Shares of Apogee Enterprises, Inc. ( APOG ) reached a new 52-week high of $45.16 on Nov 11 and eventually closed trade at $44.94. The stock price appreciation continues to be fueled by Apogee's robust backlog and strength in architectural markets that has set the momentum for improved results in 2015.

Apogee has delivered a solid one-year return of about 36.2% and year-to-date return of 26.7%, outperforming the S&P 500. Average volume of shares traded over the last three months is approximately 225K.

This Minneapolis-based leader in technologies for design and development of value-added glass products, services and systems has a market cap of $1.29 billion and long-term estimated earnings per share growth rate of 10%.

Strengths of Apogee

Shares of Apogee have started gaining since the company reported second-quarter fiscal 2015 results on Sep 16. Apogee's earnings per share in the quarter improved 67% year over year to 35 cents aided by a strong architectural market. Earnings also benefitted from an IRS 48C energy-efficiency investment tax credit, with startup and commercial production of coatings on the new architectural glass coater.

Backlog increased across the board and was at the highest level in the last 6 years at $480 million. Approximately 59% of the backlog or $285 million, is expected to be delivered in fiscal 2015 and the balance 41% or around $195 million in fiscal 2016 and beyond.

Apogee's architectural businesses are gaining share as revenues for all of them increased 34%. Organic growth at 25% was well above the expected 10% market growth this year. Moreover, based on the robust bidding activity, the company guided revenue growth of 20% (up from the previous 15% to 20% range) and earnings per share in the range of $1.62 to $1.72, for fiscal 2015.

Apogee has reopened its Architectural Glass facility in Utah. The facility, which has been closed since Apr 2013, will resume operations by Jan 2015. This will help the company to meet the growing demand for Architectural Glass. Apogee will also expand its Architectural Finishing facility in Wausau, WI by the second half of fiscal 2016. This will add more than 50% capacity to a critical growth operation.

The Viracon architectural glass fabrication business, in its Architectural Glass segment, continues to benefit from the U.S. tall-building sector, which is at its peak since 2007. The segment has also been gaining from improved operating leverage and pricing.

In the Architectural Framing Systems segment, the U.S. storefront business will benefit from price increases and will continue to be a profit driver for Apogee moving forward. Despite delivering a decline in revenues and profits in the second quarter, demand for the Large-Scale Optical segment is expected to pick up in the third quarter for holiday picture framing glass and acrylic requirements.

Link:
Apogee Hits 52-Week High on Strong Architectural Markets - Analyst Blog

Canonsburg, PA (PRWEB) November 11, 2014

Universal Electrics Starline DC Solutions and the EMerge Alliance are at the center of the initiative to bring 380V direct current (dc) power to data centers and commercial buildings. On November 12, co-location provider Steel ORCA will host an open house at its facility in Monmouth, NJ, which will include a 380V dc Interactive Showcase (380V dc IS@SO) as one of the highlights. The showcase features Chip2Grid technology from Starline DC Solutions, the first UL listed commercial-scale 380V dc power system from Emerson Network Power, 380V dc powered IT equipment from Lenovo, Hewlett Packard, and UNICOM Global, and is recognized by the EMerge Alliance.

The direct current implemented at Steel ORCA is actually a hybrid ac/dc solution designed to enable direct current technologies to evolve, said Dennis Cronin, Steel ORCA COO and Co-founder of the 7x24 Exchange. This evolution can help data centers meet their two primary objectives of increasing reliability and decreasing operating costs.

On November 12, Starline DC Solutions Engineering Director David E. Geary, PE will also address the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) about the incentives 380V dc can provide utilities to attract technology companies to their markets, as well as the incentives 380V dc can provide companies that are looking to upgrade their technology to more energy efficient solutions, such as converged infrastructure.

On November 17, Starline DC Solutions Director Tim Martinson will speak at the University of Pittsburghs ninth annual Electric Power Industry Conference to update attendees on the impact dc power has on data center architectures. A distinguished panel will then discuss how ac and dc microgrids are changing the way we will use power now and into the future. http://www.engineering.pitt.edu/epic/

For further information about the November 12 open house at Steel ORCA, please visit the event website at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/building-data-environments-nowfor-the-future-registration-13731981727.

About Universal Electrics Starline DC Solutions Universal Electric Corp. of Canonsburg, PA (UEC, Pittsburgh) has created the new division to provide a complete, turn-key system for safe and reliable use of 380V dc in data center applications. Universal Electric Corp., the leader in customizable ac and dc power distribution solutions, has been an industry innovator for more than 85 years. STARLINE DC Solutions is part of a natural progression to revolutionize electrical power distribution in data centers, industrial manufacturing facilities, retail chains and grocery stores worldwide. For more information please visit http://www.uecorp.com/busway/StarlineDC/

About Steel ORCA Located in the center of the Princeton Technology Corridor, Steel ORCA Princeton is a strategically located data center in New Jersey. It will boast data connections of less than a millisecond to/from New York City and Philadelphia. Multiple carriers are on site. The center currently offers wholesale & retail Co-Lo, and a full suite of managed services business continuity Future Phases will include a large Cloud environment and a groundbreaking Digital Burst Environment with full Digital Utility options. http://www.steelorca.com

About University of Pittsburgh The University of Pittsburghs Gregory Reed, William Stanchina, and Brandon Grainger of the Swanson School of Engineering, ECE Dept. think that it might be time to redirect our attention to direct current. Equipped with a recent $800,000 grant from the Henry L. Hillman Foundation for leveraging dc power to transform the Pittsburgh Region, the three professors are approaching the promise of dc power from a perspective that specifically addresses dc technology and is focused on finding ways to, in the not-too-distant future, convert the longstanding ac power grid to a dc grid, which they believe has become a more efficient and logical way of addressing energy delivery needs in the 21st century and beyond. They are also collaborating with Bopaya Bidanda of the Swanson School and John Camillus of Pitts Katz Business School, who are working on the project in a way that addresses the potential of DC technology to positively impact the economy, the natural environment, and quality of life. http://www.chronicle.pitt.edu/story/hillman-gives-grant-aid-project-direct-current-power

About the EMerge Alliance The EMerge Alliance is a nonprofit, open network of more than 90 organizations reinventing electric power through the development of forward-thinking standards for the highly efficient use of hybrid AC/DC power in a variety of buildings. These standards focus on delivering dc power directly to digital electronics and power storage systems, simplifying the use of locally produced clean energy and making systems more flexible, resilient and sustainable. The EMerge Alliance Registered product program is the industrys only program designed to simplify the use and adoption of dc power products. Learn more at http://www.EMergeAlliance.org.

Visit link:
380V Direct Current (DC) Data Center Architectural Advancements: Evolution not Revolution

Greenville, GA (PRWEB) November 06, 2014

Diamond T Manufacturing, Inc., a leading national manufacturer of specialty architectural features, is proud to announce an all-new website. Launched in late October 2014, the site is a first for the Georgia-based company, operated by Terry Sowers, Jamie Eason, and Paul Cormier, who specialize in custom fabricated and finished ornamental metal products for the commercial construction industry. Architects, business owners, contractors, and builders alike can now visit http://www.diamondtmanufacturing.com/.

We pride ourselves on offering a broad variety of services for commercial construction, said Cormier. Our new website showcases our Xpressive product line of specialty architectural features that also includes art, benches, bike racks, information displays and more."

Diamond T Manufacturing, Inc. is a manufacturer of custom fabricated architectural features operating out of a 30,000 square foot facility south of Atlanta, Georgia. Inside are a CNC laser, turret,and press brakes that allow for custom fabricated and finished ornamental metal products for the commercial construction industry. Each piece is processed through the latest CAD technology that creates component integration modeling to ensure proper fit of all project components. Frequently used materials are aluminum, stainless steel, galvanized steel, copper and more with additional services such as plate rollers, MIG, TIG, and resistance welders, polishing, automated fastener insertion, powder coating, and even screen printing.

Named in honor of the Diamond T American truck line, Diamond T Manufacturing, Inc. shares the same vision of providing an unsurpassed collaboration of quality, design, and innovation. Positioned as a business solution provider, Diamond T Manufacturing, Inc.s best practices have been developed from years of manufacturing and contracting experiences. Each team member has more than two decades of experience in strategic planning, lead development, contract administration, project quality control and closeout experience in addition to their technical prowess, said Cormier.

To learn more about Diamond T Manufacturing, Inc., visit http://www.diamondtmanufacturing.com/

About Diamond T Manufacturing, Inc.

Diamond T Manufacturing, Inc. Inc. is a leading manufacturer of custom fabricated and finished specialty architectural features for the commercial construction industry. Based in western Georgia, the company provides the exclusive Xpressive product line and custom fabrications. For more information, call 706.672.8021 or visit http://www.diamondtmanufacturing.com/ ###

Read more:
Diamond T Manufacturing, Inc. Launches All-New Website

Signal Hill, CA (PRWEB) November 03, 2014

Mark Grisafe, owner of M. Grisafe Architects, received the Chai Award for Outstanding Voluntary Service from the Alpert Jewish Community Center of Long Beach, Ca. The Alpert Jewish Community Center presented the volunteer service award to Mr. Grisafe on September 7, 2014, at a community-wide meeting brunch. Members of the M Grisafe Architects team, volunteers and staff, and residents of the Long Beach community attended the annual event at the center.

The more than 2,300 member Alpert Jewish Community Center (AJCC) offers programs and services for individuals of all faiths throughout Long Beach. Grisafe has volunteered his architectural expertise at the AJCC for the past several years.

Grisafe's work at the AJCC includes small construction projects and serving as the architectural resource for the AJCC's Facilities Task Force. In this capacity, the AJCC recognizes Mr. Grisafe as instrumental to a number of the AJCC's recent and upcoming architectural improvement projects.

For Grisafe, who points to his family as having instilled in him a tradition of community service, the Chai Award for Outstanding Voluntary Service is an honor, "but the real reward is having had the opportunity to meet so many good people." On the connection between community service and building a successful small business, Grisafe says, "building the charitable spirit into the company's business model was an obvious choice."

News of the award and its connection to the work and mission of M Grisafe Architects was first reported on the company blog and has received a large and enthusiastic response from the companys clients, contacts, friends and members of the community online via social media and offline.

About M. Grisafe Architects

M. Grisafe Architects is a full service commercial and residential architecture firm based in the Long Beach, Ca area. Grisafe provides a broad range of commercial architectural services including expertise in building design, tenant improvements, commercial interior design and more. The firm also provides residential architectural services including construction documents, landscape and yard design, and interior design. Learn more about the firm at http://mgrisafearchitect.com/long-beach-architects-architectural-design-firm/

View original post here:
M. Grisafe Architects Recognized for Outstanding Voluntary Service by AJCC, Long Beach

Consented Auckland housing and retail development land goes on the market for sale

A greenfield mixed-use development site in the heart of the Silverdale retail and community services complex on Aucklands northern boundary has been placed on the market for sale.

The 1.034 hectare site is bordered by the Northern Arena indoor swimming pool complex on one side, and Silverdale Shopping Centre on the other with a slip-road to the Millwater Parkway access road on its remaining boundary.

The land is already consented for the development of 31 terraced houses and two apartment buildings, as well as a mixed use block, and is being sold through an international tender process by Bayleys Real Estate, with offers being taken until October 15.

Bayleys international sales team leader James Chan said phase one of the consent was for construction of five blocks of triple-storey three and four bedroom townhouses with projected sales values upwards of $559,000. Each unit will have two car parks along with its own private open space. The development has been named The Rise.

While all five residential blocks contain units based on a standard design format, a variety of building materials and architectural treatments have been chosen for use across the development to create visual interest, he said.

Phase two is two apartment buildings with food and beverage and retail outlets operating at ground level around an open plaza, and some 42 apartments in the three storeys above. Parking for these apartments would be underneath the building and accessed by a ramp, said Mr Chan.

Then on the corner of the land, there is enough space for further retail space with residential units above.

Comprehensive plans have already been drawn up for the proposed housing complex, and Mr Chan said these were included in the sale offering.

Mr Chan said the freehold land and its consent supported the aims of the Auckland Unitary Plan for the establishment of more intensive housing zones located immediately adjacent to social infrastructure and within easy reach of public transport.

See the original post:
Auckland housing and retail development land goes on market

The Blackwood Street Bunker has been shorn of extraneous accretions. Photo: Lisbeth Grosmann

This brutalist pile in Blackwood Street North Melbourne is dubbed the "Blackwood Street Bunker" by Clare Cousins Architects.The monumental two-level building includes Cousins' practice, as well as other creatives.

"We searched the council records and discovered when it was built [1979], but not who designed it," Cousins said.

Fortunately, when Cousins moved into the building less than a year ago, only cosmetic changes had been made. Rudimentary partitions dissected many of the offices, a number of which were medical services, allied to the hospitals nearby.

So when the architects moved in, along with the Maben Group, a commercial construction company that occupies the same level, less, rather than more, was the mantra from the outset.

Advertisement

And in some instances, the process was stripping away rather than adding.

"It's a fine example of brutalism. The materials, particularly the off-form concrete, have been beautifully conceived," said Cousins, who occupies about 120 square metres of the second level.

While the 1980s partitions were relatively easy to remove, the mustard-coloured render on the building's facade required considerably more effort. With the render removed, the building presented a striking form to the street.

The interior was also handled with "kid gloves". Apart from opening up rear windows and doors to an existing eastern terrace and inserting steel handrails to meet building standards, the shell is virtually intact.

Go here to see the original:
Architectural 'brutalism' rises to an old level

Blueprint is a professional architectural practice. Our work contains a combination of residential, commercial and industrial architectural projects, with clients from across Wrexham, Crewe, Chester, and beyond. Many of these architectural projects vary from a single room extension through to housing and apartment developments of 100+ units. Our industrial and commercial clients, who Blueprint have been instructed by, also range from extending their existing facilities to new innovative project builds.

Blueprint offer a free initial site visit and consultation which enables us to assess the project and provide advice on the feasibility from both a building, planning and construction perspective. From here we are able to review costs and advise on budget figures for the overall build and for our experienced architectural services.

Our team here at Blueprint obtain a wealth of experience and have gained high recognition for producing quality work in relation to listed buildings and would be more than happy to assist with conversion works and sensitive projects.

Our comprehensive and thorough approach can be tailored to your exact requirements and budget. Our services can include initial feasibility studies and planning applications, detailed drawing packages for building regulations and construction, through to design and build. Once more, we are happy to provide expert advice on the level of involvement your project may require from our initial consultation.

Due to the demand for our services, we have generated an impressive and qualified team to help you with every aspect of your project. Our growth has been generated and developed through word of mouth due to our outstanding reputation.

For a free quote and consultation call us today

See the article here:
Blueprint Architectural Services

ABILENE, Texas -

Buffalo Gap Road was once a mainly residential area, but now commercial buildings are becoming more popular. For business owners it is a great opportunity to expand and expose their business, however people living in the area are not so sure.

Buffalo Gap Road is an area that experiences high traffic, that is why Duane Martin, Director of Architectural and Engineering Services of Hendrick Health System, wanted Hendrick to expand there.

"We primarily chose that area because of the growth in that area," Martin said, "and literally the volume of people that go up and down that highway."

Hendrick's new building will be 38,000 square feet, with facilities large enough for 11 physicians as well as a radiology lab. It is expected to be completed in September of 2015.

Owner of Fire House Fitness, Timothy Smith, also chose Buffalo Gap for a new expansion for his gym. He chose the location because of the high volume of traffic, hoping to make his gyms more accessible.

"It is a well trafficked street, a well known street," Smith said, "everyone in town knows Buffalo Gap Road, so we chose this area for accessibility."

In order to use the location on Buffalo Gap Road it needs to be rezoned under commercial use, and that will be determined by City Council on November 6th.

The increased volume of people and cars has helped local businesses, but many of the residents we spoke to felt that the traffic on Buffalo Gap Road was terrible.

Blanca Aguilera, a grandmother and resident, believed the traffic to be a safety concern.

More:
Buffalo Gap Road area booming, residents react

Northern California's Premier Architectural Woodwork & Cabinetry Provider

At Commercial Casework we manufacture and install custom architectural millwork. We can provide a turn-key solution by providing a complete bid package that includes, but is not limited to; Solid Surface, Metal Paneling, Glass Tops, Acrylic Panels, Veneer, Plastic Laminate, and numerous other finishes. See our Materials page for more info on the types of materials we work with and/or are able to provide and install. Our customers count on us to perform with the highest attention to detail, meet stringent project schedules and provide customer service that cannot be obtained anywhere else. A majority of our equipment is fully integrated with modern software packages, however for the items that require custom craftsmanship; we have a full service custom manufacturing department with highly skilled tradesmen that are members of Carpenters Union Local 2236 that have been with us for over 20 years. See our Projects tab for more information on some of the work we have completed.

In addition to providing top notch customer service, we are able to provide competitive rates with our outstanding safety record. If required, we are bondable in excess of 10 million dollars at a very competitive rate.

Continued here:
Commercial Casework | Architectural Millwork | Custom Woodwork

The BUILDINGS brand serves commercial building owners and facilities management professionals for commercial real estate. BUILDINGS brand offers its audience of commercial building owners and facilities management professionals information on the development, construction, modernization, management and operations of commercial buildings as well as the products and services needed to support such commercial buildings and facilities management. With the information we offer, we help facilities management professionals make smarter decisions for commercial buildings.

BUILDINGS delivers relevant and timely information that equips commercial building owners and facilities management professionals with the knowledge and support they need to solve critical issues; energy management, lowering operating costs, new products for commercial buildings, security, and much more.

BUILDINGS provides facilities management professionals commercial buildings tips and trends trough online webinar events (BuildingsVIP), monthly newsletters, whitepapers and case studies.

In addition to content, BUILDINGS features a comprehensive list of products and services and is your link to the companies that provide these valuable facilities management and commercial buildings resources.

You also have the opportunity to maintain your commercial buildings certifications with BUILDINGS. Continuing Education Units are available with approved content from BOMI.

Read more:
BUILDINGS - Facility Management and Commercial Building ...