Snips articles from December 2006

Snips archives from December 2006

The brain drain: how to protect employee knowledge from leaving your company.
December 1, 2006... You know George. He's the guy you call when you have a problem. George has worked for his current employer, a sheet metal contractor, for nearly 30 years. There's very little he hasn't faced. Rumor has it he can solve any problem in 15 minutes...

Basic training: 2007 marks a return to familiar business challenges, experts say.
December 1, 2006... Take a deep breath. 2006 is coming to an end. You made it through a year that was filled with new and unfamiliar challenges. Many HVAC contractors successfully dealt with the conversion to a new seasonal energy-efficiency rating. They were able...

Instructions on installing heavy-gauge-formed gravel-stop fascia.(Excerpt)
December 1, 2006... The following is taken from the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association's Architectural Sheet Metal Manual. Figure 2-9 illustrates an installation of porcelain enamel gravel-stop-fascia systems. Since porcelain...

Athletic club installs equipment, fabric duct.(Mountainside Athletic Club contracts Stantec Consulting Ltd., and West Bay Mechanical Ltd.)
December 1, 2006... The new $3.1 million Mountainside Athletic Club at Bear Mountain in Victoria, British Columbia, is upscale all the way--from its slate floors and infrared sauna--right down to its high-performance HVAC system. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Contractor lowers costs with vehicle leasing plan.(applications in the field)
December 1, 2006... For many contractors, service vehicles can have a tremendous impact on overhead costs. A lot of companies are trying to find new ways to save money. Poudre Valley Air in Fort Collins, Colo., had vehicles in service with more than 150,000...

Convention center has 'sustainable' design.(applications in the field)
December 1, 2006... The 29,000-square-foot Salem Conference Center in Salem, Ore., has not only helped the local economy, it has also saved on energy costs due to its energy-efficient design. Located at the southern end of downtown Salem, the center has seen...

ASHRAE seeks entries for design competition.(association news)
December 1, 2006... A New York City building will be transformed into a biotech research facility as part of ASHRAE's 2007 Student Design Competition. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers is looking for students to...

ARI, Mexico work on HVACR criteria.(association news)(Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... The Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute has signed an agreement with Mexico's electrical standards development agency to advance international standards. The aim of the agreement is to align Mexico's HVACR standards with ARI's...

Oil heat association offering scholarships.(association news)
December 1, 2006... The National Association of Oil Heating Service Managers will offer $14,000 in scholarships during 2007. The scholarships are available to everyone, from high school students to individuals already working in the oil heat industry....

NEBB consolidates Australia chapters.(National Environmental Balancing Bureau chapters form new entity NEBB Australia)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... The National Environmental Balancing Bureau's three Australian chapters have joined to create a new organization. The new entity will be known as NEBB Australia. "This presents a unique opportunity for NEBB Australia to more closely...

ASHRAE guide to include environmental info.(association news)(American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers will incorporate "sustainability" in the ASHRAE Handbook. The society is conducting a review of the environmental sustainability content of all chapters and is...

Thermadyne partners with union, automaker.(supplier news)
December 1, 2006... Thermadyne Industries Inc. has become the single source provider of welding equipment for training at the United Auto Workers' National Training Center for DaimlerChrysler in Warren, Mich. "Thermadyne is pleased to be partnering with...

Wrightsoft celebrates 20 years.(supplier news)
December 1, 2006... Lexington, Mass.-based Wrightsoft Corp. is celebrating 20 years in business. From an initial meeting with the Air Conditioning Contractors of America, Wrightsoft developed an idea of placing the Manual J load calculations on a computer...

American Standard raises prices.(supplier news)
December 1, 2006... American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning announced an immediate price increase on light-commercial unitary products. A 3 percent to 5 percent increase was applied to all new quoted business after Sept. 25.

Fedders to help contractors visit 2008 Olympics.(supplier news)
December 1, 2006... Fedders Corp. is giving its customers the opportunity to visit Beijing for the 2008 Olympics. Customers can earn points toward the Fedders Olympics Program through March 2008. A trip is earned once the customer reaches a total of 12,000...

Modine forms commercial products group.(supplier news)
December 1, 2006... Modine Manufacturing Co. has announced plans to form a new commercial products group. The group will combine the company's electronics cooling and commercial heating, ventilating, air-conditioning and refrigeration divisions. Modine...

Ruskin purchases Ohio spiral-duct maker Eastern Sheet Metal.(supplier news)
December 1, 2006... Air- and sound-control products manufacturer Ruskin Co. has acquired Eastern Sheet Metal. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Eastern, a privately held company in Cincinnati, will be integrated into NRG Industries, an operating company of...

PHCC names Contractor of the Year.(contractor news)(awards to Alton Shannon)
December 1, 2006... Alton Shannon was named the 2006 Trane/PHCC Contractor of the Year at the association's annual convention, Sept. 26-30 in Chicago. Shannon, president of Shannon's Inc. in International Falls, Minn., was nominated by the Iron Range...

Nonresidential construction sees growth, says group.(contractor news)
December 1, 2006... Construction employment in August and construction spending in July both saw steady growth, according to the Associated General Contractors of America. The group cites U.S. Bureau of Labor reports that identify the construction industry as...

Technician wins NATE competition.(contractor news)
December 1, 2006... Skip Egner was named Top Tech in the seventh annual North American Technician Excellence Certified Technician Competition. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The competition was held Sept. 17-18 during Comfortech in Baltimore. Egner, a...

ACCA expands residential systems courses.(contractor news)(Air Conditioning Contractors of America)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... The ACCA has expanded its residential load calculation and system-design course by including training on the association's Speed-Sheet spreadsheet software. "The first subject covered is whole-house and room-by-room load calculations...

York rolls out Liberties dealers promotion.(York International Corp.'s marketing)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Consumers who purchased eligible York heating and air-conditioning products before Nov. 30 can choose a cash rebate, special financing or an extended warranty on parts. The choice is part of York's 2006 fall promotion, which offers...

Johnson Controls launches Coleman Web site.(internet news)
December 1, 2006... Johnson Controls has developed a new Web site exclusive to the Coleman brand. Accessible at www.colemanac.com, the site provides prospective Coleman consumers and contractors with product information. The new home page links homeowners,...

Emerson offers compressor conference presentations online.(internet news)
December 1, 2006... Emerson Climate Technologies announced that all presentations offered at 2006 compressor engineering, refrigeration and air-conditioning conferences would be posted online. The 2006 conferences were held July 17-20 at Purdue University in...

Motor training videos available.(Regal-Beloit Corp. offers videos of its products over internet)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... GE ECM by Regal Beloit has introduced online training videos that focus on the company's X13 motor. By visiting www.theDealerToolbox.com, users can watch a video that provides an overview of the product, as well as troubleshooting and...

Air Distribution Institute holds annual meeting.(meetings & conventions)(Conference news)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... HVAC airflow efficiency was one of the main topics during the Air Distribution Institute's annual meeting, Sept. 24-26 in Chicago. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ADI member companies, along with the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating...

Danfoss holds second energy symposium.(meetings & conventions)(Conference news)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Diane Shea, executive director of the National Association of State Energy Officials, was set to discuss energy policy at the 2006 EnVisioneering Symposium. The symposium is the second symposium sponsored by Danfoss, and was Oct. 25 in...

HVAC educators to meet in Las Vegas.(meetings & conventions)
December 1, 2006... HVAC Excellence announced that it will be hosting its first HVAC Educators and Trainers Conference March 26-27 in Las Vegas. This conference brings together people from schools, manufacturing, distribution and education administration who...

HARDI spends fall attending European trade conferences.(Heating, Airconditioning and Refrigeration Distributors International)
December 1, 2006... Donald Frendberg, executive vice president of HARDI, recently addressed European distributors at the 48th FEST Congress Sept. 28-30 in Algarve, Portugal. FEST, the European Federation of the Sanitary and Heating Wholesale Trade, represents...

Esab North America names new president.(Del Tanner)(Hypertherm Inc. appoints Brent Malik)(American Ultraviolet Co. named Mary S. Lorrie Todd)
December 1, 2006... Del Tanner, chairman and CEO of Atlanta-based Anderson Group Inc., was named president of Esab North America. Tanner, will continue his role as chairman and CEO at Anderson. He replaced Andy Blanchard, who left the company to pursue other...

Start small to get the biggest improvements in your company's sales.(business management)
December 1, 2006... Do you want to build steady streams of qualified leads for your sales force? No matter what kind of marketing you use: direct mail, telemarketing, print ads, radio or TV--the same rule applies: test everything before spending big money....

Changing directions, seasons and publications.(sales and marketing)
December 1, 2006... I guess you get to an age in life and in business when others around you look to you for some insight in problems they see but aren't quite sure how to correct. Over the past 15 years as a consultant, I have been asked to come into a...

Six easy suggestions to keep your business busy.(advertising and marketing tips)
December 1, 2006... Those of you with large numbers of service agreements should be having a great season. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] You have the opportunity to be face-to-face with customers. Educate them. Let them make good decisions about their home or...

Competing with the 'big boxes' requires a change in attitude.(mind your business)
December 1, 2006... Home Depot recently launched what it calls its "Worksite CD." They offer it free to trade customers at the Pro desk in Home Depot stores. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The CD offers online ordering of nearly every SKU carried by "Big...

Cliplight Manufacturing teams up with Australian distributor.(wholesaler news)
December 1, 2006... Toronto-based Cliplight Manufacturing has made an agreement with Actrol in Melbourne, Australia, to sell portions of its HVAC line of service technician tools and products. Actrol, one of the largest 100 percent Australian-owned wholesale...

Lindab honors top companies.(wholesaler news)
December 1, 2006... HVAC sheet metal duct products manufacturer Lindab Inc. recognized its top-performing HVAC distributors. The company presented "Silver Elbow" awards to the distributors who exceeded at least 100 percent of their sales yearly goal. The...

Grainger partners with Texas trade school.(Grainger Industrial Supply awards scholarship to Margaret Braswell)
December 1, 2006... Grainger awarded a Grainger Tools for Tomorrow scholarship to North Lake College student Margaret Braswell. The wholesaler is a local distributor of facilities maintenance supplies. "We believe one of the best ways to invest in the...

Colorado.(Colorado Roofing Association seminar)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... The Colorado Roofing Association held a seminar Oct. 11 in Denver titled "Immigration and Your Business." The CRA says new immigration issues will have an impact on roofing contractors in the state. Featured speakers included Greg Ritscher from...

Georgia.(regional news)(awards to Rick Busby of Busby's Heating & Air Conditioning)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Rick Busby, president of Augusta, Ga.-based Busby's Heating & Air Conditioning, was recently honored by the state's Better Business Bureau. Busby received the bureau's Torch Award, which is designed to promote ethical business practices, as...

Illinois.(regional news)(L.S. Starrett Co. opens a new saw service center)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... A seminar titled "High Efficiency Furnace, Operation, Maintenance and Service" was scheduled for Nov. 4 at the Elgin Community College Business Center in Elgin, Ill. The Fox Valley Chapter of the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society was set...

North Carolina.(regional news)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Controlled Release Technologies has completed its move to a new 30,000-square-foot facility in Shelby, N.C. Company officials say the choice of the site is a crucial step to the growth it has undergone in the past few years. The new...

Ohio.(regional news)(Emcor Group bought Comunale Inc.)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Emcor Group has purchased Akron, Ohio-based S.A. Comunale Inc., a fire protection and mechanical services company. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Founded in 1940, Comunale employs approximately 800 technical and field...

Texas.(regional news)
December 1, 2006... Fabricating Equipment Co. in Houston will represent Trumpf Inc.'s line of fabricating machinery in southern Texas. The company also reported that Lynn Moore will continue to serve as Trumpf's regional manager for the state.

Utah.(regional news)(Gustave A. Larson Co. opened stores in Utah)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... The Gustave A. Larson Co. has opened a new store in Orem, Utah. The 8,500-square-foot store includes a showroom with self-serve shelving plus space for product displays and demonstrations. The company also has stores in Salt Lake City and St....

AutoCAD guide.(books, software & lit)(Book review)
December 1, 2006... Practical AutoCAD 2007 provides a fundamental approach to 2-D drawings using AutoCAD 2007. The guide also presents information on the effective use of fundamental commands and features of AutoCAD 2007. According to the publisher, the guide will...

Business software.(books, software & lit)
December 1, 2006... Sage Master Builder Version 12 provides new reporting capabilities through the Executive Dashboard, which gives business owners the ability to check the overall financial health of their company at a glance. Information is provided on cash...

UVC bulletin.(books, software & lit)
December 1, 2006... Steril-Aire Inc. has published a new applications bulletin describing how its ultraviolet light technology can protect offices, stores and other commercial buildings while reducing costs. The bulletin, titled "UVC and Commercial Buildings,"...

Infrastructure protection.(books, software & lit)
December 1, 2006... The Mine Safety Appliances Co. has released a critical infrastructure protection bulletin detailing the need for advanced multi-threat devices to protect the nation's critical infrastructures and key resources. It explains the Department of...

Spanish logging software.(books, software & lit)
December 1, 2006... Dickson Co. has released a Spanish-language version of its logging software. The Spanish-Language Dicksonware software features include the ability to view data from all Dickson data logger models. Workers can also view or zoom in on all logged...

Motor service guide.(books, software & lit)
December 1, 2006... The new "ECM Service Guide" is a free diagnostic-service booklet developed specifically for use with General Electric's ECM variable-speed blower motors used in HVAC systems. The booklet shows technicians how to properly diagnose and service...

SolidWorks book.(books, software & lit)
December 1, 2006... Sheet Metal Guy LLC has released its third book, SolidWorks for the Sheet Metal Guy--Course No. 3: Unfolding. It explains the sheet metal unfolding process for getting the correct flat pattern layout. Providing step-by-step instruction in the...

Vibration textbook.(books, software & lit)
December 1, 2006... The National Environmental Balancing Bureau released the second edition of Procedural Standards for Measurement of Sound and Vibration. Entirely rewritten, it focuses on the measurement and reporting techniques for obtaining sound and vibration...

Stainless steel brochure.(books, software & lit)
December 1, 2006... Contrarian Metal Resources offers a new brochure that illustrates its selection of stainless steel finishes for architectural applications. The brochure details applications and highlights the durability and corrosion resistance of stainless...

Construction standards.(books, software & lit)
December 1, 2006... SMACNA has released a pocket guide to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration construction standards. This third edition covers safety and health program management guidelines, as well as OSHA assistance in training and education....

Reference guide.(books, software & lit)
December 1, 2006... Emerson Climate Technologies introduced "Visor Card," a pocket-sized reference guide that contains information about White-Rodgers universal replacement products and thermostats. The card is available at no charge. One side of the card features...

Energy Design Guide.(books, software & lit)
December 1, 2006... The Advanced Energy Design Guide for Small Retail Buildings is the second in a series of publications that cover various types of building construction. Intended for use by builders, contractors and architects, this publication covers...

Construction tools.(new products)
December 1, 2006... This company has introduced new hand tools for the construction trades. The hand tools line currently includes firefighter axes and wrecking bars, with a selection of European-made sledgehammers. The pick-head-type axes are available in...

Roll former.(new products)
December 1, 2006... The new S & Drive Plus roll former from this company is a nine-station machine with a speed of 90 feet per minute. The machine produces "S" cleats and drive cleats with one handling of the material. It comes standard with S-and-drive slitters,...

Pressure transducer.(new products)
December 1, 2006... This Compact 3100 Series pressure transducer has a footprint of less than 1 inch in diameter, making it ideal for installations where space is at a premium. The transducer provides a solution for OEM applications such as hydraulic controls,...

Air hammer.(new products)
December 1, 2006... This new air hammer can replace ordinary hammers to boost gutter production when used without a guide, according to this company. In addition to straight-line hammering with a guide, the tool can be used with its guide to fold over Pittsburgh...

Radiation damper.(new products)
December 1, 2006... This Underwriter Laboratories-approved fiberglass plenum box with ceiling radiation damper is available in three model styles. The boxes are designed in 1 inch and 1.5-inch-thick rigid duct board with registers/grilles or drop duct...

Modulating gas furnace.(new products)
December 1, 2006... This new modulating gas furnace is the latest addition to the Echelon line. According to the company, the furnace has a 95 percent Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency and exceeds the minimum efficiency standards established by the U.S....

Steam-pressure regulator.(new products)
December 1, 2006... The new Type ED pilot-operated steam-pressure regulator is for steam distribution systems, district heating systems, pressure control for steam plants and single, two-stage or parallel reduction. The product is available in cast iron or cast...

Adhesives.(new products)
December 1, 2006... Two new adhesives are ideal for bonding galvanized, galvanneal or Galvalume metals. According to the manufacturer, its Flex Welder FC and Dev-Thane 5 adhesives can replace welding, saving time and labor, and minimizing distortion of thin panels...

Plasma-cutting machine.(new products)
December 1, 2006... The Handy Plasma 250 operates on standard 110/115 volts and cuts up to quarter-inch carbon or stainless steel. At 16 pounds, the system is portable to job-sites and ideal for sites that do not have access to 230-volt outlets. The single-phase...

Mini screwdrivers.(new products)
December 1, 2006... This company is offering its miniature Cushion-Grip screwdrivers in a four-piece set that features the following tip sizes: No. 0 Phillips tip, sixteenth-inch Keystone tip, 3.32-inch Cabinet tip and eighth-inch Cabinet tip. Designed for small...

Gas Furnace.(new products)
December 1, 2006... The new variable-speed Bryant Plus 95i Gas Furnace has an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency rating of 95 percent. The maker says the product's efficient use of natural gas or propane allows it to deliver a consistent flow of heated air, which...

Fittings bag.(new products)
December 1, 2006... The JobMax fittings bag is designed for storing fittings for pressing applications. The bag has six interior pockets made of Neoprene that are ideal for holding fittings and various tools. Three large exterior pockets provide additional storage...

Calendar of events.(Calendar)
December 1, 2006... DECEMBER 4-6 The Air Movement and Control Association International will host a technical seminar at the Sheraton Chicago Northwest in Arlington, Ill. Topics will include system airflow, equipment vibration, plenum fans, selection and...

Wholesalers & Mfr. Reps. Directory.(Directory)
December 1, 2006... The following is a paid directory of distributors, wholesalers and manufacturers representatives, listed by state. To have your company included in this list, please call Sally Fraser at 248-244-6240. We urge our readers to contact these...

We're having a party--and need your help to celebrate.(editor's page)
December 1, 2006... Birthdays--even for magazines--do have a way of arriving without notice. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I know that's how I felt when SNIPS Publisher Sally Fraser mentioned that SNIPS' 75th anniversary was coming up. I must admit I was...

Thanks for understanding.(Letters1)(Letter to the editor)
December 1, 2006... I read with great interest the editorial you wrote in the October issue of Snips magazine on National Indoor Comfort Week ("Decking the halls with chilled compressors" by James J. Siegel). I thank you for taking a step back and looking into the...