Housing Turnaround in Sight
According to a new report by Moody’s Economy.com, the freefall in U.S. housing prices will ease by the end of 2009, but not before sliding another 11%.
Home prices in the 381 metropolitan areas surveyed have already dropped an average of 25%, leading to a total decline of 36% before stabilizing. “Notwithstanding the intensifying economic gloom, the bottom of the housing downturn is within sight for the nation,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist of Economy.com and an author of the report. “
Other analysts say that a sustained turnaround is still months away, and may not begin until 2010, due to the glut of unsold properties on the market. But these numbers indicate that the worst may be behind us.
“You get the sense from a lot of the data coming out now that we’re beginning to get to a bottom,” says Nariman Behravesh, chief economist at IHS Global Insight in Lexington, Mass.
U.S. housing starts rose unexpectedly in February. The annual rate of 583,000 homes was a 22% rise from January, and was likely influenced by warmer weather and an 82% surge in multifamily construction. It ended the longest series of declines in 18 years.
The overall economy, though, will likely take longer to recover. “Policymakers have not yet been able to break the downward spiral that has developed among the sinking housing market, job losses, frozen credit markets, and rising foreclosures,” the report states. The nation is not expected to see a jobless rate of less than 5% before President Barack Obama’s term concludes in 2012.
WOC Report
Attendance at World of Concrete, held the first week of February in Las Vegas, Nev., was down significantly, a somewhat expected result of the current weak economy. The official attendance number was about 65,000, a drop of 23% from the nearly 85,000 that came to last year’s show.
However, many of the exhibitors related to the ICF industry reported they were pleasantly surprised by the number of leads the show produced. Most noted an increase in serious inquiries and fewer “tire kickers.”
“We anticipated attendance would be down,” said Tom Cindric, WOC show director said. “We communicated that to our exhibitors and set some realistic expectations. Some companies are having more leads than last year, some are having less, but most are saying the right people are here.”
Interestingly, the number of exhibitors and square footage of exhibits dropped a mere 3%.
Many major ICF manufacturers stayed away from the International Builder Show (IBS), held two weeks earlier in the same convention hall, to maximize their exposure at WOC. As in years past, most ICF manufacturers were in the North Hall.
The ICF Builder Awards, the annual “project-of-the-year” competition, were also presented at the show. More than 250 of the most influential personalities in the industry enjoyed an relaxing evening of socializing and networking after the presentation.
Two ICF show homes were built this year, the New American Home with Arxx ICFs, and the NextGen Home with Nudura ICFs. The New American Home was closed during WOC, but the NextGen home reportedly received a steady stream of visitors. The 5,200 sq. ft. NextGen Home is expected to be 95% more efficient than today’s standard home. Much of this efficiency is a direct result of the ICFs. The home is also certified under the Fortified for Safer Living program to withstand the most prevalent natural disasters in the region, wildfire and earthquakes.
Price Reductions Create Stir
As crude oil prices continue to fall, a pair of ICF manufacturers are raising eyebrows by decreasing their prices.
“We’ve lowered our prices four out of the last six months,” says Dave Jackson, sales and marketing manager at Fox Blocks. “Just this month, we took another 4.2% reduction. Prices on our block haven’t been this low since 2006.”
Lite-Form Technologies, which manufactures Lite-Deck, Lite-Form, and Flexx-Block, has also lowered prices significantly.
The two primary materials used in ICFs, polypropylene (PP) and expanded polystyrene (EPS), are petrochemicals, meaning they are made from crude oil.
“As oil prices have fallen, we’ve been able to dramatically reduce the cost of polypropylene and polystyrene,” explains Dave Hall, marketing director at Lite-Form. “We’ve chosen to pass those savings along to our distributors and customers.”
Hall pointed out steel prices have also fallen, and Lite-Form is now selling Lite-Deck in some cases matching prices from three or four years ago.
The move has ruffled feathers of other manufacturers, who have balked at the idea of changing prices. “You have to maintain the integrity of your pricing model,” explains Pat McMahon, VP of Sales at Amvic. “We’ve chosen to base our pricing structure on the value of the product, not the material inputs.”
But lower prices seem to be earning market share. Jackson didn’t provide hard numbers, but noted the price decreases have “proven extremely popular with ICF contractors.”
ICW Offers Franchise Opportunity
Insulated Concrete Walls (ICW) is now selling franchises for select regions of North America.
Launched in 2003, ICW has quickly become an industry leader in the professional installation of Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs). With offices in Florida, California, Arizona, and Colorado, they are one of the only installation subcontractors with operations coast to coast.
At the World of Concrete show in Las Vegas, COO Jeff Alexander announced they would now be franchising their business model in additional areas.
“We offer comprehensive training and support on every phase of from sales and marketing to estimating and operations to installation and fulfillment,” said Alexander. “Basically, we’ll provide as much training and support as you need to so you and your employees are prepared. General contractors will embrace your team as a seasoned, experienced and professional ICF installation crew.”
Initial setup is $30,000 per market, with 50% due at signing, and 5% of all sales revenue. That’s on top of equipment and office set up. Alexander estimates that total initial costs (outside of the franchising fees) will be $100,000 to $150,000. For those already in the ICF business, start-up costs will be substantially less.
For more information, or to download an application form, visit www.icwalls.com.
GridWall Files For Bankrupcy
Amazon Forms One, Inc. a Texas-based ICF manufacturer, has filed for bankruptcy. The company manufactured Grid-Wall, a cement-EPS composite block similar to Rastra or Apex, and was headquartered in San Antonio, Texas.
The company began manufacturing block in late 1999, and Grid-Wall enjoyed a significant share of the ICF market in the region. Last year, business website Manta.com estimated annual sales as 1.2 million. But rumors circulated that the company was for sale. By summer, internet chat rooms logged several conversations about unfilled orders.
This spring, creditors received notice that the company had closed its doors for good. Investors seeking to purchase company assets should contact the Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Texas.
Nudura vs. Fox Blocks Suit Settled
A lawsuit between Airlite Plastics, owner of Fox Blocks ICF, and Nudura Corp., another ICF manufacturer, has been settled.
The suit was filed by Nudura and Polyform in October of 2007, alleging the design of Fox Block infringed on its patents.
The case went to court earlier this year in Omaha, Neb., and in March 2009, the judge decided that Airlite had not infringed on Patent No. 6,401,419, which covers various aspects of the tie and interlock used on Nudura’s trademark green foam panels.
Lite-Deck Offers Greener Top Hats
Lite-Deck, an EPS forming system used on floor decks, balconies, and tilt-up construction, is now more sustainable than ever.
Beginning last fall, Lite-Form Technologies began using 100% recycled foam in the “top hats” that control the depth of the concrete beam pockets. The move created considerable discussion in the industry, with some claiming it constituted deceptive advertising.
“Our recycled top hats truly contain 100% recycled content,” states Dave Hall, marketing director at Lite-Form. “Of course, we still offer top hats made with virgin material, but our recycled hats are 100% regrind.”
The company displayed recycled Lite-Deck at both the International Builders Show and World of Concrete. Flecks of pink and blue regrind were clearly visible throughout the top hats.
Hall says new molding equipment and processes make it possible to recycle virtually all of the scrap produced at their Nebraska facility. “Obviously, it’s a sustainable, green move, but its also the right move,” he says. “Our biggest obstacle to expanding the operation is finding more suitable scrap.”
The company has partnered with local roofing contractors to recycle their roof tear-off, diverting thousands of cubic feet of material from the landfill.
“We’re trying to maximize the amount of recycled EPS we use to make various ICF systems,” explains Pat Boeshart, president and CEO of the company. “We can produce a top-quality product at a cost effective rate, and provide a needed service to the community. There is simply no downside to this effort.”
Logix Unrolls ‘Greenbate’ Program
In March, Logix announced a new “Greenbate for Homes” program.
Under the new program, single family homes that certify under any of the major green building programs will receive a rebate of one dollar per full-height block used.
“For years, Logix has supported and encouraged the construction of healthy, sustainable, and energy efficient buildings,” says Andy Lennox, marketing director at Logix. “The 2009 Greenbate program is another important plank in our platform of Logix support services and initiatives.”
To qualify, the home must feature full height (footing to roof) Logix ICF exterior walls. The first shipment must be made in 2009, and certified no later than Dec. 31, 2010. In addition, owners must agree to supply Logix with energy data and photos of the home.
Green certifications that qualify in the U.S. include LEED-H, NAHB Green Building Certification, and the U.S. Dept. of Energy Builder’s Challenge. In Canada, programs include LEED-H, R-2000, and the Energuide for New Homes.
For more information, visit www.logixicf.com.
ICFA Solicits Insurance Info
The Insulating Concrete Forms Association (ICFA) is hoping to make insurance discounts available to those who live in ICF homes.
“We have long promoted that insurance discounts should be available for ICF construction, but have found in reality for this to not always be the case,” says Steve Heller, executive director of ICFA.
The association is working on a two-pronged solution, and is requesting your help. “One [solution] is to make alliances with one or more insurers to develop a potential association program,” says Heller. “The other is to collect local contacts who have in the past offered ICF construction discounts.”
If readers are aware of an insurance
agent that has been able to process a discount for ICF homes, ICFA would like to collect that information. They hope to compile and post online an interactive map of resources. Send insurance contacts to sheller@forms.org.
Quad-Lock Expands International Presence
Quad-Lock Building Systems, a leading ICF manufacturer based in Vancouver, British Columbia, is expanding their international reach.
The company already enjoys a strong presence in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Germany. They recently announced they completed a three-story office building in Bulgaria. It’s believed to be the first commercial ICF project in that nation, and is designed to withstand tremendous seismic loads.
The company has also published their training videos and installation manual in Spanish. “This is ideal for installers in the southern United States and elsewhere who have Spanish-speaking installers on their crew,” says Wendy Davidoff, marketing director at Quad-Lock.
The company is in the process of translating videos and the installation manual into German as well. The company already has prepared ICF brochures in German, Estonian, Slovakian, Hungarian and Czech.
EIFS Associations Sign Agreement
In March, the EIFS Industry Members Association (EIMA) and the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry (AWCI) agreed formally to work together to advance the exterior insulation and finish system (EIFS) industry.
The move began when EIMA’s long-time director, Stephan E. “Steve” Klamke, retired. The board of directors then began looking for association management services to fill that role. AWCI was a logical choice, and the two associations agreed on the terms.
The two associations already have a broad overlap of members. “EIMA’s expertise in product technology, codes and standards, combined with AWCI’s industry education programs and association management skills are a perfect marriage,” said EIMA President David Boivin.
EIMA will relocate its headquarters to the AWCI office building in Virginia, but will continue to operate as an independent association and will be governed by the current EIMA board of directors.
“Members of both organizations have worked well together for a long time, and we plan to further build on this relationship,” said AWCI President Jim Keller.
Green Standards Gain Steam
As media and government continue to advocate green building, green building standards continue to evolve.
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is the clear market leader in green building certification, with more than 10,000 individual projects seeking certification under their Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. Their LEED-Accredited Professional (LEED-AP) certification courses, as well as the LEED building standards they administer, are highly sought after.
LEED 2009 Unveiled
In February, The USGBC formalized the credits for LEED 2009, an update to their internationally recognized program.
Among the most significant changes is that LEED has reallocated the number of points that can be earned in a given area. According to the USGBC, this was done to give the most urgent environmental priorities more emphasis. For example, reducing a building’s carbon footprint is given more importance under the new system, while indoor air quality is de-emphasized.
LEED 2009 or LEED Version 3 (LEED v3) will also incorporate regional credits, extra points that will be awarded based on priorities within a project’s given environmental zone.
With the changes, USGBC has also committed to develop LEED on a set schedule based on the same method as building codes; the next published revision is set for 2011.
Buildings can certify in one of five different areas: LEED for New Construction/Core & Shell (LEED-NC); LEED for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB); LEED for Schools; LEED for Homes (LEED-H), and LEED Retail.
For more information, visit www.usgbc.org.
National Green Building Standard Unveiled
Two years ago, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) announced they were developing their own program, called the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines. The program was formally unveiled at last year’s IBS show.
Now, the NAHB has announced a new green building standard, developed in conjunction with the International Code Council (ICC), and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
Called the National Green Building Standard, the new program is intended for residential construction work including single-family homes, apartments, condos, land development, and remodeling and renovation.
It defines what green practices can be incorporated into residential development and construction and how home owners can operate and maintain their green homes. It also allows home builders and buyers options based on climate, geography, style, and budget.
The new standard competes directly with LEED for Homes developed by the USGBC. Promoters of the new NAHB/ICC system point out several advantages of their system.
“More than 90% of new homes are built to some version of the International Residential Code,” said Dominic Sims, chief operating officer of the ICC. “A code-based system with the same points of reference makes sense for the industry because it’s more logical to understand.”
Michael Luzier, president of the NAHB Research Center explains, “Under the standard, there are options for Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Emerald levels of certification that provide builders and remodelers with the flexibility to choose the certification level appropriate for their market and their customers.”
NAHB will also continue the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines they launched last year ago.
Jim Neihoff, who represents the NAHB’s Concrete Home Building Council (CHBC) and the Portland Cement Association (PCA), notes that the cement industry was directly involved in deliberations. The standard outlines more than 30 separate green building practices where cementitious products can help a residential project qualify for points toward certification.
The program guidelines can be purchased through the NAHB bookstore.
