Industry News
We would like to take this opportunity to give a special thanks to this month's sponsor -- Grundfos. Grundfos Pumps Corporation is a global pumps and pumping systems leader serving the residential, commercial-building and process-industry markets, as well as being a major supplier to the water-supply and water-treatment industries. Grundfos is known for advanced products, technology and brands including Alldos, Hilge, PACO Pumps, Peerless Pumps, and Yeomans Chicago Corporation.
Grundfos strives to improve reliability and energy savings, and to exceed customer needs. Grundfos is focused on innovative, sustainable solutions while maintaining the highest ethical standards.
Visit www.grundfos.us for more information.
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Grundfos Pumps Unveils New Generation of Circulators,
With Power-Consumption Savings of up to 80%
Making its North American debut, ALPHA™ from Grundfos Pumps is an energy-optimized, 115-volt circulator featuring a permanent magnet motor design that will cut power consumption by a minimum of 50%, as compared with other circulators in its class. Designed for hydronic heating applications in residential and light-commercial applications, the compact ALPHA is equipped with the unique Grundfos AUTOADAPT™ function that automatically modulates circulator performance to match ever-changing system demand.
Win A Stanley M20+ Pressing Tool — A $1,200 Value!
Don’t’ miss this last chance to win a Stanley Pressing Tool. Phc News and Stanley Tools have teamed up to offer you a chance to win! This is a free entry. All you have to do is go to www.phcnews.com and click on the “Press Your Luck” banner just below the Industry News and follow the easy instructions. Enter your chance to win today!
Are you overwhelmed…and struggling for cash?
Introducing the Step by Step Teleseminar Program
Times have been tough…especially for contractors. However, even in the best of times, most contractors are overwhelmed by the business side of their business. Even when they go to the classes and join the groups, the “fix” is often another binder that collects dust on the shelf. That’s why Biz Experts Al Levi and Ellen Rohr are kicking off a new concept Teleseminar Series: Step by Step Success Program, starting November 16th, 2009.
The Step by Step Success program solves the “Contractor Overwhelm” issue by offering one simple, powerful business building Step at a time. Through interactive Teleseminars and one-to-one coaching in Office Hours, Al and El will help contractors implement ONE action each month that will help them make more money and start living a better life.
Learn more at www.StepByStepBusinessBuilding.com
Kohler repeats as WaterSense Partner of the Year
Kohler, Wis. — Kohler Co. was chosen by the Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program as the Manufacturing Partner of the Year for the second time in as many years as the award has been in existence.
“Kohler is honored to be recognized by the EPA for the company’s efforts promoting the WaterSense program. And, we are extremely proud to be the first and only two-time recipient of this significant award for water efficiency,” said David Kohler, president and COO for Kohler Co. “Kohler has a large stake in the availability of clean, safe water. Because water is integral to the very function of our products, and to the experience of those who use our products, our company has an implicit responsibility to raise the public awareness about how to use water more efficiently.”
EPA launched the WaterSense Awards program in 2008, honoring work performed during 2007. Kohler received the inaugural award in 2008. The Partner of the Year awards recognize WaterSense partners who help advance the overall mission of WaterSense; increase awareness of the WaterSense program in a measurable way; and demonstrate overall excellence in the water-efficiency arena.
Hubbard Enterprises/HOLDRITE acquires Presealed Systems’ Hydro Flame line
Vista, Calif. — Hubbard Enterprises continues a long tradition of valuing, driving and recognizing innovation through its recent acquisition of the entire Presealed Systems Hydro Flame product line. The patented Hydro Flame is a premier cast-in-place water, smoke and fire stop system.
Costly damage from smoke, fire and water penetration has made stopping solutions an obvious necessity for the building and plumbing industry. And yet, many wholesalers have found it difficult to reap large-scale revenues in meeting a basic industry need. All too often, according to Hubbard Enterprises, makeshift fire-water-smoke stopping methods have resulted in stocking concerns for wholesalers and installation issues for contractors. The Hydro Flame stopping system is a truly integrated fire-water-smoke stop system that is currently available for distribution. The introduction of the entire HOLDRITE Hydro Flame product line represents a unique opportunity to develop new revenue streams for wholesale plumbing distributors.
MSCA STARs and GreenStars honored at MSCA Annual Educational Conference
Bonita Springs, Fla. — The Mechanical Service Contractors of America (MSCA) honored 20 new MSCA STARS and 17 new GreenStars at the 24th Annual Educational Conference.
To become a GreenStar, an MSCA STAR contractor must meet the following criteria:
- Employ at least one LEED Accredited Professional
- Be a member of the U.S.G.B.C. – either with a local chapter or the national organization
- Verify that at least 25 percent of their total employees have participated in a green training or education program
- Demonstrate that they promote environmental responsibility by offering specific sustainable services and recommending green procedures and equipment
- Establish an internal commitment to green by attaining LEED certification, of any type, for their building, or by developing an internal “green policy”
- Have participated as part of a project team with a LEED EB or LEED NC registered project within the past three years
MSCA STAR and GreenStar applications are reviewed and approved by a third-party independent company.
The new MSCA STARs include:
- Advance Air and Heat Co., Inc. E. Freetown, MA
- Advantage Mechanical-Refrigeration Inc., Comstock Park, MI
- Airco Commercial Services, Inc., Benicia, CA
- Airco Commercial Services, Inc., Sacramento, CA
- Air Temp Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc., Binghamton, NY
- A. O. Reed & Co., San Diego, CA
- Arrowhead/Jamar Services, Duluth,MN
- Day & Nite Air Conditioning Service Corp., New Hyde Park, NY
- Densel Company, Gaithersburg, MD
- Franklin Holwerda Company, Wyoming, MI
- Johnson Controls, Grand Rapids, MI
- Lane Associates, Inc., Island Park, NY
- McKenney’s Mechanical, Chattanooga, TN
- Myers Plumbing & Heating, Inc., Lansing, MI
- R. M. Thornton, Inc., Capitol Heights, MD
- Scarborough Mechanical Service, Louisville, KY
- The Brewer-Garrett Company, Middleburg Heights, OH
- Thomas G. Gallagher, Inc., Cambridge, MA
- Tozour-Trane, King of Prussia, PA
- W. S. Mechanical, Inc., Ft. Wayne, IN
The New GreenStars include:
- Adrian Mechanical Service Company, Adrian, MI
- Airco Commercial Services, Inc., Sacramento, CA
- Allison Mechanical, Inc., Redland, CA
- A. O. Reed & Co., San Diego, CA
- Arista Air Conditioning, Long Island City, NY
- Binsky & Snyder, Piscataway, NJ
- Boland, Gaithersburg, MD
- Control Services, Omaha, NE
- Emcor Service/MESA Energy, Irvine, CA
- Illingworth-Kilgust Mechanical, Inc., Milwaukee, WI
- McKenney’s Mechanical Contractors & Engineers, Atlanta, GA
- The Brewer-Garrett Co., Middleburg Heights, OH
- The Enterprise Corporation, Twinsburg, OH
- Thomas G. Gallagher, Inc., Cambridge, MA
- Tozour-Trane, King of Prussia, PA
- William F. Lynch Co., Inc., Worchester, MA
- W.J. O’Neil Company, Livonia, MI
New Products
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Intelligent control valve The Icon System™ is a next-generation gas control valve, which will be standard equipment on most of the manufacturer’s residential and light duty commercial products* with no additional cost. Developed in collaboration with Honeywell®, the new valve features advanced temperature control, exclusive performance software, intelligent diagnostics, pilot-on-indication, millivolt powered operation, separate immersed thermowell, and an integrated Piezo igniter. Also available are universal replacement kits to retrofit the icon System™ control valve or a previous generation gas control valve on most of the manufacturer’s existing models. Bradford White. |
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Bracketing system Strong Arm® bracketing system with pex Bend Lock Block™ provides superior installation when stubbing out with pex tubing. Simple to learn and install for fast installation at the lowest cost, yet provides great strength. Solves problems with stubbing out PEX. American-made. Installers can now stub out easily, securely and with confidence. Sioux Chief. |
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No-hub couplings Star no-hub couplings are independently certified to ASTM standards for standard and wide body heavy duty applications. Engineered for top performance and easy installation, the Standard 60, Heavy 80, and Super Heavy 80 couplings feature all stainless steel construction and premium neoprene gaskets. The manufacturer offers a 5-year warranty for star cast iron soil pipes, fittings and no-hub couplings. Star Pipe Products. |