Why ABC Imaging is buying a building in Fairfax Co. it hoped it wouldn't need

This article, authored by Daniel J. Sternovitz, Staff Reporter, Washington Business Journal, was published  on Nov 10, 2014 and was updated on Nov 11, 2014:

Medi Falsafi isn't someone who leaves a lot to chance.

And so, when his landlord at the Lafayette Center in downtown D.C. walled off the interior, open-air atrium facing his offices in the building's basement to install a fitness center to accommodate another tenant two years ago, Falsafi came to an important conclusion: In order to control its own destiny, ABC Imaging needed its own building rather than continuing to be a tenant in another landlord's property.

No, this isn't the classic anecdotal lede to an owner-occupied building sale, though that's certainly part of it. In October, Falsafi signed a contract to acquire a building in Fairfax County's Alexandria section for $6.2 million and is planning to close on the acquisition of 5920 Shawnee Road in January.

Free Live Webcast: Is the pace of construction investment set to quicken?

From CMD, AGC and the AIA...

Will 2015 see further steady progress, or will it be sidetracked by the likes of material and labor shortages, commodity prices surges, further political bickering in Washington or military turmoil in hot spots around the world. Join an amazing team of economic exerts for an insightful, informative and interactive account of the outlook for construction in the upcoming months.

Chief Economists from CMD, the AGC and the AIA combine forces for a lively, fast-paced economic webcast.

Join us on November 20, from 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. EST for insight from construction’s leading economists.

Link to further info and registration:

http://www.cmdgroup.com/Resource-Center/Events/2014/11/Is-the-Pace-of-Construction-Investment-set-to-Quicken/

We salute our country’s veterans

...... For all they gave, and continue to give, for our great country.

In particular, I’d like to honor, and salute:

Former 1^st Lt. Arthur Salus (deceased 1976).

During WWII, my father was a Navigator in a Heavy Bomber Group of the 15^th Air Force (304^th Bomb Wing, 454^th Bomb Group, 737^th Bomb Squadron.) Based in southern Italy, Dad and his crew completed 35 bombing missions over eastern and central Europe from 1944 to 1945.  Prior to volunteering for service, and after being discharged when WWII ended, my dad was a Pharmacist.  Dad never talked about his time in the Army Air Corps, it was something he kept inside.  I do know that many of his fellow servicemen did not return home; they were either KIA or shot down and spent time as POW’s.

Former Master Sgt Gerson (Gus) Nadell (deceased 2007).

During WWII, my father in law was the head NCO at the 303^rd Bomb Group Headquarters, which was based in England, somewhere outside of London.  The 303^rd Bomb Group was part of the 8^th Air Force, which flew heavy bomber missions over western Europe.  Gus, my mentor for the first 11 years of my career in the reprographics business, was a recipient of two bronze stars.

During my life in the reprographics business, I became friends with two people whose fathers served in Italy in the 15^th Air Force in Italy during WWII.  Pat Brumfield, the CEO of Lellyett & Rogers (Nashville, TN) and Woodie Rush, PlanExpress (Memphis, TN); their fathers were also in Heavy Bomber units.

To those of you who served in our country’s armed forces and to those of you whose grandfathers, fathers, uncles (and wives, moms and grandmothers) served our country, we thank you, and them, for your service to our country.

Visit theconcertforvalor.com and give and/or volunteer.

NRI featured in Autodesk article: Transforming the jobsite trailer

Link to article:

http://www.autodesk.com/campaigns/expand-bim-construction-q3/article-1

Autodesk Creates $100 Million Fund to Back 3-D Printing Technology

Reuters

Autodesk Inc is strengthening its position in the 3-D printing space, creating a $100 million fund to bankroll researchers and entrepreneurs and striking a handful of diverse partnerships involving everything from IP protection to inexpensive metal printing.

Announced the day after Hewlett Packard unveiled 3-D printing products slated for 2016, Autodesk’s push highlights ongoing efforts by established companies to help shape what many consider to be the future of manufacturing.

The value of 3-D printing units shipped for both consumer and enterprise uses will continue to double every year until 2018 when it will hit $13.4 billion, according to research firm Gartner.

Although the market potential for 3-D printing is huge–Gartner’s estimate doesn’t include software, printing materials, licensing and related industries–the sector is still nascent and major challenges remain.

High printing costs, inconsistent and sometimes broken workflows and other hurdles are bedeviling early adopters and are among the problems Autodesk is seeking to solve, Autodesk Senior Director of Business Development and Operations Aubrey Cattell said.

To assist in that goal, Autodesk created the $100 million Spark Investment Fund to find and fund hardware, software, materials and marketplace startups. Selected startups will also partner with Autodesk by working through its 3-D printing platform Spark.

Introduced last spring, the free, open-source platform is building a library of APIs to help users optimize designs and improve the creation process.

Mr. Cattell said the $403 million acquisition of MakerBot Inc. by Stratasys last year is an example of the payoff that could come from backing startups in the sector. He said investing in such startups, many of whom have expressed interest in partnering with Autodesk through the Spark platform, is a good way to solidify such relationships.

“Our aims are strategic as well as financial,” he said.

Autodesk acquired 3-D design tool Tinkercad last year and now features it along with three other design apps to create 3-D products.

Although he called the maker movement an “economic force” driving excitement and innovation around 3-D printing, Mr. Cattell said Autodesk was focused on industrial and commercial applications.

Along with announcing the fund, Autodesk announced partnerships with digital licensing company Authentise Inc. and materials company MatterFab Inc. that specializes in affordable metal printing for industrial uses.

Autodesk also announced a partnership with 3-D Hubs, an Airbnb of sorts for 3-D printing that allows users to find nearby printers and then send designs to the operator that can be either picked up or delivered.