Snips articles from February 2008

Snips archives from February 2008

Room for change: contractor tops off hotel restoration project.(Cover story)
February 1, 2008... FERNDALE, Mich. -- From about 1925 and into the 1960s, if work or pleasure had you passing through Detroit--and you could afford it--you likely wanted a room at the Book-Cadillac Hotel. U.S. presidents, movie stars and professional athletes all...

On a hot streak: Roofing Expo to again visit Las Vegas for 2008 event.
February 1, 2008... Las Vegas is a popular, if somewhat polarizing, tourist destination. It's one of the world's most well-liked vacation spots and fights annually with Orlando, Fla., for the title of top convention city. ********** However, some people...

Pedal to the Metalcon: show accelerates to record attendance.
February 1, 2008... LAS VEGAS -- It's not a race, but Metalcon seems to keep winning. The most recent show, Oct. 3-5 in Las Vegas, was no exception, pulling in over 8,000 attendees. Show organizers report that the 2007 event at the Las Vegas Convention Center was...

Headed for the mountains: contractor group sets Colorado as site for 40th meeting; Fortieth anniversaries aren't too common. When they come along, many people want to celebrate. Perhaps that's why the Air Conditioning Contractors of America is holding its 40th annual meeting at the Broadmoor, a posh resort in Colorado Springs, Colo.
February 1, 2008... The five-star, historic hotel is one of the most luxurious in the West, with 700 rooms, 15 restaurants and numerous on-site activities. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Whether ACCA convention attendees will have much time for the hotel's...

A 'hard-hitting' show: Fabtech boasts impressive numbers for event.
February 1, 2008... CHICAGO -- 2007 was a pretty good year for Fabtech. The Nov. 11-14 trade show at Chicago's McCormick Place convention facility drew 31,000 attendees--4,000 more than the optimistic numbers organizers were predicting. ********** Total...

Manufacturer solves production space dilemma.(applications in the field)
February 1, 2008... Ventilation equipment manufacturer Greenheck is on a growth streak. In fact, the company has doubled its sales in the past five years to almost $500 million. But all of this growth does come at a bit of a price: The company was...

NCCA presents Safety Award.(association news)(National Coil Coating Association)(Alsco Metals/Aleris Corp.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... The Alsco Metals/Aleris Corp. facility in Roxboro, N.C., was the recipient of the 2007 Safety Award from NCCA. The company was presented with the award during the National Coil Coating Association's Fall Technical Meeting, Sept. 27 in...

ASHRAE launches equipment database.(association news)
February 1, 2008... A new database from ASHRAE provides engineers with equipment service life and annual maintenance costs for a variety of building types and HVAC systems. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers says...

ARI, GAMA approves merger.(association news)
February 1, 2008... GAMA and ARI members are having to learn a new acronym: AHRI. The two groups have merged. The Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association voted 131-7 Dec. 14 to join with the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute and create the...

RSES fund-raiser helps U.S. troops.(association news)
February 1, 2008... The Refrigeration Service Engineers Society raised $10,000 for the Operation Family Fund. The fund is a private, nonprofit charitable organization that assists the injured and their families. The fund benefit was started at the RSES...

President OKs energy bill allowing regional standards.(supplier news)
February 1, 2008... President George W. Bush signed a landmark bill Dec. 18, marking a major change in U.S. energy policy designed to decrease Americans' oil thirst and fight global warming. The bill will sharply raise mileage standards for automakers for the...

Ingersoll-Rand to buy Trane in $10.1 billion deal.(supplier news)
February 1, 2008... Transportation equipment manufacturer Ingersoll-Rand Co. is purchasing Trane Inc. for $10.1 billion, officials from both companies announced Dec. 17. The transaction, which will give Ingersoll-Rand control of the biggest U.S. commercial...

SMACNA plans 2008 legislative conference.(contractor news)
February 1, 2008... SMACNA officials are hoping its next legislative conference will reward contractors who are responsible and follow the law. The Sheet Metal and Air-Conditioning Contractors' National Association will hold its next legislative conference May...

Contractors waiting to phase out R-22, says survey.(contractor news)
February 1, 2008... While contractors are aware of the 2010 deadline for R-22-using equipment, not many are switching to R-410A equipment, according to a new Emerson Climate Technologies survey. The company recently surveyed 505 HVACR professionals, which...

Tennessee company expands with times.(contractor news)(Dixie Sheet Metal Products Inc.)(Company overview)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... In 1937, Wendell Henson started Dixie Sheet Metal Works as a small HVAC ductwork installation company in Memphis, Tenn. In 1961, Dixie brought what was possibly the first spiral-duct-making machine to Memphis. In 1984, under a...

Johnson Controls managers attend 'Boot Camp'.(meetings & conventions)
February 1, 2008... Territory managers with Johnson Controls' Unitary Products group learned about the company's sales resources during Basic Boot Camp. The "boot camps" were held at Johnson Control's headquarters in Norman, Okla. The five-day training...

AWS purchases Mexico trade show.(meetings & conventions)
February 1, 2008... The American Welding Society has purchased the Weldmex trade show from Trade Show Consulting. Weldmex is the largest welding trade show in Latin America, according to organizers. Under the agreement, the society will maintain primary...

Software training event continues to grow.(meetings & conventions)
February 1, 2008... The annual User Group Meeting from Technical Sales International has come a long way since its first meeting five years ago. What started as a one-room event with only 15 attendees has expanded into a Sept. 12-15 gathering at the Rio hotel...

Oil group's convention goes 'international'.(meetings & conventions)
February 1, 2008... Attendees at the 55th annual NAOHSM convention will get a global look at the bath and plumbing industry. "International" is the theme for the May 18-22 event in Hartford, Conn., and will include a panel discussion moderated by Tom Butcher,...

HARDI offers insurance program to members.(wholesaler news)
February 1, 2008... The Heating, Airconditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International unveiled a new insurance program for members. The program follows the HARDI Insurance and Risk Management Committee's appointment of Gregory & Appel Insurance as the...

Nordyne, WinWholesale unveil product line.(wholesaler news)
February 1, 2008... Nordyne and WinWholesale recently introduced the NuTone Heating and Cooling products line for the HVAC market. The NuTone products will be available through Noland Co. branches and participating WinAir distributors. Noland Co. is a wholly...

AC shipments up 9 percent.(wholesaler news)
February 1, 2008... Combined U.S. factory shipments of central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps for October 2007 totaled 393,652, jumping 9 percent from October 2006, according to the ARI. The Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute also...

Metal roofs better survive fire damage, says maker.(roofing news)
February 1, 2008... In the wake of recent Western U.S. wildfires, roofing manufacturer Follansbee Steel is encouraging builders to look at metal roofing. The Southern California wildfires wreaked damage upon thousands of homes, destroying approximately 500,000...

Association to examine efficient roof systems.(roofing news)
February 1, 2008... The National Roofing Contractors Association has established a new entity to promote the use of environmentally responsible roof systems. The Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing is a separate nonprofit organization that will...

Roofing show celebrates 25 years.(roofing news)
February 1, 2008... The Chicago Roofing Contractors Association was to celebrate 25 years of trade show history with the CRCA annual trade show Jan. 17-18. The 25th annual event was to be held at the Drury Lane Conference Center in Oakbrook Terrace, III....

California state Sen.(CALIFORNIA)
February 1, 2008... California state Sen. Elaine Alquist (D-San Jose) recently toured the Ray Hellwig Mechanical Co. facilities in Santa Clara, Calif. Several SMACNA members met with Alquist, including Ray Hellwig Mechanical President Lonnie Michael III; Chris...

Sheet Metal Workers union Local 73 in Chicago recognized its graduating apprentices during its 42nd Apprentice Graduation Dinner Dance.(ILLINOIS)
February 1, 2008... Sheet Metal Workers union Local 73 in Chicago recognized its graduating apprentices during its 42nd Apprentice Graduation Dinner Dance. The celebration Sept. 21 was held in Rosemont, III. Chairman of the Joint Apprentice Committee, Robert Guth...

CBS affiliate KLAS-TV in Las Vegas reported Dec. 7 that a father and son at Nevada Precision Sheet Metal have invented a device to thwart copper thieves.(NEVADA)
February 1, 2008... CBS affiliate KLAS-TV in Las Vegas reported Dec. 7 that a father and son at Nevada Precision Sheet Metal have invented a device to thwart copper thieves. It fits over utility poles like a sheath, preventing thieves from accessing the copper...

Ductworks Inc., a fabricator of rectangular ductwork, will now begin providing spiral ductwork.(NEW JERSEY)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Ductworks Inc., a fabricator of rectangular ductwork, will now begin providing spiral ductwork. The company recently acquired a Tormec Tubo-S, a folded spiral-seam tube former, and the Arc-Dual, a flanging and seam-closing machine. "With...

The Columbus, Ohio-based Heating, Airconditioning and Refrigeration Distributors International and its fight against regional HVAC efficiency standards.(OHIO)
February 1, 2008... The Columbus, Ohio-based Heating, Airconditioning and Refrigeration Distributors International and its fight against regional HVAC efficiency standards tucked into a recent U.S. energy bill was mentioned in the Dec. 12 edition of Roll Call, a...

National Association of Oil Heating Service Managers' Tidewater chapter.(VIRGINIA)
February 1, 2008... The National Association of Oil Heating Service Managers' Tidewater chapter in Norfolk, Va., teamed up again to complete a job under its Oil Heat Cares program. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] This time, the association helped an elderly person...

Duct catalog.(books, software & lit)
February 1, 2008... This company's catalog provides information on its line of duct products and accessories. Products include duct connections, duct hangers and strapping, duct-component products, spiral-duct connectors and access doors. The company also offers...

Portable AC guide.(books, software & lit)
February 1, 2008... Atlas Sales & Rentals has published its Product & Application Guide for portable air-conditioning equipment for primary, supplemental and emergency cooling in all types of non-residential buildings. Products described include the full line of...

Air-conditioning DVD.(books, software & lit)
February 1, 2008... Johnson Controls has introduced a new DVD video and Windows software training set for York air-conditioning systems. Designed as a training tool for independent contractors, distributors and technicians, the two-disc set is the second in the...

Tool info.(books, software & lit)
February 1, 2008... Midwest Snips has released a catalog detailing its line of snips and cutting tools. Featured snips include the company's tinner snips, aviation snips and the new MagSnips. The MagSnips can cut aluminum and vinyl siding, roofing materials, metal...

Variable-speed furnace.(new products)
February 1, 2008... The new Trane XV95 variable-speed gas furnace delivers a 96.7 percent annual fuel-utilization efficiency rating. The furnaces are designed with two-stage gas valves and variable speed motors, which Trane says will deliver better efficiency and...

Utility snip.(new products)
February 1, 2008... The new Knifti-Cut shop/electrician shear and utility snip is a compact multipurpose snip that features needle-nose blades that provide ready access to confined areas and a full 2-inch cut length. Knifti-Cut is designed for a wide range of...

Safety system.(new products)
February 1, 2008... Two new safety systems are now available from Roto-Die. The systems are compatible with all Roto-Die machines and are shipped with everything needed for installation. Safety system features include a new main control panel with lockout/tag-out...

Welder.(new products)
February 1, 2008... Miller Electric has now added an auto-set feature to its 180-amp category machine. The company says that the new Millermatic 180 with Auto-Set makes it simpler to use. The Auto-Set feature was originally designed for the Millermatic 140. Due to...

Tool boxes.(new products)
February 1, 2008... Knaack LLC has introduced its new Monster Box series featuring the Piano Box, chest and cabinet. These three models provide storage at a jobsite. The Monster Box model has tubular-steel framing, four-point crane lift system, integrated...

Foam tape.(new products)
February 1, 2008... This product combines the lightness of foam with the proven power of traditional sponge rubber. The new S-600 and S-800 silicone foam tapes from Pres-On seal and protect outdoor communications, electronics cabinets, HVAC units and lighting...

Calendar of events.(Calendar)
February 1, 2008... FEBRUARY [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 5-7 The Air Conditioning Contractors of America will hold its 40th annual conference and Indoor Expo at the Broadmoor resort in Colorado Springs, Colo. The event will feature a trade show with the...

Wholesalers & Mfr. Reps. Directory.(Directory)
February 1, 2008... 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...

Energy law shows need for contractors, industry to be politically involved.(editor's page)
February 1, 2008... 2008 is a presidential election year, which is great news for political news junkies, but it also means a lot of people will be tired of hearing about the candidates long before the ballots are cast Nov. 4. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I'm...

This letter was sent in response to "Construction workers can't get satisfaction, it seems," Editor's Page, August 2007.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
February 1, 2008... What could be a more soul-satisfying job than sheet metal? At the end of each day, you not only feel a sense of accomplishment, but you can physically see it. We, as sheet metal workers, are afforded tangible results from our labors. Sure,...