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 150 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, and pipe inspection and locating equipment.
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Meeting global energy efficiency challenges
Baltimore — Danfoss, a global leader in providing sustainable, energy-efficient solutions for refrigeration, air conditioning, heating and motion controls, was industry co-host of the Energy Efficiency Global Forum held in Paris in late April and sponsored by the Alliance to Save Energy.
CEO Niels Bjorn Christiansen joined political, academic and business leaders – including those from appliance giants Whirlpool and Trane – for the only international energy efficiency forum to advance the dialog on energy-efficient solutions.
The leaders skillfully explored the new energy paradigm – from economic stimulus funding in the U.S. to new government mandates in Europe to the potential role of energy efficiency in the climate negotiations scheduled for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Copenhagen in December 2009. Danfoss is an official partner of the conference, otherwise known as COP15.
“What we need is the political awareness and the relevant legislation to drive energy efficiency change around the globe,” Christiansen said in his address, “Improving Energy Efficiency: How Danfoss Meets the Challenge.”
“A lot of attention and money are being directed toward renewable energy sources such as wind power, and for very good reasons. But if we get a similar push for improving energy efficiency, the payback will be attractive,” he noted.
Christiansen added that industries need to apply existing technologies more broadly to improve energy efficiency across the board. “The relevant technologies are available,” he said. “There are companies in most industries that possess the competencies and have the products – today.”
Nexstar Legacy Foundation Merit Scholarship winners named
Little Canada, Minn. — Nexstar Legacy Foundation announces the winners of the 2009/2010 Scholarship Program, awarding a total of $19,500 in educational funds. Nine students planning to enter careers in the home-service industry in the fields of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR), electrical or plumbing will receive scholarship awards that vary from $6,000 to $500 for the academic year.
The top scholarship prize, the Frank J. Blau Jr. Award, worth $6,000, went to Andrew J. Deckert; an engineering student at Michigan Technological University. Andrew has been accepted into the Research Honors Program and the Pavlis Institute for Global Technological Leadership.
Two scholarships, in the amount of $3,000 each, were awarded to university students seeking four-year degrees.
- Jesse Thornburg is working towards a mechanical engineering degree at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
- Graham Thurber is working toward a business administration degree with a minor in construction management at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas.
Three scholarships, in the amount of $2,000 each, were given to students attending technical colleges and seeking two-year degrees.
- Douglas DeFrance is working towards his electrician degree at Ridgewater College in Willmar, Minnesota.
- Lincoln Deitrick is earning a degree in HVACR at the University of Northwestern Ohio.
- Justin Henrickson’s goal is to become a master electrician; he is working on his degree at North Central Kansas Technical College.
Three students attending apprentice programs were awarded $500 each.
- Malcolm Fisher, an employee of My Plumber in Manassas Virginia, is working towards a plumbing certification.
- John Hutton V, an employee of My Plumber in Manassas Virginia, is working towards a plumbing certification.
- Zachary Woods, a 2009 high school graduate, will be entering an electrician program at Delta College, University Center in Michigan.
The nine winning students were selected from a pool of over 200 scholarship applicants; with emphasis on interest and knowledge of their field of study. Three tiers of scholarships are awarded: university students, technical or two-year college students and apprentices. All scholarships are awarded with the purpose of bringing new talent into the home-services industry.
To be considered for a Nexstar Legacy Foundation scholarship, applicants had to submit a Additional information on the Nexstar Legacy Foundation and its scholarship program can be found on the foundation’s website: www.nexstarfoundation.org.
NAOHSM’s 56th Annual Convention raises $$$ for Oil Heat Cares
Hershey, Pa. — With the theme of “Imagine,” many of NAOHSM’s classes included sessions on the changing energy industry. There were sessions for managers and owners and many options for technicians.
While some attendees attended classes, others participated in the Annual Care to Ride Event, which raised nearly $47,000 for Oil Heat Cares. Special thanks go out to all the sponsors and in particular our Champion Sponsors – Peerless, Taco and Oilheating Journal. And for the 4th straight year, Roger Marran, Energy Kinetics, took home the cup for raising the most money for Oil Heat Cares. He personally raised $4000.00, and he, too, like many of our sponsors, has been a supporter since the inception of the event.
The opening reception was a hit thanks to Wilo. After feasting, the evening continued with the awarding of the trophies for the winners of the various categories of the Care to Ride Event. After that, as a group we built a time capsule, followed by a crazy game hosted by industry friend, Dan Holohan. Monies raised from this event were donated to Oil Heat Cares.
And for Recognition – at the annual Awards Banquet, many from our industry were recognized. After a cocktail party, sponsored by Taco, the evening began by presenting Industry Awards, Awarding the 1st Technician of the Year Award, won by Steve Vachon, Lamprey Brothers, N. Hampton, N.H., awarding of the Oil Heat Cares Cup and recognition of our 2009 Scholarship Winners.
2009 Industry Award Winners included:
Associate of the Year – Rosemarie Bartchak, Boyertown Furnace and member of the Berks Chapter. Rosemarie is also the National Treasurer; Service Manager of the Year – Kurt Massa, President of the Delaware Valley Chapter won this distinction. Kurt works for Walter A Dwyer, Ambler Pa..
Manufacturer of the Year – R. W. Beckett won this honor; Hugh McKee Award – Long time director of the Association and past president of the South Jersey Chapter, Donnie Potter won this award;
Instructor of the Year – was awarded to Jeff Sweda, instructor at Hazelton Area Career Center, Hazelton, Pa.; Special Recognition – Harold Feld, long-time member of the Westchester Chapter was given special recognition.
The Garden State Chapter (N.J.) will hold the Oil Heat Cares Cup for the entire year. Their continual dedication and commitment to Oil Heat Cares and their community won them this right.
No NAOHSM event is complete without our traditional Closing Event. After feasting and enjoying music, NAOHSM hosted an auction that benefited our scholarship fund. More than $3,200.00 was raised for that purpose.
You can only “imagine” what’s in store for 2010. Anyone in the HVAC or plumbing industry is invited to learn more about NAOHSM (the National Association of Oilheating Service Managers). The Association’s 57th Annual Convention and Trade Show will be hosted at the Providence Convention Center, R.I. – May 23-27th.
New Products
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RIDGID® SeeSnake® microDrain™ Inspection System The SeeSnake microDrain inspection system features a 30-foot flexible cable and a small 22-millimeter diameter camera head that allows for more accessibility and efficiency in inspection jobs. The flexibility of the cable and tight turn radius of the camera head allows for access through many toilet traps and small P traps without the need to disassemble or dismantle plumbing fixtures. RIDGID. |
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Seismic bracing attachment Fast Clamp offers 12" of overall adjustment for rough-in style installation, taking the guess work out of cut lengths. “Fast Attach” yoke design is easy to install for multiple hanger rod sizes. Figure 985 fits trapeze-style or single pipe hangers and is available in two sizes: 3/8" - 5/8" hanger rod size and 3/4" - 7/8" hanger rod size. Fig. 986 comes in a standard 1/2" rod size (other sizes available), and is designed to be the upper or structural attachment. TOLCO, a division of NIBCO Inc. |
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Advocate™ Lavatory System A personal handwashing station provides an all-in-one experience, since access to water, soap and hand dryer are available within a user’s individual space. Maker’s exclusive and contemporary-looking design keeps all handwashing elements in immediate reach, so the user doesn’t need to move, minimizing dripping water on the floor and wasted paper towels. Bradley Corp. |
Movers & Shakers
Haws Corp. names product manager Sparks, Nev. – Haws is announced that Margo Mee has been appointed to the position of product manager. Margo has been a dedicated Haws employee for more than 12 years, starting in the Berkeley, Calif. office before transferring to the Sparks, Nev. facility in 1998. |