PITTSBURGH, April 28, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings is pleased to announce the recent launch of a new website, at www.sspc.org. Revealed on April 1, 2011, the new site is designed to be cleaner and more user-friendly. To that end it features single logon access, easier member downloads, contractor searches, account management and social media integration. The new site is also streamlined, more open and has a larger text size for easier reading. Most of the content can be accessed through the menus at the top of each page, and each section has custom sidebar items so that you can navigate easily within a section. The new SSPC web site also represents the latest in internet technology and runs on top of a new system that has enabled SSPC to integrate what used to be three different sites: the SSPC.org public content, SSPC Members Only content, and the SSPC MarketPlace. By combining these three sites onto one platform, SSPC has eliminated the need for multiple logins for the different sections. The new site uses one unified login to enable both members and customers to access everything they're trying to find. In addition, SSPC Members still get access to unique content and special pricing within the MarketPlace section of the site. SSPC has also made it easier for members to use their free standards download benefit. Once logged into the site, members will no longer run into the issue of having to go through the purchase process to get their free standards. Over the next several months, SSPC will be adding new features to the site in an ongoing effort to improve how members and customers communicate and interact both with each other and the Society.

Company invests vast resources to deliver on commitment to customer needs and "One Cooper" promise. HOUSTON, April 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Cooper Industries (NYSE: CBE), a global provider of electrical solutions, announces the launch of a new, innovative website at CooperIndustries.com that was completely redesigned to meet the complex – and ever-changing – needs of customers today. Even in the midst of economic recession, Cooper remained committed to the needs of its customers and set out with the goal of creating a site that would provide an experience unmatched in the industry. With an investment of time and resources that spanned seven divisions and multiple organizations, Cooper Industries has now delivered what it believes to be a best-in-industry, one-stop web experience that will revolutionize the way the way users gather information and help streamline daily business activity for Cooper customers. (Photo: http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110427/DA90540-a) The new site also represents the manifestation of the company's "One Cooper" value proposition; creating a comprehensive, dynamic and unified web experience spanning all of Cooper's divisions: Cooper B-Line, Cooper Bussmann, Cooper Crouse-Hinds, Cooper Lighting, Cooper Power Systems, Cooper Safety and Cooper Wiring Devices. The new CooperIndustries.com integrates the company's vast range of offerings seamlessly, providing a single point-of-entry for access to the thousands of solutions and products the company offers. Cooper designed the new site with the goal of simplifying the customer's experience; saving users time as they research specific products and also allowing them to easily browse product offerings across all divisions when navigating by market or solution. The primary objective of CooperIndustries.com is to help customers solve their business problems and meet their business goals by allowing them the option to navigate in the manner that best suits their goal. Once a user finds the product they need, all the relevant tools will be available there from detailed product information to specification sheets, from material safety data sheets to buyer's guides – making everything needed a click away.

From traditional to contemporary, new eye-catching products inspire designs DALLAS, April 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Daltile, one of America's most established and trusted tile and stone brands, continues to empower the industry to design with confidence through the introduction of four new, stylish tile collections – Magma, Mont Blanc, City Lights, Isis – and a line update of its Fashion Accents collection. The porcelain, and glass tiles that make up these new collections have been designed to stimulate the allure of any residential or commercial space. With each new collection, Daltile continues to respond to the emerging trends driving designs of today. For example, contemporary graphic visuals define Magma ColorBody™ Porcelain, which features four versatile basalt stone looks that exude eccentric, yet elegant, style. Additionally, the new Mont Blanc ColorBody™ is inspired by the rich appearance of quartzite stone. Daltile's new mosaic collections City Lights and Isis feature unique, vibrant blends that are designed to mix and match in both residential and commercial applications. City Lights exudes sophistication and style inspired by the shimmer and glow of sixteen cityscapes, while Isis features sixteen vibrant colors and six coordinating blends. Finally, Daltile is expanding its breadth of decorative elements with the update of its Fashion Accents line. New colors and trendy accents like the combinations of stone and glass and high and low dimensionality will add more flare and personality to any tile and natural stone application.

DURHAM, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Antiquated, inferior commercial lighting gets a much-needed transformation with the revolutionary new series of LED troffers from Cree, Inc. (Nasdaq: CREE). The Cree CR family of architectural troffers, including the CR24, CR14 and CR22, bring a superior combination of performance, aesthetics and affordability to a market traditionally lit by outdated, flickering fluorescent tubes. The CR series is redefining commercial lighting by offering a no-compromise alternative when upgrading over fluorescent lighting. More affordable than comparable fluorescent options, CR series fixtures deliver higher-quality light, longer life and greater energy savings, with an estimated payback of less than a year in a typical office installation*. About Cree Cree is leading the LED lighting revolution and making energy-wasting traditional lighting technologies obsolete through the use of energy-efficient, environmentally friendly LED lighting. Cree is a market-leading innovator of lighting-class LEDs, LED lighting, and semiconductor solutions for wireless and power applications.

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and Markets (http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.researchandmarkets.com/research/261c6b/sustainable_preser) has announced the addition of John Wiley and Sons Ltd's new book "Sustainable Preservation: Greening Existing Buildings" to their offering. A guide to green strategies for preservation and adaptive reuse and the power of preservation/reuse as a green strategy. Buildings account for nearly forty percent of both total energy use and carbon emissions in the United States. With one of the country's leading preservation architects as your guide, Sustainable Preservation explores the power of adaptive reuse to reduce those numbers and move us toward sustainability. It shows how an icon such as H.H. Richardson's Trinity Church in Boston can go green and why a 1970s strip-mall supermarket not only deserves similar attention but can also emerge as a building that delights users. Sustainable Preservation takes a nuanced look at the hundreds of choices that adaptive reuse requires architects to make from ingenious ways to redeploy existing structural elements to time-honored techniques for natural ventilation to creation of wetlands that restore a site's natural biological functions.

GRANDVILLE, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Belwith Products, LLC (“Belwith”), a designer and manufacturer of kitchen, bathroom and door hardware located in Grandville, Michigan, is releasing four new product catalogs for all its major brands; Keeler™, Belwith-Keeler®, Hickory Hardware® and FirstWatch® Security. Each catalog is intended for specific market channels, offering its customers more design and finish choices. Combined, Belwith® represents the largest product assortment in the industry today. Belwith® Products, the leader in design and finish in the decorative cabinet, door and furniture hardware industry, is now developing a host of new products and merchandising solutions through its strategic initiative to provide continuous innovation to its customer base.

Motion F5v Tablet PCs Save Time, Improve Efficiency and Streamline Project Site Management AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Motion Computing®, a leading global provider of tablet PCs and supporting mobility solutions, today announced that Texas-based commercial contractor SpawGlass has implemented Motion® F5v Tablet PCs as part of its enterprise-wide building information modeling (BIM) adoption strategy. With the F5v Tablet PCs in place, SpawGlass is saving time, improving efficiency and streamlining project site management, all while providing the project owners with a portable asset management solution. The F5v is a durable tablet PC that combines robust performance with integrated features to deliver the ideal solution for field workers who compute and enter data while standing or walking. Mobile professionals across construction, field sales and service and government are using the F5v because it provides the durability and functionality of a rugged PC without the extra weight and price associated with traditional, fully rugged devices. The F5v, running the Primavera P6 Enterprise Project Portfolio Management scheduling program, allows surveyors to easily share the project schedule with field personnel in real time as well as input schedule updates, all while in the field. Additionally, the Navisworks Simulate software allows the project team to identify problems in the field before they become a cost impact. With the survey software loaded on the F5v, SpawGlass is able to select control points directly from the CAD drawings or 3D model while in the field, and manipulate, layer and overlay drawings on the fly. To prepare the model for use by the owner, SpawGlass BIM experts will tag building components with a barcode number within the model. Each barcode will include all requested information including commissioning data, installation data, maintenance schedule, startup procedures and more. When construction is complete, SpawGlass will download the model and database to the F5v for use in commissioning and handover to the owner.

Users can now see how their average energy bill compares to others DALLAS, April 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Energy Flair, an online competition to save energy at home, has added a new feature to show how energy efficient a household is relative to others. Users can see how their average electric and gas bills compare to the real-time averages of three groups of people: their Facebook friends who are also using Energy Flair, all Energy Flair users, and other households in their state. Usage and cost averages are calculated using data from participants who upload electronic copies of their electric and gas bills. The site only displays group averages, so others will never know how much a specific individual is using or spending. Users can, however, compete with individual Facebook friends for the most Energy Flair, digital badges that are earned for year-over-year reductions in energy usage.

BRYAN, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Eager to learn? We’re eager to teach. It is simply the perfect equation. What’s all the fuss? A great family-owned company in a small NW Ohio town is doing something completely innovative. You could consider the approach urban or even coastal. Introducing SurfaceShow.com, an engaging TV internet show! www.SurfaceShow.com videos are raw, cool and fun – specifically designed to teach how surfaces are fabricated. Some of the best surfacing fabrication experts in the industry, sporting blue jeans, teach the world just how it’s done. Visitors and subscribers can see new episodes weekly. Along with the show-and-tell approach, viewers can ask questions and request to see something specific taught/filmed and then aired on SurfaceShow.com. Registrants can post photos of their latest kitchen or bath home projects. It’s a great way to share accomplishments, blog and get great information. Why? Why not? Inspired by thousands of YouTube visitors viewing the company’s raw videos, and hundreds of requests fitting in the category of “how do they do that,” Chief Operating Officer of the L.E. Smith Company and Host of SurfaceShow.com, Craig Francisco, gave conceptual life to the amusing internet TV program in late March. Weeks later, the program is launching.

Green Benefits Help Homeowners Save through Durability, Low-to-No Maintenance RESTON, Va., April 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The latest options in clay brick offer increasingly green benefits for more sustainable homes that can help homeowners save on major household costs. Naturally organic with virtually no waste, brick helps lower energy costs and upkeep through a maintenance-free exterior that offers superior durability, moisture control , termite resistance, proven stability and enduring beauty. Often incorporating recycled content, brick options including exterior, interior and landscaping features increase sustainability while meeting the highest green building criteria. The latest options for greater sustainability and savings through brick include: * Buying local: like farm to table, brick is made from local resources that reduce the use of fossil fuels; at least two brick plants are located within 500 miles of 49 of the country's top 50 metropolitan areas * Brick exteriors for energy efficiency/savings on fuel bills: brick's exceptional thermal mass allows it to absorb and store heat to release at a later time, reducing the load on the home's heating and cooling system * Interior brick walls as part of passive solar design/energy harvesting: frequently used in net-zero energy homes, brick walls soak up excess solar energy during the day to retain heat and naturally regulate interior temperatures; integrating structural brick walls and flooring throughout the home * Using salvaged brick: a growing trend among builders, brick is one of the few materials that building codes actually allow to be reused in a building application and keeps materials out of landfill * Brick landscaping that integrates into natural surroundings: brick patios, archways, garden walls, fountains, pathways, planters and driveways add durable value with low maintenance; light colored pavers can reflect a significant amount of solar energy, reducing the heat island effect * Brick paver for efficient water management/drainage: permeable brick walkways and pathways help reduce storm water runoff, puddles and filter pollutants/eliminate contaminates * Low-emitting materials: using brick throughout the house that do not require paint or coatings * No maintenance: no power washing, no repainting, brick's beauty endures without added materials or labor

Power Home Remodeling Group™ Shares Energy Efficiency Tips CHESTER, Pa., April 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Retrofitting an existing home to be more energy efficient is an effective way to save energy and reduce cost of homeownership. Retrofitting includes a variety of projects from replacing old light bulbs to upgrading appliances and installing new insulation. Practical home improvement has become popular among savvy homeowners looking to save. According to Pike Research, expenditures for energy efficient home improvements will grow to over 50 billion by 2014. Power Home Remodeling Group, the nation's fourth largest home remodeling company, offers energy efficiency tips for homeowners looking to celebrate Earth Day by "greening" their home. According to the US Department of Energy, 80 percent of homes built before 1980 were built with insufficient insulation. Old dishwashers waste up to 6,700 gallons of water per year – enough water to run an efficient dishwasher for seven years. Replacing old, single-pane windows can save a homeowner hundreds on energy bills.

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--American Lighting, an innovative manufacturer and distributor of lighting technologies for residential, commercial and specialty markets, today announced three new high performance additions to its LED Wall Washer product family - the Linear LED RGB Wall Washer, the Linear Warm White LED Wall Washer and the Warm White LED Wall Washer. Used for architectural, façade and event lighting the LED lighting solutions provide warm white and colorful illuminations while cutting energy bills and maintenance costs. FLEXIBLE LIGHTING SOLUTION With the ability to generate a full RGB color mix producing more than 16 million colors for brilliant color-changing effects the Linear LED RGB Wall Washer creates a dynamic wash of light that can be projected up to 65 feet. The slim design houses high intensity, low maintenance sets of red, green and blue LEDs that can last up to 100,000 hours. The product also offers a full pan tilt control with a locking handle design, a durable die-cast powder coated aluminum housing that is IP65 rated for use in wet locations, and the ability to link multiple units together - facilitating synchronous lighting effects from a single controller. WARM WHITE OPTIONS These high intensity Wall Washers produce superior light output, are easy to install and provide for maximum on-site flexibility with an adjustable tilt design. Warm white units are a great retrofit option for traditional illumination sources such as metal halide or high pressure sodium, saving labor and maintenance costs with long-life LEDs (up to 60,000 hours.)

Hampshire, IL – DECK-O-GRIP W/B is a non-yellowing, water-based, blended, polymer-based, high solids, liquid sealer for decorative concrete. The product is clear, transparent and easy to apply. DECK-O-GRIP W/B also offers greatly improved chemical resistance when compared to standard acrylic-only based curing and sealing compounds. The product has been formulated to seal and protect decorative colored concrete by producing a hard, yet flexible, clear film. The compound contains a slip-resistant additive, which produces a slip-resistant surface, for use on traditionally slippery areas. This product is specifically formulated for the residential decorative concrete market. DECK-O-GRIP W/B is designed for various applications, including exterior concrete surfaces, driveways, patios, swimming pool areas and exposed aggregate, as well as any exterior surface where protection and sealing of concrete is desired. The use of DECK-O-GRIP W/B on any exterior concrete surface provides a durable, long-lasting finish that has improved resistance to chemicals, oil, grease, salts and abrasion.

Columbia, Md. (April 18, 2011) – A&A Co., Ltd. of Tokyo, the Japanese distributor of Vectorworks® software, is offering emergency support and services for reconstruction efforts related to the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan. As a part of this initiative, A&A announced an offer to contribute 150 free licenses of Vectorworks 2011 and FastTrack Schedule software programs to organizations involved in reconstruction planning and projects. A&A will also provide software training, which includes dispatching training staff where needed. "We are sure that reconstruction projects will take a long time, and we do believe that our computer software will be a big help,” said Kazuko Uchida, CEO of A&A Co., Ltd. "We hope we will be able to assist in the reconstruction process for local people, even if it is a small amount of aid, with help from our staff and from our software users nationwide. We pray that all survivors of the earthquake and tsunami recover quickly, and that they lead a path to reconstruction of the affected areas." Vectorworks 2011, developed by Nemetschek Vectorworks, Inc., is CAD software for architectural, interior and product design, with capabilities related to city planning, master planning and civil engineering. The Japanese localized version of the software also contains extensions to simulate both evacuations and thermal environments during the design process. “We have a long-standing relationship with the design community in Japan, and we were shocked and saddened by the recent devastation to so many communities there,” said Stewart Rom, Chief Marketing Officer of Nemetschek Vectorworks. “We are pleased to be able to support our Japanese partners at A&A in providing this technology to assist with the rebuilding efforts.” More information for application and license distribution processes will be available on A&A’s website (http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.aanda.co.jp/fukkoshien/) beginning May 16, 2011. About A&A Established in 1984, A&A Co., Ltd. develops and sells software for architectural designers, with the motto "Use the best available, Create the best that's not." For more information, visit: http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.aanda.co.jp/ About Nemetschek Vectorworks, Inc. Nemetschek Vectorworks, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nemetschek AG and has been developing software since 1985. The Vectorworks line of software products provides professional design solutions for more than 450,000 designers in the AEC, entertainment and landscape design industries. With a tradition of designing flexible, versatile, intuitive and affordable CAD and Building Information Modeling (BIM) solutions, Nemetschek Vectorworks continues to be a global leader in 3D design technologies. For more information, visit www.vectorworks.net.

New Products Available for Autodesk Revit Architecture 2012 and AutoCAD Civil 3D 2012 for Building and Infrastructure Projects SAN RAFAEL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK), a leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software, announced that several Autodesk Developer Network (ADN) members have released applications for Autodesk Revit Architecture 2012 and AutoCAD Civil 3D 2012 software. ADN members have developed applications for architecture, transportation, land development and water projects to help extend the value of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in specific industries. Built for BIM, Autodesk Revit Architecture software helps users capture and analyze design concepts, and more accurately maintain a consistent vision through design, documentation and construction stages of a project. AutoCAD Civil 3D software, the BIM solution for civil engineering, helps teams more rapidly deliver higher-quality design and documentation for transportation, land development and water projects. Autodesk Revit Architecture 2012 is a key component of the new Autodesk Building Design Suite, while AutoCAD Civil 3D 2012 is integral to the new Autodesk Infrastructure Design Suite.

ECORE Takes Next Steps in Recycling for Next Generation Recycled Flooring. LANCASTER, PA – April 1, 2011 – ECORE International, pioneer of the recycled rubber flooring industry for over 20 years, is proud to announce its new “Redeux” material take back program. As an advocate for sustainable design and eco-friendly living, ECORE has developed Redeux to further their commitment to reducing waste, reusing scrap, and recycling old products and samples in order to manufacture new. Beginning April 1, 2011, ECORE customers now have the opportunity to send back old or remnant recycled rubber and cork products for recycling to ECORE’s Lancaster, Pennsylvania manufacturing facility. The Redeux program partners with building professionals committed to environmental stewardship by providing resources to recycle ECORE’s rubber flooring, underlayments, and rubber and cork industrial products after their useful life which will considerably help keep building materials out of landfills. The reclaimed material will be made into new flooring, underlayments, and industrial products by ECORE. “The Redeux process is incredibly unique due to the fact that ECORE’s products are already made from recycled materials at their inception and now are able to be “re-recycled” again and again,” states Arthur B. Dodge III, ECORE’s chairman and CEO. “We are proud to be able to reuse our waste, reduce the amount of products going to landfills, and recycle; therefore significantly extending the life of each product we manufacture.” Due to a proprietary process and complete quality control, no integrity is lost manufacturing new products from recycled materials. Quality is held to high standards due to ECORE’s own recycling capabilities, nothing is outsourced. These capabilities also reduce the use of fossil fuels by eliminating shipping to a separate rubber recycling company. Customers must first submit an application to have their material accepted into the Redeux program which asks questions about the amount of material to be returned and confirms that the material is free of foreign contaminates like stones, wood, concrete, drywall, etc. Materials accepted into the Redeux program will be shipped to ECORE’s Lancaster facility to be sorted, shredded, cleaned and ground for the next generation of recycled rubber flooring, underlayment and industrial products. All products manufactured by ECORE are applicable. Materials and samples that have been approved to be recycled include: ECOsurfaces Commercial Flooring, Everlast sports surfacing with Nike Grind, Everlast Contender, TRU, QT Sound Insulation, PlayGuard Safety Surfacing, Training Ground with Nike Grind, Pavesafe, and ECORE Industrial branded products. Materials with ECOguard coating, scrim, products installed with ECORE’s E-Grip III adhesive, and products made with ECORE’s patent-pending itstru Technology will also be accepted. Materials will be taken back and recycled on a case-by-case basis. Unexpected and unapproved shipments will not be accepted. The full requirements for the Redeux program can be found on ECORE’s website, www.ecoreintl.com. As an active member of the U.S. Green Building Council, ECORE supports sustainable green building policies, standards and practices. The use and reuse of pre and post-consumer waste is foundational to ECORE’s business. With respect for the environment and an understanding that all resources are limited, the company has made responsible development of innovative and sustainable products a top priority. To join ECORE’s effort to promote awareness, respect of our environment, and support the Redeux recycling program please visit www.ecoreintl.com or email redeux@ecoreintl.com for more information. About ECORE International ECORE International has been at the forefront of recycling efforts since their inception in 1989. Twenty years ago, ECORE pioneered the recycled rubber flooring category. Today, as North America’s largest user of recycled scrap tire rubber, ECORE processes more than 80 million pounds of scrap tire rubber each year, and helps to conserve more than one million barrels of oil in the process to convert pliable treads into durable product solutions for commercial, industrial, and architectural applications.

TORRANCE, Calif., April 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- A new portable dehumidifier that offers the highest water removal capacity available in a portable unit both in low and high humidity settings is available from Atlas Sales & Rentals, Inc. The DA 3500i dehumidifier removes 170 pints at AHAM* (80 degrees F /60% RH) while drawing only 10.5 amps, making it ideal for the most challenging drying applications in water damage restoration, construction and similar environments. The DA 3500i also offers smart performance features including an easy-to-read electronic control panel that uses built-in sensors to show humidistat settings plus inlet and outlet temperature and relative humidity conditions. The digital controls also enable easy humidistat set-up for ongoing moisture control. The display accommodates French, Spanish or German-language users with a simple menu selection. Constructed with a roto-molded polyethylene housing, the DA 3500i dehumidifier is rugged yet compact and easy to transport. The unit uses environmentally friendly R-410A refrigerant and has been ETL tested to UL/CSA standards for safety.

New program addresses energy-efficiency and quality-control needs specific to Wisconsin homes MADISON, Wis., April 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Focus on Energy , Wisconsin utilities' statewide program for energy efficiency and renewable energy, recently debuted the Focus on Energy New Homes Program. The program pairs Wisconsin builders with leading energy experts in order to construct new homes that are safer, more durable, and are 10 to 100 percent more efficient than typical homes built to the state's Uniform Dwelling Code. Builders throughout Wisconsin can enroll in the program, and prospective homebuyers can work with participating builders to choose one of four levels of efficiency.

GREENVILLE, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hubbell Lighting, (www.hubbelllighting.com) a market leader in innovative lighting technology for over a century, today launched a new website dedicated to one of the industry’s most advanced and comprehensive offerings of energy saving solid state lighting, LED luminaries and controls. The website (http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.hubbelllighting.com/led/) showcases the broad offering of energy saving LED lighting products, which cover the commercial, industrial and residential markets using high performance LED lighting technology and allows users to sort LED lighting fixtures by brands, markets or applications and quickly select a product and click directly to that product’s web page.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Lumiette, Inc., delivers the lighting industry’s first Flat Panel Lamp (FPL). This new FPL offers longer life, better illumination, superior dimming capability and overall lower cost of ownership. The Xcellume™ PAR 38 (Parabolic Aluminized Reflector type) FPL has the same performance (lumen output for instance) as a LED lamp but at the cost of a dimming compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) with the flood lighting and the warm color characteristic of incandescent. Power consumption is reduced by 75 percent resulting in a savings of more than $112.00 with a useful life of 25,000 hours compared to its soon to be extinct, incandescent equivalent. This new light bulb is based on the Lumiette’s patented flat panel lamp technology, is dimmable and will fit into any existing medium screw-based socket in a residential environment. There are an estimated 4.7 billion available lamp sockets in the US. Of those, 4.3 billion are in residential and commercial applications and 350 million of which are PAR-type applications. Xcellume PAR shaped lamps are considered the next wave of lamp design as they last four times longer than a typical CFL, eight times longer than a halogen lamp and 16 times longer than incandescent lighting, and will work with most existing wall dimmers. The first product in Lumiette’s roadmap, the Xcellume PAR 38 consumes only 15 watts while producing 750 lumens, for a lumens-per-watt (LPW) ratio of 50. The useful lifespan is 25,000 hours. Cost to manufacture and retail pricing for the Xcellume PAR 38 ranges anywhere form 67 – 75 percent less than PAR 38 bulbs using LED technology that are currently available from leading manufacturers.

MONTREAL, Quebec--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AS Hanging Systems, announces the completion and availability of their re-architected web site, www.ASHanging.com, to serve as the ideal reference for all things “hanging systems”. The formulation of this new web interface, more than a year in planning and development, offers many features, tools and information not available on any other web site addressing the “hanging system” market. “While we have had a web site for 6 years, our prior site, located at the same web address, was showing its age. While we frequently updated this site with new products and other announcements, it didn’t allow us to communicate our wealth of knowledge to site visitors, channel partners and prospective customers,” said Walter Moncade, President of AS Hanging Systems. “The Internet is a very important marketing and educational communications tool as well as our primary point of commerce. This new web site is completely new, from the ground, up. The changes comprise so much more than simply new graphic design and layout. The site is robust and very deeply enhanced with accumulations of our knowledge – and having been in this space for over 20 years we have learned much. The site allows us the facility by which we may structure that knowledge and project it back out into the marketplace. It allows us to demonstrate the leadership role that we have assumed over the last several years.” New Site Features * Online Ordering of a Comprehensive Sample Kit – Kit includes an ample selection of hanging rails, color swatches, hooks, rods and cables.(www.ashanging.com/en/sample-kit) * Continuing Education – This aspect of the site is truly unique. Architects and Designers may link to a free online course, and subsequent exam, that may earn them continuing education credits toward maintaining their professional credentials. This course is certified by AIA, CSI, ASID, IIDA, IDC and other agencies, 23 in total. However, the visiting public also has access to the same library of information that is not available elsewhere. (www.ashanging.com/en/continuing-education) * Downloading Documents – The site offers easy access downloads to many common reference documents such as art rail installation guides, weight guides, catalog, etc. * CSI Specs – The site also offers a pathway for architects to download 3-Part CSI Formatted Specs that may be used and included into their own project or master specifications. * FAQs – A thorough exploration of common questions. The questions are all visible in a compact list and a simple click on any one question, revels the reply to that single topic. This overcomes the common weaknesses with other FAQ architectures, where huge continuous pages run on for what seems to be eternity, making it nearly impossible to locate that one bit of information in which you are interested. (www.ashanging.com/en/faq) * Applications – The site features a discussion on the wide variety of uses in which the company’s product have been used. This is important because many persons view these product lines merely as art hanging systems. (www.ashanging.com/en/applications) * Gallery – The visitor may explore eight main gallery photo collections of actual installations. These include all sorts of applications such as distracting/calming walls in a dental office, food-services menu presentation, public notice boards, and gallery rod displays (also commonly referred to as “French Rod” display, etc.) (www.ashanging.com/en/gallery) * Multi-Lingual and Multi-Currency – The entire site is available in both French and English and ecommerce functions are available in both US and Canadian currency. * Product Documentation – Each product is supported by its own dedicated web page, which also houses such supporting elements as product item images, tear sheets, technical specs and capacities, price information, and compatible product references. The above is not an exhaustive list but does speak to the major site enhancements. AS Hanging Systems The company is a manufacturer and distributor of wall hanging systems, architectural fittings and display hardware. It has been active in this arena since 1964, and a manufacturer and distributor of hanging systems for over 20 years. The company has completed over 20,000 installations in North America and beyond. The breadth of product lines, quality of solutions, and professional service enables the company to continue leadership for a vast variety of business categories and institutions including hospitality, higher education, libraries, commercial buildings, museums, health care and residential markets. The company may be reached by phone at 866-935-6949.

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--EnergyPrint (www.EnergyPrint.com), a leading innovator of online energy management and reporting tools, today launched the next addition to its world-class energy reporting engine. “Energy Alerts” automatically mines EnergyPrint’s vast database of utility data and alerts property managers to take immediate action on irregularities. The new feature continuously monitors a property’s portfolio data and sends monthly Alerts to property managers when energy data falls outside a pre-designated “normal” range. EnergyPrint will flag both the good and bad data, spotting the troublemakers as well as celebrating the strong performers. At a portfolio level, Alerts assesses year-over-year and month-over-month energy anomalies, including raw consumption and cost changes, as well as weather-normalized consumption changes. The new tool also helps to identify properties that may be eligible for ENERGY STAR certification. Another Alerts bonus allows property managers to share their EnergyPrint account with their mechanical or electrical contractors so they also can be alerted, insuring prompt resolution.

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Huber Engineered Woods LLC, leading manufacturer of innovative building solutions, recently reaffirmed its ZIP System® wall sheathing and ZIP System® tape as the premier air barrier assembly for builders. As the state of Georgia prepares to make performance codes even stricter by requiring blower door testing on homes to accurately measure energy performance, builders are turning to ZIP System wall sheathing. Recent blower door tests conducted on a number of homes in Georgia using ZIP System wall sheathing resulted in scores of approximately 5 air changes per hour (ACH) or less, which confirms the home’s superior performance and energy efficiency. The ZIP System wall sheathing with a built-in water-resistive barrier is a structural wall panel, moisture barrier and air barrier all-in-one, providing a tight building envelope and superior moisture resistance during and after the construction. The Department of Energy recognizes that air barriers help prevent air leakage in homes, which can account for 30 percent or more of a home’s heating and cooling costs. The ZIP System® tape gun is used to install both the roof and wall products with the ZIP System tape, which provides moisture resistance for seams, valleys and ridges, can help reduce air leaks as recommended by the Seal and Insulate with the ENERGY STAR® effort, and is code recognized as window and door flashing tape when used with ZIP System wall sheathing (ESR-2227).

DANA POINT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Natural Current LLC is excited to introduce the world’s first solar pump and filtration system for spas and pools to the Phoenix, Arizona community. The patent-pending and award-winning Savior™ Solar Pool Filter Appliance literally pumps and filters swimming pool and spa water for free, using only the sun’s energy. Pool and spa owners can save up to 100% on their energy bill by utilizing this innovative product. No installation or batteries are necessary. The Savior™ creates no noise and emits no pollution into the environment. In addition, no city permits are needed for consumer use. The Savior™ pays for itself in months by reducing energy costs. With over 335,000 swimming pools and spas in the Phoenix area, pool and spa owners could collectively save over $500 million annually by switching from traditional filters to the Savior™.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--“Zero and Net-zero Energy Buildings + Homes,” a 64-page White Paper that proclaims “the next frontier in the green building movement,” is available online from Building Design+Construction (www.BDCnetwork.com). The 40,000-word report from Building Design+Construction, a professional publication serving the $350 billion commercial building sector, provides a road map for the U.S./Canadian design, construction, and real estate industry to develop “net-zero” buildings and homes—energy-efficient, affordable structures that generate as much energy as they use. Commercial buildings consume 19% of the nation’s energy; homes consume 20%. In the report, industry experts provide case studies of completed net-zero energy buildings, notably the Research Support Facility at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colo. The White Paper offers detailed information on energy-conservation technologies and renewable energy strategies, as well as the “business case” for net-zero buildings and proposed building and energy codes and standards for such structures. A prototype “net-zero carbon” building, designed to produce no greenhouse gas emissions, is also presented.

Hampshire, IL – CEM-KOTE CW PLUS is a one-component (add water only), Portland-cement-based coating (slurry) containing silica-based materials. Under water pressure (negative or positive), the soluble silicate penetrates (due to osmotic pressure) into the substrate, where it reacts with lime and forms insoluble calcium silicate crystals which “plugs” the capillary pores and waterproofs the concrete while allowing water vapor to pass. CEM-KOTE CW PLUS is a crystalline (capillary) in-depth waterproofing for new or existing water storage and water treatment concrete structures, digesters, clarifiers, and utility vaults. CEM-KOTE CW PLUS is suitable for waterproofing retaining walls, basements, concrete slabs, swimming pools, and other concrete structures. CEM-KOTE FLEX CW PLUS features many features and benefits, including: • Approved ANSI/NSF Standard 61- Barrier Materials. • Negative- or positive side-waterproofing. • Permanently active (in-depth). • Seals cracks 0.5 mm (20 mils). • Fast cure waterproofing (48 hours). • Approved for potable water tanks [>10,000 gallons – 1337 ft.³ (38 m³)]. • Waterproofs highly porous concrete. • Non-flammable. W. R. MEADOWS, under partnership with GEMITE™ PRODUCTS, is the exclusive U.S. distributor of CEM-KOTE CW PLUS.

AUSTELL, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--YKK AP America, the leader in manufacturing high quality architectural products, upgraded the design of its popular YES SSG vent used in storefront, window wall and curtain wall applications. The YES SSG vent was redesigned to be virtually invisible from a distance, enabling designers to provide ventilation without the large sight line of traditional windows. By offering an ideal combination of form and function, YKK AP continues to serve the architectural community with commercial building products that meet industry demands and complement structures’ aesthetic appeal. The YES SSG vent is ideal for many commercial structures, including schools and office buildings, to enable natural ventilation which contributes to USGBC’s LEED rating system within the indoor environmental quality credit. The enhanced design creates a clean sightline as the glass is bonded to the vent’s frame without needing additional retainers.

CHARLESTON, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GreenWizard® Inc., a web-based solution to simplify building material selection and to calculate and optimize product-related credits for projects seeking LEED® certification, and Greengrade™, a web-based LEED management software tool that allows project teams to communicate, track, and manage LEED project information, today announced the formalization of their strategic relationship. With this agreement, Greengrade will introduce customers to GreenWizard through marketing collateral and communications to facilitate their free use of GreenWizard’s WORKflow Enterprise platform by establishing a project directly in GreenWizard for use by existing Greengrade clients. Both companies agree that Greengrade’s collaborative LEED management software and GreenWizard’s tools for building material selection are synergistic in streamlining the management of LEED projects.

THREE ASSOCIATIONS PARTNER; DIRECTOR NAMED TO HEAD NEW ORGANIZATION International Interior Design Association (IIDA), The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and Interior Designers of Canada (IDC) have formally announced a partnership among the three design organizations to create an accrediting body for interior design continuing education. They will formalize and centralize what is currently a voluntary, decentralized consortium known as the Interior Design Continuing Education Council (IDCEC). IDCEC serves as the premier advocate for continuing education in the advancement of the interior design profession, and inspires and guides providers of continuing education programs to deliver high-quality lifelong learning activities for interior design practitioners. Under the direction of newly hired IDCEC Director Brynell D’Mello, a small staff will be selected and board of directors chosen as the organization works to centralize records/files and convert them to a web-based, data-driven infrastructure. Continuing education strengthens the interior design profession by improving individual attitudes, competencies, knowledge and skills in subject areas essential to the growth and success of the industry. Because of this significance, the new IDCEC aims to streamline the accreditation process for both course takers and providers, and to elevate the quality of continuing education within the industry. Quality of content, sustainable business practices, customer service and reliability are all core values of the new IDCEC. IDCEC will be operated by and for the benefit of the interior design community exclusively for the purpose of continuing professional education. In addition to members of the founding organizations, members of other organizations are welcome to actively participate in IDCEC in a manner which best serves their membership and strategic directions. Brynell D’Mello and the IDCEC office will be based in Toronto, Canada. For more information, please contact Jeanne Fisher, Senior Director of Communications and Marketing, jfisher@iida.org or 312 379 5140.

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--From a newly created traveling park in San Diego to the New Jersey Governor’s office, local chapters of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) will volunteer in their communities, reach out to schools and educate the public this April during National Landscape Architecture Month. In addition, the entire April issue of Landscape Architecture magazine is available online for free. Among the many events this April, expect benches to show up with virtual informational markers in Indiana at important sites designed by landscape architects. In Missouri, a community comes together to re-design a park to increase water quality and improve wildlife habitat. Connecticut and Wisconsin state houses will display award winning designs from the profession. In Arizona, professionals will offer seminars at their local library on topics ranging from the urban heat island effect to lizard species habitats.

MENTOR, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--EYE Lighting International, a leading manufacturer of lamps, luminaires and related lighting products, introduces a new line of outdoor, architectural-grade LED luminaires. Named kíaroLED™, the new EYE luminaires feature an exclusive optical design delivering superior performance in controlling backlight, uplight and glare, while increasing light-on-task and reducing energy consumption. KíaroLED™ color correcting optics (patent pending) improves uniformity and reduces color shift by redirecting light. Superior light control delivers more light at a lower wattage than competitive LED luminaires and an increased number of street-side lumens results in better visibility and minimizes the number of required poles.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Echelon Corporation (NASDAQ: ELON) announced that Direct Grid Technologies, LLC, a manufacturer of photovoltaic (PV) micro‐inverters for utility and commercial grade solar power generation, will be adding Echelon energy control networking to its micro-inverter products. Micro-inverters convert electricity generated by PV panels from direct to alternating current at the individual panel. This increases the overall reliability and efficiency of the entire solar power installation. By integrating the solar panels into a power line communicating energy control network with Echelon’s technology, Direct Grid can offer improved diagnostics, remote management and control, and lower the life cycle cost of the installation. The energy control network can be leveraged by Direct Grid and its customers over the lifetime of the panel installation, even as PV panel technology advances. As part of its strategy to transform the electricity grid into a distributed, reliable and survivable energy control network, Echelon is working with its commercial customers to inject intelligence into their products so that they can analyze and act immediately in response to dynamic grid conditions to maximize efficiency, reliability and cost-effectiveness. Echelon is focusing this work with companies providing solar power solutions, smart street lighting and building energy management. Today’s announcement with Direct Grid is the latest deliverable on this strategy.