Reeves Journal articles from April 2006

Reeves Journal archives from April 2006

One more time.(pipeline)(Editorial)
April 1, 2006... Again, I had an opportunity to pull together a hydronic and radiant-themed feature for the pages of Reeves Journal. It wasn't the first time and I'm pretty sure it's not going to be the last time. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As I was...

Arbitration clause enforcement: court denies forum selection and class action waiver.(legalcorner)
April 1, 2006... We have written about the strong public policy favoring arbitration agreements and the difficulty in trying to challenge them. In this case, the clause was so unfair--the contract requiring the consumer to "take-it-or-leave-it"--the court would...

What's on your water heater?(featured product: Flexible Connectors)
April 1, 2006... Don't be kinky! Go for the flow! Solve all installation issues with Falcon's superior Stainless Steel Corrugated water connectors. Satisfy customers, warrantees and plumbing inspectors with Falcon's "Mega-flow SUPER Water-flex"[TM]. Increased...

SureConnect[TM].(featured product: Flexible Connectors)
April 1, 2006... BrassCraft has introduced SureConnect[TM]. This innovative new system for water supply connections adds speed, reliability and profits to plumbing. Key to the new system is BrassCraft's pre-formed stub-out with its proprietary end form. The...

New FloodSafe[TM] auto-shutoff connectors.(featured product: Flexible Connectors)
April 1, 2006... The FloodSafe's patented design protects against catastrophic water damage caused by burst, broken or ruptured water supply hoses and fittings by automatically shutting off the water supply to plumbing fixtures/appliances if excess water flow...

Focus on the service department: 'service department as a business enterprise', Part 1.(Column)
April 1, 2006... Your service department should be the most profitable department of your company, but it usually isn't. The odd thing is that most company owners don't even know their service departments are losing money. Why? Very few contractors track the...

FAQs at your fingertips: keep that fleet in tip-top shape with this timely advice.(vehiclemaintenance)
April 1, 2006... Managing and maintaining a fleet of vehicles is a complex job. Although vehicles' owner's manuals provide much excellent information, they often are referenced only to schedule routine maintenance or to troubleshoot a problem that has occurred....

Objectives: profitability isn't the only one.(executivebriefcase)
April 1, 2006... To manage a business is to balance a variety of needs and goals. If management is focused only on making profits, they're missing many other issues and in fact may be risking the future of the company. To obtain profit today, managers tend to...

First 'West Coast' RadFest since 2003 hits Tacoma.(news connection)
April 1, 2006... Organizers of the 2006 RadFest West event, scheduled for May 1-3 at the Sheraton Tacoma Hotel in Tacoma, said this year's edition of the trade show and educational seminar series for the radiant industry will be the first "West Coast" RadFest...

ICC offers new flood plain certification.(news connection)
April 1, 2006... A new certification developed by the International Code Council brings an added layer of protection to coastal developments and communities with designated flood plain zones. The Coastal Construction Flood Plain Inspector certification...

Franke, Kindred merge under Franke AG banner.(Franke Consumer Products Inc.)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... A pair of heavyweights in the sink manufacturing business, Franke and Kindred, have united under the Franke Consumer Products, Inc. umbrella, headquartered in Hatfield, Pa. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Franke Consumer Products, celebrating...

Ward Manufacturing acquires connector manufacturer.(Wisconsin Nipple and Fitting Corp.)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... In order to expand its product line of malleable pipe fittings and unions, cast-iron pipe fittings and corrugated stainless steel tubing, Ward Manufacturing, Inc. has acquired the assets of Wisconsin Nipple and Fitting Corporation of Milwaukee....

Tri Palm consolidates N.A., European operations.(Tri Palm International, North America)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Tri Palm International, the Columbus, Ohio-based manufacturer of Oasis and Sunroc water cooler brands and other water-related products, said last month that it will consolidate its North American manufacturing operations at a 120,000 square...

Hendrx, Aquair ink $2 million alliance.(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Hendrx Corp., a manufacturer of atmospheric water generators based in Vancouver, B.C., and RG Global Lifestyles, Inc., Mar. 2 announced that Hendrx has signed a strategic alliance agreement with Aquair, Inc., a wholly owned, Rancho Santa...

QSC elects chair, trustees, sets fundraising record.(news connection)
April 1, 2006... Keith Bienvenu of Bienvenu Brothers, Inc., Metairie, La., was elected chairperson of the Quality Service Contractors at the recent QSC Power Meeting XXIV in St. Petersburg, Fla. He also was re-elected to a three-year term on the QSC Board of...

Elkay honored for affordable housing work.(news connection)
April 1, 2006... Oak Brook, Illinois, based Elkay Manufacturing Company of Oak Brook, Ill., Mar. 7 was selected as the 2006 winner of the Crystal Vision Award, an annual honor given by the international relief and development organization in recognition of its...

PHCC, ASA convention to retain 'network' theme.(Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors National Association, American Supply Association )(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... For its 2006 convention, PHCC NA said in March that it will continue with the "networking" theme initiated with the inaugural "Network" event that took place in September, 2005. Hosting both the PHCC and the American Supply Association...

Alsons, Falcon Waterfree win ADEX design awards.(newsbriefs)
April 1, 2006... Falcon Waterfree Technologies of Grand Rapids said its new waterfree urinals have been recognized with a 2006 ADEX Platinum Award for product design of furniture, fixtures and finishes marketed to the design trade. And Alsons Corp.'s shower...

Remote Dynamics joins QSC as Industry Partner.(Quality Service Contractors)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Remote Dynamics, Inc., a Richardson, Texas-based provider of mobile resource management products for commercial fleets, said Mar. 7 it has joined the Quality Service Contractors as an Industry Partner. Under the program, both QSC's 225 members...

A.O. Smith adds western reps.(contract with X-Cel Sales )(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... A. O. Smith of Ashland City, Tenn., has added X-Cel Sales as a manufacturer's representative for its line of commercial and residential water heaters. The agency will serve Colorado, Wyoming and Southwestern Nebraska in addition to Arizona and...

Ridge Tool opens new DC.(newsbriefs)
April 1, 2006... Ridge Tool Company, a manufacturer of hand and power tools based in of Elyria, Ohio, has debuted a new 125,000 square foot North American distribution center in Cambridge, Ohio. The new distribution facility's aim is to enhance Ridge Tool's...

Hacker Industries offers training.(newsbriefs)
April 1, 2006... Hacker Industries, Inc., of Newport Beach, Calif., a supplier of gypsum floor underlayments commonly used in the radiant heating market, is offering a new series of training seminars for its licensed applicators. The 2-day training seminars...

Taco announces second price increase.(newsbriefs)
April 1, 2006... Taco, Inc. a manufacturer of pumps, valves, tanks, accessories and smart controls for use in residential and commercial hydronic applications, has announced a price increase on all of its residential circulators The price increase, averaging 4...

Service Roundtable provides eLearning.(newsbriefs)
April 1, 2006... The Service Roundtable of Grapevine, Texas, has announced the immediate availability of business-focused e-Learning for Service Roundtable members. The Service Roundtable training library consists of more than 250 online courses, in addition to...

California Faucets opens Florida warehouse.(newsbriefs)
April 1, 2006... California Faucets of Huntington Beach, Calif., recently opened a new warehouse in Lake Park, Fla., that will stock rough valves, extensions, cartridges and common repair parts for its line of decorative faucets, trim and accessories. Dolphin...

ServiceMagic expands into Canada.(newsbriefs)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Service magic, a provider of online marketing services for residential contractors and home service professionals in the United States, said it is expanding its services into Canada. Canadian home service professionals and residential...

Elkay opens new Utah facility.(Elkay Manufacturing Co.)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... "Elkay West," a 106,000 square foot facility in Ogden, Utah, opened its doors recently. The new plant, which replaces the company's former 40,000 square foot plant, will serve as a regional distribution center for some of the company's product...

Sonia announces design competition for sales staff.(newsbriefs)
April 1, 2006... Sonia America, Inc., a manufacturer storage solutions and bath accessories in Sunrise, Fla., has rolled out its, "You know what you should do..." furniture design competition, a nationwide "call for entry" to all Sonia dealers to submit their...

In-Sink-Erator sends Dallas plumber to Pro Bowl.(newsbriefs)
April 1, 2006... In-Sink-Erator concluded its Pro Circle Pro Bowl Sweepstakes by sending the Big Winner, D.R. "Rick" Gatto, of Liberty Plumbing in Dallas, to Honolulu Feb. 12 to watch the 2006 NFL Pro Bowl game. Plumbing contractors who applied and became a...

Stat-o-matic.(work related injuries in Hawaii)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Even as more people are working in Hawaii, fewer are getting sick or hurt on the job. Hawaii's rate of nonfatal work-related injuries or illnesses fell from 6.2 per 100 workers in 2000 to 4.9 in 2004, according to the Bureau of Labor...

CSLB's Hall passes.(newsbriefs)(California Contractors State License Board )(Obituary)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... The California Contractors State License Board vice chairman John C. Hall has died. Hall was first appointed to the CSLB as a public member in 2000 by then-Assembly Speaker Robert Hertzberg. Hall served as chair of the Legislative Committee and...

Hansgrohe Brand.(people)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Hansgrohe Brand Manager Richard Grohe has been elected to the board of directors at Hansgrohe AG, the parent company of Hansgrohe-North America, which is based in Alpharetta, Ga. The 40-year-old grandson of company founder Hans Grohe will be...

Chicago Faucet Co.(people)
April 1, 2006... The Chicago Faucet Co. said William Christensen has assumed the responsibility of president and CEO of the company. Christensen joined The Geberit Group in 2004 and was most recently head of strategic marketing in Jona, Switzerland. Prior to...

Precision Hydronic Products.(people)
April 1, 2006... Precision Hydronic Products of Portland, a manufacturer of hydronic mechanical modules and manifolds, said John Fantauzzi has joined the company as the national product services manager. Fantauzzi will be responsible for the promotion and...

In-Sink-Erator.(people)
April 1, 2006... In-Sink-Erator has announced new leadership in its Wholesale and Retail Sales divisions. First up is Rob Grim, who is shifting to vice president of wholesale sales. And Robert Tsuchiyama is returning to In-Sink-Erator from parent company,...

Moen.(people)
April 1, 2006... A couple of additions at Moen--first up is Tim Millay, the new director of commercial sales. Millay's responsibilities will include overseeing the activities of Moen's commercial representatives as well as working closely with the wholesale...

Jacuzzi Brands, Inc.(people)
April 1, 2006... Jacuzzi Brands, Inc., of West Palm Beach, Fla., has appointed Edmund L. Krainski to the newly created position of vice president, finance. Krainski, over the past 22 years, has served in positions of increasing responsibility at Zurn, Jacuzzi...

Anvil International.(people)
April 1, 2006... Anvil International, a manufacturer of piping connections and support systems in Portsmouth, N.H., has announced a slew of changes as it restructures its Mechanical/Industrial Division sales organization: Phil Schechinger assumes Eastern...

Calendar.
April 1, 2006... Apr. 18 PHCC Alameda & Contra Costa Counties Trade Show Hayward Centennial Hall Hayward, Calif. (925) 455-4188 E-mail: phccaccc@sbcglobal.net Apr. 20-23 K/BIS Kitchen & Bath Industry Show McCormick...

Out with the old ... A step-by-step tankless water heater retrofit project.(Cover story)
April 1, 2006... Tankless water heaters have been getting a lot of press over the past few years. They've been featured on television programs as part of house renovations and their benefits--like energy efficiency, longer equipment life, compact size and...

Finishing touches: faucets and other accessories lead the way in kitchen remodeling jobs.
April 1, 2006... The meteoric rise in home prices, for both new and existing houses, has slowed somewhat in recent months, but houses around the country still retain their high values--sky-high in some cases. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Homeowners have...

Public hydronics: there's more to radiant and hydronic systems than residential heating.
April 1, 2006... The usual line of discussion when it comes to radiant and hydronic heating, at least in the plumbing industry, is how it's best used in a private dwelling as a replacement for, or an enhancement to, a forced air system. Public buildings and...

Water conservation: water conservation products have evolved to look and work better.
April 1, 2006... Water, water, everywhere... Well, not really. The Western states have a long history of water shortages. But talk to most plumbing customers and you'll discover that water conservation isn't at the top of their current list of concerns. While...

Organized for success.(business strategies)
April 1, 2006... I often come in contact with very successful contractors. These individuals have businesses that are incredibly successful and are growing by leaps and bounds. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] However, that's the problem. Their companies are...

Forged brass ball valves.(newproducts)
April 1, 2006... A new series of forged brass ball valves from Apollo International offers fast solderless crimping the company said reduces cost and time spent on installations. The end connections are forged as part of the valve body for a strong and sure...

Reciprocating saw blades.(newproducts)
April 1, 2006... Bosch has expanded its application-focused professional reciprocating saw blade line to 60 blades in three basic user categories: heavy use, demolition and standard. Heavy blade users, such as plumbers and HVAC professionals, look for the...

Faucets and accessories.(newproducts)
April 1, 2006... Danze has introduced the South Sea Collection, a collection of faucets and accessories for the powder room. Inspired by classic bamboo styling, this new collection is designed to meet the growing popularity in natural textures and finishes. Its...

Gas detector.(newproducts)
April 1, 2006... Chemical Injection Technologies has developed the Superior Gas Detector, featuring state-of-the-art "black box technology" that enables the product to detect and record chlorine, sulfur dioxide, ammonia and ozone gasses. The high-capacity...

Pull-out and two-handle faucets.(newproducts)
April 1, 2006... Delta Faucet has announced two new additions for the kitchen: the Palo pull-out kitchen faucet and the Ellington two-handle kitchen faucet. The pull-out/pull-down category is the fastest growing segment in kitchen faucets, and Palo is a way to...

Chem-Vent.(newproducts)
April 1, 2006... The Chem-Vent is the newest air admittance valve developed by Studor. Specifically designed for acid waste applications, the Chem-Vent simplifies and improves the drainage and waste venting of chemical labs fixtures by replacing vent loops and...

Video inspection system.(newproducts)
April 1, 2006... The Gen-Eye Junior video inspection system from General Pipe Cleaners is a rugged, self-contained package offering great reel capacity, a large LCD display and good protection from abuse in the field. With two camera and pushrod options, the...

Bathroom collection.(newproducts)
April 1, 2006... The new Axor Starck X collection from Hansgrohe elevates minimalist design to inspiring levels. Created for Axor by designer Philippe Starck, the collection expresses the designer's passion for minimalism and love of natural forms. Most...

Premier Bathroom Suite.(newproducts)
April 1, 2006... Julien Home Refinements has teamed up with famed designer Troy Adams to create the Julien Bathroom Suite by Troy Adams Design, a breathtaking marriage between the sophisticated style and design of Adams and the handcrafted uniqueness and...

Thermostat catalog.(newproducts)
April 1, 2006... Lux Products has announced that LuxPro's new 16-page, full-color catalog showcases the company's full line of more than 30 programmable, digital and mechanical thermostats. System compatibilities and features accompany images of each product,...

Bath faucet line.(newproducts)
April 1, 2006... The uniqueness of Mico Designs' Ula line of bath faucets starts with its European-inspired design, which is wrought of the most durable brass despite its ultra-thin profile. In parallel movements reminiscent of fine German precision...

Demolition blades.(newproducts)
April 1, 2006... Milwaukee Electric Tool has introduced the Ultimate Demolition Kit, an assortment of 12 Sawzall demolition blades packed with a durable, reusable canvas pouch. The 12-blade kit (Model 49-22-1129) contains two 6-inch and two 9-inch AX blades for...