The biggest change to improving quality in the building industry in a century Building Professionals, a Winnipeg based family company that has been providing quality assurance, certification, training and consulting services for over 3 decades recently launched a complete upgrade and revamp of its quality assurance program. This program is currently offered through various industry partners across Canada and the United States. The new program entitled, historic QAP 2.O, builds on some of the work and standards developed in the mid 1980’s that aimed to improve the quality and professionalism of contractors providing services to the residential energy efficiency industry. This new program provides a very high level of consumer protection, while at the same time providing value and a return on investment for the contractors that will participate in the program. The program is industry based, bringing in manufacturers, contractors, architects, building officials, home/building owners. Some of the highlights for home/building owners include warranty programs that provide 10 year, $150,000 protection for those that are considering upgrading their house to make it more green and energy efficient. The newly launched program will focus, at first, on the sprayed polyurethane foam industry (spray foam pro) in Canada and the U.S. This will be followed by other programs that building professionals have developed over the past 3 decades to improve and upgrade the overall quality. Tackling existing buildings is the single largest impact in order to reduce energy use, meet the challenges of climate change, while at the same time providing economic benefits and consumer protection. Building Professionals will be launching this program in other countries over the course of 2013. Countries include Mexico, Spain, Chile, Japan, China, Sweden, United States, South Africa and others. This program will provide immediate benefits to the Manitoba economy, as building professionals looks to add more staff over the course of the next 5 years. The company currently employs 20 individuals and will grow to 27 by the end of 2013. It will be nice for Manitoba to leverage their knowledge of green building and building science and start to export this expertise globally.

Koster American Corporation announced plans to remodel and expand their existing facility at 2585 Aviator Drive. Located in Oceana South Industrial Park, Koster purchased the 14,000 square foot office/warehouse facility in 2004. The company plans to expand into an existing 8,000 square foot office/warehouse facility and construct a 14,000 square foot warehouse and two 11,000 square foot manufacturing and warehouse facilities adjacent to the existing building. The company was founded in 1992 as a developer and manufacturer of waterproofing and other construction materials. Koster American is part of the international product manufacturing group Koster Bauchemie, headquartered in Aurich, Germany, and serves as the central location for distribution of superior products to North America. The company has been in Virginia Beach since 2004. "This expansion will allow Koster American to significantly increase our presence in the North American market," said Basil Mewes, President. "We are pleased to continue growing in a City that is as friendly to manufacturers as Virginia Beach. Koster has worked on many notable projects, from the Olympic hall in Beijing to the MGM hotel in Las Vegas, and we are thankful that the City of Virginia Beach will serve as a strategic partner in our continued success." The company plans to invest $3.1 million in building improvements and $1.5 million in land. As part of this expansion Koster will also hire six additional full-time personnel with average annual salaries of $70,000 (excluding benefits). "Koster American Corporation is a valued company in Virginia Beach and we have been extremely pleased with their growth," said Warren Harris, director of Virginia Beach Economic Development. "Koster's expansion represents a significant capital investment in the City and also provides our residents with the opportunity to secure high-paying, fulfilling jobs." The Virginia Beach Development Authority has awarded the company an Economic Development Investment Program grant in the amount of $85,000 based on the company's capital investment. The mission of the Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development is to attract and retain national and international business and industry that results in the creation of new capital investment and jobs that increase the per capita income in the community. The City of Virginia Beach is the most populous city in the Commonwealth of Virginia with a population of 437,000 and is the 39th largest city in the United States. The City of Virginia Beach is recognized as the best run city in America, by 24/7 Wall Street in 2012, and in 2011, Virginia Beach ranked number one for economic growth potential by Business Facilities. In 2012, the Department of Economic Development received re-accreditation through the International Economic Development Council, one of only 29 economic development organizations in the world to have this recognition. In 2011, the Department won an Award of Excellence for its marketing efforts from the International Economic Development Council.

Atlanta, Ga. - Atlas Roofing Corporation has grown its production capability by adding new state-of-the-art equipment to their manufacturing lines this spring. With these modern systems Atlas will be strategically positioned to answer the growing demand for shingles with HP Technology, the latest advanced shingle design from Atlas. This added production capacity, strategically located in Hampton, Ga; Meridian, Miss. and Daingerfield, Texas, will allow Atlas to quickly deliver its HP lines of shingles to more customers. These new laminating lines are proof that Atlas Roofing Corp. is making a long term investment in HP Technology, the future of residential shingles. HP technology was developed by Atlas after listening carefully to the needs of its contractors and features five key elements that are literally hard to miss: A larger size shingle which means less shingles to install and is more aesthetically pleasing on the home. The HP shingle has double sealant lines of FASTAC® adhesive. A true 1-1/4-inch “Sweet Spot” nailing area making HP laminates easier to install. The HP shingle has a 6-inch exposure to give it a real architectural look. The exception being the StormMaster Slate which adds an additional 2-1/2” for a full 8-1/2” of exposure creating the true look of slate. The HP shingle is also warranted to withstand 130 mph winds and wind driven rain with a standard 4-nail application. The increased production capacity of the new lines ensures that Atlas distributors will be more able to quickly fill contractors’ orders. By adding this new state-of-the-art equipment to its plants, Atlas has an incredible capability to deliver new and innovative product lines based on these and upcoming line improvements.