Industry News

NAM's Monday Economic Report: Modest positives while manufacturing slows

Last week’s economic reports were slightly positive, with six of the 10 major indicators improving. However, most of the positive reports were modest in nature, says NAM’s chief economist David Huether. The economy continues to shuffle through the third quarter at a slow pace. The housing sector continues to worsen in the wake of the end of the homebuyer tax credit in April. Consumer purchases remain weak despite a slight upturn in confidence, and manufacturing activity is slowing.

Bernhard Woodwork honored for "Best Safety Achievement" by AWI

A.R.E. member Bernhard Woodwork Ltd., based in Northbrook, Ill., was the top honoree for "Best Safety Achievement" in the large business category, says the Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI) and its insurance safety partner, CNA. Each of the four honorees achieved the lowest incident rates of reportable injuries with the highest number of work hours for the previous year in their business size category.

NAM's Monday Economic Report: After a slight improvement, a negative turn

After a slight improvement the prior week, last week’s economic reports again turned negative, with five of the seven major indicators worsening, says NAM’s chief economist David Huether. After falling 4.1 percent during the recession, a little more than two-thirds of the economic decline has been regained during the past year. Still, the economy remains 1.3 percent below the prior peak reached in the fourth quarter of 2007.

Retail sales up in July, says NRF, but outlook still murky

Weary shoppers returned to stores in July as retailers were aggressively promoting back-to-school sales. Retail industry sales for July (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) increased 3.1 percent unadjusted year-over-year and also declined 0.2 percent seasonally adjusted month-to-month, according to the National Retail Federation. “Household spending remains tepid amid concerns about economic stability,” said NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz. “Current data on the economy is mixed which signals that retailers will continue planning with caution until a long-term trend can be established.”

CUBIC expands into U.S. market

CUBIC, a provider of customized visual display systems for commercial space, is now making its merchandising systems available in North America. CUBIC USA opened a new showroom and warehouse in Minneapolis. The new headquarters is located in Minneapolis and serves all of North America. The address for CUBIC Visual Systems–U.S.A., LLC, is: 7125 Sandburg Road, Golden Valley, MN 55427; 763-746-8166 or 888-445-4876; www.cubic-us.com.

European manufacturing slows

Growth in Europe’s services and manufacturing industries weakened more than economists forecast in August, signaling the pace of the recovery has peaked. Economic growth is likely to slow from the fastest pace in four years in the second quarter as a slowdown in the U.S. and China dim export prospects and the impact of austerity measures by Europe’s most indebted nations may crimp consumer spending.

NAM's Monday Economic Report: Some improvements suspect

Last week’s economic reports were slightly more positive than negative, with five of the eight major indicators improving. However, some of the improvements were suspect. The July upturn in housing starts was countered by continued decreases in building permits and a further decline in builder sentiment in August. Meanwhile, the 1.1 percent gain in manufacturing production was chiefly driven by a 9.9 percent surge in motor vehicle output, as some companies decided not to shut down plant s for retooling operations, which is typical this time of the year. The biggest area of concern continues to be the employment situation, which appears to be weakening further.

Futuristic Store Fixtures becomes FSC certified

Futuristic Store Fixtures Pte Ltd., based in Singapore, received FSC Chain of Custody certification in July for its manufacturing facility in Kunshan, China. The COC certification includes purchasing of FSC pure veneer, MDF, plywood, sawn timber, particle board and FSC mixed veneer, sawn timber, manufacture and sales of FSC pure and mixed store fixtures.

HOK launches new product design business

Architectural design firm HOK has launched a new business: HOK Product Design, LLC. Through this venture, HOK designers from across the firm will design products for use in and around the firm's core business of architecture and interior design. HOK Product Design will license its designs to manufacturers for fabrication and sale.

Still showing weakness, Architectural Billings Index increases slightly

Following a two-month soft patch the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) rose almost two full points in July. The commercial construction category continues to outperform other sectors. “Business conditions at design firms remain quite volatile,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. “While this recent uptick is encouraging, this state of the industry is likely to persist for a while as we continue to receive a mixed bag of feedback on the condition of the design market from improving to flat to being paralyzed by uncertainty.”

NRF releases Hot 100 Retailers list

Last year was tough slogging for merchants and shoppers alike, as the STORES Hot 100 Retailers report reflects. Nevertheless, some retailers managed to generate solid to strong results, particularly those with value propositions that appeal to consumer frugality. In addition, chains with novel or otherwise different concepts were able to attract those shoppers willing to spend. For other merchants, especially those in the apparel business, volume increases were made easier by comparisons with dismal prior-year figures.

Leo A. Daly Design wins international competition

Leo A. Daly recently earned the top prize in an international design competition, held by the China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park Development Co., Ltd (CSSD) for an architecture master plan of the China-Singapore Ecological Sci-Tech City in Suzhou, China, a demonstration city housing sci-tech, manufacturing, residential, and business areas.

Architectural Systems Inc. launches ASI Online

Architectural Systems Inc. (ASI) added e-commerce capabilities to its website, www.archsystems.com. The site has long been served as a catalog of ASI’s complete offering of interior finishes, with the ability for architects and designers to order samples for their projects. Now, seven introductory material collections are available for purchase through the new e-commerce platform, ASI Online. Sculptured Collection, Tin Ceilings, ASI Eco Porcelain, ASI Hardwood Flooring V, and ASI Organic, Spa and Wood Vinyl Collections are in-stock products that can be shipped immediately.

TRIAD becomes NSF Listed

NSF International certifies that TRIAD can manufacture equipment custom built in compliance with NSF/ANSI Standard 2 - Food Equipment in the company's St. Louis manufacturing facility. As an NSF Listed Company, TRIAD is responsible for compliance with all NSF requirements for Certification services.

Centiva wins a product design award for the hospitality industry

Centiva, a U.S. manufacturer of green flooring products, announced that its product "Rays" has won an award for representing the best of hospitality design in the resilient flooring category. The International Interior Design Association (IIDA), in partnership with Hospitality Design magazine recently held their 14th Annual Product Design Competition at the HD Expo in Las Vegas. Judges selected the winners based on: innovation, technical advancements, cost effectiveness, environmental responsibility, aesthetics, need and usage in the hospitality industry, and both client and user benefits. Rays, the company says, is a highly durable product and is 100% recyclable with zero production waste, requires little maintenance, and is easily installed.

Storeimage in receivership

Storeimage Programs Inc., the Brantford, Ontario-based company that designs, fabricates, and installs print, décor, and fixtures for all retail sectors, is in receivership. KPMG Inc. was appointed receiver and manager and is currently accepting proposals for the purchase of the company's assets including manufacturing operations, inventory, and equipment, real property, patents, trademark, and other intangible assets, and Storeimage’s interest, if any, in certain leased equipment.

OMNOVA Solutions reports record second quarter earnings on continued volume strength

"OMNOVA's record second quarter reflects the fundamental improvements we have made in our Company and improving economic conditions. We have made significant progress on many fronts, including the introduction of numerous innovative products, penetration into new, adjacent markets, the continued globalization of our business and aggressive productivity gains and cost reductions," said Kevin McMullen, OMNOVA Solutions' Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "This is the sixth consecutive quarter of year-over-year earnings improvement and the third consecutive quarter of volume improvement. The volume expansion was broad based as both of our segments achieved over 15% volume growth in the quarter. Paper and specialty chemicals, domestic laminates and our Asian businesses led the year-over-year improvement. After spending several years improving our business model and cost structure in the face of reduced market demand, we have strong operating leverage as volumes outpaced last year's levels," McMullen added.

AIA's Architectural Billing Index Falls

After three straight months of improving conditions, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) fell nearly three points. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. “This dip is somewhat of a surprise since it appeared that conditions were pointing towards a recovery,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. “The overriding issue affecting the entire real estate sector is unusual caution on the part of lending institutions to provide credit for construction projects that apparently would be successful in this economic environment.”

ACS Retail expands facility

ACS Retail, a manufacturer of casework based in Marion, Ind., has expanded its facility. The addition of 2,500 square feet increased the size of the facility to 66,000 square feet, including 2,000 square feet of office space for the sales team, estimators, and designers.

Moss acquires Pink Inc.

Charles J. Corsentino, chairman, president, and CEO of Moss Inc. announced that the company has acquired the inventory and trade name “Pink Inc.” The Pink brand name will continue under a new identity, “Pink Powered by Moss.” The addition of the Pink product line builds on the many synergies to be realized by the combination of the two national event and rental organizations.

DAVACO celebrates 20 years

DAVACO Inc., national provider of retail and restaurant services, celebrated its 20th anniversary on May 29, 2010. Since 1990, has added services and employees to support a growing client list of retail and restaurant brands. DAVACO, originally known as Fixture Perfect, began as a retail store fixture installation company. “I am proud of DAVACO’s achievement as it represents the company’s and our employees’ ability to accommodate an ever-changing industry,” said Founder and CEO Rick Davis. “It has been a great 20 years. While our business has evolved, our mission remains the same,” said Davis. “Throughout the company’s history, DAVACO’s service offerings have been developed through strategic and thoughtful planning, combined with a commitment to listening to clients and providing the services they truly need with the most value possible. We are proud of what we do and we plan on doing it for many years to come.”

Architectural Systems Inc. receives IIDA/HD award

Architectural Systems Inc. (ASI) received an Award of Excellence at the 14th annual IIDA/HD Award of Excellence in the Specialties category for Embossed Wood for its Geometrix™ Collection at the Hospitality Design Exposition & Conference 2010 in Las Vegas.

idX opens California office

idX Corporation has opened a new office in California to better serve its clients in the region and to enhance its construction management capabilities nationally. The new office and management team will build upon idX's established Integrated Strategic Services (is2), which supports all aspects of retail roll-outs, from contracting and site surveys to architectural work and installation.

Kenstan named among Challengers Award entrants

A.R.E. member company Kenstan Lock Co. was named among the 65 companies that have entered products to compete for the Challengers Distinguished Achievement Award®. The Challengers Distinguished Achievement Award ® will showcase the best the industry has to offer in innovative new technology and will be presented at IWF 2010.

Business conditions improving: Architectural Billings Index reaches highest mark in two years

For the third straight month the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) has gone up. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The April score is the highest since January 2008 when revenue at architecture firms headed into recession.

DMD hosts South African delegation to discuss retail design

On Friday, April 23, DMD hosted five members of a delegation from South Africa to share their knowledge of “The Art and Science of Retail Design”. The five delegates are participating in the “Demand Stimulation” stream of a program that included a six-week visit to Penn State University, New York City and Toronto. They were immersed in learning about all aspects of North America’s retail industry.

National Logistics and Starnes Oswalt merge to form National Retail Services Group

National Logistics and Starnes Oswalt Construction have merged to form National Retail Services Group (NRSG). Based in Atlanta, Georgia, and Tucson, Ariz., NRSG offers integrated logistics, survey, reset, fixture, and decor installation services, and general construction for remodels. The newly combined entity creates an expanded level of capacity and nationwide service. Professional project managers and field teams support the daily project management needs of retail, grocery, design, and financial clients. Lisa Oswalt, president, says, "Our unique value proposition provides an integrated portfolio of end-to-end solutions." NRSG's clients range from small companies to many of the world s largest corporations. The company is WBENC-certified and has LEED-accredited staff.

Timber Products receives CARB certification exemption

Timber Products Company, a manufacturer of hardwood plywood, has been approved by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) as an ultra low-emitting formaldehyde resin manufacturer of wood products. The designation means the company is exempt from third-party certification requirements under the CARB regulations for its veneer core hardwood plywood made at its Medford, Ore., facility.

Leggett & Platt Posts First-Quarter Earnings Results

Leggett & Platt on the company's Commercial Fixturing & Components division: "Total sales increased $26 million, or 23%, due to our strong position with value-oriented retailers and new programs with office furniture manufacturers. EBIT increased $11 million due to sales growth, cost reductions, and operational improvements."