Snips articles from May 2006

Snips archives from May 2006

Tool & instrument product guide.(Directory)(Buyers guide)
May 1, 2006... THE TOOLS OF THE TRADE Contractors must make a number of decisions on every project in the field. What will be the best solution for the customer? How should I tackle the job to make sure it is done right and on time? Sometimes choosing...

'Thinking big' in the duct-cleaning business: NADCA encourages convention attendees to try new markets.(National Air Duct Cleaners Association)
May 1, 2006... DALLAS -- Toward the end of his talk, Channing Starke of Ambler, Pa.-based Air-Vent Duct Cleaning encouraged his audience to enter the energy-management arena. "There is an increased awareness in energy waste," said Starke during his March 8...

Raising the roof (show): convention boosts attendance for second straight year.(International Roofing Expo)
May 1, 2006... LAS VEGAS -- This city built on gambling turned out to be very lucky for the International Roofing Expo. Attendance for the Feb. 13-16 event at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center jumped 20 percent over the 2005 Orlando, Fla., show's figures,...

Improving use of tools can lead to better efficiency.(work methods engineering)
May 1, 2006... The following is taken from "Tool and Material Management Systems," a study published by the New Horizons Foundation, which is funded in part by the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association. Contractors can...

New software could lower heating, cooling costs.(University of Maryland's A. James Clark School of Engineering develops CoilDesigner software )
May 1, 2006... COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- With winter finally ending, some consumers may be relieved that high heating costs may be over for another year. But could long-term relief from high heating bills be a mere 12 months away? New software developed...

Contractor provides air conditioning for temporary shelter.(applications in the field)
May 1, 2006... Mechanical contractor Darryl Couvillion, president of Darryl's Refrigeration in Belle Chasse, La., had the challenge of cooling the tent barracks for Hurricane Katrina disaster-relief workers. The tents, erected at the Belle Chassee Naval...

Hospital expansion demands humidity, temperature control.(applications in the field)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... The 338-bed St. Vincent's Hospital in Birmingham, Ala., is now better serving patients with the creation of an orthopedic medicine division. To accommodate the new division, the hospital needed to renovate an existing area of the hospital,...

Material costs outpace consumer costs, says AGC.(association news)(Associated General Contractors of America)
May 1, 2006... Construction materials costs are outpacing overall consumer and producer prices by a wide margin, according to the Associated General Contractors of America. Ken Simonson, AGC chief economist, said the association's producer price index...

ASHRAE funds study for miniature cooling device.(American Society of Heating, Refrigerating & Air Conditioning Engineers)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... ATLANTA -- A miniaturized cooling system being studied through ASHRAE research could make it possible to safely transport tissues and organs without electricity. Research for the device is being funded by the American Society of Heating,...

QSC honors A.O. Smith as industry partner.(association news)
May 1, 2006... A.O. Smith Water Products Co. and New York state contractor Tom Maniuszko were recognized with awards during the Quality Service Contractors' Power Meeting. The meeting, Feb. 23-25 in St. Pete Beach, Fla., also presented the Founders'...

Insulation association welcomes new member.(association news)(Guardian Building Products Inc. becomes a member of North American Insulation Manufacturers Association)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Guardian Building Products Inc. is the latest company to join the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association. The company produces a full line of light-density fiberglass insulation products for use in residential and commercial...

New guidelines seek to reduce refrigerant emissions.(supplier news)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... ARLINGTON, Va. -- A new voluntary guideline recommends leak detection and preventative maintenance to minimize the impact refrigerants have on the environment. The guideline, developed in partnership with the Air-Conditioning Refrigeration...

Modine wins U.S. Army environmental award.(supplier news)
May 1, 2006... RACINE, Wis. -- Modine Manufacturing Co. has been recognized for its work on developing alternative carbon dioxide HVAC systems for the U.S. Army. The company has worked on creating this type of system for the armored M1114 high-mobility,...

Trane rolls out rooftop replacement program.(marketing)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. -- A new replacement program from Trane will offer a 5 percent rebate on IntelliPak and Voyager III commercial air-conditioning rooftop systems used as replacements for comparable equipment. To qualify for the rebate,...

Lindab acquires Texas duct-fabricating business.(supplier news)
May 1, 2006... Texas-based Gowco, a ventilation manufacturing company, has been purchased by Lindab Inc. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. According to Lindab, the company is already established in the eastern U.S. With the acquisition of Gowco,...

Ruskin announces price hikes.(aluminum products prices)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Ruskin Air & Sound Control has increased prices on all aluminum products by 4 percent. The increase is effective immediately. A 4 percent increase has also been announced for all aluminum products from Swartwout, a...

Copeland lab technicians earn NATE certification.(supplier news)
May 1, 2006... ST. LOUIS -- Nineteen Copeland refrigeration engineering laboratory technicians have been NATE-certified in commercial air conditioning. The announcement was made by parent company Emerson Climate Technologies. Located in Copeland's...

January sees upward trend in shipments.(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Combined U.S. factory shipments of 703,234 central air conditioners and air source heat pumps for January were up 74.3 percent compared to the same month last year, according to ARI. The Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute also...

Contractors still have SEER concerns, says survey.(contractor news)
May 1, 2006... A majority of HVAC contractors--56 percent--have serious economic or technical concerns about the new 13-SEER regulation, according to the final SEER survey from Emerson Climate Technologies. The survey, the last in a series of 13-SEER...

Youth charity benefits from contractor group.(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... The Quality Service Contractors raised more than $20,000 for an aviation program that benefits physically challenged children and young people. The money was raised during a charity golf tournament Feb. 22 in St. Pete Beach, Fla., prior to...

Promotion awards contractors NFL tickets.(National Football League)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... LA-Co Industries Inc. announced the winners of its Fall 2005 Slic-Tite promotion, which sent three groups of customers to see their local pro football teams in action. Customers had the opportunity to enter a drawing for upcoming National...

PHCC members attend 'Legislative Day'.(Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... "You represent the industry" was the message members of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors-National Association heard during the PHCC's 10th annual Legislative Day. Before heading to Capitol Hill for the March 16 event, the 100 PHCC...

Builder confidence virtually unchanged in March.(contractor news)
May 1, 2006... A one-point decline in the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo March Housing Market Index indicates that housing demands are returning to a sustainable pace, according to the NAHB. "Today's HMI provides the latest evidence of...

Bryant concludes company's largest dealer convention.(Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems)
May 1, 2006... With nearly 4,000 attendees, Bryant Heating & Cooling Systems is calling its 2006 national dealer convention in Las Vegas the largest event in company history. The Feb. 28-March 3 convention brought together dealers, territory managers and...

Spiral-duct group gives awards.(meetings & conventions)
May 1, 2006... At its winter membership meeting, held Jan. 22 at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago, SPIDA gave awards to two members. Bob Tumberger (middle) of Perf-Etc. Steel Corp. was given the Spiral Duct Manufacturers Association's Ted Hamre Award by outgoing...

RSES conference to highlight 13 SEER.(Refrigeration Service Engineers Society)
May 1, 2006... The 2006 RSES annual conference will include an educational session titled "Take the Fear Out of 13 SEER." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The session will take place Oct. 3-7 at the CNN Center-Omni Hotel in Atlanta. According to the...

Lochinvar wraps up hydronic heating tour.(meetings & conventions)
May 1, 2006... Lochinvar Corp. took its show on the road by visiting cities throughout the Northeast U.S. during the month of April. The company demonstrated its Solution and new Knight heating boilers. A self-contained tour van provided visitors with a...

Nomaco K-Flex names new chief operating officer.(people in the news)
May 1, 2006... Mitch Schreiber is the new chief operating officer for Nomaco K-Flex, a producer of polyolefin and elastomeric foam insulation products. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] According to the company, this is a new position created in response to...

Duro Dyne Corp.(appointment of Leo F. White )(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Leo F. White was named vice president and controller of Duro Dyne Corp. in Bay Shore, N.Y. White has been the controller for the company since 2001. According to Duro Dyne, he is being recognized for his "outstanding contribution to Duro Dyne's...

Heatcraft Refrigeration Products LLC.(people in the news)
May 1, 2006... Heatcraft Refrigeration Products LLC appointed Ken Rothgeb as vice president of sales and customer service. "Our sales and customer service organizations have worked hard and forged strong relationships with our customers," said David...

Danfoss' North American.(appointment of John Galyen )(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... John Galyen was named president of sales and marketing for Danfoss' North American refrigeration and air-conditioning operations. Galyen will be responsible for continuing the division's growth in the region, and will report to Leif Flojgaard,...

Colmac Manufacturing.(people in the news)
May 1, 2006... Colmac Manufacturing promoted Joe Fazzari to sales and marketing manager. He will oversee the Colmac sales engineering and marketing departments, as well as the corporate network of manufacturer representatives. Fazzari joined Colmac Coil in...

Hansen Technologies Corp.(people in the news)
May 1, 2006... Hansen Technologies Corp. welcomed Thomas J. Lemar as its new director of North American sales and marketing. His experience spans over 18 years in the refrigeration industry, previously managing sales and products at Krack Corp. "Tom...

M & M Manufacturing.(appointment of Chris Van Rite )(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... The board of directors for M & M Manufacturing elected Chris Van Rite vice president of sales. "Chris has been with M & M for 23 years and for many years was M & M's only outside salesman," said Rod Stepp, president of M & M. In his...

Indianapolis-based Jackson Systems LLC.(people in the news)
May 1, 2006... Indianapolis-based Jackson Systems LLC added two new employees. Brian Marks will take on the role as the company's new inside sales engineer, while Don Percifield will act as a thermostat imprinting specialist.

St. Louis-based Indeeco.(Indeeco appoints Rick Holmes and Kevin Healy )(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... St. Louis-based Indeeco, a manufacturer of heating and electric control systems, appointed Rick Holmes as its director of sales and marketing. Holmes joined the company in 1985 as a sales engineer. He has filled the roles of market manager,...

The company also promoted Mark Cornwell as industrial sales manager.(people in the news)
May 1, 2006... The company also promoted Mark Cornwell as industrial sales manager. Cornwell joined the company in 1986 and most recently held the position of senior sales engineer.

Palmer Wahl.(people in the news)
May 1, 2006... Palmer Wahl, a provider of industrial temperature, pressure, humidity, calibration and test measurement instruments, announced the hiring of Richard Parello as vice president of sales and marketing. Prior to joining Palmer Wahl, Parello held...

Modine Manufacturing Co.(people in the news)
May 1, 2006... Gregory T. Troy has joined Modine Manufacturing Co. as its vice president and chief human resources officer, reporting to David Rayburn, company president and CEO. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Troy has more than 17 years of international...

Practice improving your golf game and closing ratio.(sales & marketing)
May 1, 2006... Irecently started playing golf after years of playing tennis. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] There were several reasons I played tennis for more than 25 years: It was a very active sport that required not more than two hours, while golf...

Learning business lessons from overachievers.
May 1, 2006... About two years ago, I was browsing through a bookstore where I found a book called Overachievement by John Eliot, Ph.D. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I bought it. As I read the pages, it felt like this book was written for me. You can...

Times are a-changin' in the HVAC industry (part III).(Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning)(Editorial)
May 1, 2006... This is the last of Jim Olsztynski's three-column series on changes in the HVAC and sheet metal industries. Part two ran in the April issue of SNIPS. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Don't be surprised if another round of consolidation occurs...

Distributor MVPs get Super Bowl weekend.(Air Products and Controls honors distributors with awards)(most valuable professionals)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Air Products and Controls honored its "all-star distributors" during a Super Bowl XL celebration. Several of the customers joined company President Jim Ludwig and Vice President of Sales Jerry Black for a VIP weekend Feb. 5 in Detroit. ...

Machine tool consumption up 11 percent in January.(wholesaler news)(Brief article)(Statistical data)
May 1, 2006... U.S. machine tool consumption totaled $225.94 million in January, according to the American Machine Tool Distributors' Association and the Association for Manufacturing Technology. This total was down 31.9 percent from December, but up 11.3...

N.B. Handy promotion offers Westinghouse prizes.(wholesaler news)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... To celebrate its status as an exclusive distributor of Westinghouse brand HVAC equipment, N.B. Handy is giving dealers the chance to win HVAC systems and big-screen televisions. N.B. Handy now distributes the Westinghouse brand in nine...

Firestone donates $10,000 to Roofing Foundation.(roofing news)
May 1, 2006... INDIANAPOLIS -- Firestone Building Products Co. contributed $10,000 to the National Roofing Foundation, which provides financial support to undergraduate students. Firestone presented a check to NRF representatives during the 2006...

New heart center selects metal panels.(roofing news)(LaPorte Hospital)
May 1, 2006... When the LaPorte Hospital added a 10,000 square-foot, second-story heart center, the challenge was how to expand without impacting the building's integrity. The hospital in LaPorte, Ind., chose Centria Formawall Dimension Series metal...

Metal roof gives Georgia home historic look.(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... The owners of a private residence in Arnoldsville, Ga., finally topped off three years of renovation by selecting a roof that would match their 1850s home. A Follansbee KlassicKolors metal roof in Charleston green was the selection. ...

Copper roofing makes prime-time debut.(roofing news)
May 1, 2006... A recent episode of the television program "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" featured a standing-seam copper roof made with 6,000 square feet of copper sheet metal supplied by the Copper Development Association. The ABC-TV series provides...

Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association.(fund raising for Area Agency on Aging)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... More than 100 motorcycle and classic-car enthusiasts from across the state of Arizona came together for the inaugural "Wheels for Meals" poker run. The Feb. 25 event was organized by the state chapter of the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning...

California Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association.(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Over 40 members of the California Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association met in Sacramento, Calif. for the third annual "Day at the Capitol." The event, Feb. 27-28, gave chapter members the opportunity to meet with...

North East Roofing Contractors Association.(Energy Conservation Awareness)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... The Foxwoods Resort and Casino in Mashantucket, Conn., was the location for the March 21-23 eighth annual NERCA convention and trade show. The North East Roofing Contractors Association planned educational sessions for the convention, including...

Illinois Central College and Elgin Community College.(HVACR training programs)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Illinois Central College in East Peoria, Ill., and Elgin Community College in Elgin, Ill., recently received accreditation for their HVACR training programs from the Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Accreditation. ...

American Technical Education Association.(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... "Technical education--always a winner," was the theme of The American Technical Education Association's 43rd national conference March 15-17 at the Downtown Marriott in Louisville, Ky. The conference was hosted by Jefferson Community and...

U.S. Green Building Council.(United States)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... The U.S. Green Building Council was scheduled to bring "Ten Principles for Sustainable Development" to the Sheraton New Orleans March 20. Actions specifically designed for New Orleans were part of the event. The ideas were developed at last...

Meier Supply Co. Inc.(NEW YORK)(honored as business of the week)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Johnson City, N.Y.-based Meier Supply Co. Inc. was honored as a 2005 "Business of the Week," according to the Central New York Business Journal. The company was recognized during an awards dinner Feb. 13 in Syracuse, N.Y. "It was an...

Nashville Convention Center.(TENNESSEE)
May 1, 2006... The regional Metalform conference was scheduled to take place March 21-23 in Nashville, Tenn., at the Nashville Convention Center. More than 300 equipment manufacturers were expected to exhibit their products, with over one-third unveiling new...

American Standard's 2005 "Stars & Stripes" program.(TEXAS)(American Standards Association gives award to Bryan Shellenberger of A-Apex Heating and Air )(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... A-Apex Heating & Air owner Bryan Shellenberger was awarded a $40,000 backyard makeover as the grand prize winner of American Standard's 2005 "Stars & Stripes" program. The program was a contest among all American Standard dealers to sell the...

Mechanical Contractors Association of Metropolitan Washington.(appointment of Mark Cronin )(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Mark Cronin was named the 2006 president of the Mechanical Contractors Association of Metropolitan Washington. Cronin is president and owner of Paramount Mechanical Corp., which was started in 1989. Paramount Mechanical's main office is located...

Mechanical Contractors Association of Northwest Wisconsin.(WISCONSIN)
May 1, 2006... The Mechanical Contractors Association of Northwest Wisconsin awarded a $1,000 scholarship to Adrianne C. Woolford. She will graduate from Platteville High School in Platteville, Wis., in June. She is the daughter of Alan and Kathleen Woolford....

Mechanical Contractors Association of North Central Wisconsin.(WISCONSIN)
May 1, 2006... Robert J. Fischer of J.F. Ahem Co. in Fond du Lac, Wis., was named president of the Mechanical Contractors Association of North Central Wisconsin. The association elected its newest officers at its annual membership meeting Feb. 22. Donald...

Sheet metal training.(SolidWorks for the Sheet Metal Guy Course 2: Hole Patterns and Notches)(Brief article)(Book review)
May 1, 2006... SolidWorks for the Sheet Metal Guy--Course 2: Hole Patterns and Notches, explains how to create standard and special shape holes and cutouts. The book details methods of generating patterns of these holes, including using tables to update the...

Tape catalog.(books software & lit)
May 1, 2006... This company's new HVAC product catalog features its line of tested and approved mold-inhibiting tapes. To denote specially treated tapes, the company has developed a red and black "no mold" seal that is displayed on the front of each package....

Boiler brochure.(books software & lit)
May 1, 2006... A new six-page, full-color brochure features this company's complete line of KN-Series boilers. The publication provides design and performance information of the KN-6, KN-10 and KN-20 commercial gas-fired, direct vent cast iron boiler. Photos...

Training Manual.(books software & lit)
May 1, 2006... The HVAC Refrigeration Sealant Training Manual is the latest publication from this company for appliance, airconditioning and industrial service technicians. The 12-page publication details the procedures for identifying leaking systems,...

Wage and benefits survey.(books software & lit)
May 1, 2006... The "2005 Metal Forming and Fabricating Industry Wage & Benefits Survey" is a biennial report on compensation for shop employees. The report, released by the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association, along with its affiliate, the Tube & Pipe...

Alarm software.(books software & lit)
May 1, 2006... Real-time alarm software is available for use with Hobo data loggers. The software automatically notifies users via cell phone text messages or e-mail when temperature, humidity and other conditions exceed user-defined limits. The software is...

Loss prevention CD-ROM.(books software & lit)
May 1, 2006... The 2006 Resource Collection CD-ROM contains more than 350 property loss-prevention data sheets, the "2006 Approval Guide" published by FM Approvals, and FM Global's "2006 Property Loss Prevention Resource Catalog." The CD answers questions on...

Test-tools catalog.(books software & lit)
May 1, 2006... Fluke Corp. has released the 2006 edition of its test-tools catalog. The catalog provides information on features and specifications for the full line of Fluke products, as well as selection guides and ordering information. The test-tool...

Calendar of events.(Calendar)
May 1, 2006... MAY 5-6 The 48th Industrial Ventilation Conference will be held at the Hilton-Riverside in Wilmington, N.C. The conference will focus on promoting and teaching good ventilation practices and design techniques for industrial systems....

Wholesalers & Mfr. Reps. Directory.(Directory)
May 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...

Summertime: bigger profits or more expenses?(higher temperature ahead, HVAC industry sales forecast)
May 1, 2006... By now, in much of the country, temperatures are starting to heat up--good news for those of us who live in the often-cold upper Midwest. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It's also good news for HVAC contractors, especially those in residential...

Contractor finds it hard to succeed in industry.(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2006... I just read Jim Olsztynski's "Times are a-changin" column in the March issue of SNIPS. As a very small residential HVAC contractor, what you say really rings true. I have tried three times to team up with another contractor in the Denver...