LUMBERYARDS

In a report entitled "Commercial Construction Markets are Helping to Repair U.S. Building Materials,” Standard & Poor's Ratings Services has posited that commercial construction and the slowed rate of spending decline for that sector has helped the overall credit availability for construction projects. 

Standard & Poor's economists are projecting a 14% increase in residential housing in 2011 over 2010, and spending on repairs and remodeling possibly increasing about 5%.

Credit ratings service Standard & Poor's (S&P) delivered a guarded but upbeat assessment of U.S. home builders, reporting that “operating conditions … have improved over the past six months, and the sector's overall credit quality has steadied as a result.” The new report cites a “cautiously stable” outlook for the sector overall, but warns that that trend could backpedal later this year if the baseline residential construction forecast doesn't materialize.

P&F Industries, Inc. reported robust second quarter earnings, primarily due to a strong Tools segment and the recent entry of its Florida Pneumatic subsidiary into The Home Depot market.

Net revenue came in at $19.48 million for the quarter, a big jump up from year-ago figures of $15.24 million. Net income was $875,000, compared to last year's $796,000.

York, Pa.-based building supplies dealer John H. Myers & Son, launched a fully redesigned and enhanced Web presence at jhmson.com.

The company said it developed the site to provide new tools to its customer base of builders and remodelers. The redesign also offers improved navigation and hundreds of new product and project images.

Mifflintown, Pa.-based Juniata PRO Lumber & Supply has been named the winner of the 2012 Paul L. Cosgrave Memorial Award.

The award is presented annually to PRO Hardware retailers that show superior commitment to the principles and ideals of effective hardware merchandising. It is named for PRO Hardware’s founder Paul L. Cosgrave. 

Springfield, N.J.-based United Window & Door Manufacturing promoted John D’Elena to the position of VP marketing and national accounts and Gregg Proscia to the position of VP sales.

James W. Van Buren has left his post as executive VP and CEO of New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co., Inc. Effective July 18, 2013, Van Buren is officially free to pursue other opportunities, though he will remain on the board of directors.

York, Pa.-based WOLF expanded its service area for kitchen and bath products to include Ohio and parts of Tennessee.

The move brings the number of states WOLF serves to 19. WOLF describes itself as the largest supplier of kitchen cabinets in the United States and a leading provider of composite and PVC decking, railing, trimboards and other building products.