If you are using a mobile device or are having trouble viewing this email click here

August 21, 2008

INDUSTRY ACCESS*

NAPCO Security Systems, Inc. to Acquire Marks USA

NAPCO Security Systems Inc. announced the acquisition of Marks USA, a move that further strengthens NAPCO's comprehensive line of security products. The purchase price for the business and substantially all of the assets was $25 million and the assumption of current liabilities. Marks USA, a long established privately-held company, is located in Amityville, NY and is a leading independent manufacturer of industrial, commercial and institutional locks. 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

Building Design & Construction offers nine trends to keep in mind when specifying door hardware. Full Story

Despite having its highest score since January, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) continues to point to difficult conditions for the nonresidential construction market. There have been six consecutive months with negative scores, indicating that business levels at U.S. architecture firms continue to worsen. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the July ABI rating was 46.8, up slightly from the 46.1 mark in June (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The inquiries for new projects score was 54.6. Full Story

The July Producer Price Index for Wood Doors (flush & panel, interior & exterior) was down 1.0% from 2007 and the Other Wood Doors (Incl. garage, screen, storm, etc.) PPI was up 1.9% compared to a year earlier. Compared to June, the unadjusted July PPI was up 0.6% for Wood Doors and the PPI for Other Wood Doors was up 0.3%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The PPI for Metal Doors, Sash & Trim was up 1.5% from June and up 4.6% from 2007. The PPI for Builders Hardware was up 7.3% from a year ago and down 1.0% from last month. Click here to view the full July Producer Price Index report. (PDF file - Wood Door information is on page 16, Builders Hardware page 21 and Metal Door data is on page 22)

Construction spending during June was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1,081.9 billion, 0.4% below the revised May estimate of $1,085.7 billion, reported The U.S. Census Bureau. The June figure is 5.9% below the June 2007 estimate of $1,149.4 billion. During the first 6 months of this year, construction spending amounted to $514.2 billion, 5.4% below the $543.6 billion for the same period in 2007. Full Story (PDF file)

Current dollar spending on new construction in Canada will be $219 billion in 2008, rising to $227 billion in 2009, $239 billion in 2010 and $262 billion in 2011, according to the latest put-in-place investment forecasts made by Reed Construction Data – CanaData. Full Story

CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN

Nonresidential construction activity continues at a high level but has not expanded since last fall, after adjusting for project cost inflation. However five markets continue to expand. The growth in construction spending from November to June is 19% for manufacturing, 17% for power (electric and gas utilities plus energy industries), 15% for water — entirely new treatment plants, 15% for hotels, mostly destination hotels and 8% for public safety buildings, reported Reed Construction Data. Full Story

The rapidly growing resort and retirement centers along the Carolina coast continue to have the most intense housing development in the U.S. This is followed closely by the hurricane rebuilding region on the Gulf Coast, including Houston and the manufacturing and business centers in the North Carolina Piedmont area plus Austin, TX, reported Reed Construction Data. Full Story

Slowing sales tax collections are threatening to sharply undercut the pace of school construction and repairs in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts School Building Authority, funded with a share of the state's 5% sales tax, was created when collections were conservatively expected to grow more than 4.5% annually. Instead, they have averaged closer to 2% in recent years. Now, the nation's sagging economy has authority leaders preparing for zero percent growth, or worse, which would leave the authority with billions less for future school projects, reported The Boston Globe. Full Story

ISO has published a new standard to help engineers, builders and regulators to design structures that are safe and resistant to failure due to environmental and mechanical stresses, and to material degradation. Buildings, civil engineering works, industrial structures, etc. and their components should be conceived, constructed, inspected, maintained and repaired in such a way that, under foreseeable environmental conditions, they maintain their required performance during their design lives with sufficient reliability for the safety and comfort of users and the intended use of the structure. Full Story

A barometer of construction activity in North and South Carolina registered a 2.2% drop in the first quarter, according to the Carolinas Associated General Contractors. North Carolina fared slightly worse than its southern neighbor, with construction slowing 2.3%. The drop in South Carolina was 2.1%. Full Story

Armed with $685 million in recovery cash, New Orleans public school leaders aim to radically remake the city's portfolio of aged school buildings, reported the Times-Picayune. Full Story

SECURITY & SAFETY

FEMA offers a free document Building A Disaster-Resistant University, which is both a how-to guide and a distillation of the experiences of six universities and colleges that have been working to become more disaster-resistant. This guide provides basic information designed for institutions just getting started, as well as concrete ideas, suggestions, and practical experiences for institutions that have already begun to take steps to becoming more disaster-resistant. Full Story Download Document

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency David Rodgers announced the launch of DOE’s Zero-Net Energy Commercial Building Initiative with establishment of the National Laboratory Collaborative on Building Technologies Collaborative. These two efforts both focus on DOE’s ongoing efforts to develop marketable Zero-Net Energy Commercial Buildings, buildings that use cutting-edge efficiency technologies and on-site renewable energy generation to offset their energy use from the electricity grid by 2025. Full Story

The Sierra Club and the U.S. Conference of Mayors are supporting a revision of building codes for new homes that supporters say would boost energy efficiency by 30%. The proposed changes will be considered by the International Code Council in Minneapolis in September, when building inspectors and code officials meet to revise the model building code that many state and local jurisdictions use to develop their own regulations. The International Energy Conservation Code is updated every three years, and the newest version will be published in 2009, reported The Capital Times. Full Story

In comments submitted last month to the Federal Trade Commission, the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) described the benefits associated with GreenFormat™ and its ability to provide accurate and reliable information about the sustainability of various products. In its comments, CSI acknowledged the confusion that claims about sustainable building products and various green building rating systems and programs have created among professionals in the commercial construction industry, and touted GreenFormat™ as a solution. Full Story

Massachusetts Governor Deval L. Patrick signed into law the first week of August three bills allocating over $5 billion for construction. One bill would earmark $2.2-billion for new college building or renovation projects, including $1-billion to the five University of Massachusetts campuses and $1.2-billion to state and community colleges. Full Story

SMALL BUSINESS NEWS

Small business news will return after Labor Day when Congress reconvenes after their summer recess.

DHI NEWS

DHI Board of Governor’s Election

It’s election time! Don't forget to cast your vote for additional members for the DHI Board of Governors. This year DHI is pleased to introduce an online election process which will allow you to complete your ballot and submit it electronically. If you are a DHI member in good standing and have not already voted, click here to review the candidates' information and to cast your vote.

MAKE SOME NOISE at DHI's 33rd Annual Conference and Exposition!
November 7 - 15, 2008 in Boston, MA

This year's Awards and Keynote Breakfast features:

Ken Schmidt, Branding Guru and Former Director of Communications for HARLEY-DAVIDSON

As the former director of communications for Harley-Davidson Motor Company, his expertise in corporate positioning and media relations played a pivotal role in the company's dramatic corporate rebound. His energy and enthusiasm clearly illustrates how passion for what you do is the key to success. This lively presentation with help you determine what kind of noise your business makes and what differentiates you from your competitors.

Curious about what Ken Schmidt has to say? Click here to see a clip from his presentation. This high-energy and business savvy program is just ONE of the many highlights for this year's essential industry event! View the complete schedule of events and register online by clicking here.