Industry News

Welcome to the inaugural edition of the Phc News E-newsletter. As a subscriber to the print edition of Phc News, you are automatically entitled to receive this monthly electronic newsletter, which we promise will contain the world of plumbing, hydronic, heating and cooling industry news and information that is pertinent to your business. We would like to take this opportuinity to thank this month's first sponsor -- Estimation, Inc., a leader in electrical estimation software and provider of innovative solutions for speciality contractors. To find out more about special e-newsletter advertising opportunities, please contact your Phc News sales rep by visiting www.phcnews.com.

Look for E-newsletters from Phc News' sister publications Plumbing Engineer and The Wholesaler soon! If you haven't visited any of our newly redesigned web sites, please visit them today by clicking on the links above. All of our web sites now feature postings of current articles, indexed archives of past articles, industry news, new products, industry links and daily news blogs.

Each of our web sites now feature RSS feeds. Nearly every morning, our editors from Phc News, Plumbing Engineer and The Wholesaler upload current news to each respective blog. The news is then instantly downloaded into an RSS Reader of your choice, keeping you informed of the latest developments as they happen!

Estimation on the move

Estimation, a leading provider of electrical estimating software, mechanical estimating software, plumbing estimating software, and HVAC estimating software for the specialty contractor industry, will team with Microsoft to bring technology directly to the doorsteps of small and midsize businesses.  Visitors can attend a Microsoft Across America event at the 2007 AHR EXPO located at the Dallas Convention Center from January 29th to 31st.  The Event in Dallas will feature free seminars and hands-on demonstration inside a technology-equipped truck.

Gem Plumbing & Heating joins the fight against breast cancer

Gem Plumbing & Heating has joined the battle against breast cancer. As the Founding Sponsor of the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation, Gem supports breast cancer education, awareness, and funding for critical breast health programs in their local community. Their donations, a combination of cash and in-kind, are made through the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 tax exempt organization which was established by the Gemma Family in memory of their mom who died from breast cancer.

Gem Plumbing & Heating sponsored the Foundation’s 1st Annual Flames of Hope…A WaterFire For Life event on October 7, 2006. Nearly 200 torch bearers lit the night with Flames of Hope while Rhode Island’s Governor Don Carcieri, along with Providence, RI’s Mayor David Ciccilline and Senator Lincoln Chafee lit the Rhode Island State House in pink just before the first torch was lit. The torch bearers formed the first living ribbon of hope on the steps of the Rhode Island State House and were mostly breast cancer survivors, sponsors and members of the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation. One woman, her last chemotherapy treatment just the day before, marched proudly as the torch team proceeded to the basin of WaterFire. “This is such an incredible honor,” she said as she leaned to light her torch…tears amid her face. “I have never seen anything so beautiful!”

Another woman, with her husband and children by her side was celebrating her 11th year as a survivor. “This is better than the day the doctors told me I was cancer free,” she said excitedly as she left the steps of the State House, proudly carrying her torch. And, then there was John who lost his 42-year-old wife to breast cancer just 8 months ago. He and his seven-year-old daughter Missy carried their torch in memory of her and spoke of her courageous fight. “We cannot be with her today, but we can certainly live in her legacy, just as the Gemma’s do,” he said as he walked down the steps of the State House, with Missy by his side. The torches reached the basin of WaterFire and the crowd stood and applauded with cheer as the bearers formed a circle around the fire braziers.

The evening was filled with stories of hope, determination and faith that someday a cure for breast cancer will be found. Thousands of breast cancer survivors took part in the festivities, which included the Shoppe For Hope booths featuring breast cancer merchandise, many events and raffles sponsored by local radio stations and many other companies throughout Rhode Island.

An estimated 60,000 people attended the 1st Annual Flames of Hope…A WaterFire For Life event and many said they would be back again next year. “So many people have called and emailed us to let us know how much they appreciated this event,” said Anthony Gemma, president of the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation. “The emails and calls began coming in to our office the very next morning. Everyone was so touched and incredibly thankful to us for making this event so spectacular!”

Lochinvar adds incentive to VIP contractor program

Lochinvar Corp. is hosting a weekly giveaway as part of its VIP Contractor Program.  With each registered purchase of a fully modulating and condensing KNIGHT Heating Boiler, participating contractors are entered to win a Hewlett Packard Pocket PC with the KNIGHT’s SMART SYSTEM software preloaded. One winner will be chosen each week through April 2007, further illustrating Lochinvar’s dedication to arming contractors with high-quality products and the latest technology.    

The SMART SYSTEM pocket PC software serves as a set up and diagnostic tool and provides ongoing trend analysis for any KNIGHT boiler.  

“This unique software allows mechanical contractors and building system managers to track KNIGHT boilers in the palm of their hands. Lochinvar is dedicated to designing and developing products that simplify set-up and service for contractors,” stated Stirling Boston, marketing manager for Lochinvar.

Lochinvar invites all premier contractors who install KNIGHT Heating Boilers to enroll in the VIP Contractor Program, and this giveaway represents one of many incentives offered. In addition to being listed in the online Contractor Locator, all VIP Contractors receive some of the industry’s finest sales support and incentives. Lochinvar supports their sales efforts with advertising, direct mail, brochures, and counter cards. The top VIP Contractors even have the opportunity to win the “Nashville Experience” a three-day trip to Nashville with accommodations for a NASCAR Busch Series race. 

New Products

Push-Fit ball valves Insta-Loc Push-Fit ball valves, the first single piece, full port ball valves connect to any combination of copper, CPVC or PEX. The patent-pending Insta-Loc system is the only press-fit product that offers all of these time and money saving advantages: more work in less time. Insta-Loc ball valves can be installed in about one-third the time it takes to install a sweat valve; elimination of costly materials. There is no need to purchase, stock and haul solder, flux and propane; and lower labor costs. Legend Valve.

Grease traps A complete lineup of heavy-duty polyethylene grease traps features: 10 through 100 GPM; installs in half the time; built-in flow control; built-in triple outlet; above or below grade; and larger grease storage. Schier.

High output residential gas water heaters Both the new M-I 60-gallon and M-4 60-gallon models offer a 40,000 BTU/Hr input with a 90-gallon first hour delivery.  These high volume conventional vent products provide more hot water and are available in both Natural and LP gas models. They also feature the Defender Safety System. The Defender Safety System featuring ScreenLok Technology is well known across the plumbing industry as a reliable and maintenance-free FVIR system. The patented flame-arrestor plate design produces a vector effect that prevents flames from traveling outside the combustion chamber. These high output water heaters offer the Hydrojet Total Performance System -- a cleaning system that helps reduce sediment build-up, increases the first hour delivery and minimizes thermal stratification. Bradford White Corp.

Water fill valve Unlike ordinary fill valves, the Hydro Clean saves water, detects leaks, cleans the tank and is easy for customers to use. The HydroClean fill valve saves water in three distinct ways. The first is the patented Mini-Valve that allows consumers to calibrate the proper water flow without compromising flush efficiency. Second, the HydroClean’s patented TurbuJet technology releases powerful jets of water with each flush that remove rust and sediment from the toilet tank and prevent the buildup of slime on the flapper. The third water-saving feature of the HydroClean is its ability to detect leaks and to notify homeowners with an audible signal if a leak is detected. MJSI.

Movers & Shakers

Mifab selects regional sales manager Mifab appointed Thomas Babcock to Midwestern regional sales manager. Babcock will be working from Mifab’s new corporate head office in Chicago, and will manage Mifab’s 10 midwestern manufacturer’s representatives from there. Mifab is a manufacturer of specification drainage products, access doors, grease and oil interceptors, trench drains, wall hydrants, trap seal primers and water hammer arrestors.

Chicago Faucets names director of marketing Chicago Faucets named John F. Fitzgerald as director of marketing. Fitzgerald will be responsible for all marketing areas, including product management, pricing, strategy, communications and branding. In addition, Fitzgerald will work closely with sales in the continuing development of customer-focused initiatives.