Plans for the International Masonry Institute's new National Training Center were formally launched at a groundbreaking ceremony at the Bowie, Md., site. The two-building complex, totaling 106,000 square feet, will serve as the flagship training center for the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers, which represents masonry craftworkers in the United States and Canada.

In a landmark decision, members of the Light Gauge Steel Engineers Association provided approval in June to a proposal by the Steel Framing Alliance for LGSEA to become an operating council of SFA. The ballot, which received a "yes" by 75 percent of LGSEA voting members, adopts a set of operating procedures that provide autonomy over technical issues, including technical notes, design guides, and other products and activities intended for design professionals.

A Building Products Customer Information Center Spanish-language representative can be reached by calling (800) BUILD GP daily between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Eastern Standard Time.

Marino\Ware and Allied Studco, a division of Allied Tube and Conduit Corp., are joining to expand distribution of steel truss systems. Marino\Ware is incorporating Allied Studco's AmKey System as TrussRite, one of its components in its FrameRite Building System.

Following Hurricane Katrina's catastrophic strike on the Gulf Coast, Habitat for Humanity International is announcing an emergency appeal for funds to help Habitat families and other low-income families in the affected areas recover and rebuild.

This September, the International Code Council will consider key energy code changes at its upcoming annual conference.

Disaster Kleenup International Inc., North America's network of independent property damage restoration contractors, has responded in force to the significant emergency response challenges created by Hurricane Katrina.

Hunter Douglas has acquired 91.8 percent of Mermet and its global operations from the Mermet family. Headquartered in Veyrins, France, Mermet is a manufacturer of glass fiber sunscreen fabrics.

U.S. Gypsum Co. has announced plans to build a gypsum panel manufacturing plant in Washingtonville, Pa. The facility, valued at approximately $180 million, will enable the company to maintain pace with customer demand for wallboard products in the Northeast U.S.

The Northwest Wall and Ceiling Bureau has unveiled a new technical document, "Suspension Systems for Acoustical Lay-in Ceilings" to clarify the requirements of the new International Building Code for acoustical ceiling installation in Seismic Categories D, E and F.