Category Archives: Environmental Construction

GreenMantra’s materials are used in plastic compounds, extruded and injection molding parts and asphalt roofing products

TORONTO, 16-Mar-2021 — /EPR CONSTRUCTION NEWS/ — GreenMantra Technologies is pleased to announce our partnership with HARKE GROUP to distribute our products in Europe. GreenMantra is an innovation leader that utilizes its advanced recycling technology to create unique specialty polymers and synthetic waxes from discarded plastics. HARKE GROUP is a leading distributor of specialty chemicals in Europe and will provide sales, marketing, and logistical support throughout Europe and the UK for GreenMantra’s sustainable polymer additives.

GreenMantra is entering the European market soon after the EU adopted a new Circular Economy Action Plan, one of the main components of the European Green Deal, which targets the entire lifecycle of products to ensure that sustainable products become the norm in the EU. A key tenet of the plan is for producers to incorporate as much recycled material as possible, replacing prime material while reducing or eliminating single-use plastics.

This EU mandate for a circular economy strongly aligns with GreenMantra’s mission to upcycle discarded plastics into higher value polymers that improve performance. GreenMantra’s materials are used in a diverse range of industrial applications including plastic compounds, extruded and injection molding parts, and asphalt roofing products. In each application, the additives enhance manufacturing efficiency and allow manufacturers to greatly increase the recycled content of their end products without sacrificing performance or profitability.

“We are excited to collaborate with HARKE to introduce our sustainable specialty polymers and synthetic waxes to the European market. This partnership enables GreenMantra to strengthen our global presence and expand our ability to divert plastics from our landfills and oceans.” says Jodie Morgan, chief executive officer of GreenMantra.

“At HARKE GROUP we are continuously seeking new materials to support our customers in their mission to drive sustainable innovation and create a circular economy for plastics, without sacrificing quality. We are delighted to add GreenMantra’s line of high-performance additives to our portfolio. This is the latest step in our journey to build our specialty range for sustainable raw materials. Our experienced colleagues from Coatings, Plastics & Polymers team look forward to providing extensive services for the plastic segment ranging from the development process to technical consulting during the test period through smooth raw materials delivery,” says Thorsten Harke, president of HARKE GROUP.

SOURCE: EuropaWire

Moxy OID Has Created CERLOS, A New, Non-Toxic, Eco-Friendly, Lower Cost and More Durable Construction Material Developed From Agricultural and Forestry Waste Products

Vancouver, B.C., Canada, 2019-Mar-06 — /EPR CONSTRUCTION NEWS/ — Moxy OID introduces CERLOS to the world after 20 years of research and development plus more than $20 million in production and testing. CERLOS is a new building material with superior properties compared to existing wood, fiber cement, plastics and other building materials.

CERLOS Benefits Include:

  • CERLOS is Class A Fire Rated.
  • CERLOS is mold and mildew resistant.
  • CERLOS termite, insect, rodent and bird resistant.
  • CERLOS is water stable, will not shrink or swell.
  • CERLOS does not produce toxic dust for installers or home owners.
  • CERLOS installs like wood with standard carpentry tools.
  • CERLOS is non-toxic from production through disposal.
  • CERLOS does not crack or chip easily, eliminating installation issues.
  • CERLOS is more durable than competitive building materials.

CERLOS Is The Low Cost / Higher Quality Choice for Building Contractors and Consumers

Most importantly, CERLOS will typically sell for less than virtually all competitive building products while offering a superior installation and homeowner experience.

With Moxy OID first to market product CERLOS Siding, home builders, building contractors, installers, and home renovators will enjoy spending less for installing a long lasting, stable, nearly maintenance-free CERLOS Siding compared to fiber cement, wood, vinyl or aluminum options.

Consumers benefit by requesting CERLOS because of the superior properties at the same or lower cost of competitive products. Issues with mold, fire resistance, toxic dust during installation, cracking, swelling, ecological impact, and cost go away when consumers choose CERLOS for their homes.

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The Rose receives 2016 Jack Kemp Excellence in Affordable and Workforce Housing Award from the Urban Land Institute

Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2016-Nov-04 — /EPR CONSTRUCTION NEWS/ — PLACE is pleased to announce that The Rose and three sister developments at Portland and Franklin Avenues (South Quarter) in Minneapolis were selected by the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Terwilliger Center for Housing as the winner of the 2016 Jack Kemp Excellence in Affordable and Workforce Housing Award. This annual award honors developments that ensure housing affordability for people with a range of incomes. Representing the completion of South Quarter, The Rose offers 43 market rate apartments and 47 income-restricted affordable apartments in profoundly sustainable buildings that have neither furnaces nor conventional air conditioning equipment.

In 2010, affordable housing developer Aeon, in partnership with Hope Community, selected PLACE by competition to add specialized development consultant capacity as Sustainability Champion for the last phase of South Quarter. Aeon wanted the final buildings to be the best performing buildings of their kind in the country, on an affordable housing budget. A 501(c)(3) charity dedicated to public benefit, PLACE provided disruptive environmental design analysis, assisted in assembling and facilitating a world-class collaborative design and construction team, deepened community engagement, and refined financial modeling in furtherance of creating high-performance, healthy buildings for Aeon’s residents.

Minneapolis has the harshest climate of any large city in America. The biggest challenge for PLACE was to ensure that the team could deliver a building envelope capable of keeping residents cool in a scorching summer with high humidity and a frigid winter with temperatures plunging to minus thirty degrees Fahrenheit. Buildings in the U.S. are built each day to standards that cause them to consume 70% of America’s primary energy, with 52% of that energy going to heating and cooling. The Rose is 75% more energy efficient than local standards require, which also deepens affordability for residents; it represents PLACE’s most cutting edge restorative development work to date.

“This project is on the leading edge of workforce housing development and preservation,” said J. Ronald Terwilliger, chairman of Terwilliger Pappas Multifamily Partners in Atlanta. “It has it all—mixed-income housing, environmental sustainability, long-term affordability, and long-term financing.”

“The efforts of Aeon and Hope Community, with their many public and private sector partners, prove that previously disinvested communities can point the way forward for mixed-income, environmentally sustainable redevelopment in our cities,” said Stockton Williams, executive director of the ULI Terwilliger Center.

PRESS CONTACT
place
Chris Velasco
Executive Director
PLACE
100 Portland Avenue South
Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 309-3889
www.welcometoplace.org

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The Metropolitan Council approves a $2M grant to fund a landmark, transit-oriented development in the heart of St. Louis Park, Minnesota

St. Louis Park, MN, December 11, 2015 — /EPR CONSTRUCTION NEWS/ — On December 9, 2015 and after overwhelming enthusiasm and support from a rigorous application and vetting process, the Metropolitan Council approved funding for PLACE’s St. Louis Park Community. The Council approved 2 million dollars in funding from its Livable Communities Account for a Transit-Oriented Development (LCA-TOD) grant after the proposed project demonstrated a breakthrough approach to meeting housing and economic development needs in the Twin Cities. The funds will be used to help secure site acquisition at the former McGarvey Coffee property, pioneer alternative energy sources, and integrate stormwater improvement with infrastructure like green roofs and an urban forest.

A nonprofit called PLACE (Projects Linking Art, Community, and Environment) heads up the community endeavor in concert with the City of St. Louis Park, fellow eco-minded and socially conscious companies like Allianz Life, Stantec, Shaw-Lundquist, Lindquist & Vennum, MSR, LIFT, and Rachel Contracting that have invested in the project, other private partners, and public collaborators like Hennepin County. The community will elevate affordable living, design, and artistic culture in the city and will be located near the expected Green Line extension (Southwest Light Rail) Wooddale Station. The development’s potential positive impact is staggering, with healthy homes for 300 households across the income spectrum supported by a mobility hub, urban agriculture, live and work spaces, a hotel, and a renewable energy generation system that consumes food waste created by its inhabitants and surrounding neighbors.

Chris Velasco, PLACE’s Executive Director, observed, “I think this project will be of national significance for communities that want to effectively leverage their scarce resources.”

Ryan Kelley, City of St. Louis Park Planner, says, “The City of St. Louis Park is extremely proud to be the co-recipient with PLACE of the Met Council’s largest transit oriented development grant for a new sustainable community of regional significance.”

“PLACE is an excellent project, for the city and the region. Turning vacant, unused property into a community space with alternative energy features, that is connected to other uses, like transit, is just the kind of investment the Council wants to make toward a livable communities and a prosperous region” – Erin Heelan, TOD Grants Coordinator, Metropolitan Council Livable Communities.

Executive Director Velasco thanks the Metropolitan Council for its confidence and support on behalf of the entire team and the residents of St. Louis Park.

MEDIA CONTACT

Peter Sieve (612) 326-0409 pete@welcometoplace.org
Elizabeth Bowling (612) 326-0399 elizabeth@welcometoplace.org

www.welcometoplace.org

 

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Howden Thomassen Awarded Major Project With Korea Gas Corporation

Howden Thomassen Compressors have been awarded a major project with Korea Gas Corporation, the largest liquefied natural gas import company in the world, to install two new HP compressors at in the LNG terminal in Samcheok, South Korea.

Howden Thomassen Compressors has been awarded a major project by the largest Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) company in the world, the Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS), to manufacture and install two C-45.3 HP compressors in two stages at the planned LNG Terminal in Samcheok, South Korea.

A spokesperson for Howden Thomassen Compressors explains: “Because we specialise in manufacturing compressors we knew that this was a project that we wanted to be involved in. This new project is not only a really big project for us, but also a very important one for the LNG market, which has steadily increased in popularity over recent years. We are thrilled to be working with KOGAS on this project, and we’re very much looking forward to creating and installing these two new C-45.2 HP Compressors at the LNG Terminal.”

The LNG Terminal, in Samcheok in South Korea has yet to be built, but once construction is completed on the terminal, it will be the fifth terminal of its kind in South Korea, and it will provide gas to the North East of the southern half of the Korean peninsula. The company is looking forward to working with KOGAS on the project, particularly because of the growth of the LNG market.

The spokesperson for Howden Thomassen Compressors continues: “As the LNG market has increased in popularity over recent years, it’s understandable that a fifth terminal is not yet built, we have a lot of time to plan, design and build the compressors. These compressors will be non-lubricated and will be equipped with Thomassen’s Free Floating Piston (FFP™) technology, which reduces rider ring wear to an absolute minimum. Also process piping, process air fin coolers and local control panels will be part of the scope of supply. The compressors will be driven by induction motors with a power rating of 2,8000kW each. We are very much looking forward to starting this project with KOGAS in the near future and we think this project will present us with a new and refreshing challenge in the coming months.”

Howden is one of the world’s largest and longest established manufacturers of air and gas handling equipment. The company was established in Glasgow in 1854 as an engineering firm, and has grown to become a worldwide organisation with over 4,000 employees and companies in 21 countries. Howden is owned by Colfax Corporation, and designs and supplies heavy duty industrial fans, rotary heater exchangers, compressors and gas cleaning equipment to customer specifications. Howden products will typically be highly engineered to perform at the optimum level for customers in Power Generation, Oil & Gas, Petrochemical, Mining and Metal Refining plants internationally, amongst many other energy intensive, environmental and heavy industrial applications.

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Big Hearted Tradie Organises Valuable ‘Thank You’ for Bravehearts

When Brisbane electrician Rob Vernon heard Bravehearts’ call for help in renovating its new Strathpine office, he told his team to save the date, December 15 for a special opportunity for service this holiday season.

“I heard Bravehearts was expanding and in urgent need of tradies,” said Mr Vernon.“I’ve heard a lot about the work they do. I also know that, sadly, the demand for their crisis services is quite high too.”

The owner of Brisbane-based Vernons Electrical was personally touched by the work of the national child protection advocacy group this year, when the organisation provided much-needed support to a member of his family in crisis.

“I know their support made a difference to my family, so when I heard about their call for tradies, I knew it was a great opportunity to give back to Bravehearts for their tireless work with child abuse victims and their families,” Mr Vernon said.

All of Mr Vernon’s staff will join him on December 15 for a day-long tradie blitz on the new Bravehearts base, a Moreton Bay Regional Council-owned building in Strathpine.

Between his team of electricians and the generous support of his suppliers, Mr Vernon secured donations that will see the Bravehearts’ office fitted out with more than $15,000 worth of services and supplies.

“We are installing a brand new split system air conditioner, solar power, new lights, power points, security cameras, and security lights,” said Mr Vernon.

Spokesperson and founder of Bravehearts, Hetty Johnston, said the donations will be well received. “We have quite a bit of work to do before we can open the doors of our new office,” said Ms Johnston. “Bravehearts would like to express sincere thanks and appreciation to Vernons Electrical and their generous suppliers such as Solar Spec, Haymans Electrical, Airconditioning Direct, and Beacon Lighting. Christmas comes early sometimes and the timing could not be better as we continue to make Australia the safest place in the world to raise a child.”

Bravehearts Inc. is a registered Charity registered with the ATO as a DGR (Deductible Gift Recipient). They employ more than 50 staff across 9 offices. Bravehearts’ members comprise survivors, parents, friends, partners, professionals and non-abusive members of the community who share in the belief that child sexual assault must stop. The Strathpine office will be Bravehearts’ home base for rolling-out education programs to kids across Brisbane’s north.

To donate supplies or your tradie expertise, contact Kayleen Johnston +61 5552 3009. To interview Rob Vernon or learn more abut Vernons Electrical, please visithttp://www.vernonselectrical.com.au or call +61 0430 878 769

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Grecoa.com Wants to Empower Homeowners & Change How Homes are Built

The Founders of Grecoa.com have launched a campaign on indiegogo.com to raise the funds they need to build a free, online database of ideas and products capable of making our homes more energy and resource efficient. Grecoa.com will offer product specific information on everything from roofing materials to appliances to finishing materials and everything else that goes into a home. The focus of the website will be providing in-depth comparisons of the products that might fit a homeowners needs so that the homeowner can chose the product that works best for them.

“Typical ‘green’ home building websites are either directory listings, collections of articles, or product specific websites,” says Taylor Reynolds, Co-Founder of Grecoa.com, “We want to take all the great features of the existing sites, and build on that by creating a database of products with information on cost, performance, warranties etc. We want to empower homeowners by harnessing the power of the internet to condense massive amounts of information into a single source, easy to use website.”

According to Google’s Keyword Tool, over 3 million searches are performed every month on topics relating to green building materials, improving energy efficiency in the home, and sustainable building practices. Grecoa.com aims to become the site du jour for those viewers who are ready to take action. Mr. Reynolds continues “While having lots of educational information is important to the scope of the website, the real emphasis is going to be placed on connecting users with the product that most closely matches their economic, project specific, and sustainability needs; then giving them everything they need to act on that information.”

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Chiller Noise No Longer Problem After Acoustifence Barrier Installed

Installation of a 24-foot noise barrier utilizing Acoustifence outdoor sound abatement material at the new Sheboygan Festival Foods store is complete, ending complaints from nearby residents over extreme levels of noise leaking from the store’s industrial refrigeration chillers into the community.

Folks in Sheboygen were celebrating when the popular Wisconsin-based Festival Foods grocery chain opened the 70,000 square foot mega store here on September 16, 2011. Less than two weeks later, the community’s warm welcome had grown icy as neighbors began to complain about noise from the store’s industrial refrigeration chiller that was so loud, it violated the city’s noise ordinance.

Festival Foods enlisted the help of Acoustical Engineer Eric Wolfram of Milwaukee-based Scott R. Riedel & Associates, LTD, who consulted with Acoustiblok’s Jay Boland to choose Acoustifence noise barrier material, a product of Acoustiblok, Inc. of Tampa Florida, to bring the decibel level down below the legal threshold and restore peace and quiet to the neighboring community.

When Wolfram first investigated the site in September, decibel readings ranged between 78.4 and 90.7, loud enough to be a risk for noise-related health problems to nearby residents and workers, had they been subjected to the noise over time. The Sheboygan Department of City Development demanded the level be reduced by at least five decibels, Wolfram said.

“The existing refrigeration pump and motor systems produce extreme noise levels,” Wolfram said. “This noise reverberates within the sheet-metal paneled enclosure interior and escapes through several different exhaust and ventilation openings.

“Additional noise was generated by the cooling and exhaust fans mounted above the enclosure.”

Working with sound consultants from Acoustiblok, Inc., Wolfram designed a two-step solution, creating a barrier with Acoustifence noise deadening material to block noise around the massive system, and incorporating another Acoustiblok product, QuietFiber, to help reduce sound from reflecting off of the taller adjacent building behind the chillers.

Minimal structural changes were required, as the ⅛- inch Acoustifence was easily attached to an existing chain link fence and the outdoor-rated QuietFiber with a perforated metal cover was capconed to the building.

The results were better than Wolfram had hoped, with decibel levels reduced to 57.3 the moment the barrier was in place – well below the City’s legal threshold, and more than 20 decibels lower than before the Acoustiblok products were installed. Neighbors are no longer bombarded with the irritating chiller noise, now replaced with the ordinary ambient sounds that existed before.

“Sounds from local traffic and roadways exceeded that of the compressor equipment after installation of the Acoustifence and QuietFiber products,” Wolfram said.

Lahnie Johnson, founder and president of Acoustiblok, Inc., applauded Festival Foods’ quick action in addressing the noise complaints right away, stating that the product combination was the perfect solution for this particular type of noise challenge.

“The Acoustifence and QuietFIber treatments were the perfect solution for the Festival Foods chiller noise, as both of these materials are designed to hold up in inclement weather, and as you can see from the results, they do their job well beyond everyone’s expectations,” Johnson said. “The Acoustifence and Quiet Fiber are also substantially less costly than attempting a structural enclosure solution.”

For more information on industrial noise solutions, visit the Acoustiblok website, Email sales@acoustiblok.com, or call 813-980-1400.

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Acoustiblok Creates Damped, Expandable Acoustical Envelope in New York ITB Recording Studio

Acoustiblok noise abatement material was installed in the nearly completed Artist Workshop Studios recording facility, an in-the-box (ITB) studio designed and built by Artist Workshop Studios owner Tom Donofrio. Acoustiblok was chosen to provide a sound barrier for the small, 12 foot x 12 foot basement studio that could drop decibels levels within the space and provide a neutral acoustical environment for recording.

Donofrio, an electrical engineer, and musician who has built recording studios in the past using different sound deadening materials, chose Acoustiblok for his newest project after consulting with Marilyn Myers of Acoustiblok, Inc., because of its sound damping and noise blocking qualities, as well as its thin, flexible structure that adds no volume to walls within the studio space. Attached to the studs before drywall is hung, Acoustiblok performs without the need to add layers of rigid drywall or modified drywall, a method Donofrio used in the past with mixed results and significant floor space reduction.

“I was looking for a product that would lower the decibels in the studio without taking up any additional space,” Donofrio said. “I was able to achieve the neutral acoustics desired in the space, which makes me extremely happy.

“I didn’t want a sound quality that was too dead or too live, so the Acoustiblok turned out to be an excellent choice.”

Donofrio and a friend were able to hang the 3mm Acoustiblok on the newly framed stud walls within the studio space, including cutouts around a window and electric sockets, and seal the seams according to installation recommendations, all in less than four hours.

The Artist Workshop Studios recording space was built for Donofrio to indulge his own talents as an acoustical guitarist and vocalist, and to be made available to artists on a budget who need an affordable studio with high quality production equipment and the expertise of a seasoned technician to record a song or album.

“Acoustiblok is a perfect choice for establishing sound quality within a sound recording studio like this one,” said Lahnie Johnson, president and founder of Acoustiblok, Inc.

“Unlike additional drywall or other solid rigid materials used for sound reduction, the 1/8-inch heavy, limp Acoustiblok allows the room to be a damped, expandable acoustical envelope. As such, a studio or home theater has less reflection and actually sounds significantly better.”

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Quiet Fiber® Used to Quiet Industrial Generator Noise at Galleria 360 in Santo Domingo

Installation of 18,000 square feet of non-fiberlass Quiet Fiber® noise abatement material has been completed in the massive generator room of the newly constructed, 750,000 square foot Galleria 360 mall in Santo Domingo.

Quiet Fiber, a product of Acoustiblok, Inc. in Tampa, Florida, was installed on the ceiling and walls of the mall’s generator and substation rooms. These rooms house the industrial emergency generators necessary to keep power running in this coastal area of the Caribbean, plagued by frequent power outages.

The Galleria 360’s industrial generators, installed by Santa Domingo-based Edelca, are a staple in this island republic. Edelca owner Carlos Montos, Edelca consulted with Jay Boland of Acoustiblok, Inc., and used Quiet Fiber on the project after achieving excellent results with Quiet Fiber on a similar project at the La Sirna Superstore in the eastern coastal town of Higuey, Dominican Republic.

“Even though Quiet Fiber is not the least expensive product on the market, I keep coming back to it because the results beat all the competitors’ noise deadening products with double the noise insulating qualities,” Montos said. “The customer on this job wanted to install a double layer of a different product but I convinced him to try the Quiet Fiber.

“I’ve been designing and installing these emergency generators for 20 years, and I have never had the results from other noise abatement products that I have with Quiet Fiber, and now I’m trying to use it everywhere.”

Montos says noise from these industrial generators on which the island has become dependent in order to maintain consistent power is a major problem plaguing businesses and residential property owners when the generators are running. Not only is generator noise bad for business, but its constant drone can cause permanent hearing loss. Another important consideration in the selection of soundproofing material is its fire resistance.

Recently in Santo Domingo a serious fire started in a generator room, and the existing foam sound proofing material was a prime contributor. The fire caused Montos to search for a new fireproof solution. Quiet Fiber is fire resistant even at 2,000 degrees.

“The noise levels are almost unbearable, so you need to have an adequate level of soundproofing in place when they are running,” Montos said. “I always install noise absorbing material wherever I install my generators, and Quiet Fiber is the best soundproofing product we’ve ever used.”

Montos and his crew were able to easily cut the Quiet Fiber to fit around electric conduits, and secured the material to the walls and ceiling with standard insulation stick pins.

The sound deadening qualities of Quiet Fiber will help to protect the mall’s employees, and streams of tourists and local residents from the high volume industrial noise caused by the generators when they are operating.

Lahnie Johnson, president and founder of Acoustiblok, Inc., says that the application of Quiet Fiber in the Galleria 360 generator and substation rooms was exactly what was needed for addressing the high decibel, reverberant sound emanating from the concrete walls.

“Quiet Fiber was designed with this type of hot, humid environment in mind,” Johnson said. “When you’re addressing solid surface noise issues, which in this case with concrete walls, you need a product with proven maximum sound absorption, high temperature rating for fire blocking, and hydrophobic (resistant to moisture).”

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Acoustiblok Named “Best Practices” Customer by Hubspot Internet Marketing

Eighteen months after adopting Hubspot’s all-in-one marketing platform, Tampa, Florida-based Acoustiblok has increased website traffic by 210 percent, increased organic search leads by 307 percent, and increased customer transactions by 40 percent, contributing to Acoustiblok’s record sales increases in 2011.

Hubspot named Acoustiblok a “Best Practices” customer based on its application of Hubspot marketing tools for website management, blogging, search engine optimization (SEO), lead management, marketing analytics, social media monitoring, and website analysis.

“Being recognized by an industry leader as a “best practices” customer is a real accomplishment, and one we’ve worked hard to achieve,” said Liz Ernst, director of public relations for Acoustiblok, Inc. “We have a small marketing and PR team, and we had been trying different approaches to increasing traffic and drawing attention to our Acoustiblok soundproofing product line, and our Thermablok aerogel insulating strips.

“Hubspot gave us some serious one-on-one attention and guidance to understand where to best devote our efforts for the greatest return on our marketing and PR campaigns.”

Acoustiblok President and Founder Lahnie Johnson says that Hubspot provided the traffic building tools he had been looking for in order to achieve the huge growth goals the company had set for itself.

“We knew we had to get more web traffic, and that more traffic would equate to more leads,” Johnson said. “We were able to use the HubSpot software to help us with our traffic building initiatives, and our leads increased dramatically as our traffic increased.”

HubSpot, Inc., based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, provides an all-in-one marketing software platform used by more than 5000 companies in 34 countries. HubSpot is also the developer of WebsiteGrader.com, a website analysis tool with more than 3 million users. HubSpot, Inc. was founded in 2006.

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Acoustifence Installed at Coca-Cola Plant To Reduce Industrial Noise Pollution

Coca-Cola has completed installation of Acoustifence® noise barrier fencing along the west perimeter of its Bay City plant, bringing to an abrupt halt those noise issues that had been plaguing neighbors in the surrounding community and attracting local news organizations as the outcry from area residents grew.

Architect Jack Zelazny of Dearborn, Michigan, acting as a consultant to Coca Cola’s contractor Kirco Manix, chose Acoustifence noise barrier fencing for the core of the 300 foot wide noise barrier project designed to alleviate noise from idling delivery trucks at the plant that had been plaguing neighbors in the South End Community.

Zelazny said the initial plan was to construct a 30 foot acoustical metal fence along the perimeter roadway to address the problem, but he nixed the idea in favor of something significantly less expensive and more aesthetically pleasing to the community’s residents.

“I didn’t think it was appropriate for the neighbors to have to stare at a 30 foot industrial metal fence from their small residential yards,” Zelazny said. “I really wanted to find something more organic and natural.”

After researching sound barrier fencing options, he found Acoustifence, a product of Acoustiblok, Inc. in Tampa Florida, and discussed his options with acoustical consultant Paul Getts of Acoustiblok. After conferring with Getts, Zelazny moved ahead with construction of a grass covered, 300 foot wide berm that incorporated a nine foot high Acoustifence barrier and landscaping for an attractive roadside aesthetic. The project was completed in the final weeks of December, and both company officials and neighbors rang in the New Year with their new found peace and quiet.

“The Acoustifence went up flawlessly, and it’s not unpleasant to look at,” Zelazny said. “When we covered it with the dark green acoustical fabric covering it looked natural and organic, as we had hoped.

“But the real surprise was the immediate impact it had on the noise.”

Zelazny said the plant noise measured at 89 decibels before installation of the Acoustifence began, and registered at 68 decibels immediately after the Acoustifence went up. His hope was to lower the noise by 20 decibels, a figure that was exceeded at the plant, and more than doubled at the neighboring residence as soon as the Acoustifence was put in place. A reading taken at the adjacent residential property registered in the low to mid 40 decibel range.

“It exceeded my expectations, I think it exceeded everyone’s expectations,” he said.“The people at Coca Cola are happy with it, and most importantly the neighbors in the surrounding community are happy with it.

“I couldn’t speak more highly of it.”

Lahnie Johnson, president and founder of Acoustiblok, Inc., said that the application of Acoustifence in the bottling plant’s noise barrier berm was the soft drink company’s best alternative for significantly reducing noise, and respecting the surrounding community’s call for peace and quiet.

“I think Coca Cola acted quickly and responded to the area’s residents as a good corporate neighbor should,” Johnson said. “It’s particularly important that they sought out a serious noise blocking option while respecting the fact that neighboring residents would be living with whatever solution they chose, and viewing it every day – some from their own back yards.”

Acoustifence was designed to address outdoor noise pollution in residential communities, or any community that cares about its appearance.”

ABOUT ACOUSTIFENCE:
Originally developed as a noise barrier on loud offshore oil rigs, Acoustifence is a simple and economical first-step noise abatement solution for both residential and commercial usage.

A 1/8-inch (3mm) thick unique sound deadening material measuring 6 feet (1.82 meters) high by 30 feet (9.14 meters) long with black anodized brass eyelets along the top and bottom edge for easy attachment to any existing fence or structure. Heavy-duty nylon ties are included with each roll. Easily installed or removed in less than one hour, impervious to mold, mildew, and UV, Acoustifence is virtually indestructible. The soundproofing material in Acoustifence is a proprietary formula of the Acoustiblok Corporation, developed and refined over a 10-year period.

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Messer Construction Co. To Host Graduation Ceremony For Green Build Boot Camp Participants

The National Sustainability Coalition is on a mission to take small and diverse companies to a higher level of operational efficiencies in the emerging green economy. In November, the organization launched the Green Construction Education Program. Partners in the initiative are the City of Cincinnati Small Business Enterprise Program, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky African American Chamber, Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati USA, Ohio River Valley Women’s Business Council, Ohio Small Business Development Center at the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati and Messer Construction Co.

At the core of the NSC’s initiative is a unique Green Build Boot Camp blended learning initiative designed to give businesses in construction and construction-related trades a basic understanding of sustainability concepts, the emerging green economy and the green built environment. The program has three levels of training that move a participating business along a Sustainability Continuum™ of continuous improvement. The intent is to increase sustainability-based thinking, perspectives and behaviors that are integrated into everyday operating procedures and the culture of the company, with an outcome of a complete transformation to sustainable operations.

“Through the Green Build Boot Camp workshops, we are ensuring that our inclusion program represents businesses of all kinds and sizes. It’s a way to support the development and utilization of small businesses, and especially businesses owned by minorities, women and veterans,” says Tom Keckeis, Messer’s President and CEO.

Messer sponsored the Green Construction Education Program by hosting the first level of basic training at its headquarters on Fishwick Drive in Cincinnati. The NSC positioned the Green Build Boot Camp© as the first step for small and diverse businesses to become marketable in the green construction economy. Over 80 individuals participated in the Level 1 Knowledge component, which is an engaging, interactive workshop that combines 4 hours of classroom instruction with 2 hours of web-based training. The workshop included a “show and tell” virtual tour of Messer’s green headquarters, which was recently awarded LEED Silver EB Certification for an existing building. Participants learned first-hand how transitioning their existing company to sustainable operations can build value and competitive advantage into the enterprise. Messer intends to extend the program through September.

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Dem-Con Shingle Grinding, Shingle Processing Poised for Growth

Dem-Con Companies, an innovator in construction and demolition recycling and one of the top shingle recycling companies in the area, announced today that it has increased investment into mobile shingle grinding. Dem-Con’s mobile recycling service diverts shingles from landfills into cost-effective, environmentally sound replacement to virgin oil used in hot-mix asphalt.

“Our activities parallel the findings of the recent NDA survey, and we at Dem-Con echo the optimism expressed by some member companies,” said Chris Guillemette, vice president, business development, Dem-Con Companies. “Our experience and reinvestment into Dem-Con’s shingle recycling service puts us in a position to accommodate this growth and service landfills and other facilities that collect but that do not have the internal resources to recycle shingles.”

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BAM Wins Contract To Build The Co-operative Group’s New Manchester Home

The Co-operative Group has today (24 June) announced that BAM Construction has been appointed to build its new home in Manchester.

BAM Wins Contract To Build The Co-operative Group's New Manchester Home

Construction of the £100m building, on Miller Street, which will be one of the most sustainable in Europe, will commence next month.

In recent months BAM has been working with the design team to help cost the final build and has prepared the site for the 15 storey building which will comprise of 325,000 sq ft of open plan office and support space.

Peter Marks Group Chief Executive at the Co-operative Group, said: “Our new building will be one of the most exciting and innovative in the UK and so it was essential that we appointed a company with the experience of working on other similar projects not only in this country but across Europe.

“During the past few months we have been working with BAM on finalising the specifications and costings and preparing the site. They have demonstrated that they have the right approach and so we have every confidence that they will help deliver a truly magnificent new home for the Group.”

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Dem-Con Expands Mobile Shingle Grinding Service

Dem-Con Companies, an innovator in construction and demolition recycling and one of the top shingle recycling companies, expands its mobile shingle grinding service to recycle roofing material and construction waste into a saleable product that would otherwise end up in landfills. Dem-Con’s mobile recycling service is ideal for landfills and hot-mix asphalt production facilities that segregate and prepare, but lack the resources to recycle tear off shingles.

Dem-Con Expands Mobile Shingle Grinding Service

“Dem-Con’s mobile shingle recycling service enables customers to produce and sell a valuable material used in hot mix asphalt, from materials that would have gone to landfills,” said Chris Guillemette, vice president, business development, Dem-Con Companies. “The service has been very well embraced and we are steadily expanding, working consistently across the U.S.”

As a full or custom on-site service, Dem-Con’s mobile shingle grinding utilizes customers’ own equipment to save cost. For facilities not equipped with the machinery, Dem-Con supplies all of the equipment, providing technical and operational assistance — from delivery of shingles from the jobsite to hot mix design. The service includes a mobile staff that can travel anywhere in the U.S. The company has invested in multiple machines that enable its staff to fit into the customer’s schedule. The service is available anywhere in the U.S.

Dem-Con Shingle Processing is a company developed to recover shingles resulting from the manufacturing process as well as tear-off shingles from homes. Tens of thousands of tons are currently buried in landfills each year and Dem-Con shingle recycling is working to recover and provide alternative uses for this material to reduce reliance on virgin asphalt. Dem-Con works with many government and other organizations to develop equipment, specifications and end-use options for this material. The company, which will recycle more than 25,000 tons of shingles in 2010, offers local and mobile shingle grinding services.

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Acoustical Solutions, Inc. Works with DIY Network’s Man Caves

In the past two years, Acoustical Solutions, Inc. has teamed up with Jason Cameron and Tony ‘The Goose’ Siragusa of the hit DIY Network television show Man Caves to transform ordinary spaces into a masculine refuges – in the most recent project, Acoustical Solutions, Inc. worked to transform a storage basement into a recording studio for Charm City Cakes’ Chef Duff Goldman.

During the two-day renovation, Acoustical Solutions, Inc. installed Sonex® acoustical foam into the 14’ by 25’ storage basement with the help of hosts Jason Cameron and Tony Siragusa.

Goldman had been using the storage basement as a rehearsal space for his band, “Soihadto,” but said, “We have big amps, and we’re a loud band. When we’re playing, my staff has to pretty much leave.” Show producers called on Acoustical Solutions, Inc. to design a solution that would allow the Food Network host’s band to practice without disrupting the staff in the bakery, which is located directly above the rehearsal area.

Going into the two-day project, Acoustical Solutions, Inc. Sales Manager, David Ingersoll said, “we really have our work cut out for us. There are a lot of different contractors all working in the basement at the same time and the two day deadline will be approaching before any of us know it.” Ingersoll continued to say,“that there was plenty of recording and application equipment in the space.” When the project was completed, Ingersoll mentioned that “…with the equipment paired with Sonex® acoustical foam and a few big screen TVs, the space had become so nice [he] didn’t want to leave.”

The featured episode is scheduled to air on the DIY Network on October 19th, at 8:30pm ET and will run nightly until October 23.

For more information Sonex® acoustical foam, please contact Acoustical Solutions, Inc. by calling 1-800-782-5742 or by visiting www.AcousticalSolutions.com.

For more information on the DIY Network, Man Caves and show times please visit:
www.diynetwork.com/mancaves

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Skilled Engineers Needed To Work On Infrastructure Projects

Leading recruiter, Hays Civil & Structural has reported that professionals with previous railways, highways bridges, transport planning and drainage experience are highly sought after in the current market.

Due to the upgrading of the railways infrastructure demand has been created for rail engineers to work on a variety of projects, including station design, resignalling, refurbishment and maintenance schemes.

“Rail, signal, civil and electrification engineers are all prized skills and roles for engineers exist at both intermediate and senior level. There are opportunities for qualified individuals, particularly within design, planning and pre-contract commercial management, to work on major projects such as Crossrail,” said Sean Fitzgerald, senior consultant at Hays Civil & Structural.

There has also been a steady requirement for infrastructure engineering experience, particularly those individuals with a strong design and maintenance background. Highways design, road and junction design and street lighting experience are all sought after skills. A good all round knowledge of different projects, Highways Agency and local authority experience is also a definite plus.

“Candidates need to be flexible and keep an open mind regarding rates, location, projects and employers,” noted Katherine Whipps, manager at Hays Civil & Structural.

The assessment, inspection and maintenance of bridge structures has also created opportunities for qualified structural bridge engineers and bridge inspectors to work on the UK’s canals and estuaries.

Whipps added: “Knowledge of bridge design software and the BS5400 code of practice are pre-requisites for these roles.”

Other resilient areas are transport planning and modelling, geotechnical, water and environment.

“Employers are looking for technical expertise in PDS, MX, Micro Drainage, traffic and transport modelling software, such as Arcady, Picady, Oscady and Saturn,” continues Ben Haigh, manager at Hays Civil & Structural. Demand for senior business development managers has also remained steady: “Organisations are looking for individuals with commercial skills who can generate business, which is so crucial during a downturn.”

The current market situation in which jobseekers are competing for fewer jobs means that more care must be afforded to the job application process. Careful preparation is needed for CVs and interviews for jobseekers to get noticed by employers and stand a better chance of securing a role. However, a recent survey by Hays found that almost half (43%) had not witnessed any improvement in the quality of applications.

Although recruitment activity for engineering jobs has slowed, employers are still keen to hire specialist skills and experience, particularly for rail, highways, bridges, drainage, environmental and transport engineers. While the majority of roles require previous public sector experience and strong technical skills, organisations are also looking for individuals with first-class communication and commercial skills.

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Optima Products Launches New Environmentally Friendly USB Version Of Its Designer’s Guide

In line with Optima Products’ corporate responsibility and environmental awareness policies, the innovative glass partitions company has come up with a new, eco-friendly way of getting vital information to its clients.

optimasystems

Optima Products is now using an ingenious and eco-friendly alternative to the heavy paper version of their Designer’s Guide.

The Designer’s Guide contains in-depth information on office partitioning and other architectural and construction issues spread out over 100 pages of A4. In previous years Optima Products printed in excess of 1000 copies of the Designer’s Guide for its glass partition customers and associates. To bring the production of this year’s Designer’s Guide in line with the glass partition company’s energy efficiency and waste minimisation policies, Optima Products will be providing this fantastic portfolio of information on a small and stylish USB storage device.

This new system will save thousands upon thousands of sheets of paper, not to mention large envelopes, as well as cutting down on the huge postage costs that come with sending out bulky paper packages. This, in turn, cuts down on the amount of fuel used for delivery of the Guides, reducing Optima Products’ overall carbon footprint.

Shaped to resemble a capsule pill, the new USB format Guide will help thousands of Optima Products clients by ‘taking the pain out of detailing.’ It includes:

• The full Designer’s Guide
• 3D interactive Explore-a-Product technical specifications
• Detailed CAD drawings (.dwg files) for designers and architects
• Optima’s Project Photo Galleries
• 3D animations of the Deflection head and Nebula joint solutions
• In-depth case studies of Optima’s latest projects
• Links to Optima’s highly popular Optiman game

The new USB format Designer’s Guide is the latest in a long line of ingenious ideas from the glass partitions specialist to curtail the environmental impact of Optima Products business activities.

Managing Director, Nigel Westray said, “Our products are installed in the offices of some of the most prestigious companies in the UK, companies who are totally committed to Environmental Management, and it is only right that we meet or exceed their standards of environmental best practice”.

Optima Systems’ environmentally ethical practices recently earned the company IS014001 accreditation for its Environmental Management System and the glass partition company has also drawn up plans to make further emissions reductions across all sectors.

Paper copies of the Designer’s Guide will still be available this year by request; however Optima Products aims to faze them out entirely over the coming years.

To find out more about Optima’s eco friendly glass partition systems and services or to learn more about the Designer’s Guide, please visit: http://www.optimasystems.com.

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Two New Glass Doors By Optima Systems Can Be Used In Seamless Conjunction With Optima’s Other Glass Partitioning Products

Optima Systems’ team of technical engineers have come up with two exciting new products to add to the Optima range.

The two new glass doors are designed to glide smoothly open, saving precious office space and creating a sophisticated and sleek office aesthetic.

The two new products, the Framed Sliding Door and the Pocket Sliding Door, are very different and can be used in conjunction with different Optima glazing systems.

Traditionally, sliding doors and acoustic performance do not go hand in hand, but Optima’s new Framed Sliding Door ensures that this design dilemma is a thing of the past.

The minimal aluminium frame of the Framed Sliding Door incorporates full length brush seals at the head and base and compressible seals on the vertical ‘door stop’ edge for an enhanced acoustic performance.

The door is operated by pull handles which run on Optima’s ever popular Kinetic dual trolley rolling system. The base detail incorporates a discreet anodised channel to fully control the door’s travel, thus eliminating the potential for leading edge drift and ensuring a light yet solid operating feel.

Optima’s Framed Sliding Door is the perfect way to form a space efficient office entrance within Optima’s 117 single glazed partition system, without compromising on acoustic performance.

Optima’s Pocket Sliding Door provides an attractive solution where minimal detailing, space efficiency and acoustic performance are important considerations.

The door was designed as an addition to our popular Revolution 97 double glazed mullion-free partition system. The 12mm glass leaf door is suspended from Optima’s highly popular and proven Kinetic operating system which enables the door to glide effortlessly into the double glazed screen.

The door is designed to be operated by pull handles, providing the benefit of upgrading to floor deployment lockable handles if necessary.

For more information on any of the Optima product range, visit http://www.optimasystems.com.

 

About Optima:
Optima offers the highest quality service and innovative design to secure consumer satisfaction, ensuring that their extensive range of partitioning systems are able to meet customers’ exacting specifications, supported by technical expertise to achieve successful project completion.

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