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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, utility, 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 equipment including its famous pipe wrenches, tubing cutters, threading and roll-grooving machines, pressing, drain cleaning tools, locating equipment, pipe diagnostic systems 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.

Reduction in lead bill signed into law

Rolling Meadows, Ill. – The national “Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act” was passed on December 17, 2010 during the lame duck session and was signed into law by President Barak Obama on January 4, 2011. The bill becomes effective January 4, 2014, allowing ample time for manufacturers to comply.

This bill lowers the national standard for lead in faucets, pipes and pipefittings to 0.25%. “The previous national standard was 8.0%, which the industry considered too high,” explained PMI executive director, Barbara Higgens. “Many in the plumbing manufacturing industry are already meeting these reduced standards. However, without a uniform national standard, a patchwork of requirements could have emerged.”

According to Higgens, “This bill harmonizes lead standards across the country. These standards were already achieved in California, and in Maryland and Vermont through PMI’s active lobbying efforts.

“This is an exciting victory, primarily for consumers, and also for the plumbing manufacturing industry, as well as for wholesalers, retailers, contractors and others involved with the production, distribution, sales and installation of these products,” said Higgens. “There is widespread support within the industry for this legislation, including the members of PMI, which make up 95% of the small, medium and large plumbing manufacturers.”

Wisconsin Solar Energy Industries Association elects first board of directors

Madison, Wis. — The officers are: President Rex Gillespie, Caleffi North America, Inc., Milwaukee; President Elect Matt Neumann, Solar Innovations, Inc., Waukesha; and Secretary/Treasurer Kevin Crawford, Orion Energy Systems, Manitowoc.

Directors include John Kivlin, Helios USA, Milwaukee; John Clancy, Godfrey & Kahn, S.C., Milwaukee; Walt Novash, Johnson Controls, Milwaukee; and Bob Woloszyk, Pieper Electric, Milwaukee.

The Wisconsin Solar Energy Industries Association (WiSEIA) was created in 2010 to provide information, advocacy, education and networking opportunities to Wisconsin solar energy businesses and to promote the long-term success of the solar industry. Information about the association and a membership application appear at www.wiseia.org.

“The employers who belong to WiSEIA want to help lawmakers understand the tremendous benefits of solar energy for our state, especially the economic benefits,” Gillespie said. “We have the opportunity to keep our energy dollars at home while creating sustainable jobs.”

NKBA elects 2011 NKBA president, executive committee members

The National Kitchen & Bath Association announced the election results for the 2011 NKBA Executive Committee, which will be led by 2011 president David Alderman, CMKBD of Chesapeake, Virginia. 2010 vice president Alan Zielinski, CKD of Niles, Illinois will become president-elect, while 2010 NKBA secretary John Morgan of Glyndon, Maryland has been elected vice president. Mark L. Karas, CMKBD will serve as immediate past president.

The NKBA also announced the two newest members of the executive committee. Carolyn Cheetham, CMKBD of Red Deer, Alberta, Canada was elected 2011 secretary, while John Petrie, CMKBD of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania has been elected treasurer.

Ferguson acquires Summit Pipe and Supply

Newport News, Va. — Ferguson announced the acquisition of Summit Pipe and Supply Co. Inc. and Summit Pipe and Supply Company of Mississippi, Inc. (collectively, “Summit”) in an asset transaction completed Dec. 31, 2010. Summit is a waterworks distributor with three locations in Northport and Wetumpka, Ala. and Jackson, Miss.

“Summit is a market leader with very talented associates that will be a tremendous asset to Ferguson as we grow our waterworks footprint in this region,” said Ferguson CEO Frank Roach. “Strong vendor alignment coupled with the ability to add continuous territory, filling in between our existing Florida and Baton Rouge Ferguson Waterworks locations, made this an attractive acquisition.”

Summit was founded in 2001, by brothers Doug and Mark Pugh. Doug will continue as the Tuscaloosa branch manager and Mark will serve as the area’s sales manager. All former Summit locations will operate as satellite locations of the Ferguson Santa Rosa, Fla., branch under the leadership of Ferguson General Manager George Wainwright. Nick Patterson also will remain as a branch manager in Jackson, Miss.

New Products

	RIDGID® SeeSnake® LT1000 Laptop Interface www.RIDGIDUpgrade.com The RIDGID® SeeSnake® LT1000 laptop interface is a flexible way to digitally record, monitor and manage drain footage when paired with a RIDGID SeeSnake reel and PC laptop with SeeSnake HQ software installed. The easy-to-use LT1000 laptop interface gives users the efficiency of a laptop for managing drain footage in the field and enables completing tasks without transferring data between field devices and a PC, which reduces the amount of time users spend converting files. RIDGID.
	Wall-mount fire tube models www.lochinvar.com The new KNIGHT Wall Mount fire tube models are available in seven models with (lochinvar_prod)inputs from 55,000 to 399,000 Btu/hr., which makes them ideal for residential or light-duty applications such as small hotels, schools and office buildings. For higher demand applications, exclusive SMART SYSTEM™ operating control features a built-in cascading sequencer that allows up to eight units to be installed, delivering up to 3.2 million Btu/hr. heating capacity. Offers up to 99 percent thermal efficiency, low-NOx emissions and a fully modulating burner, providing the perfect heating solution for today’s environmentally conscious market. As with all other KNIGHT models, the fully modulating 5:1 turndown burner allows the KNIGHT to keep fuel use to an absolute minimum by adjusting heat output according to demand. Lochinvar.
	ecocirc® hot water circulation www.bellandgossett.com A state-of-the-art design allows the ecocirc to use 68 percent less energy than most standard pumps and can save an average family of four more than 12,000 gallons of water a year by eliminating the need to wait for the water to get hot. Using only 10 watts of power, the equivalent of a small nightlight, the ecocirc can save a homeowner hundreds of dollars in energy costs a year. ITT Bell & Gossett.
	Vacuum plumbing system brochure www.acornvac.com AcornVac has the expertise and knowledge to deliver a state-of-the-art, reliable, cost effective and versatile plumbing system that is engineered to fit most any building type for renovation and new construction projects. With our system there are installation cost savings, material cost savings, water use savings and sewage discharge savings. The 4-color brochure explains how vacuum plumbing works, the many benefits of vacuum plumbing and catalogs a selection of products. AcornVac Inc.