Snips articles from April 2006

Snips archives from April 2006

In a manner of speaking: what rudeness may be costing your business.
April 1, 2006... Have you ever thought about how much rudeness may be affecting your bottom line? What is the cost to your company when the people who represent you lack proper manners? Do you know how many clients are turned off when your supply house...

Getting into gear: guidelines on selecting and using sheet metal machinery.(Cover story)
April 1, 2006... Many shop owners and managers know that it takes a well-equipped facility to be competitive in the HVAC and sheet metal market, but that's only one requirement. You also need the correct machines and tools, and to use them efficiently. ...

Building to a big show: construction convention again attracts thousands to Florida convention center.
April 1, 2006... ORLANDO, Fla. -- Real estate analysts say the nation's housing market is slowing from the breakneck construction pace of the last few years. But you wouldn't have known that from walking through the exhibit halls of this year's International...

You're so square: making octagon-shaped transition fittings with straight sides.
April 1, 2006... There's probably a slim chance that you're ever going to use triangulation to fabricate octagon ductwork, even though it might offer an interesting change. However, the way homes and businesses are laid out, you may someday find yourself in a...

The show goes on: 76th AHR Expo brings thousands to Chicago.
April 1, 2006... CHICAGO -- It wasn't quite the complete record breaker that some were predicting, but the 2006 AHR Expo wasn't too shabby, either. More than 57,000 attended the Jan. 23-25 event at Chicago's McCormick Place, putting it in the company of the...

Louisiana company adapts to change with new machinery.(applications in the field)
April 1, 2006... The old adage "the only constant in life is change" fits Lake Charles, La.-based American Sheet Metal Fabrication Inc. When the company was started 21 years ago, it mainly did heavy industrial fabrication for the petroleum and chemical...

Moisture-control company saves New Orleans history.(applications in the field)
April 1, 2006... Hurricane Katrina not only impacted the lives of New Orleans residents, it also threatened to destroy three centuries of the city's history. The New Orleans Notarial Archives on Poydras Street maintained a one-of-a-kind collection of...

Humidity loggers monitor Hollywood history.(applications in the field)
April 1, 2006... Marilyn Monroe's famous white "subway" dress seen in the 1955 classic movie "The Seven Year Itch" has become an icon of American pop culture. Today, the dress is stored in a vault in the Debbie Reynolds Hollywood Motion Picture Museum in...

SMACNA approves 2006 budget, announces projects.(association news)
April 1, 2006... SMACNA's board of directors has approved a 2006 budget totaling more than $9 million, the association announced. Along with the budget, the Sheet Metal and Air-Conditioning Contractors' National Association has approved several projects for...

AMCA awards performance certifications.(association news)(Air Movement and Control Association )(Comefri USA Inc.)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... The Air Movement and Control Association has licensed two products from Comefri USA Inc. for air performance. The company's Model AP high-performance airfoil and curved plenum, and the Model ATZAF double-inlet centrifugal fans with airfoil...

General contractors weigh in on federal budget.(association news)
April 1, 2006... President Bush's proposed 2007 budget has its strengths--and some flaws, the Associated General Contractors of America says. According to the group, some of the budget recommendations could have positive and negative impacts on the...

ASHRAE research fund reaches $50 million.(association news)
April 1, 2006... ATLANTA -- With the approval of projects at the society's Jan. 20-25 winter meeting in Chicago, ASHRAE has funded $50 million in research since 1959, the group announced. "ASHRAE research furthers technology to help keep indoor...

Society welcomes executive vice president.(association news)
April 1, 2006... The Refrigeration Service Engineers Society has named Mark Lowry as its executive vice president. Lowry replaces Robb Isaacs, who retired Feb. 18. "The future is bright for RSES," said Lowry. "With the industry needing qualified,...

Air conditioner shipments break record in 2005.(supplier news)
April 1, 2006... ARLINGTON, Va. -- For the fourth consecutive year, manufacturers shipped a record number of central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps, according to the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute. More than 8.6 million units were...

Fedders Corp. forms air-treatment division.(supplier news)
April 1, 2006... LIBERTY CORNER, N.J. -- In an effort to streamline the delivery of indoor air quality products, Fedders Corp. will create a new business unit called Fedders Commercial/Industrial Air Treatment Products. The new division will market all of...

Esab achieves environmental certification.(supplier news)(ESAB Welding and Cutting Products (Florence, South Carolina))(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... FLORENCE, S.C. -- Esab Welding & Cutting Products has received group Environmental Management System certification for ISO: 14001. The certification recognizes the company's work on environmental impact issues. Esab believes that it is...

Danfoss Turbocor to move operations.(supplier news)
April 1, 2006... In an effort to expand operations and meet customer demand, Danfoss Turbocor Compressors Inc. reports that it will move its headquarters and manufacturing plant from Montreal to Tallahassee, Fla. The company expects to be in a new...

Wrightsoft links to energy codes.(supplier news)
April 1, 2006... LEXINGTON, Mass. -- Wrightsoft announced that its latest version of Right-Suite Residential software now links directly to energy code software. Users are able to keep using Right-Suite and will not have to enter information twice,...

Hart & Cooley announces sweepstakes winners.(supplier news)
April 1, 2006... Hart & Cooley announced the prizewinners of its "Five City Getaway" sweepstakes. The contest awarded trips to five participating, authorized distributors and five licensed contractors, as well as $500 spending cash. Winners had the...

Emerson encourages use of tax incentives.(contractor news)
April 1, 2006... ST. LOUIS -- Emerson Climate Technologies is urging HVAC contractors to take advantage of tax incentives in the 2005 energy law to help sell homeowners on higher-SEER systems. The law, enacted in late 2005, offers homeowners a tax credit if...

Dealers win Ford trucks, cash prizes.(contractor news)
April 1, 2006... Cincinnati-based Nelson Bros. won $20,000 as part of International Comfort Products' "Explorer Challenge." Winning dealers participating in the program had their choice of cash or a new Ford truck. Winners were determined by the number of...

Construction Contractors' Alliance elects chairman.(contractor news)
April 1, 2006... Les DenHerder of Bakersfield, Calif.-based HPS Mechanical Inc. was elected chairman of the Construction Contractors' Alliance. The group is part of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors-National Association. DenHerder was elected...

PHCC adopts position on immigration reform.(contractor news)
April 1, 2006... Immigration reforms should include increased enforcement, border security and a guest-worker visa program, according to a statement from the PHCC. The position was approved Jan. 27 by the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors-National...

ASHRAE, Elsevier launch e-learning programs.(internet news)
April 1, 2006... HVACR professionals have a new online education source, thanks to the latest development from ASHRAE and Elsevier. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers introduced its eLearning System at the...

Testing certification available online.(internet news)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... ACT announced it would deliver Web-based exams to people seeking National Inspection Testing Certification, which tests and certifies those in the plumbing, piping, HVACR and related fields. According to the American College Testing...

Industry People Group partners with HVACReducation.net.(internet news)
April 1, 2006... The Industry People Group has selected HVACReducation.net as the e-learning portal for its MEPatWork.com Web site. MEPatWork.com provides a job board dedicated to the HVAC, electrical and plumbing fields. Powered by MEPatWork.com,...

Carrier unveils 13-SEER line at Las Vegas convention.(Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... More than 7,000 dealers attended "Power 2006," Carrier Corp.'s national dealer convention Jan. 24-26 in Las Vegas. During the convention, Carrier introduced its latest line of products. The launch of Carrier's redesigned line coincided with...

Leadership group deals with service, human resources.(International Service Leadership Inc. conduct conference to help members tackle human resources and customer service)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... "Lights, camera, service" was the theme for the International Service Leadership conference Jan. 12-14 in Nashville, Tenn. The program was designed to help members tackle human resources and customer service issues. The group started...

International Comfort Products hits the road for 'Victory Tour'.(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... LEWISBURG, Tenn. -- International Comfort Products planned to visit 45 cities during its 2006 "Mission Victory Tour" to introduce 97 new Heil, Tempstar, Comfortmaker and Arcoaire products. The company is expecting to meet with 4,500 dealers...

York adds new training program to schedule.(Unitary Products Group )(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... York's Unitary Products Group will include a third level of training, "advanced tactical intelligence," for territory managers that have completed earlier courses. The basic training program provides an overview of the HVAC industry and...

QSC meeting to focus on 'Brand-Aid'.(Quality Service Contractors)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Achieving success, being a step ahead of the competition and developing marketing "secret weapons" are just some of the branding topics that will be discussed at the next Quality Service Contractors meeting. The keynote speaker for the...

Whitney to showcase products at open house.(meetings & conventions)
April 1, 2006... ROCKFORD, Ill. -- Whitney is inviting customers to view new products from all MegaFab divisions during the company's open house, scheduled for April 19-20. The event will be held in the Whitney Technology Center in Rockford, Ill. ...

Colmac Industries names president and CEO.(W.C. Buffington, chief executive officer)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... W.C. "Cam" Buffington is the newest president and chief operating officer at Colmac Industries Inc. He replaces Scott McMillan, who will remain as CEO and chairman, a position he has held since the retirement of his father, Roger McMillan, in...

Lenox.(people in the news)
April 1, 2006... Power tool manufacturer Lenox announced three recent appointments. The company named Lee Wilkins director of marketing for its hand tools division. Wilkins comes to Lenox from GKI/Bethlehem Lighting where he had been the vice president of...

Aerco International Inc.(appointed Neil Pilaar, Mark Croce, Jerry Fioriti, Mohamed Medhi Doura and Ken Banuls )
April 1, 2006... Aerco International Inc. announced its recent senior-level promotions. Neil Pilaar has been named director of global sales with new-revenue responsibility beyond the United States market. He will maintain his responsibility for U.S. sales as...

MultiCam.(people in the news)
April 1, 2006... Galen Derrickson has been promoted to water-jet and laser product manager for MultiCam. His new role will use his experience to guide the water jets and lasers from their design stage to marketing and implementation. Derrickson has experience...

Nomaco K-Flex.(Joe Humphries completed the Supply Chain Strategy and Management course at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Joe Humphries, supply chain manager for Nomaco K-Flex, completed the Supply Chain Strategy and Management course at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in December. The course, offered by MIT's Sloan School of Management, covered topics...

Hansen Technologies Corp.(people in the news)
April 1, 2006... Hansen Technologies Corp. appointed Jeffrey W. Nank as president. He succeeds Jeff Markham. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "I am very pleased that Jeff Nank is the new president," said Markham. "I have worked closely with Jeff for the past...

Munters Moisture Control Services.(appointed Leslie Demos )(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Leslie Demos was named national account manager for Munters Moisture Control Services, a division of Munters AB. Demos will be responsible for developing national and global accounts as well as maintaining relationships with key customers in...

Tweet/Garot Mechanical.(promoted Steven J. Schneider)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Tweet/Garot Mechanical promoted Steven J. Schneider to plumbing division manager. Schneider has been with Tweet/Garot Mechanical for his entire 26-year contracting career. He was most recently manager of plumbing estimation and project...

National Center for Energy Management and Building Technologies.(people in the news)
April 1, 2006... John Wimer was named manager of corporate outreach for the National Center for Energy Management and Building Technologies. "The growth of NCEMBT has been so extraordinary that outreach to the private sector is critical," said Eric Emblem,...

Chicagoland Sheet Metal Contractors Association.(people in the news)
April 1, 2006... William L. Niehoff Jr. of Fresh Air Test & Balance is now president of the Chicagoland Sheet Metal Contractors Association. Other new officers include Jack Baer of Air Comfort Corp. as vice president and Patrick J. Ludvigsen of Air Dynamics...

Builders Heating Inc.(people in the news)
April 1, 2006... Along with Niehoff and Ludvigsen, John P. Harmon of Builders Heating Inc. was named to a three-year term on the association board of directors. John Delano of William J. Perkinson Co. becomes the association's immediate past president. They all...

CertainTeed.(people in the news)
April 1, 2006... CertainTeed recently promoted two associates within its insulation group. Andrew Goldberg is the new district manager of HVAC and industrial products for the Western region, and Shawn Beears is product manager for the HVAC industrial business....

Frederic Booth Powers Jr.(Obituaries)
April 1, 2006... Frederic Booth Powers Jr., former chairman and president of Powers Fasteners Inc., died Dec. 20, 2005, at his home in Larchmont, N.Y. He was 72. Mr. Powers, who was inducted into the Fastener Hall of Fame by the National Industrial Fastener...

William A. Purl.(Obituaries)
April 1, 2006... William A. Purl died Dec. 15, 2005. He was 85. Mr. Purl was the president of Pro-Heating and Air Conditioning in La Grange Park, III. His career involved more than the heating and air-conditioning industry. Mr. Purl was a deputy district chief...

'Clear the deck' for smoother sailing in 2006.(business management)
April 1, 2006... The beginning of a new calendar year is a great opportunity to look ahead to "clear the decks" in preparation for a successful year. Organize now and reap the benefits all year long. Pirates knew what business they were in and every...

The price of undercutting the competition affects everyone.(sales & marketing)
April 1, 2006... I started one of my recent seminars on in-home selling by having participants read an article about a Midwest contractor complaining about lowball pricing. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] All the contractors agreed that they should be more...

Times are a-changin' in the HVAC industry (Part II).(mind your business)
April 1, 2006... This is part two of Jim Olsztynski's three-column series on changes in the HVAC and sheet metal industries. Part one ran in the March issue of SNIPS. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] During the last decade, the trade press has reported numerous...

Ridge Tool opens new distribution center.(wholesaler news)
April 1, 2006... ELYRIA, Ohio -- Ridge Tool Co. has completed construction of its 125,000-square-foot Ridgid North American distribution center in Cambridge, Ohio. According to the company, the new facility will enhance Ridge Tool's logistics capabilities...

N.B. Handy expands relationship with Iowa Precision.(wholesaler news)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... LYNCHBURG, Va. -- N.B. Handy Co. has been named distributor for Iowa Precision in northern Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. "Iowa Precision sets the standard in custom-designed and manufactured...

DuctSox names its 2005 Representative of the Year.(Hoffman & Hoffman )(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Greensboro, N.C.-based Hoffman & Hoffman was named the DuctSox 2005 Manufacturer's Representative of the Year. The company was honored Jan. 22 at the AHR Expo in Chicago. "Besides impressive sales totals, Hoffman & Hoffman took the...

Machine tool consumption up 8 percent.(wholesaler news)
April 1, 2006... U.S. machine tool consumption for December 2005 totaled $311 million, according to the Association for Manufacturing Technology and the American Machine Tool Distributors Association. This total is up 30.8 percent from November and up 7.8...

Mid-Way Supply named SpacePak distributor.(wholesaler news)
April 1, 2006... Mid-Way Supply of Zion, Ill., was chosen as a distributor for SpacePak air conditioners and heat units. Mid-Way will stock SpacePak units at all seven of its distributor locations in Illinois, including Zion, Burr Ridge, Oak Forest,...

Museum facelift features glass, metal pavilion.(roofing news)
April 1, 2006... Visitors to the Indianapolis Museum of Art will notice one of the major improvements before they walk in the door. A new entry pavilion, part of a $74 million enhancement project, is a four-story glass and metal oval structure. The...

Centria helps in China's growing construction market.(roofing news)
April 1, 2006... Centria recently provided insulated metal composite panels for two construction projects in China. The Formawall Dimension Series panels can be found at Tian Chang International Tobacco Co.'s new manufacturing facility in Xuchang, and the...

NRCA helps save church damaged by Katrina.(roofing news)
April 1, 2006... The National Roofing Contractors Association has committed $50,000 to rebuilding the roof of a church damaged by Hurricane Katrina. The roof of Greater St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church in New Orleans was destroyed by the hurricane and the...

Outdoor-enthusiasts store presents roofing challenge.(roofing news)
April 1, 2006... Putting a metal roof on a new Texas Cabela's store wasn't an easy project, according to the general contractor. The outdoor-enthusiasts store in Buda, Texas, is topped with more than 60,000 square-feet of 22-gauge, 18-inch Snap-Clad panels...

Arizona.(regional news)
April 1, 2006... Kathy Kingsland of Kinetic Systems Inc. was elected to serve a one-year term as president of the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association's Arizona chapter. Terry Flood of Q.C. Analytical Services, Nick Ganem of Metro...

California.(Golden Gate chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors meeting for George W. Bush's policy goals will impact the cost of heath care for small businesses)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... The Golden Gate chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors met Feb. 17 in Pleasanton, Calif., to discuss how President George W. Bush's policy goals will impact the cost of heath care for small businesses. Members met with Karen...

Georgia.(Engage Machinery Inc. opened new company at Fayetteville, Georgia)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Engage Machinery Inc. has opened a new machinery development, production and distribution company in Fayetteville, Ga. The company will focus primarily on the HVAC market, with some architectural sheet metal work. Engage Machinery develops,...

Illinois.(regional news)
April 1, 2006... The Chicago Roofing Contractors Association held its 2006 trade show Jan. 19-20 at the Drury Lane conference center in Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. The show featured a trade show, as well as educational sessions. Attendees were presented with "What's...

Indiana.(Jackson Systems LLC hosted customer appreciation night at Indiana Ice hockey game)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Indianapolis-based Jackson Systems LLC recently hosted its 2006 customer appreciation night at the Indiana Ice hockey game. Over 140 customers attended the event. The evening was sponsored by Honeywell, Aprilaire, White-Rodgers and Lux...

Michigan.(regional news)
April 1, 2006... The Mechanical Contractors Association of Detroit was recently named Association of the Year, according to the Michigan Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors Association. The group says the Detroit chapter was selected for its "ability to draw...

Pennsylvania.(Meier Supply Co. moved to new location at Arnold Street)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... HVACR wholesale distributor Meier Supply Co. Inc. opened its newest store in Williamsport, Pa. The branch originally opened in 1980 on Valley Street, and has been moved to Arnold Street. According to the company, the new location is more...

Data facilities guide.(American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers marketing its design for data centers )(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... An overview of the design needs for data centers and telecommunication facilities are available in a new publication from ASHRAE. Design Considerations for Datacom Equipment Centers provides an overview of design needs, such as heat loads, for...

Hydraulic press literature.(Beckwood Press Co. marketing its services)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... This company has published a new line of sales literature for its hydraulic presses, servo-motion presses and press equipment. The full-color brochure displays the company's range of new applications while highlighting the new Straight Side...

Attic ventilation brochure.(Air Vent Inc. marketing its products)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... "What Homeowners Should Know About Attic Ventilation" is a four-page brochure that provides the most important points of attic ventilation, according to this company. The brochure stresses the importance of attic ventilation in a home's design...

Principles of HVACR.(books software & lit)
April 1, 2006... A new textbook published by ASHRAE is designed as a reference manual that provides information for engineers on HVACR design procedures and methods. Principles of Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning builds on the basic information in the...

Roof fan catalog.(books software & lit)
April 1, 2006... A new eight-page catalog highlights this company's Series A propeller, hooded roof fans. According to the company, the models AE and AS spun-aluminum direct-drive fans are designed to be an economical solution for low-pressure and low-volume...

Welding Society publications.(books software & lit)
April 1, 2006... A catalog from the American Welding Society details the organization's numerous publications, including its new structural welding code for steel. The new code spells out the requirements for design, procedures, qualification, fabrication,...

Press system.
April 1, 2006... The hydroforming press systems from this company are capable of manufacturing various metal components in the HVAC industry. The systems are also computer-controlled hydraulic presses with data acquisition. They are designed to perform both...

Spiral-duct machine.
April 1, 2006... This company's new Sidewinder machine for spiral ductwork forms material outside the head, which reduces scrap and makes head changes easy and fast. It requires little lubrication, so there is no mess and the finished ductwork is virtually dry,...

Touch-screen thermostat.
April 1, 2006... The 90 Series, a blue touch-screen thermostat features installer-menu setup, audio prompting that confirms entries, temporary vacation overrides, and filter-change reminders. According to the company, the thermostat's benefits include a cleaner...

Refrigeration sealant.
April 1, 2006... Super Seal is a refrigeration-sealant product line featuring three custom formulas for systems ranging from small refrigeration appliances up to residential central AC units and large, multiple-ton chillers. The sealant is designed to seal...

Power roll.
April 1, 2006... The 72-inch by 16-gauge power roll-forming machine is the latest product from this company. Features of the machine include a portable, shrouded foot switch, quick-release upper roll, positive-chain drive, heavy-duty gearbox, front guard for...

Calendar of events.
April 1, 2006... APRIL 3-6 The University of Wisconsin-Madison will offer "Chilled Water Plants for Central Cooling System" in Madison, Wis. Attendees will discuss chiller selection and the relationship of coil loads to chiller loads, cooling towers...

No matter the location, the show remains the same.
April 1, 2006... Whew. I'm enjoying a break. Not a college-style Spring Break, but some rest nonetheless. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Spring marks the end of another busy trade show season for the SNIPS staff. While there may be a few small events over the...