Reeves Journal articles from February 2006

Reeves Journal archives from February 2006

Two sides of the marketing coin.(pipeline)
February 1, 2006... I'm the kind of person that very much dislikes being marketed to. I don't want your grocery Club Card; I don't need to refinance my house and pull out equity; I don't want another credit card so I can get bonus miles from an airline I never...

Enforcing arbitration.
February 1, 2006... [Editor's Note: Longtime Reeves Journal columnist Sam K. Abdulaziz last month was the recipient of the "2005 Construction Person of the Year" award from the Builders Exchange of the Central Coast. The recognition was for, "meritorious service...

Toilets.
February 1, 2006... Have a Seat... Consider for a moment the noble toilet. Silent sentinels of civilization, toilets represent one of life's little necessities. They're frequently taken for granted or ignored until they're either needed or broken, but...

ThermaSol rolls out Pocket Bike promotion.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... ThermaSol, a supplier of steam generators based in Simi Valley, Calif., rolled out Jan. 1 a nationwide promotion for licensed plumbing professionals. The FastStart Pocket Bike contest allows licensed plumbing professionals the ability to enter...

Some tankless heaters qualify for tax break.(news connection)
February 1, 2006... Thanks to a provision of the new Energy Tax Incentives Act of 2005, which went into effect Jan. 1, some tankless water heaters now qualify for a personal income tax credit of $300 to homeowners who install a gas, propane or oil-fired water...

Best Buy, Inc. jumps into kitchen, bath business.(news connection)
February 1, 2006... Best Buy Co., Inc., the electronics retailing giant based in Minneapolis, has plunged into the kitchen and bath business with its recent purchase of Pacific Sales Kitchen and Bath Centers, Inc., a Torrance, Calif.-based, privately owned...

The Home Depot acquires Hughes Supply, Inc.(news connection)
February 1, 2006... The Home Depot, a 2,000-plus store home improvement retailer based in Atlanta, said Jan. 10 it was set to acquire Hughes Supply, Inc., a distributor of construction, repair and maintenance products based in Orlando. The $3.47 billion deal...

Uponor consolidates worldwide branding.(news connection)
February 1, 2006... Uponor Wirsbo, a supplier of PEX tubing based in Apple Valley, Minn., said in early January that its parent company, Uponor, has officially rolled out a new worldwide branding initiative that will see the company consolidating all of its...

Sussman Lifestyle Group now 'Mr. Steam'.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Sussman Lifestyle Group, a provider of steam bath generators, sauna rooms, sauna heaters and towel warmers based in Long Island City, N.Y., said in December it is changing its name to, "Mr.Steam" in a rebranding effort aimed at reconnecting...

Jacuzzi Bath Division joins buying group.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Builder Sourcing Corporation, a buying group for homebuilders and select suppliers, in January added Jacuzzi Bath Division as a key supplier member. As a member of Builder Sourcing, the Jacuzzi Bath Division gains greater access to decision...

2006 AHR Expo sets pre-registrant record.(Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Organizers of this year's 76th edition of the AHR Expo said that just less than a month from the event's opening it has set new records for pre-registered exhibiting companies. Scheduled for Chicago's McCormick Place Jan. 23-25, and billed...

Taco reorganizes sales department.(news connection)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Taco, Inc., a Cranston, R.I., manufacturer of pumps, valves, tanks, heat exchangers, smart controls and other hydronic accessories, has announced a restructuring of its sales and marketing department in which it will form two separate divisions...

St. Patrick's Day changes PHCC conference.(newsbriefs)
February 1, 2006... A 2006 St. Patrick's Day recess planned by Congress the week of Mar. 20 has convinced the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors--National Association to reschedule its annual Legislative/Leadership Conference. Originally planned for Mar. 23-25,...

Rehau to expand PEX production.(newsbriefs)
February 1, 2006... Rehau, a supplier of PEX tubing and other hydronic heating components, said Jan. 9 it is set to expand production of cross linked polyethylene piping at its manufacturing plant in Cullman, Ala., more than doubling current output and creating up...

Grundfos offers HVAC, hydronics training.(newsbriefs)
February 1, 2006... Grundfos Technical Institute will conduct several HVAC product and system training sessions in 2006. These 2-1/2-day programs are designed specifically for HVAC and hydronic distributors and dealers. This course is tailored to equip industry...

Watts launches updated Web site.(newsbriefs)
February 1, 2006... Watts Regulator has launched a new and improved company Web site which now includes extensive information on Watts' full line of water safety & flow control, backflow prevention, water quality, drainage, brass & tubular, control valve, potable...

Hansgrohe products featured on TV.(newsbriefs)
February 1, 2006... Hansgrohe-North America has been cleaning up the contestants of NBC's popular reality television series, "The Apprentice with Donald Trump," airing at 9/8c Thursday, throughout the past three seasons with a mix of bath and kitchen products. And...

Cerro Flow WWW site en Espanol.(newsbriefs)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Cerro Flow has completed the first phase translation of its Cerroflow.com Web site to Spanish, with key product and company contact information converted. Web site users are automatically provided the English version when they enter the...

Elkay announces new division, executives.(newsbriefs)
February 1, 2006... Elkay Manufacturing Co. is forming a new Plumbing Products Division aimed at incorporating the firm's lines of residential and commercial sinks, faucets, water coolers and related accessories. Jim Scott, current president of the Elkay Division,...

American Standard division to support Service Roundtable memberships.(newsbriefs)(Residential Systems)(American Standard Companies )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Residential Systems, a division of American Standard Companies in Dallas, said that it would allow its Trane and American Standard dealers to apply co-op funds to membership in the Service Roundtable, the industry's largest private contractor...

T-Drill presents Industry Excellence Award.(newsbriefs)
February 1, 2006... T-Drill Industries, Inc., or Norcross, Ga., has presented its Industry Award of Excellence for 2005-2006 to Alberta Custom Tee Drilling Ltd., a supplier of headers, end caps and custom extrusions in Westlock, Alberta. Alberta Custom Tee has...

The Service Roundtable records 3 million visits.(newsbriefs)(Service Roundtable Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... The Service Roundtable, the country's largest private contractor group, recorded more than 3 million Web site page loads on Dec. 6. "This is an average of one visit every 34 seconds, 24/7/365 since we launched in September, 2002," said Service...

California may start solar incentive plan.(newsbriefs)
February 1, 2006... The California Public Utilities Commission was poised at deadline [Jan. 12] to finalize a $3.2 billion incentive program to encourage residents and businesses to install solar panels and generate their own power. If approved, a typical home...

Setting it straight.(newsbriefs)
February 1, 2006... In the January issue ("State of the Radiant Industry," Pg. 40,) Moser, Inc., a radiant heating contractor in Spokane, was inadvertently identified throughout the story as, "Moser Industries." The editors of Reeves Journal regret any...

Calendar.(Calendar)
February 1, 2006... Feb. 23-25 QSC Power Meeting XXIV TradeWinds Island Grand Resort, St. Pete Beach, Fla. (800) 533-7694 www.qsc-phcc.org Feb. 28-Mar. 4 Plumbers Success International AirTime 500 Expo Venue TBA ...

Lenox.(people)
February 1, 2006... Lenox, a manufacturer of premium power tool accessories, hand tools and band saw blades, has named Rich Mathews its new vice president of marketing. Mathews comes to Lenox from Graco, another Newell Rubbermaid company, where he had been the...

Industrial Scientific Corporation.(people)
February 1, 2006... Industrial Scientific Corporation has said Justin McElhattan has been elected to the newly created position of vice president, operations by the Industrial Scientific Board of Directors. In this position, Justin will be responsible for...

Mr. Steam.(people)
February 1, 2006... Mr. Steam has announced that Steve Anderson has joined the company as a regional sales manger. Anderson will be responsible for supervising manufacturer's representatives in the Northeast and Mid-western United States and growing sales and...

Sloan Valve Company.(people)
February 1, 2006... Ren Owen, Sloan Valve Company's vice president of business development, passed away on Jan. 6. "Over the years, the success of a company like Sloan is built upon the contributions of hundreds of unsung heroes who do their job most often without...

Red flags your company might be in trouble without you even knowing.(servicesense)
February 1, 2006... I have been working with contractors throughout the trades industry for more than 18 years. Over that period of time I have observed a lot of once-profitable companies go out of business. Business failure isn't an overnight occurrence. It's...

Budgeting and cost control.(executivebriefcase)
February 1, 2006... One has to put up front-end money if one wishes to grow a business. That money is invested in tomorrow's profit makers, so those front-end investments will only be costs with no returns, and sometimes for a long time. How does one manage those...

Runnin' with the pack: there's a Contractor Service Group for just about every business.(Art Dexter)(Construction Contractors' Alliance)(Interview)
February 1, 2006... Humans are social animals and, as such, they generally enjoy and receive emotional, psychological and physiological benefits from being around--or belonging to a group populated by--other humans. Businesspeople are, of course, no different...

Employee marketing in slower times of the year.(marketingmechanics)
February 1, 2006... February is often one of the slower times of the year. This is the time to think about employee marketing. Here's why: A few years ago a contractor I worked with did a test. February was his slowest month of the year and he wanted to make that...

Take the plunge.
February 1, 2006... Join the Service Roundtable to: * Increase your sales * Boost your bottom line * Save time Every week, we introduce new sales, marketing, and business management tools for you to use in your business. Everything is included...

The ultimate PHC success group: the Service Roundtable has leapt to the top of the heap of PHC contractor business success groups because of its outstanding sales, marketing, and business tools; plus its contractor friendly format and pricing.(Business Success)
February 1, 2006... The Service Roundtable is PHC's largest success group. Every week the organization delivers its members new sales, marketing, and business management tools. In addition, online peer groups offer thousands of years of business experience. ...

Hot rocks and dreamy steam: saunas and steam baths provide your customers with a touch of the spa lifestyle at home.
February 1, 2006... Steam baths and saunas have been used for centuries as a method of cleansing and purifying the body. As humans perspire, whether through the dry heat of a sauna or the wet heat of a steam bath, we get rid of toxins that have built up in the...

Is the king on your side? Three steps to ensure you're collecting your due most each and every time.
February 1, 2006... Cash is king in the service business. If you don't have cash, you don't have the fuel you need to keep your company running on a daily basis. You won't have the funds to repair a broken truck, pay your suppliers, or even make your payroll. With...

Estimation.(manufacturer Q&A)
February 1, 2006... Q. How do your products address industry needs? A. Using the latest Microsoft[R] Office tools, EZ-Pricer automatically creates requests for quotes directly from your job data and sends them to your suppliers via e-mail. You don't even have...

Grundfos pumps corporation.(manufacturer Q&A)(Interview)
February 1, 2006... Q. Describe a recent situation in which your product was used to solve a contractor's job site problem. A. The home in Phoenix was a guzzler, for sure. Water, that is. The family of four felt they were frugal with their use of the natural...

ThermaSol.(manufacturer Q&A)
February 1, 2006... Q. Give us a brief overview of your company. A. Since 1958, ThermaSol, creator of the first steam bath unit for the home, has been designing and building the finest steam bath environments available. Today, ThermaSol is the dependable...

Uponor.(manufacturer Q&A)
February 1, 2006... Q. Give us a brief overview of your company. A. We used to be Wirsbo, but now we're Uponor--and proud of it! On Jan. 1, 2006, Wirsbo--a company well-known in the industry for manufacturing the highest quality crosslinked polyethylene...

Buderus.(manufacturer Q&A)(Interview)(Company Profile)
February 1, 2006... Q. Give us a brief overview of your company? A. Established in the United States in 1993, Buderus is a premier brand of BBT North America Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of BBT Thermotechnik GmbH, Bosch Group, of Wetzlar Germany. The...

Watts.(manufacturer Q&A)
February 1, 2006... Q. How did Watts get its start? A. Watts Water Technologies purchased two Canadian based drainage manufacturers in the early 1990's, Ancon and Enpoco. These companies were well-suited for a uniquely Canadian marketplace, but required...

Supreme Corporation.(manufacturer Q&A)
February 1, 2006... Q. Give us a brief overview of your company. A. In 1997, Supreme Corporation created the very first service van for contractors who required greater convenience and organization than other trucks had to offer at the time. According to...

Accubid.(manufacturer Q&A)(Interview)
February 1, 2006... Q. Give us a brief overview of your company. A. Accubid Systems is the leading provider of estimating, billing, and change order software for electrical and mechanical contractors. Accubid products are used by over 14,500 active users in...

Nu Flow America.(manufacturer Q&A)
February 1, 2006... Q. What exactly is Potable Water Technology? A. Well most people in the plumbing and drain cleaning industry are familiar with Nu Flow's drain lining products. Drain lining is most often used in 2-, 4- or 6-inch lateral & vertical...

Sioux Chief.(manufacturer Q&A)(Interview)
February 1, 2006... Q. What is water hammer? A. Water hammer is usually recognized by the banging or thumping noise that's heard when valves are shut off. Although this is an easy way to recognize the problem, water hammer doesn't always make these telltale...

IPS.(manufacturer Q&A)
February 1, 2006... Q. Give us a brief overview of your company. A. A pioneer in plumbing since 1954, IPS Corporation has time and again brought innovation, efficiency, and bedrock integrity to the service of the industry and its customers. IPS products have...

Vanguard piping systems.(manufacturer Q&A)
February 1, 2006... Q. How do your products address industry needs? A. Vanguard's MANABLOC offers timesaving solutions. The MANABLOC Manifold is a revolutionary plumbing system which provides endless benefits to homeowners and installers. This Home-Run...

Atlanta Special Products.(manufacturer Q&A)
February 1, 2006... Q. Give us a brief overview of your company. A. Pace Machinery is a world leader in the manufacturing of roll and cut grooving equipment. Pace also makes heavy-duty pipe stands and other pipe processing products such as our Model 1039 which...

Comfort[TM] Seats.(manufacturer Q&A)(Interview)
February 1, 2006... Q. Give us a brief overview of your company. A. At Comfort[TM]Seats we feel that even the most common of products can be Extraordinary. Comfort[TM]Seats has taken the manufacturing of toilet seats to a new level of engineering and design...

Ridge Tool Company.(manufacturer Q&A)
February 1, 2006... Q. Give us a brief overview of your company. A. Ridge Tool Company, the source of RIDGID[R] brand pipe tools, has set the standards for durability and performance in the plumbing, industrial and commercial markets for over 83 years. The...

Vortens.(manufacturer Q&A)
February 1, 2006... Q. Give us a brief overview of your company. A. The word "Vortens" comes from a pair of words which mean, "focused power." Our commitment to engineering and manufacturing superiority is the same as it was when our parent company was...

Viega.
February 1, 2006... Q. What makes Viega's Mixing and Injection Stations so user-friendly? A. There are many different ways to control and pipe a radiant system; mixing valves (three-and four-way), diverting valves, injection systems (pumping, mixing) etc. In...

Viega.(manufacturer Q&A)
February 1, 2006... Q. How has ProPress[R] been enhanced with Smart Connect[TM]? A. Ka-ching, ka-ching, ka-ching--that's about how fast it takes to make a ProPress[R] copper connection. For more than six years, the Viega ProPress System has helped North...

Gerber.(manufacturer Q&A)(Interview)
February 1, 2006... Q. Give us an overview of Gerber. A. Gerber Plumbing Fixtures LLC is a 73-year-old leading manufacturer of vitreous china plumbing fixtures and chrome-plated and special finish faucets and fittings for the residential, builder, commercial...

General wire spring company.(manufacturer Q&A)(Interview)
February 1, 2006... Q. Describe a recent situation in which your product was used to solve a contractor's job site problem. A. Plumbing and HVAC professionals get into tight spots. Crowded access zones. Snug crawl spaces. And awkward overhead runs. ...

Threading die heads.
February 1, 2006... ARGCO has added the new drop head threader die heads to its piping tools line. The new drop head threaders feature both replacement die heads and dies to fit the most popular ratchet or power hand threaders, including the Ridgid 700. Available...

Washfountain.
February 1, 2006... Bradley Corporation has introduced the Bradstone Classic Washfountain, designed to be versatile enough to fit in a school classroom or an industrial manufacturing facility as well as to withstand heavy-duty abuse. Bradstone Classics are...

Faucet valve.(newproducts)
February 1, 2006... ConservCo Water Conservation Products has launched the DripStop valve, a compression faucet washer replacement that could save consumers and municipal water districts millions of dollars annually in water replacement. Because the DripStop valve...

Cordless Combo Kit.
February 1, 2006... Bosch Power Tools and Accessories has announced the availability of its new CPK40-18 four-piece 18-volt Cordless Combo Kit, the first to feature two BLUECORE batteries and a 30-minute dual-bay charger, boasting 50 percent more battery life and...

Safety System.(newproducts)
February 1, 2006... Bradford White has announced that many of its power-vented, through-the-wall water heaters were to begin being manufactured with the Defender Safety System as of Jan. 1. This change has been made to comply with new ANSI standards regarding...

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

Boiler brochure.(newproducts)
February 1, 2006... Hydro Therm now offers a four-page full-color brochure featuring the new lightweight, ultra-high-efficiency GX Series boiler. The publication provides detailed information concerning the boiler's benefits and design and performance features as...

Chuck/Adapter.(newproducts)
February 1, 2006... M. K. Morse has introduced its Fast-Adapt Quick Change Chuck/Adapter, which converts a three-jaw chuck into a quick change chuck. The one-handed loading and unloading system allows fast insertion and removal of .25-, .375- and .437-inch hex...

Folding jack.(newproducts)
February 1, 2006... Sumner Manufacturing has introduced the Pack-Jack, a handy folding jack for contractors. The Pack-Jack has a 2,000-pound capacity and handles pipe up to 36 inches in diameter. It features folding legs made from 1-inch square tubing and an...

Insulating Suspension Clamp.(newproducts)
February 1, 2006... IPS Corporation has introduced the Single Shot Insulating Suspension Clamp, which offers a preloaded nail that will end the need to search for or purchase nails ever again. The Single Shot can be used anywhere standard insulating suspension...

Powder Room Collection.(newproducts)
February 1, 2006... The new Organic Powder Room Collection, from ShowHouse by Moen, features simple flowing forms that reflect the beauty and serenity found outdoors. The focal point of the suite is the faucet, which features a graceful high arc spout in a brushed...

Flushometer.(newproducts)
February 1, 2006... Sloan Valve's new Flushometer with the UPPERCUT Dual-Flush Handle helps to conserve even greater amounts of water on a flush-by-flush basis by giving the user two flush options: tilt the handle up for liquid waste (saving a half-gallon per...

Pressure-balancing mixing valve.(newproducts)
February 1, 2006... Symmons Industries has introduced the Visu-Temp with Clear-Vue shower and tub/shower systems. With its ergonomic design and easy-to-read display, Visu-Temp with Clear-Vue makes it possible to achieve the perfect temperature for any shower or...

Adhesive patch.(newproducts)
February 1, 2006... Zip Patch from Devcon is a patch of adhesive-impregnated fiberglass that effects fast, permanent and economical repairs to punctured or abrasion-damaged surfaces. Zip Patch adheres to metals, concrete, wood, ceramics, composites and most...

Water shutoff system.(newproducts)
February 1, 2006... FloLogic has announced the commercial availability of the FloLogic System 3.0. The FloLogic System minimizes or prevents water damage by continuously monitoring all water coming into a home and stopping any problematic amounts of flow. Unlike...

Pipe-thawing machines.(newproducts)
February 1, 2006... General Pipe Cleaners has announced the availability of two new pipe-thawing machines. The Hot-Shot 320 and Hot Shot 400 thaw pipes in minutes to eliminate the need to tear up floors, break through walls, or dig around pipes in frozen ground....

Shower products brochure.(newproducts)
February 1, 2006... Hansgrohe-North America has introduced a new 32-page brochure that presents its entire line of Pharo luxury shower products. "Bodytime" encompasses Pharo's complete line of shower panels and shower columns that integrate myriad features such as...

Power tool line.(newproducts)
February 1, 2006... DeWalt has announced the launch of its new, innovative, heavy-duty 36-volt power tool product line, providing users with increased levels of power and run time while weighing about the same as, or even less than, the tools' corded...

Thermo-Anemometer.(newproducts)
February 1, 2006... E Instruments has introduced the newest Mini Air HW Pro-VT50, a portable, compact, economical and highly accurate Hot Wire Thermo-Anemometer that is widely used throughout the HVAC industry. The Mini Air HW Pro is designed for simplicity and...

Saddle box.(newproducts)
February 1, 2006... Contractors with pickup trucks can now have a desirable combination of functionality and beauty in a heavy-duty toolbox with Highway Products' new Silverback single-lid saddle box. The box sports a reinforced diamond plate lid with an...