Bradford White and UAW Local 1002 sign labor agreement Caleffi to open multi-million dollar facility Triangle Tube opens new training center Roth Global Plastics acquires Fralo Plastech Mfg. LLC assets Harvel adds FlowGuard Gold to CTS CPVC line

Bradford White and UAW Local 1002 sign labor agreement

Ambler, Pa. -- Bradford White Corp. and the United Auto Workers Local 1002 signed a new seven-year labor agreement. The members of the UAW Local 1002 ratified the agreement by a 3-1 margin during a March meeting.

This new Long Term Security Labor Agreement will be in effect until August 25, 2014. The agreement will allow for manufacturing flexibility to effectively compete in the global marketplace. A major part of the agreement is that Bradford White and its employees have developed a unified common goal to be the supplier of choice to customers in the wholesale market.

The new contract for Bradford White and its UAW members enables all parties to work together to better serve the water heating industry. The care Bradford White has demonstrated to its employees and the industry proves that Bradford White is dedicated to provide the highest quality products, service and delivery the industry has come to expect. This new Long Term Security Labor Agreement will allow Bradford White Corporation to continue to exceed the expectations of our customers at every level and successfully face the challenges of our ever-changing industry. For more info, visit www.bradfordwhite.com.

Sikorski announces retirement

Ted Sikorski, vice president-marketing with Bradford White Corp., recently announced his retirement. A graduate of Ursinus University in Collegeville, Pa., Sikorski joined Bradford White in 1966 as a buyer and purchasing agent. He then served as a district sales manager from 1974 to 1979. Sikorski was then promoted to a regional sales manager until 1981 when he was named national sales manager. From 1985 until 1992, Sikorski served as general sales manager focusing on regional and national accounts. He then held the position of vice president-sales from 1992 to 1997. The last 10 years of his career, Sikorski served as vice president-marketing where he was responsible for all marketing and public relations efforts. Throughout his career Sikorski was an affiliate of numerous industry associations and served on the board of directors of ASA, the ASA-Vendor Member Division, the National Propane Gas Association, and the PHCC, where he was a loyal supporter of the Professional Product Line Program, the PHCC Education Foundation and the PHCC Auxiliary. He plans to enjoy his retirement to the fullest. Sikorski is an active member of numerous community and outdoor social clubs, exercises daily to keep in shape and keeps himself busy with projects he could never get around to. In addition, he and his wife Judy are looking forward to traveling this summer and spending time with their son, who is in medical residency in New Orleans.

Caleffi to open multi-million dollar facility

Franklin, Wis. -- Caleffi North America Inc., a leading provider of hydronic solutions worldwide, announced plans for constructing a new multi-million dollar North American headquarter facility in Milwaukee, Wis. According to general manager, Mark Olson, “Caleffi’s rapid growth has necessitated us moving from our current Franklin, Wis. location sooner than originally planned. After looking at various existing structures around Milwaukee, we decided that it was best to design and build a new facility from the ground up. This way, we are able to incorporate and showcase all of Caleffi’s products into the facility’s radiant and HVAC systems.”

This 35,000-square-foot facility will house Caleffi’s North American headquarters, warehousing and assembly operations, as well as engineering, administration, customer service and financial functions. The new facility will include a R&D testing laboratory plus a product and sales training center. The site location has land available to easily expand again to accommodate anticipated continued growth.

The new facility will be located adjacent to Miller Baseball Park, home of the Milwaukee Brewers, and construction is expected to be completed and occupied by September 2007.

For additional details contact www.caleffi.us.

Triangle Tube opens new training center

Blackwood, N.J. -- Triangle Tube, a manufacturer of high efficiency, stainless steel heating products, is proud to announce the opening of its all-new training facility in Blackwood, N.J.  Equipped with six operational condensing Prestige boilers, the course offers “hands on” training on proper installation practices, system and pump sizing and troubleshooting.  After successfully completing the two-day course, all participants receive a two-year parts and labor warranty on all Prestige boilers they install. Contact Triangle Tube for details at 856/228-8881 or sales@triangletube.com.

Roth Global Plastics acquires Fralo Plastech Mfg. LLC assets

North Kingstown, R.I. -- Roth Global Plastics Inc., a 100% subsidiary of Roth Industries North America Inc. and sister company of Roth Industries Inc., announced that it has, in mutual agreement, acquired all assets of Fralo Plastech Manufacturing LLC, located in Syracuse, N.Y. Fralo Plastech Manufacturing LLC, is owner/operator of the world’s largest blow-mold machine, and is the industry leader in innovative blow-mold technology for the onsite waste treatment industry. Products include polyethylene septic, holding, potable water tanks, risers and other onsite treatment accessories. Fralo’s process utilizes a patented multi-layer co-extrusion technology offering superior design characteristics, seamless construction, performance and longevity.

This decision made a lot of sense due to similar core competencies of both companies, and therefore provided synergies from which all involved parties will benefit. Roth Industries Inc.’s parent company is headquartered in Germany, and has over 40 years of septic tank experience, making this move in line with Roth overall international strategy. “This acquisition is in line with the Roth Group’s overall strategic planning of concentrating more toward environmentally friendly and energy- saving technologies and products,” said Manfred Roth, the owner of the Roth Group.

Jochen Drewniok, the CEO of Roth Industries Inc. and Roth Global Plastics Inc. said that Fralo produces the best septic tanks in the North American market and, since Roth Industries Inc. use the same advanced technologies producing the double-wall oil storage tanks, many sales, distribution and product development synergies will surface.

Roth Industries Inc., North Kingstown, R.I. is known for its double-wall oil storage ranks, radiant heating and PEX-c plumbing systems. It is a leader in innovation, always focusing on environmental friendly technologies. Having been in the North American market for over 10 years, Roth Industries Inc. invested in a production facility with a blow molder, which uses the same advanced technology as Fralo, in Watertown, N.Y. in 2006. Since 2007, all double-wall oil storage tanks are made in the United States.

The management of Fralo Plastech Manufacturing LLC is excited about the new ownership of the company. “This acquisition brings a strong complement of skilled, knowledgeable and talented employees with exceptional manufacturing and technology capabilities,” said Joseph Brown, vice president of sales and marketing for Fralo Plastech Manufacturing, LLC. “The current manufacturing and administrative facilities will remain in Syracuse, N.Y., as this will be the main headquarters of Roth Global Plastics Inc.,” said Brown. In addition, Roth will retain all Fralo sales management and manufacturer reps in the field and will continue business as usual producing tanks and accessories. “Our wholesale distributors should not experience any changes in the way they do business with Fralo as this acquisition will lead to even more product portfolio opportunities,” said Brown.

Harvel adds FlowGuard Gold to CTS CPVC line

Easton, Pa. -- Harvel Plastics Inc. has added FlowGuard Gold to its cts cpvc plumbing pipe product line. Harvel high-quality FlowGuard Gold copper-tube-size (CTS) piping is available in 1/2-inch through 2-inch diameters and excels in hot and cold water apps.

In comparison to copper plumbing pipe, Harvel’s FlowGuard Gold offers superior corrosion resistance and -- using reliable solvent-welding joining techniques -- a substantially lower installed cost.

Harvel manufactures FlowGuard Gold pipe in strict compliance with requirements set forth in ASTM D2846 for materials, workmanship, dimensions, tolerances, pressure-bearing capability and thermocycling resistance. This product is produced to sdr 11 specifications in CTS pipe sizes from 1/2-inch through 2-inch diameters in accordance with the standard.

FlowGuard Gold plumbing pipe manufactured by Harvel meets the requirements of NSF Standards 14 and 61 for quality and health effects. In addition to meeting Harvel’s stringent physical performance testing for product quality, this independent testing ensures that pipe manufactured by Harvel neither contains nor contributes harmful substances to transported potable water. CTS CPVC plumbing pipe is approved by major building codes as an acceptable material for plumbing systems.

Visit www.HarvelFlowGuardGold.com for more information.