At this year’s Intex Expo, held last week in Nashville, Lafarge announces that it is launching an improved version of its Rapid Deco L5 drywall. Samples of the new version were on display at the annual show.

DeWitt Co. has become an authorized converter and seller of Typar Premium Landscape Fabric, Typar Premium Landscape Fabric with QuikTear and Typar Professional Landscape Fabric, Fiberweb has announced.

At last week’s Intex Expo in Nashville, National Gypsum introduced e2XP Extended Exposure Shaftliner. The shaftliner is the primary component of cavity shaftwall systems that are designed to enclose elevator shafts, stairwells and other vertical chases, as well as Area Separation Fire Walls in multi-family housing.

In the aftermath of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire that took 146 lives in New York City in 1911, the modern workplace safety movement began with the founding of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) later that year.

Housing production continued to decline in February, the California Building Industry Association announced, but CBIA officials were optimistic as builders reported increased traffic at sales offices in recent weeks and cited the recently enacted state and federal tax credits as the primary cause.

The American Concrete Institute (ACI) introduced its new president, vice president, and four board members during the ACI Spring 2009 Convention in San Antonio, Texas.

Charlotte, N.C.-based National Gypsum announced in January that its complete line of XP interior gypsum products has achieved Greenguard Indoor Air Quality Certified status and Greenguard Children & Schools Certification.

Serious Materials, the leading energy-saving building materials company in the U.S., was recognized by President Obama as he addressed over 100 clean energy entrepreneurs and leading researchers at the “Investing in the Clean Energy Economy” event held March 23 in Washington, D.C.

Sustainable building materials company Serious Materials announced it would re-open the former Kensington Windows plant in Vandergrift, Pa. with a green ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The Strategic Development Council has announced its upcoming Session 25 meeting this spring to discuss several issues and initiatives facing the concrete industry. This gathering will take place May 21-22, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville.