Reeves Journal articles from March 2007

Reeves Journal archives from March 2007

Choices are good.(pipeline)(use of chlorinated polyvinyl chloride pipe)
March 1, 2007... The California Building Standards Commission has recently given the OK for the unrestricted use of chlorinated polyvinyl chloride pipe for hot and cold potable water distribution in houses, apartments, and hotels/motels anywhere in the state of...

Are roofing shingles 'consumer products?' The California court of appeals for the 6th district says, 'maybe'.(legalcorner)
March 1, 2007... A homeowner hired a roofing company to re-roof his family home with shingles chosen by the owner. Some time later, the owner observed cracks in several shingles. He then filed a complaint alleging several causes of action including breach of...

Implement an employee retirement savings plan: six reasons why it's good for business.(executivebriefcase)
March 1, 2007... Simply put, an employee retirement savings plan is a pension or profit-sharing plan that is established and maintained by an employer to provide an economic or financial benefit to its employees when they hit retirement. However, employers and...

Current customers pull you through slower times.(marketingmechanics)
March 1, 2007... Last month I wrote about how to deal with slower times in your business. Of course you can choose to take time off because you're working so hard during the busier times. However, most contractors I know fret about the slower times even though...

Overcoming the fear factor: Part II; Raising your hourly rate isn't something to dread.(servicesense)
March 1, 2007... Today's customer is looking for three things. First, most of the population still wants quality work done. The other 20 percent are price shoppers and they are NOT your customers. I repeat--price shoppers are NOT your customers. The contractor...

CPVC gains approval for California potable water use.(news connection)
March 1, 2007... The California Building Standards Commission Jan. 31 approved a final environmental impact report prepared by the state's Housing and Community Development Department and put its stamp of approval on the unrestricted use of chlorinated...

Arizona Employers form immigration reform coalition.(news connection)
March 1, 2007... Concerns over border security and shortages in the work force have motivated a group of Arizona businesses to form Arizona Employers for Immigration Reform (AZEIR), a coalition that is demanding comprehensive immigration reform from the 110th...

Jo Wagner earns senate resolution.(news connection)
March 1, 2007... Jo Rae Wagner, 2006-2007 president of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors-National Association, was honored recently with a resolution in the Texas Senate chamber presented by State Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr. Also recognized were several...

New EPA-certified toilets address water shortages.(news connection)
March 1, 2007... Along with its final specifications for the newest water-saving toilets that use less than 1.3 gallons per flush, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in January issued efficiency and performance criteria for toilets to be certified to...

ICC issues 'green' statement, puts standards online.(news connection)
March 1, 2007... The International Code Council of Washington, D.C., has issued a policy statement on "green" building/sustainable communities that outlines several initiatives to support green building in the legislative, regulatory and codes arenas. The...

ASHRAE Tech Awards spotlight outstanding projects.(news connection)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... A range of innovations were represented in the winning ASHRAE Technology Award projects presented at the organization's 2007 winter meetings in Dallas. The awards recognize members' achievements in incorporating innovative technologies in the...

American Standard restructures.(newsbriefs)
March 1, 2007... American Standard Companies, a Piscataway, N.J., manufacturer of faucets and other kitchen and bath products, said Feb. 1 it plans to separate its three businesses. Plans are to sell its $2.4 billion bath and kitchen business, retain its...

A.O. Smith wins award.(newsbriefs)
March 1, 2007... The A.O. Smith Water Products Co.'s Vertex Water Heater has been tapped as the AHR Expo Innovation Award Green Building Product of the Year. The award was presented to the water heater manufacturer during the 2007 International...

Bosch acquires FHP.(newsbriefs)
March 1, 2007... Bosch said Jan. 31 it had completed its acquisition of FHP Manufacturing Co., of Fort Lauderdale. FHP is one of the leading U.S. manufacturers of these systems in the renewable-energy field. Bosch has acquired all shares of FHP Manufacturing...

Elkay earns Merit Award.(newsbriefs)(Elkay Manufacturing Co.)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Elkay's Plumbing Products Division in February was the recipient of a Merit Award at Interior Design magazine's 2006 "Best of the Year" awards ceremony at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York. Elkay's Avado sink equipped with a center...

QSC hires business coach.(newsbriefs)
March 1, 2007... Quality Service Contractors has hired John O'Connor as its second business management coach. O'Connor will offer personalized business support for members of QSC and the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors-National Association. He will...

ASHRAE, REHVA team up.(newsbriefs)
March 1, 2007... ASHRAE and the Federation of European Heating and Air-Conditioning Associations have formalized their long-time relationship, inking a memorandum of understanding calling for increased cooperation in the quest for sustainable technology. "The...

HVAC Excellence goes 'green'.(newsbriefs)
March 1, 2007... HVAC Excellence, a founding member of the Green Mechanical Council, said it will add "green" technology and additional energy efficiency questions during this year's review of their exams. HVAC Excellence also has added "Combustion Analysis" to...

Rheem goes racing.(newsbriefs)
March 1, 2007... Rheem Mfg. Co., an Atlanta-based supplier of residential and commercial heating and cooling products, water heaters, and boilers, has inked a sponsorship deal for the Richard Childress Racing No. 29 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series car to be driven by...

New WWW site for Weil-McLain.(newsbriefs)
March 1, 2007... Weil-Mc-Lain, the Michigan City, Ind.-based supplier of the Ultra line of boilers, said Jan. 29 it has rolled out a new Web site at www.weil-mclain.com. The site includes contractor, consumer and distributor information on radiant heating...

Phoenix contractor takes service award.(newsbriefs)
March 1, 2007... Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, a full service operation in Phoenix, said Feb. 2 it has received the 2006 "Super Service Award" from Angie's List, a "word-of-mouth" Web site network for consumers that provides a rundown on local businesses and...

Management course focuses on profits.(newsbriefs)
March 1, 2007... Twenty business owners, project managers, estimators and superintendents were put through an intense four-day training session during the PHCC Education Foundation's Essentials of PHC Project Management Course staged in January in Lansdowne,...

A.O. Smith is POWER TOOL sponsor.(newsbriefs)
March 1, 2007... A.O. Smith, a manufacturer of residential, commercial specialty water heating products, is the QSC POWER TOOL sponsor for 2007 Quality Service Contractors announced. A.O. Smith will be supporting QSC programs and the implementation of those...

Promotion spotlights surplus Web site.(newsbriefs)
March 1, 2007... A new Web site, www.MEPSurplus.com, is offering a limited-time promotion for plumbing, pipefitting, HVAC, electrical, and sheet metal contractors. The first 20 contractors in each trade category in each of several geographical areas will be...

NIBCO expands PEX operations.(newsbriefs)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... NIBCO has moved into a new 80,000 square foot facility in Franklin, Ohio. The new plant will absorb the PEX pipe post-processing functions and east coast distribution of PEX formerly done at its Lebanon, Ohio, site. The Lebanon facility will...

Roto-Rooter giving away ultimate toilet.(newsbriefs)
March 1, 2007... You've heard of "pimping a ride"--outfitting a car with every luxurious detail imaginable. Roto-Rooter has taken the concept a step farther--into the bathroom. Roto-Rooter is sponsoring an online giveaway of a "Pimped-out John," a Kohler...

Calendar.(Calendar)
March 1, 2007... Mar. 19-21 Grandy & Associates Basic Business Boot Camp Executive Inn Owensboro, Ky. (800) 432-7963 E-mail: GrandyAsso@aol.com www.grandyassociates.com Mar. 27-31 Water Quality Association Aquatech...

Chicago Faucets.(people)
March 1, 2007... Chicago Faucets has promoted Jim Nahin to national sales manager for OEM and residential products. Nahin most recently had responsibility for the company's Western regional sales. Meanwhile, Art Petracco has joined the company as director of...

Hercules Chemical Company, Inc.(people)
March 1, 2007... Hercules Chemical Company, Inc. has promoted Wayne Merrifield to the position of director of technology. In his new role Merrifield will manage the technical department and be responsible for heading the company's product development efforts....

NIBCO Inc.(people)
March 1, 2007... Executive and sales changes at NIBCO Inc.: Jeff Shreiner has been has been promoted to vice president, wholesale sales; Jim Hilfinger, has been promoted to vice president, retail sales; and Clyde Hayes is the new vice president, international....

Masco Corporation.(people)
March 1, 2007... Masco Corporation of Taylor, Mich., Jan. 12 named Jerry Volas the group president of plumbing and heating products. Volas joined Masco in 1983 through the acquisition of BrassCraft Mfg. Co. and, over the past 15 years, has held various...

Hansgrohe North America.(people)(Al DeGenova appointed as director of marketing)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Hansgrohe North America, a manufacturer of shower, bath and kitchen fixtures, has announced that industry veteran Al DeGenova has joined the company in the newly created position of director of marketing. He will oversee the company's marketing...

The Gastite Division of Titeflex Corp.(people)
March 1, 2007... The Gastite Division of Titeflex Corp. has named Craig A. Barry as its new director of marketing. Reporting to VP Marketing Carmen Lattell, Barry will oversee advertising, new product launches, sales promotion, product packaging and public...

PHCC Educational Foundation.(people)
March 1, 2007... Marilyn J. Humm has joined the PHCC Educational Foundation as director of communications and marketing. Her primary role will be to develop and implement a comprehensive communications and marketing plan to support foundation fund-raising...

Where's Waldo? Fleet management systems can keep track of just about everything.
March 1, 2007... Your phone rings one afternoon. It's been a regular day at the office--you've been busy looking over last month's sales figures and paying the bills. It's just an hour or so since you had lunch so you're a little drowsy as you pick up the...

Support systems: hangers and brackets that work are a thing of beauty.
March 1, 2007... Support systems that fix plumbing pipes in place don't have the "wow" factor of glamorous upscale bathrooms or high-tech kitchen fixtures. But if the right choices are made pairing pipes with supports, those hangers and brackets can be a real...

Computer software roundtable: what a whole bunch of zeroes and ones can do for your business.(techtopic)(Discussion)
March 1, 2007... Long gone are the days when somebody could sit down with a scrap of paper and a stub of a pencil and "cipher out" a business's accounts, schedule, buying needs, inventory or anything else. For the past 20 years or so, savvy businesspeople have...

Networkcar.(manufacturer Q & A)(Interview)(Company overview)
March 1, 2007... Q. Who are you? A. Networkcar (www.networkcar.com) is a leading provider of services for remotely monitoring the performance and location of fleet vehicles. Networkcar's system, Networkfleet, merges patented remote vehicle diagnostic...

Woodford Mfg.(manufacturer Q & A)(Interview)
March 1, 2007... Q. When did the company get its start? A. Woodford got started in 1929 by Joe Woodford and his family in Des Moines, Iowa. Eventually the company moved to Colorado Springs and that's where our products are still produced today. This year...

Charlotte Pipe & Foundry.(manufacturer Q & A)
March 1, 2007... Q. What is different about Charlotte Pipe and Foundry's new ChemDrain[TM] CPVC Chemical Waste Drainage System? A. Why continue to do things the same old way when there is a better solution right at your fingertips? Our new ChemDrain[TM]...

Anvil International.(manufacturer Q & A)(Interview)
March 1, 2007... Q. Who is Anvil International? A. Anvil International is the world's largest and most complete manufacturer of piping connections and support systems. Anvil's products, services, and representatives have earned them a reputation for...

T-Drill industries.(manufacturer Q & A)(Interview)
March 1, 2007... Q. How do you account for T-DRILL becoming such an integral part of the plumbing and mechanical trades in North America? A. Over the thirty years that this method of tube and pipe branching has been used, a consistent pursuit of code...

Navien.(manufacturer Q & A)(Interview)
March 1, 2007... Q. What is the Heating Box? A. The Heating Box is an integrated heat transfer control station that accepts hot water from a heat source and then redirects it as required to provide domestic hot water and/or heat to hydronic applications....

Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co.(manufacturer Q & A)
March 1, 2007... Q. What is new from Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co.? A. Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co. continues the commitment to provide our customers with innovative products that are unmatched in the industry. Years of dealing with and solving grease interception...

Sioux Chief Mfg.(manufacturer Q & A)(Interview)
March 1, 2007... Q. What exactly is the new Touchdown II Strut Clamp? A. The Touchdown II Strut Clamp is an inexpensive, professional-looking, universal plastic clamp with an integral strut foot that is very strong. This product offers huge benefits from an...

Viega.(manufacturer Q & A)
March 1, 2007... 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)
March 1, 2007... 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...

Ridge Tool Company.(manufacturer Q & A)(Interview)
March 1, 2007... Q. Give us an overview of Ridge Tool Company. A. Ridge Tool Company: Setting Industry Standards Ridge Tool Company, the source of RIDGID[R] brand pipe tools, has set the standards for durability and performance in the plumbing,...

Hubbard Enterprises/HOLDRITE[R].(manufacturer Q & A)(Interview)
March 1, 2007... Q. How long has Hubbard Enterprises/HOLDRITE[R] been serving the plumbing industry? A. Hubbard Enterprises/HOLDRITE is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Since the introduction of the HOLDRITE Copper-bonded bracket 25 years ago,...

FlowGuard Gold[R] CPVC pipe & fittings.(manufacturer Q & A)(Interview)
March 1, 2007... Q. What is CPVC? A. CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride) is a high performance, durable material that has been successfully used in various long-service life applications for nearly 50 years. Q. How does CPVC affect water quality? ...

General Pipe Cleaners.(manufacturer Q & A)
March 1, 2007... Q. General Pipe Cleaners and General Wire Spring have a long history of association with the plumbing industry--when did the company get its start? A. The company was founded in 1930 by my grandfather, Abe Silverman. We've been making pipe...

T & S Brass.(manufacturer Q & A)
March 1, 2007... Q. What is the Qualis Series? A. The Qualis Series is a new line of quality, commercial plumbing products introduced by T & S Brass and interchangeable with other brands including Chicago and Zurn. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Q. What...

Everflux.(manufacturer Q & A)(Interview)
March 1, 2007... Q. How has Everflux been received by the plumbing industry? A. Everflux, the most popular flux on the Pacific Coast for years, is fast becoming the most popular flux in America as more and more areas are increasing enforcement of plumbing...

Grundfos pumps Corp.(manufacturer Q & A)
March 1, 2007... Vince Youndt, president of Vertex Mechanical Inc., recently completed plumbing and mechanical installations in a new home with "just about every pump in the Grundfos arsenal." What an interesting concept! So we visited with Vince to ask a few...

Mainline backflow products.(manufacturer Q & A)(Interview)
March 1, 2007... Q. Where does Mainline come up with all the new ideas? A. At Mainline we listen to plumbers because we are plumbers. We develop plumbing products that simply make sense! Our innovative products are practical and have features that make them...

Vortens.(manufacturer Q & A)(Interview)
March 1, 2007... 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...

Atlanta Special Products.(manufacturer Q & A)(Interview)
March 1, 2007... 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,...

Duracable Mfg.(manufacturer Q & A)(Interview)
March 1, 2007... Q. What products do you sell? A. Duracable Manufacturing Company manufactures high-performance sewer and drain cleaning machines, superior quality DuraFlex cable; pre-sharpened blades; accessories; and a complete line of ProClean drain...

Accubid.(manufacturer Q & A)(Interview)
March 1, 2007... Q. How long has Accubid been in the business of developing software for contractors? A. Accubid has been providing contractors with estimating, project management, and service management solutions for over 20 years now. We've been the...

Reed Mfg. Co.(manufacturer Q & A)
March 1, 2007... Q. Reed Mfg. Co. has a long history of association with the plumbing industry--when did the company get its start? A. Reed was founded in 1896 and continues to be a family-owned company. As a matter of fact, Reed celebrated its 110th year...

Gastite.(manufacturer Q & A)
March 1, 2007... Tell us about Gastite's Sizing Utility for AutoCAD. Gastite's computerized sizing tool is designed to reduce the time required to lay out gas piping systems by as much as 70- to 90 percent. This proprietary sizing utility is an add-on for...

TSB or recall? They're both useful tools to keep your vehicles running smoothly.(vehiclemaintenance)
March 1, 2007... Every once in a while you'll overhear a news report about one auto manufacturer or another issuing a recall covering a number of a certain model of its vehicles. And sometimes you'll overhear mechanics at the repair shop make reference to a...

Raising prices without raising a fuss.(businessstrategies)
March 1, 2007... If you're going to keep running a successful business, you're going to have to raise your prices at some point. It's inevitable with inflation and the rising costs of doing business. Plus, even if you aren't raising your prices, you may be...

Gas furnace.(newproducts)
March 1, 2007... Rheem Manufacturing has introduced the new Rheem Classic Series and Ruud Achiever Series gas furnaces. The 90 percent AFUE unit qualifies homeowners for the U.S. Energy Policy Act & Tax Credit Program which allows homeowners who purchase and...

Ultra Flush collection.(newproducts)
March 1, 2007... The Ultra Flush collection from Gerber now includes the Ultra Dual-Flush 1.0 gpf/1.6 gpf toilet and the Ultra Flush 1.1 gpf toilet. The Ultra Flush 1.1 gpf toilet combines the flushing performance of the Ultra Flush pressure-assist flushing...

Sump System.(newproducts)
March 1, 2007... Little Giant Pump Company's CS-SS Crawl Space Sump System is designed to reduce standing water, minimize mold and fungus growth, reduce freeze damage and prevent moisture damage to wood floors, insulation, and metal ductwork. This pre-packaged...

Pot Filler faucets.(newproducts)
March 1, 2007... Danze has added the Parma Wall Mount Pot Filler and Parma Deck Mount Pot Filler to its contemporary Parma Collection of faucets. The Parma Wall Mount Pot Filler has a two-piece, articulated spout that extends up to 22 inches from the wall and...

Power caulk gun.(newproducts)
March 1, 2007... Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp. has introduced a 14.4-volt caulk gun designed for heavy-duty professional use. Featuring interchangeable carriages that adapt to 10-ounce, quart-size and sausage racks, the gun can dispense materials with up to 620...

Faucet finishes.(newproducts)
March 1, 2007... A new, four-color brochure from Sloan Valve Co. showcases the company's newly expanded Guildmark Collection, which features a new palette of decorative finishes for select sensor-operated faucets and manual flushometers. The broadened array of...

Flexible Gas Connector.(newproducts)
March 1, 2007... The Safety Shield High-BTU Flexible Gas Connector has joined the ULTRA-flow High-BTU Connector in Dormont Manufacturing's line of gas connectors and accessories. Designed for large-demand appliances such as tank-less water heaters, the Safety...

Cordless drain cleaner.(newproducts)
March 1, 2007... General Pipe Cleaners bills its new Cordless Power-Vee power drain cleaner with automatic feed as more portable and more powerful. Squeeze the cleaner's feed lever and the automatic feed drives and retrieves the cable at up to 16 ft. per...

Mixing Valves.(newproducts)
March 1, 2007... Apollo's new 34HL Series Automatic Temperature Control Mixing Valve is the first hot/cold water-mixing device to meet the new ASSE 1069 Standard. A single assembly that controls water to multiple fixtures, it provides water at each outlet...

Backflow preventer.(newproducts)
March 1, 2007... Zurn Wilkins has introduced its Model 460 Spill-Resistant Pressure Vacuum Breaker to its line of backflow preventers. Specially designed for indoor applications that require a backflow preventer, the 460 protects against spillage that a normal...

Power-Fin advances.(newproducts)
March 1, 2007... Lochinvar has announced several advances to its Power-Fin boiler and water heater line. The line now offers higher turndown ratio, a standard internal cascading sequencer, and control upgrades for easy installation, system set-up and...

New brochure.(newproducts)
March 1, 2007... A six-page, full-color, glossy brochure illustrates RBI's newest product line--Futera Fusion gas-fired condensing water heaters and boilers. IBR-listed, up to 97.5 percent efficient, Fusion is designed to meet the changing demands of...

Thermostatic Valve.(newproducts)
March 1, 2007... Moen's new ExactTemp Thermostatic Valve is a 3/4-inch valve designed to provide enhanced water flow, control and flexibility in shower, tub/shower and vertical spa configurations. The ExactTemp produces 16gpm of water flow and offers...

Steam trap.(newproducts)
March 1, 2007... The CoMBo, condensate measuring elbow thermostatic sanitary steam trap from Nicholson Steam Trap Co., was developed specifically for clean steam equipment condensate drainage in the pharmaceutical, bioprocess, electronic, food, beverage and...

Water shutoff system.(newproducts)
March 1, 2007... The FloLogic System is an automatic water shutoff system designed to detect, minimize and prevent damage caused by leaks in water supply lines and failures in plumbing system components. From a single installation point, the FloLogic System...

Valve Setters.(newproducts)
March 1, 2007... Watts Regulator Co. has launched its Series WVS Valve Setters, which the company said eliminates the need for concrete thrust blocking of elbows when installing backflow preventers. Series WVS comes standard with epoxy-coated, cast-iron elbows...

Grease traps.(newproducts)
March 1, 2007... Schier Products Co. has introduced The Trapper II Series line of heavy-duty polyethylene grease traps. The Trapper II series handles between 10 and 100 gpm, and can be installed at-, above- or below-grade. The series features built-in flow...

PureFlow expands.(newproducts)
March 1, 2007... Viega's PureFlow Water System just got bigger. A full product line expansion now includes 1 1/4-inch and 1 1/2-inch XL sizes for all bronze fittings and adapters, stainless steel sleeves, manifolds, valves and accessories. Viega's PureFlow XL...

Tankless heater.(newproducts)
March 1, 2007... Stiebel Eltron Tempra tankless on-demand electric water heaters are designed for whole-house and varied commercial applications. The Tempra features a microprocessor control that allows an exact water temperature to be set and ensures water...

Literature update.(newproducts)
March 1, 2007... "Commercial, Residential & Institutional Pumps, Tanks & Accessories" is an updated brochure showcasing Taco product divisions and major product offerings. Featured commercial pump products include frame-mounted and close-coupled end section...

Knowledge.(newproducts)
March 1, 2007... "The Plumber's Handbook" by Howard Massey has been updated to comply with the current editions of the International Plumbing Code and the Uniform Plumbing Code. The handbook explains in simple terms how to install plumbing systems that will...