Snips articles from July 2003

Snips archives from July 2003

Bigger or better.(product listings)
July 1, 2003... Readers tell us that new products are among their favorite monthly features in SNIPS. Contractors are always hungry for new ideas and equipment that may help them work smarter or more efficiently. Many also want to sell their customers the...

If we were contractors, we'd probably also think.(Lindab Inc. promotion)
July 1, 2003... This, however, is not "information" from Iraq's former Minister of Information. (Our competitors wish it were.) No, we're dead serious. Because it's about your money. You see, without any hidden caveats, Lindab guarantees that our...

Keeping track: considerations in buying a data logger.
July 1, 2003... Battery-powered data loggers are fast becoming the tool of choice among contractors, service technicians and engineers responsible for monitoring indoor air quality; evaluating HVACR systems and monitoring energy efficiency and usage. Data...

Kansas City stars: union names best sheet metal apprentices during annual competition.(Sheet Metal Workers' International Association International Training Institute)
July 1, 2003... KANSAS CITY Mo. -- Novice sheet metal workers were on their mettle during the SMWIA's 31st annual apprentice contest. Sponsored by the International Training Institute, an affiliate of the Sheet Metal Workers' International Association, the...

Lean and clean'a better way to run sheet metal shops, book says. (Tech Tips).("Sheet Metal Made Lean and Clean: An Introduction to the Principles and Methods of Lean Production for Sheet Metal Shops")(Excerpt)
July 1, 2003... The following is taken from Sheet Metal Made Lean and Clean: An Introduction to the Principles and Methods of Lean Production for Sheet Metal Shops. Sheet metal shops differ widely in size, number of employees and types of products. In...

ISH North America.(2003)
July 1, 2003... Don't miss the 2nd edition of ISH North America, the consolidated trade show for Kitchen & Bath, Plumbing, PVF, Heating and Air Conditioning. This show is the leading North American trade event integrating these six major industry sectors. ...

2003 conference program.
July 1, 2003... KITCHEN & BATH KB1 Panel discussion: Mary Beth Duehr (moderator), Kevin Henry, John Buscarello and Ellen Cheever Contemporary versus Traditional Design Trends More and more American homes are embracing the streamlined, less...

Fabric duct helps Ohio country club compete for business. (Applications: In the Field).(Cinergy Corp.'s Hartwell Country Club)
July 1, 2003... CINCINNATI - The HVAC air-distribution system at Cinergy Hartwell Country Club's 5,000-square-foot recreation center was sufficient for Cinergy Corp.'s employee-member sports activities and functions, but fell short when the club began...

ASHRAE honors recent projects with building technology awards. (Association News).(American Society of Heating, Air-Conditioning and Refrigerating Engineers)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... The ASHRAE Technology Awards recognize outstanding achievements by members who have successfully applied innovative building designs, which incorporate ASHRAE standards for effective energy management and indoor air quality. The Technology...

SMACNA to hold industry-fund meeting during convention. (Association News).(Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... CHANTILLY, Va. -- The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Industry Fund of the U.S., will hold its contributors' meeting 8:30 a.m. Oct. 1 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. The meeting is held in...

Learn to be a 'Comanche,' 'mobile' marketer at QSC meeting. (Association News).(Quality Service Contractors )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... BALTIMORE -- Quality Service Contractors will learn two types of marketing -- "Comanche" and "mobile" -- at the next QSC Power Meeting, July 17-19 at the Sheraton Inner Harbor here. Speaker Matt Michel, president of the group's Service...

SMOHIT offers free health, safety newsletter. (Association News).(Sheet Metal Occupational Health Institute Trust)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... ALEXANDRIA, Va. A free quarterly health and safety newsletter is available online to all union sheet metal workers. Each six-page "Safety Matters" newsletter highlights health and safety information as well as industry concerns, common...

ASA Education Foundation elects 2003 officers. (Association News).(American Supply Association)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- The American Supply Association Education Foundation recently announced its officers of the 2003 board of trustees. They are: President Colin Perry, president, Rampart Plumbing & Heating Supply Inc., Colorado Springs, Colo.;...

RSES members awarded CM status. (Association News).(Refrigeration Service Engineers Society; certificate member status )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... DES PLAINES, Ill. -- Several members of the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society have earned certificate member status by passing an examination which tests the knowledge required to install and service refrigeration and air conditioning...

New firms join AMCA program. (Association News).(Air Movement and Control Association International certified-ratings program)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. -- The Air Movement and Control Association International announced the names of three firms that are now participating in its certified-ratings program. AMCA International licensed Kruger Ventilation Industries...

Flexmaster Canada changes name to The NovaFlex Group. (Supplier News).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... RICHMOND HILL, Ontario - Venting and duct manufacturer Flexmaster Canada Ltd. and its associated companies have changed their corporate name to The NovaFlex Group. Brands affected by the change include U.S.-based Z-Flex, U-Nova Industries...

CMP offices, factory damaged by tornado. (Supplier News).(CMP Corp.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... OKLAHOMA CITY - CMP Corp., manufacturer of compressor replacement parts, suffered damage to its corporate offices and facilities during a tornado on May 8. No employees were injured. The tornado damaged several of CMP's manufacturing...

Bulgarian software firm aims for U.S. market. (Supplier News).(Point Bulgaria Ltd.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... SOFIA, Bulgaria - Point Bulgaria Ltd. announced it has begun marketing efforts in the U.S. and Canada. The company produces, software for the design, monitoring and analysis of the industrial network and the controlled technological progress, a...

Selco Products Co. consolidates facilities. (Supplier News).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Selco Products Co. has consolidated its two 10,000-square-foot facilities in Orange and Los Alamitos, Calif., to a 50,000-square-foot site in Anaheim. The new site combines sales, marketing, engineering and manufacturing...

Petra signs new distributors. (Supplier News).(Petra Engineering Industries Co.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... AMMAN, Jordan - Petra Engineering Industries Co., ,manufacturer of package rooftop units, chillers, and air handler units distributed internationally, announced new agreements to supply its products in the northeast U.S. Petra products are...

GE launches sales-training program. (Supplier News).(General Electric Co. Industrial and Power Systems)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... FORT WAYNE, Ind. - General Electric's Industrial Systems division has introduced its "MoneyMakers" sales-training program designed to help residential HVAC dealers increase sales of higher-margin, variable-speed equipment. According to the...

QwikShot Acid Flush approved for space station. (Supplier News).(Mainstream Engineering Corp.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... ROCKLEDGE, Fla. -- Mainstream Engineering Corps QwikShot Acid Flush has been chosen for use in the refrigerated centrifuge R-134A compressor on board the international space station. According to the company, QwikShot does not neutralize...

SMACNA presents California member with legislative award. (Contractor News).(Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association, Mark Nelson)
July 1, 2003... WASHINGTON -- At its annual legislative awards dinner May 5, the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association presented Mark Nelson, of Los Angeles Air Conditioning Inc. in La Verne, Calif., with the Legislative Contractor...

Tweet-Garot Mechancial wins safety prize. (Contractor News).(2002 Wisconsin Corporate Safety Award )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Tweet-Garot Mechanical recently received the 2002 Wisconsin Corporate Safety Award from the Wisconsin Council of Safety. It is the third time the past four years that the company has won the award, which honors Wisconsin...

MCAA elects vice president, assistant treasurer. (Contractor News).(Mechanical Contractors Association of America elects Michael Cullinane)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... ROCKVILLE, Md. -- The Mechanical Contractors Association of America's board of directors has elected Michael Cullinane as vice president and assistant treasurer. Cullinane is president and comptroller of Bert C. Young & Sons Corp., a...

PHCC conducts project management courses. (Contractor News).(Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors?National Association Educational Foundation)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... SAN JOSE, Calif. -- The PHCC Educational Foundation's new Essentials of PHC Project Management course premiered recently at the Hayes Mansion Conference Center in San Jose, Calif. Twenty-six contractors attended the course, which is offered...

Labor Department awards grant for metalworking apprenticeships. (Contractor News).(National Institute for Metalworking Skills)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Labor Department has awarded a $1.9 million grant to the National Institute for Metalworking Skills to update existing metalworking apprenticeship programs. The new model will use industry proficiency standards...

Trans-Atlantic partnership stronger than ever, ARI president tells group. (Meetings & Conventions).(Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute)
July 1, 2003... OSLO, Norway - During a recent speech in front of the European Committee of Air Handling and Refrigerating Equipment Manufacturers, William G. Sutton, president of the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute, said the transatlantic...

Plumbing apprentices to compete during ISH-North America. (Meetings & Conventions).(Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors National Association )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors National Association has announced an expansion to its international apprenticeship contest for plumping apprentices at this year's ISH-North America trade show, Oct. 1-3 in Las Vegas. This year,...

Mini-duct manufacturer Unico appoints new president. (People in the News).(Unico Inc., David Page)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... St. Louis-based Unico Inc., a manufacturer of mini-duct central heating and air conditioning systems, has appointed David Page as president. Page previously worked as an independent management consultant in E-commerce and general-management...

Heatcraft Refrigeration Products. (People in the News).(Gary Anderson)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Heatcraft Refrigeration Products of Atlanta has appointed Gary Anderson to director of business excellence. He will lead the development and follow-through of new company-wide strategies for business development, and will represent Heatcraft...

The NovaFlex Group. (People in the News).(Tom Wise)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... The NovaFlex Group of Richmond Hill, Ontario, has appointed Tom Wise to the position of vice president, corporate development. Wise is a 25-year veteran of the hose industry. Most recently he served as the senior vice president sales and...

Comfort Systems USA Inc. (People in the News).(Norman C. Chambers, Dave Lanphar and Milburn Honeycutt )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Comfort Systems USA Inc. in Houston, a provider of commercial and industrial HVAC services, announced that President Norman C. Chambers has assumed additional responsibilities as chief operating officer. The company's regional vice presidents,...

The Formtek Group. (People in the News).(Peter Swenson )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... The Formtek Group of Itasca, Ill., announced that Peter Swenson has joined the company as North American sales manager, coiled metal processing systems. Swenson will be located in Porter, Ind. He has more than 25 years of sales experience in...

Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration Division of Danfoss Inc. (People in the News).(Claus Peitersen)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Claus Peitersen has been named vice president operations for the Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration Division of Danfoss Inc. in Baltimore. His responsibilities include management of customer service, logistics and supply chain functions and...

S.I. Goldman Co. Inc. (People in the News).(Comfort Systems USA promotes David Yates )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... David Yates has been promoted to assistant vice president/manager of field operations at S.I. Goldman Co. Inc.'s Comfort Systems USA division in Longwood, Fla. Joining the company in 1990, Yates most recently held the position of manager of...

Consider using a newsletter to market your HVAC company. (Business Management).
July 1, 2003... Too many contractors serve customers, but don't ever follow up with them. You may service them once and just expect that they'll remember you because you did such a great job. I wish that was true. Studies show that 55 percent of the customers...

Learning self-management skills will help your sales efforts. (Sales & Marketing).
July 1, 2003... Many salespeople want to become sales managers, where they can pass along some of the things that have helped them become successful. I don't think that's always a good idea. I often say making a salesperson the sales manager is often the best...

Moving forward during uncertain times (part II). (Contractor Cents).
July 1, 2003... Last month I wrote about some activities to do in uncertain economic times. Here are some other things to do. Put a referral program in place. It can be subtle or overt. However, let customers know that you appreciate referrals to their...

ASHRAE sponsors forum on environmental tobacco smoke. (Indoor Air Quality).(American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... ATLANTA - Saying HVAC engineers need guidance for designing spaces where environmental tobacco smoke may occur, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers is proposing a special publication on ETS. To...

Air Quality Sciences hires senior consultant. (Indoor Air Quality).(M.C. Hull )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... ATLANTA -- Air Quality Sciences Inc. recently announced M.C. Hull has joined the IAQ-testing company as a senior chemical/biological safety and bio-security consultant. Hull will evaluate mold and chemical contamination in large commercial...

Quest Technologies receives ISO registration. (Indoor Air Quality).(ISO 9001:2000 )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... OCONOMOWOC, Wis. -- Quest Technologies Inc. received its ISO 9001:2000 registration from National Quality Assurance, a group that performs assessments of management systems against requirements of national and international standards for...

March new construction dips slightly, McGraw-Hill report says. (Wholesaler News).
July 1, 2003... NEW YORK -- New construction starts in March slipped 1 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $475.2 billion, it was reported by McGraw-Hill Construction Dodge. Both nonresidential building and housing fell slightly, while...

Machine-tool consumption continues to lag 2002 levels. (Wholesaler News).(Association For Manufacturing Technology and American Machine Tool Distributors' Association)
July 1, 2003... ROCKVILLE, Md. -- March U.S. machine-tool consumption totaled $154.19 million, according to AMT -- The Association For Manufacturing Technology and AMTDA, the American Machine Tool Distributors' Association. This total, as reported by...

Florida firm to distribute Maytag HVAC products. (Wholesaler News).(HBA Distributors Inc. )
July 1, 2003... O'FALLON, Mo. -- Florida-based HBA Distributors Inc. will begin selling Maytag Corp.'s HVAC products later this year, according to Nordyne company officials. Nordyne is Maytag's HVAC marketing firm. "We're signing up distributors who...

New roof tops public library, community college building. (Roofing News).(LaVista Public Library and Metropolitan Community College Sarpy Center combined building installs Petersen Aluminum Corp. roofing)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... LA VISTA, Neb. -- In what officials say is one of the first formal collaborations between a city council and a college board, the LaVista Public Library and Metropolitan Community College Sarpy Center combined previously separate library and...

Body parts found in roof of Chicago-area restaurant. (Roofing News).(Nelson Roofing Co. discovers body)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... MORTON GROVE, Ill. -- Human remains encased in concrete and hidden in a roof system of a restaurant here were discovered by roofing workers of Nelson Roofing Co. of Chicago, according to the National Roofing Contractors Association. While...

SMACNA Los Angeles. (Regional News: California).(Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association reports on California Coalition for Construction in the Classroom annual meeting)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... According to the Industry Reporter newsletter of SMACNA Los Angeles, more than 50 members and interested contractors, educators and legislative staffers attended the California Coalition for Construction in the Classroom annual meeting. The...

Colorado Roofing Association. (Regional News: Colorado).(limitations of damages for construction defects)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... According to the Colorado Roofing Association newsletter, the bill regarding construction defect lawsuits passed the state legislature and went to the governor for signature. The new law limits liability to actual damages and caps them if...

South Florida ACCA. (Regional News: Florida).(Air Conditioning Contractors of America meeting)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... At the May meeting of the South Florida ACCA, Louis Didonna, a Florida Power and Light contractor representative, presented information on the Contractor Incentive Lookup, where contractors can check on the status of their incentive payments...

NERCA. (Regional News: Massachusetts).(North/East Roofing Contractors Association reports on hazardous materials transportation laws)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... The NERCA News, newsletter of the North/East Roofing Contractors Association, reported strict enforcement of regulations regarding the transportation of hazardous materials in Massachusetts traffic tunnels, including the new 1-90 (Ted Williams)...

Western Sheet Metal Works Inc. (Regional News: Missouri).(Western Sheet Metal Works Inc.'s Charles Kromer retires)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Charles Kromer retired after 40-plus years with Western Sheet Metal Works Inc., and the company disbanded. According to the association newsletter, "His support and participation in SMACNA-St. Louis was sincerely appreciated and will be...

Akron-Canton ACCA. (Regional News: Ohio).(Air Conditioning Contractors of America humor "Perks of Being Over 50")(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Akron-Canton ACCA contributed this piece to the May issue of the Central Ohio Chapter ACCA newsletter, entitled, "Perks of Being Over 50." * Kidnappers are not very interested in you. * In a hostage situation, you are likely to be...

Occupational Training Inc. (Regional News: Pennsylvania).(Air Conditioning Contractors of America Western Pennsylvania meeting on mold )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Dave Ginsburg, Ph.D., president of the Center for Environmental and Occupational Training Inc., discussed mold and answered questions during the June meeting of Western Pennsylvania ACCA. Ginsburg explained what he does in mold remediation, as...

NRCA proceedings. (Books Software & Lit).(National Roofing Contractors Association 12th International Roofing and Waterproofing Conference on CD ROM)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... The National Roofing Contractors Association has released proceedings from the 12th International Roofing and Waterproofing Conference on CDROM. The conference, "Exploring Tomorrow's Technology Today," was sponsored by the NRCA and the Bitumen...

Energy calculations. (Books Software & Lit).(American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers)
July 1, 2003... Energy calculations can now be performed on-screen with the Psychrometric Analysis CD from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. The CD ($135 for members, $169 for non-members) also allows users to plot...

Selection software. (Books Software & Lit).(Modine Manufacturing Co. )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Modine Manufacturing Co. has released a software update for its "Breeze" Accupec software for its HVAC product line. The software is a Windows based sizing an selection program that provides a series of questions that allow for easy...

Laser-cutting handbook. (Books Software & Lit).("Using a C02 Laser in the Shop: A Handbook for Installation, Use, and Maintenance")(Book Review)
July 1, 2003... Using a C02 Laser in the Shop: A Handbook for Installation, Use, and Maintenance, has been released. David Marusa wrote the book for managers and operators seeking instruction in laser cutting. According to the association, the book is a...

Shingles Sheet. (Books, Software & Lit).(Union Corrugating Co.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Performa Steel Shingles are described in a fact sheet from Union Corrugating Co.The company said the heavy duty, G-90 29-gauge galvanized steel shingles will not crack, curl, split, mold or stain, are fire resistant and provide greater impact...

Calendar of events.(Calendar)
July 1, 2003... JULY July 30 Aug 1 Enviro-Mold IAQ Services will conduct one of its Mold Remediation Boot Camps in Minneapolis. For information, call (888) 595-4393; visit www. environmold.com on the Internet. AUGUST 18-23 The...

Wholesalers and Manufacturer's Reps. Directory.(Directory)
July 1, 2003... 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...

Tax cut good news for contractors who need to go truck shopping. .(Editorial)
July 1, 2003... Christmas may have come early for many contractors this year, with the $350 billion economic stimulus package recently signed by President George W. Bush. Under the new law, contractors and other small-business owners will now be able to...