Snips articles from April 2004

Snips archives from April 2004

It's all relative: Uncle Sam's role in the family business.(tax issues when transferring assets from generation to generation)
April 1, 2004... There is a silent partner in every family business, and his name is Uncle Sam. To ensure the government only gets what it's entitled to, family-owned businesses should consider several issues when transferring assets from generation to...

Times, ownership change at Illinois HVAC company.(McCarty Bros. Inc. )(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
April 1, 2004... One example of a family-owned business that has experienced changes in ownership is McCarty Bros. Inc. Walter McCarty Jr., 59, has been working at McCarty Bros., located southwest of Chicago in Romeoville, Ill., since he was 6 years old....

School days: Michigan's Ferris State University shows off new building.
April 1, 2004... BIG RAPIDS, Mich. -- It was time to polish the metal and clean the glass. The occasion: a formal walk-through of the new HVACR and construction program building on the campus of Ferris State University. Mike Feutz, chairman of the school's...

Setting up shop: purchasing and placing sheet metal equipment.
April 1, 2004... You just placed an order for those new machines you saw at the trade show. The ones you had to have. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] You're not sure where you're going to put them, but those machines work great anywhere, right? Sound a...

Learning the HARDI way: wholesalers group gives business tips at convention.( Heating, Airconditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International's Dec 7-9 convention)
April 1, 2004... SAN FRANCISCO -- Want to improve your business? Then you need to stop whining, listen more and serve your customers better. That was the consensus of business experts at the Heating, Airconditioning & Refrigeration Distributors...

Contractors, suppliers predict more technology, computers in industry's future.(Conferences meetings and seminars.)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... In addition to business-oriented seminars, HARDI held several association committee and council meetings on the state of refrigeration, controls and other facets of the HVAC industry. The HVAC Systems and Equipment Council invited suppliers and...

Cost and effects: leasing, buying and financing machinery.
April 1, 2004... When deciding to purchase sheet metal machinery, you must investigate the methods and costs of financing. This is a crucial step. Depending upon the type of rates you receive, it can make or break your decision. Checking financing rates...

Company duties to ensure press brake safety.(Press Brake Safety Compliance Kit)
April 1, 2004... (The following is taken from the employers reference manual of the "Press Brake Safety Compliance Kit," produced by the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association.) Companies involved in metal fabrication assemble a...

Geothermal system at Pa. college uses PVC drop pipe.(Applications in the Field)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... VALLEY FORGE, Pa. -- Nearly 40,000 feet of CertainTeed Corp.'s Certa-Lok drop pipe has been used in the construction of a new geothermal heat system at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pa. Some of the 67 wells drilled by Connecticut...

Northern Illinois contractor group elects officers.(Association News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. -- Raymond Turner of Lenert Plumbing Inc. in Naperville, Ill., was elected recently president of the Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors Association of North Illinois. John Bali of Another Plumbing Co. LLC in Minooka,...

ASHRAE announces lineup for homeland security broadcast.(Association News)(American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers )
April 1, 2004... The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers has announced the lineup for its April 14 closed-circuit broadcast on homeland security. The broadcast is hosted by the ASHRAE Presidential Ad Hoc Committee on...

ARI president elected to ANSI board.(Association News)(Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute's president William G. Sutton has been elected to the board of directors of the American National Standards Institute)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... ARLINGTON, Va. -- William G. Sutton, president of the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute, has been elected to the board of directors of the American National Standards Institute. His three-year term began in January. ANSI is a...

ASHRAE names executive vice president.(Association News)(American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Jeff Littleton )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... ATLANTA -- Jeff Littleton has been named executive vice president of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, succeeding Frank M. Coda. Coda will continue to serve as executive vice president emeritus and a...

RSES names certificate member, certificate-member specialists.(Association News)(Refrigeration Service Engineers Society)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... DES PLAINES, Ill. -- The Refrigeration Service Engineers Society announced the names of certificate member and certificate-member specialists awarded in December. Darin P. Gador, Grand Forks, N.D.; Michael L. Eyer and Matthew M. Truttman,...

ASHRAE to revise 'Fundamentals' courses.(Association News)(American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... ATLANTA -- According to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, as building-related technologies advance, HVAC practitioners need new educational opportunities. ASHRAE is revising its self-directed...

Ruskin Co. announces price increases on 3 product lines.(Supplier News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Ruskin Co. has announced price hikes for three of its brands, citing significant increases in the cost of raw steel and aluminum, as well as higher freight costs and employee medical expenses. Swartwout steel and...

CertainTeed celebrates 100 years in business.(Supplier News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... VALLEY FORGE, Pa. -- This year, Certain Teed Corp., a North American manufacturer of building materials, including HVAC products, becomes one of the few companies to have reached 100 years in business. CertainTeed is one of the nation's...

Data-Basics adds clients.(Supplier News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Data-Basics, a provider of Internet-based enterprise applications for the service- and facilities-management industries, announced the signing of two clients. Philadelphia-based mechanical contractor J.J. White and...

FlatPlate hikes prices.(Supplier News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... YORK, Pa. -- FlatPlate, a maker of plate heat exchangers for refrigeration, hydronic heating and industrial processes, recently increased its OEM and wholesale prices by approximately 4 percent. Company officials cited raw material cost...

Emerson opens Mississippi center.(Supplier News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... ST. LOUIS -- Emerson Motor Technologies recently moved into a new facility near Memphis, Tenn., that the company said would help improve motor availability, flexibility and provide faster order fulfillment. The new 150,000-square-foot...

Copeland hits R-410A milestone.(Supplier News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Copeland Corp. has shipped more than 1 million scroll compressors with the refrigerant R-410A, company officials recently announced. "This is more than a manufacturing milestone for Copeland," said Scott Barbour,...

December construction down 2 percent; 2003 rises.(Contractor News)
April 1, 2004... NEW YORK -- New construction starts settled back 2 percent in December to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $532.6 billion, according to McGraw-Hill Construction. The housing sector remained steady at a high volume in December, but...

Air Comfort Corp. gets award.(Contractor News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... CHICAGO -- The Unified Group recently presented its Opportunity Award to Air Comfort Corp., based in the Chicago suburb of Broadview, III., for its efforts to consistently share client projects with other member companies. Formed in 1998,...

Group launches 'ACCA buzz,' online contractor-news board.(Internet News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... ARLINGTON, Va. -- The Air Conditioning Contractors of America has launched "ACCAbuzz," an online news board for the HVACR community, available on the association's Web site, www.acca.org. ACCAbuzz is a Web log, also known as a "blog." It...

Reliable Products updates Web site.(Internet News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... GENEVA, Ala. -- Reliable Products recently introduced its new Web site. Located at www.reliablelouvers.com, the site includes brochures and model information online or as a PDF file. A photograph of each model, along with submittal access and...

Aerotech Institute debuts Web site.(Internet News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... PHOENIX -- Aerotech Laboratories Inc. has launched Aerotech Technical Institute's new Web site. The company said it created the Aerotech Technical Institute to meet the demand for more formal IAQ training courses. Aerotech Laboratories'...

NRCA releases online manual.(Internet News)
April 1, 2004... ROSEMONT, Ill. -- The National Roofing Contractors Association has released its online version of the NRCA Roofing and Waterproofing Manual, Fifth Edition. The manual includes information on low-slope membrane, steep-slope,...

Search products on site.(Internet News)(Reflective Insulation Manufacturers Association)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... PHOENIX -- The Reflective Insulation Manufacturers Association has upgraded its Web site with a product "search engine," which allows visitors to enter the product brand name and obtain information on how to contact the manufacturer. The...

Heatcraft names directors of operations, facilities.(People in the News)(Heatcraft Refrigeration Products LLC)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Heatcraft Refrigeration Products LLC in Atlanta has added Steve Dyer as director of operations for its Tifton, Ga., facility and promoted Nader Zyaei to director of operations at the company's Danville, Ill., facility. Dyer joins Heatcraft from...

R.J. "Dick" Schul.(People in the News)
April 1, 2004... Emerson Climate Technologies promoted R.J. "Dick" Schul to group vice president. In his new role, Schul will focus on coordinating sales activities across all of the Emerson Climate Technologies divisions to strengthen Emerson's relationship...

Mark Kaiser.(People in the News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Mark Kaiser has rejoined Selkirk LLC in Dallas as the wholesale western regional sales manager. He has a 23-year history with Selkirk.

Steril-Aire Inc.(People in the News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Steril-Aire Inc. in Cerritos, Calif., has appointed Shahrad M. Banki to manager of quality assurance and Roger B. Redman to manager of western regional sales. In the newly created post, Banki will oversee raw materials and finished goods. He...

Trumpf Inc.(People in the News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Trumpf Inc. in Farmington, Conn., has promoted Stephan Bundschu to director of engineering. He was formerly a chief engineer of special projects and has been with the company since 1991. Trumpf's Kai Moellendorf has been named as director of...

Power Fasteners Inc.(People in the News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Shawn Hazen has been named the manager of a new branch warehouse located in the Los Angeles area for Power Fasteners Inc. of New Rochelle, N.Y. Hazen has been with the company since 2000 after several years of sales experience with a...

Deborah Huether Carney.(People in the News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Deborah Huether Carney has joined Profit Strategies of Midland, Ga., to work on product development. Carney has more than 30 years experience in the HVAC field. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Jerry Babiar.(People in the News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Jerry Babiar was named general manager of Team Mechanical Inc. in Buffalo Grove, Ill. He is responsible for overseeing the sales and operations of the company's service division.

Robert V. Henning.(People in the News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Belmont Metals Inc. of Brooklyn, N.Y., recently honored former President Robert V. Henning for his 65 years of service with the company. Henning's father, George, established the business in 1896. Henning officially joined the company in 1938....

Figuring out who needs a Yellow Pages advertisement.(Business Management)
April 1, 2004... Fewer than 75 percent of contractors spend more than half their entire marketing budgets in the Yellow Pages. To make matters worse, this spending results in just 13.4 percent of HVAC sales. Spending over half and getting back one-seventh in...

Get to know about your customers and co-workers.(Sales & Marketing)
April 1, 2004... Getting to know your customers, no matter what you sell, is essential to successful selling. Every salesperson knows selling requires more than the right answers or a great relationship with the prospect; it requires teamwork. Successful...

Re-acquainting yourself with old customers.(Contractor Cents)
April 1, 2004... Every year, you should look at the source of your revenues: your customers. You need to know how many active customers you have. This number is easy to determine if all you do is new construction. However, from a service perspective, it is much...

So you want to start your own company.(Mind Your Business)
April 1, 2004... At some point, virtually all sheet metal contractors think about going into business for themselves. Usually they're motivated by a desire to make more money or to be their own boss. All too often, it happens when they feel they're not being...

OSHA issues bulletin on mold prevention, cleanup.(Indoor Air Quality)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... WASHINGTON -- A new Safety and Health Information Bulletin issued by OSHA gives recommendations on how to prevent mold growth and how to protect workers involved in its prevention and cleanup. "This bulletin offers workers some basic...

General Services Administration awards contract status.(Indoor Air Quality)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... VALENCIA, Calif. -- UltraViolet Devices Inc., a manufacturer of ultraviolet equipment for HVAC and other markets, has been awarded contract status by the federal General Services Administration. The award allows federal and state...

Lab OKs air-filter monitor.(Indoor Air Quality)(Filtrometer)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... KIRKLAND, Wash. -- An independent laboratory has verified the effectiveness of the Filtrometer air-filter monitor, according to its maker, Precision Air Technology Inc. The Filtrometer is desgned to determine when a dirty air filter needs...

December machine tool consumption up from Nov.(Wholesaler News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... ROCKVILLE, Md. -- December U.S. machine tool consumption totaled $221 million, according to the Association For Manufacturing Technology and AMTDA, the American Machine Tool Distributors' Association. The total was up 15.4 percent from...

Gustave A. Larson Co. trains contractors on hydronics.(Wholesaler News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... PEWAUKEE, Wis. -- The Gustave A. Larson Co. recently added the Baxi Luna home-comfort system to its wholesale product line, which it says eliminates the need for both a furnace and a hot water tank in one wall-hung boiler about the size of a...

Powers Fasteners opens new locations.(Wholesaler News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. -- Powers Fasteners Inc., a manufacturer of mechanical, adhesive and powder-actuated fastening systems, has opened new branch warehouse locations in the Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., areas to serve distributors and...

NRCA co-sponsors charity construction event.(Roofing News)(The National Roofing Contractors Association)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... ROSEMONT, Ill. -- The National Roofing Contractors Association was a co-sponsor of Rebuilding Together's "Kickoff to Rebuild 2004" on Jan. 30 in Houston. Held two days before the Super Bowl, the ninth annual event included the rehabilitation of...

Custom-Bilt to offer Vail Metal products.(Roofing News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... SOUTH EL MONTE, Calif. -- Custom-Bilt Metals has signed an agreement with Vail Metal Systems LLC that gives Custom-Bilt exclusive rights to manufacture, market and sell Vail's metal-shingle products in Western states, along with limited rights...

Arizona.(Regional News)(Joe Nichter, Dave Jones, Corky Pond)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association's Arizona chapter held a Feb. 18 seminar, "Underfloor Air Distribution Systems: Design Issues, Principles and Practices." Sponsored by the National Energy Management...

California.(meshed briefs)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Effective at the beginning of the year, employers are required to allow employees who are victims of certain types of crimes to take time off to attend judicial proceedings related to the crime. If an employee's family members are victims, the...

Illinois.(Regional News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The January meeting of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America's Northern Illionis chapter included discussions of vehicle-tracking systems. These systems monitor cars from an office computer and can print reports by driver, date, time and...

New Jersey.(Regional News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The Air Conditioning Contractors of America's North Jersey chapter's January meeting included a talk by Tom Giannotti of Wolf Steel USA, about increasing profits by installing fireplaces. The company manufactures Napolean and Continental...

Ohio.(Regional News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Robertson Heating Supply held its 35th annual 20-year club dinner at the Alliance Country Club Oct. 7. The event honored employees who have worked at the company with a "roast and toast" dinner. The 20-year club now includes 45 members, 20...

Pennsylvania.(Regional News)
April 1, 2004... The January meeting of the Western Pennsylvania chapter of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America included a presentation on succession planning by Matthew J. Carl of Blumling & Gusky. Carl works with clients to develop estate planning,...

Tennessee.(Regional News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The Mid-South Chapter of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America announced its board of directors, including President Jeff Muse, Vice President Don Smith and Secretary-Treasurer Larry Stewart.

Texas.(Regional News)
April 1, 2004... According to the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling-Contractors of North Texas, an employee of ARS in Dallas and his family lost all their possessions in an apartment fire. Association executive director Barbara Lochridge notified members, who donated a...

Wisconsin.(Regional News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The Mechanical Contractors Association of Northwest Wisconsin elected its new officers and board members, including President Joe Hengel, Vice President Jim Eron, Secretary Ron Kohls, treasurer Mike Merryfeld, and board members Charles Falch,...

Air filtration.(Books, Software & Lit)
April 1, 2004... This brochure describes the company's germicidal, high-efficiency, low-pressure air filtration system that can be retrofitted into HVAC systems. According to the company, the filter's germicidal effect has been confirmed by the Center for...

Dealer newsletters.(Books, Software & Lit)
April 1, 2004... This company offers monthly newsletters for dealers of its brands: The Dealer Star for Tempstar dealers, Dealer Link for Heil dealers, Comfort Zone for Comfortmaker dealers and Dealer Access for Arcoaire dealers. The publications include...

Roof fans.(Books, Software & Lit)
April 1, 2004... This catalog covers the Model G and GB centrifugal roof exhaust fans with performance ratings that range up to 2.5-inches water gauge and 44,700 cubic feet per minute. All models are licensed to bear the Air Movement and Control Association...

Data loggers sheet.(Books, Software & Lit)
April 1, 2004... This fact sheet describes the SL 150 and SL 151 data loggers that record the temperature of goods while in storage or transit. The data can be downloaded for analysis at any time. The data logger is sealed in a rugged plastic tag with no...

Power tools catalog.(Books, Software & Lit)
April 1, 2004... A catalog describes this company's electric, pneumatic and cordless power tools that are used for cutting, fastening and beveling. Seven models of shears, eight models of nibblers, five models of seam lockers and six beveling tools are...

Welding, cutting equipment.(Books, Software & Lit)
April 1, 2004... The 2004 product catalog, brochure E1.10, highlights this company's line of equipment, including power sources, plasma cutters, robotics and consumables. The catalog has a reference guide and is color-coded by product category. A power-source...

Machinery catalog.(Books, Software & Lit)
April 1, 2004... The new edition of Lion Machinery Inc.'s catalog describes pneumatic closed-end cleat folders, plate and sheet metal press brakes, electric open-throat cleat benders, pneumatic open-throat cleat benders and manual cheek benders. According to...

Standards, guidelines.(Books, Software & Lit)
April 1, 2004... ASHRAE's 97 standards and 11 guidelines are available on two compact discs, condensed from four 4-inch binders. The standards and guidelines are book-marked, allowing for navigation to points of interest. Custom searching is available within...

Fan info.(Books, Software & Lit)
April 1, 2004... A brochure describes this company's cooling fan, saying it is designed for quiet and rapid heat dissipation. The fans use a patented mixed-flow impeller, incorporating adjustable-blade geometry to provide a range of performance options....

Master catalog.(Books, Software & Lit)
April 1, 2004... Enco's 2004 Master Catalog features more than 40,0000 items of metalworking machinery, tools and shop supplies. The catalog includes Atrax and Weldon End Mills products, carborundum surface grinding wheels, Starrett flat stock and indexable...

Manuals, standards.(Books, Software & Lit)
April 1, 2004... A catalog describing the association's technical manuals, standards and spotlights the sixth edition Architectural Sheet Metal Manual and new fifth edition of the Fire, Smoke and Radiation Damper Installation Guide for HVAC Systems. The catalog...

Drawing software.(Books, Software & Lit)
April 1, 2004... A takeoff and roof-plan drawing program for commercial projects has been designed for estimators, specifiers and architectural representatives. The program operates on standard PCs. The suite of software employs direct-input technology from a...

Fire suppression.(Books, Software & Lit)
April 1, 2004... A brochure describes the Amerex Zone Defense restaurant fire-suppression system added to the company's line of kitchen hoods. Discharge nozzles are equally spaced over the length of the hood. Behind the filters, a pneumatic linear detection...

Cleat bender sheet.(Books, Software & Lit)
April 1, 2004... A fact sheet describes a pneumatic open end cleat bender with a 20-gauge capacity. Open-end machines allow L-shaped ducts to lay outside the bending area. The machine handles bend lengths from 3 inches through 29.5 inches, and bend widths from...

Textbook.(Books, Software & Lit)
April 1, 2004... The fourth edition of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, a revised, full-color textbook, is now in print. The Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute considers the textbook an excellent resource for those preparing for the industry...

Rotary power unit.(New Products)
April 1, 2004... The compact Mercer DD-1 dual-drive rotary power unit was designed to bring power to hand rotary machines and flange-making machines in minutes. It has 43 feet per minute output and an electric foot control that allows the operator to keep his...

Hole saw arbors.(New Products)
April 1, 2004... Posi-Lock quarter-inch universal shank hole saw arbors feature positive lock, nonslip jaw slots that accept the jaws mechanism on power-drill chucks. These new Posi-Lock arbors fit quarter-, three-eighths and half-inch chucks and nine-sixteenth...

Generator/welder.(New Products)
April 1, 2004... The Champion 4500 AC generator/welder provides 4,500 surge watts and 4,000 continuous watts of 120/240-volt AC power for emergency power situations and to run hand tools, grinders, lights and battery chargers. In the welding mode, the Champion...

Data loggers.(New Products)
April 1, 2004... The Hobo U12-006 4-channel indoor and Hobo U12-008 four-channel outdoor/industrial data loggers accept up to four external sensors for measuring AC current, DC voltage, temperature and carbon dioxide. The models provide 12-bit resolution...

Metal shingles.(New Products)
April 1, 2004... These stamped diamond-pattern metal shingles for residential and commercial roofing projects are corrosion resistant and durable, and can be installed over existing asphalt shingles, according to the maker. The watertight design includes a side...

Duct hanger.(New Products)
April 1, 2004... A polypropylene monofilament duct hanger is available in two sizes for hanging flexible dust collection hose and HVAC ducting. DuctMaster support strap is available in 1.75- and 3-inch widths, in black and silver. It can be installed by nail...

MIG Gun.(New Products)
April 1, 2004... The Robotic MIG Gun is designed to withstand harsh work environments, has a quick-change taper-lock-seating gooseneck that allows the neck to be removed and installed quickly, and is timed for repeatability, the company said. The gun is...

Plasma cutting.(New Products)
April 1, 2004... The Cutmaster 1Series air plasma-cutting systems feature the company's 1Torch plasma torch and its quick disconnect. The series includes three systems: The Cutmaster 51, 81 and 101. Each system is suitable for cutting materials including...

Filters.(New Products)
April 1, 2004... The company now manufactures both HEPA and ULPA Microguard 99 filters with 99.97 percent, 99.99 percent and 99.999 percent efficiencies on 0.3 microns. Standard capacity and high-capacity models are available. A variety of cell-side materials...

Press brake.(New Products)
April 1, 2004... The addition of an 8-foot, 24-ton press brake model expands the bending capacity of the company's line to 8 feet by 18 gauge, with a ram height of 23 5/8 inches. Features include adjustable stroke length to speed production while reducing air...

Calendar of events.(Calendar)
April 1, 2004... APRIL 1-30 Two-day "I=B=R" classes that teach the fundamentals of residential hydronic heating design and system installation to contractors, wholesalers, plumbers and heating-equipment installers are available. The classes encompass...