CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW) announced that Mike Conway has joined the company as Director of Corporate Communications & Investor Relations. Conway will be responsible for Media, Investor and Community Relations, reporting to Bob Wells, VP-Corporate Communications and Public Affairs. Conway joins Sherwin-Williams after spending 8 years at KeyCorp where he was VP Investor Relations. Mike has been recognized nationally by his peers for outstanding service to investors, the media and associates. Prior to KeyCorp, Conway was Director of Corporate Communications for Manco; Director of Media Relations for the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority and spent 13 years as an Emmy award winning Special Projects Reporter at WJW-TV-8, Cleveland. Assignments included travel to Poland, Israel, Mexico, Canada. Conway has an MBA from Cleveland State University and a BA from John Carroll University.

PITTSBORO, Ind.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Masonry Innovations, Inc. has launched the BrickVent Moisture Control System. To reduce the risk of mold or other structural problems caused by trapped moisture, BrickVent ventilates and weeps moisture away. BrickVent greatly exceeds the building code requirements and current products that call only for weeping (i.e. draining) the moisture trapped in the space between the exterior brick and the exterior sheathing. It can be used for both new and existing brick homes, as well as commercial buildings. Designed by Ernie Alexander, a masonry contractor with over 17-years experience, the BrickVent Moisture Control System was designed to improve upon current products and methods used by builders that typically focus only on weeping moisture away. BrickVent provides all of the weeping capabilities and over ten times more ventilation of the air space than traditional products on the market. The BrickVent system is comprised of a series of brick sized vents colored to blend with the surrounding wall. The BrickVent units are placed at regular intervals at the bottom of the wall. These units drain water in its liquid form and also allow air to be drawn through the space behind the brick. This air flow serves to dry the backside of the wall and equalize the pressure differential that exists between the outside and the space behind the masonry wall. This negates the forces that cause moisture to be driven inward. The result is that the brick wall stays dryer and the building is not as susceptible to mold, deterioration and other moisture related problems. BrickVent also addresses a common problem in masonry construction called “trash mortar.” It is the mortar that falls down the back side of the wall as the brick is being laid. As the mortar accumulates, it clogs the small, regularly spaced openings at the bottom of the wall, which are called weep holes. This severely limits their effectiveness. To eliminate this problem, the BrickVent system has an interlocking “mortar deflector” to keep the unit from becoming clogged. Therefore, BrickVent does not require any other fiber netting –type products like other weep products on the market. Another common problem with weep-hole-based systems is that by leaving holes at the bottom of the wall, an open pathway is created between the interior and exterior of the structure. This allows rodents, snakes, and insects free access through the brick exterior. BrickVent blocks this access with a screen that provides for the flow of air and moisture, but which keeps these types of vermin on the outside of the home. BrickVent can also be used as part of the moisture remediation efforts on existing structures, where moisture entering through the brickwork is the source of the problem. Single brick-sized openings are cut along the bottom of the wall at regular intervals and the “brick portion” of the BrickVent is installed to ensure a flow of air. This added ventilation can reverse the negative effects of trapped moisture. BrickVent is a cost effective alternative to expensive repairs involving demolition of entire brick walls.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 100,000 housing professionals are expected to descend on Orlando, Fla., for the 2007 International Builders' Show (IBS). With the housing market slowing from record levels, the educational sessions, networking opportunities and state- of-the-art technology and products featured at the show make attendance critical for any professional working in the industry. Hosted by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the housing industry's largest annual light construction trade show and exhibition will be held at the Orange County Convention Center, Feb. 7-10. Hailed as the "Big Show," IBS promises a wealth of educational opportunities for housing professionals, with more than 290 educational sessions on topics ranging from sales and marketing, business management and new technologies to design trends. These sessions offer builders and associates the best opportunity to explore the latest trends and best practices and learn how to grow their businesses. New for 2007 is a "Changing Markets" education track with more than two dozen classes, including forecasts for the home building and remodeling industries, advice on penetrating new markets and sessions that address the fundamentals of today's marketplace. For example: - Cut Construction Costs: 20 Proven Techniques -- Historically, land and direct construction costs have represented 78 to 85 percent of a new home's sales price. Learn the 20 ways to bring these costs down to 70 percent to improve profitability without cutting the value and quality of your homes. - Using the Internet in a Changing Environment -- From Web-based software to online marketing, there is a lot the Internet can do to improve your efficiency and profitability in a changing environment. Learn what's out there and how to integrate it into your business. - It's a Whole New World: Make Money in 2007 -- The market has returned to reality, and that reality is more competitive than ever. Now is the time to ensure that you are in the right place -- the right product with the right pricing and the right sales and marketing tools to maximize sales. - 107 Marketing Ideas for 2007 -- Four industry experts present 107 ideas for success in 2007. Learn exciting new promotional, advertising and merchandising techniques in this fast paced program. - Selling Smart to Builders: Your Best Plays for a Changing Market -- As the market changes, associates need to understand the best ways to present their products and services to builders. Learn the latest techniques and strategies that salespeople for associate member firms are using to get builders' attention in the midst of a changing business climate. "Changing Markets" is being offered to help building professionals stay competitive in the current economic climate and is just one of 19 different educational tracks available to IBS attendees. For more information on registering for classes and to see the full array of educational offerings, visit http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.buildersshow.com/Seminars. Visitors can also see what the show has to offer at http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.buildersshow.com/VTS, a virtual showcase for exhibitors and their products. The 2007 International Builders' Show is not open to the general public. Building industry professionals and their affiliates are welcome to register by visiting http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.buildersshow.com/. Discounted online registration ends Jan. 5, 2007. On-site registration begins on Sunday, Feb. 4.

Functional Design Becomes a Competitive Advantage for Leading Elevator and Escalator Company LAS VEGAS, Autodesk University, Nov. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK) today announced that KONE Corporation, one of the world's largest providers of elevators and escalators, is successfully integrating 3D into their 2D design processes with Autodesk Inventor software, the world's best-selling 3D mechanical design software product. Leveraging the powerful 3D capabilities of Autodesk Inventor lets KONE focus on Functional Design, the creation of designs based on the functional requirements of a project. As a result, function drives form, and the company can move more quickly from concept to reality with designs that work right the first time. As one of the world's top elevator and escalator manufacturers, KONE offers a full range of services, from design and installation to maintenance and modernization. KONE's escalator modernization team specializes in solutions that allow building owners to update their existing escalators at a significantly lower cost than a total replacement. On these complex jobs, all of the escalators' mechanical and electrical components are removed while keeping the structural framework intact. This allows for quick installation of the latest escalator technology, modernizing a building's vertical transportation resources without causing major disruption to the customer. KONE had historically done most of its modernization design work in 2D. The company saw the advantages it could gain by integrating 3D design into these modernization projects, where the constant challenge is to incorporate a universal product into many different brands, models and types of escalators. "The Functional Design features in Autodesk Inventor, such as the Frame Generator and Design Accelerator, let us generate parts and assemblies based on functional requirements and real-world parameters," said Don Gradin, a mechanical designer for KONE. "That helps us maximize the commonality and interchangeability of parts, which minimizes design time and reduces field installation hours due to improper component fit. Most importantly, this helps us get new escalators up and running quicker for our customers." Autodesk Inventor, which provides support for both 2D and 3D design environments, was the ideal solution for KONE, a company that had a great deal of legacy data in AutoCAD software files. Additionally, the overall user- friendliness of the Inventor product assured that KONE was able to rapidly start realizing the benefits of 3D design. "The operational simplicity of Autodesk Inventor -- especially compared to some other 3D packages -- created a quick ramp-up to proficiency, even for inexperienced operators," said Gradin. "Today, all of our designs are released to production with a full set of 2D drawings generated from Inventor 3D models. Switching between 2D and 3D is effortless. Since all of our parts and assemblies need to be modeled anyway, there is very little additional engineering time required, and we experience a significant time reduction in drawing preparation." In addition to saving time, Autodesk Inventor 3D designs allow for easier visualization of solutions, which helps in both conceptualizing and brainstorming. This creative advantage assures that KONE stays on the cutting edge of design for its customers. "To stay competitive in today's marketplace, manufacturers have to increase engineering productivity without sacrificing innovation," said Robert "Buzz" Kross, vice president of Autodesk Manufacturing Solutions. "By using Autodesk Inventor 3D functionality and a functional design approach to their work process today's manufacturers are better able to realize their ideas and easily achieve both goals."

Housing Meets Green Communities(SM) Criteria CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Nov. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Trolley Square, a newly constructed affordable housing development at the intersection of Cameron and Massachusetts avenues in North Cambridge, will soon become home to 40 low- income families. Enterprise Community Partners joined Homeowner's Rehab, Inc. (HRI), the Mayor of Cambridge, local officials from the Department of Housing and Community Development, MassHousing, Cambridge Housing Authority, Citizens Bank of Massachusetts and future residents at the grand opening celebration today. HRI's goal was to create affordable, energy efficient, healthy homes for Trolley Square residents. The 40-unit, mixed-use development, formerly the storage facility for Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority electrical buses, consists of 32 rental units (4 one-bedrooms, 22 two-bedrooms and 6 three- bedrooms). Residents living in the rental portion can benefit from a project- based subsidy. Meanwhile, eight first-time homebuyers will move into their three-bedroom townhomes in December. Trolley Square is a unique smart growth development. The property includes 2,800 square feet of commercial/community space and a landscaped plaza above an underground parking garage. Linear Park, the nation's second busiest bike path, is adjacent to Trolley Square and links residents to rail and bus stations. In addition, the city of Cambridge is planning to construct a 4,000-square-foot park next spring.

LINCOLN, Neb.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Axis Technologies Group, Inc. (Pink Sheets:AXTG) announced today that the National Park Service Regional Office in Omaha, NE became the fifth building in the US to achieve LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Gold Status. This certification is provided through the US Green Building Council. The building went from LEED Silver Status to LEED Gold Status as a direct result of installing the Axis Technologies Dimming/Daylight Harvesting (DDH) ballasts in one large area of their new building located on the Omaha riverfront. This area was monitored for energy savings, and the data showed 70% lighting energy reduction over the standard T8 system that was originally slated for installation. The report on this installation is available on the Axis Technologies website, or by contacting Axis directly at (866) 458-9880.

Company Also Launches Sustainableceilings.com Web Site and Extends Its Leadership In Using Innovation to Support Healthier Indoor Environments CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--USG Corporation (NYSE: USG) announced today that with its newly reformulated ceiling panels, it is the first manufacturer to offer formaldehyde-free ceiling panels and the highest level of antimicrobial protection available today. These USG enhancements will help customers further reduce VOC (volatile organic compounds) emissions and increase mold and mildew protection, key strategies in creating healthy, sustainable environments through improved Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ). The company also announced the launch of a new Web site – www.sustainableceilings.com – to serve as an industry resource. “USG offers the widest selection of ceiling panels that outperform or meet the strictest IEQ guidelines for VOC emissions, including the most stringent requirement in the market, the California Office of the Environmental Health Hazard Assessment standard,” said J. Mark Kemerling, USG’s product marketing manager, Ceiling Panels. “While other manufacturers simply apply additives or surface treatments, USG uses patented formulations and coatings technology to increase mold and mildew protection in our ceiling panels.” Formaldehyde-Free Ceiling Panels an Industry First More than 25 USG ceiling families now deliver formaldehyde-free or low-formaldehyde performance, which comes standard on these products with no additional charge or lead time. Of those, eight product lines exceed the California Office of the Environmental Health Hazard Assessment standard. Classified as formaldehyde-free, these products can help qualify and meet the intent of several LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) credits. These panels and the other USG product lines also meet or exceed the guidelines set by the Collaborative for High-Performance Schools (CHPS), the State of Washington, OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute. “As one of the largest surfaces in an indoor space, a ceiling using no- or low-formaldehyde panels helps create a healthy, sustainable space and meets the needs of the most demanding building and design professionals,” said Kemerling. USG Is the Industry Leader in Mold and Mildew Protection To further help building professionals in their quest for sustainable design, the company now offers two distinct levels of anti-microbial protection. Most of USG’s ceilings in the CLIMAPLUS™ product line are designed and formulated to stand up to heat and humidity extremes (conditions that foster mold and mildew growth) and inhibit the growth of both mold/mildew and odor/stain-causing bacteria. For a superior level of protection, USG’s new CLIMAPLUS Superior Performance ceiling panels are the only standard panels on the market to feature a lifetime-warranted, high-performance antimicrobial treatment and achieve a no-growth “10” rating in ASTM International mold/mildew testing. “Assuring a high level of indoor air quality is critical to achieving sustainability because spaces that deliver comfort and functionality are likely to meet occupant needs long into the future without requiring extensive upgrades or renovations,” said Kemerling. “USG has long supported sustainable building by emphasizing innovation, from the raw materials and resources we use to the manufacturing and recycling processes we employ.” USG Launches Sustainableceilings.com USG has also launched a new Web site, www.sustainableceilings.com, to further educate the building community about sustainability. The easy-to-navigate site includes information on products and issues, including commentary from industry experts Mike Italiano, CEO of The Institute for Market Transformation to Sustainability, and Robert J. Kobet, AIA, chair of the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED-NC for Schools initiative and co-author of the LEED for Contractors and Construction Managers Workshop. USG’s latest sustainability efforts follow the company’s launch this past summer of its Ceiling Panel Recycling Program. USG accepts panels from the continental U.S. and areas of Canada, where customers simply need to stack and wrap the panels, then call for pickup. The company is using the recycled panels to manufacture new ceiling products. Many of USG’s ceiling panels also use recycled paper and contain mineral wool made of slag, a byproduct of steel production. “USG’s commitment to health, safety and environmental responsibility is evident at every stage in the product life cycle chain,” said Kemerling. USG Corporation is a Fortune 500 manufacturer and distributor of high-performance building systems through its United States Gypsum Company, USG Interiors, Inc. and L&W Supply Corporation subsidiaries. Headquartered in Chicago, the company serves the residential and non-residential construction markets, repair and remodel construction markets, and industrial processes. USG’s wall, ceiling, flooring and roofing products provide leading-edge building solutions for customers, while L&W Supply center locations efficiently stock and deliver building materials nationwide.

SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A new 4,300-square-foot facility for fire engineering research and testing has opened at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI). The building, which enhances SwRI’s fire evaluation capabilities, provides an indoor area for large-scale, full-on fires with a heat release rate in excess of 25-megawatts. This is the third commercial test facility of its kind in the United States. “We custom-designed and built this facility to expand our research capabilities and meet clients’ needs for larger fires in a controlled environment,” said Nathan Weyandt, a senior research engineer in the Fire Technology Department for SwRI’s Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Division. “The facility has several exciting new features including an elevated control room for better monitoring and a height-adjustable ceiling for simulation of different-sized buildings. We also installed a pollution abatement system that can exhaust up to 120,000 standard cubic feet per minute of fire effluents during testing and remove particulate emissions above 1.5 microns with greater than 99 percent efficiency. Twelve symmetrically placed louvers allow air to be drawn into the building without producing asymmetrical air currents.” The building has a 65 X 65 footprint and is 65 feet tall — large enough to perform a 10-foot diameter pool fire or a 50-foot-tall corner test. The room has a perimeter floor drain and a 40,000-gallon holding tank for liquid effluents. The fire suppression system is equipped with a 1,500 gallon per minute fire pump, supplied by a 30,000-gallon water storage tank. A 1,500-gallon foam agent storage container and associated equipment will allow the induction of fire suppression agents during tests. The new facility will be used to conduct fire suppression evaluations, alternative fuels testing, gas analysis, heat release measurements and more for the construction, fire protection, transportation, chemical processing and other industries. “This new fire engineering research and testing facility will give us state-of-the-art capabilities for indoor large-scale evaluations,” said Dr. Marc Janssens, director of the SwRI Fire Technology Department. “Previously, we were much more limited in the large-scale fire tests that we can perform on our grounds. Some evaluations could only be conducted outdoors at our remote facility in Sabinal, Texas, where testing is often delayed due to unfavorable weather conditions. An indoor facility will better serve our clients, as it will allow us to conduct evaluations all year round, without regard for environmental or weather conditions.” SwRI’s Fire Technology Department offers remote viewing access for clients. Tests are documented with digital video and additional options include high-speed, thermal imaging and ultraviolet imaging. A secure web site is available for clients to observe testing from any computer with Internet access.

DENVER, Nov. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Gone are the days of power outlets limiting space and confining building design. Convia, a new Herman Miller Company, is rewiring thinking about traditional electricity with the debut of its signature product, Convia Programmable Infrastructure, at the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo held in Denver's Colorado Convention Center (Booth #1201) from November 14-17. Convia Inc. seeks to change the way people design, build, personalize and manage space. Convia Programmable Infrastructure is a modular and programmable electrical infrastructure that delivers "plug-and-play" power virtually anywhere within a commercial space without requiring hardwiring of devices or switches. Eliminating the constraints of traditional electrical systems, this next-generation infrastructure invites architects, interior designers, electrical contractors, building owners and tenants to "go reconfigure" and create flexible, sustainable environments that can be easily -- and instantly -- modified or upgraded. Convia allows users to accomplish all of this with installation costs that are at or below standard wiring, and life cycle costs that are a fraction of the cost of traditional electric.

Affordable, maintenance-free, LED residential street lighting consumes 50% less energy than a standard street light, and lasts longer than 10 years DARDANELLE, Ark.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--IntenCity Lighting business partners Mike Bruck, President & CEO and Pat Mullins, EVP, Product Development, announce they have officially launched their patent-pending LED street light technology. Municipalities can save significant energy and maintenance costs by retrofitting existing residential street lights with this new technology. In addition to street lights, the company also manufactures and sells a variety of other outdoor lighting including garage and parking deck lights. IntenCity Lighting has filed five patents on new designs and engineering for it’s reflector system, photosensor, power supply, mounting and cooling systems. Pat Mullins, whose career in the LED traffic light industry spans several decades, recently moved from Tampa, Florida to help design and assist with production scale-up at IntenCity Lighting’s facility in Dardanelle, Arkansas. “Our LED light replaces standard, 100 watt High Pressure Sodium luminaires and consumes half the energy,” said Mr. Mullins. “There is no bulb replacement for 50,000 hours or more than 10 years. We have a sealed light engine that has no air intake and never needs internal cleaning. IntenCity Lighting has a unique, integral down-looking photocell that requires no opening in the housing, no wiring, and outlasts the LEDs themselves. Essentially we have developed a maintenance free, outdoor lighting fixture that has no ballast or bulb. As an added benefit, our lights have sharp optical cutoffs and are international, dark sky compliant.” Mr. Bruck said that unit costs for the light is $405 in small quantities. “We have calculated the pay-back to the municipalities to be about 3.5 years depending upon their energy costs. We have a municipal leasing program that makes it economically feasible for almost any city to convert to this new technology.” “Our light weighs about 15 lbs and is extremely is easy to mount,” commented Mr. Mullins. “We have developed a unique pipe mounting requiring no saddle clamps or bolts to torque. The fixture coupling slips into a standard pipe and expands for a secure, weather tight seal.” IntenCity Lighting recently exhibited their street light technology at the American Public Works Association national trade show in Kansas City. “We got an overwhelming response and interest from cities and towns across the U.S.,” commented Mr. Bruck. “In addition to the U.S. market, we have strong interest overseas in Europe, Australia and South America.” There are an estimated 10 million 100 watt, high pressure sodium street lights in the U.S. alone. “Of course GE and Sylvania and others, are working to develop similar technology,” said Mr. Mullins, “Many of these companies are in the design and test stages of product development. From what I’ve seen, our product outshines anything out there in the market now or under development. We’re first to market with a truly viable LED street light product.”

CONNECTIONS Europe 2006 SAN JOSE, Calif. & BERLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Echelon Corporation (NASDAQ:ELON), a global networking company providing technology and solutions for controls, smart metering, and energy and environment management, along with twelve consumer products companies, announced today the formation of the Digital Home® Alliance. Working together, the Digital Home Alliance will bring to market networked home control products based upon Echelon’s open, standards-based LonWorks® control networking technology and promote to consumers the value of the Digital Home Alliance logo as a mark of products that network together, are easy to install, and add value to consumers’ lives. The Digital Home Alliance was announced in a keynote given by Echelon’s CEO, Ken Oshman, at the CONNECTIONS™ Europe conference, a leading event for the home networking community, being held November 14-16 in Berlin, Germany. “The market for ‘smart homes’ has been limited to the upper one percent of the consumer market,” said Ken Oshman, Echelon’s CEO and chairman. “We believe that the long awaited automated home is about to become reality. The technology, price points, consumer sophistication and external market drivers and incentives are in place to enable a massive new industry. The Digital Home Alliance is a group of companies committed to delivering products and services that fit this evolved home control market based on consumer choice, simplicity, and enduring value.” Membership in the Alliance is open to all companies building interoperable LonWorks based products. The first companies to join the Alliance include 4HomeMedia, ADIC, Alpha Telecom, Daelim, Echelon, Intelligent Community Solutions (ICS), Kolon, Lithium House, MAT, Nico Technology, Secyourit, and Viconics. This global alliance of companies will bring products to market that bear the Digital Home logo, signifying to consumers products that work together on a home network. These companies will work cooperatively to promote the benefits of using Digital Home branded products to consumers and installers. Digital Home products utilizing Echelon’s technology will be marketed to two distinct segments: consumers and professional installers. Products utilizing Echelon’s patented interoperable self-installation (ISI) technology, which enables products to install themselves automatically without using any installation tools, will be targeted to the consumer mass market. Homeowners seeking professional grade home automation solutions will be able to purchase Digital Home products utilizing both ISI and standard LonWorks software installation tools. “We have always felt that an ecosystem approach to home automation was a necessity,” said Kurt Scherf, vice president and principal analyst at Parks Associates. “The Digital Home Alliance approach is compelling because its underpinnings require a solid ecosystem – one that can accommodate device manufactures, service providers, professional installers, retailers, and of course a homeowner’s demand to purchase what they want, when they want.”

Recycled Content, Innovation, Energy and Cost Savings DENVER, Nov. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Vinyl's numerous energy-saving, environmental and health benefits are on display this week at the nation's principal green building expo. The three-day GreenBuild International Conference & Expo in Denver features green and sustainable products ranging from non-slip flooring made from 100 percent recycled vinyl to insulated vinyl forming systems for building foundations, energy-saving vinyl windows and roofing, and huge PVC sewer pipes made with recycled content. Architects and designers are increasingly finding that vinyl's infinite flexibility, durability and well-established, energy-saving qualities represent one of the most effective ways of meeting the evolving standards for green buildings, noted Vinyl Institute president Tim Burns. An increasing number of home-building and major construction products are also now using recycled vinyl, Burns said. The Plastic Pipe and Fittings Association booth at GreenBuild features sections of sewer pipe made with post-consumer vinyl content, including recycled vinyl siding. Oscoda Plastics of Oscoda, Mich., is showing its "Protect-All" slip- resistant, fire and water resistant specialty flooring made from 100 percent recycled vinyl. Protect-All flooring resists mildew and other bacterial growth and is non-corrosive, even when exposed to chemicals or grease. John Rouse, national sales manager of Oscoda Plastics, said the company recycled six million pounds of post-industrial vinyl from the automotive and roofing industries last year alone to produce Protect-All flooring. The non- slip flooring is ideal, he said, for building entrances, gymnasiums, locker rooms, industrial kitchens, pool decks and automotive service garages. Also of special interest to builders at this year's expo is Energy Edge, the new, energy-saving vinyl insulated edge forming system for slab construction. Made by Energy Edge of Wichita, Kan., the system saves time and labor, conserves natural resources and helps buildings qualify for the Green Building Council's LEED points, noted vice president Casey Barbour. "We are being sought out by every aspect of the building industry because we are the first to provide a product that effectively and efficiently insulates the slab edge, completing the building envelope and meeting code," she said. Building and home owners not only enjoy significant energy savings, but a reduction in molds, mites and mildews that often build up in traditional floors.

Culminal® S Cellulose Ethers – Superior Performance WILMINGTON, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hercules Incorporated (NYSE:HPC) today announced that the Aqualon business unit is introducing Culminal® S cellulose ethers as a result of technological developments based on unique methylcellulose chemistry. This chemistry offers new superior performance to the construction market. Compared to other cellulose ethers, the Culminal S line of products offer: * Faster cement setting due to extremely low retardation effect; * Improved strength development; * Smooth dispersion in gypsum machine plaster reducing lumps and improving workability; and * High mortar stability giving constant properties over the entire working life. Culminal S cellulose ethers for various grades of tile cement and gypsum machine plaster are available now, or will be commercialized by the end of the year. New Culminal S products tailored to specific end uses and customer requirements are planned as additions to this product line.

MST/NuVisions’ Wi-Fi Network Scales To Support All Major Applications From Secure Corporate Data To Streaming Music And Video NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MST/NuVisions, a subsidiary of Telkonet (AMEX:TKO), which currently operates the largest Wi-Fi footprint in New York City, announced today that it is has successfully expanded its carrier-class level Wi-Fi network offering unrivaled security, reliability and quality of service. The NuVisions Wi-Fi network is designed to scale for coverage and increased capacity demands, and was recently expanded to provide seamless mobility to the New York Road Runners organization and its staff for use before, during and after the ING New York City Marathon, which was held on Sunday, November 5, 2006, delivering 30 Gigabytes of data over the previous week. “Our Wi-Fi network is changing the face of anytime, anywhere connectivity in New York City,” said Frank T. Matarazzo, President, MST/NuVisions. “The growth and demand we’ve seen in the last few months is a testament to our Wi-Fi network's potential and our proven track record in delivering a robust Wi-Fi service that is capable of supporting the full range of user experiences and meeting a diverse range of private and public requirements.” The NuVisions Wi-Fi network, supported by a gigabit network that connects the properties it serves in a redundant gigabit ring within New York City – a virtual fiber optic network in the air, delivers a wide range of services and applications to multiple devices including high-speed Internet, remote access to enterprise systems, entertainment devices, Wi-Fi enabled Smart Phones and VoIP applications, allowing individuals to access the network from the street, their offices and in open spaces. For the ING New York City Marathon, NuVisions temporarily expanded its Wi-Fi coverage areas to include Central Park West and 81st St to the corner of 86th and Central Park West, which increased the existing Wi-Fi footprint which already included the area surrounding Tavern on the Green, Central Park West and 67th St, the southern-half of Central Park, Columbus Circle, Riverside Park from 60th to 79th Streets, Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, and the United Nations Plaza. The Wi-Fi network is also available in and around Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue, Trump World Tower on First Avenue, the Trump Place properties located on Riverside Boulevard, Trump Palace, Trump Parc, Trump Parc East and Roosevelt Island surrounding the Octagon residential community. “We are committed to providing access to the most advanced wireless network in New York City and supporting the city’s economic development by providing next-generation Wi-Fi services that will distinguish this city from the others as a Wi-Fi technology pioneer,” Matarazzo concluded.

PLEASANTON, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--E-LOAN®, an online consumer direct lender and longtime advocate of consumer financial protection, today announced that it has received the highest overall rating in the fourth quarter 2006 Online Customer Respect Study of the financial services industry. E-LOAN continues to set the standard for customer respect by once again leading financial services companies with the highest rating overall. The Customer Respect Group, an international research and consulting firm that focuses on how companies treat their online customers, reported that E-LOAN's Customer Respect Index (CRI) Rating was the highest among all financial services firms in the survey. The Customer Respect Index is a qualitative and quantitative in-depth analysis and independent measure of a customer's online experience when interacting with companies online. E-LOAN led the overall ranking with a consumers’ trust index score of 7.9 compared to the industry average of 5.7. According to the study, E-LOAN beat out major financial services brands Visa and Wachovia. Among all financial services firms polled, E-LOAN ranked highest for transparency. Of the 65 companies studied, E-LOAN was one of only four to achieve the Excellent Customer Respect Standard. “This company was founded on the belief that consumers deserve a fair, open and honest way to get a loan and save money,” said Mark Lefanowicz, president of E-LOAN. “We take this responsibility seriously, continually striving to provide the best possible customer experience. We are pleased and honored that consumers continue to recognize these efforts.” Since its inception, E-LOAN has been working on behalf of consumers to transform the lending industry, providing consumers with a more open, fair and honest lending experience. As a staunch consumer advocate, E-LOAN played an active role in the legislative battle to provide consumers access to their credit scores, the most important factor in determining whether a consumer is approved for a loan and at what rate. In June 2002, E-LOAN co-founded Californians for Privacy Now (CFPN), a coalition dedicated to requiring financial services companies to obtain the consent of consumers before sharing their information with third parties and affiliates. As a result, E-LOAN helped facilitate the California legislature's passage of one of the strongest consumer financial privacy protection laws in the nation.

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR(R), Part of New Jersey's Clean Energy Program(SM), Now Available to Improve Efficiency and Performance of Homes Statewide NEWARK, N.J., Nov. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- For New Jersey residents who are tired of paying high home energy bills and living in uncomfortable homes, a new statewide initiative called Home Performance with ENERGY STAR(R) can help them save up to 30 percent on their energy costs and improve the comfort, health and safety of their homes. Sponsored by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) and New Jersey's Clean Energy Program(SM), Home Performance with ENERGY STAR(R) is a new statewide initiative that will be available throughout New Jersey beginning this fall. The initiative offers residents a comprehensive "whole house" approach provided by trained and certified home improvement contractors that deliver advanced energy efficiency improvements to homes in order to save money, energy and the environment. Through this initiative, contractors accredited by the Building Performance Institute (BPI) perform a Comprehensive Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Assessment to test a home's overall energy performance and draw up a plan to improving the home's energy efficiency and comfort. The Home Performance Contractor will be able to insulate and seal the house, replace the heating or cooling system and perform other improvements. During the assessment, the contractor will perform a number of tests on the home to determine which areas will benefit from energy efficiency and performance upgrades. The contractor will measure the home's energy efficiency, insulation and air infiltration levels, heating/cooling equipment efficiency, appliances, and lighting, as well as test ovens, water heaters and other equipment to make sure dangerous combustion gases like carbon monoxide are not leaking into the home.

PONTE VEDRA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Since launching in July of this year, MyHomeLink.com has unveiled several desirable tools for both consumers and real estate professionals to use before, during and after a purchase or sale of property. Today, MyHomeLink.com presents an affordable pricing structure for marketing tools that help real estate professionals in today’s slower housing economy. A MyHomeLink.com monthly membership for a real estate professional starts at just $25. At this level, they can advertise themselves and their properties, utilize technologically advanced mapping features, view traffic to their ads and listings and access numerous resources. At the next level, at only $45 a month they get real time FSBO alerts. Membership and access to consumers is always free and anonymous, bringing high volumes of traffic to the site. “Professionals in the industry will save more on gas by using MyHomeLink.com to receive their local FSBO alerts than they will spend on a MyHomeLink.com membership,” says Steve Blisko, CEO and founder of MyHomeLink.com. “The recently revealed low rates have been turning heads among professionals who recognize the value and big impact of MyHomeLink.com on their marketing success that is like no other service of its kind.” The pricing structure was tested and received favorable responses during a focus group recently held by IntenseROI, a marketing and parent company of MyHomeLink.com. The focus group comprised of Florida real estate professionals including independent agents and those who are affiliated with large realty networks. MyHomeLink.com will be present at this year’s NAR® Conference and Expo in New Orleans, where they will give away prizes including lap tops, cash prizes, MyHomeLink.com memberships and restaurant gift certificates. Real estate professionals attending the conference are encouraged to stop by booth number 1091 for a chance to win one of the prizes and to find out if MyHomeLink.com can be a useful marketing tool for their needs.

Silver-based antimicrobial will provide FasTop™ Flooring Systems with continuous protection against a broad spectrum of microbes CLEVELAND and WAKEFIELD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sherwin-Williams, the largest single-source supplier of high-quality paints, stains, masonry coatings and brand-name wall and floor coverings in North America, today announced that it will incorporate AgION Technologies, Inc. antimicrobial protection in its FasTop™ product line of General Polymer brand flooring systems. The silver-based antimicrobial in the FasTop floor coatings effectively protects the cured coating against a broad spectrum of bacteria and mold, and can be used for applications in food processing facilities and other industrial spaces where microbial growth can be problematic. “FasTop seamless flooring systems are ideal for food processing and pharmaceutical production because they effectively perform in these aggressive physical and chemical conditions, while facilitating clean operations. FasTop flooring systems install quickly and eliminate historic problems associated with impermeable epoxy or polyester system. Now FasTop systems will incorporate the AgION silver-based antimicrobial technology bringing additional performance benefits to our customers,” said Tom Murphy, General Polymers Vice President of Marketing for Sherwin-Williams. “We are very excited to work with AgION Technologies, as it is a well-known and trusted name in the antimicrobial industry. In addition to the FasTop product line, we are looking to incorporate AgION’s antimicrobial technology into other lines of our flooring and coating products. We feel the AgION antimicrobial additive will help us provide our customers with safe, effective and long-lasting antimicrobial protected products in our industrial coating systems.” High foot and vehicle traffic, the movement of heavy equipment, and cleanings with hot water and harsh chemicals can cause severe damage to a floor’s surface. Damaged flooring is an ideal breeding ground for problematic bacteria since it provides a dark, damp refuge that is impervious to commonly employed cleaning techniques, such as disinfectants and sanitizers. As a result, odor-causing bacteria can live for hours – or even days – within the pits and crevices that can form on a floor’s coated surface from every day wear and tear. The AgION antimicrobial incorporated into the Sherwin-Williams coatings is comprised of naturally occurring silver ions. Silver has long been recognized for its antimicrobial properties and humans have used silver for thousands of years to combat a wide range of microbes. The AgION antimicrobial provides continuous and long-lasting protection from microbes by releasing silver ions at a slow and steady rate. This creates a continuous protective environment from microorganisms. The patented AgION antimicrobial technology is designed to last throughout the life of the product. “We are thrilled to work with Sherwin-Williams to provide AgION antimicrobial product protection in its FasTop industrial floor systems used in commercial food preparation areas,” said Ginger Merritt, Vice President of Worldwide Marketing at AgION Technologies, Inc. “There continues to be a growing concern about cleanliness within the industrial food preparation and processing industries. The General Polymers brand name is synonymous with high quality, professionally installed seamless flooring systems and will now feature the AgION antimicrobial technology to help protect against microbial growth on the cured coating surface.” AgION’s antimicrobial has been proven effective against a broad range of microorganisms, including bacteria, algae, and fungus such as mold and yeast, yet is safe enough for human and food contact. AgION’s antimicrobial has been approved for food and water contact by the Environmental Protection Agency and is listed as an indirect food contact substance with the Food and Drug Administration. www.generalpolymers.com www.agion-tech.com

DARIEN, Conn., Nov. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Providing consumer education, especially helping the amateur buyer, is the hallmark of a company trying to establish value as the true barometer of a buying decision. Providing it in such extensive and diverse ways as Burr Roofing, Siding & Windows is worthy of special recognition. So it was on October 26, 2006 when the Connecticut Better Business Bureau (CTBBB) awarded Burr the 2006 Business/Consumer Education Award. "Many of our customers are first-time purchasers of replacement roofing, siding, windows and gutters and are completely unfamiliar with how to determine their best deal for price and value," stated Robert G. Priest, President and Owner of Burr Roofing, Siding & Windows of Darien. "Only asking 'how much does it cost' and 'when can you start' leaves too many homeowners completely dissatisfied with their home improvement experience," Mr. Priest added. Over 2,300 complaints and lawsuits are filed each year with the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection and the CTBBB against home improvement contractors. Education to help Connecticut consumers avoid the grief, anxiety, pitfalls and aggravation when it comes to buying roofing, siding, windows and gutters is extremely beneficial. "A recent study of 700 home improvement customers found that 48% would NOT hire their contractor again," cited Mr. Priest. "That means that the likelihood of a successful project is about that of a coin toss to the uninformed," he continued. Burr provides some of its decision-making and buying information as part of their Anxiety Avoidance Program and Successful Project Assurance Packet. "92% of Burr's customers are part of the 52% who are satisfied home improvement customers. We're very happy that the CTBBB recognized us for this," concluded Mr. Priest. Burr Roofing, Siding & Windows (http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.roof123.com/) provides exterior home improvement services, like roofing, siding, windows and gutters, to customers in New Haven and Fairfield counties in Connecticut and Westchester County in New York. Burr leads in providing decision-making and purchasing information to help all buyers, especially first-time buyers, understand how to obtain their best deal for price AND value. Burr is a member of CCN, Certified Contractors NetWork, an association of contractors committed to improving their "best practices," and employs the Monopolize Your Marketplace(TM) strategic marketing system, both are geared toward building a better company and letting the marketplace know how to value it.

UFFALO GROVE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Wireless building automation technologies provide new options that solve challenging installation scenarios and remove physical or financial constraints to hard wiring. Leading the industry with their successful debut of the first Wireless Field Level Network, Siemens Building Technologies, Inc., announced today the introduction of a Wireless Automation Level Network (WALN), offering unprecedented system design and implementation flexibility. “With the introduction of Siemens WALN,” says Kevin Osburn, Vice President of Building Automation Solutions, “we once again break new ground by offering a proven, end-to-end wireless solution at all levels of the APOGEE® Building Automation System architecture.” Wireless connectivity at the automation level is especially desirable when a proposed site’s circumstances make running Ethernet cabling physically difficult or prohibitively expensive. Whether it is necessary to avoid the need to trench and run wiring between buildings, connect isolated, hard-to-reach panels, or to enable communication independent of the corporate Ethernet network, a Siemens WALN can help keep installed costs in check, while adding new flexibility during the design and implementation phases of a building automation system installation. Siemens uses IEEE 802.11 (WiFi) technology to establish wireless communications for building automation controller and management level networks. To assure compatibility with the latest technologies, Siemens is committed to developing hardware based on open communication standards (such as WiFi and Ethernet). Siemens conducted thorough and rigorous testing and validation with a host of 802.11 products, including the Siemens Scalance™ W family of products and those from other leading vendors. Siemens WALN solutions are available now. For more information on APOGEE Wireless, visit: www.usa.siemens.com/wireless o access an interactive tutorial that explains wireless mesh technology and its applications, go to: http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.us.sbt.siemens.com/bau/swf/apogee/index.html.

ATLANTA, Oct. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI) today announced the certification of micronAir filters(R), manufactured by Freudenberg Nonwovens, as the first automotive cabin air filters to be certified for low chemical emissions under the GREENGUARD Certification Program. These chemicals, known as volatile organic compounds or VOCs, are often the culprit for many health-related issues, including asthma and allergies. These chemicals often generate the well known "new car smell." Studies have shown that VOC levels of new cars are significantly higher than recommended levels for today's indoor building environment and contribute to these smells. The passenger compartment has a significant presence of plastics, woods, leathers, and textiles, and, installed with glues and sealants - all of which may emit VOCs. GREENGUARD Certification of these filters signals further movement within the automotive industry towards improving the air quality of a vehicle's cabin. As more time is spent in cars and more attention paid to indoor air quality, automotive suppliers and manufacturers have increasingly recognized the need to address the quality of the cabin air. Leading manufacturers Volvo, Mercedes, Toyota and BMW have recently taken steps to improve cabin air quality by reducing interior emissions and improving air filtration. The GREENGUARD Certification Program measures chemical "off-gassing" of products during recommended use and application, and then compares the measured emission levels against well-established and commonly used levels for exposure. GEI is a great resource for selecting low-emitting products, with more than 80 manufacturers and over 125,000 products listed in the organization's online product guide (www.greenguard.org). GEI strives to improve public health and quality of life through programs that improve indoor air. Products that are GREENGUARD Certified undergo rigorous testing on a regular basis and meet stringent, third party standards for low chemical emissions.