Tulsa, Okla.-based Mill Creek has plans to open a showroom, door shop and truss manufacturing plant in northern Wichita, Kan., according to an article in the Wichita Eagle.

Jeff Dunn, Mill Creek’s president, told the newspaper he’s “cautiously optimistic” about the city and wants to position the company for the inevitable upturn in new-home building.

Sales were up but net earnings were down for Stanley Black & Decker, the maker of construction and DIY tools, security and industrial products.

New Britain, Conn.-based Stanley Black & Decker first quarter sales increased to $2.65 billion, up 12% from $2.36 billion in the same quarter last year.

The company said the sales growth was attributable to volume (+2%), price (+1%), currency (-1%) and acquisitions (+10%). Last year, Stanley announced it would acquire Niscayah Group AB, a Swedish commercial security company.

A price index of lumber and panels used in actual construction for April 13, 2012

The Federal Reserve’s latest Beige Book report, which covered the period February 18 - April 2, 2012, was not effusive in its assessment of economic activity, pegging expansion at a “modest to moderate pace.” But a closer look at the report, provided by IHS Global Insight, indicate an uptick in housing demand, residential construction activity, consumer spending, employment and lending. The only dark cloud on the horizon, according to the Federal Reserve’s economic analysis, is gas prices. 

Dublin, Calif.-based Epicor has made available mobile versions of its software solutions for manufacturing, distribution and retail.

Developed by the dedicated Epicor mobile development team, Mobile Manager for Catalyst and ECS Pro allows storeowners and managers to get more done by serving them real-time information on their Android or Apple smartphone or tablet. Managers can respond to customer inquiries, track the health of the business and make informed decisions with their mobile device.

An article about a U.S. Commerce Department ruling that some imported bottom-mount refrigerators were sold at prices unfair to American competitors led to several letters. 

“There is no way that free enterprise businesses can compete and win against companies being underwritten by their countries.

“There is a core group of Americans who are being ignored in this NEW GLOBAL FREE TRADE economy. Not everyone can go to college or be trained for high-tech jobs.

Joining the Earth Hour campaign, Haier is asking its employees to shut off the lights at home for one hour on March 31st at 8:30 p.m. local time in support of the global sustainability awareness campaign.

Haier chose Earth Hour as the launching point for the Smarter Life, Better Planet campaign which tracks and supports the inspiring visionaries, organizations and ideas paving the way for the world of tomorrow.

Boral USA, a manufacturer and supplier of building products and construction materials, introduced Boral TruExterior Trim at the JLC LIVE Residential Construction Show event in Providence, R.I. 

A new development in the Poly-ash category in the exterior trim market, Boral TruExterior Trim gives homeowners, builders, architects and contractors a long-lasting and low maintenance trim option. A solution for a variety of non-structural applications, Boral TruExterior Trim is a sustainable product, according to the manufacturer.

ProBuild Holdings, the nation’s largest pro dealer, has announced a restructuring that will eliminate several high level management positions, lay off a number of people, and institute a hiring freeze at its Denver headquarters. 

In an internal memo obtained by Home Channel News, ProBuild’s CEO Rob Marchbank outlined the new leadership and reporting structure of the Denver-based company. The executive VP operations layer of management will be eliminated, and all senior VPs of operations will report directly to Marchbank.

A price index of lumber and panels used in actual construction for March 16, 2012

Manufacturers responding to an article about Made in the USA products point to a variety of benefits of domestic manufacturing in today’s economy, including psychology and quality control.

Gutterglove Inc., a Rocklin, Calif., maker of gutter guards, will bring its manufacturing from China back to California by the end of the second quarter of 2012, the company announced.

CEO and president Robert Lenney, who founded and invented the multi-patented Gutterglove Gutterguard, started manufacturing his gutter cover in 2003.