Association news: PMI names technical director

Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI) announces the appointment of Len Swatkowski as technical director.

Most recently, Swatkowski was a program manager for Jarden Consumer Solutions in Boca Raton, Fla., where he directed the U.S. and Asian staff in the completion of numerous projects contributing to the home environment segment. During the 1990s, Swatkowski spent a decade in an executive technical role for the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) in Chicago, before the organization relocated to Washington, D.C.

In his new position, Swatkowski will be responsible for analyzing and reporting proposed code and standard changes, maintaining and managing effective relationships with PMI members, certification agencies and industry peers and representing PMI at various industry meetings.

“We are delighted to welcome Len to PMI,” commented Barbara C. Higgens, PMI’s executive director. “Over the past months, we carefully evaluated a number of talented candidates for the position, each with a variety of skill sets. Len was the clear standout as he brings with him a unique blend of consensus building capabilities and an excellent technical background together with industry trade association experience.”

Previously, Swatkowski held engineering management positions for a number of consumer product manufacturing companies including Whirlpool Corporation. He continues to serve on the Engineering Advisory Board of APPLIANCE magazine, as he has since 1998.

Swatkowski holds M.B.A., M.S.M.E.T. and B.S.M.E.T. degrees from Western Illinois University in Macomb, Ill. Swatkowski and his wife Betty are in the process of relocating to the northwest suburbs of Chicago from Boca Raton. They are the parents of two grown children and grandparents of a granddaughter.

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Client news: Appleton Coated honored with local, regional ADDY Awards; awards from AIGA Minnesota, IAVA, PIW

The American Advertising Federation (AAF) ADDY® Awards honored several of Appleton Coated’s educational and promotional pieces. The company’s entries earned the Judge’s Choice Award at the local and district levels, plus silver and gold at the District level, as well as three gold and two silver awards at the local level. Appleton Coated’s materials also were recognized with awards from AIGA Minnesota, International Academy of the Visual Arts and Printing Industries Wisconsin.

AAF Fox River Ad Club is one of the 120 local AAF member clubs from whose ADDY Gold awards advance to the regional District competition. Appleton Coated’s “U2 Throwdown – Battle of the Finishes” entry was judged as a Gold award at both the local level and in District 8.

With more than 50,000 annual entries, the ADDY Awards are considered the world’s largest and one of the most competitive advertising award programs. Sponsored by the AAF, it is the only creative awards program administered by the advertising industry for the industry. Recognizing creative excellence, the ADDY Awards praise the best advertising of all types, sizes and levels.

All of Appleton Coated’s winning entries were printed using the Curious Collection and the Utopia brand of premium coated papers. Each was designed by The Thorburn Group of Minneapolis and include:
• “Curious Swatchbook” inviting designers to explore the full offering of Curious Metallics, Translucents, Touch, Particles and Skin Curious Collection – local Silver
• “Utopia Swatchbook” organizing its six distinctive lines of paper by grade level and environmental attributes and uniting these under the theme of the perfect pairing – local Silver
• “Green Outlook 2010″ sharing up-to-the moment trends, opportunities and statistics for effectively communicating with consumers who identify with the green lifestyle – local Gold
• “ROI” revealing five new I’s in ROI: Inspiration, Impact, Interaction, Involvement and Integration – local Gold, District 8 Silver winner
• “U2 Throwdown – Battle of the Finishes” demonstrating the attributes that make each finish ideal for certain types of imagery and printing applications on Utopia Two (U2) and U2:XG – local Gold, District 8 Gold winner, as well as both the local and District 8 Judge’s Choice Award

“Curious Swatchbook,” “Utopia Swatchbook,” “ROI” and “U2 Throwdown,” along with Appleton Coated’s “Print with Purpose” and “U360 2010 Showbook,” each won the highest honor – an Award of Excellence – from the International Academy of the Visual Arts (IAVA) Communicator Awards. “Green Outlook 2010″ also earned an Award of Distinction. IAVA’s Communicator Awards review more than 9,000 worldwide entries and is the leading international awards program honoring creative excellence for communications professionals.

“U2 Throwdown” also won Best of Category in Printing Industries Wisconsin (PIW) 2011 Graphics Excellence Awards Competition. Submitted by Independent Printing, Appleton Coated’s entry was selected from 770 competitors to advance for consideration as PIW’s Best of Show award.

AIGA Minnesota 2011 Design Show award winners also included CuriousPapers.com, designed by The Thorburn Group of Minneapolis. This annual competition by Minnesota’s American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) chapter is independently judged by leading design professionals from across the country and honors both design’s effectiveness and aesthetic appeal.

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Client news: Adams Magnetic Products hires John Cosmas as COO

Adams Magnetic Products Co. announces John Cosmas as chief operating officer. In this newly-created position, he will oversee the business’ practices and policies, including involvement with international supply chain management and financial direction.

Cosmas will work directly with Adams’ president Scott Lewis to guide the general managers leading an extended family of businesses that include: Adams Magnetic Products Company, Inc., providing magnetic products and assemblies; Magnetic Attractions, offering magnetic promotions, direct marketing services and digitally-printed labels for packaged goods; and Dowling Magnets, offering retail magnetic products for the education, toy and hardware markets.

“Adams and its companies already are very successful,” says Cosmas. “They have a strong culture, great core values and a customer-centric focus.”

Investing in continued success, Cosmas will strive to improve upon Adams’ enterprise resource planning system, financial reporting methodology, and other business processes and metrics. He will work closely with the company leaders in Illinois, New York, Kentucky, North Carolina and California.

Prior to joining Adams, Cosmas served as PCTEL, Inc.’s Antenna Products Group’s vice president of operations and global supply chain management. He was responsible for the organization’s largest business unit with facilities in the U.S., Europe and China, and for major contract manufacturing partners throughout Asia. During his years with PCTEL, Cosmas led Lean manufacturing and Kanban project initiatives yielding significant results for enhanced efficiency, reduced waste, improved production and increased profitability.

Previously, Cosmas worked as vice president of operations and chief financial officer for MAXRAD, Inc., which was acquired by PCTEL. MAXRAD was a designer and manufacturer of broad-based antenna solutions for wireless communication, and relied on Adams Magnetic Products as a supplier.

Before entering the magnet and antenna manufacturing industries, Cosmas enjoyed a successful career as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) working with both publicly- and privately-held organizations. A member of both the American Institute of CPAs and the Illinois CPA Society, he also is a Certified Financial Planner. He earned his bachelor’s degree from DePaul University in Chicago, and a Master of Business Administration from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Ill.

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Association news: PMI presents Legislator of the Year Awards to supporters of Reduction of Lead in Water Act

Members of the Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI) Executive Committee and PMI Executive Director Barbara C. Higgens traveled to Washington, D.C., to present Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and James Inhofe (R-OK) and Congressman Tom Petri (R-WI) with the Legislator of the Year awards. These elected officials were recognized for their leadership and support of the PMI-supported Reduction of Lead in Water Act signed into law Jan. 4 by President Barack Obama (P.L.111-380). The bill harmonizes the 0.25% maximum lead content of plumbing products and provides a 36-month implementation period.

PMI Past-President Lee Mercer, Moen; Bettina Poirier, Committee on Environment and Public Works; Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA); PMI President Jack Krecek, Elkay; and PMI Executive Director Barbara C. Higgens

The Legislator of the Year award is a rare honor, bestowed upon only four elected representatives since 1998. Jack Krecek, PMI president; Stewart Yang, PMI first vice president, and Lee Mercer, PMI past president, were on hand with Higgens and PMI Washington, D.C., office staff, to express their thanks and present the well-deserved awards to their recipients.

Higgens says, “PMI is grateful to these legislators for their help in securing the passage of this important bill. Without a uniform national standard, a patchwork of requirements could have emerged.”

She adds, “PMI was on top of this legislation from its inception and worked to aggressively lobby members of the Senate and House to pass the bill through Capitol Hill visits, letters and phone calls to representatives. This bill harmonizes lead standards across the country. These standards were already achieved in California and in Maryland and Vermont through PMI’s active lobbying efforts.”

On the Senate side, passage of the Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act (S. 3874) involved the bipartisan efforts of both Senators Boxer and Inhofe. Working together for several months, they both positioned the legislation in the Environment and Public Works Committee and on the Senate floor so that not one individual senator objected to S. 3874 when it voted on and passed by unanimous consent on Dec. 16, 2010.

According to Higgens, “In the waning days of the 111th Congress, Congressman Petri worked very hard to encourage his colleagues to vote in favor of the Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act by writing a ‘Dear Colleague’ letter and urging lawmakers on the House floor for passage.” In the end, the bill narrowly passed the House by a four-vote margin on Dec. 17, 2010.

“Without the dedicated efforts of Senators Boxer, chair of the Environment & Public Works Committee, and Inhofe, ranking member of the Environment & Public Works Committee and Congressman Petri, we would not have achieved this exciting victory for consumers, the plumbing manufacturing industry, and wholesalers, retailers, contractors and others involved with the production, distribution, sales and installation of these products,” says Higgens.

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Client news: Appleton Coated U2:XG selected for limited-edition portfolio * Ken Regan Presents Bob Dylan * the first in a series from Morrison Hotel Publishing

Ken Regan’s photography of Bob Dylan and the Rolling Thunder Revue is showcased in a limited edition, exhibition portfolio on Appleton Coated’s Utopia U2:XG Gloss Cover. Designed by Geoff Gans and produced by Rare Cool Stuff, “Ken Regan Presents Bob Dylan” was unveiled in celebration of Bob Dylan’s 70th birthday on May 20 at The Morrison Hotel Gallery in SoHo New York. It also celebrates a new venture: Morrison Hotel Publishing.

The Morrison Hotel Gallery partnered with Gans, a five-time Grammy Award-nominated designer, for a series of portfolio books in conjunction with upcoming photography shows. Each book will be printed on Appleton Coated papers in limited quantity and hand-signed by the featured photographer. These collectible portfolio books will be available exclusively to buyers and subscribers through the Morrison Hotel Gallery. Only 300 copies of “Ken Regan Presents Bob Dylan” have been produced and include exclusive, never-before-seen photos.

The Morrison Hotel Gallery was founded in 2001 by Peter Blachley, a former record company executive; Rich Horowitz, a producer and former independent record storeowner; and Henry Diltz, a legendary music photographer. The gallery has since grown to become a major brand in fine art music photography. Regarding the new Morrison Hotel Publishing venture, Blachley says, “The impact we can now make with our direct mailing to fine art print buyers, and the association with a very creative art director – Geoff Gans and his organization – makes this a perfect time to launch.”

Appleton Coated is proud to partner with Morrison Hotel in this first in a series of limited edition publications showcasing outstanding musicians and artists,” says Ferkó X. Goldinger, advertising and promotion manager.

Gans has designed nearly all of Dylan’s album and book packaging, archival reissues and tour graphics since 1995. He also has created high-end boxed sets, album and book package designs for Paul Simon, John Fogerty, Sony Music and Concord Music Group, among others. In 2009, he teamed with Gary Gonzales to co-found Rare Cool Stuff Unltd., which specializes in consulting, creating and producing top-quality books and packages of rare, cool art, music, photography, video and more.

“Working with Rare Cool Stuff, Geoff has designed an exceptional piece to honor both Ken’s work and the music legends he photographed,” Goldinger adds. “U2:XG’s blue-white shade provides the highest quality reproduction to capture the enduring power of these images and icons. Its high brightness gives the broadest color gamut for the reproduction of fine art.”

Ensuring the book remains in top condition for years to come, U2:XG is pH neutral, acid-free, and elemental chlorine-free. In addition, Appleton Coated’s environmentally-friendly U2:XG coated printing papers contain 30% post-consumer recovered fiber and are manufactured with Green Power, electricity provided from renewable energy sources (a mix of wind, biogas, and solar). U2:XG also is Forest Stewardship Council™ (FSC®) certified. These qualities support the environmental goals of Rare Cool Stuff.

“Ken Regan Presents Bob Dylan” was printed by NPA graphics, Los Angeles, and bound by Roswell Bookbinding, Phoenix.

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Client news: Kolbe introduces new profile for Direct Set windows

Kolbe presents a new, beveled profile for its Ultra Series Direct Set casement and awning windows. These durable, aluminum clad windows are glazed to the interior and direct set in the heavy-duty extruded aluminum frame. The profile is integral to the frame, providing detail and strength.

“We are pleased to expand our Direct Set offering with this contemporary styling, while providing the expected performance and a complementary aesthetic to match our other Ultra Series products,” says Kolbe’s product and market analyst, Lance Premeau, LEED® Green Associate.

Emphasizing energy performance, the windows include LoE-270 insulating glass with argon gas. Glass also may be specified with other LoE coatings for improved thermal performance, laminated glass for impact resistance, patterned obscure glass for privacy or finely-crafted glass for visual interest.

Maximizing views and daylight, Direct Set windows’ large, fixed units have architecturally-correct sticking to accept all sizes of Kolbe’s performance divided lites (PDL), grilles-in-the-airspace, or interior wood removable grilles. On the interior, pine is the standard wood species. A wide range of wood species is available including those certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

FSC-certified options can be coupled with energy-efficient glass choices to further support environmentally sensitive projects such as those pursuing recognition by ENERGY STAR®, Green Building Initiative’s Green Globes™, and the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Rating System™. A broad palette of distinctive colors aid in achieving eye-catching designs. For the exterior frames, the clad aluminum, which contains recycled content, may be finished with a 70% fluoropolymer coating or custom anodize.

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Client news: Tubelite introduces ForceFront Blast curtainwall and entry door

Tubelite announces ForceFront™ Blast curtainwall and entry door systems are now available for high-security projects seeking blast hazard mitigation in low- and mid-rise applications.

Providing complementary performance, aesthetics and environmental attributes, Tubelite’s ForceFront curtainwall and entry door products are manufactured using EcoLuminum™, a high recycled-content aluminum billet composition with eco-friendly, durable finishes. These qualities may contribute to projects seeking certification by the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® Rating System.

For projects in need of blast hazard mitigation, ForceFront Blast products are designed for compliance with ASTM International standard F1642-04, the U.S. General Services Administration Interagency Security Committee (GSA/ISC) security design criteria and U.S. Department of Defense Unified Facilities Criteria (DoD UFC) 4-010-01 requirements. The products are tested to meet blast performance of 6 psi peak pressure at 42 psi-msec impulse.

“This new system will complement our current product offering in many of our geographic areas with a high count of governmental buildings, such as the Virginia/D.C. area, the Carolinas and Texas,” says Tubelite’s marketing manager, Mary Olivier.

Tubelite’s ForceFront Blast entry doors feature durable tie-rod construction, 6-inch-wide stiles and heavy-duty hardware. A single door measures 3-feet-wide and 7-feet-high. A 5.5-inch back member reinforces the curtainwall system’s structural performance. The systems include nominal one-inch insulated glazing with a SentryGlas® Plus Interlayer. Dry glazing and sealing can be completed at the jobsite and a variety of anchor options are available to ease installation.

In addition to Tubelite’s new ForceFront Blast curtainwall and entry door systems, all of its products are manufactured using EcoLuminum. These include: energy-efficient Therml=Block™ entrances; standard doors, windows, storefront and curtainwall; and Max/Block™ sun shade and aLuminate™ light shelf daylight control systems.

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Association news: AAMA Southeast Region Meeting features hurricane testing

The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) Southeast Region Spring Meeting, held in Charlotte, N.C., May 3-4, featured a tour of the new Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) testing facility that simulates hurricane conditions. Representatives from IBHS offered information on the validation work that involves flow stimulation development and testing of a replica of the Texas Tech experimental building.

“It was incredibly valuable for AAMA members to attend the new IBHS Research Center to learn firsthand of the proactive work of the Institute in identifying conditions associated with adverse weather in order to improve the resilience of homes against natural disasters,” says Rich Walker, AAMA president and CEO. “IBHS Research Director Dr. Anne Cope indicated that she would be calling on AAMA in the very near future to help IBHS develop testing protocols for the evaluation of windows, doors and skylights under full scale extreme wind, rain and wildfire threats. We look forward to working with IBHS to better furnish and prepare structures for future hurricane seasons and urban wildfire events.”

Following Hurricanes Gustav and Ike in 2008, researchers from IBHS worked with the University of Florida to investigate the performance of asphalt shingle roofs in real-world storm conditions, based on the damaged homes along the coastlines of Louisiana and Texas. IBHS conducts a range of scientific research studies with the goal of influencing residential and commercial structural design in order to reduce and prevent building damage or loss due to natural disasters. IBHS reports that natural disaster related losses totaled more than $26 billion across the U.S. in 2009 alone, and these losses are expected to double every decade.

Wayne Gorell, CEO of Gorell Windows & Doors,  attended the Spring Meeting earlier this week. “I was impressed with the quality of the presentations and how relevant they were on issues affecting our industry,” said Gorell. “From the new hurricane regulations to the lead remediation laws, the information presented was invaluable. The trip to the IBHS facility was fascinating- the facility can simultaneously test two full-size houses, taking them to the point of destruction by simulating 140 mph winds, rain, and even the effects of brush fires. Overall, it was a great meeting with lots of valuable, useful information.”

The IBHS wind testing facility, capable of subjecting whole houses to hurricane-force winds, flying embers and drenching simulated rain, became fully operational in October. This video shows two houses being subjected to Category 3 hurricane-force winds. One house is built to typical Midwest code standards; that house is destroyed by the wind. The other has a variety of enhanced structural details, specified by the IBHS Fortified program. The Fortified house survives with minor damage. For more information related to the research being conducted by IBHS, go to disastersafety.org.

The Southeast Region Spring Meeting also featured presentations on the EPA’s Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Regulations, as well as an overview on building codes in the U.S. Southeast Region and a update on national AAMA activities.

For more information on the activities and events of the AAMA Southeast Region, visit www.aamanet.org/southeastregion.

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Client news: Wausau’s copper-colored INvent windows help restore middle school’s historic character, improve performance

Beaty-Warren Middle School in Warren, Pa., nears the completion of an extensive renovation to update and unify its 80-year-old facility. Gothic arches, turrets, steeply-pitched rooflines, brick and stone masonry, and tall, narrow doors and windows distinguish the school’s Tudor style. Matching the classic design, while increasing daylight, energy-efficiency, interior comfort, Wausau Window and Wall Systems provided more than 300 high-performance, operable windows finished in a historically-appropriate, copper color.

Hallgren, Restifo, Loop & Coughlin ArchitectsArchitectural Window Concepts worked on an accelerated schedule in the occupied building, beginning in January 2011. With a six-month timeline as their goal, the field crew removed the existing units and replaced them with the new ones. Meeting the June deadline, the glazing team helped restore a cohesive appearance to Beaty-Warren Middle School’s sprawling, 142,333-square-foot facility.

In 1930, architects Lawrie & Green designed the building as an impressive, Tudor style, educational institution on an 18-acre site by the scenic Conewango Creek. To accommodate the growing student population the school attracted, building expansions were added in 1936, 1955 and 1964. Throughout the decades, the school’s windows were replaced mostly on an as-needed basis, resulting in dissimilar styles and performance.

In 2010, the Warren County School District Board of School Directors voted to replace Beaty’s windows and selected Hallgren, Restifo, Loop & Coughlin Architects. “Our goal was to bring back the original intent and character of the building’s design,” says Chris Coughlin, the project’s lead architect. “We knew that the windows would be an important piece in anchoring the original design aesthetic and tying together the building’s many additions.”

Hallgren, Restifo, Loop & Coughlin ArchitectsDave Ulisse, Architectural Window Concepts’ president, agrees and adds, “There were many components to this project that needed to come together seamlessly.” Among the challenges were creating profiles for the more than 65 different window sizes and replicating the original shapes and color of the windows’ frames. Offering design flexibility at a competitive value, Wausau manufactured more than 80 projected windows from its flagship 2250 Series and 225 “simulated double-hung” projected windows from its new 4250i-XLT INvent™ Series.

This is the first installation of Wausau’s new 4250i-XLT INvent Series. Mimicking the look of traditional school windows, the INvent Series units were fabricated for Beaty-Warren with a beveled face, muntin grids and custom panning. The offset glass planes replicate the historic, double-hung sash, while providing the modern ease-of-operation, weather-ability and reliable performance of projected windows. In addition to the high-performance glass, an extra-wide, polyamide, thermal barrier is applied to the aluminum frame.

“All of the aluminum framing comes standard as a high recycled content. Linetec painted the aluminum in Copper Wire as a three-coat, 70% PVDF coating using specialized equipment to safely capture 100% of the VOCs released in the painting process,” says Chad Walter, team leader for the Advantage by Wausau® products. “The products’ recycled and recyclable aspects and the eco-friendly finishes demonstrate a respect toward the environment. The durability and low maintenance they provide demonstrate a respect for the bottom line.”

The windows’ triple-glazed, high thermal performance also contributes to both environmental and financial goals. According to Ulisse, interior temperatures have increased an average of 4 to 5 degrees in the classrooms and learning spaces. In Pennsylvania’s cool climate, this translates into greater opportunity for energy savings through lower heating costs. In the warmer months, the windows can be opened for natural ventilation, without the need for air conditioning.

Hallgren, Restifo, Loop & Coughlin Architects“The last window replacement happened during the 1970s,” explains Ulisse. “In order to save energy costs, many classroom windows included a metal panel over the top one-third of the pane to keep out sunlight and help control temperatures. Unfortunately, it also kept out natural light.”

To manage the increased daylight, Wausau’s windows were installed with one-inch, between-glass blinds. This allows the staff to control for glare, such as on a computer monitor. The units’ integral construction also reduces maintenance compared with exposed window treatments in classroom settings. Unlike double-hung windows, there are no counter-balancing mechanisms to maintain or replace with projected units. INvent Series products are tested to meet AAMA AW-100 Architectural Performance Class ratings, including new AAMA 910-10 lifecycle testing to 4000 operating cycles.

As part of the Advantage by Wausau standard product offering, these high-performance windows are pre-engineered and factory-glazed. Important to meeting Architectural Window Concepts’ replacement timeline, Advantage by Wausau products are available on an accelerated delivery schedule and backed with an industry-leading warranty of up to 10 years.

“I knew Wausau had the products, experience and talent to handle all of the issues this job presented,” says Ulisse. He notes that before the project was wholly finished, the window replacement team’s efforts were receiving compliments from the occupants, the architects and District.

“Our office is very pleased with the design aesthetic,” praises Coughlin. “The windows reflect the aesthetics that would be expected on a school from this particular era, yet add the performance we expect today. The color of the window frames and muntins is fantastic: They look as if they have always been there. The integral blinds as part of the triple pane system was an added bonus.”

“The Beaty community really feels that the new windows make it seem like a new school,” concludes Ulisse.

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Beaty-Warren Middle School; 2 East Third Avenue, Warren, Pennsylvania
* Owner: Warren County School District; North Warren, Pa.
* Architect: Hallgren, Restifo, Loop & Coughlin Architects; Erie, Pa.
* Window systems – contractor: Architectural Window Concepts, Export, Pa.
* Window systems – manufacturer: Wausau Window and Wall Systems; Advantage by Wausau® 4250i-XLT INvent™ Series and 2250 Series; Wausau, Wis.
* Window systems – glass: PPG Industries; Pittsburgh; Solarban® 60
* Window systems – finisher: Linetec; Wausau, Wis.
* Photos: courtesy of Hallgren, Restifo, Loop & Coughlin Architects

Client news: Tubelite connects architects to online specifications’ tools

Assisting architects with specification writing and 3-D design, Tubelite Inc. participates in several online and automated tools. The company’s website connects visitors to product details, technical data and other information on its storefront, curtainwall, entrance and daylight control systems.

From TubeliteInc.com, visitors with subscriptions to BSD SpecLink®-E‘s can link to automated specification writing assistance. Also within one click of Tubelite’s homepage, users can access Autodesk® Seek and CADdetails for Building Information Modeling (BIM) libraries.

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