Issue: September 2009
By: Frank Bisbee

BISBEE’S BUZZ

SAFETY IS TOO IMPORTANT TO IGNORE

Well, it’s September and school is back in session again. Drivers should redouble their efforts to drive more safely. You don’t want the death of some child on your conscience for the rest of your life. That would be a terrible burden.

Unfortunately, many drivers are not staying focused on driving. They are putting their attention elsewhere. The results are often tragic.

One out of six drivers is not paying attention. They are busy talking, texting, or taking another bite. Add to those distractions: smoking, drinking, reaching behind, grooming, playing with the sound system, reading, and grooming.

Here’s a hot flash. Studies confirm that distracted drivers can have worse reaction responses than intoxicated drivers.

EMPLOYERS NOTE: When you choose driver improvement programs, you protect your profitability by protecting your employees and other drivers on the road. Join the thousands of corporate and government employees who have successfully used safe driving programs over the years.  The defensive driving courses help keep employees safe on the roads, while reducing employer liability costs. If doubt the liability issue, call your lawyer.

The media is everywhere. Imagine a TV news story showing your company vehicle causing or being involved in a grizzly accident. Now imagine that the reporter has discovered that your company has NO DRIVING SAFETY PROGRAM for employees. Then the story goes national. The negative effect of that kind of exposure can be incredible.

Don’t just tell your employees about safe driving, TEACH THEM. The payback is very good. The alternative is frightening.

But that’s just my opinion,

Frank Bisbee, Editor
"Heard On The Street" Monthly Column
www.wireville.com
4949 Sunbeam Rd, Suite 16
Jacksonville, FL 32257
(904) 645-9077 office
(904) 645-9058 fax
904-237-0365 cell
frank@wireville.com

Driver Distractions - Don’t Be A Statistic

Distractions Are Everywhere

Driving is a skill that requires your full attention to safely control your vehicle and respond to events happening on the roads around you. Driving involves constant and complex coordination between your mind and body. Events or things that prevent you from operating your car safely are distractions. There are three types of distractions and they are anything that takes your:

eyes off the road (visual).

mind off the road (cognitive).

hands off the steering wheel (manual).

When you think about the actions you make in your vehicle, other than just driving, you can see that they often involve more than one type of distraction. For instance, if you change your radio station, you take a hand off the steering wheel to press a button, and take your eyes off the road to look at what button you want to press.

Driving Distractions Study

Driver distractions are the leading cause of most vehicle crashes and near-crashes. According to a study released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI), 80% of crashes and 65% of near-crashes involve some form of driver distraction. The distraction occurred within three seconds before the vehicle crash!

According to the NHTSA and VTTI study, the principal actions that cause distracted driving and lead to vehicle crashes are:

cell phone use.

reaching for a moving object inside the vehicle.

looking at an object or event outside of the vehicle.

reading.

applying makeup.

Drivers who engage more frequently in distracted driving are more likely to be involved in a vehicle crash or near-crash.

“Dial D” for Disaster

Cell phone use has become so popular these days that many times we don’t realize when, where, and how often we are utilizing our “cellular telephones.” Cell phone use while driving has increased so significantly within the last few years that at any typical daytime moment, as many as 10% of drivers are using either a hand-held or hands-free phone.

Studies have shown that driving performance is lowered and the level of distraction is higher for drivers who are heavily engaged in cell phone conversations. The use of a hands-free device does not lower distraction levels. The percentage of vehicle crashes and near-crashes attributed to dialing is nearly identical to the number associated with talking or listening.

Make and finish your cell phone calls before you start your vehicle and drive. If your phone rings while you are driving, let your voicemail pick up the call. If you must answer your phone, pull over to a safe location and park before using your cell phone.

New cell phone laws took effect July 1, 2008 in California. Drivers age 18 and over may use hands-free devices while driving. Drivers under the age of 18 may not use any type of hand-held or hands-free wireless phone while driving.

Are You Eating a Crash Diet?

If you are eating in your vehicle while driving, you are focusing on your food and not on your driving. You are not only chewing and swallowing; you are also opening packages, unwrapping and re-wrapping food, reaching, leaning, spilling, wiping, and cleaning yourself or your vehicle. These are quite a number of distractions for one driver on one trip. You are safer when you stop to eat or drink. Allow yourself plenty of time to stop, rest from driving, and enjoy your meal.

Are You Being Driven to Distraction?

What do children, friends, and pets all have in common? All can be a dangerous distraction to you while you are driving.

Teach your young children that driving is an important job and that you must concentrate when you are behind the wheel. Buckle up your children properly. Give them distractions—books, games, or other appropriate toys to occupy their time. If you need to attend to your children, pull over to a safe place. Don’t try to handle children while you are driving.

When you are driving with friends and relatives, establish some strategies to keep your passengers under control. A carload of friends can be very distracting with loud talking, quarrelling over music selections, or horseplay. Arguments and other disturbing conversations should be held in a safe, appropriate place, not while you are driving in your vehicle.

A loose pet in a moving vehicle can be very dangerous. Properly secure your pet in a pet carrier, portable kennel, or specially designed pet harness when you are driving. Never allow your pet to sit in your lap while you are driving your vehicle.

Turning Dials Can Turn Your Head

Making destination entries on an in-vehicle navigation system, radio surfing for a good song, or adjusting your vehicle’s climate controls are distracting activities that can put you in danger of a vehicle crash or near-crash. The availability of in-vehicle Internet and e-mail access from cell phones, blackberries, and other portable devices are added distractions that increase your risk of a crash if you engage in these activities while driving.

Adjust vehicle’s controls (climate controls, mirrors, radio, seat, etc.) before you begin to drive.

Check your e-mail, voicemail, and any other portable devices you have before you begin driving.

Take advantage of normal stops to adjust controls.

Ask your passenger to adjust the radio, climate control, navigation system, etc. for you.

Looks Can Kill…

Looking out your window at what you are passing while you are driving can be a distraction if you are concentrating on getting a good look at:

an accident

a vehicle pulled over by law enforcement

construction work

a billboard advertisement

a scenic view

street names and addresses

Always focus on your driving. It’s crucial that you remain alert while on the road to arrive at your destination safely.

Distractions and Young

The leading cause of death for 15-20 year olds are vehicle crashes. Vehicle crashes make up approximately one-third of all deaths for this age group. More crashes occur when passengers, usually other teens, are in the vehicle with a teen driver. Two out of three teens die as passengers in a vehicle driven by another teen.

These statistics are caused by a teenager’s immaturity, driving inexperience, overconfidence, and risk-taking behaviors. Before your teen takes to the road, explain to him/her the dangers of participating in distracting activities and driving. Many teens do not see the connection between the things that distract them and their age group’s high rate of vehicle crashes and death.

Give your teen strategies and rules to help them keep their passengers under control. No horseplay, inciting the driver to speed or engaging in any other type of dangerous activity while riding in a vehicle.

Instruct your teen to set up his/her in-vehicle radio, CD player, IPOD or any other in-vehicle music playing device before driving and to play the music at a listening level that is not distracting. Wearing headphones or earplugs is illegal in California regardless of the age of a driver.

Talk with your teen about how to deal with driving distractions. Discuss what could happen if he/she tries to answer a cell phone, send a text message, search for music, or spill a drink on themselves while they are driving. Explain the importance of driving safely and staying alive.

Other Deadly Distractions

In this age of multi-tasking, it is common to do more than one task at the same time. You already multi-task when you are driving; your mind and body are working simultaneously to drive your vehicle. You should not add another task on top of what you already need to do to drive safely. These tasks should never be done while you are driving:

Reading a newspaper, a book, or a map.

Personal grooming, such as hair grooming, shaving, or applying makeup.

Smoking and dealing with lighting up, putting out cigarettes, or falling ashes.

Working in your car: typing on a laptop, making business calls, and writing notes or reports.

Undistracted Driving

When you are driving, the condition of the roadway you are on and the behavior of other drivers can change abruptly, leaving you little or no time to react. When you are driving, follow these rules:

Stay focused.

Pay attention.

Expect the unexpected.

These tips can help you continue to drive and arrive at your destination safely:

Follow the advice in this brochure

Ensure all passengers are buckled-up properly.

Be well-rested and in the appropriate mindset to drive. Driving while you are upset or angry can be just as dangerous as driving when you are tired.

Help your teen identify and reduce distractions when he/she is driving.

Do not tailgate.

Allow sufficient time to reach your destination.

Ensure your vehicle is properly maintained.

Driver distractions reduce your awareness to your driving environment, your decision-making process and your driving performance. This results in crashes or near-crashes and corrective actions having to be taken by you and/or other drivers on the road.

Drive safe and stay alive. Keep your mind on your driving, keep your eyes on the road, and your hands on the wheel!

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/fast_facts/ffdl28.htm

*********************************

Multitasking Mania and Distracted Driving

We do it all behind the wheel, oblivious to driving safety
by Dale Buss, Contributor, Date Posted 04-10-2007

Email

Mark Stevens is a multitasking maniac. A couple of months ago, the White Plains, New York, marketing consultant was working his cell phone with one hand and his Blackberry with the other while trying to steer his Mercedes SL500 with his wrists and knees — when he plowed it into a rental vehicle in an Enterprise parking lot. That followed his fourth ticket in four years for talking on his cell phone while driving.

"If you are a determined multitasker, it's an addiction — and you can't stop it," said the 59-year-old Stevens.

Talk about distracted driving. Even during a short trek, he said, he's likely to sip a Diet Coke and a bottled water, eat a sandwich, read a copy of The Economist, write notes to himself and listen to NPR, in addition to performing his cell phone and Blackberry action — oh, and driving. "I'm a driven person, and that's why I do all this stuff while I drive." Efficiency, not safe driving, is primary.

Although he may represent an extreme, there's a little bit of Stevens in many of us. Multitasking while driving has become endemic — and epidemic — on American roads. More drivers are trying to figure out what other duties they can perform while driving. Insurance companies, meanwhile, are trying to make drivers keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel. And automakers are caught between consumer demands for more capabilities and conveniences — and the safety and legal concerns that often compel vehicle designers to make multitasking more difficult.

The growing number of cultural references to multitasking resonates with all of us. They include the TV ad depicting a group of business colleagues moving all their office functions into a car and the Allstate Insurance commercial in which spokesman Dennis Haysbert tsk-tsks viewers about multitasking.

The reasons for multitasking are many. Ever-longer commutes are tempting time-starved Americans to invent ways to spread more tasks over the hours they must spend in their vehicles. Also blame cell phones, video entertainment systems and iPods. Throw in the fact that many drivers apparently don't care that they might be annoying — or even alarming — other drivers by applying mascara, drinking hot coffee, reading a pulp novel or selecting station XM 132 all at the same time.

A recent survey by Nationwide Insurance quantified some of the trend's scary dimensions. More than 80 percent of drivers surveyed identified themselves as multitaskers. Sixty-eight percent eat while driving; texting or instant-messaging while driving, or fixing hair, is practiced by 19 percent of drivers; 14 percent comfort or discipline children while behind the wheel; and 8 percent drive with a pet in their laps.



Weather conditions had little effect on drivers' tendency to multitask. Even those who perceive themselves as safe drivers admitted doing outlandish things behind the wheel, including changing clothes, balancing a checkbook and shaving.

And multitasking is going to increase before it wanes. About 35 percent of Gen Y-ers say they always multitask, compared with 30 percent of Gen X-ers and just 21 percent of baby boomers. Those differences are amplified in important behaviors such as fiddling with a cell phone while driving: 37 percent of Gen Y-ers admit doing it versus just 17 percent of Gen X-ers and only 2 percent of boomers. About 89 percent of teenagers reported seeing other teens on their cell phones at least sometimes while driving, reports a recent State Farm Insurance survey.

The problem for drivers and insurance companies is that drivers are just bad at multitasking successfully. About 80 percent of all crashes are related to some form of distracted driving, according to the U.S. government.

"Driver behavior is only getting worse," said Bill Windsor, associate vice president of safety for Columbus-based Nationwide Insurance. "Car design and safety features have helped reduce fatalities over the last 10 years, but there are signs — such as an increase in fatalities among pedestrians and motorcyclists — that problems with driving behavior are starting to outstrip vehicle and roadway improvements."

Governments, insurance companies and other players can mitigate the problem to some extent. Four states and the District of Columbia already outlaw the use of handheld phones while driving, and at least 38 states currently are debating bills that would specifically regulate text messaging while behind the wheel, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Highway designers are trying to add more rumble strips on highway shoulders to startle those who've strayed to the side, and creating greater numbers of safe rest spots along the nation's roads.

But a large part of the responsibility and opportunity for dealing with multitasking rests with automakers themselves. The scope of their dilemma is perfectly underscored by the fact that an alliance of General Motors, Toyota, Nissan and Ford spent $6 million over the last four years to study driver distraction and develop solutions. Their conclusion was that drivers can safely withstand just about any amount of aural distraction in a vehicle as long as they keep their vision on the road in front of them.

"It was a lot of expensive research just to validate the idea that you should keep your eyes on the road," admits Rich Deering, GM's senior manager of crash-avoidance system development. "But this is an issue that won't go away."

The auto industry is pulled in two directions. As quality and other differences among vehicle brands have dwindled over the last generation, car companies have turned to comfort and convenience features in their battle for market share. In the process, they have converted many of their vehicles into rolling living rooms and offices. Passengers are invited to watch movies, thanks to rear-seat entertainment systems; work on their laptops, courtesy of ample power outlets (including 110-volt connections) throughout the vehicle; and use OnStar to tap into sports scores and stock-price quotes on the Internet.

Vehicle designers even encourage drivers to engage in more multitasking by, for example, increasing the capabilities of audio systems, providing devices and slots to facilitate mobile-phone usage, and cramming every square inch around the driver with drink holders, trays and even laptop compartments.

It's hard to keep drivers away from all those distracting goodies that, nominally at least, are meant only for passengers to enjoy.

"We need to provide reasonable accommodations for a wide variety of activities that people want to do in their cars," said Andrew Coetzee, vice president of product planning for Toyota Motor Sales, USA. "We do have responsibilities to meet the needs of customers. It's up to customers to use them at their discretion."

Yet automakers have taken measures to limit multitasking by drivers — or at least make it safer — in specific areas:

Navigation systems
The industry's unspoken agreement bans navigation screens that require drivers to lower their heads more than 30 degrees from a straight-ahead position. Also, many automakers won't allow front-seat occupants to enter destination addresses manually while the vehicle is in motion.

Meanwhile, they're all working on improving voice-recognition technology so drivers won't have to touch navigation screens at all. Based on several years of experience with its OnStar system — which relies on a customer-service person to give drivers oral directions — GM is convinced that voice interaction largely takes the danger out of navigation systems. "We're just not seeing a crash problem there because, with OnStar, drivers can keep their eyes on the road," Deering said.

Bluetooth
Despite some states' laws to the contrary, drivers aren't going to stop using cell phones while driving. So automakers are doing their best to make it as safe as possible. Installing hands-free technologies such as Bluetooth across their entire lineups is a major focus. "There's a social responsibility we feel in developing a system like that," said Coetzee. "It's taking a more reasonable approach than just saying, 'Don't use a cell phone when you drive.'"

Audio systems
Automakers are pushing to integrate vehicle sound systems on digital platforms and to create easy interfaces with MP3 players so there is a central, convenient source of control on the dash — instead of the makeshift assemblages of iPod cradles, extenders, power-port plug-ins and other devices that many drivers now use. Most vehicles already are available with steering-wheel-mounted audio controls.

Fold-down front seats
Many vehicles now offer fold-down front passenger seats with flat backs that drivers can use as makeshift desks, as well as110-volt power ports to power their laptops.

Food and beverage handling
This is an area that exemplifies how automakers can enhance the multitasking experience without making it more distracting or dangerous — the ultimate win-win tactic. Chrysler, for example, figures that as long as you're going to demand drink holders, they might as well help you maintain the beverage temperature you want. So in the Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger sedans, there's a cupholder option that allows drivers to keep drinks warm or cool. Other manufacturers have expanded the number, sizes and locations of their front-seat cupholders to put beverages within easier reach. Even the tiny Mazda Miata now has door-mounted cupholders capable of holding a regular-size Starbucks coffee.

Chrysler, for one, has drawn the line at installing food trays up front. "We actually looked at a compartment that would hold a fast-food hamburger or other sandwich," said Ralph Gilles, a product vice president for Chrysler's Jeep unit. "But that was the point where we were inviting a little more activity than we really want from the driver. And what could you add for food beyond that?"

Because there's no sign whatsoever that Americans are going to multitask less, auto designers are going to have more and more such internal discussions — leading to increasingly difficult decisions.

"You could say we're only helping the dysfunctionality of America with some of the things we do in vehicles now," Gilles said. "But it's the reality of the marketplace."

http://www.edmunds.com/ownership/driving/articles/120378/article.html

One Of Out Four Accidents Caused By "Inattentive" Driver

Drivers who are doing other tasks are more likely to have an accident. Inattentive drivers contribute to at least 25% of accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This equates to 1.2 million accidents each year caused by distracted drivers. The American Automobile Association (AAA) estimates that 1.5% of distracted driver accidents were attributable to cell phone use (compared to 10.8% caused by other occupants causing a distraction; 11.4% to adjusting the music). A driver who inserts a music CD increases the likelihood of an accident by six times as compared to glancing at the fuel gauge. So if cell phone use causes fewer accidents than fiddling with the radio, why are cell phones getting much of the blame? For one thing, it's a distraction that is easier for other drivers to spot. It's easy to blame another driver if he or she is on a cell phone. And cell phone use is becoming more and more common; it's a visible distraction.

Surveys indicate that half of all drivers use their cell phones while driving. A 1997 study in Toronto, Canada, found that using a cell phone while driving increased the risk of a collision by four times during the "brief period of a call." And these drivers are not just a threat to themselves -- they are a threat to everyone's safety. Two states (New York and New Jersey in 2001) and Washington, DC (in 2004) so far have banned cell phone use for drivers.

What mistakes are made by drivers using cell phones? A 2002 study conducted by the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center found that cell phone users were twice as likely to be involved in a rear-end collision (45.1% vs. 25.6%). The most common causes of the accidents were:

failure to reduce speed (33.5%)

traffic signal violation (9.6%)

speeding (4.9%)

following too closely (3.5%)

failure to yield (3.5%)

The cell phone industry has added features such as hands-free adapters for cell phones to improve their safety for use by drivers. There are no data to show that hands-free use is safer. With or without the hands-free device, cell phone use decreases reaction time. It's the conversation that is distracting, not the phone itself. Studies have shown that the emotional content of phone calls influences how a driver drives: while talking, the driver scans the road and used the rear-view mirror less frequently. This results in narrowing of the driver's field of vision, even though eyesight is not directly affected by a phone call.

The bottom line is that there is no way to make cell phone use 100% safe for drivers; the very action of talking diverts attention from the road. So keep your eyes and mind on the road and devote 100% of your attention to driving.

Did You Know?

Distracted drivers cause 4,000 - 8,000 accidents each day in the US (Source: AAA).

Driving is the most dangerous thing workers do on the job (Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

At any moment, 500,000 drivers in the US are talking on cell phones (Source: NHTSA).

The Harvard Center for Risk Analysis found in 2003 that cell phone use by drivers caused 2,600 deaths and "moderate to critical" injuries for 330,000 people.

From December 2001 through May 2004, New York issued more than 286,000 of the $100 citations for driving with a hand-held cell phone (Source: Calls are growing for cell phone laws in cars.").

Cell phones have been around for 20 years; there are more than 151 million subscribers in the US (Source: Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Assoc.).

The average person in the US spends more than 300 hours in the car each year (Source: Cell Phones and Highway Safety: State Legislative Update, 2003).

http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/drived.html

Driven to Distraction

Drivers and Legislators Dismiss Cellphone Risks

A 2003 Harvard study estimated that cellphone distractions caused 2,600 traffic deaths every year, and 330,000 accidents that result in moderate or severe injuries.

Yet Americans have largely ignored that research. Instead, they increasingly use phones, navigation devices and even laptops to turn their cars into mobile offices, chat rooms and entertainment centers, making roads more dangerous.

A disconnect between perception and reality worsens the problem. New studies show that drivers overestimate their own ability to safely multitask, even as they worry about the dangers of others doing it.

Device makers and auto companies acknowledge the risks of multitasking behind the wheel, but they aggressively develop and market gadgets that cause distractions.

Police in almost half of all states make no attempt to gather data on the problem. They are not required to ask drivers who cause accidents whether they were distracted by a phone or other device. Even when officers do ask, some drivers are not forthcoming.

The federal government warns against talking on a cellphone while driving, but no state legislature has banned it. This year, state legislators introduced about 170 bills to address distracted driving, but passed fewer than 10.

Five states and the District of Columbia require drivers who talk on cellphones to use hands-free devices, but research shows that using headsets can be as dangerous as holding a phone because the conversation distracts drivers from focusing on the road.

Fourteen states have passed measures to ban texting while driving, and the New York State Assembly sent such a bill to the governor on Friday.

The states that rejected any efforts to limit distracted driving this year include Oklahoma.

“I’m on the phone from when I leave the Capitol to when I get home, and that’s a two-hour drive,” said Tad Jones, the majority floor leader in the Oklahoma House, who helped block the legislation. “A lot of people who travel are used to using the phone.”

Scientists who study distracted driving say they understand the frustrations of colleagues who publicized the dangers of tobacco. Like cigarettes, they say, gadgets are considered cool but can be deadly. And the big device companies even offer warnings that remind them of labels on cigarette packs.

Verizon Wireless, for instance, posts instructions on its Web sites not to talk while driving — with or without a headset. But neither Verizon nor any other cellphone company supports legislation that bans drivers from talking on the phone. And the wireless industry does not conduct research on the dangers, saying that is not its responsibility.

Some researchers say that sufficient evidence exists to justify laws outlawing cellphone use for drivers — and they suggest using technology to enforce them by disabling a driver’s phone. “Just outlawing the behavior cannot possibly go very far toward getting people not to do it,” said Robert D. Foss, senior research scientist at the Highway Safety Research Center at the University of North Carolina. “The behavior is too ingrained and compelling.”

For his part, Mr. Hill rarely talks when he drives now. His mother gave him a hands-free headset two months after the accident. She thought it would create less distraction. He tried it once, and found his mind wandering into his phone call so much that “I nearly missed a light,” he said.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/19/technology/19distracted.html

Nationwide's 2009 Study Shows Americans DWD

Nationwide’s third annual Driving While Distracted survey shows that 80 percent of drivers surveyed are in support of some

2009 DWD Survey Key Findings at a Glance

Legislation

A new On Your Side^® Survey by Nationwide verifies with concrete data the general assumption that there is strong public support for legislation to restrict cell phone usage while driving.

The results of the new survey show there are varying degrees of support for different types of restrictions.

8 in 10 drivers support some type of cell phone usage restriction.

The majority of respondents say they are supportive of laws restricting any type of cell phone use while driving.

80 percent respondents support a ban on text messaging while driving.

80 percent of respondents support a ban on e-mailing while driving.

Two thirds (67 percent) of respondents say they are supportive of laws restricting phone calls while driving.

Of those who supported enacting some type of cell phone usage restriction, nearly 3 in 4 believed the law should apply to all drivers, not just specific groups. 

Education

Survey respondents perceive a growth in distracted driving behavior on the roads, underscoring the ongoing need for increased public education to raise awareness of the dangers caused by distracted drivers.

More than half of respondents say they see more drivers using cell phones while driving than they did 12 months ago.

Nearly three-quarters of respondents said that when they drive, they always or often see other drivers using cell phones. 

Technology

The survey results also bolster Nationwide’s position that legislation alone will not eliminate distracted driving. The development of technology that prevents cell phone usage in moving vehicles must be part of the solution to address the driving habits of survey respondents who indicated that a new law would not change their personal driving habits, including those who plan to resist changes in the law and those who are in denial about their current bad habits.

Survey data suggests that some drivers  may now be in denial  about their personal DWD problem. Others may simply prefer not to admit that they DWD because they are aware of its inherent dangers.

Nearly half (49%) of drivers said a law restricting use of cell phones would not change their behavior because they don’t currently use cell phones while driving.

Survey data also suggests that some drivers may resist a change in the law.

In the new survey, only 41 percent of respondents said their behavior would change if cell phone usage were restricted by law.

9 percent of respondents said they would continue to use a cell phone regardless of a change in the law, with Generation Y most likely to resist the change (13 percent).

The 2008 survey found that only 63% of drivers planned to abide by laws prohibiting cell phone usage.

Experts agree that the success of DWD legislation will rely on our ability to enforce new laws, which has been a challenge. Historically, communities with new DWD bans have experienced an initial dip in behavior, followed by a rebound when the public begins to perceive that the law has not been enforced effectively.

For more detail about this year's results, check out the 2009 Survey Results.

For more detail about this year's results, check out the 2009 DWD Fact Sheet.

http://www.nationwide.com/newsroom/dwd-surveys.jsp

employee driving safety news

August 12, 2009 - Industry News

Employee Driving Safety Campaign Set for October

McLEAN, VA --- The Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) is sponsoring Drive Safely Work Week during Oct. 5-9. The national traffic safety campaign will focus on educating employees about safe driving, whether they drive for work or just to and from work.

Tags: Drive Safely Work Week , driver distractions, Network of Employers for Traffic Safety

July 29, 2009 - Industry News

Senate Bill Seeks to Ban Texting While Driving

WASHINGTON, D.C. --- A new bill introduced in the Senate on Wednesday, July 29, seeks to ban motorists from texting or sending e-mail messages while driving, the Washington Post reported.

Tags: Dept. of Transportation, driver distractions, driver texting ban, Senate driver texting bill, Senator Charles Schumer

July 27, 2009 - Industry News

Study: Texting Raises Crash Risk 23.2 Times

BLACKSBURG, VA - Truck and heavy-vehicle drivers who text-message while driving are 23.2 times more likely to be involved in a crash or near-crash as non-distracted motorists, according to new research conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute.

Tags: driver cell phone use, driver distractions, driver texting, study, Virginia Tech Transportation Institute

July 27, 2009 - Industry News

Insurance.com Lists Most Dangerous Foods for Drivers

CLEVELAND --- While much has been written lately about the dangers of behind-the-wheel cell phone use, eating and drinking behind the wheel are even more prevalent and also pose serious risks.

Tags: driver distractions, Insurance.com, NHTSA, Virginia Tech Transportation Institute

July 15, 2009 - Industry News

Missouri Latest State to Restrict In-Vehicle Texting

JEFFERSON CITY, MO - This year alone, eight new states have passed broad texting-while-driving bans, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.

Tags: driver distractions, Missouri texting restrictions

July 8, 2009 - Industry News

Some Simple Driving Tips

Here's a list of safe-driving practices that you may want to pass along to your fleet drivers.

Tags: Allstate Insurance, driver distractions, driver safety, road rage

June 17, 2009 - Industry News

Ad Campaign Targets Driver Cell Phone Use

ITASCA, IL --- "Death by Cell Phone" is the title of a new billboard advertisement the National Safety Council launched this month in 67 markets.

Tags: driver cell phone use, driver distractions, National Safety Council , Nationwide Insurance Co.

June 3, 2009 - Industry News

New Colorado Law Bans Texting While Driving

DENVER --- Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter this week signed into law a bill that bans sending text messages, including e-mails and tweets, while driving.

Tags: Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter , Colorado texting ban, driver distractions

May 13, 2009 - Industry News

Boston Transit Issues Cell Phone Ban

BOSTON --- After a trolley driver admitted to police that he was texting his girlfriend just before a May 8 collision, the head of the Boston area transit authority vowed to ban all train and bus operators from even carrying cell phones on board.

Tags: cell phone ban, driver distractions, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

April 29, 2009 - Industry News

Study Concludes Drivers Underestimate Dangers of Multi-tasking Behind the Wheel

ITASCA, IL --- A new study reported in the National Safety Council's Journal of Safety Research suggests drivers tend to overestimate their driving skills and underestimate their distraction caused by other activities while they drive.

Tags: driver distractions, Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety, National Safety Council

February 5, 2009 - Industry News

Ford Study Demonstrates How SYNC System Reduces Driver Distraction

DEARBORN, MI --- A new study by Ford shows that the automaker's SYNC hands-free system significantly reduces the level of distraction when drivers select a phone number or choose a song on their MP3 player, compared with the same operations with hand-held cell phones and music players, the company said.

Tags: driver distractions, Ford SYNC hands-free system, Ford V.P. Susan Cischke

January 21, 2009 - Industry News

Governors Highway Safety Assn. Backs Cell Phone Ban for New Drivers

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Governors Highway Safety Association released a statement applauding the National Safety Council (NSC) for taking a strong stand against cell phone use while driving.

Tags: cell phone use, driver distractions, Governors Highway Safety Association

June 4, 2008 - Industry News

University Study Shows Why Cell Phones and Driving Don’t Mix

COLUMBIA, S.C. --- The notion that talking on a cell phone while driving a car isn't safe seems obvious, yet what happens in the brain while it juggles the two tasks is not.

Tags: cell phones, Dr. Amit Almor, driver distractions, University of South Carolina

February 21, 2008 - Industry News

Massachusetts Bill Seeks Cell Phone Restrictions

BOSTON --- The Massachusetts House on Jan. 23 passed a bill that would impose fines for adult drivers who make cell phone calls without a hands-free device.

Tags: cell phone restrictions, driver distractions

http://www.automotive-fleet.com/Channel/Safety-Accident-Management/News/List/Tag/driver-distractions.aspx

U.S. Withheld Data on Driving Distractions

Updated: July 22, 2009 07:55 AM EDT

WASHINGTON-  A new report claims the U.S. withheld important information about distracted drivers. A consumer advocate group says the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shelved a 2002 study about the dangers of using cell phones on the road.

Researchers say drivers distracted by cell phones caused nearly 1,000 fatalities and 240,000 accidents nationwide in 2002. Researchers found that driving while talking on your cell phone can increase the risk of an accident by three or four times. Consumer groups say releasing the information, years ago, could have saved lives.

Two consumer groups, Center for Auto Safety and Public Citizen, say the government kept the information private and misled the public in believing that driving hands-free is safe.

"The idea that the federal government can withhold important safety data and its research on public safety is really disasterous," said Margaret Kwoka, an attorney for Public Citizen.

The consumer groups filed a lawsuit to have the information released, claiming there were political reasons why the NHTSA withheld the 2002 findings. Reasons included pressure from the wireless industry, which has spent $35 million lobbying Congress, and pressure from lawmakers. Back in 2002, many states were just starting to create distracted driving laws. Some people in Congress warned the highway traffic agency not to lobby states over the safety issue or risk billions of dollars in funding.

The Department of Transportation says it is deeply concerned that drivers are taking their focus off the road to send text messages or use their cell phone. The government estimates one in 10 drivers talks on a cell phone. Most researchers say it is the conversation, not holding a phone, which has motorists distracted. Consumer groups are pushing for lawmakers to ban drivers' phone use all together. Researchers say driver distraction contributes to about 25 percent of all police-reported traffic crashes in 2002. The newly released data says the risk of talking while behind the wheel is almost equal to drunk driving.

Right now, the state of Maryland prohibits people under the age of 18 from using a cell-phone while driving that includes hands free devices. Starting in October, all Maryland drivers will be banned from writing, reading or sending text messages while operating a motor vehicle.

http://www.wboc.com/global/story.asp?s=10763947&ClientType=Printable

Defensive Driving Courses (DDC)

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 cause of work-related fatalities.

The National Safety Council was the first national association to offer driving improvement programs.  More than 70 years and 60 million students later, we still set the standard for driver training! National Safety Council Defensive Driving Courses have a consistently higher rate of success in reducing the number and severity of crashes than other driver improvement providers. When you choose our driver improvement programs, you protect your profitability by protecting your employees and other drivers on the road. Join the thousands of corporate and government employees who have successfully used our programs over the years.  Our defensive driving courses help keep employees safe on the roads, while reducing employer liability costs. National Safety Council Defensive Driving Courses are regularly held throughout North Carolina by the Safety and Health Council of North Carolina and other training sub-agencies.

http://www.safetync.org/defensivedrivingcourses.htm

Distracted Drivers and School Zones Are a Deadly Combination

What You Should Know To Help Your Children Stay Safe As They Walk

As kids head back to school, Safe Kids’ new study “Characteristics of Distracted Drivers in School Zones: A National Report” reveals a scary truth: One out of every six drivers in school zones is distracted. With cell phones, email and text messaging being added to the list of more traditional distractions like eating and grooming, there are more ways than ever for drivers to become distracted – and potentially dangerous to children as they walk to and from school.

About 10 percent of drivers were caught using hand-held electronics—such as cell phones, PDAs, and Smartphones. These devices were the leading cause of distraction. And while laws on using electronics while driving are still being hotly debated, this research shows that simply having a law on the books could help reduce distracted driving. States that have laws are 13 percent less likely to have distracted drivers in school zones.

The Danger of Distracted Driving Recent studies have measured the driving skills of distracted drivers showing they perform as bad or worse than drivers who are drunk. This is frightening for anyone on the road, but it’s a particularly dangerous situation when kids are added into the mix.

Common Traits of Distracted Driving

Seatbelt use.  Drivers that don’t wear a seatbelt are 34 percent more likely to be distracted than drivers who are buckled up. As a driver, if you engage in one risky behavior – you are more likely to engage in multiple unsafe driving behaviors.

Time of day.  Afternoon drivers are 22 percent more likely to be distracted than morning drivers. Throughout the year, one in three child pedestrian deaths occur between 3 and 7 p.m., making afternoons the most dangerous time for children to walk.

Gender.  Female drivers are 21 percent more likely to be distracted than male drivers. Moms today have a million things on their to-do lists and too often women are multitasking behind the wheel. But that doesn’t mean male drivers are off the hook—their rate of distraction was still way too high.

Traffic volume.  People driving on roads with a lot of traffic are 16 percent more likely to be distracted than those driving on roads with less traffic.

Top Tips from Safe Kids Walk This Way

Safe Kids and FedEx have been working together for 10 years on the Walk This Way program where we educate children about walking safely. We conduct programs in more than 600 schools and have reached more than a million kids all across the United States.

Top Tips

Be a Safe Kid

Always cross the street with an adult until age 10

Pause your music, hang up the cell phone and don’t text until you’ve safely crossed the street

Never play hand-held games while walking

Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks

Look left, right and left again when crossing

Always walk, never run, when crossing streets

Walk on sidewalks or paths

Walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible if there are no sidewalks

Never run out into the street or cross in between parked cars

Be a Safe Driver

Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods and school zones

Eliminate any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings

Watch for children on and near the road in the morning and after school hours

Safe Kids USA
1301 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20004
Tel: (202) 662-0600
Fax: (202) 393-2072

http://www.usa.safekids.org/tier3_cd.cfm?content_item_id=27371&folder_id=301

SAFETY IS TOO IMPORTANT TO IGNORE

Driving Distractions Are Reaching Epidemic Proportions

Distractions can take attention away from the driving task and place the driver at an increased risk of crashing. For example, the average person under ideal conditions takes about 1/4 of a second to identify a road hazard (such as seeing a child dart out between two cars), 1/4 of a second for the brain process the situation, and another 1/4 of a second to make a decision on how to avoid the hazard.

If a driver is traveling at 30 mph in a school zone, that processing time translates to about 33 feet before the driver even reacts to the situation. Once the driver identifies the hazard, they must react to it by applying the brakes. This costs the driver an additional 3/4 of a second and another 33 feet. Finally, the vehicles itself takes about 3 seconds to engage the brakes, bringing the vehicle to a complete stop in approximately 38 feet. Thus the overall braking distance needed for an attentive driver on a dry road is roughly 104 feet.

In contrast, for each second the driver is distracted an additional 33 feet is added to this number. Thus, if the driver is distracted with a three-second task the moment a child steps out into the street, it would take them 203 feet to completely stop the car.

http://www.usa.safekids.org/wtw/documents/Research08.pdf

Author :

Jurek G. Grabowski, PhD, MPH

Stephanie Goodman, MPH

Department of Evaluation and Research

Safe Kids USA

1301 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.

Suite 1000

Washington D.C. 20004

jgrabowski@safekids.org

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FLUKE NETWORKS TO OFFER A REEL DEAL

The cabling business is looking up, so Fluke Networks is running a special promotion called “Reel Deal.” With Reel Deal customers get a cash rebate on the DTX CableAnalyzer. The qualifying event is to purchase at least 30,000 feet of Cat 5e/6/6a copper cable or 3,000 meters of Singlemode or Multimode fiber between now and the end of the year. That is a cumulative, not a one-time purchase.

Cable and DTX purchases must be made between now and December 31, 2009. There is no limit on the number of DTX CableAnalyzers that qualify. Details can be found at www.flukenetworks.com/ReelDeal 

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NAIOP Sustainable Development Award Honors ProLogis and Forest City Covington: Projects to be honored at Development '09: The Annual Meeting for Commercial Real Estate, August 25, 2009

HERNDON, Va., August 25, 2009 – NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, the leading organization for developers, owners and related professionals in office, industrial and mixed-use real estate, today announced that it has selected two development companies as the recipients of its annual Sustainable Development Award.

ProLogis is being honored for its industrial project, the S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc., building in Sturtevant, Wis.; and Forest City Covington is being recognized for its office building that houses Fidelity Investments at Mesa del Sol in Albuquerque, N.M.

The award will be presented during a special ceremony on Thursday, October 15, at NAIOP's Development '09: The Annual Meeting for Commercial Real Estate, in Chicago.

"These projects symbolize the innovation, creativity and sustainable approach that our members are utilizing to develop model properties," said NAIOP President Thomas J. Bisacquino. "The Sustainable Development Award is one of many ways that NAIOP exemplifies its commitment to sustainable development. NAIOP and its member companies are strong proponents of energy efficiency and are committed to continuing to couple increased efficiencies with the overall prosperity of the industry."

ProLogis Develops Modern, Sustainable Distribution Center for S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
The S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc., building, developed by ProLogis, is a state-of-the-art, 432,000-square-foot distribution center located in Sturtevant, Wis.

The structure is certified LEED-NC Gold� and promotes energy efficiency with incorporated sustainable features through the following channels:

Use of high-quality materials to reduce replacement and maintenance costs, including a durable roof.

Installation of energy-efficient lighting, HVAC systems and other sustainable features that are expected to achieve 38 percent greater energy efficiency than industry standards, resulting in substantial energy cost reductions for S. C. Johnson.

Diversion of more than 85 percent of construction debris from landfills and recycled for future use. In addition, 42 percent of the content utilized for the completed structure was recycled and more than 46 percent of construction materials were manufactured within 500 miles of the project site.

Inclusion of 60 clerestory windows, 42 vision panels in the dock doors and 22-foot glass storefronts in the building's design that allow employees to use natural light as a source of interior illumination.

Constructed with a white, thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) roof, which reduces the urban heat island effect, minimizing the load on the building's cooling/heating system and often providing a more comfortable work environment.

Geothermal HVAC system was installed in the building's office area and has proven to be very effective in saving energy costs and improving the internal air quality at the facility.

"ProLogis continues to demonstrate its commitment to being the leading global provider of sustainable distribution facilities," said Jack Rizzo, chief sustainability officer for ProLogis. "We are pleased to be recognized by NAIOP for this project, which not only satisfies the needs of an important customer, but it will play a key role in helping us reach our multi-year sustainability goals. We'd like to thank our partners, which were an integral part of this development's success: M.E. Group, Heitman Architects and FCL Contractors LLC."

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LEED - Forest City Covington's Mesa del Sol to Incorporate Best Practices in Sustainable Urban Development

Mesa del Sol is a mixed-use, master-planned community project in Albuquerque, N.M. The project is being developed on once state-owned land by a public-private partnership led by Forest City Covington, which is a joint venture between units of Covington Capital and Forest City Enterprises. The Fidelity Investments building is a two-story, 217,892 square foot office building that is targeted to be the first LEED� Gold office building within the development.

The building includes the following sustainable features:

Use of construction materials, including concrete and steel, that were selected based on their post-industrial and post-consumer recycled content, reducing the strain on energy resources. Additionally, 94 percent of all shell construction waste material was recycled.

A chilled water system with cooling towers for air conditioning.

Recessed windows to provide shade from direct summer sun that feature insulated window glazing to keep out heat in the summer and cold in the winter.

When fully operational, the building is expected to use 28 percent less energy than a typical building of similar size.

High-efficiency fixtures throughout the entire building, resulting in a 30 percent savings in water.

A visitor parking lot created from pervious concrete, which allows rainwater to seep into the ground, thereby recharging ground water and reducing stormwater runoff.

"We are extremely proud to have our efforts recognized by our peers at NAIOP," said Michael Daly, Mesa del Sol president. "This building showcases that sustainability is not a buzz word or a fad, but a system to develop innovative projects for our mixed-use, master-planned community.

Sustainability and green living are basic core values for the Mesa del Sol community, as they are for Forest City. It is a commitment that has grown with the company's adoption of the principals of sustainability into the projects it develops and the properties it manages, balancing environmental resources, economic objectives and social systems - the so-called triple bottom line of people, planet and profit."

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2009 MARKS FIFTH ANNUAL AWARD FOR NAIOP

NAIOP established the Sustainable Development Award in 2005 to recognize the growing number of firms engaged in green development. NAIOP and its member companies are committed to developing model properties adhering to the highest standards in the industry and believe that socially conscious development is essential to the economic vitality of the industry.

Applicants were judged on a number of criteria, including company commitment to sustainability, site sustainability and materials use, innovation, water efficiency, energy efficiency, economic viability, innovation and other sustainable attributes. Entries for the award were reviewed by industry leaders, including members of the U.S. Green Building Council.

Previous recipients of the award include: (2005) Corporate Office Properties Trust for its development at 318 Sentinel in Annapolis Junction, Md.; (2006) Hines for their project at 1180 Peachtree in Atlanta, Ga.; (2007) the Georgetown Company, New York, N.Y., for their speculative project, the Lazarus Building, and Liberty Property Trust for the build-to-suit JohnsonDiversey project in Milwaukee, Wis.; (2008) Aardex LLC of Golden, Colo., for its speculative project, The Signature Centre, and Hamilton Partners its build-to-suit project, HSBC-North America Headquarters, in Mettawa, Ill.

About NAIOP:

NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, is the leading organization for developers, owners and related professionals in office, industrial and mixed-use real estate. NAIOP comprises 15,000 members in North America. NAIOP advances responsible commercial real estate development and advocates for effective public policy. For more information, www.naiop.org.

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MEGLADON MANUFACTURING GROUP, LTD. "MASTERS THE MEASUREMENT" OF APC CONNECTORS WITH NORLAND PRODUCTS CC 6000

NORLAND PRODUCTS

Cranbury, NJ- - Megladon Mfg has made another momentous step towards improving the quality and performance of Angle Polished Connectors (APC). By utilizing the HLC termination process and Interferometric equipment from Norland Products Inc., Megladon has drastically increased their ability to make accurate and repeatable APC geometrical measurements. Historically, interferometers have only been able to measure the apex offset of APC connectors within +/-10um of accuracy. Due to the nature of the “floating ferrule” and ferrule movement found in the SC APC connectors, it has been difficult to get good reproducibility and accurate results when taking these measurements. The fiber industry has to date not given the issue much attention, but as our dependency on APC cables increases, it is necessary to address how this issue can deteriorate performance. “APC connectors should provide exceptional back reflection performance, but if the geometry is at the edge of the specification, high bandwidth transmission will suffer,” says Daniel Hogberg, Product Group Supervisor for Megladon Mfg. “It is necessary to accurately measure APC connectors to ensure that cables are being manufactured to the appropriate specification, and then to optimize performance.” Not all interferometers have been able to “master the measurement” and establish a solid point of reference. “At Norland Products, we have spent many hours developing our CC6000 interferometric system to help us overcome this difficulty,” says Neal Wagman, Sales Manager for Norland Products. “Our development has enabled us measure the SC/APC connector quickly, accurately, and very inexpensively.” Norland Product’s SC APC mount allows for exceptional control in measuring SC APC connectors, and has allowed Megladon Mfg. to implement tighter controls within its manufacturing process. The new process has enabled measurements with +/-5um of accuracy, and helps Megladon continue setting new standards in back reflection performance and building the best performing APC connectors in the marketplace with ScratchGuard™ HLC technology .

Megladon Manufacturing Group, Ltd., a subsidiary of TyRex Group Ltd. ®, is recognized as a leader in the fiber optic marketplace. Founded in 1997, Megladon made it their mission to provide customers with fiber optic products that far exceed industry standards. As technology innovators, Megladon created the ScratchGuard™ HLC (Hardened Lens Contact) termination, which has changed the market and taken it to the next level.

For additional information on Megladon and their patented processes please visit the company’s website at www.megladonmfg.com  or respond by email to scratchguard@megladonmfg.com . For more information concerning Norland Products Interferometric portfolio, please contact Neal Wagman at nwagman@norlandprod.com  or www.norlandproducts.com .

Norland Products has taken the knowledge gained from over 20 years of interferometric measuring experience to produce the first low cost, automated, non-contact interferometer for fiber optics .  

https://www.norlandprod.com/news_article.asp?article_id=1482

The Norland Connect-Chek ® CC6000 automatically and precisely measures radius of curvature, apex offset of polish, and fiber undercut or protrusion on any PC or APC single fiber connector.

The breakthrough technology used in the CC6000 is unlike any other system on the market today and now allows interferometric connector analysis to be affordable to all users.

https://www.norlandprod.com/foindex.tpl

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NECA - FINALISTS ANNOUNCED IN GREEN ENERGY CHALLENGE STUDENT COMPETITION

Student teams from Oregon State University, The Pennsylvania State University, and the University of Washington will be competing for the top prize in the first Green Energy Challenge student design competition. The three finalists will present their entries at the annual convention of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) in Seattle, on Sept. 12.

The finalists were selected following the first round of judging from seven entries from NECA student chapters around the country. NECA and ELECTRI International – The Foundation for Electrical Construction, Inc. sponsored the Green Energy Challenge. A complete listing of project proposals will be available after the winning project is announced in September.

The Green Energy Challenge invited teams of students studying electrical construction, engineering, design and management to conduct an energy audit of a local K-12 school. Based on their findings, students developed customized proposals for energy retrofits that would improve the schools' energy efficiency. Teams also designed a new solar PV and/or wind energy system for the facility.

Seven highly-regarded leaders from the electrical construction industry served as jurors for this phase of the competition: Wayne Butler, Pel-Bern Electric, Rockville, Md.; Kevin McCosky, Coastal Electric Construction Corp., Patchogue, N.Y.; Dan Divane, Divane Bros. Electric, Franklin Park, Ill.; Dennis Quebe, Chapel Electric, Dayton, Oh.; Don Campbell, Northern California Chapter, NECA, Dublin, Calif.; Tim McBride, Southern Contracting Company, San Marcos, Calif., and David Moeller, Graybar, St. Louis, Mo.

“The judging panel was overwhelming impressed with the quality of each submission,” said Laura Capuco, Director of Operations, ELECTRI International. “For several weeks, each judge reviewed and scored the submissions individually. The entire jury met via conference call to discuss their individual evaluations and determine the teams’ scores.  Several of the proposals ended up being ranked very close. There was definitely stiff competition.”

The teams’ energy solutions proposals were evaluated on lighting analysis; transformer/distribution analysis; a solar photovoltaic or wind energy system design; schematic estimate and schedule; financing plan to implement the proposal; LEED certification for Existing Buildings Review; and format/appearance.

"It's a very technically advanced program," said David Riley, faculty advisor for the Penn State student team. "The problems aren't hypothetical, so the solutions that students developed couldn’t be either. Ultimately, we hope the schools can use the student teams’ proposals to start energy efficiency upgrades in their buildings.”

Each participating team will receive a $500 prize recognizing their work from Southern Contracting Company, San Marcos, Calif. Southern Contracting will also award each finalist team $1,000, and the grand prize of $5,000 for the winning proposal. Southern Contracting is a long-time supporter of the Foundation and a key contributor to the Foundation’s Talent Initiative program to support students’ interest in a career in the electrical construction industry. 

“Southern Contracting is especially pleased to be a part of the Green Energy Challenge since so much our own business is now dealing with solar and renewable energy projects,” said Tim McBride, President and CEO, Southern Contracting. “We hope that students will be inspired to bring the same enthusiasm and creativity to an electrical contracting company one day that they brought to this project.”

Student teams also received financial support and technical guidance from their local NECA chapters and member firms in preparing their submissions.

 “The Green Energy Challenge is a true hands-on learning opportunity for the next generation of energy professionals,” said NECA CEO John M. Grau. “Students are now following careers in construction because they see it as a way to make a meaningful difference in their world. I’m pleased we can give them this opportunity, and maybe help some local schools start saving on their own energy costs.”

The winning student proposal will be announced following the team presentations on Sept. 12 in Seattle. A catalog of all entries will be published online with the announcement.

NECA is the voice of the $130 billion electrical construction industry that brings power, light, and communication technology to buildings and communities across the U.S. NECA’s national office and 119 local chapters advance the industry through advocacy, education, research and standards development. For more information, visit www.necanet.org.

ELECTRI International – The Foundation for Electrical Construction, Inc. is the primary research arm of the electrical construction industry. Foundation research helps to improve the productivity, professionalism, and competitiveness of electrical contractors. For more information, visit www.electri.org.

NECA Student Chapters Participating in the 2009 Green Energy Challenge

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NECA SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH BUILDINGSMART ALLIANCE

NECA, together with the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) and the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA), recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the buildingSMART alliance (bSa) to establish needs and goals for the interoperability of building information modeling (BIM) software.

The alliance is a public/private initiative led by the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) to facilitate interoperability throughout the construction industry. BIM refers to the digital tools that help contractors build facilities virtually prior to building them physically.

NECA members are using BIM technology to avoid potential placement problems of electrical systems and accommodate possible future needs of a building before construction ever begins.

“BIM is revolutionizing how specialty contractors work together on building projects, and it’s critical to see their needs reflected in technological and software developments,” said Dan Walter, NECA COO/Vice President. Walter also serves as president of the Association of Specialty Contractors. “Our relationship with bSa will allow the electrical and mechanical construction industries to realize the benefits of BIM processes by reducing software compatibility problems and removing obstacles to getting the job done efficiently.”

More information about the buildingSMART alliance can be found at www.buildingsmartalliance.org.

NECA is the voice of the $130 billion electrical construction industry that brings power, light, and communication technology to buildings and communities across the U.S. NECA’s national office and local chapters advance the industry through advocacy, education, research and standards development. For more information, visit www.necanet.org.

 Officer and Overhead Personnel Compensation Report Now Available from NECA

An updated edition of the Officer and Overhead Personnel Compensation Report has been published by the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA).

Based on an industry-wide survey of electrical contracting firms, the report is an important tool for contractors to benchmark compensation and benefit levels. Survey results offer comparisons within the industry as a whole and broken down geographically and by sales volume. 

The 2009 edition includes additional information on how the economy is affecting employee benefits. 

The 2009 report’s statistical data includes:

Annual wages paid to overhead employees

Officer compensation, including salaries, bonuses and dividends

Vacation and sick leave policies

Fringe benefit information

Pension plan information

The report also includes average sales dollar per electrical workers, sales dollar return per labor dollar cost, average wages paid for electrical worker, percentage labor cost of sales, and number of overhead personnel by function.

The 2009 Officer and Overhead Personnel Compensation Report is available for $40 for NECA members and $99 for non-members. To order your copy, contact the NECA Order Desk at 301-215-4504 or by email at orderdesk@necanet.org. The report can also be ordered online at www.necanet.org/store under “Management,”  or search by Index #1065-09.

NECA is the voice of the $130 billion electrical construction industry that brings power, light, and communication technology to buildings and communities across the U.S. NECA’s national office and 119 local chapters advance the industry through advocacy, education, research and standards development. For more information, visit www.necanet.org.

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BOMA INTERNATIONAL RELEASES PREPAREDNESS TOP TEN LIST FOR NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH

Hurricane Season and Return of H1N1 Call for Preparedness Best Practices

 (WASHINGTON—August 27, 2009) September is National Preparedness Month and the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International has released a list of ten proactive steps property professionals can take to ensure their tenants, staff and buildings are safe in an emergency or natural disaster. With hurricane season in full swing and experts predicting an increase in cases of the H1N1 virus this fall, now is the time to revisit preparedness plans. To help property professionals, BOMA has compiled a preparedness best practices list.

“Preparedness is essential for property professionals as they strive to protect tenants, buildings and business operations against a variety of threats,” said BOMA International Chair and Chief Elected Officer James A. Peck, RPA, FMA, senior director of asset services, CB Richard Ellis. “A well thought out, regularly reviewed and practiced emergency preparedness plan is the best defense we have against any emergencies.”

An effective preparedness plan includes an emergency response plan, a communications strategy and a blueprint for business continuity. Here is a list of tips to help property professionals start planning now:

Review your plan. Regularly go over your building’s emergency preparedness plan with your team to ensure everyone is familiar with all aspects of emergency protocol.

Practice makes perfect. Have your preparedness team take part in tabletop exercises, in which team members walk through various emergency scenarios and propose responses to “what if” questions.

Involve your tenants. Make certain all of your tenants are aware of the building evacuation procedures and encourage them to participate in evacuation drills.

Communicate. Develop a multi-layered crisis communication plan that is fast and effective in reaching tenants, local authorities and agencies, and the media.

Stay alert. Sign up for daily alerts to monitor weather conditions and cases of pandemic influenza in your area.

Work with authorities. Review local evacuation procedures and identify the agency that will issue evacuation orders.

Cross-train staff. Identify and provide cross-training essential personnel to provide critical services.

Revisit HR policies. Determine how your company’s leave and salary policies will apply in emergency situations, such as a pandemic flu outbreak, when a significant portion of your workforce may be unable to come to work.

Operate remotely. Consider identifying off-site work facilities or telecommuting capabilities to ensure business continuity in the event of a disaster.

 Find the latest resources. For the latest information and resources on H1N1, visit BOMA’s Pandemic Flu Resources site. BOMA knows buildings. Visit the BOMA bookstore to order these publications:   The Property Professional’s Guide to Emergency Preparedness; Are Your Tenants Safe? BOMA’s Guide to Security and Emergency Planning; Pandemic Influenza: Are You Prepared?; and When Disaster Strikes, What Really Matters?. 

For more information, visit www.boma.org

About BOMA International

The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International is an international federation of more than 100 local associations and affiliated organizations. Founded in 1907, its 18,000-plus members own or manage more than 9 billion square feet of commercial properties. BOMA International’s mission is to enhance the human, intellectual and physical assets of the commercial real estate industry through advocacy, education, research, standards and information. On the Web at www.boma.org.

Hurricanes AGAIN - a safety tip

"You should keep enough supplies in your home to meet the needs of you and your family for at least three days. Build an emergency supply kit to take with you in an evacuation. The basics to stock in your portable kit include: water, food, battery-powered radio and flashlight with extra batteries, first aid supplies, change of clothing, blanket or sleeping bag, wrench or pliers, whistle, dust mask, plastic sheeting and duct tape, trash bags, map, a manual can opener for canned food and special items for infants, elderly, the sick or people with disabilities. Keep these items in an easy to carry container such as a covered trash container, a large backpack or a duffle bag."  Courtesy of Homeland Security Dept

IN REMEMBERANCE OF Sept. 11th, 2001

On this day of tribute we would like to acknowledge the strength of will to not only to survive, but to thrive and move forward after the events of 9/11. The courage during and after of all people around the world show the ability to forget our differences and work together to build a stronger and safer world for our families.

We are thankful for the service and sacrifices by our men and women who defend our Country in times of peace and in times of war. They stand for the freedom that is so precious to all.

We now have the responsibility to carry on for those who are not with us today and work towards a safer world for our future generations.

In Remembrance of the Tragedy of 9-11
Dedicated to the men, women and children who lost their lives; those brave people who gave their lives And the Heroes that responded to the emergency

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TED MAGAZINE NAMES LEVITON MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR & RECIPIENT OF 5 NAED AWARDS

Leviton Named Manufacturer of the Year by TED Magazine
Electrical Distribution Team Scoops Up Five Awards for Excellence in Marketing

Melville, NY, August 18, 2009 – Leviton Manufacturing Company was named Manufacturer of the Year by TED (The Electrical Distributor) Magazine and was also the distinguished recipient of four other Best of the Best Awards for the quality of its distributor marketing and support programs. Leviton received all five awards during NAED’s (National Association of Electrical Distributors) AdVenture Marketing Conference, just held in Chicago. The awards are presented annually by TED Magazine to recognize the best electrical marketing campaigns in the industry.

Leviton received awards in the following categories: 1) Literature/Selling Tools for its boxed demo platform; 2) Public Relations for an integrated publicity campaign on how tamper-resistant receptacles help safeguard children from electrical hazards; and 3) The Vizia +® Collection and Wireless Sensor Product Launches. The Best Overall Manufacturer Award is the event’s highest achievement award. It recognizes a single manufacturer and a single distributor who represent the ultimate overall best in marketing excellence.

“This recognition is extremely gratifying and signifies that our industry partners truly value our marketing programs,” said William Fodor, Leviton’s ED Marketing Director. “We are committed to ensuring our support materials are practical and effective. In today’s economic climate these tools are more important than ever to our distributor partners.”

Speaking on the company’s launch kits, Best of the Best Award Judge Henry Bergson said, “Leviton’s product launch kits are outstanding, easy to use, to the point, attractive and complete, with all the info needed. They are what NAED and NEMRA have been preaching about in our new product intro guidelines. I could take the materials on a sales call and sell the product and/or educate my customers on why they need this solution. Other entries came close but Leviton’s kits really nailed it.”  

TED Magazine stands as the voice for North America’s top electrical distributors. Read widely by top distribution companies in the industry and their key executives, TED is known for its insightful reporting and treatment of tough industry issues that affect electrical distributors. For more information contact Leviton Manufacturing or visit www.leviton.com.

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ACUTA FALL SEMINAR FOCUSES ON MANAGING & FINANCING THE CONVERGED ENVIRONMENT AND MOBILITY & WIRELESS

LEXINGTON, Kentucky, August 26, 2009 – Two topics that are important to those who manage technology in higher education – “Managing and Financing the Converged Environment” and “Mobility and Wireless‑Where Are We Going?” – will be addressed in the dual-track Fall Seminar of ACUTA, the Association for Information Communications Technology Professionals in Higher Education.

The seminar is October 25 to 28 at the Marriott Downtown Waterfront Hotel in Portland, Oregon. Its two concurrent tracks will feature presentations by representatives of large and small colleges and universities from all over the country.  Representing schools such as Stanford, Columbia, Penn State, University of Pennsylvania, Texas A&M, LSU, University of Florida, Abilene Christian University, Florida State, Loyola Chicago, Sewanee: The University of the South, and others, presenters will share their insight, experiences, and successes with their peers.

Educational sessions in track one will address topics such as the ICT funding, centralizing networking services, organizational efficiencies, project management, and much more. In the mobility and wireless track, sessions will highlight topics such as fixed mobile convergence, bringing 802.11 to the dorms, WiFi access, and securing networks for wireless.

ACUTA is the only national association dedicated to serving the needs of higher education information communications technology professionals, representing some 2,000 individuals at 780 institutions.

“As we begin to see signs in the world economy that the current economic challenges could be lifting, we expect an especially interesting exchange of ideas and experiences among attendees,” said Jeri Semer, executive director of ACUTA. “Both of these educational tracks are timely and important, and our campus speakers as well as corporate presenters will be sharing practical, pertinent information.”

Beyond the educational sessions, ACUTA events are well known for the extensive networking opportunities they present for campus technology professionals.

For more information or to register for the Fall Seminar, visit the ACUTA website at www.acuta.org or call 859-278-3338.

About ACUTA
ACUTA, the Association for Information Communications Technology Professionals in Higher Education, is an international non-profit educational association serving colleges and universities. Its core purpose is to support higher education information communications technology professionals in contributing to the achievement of the strategic mission of their institutions. ACUTA represents nearly 2000 individuals at some 780 institutions of higher education, with members ranging from small schools and community colleges to the 50 largest U.S. institutions. ACUTA’s Corporate Affiliate members represent all categories of communications technology vendors serving the college/university market. For more information, visit www.acuta.org or call 859-278-3338.

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CALENDAR NOTES FOR SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER 2009

 September is busy…

Hurricane Season peaks

Wild fires on the West Coast

9/11 Memorial

NECA convention and expo in Seattle  Sept 12-15

NAED HR & Training Conference, September 14-16

Selling Energy Solutions: A Hands-on Workshop for Distributors on How to Sell Green, September 24-25

BICSI conference in Las Vegas Sept 20-24

ASIS Convention in Anaheim, CA Sept 21-24

October is filled with new energy

ACUTA Fall Seminar in Portland, Oregon Oct. 25-28

Data Center World conference in Orlando, FL Oct.4-7

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COLEMAN CABLE INTRODUCES ROYAL^® BRAND DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE CABLE (DLO)

WAUKEGAN, Ill. (August 11, 2009) – Coleman Cable, Inc. (Nasdaq: CCIX) expands its industrial product offering to include Royal^® brand Diesel Locomotive Cable (DLO).

Coleman Cable’s DLO cable has UL RHH/RHW-2 and CSA RW90 approvals and is rated for 2000 volt and 90°C wet/dry.. DLO is constructed with fully annealed tinned copper that meets ASTM B-33, premium grade Ethylene Propylene (EP) insulation and a robust Chlorinated Polyethylene (CPE) jacket. These compounds provide a cable with excellent impact and abrasion resistance, as well as superior resistance to oils, heat, flame, acids, and alkalis. The cable also carries a sunlight-resistant rating.

“Coleman Cable continues to capitalize on our copper fabrication, thermosetting, and thermoplastic insulation production capabilities” said Gene Stang, Vice President of Product Management and Market Development.  “The DLO product line will complement our recent industrial product line additions of un-insulated copper fabrication, XHHW, SIS VW1, and tray cables. Coleman Cable is committed to offer one of the broadest product lines in the wire and cable industry.”

DLO may be used in oil and gas drilling rigs, mining and earth moving equipment, shipyards, and motor leads, and other heavy-duty industrial environments where a highly flexible single conductor cable is required.

About Coleman Cable Inc.

Coleman Cable, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and innovator of electrical and electronic wire and cable products for the security, sound, telecommunications, electrical, commercial, industrial, and automotive industries. With extensive design and production capabilities and a long-standing dedication to customer service, Coleman Cable, Inc. is the preferred choice of cable and wire users throughout North America. The company is located at 1530 Shields Drive, Waukegan, IL 60085.  For more information, visit: www.colemancable.com

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ELK - NEW! IN-LINE TELEPHONE SURGE PROTECTOR FOR SECURITY CONTROLS

New! In-line Telephone Surge Protector for Security Controls

The ELK-952 Five Stage Telephone Surge Protector provides exceptional protection against damage from lightning, voltage spikes, and surge damage coming into a phone line.  This surge protector is very economical and works with any security control.  The ELK-952 easily installs between the RJ31X phone jack and the security control.  It features multi-stage protection and super fast response time.

For more information, visit www.elkproducts.com or contact Amy Strickland at (800)797-9355 or amy.strickland@elkproducts.com

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FLUKE NETWORKS COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF AIRMAGNET

Aug. 26, 2009 (EVERETT, Wash.) – Fluke Networks, the leader in network installation, certification, testing, monitoring and analysis, today announced that it has completed the acquisition of AirMagnet, a leader in performance, security and compliance solutions for wireless LANs.

The acquisition of AirMagnet is expected to create a global leader in the fast growing area of Wi-Fi testing and security and should further strengthen Fluke Networks’ worldwide leadership in test and analysis for networks, regardless of media type. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

About AirMagnet Inc.
AirMagnet Inc. is a leader in security, performance and compliance solutions for wireless LANs. The company's innovative products include AirMagnet Enterprise, the leading 24x7 WLAN security and performance management solution, and AirMagnet WiFi Analyzer — which is known as the "de facto tool for wireless LAN troubleshooting and analysis." Other products provide WLAN site survey and design, RF interference detection, remote diagnostics, and the world's first voice over WiFi analysis solution. AirMagnet has more than 8,200 customers worldwide, including 75 of the Fortune 100. The company, based in Sunnyvale, Calif., has offices worldwide. For more information, visit www.AirMagnet.com. 

About Fluke Networks

Fluke Networks provides innovative solutions for the installation and certification, testing, monitoring and analysis of copper, fiber and wireless networks used by enterprises and telecommunications carriers. The company's comprehensive line of Network SuperVision™ Solutions provide network installers, owners, and maintainers with superior vision, combining speed, accuracy and ease of use to optimize network performance. Headquartered in Everett, Washington, the company distributes its products in more than 50 countries. More information can be found by visiting Fluke Networks’ Web site at: www.flukenetworks.com or by calling (800) 283-5853.

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FOA WEB SITE ASSISTS USERS OF FIBER OPTIC COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS

The user of fiber optic communications systems often has problems finding information on fiber optics which is relevant to their application. Where can end users such as IT managers, building owners, town managers and even independent telcos often go for comprehensive, trustworthy information on fiber optics?

Manufacturers often provide good information but, of course, their information is limited to applications of their products in their targeted markets. Industry standards are written by and for manufacturers. The quality of information on many websites is questionable. Most training material is aimed at training installation techs, not users.

The Fiber Optic Association, Inc, the professional society of fiber optics, is working to help users learn more about fiber optics. The FOA has created a web site devoted to information useful to the end user who is considering using fiber optics in their communications systems and planning or installing a network.

The FOA web site includes an extensive online reference guide to fiber optics (http://www.thefoa.org/tech/ref/index.html) that is widely used for technical information on the basics of fiber optics, components, network design, installation and testing.

 There is now a special section of the FOA website where end users can find answers to their questions on fiber optics or even find out what questions to ask. In addition, it includes step-by-step recommendations for making a decision whether fiber is the best choice for them, planning a communications system, managing the installation and maintaining the system. Guidance is available in choosing components, communications system equipment and even a contractor to install everything.

As a non-profit professional society chartered to promote fiber optics, the FOA offers an unique, unbiased perspective on this process that can assist users in making the best choices for their needs.  The web site is located at http://www.thefoa.org/user/

The Fiber Optic Association, Inc. is an nonprofit educational organization chartered to promote fiber optics through education, certification and standards. Over 230 FOA-Approved schools around the world have certified more than 27,000 fiber optic technicians. The FOA offers free online introductory fiber optic programs for everyone and training for instructors at FOA-Approved schools. For more information on the FOA, see the organization's website http://www.thefoa.org/, email info@thefoa.org  or call 760-451-3655.

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CSC / WESCO 2009 GREEN & SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT

Communications Supply Corporation and its parent company WESCO International (NYSE:WCC) jointly, will host its next wave of the 10-city Sustainability Summits in New York City, NY on July 16, 2009, followed by Boston, MA on August 11, then San Francisco, CA on Sept. 10, 2009.  

These events follow the successful summit in Dallas, TX where nearly 200 customers attended the event. 

These unique one day events bring CSC and WESCO management teams together with senior-level IT, operations and facilities professionals from large organizations to provide a state-of-the-art understanding about the Green and Sustainability movement in the United States. Attendees will be presented with information to assist in the planning and construction of a green roadmap that addresses all aspects of a 21st Century Digital Building.

The Summits will feature high-profile keynote speakers, including Andy Karsner, US Assistant Secretary of Energy (2005-08) and executive members from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). The event will also cover best-practice recommendations surrounding data center power, cooling and bandwidth efficiencies, green lighting solutions, and various sustainability funding opportunities through grants, tax credits and other sources. Additionally, a thirty-company tradeshow will be held featuring the nations leading manufacturers who share the same green and sustainability vision as CSC and WESCO. 

The most notable quote in Phoenix from the former Assistant Secretary of Energy was “….this is about being green, but green is also about building that hedge.  It’s about making us more competitive and more productive – ensuring that our economic development persists.”

“Our aim is to offer customers who are interested in implementing a green strategy the resources, tools, and product solutions that focus on data centers and lighting technologies”, says Frank LaPlante, CSC’s Vice President of Marketing. “The data center environment alone accounts for 3 - 4% of the nation’s energy consumption. We can demonstrate ways to take costs out of our customers businesses, identify funding sources, and leverage utility rebate opportunities. We are very pleased with the enthusiasm these events are generating as WESCO and CSC provide a comprehensive green solutions package”

For additional information about this program please visit www.wescogogreen.com/events.asp

Click here to Register   Find Summit Dates on CSC's Event Calendar

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GENERAL CABLE FALLS AFTER ITS THIRD-QUARTER FORECAST WIDELY MISSES WALL STREET EXPECTATIONS

On Thursday August 6, 2009, 11:18 am EDT

NEW YORK -- Shares of General Cable Corp. fell sharply after the wire and cable maker said its third-quarter earnings will miss Wall Street expectations by a wide margin.

The Highland Heights, Ky., company issued its guidance when it reported second-quarter results Wednesday after the market closed. General Cable beat analyst expectations for April through June, but it forecast third-quarter earnings below consensus estimates.

"We expect demand for our products will continue to be weak as a result of project deferrals and cancellations in many of our end markets as a consequence of tighter credit markets and reduced energy consumption," the company said in a statement.

Further, the third quarter will suffer from "extended summer shutdowns in an effort to continue to balance inventory levels with expected weak end-market demand, which will result in incremental unabsorbed fixed costs but favorable cash flows," General Cable said.

Third-quarter results also may be hindered by a recent rise in the cost of copper and aluminum, among other raw materials, and normal seasonal patterns.

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HELLERMANNTYTON INTRODUCES NEW HEAT SHRINK LINE

MILWAUKEE, WI (August 5, 2009) – HellermannTyton is now offering a complete industrial line of non-printable heat shrink tubing in a variety of sizes, colors, and shrink ratios.  Primarily used to insulate, protect, and seal wire and cables from abrasion, harmful elements, and environmental hazards, HellermannTyton’s heat shrink tubing delivers exceptional reliability for these challenging conditions.

Quality and convenience are the two factors that set HellermannTyton’s heat shrink tubing apart from competing brands.  HellermannTyton uses its global design expertise to offer a dependable product in multiple variations.  Thin, medium and thick walled adhesive lined tubes provide moderate to heavy duty sealing protection against moisture and abrasion.  The products are supplied in a variety of packaging options to meet the needs of the project, no matter how large or small.  Supplied in bulk reels, handy dispenser boxes or standard sticks, HellermannTyton can meet most project requirements.

HellermannTyton uses E-Beam technology that incorporates an electron beam to crosslink the molecular structure of the polymer, the main material in the heat shrink tubing. The E-Beam technology is preferred over traditional methods that use chemical-linking because of the stronger bond it produces which, in turn, creates a more durable tubing.

For more information on HellermannTyton’s Non-Printable Heat Shrink Tubing, contact HellermannTyton by phone at 1-800-822-4352, email info@htamericas.com, or visit www.hellermann.tyton.com.

HellermannTyton, located in more than 30 countries, is a leading, global manufacturer of systems and solutions which help world-class customers, protect, manage and identify wire, cable, and components.

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ERICO HAS ANOTHER WINNING SOLUTION – MOUNTING PLATES

The Mp1wwm Within Wall Mounting Plate Eliminates Gaps Between The Wall And Faceplate

SOLON, Ohio, USA, August 2009 – Traditional methods for installing low-voltage cable, phone and data lines can cause a variety of problems, including unsightly gaps between the faceplate and mounting plate. Or, if the mounting plate is not secure, excess movement can damage the cable or cause the faceplate to detach from the wall.

The MP1WWM Within Wall Mounting Plate, part of the CADDY^® line of fasteners from ERICO^®, helps eliminate these problems and offers an increased level of security, stability and protection for low-voltage installations.

Brightly colored yellow markers indicate when it’s correctly installed and convenient marking dimples are used to indent the drywall and identify the exact box size to cut out. After slipping the mounting plate into the hole, it can be easily pulled into position using a tether on the center of the plate.

Securing pins on either side of the plate can be pressed into the drywall to lock the plate into place and prevent it from moving. These innovative securing pins also keep the plate in place when the faceplate is attached, making a permanent installation. The MP1WWM is cULus^® Pending.

For more information, call 1-800-853-0878 or visit www.erico.com.

About ERICO

ERICO^® is a leading global designer, manufacturer and marketer of precision-engineered specialty metal products serving niche markets in a diverse range of electrical, construction, utility and rail applications. The company is headquartered in Solon, Ohio, USA with a network of sales locations serving more than 25 countries and with manufacturing and distribution facilities worldwide. ERICO’s well-known brand names include: CADDY^® electrical and mechanical fixings, fasteners and supports; CADWELD^® welded electrical connections; CRITEC^® surge protection devices; ERICO^® rail and industrial products; ERIFLEX^® low voltage power distribution; ERITECH^® facility electrical protection; and LENTON^® concrete products. Visit ERICO online at www.erico.com.

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GENERAL CABLE SWEETENS ITS PRODUCT OFFERING WITH FOUR 10 GIGABIT SOLUTIONS

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KENTUCKY, January 18, 2009 – General Cable (NYSE: BGC) recognizes that application and performance needs may vary, which is why the Company is pleased to now offer four 10 Gigabit solutions: GenSPEED^® 10 MTP^™ Category 6A 10 Gig Cable; GenSPEED^® 10,000 Category 6a 10 Gig Cable; GenSPEED^® 10,000 Shielded Category 6a 10 Gig Cable; and NextGen^® OM3 Fiber Optic 10 Gig Cable.

General Cable’s industry-leading solution, GenSPEED^® 10 MTP^™ Category 6A 10 Gig Cable featuring the new revolutionary Mosaic Crossblock^™ technology, provides an Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cable that performs like a Shielded or Foiled Twisted Pair (STP/FTP) cable. 

GenSPEED^® 10 MTP’s Mosaic Crossblock technology shields the cable from noise coming from external cable sources, referred to as alien crosstalk (PSANEXT and PSAACRF). The Mosaic Crossblock was carefully designed with metallic blocks separated by an insulating layer.  Since there is no metal-to-metal contact, there is no path for current to flow longitudinally, and thus, no need for grounding.

General Cable’s second offering, GenSPEED^® 10,000 Category 6a 10 Gig Cable, is a cost-effective, standard-compliant 10 Gig UTP cabling option designed to meet ANSI/TIA 568 B.2-10.  Perfect for component upgrades, this cable is fully backward-compatible to legacy infrastructures, and prepares your system for future 10 Gigabit applications. GenSPEED 10,000 solves the One Gigabit limitation of Category 5e and Category 6 and is an ideal solution for bandwidth-intensive applications.

Next is General Cable’s GenSPEED^® 10,000 Category 6a Shielded 10 Gig Cable.  GenSPEED 10,000 Shielded is a STP cable with individually shielded pairs for optimized isolation between pairs and immunity from external noise characterized by powersum alien crosstalk (PSANEXT) in cable bundles.  Shields are an extremely effective way of protecting the cable from outside noise (“alien sources”) by moving the electromagnetic energy away from the pairs and directing it through the shield and drain wire to the ground. Of course, STP cables are only effective if they are properly grounded.  GenSPEED 10,000 Shielded offers you the ultimate PSANEXT protection.

Last but not least, General Cable rounds out its 10 Gig offering with NextGen^® OM3 Fiber Optic Cable, the optimum in 10 Gb/s fiber.  General Cable has partnered with Corning^® Optical Fiber to supply you the world’s most technologically advanced optical fiber cables.  The bandwidth is ensured by minEMBc, and uniformity provides field performance of shorter lengths.  With 100% testing on this product, you don’t have to worry about performance and reliability. Your cabling system will be future-proofed, because all NextGen 10 Gb/s fiber sold exceeds the specifications to which it is sold, typically allowing for more system margin and extended reach.

General Cable manufactures a wide range of high performance GenSPEED^® Brand copper data communications cables and NextGen^® Brand fiber optic cables. When visiting General Cable’s BICSI Booth #712, also ask about our PanGen^™ Structured Cabling Solutions, which, in partnership with Panduit, provide market-focused open-architecture network infrastructure solutions, as well as our in-house armoring capabilities for datacom, fiber optic and electronic cables. Visit us on the Web at www.generalcable.com.

General Cable (NYSE:BGC), headquartered in Highland Heights, Kentucky, is a leader in the development, design, manufacture, marketing and distribution of copper, aluminum and fiber optic wire and cable products for the energy, industrial, specialty and communications markets. The Company offers competitive strengths in such areas as breadth of product line, brand recognition, distribution and logistics, sales and service and operating efficiency.  Energy cables include low-, medium- and high-voltage power distribution and power transmission products. The Industrial and Specialty segment is comprised of application-specific cables for uses such as electrical power generation (traditional fuels, alternative and renewable sources, and distributed generation), the oil, gas and petrochemical industries, mining, industrial automation, marine, military and aerospace applications, power applications in the telecommunications industry, and other key industrial segments. Communications wire and cable products transmit low-voltage signals for voice, data, video and control applications. Visit our Web site at www.GeneralCable.com.

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IDEAL APPOINTS BRIAN SLAYTON BUSINESS UNIT MANAGER OF TOOLS AND SUPPLIES

SYCAMORE, IL, August 11, 2009 -- IDEAL INDUSTRIES, INC. today announced the appointment of operations manager Brian Slayton to the position of Business Unit Manager - Tools and Supplies, effective immediately.  With key expertise in manufacturing processes, Slayton will further strengthen the unit's leadership in professional-grade quality hand tools, tool bags and cutting accessories while targeting expansion into new product categories to serve the electrical, construction and data communications markets.

As Business Unit Manager, Slayton will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Tools and Supplies group, including oversight of the IDEAL manufacturing facility and distribution center in Sycamore, Illinois. Slayton will report directly to Glenn Hollister, Vice President and General Manager of the IDEAL Electrical Division

"Brian's sound management skills and manufacturing experience were important factors in his appointment," explained Hollister. "With tools and supplies forming a critical part of our organic growth strategy, we feel his expertise will add immense value to the company and take this business unit to a new level."

Slayton comes to IDEAL from the Building Components Group of ITW, a leader in residential and light commercial construction products and services, where he served as Vice President of Operations.

For more information, contact IDEAL INDUSTRIES, INC., Becker Place, Sycamore, Illinois 60178. Or phone 1-800-435-0705, Fax: 1-800-533-4483. On the web, www.idealindustries.com. Follow IDEAL on twitter @ideal_sycamore.

About IDEAL Industries, Inc.
IDEAL INDUSTRIES, INC. has been serving the electrical industry since 1916. IDEAL is one of the world's leading manufacturers of professional quality tools and supplies serving installation professionals in the construction, maintenance, data communications and original equipment manufacturing industries.

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IDEAL CLAMP-ON METER VERIFIES GROUNDING WITHOUT NEED TO DISCONNECT GROUND RODS OR INSTALL AUXILIARY RODS

-- Hand-held 61-920 Meter measures ground resistance down to 0.10Ω simply by clamping around ground conductor, ground rod or equipment ground conductor --

SYCAMORE, IL, August 14, 2009 -- When the grounding system of a cellular tower or a data center falters, networks outages can occur that inconvenience customers, shut down business operations, and endanger sensitive electronics.  To avoid these problems, ongoing verification of the grounding system is required.  

One of the easiest ways to troubleshoot a grounding system is the IDEAL 61-920 Ground Resistance Clamp Meter with auto-ranging.  Its simple operation eliminates the need for leads, auxiliary rods, spacing provisions, or disconnecting of ground rods, as is necessary with traditional measuring techniques. Instead, the 61-920's jaws clamp around a ground rod for direct reading of ground resistance from 0.01 to 1200 Ohms, and for the direct measurement of ground leakage current up to 30 Amps. True RMS accurately measures AC current even with distorted waveforms due to harmonics.

"Our ground resistance clamp meter tests not only the rod but also the integrity of the bonds in the grounding system," said Dave Skowronski , Senior Product Manager for IDEAL. "It does no good to have a 5 ohm ground rod with a 80 ohm path leading to it. Testing with our clamp will show the user the true performance of their system, not just the rod."

The 61-920 features an oversized clamp to accommodate cables or rods up to 1.25-inches (32mm). In addition, it helps users achieve higher levels of productivity thanks to its large memory capacity for saving records, a data hold function for capturing readings, plus a powerful backlit LCD that can be read in dimly lit areas. There is also a continuity buzzer that issues an audible warning to the user when the measurement result is 10 Ohms or less, along with a Noise Check that senses current on the ground electrode or ground wire and displays "NOISE" on the LCD.

Rugged and dependable, the 61- 920 brings maximum value to the end-user. It is safety rated to CAT III 300V and backed by the IDEAL Two-Year Warranty.

The IDEAL 920 Series Ground Resistance Clamp Meter is now shipping with an MSRP of $1856 (U.S.). 

For more information, contact IDEAL INDUSTRIES, INC., Becker Place, Sycamore, Illinois 60178. Or phone 1-800-947-3614, Fax: 1-800-533-4483. On the web, www.idealindustries.com.

EDITOR SUMMARY: The IDEAL 61- 920 Series Ground Resistance Clamp Meter provides fast, accurate measurement of ground rod resistance from 0.01 to 1200 Ohms, and for the direct measurement of ground leakage current up to 30 Amps without need for auxiliary ground spikes. Key features include an oversized jaw to accommodate cable or rods up to 1.25 inches (1000 MCM cable), backlit LCD, large internal memory, auto power off, noise check and Data Hold. It is safety rated to CATIII 300V. Typical applications include verifying resistance of cellular tower ground grids, checking utility transmission, and measuring ground rod and ground resistance in substations, plants and office buildings, as well as in consumer installations such as pools and spas.

About IDEAL Industries, Inc.
IDEAL INDUSTRIES, INC. has been serving the electrical industry since 1916. IDEAL is one of the world's leading manufacturers of professional quality tools and supplies serving installation professionals in the construction, maintenance, data communications and original equipment manufacturing industries.

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ATTENTION ALL HIGH ROLLERS: VISIT IDEAL BICSI BOOTH TO WIN A NEW LANTEK II CABLE CERTIFIER

-IDEAL invites BICSI Fall Conference attendees to challenge the one-armed bandit for chance to bring home $8,000 jackpot –

SYCAMORE, IL, July 31, 2009 -- BICSI attendees this year will not need to leave the show floor for the casino experience.  That's because IDEAL's BICSI booth will feature an authentic Las Vegas slot machine to let attendees spin to win a LanTEK II Cable Certifier valued at over $8,000.00.

Fittingly, the BICSI Fall Conference and Exhibition will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, from September 20-24, 2009. Attendees and other high rollers are encouraged to visit IDEAL Booth #303 for a free pull of the lever. Winners receive either a valuable IDEAL giveaway or the chance to "double down" and wager their winnings on a Tuesday night drawing awarding one of three exciting prizes:

The Grand Prize is a 1000 MHz LanTEK II cable certifier. This remarkable new tool performs nine second Cat 5e and 14 second Cat 6 tests with full performance data plus 10 Gigabit Alien Crosstalk testing that's more than 4x faster than other systems. The patented universal adapter systems lets you certify most cabling with off-the-shelf patch cords saving time and money by eliminating the need for proprietary permanent link adapters.

The second-prize winner will receive an IDEAL SignalTEK multimedia qualification tester valued at $995.00. SIGNALTEK™ is a reliable, feature-rich, handheld copper cable tester with a user-friendly graphical interface. It offers true Gigabit performance testing by transmitting 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet packets and measuring errors on the link in accordance with the IEEE 802.3ab Gigabit Ethernet standard.

The third-place drawing winner will receive is an IDEAL DataCom tool kit complete with a comprehensive selection of professional-grade IDEAL tools and testers.

Dan Payerle, Business Unit Manager of the IDEAL Test Division will play pit boss for the BICSI Show: "One quick spin of the reels will be all it takes for a BICSI attendee to go home with the data communication's industry premier cable certifier, the LanTEK II.  This unprecedented opportunity to win is open to all attendees to play. The IDEAL team is looking forward to the most exciting BICSI ever."

For more information, contact IDEAL INDUSTRIES, INC., Becker Place, Sycamore, Illinois 60178. Or phone 1-800-435-0705, Fax: 1-800-533-4483. On the web, www.idealindustries.com. Or go to the new www.lantek2.com website to read contest details.

Follow IDEAL on twitter @ideal_sycamore

About IDEAL Industries, Inc.

IDEAL INDUSTRIES, INC. has been serving the electrical industry since 1916. IDEAL is one of the world's leading manufacturers of professional quality tools and supplies serving installation professionals in the construction, maintenance, data communications and original equipment manufacturing industries.

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RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY AT LEVITON’S NEW WORLD HEADQUARTERS DRAWS HUNDREDS IN ATTENDANCE

Leviton celebrates grand opening of its state-of-the-art complex with one of the largest ribbon-cutting ceremonies ever on Long Island

Melville, NY, August 5, 2009 -- Over 500 people attended one of the largest ribbon-cutting ceremonies Long Island has ever seen at Leviton’s new world headquarters on July 21^st.The complex’s atrium was filled to the brim to watch Leviton President and CEO Donald J. Hendler cut the blue and green ribbon with Shirley Leviton, wife of former President and CEO Harold Leviton. 

The grand opening is a significant event for Leviton after its relocation from Little Neck to Melville Long Island’s “corporate corridor.” The headquarters serves as the high-tech home to the company’s global operations across four continents. “The opening of our new headquarters will support our commitment to deliver the highest level of customer service, streamline our operations and focus on major global markets with the latest technology and systems as we continue to position Leviton as one of the world’s leading corporations,” said Donald J. Hendler. 

Attendees enjoyed live music, refreshments and a facility walk-through of the 4-story, high-performance “green building.” Keynote speakers included Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy, Huntington Town Supervisor Frank Petrone and Donald J. Hendler. A highlight of the program was a heartwarming presentation by Shirley Leviton prior to the ribbon cutting. 

The state-of-the-art office complex serves as a model high-performance building equipped with the latest “green building” materials and systems including Leviton’s own products. “Our new world headquarters complex is visible evidence of our continuing investment in our company so we are in the best possible position to serve our customers efficiently and responsively for decades to come. The building provides an operating environment which is environmentally responsible and which supports our commitment to our customers, our community and our sustainability goals,” said Bill Marshall, Leviton’s Senior Vice President for Sales and Marketing.

For more information visit, www.leviton.com

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MOHAWK ANNOUNCES THE ADDITION OF CH STOUT TO THEIR SALES FORCE

Leominster, MA, August 26, 2009: Mohawk, a leading manufacturer of fiber optic and copper cable products, is pleased to announce the appointment of CH Stout, Inc. to Mohawk’s field sales force covering Louisiana. CH Stout is celebrating over 60 years of leadership in the electrical industry as a manufacturers’ representative and value added provider of electrical and electronic solutions. With headquarters in Little Rock, AR, they are one of the largest electrical equipment manufacturers’ representatives in the country. Mohawk is proud to have such a strong organization as part of our team.

For additional information, CH Stout can be contacted as follows:

CH Stout, Inc.

2400 Cantrell, Suite 100

Little Rock, AR 72202

501-372-2555

About Mohawk
Mohawk, a division of Belden, is headquartered in Leominster, Massachusetts, and has been providing fiber and copper cable innovations for over 50 years. Their headquartered location dedicates 210,000 square feet to today’s most advanced facilities for the design, development and production of copper, fiber optic, and hybrid wire and cable. Mohawk, an ISO 9001 certified company, develops products to meet and support TIA/EIA, ISO/IEC, ICEA and NEMA standards. As part of the global Belden operations, Mohawk is supported with worldwide management, financial resources, and distribution capabilities.

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MORE THAN 1300 LEED PROFESSIONALS ENROLLED IN THE LEED CREDENTIALING MAINTENANCE PROGRAM

Practice, service and education will keep LEED professionals’ experience and knowledge at the forefront

(Washington, DC) August 25, 2009 – More than 1300 green building professionals have already signed up to participate in the LEED Credentialing Maintenance Program (CMP) since it was launched just three weeks ago, according to The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI).  The maintenance program, which supports the LEED AP and LEED Green Associate credentials, ensures that LEED professionals in the field are up to date with the most relevant and useful information by requiring a commitment to ongoing participation in green building project, learning and service activities.

“Since the program’s launch on August 3, we’ve seen a steady upward trend in enrollment,” said Arnold Kee, Continuing Education Manager, GBCI.  “Professionals who are keeping up with the rapidly evolving knowledge base of the green building industry by enrolling recognize the competitive advantage they’ll gain.  As businesses learn that their pursuit of sustainability leads to innovation and increased efficiency, they will need professionals that can help them reach that goal.  In turn, GBCI will help the business community meet that need—by credentialing LEED professionals who are ready to work and innovate.”

In May 2009, GBCI put in place a number of changes and enhancements to the LEED professional credentialing program, including the introduction of the LEED Green Associate and specialties within the LEED Accredited Professional program to better reflect market practice areas.  LEED AP specialty programs include operations & maintenance, homes, building design & construction and interior design & construction.  The specialty for neighborhood development will be available in 2010.  The specialties allow LEED professionals to differentiate themselves in the market and focus on specific areas of expertise or practice.   

A number of activities qualify to earn LEED credential holders credit toward credentialing maintenance. Those activities include continuing education as well as the practical application of LEED on green building projects and active participation in the green building community. A CMP Guide is available at www.gbci.org that outlines CMP-eligible activities and the requirements for maintaining all LEED professional credential programs.

Enrollment is available at no charge to those LEED APs who have passed one of the retired exams. Invitations to enroll in CMP are being sent out to these credential holders from August to October according to a schedule published on the GBCI website.  All newly credentialed professionals are automatically enrolled when they pass the LEED Green Associate or LEED AP specialty exam.  Enroll at: http://www.gbci.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=201.

About GBCI
The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) provides third party confirmation that specific criteria related to LEED building certification and LEED professional credentialing continues to be developed in accordance with best practices for credentialing and certification programs. To underscore this commitment, GBCI is undergoing the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accreditation process for personnel certification agencies complying with International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Standard 17024. Early in 2009, GBCI assumed responsibility for administering the LEED building certification program for the more than 30,000 commercial projects seeking third-party verification of compliance with the industry's leading green building rating system. For more information, please visit www.gbci.org.

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NAED - CEP CERTIFICATION, LLC ANNOUNCES FIRST GROUP OF CERTIFIED ELECTRICAL PROFESSIONALS™

Certification Recognizes Education, Training, Experience and Professionalism in Electrical Distribution

ST. LOUIS… CEP Certification, LLC (CEP Certification) a limited liability corporation established by the National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) announces the first group of Certified Electrical Professional – Inside Sales™ (CEP – IS™) and Certified Electrical Professional – Outside Sales™ (CEP – OS™) certificants.

CEP is a certification program for distributors, manufacturers and others in the electrical distribution channel. Certification gives the holder credibility in their industry and increases the professionalism of the industry as a whole. CEP certification identifies that the holder has demonstrated expertise in areas such as product knowledge, customer service, sales skills, and soft skills giving them added credibility in the electrical industry.

The following have been awarded the Certified Electrical Professional – Inside Sales:

Perry Bechtel - Kirby Risk
Aaron P. Black - Shealy Electrical Wholesalers, Inc.
Greg F. Blake - The Hite Company
James P. Blank - Viking Electric Supply
Brian L. Bradley - Springfield Electric Supply Company
Christopher J. Broadhurst - Electric Supply, Inc.
Clinton D. Brown - SMC
Michael Buttrum - Springfield Electric Supply Company
Lynn Cabrera - Border States Electric
Jessica L. Courtney - Rexel
John S. DuBois - Electric Supply, Inc.
Efrain S. Gonzalez - Rexel
Katriona L. Hartin - Mayer Electric Supply
Steve Hawkins - Hannan Supply Company
Anthony M. Hinojosa - Summit Electric Supply
Michael S. Huitsing - WESCO
Jennifer Kandus - Rexel
Christopher M. Legere - Rexel
Shane B. McCollum - Dakota Supply Group
Deborah K. Meek - Womack Electric Supply Co.
Tom Neal - Springfield Electric Supply Company
Derek K. Payne - Hunzicker Brothers
Rebecca S. Peters - McNaughton-McKay Electric Company
Michael Schaub - Werner Electric Supply
David D. Schneider - The Hite Company
John R. Sechrist, Jr. - United Electric Supply
Susan G. Sherwood - WESCO
Larry T. Swartz - McNaughton-McKay Electric Company
Keith H. Timmerman - Elliott Electric Supply
Christopher R. Umbel - The Hite Company
Kenneth Walters - Kirby Risk
Scott A. Warner - Rexel
Chad Wilson - Mayer Electric Supply

The following have been awarded the Certified Electrical Professional – Outside Sales:

Robert M. Akin, Jr. - McNaughton-McKay Electric Company
John F. Allen - Graybar
Mark D. Altomare - Hubbell Lighting, Inc.
Lea E. Amdor - Springfield Electric Supply Company
Dean A. Anderson - Kendall Electric Incorporated
Thomas R. Briski - Springfield Electric Supply Company
Joseph S. Calandrino - Springfield Electric Supply Company
Mark K. Casey - Springfield Electric Supply Company
James R. Coombs - Springfield Electric Supply Company
Richard P. Epley - Springfield Electric Supply Company
Vincent Errichiello - ConneXion
Cory M. Froelich - Springfield Electric Supply Company
Mark W. Galloway - CED
David Gozzard - The Hite Company
David M. Gravely - State Electric Supply Company
Jeffrey S. Gregory - The Hite Company
Jorge Guajardo - Summit Electric Supply
Brad W. Jordahl - Dakota Supply Group
Chris Lenzen - ConneXion
William G. McDilda - State Electric Supply Company
Dan A. Miller - Springfield Electric Supply Company
Toby Mueth - Eaton Corporation
Christopher S. Olnick - Schaedler Yesco Distribution
Robert Olson - Springfield Electric Supply Company
Stephen C. Peterson - J.H. Larson Electrical Co
Shawn D. Schalk - Springfield Electric Supply Company
David A. Scott - Bell Electrical Supply
Ron Sherrick - Rexel
Mark R. Skinner - Border States Electric
Greg H. Smith - Mayer Electric Supply
James B. Starkey, Jr. - Springfield Electric Supply Company
Bill Stone - Border States Electric
Jeff D. Trusner - Springfield Electric Supply Company

The next test date will be January 16, 2010, interested candidates should begin preparing now. For suggested courses, FAQs, candidate guides, sample exam questions, self assessments, and other helpful materials, visit the CEP home page at www.naed-cep.org. Or contact John Kiso, educational program manager for the NAED Education and Research Foundation at jkiso@naed.org or toll-free at (888) 791-2512.

CEP Certification, LLC (CEP Certification) is a limited liability corporation established by the National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) to develop and administer certification and recertification processes for the purpose of designating those individuals who have met CEP Certification professional knowledge standards. The mission of CEP Certification is to enhance the performance of individuals working in the electrical distribution industry by setting standards for the performance of industry job roles and assessing individuals against these standards.

NAED is the trade association for the $70+ billion electrical distribution industry. Through networking, education, research, and benchmarking, NAED helps electrical distributors increase profitability and improve the channel. NAED’s membership operates in approximately 4,400 locations internationally.

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NAED’S TED MAGAZINE LAUNCHES NEWLY REDESIGNED TEDMAG.COM

New Website Includes Updated Technologies and the Launch of a Digital Version of the Monthly Print Edition of TED Magazine

ST. LOUIS… The National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) and TED Magazine announce the launch of the completely overhauled www.TedMag.com. A consistent source of industry news for more than a decade, added site features include new specialty areas for market data in the IndexRoom, technology topics in the TechRoom, and the continued development of energy efficiency topics in the GreenRoom.

The new site also includes the launch of a digital version of the monthly print edition of TED Magazine, RSS feeds from the NewsRoom, and four blogs to provide an interactive forum for the electrical industry. Industry members can visit the new Web site and subscribe to the digital version today to get their issue earlier or to provide it to additional recipients.

“TedMag.com has basically provided an industry news service up until now. With the redesign we expanded that service to include more interaction with improved navigation,” said Michael Martin, publisher TED Magazine. “With new content sections categorized divided by type, four new blogs, a product area, and a new digital version of TED’s monthly print issue, the site goes a lot further to provide services to our readers.”

Other features are still in development including the TED ResourceCenter, a section devoted to bringing distributors the latest whitepapers, video, and resources from manufacturers. 

TED Magazine is the primary source of information for the electrical distribution channel across North America. Published by the National Association of Electrical Distributors, the publication is dedicated to best practices for the electrical supply chain. In addition to its print edition, TED Magazine produces up-to-the minute news at www.TedMag.com.

NAED is the trade association for the $70+ billion electrical distribution industry. Through networking, education, research, and benchmarking, NAED helps electrical distributors increase profitability and improve the channel. NAED’s membership operates in approximately 4,400 locations internationally. www.naed.org

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NEMA - NORTH AMERICAN CURRENT CONDITIONS EBCI SIGNALS IMPROVEMENT IN AUGUST

ROSSLYN, Va., August 26, 2009  – NEMA’s Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) for current North American conditions jumped nearly 12 points to 53.3 in August, an indication that the business environment facing electrical equipment manufacturers improved during the month.

A companion measure of the intensity of change in business conditions gave slightly less auspicious results. The intensity of change indicator rose to 0.0 on the month, suggesting conditions were essentially unchanged in August compared to July. Intensity of change in business conditions is measured on a scale ranging from –5 (deteriorated significantly) through 0 (unchanged) to +5 (improved significantly).

Meanwhile, the North American future conditions EBCI also climbed in August, rising 1.7 points to 68.3. This marked the highest reading for the future conditions index since August 2005 and implies that a significant proportion of industry executives expect at least some degree of improvement in the business situation within the next six months.

Click here for the complete August 2009 report.

The Electroindustry Business Confidence Index gauges the business confidence of the electroindustry in Asia, Europe, North America, and Latin America, and is based on the results of a monthly survey of senior managers at NEMA member companies. Those companies represent more than 80 percent of the electroindustry.

NEMA is the association of electrical and medical imaging equipment manufacturers. Founded in 1926 and headquartered near Washington, D.C., its approximately 450 member companies manufacture products used in the generation, transmission and distribution, control, and end use of electricity. These products are used in utility, industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential applications. The association’s Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA) Division represents manufacturers of cutting-edge medical diagnostic imaging equipment including MRI, CT, x-ray, and ultrasound products. Worldwide sales of NEMA-scope products exceed $120 billion. In addition to its headquarters in Rosslyn, Virginia, NEMA also has offices in Beijing and Mexico City.

NEMA. Setting Standards for Excellence - Visit our website at www.nema.org

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LEVITON UNVEILS NEW COMPOSITE PATCH PANEL

C1 Ultra™ Patch Panel features added strength and unique design

August 3, 2009 – Bothell, WA: Leviton today announced the addition of the C1 Ultra Composite Patch Panel, the industry’s first to be constructed of polymer materials, to its broad selection of copper cable patch panels. The C1 Ultra offers a stylish look for a wide range of customization options.

The C1 Ultra is available in 2RU 48-port 110-style and QuickPort^® field-configurable models. Each panel includes two integrated patch cord managers and two rear cable management bars. The patch cord managers attach directly to the face of the panel, conserving rack space and saving cost for the end user. The panel is made of glass-filled polymer composite, and performed better than standard 16 AWG metal panels in applied force tests of 20-lb loads.

Those who choose to customize the C1 Ultra™ are able to download an artwork template from the Leviton website and provide their own colors, logos, designs, and functionality to the face of the panel. The standard C1 Ultra panel without customization comes in charcoal grey and includes the Leviton logo.

“The C1 Ultra is a leap forward in patch panel construction and design,” explains Keith Kosanovich, RCDD, Leviton's senior product manager for copper systems. “In addition to its robust construction, unique look and customizable face, the panel was also designed to complement the look of Leviton’s Opt-X Ultra Fiber Enclosure and Versi-Duct Cable Management System, making it ideal for showcase environments with advanced networks.”

Leviton’s C1 Ultra Composite Patch Panels, along with all the company’s connectivity solutions, are available through the company’s reseller network. More information is available online at www.leviton.com/C1ultra.

About Leviton Network Solutions

Leviton Network Solutions was created 20 years ago to meet the growing need for telecommunications and high-speed data technologies. Today, the division is dedicated to producing complete network infrastructure systems for the enterprise, data center, government, health care, education, and residential markets. Copper, fiber, and power solutions include structured cabling systems, enclosures, PDUs and much more. All Leviton products are engineered to exacting standards and offer guaranteed performance. For more information, visit Leviton.com.

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BUILDINGGREEN NEWS

BuildingGreen publishes information in outlets such as Environmental Building News (EBN) and BuildingGreen Suite that cover the most pressing issues in environmentally sensitive design and construction with a clear approach to all sides of an issue, keeping our readers informed on building for sustainability. This email brings you, as a news editor or website owner interested in sustainable design, links to breaking stories currently posted in the free area of www.BuildingGreen.com.

We encourage you to post these summaries and links on your website. However, please DO NOT post full articles without direct permission from Jim Newman at BuildingGreen, LLC.

When posting the summaries and links below on your website(s), please make it clear that the stories are coming from Environmental Building News and that the full article is available at www.BuildingGreen.com. Please include this byline:
"From Environmental Building News, www.BuildingGreen.com."

BuildingGreen, LLC owns the copyrights to all material contained in this email and to the full written articles. All rights are reserved except those explicitly granted herein. Contact Jim Newman at BuildingGreen, LLC, Jim@BuildingGreen.com with questions or for additional information.

All materials Copyright BuildingGreen, LLC 2009.

BUILDINGGREEN LAUNCHES LEEDUSER.COM

Responding to the need for comprehensive help with the LEED rating systems that is based on real-world experience, we at BuildingGreen are excited to announce LEEDuser, a new Web-based tool.

LEEDuser, which you can find at www.LEEDuser.com, was developed by BuildingGreen with the support of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to assist users of LEED 2009. It serves projects using the five recently launched LEED 2009 rating systems (New Construction, Core & Shell, Schools, Commercial Interiors, and Existing Buildings Operations & Maintenance).

Link to the full article:
http://www.buildinggreen.com/auth/article.cfm/2009/6/30/BuildingGreen-Launches-LEEDuser/

Current Stories from Environmental Building News:

All  LEED Projects to Provide Actual Performance Data

by Nadav Malin

With the April 27, 2009, release of the LEED 2009 family of rating systems, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) introduced a new element to its LEED package: minimum project requirements (MPRs). They vary slightly by rating system, but in general they aim to exclude structures from LEED that are too small, unoccupied, or mobile. They require a reasonable site definition, and compliance with environmental laws. Most significantly, they require owners of all certified projects to provide energy- and water-use data to USGBC for five years from the time of occupancy.

Link to the full article:
http://www.buildinggreen.com/auth/article.cfm/2009/7/14/All-LEED-Projects-to-Provide-Actual-Performance-Data/

Rethinking Polystyrene Insulation

by Alex Wilson

Insulation is a critical component of our buildings, and providing high R-values must be a high priority in creating green buildings of nearly all types and sizes.

Toward that end, polystyrene insulation, both extruded (XPS) and expanded (EPS), plays a key role in many energy-efficient green buildings. And it is a key component of several specialized, high-performance building-envelope systems, such as structural insulated panels (SIPs), insulated concrete forms (ICFs), and exterior insulation and finish system (EIFS).

However, as our feature article this month points out, polystyrene is not a very green material.

Link to full article:
http://www.buildinggreen.com/auth/article.cfm/ID/4248/

EPA's Portfolio Manager Slated for Improvements

by Emily Bragonier

Portfolio Manager, the interactive energy management tool operated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), will receive significant updates at the end of August 2009, which could affect energy performance ratings for various building types.

Link to the full article:

http://www.buildinggreen.com/auth/article.cfm/2009/8/3/EPA-s-Portfolio-Manager-Slated-for-Improvements/

Austin Requires Energy Audits and Labels
by Allyson Wendt

Building owners in Austin, Texas, are getting a crash course in energy efficiency. A new ordinance that went into effect on June 1, 2009, requires Austin Energy electricity customers-the vast majority of city occupants, both residential and commercial-to perform audits on homes and multifamily residential properties and pursue energy labeling on commercial buildings. The ordinance tackles only energy reporting, but some are hopeful that mandatory energy-efficiency improvements will be next.

Link to the full article:
http://www.buildinggreen.com/auth/article.cfm/ID/4254/

Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater
Backpage Primer from Environmental Building News

Conventional on-site wastewater systems (septic systems), even when functioning properly, do not adequately prevent pollutants from reaching groundwater and surface water (see EBN March 1994). A constructed wetland is an alternative that uses plants and microorganisms living in association with plant roots to remove contaminants and nutrients from wastewater, significantly reducing groundwater contamination. Although constructed wetlands can be used to treat both stormwater and wastewater, this primer will focus on the latter.

Link to the full article:

http://www.buildinggreen.com/auth/article.cfm/ID/4264/

BuildingGreen, LLC is publisher of the nation's oldest publication on sustainable design and construction and the leading national directory of green building products. For more information on BuildingGreen and its resources on environmentally responsible design and construction, visit www.BuildingGreen.com, email Info@buildinggreen.com, or call 800-861-0954 (outside the U.S. and Canada, call 802-257-7300). BuildingGreen is a socially responsible company based in Brattleboro, Vermont.

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PARA SYSTEMS FORGES ALLIANCE TO MARKET GENERAL ELECTRIC’S THREE-PHASE UPS PRODUCTS

GE’S 10KVA to 750KVA UPSS to be sold through Minuteman Distribution Channel

Dallas, TX – August 20, 2009 – Para Systems, Inc., a leading provider of comprehensive power protection solutions, today announced a marketing and sales agreement with General Electric’s Power Quality division.  Under the terms of the agreement, GE’s LP-33U and SG series of premium quality three-phase uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs) will be available to IT solution distributors currently selling Para Systems’ Minuteman brand of power products. 

The Minuteman product line currently includes single-phase UPSs ranging from 400VA up to 24kVA, along with a full line of surge protectors, power distribution units (PDUs), remote power managers (RPMs) and a full-featured power monitoring software product.  With the addition of GE’s line of three-phase products, Para Systems can now offer high-end three-phase solutions up to 750kVA.

“The Minuteman brand has a strong reputation in the telecom, security and information technologies markets and we see this relationship as a win-win for both companies,” stated Patrick Gannon with GE’s Power Quality division.  “We are excited about the prospects of this alliance and see the value in offering a complete, turnkey three phase solution for their product portfolio.”

The LP-33U and SG series Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) from GE Digital Energy’s Power Quality business delivers reliable power protection, incorporating true on-line, double-conversion technology and proven Redundant Parallel Architecture™ (RPA™).   Available in 10-60 kVA, the LP-33U Series’ “transformerless” design and compact footprint create less weight, better efficiency, easy front service access, and low audible noise, making it suitable for both office and industrial environments.  In addition, the LP series has “green” ECO-Mode™ functionality, which incorporates energy efficient technology resulting in 98% power efficiency.  The SG series includes a similar feature set and is available in various sizes up to 750kVA

“By aligning ourselves with General Electric, we are immediately able to offer much larger power protection solutions that many of our current customers are seeking,” stated Bill Allen, director of marketing for Para Systems.  “We are able to tap into a strong global service and support team, along with a field-proven, highly reliable product line from one of the largest corporations with one of the most recognizable brands in the world.”

GE’s three-phase products are currently available through the Minuteman distributor channel.

For more information, visit www.minutemanups.com/3phase.

Para Systems has finalized an agreement with GE's Digital Power Systems division to sell GE's LP and SG series of three-phase UPS products.  Distributors currently selling Para Systems' Minuteman brand of UPSs are now able to sell the GE products.

This is an important alliance for both companies, allowing Para Systems to offer a complete line of power protection solutions from low-end to high-end, while also making GE's products available through Para Systems' extensive network of distributors in the telecom/VoIP, security and IT channels.

About Para Systems, Inc.

Para Systems, Inc., based in Carrollton, TX, is a leading provider of power technologies.  The company’s Minuteman brand of comprehensive power protection solutions range from small to large-scale uninterruptible power supply (UPS) products to a full line of unique surge suppressors, power distribution units, and remote power management systems.  Minuteman products protect telephone/VOIP systems, personal computers, network servers and infrastructure peripherals, security systems, and industrial applications. The Minuteman brand of products is sold through a large network of distributors and resellers.  Para Systems is a wholly owned subsidiary of Components Corporation of America, headquartered in Dallas, TX, whose roots date back to 1916. For more information, visit www.minutemanups.com

About GE Digital Energy

GE Power Quality’s Digital Energy™ line, which provides UPS products ranging from 600VA to 4.5MVA, provides eco-friendly solutions designed to improve energy efficiency, eliminate single points of failure, and reduce overall operational data center costs.  Ensuring mission critical facility equipment and processes are protected and not interrupted by power system anomalies; we offer a complete portfolio of Power Quality equipment and solutions. When downtime is not an option, nothing short of the world leader is acceptable for ensuring uninterrupted power and increasing business uptime.  For more information, users may visit www.gedigitalenergy.com    

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NEW MODELS WITH ‘GREEN’ FEATURES ADDED TO MINUTEMAN ENSPIRE SERIES UPSS

Ideal power protection for security systems, VoIP telephone systems, plus small servers, network peripherals and home entertainment systems

Dallas, TX – August 11, 2009 – Para Systems, Inc. today announced the availability of two new additions to their successful Minuteman EnSpire series of uninterruptible power supplies.  The EN750 and EN900 provide new “green” features and are ideal for home office and small to medium-sized businesses that are seeking value-priced power protection for their mission-critical devices.

The new EN750 and EN900 provide energy savings through two specific design features. First, when the internal battery is fully charged, the charger goes into “rest mode,” thus saving energy. Second, the units are designed to operate at over 90% efficiency while in AC Normal mode. Higher efficiency means less power is consumed while devices are operating. When the "Green Mode" LCD is illuminated, the user will know the UPS is operating in its maximum efficiency and energy-saving mode.  Both features decrease the amount of electricity required to operate the UPS and the attached equipment, reducing both its carbon footprint and saving the user money.

Along with higher capacity capabilities and more battery power, the two new micro-processor-based models have an LCD display that informs the user of various power conditions, including input voltage, battery runtime, connected load consumption, and other operating information.

“With the introduction of the EN750 and EN900, we are bringing a higher-end feature set to this value-priced product line,” stated Bill Allen, director of marketing for Para Systems.  “Priced at less than $100, both of these models are an excellent choice to protect a user’s valuable equipment within a home or office environment.  We have also taken a device that already offers important functionality by providing total power protection and added a whole new end-user benefit in the form of power consumption savings.”

The new EnSpire UPS products protect up to 4 mission-critical devices from all power anomalies, including power outages, brownouts, surges and spikes.  Four additional non-critical devices can be plugged in to protect them from surges and spikes.  The new units also have built-in surge and spike protection for a cable or satellite TV coax connection, along with protection for a single telephone or fax line.  Free power monitoring and management software is also provided.

All EnSpire models are standby UPSs that include a 3-year warranty on parts and labor plus a 2-year warranty on each unit’s batteries.  These new products are currently available through on-line retailers, VARs, and distributors.  For more information, visit www.minutemanups.com/enspire.

About Para Systems, Inc.

Para Systems, Inc., based in Carrollton, TX, is a leading provider of power technologies.  The company’s Minuteman brand of comprehensive power protection solutions range from small to large-scale uninterruptible power supply (UPS) products to a full line of unique surge suppressors, power distribution units, and remote power management systems.  Minuteman products protect telephone/VoIP systems, personal computers, network servers and infrastructure peripherals, security systems, and industrial applications. The Minuteman brand of products is sold through a large network of distributors and resellers.  Para Systems is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Components Corporation of America, headquartered in Dallas, TX, whose roots date back to 1916. For more information, visit www.minutemanups.com.

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NJATC 2009/10 TRAINING PARTNER AWARDS

Upper Marlboro, MD ─ The National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee for the Electrical Industry (NJATC) is pleased to announce the 2009/10 recipients of their annual Training Partner Awards.  The Awards were presented to the Training Partners at the opening of the Trade Show at this year’s National Training Institute (NTI), held at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.  All Platinum Award Winners joined NJATC Executive Director, Michael Callanan, on stage for the official ribbon-cutting, opening the Trade Show to the nearly 2000 participants in attendance. 

Training Partner Levels are determined based on the amount of direct participation with the NJATC  the Training Partner has demonstrated over the past twelve months.  This includes areas such as: Curriculum Development and Enhancement, Technical Support, Webinar Presentations, Train-The-Trainer Classes, Assisting NJATC Staff members in specialized training presentations, NTI involvement and Trade Show participation, Serving on NJATC Advisory Committees, and participating in the annual NJATC Training Partner Summit.  To all of these very dedicated Training Partners, the NJATC extends a very heartfelt “Thank You.”  We simply could not accomplish what we do without your involvement.

It is with great pride and appreciation that we present to you our distinguished 2009/10 Award Winning Training Partners:

- 2009/10 NJATC Training Partner Awards -

Platinum Level

Cooper Bussmann                                                         Fluke Corporation

Harger Lightning & Grounding                              Ideal Industries, Inc.

Klein Tools                                                                    Milwaukee Electric Tool

Salisbury by Honeywell                                      Underwriters Laboratories

Union Built PC, Inc                                                         Westex Inc.