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Whirlpool and Maytag Brand Laundry Pairs are Low-Vibrating Choice for Second-Floor Laundry Rooms

February 24, 2009

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. (Feb. 24, 2009) – Top-rated Whirlpool(R) Cabrio(R) Laundry Pairs and Maytag(R) Bravos(R) Laundry Pairs are now shown to have the lowest floor vibration when compared to leading competitors’ front load washers, according to Whirlpool Corporation internal testing. The inherent vibration control exhibited in the popular high-efficiency top-load pairs makes them ideal for laundry rooms located on the second floor or anywhere in a home’s living quarters. “The Whirlpool(R) Cabrio(R) and Maytag(R) Bravos(R) high-efficiency, top-load laundry pairs control vibration five times better than our nearest front-load competitor. That’s a significant advantage, and one that will make a real difference to builders and homeowners who want laundry space on the second floor,” said Tracy Frye, senior contract marketing manager at Whirlpool Corporation. “You could say that we’re shaking up the competition with our leadership in low vibration.” Research by Whirlpool Corporation shows that low vibration in laundry machines is important to 60 percent of consumers – a statistic that aligns with the laundry room’s migration from the basement to living quarters on the first or second floor. The Cabrio(R) and Bravos(R) laundry pairs are helping this trend take shape, thanks to their ability to help maintain a quiet, comfortable living space. In addition to causing minimal vibration, the Cabrio(R) and Bravos(R) top-loading laundry pairs provide front-load efficiency and the benefits of steam. The Bravos(R) HE washer is ENERGY STAR(R) qualified and uses up to 67 percent less energy and 70 percent less water*. Available in March 2009, the new Cabrio(R) washer saves 70 percent more water and 67 percent more energy*. The Cabrio(R) and Bravos(R) steam dryers help consumers save energy, time and money by relaxing wrinkles, removing odors, and refreshing clothing and household fabrics in as few as 15 minutes. About Whirlpool Corporation Whirlpool Corporation works to exceed expectations with appliances that help building professionals create homes of distinction. The company’s The Inside Advantage(TM) Program offers Powerful Brands, Innovative Products, Targeted Services and Consumer Insight to support building professionals. Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of more than $19 billion, more than 73,000 employees and 69 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. The company markets Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, 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 professionals, visit insideadvantage.com or call 800-253-3977.
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Metal Systems Announces Official Name Change

February 20, 2009

MSI of Chattanooga and Houston Now to be Known as Lectrus Chattanooga, Tennessee – MSI - Metal Systems and MSI Equipment Centers - will now be known as Lectrus, effective immediately. On Wednesday, February 4th, company executives began sharing details of this new identity and brand to its valued employees and customers. Lectrus represents reliable metal building production coupled with expertise integrating complex electrical systems for the power, oil and gas industrial markets. “After more than four decades, our company has grown and changed in many ways, as have the markets we serve,” said Lectrus President and CEO Jerry Driscoll. “The name Lectrus provides a simpler, more unified brand that reflects who we are today—the leading electrical systems integrator known for unrivaled reliability. It also more effectively positions us for where we are heading tomorrow and beyond. Of course, you can rest assured that, while our name has changed, the fundamentals of our commitment to quality and service remain steadfast.” Since 1968, Metal Systems has provided world-class protection solutions for electrical equipment and personnel for a wide variety of clients and industries including custom manufactured equipment centers, operators centers and custom electrical enclosures. In Chattanooga, the company was known as Metal Systems, and the Houston operation used MSI Equipment Centers. Company executives believed that a unified company name along with a name that represents who they have become is essential to the continued growth of the company. As Lectrus launches new products and services, as well as participating in new markets, company executives determined that investing in a single, unique company name made good financial sense. “As we build awareness of our company with end users and engineers working on projects around the world, it is important they recognize and can easily contact our company,” said Lectrus Marketing Director Deron Austin. “Our former name no longer described our competitive advantage. Lectrus is simple and professional, which gives us a uniform corporate name as we pursue acquisitions and expand our products and services.” Lectrus Corporation is the leading electrical systems integrator in the US, engineering and constructing turn-key equipment centers, operator centers and custom enclosures that protect complex electrical systems in all kinds of business sectors—oil and gas, power, hydro, industrial. Lectrus’ operations in Chattanooga and Houston cover more than 50 acres and employ nearly 400 people. Lectrus Corporation is owned by RFE Investment Partners, a private equity investment firm focusing on smaller, middle-market service, manufacturing and distribution businesses. For more information, please visit www.lectrus.com, or contact Deron Austin, Marketing Director, at (423) 553-6125 or e-mail: daustin@lectrus.com.
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Provide a Green Expansion Joint with ECO-JOINT from W. R. MEADOWS

February 16, 2009

Hampshire, IL – ECO-JOINT is a multi-purpose, new generation expansion joint filler. The product is composed of 100% recycled synthetic rubber. It is flexible, lightweight, chemical-resistant, and ultraviolet-stable. ECO-JOINT is compatible with most currently available cold-applied sealants. It will not deform, twist, or break with normal on-the-job handling. ECO-JOINT is suitable for use as an expansion or control joint in roadways, airport runways, sidewalks, pavement patch repair, driveways, flooring, parking lots, plazas, flatwork, patios, and curbs – any commercial and industrial application subject to pedestrian and vehicular traffic. ECO-JOINT is versatile. It can be used in the majority of all expansion/contraction joint applications. It is non-extruding, versatile, flexible, tough, lightweight, and easy to install. ECO-JOINT can be sized to meet any installation requirement and is compatible with hot and cold joint sealants. ECO-JOINT acts as a bond breaker, can be used in both interior and exterior environments, and contains no asphalt. The use of ECO-JOINT may contribute to several LEED credits, including recycled content and regional materials. This product has been specifically engineered to create a viable expansion joint material for environmentally safe, sustainable building. For more information on ECO-JOINT, call (847) 214-2100, e-mail wrmil@wrmeadows.com, or visit www.wrmeadows.com.
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Whirlpool Corporation First Appliance Manufacturer to Win Prestigious Education Award from AIA

February 16, 2009

Company Recognized for Continually Providing Architects with Innovative and Collaborative Education BENTON HARBOR, Mich. (Feb. 17, 2009) Whirlpool Corporation recently became the first appliance manufacturer to be honored with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Continuing Education System (CES) Award for Excellence. Whirlpool Corporation's heavy involvement in the architecture community enables it to create significant and inspiring educational tools for today's architects. It's an honor to recognize their efforts with this award, said Thom Lowther, senior director of AIA Continuing Education Systems (CES). The annual award recognizes educational providers for their exceptional commitment to high-quality, professional, continuing education courses for architects. The AIA/CES Award for Excellence entries are judged on six key concepts: leadership, commitment and support; planning and analysis; design and implementation; resources and records; evaluation and improvement; and provider-specific partnership and alliances. Whirlpool Corporation is committed to meeting the needs of the industrys architects, said Tom Halford, general manager of contract sales and marketing at Whirlpool Corporation. We are delighted to be recognized by AIA for our unique curriculum, which helps architects understand sustainable design and new technologies, and will continue to create forward-thinking programs centered on these values. To focus on architects and designers in the homebuilding industry, Whirlpool Corporation formed The Design + Development Group (DDG). This unique department features staff architects Andrea Hutchins, AIA, AKBD and Daniel Page-Wood, Assoc. AIA, AKBD. Each joined Whirlpool Corporation after nearly a decade of practicing architecture with residential and commercial firms. Hutchins latest CES project is developing a new AIA Sustainable Design course on specifying appliances for a sustainable home. The course includes information on the sustainable design features of appliances and how they qualify for national green home certification programs, including ENERGY STAR(R)Homes and LEED(R)for Homes. The course is slated to meet the 2009 AIA Sustainable Design (SD) course requirement. Currently Whirlpool Corporation offers seven CEU courses: Sustainable Design Practices for Kitchens, Systems for Homes and Lumber for Wood Framed Construction (podcast); Two Faces of Sustainability Passive and Active Systems in Residential Design and Use of Fly Ash in Concrete (podcast); White Goods: The Design Landscape and Sustainability (podcast); 3-D Designing with Google(R)SketchUp(TM) (podcast); Built-in Kitchen Trends: The Design Landscape; Principles of Universal Design in Housing and Home Appliances; and The Greening of White Goods: Environmental Considerations When Specifying Appliances. To register for one of these courses, please visit aecdaily.com/whirlpool. About Whirlpool Corporation Whirlpool Corporation works to exceed expectations with appliances that help building professionals create homes of distinction. The companys The Inside Advantage(TM)Program offers Powerful Brands, Innovative Products, Targeted Services and Consumer Insight to support building professionals. Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of more than $19 billion, 70,000 employees and 69 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. The company markets Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, 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 architects and design professionals, please visit insideadvantage.com/designers or call 1-800-253-3977.
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