Thursday, March 7, 2019
WMA NEWS
Huttig Building Products, Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2018 Results
Huttig Building Products, Inc. (“Huttig” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: HBP), a leading domestic distributor of millwork, building materials and wood products, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2018.
JELD-WEN Holding, Inc. Announces Agreement to Acquire VPI Quality Windows, Inc
JELD-WEN Holding, Inc. (NYSE:JELD) has signed a definitive agreement to acquire VPI Quality Windows, Inc. (“VPI”). VPI is a market-leading vinyl window manufacturer specializing in customized solutions for mid-rise multi-family, institutional, hospitality and commercial projects, primarily in the western United States.
BlueLinx Amends Its Loan Agreement to Monetize Real Estate Assets
The move frees up the distributor to accelerate its debt reduction initiatives.
Sierra Pacific Issues New Media Statement in Case Against Kolbe
Sierra Pacific Windows issued a press release last week, reiterating a legal battle the company launched against fellow door and window manufacturer Kolbe and Kolbe Millwork Co. Inc. (Kolbe).
INDUSTRY NEWS
BMC, Kodiak, ACS, and Homewood Holding to Participate in ProSales 100 M&A Panel
Executives will reveal their thoughts on LBM industry deals and lessons learned. BMC Stock Holdings ranked No. 4 on the 2018 ProSales 100 list with totals of more than $3.3 billion in revenue.
There’s No Going Back on Healthy Homes: Here’s Why
KB Home ProjeKt marks progress forward on what people will expect from home performance and their health and well-being.
KB Home and BUILDER then engaged in a discovery process in June 2017 that evolved from a conversation about what a “healthy home of the future” might look like and behave into that home itself…
PGT Innovation’s Sales Up 37 Percent in 2018
Net sales at PGT Innovations were up 37 percent last year over the previous year, according to new data released by the company last week.
Read more at Sarasota Magazine
Domestic Lumber Producers Seek Revision of Current Duties
The domestic softwood lumber group (the “Coalition”) that spurred the Department of Commerce to impose countervailing and anti-dumping duties averaging more than 20% on softwood lumber imports from Canada is now seeking a revision of the current duties.
‘Times Are Changing:’ More Women Breaking Into Construction Industry
More and more women are shattering the glass ceiling and making their mark in the male dominated construction industry.
ECONOMIC NEWS
Study Finds National Forest Products Industry Contributes $348 Billion to U.S. Economy
According to a new study conducted by Agribusiness Consulting, the U.S. hardwood forest products industry currently employs 1.8 million people and contributes as much as $348 billion to the U.S. economy.
Read more at Clare County Review
U.S. Prepares Final China Trade Deal as Hawks Urge Caution
U.S. officials are preparing a final trade deal that President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping could sign in weeks.
30-Year Mortgage Rate Falls
For the second straight month, information compiled by Freddie Mac shows that mortgage rates continued to fall in January 2019. The 30-year FRM – Commitment rate, fell by another 17 basis points to 4.46 percent from 4.64 percent in December. The cycle peak was 4.87 percent in November.
Apartment Developers See Growth, Labor Shortages in 2019
Here’s how developers are responding to the impact of market forces, tariff and labor headwinds, and technology and demographic trends.
Here’s Why Warren Buffett’s 2019 Letter To Shareholders Matters For Home Building Now
Berkshire Hathaway chairman’s tell-it-like-it-is view of big-time investment challenge, risk, and opportunity speaks volumes for builders, partners, and their customers.
CODES AND STANDARDS NEWS
Code Council Enters U.S. Trade and Investment Strategic Partnership
The International Code Council entered into a formal strategic partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration (ITA) to raise awareness of international standards in construction that are required across the globe. With the shared goals of promoting the use of U.S. building codes and standards and ensuring worldwide public safety in construction and infrastructure, the partnership will encourage global use of the International Codes (I-Codes), the most widely used and adopted set of building safety codes in the world.
Ohio’s 2018 IRC Includes Five Compliance Paths
Late last year, Ohio formally adopted an amended code that offers builders a gaping back door to build to a lower standard. Ohio’s 2018 IRC includes five compliance paths: The three standard approaches found in the IECC, amended by the BBS; something called “The Ohio Home Builder’s Association (OHBA) Alternative Energy Code Option”; and the unamended IECC.
Read more at Code Watcher
SAFETY NEWS
New Report Urges Stronger Safety Surveillance
Workplace injuries and illnesses are undercounted, and the United States needs a more robust occupational safety and health surveillance system, a panel of experts concluded in a recently issued report.
GREEN NEWS
With Cap-and-Trade, West Coast States are Building out a Green New Deal
A recent article in Solar Industry Magazine written by attorney Timothy L. McMahan, partner at Stoel Rives LLP, addresses cap-and-trade programs that are soon to be developed all along the West Coast, in the country’s efforts to address climate change during this New Deal era.
Read more at Solar Industry Magazine
ARTICLES OF INTEREST
Educational Opportunity: Branch Operations Management Seminar
The Distribution Team is offering Branch Operations Management Seminar,which is a unique opportunity for new and seasoned management personnel to learn over 30 different “cash hunting” ideas that can be implemented immediately. WMA members can save 5% on early registration.
Congress Introduces Plan to Address Truck Driver Shortage
The DRIVE-Safe Act updates federal law to empower the trucking industry to fill these gaps with a qualified, highly trained emerging workforce.
Locking Up Warehouse & Supply Chain Security
Supply chain security is essential, and as thieves get smarter and more sophisticated, it’s up to warehouse managers to find ways to protect their investment from the moment it is manufactured to the time it goes on store shelves.
The Future of Logistics is Racing toward the Last Mile
Companies must be constantly ready to adapt their supply chains to reflect changing market conditions and customer demands.
