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VMZinc Upgrades Its Websites Around The Globe

Categories: Umicore Building Products
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With an emphasis on uniform, user-friendly navigation and more access to product information.

February 24, 2012 (Raleigh, NC)  – VMZinc®, Umicore Building Products’ brand for architectural zinc, has revamped its websites around the globe to give all of them the same look, the same user-friendly and uniform navigation capabilities, and to include more extensive information.

According to Chandra Hester, marketing director for Umicore Building Products USA, the new VMZinc sites “make it easier for a customer in France or Shanghai to navigate through the American website, and the same for someone in Canada to use the French website.”

This ease of navigation is important, she said, because not every country carries the same product range. This allows customers to more easily order VMZinc products from another country.

“The new sites are more user-friendly with a cleaner look,” Hester said, “making it easier to download details, find important information to answer any zinc questions, and to specify jobs within a few clicks.”

In addition, the new homepage for each country now has much more information, making it easier to access information in fewer clicks.

“And we have our social media links — Facebook, Twitter, the ZINCsense blog, and our new YouTube channel — displayed throughout the entire website,” Hester pointed out.

Also on the right hand side of the homepages, potential customers will find useful information pertaining to each of VMZinc’s systems, including project photos, installation guides, specification, details, and magazines featuring the product in award-winning projects.

The text throughout the site has also been carefully edited to be as concise and easily understood as possible.

To see the improved VMZinc websites, go to www.vmzinc.com, click on “VMZinc worldwide,” then click on the country.

About Umicore Building Products USA, Inc.

Umicore is a world-leading producer of architectural zinc. For over 160 years Umicore has been providing innovative solutions for building owners, architects, and contractors. Umicore has offices and representatives all over the world. In the United States, Umicore Building Products USA, Inc., is based in Raleigh, NC. For additional information, visit www.vmzinc-us.com.

Umicore Building Products Makes National News

Categories: VMZINC
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For LEED Gold project and global ranking.

February 7, 2012 (Raleigh, NC) – Umicore Building Products USA (UBP), the manufacturer of VMZinc® architecture zinc, made national news recently in three publications.

The January/February edition of Architectural Productsmagazine spotlights Puyullap City Hall in

Puyallup City Hall

Puyullap, Washington, a LEED Gold certified project whose façade features VMZinc’s interlocking rain-screen panels in Quartz Zinc. Designed by Mithum Architects of Seattle, Washington, the city hall is a public/private partnership effort intended to renew Puyullap’s urban core.

For the city hall’s mixed-material façade, Mithum specified VMZinc’s Quartz-Zinc panels to add needed texture to the exterior of a building that occupies almost an entire city block. The rain screen system is self-supporting and the panels connect via an interlocking groove, which creates the appearance of a recessed joint.

Design and Build with Metal.com, a major online resource for the metal construction industry, and Metal Architecture, the leading authority on the use of metal in architectural applications and building design, both featured the recent news that Corporate Knights magazine once again ranked Umicore in the top 10 of the world’s most sustainable corporations. Umicore ranked eighth in the “Global 100 Most Sustainable Companies” for “innovation, diversity, and productivity related to a set of environmental factors.”

“What an honor it is to be a part of a company that is dynamic, sustainable and known for working with really talented architects and installers,” said Dan Nicely, Director of Market Development at VMZinc North America.

Umicore is a 200-year-old global materials technology group headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, and the parent company of Umicore Building Products USA, whose international headquarters is based in Raleigh, North Carolina. For more information on the Umicore Group, go to www.umicore.com. For more information on UBP and VMZinc, visit www.vmzinc-us.com.

About Umicore:

Umicore is a global materials technology group. It focuses on application areas where its expertise in materials science, chemistry and metallurgy makes a real difference. Its activities are centered on four business areas: Catalysis, Energy Materials, Performance Materials, and Recycling. Each business area is divided into market-focused business units offering materials and solutions that are at the cutting edge of new technological developments and essential to everyday life. For more information: www.umicore.com.

About Umicore Building Products USA:

Umicore is a world-leading producer of VMZINC® architectural zinc. For over 160 years, Umicore has been providing innovative solutions for building owners, architects, and contractors. Umicore has offices and representatives all over the world. In the United States, Umicore Building Products USA, Inc., is based in Raleigh, North Carolina. For additional information:  www.vmzinc-us.com.

Two 2012 AIA Honor Award Winners Feature VMZinc Exteriors

Categories: Umicore Building Products, VMZINC
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Architectural zinc adds to beauty, sustainability of two projects. 

The Gates-Hillman Centers

(Raleigh, NC) — Two of the nine projects from around the world that recently received 2012 Honor Awards from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) feature VMZINC® exteriors.

The award-winning Carnegie Mellon University’s Gates Center for Computer Science and the Hillman Center for Future-Generation Technologies were designed by Mack Scogin Merrill Elam Architects of Atlanta, Ga., with attention to energy and water conservation and other sustainable practices.

The centers’ zinc exterior skin and distinctive window openings differ from the predominately yellow brick, historically influenced buildings on the CMU campus. Yet the jurors believed the zinc skin and window openings “surprisingly relate beautifully to the campus fabric without being literal.”

Last year, both centers received LEED® Gold certification. The use of architectural zinc contributed to the certification because zinc is manufactured using very little energy, it lasts an average of 80 years with very little maintenance, and it is completely recyclable, both during construction (construction scraps) and at the end of its use.

Another award-winning project with a VMZINC exterior is The Poetry Foundation in Chicago, designed by John Ronan Architects. The building’s outer layer is VMZINC’s black ANTHRA-ZINC®. Since transparency was an important issue in the design, the ANTHRA-ZINC is perforated where it borders the garden, allowing visual access to the garden from the street. Inside the garden, the zinc screen wall internalizes the garden experience and provides a sense of removal.

The Poetry Foundation was featured in Architectural Record in November prior to winning one of this year’s AIA Honor Awards.

“We talk a lot about the sustainability of zinc but there’s also the aesthetic quality,” said Daniel Nicely, director of market development for VMZINC® and an associate member of the AIA. “Architectural zinc allows architects to easily create interesting and innovative forms. We’re proud that our product played a major role in the striking design and sustainability of both of these award-winning projects.”

For more information on the 2012 AIA Honor Awards, go to http://www.aia.org/practicing/awards/2012/architecture/.

For more information on VMZINC, visit https://www.vmzinc-us.com/.

About Umicore Building Products USA, Inc.

Umicore Building Products is a world-leading producer of architectural zinc. For over 160 years, Umicore has been providing innovative solutions for building owners, architects and contractors. Umicore has offices and representatives all over the world. In the United States, Umicore Building Products USA, Inc., is based in Raleigh, NC. For additional information, visit www.vmzinc-us.com. VMZINC also maintains the blog ZINCsense (www.zincsense.com) and an active Facebook page.

Umicore Building Products Wins Project of Distinction Award

Categories: architecture, building products, construction, environment, green architecture, modern architecture, news
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American Builders Quarterly praises Gateway Center project. 

The Gateway Center features extensive use of VMZINC architectural zinc.

November 2, 2011 (Raleigh, NC) — American Builders Quarterly magazine (ABQ) has chosen the Gateway Center at Westchester Community College in Valhalla, New York, as a Project of Distinction in its 2011 Building Excellence Awards.

Umicore Building Products USA (UBP) entered the 70,000-square-foot project in ABQ’s annual competition since it features extensive use of VMZINC® architecture zinc. Umicore, UBP’s global parent company, is a world-leading manufacturer of architectural zinc.

Designed by Ennead Architects LLP of New York with Worth Construction as contractor, the Gateway Center’s building materials integrate the structure with the existing fabric of the campus and establish a new signature building for the College. Fieldstone at the base of the building resonates with historic buildings on campus, while offices and classrooms, cantilevered over a base of structurally glazed walls, are clad in VMZINC (installed by Barrett Roofing).

“We received entries from all over the nation, but [Umicore’s] stood out as an exemplary work in keeping with the best aesthetic and pragmatic traditions of architecture, engineering, and construction management in the United States,” said ABQ features editor Geoff George.

“We are honored to receive the American Builders Quarterly award,” said Dan Nicely, Director of Market Development UBP. “And we are very proud to be associated with such a great project by the very talented designers at Ennead Architects.”

The project is featured in ABQ’s November-December edition. 

The Gateway Center also recently received a national award from the Metal Construction Association for “the exceptional use of metal in innovative architectural designs.”

Now in its fifth year covering America’s construction industry, American Builders Quarterly provides an industry-specific look at high-quality companies spanning all aspects of the building trade. For more information on ABQ and to download the digital edition, go to http://americanbuildersquarterly.com.

For more information on Umicore Building Products USA and VMZINC®, visit www.vmzinc-us.com.

About Umicore Building Products USA, Inc.

Umicore is a world-leading producer of architectural zinc. For over 160 years Umicore has been providing innovative solutions for building owners, architects and contractors. Umicore has offices and representatives all over the world. In the United States, Umicore Building Products USA, Inc., is based in Raleigh, NC. For additional information, visit www.vmzinc-us.com.

 

 

Umicore Publishes “VMZinc and Sustainable Building” Report

Categories: architecture, building products, construction, environment, environmentalism, green architecture, modern architecture, news, sustainability
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Detailing architectural zinc’s environmental impact.

August 29, 2011 (Raleigh, NC) — Umicore, the global materials technology group that produces

Guy Dolmaire high school in Mirecourt, France, features a dramatic rolled VMZINC® roof.

VMZINC®, has published a 20-page Sustainable Building report on the environmental characteristics of architectural zinc, along with a sample of award-winning buildings around the world that utilize VMZINC.

“In a context of increasing collective awareness of the major climate change issues and the potential contribution of the building industry to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, VMZINC is firmly committed to environmental excellence,” writes Christophe Bissery, director of research and development and environmental applications, in the introduction.

The Sustainable Building report details the three main environmentally sustainable qualities of architectural zinc: its durability, its recyclability, and the moderate amount of energy required to manufacture it.

Durability: Because zinc protects itself by producing an adhesive and rain-resistant substance on its surface as it comes in contact with atmospheric elements, the estimated life span of rolled zinc is over 100 years, according to the report. That lifespan will continue to increase as nations continue to strengthen anti-pollution legislation.

Recyclability: Construction waste and old rolled zinc is 100 percent recyclable, according to the report, which adds: “In Europe 95 percent is recovered during demolition and renovation work [and] reused in different areas of applications.”

Energy use: The VMZINC® sustainable building report compares the amount of energy used by the average French citizen annually to the amount of energy used to manufacture rolled zinc. The average citizen uses 37,514MJ (megajoule, a metric unit of energy) compared to zinc manufacturing’s 14.7MJ. To illustrate VMZINC’s very low impact on the environment and climate change, it also points out that the average citizen emits 1,443 kilograms (kg) of carbon dioxide each year while architectural zinc emits only 0.65kg annually, or 0.2 percent of the carbon dioxide produced by an average French citizen each year.

Award-winning architectural projects featured in the report, which utilize VMZINC wall cladding and/or roofing, are: The Guy Dolmaire high school in Mirecourt, France, designed by AS Architecture-Studio; the Center for Academic Research at the University of Cincinnati, designed by Harley Ellis Devereaux and Studios Architecture; Nordheim Court student residences at the University of Washington, designed by Mithun Partners; Abergwynfi primary school near Neath in the United Kingdom, designed by Neath Port Talbot Council; and the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Center in Melbourne, Australia, designed by NH Architecture and Woods Bagot. The latter is the first exhibition center in the world to receive “6 Stars” in Australia’s Green Star system of certification for sustainability.

“These worldwide award-winning projects point out the obvious: that ‘green’ can be, and is, beautiful,” said Dan Nicely, director of market development for Umicore Building Products USA, headquartered in Raleigh, NC.

For more information on VMZINC and the Sustainable Building report, visit www.vmzinc-us.com and click on “Environment,” or call 919-874-7173.

About Umicore Building Products USA, Inc.

Umicore is a world-leading producer of architectural zinc. For over 160 years, Umicore has been providing innovative solutions for building owners, architects and contractors. Umicore has offices and representatives all over the world. In the United States, Umicore Building Products USA, Inc., is based in Raleigh, NC. For additional information, visit www.vmzinc-us.com.

Umicore Building Products USA Announces Instructional Seminar Series

Categories: architecture, building products, business, construction, environment, news, sustainability
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Designed to increase VMZINC® installers’ craftsmanship and customer satisfaction.

August 19, 2011 (Raleigh, NC) – Umicore Building Products USA (UBP), a world-leading manufacturer of architectural zinc, has announced VMZ Pro-zinc®, a comprehensive program of instructional services for sheet metal workers and all installers of VMZINC® products.

According to Dan Nicely, UPB’s director of market development, the VMZ Pro-zinc® program is designed to give participants a greater understanding of time-tested VMZINC® building materials’ detailing, which will improves installation quality and customer satisfaction.

“Our goals in offering the VMZ Pro-zinc® program are to build lasting relationships with sheet metal workers in the industry and to assist them in delivering value to their customers,” he said.

The instructional classes are presented as seminars that vary in length from a one-day Wall Cladding seminar to two-day Steep-Slop Roofing seminars, and three days for both. American and European craftsmen with extensive experience in sheet metal and zinc installation serve as instructors.

The VMZ Pro-zinc® program explores installation considerations specific to VMZINC® building materials, including: expansion and contraction, forming on site in adverse weather, and storage and handling. The program also provides project-specific related support and education on the benefits of using zinc materials and can be presented, on request, in Spanish French and other languages.

“The VMZ Pro-zinc® program is required for all installers of VMZINC® materials,” Nicely said. “To participate, installers must already have experience in sheet metal work and a working knowledge of other metals.”

The seminars are held in special VMZ Pro-zinc® training centers across the United States in Allentown, PA, Mesa, AZ, and Raleigh, NC. All courses are free of charge for architects and installers with an awarded VMZINC® project. UBP does charge a fee for conducting in-house trainings at other facilities.

VMZINC® has existed since 1832. For more information on the VMZ Pro-zinc® program, go to www.vmzinc-us.com/TrainingCenters_Schedule.aspx, email info@vmzinc-us.com, or call 919-874-7173.

About Umicore Building Products USA, Inc.

Umicore is a world-leading producer of architectural zinc. For over 160 years, Umicore has been providing innovative solutions for building owners, architects and contractors. Umicore has offices and representatives all over the world. In the United States, Umicore Building Products USA, Inc., is based in Raleigh, NC. For additional information, visit www.vmzinc-us.com.

Umicore Building Products USA Donates VMZINC® To Fire Island Light Station

Categories: architecture, building products, business, environmentalism, green architecture, historic preservation, news
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In association with ATAS International, Inc. and Kenneth J. Herman, Inc.

August 9, 2011 (Raleigh, NC) — When the historic Fire Island Lighthouse’s new Fresnel Lens Building opened to the public last month, visitors saw the new

The Fresnel Lens Building roof as seen beneath the lighthouse.

standing-seam zinc roof donated by Umicore Building Products USA Inc. (UBP) and metal roof manufacturer ATAS International.

The Fire Island Lighthouse on Fire Island National Seashore in New York was built in 1858 and fitted with a first-order (or large) Fresnel lens. Fresnel lenses were intricately shaped, 16-foot-tall masses of brass and glass prisms designed by French physicist Augustin-Jean Fresnel. They rotated on a clockwork assembly, emitting a white flash at one-minute intervals. On Fire Island, the original lens served as a beacon to mariners from 1858 to 1933.

Anticipating electrical lighting, the U.S. administration of lighthouses removed the large lens in 1933 and stored it in the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. When the Fire Island Preservation Society decided to build a new educational facility and bring the 1858 lens home, UBP offered to donate its VMZINC® coil for the new roof.

ATAS International, headquartered in Allentown, PA, donated its services to

The VMZINC standing-seam metal roof at Fire Island.

manufacture the roof. Kenneth J. Herman, Inc. of Amityville, NY, donated design services and managed construction.

Engineer Kevin Albert of Kenneth J. Herman, Inc., praised UBP and ATAS for their generosity to the Fire Island Preservation Society “at a time when the economy is still hurting.”

Erik Berg, former North American applications manager for UBP, explained the challenge the zinc roof entailed: “Fire Island is a uniquely shaped, marine environment application,” he said. “To achieve the longevity desired and to maintain the integrity of the beautiful gray aspect [of the zinc], proper detailing and installation was critical.”

ATAS president Dick Bus said he was “very impressed with the number of volunteers involved with the project” when he first visited the site. Volunteers, material donors such as UBP and ATAS, and money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funded the project.

For more information on the Fire Island Lighthouse and Preservation Society, visit www.fireislandlighthouse.com.

For more information of UBP and VM Zinc®, visit www.vmzinc-us.com.

About Umicore Building Products USA, Inc:

Umicore is a world-leading producer of architectural zinc. For over 160 years Umicore has been providing innovative solutions for building owners, architects, and contractors. Umicore has offices and representatives all over the world. In the United States, Umicore Building Products USA, Inc., is based in Raleigh, North Carolina. For more information visit www.vmzinc-us.com.