Industry News
We would like to take this opportunity to give a special thanks to this month's sponsor -- Caroma, leaders in high efficiency dual flush toilets (HETs) and urinals (HEUs). New Caroma Smart Technology provides significant water savings, averaging 0.9 gallons/flush, saving up to 44% compared to 1.6 gpf and 74% compared to 3.5 gpf toilets. The Smart technology is also used in the recently introduced waterless and 1 pint urinals. All Caroma toilets have a large trapway, virtually eliminating blockages. With 41 WaterSense labeled toilets, Caroma provides exceptional performance while conserving valuable water resources. www.caromausa.com
To find out more about special e-newsletter advertising opportunities, please contact your Phc News sales rep by visiting www.phcnews.com.
Historic Hotel Andaluz:
Conserving Water Resources and Seeking LEED Gold Certification
Following a $30 million renovation, the historic La Posada de Albuquerque Hotel has been transformed into the pre-eminent boutique hotel in the Southwest. The redesigned Hotel Andaluz in Albuquerque, New Mexico has installed 388 Caroma high efficiency dual flush toilets. When searching for toilets, water conservation was critical along with an attractive design.
The results have been impressive. Caroma toilets have helped the Hotel Andaluz reduce water use by more than 45%. During the remodeling of the bathrooms, it was discovered that even though the expectations were for a 10” rough-in, they were actually, 10”, 11”, 12”, or somewhere in-between. The offset connector included with the HETs made it easy during the installation to adjust to the variations in rough-in dimensions in the hotel guest rooms. Additionally, using Caroma toilets was a key component in helping the hotel receive three points towards LEED Gold certification. Finally, since the hotel has reopened, there have been no clogs or overflows, reducing maintenance costs and eliminating the possibility of guest frustration and embarrassment.
Read the full case study and find out more about Caroma.
A. O. Smith enters into a tankless water heater joint venture with Takagi
Milwaukee — A. O. Smith Corp. and Takagi Industrial Co. Ltd. of Fuji-city, Shizuoka, Japan, announced that they are establishing a joint venture to market and manufacture tankless water heaters in North America. As part of the joint venture, A. O. Smith will take over the management of Takagi’s existing North American sales and distribution organization, maintaining Takagi’s North American headquarters in Irvine, Calif. The companies expect the transaction to close in the third quarter.
“This venture is an important investment by A. O. Smith that will further expand our offering of high-efficiency water heating products,” said Ajita G. Rajendra, president of A. O. Smith Water Products Company. “It represents a rare opportunity to combine Takagi’s well-known brand and world-class tankless technology with the strong brands, customer relationships, and extensive distribution of A. O. Smith.”
Through the joint venture, A. O. Smith will offer a full line of tankless gas water heaters under its own brands in association with the Takagi brand and will assume responsibility for the Takagi brand in the U.S. and Canada.
Acorn Engineering & Jay R. Smith announce affiliation and unification
City of Industry, Calif. & Montgomery, Ala. — Acorn Engineering Company and Smith Industries Inc announced a new business alliance and a jointly owned company. Effective June 15, 2010, Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co., a Division of Smith Industries will join the Acorn Engineering family of companies, and Acorn Engineering will be a 50 percent owner of Smith Industries. The name of the company will remain Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co., a Division of Smith Industries, Inc.
Jay R. Smith (Smith Industries) and Earl L. Morris (Elmco Sales Inc. and Acorn Engineering) were both modern-day pioneers in the industry and founders of their individual companies. They each developed strong companies and were partners and friends from 1954 (when Elmco became a Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co. representative) until they passed away. The instant relationship and personal bond transcends three generations and continues with the Smith and Morris families.
Jay L. Smith, Don Morris, and Don’s brother, Dennis Morris, second generation sons of Jay R. and Earl, have continued their business and personal relationships for more than 50 years. The next generation of Smith’s and Morris’ (Jay L. Smith’s daughters, Dr. Holly L. Roth and Debbie Smith, and Don Morris’ children, Kristin Kahle, Randall Morris and Barrett Morris) pledge to continue what their grandfathers started. The Smith and Morris families will be represented on the new Board of Directors.
The new alliance of Acorn Engineering and Smith Industries will be the foundation for an exceptionally strong company and will be competitively anchored in the industry. For the realigned Smith Industries, Don Morris will assume the role of chief executive officer (CEO) of Smith Industries, Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co. Division and the Canadian subsidiary. Jay L. will continue as president and chairman of the Board of Directors. The management teams of both Acorn Engineering and Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co. will remain the same.
California PHCC announces appointment, retirement
The Board of Directors of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors of California (CAPHCC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Peggy J. Hall as their interim Executive Vice President. Peggy is replacing Harry Moos who has retired, but has been retained as a consultant to PHCC.
The California PHCC recently elected their new officers and Directors at the PHCC West annual convention in Napa, California. In addition to President Tom LeDuc, they are: Vice President: John Roeber, Roeber’s, Inc., Castro Valley; Secretary/Treasurer: George Salet, George Salet Plumbing, Brisbane, and past-President Jerry Hotarek, San Francisco. Directors are: Guy Tankersley, Cal-Delta Plumbing, Sacramento; Chuck Barrett, KCs 231/2 Hour Plumbing Service, Orange; Jeff Eisen, J & J Plumbing Service, S. Pasadena; Roger Lighthart, The Lighthart Corporation, Los Angeles; and, Ed O’Connell, O’Connell Plumbing, Fairfax. The PHCC National Zone 4 Director is Steve Rivers, Rivers Plumbing, Heating & Air, Pleasanton.
New Products
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The HydroVantage™ flush valve www.zurn.com Designed to create energy during each flush cycle. As water passes through the valve, the turbine spins creating electrical energy which is then stored in a rechargeable cell. This stored energy then powers the electrical needs of the flush valve for subsequent flushes. It eliminates the need for external electrical power or battery replacement for 10+ years under normal operating conditions. The HydroVantage™ flush valve provides optimal energy efficiency, low maintenance and ease of installation compared to other available generator products. Environmental Trending™ along with 4.0 Sensor Technology™ continuously monitors ambient light levels and traffic patterns within the restroom eliminating false flushing while maximizing power savings. Zurn Engineered Water Solutions. |
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Electronic dry pipe accelerator |
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Purge & fill |