Electrolux will relocate its North American laundry products research and development center to Charlotte, N.C., from Webster City, Iowa.

The move signals the company’s commitment to further product innovation in its fabric care business and builds on the design, testing and marketing capabilities that already exist in its Charlotte-based North American headquarters.

Home prices across the nation rose for the second month in a row, according to the S&P/Case Shiller Index, a closely watched indicator for the housing market. The average price of single-family, residential homes in the United States increased by 2.2% in May 2012 compared with the previous month for both the 10- and 20-city composites. On an annual basis, both composites and 17 of the 20 MSAs saw increases in May compared with April 2011. The exceptions were Boston, Charlotte and Detroit.

Bill Tucker, the former president of the Florida Building Material Association (FBMA), has joined the Schaffer Associates team. Located in Charlotte, N.C., Schaffer Associates specializes in building human resource infrastructure through acquisition, retention and development.

Meritage Homes has opened a new division in Charlotte, N.C., expanding its Southeast Region operations. The division plans to open its first communities in the Charlotte area later this year.

The home builder opened new divisions in Raleigh, N.C., and Tampa, Fla., last year.

Rick Roberson has been named Charlotte division president. He has nearly 10 years of home-building experience and was most recently with the company's Texas Region.

When it comes to designing and communicating employee benefit programs, employee input and involvement can be a boon. After all, one of the best ways to gain buy-in for and to communicate employee benefit programs is to use peer-to-peer interaction. If a group of employees supports these programs and makes it a point to tell other employees, organizations can build buy-in for programs and changes more readily.

Charlotte, N.C.-based Viance kicked off its Ecolife Fish-More Deck Challenge for 2012. This promotion will award a Team Grand Prize to a builder and homeowner of the winning deck selected in the Deck Challenge.

Ace Hardware has recognized four member stores with the company’s first-ever “Coolest Hardware Store” awards. 

The four winners, named during Ace’s annual Platinum Conference held in Las Vegas this summer, share common traits yet offer local flavor and product selection above and beyond most hardware stores:

Charlotte, N.C.-based Carlisle Cos. completed the acquisition of PDT Phoenix GmbH in Germany for approximately EUR80 million in cash.

The purchase agreement calls for contingent payments based upon PDT's future earnings.

With annual sales of approximately EUR80 million, PDT is a leading manufacturer of EPDM-based (rubber) roofing membranes and industrial components serving key European markets. PDT will operate within Carlisle's Construction Materials segment.

The S&P/Case-Shiller Index, a closely watched indicator for the new housing market, has reported a monthly increase in prices for its 10- and 20-city composites for the first time in eight months. The composites were up 0.8% and 0.7%, respectively, in April versus March.

However, both indices are lower than a year ago, with the 10-city composite down 3.1% and the 20-city composite off 4.0% from its April 2010 levels.

The Stairway Manufacturers' Association's (SMA's) annual conference in Charlotte, N.C., attracted 20% more attendees than last year's event in St. Louis, the SMA announced.

During the conference, the membership ratified a new mission statement: "To be the greatest resource of knowledge and tools contributing to the success of our members and the stair industry." The SMA is currently reviewing its advertising and display policy to determine if less restrictions would be beneficial to its mission.