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March 20, 2008

INDUSTRY ACCESS*

ASSA ABLOY To Acquire BJTM, One of China's Leading High-Security Fire-rated Steel Door Companies

ASSA ABLOY has signed an agreement to acquire Beijing Tianming's (BJTM) high-security door business. BJTM is one of China's leading companies in sales and manufacturing of high-security fire-rated steel doors on the Chinese market. Full Story

Click here for more Industry Access news including recent new hires, merger & acquisition activity and who's offering new products.

* DHI Members may submit news releases to be considered for inclusion in DHI's IndustryWatch. Send to: jmadden@dhi.org.

BUSINESS UPDATE

Reflecting the deteriorating conditions in the housing market and overall economy, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) tumbled almost nine points in February. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the February ABI rating fell to 41.8, its lowest level since October 2001, and down dramatically from the 50.7 mark in January (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The one bright spot continues to be the institutional sector with continued positive conditions for construction projects such as schools, hospitals and government buildings. Full Story

The International Code Council is developing an Inspector of Green Building Technologies certification exam to demonstrate a code official’s ability to understand the application of green building technology and assess adherence with green building programs. The new certification will help provide assurances that green and sustainable buildings also are safe. Full Story

Nonresidential construction will experience wide variance in demand, materials cost, and labor availability, according to the Construction Inflation Alert recently released by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). "In 2008, some nonresidential segments will continue to grow, including power and energy, but others, such as lodging, will slow or decline," says AGC Chief Economist Ken Simonson. Full Story Read the full alert (PDF file)

The February Producer Price Index for Wood Doors (flush & panel, interior & exterior) was down 2.5% from 2007 and the Other Wood Doors (Incl. garage, screen, storm, etc.) PPI was up 2.0% compared to a year earlier. Compared to January the unadjusted January PPI was up 1.4% for Wood Doors and the PPI for Other Wood Doors was up 0.4%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The PPI for Metal Doors, Sash & Trim was unchanged from January and up 2.3% from 2007. Click here to view the full February Producer Price Index report. (PDF file - Wood Door information is on page 12 and Metal Door data is on page 17)

First quarter 2008 construction costs increased 1.48% over the Fourth Quarter 2007 and 4.96 % over the first quarter 2007, according to Turner Construction's Building Cost Index. Full Story

Nearly all respondents to a Real Estate Agent Community Trends (REACT) survey (90%) felt a buyer's first impression of the front entry was important to their ability to sell a home; 91% of agents agreed that a prospect's impression of a home's outer shell is equally important as the interior. Full Story

The increase in RSMeans’ January 2008 Construction Cost Index (CCI) was 3.6% versus January 2007. Among the most significant material cost increases on a year-over-year basis in the latest CCI calculation was doors and frames, up 8.9%, reported Reed Construction Data. Full Story

Researchers at WMG at the University of Warwick have devised a way of using a laser that transforms MDF giving it a surface finish that looks like some of the most expensive wood grains, reported ScienceDaily.com. Full Story

The ACE USA insurance company has introduced coverage allowing policyholders to use green building methods when repairing or rebuilding damaged property, joining a number of other companies that offer similar programs, reported GreenerBuildings.com. Full Story

The Green Building Initiative has signed a formal memorandum of understanding with the Building Owners and Managers Association International (BOMA). As part of this agreement, GBI will work in partnership with BOMA International to provide education and training that promotes the design, construction and operation of buildings that are energy-efficient, healthier and environmentally responsible. Full Story

The Timber Industry Magazine looks at some of the highlights of this year’s Ecobuild show in the UK. Full Story

CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN

At a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $561.3 billion, new construction starts in February advanced 2% from the previous month, reported McGraw-Hill Construction. The gain for total construction reflected a strong performance by nonresidential building, which for the second month in a row was boosted by groundbreaking for several very large projects. Full Story

Throughout the country the modern high school is evolving into an expensive institution. In the last four years, at least 36 high schools in 10 states have been constructed or are being planned at the $100 million-plus price, according to federal and state officials. Los Angeles is home to most of them, including one at $149 million, reported The Chicago Tribune. Full Story

SECURITY & SAFETY

A Access Control & Security Systems magazine survey ponders the changing role of access control as the security industry converges and transforms. Full Story

Honeywell has released survey results that reveal how some organizations are integrating physical security measures such as video surveillance and access control with traditional IT security systems. Significant barriers still exist that prevent organizations from converging their systems and many of these organizations remain conflicted on how to best attain optimal results, according to Enterprise Threat Management and Security Convergence: A Benchmarking Study. Full Story

Sales of electronic security systems market in the U.S. totaled an estimated $9.4 billion in 2006, while Europe is poised to retain its dominance as the largest regional market over the years 2000 through 2010, reported Access Control & Security Systems magazine. Sales of electronic access control systems in the U.S. are projected to grow at a compounded annual rate of 14.23% over the years 2000 through 2010, according to Electronic Security Systems: A Global Strategic Business Report, published by Global Industry Analysts Inc. Full Story

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

A construction standard that is already required in 10 states could become the norm for public buildings in Oklahoma based on the provisions of a bill moving through the Legislature. House Bill 3394 passed out of the House General Government and Transportation Committee recently and is expected to be heard on the House floor sometime next week. The bill would require all new construction of state buildings as well as major renovations to use Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Building Rating System specifications. The LEED standard focuses on requiring projects to be sustainable, profitable and healthy for those who live or work in the building, reported ReedFirstSource.com. Full Story

FOUNDATION NEWS

Order the AHJ and Building Owner's Annual Safety Inspection Guides Online

These safety inspection guides are designed to explain a technical subject to a non-technical audience — specifically, those individuals charged with overseeing or performing routine fire door inspections. Click here to order or for more information.

The Foundation Auction Continues

Make your bid to support the Foundation. Check back regularly for new items. Click here to see what items are up for bid.

Keep up-to-date with the latest Foundation news and programs, please visit www.lifesafetysecurity.org

DHI NEWS

Have You Made Your Plans to Attend DHI’s Upcoming May MEGA School?
May 11 – 18, 2008 in Lansdowne, VA

Registration is filling fast, so ACT NOW TO SECURE YOUR SPOT!

Don’t miss this upcoming education event. The next National Education offering won’t be until November 2008 in Boston!

With an EXTENSIVE list of courses (we are offering 28 of our 31 National classes) you won’t want to miss this event! DHI has structured the course offerings in a very logical and sequential manner in order to minimize the amount time and effort it takes to attend National Education.

Go online to www.dhi.org/education for the complete course listings and to register online! Questions? Not sure which courses to take? Contact our Member Services team directly at 703-222-2010 and we can help you select the best courses for you!

Are You Interested in Taking DHI Courses Locally?

DHI’s Local Chapter Education System and In-House Training Programs now make it possible! DHI Chapters and companies can purchase the instructor and student manuals for many of DHI’s technical classes and conduct the education session locally. Students who pass that exam will receive the same credit as students who attend DHI’s national class session. These programs help you to further customize your DHI education experience to be even more convenient and affordable!

For more information or to find out how you, your chapter or your company can participate in local DHI education, please contact Carol Granger directly at 703-766-7032.