exceeds the requirements of the National Association of Homebuilders’ (NAHB) Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) designation. “With a larger-than-ever number of active adults in the United States approaching retirement, it is important to provide homes that allow homeowners to age comfortably,” said Tracy Frye, senior contract marketing manager at Whirlpool Corporation. “We are happy to provide appliances that excel at both form and functionality and commend Fox Hollow for helping meet these home design needs.” In addition to all of the universal design features Fox Hollow has to offer, the community’s floor plans are also flexible enough to permit adaptation for the accommodation of an aging parent, Bonomo said. “There are 70 million baby boomers out there today, and millions of them are trying to accommodate elderly parents with mobility challenges,” he said. “Fox Hollow is unique in that it provides the perfect accommodations for the aging parent in the atrium space that can, at any time, easily be converted back into a beautiful garden room, exercise room, among other things. Fox Hollow has all the features needed to live comfortably in a very stylish home with details and amenities usually found only in custom homes.” Fox Hollow broke ground earlier this year on 7.7 acres in the north end of Naugatuck, Connecticut. Each of Fox Hollow’s 20 homes will offer no-step entry, single-floor living with more than 2,000 square feet of living space, a full basement and oversized garage. For more information on home designs and for a full list of features and amenities, go to www.foxhollow1.com. Whirlpool Corporation is the world’s leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $18 billion, more than 73,000 employees, and more than 70 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. The company markets Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Gladiator, Brastemp, Bauknecht, and other major brand names to consumers in nearly every country around the world. For more information on Whirlpool Corporation and its offerings for building and design professionals, please visit www.insideadvantage.com or call 1-800-253-3977.