Reeves Journal articles from January 2004

Reeves Journal archives from January 2004

An excellent year.(Pipeline)(first year's experience as editor)(Editorial)
January 1, 2004... Believe it or not, this month marks my one-year anniversary as the editor of Reeves Journal. When I came onboard I faced a steep learning curve as a newcomer to the plumbing industry, and I had big shoes to fill--those of Scott Marshutz, who...

Liability for failing to take safety precautions.(Legal Corner)(CSB Construction Inc)
January 1, 2004... Michael Kinney ("Kinney") fell while working as an ironworker on a construction project. He was employed by a subcontractor, PB Erectors ("Erectors"). CSB Construction Inc. was the general contractor on the project and hired Erectors as one of...

Evaluating service tech productivity (part I).(Service Sense)(non-billable time of tech consultants)
January 1, 2004... Last month we talked about non-billable time in the service department. If you recall, we found out that approximately 50 percent of a service tech's time is non-billable. The non-billable hours translate into a company's single highest cost of...

Tires and tribulations.(Vehicle Maintenance)
January 1, 2004... Winter driving conditions may vary in different parts of the West and Southwest, but tire wear and care needs never change. From front-end misalignment, damaged or worn suspension components, and improperly balanced tires to bent tire rims, or...

ISH-NA moves to biennial schedule.(News Connection)
January 1, 2004... The ISH-North America (ISH-NA) partners recently announced format changes for the trade show and conference. A biennial schedule and new combined industry conference are two key components of the new format, designed to make the event more...

CDA's Weflen wins IAPMO American Flag Award.(News Briefs)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... An American flag was flown over the U.S. Capitol for a day in honor of James O. Weflen, the 2003 recipient of the American Flag Award presented by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO). Weflen, based in...

Appleseed 2004 contractors Workshop.(News Briefs)(Appleseed Business Inc.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Appleseed Business, Inc., a training and consulting company devoted to improving the operational efficiency of contracting businesses, has announced its 2004 Workshop Schedule. Conducted by Al Levi, Appleseed president, the two-day...

Waterwheel offers free Tracker Lite software.(News Briefs)(service introduction)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Waterwheel Software announced that Tracker Lite, a limited version of the company's Construction Tracker software, is now available as a free download. The Tracker Lite software, previously priced at $195, can now be obtained at no charge...

Web site provides Mold Updates.(News Briefs)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The Web site of McGraw-Hill Construction now hosts a "Mold Update Center" that provides contractors with the latest news on the mold issue from the company's various publications as well as from regional and national news sources. ...

QSC meeting features seminar on "The FISH Philosophy".(News Briefs)(Quality Service Contractors event)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Quality Service Contractors (QSC) meeting attendees can learn how to translate the much ballyhooed customer service philosophies of Seattle's world-famous Pike-Place Fish to their plumbing-heating-cooling businesses at the next QSC event March...

PHCC launches legislative action center.(News Briefs)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors-National Association (PHCC) announced the unveiling of a new link on its Web site that allows members to e-mail messages or letters on particular industry-related topics to members of Congress. ...

Colorado's Woodford celebrates 75 years in plumbing industry.(News Connection)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... It wasn't the best of times for the U.S. economy, but in 1929 J. C. Woodford saw something he believed really had a future-a ground hydrant that would not freeze up even in the coldest climate, the original Iowa (Y34) yard hydrant. Even though...

Apprentice of the month.(News Connection)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Name: Sergio Ibarra Employer: Good Plumber, North Hollywood, Calif. Program: Currently in his fourth year of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors of Greater Los Angeles Area (PHCC-GLAA) training program, he will graduate in 2004....

PHCC-GLAA show ready to roll.(News Connection)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The 29th Annual Southern California Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Industry Trade Show will be heald at the Los Angeles County Pomona FairPlex on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2004. Attendee Registration Opens 8:00 am with on-site registration and badge...

FlowGuard Gold receives highest cell class rating.(News Connection)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Independent testing has determined that FlowGuard Gold CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride) meets a new higher cell class that has never been achieved by any CPVC compound manufacturer, according to FlowGuard Gold Pipe & Fittings. The new...

California Contractor honored as most "financially sound".(News Connection)(Wilson's Plumbing and Heating Company of Pacific Grove, California)
January 1, 2004... Wilson's Plumbing & Heating Company of Pacific Grove, Calif., was one of four companies recognized as most financially sound in their respective categories in Contractors 2000's Frank Blau Jr. Annual Member Financial Survey. Wilson's...

MSCA introduces service excellence program.(News Connection)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The Mechanical Service Contractors of America (MSCA) recently implemented a new MSCA STAR qualification program that will recognize contractors who uphold the highest standards of excellence in the mechanical service contracting industry. ...

AMPAM obtains final DIP order.(News Connection)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Texas-based American Plumbing & Mechanical Inc. (AMPAM), which filed for bankruptcy in October, announced it has obtained final approval of its debtor-in-possession (DIP) agreement from Bankruptcy Judge Leif Clark in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court...

Victor Bach, Past MCAA President, Dies.(People)(Western Plumbing & Heating Company Inc)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Victor Bach, president of Western Plumbing & Heating Company Inc. in San Francisco and former president of the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA), died on Oct. 31 at 71 years of age. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Bach, a...

Gerber Plumbing Fixtures.(People)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Gerber Plumbing Fixtures announced that Michael E. Werner, who has served as the company's chief executive officer since the company's assets were purchased by Globe Union last February, will now also assume the role of president. Werner has 15...

Bradford-White Corporation.(People)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Bradford-White Corporation announced the following organizational changes. R. Bruce Carnevale was promoted to national sales manager and now oversees domestic sales, works with marketing and product development to ensure success of new product...

NIBCO.(People)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... NIBCO's board of directors approved the appointments of James Drexinger to senior vice president, general manager NIBCO, and Steven Malm to senior vice president, general manager TOLCO. Drexinger joined NIBCO in 1994 and most recently was vice...

ThermaSol.(People)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... ThermaSol announced its appointment of Kevin Mandrell to the position of quality assurance manager. Mandrell has established and implemented advanced quality planning teams throughout the company, including the expertise of George Martinez,...

Calendar.(Calendar)
January 1, 2004... Feb. 11-12, 2004 IAPMO Group and World Plumbing Council International SARS Symposium Los Angeles, Calif. www.iapmo.org harir@iapmo.org 909/472-4112 Feb. 18-21, 2004 Pumper & Cleaner Show Gaylord...

Aloha Nui Loa, Bay-Bee: the Dorvin D. Leis Co., Inc., rides Hawaii's economic boom to the top of the heap.(State Lines)
January 1, 2004... When Dorvin Leis started a plumbing company in Pasadena, Calif., in 1960, he probably never counted on being the largest contractor in the state. The state of Hawaii, that is. "I came over in 1967 for Travelodge and built its first hotel...

Gearing up for the year ahead.(Executive Briefcase)(construction industry)
January 1, 2004... Through the years I have been writing in this space, I have spoken with many of the readers of this magazine and enjoyed hearing about your businesses. I have learned much from you and I hope I have given you some helpful advice and encouraging...

Western trends survey: a new survey of western contractors reveals high hopes for 2004.(Western Trends)
January 1, 2004... Results from RJ's recent Western Construction & Economic Trends Survey have arrived. The survey went out to 1,000 plumbing contractors in the western states, drawing a response rate of 18 percent, or 178 contractors. Forty percent of those...

Dog days or doggone good year? Construction in 2004.(Western Trends)
January 1, 2004... The economy has finally quit taxiing and appears poised to resume cruising speed for the next few quarters. The broadest measure of economy activity, real (net of inflation) gross domestic product, more than doubled its annualized growth rate...

Software for small shops: smaller plumbing firms shouldn't ignore the benefits of a good software program, but fundamentals must come first.(Software)(Plumbers' Success International)
January 1, 2004... Often when plumbers hear the phrase "software package" they think of large companies with expansive fleets, GPS dispatching and row upon row of computers back at the shop. But industry experts say the right software can be a powerful tool for...

Award-winning program makes change orders easy.(Software)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Change orders can really slow down a job, and create headaches for project managers in the field. Recently, Accubid's "Pocket ChangeOrder" program for the Pocket PC won a 1st-place New Product Showcase Award at the ISH-North America trade show...

Radiant heat through the ages.(Reeves Retrospective Radiant Hydronic Heating)(Cover Story)
January 1, 2004... It is difficult to say when man first began to utilize radiant heating for his personal comfort. Anthropologists tell us that early man chose south-facing caves because the rock would warm from the sun during the day and radiate that heat into...

The Radiant Panel Association.(Reeves Retrospective Radiant Hydronic Heating)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The Radiant Panel Association (RPA) is a nonprofit organization, established in 1994 for the benefit of those involved in the radiant heating and cooling trade. It is made up of companies from all levels of the industry that have a stake in the...

Welcome to the modern age: the evolution of radiant hydronic heating since the 50s: it's come a long way, baby.(Reeves Retrospective Radiant Hydronic Heating)
January 1, 2004... Radiant heating systems, and particularly radiant hydronic systems, are growing in popularity. And why not? They can eliminate floor drafts, cold spots and dry air while significantly reducing energy bills and, with a domestic hot water...

Getting it hot: these aren't your grandpa's boilers ...(Reeves Retrospective Radiant Hydronic Heating)
January 1, 2004... The heart of any heating system is, of course, the part that makes the heat. New materials, and even wall-hung units, are changing the way in which hydronic heating systems work while making them more environmentally friendly and efficient. ...

Improving radiant piping systems.(Reeves Retrospective Radiant Hydronic Heating)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) piping was developed during the 1960s and came into its own during the late 1970s. Once a way in which to add an oxygen barrier was discovered, PEX became the material of choice in hydronic radiant heating...

Zone controls offer high-tech options.(Reeves Retrospective Radiant Hydronic Heating)
January 1, 2004... One benefit of a radiant hydronic heating system is independently controlling the temperature of various "zones" in a building. A forced-air setup with vents in each room of a single-story home may have only one centrally located thermostat...

Pumping it up.(Reeves Retrospective Radiant Hydronic Heating)(heating through pumps)
January 1, 2004... All of the sophisticated heating, piping and control equipment in the world isn't much use in a hydronic heating system if there's no way in which to circulate the fluid through the system. Pump technology has been around for a long time,...

Radiant hydronic heat rises in the west.(Reeves Retrospective Radiant Hydronic Heating)
January 1, 2004... Its benefits are many--steady, constant temperatures; reduced fuel consumption; full and even surface warmth; and the reduction of allergies and infections. So why has radiant hydronic heating taken so long to catch on in residential and...

Can you be a client saver?(Business Strategies)
January 1, 2004... You can be a client killer or a client saver. You can operate your business in a way that alienates and aggravates your clients, or you can take steps to avoid those actions that lead to client attrition. Make client retention your goal. ...

Start 2004 on the right path.(Marketing Mechanics)(clients as tools of marketing)
January 1, 2004... Your marketing plan must address all the different types of clients you have. First are your internal clients, i.e. your employees. Second, are your current external clients, i.e. people who have done business with you in the past 18 months....

Hand dryer.(New Products)
January 1, 2004... The new automatic XLerator hand dryer, designed to save time and energy with warm high-speed drying, is now available from the manufacturer. The XLerator provides hands-free operation with an average 15-second hand-drying time and uses 80...

Jet Set catalog.(New Products)
January 1, 2004... The manufacturer's Jet Set, designed to clear drains from 1.5 to 8.0 inches in diameter, is described in a new catalog illustrating the jets and their accessories. The Jet Set catalog features a comparison chart to help users determine which...

Water cooler.(New Products)
January 1, 2004... Voyager, the water cooler previously introduced by the company featuring unprecedented styling and enhanced features, is now available with personalized molded-in graphics. Schools, large retail chains, shopping malls, stadiums, auditoriums and...

Pad.(New Products)
January 1, 2004... The Plumber's Pad is designed to provide back and head support to the plumbing contractor when working on plumbing inside kitchen or bath cabinets. The six-inch-thick base pad meets average toe-kick height and is constructed of commercial-grade...

Mold test kit.(New Products)
January 1, 2004... The manufacturer's PROSTOCK stores are now offering contractors and distributors the opportunity to provide their customers with a Hometest mold test kit. This kit enables the homeowner to take a mold sample and have it analyzed by an...

Miniature pumps.(New Products)
January 1, 2004... The company offers innovative magnetic drive technology for exceptional leak-free performance from pumping systems that ensure long life and reliable operation by providing benefits such as high accuracy, smooth pulseless delivery and...

Bathtub.(New Products)
January 1, 2004... The company's newest creation, the Gibraltar, has a heart of EnduroCAST, a revolutionary new core material identical to what the automotive industry uses for crash protection. As such, the Gibraltar provides all of the advantages of cast iron...

Circular saw.(New Products)
January 1, 2004... Equipped with durable, fast-cutting Cermet-tipped blades, the company's new eight-inch metal-cutting circular saw with dry (a.k.a. "cold") cutting technology produces a virtual spark-free wake and cool, burr and scorch-free edges that do not...

Lubrication pumps.(New Products)
January 1, 2004... The company offers rotating equipment lubrication pumps for high reliability. Used in filtration or oil mist applications on rotating equipment, the pumps can handle a wide range of oil viscosities, ensuring their dependability regardless of...

Circular saw blades.(New Products)
January 1, 2004... The manufacturer has added two new 10-inch, metal-cutting, carbide-tipped circular saw blades to its Morse Metal Devil line. One blade is designed for cutting thin steel, and the other is for cutting aluminum. The thin steel-cutting blade has 2...

Leak detector.(New Products)
January 1, 2004... The new H2000 uses hydrogen as a tracer gas to detect leaks. It is a compact and robust system that is extremely sensitive to hydrogen gas and can be used to detect leaks smaller than a bacterium. The H2000 offers flexible detection solutions...

Waterfall Sink.(New Products)
January 1, 2004... The Waterfall Sink is the ideal showpiece for today's bath, bringing the serenity and grandeur of a natural waterfall to an in-home retreat. Created exclusively for the discerning clientele, this sink measures 24 inches deep by 60 inches long...

Boilers brochure.(New Products)
January 1, 2004... A new brochure provides complete information on the manufacturer's RV Series boilers in eight standard sizes from 3.5 million to 8.0 million BTUH. These boilers are forced draft gas, oil or dual-fuel fired. All feature the company's "flexible...

Combination machine.(New Products)
January 1, 2004... The all-aluminum PowerMate LE-1 model is five machines in one: power stairclimber, tailgate lift, curb/dock leveler, motorized stacker and well-balanced handtruck. This combination allows the operator to power heavy loads off vehicles, over...

Water connector.(New Products)
January 1, 2004... The firm's revolutionary new cut-to-length flex connector has been professionally designed to simplify plumbing installations by replacing up to four water connector lengths. This flex connector can be used for any installation up to 20 inches....

Valves.(New Products)
January 1, 2004... The manufacturer now offers high-pressure Series 20 Model H21 and H24 valves with a redesigned guide pin that provides high sealability at lower cost. Standard operating pressures are to 2,000 psi (H21) and 1,000 psi (H24) in gas or liquid....