Source: Apogee Enterprises.

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Glass-solutions specialist Apogee Enterprises reported its fiscal second-quarter earnings yesterday afternoon, and the maker of architectural glass and framing products gave investors another solid quarter of growth. With the stock responding favorably to its report, Apogee shareholders hope that the company can sustain even further growth both for the rest of the year and in future years.

Growth investors have counted on Apogee to deliver solid numbers, and the company had plenty of good news to report. Revenue for the quarter came to almost $232 million, up more than 30% from year-ago levels and well ahead of the roughly $218 million investors had expected to see. Operating income soared 66%, and even after adjusting for the positive impact of a tax credit, earnings per share came in at $0.35, which topped last year's figures by 60%.

Source: Apogee Enterprises.

Boding even better for the future was the fact that Apogee saw its backlog soar by 58% to more than $480 million. CEO Joseph Puishys noted that all three of Apogee's architectural segments produced huge amounts of revenue growth, and backlogs for all three as well as the optical technologies segment were up from the first quarter. Architectural glass sales rose 20%, while architectural services soared 41%, and architectural framing revenue topped the list at 55%, but with about half of that figure coming from Apogee's acquisition of Canadian storefront business Alumicor.

In addition to its past success, Apogee sees a bright future ahead. The company raised its earnings-per-share guidance for the full fiscal year, although the boost only reflected the one-time tax credit that Apogee earned rather than any intrinsic success in the company's operations. An increase in revenue guidance to growth of 20% is at the top end of Apogee's previous range, though, reflecting solid sales prospects. Even the optical technologies business, which hasn't seen the same growth as its other counterparts within the company, should recover enough to let the segment perform similarly to how it did last year.

For his part, Puishys is optimistic about the future. He specifically noted that Apogee's backlog is the largest in six years, boding well for the company's next fiscal year. The CEO was also proud that Apogee has been able thus far to overcome some higher labor costs in order to grow its business more quickly and meet increased demand. Reopening a previously closed facility and expanding existing capacity show the confidence Apogee has that conditions will remain good for the foreseeable future.

Source: Apogee Enterprises.

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Apogee Enterprises' Growth Is as Clear as Glass

Houston, Texas (PRWEB) September 13, 2014

For the past 25 years, Wade Architectural Systems has provided architectural products for a vast array of construction projects across the country. Its headquarters and lone location has always been in Humble, Texas. However, that is about to change. Recently, Wade Architectural Systems announced the expansion of its commercial architectural services to Louisiana.

The recent decision to establish a service center in the Pelican State reinforces the national scope of Wade Architectural Systems. The company has long been a panel systems stalwart in Texas, with its participation in commercial projects that include Galveston Station No. 4, the Council on Alcohol & Drugs, SYSCO Food Headquarters, the Agriculture & Life Sciences Complex of Texas A&M University, Stanaker Library, Community Resource Credit Union, the Kingwood Campus of Lone Star College, and the University of Texas Health Science Center School of Nursing. Out-of-state projects have included the Siemens Wind Turbine Nacelle Assembly Facility in Hutchinson, Kansas.

Commercial clients at Louisiana can expect to gain access to the wide range of product brands available at Wade Architectural Systems. Centria is a wall panel systems company, with its products manufactured with Advanced Thermal and Moisture Protection (ATMP) technology. VMZINC provides an expansive range of titanium zinc sheets, coils, and roofing and cladding products. Dri-Design relies on aluminum, copper, and zinc to make durable wall panel systems that make it unnecessary to add costly joint sealants or gaskets. Construction Specialties focuses on specific architectural features, such as grilles, louvers, expansion joint systems, and fire and explosion vents. Clients with high-end building faade needs can contact Wade Architectural Systems regarding Proclad Enterprises Ltd., which manufactures modular flat panels.

Wilkinson Hi-Rise, which is the world's largest manufacturer of trash and linen chutes, also provides compactors and automated recycling systems. With Epic Metals Corporation, clients can order long-span architectural roof deck systems. Products from many of the these brands have been extensively used on the aforementioned building projects.

About Wade Architectural Systems: Founded in 1988 by the father-and-son team of Lisle and Bill Wade, Wade Architectural Systems is a supplier of exterior architectural metal products to residential homes and corporate buildings in the Houston and Dallas metro areas. Wade Architectural Systems is headquartered at 1803 Humble Place Drive, Humble, TX 77338. The company can be contacted by sending an email to wade(at)wadearch(dot)com. For people in the Houston area, the number is 281-852-7900; otherwise there's the toll-free number, which is 1-888-952-5059. The website address of Wade Architectural Systems is http://www.wadearch.com

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FY15 SECOND QUARTER VS. PRIOR-YEAR PERIOD

COMMENTARY In our second quarter, we had exceptional revenue, earnings and backlog growth as our architectural markets strengthen and we gain market share, said Joseph F. Puishys, Apogee chief executive officer. All three architectural segments experienced significant growth in revenues and earnings. I am pleased that our architectural business is starting to deliver on its potential, even as we overcome some higher costs to expand our workforce and capacity.

Our backlog, which has grown to its highest level in six years, positions us well for the future most of the work we are currently bidding and booking will be delivered in our fiscal 2016, he said.

To support this rapid and I believe sustainable growth, we are investing in reopening our architectural glass facility in Utah and expanding our architectural finishing capacity, both projects starting in the second half of the current fiscal year, he said. In addition, we are excited that our new architectural coater, a major investment that will provide new product capabilities and improved productivity, went live in August.

FY15 SECOND-QUARTER SEGMENT AND OPERATING RESULTS VS. PRIOR-YEAR PERIOD

Architectural Glass

Architectural Services

Architectural Framing Systems

Large-Scale Optical Technologies

Consolidated Backlog

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Apogee Reports Significant Fiscal 2015 Q2 Sales, Earnings Growth

San Marcos, Texas (PRWEB) September 17, 2014

Wimberley Glassworks, one of the nations premier blown glass lighting studios today announced plans to showcase its striking installations for commercial properties at the Texas Society of Architects (TSA) 75th Annual Convention and Design Expo, November 6-8, in Houston.

Architects and other specifiers attending the conventions popular Design Expo will want to visit Wimberley Glassworkss booth (#516) to see vibrant video and photography of the award-winning studios nature-inspired, commercial installations around the country. These include A Sunrise at Matagorda Bay and The River of Glass installations, which complete the spacious lobbies of two prominent, Houston-area office buildings the Petrobas America building and Granite Properties Briarpark Green, respectively.

Wimberley Glassworks also will spotlight its collaborations with architectural firms on healthcare facilities such as Texas Childrens Hospitals Pavilion for Women which increasingly are being designed to create warm and welcoming spaces and environments for patients and their families.

Additionally, the studio plans to display TextureICE, a dazzling 37 x 38 translucent, textured glass chandelier that is representative of Wimberley Glassworks 2014-2015 commercial collection and the type of fixtures that architects and other specifiers can order.

While tenants decide to lease office space based on an multitude of factors, including cost, location, quality of the actual office space, furnishings and art in public areas, the landlords reputation and more, the look and feel of a lobby is a big part of the decision because it's the first impression of our future clients business home," said David R. Cunningham, Director of Development, Granite Properties, which operates in Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Houston and Los Angeles. Since 1991, Granite has developed or acquired more than 23 million square feet of commercial properties, with an emphasis on Class A office space.

Wimberley Glassworks has been a vital creative partner in helping Granite and our architects to brand our buildings with one-of-a-kind, blown glass lighting ensembles in the lobbies they are always the centerpiece of discussion when we open buildings to the public, said Cunningham. The studios original and spectacular creations are, by far, a superior option to off-the-shelf fixtures you see in other buildings or elaborate works by celebrity artists which, quite frankly, are over priced and repetitive."

Tim de Jong, owner and creative director of Wimberley Glassworks, will be available at the studios booth during the TSA design expo to discuss the highly collaborative approach that he and his team of artists, designers and engineers take when working with clients and architects. This approach ensures that every piece is designed and fabricated to meet exact specifications, enhance and beautify the space it will occupy, and also be easy to maintain.

We look forward to showing architects at this years expo how a custom-designed Wimberley Glassworks piece can further differentiate their commercial projects, said de Jong. Our creations, always tasteful and never gaudy, become a focal point in the spaces where theyre installed and have a calming effect they slow people down and promote wonder and reflection. Theyre a source of pride for tenants.

The TSA is the Lone Star state component of the American Institute of Architects. It is one of the nation's largest organizations for the architectural profession, with 17 regional chapters and more than 6,000 members.

Originally posted here:
Wimberley Glassworks Showcases Art Glass Lighting Installations for Office Buildings and Healthcare Facilities at ...

Houston, Texas (PRWEB) September 13, 2014

For the past 25 years, Wade Architectural Systems has provided architectural products for a vast array of construction projects across the country. Its headquarters and lone location has always been in Humble, Texas. However, that is about to change. Recently, Wade Architectural Systems announced the expansion of its commercial architectural services to Louisiana.

The recent decision to establish a service center in the Pelican State reinforces the national scope of Wade Architectural Systems. The company has long been a panel systems stalwart in Texas, with its participation in commercial projects that include Galveston Station No. 4, the Council on Alcohol & Drugs, SYSCO Food Headquarters, the Agriculture & Life Sciences Complex of Texas A&M University, Stanaker Library, Community Resource Credit Union, the Kingwood Campus of Lone Star College, and the University of Texas Health Science Center School of Nursing. Out-of-state projects have included the Siemens Wind Turbine Nacelle Assembly Facility in Hutchinson, Kansas.

Commercial clients at Louisiana can expect to gain access to the wide range of product brands available at Wade Architectural Systems. Centria is a wall panel systems company, with its products manufactured with Advanced Thermal and Moisture Protection (ATMP) technology. VMZINC provides an expansive range of titanium zinc sheets, coils, and roofing and cladding products. Dri-Design relies on aluminum, copper, and zinc to make durable wall panel systems that make it unnecessary to add costly joint sealants or gaskets. Construction Specialties focuses on specific architectural features, such as grilles, louvers, expansion joint systems, and fire and explosion vents. Clients with high-end building faade needs can contact Wade Architectural Systems regarding Proclad Enterprises Ltd., which manufactures modular flat panels.

Wilkinson Hi-Rise, which is the world's largest manufacturer of trash and linen chutes, also provides compactors and automated recycling systems. With Epic Metals Corporation, clients can order long-span architectural roof deck systems. Products from many of the these brands have been extensively used on the aforementioned building projects.

About Wade Architectural Systems: Founded in 1988 by the father-and-son team of Lisle and Bill Wade, Wade Architectural Systems is a supplier of exterior architectural metal products to residential homes and corporate buildings in the Houston and Dallas metro areas. Wade Architectural Systems is headquartered at 1803 Humble Place Drive, Humble, TX 77338. The company can be contacted by sending an email to wade(at)wadearch(dot)com. For people in the Houston area, the number is 281-852-7900; otherwise there's the toll-free number, which is 1-888-952-5059. The website address of Wade Architectural Systems is http://www.wadearch.com

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Wade Architectural Systems Expanding Commercial Architectural Services to Louisiana

Irvine, CA (PRWEB) September 11, 2014

Visioneering Studios, the nations leading Master Planner, Architect and Contractor of faith-based developments, announced this week that it is expanding its services to include real estate advisory services with two new key hires. John C. Cissel, II, SIOR has joined the firm as President of Visioneering Real Estate to provide real estate brokerage, development, and advisory services to its clients around the nation. Cissel comes with a wealth of experience from thirty years in the commercial real estate industry, having spent the last fifteen years serving hundreds of faith-based non-profits around the country with various real estate projects.

John comments, I am excited to start this new focus within Visioneering and look forward to working with the established team to further develop their already extensive design and construction service suite. I am fortunate to be joining such a group of thought leaders serving the faith-based community.

John is uniquely positioned to help churches and faith-based organizations in undertaking larger-scaled real estate projects - a service that is so desperately needed. I don't know of others who possess the background, expertise, and success in so many facets of both commercial and kingdom-centered real estate, and who are doing this work through a Christian organization that is solely focused on the faith-based non-profit community. - Rev. Tim Keller, Senior Pastor at Redeemer Presbyterian Church, New York City

Steven A. Chaparro has also joined the staff of Visioneering Studios as Project Developer. Since 1997, Chaparro has developed a unique set of skills honed by his varied experience in architecture, real estate development, financial advising, and church leadership. After graduating from the USC School of Architecture, he spent nearly six years as a project manager for WLC Architects. Over an additional ten years, he expanded his project management experience into entitlements and business operations with a national homebuilder, K. Hovnanian Homes and Storm Western Development. Along with several years as a licensed advisor, Chaparro has also served the last seventeen years as an ordained minister.

Our shared passion for the multi-disciplinary approach to creating environments and telling architectural stories offers our clients a unique perspective for the engineering of their visions. I have been a fan of Visioneering Studios for many years; its an honor to now be part of the team, Chaparro says.

Chaparros love for storytelling has led him to write on his blog UrbaSmyth as well as contribute to a hyper-local urbanism blog, LongBeachize.

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Visioneering Studio Introduces Real Estate Advisory Services

(MENAFN - The Peninsula) Qatar Industrial Manufacturing Company (QIMC), announced that it has awarded the consultancy services for their mixed use tower project to Arab Engineering Bureau (AEB), to be located in the West Bay area.

Following an international design competition, the team's design for three towers of various heights joined at the base by a 4-storey high podium has been chosen. AEB was awarded full architectural and engineering design services.

QIMC is a 24 years old company with prime focus on industrial manufacturing. It has equity interest in 17 operational projects in various industrial sectors. Having a share capital of QR396m, QIMC is listed in the Qatar Stock Exchange.

Hill International is the Project Management consultant and a global leader in managing construction risk.

The new project includes three towers, joined at the base, planned for hospitality, commercial and residential use. Drawing on its experience as designer of multitude of high-rises in the West Bay area, AEB's design is highly effective, both in terms of space planning and energy conservation. The outer faade design is based on the repetition of Titanium Dioxide molecular structure forming a uniform honey comb pattern, and will help reduce overall heat gain by the building.

The podium that connects three towers is intended for a retail space which perfectly complements the 23-storey grade A office tower, 29-storey hospitality hotel tower and 38-storey residential tower. The QIMC tower will offer ample amount of parking bays located on four basement levels.

Project valued at QR1bn, with a total build-up area of 120,000 square meters, is slated for completion in 2018.

AEB's design of the project intends to redefine skyscrapers as connecting agent between architecture and the city through the re-composition of surrounding urban context. Analyzing urban environment, project is situated along the inclined interlinking circulation system in order to enhance human interaction and extend streets throughout the entire building.

Abdulrahman Al Ansari, CEO at QIMC said: "Our decision to appoint AEB highlights our commitment to transform our current headquarters into an iconic building that reflects the highest standards and specifications. With over 48 years of experience being lead consultant of most successful developments in Qatar and the region, AEB brings a unique mix of local and international expertise that we and our future tenants will benefit greatly from."

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Qatar- QIMC awards consultancy deal to AEB

September 8, 2014 - Registrations are being accepted for American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) 2014 Fall Conference onSeptember 1417 in Westminster (Denver), CO. Exhibitor spots for Supplier Product Display are also available. Speakers will include Michael Hodgson (ConSol founder), Dick Doyle,as well asSherwin-Williams representatives Kathy Andersson and Eric Crosby. Also, attendees can test their knowledgevia game show to win discountsfor FenestrationMasters courses and exams. American Architectural Manufacturers Association 1827 Walden Office Sq #104 Schaumburg, IL, 60173 USA Press release date: September 3, 2014

Schaumburg, Illinois -- The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) is still accepting registrations for the upcoming AAMA 2014 Fall Conference. It will be held Sept. 14-17 in Westminster (Denver), Colorado. An action-packed week in the heart of the Centennial State has been planned for attendees, who can test their industry knowledge with a game show during the Product Supplier Display, and enjoy a night on the town at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Those interested in making a hotel reservation at the Westin in Westminster may contact Florence Nicolici directly.

Exhibits Exhibitor spots for the Supplier Product Display are still available, although time is running out to join the 14 currently filled. This opportunity is offered to Category 1 supplier members and provides the opportunity to exhibit products and services during an informal reception. Exhibitors are able interact with a number of potential customers without the added expense of separate trips or time away from the office. Local architects, specifiers and other industry professionals also have been invited to attend.

While at the display, attendees can test their knowledge by playing Are You Smarter than a FenestrationMaster? and win discounts off FenestrationMasters courses and exams. Players can earn savings on the only publicly available professional education and certification program by correctly answering questions from the course work.

Networking Attendees also can look forward to optional Sunday events, including a Colorado Foothill sightseeing tour with a visit to the Coors Brewery and a golf scramble tournament. The tour will be from 8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the golf scramble will have a 9 a.m. tee time. A group outing for dinner and karaoke at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre will happen Tuesday night starting at 4 p.m.

During these networking events and throughout the conference, attendees are encouraged to tweet using the hashtag #AAMAConf and mention @AAMAinfo.

To stay in the loop and have a custom-built agenda in your pocket all week, attendees can download the free AAMA app. During the Fall Conference, app users can receive notifications with pertinent event information, connect and interact with AAMA staff, take notes during conference sessions and much more. The app is available in the iTunes App Store and on Google Play.

Speakers Michael Hodgson, ConSol founder, has more than three decades worth of experience in making new and existing buildings more energy efficient. His presentation, California Regulatory Proceedings Impacting the Nation, will be given Tues., Sept. 16. Hodgson will discuss how Californias leading edge energy policy is driving the market to time-of-use energy pricing, incentivizing ways to reduce peak load and detailing how the policy impacts energy choices in buildings.

Additional speakers will include Dick Doyle, who will present an update on The Vinyl Institute, and Sherwin-Williams representatives Kathy Andersson and Eric Crosby, who will give an aluminum-focused presentation on coatings trends and residential and commercial exteriors.

Spouses On Monday, spouses attending the conference are invited to roll up their sleeves from 9-11 a.m. to fill backpacks with school supplies to benefit a Title I elementary school serving underprivileged children in the Westminster area.

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AAMA Fall Conference Registration Deadline Approaching

DUBAI, UAE (PRWEB) September 04, 2014

Seeking to both expand and strengthen its base in the Middle East, Inpros Dubai Middle East operation has entered into a distributorship agreement with Quadros International. The new pact covers sales and marketing of Inpro products in the country of Qatar.

From its original founding, Quadros focus was to support the interior decorating and finishing requirements for the residential and commercial construction industry in the GCC , Middle East & North Africa (MENA) regions. In its agreement with Inpro, Quadros will market and distribute the entire range of products and services, including: IPC Door and Wall Protection Systems, JointMaster Expansion Joint Systems and Clickeze Privacy systems.

When you consider where Quadros is positioned, its fit as a distributor could not be any better from our perspective, said Christopher Gould, head of Inpros Dubai Middle East operations. The added bonus for us is that Quadros is a top-flight organization with tremendous reach, expertise and financial strength. For us, its going to be great having a partner like that to work with they understand our products, and they have tremendous depth in construction and project management.

We have watched the construction industry become more sophisticated, and today applies international standards product and services, said Panos Athanasopoulos, Managing Director of Quadros International. We are honored Inpro trusted us with the responsibility of representing their products and services in the most-demanding projects currently under construction and development. He added that, Inpros decision to bring all the brands under one umbrella can only be beneficial to the local industry since Quadros will be available to service all requirements irrespective of the type of project be it Healthcare, Hospitality or Commercial

# # #

About Inpro

Since 1979, Inpro has been making and servicing products with an obsessive commitment to protecting the appearance of buildings and the health and safety of the people who use them. Inpro is the worlds premier manufacturer of door and wall protection, washroom systems, expansion joint systems, privacy systems and architectural signage.

To learn more, visit Inpros website.

About Quadros International

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Inpro Dubai operation enters distributorship agreement with Quadros International

Artists rendition of Acqua Private Residences

MANILA, PhilippinesPublicly traded Century Properties will diversify into commercial leasing. This was the strategy the company will pursue as announced by its chairman and founder Jose E.B. Antonio during its recent annual stockholders meeting.

Century Properties is eyeing to develop more than 150,000 square meters to comprise its leasing portfolio that is expected to generate P1 billion of revenues when this is completed in 2019.

The company is now evolving from being a top residential developer in Metro Manila to a leading well diversified real estate developer with significant recurring and predictable revenue streams, Antonio said.

In the next several years, the 28-year-old property firm will turn over buildings from its portfolio of luxury, middle-income and affordable residential condominiums, as well as retail and medical office developments.

Century Properties chief operating officer Marco R. Antonio said: The next years will be very busy for the company as we see through the completion of our projects. More importantly, this period will be a joyous occasion for unit owners who are looking forward to the projects completion and turnover.

From 2012 to 2019, Century Properties is scheduled to deliver 31 buildings. It was in 2012 that Century started operating as a public company. Prior to this, the company has already completed 25 condominiums totaling 873,127 square meters with 8,777 units.

Of the 31 buildings, Century has already completed six. These are Gramercy Residences, Knightsbridge Residences, Azure Urban Resort Residences towers 1 to 3 and Century City Mall. Located at Century City, Gramercy has 73 floors above ground and with a total height of 250 meters from ground to architectural top. Knightsbridge is a 64-story tower that pays homage to the carefree and fun-loving spirit of Cool Britannia. Delivered in 2013, it is the second condominium to open in Century City.

The 31 buildings are not all residential but will include retail, office and medical office since Century recently announced plans to develop assets that will bring recurring income revenues to the company.

In March the company started this series of projects completion as it launched the Century City Mall, Makatis newest mall in nearly 10 years. The 50,000-square-meter, five-level lifestyle center is the first of the companys string of retail centers as it is looking into expanding this new portfolio in other master-planned developments.

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Century Properties to diversify into commercial leasing