PR January 2005

As a card-carrying member of Generation X with a baby face that belies my age, I've been upholding the work ethic, drive, maturity, skills and knowledge of my cohort for more than a decade. I've never noticed the lack of initiative and attitude of entitlement that I've heard many employers claim to see in younger workers.

Pella's Vivid View window screens are virtually invisible, so the view to the outside is crisp and clear. The windows allow up to 50 percent more natural light and provide up to three times the airflow according to Pella. Backed by a five-year transferable warranty against chalking, fading, hazing and corrosion, and can be cleaned by hosing them off with water.

Warn Industries introduces an all-in-one portable winch and carrier combination, the Warn Works 3200AC-R. With an attached carrier that features an integrated mounting plate, roller fairlead, handle and built-in remote dock, the tool has a pull capacity of 3,200 pounds. and runs off a standard wall socket.

Looking at metrics for accounts payable, accounts receivable and working capital efficiency over time and against benchmarks can tell us if we are headed toward being cash strapped or if we can safely grow our business. They draw attention to payment and collection policies that might need closer investigation to keep us solvent and financially flexible.

Armstrong introduces its new designs for the Memories and Successor flooring lines, which mimic the appearance of real stone, ceramic and wood. Memories has an overall thickness of 0.065 inch, felt backing, and a 10-year warranty and ToughGuard performance. Successor has an overall thickness of 0.06 inch, with Interflex backing and a five-year warranty.

The Solid Core Fluted Lineal is the newest addition to the Architectural Essentials line from Crane Performance Siding. Available in 20-foot lengths, the Aspen White lineal comes with a 1 1/8-inch and ¾-inch pocket and can be used in conjunction with Crane vinyl sidings. It may also be paired with the corner connector for a three-piece corner post system, offering a more decorative colonia...

At Professional Remodeler, we've always been committed to providing you with the best information, business strategies and innovative ideas to make your business as successful as possible. That's why I'm pleased to announce some exciting changes we're making that will strengthen our ability to bring you the best and most comprehensive information for your business and its future in the growing ...

The new Rheem Prestige Series and Ruud Ultra Series 16-SEER Condensing Unit was designed for homebuilders and remodelers specializing in upscale housing. Both are equipped with an Emerson Climate Technologies Comfort Alert on-board diagnostics system that continuously monitors the system. Contact: 479/648-4900 www.

Vetter Windows & Doors Insulated Hurricane Impact Products are designed to meet wind-borne debris codes in the Eastern U.S. They have a layer of 0.9- or 0.1-inch gauge PVB bonded between two panes of annealed, laminated glass. Should the glass break, the laminated interlayer is designed to remain intact.

If there's one thing we know about remodeling, it's that the schedule always changes. At the same time, if there's one thing that we know about customers, it's that they hate it when contractors go over schedule. Smart scheduling can prevent this irresistable force and immovable object from ever meeting.