Industry News

>> 75th Anniversary Celebration Kicks Off for NAHB International Builders' Show
Source: nahbnow.com
NAHB’s International Builders’ Show officially opened at the Orange County Convention Center, where thousands of builders, remodelers, developers, exhibitors and other industry professionals will convene for the three-day tradeshow in Orlando. Every show is special, but this year’s event also marks the beginning of NAHB’s year-long celebration of its 75th anniversary. 

>> Justin Koscher Named PIMA President
Source: polyiso.org
The Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association (PIMA) announced that Justin Koscher, Director of Polyurethanes Markets at American Chemistry Council’s Center for Polyurethanes Industry (CPI), will assume presidency of the association as of January 1, 2017. Koscher succeeds Jared Blum who served as PIMA President from 1990 to 2016. 

>> Elite Comfort Solutions Appoints Chris Chrisafides as Chief Executive Officer
Source: finance.yahoo.com
Elite Comfort Solutions LLC (ECS) today announced that the board of directors has selected Chris Chrisafides as its Chief Executive Officer. Chrisafides most recently led Dow Chemical's North American $1.0+ billion polyurethane division as the Commercial Vice President. 

>> Let it Snow: How Solar Panels Can Thrive in Winter Weather
Source: energy.gov
If you live outside of the sunny Southwest, the weather can bring sudden changes this time of year. Many parts of the country have already seen snow, and the polar vortex has extended far enough south that even our nation’s capital has experienced a few deep chills. Although at first blush it may seem that solar power is ideal for the summer, solar photovoltaic (PV) panels actually produce useful power throughout all four seasons.

>> Western States See Migration Spike As Nationwide Population Growth Idles
Source: probuilder.com
CityLab reports that Utah, Nevada, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, and Arizona all experienced population growth rates of 1.6 percent in 2016 from 2015. Other sunny states, including Texas, Florida, and Georgia, also increased their growth last year.

>> Construction Spending Increases in November
Source: agc.org
Construction spending hit a 10-year high in November with monthly and year-over-year gains in both public and private categories, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the November data indicates that the 2017 outlook for construction is favorable even as they cautioned that demand will vary for different types of construction projects.