August 2013 - Northwestern Lumber Association
Transcription
August 2013 - Northwestern Lumber Association
The Official Publication on the Northwestern Lumber Association OPPORTUNITY IS KNOCKING The Outlook for Window & Door Sales is Strong — Are You Prepared to Profit? also in this issue: 2013 NLA Legislative Update Aug/Sept 2013 We’re Stronger Together Relationships take work. Sometimes things go smoothly, sometimes not so much. But a winning relationship—like the one between Federated and your association—is worth the effort. The result? A solid partnership built on a foundation of mutual respect. That partnership has one primary goal: helping you build the business you imagined. Visit www.federatedinsurance.com to find a representative near you. )HGHUDWHG0XWXDO,QVXUDQFH&RPSDQ\)HGHUDWHG6HUYLFH,QVXUDQFH&RPSDQ\ )HGHUDWHG/LIH,QVXUDQFH&RPSDQ\ 2ZDWRQQD0LQQHVRWD3KRQHZZZIHGHUDWHGLQVXUDQFHFRP *Not licensed in the states of NH, NJ, RI, and VT. © )HGHUDWHG0XWXDO,QVXUDQFH&RPSDQ\ RU R UST TIC C CRAF CR A TS AF TSM MAN MA CO C ONT N EM MP PO OR A R OR RY Y SP S PAN A N IS S H RE R VI V I VA AL The Official Publication on the Northwestern Lumber Association GE G GEOR EOR ORGI GIAN AN Aug/Sept 2013 BPC STAFF VIICT V CTORIA ORIA OR AN Publisher Paula Siewert psiewert@nlassn.org COLLO CO ONIIA ALL MO M ODE DER ERN RN Executive Editor Beth Stoll bstoll@nlassn.org PR P RAIR AIIRI A RIE Our entry systems are built using only premium components designed for use in our rigorous midwest climate. Whatever your style may be... Upgrade your entry door, to an entry system. Advertising Sales Erica Nelson erica@pierreproductions.com (952) 903-0505, extension 3 NLA STAFF President Paula Siewert psiewert@nlassn.org New From NLA... Northwestern Lumber Association Magnet Signs Magnet signs are a cost effective way to display proper USDOT numbers & identi¿cation and advertise your business! Apply the magnetic sign to your vehicle’s door or tailgate. Remove and reuse as often as you need. • High Quality, Digitally Printed UV Ink • Heavy Duty Strength - Made from .045 mil magnetic sheeting that has a hold strength of 133 lbs/sq. ft. Contact Melanie at (763) 595-4050 or mhultman@nlassn.org to order. Go to nlassn.org for details on other member programs, services and resources! Northwestern Lumber Association, 5905 Golden Valley Road, #110, Minneapolis, MN 55422 Phone: (888) 544-6822 Fax: (763) 595-4060 Visit www.nlassn.org for additional information. Finance & Membership Assistant Abbie Diekmann adiekmann@nlassn.org Director of Conventions and Tours Jodie Fleck jfleck@nlassn.org Website Director Melanie Hultman mhultman@nlassn.org Professional Development & Communications Coordinator Connie Johnson cjohnson@nlassn.org Director of Field Services Guy Marzano gmarzano@nlassn.org Accountant Sue Jones smike@nlassn.org Manager of Membership & Services Cody Nuernberg cnuernberg@nlassn.org EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Daryl Lumberg Rob Tremble Emily Overson John Bates Mike Simon The Building Products Connection is published bi-monthly by the Northwestern Lumber Association, 5905 Golden Valley Road, Suite 110, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55422, (763) 544-6822. It is the official publication of the Northwestern Lumber Association (NLA). Copyright ©2013 by the NLA. Materials may not be reproduced without written permission. Annual subscription fee is $30. POSTMASTER Send address changes to: The Building Products Connection 5905 Golden Valley Road, Suite 110 Minneapolis, MN 55422 A/S 2013. Building Products Connection 3 THE REVOLUTION OF STEEL NEW EDCO INNOVATION! V12 Introducing EDCO’s S6 cutting edge siding. ENTEX Glacier White The S6 EnduraGrain texture with ENTEX® High Performance Exterior Finish is now in available in HD! S6 Canyon ENTEX EDCO’s single 6"/S6 and vertical 12"/V12 siding is available in 12 standard and 3 HD colors with a full line RIFRRUGLQDWLQJVRI¿WIDVFLDDQGUDLQZDUHDFFHVVRULHV$OO backed by EDCO’s unsurpassed Warranty Plus Program. CALL: 800.593.2680 WEB: edcoproducts.com VIDEO: edcotv.com edar HD Mountain C Revolutionizing metal exteriors since 1946. The Official Publication on the Northwestern Lumber Association EDITORIAL Prepare for the Unexpected By Paula Siewert ASSOCIATION NEWS & EVENTS News items and member alerts OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS Door and Window Sales are predicted to skyrocket 2013 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Aug/Sept 2013 7 8 12 16 WHAT’S NEW 20 CLASSIFIEDS/AD INDEX 22 Building Products Connection 5 Save the Dates! January 13-14, 2014 (Monday-Tuesday) Northwestern Building Products Expo River’s Edge Convention Center, St. Cloud, MN February 5-6, 2014 (Wednesday-Thursday) Wisconsin Lumber Dealers Convention Marriott Madison West, Middleton, WI February 19-20, 2014 (Wednesday-Thursday) Iowa Lumber Convention The Meadows, Altoona, IA March 11-12, 2014 (Tuesday-Wednesday) Nebraska Lumber Dealers Convention Embassy Suites, Lavista, NE Buying Show – Exhibits – Networking With Other Dealers Industry Specific Speakers & Professional Development Classes Reception – Food – Hospitality Suites - Fun! Jodie Fleck, Director of Conventions & Tours Northwestern Lumber Association 5905 Golden Valley Rd., Suite 110 Minneapolis, MN 55422 763-595-4058/800-896-5134 Fax: 763-595-4060 www.nlassn.org 2013 NLA BOARD Editorial CHAIRMAN — Bob Egan Lampert Yards St. Paul, Minnesota 1st VICE CHAIRMAN — Jeff Reinhardt Interstate Building Supply Cannon Falls, Minnesota 2nd VICE CHAIRMAN — Trent Peabody Lumber Mart West Grand Forks, North Dakota TREASURER — Ron Enter wRight Lumber & Millwork, Inc. Buffalo, Minnesota PAST CHAIRMAN - Wayne Briggs Crane Johnson Lumber Fargo, North Dakota NLA PRESIDENT/SECRETARY — Paula Siewert Minneapolis, Minnesota ILA CHAIRMAN — K. C. Flynn Suburban Lumber Co. Cedar Rapids, Iowa NLDA CHAIRMAN — Mike Skillstad Farm & Ranch Building Supply Norfolk, Nebraska WRLA CHAIRMAN — Craig Vanden Houten Van’s Lumber & Custom Builders Luxemburg, Wisconsin DIRECTORS Bob Barth 2010-2013 Sav-Rite Building Center Neillsville, Wisconsin Janice Breker 2010-2013 Lidgerwood Lumber JD Lidgerwood, North Dakota John Miller 2010-2013 Freeborn Lumber Co. Albert Lea, Minnesota Ed Haver 2011-2013 Haver Lumber Guthrie Center, Iowa Bill Wood 2010-2014 Fennimore Lumber Co. Fennimore, Wisconsin Bryan Jensen 2011-2014 Central Valley Ag Elgin, Nebraska Daryl Lundberg 2011-2014 Northwoods Lumber Blackduck, Minnesota Brad Kranz 2012-2015 Salem Lumber Company, Salem, South Dakota Stephen McCarron 2012-2015 McCarron’s Building Center, Inc. Forest Lake, Minnesota ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS Chuck Ryther 2010-2013 Guardian Building Products Inc. Cedar Rapids, Iowa Dave Charpentier 2012-2015 Midwest Lumber Minnesota, Inc. Stillwater, Minnesota NLBMDA REPRESENTATIVE Scott Engquist Engquist Lumber Company Harcourt, Iowa 2013 NLI OFFICERS PREPARE FOR THE UNEXPECTED Out in your yard there are several different operation manuals ready-made for you to apply to your business — safety manuals, instructions for trucks, forklifts, and yard management. Inside the office, it may not be as structured. It is important to document critical tasks, such as how to do invoicing or set up a customer account. And don’t forget about your own position. Of course, there will be confidential information that you cannot share so there should be a back-up plan with your accountant or other trusted colleague. Who will make the decisions that staff has brought to you such as any conflicts between staff or a sales person and a customer? I know it gets difficult to do and there just doesn’t seem to be the time to work through the tough issues. Then the unexpected happens. Someone is seriously injured or diagnosed with a disease that prevents them from coming to work for several weeks. Will your systems allow others to pick up the slack? Or will there be a critical hole in your operation? This scenario can happen and believe me, it is best to be prepared. For me, the unexpected did happen – I was diagnosed with neck cancer in January. The tumor was successfully removed and the radiation and chemo treatment went according to plan. The recovery stage also required me to stay home for several weeks. Fortunately, technology allowed me to stay in touch and help where I could. Through it all, the staff gave their all to ensure nothing would be dropped. We had been working on our systems for the last several years and it paid off. However, it took more than that. It took the confidence and commitment of each staff member to work as a team. The board members were completely supportive and were able to pitch in as well. I wish to publicly thank the NLA staff: Sue Jones (Mike); Jodie Fleck; Guy Marzano; Beth Stoll; Amber Balts; Cody Nuernberg; Melanie Hultman; Connie Johnson; and Abbie Diekmann. Know that you have a truly dedicated staff who have been tested and have come out with flying colors to keep the association running smoothly so that your needs would continue to be met. Take a critical eye to your business to assess how prepared you are for an unexpected situation that tests your people and your systems. Now is the time to get started, especially if you have gaps to fill. PRESIDENT — Ron Enter wRight Lumber & Millwork, Inc. Buffalo, Minnesota VICE PRESIDENT — John Bates Barnes Building Materials Cedar Falls, Iowa Paula Siewert NLA President TREASURER — Larry Provance Arrow Building Center Chadron, Nebraska A/S 2013 Building Products Connection 7 News & Events CONGRESSIONAL VISIT FOR LAMPERT YARDS After meeting with Northwestern Lumber Association representatives at the 2013 NLBMDA Legislative Conference in Washington D.C. in March, Representative Erik Paulsen (MN-03) made a personal visit to Lampert Yards in Rockford, Minnesota on May 6. Paulsen, accompanied by an aide, met with CEO Dan Fesler and Twin Cities Yard Division Manager Jane Fesler, and visited for more than an hour with the Rockford staff as he toured the facilities. In addition to asking several questions about the state of the industry, staff reductions and recent hires, Paulsen also asked for any incidences of governmental over-reach. Fesler mentioned several, including the cost to dealers required to comply with the new OSHA Crane Standard. Paulsen listened attentively while his aide took notes. According to Fesler, “Representative Paulsen was cordial and engaged. It’s always good to have a strong contact in Congress, and he seemed genuinely interested in learning more about our business. Meeting with our representatives in Washington is a good thing, but nothing can beat a personal visit. I appreciate the time and effort required by Paulsen and his staff to make that happen.” Labor Relations Board (NLRB) rule requiring nearly six million employers to post an 11-by-17 inch notice regarding employee rights to unionize. In its decision, the court held that the NLRB did not have the authority under the National Labor Relations Act to issue the poster rule. Last spring the D.C. Circuit Court issued an injunction against the rule, two weeks before it was set to take effect, prohibiting the NLRB from requiring employers to comply with the regulation as the court considered an appeal of a lower court decision upholding the rule. NEW I-9 FORM FOR EMPLOYMENT VERIFICATION REQUIRED On March 8th, 2013, the U.S. Customs and Immigration Service issued a new Form I-9, or Employment Eligibility Verification form. Due to the updates made, the new form renders all previous versions of the Form I-9 obsolete, and has required the new form to be filled out by all employees who begin work for pay after May 7th, 2013. The Form I-9 is designed with several sections to be filled out by both the employer and employee, and can sometimes be confusing. In response, Calendar of Events august BROWN COUNTY GOLF OUTING Royal St. Patricks Golf Links Wrightstown, Wisconsin 26 SW WISCONSIN GOLF OUTING Hickory Grove Golf Course Fennimore, Wisconsin 29 september IOWA BOARD MEETING & FALL GOLF Lake Panorama Golf Course Panora, Iowa OREGON MILL TOUR NLBMDA WELCOMES COURT DECISION STRIKING DOWN NLRB POSTER RULE The National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA) welcomed the decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia (D.C.) Circuit invalidating a National 8 Building Products Connection 13-15 NLA-NLI BOARD MEETINGS Brookings, SD 26 29 - Oct. 4 october NLDA BOARD MEETING & CLAY SHOOT Crooked Creek Gun Club Harvard, Nebraska 3 NLBMDA has prepared an Issue Briefing on their website at dealer.org addressing the new Form I-9 to instruct members of their responsibilities and suggested best practices as employers. The form is broken up into several sections. The employee will fill out the first section of the form and present the employer with eligibility documents from the list included with the form. This must be done before the first day of work for pay. It is important to note that the employee may choose which documents to present, and the employer is not allowed to specify. The employer then verifies the documents and fills out the second part of the form within three days of the employees first day of work for pay. An employer can choose to photocopy the documents presented to them, but the employer must do this for all or no employees in order to comply with non-discrimination standards. The employer is required to keep the Form I-9 on file for all current employees. An employer can only destroy a Form I-9 for someone they no longer employ one (1) year after their date of termination, or three (3) years after their first day of work for pay, whichever is longer. SHOP EXCHANGE DELAY LIMITS SMALL EMPLOYERS’ OPTIONS In March, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a one-year delay to a key component of the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP), set to launch in October. State-specific SHOPs will provide a separate marketplace for small group plans — which employers with up to 100 employees could make available to their full-time workers — within each of the public exchanges that are a hallmark of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). RUS U TIC G RGI GEO RGIAN AN CRAFTS CRA FTS T MAN N CONTEM CON TEMPOR TEM POR R ARY VICTOR VIC TORIAN IAN A ITA T LIA ANTE MODERN MOD ERN PRA RAIRI IRIE E By offering an extensive amount of in-stock interior millwork & a pre-finish service like no other, your customer is sure to find the products that best suit their style. The delay means that eligible employers should still be able to purchase a group health plan through a public exchange that meets the PPACA’s required four levels of coverage. However, exchange SHOPs will be required to offer only a single plan option, rather than the multiple competitive options expected to be available when SHOPs are completely up and running (as now planned), in 2015. The announcement threw an unwelcome wrench into the plans of many small businesses that were counting on SHOPs as a way to offer their employees more health benefit options with more competitive pricing and lower administrative costs. “It is a big deal,” said Josie Martinez, senior partner and general counsel at EBS Capstone in Newton, Mass. “Smaller employers had been looking forward to being able to offer our employees some choices in the form of more options with more competitive rates. Now those employers will have to figure out Plan B.” The best option will vary based on each organization’s circumstances. For example, organizations that have never offered health benefits to their employees but are subject to the shared responsibility provision mandating a certain level of employer-provided health coverage could simply pay the shared-responsibility penalty in 2014 and reconsider the benefits question in 2015, when SHOPs are fully operational. “Unless smaller employers can find a product that makes it economically reasonable for them to provide insurance coverage through the exchange, I would expect that they will pay the penalty, as opposed to providing significantly more expensive coverage,” predicted Dana Thrasher, a partner at Constangy, Brooks & Smith, LLP, a law firm in Birmingham, Ala. Of course, there is still a chance that smaller companies could find the group health marketplace more amenable than they expect. Burke remains optimistic that smaller employers will be able to upgrade or change their coverage during renewals for 2014. “In today’s market, many issuers offer suites of coverage that allow small businesses to give their employees a plan option,” she said. “I believe this may well continue.” In addition, it is possible that some of the new private exchanges will offer competitive plans for smaller employers. (continued on page 10) A/S 2013 Building Products Connection 9 NLA SCAM ALERT! BUILDERS AND LUMBER DEALERS SEE SHORTAGES OF KEY MATERIALS We have been informed that a scam which was first reported in Georgia and Alabama has now reached our area and has been reported to the NLA offices. A company by the name of Workplace Compliance Center (WCC) is faxing, emailing, and standard mailing fictitious invoices to retail dealers. Home builders and lumber dealers are reporting significant shortages of key home building materials such as lumber and wall board, according to recent surveys by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA). These invoices are for federal and state labor law compliance materials. WCC states that the company has only three days to cancel the order, otherwise they have to pay. It’s easy for dealers to fall for this scam, as many invoices get sent directly to an accounts payable department, and unless a dealer is paying attention and approving invoices one by one, these invoices can get paid. “Supply constraints are one of the barriers to a more robust recovery,” said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. “The shortages and price increases reported by both home builders and lumber dealers are particularly concerning given that the current rate of construction is still far below what would be considered normal or necessary to meet underlying demand.” The target for this scam appears to be multi-yard operations as indicated by phone calls received from Construction Supplier Association (CSA) members. CSA believes that WCC is obtaining information from a member’s website and then sending these fictitious invoices to each location. Among builders, the highest incidence of shortages was for oriented strand board (OSB), with 22 percent of builders reporting shortages, followed by wall board (20 percent), framing lumber (18 percent) and plywood (18 percent). The builder results come from special questions added to the monthly survey that serves as the basis for the NAHB/ Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), which is widely viewed as a key indicator of the overall strength of the home building market. (continued from page 11) NLA members are encouraged to report any scams to their local authorities and to email the Federal Trade Commission at spam@uce.gov. Also, please let Paula Siewert know at psiewert@nlassn.org so we can track scams like this and warn members. With the exception of wall board, the lumber dealers reported greater Lucerna™ Glass available in Classic-Craft ® Mahogany, Rustic, Oak & Canvas Collections™ NEW 20 13 “The shares of reported shortages are not as high now as they were in 2004 or 2005, but the increases since 2012 are quite significant, especially when you take the early stage of the housing recovery into account,” said Crowe. “In 2004 and 2005 the home building industry was producing over 1.8 million new homes a year, while the current rate of new housing starts is still below 1 million.” With the exception of concrete-related products, a larger share of lumber dealers than builders reported price increases in building materials over the Arden™ Glass available in Red Water Glass, Black Nickel Caming s Provides flexible design options that can cross over to suit multiple home styles. s True Classic-Craft, extraordinary in every way. Brushed Nickel Caming www.jbomeara.com (952) 890-8604 Building Products Connection A/S 2013 Both the builder and lumber dealer surveys asked about shortages of 24 specific building products and materials. For most of the products, the share of builders reporting a shortage was considerably higher in May of 2013 than in 2011 or 2012. The only exceptions were copper wire, vinyl siding, HVAC equipment, insulation and structural insulated panels. Fiber-Classic® Mahogany & Oak, Smooth-Star® Profiles™ & Traditions Black Nickel Caming 10 shortages of these products than the home builders. Among lumber dealers, 27 to 28 percent reported shortages of OSB and plywood, 36 percent reported shortages of framing lumber and 12 percent reported shortages of wall board. The dealer results come from a special survey of NLBMDA’s members, who operate single or multiple lumber yards and component plants and deal in many of the same products that NAHB members purchase. past six months. On average, builders reported a 5.17 percent increase in the materials that go into a house over the past six months. Most lumber dealers reported that the prices of the products they handle had increased on average by 10 percent or more over the past six months. “While a nascent housing recovery is underway, as reflected by the modest increase in sales by dealers, it’s clear that the ongoing material shortages and price increases being reported by dealers continue to be a cause for concern as we move into the latter half of 2013,” said Michael O’Brien, NLBMDA president and CEO. The reported results reflect survey data collected from NAHB builders and NLBMDA dealers during the first half of May; 383 builders and 230 dealers provided responses. NLA SPRING GOLF OUTINGS IOWA NEBRASKA On a letter perfect day in May, 38 golfers challenged the greens at the Iowa Spring Golf Outing at River View Golf Course in Adel, Iowa. Out of the competitive field, Mark Leachman, II, James Kahler, Justin Cassidy, and First Place Team — Iowa Brandon Cheek took home first place trophies. Second place went to Gina Huen, Scott Haas, Rich Jacobson, and Tom Schill. Noah Johnson, Rod Knudsen, Mike Lowe, and Bill Douglas took third place. For a pleasant change of pace from past years’ events, sunny skies, temps in the low 70s and a gentle breeze greeted 44 golfers at the Crooked Creek Golf Course in Lincoln on June 6. First place went to Mark Aksamith, Jack Cooper, Mark Peterson, and Cary Going with a score of 61. Second place was decided by a tie-breaker; earning that spot with a score of 62 were Jim Boffeli, John Home, Steve Smith, and First Place Team — Nebraska Jeff White. The Nebraska Special Events Chair, Steve Saewert, and his teammates Scott Anderson, Brad Samuelson, and Larry Wagner took third with a score of 62. Doug Sweeney scored the Longest Putt on the Green on hole #1. Jim Kahler drove Closest to the Pin on the First Shot on hole #9, and Tom Schill had the Longest Drive in the Fairway on hole #10. Mulligan sales were brisk and netted $175.00 for the ILUMPAC. This event was made special through the support of the following sponsors — Platinum Level: Federated Insurance, TCC Materials. Gold Level: Building Products, Data Business Equipment, Guardian Building Products, Key Wholesale Building Products, J. B. O’Meara Company, Midland Garage Door Manufacturing Company. Silver Level: Bayer Built Woodworks, The Empire Company, Hawkeye Building Distributors. Bronze Level: Builders Insurance Group, Hayfield Window and Door Company. Second Place Team — Iowa Mark Peterson was Closest to the Pin on Hole 12 and had the Longest Drive on 18. Mark Hodge had the Longest Putt on Hole 10. A big thank you to all our sponsors — Platinum Level: Federated Insurance, TCC Materials. Gold Level: Building Products, Guardian Building Products, Hardman Wholesale Company, Midland Garage Door Manufacturing Company, Shelter Distribution, Sprenger Midwest. Silver Level: Bayer Built Woodworks, Central Lumber Sales, Chicago Lumber Company, Hawkeye Building Distributors. Bronze Level: Builders Insurance Group, Hayfield Window and Door Company. Special thanks go to Lonnie Kvasnicka of Shelter Distribution and Roger Grunke of Guardian Building Products for selling mulligans to raise $230 for the Nebraska Scholarship Fund. Appreciation also goes to Brad “Vanna” Kline for helping with awards and door prizes at the award ceremony. A/S 2013 Building Products Connection 11 Opportu Photos courtesy of Simpson Door Company 12 Building Products Connection A/S 2013 nity KNOCKS You need to read this carefully. The Freedonia Group’s latest market report predicts U.S. demand for windows and doors will increase 10 percent annually to total $34.2 billion in 2016. Not 10 percent by 2016, but 10 percent annually. The Cleveland-based market research firm attributes the increase in demand to a rise in housing completions and increased construction spending. The report cites plastic windows and doors as the fastest-growing segment with a forecasted increase of 12 percent each year through 2016, when the sector will value $9.8 billion. This, as manufacturers improve upon products’ looks to help the segment steal market share from its wood and metal alternatives. Wood-products’ demand will grow 10.2 percent annually for the same period to value $10.4 billion in 2016, the report finds, with the increases driven primarily by new design trends that aim to highlight wood grain inside the home and on its exterior in the mid-range and high-end housing markets. Dealers can capitalize on this upswing by focusing on these high-margin categories and making them their own. Why? Because consumers get much more excited about choosing and paying for windows and doors than they do about floor joists. Or insulation, and for obvious reasons. Windows and doors offer customers the ability to customize their homes with their own personal style. No longer simply a functional part of a home’s structure, windows and doors are now considered architectural focal points that add character and dimension. Savvy dealers are redesigning and/or expanding their showrooms to include larger window and door displays and are placing them front and center. For those unable to expand their showrooms, many manufacturers now have “showrooms” online. As an example, Simpson Door Company has added a new feature, “Test Drive a Door,” to its website. The new online tool allows users to upload pictures of their home and view different exterior and interior door styles to find the perfect match. (continued on page 18) Windows and Doors. “We want to show homeowners and contractors the full range of solutions our portfolio extends to enhance the physical space in which they live and work, whether it is performance, innovative operation, the pure magnitude of our sizing matrixes to achieve unique architectural design, and the skillfully crafted beauty. Our windows and doors are truly transformational in both contemporary and traditional spaces, and this app demonstrates the possibilities.” Why are expanded showrooms, websites and apps so valuable? Manufacturers are rolling out more custom options and technology that give buyers a new voice in specing windows and doors. (continued from page 17) Users begin a “Test Drive” by choosing an exterior or interior door photo from the online selection, or uploading an image of their own home. They can then choose among various door types such as traditional, decorative, French, sash, panel or bifold. When test driving an exterior door, customers also have the option to pick an architectural style like Arts & Crafts or contemporary, and include doors with sidelights and/or transoms. above and on the sides – the front entry is becoming much more dramatic. Our new website tool allows homeowners to upload a picture of their home and literally ‘test drive’ several different designs and styles.” From the selection of doors that match their search criteria, users can simply click on a door and drag and drop it into their photo. The “Test Drive a Door” tool also allows users to add specific doors to their “Favorites,” request a quote, locate a dealer and print their door – all at a click. The new app delivers simple, user-focused content and functionality where it’s needed. For contractors, that means one-touch access to detailed specifications and product design features at the dealership or onsite with a client. For consumers surfing design solutions as they begin to plan their project, it means access to inspirational video and photography content, along with expert advice on design choices. According to Brad Loveless, marketing and product development manager for Simpson Door Company, the front entryway is becoming an increasingly important statement for higher-end homes. “Consumers are looking for taller, wider doors, double doors, transoms 14 Marvin Windows and Doors also is opening a “window on convenience” and efficiency for both consumers and contractors with its new iPad app. The app provides a vivid, tactile experience in selecting just the right window or door. “Windows and doors are defining elements of every home — its structure, function and design,” said Christine Marvin, marketing director for Marvin Building Products Connection A/S 2013 Simpson Door Company introduced a variety of new contemporary exterior and interior wood doors at the 2013 International Builders’ Show including a full-lite design with electric glass that can change from clear to private with the flip of a switch; an eye-catching field grass inspired acrylic panel door; and grooved French doors designed by renowned architect Jim Cutler. Custom concept doors like a Sapele Mahogany plantation style, louvered door and two-specie flush door were also on display to help demonstrate Simpson’s virtually limitless custom door design capabilities. Andersen recently launched its two-part Architectural Series window collection. The company started with a blank slate, says brand communication project manager Stacy Einck, and worked with an in-house design crew and Minneapolis-based SALA Architects to create a library of 10 architectural styles. The goal is to make it easy for non-experts to choose windows, trim, and related components that share the same style. The collection’s E-Series goes a step further by letting architects and builders specify a window down to the size of its grille, color of its frame, and thickness of its glass. For lower-budget projects, Weather Shield’s Aspire Series vinyl-clad windows cater to homeowners who want a wood-interior casing but a lowermaintenance exterior in white, tan, and cameo colors. Where huge windows aren’t an option, bigger view panes may be. Simonton’s Asure line of double-hung, slider, and picture replacement windows features narrower frames to open up the visible areas. It’s not just style. Size — particularly in contemporary projects — is increasingly on homeowners’ minds, says Christine Marvin, marketing manager for Marvin Windows and Doors. The company is offering clad and wood models of its Ultimate Double Hung window in larger sizes — up to 42-3/8 inches wide and 96-7/8 inches tall — with enhanced protection against air and water. Bigger glass and thinner frames aren’t hampering windows’ ability to stand up to the elements, manufacturers say. Andersen strengthened its A-Series windows with a wood composite/ fiberglass exterior for a low-maintenance look that doesn’t corrode in harsh coastal climates. And Pella’s factory-applied aluminum trim features a sealed sill nose and small weep holes on the sloped sill nose to redirect water. Kolbe’s new Ultra Series Folding Window allows for big views. The window can hold as many as eight linked panels, each of which can be up to 39-3/8 inches wide and 72 inches tall. There are custom options for stiles, rails, and thicknesses. And homeowners who prefer the look and feel of “real” wood no longer need to worry about exterior doors. Simpson’s new WaterBarrier Technology combines a moisture-resistant, medium-density overlay (MDO) with a thermoset acrylic latex primer topcoat and PVC glazing beads on the door’s exterior side. This creates a smooth and durable exterior that resists moisture absorption and is ready to paint, while maintaining the natural beauty of wood on the door’s interior side. Doors with WaterBarrier can be any wood species, and design pressure ratings are available. Simpson also provides UltraBlock® Technology, which incorporates a composite block built into the bottom of the doors’ stiles to alleviate buckling, swelling and separation of door components. Advances in both design and technology are opening the door to not only more options, but also more opportunities to up-sell in the window and door category. Make sure your literature racks are well stocked, update and/or expand your current displays and be prepared to reap the benefits of predicted demands. The BEST VALUE BestView Everywhere The in the MARKET With Limited Lifetime Warranty Whether remodeling, replacing, or building new, you want the most energy-efficient windows. Hayfield Window & Door windows are built to last and use the best performing spacer bar in the market — Duralite. QUALITY, PERFORMANCE, SERVICE AND SUPPORT BACKED BY A SOLID WARRANTY 701 CASEMENT FIXED OVER AWNING CALL OR E-MAIL TODAY 507-477-3224 WWW.HAYFIELDWINDOWS.COM window & door co HAYFIELD, MN 55940 201 VINYL A/S 2013 Building Products Connection 15 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE 2013 IOWA MINNESOTA Although not as momentous as last year’s session in terms of historic lien law changes, strides were made that will benefit Northwestern Lumber Association members. Property taxes were reformed through a combination of credits and rate reductions. This bill, which establishes a property tax credit for commercial, industrial and railway property, has been passed and enrolled and is awaiting the Governor’s signature. Health care reform included the appropriation for the Departments of Health and Human Services, mental health redesign and Iowa Health and Wellness. As a result, 150,000 Iowans will have insurance and many will purchase it through private health insurance companies. The unemployment bill was passed and now members will see conformity between federal law and Iowa Code concerning unemployment insurance employer charges and claimant misrepresentation regarding benefit overpayment. The bill also provides new penalties. Minnesota’s legislative season was full of ups and downs, as we saw Governor Dayton letting go of some issues while hanging on to others. Dubbed “the most anti-jobs Legislature” by the Executive Director of the Minnesota Business Partnership Charlie Weaver, most bills introduced on this front saw no movement. Angela Davis, of Wasker, Dorr, Wimmer, & Marcouiller, P.C., who has reported for us throughout the season, commented: “The session end speeches were marked with acknowledgement that this session represented more bi-partisan work on critical issues for Iowans than sessions in the recent past. Having been involved in this process for the last 36 years, I can say that I recognized the same thing. The session was not without its partisan issues and moments, but in the end it was both parties, both chambers and the Governor working together to address difficult issues that will make a difference in the lives of many Iowans from all walks of life.” As this was year one of a two year legislative session, any bills introduced but not passed remain on the table for next year. There were some successes including signing e-fairness into law as part of the tax bill. More good news arrived in terms of indemnification. General contractors, sub-contractors, and insurance companies reached agreement on a bill that passed that clarifies risk transfer practices without upsetting the established industry practices in this area. Remi Stone, Builder’s Association of Minnesota’s (BAM) Executive Vice President said, “We achieved balanced changes in the indemnification clauses that reflect today’s business practices and afford all parties reasonable statutory protections in construction contracts.” The Builder’s Association of the Twin Cities (BATC) believed they were able to stop, redirect, and modify most of the proposals it opposed. However, not being able to pass a sprinkler mandate prohibition into law was one of its major disappointments of the session. Another was taxes: Income tax on the top two percent goes up; as do cigarette taxes and some Business-to-Business (B2B) taxes for warehousing and storage (phased-in 2014). The $400 million in new and increased corporate taxes left many feeling more than a little disgruntled. Mandatory radon testing of all homes also did not pass; however risks of radon are now required to be disclosed to all homeowners as a part of the Minnesota Department of Health’s Healthy Homes Initiative. NEBRASKA Although the Nebraska 90-day 2013 Legislative session ended its season without senators even debating bills to revamp Nebraska’s tax system, the Alternative Minimum Tax bill was signed, sealed, and delivered by Governor Heineman on June 3. Introduced at the request of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce, the bill eliminates Nebraska’s alternative minimum tax (AMT) for individual income tax beginning 2014. Then, businesses will have 15 additional years to spread out net operating losses on state tax returns; (continued on page 14) A/S 2013 Building Products Connection 17 (continued from page 13) Northwestern Lumber Association’s Nebraska members may now do so for a period of 20 years instead of five. Passage of this bill brings with it expectations to improve the state’s standing in national tax rankings. According to President of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Barry Kennedy, no bills were passed this session that would adversely affect Nebraska’s labor law, economic development or tax climate. session,” he said, “the State Chamber helped lead a coalition to oppose bills that would have repealed key competiveness incentives for Nebraska businesses. Although the bills were offered with good intentions – to lower or eliminate Nebraska’s individual and corporate income tax – imposing new sales taxes on the state’s employers, especially taxing business inputs, would have been devastating over the long term. The bills would have terminated competitive advantages for key industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, health care, transportation and technology. We also worked to ensure the enactment of a measure that will provide for friendlier tax treatment of businesses that give employees partial ownership in the company over time.” NORTH DAKOTA According to President of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Barry Kennedy, no bills were passed this session that would adversely affect Nebraska’s labor law, economic development or tax climate. “Early in the Meeting for the full 80 days allowed under state constitution for the first time in the state’s history, North Dakota’s legislative season saw many bills enacted that will benefit our members — and several defeated that would have rankled. Among them was new construction unemployment insurance Spray Polyurethane Foam Fiberglass Insulation Cellulose Insulation Accessories Machine Rentals Residential & Commercial Insulation Supplies and Accessories. 763-786-2900 18 www.centralstatesinsulation.com Building Products Connection A/S 2013 classification changes, which would have raised premiums for others in the construction groups; this bill failed. The fire sprinkler legislation — which had the potential for code exemptions that could have led to residential fire sprinkler requirements — failed, as did the proposed changes to the State Building Code Advisory Committee, which would have changed the committee makeup without prior discussion. Doreen Riedman, Executive Officer of the North Dakota Association of Builders (NDAB), shared the Association’s impact for progress on the home front: “The passage of the Sales Price Disclosures bill now provides sales price disclosures on real estate, and bills introducing the Bank of North Dakota Residential Mortgage Loan Program were passed; now small community banks can provide mortgage loans in cooperation with the Bank of North Dakota and its professional lending department.” Such changes will benefit our members in easing and encouraging a growing housing market. Perhaps the biggest news was the largest round of tax cuts in state history — in the final 10 days of the session, lawmakers passed more than $1.1 million. Of that, $860 million came in the form of property tax cuts on the final day. Governor Dalrymple summed this season up as one of the greatest sessions he’s ever seen. SOUTH DAKOTA The South Dakota Chamber of Commerce, the South Dakota Retailers Association, and the South Dakota members of Northwestern Lumber Association scored with the passage of the Sales Tax Allowance bill. This bill, which was introduced at the request of the Department of Revenue, reinstates a collection allowance and allows businesses that collect and remit sales taxes to receive a fee for that work. Passage of this bill will have widespread affect: there are over 60,000 licenses issued to businesses that collect and remit sales/use taxes. LAM-PLY TRUSS Because there are 31,000 businesses with employees covered by Unemployment Insurance, about half of the sales tax licensees are home-based or single person businesses. Of these 31,000 businesses, approximately 4,000 are classified as “retail” and the rest are restaurants, gas stations and businesses offering professional services such as attorneys and accountants. According to the South Dakota Chamber of Commerce and Industry, each business will be allowed to have a “credit” of 1.5% of the tax collected — up to $70/month. Total impact on the state budget will be $6 million a year to pay this fee. After the first year, only electronic filers would be eligible for the collection allowance. The bill also provides that after January 1, 2015 the collection allowance/tax credit could only be taken by businesses who file their tax returns and remit their taxes electronically on a timely basis. Among other bills passed this season affecting members are those revising certain provisions regarding unemployment, revisions to an employer’s denial of workers’ compensation claims, and revisions to certain Limited Liability Company statutes. WISCONSIN Historic tax reform tops the list of the Wisconsin season, which saw a $650 million income tax cut. Under the new plan, all five state individual income tax brackets are reduced, and for small businesses, changes made to the Section 179 expensing provision will now automatically be adjusted at the state level, which hasn’t occurred since 2001. Provisions governing net operating losses were also federalized, allowing losses to be carried forward up to 20 years and carried back for two years. MONO GOTHIC ARCH GAMBREL TIMBER TRUSS • Spans up to 72 ft. • Bird nesting control • Up to 12 ft. spacing depending on desired load • No feed alley post obstruction • Additional ceiling height (715) 985-3117 (888) 525-5878 Independence, WI www.starwoodrafters.com LAM-PLY TRUSS Brad Boycks, Director of Advocacy for the Wisconsin Builder’s Association (WBA), said that the Association supported a job training bill that “passed with wide, bipartisan support,” encouraging training for much needed employees. Also on the labor front, Wisconsin passed a bill that allows employers the flexibility to lower the hours of a group of workers rather than just laying off a few of them (passage of this bills also brings in some federal tax dollars to implement the bill and to pay workers’ benefits for lost hours). Boycks reports the WBA is involved in state budget legislation that will likely be passed in the next few months. “One bill we are hoping we get passed deals with a 6-year code cycle in Wisconsin.” Also still yet to be finalized is a bill relating to contracting with residential contractors. According to the Legislative Reference Bureau, it prohibits a contractor from promising to pay or rebate all or any portion of a property insurance deductible as an incentive for entering into certain contracts with a “consumer,” which the bill defines as an owner or possessor of residential property containing four dwelling units or less. The contracts that are subject to the bill are written or oral contracts for doing any of the following activities: 1) repairing or replacing a roof system; or 2) performing any other exterior repair, replacement, construction, or reconstruction of the residential property. Mother nature knows the best footings are big and round. Adding on? Building a deck? Take a lesson from nature. 400552_Bigfoot.indd 1 For stability you can trust, build it with Bigfoot! 1-800-934-0393 www.bigfootsystems.com UPS shipping available A/S 2013 Building Products Connection 19 10/16/08 7:53:21 PM What’s New In Memoriam ROGER D. WILSON Roger D. Wilson, age 75, of Lake States Lumber died April 27, 2013. Roger began his career in the industry with the Burns Kneeland Lumber Co. based in Aitkin, Minnesota. In 1979, Roger was part of a group that purchased Burns Kneeland Lumber Company and started Lake States Lumber. Over his 30-plus year career, Lake States Lumber grew from a small wholesale brokerage office into the largest lumber wholesale distribution and specialty product manufacturing company in the upper Midwest. Roger retired in 2003. Happenings NEW PRESIDENT AT SHELTER PRODUCTS Aaron Lambrecht has been appointed president of Shelter Products, Inc, a regional wholesale building material distributor based in New Ulm, Minnesota, serving customers in five states. Aaron has a B.A. in biology from Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota and a MBA from North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota. He and his wife, Jen, live in rural Nicollet with their two children. DREXEL BUILDING SUPPLY HONORED AGAIN AS A TOP WORKPLACE Drexel Building Supply is pleased to announce that for the third consecutive year it has been selected as one of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Top Workplaces. 20 Drexel is locally owned and has 4 locations: Berlin, Brookfield, Campbellsport, & Kiel. The Top Workplaces are determined based solely on employee feedback. The employee survey is conducted by WorkplaceDynamics, LLP, a leading research firm on organizational health and employee engagement. WorkplaceDynamics conducts regional Top Workplaces programs with more than 30 major publishing partners and recognizes a National list of Top Workplaces. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel published the complete list of Top Workplaces on May 19th. For more information about the Top Workplaces lists and WorkplaceDynamics, please visit www.topworkplaces.com and www. workplacedynamics.com. BUILDING PRODUCTS INC. ANNOUNCES PURCHASES AND EXPANSION Building Products Inc. (BPI) announced the acquisition of the Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Fargo, North Dakota branches of Milliken Millwork., effective June 1, 2013. Over the coming months, BPI of SD will move its door shops and prefinished stain and paint lines to the 90,000 sq. ft. Milliken Sioux Falls facility. This will greatly expand their millwork capacity while consolidating all prefinish lines and door shops together under one roof. In addition, BPI is introducing FinishCraft, their new millwork division. FinishCraft provides high quality millwork with an industry leading color matching system, for both paint and stain, and quality packaging. FinishCraft provides lumber dealers and their customers an exclusive selection Building Products Connection A/S 2013 of stair systems, entry doors, interior doors, mouldings, cabinets, vanities and countertops. General Manager J.J. Robson says, “One of the biggest advantages to our dealers and their contractors will be our brand new, state-of-the-art showroom. This facility will provide end users the ability to visualize their products and choose the millwork items they want – in person. If our dealers aren’t able to bring their contractors to the showroom, we can bring a sample of the showroom to them. Our millwork trailer and millwork specialist are available to our dealers; all they need to do is give us a call and reserve a time.” New Products MARVIN WINDOWS AND DOORS’ NEWEST IPAD APP MAKES CLEAR THE VALUE OF A BEAUTIFUL FINISH Marvin Windows and Doors continues its commitment to customization, service and innovation with a new iPad and iPhone app that lets users build a window or door with a customized interior and exterior finish. Homeowners and building professionals alike now have a virtual Marvin showroom at their fingertips. FSC-Certified Suppliers This new app lets users view windows featuring Marvin’s new factory-applied stains, which include six stains on all available wood species for more than 50 options. The app also offers high-resolution, full-screen stain swatches, so users can view options in great detail. Marvin’s meticulous factory stain finish involves a multi-step process that takes place before the window or door is assembled. Each individual piece of wood is sanded, conditioned, stained and oven-cured. Then the finished pieces are clear-coated, sanded a second time and clear-coated a second time, providing an ideal finish. The Marvin Finishes app also features all of Marvin’s standard colors and lets users make their very own custom color selection. Marvin delivers with 19 standard colors and unlimited custom colors for any size job . The Marvin Finishes app for iPads and iPhones is available for free from the App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ marvin-finishes/id613719885. SIMPSON® EXPANDS ITS WATERBARRIER® TECHNOLOGY TO MORE EXTERIOR DOORS Simpson® Door Company’s wood exterior doors with WaterBarrier® Technology offer the warmth and beauty of wood inside the home, with protection from the elements outside – no matter the exposure. Now, Simpson offers WaterBarrier Technology in dozens of new door designs, from French to panel to decorative entry doors – all with a five-year warranty, with no building overhang required. Simpson WaterBarrier Technology combines a moisture-resistant, medium-density overlay (MDO) with a thermoset acrylic latex primer topcoat and PVC glazing beads on the door’s exterior side. This creates a smooth and durable exterior that resists moisture absorption and is ready to paint, while maintaining the allure of wood on the door’s interior side. Doors with WaterBarrier can be any wood species, and design pressure ratings are available. WaterBarrier Technology is one of the weather-protective options offered as part of the Simpson Performance Series® family of wood doors. Simpson also provides UltraBlock® Technology, which incorporates a composite block built into the bottom of the doors’ stiles to alleviate buckling, swelling and separation of door components. UltraBlock provides protection against extreme weather conditions, is available for any 1-3/4” thick exterior door, and comes with a five-year limited warranty. Also for tough exposures, Simpson offers Nantucket® Collection exterior wood doors. These all-wood doors combine durable, weather-resistant wood species with a modified mortiseand-tenon construction technique for beautiful, long lasting wood doors – backed by a 10-year warranty. If you have news or information you AMERHART LTD. (800) 236-2211 amerhart.com BAYER BUILT WOODWORKS (800) 644-9972 Bayerbuilt.com BIEWER LUMBER (800) 482-5717 biewerlumber.com THE EMPIRE COMPANY INC. (800) 253-9000 empireco.com FOREST PRODUCTS SUPPLY CO. (800) 892 7109 FP-supply.com LAKE STATES LUMBER (800) 432-3727 lake-states-lumber.com PROGRESSIVE AFFILIATED LUMBERMEN, INC. (800) 748-0089 nationalbuyingpower.com RAYNER & RINN-SCOTT, INC. (800) 221-6953 rrswood.com ROBERTS & DYBDAHL INC. West Des Moines, IA (800) 247-2100 robertsdybdahl.com VIKING FOREST PRODUCTS INC. (800) 733-3801 vikingforest.coM would like included in the What’s New section, email bstoll@nlassn.org. WEEKES FOREST PRODUCTS Please submit materials for the Oct/ (800) 328-2890 Weekesforest.com Nov issue no later than August 15. Building Products Connection 21 Classifieds WANTED ADVERTISER INDEX HELP WANTED Lumberyard Manager in central Nebraska needed. Employee-owned company in rural setting with proven potential. Estimating and building material experience required. Send resume to: saflumber@aol.com Bayer Built Woodworks, Inc. EDCO Products, Inc. 4 FOR SALE Federated Insurance IFC BUY, SELL, MERGE Even in these financially stretched times we are still completing deals. We have more buyer interest than our inventory supports. If you are interested in selling, please contact the Dillon Group, Ltd., info@dillon-ma.com, (913) 888-8001. BUSINESS FORMS, INVOICES, PURCHASE ORDERS, A/P CHECKS. Custom forms, no set up charges, best pricing available! Do a price comparison — contact Abbie at the NLA at (763) 544-6822, (888) 544- 6822 or email adiekmann@nlassn.org. 3, 9 Bigfoot Systems, Inc. 19 Central States Insulation Wholesale, Inc. 18 Hayfield Window & Door Company 15 J.B. O’Meara Company 10 Minnkota Windows 11 Northwestern Lumber Association 3, 6 Quality Edge IBC Shelter Products, Inc. OBC Starwood Rafters 19 Thermo-Tech Windows 22 7\\]dObW]\T`][aOaVb]aWZZ !T4HERMO4ECH®0REMIUM7INDOWSAND$OORSWE CONTINUALLYWORKTODEVELOPINNOVATIVEIDEASAND QUALITYPRODUCTSLIKEOUR4RIMLINE"RICK-OULDTHAT EASILYADDSAlNISHEDLOOKTONEARLYANYWINDOW s s s s s s s ./7!6!),!",%).3(!0%3 4RIMFACEEASILYSNAPSONTOHIDEFASTENERS 7HITETANANDSANDLEWOODEXTERIORCOLORS !VAILABLEINORINCH -ULTICHAMBERSANDWELDEDCORNERS 3ILLNOSEAVAILABLE #LASSIC3ERIESAND4HERMO&IT 8]W\]c`bSO[]T]dS`"aObWa¿SRRSOZS`a bbeW\R]eaQ][&%%#$##'! # '" 22 Building Products Connection A/S 2013 Fresh Look. TruCedar®: Siding to last a lifetime. Energy Efficient. Sustainable. Extra Protection. Rust, Hail and Color Guarantee qualityedge.com/trucedar Offering unmatched fade protection and low maintenance. A/S 2013 Building Products Connection 23 We are committed to providing you with a portfolio of products, including Wood-Edge Construction, to ensure that you have the right product for your project. A Strength Superior rust inhibition and polyurethane foam core for superior thermal performance and added strength. B Durability top quality 24-gauge galvanized construction offers superior durability and tested performance. Atrium windows and doors for new construction are precision engineered to deliver the stability, quality and energy efficiency that homebuyers value most– complemented by true and lasting beauty. Every Atrium window and door is designed to meet the strictest building codes: yours. They’re the perfect choice for your new construction projects. Premium Vinyl Construction Practically maintenancefree, Atrium premium vinyl never needs painting or refinishing, and creates tight seals that dramatically reduce drafts so your homeowners save on heating and cooling costs in any season. Easy Care Beauty Our windows tilt in for easy cleaning, and our vinyl never peels, cracks or warps so you can wipe it clean in a snap. Energy Efficient Glass Systems Options abound to give your customers state-of-the art energy efficiency, including Low-E glass and Low-E glass with argon gas. Atrium Assurance Your customers can trust that they’re protected by a limited lifetime warranty on vinyl and working parts and 25-year insulated glass protection on each window (see actual warranty for complete details). s!LSOAVAILABLEFOR REPLACEMENTSTYLE C Security Wood lock-block reinforcement ensures that cylindrical hardware is mounted securely. Ultra Series Features extruded aluminum clad wood windows and doors for either residential or commercial new construction and renovation–providing exception performance and style. D High Profile Features standard and high definition panel profiles, and a wide range of panel designs. E Wood-Edge construction Fire-rated 20-minute available. Tru Tech® Steel-Edge Doors are built to provide you with the quality, performance and features required for your projects. Like all Tru Tech doors, they are built to exacting standards. A Strength Polyurethane foam core is securely bonded to galvanized steel panels for superior thermal performance and added door strength. B Durability Top quality 24-gauge galvanized construction offers superior durability and tested performance. Also available in heavy-duty 22 guage. C Security Poly lock-block reinforcement ensures that cylindrical hardware is mounted securely. D High Profile Available with triple-shadow and high definition embossing, wide design selections and high-definition panel profiles. E Steel-Edge construction 90-minute positive pressure fire tested. Wood-Edge Steel Doors SHELTER PRODUCTS, INC. 810 North Front St. New Ulm, MN 56073 s &AX Our line of wood windows and doors offering traditional design aesthetics – ideally suited to residential and commercial new construction and renovation. Classic Series Emphasizing simplicity, this line of roll-formed aluminum clad wood windows and doors is perfect for new construction desiring a clean overall look. Latitude® Series A full line of vinyl windows and patio doors, offering traditional design paired with modern convenience, low maintenance and energy efficiency – perfect for both residential and commercial new construction and replacement. Complementary Doors Entrance doors and interior doors adding the final touch to your project.