Snips articles from February 2004

Snips archives from February 2004

Show and tell: selling school districts on the benefits of metal roofing.(Cover Story)
February 1, 2004... "Isn't there some way that we can pitch our old school roofs to eliminate the leaking problems?" "We have been told that it is too expensive to slope our flat roofs, but we know that we have a continuous expense to maintain our flat roofs."...

Opportunities knock: contractors, business owners discuss new trends at conference.
February 1, 2004... PHOENIX -- Emerging markets. Are you familiar with the phrase? If so, you may have been one of the many HVAC contractors, building owners and union leaders that descended on Phoenix last October, braving 100-degree temperatures, for a...

Working on the edge: shortcuts don't always work when laying out miters.
February 1, 2004... "Since almost anyone can cut a square miter, the question at once arises, in view of this statement, why is it he cannot cut a raking miter, or pinnacle miter, or any other equally hard form? The answer is, because he does not understand...

Sun, sand, asphalt and metal: roofing association to discuss industry during San Diego convention.
February 1, 2004... Look up "San Diego" in most travel guides and one of the first things you'll read about is the city's nearly perfect year-round weather: Temperatures average 70[degrees] F. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The next thing you'll likely read about...

Covering all the bases: trade show promotes burgeoning industry segment.
February 1, 2004... TAMPA, Fla. -- Metal may be a relatively small niche in the roofing industry, but you wouldn't have known that from attending this year's Metalcon International. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Metal roofing was everywhere at the Oct. 28-30...

Guidelines for designing and installing metal roofing.(Tech Tips)
February 1, 2004... (The following is taken from the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association's Architectural Sheet Metal Manual, Fifth Edition.) Sheet-metal wall and roof systems offer virtually unlimited cost-effective choices to...

Chiller, air handlers match design for library addition.(Applications in the Field)(Toledo-Lucas County library )
February 1, 2004... TOLEDO, Ohio -- Public libraries still offer a vast range of books and other print documents, but the emphasis is on accessible knowledge. This is certainly true at the main branch of the Toledo-Lucas County library system on Michigan Street in...

Manufacturers welcome end to steel tariffs.(Association News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... ARLINGTON, Va. -- President Bush's decision to rescind the tariffs on steel is a "clear victory for consumers and the manufacturers of heating, ventilation, refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment, for whom steel is a vital and fundamental...

CSMCA elects new officers.(Association News)(Cicagoland Sheet Metal Contractors Association (CSMCA))(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... CHICAGO -- John Delano of William J. Perkinson Co. in Chicago was elected president of the Chicagoland Sheet Metal Contractors Association at the group's October board meeting. He succeeds Richard Ralph of Kirby Sheet Metal Works Inc. in...

RSES adds Danfoss to OEM info program.(Association News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... DES PLAINES, Ill. -- HVAC components maker Danfoss has been added to the "Partners in Education" original-equipment manufacturer information campaign of the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society. This partnership provides RSES members...

State of Indiana, college honor union president.(Association News)(Michael J. Sullivan receives Labor Hall of Fame Award and the Sagamore of the Wabash Award)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Michael J. Sullivan, general president of the Sheet Metal Workers union, was recently given Ivy Tech State College's Labor Hall of Fame Award and the Sagamore of the Wabash Award, the highest honor conferred by the governor of Indiana. The...

Industry leaders receive awards at ARI meeting.(Association News)(Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute )
February 1, 2004... PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Seven industry leaders were recognized with special awards by the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute at its 50th annual meeting. Outgoing ARI Chairman Thomas E. Bettcher presented the 2003 Richard C. Schulze...

Hydronic heating courses draw 218 students.(Association News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association's Hydronics Institute drew 218 students to their recently reintroduced "I=B=R" schools. The two-day courses were held during November in New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Minnesota. Dan...

A.O. Smith plant reaches 25-year milestone.(Supplier News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Employees, retirees and special guests recently gathered to help the A.O. Smith Electrical Products Co. plant in Mebane, N.C., celebrate 25 years in the electric-motor industry. The 225,000-square-foot facility, which manufactures hermetic...

American Torch Tip upgrades equipment.(Supplier News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... BRADENTON, Fla. -- American Torch Tip Co. recently spent $1 million to purchase new CNC machines. The machines will improve quality and increase production rates more than 200 percent, according to the company. American Torch Tip felt the...

China Greenheck plant ships first order.(Supplier News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... SCHOFIELD, Wis. -- Greenheck's new manufacturing plant in Kunshan, China, shipped its first order of 20 belt-driven, square inline fans in October, less than one year after the company announced plans to expand into the Far East. The...

Hypertherm, Rofin-Sinar offer retrofit lasers.(Supplier News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... HANOVER, N.H. -- Hypertherm Inc., a producer of high-temperature metal-cutting technologies, and Rofin-Sinar Inc., a manufacturer of industrial lasers, have partnered to offer laser retrofit packages in North America. According to the...

Unico system given to 'NextGen' home.(Supplier News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Miniduct central heating and air-conditioning system manufacturer Unico Inc. co-sponsored the NextGen Demonstration Home featured at the January International Builders' Show in Las Vegas. With the theme "The Evolution of the American Home,"...

Hamlin Sheet Metal appoints Mississippi rep.(Supplier News)(Ward Mechanical of Jackson, Mississippi)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... BENSON, N.C. -- Hamlin Sheet Metal signed Ward Mechanical of Jackson, Miss., as its exclusive manufacturer's representative for the state of Mississippi. Ward Mechanical plans to stock Hamlin spiral duct and fittings. Ward Mechanical will...

York renews agreement with Style Crest.(Supplier News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... NORMAN, Okla. -- York Unitary Products Group announced a five-year agreement with manufactured-home products maker Style Crest, a manufacturer, distributor and installer of products to the manufactured-home industry. The agreement,...

Engel joins Formtek.(Supplier News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... ITASCA, Ill. -- Sheet-metal machinery maker Engel Industries is now part of Formtek, company officials recently announced. Engel makes machinery for roof panels, walk-in cooler panels, gutters, metal studs, window wells, filter frames,...

Foundation funds programs to improve businesses.(Contractor News)(New Horizons Foundation )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... CHANTILLY, Va. -- The New Horizons Foundation will fund three research projects, totaling $228,000, that will focus on ways sheet metal and HVAC contractors can improve their business operations. The University of Wisconsin-Madison's Awad...

Esco Institute gives $4.8 million to education.(Contractor News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... MOUNT PROSPECT, Ill. -- The Educational Standards Corp.'s Esco Institute has established a grant program to fund assessment testing through HVAC Excellence. The 2004-2005 grants total $4.8 million. These grants are available to secondary...

Construction figures rise 2 percent in October.(Contractor News)(Report by McGraw-Hill Construction Dodge)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... NEW YORK -- The value of new construction starts increased 2 percent in October to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $540.5 billion, according to McGraw-Hill Construction Dodge. Nonresidential building rebounded after a subdued...

ASHRAE site includes info on mold, moisture control.(Internet News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... ATLANTA -- The No. 1 question asked in the construction industry may be, "How should buildings be designed, built and operated to minimize problems with mold and moisture?" A new online technical resource from the American Society of...

Calmac offers info on off-peak cooling.(Internet News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... ENGLEWOOD, N.J. -- HVAC engineers, architects and building owners and managers can log on to Calmac Manufacturing Corp.'s updated Web site to find out about the application of off-peak cooling, otherwise known as thermal energy storage. ...

Sheet-metal site includes newsletter.(Internet News)(Sheet Metal Occupational Health Institute Trust )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- A quarterly online health and safety newsletter developed by the Sheet Metal Occupational Health Institute Trust is now available. Each six-page Safety Matters newsletter highlights health and safety information as well...

Online paper touts benefits of fabric duct.(Internet News)(endorsed as a GreenSpec product by BuildingGreen.com)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... DUBUQUE, Iowa -- DuctSox fabric duct has been listed as a GreenSpec product by BuildingGreen.com, an environmentally oriented Web site that assists architects, engineers and construction firms with the specification of "green" building...

Purafil names new technical director for research.(People in the News)(Wolfgang Schmidl)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Wolfgang Schmidl has joined Purafil Inc. in Doraville, Ga., as technical director. In this newly created research-and-development position, Schmidl will be responsible for exploring gas-phase technologies and developing products that improve...

Polly Parker.(People in the News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Carlisle Coatings and Waterproofing in Wylie, Texas, has hired Polly Parker as a products services specialist. Parker, who has experience in technical engineering and customer relations, will join the technical services departments of Carlisle...

Julie Decker.(People in the News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Wylie, Texas-based Hardcast announced the promotion of Julie Decker to national accounts manager. In this newly created position, Decker will continue creating and maintaining relationships among Hardcast's HVAC wholesale distributors. Decker...

Jerry Babiar.(People in the News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The industrial and commercial HVAC firm Team Mechanical Inc. in Buffalo Grove, Ill., has named Jerry Babiar general manager of its service division. With more than 20 years in the mechanical-service industry, Babiar is responsible for...

Steve Brown.(People in the News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... RBX Industries in Roanoke, Va., said Steve Brown has joined the company as the southeast regional sales manager. He joins RBX from Armstrong, where he was a regional sales manager in the flooring group. He will be responsible for a territory...

Bill Shockley has been named vice president of sales and marketing for White-Rodgers' OEM businesses, and Ron Miles has been named vice president of sales and marketing for the White-Rodgers distribution businesses.(People in the News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Bill Shockley has been named vice president of sales and marketing for White-Rodgers' OEM businesses, and Ron Miles has been named vice president of sales and marketing for the White-Rodgers distribution businesses. Shockley has been with...

Gary Light is now national sales manager for Selkirk LLC's Retail Division.(People in the News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Gary Light is now national sales manager for Selkirk LLC's Retail Division. After positions with Eljer, U.S. Brass and Zurn, Light most recently held a sales and marketing position with EZ-Flo International Inc. He succeeds Dan Garasich.

Denis Deziel.(People in the News)(Selkirk Canada appoints Denis Deziel)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Selkirk Canada appointed Denis Deziel plant manager of the company's Brockville, Ontario, facility. Deziel has 27 years of manufacturing experience, and his most recent position was as plant manager for Guelph Tool.

Heatcaft Refrigeration Products LLC.(People in the News)(Ken Rothgeb, Jeff Tindel and Mark Westphal)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Ken Rothgeb has been promoted to sales director for OEM and distribution markets in the United States and Canada for Heatcaft Refrigeration Products LLC. His responsibilities include managing the sales of Heatcraft's Bohn, Larkin, Chandler and...

Great sales managers should lead by example.(Sales & Marketing)
February 1, 2004... Whether a person oversees one salesperson or a staff of 25, they're in sales management. Whether your job title is sales manager, branch manager, president or owner, you are in a position of supervision. This requires that you lead people. It...

APR Supply president is honored by magazine.(Wholesaler News)(Scott Weaver receives " Forty Under 40" award)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... LEBANON, Pa. -- Scott Weaver, president of APR Supply, was recently selected as a Central Penn Business Journal's "Forty Under 40" award recipient. The winners are individuals who have achieved notable professional success and demonstrated...

R.E. Michel opens Florida branches.(Wholesaler News)
February 1, 2004... GLEN BURNIE, Md. -- The R.E. Michel Co. has opened three additional sales locations in Florida. The new branches are in Lakeland, Ocala and Sanford, bringing to 12 the number of Florida locations operated as R.E. Michel Co. or its affiliate,...

A.O. Smith earns award from Johnstone Supply.(Wholesaler News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... MILWAUKEE -- A.O. Smith Electrical Products Co. has earned HVAC distributor Johnstone Supply's 2003 Excellence in Sales and Marketing Award. The Excellence in Sales and Marketing Award is one of three supplier honors that Johnstone Supply...

ABR opens remodeled New York store.(Wholesaler News)(ABR Prostock)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... FORT SMITH, Ark. -- More than 400 customers and vendors attended the Nov. 20 grand reopening of an ABR Prostock store in Rochester, N.Y. ABR, a member of Rheem Air Conditioning Division's HVAC wholesale distribution network, had recently...

United Coolair appoints Maryland distributor.(Wholesaler News)(Havtech in Laurel, Md.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... YORK, Pa. -- United CoolAir Corp. has given Havtech in Laurel, Md., exclusive rights to distribute its portable cooling products within northern Virginia, Washington D.C., and Maryland.

Software demonstrations offered.(Wholesaler News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... YARDLEY, Pa. -- Prophet 21 is inviting distributors who want to learn how to increase sales, improve customer service, and reduce operating expenses to attend one of the company's free distribution-technology demonstrations. Held...

Johnstone Supply opens Pittsburgh branch.(Wholesaler News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... PITTSBURGH -- Johnstone Supply has been authorized by Emerson Climate Technologies as a full-line wholesale distributor in the Pittsburgh and surrounding areas. Johnstone, a national distributor of HVACR products with over 270 locally...

Park Supply Prostock opens in Indiana.(Wholesaler News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... FORT SMITH, Ark. -- Park Supply has opened a new Prostock store in Evansville, Ind., to serve contractors in southern Indiana, western Kentucky and southern Illinois. More than 150 contractors attended the grand opening.

Machine-tool consumption nearing 2002 levels.(Wholesaler News)
February 1, 2004... ROCKVILLE, Md. -- October U.S. machine-tool consumption totaled $157.6 million, according to the Association for Manufacturing Technology and AMTDA, the American Machine Tool Distributors' Association. This total, as reported by companies...

Arizona.(Regional News)(Sheet Metal Trades Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The Air Conditioning Contractors of America's Arizona Chapter held its first banquet and celebration Oct. 25 at the Doubletree Paradise Valley Resort in Phoenix. More than 150 members and guests attended. Paul Hobaica of Hobaica's...

California.(Regional News)(Northern California Mechanical Contractors of America)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The Northern California Mechanical Contractors of America's annual meeting Sept. 5-7 in Sonoma included a visit from MCAA President Tom Williams of McKenney's Inc. in Atlanta. He welcomed Ken Petro from Indoor Environmental Services in...

Colorado.(Regional News)(Colorado Roofing Association)(Colorado Construction Coalition)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The guest speaker for the third annual Colorado Roofing Association Awards on Feb. 12 will be Dan Gable, a 1972 Olympic Gold Medal winner in freestyle wrestling. Gable won 15 National Collegiate Athletic Association coaching championships,...

Georgia.(Regional News)(programs at Central Georgia Technical College granted accreditation)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The HVACR programs at Central Georgia Technical College in Milledgeville and Macon, Ga., have been granted national accreditation. HVAC Excellence's Executive Committee granted a five-year accreditation to the programs on both Central Georgia...

Illinois.(Regional News)(Business Expo of the Chicago chapter of the Association of Subcontractors and Affiliates held Feb 3)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The third annual Business Expo of the Chicago chapter of the Association of Subcontractors & Affiliates will be held Feb. 3. The expo provides an opportunity for members to showcase their products and services and to learn about more than 400...

Massachusetts.(Regional News)(North/East Roofing Contractors Association)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The North/East Roofing Contractors Association's 78th annual convention and trade show will be held March 23-25 at the World Trade Center & Seaport Hotel in Boston. For more information, call (617) 472-5590.

Michigan.(Regional News)(Michigan Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors Association)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The Michigan Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors Association named John Jacobs of John M. Jacobs Plumbing & Heating Inc. in Bay City, Mich., its Contractor of the Year for his commitment to industry and family. In its December newsletter,...

New Jersey.(Regional News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Attorney Paul T. Gregory spoke on employment law risks at the November meeting of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America's North Jersey Chapter. Gregory is an associate at Mandelbaum, Salsburg, Gold, Lazris, Discenza & Steinberg. He...

New Mexico.(Regional News)(New Mexico Sheet Metal Contractors Association awarded multiservice-chapter status for first time)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The New Mexico Sheet Metal Contractors Association was awarded multiservice-chapter status for the first time. The program is designed to encourage chapters to adopt sound operations and administrative practices and to expand services to their...

New York.(Regional News)(New York state Indoor Air Quality Day)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... New York state Indoor Air Quality Day was celebrated on Nov. 12 by the Sheet Metal Air Conditioning Contractors National Association of Long Island with an all-day seminar featuring discussions of building sciences, duct cleanliness, filtration...

Ohio.(Regional News)(Air Conditioning Contractors of America's Central Ohio Chapter raises funds for Adventures for Wish Kids)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... In its December newsletter, the Air Conditioning Contractors of America's Central Ohio Chapter said the association had raised $8,393 for Adventures for Wish Kids at its recent dinner auction.

Washington.(Regional News)(Building Industry Association of Washington)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Through an initiative on the November ballot, voters in Washington state rescinded the state's ergonomics rule by a 53 percent to 47 percent margin. Initiative 841 contained two provisions supported by business owners in the state. It required...

Canada.(Regional News)(Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Institute of Canada)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Tony Carrillo of York International Corp.'s Oakville, Ontario, offices, received a Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Institute of Canada Life Member Award during the 35th HRAI annual awards luncheon Aug. 23 in Halifax, Nova Scotia....

Underfloor Design Guide.(Books Software & Lit)(Book Review)
February 1, 2004... The Underfloor Air Distribution Design Guide, written by Fred Bauman, a licensed professional engineer, and published by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, was developed through research funded by the...

Radiant tube heaters.(Books Software & Lit)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... A four-page brochure describes a range of 19 low-intensity radiant tube heaters ranging in capacity from 40,000 to 250,000 Btu. The brochure highlights features and includes detailed charts, drawings and illustrations. Among the product's...

Dampers.(Books Software & Lit)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... An all-products brochure provides an overview of Greenheck's line of dampers, including curtain-fire dampers, combination fire/smoke dampers, smoke dampers, ceiling radiation dampers, back draft dampers, commercial control dampers,...

High-temp insulation.(Books Software & Lit)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... CertainTeed Corp.'s FlameChek Plus2 duct insulation, a nonceramic high-temperature insulation blanket that gives a two-hour fire rating in a single layer application, is described in a four-page spec sheet in CSI format. The product provides an...

Safety training.(Books Software & Lit)(Sheet Metal Occupational Health Institute Trust)(Audiovisual Review)
February 1, 2004... A safety training CD-ROM tackles the four most common jobsite hazards, including falls, strains, cuts and eye injuries. Entitled "Big Four, Plus Two," the eight-hour training program is organized into six sections. Training coordinators and...

Spiral tube formers.(New Products)
February 1, 2004... The Helix-3600 automatic spiral tube former cuts through 3-to 64-inch diameter galvanized steel with thickness of 30- to 18 gauge at up to 190 feet per minute. It comes equipped with the Helix Flying Slitter, which cuts tubes to length without...

Filter housing.(New Products)
February 1, 2004... The 5P Glide/Pack side access air filtration housing combines a compact, minimum-depth design with "leak-free" filter performance. The housing accommodates a 2-inch HVAC grade prefilter and a 4- or 6-inch-deep final filter. Designed for use in...

Duct-wrap insulation.(New Products)
February 1, 2004... SoftTouch insulation helps control heat loss and condensation during HVAC system operation. Ductwork enclosed in the duct wrap can handle conditioned air at temperatures from 35[degrees]F to 250[degrees]F for faced duct wrap and 35[degrees]F to...

Smoke Pen.(New Products)
February 1, 2004... The Smoke Pen works like a mechanical pencil where the user inserts a patented smoke-emitting wick into the pen, adjusts the wick to provide 3/8 inches of exposed wick, then lights the wick with a match or lighter. The pen provides a continuous...

Hydraulic corner notcher.(New Products)
February 1, 2004... The Model 206/V hydraulic angle notcher features variable angle cuts from 30 to 140 degrees, with 1/4-inch capacity, automatic blade adjustment, hydraulic holddowns, internal depth stop and "easy-to-use gauging." It also features an oversized...

Guillotine shears.(New Products)
February 1, 2004... This line of MVS-C guillotine shears uses a cutting beam driven by double-acting pull-down hydraulic cylinders. The shears are equipped with adjustable rake angle and blade-gap features that provide the flexibility to cut a range of materials,...

Calendar of events.(Calendar)
February 1, 2004... FEBRUARY 3 The third annual Business Expo of the Chicago Association of Subcontractors & Affiliates will be held at the Radisson O'Hare Hotel in Rosemont, Ill. The expo is an opportunity for members to showcase their products and...

Wholesalers & Mfr. reps. directory.(Directory)
February 1, 2004... 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...

If this is February, I must be at a trade show.(Editor's Page)(Editorial)
February 1, 2004... This time of year, it seems as if I'm always coming or going. If I'm not just returning from a trade show, I'm getting ready to leave for another one. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I just spent a week in Anaheim, Calif., at the massive AHR...

The family 'secret' is out.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2004... I would think that it would be apparent that the tremendous response to the article on family businesses ("All in the family," November 2003) was due to the company featured in the article. (Just kidding.) I'm glad the article got (a good)...

Working on Lady Liberty.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2004... I am a subscriber to SNIPS magazine and have been for a number of years. I am a fourth-generation tinsmith in Syracuse, N.Y., where my great-grandfather started his tin shop in 1892 with a contract to make splash guards for the many horse-drawn...