Builder Magazine - July 2008 - (Page 27)

BMAIL Business as Usual in I am writinghelphopes that your publication can clarify some misinformation circulating in the appliance industry. GE Appliances is not going out of business. The truth is quite the opposite. We are exploring strategic options that will help grow this business—both globally and in the U.S. Here is important information your readers should know. On Friday, May 16, General Electric announced its intent to explore strategic options for the Appliances business, which could include a strategic partnership, joint venture, spin-off, or sale of the business. The process to identify the option that makes the most sense for the future success of Appliances is being led by president and CEO Jim Campbell. The target date to complete the change in ownership is the end of the year. Jim Campbell, I, and the rest of the management team will be going with the Appliances business. GE Appliances will stay focused on providing excellent service during this period and in the future, regardless of a new owner. GE Appliances is a ﬁ nancially strong technology leader that continues to make investments and bring new products to the marketplace. We are committed to our customers, and our intent is to make this a seamless transition. The GE brand will continue to be one of our most valuable assets; we will continue to provide innovative and high-quality products; all warranty obligations and service contracts will be honored and fulﬁ lled; all customer, supplier, and distributor agreements will remain in place; and our factory service and distribution network will continue to provide services that drive customer satisfaction. We will strive to keep your readers updated as events unfold and as information becomes available. DAVE BILAS Factors at Play over Your article on the debate [“Fire mandating sprinkler installation Drill,” May 2008, page 29] was well timed and, as always, informative. The issue is starting to get play here in Canada, speciﬁcally in Ontario. The reasons builders have to object to mandatory sprinklers are many. Our local associations have adopted the view that changes to the building code that mandate ﬁ re-resistant building materials as well as mandatory smoke alarms do not seem to have resonated with local politicians trying to score cheap political points with the assistance of a well-ﬁ nanced sprinkler association. What was particularly interesting is the use of “evidence” that Vancouver, British Columbia has not had a home ﬁre death (presumably in new homes) since it passed its sprinkler ordinance in 1990. Here in Ontario, a far more populous area, we have yet to uncover a new-home ﬁre death in the same time span without mandated sprinklers. So I am not sure that fact is pertinent to the argument and perhaps there are the factors mentioned above, instead, at play. BRIAN JOHNSTON Vice President of Sales GE Appliances Louisville, Ky. Via e-mail President Monarch Corp. Toronto, Ontario, Canada Via e-mail DO YOU HAVE A COMMENT OR QUESTION? E-M AIL DENISE DERSIN AT: ddersin@hanley wood.com Circle 407 or http://builder.hotims.com W W W.BUILDERONLINE.COM http://www.LPCorp.com http://www.LPCorp.com http://builder.hotims.com http://WWW.BUILDERONLINE.COM

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Builder Magazine - July 2008

Builder Magazine - July 2008 Contents Editor's Notes B-Mail Book It Green House Business Update Products National Beat Seider's Economy The Greener Good Commentary Land Planning Design Construction Marketing Ad Index Further Considerations Environmental Concerns Commentary Road to Perdition? Editor's Notes Flip Contents

Builder Magazine - July 2008

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