April 2020 News

6 ways a strong brand identity will drive sales for your business
No matter how you go to market or where your customers are, these tools will help you find, attract and keep more of them.

New Webinar: Disparate Opportunities Post COVID-19
STAFDA's economists look at recovery trend probabilities on April 24.

Case Studies: Steel King does extreme makeover of a refrigerated warehouse 
Rolling install enables facility to maintain ongoing operations.

Link Manufacturing leaders step up as executives retire
Link promotes engineers Greg Hulstein and Joel Van Den Brink to new positions and bids fond farewells to departing VPs Michael Hof and Bill Ott.

Channellock launches online learning tools for students amid COVID-19 crisis
Two new online platforms include weekly how-to videos and free access to SkillsUSA’s Career Essentials courses.

Dentec Safety Specialists hires new U.S. VP of Sales
Michael Bolden is a recognized specialist in the safety and manufacturing industries.

Fraud alert: UK intercepts shipment of faulty ladders
Test & Research Centre helps stop shipment of dangerous ladders entering the UK.

NECA hosts safety stand down for COVID-19
Electrical contractors focus on safety during pandemic.

Exclusive: Effects of noise pollution
It’s not just about your boss yelling at you.

Mecalac opens new facility to expand growth in North America
Norfolk, Massachusetts facility centralizes offices, equipment inventory, parts and service support in one building.

Simpson Strong-Tie sponsors virtual Building Safety Month in May
This year's 40th annual Building Safety Month programs will be presented online. 

IAPMO publishes COVID-19 Industry Resources
Roundup of includes federal, state and technical resources.  

Robroy Enclosures is open for business
Michigan manufacturer of Stahlin and AttaBox non-metallic enclosures is running at full force.

Cool News: Wisconsin HBA LEGO contest captures hearts and minds during COVID-19
So you think you can build a house? Beat these.

Uplifting News: Carhartt earns mention on CBS Sunday Morning
Carhartt, now making masks, has supplied uniforms for our military going back to World War 1. 

Minnich Manufacturing expands Western U.S. network with Ebbert Company 
Ebbert agency will rep Minnich lines in Southern California, Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico.

Radians announces new gloves and PPE vending machine program
New vending machine program will launch with three packaging options for various sizes of gloves.

Boston mayor considers 'slow ramp-up' for construction
Safety ground rules will allow construction to ramp back up.

U.S. housing takes a dive in March
Privately‐owned housing starts drop 22.3 percent for month.

BuildFax Housing Health Report shows declining market in March
Just one indicator, year-over-year single-family housing authorizations, increased.

Apply by May 1 for Emerson's 2020 ASCO Engineering Scholarships
The merit-based scholarships reward students' potential for leadership and contributions to the engineering and related professions.

Dentec Safety Specialists ramps up N95 half mask production 
Half masks are more comfortable, efficient and allow easy filter swapping.

Brad Boehler named to Board of Hy-Brid Lifts
Boehler served for eight years as president of Skyjack.

Exclusive: How to prepare your fleet and stay organized during a global crisis
The DOT has eased restrictions on hours of service as demand for trucking increases.

Exclusive: Connecting through the camera and keyboard
10 success strategies for managing meetings in the virtual world.

Makita offers free labor and shipping for tool repairs at Makita Factory Service Centers
Offer runs through May 31, 2020.

Ritchie Bros. launches free monthly pricing report
Customers can access one of the world's largest collections of industry data.

Hampshire College and NESEA offer free webinar on sustainable buildings 
Webinar is set for April 22, 2020 from 5-6:30 p.m.

OSHA issues new COVID-19 enforcement response plan
Plan provides instructions for coronavirus-related complaints, referrals, and severe illness reports.

Emerson helps customers avoid LED retrofit pitfalls
New whitepaper highlights dangers of low-priced Hazloc LED retrofit lamps.

Emerging Water Technology Symposium confirms rescheduled dates
Event is reset for May 11-12, 2021, at the Westin Riverwalk Hotel in San Antonio.

Viega launches rewards program for customers
Customers can earn products and tools.

Topcon launches global webinar program for professionals at home
New series of free webinars for construction, geopositioning and agriculture facilitate learning from home.

New OSHA Guidance: COVID-19 illnesses are not recordable for construction
Revised guidance eases some of the reporting burden for employers.

U.S. Dept. of Labor publishes new COVID-19 precautions poster
Download poster lists steps to reduce the risk of exposure to coronavirus. 

U.S. Dept. of Labor issues guidance on Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
Self-employed workers, independent contractors, and gig workers, are eligible for PUA benefits.

Intercorp releases catalog 7
New product catalog includes over 50 new fastening products.

Weekly Pandemic Revenue Index shows 13.6 percent decline
Rate of decline improves over previous week. 

Prebena addresses the global fastener market amid COVID-19
General manager Ulrich Wicke looks at the state of tariffs and fastener availablity. 

Emerson: 10 Retrofit considerations before switching to LED lighting
Asking these 10 questions will help you recommend the best LED lighting for your customers' needs. 

Point of Rental’s Coronavirus content combats complacency
Company offers one-stop source for deals, webinars, videos, podcasts and more.

AGC secures new guidance so firms with 500 or fewer employees can qualify for paycheck protection program loans
AGC will continue to work with the SBA to ensure this new guidance is implemented. 

IRS issues warning about COVID-19 impact payment scams
Beware of fake "IRS" callers who want your personal or bank info.

MBW hires new regional sales manager
Danny Zientek will serve MBW customers in Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York.

Hy-Brid Lifts expands sales network
CMT Equipment, HK Sales and MLA Construction Sales become regional reps for HyBrid lines. 

Exclusive: Technology to take the lead in field service for the decade ahead
Transformational technologies are creating entire new revenue models that give field service organizations longevity, better customer relationships and greater profits.

Cool News: Squid X-rays and walrus vision
Here's a fun read for science buffs to perk up your day.

U.S. Department of Labor issues guidance for respiratory protection during N95 shortage 
Employers are encouraged to review procedures to reduce N-95 respirator needs or look for alternative equivalent products for their workers.

Zurich Insurance launches podcast series to help businesses navigate the impacts of Coronavirus
Podcasts cover reducing the spread of COVID-19, supply chains, cyber security and more.

ECCO waives drop-ship and handling fees for distributors in April
ECCO develops, engineers and manufactures commercial vehicle lighting and safety solutions.

IBS 2020 seminars are now online
More than 100 sessions from the show are online for NAHB members and nonmembers at special pricing. 

Barry Boatwright joins Grabber as product category manager
Boatwright is based in Acworth, Georgia.

Colorado Homebuilding Academy Zooms in on construction trainees
Online construction boot camp allows individuals to attend basic construction classes from home.

ITR Webinar: Looking Past the Fear and Noise
Webinar with STAFDA economist Alan Beaulieu is set for April 10, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. EDT.

Procore provides free access to its software to support COVID-19 construction projects
Offer is open to current Procore customers working on COVID-19 relief projects up to $5 billion in volume.

U.S. Department of Labor issues new paid leave regulations
Ruling provides for two weeks paid sick leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19, and more for caring for children. 

SKY HOOK provides lifting solution for social distancing requirements
Company offers a safe, single-operator lifting solution for today’s health and safety needs. 

Fastenal acquires Apex Industrial Technologies assets
The two companies have worked together since 2008.

IRS issues guidelines and forms for claiming impact payments
Section covers economic impact payments, employee retention credits, paid leave and more.

Contractor's union asks for Cobra coverage help for laid off workers
Domino effect for workers as COVID-19 layoffs lead to lost healthcare and uncertain futures.

Associations offer help in time of need
STAFDA, PTDA and NAHAD are working to help members navigate the current crisis. 

Sullair names new CEO
Charlie Takeuchi becomes president and CEO as Jack Carlson retires. 

Pandemic causes distributor revenues to decline
Indian River Consulting Group’s (IRCG) weekly Pandemic Revenue Index. shows a 23.51 perent YOY drop in revenues. 

Larson Electronics offers COVID-19 test kits
COVID-19 IgG/IgM rapid test kit is suitable for businesses or organizations with medical personnel or medical staff to administer the tests.

Act with focus, not with frenzy
NAHAD-sponsored webinar offers advice on motivating customers to act in ways that will drive positive results for your business.

HD announces new COVID-19 operational changes
Company expands COVID-19 measures for customers, employees and communities.

Michigan's governor clarifies essential status questions for projects in the state
Gov. Whitmer’s administration clarifies ‘essential’ construction projects, responds to industry’s call for COVID-19 protections.

Point of Rental offers electronic signature software free for 90 days to companies affected by COVID-19
App allows for safe signature collection in social distancing era.

U.S. construction still perked along in February
Total construction spending for the first two months of 2020 rose 8.2 percent YOY.