Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/119911
IBS REVIEW | by Howard Shingle | FOUNDATION FOR SUCCESS A few new twists were added to the 2013 International Builders' Show to help builders prepare for the year ahead. Building professionals from across the country and abroad convened at the Las Vegas Convention Center January 22 to 24 for the 2013 International Builders! Show (IBS). Sponsored by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the event featured cutting-edge designs, technologies and products for all segments of the housing industry, with a couple of new elements built in. Product Highlights Whole home emergency back-up generators might have been top of mind for construction companies attending from that area. All the major manufacturers were represented: Briggs & Stratton Corp., Cummins Onan, Generac Power Systems Inc. and Kohler Generators. These generators, powered by propane or natural gas, ranged from a few thousand watts to more than 50,000 watts and capable of running major home appliances while electricity is unavailable. One of the new elements added to this year!s show was the inaugural Best of IBS Awards, given to exhibitors with a product or line that shows the best combination of design, functionality and innovation. Decided by a panel of independent judges made up of attending reporters and building professionals, the awards were given in five categories. The winners were: • Best Home Technology Product: Key Digital Systems— Compass Control® • Best in Outdoor Living: Heat & Glo—Twilight Modern Fireplace • Best Indoor Feature: Mohawk/Dal Tile—ArmorMax™ • Best Kitchen or Bath Product: Kohler—Sensate™ Touchless Kitchen Faucet • Overall Best in Show: Kohler—Sensate™ Touchless Kitchen Faucet "This year!s International Builders! Show featured an impressive line-up of more than 900 exhibitors representing all facets of the building industry," said Lynne Pratt, who chairs the NAHB Conventions and Meetings Committee. "The Best of IBS Awards In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, several products were highlighted at this year!s show that protect structures from the hazards that struck the Northeast last October. Smart Vent Products, Inc. displayed its Smart Vent automatic foundation flood vents, which protect homes from the destruction hurricanes, floods or other natural disasters can cause. Ames® Research Laboratories exhibited Blue Max™ impervious liquid rubber. Blue Max, Ames said, has become a popular product on the East Coast for repairing stormdamaged basements and belowgrade walls. Atlantic Premium and Classic Shutters, a division of The Tapco Group, introduced a line of durable and historically accurate composite shutters featuring operable hardware. Some of the shutters are available in a storm-rated option. Wellcraft, another division of The Tapco Group, showcased its basement living area egress systems, which provide easy evacuation from a basement. New codes require this product, it noted. One of the lasting problems following Sandy was wide-ranging For builders still dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, many storm mitigation products could be found power outages lasting weeks. among the 900 exhibits at this year"s IBS. 10 STORM & SECURITY PROTECTION / 2013 DIRECTORY & RESOURCE GUIDE