Umicore Building Products USA HIres Blueplate PR

Online, August 8, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Umicore Buildings Products USA, Inc., has hired Blueplate PR in Raleigh, NC, to provide public relations services for its Raleigh-based architectural products and services, specifically VMZINC, the architectural zinc manufactured by Umicore.

The VMZINC brand name represents a full range of titanium-zinc products in the form of sheets, coils and manufactured products and systems. Dan Nicely, director of market development for VMZINC and an associate member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), says he wants to "demystify" zinc as a building product and make a broader audience aware of its value and contribution to sustainable building design and construction.

"Zinc has been used on buildings in Europe for 200 years," he said. "At least 80 percent of the roofs in Paris are covered in zinc, which can last 100 years or more. Yet Americans tend to think of zinc as exotic and expensive. We're ready to make zinc a household word, and we believe Blueplate PR can help us do just that."

Kim Weiss, principal of Blueplate PR and a former architecture journalist, first became aware of VMZINC® when Umicore Building Products USA donated the material for the roof of the new AIA North Carolina Center for Architecture & Design that is under construction in downtown Raleigh. Frank Harmon Architect PA, another Blueplate PR client, designed the building.

"The warm reddish-brown color of the zinc roof is going to be the crowing jewel of the building," she said. "And it contributes to the building's sustainability. Very little energy is used to produce zinc, and it is a low-maintenance, naturally occurring material that lasts longer than other metal roof choices. Any construction waste can be recycled through local scrap metal dealers and it is easily recycled at the end of its use. I agree that it is time more people -- from architects and builders to homeowners - to realize what an excellent choice it is. I'm honored to be part of the mission."

For more information on VMZINC, go to www.vmzinc-us.com.

For more information on Blueplate PR, visit www.blueplatepr.com.

About Umicore Building Products USA, Inc: Umicore is a world-leading producer of architectural zinc. For over 160 years, Umicore has been providing innovative solutions for building owners, architects and contractors. Umicore has offices and representatives all over the world. In the United States, Umicore Building Products USA, Inc., is based in Raleigh, NC. For additional information, visit www.vmzinc-us.com.