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Richard DiToma Plumbing Business |
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Dan Foley From the Field |
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Bob "Hot Rod" Rohr Green Systems |
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Ellen Rohr Business Expert |
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Bristol Stickney Solar Solutions |
If you wanted to find hardcore radiant people and enthusiastic “newbies,” the REX show -- hosted by the Radiant Panel Association (RPA) -- was the place. Some of the best radiant heating and cooling installers, most proficient designers and top suppliers from all over North America congregate at this annual event. REX was held this year in Hartford, Conn., August 22-24. The numbers may not be high, but the energy level certainly was.
With featured speakers like NBA All-Star player, Walter Davis, and business/marketing guru, Matt Michel, teamed with industry favorite, John Siegenthaler, and a host experts, the seminar sessions where the best ever. Well-attended seminars covered things like geothermal heat pumps, thermal solar, low powered pumping, green heat transfer and the leed program. There were also seminars for the serious businessman and marketer.
Matt Michel, CEO and president of Service Nation and Service Round- Table, stood in for Mark Matteson who found himself on injured reserve. Matt dove through over 250 great ideas in just over an hour for improving a business. It was fast-paced and hard-hitting. Everyone, from installers to manufacturers, came away bristling with new ways to grow their businesses.
Walter Davis and his NBA teammate, Eddy Hughes, told a moving story of rising from the son of a sharecropper in South Carolina to the Olympics and basketball stardom. A personable and approachable person, Davis illustrated how, in America, a person with talent, drive and persistence can rise to the top. He also emphasized how important it is to treat your teammates well because it can’t be done without them. Hughes told how he was a prime example. As Davis’ point man, it was up to Hughes to feed him the ball so he could become an all-time high scorer. Both men advised everyone in any business to treat their point men, whoever they are, well. It takes a team to win the day.
A highlight of the General Session with Walter Davis was the recognition of the RPA’s Radiant All-Stars. This group has been named by their peers as individuals who have contributed in some outstanding way to the industry. Eight of these All-Star nominees will be chosen by a committee for induction into the Radiant Hall of Fame at the 2008 RPA Annual Conference.
The REX tradeshow was terrific and the exhibits where impressive in both their appearance and their products. The well-established manufacturers proudly displayed their latest equipment from boilers to controls, tubing and manifolds. Electric radiant manufacturers and suppliers impressed the group on the phenomenal growth that is occurring in their portion of the radiant market. There were numerous exhibitors new to REX displaying solar, geothermal, exotic materials, and green technologies. New tools and support materials were in every aisle. Although the traffic was light, those that attended were serious shoppers. Many exhibitors said that they had the chance to spend quality time with qualified customers; often not the case in larger shows.
Several evening events were a great success and a good time was had by all. The opening reception co-sponsored by Grundfos and the RPA, was a wonderful time of renewing old acquaintances and making new ones. It was a great kick off to the three days and the food was terrific. John Barba made everyone wonder about his sanity when he launched into a rendition of a Looney Tunes guess-who challenge at Wednesday night’s System Show Case Awards Dinner, sponsored by Federated Insurance. As usual, he kept everyone laughing while doing an excellent job of explaining both the challenges and rewards of his task as a judge for this year’s competition.
RPA Board member and past president, Ted Lowe, guided the program through the award presentations. Award winners in each category accepted their trophies and plaques and gave heartfelt thanks to their staff, the industry and the RPA. There were a number of moving acceptance speeches, particularly from Greg Jannone of William Jannone and Sons, as he introduced his retired father who had started the business. William Jannone and Sons has won several System Showcase awards in past years, but this was the first time his father was able to attend the ceremony.
Paul Rohrs accepted the Judge’s Choice award on behalf of Biggerstaff Radiant Solutions of Lincoln, Nebraska. The Judge’s Choice award is given to the project with the highest number of overall points given by the judges.
Throughout the three-day event NBA memorabilia was given away by drawings. There were a number of basketballs autographed by both Walter Davis and Eddie Hughes as well as some balls signed by the entire Denver Nuggets team. The most prized item awarded was a single ball bearing the autograph of Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks, named 2006-2007 nba Most Valuable Player.
RPA is already planning the next REX, which will take place August 13-15, 2008 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center just outside Chicago. For more information on REX and other RPA events, visit www.RPAconference.com
Danfoss acquires Chatleff Controls Inc.
Danfoss has signed an agreement to acquire Chatleff Controls Inc. The agreement is expected to be finalized Oct. 1, 2007.
Chatleff Controls is based in Austin, Texas, and markets connectors and distributors for the U.S. residential air-conditioning market. The company has 250 employees and had net sales of approximately $42 million in 2006.
"With Chatleff Controls joining Danfoss, we will become a solutions provider in this area in addition to being a component manufacturer. This is a natural result of a market movement in the direction of supplying thermostatic expansion valves (txvs) assembled together with connectors and distributors,” said Kim Fausing, president, Danfoss Refrigeration & Air-Conditioning division.
He adds that the move also puts Danfoss among the most complete and comprehensive suppliers of compressors and controls for the U.S. residential air-conditioning market.
The CEO and owner of Chatleff Controls, Raymond G. Henderson, also welcomes the prospect of joining the Danfoss Group.
“Danfoss and Chatleff Controls are both family-owned companies with strong and dedicated values that match each other well,” he says. Together with his wife, Carolyn, and their son, Randy, Raymond Henderson has built Chatleff Controls to its present successful position.
With the acquisition of Chatleff Controls, Danfoss will strengthen its long-term position in the U.S. residential air-conditioning market, and further enhance business relationships with its customers. Chatleff Controls will become part of the System & Assemblies business unit within the Danfoss Refrigeration & Air-Conditioning division.
Sioux Chief hosts emerging plumbers
The SkillsUSA national conference was held again this past June in Kansas City, Missouri. This was the largest national conference in their history. SkillsUSA is a national organization serving teachers and students from high school and college, who are preparing for careers in technical, skilled and service occupations, including plumbing occupations. Some may remember this national organization as the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America (VICA).
At the annual national-level SkillsUSA Championships, over 5,000 students compete in 87 occupational and leadership skill areas. They currently have 15,166 teachers and school administrators serving as professional SkillsUSA members and instructors.
For the past 10 years, Sioux Chief Mfg. has hosted the plumbing students and teachers to their plant in Peculiar, Missouri, just south of Kansas City. This year was one of the largest turnouts with just under 100 students and teachers. During their visit, they were able to experience firsthand the manufacturing capabilities and capacities that produce many of the products they install. After the tour, the teachers and students were treated to some of the finest BBQ in the area. Sioux Chief would like to congratulate all of the students who made it to the finals in Kansas City.
State Water Heaters targets Hispanic markets
State Water Heaters announced plans to launch an integrated marketing effort aimed at Spanish-speaking contractors in key U.S. markets. Campaign initiatives include new Hispanic-themed print advertisements, Web enhancements, and a television sponsorship, all designed to raise State brand awareness among Hispanic communities.
“There are a growing number of plumbing and HVAC contractors in the United States who are Spanish speaking,” said Jeff Storie, State Water Heaters brand manager. “We are increasing our Hispanic marketing in order to partner with these professionals and to have a larger presence in the Southwestern United States.”
A dedicated section on State’s Web site, www.statewaterheaters.com, provides an opportunity to view the new Spanish print advertisement and a link to the website of “De Casa a Hogar,” a new home improvement show on Spanish language television.
The new print advertisements will help engage Hispanic viewers by featuring Spanish messaging, and are expected to grow advertising recall and State brand visibility among this rapidly growing audience. The ads will also appear in English versions to attract English dominant Hispanics.
State’s broadcast efforts include a Latino home show sponsorship with “De Casa a Hogar,” scheduled to air on a major Latino network in early fall. The show will provide viewers with home improvement segments, technology tips and a peak into Hispanic celebrity homes. State’s sponsorship includes opportunity for product demonstration in addition to website, print, and broadcast sponsor recognition.
“The show will have tremendous impact among Latino communities, as there is currently no programming specifically speaking to Latinos about home improvement brands and services,” said the show’s executive producer Juan Escano. “By nature, many Latinos have these building and construction skills, and want to expand their knowledge base. The show offers “how-to” advice, empowering Latinos to improve their homes, their neighborhoods and their communities.”
TLC Plumbing & Utility celebrates 20 years
Twenty years ago TLC was a one man operation, operating out of a mobile home with one service truck and a few tools. TLC now consists of 347 employees and operates out of a state-of-the art facility located in the north valley.
TLC Plumbing and Utility is celebrating their 20th Anniversary this year. Thanks to five core values that define the company: honesty, hard work, respect, compassion, and consistency, TLC has become one of Albuquerque’s most successful companies.
Founder and president, Dale Armstrong, has grown TLC into the unprecedented “out of the box” company that exists today and has become the leading full service plumbing, heating, cooling and drain cleaning contractor in the area. TLC also provides construction services consisting of site development, underground utilities, paving and concrete to the city and local contractors.
The success of the company has been a result of a commitment to make Albuquerque a great place to live and work. While striving to provide a great place to work, TLC is also committed to supporting the community through donating time and money to causes such as: education and scholarships, youth and collegiate sports, our troops, 4-H and others. As TLC focuses on their future, they will not only continue their business ambitions, but also their vision to impact Albuquerque with their commitment to values and character.
“TLC is a different kind of company than most, and our intent is to stay different in a good way. TLC was founded and built with honesty and hard work as the foundation to earn our customers’ support through consistency and compassion. And we continue, day after day, to do the right things for the right reasons,” said owner Dale Armstrong.
The owners of TLC would like to thank their customers, their dedicated employees and the community for helping make TLC a success throughout the years. TLC serves Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Rio Rancho, Los Lunas and the surrounding areas.
Because of its unique mission, purpose and values, TLC can be expected to be around for a long time, providing quality service and a great place for employees and families to be proud of for many years to come.
