The Wisconsin Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the U.S. Department of Defense, honored Linetec’s paint operations manager Paul Bratz with a Patriot Award. Sgt. Bradley Pochinski nominated Bratz for “extraordinary support” of employees who participate in military service.

Pochinski serves in the Wisconsin Army National Guard assigned to the A Company 1-128th Infantry Regiment, 32nd lnfantry Brigade Combat Team, based in Menominee, Wisconsin. On April 22, John Rhyner, area chairman of the Wisconsin Committee for ESGR, presented the Patriot Award to Bratz at Linetec’s facility in Wausau, Wisconsin.

“It is a true honor to be nominated by Bradley. We are so proud of him and grateful for the many who serve our nation through their military service,” said Bratz.

“Paul Bratz and Linetec have provided outstanding support and cooperation, and have exhibited a patriotic spirit recognized with this award,” emphasized Mike Williams, chairman of the Wisconsin Committee for ESGR. “The Patriot Award is only presented to employers who not only hire Guard and Reserve members, but also demonstrate superior support to military employees and their families. The National Guard and Reserve forces are the cornerstone of our national defense. They perform an increasing number of unique missions that require extraordinary actions on the part of everyday citizens.”

The U.S. National Guard and Reserve currently includes 1.3 million members. As of March 2015, the number of Guard and Reserve component personnel on active duty totaled 23,871. The ESGR accepts Patriot Award nominations from all members of the National Guard and Reserve.

Located in Wisconsin, Linetec serves customers across the country, finishing such products as aluminum windows, wall systems, doors, hardware and other architectural metal components, as well as automotive, marine and manufactured consumer goods. The company is a subsidiary of Apogee Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ: APOG). Linetec is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

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The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) has released the AAMA 2014/2015 U.S. Industry Statistical Review and Forecast. This report delivers timely information on window, door and skylight market trends and product relationships. Historic data for 2006 through 2012 and forecast data for 2015 through 2017 also are included in the report. Forecasts are based on projections of construction activity as of March 2015.

Total housing starts continued their growth curve in 2014 with strong gains particularly in the multifamily segment, up by 14 percent, while single family starts increased by four percent. The overall new housing market is expected to continue at a strong level of growth through 2017, and single family starts are expected to take the lead in 2015 and experience a 21 percent increase. While the Northeast and Midwest regions of the U.S. have experienced stronger growth since 2012, the South and West are expected to be more dynamic over the next three years.

The demand for prime windows improved significantly in 2014 and increased overall by just under five percent, driven by a continued strong demand for new housing, although not as strong as originally forecasted at the beginning of the year. The demand for windows in new housing increased by almost 10 percent in 2014 with continued double-digit increases forecasted for the next three years as the housing recovery continues. Meanwhile, remodeling and replacement window demand increased modestly, by just under two percent in 2014, with growth in this segment also likely to be relatively modest in 2015 against the backdrop of a short-term decline in existing home sales, before stronger growth in 2016 and 2017.

In 2014, nonresidential construction activity experienced strong growth, with a similar net positive effect on the entry door market. Total volume reflected a 10 percent growth rate versus 2013. Looking forward, growth is expected to continue at a slower pace of five percent in 2015 before accelerating again in 2016.

Residential skylights closed the year with a growth rate of more than four percent over the 2013 volume. New construction skylight activity was up five percent, though slower than initial expectations, while remodeling and replacement skylight activity was up four percent versus 2013 totals.

Additional and more detailed information on the residential and commercial fenestration markets is contained in the AAMA 2013/2014 Study of the U.S. Market for Windows, Doors and Skylights (published in April 2014), which includes all of the items listed below.
* AAMA U.S. Industry Channel Distribution Report profiles the residential and non-residential market for windows and doors as it flows through the identified distribution channels.
* AAMA U.S. Industry Market Size Report quantifies residential and non-residential market volumes, both historic and projected.
* AAMA U.S. Industry Regional Statistical Review and Forecasts detail information on trends and product relationships.

The updated AAMA 2014/2015 U.S. Industry Statistical Review and Forecast, as well as the other reports listed above, is available for purchase from the online AAMA Publication Store.

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* ROCKFON is exhibiting at INTEX Expo booth #135 and AIA Expo booth #3122 *

Crystal Petersen joins ROCKFON’s North American team as an architectural sales manager serving the commercial design community in California. ROCKFON continues to expand its staff and products to provide customers with a comprehensive range of stone wool acoustic ceiling panels, specialty metal ceiling panels and ceiling suspension systems.

Petersen draws from 17 years of sales experience in architectural building products collaborating with architects, contractors, distributors, developers and designers to develop strategies and specifications. She most recently worked as a commercial account manager at California-based Emser Tile, the largest privately held designer and marketer of tile and natural stone products in the United States.

Previously, Petersen was a regional account manager serving seven Western states for Delta Faucet Company. Her prior positions also included working as a regional account manager at Catalina Carpet Mills Inc., as a Western regional builder manager at Mannington Mills, Inc., and as a sales representative at MonierLifetile LLC.

Throughout her career, Petersen has been an active member of numerous industry associations including the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA). In 2013, Petersen was nominated as the HBA Supplier Sales Representative of the Year. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Phoenix and is pursuing her LEED® accreditation through the U.S. Green Building Council.

At ROCKFON, Petersen and her colleagues throughout North America also are members and participants in the AIA, the Construction Specifications Canada (CSC), the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), the Institute of Noise Control Engineering (INCE), the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), the National Council of Acoustical Consultants (NCAC), as well as members in the Acoustical Society of America (ASA), the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry (AWCI) and the Ceiling and Interior Systems Construction Association (CISCA).

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Appleton Coated unveils a new identity to better represent its comprehensive capabilities and extensive product offering. “Simply put, today’s Appleton Coated is about more than just ‘coated,’” explained Ferkó Goldinger, Appleton Coated’s marketing manager. “As our product offerings expand into inkjet, offset, opaques and specialty products, ‘coated’ is becoming less descriptive of our full breadth of capabilities. We wanted our new identity to reflect this evolution.”

Working closely with Goldinger and Appleton Coated’s marketing team, Planet Propaganda of Madison, Wisconsin, created the new identity in 2014. Appleton Coated’s of-record strategic design partner, Geneva, Illinois-based Rule29 Creative is implementing the identity across all platforms and projects in 2015.

“The fresh approach introduces a friendly, forward-looking system highlighting the quality of Appleton Coated’s ever-expanding cabinet of offerings,” continued Goldinger. The unique mark prominently features an “A” — an homage to the company name, along with a roll of paper ready for printing. Housed within the mark is a scaled-down “C” nodding to the mill’s heritage of coated solutions.

“Long-associated as the mill behind superstar paper line, Utopia, Appleton Coated steps into the spotlight with a new identity that’s as bold as it is approachable,” described Kevin Longino, Planet Propaganda’s art director. “And, of course, the new identity also looks great on all of Appleton Coated’s materials.”

Agreeing and expanding on this, Goldinger added, “At Appleton Coated, we push paper to become far more than the sum of water and fiber. Here, paper is equal parts obsession and art. It’s why we formulate brighter and whiter. It’s what propels us to make paper more reliable. It’s what pushes us to make paper more environmentally responsible. Working tenaciously as one, we transform pulp and passion into potential.”

“Appleton Coated puts the same passion into relationships,” noted Dana Lytle, Planet Propaganda’s principle and design director. “It doesn’t matter if it’s 10 tons of U1X, a rush order of Utopia Two Web, or a carton of Curious cover stock. They always listen and never under deliver. They provide peace of mind by the truckload and equip us with products we won’t find from another mill. Above all else, they never, ever, stop caring — about what they make, and the people they make it for.”

Appleton Coated is a manufacturer and distributor of coated, uncoated, specialty and technical papers sold under the Utopia®, Curious Collection® and Altima® brand names. The company’s products are used in high-end commercial printing, textbook publishing, label papers, transactional printing and a variety of specialty and custom applications. Selling through a chain of highly respected paper distributors, the company serves corporations, publishers, printers, converters and graphic designers in North America. Since 1889, Appleton Coated has been headquartered in Combined Locks, Wisconsin.

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The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) has released an updated document establishing performance requirements for fiber reinforced thermoset profiles for use in fenestration products. This document references test procedures and requirements for standard weathering performance of fiber reinforced thermoset profiles. It also addresses requirements covering design criteria, finish and appearance, weathering performance and physical properties.

“It’s a keystone document for fiberglass reinforced pultrusions,” says Robert Plagemann (Tecton Products), chair of the Fiberglass Material Council 305 Review Task Group. “We wanted to update it, since the last version was released in 2011. A lot of the changes were editorial, and we did combine a lot of the requirements under one section so they were easier to understand. The section about weatherability is now under the section that covers general profile requirements, to make the document easier and simpler to use.”

Plagemann also says that the changes made to the document went a long way toward making requirements consistent. “There were some requirements for patio door sills and different requirements for frames that are now the same from a weatherability standpoint,” he says. “The differences were significant but now they are unified.”

AAMA 305-15, along with other AAMA documents, may be purchased from AAMA’s Publication Store.

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* ROCKFON is exhibiting at AIA Expo booth #3122 *

Rockfon® Contour™ frameless, stone wool acoustic baffles provide an alternative, acoustic solution for commercial interiors where suspended ceilings are not suitable. Ideally suited for acoustical corrections in renovations and retrofits, they also offer acoustic comfort and visual interest as a design feature in new restaurants and cafés, museums, call centers, manufacturing facilities and open-plan offices.

“With a sharp, minimalistic edge and a subtle, elegant bevel, Rockfon Contour frameless baffles hang vertically to create an aesthetically pleasing acoustic solution in challenging spaces,” said Chris Marshall, ROCKFON’s vice president of marketing and business development. “In historic buildings, baffles can be installed around high windows, structural beams, pillars, and other obstacles to maintain the existing architecture, while improving acoustic performance. For a contemporary, linear look, baffle systems also can be used in open plenum ceiling designs to mask the structure above it.”

Rockfon Contour features a smooth texture and white color on both sides to optimize light reflection (LR 0.79). High light reflection supports daylighting and energy efficiency. Contributing to buildings’ other environmental goals, Rockfon Contour products contain up to 39 percent recycled content. ROCKFON’s extensive portfolio of stone wool acoustic ceiling solutions has earned UL® Environment’s GREENGUARD Gold Certification for low-emitting products. Stone wool also is water-repellent and provides no sustenance to harmful microorganisms. These attributes are recognized by such programs as the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® Rating System and the Collaborative for High Performance Schools’ Criteria (CHPS).

In addition to acoustic, light reflection and environmental performance, Rockfon Contour baffles have a Fire Class A rating and are dimensionally stable even at high humidity levels of up to 100 percent relative humidity. For easy installation, these baffles are designed in a modular format of 1 foot 11-5/8 inches by 3 feet 11-1/4 inches by 2 inches. Providing low maintenance and long-term durability, ROCKFON products supplied in North America are supported with a 30-year warranty.

To learn more about Rockfon Contour baffles or other ROCKFON ceiling products, please visit http://www.rockfon.com, email cs@rockfon.com or call 800-323-7164.

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* Valspar is exhibiting in AIA booth #3717/Learning Lounge 3625LL *

The Valspar Corporation announces educational and inspirational activities during the annual American Institute of Architects (AIA) National Convention and Expo, May 14-16, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

Exhibiting in booth 3717, Valspar will celebrate 50 years of Fluropon® 70 percent PVDF resin-based coatings with themed give-aways and a happy hour to toast the golden anniversary on May 14, 4-6 p.m. A photobooth with a professional photographer, fun props and Hollywood backdrop will be in Valspar’s booth throughout the expo for attendees to capture and share their snapshots on social media using #Fluropon50.

Valspar will share images from the AIA Expo and its booth on Fluropon50.com. This website also will feature five decades of customer success stories, employee memories and product innovations. Special Effects, Valspar’s newest Fluropon coatings on display at AIA, features an additional layer of sparkle, more richly saturated colors and color-shifting pigments.

Keeping architects informed of new products, trends and best practices, Valspar also will present an in-booth, walk-up Expo Chat on color (0.25 LUs) and two continuing education courses (1.0 LUs each) at the AIA Expo’s Learning Lounge in room 3625LL. Registration is required for Learning Lounge courses, but there is no additional cost to attend these sessions.

High-Performance Coating Systems for Cool Metal Roofing, EL132d, 1.0 LU
May 14, 2:15-3:15 p.m.; May 15, 10:30-11:30 a.m., 2-3 p.m.; May 16, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Exploring the benefits of metal roofing products, including how solar reflective coatings help conserve building energy consumption and mitigate the urban heat island effect.

The Relationship Between Color and Pigments in Architectural Coatings, EL131a, 1.0 LU
May 14, 12:45-1:45 p.m., 3:45-4:45 p.m.; May 15, 12:30-1:30 p.m., 2-3 p.m.;
May 16, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Demonstrating the importance of color in the built environment, with a focus on informing occupants of their surroundings, forecasting emerging trends, and specifying architectural coatings to meet color and performance goals.

Also at AIA, Valspar will be distributing USB drives with the new Fluropon material library for Autodesk Revit® software. Valspar’s Fluropon material library in Revit is built around accurate Valspar color palettes to ensure consistency in both the virtual and real world. After selecting final colors, Revit users have the option to order physical color samples by visiting Valspar’s architectural website, valsparinspireme.com, and referencing the product code listed next to the color name within the material library.

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DSW Architectural Products, LLC, now serves Tubelite Inc.’s clients in New England. As president of DSW, Dave Williams works closely with glazing contractors and architectural teams across the region to provide assistance with storefront, curtainwall, entrances and daylight control systems.

Based in New Milford, Connecticut, Williams draws from more than three decades of experience in sales and architectural aluminum products. Prior to leading operations at DSW for the last four years, he worked at Schuco USA as a senior vice president. Previously, he served as a territory sales manager with Kawneer.

Williams earned an MBA and a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania.

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Together, with the White Bear Lake community, Knutson Construction celebrates the completion of the $3.3 million renovation to the Ramsey County Library in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. The design-build project began in September 2014 and was a collaborative with Bentz/Thompson/Rietow Architects.

Approximately 12,500 square feet of the existing library has been remodeled and 4,000 square feet has been added to create flexible space and maximize efficiency. The design integrates new and old portions of the facility into one cohesive community destination. The library features an interactive EyePlay projection gaming system located in the teen/children’s room encouraging interaction with the new space.

The project successfully exceeded all diversity and small business enterprise utilization goals and kept approximately 200 construction workers employed throughout the project. Minnesota’s Sustainable Building Guidelines were utilized to significantly reduce the facility’s energy use, cost of operation and impact on the environment.

“We are proud to be a part of such an amazing project for the people of White Bear Lake. We know the enhanced facility will have a positive impact on the community and will allow the library to adapt to future changes in library services,” stated Dave Bastyr, Knutson Construction’s executive vice president of Minnesota.

In addition to Knutson Construction and Bentz/Thompson/Rietow Architects, the Ramsey County Library project team included: Ramsey County Property Management, the Ramsey County Library, the City of White Bear Lake, Mattson Macdonald Young Structural Engineers, Pierce Pini & Associates Civil Engineers, Gausman & Moore Mechanical and Electrical Engineers, and Calyx Design Group Landscape Architecture.

Knutson Construction provides customers with pre-construction, design/build, general contracting and construction management services. Knutson has been providing expert construction services to healthcare, corporate, manufacturing, education, industrial, civic and retail customers since 1911. In addition to Minneapolis, Knutson has offices in Rochester, Minnesota; Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Altoona, Wisconsin. To learn more about Knutson Construction Services, visit its website at http://www.knutsonconstruction.com.

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Valspar, a global leader in delivering innovative technology to the coatings industry, continually invests in mirror coatings and solutions benefitting the interior, automotive and solar markets around the world. Several new products are under development to support mirror manufacturers’ performance, economic and environmental goals.

“Valspar’s philosophy on new product development is centered on driving high-performance technology in mirror coatings and solutions to optimize mirror production costs, while simultaneously providing for a cleaner and safer environment for workers and end-users,” says Petra L’Abbe, Valspar’s global business director for mirror coatings and solutions.

“As in every other one of our businesses, Valspar is investing substantially in new technology development to enhance product performance,” adds Dr. Jochem Effing, technical director of industrial and automotive for Europe, Middle East, Africa and India research and development.

Based in Eschweiler, Germany, Effing works with a team of dedicated research and development professionals. He notes, “Our team is committed to developing the next generation of coatings and solutions technologies for Valspar mirror customers around the world to keep them on the cutting edge of performance and, just as importantly, optimizing their costs.”

Valspar’s new mirror coatings and solutions product developments include:

• High Surface Performance (HSP) technology for interior mirrors – Valspar’s HSP technology provides high-performance surface protection, while decreasing coating film weight and associated costs. This new technology also is available in a waterborne coating option.“This new resin technology has been developed into a high-performance coating platform for interior mirror applications that enables a 20-25 percent reduction in applied coating film to the finished mirror, while providing the high level of performance expected from Valspar products,” describes Bernhard Esser, technical manager for Valspar’s mirror technology. “This new technology results in significant savings potential for our customers.”Meeting or surpassing industry standards, test results for interior and automotive mirrors coated with Valspar’s HSP technology indicate a high resistance to corrosive atmospheres as validated by the copper accelerated acetic acid salt spray (CASS) test and the hydrochloric acid (HCL) dipping test. Valspar’s HSP technology is derived from high-performance resin technology designed for coatings applied on mirrors in solar fields that withstand extreme climates.

• Since 2003, Valspar has supplied coatings to the solar mirror industry. Used in the production of both flat and parabolic solar mirror reflectors, Valspar’s materials now are relied on in solar fields across the globe. Today, Valspar is the leading supplier of coatings and solutions materials utilized in the manufacture of mirrors used to produce concentrated solar power (CSP).Traditionally, coatings for solar mirrors have required a three-coat paint system. Reducing costs for CSP manufacturers and end-users, Valspar developed a new, two-coat paint system to protect the reflective silver metal layer of solar mirrors, reduce the film weight and save up to 25 percent in associated costs.Subjected to natural static weather testing in Florida, a comparison with traditional three-coat systems showed that Valspar’s two-coat paint system delivers the same, high-performance protection for surface and edge corrosion.

• Zero-lead, water-based paint system for solar mirrors – “Historically, solar mirrors have been manufactured with a lead-containing, solvent-based paint and copper solutions. Valspar is on the brink of commercializing the industry’s first zero-lead, water-based paint system for solar mirrors — supporting the environmental goals that renewable energy, solar power represent,” explains L’Abbe.She continues, “Furthermore, Valspar is investing in developments to provide the industry with the ultimate environmentally friendly choice — a copper-free solar mirror finished with a zero-lead waterborne coating.”
• In addition to driving technology advancement for mirror coatings, Valspar also is advancing the chemistry utilized in the solutions that provide the reflectivity of the mirror. For more than 15 years, Valspar has been a leader in the commercialization of the copper-free mirror solution process.
• Demonstrating continued innovation, Valspar launched a new, super sensitizer solution that enhances the integrity of the metal film with the glass, while simultaneously providing the mirror manufacturer with a significant material cost savings.

“Valspar is constantly striving to bring innovative, market-ready technologies to life,” reiterates L’Abbe. “Our innovation strategy benefits from a tremendous capacity for polymer development and makes safety and product stewardship a primary concern. The coatings industry is constantly changing. That is why it is so important for manufacturers to partner with a leader that has resources, research and knowledge to help predict and adapt to these changes.”

Learn more about Valspar’s mirror coatings and solutions at www.Valspar.com/mirror, email mirror@valspar.com or call +33 385 27 18 08.

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