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VectorWorks Architect 2008 Named #1 Software in Architect Magazine’s ACE Awards

December 21, 2007

Columbia, Maryland (December 20, 2007)—Architect magazine has honored Nemetschek North America’s VectorWorks Architect 2008 design software with first place in its 6th Annual Architect's Choice for Excellence (ACE) Awards in the computer software category. Voted on by Architect magazine’s readers, the ACE Awards recognize companies that offer outstanding product durability, exceptional customer service, superior value, and innovative designs. VectorWorks Architect 2008 is cost-effective, cross-platform architectural design program with cutting-edge BIM (Building Information Modeling) capabilities. With VectorWorks Architect 2008, firms can draft in 2D, create illustrative presentation drawings, explore 3D forms with solid and NURBS modeling tools, or work in an integrated design environment that links plans, sections, elevations, perspectives, reports, and even rendered views, so a change in one updates the others. Files can also be exported as DWG/DXF or IFC files that can be read by other design, analysis, and construction programs. “Given the wide variety of excellent firms serving the architectural and design community and the number of new companies and products that regularly enter the field, to be chosen to receive an ACE Award is a singular honor indeed—a distinction that demonstrates the company is highly regarded,” says Russell Ellis, Publisher of Architect. “We salute all of the winners, as voted on by our readers, for their commitment to product excellence. Innovation, customer collaboration, and superior performance are hallmarks of all these companies as they strive to meet and exceed design expectations, cost criteria, and demanding deadlines.” According to the magazine, hundreds of companies are nominated for an ACE Award. To earn this achievement, Architect's 88,000 readers received a ballot and cast their votes. The results can be seen in Architect’s January 2008 issue. Nemetschek North America is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Nemetschek Group. A global leader in design technologies, Nemetschek North America has been developing CAD software for the AEC, entertainment, landscape design, and manufacturing fields since 1985. VectorWorks, its flagship product, is one of the world's best-selling cross-platform CAD applications. An all-in-one solution that's easier to learn and use and more cost-effective than most other CAD programs, VectorWorks is ideal for firms that don't have unlimited IT budgets. For more information, visit www.nemetschek.net
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LaHabra Introduces Select Finishes to Their Specialty Line

December 18, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Anaheim, CA– LaHabra, a leading producer of quality stucco since 1926, today announced the launch of the Select Finishes line to their family of products. The beautiful and unique decorative line is comprised of four premier finishes: Venetian Plaster, Aged Limestone, Stucco d’Raffinato and Tuscan Stucco providing distinctive texture, color and design options for interior and exterior applications. “It is an exciting time for LaHabra. Recent acquisitions have brought new technologies to our product offering.” said Jamie Makuuchi, Director of Marketing. “The unique Select Finishes line creates an old world feel using the latest advancements in acrylic finishes. This line helps us touch new markets as we continue to expand LaHabra nationally.” The Select Finishes Product Line Consists of: · Venetian Plaster, a 100% acrylic, interior finish, this alternative to painting can be used to craft a rich elegant appearance with unlimited design possibilities · Aged Limestone, a polymer modified interior and exterior wall finish, makes achieving a durable, dramatic finish, duplicating the look and feel of real stone and European cement plasters. · Stucco d’Raffinato, a 100% acrylic, interior and exterior finish, can be used to capture the authentic look and feel of old world plaster or simulate the appearance of rock or stone over a wide range of substrates. · Tuscan Stucco, a 100% acrylic, sandable, interior and exterior finish, that produces the look and feel of smooth suede and can be applied with a variety of tools. Additional information regarding Select Finishes from LaHabra Stucco may be found at www.lahabrastucco.com. About La Habra Stucco LaHabra Stucco is a division of ParexLahabra, Inc., the US based parent company of leading building material brands; Parex, LaHabra, El Rey, Teifs, Surewall, Mer-Krete and Mer-Ko. Under these brands ParexLahabra, Inc. manufactures EIFS, stucco, acrylic finishes, tile-setting and waterproofing materials for the construction of commercial, institutional and residential buildings. The 2002, ISO 9001-2000 certification helped to substantiate ParexLahabra, Inc. as a leader in the building materials industry with over 150 years of combined experience in the US construction industry. For more information regarding ParexLahabra visit www.parexlahabra.com.
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Nemetschek North America Updates VectorWorks 2008 Product Line

December 18, 2007

Columbia, MD, December 17, 2007—Nemetschek North America today announced the release of its Service Pack 2 for the VectorWorks 2008 line of software, which includes VectorWorks Designer, VectorWorks Architect, VectorWorks Landmark, VectorWorks Spotlight, VectorWorks Machine Design, VectorWorks Fundamentals, and RenderWorks. “Service Pack 2 generally improves the robustness and usability of VectorWorks. Specifically, it provides support for key Leopard® technologies. And it offers some new and improved library files,” says Paul Pharr, chief technology officer. “With Service Pack 2, we have also taken the time to address a much broader set of quality issues based on feedback from our users worldwide.” Service Pack 2 integrates VectorWorks with the Cover Flow and Quick Look technologies in Apple’s new Leopard operating system. This allows an image preview of the file and a thumbnail icon preview, which allows users to see the contents of their VectorWorks files as they browse the file system. The update also provides several small enhancements new to VectorWorks 2008 functionality in response to early feedback from users. This includes better display of rectangular object orientation in plan rotation and more flexible handling of class visibilities with design layer viewports. Users will also find some additional content, such as Munsell colors and enhanced plant libraries. The 2008 versions of the VectorWorks family of design software were released on September 13, 2007. VectorWorks 2008 offers new technology to optimize workflows, enrich presentations, and facilitate collaboration. The service pack is available as a downloadable updater, as well as an online update, which is applied automatically when installing from VectorWorks 2008 DVDs. To download, visit http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.nemetschek.net/downloads Nemetschek North America is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Nemetschek Group. A global leader in design technologies, Nemetschek North America has been developing CAD software for the AEC, entertainment, landscape design, and manufacturing fields since 1985. VectorWorks, its flagship product, is one of the world's best-selling cross-platform CAD applications. An all-in-one solution that's easier to learn and use and more cost-effective than most other CAD programs, VectorWorks is ideal for firms that don't have unlimited IT budgets. For more information, visit www.nemetschek.net
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EXPO REGISTRATION OPEN – 15,000 ATTENDEES EXPECTED!

December 14, 2007

Free and open to the public on Saturday April 5 and Sunday April 6. DON’T MISS YOUR CHANCE - REGISTER TODAY - Show your commitment to a sustainable future by joining Gulf Coast Green and the City of Houston for this residential/consumer-focused Consumer Expo. - Five Themed Zones: Green Building, Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, Alternative Transportation, and Youth Green Zone - Create a marketplace for CERTIFIED GREEN PRODUCTS & SERVICES. Over 200 booths will: o Feature certified green products, materials, & services o Encourage internet sales on the Expo floor o Demonstrate environmental leadership in resource conservation by offering only usable samples in place of throw-away samples, excessive brochures, plastic give-aways, etc. o Challenge consumers to embrace an energy efficient and environmentally conscious lifestyle by offering incentives in the form of coupons for certified product and service discounts o Offer educational presentations meeting AIA Guidelines for continuing education - The event will be publicized throughout the Gulf Coast Region through television, radio and media publications, as well as in the trade press. Please visit: www.houstongreenexpo.org to view the standards and criteria that must be met in order to exhibit. These include guidelines for: Products & Materials; Service Firms and Non-Profit Organizations; and Renewable Energy To REGISTER TODAY and for further information, please visit www.houstongreenexpo.org Questions? Contact: expo@gulfcoastgreen.org
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BURIC EXPERTS TO SPEAK AT CONSTRUCTION SUPERCONFERENCE

December 10, 2007

Panel discussion to examine demanding perfection in the imperfect world of construction CLEVELAND – Given that the construction industry will never eliminate delays altogether, how do you know when delays are real and substantive, to the point of meriting financial damages? Two experts from Buric, a premier consultant to the world’s diverse construction industry, will discuss ways to recognize and resolve real construction project delays and damages during a panel discussion at the Construction SuperConference in San Francisco Dec. 12-14. David L. Sutton, P.E., executive vice president of Buric, and Michael W. Leary, P.E., senior vice president, will review case studies of problem projects to examine issues such as improving documentation, quantifying actual delays and substantiating damages during a plenary session Thursday, Dec. 13, at 2:15 p.m. “Contractors bid projects to build them profitably – they don’t deliberately embark on a project with the intent of creating delays and claims,” Sutton said. “Given that there’s no room for perfection in the world of construction, when does imperfect become substantive and when does it merit damages?” With 30 years of experience in the construction industry, Sutton is an expert in construction claims, scheduling, cost engineering, labor production analysis and graphic development. Leary, an industry veteran of 27 years, specializes in the analysis of construction claims, including time and cost impact to construction projects involving delays, loss of productivity, disruption, acceleration, critical path method scheduling and construction administration. Both men have provided expert testimony on multi-million dollar projects and claims in trials, arbitration and mediation. Joining Buric’s Sutton and Leary as part of the panel discussion will be attorneys Jeff Aiken, a senior shareholder for Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek in Milwaukee, and Peter D. Welin, a partner and co-chair of the construction practice group within Thompson Hine of Columbus, Ohio. Aiken was named a Top Construction Lawyer by the Wisconsin Law Journal, as well as Wisconsin Super Lawyer in 2005 and 2006. Welin was named among Best Lawyers of America from 2003 to 2007, as well as Ohio Super Lawyer from 2004 through 2007. Established in 1968, Buric supports the world’s diverse construction industry by providing construction planning and critical path method scheduling; construction claims resolution, including forensic investigation, demonstrative graphics and expert witness capability; surety contract management; building diagnostics and rehabilitation; project management and control; and architectural and engineering services. Even more importantly, it is the manner in which Buric provides these services that sets the firm apart. Buric employees are extremely knowledgeable and accomplished industry experts – the very best in their fields – who take pride in providing accurate, thorough and responsive service while maintaining the highest standards of ethics and professionalism. It explains why most of Buric’s business comes from long-standing repeat clients and referred business. For more, visit www.buric.com.
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DECK-O-DRAIN® Provides Watertight, Secure Protection for Concrete Decks and Subgrade

December 10, 2007

Hampshire, IL – DECK-O-DRAIN Drainage System provides an effective drainage system for concrete pool decks. Wherever specified, the system effectively collects and carries water away quickly from pool decks and other patio areas. Made of tough, long lasting PVC, the DECK-O-DRAIN system resists wear and is non-corrosive. Both the deck and subgrade receive watertight protection. The unique, non-directional design of DECK-O-DRAIN eliminates the need for right or left fittings. One attachment can be used for both by simply facing it in the direction needed. A flat contour profile allows a tight fit against any wall. DECK-O-DRAIN Drainage system installs easily. There are no trenches to dig or deep excavations to make. DECK-O-DRAIN can be used as a screed rail in final flat work preparation. DECK-O-DRAIN is packaged 100 feet per carton, including nailing clips, couplers and protective tape over drain surface. DECK-O-DRAIN is available in Desert Tan, Stone Gray, and Dura-White colors. (Black and Redwood are available by special order.) For more information, contact DECK-O-SEAL, a division of W. R. MEADOWS, INC. at P.O. Box 397, Hampshire, Illinois 60140; phone: (800) 542-POOL; fax: (847) 214-2268; e-mail: sales@deckoseal.com or visit www.deckoseal.com.
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W. R. MEADOWS, INC. Products are GreenSpec Listed

December 10, 2007

Hampshire, IL –W. R. MEADOWS products will be featured in BuildingGreen Inc.’s GreenSpec Directory. The GreenSpec Directory lists product descriptions for environmentally preferable products. GreenSpec's objective is to list only the top 5-10% of environmentally preferable products. For a complete listing of the W. R. MEADOWS products that are GreenSpec listed, click on the More button. W. R. MEADOWS delivers one of the broadest lines of premium-grade construction products available to architects, engineers, contractors, and building owners. Their extensive line of high performance, premium-grade construction products has been developed for use in, on, around, and under concrete. W. R. MEADOWS offers VOC-compliant solvent- and water-based products to meet every need of the construction industry. This GREEN LINE of environmentally friendly products has been a popular part of our line since its inception. These products assist designers in earning LEED credits when used in green projects. W. R. MEADOWS is a member of the USGBC and CGBC. BuildingGreen Inc. publishes many publications, including Environmental Building News, the GreenSpec directory of green products, and the BuildingGreen Suite of online tools. BuildingGreen Inc. is committed to bringing their members accurate, unbiased, and timely green design information.
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Construction Specifications Canada endorses AEC Daily Courses

December 06, 2007

Toronto, Ontario, Canada – December 6, 2007 Construction Specifications Canada (CSC) and AEC Daily jointly announced CSC’s endorsement of all AEC Daily courses. In this ever-changing world, Canadian construction professionals are always in need of legitimate education. They will benefit in knowing that over 200 free, online courses are available from AEC Daily and that each one meets the standards of CSC. “We’re proud that a leading Canadian association like CSC recognizes the quality and integrity of our education,” said Jeff Rice, President of AEC Daily. “Our wide selection of outstanding courses will provide a valuable service to CSC members – and as always, for free!” AEC Daily currently has 201 courses that are recognized or approved by 17 different organizations and several new courses are added monthly. Each one meets or exceeds the educational requirement for most construction professionals in North America. About CSC: Construction Specifications Canada (CSC) is a national multi-disciplinary, non-profit association with chapters across Canada. CSC is committed to ongoing development and delivery of quality education programs, publications and services for the betterment of the construction community. About AEC Daily: AEC Daily is the largest provider of FREE online continuing education to construction professionals. Courses are available online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and credits are automatically submitted to AIA, CSI and other organizations. Architects, engineers, interior designers and other construction professionals rely on AEC Daily to maintain their accreditation with ease.
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Localized Version of VectorWorks 2008 Now Available in Norway

December 06, 2007

Columbia, Maryland (December 6, 2007)—Nemetschek North America has announced that its international distribution partner in Norway, Dankantus AS, has released its localized version of the newest VectorWorks 2008 family of design software. Dakantus AS has tailored VectorWorks 2008 products to meet the specific needs of the Norwegian marketplace. The English-language versions of the VectorWorks 2008 product line were released in the U.S., U.K., Australia, New Zealand, and other international markets on September 13. Other localized European versions were released in late October. Sales of this newest upgrade have been strong. “We have all worked hard during the 2008 development cycle to minimize the time between the English-language release and the localized releases,” says Sean Flaherty, CEO of Nemetschek North America. “In fact, this is the quickest turnaround we’ve ever had.” “The 2008 versions offer dramatic improvements in each product of our line,” says Flaherty. “The simplified interface, new tools and streamlined workflows, collaboration and CAD management capabilities, and enhanced 2D and 3D presentation features make this our most substantial upgrade ever.” For product availability in Norway and for more information, go to http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.dakantus.no/vectorworks Nemetschek North America is a wholly owned subsidiary of European software giant Nemetschek AG. A global leader in design technologies, Nemetschek N.A. has been developing design software for the AEC, entertainment, landscape design, and manufacturing fields since 1985. VectorWorks, its flagship product, is one of the world's best-selling cross-platform CAD applications. For more information, visit www.nemetschek.net
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