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People

Karpen Steel Welcomes New VP Eric Henken

Rachel Smith – who has been sole owner of her family's business since 2005 – sold half of the company to her operations manager, Eric Henken, who now serves as vice president of Karpen Steel.

Henken joined the Karpen Steel customer service team in August 2003, eventually moving into the engineering department before being promoted to operations manager three years ago. Since that time, he and Smith have shared operating duties, with Smith in charge of financial management, sales and marketing, and Henken overseeing production management and the engineering team.

With the co-ownership, these responsibilities remain intact, while together Smith and Henken make decisions regarding equipment, software and new products. Smith said she's also glad to have someone to work with her to evolve the company as the business climate in this country keeps changing.

For more information about Karpen Steel Custom Doors & Frames, visit www.karpensteel.com.

Manzo New Head of Plant Operations at Timely

Tom Manzo has assumed the duties as Timely Prefinished Steel Door Frames' Director of Plant Operations, according to Bob Day, Timely's President.

Manzo joined Timely six years ago as its newly-named Product Manager. He directed the launch of its Kerf Adjustable frame and has also been involved with safety and maintenance programs as well as die shop restructure.

As a further service, Manzo has invited customers to contact him with any comments at 818-492-3444.

Products

Amweld International Introduces Tilt’N Place Door Systems

The new Tilt’N Place Door Systems by Amweld International, LLC is an all-inclusive, pre-assembled, pre-finished, complete door/frame/hardware package which arrives on the job ready for installation. The door and frame components actually “tilt into place” and easily attach to the wall, allowing installers to fully complete a finished door opening in 30 minutes or less. This innovative design includes some adjustability in the jamb depth to help correct inconsistencies within the wall construction.

The “Complete Opening in a Box” arrives at the building site with two main parts: (1) a door unit which includes a factory finished door, pre-hung in a finished welded steel frame, with the hardware installed and; (2) a corresponding trim side of the door frame. The system can be ordered with a vast selection of custom and standard components, and is also available in stock SKU offerings.

For complete information on the new Tilt’N Place Door Systems, please visit the Amweld International website at: www.amweld.com, or contact Dan Perry at 207-217-4947 or email perryd@amweld.com

Detex Corporation Announces Acquisition of Lockman Peck Automatic Door Operator Product Line

Detex Corporation has reached an agreement with Lockman Peck LLC to purchase the intellectual property and all exclusive rights related to their Model 2000 automatic door operator product line.

During the last eighteen months, this product line has been offered by Detex under the AO19 private label and has been manufactured by Lockman Peck at South Bend, IN. Production of the automatic operator product line will transition to Detex in New Braunfels, TX by year end.

John Blodgett, president of Detex, has also announced the appointment of Scott Peck as Sales Engineer, Detex Products. Peck’s role will be to assure a smooth integration of the automatic operator product line into the Detex brand from the customer service and technical sales perspectives. Ed Lockman will continue to provide sales and marketing support on the automatic operator product line with a focus on the sales channel, sales representatives and end user customers.

For more information, visit www.detex.com or email marketing@detex.com.

In Other News...

ASSA ABLOY has acquired Pan Pan, China's largest high security steel door manufacturer. Pan Pan has an annual capacity to produce 2.4 million high security doors in the form of fire, anti theft, armored, corrosion proof and standard high security doors. Full Story Additionally, CNN Money profiled ASSA ABLOY on its 15th anniversary. Full Story

United Technologies Corp. agreed to acquire General Electric Co.'s electronic security systems and fire safety operations for $1.82 billion. GE's security business, which includes commercial and residential products, will become part of United Technologies' fire and security business that supplies products to the global building and aerospace industries, reported the Wall Street Journal. Full Story

Masonite Inc., a manufacturer of interior and exterior doors, has acquired the assets of 7 Tech, an Israeli-based steel security and safety door business. Masonite’s Israeli subsidiaries Etz Karmiel Ltd. and Open Gallery Ltd. will add the 7 Tech steel security and safety doors to expand options for Masonite customers in Israel, reported Window & Door. Full Story

Guests at Splash! La Mirada Regional Aquatics Center in La Mirada, CA are buzzing about one of the waterpark's dynamic locker system that provides convenient keyless access, electronically activated by guests' RFID wristbands. The process at Splash! begins as guests receive a disposable Smart Band wristband from the service desk. Developed by Precision Dynamics Corporation (PDC) of San Fernando, CA, Smart Band is a non-transferable wristband with a securely sealed RFID microchip, which is programmed with a unique 16-character code. When scanned by a RFID reader at locker access stations, a low-power radio wave activates the chip to securely collect and transfer data. The microchip assigns the waterpark guest a locker and triggers the locker to open -- all with the wave of a wristband. Keyless locker access is only one of the many applications that the Smart Band RFID Wristband System can be used for. Parks and resorts use Smart Band as a high-security identification and admissions pass, allowing entrance into the property. In addition to lockers, Smart Band provides keyless entry into guests' hotel rooms, reported Security Products. Full Story

A newly formed entity funded by two private equity firms has acquired three regional operations from Stock Building Supply. The new company is called US LBM and will re-establish the acquired operations in their former names, Wisconsin Building Supply, Bellevue Builders Supply and East Haven Buildings Supply. In total, US LBM and its subsidiaries will be comprised of 13 locations and more than 500 employees servicing the professional building market, with a primary focus on customers that require specialized services, such as custom homebuilders, professional remodelers and multi-family and commercial contractors, reported Industrial Distribution. Full Story

Ellerbe Becket, an architecture, interiors, and engineering firm, is joining the architecture, planning, and engineering firm AECOM. Ellerbe Becket’s professional expertise and practice strengths in the design of healthcare, sports, government, corporate and higher education facilities complement a global AECOM platform configured to deliver integrated design solutions to complex projects, reported Building Design & Construction. Full Story

Milgard Windows & Doors, a manufacturer of fiberglass and vinyl windows and patio doors, received the 2009 Energy Saver award presented by the U.S. Department of Energy (D.O.E.) for its efficiency improvements and energy savings at its Tacoma, WA vinyl extrusion plant. Full Story

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