Industry News
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Specialk Announcement
Join PHC News columnist Ellen Rohr for her next free teleseminar on Tuesday, September 23, from 3 to 4 p.m. Central Time. Guest Nancy Michaels (www.growyourbusinessnetwork.com ) will there to discuss ten plus strategies to grow your business. Visit www.barebonesbiz.com/teleconference_series.html to sign up for the free teleseminar. Once you register, you will be sent the free call-in instructions and handout.
ISH NA hits Atlanta
ISH North America is the only business-to-business event striving towards trade show consolidation in our industry. It will be held October 1 – 3, 2008 in Atlanta at the Georgia World Congress Center.
The fifth edition is expected to host more than 400 exhibitors displaying products for kitchen & bath/plumbing, commercial /industrial pipes, valves & fittings, HVAC/radiant and hydronics. In addition, we will feature international, technology and controls pavilions. For more info, www.ish-na.com.
MCAA releases rigging safety training kit
The Mechanical Contractors Association of America, Inc. (MCAA) added another title to its extensive safety training kit offerings today with the release of Right Before the Lift: Rigging Safety. The new kit includes a training DVD, a set of pocket guides, a documentation system and instructions for accessing a test that helps gauge whether workers are absorbing the training.
In the 14-minute training DVD, viewers learn about the technical expertise needed to rig and move the thousands of pounds of mechanical industry materials used on a jobsite each day. They will review the work practices that ensure safety on the site and maintain the quality and integrity of the load, from choosing the appropriate sling to working safely with crane operators.
The pocket guides offer workers a quick reference tool that reviews key points from the training DVD. A documentation system offers contractors a convenient way to document safety training, and the test offers contractors a way to determine areas in which further training may be needed.
To order, www.mcaa.org/store.
National Sales Co. opens new location
Illinois facilities and contractors now have easier access to pipe, valves, fittings and HVAC equipment and parts with the opening of the new National Sales Company store in Edwardsville, Illinois.
This is the third location for the 63-year-old distributor who is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri and currently operates locations both in St. Louis City and O’Fallon, Missouri.
National Sales Company opened its doors in Illinois with an official ribbon cutting ceremony attended by customers, union officials, local dignitaries and employees. Guests were able to tour the facility which features the latest in warehouse technology.
The Edwardsville location will offer the same core services and products that are available throughout the National Sales Company network. Some of the featured product lines include: Nibco valves, Anvil Gruvlok and fittings, Conbraco Backflow, Transair Piping Systems, Mueller copper, B-Line hangers and support products, Viega ProPress (copper and stainless) and PEX, Westinghouse/Gibson/Mammoth HVAC equipment. Additional services available from National Sales Company include a knuckle boom crane truck, job site storage, storeroom management, and emergency on call and delivery.
Viega hosts hydronics seminar
Committed to training customers on industry trends, business development and other key topics, Viega, a leading supplier in plumbing and heating systems, is hosting the Viega Fall Hydronics Seminar with John Siegenthaler on Oct. 14 and 15, 2008. The seminar will combine a full-day technical program on contemporary hydronic system design with unique networking opportunities in beautiful New England.
For more information, www.viega.com.
New standard for building in hurricane, high wind areas
In the wake of hurricanes Ike and Gustav, new construction guidelines developed by the International Code Council will increase public safety in hurricane prone areas and other high-wind regions. The Standard for Residential Construction in High Wind Regions (ICC-600) provides wind-resistant design and construction details for residential buildings. The standard applies to areas where wind speeds reach 100-150 miles per hour, including the hurricane prone regions of the east and gulf coasts, coastal Alaska, and the special wind region of the Columbia River Gorge in Washington and Oregon.
“Communities that adopt this new standard will have a tool based on sound science to help them save lives and protect property,” said Code Council CEO Rick Weiland. “It’s necessary if we are to reduce the billions of dollars in wind-related damage this country faces year after year.”
ICC-600, approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as an American National Standard, uses the latest engineering knowledge to improve the structural integrity and performance of homes. The standard is an update to SSTD 10-99 and includes new provisions such as prescriptive designs for wind speeds up to 150 mph with three-second gusts, designs for cold-formed steel framing and exterior wall coverings for high wind.
“The High Wind Standard will help First Preventers protect the communities they serve,” said Code Council CEO Rick Weiland. “First Preventers, those many unheralded and mostly unknown code officials who check and double-check code compliance and administer building safety codes, play a major role in saving lives, protecting property and reducing recovery costs often paid for by taxpayer dollars.”
The Standard for Residential Construction in High Wind Regions, available in September for communities to adopt, will be considered as a referenced standard in the 2009 International Residential Code.
The International Code Council, a membership association dedicated to building safety and fire prevention, develops the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools. Most U.S. cities, counties and states choose the International Codes, building safety codes developed by the International Code Council.
For more info, www.iccsafe.org.
Elkay structures news business units
Elkay Manufacturing Company’s Plumbing Products Division (PPD), which manages the company’s residential and commercial sinks, faucets, water coolers and related accessories, announced the implementation of its recently formed new business units within the organization.
The Commercial BU’s organizational structure will support the PPD’s efforts on current products and focus on cultivating new endeavors within the Commercial business segments, including education, health care, hospitality and other public venues. Jack Krecek, vice president, general manager of the PPD’s Commercial BU, will supervise a set of specialized engineers, marketers, global sourcing agents and new product development resources. A variety of product managers will support Elkay's Commercial group in key areas of business, including Gary Israelson, the product manager for commercial faucets.
The Commercial BU will also have a management team focused on new products, which will be lead by senior product manager, Rod Magnuson. Also, working within the commercial group, Darold Vredberg, a senior marketing manager, will handle areas related to pricing and costing. Kevin Keane, commercial financial manager, will serve as the unit's finance product liaison. In addition, Franco Savoni has accepted the position of senior manager, engineering and technology, and will be managing a variety of areas, including all of the product engineers responsible for cost reduction and supply chain initiatives, the Savanna product testing lab, new and existing product initiatives, certifications and intellectual property activities.
The objective for new vice president, general manager of the PPD's Residential Wholesale BU, Tom Samanic, is to deliver best-in-class products and service to this PPD customer segment and its consumers. Samanic will manage the Residential Wholesale BU's marketing and engineering teams, as well as oversee their global sourcing and new product development resources. The Residential Wholesale BU team will be responsible for all sinks, accessories and business development initiatives.
One of the Elkay Residential Wholesale BU teams will be led by Wally Moran, director of marketing and product development for sinks/accessories, and supported by marketing manager, Mark Hird and Martin Zummersch, the leader of the engineering team. A second team is led by Angela Sheehan, who recently joined Elkay as a director of marketing and product development for faucets. Most recently Sheehan was a director for the customer supply chain for the Sanford Corporation, a division of Newell Rubbermaid. Sheehan is supported on the Elkay Residential Wholesale BU faucet team by marketing manager, Jens Bolleyer and Mike Douglass, leader for the faucet engineering team. In addition, Elkay PPD's market research and industrial design team is led by Pete Wozniczka and managing the product engineering support team is Laura Gicela.
New Products
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Selectronic flush valves |
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Variable voltage circualtor The Variable Voltage 00-VV Circulator is the all-in-one, pump/control, variable voltage version of the manufacturer’s Variable Speed 00 circulator. It operates the pump at different speeds based on an externally generated analog voltage signal input. Accepts four external signal voltage ranges: 0-10 V(DC), 0-20mA, 2-10 V(DC) or 4-20mA signal. Easy to wire with a snap-in PC board and plug-in low voltage wiring terminal. UL approved; integrates seamlessly with DDC or building management systems. Taco. |
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New FL-Series effluent pumps Company has expanded its effluent pump line to include larger 1hp, 1.5 hp and 2 hp models. The new pumps feature maximum head capabilities of over 130 feet and flows to 130 GPM. A dual-sized discharge features a 11/2" removable flange with a 2" threaded port for connection to either pipe size. The pumps also feature a standard 25' quick-disconnect power cord and dual shaft seals. 2-year limited warranty. Liberty Pumps. |
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Differential temperature controller The iSolar series is a compact, easy-to-install, multi-functional temperature differential controller for solar water heating systems. Preset factory defaults divert surplus heat, maintain tank temperature, protect against overheating, or direct another source to heat the storage tank. Energy meter records production of solar hot water. Four models plus dc voltage for PV powered off-grid applications. Easy-to-use icons on a large LCD display. Caleffi. |
Movers & Shakers
Plumbing Manufacturers Institute President Rod Ward of Speakman Company has made his selections for the new chairs to serve on the Focus and Standing Committees. The decision was based upon PMI meeting attendance (a prerequisite to being a chair) and overall commitment to PMI.
The Water Efficiency and Sustainability Focus Issue Committee will be chaired by CJ Lagan of American Standard and Rob Zimmerman of Kohler Company. The Government Affairs Standing Committee welcomes Steve Tokarz of BrassCraft, who will serve with Mark Bidinger of Elkay Manufacturing Company.
The Tradeshow Consolidation Focus Issue Committee is currently on monitoring status, as no candidates have come forward to serve with Fred Luedke of NEOPERL. The Technical Standing Committee has reappointed Casey Hayes from Haws Corporation to a chair position to continue serving with Klaus Fromme from Bradley Corporation.
Darold Vredberg from Elkay Manufacturing Company will stay on the E-Business and Opportunities Standing Committee, but it will be put on monitoring status, as no candidates came forward to fill the vacant chair positions.
Several individuals were elected by their peers to fill the vacant Product Committee Chair Positions. The Water Temperature Device Committee will be chaired by Tim Kilbane of Symmons, who will serve alongside Mike Miller of Alsons Corporation. The Supply Fittings Product Committee welcomes Steve Tokarz of BrassCraft, who will serve with Mike Miller of Alsons Corporation. The Flushing Device Product Committee has re-elected John Watson of Sloan Valve Company. Shabbir Rawalpindiwala of Kohler Company will take over the open chair slot. The Fixture Product Committee will be chaired by CJ Lagan of American Standard. Fernando Fernandez of TOTO will continue as a co-chair. |