Content about Maryland

The nation's single-family housing market is springing back to life, and the luxury market is budding right along with it.

Luxury homes have received a healthy boost from historically low mortgage rates, increased buyer confidence and burgeoning interest from foreign investors looking to capitalize on favorable exchange rates.

One bellwether of the recovery: Toll Brothers, the largest luxury home builder in the United States, reported that fourth-quarter revenues (ended Oct. 31, 2012) were up 48%, and new orders were the highest level seen since 2006.

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has released its annual list of the top 10 states for new LEED certifications in 2012.

The per-capita list is based on 2010 U.S. Census data and includes commercial and institutional buildings certified under LEED. About 2.2 billion sq. ft. of space has been certified worldwide through 2012.

Two New York men have been arrested and accused of stealing $257,000 from Home Depot stores in an elaborate shoplifting scheme involving two shopping carts containing identical items.

Pro dealer TW Perry was ranked in 9th place among the “Top 53 Businesses and Organizations in the State of Maryland” by The Gazette of Politics and Business. The publication honors businesses and organizations based on criteria that included the recipient company’s noteworthy product or service innovations, community service efforts, and how the companies portrayed themselves as good places to work.

Sparks, Md.-based Apex Tool Group, the maker of Craftsman hand tools, Lufkin tape rules and Crescent wrenches, among other products, is being sold to Bain Capital Partners. 

The deal is valued at about $1.6 billion, slightly more than Apex’s $1.5 billion in annual revenue. 

Apex is owned equally by Danaher and Cooper, two manufacturers that combined their tool businesses in July 2010 with the formation of Apex. 

Millennial job seekers just wanna have fun, and employers looking to recruit and retain recent graduates should make workplace fun a “central focus of recruiting efforts,” according to recent academic research.

The findings hold up even at a time when a sluggish economy is leaving many graduates under- or unemployed, says John W. Michel, Ph.D., assistant professor of management at Loyola University Maryland.

Towson, Md.-based Black & Decker has introduced the GYRO 4V MAX Lithium-ion Rechargeable Screwdriver (BDCS40G).

The manufacturer describes the new product as “the world’s first motion-activated screwdriver.” It uses gyroscopic technology that allows users to rotate their wrist one-quarter turn to the right for forward or left for reverse.

The variable speed feature and direction change that occurs with a twist of the wrist provide improved control while screwdriving, the company said.

An article in Delmarvanow.com reports that a procurement policy for Eastern Correctional Institution in Maryland is cutting out the local hardware store.

In an blow to the buy-local movement, an Ace dealer in Princess Anne, Md., was told that Eastern Correctional Institution is handcuffed into buying from national supplier W.W. Grainger.

The Bozzuto Group, a residential builder based in Greenbelt, Md., has hired Chris Block as its new director of construction. 

Jessup, Md.-based Newborn Bros. Co. filed a lawsuit May 24 in federal district court in Camden, N.J., against its competitor, Albion Engineering Co. of Moorestown, N.J.

Newborn alleges that Albion has violated the federal Lanham Act and New Jersey law, misleading distributors and customers for years using false claims that Albion’s products are “Made in USA.” Newborn further alleges that Albion sells products imported from Taiwan.

All too often, employees think that their texting is personal, according to Christine Walters, J.D., SPHR, a consultant with FiveL Co. in Westminster, Md. But texts can resurface in employment lawsuits, so employees and managers should be trained to keep all of their texts as professional as other communications.