Plumbing & Mechanical articles from January 2005

Plumbing & Mechanical archives from January 2005

The outlook on outlook.(Letters TO THE EDITOR)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2005... I could not pass up the opportunity to write concerning Ellen Rohr's column on using Outlook ("Ellen's Tech Tips", September 2004). It was great. Everyone needs to be using it. Outlook is the second most powerful tool in our company besides our...

Educated consumer equals profitable business.(Letters TO THE EDITOR)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2005... I'm 62 and have been a remodeler for about 32 years, now semi-retired. I want to thank Dan Holohan for his column, "An Educated Consumer," (November 2004). [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Back when I first started my business in Chicago, I used...

Customer is king.(Letters TO THE EDITOR)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2005... I found Ellen Rohr's article ("Teamwork," November 2004) to be very insightful. The one part that was missing in the organization chart as drawn in the article is the customer. When organization charts are drawn in the usual top-down way,...

Raising the bar.(Letters TO THE EDITOR)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2005... Small rays of sunshine may actually be shining through the clouds over our industry in some spots. I've been receiving more and more phone calls from frustrated customers who were not able to receive prices over the phone, and, exasperated,...

Ellen shows the way.(Letters TO THE EDITOR)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2005... I just wanted to send [Ellen Rohr] a thank-you note for the May 2004 article, "The Story of You." I am a struggling writer myself, though I still operate my plumbing business. I'm taking creative writing at a local university, but plan to not...

Maddaloni, Patchell resign from UA.(Around THE INDUSTRY)(Martin Maddaloni and Thomas Patchell resigns from United Association of Plumbers and Pipe Fitters)
January 1, 2005... Martin Maddaloni, president of the United Association of Plumbers and Pipe Fitters, and Thomas Patchell, the UA's secretary-treasurer, resigned amid an internal investigation regarding the union's financial management. The Associated Press...

Report predicts strong construction market for the next 30 years.(Around THE INDUSTRY)
January 1, 2005... Half of the buildings Americans will live, work and shop in by 2030 haven't even been built yet, according to a study done for the Brookings Institution by Arthur C. Nelson, a professor and director of graduate studies at Virginia Polytechnic...

Kenneth M. Coffman, MCAA past president.(OBITUARY)(Mechanical contractors association of america)(Obituary)
January 1, 2005... Kenneth M. Coffman, chairman of Milwaukee-based Downey Inc. and past president of MCAA (1988), died Nov. 16. Memorials may be made to YMCA Camping Services, Kenneth Coffman Memorial Fund, 161 West Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53203.

NAOHSM expands education committee.(Briefs)(Appointment)(The National Association of Oil Heating Service Managers)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... The National Association of Oil Heating Service Managers is expanding its education committee with the appointment of Matt Spink and Ralph Adams as cochairmen of the committee. They will help steer new projects NAOHSM is developing.

AHMA cancels annual trade show.(Briefs)(The American Hardware Manufacturers Association)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... The American Hardware Manufacturers Association canceled its annual trade show, thereby losing the battle with Reed Exhibitions, owner of the National Hardware Show, to stage a single national show for that industry sector. The two groups split...

New MCAA student chapters formed.(Briefs)(The Mechanical Contractors Association of America)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... The Mechanical Contractors Association of America has two new student chapters: the University of Toledo Student Chapter of MCA/ASHRAE (sponsored by the MCA of Northwest Ohio), and the University of Cincinnati chapter (sponsored by the MCA of...

IAPMO lowers membership dues for students.(Briefs)(The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials is now offering an introductory program to all those eligible to join as student members. First-year membership dues will be only $10, and $25 per year thereafter, as long as...

President signs biodiesel tax incentive.(Briefs)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... President George W. Bush signed into law a bill containing the first biodiesel tax incentive. The biodiesel tax incentive and extension of the ethanol tax incentive were included in the American JOBS Creation Act of 2004, H.R. 4520. ...

Montana mechanical contractor receives family business award.(Briefs)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Great Falls, Mont.-based Central Plumbing & Heating recently received one of five Montana Family Business of the Year Awards. The annual awards program is sponsored by Montana State University-Bozeman College of Business and is intended to call...

RSES members elect 2005 officers.(Briefs)(Refrigeration Service Engineers Society appointments)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... The Refrigeration Service Engineers Society elected new officers at its 2004 annual conference in Calgary, Alberta, Canada: Robert E. Smith, international president; Ronald J. McCarthy, international vice president; Jerry L. Richey,...

Material shortage increases construction prices.(Around THE INDUSTRY)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Almost 75 percent of construction industry executives saw an increase in their bidding prices due to the recent steel shortage and subsequent price increase, according to an October survey by industry consultant firm PinnacleOne. The...

NAOHSM offers management day seminars.(Around THE INDUSTRY)(National Association of Oil Heating Service Managers)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Several PM columnists and industry experts will present seminars at the National Association of Oil Heating Service Managers' 52nd Annual Convention and Trade Show this May. Management workshops on Monday, May 23, will feature Al Levi's...

McHumor.(Around THE INDUSTRY)
January 1, 2005... "Your husband started without me, didn't he?" [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

ISH Frankfurt to cover renewable energy, spa/wellness sectors.(Around THE INDUSTRY)
January 1, 2005... Renewable energies in heating technologies, together with wellness and fitness concepts in bathroom design are just some of the trends highlighted at this year's ISH Frankfurt, March 15-19, Frankfurt, Germany. "We see a huge potential for...

IPS Corp. acquires Truebro.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... IPS Corp., a manufacturer of solvent cements and adhesives for joining plastics, plastic specialties and other materials, has acquired Truebro, which manufactures a professional line of engineered undersink protection devices to satisfy code...

Amcast restructures debt.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Amcast Industrial Corp., parent of Lee Brass Co. a brass fitting manufacturer for plumbing markets, announced it will continue operations after restructuring its debt and reducing it by approximately $30 million. The company and certain of its...

Mansfield Plumbing integrates sales and marketing.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Mansfield Plumbing Products has a new, integrated North American sales and marketing organizational structure, providing improved customer service and technical support for Mansfield, Mancesa and Colceramica customers.

Water filter manufacturer opens new facilities.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... KX Industries L.P., manufacturer of carbon block filters for residential and commercial use, celebrated the grand opening of its 65,500 sq. ft. Technology Center in West Haven, Conn., and its new 135,000 sq. ft. Injection Molding and Light...

Superior celebrates 40 years.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Superior Mfg. Division recently celebrated its 40th anniversary in Fort Wayne, Ind. Superior, founded in 1964 by Charles and Gloria Sanderson, treats water nonchemically with magnetic technology, and manufactures the Superior Water...

PMI, BMA team up on technical, regulatory issues.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)(The Plumbing Manufacturers Institute)(The Bathroom Manufacturers Association)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... The Plumbing Manufacturers Institute and the Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA), based in the UK and also serving Europe, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to share pertinent information about emerging technical, scientific,...

Bradford White donates $15,000 to PHCC-NA.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Bradford White Corp. continued its industry support by again donating $15,000 to the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors--National Association. This year, half went to the organization's Apprenticeship Program. The rest was earmarked for the...

BrassCraft adds to 'Million Dollar Club'.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... BrassCraft and PlumbShop, its retail plumbing products division, recently recognized six sales managers for reaching $1 million or more in service parts sales for 2004. The "Million Dollar Club" awardees for BrassCraft were Steve Adams,...

American Standard offers Scotchgard protection.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... American Standard is now offering Scotchgard[TM] Protector on its Cadet Round and Cadet Oval countertop sinks; it will be available on the Seychelle countertop in January. The finish will make cleaning easier, and lasts through thousands of...

Bradford White Corp.(New Hires & Appointments)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Bradford White Corp. recently appointed Angelo J. Sinisi to the newly created position of Hydronics and Oil-Powered Product Specialist. Sinisi is the former president and COO of Lux Corp., and most recently held the position of national sales...

Lochinvar Corp.(New Hires & Appointments)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... During its third quarter, Lochinvar Corp. appointed Michael Stewart as transportation manager. Stewart previously worked in third-party logistics and for the United States military. He also has ground level experience with UPS and FedEx.

KX Industries L.P.(New Hires & Appointments)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... KX Industries L.P. announced the promotion of Donald Caulfield to president/CFO. Caulfield has spent over 10 years with KX Industries, assuming responsibilities over the years as controller, GM and Chief Financial Officer.

Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co.(New Hires & Appointments)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co. welcomed the addition of John Fogarty to its sales staff as western regional manager. Fogarty began his career in the wholesale and mechanical contracting fields, and most recently held national and regional management...

The oldest home discovered with original copper plumbing tube is in Fort Wayne, Ind., and dates to 1937.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)(Indiana)(Copper Development Association)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... The oldest home discovered with original copper plumbing tube is in Fort Wayne, Ind., and dates to 1937. Its original copper system is still functioning after 67 years. The Copper Development Association is searching for ancient copper...

Gastite corrugated stainless-steel tubing proved to be the fastest and easiest option for a newly built three-story, 4,700 sq. ft.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)
January 1, 2005... Gastite corrugated stainless-steel tubing proved to be the fastest and easiest option for a newly built three-story, 4,700 sq. ft. South Central Los Angeles home featured on ABC-TV's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." About 400 feet of gas...

No, it's not Santa Claus.(Briefs)(Archie Hinton Jr. found dead in a chimney)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... A heating repairman found human remains in the chimney of a Salvation Army Thrift Store in Bridgeport, Conn., during a routine furnace inspection. The skeleton belongs to a 37-year-old man missing since 1999. Authorities say Archie Hinton Jr.,...

Nexstar tech receives customer service certification.(Briefs)(Nexstar Network certifies technician Jeffrey Vicknair of Stuart Services)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Jeffrey Vicknair, a technician with Stuart Services based in the greater New Orleans area, became the first of about 3,000 service technicians within the Nexstar Network to become fully certified in customer service. The training program helps...

NEBB elects new president.(Briefs)(National Environmental Balancing Bureau appoints Joseph Miller)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... The National Environmental Balancing Bureau elected Joseph Miller as its new president for 2005. Miller is commissioning administrator at Seneca Balance of Virginia, Alton, Va. Other 2005 officers are: Eric Jenison, president-elect; John G....

Indiana PHCC executive wins spectrum award.(Briefs)(Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors National Association's Brenda Dant)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Brenda Dant, executive director of the Indiana Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors--National Association, was named 2004 Association Executives Council Spectrum Award winner for outstanding achievement during the recent PHCC convention in...

Zoeller Pump Co.(Web News)(new web-enabled service)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Zoeller Pump Co. does the work for you with its Web-enabled Pump Sizing Program available now at www.zoeller.com/scopump/scohome.htm. Without requiring software downloads or special pass codes, it is designed for the novice, engineers,...

YourWebPro.com.(Web News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... YourWebPro.com features an all-inclusive, easy-to-use web solution for the building and contracting industry. It allows business owners to create and maintain their own sites with no special training or software.

WarmlyYours.(Web News)(www.warmlyyours.com)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Radiant floor heating system manufacturer WarmlyYours now offers a comprehensive interactive experience for consumers at its www.WarmlyYours.com/planner. Visitors to the site's project planner can draw rooms and drag-and-drop cabinets in an...

R.W. Beckett Corp.(Web News)(www.beckettcorp.com)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... R.W. Beckett Corp., manufacturer of residential and commercial oil and gas burners, has announced the availability of a comprehensive Web site for its new HeatManager product. Designed with both homeowners and heating professionals in mind, the...

Bosch Tools.(Web News)(www.boschtools.com)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Bosch Tools has redesigned its Web site, www.BoschTools.com, to include 360-degree product views, video demos, accessory and attachment recommendations, "Buy It Now" online shopping assistance, and store locator.

CSI holds contract administration academy.(Around THE INDUSTRY)
January 1, 2005... The Construction Specification Institute is conducting its Contract Administration Academy Jan. 27-28 in Tampa, Fla. The main objective of the academy is to give professionals a reality-based understanding of each participant's role in a...

Commit to communicate: you can avoid costly lawsuits by talking to your customers and owning up to mistakes.(Business TIPS)
January 1, 2005... There was nothing particularly scary about Linda's trip to the hospital. She was in for relatively mundane ankle surgery. When she awoke after the surgery, she was astonished to learn that she was recovering from an open heart operation. The...

CO testing: the right thing to do.(HEATINGHELP.COM)(carbon monoxide poisoning detection)
January 1, 2005... Original inquiry: Weekend. Middle-of-the-night no-heat call. Not a regular customer. Landlord not available. Don't normally take after-hours calls for apartments when tenants call, and after-hours calls are normally restricted to previous...

Piping for 'wallies': their small size and off-the-floor mounting is a tremendous advantage in tight mechanical rooms.(Hydronics WORKSHOP)
January 1, 2005... In the last four years, several new wall-hung condensing boilers have appeared on the North American heating market. Most have been engineered to squeeze the heat output needed by residential and light commercial systems into a shell less than...

Rethinking the way we 'treat' water: scientific and regulatory scrutiny has left traditional centralized water treatment open for a new change.(Water TREATMENT)
January 1, 2005... Water is constantly in the news. Unfortunately, lately the news about water seems to be all negative--contaminants, shortages, legal battles over water rights, etc. It sounds as if we are facing a huge problem, and more of the same for the near...

Making work ... work.(methods of successful business management)
January 1, 2005... So what does a makeover look like a year after the "after"? Back in 2003, PM columnist and business consultant Al Levi held a Business Makeover Contest, sponsored by Slant-Fin Corp. and this magazine. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

A family affair: tips on maneuvering through the minefield that is a family business.
January 1, 2005... Business schools don't talk about family businesses. Yet at least 4.1 million businesses in the United States today are family owned and operated with a lot of family involvement. Another 12.3 million businesses have some family involvement....

Many ways to communicate: Benjamin Plumbing, Madison, Wis.(TRUCK OF THE MONTH)(Wisconsin)(plumbing service company's communication methods)
January 1, 2005... A plumbing service company that has grown to more than 50 employees and 35 trucks on the road would do well to invest in the proper communication equipment--and Benjamin Plumbing, Madison, Wis., has done well. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Pressing or pushing in the new year: new methods for joining copper have plumbers laying aside their torches.(Plumbing PRIMER)(press fitting for joining copper tubing)
January 1, 2005... At last year's ISH North America show in Boston, I noticed the buzz around three booths. These three booths equally intrigued me. The booths were promoting the latest technology in joining copper tubing. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Nibco...

Check please--background check, that is! Test recruits to protect your company and your customers.(Managing YOUR BUSINESS)
January 1, 2005... Are great technicians hard to find in the PHC business? You bet they are! And that is exactly why I developed my Staffing Power! program. High turnover has become a fact of life because employee loyalty is a thing of the past. In the year 2000...

Where does the extra electricity go? There's always time for questions in class.(Hydronic CONTROLS)
January 1, 2005... So, I've never asked anyone this, but I've always wondered: Where does the extra electricity go?" Paul asks. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] We're on break from a class. Paul and I are the only ones left of a bunch getting some air before going...

The three-hour day: reduce the number of hours you spend on the job.(In The FIELD)(human resource and time management)
January 1, 2005... Once your business has been properly set up with operational programs and effective management techniques, you can reduce the number of hours you spend on the job. I refer to this stage as "maintenance mode"--you maintain the business...

Too young to boss? When did you start? Give your techs a foreman development program to help them achieve their career goals.(Practical MANAGEMENT)
January 1, 2005... I am always surprised at the attitude of some contractors and their supervisory management teams: "Some day this kid is going to be able to run a job. He just needs to mature a little." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When I ask about the...

Spirovent eliminates frequent bleeding and purging of hydronic systems.(TWO-THOUSAND FIVE Manufacturers Spotlight)
January 1, 2005... For almost two decades, Spirotherm Inc. has worked with innovative contractors and the top wholesalers in North America to provide customers with air-free hydronic systems. Spirotherm is the manufacturer of the Spirovent[R], recognized...

Trenchless products for around the world.(TWO-THOUSAND FIVE Manufacturers Spotlight)
January 1, 2005... Perma-Liner Industries Inc., located in Largo, Fla., is a manufacturer of trenchless rehabilitation products for sewer pipes, manholes and other conduit structures. Perma-Liner Industries originated in 1998. Perma-Liner is a worldwide company...

Contractor saves on fuel costs with Networkfleet GPS tracking system.(TWO-THOUSAND FIVE Manufacturers Spotlight)
January 1, 2005... Today, one of the fastest-growing markets for the use of GPS technology is fleet vehicle tracking. In fact, according to C.J. Driscoll & Associates, the number of vehicles with systems is anticipated to grow by more than 20 percent in 2005....

Mechanical contractor saves time, money with portable roll groover.(TWO-THOUSAND FIVE Manufacturers Spotlight)
January 1, 2005... When mechanical contractor Schweizer Dipple was given the opportunity to use a new RIDGID[R] 920 roll groover before it was available to the market, they jumped at the chance to put the new piece of equipment to test at its large project site...

Plumber develops new service industry with General's help.(TWO-THOUSAND FIVE Manufacturers Spotlight)
January 1, 2005... Creatively blend proven technologies with intimate market knowledge. Add a dash of innovative thinking--and a business can really grow fast! Just ask Preston Hall of All Pro Water-Flow. In less than two years, the Colorado-based...

Flexible fire sprinkler connections position contractors for success.(TWO-THOUSAND FIVE Manufacturers Spotlight)
January 1, 2005... Fire protection is experiencing more focus this year than in almost any other of recent memory. Federal, state, and local legislation and code revisions; a broadening awareness of better options; and, unfortunately, some horrific events have...

Wolverine Brass: serving the professional plumber since 1896.(TWO-THOUSAND FIVE Manufacturers Spotlight)
January 1, 2005... Do you find it frustrating and unprofitable when your customer has shopped at the home center for the very same products you are offering? Wolverine Brass offers an alternative. Since 1896, its policy of selling directly from the factory to the...

Burnham Hydronics meets your needs.(TWO-THOUSAND FIVE Manufacturers Spotlight)
January 1, 2005... Gas-Fired Installation: Residence in South Hero, Vt. Burnham Contractor: E & M Mechanical Inc. Burnham Hydronics Gas Unit: Revolution[R] Cast Iron Boiler Cold Vermont winters and a sizable square footage prove to be no match for...

ProPress Systems: better copper connections, easier installations, Flameless maintenance.(TWO-THOUSAND FIVE Manufacturers Spotlight)
January 1, 2005... ProPress[R] is rapidly becoming the preferred way to design and install plumbing and heating systems. Connections install quickly, keeping projects on schedule. Flameless joining eliminates fire risk and leaky soldered joints. Also, building...

Symmons industries' Visu-Temp with Clear-Vue.(TWO-THOUSAND FIVE Manufacturers Spotlight)
January 1, 2005... Love At First Sight: The perfect shower is now right before your eyes. Introducing Visu-Temp[R] with Clear-Vue[TM]. With its ergonomic design and easy-to-read display, Visu-Temp with Clear-Vue allows you to quickly set the perfect temperature...

Noritz--everything you need for endless hot water.(TWO-THOUSAND FIVE Manufacturers Spotlight)
January 1, 2005... Tankless water heater technology has been around for decades. Since 1951, Noritz has been the leader in developing and manufacturing tankless technology and continues to do so, bringing tankless to the United States. Throughout the world,...

New valves turn high-pressure applications into low-risk decisions.(TWO-THOUSAND FIVE Manufacturers Spotlight)
January 1, 2005... Now you can turn high-pressure applications into low-risk decisions by turning to high-performance butterfly valves from Milwaukee Valve. These just-introduced valves are designed for elevated temperature and pressure requirements found in...

Uponor Wirsbo's TruFlow Manifold features flow and temperature intelligence.(TWO-THOUSAND FIVE Manufacturers Spotlight)
January 1, 2005... Uponor Wirsbo Inc. announces the addition of the TruFLOW[TM] Manifold System to its product offering. For years, Wirsbo has offered proven and reliable brass manifolds that contractors can depend on. Now, the company offers a preassembled...

Uponor Wirsbo's D'MAND Hot Water Delivery System offers convenience and savings.(TWO-THOUSAND FIVE Manufacturers Spotlight)
January 1, 2005... So what do you do while you wait for the shower to warm up? Do you run the water while you check your e-mail, fix breakfast or even take the dog for a walk? Well, there is now a solution to prevent water and money from literally going down the...

Celebrating 70+ years with new product and service enhancements.(TWO-THOUSAND FIVE Manufacturers Spotlight)
January 1, 2005... As we enter 2005, i2 Trade Service is pleased to announce its renewed commitment to serving the needs of plumbing and mechanical contractors nationwide with the new i2 TRA-SER[R] 6 pricing service, the improved i2 Plumbers Pricing Manual[R]...

New and improved safety mixing valves from Watts.(TWO-THOUSAND FIVE Manufacturers Spotlight)
January 1, 2005... Since 1874, Watts Regulator Co. has set the standard for the latest valve technology. Whether it is our pressure-reducing valves to regulate steam or water, relief valves to ensure safe operation of water heaters or boilers, or backflow...

Leonard Valve Co. announces Value Alliance Club incentive reward program.(TWO-THOUSAND FIVE Manufacturers Spotlight)
January 1, 2005... Leonard Valve Co. announces participation in the Value Alliance Club Program, an incentive-reward program for plumbing contractors and distributors who can earn vacation packages and merchandise for selling select Leonard Valve products. ...

General marks 75 years of drain cleaning industry leadership.(TWO-THOUSAND FIVE Manufacturers Spotlight)
January 1, 2005... Three generations of General Pipe Cleaners personnel are poised to celebrate the company's 75th anniversary in 2005. Founded by Abe Silverman in 1930, General spearheaded key developments in the drain cleaning industry--including heavy duty...

Learning life-cycle costs can help steer radiation selection.(TWO-THOUSAND FIVE Manufacturers Spotlight)
January 1, 2005... Bob Karas never intended to be a teacher. His job as a manufacturers representative suits him just fine. But a growing number of engineers, contractors and building owners in his upstate New York territory are crediting Karas for teaching them...

Caleffi--providing value at all times.(TWO-THOUSAND FIVE Manufacturers Spotlight)
January 1, 2005... Leadership: The multinational Caleffi group is a leading manufacturer of heating system components. Ever since its earliest beginnings in 1961, the company, founded by Franco Caleffi and now managed with his son Marco, has been known for quick...

Are you preventing your business from being successful?(TWO-THOUSAND FIVE Manufacturers Spotlight)
January 1, 2005... Good plumbers do good plumbing. Good businessmen build successful businesses. Which are you? "I was a plumber before I joined Mr. Rooter. Today I consider myself a business man," said Vincent Sposari, president of the Mr. Rooter franchise...

Integrating HVAC equipment for optimum system performance.(TWO-THOUSAND FIVE Manufacturers Spotlight)
January 1, 2005... Quality HVAC equipment doesn't make a quality HVAC system unless the equipment is integrated to work together. The tekmarNet[TM] 4 product line sets a new standard in integrating HVAC equipment for optimum system performance. HVAC systems...

A modular approach for maximum flexibility.(TWO-THOUSAND FIVE Manufacturers Spotlight)
January 1, 2005... In 2005, tekmar Control Systems Ltd. will introduce its tekmarNet[TM] 4 product line. The modular design of the controls and the enclosure allow for a flexible combination of HVAC solutions. Whether you are installing a simple baseboard system...

The new face of Viessmann.(TWO-THOUSAND FIVE Manufacturers Spotlight)
January 1, 2005... Viessmann heating boilers have always been renowned for their functional design, advanced technology and exceptional reliability. Recently, Viessmann has fine-tuned its training, sales support and technology to help contractors sell even more....

Introducing ... 28 years of innovation.(TWO-THOUSAND FIVE Manufacturers Spotlight)
January 1, 2005... Since 1977, Niagara has been introducing innovative products to the plumbing industry. It all began when founder, Bill Cutler, developed a better showerhead; one that combined high-pressure performance with water savings. Within a few...

Delta Faucet Co.: innovation through the years.(TWO-THOUSAND FIVE Manufacturers Spotlight)
January 1, 2005... From the early 1950s to the new millennium, Delta Faucet Co. has been a leading faucet manufacturer in the United States, growing and shifting with the changing landscape of business and technology while embracing innovation every step of the...

Danfoss Zone Control Panels save time and space.(TWO-THOUSAND FIVE Manufacturers Spotlight)
January 1, 2005... Located in the heart of the picturesque Rocky Mountains, Bozeman, Mont., is truly a remarkable community. From cattle ranchers to high-tech engineers, the area is home to those who appreciate this unmatched quality of life. Due to its severe...

You have the tools to build your business, we have the tools to help protect it.(TWO-THOUSAND FIVE Manufacturers Spotlight)
January 1, 2005... Protection For Your Most Important Assets: You need many tools to help build your business. And we have one to help protect it. The Contractor Insurance Program, available through participating Allstate agents, combines the products and...