Wednesday, February 22, 2017

FEATURE ARTICLE

President Trump’s Plan for America
Despite its shortcomings, President Obama’s administration had been a success for the American economy. His administration started out with a recession that had begun before his first term. The daily news at the end of President Bush’s second term included the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers, an impending financial crises not seen since the Great Depression, and falling home values. Read more

MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENT

The Marwin Company is Celebrating 70 Years in Business
The Marwin Company Inc. has been family owned and operated for over 70 years as a manufacturer of quality building specialties, including folding attic stairways & attic access products, mirror bi-folds & by-pass units and pocket door frames. Marwin Company has taken exceptional pride in delivering the highest quality products, timely shipments, and excellent customer service. We thank you for your business over the past 70 years and when you need quality specialty building products in the future…MAKE SURE IT’S MARWIN-MADE. Read more at The Marwin Company

GOVERNMENT AND LEGISLATIVE

Employer Alert: Use the New I-9 Form
Because it wants to reduce errors and make it easier to complete the forms on a computer, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has published a revised version of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, and all employers are now required to use it. Among the changes in the new version, Section 1 asks for “other last names used” rather than “other names used,” and streamlines certification for certain foreign nationals. All U.S. employers must ensure proper completion of Form I-9 for each individual they hire for employment in the United States, both citizens and noncitizens. Both employees and employers (or authorized representatives of the employer) must complete the form. And while the changes make it easier to fill out online, there is also a printable version available.
Read More at NAHBNow

Shaheen-Portman Energy Bill Back Before Congress
DWM Magazine reports that the Shaheen-Portman Energy Bill, which is supported by industry and is also known as the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act, is back before Congress again. “This is exactly the kind of legislation Americans want Congress to pass – bipartisan, common-sense policy that saves taxpayers money and drives economic activity and job creation,” said Kateri Callahan, president of the Alliance to Save Energy. “There are nearly 2.2 million energy-efficiency jobs across the country – in manufacturing, installation, construction, engineering and other sectors. We added 130,000 efficiency jobs last year alone, and the policies in this legislation will only boost those numbers moving forward. This bill should have passed five years ago, so I urge leaders in both parties to put an end to the gridlock and finally move it across the finish line.” DWM Magazine takes a closer look at what Shaheen-Portman would mean for buildings, manufacturers, and the federal government. Read More at DWM

CODES AND STANDARDS

Statement from NAHB Chairman Granger MacDonald on Congressional Effort to Overturn OSHA Recordkeeping “Volks” Rule
Granger MacDonald, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder and developer from Kerrville, Texas, today issued the following statement regarding the joint resolution of disapproval introduced today to overturn OSHA’s recordkeeping rule known as the “Volks” rule: “NAHB commends the U.S. House of Representatives for using the Congressional Review Act in an effort to overturn OSHA’s Volks rule. We have vigorously opposed this rule from the start, and have led the charge alongside dozens of other industry groups who stand ready to fight this unlawful example of regulatory overreach.” Read More at NAHB

HOUSING INDUSTRY

Lumber Prices on the Rise
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) says that the building industry may be looking at lumber prices increasing this spring as high as 30% due to a low domestic supply and high tariffs on Canadian lumber. Negotiations on a new softwood lumber agreement between the United States and Canada came to a halt at the end of 2016 and are likely to be stalled pending the outcome of an investigation requested by the U.S. Lumber Coalition regarding unfair import practices. It is expected that further negotiations on a resolution between the U.S. and Canada are on hold until a new Secretary of Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative can be confirmed. NAHBNow reports that “NAHB is urging domestic lumber companies to increase production and make it available for U.S. home builders. At the same time, the association leadership is in contact with lumber producers in other countries in an effort to open up new sources of supply.” Read More at NAHBNow

2016 Custom Home Building Market Growth
NAHB’s analysis of Census Data from the Quarterly Starts and Completions by Purpose and Design survey indicates that the number of 2016 custom home building starts (homes built on an owner’s land, with either the owner or a builder acting as the general contractor) set a post-recession high for an annual total. Read more at Eye On Housing

Townhouse Construction Growth Continues
According to NAHB analysis of the most recent Census data of Starts and Completions by Purpose and Design, townhouse construction starts continued to grow on a year-over-year basis. Read more at Eye On Housing

Fortune’s Fab Five Home Builders
Toll Brothers, Lennar, D.R. Horton, CalAtlantic, and NVR rank as 2017 ‘most admired” businesses in home building. Read more at BUILDER

BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS

Economic Indicator Hits 12-year High
Investors Business Daily/TIPP Index reflects growing optimism about the economy. Read more at BUILDER

Robotic Process Automation in Distribution: The Myths and Realities

NEXT WEBINAR

Tuesday, Mar 21

2:00 PM EDT

There are few activities that we participate in today, professionally and personally, that don’t have a relationship with technology. Early technology simply monitored our activities and events – consider the speedometer. It then evolved to simple programming – like cruise control. Today it continues to evolve to be prescriptive and cognitive – Are you ready to ride in a driverless vehicle? In business processes, the term “automation” has been associated with transactions for many years. New technology solutions are now offering Robotic Process Automation (RPA) tools for wholesaler-distributors and everyone is scrambling to understand what exactly those solutions deliver. Register at NAW

Presented by NAW and Conexiom

WMA

2016 Compensation & Benefit Survey

Available for Purchase

What is the ANSI/WMA 100 Standard for Side-Hinged Exterior Doors?

World Millwork Alliance

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