Happy Holidays!

Everyone at Major Industries would like to wish you a safe and happy holiday season, and a great 2011!

Greenbuild in the Windy City...

Thanks to everyone who visited our booth at the 2010 Greenbuild Convention and Expo in Chicago last month. We're already looking forward to the 2011 Greenbuild Show in Toronto!

Besides product literature and daylighting system samples, Major also unveiled a new translucent panel system that features fiberglass support members for revolutionary thermal performance. The new system will also feature a snap-to-lock installation system that eliminates exposed fasteners. Stay tuned to www.majorskylights.com for additional updates and an official product release.

Trade Show Season

Major Industries is once again preparing for trade show season. Join us at the AIA-Iowa convention September 30-October 1 in Des Moines, the ALA Chicago Conference October 5th and the AIA-South Dakota Convention in Sioux Falls October 14th and 15th.

We will also be at the Design-Build Expo in Las Vegas October 18th-20th at Caesar's Palace and at Greenbuild in Chicago November 16th -18th.

Stop by our booth and check out a wide range of samples, literature and new products!

Guardian 275® Translucent Skylights Receive Florida Approval

Major Industries’ Guardian 275® translucent panel skylights were recently approved by the Florida Building Commission for use in the Florida construction industry (Windzone 3 / Missile Level D). The Guardian 275® hurricane system, engineered to provide the highest level of hurricane protection, offers the same high-quality, glare-free light found in Major’s standard Guardian 275® translucent panel systems.

In order to receive Florida approval (which encompasses most Florida counties), Major’s Guardian 275® translucent skylights had to withstand a variety of missile impact, water and air infiltration and pressure load tests. Guardian 275® translucent skylights, with their unique sandwich panel design and use of high-performance materials, offer strong protection against hurricane-force winds and flying debris – without sacrificing the numerous health and environmental benefits that daylighting provides.

To learn more about Guardian 275® translucent panel systems, and for a free 28 page catalog detailing the LEED-friendly and protective benefits of Guardian 275®, call 888-759-2678, email us at sales@majorskylights.com or visit www.majorskylights.com. For more information about Florida building requirements and codes, visit www.floridabuilding.org.

Beyond Custom...

There are times when a standard skylight fits the bill - and other times when you need a daylighting system that does more than let in light. Check out just a few unique translucent daylighting applications:

* RETROFIT READY - Add a unique look without a unique price tag with Guardian 275® Translucent Adapter Panels that offer seamless integration between 2.75" Guardian 275® translucent panels and conventional 1" framing systems.

* BLAST PROTECTION - Guardian 275® panels, after going though the most punishing blast tests in the translucent daylighting industry, meet or exceed Department of Defense (Level "C" Loading) and General Services Administration (Condition "1", Hazard Level "None") performance requirements. If your next project needs to meet anti-terrorism standards, but you're concerned about including daylighting in the design plan, visit our Blast Protection page - you'll find high-speed video of the actual testing.

* REMOVABLE SYSTEMS - Guardian 275® skylights can be configured with lifting hooks for easy access to machinery or medical equipment. Our curtainwall systems can also be easily disassembled for access to necessary equipment.

* COLORFUL OPTIONS - Besides a wide range of custom finish options, Major also offers Spectra-Grid™ colored insulation options for a unique stained-glass look, as well as a wide range of sheet color options - from Aqua to Desert Rose - that ensure a unique and eye-catching look.

When you're in need of a system that becomes and integral part of the building, Major Industries can work with you to create a system that's right for your next project.

Greenbuild Needs Your Artistic Talents...

Attention all creative-types... the U.S. Green Building Council is calling on producers, directors and writers to submit their work for screening at the fourth Annual Greenbuild International Film Festival. The Film Festival will be held Wednesday, Nov. 17 through Thursday, Nov. 19 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m at McCormick Place in Chicago.

In keeping with this year’s conference theme, Generation Green: Redefining Our Future, the Greenbuild Special Programs Working Group is seeking submissions including documentaries, films and informational videos that promote innovative green building practices and address social, environmental and health topics related to the built environment.

For details, visit http://www.greenbuildexpo.org/Events/Film-Festival.aspx .

Tax Credits for Daylighting

Want to know if your state offers tax credits for daylighting? Check out http://www.dsireusa.org/, the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency.

MAJOR EMPLOYEE INVOLVED IN HIT-AND-RUN IN FAIR CONDITION

Tim Wissbroecker, the Major Industries employee who was the victim of a hit-and-run accident on July 5th, has been upgraded to fair condition and is recovering. Police report that they have apprehended a suspect in the case.

Everyone at Major wished Tim the best during his recovery process, and we hope to see him soon. In order to assist the family through the recovery process, a donation fund has been set up in Tim’s name at CoVantage Credit Union locations in Wausau, Rhinelander and Antigo, Wisconsin. If you would like to donate, please call 1-800-398-2667.

MAJOR EMPLOYEE INJURED IN HIT-AND-RUN ACCIDENT

Tim Wissbroecker, a Design Drafter at Major Industries, was involved in a hit-and-run accident on July 5th, 2010. Tim is an avid runner and bicyclist and was training for an upcoming triathlon when the incident occurred. The accident left Tim in critical condition, with numerous internal injuries, and he is still under close watch. Though he has a long road ahead, there are signs of improvement and it’s hoped that he will be able to make a full recovery.

Unfortunately, the driver that hit Tim has not been found, and police are still on the lookout for the vehicle and any other passengers who were at the scene. Police report that the vehicle is a newer model silver or gray Honda SUV with front passenger side damage.

The Wissbroecker family has posted a $5000 reward for information leading to an arrest/conviction in the case. In order to support the family’s efforts, and due to the criminal nature of the event, Major is matching the reward contribution up to an additional $5000. (If you have any information about this incident, the family asks that you call the Langlade County Sheriff's Department at 715-627-6411.)

If you would like to assist the Wissbroecker family as they deal with these tough times, a donation fund has been set up in Tim’s name at CoVantage Credit Union locations in Wausau, Rhinelander and Antigo, Wisconsin. If you would like to donate, please call 1-800-398-2667.

Green Building Boom

Major has long been committed to green building - incorporating natural light into a building's design saves energy by reducing the need for energy-hungry artificial lighting during peak use hours.

Fast Company recently published an article on the green building boom and its projections for the next few years. Check it out here... http://tiny.cc/23db5.

New LightBasic™ Value-Engineered Translucent Curtainwall

Creating an economical daylighting system that meets the demands of architects and building owners is a difficult task. Major Industries has taken on this challenge by offering a new line of translucent curtainwall – LightBasic™ – that's value-engineered to offer the benefits of translucent daylighting at a reduced price point.

Officially released at the 2010 American Institute of Architects National Convention and Expo in Miami Beach, LightBasic™ translucent wall systems feature a simplified framing system and fewer system options when compared to our standard Guardian 275® translucent panel systems. LightBasic™ systems also feature 100% acrylic-based AcrylitGC®. Produced by Glasteel®, AcrylitGC® is an economical face sheet that offers glare-free light while resisting weathering and fiberbloom. This combination of simplified options and an acrylic face sheet allows us to keep costs down while still providing a dependable, reliable translucent curtainwall system that is easy on the bottom line.

For more information about Major Industries' new LightBasic™ translucent curtainwall, or to learn more about our full line of daylighting systems, call 888-759-2678 or email us at sales@majorskylights.com.

Welcome!

Welcome to the Major Industries blog - a great place to find information about Major Industries and our wide range of custom daylighting solutions. From time to time we will be posting product news, project features, daylighting information and more.