Industry News
We would like to take this opportunity to give a special thanks to this month's sponsor -- RIDGID. RIDGID serves the plumbing, rental, HVAC/R, industrial, electrical, petroleum, institutional, commercial and hardware markets, offering more than 300 types of tools in more than 140 countries. RIDGID tools are known throughout the world as industry-leading, innovative products that have set the standard for durability and performance for over 85 years. The company offers a complete line of professional hand tools and machines including its famous pipe wrenches, tubing cutters, threading and roll-grooving machines, pressing, drain cleaning tools, pipe inspection and locating equipment, and RIDGIDConnect™, an online business tool.
RIDGID is a subsidiary of St. Louis, Missouri-based Emerson. Visit www.RIDGID.com.
To find out more about special e-newsletter advertising opportunities, please contact your Phc News sales rep by visiting www.phcnews.com.
RIDGID® Launches RIDGIDConnect™
ELYRIA, OHIO – JANUARY 2010 – RIDGID®, a leading manufacturer of hand and power tools including multiple digital inspection products, has announced the launch of RIDGIDConnect™ — a subscription-based, online business tool designed for service professionals and contractors who create or use digital information. A first-of-its-kind platform, RIDGIDConnect provides the ability to share and store digital assets such as diagnostic job site photos and videos, job reports and histories, maintenance records, customer lists and other business files, which in turn simplifies external and internal communication, as well as the recordkeeping process.
“While developing RIDGIDConnect, we conducted hundreds of hours of research with professionals to identify their needs and make sure the tool could easily and quickly be adopted to help manage their digital assets,” said Jay Gatz, vice president of strategic planning, RIDGID. “Based on our research, we were able to develop an online business solution so professionals like plumbers, HVAC technicians and facility managers, have the opportunity to consolidate and access items associated with a particular job in one location, then communicate this information with pertinent parties, thus increasing their effectiveness and efficiency. We like to say it’s an electronic medical record for each of their customers.”
RIDGIDConnect: Share
The “share” aspect of RIDGIDConnect allows professionals to overcome communication challenges previously associated with digital media assets. RIDGIDConnect subscribers have the ability to:
• Prepare and send detailed, professional job reports that include notes and customer details to multiple recipients
• Edit and narrate digital media (videos and photos) to provide concise, easy-to-follow explanations
• Control recipients’ access privileges
RIDGIDConnect: Store
RIDGIDConnect “stores” and protects a professional’s digital assets on a secure and continually backed-up system, including these items:
• Detailed customer lists and job histories
• Uploaded digital media from inspection tools (any manufacturer) and digital recording devices
• All business files and records
RIDGIDConnect “simplifies” and bridges the technology gap by:
• Eliminating the need to burn DVDs, CDs or thumb drives
• Lessening the back-and-forth explanation between clients and/or co-workers
• Providing around-the-clock access to records from any location
• Utilizing RIDGIDConnect mobile to conduct business in the field via a smartphone
RIDGIDConnect is available in four subscription plans to suit the needs of businesses and organizations of various sizes. Payments are made on a monthly basis. The subscription plans are:
• Basic ($49.99 per month)
• Plus ($79.99 per month)
• Premier ($129.99 per month)
• Enterprise (based on consultation findings)
To register for a free 30-day trial or for additional information about RIDGIDConnect, visit www.RIDGIDConnect.com
New feature on www.phcnews.com
Check out the Online Executive’s Club, a new weekly video feature in which chief editor John Mesenbrink speaks to PHC industry executives about the latest in news, trends, technology, etc. Go to www.phcnews.com and click on the Online Executive’s Club banner near the top of the home page. Current videos include interviews with of Bradford White’s Bruce Carnevale and John Hazen White, Jr. of Taco. Be sure to visit www.phcnews.com today!
Grundfos ‘Pumps on Tour’ begins journey through Northeast
Olathe, Kan. — Grundfos “Pumps on Tour” — a fully equipped, mobile educational center for trade professionals in the residential, commercial and industrial pumping industry as well as the groundwater and irrigation industry will make several stops throughout the Northeast region from April through June 2010. As part of a 48-city, 8-month, nationwide tour, Pumps on Tour will have extended visits at the Atlantic Region Energy Expo (AREE) in Atlantic City, NJ and the National Association of Oil Heat Service Managers (NAOHSM) 57th Annual Convention & Trade Show in Providence, RI.
Each tour stop offers trade professionals valuable opportunities to gain hands-on training from Grundfos staff and the ability to experience interactive pump displays. The 1,200-square-foot vehicle includes a mini-theater for viewing training videos and presentations, as well as a series of interactive working displays from a wide selection of pumping solutions from Grundfos.
MCAA releases Green Associate Training Module
The Mechanical Contractors Association of America, Inc. (MCAA) celebrated Earth Day with the release of the new Green Associate Training Module, the country’s only DVD-based LEED Green Associate test prep program. The module prepares MCAA contractors and their staff for the newly developed LEED Green Associate professional credential, designed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), for sales professionals, estimators, contractor owners and manufacturers. For project managers and those wishing to take their education a step further by earning a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP BD+C and LEED AP O+M) designation, the new credential also acts as the mandatory first step in the process.
Lochinvar University course approved for NATE training
Lochinvar Corporation announced that its KNIGHT Service School, part of the annual Lochinvar University program, has been approved for North American Technician Excellence, Inc. (NATE) training. As the leading non-profit testing organization for HVACR professions, NATE offers candidates installation and service certification programs in a wide range of industry categories. Lochinvar’s KNIGHT Service School, which instructs technicians on the installation, operation and service of KNIGHT Wall Mount and Floor Standing Heating Boilers, is now included among the NATE-recognized continuing education programs.
Industry professionals who attend the KNIGHT Service School, which is offered multiple times throughout the year at Lochinvar’s state-of-the-art training facility in Lebanon, TN, receive in-depth information about the design and construction of the KNIGHT Heating Boilers, installation requirements, sequence of operation and troubleshooting procedures, as wells as hands-on training focused on the firing and assembly/disassembly of boilers. Participants also have the opportunity to tour Lochinvar’s Manufacturing and Engineering Facilities. Completion of the KNIGHT Service School counts towards continuing education hours for NATE-certified technicians, many of whom use their certification to showcase their expertise to benefit their business and their company’s bottom line.
New Products
 |
Circulator Pump Installation Kits (LEAD) |
 |
Heat pump water heater www.rheem.com Expanded line of hybrid heat pump water heaters features a new 40-gallon model designed for smaller households with a lower hot-water demand. The new HP-40 hybrid meets ENERGY STAR® requirements; certification is pending. The unit will be available in early June. The new HP-40 hybrid offers an Energy Factor (EF) of 2.0, or more than twice the energy efficiency of a standard electric storage water heater. Rheem. |
 |
Pressure control valves |