The American Institute of Architects (AIA) released findings from its recent Home Design Trends Survey. The 2008 survey found that 33.5% of respondents reported home size declines vs. 15.5% who reported increases.
Smaller homes may be a short-term response to economic conditions, but there are signs that we may be at the beginning of a longer cycle where house sizes stabilize or even decline, said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. 

Interline Brands , Jacksonville, FL, said that William Sanford is stepping down as president/COO effective immediately, but will remain with the company during a transition period. His position will not be filled immediately, but his previous roles will be assumed by Michael Grebe, chairman/CEO, and other executives. For more on this story, visit www.supplyht.com.

Showroom Of The Year Competition: Supply House Times will honor two outstanding showrooms: one 2,500 sq. ft. or larger, the other less than 2,500 sq. ft.  The winners will be recognized in Hank Darlington's column in the October 2008 issue of Supply House Times. The contest is open only to plumbing wholesaler showrooms and the entry deadline is August 15. The award will recognize all facets of the showroom operation. For details, visit www.supplyht.com.  

Blackman (Bethpage, NY) now offers complimentary boom truck delivery of pipe and bulk material to the ground, first or second floor of any job site for customers in the metro New York area. Boom truck service is also ideal for cast iron, commercial condensing units, copper pipe, black pipe and galvanized steel pipe. 

Ferguson (Newport News, VA) opened a remodeled 20,000-sq.-ft. showroom in Las Vegas, a 6,500-sq.-ft. remodeled showroom in Augusta, GA, and a new two-story 16,000-sq.-ft. showroom in Tampa, FL.

WinWholesale (Dayton, OH) opened three locations: Ocala Winnelson Co., Ocala, FL, for central Florida; Salisbury Winnelson Co., Salisbury, MA, for the Cape Ann region and New Hampshire seacoast; and Shelby Winnelson Co., Shelby, NC, for Cleveland and Rutherford counties in the southwest part of the state.

Northeastern Supply (Baltimore, MD) opened a branch in Aberdeen, MD. The wholesaler offers plumbing, heating, air conditioning, water systems, hardware and lighting products and now has 31 branches. 

Briggs Industries  celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2008. Founded in 1908 as a carriage/wagon/automobile body manufacturer, under the leadership of Walter Owen Briggs Sr., the company grew into one of the largest producers of car and truck bodies in the U.S. Its focus changed after the company introduced a line of steel plumbing fixtures under the Briggs Beautyware brand in the 1940s. Today it is owned by Cerámicas Industriales S.A. (CISA).

Tim Maicher

Blanco America  named Tim Maicher director of marketing, a new position. He has served as director of American Standard's Wholesale Fittings (Faucets) business, marketing director of Luxury Brands (Porcher and Jado, both European brands) for American Standard; and product director, product manager and sales & marketing coordinator in the high-end Porcher division.

Peerless Pump Co. hired Bob York as a 3-D drafter for development projects; Kevin Stickels as a design engineer; and Kristina Lawyer as a mechanical engineering intern.

Rich Dickson

Bradford White says its new Eco-Defender Safety System Ultra Low NOx Series residential water heater can reduce NOx emissions by 75% and offers optimal combustion efficiencies and consistent operational temperatures. Each model meets the stringent South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) requirements for allowable NOx emissions. A super alloy radiant flame holder assists in the overall reduction of NOx emissions.

ISH North America 2008 (ISH NA) will offer green-focused sessions in its efficient technologies and renewable energy-focused seminar track, structured to educate professionals on the growing use of green applications within their field. Among the featured speakers: Peter Demarco, director of special programs for IAPMO; Julius Ballanco, president of JB Engineering and Code Consulting, P.C. and editorial director of PM Engineer; Steve Lehtonen, managing director of GreenPlumbers USA; and John Siegenthaler, an associate professor of engineering technology at Mohawk Community College. Dave Yates and Mark Eatherton will speak at a seminar covering state-of-the-art green technologies offered free to registered attendees.

Zurn and Viega have joined the Green Mechanical Council . Other organizations that are members of this group include Carrier, NIBCO, IAPMO, Uponor, Ferris State University, Legend Valve, Mechanical Contractors Association of America, ABCO Refrigeration, Watts Radiant, United Association, Floor Heat Co., Mechanical Contracting Education & Research Foundation, Legend Hydronics, Bacharach, Fieldpiece, HVAC Excellence, and Mechanical Service Contractors of America.

Bemis Mfg. Co. drew attention to its booth at K/BIS 2008 with picketing "germs." The colorful characters were protesting against its Easy Clean toilet seats that lift off for easy and thorough cleaning. Dottie Ramsey, president/COO of Modern Supply, Knoxville, TN , posed with the germs.

Imago Trade Shows, a division of Imago Productions, and BNP Media will jointly launch the National Disaster Reconstruction Expo (NDRExpo) June 17-18, 2009, at the Earnest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, LA. The new NDRExpo was developed to unite the 50-plus vertical markets associated with disaster construction preparation, response, recovery and rebuilding. Most of these industry segments, represented by more than 75 associations and organizations, work together to rebuild communities and are served by the same manufacturers, distributors and service providers.

Whirlpool Corp. was named one of the "World's Most Ethical Companies" by the Ethisphere Institute and one of the Top 25 "Most Respected U.S. Companies" by the Reputation Institute.

Clear Seas Research has developed an online research panel community for the HVACR, Plumbing, Architecture & Design, Construction, Roofing, Surveying & Mapping, Geomatics, Security, and Site Preparation industries. Panel members receive CLEARCa$h, redeemable for Amazon.com Gift Cards, and e-newsletters that include research results. For more information, contact Alexis Mohr at mohra@bnpmedia.com .