The “4G” represents the 4^th generation of requirements for mobile phones. The International Telecommunications Union puts out requirements which are called, International Mobile Telecommunications – Advanced, for mobile phones, and the 4G adheres to those requirements.

The 4G mobile network is 10 times faster than the 3G network was. As of now, the four major carriers in the United States are already using the 4G technology and many 4G concepts are under development.

Any mobile communications that is using 4G technology can expect full range and even more secure IP based wireless internet access to wireless laptops and smartphones. So, in essence, 4G technology will provide “seamless” mobility, which in layman’s terms means that a typical file transfer will not be interrupted when sending from one device to another, even if the signal has to jump from one station to another. A handover will be executed. A handover is cellular language for the process of transferring the call or file from one network to the other.

So now, what does the LTE represent? LTE stands for Long Term Evolution. The industry trade group 3GPP or third Generation Partnership Project developed the broadband technology. The engineers at 3GPP named it “Long Term Evolution” because of the progression that it represents from 2G, to 3G, to now 4G.

Technology is moving fast.  LTE development for 4G is underway at centers and labs throughout the world, which should result in some exciting new products. Consumers should stay tuned!

Consumers will reap the benefits of Guardian ShowerGuard’s steady track record of superior performance as the company announces a new, lifetime limited warranty.

“There’s no better way for Guardian to tell people about the quality of ShowerGuard than with our Lifetime Consumer Limited Warranty,” said Diane Turnwall, director of Interiors for Guardian Industries. “We’re very proud of our patented ion beam process, which is the key to the product’s longevity. It permanently seals the glass surface.”

ShowerGuard, part of the Guardian InGlass product family, launched in 2006 and was the industry’s first permanent shower glass protection. It has demonstrated steady growth over the years, now carried by more than 800 Registered ShowerGuard Dealers across the country, up from roughly 500 in 2010.

The protective seal is actually part of the glass itself, allowing the glass to withstand some of the harshest water conditions. In independent laboratory testing, ShowerGuard and other competitive products were exposed to hard water with dissolved silicates, which can be a challenge for any shower or shower door glass. After repeated exposure cycles, other products developed permanent stains while ShowerGuard retained its cleanability.

The Guardian ShowerGuard Glass Lifetime Consumer Limited Warranty is an improvement on the prior, 10-year plan. There are three key components to the new warranty:

• It is non-transferable, meaning only the original purchaser is warranted.
• Proof of ShowerGuard purchase is required.
• 10 Year Limited Warranties will be grandfathered into the Lifetime Limited Warranty.

“We salute our Registered ShowerGuard Dealers and our fabricators,” Turnwall added. “If not for their ability to tell the story of this product – often as ShowerGuard owners themselves – and do such a great job on fabrication and installation, we wouldn’t have had the success that allows us to take this natural, next step to offer consumers the incentive of a lifetime limited warranty.”

For more information, please visit showerguardglass.com.

About Guardian Industries Corp.:

Guardian is a diversified global manufacturing company headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, with leading positions in float glass, fabricated glass products, fiberglass insulation and other building materials for commercial, residential and automotive applications. Its automotive trim group, SRG Global Inc., is one of the world’s largest suppliers of advanced, high value coatings on plastics. Through its Science & Technology Center, Guardian is at the forefront of innovation including development of high performance glass coatings and other advanced products. Guardian, its subsidiaries and affiliates employ 18,000 people and operate facilities throughout North America, Europe, South America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Visit www.guardian.com.

ShowerGuard is a registered trademark of Guardian Industries Corp.

Contact: Amy Hennes

248-340-2109

ahennes@guardian.com

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If you follow the right advice, moving doesn’t have to be drag. It is very important to make sure that you get enough packing boxes. You can never have too many boxes. They can always be stored easily and used for the next time you need to pack away some clutter in your life. Once you have an adequate supply of boxes, it is critical (to your sanity!) to pack them correctly. Remembering these simple tips during your moving process can make things much easier on you.

1. Don’t over-stuff the packing boxes

• The heavier an item is, the smaller the cardboard box you should use.
• Keep the weight of the moving boxes under 40 pounds.
• Keep a dolly or hand truck nearby to take much of the load off your back.

The easier it is for you to lift and carry your boxes from your vehicle during your move will save time and strength. It is quicker to move lighter boxes than it is to move large, heavy ones. Whether it is to your new house or apartment, or to a storage unit, you will have to move those boxes around again when unpacking. If you are going to store some of your belongings, it is important to make sure that you find an affordable storage unit. There are many storage units out there, and some of them charge much more than others.

2. Color-code your packing boxes

It is important to logically label your packing boxes. You can use different colored sharpies, duct tape, or other color coordinated labels to keep everything organized. Here is an example of how:

• Pack all your living room items in boxes.
• Mark those boxes with your purple sharpie.
• Mark your new living room with some sort of purple indicator.

3. Keep your personal boxes easily accessible

The moving process can take a long time, and so keeping toiletries, a towel, and a few pairs of clothes readily available will save you a lot of time. After the exhaustion of moving to your new home, it is easy to leave boxes unpacked for several more days, or even weeks. Labeling important every day items can save you a lot of time in searching for the things that you need most. Leaving some unmarked is always a fun was for a surprise in the unpacking process. Small way to achieve Christmas before the 25th!

Keeping in mind these simple tips should make the moving process much easier on you and your family. Have a happy move!

A good salesperson can probably sell a product or service to anyone—once. But it’s by mastering the art of customer service that you’ll be able to build a relationship and sell to the same customer over and over again. People don’t buy products, they buy benefits and solutions they believe the product will provide. Customer service is a big part of the benefits that go along with a product or service. In fact, treating your customers right can be one of the best startup business ideas you have ever had.

This shouldn’t be a surprise. In fact, you’ve likely heard the saying that it is more costly to acquire a customer than retain a current one. How much more costly? According to studies conducted by Flowtown, the cost to acquire a new customer is actually six to seven times more than retaining an existing one. So, what things can you do to provide better customer service and keep those customers coming back?

Acquire the right kind of customers from the start. First, try to attract a customer base of people that appreciate your products and services, not those simply looking for the lowest price. Bargain shoppers are fickle and are more prone to jump ship. Second, always assume that a new customer is going to be a long-term, loyal customer and treat them as such. Finally, don’t neglect or ignore your current customers while pursuing new ones. Remember, the customers you need to grow your company may already be the ones doing business with you. This is especially true if you are a new entrepreneur starting your own business.

Keep customers like you keep friends. Your oldest, dearest friends are the ones who you can count on the most. The same goes for your oldest customers. Treat them with the same respect that you would an old friend. Notify customers of the status of their orders, let them know when there are updates on products or services, or send them birthday wishes and thank you notes. Make customers feel special by recommending other businesses that might benefit them and if you’re developing a new product or service, consider bringing in your most loyal customers to serve as a focus group.

Play the name game. According to Dale Carnegie, a pioneer in public speaking and personality development, “a person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language.” Customers seem to listen a little more to what’s just been said, or what’s about to be said, if you call them by name. Whether during a new or routine sale, or handling someone with a difficult personality, you can get your customers to pay more attention to what you’re saying by using their name. Also, by repeating someone’s name at least twice in a conversation you are more likely to remember their name in the future, and people feel astonishingly important when someone remembers their name.

Address complaints quickly and with transparency. According to the Marketing Tips Every Entrepreneur Should Know, fifty percent of people who complained said they would do business with the company again if their complaints were handled satisfactorily. Listen to your customers and acknowledge their complaints. And admit when you are wrong—nobody’s perfect. Complaining involves some inconvenience and possibly expense, so customers who register complaints expect action. Show concern for the customer, personalize your response, and ask questions to identify and analyze the problem. Once you obtain the customer’s ideas concerning possible alternative solutions, do what you can to make things right.

Go above and beyond what is expected. After a customer makes a purchase, follow up on their satisfaction by telephone, direct mail, or email, depending on the size of your business and level of technology. You can also install a simple, automated system that handles your follow up, thus saving you time. Not all companies use a follow up marketing method. By delivering this special service to your customers, you make them feel special and when they feel special, they are less likely to leave you. Entertain your customers by being a destination. Make it fun for people to come to your store or website. The longer your customers linger, the more comfortable they will feel with you and your business, and the more products or services they will buy.

Smile and say thank you. Remember those simple rules your mom taught you as a child? Well, they apply in customer service as well. Smiling shows that you’re calm, in a good mood, and willing to help do what you can for your customers. And don’t forget, a smile can be heard over the phone. Make sure you put on a big grin before answering any calls. Here’s a great example of the power of audible smiles. And a simple, meaningful thank you can go a long way with customers. Let them know how much you appreciate their business. Don’t assume they know—tell them. Say thank you and ask them for input. In addition you can use this appreciation during the selling process by consistently and effectively communicating with your prospect that you value them.

Keeping customers is both an art and a science. You need to be creative when dealing with customers; always finding new ways to keep them happy so that they spread the word about your company. Also, you should keep track of your customer satisfaction efforts and measure the results. This will ensure that you are always aware of what works and what doesn’t. Using these tactics will assist you in getting the right customers, providing them with what they want, and keeping them coming back.

Tiffan Clark is the Vice President of IdeaCrossing, a free online community created by JumpStart, which connects entrepreneurs with the capital, mentors and technical resources necessary to grow their businesses. Tiffan has worked at several venture-backed startup technology companies and strategic marketing agencies in both Boston and Cleveland.

A new solution for architects who specify exterior glass for commercial projects, SunGuard SNX 62/27 offers plenty of natural light with an improved solar heat gain coefficient that raises the glazing light-to-solar gain ratio to 2.30. This broadens the range of design options and performance possibilities – including helping more projects qualify for LEED points – in the SunGuard SuperNeutral family of products

“SunGuard SNX 62/27 glass performs extremely well in blocking solar heat gain, thanks to three microscopically thin silver layers in the coating,” said Chris Dolan, director of commercial glass marketing. “Architects and building owners can achieve maximum energy efficiency while retaining high visible light transmission, making the new product suitable for all types of commercial projects.”

The product also features a neutral exterior appearance, so that buildings still reap the performance benefit without a dark or overly reflective look. SunGuard SNX 62/27 helps make the SunGuard brand the widest selection of industry-leading performance products, offering multiple color and appearance options for commercial coatings and a wide variety of application flexibility. SunGuard SNX 62/27 is available on five float glass substrates – clear, UltraWhite low-iron, CrystalGray, Green and Twilight Green.

Guardian is providing a sneak preview of SunGuard SNX 62/27 to contract glaziers at the Building Envelope Conference (BEC) in Las Vegas on March 28. The new product will also be showcased at Booth No. 2235 during the AIA National Convention and Design Exposition, May 14-18 in New Orleans. For more information, please visit www.sunguardglass.com.

About Guardian Industries Corp.:

Guardian is a diversified global manufacturing company headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, with leading positions in float glass, fabricated glass products, fiberglass insulation and other building materials for commercial, residential and automotive applications. Through its Science & Technology Center, Guardian is at the forefront of innovation including development of high performance glass coatings and other advanced products. Guardian, its subsidiaries and affiliates employ more than 18,000 people and operate facilities throughout North America, Europe, South America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Visit www.Guardian.com.

SunGuard, SuperNeutral and CrystalGray are registered trademarks of Guardian Industries Corp. UltraWhite and TwilightGreen are trademarks of Guardian Industries Corp.

Contact:
Amy Hennes
ahennes@guardian.com
248.340.2109

Auburn Hills, Mich., May 19, 2011 – Guardian Industries Corp. held a groundbreaking ceremony in Krasny Sulin (Rostov region), Russia on May 13 with local and state government officials to kick off construction of its newest float glass manufacturing plant. The $220-million plant will be Guardian’s largest, producing 900 tons of glass per day, and will include a technologically advanced glass coater.

The Rostov region plant will produce Guardian’s high-performance, energy-efficient ClimaGuard® – residential and SunGuard® – commercial glass products for construction of homes, offices, retail, health-care and other facilities. The plant is expected to begin operations in the 3rd quarter of 2012, and will initially create 300 new jobs.

At the event, Guardian Glass Group President Russell Ebeid thanked those in attendance for their support of Guardian and the company’s decision to build in Rostov.

“We appreciate the outstanding support we received from Rostov Governor Golubev and his administration,” said Ebeid. “It is evident that they view new investment as a priority, and the government works hard to streamline the development process to attract new projects that will create new jobs. Guardian is bullish on Russia given the excellent growth at our first plant in Ryazan and the customers we have in the country. The timing is right for the region and for Guardian.” Following the ceremony Mr. Ebeid was seen by Governor Golubev for a personal conversation in his office.

The location is a good fit for Guardian’s growth strategy to supply glass to Russia and neighboring countries. In 2008, Guardian began production at its plant in Ryazan, Russia, serving the greater Moscow region.

Located 957 kilometers (594 miles) from Moscow in the southern part of Russia along the Azov Sea, Rostov has sufficient natural resources, a large workforce and a well-developed transportation infrastructure. The area is also close to Sochi, home of the 2014 Winter Olympics.

“We have enjoyed strong support in Russia from both the government and a wide variety of customers,” said János Együd, managing director of Guardian Steklo Services, the company overseeing the existing Ryazan plant and the new project in Rostov. “We look forward to continued growth in the country as we work closely with our customers and suppliers.”

Guardian was one of the first companies to invest in Eastern Europe beginning construction in Hungary in June 1989, prior the fall of the Berlin Wall, and presently operates facilities in Hungary, eastern Germany and Poland, among other European locations.

Guardian is a diversified global manufacturing company headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, with leading positions in float glass, fabricated glass products, fiberglass insulation and other building materials for commercial, residential and automotive applications. Its automotive trim group, SRG Global Inc., is one of the world’s largest suppliers of advanced, high value coatings on plastics. Through its Science & Technology Center, Guardian is at the forefront of innovation including development of high performance glass coatings and other advanced products. Guardian, its subsidiaries and affiliates employ 18,000 people and operate facilities throughout North America, Europe, South America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. www.guardian.com.

Contact:
Amy Hennes
ahennes@guardian.com
248.340.2109

We use the by-products of plastic extrusion every day. The toothbrush that you used this morning was created by large plastic extrusion machines. Not to mention the computer, keyboard and mouse you use on a regular basis were all manufactured using the plastic extrusion process.

Plastic extrusion is a high volume manufacturing process where raw plastic material is melted and shaped into a continuous profile. The extrusion process produces end products like pipe/tubing, weather stripping, fence, deck railing, window frames, adhesive tape and wire insulation. Manufacturers use special machines to create custom plastic tubing profiles for thousands of end-user products.

During the extrusion process, raw thermoplastic material in the form of small beads, typically called resin, fed from a top mounted hopper into the barrel of the extruder. Additives like colorants and UV inhibitors, in either liquid or pellet form, are often used and can be mixed into the resin prior to arriving at the hopper.

The material enters through an opening near the rear of the barrel and comes into contact with the screw. The rotating screw forces the plastic beads forward into the barrel which is heated to the desired melt temperature of the molten plastic. Usually this temperature can range from 392 °F to 527 °F depending on the type of polymer. In most cases, a heating profile is set for the barrel in which three or more independent PID controlled heater zones gradually increase the temperature of the barrel from the rear to the front. This allows the plastic beads to melt gradually as they are pushed through the barrel and lowers the risk of overheating which may destroy the polymer.

Extra heat is contributed by the intense pressure and friction taking place inside the barrel. If an extrusion line is running a certain material fast enough, the heaters can be shut off and the melt temperature maintained by pressure and friction alone inside the barrel. In most extruders, cooling fans are present to keep the temperature below a set value if too much heat is generated.

More and more plastic products are finding their way into our homes everyday. Recycling of the extruded materials can create a large cost benefit not only for the manufacturer and consumer, but as new science facts have come to surface perhaps our own environment as well.

An athlete’s muscles should function like an elastic band that is pulled back and let go. When you pull back an elastic band, there is a lot of stored “elastic energy.” This is similar to the state that the muscles in the leg are in prior to touchdown. They are in a lengthened state.

As soon as the foot touches down and pushes off, the muscles rapidly contract propelling the athlete into the air. This simple process (the muscles lengthening and shortening repetitiously)  is called the strength-shortening cycle.

The Secret To Improving Your Vertical Jump:

If you want to increase your vertical jump, you must improve the stretch-shortening cycle because it is the reason behind plyometric training.

An athlete must implement correct plyometric training sequences. It is essential to improve how quickly the muscles stretch and shorten. This is a process that is trained and improved in athletes progressively.

How Not To Train:

We often see athletes, usually pushed by their coaches or trainers, doing plyometric exercises that are far too advanced for their level. If a 15-year-old athlete jumps on and off a 30 inch box, his/her foot typically spends too much time on the ground, causing the mechanics to break down. In this case, the athlete isn’t strong enough to be able to hold the proper positions upon landing.

The Progressive Approach:

Fortunately, there is a way to correctly implement jumping training. Plyometric training should progressively increase in difficulty as the athlete adapts and gets stronger and more efficient in their movement.

In The End…

In conclusion, let us offer a word of warning: Don’t be fooled by gimmicky training gadgets on the market that make false claims to improve your vertical jump. Look into the credibility, education and real world knowledge these individuals have and you will sort through what is good and what is far fetched. I have never seen a world class jumper or Olympic Champion use much of any assisted training devices to reach the top of their game.

How to improve vertical jump: The one common denominator in great athletes is that there training is very sound and consistent and they understand what they are doing and how to do it properly.

VCI material can be used in an outdoor car cover or motorcycle cover that protects your vehicle for up to 5 years.  Vehicles are always under attack from rust, corrosion, and moisture.  These elements will eventually destroy the metal surface of a car or motorcycle.  With VCI technology, an outdoor car cover and motorcycle cover protect your vehicle completely from these elements.

Here is how it works. VCI is a substance that can be manufactured into outdoor car covers and motorcycle covers.  With this special material an invisible vapor is produced around the metal of your vehicle.  The vapor emits a very thin layer of molecules that are attracted to the surface of metal and act as an inhibitor to fight off rust, corrosion, and moisture on the metal of your vehicle for 5 years.  When your vehicle has the outdoor car cover or motorcycle cover on with VCI technology, it is safe from decay and never ages.

Get your VCI products at Zerust.

Many have asked if VCI is safe.  The answer is, VCI is very safe.  The vapor that VCI produces is odorless and nontoxic.  The molecules that attach to metal of the vehicle are harmless as well.  VCI has been approved by the FDA safe to use on kitchen and food appliances.

Fortunately, this heating effect can be either intensified or shielded by using materials that control the magnetic flux field generated by the induction coil. These materials are called magnetic flux concentrators or flux intensifiers.

“Flux concentrators are made from high permeability, low power loss materials,” writes Zion Industries, a induction heating Ohio-based company. Most commonly, a molded material consisting of iron powders in a compacted non-conductive binder or lamination style concentrators are used as flux field intensifiers.

Sometimes, depending on its application, metal needs to be compressed or intensified in certain area. Under normal conditions the field of the coil is drawn to the load side closest to the work piece. Some of the field naturally flows around the other sides of the coil. In this way, flux intensifiers can help focus more energy towards the work piece. By wrapping the sides of the coil and creating an opening towards the work pieces, the additional flux field is focused into a smaller area and results in improved coil to work piece coupling.