Thursday, January 26, 2012                Stay Connected on:  www.amdweb.com , Twitter,  LinkedIn

Foreclosures: America's Hardest Hit Neighborhoods
The housing collapse has dramatically changed the nation's foreclosure landscape. Neighborhoods boasting modern homes, cul-de-sacs and tree-lined streets in and around Western cities now dominate the list of the top 100 U.S. zip codes hit hardest by foreclosures and claim and comprise all of the top 10 spots, according to data generated for CNNMoney by RealtyTrac. In 2011, Western states claimed 82 of the 100 worst hit zip codes with 38 in California and another 28 in Nevada. >>> Read More

All-Cash Deals are Driving Down Home Prices
Investors wielding cash are reviving sales volume in the housing market — but at a price. As the National Association of Realtors noted last week, all-cash sales accounted for 31% of December existing-home purchases. All that bargain hunting drove sales of existing homes up 5% for the month, NAR says. A steady pace of sales is critical to the housing market's recovery, of course, because we need to clear all those foreclosures and short sales off the books so that prices can stabilize and even start rising. >>> Read More

Contracts to Buy U.S. Homes Near 19-Month High: Economy
The number of Americans signing contracts to buy previously owned homes in December held near a 19-month high, showing the stabilization in the market that began in late 2011 will extend into the new year. The index of pending home sales decreased 3.5 percent last month after jumping a combined 18 percent in October and November, figures from the National Association of Realtors showed today in Washington. >>> Read More

Government Study Faults Home Appraisal Process
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), in a recent study on the effectiveness of real estate appraisals, found that the Appraisal Subcommittee, which oversees the regulatory programs established by the states, has not adequately performed its duties because of underfunding and other problems. >>> Read More


Kolbe & Kolbe Millwork Co. Rises Up From Recession
Kolbe & Kolbe Millwork Co. has done something uncommon in the window and door industry during the past two years -- made a profit. After being hit in the gut by the Great Recession and housing market collapse, Kolbe, a Wausau staple for the past 60-plus years, has recovered as many competitors have foundered or gone under. >>> Read More

S&P Downgrades Builders FirstSource
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services has lowered its rating on the unsecured notes of Building FirstSource to 'CC' from 'CCC-' and revised its recovery rating to '6' from '5' to reflect diminished recovery prospects, given a higher level of first-lien obligations, the credit rating company announced. The '6' recovery rating indicates an expectation for a negligible (0% to 10%) recovery in the event of a payment default. >>> Read More

Moulding and Millwork Market Faces Challenges Similar to Windows
The moulding and millwork market is not immune to the same challenges that have been facing door and window companies for the past several years. They have faced them as well due to the housing crisis and many companies have been forced to close their doors. So what are these organizations projecting for 2012? >>> Read More

Lowe’s Forms Partnership with Social Media Site
Lowe's and Houzz, a website for home remodeling ideas, design and social interaction, has announced a marketing relationship that kicks off with a "Dream Kitchen" sweepstakes. The winner of the contest will receive a “dream kitchen,” valued at $50,000, designed and built by Houzz's top designers and contractors with materials from Lowe's. >>> Read More


Register Now! AMD Spring Education Seminar & Barnett Millworks Plant Tour - April 17-20, 2012
Join AMD for the spring 2012 Education Seminar & Barnett Millworks Plant Tour in the beautiful and historic port city of Mobile, Alabama. The Education Seminar presented by Steve Deist and Mike Emerson, partners at Indian River Consulting Group, covers topics to help you effectively create a leading sales team in today's economy. The education seminar titled, “Strategically Aligned Sales Incentive” is both timely and relevant to distributors, manufacturers, reps, sales personnel, and managers who find themselves asking: “How can I get my sales reps to just do what I want them to do?” In the “new normal” economy almost all distributors are struggling with the challenge of transitioning their sales force from being self-directed to being management directed. Join Mike Emerson and Steve Deist, Partners with Indian River Consulting Group, as they orchestrate an interactive one day workshop with the AMD member in mind.

Since 1945, Barnett Millworks has served the Southeastern U.S. with the finest in quality millwork. The Mobile, Alabama, manufacturing facility offers a broad selection of millwork products in our industry including: interior and exterior doors, windows, mouldings, stair parts, columns and much more. You will tour will include rough mill operations, custom door and millwork production and more. Seating is limited so make your reservation today.

Member and Non-Member Distributors, Associate Members, and industry professionals are welcome to attend. Limited seating is available for this exciting industry event that connects you with the millwork community in a meaningful and informative way. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact AMD headquarters to learn more 727.372.2879 or via email: marketing@AMDweb.com. To register for the Education Seminar & Barnett Millworks Plant Tour Click Here.


Obama Pushes Payroll Tax Cut Extension: What's at Stake
An extension in the payroll tax cut for the remainder of the year is not guaranteed, so that is why in his State of the Union address President Obama pushed hard for it. “Our most immediate priority is stopping a tax hike on 160 million working Americans while the recovery is still fragile,” he said. >>> Read More

Obama Plans to Propose Corporate Tax System Overhaul Next Month
President Barack Obama will propose an overhaul of the U.S. corporate tax system in February, his economic advisers said. The proposal will be released at about the same time as the administration’s fiscal 2013 budget plan, which is scheduled to be sent to Congress on Feb. 13. The administration isn’t releasing details of the comprehensive proposal, such as whether it will include a target for the top corporate tax rate. >>> Read More

Hardwood Federation – LACEY ACT UPDATE
Given the importance of the Lacey Act issue to the hardwood industry and heightened interest in recent months, Hardwood Federation (HF) will be providing periodic updates on Congressional, agency and other activity focused specifically on this issue.

The HF-supported Lacey Act amendments of 2008 addressed the mounting issue of illegal logging and imports of illegally sourced forest products into the US. Following a raid of the Gibson Guitar company last year, Congress was urged by the CEO of Gibson to take action to provide relief from enforcement and by Nashville musicians who believed their musical instruments were in danger of being seized by the federal government. In reaction, U.S. Representatives Blackburn (R-TN) and Cooper (D-TN) introduced H.R. 3210, the so-called RELIEF Act which would, if passed re-write the Lacey Act, remove many wood products from coverage and reduce the effectiveness of enforcement actions. HF immediately began an active campaign to oppose H.R. 3210, joined by a broad coalition of the paper and forest products industry, labor and environmental groups. To date the bill has gained fewer than 20 co-sponsors in the US House and no similar Senate bill has been introduced.

HF provided information for a Business Week article that was released last week on the Gibson Guitar case.  It is a balanced report and will provide you with additional details on the case and legislative efforts: Read Related Article

HF is working closely with Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Ron Wyden (D-OR), the original sponsors of the 2008 amendments, who plan to convene meetings to discuss the implementation of the Lacey Act, and identify changes which may be needed.  The two Senators have expressed concerns over provisions of H.R. 3210.  The meetings are expected to take place next month.  Meanwhile the two Senators as well as HF supporter Rep. G.T. Thompson (R-PA), House Forestry Subcommittee Chairman, have contacted the federal agencies charged with implementing Lacey to ask for a report to Congress on the status of Lacey Act implementation.The Lacey Act continues to drive down markets for unfair, underpriced illegal hardwood throughout the world and drive up markets for legal US hardwoods.HF opposes legislative actions which would diminish the effectiveness of this important law.


Texting is Killing Real Business Communication
Whether it's a business or personal interaction, multiple studies show that as much as 50-65% of the communication is nonverbal. That means that people who are addicted to text messaging and email may be sending only half the message, and receivers often misinterpret even that half. >>> Read More

Social Media Sites: Employers Should Block Them
To prevent hackers from stealing private information, companies should make sure workers don’t access social media websites on office computers. Pro or con? The adage “keep your friends close and your enemies even closer” may sound good on paper, but when it comes to business, it’s a devastating practice. Even so, many businesses are doing just that—letting cybercriminals infiltrate their organizations—simply by allowing their employees to access social networks at work. >>> Read More

Software Suppliers Report Growth: Does This Trickle Down to their Customers?
In a time when the industry faces a tough market, a sampling of door and window software suppliers say they are reporting growth. Some have done this through adapting to best meet their customers’ needs, while others attribute it to global growth and new product introductions. >>> Read More


Kenneth F. Yarosh Named 2012 ASTM International Chairman of the Board
Kenneth F. Yarosh, global service line manager for the specialty chemicals business of Dow Corning Corp., in Midland, Mich., is the 2012 chairman of the board of directors of ASTM International. A member of the ASTM board of directors since 2006, Yarosh was chairman of the Finance and Audit Committee in 2009. He is currently chairman of ASTM Committee C24 on Building Seals and Sealants, and previously served as both vice chairman and secretary. >>> Read More

Popularity of National Green Building Standard Continues to Grow
As the third anniversary of the National Green Building Standard nears, the number of green-certified homes and developments continues to achieve successive, new, growth milestones that reflect a continuing interest in sustainable design and construction — and an increasing preference for certification to the standard. >>> Read More

National Fenestration Rating Council- Bulletin
This bulletin relates to a new work group that has been developed for 2D Barcodes, the publication and implementation of the NFRC 700-2012 E0A0 with modifications from the approved Fall 2011 Ballots, publication and implementation of the NFRC 702-2012 E0A0, and the recent updates to NFRC’s Film Attachment Database for Recertification and Revision processes. >>> Read More

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