Noticias

The American Concrete Institute (ACI), an organization whose mission is to develop and disseminate consensus-based knowledge on concrete and its uses, officially released the completely reorganized ACI 318-14: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete. The 2015 International Building Code will reference 318-14. Now published and available for use, the reorganized 318-14 is organized from an engineers perspective. By focusing on member design, ACI 318 requirements flow more intuitively and have fewer cross-references. Significant highlights include: greater ease of use, improved logic and flow of information, member-based organization to quickly locate relevant code information and construction requirements centralized in one chapter ACI 318 is one of the most essential and valuable standards with respect to the design of concrete structures, and the reorganization is designed to meet the needs of users in the modern design and construction environment, said Randall W. Poston, c ...    

Online registration has opened for Coverings 2015, the largest tile stone exposition in North America, which returns to Orlando, Fla.s Orange County Convention Center, April 14-17. Coverings 2015 is anticipated to offer 1,000 exhibitors representing over 40 countries across 400,000 square feet of exhibition space, in addition to a robust program of CEU accredited seminars, demonstrations and networking opportunitiesall at no cost. As the 2015 show approaches, we are eagerly looking forward to another exciting year of providing attendees access to the largest range of global tile and stone exhibitors, and the most extensive schedule of programming and educational offerings for all segments of the tile and stone industry, said Karin Fendrich, Coverings show director. The abundance of resources and information provided by Coverings to architects, designers, tile and stone retailers, distributors, installers and contractors, and builders and developersat no cost to themhas ensured that thei ...    

In conjunction with the launch of its brand new US websiteivcfloors.comIVC US announced that it has engaged designer and television personality Lynn Kegan as the companys official design spokesperson. Appearing on such shows as Food Networks Restaurant Impossible and HGTVs Designed to Sell, Kegan first came across IVC sheet vinyl products while searching for flooring for a television makeover show. I remember my budget and install time were really tight and the visual impact needed had to be huge. I was standing in a retail store considering all my flooring options, and I kept coming back to this one particular sheet vinyl sample. As a designer, I was drawn to the incredible realism of the color and texture of IVC sheet vinyl. Plus, I realized I didnt have to worry about tearing, breaking or scratching the flooring during installation. The experience really made me want to find out more about IVC and how I could get my hands on more of their products to use for my design and television ...    

Armstrong will initiate an average 5% increase to its freight programs for commercial and residential floor products, effective Dec. 1. The company cites the record amounts of freight and a continued national driver shortage which have affected supply-demand balances and caused significant inflationary pressures on transportation networks despite the moderations in fuel costs. The North American trucking industry continues to be challenged by unprecedented conditions.Carriers are passing on rate increases to Armstrong, and while we continue our best efforts to mitigate costs wherever possible, we are no longer in a position to keep absorbing these increases, said Dominic Rice, vice president commercial, Armstrong Floor Products. We understand the burden this places on our customers and we are committed to ongoing efforts to defray costs wherever possible. For more information, visit . ...    

H.J. Martin Son recently launched a redesigned website to better serve its wide range of customers in the residential, commercial and retail solutions areas. The site was created using responsive design techniques.This means the website automatically adjusts for the best viewing experience whether the user is on a desktop, tablet or mobile device. Our goal was to transform the H.J. Martin website into a user-friendly experience for the wide variety of customers we serve, said David Martin, fourth generation family member at H.J. Martin, who oversaw the design and content of the new site.We believe we have accomplished that.No matter what aspect of our products or services someone is looking for, they should be able to find it easily, along with seeing it visually through photos. Website visitors will find substantially more content than on the previous version of the site.With the way it was constructed, customers also should be able to find what they need quickly through easy-to-unders ...    

Armstrong has released its third quarter 2014 results. Operating income from continuing operations fell 26% over the 2013 period to $69 million, and adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations dipped slightly by 4% to $117 million. Consolidated net sales of $728.3 million decreased slightly compared to the prior year period, driven by lower volumes in Europe, and in resilient and wood flooring in the Americas, which more than offset the impact from favorable price and mix, the company said. Operating income and net income both declined compared to the prior year period, driven primarily by approximately $12 million of fixed asset impairment charges in the European flooring business and $7 million for severance and other charges associated with the closures of a resilient flooring plant in Thomastown, Australia, and engineered wood flooring plant in Kunshan, China.The declines in operating income and net income were also driven by the margin impact of lower volumes, higher SGA expenses an ...    

The Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute will offer a Material Health Certificatea tool for manufacturers across industries to communicate their work toward chemically optimized products. The Material Health Certificate marks the first time ...    

Ecore International is the first place winner in the Excellence in Innovation category in the Mantec Manufacturing Awards.The award categories were community service, supplier development, continuous improvement, innovation, international trade, sustainability and workforce. Developed in 2010, the Mantec Awards recognizes manufacturers in South Central Pennsylvania that have demonstrated a commitment to competitive manufacturing and have positioned themselves to capitalize on opportunities available in todays dynamic markets. Since our companys inception, weve strived to be innovative and have been making smart choices for more than a century, said Arthur Dodge III, president and CEO of Ecore. Ecores business started with cork, which harvests the benefits of wood without harming a tree and has evolved into mining waste streams for high performance raw materials, dominated currently by recycled rubber. For more information, visit. ...    

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) has elected five members to comprise the 2014-2015 board of directors. Elections were held during the IICRCs shareholder meeting in Vancouver, Wash. Tony Wheelwright was re-elected chairman of the IICRC board. In this capacity, Wheelwright will also serve as chairman of the executive committee which includes Pete Duncanson, first vice president; Joe Hughes, second vice president; Jenny Boymal, international vice president; Norm Maia, treasurer; Kevin Pearson, secretary and Darrell Paulson, immediate past chairman. Patrick Winters will continue to serve as the IICRC president. This is going to be a really exciting year for the Institute, said Wheelwright. There are many projects on the horizon, and with the combined expertise of this group of volunteers, the Institute is poised to have another very successful year. Additional members of the 2014-2015 board include: Dennis Blake Peter Crosa Joe Dobbins Craig Jaspe ...    

The International Certified Flooring Installers Association (CFI), in conjunction with the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA), has scheduled training and certification events throughout the U.S. for the rest of 2014 and into 2015. Installers may attend these events for training and CFI Certification or if lacking the required two years of experience, they may attend the training only. Space is limited due to props and materials and early registration is suggested. The training fee is $495. Dealers who are current members of WFCA may register any number of installers at a training discount of $200. If scholarship funds are available, they may also deduct another $147.50. Registrations must be received no later than 30 days prior to the event to use WFCA scholarships. Dealers or distributors seeking to sponsor a training event are invited to contact the CFI national office to secure a date. Training andcertification events schedule: Nov. 18 and 19 Pomona, Calif., Wood, TRAXX Nov. 20 ...