ASTM International Committee C15 on Manufactured Masonry Units has created a new subcommittee, C15.11 on Adhered Manufactured Stone Masonry Veneer. The purpose of C15.11 is to develop and maintain product specifications and installation guidelines for adhered manufactured stone masonry veneer.

Environmental Design + Construction is proud to announce a new green series of Web-based educational events: Green School Series-Fall.

These EduCasts, focused on environmentally friendly schools, are part of the magazine's Green Design Solutions commitment to providing education to the green building industry on hot topics including school design and construction.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has adopted several AIA recommendations on how to spend $400 million in funds provided by Congress for alternative housing programs in the hurricane-battered Gulf Coast region.

PrimeSource Building Products Inc. announced it is acquiring Pacific Steel and Supply, one of the largest independent nail distributors on the West Coast. The parties expect the transaction to close in late September.

California Expanded Metal Products Co. announces an alliance with Marino\WARE, creating one the largest ventures in manufacturing cold-formed steel framing and metal-lath systems in the country.

Named Expedius, the new alliance will capitalize on both company's multiple locations to create a national presence, as well as introduce a wide range of steel-framing products.

The PPG Coil & Extrusion Coatings Group has published a new brochure highlighting its new Certified Applicator Program (PPG/CAP).

The program is modeled after the Certified Fabricator Program, developed to serve the architectural glass market. Architects and building owners who purchase their coatings from a PPG Certified Applicator receive a full range of benefits, including access to an elite group of commercial coating applicators who are certified by PPG to apply high-performance exterior coatings, such as Duranar and Coraflon fluoropolymer coatings to metal architectural components.

The Scaffold Industry Association installed John R. Miller as president at its 34th annual convention in Baltimore, in July. Immediate Past-President Howard Schapira, Action Scaffold & Equipment Co., will remain for a two-year term.

Although a slowdown of the U.S. economy is expected, experts predict cement consumption this year to reach 129.6 million tons, an increase of 2.3 percent compared to 2005 levels, extending a three-year period of continual growth. Additional growth is forecasted for 2007, with a 1.2 percent consumption increase.

Benjamin Obdyke Inc. has opened a new warehouse facility in Atlanta. In addition to this opening, the company has brought on a new regional sales manager for the Southern region, as well as hired several new sales representatives to serve the needs of the southern building market.

USG Corp. announced that its gypsum recycling program partner, Gypsum Recycling America LLC, has begun collecting new gypsum wallboard scrap, which will be recycled and reused in USG's wallboard manufacturing operations.