Atlas® Roofing Promotes Milroy to Director of Sales

Atlas® Roofing Corporation has promoted Tim Milroy to Director of Sales—Roof Insulation, within the Roof & Wall Insulation division. Milroy has worked with Atlas since 2006, when he started as a Sales Representative for the Atlas EPS division.

He has more than 25 years of experience in the roofing and insulation industry.
“Atlas has a long tradition of developing talent from within,” said Steve Heaton, Vice President, Sales & Marketing of Atlas Roof and Wall Insulation Division. “Tim is a great example of a talented leader who has grown as a professional as Atlas has grown. We’re proud to see him take on this leadership role and excited to see his continued contributions to the company.”

Roofing Industry Veteran:

Milroy started his career as a roofing laborer so he understands the importance of quality products and excellence in customer service. Within five years, Milroy was leading roofing teams as a project foreman before transitioning into sales in 1996. After working at several roofing companies, and serving in various sales roles, Milroy landed at Atlas. In his new role at Atlas, he will manage the installation of national sales initiatives and meet with key customers. He will also support new product development and work with private label teams to grow the category.

An athlete growing up, Milroy is a member of his high school’s Athletic Hall of Fame and he continues to enjoy sports and an active lifestyle. He is married with two adult children, and is an active member of the Chicago Contractors Association and Roof Consultants Institute.

ABOUT ATLAS® ROOFING CORPORATION
Atlas® Roofing Corporation is an innovative, customer-oriented manufacturer of residential and commercial building materials. Atlas has grown from a single roofing shingle manufacturing facility in 1982 into an industry leader with 24 facilities in North America and worldwide product distribution. All Atlas products are manufactured in state-of-the-art facilities and shipped worldwide from its network of manufacturing plants and distribution facilities in the United States and Canada. Atlas Roofing Corporation is made up of 4 major divisions: Roof & Wall Insulation, Shingles & Underlayments, Expanded Polystyrene and Web Technologies. See more at: http://www.atlasroofing.com/about#sthash.xUluB4Tm.dpuf.

Amerlux Delivers: 10 Days or Less

Amerlux, an award-winning design-and-manufacture lighting company, announced today that it will ship all of its standard products in 10 days or less.

Five years ago, Amerlux launched a QuickShip program that pledged a short turnaround for a small handful of standard products that included recessed linear fixtures, recessed downlights and exterior floodlights.

Since embracing Lean manufacturing virtues in 2014, Amerlux has decided to disband the old program and offer a 10-day pledge for all standard products company-wide. The banner that hangs on the wall in the company’s production facility reads, “It’s not the BIG that eat the SMALL…it’s the FAST that eat the SLOW.”

“Time is money,” said Amerlux CEO and President Chuck Campagna. “We speak the same language as our customers. They plan, spec and maintain facilities and we do everything in our power to make sure that our products are shipped on time. No matter how complex the challenge, we take every opportunity personally until we exceed expectations.”

Thanks to thoughtful planning, employee feedback and continuous improvement, Amerlux has dramatically improved its manufacturing process, which continues to yield benefits for its customers through rapid efficiency. Consider a sample of progress:

• Amerlux moved its entire production process from six buildings into one large 200,000 square-foot headquarters. In other words, one part would have to travel three-quarters of a mile or 3,960 feet before it became a fixture. Today, all parts are within five feet.

• The company uses planning software so supervisors from production, planning and customer service departments can see orders visually move through the internal process, which eliminates constant “update” meetings.

• Amerlux leverages a “supermarket” approach to production by organizing all the parts in bins behind the assembly lines so employees can turn around and quickly select what items they need.

• Assembly lines were transformed into product lines instead of project lines so employees became more efficient in the process.

• The company uses a vendor management inventory system to ensure that it’s never out of hardware (e.g. screws, washers, nuts), which is within 25 feet of the assembly lines.

• Forklifts are relegated to traveling on “right of ways” or grooves built into the floor of the production facility to reduce the incidence of accidents, which cause down time for the pickers.

• At daily assembly meetings, which last 5-10 minutes, issues are discussed that can be immediately resolved or they are elevated for more attention.

A recent internal report revealed that the time it takes Amerlux to produce one downlight has been reduced from 330 seconds to 60 seconds since it has implemented Lean procedures. Since 2016, on-time performance has improved from 40 percent to 95 percent.

New Exterior Lighting Solutions

A large portion of Amerlux’s portfolio is available for shipment within 10 days, including its new line of exterior lights, which underscore its commitment to value and reliable performance.

Its eligible exterior lighting solutions include:

• Avista, which is the company’s pedestrian lighting product, is designed for a particular kind of fixture that mimics a traditional New England-style globe or “acorn.” The fixture is prevalent in the northeastern U.S. on campuses at universities, corporations, private communities and municipalities. Avista is available in new fixtures provided by Amerlux and as a retrofit of old light sources for many decorative fixtures in the marketplace. Its lumen output doesn’t begin to depreciate until after 50,000 hours of use and retrofit installations take less than 15 minutes per fixture. Avista’s breakthrough IP66 sealed LED Optical Chamber prevents water intrusion and extends its useful life. The upgraded product meets new 4.0 standards of the DesignLights Consortium (DLC), which qualifies the product for rebates to shorten the payback period.

• Passo, which is the company’s revolutionary step light, offers a sealed LED Optical Chamber that eliminates water infiltration, which is the No. 1 cause of light failure. Its advanced LED core uses significantly less energy than traditional fluorescent lamps and it’s available in a choice of two output levels to tailor the desired illuminance for the project. Passo’s faceplates are available in a choice of solid color composite, brushed stainless steel or painted cast aluminum. In addition, the step lights include louver, stainless steel louver, tempered soft glow lens offered in round, square and rectangular shapes for new construction projects, as well as 8-inch and 12-inch rectangular shapes for retrofits. A standard 0-10v dimmable drive provides more integration options with controls.

• The Chaperone Garage Luminaire is designed to easily replace ceiling-mounted garage fixtures as a complete solution that can be seamlessly integrated with many different control system options so retrofits can be made with no fuss at all. The luminaire is an ideal energy saver, replacing linear fluorescent, HPS and metal halide fixtures decreasing your cost of operations. Chaperone LED fixture features an “instant-on” capability, which means it works when you need it to work. Unlike rival light sources, such as high-pressured sodium (HPS) or metal halide lamps, Chaperone doesn’t require an extended restart time in the event of a momentary power loss. Control options include a line voltage occupancy sensor that provides direct lighting control with the 0-10v LED driver to control energy costs. The product meets DLC standards, which means it qualifies for rebates.

For more information about Amerlux, visit http://www.Amerlux.com

About Amerlux

Amerlux creates bold lighting solutions that add warmth and brilliance to the world. The design-and-manufacture company builds long-term relationships with architects, facility managers and lighting designers by taking every complex problem personally. Its award-winning portfolio includes innovative interior and exterior lighting products that deliver striking aesthetics and rich performance through advanced engineering. For more information, please visit Amerlux.com or call 201.416.2284.

 

ASSA ABLOY to Shift Access Control Paradigm

ASSA ABLOY’s commitment to partnerships in innovation has once again enabled the creation of a unique security solution. And the development came through the insights of its network of access control partners, collaborative integrators and end users who seek out a trusted manufacturer partner.

Last year, Star Asset Security, an industry expert in high-end integrated security systems, turned to ASSA ABLOY Door Security Solutions with a new demand it was seeing in the built environment: the need for an access control system that would work on shared assets such as lockers and desks, but with the caveat that the employee could select any locker or desk on any given day and continuously change their selection throughout the week.

“That’s just not how access control works in the way we’ve always used it,” said S. Guerry Bruner, Integrated Solutions Specialist at ASSA ABLOY. “This new application required us to look at the customer problem from their perspective, and really evolve our view of what access control can be.”

And thanks to the network of partners, the solution didn’t take days or months to achieve.
“It only took a few hours of joint discussion until one of our OEM partners, Monitor Dynamics, said they could design software to work with our products and make it all happen,” Bruner said. “And within two weeks they had a working prototype. The ability to have those discussions, and work with companies that are nimble, willing and excited to take on the challenge means that when we have a new demand or need put in front of us, we get to solve it.”

The new solutions are being provided by Star Asset Security as FlexLocker and FlexDesk, utilizing software from Monitor Dynamics Incorporated – a manufacturer of unified security management systems that blend access control, video surveillance, intrusion detection and identity products into an open-architecture, command and control IP platform – and the ASSA ABLOY HES K100 cabinet lock with Aperio® technology.

“The system enables building owners and employers to provide new co-working concepts in shared spaces,” said Sage Hirschy, Director of Business Development at Star Asset Security. “Having a background in these types of workspaces we saw a need for a connected solution that is fully customizable to the customers’ unique environment. We believe this system achieves that. Each day a different employee can access a locker or desk in an office, without any changes in the access control platform. This removes the traditional need to set up access through a gatekeeper, reducing operational time and cost for facility managers.”

The relationship between Star Asset and ASSA ABLOY allowed Hirschy to share his company’s insights with the ASSA ABLOY team, and thus, created a new solution in the industry built through consultation with end users and collaboration between partners.
“It’s another indication that the industry continues to see the need for innovation that is responsive and interoperable while remaining secure,” Bruner said.

“Our goal at ASSA ABLOY is to both protect the people and places that matter most, and to provide our clients with exciting new approaches to that high level of security technology. That collaboration with our industry partners, integrators, and end users is critical to this type of innovation.”

ABOUT ASSA ABLOY
ASSA ABLOY is the global leader in door opening solutions, dedicated to satisfying end-user demands for security, safety and convenience. www.assaabloy.com.

ABOUT MONITOR DYNAMICS
Established in 1979, Monitor Dynamics (MonDyn) is a US based manufacturer of unified security management systems that blend access control, video surveillance, intrusion detection and identity products into an open-architecture, command and control IP platform. Monitor Dynamics is the proven leader in developing corporate-wide, military-wide and government-wide managed security solutions that deliver real-time visualization and facility control to over 10 million client access and intrusion points across the globe. For more information on Monitor Dynamics go to www.monitordynamics.com.

ABOUT STAR ASSET SECURITY
Star Asset Security has been providing full service security expertise since 1993 and is a provider of electronic security, video surveillance, access control and fire detection solutions. As highly trained specialists, Star the knowledge expected by security-conscious customers. Star has decades of technical experience in security and safety solutions, and with continuous education, are always staying on top of the latest technology.

ABOUT ASSA ABLOY DOOR SECURITY SOLUTIONS
ASSA ABLOY Door Security Solutions combines the expertise of the industry’s most knowledgeable door opening experts with the comprehensive product offering of leading door and hardware brands to provide complete solutions to partners and end-users in commercial, retail, multi-family, government and institutional facilities. Coupling innovative technologies with insight on specifications, design, support, training and code compliance, ASSA ABLOY Door Security Solutions works closely with the architectural, security, facilities and integrator communities to address the many challenges they encounter serving and securing their customers. www.assaabloydss.com www.intelligentopenings.com.

Bobrick introduces InstaDry™ Hand Dryer

Bobrick Washroom Equipment, Inc. has announced the introduction of its new B-7125 InstaDry™ surface-mounted automatic hand dryer.
Functioning at a mere 200 Watts, InstaDry is the lowest wattage jet dryer in the commercial restroom industry.

“InstaDry was designed to enable significant cost and consumables savings for anyone seeking a more economical, sustainable restroom,” says Nilo Yagana, accessories category manager, Bobrick. “Whether you’re an architect looking to lower energy costs for your client or a building owner looking to eliminate paper towel waste, InstaDry delivers.”
Ideal for high-traffic environments such as airports, stadiums and retail spaces, InstaDry supports the high-speed hand-drying experience that today’s patrons expect, without the high operating costs typically associated with competitive units.

InstaDry’s estimated life expectancy is more than 7,500 hours, or 10 years in high-traffic environments.

The hand dryer’s sleek, distinctive design features a curved, stainless steel cover with a satin-finish vertical grain. To enable ADA-compliant design, the unit projects no more than 4” from the wall. An infrared sensor facilitates automatic operation, with automatic shutoff after 85 seconds.

For more information, visit Bobrick.com.

About Bobrick Washroom Equipment, Inc.
Bobrick is a 100+ year-old global washroom accessory and toilet partition company headquartered in North Hollywood, CA, with six manufacturing divisions across the United States and Canada and business operations that extend into 100 markets worldwide. A leader in product innovation and manufacturing, Bobrick prides itself as a company that delivers best-in-class products and service, while fostering an environment of collaboration and continuous learning.

U.S. construction spending in September increased +0.3%

Washington, DC – November 1, 2017 – Construction spending during September 2017 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1,219.5 billion, 0.3 percent (±1.3 percent) above the revised August estimate of $1,216.0 billion. The September figure is 2.0 percent (±1.6 percent) above the September 2016 estimate of $1,195.6 billion. During the first 9 months of this year, construction spending amounted to $917.0 billion, 4.3 percent (±1.2 percent) above the $879.6 billion for the same period in 2016.

Click here for full text

Ganter Interiors Inc.

Ganter Interiors makes its clients’ ideas for interiors into realities.
By Alan Dorich

Ganter Interiors Inc. has long operated with the philosophy of keeping close to the client. “It was always important to keep the customer at the center of all endeavors,” COO Ronny Höhne says.

The New York City-based company applies that approach on its interior fit-out packages for general contractors, architects, developers and retailers. Ganter Interiors’ offerings range from design engineering to purchasing and manufacturing to site management and final installation, he says.

The firm, which carries more than 20 years of industry experience, has completed work on customized high-end apartments, offices, luxury stores and restaurants with exclusive finishes. Ganter Interiors’ portfolio also includes furniture rollouts for international retail brands.

“The range of our work extends from customized furnishings and interior development right up to complex technical interior equipment and construction management,” Höhne says. “It is our job to transfer the idea of our clients into technical solutions made of wood, metal, glass and stone.”

McCormick Construction – Talaria at Burbank

McCormick Construction will bring more housing to Burbank, Calif., next year with the completion of Talaria at Burbank.

By Janice Hoppe-Spiers

McCormick Construction is the general contractor for the development of Talaria at Burbank, a premium residential rental community located in the heart of Burbank, Calif. “It is right in the middle of the Media District so since much of the workforce commutes into Burbank, it has gotten a lot of visibility and interest,” President and CEO Mike McCormick says.

Set to open in the first quarter 2018, McCormick Construction says Talaria at Burbank’s future residents will likely consist of people who currently commute into Burbank for work. The Burbank Studios, iHeart Media and Warner Bros. Studios are all a stone’s throw from Talaria at Burbank. The community is also a short distance from The Walt Disney Co. and Universal Studios.

McCormick Construction is a Burbank-based construction and consulting company with more than 100 years of experience in the industry. “We were founded in 1914 and my brother, Steve, and I are the fourth-generation to run the business,” McCormick says. “I think the biggest differentiator for us is that we are a high-touch builder. It’s all about the client relationship and responsiveness.”