Plumbing & Mechanical articles from April 2006

Plumbing & Mechanical archives from April 2006

Feels good to volunteer.(Letters TO THE EDITOR)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2006... Just read [Dan Holohan's] article about volunteering ("A Great Balance," February 2006). There are many times his articles bring tears to my eyes. This one really did big time; it was so beautiful. I hope it encourages others to share a little...

Women: what a concept.(Letters TO THE EDITOR)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2006... I've been telling my wife for years that women service techs would be a great idea. I know a woman electrician who does a great job and sells like crazy, mostly because the homes she goes to during the day have women at home, and they're more...

QSC meeting stresses succession, retirement planning.(Around THE INDUSTRY)
April 1, 2006... Transforming a business from "good to great," working with family members in a business, recruiting and hiring people, succession planning, selling a business, retirement planning, personal finances--all were topics discussed at the Quality...

Nexstar to award scholarships.(Around THE INDUSTRY)
April 1, 2006... Nexstar is in the early stages of establishing an industry scholarship program, just one part of its new charitable organization designed to help members and nonmembers alike. The first scholarships are expected to be handed out in spring...

Send PM your 'Best-Looking Truck'.(Around THE INDUSTRY)
April 1, 2006... Plumbing & Mechanical wants to show off your wheels in our 2006 Best-Looking Truck Contest. In the past, there's been fame but no fortune for our contest winners. This year, however, contest sponsor General Pipe Cleaners will award each of...

New Habitat for Humanity project will build home in every state.(Around THE INDUSTRY)
April 1, 2006... Habitat for Humanity's Women Build program has a new project--"First Families Building Homes Across America." The two-year initiative will enlist governors' spouses to construct at least one home in their respective states for a low-income...

EPA helps schools reduce lead in drinking water.(Around THE INDUSTRY)
April 1, 2006... The Environmental Protection Agency released a special tool kit to encourage school officials and child care facilities to reduce lead in their drinking water. The "3Ts for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water at Schools and Child Care Facilities...

Hiring, training skilled workers top priority of UA.(United Association of Plumbers and Steamfitters)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Finding and training skilled workers to help address the industry's labor shortage is a top priority for the United Association, UA General President Bill Hite told members of the Union-Affiliated Contractors at its recent Unity Meeting in...

F.W. Webb Co.(Around THE INDUSTRY)
April 1, 2006... F.W. Webb Co. (Bedford, Mass.) announced a comprehensive, multiyear marketing partnership with the Boston Red Sox that recognizes the wholesaler as the team's official distributor of plumbing, heating, HVAC and pipe-valve-fittings supplies. The...

High school technical education programs still segregated.(Around THE INDUSTRY)
April 1, 2006... High school career and technical education programs haven't progressed much since the days when girls were required to take home economics and boys were required to enroll in shop class, according to a report by the National Women's Law Center....

Small businesses looking outside for employee training.(Around THE INDUSTRY)
April 1, 2006... American small businesses have a long-standing reputation as being great places to learn on-the-job skills, but in recent years, these firms have also begun to seek outside help to train employees, according to a poll by the National Federation...

EPA issues new perchlorate guidance.(Briefs)
April 1, 2006... The Environmental Protection Agency recently recommended a preliminary clean-up goal for perchlorate, used in rocket fuel and military explosives, of 24.5 parts per billion in water. Perchlorate has been detected in groundwater or drinking...

Katrina recovery voted top construction story in 2005.(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... The challenges of rebuilding lives and infrastructure in the Gulf Coast region that were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina was voted the top construction story of 2005 in the annual survey conducted by the Construction Writers Association....

Building materials products listed in guide.(Briefs)
April 1, 2006... Up-to-date, detailed engineering data and technical information on the application and use of more than 45,000 FM-approved fire protection products, building materials, electrical equipment and services can be found in the 2006 Approval Guide...

Mac Felder celebrates 70 years in business.(Briefs)
April 1, 2006... Plumbing contractor Mac Felder Inc., New York City, is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. Amy Breslaw is president of the company, which is the only union-affiliated licensed Women Business Enterprise National Council plumbing company...

New Canadian organization promotes construction trades.(Briefs)
April 1, 2006... The Mechanical Contractors of Ontario and the Ontario Pipe Trades Council announced a new organization to create industry and public awareness about the construction trades. The Organized Plumbing and Mechanical Professionals of Ontario has...

Plumbing companies make Franchise 500 list.(Briefs)
April 1, 2006... Several plumbing companies were named to Entrepreneur magazine's 2006 "Franchise 500" listing: Mr. Rooter (No. 413); Benjamin Franklin Plumbing (No. 454); American Leak Detection (No. 192); and Rooter-Man (No. 109). The magazine bases its...

Turner awards contracts to minority-owned businesses.(contracts between Turner Construction Co and minority- and women-owned businesses)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... In 2005, Turner Construction Co. awarded more than $1 billion worth of construction contracts to minority- and women-owned businesses. By establishing joint venture and association partnerships, using supplier and prime contractors, Turner...

'Building Green' goes mainstream.(Briefs)
April 1, 2006... A new television series on PBS focuses on home improvement with a nod to healthier, more energy-efficient structures. "Building Green" will appear this summer and will follow the building of a state-of-the-art straw bale home in Santa Barbara,...

Oilheat council Industry Guidebook now online.(National Oilheat Research Alliance)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... The Massachusetts Oilheat Industry Guidebook, created with funding from the National Oilheat Research Alliance, is now available in downloadable PDF format for access to information pertinent to all heating oil dealers in Massachusetts. The...

PHCC's Casey elected to Small Business Legislative Council.(Briefs)
April 1, 2006... PHCC-National Association Executive Director Ike Casey was elected to a three-year term on the Small Business Legislative Council (SBLC) board of directors. The SBLC is an independent coalition of more than 60 trade and professional...

MCA of metro Washington names new president.(Briefs)
April 1, 2006... The Mechanical Contractors Association of Metropolitan Washington named Mark Cronin, president and owner of Paramount Mechanical Corp. (Manassas, Va.), as its 2006 president. Other officers elected were Matt Hahr of John J. Kirlin (Rockville,...

Poole & Kent's Wagner named IAPMO Standards chair.(J. Richard Wagner; International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... The IAPMO Standards Council named J. Richard Wagner of Baltimore's Poole & Kent Corp. as chairman of the IAPMO Standards Council. Also named to the council were: Jim Crawford, fire marshal for the city of Vancouver, Wash.; Phil Ribbs, former...

RSES appoints new executive vice president.(Briefs)
April 1, 2006... The Refrigeration Service Engineers Society's board approved Mark Lowry as the new RSES executive vice president. He has been the director of operations for RSES since 1999. Lowry succeeds Robb Isaacs, who retired Feb. 18.

New plumbing textbook now available.(Briefs)
April 1, 2006... American Technical Publishers' third edition of "Plumbing--Design and Installation" is now available. It includes the history of plumbing, plumbing codes, organizations and associations involved in the plumbing trade, and plumbing system design...

Increased 2005 revenue for Service Experts.(Briefs)
April 1, 2006... Lennox International's Service Experts segment reported 2005 revenues of $641.4 million, up from $611.7 million in 2004. Operating profit was $17 million, up from a $2.2 million loss in 2004. The company cites more effective marketing, a leaner...

ServiceMagic names Best-in-Business Award winner.(Briefs)
April 1, 2006... ServiceMagic, an Internet marketing solution for residential contractors and home service professionals, named Pipeline Rooter Plumbing of California its February 2006 Best-in-Business Award winner. The award recognizes one of ServiceMagic's...

EMCOR awarded $200 million in private sector projects.(hotel contracts)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... EMCOR Group was recently awarded various projects in the commercial market sector worth about $200 million. The projects include: mechanical and plumbing systems at Trump International Hotel & Tower in Las Vegas; electrical and low-voltage...

Dwyer-Owens named secretary of Franchise group.(Briefs)
April 1, 2006... Dina Dwyer-Owens, president and CEO of The Dwyer Group, was named secretary of the International Franchise Association. The Dwyer Group is the parent company of Mr. Rooter.

Danfoss sells ZCP business.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)
April 1, 2006... Danfoss Inc. sold its Zone Control Panels (ZCPs) business to a private investment group represented by Robert Bean. ZCPs are manufactured in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The new company, ZCP Manufacturing Inc., will be led by Dale Heath, director...

Selkirk sold to Tomkins.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Selkirk Americas has been purchased by Tomkins PLC, a global engineering and manufacturing group. Selkirk will operate as a separate company within Tomkins' Building Products Division and retain its current structure, according to a letter from...

Ward Mfg. buys Wisconsin Nipple & Fitting.(Ward Mfg acquired Nipple and Fitting Corp)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Ward Mfg. recently acquired the assets of Wisconsin Nipple and Fitting Corp. of Milwaukee. Wisconsin is primarily a manufacturer of carbon-welded and seamless pipe nipples for the industrial PVF market, along with stainless-steel and brass...

Villeroy & Boch acquires Mexican sanitaryware business.(Thomas and Vitromex)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Germany's Villeroy & Boch acquired the sanitaryware business from Mexico's Grupo Industrial Saltillo, including three factories that produce St. Thomas Creations and Vitromex. This is Villeroy & Boch's first acquisition of a North American...

Terry Allen Bihun, A.O. Smith Water Products Co.(OBITUARY)
April 1, 2006... On Feb. 7, A.O. Smith Water Products Co. announced the death of Terry Allen Bihun, vice president of business development and national accounts. He died Nov. 1, 2005, at age 64. Bihun joined State Industries in 1977 and held many high-level...

Oatey introduces Solvent Cement Program.(plastic pipe solvent cements)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Oatey Co. is introducing a Solvent Cement Program to support and guide plumbers in their usage of plastic pipe solvent cements. The campaign began in March and includes advertising, contractor education and product selection materials, supply...

Lochinvar's Hydronic Heating Tour travels the east coast.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)
April 1, 2006... Lochnivar Corp.'s Hydronic Heating Tour will travel the Northeast in April and early May featuring the Solution and Knight boilers. Visitors will receive a hands-on demonstration of the company's hot water solutions in the Demonstration Van,...

Burnham launches 'Get Geared Up' promotion.(Contractors can earn gift cards to the Burnham Collection)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Burnham Hydronics kicks off its new promotion, "Get Geared Up," this spring. Contractors can earn gift cards to the Burnham Collection, which includes apparel, golf items, coolers, tools, work stools, etc. For each residential Burnham...

Moen begins Certified Plumber program.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)
April 1, 2006... Moen recently introduced its Moen Certified Service Plumber program, a training and certification program that allows service plumbers to hone their installation techniques while also providing service tools to make their jobs easier and...

Hacker to train licensed applicators.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)
April 1, 2006... Gypsum supplier Hacker Industries Inc. recently announced a new series of comprehensive training seminars for licensed applicators that began in March. The two-day training seminars will focus on the company's self-leveling underlayment product...

Bradford White.(On The Move)
April 1, 2006... Bradford White announced the retirement of Anthony Maglione, who had been with the company since 1966, finishing his career as director of international sales. That position will be filled by James Resnick, who has been with Bradford White...

Lennox International.(On The Move)
April 1, 2006... John W. Norris Jr., chairman of Lennox International, will retire on July 21. Director David V. Brown will retire on April 20, and Walden (Wally) O'Dell resigned from his director position. The company's board governance committee recommended...

A.O. Smith Corp.(On The Move)
April 1, 2006... Paul W. Jones was elected chairman, president and chief executive officer of A.O. Smith Corp. Previously he was elected president and chief operating officer in January 2004. Prior to joining A.O. Smith, he was chairman and CEO of U.S. Can Co....

Chicago Faucet Co.(On The Move)
April 1, 2006... The Chicago Faucet Co. announced that William Christensen will be its president and CEO. He joined The Geberit Group in November 2004 and was most recently head of strategic marketing in Jona, Switzerland. Prior to that he was an associate in...

Danfoss Refrigeration & Air Conditioning.(On The Move)
April 1, 2006... John Galyen was named president of Danfoss Refrigeration & Air Conditioning in North America. He had been serving with Danfoss as vice president of commercial refrigeration OEM sales and marketing since 2003. Also, Danfoss appointed Jamie...

Wolseley.(Frank Roach of Wolseley North America)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Wolseley, parent company of Ferguson Enterprises, named Frank Roach as CEO of Wolseley North America. He succeeds Chip Hornsby, who will succeed Charlie Banks as CEO of Wolseley, effective Aug. 1. Starting at Ferguson in 1976, Roach was most...

Jacuzzi Bath Division.(appointments)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Phil Weeks was named president of the Jacuzzi Bath Division. Chris Capone was promoted to senior vice president of sales for the division from vice president of sales. Other changes to the sales territories for the division are: Eugene "Buddy"...

Hansgrohe-Germany.(On The Move)
April 1, 2006... Hansgrohe-Germany elected Richard Grohe, the grandson of the company founder, to the board of directors. Also, Russ Wheeler was named president of Hansgrohe-North America. He formerly was vice president of sales for Your Other Warehouse, one of...

Amtrol.(On The Move)
April 1, 2006... Larry Guillemette was named chairman, president and CEO of Amtrol, and Joseph DePaula as executive vice president, treasurer, secretary and CFO. The appointments were made after Albert Indelicato resigned as chairman, president and CEO, citing...

Symmons Industries.(On The Move)
April 1, 2006... Symmons Industries named Dominic Solis as vice president of sales and marketing. Previously, he was the company's director of marketing.

In-Sink-Erator.(On The Move)
April 1, 2006... Rob Grim was promoted to In-Sink-Erator's vice president of wholesale sales from vice president of retail sales, and Robert Tsuchiyama is returning to the company from parent company Emerson as In-Sink-Erator's vice president of retail sales....

Lenox.(On The Move)
April 1, 2006... Power tool manufacturer Lenox named Craig Vogel its vice president of sales for the industrial market; Jim Welch as vice president of sales for the commercial selling organization (plumbing HVACR and electrical); Rich Mathews as vice president...

Black & Decker.(On The Move)
April 1, 2006... Black & Decker named Penny Mauro as general manager of BDHHI Canada, and Joe Woodhouse as vice president of sales, security hardware, Canada. Mauro joined BDHHI International Group in 2004 as vice president of marketing; Woodhouse was vice...

AERCO International.(On The Move)
April 1, 2006... AERCO International announced senior-level promotions throughout the organization: Neil Pilaar was named director of global sales; Mark Croce was named director of marketing; Jerry Fioriti was named director of technology; Mohamed Mehdi Doura...

Sloan Valve Co.(On The Move)
April 1, 2006... John Aykroyd was named national sales manager for Sloan Valve Co. Previously he was national sales manager for Halsey Taylor.

Perfection Corp.(On The Move)
April 1, 2006... Perfection Corp. appointed Olivier Braquet to head its export sales expansion efforts. Braquet is the former director of Ohio's Cleveland State University International Business Center.

Waterless Co.(On The Move)
April 1, 2006... Waterless Co. appointed Vincent Newton as eastern regional sales manager. He has more than 20 years experience in the commercial plumbing industry. Newton's responsibilities will be to solidify the company's sales force and to develop new sales...

DECOLAV.(On The Move)
April 1, 2006... DECOLAV appointed Karin Klein to strategic account manager--The Home Depot. She previously worked for Home Depot in the plumbing, HVAC and storage and organization categories.

Keeney Mfg.(On The Move)
April 1, 2006... Alan Monat is senior project manager at Keeney Mfg. He comes to Keeney from Home Depot, where he worked in the plumbing and electrical areas.

Apriso Corp.(On The Move)
April 1, 2006... Software provider Apriso Corp. made the following executive changes: Mark Gonia was hired as vice president of field operations, Americas; Yves Vergnolle was promoted to vice president and managing director of EMEA operations; and Chris Chung...

HeatLink USA LLC.(On The Move)
April 1, 2006... Brett Guarrero has been named engineering manager of HeatLink USA LLC. The company also welcomes Domenico DiGregorio as western U.S. regional manager. DiGregorio previously worked for RTI PEX Piping Systems.

New Yorker Boiler.(On The Move)
April 1, 2006... Ann Swartzbaugh was recently promoted to regional sales manager for New Yorker Boiler. Her new responsibilities are focused on supporting the hydronics market in the central and western U.S. territories and Canada.

Pro Circle.(On The Move)
April 1, 2006... Pro Circle member D.R. Gatto of Liberty Plumbing in Dallas was the grand prize winner of In-Sink-Erator's Pro Circle Pro Bowl Sweepstakes. He won a trip for two the Feb. 12 NFL Pro Bowl in Honolulu. Pictured are Gatto and his wife, Jamie, at...

Mining: similarities exist between certain contractors and Gold Rush miners.(Business TIPS)
April 1, 2006... Last summer I was privileged to enjoy 12 days in the Cimarron Mountains of New Mexico with my 16-year-old son and a group of city-slicker Boy Scouts. We trekked more than 65 miles across the Philmont Scout Ranch, toting all our necessities on...

Truck inventory.(HEATINGHELP.COM)
April 1, 2006... Original inquiry: We have just gone over our truck inventory for our fleet for the end of the year. Our senior service tech has about $6,000 of inventory on his truck. This truck does heating and cooling service work as well as night calls. We...

A burning question: are high-performance condensing boilers compatible with mixing devices?(Hydronics WORKSHOP)
April 1, 2006... When I last counted there were at least eight companies currently offering modulating/condensing boilers for residential/light commercial applications in the U.S. market. More offerings are waiting in the wings. In the last five years, this...

Aging gracefully: 'fiftysomethings' represent a large market that wants to 'age in place,' the ability to live in their homes as long as possible, regardless of age or physical challenges.(Cover story)
April 1, 2006... I bet you wouldn't think of Christy Brinkley as some old fuddy-duddy who needs a grab bar to safely get in and out of the shower every morning. And if she did, you wouldn't expect her to grab for anything remotely unfashionable. ...

CSST: the CSST market is finally seeing the light at the end of the flexible gas tubing.(PM INSTALLATION SURVEY)
April 1, 2006... Early this year, PM sent out a survey to 1,500 Plumbing & Mechanical subscribers who are owners of plumbing, hydronic heating or mechanical contracting firms to evaluate the installation of corrugated stainless-steel tubing, and to gain a more...

7 special days: leverage these seven holidays to make a strong cultural impact on your Hispanic workers.
April 1, 2006... Right after Thanksgiving of last year I was giving a conference for some business owners in Arizona, and this Anglo gentleman approached me with the following statement: "Why are some of my Hispanics so ungrateful?" I thought, whoa--since...

Dependability through the decades.(TRUCK OF THE MONTH)
April 1, 2006... John Curley and his father Thomas strive for one thing in their 34-year-old plumbing business: exceeding their customer's expectations for dependability and service. With the help of their fleet of Thomas Curley Plumbing & Heating trucks, the...

Designing a winning Yellow Pages ad.
April 1, 2006... Death, taxes and Yellow Pages. Some things are almost unavoidable for service contractors. As a writer on Yellow Pages issues, I speak with hundreds of small-business people, and very few have positive things to say about their experiences...

Truck accessories: your gotta-have-it list of service vehicle add-ons.
April 1, 2006... Ah, your truck. Feel the pride--and maybe a tear or two--as you think about what you've been through together. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Your truck is your constant companion on each service call. It houses your tools of the trade, your...

Green plumbing material: the argument about environmentally friendly materials continues.(Plumbing PRIMER)
April 1, 2006... By now, most of you are familiar with the green building movement and its impact on plumbing systems. This includes the additional savings of water and the lowering of the energy demands for operating a plumbing or mechanical system. Other...

The mystery unveiled--three-way & four-way switches: three-way switches--two switches controlling one light.(Hydronic CONTROLS)
April 1, 2006... Here's the switching scenario. You turn on the light at the bottom of the stairs before going up to bed. Once you get upstairs you turn the same light off from a switch at the top of the stairs. For years, maybe your whole life, you take it for...

The deadline is here: don't let the next consolidation movement pass you by. Ready your business now.(Column)
April 1, 2006... I recently reviewed in this column the many aspects of a service and repair business that must be addressed--cleaned up in some cases--for the business to be even considered for sale. Since many of these items take a significant lead time to...

What does $5 get you? Attract the best techs by paying the best.
April 1, 2006... That's a trick question, because what I really meant to ask is, "What does raising your current selling price by $5 an hour get you?" [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I ask new clients that question when I first visit. The reason I ask is...

To grow or not to grow.(plumbing companies)(Column)
April 1, 2006... Editor's note: Al Levi knows what it takes to make your business run with less stress and more success. Contractors, just like you, seek his advice regularly. Al has agreed to let us share with PM readers some of the questions he gets and the...

The early bird gets more than the worm: it can cost big bucks to be late, and save big bucks to be on time.(Practical MANAGEMENT)
April 1, 2006... We all know that it is impossible to always be exactly "right on time." The only other alternatives are to be too early or too late. Naturally, when you are too early, you will definitely be on time. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] We will...

Breaking a seal.(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... When dealing with some radiators and convectors, the steam can make a seal between the black steel nipple and the brass valve that's impossible to separate. To remove a shut-off valve broken completely or just passing a bit while in the off...

Organized job.(plumbing equipment)(Brief article)(Column)
April 1, 2006... As a service tech, I've designated a "water closet bucket" to save me time and money. My bucket includes: closet bolts; china bolt covers; wobble wedges (old floors are never level); disposable latex gloves; 7/16-inch nut driver; wax rings;...

Drum traps.(plumbing)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... To clear tub drains with drum traps, check if the tub drain is on the same wall as the toilet vent. If it's on the opposite wall, usually the tub vent has a separate penetration through the roof. The clog is most likely beyond the trap. Snake...

Send us your Tool Tips.(tool tips)
April 1, 2006... If you have an idea that has saved you time and money, Plumbing & Mechanical would like to share your tip with our readers. You can e-mail your idea directly to PM editor Steve Smith at smiths@bnpmedia.com, or mail it to him c/o PM, 1050 IL...

Sensor faucets: new residential electronic faucets are hands-free, hands-on and so much more.(PLUMBING TRENDS)
April 1, 2006... Many times when PM reports on sensor or electronic faucets we use the term "hands-free": An infrared sensor activates a solenoid valve and water flow by passing an object (hands) in front of the fixture. This type of singular technology serves...

RIDGID[R] K-39AF drain gun.(PRODUCT Of The MONTH)
April 1, 2006... Ridge Tool Company has redesigned its RIDGID[R] K-39AF drain gun with Advanced Feed[TM]--a new two-way Autofeed[TM] feature that allows users to reverse the direction of the cable quickly and easily. The updated drain gun is designed to push...

Powerful water jet.(Products & LITERATURE)
April 1, 2006... Powerful Water Jet: General Pipe Cleaners' J-3000 high pressure water jet drain-cleaning machine clears lines clogged with grease, sand and ice in 4- to 8-inch lines up to 600 ft. long. It combines a 13-horsepower Honda[R] engine and 2:1 gear...