Navasota, Texas based company with one-of-a-kind off-site construction technology plans to expand its medical facility and commercial office product offerings.

Houston, TX (PRWEB) March 27, 2012

Building Systems">GroundFORCE Building Systems, the Navasota-based company whose off-site construction technology has been successfully used in schools and medical clinics around Texas, has expanded its market territory with the opening of a new office in Houston.

Vantex Commercial Property Group, a Houston-based company with over 30 years of commercial real estate experience, has joined forces with GroundFORCE to represent its patented construction technology in the growing medical and commercial office market segments, including the Eagle Ford Shale oil boom in southwest Texas.

We believe there is a critical need for the unique GroundFORCE construction process, said Stephen H. Jaggard, President of Vantex. We plan to use the recently opened St. Joseph Health Care Systems Super Clinic in Brenham, Texas, as a showcase of what is possible for the medical market. The same technological advantages are available for general office facilities as well. There is a need for this type of product, which is built off-site then delivered to the site in 125 days or less. Once its finished you cant tell it wasnt site-built.

GroundFORCE technology provides an innovative and structurally sound solution to building medical facilities and commercial structures. The system has been used to build schools, residential housing, offices and medical facilities throughout Texas. GroundFORCE buildings are constructed off-site in a quality-controlled environment and built to national and state codes. They feature a structurally suspended concrete foundation and flooring system designed to be set in shifting soils, which is important in Texas, where shifting soils often lead to costly foundation repairs. Because the GroundFORCE flooring system is not affected by shifting soils, it virtually eliminates foundation damage caused with traditional flooring foundation systems.

The buildings have an expected life span of more than 50 years, compared to less than 10 years for portable buildings. They are environmentally friendly and can be built to LEED standards.

Its truly a revolutionary process and the perfect solution for many applications, said Kenneth Neatherlin, GroundFORCE President and CEO. With GroundFORCE, construction time is reduced, but the buildings are of the highest quality, and were the only company offering this type of product.

Vantex (formerly Vantage Houston) and its team was a logical choice to help us grow by approaching a different user base than we had been working, he said. They understand the commercial market and have a solid reputation because of their successes. Their contacts and relationships with the brokerage community will add a new dimension for us.

Construction on the St. Joseph Super Clinic began the day after Thanksgiving 2011, and clinic doctors were seeing patients on February 25, 2012. The new 9400 square-foot Super Clinic incorporates three medical services: a family medicine practice, a St. Joseph Express walk-in clinic, and a diagnostic/imaging center.

Originally posted here:
GroundFORCE Building Systems Opens Houston Office

Monday, 26 March 2012 19:48

Another dimension for watching baseball games at South Alabama has been added to Stanky Field.

During spring break, South Alabama unveiled three new party decks in Right Field of Stanky Field, known as Jaguar Alley. These decks are free to students, and allow for several new things to do during game that were not previously available.

The decks are located in the outfield of Stanky Field, directly behind the Right Fielder, and provide a perfect view of the game from above the outfield fence. Fans can choose to watch the game from one of two levels on each deck, or from the ground and watch the game through the fence. Combined, the decks can hold 75 to 100 people.

Students are allowed to bring food, drinks, grills, chairs, tables, or whatever they want to the decks. They are also allowed to bring alcohol to games, as long as they are kept in a cup.

Fans may drive their vehicle carrying their supplies into the area behind Jaguar Alley and drop off their things before being asked to park in the Gamma parking lot behind the stadium. There will be shuttles that will bring you to the only gate that accesses Jaguar Alley, which is located behind the center field wall.

Athletic Director Dr. Joel Erdmann said that the decks were made with the students in mind, hoping the students will come out and bring a home-field advantage to Stanky Field that has lacked in previous years. Dr. Erdmann also talked of the possibility of adding additional parking to the Gamma cut-through.

The decks are in popular demand by different student associates, as they are available to be reserved for games. However, there will always be at least one deck open to the public. Space on the deck is on a first come, first serve basis. The decks are open rain or shine, and re-entry is allowed if you keep your ticket stub.

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Deck addition equals home advantage

STATE COLLEGE A local church will get an expedited answer to its request to hook up to the public sewer in Harris Township, after a vote Monday night by Centre Region elected officials.

The Council of Governments General Forum voted 4-2 to allow Calvary Baptist Church to begin, out of sequence, the process of seeking approval to receive public sewer service at a new development planned for the churchs Harvest Fields site near the Boalsburg Technology Park.

The COG typically hears such requests, required when a development will exist outside the regions boundary for sewer service, in February and September. While the process to determine the impact of extending the sewer line can begin at another time in an emergency, the process does not define emergency.

Regional planning Director Jim May said the church developers want to begin construction this year.

Paul Rittenhouse, of Harris Township, explained that the church first submitted the request a year ago, but resubmitted based on various township requests. The home township must approve the sewer extension before it advances to the COG.

I think thats the urgency, Rittenhouse said of the initial delay.

College, Halfmoon, Harris and Patton townships approved an expedited process. Ferguson opposed, and State College officials tied, resulting in a no vote. Some officials said allowing the

impact process to take place outside the agreed-upon timeline will become overly burdensome for staff.

As for this project, I think its unfortunate that the developers have been delayed for a number of reasons, said Cathy Dauler, of State College. But I also think its important that we stick with the plan we have now.

Jeff Luck, of Patton Township, said that, when the process was initially developed, officials chose to review projects twice a year because they tend to be rather lengthy and contentious. He suggested reconsidering the entire process.

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Centre Region COG puts church request to extend growth boundary on fast track

Theodore Waddy Francisco, who founded Lakeside Appliance in 1954 and whose family ran the company until they sold it in 2003, had a purpose for each day he lived.

"I don't think he ever had a day without a plan, whether it was an errand or a project or, later, volunteer work that he did. He just never sat around," said a son, Jeffrey W. Francisco of Henrico County.

The elder Francisco, who died March 21 at age 84 at his residence at Westminster Canterbury-Richmond, started what the family thinks was the largest independent appliance retailer in central Virginia in a 1,500-square-foot space across the street from what in the early 1970s would become his store at 5418 Lakeside Ave.

In 1979, he opened a West Broad Street branch, which he closed in 1984 and reopened in a tobacco warehouse at 1611 Rhoadmiller St., which became the company headquarters and distribution center. In 1985, he opened a Bon Air branch on Buford Road, followed by a short-lived store in Mechanicsville in 1987. A store he opened in 1988 on Ridge Road was consolidated in 1995 with the Broad Street store.

"He was the kind of businessman who would see a need in the company and find somebody that needed a job," his son said. He recruited family members, friends and church members to work for him "who went on to bigger and better things. I can't tell you how many of his children's friends he hired for the company.

"In a way, he was very, very generous, but he had the highest expectations and an unyielding concern for getting the job right. He had the highest concern that the customer would get what he had paid for," his son said.

During the time leading up to Mr. Francisco's funeral last Saturday at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, his son said he heard many comments that began with "your father taught me how to fill in the blank. How to organize, how to handle a customer, a complaint."

Mr. Francisco led "not so much by an active role but by example," his son said.

Born at home in Frederick Hall in Louisa County, he was one of eight children of a couple who lived on wooded acreage that included a general store, which they ran.

They later moved to Beaverdam. Mr. Francisco went into the Navy when he was 18 years old and was on his way to participate in the planned invasion of Japan when World War II ended.

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Lakeside Appliance founder dies at 84

NEPTUNE CITY, N.J., March 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Cowleys Termite & Pest Services, which has been proudly serving the pest control needs of central New Jersey for two decades, is now a certified installer of TAP Pest Control Insulation. The latest in multi-purpose insulating technology for homes and businesses, TAP is a cellulose fiber insulation that is treated to produce insulation that is fire-retardant, environmentally friendly (87% recycled newsprint), and that provides an effective pest control barrier. TAP Pest Control insulation is the first product in the building materials market that augments the proven benefits of stabilized cellulose insulation with a unique pest control component.

TAP insulation can be used in both new construction and retro-fit applications. If your existing insulation is not damaged, TAP can be installed right on top of your existing fiberglass or cellulose insulation giving an added layer of protection as well as to block convection loops associated with fiberglass insulation. "We are so excited about adding this new service to our business offerings and to be able to help customers reduce pests in their attic as well as save money on energy bills," said owner Bill Cowley.

TAP offers three benefits of insulation in one new, safe, and effective product: Thermal Benefits (T); Acoustic Benefits (A); and Pest Control Benefits (P). The fundamental job of any insulating product is to keep the warmth in during winter and the cool in during the summer. Often, the insulation pays for itself within a year or two from reduced monthly utility costs. Your heating and air conditioning systems become super-efficient with the right insulation. TAP also offers significant acoustic benefits, dampening outside noise.

But the benefit that makes TAP insulation unique on the market today is pest control. TAP provides a solid shield of treated insulation that is a deadly poison to many insects including cockroaches, termites, and wood-boring insects. The active ingredient in TAP is boric acid, which was first registered as an insecticide in 1948 so its safety has been established for more than half a century. Boric acid kills many insects on the spot, but is harmless to humans and pets. Since it is non-organic, it won't fade and will remain permanently deadly to insects coming into contact with the insulation.

Cowleys Termite & Pest Services is a certified installer of TAP Insulation throughout New Jersey. For more information or to receive a free attic inspection, contact Cowleys at 866-9-COWLEY. Cowleys Termite and Pest Services, founded in 1991, has been helping New Jersey homes and businesses resolve a full range of pest infestation and dangerous moisture issues. Cowleys also offers nuisance wildlife removal and crawlspace encapsulation in NJ and Bird Control Services throughout the mid-Atlantic. For more information, visit http://www.cowleys.com.

Photo: http://www.ereleases.com/pic/Cowleys-TAP.jpg

For more information, contact:

Bill Cowley Cowleys Pest Services 38 West Sylvania Avenue Neptune City, NJ 07753-6733 732-897-9553

This press release was issued through eReleases(R). For more information, visit eReleases Press Release Distribution at http://www.ereleases.com.

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Cowleys Termite & Pest Services Is Now a Certified Installer of TAP Pest Control Insulation

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Council waives patio fees

About business

Thai govt roadshow attracts investment from line-up of Korea's top companies & SMEs: electronics, electrical appliances, even solar power & electricity from garbage.

Photo above of PM Yingluck Shinawatra wearing a Hanbok, the traditional Korean dress worn on special occasions.

Click button to listen to Korea Investment in Thailand to download

INVESTMENT

Manufacturers assured no repeat of 2011 crisis 27/03/2012 Chatrudee Theparat

SEOUL : South Korean investors are determined to pour at least 12 billion baht into Thailand over the next two years.

Investments will be for both new and expansion projects in the electronics, electrical appliances, metal parts and agro-processing sectors.

Industry Minister M.R. Pongsvas Svasti said DAS Tech Co, a manufacturer of solar cell panels, is seeking Board of Investment (BoI) approval for an expansion project.. Another project comes from Daerim, a partner of Hyundai Heavy Industry, to generate power from garbage with an investment of 1 billion baht. That project has already won BoI privileges, and the factory may be located in Phetchaburi province.

Original post:
Korean Investment: 12 billion baht

Lonnie Wong FOX40 News

6:17 p.m. PDT, March 26, 2012

SACRAMENTO COUNTY

Sacramento County Water Officials are preparing residents in the county's delta area for a building ban brought on by the decertification of levees by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

That's because there are so many variables that assessing the safety of the levees surrounding Hood, Courtland and Walnut Grove would be a guessing game. Construction permits will be hard to come by.

"There will be no permits issued for room additions, new homes, new commercial or industrial properties, even a grain storage bin," said George Booth, a civil engineer for Sacramento Counties Water Resources Agency.

While a garage or a barn might be possible, a warehouse or a shop is likely to be built. It's similar to the building ban in Sacramento's Natomas neighborhood where any federally backed loan will not be approved.

The exception is if you build at flood level anywhere from 10 to 20 feet above the ground. In Natomas that's proved so expensive and so impractical that no one has done it.

And while the Natomas ban will be lifted once levee repairs are complete, Sacramento County's delta area won't be getting such relief. Rural reclamation districts can't afford to make major levee repairs and can't afford the detailed engineering analysis that can prove existing levees are safe.

Other variables like levee vegetation and global warming are impossible to quantify, making FEMA unable to assess the chances of flooding.

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Building Ban Result of FEMA's Levee Decertification

Formosa Epitaxy to expand MOCVD capacity in 2012

Siu Han, Taipei; Adam Hwang, DIGITIMES[Tuesday 27 March 2012]

Taiwan-based LED chip maker Formosa Epitaxy, in view of increasing demand for LED chips used in backlight units of LCD TV panels and lighting products, will expand its production capacity through adding six MOCVD sets at its domestic factory in the third quarter of 2012 and 12 sets at the factory of Canyang Optoelectronics, its subsidiary maker in eastern China, beginning in April.

Formosa Epitaxy has obtained increasing orders for LED chips from South Korea-based vendors of LCD TVs and additional orders from China-based LCD TV vendors. Consequently, Formosa Epitaxy has had utilization of its production capacity rising from 80% in January 2012 to 90% currently.

In addition to backlights for TV panels, Formosa Epitaxy has obtained orders from a China-based vendor of LED lighting products. Because its domestic production capacity is not enough to meet increased demand, Formosa Epitaxy has shifted portion of orders to Canyang and therefore will expand the subsidiary's production capacity by adding 12 MOCVD sets to 37 in total.

For its LED chips of small, medium and large sizes for use in indoor lighting, Formosa Epitaxy has attained a level of 110-130lm/W for starting volume production. In addition, Formosa Epitaxy has been cooperating with the government-sponsored Industrial Technology Research Institute to promote applications of LED lighting to agricultural production and fish farming.

Formosa Epitaxy gearing up for LED lighting applications Photo: Siu Han, Digitimes, March 2012

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Formosa Epitaxy to expand MOCVD capacity in 2012

By Carolyn Bandel - Tue Mar 27 10:01:44 GMT 2012

Natalie Behring/Bloomberg

Jacques Herzog and Pierre De Meuron created the Birds Nest for the Beijing Olympics.

Jacques Herzog and Pierre De Meuron created the Birds Nest for the Beijing Olympics. Photographer: Natalie Behring/Bloomberg

March 27 (Source: Bloomberg) -- Swiss architect Peter Maerkli discusses his approach to construction and the challenges specific to building in Switzerland. He spoke Feb. 8 with Bloomberg's Carolyn Bandel in Zurich. (This report is in Swiss German. Source: Bloomberg)

Tate Press Office via Bloomberg

The Swiss have proven that architectural prowess needs no translation, with Jacques Herzog and Pierre De Meuron creating the Birds Nest for the Beijing Olympics and converting a London power plant into the Tate Modern Museum, seen here.

The Swiss have proven that architectural prowess needs no translation, with Jacques Herzog and Pierre De Meuron creating the Birds Nest for the Beijing Olympics and converting a London power plant into the Tate Modern Museum, seen here. Source: Tate Press Office via Bloomberg

Gerry Ebner/Serpentine Gallery via Bloomberg

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Swiss Designers of Spas, Tate Modern Follow Le Corbusier