Plumbing & Mechanical articles from December 2004

Plumbing & Mechanical archives from December 2004

ISH NA 2004 attendance increases 14%.(Around THE INDUSTRY; International Sanitary and heating)
December 1, 2004... Attendance at ISH North America, Oct. 14-16, Boston, was up 14 percent from last year's show, with a total registration of 13,456 people from more than 40 countries. The third edition of the trade show also featured 537 exhibitors from 16...

PHCC, ASA announce joint 2005 convention.(American Supply Association)(Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors National Association)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The PHCC--National Association and the American Supply Association have announced a joint convention/conference booth program for 2005 called "Network '05." The consolidated program--slated for Sept. 7-10, 2005, at the Disney Swan & Dolphin...

New ANSI standard looks at shower filtration.(Briefs)(American National Standards Institute)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The American National Standards Institute has issued a new standard for shower filters. NSF/ANSI 177 (shower filtration systems--aesthetic effects) is a consensus standard for shower filters designed to demonstrate both performance and the...

IAPMO seeking key positions.(Briefs)(International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials is seeking a director of plumbing and mechanical code support, as well as instructors to conduct educational seminars throughout the world based on the Uniform Plumbing and...

EMCOR appoints Guzzi president, reports revenue increase.(Anthony J. Guzzi appointed )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... EMCOR Group appointed Anthony J. Guzzi as its new president and chief operating officer. Frank T. Maclnnis will remain as chairman and chief executive officer. Prior to coming to EMCOR, Guzzi held a variety of senior leadership positions at...

Comfort Systems reports increased nine-month revenues.(Briefs)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Comfort Systems USA reported a revenue increase for the first nine months of 2004--$608.3 million, a 3 percent increase from the 2003 nine-month figure of $585.8 million. Third-quarter revenues increased 1.8 percent from $207.7 million in 2003...

ARS, AMS announce nine month revenue increase.(American Residential Services Inc.)(American Mechanical Services)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... ServiceMaster's American Residential Services and American Mechanical Services segment announced a 2 percent increase in revenues for the first nine months of 2004, for a total of $515 million. Third-quarter 2004 revenues were $181 million,...

Roto-Rooter reports third-quarter increases.(company earnings)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The Roto-Rooter plumbing and drain-cleaning business of Chemed Corp, reported a 5.4 percent increase in revenues for the third quarter of 2004, for a total of $66.8 million. Adjusted net income for the quarter was $5.2 million, an 87 percent...

Service Experts announces revenue decrease for 3Q.(third quarter)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Lennox International's Service Experts segment announced a 7 percent decrease in revenue for the third quarter of 2004, for a total of $151 million. Unfavorable weather influenced sales and contributed to a shift in the segment's revenue mix in...

Total Comfort buys Wenninger.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Total Comfort of Wisconsin Inc. has acquired full-service mechanical contractor Wenninger Mechanical Inc. for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition makes Total Comfort one of Milwaukee's largest mechanical contractors. No immediate staffing...

Perot to present keynote at International Builders' Show.(ecHOMExpo)(Ross Perot Jr.)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Ross Perot Jr., president and CEO of Perot Systems Corp., will be the keynote speaker Jan. 14,2005, in Orlando, Fla., at tecHOMExpo, a part of the International Builders' Show that focuses on cutting-edge technologies and products. He will...

George Theisen, T & S Brass and Bronze Works Inc.(Obituaries)(Obituary)
December 1, 2004... George I. Theisen passed away in mid-November with his family at his side. He had been in declining health for the past several years. Theisen founded T & S Brass and Bronze Works Inc. in 1947, and served as president and CEO until 1992. He...

Robert Avino, Ramm Plumbing.(Obituaries)(Robert A. Avino)(Obituary)
December 1, 2004... Robert A. Avino, 72, founder of Ramm Plumbing Co., Elk Grove Village, Ill., died in early November. He was a member of the Chicago Journeyman Plumbers Union 130 U.A., a veteran of the Korean War and a member of the Italian American War...

ISH Frankfurt 2005.(Around THE INDUSTRY)
December 1, 2004... Renewable energies in heating technologies, together with wellness and fitness concepts in bathroom design are just some of the trends highlighted at next year's ISH Frankfurt, March 15-19, Frankfurt, Germany. Visit PM's Web site for more...

Nexstar members hear of economic 'tight squeeze'.(Super Meeting)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Nexstar's fall Super Meeting in Atlanta opened with an economic trends presentation by Brian Beaulieu, executive director of the Institute for Trend Research. Extending his predictions out to 2007, he advised attendees that the next economic...

MCAA student chapters work to enlist.(Around THE INDUSTRY)(Mechanical Contractors Association of America)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The Mechanical Contractors Association of America remains actively involved in the recruitment and education of the young through its growing number of student chapters that meet at universities, colleges and community colleges across the...

Construction fatalities dip slightly in 2003.(Around THE INDUSTRY)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The largest number of fatal work injuries in 2003 was in the construction sector, according to the recently released 2003 Census of Fatal Occupation Injuries conducted by the Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. The 1,126 fatal...

Productivity shown as stagnant.(Around THE INDUSTRY)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... FMI Corp., management consultant for the construction industry, recently released results for its productivity survey, which showed 53 percent of responding companies reported productivity as flat or decreasing over the past five years. Nearly...

Uponor streamlines business.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Uponor North America announced it will close RTI Piping Systems in the United States and Plasco PEX-b Mfg. in Canada. Also, Uponor Manufactured Structures and Uponor Ecoflex businesses will be consolidated into Uponor Wirsbo and Uponor Canada....

Peerless pottery closes doors.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Peerless Pottery of Rockport, Ind., ceased manufacturing operations at the end of October after 102 years in business. The vitreous china fixture company sold the Peerless name and product line to a Mexican company after determining it could no...

Jacuzzi closes Eljer plant.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)(Jacuzzi Brands)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Jacuzzi Brands announced it would be closing the Tupelo, Miss., plant of its Eljer subsidiary, explaining "the cost to manufacture products at this facility is still significantly higher than sourcing those products from suppliers." The closure...

Conbraco expanding Apollo brand.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)(Conbraco Industries Inc.)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Conbraco Industries announced that the Apollo Valves brand name is being expanded to cover all valve and accessory lines from the company. By applying the brand to all products, Conbraco hopes to eliminate confusion in the marketplace and take...

Villeroy & Boch extends distribution to Canada.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Plumbing and tile manufacturer Villeroy & Boch, in its strategy to gain a greater share of the North American market, is looking to Canada to expand its distribution. The company, which earlier consolidated the sales and marketing of its...

Sloan Flushmate introduces 10-year warranty.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Sloan Flushmate introduced a new, 10-year conditional warranty on all new Flushmate systems, effective with all units produced after Aug. 15, 2004, and covers any part that fails due to defects in material and/or workmanship. This is in...

Danfoss launches interactive fax service.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)(Danfoss Flomatic Corp.)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Danfoss Flomatic Corp. launched its Valvactive Fax system, an interactive fax services that operates 24/7. It features the company's complete product range and technical data on all products. Call toll-free, 800/319-4645, follow the...

Regional sponsorships introduced for Siegenthaler hydronic seminars.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)
December 1, 2004... The second wave of Modern Engineering Concepts For Hydronic Heating Design seminars will feature a new twist--regional sponsors, allowing wholesalers and manufacturer reps to participate in 2005. Previously, only national sponsorship was...

Coastal shower doors featured on 'The Apprentice'.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Shower doors from Coastal Industries were featured in bathrooms for contestants on NBC's reality show "The Apprentice." Four Paragon Series frosted, frameless swing doors were installed in the show's Manhattan loft, where contestants live...

Delta Faucet Co.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... New homeowner Tamara Long in front of her Delta Faucet Co.-sponsored Habitat for Humanity house with a truck full of pumpkins. Delta gave away pumpkins to all of the children of the 12 new Habitat homeowners. The homes were built in an...

What's on your horizon? Find that 'unique selling proposition' when establishing a new business.(Business TIPS)
December 1, 2004... After years of working for "The Man," you're finally breaking away to claim your place in the American Dream. Congratulations are in order, so take yourself out for a big celebration as you embark on your challenging journey. [ILLUSTRATION...

Auto telephone dialer for heat outage.(HEATINGHELP.COM)
December 1, 2004... Original inquiry: I am looking for a device to call my home if the heat goes out in my vacation home. Any suggestions? Bob Holohan Replies: We use a Sensaphone, model number I'm not sure of. It has three dry contacts and will call out to a...

Zoning without wires: an alternative way to provide room-by-room control of radiant panel heating systems.(Hydronics WORKSHOP)
December 1, 2004... An often-cited benefit of hydronic radiant heating is the ability to independently control heat input to each of several zones. The common approach uses a low-voltage thermostat in each zone. When a given thermostat "calls" for heat by closing...

A gift for the holidays: a great book for the long winter months.(Plumbing PRIMER)
December 1, 2004... This time of year, everyone is figuring out the last of their business tax avoidance while getting ready for the holidays. Whether it is family, religious reflection or football, it is a great time of year. I enjoy all three. [ILLUSTRATION...

It's a circus, or is it your business? Hard work in circus life parallels the PHC business.(Hydronic CONTROLS)
December 1, 2004... It's shortly before dawn. The rigs are packed and ready to hit the road. Diesel engines roar to life, clattering while drivers make final adjustments in the bright slices of headlights cutting through the dark. The dogs have had their leak...

We made more in '04! Your success stories on keeping score.(Practical MANAGEMENT)
December 1, 2004... We used the theme "Make More in '04" for the entire year partially because it was catchy, but mostly because it really works. Many of our readers followed my advice and will continue keeping score in '05 (even if that doesn't rhyme). I'd like...

Flameless pipe joining system.(Products & LITERATURE)
December 1, 2004... Flameless Pipe Joining System: PermaLynx, a push-to-connect system to join copper pipe, was recently announced at ISH North America where it won Best Overall New Product honors. The system, a joint venture between NIBCO and Victaulic, includes...

No-Hub couplings.(Products & LITERATURE)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... No-Hub Couplings: Ideal No-Hub couplings have a patented bi-directional shield design for reliable sealing, as well as floating eyelets to help eliminate leak paths. They use the highest-quality tested and certified materials. All metal...

Sloan Polaris.(Products & LITERATURE)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Sloan Polaris: Sloan's new Polaris[TM] SL-0890 4-inch, center-set, chrome-plated lavatory faucet with color-coded wrist blade handles meets ADA regulations and features a solid, one-piece, cast-brass body, chrome-plated for a high-end aesthetic...

Water Ram.(Products & LITERATURE)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Water Ram: The lightweight, compact Kinetic Water Ram[TM] from General Pipe Cleaners safely, quickly and cleanly clears clogged sinks, toilets and tubs with the power of compressed air. One snap of the trigger instantly clears clogs, even...

Radiant brochure.(Products & LITERATURE)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Radiant Brochure: [no photo] REHAU's new radiant heating brochure is a resource for consumers who want to learn about its many benefits. Additional topics include system components, heat sources, zoning, floor coverings, and installation...

Bathroom suite.(Products & LITERATURE)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Bathroom Suite: MAAX Inc. offers the latest in minimalist bathroom trends with its new Urban series, a full suite featuring clean lines, comfortable bathtubs and extras like a cascading waterfall and revolutionary new filling method. ...

Trade name listings.
December 1, 2004... 1/4 Turn Stops--Brass Craft Mfg. 370-Series[R]--Liberty Pumps, Inc. A.O. Smith--A.O. Smith Electrical Products ABSORBOTRON[R]--Josam Co. Acclaim[TM] Baths--Sterling--a Kohler Co. Accu Freeze--COB Industries, Inc. ...

Manufacturers alphabetical listings.
December 1, 2004... 99 Fittings P.O. Box 273, 17853 Santiago Blvd. #107, Villa Park, CA 92861 (714) 269-8080 Fax: (714) 998-1199 99f@socal.rr.com www.99fittings.com A.O. Smith Electrical Products 531 N. 4th St., Tipp City, OH 45371 ...

Product listings.
December 1, 2004... Access Panels Acorn Engineering Co. Fluidmaster, Inc. William H. Harvey Company Hercules Chemical Company, Inc. JL Industries, Inc., Activar, Inc. MIFAB Potter Roemer Sioux Chief Mfg. Co. * Jay R. Smith...

Manufacturers representatives.(Directory)
December 1, 2004... ALABAMA Jim Benton & Associates, Inc. 1980 McCain Pkwy., P.O. Box 789 Pelhem, AL 35124 (205) 664-1221 Fax: (205) 664-1277 jim@bentonandassoc.com Jim Benton, Pres. STATES SERVED: AL, FL Panhandle. Alsons,...

Hooray for earning an honest living: it's disheartening how many hustlers are masquerading as legitimate businesses.(OPINION)(Editorial)
December 1, 2004... Never mind Enron, WorldCom and all the other major league business scandals from several years ago. Big shots are going to jail, accounting reforms have been enacted, and there's reason to believe big corporations are behaving better, if only...