Industry News
We would like to take this opportunity to give a special thanks to this editon's sponsor -- Taco Inc. Headquartered in Cranston, R.I., Taco, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of hydronic-based HVAC equipment and accessories for use in residential, commercial and institutional buildings worldwide. The company, privately owned and in business since 1920, manufactures a wide range of pumps and circulators, valves, tanks, heat exchangers, electronic controls, accessories and systems. Manufacturing facilities are located in Cranston, R.I. and Fall River, Mass., with a Canadian distribution and sales facility in Mississauga, Ontario. Taco sells through wholesale distributors and also provides select OEMs with product. Visit www.taco-hvac.com for more information.
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PHCC responds to “Joe the Plumber” focus
Today the president of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors--National Association (PHCC) released a statement applauding the efforts of both presidential candidates for their focus on plumbing contractors during the presidential debate on Wednesday night. Plumbing, heating and cooling contractors are small business owners who are becoming a prominent part of the debate on the country’s economic future.
“We think it is great that comments from ‘Joe the Plumber’ were brought up several times in last night’s presidential debate,” said PHCC President Joe Schmitt, Joe Schmitt & Sons Plumbing & Heating, Englewood, Ohio. “Plumbing, heating and cooling contractors, most of whom operate small businesses, have been a big part of the American economy during our organization’s 126-year history. Unfortunately, smaller companies like ours can be forgotten as the country focuses on big business issues.”
“The impact of the next administration's tax policy will have a major impact on our members, no matter which party is in office. It is our sincere hope that both the Democratic and Republican candidates will think long and hard about the comments of my fellow Ohio plumber Joe Wurzelbacher as they consider future tax programs. It is imperative that entrepreneurs like Joe and PHCC members across the country have the opportunity to buy small businesses and create jobs for Americans. That is the American dream, after all.”
“Small businesses throughout the nation are hurting during this economic downturn. With rising gas prices, the cost of health care and the uncertainties facing our financial markets, they’re being hit from all sides. Reform of our nation’s tax policies should be a top priority for the next administration. The survival of PHCC’s members and America’s small businesses may depend on this. The next president must consider the needs and contributions of plumbing, heating and cooling contractors as small businesses. This has to be priority in order to help this economy recover and to encourage investment from new business owners.
Ferguson recognized by the EPA
Ferguson, the country’s largest wholesale distributor of plumbing supplies, was recognized as the first Retail and Distributor WaterSense Partner of the Year by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Ferguson is among four exceptional partners who earned this special distinction from the EPA for promoting water-efficiency awareness and taking actions in the last year.
Ferguson received the award, in part for their efforts to highlight the new PROFLO high efficiency toilets and other water saving devices. Both Ferguson’s customers and the nation’s water resources benefit from this water-efficiency know-how. Ferguson carries a wide range of water efficient products and associates can help their customers select the best products that meet these standards.
“The demand for Green is rising dramatically and to continue to meet the needs of our customers, we need to bring additional focus to Green product education,” said Jim Feltman, chief marketing officer for Wolseley’s North America Division.
“These water stars are helping WaterSense transform the way Americans view and value our most precious liquid asset and, as a result, we are saving more and wasting less for future generations,” said Benjamin H. Grumbles, EPA’s assistant administrator for water.
WaterSense, a partnership program launched in 2006 by the EPA, seeks to protect the future of our nation's water supply by offering people a simple way to use less water.
California signs uniform codes into law
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed legislation permanently establishing the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials’ (IAPMO) model plumbing and mechanical codes as the basis for the development of the California Buildings Standards Code.
Introduced by Sen. Ron Calderon (D-Montebello), Senate Bill No. 1473 seeks to clarify who has authority to develop building standards, including green building standards, for particular types of buildings and includes intent that the measure will not affect the ability of local governments to adopt changes to the building code.
Sec. 5 of the bill adds Section 18938.3 to the Health and Safety Code, to read: “(...) Those model codes designated in Sections 17922 and 18938 that continue to be published and updated shall continue to serve as the basis for the California Building Standards Code.” The bill establishes the Uniform Plumbing Code and the Uniform Mechanical Code, which were the basis for the 2007 triennial edition of the California Plumbing Code and California Mechanical Code, as the model codes for all future editions of the California code.
The signing of the bill is a major victory for both IAPMO and the people of California. As the most populated state in the nation, and as a leader in construction volume, it is essential that California's public's health and safety be protected through the establishment of sound provisions. For more than 80 years, IAPMO has been working in concert with government and industry to implement comprehensive plumbing and mechanical systems around the world.
New Products
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Shut-off flange |
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Advanced zone control line There’s a new and highly efficient sentry in the mechanical room. So devoted to the task of managing the operation of multiple hydronic zones, this assistant remains on guard 24/7, alert to any demand for circulation within the hydronic system. Models include single, three, and four expandable to six zone configurations. The 3- and 4/6-zone models also offer priority and freeze protection options and multi-panel linking. All units provide a 2-wire with one 3-wire thermostat capability, automatic reset PTC fuse on system 24 VAC, a high capacity 25VA rated transformer, multiple knockouts and separate terminals for cold start or tankless coil boilers. Grundfos. |
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3-inch Universal Flapper With an increasing number of high efficiency toilet requirements being put in place, toilet manufacturers such as Kohler, Toto, American Standard, Gerber, Eljer and Mansfield, are incorporating 3-inch flapper-style flush valves when designing functional and efficient toilets, providing a quick and more powerful flush. When it comes time to replace the flapper, do-it-yourself customers as well as professional plumbers often struggle through a trial and error process to find and install a flapper that fits that particular toilet brand and model properly and performs to the manufacturer’s original specifications. Fluidmaster. |
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Handheld pressing tool The M20+ and the P20+ professional-grade pressing machines are bringing increased productivity, time savings and ease of job execution to the skilled plumber and pipe tradesman. VIRAX M20+ is a compact pistol grip pressing machine the size of a cordless drill. Stanley VIRAX. |
Movers & Shakers
Anvil International, one of the world’s largest manufacturer of pipe fittings, pipe hangers and supports, has promoted John Smayda to vice president, marketing. His responsibilities include global marketing for Anvil’s product lines across all sales and marketing divisions. Smayda was previously AnvilStar’s director of sales, Eastern U.S. He is a 38-year veteran of the industry, having held a variety of managerial positions previously in the industrial, mechanical and fire protection markets.
Bill Gilliam, formerly of Midland, Texas and now relocated to Dallas, becomes the manager of Anvil’s Energy Division, and will concentrate on Anvil’s customer base in the domestic oil and gas industry, working out of Anvil’s Grand Prairie, Texas regional distribution center.
Shaun Dunn has joined the company as national engineering manager working with Anvil’s Business Development Team. He will identify and target key engineering and architectural firms for specification of Anvil’s Gruvlok® product line and in assist the company’s sales team with engineering specifications, presentations and training programs. Dunn brings 18 years of experience to his new position; he worked previously for McWane, Inc. as a territory sales manager and for Agilent Technologies as a technical sales engineer.
Wendell Hayes has transferred from Anvil’s Mechanical Team to the Energy Division, where he will be responsible for sales to the oil and gas industry across the Gulf Coast region of Southeast Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. |