Industry happenings on the Web.

BuildNet Expands Its Team

BuildNet.com and Timberline, an international software provider for the construction industry, announced an e-commerce partnership. The collaboration lets 125,000 Timberline users link to BuildNet-enabled dealers and suppliers.

In other BuildNet news, Jack Kemp, 1996 Vice Presidential candidate, has joined BuildNet's board of directors. BuildNet also welcomes Elkhart Products Corp., manufacturer of plumbing fittings and tubular products, as a preferred member of the BuildNet E-Building Exchange. Elkhart Products now will sponsor the fittings product category and should be able to offer its product catalogs on the BuildNet e-Building Exchange.

Cephren Expands
Collaboration With ASA

Cephren Inc. will partner with national trade association American Subcontractors Association to allow members access to Cephren's service base through either organizations Web site.

NetClerk, Handyman Online Ally
To Streamline Permit Process

NetClerk, a Web-based permit management solution, and Handyman Online, a homeowner service for finding qualified contractors, united to enable Handyman Online's professional members a simpler application process for local building permits. The new service will be offered through NetClerk and Handyman Online's Web sites.

Grohe Faucets Available

On HomeProject.com

HomeProject.com Inc., online business and consumer solutions provider, announced an agreement with Grohe America Inc. to put its faucets on its Web site. Customers now can put products in a visual context before making quicker and more effective selections.

E-CityDesk Launches
Virtual Distributor

E-CityDesk has joined the residential construction market with its Virtual Distributor, designed for the plumbing industry as well as heating and electrical professionals. Contractors can use search engines and system guides to check out items, search products and review the order status of thousands of products available at the site.

CornerHardware.com Offers
Free Screening Service

CornerHardware.com, a retailer of home improvement products and services, is opening its database of pre-screened professional services, including contractors, to the public. To help customers, CornerHardware.com has joined forces with Handyman Online, ServiceLane and ImproveNet to offer the most comprehensive remodeling project profiles.

NationalContractors.com Increases Services With New Partnerships

A collaboration between NationalContractors.com Inc., a global e-market for medium to large construction projects, and LaserDispatch.com, a leading dispatch supplier, allows each group's customers links to the other's services. LaserDispatch.com customers now can obtain pre-screened construction resources and services and NationalContractors.com users can pre-screen subcontractors directly.

In other NationalContractors.com news, the company announced it will launch an online job and resume board with JobMark.com, and employment advertiser. The feature especially is geared toward employees in the residential and commercial construction industry.

BuildPoint Case Study Shows
More Contractors Using Site

BuildPoint Corp., a leading construction e-commerce company, announced notable increases in users adopting its online project bidding service. It recorded a 200 percent increase in companies registered, a 500 percent increase in projects passing weekly through the site and a 200 percent increase in total project bid volume.

SupplySpot.com Announces
New Board Member

SupplySpot.com has appointed Darren Drake, senior vice president of Paine Webber Real Estate Fund I, L.P., as the newest member of its board of directors.

Dexter + Cheney Announces Partnership

Dexter + Cheney, creator of Forefront Construction Management Software, announced a deal using Trade Service Corp.'s Tra-Ser Pro, an electronic price book, with Forefront. The collaboration allows users to instantly maintain and update price and product information in the Forefront database, which is expected to ease the estimating, bidding and billing processes.

NetClerk Expands To Detroit

NetClerk Inc. is bringing its online permit processing service to Detroit, Mich., giving contractors there the chance to complete and submit building permit applications on the Web. NetClerk's PermitCentral will adapt to meet the city's specific application processes and procedures.

ServiceChannel Network
At 1,000 Members

ServiceChannel announced that 1,000 mechanical contractors now are using its services to manage work orders and conduct other business online. The number represents a dozen regional organizations that together includes nearly 3,500 retail and commercial facilities.

PermitsNOW Grows Service Areas, Benefits

PermitsNOW has expanded its online permit processing services to cover counties in Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland. Fairfax County, Prince William County, Charles County and Fredrick County now can access its services. PermitsNOW also has updated the permit types available to Baltimore County and Loudoun County, in addition to improving online drawing support and data entry processes.