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Nashville -- Epicor Software Corp. announced the newest version of Epicor Eagle business management software during its Insights global consumer conference here.

With high penetration in the LBM and hardware space, Epicor Eagle software empowers small to midsize retailers with the tools required to optimize their business and better manage day-to-day operations, the company said. 

Optimus Enterprises of Anaheim, Calif., announced a recall Portable Infrared Radiant Quartz Electric Space Heaters due to a fire hazard.

The recall affects some 355,000 units that were sold at Northern Tool, Best Buy Market Place, Family Dollar, Heartland, Rite Aid and other stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com, ebay.com and Walmart.com from October 2011 through December 2012 for between $25 and $30.

Housing starts fell back below a million. In fact, they’re well below a million.

Data released Thursday morning by the Commerce Department shows total housing starts for April at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 853,000, down 16.5% from the March figure.

Analysts expected a decline -- but not that much. Expectations were for an SAAR of about 970,000. 

Things weren’t that much better in the single-family metric, which showed April starts at a rate of 610,000, down 2.1% from the March rate.

Dallas-based building materials manufacturer and distributor Eagle Materials reported big sales and earnings gains for the fiscal year ended March 31.

The maker and distributor of cement, gypsum wallboard and other materials reported full year revenues of $642.6 million, an increase of 30%. Net earnings for the year were $57.7 million, up from $18.7 million a year ago.

Montreal-based Metaltech introduced the 5 FT Jobsite Series mobile scaffolding system, an improved version of its 4-foot model, the company said. 

The new product features security extensions with lateral stabilizers, making it safer to paint, build or renovate. It's equipped with double locking heavy duty 5-inch casters, and can be used as a cart to haul equipment and heavy loads. The scaffold has a load capacity of 900 pounds.

It can also be used as a workbench. 

Winchester, Va.-based Trex Co., the manufacturer of wood-alternative decking and railing products, is expanding its TrexTrim line with the addition of new moulding profiles.   

Pittsburgh-based Versatex Trimboard has announced the availability of a 1½-in.-thick, single-extruded, cellular PVC sheet with the launch of Versatex Max.

The product is available in nominal 48-in. widths and four standard lengths; 8 ft., 12 ft., 16 ft. and 18ft. Versatex Max sheets are promoted as offerig the same tight cell structure, density, core consistency and +/- 1/32-in. thickness tolerance found in all other Versatex products, the company said. 

Dallas-based pro dealer Builders FirstSource said it plans to offer $350 million of senior secured notes due in 2021. 

Also, the pro dealer intends to enter into a new revolving credit facility, expected to provide for revolving credit borrowings of up to $175.0 million.

Cary, N.C.-based Ply Gem Holdings, a manufacturer of exterior building products, announced plans to launch its initial public offering of nearly 16 million shares of its common stock. 

Ply Gem plans to use the proceeds from the public offering to pay off debt, to pay transaction fees and for general corporate purposes, according to the announcement. 

The stock has been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “PGEM.” 

Fuller's Home & Hardware, an Ace dealer in Hinsdale, Ill., is not your typical hardware store. Located in an historic corner building on a picturesque main street downtown, most of the ground floor is a classic neighborhood hardware store.  

The second floor -- known as "The Second Floor" -- is an upscale home decor and kitchen products specialty store. 

Krazy Glue, an adhesive brand of Elmer's Products, is spreading the word of its versatility through a multi-media campaign called "the Krazy Big Fix." 

The campaign, promoted here at the Elmer's booth during the National Hardware Show, will include a variety of traditional and social media platforms to collect stories of how Krazy Glue fixed something. 

The campaign allows consumers to interact with the brand, and promises monthly and grand prizes to sustain engagement.