W&D Weekly - May 7, 2008 | Vol 3, Num 19
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DOE to Continue Study of Long Term Energy
Star Changes

The Department of Energy announced the completion of its initial analysis for the 2009, 2012 and 2015 Energy Star windows
criteria. ...

The Department of Energy announced last Friday that it has completed its initial analysis for the 2009, 2012, and 2015 Energy Star windows criteria. According to Richard Karney, program manager, the analysis has pointed out a “clear path for 2009 criteria,” but that more time is needed for “additional cost and feasibility research before establishing the 2012 and 2015 criteria.”

As a result, DOE is postponing the stakeholder meeting, originally scheduled for May 22, until early August. The stakeholder meeting was designed to give the industry and other groups one more opportunity to offer feedback before new requirements for Energy Star labeling would be established.

In making the announcement, DOE did not release the 2009 windows criteria that it is currently planning. It continues to evaluate its preliminary criteria for doors and skylights based on available data and manufacturer feedback, Karney also reports. “We are still in the process of completing the doors and skylights energy savings analysis to confirm the validity of these numbers.”

DOE’s timeline now calls for the new proposed criteria to be published in July, followed by an August stakeholder meeting and an announcement of the finalized criteria in September. The earliest effective date for the new criteria, DOE states, would be June 2009.

Crystal Achievement Nominations Due Next Week

The May 15 deadline for 2008 Window & Door Crystal Achievement Award nominations is quickly approaching. ...

The May 15 deadline for 2008 Window & Door Crystal Achievement Award nominations is quickly approaching. Nominations for the awards, which honor outstanding achievements in window and door product technology, manufacturing and marketing, are due next Thursday.

An online form is available at WindowandDoor.net to submit nominations. A downloadable PDF with more information on award categories and submissions is also provided. For our product categories, including windows, doors and components, nominees need to provide information on their product, with emphasis on its unique and innovative features.

For our manufacturing and marketing categories, winners will be selected by a smaller panel of judges. Although not required, nominees may provide more detailed information on their plants and equipment in brochures, via CD-ROMs or videos, or in other formats, in addition to entry information supplied. Marketing award nominees are encouraged to submit sample materials for our judges also.

Photos can be submitted via the Web form above, emailed to clewellen@glass.org or mailed to Window & Door Crystal Achievements, 8200 Greensboro Dr. Ste. 302, McLean, VA 22102.

Window & Door will present its Crystal Achievement Awards in the September 2008 issue. Please contact Christina Lewellen with any questions.

Frank Lowe Moves to Larger Facility

Frank Lowe Rubber and Gasket Co. recently completed a move into its new 60,000-square-foot facility in Shirley, N.Y. ...

Frank Lowe Rubber and Gasket Co., the supplier of glazing and muntin tapes, as well as materials for packing, sealing and installing windows, recently completed a move into its new 60,000 square-foot facility in Shirley, N.Y. The new facility is nearly twice the size of its previous operations.

“This project has been in the works for over two years,” says Ira Warren, president. “The new location offers Frank Lowe Rubber & Gasket Co., Inc. room to expand our operations, increase our efficiencies and further enhance our commitment to our customers.”

Established in 1955, the company has been steadily expanding during the past three decades. It moved from a 1,400 square-foot storefront in Forest Hills, N.Y. to a 2,500 square-foot facility in Whitestone, N.Y. and later to a 6,900 square-foot building also in Whitestone. In 1994 the company relocated to 15,000 square feet in Farmingdale; increased to 25,000 square feet and then in 2004 grew to 35,000 square feet.

The company’s new address will be 44 Ramsey Road, Shirley, N.Y. The company’s toll-free phone number and Web site will remain the same: 800/777-0202 and www.franklowe.com.

More Headlines...

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Home Depot to Close 15 Stores, Scale Back Expansion Plans
The Home Depot plans to close 15 underperforming stores around the United States, while removing 50 planned store openings from the company pipeline. ... read more

Glasslam Launches Air-Tight Sales Effort
Glasslam N.G.I. Inc. hosted a launch sales meeting on April 21-23 for its Air-Tight spacer products at the Lucaya Resort on Grand Bahama Island, near its new factory in Freeport, Bahamas. The Pompano Beach, Fla., based supplier used the event to announce its North American sales representatives for the new spacer line, as well as for all of its laminated and decorative glass products. ... read more

Atrium Launches Remodeler Training Program
Next week, Atrium Cos. Inc. will launch “Training Tuesdays,” a series of free Webinars designed to increase remodelers’ profits and industry savvy. The monthly educational series will begin on May 13 and continue through the year, the manufacturer reports. ... read more

...

Treasury Secretary Sees Credit Crisis Closer to End
From Bloomberg.com
Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said the credit crisis, now in its ninth month, probably is more than half over, and retained his forecast for the U.S. economy to keep growing. ... read more

[VIDEO] Cramer: Housing Market Turning as Prices Fall
From TheStreet.com
Jim Cramer says houses are moving now that home-sellers are prepared to mark down prices. ... read more

Congress Told Builders Lead on Energy-Efficient Housing
From Nation’s Building News
Calling green building “the next evolution in residential construction,” NAHB told Congress on April 24 that the best way to help small home builders promote residential energy efficiency and sustainability technology in home construction is by extending tax incentives for new energy-efficient homes. ... read more