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May 28, 2009

INDUSTRY ACCESS*

Greg Drake, AHC Joins the Door and Hardware Institute

The Door and Hardware Institute is pleased to welcome Greg Drake, AHC, as the new Associate Director of Certification/Technical Services. Greg will oversee DHI's consultant certification process, provide technical assistance for DHI's publications, and support DHI educational and certification programs.

Greg is celebrating his 35th year in the door and hardware industry. Back in 1973, at a hardware store wearing a yellow smock, Drake began selling fasteners and hinges and learned to masterkey locks. For several years, Greg has also been very active as a volunteer with Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association and the Door and Hardware Institute. If you would like to contact Greg Drake, he can be reached at 703-766-7035 or GDrake@dhi.org.

Along with Greg Drake joining DHI, additional changes were made within DHI’s Education and Technical Services department staffing to enhance the scope of educational programs and further DHI's role in life safety, security, and code development within the built environment. Courtney Starkey was appointed the new Director of Education and Keith Pardoe, DAHC/CDC, CDT is now the Director of Certification/Technical Services. Courtney Starkey can be reached at 703-766-7022 or CStarkey@dhi.org and Keith Pardoe at 703-766-7024 or KPardoe@dhi.org.

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

Architects say durability is the most important attribute for a "green" building product, according to a new industry survey commissioned by PPG Industries. It was followed by ENERGY STAR compliance, life-cycle assessment, no- or low-volatile organic compound (VOC) content and the ability to source products regionally, reported Building Design & Construction. Full Story

The FMI Non Residential Construction Index now stands at 45.0, compared with a reading of 35.6 for last quarter. It appears construction industry executives participating as panelists for the NRCI survey are getting over the shock of the rapid slowdown and are beginning to rethink their markets and strategies. There are some signs of optimism in this quarter's report, but most panelists expect the remainder of 2009 to be a continuing challenge to find new work and keep from making even deeper staff cuts. Unfortunately, the federal stimulus has yet to be very stimulating for nonresidential contractors. At this time, only 12% of industry executives participating in the survey have seen any effects of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), reported Building Design & Construction. Full Story

The April Producer Price Index for Wood Doors (flush & panel, interior & exterior) was up 1.3% from 2008 and the Other Wood Doors (Incl. garage, screen, storm, etc.) PPI was up 2.5% compared to a year earlier. Compared to March, the unadjusted April PPI was up 0.1% for Wood Doors and the PPI for Other Wood Doors was down 0.1%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The PPI for Metal Doors, Sash & Trim was down 0.8% from March and up 5.1% from 2008. The PPI for Builders Hardware was up 6.4% from 2008 and up 0.5% from a month earlier. Click here to view the full April Producer Price Index report. (PDF file - Wood Door information is on page 16, Builders Hardware is on page 21 and Metal Door data is on page 22)

During these difficult economic times, organizations now have a significant opportunity to realign and improve their spend management practices. By doing so, they can achieve sustainable savings that can ensure the health of their business long after the recession ends. IndustryWeek discusses a few best practices that can maximize spend. Full Story

After an eight-point jump in March, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) fell less than a full point in April. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the April ABI rating was 42.8, down from the 43.7 mark in March. The new projects inquiry score was 56.8. "The most encouraging part of this news is that this is the second month with very strong inquiries for new projects. A growing number of architecture firms report potential projects arising from federal stimulus funds," said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. Full Story

This spring is the greenest yet for the nation's home building industry, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). For instance, more than 3,100 builders, remodelers, designers and others in the home building business have earned the Certified Green Professional educational designation. Additionally. more than 200 single-family homes, remodeling projects and developments in 43 states have received National Green Building Certification, with another 300-plus scheduled for inspections. Full Story

The Conference Board’s Leading Economic Index (LEI) took a somewhat surprising 1% jump up in April, its first increase in more than seven months. With this month's sharp and widespread increase, the six-month decline in the index is at its slowest since the fourth quarter of 2007, reported Purchasing.com. "The leading indicators suggest that while the recession will continue in the near term, the declines will be less intense," said Ken Goldstein, an economist at The Conference Board. Full Story

The Federal Reserve's latest forecasts for the U.S. economy are gloomier than the ones released three months earlier, with an expectation for higher unemployment and a steeper drop in economic activity. The Fed's forecasts show that its staff now expects the unemployment rate to rise to between 9.2% and 9.6% this year. The central bank had forecast in January that the jobless rate would be in a range of 8.5% to 8.8%, but the unemployment rate topped that in April, hitting 8.9%. The Fed also now expects the gross domestic product, the broadest measure of the nation's economic activity, to post a drop of between 1.3% and 2% this year. It had previously expected only a 0.5% to 1.3% decline, reported CNNmoney.com. Full Story

In the middle of 2009, the U.S. Green Building Council is rolling out a new rating system specific for evaluating health care. Named the LEED HC, the system will take into account the limitations in health care buildings and the relationship between staff members and patients in a new way, reported Mlive.com. Full Story

CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN

The mild recession for education construction results from the nearly $200 Billion in state and local government general aid in the economic stimulus plan. These new funds offset about half of the negative impact of reduced tax receipts in FY '09-'10. Without the stimulus funds a deep recession in public education construction would occur in 2009-10. Instead, much of the recession is offset and the balance is deferred to 2011-12, reported Reed Construction Data Chief Economist Jim Haughey. Full Story

Marietta, GA-based WellStar Health System will spend around $800 million over the next decade in expansions and improvements, including a new outpatient campus and a new hospital, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Full Story

A recent Reed Construction Data article shows 20 of the largest upcoming prison and courthouse construction projects in the U.S. They are all in the planning stage and are mainly new projects, but may also involve additions and/or alterations. Full Story

In many new hospitals and pavilions semiprivate rooms have vanished, reported the New York Times on the Web. Single-patient rooms are now viewed as an important element of high-quality health care. The benefits of the single room emerged through evidence-based hospital design, a new field that guides health care construction. More than 1,500 studies have examined ways that design can reduce medical errors, infections and falls - and relieve patient stress. Full Story

SECURITY & SAFETY

Chinese suppliers of mechanical door locks are targeting the repair and replacement market to prop up business from residential-use models, particularly in North America. Companies are tapping growth opportunities in this segment to balance out losses from the shrinking new-build market. Despite the economic crisis, demand for locks adopted in home maintenance and renovation remains steady, thanks largely to the continued interest in structural security upgrades, reported GlobalSource.com. Full Story

Brivo Systems LLC announced that Eastern Nazarene College (ENC), of Quincy, MA, has installed Brivo ACS WebService in nine of its campus buildings. The advanced, web-enabled solution provides enhanced security for students, staff, and faculty while offering ease of management from any computer on or off the university network, reported Campus Safety magazine. Full Story

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) recently published Top 10 Ways to Use Recovery Funds for Green Building. The report analyzes ways in which energy retrofit programs and green schools can also help create jobs for local economies. Click here to download the report. (PDF file)

A South Carolina bill heading to the governor's desk could help rebuild dilapidated schools across the state. The measure allows districts to borrow up to $20 million interest-free to build or renovate schools. It gives the state Education Department the authority to divvy up funds from a new type of bond created by the federal stimulus package, which allows lenders to receive a federal tax credit equal to the interest they would otherwise receive, reported The Sun News. Full Story

SMALL BUSINESS NEWS

The 2009 Credit CARD Act

On May 22, 2009, President Obama signed into law HR 627, The Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure (CARD) Act of 2009. The goal of the bill was to amend the Truth in Lending Act to establish fair and transparent practices relating to the extension of credit under an open end consumer credit plan. A few highlights of the law:

Allows a creditor to increase an APR on the existing credit card balance only if the increase is due solely to: (1) a change in index; (2) expiration of the promotional rate; (3) payment not received during the 30-day grace period after the due date; or (4) consumer failure to comply with a workout plan.

Declares that, if two or more different APRs apply to different portions of an outstanding balance, the amount of any periodic payment beyond the required minimum payment shall be allocated first to the balance with the highest APR.

Prohibits extensions of credit to consumers under age 18, unless they are emancipated under state law, or the consumer's parent or legal guardian is designated as the primary account holder.

Limits the maximum amount of credit which may be extended to a college student for whom no one else assumes joint liability to the greater of: (1) 20% of the student's annual gross income; or (2) $500. Limits the aggregate credit limits of all such credit cards to 30% of the student's annual gross income in the most recently completed calendar year.

For more details of the bill, visit www.govtrack.us and search keyword "HR 627."

DHI NEWS

REDUCED COST AND ENHANCED VALUE!
CONVENIENT SCHEDULE!
VALUE-ADDED PROGRAMS!

Come see what's new for DHI's 34th Annual Conference & Exposition, September 16 – 25, 2009 in Orlando, FL!

DHI’s "Stimulus Special" makes registration MORE AFFORDABLE THAN EVER! Packages start as low as $105*!!!! Go online to www.dhi.org for more information and to register online.

PLUS! We have included the 2009 Forum for the Future in your conference registration – a $100 SAVINGS! Not just an "optional event" on the schedule for certain attendees, this year the Forum is the cornerstone of the entire event and ALL ATTENDEES are strongly encouraged to attend. For more information about what this year's event has to offer and to register online, go to www.dhi.org.

* Members only rate. Price for non-members is $205. Offer non-refundable and valid only through June 30th, 2009.

Don't Miss DHI's FREE ONLINE Program
Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 2:00 pm EST
"FSC Chain of Custody Requirements"
Presented by Stephen Farley, CSI, CDT
Marshfield DoorSystems, Inc.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is the only forest certification program recognized by LEED, the primary green building rating system for commercial buildings. In April 2008, LEED adopted the FSC's requirement that vendors invoicing contractors be Chain of Custody certified. This certification enables the tracking of material from the project back to the forest of origin.

Join us online as Stephen Farley provides an overview of FSC, why Chain of Custody is important, who needs Chain of Custody certification, how to implement Chain of Custody procedures, how to apply for and achieve Chain of Custody Certification and audit expectations.

Please note that you must load the VCE program onto your computer prior to the event by clicking here. If you have any questions please contact DHI directly at 703-222-2010.