Technology

Orlando -- The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) made it very clear during the International Builders' Show that it's prepared to fight for the mortgage interest deduction. 

Geneva, Switzerland-based The Forest Trust, a non-profit organization that helps businesses bring responsible products to market, has announced the appointment of Stephen Conwell as North America director of operations. He will be based in Atlanta.

Hampshire, Ill.-based building materials manufacturer W.R. Meadows launched a new website -- wrmeadows.com.

Among the new changes are more project photos, a product spotlight for new products and new social media features. These features include a live Twitter feed, so users can follow tweets as they happen, and links to their Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube pages. 

DeWalt has announced the introduction of its 24 Inch Tote with Power Tool Case. The two-in-one storage solution allows contractors to easily store power tools, hand tools and accessories -- like drill bits, nails and screws -- in the power tool case, which also functions as a lid. For internal storage customization, the tool case has a removable divider that stores larger items in the bottom of the tote, helping to eliminate the need for multiple tool bags.

Southbridge, Mass.-based Hyde Tools introduced a point-of-purchase display for a product it calls "the ultimate junk drawer tool."

The 10-5/16 in. by 9-3/16 in. cut-case style merchandiser shows a full-size diagram of the 14-in-1 multi-tool's functions -- including the storage and use of four screwdriver bits in the handle.

As a result of too much good material and not enough space, here is a collection of semi-random notes from the International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Fla.  


• Question: Does anybody really pay $99 a day for Internet connection — the asking price at the convention center? 


• I told my cab driver what I was doing in Orlando. 


“That’s funny,” he said. 


“Why?”


A growing number of engaged couples are listing home-improvement products in their gift registries, according to a just released survey by TheKnot.com and WeddingChannel.com. More than 12,000 couples with 2010 wedding dates were polled in the annual survey. Highlights include:

On average, engaged couples register at three retail stores, and 3% of the respondents registered at Home Depot in 2010. This compares to 2% in 2009. 

Nexxus Lighting's Array brand of LED light bulbs will be offered on Lowes.com and in 1,100 Lowe's stores across the United States beginning June 2011.

Lowe's will offer 17 different Array products, including Par 38, R30, R16, GU10 and MR-16 bulbs that have qualified for the Energy Star rating.