Technology

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. 

Jeremy Stine, the current manager of government and public affairs for the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA), is leaving the association to take a marketing position at Stine Lumber.

Sulphur, La.-based Stine Lumber operates 13 locations in Louisiana, and is owned and operated by the Stine family.

Electric corded lawn mowers accounted for only 6% of the walk-behind market in 2010 — but that’s up from 2.9% in 2009, according to data from consumer research firm The NPD Group.


Soaring fuel prices, tougher government emissions standards and a general trend toward environmental stewardship have given rise to more cordless electric walk mowers and manual mowers, especially for homeowners with smaller lawns. And powered mowers are feeling the trend, as well.


Companies that specialize in retrofitting homes in California against earthquake damage are reporting a surge in business following the Japan earthquake, according to an article in the Los Angeles Times. 

Firms interviewed by the newspaper said they are receiving a threefold increase in phone calls, particularly in Southern California, where the Northridge earthquake caused 60 deaths and 5,000 injuries in 1994. 

Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp. expanded its M18 Lithium-ion system with the new M18 Cordless 3/8-inch Right Angle Drill Driver.

The 18V right angle drill with an adjustable clutch provides eleven torque settings, plus one drill mode, for control in close-quarter fastening applications.

“The combination of a 3.75-inch total head length and an integrated Electronic Clutch make this tool the most compact 18V Right Angle Drill Driver in the industry,” says Christian Coulis, senior product manager for Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with DeVilbiss Air Power Co. of Jackson, Tenn., has issued a voluntary recall of certain air compressors due to a fire hazard.

Lowe's promoted four executives to key positions in merchandising, store operations and strategic planning. Here are the executives and their backgrounds:

Hardwood moldings manufacturer Artistic Finishes launched a new marketing theme that brings a "new consumer-focused element" to the company's marketing program. The theme of its "Beginnings" campaign is "The finish is just the beginning."