Category Archives: Business

Business, Marketing

UglyDeck.Com Announces Investment Opportunity with a New Outdoor Deck

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UglyDeck.com helps homeowners find smart ways to improve their home and get a nice return on their investment.

Burnsville, MN, USA — Homeowners looking to renovate or increase the value of their home face many options on how to do so. While some DIY or renovation projects might seem like a worthwhile investment, there are others that will not recoup their value on resale as you might hope. For instance, remodeling a bathroom is something that would appeal to future homeowners if you’re looking to resell your house in the future. And though a bathroom remodel will increase a home’s value, it won’t equate to the amount of money invested. In fact, some projects like a bathroom renovation, a new front door, or a custom-built closet may only recoup a little over 50% of their value when reselling a house.

There are tactics for investing in upgrades that result in smart returns on investment, such as building an outdoor deck. Adding a deck to an outdoor space increases livable space and square footage for a home at a much smaller cost per square foot than indoor house additions. According to the National Association of Home Builders, the national average for building a typical two-story, 2,000 square foot house is around $85 per square foot. Comparing that to the cost to build a deck at around $35 per square foot, it’s easy to see how a deck addition is a smart investment.

Not only is building decks a smart way to improve a home for future resale, it’s also a way for current homeowners to enjoy their house as well. Choosing the right outdoor decking material, such as UglyDeck.com’s maintenance free decking material, will not only be a durable and hassle-free choice now, but something that will appeal to future buyers too.

If there’s an existing deck in need of a repair or cosmetic upgrade, the deck builders at UglyDeck.com can help find decorative railings, an outdoor spiral staircase, or deck refinishing options to help turn the deck into a focal selling point of the home. In the UglyDeck.com showroom, customers can see firsthand the different options they have available to them for their deck and can work with UglyDeck.com to find the perfect solution for their home and budget.

Contact UglyDeck.com to request a quote or to get started on your deck today.

Media Contact:
Bill Barton
UglyDeck.com
12277 Nicollet Ave S.
Burnsville, MN 55337
952-736-3308
info@uglydeck.com
http://www.uglydeck.com

Business, Electronics

Fulham Announces Acquisition of Lumotech’s LED Driver Business to Expand European Presence for LED Lighting Products

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Acquisition of Dutch Company’s LED Driver Business Strengthens Fulham’s European Channels and Brings New Sustainable Lighting Solutions to Global OEMs and Distributors.

Hawthorne, CA, USA — Fulham Company Group, a leading supplier of lighting components and electronics for commercial and specialty applications, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire certain assets of the LED Driver business of Lumotech, based in Alkmaar, Netherlands, from Nualight, a manufacturer of specialty LED products. With completion of this acquisition, Lumotech will become Fulham’s new European Design Centre.

With this acquisition agreement, Fulham will be able to offer a more extensive line of LED drivers to OEMs and distributors throughout Europe. Fulham also will be able to take advantage of Lumotech’s existing sales and distribution channels for Fulham sustainable lighting products, including the new HotSpot Plus, an all-in-one LED emergency lighting system with a dimmable LED driver and a replaceable battery.

“This strategic acquisition will give our European customers immediate access to the latest LED drivers and systems, and it will provide Fulham with new sales opportunities in Asia-Pacific, Middle East, and other regional markets where LED lighting is in demand,” said Bob Howard-Anderson, CEO of Fulham Company Group. “In addition, creating a new European Design Centre will put Fulham in a better position to serve our global customers, especially since Europe leads the market in LED luminaire design technology.”

The asset acquisition is expected to be complete on June 30, 2016. The terms of the acquisition were not made public.

About Fulham
Fulham Company Group is a leading global provider of intelligent, sustainable commercial lighting components and electronics for use in commercial general lighting, parking structure, signage, horticultural, UV and other applications. The company develops and manufactures a variety of award-winning LED and emergency products, as well as legacy products across multiple lighting platforms. Fulham sells its lighting solutions worldwide through original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and electrical equipment distribution channels. Headquartered in Hawthorne, Calif., the company has sales and/or manufacturing facilities in the U.K., China, India and the UAE. For more information, visit http://www.fulham.com.

About Nualight
Founded in 2005 in Cork, Ireland, Nualight is a specialist European LED lighting company selling predominately refrigeration lighting into the world’s leading grocery retailers, refrigeration display case manufacturers, specialist refrigeration wholesalers and distributors. With a heritage in award winning, market leading solutions and due to its progressive and nimble approach, Nualight is also privileged to serve select key accounts within industrial and infrastructure applications.

Nualight is funded by major Cleantech investors: Adaxia Capital Partners and ESB Novusmodus managed by Greencoat Capital and has a sales presence throughout Europe and Australia. For further information, please visit http://www.nualight.com.

Fulham Contact:
Andy Firchau
Marketing Manager
Phone: +1 (323) 779-2980, ext. 1252
afirchau@fulham.com

Nualight Contact:
Pam Chahal-Harris
VP Global Marketing & Communication
Mobile: +44 (0)7584 560069
pharris@nualight.com

Business, Food & Beverage

Tortilla Industry Association Inducts Mi Rancho®’s Robert Berber Jr. Into TIA Hall of Fame

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Late President of Mi Rancho Honored for Contribution to the Tortilla Industry.

San Leandro, CA, USA — Mi Rancho® (http://www.mirancho.com), a Bay Area food innovator in the production and global distribution of tortillas and Mexican foods, is pleased to announce that the late president of the company, Robert Berber Jr., has been inducted into the Tortilla Industry Association’s Hall of Fame. Berber, who passed away in January, was honored at the TIA’s 26th Annual Convention and Trade Expo held in Valley Center, California, last week.

Robert Berber Jr. was singled out for his legacy as a pioneer in the tortilla industry. Berber inherited the leadership of Mi Rancho from his father, Robert Berber Sr., who purchased the business in 1954 when it was an Oakland Mexican grocery store noted for making exceptional tortillas. Robert Berber Jr. assumed ownership of the store in 1974 and built Mi Rancho into a Bay Area tortilla brand noted for the superior quality and consistency of its food products, and the purity of its ingredients. Today, under the guidance of the current president, Manuel Berber, Mi Rancho has become a national brand.

“I am honored to accept the TIA’s Hall of Fame plaque on behalf of my grandfather,” said Alex Berber, Business Development Manager for Mi Rancho. “He was an extremely hard working man with a strong work ethic, treating every employee with respect and gratitude. His greatest pride was seeing the success my father, Manuel, has brought to Mi Rancho and knowing that my brother, Andrew, and I would one day run this company that he loved so much.”

Today Mi Rancho makes more than 1.3 billion tortillas each year. The company continues to make tortillas applying the same traditional methods used by Robert Berber Sr. and Robert Berber Jr. Mi Rancho’s corn tortillas are made from whole kernel corn that is carefully cooked and steeped with lime for up to 10-12 hours. The corn is then stone-ground with lava stones for a unique texture and flavor. Mi Rancho also uses local ingredients grown in California, and it offers organic, Non-GMO corn and flour tortillas.

About Mi Rancho
Mi Rancho® is an innovator in the specialty foods market specializing in tortillas and Mexican food products. Founded as a family-run Mexican bakery and grocery store in Oakland in 1939, Mi Rancho started to expand in the 1950s, providing tortillas to local restaurants. Today the company remains family owned and operated by the third generation of the Berber family, with plans of succession to the fourth generation currently working within the company. Mi Rancho produces 4.5 million tortillas each day or 1.3 billion tortillas each year, serving various segments including food service, retail, industrial, and international. Despite Mi Rancho’s growth, the company is still operated with a passion for excellence and a commitment to produce the best quality tortillas made from local California ingredients.

For more information, visit Mi Rancho on the web at http://www.mirancho.com.

Contact:
Tom Woolf
Director of PR, Gumas Advertising
415-621-7575
twoolf@gumas.com

Business

Northwire Presents Cable Engineering Opportunities at Upcoming Career Fair

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NWI, the leader in custom cable and wire hosts career fair to recruit cable engineering TEAM.

Osceola, WI, USA — Along with their staffing partners, MPS Technical and Spartan Staffing, Northwire will host a career fair June 20 – July 1, 2016 from 8:00am to 5:00pm at their cable and wire manufacturing headquarters located at 110 Prospect Way, Osceola, WI.

44 years of innovative cable engineering, integrity and attention to supply chain management, strategic partnership with LEMO in offering integrated cable and connector solutions, and high level customer support though customized cable and wire products, has earned Northwire a respected global position within the cable assembly and OEM markets. Crediting much of this cable engineering success to its quality staff and T.E.A.M. (Northwire’s acronym for the company’s employees where “Together Everyone Achieves More”), Northwire fosters a collaborative work environment and invests in its TEAM by supporting their professional development through opportunities such as Six Sigma®, Project Management, and Lean.

Through Northwire’s external focus, the company positively impacts the world through lifesaving medical cable and wire, solutions within alternative energy cable applications, and attention to quality of life and environmental impact. Complimenting this external focus, NWI’s internal focus places high value on it TEAM members with a corporate philosophy where “…all members of the organization must grow, have meaningful contributions, and be recognized for their work. Northwire values the intangible and significant link between work fulfillment and employee creativity, productivity, morale, job satisfaction and commitment to customer service excellence and each other.”

Experienced candidates seeking career job opportunities within the interconnectivity, assembly, cable and wire industry are invited to attend the career fair and are asked to arrive prepared to interview with hiring managers, complete applications, and depending on the position, bring multiple copies of their resumes.

Many career opportunities are available for experienced talent demonstrating proficiency in extrusion, braiding, cauterization, soldering, crimping, and connectorizing complex, multi-contact custom cable-connector assembly applications. Professional opportunities are available to candidates who have demonstrated a successful history of performance in a wide range of roles including leadership, performance management, lean manufacturing, engineering, and strategic business development.

Northwire is seeking qualified individuals with interconnectivity industry experience for the following positions:

– Production (positions available in Wisconsin and New Mexico)

• Supervisor
• Assembly and Retractile
• Braider
• Cabler
• Extrusion

– Supply Chain (positions available in Wisconsin)

• Buyer/Planner
• Material Handling

– Quality Inspection (position available in Wisconsin)

– Engineering (positions available in Wisconsin or New Mexico)

• Director or VP of Program Management, New Product Introduction or Engineering
• Senior Process, Industrial, Manufacturing or Assembly Engineer

– Innovation and Business Development (regional positions available serving Southwest United States and Maquiladoras or Great Lakes)

• Application Engineer
• Business Development Manager

For more detailed information, please check this link: http://www.northwire.com/news-and-events/northwire-presents-cable-engineering-opportunities-upcoming-career-fair.

For more information about the career fair and job opportunities within Northwire contact Human Resources: Wisconsin – Heidi Erickson at herickson@lemo.com or 715.417.3272 and for New Mexico – Mary Molnar at mmolnar@lemo.com or 575.443.6307. Find out more about Northwire’s custom cable solutions by connecting with the knowledgeable cable experts at Northwire at 800.468.1516, cableinfo_northwire@lemo.com or through Live Chat.

About LEMO

LEMO (http://www.lemo.com/en) is an acknowledged leader in the design and manufacture of precision custom connection and cable solutions. LEMO’s high quality Push-Pull connectors are found in a variety of challenging application environments including medical, industrial control, test and measurement, broadcast, and telecommunications.

LEMO has been designing custom connectors for over six decades. Offering more than 100,000 combinations of products that continue to grow through tailored, specific designs, LEMO and its affiliated sister companies REDEL, NORTHWIRE and COELVER currently serve more than 100,000 customers in over 80 countries around the world. In 2014, LEMO Group acquired Northwire, Inc. as part of its vision to provide a full range of interconnection solutions and services to niche markets.

About Northwire

Cable manufacturer, Northwire, Inc., celebrating over 43 years of innovation, has corporate headquarters and manufacturing in Osceola, Wisconsin and engineering and manufacturing in Santa Teresa, New Mexico. The cable engineering company is the premier partner for the design, manufacture and contract services of custom technical products including custom technical wire and cable, retractable cable, cable assemblies, connectors, harnesses, injection molding and over-molding. Extensive test and development, contract engineering and rapid OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) services offered. Serving a wide range of markets with diverse applications in broadcast, life sciences, energy, MIL-Spec defense, industrial, machine vision, architectural lighting, underwater and beyond.

In addition to ISO 13485:2003, ISO 9001:2008, SAE AS9100C:2009 certifications and qualification to ISO 17025:2005, Northwire is a member of NDIA (National Defense Industrial Association), NCMA (National Contract Management Association), RIA (Robotics Industries Association), AIA (Automated Imaging Association), FieldComm (aka Foundation Fieldbus), ODVA (Open DeviceNet Vendors Associations) and WAI (Wire Association International), among others.

For more information, visit http://www.northwire.com.

Media Contact:
Katina Kravik
Northwire, Inc.
110 Prospect Way
Osceola, Wisconsin 54020
715-294-2121
cableinfo@northwire.com
http://www.northwire.com

Business, Marketing

UglyDeck.com Announces the Top Deck Design Trends for 2016

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The Minnesota deck builders at UglyDeck.com have released their annual list of the top deck design trends for 2016.

Burnsville, MN, USA — UglyDeck.com, a Minnesota deck building company, has announced their annual list of top deck design trends for summer 2016. The list is composed of design features that the deck builders report have increased in popularity over the previous year. These trends include everything from decking accessories to new colors of decking materials. The goal of this list is to help homeowners find inspiration for their own deck design when building a deck or refinishing a deck in the coming months.

As leading deck builders in Minnesota, the deck contractors at UglyDeck.com are constantly searching for the next big thing in decks and decking accessories. Each year, they compile the most popular (and most unique) trends for the upcoming outdoor deck season. The top three items from this year’s list include:

• Composite Decking Material: Over the last few years, composite decking and maintenance free decking materials have exploded in popularity. These decking materials don’t require staining and their maintenance costs are much lower than a standard wooden deck.

• Multi-Level Decks: Different than multi-story decks, multi-level decks feature a contemporary design that creates a natural separation of entertaining spaces. A raised dining space or sunken hot tub area are great ways to incorporate multiple levels in a deck design.

• Two-Toned Designs: Gone are the days when decks were only stained a single color. Incorporate complimentary colors in decking material or decking accessories. Matching lighter-colored deck railings with darker decking boards is an easy way to create a unique deck design with color.

To see the full list of top decking trends for 2016, visit the deck building company’s website at http://www.uglydeck.com.

Those interested in learning more about UglyDeck.com’s deck building services or maintenance free decking materials, contact the deck building company at 952-763-3308 or info@uglydeck.com. Customers are encouraged to meet the UglyDeck.com team in person by visiting their deck building showroom in Burnsville, MN.

Media Contact:
Bill Barton
UglyDeck.com
12277 Nicollet Ave S.
Burnsville, MN 55337
952-736-3308
info@uglydeck.com

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Business, Electronics

Fulham ThoroLED AC LED Retrofit Kits Receive ENERGY STAR® Certification

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New ENERGY STAR Certification Simplifies Testing Process and Reduces Costs for Luminaire Makers Using Fulham’s AC Direct Drive LED Light Engines.

Hawthorne, CA, USA — Fulham Co., Inc. (http://www.fulham.com), a leading supplier of lighting components and electronics for commercial and specialty applications, today announced that three models of its AC-powered ThoroLED LED Retrofit Kits have been tested and certified as ENERGY STAR® Luminaire 2.0 compliant.

The three non-dimming AC LED retrofit kits are designed for ceiling and wall luminaires and are available in three power levels: 10W (model TJT120010AC), 15W (model TJT120015AC) and 25W (model TJT120025AC). The AC units are ideally suited to replace the original lamps in wall sconces and common ceiling lights for field installation or as factory retrofits, and they offer at least twice the lumens per watt as fluorescent lamps. The three units also are cULus classified and because they are ENERGY STAR certified, are eligible for a number of energy rebate programs.

ENERGY STAR certification assures luminaire manufacturers that components have already been tested for photometric life and electric performance by an EPA-recognized laboratory. Using ENERGY STAR certified products reduces both testing costs and time required for certification of new luminaires. It also ensures that new luminaires will be eligible for ENERGY STAR rebates for installers where available. Fulham anticipates receiving similar certification for additional retrofit kits in the near future.

“We are seeing an increasing demand for LED retrofit kits as more building designers and managers seek out better quality lighting solutions that save them money,” said Russ Sharer, Vice President of Global Marketing for Fulham. “Retrofitting existing luminaires to LEDs not only saves on power, but also on maintenance since LEDs last more than 10 times longer than fluorescents. Having ENERGY STAR certification for our retrofit kits gives our customers assurance that they can deliver energy-saving lighting without compromising on the quality of light or the light fixture.”

Fulham’s ThoroLED Retrofit Kits are field installable and designed to simplify conversion of existing light luminaires to long-lasting, energy-efficient LED luminaires that deliver twice the lumens of fluorescent lights with more even lighting for fewer shadows. Using LED technology provides better quality light in a long-lasting package that eliminates the need for bulb replacement. And the ThoroLED Retrofit Kits are field installable in minutes, easily replacing existing light luminaires, and they include thermal management and heat dissipation to extend the operational life of the LEDs.

For more information about Fulham’s complete line of LED engines, drivers, and modules please visit http://www.fulham.com/product-systems/led-systems.

About Fulham
Fulham Co., Inc. is a leading global provider of intelligent, sustainable commercial lighting components and electronics for use in commercial general lighting, parking structure, signage, horticultural, UV and other applications. The company develops and manufactures a variety of award-winning LED and emergency products, as well as legacy products across multiple lighting platforms. Fulham sells its lighting solutions worldwide through original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and electrical equipment distribution channels. Headquartered in Hawthorne, Calif., the company has sales and/or manufacturing facilities in the U.K., China, India and the UAE. For more information, visit http://www.fulham.com.

Media Contact:
Andy Firchau
Marketing Manager
Fulham Co., Inc.
Phone: +1 (323) 779-2980, ext. 1252
afirchau@fulham.com

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Business, Financial

Market Rates Insight TrendSpotter Analysis Reveals Banks Ignoring the Data and Abandoning Potential Fee Revenue

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New Analysis Using MRI’s TrendSpotter Report Shows that Reducing Fees Has Little or No Impact on Deposit Growth.

San Anselmo, CA, USA — According to a recent analysis published by CenterState Bank, banks are reducing fees on deposit accounts despite the fact that fees seem to have little or no impact on the current increase in deposit balances. The analysis was developed using TrendSpotter, a new research tool that tracks accumulated fee trends for banks and credit unions nationwide produced by Market Rates Insight, Inc., the leader in financial services pricing intelligence for deposits, personal loans, mortgages, and fees.

According to the TrendSpotter analysis, service charges have been declining for banks of every size over the last quarter – deposit fees averaged $8.42 per month in December and declined to $7.92 the end of first quarter. At the same time, balances required to open accounts have dropped by 15 percent since December, and the average balance to waive fees has dropped 6.6 percent. The decline in deposit fees seems counterintuitive in a market climate where deposit balances are increasing as a result of behavioral economics rather than fee elasticity.

“We have looked at this all different ways and find this borderline irrational. Our only conclusion is that banks are not looking at the data,” wrote Chris Nichols, Chief Technology Officer of CenterState Bank and author of the analysis. “As long as you are not drastic, you can raise fees, lower fees or leave fees the same and you are still going to get more deposits. If you are not, it is a marketing/value problem, not a fee problem.”

As Nichols notes, that fee elasticity is negative in most markets, and even banks that have not lowered fees on deposit products are still increasing deposit balances. Banks that did not raise deposit fees for the quarter saw an increase of 2.3 percent, while banks that did raise fees increased deposits 2.1 percent, indicating that consumers are clearly not fee sensitive.

Nichols’ conclusion is that this is the perfect market climate for banks and credit unions to consider raising fees without risk. Banks that are lowering fees in order to attract new customers and increase deposit balances, and are ignoring the market data and abandoning possible revenue at a time when banks and credit unions are facing near record-low net interest margins.

About TrendSpotter
TrendSpotter is a unique tool that gives bank and credit union executives an understanding of accumulated fee trends in the marketplace. Data is extracted from Market Rates Insight’s FeeBuilder, the first database of retail deposit fees that tracks overdraft, non-sufficient funds, monthly service charges, ATM fees, wire transfer, on checking, money market, savings, certificate of deposit, and more. TrendSpotter extracts trends from the FeeBuilder database and provides a picture of fee pricing and penalties for banking products nationwide. User can overlay their own fee pricing to create a trend line that shows how the competition affects revenue, attrition, and volume for their own fee-based products.

TrendSpotter is issued quarterly on an annual subscription basis. For more information, visit http://www.marketratesinsight.com/news/MRI_TrendSpotter.aspx.

About Market Rates Insight
For over 30 years, Market Rates Insight has helped banking executives make better informed pricing decisions. The company serves banks and credit unions nationally with competitive information on deposits, consumer loans, mortgages, and fees. Market Rates Insight provides the most granular historical and refresh pricing data in the industry, helping financial decision makers plan and prepare for likely changes in rates and products. The company’s cloud-based system provides timely and precise competitive data supported by usable graphs and charts.

Market Rates Insight is located in San Anselmo, California. For more information, see http://www.marketratesinsight.com.

Contact:
Tom Woolf
Market Rates Insight
(415) 259-5638
tom.woolf@marketratesinsight.com

Business, Electronics

Fulham Partners with Control Network Solutions to Deliver Smart Web-Enabled DALI® Programmable Lighting Solution

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CNS’s elitedali™ IoT Smart Light Management Software Provides Total Control Over Fulham’s Intelligent Programmable WorkHorse LED Drivers.

Hawthorne, CA, USA — Fulham Co., Inc., a leading supplier of lighting components and electronics for commercial and specialty applications, has partnered with Control Network Solutions (CNS), to deliver a smart lighting solution based on the Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI) intelligent lighting communications standard. Fulham’s new line of WorkHorse LED programmable dimming DALI drivers are designed to interoperate with CNS’s elitedali™ smart lighting control and management system to provide an extensible lighting system that is easy to install, commission, and control.

Combining Fulham’s programmable WorkHorse LED drivers with CNS’s elitedali management system applies an Internet of Things (IoT) approach to lighting control. The combination of Fulham’s drivers and CNS’s DALI software provides total control over LED fixtures, including reducing input current to adjust the lumen display, managing lights to optimize useful life, adjust lighting to ensure they dim at a constant level, and even adjusting power output to accommodate different light sources. For example, with LED efficiency improving at a rate of 7 to 9 percent every six months, using the same input power for newly installed light fixtures can result in uneven lighting with new fixtures appearing as much as 20 percent brighter. Intelligent LED drivers controlled by a DALI management system adjusts the power for even illumination.

“Fulham believes the future of lighting is in programmable drivers, and DALI is the industry’s only interoperable lighting control standard today,” said Russ Sharer, Vice President of Global Marketing for Fulham. “CNS takes it the next step by making the system easier to install, commission, and operate.”

The Fulham/CNS smart solution for DALI controlled lighting provides flicker-free dimming down to 10 percent with real-time access to all lighting device value data. The output current can be set in increments of 1mA, and the driver can be programmed without power. Fulham’s WorkHorse intelligent dimming drivers are available in 40W and 60W units in various sizes and all use Fulham’s SmartSet one-touch programming.

“We’ve worked with many driver and ballast companies, yet Fulham’s products seem to integrate faster and easier than any other products currently available,” said Mike Welch, CEO of Control Network Solutions. “They’re truly DALI “plug and play.’ They also have a great vision for the value that smart IoT-based control systems and intelligent drivers can offer customers.”

The CNS elitedali solution is based on Tridium’s Niagara® software framework for building IoT, smart, and web-enabled software applications. It enables any suitable Niagara building controls platform to discover, commission, and control directly networks of intelligent light fixtures that conform to the DALI (IEC 62386) open standard. Value intelligent light fixture data such as the operating status of the drivers, including hours of operation, average or peak temperature, power consumption, emergency light readiness, and more are seamlessly accessible via Niagara for local or remote monitoring, management, and analytics. For facilities managers, such solutions can dramatically reduce the down time and number of site support visits.

Fulham is offering CNS partners globally direct access to their DALI-compatible driver products through Fulham’s global network of distributors. Fulham also works with a network of luminaire manufacturers that incorporate the company’s DALI drivers.

“Together these new market disruptive partnerships enable us to collectively deliver world-class IoT smart lighting solutions to customers globally,” added Sharer.

The demand for such a solution was recently showcased at LIGHTFAIR International 2016, San Diego receiving extremely positive feedback. Furthermore, the unique Fulham and CNS lighting control solution will also be discussed and demonstrated at the upcoming Niagara Summit – the industry event for all Niagara system developers, programmers and integrators.

For more information about Fulham’s complete line of LED drivers, please visit http://www.fulham.com.

For more information on CNS and elitedali smart lighting controls, please visit http://www.elitedali.com.

For more information on the Niagara Summit, please visit https://www.niagarasummit.com.

About Fulham
Fulham Co., Inc. is a leading global provider of intelligent, sustainable commercial lighting components and electronics for use in commercial general lighting, parking structure, signage, horticultural, UV and other applications. The company develops and manufactures a variety of award-winning LED and emergency products, as well as legacy products across multiple lighting platforms. Fulham sells its lighting solutions worldwide through original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and electrical equipment distribution channels. Headquartered in Hawthorne, Calif., the company has sales and/or manufacturing facilities in the U.K., China, India, and the UAE. For more information, visit http://www.fulham.com.

About CNS
CNS is the creator of smart, IoT, market disruptive, building and lighting control solutions. A transformational company, CNS is based 45 minutes southwest of London, England.

Its solutions are deployed world-wide, with more than 100,000 DALI intelligent light fixtures commissioned, controlled, visualized, and analyzed in greater than 1,000,000 sq mtrs of built environment from state of the art medical facilities to factories, offices, warehouses, and more. For more information, please visit http://www.control-network-solutions.co.uk.

Media Contact:
Andy Firchau
Marketing Manager
Fulham Co., Inc.
Phone: +1 (323) 779-2980, ext. 1252
afirchau@fulham.com

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Business

SolaTrim™ Adds National Solar Distributors Inc. as Third Canadian Supplier for Innovative Solar Protective Barriers

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More Canadian Solar Installers Adopt SolaTrim Protection System to Aid Compliance with Recent Pest Abatement Subrule Added to Canadian Electrical Code.

Sacramento, CA, USA — SolaTrim™ LLC (http://www.solatrim.com), innovators in protective barriers to beautify and safeguard residential solar systems, has signed National Solar Distributors of Edmonton, Alberta, (NSD, http://www.nationalsolar.ca) as the company’s third Canadian distributor this year. NSD will be offering SolaTrim’s solar panel protection system to residential solar system integrators across Canada.

Known as “Canada’s Friendly Solar Distributor”, National Solar Distributors is a wholesale distributor of photovoltaic systems and components with more than 25 years of combined solar experience. National Solar carries a wide array of products for residential and commercial solar installations, including industrial and small off-grid installations. The company maintains a carefully cultivated inventory of high-quality, reliable, and innovative products as part of their commitment to deliver the right products at the right time at a great price. SolaTrim protective barriers are now part of the NSD product catalogue.

“We’re thrilled to be bringing on the SolaTrim product. Installers have been knocking down our doors for an attractive and robust solution to comply with new pest protection rules, and SolaTrim definitely covers all of those bases. When a homeowner commits to 25+ years of a PV system, it has to look and perform well, and SolaTrim is a big part of that.” said Matthew Lannigan, Managing Director of National Solar Distributors. “For us, it’s night and day between this any anything else on the market. This is a unique product that addresses a variety of solar installation issues and we know it will be a hit with our customers.”

SolaTrim is an all-weather aluminum barrier applied to rooftop solar array perimeters to prevent pests from nesting under the solar panels while providing a clean, finished look to any solar installation. SolaTrim provides an out-of-the-box solution that complies with the changes to Rule 50-018 of the 2015 CE Code – Part 1, which will require photovoltaic source circuits installed on or above a building to be protected against damage from rodents unless DC arc-fault protection is located at the module. An Appendix B note has also been added indicating that material such as expanded metal, solid metal, and screening can be used to enclose photovoltaic source circuit conductors as protection against damage from rodents.” (http://www.electricalindustry.ca/latest-news/1184-2015-ce-code-part-2-changes)

The SolaTrim panels come with a peel-and-stick adhesive that attaches permanently to the solar modules and requires no screws, clips or fasteners that could either fail, negatively affect the system’s appearance, or void the solar module manufacturers’ warranty. SolaTrim’s panels are stiffened by design to resist warping or bending and diamond-stamped to facilitate airflow. The adhesive has been tested to withstand extreme weather conditions, is engineered to permanently prevent birds and rodents from nesting under the solar array, and is designed to last for the life of the system.

“This is the third Canadian distribution agreement we have reached in recent months,” said Bob Smith, co-founder and President of SolaTrim. “We’re pleased to see a growing demand for our protective barrier across Canada as more solar installers appreciate the SolaTrim concept: an aesthetic barrier that can protect and beautify rooftop solar systems, prevent rodent infestation, and even resist winter ice dams and snow loads. This is definitely something Canadian Solar companies can use. SolaTrim is a great addition to any system, but with the new Electrical Code revision in effect, we are prepared to see a steady increase in demand for SolaTrim protective panels from National Solar Distributors along with our other Canadian partners.”

About National Solar Distributors
Founded in 2014 by experienced solar professionals, National Solar Distributors is a wholesale distributor of Solar PV components. Their mission is to meet the needs of the Solar Industry all across Canada for a wide variety of solar energy applications. The company carries a range of high quality modules and hardware for installers across Canada. National Solar Distributors is headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta. For more information, visit http://www.nationalsolar.ca.

About SolaTrim
SolaTrim LLC is an innovator in providing new solutions to protect and beautify residential solar systems as well as protect the homeowner solar investment. The SolaTrim barrier system adds an attractive skirting to rooftop solar arrays while protecting the system from pests, debris and other environmental threats. Solar integrators across the country are turning to SolaTrim as a permanent solution that will beautify rooftop solar while reducing unnecessary service & warranty calls.

Headquartered in Sacramento, California, SolaTrim is committed to developing affordable, dependable, and attractive made-in-the-USA solar aftermarket products to support America’s renewable energy initiatives. For more information, visit http://www.solatrim.com.

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Business, Construction

Rosendin Electric Gives Desert Hills High School Students a “Day in the Life” of an Electrical Contractor

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Hands-on Construction Project Highlights Vocational Tour to Give Students Information About Career Opportunities in Electrical Construction.

Tempe, AZ, USA — Rosendin Electric (http://www.rosendin.com), one of the nation’s largest private electrical contractors and an employee-owned company, recently hosted students from Desert Hills High School in Gilbert, Arizona, to help them understand the scope and demands of electrical contracting and to provide hands-on experience with electrical design-build and construction project management.

The tour was offered to students participating in the regional STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) program developed by the Arizona Department of Education to promote education in science and engineering. Upon arrival, the students were presented with a mock construction project to complete. Designed to give students an understanding of the end-to-end requirements of electrical construction, the project included developing plans, using Building Information Modeling (BIM) systems for modeling, creating a parts list, understanding prefabrication, pricing and bidding, and more.

“We continue to see a growing demand for skilled talent in the electrical construction industry,” said Dean Howard, Business Development Manager for Rosendin Electric’s Tempe office. “Today’s electrical contractor has to understand computer modeling, logistics, finance, alternative energy, and much more. By giving students hands-on experience, we hope more will consider a career in electrical construction.”

According to a recent survey by the Associated General Contractors of America, 86 percent of contractors are having difficulty finding hourly skilled construction workers. The same survey reports that 52 percent are having difficulty finding experienced professionals for positions such as project managers and supervisors. Experts predict an ongoing need for skilled labor throughout the country, including in markets with high demand for new building such as Phoenix.

Rosendin Electric executives hope this event is the first in a series of tours. The company plans to continue to work with area high schools to promote interest in electrical construction and to encourage students to pursue an internship or apprenticeship.

About Rosendin Electric
Rosendin Electric, Inc., headquartered in San Jose, California, is an employee-owned electrical engineering, power, and communications provider. With revenues surpassing $1 Billion, Rosendin Electric is one of the largest electrical contractors in the United States. With over 4,500 employees and experience worldwide, Rosendin Electric has built upon a 95-year reputation for quality design and installations. For additional information, visit http://www.rosendin.com.

Media Contact:
Rosendin Electric, Inc.
(408) 286-2800
busdev@rosendin.com