TORONTO, April 29, 2013 /CNW/ - Holcim Canada, with the help of volunteers like local Girls Guides, Scouts Canada and community advisory panel members, will have planted over 10,000 trees over the course of its annual celebration of Earth Day. In addition, Holcim Canada employees have rallied to volunteer their time and effort to clean up in and around their sites and the communities where they are located. "Our employees take great pride in what they do individually and what we as a company do collectively, to give back to our communities and to be stewards of the natural environment. We, as a company, strongly believe in balancing the triple bottom line of people, planet and prosperity" said Bill Galloway, Senior Vice-President, Holcim Canada. Thanks to the contributions of its employees and cc partners, Holcim Canada is able to make a mark in contributing to the stewardship of the natural environment and increasing awareness about ways that individual behaviours and habits can have an impact. To learn more about Holcim Canada, visit www.holcim.ca

The Italian natural stone field improved again thanks to exports closing 2012 at a total value of 1 billion 761 million euros, an increase of 9.7% over 2011. The result was essentially driven by finished and semi-finished products. Good performances were achieved in the USA (+28%), Canada (+25.9%), Saudi Arabia (+70%), North Africa (+11%) and China (+19.9%). Domestic consumption is still slow, with imports down by 5.3%. Verona, 30 April 2013 - Italian marble and granite continue to perform well around the world: 2012 saw exports close at +9.7% over the previous year, worth 1 billion 761 million euros. Exports of finished and semi-finished products came to 1 billion 405 million euros (+10.9%), while the remaining 356 million euros (+5%) came from unprocessed materials. Imports saw a slight drop in imports, for a total of 401 million euros (-5.3%). These, in brief, are the main figures for the Italian stone industry in 2012 drafted by the Marmomacc Observatory based on Istat data. The most important international event dedicated to natural stone, technologies and design is scheduled at Veronafiera from 25-28 September 2013 (www.marmomacc.com). Italian marble once again confirms its leadership abroad, especially as regards processed and semi-processed products. As regards Made in Italy finished products, the best rewards came from across the Atlantic and the Arabian peninsula, with two-figure percentage increases. In 2012, exports to the United States grew by 28%, worth almost 280 million euros and to Canada by 25.9% worth 52.6 million euros, while Saudi Arabia took materials worth close to 103.3 million euros (+70%). On a continental level, Europe is still the reference market, with orders worth 632.1 million euros, more or less stable at +0.4%. Germany is Italy’s main export outlet worth 156.9 million euros (+3%), followed by Switzerland (103.4 million euros, +8.2%), France (69.9 million euros, 10.9%), the United Kingdom (48.8 million euros, +2.3%) and Spain (12.9 million euros, +5.3%). Shipments to Australia fell by 5.1% to 19.4 million euros. The Mediterranean area, on the other hand, is ensuring interesting prospects: exports to the North African countries posted +11% for a total of 35.6 million euros: Morocco took the lion's share with 24.9 million euros (+0.7%); Egypt also performed well with 2.8 million euros (+59.3%). Turning to Eastern Europe, 2012 saw a slight downturn in Italian marble and granite exports, for a total value of 124.8 million euros (-2.4%). The Russian market went against this trend, with an increase of 8.5% to 46.6 million euros. Positive signs also came from Asia, with China expanding from 21.1 to 25.3 million euros (+19.9%). As regards imports of unprocessed materials, 2012 confirmed the drop in domestic demand in the wake of the economic and building industry crisis: Brazil is still the largest supplier to Italian companies, with 52.9 million euros (-6.7%), followed by India (37.1 million euros, -14.3%) and South Africa (22 million euros, -5.7%). The overall picture highlights the critical importance of cross-border development for the Italian stone industry which finds in Marmomacc is main international hub for sector trade: out of more than 1,450 exhibitors at the 47th edition of the event, 60% came from 57 different countries, as well as 52% of the 56,000 operators and buyers from 140 countries. Veronafiere is a vital tool at the service of companies in the Country-System and continues to pursue its project for establishing its events in consolidated and emerging markets all over the world: Marmomacc enjoys on the spot presence in the United States oversees (StoneExpo Marmomacc Americas), Brazil (Vitória Stone Fair and Cachoeiro Stone Fair), Saudi Arabia (Saudi Stone Tech), Egypt (MS & Middle East Africa) and Morocco (Médinit Expo).

Practice Greenhealth recognizes C/S for environmental accomplishments within its organization BOSTON, April 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Construction Specialties (C/S), a leading manufacturer of high-performing commercial architectural building products, is pleased to announce that it has been chosen to receive its fifth consecutive Champion for Change Award from Practice Greenhealth. The award was presented at CleanMed 2013 in Boston, MA, on April 25, 2013, and honors healthcare suppliers that have not only taken steps to improve their organization's green practices but have gone the extra mile to help their clients and associates expand their sustainable practices as well. For over ten years, C/S has been on a continual journey to improve sustainability in its products as well as its manufacturing practices. Many of C/S' products have been Cradle to Cradle CertifiedCM Gold or Silver and several of its facilities in Pennsylvania are ISO 14001 certified. Also C/S has been an industry leader in eliminating chemicals of concern in the built environment. Last year it opened a new facility in Hughesville, PA, that was LEED® Silver certified. Practice Greenhealth, the nation's leading health care membership community, empowers its members to increase their efficiencies and environmental stewardship while improving patient safety and care. "Construction Specialties, a founding member of Practice Greenhealth, has consistently focused on reducing toxic chemicals in commerce, reducing waste at their facilities, and exceeding customer needs for sustainable, high-quality products. We're very pleased to present Construction Specialties with the Champion for Change award for the fifth year in a row," said Lara Sutherland, Director of Business Membership at Practice Greenhealth. The following 2012 sustainability efforts lead to C/S' consideration for this award: • C/S facilities recycled 51-75% of their total solid waste, used on-site composting and installed waterless and low-flow restroom fixtures throughout their facilities • C/S created a database of all known materials used in their manufacturing process and compared their list to the SIN list, which is a priority watch list to replace chemicals of concern • C/S successfully eliminated the use of aerosol WD-40, MEK, and petroleum based lubricants • C/S continued to eliminate PVC and substituted EPDM and recycled rubber for certain PVC parts in its entrance flooring product line • 96% of C/S' more than 30,000 annual shipments fell under EPA's SmartWay program For more information about Construction Specialties, visit their website and follow on Twitter @csinconline.

KOHLER, Wis. – April 25, 2013 – At the 2013 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, one booth stood apart from the rest, showcasing the very best products from across the entire exhibition hall. Over 30 manufacturers entered products for consideration in the Best of KBIS Awards, a competition organized by the National Kitchen and Bath Association and judged by eight of the industry’s top designers. Selected for its excellence in functionality, quality and design, the KOHLER Moxie showerhead + wireless speaker received a Best of Bath gold award on Friday, April 19. The 2013 tradeshow season has been full of awards and accolades for KOHLER Faucets; at the 2013 International Builders’ Show, the National Home Builders Association named the KOHLER Sensate touchless kitchen faucet both the Best Kitchen or Bath Product and the Best in Show. “Both the Moxie showerhead and the Sensate kitchen faucet are a testament to Kohler’s commitment to stay at the cutting edge of design and technology,” Daniel Brohn, vice president of Kohler Global Faucets says. “Receiving so much recognition from our industry leaders only drives and motivates us further to continue to develop products that better serve the consumer.”

OTTAWA, April 24, 2013 /CNW/ - Today, the Canadian cement and concrete industry launched rediscoverconcrete.ca. The new web portal was created to provide comprehensive information on the sustainability of concrete - the world's most commonly used material after water. The portal is designed as a platform to engage the public as well as legislators, policy decision-makers, environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs), architects, and engineers in the discussion on concrete's sustainability, as well as to share information on the significant investments the industry has made and continues to make to become more efficient, cleaner and increasingly focused on product-based solutions to sustainability challenges. The portal is the collective endeavor of the Canadian Concrete Joint Sustainability Initiative members (CCJSI), a group that brings together representatives from different sectors of Canada's cement and concrete industry to communicate and advance the industry's significant contributions and progress toward meeting the challenges of sustainable construction. The portal's broad range of content includes: • The sustainability attributes and benefits of concrete • Industry strategies and key initiatives to reduce its environmental footprint • Overview of the cement and concrete manufacturing process • Academic research on Life Cycle Assessment as well as on the use of alternative and renewable energy sources • Examples of the cement and concrete industry's corporate social responsibility initiatives and community involvement • Links to speeches, industry news, upcoming industry events and several videos • Links to industry associations websites, where more in-depth information on cement and concrete products may be found Canadian Concrete Joint Sustainability Initiative members and contributors to rediscoverconcrete.ca can be found at www.rediscoverconcrete.ca/about.

Delta Faucet spotlights its Touch2O® Technology at the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show in New Orleans, April 19-21 INDIANAPOLIS, April 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Delta Faucet Company has been at the forefront in research and design of touch and hands-free faucet technologies in the home for more than a decade. Since 2008 when the Delta® brand introduced Touch2O® Technology, the first faucet technology of its kind, Delta Faucet has continued to enhance the way consumers interact with their kitchen and bath faucets. Delta Touch 2O Technology is based on highly responsive, precise and reliable capacitance sensing technology, similar to that found on smart phones, tablets and other touch-activated devices. Unlike with infrared sensors, outside factors such as lighting conditions, color and highly reflective objects do not interfere with capacitance sensing capability. Through its research, Delta Faucet found that while certain tasks may benefit from hands-free functionality, the majority of people gravitate to the control and responsiveness of touch activation in the kitchen. Touch2O Technology affords consumers the ability to precisely control the activation of water exactly when and where it's needed - even when hands are full or messy. With Touch2O Technology, users can simply tap anywhere on the spout, hub or handle of the faucet to turn the water stream on or off. Water temperature and volume are adjusted easily above the deck using the faucet handle. In 2011, Touch2O Technology was introduced on lavatory faucets and was expanded to include Touch2O.xt Technology, providing the option of hands-free functionality in the bathroom, where proximity sensing was found to be desired. Today, the Delta brand offers eight kitchen suites and three bathroom suites featuring Touch2O Technology, as well as two bathroom suites with Touch2O.xt Technology. This year at KBIS, Delta Faucet will introduce extensions on two of its collections featuring Touch2O Technology. New models include new pull-out and waterfall configurations on its Cassidy™ kitchen suite and a pull-out kitchen faucet on its modern Trinsic&Trade; collection. Delta Faucet also is expanding its selection of electronic lavatory faucets with the introduction of optional hands-free and Touch2O Technology on its Dryden™ bath collection.

KOHLER, Wis. – April 16, 2013 – Sustainability has long been a cornerstone of the values of Kohler Co., as evident in a quote from Walter J. Kohler, who served as the company's president from 1905 to 1937: "So-called 'free goods,' such as sunshine and fresh air, may be of more real worth than most economic goods." That same spirit and commitment is still embraced and practiced today, earning Kohler Co. numerous awards and accolades. Most recently, the readers of Green Builder magazine voted Kohler the "Greenest Plumbing Fixture Products" for the publication's annual Readers Choice Awards, which recognizes "pioneering companies leading the industry in sustainable thinking". It was the second consecutive year that green professionals chose Kohler for this distinction. Green Builder magazine features its Readers Choice Award winners in the March 2013 issue and wrote, "Kohler never lets up on their water conservation messaging. It's part of their culture and their mission, and professionals can't help but respect that commitment." "Receiving this recognition again from a group of environmental professionals who are both passionate and immersed in sustainability is such an honor," says Rob Zimmerman, manager of engineering, water conservation, and sustainability for Kohler Co. "It's both validating and encouraging to know our energy and work are impactful."

NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Under the Reimbursable Space Act Agreement SAA3-1272, LP Building Products recently asked the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to evaluate the impact damage resistance of engineered wood siding from the LP®: SmartSide® brand and fiber cement siding. The evaluation was conducted by NASA Glenn Research Center's Ballistic Impact Laboratory in Cleveland. For example, in the case of baseball impact tests, the LP SmartSide siding sustained no visible damage while the fiber cement siding sample experienced extensive damage, even though the LP SmartSide siding sample was impacted at a speed nearly 5 mph greater than the fiber cement siding sample. A link to the full written evaluation can be found at www.lpsmartside.com.

University of Waterloo architecture and engineering students receive first prize TORONTO, April 18, 2013 /CNW/ - RBC and B+H proudly announced today the winners of the 2013 Evolve Sustainable Design Competition. University of Waterloo students Renee Hum-Hsiao, Elaina Poleto, Keegan Steeper, Joanne Yau and Thomas Yuan received first prize for their design of an environmentally sustainable bank branch of the future. The winning team received $5,000 and an opportunity to meet with some of Canada's top architecture professionals at B+H. In addition, the University of Waterloo student team of Alice Chen, Alan King Bowden, Andrea Ng, Alice Song and Mina Vedut received an honourable mention and a $2,500 prize. The competition challenged architecture and engineering students to work together in interdisciplinary teams to design a net-zero energy and water-wise bank branch of the future that incorporates innovative yet practical concepts for achieving extreme energy efficiency, includes renewable power and minimizes the branch's water. "The winning submissions used a great balance of technology and passive design - strategies that maximize the benefits of natural light, heat and ventilation - to meet the goals of the competition," said Douglas Birkenshaw, principal at B+H. "The dedication and quality of submissions by all of the students was inspiring." "We were very impressed with how fluent in environmental sustainability all the students were," added Lawrence Spicer, vice-president, Channel Strategy at RBC. "It is clear that sustainable design is very important to them and we're glad to support their visions for the future with a competition like Evolve."

KOHLER, Wis. – April. 16, 2013 –For the first time in almost two decades, New Orleans will play host to the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show where Kohler Co. is constructing its 8,800-square-foot booth at New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center for the opening on Friday, April 19. The KOHLER® booth also includes company subsidiaries KALLISTA®, Robern® and Ann Sacks Tile & Stone, Inc. Sign up for a media tour of the Kohler booth at KBIS 2013.

LOS ANGELES, April 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Dwell on Design (www.dwellondesign.com), America's largest modern design event, returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center, June 21-23, 2013. DOD reimagines the tradeshow experience by transforming 200,000 square feet of concrete into a design incubator where prefab comes to life and design luminaires debate the issues of today. With more than 400 exhibitors, 200 speakers, 2000 products and an expected 30,000 attendees, DOD has become the largest design event in the US, showing how influential design is in every aspect of our modern world. Dwell is proud to announce The Lincoln Motor Company as the Presenting Auto sponsor, Design Partner jcpenney and Industry Partner The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). The event is produced by Dwell Media (www.dwell.com). Much like European trade shows, Dwell on Design is broken up into zones, taking visitors on a journey through constructed wonderlands such as Dwell Outdoor, the Tech Zone, the modern family lounge – as well as Furniture and Kitchen & Bath. Both trade professionals and consumers will be saturated with home solutions that are sophisticated, modern and smart. Exhibitors include household names like Miele, Kohler, GE Monogram, Emeco and American Express as well as modern staples such as Resource Furniture, Marimekko and Urbio. Content continues to set DOD apart from other trade shows this year. Renowned architect and product designer, Michael Graves will kick off the weekend as Keynote Speaker and focus his inspiring presentation on design, including how his philosophy and perspective changed due to a life altering-illness. Continuing on three stages (Design Innovation stage; Sustainable Design stage; Business of Design/Demo stage) over three days, representatives from the Getty Conservation Institute, MOCA, LACMA, Sci-Arc, the MAK Center, Architecture for Humanity and The American Society of Interior Designers will host thought-provoking and educational panels open to all attendees.

See them all on display at booth #1715 SATELLITE BEACH, Fla., April 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Visitors attending the 2013 Lightfair International Show at the Philadelphia Convention Center will be introduced to a broad range of new, high performance lighting products from Lighting Science Group Corporation® (OTCQB: LSCG). The Lighting Science booth (number 1715) will showcase products that are cutting-edge, environmentally-friendly and energy-efficient that supports their mission of unleashing the science of light to make people and the planet look, feel and heal better.

Pilkington’s new tint, Graphite Blue, expands the possibilities for architectural design and creativity. Toledo, Ohio – Pilkington North America is proud to announce the development of Graphite Blue, a light blue-grey tint. The new body-tinted solar control glass offers high daylight transmittance with a soft blue-grey tone. This tint is the perfect addition to the Pilkington Optifloat™ family of tinted glass – which includes Green, Blue-Green, Bronze and Grey. Our Graphite Blue tint offers flexibility for original and innovative architectural design where low reflection is required. With high daylight transmittance and energy absorption, it is suitable for any commercial application requiring solar control. To achieve additional thermal insulation, Pilkington Optifloat™ Graphite Blue can be combined with Pilkington Energy Advantage™ low-e glass in an insulating glass unit. Pilkington Optifloat™ Graphite Blue is available in 6mm, 8mm and 10mm thicknesses. The Graphite Blue substrate is also available with the Pilkington Solar-E™ Plus solar control pyrolytic coating. Pilkington Solar-E™ Plus Graphite Blue is the perfect solution for enhanced solar and thermal control, reduced glare, and low ultraviolet (UV) transmittance. Pilkington Solar-E™ Plus Graphite Blue is coated using a pyrolytic or “hard coat” process. The pyrolytic process allows for the coating to be chemically-bonded to the glass at the molecular level while the glass is still in the semi-molten stage. Pilkington Solar-E™ Plus coating is durable and can be easily handled, transported and processed, including tempering and bending. Due to the durability of the pyrolytic coating, it does not degrade over time, which gives the product a virtually unlimited shelf-life. For more information on Pilkington Optifloat™ Graphite Blue and Pilkington Solar-E™ Plus Graphite Blue, including performance data in the Sun Management Calculator, go to our website at: www.pilkington.com/na or contact us at buildingproducts.pna@nsg.com

Latest Components Create Complete High-Performance Steel Deck Framing System WINCHESTER, Va., April 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -Trex Company, the world's largest manufacturer of wood-alternative decking and railing products, is rounding out its high-performance Trex Elevations® Steel Deck Framing System with the addition of a new galvanized steel post and joists in a greater range of lengths. These innovations join a range of recent system improvements – including a stair solution and beam end caps – that are designed to offer even greater benefits to contractors and consumers. For more information about Trex Elevations and other Trex products, visit trex.com.

Hampshire, IL – DECK-O-SEAL, a division of W. R. MEADOWS offering a complete line of pool deck products, offers DECK-O-SHIELD to protect and seal pool decks and waterfalls from damaging water and salt penetration. DECK-O-SHIELD is a ready-to-use, one-component, water-based sealer that will seal and repel water from virtually any surface located near or around a swimming pool. DECK-O-SHIELD is ideal for use on waterfalls and can be used on natural stone decks, walkways, coping stones, and/or patios. DECK-O-SHIELD can be sprayed or brushed onto natural stone, mortar joint, concrete, brick, concrete block, and stucco. It is a transparent, non-staining sealant that will not alter the appearance of a surface after the application has dried. In addition, DECK-O-SHIELD helps resist stains from spills and protects against efflorescence, rust staining and salt staining caused by salt water. DECK-O-SHIELD also contributes to LEED credits for low-emitting or regional materials. For more information, contact DECK-O-SEAL, a division of W. R. MEADOWS, INC. by phone: (800) 542-POOL; fax: (847) 214-2268; e-mail: sales@deckoseal.com, or visit www.deckoseal.com.

SHANGHAI, April 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- In the year of 2011, the total output of ready-mixed concrete in China reached 1.42 billion cubic meters, and the number has increased in the past two years. In Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou and other big cities, the usage amount of ready-mixed concrete has reached more than 60% of the total concrete amount. Since the amount of ready-mixed concrete is rising and more cement enterprises are extended their business to concrete, there is more competition in the concrete industry. Advanced techniques and enterprise management are becoming more and more important. At the same time, green concrete has become a new trend due to the promotion of regulations and policies, and concrete enterprises are paying more attention to green and sustainable concrete development in China. Based on such background and the high requirements for concrete development, the Ready-mixed Concrete Conference will be themed as"Focus on enterprise management, advanced techniques and sustainable development", and will be held on June 24 th and 25th in Shanghai. The event is a good platform for ready-mixed concrete manufacturers, machinery/equipment suppliers and additive suppliers to share their experience from the perspective of ready-mixed concrete design, research and development, and material/equipment requirements. The conference will be held concurrently with Concrete Show China, and all the delegates will have access to the exhibition to visit and chat with the exhibitors. More than 15 high-level speakers are on board, including the senior expert Mr. Wang Tiemeng, who is the leading authority in the concrete area, division head Mr. Dai Buhe from the Chinese Housing and Urban-rural Development Information Center, the country director from Cemex Mr. Jesus Caviedes, President Gu Yanqing from Jiangsu Concrete Association and other GM/chief engineers from Shanghai Urban Construction Co., Concrete Industry of Jilin YATAI (Group) CO., LTD and Shanghai Jiangong Construction Material Co., Ltd. For more information or questions, please go to www.readymixed-concrete.com, call +86-21-6157 3930 or email askconference@ubm.com.

TRA Snow and Sun acquires Accurpress machine, doubling its ability to bend, punch and dimple solar racking and snow retention products. A solar panel doesn’t automatically attach itself to a roof, wall or structure. There are numerous frames, pieces, and screws that become part of the solar system before it provides energy to a building. TRA Snow and Sun manufactures solar racking systems for all types of systems and has recently acquired a new machine which doubles their capacity to create the numerous parts required. TRA’s Accurpress press brake machine employs programmable capabilities, lifetime lubricated gibs (requiring no grease) and bearings of a Teflon composite material. What this means in layman’s terms is that, unlike previous machines used to bend, pierce and dimple the frames and rails used to mount a solar panel, this one cuts the time in half to do the same processes while increasing accuracy. TRA Snow and Sun, Inc., located in American Fork, Utah, offers Roof Snow Retention Devices, Solar Racking Systems and Roof Ventilation and Flashing Solutions. They provide all customers, from the individual homeowner to the big developer, free engineered designs for all their systems. For more information call Richard Gauer at TRA Snow and Sun at 800-606-8980 or visit www.trasnowandsun.com

SCRANTON, Pa., April 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- AZEK Deck has been named the number one brand in "Quality" in Builder Magazine's 2013 Brand Study in the Composite/PVC Decking category. This marks the second year in a row that AZEK Deck has received this recognition from Builder Magazine's annual reader survey that covers 70 different product categories. Grommon reiterated that the AZEK Deck brand and its accessory product lines have only been on the market since mid-2007 which makes this award even more impressive. According to Grommon, "Clearly, when we are being measured against deck products that have been around much longer, it's a great accomplishment for contractors to select AZEK Deck as the leading brand in Quality after just six years on the market." Conducted for numerous years, the Builder Brand Study surveys four key points about a brand's performance in the marketplace. The questions/areas rated include: • Which Brand Are You Most Familiar With? • Which Brands Do You Use the Most? • Which Brands Have You Used in the Past 2 Years? • Quality Rating of Each Brand The builder survey was conducted by Hanley Wood Publishing and research firm Readex, using a sample of 11,700 readers of Builder Magazine. Data was collected via mail survey from August 2 to September 24, 2012, with a 24% response rate. For more information, visit www.azek.com.

Valspar Pro delivers a custom lineup of professional paint, dedicated in-store service and competitive pricing to more than 1,700 Lowe’s retail locations MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Valspar Corporation (NYSE: VAL) today announced an expanded retail paint program, now available at Lowe’s, specifically tailored to the needs of the professional painter. The program includes a comprehensive lineup of Valspar-branded professional grade products in multiple formulations and finishes that simplifies paint selection while delivering on the durability and performance requirements of professional painters. Based on extensive input from pros, the Valspar Pro program also expands in-store support through custom tinting and color matching services, small batch mixing as well as direct shipping, volume and value pricing. The Valspar Pro program represents a substantial growth opportunity for Valspar as the professional paint business represents more than 50 percent of the U.S. architectural paint market. While Valspar has served the professional paint market for many years, this new program substantially increases the depth of products and services it provides in more than 1,700 Lowe’s retail locations nationwide. Professional painters will benefit from Valspar Pro’s easy application, uniform appearance, consistent hide, reliable touch-up and factory tinting, all of which reduce time on the job site and deliver a higher quality finished project. The program is also supported by a new mobile Web application at www.valsparpro.com that provides essential information and application advice on various formulations and finishes. Valspar Pro officially launched in Lowe’s stores March 25 and features the “Pro Challenge,” a series of more than 300 events taking place in various Lowe’s retail locations throughout the U.S. The “Pro Challenge” will showcase the performance of the Valspar Pro paint lineup, provide application advice and other painting tips for pro painters.

Global industry leader launches design-driven light switches, ushering in new decorating opportunities for homeowner. WEST HARTFORD, Conn., April 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- With few and forgotten milestones marking the history of the household light switch—the toggle switch invented in the 1900s and the paddle switch in the 1960s - Legrand is on a quest to reinvent this essential home product with the launch of adorne, a distinctive line of switches, dimmers, outlets, and wall plates. Building upon four years of research in the American market, adorne's groundbreaking light switches open a new chapter for the homeowner, interior designer, and do-it-yourself enthusiast. The collection's compelling design, innovative technology and simple installation advance the light switch into a meaningful consideration in the home renovation process. By May 2013, adorne will be available in select lighting showrooms and home improvement stores nationwide. Achievements in Technology The truly astounding switch portfolio features seven models, each providing a unique on/off activation and user experience. Standout products in the line include: • The Touch™ Switch uses capacitive touch technology to control lights. Its stunning translucent face operates just like an iPod®. • The Wave™ Switch activates lights with the wave of a hand. • The SensaSwitch™ turns lights on and off when people enter or leave the room. • The Pop-Out™ Outlet is popped out when needed, providing three outlets, and pushed back in to fit flush to the wall when not in use. The collection also includes the adorne Under-Cabinet Lighting System - a flexible, modular track that tucks under kitchen cabinets and delivers lighting, power, and even music without cluttering the backsplash. Legrand will be unveiling adorne wireless systems for the home in June 2013, including a Wi-Fi Music System, Wireless Video Intercom, and Whole-House Wireless Lighting Controls. To learn more, or find a retail location near you, visit www.adornemyhome.com.

–Over 500 Replacement Windows for Historic New Jersey Building– FLUSHING, NY, March 29, 2013 – The City Hall building in East Orange, NJ is sporting a new outlook on the world thanks to Crystal Window & Door Systems. Over 500 new energy efficient windows supplied by the national award-winning manufacturer have recently been installed in the historic building. The window replacement project was a major part of the City Hall façade renovation and a key project in East Orange’s overall energy efficiency and conservation program for municipal buildings.