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December 3, 2007
Osmose® MicroPro™ Technology Earns Environmentally Preferable Product Certification from Scientific Certification Systems
Osmose Inc., the premier supplier of wood preservative technologies, and Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), a third-party certification services and standards development company, today announced that Osmose’s MicroPro technology has been certified by SCS as an Environmentally Preferable Product (EPP). MicroPro is the first and only wood preservative technology in the world to receive this rigorous certification.
Unlike current copper-based wood preservatives, the MicroPro technology system does not use organic solvents to dissolve the copper component. Instead, the MicroPro system utilizes patent pending micronizing technology to grind copper particles so small that they can penetrate into the wood in solid form. Wood products treated with the MicroPro preservative system, when compared to current copper-based wood treatments, offer consumer benefits of low corrosion to metal fasteners, approval for aluminum contact, and better painting and staining qualities because of the wood’s lighter color.
The unique MicroPro production process results in the reduction of an estimated 20,000 tons or more of greenhouse gas emissions each year, based on annual production levels. (This is equivalent to the annual emissions of approximately 2,200 SUV's.) The MicroPro formulation requires fewer trucks to transport the preservative when compared to other wood treatment products. Fewer trucks means reduced pollutants from tailpipe emissions, and as a result, reduced contribution to acid rain, smog, soot, and oceanic acidification.
Paul Goydan, President of Osmose, Inc., stated, "The EPP certification by SCS further highlights the MicroPro technology’s unique and important consumer benefits. Having EPP-certified pressure treated wood products available is a positive step forward for our industry, retailers, builders, and consumers who are increasingly demanding building materials that are certified for their environmental excellence.”
EPP guidelines published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) require that such products have reduced impacts on human health and the environment when compared to other products that serve the same purpose.
Stan Rhodes, SCS President, stated, “In conducting this certification, SCS examined a broad range of potential environmental impacts. The new MicroPro wood preservative system from Osmose has set a new benchmark of environmental performance for wood preservatives.”
Geoff Brown, President of The Lumber Yard, stated, "We were one of the first in our market to introduce the MicroPro technology and the response has been tremendous. Our home building and contractor customers are asking us more and more to provide them with green building material products and with the new EPP certification for our MicroPro treated wood products, we can now fulfill these green product requests."
MicroPro treated lumber is currently available in over 2,400 home centers and lumberyards in the United States and is currently produced by 54 wood treating companies.
Osmose MicroPro Technology Highlights and Environmentally Preferable
Product (EPP) Benefits
- First and Only Wood Preservative to Receive EPP Status– The Osmose MicroPro technology is the first wood preservative to be EPP (Environmentally Preferable Product) certified by Scientific Certification Systems.
- Reduced Energy Use– The Osmose MicroPro preservative system reduces total energy use by approximately 80% and greatly reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
- No Environmental Impacts from Copper– The copper in wood products treated with the Osmose MicroPro preservative system bonds readily to organic matter in the soil. Result: the copper becomes biologically inactive, thus causing no eco-toxic or other environmental impacts.
- Largely Eliminates Copper Releases– Wood products treated with the Osmose MicroPro preservative system result in the release of 90% to 99% less copper into aquatic and terrestrial environments when compared to standard treated wood products.
- Reduced Air Emissions– The solution containing the MicroPro copper preservative formula is four times more concentrated than the industry standard. As a result, fewer trucks are required for transport. Fewer trucks, combined with the absence of monoethanolamine (MEA) in the production process, result in a reduction of air pollutants from tailpipe emissions and associated impacts, including: soot, nitrous oxide, volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), particulate matter, and reduced impacts of acid rain, smog, and oceanic acidification.
- Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions– The absence of MEA in the production process, combined with the reduced use of fuel and fewer trucks, means that using MicroPro technology in lieu of standard wood treatment formulations reduces an estimated 20,000 tons or more of greenhouse gas emissions each year. (This is equivalent to the annual emissions of approximately 2,200 SUV’s.)
June 8, 2007
Wolf Distributing Company announces expansion of popular Palette Collection Bath Furniture
 (York, Pa.) Wolf Distributing Company announced that on July 1 it will launch phase two of its Palette Collection Bath Furniture line.
With the addition of eight new collections, the company will offer a total of 15 bath furniture collections to the company's service area of mid-Atlantic and northeastern states.
The Palette Collection, available only from Wolf Distributing Company, unites high-concept design with high-quality construction, enabling homeowners to create a distinctive bathroom at a competitive price.
The entire collection will also benefit dealers, builders and remodelers by combining quality materials with speedy delivery. Wolf Distributing Company will offer guaranteed delivery of each fully assembled, in-stock piece from the Palette Collection in one week or less.
The Palette Collection enables builders to meet consumer demand for premium design in bath furniture. The line offers 15 distinctive collections of bath furniture that offer homeowners a range of styles and products: vanities, mirrors, cabinets, vessel sinks, mirrors, etageres and more.
The Palette Collection also offers a full selection of vanity tops in colors that coordinate with any décor. Unlike some competing lines, the nine natural granite colors and two Italian marble colors include an installed undermount china bowl and custom options. The collection also offers more than 160 cultured marble colors.
Homeowners may also choose from among 90 hardware styles available in the Palette Collection -- all in stock for next-truck delivery.
June 8, 2007
Wolf Distributing now carries NuCedar Classic ClapboardTM
 (York, Pa.) Wolf Distributing Company announced that it has begun distributing NuCedar Classic ClapboardTM siding to its mid-Atlantic service area.
This innovative line of siding, milled from cellular PVC, offers the appearance, warmth and beauty of cedar -- with none of the maintenance.
NuCedar Classic Clapboard offers builders and homeowners other significant advantages over traditional siding: lighter weight, greater durability and resistance to rot.
Wolf Distributing Company, a major supplier of building materials in the northeastern United States, offers NuCedar to dealers in five Mid-Atlantic states: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Virginia. The company's logistics expertise enables it to offer faster-than-standard delivery to its partners.
Wolf will also carry NuCedar's complete line of trimboard, moulding and architectural components. This extensive offering of components gives architects flexibility during the design process, whether a project requires creativity or historical integrity.
Wolf's partnership with NuCedar signals the distributor's continuing commitment to innovative, forward-thinking products. Recently, NuCedar Classic Clapboard was honored with a 2007 Editors' Choice Award from ProSales Magazine and was one of 32 companies named an MVP Award winner from Building Products Magazine.
NuCedar's Classic Clapboard comes in 17 standard colors, five historical color combinations and more than 1,400 factory-finished custom colors by Sherwin-WilliamsTM. The line, which resists hail and termite damage, is backed by an industry-leading lifetime warranty.
May 29, 2007
Wolf announces program to distribute Norcraft Cabinetry from Virginia to Maine
 (York, Pa.) Wolf Distributing Company announced that, on May 7, it began distribution of Norcraft Cabinetry in its mid-Atlantic and northeastern service area. Wolf's program for the semi-custom cabinet line includes a strong service guarantee -- the only one of its kind in the industry. Norcraft Cabinetry has been designed to give buyers something new: affordable, fashionable, hand-crafted cabinetry with hundreds of standard sizes and the expansive ability to modify and customize.
Another critical benefit to buyers: Wolf and Norcraft will deliver all standard and customized framed cabinetry at better-than-standard lead times and standard delivery time.
"This program offers clear benefits to our customers, and we've already seen an enthusiastic response," said Barry Graboski, Wolf's Vice President for Kitchen and Bath Sales. "In the few weeks since the launch, we have exceeded our expectations."
Wolf is the largest supplier of cabinetry in the United States, with 23 kitchen and bath sales representatives serving 12 northeastern states. The company's logistics expertise will enable Norcraft Cabinetry and Wolf to offer a unique service and delivery guarantee.
Dealers and distributors who purchase Norcraft Cabinetry sold through Wolf will receive the complete order on the promised date, with no "short ships," and the product will be properly labeled. If any order does not meet these standards, the buyer will receive a 10% discount off the entire order.
Norcraft Cabinetry, which also offers a limited lifetime warranty on its products, offers cabinetry in a wide range of door styles and popular woods species including oak, cherry, hickory and maple as well as thermofoil.
Homeowners can choose from among 62 door styles, 15 finishes, and two glazes. Norcraft Cabinetry offers design flexibility through its easy-to-use modification program. Using a menu-driven process, customers can mix-and-match options and color finish selections to reflect any style.
In addition to Norcraft Cabinetry's standard offering of over 450 cabinet sizes, combined with the ability to customize and modify any cabinet configuration, results in endless opportunities to create unique pieces that can meet special design needs.
Wolf's program with Norcraft will enable homeowners to focus on fashion and design while still being mindful of their budget and timeframe.
For more details on the availability of Norcraft Cabinetry from Virginia to Maine, dealers should contact their Wolf Distributing Company representative or visit www.wolfdistributingco.com for contact information. |
